Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 12 10 2016

DTL winds up No. 104702

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

…owes govt millions; to close Mabura operations by year end

P.3

We’ll get to the bottom of it P.2

…GFS says Gafoors fire was either arson or accident

A fireman walks through the rubble in the burnt-out bond at Gafoors

Tagore teachers being probed

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…over sexual assault, drug use allegations

Over 75 buildings destroyed by fire

…$111M set aside for new fire stations, fire tenders P.12

Cubans in court for bogus travel documents P.2

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 12, 2016

We’ll get to the bottom of it …GFS says Gafoors fire was either arson or accident

By Svetlana Marshall THE fire at the Gafoor’s Huston Complex was either maliciously or accidently set and the Guyana Fire Service will get down to the bottom of it, Officer-in-Charge of Operations, Compton Sparman said on Tuesday.

At around 12:00h on Tuesday, Sparman and other officers from the Guyana Fire Service revisited the scene at Huston, East Bank Demerara, even as a team of 13 firemen were doing a “mop-up” exercise to ensure that the fire, which ignited in Bond Six of the Complex on Monday night, was completely extinguished.

In an interview with Guyana Chronicle, the Offi-

cer-in-Charge of Operations said preliminary investiga-

tion into the fire has reveal that the bond was closed at 17:30h; there were no combustible material in the facility and no electricity.

They had gathered these critical pieces of information from the supervisors.

“They said that the bond was closed at 5:30, and we

got the call one hour after at 6:30 and by the time we got here, the entire bond was already engulfed in flames,” Sparman said while noting that this is a major cause for concern.

It was pointed out too that there were non-combustible materials in the bond such as tiles, sanitary hardware and Christmas items, none of which could have caused a fire. “So we want to know how it could propagate at that level. No electricity…No form of heat source that dwells within, so we will have to dig deep,” he posited.

Given the circumstances surrounding the fire, the Officer-in-Charge of Operations said several employees will have to be interviewed by the fire investigators.

“We will have to talk to the persons who dwell within the bond and who last locked the bond up,” he added.

Additionally, Sparman told Guyana Chronicle that the magnitude of the fire could have been significantly reduced if all of the recommendations provided by the Fire Service following the first fire in May were implemented.

While the Management of Gafoor’s was able to erect solid concrete partition walls and enhance ventilation within the facility, it was unable to install the sprinklers.

“We recommended that they do solid concrete walls, what we call partition walls, so if you have a fire, it would be contained and that was done,” he posited.

Additionally, Sparman said too that fire fighters were able to contain the fire to a single bond because of the ventilation mechanism that was in place, but emphasised that the scale of the fire could have been reduced if the sprinklers were installed.

“If you had a sprinkler system, it would not have reached to this level because it would have actuate an alarm, and it would have

started cooling whatever was burning until the fire service arrives,” Officer-in-Charge of Operations further explained.

Owner of the Gafoor’s Huston Complex, Sattaur Gafoor declined to speak with Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday.

However, on Monday while the fire fighters were battling to contain the blaze, he had explained that the sprinklers are being imported and are expected shortly.

He too was unclear as to how the fire started. “Because of the last fire, up to now there is no electricity there. There is no combustible material there. So I am wondering what could have caused the fire. It is very difficult, very difficult, and we would have taken a lot of precautions to ensure that nothing goes wrong,” Gafoor told reporters.

Asked about a possible sabotage, he said only the investigator could make that determination. “Can’t say it is sabotage…only investigators can say that,” he posited.

Some 80 employees are now affected due to the blaze, but it is the hope of Gafoor that no one will be out of a job. Though the fire has caused a dent in the operation of the complex, the non-affected areas at Huston were in business mode.

Cubans in court for bogus travel documents THREE male Cuban nationals were placed on $80,000 bail each when they appeared before City Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to the charge of uttering a forged document.

It is alleged that on October 9, 2016, at Moleson Creek, Corentyne, Guyana with intent to defraud, Osmel Guirola-Aboscol, Andy Perez Rodriguez, and Alain Perez Rodriguez each uttered to Police Constable 22400 Carol their Cuban passports– numbered 1357761, J132153, and J132151, respectively.

In their respective passports contained on pages 4&7, 5&6, and 5, forged immigration stamps, which the three accused allegedly pur-

ported to have been installed

by Immigration Officials at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), knowing same to be false.

Attorney Melvin Duke who represented the men stated that his clients entered Guyana legally and were granted permission to stay until October 17, 2016 and they all reside at Lot 234 Garnett Street Kitty. Duke told the court that the trio approached an individual, who offered to have their stay extended legally. The men handed over their documents to the individual to make the necessary changes.

Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt did not object to bail, however he told the court that the prosecution had the passports their possession. The magistrate asked Hunt on

what basis or authority is the Guyana Police Force holding on to the travel documents, which rightfully belong to the Cuban government. She said the prosecution should have lodged the passports at the respective consulate office.

Hunt made an application for the passports to be forwarded to the Cuban Embassy, where they are to be held pending the outcome of the matter.

Magistrate Latchman then ordered that the documents be kept, in the interim, in the safe custody of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court until the Cuban Ambassador to Guyana or someone delegated by the Cuban Embassy in Guyana uplifts them. The trio will return to court on October 25, 2016.

