Guyana chronicle e paper 08 31 2017

Argentina to the rescue

--providing expertise to help restore damaged art collection Page 14

‘Citizens must know’ No. 105021

THURSDAY,AUGUST 31, 2017

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

–President says public must be informed about oil developments …commits to openness, accountability in relationship with Exxon

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A ‘wrong-andstrong’ deal Narrow escape! Several persons converged on the scene on Vlissingen Road Wednesday afternoon to watch this man dramatically squeeze out of his car after it ran off the road and plunged into a nearby trench (Samuel Maughn photo)

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Atlantic Ville resident dies in accident

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Interior shuttles suspended

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Several press claims for ancestral lands Pag e 11

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 31, 2017

National Land Use Policy needed

-- Land CoI hears

By Ariana Gordon THERE is need for a national Land Use Policy to influence the development of an integrated approach towards land-use planning here, head of the Department of Environment (DoE), and Advisor on Climate Change Ndibi Schwiers has said.

Schwiers told the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into lands on Tuesday that such a policy would include harmonisation of existing policies and laws where they contradict each other or formulation of new laws.

Additionally, she said the National Land Use Policy would complement Guyana’s third National Development Strategy (GNDS) to safeguard the well-being of people and eco-systems.

She said in the development of the GNDS, which is coordinated by the Department of Environment, Sustainable Land Management (SLM) is prioritised as an important apparatus for food security and maintaining ecosystem services such as

provision of clean, drinking water, carbon sequestration, supporting habitats and maintenance of viable gene pools (many of these ecosystem services are now being assigned economic value in countries around the world).

As such, Schwiers posited that efforts to support the SLM include land reclamation, which includes the putting of degraded and deforested lands back to productive use, the identification of opportunities to improve land use planning and natural resources management systems and the examination of adequate capacity and incentives to implement sustainable land management codes of practices in the forestry sector.

“In the absence of proper land-use planning, productive land uses will perform poorly and this can constrain national economic growth and consequently our attainment of ‘green,’ sustainable development,” she told the CoI as she elaborated on SLM in the context of environmental

management.

The head of the Department of Environment told the Commission that her department was developed to coordinate and integrate activities of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Protected Areas Commission (PAC), Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission and National Parks Commission (NPC); assume responsibility for policy direction and monitoring of international environmental agreements and projects; and take the lead in guiding the process in transitioning Guyana towards the development of a ‘green’ economy.

“Land is featured prominently in environmental protection in the country.

The EPA’s mandate spans the management, conservation and protection of all environmental media which includes land,” said Schwiers, who noted that the EPA has limited, direct authority over private and public land-use decisions, its implementation of the Environmental Protection Act of 1996 and resulting regulations for pollution control and prevention influence land management and land-use practices in

Head of the Department of Environment (DoE) Ndibi Schwiers

Guyana.

REORGANISE Earlier this year, the Department of Environment started the process to reorganise the EPA to make it more responsive to the developmental needs of the country. This resulted in the development of a new unit that treats with land resources management.

“This unit is tasked with developing standards to restore mined-out and other degraded lands, prevent releases to land and to conserve/manage land-based resources.”

That department will also be responsible for the development of emergency response guidelines for accidental releases to land.

This department will have a GIS arm, specifically charged with identifying all locations currently administered by regulatory agencies in Guyana including the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), among others to identify conflicting land uses and cumulative impacts of development.

Schwiers also reminded that Guyana committed at an international level to

protecting an additional two million hectares of land and waterways under the National Protected Areas System.

ALL REGIONS These areas will be established across the 10 regions in the country in order to ensure that conservation is national in scale and covers all ecological zones in scope, she stated. This would bring the total protected areas in the country to approximately 22 per cent to be managed by the PAC. “I would like to leave you with a common challenge that confronts us and that is land development without environmental authorisation,” said the advisor on climate change, who noted that the EPA by law issues first development consent, however, some project proponents engage the authorisation process after they have started their development.

She said due to a lack of proper zoning, many commercial and industrial activities are located in residential areas (often below dwelling houses), with developers not having the financial capability of mitigating negative effects.

“This results in numerous complaints due to odour pollution, noise pollution, air and water pollution in residential areas. Examples of activities include, inter alia, spray-painting operations, furniture workshops, mechanical workshops, poultry and swine-rearing activities.”

In this regard, the EPA works with local authorities and other stakeholders to apprise them of the Environmental Protection Act and its provisions for environmental authorisation for project development.

Schwiers said too that it must be recognised that land is the basis on which all life forms depend and it is key to livelihoods, incomes and employment for Guyanese.

It supports healthy ecosystems that Guyana relies on for clean air, clean water, and climate regulation, to name a few.

“What is usually not so obvious is the interconnection between the ecosystem and the social and economic systems. How we manage our land directly affects the health of the natural environment, as well as the social and economic well-being of the population and if not adequately managed, can lead to land degradation and a significant reduction in the productive and service functions of the environment,” she declared.

As such, the head of the Department of Environment stressed that SLM is important because it supports integrating the management of land, water, biodiversity, and other environmental resources to meet human needs, while sustaining ecosystem services and livelihoods.

“From my vantage point, it is the precursor to Guyana becoming a sustainable, ‘green’ state as sustainability cannot be achieved unless landuse is afforded attention commensurate with its importance in shaping ecosystem conditions and public health,” she concluded.

‘Citizens must know’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 31, 2017

-President seeks openness, accountability in relationship with Exxon PRESIDENT David Granger on Wednesday said that the Government will be working with ExxonMobil to develop a long-term relationship, which is founded on transparency, accountability, openness and aligned interests for the good of Guyana.

The Head of State made these comments during a meeting with a visiting delegation of ExxonMobil executives at State House to discuss matters related to the status of exploratory and appraisal work in the Stabroek Block, as well as the relationship between the Government and the company. Government has come under pressure to release the contract between it and the U.S. oil company.

President Granger said that at the end of the process, Guyanese must be able to view the development of a petroleum industry as one that is beneficial to the national interest. “We are at the start of an oil- and-gas industry and we want to ensure that our people are involved…

We are happy with the way things are going so far and we want to assure you of the Government’s commitment to transparency and accountability. We take decisions at the Cabinet level and then those decisions are taken to the National Assembly and we do not see that process changing. All Guyanese must feel involved in the process,” the President said.

In this regard, he noted that it is important that there are regular and accurate an-

President David Granger makes a point to Mr. Darren Woods, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ExxonMobil as officials of the Government and ExxonMobil look on.

nouncements on matters pertaining to the development of the sector, adding that Guyanese must be involved, especially in the mainstream opportunities, which are available in the industry.

“We have got to keep the public informed to ensure that civil society does not feel that there is some underhand relationship, which is injurious to the country. We want to make the right steps and

we are looking to see that the population gets the education they need to participate in this industry. We are looking to ensure that this industry generates employment for our people and, as part of our partnership, I hope that we can have a programme, which can help to educate Guyanese on this industry,” he said.

To ensure a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship, the President said that

the Government is working to develop the requisite framework and strengthen capacity in areas, which establishes and maintains good governance.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, also assured the executives of Government’s commitment to the process of building an open and transparent relationship with the corporation. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman,

also attended the meeting and echoed the President’s sentiments, stating that the engagement is part of an ongoing dialogue that aims to strengthen the relationship between Guyana and ExxonMobil for the benefit of the Guyanese people.

Meanwhile, Darren Woods, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ExxonMobil Corporation, in an invited comment, described the meeting as

fruitful, noting that the Government’s commitment to transparency and accountability was discussed in detail. He said that the administration’s commitment is welcome, since the company’s interests and aims are in alignment with this. “I think it is a very productive conversation that we just had. The Government is looking to make sure that we develop the resources and that we do it the right way that can benefit the community and the people of Guyana. We are very committed to that ourselves and we had a lot of discussions and dialogue to see how best we can do that to benefit ExxonMobil, the Government and the people of Guyana,” he said. Mr. Woods said that ExxonMobil remains committed to its investments in Guyana and is swiftly moving ahead with its production plans. The meeting was also attended by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin on the Government’s side, while ExxonMobil’s executives present at the meeting were Ms. Kimberly Brassington, ExxonMobil’s Guyana Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs; Country Manager and Project Executive, Rod Henson; and Mr. Carlton James, Director, Government Relations, Guyana.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 31, 2017

‘Worst not yet over’ --says governor of flood-ravaged Texas

TEXAS Governor Greg Abbott has said “the worst is not yet over” for the south-east of the US state, after devastating Tropical Storm Harvey.

Rain continues to fall, he said, and flooding in certain areas may last another week.

More than 20 people are reported dead, and large parts of Houston, Port Arthur and Beaumont are under water.

The storm has weakened into a depression as it moves to Louisiana, where there is also flooding.

Texas has carried out more than 8,500 rescues, and more than 32,000 people remain in shelters throughout the state, Governor Abbott said.

Another 10,000 members of the National Guard are said to be on their way, joining the 14,000 already deployed to tackle the disaster.

The National Weather Service said the coastal Cedar Bayou area had recorded a rainfall of nearly 52in (132cm) since Friday, which is a continental US record.

However, meteorologists say much drier weather is forecast for Texas in the days ahead.

Authorities and volunteers are still battling to rescue stranded people.

FAMILY OF SIX The sheriff’s office in Harris County has confirmed a family of six (two great-grandparents and four children) drowned while trying to flee the floods in a van.

Among them was 16-yearold Devy Saldivar, who had posted an anxious Facebook message about the extreme weather on Sunday. “No sleep & anxiety, please let this pass sooner.”

“Our worst fears have been realised,” said Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, breaking the news.

The driver, the son of the elderly couple, was able to escape, and was found clinging to a tree, screaming for help, he said.

Authorities are reminding people not to drive; many of

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the casualties happened on the roads as people underestimated the power of the water.

On social media, officials are repeating their mantra, “Turn around; don’t drown” to stop people heading out into difficult situations.

CHEMICAL PLANT FEARS There are also concerns for a chemical factory that has been at risk of explosion in Crosby.

“There is no way to prevent it,” the CEO of the Arkema plant told US reporters. He explained that the chemicals were likely to catch fire, as the refrigerators that kept them cool had been compromised by the floods. An evacuation order for the immediate radius has been in place since Tuesday.

Meanwhile, in Louisiana, Harvey landed in the southwest corner of the state, around Cameron, in the early hours of Wednesday. It is predicted to travel in a north-easterly direction, weakening as it goes.

The National Weather Service said heavy rainfall was expected from Louisiana to Kentucky over the next three days.

Flash-flood warnings remain in effect for parts of southern Louisiana and southern Mississippi.

New Orleans, which was devastated by 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, is not in Harvey’s direct path, according to forecasters.

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CURFEW In Houston, which is the country’s fourth most populous city, a temporary curfew has been implemented to prevent looting, while homes remain abandoned.

The curfew, which began on Tuesday night, runs from 00:00-05:00 local time (05:00-10:00 GMT). Relief volunteers, first responders and those going to and from work are exempt.

Police have said no action was taken against anyone for violating it on its first night.

President Donald Trump visited Texas on Tuesday to survey the damage wrought

by Harvey. He arrived in Corpus Christi, where Hurricane Harvey first made landfall on Friday, with First Lady Melania Trump.

Mr Trump said he wanted the relief effort to stand as an example of how to respond to a storm. He did not visit Houston. The White House said he did not want his visit to disrupt the emergency response.

Mr Trump has declared a federal state of emergency in both Texas and Louisiana.

The move releases emergency government funding and other assistance.

Harvey was the most powerful hurricane to hit Texas in more than 50 years when it first made landfall at Corpus Christi, 220 miles (354km) south-west of Houston, late on Friday. (BBC)

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Trump concedes...

Talk will not work with N Korea US President Donald Trump has said that “talking is not the answer” in dealing with North Korea’s military operations.

“The US has been talking to North Korea, and paying them extortion money, for 25 years,” he wrote on Twitter.

But the US Defence Secretary, James Mattis, insisted on Wednesday that there was still room for diplomacy.

North Korea has said its firing of a missile over Japan on Tuesday was “the first step” of military operations in the Pacific.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has told US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson by phone that any further strengthening of sanctions against North Korea would be counter-productive.

Mr Trump’s comments come just days after he said that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was “starting to respect” the US. On Tuesday, Pyongyang fired a ballistic missile over Japan’s northern Hokkaido island, triggering public alerts to take cover before landing in the sea.

Speaking ahead of a meeting at the Pentagon with his South Korean counterpart, Song Young-moo, Mr Mattis said, “We are never out of diplomatic solutions.”

Russia has said that US military activity in the region is partly to blame for the increase in tensions, and has urged restraint and called for negotiations.

Mr Lavrov stressed on Wednesday that diplomacy was the only way to overcome tensions on the Korean peninsula, which have been escalating in recent months.

