Guyana chronicle e paper 09 07 2017

Trans Guyana cleared to resume shuttle service Page 11

No. 105028

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2017

Price: $80 (VAT Inclusive)

Local content must benefit all ‌T&T consultant stresses need for transparency in oil sector

Irma leaves death, destruction

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Help for ailing Venezuelans Page 12

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Woman in court for dousing man with acid Page 2

These were scenes in St Maarten on Wednesday following the passage of Hurricane Irma in that island. (Saint Martin News Network photos)

GuySuCo eyes self-sufficiency by year-end Page 11

Be vigilant against money laundering Page 2

– GCCI president urges auditors

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 7, 2017

– GCCI president urges auditors

revenue and profits,he added.”

Be vigilant against money-laundering

By Svetlana Marshall GUYANA’S efforts to safeguard the economy against money-laundering is commendable, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Deodat Indar said, even as he encouraged internal auditors to pay keen attention to evolving risks which may have negative impacts on the commercial sector.

Speaking to reporters on the sideline of the Institute of Internal Auditors Guyana Chapter (IIAG) workshop at Regency Suites on Wednesday, Indar said though there may be teething problems in the implementation of Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Legislation, the country is on the right path.

“We have to ride the storm,” the GCCI president posited, noting that some countries like Trinidad and Tobago are in their advanced stage of implementing the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).

“I believe that Guyana is on a right track and it is a form of deterrence from financial risk that companies can suffer,” he posited.

However, Indar, who is a certified general accountant and internal auditor, said auditors must step up to the

challenge and detect instances of money-laundering, even at the level of legitimate commercial entities that may have come into contact with laundered money unknowingly.

“An example would be: If a person is laundering money and they decide to buy your goods as a legitimate company, they are bringing laundered money into the system, because they are bringing it through a legitimate company that goes through a legitimate bank account. Auditors need to detect that,” he explained.

Major emphasis, he said, must be placed on the screening of customers and their trend of accessing the products and or services being offered. If there is a significant leap in the request of a particular service or product, “eyebrows” should be raised, he posited.

KEEP ABREAST Meanwhile, while delivering the feature address at the IIAG forum, the GGCI president said internal auditors should keep abreast with developments locally and internationally, in order to effectively execute their mandate.

Indar said no longer compliance checks and efficiency of systems are the audit of universe, noting that the COSO Model requires that internal auditors audit strategy to determine how effective a company is.

“It makes no sense to

GCCI President Deodat Indar

have a strong, robust internal system and you are suffering competitively and can face closure; we as internal auditors must be cognisant of failures such as Kodak, Block Buster and many others and be vigilant of changes in industry and advise on adopting relevant strategies to mitigate.

Examining some broad risk areas in the economy, the GCCI president pointed out that Guyana’s economy grew by 2.2 per cent for the first half of 2017, noting that while this is positive growth, a reality check has given a different story.

“It seems different from the reality; most sectors are feeling some downturn… rice production grew by 31 per cent over 2016 due to rising acreage sown by farmers. Rice is now exported to Mexico and 15,000 mt are expected to be exported to Cuba in the second half of the year,” he pointed out.

IIAG President Goorwantie Davie Kaladeen

However, he said sugar production was down by mid-year by 12.4 per cent, while crops grew by 2.5 per cent. Livestock contracted by 10.9 per cent, the fisheries industry expanded by 33.2 per cent, while forestry contracted by 18.2 per cent. Mining and quarry contracted, while the services and manufacturing sector experienced growth.

“So there is a lot of information to digest, which ever sector you are operating in, examine the risk. If you are evaluating diversification initiatives, be mindful of the overall performance, since some industries are performing better than some,” Indar said as he cautioned the internal auditors.

“Once a high-level macro-economic analysis is being done, the internal risk, threats, opportunities in the market must also be examined to address the gaps in

Man in court for fatal hit-and-run accident A 24-year-old tailor was on Wednesday released on $300,000 bail for allegedly killing another man during a hit-and-run accident at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, in June.

Ryan Seecharran of Herstelling appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on three charges, the first of which alleged that on June 24, 2017, at Third Street Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, he drove motor car PVV 4911 in a manner dangerous to the

public, causing the death of Kalicharan Goordial.

Seecharran was also charged with failing to render assistance to Goordial and failing to stop the vehicle after the accident on the said date.

The 24-year-old man denied all of the three charges while his attorney, Glen Hanoman, made an application for reasonable bail. Police prosecutor Arwin Moore made no objection to Seecharran being granted his pretrial liberty.

The chief magistrate

released Seecharran on $300,000 bail for the cause of death charge and adjourned the matter until September 13. He was further released on $5,000 bail each on the two other charges. The case was transferred to the Providence Magistrates court for September 11.

According to reports, the incident occurred at 15:00hrs on the day in question at Third Street, Herstelling, a mere few streets away from Goordial’s home in Creek Dam.

It is alleged that driver of the motor car, PVV 4911, was turning a corner when he hit Goordial. During the police investigation it was revealed that Goordial was intoxicated and was lying in the centre of the cross-street, which adjoins to Third Street The driver of the motor car fled the scene and the injured man was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre by residents nearby.

Goordial was pronounced dead on arrival.

Man charged for escaping from police outpost A 34-year-old man was on Wednesday remanded to prison by City Magistrate Judy Latchman for escaping police custody.

Thurston Semple, a taxi driver, denied that on August 31, 2017, while in custody for rape and robbery at the Agricola Police Outpost, East Bank

Demerara, he escaped.

According to the facts, Semple was arrested for rape and robbery on August 30 last and was taken to the Agricola Police Outpost. However, in the wee hours of the morning on August 31, Semple managed to pick his handcuffs and ran out of the station

but was rearrested a few hours after.

Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves informed the court that the file pertaining toing the rape and robbery matter was sent to the director of public prosecutions (DPP) and is awaiting advice. Gonsalves

urged the court to deny Semple bail due to the seriousness of the charge and the fact that the accused poses a flight risk.

The magis trate there fore remanded Semple until September 13 and transferred the matter to City Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

CAREFUL EXAMINATION “One must examine the financial sector and non-performing loans carefully as this is a clear reflection of the state and performance of the real sectors. A closer look at the reports of commercial banks can tell you that some sectors are defaulting, such as agriculture and real estate.

Other financial institutions has rice as a heavy non-performer,” he stated.

Pointing to the IMF Staff Report on Guyana (June 2017), Indar said it was clearly stated that the non-performing loan ratio rose to 12.9 per cent of total loans at December 2016, up from 11.5 per cent at the end of 2015.

“This represents a serious problem; banks will start to tighten lending which is not good news for the private sector and households,” he stated.

Meanwhile, IIAG President Goorwantie Davie Kaladeen explained that the seminar is the first of three under this chapter which commenced its work on June 2017.

During the two-day forum, major focus is being placed on evolving risks, ethics and governance, financial

auditing, inventory and stores management. The sessions, Kaladeen noted, will be facilitated by Indar, Ramesh Persaud, Harry Parmesar and Chateram Ramdihal.

Turning her attention to the performance of the chapter, Kaladeen noted that the Guyana Chapter has come a long way with its membership increasing from 25 in 2011 to 80 in 2017.

“We have also been able to maintain Gold Status for the last seven consecutive years under four past presidents – Mr. John Seeram (2010/2011), Mr. Deodat Indar (2011-201 4), Mr. Jaigopaul Ram (2014-2016) and Ms. Jaishree Lam (2016-2017).

We will strive to continue that path and aim for Platinum in 2020,” she said.

She added: “In our certification effort we have to date seven members who are certified internal auditors, one certified government auditing professional and six members who were accredited with the Certified Risk Management Assurance Certification.”

The Institute of Internal Auditors is a global professional association with over 185, 000 members in more than 190 countries around the world. In Guyana, the IIAG chapter was founded 15 years ago as a chapter of the North American global body. After some years of inactiveness, it was resuscitated in 2009.

Woman in court for dousing man with acid A 26-year-old woman was on Wednesday charged with attempted murder after she allegedly doused her reputed husband with acid after she allegedly caught him cheating with another woman.

Lisa Fraser of West Ruimveldt appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was not required to plead to the charge, which alleged that on September 2, 2017, at West Ruimveldt, she unlawfully and maliciously wounded Kellon King with intent to commit murder.

According to Fraser’s attorney, Lyndon Amsterdam, his client and King are in a common-law relationship and lived at West Ruimveldt with their two children.

However, the woman moved out from the home and returned on the day in question to collet her children’s textbooks before school reopened.

While at the home King attacked Fraser, arming himself with a corrosive

substance to throw on her, but she managed to knock the substance out of the man’s hands which resulted in some of the liquid being spilled on him instead.

Police Prosecutor Arwin Moore however discredited the lawyer’s claims, since the facts from the police investigation differ. According to Moore, on the day in question, Fraser went home and saw her reputed husband with another woman at the premises. Fraser, Moore noted, dealt King several slaps to his face as he tried to walk away from her.

Fraser then became annoyed ,went into the house, poured acid into a cup and flung it at her reputed husband. Moore pointed out that the victim received severe burns to his head, face and hands and is still hospitalised. The chief magistrate however released Fraser on $150,000 bail and was ordered to keep away from the victim. The matter has been adjourned until September 19.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 7, 2017

Local content must benefit all …T&T consultant stresses need for transparency in oil sector

By Alva Solomon LOCAL-content policy must seek to benefit all Guyanese and the decision-making process in the country’s petroleum sector must be transparent.

This was the message given by Trinidadian consultant Anthony Paul to stakeholders at Wednesday’s local content-policy stakeholder engagement at the Georgetown Marriott Hotel in Kingston.

The forum was hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and its aim was to engage stakeholders on the subject as the draft policy document is compiled.

Paul, who has a wealth of experience working with governments across the globe in the petroleum sector, stressed to the gathering the need for transparency in the sector.

“This is so critically important, how can we trust or validate without transparency,” he questioned.

Paul highlighted the issue of experts who may have the wherewithal to secure contracts as against local

Minister of Natural Resources , CEO of Go-Invest , Owen Verwey and chairperson of the proceedings , Marissa Foster at the event on Wednesday . (Adrian Narine photo)

entities which may not be able to compete with the international companies in the sector. “How do you compare transparency for the locals as against the foreign companies, so you have a fair chance of competing?” he asked.

Local content can be described as the materials, workers, etc. which are used to make a product that is from the area where the product is made, rather than being imported. Paul , who has over 30 years of experience in the petroleum sector , said

that the ultimate outcome of Guyana’s local content-policy document is that it must have one aim.

He explained that he looked at Guyana’s national symbol, the Coat of Arms and he noted the words “One Destiny.” He said that destiny must come from a vision which has to be reflected in the process of crafting the document. Paul said that the outcome of the draft process should be long-term and reflect the expectations of the society as he called for “lots

Stakeholders at the forum on Wednesday morning. (Adrian Narine photo)

“of training of locals in the sector.

“At this point, we are the beginning, we are trying to understand what needs to happen,” Paul said, noting that there are series of stages along the process in the development of the oil sector. Paul reminded the audience that everything that is done must confirm with the country’s constitution, noting that there are a lot of regulations which has to be in place as the sector evolves. “Local content policy must seek the benefit of Guyana“, he said.

In brief remarks, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, expressed hope that the policy framework becomes a national model for local content for all sectors of the economy. “Government will not pretend to have all the answers,” he said, noting that it is the very reason the government has been working with local and international experts as the country prepares to benefit from the oil sector . He said too that the government has been engaging all stakeholders, including members of the Opposition.

Trinidadian energy consultant Anthony Paul, as he addressed the audience on Wednesday morning (Adrian Narine photo)

Owen Verwey , CEO of Go-invest, told the gathering that there is no or limited possibility for local content at the early stages of the emerging sector . He said joint-venture arrangements can be addressed to ensure meaningful and beneficial achievements in a sustainable manner for both the local investment community and those who are looking for opportunities here. He said Go-Invest has

seen many foreign investors, both who have contracts with oil giant ExxonMobil or its subcontractors, as well as those who are exploring the market. ”Most of these are experienced or well- resourced foreign entities,” he said.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources , through innovative and collaborative mechanisms and in the context of changing circumstances, Guyana intends, by way of local content and value addition, to capture so much value and benefit from the nation’s oil and gas resources and the related activities, that the country shall translate the blessing of its oil and natural gas resources below the ground to a sustainable economy above it, faithful to the country’s “green” brand and the heritage of its people.

