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Guns, ammo found in barrel Page 16

No big jail in GT No. 104971

WEDNESDAY , JULY 12, 2017

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… gov’t not likely to rebuild full-scale prison at Camp St

Page 3

‘Words can’t Pa explain 2ge what I went through’ – abducted driver recounts experience with escapees

Bus driver shot dead during robbery at McDoom Page 9

All accounted for

Director of Prisons, Mr. Gladwin Samuels, points to a section of the gutted Camp St Prison as President David Granger and other Cabinet members look on. In photo are: AG, Basil Williams, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

… 1,010 inmates in Page prison, 8 on the run 21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

‘Words can’t explain what I went through’ – abducted driver recounts experience with escapees By Ravin Singh

IT was like a nightmare for him – the experience of being abducted by four escaped prisoners who were on the verge of murdering him, cold-bloodedly, in the backlands. “I don’t have words to explain what I feel and what I went through; pain, scared for my life. It is overwhelming. To go through what I went through and come out alive is just God’s grace,” said 22-year- old taxi driver, Matthew Shivtahal, who was abducted by four escaped prisoners on Sunday evening following a prison break in Georgetown. He was able to return to the city after being abducted and subsequently released by the escaped prisoners on Sunday evening. In an interview with reporters on Tuesday morning, Shivtahal recounted seven life-threatening and tension-filled hours of being in the midst of the country’s most notorious gang presently. The 22-year-old taxi driver related that about 16:35hrs on Sunday afternoon he was heading to Georgetown from Industry, on the East Coast, with passengers. He said that when he reached Camp Street, he heard gunshots and instinctively swung on Broad Street to avoid whatever commotion was happening. But that turned out to be disastrous for him. “…next thing I know

Matthew Shivtahal they [the escaped prisoners] got guns to my head. I had a lady and some children in the car and they take out them, push me back inside

the journey began about midnight on Sunday. “From there, we keep going down south; keep walking south, crossing a lot of bridges and keep going down till to Land of Canaan seven-door sluice” he said, adding that upon arrival there, they encountered a trench which they had to swim over. Fortunately, Shivtahal could not swim and told the prisoners that it was impossible for him to cross. He said that at this point, the men said that it would be best to kill him since he would slow them down. “They said before I slow them down is best they kill me. [But] I keep begging them. I tell them I got a oneyear-old son; that I wouldn’t like he to grow up without a father,” the young father

“I cross over like four swamps and a set of bridges. I cut up my foot” he said, pointing to his badly bruised feet. the car and we went to South backlands” he recalled. Shivtahal was taken hostage by four men who had just escaped from the Georgetown Prison, a few corners away from where they boarded his Toyota two12 vehicle. He was then forced by the escapees, to drive to North Ruimveldt, where the car was abandoned and he was again coerced to accompany them on an unknown journey. He said

recalled. He said that because of his plea, the escapees told him that: “we gonna let you go.” He remembered one of the men saying they wouldn’t bother to kill him. Seemingly relieved, but still tense in tone, the young man told reporters that the man pointed in the north-eastern direction and told him to walk towards the dam and he would be able to get out of the backdam.

A map with the first arrow (left) illustrating where the escapees are believed to have travelled, while the second arrow shows the route which Shivtahal travelled to get to Annandale “I cross over like four swamps and a set of bridges. I cut up my foot” he said, pointing to his badly bruised feet. On Monday evening, just before midnight, the young man navigated his way to the East Coast Public Road, via Annandale, where he encountered a police officer who escorted him to the Vigilance Police Station. “It is overwhelming. To go through what I went through and come out alive is just God’s grace. It was just joy to find land,” a visibly

shaken Shivtahal said. He also recalled the men using cell phones throughout the journey and two of them being armed with what appeared to be nine-millimetre pistols. He was not privy to conversations they were having on the phones and when they did engage persons on the phone, one of the other three guarded him some distance away. The young man, who said he was not harmed by the men, shared that at intervals, the escapees jogged and

when they were tired, they walked. For the entirety of the journey, none of the men ate or consumed water. With regard to where the escapees are heading, Shivtahal offered that: “They don’t know the area but they cutting and going. They finding places where they know. Some of them said they going down the highway.” Asked to describe the posture of the men, the 22-year old said that to him, “they have no fear of being captured.”

No big jail in GT 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

… gov’t not likely to rebuild full-scale prison at Camp Street

CITING Sunday’s gutting of the Georgetown Prison as an “accident waiting to happen”, President David Granger on Tuesday said his administration does not intend to rebuild the Camp Street-based penitentiary prison as it was prior to the fire. The President led members of Cabinet on a tour of

“definitely” will discuss what type of facility is needed following Sunday’s fire. Noting that he will not prejudge the matter, the President said he will discuss the issue with Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, and members of Cabinet. “But we are not going to have

of the situation at Camp Street prior to the blaze and, according to him, the authorities were acting on recommendations made following the Commission of Inquiry (COI) after the riots at the prison last March. “We knew we had to strengthen Mazaruni (prison), money had been provided,” the President

to the cycle of breakouts which have been happening. HARD DECISIONS Meanwhile, former Director of Prisoners, Dale Erskine believes that the authorities should focus now on finding solutions to the situation at hand rather than the faults.

and the “toxicity” of the Georgetown Prison. He said daily there was a strong sense of vulnerability that “it could be your last day, considering the overpopulation, poor security design of most prison buildings, a high amount of dangerous, violent, indiscipline and angry prisoners, inadequate and poorly

oners and their families to work with the prison administration and members of the Joint Services to bring normalcy to the situation. On Monday, the Government of Guyana (GoG) approved the “immediate implementation” of a four-part emergency plan to deal with the aftermath of Sunday’s massive

President David Granger (centre ) led Cabinet on a tour of the gutted Georgetown Prison on Camp Street on Tuesday . Standing from left, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; President Granger; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan and Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels. the gutted facility around midday on Tuesday. The Head-of-State told online media entity, News Source, that the authorities will return to the drawing board “to determine whether it is appropriate to have a facility such as a prison at the centre of the capital city.” He said that the country’s three major prisons, Georgetown, New Amsterdam and Mazaruni Prisons were constructed by the British in each county. “So this is what was adequate maybe was 120 years ago,” President Granger said, noting that the authorities

the same type of facility here again,” he reiterated. He said the devastation at the site almost totalled the facility. EIGHT ON THE RUN Regarding questions on the figures provided by the authorities on how many prisoners escaped on Sunday, the President said that Director of Prisons, Gladwyn Samuels, has advised that eight persons are unaccounted for from the total prison population. The President said that the government was aware

said. Government is in the process of expanding the facilities at the Mazaruni prisons. ”This was an accident waiting to happen”, the Head-of-State noted of the inferno. He explained too that the New Amsterdam prison was equally a “fragile structure”, noting that government is acting with the resources at hand. He assured that the Ministry of Public Security, at the end of the process, will have more secure prisons across the country, which he noted will not be susceptible

Erskine noted in a lengthy social media post on Tuesday that “judicious, hard and endurable decisions “ will be have to be acted on “swiftly” to ensure a stronger, new prison infrastructure is built . He said it has to be designed “in such a manner to diminish the will of prisoners to break out in the manner that occurred on Sunday, 9th July, 2017.” Erskine, who sat as a Commissioner in last year’s COI into the March disturbances, noted that the relevant authorities were aware of the “vulnerability”

trained staff as well as a number of corrupt/unprofessional staff.” He said those factors were “highly explosive” and officers did their utmost to ensure the situation at the prison was always under control. Erskine said the death of Prison Officer, Odinga Wickham, who succumbed to gunshot wounds following the unrest on Sunday, is evidence of how a quiet day can turn into deadly tragedy within minutes in the prison system. Erskine urged the pris-

inferno. President Granger in a televised address to the nation said the four-part emergency plan has been activated and includes the construction of temporary structures to house the displaced prisoners in the short term, the completion of a recovery operation to account for and accommodate every single prisoner, implementation of legal measures to immediately reduce the prison population and, importantly, the immediate recapture of the inmates, who escaped custody.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Trump ‘didn’t know’ about Air Canada in ‘near miss’ son’s Russia meeting --with four planes US President Donald Trump’s son has said he did not tell his father about a meeting with a Russian lawyer who said she could help his election campaign. Donald Trump Jr told Fox News the meeting was “just a nothing”, but he should have handled it differently. He released emails showing he welcomed an offer to meet the lawyer, who was allegedly linked to the Kremlin, and had material damaging to

Hillary Clinton. US officials are investigating alleged Russian meddling in the US election. Since he was elected, President Trump has been dogged by allegations that Russia tried to sabotage Mrs Clinton’s campaign. He has denied any knowledge of this, and Russia has also repeatedly denied interfering. Asked by Fox News’ Sean Hannity if he had told his fa-

ther about last year’s meeting, Mr Trump Jr said: “No; it was just a nothing. There was nothing to tell. “I mean, I wouldn’t have even remembered it until you started scouring through this stuff. It was literally just a wasted 20 minutes, which was a shame.” Donald Trump Jr, his brother-in-law Jared Kushner and campaign chairman Paul Manafort met Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya at Trump Tower in New York in June 2016. Trump Jr received an email from an intermediary, British publicist Rob Goldstone, promising documents from Russia that would incriminate Hillary Clinton. At the time, his father was the presumptive Republican nominee and heading towards an election fight against his Democratic rival, Mrs Clinton. One email from Mr Goldstone said the information they had been promised was “obviously very high-level and sensitive information, but is part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr Trump.” The meeting took place, but Mr Trump Jr told Fox News the woman provided them with nothing of use, and it only lasted 20 minutes. (BBC)

THE US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating an apparent near-miss involving an Air Canada flight at San Francisco’s airport. It says Flight AC759 from Toronto was cleared to land on a runway last Friday, but the pilot “inadvertently” lined up for a taxiway, where four aircraft were waiting to depart. An air traffic controller became aware of the problem and ordered the pilot to pull up and make another approach. The Airbus 320 then landed safely. The FAA is currently investigating the distance between the Air Canada aircraft and the aircraft lined up on the taxiway, which runs parallel to the runway. It describes the July 7 incident as “very rare”. Air Canada says 135 passengers and five crew members were aboard the flight from Toronto.

It was not immediately clear how many people were in the four planes on the taxiway. Air Canada is also investigating the incident, a spokesman for the company says. “Air Canada flight AC759 from Toronto was preparing to land at San Francisco airport Friday night when the aircraft initiated a go-around,” Peter Fitzpatrick is quoted as saying by CBC News. “The aircraft landed normally without incident. We are still investigating the circumstances, and therefore have no additional information to offer.” Meanwhile, an audio recording has emerged of what are said to be last Friday’s communications between air traffic controllers and pilots at San Francisco’s airport. In it, a male voice, believed to be that of the Air Canada pilot, is heard saying that there are lights on the runway. One of the air traffic controllers replies that there are no other planes there. Another unidentified

voice is then heard saying: “Where’s this guy going? He’s on the taxiway.” The air traffic controller then apparently realises the danger of the Air Canada plane crashing into the four aircraft on the ground, and orders the pilot to pull up and make another approach. A pilot from one of the planes on the ground is then heard saying: “United One, Air Canada flew directly over us.” “If it is true, what happened probably came close to the greatest aviation disaster in history,” retired United Airlines Capt Ross Aimer, CEO of Aero Consulting Experts, told the Mercury News. “If you could imagine an Airbus colliding with four passenger aircraft wide bodies, full of fuel and passengers, then you can imagine how horrific this could have been,” he said. The deadliest incident in aviation history was in 1977, when 583 people were killed after two Boeing planes collided on a runway at Los Rodeos airport in northern Tenerife, on Spain’s Canary Islands. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 12 2017

Haiti to reform army after 20 years

HAITI’S government has launched a campaign to re-establish its army, dissolved more than 20 years ago. It wants to recruit about 500 men and women to help deal with natural disasters and to patrol borders. The recruitment drive follows the announcement by the United Nations mission that it would be leaving Haiti in October. But critics say the island’s small budget should be spent on the national police force of about 15,000 officers. A Ministry of Defence statement said the recruitment drive is open to both men and women between the ages of 18 and 25, who have passed their secondary education exams. The UN Security Council agreed in April to withdraw their security forces, the blue helmets, and leave only a small police presence to support

the Haitian police. The UN departure has sparked a debate over whether Haiti should or should not form a new army. Many politicians support the idea, arguing it would provide jobs for young people. But the government’s critics say a military force could quickly become politicised, becoming a weapon in the hands of whoever is the president or prime minister. For much of Haiti’s history, the army has been used to crack down on political dissent by a series of authoritarian presidents. During the 29-year family dynasty founded by François “Papa Doc” Duvalier in the 1950s, the army was pushed aside and replaced by the Tonton Macoutes, a feared private militia famed for its savagery. But when Duvalier’s son, Jean Claude, was

ousted and fled to France in 1986, the army high command, notorious for its repressive tactics and packed with Duvalier appointees, remained in place. After Haiti’s first democratically-elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, was ousted in a 1991 military coup, soldiers and paramilitary forces committed countless atrocities, and are estimated to have killed about 4,000 people over the next three years. Haiti’s leaders argue that the new army would have different kinds of military duties, providing help after natural disasters and fighting smuggling. Many international donors have been unenthusiastic, after having poured billions of dollars into developing the Haitian National Police which now has about 15,000 trained members. (BBC)

Ailing defendant freed on technicality --over 2014 murder of Foulis businessman

CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday discharged murder charges against an ailing Sheldon Chase, who was charged with the murder of kidnapped businessman, Rajendra Singh in 2014. After considering all the evidence brought by the prosecution before the court, the Chief Magistrate found that they were not enough to make a prima facie case against him for the charge of murder. Chase, of Pike Street, Kitty; along with Doodnauth Ketwaroo, called ‘Pumpkin, of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara; Tony Thomas, of Bel Air Village, Georgetown; Michael Lewis, called ‘Jet

Lee’, of Sheriff Street, Georgetown; and Adony James, 32, of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown were charged with murdering Rajendra Singh between April 5 and April 9, 2014 at the Le Repentir Cemetery. However, all except Chase were committed to stand trial at the High Court by Magistrate McLennan back in 2015 at the conclusion of a yearlong preliminary inquiry into the case, which saw about 40 witnesses coming forward to give testimony. Chase had been hospitalised due to failing health, and could not continue to attend the preliminary inquiry (PI) with the

other defendants. As a result, the court waited until he’d recovered sufficiently to bring two other witnesses who were waiting to testify, in order for the court to decide his fate. Singh was reportedly kidnapped at gunpoint from his place of business at Foulis, on East Coast Demerara (ECD) on April 5, 2014. A multi-million dollar ransom was later demanded for his safe return, but having not been paid, the businessman’s body was discovered four days later in the Le Repentir Cemetery, with his hands bound and a gunshot wound to his head.

Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Opposition Leader Jagdeo insensitivity SUNDAY afternoon’s riot and fire at the Georgetown Prison that destroyed the Camp Street complex and resulted in several prison officers and inmates being injured, the death of prison officer Mr. Odinga Wickham, along with the destruction of records and a piece of the nation’s history require serious reflection and action. In our Monday editorial, it was considered important to advise the nation that this is not the time to seek political mileage and finger-point, given the seriousness of the issue and the importance of presenting a united front in the face of what is clearly a threat to law and order. The acts by those inmates to subvert this, placing the lives of their fellow inmates, the prison officers, compound, and the wider society at risk call for sober reflection. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who was President in 2002 when five inmates escaped from Camp Street, wreaking for four years, havoc on this nation, of all persons should have been rendering advice and support, not finding it most opportune to score political pot-shots. During the four- year period lives were lost, society was terrified -- cowering in fear and the victim of a bloody crime spree unprecedented in the nation’s history. Where Mr. Jagdeo’s government may have failed to act, now on the outside looking in, should he have a different perspective in handling the fallout it would be to the nation’s good to make it known. Crime hurts society and insulated though the Leader of the Opposition may feel, as a beneficiary of round-the-clock security protection, the ordinary man and woman do not have similar protection. Consequently, for them what happened on Sunday it is important it be handled judiciously and the nation

does not see a repeat of the 2002-2006 criminal mayhem. Sunday’s riot must not descend into partisan politics and if this is what Mr. Jagdeo seeks, he must be deprived of his desire. The security of the nation and the safety of its people are at risk and no politics must divide us in any effort to restore law and order. The continuous efforts by the Joint Services, in spite of a few hiccups, arguably are of superior performance than in 2002 and they deserve the support of the society, more so the political leadership to bring the situation under control and recapture the escapees. The work of Vice-President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, to address issues such as remand and sentencing, and engagement with the Chancellor of the Judiciary on trials shows efforts are being made to address overcrowding and the dispensing of justice. The Government National Security Council has been having several meetings and has put a four-part Emergency Plan into action. It includes the construction of temporary structures to safely and securely house prisoners in the shortterm and protecting the population; the completion of recovery operations to account for and accommodate every single prisoner; implementation of legal measures to immediately reduce the prison population; and, importantly, the immediate recapture of the five inmates, who escaped custody. Retired Justice James Patterson who headed the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the 2016 jail break has also added his voice to the conversations in addressing what has become an endemic problem at Lot 12 Camp Street. In the event Mr. Jagdeo forgets, this problem did not happen in the last two years, but was years in the making, during 12 of which he was

President and Commander-in-Chief and which did not see similar attempts as are presently taking place. There is no denying the concern that given what happened in 2016 and subsequent CoI, persons would be inclined to think that Sunday’s incident could have been avoided. But to hear Mr. Jagdeo say on Monday that what had transpired is the result of “unbelievable incompetence and lack of accountability displayed by those with political responsibility for security at the city jail and law and order in our country,” one wonders why he failed to take some responsibility for the state of affairs. The present situation where prisoners of Camp Street are still to be properly housed, the cause (s) of the incident properly investigated and ascertained as to what and who were responsible, implementing the CoI recommendations, and moving to ensure justice for those incarcerated and who committed Sunday’s incident, along with the security and safety of the wider society are of utmost concern. The Leader of the Opposition may find more political value in seeking to aid and support such concern for though he may not feel threatened, his supporters and others have cause for concern. Insensitivity to law and order, at this volatile period, is the last thing the people want from their leaders.

OP-ED A Cabinet of rivals:

Is a coalition government good for Guyana? BY Dr. Ken Danns

THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the People’s National Congress (PNC) have alternated in government for much of the country’s post-colonial history. The PNC ruled Guyana for 28 years and the PPP replaced it and ruled the country for 23 years. Two dominant parties alternating in Government formed the basis for democratic governance in the developed Western nations and some developing nations also. Dominant two-party politics in Guyana however, neither

produced sustainable development for the country nor fostered a climate of democratic rule. Both of this young nation’s leading political parties, while starting out with noble intentions, in turn proved excessively authoritarian with ensuing negative consequences for the country. The democratic removals of the PNC and the PPP from office were accomplished mainly by the coalition of political parties opposed to their rule. When the PNC was in power, a coalition of opposition political parties called the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy (PCD)

was established after the 1985 elections. This PCD coalition comprised five political parties -- the PPP, the WPA, the Democratic Labour Movement (DLM), the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), and the National Democratic Front (NDF) – formed with the singular purpose to advocate for free and fair elections. The PCD was spearheaded by the PPP and created the impetus for unseating the PNC and the restoration of democracy. These parties however, did not form a common platform to contest the October 5, 1992 General Elections. The PPP won

Dr. Ken Danns

the elections and earned an independent parliamentary majority and the Executive

Presidency. It won subsequent elections appealing to its majority ethnic base, while leading the country down a path of despair and perceived authoritarian rule for 23 years. Once again, the Guyanese people resorted to coalition politics to unseat an authoritarian government, promote inclusionary democracy and end winner-takes- all politics in Guyana. On the 14th February, 2015, the APNU+AFC coalition of opposition political parties was formed in accordance with the Cummingsburg Accord, “to lead Guyana forward into a new era of accountability,

human safety, financial probity, governmental transparency, parliamentary democracy and national unity.” The new coalition committed itself “to accept and promote dialogue, discussion and the use of constitutional means to advance economic, political and social change; respect the value and sanctity of human life; maintain high levels of mutual respect; reject ethnicity as a consideration for the participation of citizens in government, denounce corruption and promote financial transparency, probity at all levels of government.” The CumTurm to Page 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 12 2017

Is a coalition government... mingsburg Accord, labelled “historical,” was signed by David Granger representing APNU and Khemraj Ramjattan representing the AFC. Granger was named presidential candidate and Moses Nagamootoo was its candidate for prime minister. The proposed cabinet would comprise ministerial representatives from each political party in the coalition. The Accord allocated APNU 60 percent of Cabinet posts and AFC 40 percent. Other areas of government would also reflect coalition representation. The coalition contested the May 11, 2015 General Elections as a common entity and won a parliamentary majority and the presidency. The APNU+AFC Government is a Coalition Government. It is a government of rivals. It draws on the broad-based talent, training and experience of each party’s representatives. It comprises six political parties -- the Guyana Action Party (GAP), Justice For All Party (JFA), National Front Alliance (NFA), Working People’s Alliance (WPA), People’s National Congress (PNC) and the Alliance For Change (AFC). This coalition of Guyanese political parties is a coalition of coalitions. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is itself a coalition of five political parties with the exception of the AFC. Four of the parties that comprise APNU were previously formed in opposition to the PNC. The WPA in particular was a bitter enemy of the PNC. The WPA was previously allied with the PPP under the Patriotic

Coalition for Democracy (PCD). What brought these parties together was their commitment to inclusionary democracy, ending winnertakes- all politics and the imperative of bringing about development in a poor underdeveloped country that is rich with natural resources. What brought these parties together was the integrity, dignity and competence of their leadership and their commitment to put Guyana first above narrow partisan interests and ideologies. Coalition leaders exemplified by President Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo are seemingly willing to trust each other and work together for the national good. Coalition leaders Nagamootoo and Ramjattan were themselves leading figures in the PPP before becoming disillusioned with the factionalist politics of the PPP and leaving to join the AFC. In 1964, just prior to Guyana gaining independence in 1966, the incumbent PPP Government was unseated from power by a coalition of the PNC led by Forbes Burnham and the United Force (UF) led by Peter D’Aguiar. This PNC/ UF coalition ended several years of internecine ethnic conflict under the PPP. The PNC/UF coalition worked well for four years during which Guyana, which became a new nation-state in 1966 and experienced ethnic tranquility, democracy and development. Then, in 1968, the PNC decided to rid itself of its coalition partner, the United Force, and go it alone with resulting

negative democratic and developmental consequences for Guyana for over two decades. In 1992, the PPP had the opportunity to contest the general elections under the coalition PCD umbrella, but instead chose to go it alone knowing then that resorting to divisive ethnic politics would propel them to power. This also proved to be a mistake for the PPP and its myopic governance of Guyana for over two decades. Both the PNC and the PPP flirted with the symbolic imagery of coalition politics. In reality, neither was effectively committed to it. The PNC called itself the PNC/Reform, incorporating selected representatives from civil society. The PPP called itself the PPP/Civic by including a few representatives also from civic society. Neither the PNC/R nor the PPP/C were viewed as genuine coalition entities by the Guyanese people. Coalition politics has historically advanced democracy and development in Guyana. Coalition governments by their very nature tend to be fairer, more democratic, reflective of a broader range of public opinions and public interests and are characterised by more consensus-based politics. The APNU+AFC Coalition Government is a representative government and a government that is representative of the Guyanese people. A majority of Guyanese citizens voted for the parties which form the coalition government and so

their views and interests are represented in its political decision-making. The APNU+AFC Coalition Government is representative of all ethnic groups, regional groups and ideologies in Guyana. It is truly a national coalition that has successfully overcome the dysfunctional, dominant one-party politics of the PNC and PPP that in turn ruled Guyana for nearly 50 years. The PPP stands alone in opposition to the Coalition Government. Its accustomed playbook has been to resort to ethnic chauvinism to propel and maintain itself in power. A political strategy that resorts exclusively to racial and sectarian appeal will no longer work for the PPP, once a unified APNU+AFC Coalition remains together. The population dynamics reveal Indo-Guyanese at 39.8 percent, Afro- Guyanese at 29.3 percent, Mixed races at 19.9 percent and Amerindians at 10.5 percent. Demography is seemingly dictating coalition rule in Guyana. The APNU+AFC Coalition must continue to project its multi-ethnic and multi-sectarian image and base to sustain democracy and promote Guyana’s development. The parties in the coalition must

From Page 6 continue to respect and trust each other. They must be willing to communicate with each other, make compromises and remain committed to putting Guyana first ahead of their own partisan agendas. Importantly, they each offer checks and balances against the excesses and undemocratic proclivities of each other and the government as a whole. This is by no means to suggest that there are not marked differences among the parties in the coalition, even though these differences may be suppressed in the interest of the greater good. The coalition partners maintain their independent identities and it is inevitable that acrimony will arise from time to time and one or more parties might even threaten to leave the fold. Smaller parties often seek to be the kingmakers in the coalition and this may engender acrimony. The bigger parties may find that they are constrained to give more ground than they feel is justified and one or other party may disproportionately shape national policies. But such is the nature of coalition politics. Still, were it not for the coalition, some of these parties may never have had the

opportunity to run the government and have a viable stake in charting the future of Guyana. The differences among the political parties and built-in rivalry make for greater accountability and transparency in a coalition government. Compromise rather than factionalism is the modus operandi of successful coalitions. The success of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government is very much dependent on the leadership of the parties that comprise it. It is also very much dependent on the willingness of this cabinet of rivals to communicate and to compromise. The Guyanese people should therefore expect that their new government will from time to time exhibit internal divisions and differences of views and policies. Indeed, such differences and divisions are the very foundation of its being. It is functional conflict. As the rival parties jockey for political space, APNU+AFC must not forget how it became a coalition government in the first place and why. Is this coalition government good for Guyana at this crucial stage of its political and economic development? Only time will tell. So far, the results of this government of rivals have been quite favourable for the nation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Escapee had bragged “I’ll soon be free…” IN 2015, now-wanted prison escapee Uree Varswyck had said that he would be free from prison, after being on remand for double-murder since 2014. An ex-policeman, Varswyck was charged for the December 2014 murder of Sterling Products Limited security guard, Wilfred Stewart, and the execution-style killing of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) engineer, Trevor Abrams in 2015. He has been on remand since June 1, 2015. But that was until he escaped from the Georgetown Prison on Sunday afternoon during violent unrest. Varswyck, who served and trained in the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), is believed to have shot and killed prison warden

Wayne Wickham during his escape. But exactly two months after he was remanded to prison in 2015, the now-escaped prisoner had posted on his Facebook profile that he would soon be freed. “Read this and pass it on to all those who can’t read or can’t get a smart phone to peep my fb profile …I’ll soon be free and all that I

had I’ll have even more to burn all u uptight, broke ,fake wanna be… WHO VEX LOOSE…. Bring it I’m ready for anything” Varswyck posted on his profile on August 1, 2015. He was in the Georgetown Prison at that time. Under the post, one person questioned “free from or to?” to which the escapee responded “lol my state-

ment is correct bbz u need to read more news bbz lol”. His profile has limited engagements with his friends except with a few who commented on his photos. In 2012 and 2013, he posted photos with himself holding guns – two of which seem to belong to the GPF. He had also posted” Do unto others b4 they do unto u. Survival of d fittest in my world.” According to a source, the young man lived in Suriname for some time before returning to Guyana where he joined the TSU arm of the police force. The source said too that the young man hails from a reputable family who are neither happy nor supportive of his lifestyle. In addition to being described as a “bright boy” by some who knew him

personally, Varswyck was said to be an ardent church goer. During his appearances at court, many described him as being stoic while

professing his innocence in both cases brought against him. He is said to be the father of two and his birthday is June 21.

