Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 09 06 2017

Jagdeo willing to submit third GECOM list Page 3

No. 104938

FRIDAY JUNE 9, 2017

Price: $80

Up to $6B in lost taxes (VAT Inclusive)

…GRA says hundreds of heavy-duty vehicles escaping tax net

Page 4

Restoring the economy … Harmon tells PSC conducive business climate on horizon

Page 9

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon and Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Jaipaul Sharma with the current Chairman, Mr. Eddie Boyer and other top executives of the Private Sector Commission (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

Oil firms to survey Orinduik block Page 10

GPHC sacks CEO Page 3

Allan Johnson

UK faces ‘hung parliament’ Page 2

UK Prime Minister Theresa May

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 9, 2017

May’s gamble goes wrong, UK faces ‘hung parliament’

B R I T I S H v o t e r s p u nished Theresa May for her electoral gamble by de-

nying her the resounding mandate she wanted to strengthen her hand in

Brexit talks, casting doubt over her premiership and raising the prospect of a

deadlocked parliament.

An exit poll predicted the Conservatives would win 314

seats in Britain’s 650-member parliament and the leftwing opposition Labour Party 266 -- a “hung parliament” with no clear winner.

May unexpectedly called the snap election seven weeks ago to increase the slim majority she had inherited from predecessor David Cameron before launching into arduous divorce talks with the European Union, set to start in just over a week.

Instead, if the exit poll showing strong gains for Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour is anywhere near accurate, she risks losing power in what would be an ignominious end to her 11 months at Number 10 Downing Street.

May had spent the campaign denouncing Corbyn as the weak leader of a spendthrift party that would crash Britain’s economy and flounder in Brexit talks, while she would provide “strong and stable leadership” to clinch a good deal for Britain.

But her campaign unraveled after a major policy u-turn on care for the elderly, while Corbyn’s old-school socialist platform and more impassioned campaigning

UK Prime Minister Theresa May style won wider support than anyone had foreseen.

“We still don’t know the final result of this election, it is too early to say, but it looks likely to be a very, very bad result for Theresa May,” said Labour’s Deputy Leader Tom Watson in a statement after holding his own seat.

Sterling fell by more than two cents against the U.S. dollar.

“A hung parliament is the worst outcome from a markets perspective as it creates another layer of uncertainty ahead of the Brexit negotiations and chips away at what is already a short timeline to secure a deal for Britain,” said See page 5

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 9, 2017

Jagdeo willing to submit third GECOM list

OPPOSITION Leader Bharrat Jagdeo says he is willing to submit a third list of nominees for the position of chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and has accepted an invitation to meet with President David Granger again on Monday to discuss the issue.

President Granger recently rejected a second list of nominees for the chairmanship of GECOM, deeming it unacceptable.

The second list comprised retired justices BS Roy and William Ramlal, attorneys President David Granger Oneidge Walrond-Allicock, Ryhaan Shah and historian, Nadia Sagar and Kashir Professor James Rose.

At a press conference Khan and businessman Gerhosted at his Church Street ry Gouveia.

The first list comprised office on Thursday, Jagdeo chartered accountant Chris- said he disagrees with the topher Ram, governance President’s interpretation specialist Lawrence Lach- of the Constitution for the mansingh, business execu- appointment of GECOM tives Ramesh Dookhoo and chair. “I think all those Norman McLean, author people are fit and proper

and suitably qualified to be appointed chairman of GECOM. I was also concerned that with the letter the President sent to us, he had not indicated what the next steps are,” Jagdeo said.

He said that there have been a lot of speculations about what can or would happen in the meeting. “I’ve seen various letters and articles in different parts of the media. But, I have not discussed with anyone what my positions will be in the meetings,” Jagdeo said, adding: “I do not conduct discussions or negotiations of a critical and sensitive nature in the media, or will I telegraph my position long before the meeting.”

Jagdeo speculated that there can be three possibilities that can occur in the meeting with the President.

Firstly, he said the President can request more names and based on the Constitution, the opposition leader

must comply. Secondly, the President can make a pronouncement on someone of his choice, “which would be unlawful and unconstitutional.” Thirdly, the matter can be discussed based on the President’s criteria, since there appears to be difficulties finding a suitable person and the exploration of various possibilities based on impartiality.

Jagdeo also noted that Chief Justice, Roxanne George-Wiltshire, was expected to offer her interpretation on Monday on GECOM’s criteria for nominees, but has instead set the next court date for June 16, 2017, to allow lawyers for the State to study latest submissions made by businessman Marcel Gaskin’s lawyer, Glen Hanoman.

Gaskin wants the High Court to declare whether the list of nominees to be submitted by the opposition leader must include a judge,

a retired judge or a person qualified to be a judge. Jagdeo said whatever decision is made it will inevitably affect the process of choosing a nominee for the GECOM

Opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo chairmanship.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Bar association in a statement Thursday expressed concern about the appointment of a GECOM chair-

man. “It is of paramount importance that this constitutional office be urgently filled, since the position has been vacant since November 2016,” the Bar Association noted in a press statement. The association added: “It is the considered view of that Bar Council that the power created by Article 161(2) of the Constitution to decide the selection or non-selection of a person for appointment is a public law power, subject to the standards applicable to judicial review of such power.”

Further, the association acknowledged that the matter is before the chief justice for interpretation, but expressed optimism that the meeting between the opposition leader and the President will lead to a speedy resolution of the matter which is of urgent national importance.

GPHC CEO fired –– for ‘embarrassing situation’ before PAC, other lapses

THE Board of Directors of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has unanimously decided to remove acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Allan Johnson, with effect from today.

The announcement was made on Thursday by chairman of the Board of Directors, Kesaundra Alves, via a release issued by the Ministry of Public Health.

According to the release, Alves said that the board unanimously decided to remove Johnson following a series of lapses, which included the embarrassment of the Corporation before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on May 29.

It was further announced that Brigadier

(retired) George Lewis, who was recently appointed the Deputy Chief Executive Officer [DCEO] of the GPHC, will act as the CEO. In a letter to Johnson, Chairman Alves noted that, “The incident before PAC has embarrassed the board and staff of this Corporation and, to our dismay, has caused the public to question the desire of the board for transparency and accountability in the handling of the Corporation’s money.”

The letter noted [that] Johnson shall no longer act in the position, “with effect from Friday, 9th June, 2017.”

Johnson and Finance Director, Ronald Charles, were asked to leave the

PAC meeting after they were unprepared to answer questions posed. The duo came under severe scrutiny by PAC Chairman, Irfaan Ali and member Juan Edghill. The CEO had arrived at the meeting with one supporting staff and was thoroughly grilled by the PAC on the non-submission of financial statements for 2015 and 2016, the non-refund of monies to Consolidated Fund, among other areas.

In accordance with Sections 48 and 64, under the Public Corporations Act, GPHC is required to produce audited account.

This was not done. When questioned on the status of the accounts, CEO Johnson said a work plan is in place

to finish the accounts in September. He said too that the Corporation is in the process of hiring a fixed assets evaluator, who will assist in getting the accounts together.

He admitted that no financial statements were submitted and when asked by PAC chair, Irfaan Ali, if anybody has been sanctioned, Johnson said no action has been taken against officers in this regard.

OTHER LAPSES Meanwhile, Alves in the termination letter to Johnson, further noted that the GPHC Board also had cause to question his judgment on a number of occasions.

“Moreover, you continue to be absent or request early release from board and Board Committee meetings…(and) are therefore consistently unavailable to supply the board with pertinent information or to take instructions from the board,” the letter noted.

The Ministry of Public Health seconded Johnson from the New Amsterdam Hospital in 2015 to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to act as its CEO. The board said it valued Johnson’s “time and efforts at GPHC” and wished him “the very best of health and success”.

When contacted, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ministry of Public Health, Terrence Esse-

Allan Johnson boom, confirmed that Johnson remains an employee of the Ministry, however, he could not say in what capacity.

When further questioned, Esseboom also could not say if Johnson was offered any other position within the hospital or the Health Ministry.

The PRO could not say whether any action was taken against Finance Director Charles.

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Up to $6B in lost taxes

…GRA says hundreds of heavy-duty vehicles escaping tax net COMMISSIONER-GENERAL of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Godfrey Statia says between GYD $3B to $6B in taxes is being lost every year from the importation and lack of registration of heavy-duty equipment.

This was revealed by the Commissioner-General at a news conference held at the GRA’s Camp Street office on Thursday.

Statia explained that just under 2600 heavy-duty machinery and equipment have been imported over the past few years and

of that sum, only 300 have been registered. Of t h e r e m a i n i n g a p p r o ximate 2300 machinery and equipment, only 1200 h a v e b e e n g r a n t e d e xemptions.

These heavy-duty machinery and equipment include backhoes, bulldozers, combines, compactors and cranes.

Exemptions and concessions on these machinery and equipment are only granted to certain industries like agriculture, but not for others.

What was discovered, however, is that many persons or entities have been obtaining these exemptions on the machinery to use them in one industry (like agriculture) and then moved them to industries not granted

Commissioner General of the GRA, Godfrey Statia

exemptions, according to the Commissioner-General.

“We’ve been going through [GRA records] to see what concessions have been granted,” Statia noted yesterday.

In response to a lack of registration, he said, the GRA has commenced an exercise geared towards registering all heavy duty vehicles and equipment that were imported and are in use. The GRA, in an advertisement, emphasised that owners of these

heavy duty vehicles and equipment are required t o p r e s e n t a m o t o r v ehicle registration form and the relevant import documents and Bill of Sale to the Licence Revenue Office, Camp Street, Georgetown, to facilitate the registration process and thereafter have the vehicles/equipment examined.

Additionally, the Authority said that it will have strategic points to facilitate examination of vehicles/equipment in the interior, as well as in regional locations.

The authority hopes that this will remedy the situation and help to recover the billions of dollars being lost. This amount of taxes being lost from heavy duty machinery and equipment are not the only ways the authority has been losing since it also occurs with vehicles.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday,June 9, 2017

GRA to crack down on illegal vehicle trade THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) said it has made mind-boggling discoveries regarding the illegal trade of vehicles into Guyana across the Suriname and Brazil borders.

Vehicles reportedly enter Guyana, but do not return to the respective countries.

GRA Commissioner-General, Godfrey Statia, told reporters that his office is collaborating with the Guyana Police Force and Surinamese counterparts to track down vehicles which have come into Guyana and those which have been involved in serious accidents and have been “written off.”

Statia explained that thousands of vehicles are being driven around the country with dual number plates or with number plates for older vehicles.

“It is a trade into Guyana, not out of Guyana. Vehicles come from Suriname and they are left here and vehicles come in from Brazil and they are left here. Some of the things that we have found it will boggle your mind, because there are some taxpayers who you won’t even want to hear their names that they are involved in that.

There are thousands out there that came across from Suriname,” Statia said.

He added: “There are vehicles that we have seen whereby it has crashed, it was written off, and the guys take the number plates and go and buy one from one of the dealers and put it down, so I have to catch them too.”

Dealers’ warehouses will soon be checked to verify the legality of vehicles on the market and on the road, and the GRA has asked the police for a database of number plates of all vehicles that have been written off in accidents.

The GRA is also working with Surinamese counterparts to discover vehicles that came into Guyana, but have not returned.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 9, 2017

Remove Guyana from money-laundering blacklist –– Granger urges EU Parliament

PRESIDENT David Granger on Thursday called for a speedy resolution of the issue regarding the European Union (EU) Parliament’s non-support of Guyana’s removal from the money-laundering blacklist and said that the country has

done everything to comply with international best practices relating to open, transparent and responsible government.

He made these remarks during his engagements with top officials of the European Union (EU), including a

prominent EU Parliamentarian in Brussels, Belgium.

Guyana was recently removed from the blacklist and Ethiopia was added but this move was rejected by the EU Parliament. The EU legislator, with whom the Head-of-State engaged, ex-

May’s gamble goes wrong, UK faces ...

From page 2

Craig Erlam, an analyst with brokerage Oanda in London.

BREXIT QUESTIONS With the smaller parties more closely aligned with Labour than with the Conservatives, the prospect of Corbyn becoming prime minister no longer seems fanciful.

That would make the course of Brexit even harder to predict. During his three decades on Labour’s leftist fringe, Corbyn consistently opposed European integration and denounced the EU as a corporate, capitalist body.

As party leader, he unenthusiastically cam-

paigned for Britain to remain in the bloc. How he would steer Britain through Brexit negotiations has not been explained in detail.

Early results were in line with the exit poll, with Labour doing better than expected. That was in part because votes that had previously gone to the anti-EU UKIP party were splitting evenly between the two major parties instead of going overwhelmingly to the Conservatives as pundits had expected.

The Conservatives failed to win the constituency of Darlington in northern England, a key target. In Wales, the closely-fought Vale of Clwyd seat was

the first to switch from the Conservatives to Labour.

One of May’s top ministers, Home Secretary Amber Rudd, faced a recount in her south coast constituency, an indication that the result there was very close.

In Battersea, a London constituency, a Conservative junior finance minister lost her seat to Labour.

Even if the exit poll has underestimated the number of Conservative seats, as it did in 2015, and the party ends up with a slim majority, May will be so weakened that she may not be able to keep her job.

When she called the election, she was enjoying opinion poll leads of 20

plained that differences had arisen between the European Commission and the European Parliament over the blacklisting of countries facilitating money laundering.