North Korean state media this week also repeated threats to the US Pacific island of Guam, which it called “an advanced base of invasion”.

Mr Trump said earlier this month that any such threats would “be met with fire and fury”.

The UN Security Council has unanimously condemned North Korea for its military actions.

Meeting late on Tuesday in New York, the council called the launch “outrageous”, demanding that North Korea cease all missile testing.

While the statement said the regime’s actions were a threat to all UN member states, it did not threaten new sanctions against Pyongyang.

North Korea has repeatedly conducted missile launches in recent months, despite being barred from doing so under UN rules.

The latest, a domestically made Hwasong-12, was launched early on Tuesday, Korean time, from a site near Pyongyang.

It travelled some 2,700km (1,678 miles), at an unusually low height for North Korean missile tests, over Hokkaido before crashing about 1,180km off Japan’s eastern coast.

Japan sent out alerts, telling people in Hokkaido to take cover.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later called it “unprecedented, serious, and a grave threat”.

For the first time, North Korea’s official news agency KCNA admitted deliberately firing a ballistic missile across Japan. Previous projectiles which crossed the mainland were later claimed to have been satellite launches. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 31, 2017

Atlantic Ville resident dies in Liliendaal accident

TERRENCE Bowen, 36, of Atlantic Ville, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Wednesday died in an early morning accident on the Liliendaal Public Road.

According to a police report, the accident occurred around 00:10 hrs.

Police say at the time of

the accident, Bowen, who was the lone occupant of motor car PVV 7104, was proceeding east along the northern carriageway at a fast rate of speed when he lost control and his vehicle slammed into the bridge of the Ocean View Conference Centre.

As a result of the impact,

the front windscreen shattered and Bowen was flung through the opening, into the centre’s compound and sustained severe injuries.

He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) by public- spirited persons but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The mangled car in front of the Sparendaam Police Station on Wednesday

‘Trini’ crests Australia’s highest mountain

TRINIDADIAN Aryan Sinanan has done it again.

Sinanan first paid homage to the twin islands in December 2016 when he trekked to Base Camp Mt Everest, in Nepal.

This time he, along with several others, made it to Mt Kosciuszko, located in Kosciuszko National Park, hich is part of the Australian Alps.

At a height of 2,228 metres, or 7,310 feet above sea level, Mt Kosciuszko is the highest mountain in Australia.

The highest mountain in

Trinidad is the El Cerro Del Aripo at 940 metres.

For 30-year-old business analyst and adventure seeker, trekking the mountain was just another dream come true.

Speaking to the Express about the journey, Sinanan said he began the climb mid-August.

He along with a group of hikers made it to the top of Mt Kosciuszko on August 23.

He said: “Trek’s overall objective was to gain experience with polar conditions, and learn from one of the world’s most

‘Chocolate man’ nabbed “YUH like chocolate? Yuh is a chocolate man?”

This is what a security officer asked as he stripsearched a man allegedly caught hiding 13 bars of Cadbury chocolates in his trousers on Tuesday in Princes Town.

The man was detained by the security officers of Persad’s Supermarket at High Street.

Police were told that at around 13:00hrs, the man was followed out of the supermarket and detained.

He was taken back to the supermarket, where he was searched and allegedly found with the the Fruit and Nut, and Whole Nut Cadbury bars valued $623.

Officers of the Princes Town CID responded and arrested the suspect. He

was expected to be charged with larceny, and appear before a Princes Town magistrate on Wednesday.

(TrinidadExpress)

notable polar explorers, Eric Phillips. Our journey involved traversing the roof of Australia, one facet of which was reaching the summit of the highest mountain in Australia (Mt Kosciuszko). Mt Kosciuszko is one of the world’s seven summits, and this is just the genesis of my attempt to achieve as many of the seven as possible.

“Mt Kosciuszko can be easily achieved during the summer months, but where is the fun and adventure in that? Our aim was to summit during the most arduous time, and have some insight into polar travel. All members of the team had to carry their own gear…via backpack and sled.”

Sinanan, who is from Fishing Pond, east Trin-

idad added: “We met as strangers with a common idea, and departed as friends with a common love.

“We all have ideas of achieving great things in our short lives; I have been fortunate to be able to attempt, and have been successful in, just a few of my dreams. I dedicate this achievement to my uncle, Aldwyn Minty, who recently passed away, but in my view was one of the most resilient individuals I had the pleasure of knowing.

“I feel loved and supported by all my friends and family back home who, even being thousands of miles away, are always present in my mind as I am sure I am in theirs.” (TrinidadExpress)

Haiti fires labour minister

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – The appointment of the Minister of Social Affairs and Labour, Roosevelt Bellevue, has been revoked amid widespread speculation of his alleged involvement in the overcharging of kits to schoolchildren in Haiti.

“Combating corruption and impunity is one of my commitments; I shall put all my strength into it. An act of corruption presupposes the presence of corrupters.

All are subject to the same penalties,” President Jovenel Moïse said.

A notice appearing in the official newspaper, Le Moniteur said that the de-

cree revoking the appointment had been issued, and that Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant had been appointed to act as Minister of Social Affairs and Labour.

But Bellevue has denied any involvement in any corruption case, claiming that the accusations of his involvement in the alleged corruption matter were being done by a group determined to tarnish his reputation.

Education Minister, Pierre Josué Agenor Cadet has also denied any involvement in the schoolkit fiasco, saying he has not signed any contract to date.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 31, 2017

Cocaine and marijuana busts

IT is no secret that Guyana has attracted attention in the illicit trade of cocaine and marijuana and is alleged to be a transshipment port.

These substances are considered illegal in our society and where they continue to be either produced or shipped, those engaged in such acts are expected to feel the full brunt of the law. Examination and acknowledgement of these facts do not ignore national conversations calling for the legalising of marijuana, revisiting its charges and sentencing given modern trends and scientific findings. But while this substance is considered illegal, those caught using and trafficking it must recognise there will be consequences for their actions.

Wi t h i n t h e l a s t s i x weeks, an approximate $267 million worth of cocaine and marijuana was discovered by

law enforcement in Guyana and Jamaica. In the instance of Jamaica, the cocaine was found in a shipment of rice that originated from Guyana.

These hauls not only hint at the monetary value to the traders, or potential havoc to the lives of users, but given how they were found also offer insight into the distance those engage in this illegal practice will go to secure their ends. The movement and money value from a purely economic standpoint further suggest that people are going take the risk, making more pressing the importance of properly equipping law enforcement to fight this type of crime and the court to dispense justice swiftly.

Money circulation for some years has been tainted by illicit trade of this nature being allowed to run wild and parallel the formal economy. This fact would bring

to the fore how many are engaged in such practice, using legitimate business to front it, and how many probably through more concealed measures or the ‘right connection’ have been allowed to fly or are flying under the radar.

The delinking and separating the formal from the illicit economy will pose challenges to government and law enforcement. This reality also serves as reminder that in the absence of strong systems of policing and the dispensing of justice, stamping out such practice could be challenging.

The case where cargo from Guyana on entering another country is found with illegal substances is bad.

Such discovery is bound to carry consequences. In the eye of the international community, the discovery could reinforce the perception that Guyana is a trans-

shipment port or producer of these illegal substances.

Countries would likely take extra measures to insulate its economy and citizens from the trade and usage which can lead to harassment of Guyanese at various ports out of over-precaution and stigmatisation.

Socio-economic realities that cannot be ignored as part of combating this type of crime include obvious poverty, greed/getrich-quick-syndrome admired and pursued, limited opportunities for legitimate pursuits, peer pressure and porous enforcement. These factors admittedly are unpleasant, but to ignore them would be to ignore some of the causes of the problem and therefore be unable to effectively and efficiently address it.

Frank assessment of the economy would also acknowledge it as a contrib-

uting factor in the absence of a sustained development strategy over several years.

The economy more or less ran on auto-pilot, relying on the continuity of a far too prolonged Structural Adjustment Programme/Economic Recovery Programme, remittances, sporadic foreign investments, decline in traditional production industries, and increased importation of consumer goods. Collectively, these will impact citizens’ behaviours and purchasing power.

Ridding or minimising the illicit trade, which the APNU+AFC Government has committed to confront head on, is a herculean task which requires sustained programmes on all fronts, namely, economic, social, cultural and political. The enabling environment for

the expansion of legitimate employment and employment opportunities are matters of priority. At the same time, political decision-making requires working with and guiding the banking and financial sector as to their role and responsibility to society.

Government, civic-minded organisations and individuals’ role of helping the society to develop a culture of intolerance to illicit activities, to isolate and report those who engage in such practices since such have far-reaching ramifications cannot be ignored. Equally important to stamping out the scourge are those expected to police and administer justice, issues such as remuneration and conditions of work are critical too in helping the fight.

Minister Scott Aircraft operations will be interrupted rubbishes GPSCCU claims during the last two weeks of October Dear Editor,

THE Ministry of Social Protection considers as absolutely mischievous and out of order, certain statements which appeared in the Kaieteur News of August 30, 2017. The statements which are wholly reckless and unfounded appeared under the caption.

“Credit Union Claims Victimization after refusing Minister’s demands.” It is very disturbing that the Kaieteur News which hitherto was considered as a fair and balanced publication could have been misled or wholly misguided to publish the erroneous statements without first seeking an opinion from the Honourable Minister Keith Scott, the Minister

within the Ministry of Social Protection.

The Guyana Public Service Co-operatives Credit Union is recorded to have said that it has experienced victimization because it (the union) refused to give the minister a donation of two million dollars ($2,000,000.00). The Honourable Minister categorically denies the statement.

The Credit Union has conveyed the notion of possible legal action against the Ministry and the Minister, but it needs to take note that unless the (Credit Union) and the ‘Kaieteur News’ retract the unfounded statements, they must be prepared to be confronted with legal proceedings. There exists for some time now, certain dif-

ferences in the understanding of a certain issue attracting the attention of the Guyana Public Service Co-operatives Credit Union and the ministry, but the Minister and the Ministry are not inclined to disclose the facts and details of that issue, at this time.

However, should the Guyana Public Service Co-operatives Credit Union and the Kaieteur News refuse to retract their statement, or should they persist with the publication, the ministry would have no alternative but to proceed with legal action, against them.

Regards Ministry of Social Protection Department of Labour

Dear Editor,

THE management of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation wishes to inform the general public that aircraft operations will be interrupted during the last two weeks of October to facilitate the amalgamation of the existing main runway to the new Taxiway Kilo.

The runway is being extended from 7,500 feet to 10, 800 feet. In the light of this, the aerodrome will be closed from 18:00 hrs and 06:00 hrs on specific days, between October 13 and

31, 2017 to complete this phase of the US$150M expansion project.

This decision was made following several rounds of meetings and consultation with airline officials and other aviation stakeholders.

“We eagerly look forward [to] this new phase of the expansion work where a new taxiway will be constructed to connect the new Remote Parking Apron to the main runway. The project team is working zealously to ensure that this task is completed in a timely manner so as to minimize the im-

pact on aircraft flight operations,” remarked Ramesh Ghir, CJIAC’s Chief Executive Officer. The entire project when completed will see a transformation of the Timehri facility including a new Arrivals Terminal Building, two boarding bridges with the provision to install an additional two at a later stage, increased duty-free shops and parking facilities and a renovated departures terminal.

Regards Cheddi Jagan International Airport

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 31, 2017

GAWU will never tire repeating we stand with workers Dear Editor,

THE Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) refers to Mr Gobin Harbhajan’s letter which appeared in the August 24, 2017 edition of Stabroek News.

We fully agree with the letter writer’s contention that social and economic development should be the foremost responsibility of any Government.

This is a notion which, we believe, should not be lost, but for some inexplicable reason is not taken into account by those who currently control the levers of power.

Mr Harbhajan goes on to blame the sugar industry’s current state to mismanagement by the previous administration.

While we agree that all was not perfect in those times, at the same time, we recognise that no estate was closed nor were thousands of Guyanese thrown into a life of uncertainty and misery as we see happening presently at Wales.

Added to that the author, for reasons best known

to him, refuses to draw attention to the pervasive mismanagement taking place in current times. We hasten to remind that sugar production has fallen from 231,000 tonnes in 2015 to an expected 174,000 tonnes in 2017, a 25 percent drop assuming this year’s target is met.

While the author speaks about the monies provided by the European Union (EU) for the sugar industry, he fails to tell Guyanese that the last $5.4B which was transferred to the Government in the latter part of 2016 is still being withheld from the industry. Perhaps, Mr Harbhajan is unaware of such facts. Or, maybe, he just didn’t consider it suitable for his purposes. Mr Harbhajan argues also that the ‘turnaround plan’ was not a success with which we beg to differ. We recall production rising from 186,000 tonnes in 2013, to 216,000 tonnes in 2014, and then to 231,000 tonnes in 2015.