A 2012 photo of Uree Varswyck with a gun. During that time he served as a TSU rank

Is the thinking at CJIA rational? Dear Editor, ON Saturday, 1st July, 2017, I had to visit the Cheddi B. Jagan International Airport at Timehri to pick up my dear wife who was returning from overseas at 15:00 hrs. As usual, while travelling down, all appeared normal and quite well. When I was turning onto the airport road, I saw no signs or any form of guidance. However, I turned into the regular parking lot area to park, of course paying the fee of $500. Along with my son who had accompanied me to pick up his mother, we went into the airport and sat down in the arrivals’ waiting section. Looking at the screen, I did not see any notice or indication of the standardised flight schedule. The fee-collector at the parking lot said nothing, no staffer said anything. And so we were sitting and waiting and time was being wasted. We then observed that there was still no heavy activity at the time the aircraft was expected to arrive. At about the same time, a young lady working in the airport snackette in the arrivals’ area came to me,greeted me and asked: “Don’t you know that the arrival area

has moved?” I was taken by complete shock and hence the caption of this letter. I would like to ask several questions: is it that the administration is bereft of management techniques, procedures and systems? Couldn’t they think to put a guide or sign to show that the arrival area’s section was under construction? Was it not the right thing to put some arrows starting from the old arrival section to the new arrival section at the LaParkan bond area, so that no one was inconvenienced? Is it that they want to technically eat out the finances of the drivers so that more fees are incurred as time passes? Is this their strategy to enhance their financial embellishments? As stated, there was no note or notices leading to the new arrival area. I met several persons and one individual actually said that he waited three (3) hours in the old waiting area until realising that something was wrong. People were severely frustrated and when I eventually travelled around, there was still no visible advisory post or sign advising persons how to find this new area and/or what was the purpose of it. Despite being in a state of bewilderment, I finally

found the area at the back. When I got there, I was met with confusion and mayhem. It must be understood that I understand that when there is construction in progress, especially at an international airport, there will always be some level of inconvenience. The confusion was so intense that when the rain came down, they allowed people to enter the customs’ shed area where arriving passengers are supposed to exit. As soon as the rain stopped, everyone was instructed (including yours truly) to step out of this area into the hot sun. Again, it is understood that the customs’ area must be kept under high security and therefore it is fair to suggest that persons should not be in there unauthorised. But are the contractors/administrators bereft of a certain level of managerial skills that they would inconvenience their customers? The customers are always the most important people and in this case, the passengers and the persons picking up those passengers are the customers of the airport. Therefore, basic amenities that are customer friendly should be established to give basic comfort, even with ongoing construction. If someone was pregnant or had a diabetic problem, not being

forewarned that the area was under construction and with the intensity of the sun, they could have started collapsing like a flea on the ground. I started to snap a few pictures and shared my view with the people, and I could see the pain and harassment on their faces. It is unfortunate that persons were not blaming the airport management team, but instead chose to call out H. E President David Arthur Granger and the Government. So people were cursing, fuming and misbehaving, attacking the government, which was completely unfair to the President and the Government. I think that the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Hon. David Patterson MP and some of his management personnel should visit these locations and offer recommendations so that the people are not treated as second-class citizens. People were tired standing on their legs, like me, who has a lower back issue, as there was no sitting area. Logically, all they had to do was to place two 20x20 tents in the new waiting area. This would not run the airport bankrupt and the money they are collecting fraudulently by having persons pay to park, knowing they would have to later park to the back. This money could have been used to place tents and chairs. The

many Chinese and local contractors who are working on this site could have also easily built some long old-fashioned benches with the understanding that it would be prioritised for persons who definitely needed this facility. It boggles the human comprehension and thought pattern of logic and rationality, when administrators cannot think of these petty things. Additionally, when a certain lady wanted to use the washroom facility, she realised, not even that was provided. I presume that they did not think of installing two mobile washrooms or building a temporary septic tank with two stalls (just to purchase two toilet bowls and potable water) for male and female usage. This would have been so simple; please airport administration, use your brain matter. And meanwhile, the Government is being criticised without merit. And as I would usually say: “I am a professional and I will always support and work with the Government of the day.” I am enclosing to the media some of the photographs that I took of the area, hoping that they would utilise them to show the trauma of the reality that was endured by many Guyanese at the airport. The parking lot is small, yes, but I believe

that one of the many internal security officers could have functioned to assist drivers on how they should park, since I saw many vehicles blocked by others. If they are willing and otherwise need some advice from me or one of my officers, the training can be conducted as soon as possible – free of cost. I wish for the administrators of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) for persons in the Government echelon who have their eyes on me and those who are trying to destroy me (I am smiling) to note that this is something for action. The people of this country are the bosses of this country and governments, ministers, Heads of Government agencies/ institutions/corporations must never forget that you are the people’s servants. As usual, some get annoyed when I reiterate this point, not the President or the Prime Minister, certain middle boys get annoyed when I say these things. But as a man who loves his country, who loves his people, I am sending this message to the media. Thank you all and God Bless. Regards Roshan Khan (Snr)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

Bus driver shot dead during attempted robbery – suspect in police custody

RELATIVES and friends of 32-year-old Tedroy James broke down in tears at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Tuesday upon learning of his passing during an attempted robbery. The incident occurred around midday in the vicinity of McDoom, on the lower East Bank, while the Route 32 (Georgetown/ Parika) minibus driver of Suddie, Essequibo Coast, was en route to Georgetown.

was waiting on the roadside whipped out a handgun as the passenger was exiting the vehicle and told the occupants of the vehicle to remain still. “This is a robbery,” he warned. Said the eyewitness, who was a passenger at the time of the incident, “The man tell we give up all we got, and another man join he and start demand things… “They were trying to get things from us, but the driver noticed and attempted to drive off.”

versing the area. Reports are that it took the police some 30 minutes to get to the scene, despite there being a police station right at McDoom, just a few corners away from where the shooting took place. Distraught relatives of the deceased told the Guyana Chronicle that he died leaving a wife and two young children. “He does stay in town to work bus, so that he could get money to send back to his family in Suddie,” said

Tedroy James’s bus at the spot where the incident occurred (Photo by Delano Williams) According to reports, it happened when a male passenger asked him to stop at a point on the Public Road where another male was waiting. “Everything happened so fast, it was hard to keep up,” said an eyewitness, who told the Guyana Chronicle that the man who

It was while doing that, the eyewitness said, that James was shot in his back. In the confusion, he said, the two bandits made good their escape through a nearby street. The injured minibus driver was later rushed to the hospital by public-spirited persons who were tra-

one of his relatives. A release from the GPF has indicated that they have in their custody a suspect who is assisting with investigations. The individual was reportedly in possession of a handgun when the police found him.

Against The Grain

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

The Georgetown Prison By Akola Thompson ON Sunday, I returned home to a message from a colleague asking, ‘what really going on in Guyana?’ I, of course, had no idea. I had spent the day without Internet access and did not yet have the opportunity to catch up on the day’s events. Before I could respond to that message, I received another inquiry from a friend asking about what she was seeing in the news. At this point, I knew that something had gone horribly wrong back home. What never crossed my mind however, was that the problem would have been the prison. After all, only last year we were promised sweeping reforms and promises to ease the congestion considerably in prison were made. Surely, lightning could not strike the same place twice. I was wrong. Last year, inmates at the Camp Street prison had rioted over poor treatment and living conditions in the prison. The unrest lasted for three days and resulted in 17 inmates dying from the fires set. This time around, as far as news reports go, there has been only one death. That was the death of Prison Warder Odinga Wickham, who was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital with gunshot injuries. The idea that the prison should be moved outside of the environs of Georgetown is one that has been touted for years. This however, has never materialised. After the riot last year, when the conversation once led again to relocating the prison, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan stated

that we would not be able to get a new prison until the country found itself in a financially better position. He had said that $6M would be needed to ensure a state-of-the art facility, “so that the prisoners won’t be able to burrow themselves like the Mexican drugs dealer.” Of course, the prisoners don’t need to burrow if they could just burn as was seen in this case. Why after the first fire were we’re still rebuilding with wood? That is akin to inviting trouble and wondering why it came over. He further went on to ask, “Should the comfort of prisoners be our priority? Should we close down another sugar estate to get at least a $2B from there to offset expenses? That would be absolute trouble.” Yes, relocation of the prison would have been expensive. However, if the first riot taught us anything, it was that we were ill-equipped to deal with such unrest, particularly when we are dealing with buildings that are largely unsafe and men that are largely unstable. This incident could have been prevented. I reckon my priorities and the government’s are different, but the prison issue was one that was of urgency since last year and should have been treated as such. We do need a more secure and isolated prison, but we should not look at this issue in isolation. The fire should not have happened. Wickham’s death should not have happened. Not so close on the heels of last year’s fire when we had commissions of inquiries and various ideas touted to make the system better.

A programme that was to be launched at the Marriott Hotel this week has been cancelled since the fire. The programme was said to be one that would have helped to increase the use of alternative sentencing and reducing the number of pre-trial detention of prisoners. Bail sums that keep the innocent and/or poor from being able to leave the prison system and draconian sentences for marijuana possession, a plant which has far and staggeringly less ill effects than cigarettes. The fact that matters concerning the prison and its poor occupants were being launched at the monument of corruption that is the Marriott was not something that was lost on me. It is quite an irony, but it is good that something was being done. This at least shows that the issue was not one that had faded out of their minds. This however, was not and is not enough. We need judicial reforms and legislation decriminalising marijuana because a significant number of persons are arrested every year on marijuana-related charges. Those inquiries should have borne fruit of operational procedures that would have seen such incidents being more effectively dealt with. Twenty-two non-violent prisoners that have shown good behaviour have so far been released. These prisoners should have been released long ago and not only in the face of tragedy. This government’s practice of placing band-aids over glaring, open wounds will ultimately be its downfall.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

Guyana to intensify cooperation with France on environment

PRESIDENT David Granger said that as Guyana pursues its ‘green’ agenda, it looks forward to intensifying its 50-year old diplomatic relationship with France especially as it relates to environmental protection, an area in which the two countries share common concerns. The Head of State made these remarks on Tuesday evening at a reception to c o m m e m o r a t e F r a n c e ’s National Day held at the Georgetown Club. “Guyana, located within the Guiana Shield; a global environmental asset, remains irrevocably committed to establishing a ‘green’ state. We will place an additional two million hectares of our forests under conservation as part of our contribution towards protecting the world biodiversity and providing climate mitigation services to the world,” the President said. The pledge of placing an additional two million hectares of forest under conservation is one which Guyana made in the signing of the landmark Paris Agreement in France two years ago. President Granger noted that Guyana fully supports France’s decision to take

bassador to Guyana, Mr. Antoine Joly said that the celebration of the French National Day in this country is special because it is an opportunity to celebrate the respect and friendship between the two countries and expressed satisfaction that France and Guyana both recognise the importance of protecting the environment and working to mitigate the effects of climate change. “We share the same vision of a multipolar world, which has to move forward in a better coordinated management and my Government truly appreciates the partnership, which was able to be formed on the occasion [of the signing of the Paris Agreement on climate change],” he said. Describing Guyana and France as neighbours, the Ambassador pointed to the fact that French Guiana is part of the Guiana Shield and has a shared obligation to protect the biodiversity of that region. Ambassador Joly said, “We have to address the same challenges… that of the environment; this unique heritage, which constitutes the Amazonian forest.” The Ambassador also pointed out that security and sustainable development are challenges

President David Granger and French Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Antoine Joly share a toast in celebration of France’s National Day and good relations between the two countries by First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger. It was also attended by Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon; Minister of Agriculture, Mr.

A section of the attendees at the event held at the Georgetown Club Tuesday evening to mark France’s National Day further action to advance the aims of the Agreement. “We will reduce our carbon footprint by embracing various sources of renewable energy generation. We will strengthen our coastal zone management to enhance our resilience against rising sea levels and flooding. Guyana looks forward to the support of the French Republic in advancing our ‘green’ developmental agenda,” the Head of State said. Meanwhile, French Am-

that France, with responsibility for its overseas territory, shares with Guyana. President Granger also used the opportunity to call on France, as a partner with Guyana, to ensure that the interests of the Small-Island Developing States (SIDS) of the Caribbean are protected even as the European Union (EU) commences negotiations on what would soon replace the Cotonou Agreement. The President was accompanied to the event

Noel Holder and members of the diplomatic community. France’s National Day or La Fête Nationale, commemorates the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. This event triggered the French Revolution, the impact of which resonated in the Caribbean as it not only influenced the Haitian Revolution but it also intensified the struggle for emancipation and colonial liberation in the Region. (Ministry of the Presidency)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

Aftermath of Prison riot

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 12, 2017

A WOMAN hands over food to a warden to be delivered to her family member being housed inside the Lusignan Prison. Several others are seen waiting in line to have food and clean clothing delivered to the inmates (Samuel Maughn photo)

Firemen combing through the rubble for bodies, weapons, ammunition and other prison system valuables on Monday. This is just inside the main gate (Bert Wilkinson photo)

This woman packages off food items for an inmate after it has been checked by prison service officers (Samuel Maughn photo)

Several persons wait to find out whether their loved ones are being housed at the Lusignan Prison or have been transported elsewhere (Samuel Maughn photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

Bandit injured during shootout with cops … pensioner grazed by bullet

A BANDIT was shot and injured, while his accomplice escaped during a blazing gun battle with police in Agricola on Tuesday afternoon. An elderly woman who was also accidentally grazed by a bullet during the crossfire was up to late Tuesday receiving

medical attention at a private hospital. In a statement police said acting on information ranks went to 4th Street, Agricola about 15:15h Tuesday where on arrival they were confronted by two armed male suspects, one in possession of a shotgun with its barrel

sawn off and the other with a handgun. “They opened fire on the lawmen who adapted tactical positions and returned fire,” police said in a statement. According to the police, during the exchange the suspect with the shotgun was injured and was apprehend-

ed and the weapon retrieved. However, the other suspect managed to elude the ranks, the police statement added. The injured suspect was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he is being prepared to undergo surgery. Meanwhile, police said 63-year-old housewife, Parmaldai called Galo, of 124 Caesar Street, Agricola who was resting in a

hammock next to where the shooting took place was grazed by a stray bullet. She was taken to the East Bank Demerara (EBD) Public Hospital at Diamond where she was treated and sent away. However, her relatives took her to a private hospital

where she is admitted. “The Police Force wishes her a speedy recovery,” the release stated. The injured suspect was wanted for discharging of a loaded firearm at Grove EBD, on July 5, 2017.

