Guyana chronicle e paper 09 08 2017

22 receive land titles after 25-year wait Page 12

Irma batters Guyanese No. 105029

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017

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–– in hurricane-ravaged territories, others prepare for attacks

Guyana hails ties with Brazil

… President ‘talks up’ investment, cooperation

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Cyclist killed on Mibicuri Public Road Page 14

No ban on female night guards Page 2

Abandoned aircraft

Collusion suspected between police, operators

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President David Granger (second right) and Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Carl Greenidge (right) at a function on Thursday evening to mark Brazil’s 195th Independence Anniversary. With them are: Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana, Mr Lineu Pupo de Paula (third right); Director-General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms Audrey Waddell (fourth right) and other guests (Delano Williams photo)

City Hall votes to renegotiate parking-meter contract

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Guyana stands with hurricane-hit territories Page 2

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

Guyana stands with hurricane-hit territories

PRESIDENT David Granger has committed Guyana’s support for Caribbean States, which have been ravaged by Hurricane Irma, even as the international community mobilises its response to the disaster.

Reports indicate that there has been severe destruction and at least 10 persons dead across the Region. In a statement on Thursday, the President David Granger-led Government said it stood in solidarity with the people of the hurricane-ravaged territories of the Caribbean and President Granger expresses condolences to his colleague Heads of Government and residents of affected states and to the relatives of those who lost their lives as a result

of this storm.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who is responsible for the disaster relief agency, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), informed that Guyana stands ready to lend technical and other forms of support. He disclosed that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) has already sent out Situation Reports (SITREPS) to all its member states, but thus far there has been no direct request for assistance as needs assessments are being completed.

With category-five winds and rain, Irma is one of the most powerful hurricanes every recorded over the Atlantic Ocean. It has completely devastated Barbuda and also

affected jurisdictions such as St. Maarten, St. Barts, St. Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos and the British Virgin Islands.

The United States National Hurricane Center predicted that Irma is likely to remain at category four or five for the next day or two, while it passes to the north of the Dominican Republic and Haiti as it heads in the direction of the Bahamas and Florida in the United States.

Meanwhile, more than 10.5 million children live in the countries that are likely to be exposed to the damage from Hurricane Irma, UNICEF has warned. According to the UN agency based on the storm’s current trajectory, children in the islands

of the Eastern Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba are at risk, including over three million under five years olds. UNICEF said it is concerned that hundreds of thousands of children could suffer the worst effects of the storm, with those living in coastal zones at highest risk.

“Strong winds and torrential rains have already barreled through some of the smallest and most exposed islands in the eastern Caribbean, including Anguila and Barbuda,” said Patrick Knight, Head of Communication for UNICEF in the Eastern Caribbean, speaking from Barbados. “As the extent of the damage becomes clear, we are seeing severe levels of destruction. Our

priority is to reach all those children and families in the affected communities as soon as possible.”

Hurricane Irma, a category 5 storm, travelled across various islands of the Eastern Caribbean on Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction in its path, especially in Anguila, the British Virgin Islands, Barbuda and Turks and Caicos Islands. Early estimates suggest that 74,000 people, including 20,000 children, have been affected in these islands. According to local authorities, communication networks in many of the affected areas have been displaced either totally or partially. Infrastructure, including roads, bridges, hospitals and schools has also suffered

varying degrees of damage.

In Barbuda, 90 per cent of the infrastructure has been destroyed, and it is anticipated that this will include up to 132 schools.

UNICEF said its immediate concern is providing drinking water and sanitation to affected communities, as well providing child protection services for both children and adolescents, including psycho-social support for those affected.

within which that relationship between employer and employee exists.

totality and present empirical data and analysis to support its intentions.” The organisation said that for the government to make hasty generalisations based on limited research or reports is not good enough.

GAPSO has issued a call therefore to have, “An immediate independent review of this proposal, widespread consultations with stakeholders and a functioning welfare system that provides benefits according to different situations.” “Private security personnel are not derelict as the Honorable Keith Scott would lead the nation to believe, but rather, trained professionals whose comprehensive training prepares them for their day-to-day protection of the public,” the GAPSO argued.

The organisation believes the proposal publicly offends, humiliates and de-values, “the very people that put their lives on the line day and night to protect others, including Government ministries and assets.”

GAPSO feels that it is a high-handed and unilateral approach being adopted by the Government, which lacks insight or thinking outside the box. “It remains unclear why only the private security sector was selected, while other professions are excluded and what suggestions if any there is to solve the inevitable unemployment that will arise therefrom.”

The association believes also that to dismantle and target single mothers within the private security sector is “cruel and an arbitrary attack on the sector.” They said too that removing the single mothers could create unwillingly, a new economic and social problem. The association said however that where incidents such as the allegation of sexual harassment and underpayment were found, demonstrates the importance and need for more clear and robust regulation for the security industry.

President David Granger

No ban on female night guards … Harmon says status quo remains

MINISTER of State, Joseph Harmon, has made it clear that there is no ban on the employment of women working at night, allaying the fears of many following proposals by the Ministry of Social Protection to limit female security guards being made to do night work.

Minister Harmon made the comment at his Ministry of the Presidency Office on Thursday.

The minister said that in relation to the question of a night work ban for women working in private security companies, the Minister of Social Protection is responsible for the protection of all Guyanese, including women, and therefore it is quite appropriate for concerns to be expressed about the condition under which women work at night. Harmon however made it clear that there is no policy position approved by

Cabinet, where there is to be a ban on any female working in security services at night.

Minister Harmon said, “as far as the government is concerned we have had no debate on the matter.

The senior Minister of Social Protection, in that regard would have to bring a paper to Cabinet and Cabinet will have to debate on it. Until such time that that occurs the situation remains as it is and that is to say that women will continue to work either day or night and there is no restriction on them.”

Minister Harmon has instead indicated that the Government is calling on security companies to acknowledge and recognise that there are special conditions under which women should work and therefore those facilities for women should also be acknowledged

and recognised by security firms. “There is no restriction on their right to work, what we will ask and we will insist is that the employers who employ women must ensure the conditions under which they work that they provide for the special arrangements which have to do with women in the workforce.”

The Minister of State added too that Government is always open to advice as he stressed that the rights of workers must always be protected in the actual payment, which they receive for the work that they do. He noted too that “these persons’ national insurance contributions must be paid.

So there is an obligation on the part of the employer and an obligation on the part of the employee.” Minister Harmon said that the State will provide the legislative and regulatory framework

CONDEMNATION Meanwhile, the Guyana Association of Private Security Organisations (GAPSO) is of the view that more research is needed before any move is made toward the elimination of single mothers from working at nights in the private security guard industry. The organisation has condemned the proposal made by Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott.

Minister Scott on Monday reiterated his position that there should be the eventual removal of single mothers working security duties at night. GAPSO is adamant however, that this position must be supported by the relevant data. GAPSO said it maintains the point that, “The Ministry of Social Protection, needs to look at this issue in

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

Irma batters Guyanese –– in hurricane-ravaged territories, others prepare for attacks

By Zena Henry

GUYANESE residing in Caribbean nations in the path of Hurricane Irma, like the inhabitants of those islands are bracing themselves for the category five storm, which has already devastated several locations that it has visited, leaving thousands of people homeless and at least 10 dead.

From initial reports, many Guyanese have been affected on the islands Irma stormed through. Some have lost their homes and many others have been unable to communicate with their families.

Families and friends of those in the path of the storm are praying and are hoping for the best.

On Facebook and other social media sites, Guyanese sent out words of strength and encouragement to friends and family, some of whom nervously await the hurricane’s arrival and some trying to put together their lives following

the disaster.

Guyanese born journalist, Olivia Rose, who is currently posted in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), told Guyana Chronicle Thursday that the country is in a total state of preparedness.

Mere hours before the hurricane actually hit the archipelago state of 40 low-lying coral islands, Rose said gusty winds and heavy rainfall were already being felt.

Speaking to this newspaper via Facebook, Rose said she had completed her last minute preparation and was ensuring all is in place before the electricity and water facilities are disconnected.

“Nothing too devastating as yet for us,” she said, adding: “Our fear is tonight (Thursday), into tomorrow.”

In her report, Rose said shelters have been activated throughout the islands, with special emphasis placed on flood prone areas and those susceptible to the more than 180mph wind speed that the

hurricane has been maintaining for the last 24 hours.

Another Guyanese in the TCI, Delana Isles, via Facebook, described the atmosphere as scary, noting that Irma is on a head-on-collision course with the island.

“I’m truly sad at the destruction I’ve seen in two countries I’ve called home these past few years. It truly hurts me to see the destruction in Tortola and the many pleas for contact with friends and loved ones here on Facebook.

Barbuda, the damage is too devastating for words. Here in Turks and Caicos, we are preparing for the worst, and quite frankly it is more than a little frightening.”

In Antigua, where Irma has devastated sister isle, Barbuda, Guyanese designer Dawn Von Rossum said the atmosphere there is very tense.

She said Antigua managed to escape the full force of Irma as the storm shifted somewhat, but another

growing storm Jose, which currently carries a Category One status, has given cause for some panic.

“We dodged the bullet. In fact I slept through the storm and there was minor damage in my location but people are very nervous.”

Despite Jose likely to be much weaker than Irma, she said persons are fearful after seeing Barbuda, the Queenstown resident said.

Contact to at least two Guyanese in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) went unanswered. Friends and families of persons residing in the BVI were seen on Facebook asking to share updates and any information on loved ones once available. It is understood that communication in that island chain is extremely limited.

Irma made landfall in Puerto Rico, and is on schedule for The Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba. It is expected to arrive in Miami, Florida by Saturday, international weather agencies have

reported.

Irma evolved from a category two to category five hurricane in just eight days having developed off the Coast of Africa in the eastern Atlantic Ocean.

So far, it has levelled Barbuda. Following the storm, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister, Gaston

Browne, described the island as almost uninhabitable. More than 90 per cent of infrastructure on the island has been damaged and communication has been totally wiped out.

St. Maarten, Tortola and Anguilla are among other nations seriously affected by the disaster.

Guyana hails ties with Brazil … President ‘talks up’ investment, cooperation

PRESIDENT David Granger said that Guyana continues to actively pursue joint venture investments in tourism and trade and infrastructural development with the Federative Republic of Brazil.

In this regard, the signing of an updated Air Services Agreement, as well as the turning of the sod for a new Embassy of Guyana in Brasilia signals the importance which Guyana attaches to the deepening of relations with its southern neighbour.

The Head of States made these remarks at a reception held Thursday evening to mark the 195th Independence Anniversary of Brazil.

The event was held at the residence of Brazilian Ambassador, Mr. Lineu Pupo de Paula.

The Head of State told those gathered that these projects will further advance cooperation between the two states, particularly as it relates to the movement of capital, goods and people.

“The Takutu Bridge, which physically links our two countries, is a symbol of continental destiny. Guyana will continue to work with your country to advance further the infrastructural integration between our two countries through the development of a paved road

President David Granger looks on as Brazilian Ambassador, Lineu Pupo de Paula and Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Audrey Waddell, participate in the ceremonial cake-cutting to commemorate the 195th Independence Anniversary of Brazil (Delano Williams photo)

link between Lethem and Linden, the construction of a deep water harbour and joint cooperation on sustainable energy projects,” President Granger said.

As part of this ongoing programme of cooperation, residents of Lethem, the border town with Brazil, will soon benefit from wells, which are being drilled by the Brazilian Army to provide potable water in the Rupununi, which is known to be affected by prolonged periods of drought. President Granger noted that his Government is encouraged by the outcomes of the Fifth Meeting of the Border Committee, the First Working Group Meeting on Technical Cooperation, the Third Administrative Commission Meeting under the Economic Complementation Partial Scope Agreement between the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the 10th Conference of the Mixed Border Commission.

The President also noted that the friendship between Guyana and Brazil is founded on mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, cooperation for mutual benefit, respect for treaties, the

inviolability of borders and international law and the maintenance of international peace and security. “It is said that you can choose your friends but not your neighbours. Guyana is proud to have a neighbour, which is also a friend,” he said.

Similar sentiments were expressed by the Brazilian Ambassador, who assured of his Government’s continued support for Guyana’s territorial integrity. “We support the efforts being made by the Secretary General of the United Nations in reaffirming that the International Court of Justice is the natural way for the settlement of disputes…one of the fundamentals of our foreign policy is the respect for international agreement,” he said.

He spoke of efforts to drive investment opportunities between the two countries and informed of a large trade and investment mission, which was led by Minister of Business, Mr. Dominic Gaskin to Boa Vista last year. Guyana and the Federative Republic of Brazil have enjoyed excellent relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties on December 18, 1968.

Next year, the two countries will be celebrating 50 years of diplomatic ties. (Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

City Hall votes to renegotiate parking-meter contract THIRTEEN of 25 City councillors on Thursday voted in favour of setting up a new committee, possibly consisting now of members of the public, to start a fresh process of negotiation with Smart City Solutions (SCS), the foreign company that was granted a concession to install parking meters in Georgetown.

The contract that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) entered into with SCS came under heavy criticism from some City councillors who called for a complete revocation of it, while some others suggested waiting on the outcome of a court case that has a bearing on the matter.

Ultimately, they rea-

soned, the M&CC will have to go with the decision of the court regardless of what the Council decides now on the way forward.

The majority nevertheless voted in favour of renegotiating with SCS under some new rules. For instance, SCS will now be obligated to provide required documents before any negotiations can take place.

But Councilor Malcolm Ferreira, who chaired the previous re-negotiation committee, says there is no guarantee that SCS will comply and provide the documents.

“I don’t think that there’s any guarantee that SCS will come up and push up. They had enough time to

do that and they didn’t,” he told Guyana Chronicle following a City Hall meeting Thursday where councillors were allowed to air their views on the report he and his team submitted recently.

As it stands now, Town Clerk Royston King will have to write to Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan, seeking an extension of the holding of the parking meters to facilitate the setting up of the other committee for renegotiation.

By Monday, when the next statutory meeting will convene, Mayor Patricia Chase-Green has asked that councillors submit names of persons to serve on the new team.

“Let us take our time and move this process

through. Nobody will push my buttons.”

Member of the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM), Don Singh told this publication that the M&CC is going ahead with re-negotiating an illegal contract.

“Now I don’t know how that works. We at MAPM are one hundred per cent sure that the court case will justify our position that monopoly laws were broken, procurement laws were broken and the general contract is illegal. So they will be faced with further problems down the road by taking this action.”

Other member, Luana Falconer commented that it was shocking to see that it did not matter to 13 coun-

cillors that the contract with SCS is illegal.

“Where in the world is negotiating an illegal contract ok? These people are not thinking. This is madness. Everything about the whole process was wrong,” she said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikaran offered during his presentation that the City Council must adhere to the rule of law.

“In May 2016, the Council was informed that the contract was signed for the implementation of parking meters. To my knowledge, at no time do I recall ever discussing, much less voting, on a proposal to implement this. I didn’t even see a contract until much later on.”

Jaikarran said the project lacked transparency from the beginning, was not open to public scrutiny and should be shelved immediately.