“We shall be counted among those few developing nations who have managed an extractive industry and used the patrimony as a source of national development and sustainability,” the ministry states in the policy goal.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 7, 2017

Irma leaves death, destruction Hurricane Irma, the most powerful Atlantic storm in a decade was churning its way across the Caribbean after battering the Leeward Islands on Wednesday, leaving at least one person dead and millions of dollars in damages.

But as the storm moved towards St. Thomas and Puerto Rico, residents in the chain of islands were eyeing Hurricane Jose that the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that at 5.00 pm (local time), had become a hurricane with winds of 75 miles per hour (mph) and was located 1040 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. Irma damage 2There was at least one death in the English-speaking Caribbean countries, although there have been unconfirmed reports that at least two people died in the French-speaking territory of St. Martin as Hurricane Irma made its way across the region.

Irma, packing winds of 185 miles per hour (mph) first hit Antigua and Barbuda before embarking upon its path of destruction. The executive director of the Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Ronald Jackson, said the focus now is turning to Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands. “We don’t have all the full details from the British Virgin Islands at the moment but given that the eye passed directly over Tortola given the physical geographical conditions…we anticipate there should be significant needs being generated by the impact of the most severe aspects of the storm,” he told a news conference. “We expect to see significant damage as a result,” he said, adding that

CDEMA is now working to deploy teams into Antigua, hopefully by Thursday “mindful that our plans may be varied somewhat by the fast advancing storm Jose, which is moving within the wake of Irma and showing some signs that it could move along similar path.

“This means that there is a potential for secondary impacts for the north Leeward Islands (and) that is being factored into our plans for the moment, but for now we are hoping to deploy into Antigua as our focal point to serve the needs Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands from that point”.

Irma damage 01He said even as the teams are being deployed “we are turning our attention, positioning teams to r4espond to potential impacts in Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas. ‘Already we have on standby military engineers and doctors to respond to the needs of Turks and Caicos and Bahamas,” he said, adding that relief supplies are also being mobilised. The NHC said that Irma was closing in on St. Thomas in the United States Virgin islands and Puerto Rico and this general motion is expected to continue for the next couple of days.

“On the forecast track, the extremely dangerous core of Irma will continue to move over portions of the Virgin Islands during the next couple of hours, pass near or just north of Puerto Rico this afternoon or tonight, pass near or just north of the coast of the Dominican Republic Thursday, and be near the Turks and Caicos and southeastern Bahamas late Thursday,” it said. Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne said he was thankful that

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Antigua had been spared any massive destruction as a result, but officials were expected to fly to the sister isle of Barbuda where the eye of the Category 5 storm came ashore. But he confirmed that on death had occurred on Barbuda and described the housing stock as having been “decimated”.

Browne, who flew over the island on Wednesday afternoon and reported that not only was the housing and businesses destroyed but vehicles and other infrastructure destroyed. Browne accompanied by medical personnel and at least one police officer, used a satellite phone to call into the state-owned ABS television and radio stations, to provide the very first reliable news about the impact of IRMA overnight.

The French government said it was worried that thousands of people had refused to seek shelters on the islands of Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy, where Irma left a trail of devastation as homes, hotels and government buildings were reduced to rubble.

There were no immediate news of casualties. France sent emergency food and water rations to the affected islandsw where Irma ripped off roofs and knocked out all electricity. St. Maarten’s world famous airport has been devastated with television footage showing the storm ripping through Princess Juliana International Airport, destroying safety fences and battering nearby Maho beach.

DAMAGE CAUSED BY HURRICANE IRMA Sand was flung onto the runway and huge rocks smashed into planes as the storm swept over the tiny Caribbean island. Huge

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chunks of the building had also been strewn across the runway and a jet bridge snapped in half.

Dutch marines who flew to three Dutch islands hammered

by Irma reported extensive damage but no deaths or injuries. St. Kitts-Nevis’ Prime Minister, Dr. Timothy Harris, who toured some of the areas affected by the storm, said he was relieved and thankful there was no report of loss of life or significant injury to anyone.

“My view is that St. Kitts and Nevis has been spared the ravages of what could have been total devastation given the magnitude of the hurricane—the size and expanse of it as it approached St. Kitts and Nevis.

“A category five hurricane is the most dangerous of hurricanes, and yet today we can come to film, to video and to speak about the sparing of our lives, which is of critical importance because with spare lives we can now move on to pick up the pieces, as several families within my constituency, and I suspect throughout the country, would have to be doing,” Prime Minister Harris said. “We will help our people to rebuild individual by individual, household by household and community by community. So far the efforts that I’ve seen give me the courage to continue to render good service to the country because our people are determined to take matters into their own hands, as we have seen reflected in several of the communities, where people were out early and doing their very best to restore their communities to normalcy and I want to commend that patriotism.”

Bahamas Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis said his govern-

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ment was evacuating six islands because authorities would not be able to help anyone caught in the “potentially catastrophic” wind, flooding and storm surge. People there would be flown to Nassau in what he called the largest storm evacuation in the country’s history.

Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, said while there were “one or two little landslides and some fallen trees and so forth” on the island, “I think we were spared the ravages”.

But he acknowledged that some of the islands in the northern part of the Caribbean chain were not so lucky and has been in contact with some of the leaders affected.

Skerrit said that the Anguilla Chief Minister had indicated that the island was “receiving a pounding” and that the “winds were merciless”. Skerrit said that Dominica therefore stands ready to assist “with the little recourses we have”.

“Once the assessment is received and the indication of what kind of support these islands would need then Dominica would support because one cannot forget the tremendous outpouring of love and solidarity in 2015 following Tropical Storm Erika.

“So we understand what these islands are going through, we understand the challenges and the expression of solidarity to these countries in tangible ways would certainly help in a huge way,” he added. Both Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago have also indicated a willingness to assist the affected countries.

“This is a period of assessment and planning to ascertain what Jamaica can do to assist our Caribbean brothers and sisters who have been significantly impacted by the most powerful hurricane

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…as Jose threatens to have emerged in the Atlantic Ocean,” Prime Minister Holness said. Trinidad and Tobago Acting Prime Minister Colm Imbert said in a statement he remains “deeply concerned” at the situation and “as this powerful weather system continues on its trajectory our thoughts now turn to those nations still situated within its projected path.

“The Government is monitoring the activity of this severe weather system and its impact on our neighbours in the region. We have been in contact with some of our neighbours and will do what we can to assist should that occasion arise,’ Imbert said. In Haiti, which is still recovering from the passage of Hurricane Matthew last year, and is expected to be impacted by Irma over the next few days, the authorities have closed all schools.

In addition, Michel-Ange Gédéon, Director General of the National Police of Haiti (PNH), said that as part of the preparations, all police officers of the 10 Geographical Departments must return to their posts as soon as possible until further.

The government has already established the National Urgent Operation Center (COUN) at the residence of Prime Minister Dr. Jack Guy Lafontant.

“The departmental delegates will coordinate the actions according to the structures set up. The town halls and Casecs will intervene in communes and communal sections, with the support of civil protection.

The Ministry of Planning will oversee the actions of NGOs and aid agencies. He will also have to keep in touch with the UN humanitarian system,” the Prime Minister said in a statement. (CMC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 7, 2017

Kadir’s family mum on asset-seizure order …Muslim leader urges support

By Vanessa Braithwaite

AS government takes steps to seize the assets of convicted terrorism plotter, Abdul Kadir, Linden Muslim leader and businessman Dennis Mohammed is urging support for the man’s family saying that the former mayor’s relatives should be given a reprieve.

It is unclear what are the assets owned by Kadir. His family resides in Watooka, Linden. Government recently ordered that the assets of the former Member of Parliament (MP) and his accomplice Abdel Nur be frozen years after they were found guilty of terrorism-related charges. Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma, acting on behalf of the substantive Finance Minister Winston Jordan, on August 29, 2017, issued a Targeted Financial Sanctions Order against Kadir and Nur in keeping with the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act. The minister, in issuing the order, explained that the sanctions are also in keeping with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 referred to in section 2(2)(1)(A) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act. The UN Security Resolution calls for the freezing without delay, of funds and other financial assets or economic resources belong-

ing to persons who commit or attempt to commit terrorist acts or participate in or facilitate the commission of terrorist acts, of entities owned or controlled directly or indirectly by such persons.

In December 2010, Kadir, who is also known as Aubrey Michael Seaforth, was sentenced to life in prison for plotting to blow up fuel tanks at the John F. Kennedy International Airport back in 2007.

He was sentenced to life at a time when he continuously pleaded his innocence. “At no time did I have any intention or believe in bringing any harm to the people of this country by the terrorist acts I happened to be identified with,” Kadir told a judge in federal court in Brooklyn.

But the U.S. District Court Judge Dora Irizarry, in response, told Kadir that there was ample evidence to suggest that he was a key player in “a plan that would have caused devastation unimaginable.”

Kadir and Russell Defreitas, a former JFK cargo handler, were arrested and charged with multiple counts of conspiracy in 2007 after an informant infiltrated the plot and recorded them discussing it.

Meanwhile, contacted on the new developments, Kadir’s wife Isha Kadir said, “I don’t know anything. I heard about it, but I don’t know anything about that.” “My husband is gone 10 years and I have no

comment.” His son Kareen Kadir had a similar position.

“I don’t know.” Asked whether his father had any assets including a bank account, he noted that if he did, the money has been exhausted. He would not say if his father has any properties in Guyana. Kadir and Nur would be the first Guyanese whose assets will be seized under the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act. The United States Government had said that Kadir and Nur were associated with the Trinidad-based Jamaat al Muslimeen, a militant Muslim group. Kadir was arrested in Trinidad and Tobago and was extradited to the U.S. On August 2, 2010, Kadir – along with Russell Defreitas – was convicted in a jury trial for the JFK airport bomb plot.

According to U.S. court documents, Kadir was the disciple of Mohsen Rabbani, an Iranian diplomat accused of being one of the masterminds behind the 1994 AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires. Nur had pleaded guilty before the trial and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

NATION OF ISLAM Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Monday, Mohammed said that the Nation of Islam will be giving full support to the family of Mr. Kadir in this time of trial and is calling on the People’s National Congress (PNC) in which

Kadir was a long-standing member to do the same. “On behalf of the Nation of Islam, we are here to give you 100% support in this trying time, but I would also like to say that this is a trying time for the entire Muslim community, regardless of what kind of Muslim you may be…” Mohammed said.

He said too that the PNC has been silent on the matter.

When this newspaper contacted Chairman of the PNC Region 10 arm,Sandra Adams, who also served the party for

many years, she said that she cannot definitively comment on the matter since she did not discuss it with those in higher authority. “I haven’t been able to talk with anybody on the national level on it on what is the party’s position on that, so I wouldn’t be able to comment fairly,” Adams said.

Mohammed, when asked to condemn Kadir’s actions of plotting terror, said the man is not guilty. “Definitely not…I do not trust America at all for those of us who know brother Kadir, we know his intentions

and we know exactly what happened on that day that he was arrested and he was put on trial, many of us know in our hearts…but as it is right now the most we can do right now as conscious people, exactly what it is we think of this situation.”

The businessman promised to give the Kadirs whatever support they need in regaining their assets if they are taken away from them, whether it is to rebuild a home and he encouraged all Muslims to do the same.

Women oppose Scott’s position --contend they are the backbone of private security services

By Zena Henry GIVEN the large number of women who make up the private security services, many of them believe that to prevent them from working the night shift could cripple the industry.

The women’s position is in response to calls made by Minister within the Social Protection Ministry, Keith Scott, to ultimately ban single-mother security staff from working the night shift.

Scott’s position is that the proposed ban is in the best interest of the family unit, in terms of helping repair society’s moral fabric.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, for very obvious reasons, one female security guard employed with the Professional Guard Service (PGS) said she believes that single-mothers in the private security sector should be offered assistance by both the government and the service with which they work if they’re serious about addressing their many challenges.

The 63-year-old former cook said that while the minister’s suggestion is a noble idea, she strongly feels that some sort of monetary assistance should be factored into the equation.

She said that both the security services and the government could help to provide night-care

facilities for the children of single mothers while they work to provide for their families.