He noted that this was entirely the reason for the Parliament’s rejection; not Guyana’s performance in so far as it relates to money laundering. The President thanked the EU legislator

for the explanation but noted that while the EU is blinking, Guyana is bleeding and reiterated his call for the matter to be resolved.

Later, he also had a meeting with Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Didier J.L Reynders during which the two countries recommitted to strengthening ties with each other. President Granger said that a good partnership can

be forged between the two states, particularly as it relates to the preservation and protection of the environment.

At both engagements, the President was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge and Guyana’s Ambassador to Belgium and the EU, David Hales. (Ministry of the Presidency)

points and more. She was widely expected to win a landslide. Should she now be forced to step down, that would make her tenure the shortest of any British premier since the 1920s. “ M A Y H E M ” screamed the headline in the tabloid Sun newspaper. “Britain on a knife edge,” said the Daily Mail.

Apart from the u-turn on care policy, May was also criticised during the campaign for refusing to debate her opponents on television. After Britain was hit by two Islamist militant attacks that killed 30 people in less than two weeks, she also faced questions for having overseen cuts to numbers of police officers during her six years as interior minister.

Her opinion poll lead narrowed sharply, although the consensus before the exit poll remained that she would win a majority.

If the exit poll is correct and neither party wins an overall majority, Corbyn could attempt to form a government with smaller parties that also strongly oppose most of May’s policies on domestic issues such as public spending cuts. (Reuters)

TROUBLED CAMPAIGN

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday,June 9, 2017

Ensuring proper financial management WITHIN the past few days, former President and current Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo has been alleging that the PPP/C Government had left the Treasury with billions of dollars. This claim has been rejected by the APNU+AFC Government ministers, primarily the Minister of Finance, who said the government has inherited billions in debt.

The back and forth, allegations and counter allegations notwithstanding, what is evident is the system of government accounting has problems that need to be fixed. The argument as to who left what in the Treasury or placed what in the Consolidated Fund, only makes stronger the concern in the yearly Auditor General’s Report about the lax nature in recording and managing the State’s finances.

The problems further suggest that it was not only a matter of having different bank accounts that cannot yet be properly reconciled, but more importantly a departure from standard financial practices, which is inimical to the best interest of the State. The impression is also given, real or contrived, that such practices were deliberate to hide or siphon off money. In one specific case, as in the accounts of the CLICO transaction, the truth is being mangled somewhere among the accusations. It has been indicated that while the CLICO subsidiary, the Caribbean Timbers Limited have money, this

cannot be accessed due to judicial reasons.

This aspect of governance whereby it was/is felt that the money of the State can be managed in a willy-nilly manner and with no regard for public accounting procedures, has cost the taxpayers tremendous losses. It is unfortunate that Mr Jagdeo seems untroubled with the manner in which his administration and the PPP/C managed the state’s financial affairs.

There can be no pride in claiming knowledge or arguing where money could be found, and in which bank account, when clearly the funds are dispersed in a number of satellite accounts, not in the Consolidated Fund where all belong.

The act of having these various accounts gives credence to the view that the previous government had maintained slush funds to benefit the privileged and well-connected. This is not a situation that the Leader of the Opposition should be proud of, because these revelations do his credibility more harm than good.

The financial business of the State requires constructive and sustained management. The current argument or banter as to how much money was left or not left in the Consolidated Fund brings this need to the fore. Clearly, the absence of prudency has hurt and will not help the growth and development of Guyana. As a matter of

importance, serious attention ought to be paid to the Auditor General’s Report, including the inconsistent practices and recommendations to correct. This should also be followed up, where necessary, with judicial action. These reports offer a base not only to bring into compliance the accounts around the place, but also finding those hidden, who were involved in the misconduct, and putting the country on a footing of financial prudence. The Government of Guyana can ill afford to continue along with the proverbial cake shop management -- no offence meant to this small business sector-because government’s business is expected to confirm to parliamentary and international standards. This level of compliance is not only important locally in the sense of the citizenry knowing how their money is managed, but also at the regional and international levels, prudent financial management brings credibility to the country as a destination for doing business.

Something urgent has to be done about this lawlessness Dear Editor,

ON my usual visits to the National Communications Network Inc building at Cotton Field, on the Essequibo Coast, I would receive complaints from the government officers and security guards that two known individuals from the village will purposely take their cattle and loose them to graze in the government’s compound. These cattle would destroy the infrastructures while roaming on the shoulder of the road, streets and the state lands, causing the present government millions of dollars to fix them. The Cotton Field government compound has the Anna Regina Multilateral School, Guyana School of Agri-

culture,the Regional Education Office, the Cotton Field Secondary School, NCN building, Cotton Field Nursery school, etc.

Government officers from out of the region and within the region are residing in this compound with their families, the magistrate and the judge also live here; in the morning, the whole compound is full of cow dung, the schoolchildren and teachers who are attending these schools have to navigate among cow dung to get to their classes. These two cow owners are being employed by the regional administration of Region Two; in the previous administration they were given authority to graze their animals freely in the compound, because they were the family of a high

official who was managing the region.I was made to understand that the magistrate at one time had ordered one of them to clean the dung from his passageway.

I think the magistrate erred, he should have instructed the police at the Anna Regina station to lock him up. I know that the new Regional Chairman, Mr Devanand Ramdatt and the Regional Executive Officer, Mr Derrick Persaud, will put an end to this nonsense.

These two cow owners have a 10-acre rice field at Bush Lot backdam, just a stone’s throw away from their houses where they can graze their cows, but they choose to graze their flock of animals in the government’s compound, wrecking the physical infrastructure on which millions

of dollars are being spent each year. This compound and the houses were built

by Sir William Halcrow and company, a British consultant firm who came here to design the Tapakuma Irrigation scheme in the 60s.

In those days, no animals were allowed to roam and graze in the compound, it was kept clean and tidy from corner to corner; the expatriates grew beautiful flowers and the place was well landscaped. When they left Guyana, the government of the day took over the compound, government officers who were transferred from other regions were given houses in the compound and no one was allowed to rear ducks, fowls, and animals in the compound. Today it has become a grazing ground for

these two men and an unholy site with cow dung. These two individuals are so brazen, they will tie their cows on the gate of the Anna Regina Multilateral School and government fences.

Something urgently has to be done about this lawlessness; the regional administration must act urgently to remove these animals which are destroying the revetment.

Over the years, government and the region have made massive investments from its budget into this compound, the millions of dollars spent on streets, roads, fences and school facilities have been invested to create favourable conditions for the officers, teachers, magistrate, judges and schoolchildren who spent most of their time working and living there. The region

must now ensure that the taxpayers get real benefits from this investment.

The region has lately approved $ 862,500 for general repairs to the VSO living quarters in the compound; $ 1,410,230 for general repairs to the REDO living quarters; general repairs to timber revetment at the education department; $3,417,460 general repairs to the bridge approach to Cotton Field,compound; and $ 1,779,460 in general repairs to the fence at the Cotton Field Nursey School. We must not allow these millions to go down the drain by roaming animals in the compound.

Regards Mohamed Khan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 9, 2017

PI starts into murder of Kaneville toddler -crying mother testifies

AN emotional testimony was given by the mother of the eight-month-old toddler, Romain Seth, who was burnt to death, after an arsonist torched his Fourth Field, Kaneville, East Bank Demerara home five months ago.

The woman, Holly Seth, testified on Thursday when the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into her son’s murder commenced before city magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The toddler was burnt to death on January 23, 2017, after his Kaneville home was set on fire reportedly by the “next-door” neighbour.

Twenty-year-old ex-soldier and miner, Nigel Dodson, of Fourth Field, Kaneville, has been indicted for the capital offence. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Vishnu Hunt, and has been adjourned until June 20, 2017.

According to reports, on the day in question the blaze

DEAD : Romain Seth

started around 02:30 hrs after the neighbour and his friends

threw “fire balls” into the house in which the infant and his family were sleeping.

According to reports, the neighbour reportedly accused the toddler’s grandmother of ‘snitching’ on him and his gang to the cops, which resulted in lawmen raiding the neighbourhood frequently for guns and drugs.

The baby’s grandmother, Michelle Menezes, believes that the fire was indeed as a result of a report she had made to the police after finding a gun stashed in a tree in her backyard, allegedly by the youth. The suspect along

Speak out against reckless driving Dear Editor

EDITOR, research is showing that each year, 1.3 million people die in road accidents worldwide.

This makes road deaths the fifth-largest cause of death. Annually in deaths per 100,000, in Trinidad, 14 people: in the USA, 11: in Barbados, 7: in Guyana, 17. More people die in Guyana from road accidents than in any other country in the Caribbean and about three times as much people are killed in Guyana in road accidents than those who are similarly killed in the developed

world.

That we must do something with our errant drivers in Guyana is an understatement. The authorities must send a clear signal that the carnage must stop. Between accidents and migration, we are losing our best and brightest minds and our most productive work force. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), death by accidents is now killing more people than malaria and AIDS. The traffic laws in Guyana are too lax. The police are too easily bribed. The public transportation arena is too politicised. It is reported

Friday, June 9, 2017 -05:00 hrs Saturday, June 10, 2017 - 05:30 hrs Sunday, June 11, 2017 - 05:30 hrs

that a lot of the mini-buses and taxis are owned by politicians and senior police officers, so the traffic laws cannot be sufficiently enforced, for fear of administrative or political reprisals.

Like the Government’s war on illegal drugs, or their war on corruption, there needs to be a similar war on traffic violators. However, until the political or administrative enforcement catches up with the vehicular carnage that is unfolding on our streets, the public will have to begin taking matters into their hands.

If you are travelling in

a vehicle and the driver is speeding, or behaving dangerously, then speak out.

Solicit others in the vehicle to speak out with you. If the driver continues, then take pictures of the driver or the vehicle and number plate and then share the pictures and stories on social media. The passengers on public transportation need to begin to name and shame the errant drivers.

You either speak out or you will die. Don’t become another statistic. Speak out and live.

Regards Wendell Jeffrey

Murder accused: Nigel Dodson

with other villagers use her yard as a short-cut to get to

another street.

Menezes said that after she had reported the matter, the police started raiding the place and eventually she started getting threats from the young man and his gang.

Meanwhile, the police had issued a wanted bulletin for two other men for questioning in connection with the fire. Keon Ashby and Waynie (only name given), who is also called “Shark,” both of Kaneville, were reportedly part of a gang that set the house on fire by hurling an explosive device through a window.

Blinded by racial lens and political fixations

Dear Editor

THE other day the media kindly published a letter from me in which I underscored the need for a review of the criteria and system used to identify national honorees. In the letter, in addition to suggesting that the total annual numbers should be reduced, I also identified some factors that might be considered and some that need not be, because there are other means available to take care of them. There was no iota of racial or political consideration, overtly nor implicitly, in any of my critique or suggestions.

I was therefore flabbergasted to see that practically all the “commentators” imported and assigned their own racial/political biases into my

letter; they used their standard cowardly pseudonyms to hide their own disgusting and dangerous fixations.

Of course, they were liberal in their ‘personal attacks’ on me, which does not bother me in the least, but which unfortunately serve as additional fuel for the dangerous societal fires that are already engulfing this sadly depressing territory called GUYANA. When, oh when, my dear compatriots, will we break out of our obsession with race and politics, so that we can start realising the true potential of our ‘dear land of Guyana’ for the benefit of all Guyanese?

Regards Nowrang Persaud

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 9, 2017

‘Green’ Guyana attractive Oil and gas investment destination industry ‘well

–– President emphasises during bilateral engagements in Brussels PRESIDENT David Granger continues to pursue investment and development assistance for Guyana at the European Development Days (EDD) meetings, currently ongoing in Brussels, Belgium.

The President held meetings with high-level officials of the European Union (EU), during which he sold Guyana as a green state in the making and one that was ripe for investment and development.

Earlier today, the President met with Pim Van Ballekom,Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, during which he urged the bank to examine investment opportunities in Guyana, especially in the areas of in-

frastructure and renewable energy, two strategic pillars of Guyana’s ‘green’ development strategy.

Ballekom said the bank had been encouraged by its visit to Guyana last year and was prepared to consider viable projects. During that visit, the bank had discussed with government and the private sector, its possible involvement in projects in Guyana.

The European Investment Bank, which is keen on re-engaging with Guyana, is owned by the member states of the EU and is one of the world’s largest multilateral banks.

Following that meeting, the President held a bilateral engagement with Neven Mimica, the EU’s commissioner for International Co-

operation and Development.

He reiterated his commitment to a renewed partnership with Europe and said that for the Caribbean, the negotiations leading to a new partnership with Europe were important.

The President noted that the middle-income countries of the Caribbean still face a number of challenges, including that of climate change and environmental hazards. The post-Cotonou agreement, he urged, must consider how best to create the conditions that would stem the haemorrhaging of resources and talent from the region. He also extended an invitation to the EU Commissioner to visit Guyana.

The President also met

with Louis Michel, the EU Co-Chair and President of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, who congratulated him on his impressive address to the High-Level Panel on the future of ACP-EU relations.

