Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 10 11 2016

GAWU seeks early talks with gov’t on GuySuCo’s future 14 P.

No. 104731

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

Clinton, Obama pledge to unite behind next president Trump 2

P.

US$18M US$18M Indian Indian funding funding for for North-West North-West ferry ferry 9

P.

Berbice schoolboy drowns after outing with friends 3 P.

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan exchanges the signed agreement with Salish Prasad, Resident representative of the Export-Import Bank of India in the presence of Indian High Commissioner Venkatachalam Mahalingam, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and S.M. Joshi of the Indian High Commission on Wednesday. (Samuel Maughn photo)

Armed bandits invade Rohee’s house 8

P.

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 10, 2016

Clinton, Obama pledge to unite behind next president Trump (Reuters) Donald Trump put aside the celebrations and began planning his 73day transition to the White House on Wednesday as rival Hillary Clinton promised to bury the bitterness of their long presidential race and work to unify a divided country.

After the Republican Trump’s stunning upset of the heavily favoured Clinton, Democratic President Barack Obama and leading figures in the Republican Party who had struggled to make peace with Trump all vowed to move past the ugliness of an angry and sometimes personal campaign to seek common ground.

“Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead,” Clinton, the Democratic nominee, said in a concession speech in New York before noon on Wednesday, joined by her husband, former President Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea.

With a row of American flags in the background, she told supporters her loss was painful “and it will be for a long time,” and that she had offered to work with Trump as he prepares to begin his four-year term on Jan. 20.

A wealthy real estate

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump along with his wife Melania and family greet supporters during his election night rally in Manhattan, New York, U.S., November 9, 2016. (REUTERS/Mike Segar)

developer and former reality TV host, Trump rode a wave of anger toward Washington insiders to win Tuesday’s election against Clinton, whose gold-plated establishment resume included stints as a first lady, U.S. senator

and secretary of state.

Trump’s victory marked a crushing end to Clinton’s second quest to become the first woman president. She also failed in a White House bid in 2008.

Obama, who campaigned hard against Trump, invited him to the White House for a meeting on Thursday after a brutal night for his Democratic Party, which also fell short of recapturing majorities in both chambers of Congress.

“We are now all rooting for his success in uniting and leading the country,” Obama said at the White House, adding he and his staff would work with Trump to ensure a successful transition. “We are not Democrats first, we are not Republicans first, we are Americans first.”

Trump and his senior aides were meeting at Trump Tower in New York on Wednesday to begin the transition. Trump will enjoy Republican majorities in both chambers of the U.S.

Congress that could help him implement his legislative agenda.

“He just earned a mandate and we now just have a unified Republican government,” House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, who had a strained relationship with Trump, told reporters in Wisconsin, saying Congress would “hit the ground running” in January.

TRUMP PRIORITIES In an Oct. 25 Reuters interview, Trump said his

top priorities when he takes office would be building stronger borders, repealing Obama’s national healthcare plan, aiding military veterans and working to create more jobs.

In his victory speech early on Wednesday, he also promised to embark on a project to rebuild American infrastructure and to double U.S. economic growth.

Worried that a Trump victory could cause economic and global uncertainty, investors initially fled stocks worldwide but Wall Street bounced back from the dramatic overnight sell-off and the U.S. dollar hit its highest level against the Japanese yen in nearly four months.

The Mexican peso recouped some losses after falling to a record low. The currency has been vulnerable to Trump’s threats to rip up a free trade agreement with Mexico and to tax money sent home by migrants to pay to build a border wall.

Joined by his family, Trump spoke to cheering supporters in a New York hotel ballroom, saying it was time to heal divisions and find common ground after a campaign that exposed deep differences among Americans.

“It is time for us to come together as one united people,” Trump said. “I will be president for all Americans.”

His comments were an abrupt departure from his campaign trail rhetoric in which he repeatedly branded Clinton as “Crooked Hillary” amid supporters’ chants of “lock her up.”

Trump’s campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, on Wednesday nonetheless did not rule out the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate Clinton’s past conduct, a threat Trump made in an election debate last month.

Despite losing the stateby-state electoral battle that determines the U.S. presidency, Clinton narrowly led Trump in the nationwide popular vote, according to U.S. media tallies.

Prevailing in a race that opinion polls had clearly favored Clinton, Trump won avid support among white non-college educated workers.

While Clinton, 69, won Hispanics, black and young voters, she did not win those Turn to page 5 ►

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 10, 2016

Granger congratulates Trump ‒ Sees no shift in Guyana/U.S. relations with Trump presidency PRESIDENT David Granger on Wednesday congratulated Donald Trump on winning the presidential elections in the United States.

During a brief interview with reporters at State House, Main Street, the Guyanese Head of State stated that on behalf of the Government of Guyana: “I would like to extend congratulations to the incoming-President Donald Trump and we will continue our cordial relations with the United States of America.”

The President emphasised

that the outcome of the US elections was a democratic one and as such Guyana will respect the American democracy.

“This is a matter for the American people. America is a democratic country and the elections were conducted in a transparent manner. I think there is no country in the world that is not aware of what was happening over the last six months, so even if some Guyanese had to vote, they were fully aware of the programme of the two major candidates.”

According to the Guyanese leader, he has already met with officials of the Department of State and Guyana does not expect that there will be any significant alteration in the relations with the US, particularly with the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative.

“So as you know the more things change the more they remain the same and we look forward to working with the new Trump Administration because we are concerned with the security of the hemisphere and we are confident

Berbice schoolboy drowns after outing with friends A BERBICE schoolboy who was nicknamed “Fishy” drowned after a swim outing went horribly wrong for a group of friends.

The body of 15-yearold Ronaldo Sankar was pulled from the Tain Koker trench at sunset Wednesday.

Sankar, a fifth form student of J.C. ChandiSingh Secondary School and of WilliamsBurg, Corentyne Berbice left with five friends after school to go for a swim.

According to Amanda Dihal, a relative, Sankar did not return home after school at the time he usually would, but at around 16:00h his friends came by his home and informed his parents that he could not

be found.

“They told us they were swimming and when they got up did not see Ronaldo; he went down in the water and did not come up back, one of the boys who was there said,” Dihal stated.

As family members gathered at the scene, a search was launched and the teen’s lifeless body was discovered two hours after the incident.

“We got some diver and they went in and search for him”.

Relatives told this publication this is the first time the teen ventured to the area to swim.

His mother Natasha Sankar, who was at the Port Mourant Hospital was in a state of shock and had to be consoled by family

Ronaldo Sankar

members as she stared at the lifeless body of her son as it lay in a stretcher at the entrance of the hospital.

Ronaldo was her eldest of three sons.

President-elect of the U.S. Donald Trump

President David Granger

that they are the Americans (who are) concerned that the security of the hemisphere will not diminish,” President Granger explained.

Trump, who has no previous political or military experience, sent conciliatory signals after his upset of Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, pledging to seek common ground, not conflict, with the United States’ allies. Several authoritarian and right-wing leaders commended the billionaire businessman and reality TV star who against the odds won the leadership of the world’s most powerful country.

Water filters for hinterland homes, schools, health facilities THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has announced plans to put water filters in homes, schools and health facilities in the hinterland and riverine communities.

Addressing the media at a press conference Wednesday at GWI’s Shelter Belt, Vlissengen Road, GWI’s Director Dr. Richard Van-West Charles explained that the water company is working with the regional authorities in Regions One, Seven and Nine to ensure supply and access to safe drinking water for those communities that currently do not have safe access to the service.

The filters being sourced are ones that “we know work,” and ones that “remove 100 percent bacteria, fungi and viruses.” The filters are tested and used internationally by several organisations, and at one time, in Haiti, Dr. Van-West Charles said.

Dr. Van-West Charles explained that many of the com-

GWI officials pose with teachers and students of Karrau Creek Primary School who received water filters

munities, many of their health facilities, and their schools, are using contaminated water from the rivers.

The director said that the water company is working to find sustainable solutions to address these communities’ water woes and in the interim it has begun to purchase water filters for distribution to schools, health centres and hospitals.

“We are distributing the filters so that they can use them and ensure that the water they drink is safe. We are looking

to provide these filters, whilst we look at having more funds to have wells available for the distribution within these communities,” Dr. Van-West Charles said.

GWI has thus far distributed water filters in Kamarang, Region Seven. This community recently suffered from a diarrhoeal outbreak.

It was suspected that the river water that is used by the residents for drinking and domestic purposes has been contaminated. (GINA)

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 10, 2016

Five ways a Donald Trump presidency changes the world (BBC) Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential contest could change America’s relationship with the rest of the world in some important ways.

Here are five of them.

characterised its members as ungrateful allies who benefit from US largesse. He says America can no longer afford to protect countries in Europe - and in Asia - without adequate compensation, suggesting he would with-

How will Donald Trump handle this man - Kim Jong-un?

NATO FACES A SHAKE-UP M r Tr u m p h a s b e e n hugely critical of Nato (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization), a cornerstone of American foreign policy for more than 60 years.

He has attacked the organisation as obsolete and

draw American forces unless they pay up.

In one sense, he is simply voicing longstanding US concerns about most Nato members not meeting their goal of spending at least 2% of GDP on defence, while US defence spending is the largest in the world. He also

stressed in a presidential debate he was “all for Nato”.

But his stance has sparked alarm, particularly in eastern Europe which sees the alliance as a bulwark against Russia.

NEW COSIER TIES WITH RUSSIA? As for Russia itself, Mr Trump has said he believes he can ease tensions with President Vladimir Putin, and has praised him as a strong leader with whom he would love to have a good relationship.

Barack Obama began his presidency calling for a “reset” with one of the US’ long-term rivals. Since then Russia-US ties have been strained, no more so than over the two countries backing rival sides in Syria’s civil war.

Mr Trump has said little about what better relations might involve beyond a desire for a joint fight against the militants of so-called Islamic State.

But he intends to find

out if the Russians would be “reasonable”, confident that he could better command Mr Putin’s respect than Hillary Clinton or President Obama.

FREE TRADE DEALS MAY BE CANNED Donald Trump’s trade policies would amount to the single biggest change to the way America does business with the rest of the world in decades.

He has threatened to scrap a number of existing free trade agreements, including the North American Free Trade Agreement between the US, Canada and Mexico, which he blames for job losses. He has even suggested withdrawing the US from the World Trade Organization.

He is also in favour of taxing imports, and has talked about imposing tariffs of 45% on China and 35% on goods shipped from Mexico, in an effort to prevent companies moving jobs south of the border.

IRAN NUCLEAR ACCORD COULD BE RETHOUGHT For President Obama, the deal that saw sanctions against Iran lifted in exchange for guarantees it would not pursue nuclear

There has been strong public opposition to free trade deals

weapons was a “historic understanding”.

But for Donald Trump, echoing Republican concerns, it was “the worst deal I think I’ve ever seen negotiated”. He has said dismantling it would be his “number one priority”.

Doing so would potentially have a huge impact on the Middle East, with Iran a key player in the Syrian conflict and a rival of Saudi Arabia and Israel, for instance.

Already Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has urged Trump to stay committed to the nuclear deal.

He suggested the US would have to respect the accord given that it was thrashed out with several world powers.

MORE NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN ASIA? A Donald Trump presi-

DATE: 09/11/2016 D

4

8 10 12 16 27 22

09/11/2016

5

7

13 18 24

09/11/2016

6

7

5

dency raises major security questions in Asia. China is largely thought to welcome a Donald Trump presidency, perhaps anticipating a more isolationist US foreign policy.

Japan and South Korea

09/11/2016

1

0

6

have both been singled out

by Mr Trump for relying too much on the US. He has even said they would benefit from having their own nuclear arsenals.

Then there is the region’s renegade state, North Korea, which is currently developing its own nuclear weapons.

Mr Trump faces the task of curbing those ambitions, something that has eluded successive US leaders.

How he might do this is unclear - in the past year Mr Trump has both called North Korean leader Kim Jong-un a “bad dude” but also said he would directly negotiate with him.

Either way, US politics’ most unpredictable presidential candidate tackling the world’s most unpredictable state makes North Korea a likely flashpoint in the coming years.

3

9

10

09/11/2016 14 17

20

21

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 10, 2016

Clinton, Obama pledge to... groups by greater margins than Obama did in 2012.

Younger blacks did not support Clinton like they did Obama. She won eight of 10 black voters between the ages of 35 and 54. Obama won almost 100 percent of those voters in 2012.

At 70, Trump will be the oldest first-term U.S. president. The presidency will be Trump’s first elected office, and it remains to be seen how he will work with Congress.

During the campaign Trump was the target of sharp disapproval, not just from Democrats but also from many in his own party.