A 34-year-old mother of four also believes that some assistance must be provided before taking women off the night shift.

An employee of Federal Management Systems, she explained that the majority of workers at her job are women, many being single mothers. The woman said that many security guards, including females, prefer night duty because it is less fatiguing.

“Both men and women would choose nights,” she said.

“Is less fatigue, and it’s much cooler. And you don’t get any problems.”

She made the point, too, that many of the men do not work as well as the women. When they’re not griping about the long hours, she said, they’re always asleep on the job. They tend to sleep even more than women during the night shift, she said, adding that a case in point is a male counterpart at her current post, who had to be removed because he complained bitterly about the work, saying it was too strenuous.

A 37-year-old mother of three stationed at another prominent Georgetown location, said she believes that the proposal for single mothers to not work nights is a good one. For her, the idea is wise because any right-thinking

mother would want to be at home with her kids at nights.

She said her firm gives females the option of working nights or day. While this is good, she, however, feels that some form of assistance or incentive should be offered those, especially if they happen to be single mothers.

From a man’s perspective, the minister’s proposal to do away with female guards working nights “is out of context.”

The male PGS employee said he has been in the security business since 1975, and is totally opposed to the idea.

The seemingly able-bodied 85-year-old asserted: “You can’t introduce this system and when you look around, all the security services is mostly women. There must be a reason for that.”

He believes that the matter should be left well alone until some assistance is offered to ease the burden on single mothers.

Some women’s rights activists have called for alternatives to be produced before eliminating night-shift duty for single mothers.

Some have suggested offering night-care assistance for children; increasing the minimum wage; and offering educational opportunities to help single-mothers with personal development as remedies.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 7, 2017

recommendation to Top Cop A LETTER dated 14th July, 2017, signed by Mr. Omesh Satyanand, Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) and addressed to Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, stated, “The [PSC] has reviewed a list of disciplinary matters at interviews held and has recommended that the following disciplinary matters should be dismissed, i.e. no charge should be instituted against the officers.”

Advisedly, officers of the Guyana Police Force from the rank of inspector to senior superintendent have had charges recommended against them, allegedly having to do with a range of issues, namely: theft of fuel, neglect of duty, unlawful exercise of authority, disobeying a lawful order, absent from duty and late for duty. The PSC has certain responsibilities for the Guyana Police Force, but

the responsibility whether to charge or not to charge persons is vested in the director of public prosecutions (DPP) and that of police officers having to do with matters pertaining to their work, the Police Complaints Authority (PCA). The PSC has no constitutional authority to instruct the force not to charge nor discipline. What the PSC has is constitutional authority to review disciplinary action based on appeal. Acting otherwise is usurping the authority of the force.

That having been said, where the PCA and the DPP have recommended charges it is the police force as the state’s legal enforcement arm that has to act and not the PSC. By taking on itself the decision to advise the commissioner of police not to act on matters that the force has been advised to act on by the institutions so empowered to

advise, is acting outside of constitutional ambit, putting the PSC above the law, and threatening the people’s safety and nation’s security. Society should find this troubling.

Based on the force’s human resource strength, the number of officers recommended to be charged is both startling and disturbing. The force’s motto is “Service and Protection,”which means it has total responsibility for the protection of every facet of society from criminal activities and a duty its officers must carry out without fear, favour or ill will within the ambit of the law. The charges being made against upper-level officers are serious enough to raise the concern and ire of citizens. The last thing society would want is to lose faith in the force and for members of the force to think they can commit criminal acts against

the State and engage in dereliction of duties and they will not be held to account.

And while the Constitution protects the PSC from external interference, it cannot behave like a law unto itself. The PSC has been appointed to perform certain duties and anybody in society can question its activities.

Consequently, it needs to speak out and explain its conduct, given justifiable concern that the PCA and DPP would have done the research into whether the allegations merit charges or not. To disregard the function and role of the PCA and DPP by recommending their decisions be overturned is unprecedented in nature and logic, making it even more important to quell and allay suspicions and concerns by moving to address its action publicly.

Ensuring law and order

in society requires a strong police force not only in technology, but also the quality of personnel it attracts, retains and rewards.

Where the PSC could plant in the minds of citizens it has vested interest not in respecting the law and protecting the integrity of the force and its safety, but that of morphing into a body driven by partisan interest is not what society needs. Where such perception holds sway -- real or contrived -- it would make most dangerous and seriously reverse efforts at building confidence in the force by ensuring the

police will be given the needed space to perform professionally and be held accountable when they fail to do. The force remains an invaluable institution in society. The stipulated constitutional and legal roles of the PSC, DPP and PCA should not be tampered with or disregarded. To allow either or both is not only setting a disturbing precedence of undermining the rule of law, but is also a setback to society. Chairman Omesh Satyanand would find it most worthwhile to have the PSC revisit its non-permissible action.

Region Two REO calls for swift probe into delays in processing contractors’ payments Dear Editor, THIS letter follows a public, angry outburst by a contractor and the revelation that contractors, with more that 25 million in capital projects, have not been directed to their project sites to commence work, as at September 2, 2017, more than one month after the contracts have been signed.

This situation not only results in a slowdown of the project implementation programme, but also, an unfair delay in payments which can cripple some contractors.

Small contractors who do not have strong credit relationships, are particularly vulnerable.

The region’s implementation-- and by extension-- project completion determines its development. To understand this reasoning, consider the chain of events that takes place in the Project Cycle.

When contractors are taken to their projects late, project execution is late, payments to contractors are late, workers are not paid promptly

or cheap, unskilled workers may have to be employed, and perhaps most significant of all, incomes to households are affected. All these factors interfere with the chain of spending needed in the economy needed to create business activities for the development of the region, and by extension, the country.

The simple and perhaps innocent act of delaying any phase of project implementation, be it taking contractors late or signing their payment vouchers, late can produce a ripple effect that ultimately punishes, and even destroys family units. Because of the political make-up of the region, let’s hope that these actions are not politically motivated, especially since the Works Committee headed by a member of the Opposition, signs of on the projects sometimes months after project completion. Payment vouchers reached the REO’s desk for signature, as recent as Thursday August 31, 2017.

One contractor, Roopan R o m o t a r, w h o i s o w e d $7,974,246 million for two

projects awarded on March 29th and completed in May 2017, just could not stand it any longer. He reprimanded the Engineering Department, telling them that he has completed his work “more than three months ago” and they are still holding up his vouchers. Romotar, who spoke to me, said: “they just want the region and the REO to look bad and get him knock off because it show that he can’t spend the money.” I noted that the contractor’s voucher reached my desk, August 27, signed by the Works Committee Chairperson 23rd of August, 2017, indeed more than three months after the contract was signed by Romotar, March 7, 2017.

Personal telephone contacts to contractors of 50 project awards made at the Regional Tender Board July 19th revealed that they were all shown their projects late, some as many as three weeks, after they were awarded. In one particular case, it took my personal intervention, three weeks after the contract for the project was signed, to

get the roads superintendent to take contractor (name can be supplied) to the site of his project, awarded to him at $M6,997,000. In fact, letters available would show that $25,251,590 in capital projects have not been shown to the awarded contractors, as at August 27, 2017, more than one month after they were awarded, though a letter to the regional engineer requested that the contractors be taken to their project sites within three days. One contractor told me that after he was not taken to his project after about three weeks he “went on me[(his] own with the BQ and start” (name available). It is difficult, given these circumstances, to believe that the region is well served To help you to understand the impact, these vouchers are still to be further processed for payments, which in Region Two, if we are to take history as a guide, can take another three weeks. I have made numerous complaints and I am now compelled to bring this situation to the public and call for a swift investigation into a

situation which will eventually bring disrepute to the Administration’s hard work.

I can recall a situation in Parliament when I appeared before the Public Accounts Committee regarding the generator for the region not supplied after a year, when member Juan Edghill said to me and persons, which included members of the media, that such a transaction should be completed in “six days.” This statement is on record as having been said in the Parliament of Guyana.” This may be true in some regions of Guyana, but this region is “differently politically calibrated” where simple processes are deliberately prolonged for months.

What explanation can there be for not directing contractors to their projects for more than a month? What explanation is there for having contractors wait for their payments weeks and even months after they complete their projects? Numerous complaints have been made and the evidence exists and can be made available to authorities, if necessary.

Delayed project imple-

mentation gives the region a false implementation status and rating among regions, conveying to authorities that the Pomeroon-Supenaam region, and by extension, the regional executive officer is not performing efficiently.

It is statistically impossible to award more than 90% of your capital projects and your implementation percentage is only 30% of your budgetary allocations. This is the case in Region Two. For the regional economy these actions by public officials lead to a loss of potential development in the region and country.

If this situation in Region Two remains unchecked, it can do great economic and social harm.

In some sense, the Mighty Sparrow’s social commentary about “no money” is correct. My hope is that this situation, even partially, is not replicated in other regions.

Regards RUPERT HOPKINSON Regional Executive Officer, Region Two

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 7, 2017

Amerindians playing their roles in developing Region Two Dear Editor,

AS we collectively celebrate the month of September in Guyana which is designated in recognition of the contributions of Amerindians, I feel compelled to acknowledge their continuing accomplishments, particularly in Region Two. The indigenous communities across the region have produced some outstanding personalities in the field of education, health, sports, administration, politics and social activism. The Assistant Regional Executive Officer (AREO) of Region Two Ms. Yvette Hastings-Tfarres is of Amerindian descent.

Her responsibilities are wide-ranging, including administration of the local authorities which comprise the five Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC). She has also championed the welfare and advancement of Amerindians and who would frequently seek her intervention on a number of social, cultural, domestic and economic issues. She is the first top-level manager of Amerindian heritage to hold the post. The region has also done well at the national heritage sports events and was both the

male and female cricket champions previously. The females won the title in 2015, while the males are the defending champions.

Ms. Hastings’ office has been quite instrumental in organising and selecting the best athletes to compete at the games. The region has also produced the head of the National Toshaos Council, Mr. Joel Fredericks, who hails from the village of Mainstay.

His activism has been well documented as a leader of the Amerindian community. Calypsonian, the Mighty Chief, who hails from the Pomeroon River remains the region’s most gifted performer of the art.

In fact, he has represented the region in a number of national competitions and is known nationally. His children have continued the tradition and have since formed the Calibro band which is now a household name in Essequibo and perhaps beyond the shores as well. There are also a few Amerindian councillors on the RDC, including former parliamentarian Lloyd Perreira and Doreen Jacobus, who is a former Toshao too. Their inputs in representing their constituents have resulted in significant progress in various communities, including having

access to cleaner water, transportation, rehabilitation of roads, dams, schools and health centres. Providing social services to such communities are often quite challenging, especially for the provision of pensions and having the requisite documentation to access same. In this regard, councillors and village captains play a pivotal role in determining the fate of many residents, particularly from the upper and lower Pomeroon River.

In the region as well, the presence of Amerindians in positions of influence includes young doctors who recently graduated from Cuba and are stationed at the Public Hospital in Suddie and Charity. There are also trained teachers, more of whom are now being exposed and encouraged to upgrade themselves including at the University of Guyana and the Cyril Potter College of Education.

Previously, headmasters and mistresses from the coastland had to manage the schools in the interior due to the inexperience and limited qualification of Amerindian teachers.

This scenario has now significantly changed and more teachers of Amerindian descent are now managers of schools and

the list is beginning to lengthen by the day. Indeed, Amerindians are beginning to occupy their rightful places in every endeavor, having had the opportunity to express

themselves, gain exposure and having equal access to the numerous opportunities that are being offered, including scholarships and jobs. In this regard, they have been placing their

shoulders to the wheel and continue to positively contribute to the development of Region Two.

Regards ELROY STEPHNEY

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 7, 2017

Former UWI Chancellor calls on President

From left: Dr. Barbara Reynolds, President David Granger, Sir George Alleyne, Minister Volda Lawrence and Dr. William Adu-Krow at State House

PRESIDENT David Granger was on Wednesday paid a courtesy call by Sir George Alleyne, former Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI).

Sir Alleyne is in Guyana to participate in the University of Guyana’s Vice-Chancellor Renaissance Lecture

Series, which is scheduled for this evening.

He was accompanied to State House by Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence; Pan-American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) Representative for Guyana, Dr. William AduKrow; and UG’s Deputy

Vice-Chancellor for Planning and International Engagement, Dr. Barbara Reynolds.