The two men discussed the way forward for this partnership and Michel said he was looking forward to President Granger’s involvement in the ongoing reflection by the EU and the ACP on a post-2020 agreement. President Granger, in response, assured the commissioner that Guyana and the Caribbean would participate fully in the debate on the shape of future ACP-EU relations. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Businesses exploiting consumers –– GRA boss says prices remain the same despite VAT reduction DESPITE the two per cent reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT), Commissioner- General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, has observed that consumers are paying the same prices for many items as before.

While many Guyanese were expecting that a reduction in the rate of VAT from 16 per cent to 14 per cent, would result in the reduction in the cost of items, it has been reported to the GRA that businesses still charge the

same prices.

“Even though rates have been reduced, prices remain the same,” the commissioner-general said, noting that the profit margins of the business entities are increasing at the expense of consumers.

“That is one way we know that consumers are being taken advantage of,” he said, while noting that many businesses are not registered and as a result do not pay taxes to the revenue authority.

Many importers, he said,

also do not pay taxes.

Law-abiding businesses and members of the public have been engaging the revenue authority, assisting with information on the tax delinquents.

“That is the kind of communication we like,” Statia said, as he encouraged other persons to be forthcoming with information of businesses that are not registered with the GRA and do not pay taxes.

The head of the revenue authority said measures will be enforced to protect the in-

terests of consumers who pay their taxes, to ensure they are not exploited.

Meanwhile, in an effort to clamp down on other unlawful activities, the GRA will be implementing their Digital Excise Stamp system. This system is aimed at reducing the smuggling of highly dutiable cigarettes and alcohol by affixing a type of revenue stamp on the products, which is readable by a barcode scanner.

It will become operational by August month-end.

$32M Ebini road 20% complete THE Ministry of Agriculture’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has said that it has completed 20 percent of the work on the Ebini access road.

The work, which commenced in May, 2017, is scheduled to be completed in 12 months, the ministry said in a release.

The road project, once completed, will significantly boost easy access to savannah lands allowing for easier transport of goods and services. It is part of the government’s efforts to move the country’s agricultural base to the Intermediate and Rupununi Savannahs, the release added.

The road, which will run from Wire Bridge to Tacama, has a value of GY $32M.

Thus far, 3.5 kilometres of forested areas has already been cleared. To ensure accountability, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture held discussions with staff of the Ebini Agricultural Station and the Kalkuni Reservation Community on the way forward.

This move is deemed as yet another positive step by government to position the Rupununi and Intermediate Savannahs as a thriving agricultural hub for investors.

With government gearing up to move its agricultural base to the savannahs, massive infrastructural works of this nature have commenced to ensure investors have access to key services.

Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, recently led a team on an outreach to Ebini.

Works being carried out on the Ebini access road It was during this outreach that Minister Holder was able to get a first-hand look at the progress made thus far on rehabilitation of the Agriculture Research Station and the area which was earmarked for the access road.

Apart from major in-

frastructural works, significant investment has been made by Brazilian investor, N.F. Agriculture, in corn and soya bean production.

The investors had recently requested an additional 10,000 acres of land, to be placed under cultivation.

founded’ on transparency

––PM Nagamootoo

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo is maintaining the government’s position that the contract between the government and ExxonMobil “will be made available in due course.”

On Wednesday evening at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, the prime minister was asked to comment on the Transparency Institute of Guyana Incorporated’s (TIGI) call for full disclosure. TIGI’s call is the latest in a number of public calls for full disclosure of the contract between Exxon Mobil and the government.

Guyana’s unresolved border row with neighbouring Venezuela was singled out by the prime minister as one of the government’s reasons against full disclosure.

Prime Minister “We have a situation right Moses Nagamootoo now with Venezuela and we have entered into the last six months of a very delicate process involving the United Nations (UN), and we have to, in this final six months, decide if there is no resolution that the matter should go to [the] International Court of Justice,” PM Nagamootoo pointed out.

“The oil and gas industry as far as the government is concerned is well founded on the basis of accountability, on the basis of transparency,” PM Nagamootoo further related. The prime minister reiterated the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman’s position that full disclosure of the contract now is not in the national interest. PM Nagamootoo described it as a “delicate issue.”. “There are some transactions and some particular situations where the question of full disclosure cannot be addressed immediately, not that you are turning your back on transparency or accountability,” PM Nagamootoo explained.

However, PM Nagamootoo has assured that the government is releasing “the relevant information to the public” and accounting bodies such as Parliament’s Economic Services Committee. The government has to “bring forth salient aspects of the arrangement without endangering our national interests” to these bodies, PM Nagamootoo told the local media.

The prime minister highlighted Guyana’s efforts to become a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which sets standards for accountability and transparency in the extractive sector.

“We have forged a multi-stakeholder partnership with the GEITI to make all our transactions as transparent and the way the industry proceeds would be set up,” the PM noted.

Recently, the Ministry of Natural Resources released details of the production-sharing agreement between the Government and ExxonMobil. The Government and people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will receive a royalty of two percent on gross earnings and benefit from 50 percent of the profits from the sale of petroleum, once production commences. The government has also laid a Bill in the National Assembly for establishment of a Petroleum Commission to serve as a governing body to guide and give direction to the new oil and gas industry.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and other ministries and agencies are actively pursuing a number of undertakings on the policy, legislative and infrastructural needs of both sides to ensure that the country is prepared for the coming oil production scheduled for 2020. (GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 9, 2017

Restoring the economy … Harmon tells PSC conducive business climate on horizon

By Zena Henry MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon has assured the private sector that government is well on its way to enabling a successful business atmosphere here as it gradually frees this country from an “illusionary economy” which the APNU+AFC Coalition government inherited.

The minister was responding to criticisms levelled against the government when members of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) met at their Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Marriott Hotel on Thursday.

The occasion also marked the body’s 25th anniversary.

After earlier speeches that dealt with political “bickering,” public security, contracts, lack of jobs and government’s sloth in creating an “enabling business environment,” Harmon told the gathering which included government ministers, the diplomatic community and business stakeholders, that the administration is well aware of its role.

He said when President David Granger addressed the PSC at an earlier AGM, he had related his vision to them, in them playing a lead role in changing the country over the next five years, while government fulfils its obligation of providing an enabling environment.

“The role of government was envisioned as that of the facilitator of business, providing an enabling environment with strong institutions, free from executive interference,

efficient law enforcement and regulatory agencies, a highly educated work force and infrastructural development that facilitates access to, and better use of our abundant resources.

“We have no illusion as to what our role is in government,” Harmon declared.

He said in the last two years, government has been working assiduously to create that enabling environment but has been confronted with enormous inherited issues that hindered development and these are still being dealt with.

ILLUSIONARY ECONOMY What was inherited was an illusionary economy that hindered development of the productive sector and sidelined legitimate businesses that lacked focus on value-added production and the inability to effectively allocate resources and effect public expenditure, because of limited human capital capacity.

“Our institutions and our systems, we have to try to ensure that they work to legitimise our economy to bring Guyana into compliance with international financial probity and expectations to establish transparency and accountability, to establish proper systems and insist on due process,” Harmon posited.

On the other hand, the state minister said government is rolling out its “Green State Development Strategy” which will guide Guyana’s economic and so-

Minister of State Joseph Harmon presents a token to PSC Executive Captain Gerald Gouveia at the Annual General Meeting on Thursday cio-economic development over the next 15 years.

ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION The objective of the strategy is to “… re-orient and diversify Guyana’s economy, reducing reliance on traditional sectors and opening up new sustainable income and investment opportunity in a higher value added and higher growth sectors.”

The provision of cheap energy was a big issue for the commission. Harmon said that under the green strategy, opportunities are bountiful for the private sector as some measures include among other things, accessing credit facilities under a green climate change fund set up by the UN, tax emptions on imported items for wind and solar energy, tax holidays for corporations that invest in water treatment and recycling

facilities and equipment and charging ports for hybrid vehicles, among other benefits.

Former PSC Chairman, Captain Gerald Gouveia, said job creation is a major issue which has to be addressed as university graduates are leaving Guyana because they cannot find jobs.

He said investors are the ones to create jobs, but investor confidence was affected by change in government. He also said the working rela-

tionship between the private sector and government has changed.

According to Gouveia, the private sector is scared of getting into business with government, since it does not know what can happen when governments change. “We are very concerned about the relationship and involving ourselves in partnerships in privatisation deals that can then come under serious scrutiny, politically,” he said.

Meanwhile, incumbent, veteran business magnate Edward Boyer, was re-elected unopposed to the position of chairman of the commission, while shipping executive Desmond Sears, was re-elected vice-chairman. Past Chairman Major General (ret’d) Norman McLean was elected to the position of secretary and financial expert Fitzroy McLeod, was re-elected unopposed as treasurer.

Boyer said a strong PSC is necessary for the development of Guyana and no government has ever been successful without a vibrant private sector.

“I would like ask the government and opposition to unite in the interest of allowing the country to bring on board fresh ideas instead of bickering and casting blame. In these challenging financial times, our country is experiencing now, political division serves no purpose unless the aim is for it to be truly a banana republic. I therefore urge that the country’s development be high on the agenda, regardless of who holds power,” he said.

Gov’t explores alternatives to pre-trial detention –– aims to ease prison overcrowding

GOVERNMENT is exploring alternatives to pre-trial detention that are harmonious with criminal justice processes in Guyana with an aim to reduce the prison overcrowding.

On Wednesday, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan held discussions with consultant, Peter Pursglove, who was hired under the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP) to look into the matter.

The consultant’s work is expected to contribute to a reduction in prison overcrowding and prevention of further criminalisation of youths.

In his initial meeting

with Pursglove, Minister Ramjattan stressed the timeliness of this activity, particularly in light of the recent fire at the Juvenile Detention Centre, Sophia.

The minister emphasised the need for the study to include juvenile holding facilities. He also expressed his eagerness at receiving viable and sustainable solutions to the challenges that plague the prison system in Guyana.

The consultant’s tasks include conducting initial meetings with key stakeholders and identifying the strengths and weaknesses of Guyana’s approach to the provision of alternatives to incarceration, and op-

portunities for reform and development.

The study will also review and make recommendations on issues such as sentencing policy; discretion available to judges, magistrates, police and prosecutors; capacity of probation and other systems of supervision of non-custodial sanctions including possible collaboration with civil society organisations; restorative justice; and decriminalising certain acts.

Pursglove is a Senior Counsel for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

He is a graduate of Magdalene College, University of Cambridge; King’s College, University of London; Inns

From left: Ministry of Public Security Permanent Secretary Daneilla Mc Calmon; Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan; Consultant Peter Pursglove, S.C.; and CSSP Project Manager Clement Henry before their meeting Wednesday of Court School of Law; and Wolverhampton University.

He is barrister for 36 years with experience as an advocate and practitioner in three jurisdictions.

Pursglove has advised

ministers of justice, attorney generals and prime ministers at the political and policy levels in several Commonwealth member states in Africa, the Caribbean and in the Pacific Region.

His areas of speciality include sentencing reform, judicial-sector reform, rule of law issues, justice and security, human rights, constitutional reform and anti-corruption.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 9, 2017

New head office for GRA –– smart phones to be banned from revenue body

By Shauna Jemmott THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) says it will be building a main office since the Camp Street, Georgetown building it inherited is sinking.

GRA Commissioner-General, Godfrey Statia, told reporters during a press conference on Thursday that repairs to the Camp Street building to the tune of almost $57 million have been approved by Cabinet and will begin in two weeks.

Works will be done to the roof of the main office and the contract has been award-

ed to INFAM construction.

He said the building’s roof experiences constant flooding and he had received expert advice that the weight of the roof has to be lighter to prevent the building from sinking further.

As a result, he said, he instructed maintenance staff to puncture the sides of the roof to drain the water out, and it is helping to ease the situation.

However, the building was examined by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) and it was advised that the roof of the building must also be changed.

“We asked the Ministry of Works to come and pay a visit and check to see what was wrong and what needs to be done and then we asked persons who were actively involved in the construction of the building (previously)… so they knew exactly what was wrong with the building, and they told us that you have to use minimal weight. You cannot put more weight on this building. So you have to find the right material for you to cover the roof.”

The material which will be used for the new roof cover will be much lighter

than zinc sheets but will be composite, durable materials, he said.

Meanwhile, a new GRA building will be constructed on a 10- acre plot of land which was recently acquired through a 50-year lease from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC).

Statia said the area is suitable for the office’s location and will have adequate parking space.

While the construction has not yet been approved by Cabinet, GRA has signed an agreement with the GLSC for the 50-year lease.

“Once we’ve signed that

agreement… we have done a Cabinet paper now for the approval of the building,” Statia told reporters.

The Commissioner-General also announced that any staff of the GRA who is caught leaking taxpayers private information to the media will be dismissed and a ban on the use of smart phones by staff and visitors to the GRA, will soon be instituted at the entity.

This is as a result of constant leaking of taxpayers’ information to sections of the media, suspected to be done

by GRA staff.

“Anytime I find anybody

leaking taxpayer’s information out there, they have to go. It is a breach of secrecy.

We have a privacy duty to the taxpayer and we need to understand … We need to understand taxpayers’ information are privileged information and if it’s going to get out there by one way or the other, very soon there will be no smart phones entering my building – both officers who work with me and also taxpayers. I would be putting up a smart phone policy very soon, because we need to stamp it out,” Statia said.

Freak storm destroys several Linden homes A FREAK storm late Wednesday afternoon dislocated the roof of a house at Oronoque Drive, Retrieve, Linden, while creating havoc in homes along the same street.