Alliance For Change (AFC) Councillor, Sherod Duncan, along with People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Councillors, Bishram

Kuppen and Khame Sharma also called for the complete revocation of the contract with SCS. In a rather stirring and animate delivery, Duncan repeatedly called SCS “a sham of a company” and referred to how it disrespected the committee that the M&CC tasked with renegotiating the contract, by not providing requested documents.

“SCS is a bad deal for the City. How can we continue to work with them?

We cannot do business with them.”

Councillor Ferreira said the thought of resigning crossed his mind not because of his small stipend offered during the consultations or the hard work involved, but the fact that city councillors meet around the horse shoe table but cannot make a decision.

Although the town clerk said Ferreira’s committee overstepped its mandate and worked outside of its remit, Ferreira said he was very much prepared to defend his report.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

UN agencies, EU mobilise response to Irma-hit islands

EUROPEAN Union on Thursday said it was mobilising its emergency response instruments to assist countries affected or threatened by Hurricane Irma.

In a release the EU said High Representative/ Vice-President, Federica Mogherini said: “The European Union fully supports our partners and friends in the Caribbean region and beyond at this time of great need. We are heartfelt with all the victims and all the people affected by Hurricane Irma.”

The Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides, added: “The EU is working continuously to help countries and areas affected by this disaster. As a global player in the emergency response to disasters we have already taken immediate steps to prepare all our crisis response instruments. “Our European Emergency Center and our humanitarian aid offices in the region of the Caribbean closely follow all developments.”

As a first step, the European satellite mapping system Copernicus was activated at the request of France and the Copernicus satellites provided maps to Guadeloupe, Saint Barthelemy and Saint Martin. Haiti and the Dominican Republic have also received Copernicus support and it is ready for use in other areas.

In addition, a team of humanitarian experts from the European Commission is presently in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Additional personnel are ready to be deployed in the affected areas as needed.

The Commission’s 24/7 Crisis Response Coordination Center has contacted the countries participating in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and is prepared to provide the assistance

required by the affected countries. The Regional Humanitarian Aid Office of the Commission in Managua, which acts as the focal point for the Caribbean region, is fully operational to coordinate any assistance that may be required.

The EU recently helped the US authorities in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey by providing satellite imagery via its Copernicus system. In addition, the EU Solidarity Fund could be mobilised to support the reconstruction efforts on the ground.

10 MILLION CHILDREN Meanwhile, more than 10.5 million children live in the countries that are likely to be exposed to the damage from Hurricane Irma, UNICEF has warned.

According to the UN agency based on the storm’s current trajectory, children in the islands of the Eastern Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba are at risk, including over three million under-fiveyears-old. UNICEF said it is concerned that hundreds of thousands of children could suffer the worst effects of the storm, with those living in coastal zones at highest risk.

“Strong winds and torrential rains have already barreled through some of the smallest and most exposed islands in the eastern Caribbean, including Anguila and Barbuda,” said Patrick Knight, Head of Communication for UNICEF in the Eastern Caribbean, speaking from Barbados. “As the extent of the damage becomes clear we are seeing severe levels of destruction. Our priority is to reach all those children and families in the affected communities as soon as possible.”

Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm, travelled

across various islands of the Eastern Caribbean on Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction in its path, especially in Anguila, the British Virgin Islands, Barbuda and Turks and Caicos Islands. Early estimates suggest that 74,000 people, including 20,000 children, have been affected in these islands. According to local authorities, communication networks in many of the affected areas have been affected either totally or partially. Infrastructure, including roads, bridges, hospitals and schools has also suffered varying degrees of damage. In Barbuda, 90 per cent of the infrastructure has been destroyed, and it is anticipated that this will include up to 132 schools.

UNICEF said its immediate concern is providing drinking water and sanitation to affected communities, as well as providing child protection services for both children and adolescents, including psycho-social support for those affected. UNICEF will also support the reestablishment of education systems and early learning systems as safe spaces. In advance of the storm, UNICEF prepositioned life-saving humanitarian supplies in Antigua, Barbuda and Barbados to ensure a rapid distribution of these goods to affected populations in coordination with local authorities. These supplies include water, food and medicine, water treatment supplies, hygiene kits, provisional shelters and education materials.

Hurricane Irma is projected to continue its devastating path west, with the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Cuba at risk in the coming hours and days.

DEPLOYMENT OF STAFF For its part the United Nations System is de-

ploying staff and assistance to meet the needs of vulnerable Caribbean citizens in the path of record-breaking hurricane Irma. Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have unique economic, environmental and social vulnerabilities that are exacerbated in severe natural crises.

“Hurricane Irma is an unprecedented threat to the Caribbean. The United Nations is working closely with the CDEMA-led Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) and the affected countries to bring assistance to those most in need.

We are saddened by the reports of lives lost, and of people made homeless by this storm,” stressed Mr. Stephen O’Malley, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the OECS. RAPID NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND TECHNICAL EXPERTS Technical experts drawn from across the Caribbean, regional offices, and the various agency headquarters are deploying staff to support CDEMA and the affected countries as needed.

These include water and sanitation and hygiene experts, engineers, medical doctors, logistics management, nutrition, waste water and child protection and social protection experts.

Emergency funding will also be drawn down to respond to the needs of those directly affected.

AGENCY CONTRIBUTIONS The UN Office for the Coordination of Human-

itarian Affairs has deployed a four-person UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team comprised of first responders to augment Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency’s (CDEMA) capacity with coordination, needs assessment and information management expertise.

UNDAC partners from the International Humanitarian Partnership and MapAction will provide support with logistics, communications and mapping.

UN Women Multi-Country office – Caribbean is partnering with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to provide dignity kits, which contain basic health and hygiene products for displaced women and girls, such as soap, underwear, bras and sanitary napkins. UN Women is also able to provide technical and financial support on economic initiatives to get women and their families back on their feet and to address safety and security concerns. In addition to the Dignity/Hygiene Kits, as requested, UNFPA can support in providing life-saving reproductive health commodities through emergency Reproductive Health Kits. UNFPA would be able also to offer technical guidance on the prevention of Gender-Based Violence and sexual violence in affected communities.

UNDP has activated its crisis preparedness plans and will support countries both during the immediate response to this disaster and in crucial early recovery activities like debris management, emergency employment and supporting core government functions,

if asked.

UNICEF Eastern Caribbean Area Office is still working with governments of impacted countries, other United Nations agencies, partner organisations and the regional emergency response mechanism to offer the required assistance and support, but has already pre-positioned emergency supplies in Antigua to be rapidly distributed to the most affected islands.

UNICEF’s priority is ensuring the safety and security of children, especially those who are most disadvantaged.

The Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) is deploying surge capacity with expertise in water, sanitation, hygiene, health and disaster assessment to support Ministries of Health and enable delivery of essential health services. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Subregional Office for the Caribbean will work with governments of affected states to assess impact on fisheries and agriculture and pave the way for recovery of livelihoods and adequate food and nutrition. The emergency and disaster response is coordinated by the Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management System.

Under this umbrella system, the United Nations, donor agencies in the Caribbean, including USAID/OFDA, ECHO, DFID, Global Affairs Canada and others are coordinating their aid in light of the impact of Hurricane Irma and in readiness for the approaching Tropical Storm Jose.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

Protecting our natural resources, environment THE natural resources of a country belong to the people, and must be protected and shared among the citizens, current and future.

These resources do not belong to any specific group; as such, it requires national policies and programmes to preserve and protect both our forestry and mining sectors.

In countries such as ours, at times our lapses are not caused by the absence of policies and laws, but by the disrespect of those policies and laws. The destruction of the environment has scientifically shown that it has contributed to changes in weather and oceanic patterns as in the case of the hurricanes roaring through the Caribbean.

Aqua life, which includes fishing and re-populating, is being destroyed and this makes life and economic welfare difficult for seafood users and suppliers. Man and the forests have an intertwined and interdependent relationship, not only through economic pursuits, soil protection and resources for shelter, but also in the air needed for our existence, wherein the plant, as it gives off oxygen, Man intakes, and Man, as he gives off carbon dioxide, the plant intakes.

Today, Guyana finds itself at a critical juncture, whereby the preservation of the physical environment is seen as an

important element in development within the international community, and which, quite rightly, the nation has bought into. As such, it requires a new way of thinking and doing business in the forestry and mining sectors.

In the area of mining, for a number of years mining companies operating even in this Region, as close as in Jamaica, are expected to refill and return areas dug out to its original elevation, and more so to replant vegetation. In Guyana, the exercise continues as mining companies, domestic and foreign, destroy the forests, leave logs to rot, dig major holes in acquiring the minerals they are in search of, and move to other locations without returning the respective areas to conditions that would ensure they are habitable.

In whatever is being done, acceptable universal practices and values must be respected; at no time should this nation countenance any imposition to the contrary by any group, domestic or foreign, given that the country has embraced the “Green Economy,” which constitutes sustainable development, environmental protection, labour policies and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Core Labour Standards.

As a nation, there is need to learn from history. For, right

around the corner, the forests in Haiti were destroyed, not merely by Haitians, but by foreign investors. While a people ought not to harbour any anti-foreign investment idea or position, sight ought not to be lost that the citizens today are the custodians of the properties for future generations.

Every programme, in every sector, has to be developed within the confines of immediate, mid-term and long-term plans. It is to this nation’s and its people’s well-being that investments be conducted in a manner which is respectful of sustainable development, wherein extraction will be accompanied by the refilling and re-vegetating of the land and extracting in a manner, where the forests are not destroyed or the land minedout in a period of time that denies coming generations opportunities to benefit.

Ban on female night guards seems acceptable to me Dear Editor, THE nation was recently informed by Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, of his intention to bring to an end the practice of single-parent women, employed in private security firms, having to work night shifts with all of the dangers associated with it. To me, it is most surprising that this decision has become controversial to the point that known women rights activists have declared their opposition to it.

In political terms the opposition to the proposal exemplifies the difficulties the APNU+AFC government has to confront in its quest to address some social and economic ills in the society. The scenario which the government is often faced with is one, which indicates, it is damned when it takes action to bring relief

not only to its constituents but, to the wider population and damned, when it does nothing to address the problems. While this is not a situation that is unique in governance and politics worldwide, in so far as Guyana is concerned the more fundamental issue of Guyanese social/political culture is of primary importance in the search for solutions.

For many years I have been paying keen attention to this matter. As a result I have come around to the view that Guyana, in the absence of national consensus on major social/economic and political matters, will find meaningful change difficult to achieve. In the process we, as a nation, run the risk of becoming victims of our divisions.

I wish at this point to, very frankly and unambiguously, state what my feeling are on this matter. In doing so I wish to begin by saying that the

majority of women employed by the security services who work the night shift are African women. It is our women folk who, because of the limited opportunities in employment are forced to identify with these dangerous jobs which impact negatively on their person, family and children. Unfortunately, these workers are at the bottom of the social/economic ladder. For them the bottom line in their employment decisions is determined by the need to put food on the table and to provide other necessaries for their children. The African condition is characterised by economic deprivation for large numbers of our people, who are victims of circumstances and are in no position to exercise employment options in keeping within the norms of human justice and safety.

It is no secret that the destruction of the African community is reflected in part, in

the rise in the number of single-parent households headed by women. Along with this negative situation, is the development of single-parent mothers, who, in working the night shift, are forced to leave their children unsupervised and unprotected. It is common knowledge that the consequences of this development are teenage pregnancy, negligence, high rates of school drop outs, poor performance in schools and a life of crime for our boys and young men. While removing single-parent mothers from night shift work is not a solution for all the above problems, a policy decision that commits the government to end this unwarranted situation, should, in my opinion, be supported.

What we need to do in Guyana, is to struggle for alternative forms of employment within the private and public sectors, with adequate and appropriate remuneration, and to assist in

providing avenues for self-employment for women who would be affected by the new policy.

While I understand the position of women rights activists who are genuinely concerned with possible employment and economic difficulties the proposed policy can have on this segment of working women, I am not sure it will play out that way. I know of no government policy that has been implemented without resistance, by the beneficiaries of the old order, which in this case are the employers. It is my judgement that even if a law is passed giving effect to the proposed policy, the adjustment to the new measures – given the best intention of the government - will take time before it is implemented. Despite the rhetoric of the owners of private security firms, the likelihood of mass lay-off by these security firms will not take place since,

being the kind of exploiters of labor that they are, they will be unwilling to affect their profit margins by taking such action.

In short, unless government is prepared to put in place an effective regulatory framework to ensure compliance with the laws if it goes ahead with its intended actions, owners of private security firms are likely to ignore the new measures.

I end by posing this question. Are we to accept the present situation of African women working the night shift with all its negatives as a permanent condition?

For me this is unacceptable.

However, if the majority of those employed in this situation are against the proposed policy the government must be mindful of the Parking Meter saga and rethink its approach to this matter.

Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

How many friends, CARICOM stands relatives weighing down ready to assist postCouncil’s payroll?

Irma recovery efforts

Dear Editor,

THE recent comment by the Town Clerk of Georgetown in the media that City Hall is not overstaffed but under resourced is preposterous, pathetic and a poor attempt at being clever.

The definition of overstaffing is having more employees than are needed.

Simply put, if the Vector Control staff are without spray cans and without insecticide for years now, then they are under resourced and overstaffed as they have no work to do, yet have to be paid for doing nothing. If the mechanics are not issued tools or provided with mechanical spares for eons then they can’t provide maintenance and repairs to municipal vehicles and are rendered impotent and therefore the workshop must be considered under resourced and overstaffed, unless they bring their own tools to work and procure the necessary spares out of their own pockets.

And such an extrapolation can be done in each section and department of the Council, are the nurses not having vaccines, carpenters and masons without tools and building materials to fix bridges etc. But an even more glaring refutation of the Town Clerk’s endeavor at a nifty rejoinder to the reporter’s question about overstaffing at the Council, was his failure to explain of how the willy-nilly contracting out of municipal services to their friends for activities such as weeding of parapets and drains whilst maintaining their own gang, cleaning of the cemetery, whilst maintaining their own cemetery workers, running of electrical wiring in the City Constabulary Training Center by their special contractor whilst maintaining their own Electricians does not lead to redundancy and overstaffing?

But finally, could the Town Clerk explain how it is possible for a city as poorly run as Georgetown to have so many departments, so many managers

and so many support staff?

There are cities much larger than Georgetown and municipalities that provide a much better quality and greater amount of municipal services to the citizenry in the Caribbean that don’t have three Assistant and Deputy Town Clerks, that don’t have seven Engineers, an entire public relations department with a ton of staffers, that don’t have their senior officials protected by bodyguards, and attended to by personal assistants, chauffeurs and a retinue of other attendants. But the question I had really wanted the journalist to ask the Town Clerk, was how many friends, relatives and church pals of senior municipal officials are currently weighing down Council’s payroll. Under resourcing is not the real problem at the Council, it is nepotism, cronyism and favouritism.

Regards Sambu Jacobus

PPP saddened by Hurricane Irma’s devastation Dear Editor THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) wishes to extend its deepest sympathy to Leaders and peoples of Caribbean nations which have been ravaged by and those which are still in the path of Hurricane Irma that continues to wreak havoc in that part of the Region.