Sir Alleyne’s lecture will focus on how fear and lack of trust hinders integration and cooperation in the Caribbean, a topic which, he said, was inspired by President Granger. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Police suspend licence of repeat ‘drunk’ driver A REPEAT “Driving under the influence of alcohol” offender was on Wednesday suspended from driving for the next 12 months and also fined $7,500 by Her Worship, Miss Christel Lambert, at the Bartica Magistrates Court.

The police said in a release that taxi driver, Solomon Stoby, 58 years, of Mongrippa Hill, Bartica, was first charged on February 18, 2017. He pleaded guilty and was fined $7,500 and his licence was endorsed.

On Friday, September 1, 2017, Stoby who owns and operates motor car HC 2999 was stopped at Fifth Avenue, Bartica, during a routine stop-and-search operation. The slurred

Solomon Stoby

speech and the strong smell of alcohol on the driver’s breath caused an officer to administer a breathalyzer test, which confirmed their suspicion; he had .122 micrograms. The legal limit is .035 micrograms.

Rural constable charged with sexual activity with a child EWIN Trotman, 59 years, of New Jersey Street, Blueberry Hill, Linden, a Retired Detective Sergeant and currently a Rural Constable on full-time duty, attached to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Wismar Police Station was on Wednesday charged with sexual activity with a child by abusing a position

of trust.

He appeared before Senior Magistrate, Clive Nurse at the Linden Magistrate’s Court. Trotman was not required to plea to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of $100,000. This case has been adjourned to October 4 for report and fixture.

The incident allegedly occurred on August 21 last.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 7, 2017

A treasure to the township – businessman hails Rose Hall youth club for exemplary community service THE Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTYSC) and its CEO, Mr Hilbert Foster have been highly commended for their yeoman service to the community in the area of sports.

The commendation came from Chief Executive Officer of KSM Investments, Mr Mahadeo Panchu, on Sunday during a function at the club’s Area ‘H’ Ground headquarters.

Panchu described the

International experts to gather for Internet Week Guyana INTERNET experts from around the world will be in Georgetown in October for Internet Week Guyana, a high-level technology conference focused on national and regional development issues.

Hosted by the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, the meeting is jointly organised by the Latin America and Caribbean Internet Addresses Registry (LACNIC), the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG), the Internet Society (ISOC), the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU).

Internet Week Guyana will draw on the expertise of global Internet organisations, to address local and regional Internet development issues,” said Kevon Swift, head of Strategic Relations and Integration at LACNIC, an organisation that distributes and manages Internet number resources in the Caribbean and Latin America.

The five-day event commences on October 9, with an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Awareness Day, which will introduce topics that will be covered more indepth during the week. On October 10, ISOC and ICANN will jointly lead an Internet Governance Day, focused on the establishment of Guyana’s national Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

“Internet Governance discussions go beyond technical matters, but focus also on legal, economic, development, socio-cultural, human rights and security aspects. National IGFs are very important because they give the local community the opportunity to discuss local challenges and more importantly, to look for concrete solutions to those challenges,” said

Shernon Osepa, Manager of Regional Affairs for Latin America and the Caribbean at ISOC. The Internet Governance Day will also focus on the impact of the new generic top-level domain programme. A Cybersecurity Day highlighting the security threats facing Caribbean networks and techniques for defending them, will be hosted by CaribNOG on October 11. CaribNOG has conducted similar workshops throughout the region targetting network technicians, government officials, judges, lawyers, businessmen, bankers, military and law enforcement officers and concerned citizens. As more Caribbean businesses, governments and citizens place greater reliance on internet-based technologies, critical systems become more vulnerable to cyber-attacks and cyber-crime. It is important, therefore, that a coordinated approach be taken to raise awareness and to increase the technical capacity of those entrusted to manage computer networks. That is the role of CaribNOG,” said Bevil Wooding, executive director of CaribNOG and Caribbean Outreach Liaison at the American Registry for Internet Numbers.

On October 12, LACNIC will hold an open forum to discuss the benefits of IPv6, the Internet Protocol which addresses the depletion of unallocated numbering resources in the region and around the world. The conference closes on October 13 with a Youth ICT Day organised by the CTU. Young people will have the chance to learn a range of useful digital skills from a slate of experienced professionals.

All Internet Week Guyana events are free of charge and open to the public.

Club as an outstanding organisation, and Foster as a great Guyanese who has made a positive difference in the lives of countless of his fellow countrymen.

He said his company was not only pleased to be associated with the Club, but was so impressed with its achievements that he, without hesitation, approved its request for sponsorship for the RHTYSC/Kares Engineering Inc Patron’s ‘Green’ Economy softball tournament.

KSM Investments reportedly came on board as an official sponsor of the tournament by contributing a financial donation, and sponsoring the purchase of 52 Polo T/Shirts for the four semi-finalist teams.

The businessman used the opportunity to announce, to the delight of his audience, that his company will continue to support the RHTYSC in the future, and to appeal to the leadership of other like-minded organisations

to emulate Foster, so that youths across Guyana can benefit from whatever they have to offer.

KSM and the RHTYSC’s eight cricket teams are to shortly join forces to do some upgrading work around the Rose Hall Town Monument, which was erected in honour of the 57 freed slaves who, in 1842, pooled their resources to purchase the former plantation.

Captain of the winning Grill Master Team, Roy

Jaferally, also praised the outstanding work of the RHTYSC under Foster’s stewardship, and even went as far as to say that the tournament was one of the best that has ever been organised in Guyana.

In response, a clearly humble Foster said that while he was appreciative of the kind words of praise, he could not have done it without the help of Club members, as it’s all about team effort.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, THURSDAY, September 7, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 7, 2017

GuySuCo eyes self-sufficiency by year-end – as it moves towards diversification

By Alexis Rodney WITH government indicating its inability to continually pump funds into the ailing sugar industry, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) said it is hopeful that it would be less dependent on government subsidies by this year-end.

But before this is done, the corporation must receive the promised financing for its ongoing capital works, Board Chairman, Dr. Clive Thomas, said on Wednesday.

“The board has decided to use the subsidy to diversify the operations and seek to move the industry into a more viable and more self-sustaining one, so that there is a reduced dependence on subsidies by the end of this fiscal year,” Dr. Thomas told the Guyana Chronicle.

He is hopeful that the funds GuySuCo receives would move the corporation

further into diversification.

The sugar industry has been marred by economic and production challenges and has been at the core of much debate over its impending down-sizing and what that could mean for thousands of sugar workers and their families.

But government believes that diversification of the sector would not only open avenues for new areas of production, but would also contribute to an economy from which it has been feeding.

On Wednesday, Dr. Thomas said the board continues on the road to diversification, all with the aim of the corporation becoming self-sufficient.

“We would prefer to give sugar the opportunity to see if it could make itself viable by going into diversification,” he said.

Government, he said, has

been supportive and has been leading the way through the establishment of a “special purpose vehicle” to investigate the possibilities of diversification.

Government was also able to set up diversification and privatisation arms, which will both help to sell identified assets of the corporation.

Dr. Thomas said the situation at GuySuCo remains untenable and continues to evolve into a serious crisis, not only financially, but technologically and otherwise.

“It is undercapitalised and the entire major infrastructure in the industry has broken down, including bridges and culverts and fields. Industrial relations remain difficult, because the management and the union are not joined in a common effort to make the industry viable. They have in fact been tugging at each other and government has

GuySuCo Chairman, Dr. Clive Thomas

indicated its inability to continue the subsidies and without those the industry cannot survive,” Dr. Thomas said.

ALL POSSIBLE AREAS To this end, he noted that the corporation continues to examine all possible areas of diversification.

They include aquaculture, aquaponics and seed paddy.

He said GuySuCo is also

trying to finance some of the measures by the sale of lands by the estate.

The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) conducted into the operations of GuySuCo recommended that the corporation be privatised within three years.

The commission recommended, also, that a serious evaluation of all diversification options be conducted to avoid total reliance on sugar for GuySuCo’s revenues. The CoI called for an evaluation of the options.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, addressing the National Assembly earlier this year said the future of the industry is considered to lie in a smaller sugar sector with reduced losses and cash deficits, but coupled with a separate and profitable diversified enterprise, which would ensure a viable future, while focus on the poorly-performing estates should shift from sugar to diversification.

The proposed courses of action are to amalgamate

Wales Estate with Uitvlugt Estate and reassign the former’s canes to the Uitvlugt factory, since the estate is operating at 50 per cent capacity.

Sixty per cent of its drainage and irrigation infrastructure is in a dilapidated condition. The corporation furthermore seeks to divest itself of the Skeldon Estate. The estates of Albion and Rose Hall are to be amalgamated and the factory at Rose Hall is to be closed.

Meanwhile, addressing the performance of the industry, Dr. Thomas said 2016 was a “bad year,” principally because of El Nino and the effects of the industrial relations climate.

He said the effects of 2016 continued into the first crop of 2017, “but we expect that the second crop would come out far better than the first crop. We are hoping we could turn the corner on sugar production by the end of this year,” he told the Guyana Chronicle.

Updated draft solid waste strategy unveiled Trans Guyana cleared to resume GOVERNMENT on Wednesday unveiled an updated Draft Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy indicating that the solid waste continues to be a risk to the country.

The strategy has three main components, namely: sustainable waste reduction and management strategy; operational standard procedures and background information, as well as analysis of Guyana’s solid waste sector.

The objectives of the strategy are: a cleaner environment, better public health protection and enhanced economic opportunities. At the same time, some of the goals include a cessation in littering and illegal dumping, increasing the numbers of stiff penalties and identifying and monitoring dumping hot spots among others.

Consultant, Samuel Wright, said the idea is to equip all regions with draft solid waste management plans before the end of the year. Wright explained that the Integration Solid Waste Management Strategy was to be implemented after the enactment of the solid waste management draft bill, which was developed in 2014 but was not approved by Cabinet. “There is a space between Cabinet’s decision and the Ministry’s response, which would come after consultations. But solid waste

shuttle service

Head of the Sanitation Management Unit, Ministry of Communities, Gordon Gilkes

management is crucial and must be addressed now… we do have a 2017 – 2030 solid waste management strategy under the theme “Putting waste in its place” in Guyana, but there is progressive implementation of the strategy. “ Wright said there was need for these consultations and urged all stakeholders to participate. Head of the Sanitation Management Unit, at the Ministry of Communities, Gordon Gilkes said improper solid waste management is detrimental to human health and the environment.

Therefore, it is the responsibility of the government to improve this policy which is relevant to crucial development priorities.

Consultant, Samuel Wright

Gilkes said that poor waste handling, together with uncontrolled waste dumping can pollute water, attract rodents and insects, increase greenhouse gas and increase floods due to blocked drains. “The strategy proposes an integrated approach to addressing the solid waste management crisis countywide.

It is intended as a call to action and provides a road map for the institutional support, regulatory framework, appropriate technologies community awareness and involvement, financing, management indicators etcetera. That will aid in the integration of a sustainable waste management system towards a circular economy,” Gilkes explained.

THE Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Wednesday officially lifted the suspension on shuttling operations for Trans Guyana Airways.

This decision comes after Trans Guyana Airways had successfully completed the five-phase process used by the GCAA, which entails 1) Pre-application phase, 2) Application phase, 3) Document evaluation, 4) Demonstration and Inspection and 5) Certification.

In a release, the GCAA said one of its Flight Operations Inspectors on Saturday worked all day aboard a Trans Guyana Airways flight conducting demonstration inspections to ensure documented procedures were observed by the operator.

Inspections were conducted on flight operations into Olive Creek, Blake Slater and Kamarang aerodromes.

The authority continues to work with the other domestic operators to have their shuttle operations approved, so that they can resume shuttling operations. In addition to approving manuals for shuttling operations, the authority is also considering other measures to enhance safety for flight operations within the hinterland region.

“The GCAA reiterates that the actions taken were necessary to enhance safety of the travelling public and aviation personnel. The authority will

continue its increased surveillance of Air Operators,” the GCAA release added.