Homes located in Yuraballi Street were also destroyed. One of the homes made of zinc was almost completely destroyed.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that during the storm, occupants of the home at Oronoque Drive were in the upper flat of the building but no one was hurt.

“One of the children was sleeping on the bottom bunk of the bed, while the other one was in a corner and that is how nothing in happen to them,” one neighbour explained.

Some residents now have to do major repairs, while others have to do minor work on their homes. Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland

visited the residents on Thursday to bring comfort to them and to render assistance needed.

While Linden has not been experiencing floods, the May- June rains coupled with strong winds, thunder and lightning have been taking a toll on properties in the mining town.

Only last week, the property of a Richmond Hill resident was completely destroyed, while an entire street in Amelia’s Ward was briefly plunged into blackout after heavy rains and wind knocked out the electrical wires attached to a transformer in the street. Fortunately, the Linden Utility Company Incorporated responded quickly and electricity was restored.

The regional authorities are monitoring the situation and the Regional Democratic Council has embarked on disaster risk management programmes for 2017.

One of the homes destroyed by the freak storm

Oil firms to survey Orinduik block ECO (ATLANTIC) Oil & Gas Ltd. has announced that Eco Atlantic and its operating partner, Tullow Oil have approved a circa 2,550 km2 seismic survey on the company’s Orinduik Block offshore Guyana.

The survey is anticipated to commence in the next two weeks and will be completed

by Schlumberger Guyana Inc. (Western Geco), a release said.

Eco Atlantic (Guyana) Inc, a subsidiary of Eco Atlantic, holds a 40% Working Interest in Orinduik, and Tullow, the Operator, holds the remaining 60%. The Orinduik Block is located up dip and just a few kilometers from Exxon’s recent Liza and Payara discoveries confirming, by Exxon’s estimates, in excess of 1.5 Billion Barrels of recoverable oil. The

Company and Tullow have completed the first phase of exploration, including evaluating all existing and regional 2D data.

Following the results of this study and the ongoing regional success, both parties have agreed to accelerate and significantly increase the originally proposed 1,000km2 3D survey commitment on the block to circa 2,550 kms2, thus covering the entire block area, fully overlapping current prospective 2D leads and downdip trends. As part of its agreement with Tullow, Tullow will carry the Company’s share of the originally proposed 1,000 km2 of the survey, at a cap of US$1.25mm, with the balance of the program being funded by both parties on a pro-rata basis.

The additional cost of the

enhanced seismic program to Eco is well covered by existing cash resources following the Company’s over-subscribed Placing of GBP5.1M announced in February 2017 in conjunction with its dual listing on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

Colin Kinley, Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of Eco Atlantic commented: “We are excited to embark on this very significant 3D survey which is substantially greater than the originally planned survey. In addition to de-risking the existing two defined targets, the survey will hopefully generate additional targets on the Orinduik Block, thereby increasing the prospective oil in place and adding leads for future work programmes.

We were keenly interested

in this region of the Guyana-Suriname Basin even prior to Exxon’s highly successful drilling programme, applying for the Orinduik block in 2014 because of its highly prospective Cretaceous canyon and fan plays.

We have since been excited to see Exxon continue to successfully prove out the region in its ongoing drilling programme and look forward to results from our own 3D survey, which are expected to come in the next couple of months”.

“The 2D interpretation has led to at least two significant reservoir leads on the Orinduik block that both we and Tullow believe may hold significant oil comparable to the world class regional discoveries identified by Exxon. Eco Atlantic expects to confirm a number of drilling

targets with this increased 3D Survey, ahead of drilling of the first well in Orinduik, hopefully in 2018.”

Eco Atlantic is a TSX-V and AIM listed Oil & Gas exploration and production Company with interests in Guyana and Namibia, where significant oil discoveries have been made. The Group aims to deliver material value for its stakeholders through oil exploration, appraisal and development activities in stable emerging markets, in partnership with major oil companies, including Tullow and AziNam. In Guyana, Eco Guyana holds a 40% working interest alongside Tullow Oil (60%) in the 1,800 km2 Orinduik Block in the shallow water of the prospective Suriname Guyana basin. The Orinduik Block is adjacent and updip to the deep-water

Liza Field, recently discovered by ExxonMobil and Hess, which is estimated to contain as much as 1.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent, making it one of a handful of billion-barrel discoveries in the last half-decade.

In Namibia, the company holds interests in four offshore petroleum licences totaling approximately 25,000 km2 with over 2.3 billion barrels of prospective P50 resources in the Wallis and Lüderitz Basins. These four licences, Cooper, Guy, Sharon and Tamar are being developed alongside partners, which include Tullow Oil, AziNam and NAMCOR. Significant 3D and 2D surveys and interpretation have been completed with drilling preparations expected to begin in 2018.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 9, 2017

23 Buxtonians equipped with IT skills

FIRST Lady Sandra Granger commended 23 graduates of the Buxton Information Communication Technology (ICT) training workshop for persevering and completing the course, at the graduation exercise held Wednesday evening, at Friendship Primary School, East Coast Demerara.

“Young people are doing many things to inspire us, not the least of which is this seizing of knowledge and grasping of opportunities that are beginning to become available to them and I want to hope that with your certificates… you will understand

ly in various sectors of Guyana while simultaneously strengthening community with knowledgeable persons,” he said.

SHARE KNOWLEDGE In his feature address, Vidyaratha Kissoon, who performed an advisory role in the workshop, encouraged the graduates to share their knowledge with their peers and to confidently pursue their goals.

“You have to keep learning. The end of school does not mean the end of learning, whether you like it or not, so be conscious [of

Chairman of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) Clinton Williams presents Anntenet Adams with her certificate that you can seize your own destiny and you can do whatever you want in this life,” she said.

Mrs. Granger told the graduates that she was proud of their achievements and was pleased to see the increasing number of young men participating in the workshop.

“I feel even more proud to see that as we proceed, the number of young men who are participating in this workshop is increasing gradually… I feel [that] our young men and males in general have to be empowered as well so that we’re all going along on the same road and no one is left by the wayside… I congratulate you and I congratulate the young ladies who have stood the course. You have been disciplined and you have come through and you have proven to yourself that you can complete the training,” she said.

Meanwhile, Facilitator Fitzroy Younge, in his address said the workshop aimed to provide an opportunity for young adults, who had no prior computer skills, to acquire basic training in [ICT].

“In addition to becoming self-empowered, the ICT skills requirement would enable these young adults to perform effective-

that]. Please read. In this new world, there’s this thing called information technology and a lot of the new information is communi-

things… I also want to say to you that it is okay not to do what everybody else is doing and don’t follow the crowd,” he said.

In addition, Board of Industrial Training (BIT) Chairman, Clinton Williams, in his address, lauded the First Lady for spearheading the initiative and noted that the BIT views the workshop as “an integral part of [its] programme of intensifying the delivery of relevant occupational, technical and vocational skills training with a view to addressing entry level occupational skills … for the industrial and services sector… for both the public and the private sector”.

STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE He then charged the graduates to be good ambassadors of the programme by their conduct in the wider society and advised them that in order to succeed in life they would need to be courageous, honest, have the right attitude, be respectful and strive for excellence.

Horace Moseley, who participated in the first STEM Robotics workshop in August 2016 and provided training in this field at the workshop, also congratulated the graduates on their success.

He also announced that the Buxton group is the first to have built two robots, one of which is a guitar, being used as an Application downloaded onto a cellular phone to operate.

This skills training initiative is the second such

Chairman of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) Clinton Williams, First Lady Sandra Granger and Vidyaratha Kissoon look on as Horace Moseley operates the robot created during the Buxton ICT workshop cated through words and language,” he said.

He also commended them for persevering through the challenges and completing the programme.

“Work provides you with experience… I will encourage you to stick with

programme for 2017, being held under the auspices of the Office of the First Lady and the Ministry of Social Protection, and the third since it was first implemented on May 4, 2016.

The packed curriculum included instruction in re-

medial Mathematics and English; an introduction to the computer; sexual and reproductive health; training in Science, Technology, and Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects; microenterprise and soft skills, including telephone ethics and time management.

On completion, each graduate was awarded with a certificate of completion, which is accredited by the BIT. Abeke Lewis graduated as the Valedictorian; Aisha Peters, the Salutatorian and Mr. Joshua Abrams, was named the Most Improved Student.

Some of the other graduates also said that they were pleased about their accomplishments.

In an invited comment, Anntenet Adams said, “I feel fantastic and very thrilled…

I’ve learned a lot… since I was a little girl growing up I always wanted to become

Aisha Peters and Lenroy Leitch greet First Lady Sandra Granger on her arrival at the Friendship Primary School for the Buxton ICT Workshop graduation ceremony a teacher, but now … I’ve decided that if I don’t become a teacher I will obviously become an entrepreneur.” Faye David was also happy to have graduated.

“I feel very great. I will be able to get a job with this certificate and [I] will be able to teach others,” she

said.

The trainers included Ovian Austin, Leslyn Luke, Royston Martins and Bevon Currie, among others. Deon Abrams, Chairman of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council, also attended the ceremony. (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 9, 2017

Cheque handed over for Matthews Ridge water project

THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) last week handed over a cheque to the Matarkai Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chairperson, Magrette Lawrence, as part payment for rehabilitation of the water supply system at Matthews Ridge.

Matthews Ridge is a small village that lies in the North-West district of Guy-

ana. It is located in Region One, also known as the Barima-Waini region.

This payment will go towards the first phase of the project, which has a value of $4M. The total contract sum is $5.5M. This partial payment will help the NDC to procure materials and commence work.

According to a GWI release, during a meeting

among Executive Director, Project Implementation and Partnership Building Ramchand Jailal, Hinterland Manager Ravindra Deonarine, engineers and the NDC representatives held on June 3, 2017,the methodology for the project was discussed and it was agreed that only persons from within the community will gain employment from this project.

The project is scheduled to commence on June 12, 2017 and is expected to be completed in August, 2017.

Thus, it is projected that

after the completion of this project, approximately 1,800 persons will benefit from improved water supply within the community.

On May 25, 2017, GWI signed the agreement with the Matthew’s Ridge NDC to improve the water supply in this community.

GWI Executive Director, Project Implementation and Partnership Building Ramchand Jailal, hands over the cheque to chairperson of the Matarkai NDC, Magrette Lawrence, in the presence of GWI and regional officials

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 9, 2017

Region 10 RDC says ‘no’ to tardy contractor

By Vanessa Braithwaite THE Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10 (Upper Demerara – Upper Berbice), on Wednesday denounced the alleged awarding of another contract to the contractor who did faulty work on the multi-million-dollar water distribution and filtration project in the region.

The faulty work required millions of dollars to be remedied and the contractor in question has been identified as UEM Incorporated of Trinidad and Tobago.

Region 10 Chairman, Renis Morian, told reporters that he has heard from all and sundry, including from the Ministry of Communities that the same contractor has been awarded a similar contract to return to Linden.

Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Van-West Charles, last Thursday, while not definitively pronouncing on the matter, told the RDC that he was in receipt of information, which suggests that the contractor will return to Linden to carry out similar works.

Morian said residents of Linden will not accept this decision and all efforts will be made to disallow the move.

“The RDC categorically denounces such an action, the chairman and Council of Region 10 have unanimously said that we will not accept that contractor coming to Region 10 to repeat the shenanigans happening in Region 10,” Morian said.

The GWI will soon embark on a multi-million-dollar corrective project to remedy the faults of

the U.S. $412.3 M project that was executed by the contractor in 2011.

The project was funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and aimed to provide 24 hours water supply from the two plants in Amelia’s Ward and Wisroc to World Health Organisation (WHO) standards and to provide reliability of supply with on-site power generation and production of sodium hypocholorite.

Linden was chosen to execute such a multi-million-dollar project, because the residents for years have suffered from limited and unsafe water supplies from five deteriorated plants. To date, the project in many ways did not meet its expectations and Lindeners are not benefiting from the objectives of the project.

Several faults were highlighted by GWI engineers. These range from

Region 10 Chairman, Renis Morian design of the water plants to poor construction. Morian expressed disbelief that this same contractor is expected to return.

“We have heard that

the same contractor that has built the wells that has failed and all the water production and the same systems that they would have put in place, that has failed and we are hearing from all and sundry that that contractor is about to be given another contract to come to Linden, Region 10, to work so we are actually awarding failure.”

Consultations were held during the execution of the project and several residents revealed that the contractor was advised that mistakes were being made, but paid no heed.

Director of Project Implementation, Jailal, said that GWI now has to pump millions of dollars to remedy the faulty project,

since it is basically back to square one.

“We are forced now as an entity to put money towards refurbishing the existing plant, $60M towards the Mackenzie Plant and West Watooka plant,” Jailall said.

In addition to this, another $60M has to be spent to remedy the filtration problem and another $20M to remedy the distribution system.

Other gaps to be addressed by GWI are the non-revenue water-reduction programme, installation of water meters for all customers and the replacement of mains in Christianburg, Wisroc, Half Mile and Canvas City.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 9, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 9, 2017

Shell launches ‘FuelSave’ promotion

Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin, outgoing Sol General Manager Orlando Boxhill and stakeholders at the launch Wednesday DRIVERS taking advantage of the newly introduced Shell FuelSave economy fuel can now extend the savings from their fuel tanks to their monthly bills with Sol Guyana’s “Save for a Year with Shell FuelSave” promotion.