Our Party remains profoundly saddened by the loss of lives and extensive damage which this massive storm has inflicted. The PPP

is aware of the devastating impact, loss and the inconvenience our Caribbean brothers and sisters are forced to endure once again. It is our Party’s fervent hope that those affected will remain resilient and be imbued with the strength to be able to quickly overcome the current challenges so that normalcy can be restored soonest. We are also cognizant that a number of Guyanese are residing in the affected islands and others areas that could possibly be in Irma’s path, including parts of Florida. Our thoughts are with

them and their relatives.

The PPP sincerely hopes that the rebuilding process will be swift and extends best wishes for a smooth and successful implementation of all emergency interventions, both infrastructural and humanitarian. Our Party wishes to assure our Caribbean brothers and sisters that it stands with them in this their time of tragedy.

Regards People’s Progressive Party

THE Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr the Rt Honourable Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, has expressed his sorrow at the deaths caused by Hurricane Irma.

“This massive storm has already claimed lives in many of the countries and has inflicted severe damage to infrastructure in the affected islands,” the Prime Minister said.

“I extend condolences to the family of the deceased and to the Governments and Peoples of the countries. It is almost impossible to assess the human cost of disasters such as these,” he added.

Prime Minister Mitch-

ell has been kept abreast of the situation through discussions with CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and the Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Mr Ronald Jackson.

The Chairman has spoken to the leaders of most of the States already affected by the hurricane, the Honourable Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Dr the Rt Honourable Timothy Harris, Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis and the Chief Minister of Anguilla, the Honourable Victor Banks.

The Chairman has also been in contact with

the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, the Honourable Allen Chastanet, the Lead Head of Government for Sustainable Development, including Disaster Management in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet.

“We hope and pray that the countries in the predicted path of the hurricane, Turks and Caicos Islands, The Bahamas and Haiti are spared its worst effects,” Prime Minister Mitchell said.

“The Community stands ready to render whatever assistance it can to assist in the recovery efforts which are being co-ordinated by CDEMA,” the CARICOM Chairman said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

Slowe report points to police reform

THE Paul Slowe-led Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger has recommended among other things, that there be a restructuring of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, revealed Thursday.

During a post-Cabinet press briefing, the minister of state cautiously said, “Preliminarily, what I would say is that the report points to certain areas which require reform in the GPF, which will be the subject of some comment by the British advisor on Security Sector Reform in Guyana.”

In March, Grove businessman Andriff Gillard accused his former friend Nizam Khan of offering him $7M to assassinate President Granger sometime in June 2015; approximately one month after the President was elected to office.

Gillard also accused members of the GPF of covering up and noted that his report to the police was not taken seriously by officers of the Criminal Investiga-

tion Department’s (CID) Major Crimes Unit, headed

by Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum.

The businessman has also revealed that Police Commissioner, Seelall Persaud, is a good friend of Khan’s brother Imran and it is because of the connection that the matter was not taken seriously.

During the CoI, several police officers were required to testify before the Commission and it was during these testimonies that it was discovered that several long-standing procedures and policies were not followed by those tasked with investigating the allegation.

Slowe, a retired assistant police commissioner had found himself repeatedly questioning the operation of some officers who testified before the commission.

He had made considerable comparison during the hearing to policies he knew existed and the current modus operandi of the officers attached to the CID. Several senior ranks of the Major Crimes Unit of the CID were accused of

being guilty of interference in the investigation of the alleged assassination plot.

The surfacing of such information also raised eyebrows as to the management of the Force.

Meanwhile, the guarded minister of state said the report clearly points to the need for reform but was unable to provide additional information in this regard.

In fact, he said the report has to be deliberated at the level of Cabinet after which his administration will make a public statement following which the report will be made public.

It should be noted that several ranks of GPF who were tasked with investigating the matter appeared not to have taken the report seriously, and as a result of their opinions, may not have acted in ways tantamount to their specific roles.

BROAD SWEEPING POLICY Some two weeks ago during a visit to Lethem, Region Nine, President David Granger announced “a

very broad sweeping policy” relating to the security of the country’s porous borders. “… and some of the issues which actually arose in the CoI are issues which would have been addressed there… that had to do with the way in which the Police Force was organised nationally to deal with the crime situation and the security of our borders,” said Harmon.

He told reporters that the President at that forum pointed to the re-examination of the structure of the Police Force and made specific reference to how the divisional lines are drawn (A-Division to F- Division).

Harmon said divisional boundaries should reflect the actual situation with respect to the administrative regions so that the policing functions, the ranks posted in these areas, the seniority of those persons can be a reflection of the reality which takes place on the ground.

He used Regions Nine, Eight, Seven and One, which all fall within ‘F’ Division of the Force.

“Now these are huge

areas of not only land but human activity,” he stated, while noting that changes have to be made to ensure that there is better policing in those areas.

“The way in which we are structured is over 100 years when the Police Force was established. Since then the demographics in the country has changed and the way public life is conducted has changed,” the Minister of State added, while noting that it is important that the issue is addressed soonest.

Last week, the report into the alleged assassination plot was handed over to President Granger at State House by Slowe.

He said he found it “completely unacceptable for any public official to deem the allegation of, or intention to plot to assassinate the President of any country, as being inherently incredible.”

“That is what I found inherently incredible that a person who is appointed to conduct an investigation, without completing an investigation would come to such a conclusion,” said

Minister of State Joseph Harmon President Granger.

During his testimony at the CoI, Blanhum when asked how he viewed the allegation made by Gillard by counsel for the Guyana Police Force Ian Chang, responded: “It is my humble opinion that the allegation made by Gillard against Khan is inherently incredible.”

Irma kills 10, heads for Florida

THE “extremely dangerous” Hurricane Irma raged offshore vulnerable Haiti on Thursday after devastating a string of Caribbean islands and killing at least 10 people as one of the most powerful Atlantic storms in a century took aim at the Turks and Caicos islands and Florida.

With winds of around 185 miles per hour (290 km per hour), the storm has smashed through several small islands in the northeast Caribbean in recent days, including Barbuda, Saint Martin and the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, ripping down trees and flattening homes and hospitals.

Winds dipped slightly on Thursday to 175 mph as the storm lashed the northern coast of the Dominican Republic but it remained an extremely dangerous Category 5 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Irma is expected to hit Florida as a very powerful Category 4 on Sunday, with storm surges and flooding beginning within the next 48 hours.

“The amount of wind that’s coming in, we don’t think we’ve seen anything quite like this,” U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday after declaring a major disaster in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“To the people of Florida, we just want you to protect yourselves, be very vigilant and careful,” said the president, who owns the waterfront Mara-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

Florida emergency management officials began evacuations, ordering tourists to leave the Keys. Gas shortages in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area worsened on Thursday, with sales up to five times the norm. A mandatory evacuation on Georgia’s Atlantic coast was due to begin on Saturday, Governor Nathan Deal said.

Across the Caribbean authorities rushed to evacuate tens of thousands of residents and tourists in the path of the storm, while on islands in its wake, shocked locals tried to comprehend the extent of the devastation. In the U.S. Virgin islands, a major hospital was obliterated by the wind and Barbuda, where one person died, was reduced “to rubble”, according to Prime Minister Gaston Browne. In the British overseas territory of Anguilla another person was killed, while the hospital and airport, power and phone service were damaged, emergency service officials said.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said four bodies were recovered on the tiny French-Dutch island of Saint Martin, which was hit hard. Earlier, in the confusion surrounding Irma, France’s interior minister had said eight people were killed and nearly two dozen injured. “It is an enormous disaster. Ninety-five percent of the island is destroyed. I am in shock,” Daniel Gibbs, chairman of a local council on Saint Martin, told Radio Caribbean International.

Television footage from

the island showed a damaged marina with boats tossed into piles, submerged streets and flooded homes. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday to

of the island, which is particularly vulnerable to hurricanes and rain, although it was not forecast to make landfall.

While the strongest winds should not hit Haiti, authorities and aid agencies were bracing

Waves crash against the shore and a stranded boat as Hurricane Irma moves off from the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic September 7, 2017. REUTERS/ Ivan Alvarado coordinate an emergency humanitarian response.

Three people were killed in Puerto Rico and around two-thirds of the population lost their electricity, Governor Ricardo Rossello said after the storm passed by the U.S. territory’s northern coast. A surfer was also reported killed in Barbados. The storm passed just to the north of the Hispaniola island shared by Dominican Republic and Haiti, causing some damage to roofs and flooding as it approached the impoverished Haitian side

for heavy rainfall from the storm just 90 miles (145 km) north of the coast, which could cause landslides and flooding.

The first bands of rain and wind began to lash Haiti’s normally bustling northern port city of Cap-Haitien on Thursday. “We’re asking all those living in areas at risk to leave their homes.

If you don’t, you’ll be evacuated by force,” President Jovenel Moise said.

“When you go to shelters you’ll find food, you’ll have something to sleep on.”

CHILDREN AT RISK The United Nations Children’s Fund warned millions of children could be at risk in those two countries.

Irma’s eye was 40 miles (65 km) southeast of the Turks and Caicos islands, a British territory, and forecast to hit the Bahamas before moving towards Cuba’s sandy keys.

Cuba started evacuating some of the 51,000 tourists visiting the island, particularly 36,000 people at resorts on the picturesque northern coast, most of them Canadians. “Canada decided ... to evacuate all the Canadian tourists in the country,” said Cuban Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero, estimating they made up 60 percent of tourists in the country’s keys.

Authorities in the Dominican Republic also ordered evacuations in towns along the northern Atlantic coast such as Cabarete, a thriving tourist spot where trees were brought down by high winds but no severe damage was reported.

Amid criticism from many residents that the British government could have done more to help its territories, Foreign Office Minister Alan Duncan said a Royal Navy ship would reach the affected islands on Thursday with tents, vehicles and other relief equipment.

Britain released 32 million pounds ($42 million) for aid.

“Anguilla received the hurricane’s full blast. The initial assessment is that the damage has been severe and

in places critical,” Duncan told parliament. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth said she was “shocked and saddened” by the reports of Caribbean devastation. In Puerto Rico, Rossello said it was too early to estimate the cost of the damage. The streets of the capital San Juan were littered with downed tree limbs and signs.

Juan Pablo Aleman, a restaurant owner, said he had ridden out the storm in his 11th-floor apartment.

“The building moved, shook a few times. A lot of shingles came off and some windows broke,” he told Reuters. “If it had gone a little more to the south, it would have been catastrophic.” Irma was the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean and one of the five most forceful storms to hit the Atlantic basin in 82 years, according to the NHC. Two other hurricanes formed on Wednesday.

Katia in the Gulf of Mexico posed no threat to the United States and was headed toward Mexico, according to U.S. forecasters. Hurricane Jose strengthened to a Category 3 with sustained winds of 120 mph (195 kph) and was about 590 miles (955 km) east of the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles islands, and could eventually threaten the U.S. mainland. The storm activity comes after Harvey claimed about 60 lives and caused property damage estimated to be as much as $180 billion in Texas and Louisiana. (Reuters)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

Discovery of illegal aircraft

Collusion suspected between police, operators

By Ariana Gordon MINISTER of State, Joseph Harmon, on Thursday told reporters that there is an ongoing investigation into what is believed to be some form of collusion between law enforcement officers and the operators of the illegal Beechcraft Super King Air 350 aircraft found in Region Nine last month.

Responding to questions on the subject, Harmon said, “There is some information that is available to us which is suggesting a certain level of collusion and that information we take very seriously and it will inform the way in which we deal with the actual deployment of ranks in these areas.”

The minister of state did not reveal additional information in the matter but noted that his administration is making every effort to eradicate corruption.

When asked whether he was in possession of information which suggests that the police were paid by those who occupied the aircraft and subsequently fled the scene, Harmon offered no comment.

“I am not sure about ‘paid.’ I understand there was some collusion. That’s what I heard,” the minister of state remarked, while stressing that it is best to await the findings of the investigations.

Last month top security sources told Guyana Chronicle that an aerial survey of the area shows that it would have been very difficult for anyone to escape as the area is surrounded by swamp and a cluster of trees.

“From all appearances someone might have ushered these guys out of the area,” the source said, adding that contrary to initial reports, five men were onboard the aircraft: the pilot, co-pilot and three other occupants.

Commander of ‘F’ Division, Ravindradat Budhram, in an invited comment to the Ministry of the Presidency last month had said that after receiving information from an unnamed source that the airstrip was being used, investigating ranks visited the site and were

leaving the area when they observed an aircraft circling some distance away.

The aircraft landed while the ranks were making their way back to the airstrip, Budhram reported. He said the ranks reported that they saw some persons running into the bush.

Commander Budhram said that following the discovery of the plane, an extensive search was mounted by a Joint Services team for the men, who had been observed fleeing. That search continues.

The divisional commander noted too that a search of the area unearthed three abandoned camps, in which canned food and other items were found.

Additionally, 16 ten-gallon containers, which are suspected to have contained aviation fuel, were also discovered.

During the search of the aircraft, several pieces of communication equipment, including cellular phones, flashlights, a quantity of dried ration, medical supplies and an identification card were discovered.

The discovery of the airstrip and aircraft follows the discovery of another illegal airstrip in Yurupukari, Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) in September 2015.

VULNERABLE Investigations later revealed that the CESSNA plane had originated in Colombia. Guyana’s vast land and airspace makes the country vulnerable to transnational security threats.

Budhram also stated that the 5,400-foot long, 45-foot wide airstrip appeared to have undergone recent repairs. The strip in question was destroyed by the GDF only a few years ago.

Furthermore, it is located approximately five miles from another illegal airstrip, which was discovered two weekends ago by a GDF patrol that was on a reconnaissance mission at the time.

The Beechcraft Super King Air 350 bears registration PR-IMG, which

is reportedly tied to an investment bank in Brazil.

Information suggests that the firm leased the aircraft to a Rio-based company.

The official said this is the normal modus operandi of drug traffickers.

Government has since expressed concern over the incident and noted that it is working with local and international partners to build capacity and strengthen security.

“The Government is extremely concerned; we are concerned that these aircraft are utilising our large gaps in the security coverage in the hinterland areas, but we are looking carefully to see how we can have a proper coverage of those areas,”

Harmon had said in a statement.

He said, too, that the government has recognised that over a period of years, there are those who have taken advantage of the lack of adequate resources to properly monitor those areas.

He said the administration is taking this matter very seriously, and is making every effort to better equip the security forces, and strengthen their capacity to secure Guyana’s territory.

“It is illegal for any aircraft to land or be in Guyana, unless they have the permission of the government and the GCAA. “While we have large expanses of land in the

Rupununi that can be used for airstrips, it is illegal to have these airstrips,” he added.

DRONE UNIT Meanwhile, Harmon disclosed that a drone unit would be established within the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to monitor the country’s remote communities.

“Drone technology is basically the way the world is going right now. We have been utilising some commercial ones for certain limited use, currently but we are exploring the farther type drones that can stay in the air for longer periods of time and can give you more accurate readings,” he

declared.

The minister of state, who also sits on the Defence Board told reporters that the 2018 national budget will cater for the purchasing of drones for the GDF. “… [drones] allows you to cover greater ground which reduces the number of personnel or troops you’d have to use on the ground. It also gives you coverage of areas that are inaccessible otherwise.