Annette Arjoon-Martins, President of the National Air Transport Association (NATA), said that at least eight operators under the umbrella continue to work on their manuals to be resubmitted to the GCAA. Arjoon-Martins explained that following the GCAA’s request to improve the shuttle service last month via a review of operating procedures, all operators committed to doing so. She explained that prior to the GCAA’s request, all airlines operated shuttle services through their Operator’s Manual Guidelines which is approved by the GCAA. This overarching document, she said, included operational procedures for shuttle flights, but now the GCAA wants the procedure for this service to be documented separately.

“So that’s what we have to do now and that is what we are working on.” As a senior member at Air Services Limited, Arjoon-Martins is hopeful that the company will submit its manual before this week ends.

Another major player in the local aviation industry, Captain Gerry Gouveia of Roriama Airways is optimistic that his company would provide the GCAA with their manual by next week. He told the Guyana Chronicle that Roraima already has its

general manual, like other operators. This manual has its procedures for shuttle operations. The information from that document is being transferred to a separate manual before it goes to the GCAA. After Trans-Guyana’s initial submission of its manuals, GCAA Director-General Captain Egbert Field described their shuttle operation information as “very acceptable.” Spokesman for Trans Guyana, Kit Nascimento, had related that since the death of their Canada-born pilot Blake Slater and local cargo handler, Dwayne Jacobs in 2014, the company had moved to improve its shuttle-operations procedure. This newspaper understands that a GCAA audit after that accident allowed the company to address shuttling procedures, thus putting it in a better position for early certification. Since the GCAA’s shuttle ban, miners, businesspersons and hinterland residents have complained about the inconvenience. The GCAA is adamant however that no shuttle service will resume until the operators get their manuals together. The ban came after three separate aircraft accidents left two pilots dead and one injured in less than two months.

Shuttle service was the common thread.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 7, 2017

Help for ailing Venezuelans --doctor sent to North West to address cross-border surge in patients seeking medical attention

By Alva Solomon FOLLOWING reports that a large number of Venezuelans have been converging on the NorthWest District village of White Water in search of malaria treatment, a medical doctor has since been permanently assigned to the health centre there.

The village’s Toshao, Mr Cleveland De Souza, told the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday that during a visit to the community on Sunday to assess the situation, the Regional Health Officer (RHO) found that the health centre was being manned by just a community health worker.

It was at this point, DeSouza said, that the RHO informed village officials that a doctor will be stationed in the community,

Patients awaiting treatment for malaria at the White Water health post in the Mabaruma sub-region on Monday

given the growing number of people with malaria who have been turning up at the health facility from Venezuela seeking treatment for the disease.

DeSouza said the doctor started working on Monday of this week, and immediately attended to patients at the Region One (Barima/Waini) health facility, where several women with children were awaiting their turn to see the doctor.

This newspaper reported on Sunday that in recent months, the number of patients who crossed the Amacuro River from Venezuela for treatment at White Water has risen dramatically since March this year.

Close to 200 persons are treated on a weekly basis for malaria in the village as medical supplies in the Bolivarian Republic dwindle.

On August 15 this year, the international news agency, Al Jazeera reported that malaria infections have been spreading in the crisis-ridden Bolivarian Republic, where 18 of Venezuela’s 23 states are experiencing an outbreak.

According to the report, Marianella Herrera, Director of the Venezuelan Health Observatory, warned that neighbouring countries may be at risk of infection, if proper preventative measures are not taken soon, as desperate Venezuelans will seek to cross the borders in search of “medical attention and medicines that are not available in Venezuela.”

Guyana’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud, told the Guyana Chronicle last weekend that there has been a surge in number of malaria cases

reported in the area, but that the authorities have the situation under control.

According to Dr. Persaud, the treatment supplies were running low at one point but the situation has since been stabilised.

“We have to ensure that everyone takes all the necessary treatment,” Persaud said, adding that persons from across the border would be taking whatever steps necessary to rid themselves of the ailment.

Dr Persaud said there are also reports of a measles outbreak in Venezuela, and that while he was not sure of the exact locations, whether those cases were at the border with Guyana or not, the local health authorities are responding to ensure that Guyanese have the necessary treatment through immunisation.

Food For The Poor in agri promotion drive

By Shirley Thomas

FOOD For The Poor (FFTP) Guyana Inc on Wednesday donated a quantity of agricultural farming implements to upper form schools in Regions Six, East Berbice, Corentyne and Region 10, Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice.

The gift of agricultural tools is intended to equip the students in their quest to pursue agriculture as a part of the school’s curriculum, while serving as a fillip towards promoting the practical component of agriculture as a subject.

Coming right at the onset of Education Month (observed in the month of September) and the month preceding Agriculture Month (celebrated in October), the gestures could not have been timelier, and were well received by education officials, on behalf of the regional education system.

The tools included cutlasses, gardening forks, shovels, pick-axes, and long booths and were handed over by Food For The Poor Project (FFTP) Coordinator, Asha Wayne and Project Manager Andrea Benjamin.

Meanwhile, receiving on behalf of Region 10 was senior education official, Ms. Keane Adams, along with Sonia Fraser-Pearce.

Mycinth Robertson received on behalf of the Region Six Department of Education.

Wayne said that Food For The Poor was happy to make the donations to the schools, since in doing so, not only was the organi-

sation upholding its tradition of giving, but assisting the students in their quest to pursue the agricultural sciences, and at the same time, ensuring that the agricultural sector continues to be staffed by educated and qualified individuals.

an emerging one, with vast potentials.

Noting that 15 schools in Regions Six and 10 will benefit from the donation, Benjamin said, “It is expected that the students will be able to carry out the practical component of the agri-

ed students.

“It will also help with regard to our food security, which is very important currently,” she said.

And Keane Adams, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Department of Education, Region 10.

Keane Adams of Linden’s Department of Education expresses gratitude to FFTP for the donations

the practical aspect of what they would have learned theoretically.

Meanwhile, Robertson on behalf of Region Six Education Department expressed sincere thanks

to FFTP. And stressing its timeliness of the presentation, she added that the students will be able to use the agricultural tools in the capacity that they are provided for.

At FFTP’s presentation ceremony: Second from left is FFTP’s Andrea Benjamin, presenting some of the equipment to Mycinth Benjamin of Region Six They are flanked by Keane Adams (extreme left) and Sonia Fraser-Pearce (extreme right) of Lindeners (Samuel Maughn photo)

Benjamin, noting the ongoing collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Food For The Poor, added that the aim was to strengthen the capacity of the schools and their agricultural science programme, particularly the practical component of the programme.

She observed that Region Six was a traditionally agricultural region, while Region 10 now stands as

cultural science programme.

In equipping the students and in strengthening the capacity of the school, we are in turn, strengthening the agricultural sector of Guyana, which is a critical component of our economy.”

Benjamin concurred with Wayne, that the net result of this initiative is that, at the end of the day, the region would have churned out well-trained and educat-

“Region 10 is always happy to collaborate with both governmental and non-governmental organisations… On behalf of the schools that will be receiving and our regional educational officer, I would like to say thank you for this timely donation.”

Noting that Agriculture Month is fast approaching (after Education Month), she said the students will be equipped to carry out

FFTP’s Senior Project Manager, Andrea Benjamin addresses the gathering

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 7, 2017

Chronic diseases in children a worry --Health Minister calls for multi-sectoral approach to tackle problem

By Alexis Rodney

there are mental health issues and accidents occurring at home and on the road.

These, she said, are major causes of morbidity and mortality among children; while childhood obesity, depression, misuse and abuse of drugs and suicide are prevalent.

“Statistics globally are disturbing,” the minister told the consultation.

She noted that in 2002, there were some 1.2 million deaths in people under age 20, accounting for over 13 per cent of all NCD deaths under 60 years.

More than half of all adults begin to be affected by NCDs very early in childhood and the vast majority of behaviours and addiction that underlie NCDs begin during adolescence, Lawrence pointed out.

Data from the Guyana Global School Health Survey, 2010, revealed that 15.6 per cent of students 1315 years were overweight, 7.5 per cent underweight and 4.5 per cent were obese.

It was found that the consumption of fruit and vegetables were minimal, about 70 per cent drank car-

bonated drinks, 2.1 per cent drank alcohol regularly and 32 per cent occasionally, over a 30-day period of the survey.

Some 79 per cent of schoolchildren had their first alcoholic drink before age 14 The Guyana Global Youth Tobacco Survey on Tobacco use in 2015 showed that 14.8 per cent of students currently use tobacco products (boys 19 per cent; girls 10.4 per cent),

Irma devastates St Maarten

the winds as Irma continues to destroy the island.

Wreckage and trees can be seen ripping through streets as sheets of torrential rain also continue to fall.

The regional authority for Guadeloupe and neighbouring islands said that the fire station in Saint

THE Public Health Ministry is calling on the various public sectors to join the fight against Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) in children and adolescents.

ter Lawrence, NCDs have reached epidemic proportions globally and have become the world’s single highest cause of mortality, accounting for 60 per cent or 35 million global deaths annually.

Some 80 per cent of

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence addressing the consultation at the Marriott Hotel on Wednesday

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence made the appeal on Wednesday during a consultation with non-governmental organisations at the Marriott International Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown.

The consultation was held under the theme, “Strengthening community support groups to address NCDs in children and adolescents.”

According to Minis-

( M I R R O R .

CO.UK).--HURRICANE Irma has slammed into the Caribbean island of St Maarten, leaving a trail of devastation as homes, hotels and government buildings have been reduced to rubble.

Usually offering a paradise getaway for sun-seeking tourists, footage from the island shows flooded roads and broken structures. A witness caught up in the carnage filmed this shocking scene from a high-rise balcony. The clip shows cars almost completely submerged in the floodwater and piles of wreckage strewn in the streets. Despite being first hit by the 185mph winds and Category 5 hurricane, rain and powerful winds continue to batter the already shattered island.

French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said government buildings, the

these occur in lower and middle-income countries and they are projected to increase by 17 per cent in the next 10 years.

According to the minister, Guyana’s situation seems to reflect the global trend, since there is a growing incidence of NCDs including diabetes, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and cardio-vascular diseases among children here.

In addition, she said,

sturdiest on the island, have also been wrecked by Irma’s incredible force.

He said: “We know that the four most solid buildings on the island have been destroyed, which

6am this morning and police have reported that several roofs have been torn off buildings during the storm. Irma also slammed into the Caribbean island of St Bartélemy and the

larger island of Guadeloupe. France has requisitioned planes and sent in emergency food and water rations. Footage from the island shows the force of

the context of NCDs and in the Region of the Americas given the trends; there is also need for participation/ intervention at all levels (multi-sectoral approach) to delay the onset of NCDs and by extension, compress the period of morbidity Other areas of focus that could address the issue include policy developments and implementation, strategic initiatives for NCDs and cost-effective measures.

A section of the gathering at the consultation

Cars are nearly completely submerged in the floodwater

means that more rustic structures have probably been completely or partially destroyed.”

The island has been without electricity since

11.7 per cent of students currently smoke tobacco (boys 16.1 per cent; girls 7.5 per cent) and 8.6 per cent of students currently smoked cigarettes (boys 13.3 per cent; girls 3.8 per cent).

She said global/national trends indicate that NCD-related behaviours are on the rise and are difficult to change.

Presenting a way forward, the minister said there is need to continually address the needs of youths in

Barthelemy is under 3ft of water and no rescue vehicles can move. It said the government headquarters in Saint Martin have been partially destroyed

and the island is in a total blackout. Electricity is also partially down on the larger island of Guadeloupe, where the threat receded despite danger of heavy flooding. French minister for overseas territories, Annick Girardin, expressed fear “for a certain number of our compatriots who unfortunately didn’t want to listen to the protection measures and go to more secure sites.” She added: “We’re preparing for the worst.”

The hurricane has become the most powerful ever recorded over the Atlantic Ocean and could potentially hit The British and U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas and potentially Florida by the end of the week.

Caribbean island residents stocked up on provisions as the government urged them to take shelter and brace for the impact of Irma.

She added: “We’re preparing for the worst.” The hurricane has become the most powerful ever record-

ed over the Atlantic Ocean and could potentially hit The British and U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas and potentially Florida by the end of the week. Caribbean island residents stocked up on provisions as the government urged them to take shelter and brace for the impact of Irma.