Such performances in those years were obviously encouraging and welcoming trends. Mr Harbhajan’s

assertion that the “Skeldon Modernisation Project was the death knell of the industry” requires that he separates the fact from fiction. In the last months, we have heard and read about several parties who have expressed unsolicited interest in acquiring Skeldon.

Certainly, if the estate were in such a bad state as the author implies then those interested clearly do not believe his fiction. Furthermore, the author who signs his letters, among other things, as a “Former Member of the Board of Directors (Skeldon Energy Inc)” should be well aware of the value of the Skeldon Co-Generation plant and must be au fait with the huge sums garnered by SEI through the production of the plant.

He ought also to be aware of SEI’s recommendation to the Parliamentary Economic Services Committee of having co-generation plants established at other estates in view of the substantial income potential.

Then after all his confabulations, Mr Harbhajan tells Guyanese that “sugar

is profitable” but for such profitability to be realised the industry must be placed in private hands. Well, this is really a mouthful. The letter writer argues that the Government should uphold the Sugar Commission of Inquiry (CoI) recommendation in this year. The privatisation of the industry was one of the one hundred and fourteen (114) recommendations made by that costly CoI. The author should be reminded that the CoI also said no closure of estate should be pursued, but already Wales is closed and Rose Hall and Enmore/LBI

are likely destined to suffer the same fate. Several other positive recommendations were also made by the CoI including diversification and that non-sugar agricultural diversification should be done on lands outside of sugar.

All of those, it seems, are ignored by Mr Harbhajan and we daresay that the CoI report is destined to sit on a shelf to gather dust. While Mr Harbhajan like another of his ilk, Mr Abel Seetaram, sought to take a swing at GAWU, again the attempt suffers from not providing relevant,

substantiated facts. We repeat and we will never tire of repeating, as some would wish, that we stand with the thousands of workers who are and will be affected by the plans being cooked up for sugar. Such plans are tantamount to condemning thousands to joblessness and their families to an existence of severe deprivation. We cannot subscribe to such betrayals of our membership.

Regards SEEPAUL NARINE General Secretary GAWU

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 31, 2017

A ‘wrong-and-strong’ deal

-- committee pronounces on parking meter project THE revenue split of 80 per cent for Smart Meter Solution and 20 per cent for City Hall as stipulated in the parking meter contract is a slap in the face of city residents and the Georgetown municipality which they democratically elected.

This was the dominant view expressed by Georgetown residents in the final report of the Parking Meter Negotiating Committee which months ago launched an investigation into the controversial parking meter project.

According to the report, persons suggest that the split in revenue should be in the reverse or the Mayor and City Council take full control of the project.

The duration of the contract initially was for 49 years

with the ability to re-negotiate after 49 years, but this was subsequently changed to 20 years.

The report said residents felt that even 20 years is a long time and the number of years should be cut down to not more than 10 years.

City residents were also of the view that tax concessions to Smart City Solutions should not be a part of the agreement since the Mayor and City Council is not in a position to grant such concessions.

They also believe that the contract gave Smart City Solutions a monopoly over metered parking systems and garaged parking in Georgetown, which is unwarranted and illegal since Guyana

has a Competition Law that governs and rules out the establishment of monopolies in Guyana.

The location of some of the parking meters and the area around them were also an issue for residents.

“Persons spoke of having to walk through mud or stand in water to access the meter, especially when it rains. The expectation was for an upgrade of the actual parking spots so that they are clean and easily accessible at all times,” the report said.

The overwhelming majority of persons consulted also expressed the view that the current prices are way too high when compared to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the economic situation

in Guyana and the salaries of residents.

NEW BURDEN The cost was seen as a new burden while there was no preferential parking for business owners, customers and delivery vehicles.

The report noted that from the views garnered, the parking meter project was rushed and “pushed down the throats” of city residents without careful consideration of everything and anyone.

The report found that during the time the project was implemented, there was a sharp decline in business in the metered zone as persons were not able to pay for parking and conducted business outside this zone.

On the other hand, some taxi and minibus drivers said they had gained an increase in income since more persons started to use the public transportation system.

The report also noted that residents decried the attitude of customer relation/ services staff of Smart City Solutions.

“The cries were of the heavy-handed nature in which they carried out their jobs, with seemingly little to no regard for any situation that may arise, except to clamp vehicles and get paid.

Persons expressed feelings of being bullied, harassed and even threatened during interactions with the staff,

The parking meter created a very lonely road on the Avenue of the Republic

especially if a perceived infraction was being dealt with,” the report said.

But it noted that there was an opinion that the wages paid to Smart City Solutions employees should be at least $100,000 per month and be increased annually based on increases to public servants.

On a different matter, the views obtained in the report pointed to the need for utility vehicles attached to differently-abled organisations and law enforcement agencies to be given exemptions and priority parking.

“There was a call for the areas around schools and buildings that are used by the differently-abled, to be exempted and placed on standby for the differently-abled, respectively. In other words, a reserved space for the differently-abled only and reserved areas in front of schools for

drop off and pick-up etc,” the report said.

Meanwhile, the report said there was no recommendation from city residents to continue the parking meter project in its current form.

The Georgetown City Council has the option to discontinue the metered parking system with Smart City Solutions, continue the project in accordance with the law or continue the parking meter system independently.

Members of the committee that compiled the report said the report will be submitted to the full council for deliberation and consideration of the best option that will create harmony, encourage corporate responsibility, foster good local governance and improve the overall physical, financial and social development of Georgetown.

‘Toy gun’ bandit back in court for $3M robbery

Just a few months after 27-year-old Ivor Billingy was granted bail for allegedly robbing a fruit vendor with a toy gun, he was back in court again on Wednesday to face three counts of robbery.

Billingy of East Ruimveldt denied that on July 21 at Middle Street, while being in the company of others armed with guns, he robbed Kubina Wright of $1.4M cash, along with a passport valued $15,000.

It is further alleged that on August 15 at Church Street, Billingy robbed Peter Tun-kurt Fagg of $1.2M cash and other items totaling 250,000. Also on the

same date and location, it is alleged that he robbed Sunil Gobin of three phones valued $650,000 and $10,000 cash. Billingy also denied these charges.

Police Prosecutor, Shawn Gonsalves objected to Gobin being granted bail on the ground that the accused currently has another ongoing robbery matter before City Magistrate Annett Singh.

The prosecutor noted that Wright was shot by Billingy during the armed robbery in July. The Magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Billingy until September 15.

In January, Billingy along with a 16-year-old were charged for a spate of armed robberies they allegedly committed in the North Georgetown area. According to reports, on January 10, the duo armed with a toy gun was caught red-handed robbing a fruit vendor at the corner of Cummings Street and North Road.

The two men were nabbed by members of the Presidential Guard Service.

One was captured immediately while the other ran away but was subsequently found hiding under some mattresses in a house on Robb Street.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 31, 2017

Interior shuttles suspended

--following recent rash of aviation accidents

By Ariana Gordon THE Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Wednesday suspended all shuttles, as flights between two locations are called, within the country’s interior following the latest in a recent spate of domestic aircraft accidents.

GCAA Director-General, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Egbert Field, told the media on Wednesday that the suspension is as a result of a preliminary analysis of the accidents, which indicate that the common thread was the shuttle operations.

“As a result of the accidents and the authority’s preliminary analysis, the authority has now taken the decision to suspend all operations until the documented procedures and policies for shuttle operations are submitted, reviewed and approved by the inspectors of this authority,” Field said, adding that he could not say when the suspension will be lifted.

He, however, cautioned that the preliminary analysis is not part of the ongoing investigation into the accidents, but rather a precautionary measure taken by the Authority following a lengthy discussion among its technical officers.

Field noted that while shuttle operations are important to the development of the local aviation industry, they come at a risk, as they are completely different to regular passenger flights.

He said, too, that while aircraft operators, with whom he had earlier in the day met, were not pleased with his decision, they were nonetheless committed to submitting their manuals and other documentation relative to policies and procedures to the GCAA soonest so that the ban could be lifted.

Field said that once those documentation would have been submitted, the Authority will then cross-reference them with those of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), after which each operation will be subjected to a physical inspection by the entity’s inspectors.

287 ‘BIBLE OF OPERATIONS’

“When we approve those documents, indirectly we are saying to the operator, ‘This is how we expect you to operate.’ So, that document is like a contract between the operator and the Civil Aviation Authority,” he said, adding that it could well be regarded as the “Bible of operations”.

Within the past two months, the domestic airline industry has seen three accidents, two of which would claim the lives of the pilot.

The last occurred on Sunday, resulting in the death of Captain Imran Khan, who was involved in a shuttle operation between Chi Chi and Mahdia, in Region Eight community (Potaro-Siparuni).

On Sunday morning, rescue teams were dispatched to a location some two miles north of Mahdia in search of the Air Services Limited (ASL) Cessna 206 aircraft flown by Khan, after it had failed to land in Mahdia.

Khan was laid to rest on Wednesday.

On July 25, Roraima Airways pilot, Colin Martin, died when his Britten-Norman Islander aircraft crashed on landing at Eteringbang, in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

Two weeks later, a Britten Norman Islander captained by Dominic Waddel also went down in the Eteringbang area, but luckily, the pilot was able to escape with minor injuries.

Back in December 2014, a Britten Norman Islander belonging to ASL and registered as 8R-GHE, disappeared while on a routine shuttle operation from Mahdia to Karisparu, in Region Eight.

The pilot, Captain Nicholas Persaud, 27; cargo handler David Bisnauth, 51; and the aircraft have not been found.

Field had reportedly met with operators some three weeks ago after the second accident, and “demanded that documented procedures and policies for shuttle operations be submitted to the Authority.”

According to the DG, himself a veteran pilot, shuttle operators have over the years expanded, and rapidly so, as a result of the changing dynamics of developmental programmes.

He said that whereas in the past, operators were

GCAA Director-General, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Egbert Field

given permission by the Authority for small-scale shuttle operations, they now find themselves engaged in larger operations which have grown rapidly.

334 HEIGHTENED SURVEILLANCE This being the case, he said the GCAA will also be increasing its surveillance of air operations by conducting more rampant inspections of outgoing flights. What this means, in essence, is that nspection would be ramped up at Ogle, where the Authority has an office.

Said he: “This will put a drain on our small human resources, but we consider it a necessary move in order to not only have more surveillance but to show the traveling public their concerns are being looked after by this Authority.”

He also disclosed that the Authority will, within the next two months, be hosting a safety symposium, the last of which was held back in 2015. He said there is a need to have such a symposium in light of the growth of the industry and the recent spate of accidents.

“Our industry is growing very fast, where a number of years ago, we had 30 or 40 aircraft; now we have 70plus aircraft on our register,” Field said, adding: “This means the Authority will have to increase its capacity in order to maintain the balance and level of surveillance.”

He assured the media that the GCAA is committed to creating a safe, secure and modern civil aviation sector, and “will be reducing the current number of accidents and incidents as far as is hu-

manly possible.”

“I know that the halting of the shuttle operations in the interior will create some hardship for miners and also inhabitants, but we think this is a necessary measure to halt it until we can have documented the procedures, the policies by operators so that we are assured that the air operators are maintaining operational control of not only their organisation at the main base but also of operation in the locations where shuttling is conducted.”

As soon as the review process is completed and all the elements are included in their shuttle operation, that is qualified loaders, certified engineers, dispatchers and

among others, the ban will be lifted. “We hope that this would not take too long but I am expecting manuals and documents after I spoke with them this morning,” he stated.

NO KNEE-JERKER “Sometimes you have to cut a limb to save a life and that is what we are doing here. It would not be for any protracted period,” said the director-general, who assured that the decision was not a knee-jerk one.

Field explained that miners utilise the shuttle operation service so as to transport cargo, inclusive of fuel to the destinations.

He said it is very expensive to fly fuel from Georgetown to Chi Chi or Kato and as a result, many miners transport fuel by road in trucks where they are better able to transport several barrels at a time. They then position the barrels at Mahdia, where they are picked up to be taken to areas inaccessible by road.

“That type of operation is risky. It isn’t like the normal type of operations like if flying from here to Lethem …the shuttling operation shuttling cargo it is in areas or across mountain ranges or through mountain gorge…it is a little more risky than the normal runof-the-mill flying,” he add-

9

ed while emphasising that the GCAA is not worried about the regular operation.

Field, a former pilot, said too that the Authority is also seeking to ascertain whether there are proper refuelling facilities along with whether the loaders and other persons involved are qualified. This information must be contained in the documents to be submitted to the GCAA. Additionally, during this suspension period, Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) will be monitoring flights closely to ensure there are no breaches. The GCAA Director-General warned that should any pilot or operator be found guilty of not reporting a flight to the ATC, sanctions will be imposed.