“It is something we are actively considering and we have some proposals made to us and some companies that are coming in making proposals about the quality and type we could use,” Harmon added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

President to consider court ruling in picking GECOM chairman

PRESIDENT David Granger has no intention of deviating from the recent High Court decision of Chief Justice (ag), Roxanne George-Wiltshire, on the chairmanship of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, on Thursday during a post-cabinet press briefing told reporters that President Granger respects the ruling of the court and will consider it as part of his decision on the matter. In July, Justice George ruled that persons nominated to be selected as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) do not have to be judges, former judges or

persons qualified to serve as a judge, a position which differed somewhat from that of the President.

She also ruled that while the President has the ultimate say on who is determined fit and proper to serve in the post, and could also reject the list of nominees, he should provide reasons as to why specific persons are unsuitable. Businessman, Marcel Gaskin, had approached the High Court for an interpretation of Article 161 of the Constitution and to declare whether the list of nominees to be submitted by the opposition leader must include a judge, a retired judge or a person qualified to be a judge.

However, Harmon as-

sured, “the President respects the ruling of the court in this matter and has no intention of stepping outside of the boundaries that was established there. He respects that ruling.”

Back in March, the President had detailed the qualities that the nominees should have.

“Among the requirements were, inter alia, that the individual must not be an activist of any form (gender, racial, religious, etc.); that the person must have no political affiliation; and that the person should have the general characteristics of honesty, integrity, faithfulness, and diligence,” the President stated.

GECOM was last chaired by Dr. Steve Surujbally, who has since resigned leaving the post

vacant for approximately six months. By law, the head-ofstate is required to consult with the Leader of the Opposition on the subject and the latter is required to, after consultation with stakeholder, submit a list of six persons for consideration.

Thus far, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has submitted three lists comprising six nominees each. The first two lists were rejected by President Granger, who said the nominees were not “fit and proper.” At the moment, the President is reviewing the third list, which was submitted about two weeks ago and comprises former GECOM Chairman, Major General (retired) Joseph Singh, Attorneys Teni Housty and Sanjeev Datadin, Environmentalist Annette Arjune-Martins, Pastor Onesi La Fleur and Former Magistrate, Krishnadatt Persaud.

Harmon said too that like the nation, President Granger too is anxious to have the matter resolved soonest and noted that there was a eight week hiatus after the second list was rejected and before the third list was submitted.

“His Excellency is giving this matter its careful consideration and wants to ensure that the person who is selected to be the chairman of GECOM is a person who is fit and proper for that job.

I want to assure you also, that his Excellency himself is very anxious to have this matter brought to an end and that he is taking all steps in that direction,” said Harmon.

The Minister of State assured that President Granger believes that the post of GECOM Chairman is “very important” and as a result, “will make a determination to ensure we get the best possible person for that position.”

“He is anxious like everyone else to get this thing done,” stressed Harmon.

Meanwhile, the second list rejected by the President comprised of Retired Justice of Appeal B.S Roy; Retired Justice William Ramlall; Attorney and a former Magistrate, Oneidge Walrond-Allicock; Attorneys, Kashir Khan and Nadia Sagar and businessman, Gerald Gouveia. The President had said that the list did not com-

prise a range of persons from which to choose a candidate.

He said that Opposition Leader must submit a list that matches the criteria set out in keeping with Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana for the selection of a ‘fit and proper’ person to fill the post of GECOM. “Every member of the list suggested must conform to the criteria and you cannot put on the list, a person who does not conform… I must be given a choice. I don’t believe that the second list gave me the range of choice that the people of Guyana deserve,” President Granger said. “Nothing is ever settled until it is settled right and he has to get it right,” the President continued.

The first list comprised of Governance and Conflict Resolution Specialist, Lawrence Lachmansingh; Attorney and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram; Retired Major General, Norman Mc Lean; Business Executive, Ramesh Dookhoo; Indian Rights Activist, Rhyaan Shah and History Professor, James Rose.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

22 receive land titles after 25-year wait

A 25-YEAR-LONG wait came to an end on Thursday when 22 residents of Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region 10) and former employees of the Linden Mining Enterprises Limited (LINMINE) received titles to the lands they have been occupying, from Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

At a simple handing over ceremony held at Watooka House, Minister Harmon congratulated the recipients, noting that they had been neglected for far too long.

These residents have lived in this area on the East Bank of the Demerara River in Mackenzie in houses, built by the bauxite company for its employees. A programme of selling these properties to employees started in the late 1960’s and at the time of vesting the lands to NICIL, there were a number of employees, who had signed sales agreements, but the titles were never transferred to them. The lands had been handed over to National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) by vesting order in 2005 by LINMINE, after an injunction was passed as a result of a case brought by Mr. James Ramsahoye to force the company to honour a prior judgement for wrongful dismissal. That injunction effectively blocked the transfer of titles by LINMINE to its ex-employees. Minister Harmon described the former administration as insensitive to the needs and plight of the residents as it failed to take action to ensure the matter was resolved, even after the court matter was settled.

The Minister said that during a visit to the region last year, he received numerous complaints about the situation. He immediately convened a meeting with the

regional officials, Head of NICIL’s Board, Mr. Horace James and other stakeholders and instructed that those complaints be addressed. “It was just a question of uncaringness of the Government at that time. A process has been put in place for those

Harmon’s reactiveness convinced him that his dream of owning the land would have been realised.

“Today my dream has come through. I have been waiting 25 years and over, hoping and waiting for this day and today I am collecting

a specific aim of creating communities where families can grow and thrive as a unit.

QUALITY OF LIFE The Minister of State said that the granting of titles to establish rightful

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, presents the titles for the lands to residents of Upper Demerara- Berbice (Region 10) who are receiving transports and titles. Twenty-two titles were handed over and it ends the process for which transactions began since in the 1980s, but which were never completed because of a number of legal obstacles, which have now been resolved.

The delay in granting these titles was also due to the fact that no work was done to grant the titles by the previous administration even though the processes were completed and vesting orders were published,” Minister Harmon said.

TIRED OF WAITING One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Morris Reece, who lives in Industrial Area, Linden said that while he had initially gotten tired of waiting for the matter to be resolved, Minister

my title. This is a good move by the Government and I really want to say thank you to Minister Harmon and the entire Government,” he said.

Ms. Bibi Ameena, also from Industrial Area echoed those sentiments. “Oh God, I am so thankful. Right now, I feel so proud, so thankful. I really feel good about this because I waited such a long time for this day to come and I want to say thank you very much,” she said.

Minister Harmon said that the David Granger-led administration is committed to ensuring that sustainable, family oriented communities are created across Guyana. He noted that this exercise is part of a process of regularisation of land and property issues across Guyana by the Administration, which has

ownership to deserving persons will help to improve their quality of lives and the status of their communities.

Minister Harmon said, “We are not going to be constructing housing schemes.

We are developing ‘liveable’ communities. Houses are where families live.

Families are the basic cells of communities and communities are where people are socialised. The emphasis is, therefore, on housing as an integral part of communities.

Government’s policy, therefore, is to promote housing within the context of community development.

Government housing programmes will go beyond the provision of house lots and housing units. It will cater to the needs of residents. Existing housing schemes will benefit from infrastructural

Baker remanded on armed robbery charges

A 32-YEAR-OLD baker was on Thursday remanded to prison by City Magistrate Judy Latchman on two counts of armed robbery.

Quintyn Alvin Bourne of Eldorado Drive, South Ruimveldt was recently arrested by police after a wanted bulletin was issued for him. Particulars of the first charge alleged that Bourne, on August 22 at Sheriff Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, while being in the company of others armed with guns, robbed Leon Bentham of $2M cash property of Ryan Shivraj and a cellphone valued $25,000.

upgrades, while new housing schemes will be designed in a manner, which provides a safe environment and infrastructure, access to quality public services and facilities to promote livelihood of our people.”

The Minister of State said

It is further alleged that Bourne, while being in the company of others, also robbed Shawn Anthony of a Samsung Galaxy S5 cellphone valued $34,000 during the same holdup.

Bourne denied both charges while his attorney, Dexter Todd begged the court for his client to be released on reasonable bail. According to the lawyer, Bourne had rented a car in favour for a friend, who is not from Guyana. The lawyer further explained that his client signed for the car in his name and handed the keys over to his friend.

However, when the defendant returned the vehicle to the rental dealership he was arrested and told that the car was involved in a robbery. According to a police report, the robbery was committed on two Buddy’s employees at Sheriff Street, Campbellville, Georgetown location.

Bentham and others had just returned to work after making a withdrawal from a city bank when they were approached by two gunmen, who relieved him of the cash and his cell phone.

The gunmen made good their escape in a waiting car.

As the men fled, the victim, a

licensed firearm holder, discharged several rounds in their direction. The police were summoned and they recovered the suspected getaway car at Middle Road, La Penitence with suspected bloodstains. The vehicle also bore several bullet holes.

Police Prosecutor, Shawn Gonsalves objected to Bourne being released on bail on the ground that an arrest warrant had to be issued for the accused arrest.

The Magistrate remanded Bourne until Friday, September 8 and transferred the matter to the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.

that the housing plans over the past two decades have been bedevilled by problems, including the cavalier approach to land distribution, prohibitive cost of housing lands, abysmal infrastructure within the communities, failure on some part of private developers to meet their contractual obligations, sloth of the processing of land titles and shoddy works on houses. This Government, he said, will ensure that citizens can live in an environment in which they can enjoy the ‘good life.’

“In this regard, work is ongoing with respect to Indigenous peoples’ land titling, as well as the joint or communal ownership of lands by freed African slaves and their descendants. The Government, along with all stakeholders, will bring clo-

sure and resolve these issues in relation to land that has remained unresolved for many years. In addition, Government is also working towards establishing programmes that will guarantee sustainable use of land, while ensuring land resources are used for the improvement of the livelihood of all of our people.

I urge you to improve your property and to utilise the resources that can be utilised productively for the improvement of your lives and the enhancement of the communities,” he said.

CARE THE ENVIRONMENT As Guyana continues to forge ahead with its ‘green’ development agenda, Minister Harmon told the residents that they have a role to play in the achievement of this goal and it is their responsibility to take care of their environment and ensure the proper disposal of their refuse. He also urged them to plant trees in their yards to help mitigate the effects of flooding and other disasters caused by climate change.

Meanwhile, Mr. Horace James, Chairman of the Board of NICIL, said that the company is committed to seeing this process to a resolution. “This has been a very long wait. I have seen letters written starting the process since 1964 in some cases and there were a number of reasons for not completing the process.

There was communication and then no communication on both ends and all of that but as a company, we will make contact with you and will ensure that we keep you updated and carry out this process through [to] the end,” he said. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Police launch probe into assault of civilian at outpost FOLLOWING the viral circulation of a video which was reportedly taped by a man, who showed up at the Police Outpost at Water Street in the vicinity of Muneshwer’s building to make a report that he was being threatened, but was met with both verbal and physical assault, has engaged the attention of the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

The video surfaced via Gordon Moseley after which Commander of ‘A’ Division, Marlon Chapman, said an investigation has been launched. The video which did not reveal the identity of the man showed two policemen: a constable and a corporal refusing to take the man’s report and directed him to do so at the Brickdam Police Station.

But the man refused to be sent off and demanded that his report be filed, as a result of which he was assaulted by the Corporal, who told him to get out of the police outpost with his beer bottle, which the video did not show.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

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Golden Grove man perishes in suspected arson

SEAN Prince, 39, of Lot 67 Sideline Dam, Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara perished after fire consumed his home on Thursday.

The father of one shared the 35x 40 gutted two-storey wooden and concrete building with his cousin Devon Prince. His cousin, who lived in the lower flat was taken

Fire investigators combing the scene for evidence of how the fire started (Rabindra Rooplall Photo)

into police custody as investigator suspect foul play.

Reports indicate that the fire of unknown origin started at 01:10hrs Thursday morning in the upper flat where Sean Prince lived.

Sean used to work with his father’s shipping company and was described by friends as an exceptional and kind person.

“A son of the soil, he was sincere, he was somebody everyone would wish to have as their friend, he always wanted to make people happy,” one of his friends at a nearby shop in the area said.

At the shop, friends praised Sean, noting that altough his work shedule is frantic, he socialised with them on Wednesday.

His friends also said the fire seems msyterious since Sean left the shop sober enough to ride his bicycle home.

“This man was not drunk,

Dead: Sean Prince he is not the type of person to make mistakes with fire and the fire doesn’t look electrical in origin and from what we are hearing something went wrong that resulted in his death,” one exewitness said as he called on police to conduct a through investigation.

Residents said they heard what sounded like a scuffle, followed by a loud explosion before noticing the building on fire.

Essequibo girl wins trip to CPL finals JUDY Rampersaud of Essequibo Coast has won a trip to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) finals in Trinidad and Tobago (TT) this weekend as part of Digicel’s latest Quick Pick/ Smart Bundles CPL Promotion.

During the launching of the promotion, customers were encouraged to activate a Digicel Smart Bundle from August 11-31 for a chance to win.

Rampersaud was in complete disbelief when she got the good news.

“Really? What? No man you lying, is this for real?” Judy exclaimed on hearing the news of her win.

She and three lucky persons of her choice will be flying to TT to be a part of the much anticipated Hero Caribbean Premier League CPLT20 finals compliments of Digicel Guyana.

The all-inclusive package includes roundtrip airfares, hotel accommodation and ground transportation to and from the game plus a stipend.

The winners of the much touted promotion In addition, the crew of four will get to ‘rub shoulders’ with the Soca Sensation Machel Montano, who will be performing live during Digicel’s Postgame Live concert – which will also be streamed live on Digicel’s PlayGo app.

Judy and her ‘crew’, who are scheduled to travel from September 9-11, will get to meet Machel and live like true

VIPs throughout their trip.

“CPL, and cricket in general, is a big love among Caribbean people and we’re happy to be helping them come out and support their teams,” said Ben Bradley, head of sponsorship for Digicel.

“This is about leveraging our platforms and our latest offerings, like Smart Bundles to help customers stay connected to the things they love,” he added.

The Digicel Quick Pick/Smart Bundles CPL promotion was hosted across all CPL and Digicel Markets, including Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, The British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

Smart bundles allow prepaid customers to browse, stream, share and chat to their heart’s content on Digicel’s Guyana’s 4G network, plus enjoy rollover data and talk.

Bandit admits to shooting, robbery

A 33-YEAR-OLD South Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara robbery suspect confessed to armed robbery Wednesday when he surrendered to police in the company of his attorney, police have confirmed.

It is alleged that the man and another suspect robbed a passenger who was subsequently shot while pursuing the duo.

The gun stashed in the vehicle that was uncovered by police

Police said the suspect also admitted to the ownership of an unlicensed firearm with five live rounds, which along with part of the stolen jewellery were found in a motor car, in proximity of the crime scene.

Investigations revealed that about 15:00hrs on September 2, the 44-yearold victim, who is a miner and resides at Middle Walk, Buxton, ECD, was a passenger in a minibus with other passengers at the East Coast Bus Park, Hinck Street, Georgetown, when two suspects, one armed with a handgun pounced and relieved him of his gold and diamond chain valued $950,000.00 and fled in the direction of the Stabroek Market.