GOOD NEWS FOR RUSSIA Foreign leaders pledged to work with Trump but some officials expressed alarm that the vote could mark the end of an era in which Washington promoted democratic values and was seen by its allies as a guarantor of peace.

During the campaign, Trump expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, questioned central tenets of the NATO military alliance and suggested that Japan and South Korea should develop nuclear weapons to shoulder their own defense burden.

Russia and Putin appeared to be winners from

Trump’s victory. Defying years of U.S. foreign policy orthodoxy, the Republican had promised much warmer relations with Moscow, despite Russia’s intervention in the Syrian civil war and its seizure of Ukraine’s Crimea region.

Russia’s parliament erupted in applause after a lawmaker announced that Trump had been elected, and Putin told foreign ambassadors he was ready to fully restore ties with Washington.

“It is not an easy path but we are ready to do our part and do everything to return Russian and American relations to a stable path of development,” Putin said.

Russia is hoping that improved relations could yield an elusive prize: the lifting or easing of sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union to punish Moscow for its 2014 annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hoped to reach “new heights” in bilateral ties under Trump.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Beijing and Washington shared responsibility for promoting global development and prosperity.

Iran urged Trump to stay committed to the nuclear accord between Tehran and

From page 2

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, with her husband, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, (L), and her Vice-President running mate Tim Kaiine (R), applaud at her concession speech to President-elect Donald Trump in New York, U.S., November 9, 2016. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

world powers. Several authoritarian and right-wing leaders hailed Trump’s victory.

Other officials abroad, some with senior roles in government, took the unusual step of denouncing the outcome, calling it a worrying signal for liberal democracy and tolerance in the world.

“Trump is the pioneer of a new authoritarian and chauvinist international movement. He is also a warning

for us,” German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said in an interview with the Funke newspaper group.

U.S. neighbor Mexico was pitched into deep uncertainty by the victory for Trump, who has often accused it of stealing U.S. jobs and sending criminals across the U.S. border.

Trump campaigned on a pledge to take the country on a more isolationist, protectionist “America First” path.

He wants to rewrite international trade deals to reduce trade deficits and has taken positions that raise the possibility of damaging relations with America’s most trusted allies in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Trump survived a series of blows on the campaign, many of them self-inflicted, including the emergence in October of a 2005 video in which he boasted about making unwanted sexual ad-

vances on women. He apologized but within days, several women emerged to say he had groped them, allegations he denied. He was judged the loser of all three presidential debates with Clinton.

A Reuters/Ipsos national Election Day poll offered some clues to the outcome.

It found Clinton badly underperformed expectations with women, winning their vote by only about 2 percentage points.

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 10, 2016

Poor labelling of seed paddy sold by Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Editorial TUESDAY’S vote by Americans to send Donald Trump to the White House and make him the 45th President of the United States of America has shocked the world, defied trusted polls and delivered a stinging rebuke to the political elites.

Reuters, which had conducted tracking polls throughout the elections season conceded in an article on Wednesday it had pumped out two kinds of poll stories. Some were national surveys designed to estimate the entire country’s popular vote, but not the outcome in individual states, where the contest is actually decided. These polls actually got the big picture right: Clinton won more overall votes than President-elect Donald Trump - but not by as much as the polling averages predicted, and not where she needed to. Reuters said too that news organisations also produced a blizzard of stories meant to calculate the probability of victory for the two candidates. These calculations were predicated on polls of individual states. “In hindsight, though, the stories seem to have overstated Clinton’s chances for a win by failing to see that a shift in voting patterns in some states could show up in other, similar states. In part, this is because polling analysts got the central metaphor wrong,” the news agency’s article stated.

The sheer unpredictability of the polls is also the story of President-Elect Trump who many thought could not have made it past the first round of the Republican primaries, yet on Tuesday the Republican billionaire defeated his Democratic rival, plunging global markets into turmoil and casting doubt on Washington’s leadership. He later told supporters he was president for all of America.

This year’s election had attracted much local and international attention. It was also special for many reasons outside of a 240-year-old nation for the first time having a female candidate of a major party, and a billionaire businessman turned politician the candidate of the other major party. Come January 2017, the president-elect Trump will influence the U.S. domestic state of affairs and its relations with the international community. He will also be the Commander-in-Chief of the world’s most powerful military.

By now, even the casual political watcher has insight into the vastly different policy positions of both Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and Trump. Their policies inform how they see the world and what role they are communicating the U.S. will play in the world under their leadership. Clinton’s campaign theme was “Stronger Together” and she had adumbrated a philosophy of inclusion, equality, and advancing the economic conditions of the people, irrespective of their diversity. On the international front, while she is seen as comparatively hawkish to democratic presidents, she had promised to advise, and explore all options and collaborate with other international forces before taking military action.

Trump’s campaign theme “Make America Great Again” was premised on a philosophy that the country has lost its

GRDB Burma Rice Research Station Dear Editor, KINDLY permit me space in your newspaper to express my dissatisfaction with the labelling of seed paddy being sold to farmers by the GRDB Burma Rice Research Station.

The seeds do not have the requisite label with the necessary information on the bag.

The bags have some things written on it with a marker.

Anyone can write anything on the bags once they have a marker and dupe the farmers.

This has been happening

for some time now under the leadership of Dr. Mahendra Persaud. The allegation is that the leadership of the Burma Rice Research Station chooses to bypass this step in the processing and packaging of the seed paddy for the reason of passing off low-quality seed paddy and paddy that does not fully meet the required standards to farmers.

Farmers who purchase paddy from the Burma Rice Research Station in the last crop can absolutely corroborate the fact of the quality

of paddy received. The time has come for the GRDB board and the Minister of Agriculture to take steps to ensure that the seed paddy sold to farmers meets the quality standards before being sold and seed labels must be stitched in the lid of the bags the essential information (Year and Season Grown, Class of seed, Variety, Weight, % Purity, % Other Crop seeds, % Inert matter, % weed seeds, Origin , % Germination, Date tested etc.) so that

farmers can know what they are paying for is what they getting in the bag and not buying ‘pig in a bag’ like in the last few crops.

The seed quality standard protocol that oversees the labelling of seeds is one that is known and being used by seed-production agencies in other parts of the globe and must be adopted here in Guyana.

Regards Terry Ross

URP congratulates President-elect Trump

Dear Editor,

THE United Republican Party, congratulates and felicitates the President-elect of the USA at general elections held last Tuesday. It was a hard-fought election and candidate Donald Trump

was an example for the party and the American nation. In spite of all thrown at him, Mr Tr u m p h a s s h o w n t h e mettle he is made of. He has overcome all predictions showing him losing to Democrat Hillary Clinton, earning a well

deserved, magnificent victory. He has called for healing and national unity, saying he will be President for all. In so doing, he has earned our respect and gratitude. The URP wishes him a long life and all the best in his plan for the country. The

URP pledges its support to and cooperation with President-elect Donald Trump to help him successfully implement his programmes and policies.

Regards Dr Vishnu Bandhu Leader/URP of Guyana

King’s career at M&CC should have been over Dear Editor,

THE consistent failures and lack of performance by the Town Clerk of Georgetown, Mr. Royston King, should come as no surprise to the Deputy Mayor Mr. Sherod Duncan. But, then again, I guess that maybe the Deputy Mayor is unacquainted with the gentleman, and is thus unfamiliar with his lack of initiative and poor management capacity in the past, which remains unchanged.

If one were to trace King’s work history, which began as an office assistant with the Inland Revenue Department years ago, one would realise that, since that time, he was let go for underperformance among other things. King’s

propensity for nepotism began when he entered the Georgetown municipality, where his father was employed as a security guard, and his failed work history can continue to be traced from here.

Whilst he functioned in the Public Relations Department, City Hall was subjected to the most damaging negative press in its history.

It seems that King did not realise that negative press coverage would have a profound effect on the Council’s ability to do business with the citizenry, its suppliers etc. because of damage to its reputation. He was more caught up trying to make his bosses look bad, so that he could take over.

Then King tried his hand at being a public relations

greatness and its restoration is reliant on an isolationist policy of sorts, including deporting millions of un-documented residents, building a wall at the Mexican border, refusing Syrian refugees, and having Muslims resident in the U.S. entered into a system where they are identifiable. On NATO, he thinks the U.S. should dial back its leadership role. In Foreign Policy, Trump has yet to define a clear position, though what is undoubtedly clear is his admiration for Russia President Vladimir Putin, whom he thinks is a stronger leader than President Barack Obama.

His isolationism on the economic front calls for returning manufacturing jobs to the country and stimulating the

consultant for the Guyana Police Force. That was a complete disaster, as he made the public become more unwilling to cooperate with the police, and he failed to secure and maintain the respect of the public for the police.

Needless to say, he was let go here also. He then did a stint at the University of Guyana as a part-time lecturer, with no greater success. His attempts at other gigs, such as hosting a television programme he called ‘Global Perspective’ and running a non-governmental organisation called The Environmental Community Health Organisation (ECHO), were all colossal letdowns and disappointments.

Just look at the much-touted ‘Green Conference and Expo’ that was held last year.

After pumping millions and millions of dollars into this much-hyped event with a topical theme, it regrettably turned out to be just another bomb, another catastrophe

by King.

Clearly, King has not found his ‘Zone of Genius’.

Of course, that is if he has one. He has not defined or knows what success is, he has surrounded himself with the wrong people. He constantly messes up, drops the ball, and has epic failures.

By now his career at the Council should have long been kaput; it should have been over, but instead he is being propped up, which is a disaster for Georgetown.

Regards, DEODARIE PUTULAL

growth of business through tax incentives. In international trade, he is opposed to U.S. trade deals NAFTA, signed by President Bill Clinton and TPP signed by Barack Obama. He has argued that such trade devastated swats of the economy, resulting in high unemployment and increased poverty.

Though this agreement is not without some merit, Trump is yet to clearly articulate an acceptable reversal policy. On social policy issues such as healthcare, it is Trump’s plan to repeal the Affordable Healthcare Act aka Obamacare. All eyes would be on him and his colleagues from the Republican party who now control both the Senate and Congress with an expanded majority.

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 10, 2016

First Lady says teenage mothers must be empowered FIRST Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger emphasised the point that, teenage mothers must be empowered and given the tools to succeed, at the launch of the 2016 State of the World Population Report, Wednesday at the Umana Yana in Georgetown.

“Teenage mothers] must be given the opportunity to …become agents of positive change in their communities,” Mrs. Granger said to the women and children, who attended the event.

The Report, which was initially launched worldwide on October 20, 2016, was today introduced to Guyana collaboratively by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Office of the First Lady and the Ministry of Social Protection. Under the theme; ‘Investing in 10 year-old-girls is the key to sustainable development’.

Speaking on the importance of investing in the re-integration of young mothers into society to allow them to become productive adults, the First Lady notes that teen pregnancy impacts the of health, education, social development and economic well-being of adolescent girls.

“It is a matter of greater concern that Guyana has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the Commonwealth Caribbean… Public health officials will tell you the risks associated with early pregnancy, this is why, I believe, the Ministry of Public Health has a policy of moving adolescent mothers to Georgetown as their time for delivery draws near,” Mrs. Granger said.

She also noted that

young girls are also at risk of cervical cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in Guyana, along with other sexually transmitted infections and diseases. “After experiencing a decline in HIV and AIDS and moving to a zero rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and AIDS in CARICOM, a nine percent increase in HIV/AIDS cases has been recorded with the majority of new cases reported being among young girls. This will likely have an impact on our records relating not only to the number of HIV/AIDS cases reported, but also to mother-to-child transmission,” Mrs. Granger said.

Additionally, she noted that imaginative ways must be found to encourage teenage mothers to return to school to complete their education. “It does not matter if they choose to acquire knowledge in traditional or non-traditional fields. It matters that they are choosing to develop and lead productive lives… Our educational officials will need to consciously set aside moral judgement and prejudice and accept those girls in their classes without ridicule or fear of contamination of other students,” Mrs. Granger said.

Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Volda Lawrence stated that the report focuses on the choices and investments that have to be made by the older generation for empowerment and future development of the younger generation. “It is imperative… that our Government work in concert with all the relevant agencies to elaborate a collective and coherent plan

of action, underpinning the sustainable goals, that will help our children to transition and realise their full potential,” Minister Lawrence said.

Holding responsibility for Child Care and Protection, Minister Lawrence said that though faced with many challenges, trafficking of children is one of the most critical areas. She added, “As populations grow and the alleviating poverty becomes more difficult to manage, the incidents of trafficking in persons will spiral globally with the heaviest toll being paid by our vulnerable adolescent girls and young women.”