“They would be flying the aircraft illegally. The sanctions would be revocation of air operator’s licence or suspension of the pilot who is flying the aircraft and a number of other sanctions,” he stated.

That aside, the GCAA will be depending on soldiers and the police in places like Eteringbang to inform it of flights landing and taking off or those engaging in shuttle operations without reporting same to the ATC. This is the first time policies are being put in place to govern shuttle operations.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 31, 2017

Gov’t to engage miners to address concerns THE Ministry of Natural Resources will be hosting a stakeholder engagement with members of the mining community today to deal with concerns recently raised by miners about the state of the industry and the means through which these will be satisfactorily addressed by all sides.

The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA), the Guyana Women Miners’ Organisation (GWMO) and the National Mining Syndicate, representing mining syndicates from across the country, have been invited to the stakeholder engagement.

This stakeholder engagement is part of the Ministry of Natural Resources ongoing efforts at public consultation and outreach on a number of natural resources-related issues, the ministry said in a statement.

Only recently, Natural Resources Minister Rapha-

el Trotman speaking at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission Annual Awards ceremony, told the gathering that the administration is unveiling carefully and methodically, the Syndicates initiative that is being spearheaded

by Minister Simona Broomes.

He explained that through this initiative, hundreds of Guyanese men and women who were either denied access to lands or came under the harsh conditions of a “landlord,” can now band together in a cooperative way and access lands and the synergies and economies that evolve from working together.

Trotman said so far 15 syndicates will be given in the first instance, 12,000 acres of land each to have a combined area of green Guyana land of 180,000 acres of land. “To put this into context, we are speaking of 281 square miles.

Barbados, a place we are all familiar with, is just 170 square miles. So again, with some momentary surprise,

I wonder at the agitation of the syndicates for more land when they have not yet begun to mine any lands. I am assured that GGMC is working assiduously to ensure that by the end of the month, the lands will be available for distribution and I am awaiting the opportunity to sign the “special order” to this effect.”

Members of the various syndicates had staged a protest recently in Georgetown, clamouring for more lands. However, Trotman said struggle is good as it is out of the dialectics of struggle that positive change comes, but struggle must be purposeful and well directed.

He said struggle for the sake of struggle is without a lasting foundation. “Once we are satisfied that the syndicates have been good stewards, then we are prepared to entertain applications for additional lands,” the minister asserted.

Trotman also acknowledged that there is agitation

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

and restlessness in the sector with some bemoaning the state of mining and government’s response to their concerns. Also, he said government has embarked on a quest to make Guyana a green land in both the figurative and literal senses. “To this end, the Government appreciates that there are some changes that

are taking place in the mining industry – some changes we recognise as being organic by nature and some others will have to be influenced if the industry is to remain vibrant, well into the 21st century.”

The minister said there was a time, for many centuries in fact, when sugar production dominated the political economy of Guyana. It defined us as a nation, and then, in the 1970s and beyond, as we took hold of our newly found republican status, and forged a path of self-reliance, bauxite mining and production took centre stage. “Later came gold and gold remains Guyana’s primary foreign exchange earner and is singularly responsible for the direct and indirect employment of tens of thousands of Guyanese, though agriculture and bauxite remain viable industries in their own right.”

Trotman told the miners that the coming petroleum production will un-

doubtedly change the face of Guyana, and the mining industry as we know it, will be impacted. However, he said gold is too important to the culture, psyche and economy of Guyana to be displaced and as the saying goes, it is “too big to fail.”

“Many of the fears and concerns that I hear expressed about government’s lack of appreciation for the industry are therefore unfounded. This government, as I have said on countless occasions in the past, has no desire to see the industry fail. However, we all have agreed in private meetings, and in public outings elsewhere, that there has to be change and adjustments on all sides. The status quo cannot remain. For Government’s part, we are, as of necessity, having to streamline the collection of taxes and curtail what was obviously an abuse of the tax concessions that were given.”

Guyhoc Park man nabbed with ganja in Waini Backdam POLICE on an ATV mobile patrol in the Waini Backdam, Cuyuni River recently intercepted a man with a quantity of cannabis in a haversack he was carrying.

According to the police, upon seeing the patrol the man fled into a nearby camp and they gave chase and apprehended the suspect. A search of the haversack revealed a quantity of cannabis in a black plastic bag.

The 33-year-old suspect of Guyhoc Park, Georgetown was arrested and escorted to Bartica Police Station where the drugs was weighed and amounted to 856 grams. He is expected to be charged soon.

Police in ‘F’ Division (Interior locations) also recently arrested 21-year-

The cannabis found in the haversack

old Kavita Surujnauth of Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) after she was intercepted at the Bartica Stelling with almost three pounds of cannabis.

Police, acting on a tipoff, stopped and searched the unemployed woman,

who was reportedly carrying a parcel wrapped in black plastic bags and secured with scotch tape.

She was taken to the Bartica Police Station, where the illegal substance was weighed and amounted to 1.29kg

Man gets bail for possession of crystal meth A 31-year-old taxi driver was on Wednesday released on $50,000 bail by City Magistrate Judy Latchman for the possession of crystal meth.

Zayne Tito Taylor of Republic Road, New Amsterdam Berbice, deniedthatonAugust26,2017atHunter and Sussex Street, Albouystown, he had 6 grams of crystal meth.

Accordingtothefacts,ontheday in question, the accused was in his taxi with a female in the passenger seat at

HunterandSussexStreetwhenpolice intercepted the motorcar.

Taylor was searched and the drugswerefoundunderhiscapwhich he had on his head at the time with six transparent zip-lock packets. The magistratereleasedTayloron$50,000 bail and adjourned the matter until September 13.

Crystal meth is short for crystal methamphetamine. It is just one form of the drug methamphetamine. Methamphetamine

is an illegal drug in the same class as cocaine and other powerful street drugs. Methamphetamine is a white crystalline drug that people take by snorting it (inhaling through the nose), smoking it or injecting it with a needle. Some even take it orally, but all develop a strongdesiretocontinueusingitbecause the drug creates a false sense of happiness and well-being—a rush (strong feeling) of confidence, hyperactiveness and energy.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 31, 2017

Several press claims for ancestral lands …transports, payment receipts produced

By Michel Outridge SEVERAL persons stepped forward on Wednesday before the seven-member Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into African ancestral land matters and some produced documents of their claims to ownership of lands left to them via their descendants who were freed slaves.

The (CoI), which is continuing at the Guyana Lands and Surveys (GLS) headquarters, D’Urban Backlands, Georgetown, saw eight witnesses. Dr Rishi Thakur, who represented villagers of # 67-68 villages, Corentyne, Berbice told the CoI he is pressing his case before them to repossess 25 acres of ancestral lands along the east bank of the Corentyne River which were acquired before the 1950s.

He said that the lands have been invaded by squatters and they are not allowed to even pass through. Thakur related that the Sea Defence Board took over the lands and it should be given back to its rightful owners; and in

2013, efforts were made by two ministers to share out the lands to persons who have no transport or title to the lands.

He was asked by the commission to produce transport for the lands he claimed belong to his family left behind by his ancestors.

Garfield Aaron of Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara, raised issues as it pertains to ancestral lands at Plantation Friendship which were purchased by his ancestors before the 1840s. He explained that before the 1840s, more than 100 plantations countrywide were bought by freed slaves from their European masters and his ancestors Robert Roberts and Francis Moore purchased Planation Friendship. Aaron produced copies of transports/titles for the lands, which were surveyed to be 50 lots in December 1856, an application was made by Commission’s counsel Darren Wade for same to be marked, tendered and admitted as evidence in the hearing.

He stated that his ancestors in 1834 - 1866 set up a system to collect rates and

taxes to maintain their irrigation and infrastructure. However, on January 4, 1866, the ordinance was created which had a board of villages and ex-slaves plantations were made into villages against their will.

Aaron added that the board of villages then took control of the plantations bought by ex-slaves and appointed an overseer to collect rates and taxes from them.

He told the Commission that the board of villages did not declare lands owned by Booker Tate and the European owners which remain plantations to date.

Aaron produced documents to support his claim of being descendants of Robert Roberts in the form of receipts as payment of rates and taxes for Planation Friendship, which were marked, admitted and tendered as evidence in the Commission. He also stated that the lands were surveyed, but were declared land registration area but titles/ transport were not given and because of these blunders, strangers occupied the lands

11 receive GRDB bursary awards ELEVEN students who successfully completed the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) were recently the recipients of bursary awards from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).

The students are from Regions Two, Three, Five and Six and are children of rice farmers.

Acting GRDB General Manager, Allison Peters, said the awardees were chil-

dren of key players within the rice industry and the awards represent a gesture of the rice board which recognises the contributions of farmers made over the years.

“We value the contribution of your parents and guardians over the years in ensuring that the rice industry continues to record successes in all areas....This is just the beginning of your journey and I implore you

to strive for higher heights in your academic success,” Peters said.

The award includes the payment of an allowance for five consecutive years to the awardees during their secondary school studies, a statement from the GRDB said Wednesday.

GRDB has been awarding successful candidates of the Grade Six examination since its establishment in 1995.

Recipients of the GRDB bursary awards with their awards

and started to squat there and call it state lands.

Aaron maintained with relevance of his documents that the lands are privately owned and spoke of his battles in the land court with one Enid Adams, who claimed portions of the lands but has reached a settlement.

He added that there are many claimants to the lands, but there are only two transports after reaching terms of settlement and wish that the persons squatting on the lands face them in court for redress. Daphne Sampson, whose matter is before the court, appeared before the Commission but they do not have jurisdiction to address the issue. Aberzeen Zila Silus who is unwell with a speech impediment, had her statements tendered while her son Conrad Silus also appeared before the Commission will be recalled.

Meanwhile, Rosaman Fraser, who occupies a plot of land which was leased to

her at Vryman’s Erven, is seeking to have the land dispute between the New Amsterdam M&CC resolved.

The single-parent mother said the land was surveyed and she produced a copy of the lease which was admitted as evidence. The Finance Human Resource Officer 2 at the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission, said that via a letter she was informed that the land she is occupying belonged to M&CC and was asked to attend several meetings at which she did not make an appearance.

Fraser said that she was never served any notice to vacate the said plot of land and is seeking the assistance of the Commission to have the matter resolved.

Fayne Kesney, a data entry clerk at the New Amsterdam office of GL&SC, also appeared before the Commission on Wednesday to seek an intervention as it relates to a matter between her and the New Amsterdam M&CC. She explained that

she has a 50-year lease of a plot of land in 2006 but is being denied approval from Council for her plan to be passed to allow construction of a house.

Kesney said she was told that the land belongs to M&CC and she produced a copy of the lease to the CoI. Chaitram Persaud, also appeared before the Commission and spoke of paying rent on a plot of land at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, based on a contract.

The CoI continues on Thursday at 13:00hrs.

The exercise is spearheaded by Chairman Reverend George Chuck-ASang and Commissioners, Berlinda Persaud, Professor Rudolph James, David James, Paulette Henry, Lennox Caleb, and Carol Khan-James. The first round of public hearings started in August 21.

During the segment, the CoI heard matters relating to ancestral lands and other land issues.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 31, 2017

stats worry traffic chief NDMA opens ICT hub Accident --despite 20% decline at Free and Easy, WBD THE National Data Management Authority, on Wednesday, opened its 52nd eGovernment ICT Hub at the Free and Easy Village on the West Bank of Demerara. This is the fifth ICT Hub which has been opened by the NDMA in Region Three within the past month and forms part of Government’s overall goal of making the internet accessible to citizens all across Guyana.

Chairman of the NDMA, Floyd Levi

The provision of free internet services to the Free and Easy village is a first, given that it is a remote community without landline telephones.

Addressing the gathering of residents at the opening ceremony, Chairman of the NDMA, Floyd Levi, highlighted Government’s recognition of the need for citizens to benefit from internet services and that it was this recognition that gave birth to the initiative. “This is founded on government’s eGovernment initiative, so that all citizens can have the capacity to interact

with government online. By establishing this hub, we hope to provide several opportunities for the citizens,” he said.

Noting that online access is crucial in this digital age, Levi added that by ensuring that citizens are provided with this access, they can develop their skills to do business, further their education and to even preserve their cultural heritage by using ICTs to tell the stories of their villages.

“These community ICT hubs offer additional benefits.

We have done this in the first instance for government services but it is here as a multi-purpose facility; you can also use it for education… the president values education above everything in this country, so you can come to this ICT hub and utilise the services here to further your education… but in the same way we can use it to promote education, we can use it for our business; we can go online to do research,” he said.

Levi said, though, that the initiative is multifaceted, in that it involves the provision of internet services, computers to furnish the ICT hubs for residents’ use as well as computer training, which will begin shortly.