The armed suspect was pursued by the victim and during a confrontation at the Stabroek Market he drew his firearm and discharged several rounds hitting the victim.

The gunman quickly proceeded to a parked motor car where he concealed something and escaped, leaving the car locked.

The vehicle was towed to the Brickdam Police Station and later searched in the presence of its owner. The owner

The firearm and jewellery recovered by police claimed to have rented the car to a Kitty resident since last July.

The victim who was taken to the GPHC was treated and later discharged. Police said efforts are being made to have the other suspect arrested.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

Cyclist killed on Mibicuri Public Road POLICE are investigating the death of a cyclist which occurred about 09:40hrs Thursday on the Mibicuri Public Road, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice.

Dead is Latchman Sukhu, 66, of 86 Mibicuri North, Black Bush Polder, a rural constable attached to the Mibicuri Police Station.

Investigations revealed that motor car HB 8230 driven by a 35-year-old male, of Belvedere, Dead: Latchman Sukhu Corentyne, Berbice, was proceeding south along the eastern carriageway, allegedly at a fast rate, when it collided with the cyclist who allegedly rode out from a street at the western end of the road.

The cyclist was rushed to the nearby Mibicuri Public Hospital in an unconscious state and was pronounced dead on arrival.

A breathalyser test was conducted on the driver and no alcohol was detected in his breath. He is in custody assisting with the investigation.

Bandits rob housewife and her mother THREE bandits robbed a housewife and her mother of cash, jewellery and a cellphone at Glasgow Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.

The housewife, who was in bed, woke up from her sleep after a backdoor to the house made a cracking sound, as the bandits armed with handguns and cutlass tried to gain entry to the house.

The 29-year-old woman, who was confronted by the robbers, panicked when she saw a gun pointed to her head. The men demanded cash and jewellery. One of the bandits then relieved her of the jewellery she had on both hands.

The bandits then headed into the adjoining room, where they robbed the housewife’s 45-year-old mother.

During the robbery, the woman raised an alarm and the bandits ran out of the house through the very door they entered and escaped.

No shot was fired and no one was injured during the robbery.

Police confirmed the robbery, noting that the bandits carted off gold and silver jewellery and one Samsung Galaxy S 4 phone.

Duo busted with marijuana refused bail TAXI driver Ralph Benn, 24, of Rose Hall Town and Terrence Forde, 33, of West Ruimveldt, were remanded to custody when they appeared before Magistrate Rhondell Weever at the Fort Wellington Magistrate Court on Thursday.

Their court appearance was in connection with a mid-morning drugs bust on the Weldaad Public Road, West Coast Berbice, last Tuesday.

They were accused of being in possession of 950 grams of cannabis sativa for the purpose of trafficking.

The charges followed a mid-morning bust by police officers of Weldaad Police Station, which occurred when they stopped and searched a hire car and found the narcotics in a black back pack under the front passenger’s seat.

Benn and Forde were the only persons in hire car HC 7293 at the time the vehicle was stopped and searched.

Reports are that the policemen were on duty on the Weldaad Public Road when they noticed the approaching hire car being driven in a manner, which suggested that the driver wanted to evade being stopped.

The vehicle was stopped and the substance was discovered following a search.

Both Benn and Forde pleaded not guilty to the charge when they appeared before Magistrate Weever Thursday.

Prosecutor Corporal Racquel Mars requested that they both be refused bail and Magistrate Weever remanded the duo to custody and ordered that they be brought back to court on September 20 for further hearing of the matter.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

‘Lingering loyalties’ – Region 2 REO sees sabotage in delay of project

By Alexis Rodney

REGIONAL Executive Officer (REO) of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Rupert Hopkinson, has moved to defend himself against allegations being peddled by the political players of the regional body, who he said are bent on portraying a negative image of the performance of the region.

Hopkinson said the officials are collectively working around a well-thought out plan to make it appear as if there is no progress, all for political mileage.

On Wednesday, Region Two Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt, speaking to the Guyana Times Newspaper said that the region has been failing in its performance, particularly with the awarding of contracts, which effectively causes a delay in the completion of projects. According to the report, Ramdatt said

that based on information he has received only 30 percent of the capital project in the region has been completed, adding that he was dissatisfied with the REO’s failure to implement decisions made at the level of the council.

But Hopkinson told the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday that had the Chairman been in a working relationship with him, he would have been made privy to the many contracts that were signed, but were never recorded.

Hopkinson showed copies of several vouchers which were signed months before and for which works were completed but are not recorded. He showed a $ 27.7 million contract signed between the Regional Administration and a company – Technocon Investment, for the construction of a maternity waiting home at the Suddie Hospital.

That contract he showed was

signed in November 2016.

Works also began that very month and were completed in March this year. A claim for the final payment for works done on that project, the REO showed was signed off by the Regional Vice-Chairman on Monday, September 4, 2017.

“It meant that for all those months, nothing went into the books and even now, nothing is in the books”. He said the document shows as well that part of the $27million should have been paid during this year since the vouchers were signed. “So this cannot be entered into the system and as far as the Ministry of Finance is concerned this money was not spent”, he said.

He continued “It is deliberate. It is statistically impossible to award all these projects and show only 30 percent of works completed.”

Hopkinson lamented the numerous times he had written to the relevant authorities

Regional Executive Officer, Region Two, Mr Rupert Hopkinson to correct their actions, all to no avail. He said he has been writing letters to the Regional Administration, bringing to its attention the delay in the release of funds to pay contractors and the slow processing of vouchers, taking weeks and months to reach his desk.

“I complained to the Permanent Secretary, who then

called the chairperson to release some vouchers. That was $17 million. When you do not sign vouchers, your spending cannot be recorded by the Ministry of Finance and therefore, it shows that you have spent less money than you have been actually spending.” He highlighted in his letter that the practice has not only delayed the execution of projects, but has had crippling effects on some new contractors, since they depend on prompt payments as the only means of financing the further execution of projects.

“How can you explain why when you’re given three days to show contractors their worksite that you have taken more than a month and you have not shown them their work?”

He said when contractors are shown their work late, implementation of the project is delayed and when

implementation is delayed it takes a longer time for it to be executed, which in effect places a pressure on the contractors and his workers. Hopkinson said the situation is nothing more than a political ploy by “lingering and rollover loyalties” that have been in the system for a very long time. “This is something that has been going on since the government took office”, he said.

“They simply hide vouchers; they don’t want the system to move. The opposition forces that control some of the decision-makers in the region, including the chief accountant and engineers are unleashing a careful wicked plan to hold back; to give the false impression that money is not being spent and that the region and by extention the REO is underperforming,” Hopkinson said.

Inquest opens into 2016 killing of Sophia youth THE inquest into the killing of ‘C’ Field, Sophia resident, Isaiah Marques, who was shot by a licensed firearm holder in a failed robbery attempt in front of Club Monaco in 2016, commenced on Thursday.

The proceeding is being heard before City Magistrate Judy Latchman and a four member jury to determine whether the licensed firearm holder, Carl Haynes, is criminally responsible for Marques’ death.

According to reports on February 29, 2016 about 02:00hrs Carl Haynes, was

walking along Second Street, Campbellville, accompanied a group of persons after they had just come out of Club Monaco. However, they were held up by Marques, who was armed with a gun.

They resisted and the armed man pulled the trigger of his weapon, but the gun snapped.

As such, Haynes pulled out his service firearm and shot Marques to his forehead.

The unlicensed .32 revolver has been recovered on Marques. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Taking to the witness

DEAD : Isaiah Marques stand on Thursday was Traffic Officer, Corporal Leon Rose, who was on mobile

patrol on the day in question and went to the crime scene. According to Constable Rose, when he went to the crime scene a large crowd had already gathered and he saw a male Negro lying on the ground with a hole to his head.

The witness further explained that he was told by someone in the crowd that the said male (Marques) was shot by another male (Haynes). Another witness, who took to the stands was Police Officer, Dhankumar Dalloo, told the court that he at the time was stationed

Guyana shows compassion for Venezuelans –– following measles outbreak in neighbouring state

GUYANA is monitoring communities bordering neighbouring Venezuela following a Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO), World Health Organisation (WHO) alert of an outbreak of measles in the Bolivarian Republic.

PAHO/ WHO has alerted states of the risk of outbreak occurring from reported measles cases there and according to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, “Guyana assures a high level of surveillance and (will) adopt adequate vaccination measures to prevent the spread of the virus.”

Guyana’s surveillance comes shortly after reports have surfaced of hundreds of Venezuelans entering Guyana to seek

medical attention for malaria.

Harmon told reporters during his post-Cabinet press briefing held at the Ministry of Public Service, Waterloo Street, Georgetown that approximately 368 Venezuelans of about 1000 have sought and received treatment in Region One. The minister of state said too that Guyana will, as part of its humanitarian effort, continue to support Venezuelans in need of medical care.

“We feel that is part of our international humanitarian effort and Cabinet advised the Ministry of Health to ensure that assistance is provided to all persons, be it Venezuelans or Guyanese living in Venezuela, who report to the medical

facility for help, as this is a humanitarian issue of which we are very happy to be a part of,” he stated.

Asked whether there is a waiver on entry requirements given the current circumstances, Harmon said there is an established protocol at the points of entry and requires that the persons identify themselves and the reasons for entering Guyana.

They are given a short period of time where they can seek medical care and then return.

“There are some persons who are actually Guyanese living in Venezuela, and for those persons who are returning the same would not apply because they are Guyanese. But for Venezuelans we have extended

our humanitarian hands because they are human beings and the fact that we are part of international convention and treaties which require us to deal with persons affected at our borders in a humane way, we are actually confirming to those treaties,” the minister of state added.

Venezuela has been gripped by economic and political turmoil which has resulted in the country’s inflation rate being over 400 per cent and a volatile exchange rate.

The country’s economic and political crisis has also resulted in severe food and medicine shortage.

Citizens have since taken to the streets to protest and many have died.

at Brickman Police Station when he received information that someone was shot at the vicinity of Club Monaco.

Officer Dalloo said that based upon that report he went to the said location where he learnt that a male Negro (Haynes) and friends were coming out from Club Monaco and went into the parking lot when they were approached by a man with a gun.

The witness pointed out that Haynes was clad in his gold jewelries when the man approached and pulled out a firearm to rob him.

However Haynes was armed and pulled out his firearm and shot the alleged perpetrator to his head. Officer Dalloo told the court that he had taken Haynes to the Kitty Police Station.

The Inquest is adjourned until September 13.

Alberttown girl died of drowning THE seven-year-old girl whose body recently washed up at Ruimzeight foreshore, West Coast Demerara days after she was reported missing died from drowning.

This is according to a post-mortem performed on the remains of Jayleena Titus of Lot 29 Second Street, Alberttown, Georgetown on Wednesday.

The child’s mother Onecia Henry, 38, said on August 26, the child left home with her father, Richard Titus, 38, her 10-year-old brother and her 8-year-old cousin to visit the Kingston jetty in the vicinity of the Marriott Hotel, as they often did to fish.

She related that her son told her they were playing in the water near the foreshore, while the father was further out fishing.

As they were playing,

Dead: Jayleena Titus Jayleena slipped away and her brother went after her but she was reportedly swept under the water by strong current and waves.

A desperate search was launched for her but she was not found. Her body was subsequently discovered at Ruimzeight foreshore, West Coast Demerara, two days after she disappeared at sea.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

Guyanese ‘play mas GTstyle’ in Brooklyn --for annual ‘Labour Day’ Carnival

By Tangerine Clarke in New York GUYANA’S Minister of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes last Monday joined a Guyanese contingent on Eastern Parkway and waved the Golden Arrowhead with nationals to the 50th Anniversary of the Caribbean American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA).

Minister Broomes said she was happy to celebrate with the Guyanese Diaspora, adding that the Guyana government felt it was necessary for a representative from the administration to march with nationals to show unity, and to support WIADCA. “This is the biggest event in the Caribbean community and we are happy to celebrate its 50th Anniversary,” Minister Broomes told the gathering of Guyanese assembled on Eastern Parkway for the start of the event, adding that the government cares about Guyanese in the Diaspora.

She also spoke glowingly about Guyana’s impending status as one of the few oilrich nations this side of the Atlantic.

“Your country has oil and

The Guyanese contingent on the move on Eastern Parkway on Monday Minister Broomes and Tangerine Clarke

gas; we are the richest people in the Caribbean, and we will transfer that wealth to educating Guyanese, as we develop our country,” she said, while calling on the expatriates to work together in unity for the betterment of their homeland.

The nationals made history that day, since this is

the first time a group headed

by Guyanese-born elected officials joined the parade on Easter Parkway.

This was to say thanks to WIADCA, which last year celebrated Guyana’s 50th Anniversary of Independence by inviting Guyana’s Consul General to New York, Bar-

bara Atherly to join in its festivities as a Grand Marshall to honour Guyana’s achievement.

263 RESPLENDENT IN YELLOW Scores of Guyanese, in yellow tee shirts emblazoned with the Guyana Coat-of-

Arms and the words “Guyanese Celebrate WIADCA@50, marched along the parade route singing patriotic songs.

The Guyana Celebrates WIADCA @ 50 contingent was led by Senator Roxanne Persaud; Acting Supreme Court Judge, Justice Ingrid Joseph; Consul-General Bar-

bara Atherly; President of the Guyana Unity Movement, Sherif Fraser; and members of other organisations as they marched to the beat of Guyanese-born but American-raised Master Drummer Menes de Griot and the Shanto Rhythms.

A group of creative dancTurn to Page 18

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

Things past to be forgotten --and lost to posterity THE fall of the cinemas in Guyana as Freddie Kissoon recently outlined is symbolic of the end of an era. But it reaches further than that; it embodies a reality that was captured by a female colleague recently, that “we are not a people too concerned by our history, or loss of it.”

The decline of the cinemas did not just happen; it happened because our politics is saturated by simple people that follow a narrow political template and are insensitive, impatient and lack the ability to empathise with anything contrary to concerns outside of their constituency and private agendas.

Though the TV stations are presumed to be the nemesis of the cinemas, they emerged in the midto-late-80s under President Desmond Hoyte. Yet, the demise of the cinemas, our traditional places of commercial entertainment and much more, occurred under the authority of subsequent PPP administrations.

What has to be extracted from this article is the evidence of an absence of a functional team for prioritising diverse pockets of economic activities and ensuring protective measures to reasonably sustain the wage- earning ability.

Cinemas exist everywhere worldwide alongside the TV station. All that is required of the government is the determination to establish the parameters of existence and quietly encourage and enable enforcement for functioning survival.

Both administrative governments failed in this aspect. I hold the Hoyte administration more responsible, because they represented a more urban and sophisticated group. The PPP presented itself as rural, provincial and communists who think that copyright is bourgeoisie.

As a matter of fact, any rights or issue at all that differ from direct constituency bounce- back party political benefits will escape their majority interests. The

confusion with the PPP government and text-book piracy was an embarrassing case study and indictment against the progressive understanding of that authority.