Guyana has a number of key pieces of legislation aimed at protection of children and vulnerable groups, including the Child Protection Act, the Sexual Offenses Act, the Labour Act, and the Trafficking in Persons Act. Statistics have shown that over the five year period from 2012 to 2016, there has been an increase of trafficking in children cases reported across Guyana.

Minister Lawrence said that what is more alarming is the significant increase in female trafficking during the period of January to October 2016, “That is why today this report is very important to the Ministry of Social Protection and the Government as a whole because we as combine the statistics in this report with those coming out of the Situation Analysis Report (SitAn) done by UNICEF [which was presented last September] we are be able to draw a map in terms of where there issues are being perpetrated and the number of villages surrounding those

Berbice Campus continues to be mistreated Dear Editor,

IT is graduation time again for the students at the University of Guyana, and while I understand that this is a celebratory time, I cannot help but feel angered by the realisation that the Berbice Campus, after more than 15 years of existence, continues to be the mistreated stepchild of the Turkeyen Campus.

I refer specifically to two concerns: the first is the unfair treatment of the Berbice Campus students with respect to the granting of top/special awards for excellent performance. The students of the Berbice Campus have never been considered for a number of top/special awards even though many of them would have earned such awards had they been students of the Turkeyen Campus instead of the Berbice Campus.

The fortunate students of the Turkeyen Campus are the ones who would, once again, be considered for awards such as the President’s Medal, the Chancellor ’s Medal, the Prime Minister’s Medal, the Vice-Chancellor’s Special Awards, and the Council of the University Prize.

If the University of Guyana is truly “one university”, shouldn’t all graduating students be vying for the same awards? Why, then, does it appear as though the students of the Berbice Campus are receiving the short end of the stick? Perhaps, it is because they are receiving the short end of the stick.

My second concern is the obvious difference between the quality of graduation-related communication produced by the two campuses. I recently saw the graduation invitation

that my niece received from the Turkeyen Campus and I was shocked, because the one my daughter received from the Berbice Campus is not nearly as elegant. It is quite obvious which of the two invitations received substantial financial support in its production. Again, if the University of Guyana is really “one university”, shouldn’t the quality or standard of anything produced by the campuses be very similar, if not exactly the same?

It saddens me to think that even with a new vice-chancellor, the Berbice Campus remains the mistreated stepchild. I guess the idea of “one university” is just a neat cover-up for, “one campus is more equal than the other”.

Regards Melissa Singh

areas… and get the police to assist us in stamping out this scourge in Guyana,” Minister Lawrence said.

“The Counter-Trafficking-in-Persons Unit in collaboration with the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking-in-Persons, acknowledging this increasing trend, has initiated a number of activities, which include school and community

Meanwhile Minister within the Ministry of Education, with the responsibility for Youth, Ms. Nicolette Henry emphasised the need for education for young girls, which she sees as an important factor that will benefit society. “There should be no discrimination when it comes to education… Not educating our girls is a significant barrier to social and economic

First Lady Sandra Granger speaking at the launch of the 2016 State of the World Population Report

awareness campaigns and the ‘road side gaff’ programme to teach young children how to protect themselves. For the period 2016 to 2017 the task force envisions the hosting of several street theatre events, earmarked for schools and public spaces to sensitise and educate our children,” Minister Lawrence said.

The Ministry’s Counter-Trafficking-in-Persons Unit has proposed a plan for 2017 for the creation of a Schools Trafficking-in-Persons module, which will be implemented in the secondary school curriculum in Guyana. The Unit also intends to hold a nationwide campaign aimed at making persons more of the proposed release of A Victim’s Rights Handbook.

progress. [A] girl’s education is an integral part to virtually every aspect of development,” Minister Henry said.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Ms. Annette Ferguson noted that with an increase in opportunities for a woman’s career path, with traditionally male jobs now being taken up by an increasing number of women “Our young people must be encouraged to take up non-traditional careers, especially in the science and Technology fields… If young people are to take up a non-traditional career path, we must make adjustments in school’s curriculum, to make sure our young people are equipped to fit into the jobs of the future,” Minister Ferguson said.

In addition, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Ms. Valerie Garido-Lowe, stated that culture plays an important part in encouraging Indigenous girls to educate themselves.

“I have faith in our Government that we are going to ensure that we can look back proudly and say that our girls have been empowered, and they understand the vision ahead and that includes our indigenous girls,” Minister Lowe said.

In a message that was read by Acting UN Resident Coordinator, Mrs. Ruben Robertson for the Executive Director of UNFPA, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, he said that “We have every reason to prioritise the development of every girl’s capabilities. Our collective future depends on it… The real test of [the Report’s] success will be whether every 10 year old girl, today, will be healthy, educated and protected in 2030. The world cannot afford to squander the potential of every one or even one more girl. Instead we must… do everything within our power to ignite that potential among the 10 year old girls for her sake and for the sake of all of us.”

Also present at the event were several representatives from UNFPA, representatives from Women across Differences (WAD), and several schools in Georgetown. The State of World Population Report is presented each year by UNFPA and serves as a framework and guideline on social issues and its possible solutions. (Ministry of the Presidency)

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 10, 2016

Armed bandits invade Rohee’s house ‒ maids beaten, tied up ‒ car used in robbery found abandoned in Georgetown LAW enforcement officers are in search of three men who Wednesday robbed the Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home of Clement Rohee, a former Home Affairs Minister and the current general-secretary of the opposition PPP, and beat his two maids in their search for money and gold.

The police have since recovered the car that was used to drop and pick up the men.

It was found abandoned on Croal street in Georgetown hours after the robbery. The police were also able to get fingerprints from the vehicle and from Rohee’s house.

At approximately 11:30 hrs, the men, armed with

guns and a knife, entered the back door of Rohee’s home and held his two maids hostage as they searched for gold and money. The backdoor of the Eccles property was left open by one of the maids.

Rohee told reporters that he received a call Wednesday morning while at work informing him of the robbery.

He said his domestic helpers were duct-taped and beaten by the angry men who had demanded money and gold from them. When the maids claimed they had no knowledge of the valuables in the house, they were kicked about their bodies. The ordeal lasted approximately 20 minutes, they said. “[They] tied them up with

Investigators leaving Rohee’s premises on Wednesday

duct tape, took them upstairs to the upper flat [and] began demanding gold and cash. Of course, they know nothing about that. They assaulted them for a brief while, a few kicks and so on; they began to ransack the house from top to bottom,” said Rohee.

Neither Rohee nor his wife was at home at the time of the incident. He said the police are currently reviewing security surveillance to determine who the three men are and the owner of the vehicle used to drop and pick them up from the location.

An undisclosed amount of local and foreign cash and jewellery were removed from the house, said Rohee, who disclosed that his wife had left for work around 07:30 hrs, while he left around 09:30 hrs.

“We have not been able to establish the total sum of money – a combination of foreign and local currency,” he told reporters after investigators left his Lot 6&7 Ixora Avenue, Eccles, EBD home.

The former Minister of Home Affairs said his firearm was not removed from where it was stowed and can only assume that the bandits did not see or touch it. It was only Monday when Rohee had expressed concern about the state of crime in Guyana during his party’s weekly press conference.

He is unsure of whether the robbery was random, noting, “I can’t say really you know… there had to be something make they came to this specific house and leave the others in the neighbourhood.”

Rohee explained that his wife is the owner of the property and noted that “nobody lived there before; this house was built by my wife when she came back from working with the embassy in Washington.”

PPP General -Secretary Clement Rohee speaks with the media after investigators had left his Eccles, East Bank Demerara home

The Eccles house belonging to Rohee and his wife

He said the robbery of the Eccles house was not isolated, as there have been similar cases in the area as of recent.

“This kind of incident is very prevalent in the Eccles area…not because it has touched me, but a significant number of people have come to recognise that the crime situation is becoming more or less intolerable.”

As word spread of the robbery, members of the

PPP/C visited Rohee’s home to provide support. Many of them were heard condemning the crime situation in the country while noting that “nothing is being done to reduce crime.”

Former Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai ,who lives opposite Rohee and Member of Parliament Nigel Dharamlall, along with other well-wishers, were seen at the Eccles house as a team of investigators carried out their investigations.

Meanwhile, a surveillance video seen by the Guyana Chronicle shows three persons being dropped off by a car; one of the bandits was carrying a backpack. Neighbours were in shock when they learnt of the robbery, noting that they had no clue that the former minister’s house was being robbed.

“Excuse me, is what happening over there by Mr Rohee?” asked one neighbour who when told said, “Oh my God, we were right here and we didn’t see anything.”

The said Eccles resident

requested anonymity and told the Guyana Chronicle that recently she saw a young man on a bicycle traversing the street. The man spoke with Rohee’s security and told him he was looking for the wake of his aunt.

The said man was seen observing that resident’s house and when the resident enquired as to his motive, he said he was looking for the wake of his uncle.

“This is sickening, people work very hard for their things; something has got to be done about these people,” the angry resident stated.

Last week, President David Granger pleaded with citizens to be patient as his government works to implement crime-fighting strategies. He believes that the initiatives already implemented by the Ministry of Public Security are having an effect on the crime situation facing the country.

The Guyana Police Force had stated that as of September, serious crimes were down 19 per cent across the country.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 10, 2016

US$18M Indian funding for North-West ferry

By Ariana Gordon

GUYANA and India Wednesday signed a U.S.$18 million deal to procure a new ferry to ply the Georgetown to NorthWest route in what would be welcome news for those who described the journey on the current vessel as treacherous and the service unreliable.

The signing of the agreement took place on Wednesday at the Ministry of Finance in Georgetown in the presence of India’s High Commission to Guyana Venkatachalam Mahalingam, representatives of the Export-Import Bank of India and senior officials of the Ministry of Finance.

The U.S.D$18M comprises a U.S.D$8M grant and U.S.D$10M concessionary loan to be repaid within 20 years with a five-year grace period.

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan, during the simple event, said the Indian funding will assist the government with providing reliable ferry service to the residents of Region One. Residents of the North West District’s travels have been restricted due to maintenance works being done on the MV Kimbia. The Lady Northcote is currently the

nomic development.”

Jordan explained that India had promised to provide assistance with the procurement of a new vessel under the Donald Ramotar-led administration and Wednesday’s signing represents the formalisation of that promise.

“President Ramotar went to India and was promised assistance to replace the old [ferries] ones that we had,” he explained.

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan and Salish Prasad, resident representative of the Export-Import Bank of India, sign the agreement Wednesday

lone vessel to transport passengers and cargo to Region One. “These resources will be used to facilitate the construction of the passenger and cargo vessel which would provide transportation for residents and commuters plying the route,” said Minister Jordan, who noted that the two vessels have “exceeded their lifespan” and the service provided to the residents has been compromised.

“Over the years, the residents of this region have complained bitterly about the negative impact of the

service on their lives and livelihoods. The introduction of this new passenger cargo ferry is to provide improved services to those residents who commute regularly between Regions One and Four,” he added.

The Finance Minister noted that the acquisition of the new vessel will ensure that the range of social and economic benefits is maximised.

“Passengers and goods will now be moved at affordable prices in a safe, secure and reliable environment.

This new ferry vessel will increase efficiency and opera-

tions by allowing passengers and freight to be conveyed more swiftly with fewer delays and reduction in travel time,” Jordan stated.

The Finance Minister said too that the acquisition of the vessel will allow for greater market access and will spur increased production, distribution and consumption of goods. This in turn will contribute to the growth and development of the country.

“The signing of this agreement is yet another tangible gesture of the Government of India’s support for Guyana’s social and eco-

“

and noting that residents of that district depend heavily on the vessels to transact their business.

“This vessel – MV Kimbia is down, awaiting repairs; the only vessel plying that route is the lady Northcote[and] because of that unfortunately, the vessel can only get to Kumaka, or Port Kaituma once every two or three weeks,” Patterson explained.

He said the signing rep-

Over the years, the residents of this region have complained bitterly about the negative impact of the service on their lives and livelihoods. The introduction of this new passenger cargo ferry is to provide improved services to those residents who commute regularly between Regions One and Four.” – Minister of Finance

Like Minister Jordan, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson expressed gratitude to India for the grant and concessionary loan. He said the Transport and Harbours Department of his ministry has been experiencing much difficulty given the constant repairs of existing ferries.

Patterson made it clear that the vessels are “aging,” making specific reference to those that ply Region One

resents a step further in the acquisition of the much needed vessel ,but cautioned that it would not ensure the immediate receipt of the vessel. “They are not offthe-shelf items…have to be procured, then shipped and people would have to be trained.”

The agreement was signed by Salish Prasad, Resident representative of the Export-Import Bank of India and Minister Jordan.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 10, 2016

No Antinfek used in Bartica

By Svetlana Marshall

THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has con-

firmed that it had used Antinfek for the purification of two wells in Diamond Housing Scheme on the East

Bank of Demerara and at Hill Foot on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway but ruled out claims that the chemical was

GWI CEO, Dr Van-West Charles

also used in Bartica, Region Seven.