Lawrence lauds response of GPHC staff during prison unrest MINISTER of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, has lauded the efforts of all the stakeholders who assisted during the prison unrest and fire, especially those from the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH). “I would also like to express my sincere thanks for the overwhelming response to the emergency situation that arose on July 9, 2017, as a result of the fire that raged at the Georgetown Prison, Camp Street,” a statement from her said. She commended the Chief Executive Officer, the Chair of the Georgetown Hospital Board and the Public Relations Officer for coordinating the emergency response for the prisoners and officers harmed on July 9. Minister Lawrence related the admirable work done by all the doctors and nurses who responded to the call and remained on stand-by to deal with any ensuing emergency action and wishes to thank them for their service. Minister of Public Additionally, she Health, Volda Lawrence, said, “I am also appreciative of all the other health workers, administrative staff, laboratory and Blood Bank technicians, ambulance drivers and emergency medical technicians, members of the Civil Defence Commission, porters and internal security, whose presence and assistance attested to their deep commitment for the safety of our citizens.” Acknowledging the commendable efforts of the prison warden, Odinga Wickham, who tragically lost his life during the prison unrest and fire also, the minister expressed her deepest condolences to his family and relatives. “I must applaud your team spirit and dedication to this cause,” she stressed, “Thank you.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

India hosts capacity-building workshop for Caricom Secretariat staff

CARICOM officials are currently undergoing a capacity-building technical assistance workshop organised by the High Commission of India. The two-weeks workshop commenced at CARICOM Secretariat here in Guyana on Monday. In a statement on Tuesday, the High Commission said that the Capacity Building Workshop was jointly inaugurated by Ambassador Dr. Manorma Soeknandan, Deputy General, CAR-

ICOM, and High Commissioner of India, V. Mahalingam. It was explained that the workshop is being held under the Indian Technical Economic Cooperation. Two expert faculty members Padmin Hasitkant Buch and Raj Krishnan Shankar from the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India are the lead trainers of the programme. Approximately 28 CARICOM Officials from

the Secretariat are participating in the workshop. Over the next two weeks, the skills of the officials will be enhanced particularly in the fields of Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluating and Strategic Management, the High Commission said. “The Capacity Building Workshop has been the outcome of the first meeting of the India-CARICOM Joint Commission held in June 2015 in Georgetown and

the second India-CARICOM Ministerial meeting in September 2015 on the margins of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York,” the Commission further explained.

India is also assisting in upgrading the ICT system in the CARICOM Secretariat by funding to the tune of US$2.4M. Another capacity building programme which is in the pipeline is “Train-

ing of Young Diplomats of CARICOM”, under which 20 officials of CARICOM will travel to India and the programme will be entirely funded by the Indian Government.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

Guns, ammo found in barrel …smuggling ring involving bikes suspected By Svetlana Marshall

INVESTIGATORS have re p o r t e d l y c r a c k e d a gun-smuggling ring involving big bikes, following a discovery of guns and ammunition in a barrel on a popular wharf in the city on Tuesday. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) was summoned to the Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC) wharf at Lombard Street, La Penitence, Georgetown, after two guns, a GLOCK 45 pistol and a GLOCK 47 pistol, and a box of matching ammunition were found concealed in the engine of a CBR motorcycle. The motorbike was in a barrel at the time of the discovery. That barrel was reportedly addressed to Shenella Welcome of Lot 42 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

A source close to the investigation told the Guyana Chronicle that the shipment had arrived in the country last week, but it was only this week that OG Shipping and Delivery Service had acquired the requisite documents from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to clear its shipment of barrels. OG Shipping and Delivery Service, located at Lot 7, Public Road, La Penitence, ships barrels and other containers to Guyana for its customers utilising the GNSC wharf. The barrel with the contraband was scheduled to be delivered to Welcome’s West Ruimveldt residence, but not before it was cleared by Customs. “It was a door-to-door delivery,” the source told this newspaper. According to the source,

when the barrel was opened around 11:00hrs on Tuesday by Customs in the presence of Welcome, and a search conducted, the contraband weapons and ammunition were discovered. Officers from GRA’s Drug Enforcement Unit, which has an office on the wharf, were also present when the discovery was made. It was following the discovery that police investigators were called in. Welcome was taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to assist with the investigation. According to a source, enforcement authorities have been trying to crack the case for some time now. “It is a big ring smuggling guns in bikes, and most of them end up at a known carwash on Mandela Avenue. So we have been tracking these

The GNSC wharf where the barrel containing the guns and ammunition was discovered

An image of a GLOCK 45 handgun movements,” the source explained. It is believed that the U.S. Embassy has been contacted for assistance in the investigation in an effort to trace the origin of the guns. When this newspaper visited the GNSC wharf, authorities there distanced themselves from the discovery. “Customs deal with it! Our employees had nothing to do with that,” Head of Admin, Pauline Goodridge, posited. Tight- lipped on the situation, Goodridge wasted no time in directing the Guyana Chronicle to OG Shipping and Delivery Office. Over at O.G Shipping, business was in full swing. A company representative there told this newspaper that he was out of the district at the time of the discovery, however, he was told that the barrel was sent to Guyana from Brooklyn, New York. The information provided by an officer appeared sketchy as it contradicted greatly with information provided by a source working closely with the investigation. However, according to the OG Shipping employee, the barrel had arrived in Guyana since last year and it was only on Tuesday that a woman came to uplift it. According to him, the barrel was sent to a man, but a woman came instead. When asked to speak with the person in charge at the shipping company, the employee said

that person, whom he identified as “Shenella,” was at the Police Headquarters assisting with the investigation. When the Guyana Chronicle visited CID, officers there refused to speak on the matter; a request to speak with Crime Chief Wendell

Blanhum was also denied. Last February, a Guyanese, who had resided in Georgia, was sentenced to five years in a federal prison after pleading guilty to smuggling dozens of guns to Guyana. According to the Associated Press, federal prosecutors in Atlanta said 39-year-old Jermine Prosper, who lived in Conyers, legally purchased about 50 guns in Atlanta and smuggled them in shipping barrels to Guyana, where they were sold on the streets. According to the prosecutors, Prosper bought the guns between October 2013 and November 2015. They included 34 x 9 mm pistols, eight x.380-calibre pistols and six x.25- calibre pistols.

Business in full swing at OG Shipping and Delivery Service. One of the many barrels that were collected by the company for delivery

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

Mabaruma villages get potable water

RESIDENTS of several villages in Mabaruma now have access to potable water, as the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) presented Jerrycans to indigenous leaders at the Regional Toshaos and Community Development Council (CDC) Chairpersons Conference on Monday. The Jerrycans are designed to instantly sterilise untreated water without the use of chlorine or the need to boil for consumption. Three Jerrycans were each given to the communities by Managing Director of GWI, Dr. Richard Van-

nity is likely to be affected by. “I think it would be very helpful to the community because we (had) already received some filters from the Red Cross and since then, we did not have another situation with the diarrhoea so this, what we have now will be more helpful,” Lewis explained. GWI representatives gave demonstrations to the leaders of the Indigenous communities on how to use the Jerrycans. Additionally, forty more Jerrycans were slated to arrive in Mabaruma on Tuesday for the 10 communities of Barima Koriabo, Black

Managing Director of Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), Dr. Richard Van-West Charles and team from GWI giving a demonstration of how to use the Jerrycan

Managing Director of Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), Dr. Richard Van-West Charles handing over one of the Jerrycans to Nicholas Lewis CDC Chairperson of Waikerbi, West Charles. The villages which can now improve the quality of water they consume include Smith Creek, Black Water Savannah and Waikerbi. CDC chairperson, Leroy Ramit of Savannah Black Water said that he was very thankful for the GWI efforts. “I am more than grateful for this because in our area, potable water in our area is very, very hard to get and with the filters it will be better, especially for the youths because during the dry season we get a lot of diarrhea, vomiting and water borne diseases. So, I am thankful to GWI for this step,” Ramit stated. Sherman Lewis, CDC chairperson of Smith Creek also pointed out that, the Jerrycans will assist in keeping away water borne diseases which the commu-

Water, Hobodia, Hotiquai, Imbotero, Red Hill, Three Brothers, Aruka Mouth, St. Dominics and Lower Kaituma. GWI Managing Director, said that plans are also in place to have a large filter placed in Mabaruma, so that more persons will have access to potable water. The filter is expected to be installed as soon as Cabinet grants its approval. He explained that, “it’s a larger filter, these are already installed at Kamarang Hospital, for example, at Kako, at Baracara, and we have one to be installed at the Port Kaituma Secondary (school) and these are the larger C2s which will be good for the communities, so that you can begin to have potable water at your homes”. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

Toshaos, CDC chairpersons urged to work together as regional conference commences

REGION One’s Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has commenced the region’s first Regional Toshaos and Community Development Council (CDC) Chairpersons Conference in Mabaruma. The conference, which is being held under the theme, “fostering regional development through good governance, accountability and transparency,” will continue through July 14, 2017. Over the next four days, indigenous leaders will be making presentations and engaging in interactive sessions with

heads of various government departments and ministries. Managing-Director of Guyana Water Incorporated(GWI), Dr. Richard Van-West Charles, delivering the feature address, reminded the indigenous leaders that as head of their communities they are working for the development of the people. He noted that the communities must use the conference as a means of working together for the development of the town. According to Dr. VanWest Charles, if the villages and communities do

not develop and grow, the town and by extension the region will not progress. “We must see what development is doing for our young people… It must be sustainable; we cannot be back and forth. And that is why I hope at this conference you begin to connect and form a network so that we can see the impact of development.” The conference is being deemed a catalyst for development in the region by Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Joel Fredericks. Fredericks told the indigenous leaders that devel-

opment brings changes and that they must learn to adapt to the changes. The NTC Chairman also pointed out that development is a process. The conference is one, Fredericks said, that will benefit everyone and that it should be used to deal with issues that will foster development. “I want to say that having this conference is something good, it is a springboard coming up for the National Toshaos Conference from August 21 to 26; this is where we can capture some of the issues and find solutions for them” Fredericks stated.

Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley making brief remarks urged the indigenous leaders to discuss issues that will foster development within their communities. “I want to encourage you as well as we are gathered here, to bring to us the veritable issues that are affecting your communities. These four days are not to discuss and talk about the petty mole holes that we want to create mountains out of, but things that we can see substantial transformation through,” the regional chairman stated. The managing-direc-

tor also advised the indigenous leaders of the importance of looking for indicators of development in their communities when they assemble for another conference next year. Dr. Van-West Charles explained that, “when we come back next year to this conference, we celebrate the movement of progress. We have measures by which we say that communities have moved forward, they may not move forward in every area, you may move forward in some areas and that is good.” (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

Privatise the prison system – PSC urges government

THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) has recommended that government consider privatising the prison system here as well as review proposals for the establishment of a half-way house in the rehabilitation of prisoners. These recommendations came in a statement issued by the business umbrella body as its first official reaction to Sunday’s riot at the Camp Street Prison. In addition, the PSC recommended that government immediately fast track the modification of the Mazaruni Prison; turn the Georgetown Prison to a prisoners-awaiting-trial only facility; ensure more civil society leaders are placed on prison-related boards; immediately look at working conditions for prison officers and push the judiciary harder to catch up on backlogs. The PSC also offered its condolences to the family of Prison officer Odinga Wickham and encouraged all Guyanese to remember the injured prison staff and prisoners in our prayers and hope they have a speedy recovery. “We wish to thank the officers and ranks of the Guyana Prison Service who single- handedly and alone battled the raging inferno and revolting prisoners before reinforcements of police begin to arrive at the Georgetown Prisons. The ranks of the Guyana Fire Service also need to be commended for their brave efforts at fighting the raging inferno in the prison compound, while facing off violent attacks by the revolting prisoners. We thank the army and police for their successful efforts at the containment of what could have been a larger disaster in our country in terms of loss of life and serious threat to public safety and security,” the PSC said. Meanwhile, the PSC said it has taken note of the reported events that led up to the fire at the Camp Street Prison and the resultant state of fear and apprehension that now exists in the society. “Over many years, the PSC and its affiliates have followed

with disappointment the slow pace of addressing and implementing measures to mitigate the results of a slow court system, the mixing of remand and other prisoners with serious-crime prisoners and other causal factors that have placed us where we are with regard to prison management. We note that the deterioration of the prison system was not paid enough attention to by our political leaders, generally, over time. Efforts to speed up the decisionmaking of the judiciary were not enough, which has resulted in overcrowding, corruption and general decay of a once successful system,” the body noted in its statement. FULL DISCLOSURE The PSC urged that government declare fully the identities of persons being granted bail and those being released in any way, together with histories and other information and also for the police to monitor wherever possible these persons. “We urge the authorities to publish the true and accurate count of prisoners held prior to the incident, the number transferred and the unaccounted prisoners.” According to the PSC, the lack of accurate official information has created much room for speculation and is fuelling fear in our society. The body also noted with “awe” the statement by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan that “when you are going to serve a five-year term…if you are of good behaviour, you can get some remission from me. I can give you as the minister and the authority.” The PSC said having sought legal advice is of the view that the minister is not empowered to do so and that this statement should be corrected. COI RECOMMENDATIONS On the issue of recommendations flowing from the Commission of Inquiry into last year’s

riot that resulted in 17 inmates being burnt to death, the PSC said it is disappointed that most of the proposals were not implemented and monies allocated by the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Public Security