A “Brit,” who was trapped in a stairwell as Hurricane Irma smashed into the Caribbean has described the “apocalyptic” scenes that unfolded around him. Alex, who work in PR, wrote: “Okay I am now pretty terrified, so can every non-believer, atheist & heretic please pray for me in Saint Maarten as Irma is here now. “My God, this noise! It’s like standing behind a jet engine!! Constant booms & bangs. At least concrete stairwell not moving.”

He added: “Noise now apocalyptic. This is like a movie I never want to see.”

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Problems at Diamond Hospital to be fixed soon – Min. Cummings A MEETING with the staff of the East Bank Regional Hospital, commonly known as the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, will see issues faced by the staff addressed in the shortest possible time.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that some resolutions were agreed following a meeting on Wednesday with hospital staff.

The Regional Executive Officer of Region Four, Pauline Lucas, along with other representatives from the Regional Health Services department of Ministry of Public Health were apprised of the many issues that affect daily operations of the health facility. Issues raised were related to security, a non-functioning sewerage system and electrical issues.

As it relates to these specific issues, the team that met

with the staff agreed that the regional administration will liaise with commander ‘A’ Division of the Guyana Police Force to provide an on-duty officer at nights. This is to ensure a greater level of security for the staff working the night shift. With regard to the non-functional sewerage system, the region will contract a waste management firm to conduct an analysis on the facility’s system and seek to rectify all faults.

Additionally, Minister Cummings said that electrical issues persisted because the initial installation of electrical wiring was poorly done. This resulted in a poor electrical supply to various sections of the facility. The entire building is to undergo rewiring to provide a more efficient electricity supply. The minister added that with these resolutions, a follow-up is expected to be conducted by October 6, 2017. It is hoped that these and other minor issues which have

been occurring at the Diamond Hospital are addressed.

Minister Cummings further explained that although maintenance of the health facility falls under Region Four’s RDC budget, her ministry will most likely play a significant role in ensuring that these issues are addressed. According to Minister Cummings, “these issues are low-hanging fruit and could be dealt with as soon as possible.” Based on the minister’s explanation, the staff of the Diamond hospital wanted to “down tools,” since they have been voicing their concerns for some time now.

The main concern of the Ministry of Public Health is to ensure that patients and staff are treated with care and respect at all health facilities throughout Guyana.

Therefore, the necessary systems should be in place to ensure that health services are provided in an unhindered manner. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 7, 2017

CH&PA in legal move to repossess Sunset Lakes land THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) said it has commenced court proceedings in an effort to repossess the plot of land, which was recently advertised for sale by Sunset Lakes.

In a paid advertisement in at least two daily newspapers dated Wednesday August 30, 2017, it was stated “The Receiver-Manager of Sunset Lakes Inc., invites tenders for local and foreign parties interested in purchasing 100 acres of land en bloc or less, located in the Providence…”

According to media reports the land had been sold in 2014 by CH&PA to businessman/contractor Brian Tiwarie for development into a gated community.

However, Tiwarie later sold the Sunset Lakes company to BaiShanLin for US$8M ($1.6B). BaiShanLin later ran into financial difficulties.

In a statement on Wednesday, CH&PA said on July 20th, 2017 through an external attorney, Robert Ramcharran attached to the law firm Luckhoo and Luckhoo it initiated legal

action in the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature against Sunset Lakes Inc. as it relates to property situated at Parcel 130 Plantation Providence, East Bank Demerara seeking the following reliefs, namely:- A declaration that the Claimant is entitled to rescind the Agreement of Sale and Purchase made and entered into at Georgetown, Guyana between the Claimant and the Defendant herein on the 7th February, 2014 with respect to the property situate at Plantation Providence and described as Zone: E.B.D Block: VII Parcel: 130 Area: 100.00 Acres.

2. An Order rescinding the said Agreement of Sale and Purchase made and entered into at Georgetown Guyana between the Claimant and the Defendant herein on the 7th February 2014 with respect to the property situated at Plantation Providence and described as Zone: E.B.D, Block: VIII, Parcel :130, Area: 100.00 acres.

The third order is for the Claimant to refund to the Defendant the sum of $458, 180,000 being the value paid

by the Defendant for the aforementioned described land less the sum equivalent to 10% of the sum paid as a penalty for breach of the terms and conditions of the said Agreement of Sale and Purchase and which is $45,818,000.

4. An Order directing the Registrar of Lands to recall and cancel Certificate of Title No. 2014/3415 with respect to Parcel 130, Block VII, Zone: E.B.D, Plantation Providence and registered to Sunset Lakes Inc. 5. An Order directing the Registrar of Lands to re-register the said land known and described as Parcel 130, Block VII, Zone: E.B.D, Plantation Providence in the name of the Claimant herein. 6. An Order directing the Defendant to give up the vacant possession and occupation of the said land known and described as Parcel 130, Block VII, Zone: E.B.D, Plantation Providence and registered to Sunset Lakes Inc. to the Claimant herein.

7. Such further or other Order as this Court would deem fit.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 7, 2017

$632M drug purchase

PPC commissioner wants matter sent to DPP ARGUING that the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) under the watchful eyes of the Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence had rigged the procurement system to give Ansa McAl the lion’s share of the $632M drug purchase, Commissioner of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) Sukrishnalall Pasha, has reportedly recommended that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DDP) review the case.

According to a reliable source, Pasha made the recommendation in a minority report he compiled after declining to sign the substantive report which was prepared by the commission, headed by Carol Corbin, and submitted to the Parliament of Guyana.

In his 30-page report, the PPC Commissioner, who remains tight-lipped on the matter, accused the GPHC of rigging the procurement system to give the lion’s share of the contract to ANSA McAL. Based on his findings, Pasha recommended that the case be sent to the DPP to allow criminal charges to be administered where and if necessary. Additionally, he called for sanctions to be imposed against those who have erred administratively, even as he laid the blame at the feet of the Public Health Minister. When contacted on Tuesday for a comment, Pasha asked that the Guyana Chronicle return a call within one hour, but subsequent calls

went unanswered. However on Monday, he declined to comment on the matter at hand. “I don’t wish to speak on the issue. Whatever I did, it was supposed to be kept with some level of confidentiality,” he said.

Pasha, in his counter report which is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP), acted outside of the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the investigation carried out by the PPC, according to the source. The PPC chairperson told this newspaper that the commission did not recommend sanctions against the errant public officials, noting that decisions lie with the Government and those sitting at the helm of the GPHC. Findings have confirmed that the procurement laws were breached, given the fact that the GPHC sought approval from the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) after it had started to receive drugs from suppliers.

Corbin made it clear that it was never the commission’s intention to recommend disciplinary action against those who had acted outside of the law. “That was not the purpose of the investigation,” she emphasised.

Based on the Terms of Reference (TOR), the investigation was executed to determine the circumstances under which the emergency drugs were procured. Additionally, it sought to deter-

mine whether the GPHC had acted in compliance with the Procurement Act Chapter 73:05 in the procurement of emergency pharmaceuticals.

Another key aim of the investigation was to have greater understanding of the Public Health Minister’s involvement. Additionally, it was the intention of the PPC to provide a menu of measures that would allow the premier health institution to improve its procurement practices in keeping with the Procurement Act, Chapter 73:05.

In July, 2017, the Finance Minister Winston Jordan confirmed reports by the Guyana Chronicle that the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) had never approved the purchase of the more than $630M in “emergency pharmaceutical supplies” for GPHC. According to the written response supplied to the House by the Finance Minister, the GPHC had made a request for the procurement of $2.9M in emergency pharmaceutical supplies from Health2000 by way of single-sourcing. It was explained that the items were required urgently. Additionally, the hospital indicated that “it was impractical to use the Open or Restricted Method of Procurement, due to the time required to utilise those methods of procurement.” That request was not approved by the Tender Board.

The GPHC requested permission for the procurement of emergency pharmaceutical supplies to the tune of $20.8M from New GPC via single-sourcing. A similar explanation was offered, but

the request was denied. The primary health care institution had also requested the procurement of emergency pharmaceutical supplies via sole-sourcing from Chirosyn Discovery at a cost of $2.1M, but that too was denied. The final request by the hospital for the reporting period was made for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies from Ansa McAl at a cost of $605.9M via sole-sourcing and like the previous three, the request was disapproved.

Top sources at the Public Health Ministry had told the Guyana Chronicle that it was the hospital’s then Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alan Johnson, and the Finance Director, Ronald Charles, who teamed up to sole-source the drugs.

Johnson was fired in June, 2017 by the GPHC Board of Directors following “a series of lapses,” which included embarrassment of the corporation before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on May 29.

According to a top source at the ministry, following a meeting with the Public Health Minister in early February, during which the shortage of drugs was confirmed, the hospital’s finance director was summoned to a meeting by one of his superiors. It is alleged, that during the meeting, Charles was instructed to meet with Berkley Wickham, NPTAB Chairman and explain the need for the fast- tracking of the Pharmaceutical Emergency Supplies.

The senior hospital official, the source said, also needed clarification on whether there were provisions within the National

Digicel giving Irma-affected customers free minutes WITH the potential threat of Hurricane Irma on several islands across the Caribbean, Digicel on Wednesday announced that it is providing its customers in the affected markets with free call credit to communicate with their loved ones throughout the hurricane.

In a release, Digicel said from Tuesday night, customers’ accounts in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Haiti, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis and the Turks and Caicos

Islands have been credited with US$10 local Anywhere Minutes to call friends and family on any local network over the next 48 hours.

“We understand the need to be able to quickly reach out to our loved ones to ensure they are safe throughout a disaster and we are happy to provide our customers with the means to do so,” said Vanessa Slowey, CEO Digicel Caribbean and Central America. “Importantly, the safety and security of our customers is always our first priority and so we encourage

everyone to stay up to date with weather alerts and stay safe during the storm.”

As early as Monday, Digicel activated its crisis management and contingency planning in light of Hurricane Irma to ensure that everything is in place to best manage events of the coming days.

“We have mobilised our teams and field engineers so we can act immediately. They are working around the clock and doing everything humanly possible to ensure that all our cell sites across our

markets are in good order and ready to go,” added Slowey. Hurricane Irma is said to be the strongest storm ever recorded in the Atlantic outside of the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. The storm is reported to have maintained its 185-mph winds after making its first landfall on Barbuda early Wednesday morning. Digicel said it will continue to provide updates via its social media pages and the media in terms of recovery support and office closure in affected markets.

Procurement and Tendering System for an addition to be made to the original bid document, given the fact that the suppliers had already bought the original document.

Additionally, the source said, Charles was constantly told by the senior official to proceed with the Emergency Supplies Bids in the “name of transparency, warning him that any attempt to obstruct the process by annulment would cause ‘eyebrows to raise.’

But the pleas by the senior hospital official, the source contended, fell on deaf ears.

“Unknowingly to his superior, Charles cancelled the bid and requested, as a matter of emergency, that the drugs be sole-sourced. And he had the backing of Johnson,” the ministry’s source maintained.

It is alleged that the finance director wrote the NPTAB Chairman requesting that the Emergency Supplies Bid Document be cancelled.

In that letter, which was allegedly signed by the then CEO, Charles sought to have the emergency drugs sole-

sourced.

Charles, the Guyana Chronicle was told, proceeded to compile a list of the critical drugs which was subsequently given to four suppliers: Ana McAl, New GPC, Health2000 and Chirosyn Discoveries, for the submission of quotations based on the document. Attempts, the source said, were made to have Minister Lawrence sign off on the documents, but she had reportedly declined, noting that there was an established system to be followed.

“It was the CEO who had prepared the letters for the four suppliers, telling them to proceed with the process,” the source pointed out.

According to the source, it was after the drugs were delivered at the end of February that a letter was sent to the NPTAB requesting that payments be made to the four suppliers.

When Minister Lawrence appeared before the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) in June, 2017, she denied approving purchase of the drugs.

Britisher jailed for cocaine-trafficking BRITISHER Orin Lewis Boodi was on Wednesday sentenced to three years imprisonment and fined $100,000 after being found guilty of attempting to smuggle cocaine out of the country in milk and ghee tins in 2014.

Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs Marcus convicted Boodi for having 7.170 kilograms of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking on July 4, 2014, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

The matter was prosecuted by Custom Anti-Narcotics

Unit (CANU) prosecutor, Kunyo Sandiford. Boodi was busted by CANU agents at the CJIA with cocaine in milk and ghee tins in his luggage, when he attempted to board a TravelSpan flight. At the time he was an outgoing passenger bound for the United States.