In fact, the chemical was used in May and June of this year following the purchase of 100 liters from Dove Biotech at a cost of US$17,000. Dove Biotech Limited is based in Thailand.

Antinfek is the brand name for the chemical Polyhexanide which is used as a disinfectant. The consideration of the chemical by GWI has met with major objections from the Director of the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department, Marlan Cole warning against its use, saying that it is harmful.

At a press conference held at its headquarters on Wednesday, GWI Chief Executive Officer, Dr Van West-Charles, with the backing of other senior functionaries of company, in addition to admitting that the chemical was used, argued that the active ingredient found in Antinfek – Polyhexanide (PHMB) – is not as harmful as chlorine which is currently being used.

GWI Director of Operations, Dwayne Shako, during the press conference, disclosed that the chemical was used following the rehabilitation of the Diamond Well Station after it had collapsed for a second time in June.

UNWISE He said Antinfek was used to disinfect the well which had a significant amount of mud inside, noting too that it would have been unwise to use Chlorine since it is a catalyst for corrosion when used on Carbon Steel – the material used inside the well.

“In order to get that well up as quickly as possible and to be able to distribute that water knowing that it was safe, we used Antinfek to really disinfect the well in Diamond.

That allowed us to distribute the water as quickly as possible to residents knowing that it is free from bacteria … and … friendly to our infrastructure,” Shako said.

In explaining the purification process, the Director of Operations noted that the well

was dosed with Antinfek and the chemical was allowed to settle before it was pumped out. According to him, the water was tested to ensure that it was wholesome for human consumption.

Similarly, the chemical was used at Hill Foot between May and June. He made it clear that Antinfek was used in the wells month after the company had tested the chemical.

“Testing phase was months or over a year before we visited Diamond,” he posited.

In addressing reporters on the issue which has gained national attention, the CEO said GWI continues to use Chlorine in treatment plants across the country, in areas such as Lima, Bartica, Pouderoyen, Fellowship, Amelia’s Ward, Eccles and even at the Shelter Belt in Georgetown, although there are some concerns about that chemical.

He said chlorine is a dis-

bactericide.

“It has been proclaimed a safe product for the various application areas mainly human hygiene, public and private health areas, veterinary hygiene, food and feed areas, canned preservatives, film preservatives and drinking water,” a section of a research paper from the British Journal of Environmental Sciences stated.

The document was also issued by GWI in support of its argument.

Adding to the documents provided, Dr West-Charles pointed out that the active ingredient found in Antinfek is products commonly used by Guyanese such as mouth wash, wipes and even chemicals used for cleaning swimming pools.

“We need to ensure that where chlorine cylinders are stored, it has the adequate sensors and the staff is welltrained, and the staff has the necessary protective gears.

The Diamond Well Station where the Antinfek was used for the purpose of purification before water was distributed to residents in June 2016 (File Photo)

infectant but it does not kill bacteria such as cryptosporidium. Alluding to a recent visit to Kamarang in Region Seven, Dr West-Charles said water samples taken from the community indicated that the water was contaminated although it was treated with Chlorine.

NOT AS DANGEROUS AS CHLORINE Additionally, he said there is the issue of safety, noting that Antinfek is not as “dangerous” as Chlorine. In documents provided to the media by GWI, chlorine was described as a “very controversial chemical which is very good at pathogen removal but reacts with organic materials in water to cause the carcinogenic disinfection by products”.

It is also considered to be a very hazardous, corrosive and poisonous substance at elevated levels. On the flip side, Antinfek was described as a disinfectant which has proven to be a very powerful

Antinfek on the other hand, is a registered product by EPA… is a chemical product that is used in things that we are using,” he stated.

Asked whether GWI is considering the continuous usage of Antinfek following the completion of its tests, Dr West-Charles is looking at a “hybrid” approach, explaining that the water company will take in consideration a number of disinfectant products.

“At the end of the day, we have to look at cost and the safety of workers, so those are two of the drivers for the decision-making (process).”

Last Friday, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan had confirmed usage of Antinfek by GWI while answering a number of questions in the National Assembly. He had noted, however, that the chemical which is considered safe was used in Guyana before. It was reportedly used in a community in Region 10.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 10, 2016

New Palestine envoy accredited RELATIONS between Guyana and Palestine have the potential to be further strengthened, Dr. Linda Sobeh-Ali, newly accredited non-resident Ambassador of Palestine to Guyana, told President David Granger on Wednesday.

At her accreditation ceremony held at State House, Dr. Linda Sobeh-Ali expressed her Government’s gratitude and appreciation to Guyana for the country’s recognition and support for the rights of the Palestinian people.

The envoy said her accreditation was a historical moment and said it would lend to the advancement of bilateral relations between the two countries. She noted that it is clear proof that Guyana has always been an ardent supporter of Palestinian rights and for that, the people of that country will forever be grateful.

“I stand before you today, Your Excellency, on behalf of the Palestinian people, who in the fullness of their pain, pride and anticipation for peace and freedom, thank you for your historical and firm solidarity with us and our legitimate aspirations to achieving statehood.

“This courageous stance on your part was particularly highlighted through your country’s official recognition of the State of Palestine on January 14, 2011. This recognition symbolises your solidarity with our people, who have been striving for a long overdue freedom and

Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State Mr Joseph Harmon, Ambassador Linda Sobeh-Ali and President David Granger share a toast during the ambassador’s accreditation ceremony Wednesday at State House.

(Rabindra Rooplall photo)

your commitment towards the right of nations to self-determination,” she said.

She highlighted that Guyana has always been an active member of the United Nations’ (UN) Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and has voted in favour of Palestinian Rights numerous times in the international arena. Most notably, Dr. Sobeh- Ali said,

is the country’s vote in favour of the UN General Assembly Resolution 67/19, which upgraded the State of Palestine’s status to a non-member observer state. Most recently, Guyana has voted in favour of UN General Assembly Resolution 69/320, which permitted Palestine to raise its flag at the UN Headquarters in New York.

“The significance of today lies in the fact that

we are officially translating the provisions of the Joint Communiqué on establishing diplomatic relations in which our Governments have signed in New York on February 21, 2013, into a concrete establishment of diplomatic relations at an ambassadorial level. We do cherish our relations with Guyana and invite you Mr. President to nominate an ambassador of your own to serve your country

in the State of Palestine and we assure you that we will fully cooperate and highly welcome your ambassador within our capacity,” Dr. Sobeh-Ali said.

President Granger, in his remarks, said that Guyana, historically, supported the struggle of the Palestinian people for self-determination and for a homeland. The Palestinian people’s right to an independent and sovereign

homeland must form the basis for genuine and enduring peace, he noted.

The President added that Guyana upholds the rights of all peoples to promote their own development, free from the threat of force and aggression and abhors interference in the internal affairs of other states.

Guyana was the first country in the Caribbean Community to recognise the State of Palestine, Granger noted and accorded recognition to Palestine as a free, independent and sovereign State based on its 1967 borders.

Guyana and Palestine established formal diplomatic relations on February 21, 2013. Guyana will continue to support efforts to remove all obstacles to self-determination and human development of the State of Palestine, the President said.

As Guyana pursues its goal of creating a “green” state, the President said that the country looks forward to working along with the State of Palestine to address issues such as the mitigation of the effects of climate change and for support for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Guyana and Palestine will cooperate to seek solutions to the world’s environmental problems. This will help our respective countries to move more rapidly towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.

Granger, new South African envoy plug tourism, ‘green’ economy PRESIDENT David Granger Wednesday accredited Xoliswa Nomathamsanqa Ngwevela as High Commissioner of South Africa to Guyana.

The non-resident High Commissioner will be based in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

During the accreditation ceremony at State House, Main Street, the High Commissioner said in pursuing people-to-people relations, it was imperative that the two countries find ways to boost tourism and travel, “because that is usually a catalyst to include linkages among people, businesses and institutions working together.”

The South African envoy expressed her pleasure at the

appointment and expressed optimism that during her tenure there will be a positive difference in bilateral relations.

She said diplomatic relations between t two counties started in 1994 and were enhanced when Guyana opened its mission in South Africa in 2014. She said economic and political ties will be further strengthened.

She said South Africa has resident ambassadors in 196 countries and it is the country’s intention to also have a resident envoy in Guyana sometime in the future.

President David Granger said that Guyana looks forward to cooperating with the Republic of South Africa in

the area of climate change and environmental management as part of this country’s continued push toward the development of a “Green State.”

“We look forward to sharing our experiences on the mitigation of the impact of global warming, the demarcation of national parks, the designation of protected areas, the generation of energy from renewable sources and the protection of wildlife with the Republic of South Africa,” the President said.

The two countries established diplomatic ties on November 4, 1994 and President Granger highlighted Guyana’s advocacy in support of the dismantling

of apartheid in South Africa.

“Guyana employed every available international forum, including the Caribbean Community, the Commonwealth, the Non-Aligned Movement and the United Nations, to agitate for an end to apartheid in South Africa. Guyana sponsored and co-sponsored resolutions, at the United Nations, which condemned this racist system and which called attention to acts of brutality committed against opponents of this system,” the Head of State said.

Additionally, the President said that Guyana welcomed anti-apartheid politician Oliver Reginald Tambo to Georgetown in 1987, celebrated Nelson Mandela’s

High Commissioner of South Africa Xoliswa Nomathamsanqa Ngwevela shares a light moment with President David Granger during a toast at State House Wednesday. (Rabindra Rooplall photo)

release from prison in 1990 and celebrated the introduction of majority rule in the Republic of South Africa in 1994.

“These events and achievements vindicated the solidarity between our peoples,” President Granger said.

12

Trotman receives interim report into miner’s death

Rear Admiral Gary Best hands over the interim report to Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman on Wednesday

By Navendra Seoraj AN interim Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report into the death of gold miner, Keon Wilson was on Wednesday handed over to Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman.

Rear Admiral Gary Best, who is heading the inquiry, noted that gathering evidence for phase one of the Report was a challenge.

The Commission is tasked with investigating and examining the circumstances which led to the collapse of a mining pit at Rock Creek, Puruni, Region Seven that resulted in the death of Wilson on October 8.

According to Minister Trotman, Best indicated that though he had good cooperation from the mining officials and officers, gathering evidence from some regulators was a challenge.

Despite the difficulties, the Commission completed their investigation of the lower staff and regulators and will now move on to gathering evidence from the operators and upper management of the mining operation.

Earlier this week, operators were invited to present evidence to the Commission, but no one turned up.

“If they do not turn up to the next hearing an arrest warrant will be issued and we’ll have them arrested and placed before us to present their evidence,” Best said.

He also noted that the Commission is hoping to hand over its final report by month-end.

Minister Trotman said the report is vital in minimising deaths in the mining sector.

“Every death in the sector is taken personally… it is hopeful that there will be no more mining deaths and

if there are, enquires will be held to get down to the bottom of it,” he stated.

According to statistics, since 2006, more than 120 mine-related deaths have been recorded in Guyana.

There have been six deaths so far this year, and according to reports, the constant neglect of occupation, health and safety practices is among the leading causes.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is working with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to ensure safe mining.

“We need to find nuggets of good on how they can bring reforms to the industry… the gold industry is taking off and we are expecting the highest declaration in the history of our country,” Minister Trotman said, but he noted that human safety must be a top priority.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 10, 2016

Easier access to prevention, ‒ PANCAP to boost HIV/ treatment, care AIDS programme in 2017 THE Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/ AIDS (PANCAP) will boost its ‘Justice for All’ programme in 2017, enabling easier access to prevention, treatment, care and support services for persons living with HIV in the region.

PANCAP Coordinating Unit Director Dereck Springer told reporters on Wednesday that given a decline of external funding available to the Caribbean for HIV and AIDS programmes, Governments to a large extent have to finance these projects.

Several programmes have been lined up to create an extended lifeline of support and develop national strategies for HIV/AIDS-related programmes for those living with the virus in the Caribbean.

While Springer could not yet attach a total cost to the annual programme to address HIV/AIDS in the region should regional Governments put aside funds, he affirmed that attention will be placed on HIV reduction and discrimination.

This will be done so as to ensure key population groups have access to prevention, treatment, care and support services.

PANCAP has done national consultations in nine Caribbean countries and its fund grant will be geared towards persons having access to these services.

In order to accomplish this, several programmes will be put in place to engage Government ministers, religious leaders and other stakeholders, preparing them for the massive work ahead.