With access to the internet, citizens will also be able to access government services online; an initiative which the NDMA is currently working on.

“The Government is aware of the challenges faced by remote communities and that is why

they decided that one of the ways which they can deliver services to communities such as yours is by putting government services on the internet, so we have started this programme where we are now moving into a space called electronic government [eGovernment],” he said.

INCLUSIVENESS Levi also stated that the ICT Hubs are meant to be inclusive, in that no one is to be excluded from its use.

He therefore urged the management committee which is made up of persons within the community to not only ensure that all persons have access, but that the surroundings remain safe spaces for citizens to utilise. “I would like to see this as a partnership with your community.

We have been doing this all across the country, going into communities and setting up ICT hubs. So this is a partnership between the Ministry of Public Telecommunications and the NDMA, representing the Government and you, the communities,” he said. At the end of the engagement, the NDMA also distributed backpacks, exercise books and other stationery to the children of the community.

Earlier in August, the NDMA also opened ICT Hubs in the villages of Parfaite Harmonie, Good Intent/Sisters, Stanleytown and Stewartville in Region Three.

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) has recorded a 20 per cent decrease in the number of road accidents between January and July as compared to last year during the corresponding period.

But Traffic Chief Dion Moore during a press conference on Wednesday, however, deemed the decline unacceptable.

“Though it has decreased, we cannot accept it because we do not want any more deaths on our roadways,” said the traffic chief.

According to the statistics, so far 68 persons have died due to accidents on the roadways as compared to 88 last year during the corresponding period, which is a decline of 23 per cent.

There was also a reduction in the number of serious accidents, as compared to last year, moving from 240 to 220 this year.

Although there were many other successes in the traffic management department, the issue of accidents and deaths by accident continues to be high on the traffic chief’s agenda.

A growing issue over the past few days has been the number of fatal motorcycle accidents. Moore confirmed this, saying that within the space of about a week there have been five accidents involving motorcyclists.

Twenty-seven-year-old biker Cleon Perreira of Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and 42-year-old Joseph James of Walter Ter-

race, West La Penitence were among the five who lost their lives in separate motorcycle accidents.

The recent deaths took the total to 15 motorcyclists so far, as compared to 23 last year.

“We managed to reduce the amount of persons who died by asking motorcyclists to wear their safety helmets in the correct fashion,” said Moore, who reiterated the need for protective gear while riding.

Poloce Public Relations Officer, Jairam Ramlakhan (left) and Traffic Chief Dion Moore speaking to members of the media on Wednesday (Adrian Narine photo)

Most of the accidents, he said, can be avoided, because, according to their reports, the majority occurred late in the night when the roads are not congested. It was also found that while the condition of the roads were not bad, it was the speeding that caused the accidents.

This being the case, drivers and motorists have since been constantly reminded to drive at speeds in accordance with the visible distance ahead in order to ensure that they have the proper braking

More officers’ vehicles stripped of tint THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) continues to make sure police officers conform to the law regarding tints on vehicles.

Both patrol and privately owned police vehicles have been stripped of their tint since the force began their campaign earlier this month, said Traffic Chief Dion Moore during a press conference on Wednesday.

“We have so far removed tint from 62 vehicles which belong to members of the force

Traffic Chief Dion Moore speaking to reporters on Wednesday

Young miner remanded for gun, ammo possession A 25-year-old miner appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates court on Wednesday, charged for gun and ammunition possession and was remanded to prison by city Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Lebert Todd, of Meadow Bank, Georgetown, denied that on August 25, 2017 at Houston Public Road, East Bank Demerara, he had a 9mm pistol in his possession when he was not a licensed firearm holder. It is further

alleged that on the same date and location he had 15 9mm rounds of ammunition in his possession.

According to the prosecutor, Police Corporal Shawn Gonsalves on the day in question about 14:00 hrs the police intercepted a Route 42 minibus PJJ 5286 and asked all the passengers to step out with their belongings.

Todd, who was carrying a haversack, was searched and the gun along with the

ammunition was found inside. The prosecutor said the accused admitted in the caution statement that the gun belonged to him and he had bought it for $80,000 from a man.

The prosecutor objected to Todd being granted his pretrial liberty on the ground of the seriousness and gravity of the charges.

The magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Todd until September 13.

and we also stripped 12 patrol vehicles of tint,” he said.

Most of the vehicles were reportedly from ‘A’ and ‘C’ Divisions.

Moore pointed out that ranks were warned on the first occasion but after not adhering to the laws, they had to face disciplinary actions; more ranks will face the same fate if they do not comply with the law.

Most of the vehicles which have been stripped belong to

time.

As the traffic chief observed: “Lives are very important, because when an accident happens, it shatters dreams, hopes and opportunities, so we need to be more serious on the road.”

It has also been found that one of the major factors that contributes to road accidents is driving under the influence of alcohol.

According to the traffic chief, for the year, 1278 persons have been charged

lower level officers who are new to the force.

“How can we begin to address issues affecting the public when we do not have it right… we must first look at ourselves in order to ensure that our ranks do not do the same wrong things,” he said.

The Guyana Police Force is warning those whose vehicles are tinted but do not have the requisite permission, to remove the tint or face prosecution.

for this delinquency; of that figure, 791 have been fined, and 17 have had their licences suspended for repeating the offence.

Again, most of those incidents were found to have occurred at that time of night when most social activities tend to come to a close.

Said Moore, “When persons finish their social activities, they speed to get home early, which leads to an accident, death, injuries and damage to property.”

Coupled with driving under the influence, another factor was speeding, which resulted in 15,253 persons being charged so far for 2017.

That ‘alarming’ figure reportedly indicates that a lot of persons do not drive within the speed limit, Moore said. On top of all this, a total of 918 persons were charged for using handheld mobile devices while driving, while another 565 were charged for unlicensed driving.

As the traffic chief warned in closing: “Our work for this year shows that we will catch you and prosecute you!”

Man fined for stabbing wife A 27-year-old Port Kaituma miner was on Wednesday fined $70,000 by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for allegedly stabbing his reputed wife after accusing her of cheating.

Theophilus Anthony admitted that on August 26, 2017 at 18 Mile Backdam, Arakaka, North West District, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Shonette James.

According to the prose-

cution’s facts, Anthony and James are reputed husband and wife and lived at Barama River, but the couple work together at a mining camp at 18 Mile Backdam, Arakaka.

However on the day in question around 19:00 hrs, the woman went to have a bath at a nearby creek leaving her reputed husband at the campsite. he was intoxicated from drinking ‘brown

rum’ with his friends.

Upon James’s return, Anthony accused the woman of cheating on him, pulled out a knife and stabbed her to the abdomen. The injured woman was taken to Arakaka medical centre and the accused was arrested by the police. The magistrate ordered Anthony to pay a fine of $70,000 or default three months imprisonment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 31, 2017

Three lanes for new Demerara Harbour Bridge

…feasibility study cites low environmental impact THE Feasibility Study and Design for the new Demerara Harbour Bridge has successfully been completed, and a copy of the document was on Wednesday presented to Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson.

The 57-page final report was presented by the project team, which includes Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation General Manager and Project Manager, Rawlston Adams; Chief Transport and Planning Officer, Patrick Thompson and Mr Arie Mol,Team Leader of the consulting company, Lievense CSO. During the handing over, a rundown on its main conclusions were highlighted, the ministry said in a release.

From the feasibility study, it was determined that the proposed location of Houston-Versailles was the most ideal. It was further noted that the bridge should be a low-level one with a movable part and three-lanes. This structure, it said, provided the most socio-economic benefits for Guyana and led to the lowest urban environmental impact. Furthermore, it was recommended that the promotion of alternative transportation routes should

be encouraged to lend to the longevity of the new bridge.

The completion of the feasibility study paves the

way for the next stage, the pre-qualification of contractors for the construction of the bridge. This process has

already begun and will conclude on October 17.

Meanwhile, both Mr. Adams of DHBC and Mr.

Thompson of MPI noted the preparations that were undertaken during the feasibility stage to ensure the successful completion of key components. Thompson noted that during the

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Hon. Annette Ferguson (third, right) receives the completed Feasibility Study and Design for the new Demerara Harbour Bridge from Mr. Ariel Mol of LievenseCSO (second, right). With them are the members of the project team: DHBC General Manager and Project Manager, Mr. Rawlston Adams (third, left); Chief Transport and Planning Officer at MPI, Mr. Patrick Thompson (second, left); Senior Engineer (Transport and Planning), Mr. Ronald Roberts (left); and Transport Planning Officer (Economist) Ms. Ramona Duncan (right)

preparation of the feasibility study, all possible stakeholders, including those from the private and public sectors and neighbourhood and regional democratic councils, were consulted.

In fact, Mr. Adams added, the project team met with the Land and Surveys Department on Wednesday for advice on the surveying and the acquisition of the land.

The team also met with the Environmental Protection Agency on proceeding with the necessary environmental study.

“All in all, we’re confident that once we work together and everyone puts their shoulder to the wheel, we can get this project moving along smoothly,” Adams said. Thompson added that challenges, such as land acquisition, will have to be faced, but he stressed that the team is up to the challenge.

Upon receipt of the report, Minister Ferguson thanked the team for its dedication to the project and extended special thanks to Mol for satisfactorily delivering the report.

In response, Mol expressed his honour and gratitude for the support received from the Guyanese team and emphasised that his counterparts had enabled the entire team to work as one effective unit.

Constabulary set to seize movable assets

Woman covered man’s head with her underwear

By Telesha Ramnarine

…shared nude photos of him

- as businesses served with debt notices THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) will be invoking the laws pertaining to seizing moveable property from businesses that owe accumulative millions in taxes and interest and have shunned the council’s debt collection efforts.

Public Relations Officer, Debra Lewis, told Guyana Chronicle that beginning last Friday and concluding on Tuesday, letters have been served to Jaikarran and Sons, owing $117,250,262; Waylite Engineering, owing $29,398,064; Parker and Company/Muneshwers, owing $17,113,309; and Central Garage, owing $28,410,596.

Furthermore, she said, letters have been prepared for some 14 additional businesses. These businesses have 14 days to respond to the City Council, during which time the owners are expected to visit City Hall to arrange a payment plan.

Failure to do so will result in officers of the City Constabulary turning up at

the business locations to seize whatever they can find, including cars, furniture, televisions, etc.

Lewis said the M&CC has found that using ‘parate execution’ to recover costs takes a long time through the court process. As such, the municipality is now bent on invoking the laws relating to ‘petty debt’ for which they can simply turn up at the businesses and seize whatever valuables are there and sell them.

“The court process is long and drawn out and the council needs money. We’ve been very lenient with these businesses and have often given them options to pay, like announcing amnesty and so forth,” Lewis noted.

She said the M&CC has found residents more willing to pay up but there are those businesses who just do not care. “They have become complacent because they see that the M&CC has not been using the law in the strictest sense,” observed Lewis.

“But we are very serious about seizing their property.

We need money and we have to provide services. We’re not talking now. We’re going to evoke the law. You can’t cry and say you weren’t told.”

“EYE OPENER” Lewis said the seizing exercise will serve as an “eye opener” to other businesses who are failing to honour their obligations to the council.

Lewis had earlier told the Guyana Chronicle that in 2017, the M&CC intends to embark on an “aggressive” campaign against defaulting ratepayers since the Council needs “every single cent” to provide services.

In a press release, the M&CC had also named Sunglow Industries, Abdul & Sakina Sattur, Guyana Development Corps, Property Protection Services, and Correia’s Enterprise Limited among the defaulters.

“The owners of several businesses and corporations which are on the delinquent list did not even see it necessary to make use of the

Debra Lewis

facility or to seek an audience with the Georgetown Municipality concerning their status on rates owed,” the M&CC had said.

“The action of corporations and big businesses of not paying their rates to the Council is inconsistent with their corporate social responsibility and a contravention of the City by-laws. Their actions have affected the delivery of vital services such as drainage works, road repairs and maintenance of parks, gardens and open spaces,” M&CC had said.

A 30-year-old woman on Wednesday appeared in court charged for allegedly exposing nude photographs of her ex-boyfriend and was released on $100,000 bail by City Magistrate Judy Latchman Nekita Cooper of North East La Penitance was charged for exposing to the public, obscene photographs of her ex-lover with intent to corrupt public view without excuse, between January 1, 2017 and July 18, 2017.

The unrepresented woman denied the charge while police prosecutor, Shawn Gonsalves, related the facts to the court. According to the report, Cooper and the man were in a relationship for the past five years but it ended in February. However, the woman circulated

nude photos of her ex-boyfriend on social media and threatened to send the photographs to the man’s father.