The promotion was l a u n c h e d We d n e s d a y night at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston Georgetown. In attendance was Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, and stakeholders in the sector. The event which was promoted by Inspire Inc was divided into three sections, cocktail, formal and entertainment.

The business minister congratulated the company on its move to offer drivers the option of using a fuel that offers more kilometers per liter.

Minister Gaskin noted that the Shell FuelSave formulation, developed exclusively by Shell enables Guyana to position itself on the map of countries concerned about energy saving as Guyana is also promoting a green state.

This range of fuels have been designed to reduce energy losses in the engine Gaskin said Shell FuelSave is the result of extensive research programmes to get the most out of every drop.

Liz Wyatt, recently appointed general manager of Sol Guyana Inc., the licensed operator of Shell Service Stations, said the campaign, which runs until August 4, was designed to reward customers with savings on more than just

fuel.

“Starting this Friday, June 9th, every $3,000 spent in Shell FuelSave will earn you a chance to win one of three grand prizes to have your bills paid for a year. Our first prize winner will receive mortgage or rent payments; for our second prize winner it will be car payments; and free Shell FuelSave for our third prize winner. We are making it easier for you to save even more with Shell FuelSave,” said Wyatt.

The general manager said customers spending $5,000 in Shell FuelSave would receive chances to win up to $100,000 in the Cash Machine during weekly happy hours, while each week a lucky winner would be drawn to have a monthly bill of their choice paid, including fuel, groceries, utilities or cable, Internet and telephone.

“We are very excited to be introducing a fuel that is designed to last longer, but at no extra cost to customers, and to help customers save even more, we have launched this ‘Save for a Year with Shell FuelSave promotion’,” said Wyatt.

She said the advanced FuelSave formula is based on Shell’s active efficiency ingredients and is designed to last longer and improve engine efficiency from the very first tank.

It will be available in both Shell FuelSave Gasoline and FuelSave Diesel which contains special detergents tested effective at maintaining clean injectors and engine condition.

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Recently appointed General Manager of Sol Guyana Inc, Liz Wyatt

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday,June 9, 2017

‘Escape’ heads to NCC --promises to be ‘quite a theatrical treat’ IN April last year, a reckon-worthy force emerged on the local dance scene in the form of Free Souls Dance Theatre. At the time, the troupe of dancers, led by Kijana Lewis, consisted of passionate solo artistes who shared the same vision of taking dance to the next level.

And within mere weeks of coming together, they put on a show at the Theatre Guild that had local enthusiasts thrilled for quite some time.

One year later and the group is bigger, stronger, and much more synchronised in their art, and as they prepare to host their second official show, ‘Escape’, at the National Cultural Centre(NCC) tomorrow, Kijana is certain that the audience is in for quite a theatrical treat.

“The show is rich in storytelling. What I found was lacking in other dance productions is that they just

focused on entertainment,” he said. “Dance is not just to entertain, but also to tell stories and use theatrical measures.

“If we can incorporate such things to keep the audience’s interest, I think it will reinvent itself. What is popular gets old after a while, but if you focus on storytelling, and getting meaningful stories about everyday life and put it into dance, it will spark their interest just like dramatic plays.”

Kijana said the troupe has learned much from their last performance together (which was also their first), and that working together over the past year has allowed them to become more in sync with each other’s style.

What will be seen tomorrow, therefore, will be a performance where every move is expected to be carried out in unison. “Synchronisation was one of our major flaws,” he said. “The stories were great, but from a dance per-

spective, when I look back at the tapes, some of it was hard to look at because we were a new group, so everyone had their own style. This year we have gotten way better with synchronisation, so I just want to keep the focus, and hold it together for the show, because, sometimes, nerves kick in.”

WHAT TO EXPECT This year’s showcase will not only allow for a bigger crowd, due to its new venue, but also a bigger stage, another of the challenges the group faced during their virgin production. But the stories, Kijana said, will be poignant and memorable, and will continue from where last year’s showcase left off, with a few surprises in between. “We took a different slant to it this year, but the stories will be a follow up of last year’s show, because we will continue along the same path of social issues and bring awareness, and help

Free Souls Dance Theatre

people to look for solutions,” he said.

While last year’s show focused on issues like politics and race, this year’s show will take on social issues such as abuse and suicide.

The second half of the show will also take on a more theatrical aspect, equipped with plot and other structured elements.

Kijana said that while he choreographed almost 70 per

cent of the show, many group members were also given the chance at choreographing as well. Last year’s lineup included the familiar faces of Kijana Lewis, Mwanza Glenn, Maranda Drakes-Hutson, Latoya Browne, Radiante Frank, Paul Charles, Fiano Spencer and Travis Bowen. This year, with the exception of Travis, who only aided in choreography, the same group will be joined

by Meleesa Payne-Bishop, Isaiah Luther, Nevon Arno and Onika Martin.

“People should come out if they want to see something different and if they want to be educated or see thought provoking depictions on how we can deal with these issues,” he said.

Tickets for the show are $2,000 and $1,500, and are available at the NCC. ‘Escape’ begins at 20:00hrs.

Another sold-out year for ‘Nothing to Laugh About’ --Held-overs set for July 1 & 2 THERE was so much to laugh about as the skits and standup comedians in last weekend’s ‘Nothing to Laugh About 10’ took jabs at everyone, from President Granger, Minister of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon and even Georgetown Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green, who was present on opening night last Friday to take her roasting live and in person.

Despite extending the show to four nights, the event celebrated another year of sold- out nights, and now has two held-over shows set for July 1 at the Giftland Mall, and the Tower Suites on July 2. And if you were there, you would know why.

The show lasted a good three hours, and as is customary, several other mem-

Actors Leza “Radika” Singh and Michael Ignatius during a scene from the show

bers of the audience were also not spared from being the butt of a few jokes, and

of course the comedians also “made laugh” of their fellow actors and actresses; but

by the end of the evening, everyone went home considering it all money well spent.

This year’s premier show did not focus too heavily on politics, but took more from the Guyanese way of life, with sketches about crime and poverty, racism, and even prostitution. Two of the sketches also incorporated several recently trending issues, including a popular deejay that found himself tied to a bed and beaten, as well as the most recent Guyanese social media sensation, Alison Hunt.

The sketches were punctuated with a few standup comedy performances throughout, which saw comedians Leza “Radika” Singh, Lyndon “Jumbie” Jones, and Michael Ignatius doing acts, in addition to a spot of acting also in the

show.

But the show was not without it’s cringe-worthy moments, with a particular sketch that saw men dressed as toddlers competing in a pageant leaving much to be desired, and many in the audience uncomfortable.

But even that still managed to evoke a few laughs from some in the audience, proving the adage, to each their own. Otherwise, the acting was pretty topnotch, and the actors really got into character as they played their varying roles.

Actors Chris Gopaul and Gerard Gilkes

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 9, 2017

Silencing the ‘whispers of badness’ A FEW months ago, I had a discussion with a friend in Alberttown concerning groups of mainly male youth that seem to just hang on to the drug-influenced culture and the political fringe hierarchy that attached itself, as both physical and psychological beneficiaries, preying on a disabled generation old and arrogant enough to defy their parents and guardians, but not culturally wise enough to analyse their own stupidity.

In fact, a regular toll has found that many a youth from that area have lost their lives and direction of substance, as a result of the lures of that period of our modern history that I have coined the ‘Whispers of Badness’ [the above scenario was repeated across the nation at that time].

The discussion I had with my street-wise friend in Fifth Street revolved around getting those youth to fill up forms to apply to a specific source of employment. They were directed to go and enquire and get the application forms, and I would assist in the filling up. This was during mid-2016.

A week later, I saw my buddy along Cummings Street, and he explained what he had done, and where he stood with our little project. Then he looked at me and turned away, saying that less than a handful had complied; that some boasted that they wanted to be ‘gun men’, while others were negotiating to open ‘Ganja Blocks’.

In reality, he conceded that in double checking on the more boisterous and those that just followed, illiteracy was rife. Of course, there were some males and females who were also too bright, and had conned themselves into envision-

ing shortcuts to easy money, ego-tripping reputations as tough guys and divas that had ruined their productive years through jail time, substance addiction and the cultivation of self-esteem issues due to bad choices, with the realisation that the infant generation using them as ‘De what not to do’ were running ahead, while the ‘Joker’ of life’s Tarot Cards they played would torment, along with the memories of others, school friends who murdered and were murdered, and the memories of souls ruined would still linger.

‘The Whispers of Badness’ did not, however, strive on imaginations.

Practical evidence of official corruption predominated; an official fraternity of abominable physical tastes pervaded the stage of opportunity, if one had the stomach to define such as opportunity at all.

In January 2018, the Guyana Youth Corps will return. This was the organisation that salvaged many of us over forty years ago from the Shadow of the underprivileged.

SORELY NEEDED This organisation is needed now more than ever, for in unleashing the ‘Whispers of Badness’ in twenty-three years, the last administration has damaged two generations far worse, by time-scale, than the self-hating colonial conditioning that took 150 years to achieve, that was inherited with Independence.

The post-Independence artisan, tradesman and merchant took pride in his product and services.

When a tool was bought, it worked; a shoe lasted beyond two months, and there were no nails in local furniture. The public knew the better and best of the trade

services being offered, and instalments were the custom of the day, without any

fear of broken confidence.

Today, everything is a hustle. The space that ethics occupied is saturated by deceptions and unfair barter; the presence of drug addicts has unleashed a mass of cheap labour that is indiscriminately exploited, and has devoured the value of labour which has now transferred to most areas by employers, leading to the in-house hustle, especially in the private sector, where, again and again, employees collaborate with external forces towards ripping off employers that they complain pay them as if they’re ‘junkies’.

The other side of the coin is that would-be job seekers are wont to ask, “How much yuh paying?” rather than “What does the job entail?” That shift in relationship to employment is related to the all embracing hustle culture established by the after-1992 administration. As a result of this, callousness and con-

tempt replaced the value for labour, to the point where a wealthy businessman was known to have placed twenty-five thousand dollars in an envelope and sent it as a bribe to a senior media editor, whose mentorship I and many others have benefitted from, and thought that he should be happy, because that is what this businessman had valued his worth to be.

The “Phantom” killers were paid $40,000 for every human life they took.

How different is the consciousness of the businessman from the architects of the phantom death squads?

And they had links to the political administration, and to their many sponsoring business affiliates.

It will take the uncompromising enforcing of the law to put the Whispers of Badness to final rest; to fix Guyana, but it has to be fixed, because the majority of its people want the force behind those Whispers gone.

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‘Bolt’ documentary for Houston film-fest THE Caribbean American Heritage Foundation of Texas (CAHFT) has announced that I Am Bolt, a documentary about the life of Jamaican Olympic athlete Usain Bolt, will headline its Second Annual Houston Caribbean Film Festival (HCFF). The Festival was conceived to observe and celebrate June, which was designated as National Caribbean American Heritage Month by President George W. Bush in 2006.

An estimated ten Caribbean films will be screened during HCFF, taking place at The Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston (MATCH) June 9-11, 2017.

Confirmed films from Barbados, Cuba, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Saint Lucia will be screened. The Festival will feature several full-length films, and several short films which are two to 20 minutes in duration. Other films scheduled to be screened includes: Barbados, H2O; Cuba, Tengo Talento; Guadeloupe, Tourments d’Amour; and Saint Lucia, Who Are You?.

Animated and several movie shorts will be featured at the HCFF. Films will be nominated and receive awards in several categories, including: Best Foreign Language Film, Best Film Short, Best Animated Film, Best Documentary, Best Spoken Word.

The HCFF is dedicated to embracing and promoting the rich Caribbean culture through the eye of the director’s lens.

The mission is to promote, support, increase and heighten interest and awareness of Caribbean films, filmmakers, screen writers, producers and directors in the Caribbean basin and the diaspora yearround, focusing particularly in June, National Caribbean American Heritage Month.

The HCFF will provide opportunities for Houston’s diverse audience to not only screen films from Caribbean nations, but to also interact with the filmmakers, producers, writers and directors in a series of Meet-and-Greets and interviews in Houston. It is their hope that The Festival

will foster greater understanding and support of Caribbean history, and make positive contributions to the Houston Art scene, while sharing the Caribbean’s distinctive charms and unique historical and modern perspectives.

The HCCF; The Piton International Film Festival (PIFF), which will be held on August 13-20, 2017 in Saint Lucia; The Chicago Caribbean Film Festival (CCFF), scheduled for June 9-23, 2017, and The Barbados Independent Film Festival (BIFF), which was held on January 11-15, 2017, collectively form Caribwood.

Conceived to bring awareness to the emerging Caribbean film industry, Caribwood supports and assist individuals, companies and organizations who promote Caribbean Films and Film Festivals; this in turn allows the film makers to build stronger working relationships with governments and industries in the booming film industry in the Caribbean region and in the United States.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday,June 9, 2017

THERE’S lots to do on Saturday, but not much else. To start things off, Tower Suites’ weekly after-work lime is going to be a white-collar affair!

And tomorrow night, the options will be many! Over at the Palm Court, Pulse is taking their entertainment to the next level; to the balcony to be exact.

There’s a dance show on at the NCC, while “Melanin” is on at Bunker 81, and it’s all about finding that perfect black outfit.