PANCAP will engage Attorneys General and Ministers of Legal Affairs through the CARICOM Legal Affairs Committee “to sensitise them, so that when there is that national discussion around, for example, the repeal of some of those laws,

PANCAP Coordinating Unit Director Dereck Springer

that there is that sensitisation” Springer said.

In the process of transitioning from being donor-funded to self-sufficient in the funding of programmes, PANCAF has plans of having rapport with Finance Ministers throughout the Caribbean to create greater awareness of the need to create national investment in Caribbean countries.

Springer also said that the regional organisation will engage policymakers in a bid to break structural barriers blocking victims’ access to support services and inspire change through policy and legislative reform to further support HIV/AIDS. “A lot of the focus is going to be on policy and legislative reform which are these structural barriers to people being able to have access to services. And so working through the CARICOM organs … to really engage in what we call high- level advocacy to be able to bring about some of those changes, particularly as it relates to policy reform.”

Organisations which will be involved in such consultations include the Council of Health and Social Development (COHSOD). COHSOD is made up of regional Ministers of Health, Chief Medical Officers, National Aids Pro-

gramme Managers and Heads of Governments.

PANCAP has also recognised that the religious community has a significant role to play in addressing issues that surround the “Justice For All” programme.

Religious leaders throughout the region will meet at a ‘Faith Leaders Forum’ in January 2017 to establish mutual understanding on the contributions of religious bodies in putting an end to HIV and AIDS. A target group of regional parliamentarians will also be enlisted to support the programme through their role of holding Governments accountable.

“For example, that the resources are made available to address HIV and to address some of these barriers that we continue to encounter as it relates to stigma and discrimination,” the PANCAP Director said.

PANCAP is working with partner organisations such as the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to improve supply-chain management within the region.

“If we can address greater efficiency in addressing that… how do we forecast for, for example, our supplies… we want to ensure too that we can get the best possible prices… we want to make sure that our drugs don’t expire… we want to ensure that we have a good sense of what is available,” he said.

He also noted that PANCAP will work with partners to increase efficiencies through more effective and efficient management within the supply chain, and will continue to collaborate with PAHO, UNICEF and UNAIDS to eliminate mother- to-child transmission of HIV.

Guyana cleared by CFATF GUYANA has been cleared by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), less than a month after successfully exited the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) regime.

This disclosure was made by the Attorney General and

Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams who is presently attending a CFATF Plenary and Working Group Meeting in Turks and Caicos.

CFATF is expected to release a report on this new decision soon.

In May 2014, CFATF had handed over Guyana to

the Financial Action Task Force due to the country’s then failure to meet the agreed timelines in its Action Plan. However, since then significant progress has been made resulting in the country being removed from FATF’s watch list last month.

Minister Williams had said that Guyana’s removal from FATF’s Compliance Document had paved the way for a similar removal from CFATF’s monitoring process this month.

Though the country has made significant progress in its fight to combat Money

laundering and the financing of terrorism under the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government, it will have to ensure that persons in the business of money laundering, terrorist financing and theft of state assets are convicted, ahead of the

Fourth Round of Evaluation.

The collaborative work between Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has landed a number of suspected money launders before the Courts but no conviction has been made thus far.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 10, 2016

15 graduate from Childcare Management prog. ‒ charged to provide high-quality services

The graduates (back) pose for a photo with the officials of the programme

FIFTEEN women have completed the Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers (GAPSW)’s Childcare Management course.

During an address to graduates, Programme Officer of UNICEF, Audrey Rodrigues indicated that early childcare is pivotal in the development of a child and as such graduates must seek to exert what they have learnt in a professional manner.

In doing so, she added that they must seek to elevate their knowledge in the profession by utilising the resources offered to them by institutions such as the University of Guyana and UNICEF. She explained to the graduates that the more education and training they acquire, the better their chances are at offering their services on a higher level.

According to facilitator, Christine King at some stage of the programme a number of trained social workers came together and produced a manual which they felt would be a useful reference tool for the work of the participants after they would have concluded their training. The manual was also recommended for use on the course.

“Over the years, the Childcare Management course has produced over 500 graduates.

Like many of the care professions — teaching, nursing, and social work -– the majority of participants are women,” King said.

She said that a number of graduates have either established their own play schools or day care centers, or are caregivers at such facilities.

The duration of the course was approximately three months, with ninety-minute lectures on Mondays and Fridays. Some sessions were held on Wednesdays to ensure that all the areas were fully covered.

The main focus of the course was to enable students

to gain an understanding of various aspects of Child Care.

Problems encountered in the child care environment were examined, and students were exposed to developing the skills needed to deal with those problems.

“Many of the students are employed and were not allowed more than one day’s release from work. Thus they were only exposed to a halfday observation visit at the Gifted Hands learning center for special needs chil-

dren and Green Acres play school, while other students visited both facilities and were very impressed with the services offered and experience shared,” the facilitator said.

The graduates are now equipped at an elementary level to practice the skills and techniques to act as child care workers, and identify causal factors for the emotional and behavioural problems of children in their care.

The Childcare Management course, like the Care for the Elderly programme, was launched as a co-ordinated effort between GAPSW and the Women’s Outreach Programme of the Adult Education Association in 1996. The course came at a time when the GAPSW saw the need to launch a programme for child caregivers.

13

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 10, 2016

GAWU seeks early talks with gov’t on GuySuCo’s future

PRESIDENT of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), Komal Chand, is hoping to meet with the government and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) at the earliest possible date to get a true picture of the state of the industry and the way forward.

Chand told the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday that GAWU is keeping a close eye on developments and would expect that the government will seek to have necessary discussions about its thinking for the future of the industry.

Just over two weeks ago, GuySuCo announced that

it could not finance wage and salary increases and that some $18 billion in subsidies would be needed for the next year.

President David Granger recently announced also that their needs to be change in the sugar industry as the company continues to draw heavily from the country’s treasury. Minister of State Joseph Harmon also announced that some decision would be made about GuySuCO by year-end.

GAWU says it is awaiting a definitive position on the sugar industry before it makes an “official statement”. Chand said that the

last meeting held with GuySuCo on October 19 dealt with wage increases, “and that was turned down, so there was essentially no need to meet anymore.” The union president noted however that there are a lot of possibilities being outlined for the industry’s operations, but none is clear. “At times, you are hearing of closure, at times it’s scaling down or diversification into rice, beef or privatisation and so on.”

Chand then claimed contradictions in the information being released about the industry. He pointed out that GuySuCo’s indebtedness figure continues to change,

moving from $58 billion to more than $80 billion from last year to now. He noted too that indebtedness figures being presented include pension sums that do not reflect correct sums for those who actually become pensioners.

“Workers are not clear about their future. They want to know what is the true and settled thing they [government] are going to do, and clarity on contradictory remarks.”

Minister Harmon told reporters that a presentation by GuySuCo officials to members of Cabinet was made. It included GuySuCo Chairman, Dr. Clive Thomas, and Chief Executive Officer

Errol Hanoman, among others. The presentation afforded government members an opportunity to understand the many challenges facing the industry as part of recommendations coming out of the commission of inquiry into the sugar industry.

Without going into detail, Minister Harmon said there are many options open for the sugar industry but these must be deliberated on. He said that the approach that is being taken with regard to the industry involves discussion with stakeholders and was

therefore being “careful” as to the information going out to the public.

President David Granger recently announced that the country could not continue to feed billions of dollars into GuySuCo. The president is adamant that GuySuco is depriving other sectors and should funds pumped into the industry be used elsewhere, transformation would be seen.

The president said the government cannot keep bailing out GuySuCo and change is needed.

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 10, 2016

GPL says overhaul of power line, structure successful The Guyana Power and Light Inc said it on Sunday effectively completed maintenance on the 69 kv transmission line and structures carrying 11 kV and 13.8 kV lines along the corridor linking the Kingston Power

Stations to the Sophia Substation.

During the execution of remedial works, transfer of power from Kingston to Sophia and other substations along the East Coast and East Bank was not possible.

Customers along the East Bank Demerara, East Coast Demerara and Georgetown experienced intermittent outages from 08:00 hrs to 20:00 hrs, partly due to switching to and from alternative sources of power supply, and capacity shortfall resulting from problems encountered with the

boiler at Skeldon, which had initially been supporting the grid with over 12 MW. In a statement ,GPL said in an isolated case, power was not restored to customers of Delhi Street, Prashad Nagar on completion of the exercise, due to an unrecognised local fault

not directly linked to Sunday’s maintenance exercise.

This has since been rectified. Additionally, there was an interruption in the supply of electricity in Kitty, Kingston, Cummingsburg and Sophia around 10:00 hrs on on Wednesday as a result of machinery

operations within the vicinity of the railway embankment. We thank our valued customers for their patience and apologise for the extended, unplanned period of outage. We also take this opportunity to extend heartiest appreciation to our staff.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 10, 2016

Christopher Ram son’s house burglarised THE home of Christopher Ram Jnr. was burglarised between Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, and the perpetrators carted off a number of items amounting to approximately $1.2 million.

Ram Jnr., who is the son of popular chartered accountant and attorney Christopher Ram, was not physically hurt during the incident.

In a statement issued to the media on Wednesday morning, Ram Jnr. explained that he retired to bed at his Lot 18, Delhi Street, Prashad Nagar home around 23:00h Tuesday and woke up at 04:00h Wednesday to discover that almost every portable thing of value taken away.

He said the stolen items included a television, a music

set belonging to his father, a watch, computer, electrical and computer appliances, clothing and local and foreign currency and his bank cards.

According to the young man, who is also the Manager and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Human Resources Company, Accedo, he relies on two dogs for protection but one of the dogs was injured by the burglar (s).

“Entry to my upper part of the house was forced through a door and the state of the door suggests that some heavy instrument would have been used to gain access,” Ram Jnr. said in his statement.

He said it was disappointing that he called 911 and

The damaged door which was forced open by burglars

was cut off on three occasions but on the fourth occasion he was told that since the burglars had already left he would need to go down to the Police Station to make a report.

“The area of Prashad Nagar where I live has been a target of burglars and bandits and there are few houses which have been unscathed so the police cannot be unaware of the vulnerability of the area.”

Ram Jnr. said he is a U.S. citizen and returned to Guyana to pursue a career and “to live in a country I would love to call home.”

He said that part of his company’s efforts is to persuade members of the Diaspora to return and work in Guyana but said that the

Christopher Ram Jnr.

robbery will affect the conviction with which he can continue to do so.

“Indeed, the incompetence and insensitivity of the Police now force me to reconsider my decision about Guyana.”

When contacted, the Police said they will investigate the burglary.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 10, 2016

Murder convict charged with wounding prisoner MURDER convict Calvin Bailey, who is currently serving a 15-year sentence at the Georgetown Prison for murder, on Wednesday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann Mclennan, charged with wounding

Calvin Bailey

another prisoner.

Bailey, called ‘Lava,’ pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on November 6 at the Georgetown Prison, Camp Street, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Dwain King.

The unrepresented 33-year-old was remanded to prison and will make his next court appearance on November 18. According to reports, on the day in question, King was stabbed twice with an improvised weapon during an argument with Bailey in a section of the prison known as the “New Wing Division.”

The report details that King, who was convicted for narcotics trafficking, had been in contact with Bailey’s girlfriend and a heated con-

frontation ensued when he [Bailey] found out.

Baily was charged in April 2007, for murdering his 18-month-old son, Shaquan Nero, during an altercation with the child’s mother, Bernadette Nero. In March, after three hung-jury trials, he was freed of the charges at the High Court, but was immediately re-arrested in relation to another charge of murder.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

Bailey has repeatedly clashed with prison wardens and other inmates during his incarceration. In May 2014, Bailey sustained injuries when he set a mattress on fire and allegedly attacked a prison officer.

Alleged drunk driver granted

bail in fatal accident

MICHAEL Fraser, 50 of Annandale, East Coast Demerara appeared before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore charged with causing death by dangerous driving, as well as driving under the influence of alcohol.

Fraser, an operation supervisor, pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on November 5, at Nelson Mandela Public Road, Georgetown he drove motor car PSS 8813 in a dangerous

manner thereby causing the death of Bertram Cummings.

He also pleaded not guilty to the charge of driving the said vehicle while he was allegedly under the influence of alcohol measured at .161.

P o l i c e P r o s e c u t o r, Stephen Telford made no objection to the accused being released on bail but requested that it be granted at a substantial amount along with the suspension of his driver’s license.

The prosecutor pointed out that Fraser was released on station bail by police after the accident while Cummings was in the hospital; however, the man later succumbed to his injuries.

The Magistrate granted Fraser $250,000 bail for the cause of death and $7,500 bail for driving under the influence. The matter is adjourned until November 30 for report.