The victim, who was also present in court, explained that the woman’s actions had affected his life both physically and mentally. The man further pointed out that he was forced to drop out from classes he was attending at the University of Guyana this summer.

The victim disclosed that the photos were taken while he was asleep since Cooper had placed her underwear on his head in one of the photographs. Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves made no objection to bail being granted and Magistrate Latchman granted Cooper $100,000 bail and adjourned the matter until September 5.

Argentina to the rescue 14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 31, 2017

--Providing expertise to help restore damaged art collection TWO internationally recognised Argentine experts in conservation and restoration of works of art will be visiting Guyana from Saturday to help restore fragile, and in some cases damaged, art collection at the National Art Gallery.

They are Mr. Néstor Barrio, Dean of the Research Institute on the Cultural Patrimony, and Ms. Damasia Gallegos, Director of the “Taller Tarea” of the Cultural Heritage Research Institute (TAREA-IIPC) at the National University of San Martín (UNSAM) in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

According to a release from the Argentina Embassy, the experts will be here from September 2 – 9, courtesy of the Fund for South-South Cooperation which financed their travel arrangements.

Their sojourn here, the embassy says, is part of a collaborative effort between the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, and the Government of Argentina, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The job has, over a period of time, entailed the restoration and conservation, over a period of time, of a number of works of art belonging to the National Collection of Art housed at the National Gallery of Art, Castellani House, at the corner of Vlissengen Road and Homestretch Avenue.

This time around, the project will be implemented

by the “Taller Tarea”, and conducted in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art of Guyana and the two TAREA-IIPC UNSAM experts.

According to the embassy, the visit is essentially exploratory in nature, whereby the Argentine team will be conducting a first assessment of the damaged works of art, after which a proposal will be put in place on the way forward to implement the project proper. Most of the damaged artwork are oil and acrylic paintings on either canvas, canvas boards, or tentest and tentest lined with fabric.

BACKGROUND In 2014, the National Gallery of Art discovered that a number of its prized paintings and works from its repository of the National Collection had deteriorated due to several factors, and as a consequence were endangered. It was therefore considered necessary to restore the affected works. Unfortunately, Guyana does not possess the necessary technical competence to counteract the state of deterioration.

This realisation saw the then Director of Culture, Dr. James Rose, meeting with Ambassador Luis Alberto Martino on March 16, 2015 to discuss collaborative efforts between Guyana and Argentina to “treat damaged paintings.”

At that meeting, Dr. Rose presented a project proposal to the Embassy of Argentina

in Guyana, outlining possible collaboration to restore paintings of Guyana’s National Collection of Art. In a subsequent meeting, on April 25, 2017, the Argentine Ambassador and Curator (ag) of the National Gallery of Art, Castellani House, Mr. Ohene Koama, agreed that the best way forward would be to submit a proposal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Argentina to advance with a project to be implemented in stages.

According to the embassy, the proposal to advance the project was then discussed in a meeting between the Ambassador, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, Ms. Melissa Tucker, and the Director of Culture (ag), Ms. Tamika Boatswain.

Subsequently, the Ambassador delivered the request to the Argentine Government for consideration.

As a result of this, the International Cooperation Department of the Argentine Foreign Ministry confirmed the availability of a team from UNSAM to put this project in motion.

TRAINING INSTITUTE The TAREA-IIPC UNSAM is a research and training institute whose main task is the conservation and restoration of artistic, archival and bibliographical assets in public repositories, through the use of multi-disciplinary procedures that guarantees a high quality

of work using international parameters.

It has extensive experience in international and regional collaboration of conservation, preservation and restoration of cultural heritage and works of art.

The TAREA-IIPC UNSAM experts will create and install capabilities and create a pool of human resources that will receive further training in the next stages of the project. During their stint in Guyana, the Argentine experts will undertake the following tasks: 1: Works of art will be meticulously examined by experts of TAREA-IIPC UNSAM and assessment of conditions and needs for restoration and conservation will be conducted.

2: Identification of the material and techniques needed in order to restore and conserve works of art, in order to consolidate the future exhibitions of the Guyana National Collection of Art. 3: Identification of a pool of resource persons from the National Gallery of Art and other cultural institutions of Guyana, who will receive training in conservation and restoration.

This project is estimated to impact approximately 250,000 people belonging to the cultural institutions and the visual arts community in Guyana, inclusive of artists, students, researchers and the general public.

As the most important gallery in Guyana, the National Gallery of Art has a

constant flow of people from all over Guyana and other countries, who regularly visit the Gallery to see the exhibitions. In this sense, the project can contribute greatly to the visibility of art in Guyana, thereby generating more interest and knowledge about the artists of Guyana.

IMPACT OF PROJECT The project will also impact on the lives of those artists whose works need to be restored and preserved.

In addition, it will have an impact on the families of the deceased artists, whose works will also be restored in this project. In turn, the project will garner positive results for the persons who will receive training throughout the different stages of the project, and will serve other cultural and heritage institutions in Guyana, which face similar situations with needs for conservation and restoration. The persons who will participate in the training will be selected from the various cultural institutions proposed by Guyana. Participants will be drawn from the National Gallery of Art, the E.R. Burrowes School of Art, the University of Guyana, the National Archives, the National Trust, the National Museum, the Museum of African Heritage and the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology.

For TAREA-IIPC UNSAM, participating in this project, sharing with new actors the experiences and artistic-technical knowledge of

restoration and conservation of art and cultural heritage, constitutes an important intellectual and academic challenge. Through the project, horizontal cooperation will be promoted; taking into account the specific needs of each context, and it is expected to generate positive and sustainable impact for all participants.

It is also expected that the project will have an impact on research and teaching that is developed in TAREA-IIPC UNSAM. The possibility of involving other University actors in the project will be explored, for instance teachers, researchers and students. In particular, the possibility to sign bilateral cooperation agreements to increase student and teacher mobility between UNSAM and institutions of higher education involved in art training in Guyana, which will also promote the internationalisation of higher education and training between our countries. This largescale project will certainly serve to further strengthen ties between Guyana and Argentina and to spread awareness of preserving all expressions of the cultural heritage, among which conservation and restoration of art play a central role. As a matter of fact, this collaboration will see a number of Guyanese immensely benefiting from capacity building in this area via a series of workshops and training sessions.

Power company, meters for Mabaruma by year end RESIDENTS of Mabaruma, Region One will soon have their own power company, which would be called the Mabaruma Power and Light (MPL), added to which will be a metering system for regularised consumption of electricity by the end of the year.

This was disclosed by Chief Executive Officer

of the Hinterland Electrification Company Incorporated (HECI), Horace Williams, during an exclusive interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Williams said that the residents of Mabaruma are currently paying a fixed fee for electricity and with the installation of meters they will be paying for

electricity based on consumption.

The community of Mabaruma currently receives nine hours of electricity per day via a generator. He pointed out that with the establishment of the power company, they will be working towards providing 24 hours electricity to residents.

The power company, Wil-

liams said, “will be taking over the operations of the electricity system in Mabaruma and in doing so, we want to move towards consumers paying based on consumption… so when we introduce metering systems we expect that consumers would now use electricity efficiently and conserve where possible.”

According to Wil-

liams, the power company is owned by the government and will be managed by a board of directors. The appointment of board members will be decided by the government. However, since GPL is the largest supplier of electricity in the country someone from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Com-

pany will sit on the board to give guidance. “GPL has been represented on those smaller utility boards in the past so we expect a similar arrangement for Mabaruma, of course the RDCs are represented on these boards as well and we expect that the same will happen in Mabaruma,” Williams explained.(DPI)

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RHTYSC/Kares Engineering Inc. Patron’s Tournament

Grill Master crowned champions as highly successful tournament concludes

A BRILLIANT all-round performance by skipper Roy Jaferally on Sunday led his team Grill Master to championship honours in the RHTYSC/Kares Engineering Inc. Patron’s Green Economy softball tournament.

Played at the Area ‘H’ ground, Grill Master of Canje crushed Prophecy Boys of Port Mourant by 131 runs to take home the first prize of $500 000, and the beautiful Green Economy Trophy donated by Kares Engineering Inc., and the Ministry of the Presidency respectively.

The tournament was organised by the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, in honour of its Patron, on his 72nd birth anniversary, His Excellency President David Granger.

Prophecy Boys won the toss and surprisingly opted to field first. The powerful Grill Master batting lineup took full advantage of batting first, and blasted their way to an impressive 2716, with Jaferally top-scoring, 65, including seven massive sixes, while Vishal Phillips 48, David Looknauth 55 and Kevin Gangaram 34 not out offered vital support.

Arjune Marimootoo was the only bowler to escape with decent bowling figures - 4-32.

In reply, Prophecy Boys were dismissed for 141 in 16.3 overs. Michael Romalho 38, Navindranauth Ramnauth 20 and Madhan Budhan 28, were

Inter-Ministry tapeball re-scheduled for tomorrow THE Inter-Ministry, Government Agencies tapeball cricket competition, which was originally set for last Sunday, has now been re-scheduled for tomorrow at the National Cultural Centre tarmac, starting at 09:00hrs.

Among the teams that have registered so far are Melanie, Better Hope, Cummings Lodge, West Dem NDC, Eccles NDC, Craig NDC, Enmore NDC, Enterprise NDC and Plaisance NDC. For further information, teams can make contact with James Lewis on 628-1656 or 666-5857.

Roy Jaferally receives the winning trophy and cash prize from Minister Joseph Harmon .

the principal scorers.

Jaferally completed a fine all-round performance with 4-27, while Keon Sinclair took 2-21.

In the semifinals Grill Master easily disposed of Jai Hind of Albion by nine wickets, while Prophecy Boys defeated Hard Knock of Manchester by 79

runs.

In the third place playoff, Hard Knock defeated Jai Hind by 17 runs.

At the presentation ceremony RHTYSC Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster hailed the tournament as a massive success, and a perfect tribute to President David Granger

on his 72nd birth anniversary.

The club, he stated worked overtime to organise a tournament of the highest standard, and praised the numerous sponsors.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who represented President Granger, congratulated the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club for honouring its Patron with a well-organised cricket tournament.

The minister also spoke broadly on the impact of Climate Change, and the reasons why the government was striving to establish a Green Economy.

Minister Harmon urged the club to maintain its outstanding work, and committed the government’s support to assist with programmes associated with Climate Change.

Mahadeo Panchu of KSM Investment and Kishore Persaud of Kares Engineering also made brief remarks at the presentation ceremony.

The Grill Master team pose with Minister Joseph Harmon and sponsors of the tournament.

BCB senior 50-over cricket competition

Wins for Port Mourant, Young Warriors and Blairmont THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) senior 50 overs competition continued at three venues across the county.

At the Port Mourant Community Centre, hosts Port Mourant defeated the Albion Cricket Club by seven wickets in their match, which was reduced to 32 overs due to overnight rain.

Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the Port Mourant restricted Albion for 115-9. Bowling for Port Mourant, Joel Seitaram took 2-14, Troy Gonsalves 3-22, while Yudendra Harinarine, Demetri Cameron, Omesh Mathura and Parmeshwar Chatterpaul took one wicket each.

In Albion’s innings, Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai top-scored with 20, Anthony Bramble 19, Ritesh Omrao 16, Steven Kamaludeen 18 and Joshua Harrichand 13.

The hosts were spearheaded by a brilliant 42 from opener Joshua Ramsammy and 47 from middle-order batsman Joel Seitaram.

Veramootoo Senwasane contributed 10, with Port Mourant reached the target in 25 overs, with the loss of three

batsmen.

At the Young Warriors ground in Cumberland, Young Warriors (YWCC) defeated Tucber Park by 20 runs in their encounter.

Batting first, YWCC scored 110-8. Linden Austin and Seon Hetmyer, each scored 29, while Vishal Mohabir made 13 and Alex Algoo 12.

Bowling for Tucber Park, national pacer Romario Shepherd took 2-24, Nial Smith, Devon Clements, K. Pellew, Omar Weatherspoon and Deon Sinclair each picked up a wicket.

In their reply, Tucber Park managed only 91-8 as Hakeem Hinds scored 32, Steve Deonarine 26, and Devon Clements 19.

All the other batsmen failed to reach double figures.

For YWCC, Vishal Mohabir had 2-18, Suresh Dhanai 2-16, while Kasim Khan, Linden Austin and Seon Hetmyer picked up a wicket each.

In West Berbice, at the Blairmont Community Centre, hosts Blairmont Cricket Club defeated West Berbice by 10 runs. Batting first, Blairmont scored 193-9.

Martin Singh hit a top score of 51, Parmanand Ramdhan 34, Z. Inshan 21 and Derick McCalmon 13.

Bowling for West Berbice, Renison Mitchell took 4-36, Steffon Adams 2-31 and C. Nurse 2-40.