There’s also a costume party for a worthy cause, and it includes dinner. But for a price, of course!

City Vibes Lounge is slowly becoming a new hot spot to be at, and this Saturday they want to motivate you to party the right way, and it involves a Johnny Walker giveaway.

In another worthy cause, there’s a suicide prevention walk-a-thon on Sunday, but it’s going to be an early one!

TODAY

It’s going to be “Hoocorona Friday: White Collar Edition” after-work lime at Tower Suites Poolside! Corona specials, hookah specials, platter specials and pizza specials!

TOMORROW

Get your summer started early, as Pulse Entertainment presents, “Full Moon” at the Palm Court!

Party to soca, EDM, pop and dancehall while you embrace your crazy side and let loose under the majestic moon with music by DJ Ryan, DJ Shizzle, and DJ Country Boy! Two levels of party, so get illuminated on the balcony! Full Moon shots and bucket specials available!

All ladies free before 22:00h! Admission: $2000 before 22:00h, or pay more after.

The ‘Free Souls Dance Theatre Company’ of Guyana presents, “ESCAPE”, which promises to be a mesmerising, entertaining and visual masterpiece of a Dance Production that will leave you in ‘awe’, is set for the National Cultural Centre at 20:00h. Tickets: $1000 & $1500.

Break out your black outfits and head on down to Bunker 81 (Formerly Club Latino)! Amplified Entertainment, in collaboration with MBK/MSK and Kush presents “Melanin”, an exclusive all black party! Music by Guyana’s #1 Sound, Slingerz Family, and Dj Sixx, with performances by Mr Ease Off himself, Kush and Gabriel Noble! Tickets: $1000, or more at the door!

It’s not Halloween, but it’s time to get a costume anyway: An Arabian costume!

The United Women for Special Children presents ‘Arabian Night: A Costumed Dinner and Dance Party’ at Parc Rayne!

Prizes for the best dancer, best costumed couple and best costume! Tickets: $9500 (includes dinner and local bar)!

Time to get motivated! ‘Motivation Party: Lacoste Edition’ is on at the City Vibes Lounge!

Bottle specials all night long! One bottle Johnny Walker for best dressed patron, and one lucky young lady to win a Lacoste tee-shirt!

Music by: Magnum, Ackeem, Dillon and Seen Up! Tickets: $1000; free before 22:00h!

SUNDAY

Sarah Rajkaran, third runner-up in the Miss India Guyana Pageant 2017 in collaboration with the Naya Andaaz Performing Arts will be hosting a Suicide Walk-A-thon in aid of those who are afraid of speaking out about their depression or suicidal thoughts!

Wear Yellow or Purple in support! Participants are asked to meet for 06.30h, so as to facilitate departure at 07.00h behind the Marriott Hotel.

Walk will proceed along the Seawall Road up to Conversation Tree and back to starting point!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 9, 2017

Every Guyanese must be computer literate – Min Hughes

By Ariana Gordon IN A BID to ensure that Guyana becomes a technologically-savvy country, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications says it is ramping up programmes here to ensure that every Guyanese becomes computer-literate.

On Thursday at the ministry’s mid-year press conference held at Colgrain House, Camp Street, subject Minister Catherine Hughes said the focus of her ministry is not only to connect communities across the country using Information Communications Technology (ICT) but to train persons to use computers and the internet.

Hughes who was appointed to the new ministry in January 2016, told reporters that the enhancement of the country’s ICT is geared at directly benefiting Guyanese, who in many instances have to play ‘catch up’ with the rest of the world. The minister noted that since the establishment of her ministry last year, “remarkable strides have put Guyana firmly on the road to national digital literacy” and she pointed to a number of initiatives that have proven beneficial to the country and the people. She said the provision of free Wi-Fi hotspots in public places including the environs of public service locations (libraries, NIS, Post Offices, parks), the continuation of Internet connection programme at all government ministries and agencies, the full digitisation of all public services, providing connectivity in Poor and Remote communities, along with the document conversion programme, the development of a National ICT Strategy and connectivity in the education sector are all aimed at advancing Guyana to a full digitally-connected country.

Additionally, Minister Hughes believes that Guyana will develop beyond where it is once all communities across the country are ICT literate.

Once done, she noted that the government would be in a better position to provide better communication, and learning facilities to its citizens.

In the case of entrepreneurship, the minister said no more would Guyana and Guyanese be disadvantaged due to the lack of ICT facilities.

Echoing Minister Hughes, Advisor to the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, Lance Hinds noted that the work of the Ministry has been placed on pillars namely that ICT must be cross-cutting in terms of production; it must make e-government more efficient and must stand alone as an economic centre that can contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.

“We want to build an ICTready workforce that we could go out and compete for business not only in Guyana itself

Catherine Hughes: Minister of Public Telecommunications

but further afield,” said Hinds who disclosed that starting in August, children from across the country will be trained in varying aspects of ICT, out of which he expects there will be coders, web developers, programmers and animators to name a few.

“If we want to do offshore services and be an offshore hub, we need the numbers, we can’t go to an international client and say we want to provide this service and… tell them we have five or ten persons,” added Hinds. He said the idea is a nationwide programme which will look to quickly build the skills over six and nine months of young people. Those who are exceptional will receive additional training. “We are getting ready for a regional production hub…,” Hinds told reporters.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) Floyd Levi, said efforts are ongoing to extend the e-government network in the hinterland regions.

So far there are seven locations in the hinterland where we have connected satellite - based internet system: Iwokrama, Annai, Karasabai, Paramakatoi, Sand Creek, St. Ignatius and Waramadong. All of these locations have secondary schools with the exception of Iwokrama which is a research centre.

The aforementioned secondary schools now have the same opportunities that the secondary school students in Georgetown and along the coast have.

Additionally, the NDMA has worked with Digicel to extend its network in areas the company is located: Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, Matthews Ridge, Kwakwani, Ishalton, Bartica and Mahdia.

Eighty six schools have so far been connected to the national ICT network along with four Regional Educational Offices; six Technical/Vocational institutes and three teacher training campuses. Over the last 10 months, 55 ICT community hubs have been identified for connection in the first phase.

More than 30 of them are in full operation in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9, serving over 98,000 citizens with free internet.

In a bid to clarify the use of internet across the country, Levi explained that the Ministry of Public Telecommuni-

cations purchases bulk internet from the Guyana Telephone Telegraph Company (GTT) and that internet is used by government offices from 8:00h to 16:30h daily.

After the close of business at 16:30h the internet becomes dormant and is then channeled to varying communities. “It is the same internet we purchased…being used on the coast,” said the Chair of the NDMA. He said too that in the hinterland, satellites bases are set up for those communities outside of GTT. Director of Community Development and Social Management, NDMA, Phillip Walcott, the key person responsible for the establishment of community ICT hubs, said his job is to ensure that citizens across the country are connected to

Lance Hinds: Advisor to the Minister of Public Telecommunications

the internet in keeping with the mandate given by President David Granger and subject Minister Cathy Hughes.

Walcott explained that after consulting with the Regional officials, the Neighbourhood Democratic Council and other stakeholders, the NDMA provides technical support to those identified to work along with the Authority. In addition to technical support, computers and other equipment are provided to the community hubs with the aim of empowering residents. The equipment, he quickly said remain the property of the Government.

Residents are then trained in management of the hubs, basic introduction to computers, and are helped with the creation of policies related to the managing of the hubs.

“We are providing access for all Guyanese… we want to ensure that every Guyanese is ultimately connected,” Walcott added while noting that 63 communities have been engaged thus far and the aim is to reach 406. Unfortunately, the NDMA is unable to measure the effect of the ICT hubs on each community. Walcott explained that the impact will be as a consequence of the use.

“We have to promote that to the communities,” he said adding that there are many challenges as persons are reluc-

Floyd Levi: Chairman of the National Data Management Authority

tant given the identifying of the project as a government project.

“We are working to remove the resistance and push for use…in the measuring of the number of people using the

hubs, each community is given a target,” he stated. Targets are given Walcott said to ensure that “we are not putting down white elephants”. Supervisory visits are also done to ensure usage of the facilities.

Like Hinds, Walcott said the NDMA is in the process of rolling out a “substantial programme” across the country geared at identifying persons in communities who are in need of training. He explained that in order to benefit from ICT, persons are in need of devices and connectivity, both of which are unaffordable for many.

Added to the devices and connectivity, persons are also in need of training to use the devices when made available.

He disclosed that the Ministry is in the process of recruit-

Phillip Walcott: Director of Communications and Social Management, NDMA

ing persons who are skilled to help the elderly understand how to use computers and the internet.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 9, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 9, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 9, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 9, 2017

‘Green Machine’ to clash with T&T tomorrow … Banks DIH lends support through Banks Beer brand GUYANA will play rivals Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow at the St Stanislaus College ground, as they look to defend their Rugby Americas North (RAN) South Zone title - a title they won last year against the ‘Soca Ruggers’ in the Twin Island Republic.

Guyana ruggers are acknowledged by many as the most feared Rugby team in the

Caribbean, more so in the game’s shortest version – sevens.

However, in the 15s format, they have made some historical strides, with their victory 30-27 against the USA (South) in 2014 to win their maiden NACRA (now known as RAN) 15s title in Atlanta being their biggest achievement yet.

In both 7s and 15s, Trinidad remain Guyana’s toughest opposition and while Guyana did defeat them 23-18 last year to win their RAN South Zone 15s title, team captain Ryan Gonsalaves is anticipating an even tougher

match-up this time around.

With a clash against Mexico (RAN’s North Zone Champions) on the horizon, Rodrigues believes that a day of ‘perfect rugby’ is needed if they are to overcome their nemesis.

Meanwhile, the game will be played at unfamiliar territory since the National Park, the usual battleground for the Green Machine, is unplayable for international matches, owing to the inclement weather.

Nonetheless, the Green Machine captain believes that his men are more than ready

for the battle ahead and urged all Guyanese to rally behind the side.

Banks DIH, a long-time supporter of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), yesterday announced their partnership with the Union through their world-famous Banks Beer brand, for tomorrow’s clash.

Communications Manager Troy Peters pointed out that the company is more than happy to continue their alliance with the GRFU and also made a call for the public to support the team. Kick-off time is 16:00hrs. (Rawle Toney)

Bolt treasured by ...

Niekerk and David Rudisha and double Olympic and world champion Mo Farah, will be among those participating in the meet.

INSPIRING THE YOUNG “He ends his competitive career this year, but he does not end the image, and the legacy of course, that Usain will leave.”

Jamaica Olympic Association president Mike Fennell told Reuters.

That legacy lies in his ability to inspire youngsters to take up the sport, said Warren Blake, Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association president.

“When he won the double sprint gold medals in Beijing 2008 and then added the sprint relay gold also in record time,

it had an effect right across the spectrum in Jamaica because all the high schools reported that the number of athletes coming out to train to make their school teams for Boys and Girls Championships doubled.”

Maxine Walters, who has produced all of Bolt’s international commercials in Jamaica, said of the lanky sprinter: “He’s an amazing treasure for Jamaica, not just as an amazingly successful sprinter and the fastest man in the world but as a human being with his contribution to his country.”

Twelve years of hard work have brought Bolt the level of supremacy and excellence he has achieved, Glen Mills, his coach since 2005, told Reuters.

Windies look to ...

squad a chance to play, winning was the chief priority and this would be the ultimate focus of the series.

“The first objective is to win the series and I think once we win the series then you can afford to give everybody the opportunity to play but we must play it (series) seriously,” Holder said.

“It is a very important series. We’ve got to beat Afghanistan. They’ve got a very good bowling attack in my opinion and if we are complacent, that could hamper us. I am very,

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very confident about this tour.

“This is an opportunity for the guys to stamp their authority and get some runs underneath their belts.”

The venue has not been a happy hunting ground for West Indies in the past, providing just one win in 11 ODIs in the last nine years.

Holder, however, said he expected his side to make the most of the excellent conditions at the ground to undermine Afghanistan.

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Continued from back page

“But all good things, one day, must come to an end and he has decided that this is it for him,” Mills said. “He has served the sport well and the sport has served him well and we’ll miss him.”

What he will do after retirement is a matter for conjecture but the prime minister said there was an open invitation for him to play a role in government.

“The possibilities for him are endless and I’d like to say to him that my door is always open and I have a seat for him anywhere he wants to serve,” Holness added.

“I would love to see him take interest in the sport itself from the leadership, governance and administrative point of view.”

Continued from back page bowlers up front but having said that, if you are a batman and you get past that first half an hour, it becomes an easier track,” Holder pointed out.

“I wouldn’t say easypaced but the pace is consistent and the bounce is consistent … and I think it has generally been a good wicket here. We have some fast bowlers in our side who can extract some pace and bounce and we expect that from them.”

Today’s contest bowls off at 14:30hrs.

Clonmel 12:15 hrs Dawn In The Park 12:45 hrs Millen Dollar Man 13:20 hrs Steamboat Quay 13:55 hrs Everyday Everyhour 14:30 hrs Eight Till Late 15:05 hrs Aranhill Rascal 15:40 hrs Magical Miss American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Bobby On Fleek Race 2 Spring Folly Race 3 Zennor Race 4 Marshall Plan Race 5 Salmanazar Race 6 Rocketry Race 7 SNap Decision Race 8 Whitmore Race 9 Sea Calisi Race10 Red Cardinal

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 9, 2017

Warriors rally late to grab commanding 3-0 NBA Finals lead

By Frank Pingue | CLEVELAND, Ohio (Reuters) - The Golden State Warriors rallied late for a 118-113 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday to grab a commanding 3-0 NBA Finals lead and move within one game of postseason perfection.