M&CC offers amnesty

on property rates

THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has announced an amnesty on interest on property rates to all property owners in the City of Georgetown.

This facility will begin on November 15 and ends on November 30, 2016.

Acting M&CC Public Relations Officer, Debra Lewis said the amnesty provides a great window of opportunity for defaulters to settle their outstanding accounts with the Council.

Simultaneously, she said

it allows the municipality to recover large amounts owed to the Council for many years.

These sums, she said are urgently needed to sustain works in the City, including drainage, road repairs, cleaning and greening of parks, gardens and open spaces, garbage collection and disposal, enforcement of compliance to by-laws and building codes and public health and environmental services, in all local communities.

“Council is urging all property-owners, particularly those who have been defaulting on payment of their rates, to make optimum use of this limited facility and liquidate their debts, at the City treasury,” Lewis said.

According to a report by the City Treasurer, Council is owed about $22B in outstanding property rates by property owners in the City.

“Council hopes to recover a substantial portion of that amount during this period,” she said.

17

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 10, 2016

Tucville man charged with stealing from cricketer’s wife JOSIE Hopkinson of Perry Street, Tucville, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, charged with simple larceny.

It is alleged that Hopkinson on November 7, at Sheriff Street stole a handbag, a Samsung cellphone, passport and cash –total value $238,000 property of Lestra Crandon, wife of Guyanese cricket, Royston Crandon.

The unrepresented 28-year-old denied the charge, while explaining to the court that he is wrongfully accused.

According to Hopkinson he had entered the Subs and

Salad, Sheriff Street food eatery with a female friend to purchase something to drink.

However, while exiting the said place Crandon stormed inside claiming she was just robbed.

The man further pointed out that one of the cashiers had pointed out that he was involved in the robbery since he was on his phone and acting suspicious while in Subs and Salad.

“I didn’t pay them no mind I continue walking when a tint up black car with police come up behind me and start lick fire,” Hopkinson told the court. The man further alleged that he was beaten by the police while in custody.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers did not disclose the facts in court but explained that the items were found in a car that the accused was seated in.

“Your worship I took a taxi I didn’t been in no car,” Hopkinson said as he replied to the prosecutor claims.

Prosecutor Jeffers strongly opposed to bail on the grounds that more charges, similar in nature, will soon be laid against the defendant since he is being investigated by the police in other matters.

The Magistrate refused bail and the man is scheduled to make his next court appearance on November 18.

THE Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Six is working to iron out many pressing issues that had stymied development in the region.

According to Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Six, Kim Williams-Stephens, a number of changes have been implemented to address concerns relating to questionable contracts, staffing, timely payments and fairness in the public procurement process.

The REO noted that since assuming office, she has been mindful of all the complaints and has been working to address them.

Williams-Stephens noted that there has been vast improvement in tender board procedures in keeping with the principles of accountability, transparency and community involvement.

“The Council has since taken a decision to ensure that everyone is involved in the process and there is equitable distribution of project among contractors,” she said.

She disclosed that the national procurement manual was made available and distributed to all the relevant stakeholders.

“So we shared it before we actually did the tenders, so if they didn’t know, we have to educate them. All of our awards are based in accordance with the manual.”

Commenting on the status of projects in the region, Stephen-Williams, who

was appointed less than two months ago, reported that when the allotment report was compared to the expenditure, it amounted to about 80 per cent.

She explained that this could mean that 80 per cent of the capital work programme has been completed once engineers are paying only for services that were provided.

In terms of staffing, Williams-Stephen said the Council has written to the Public Service Commission (PSC) to fill several vacancies.

“We have sent out vacancy notices for house-mother and house-father at Orealla to strengthen the work of the administration by ensuring we get the full complement of staff and although we are not there yet, we have put systems in place,” the REO said.

William-Stephen also said sweepers and cleaners are being paid in a timely manner. She pointed out that there are challenges due to a shift in policy and a pervasive resistance to change, but expressed confidence that persons will get on board once the changes is in keeping with the spirit and administration of the law.

Within the past few weeks, Williams-Stephen said she has managed to cement great working relations with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the region to work together in the interest of residents.

Region 6 weeding out corruption

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday , November 10 2016

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2016

19

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 10 2016

THURSDAY NOVEMEBER 10, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday , November 10 2016

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2016

21

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 10 2016

THURSDAY NOVEMEBER 10, 2016

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 10, 2016

Root, Moeen put England on top against India

By Sudipto Ganguly

RAJKOT, India(Reuters)-England’s Joe Root hit a sparkling century and Moeen Ali was unbeaten on 99 as the tourists finished the opening day of the first Test against India in a strong position on 311-4.

Root was out for 124 after putting on 179 for the fourth wicket with left-hander Moeen after England were 102-3 at lunch.

Moeen was one run short of his fourth Test hundred at the close yestertday with Ben Stokes unbeaten on 19.

England captain Alastair Cook won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first on a Rajkot pitch he regarded as a traditional Indian wicket that would assist the slower bowlers as the game progressed.

A nervy Cook lived a charmed life against India’s new-ball pace duo of Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav when the left-hander was dropped twice in the first two overs behind the wicket.

The opener seemed to have overcome his jittery start and moved to 21 by the end of the first hour’s play before he was adjudged out leg before wicket to spinner Ravindra Jadeja.

Cook was unfortunate to be given out off an incorrect decision from the umpire, with replays showing the ball miss-

opened for England in last month’s series in Bangladesh, was pushed down the order to accommodate Hameed and made a brisk start by hitting Ashwin for three boundaries in four balls.

But India’s spearhead gained revenge in his next over when Ajinkya Rahane stooped to complete a smart low catch at slip to send

Duckett back to the pavilion for 13 and bring the players in for lunch The 25-year-old Root hit 11 boundaries and a six in his 180-ball knock and looked largely untroubled until Yadav struck his pad in the penultimate over before tea with the batsman on 92.

India captain Virat Kohli made his first use of DRS but failed to overturn the on-field not out decision after replays showed the ball was clipping the leg stump.

Root, whose ton was his 11th in tests and third against India, was finally out to Yadav though it needed confirmation from the television umpire after the paceman seemed to have lost control of the ball while celebrating the return catch.

Moeen provided good support and hit nine fours in his unbeaten knock in the first Test of the five-match series.

ENGLAND 1st innings A. Cook lbw b Jadeja 21 H. Hameed lbw b R. Ashwin 31 J. Root c&b U. Yadav 124 B. Duckett c Rahane b R. Ashwin

13 M. Ali not out 99 B. Stokes not out 19 Extras (b-1 lb-2 nb-1) 4 Total (for 4 wickets, 93 overs) 311

Fall of wickets: 1-47 A. Cook,2-76 H. Hameed,3-102 B. Duckett,4-281 J. Root To bat: J. Bairstow, C. Woakes, Z. Ansari, A. Rashid, S. Broad Bowling: M. Shami 12.1 - 2 - 31 – 0, U. Yadav 18.5 - 1 - 68 – 1, R. Ashwin 31 - 3 - 108 – 2, MR. Jadeja 21 - 2 - 59 - 1(nb-1)

Joe Root brought up his 11th Test century against India on the 1st day in Rajkot. ing leg stump, and his new opening partner Haseeb Hameed offered little assistance by advising against asking for a review.

FAILED REVIEW It was the first time the Decision Review System (DRS) was being used for a bilateral series in India and England erred a second time when they eventually opted to use the technology.

The 19-year-old Hameed, who became England’s youngest opener on his debut, wasted one of the two reviews available to his team when he failed to overturn a leg before decision off Ravichandran Ashwin after compiling a composed knock of 31.

Ben Duckett, who

SCOREBOARD

Another stunning Herath five-for leaves Sri Lanka on the brink RANGANA Herath once again proved Zimbabwe’s tormentor-in-chief as he took a second fivefor in as many days to edge Sri Lanka closer to victory in the second Test in Harare.

A day on from becoming just the third player to take a five-for against every Test-playing nation, the Sri Lanka captain repeated the feat on day four to take his tally to 10 wickets for the match.

The left-arm spinner tore through the top order as Brian Chari (8), Hamilton Masakadza (10) and Tino Mawoyo (15) all wilted.

Craig Ervine (65 not out) and Sean Williams (45) offered resistance, but Herath returned to snare Peter Moor (20) and Graeme Cremer (5).

Zimbabwe closed on 180-7, still 311 runs shy of their 491 target, making it a seeming inevitability Sri Lanka will complete a 2-0 series whitewash.

Earlier, Dimuth Karunaratne fell 12 short of a second century of the series and Kusal Perera scored a rapid 62 off 69 as

Rangana Herath took a second five-for in the match Sri Lanka declared on 258-9 in their second innings having resumed 102-4.

Herath (5-45) wasted LANKA 1st innings 504 (D. de little time getting stuck SRI Silva 127, A. Gunaratne 116, U. back into Zimbabwe’s top Tharanga 79) 1st innings 272 (B. Chari order as Chari’s middle Zimbabwe 80, C. Ervine 64, S. Williams 58; R. stump was ripped out in Herath 5-89) the eighth over, before Ma- Sri Lanka 2nd innings (Overnight: 102-4) sakadza failed with an lbw D. Karunaratne lbw b Mpofu

88 review.

Silva c Waller b Mumba 6 Mawoyo then wafted low K. K. Mendis c Mpofu b Mumba 0 to Dhananjaya de Silva, who U. Tharanga lbw b Cremer 17 de Silva c Chari b Mumba 9 pouched an excellent catch D. A. Gunaratne lbw b Tiripano 39 in the slips, before Williams K. Perera c Williams b Cremer 62 and Ervine put on 74 for the D. Perera c H. Masakadza b Cremer 2 R. Herath b Cremer 4 fourth wicket to stem Sri S. Lakmal not out 21 Extras (b-6 lb-4) 10 Lanka’s momentum. (for 9 wickets Ervine was particularly Total declared, 81.4 overs) 258 attacking and struck eight Fall of wickets: 1-14 K. Silva,2-16 K. U. Tharanga,4-84 D. de fours and a six in his un- Mendis,3-44 Silva,5-153 A. Gunaratne,6-198 D. beaten knock, but Williams Karunaratne,7-201 D. Perera,8-211 and Malcolm Waller (0) R. Herath,9-258 K. Perera Did not bat: L. Kumara fell in quick succession to Bowling: C. Mpofu 21 - 8 - 51 – 1, C.

Lahiru Kumara (1-42) and Dhananjaya (1-10) respectively.(Omnisport) Herath then returned to the attack and Moor popped one to silly point as Herath became the first bowler to 50 Test wickets in 2016, and he added another victim by taking Cremer’s middle stump.

(Omnisport)

SCOREBOARD

Mumba 19 - 4 - 67 – 3, G. Cremer 21.4 - 2 - 91 – 4, D. Tiripano 11 - 4 - 14 – 1, S. Williams 6 - 0 - 21 – 0, B. Chari 1 - 0 - 3 – 0, H. Masakadza 2 - 1 - 1 – 0.

ZIMBABWE 2nd innings (Target: 491 runs) T. Mawoyo c D. de Silva b Herath 15 B. Chari b Herath 8 H. Masakadza lbw b Herath 10 C. Ervine not out 65 S. Williams c K. Mendis b Kumara 45 M. Waller c K. Perera b D. de Silva 0 P. Moor c K. Mendis b Herath 20 G. Cremer b Herath 5 D. Tiripano not out 0 Extras (b-4 lb-5 w-3) 12 Total (for 7 wickets, 45 overs) 180 Fall of wickets: 1-16 B. Chari,2-32 H. Masakadza,3-39 T. Mawoyo,4-113 S. Williams,5-114 M. Waller,6-166 P. Moor,7-176 G. Cremer To bat: C. Mumba, C. Mpofu Bowling: S. Lakmal 11 - 2 - 47 – 0, R. Herath 16 - 3 - 45 – 5, D. Perera 6 - 1 - 27 – 0, L. Kumara 9 - 0 - 42 - 1(w-3) D. de Silva 3 - 0 - 10 – 1.

Annual South ...

From back pager

ference Hutson explained that the event’s hosting which was originally set for November 6 was moved to accommodate one of the sponsors, Banks DIH’s event which was planned for that date.

Additionally, the change of date was a welcome decision to many of the participating countries, which signalled the need of more time to get their athletes together. Athletes from several countries are expected, including those from Columbia, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Peru, Grenada, and St Vincent.

Orellana and Nero are the defending champions of the men’s and women’s open category, respectively. Orellana last year overthrew Guyana’s top distance man Cleveland Forde, who in a surprising turn of events had ended in fourth place.

Hutson noted that bringing overseas athletes to Guyana to participate is a key part of developing Guyana’s long distance athletes, since the competition pits Guyanese against overseas athletes allowing them to gauge how much farther they need to go to develop their skills.