With a minimum of regulations, the cinema industry in this country could have been saved, had a cultural, economic and social value been placed on that niche industry. Before the National Cultural Centre came into existence, foreign artistes decked the cinema stages to all-out ticket sellouts: Sam Cooke, Mahalia Jackson, Billy Erskine, Mighty Sparrow among other international performers.

According to my mother, before she had any of her children, she sang when Johnny Mathis performed

at the City Hall. When my buddy, Andy Anderson was employed there, he tried to find any memorabilia of that performance. To our disappointment, no physical memory seemed to exist.

As a young man at the end of my school years, I can remember the incident when the American singer, King Floyd kissed a girl in a green dress on the Globe stage.

499 LOCAL VAUDEVILLE The cinemas were not only venues for foreign artistes; local vaudeville was also performed there, with the Sam Chase-Jack Mello group doing skits and satire on local issues with poster narrations like: “Calling All Politicians & Aspiring Politicians. All Election Candidates, Soap Box Orators. All Party Sup-

porters & Traitors. All Revolutionaries and Counter Revolutionaries.

“See The Controversial Election Show Vote For Sam, The People’s Man, From Paccoo Dam.” The cinemas were somewhere for dates; a break of sorts from the ordinary, and a location for profound experiences.

I followed ‘Smiley’; bought a ‘kickers’ at Bettencourt’s; dressed and went to the Metropole that Sunday afternoon with my date; nearly broke my ankle; spent that night with a toothbrush cleaning this piece of equipment, and by the following weekend had it resold. And today I watch young women in those ‘high-heel’ shoes with a sense of awe, pity and admiration. That was a profound cinema experience.

The cinemas were also

missed by the newspapers; they occupied sometimes more than a page in the papers of what was showing at cinemas throughout Guyana, with write-ups and promos, collecting cinema booklets with set scenes etc.

This was cool stuff. The cinemas also enveloped a host of vendors, ticket hustlers, street-food restaurants, and after-show taxis among other after-show activities.

It was part of the social network that needed improvement, but it employed people.

How could political people with the mandate to act turn a blind eye to all this and allow it to be lost to the fledgling TV industry of 85% piracy?

Today we have a Ministry of Business. This is an important entity, since we will no longer, as a country, be allowed to exist in isola-

tion. Also, that private initiative and activity is where the job market will rest now and in the future.

The wider potential of taken-for-granted commercial entities cannot be recognised in retrospect; this, of course, requires engagement to cultivate the necessary percentage of shared vision.

I am not sure that the MoB can produce a catalogue of small and niche businesses across Guyana, not only for taxation purposes, but for development and linkages to what they are competing against, even in CARICOM. The percentage of home businesses in America, last time I checked, was 43%.

The cinemas are a tragic but good case study, for the shaping of a functional survival innovative perspective of the future.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

Ravi B joins Machel TRINIDADIAN chutney musician, Ravi B, has been confirmed to join “King of Soca” Machel Montano to perform at the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) finals, carded to take place tomorrow at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, South Trinidad.

Machel had been confirmed since August to headline the Digicel Post-Game LIVE show.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ravi B to perform at the Digicel Post-Game LIVE Show bringing the curtains down on what has been an amazing season,” said Digicel’s Director of Marketing, Peter Lloyd.

“The energy is high; the stadiums have been packed, and the excitement around the Finals is growing to fever pitch, so we know that the entertainers will be performing for a well-energised audience.”

Ravi B noted ahead of his performance, “I am extremely excited to be performing at the finals, especially since it is being held in Trinidad.

“The CPL T20 tournament has such a huge following, I look forward to seeing who comes out victorious.”

Digicel has also provided a solution for those unable to attend the finals, as they can catch all the action on CPL’s dedicated channel on the Play Go app.

The company also recently launched a promotion, as an extension of its Quick Pick bundles offer, that allows one lucky customer from the Caribbean to win a trip to the Finals for themselves and three of their friends to hang out with Machel.

Since inception in 2013, Digicel has been a partner of CPL, which offers a beautiful mixture of cricket

--as guest performer at CPL Final

and party in a carnival-like atmosphere. Simply put, it’s a ‘must-be-there’ event.

In 2016, Digicel and Machel forged a three-year partnership, which includes delivering exclusive and unique multimedia content to customers across multiple platforms and devices.

Guyanese ‘play mas... ers did a piece choreographed

by Verna Walcott-White to showcase Guyana’s proud Indigenous heritage.

Justice Joseph, in an invited comment, said it was important for her to be a part of the contingent because she is a born and bred Guyanese, and was very proud to celebrate her culture with her compatriots.

“I would not be here were it not for my Guyanese roots,” Justice Joseph said.

Senator Persaud thanked nationals for coming together

and representing Guyana on such an auspicious occasion.

“The next time we do this, let us encourage more people to come out to showcase the six races of Guyana,” she said, adding that on occasions like these, you often hear on-lookers asking whether Indigenous Peoples are Guyanese too.

“People in Brooklyn see only one segment of the Guyanese community,” Senator Persaud said, adding: “Thank you for coming out to showcase Guyana!

Let’s do this again, but on a larger scale!”

Consul-General Atherly also thanked Guyanese for participating in the event, and reminded them that the consulate is there to serve them, and will be offering its services on Saturdays from September 16.

THE PLACE TO BE Jonathan Locke, a world-renowned sculptor from “The Land of Pepper Pot, Cook-up rice and Roti and Curry”, said many don’t

Members of Impressions Dance Theater in action on Eastern Parkway (Photos by Tangerine Clarke)

Menes de Griot (centre) and the boys getting ready to roll

know the value of being a Guyanese living in America, and that the Labour Day Parade was the place to showcase their culture, while Eric Joseph of the Guyana Unity Movement said, “More than anything else, we are here to support WIADCA on its 50th Anniversary because very few institutions have stood the test of time. So, it was imperative to honour this organisation, and at the same time display our Guyanese pride in the Diaspora.”

Mickey Harte, who trav-

elled all the way from New Jersey to participate in the parade, said he was proud to be a part of the action, and is committed to supporting events that benefit the Guyanese Diaspora.

Passionate about preserving the Guyanese culture, GUM member, Kay Gray said: “It is important that we preserve and protect our culture.”

Drawing attention to the noticeable lack of vending on the Parkway this year during the carnival, Gray said:

Continued from page 16 “We must fight for our culture, and community organisations must mobilise towards this effort.”

The Guyanese contingent ramped up their “Guyana Nice” song, penned by Menes de Groit, as they passed the Brooklyn Museum, and later gathered to sing “Oh Beautiful Guyana, Oh My Lovely Native Land” in unison to mark the end of their historic participation. (Excerpted from CaribbeanLife)

The Shanto Rhythms on the move

Guyanese representing along the parade route

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

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DeSinco chips in --helps push Miss World Guyana’s ‘Beauty With A Purpose’ platform

THE cricket craze comes to a boil this weekend, on Saturday to be exact, and since it’s been the talk of the town all last week, there’s hardly a Guyanese that’s going to want to miss it!

It may be in Trinidad making it difficult for some of us to be in the stadium where we want to be, but that’s no impediment to enjoying the vibes just as much!

There’s going to be viewing parties at least at Tower Suites and 704!

Aside from cricket, there’s also a lot of sports going on this weekend that’s sure to be entertaining! There’s football at GFC on Sunday, and a horse race meet up Berbice!

Amerindian month is also here, and part of the activities will see a few savannah drives going on, with one headed to St Cuthbert’s Mission taking place this Saturday, and word is there’s going to pepperpot galore.

TODAY

Latin Night with Desperados Tequila Beers Specials continues at The Vintage Wine & Cheese Lounge on Lamaha and Camp Streets.

TOMORROW

The Super 7 Team presents Heritage Month 2017 St. Cuthbert’s Mission Savannah Drive!

Come experience the rush of an adventure at St.Cuthbert’s Mission as you join the villagers for Amerindian Heritage celebrations. Taste delicious traditional foods, including pepperpot!

All 4x4 vehicles will be accepted! Registration takes place at Yarrowkabra Village on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Drive leaves at 10:00hrs! Drive fees: $1,000 per vehicle, $500 per bike!

To enter St.Cuthbert’s Mission: $1,000 per vehicle; $500 per bike; $200 per person.

Cricket in we blood! Catch the fight of the century on the ‘big-screen’ at Tower Suites! Rep for your team as you enjoy it live outdoors @ the Tower Poolside, or indoors at Privilege Night Club. The choice is yours! Enjoy bucket specials on all beers, all day, at extra reduced prices!

Club 704 presents “Howszzdat! CPL Finals Party”!

Enjoy bottle specials as DJ 50 and Selector Tallest set the mood with some winning vibes! Door opens from 21:00hrs!

SUNDAY

The Crawford Memorial Turf Club and Sports Facility in Alness, Corentyne presents a grand day of horseracing called “A New Era of Horse Racing” this Sunday. The feature event will be the Alness Classic, which will be open to horses four years old and up from the USA, Canada and the Caribbean (8-furlong).

We pushed the date back to allow the horses to get some rest from the busy period of racing.

It’s Monaco again! Marvelous Sundays presents “Meh Nah Gone No Weh” at Club Monaco!

Big ‘tek-ups’ in the dance, with music by Stereo Sonic, Determine and Ghost Rider Sounds!

Semi-final action in the Corona Invitational Tournament continues this Sunday at the GFC Ground, Bourda from 19:00hours!

It’s the showdown of the best as the four teams in GT match skills, and battle for championships honours!

This one will be epic! Don’t you dare miss it! Ladies free!

MISS World Guyana, Vena Mookram on Monday received a cheque for G$150,000 for her “Beauty with a purpose” platform from the local firm, DeSinco’s.

At the presentation ceremony, DeSinco Trading’s General Manager, Mr. Frank DeAbreu was quoted in a statement as saying: “As a company, we believe that diabetes can simply be described as one of the world’s biggest chronic diseases, and the aspiration of this charming young lady, who will be representing us at the world stage, will continue to grow.”

The money will reportedly be used in the furtherance of the young lady’s diabetes awareness project, “Diabetes and Prevention through Diet and Exercise”.

The main component of the project, the opening of a “Fitness Health and Diabetic Centre”, is billed for Sunday at 10:00hrs at what is assumed will be the facility’s location on Eight Avenue, New Diamond Housing Scheme, on the East Bank Demerara.

During the launch and every Sunday thereafter, there will be a medical outreach team doing free testing for diabetes and possibly other chronic diseases.

Senior Brand and Mar-

At Monday’s presentation ceremony. From left are: DeSinco’s Senior Brand and Marketing Manager, Mr Mark Kendall; Miss World Guyana, Vena Mookram; DeSinco General Manager, Mr. Frank DeAbreu; Gold Medalist, Ms Jemeicia Scott; and DeSinco HumanResources Manager (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

keting Manager, Mark Kendall had the honour of presenting the cheque to Mookram during the ceremony at the company’s Industrial Site head office at Eccles.

Upon receiving the cheque, Miss World Guyana announced that she is grateful for the significant contribution and moral support from the company to help spread the awareness of the “Chronic Disease Diabetes”, and is looking forward to

working with the company in the near future. “Winning and becoming Miss World Guyana is not just an honour and a trophy; it is a responsibility,” the 18-year-old beauty said, adding: “It is a powerful platform that can be used to shine light on important issues, and try to make Guyana a better place.”

Ms. Mookram will be representing Guyana in China at the Miss World Interna-

tional Pageant in November.

During the presentation, Jemiecia Scott, a Bishop’s High School student, also received a cheque for her outstanding performance at the Inter-Guiana Games overseas, representing Guyana for two consecutive years.

In 2016, Jemiecia copped a Gold Medal for her performance with the Discus, and a bronze at Shot-put; in 2017, she also made Gold at the Discus.

Fans defend Shabba Ranks --after magazine snub

FANS of legendary dancehall artiste, Shabba Ranks recently took to social media to voice their grouse after ‘British GQ’ magazine’s claim that English singer Harry Styles recently made ‘wearing multiple rings’ a trend.

The magazine made the statement on Twitter, and got strong backlash from fans who felt that Shabba Ranks was being discredited for his influence on urban popular culture.

“Thanks to Harry Styles, wearing multiple rings is now a thing,” the publication tweeted.

However, some fans claim that Shabba was wearing multiple rings from the 80s.

“He’s a true icon. There are quite a few cultural developments that can be linked to Shabba. Even baggy jeans; and now even that is back in style,” one person tweeted.

Another wrote: “Bwoy, farin people love tief we style and own it #appropriation. @britishgq you guys are disrespectful.

How could you give Harry that type of accolade?”

Veteran dancehall artiste Johnny P told THE STAR that the wearing of multiple rings was made popular by dancehall artistes as a whole.

Said he: “A long time foreigners love the rings dancehall artistes used to wear. From back then, Shabba used to wear nuff rings, but him never have jewellery like me; I was the jewel store. Only Little John had an anchor chain bigger... my fingers were filled with rings,” he said. “Shabba must be

credited for the baggy pants, though, because he made that the talk of the town, and Ninja Man called it the ‘doo doo pants’.

“A lot of youth began to wear it, so it became popular at the time. But for dressing, Pinchers was the man everybody really looked to; he was like the Jamaican Michael Jackson.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

Munro and Bravo take Knight Riders into CPL Final A CLINICAL run-chase from the Trinbago Knight Riders propelled them past Guyana Amazon Warriors and into the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Final at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad last night. . Chasing a competitive score of 159 an 85-run partnership between Colin Munro and Darren Bravo made a difficult chase look easy. The Knight Riders will play St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Final on Saturday.

(Scores:Trinbago Knight Riders 160-4 (Munro 57*, Bravo 42, Rashid 1-23) beat Guyana Amazon Warriors 159-6 (Gajanand 39, Walton 37, Narine 2-21) by six wickets The Knight Riders innings got off to a terrible start when Sunil Narine was dismissed first ball - his fourth duck of the season - trapped lbw by an in-swinging yorker from Tanvir.

The Knight Riders promoted Hamza Tariq to bat at number three, but he could only manage 10 off 13 before being caught behind off Rayad Emrit. Thanks largely to Mun-

ro—who was fortunate to be dropped twice—the Knight Riders reached 42 for 2 after six overs.

The field dropping back did not dissuade Munro and Bravo’s from being aggressive. In a wonderful display of counter-attacking batting the pair slashed the required run rate from 8.28 to 6.46 by the time Bravo was eventually dismissed, caught on the boundary.

Munro had been the aggressor in the Powerplay but with Bravo he played a supporting role as his partner’s muscular power cleared the ropes four times. It was indicative of the nature of the partnership that Bravo dared to take on Rashid Khan and he twice hit leg side sixes, alleviating pressure right at the moment when Amazon Warriors wanted to apply it the most.

Darren Bravo being dismissed brought his elder brother to the crease and Dwayne Bravo ate further into the target with a six and a four before also being dismissed.

Such was the aggression of their chase that the quick

wickets did not build any pressure. Munro finished with a steady 57 not out off 51 balls and the Knight Riders reached the target with an impressive 12 balls to spare.

Earlier in the evening, after being put into bat by the Knight Riders, the Amazon Warriors explosive top three of Sohail Tanvir, Chadwick Walton and Luke Ronchi were kept unusually quiet in the Powerplay.