The Warriors had trailed the defending champions for much of the second half but used a late surge to secure a 15th straight win, the longest postseason streak for any team in the four major professional sports.

Cleveland had looked like they might prevail when they were ahead by six points with three minutes to play but Kevin Durant led the Warriors on an impressive 11-0 run to close out the game.

“Obviously K.D. made some huge plays down the

stretch,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. “It wasn’t our smartest game that we

Durant scored a teamhigh 31 points for the Warriors, who will get a chance

three-pointer over LeBron James with 45 seconds remaining that gave the War-

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrate during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game three of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. (Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze - USA TODAY Sports)

have played all year, but it was maybe our toughest in terms of our ability to just hang in there.”

today in Cleveland to become the first team to go unbeaten all the way to a title.

It was his pull-up

riors their first lead since late in the third quarter that had everyone talking.

“I’ve been working on

that shot my whole life,” said Durant, who has averaged 34 points through the first three games of the Finals. “To see that go in, that was liberating, man. We’ve got one more to go.”

The NBA’s best-ofseven championship was billed as the ultimate grudge match between the league’s last two champions and some pundits felt it could go down as one of the most hotly-contested series of all-time.

But the top-seeded Warriors, seeking their second title in three seasons, are playing at another level and barring a meltdown of epic proportions, will soon be celebrating their second NBA title in three seasons.

James and Kyrie Irving combined for 77 points, dominating much of the second half, but even their

electrifying performance was not enough to put a blemish on the Warriors’ perfect record.

“I said it after we won the Eastern Conference finals that we’re getting ready for a juggernaut. It’s probably the most, most firepower I’ve played in my career,” said James.

“I played against some great teams, but I don’t think any team has had this type of firepower.”

James suffered a scary moment late in the first quarter when he collapsed to the floor after running head-first into the shoulder of teammate Tristan Thompson, bringing a hush over what had been a raucous crowd.

The four-time MVP laid on the floor several seconds before being helped up and made a driving layup shortly after.

Halep and Ostapenko to clash in French Open final

R O M A N I A’ S S i m o n a Halep moved within one win of a first Grand Slam title and the number one ranking with victory over Karolina Pliskova at the French Open.

Third seed Halep won 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to set up a final against unseeded Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia.

Czech second seed Pliskova would have become world number one next week had she won the second `semi-final.

Ostapenko celebrated her 20th birthday with a 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 6-3 win over Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinszky.

Mimi Jausovec was the last unseeded player to reach the French Open final in 1983, losing to Chris Evert.

Tomorrow’s final will see a new Grand Slam champion crowned, and a new name at the top of the rankings should Halep

win and overtake Angelique Kerber.

“It is nice to be in the final again,” said Halep, who lost to Maria Sharapova in the 2014 French Open final.

“I hope I can play better and win it. I’m playing a young player - it is a big challenge.”

Pliskova.

With the number-one ranking and the prospect of a first Grand Slam title on the line, it was Halep who grasped the opportunity.

The 25-year-old broke serve in game three as her speed and accuracy proved too much for the

that she was surprised at her progress on the clay, but for half an hour her powerful hitting held sway and there was little Halep could do.

The Romanian was under pressure early in the decider but finally chased down a forehand and fired a brilliant cross-

BIRTHDAY GIFT FOR ‘CALM’ OSTAPENKO Ostapenko was well into uncharted territory, ranked 47th and having never been past the third round at a Grand Slam before, but she relished the big stage.

The former Wimbledon junior champion held her

Halep is into her second French Open final in three years.

Jelena Ostapenko is the first Latvian to reach a grand slam singles final.

HALEP OVERCOMES PLISKOVA POWER After recovering from a set and 5-1 down against Elina Svitolina in the quarter-final, Halep led from the front against

wayward Pliskova.

The Czech made 24 errors in losing the first set, but finally edged ahead at 4-2 in the second.

Pliskova, 25, had said throughout the tournament

court winner to grab a 3-1 lead.

Pliskova cut the deficit to 4-3 only to blaze a forehand long, leaving Halep to serve out the match after two hours.

nerve to become Latvia’s first major finalist, and the youngest woman in a Slam final since 19-year-old Caroline Wozniacki at the 2009 US Open.

Ostapenko edged a first-set

tie-break but looked to have lost her way in the second when she dropped four games in a row.

Bacsinszky was knocked out of the tournament at the semi-final stage at Roland Garros in 2015 and appeared determined to avoid the same fate as she comfortably levelled at one set all.

But Ostapenko turned on the style in the decider, edging ahead at 4-3 with the 15th break of the match before holding for 5-3.

Ostapenko then hit a winning forehand to secure her place in the final, prompting the crowd to sing “Happy Birthday” as she celebrated the biggest win of her career so far.

“I felt a little bit tight because it was a semi-final,” she said.

“But then I was just trying to be calm and just to try to play my game and just enjoy every moment.”

(BBC Sport)

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 9, 2017

RHTY&SC MS cricket teams make donations to EBFA, Enterprise and Skeldon cricket clubs THE eight cricket teams of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club MS continues to assist their counterparts from other cricket clubs under their personal development programme.

The latest clubs to benefit are the Enterprise Busta Sports Club of East Coast Demerara and the Skeldon Community Centre Cricket Club.

Both cricket clubs received three trophies and six medals each to assist them to organise a cricket tournament for teams in their respective areas with the main aim of promoting the Say No/Say Yes message to youths.

The Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the RHTY&SC is quite passionate about assisting others to achieve and enjoy the same success as it does. The RHTY&SC MS, despite all of its efforts and passion, would be unable to reach youths in all of Guyana and as such needs the assistance of its sister clubs to promote the Say No/Say Yes message.

also donated trophies, medals, hand towels and a $18 000 bicycle to the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) for the hosting of a football tournament for females on the East Bank of Demerara, vice-president Mark Papannah, who has direct responsibilities for the RHTY&SC, said Outreach programme stated

that the club has reached out to other clubs in seven of the ten regions in Guyana and would continue to do so in the future.

Papannah disclosed that the RHTY&SC would be assisting over 20 cricket clubs with sports gear, especially balls, after the hosting of the Patron’s Cup in July. Balls would be distributed to clubs as part of a

widespread effort to assist them to develop the cricketing skills of youths.

Among the clubs expected to benefit are Bush Lot Rising Star, Blairmont, Police, Edinburgh, Tucber Park, Young Warriors, Courtland, Fyrish, Chesney, Whim, Young and Restless, Skeldon and Upper Corentyne.

RHTY&SC MS Asst Secretary Simon Naidu hands over trophies to Lloyd Murray of Skeldon CC.

Under the highly successful campaign, the eight cricket teams encourage youths to Say NO to Drugs, Suicide, Crime, Alcohol and YES to Education, Life, Sports and Religion.

The RHTY&SC, Foster noted, is the only sports club in Guyana that has a programme to assist fellow clubs and for this year alone, dozens of clubs and sportsmen/women have benefited from over $4M worth of trophies, medals and other items to assist them to fulfil their respective mandates.

The club in April assisted 12 cricket clubs with over $1.5M worth of cricket balls, bats and stumps while a total of 62 schools, clubs, NGOs and churches have benefited from donations of trophies, medals and prizes.

Additionally 22 young sportsmen and women have received individual donation of gear, footwear, educational materials and finance under the RHTY&SC MS ‘Dare to Dream’ and ‘We Care’ Programmes.

Meanwhile the RHTY&SC

Clinton Pestano presents donation to a representative of Enterprise CC.

England, Venezuela book tickets to Seaton, Winter and Persaud among age-group champions at Independence Swim Meet maiden FIFA World Cup U-20 final … Solanke fires Three Lions to first World Cup final since 1966

ENGLISH football’s 51year wait to be world champions could finally end this weekend thanks to the nation’s exciting youngsters.

England Under-20s have become the country’s first international side to reach a World Cup final since Bobby Moore lifted the Jules Rimet trophy in 1966. A 3-1 victory over Italy secured the young lions a meeting with Venezuela on Sunday.

In a pair of continental clashes today, La Vinotinto and the Young Lions both came from a goal down to secure their places in Korea Republic 2017’s 52nd match – England with a three-goal fightback, and Venezuela courtesy of a last-minute equaliser and some nail-biting penalties.

Samuel Sosa and goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez were the heroes for the South Americans in defeating Uruguay, while Dominic Solanke and Ademola Lookman orchestrated the fightback for Europe’s final representatives.

Liverpool’s new recruit, Dominic Solanke, scored twice either side of Everton’s Ademola Lookman turning the semi-final the way of

Paul Simpson’s side.

Now Simpson is calling on the teenagers to take a last step to prove the country is on the threshold of a thrilling era at international level.

“We have to go and win to really put our name into the history books of English football,” said Simpson. “I am the proudest man I could ever be. It is just a dream to take an England team to a World Cup final. I was born in 1966 and that is the last time we did it.

“We now want to go and make sure we do ourselves justice in the final.

We are delighted to be in it. I have said from the first day I got with these players how greedy we are. I said we want to go and win the final. I don’t just want to make the numbers up. I want to go and win it.

“The preparation for the final started the minute we finished the huddle on the pitch. That was the thing said to all the players: ‘Yes let’s enjoy this but let’s get our heads on it now’.

“At the time I didn’t even know who we would be playing in the final because our heads were so focused on this today. Now I know it

is Venezuela we will get back to the hotel and get into the Venezuelan performances on my lap top as will the other staff and we will then start preparing.”

England endured a dreadful start in the game in Jeonju in South Korea – falling behind to a Riccardo Orsolini goal after two minutes – but the response was emphatic, especially in the second half.

Simpson’s side dominated possession, but initially this was part of their opponents’ choreography as the Italians were stereotypically obstinate, the emphasis on sturdy defence accompanied by rapid counter-attack. For 45 minutes it worked.

The England midfield, elegantly led by Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook, needed to quicken the tempo.

There were some openings before the break, but not clear-cut. Everton’s Kieran Dowell struck over from close range after a clever pass from his clubmate Lookman on 16 minutes.

Solanke also tested Italian keeper Andrea Zaccagno from distance, but there was a growing frustration when patience was demanded.

SILVER Sharks’ Leon Seaton, Dorado’s Lian Winter and Orca’s Aleka Persaud were among those who prevailed as age-group champions after putting out some of the best performances at last weekend’s Independence Anniversary Swim Meet which was held at the National Aquatic Centre in Liliendaal.

Seaton topped Boys’ 11-12

win, with plenty of time to spare after Dorado’s Ethan Gonsalves made his way in some four seconds later for second place.

Gonsalves had finished third in the 100m breaststroke with a time of 1:33.56s.

In the 400m freestyle Seaton took another major win as he dominated over his club mate Annan Roberts, touching the wall in 5:02.12s. Roberts

Silver Shark’s Leon Seaton

category with a total 88 points, after taking gold in eight out of his nine events, and finishing with silver in the 100m breaststroke in a time of 1:28.78s, just a split second behind Noel Raekwon’s 1:28.77s finish.

It was Raekwon who finished second in the Boys’ 11-12 category with 76 points.

Seaton had gold in the 50m breaststroke (38.09s), 50m backstroke (34.09s), 100m backstroke (1:16.36s), 50m freestyle (27.22s), 100m freestyle (1:02.34s) and 200m freestyle (2:19.12s), finishing ahead of Raekwon in each event.

In the 50m butterfly he clocked 30.53 seconds for the

was way behind with 7:07.12s.

Winter had 81 points to champion the Girls’ 11-12 age group, with 9 straight gold medals. Persaud had 90 points, and ten gold medals, to win the Girls’ 9-10 age group, finishing 20 points ahead of Patrice Mahaica.

Winter had literally no competition in her 200m butterfly, 200m backstroke, and 100m butterfly covering the distances in 3:01.41s, 3:00.12s, and 1:14.24s, respectively. Her other events were the 50m freestyle (31.62s), 100m freestyle (1:12.09s), 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke (36.59s), 100m backstroke (1:20.41s),

and 200m IM (2:57.79s).

Dolphin’s Mahaica just did not have what it takes to get past Persaud, as the Goodwill Swim Meet gold medallist continued to prove a force to be reckoned with.

Mahaica wasn’t just second in the age-group category, she ended with 10 silver, after she was behind Persaud in each of her events.

Persaud was in the 50m breaststroke (40.97s), 100m breaststroke (1:34.69s), 50m backstroke (36.31s), 100m backstroke (1:24.57s), 50m butterfly (32.40s), 100m butterfly (1:18.72s), 50m freestyle (30.59s), 100m freestyle (1:09.87s), 200m freestyle (2:36.04s), and 200m IM (2:57.03s) Silver Sharks’ Trumaine Cole prevailed with 72 points in the Boys’ 18-and-over category, finishing 39 points ahead of Olympian Hannibal Gaskin, who ended just one point above Earlando McRae.

Dorado’s Lian Winter

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 9, 2017

Trophy Stall badminton tourney on this weekend TROPHY Stall earlier this week handed over its sponsorship package for the third Trophy Stall Annual Independence Badminton Tournament, which will take place this weekend at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.