“To improve on what we do in track and field our focus is on bringing in athletes that are of a higher calibre. It’s not fair to our sports to have Cleveland Forde running and winning with just 33 (minutes). The Guyanese public deserves better because when he crosses the border and goes on the international scene the times (in 10km events) are sub-30 (minutes).” Hutson mentioned.

The route for the race remains the same as previous years, as will the prizes.

Genuine gold medals and US$1000 will be up for grabs in the open category, while it is hopeful that the prizes of the masters category could

South Africa Racing Tips Kenilworth 08:20 hrs Rubyana 09:00 hrs Captain Gambler 09:35 hrs Pete’s Girl 10:10 hrs Winter Trade 10:50 hrs Contessa Fantasia English Racing Tips Southwell 08:25 hrs Princess Peaches 08:55 hrs Little Choosey 09:25 hrs Washington Blue 09:55 hrs September Issue 10:25 hrs Parnassian 10:55 hrs Fleeting Glimpse 11:25 hrs High Command 11:55 hrs Alpha Tauri Towcester 08:45 hrs Denny Kerrell 09:15 hrs Angus Glens 10:15 hrs Forest Bihan

possibly see an increase.

Also present at the head table of yesterday’s ceremony were Assistant Competitions Director of Road Race, Yvonne October, AAG Council Member Silus Brummel and CEO of Fitness Express Jamie McDonald, whose company is one of the event’s sponsors. McDonald spoke about his company’s joy to be supporting the event, sharing that he himself has participated at the event on several occasions.

“We are happy to be lending our support to the South American 10K. Since the inception of Fitness Express in 2010 we’ve always looked to lend support to athletics and sports in general, and over the last three years, personally, I’ve run in the South American 10K, and I’ve always been impressed with the organisation - how it’s structured and how well the race usually goes; so this year I thought Fitness Express should offer some tangible support,” McDonald said.

The South American 10K Road Race is a three-part event with Suriname, Panama and Guyana each hosting one of the races.

The Suriname edition was completed on October 30 with Forde and fellow Guyanese Euleen Josiah-Tanner, winning the male and female titles, respectively.

The Panama component is set to be held on November 13, but participation from Guyana is doubtful. The AAG made it clear that Guyana will not be sponsoring any athletes attending the event. However, athletes wishing to attend at their own cost will be given the necessary due diligence from the Association.

Hutson cited Panama’s continual refusal to send athletes to participate in the Guyana leg as the reason why we will not send athletes to their event.

10:45 hrs Lillian 11:15 hrs Mystifiable 11:45 hrs The Wicket Chicken Ludlow 09:35 hrs Tra Vies 10:05 hrs Show’s Over 10:35 hrs Moscato 11;05 hrs Adam Du Breteau 11:35 hrs Coeur De Fou 12:05 hrs Linger American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 Antebellum Race 2 Indulgent Race 3 The eagle Is Gone Race 4 Winning Road Race 5 Sea Pebble Race 6 Weather Girl Race 7 In Equality Race 8 Gotachancetodance Race 9 Blameiton Brooklyn

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 10, 2016

Guyana Softball Cup hailed as a success … Tournament organisers happy with hosting

By Daniel Haynes “EXCITING”, “action packed” and “well organised” are just some adjectives used to describe the Guyana Softball Cup 6.

The three-day tournament which ended on Sunday night was hosted by the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) and featured 24 teams from both Guyana and North America who battled it out for softball cricket supremacy.

Ultimately, Floodlights and Speedboat XI claimed the title of champions in the Masters and Open categories respectively.

Chronicle Sport was able to speak with vice-president of the GFSCA who is also captain of the Floodlights team, Ricky Deonarine who gave his input on the tournament’s hosting.

According to Deonarine, “There is always room for improvement but the tournament’s hosting was a success except for the hiccups.

Unfortunate things hap-

Ricky Deonarine

pened and we have to sit as a group and talk about them,” said Deonarine.

The hiccups that were mentioned by Deonarine included the delay of the final games on Sunday by two hours. This delay led to the tournament concluding after midnight.

“Our intention was to finish the game at 22.00hrs but the circumstances were beyond our control which caused the games to start 2 hours late,” said Deonarine before sating “We would have finished at 22:00hrs and with the presentation ceremony included the latest we would have gone was 23.00hrs.”

It is no secret that the

highest level of softball cricket played in Guyana is seen at the Guyana Softball Cup. It was with this is mind Deonarine laid out a challenge. “All the people who criticised Softball Cup 6 we encourage them to host a tournament and do even better than we did.”

Also impressed with the hosting of the tournament was manager of the Ontario Masters’ team Azeem Karmat Khan.

Khan who is also the president of the Softball Masters League in Toronto stated, “You can’t please everyone. The Floodlights organisation did well and I was very impressed I’m taking cues from them.”

Khan also gave some information on the Toronto Softball Cup which will be hosted in August of 2017.

“The tournament will be August 4-6 on the weekend of Caribana and we’ll have Guyanese teams in Toronto as well.”

With the focus the association is giving to softball in Guyana, the future of the game looks very bright.

Action from the 3-day tournament

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 10, 2016

Spartans, Sunrisers share spoils at ORSCA presentation … Rajkumar, Mandolall among top players

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada – Although the Ontario Roundarm Softball Cricket Association (ORSCA) 2016 season ended several weeks ago, the bragging rights were seemingly evident at last Saturday night’s sixth annual presentation, dinner and dance, held at the Royal Banquet Hall in Mississauga here.

Two of the top participating teams, Spartans and Sunrisers, who shared honours in separate tournaments and who many felt would have clashed in the grand champion finale, openly threw out challenges against each other at Saturday night’s function.

East Division champions Spartans captured the grand championship title with victory over West Division leaders Titans after earlier winning the T20 crown while Sunrisers lifted the 10/10 and T20 ‘test’ trophies.

T h e M o s t Va l u a b l e Player (MVP) award for the 2016 season went to Rajkumar Budhram of Shawson who tallied an

Ravendra Mandolall is rewarded for his sterling performances. impressive 709 runs (average 78.78) while former Guyana Under-19 batsman Ravendra Mandolall, who represented Sunrisers enjoyed a fine season, scoring 437 runs (including innings of 130 and 100 not out) with the top average of 109.25.

Mandolall also finished third in the six-hitting category with 56, with Rajkumar topping with an amazing 79 while Navin Latchman of 11th Main Army occupied the

GABF content with hosting of 3x3 tournament

THE Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has expressed its contentment and elation over the successful hosting of the inaugural National 3x3 Boys Under-17 Qualifier tournament.

The tournament was held last Sunday on Burnham Court and hosted players from Regions 10, 6, 5, 4, and 3 according to a letter from the GABF. The letter also stated that the players were from secondary schools which included The Bishops’ High, St Rose’s High, St Stanislaus College, Christ Church Secondary, Kwakwani High School and Tutorial High, in addition to New Amsterdam Multilateral, North Georgetown Secondary, Plaisance Secondary and Cummings Lodge Secondary.

According to a count by GABF National 3x3 Coordinator Mr Junior Andrew on the tournament website, there were 15 teams registered with 60 players, aged 14 to 17.

Played in a last-16 format, there were seven first round games, four quarterfinals, two semifinals and the final where Kwakwani Combined came out victorious.

The GABF expressed appreciation to its group of volunteers including Shania Wilson, Sileena Arjune, Dennis Clarke, Nicolas Casius, Terrence Daniels, Malcolm Powdar and Leona Kyte.

Special appreciation was extended to Chris Bowman who provided a game clock, Michael Singh who provided lunches for the volunteers and the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) for tables, chairs and refreshment for the participants.

second spot with 66.

Latchman also topped the West Zone with 555 runs while the leading bowlers in the East and West zones respectively were Naurang Brigmohan with 27 wickets (average 5.49) and Surendra Raj Singh with 23 wickets (average 8.94). Rishi Harricharran was the most economical bowler, sending 35.4 overs at an average of 4.12 runs per over.

Former Guyana wicketkeeper Azib Ali Hanif (Masters) and veteran Ricky Hunte were also in the mix, the former placing fourth among players with the best batting average (76.50 runs per innings) while Hunte’s lone innings was a blistering 101 for Fuzion.

Enjoying his first year as president, Guyanese-born Mitch Bacchus lauded the success of the organisation

which he said had grown by leaps and bounds over its six-year existence, more than doubling the number of teams it started with.

According to Bacchus, the season was another successful one with few hiccups, with a new champion (Spartans) being crowned after Smashers had won the championship for the last three years in succession.

Bacchus boasted that the growth in the number of teams, which stood at 26 at the end of the season “was probably due to our effectiveness in maintaining a high level of discipline and sportsmanship. We provide a fair and clear set of rules which govern the well organised league. The members are committed and supportive in the round arm bowling, which allows for a fair contest in each game.”

Bacchus disclosed that the immediate plans “are to maintain our standard and keep

Rajkumar Budhram collects his MVP trophy. building our strength, in the form of fair governing rules.

There are always rooms for improvement and growth and we keep an open mind to improve or adjust as we see fit to make the game play fair and for the players to have fun.

Bacchus also shunned rumours that the league plans to extend to the East end, positing that “there are

no plans at the moment to extend out to the east.”

Founder-member Victor Yakoob, who was honoured for his outstanding service to ORSCA, praised the work of the current executive members and reminded those in attendance that “cricket is here to be played”. He also alluded to the fact that they are moving in the right direction.

Founder-member Victor Yakoob (right) receives an appreciation award from ORSCA president Mitch Bacchus.

Khan trumps Yadram to hand Enmore spot in final N AT I O N A L U n d e r- 1 9 batsman Bhaskar Yadram continued his fine form in 2016 by slamming a hundred for Enterprise A last weekend, but he could not inspire victory as FirstClass all-rounder Amir Khan powered Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC) to victory in the semi-final of the East Coast Cricket Committee/ Fairfield SC-sponsored T20 competition.

Playing at the Enterprise Busta Sports Club, Enterprise A rattled up 170-8 from the allotted overs after deciding to bat first on a decent batting surface.

The right-handed Yadram, who was part of the

successful national Under-19 Guyana team in the regional tournament this year, and also struck two centuries in one match in the Guyana Jaguars Four-day League a month ago, blasted a magnificent 119 to lead Enterprise A batting effort.

He smashed 13 fours and six sixes, as leg-spinner Khan claimed 3-12 and fellow spinner Yuvraj Dyal bagged 2-34.

In reply, ECCCC got off to a good start, with Bheemraj Ramkelawan (28) and Imran Hassan (44) scoring 61 in five overs for the first wicket. The dismissal of the two openers in the first 10 overs resulted in the re-

quired run rate reaching 12 per over.

Khan, a former West Indies Under-19 player, then took control with 56 from 30 balls before he fell to Pradesh Balkissoon with ECCCC still needing 18 from two overs.

Nandram Gobin then struck 15 from six deliveries, which included a boundary and a maximum off the final over bowled by Vivian Albert, resulting in ECCCC’s win with three deliveries to spare.

Balkissoon and Chatterpaul Singh took 3-26 and 3-24 respectively for Enterprise A. In the other semi-final,

Strathavon, led by the inform Chandrapaul Hemraj, outplayed Lusignan by seven wickets. Chasing 144 for a spot in the final, Strathavon raced to 147-3 off 14.3 overs with Hemraj counting seven sixes and five fours in an unbeaten 83.

Sewchand Budhu chipped in with 48 (2x4s), as spinner Rajendra Naikbarran claimed all three wickets, conceding 34 runs.

Earlier, Lusignan’s 143-2 was built around 41 each from Steve Ramdass and Leon Morgan.

The final between ECCCC and Strathavon will be played on December 4 at the Fairfield ground.

26

Hooper replaces Bishoo for Jaguars opening match AFTER an impressive outing with the ball in the recent Jaguars 3-Day Professional Cricket League, off-spinner Eon Hooper has been selected as the replacement for leg spinner Devendra Bishoo, for the opening round of the PCL/Digicel Sportsmax Regional 4-Day match between Guyana Jaguars and Jamaica Scorpions.

Bishoo, who had wrecked Pakistan in their second Test against West Indies and finished with 18 wickets in the 3-match series, has been called up for the tri-series in Zimbabwe involving the hosts, West Indies and Sri Lanka.

The tour is scheduled for November 12 to 30 and comprises seven ODIs. Bishoo’s departure led to the selection of Hooper who accounted for the most wickets (44) in the Jaguars 3-Day Professional Cricket League.

He had five five-wicket hauls with his best figure being 6-46 against Georgetown.

The off-spinner also had a five-wicket haul in the Guyana Jaguars’ first practice match at Everest Cricket Club ground

Eon Hooper in preparation for the Regional 4-Day League.