CANU officers conducted a search and uncovered five tins; two ghee and three milk tins containing what amounted to 7.170 kilograms of cocaine. In 2003, Boodi was sentenced to three years imprisonment for swallowing cocaine and was released in 2008.

Rice farmer on causing death charge A 48-year-old rice farmer on Wednesday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

Tarachandra Persaud, called `Doce’ or `Dos,’ of Republic Park, East Bank Demerara, denied that on June 1, 2017 at Eccles Pub-

lic Road, East Bank Demerara, he drove his car PVV 6494 in a dangerous manner, causing the death of Junior Lakeram.

Police Prosecutor Arwin Moore made no objection to bail and Persaud was released on $300,000 bail. The matter has been adjourned until September 18.

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Australia lead Bangladesh by 72 runs after Warner’s 123 (REUTERS) - Australian David Warner’s second successive hundred against Bangladesh helped his side maintain their slight advantage on the third day of the second and final Test yesterday.

After heavy rain washed out more than a session of the day’s play, Australia eclipsed Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 305 by tea before the hosts retaliated in the final session to reduce the tourists to 377-9.

Steve O‘Keefe was batting on eight with Australia leading by 72 runs. Nathan Lyon was yet to open his account at the other end.

Resuming Australia’s innings on 225-2, overnight batsmen Warner and Peter Handscomb batted with the assuredness that was the hallmark of their 152-run

NEW BALL Bangladesh took the new ball as soon as it was available and Mustafizur Rahman nearly tasted immediate success when he induced a lazy drive from Glenn Maxwell but Mehidy Hasan spilled the catch at gully.

Mustafizur dismissed Warner for 123 with a short-pitched ball which the batsman hit to leg slip where Imrul Kayes fumbled before finally taking the catch.

Known more for his swashbuckling batting, Warner hit only David Warner kisses his cap after comseven boundarpleting his century. (Getty Images) ies in his cultured

SCOREBOARD

BANGLADESH 1st innings 305 (M. Rahim 68, S. Rahman 66; N. Lyon 7-94) AUSTRALIA 1st innings (o/n 225-2) M. Renshaw c Rahim b M. Rahman 4 D. Warner c Kayes b M. Rahman 123 S. Smith b T. Islam 58 P. Handscomb run-out (Al Hasan) 82 G. Maxwell c Rahim b M. Hasan 38 H. Cartwright c Sarkar b M. Hasan 18 M. Wade lbw b M. Rahman 8 A. Agar b Al Hasan 22 P. Cummins lbw b M. Hasan 4 S. O’Keefe not out 8 N. Lyon not out 0 Extras: (b-8, lb-3, w-1) 12 Total: (for 9 wickets, 118 overs) 377 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-98, 3-250, 4-298, 5-321, 6-342, 7-346, 8-364, 9-376.

Bowling: Mehidy Hasan 38-6-93-3, Mustafizur Rahman 20-2-84-3 (w-1), Shakib Al Hasan 30-2-821, Taijul Islam 21-1-78-1, Nasir Hossain 6-2-14-0, Mominul Haque 2-0-6-0, Sabbir Rahman 1-0-9-0.

partnership.

Handscomb ran himself out in his eagerness to help Warner reach the 100 mark when he sprinted for a single before being sent back.

Handscomb made a desperate dive but could not beat Shakib Al Hasan’s direct throw from square leg.

His patient 82 included six boundaries.

Warner brought up his 20th Test century with his fifth boundary, driving a Nasir Hossain full toss through cover. He celebrated the feat by kissing his cap, leaping in the air and pumping his fist.

The century followed Warner’s 112 in the first Test in Dhaka where Australia were beaten inside four days by the hosts.

knock, painstakingly constructed over six hours.

Mehidy dropped Hilton Cartwright on six off his own bowling, the straight drive bursting through the spinner’s hands and hitting him in the rib cage.

Cartwright made 18 before edging the spinner to Soumya Sarkar in the slip.

Maxwell, who lived dangerously at the other end, made 38 while Matthew Wade managed eight. Ashton Agar made 22 down the order.

Bangladesh claimed four wickets in the 23-over final session to stay in the contest. Mustafizur, celebrating his 22nd birthday, claimed (3-84) and off-spinner Mehidy (3-93) shared six wickets.

Rifle-shooter Richard `Dickie’ Fields laid to rest after moving tributes

By Stephan Sookram A SOFT-SPOKEN man with tact and grace is how the late Senior Counsel and Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) Executive Richard `Dickie’ Berkeley Fields will be remembered.

His funeral service took place at Christ Church on Waterloo Street yesterday.

The former rifle-shooter, who was a lawyer by profession as well as the Honorary Consul to Finland and Italy, was also an avid lover of Jazz, according to one of his eulogists Nigel Hughes.

Meanwhile, president of the Guyana NRA Mahendra Persaud contended that the loss of such a wise and fierce competitor will surely have a gigantic impact.

“He was one of the few Guyanese to have made the Queen’s Final (at Bisley). He is the only Guyanese out of three West Indian shooters to shoot 150 out of 150 in the Benson and Hedges short range Cup.” The former life member of the Surrey Rifle Club and one-time vice-president of the British Commonwealth Rifle Club was known affectionately as ‘Dickie’ Fields and was the

runner-up Sportsman-ofthe-Year in 1999.

Persaud continued, “He was a soft-spoken person. You could go to him at any time for advice and the advice was very short, to the point and with a legal interpretation behind it.”

He was a wonderful friend, a wonderful team mate and one of the best team shooters I knew, and I knew a lot of people and he was an exceptionally good guy, both on and off the ranges,” Persaud said.

Fields started his shooting career in early 1950s at the rifle range at Thomas Lands with his uncle.

After being in Queen’s College Scouts he joined the Queen’s College Cadet Corps where he continued to excel.

He then went on to be a member of the British Guiana Volunteer Force (BGVF) where he attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant before he left to study Law in England in 1961.

On his return in 1967, Richard Fields was admitted to the Bar. In 1974, he joined the Guyana National Rifle Association where he soon became one of the top riflemen in Guyana and the Caribbean.

GFF hosts second CONCACAF Goalkeeping Training Programme CLAINE Anthony Plummer is once again in Guyana, compliments of regional body CONCACAF, to facilitate a Goalkeeping Training Programme for the coaches attached to the affiliates of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

T h e fi v e - d a y p r o g r a m m e which began on Monday, September 4 was officially opened at the venue – Training Centre, Guyana Fire Service (GFS) – yesterday.

“I think it’s important to bring awareness to know what it takes to coach modern-day goalkeepers, because you could see the progression of the game, the goalkeeping department is something that progressed as well,” Plummer told the gathering of coaches.

The CONCACAF’s Goalkeeper Instructor added, “All of this knowledge that we’re going to learn here, it’s important for you to pass it

on in order for goalkeeping to grow here in Guyana.”

Acting president, Brigadier (Ret.) Bruce Lovell, noted the importance of the course, “What this training does is it aligns with our vision for building capacity in all areas of football.”

According to Lovell, as the GFF Executive Committee seeks to elevate the standard of football in Guyana, it is important that they provide the right climate for the persons who play a critical role for the persons creating the standards for them to be so trained.

“We view the coaches in all areas as a very critical and essential element in this whole process of elevating our standards of football,” Lovell said.

This is the second such course held under the Wayne Forde-led GFF. Plummer conducted the first last October. (Rawle Toney)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, THURSDAY, September 7, 2017

Venue change to Jaguars Franchise League second round THE governing body for cricket locally, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), has made one venue change for the second round of the Jaguars Franchise League 3-day Competition, which is set to commence tomorrow, with four games

countrywide.

According to the GCB, the game between Upper Demerara/East Bank and West Demerara has moved from the Ogle ground to Police Sports Club ground.

Meanwhile, the venues for the other

second-round games remain as per scheduled. Upper Corentyne will play East Coast at Port Mourant; Georgetown host Lower Corentyne at Lusignan and West Berbice take on Essequibo at Bush Lot.

Essequibo, Upper Corentyne and Upper Demerara/East Bank, recorded firstround wins while the other first-round game between East Coast and West Demerara at Wales was abandoned without a ball bowled.

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Munich memorial marks 1972 Olympic Games attack on Israeli team

By Ayhan Uyanik MUNICH, Germany (Reuters) Victims of the attack on the Israeli team at the 1972 Olympic Games were remembered by Germany and Israel yesterday with a memorial, following a long campaign by their relatives.

German President FrankWalter Steinmeier and his Israeli counterpart Reuven Rivlin attended the inauguration of the ‘Munich 1972 massacre memorial’ at Munich’s Olympic Park, 45 years after the attack by Palestinian gunmen.

“Relatives of the victims and the state of Israel waited almost half a century for this moment,” Rivlin said.

“45 years have passed for an official Israeli delegation to return to this place. The Munich Olympics became the blood Olympics.”

Members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage on September 5, 1972, at the poorly secured athletes village by

Palestinians from the Black September group.

Eleven Israelis, a German policeman as well as five of the Palestinian gunmen died after a standoff at the village and then a nearby airfield, as police rescue efforts failed.

The memorial offers some

down by the IOC. Steinmeier said it had taken too long for the memorial to be built.

“It is high time and we owe it firstly to you, the relatives,” Steinmeier said.

“The Olympic village became a place of Palestinian terrorists, a

People are seen at ‘The Munich 1972 Massacre Memorial’ dedicated to the 1972 Olympic attack in Munich, Germany September 6, 2017. (REUTERS/Michaela Rehle)

comfort for relatives who have also long demanded a minute’s silence at the Opening Ceremonies of Olympics Games, only to be consistently turned

stage for their boundless hatred for Israel. It should never have happened.”

Ankie Spitzer, whose fencing coach husband, Andre, was one of the

victims, and Ilana Romano, wife of weightlifter Joseph Romano, have waged a decades-long campaign to get a commemoration at the Games’ opening ceremony.

“We wanted this memorial. In the years after we heard voices that we Israelis brought war to Germany and the terrorists were hailed as freedom fighters,” Romano said.

“That hurt so much but we did not give up. We knew our way was the right one ... for the future of our children and the next generations,” she added.

The IOC, whose president Thomas Bach was also present, has said opening ceremonies are not the appropriate platform and has instead made other gestures to remember the victims.

At last year’s Rio de Janeiro Games the IOC inaugurated the ‘Place of Mourning’, a small park which will be a feature at every Olympics.

Guyana Open billed for November 4-5 … STP kicks off Lusignan golf season

By Rajiv Bisnauth THE Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) premier golf tournament, the Guyana Open, is billed for November 4-5 at the country’s lone golf course at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara. This is according to William Walker, the club’s Public Relations Office.

As usual golfers from Guyana, North America and the Caribbean will compete against each other, in what will be a highly competitive two-day tournament.

Further the LGC is using the tournament to once again aid in the sports tourism drive, as the event will draw a wide cross-section of golfers and supporters from various countries.

The LGC is anticipating a large turnout of competitors

Sanjay Persaud

on the nine-hole course, with heated rivalry in the Championship Flight (0-9 handicap), B Flight (1018), C Flight (19-28) and Ladies Flight.

When the competition gets underway, seven-time winner Avinash Persaud and Joaan Deo, will be looking to keep a hold on the titles they won in 2016.

In a thrilling finish last year, Persaud ended with a total Gross of 149 and a Net aggregate of 145, while Deo defeated Shaunella Webster after she recorded a total Net 138 and a Gross of 180.

Meanwhile, after a prolonged break due to the rainy season and other issues beyond control, the LGC will resume its regular tournament this Saturday with the STP Investments one-day tournament.

The tournament, which is expected to attract all the big names in golf locally, is part of the local golfers’ preparation ahead of Guyana Open.

This Saturday’s tournament will be played under the medal play format, starting at 12:30hrs.

STP’s Managing Director Sanjay Persaud will

personally hand out the trophies.

From back page

Rashid and Ronchi eliminate Jamaica Tallawahs

Ronchi scored his runs on both sides of the ground but never tried to over-hit the ball, relying on timing more than raw power. Despite losing wickets the Amazon Warriors were on top of the required rate which was below six after 12 overs.