The Knight Riders bowled five different bowlers in the first five overs of the innings which didn’t allow the batsmen to settle.

At the end of the Powerplay the Amazon Warriors were 33 for 1 with Tanvir the man dismissed, trapped lbw

by Narine.

It took brilliant two balls to dismiss the two key batsmen Walton and Ronchi. First a wicked in-swinging and dipping yorker from Dwayne Bravo uprooted Ronchi’s leg stump and then a drifting knuckle ball beat Walton’s outside edge and caused him to over-balance with Dinesh Ramdin whipping off the bails. When Jason Mohammad slapped a wide slower ball

Stephens beats Williams ... a lovely service return followed by a routine volley as Stephens showed she was clearly struggling and lost the set to love when she hit yet another unforced error.

The decider, taking a 1-0 lead on Williams serve when she netted an easy volley.

She saved two break points

in the following game but Williams levelled for 2-2 when Stephens’s forehand sailed wide.

But at the end of a seven-minute game, Williams netted a routine volley again to give her opponent a break for 4-3.

Williams broke straight

back with a service return winner and she saved a break point to hold for 5-4.

But as Williams struggled with her volley, Stephens broke for love in the 11th game and followed up on serve to close it out as Williams netted a backhand.

from Javon Searles to cover the Amazon Warriors were 92 for 4 with just 5.5 overs remaining in the innings.

It was then that Gajanand Singh and Roshon Primus combined to transform the momentum of the match. Gajanand got things going by striking consecutive leg side sixes off Bravo in the sixteenth over before Primus took the penultimate over from Dan Christian for 21 - carving three boundaries over cover and heaving a slower ball for six over mid-wicket.

Gajanand took 12 from the first three balls of the last over bowled by Ronsford Beaton before two wickets in two balls ended a match-changing partnership of 65 off just 33 balls. The Amazon Warriors scored 65 off their last five overs to move from 94 for 4 to 159 for 6. Despite the late surge their total was not enough for the Knight Riders who batted brilliantly.

Upcoming Fixture Saturday: Final, Trinbago Knight Riders v St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Tarouba, 21.00hrs Continued from back page

“It was definitely a contrast of play,” Williams said of the roller-coaster match.

“You know, I continued to play aggressive and continued to play the kind of match that it takes to win. Just made too many errors there at the end.”

ExxonMobil Guyana is main International hockey sponsor THE Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) scored an important partnership recently, with the signing of ExxonMobil as the main sponsor of the upcoming Indoor Pan American Cup, scheduled for October 14–22 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The GHB, according to a release, expects this event will contribute significantly to Guyana’s efforts to become a priority destination for sports tourism.

“We are excited to support youth sports and the Guyana Hockey Board,” said ExxonMobil Lead Country Manager Rod Henson, adding, “Sports is a great way to reach across

generations and cultures to demonstrate our commitment to local development.”

This is the first time ExxonMobil has partnered with the Guyana Hockey Board and the first time Guyana has been selected to host a Pan American level event for hockey.

The 2017 Indoor Pan American Cups (IPAC) features competitions for both men and women and serves as the Pan American Continental Qualifier for FIH Indoor Hockey World Cups scheduled for February 2018 in Berlin, Germany.

This year will be one of the largest in the tournament’s history and the Amer11:35 hrs Tango Sky 12:10 hrs Fikhaar 12:40 hrs Nuns Walk

English Racing Tips Ascot 08:30 hrs Bombastic 09:05 hrs Odyssa 09:40 hrs Merlin Magic 10:15 hrs Cape Byron 10:50 hrs Reverend Jacobs 11:25 hrs Gawdawpalin 12:00 hrs Eagle Creek 12:30 hrs African Friend Newcastle 08:40 hrs Rastacap 09:15 hrs Shine Baby Shine 09:50 hrs Isstoora 10:25 hrs Codicil 11:00 hrs Metronomic

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icas are well represented.

Seven women’s teams and six men’s teams from Guyana, Argentina, Barbados, Canada, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, USA and Uruguay will participate with the top team earning a coveted spot in the World Cup. This mix fully represents the diversity of the Americas; from the northern reaches of Canada to the southern tip of Argentina.

The Guyana Hockey Board is honoured to welcome ExxonMobil on board and expects this partnership will extend Guyana’s beauty, warmth and hospitality to the world.

Irish Racing Tips Down Royal 11:05 HRS Kion 11:40 hrs Realt Rua 12:15 hrs Maunganui 12:45 hrs Only William 13:15 hrs Power Of Ten 13:45 hrs Our Rachel 14:15 hrs Neverrushacon American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Conquest Lucknlove Race 2 Talkn Til Midnight Race 3 Penjade Race 4 Shamcat Race 5 Missimpazi Race 6 Schivarelli Race 7 Startwithsilver Race 8 Rubilinda Race 9 Thaddeus

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

Lyon bowls Australia to series-levelling victory

(REUTERS) - Nathan Lyon claimed six for 60 to bowl Australia to an emphatic series-equalling seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second and final Test yesterday.

The 29-year-old off-spinner completed a career-best match-haul of 13154 to help bundle out the hosts for 157 on day four at Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Chasing 86 for victory, Australia suffered a mini-collapse of their own, losing openers David Warner and Matt Renshaw as well as captain Steve Smith before reaching the 50mark.

Glenn Maxwell made a breezy 25 not out, though, and sealed the victory with a six off Nasir Hossain to avenge Australia’s 20-run loss in the series-opener in Dhaka.

“I thought we played some good cricket at times in this Test match,” Smith said at the presentation ceremony.

“I‘m proud of the way the boys got over the line here in the end to get the 1-1 draw.”

Earlier, Australia were not able to add to their overnight score as Lyon fell for a duck and were all out for 377 - a first-innings lead of 72.

Paceman Pat Cummins drew first blood for the tourists by dismissing opener Soumya Sarkar before Lyon’s three-wicket burst in the morning session unhinged the home side.

By the time they had erased the first -nnings defi-

cit, Bangladesh had lost the top half of their batting lineup and the lack of a partnership down the order effectively condemned them to defeat.

Captain Mushfiqur Rahim - with 31, while Mominul Haque (29) and Sabbir Rahman (24) also got starts but none of them were able to move on to the sort of big knock that might have set Australia a bigger Test total in the fourth innings.

Lyon claimed a third successive six-wicket haul to take his series tally to 22 wickets, the most by an Australian bowler in a twoTest series.

“I thought Nathan Lyon was remarkable in that first innings. There wasn’t much in the pitch for him, and I think he got 22 wickets for the series, really good effort,” Smith said of his spin spearhead.

Lyon won the man-ofthe-match award and shared the man-of-the-series honour with team mate Warner who scored back-to-back centuries in the series.

Despite the draw, Australia slipped to fifth place in the official Test rankings.

Home captain Mushfiqur said his team should have batted better in the first innings when they scored 305.

“Credit goes to Australia. We knew they are a very strong team and will come at us harder,” the stumper-batsman said.

“If we could score 350400, a target of 150-200 in the fourth innings, you never know. Our first innings cost us the game.”

Cyclist Briton John selected for World junior championships Man-of-the-match Nathan Lyon’s 13-154 was the best Test match return by an Australian in Asia. (Getty)

SCOREBOARD BANGLADESH first innings 305 (M. Rahim 68, S. Rahman 66; N. Lyon 7-94) AUSTRALIA 1st innings (Overnight 377-9) 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 c Kayes b M. Rahman 0 Extras: (b-8, lb-3, w-1) 12 Total: (all out, 119.5 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 38-693-3, Mustafizur Rahman 20.52-84-4 (w-1), Shakib Al Hasan 31-3-82-1, Taijul Islam 21-178-1, Nasir Hossain 6-2-14-0, Mominul Haque 2-0-6-0, Sabbir Rahman 1-0-9-0.

Imrul Kayes c Maxwell b Lyon 15 Nasir Hossain c Smith b O’Keefe 5 Shakib Al Hasan c Warner b Lyon 2 Mushfiqur Rahim c Wade b Cummins 1 Sabbir Rahman stp. Wade b Lyon 24 Mominul Haque c Cummins b Lyon 29 Mehidy Hasan not out 14 Taijul Islam b Lyon 4 Mustafizur Rahman b O’Keefe 0 Extras: (b-12) 12 Total: (all out, 71.2 overs) 157 Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-32, 3-37, 4-39, 5-43, 6-97, 7-129, 8-149, 9-156.

Bowling: P. Cummins 11-3-27-2, N. Lyon 33-11-60-6, S. O’Keefe 22.2-6-49-2, A. Agar 5-1-9-0.

AUSTRALIA 2nd innings (Target: 86 runs) M. Renshaw c Rahim b Al Hasan 22 D. Warner c Sarkar b M. Rahman 8 S. Smith c Rahim b T. Islam 16 P. Handscomb not out 16 G. Maxwell not out 25 Extras: 0 Total: (for 3 wickets, 15.3 overs) 87 Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-44, 3-48.

Bowling: Mustafizur Rahman 5-1-16-1, Shakib Al Hasan 6-135-1, Taijul Islam 4- 0-26-1,Nasir Hossain 0.3-0-10-0.

BANGLADESH 2nd innings Tamim Iqbal st Wade b Lyon 12 Soumya Sarkarc Renshaw b Cummins 9

Jaguars Franchise League 3-day tournament

Essequibo leading after round one

FOLLOWING the first round of play in the Jaguars Franchise League 3-day competition, the Essequibo Franchise emerged as tournament leaders, with point standings of 17.2 points.

They are closely followed by Upper Demerara/East Bank, with 16.5 along with Upper Corentyne on 15.8 points.

GCA cricket continues this weekend

THE Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) first and second division 2-day tournaments will continue this weekend with several matches across the capital city.

Two matches each will be contested in the GISE/Star Party Rentals first division and the Noble House Seafoods second division tournaments.

At the GDF ground, the home team will take on TSC, with Andre Hurry and Cyril Garnath calling play, while UG will play GYO at MSC, with Ravishwar Latif and Hortence Isaacs being the men in charge.

In the second division competition, DCC will host Diplomats, with Joseph Jeffrey and Flemroy Lambert as the umpires in charge, while GYO will host Everest. Abena Parker and Linden Matthews will be the on-field umpires.

Meanwhile, the second round of matches commences today, and will witness Upper Corentyne facing East Coast at Port Mourant, Georgetown competing against Lower Corentyne at Lusignan, West Berbice taking on Essequibo at Bush Lot and East Bank going up against West Demerara at Eve Leary.

All matches are scheduled to start at 09:30hrs.

Points Table after round one: TEAMS

MATCHES

WINS

LOSES

OUTRIGHT

ABANDON

BATTING BONUS

TEAM BOWLING

FAST BOWLING

TOTAL

ESSEQUIBO

1

1

0

12

0

2

3

2

17.2

UPPER DEMERARA/ EAST BANK

1

1

0

12

0

0

3

1.5

16.5

UPPER CORENTYNE

1

1

0

12

0

0

3

.8

15.8

GEORGETOWN

1

0

1

0

0

0

3

.9

3.9

LOWER CORENTYNE

1

0

1

0

0

0

3

.8

3.8

WEST BERBICE

1

0

1

0

0

0

3

2

3.2

WEST DEMERARA

1

0

0

0

3

0

0

0

3

EAST COAST DEMERARA

1

0

0

0

3

0

0

0

3

Team United’s Briton John

JUNIOR road race champion Briton John has been selected by the Guyana Cycling Federation to compete in the 2017 World Junior Championships, scheduled for Norway from September 20.

John, a member of the United We Stand Cycle Club will be Guyana’s first representative at this prestigious meet which is expected to attract cyclists’ from over 80 countries worldwide and it will also be his first exposure to international cycling.

John will be joined by United States-based Jermaine Burrowes who is expected to contest the time trials and Curtis Dey of Trojan Cycle Club of Berbice, Region 6.

According to reports, Dey was selected to represent Guyana by virtue of his winning the national Junior Time Trials earlier this year, but his par-

ticipation lies with the club’s (Trojan) approval which the GCF is awaiting.

GCF president Horace Burrowes will accompany the team to Norway as manager/coach and has stated his intention to sponsor the team’s accommodation while in Norway.

The GCF head is reported as saying that he (Burrowes) and John will journey to the United States of America where John will be involved in gym and hill training before proceeding to Norway for the championships.

It has also been reported that Burrowes is very impressed with John’s performance over the past year and feels that John has a bright future, adding that he is currently making arrangements for John to do continuous training in the USA after his trip to Norway.

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FORMER West Indies captain Brian Lara was a delight to watch when in full flow. The highest run-getter in Tests for the West Indies was a class apart as people from far and wide used to throng the stadiums just to watch him bat.

The style and finesse the left-hander had, no other cricketer possessed in his generation. The 48-year-old turned back the clock but this time with the microphone while delivering the 2017 MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture at the Lord’s cricket ground.

Lara spoke at length about a lot of incidents and also went on to criticise Michael Holding for his conduct during West Indies’ 1980 tour of New Zealand.

Legendary fast bowler Holding shot back at Lara and dismissed his criticism

of his conduct during West Indies’ 1980 tour of New Zealand, saying he has “never been interested” in the batting

Brian Lara is a former West Indian captain.

great’s opinions. “I am not interested in whatever Brian Lara says. Never was, never will be,” that was Holding’s blunt response when PTI asked him to comment on what Lara said against the 63-year-old while delivering the lecture last Monday.

It is well-known that both the West Indies’ greats, Lara

and Holding, are not the best of friends.

During the MCC lecture, Lara spoke about he was “embarrassed” by the unsportsmanlike conduct of the West Indies in the 80s and 90s.

He specifically spoke about an incident that took place during the series against New Zealand in 1980, when Holding kicked the stumps in frustration.

“Michael Holding decided he was no longer a cricketer, he was a footballer and he kicked a stump. I am sure the occurrences during that period had a big effect on cricket,” said Lara at Lord’s.

While Lara took the opportunity to slam Holding yesterday, the “Whispering Death” has accused the legendary batsman of “getting away with murder” during his reign.

Holding, speaking to PTI

Elizabeth Styles partners with ECCB to stage 40-over cricket tournament

- Winning team to receive $375 000 WITH the aim to have as much cricket played on the East Coast corridor, United States-based company Elizabeth Styles last Sunday partnered with the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) to host a 40 overs round-robin cricket tournament.

“While this is the fourth consecutive year that we are sponsoring cricket on the East Coast of Demerara, we have also in the past sponsored Under-17, Under-19, and development programmes in Berbice.

He added, “We believe that the ECCB is doing a great job,

behalf of the ECCB, the clubs and teams on the East Coast, I would like to express sincere gratitude to the management and staff of Elizabeth Styles for their generosity,” Singh pointed out.

Also speaking at the ceremony was the board’s

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

over the phone from London, also spoke about the muchhyped comparison of Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, especially after the latter completed 30 ODI hundreds in the just concluded series against Sri Lanka.

“There is a long, long way to go (before he gets close to Tendulkar’s record) but he is certainly a great batsman,” said Holding.