Hooper showed great control, was consistent and witty in his approach to bowling and demonstrated high levels of confidence and positivity. He hails from Berbice and is a product of Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club. He represented Upper Corentyne in the Jaguars’ 3-Day League.

The Jaguars versus Scorpions four-day match starts tomorrow at the Guyana National Stadium - November 11 to 14 - starting from 09:30hrs each day.

Berbice cyclists to participate on Sunday in FACC `Track Attack’ CYCLISTS from the Ancient County of Berbice will engage in a `Track Attack’ day of cycling events organised by the Flying Ace Cycling Club of New Amsterdam, Berbice, set for Sunday at the Rose Hall Community Centre ground, beginning at 10:00hrs.

Apart from the many cycling events planned for the day, there will also be several flat races (track) including 100- and 200-metre races.

The activity is open to cyclists and track athletes from across Berbice including East and West Berbice.

A number of businesses from Regions Five and Six have committed to sponsoring the various events on the day’s programme.

The orghaniser of the event is cycling coach Randolph Roberts.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday November 10, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 11 (2) Sarfraz Ahmed & Mohammed Nawaz Today’s Quiz: (1) Who is the first Pakistani to score a century on his Test debut?

(2) Who is the first WI a century in his very first Test match?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 10, 2016

GCB/NSSCL 2016

Number Eight Secondary are West Berbice champs NUMBER Eight Secondary defeated Rosignol Secondary in the West Berbice zone final of the 2016 edition of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) National Secondary Schools Cricket League (NSSCL).

Rosignol Secondary won the toss and decided to bat.

Their decision to bat first backfired as they were dismissed for 98 in 23.1 overs.

Bowling for Number Eight, Saeed Busjith returned figures of 415 and Nigel Deodat took 2-26.

Number Eight responded with 102-2 in a mere 8.3 overs. Nigel Deodat smashed and unbeaten 38 to lead the chase along with Devenand Persaud who made 22 not out. Wazim Inshan contributed 19 earlier.

At Enterprise, Enterprise Secondary trounced Hindu College after they dismissed them for 36 in 7 overs. Earlier, Enterprise posted 183-4 in 25 overs. Their total was built on the back of 71 from Mark Ramanand, 28 from Dimnauth Dindyal and 26 from Edmond Pearson. Bowling for Hindu College, Gopaul Mahadeo

… Enterprise Secondary trounce Hindu College and La Grange win nail-biter

claimed 2-24.

When Hindu College replied, Yogendra Samaroo wrecked them with 5-10 in three overs while Dindyal took 2-8 to lead the rout.

In a West Bank Demerara zone fixture at Belle Vue ground, La Grange Secondary prevailed in a nail-biting match against Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary. Batting first, La Grange made 96 all out in 14.3 overs. Mohindranauth Gopaul took 3-16 and Chris Balgobin had 2-26 bowling for Vreeden-Hoop.

In reply, Vreed-en-Hoop were dismissed for 89 in 13.2 overs. Jason Holder topscored with 14. Bowling for La Grange, Prakish Surujpaul had 4-19 and Raul Phillips took 2-15 The NSSCL will continue today in the East Coast Demerara zone with Cummings Lodge Secondary facWinning captain of Number 8 Secondary, Nigel ing Golden Grove Secondary Deodat, receives the trophy from David Black. at Enterprise from 12:00hrs.

GFF/NAMILCO U-17 League

Buxton United solidify top spot; Mahaica stun BA Paradise

BUXTON United have continued to tighten their hold on the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Intra Association Under-17 League in the East Demerara Football Association leg with another solid win last weekend.

The points leaders, led by a hat-trick from Troni Semple brushed aside Golden Stars 5-0 at the Ann’s Grove ground on Saturday.

In other matches played at this venue, Mahaica Determinators sprung an upset win over EDFA U-17 champions Bachelor’s Adventure Paradise Sports Club, whipping them 3-0, led by a brace from Orland Adams.

Ann’s Grove romped to a comfortable 4-0 win over Buxton Youth Developers thanks to a double each from Maurice Adams and Yohance France.

In the lone match on Sunday at the Golden Grove

… Ann’s Grove flay Buxton Stars ground, Buxton Stars battled back from a 2-goal deficit to draw with Plaisance Panthers.

Buxton secured their 7th win in eight matches with one draw in another dominating display against Golden Stars who couldn’t get on the score sheet. Joshua Liverpool opened the winners’ account in the 25th minute as Golden Stars stood solid against the constant raids from the Buxton United players.

It was not until the second half that Buxton were able to double their advantage and this was done by the competition’s leading goalscorer Kobe Durant, who blasted his 16th goal of the league. Thereafter it was the Profitt show, as he netted in the 68th, 72nd

and 75th minutes to maintain his side’s unbeaten run as they move to 22 points from their 8 matches.

Golden Stars suffered their fourth loss in eight matches to remain on 8 points. Mahaica, in handing BA Paradise SC their third loss of the league, maintained their unbeaten run. So Mahaicca and Buxton United are the only two unbeaten sides in the league.

They {Mahaica} also knocked off BA Paradise from the second spot in the table and they now have 17 points, one better than Paradise. Mahaica’s win was crafted by Orlan Adams’ double which he achieved in the 20th and 55th minutes.

Rickford Profitt sealed the

deal in the 60th minute.

Ann’s Grove hammered Buxton Youth Developers on account of two goals each from Maurice Adams (42nd and 44th) and Yohance France (50th and 52nd).

In Sunday’s lone match, Plaisance Panthers ran away 2-0 leaders over Buxton Stars with Emanuel Hamer scoring both goals in the 3rd and 13th minutes. But while Plaisance thought that that was probably enough to see them home, Buxton Stars had other ideas.

Buxton first pulled one back before the halftime whistle when Shemar Scott rocked the net in the 21st minute to halve the deficit.

The equaliser came off the boot of Kenaz De Cambra in the 73rd minute as both teams walked away with one point.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 10, 2016

Increased sponsorship for 10th MACORP Golf Open

FRESH off action from last weekend’s Digicel Open, Industrial and Mining suppliers MACORP yesterday launched the 10th edition of their Open Golf Tournament, set for this weekend at the Lusginan Golf Course.

During a brief ceremony yesterday, Chief Executive Officer of MACORP, Jorge Medinas, contended that the body has seen the need to sponsor tournaments like golf as it is more than just a sport, adding, “It’s a lifestyle.”

“For MACORP, we are pleased to have this tournament and we are into the 10th year of spon-

MACORP executives stand with CEO Jorge Medinas (3rd from left) as he hands over the sponsorship cheque to the Lusignan Golf Club president Oncar Ramroop (4th from left). local stakeholders to sit with

soring this event. I remember long ago when we had the previous clubhouse and it was the first tournament

that I participated and I said “we need to start sponsoring this”.

He has also called on the

those relevant authorities to ensure that development comes at a macro level, with the course in the future being upgraded to

an international 18-hole course used for tourism purposes.

The CEO cited countries like Barbados which offers golf as part of its tourism package and with the sport gaining traction across the world; clubs like the LGC should seek to move in this direction.

Thanking the company for their support, president of the LGC, Oncar Ramroop, contended that the company has moved past being deemed a sponsor, to something entirely new.

“I’m extremely proud to say that I don’t view MACORP as a sponsor, we view MACORP as a partner and we are extremely happy to have this

relationship and it’s one that I am confident will grow from strength to strength,” he said.

He also thanked the company for assisting with works done on the LGC access road prior to the Digicel Open, adding that their contributions to the sport remain invaluable.

According to the LGC president, there will be the 0-9 handicap, 10-18, 19-36 male divisions as well as the females where the first three finishers will be rewarded as well as the usual prizes of nearest to the pin, best gross among others.

Saturday’s session begins at 12:00hrs and at least 50 golfers are expected.

Pollard cleared to play in South Africa’s T20 tourney

AFTER being initially denied a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) that would allow Trinidad and Tobago all-rounder Kieron Pollard to compete in South Africa’s T20 Bash, the way has now been cleared for the big-hitting West Indian.

West Indies Cricket Board CEO Michael Muirhead confirmed that Pollard has been granted his NOC but claimed during an interview on the Line and Length cricket show that Pollard misunderstood the board’s intentions.

NOC, a week after it was requested by the player, was a matter of the body awaiting response from cricket boards around the world about their stated intent to impose a 20 per cent levy of the value of a player’s contract to trigger his release. ”We had written to all the boards, presidents and CEOs and were awaiting a response,” said Muirhead, who acknowledged that the board was aware of the time limit on the applicaKieron Pollard tion for the NOC from the Muirhead speaking with player. host Barry Wilkinson said “We know the timing on the WICB not issuing the it so, if we had not received

it in time we would have responded to Kieron and provided the NOC with the condition that we explained to him that we are expecting Cricket South Africa to honour a release fee or we are going to defer it or if it’s something on the table and we need to negotiate.”

It seemed to be an about turn to a position stated by the board in a release to the media on Tuesday morning.

Days ago, Pollard received an email from the WICB indicating that the board would charge 20 per cent of his contract fee for granting the No Objection

Certificate (NOC).

The WICB said it had communicated this decision to various cricket boards that employ West Indian players for their domestic T20 tournaments. However, Cricket South Africa rejected the proposal, potentially putting Pollard’s participation on jeopardy.

The WICB then released a statement early Tuesday confirming its decision to impose a levy on NOCs for West Indies players. The statement was met by immediate rebuttals from the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) and the Federation of

International Cricketers’ Association (FICA), who both agreed that the proposed levy “equates to restraint of trade”.

FICA said it would discuss the issue with the WICB as the move by the board is “legally challengable”.

It now seems that, at least in this instance, the board has backed off its decision.

“NOC granted for both Ram Slam and Big Bash!!

Gonna use my God given talent was blessed with understanding as well reasonings not coinciding…” Pollard posted on his Twitter account Tuesday.(Sportsmax.com)

Pollard cleared to play in South Africa’s T20 tourney

Annual South American 10K Road Race launched (See Story on page 27 )

A

THLETES from all across South America and the Caribbean, including Peruvian Yerson Orellana and Trinidadian Tonya Nero, are expected to travel to Guyana to participate in the annual South American 10K Road Race, which was officially launched yesterday at a ceremony held at Olympic House, High Street.

The head table at yesterday’s launch, from left: AAG Council Member Silus Brummel, CEO of Fitness Express Jamie McDonald, AAG president Aubrey Hutson, Event PRO Tamica Garnett, Assistant Competitions Director of Road Race, Yvonne October.

President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson, said that registration is still ongoing as the usual high turnout is expected at this year’s Guyana leg of the event, which will be held on November 20, and includes the 10km, 3000m and 1500m races.

Speaking at the press con-

See page 23

O’Brien receives Order of Merit

Sprint champions Bolt and Thompson up for IAAF awards

onds, respectively.

Thompson matched Bolt’s feat by also winning the 100m and 200m golds in Rio. Ayana broke a 23-yearold record to win the 10,000 m e t re s a f t e r c l o c k i n g 29:18.45 at the Rio Games where she also took the bronze in 5,000 metres.

Bolt was joined on the men’s list by two-time 5,000 and 10,000 metres Olympic champion Mo Farah of Britain and South African Wayde van Niekerk, the double 400m Olympic champion.

Anita Wlodarczyk of PoElaine Thompson (right) matched Usain Bolt’s feat by also winning land also made the women’s list after retaining her hamthe 100m and 200m golds in Rio. winner of the award, be- mer title in Rio. (REUTERS)-Jamaican at the Rio Olympics. came the first person to win The finalists were deterUsain Bolt and Elaine Ethiopian distance runthree consecutive 100 and mined by the IAAF Council, Thompson both made the ner Almaz Ayana made the 200 metres Olympic golds the IAAF Family and the shortlists for the IAAF’s shortlist in recognition of in Rio de Janeiro in August. public vote via social media.

World Athlete of the Year her stunning 10,000 metres He also holds the world The winners will be anawards yesterday after victory in Rio. records in the two disciplines, nounced in Monaco next cleaning up the sprint golds Bolt, a five-time former 9.58 seconds and 19.19 sec- month.

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

Here O’Brien (right) poses with his wife June Ann O’Brien and president of the Guyana Olympic Association K. Juman-Yassin.

IVOR O’Brien, a former secretary of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) became the first Guyanese to be awarded the prestigious Commonwealth Order of Merit.

O’Brien received the award for significant contribution to the Commonwealth sport

movement. The award was conferred on the veteran sports administrator at a special ceremony in Edmonton Canada last month.

The ceremony was attended by Prince Edward of England and president of the Guyana Olympic Association among others.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2016