PSC Chairman, Edward Boyer

remained unspent. “We urge Minister Ramjattan and his ministry and the Cabinet to do more…” The PSC said it is sure that the responsible minister is aware of what else should be done. “We need to get it done faster. We urge the Government of Guyana to ensure that by the re-capturing of the dangerous prisoners that are on the loose, that the stability of our society is

ensured. Simultaneously, we urge the citizens to report any and all suspicious incidents to the Guyana Police Force. The re-occurrences of Sunday must not be repeated. It could have been much worse. The PSC holds the Government of Guyana accountable and asks that top priority be given to the entire process of prison reform.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

Business workshop targets ECD residents

First Lady Sandra Granger (seated third from left ) and participants at the opening of the workshop. BUXTONIANS and neighbouring residents are now better equipped to capitalise on opportunities geared at enhancing their skills in the development of small businesses. On Monday , First Lady Sandra Granger declared open the 17th Self Reliance and Success in Business workshop for 37 stakeholders from the East Coast of Demerara community and its environs. The five-day workshop is being held at Tipperary Hall in Buxton. According to a release from the Ministry of the Presidency, the First Lady commended the group, which included one male participant, for utilising the opportunity to become empowered. “You have decided that you need to learn a bit more to make yourself successful, to make yourself self-reliant, to give yourself the power to make decisions as it relates to your business and also, as you will learn over the course of this workshop, to your personal life,” she said. She encouraged the participants to complete the workshop, noting that the principles that have been taught during the sessions have empowered persons who embraced them to enhance their lives and livelihoods. The First Lady noted

too that to date, over 500 persons countrywide have benefited from the training since its launching in September 2015. She extended gratitude to the Ministry of Social Protection, which provides financial support for the workshops. The events are held in collaboration with Interweave Solutions (Guyana) Incorporated. Facilitator - Interweave Solutions (Guyana) Incorporated, Sanjay Yohan Pooran, provided an overview of the event. He said his organisation “has been a proud partner of the First Lady empowering women and men across this country, helping to teach basic business skills, but more than that, we emphasise and teach the importance of having balance in our homes, balance and happiness in our communities and also stability in our businesses. These three pillars can help any individual live a holistic life.” According to the release, several participants expressed the hope that the workshop will improve their ability to expand their businesses. One participant, Erica Austin, a small-business owner of Buxton, said that she is eager to learn how to better manage her business. “I would like to gather more knowledge about running the business and how I could be more

successful in what I do. I have high expectations … to empower myself more and to press on with whatever I’m doing and to [better manage] my costs … and to be successful,” she said. Evelyn Estwick, who owns a small food-processing business, said that she wants to learn how to expand her venture. “Well, my expectation is to gather a lot of knowledge, so it could help me with my little business… so it can grow in some way and I could manage it on my own,” she said. Another participant, Asanta Gill of Haslington, who operates a retail clothing business, expressed confidence that the workshop will help to empower her. “I think it’s going to educate me more about the business and give me the knowledge that I need to succeed in life,” she said. The workshop was attended by Joycelyn Wilson and Fitzroy Younge, Trustee of Tipperary Hall, who both assisted with coordinating the sessions in Buxton. Pastor Terry Thomas, Victor Graham, Chairman of the Management Committee of Tipperary Hall and Facilitators - Interweave Solutions (Guyana) Incorporated, Wayne Barrow and Crystal Baptiste also attended the opening ceremony of the event.

Man allegedly found uprooting ganja plants A KAMWATTA farmer on Tuesday, pleaded guilty to the charge of drug possession when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. He was allegedly found uprooting cannabis plants. It is alleged that on July 8, 2017, Anthony Daniels of Kamwatta Village, North West District, had cannabis in his possession. According to Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore, the police visited Daniels’ farm based on information they received. Upon their arrival, they saw the 26-year-old uprooting

three cannabis plants, two about 3 feet tall and the third one being 6 feet tall. The farmer admitted that he normally uses the plants for medication and planted them himself. He was then arrested. “It is for my health” said Daniels, when he was asked if there is anything he would like to say by Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Leann. Daniels was fined $10,000 and will spend the next two months doing community service at the Kamwatta Primary School for 2 hours every day, or will spend 6 months in prison if he fails to do so.

1, 010 inmates accounted for 21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

… eight on the run

GOVERNMENT on Tuesday announced that a total of 1,010 prisoners from the Georgetown Prisons are accounted for and confirmed that eight are still on the run following Sunday evening’s riot at the Camp Street Prison, which resulted in one officer being shot and the complex destroyed. In a statement issued through the Department of Public Information (DPI), government said of the 1,010 inmates some were moved to Mazaruni while the majority remain at Lusignan where they were transferred following the riot. Meanwhile, of the eight prisoners at large, four have been identified as: Mark Royden Williams aka Smallie; Uree Varswyck aka Malcolm Gordon; Stafrei Hopkinson

Alexander and Cornelius Thomas (a Trinidadian). The DPI mentioned that one newspaper had reported that Dellon Henry aka `Nasty Man’ is among the escapees but this has not yet been officially announced. Director of Prisons (DoP), Gladwin Samuels, speaking to the DPI on Tuesday, also confirmed that nine inmates had escaped during the riot and another one while being transferred to Lusignan. This prisoner- Shawn Collins 20 of Lot 6 Ketley and Drydale Streets was recaptured on Hadfield Street the same night. He is in jail on a charge of murder. The second inmate to have been recaptured is Shamudeen Mohamed. He was recaptured Monday evening. The DPI said that on

Sunday there were 1018 prisoners registered at the Georgetown Prisons. Of the 1,018 registered inmates, 980 inmates were at the prison at the time of the fire/breakout. The other 38 inmates were out of the prison on labour duties, a common feature of prison life for low risk prisoners. According to the DPI, the 38 inmates who were out on labour duties were returned to the location on Sunday evening and are all accounted for. The riot on Sunday evening started when inmates lit simultaneous fires in the buildings and one officer was held hostage reportedly by mass killer, Royden Williams, DoP Samuels told the media late Sunday night. The prison director noted that around 16:45hrs on Sunday,

Wanted: Uree Varswyck he received two phone calls, one from the prison and one from a civilian, informing him of the situation at Camp Street. He said that he was told that an officer was being held hostage and following an exchange of gunshots, the prison’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) were activated. Samuels said the wooden sections of the prison at the corner of Durban and John Streets, as well as another wooden area close

Wanted: Stafrei Hopkinson Alexander

Wanted: Mark Royden Williams

to the corner of John and Bent Streets, were set ablaze. Those areas, known as the strong-cell division and the condemned division, were immediately attended to as evacuation of the prisoners commenced. Samuels said that from his observation, all the wooden buildings at Camp Street were damaged or completely gutted and the Prison Sports Club, which was used as holding area, was subse-

quently set on fire and destroyed. Samuels said that there were no signs of unrest prior to Sunday and according to him, based on reports, the fires served as distractions which resulted in the break for freedom by the escapees. He said the duty officer, who could have been able to provide an account of what had transpired, is among other prison officers who are hospitalised.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

Essequibians complain about frequent power outages

BUSINESSES and residents in sections of the Essequibo Coast have just about had it with the persistent power

outages over the last six days. “We tired of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL),” said President of

the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce, Deelep Singh, who said that places such as Anna Regina and Charity have either

been without electricity or have been experiencing ‘load shedding’ for days on end. Due to the prolonged

power outages, he said, people have had to throw out a lot of perishable stock, because they’d

Region Two Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt either gone off, or were on the verge of doing so. Chairman of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Devanand Ramdatt, in a statement on his Facebook page, not only decried the frequency of the blackouts, but the lack of communication as well. “The lack of information created discomfort to residents, particularly small entrepreneurs, and by extension the business community, who were caught unprepared,” Singh said, adding that they expect to hear from the relevant authorities how they plan addressing the situation. Residents commented under the Chairman’s Facebook post, saying that GPL’s ommission to advise them in a timely manner is an arrant disregard for the people of Region Two. “Since Friday we are without power; we get little electricity on and off, then it cut off again… I had meat, fish and food in my fridge! All spoil!” lamented one resident. For some, no electricity usually means no water and no phone to use, Singh said. The Guyana Chroni-

cle understands that the region suffers from persistent power outages from time to time, but according to Singh, this is the longest they’ve ever been without electricity. He said that on many occasions, he and Ramdatt have had to call a meeting with the GPL branch manager to discuss the situation, but there is little else they can do. “We have two generators here, and from all indications, those two have outlived their workable capacity,” Singh said, adding that GPL workers have been salvaging the

President of the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce, Deelep Singh parts of one of the generators to repair another. This publication was informed that even the police station does not have a stand-by generator. GPL Public Relations Officer, Shevon Sears, told this publication on Sunday that the company is well aware of the situation in areas such as Anna Regina, Supenaam and La Union. She, however, noted that it is not a case of consistent blackouts, but rather a matter of load- shedding, which is caused by a dysfunctional engine, and that engineers are working on having it repaired.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

M&CC clueless –– about relocation of Merriman Mall vendors

By Telesha Ramnarine THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is clueless at the moment about the fate of those barbers and cosmetologists of the Merriman Mall who were given up to this month-end to relocate their businesses. Wi t h r o u g h l y t w o weeks remaining, no one, including Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, Town Clerk Royston King and Chairman of the Markets and Public Health Committee and Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikarran, can say definitively what arrangements are in place for the vendors. At the statutory meeting on Monday, councillors heard that the City Hall administration continues to ‘drag its feet’ in getting certain things done. The administration, headed by King, had made clear in the past that it was waiting on the Markets Committee to come up with ideas for relocation. The Merriman Mall vendors had been subjected to a roller-coaster approach by the M&CC in the not-too-distant past, often being removed and then placed back at the facility. The last word om the matter was that they had until July 31 to remove, but the vendors have reportedly submitted another petition to the M&CC to have their stay extended, and although adamant in the past that they should remove because of to public health issues, the mayor has now softened her approach. “They are residents of this city; I will do whatever I can to assist,” ChaseGreen said in response to Councillor Trichria Richards on Monday, who was against the M&CC entertaining any more petitions

from the vendors. According to Richards, the barbers and cosmetologists are not actively pursuing their relocation,

Councillor Trichria Richards because they have found that they are continuing to be granted extensions. “If we keep entertaining them, our three years will be up and they will still be there,” said Richards. The town clerk reportedly has a plan in mind to transform the said area in a way that will allow the vendors to remain. But this matter has not yet reached the Council for deliberations. Earlier this year, the mayor had said that the Merriman Mall vendors have been disgracing the Council by their untidiness. “We will not tolerate it!” Chase-Green had said. “The Council agreed, by a recommendation from the Markets’ Public Health Committee, that they should have been gone long ago. “We tried our utmost best [sic] to ensure that no one is left without sending their child to school, or providing a meal by having them there. But it is not in the best interest of the city, the condition that place is being left in.

“They have three barbers there who have the place looking good, compared to the female cosmetologists. The men show-

ing the women them up on that place; we can’t tolerate that kind of lawlessness.” The M&CC have al-

ways said that they are not responsible for relocating the vendors, but the vendors continue to look to the municipality

for assistance, considering that they have been occupying that spot for years and have been paying fees.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

Mayor worried about M&CC preparedness for emergencies

THE fire at the Georgetown prisons on Sunday has prompted Mayor Patricia Chase-Green to remind City Hall’s administration, headed by Town Clerk Royston King, that instead of sitting with paper and pen only, it needs to be pre-

pared for emergencies. “After going home from that fire last night, I recognised: “How are we prepared as a city to deal with such things? Had it been one of our assets, what plans do we have in place? What evacuation plans do we have in

place? How do we go about it?” Chase-Green pondered. She was addressing city councillors at the usual statutory meeting at City Hall on Monday. “Those of us who look at the [series] ‘Criminal Minds’ can understand that we have people within our

society with that kind of thinking,” she said. As such, Chase-Green has called for City Hall’s security committee to draft a backup plan in the case of an emergency. “What is your ‘B’ backup plan? What is your ‘C’ backup plan? As elected

mothers and fathers of the city, I am pleading with you to understand the seriousness of the management of this city.” Chase-Green called on the administration, along with the Legal Affairs Committee, heads of departments and chairmen of the various committees to have a serious look at what plans are in place in the event of a crisis. “I seriously want administration to deal with it so we have arrangements in place. Where do you relocate? Where do you do X, Y and Z? What staff strength do

you have in case of emergency? Who can you call other than the Constabulary? Is there another back up plan? Is there another department on standby? Do you have the Engineer’s Department on standby to do X, Y and Z? Those are the things you need to have in cases of emergency, instead of running helter-skelter,” stated Chase-Green. “The administration cannot just sit with paper and pen; they need to let other staff members share the responsibility of saving our assets,” she continued.