Asked if Kohli is a better batsman compared to Ten-

dulkar or vice-versa, the Jamaican added: “Well, I don’t like comparisons.”

Though Kohli himself has said he is not chasing Tendulkar’s mind-boggling 100 international hundreds, the 28-year-old already has 47 centuries to his name.

India have an envious Test record under Kohli with the team recently winning its eighth series in a row, albeit most of them were won in the sub-continent.

Holding said time will only tell if the current Indian team can win outside the sub-continent. The team have tough tours of England and South Africa lined-up next year.

“I don’t know. They have to do it to prove it. The proof of the cake is in the eating. So we will just have to wait and see what they do (outside the sub-continent).

You can’t predict these things,” Holding said. (PTI).

Former Santos FC player launches Football Academy in Kenya

By Rawle Toney AFTER establishing his academy in England where he nurtured and developed many players to gain access to premiership clubs, Peter Barry, a former player for Guyana’s Santos FC, recently journeyed to Kenya, Africa, where he established his Football Academy.

“I tried many times, even through application process with no success to help and share my talent with Guyana football. So I turned to Africa where they welcomed my philosophy and experience with open arms,” Barry told Chronicle Sport.

Barry said his “intentions are to give young African players the opportunity to play in Europe and help coaches enhance their qualifications.”

Barry, who is a licensed coach in the United Kingdom, said he would have preferred

though he has found a gold mine.

“My immediate goal is

UK-based Guyanese Peter Barry during his recent trip to Kenya, Africa, where he launched his Football Academy.

to share his skills and expertise in Guyana since there is where he learnt most of his football.

The UK-based Barry said he was very impressed with the talent in Africa and it’s as

to nurture and develop the players there to European standards then open the doors for trials and exchange programmes for the youths in Africa,” said Barry.

Regal Sports softball concludes on Sunday … ‘Prime Minister’s Cup’ to be officially launched

Newly elected Marketing Manager Suresh Boodhoo hands over trophies and cheque to ECCB Competitions Committee chairman Raymond Barton in the presence of ECCB president Bissoondyal Singh and representatives of clubs.

At the launching, which took place at the Better Hope Community Centre ground pavilion, the board received $500 000 towards the tournament.

In attendance were Marketing Director of Elizabeth Styles, Kevin Thomas, president of the ECCB, Bissoondyal Singh, executives of the ECCB and captains of the clubs on the East Coast.

Thomas, speaking at the ceremony, said the initiative gives us great pleasure to be associated with the game in Guyana.

and we are quite satisfied with the way they have been administering these competitions, and as such we wish them well.”

Singh in his presentation said that while the ECCB is facing challenging times as it relates to receiving subventions and financing from what is given to Guyana by Cricket West Indies, the board has managed to maintain a high level of cricketing activities.

“Had it not been for businesses and companies like Elizabeth Styles it would have been a monumental task, and so on

vice-president, Raymond Barton, who explained that the tournament will attract teams as far as Abary on the East Coast.

This year’s tournament will see the winners receive a sum of $375 000 and second-placed collect $75 000.

The competition is expected to commence on Sunday.

All participating clubs are asked to make contact with Barton on telephone number 626-0223 on or before Friday.

THE Regal Sports softball competition will conclude on Sunday at the Everest Cricket Club ground, with the semifinals and finals in both the Open and Over-40 categories.

In the Open division Regal will clash with De Hoop in the first semifinal while Farm and Speedboat meet in the other semi-final game.

Regal Masters and HS Masters will clash in the first Over-45 semifinal while Savage Masters play Ariel in the second game.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s Premier Softball Cup, the ‘Prime Minister’s Cup’, will be officially launched at the conclusion of the semifinals.

The official launch, which was billed for September 5, had to be rescheduled due to reasons beyond the organisers’ control.

Information received so far indicated that Toronto Cup/Masters Softball

cricket tournament 2017 winners, SVC Mafia and New York Hustlers, have confirmed their participation for the three-day tournament, which is billed for October 27, 28 and 29.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

The two teams will be joined by New York Presidents’ X1 and Tri State Masters, as the four teams confirmed from North America so far.

The tournament will be played in two categories, the Masters and All Stars, and information from the organising committee revealed that the tournament

is open to any number of teams interested to be a part of the tournament.

Players must be over the age of 45 in order to play in the Masters category, while the All Stars format is open to all ages.

Teams registering for the Over-45 category must submit photo identification, preferably valid passports for every member of their 15-man squad.

The Over-45 category will make the champions $500 000 richer while in the All Stars category the winning team will collect $600 000.

The proposed venues are the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), Everest Cricket Club, Gandhi Yo u t h O r g a n i s a t i o n (GYO), Police, GNIC and Malteenoes.

Registration can be done through Russel Jadbeer on telephone numbers 626-8228 or 2264205. Entrance fee is free.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 8, 2017

England stumble after Stokes grabs six wickets

By Martyn Herman LONDON, England (Reuters) - Ben Stokes stole England team mate James Anderson’s show with a sizzling six-wicket haul as West Indies slumped to 123 all out before the visitors roared back on an extraordinary opening day of the series-deciding third Test at Lord’s yesterday.

With all eyes on Anderson as he edged towards his 500th Test wicket it was all-rounder Stokes who ripped through the West Indies either side of tea with career-best figures of six for 22 from 14.3 almost unplayable overs.

The flame-haired 26-year-old seemed to have given England a stranglehold on the winner-takes-all match but by the close of play on a murky day made for swing bowling West Indies had reduced their hosts to 46-4, still 77 runs behind.

Kemar Roach removed opening duo Mark Stoneman and Alastair Cook, both nicking behind to keeper Shane Dowrich.

Skipper Jason Holder had under-pressure batsman Tom Westley lbw and then captured the prized wicket of Joe Root for one, to keep alive West Indies’ dream of a first series win in England since 1988.

England were 24-4 at that stage before Stokes and Dawid Malan saw the hosts through to the close without further loss.

“It was a difficult pitch to bat on, we would have liked to have had only one or two wickets down but overall we are happy,” Stokes, who grabbed his first five-wicket haul at the historic London ground to become only the eighth player to get his name on both Lord’s honours boards, said.

Difficult was something

of an understatement as batsmen from both sides endured a torrid day, with the ball hopping around under the Lord’s lights that blazed under grey skies.

day needing three wickets to join spinners Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, Anil Kumble and fellow pacemen Glenn McGrath and Courtney Walsh in the 500-club, was

Anderson moved to 499 when Kyle Hope edged him to a diving Bairstow.

Shai Hope struck seven boundaries in his 29 before he was caught by Cook off

Jermaine Blackwood’s wild swing saw him bowled

by Roland-Jones to leave West Indies on 100 for six before a fired-up Stokes polished off West Indies.

Roston Chase had no chance with a devilish ball that straightened and hit off stump and two balls later Shane Dowrich nibbled at one to give Cook another catch.

Holder had his middle stump clattered by a huge Stokes inswinger and Roach and Shannon Gabriel were lambs to the slaughter as Stokes got them in consecutive balls.

“Bowling in the warm-up this morning, the ball was swinging, so it wasn’t surprising when we saw how much the ball was doing,” Stokes said.

Soon it was England’s turn to suffer though as Roach and Gabriel steamed in with a series of 90mph deliveries.

Stoneman went in the third over, nicking a Roach delivery to Dowrich. Cook scratched around for 43 balls before edging a superb delivery to Dowrich before Westley and Root succumbed to leave the game tantalisingly poised.

SCOREBOARD Ben Stokes walks off with a career-best haul of 6 for 22 and another notch on the Lord’s honours boards, after his century in 2015. (Getty Images)

The toss was one neither West Indies skipper Holder or Root would have relished winning but Holder guessed right and felt obliged to bat first, hoping his side could reproduce the form that earned them a stunning five-wicket win at Headingley having been thrashed in the first Test at Edgbaston.

After battling their way to an encouraging 78-2 with opener Kieran Powell and Headingley hero Shai Hope sharing a fluent 56-run third-wicket partnership it seemed West Indies had weathered the storm which saw Anderson reduce them to 22-2.

They lost their last eight wickets for 45 runs though, with Stokes their chief tormentor.

500-CLUB Anderson, beginning the

Forty-one North American cities join in bid for 2026 World Cup

(REUTERS) - Forty-one North American cities, including New York, Montreal and Mexico City, have declared an interest in hosting matches at the 2026 World Cup as part of the joint bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico, officials said yesterday.

A shortlist of cities will be announced later this year with 20 to 25 to be included in the final bid to soccer’s world governing body FIFA. Morocco is also bidding to host the 2026 World Cup, the first with an expanded 48-team format.

A final decision on the host nation will be taken by the FIFA Congress next June.

“The host cities will help define the united bid (by the United States, Canada and Mexico),” United Bid Committee Executive Director John Kristick said in a statement.

“Each will offer the best facilities and infrastructure to stage the world’s biggest single-event sporting competition, and together they will play a key role in the development of the sport in North America.”

frustrated when Cook dropped Kraigg Brathwaite on three.

But he got his man soon enough when keeper Jonny Bairstow pouched a catch and after a 40-minute rain delay

the bowling of Toby Roland-Jones.

In the next over Stokes stooped to catch Powell’s drive off his own bowling for 39, the highest score of the day.

WEST INDIES 1st innings K. Brathwaite c Bairstow b Anderson 10 K. Powell c & b Stokes 39 K. Hope c Bairstow b Anderson 0 S. Hope c Cook b Roland-Jones 29 R. Chase b Stokes 18 J. Blackwood b Roland-Jones 1 S. Dowrichc Cook b Stokes 1 J. Holder b Stokes 9 D. Bishoo not out 13 K. Roach c Anderson b Stokes 0 S. Gabriel b Stokes 0 Extras: (lb-1, nb-2) 3 Total: (all out, 57.3 overs) 123 Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-22, 3-78, 4-78, 5-87, 6-100, 7-101, 8-119, 9-123.

Bowling: J. Anderson 16-7-31-2, S. Broad 12-5-24-0, T. Roland-Jones

11-4-32-2, B. Stokes 14.3-6-22-6 (nb-2), M. Ali 4-0-13-0.

ENGLAND 1st innings A. Cook c Dowrich b Roach 10 M. Stoneman c Dowrich b Roach 1 T. Westley lbw b Holder 8 J. Root c K. Powell b Holder 1 D. Malan not out 13 B. Stokes not out 13 Extras: 0 Total: (for 4 wickets, 19 overs) 46 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-15, 3-19, 4-24.

Bowling: K. Roach 8-3-21-2, S. Gabriel 5-1-7-0, J. Holder 6-1-18-2.

EBFA Ralph Green U-11 League

Defending champs Agricola on show; four matches fixed for tomorrow FOUR matches will be contested tomorrow when play in this year’s edition of the Ralph Green/East Bank Football Association Under-11 League continues at the Grove Playfield.

Defending champions Agricola Red Triangle will open their quest to retain their crown when they take on Herstelling Raiders FC from 09:00hrs which would be followed half an hour later by a clash between the teams from Diamond United and Upsetters who will be making their debut.

Diamond United sit at the top of Group A following their 2-0 win in the first match of this year’s league last week at the same venue against Mocha Champs.

Ronald Adams and Jarrell George will be hoping to

continue their goal-scoring form against the new kids on the block.

The final match tomorrow will see a clash of the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway teams

10:00hrs. Friendship ended last year’s inaugural league in fourth place behind Grove (3rd)

Diamond United and Mocha Champs battling each other on Saturday last at the Grove Playfield.

In Group B play, Grove Hi Tech will also be aiming to make it two of two when they oppose Friendship from

when Kuru Kururu Warriors match skills with Highway United. An entertaining day of action awaits football fans.

in their first year as a member of the EBFA and no doubt will be fancying their chances of going a step further this year.

GROUP A TEAMS

P

W

L

D

GF

GA

GD

POINTS

Diamond United

1

1

0

0

2

0

+2

3

Mocha Champs

1

0

0

0

0

2

-2

0

Agricola Red Triangle

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Herstelling

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Diamond Upsetters

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Grove Hi Tech

1

1

0

0

5

0

+5

3

Samatta Point K/ville

1

0

1

0

0

5

-5

0

GROUP B

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Kuru Kururu Warriors

Friendship All Stars 0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Highway United

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

England stumble after Stokes grabs six wickets See Page 27

Munro and Bravo take Knight Riders into CPL Final

- See Page 23 -

See Page 24

Man-of-the-Match Colin Munro continued his good form in the 2017 CPL with an unbeaten 57 to carry the Trinbago Knight Riders to victory .(© Randy Brooks - CPL

ExxonMobil Guyana is main International hockey sponsor

Stephens beats Williams to reach U.S. Open final

By Julien Pretot NEW YORK (Reuters) - A new grand slam champion will be crowned at the U.S. Open after Sloane Stephens beat fellow American Venus Williams 6-1 0-6 7-5 in a rollercoaster of a semi-final on Thursday.

Stephens, who returned to competition at Wimbledon after nearly a year off because of a foot injury, recovered from a second-set meltdown to end ninth seed Williams’s hopes of reaching a third major final this year.

She will meet either CoCo Vandeweghe or Madison Keys, who face each other later on Thursday, in an all American final.

“I have no words to describe what I‘m feeling what it took to get here. The journey I took. I have no words,” said Stephens, who underwent foot surgery last February. ”If someone told me I’d make two semis and a grand slam final this year I would have passed out, which is what I feel like doing now.

“I don’t know how I got here.

Hard work, that’s it.”

The 24-year-old Stephens, 13 years younger than Williams, paid tribute to the seven-time grand slam champion. ”I‘m honestly just honoured to play at the same time as her.

One of the greatest to ever play

our game. She’s one of the greatest competitors and I‘m honoured to share the court with her and glad to play at the same time as her.

“For American tennis there’s no question marks. The proof is in the pudding. American tennis, here we are.”

Despite her lack of match play this year, Stephens began confidently and broke for 3-1 when Williams netted a routine forehand and then went on to win the last three games of the set as the 37-year-old strangely appeared to struggle with serve.

Sloane Stephens Williams was in danger again on her first service game in the second set but she managed to hold and broke in the next game thanks to a Stephens double fault.

She then held to love to stamp her domination on the second set and moved 4-0 up with

Turn to page 24

Clive Lloyd rings the bell at Lord’s

See Page 24

Clive Lloyd lifted the first two World Cup trophies at Lord’s in 1975 and 1979.

(L-R) Hon. Secretary of GHB, Tricia Fiedtkou, ExxonMobil Guyana Country Manager Rod Henson, National women’s coach Dwayne Scott, president GHB Philip Fernandes, ExxonMobil Guyana Senior Director, Public & Government Affairs Kimberley Johnson Brassington and vice-president GHB Allan Newark.

FORMER legendary Windies captain Clive Lloyd rang the five-minute bell at Lord’s yesterday.

The ringing of the five-minute bell at Lord’s by an in-

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ternational cricketer, administrator or well-known enthusiast of the sport is a recent tradition introduced in 2007.

The bell, which is located outside the Bowlers’ Bar

of the Lord’s Pavilion, is rung to signify the imminent start of play, and it has become a great honour to be invited to ring it on the morning of a Test match.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017