The tournament will include Men’s and Ladies’ singles, and Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15 agegroup Boys’ and Girls’ singles. The matches will be played today from 17:30hrs to 20:00hrs, and conclude on Sunday with the last matches running from 15:00hrs to 19:00hrs.

Last year’s open men’s singles champion Narayan Ramdhani, who has been off studying in Canada, is back home and looking forward to defending his title.

The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA), in

Trophy Stall representative Mrs Davi Sunich (left) hands over one of the trophies to defending Men’s singles champion Narayan Ramdhani, who collects on behalf of the GBA.

a press release, extended gratitude to the proprietor of

Trophy Stall for hisr continued support of badminton,

“This is the third year that Trophy Stall proprietor Ramesh Sunich has come on board to support the development of the sport of badminton.

The GBA is very grateful for his efforts in helping badminton players to once again have a great competition to show their skills and improve their game,” the release said.

Winners in each category will be presented with their prizes right after the finals on Saturday.

The Schedule for the matches is as follows: Senior Open Men’s and Ladies’ singles: Friday: 17:30hrs to 20:00hrs Saturday: 17:30hrs to 19:00hrs Under-11, U-13 & U-15 Boys and Girls singles: Sunday: 15:00hrs to 19:00hrs.

Murali receives cricket’s highest honour

CRICKET’S greatest wicket-taker, Muttiah Muralitharan, was inducted into the International Cricket Council Cricket Hall of Fame yesterday.

Muralitharan is the first Sri Lankan recipient of the award and there is perhaps no player, not just Sri Lankan, who deserves the honour more than the prolific off-spinner from Kandy.

The 45-year-old claimed 800 Test wickets and 534 one-day international victims - more than any other

Richardson presented Muralitharan with a commemorative framed cap in-between innings during Sri Lanka’s Champions Trophy clash against India at The Oval.

The Oval holds special memories for Muralitharan – it’s the venue where the rubber-wristed tweaker claimed 16 wickets to spin Sri Lanka to a famous win in 1998.

“Murali’s record speaks for itself,” Richardson said.

“His control of line, pace and length, coupled with his ability

CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Qualifiers Tournament

Guyana to host Group ‘D’ matches in August

GUYANA will host Barbados and Cuba in Group ‘D’ of the CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Qualifiers tournament from August 9 to 13 at a venue to be announced by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

The 2018 CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship qualification is a women’s Under-17 football competition which decides the participating teams of the 2018 CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship.

A total of eight teams will play in the final tournament.

The 2018 CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship will be the 6th edition of the CONCACAF Women’s

U-17 Championship, the biennial international youth football championship, organised

by CONCACAF for the women’s Under-17 national teams of the North, Central American and Caribbean region.

The top three teams of the tournament will qualify for the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay as the CONCACAF representatives.

In the Caribbean Zone, 19 Caribbean Football Union (CFU)-member national teams have entered the qualifying competition, consisting of two stages.

Apart from Haiti, who re-

ceived a bye as hosts of the final round, the remaining 18 teams entered the first round and were divided into three groups of four teams and two groups of three teams.

The winners of each group advance to the final round to join Haiti, where they are divided into two groups of three teams, with the top three teams qualifying for the final tournament as the CFU representatives.

Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, Guyana, and St Vincent and the Grenadines were automatically seeded in Groups A–E respectively as hosts of each first round

group, while the remaining 14 teams were seeded based on the results of the previous two editions of the qualifying competition.

Meanwhile, GFF president Wayne Forde said the team will be one that all of Guyana will be proud off and will represent the ongoing women’s National programme, the one set out

by Technical Director Ian Greenwood.

Forde said while the current team is ‘all local’, the GFF is open to representation from the Diaspora, and encouraged persons to reach out.

Muttiah Muralitharan is inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame during the innings break in the Champions Trophy match between India and Sri Lanka at The Oval. (Getty Images)

bowler in either format - in an international career that spanned 19 years.

“It is a moment of great pride and honour to be receiving this award, especially from the ICC, which is the ultimate any cricketer can aspire to achieve,” Muralitharan said.

“The induction during this prestigious ICC Champions Trophy makes it even more remarkable.

“I thank the ICC for making this possible because this is a moment I will cherish throughout life.”

Muralitharan is the 83rd inductee and is joined by Australians Arthur Morris and Karen Rolton and England’s George Lohmann as part of the latest intake.

ICC chief executive David

to spin the ball prodigiously, is legendary.

“Once he developed the ‘doosra’ he became almost unplayable.

“A character popular with fellow players and fans alike, he not only helped raise the profile of Sri Lankan cricket but was a player people came out to watch the world over.

“I congratulate him on behalf of the ICC on being inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.”

Muralitharan holds a host of records, but perhaps one that will never be broken is his incredible tally of fiveand ten-wicket hauls.

In 133 Tests he captured 67 five-wicket bags and on 22 occasions he snared 10 wickets in a match.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday June 09, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Australia vs New Zealand (2) 2 points Today’s Quiz: (1) Who top-scored in the first T20 Int’l in the recent WI/Afghan series?

(2) Who took most wickets in the game?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 9, 2017

Sri Lanka stun India to blow Champions Trophy Group B wide open

SRI Lanka blew the ICC Champions Trophy wide open with a record-breaking seven-wicket win over India at The Oval yesterday.

A brilliantly paced chase from Angelo Mathews’ side saw them knock off 322 with eight balls to spare, the largest successful chase in The Oval’s one-day international history.

As a result, each side in Group B have two points with a game to play. Sri Lanka will face Pakistan, while India must beat South Africa to keep their hopes of retaining the trophy alive.

In these sub-continental neighbours’ 150th ODI meeting, India opener Shikhar Dhawan hit his 10th ODI century en route to 125 - the third-highest score in this year’s tournament.

Rohit Sharma (78) and MS Dhoni (63) enjoyed

Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis (89) plays some special shots in a second-wicket partnership of 159 runs with Danushka Gunathilaka (76).

fruitful unions with Dhawan as India posted 321-6 after being inserted by Sri Lanka captain Mathews, returning from a calf injury.

However, in a tournament that has been filled with one-sided thrashings and washouts, Sri Lanka bucked the trend brilliantly.

Danushka Gunathilaka (76) and Kusal Mendis (89) added 159 runs for the second Sri Lankan wicket, before both were run-

out, but Mathews (52 not out), Kusal Perera (47) and Asela Gunaratne (34 n.o.) maintained the momentum to secure a famous victory.

That India-South Africa meeting back in London will feature both AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli looking to bounce back from scoring nought - the India captain lasted just five balls here before nicking off to Nuwan Pradeep (1-73), registering an ODI duck for the first time since August 2014

against England in Cardiff.

Kohli’s misfire initially seemed benign as Dhawan and Rohit had piled on 138 for the opening wicket, the latter hitting six fours and three sixes before sending a Lasith Malinga (2-70) bouncer straight down long leg’s throat.

Malinga also accounted for Dhawan as the lefthander swung lustily to long on after a powerful performance.

Yuvraj Singh (7) and Hardik Pandya (9) joined Kohli in contributing little with the bat, but Dhoni

was at his thrilling best, smashing 63 from 51 balls before attacking his 52nd with a trademark ‘helicopter’ shot that ended up caught at long off in the final over.

Despite facing a challenge based in uncharted territory in ODIs, Sri Lanka silenced the vast swathes of India fans with a dazzling performance.

Gunathilaka classily compiled his personal-best ODI score, blasting Umesh Yadav and Hardik for maximums but he and Mendis dithered over taking a

After some signature shots, there was a century celebration for Shikhar Dhawan

second run, with Umesh’s accurate throw and Dhoni’s lightning-fast hands giving India a crucial strike before Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s brilliant pick-up and throw removed Sri Lanka’s other set batsman.

But Sri Lanka once again responded, with Mathews and Perera keeping up the run-a-ball pace, until the latter had to retire hurt with a hamstring injury on 47.

Wickets in hand gave Sri Lanka the advantage, however. Gunaratne pulled his fourth ball for six and swept Jasprit Bumrah miles over square leg to further darken Indian moods.

Mathews reached a 33rd ODI fifty with a glorious straight drive before flipping the next ball into the leg side to equal their highest run-chase and secure a monumental triumph. (Omnisport)

Kenya’s Obiri destroys field, upstages Dibaba in Rome

(REUTERS) - Kenyan Hellen Obiri destroyed the field to win the women’s 5 000 metres at the Rome Diamond League meeting yesterday, upstaging Genzebe Dibaba who was expected to make a world record attempt.

minutes 18.37 seconds, nearly 15 seconds ahead of compatriot Agnes Jebet Tirop in second place.

Obiri broke the field with a 64.75 second lap and from that point on was racing against the clock. Ethiopian Dibaba, the 1500 metres world

Hellen Obiri of Kenya celebrates. (REUTERS/ Max)

Obiri, the Olympic silver medallist, ran the fifth fastest time in history and the quickest of the season as she finished in 14

record holder, finished sixth.

In the javelin, Thomas Roehler produced another monster throw

to overhaul fellow German Johannes Vetter and win with his final attempt.

The Olympic gold medallist, who threw an all-time second best of 93.9 metres in Doha last month, this time managed 90.06 as he continued his impressive preparations for the world championships in August.

Canada’s Olympic silver medallist Andre de Grasse, likely to be the main challenger to Jamaican triple Olympic champion and world record holder Usain Bolt in the 200 metres at the worlds in London, comfortably won his race in 20.01 seconds.

Britain’s Chijindu Ujah won the 100 metres, upstaging American Ronnie Baker who won in Eugene in a wind-assisted 9.86.

Sri Lanka stun India to blow Champions Trophy Group B wide open See Page 27

Bolt treasured by Jamaicans not only for his speed

By Kayon Raynor

Usain Bolt (JAM) of Jamaica celebrates winning the Jamaican team’s gold medal. (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach)

‘Green Machine’ to clash with T&T tomorrow … Banks DIH lends support through Banks Beer brand

See Page 23

GRFU president Peter Green accepts Banks DIH’s sponsorship cheque from the company’s representative yesterday at Thirst Park.

KINGSTON, Jamaica (Reuters) - Usain Bolt’s value to Jamaica over the last decade has gone far beyond just winning medals on the track, the island’s leading athletes and politicians said, as the sprint king prepares for his final race on home soil this week.

The 30-year-old multiple Olympic gold medallist, who has decided to retire after the world championships in London in August, will bid farewell to the fans in his island home in the 100 metres at tomorow’s Racers Grand Prix.

For Jamaicans he ranks as a national treasure, transcending his sport just as Brazilian Pele did soccer and Muhammad Ali boxing.

“Usain Bolt continues in that great tradition of voices that amplify Jamaica,” Prime Minister Andrew Holness told Reuters in an interview at the Kingston National Stadium on Wednesday.

“Great personalities like Usain Bolt ... make people want to see what else Jamaica has

to offer, so he literally opens doors for Jamaica to the rest of the world.”

Before Bolt, Don Quarrie was one of Jamaica’s bestknown track and field athletes after he won gold in the 200 metres at the 1976 Olympics.

Quarrie said Bolt’s impact was as much about his spirit as about his sporting feats.

“He brought so much joy to track and field, not just from his times, but from his personality, which at first people thought was a put-on, but they later realised that it was genuine and they loved it,” Quarrie told Reuters.

“Everybody from every part of the world knows where Jamaica is right now (and) everyone knows who Usain Bolt is and it’s not just because of his speed but because they’re captivated by who he is.”

On Saturday, Jamaicans will see Bolt run his last competitive race on the Caribbean island.

A ‘who’s who’ of modern track greats, including world record-holders Wayde Van

Turn to page 23

Windies look to continue dominance against Afghanistan

GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC) – West Indies will hope to avoid any embarrassing hiccups and impose their obvious superiority on minnows Afghanistan when the two teams meet in the opening day/night One-Day International of the three-match series here today.

The preceding Twenty20 series, which ended in a clean sweep for the hosts, highlighted the massive gulf between the two sides and the one-day side will be heavily favoured to extend that success in the three contests at the Darren Sammy National Stadium.

More significantly, the series – regardless of the weakness of the opposition – offers West Indies a golden opportunity to turn the page on a recent run of troubling results that have seen them win just once in their last 12 outings in bilateral series.

And captain Jason Holder was quick to reiterate the importance of the tour, urging his players to be at their best and to

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Jason Holder

ensure a series win.

“I think we all know the importance of this series. We’ve just come off the Tests, a tough loss against Pakistan in the last one-day series,” the all-rounder said here yesterday.

“I felt we showed some promise there. We had a lot of good positives coming out of that series but we didn’t get over the line in terms of the end result.

“I think coming into this series is an opportunity to win a series so the guys have to be very disciplined, always set up our process boxes and once we tick them, more often than not we’ll come out on the winning end.”

The Windies are currently

ranked ninth in the international one-day rankings, only above Afghanistan in 10th and Zimbabwe in 11th. It is a ranking that caused them to miss out on the ongoing Champions Trophy in England and forced them to turn their attention to the Asian side.

Regardless of the weakness of the opposition, however, Holder said he had much regard for their bowling attack, one which included the likes of exciting teenage leg-spinner Rashid Khan.

He explained while he was keen on using the series to give each member of his 13-man

Turn to page 23 FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2017