Additional $300M pumped into CJIA expansion AN additional $300M has been pumped into the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project to facilitate the completion of the project. During a recent parliamentary sitting, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, pointed out that the $300M is in addition to the $9B allocated in the 2017 budget for the expansion. The minister outlined that the terminal building area will increase from 13,431 square metres to 13,737 square metres; checking counters will be increased from 20 to 32 and the length and original scope of the runway will be increased from 1066 metres to 1090 metres. In 2011, the previous administration and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) had inked a US$150M contract for the expansion. Minister Patterson said to date local expenditure has amounted to US$4.8M with a balance of US$3.1M. Minister Patterson said the project will not exceed the contract sum. “The contract to China Harbour is US$138M, there’s a contract for supervision the government has to pay, which was penned by my predecessor for US$5.9M. We had to pay the consultancy, local Pari passu (at the same rate) and that comes out the $150M. It has always been $150M, we always said we will never exceed it, we will do better and finish a greater and better project with the $150M.” To date, the project is on schedule with approximately 65 percent completed. On completion, the US$150M expansion projected is expected to have two air passenger boarding bridges for passengers’ arrival and departures; a 450-seating departure area, escalators and elevators in addition to an extended runway catering for larger categories of aircraft. This will enable Guyana to tap into its marketing tool and capitalise on its mission to be the gateway to South America. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

Vendors outside GPHC a hindrance in an emergency –– M&CC wants them inside hospital compound

THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) does not know for sure if the vendors outside the Georgetown Hospital are registered, and in possession of the necessary food handler’s and other certification. The matter was raised at the statutory meeting on Monday when Mayor Patricia Chase-Green observed that back in 1978, just a single vendor operated outside of the hospital as compared to today when there are about 13. At least three such vendors, she said, are positioned in such a way as to cause an obstruction in the event of an emergency at the hospital. She recalled how in the past, the hospital featured a canteen and a haberdashery shop that was a favourite with pregnant women. “We’re the managers of this city,” the mayor said, adding that action needs to be

registered, and having the necessary licences in keeping with the rules governing vending. Councillor Monica Thomas was of the opinion that even though the M&CC does not want to put anyone out of business, the matter is one that has to do with public health, and the Council has to take into account the environmental

Councillor Oscar Clarke taken on the matter. She, however, wants to proceed with caution. “We should not deprive anyone of their livelihood; I’m not going to bulldoze anyone at this point,” she said. She is suggesting that the hospital meets with the vendors, and possibly offer them a space within the hospital compound for them to carry on their business. But this would require their being

Jury empanelled in Aniki Jones murder trial A TWELVE-MEMBER jury was on Tuesday morning empanelled before Justice Nareshwar Harnanan in the Georgetown High Court for the trial into the December 15, 2013 murder of Carl Garnett. On trial is Aniki Jones, who pleaded not guilty to the offence and is being represented by attorney-at-law, Mark Conway in association with Keoma Griffith. The state prosecutors are Shawnette Austin, Siand Dhurjon and Lisa Cave. It is alleged that on the day in question at about 19:00hrs, linesman Carl Garnett, with whom Jones had earlier had a heated argument over the phone, made good on a threat and went over to Jones’ home with a cutlass and just started to chop him up. According to reports, both men suffered severe in- DEAD: Carl Garnett juries during the exchange, and had to be taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Unfortunately,Garnett,42,succumbed to his injuries, and Jones, who reportedly admitted to inflicting the fatal blow, was subsequently charged. Reports are that the reason the two men had come to blows was because the deceased, who is the father of Jones’ girlfriend’s four children, had called to speak with them.

Councillor Monica Thomas

aspect of what is happening. “Do they have the certificates? Are they eligible? Do they have their food handlers certificates? The Public Health Department needs to be more involved in this vending issue,” Thomas said. Councillor Oscar Clarke, on the other hand, feels that institutions like the hospital

ought to have canteens to be able to serve their staff and the public and not have them in the streets. He noted that it is the M&CC that allowed this situation in the first place, and that council will have to take a formal decision to contact the hospital and other agencies guilty of the practice.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

Wednesday July 12, 2017 - 05:00 hrs Thursday July 13, 2017 Friday July 14, 2017 -

05:00 hrs 08:30 hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 12, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 12, 2017

‘Multi’ make successful start to redemption with 5-0 win over LTI By Rawle Toney FOUR-time champions and the tournament’s most storied team, Christianburg/ Wismar Secondary, got off to a perfect start in this year’s DIGICEL Schools Football Tournament with a 5-0 win over the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) yesterday. Playing at the Wisburg

Secondary School ground, the team popularly known as ‘Multi’, will play New Silvercity Secondary on July 14, thanks to a double from Jehu Regis, and a goal each from Omar Brewley, Jermaine Mason and Darwayne Adolphus. After losing for only the second time in the tournament last year to Chase Academy in the final, the

Linden-based team vowed to return stronger this year to redeem the title which they call their own. It was obvious that LTI were no match for Multi who ran riot on their defence for the duration of the match. So dominant were Multi on both ends of the pitch, that LTI were not able to get a shot off throughout the contest. The first half ended 2-0

Almost $4M at ... field that I feel warranted the increase in price money structures.” This year, Star Party Rentals and Douglas and Associates Law Firm have come on board as sponsors of the event, joining returning sponsors Banks DIH, Fly Jamaica, National Sports Commission (NSC), the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), Quality Plus, IAAF, CONSUDATLE and Ramada Georgetown Hotel. “Despite not having names like Usain Bolt, I’m sure that if you will be scorched at the Leonora Stadium, we look for it an action-packed meet on Saturday and we encourage fans to come in their numbers and once again we lured a lien for initiative and thanks for having Banks on board,” said Banks DIH Communications Manager Troy Peters. Banks DIH is sponsoring the event under their Powerade, Rainforest Waters, and Malta Supreme

South Africa Racing Tips Greyville 08:50 hrs Ideal Winter 09:25 hrs Big Si 10:00 hrs Buffalo Soldier 10:35 hrs Friend Request English Racing Tips Yarmouth 09:00 hrs Chatburn 09:35 hrs Katebird 10:10 hrs Daisy Boy 10:45 hrs Dubara 11:20 hrs Cool Team 11:55 hrs Turning Gold 12:25 hrs Moi Aussie Catterick 09:10 hrs Staff College 10:45 hrs Miraseel 10:20 hrs Tie Em Up 10:55 hrs Heir Of Excitement 11:30 hrs Project Bluebook 12:05 hrs Arabela Dawn 12:35 hrs Great Colaci 13:05 hrs Vintage Dream

brands. In addition to the inc re a s e d i n t e r n a t i o n a l events, the cash prizes for the national events increased from US$200 to US$500. However, Pompey explained, that the meet is still far from where it needs to be, as some events still remain to be sponsored. “There still are a couple events that are unnamed and we would be grateful for any last-minute sponsors. There are a couple of field events as well as the women’s 1500m and that’s not sponsored. Additionally, for the national events to be upgraded to international events by attracting world class athletes, the cash prizes for those events will also need to increase significantly. “It has to be worth it to the athletes and then you can see that’s why the other events are more populated. That’s why we have so many more events where there Lingfield 10:00 hrs Quinquereme 10:35 hrs Hearty 11:10 hrs Honourable Knight 11:45 hrs Take Shelter 12:15 hrs Royal Liberty 12:50 hrs Glenamoy Lad Irish Racing Tips Dundalk 09:15 hrs Vocal Activity 09:50 hrs Dilmun 10:25 hrs Cut The Deck 11:00 hrs Al Chan 11:35 hrs Abstraction 12:10 hrs Diodorus 12:40 hrs Dodgybingo American Racing Tips Delware Park Race 1 All Out of Aces Race 2 Winplaceorshowono Race 3 Nightclubber Race 4 Doodle Hopper Race 5 The Stranger Race 6 Yo Soy El Lobo Race 7 El Cojo Paa Race 8 Prancing Warrior Race 9 Tiffanys Dream

Continued from back page

are Olympians and World Championship qualifiers because the prize money structure reflects that. Hopefully with the public support, and the continued corporate support and the support of the government we can see all those events being fielded by an international field; that’s the process that were working to,” Pompey explained.

with Multi finding the net through Regis (13th minute) and Adolphus just before the stroke of halftime. The second stanza saw Multi show off their offensive power, as Brewley stroked home a beautiful header; towering above three defenders to place the ball out of the goalkeeper’s reach. Brewley then beat several defenders and then un-

selfishly set-up Regis for his second goal in the 55th minute. Mason, ten minutes later, collected a pass from Brewley to score the game’s fifth goal to hand Multi a comfortable win. The team have played in every final of the DIGICEL tournament from its inception. After losing to the Gov-

ernment Technical Institute (GTI) in the inaugural tournament, Multi went on to win four consecutive finals but Chase Academy ended their reign last year, defeating them 1-0 in the final at the Guyana National Stadium. The final for this year’s tournament will be played at the Leonora Track and Field Centre on July 31.

Rain spoils Afghanistan’s ... by Brendon McCullum, the former New Zealand skipper, but he could muster only five runs, before being caught behind as the home team struggled at the start. Former Pakistan bats-

man Misbah-ul-Haq also fell early, caught behind on seven, before a stand of 150 for the third wicket between Sam Hain and Nottinghamshire’s Samit Patel ensured the hosts posted a respect-

Continued from back page

able score. Noor Ali Zadran was the only Afghan wicket to fall in their five overs, before the heavens opened once more, this time bringing an end to the match.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 12, 2017

Venus rises again to stop Ostapenko in her tracks … becomes oldest women’s semi-finalist LONDON, England (Reuters) - Venus Williams handed out another lesson to one of Wimbledon’s young upstarts when she beat Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 7-5 yesterday to become the oldest women’s semi-finalist for 23 years. The five-time champion, who turned 37 last month, tamed the big-hitting Latvian with a rock-solid performance under the Centre Court roof, winning with something to spare. Ostapenko turned women’s tennis upside down when she rocketed out of the pack to claim her first professional title at the French Open last month and the feisty 20-yearold appeared to be gathering momentum on the All England Club lawns.

A rare French Open/Wimbledon double looked within reach for Ostapenko who had struck 121 winners en route to the last eight. But old maestro Williams, who had already schooled a 21-year-old and two teenagers en route to her 38th grand slam quarter-final, has seen it all before and barely flinched. There was a wobble when she dropped serve with a double-fault in the second set -- giving Ostapenko renewed belief -- but she never looked ruffled as she reached the semi-finals here for the 10th time in 20 visits. Making her Centre Court debut Ostapenko was a little more subdued than normal but received a glowing report from the veteran of 75 grand

Venus Williams of the U.S. celebrates winning the quarter-final match against Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko. (REUTERS/Tony O’Brien)

slam campaigns. “She went for a lot of shots. She competed really well. She kept herself really in the game with her attitude. I thought she

just did a lot of things really well and kept it close,” Williams, who made her Wimbledon debut in 1997, a few weeks after Ostapenko was born, told reporters. “I never played her. Didn’t really know what to expect. I was really happy to come out on top.” SLOW START Ostapenko, who three years ago served notice of her talent by winning the Wimbledon junior title, said she paid for the slow start which allowed Williams to sprint into a 3-0 lead. “I was missing a little bit,” Ostapenko, who tasted defeat

for the first time in 12 grand slam singles matches, said. I was not playing bad, but I was just not playing the way I wanted to play today. I wasn’t serving so well.” Ostapenko shovelled a backhand into the net in the second game to gift Williams a break and the American breezed through the opener in 29 minutes -- sealing it when Ostapenko completely missed an attempted service return. Williams secured an early break in the second set but a double-fault allowed Ostapenko to break back and briefly the Latvian livewire looked dangerous with some

bludgeoning winners. Ostapenko was two points from squaring the match when 10th seed Williams served at 4-5 but narrowly missed the line with a forehand howitzer at 30-30, to the relief of her opponent. Williams capitalised on some errors to break in the next game and held to love to claim victory. Since winning Wimbledon in 2008, her seventh major, Williams has only reached the final here once, losing to Serena in 2009. But without her younger sibling for company this time, however, a sixth title beckons.

Former SA bowler Tsotsobe handed eight-year ban for match-fixing

Lonwabo Tsotsobe joins the list of those banned. (AFP)

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (Reuters) - Former Test bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe has been banned for eight years, taking to seven the number of South African players kicked out of the game for their part in a 2015 match-fixing scandal, Cricket South Africa said yesterday. The 33-year-old, who played in five Tests and 61 one-day internationals, was charged in April with contriving to fix or improperly influence matches in the South

Africa domestic Twenty20 Series and seeking to accept, or agreeing to accept, a bribe. Tsotsobe admitted one charge of contriving to fix a match and nine separate charges of failing to cooperate properly with various investigations. “I was, at the time, in a very vulnerable financial state and this dilemma too easily persuaded me to participate in spot-fixing,” he said in a statement. “There are no words to describe the regret I have in

relation to my actions and I hope that the cricket world could consider my apology and understand my deepest feeling of remorse.” Gulam Bodi, Jean Symes, Pumi Matshikwe, Ethy Mbhalati, Thami Tsolekile and Alviro Petersen were previously banned for between two and 20 years for their part in the scandal, although CSA has long held that no matches were actually fixed. The investigation is now closed.