In West Berbice’s reply, A. Bailey scored 60, C. Nurse 23 not out, R. Estriado 14, Rendell Bobb 22, Samuel Adams 16. West Berbice managed to score 183.

Ramdhan and S. Baksh took 3-41, and 2-39 respectively.

Meanwhile, the BCB is encouraging the business community and the general public to support the Board in its endeavours. The BCB will continue to mould and promote the aspiring male and female cricketers in the county, with the optimism that they can one day represent Guyana and the West Indies.

The Under-13 zone competition that is currently being conducted in the county is one such initiative of the administration of the BCB. Interested persons, and sponsors are kindly asked to call the BCB on telephone number 333-2375.

Botham and Atherton laud

Windies win as one for the times LEEDS, England (CMC) – Two noted legends of English cricket have hailed the West Indies’ stunning second Test win over England at Headingley as one of the finest sporting triumphs in recent memory.

Ian Botham, arguably England’s greatest cricketer of all-time, and Michael Atherton, one of their most capped players and captains, showered praise on Jason Holder’s team after their fearless and fascinating triumph at the historic ground on Tuesday.

Chasing 322 for victory on the final day, West Indies pulled off a remarkable five-wicket win, 11 days following a humiliating innings defeat inside three days in the first Test at Edgbaston.

Writing in The Times newspaper yesterday, Atherton said most observers expected a shellacking but the Windies changed the narrative and performed “a resurrection … of a once-proud cricketing nation fallen on hard times.”

“This was one of the great modern Test matches, one that produced a truly astonishing result,” Atherton wrote.

“In my time watching, playing and commentating on Test cricket I cannot think of a bigger upset when taking into account the low expectations for a team with a horrendous away record who had subsided to a three-day defeat only the week before.”

Botham echoed the sentiments of many over the world when he noted: “What Test cricket needs is a vibrant West Indian team. They bring everything – the colour, the party atmosphere.

“After being totally embarrassed at Birmingham, something they would have been devastated about, Windies managed to pick themselves up. It was great to watch and for Windies to show guts like that was a top performance.”

Botham, a highly-respected pundit with Sky Sports, was speaking at the venue where he performed one of cricket’s greatest feats – a back-to-the-wall century against Australia in the 1981 Ashes.

Atherton, who is also a Sky Sports pundit, is familiar with the cricketing landscape in the Caribbean, having toured the region on two occasions, and also lived in Barbados.

“There were many heroes of the hour: (Jason) Holder, the young captain, who took the criticism full on after Edgbaston, and who batted with real authority when West Indies were wobbling in their first innings, and then bowled with heart and discipline throughout; Shannon Gabriel, who returned to lead the attack as a strike bowler should; but most of all two young batsmen around whom the semblance of a sturdy Test match batting line-up can be glimpsed,” Atherton wrote.

“Kraigg Brathwaite, from Wanderers Cricket Club and Combermere School, the alma mater of Sir Frank Worrell, and Shai Hope, of Pickwick Cricket Club and, latterly and briefly, of Bede’s School in East Sussex, led the charge, following up their hundreds in the first innings with magnificent contributions in the second.

“They were partners in both innings for 390 runs, more than half their team’s total in the match, and they were the rocks upon which England’s ship foundered.”

Hope, a stylish 23-yearold right-hander, stroked an unbeaten 118 to follow up his first innings 147, in the process becoming the first batsman to score twin hundreds at Headingley in 127 years of first class cricket at the venue.

Opener Brathwaite made 134 in the first innings and 95 in the second.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 31, 2017

Bangladesh stun Aussies to claim historic maiden Test win … Warner ton in vain as Australia fall short

DHAKA, Bangladesh (Reuters) - Bangladesh pulled off a fairytale maiden Test victory over Australia yesterday as cricket witnessed a second triumph for the underdog in as many days with the Ashes protagonists both on the receiving end of surprise losses.

he fell just short of guiding Australia home on the fourth day of an enthralling encounter.

Skipper Smith led a charmed life at the other end, spilled at mid-on by Tamim Iqbal, but Australia’s most assured weapon against Bangladesh’s rampaging spinners could

Bangladesh’s man-of-the-match Shakib Al Hasan celebrates the wicket of Glenn Maxwell, one of his five second-innings victims.

Less than 24 hours after Shai Hope’s second century of the match secured a series-levelling victory for West Indies against England at Leeds, the Shere Bangla National Stadium on the outskirts of Dhaka became the venue of another upset.

Playing his 50th Test, local talisman Shakib Al Hasan lit up the stadium with his all-round brilliance to script a famous 20-run victory that gives Bangladesh a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.

not make the most of his reprieve.

Shakib sent back Warner and Smith, who made 37, in the morning session when Australia lost five wickets.

The left-arm spinner then snuffed out whatever realistic hopes Australia had of making it five straight wins over Bangladesh by dismissing Glenn Maxwell with the first delivery after lunch break.

Pat Cummins, the lone paceman to taste success in the spin-dominated

longest form of the game.

Seventeen years since granted the Test status, there are still whispers whether Bangladesh belong in the elite group but skipper Mushfiqur Rahim remains satisfied with the progress the team has made under his leadership.

“If you look at our home performance, it has been pretty consistent,” he said.

“Against England also, we were very close in the first Test and beat them in the second Test. That’s the belief we have.”

Shakib articulated that belief in a pre-series media interaction where he said Bangladesh were capable of winning both the Tests against Australia and the opening triumph has filled Mushfiqur with similar optimism.

“Hopefully we’ll come harder at them in the next Test and hopefully we’ll seal the series,” the captain said.

Counterpart Smith believed Australia paid the price for a poor first-innings display, especially since they had to bat fourth on a track where the ball both bounced unpredictably and turned viciously.

“It was a great Test match, credit to Bangladesh the way they played,” Smith said. “ We p r o b a b l y l e t ourselves down in the first innings with the bat, probably we should have made a few more there. It was pretty difficult batting here in the second innings and I thought we did pretty well to get 240 in the end.”

Bangladesh’s threepronged spin attack claimed 19 of the 20 Australian

scorecard

David Warner’s fighting ton was all in vain.

Australia tried their hardest to dampen home hopes when a 130-run partnership between David Warner and Steve Smith revived Australia’s bid to chase down the 265-run target and salvage a win after being outplayed for the greater part of the match.

Warner tempered his natural aggression but did not altogether abandon it, as was evident from the 16 boundaries and one six in his belligerent 112.

The southpaw conquered his spin demons to register a 19th Test century, and second in Asia, but

contest, blasted an unbeaten 33 down the order to inject some late excitement but was left stranded as Australia folded for 244.

Shakib claimed 5-85 and was the obvious manof-the-match choice for his first innings score of 84 and a 10-wicket haul.

HOME STRENGTH Yesterday’s win came five months after Bangladesh secured their first Test win over Sri Lanka and a month before the first anniversary of their maiden triumph over England in the

BANGLADESH 1st innings 260 (S. Al Hasan 84, T. Iqbal 71) AUSTRALIA 1st innings 217 (S. Al Hasan 5-68) BANGLADESH 2nd innings 221 (T. Iqbal 78; N. Lyon 6-82) AUSTRALIA 2nd innings (Target: 265 runs) D. Warner lbw b Al Hasan 112 M. Renshaw lbw b M. Hasan 5 U. Khawaja c T. Islam b Al Hasan 1 S. Smith c Rahim b Al Hasan 37 P. Handscomb c Sarkar b T. Islam 15 G. Maxwell b Al Hasan 14 M. Wade lbw b Al Hasan 4 A. Agar c&b T. Islam 2 P. Cummins not out 33 N. Lyon c Sarkar b M. Hasan 12 J. Hazlewood lbw b T. Islam 0 Extras: (b-7, lb-2) 9 Total: (all out, 70.5 overs) 244 Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-28, 3-158, 4-171, 5-187, 6-192, 7-195, 8-199, 9-22.

Bowling: Mehidy Hasan 193-80-2, Nasir Hossain 3-2-2-0, Shakib Al Hasan 28-7-85-5, Taijul Islam 19.5-2-60-3, Mushfiqur Rahim 1-0-8-0.

wickets to fall with Usman Khawaja’s run-out in the first innings the only victim to elude the slow bowlers.

Australia will slip one place to fifth in the Test rankings even if they level the series by winning the

second Test in Chittagong from Monday. A second defeat would see them drop another place.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 31, 2017

OMSCC Over-50 final

Caribbean Sensation upstage Skeldon to claim title

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada - A thunderous unbeaten 119-run fourth-wicket stand between skipper Ganesh Ramraj (54 not out) and Matbar ‘Brian’ Singh (49 not out) spurred Caribbean Sensation to an emphatic seven-wicket victory over Skeldon when the Ontario Masters Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Over-50 softball tournament climaxed at the St Bede’s ground, Scarborough here last Saturday.

While the unbeaten Caribbean Sensation players and ardent supporters were celebrating their first-ever victory in the nine-year history of the tournament, Skeldon were once again licking their wounds having suffered their second consecutive defeat in the final, after going down to Dirty Dozen in a heart-breaking game last year which saw them lose off the final delivery.

Set a challenging 146 for victory in the 20-over affair, after Skeldon had reached 145 for seven in their allotted overs, Caribbean Sensation were in a spot of bother at 31 for three, losing the scalps of openers Jai Singh, run-out for one in the second over, Roy Brittania (19) and Steve Haniff.

Thereafter, it was the Ramraj and Singh show as the two tall right-handers plundered the hapless Skel-

don bowlers to all parts of the ground, with Ramraj being the more aggressive of the two at the outset of the partnership.

was decorated with a similar number of boundaries.

Earlier, the much-vaunted Skeldon lineup were given a fine start of 43 by captain

and a four, gave the innings a boost towards the end but the eventual total proved inadequate after all. Gavin Rampersaud was the best

saud (Caribbean Sensation) and Nasser Baksh (Skeldon), the highest wicket-takers and Ramraj and Shakoor for being adjudged the pacesetters in the respective teams.

Apart from the winning and runner-up trophies, officials and players from both teams also collected medals.

OMSCC president Azeem Khan lauded both teams for reaching the final and was extremely pleased with their display.

According to Khan, the OMSCC Over-50 Division started some nine years ago with the objective of giving the

most experienced cricketers the opportunity to continue to engage in and enjoy their boyhood sport.

Khan also spoke about the interest the tournament has generated over the years and thanked the several sponsors for their generosity that has helped it to survive.

Khan also reminded the players that the OMSCC is aiming to send a representative team to the upcoming seventh Guyana Softball Cup, set for November 3, 4 and 5 in Georgetown and is urging interested players to submit their names to the league.

Caribbean Sensation players and supporters are in a celebratory mood after the game.

With 33 needed to achieve victory in the final four overs, Singh then unleashed a savage attack on Geenarine Singh, hoisting the bowler for four massive sixes and a four as 29 runs were leaked in the 16th over. Geenarine Singh’s effort was a far cry from his semi-final heroics when he captured five for seven in two overs versus Double Impac.

Victory was duly achieved in 17.3 overs with Singh ending the assault with another boundary, his unbeaten 49 containing five sixes and a four while Ramraj’s knock

Shivnauth Seeram (41) and Jamini Singh (25) before the latter was brilliantly caught on the boundary by Asim Kassim off Manbar Singh in the sixth over after smashing two sixes.

The experienced Seeram tried desperately to hold the middle-order together but once he departed after slamming four sixes and two fours, wickets fell at regular intervals as the Caribbean Sensation bowlers kept a tight rein on proceedings.

Left-hander Fazil Shakoor, with a quick-fire 25, which included three sixes

bowler with two for six while Sam Punwasi finished with two for 10.

At the presentation ceremony which followed, Ramraj and Shakoor were awarded the Most Valuable Player for Caribbean Sensation and Skeldon respectively. Apart from receiving trophies, the two were also recipients of cash prizes, compliments of businessman Nirad Lall.

Trophies, courtesy of Raj Deoraj of Elite Sports Club, were also presented to Ramraj and Seeram for the highest score in the final, Ramper-

OMSCC treasurer Feizal Bacchus hands over the pacesetter trophy to Skeldon’s Fazil Shakoor.

Dates confirmed for Guyana Softball Cup 7 Pakistan’s Sharjeel gets five-year ban for spot-fixing (REUTERS) - Batsman Sharjeel Khan has been banned for five years by his country’s cricket board (PCB) for his involvement in a spot-fixing scandal in the Pakistan Super League, local media reported yesterday.

In photo, members of Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association pose with Christopher Jones. (From left) Ramesh Sunich (vice-president), Lakhram Singh (treasurer), Wayne Jones (organising secretary), Director of Sport Christopher, Ramchand Ragbeer (president), Anil Beharry (assistant secretary), Ricky Deonarain (club captain).