A tight fifteenth over from Mohammad Sami, which cost just two, kept the Tallawahs in the hunt but Assad Fudadin—who had started sluggishly—heaved a six on the leg side and nailed a straight four in the next over to reassert the Amazon Warriors’ control. Ronchi’s eventual demise, trapped lbw

by Sami for 70 off 33 balls, came too late for the Tallawahs with Fudadin guiding the remainder of the innings.

Earlier in the evening the Tallawahs were put into bat by the Amazon Warriors and with a new opening partnership of Lendl Simmons and Kennar Lewis they got off to a bright start.

The first wicket fell in the fifth over when Lewis took on a short ball from Rayad Emrit and picked out deep square leg. Regular boundaries from Simmons helped the Tallawahs to 55 for 1 after six overs; their third best six-over score of the season.

The Tallawahs good start was derailed in the seventh over when Simmons and Mahmudullah fell to the bowling of Steven Jacobs: slapping a wide ball to cover

and picking out a leg side boundary-rider. After a partnership of 39 from 31 balls Griffith was gone too, edging behind off Roshon Primus to leave the Tallawahs 98 for 4.

The Tallawahs reshuffled batting order meant that at four down they still had Sangakkara, Andre McCarthy, Jonathan Foo and Powell to bat. In one single over that strong lower order was gutted

by Rashid.

Three consecutive googlies turned back through the gate of three loose drives to bring Rashid the first hattrick in Hero CPL history, removing McCarthy, Foo and Powell and changing the complexion of the match in less than five minutes.

Santokie hit Rashid for a six but could only manage 12 off 12 before being bowled

by Sohail. While Sangakkara was still there the Tallawahs had hope that they could elevate themselves to a competitive score. Sangakkara ended up scoring an unbeaten 57 off 38 balls in an innings laced with class, but he never managed to pull away from the Amazon Warriors.

In the end his fifty and the Tallawahs total was not enough in the face of the aggression of Walton and Ronchi.

Upcoming Fixture Thursday: Semi Final, Trinbago Knight Riders v Guyana Amazon Warriors, Tarouba, 20.00 Irish Racing Tips

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Gulfstream Park Race 1 Igo Forgreatness Race 2 Cindy Candy Race 3 Sistine Sista Race 4 Toni Ann’s Miracle

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23

GUYANA CHRONICLE, THURSDAY, September 7, 2017

Will the real AIBA please stand up!

Ninvalle optimistic ahead of high-level meeting on Sunday

By Rawle Toney It is alleged that AIBA is not running the affairs of AIBA in a position to repay debts but this has been refuted by BOXING, one of the totalling 15 million Swiss Wu who has put in motion a world’s most popular francs (13 million euros); legal challenge. sports, is in turmoil, but something Wu has since “It should be applauded president of the Guyana denied and even confirmed that we could have had Boxing Association (GBA) through several media confirmation that the Steve Ninvalle is chartering reports that AIBA’s finances Executive Director of AIBA a course that could very well are ‘healthy’. is coming and the President Led by Italian Franco of the Americas Boxing Falcinelli and Pat Fiacco of Confederation Mr Osvaldo Canada, several executive Bisbal (Argentina) is committee members have coming as well as members signed a document in attempt of the IMC,” said the to force Wu to step down Guyanese Amateur Boxing through the Swiss courts. boss.

However, the court ruled and rejected their request, claiming the aggrieved group will have to wait for a proper hearing this month.

AIBA will host their Extraordinary Congress in Dubai in November and it is Steve Ninvalle said that national federations GBA president will vote on whether to have Wu removed from the helm. determine the way forward It is on those grounds for the sport. Ninvalle is also that Ninvalle initiated the an Executive Committee meeting, telling Chronicle Member of AIBA. Sport yesterday in an On Sunday September 10, exclusive interview that the Wu Ching-Kuo Ninvalle, at the Racquet Caribbean remains a pillar in AIBA president Centre in Georgetown, will the AIBA setup and as such, host a high-level meeting that it is important that they hear Ninvalle further mentioned will feature representatives from both sides - the opposing that the meeting “tells how from the Boxing Associations group and those representing important the Caribbean from around the Caribbean, and standing in the corner of region is that they have seen the International Amateur the current president. it fit to send representatives.

Boxing Association (AIBA) “It’s an important meeting We’re hoping that we can and a group challenging the and it’s a good thing that the have free, fair and frank hierarchy of the governing Caribbean, as a collective discussions and out of that, body. unit, can remain in the charter a way forward for the AIBA’s embattled president vanguard, because it shows Caribbean family.”

Wu Ching-Kuo, who sits at our leadership and it shows It was reported that Wu the helm of the sport, since that we are in front as it relates claims he is being targeted 2006, has found himself in fighting for the development because of his attempt a power-struggle with the of the sport,” said Ninvalle. to reform the AIBA and majority of his executive The coming-together as a specifically singled out committee members who Caribbean body, according to former executive director have joined forces to establish Ninvalle, “gives credence to Ho Kim of South Korea for a temporary administration. their motto: One voice, one seeking “revenge” after his Wu, according to reports, goal, one Caribbean.” ousting over allegations of have since called the After July’s Executive financial wrongdoing. move something similar Committee meeting in Wu insists he is “the to a ‘military coup’, with Moscow, an Interim legitimate president” and said the group citing that the Management Committee he had written to IOC chief Taiwanese is placing AIBA (IMC) was put in place, Thomas Bach to explain the in peril, given the fact that the headed by the Italian situation, pinning Ho as a sport is facing bankruptcy.

Falcinelli who seems to be main plotter.

Sparta, Leopold Street, ‘Gold is Money’ live to fight another day MBK All Stars, Mocha, North Ruimveldt extend form SPARTA Boss, Leopold Street and West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’ responded with urgency after winning their respective encounters when play in the exciting inaugural Guinness Cage/ Three Peat Promotions Indoor Championship continued on Tuesday night, at the National Gymnasium.

However, they both have

negative goal differences and will need to win their respective matchups tonight to guarantee a place in the quarter-finals set for Saturday, at the same venue.

Sparta Boss will play Group A’ leaders North Ruimveldt in the final game of the night, while West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’ take on secondplaced Group ‘B’ team,

Hustlers, who also have to register a victory to secure a last-eight berth.

Another big team that will have to win this evening to advance is Back Circle, who could not reproduce their form and went down to Leopold Street who needed to prevail to be in a position to progress to the quarter-finals.

Mocha, MBK All Stars, Albouystown ‘A’ and North

Buoyant Windies eye England Test series win

By Julian Guyver LONDON, England (AFP) - West Indies go into today’s third and deciding Test at Lord’s with the chance to complete a dramatic turnaround and win their first series in England in almost 30 years.

The Caribbean side last triumphed in England in 1988 when a team boasting a clutch of all-time greats including Gordon Greenidge, Viv Richards, Malcolm Marshall and Curtly Ambrose romped to a 4-0 win.

The West Indies dominated Test cricket for two decades but their decline has been precipitous and they are currently languishing at eighth in the world rankings, with just Bangladesh and Zimbabwe below them.

Having dusted down the “obituaries” after the series opener at Edgbaston -- when the visitors slumped to a defeat by an innings and 209 runs - few pundits gave Jason Holder’s novice West Indies side any chance of a revival in Leeds.

Yet, despite being set more than 300 to win in the fourth innings following a declaration by England captain Joe Root, the tourists showed true grit to win by five wickets.

Shai Hope became the first batsman in history to score hundreds in both innings of a match at Headingley, putting his side in a strong position with 147 before following up his maiden Test century with a match-clinching 118 not out in the second innings.

After the fourth day of a match of fluctuating fortunes, ex-England captain Nasser Hussain, a former Essex team-mate of West Indies coach Stuart Law, said the tourists were flagging because the physical demands of a Test match were greater than that of Twenty20 cricket.

A satisfied Law said,: Ruimveldt continued their good form by winning their games to remain unbeaten and will no doubt be aiming to stay on that course heading into the business end of the championship.

Some of the teams to exit the championship are Albouystown ‘B’, Pike Street, Sophia, Tiger Bay, Champion Boys and Showstoppers.

“People make assumptions all the time.”

“But he (Hussain) doesn’t know the characters that are inside that dressing room he doesn’t even know me and I played with him at Essex,” the former Australia batsman added.

“Not a lot of these players play T20 cricket anyway.

I think it was great we sent him a big humble pie to go and chomp on in the commentary box.”

England even took the risk of dropping in-form seamer Toby Roland-Jones, whose three Tests this season have yielded 14 wickets, for the Headingley Test, bringing

reporters at Lord’s yesterday after announcing his team.

“It’s obviously very difficult to leave somebody like Chris out; he’s been a consistent performer in Test cricket for England.

“But this is a team I think is going to win this week,” star batsman Root added.

England still have doubts about their problem toporder batting positions with number three Tom Westley under most scrutiny after a run of single-figure scores.

“That extra pressure will find out a bit more about people’s character and things like that so it should be an exciting week,” said England

West Indies’ Shannon Gabriel (L) watches as team captain Jason Holder bowls during a training session at Lord’s cricket ground in London, on September 5, 2017, ahead of their third Test match against England. (AFP Photo/Adrian Dennis)

in Chris Woakes for his first Test of the home campaign after injury, seemingly to get some overs under his belt ahead of the upcoming Ashes tour of Australia.

The home side, however, have recalled Roland-Jones on his Middlesex home ground and dropped Woakes in the only change to their side.

“Home conditions, he (Roland-Jones) obviously knows the surfaces and is bowling very well at the moment,” Root told Over $800 000 in prize money and trophies will be up for grabs with the winners set to receive $400 000 and the championship trophy, while second-, third- and fourth- placed finishers will take home $200 000, $100 000 and $50 000 along with trophies respectively.

Meanwhile, the other sponsors on board are

spearhead James Anderson.

Having gone wicketless on the last day in Leeds, Anderson arrives at Lord’s still three away from becoming the first England bowler to take 500 Test wickets.

“To be honest, I do try to put it to the back of my mind,” Anderson said.

“We desperately need to win this Test match to win the series so I’m going to be focused completely on doing my job for the team when we get out there.”

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Will the real AIBA please stand up!

Ninvalle optimistic ahead of high-level meeting on Sunday

Page 23

Rifle-shooter Richard Rashid and Ronchi `Dickie’ Fields laid to eliminate Jamaica rest after moving tributes Tallawahs Page 20

Members of the Guyana National Rifle Association formed an arch to honour one of their fallen, Richard `Dickie’ Fields.

(Adrian Narine photo)

GFF hosts second CONCACAF Goalkeeping Training Programme

A hat-trick from Rashid Khan and a rapid fifty from Luke Ronchi propelled the Guyana Amazon Warriors to victory in the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Eliminator against Jamaica Tallawahs at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad , last night . After Rashid’s hat-trick had derailed the Tallawahs innings - restricting them to 168 for 8 - Ronchi blitzed a fifty off just 20 balls to lead the Amazon Warriors chase which was sealed with 11 balls to spare.

Final scores (Guyana Amazon Warriors 169-5 (Ronchi 70, Walton 39, Mahmudullah 3-25) beat Jamaica Tallawahs 168-8 (Sangakkara 57*, Simmons 34, Rashid 3-32) by five wickets).

Amazon Warriors opener Sohail Tanvir struggled to time the ball in his brief innings and eventually picked out Rovman Powell in the

deep off Krishmar Santokie.

However, Chadwick Walton and Ronchi struck regular boundaries in the Powerplay to lift the Amazon Warriors to 53 for 1.

The field dropping back did not stem the flow of runs. Walton and Ronchi took 37 off the seventh and eighth overs, striking boundaries off the front and back foot, as the Tallawahs bowlers strayed in line and length.

Walton eventually fell in the ninth over, slapping a drive ball to backward point off Mahmudullah, but his innings of 40 off 23 in partnership with Ronchi had slashed the required run rate to 6.58 runs per over.

Despite Mahmudullah removing Walton, and then Jason Mohammad and Gajanand Singh shortly after, Ronchi continued unperturbed, punishing some wayward bowling from the rest of the Tallawahs to reach his fifty.

TURN TO PAGE 22

Page 20

Claine Anthony Plummer during one of his classroom sessions of the CONCACAF Goalkeeper Course.

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Leg-spinner Rashid khan took the first hat-trick in CPL history.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER, 7, 2017