Konta makes history by beating Halep in quarter-final epic LONDON, England (Reuters) - Johanna Konta sealed a Wimbledon semi-final spot yesterday in a feast of tension-filled tennis, powering past Simona Halep 6-7(2), 7-6(5), 6-4 to become the first British woman to reach the last four in almost 40 years. The second-seeded Romanian shaded the early Centre Court exchanges, pounc-

ing on errors and breaking serve to lead 3-0, as the Briton struggled to keep her searing groundstrokes in court. But with cheers and cries of “C’mon Jo” echoing around the roofed-in arena, sixth seed Konta fought back, cranking up her serve and winning eight straight points to draw level at 4-4. Halep won the first set on a tiebreak with Konta, having

squandered a clutch of break points, returning the favour in the second. The intensity moved up a notch in the third set as the Briton hit harder and the Romanian tightened her defence, before Konta broke in the fifth game and held her nerve to serve the match out. Virginia Wade was the last British woman to reach the semi-finals in 1978.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 12, 2017

DIGICEL Football

A Leitch helmet-trick powers Manchester Secondary; JC Chandisingh run riot against Skeldon Line 10-0 By Colin Bynoe IN football, a striker’s sole purpose on the pitch is to score goals - something Carlos Leitch did on his own. Leitch scored four goals on Monday, to help guide Manchester Secondary to a 4-1 win over Skeldon Line Path Secondary in the first of two exciting matches, played at the Burhnam Park ground. Skeldon Line Path, playing with an 8-man unit, opened the `scoring as early as the 4th minute with a goal from Brandt Peneux. Little did they know that attempt would be their only goal of the match. Many defensive errors occurred in the match for both teams, Carlos Leitch capitalised on one of those defensive errors to hit in the equaliser in the 23rd minute.

The competition’s first helmet-trick, comes from Manchester Secondary’s Carlos Leitch.

By halftime the score read 1-1 After the resumption, with both teams enjoying

a 15-minute respite, it was Leitch who displayed a hunger for more goals. He wasted no time as he hit home his second goal in the 40th minute. By that time it was evident that the Manchester lad took the sting out of the 8-man Skeldon Line Path. Leitch continued to torment the limited Skeldon Line Path as he secured two easy goals in the 67th and 69th minute. He scored all 4 goals. Manchester will move another step in the competition with the win. Match two, JC Chandisingh battled Lower Corentyne from 15:30hrs. Lower Corentyne Secondary were taught a harsh lesson. They found scoring very difficult and surrendered 10 goals to JC Chandisingh. The number of goals outnumbered the number

Jammers outplay NA Warriors 62-45, seal semi-final berth ROSE Hall Town Jammers dominated New Amsterdam Warriors in a Group B fixture, to book a place in the semi-finals of the Berbice Amateur Basketball Association (BABA) 2017 tournament for teams in Berbice and sponsored by Nigel Hinds Financial Net. The game was contested last Sunday at the Area ‘H’ Basketball Court in Rose Hall Town. Jammers enjoyed the best of the game, outplaying the Warriors from jump ball, and played at a frenetic pace early on. By the first quarter they led 19-11. When the half-time whistle blew the score was 29-21 in favour of the Jammers. The team from New Amsterdam, after realising that they were being outplayed, went back to the drawing board and planned their strategy to out-manoeuvre the Jammers who were attacking relentlessly and looking ominous up to that point. The visiting NA Warriors tried their best in the third quarter to make a comeback, reducing the lead to 6. But by the end of the third quarter the score read 36-30. The Jammers stepped up

the energy level of the game in the fourth quarter and poured in 26 points to extend their dominance in the game, which ended 52-45.

to the West Coast of Berbice. Ithaca Hardliners will take on Fyrish Black Shark at Ithaca Basketball Court at 16:00hrs. Six teams are involved in

Part of the action in last Sunday’s encounter

For the Jammers, Mickle Lewis had a game-high 22 points and 7 rebounds, while Perry Cort, who had an outstanding all-round game sank 18 points, collected 4 rebounds and 6 steals. David Hope had 11 points 2 steals. For the losing NA Warriors, Malcolm Mickle nailed 13 points 4 rebounds 4 steals, Kwesi Mickle 10 points 6 rebounds and Romone Rogenay 9 points 5 rebounds. The next game will move

the competition which is being played on a round-robin basis in two zones. Zone A includes Canje Knight, Fyrish Black Shark and Ithaca Hardliners and Zone B - Rose Hall Town Jammers, Hopetown Stealers and New Amsterdam Warriors. Trophies, cash and other incentive are up for grabs. The tournament is being organised by Vibert Garrett, president of the BABA. (Colin Bynoe)

of players Lower Corentyne fielded. They featured a 7-man unit. As early as the 5th minute Stephono Pestano opened the scoring for JC. Evidently Lower Corentyne weren’t prepared. Jaheim Crandon made his mark 5 minutes later, scoring his team’s second goal in the 9th minute. Two more effortless goals were scored in the 24th and 30th minutes to close the first half at 4-0. When the game resumed, JC Chandisingh were in a goal-scoring frenzy. They drilled home six more goals by the end of the final whistle, in the 48th, 61st, 69th, 74th, 87th, 89th minutes. The competition intensified throughout the week with exciting matches in the DIGICEL schools football competition Region 6 leg.

Shastri named India coach until 2019 World Cup MUMBAI, India (REUTERS) - Former all-rounder Ravi Shastri has been appointed India coach until the 2019 World Cup, the country’s cricket board (BCCI) said in a statement yesterday.

Ravi Shastri was India’s team director before Anil Kumble’s appointment as coach

The 55-year-old Shastri will replace former captain Anil Kumble, who stepped down as coach last month after falling out with captain Virat Kohli, despite enjoying a successful run during his year in charge. The BCCI also named former India seamer Zaheer Khan as the team’s bowling consultant while former batting great Rahul Dravid was appointed as batting consultant for overseas Test series. Shastri, also a renowned TV commentator, was appointed India’s team director in August 2014 with Duncan Fletcher as head coach. The former Test all-rounder was put solely in charge after Fletcher’s term came

to an end following India’s semi-final defeat at the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Last year the BCCI formed the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising former players Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, who chose Kumble for the India’s head coach position ahead of Shastri, who had also applied. Kumble’s original contract expired with India’s Champions Trophy campaign, but the former leg-spinner was tipped to get an extension after leading the country to 12 victories in 17 Tests with one loss. Kumble, India’s most successful bowler, also guided the team to one-day international series wins over New Zealand and England, with losses coming only in a Twenty20 series against West Indies and in the Champions Trophy final, which they lost to Pakistan.Shastri was among five candidates interviewed by the CAC on Monday to fill the vacant position, with Indians Virender Sehwag and Lalchand Rajput, Australian Tom Moody and Englishman Richard Pybus being the others. The first assignment for the new coaching set-up will start later this month when India tour Sri Lanka to play three Tests, five one-dayers and one Twenty20 international.

UDFA GT Beer Super Cup football

Hosts UDFA team clobber East Bank 4-1; East Coast, Essequibo play to 1-1 draw By Joe Chapman UPPER Demerara Football Association (UDFA) fans relished their team’s opening 4-1 win over East Bank in the first-ever UDFA GT Beer $6M ‘Super Sunday Night Super Cup’ football championship, played at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. In the other game East Coast and Essequibo Pomeroon played to a 1-1 draw. The spectators included Regional Chairman of Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice) Renis Morian and Guyana Football Federation (GFF) president. At the start of this championship for association teams numbering eight, Upper Demerara, showed confidence in the second game with Denzil Fordyce getting a double and his teammates Kellon Primo and DeShawn Dey each netting once to set the tone for the home side in this preliminary group play of four district teams in separate groups. The Group A matchups began with East Coast and Essequibo beginning the scoring when Romario Walcott netted in the 25th minute for his team to get the lead and this they enjoyed until 20 minutes into the second half when the East

Coast side levelled the scores through Shamar Scott in the 65th minute. The game ended with the scores tied so they shared points. However, the home side Upper Demerara made a bright start with a dominant display beating East Bank 4-1,.led by the steady play from national midfield player Clive De Nobrega who had four assists. the UDFA side came away with full points in their opening group play.

from a set by De Nobrega as he scored his second goal and a 3-0 lead for UDFA. In the 60th minute UDFA again netted, this time through DeShawn Dey from a flat square ball on the left wing that he thudded home and UDFA enjoyed a 4-0 advantage until their defence slackened. East Bank were able to reduce that lead when Delroy Dodson found the back of the net in the 79th minute. But the game was

UDFA scorers DeShawn Dey, Kellon Primo and Denzil Fordyce

Denzil Fordyce opened their scoring after receiving a high cross from De Nobrega for a headshot into the back of the net in the 25th minute of the first half. Two minutes from halftime Primo collected a through ball from De Nobrega and slotted it past the East Bank goalkeeper for a 2-0 advantage which they held going into the second half. Ten minutes after the second half resumed, Fordyce grabbed his second goal again

beyond the East Bank side’s ability and the game ended 4-1 in favour of the Linden team. The round-robin competition will continue on Sunday with another double-header. This time in Group B the teams from Bartica, Georgetown, West Demerara and Berbice will meet again at the tournament venue. The top four teams from the two groups will advance to semifinals and then decide the finalists for a top prize of $2M.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 12, 2017

GTT donates balls to Fruta Conquerors summer camp

GTT PRO Allison Parker hands over a ball to Fruta Conquerors’ secretary Daniel Thomas while participants of the Youth camp look on.

THE Guyana Telephone Telegraph company (GTT) has signed on to the Fruta Conquerors Football Club’s Youth Football summer camp by donating 20 footballs during a small session yesterday. The Telecommunications giant handed over the balls to the Club’s secretary Daniel Thomas on Tuesday and according to Public Relations Officer Allison Parker, the company has always fostered a good relationship with the football club. The camp began on July 10 and is scheduled to end on July

28 at the club’s Tucville location. According to Parker, following a request for six footballs, the company decided to donate 20 footballs instead, adding that the company is looking to assist in further avenues where possible. Meanwhile, Thomas, who is also the facilitator of the Youth camp noted that the club’s mandate is to ensure that those students on school break are involved in positive activities objective to gainfully occupy the youths of the surrounding community during the school break.

The programme, Thomas noted, is not just focused on pure football drills but also on academics with remedial lessons in English and Mathematics being taught during the morning sessions. He explained that two teachers volunteer to teach the children but are paid a stipend by the club. In addition to these teachers; volunteer lecturers from the University of Guyana will be holding interactive sessions with the older adolescents/teens and parents of the children as well, in an effort to better equip them with knowledge of nurturing and guiding

their children at home. The Youth Camp initiative, which was started by the current Guyana Football Federation (GFF) president Wayne Forde 10 years ago, was taken over by Thomas in 2012. He noted that while the programme started off humbly, the club is now able to provide hot meals for the children through assistance from the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Scotiabank. The participants of the camp who are 50+ in number are merely asked to walk with their gear and no fee is required.

First encampment for National U-15 team concludes today THE national U-15 male team will today wrap up a successful five-day encampment on the West Coast of Demerara. The camp is in preparation for CONCACAF U-15 Boys Championship in the United States of America (USA) from August 13 to 19. In an invited comment, Bryan Joseph, head coach of the National U-15 Boys team said he was pleased with the progress made by the players from the last camp, adding, “We’ve seen progress faster than we’d expected. The team has grown a lot over the last few months and the several en-

Players go through the paces under the watchful eyes of head coach Bryan Joseph.

campments we’ve had. We’re now in a position where we have a clear picture of our potential based on what we have been able to achieve. We also

CRICKETCRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday July 12, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 3-1 in favour of India (one game was declared as a No Result) (2) WI won by nine wickets) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who was declared Man of the Match at the end of the recently-played T20 Int’l game between the WI & India? (2) Who was voted Man of the Series at the end of the recent WI/IND ODI series? ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

have a better understanding of how to prepare the guys.” Joseph said the new players from the GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres (ATC) included in the squad have added a competitive edge to the players, “The camp has got very competitive and every positon within the squad is being challenged by new members so we have observed that both the level of play and commitment have improved. Clearly we have seen the importance of the ATCs and how the developmental path-

way of the players is coming together.” He envisages Guyana to be very competitive in the August tournament: “This is still a process, we don’t have the final product as yet; we continue to build with a solid technical unit that is working together to bring out the best in the team. We expect a competitive tournament and we plan to be equal to the task. Therefore, we’re working to get the young footballers ready to face whomever comes before us.”

Petra/Corona football continues tonight with triple-header THREE more matches are on this evening in the Petra organised Corona sponsored invitational football tournament at the Georgetown Football Club ground. In the first of the three, the Western Tigers, fresh off their Limacol 2017 win returns to action against Black Pearl FC with both teams expected to produce a tooth and nail battle from 17:00. Meanwhile, two hours later, the host club GFC will have to defend its turf from fellow Georgetown side Camptown FC in a battle that has its rivalry dating back years. In the final game of the evening, Police FC will take on Beacons FC. The tournament will feature the 12 top teams in the Georgetown region, playing for $1M in cash and prizes. It will take a round-robin knock-out format where the top four teams in the two groups of six will advance. The tournament was initially set to kick-off on June

30 but had its first round on Sunday last with Northern Rangers and Santos FC tasting victory. The Rangers were in fine form as they disposed of East Veldt 2-0 with an own goal in the 22nd and Sunil Logan’s 64thminute strike as they opened the tournament on a high. Game two on the other hand proved a goal-less stalemate as Flamingo tackled Riddim squad. Game three was an absolute firecracker as Santos downed Pele 4-0. Robby Mc CLaggon’s 9th minute strike gave the lead to Santos before Kenroy Deminick’s 11th minute shot extended that lead in a good one-two fashion which lasted until the end of the half. However, Santos were by no means finished a Josh Parvattan’s 56th minute strike took the score to three nil while Orin Yarde added the final for good measure in the 90+2.