ORGANISED by the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA), the seventh edition of the Guyana Softball Cup has been confirmed for November 3 to 5 in Georgetown.

According to a release from the GFSCA, nine teams from New York, Florida, Canada have already confirmed their participation for the tournament.

The release further indicated that with the number of local teams expected to play, the GFSCA will find it very challenging to choose teams to

play and compete in the tournament.

Last Wednesday executive members of the GFSCA met with Director of Sport Christopher Jones, where major discussions were held as with regard to the seventh edition of the annual International Softball Tournament.

The Director of Sport was also briefed on other GFSCA activities. Following their installation of lights at the DCC ground in Queenstown, the GFSCA recently constructed an all-weather cricket practice facility at the venue.

Currently, the association, in collaboration with DCC, is staging a hard-ball Under-13 tournament which is being sponsored by Well Teen, Trophy Stall, Tropical Spring Waters and Nauth Motor Spares.

Having won the Masters category of the Guyana Cup in 2016, the GFSCA took part in a softball tournament held in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, New York and Canada earlier this year and were successful in the Masters division in Orlando and New York.

ceedings of the case,” Asghat Haider, who headed the three-member PCB tribunal that sentenced him, told local media.

Sharjeel, who made his international debut for Pakistan in 2013, has played one Test, 25 oneday internationals and 15 Twenty20 internationals for his country.

“The charges have been proven. He was given minimum punishment with no fines imposed. This decision has shown that we had strong proofs against h i m , ” Ta f f a z u l R i z -

vi, PCB legal adviser, told Pakistan’s Geo TV News.

Sharjeel and fellow Islamabad United player Khalid Latif were provisionally suspended and sent home from the domestic Twenty20 competition in February after an investigation by the board’s anti-corruption unit.

At least two other players have been implicated in the scandal while another, fast bowler Mohammad Irfan, was fined and given a one-year ban in March this year.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday August 31, 2017) Sharjeel Khan

The 28-year-old will not be able to play domestic or international cricket for half the sentence and will be kept under observation for its duration.

“Sharjeel is banned for five years, which has two-and-a-half year suspended, after the pro-

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 Monday’s quiz: (1) 16 players (2) Sohail Tanvir-13 wickets Today’s Quiz: (1) How many ducks were made in the CPL 2017 Warriors/Tridents

game played at the Kensington Oval, Barbados?

(2) What were Sohail Tanvir’s bowling figures in that game?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 31, 2017

Upsets highlight exciting opening night of Guinness ‘Cage’ tournament … Group stage starts tonight

IT was upset galore on opening night of the inaugural Guinness ‘Cage football’ Indoor Championship, hosted by Three Peat Promotions, which got started on Tuesday night, at the National Gymnasium.

Playing before a large crowd at the Mandela Avenue facility, the 32 teams that were on show treated the fans to an exciting brand of football with quite a few underdogs registering upsets against some well-established teams.

Among the early casualties were Sophia who were soundly beaten 3-0 by newcomers MBK All Stars, while Old Skool Ballers squeezed past Broad Street 2-1 and West Demerara’s Showstoppers edged a strong Tucville unit 1-0.

Teams from the Mining Town of Linden found the going tough with Guinness national champions Dave & Celena All Stars losing in a penalty shootout against

Part of the action on the opening night of the Guinness ‘Cage’ football Championship

Pike Street Sophia, who were returning to competition after a hiatus, while Silver Bullets exited the competition after going down to Tiger Bay 1-2.

However, some of the other top teams to advance to the Group stage are: Sparta

Andre Charles appointed ‘Football Ambassador’ of Paramakatoi President of the GFF, Wayne Forde (right), and newly appointed Football Ambassador of the Village of Paramakatoi Andre Charles.

WAYNE Forde, president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), has appointed Andre Charles as a ‘Football Ambassador of the Village of Paramakatoi’ following his visit to the community August 26-28.

Forde’s visit to the Region 8 community was on invitation from the Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and Patron of Women’s Football, Hon. Valerie Garrido-Lowe.

In a letter to Charles, Forde said, “I left your village with a renewed sense of purpose, clarity and direction. The many wonderful memories and inspiring moments I took with me will be cherished for the rest of

my life. Your beautiful Paramakatoi is a picturesque village that is second only to the warmth of its lovely people.”

The appointment is for one year and according to the federation, Charles will be responsible for attending meetings with the Sports Council as a representative of the GFF president, attending GFF’s Congresses, welcoming visiting officials to the village on behalf of the GFF president, travelling with the GFF president to regional events and promoting the beautiful game of football throughout the region During the visit, the president and the minister witnessed community football matches and also interacted with the villagers.

Boss, West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’, Tiger Bay, North Ruimveldt, Albouystown ‘A’ and ‘B’, Hustlers, Future Stars, Back Circle, Champion Boys, Mocha and Leopold Street.

Over $800,000 in cash

prizes and trophies will be up for grabs with the winners set to receive $400 000 and the championship trophy, while second-, third- and fourthplace finishers will take home $200 000, $100 000 and $50 000 respectively, along with

trophies.

The other playing dates for the championship are August 31, September 5, 7, 9 with the final set for September 16, at the same venue.

Among the other sponsors on board are: Star Party Rent-

als, Faye Joseph, Claude Geddes Recreational Sports Club, National Sports Commission, Windjammer International Hotel & Cuisine, Woodpecker Trophies & Sport, Y.K Investments & Pawn Shop, Henry Chase, Jai Signs, Trophy Stall of Bourda Market and John Fernandes Ltd. The Group stage commences this evening at 19:00hrs with eight scheduled games.

The fixtures are as follows: Albouystown-B vs North Ruimveldt - 19:00hrs MBK All-Stars vs Leopold Street - 19:30hrs Hustlers vs Tiger Bay 20:00hrs Albouystown-A vs Showstoppers - 20:30hrs Gold is Money vs Mocha - 21:00hrs Future Stars vs Pike Street Sophia - 21:30hrs Back Circle vs Champion Boys - 22:00hrs Sparta Boss vs Old Skool Ballers - 22:30hrs

England bowling coach Ottis Gibson to take charge of South Africa

ENGLAND bowling coach Ottis Gibson has confirmed he will leave his position to become head coach of South Africa.

The former West Indies player, 48, will replace Russell Domingo and will start his new role after the conclusion of the Test series against West Indies in September.

England bowling coach Ottis Gibson

“Ottis is an ambitious man,” said England director of cricket Andrew Strauss.

“When this opportunity presented itself it was difficult for him to turn down.”

Gibson, who has been England’s bowling coach since 2015, previously coached West Indies.

The England and Wales

Cricket Board said it will shortly launch a process to recruit a new fast-bowling coach going into a busy winter schedule which includes the Ashes in Australia.

F o r m e r Yo r k s h i re coach Jason Gillespie is already being tipped to become Gibson’s replacement. (BBC Sport)

Serena can regain top ranking, Mouratoglou says NEW YORK, USA (Reuters) - Serena Williams must put her career first after the birth of her first child if she wants to regain her place at the top of women’s tennis, according to her coach Patrick Mouratoglou.

Former world number one Williams is due to become a mother in the coming days but has hinted she would like to defend her Australian Open title in Melbourne starting on January 15.

Mouratoglou, who has coached Williams since 2012, is hoping she will be ready in time.

“I know she will of course love her baby, be an incredible mother, be very protective, I’m sure of that, but I’m sure on the other hand that she will not let

anyone or anything be between her and her career,” he told Reuters at Flushing Meadows.

the 23-time grand slam winner adjusts to her new life.

“She’s always put her ca-

Serena Williams of USA hits a shot as her coach Patrick Mouratoglou looks on during a training session ahead of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, January 11, 2017.

No one knows how Williams will feel after she becomes a mother and Mouratoglou said everything will depend on how

reer first. She will take unbelievable care of the baby but her career is going to stay first.

And if she doesn’t put her ca-

reer first, I think she will stop,” he added.

“If she puts her tennis second, she might be not as good as she could be and this she will not accept. She’s the biggest professional I’ve ever met.”

The Frenchman, who has won 10 grand slam titles with Williams, believes he can make the American as good as she was before even though she turns 36 next month.

“I cannot have the same success as I had with Serena with everyone,” he said. “I know my ability, I did it 100 times, if I have to do it 101 times I will.

“I have to find a way, there is always a way to find. That’s what’s exciting about our job, to find a way to bring them to their maximum.”

Botham and Atherton laud

Windies win as one for the times See Page

Upsets highlight exciting opening night of Guinness ‘Cage’ tournament

See Page 23

The records broken in epic Windies win SHAI Hope and his young Windies side defy the numbers and decades of history to win at Headingley.

20

3 - The number of times a team has been beaten

by more than an innings and 200 runs and gone on to win the following Test. The Windies lost the first Test by an innings and 209 runs only to win by five wickets at Headingley. Only India in 2008 (lost to Sri Lanka by an innings and 239 runs) and Australia in 1998 (lost to India by an innings and 219 runs) have bounced back from heavier defeats to win the next Test.

18.61 - Shai Hope’s Test batting average from

11 matches before this Test. Having posted scores of 147 and 118no at Headingley, his average is now 29.81.

Shai Hope (left) and Kraigg Brathwaite celebrate their centuries.

7th edition of COURTS 10K set for October 1

By Rawle Toney

THE COURTS Guyana Inc. 10K, one of the country’s most lucrative road races, will be held on October 1, with the company once again teaming up with the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) to host the seventh installation of the race.

of the Guyanese people. I must thank the AAG for continuing to partner with us and for making this event a success.”

Cleveland Forde and USbased Euleen Josiah-Tanner are defending male and female champions respectively, having dominated the event for a number of years.

Forde clocked 32 min-

student Claudrice McKoy (41:42.9), while Ashanti Scott was third in a time of 41:56.6.

“I want to challenge athletes to break this (dethrone Tanner and Forde), and I myself, being a part of the COURTS Committee, challenge all my staff to come out and try to beat me,” Cummings jokingly said.

COURTS Marketing Manager Pernell Cummings (right) makes a presentation to AAG president Aubrey Hutson following yesterday’s launch of the COURTS 10K. (Adrian Narine photo) With over $2M invested in this year ’s event, COURTS Marketing Manager Pernell Cummings told reporters at the company’s Main Street branch yesterday, that as an entity, “we’re very happy to be contributing to Athletics in Guyana and also to the overall fitness

utes 40 seconds (32:40.0) to win last year’s 10K, while rivals Winston Missigher (33:15.1) and Cleveland Thomas (33:26.7) finished second and third respectively.

J o s i a h - Ta n n e r r a n 40:12.20 to finish ahead of the now Monroe College

Aubrey Hutson, president of the AAG, stated that the COURTS 10K is one of the pillars of road races in Guyana and his association is more than happy to be partnering with the company for another year.

Hutson hinted at a number of changes to this year’s

10K and efficiency with regard to producing results, but stated “the route remains the same, we’re going to start in front of COURTS Main Street, into High Street Kingston, proceed east into Carifesta Avenue, then into the Rupert Craig Highway and we’re going to make a U-Turn at Conversation Tree and once we come onto the southern carriage way, we come west into Public Road Kitty, proceed south into Vlissengen Road, west into Lamaha Street and to Main Street for the finish.”

“What we’re trying to do as well is to include some of the school athletes who are left out because of the age restriction of the IAAF and who can do a 10K; so we’re looking this year, to put athletes between ages 10 and 15 years old, those preparing for the Schools Championship to do a ‘Golden Mile’ around Main Street where we go up to Lamaha Street and return,” said Hutson.

With regard to the cash prizes up for grabs, Hutson explained, “We’re still in negotiations to see how best we could improve on that but it would not be less than what it is, but the usual great prizes that are awarded by COURTS could be expected this year again.”

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533 - The number of first-class matches that had been played at Headingley before this Test.

Hope is the first man ever to score a century in each innings of a first-class match at the ground.

11 - The number of West Indians to score a

century in each innings of a Test before Hope.

He joins George Headley and Gordon Greenidge as the only West Indians to achieve the feat in the UK.

91 - The number of Tests played in the UK since a player scored a century in each innings of a Test there. Marcus Trescothick was the last man to achieve the feat, against the West Indies at Edgbaston in 2004.

17 - The number of years since the Windies

last won a Test match in England. They’d lost 15 and drawn three of their past 18 Tests in the UK.

147 - The number of runs Shai Hope scored in

his first innings, the highest Test score by a Windies batsman in the UK since Brian Lara scored 179 at The Oval in 1995.

322 - The number of runs the Windies scored

in their second innings, the fourth-highest successful run chase in their history.

69 -

The number of years since a team successfully chased down a target of more than 320 at Headingley. The 1948 Australians chased down 404 to win the fourth Ashes Test of that series, which was then a world record.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2017