Guyana go down to Windwards in CWI Under 17 50-Overs opener By Brij Parasnath

DESPITE a solid all-round performance by Kevlon Anderson, Guyana lost to Windward Islands by 19 runs in their opening round clash of the Cricket West Indies Under-17 50-Overs competition yesterday. Having played unbeaten and finished as runners-up to Trinidad and Tobago in last year’s competition, Guyana were hoping to maintain their impressive showing at this level in the regional competition. But those aspirations were dashed when the Guyanese players failed to overhaul the 124 runs made by Windwards, who batted first at Gilbert Park, Brechin Castle, Couva. Guyana captain Ashmead Nedd won the toss and invited the Windward Islands team to bat first. The move appeared to have been the right one as the Guyanese bowlers restricted their opponents to a gettable total. Anderson and Junior Sinclair did most of the damage and shared eight wickets between them. Anderson was the chief destroyer and finished with five wickets for 35 runs from 7.4 overs while Sinclair took three wickets for 16 runs from seven overs. Kevin Umrao was impressive with the new ball and finished with analysis of 5-3-3-1. Kimari Melus was Windwards topscorer with 53 that included one six and six fours off 63 deliveries. He shared a 68run third-wicket partnership with Tijourn Pope who made 22 that contained four boundaries, off 33 balls. Lee Solomon was the only other player to reach

double figures and hit three fours off 31 deliveries for his 22. In reply, Guyana batsmen struggled and were all out for 105 in 45.2 overs. Anderson, who batted at the number six position; topscored with 27 and hit one four off 51 balls. Opener Alex Algoo made 11 and he slammed two fours off 33 balls while Alphius Bookie and skipper Nedd were the other batsmen to get double figures. Bookie faced 33 balls and struck one six and one four for 13 runs while Nedd compiled 17 that included two sixes off 35 deliveries. Micah Joseph (10-7-14-2), Simeon Gerson (10-5-10-3) and Janseon Alexander (10-128-3) were highly economical and penetrative to deny the Guyanese the opportunity to celebrate another victory in Trinidad as they did last year. Anderson who captured five wickets and topscored with 27 was voted Player-of-the-Match and was the only consolation for the Guyanese who must win their remaining matches to stay in contention for top honours. Summarised Scores At Gilbert Park, Brechin Castle, Couva: Windwards Islands 124 all out in 33.4 overs (Kimani Melus 53, Tijourn Pope 22, Lee Solomon 22; Kevlon Anderson 5 for 35, Junior Sinclair 3 for 16) beat Guyana 105 all out in 45.2 overs (Kevlon Anderson 27, Ashmead Nedd 17, Alphius Bookie 13, Alex Algoo 11; Simeon Gerson 3 for 10, Janseon Alexander 3 for 28 and Micah Joseph 2 for 14). Player-of-the-Match: Kevlon Anderson (Guyana)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 12, 2017

Dottin blasts Windies fastest ODI ton to secure second win

LEICESTER, England (CMC) – The mercurial Deandra Dottin stroked an aggressive maiden oneday hundred as West Indies Women produced their best performance of an otherwise disappointing campaign, with a 19-run win over Pakistan Women in the ICC Women’s World Cup here yesterday. Sent in at Grace Road in their sixth game of the tournament, West Indies rattled up an authoritative 285 for four off their 50 overs with the right-handed Dottin smashing an unbeaten 104 off just 76 balls. Captain Stafanie Taylor missed out on a sixth career hundred when she perished for 90 while Chedean Nation scored 35 and Merissa Aguilleira, 24 not out. Seamer Asmavia Iqbal led Pakistan with two for 76. Rain during the break forced Pakistan to chase a revised target of 245 off 38 overs but when the adverse

Deandra Dottin smashes a 71-ball hundred to lead West Indies to 285 for 4.

weather returned, they had reached only 117 for three off 24 overs – short of the par score of 136. Javeria Khan top-scored

with an unbeaten 58 off 72 balls while opener Nahida Khan made 40 from 46 deliveries. Veteran off-spinner Anisa Mohammed was once again at the forefront of the Windies attack, taking two for 21 from her four overs. The victory was the Caribbean side’s second on the trot following last Sunday’s 47-run win over Sri Lanka Women in Derby which broke a sequence of four successive defeats. However, it was Dottin who took centre stage, striking the fastest-ever hundred by a West Indies batsman off just 71 balls and the first triple figure score for her side in four years. No such enterprise was envisioned when Asmavia removed both openers cheaply to leave the Windies struggling on 26 for two in the fifth over. Teenager Hayley Matthews got a leading edge back to the right-armer in the very first over to depart for one with

two runs on the board while the left-handed Kycia Knight tickled a catch behind for 17 off 13 balls. Taylor and Nation then steadied the innings in a sensible 87-run, third-wicket stand which established the platform for Dottin’s later assault. The right-handed Taylor was classy in striking 11 pristine fours – comprising mostly cuts and off-side drives – along with a six off 107 balls while Nation faced 68 balls and counted five fours. Approaching the halfway stage of the innings, the right-handed Nation was bowled, missing a sweep at left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu with the Windies on 113 for three in the 25th over. Dottin then joined Taylor and dominated their 91-run, fourth-wicket stand, leading a devastating assault on the Pakistan attack. All told, the 26-year-old Dottin counted 12 fours and three sixes – a combination

West Indies, Sri Lanka vie for last available automatic place for ICC World Cup 2019 ZIMBABWE’S historic series win against Sri Lanka has given the West Indies a glimmer of hope of direct qualification for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 with the gap between two-time former world champions West Indies and 1996 champions Sri Lanka narrowed to 10 points on the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings. India defeated the West Indies by 3-1 and Zimbabwe overpowered Sri Lanka by 3-2, resulting in changes to the ODI team rankings, giving West Indies renewed hope in the race to the September 30, 2017 cutoff date for direct qualification for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Sri Lanka had entered the series against Zimbabwe, needing to win by 4-1 or better to secure a place in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2017. However, the eventual result has brought the West Indies back in contention as Sri Lanka slipped from 93 points to 88 points, which, in turn, has meant the 16 points gap between the eighth and ninth ranked sides has been trimmed to 10 points. According to the current Future Tours Programme, Sri Lanka will now have a second chance to qualify directly for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 when they host India for a five-ODI series in August. And if Sri Lanka win two

or more matches in this series, then it will qualify automatically for the ICC’s pinnacle 50over tournament, irrespective of how England and the West Indies series pans out. However, Sri Lanka’s failure to win two matches against India will mean the West Indies will still have a chance to avoid featuring in next year’s ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

available automatic place in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. The remaining two places will be filed by the top two sides from the 10-team ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018, which will be completed by the bottom four sides from the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings, top four sides from the ICC World Cricket League Championship and top two sides from the ICC

Evin Lewis

If India beat Sri Lanka by 4-1, then the West Indies will have to win all five matches against England. But, if India sweep all five ODIs against Sri Lanka, then the West Indies will need to beat England by 4-0 or better. These permutations give tremendous context to the presently scheduled upcoming ODIs, as Sri Lanka and the West Indies will be fighting tooth and nail to secure the eighth and last

World Cricket League. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe have received points boost following their 3-2 series win. For this achievement, Zimbabwe have earned five points, which lifted them to 52 points – two behind 10th-ranked Afghanistan and 11 ahead of 12th-ranked Ireland. Upcoming ODIs, currently scheduled on the FTP in the lead up to the September 30, 2017 cut-off date, are:

SRI LANKA v INDIA August 20 – 1st ODI, Dambulla August 24 – 2nd ODI, Pallekele August 27 – 3rd ODI, Pallekele August 31 – 4th ODI, Colombo September 3 – 5th ODI, Colombo ENGLAND v WEST INDIES September 19 – 1st ODI Old Trafford September 21 – 2nd ODI, Nottingham September 24 – 3rd ODI, Bristol September 27 – 4th ODI, The Oval September 29 – 5th ODI, Southampton MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings (as on July 11 after West Indies v India and Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe series): RANK TEAM POINTS 1. South Africa 119 2. Australia 117 3. India 114 (-2) 4. England 113 5. New Zealand 111 6. Pakistan 95 7. Bangladesh 94 8. Sri Lanka 88 (-5) 9. West Indies 78 (+1) 10. Afghanistan 54 11. Zimbabwe 52 (+6) 12. Ireland 41 (Developed by David Kendix)

of impetuous off-side strokes and wristy leg-side shots. She started slowly, requiring 16 balls for her first seven runs without a boundary before accelerating to reach her half-century off just 49 deliveries. Dottin took boundaries at will off every bowler and when Asmavia returned for a second spell, she whipped her through mid-wicket for four and then smashed her over long on for six, in the 37th over which leaked 12 runs. She motored to her second fifty off just 22 deliveries, whacking left-arm spinner Sadia Yousuf for a four and a six in the 45th over before smashing back-to-back fours off off-spinner Sana Mir in the 46th over that cost 14 runs. Dottin stormed into the 90s with a pair of boundaries off Sandhu in the 48th before raising her hundred in style by clearing the ropes at long on with Asmavia in the penultimate over.

Taylor had earlier appeared set for three figures before she chipped a return catch to seamer Diana Baig in the 40th over at 204 for four. However, Aguilleira kept Dottin company in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 81 as West Indies picked up the tempo to gather 51 runs from the last five overs. West Indies then struck early when rookie seamer Akeira Peters had Ayesha Zafar caught at mid-on for nine with 27 on the board in the sixth over but Javeria and Nahida put on 80 to raise Pakistan’s hopes. With rain hovering and pressure building on the Windies Mohammed struck two key blows. First, she bowled Nahida with a fulllength delivery as the batsman made room outside leg in the 21st over before having Iram Javed holing out to cover in her next over, trying to clear the infield as the rains arrived.

St. Joseph High make winning start in Sir Garfield Sobers tournament

Topscorer for St Joseph, vice-captain Timothy McCalmont

ST Joseph High School started on a winning note in the Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Cricket tournament by defeating Birkenhead School of The Uinted Kingdom by 11 runs on Monday. Taking first strike, the local lads were dismissed for a competitive 172 in 34 overs,as vice-captain Timothy McCalmont led the way with an even half-century. He was ably supported by Quinton Sampson,32, Stephon Wilson 27,Nkosi Beaton 12 and Tuen Hicks 10.

In their turn at the crease, Birkenhead School were restricted to 169-9 off their 40 overs. Off-spinning all-rounder Nkosi Beaton, all-rounder Quinton Sampson and Stephon Wilson took 2-19, 2-30 and 2-30,respectively. The other local school in the tournament, School of the Nations,did not fare as well as their St Joseph counterparts, going down to Harrison College of Barbados. Batting first, ‘Nations’ were bowled out for a paltry 83 in 34.2 overs. Christopher Baljit topscored with 33, while Ariel Tilqu and Mark Ramsammy contributed 16 and 15, respectively. Harrison College overhauled the ‘Nations’ total in 21.5 overs,reaching 84-4. Mark Ramsammy claimed 2-30 for ‘Nations.’ St Joseph were scheduled to meet Lodge School of Barbados at Bridgefield yesterdayy, while ‘Nations’ were scheduled to play Bryanston School of the UK at the Empire Cricket Club, also yetserdayy. It was reported that St Joseph won by seven wickets,but this could not be confirmed. (Anthony Layne)

West Indies, Sri Lanka vie for last available automatic place See for ICC World Cup 2019 page 39

Almost $4M at stake at this year’s AP Invitational By Tamica Garnett

IT’S going to be more than double the money to be won at this year’s Aliann Pompey (AP) Invitational, where athletes from across 19 countries will descend upon the National Track and Field Centre this Saturday, in Guyana’s biggest international track and field event. This was revealed when the meet was officially launched yesterday at Olympic House. The organiser Aliann Pompey, and representatives from several of the sponsors were also present at the head table. Some US$6 000 was up for grabs at the inaugural hosting of the event last year, but this year will see a whopping US$18 500 for the taking when the best of Guyana’s athletes measure up against their international counterparts, including the likes of world champion Kim Collins, who will be headlining the Banks DIH Men’s 100m. All thanks to the in-

crease in sponsorship that the event has seen, the Men’s triple jump, as well as the Ramada Georgetown Hotel Men’s 400m hurdles and Fly-Jamaica Women’s 400m hurdles will be added as international events, and now join the Banks DIH Men’s and GOA Women’s 100m events as carrying a purse of US$2 000. In those events, first place will get US$1000, while it will be US$600 for second place, and US$400 for third. “I am extremely happy about the level of support for this year’s AP Invitational,” Pompey said. “In all three of those additional events we have Olympians. We have a pretty substantial international

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Rain spoils Afghanistan’s big day at Lord’s ‘Multi’ make successful start to redemption with 5-0 win over LTI See page 35

Afghanistan fans show their colours at Lord’s on Tuesday.’ LONDON, England (Reuters) - Afghanistan were given a traditional British welcome as their first-ever appearance at Lord’s was cut short by rain in a one-day match against a Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) XI. The star-studded MCC side managed 217-6 from a rain-affected 40 overs, setting the tourists 227 to win from their 50 overs. However, the covers came on for the final time five overs into the reply, with Afghanistan 31-1, meaning no result could be reached. The MCC has been very supportive of Afghan cricket,

not least through the charity Afghan Connection. Through this joint initiative, 100 cricket pitches have been built all around Afghanistan for children, with many cricket camps held around the country. Afghans love cricket so much,” said Sarah Fane, founder and CEO of Afghan Connection and said in a news release. “But they hardly had any equipment. So Afghan Connection made a delivery to the national team and began supporting grassroots cricket around the country for the young. “Within a year MCC be-

gan backing Afghan cricket through Afghan Connection’s projects. Since 2009 this has led to 100 cricket pitches being built, serving well over 100 000 Afghan children, as well as provision of equipment and coaching for them.” The match represented a landmark occasion for Afghanistan, less than a month after they were granted international Test status, but the weather put a dampener on events in London. The MCC side, captained

Turn to page 35

Christianburg/Wismar Secondary goalscorers (L-R): Omar Brewley, Jehu Regis, Jermaine Mason and Darwayne Adolphus.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2017