DTL winds up

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 12, 2016

…owes govt millions; to close Mabura operations by year end

By Svetlana Marshall DEMERARA Timbers Limited (DTL) is reportedly closing down its logging operations at Mabura Hill in Region 10.

The company informed the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) of this new development on Tuesday during a meeting its management held with GAWU at its Head Office in Kingston, Georgetown.

GAWU General Secretary Seepaul Narine told Guyana Chronicle that the meeting was initiated to discuss the “wrongful” dismissal of the 11 workers who had called on the logging company to engage in good-faith negotiations with the union

during a picketing exercise earlier this month.

Narine said that when GAWU requested to have the aggrieved workers reinstated, company officials provided the union with a list of the names of workers who would soon become redundant. GAWU was then verbally informed that the company will be winding up operations at the Mabura Hill location.

Oscar Hector, a contractor who has been working with DTL for more than 25 years, told Guyana Chronicle that the logging company has already terminated the contracts of approximately five contractors, including his, as it begins to scale down operations at Mabura Hill. The contractors were served with

Diamond man on gun, ammo charge A DIAMOND man was on Tuesday remanded to prison when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with gun and ammunition possession.

Carl Carter, 32, appeared before City Magistrate Judy Latchman and pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that on October 8, 2016 at Main Street he had in his possession one .38 revolver and four matching

rounds, while he was not the holder of a firearm license.

Police prosecutor Shawn Gonzales objected to bail on the grounds that no special reasons were stated to the court. Gonzalves also added that Carter has pending matters of similar nature and while he was on bail for these matters he recommitted the offence. Carter was remanded to prison and will return to court November 3.

Man in court for bike fraud THIRTY–six-year-old Andre Richardson of South Ruimveldt appeared on Thursday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a charge of fraudulent conversion.

Particulars of the allegation are that between March 1 and March 31, 2016 at Georgetown, he, being solely entrusted by Coddet Marshall with one Honda motorbike valued $230,000 fraudulently converted same

to his own use and benefit.

Police Prosecutor, Deniro Jones did not object to bail. However he added that only the frame of the bike was recovered. Richardson, unrepresented by an attorney, told the court he had offered the defendant $120,000 but the virtual complainant did not accept the offer. The VC said his bike costs $230,000.

The matter was adjourned to October 21.

the letters of termination approximately two weeks ago.

“No reason (for the termination) was given in the letter. They just said that our contracts will be terminated with effect from November 1,” Hector informed.

Hector has provided DTL with a number of services, including the supply of labour, but his primary contract was focused on the “Green Chain”, which involves measuring and packing logs. The other contractors did felling for the company. Felling is the process of downing or cutting individual trees, an element of the task of logging.

Hector also explained that approximately two months ago, the management of DTL, without any explanation or due notice, closed

down its main sawmill.

The Department of Labour, of the Ministry of Social Protection, had last December issued the company with a stern warning after it had been discovered that some workers were forced to operate a defective machine within the sawmill.

“They were experiencing a problem with a machine in the sawmill, but they were able to repair it; so that could not have resulted in the shutdown,” Hector opined.

Following closure of the sawmill, DTL reportedly hired another contractor, who now operates a portable mill. “He (the contractor) controlling all of the cutting,” Hector said.

Hector has said he is not surprised at the actions of

the company, positing that it has been in the proverbial hot water for several months.

Hector explained that DTL had secured an injunction from the High Court in July, 2016 to prevent the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) from closing down its operations. It was explained that when the company, which was once named Demerara Woods Limited, was privatized in 1991 and renamed Demerara Timbers Limited, it was issued with a 25-year lease agreement called Timber Sales Agreement (TSA).

However, in recent years, DTL has been unable to fulfill many of the requirements under the TSA particularly in regard to production and the payment of royalties.

“Based on my under-

standing, DTL was required to pay the Government US$3M in addition to its royalties, but they (the company) fall down in this aspect and now owes more than $26M in royalties,” Hector explained.

As such, when the company reportedly approached the Forestry Commission for the lease to be renewed, it was met with some level of objection, hence the injunction.

When Guyana Chronicle contacted DTL Sales Manager Robert Perry, he denied that the logging company was closing down.

DTL has recently been advertising in the local newspapers a clearance sale, with wood materials being sold at extremely low prices.

GWMO urges robust anti-crime efforts in interior ‒ concerned about ‘free passage’ of girls into mining districts

By Shauna Jemmott

THE Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) is concerned about the lives of its representatives in Guyana’s hinterland, and the free passage of underage girls into mining districts, although Government has taken steps to end trafficking in persons (TIP) and child labour.

President of the GWMO, Urica Primus, during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, also questioned the apparent lack of interest in regard to investigating killings that occur in remote interior locations, resulting in many of the capital crimes remaining unsolved.

Primus has said that although “we have a government which has committed itself to fighting trafficking in persons, still some stakeholders in the midst of the process fail to cooperate, and encourage the crime instead.”

The GWMO representative in Region Nine had, in recent months, prevented two 16-year-old girls, one being Brazilian, from being trafficked, and had received death threats that resulted in her being removed from the area.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the woman activist had, on July 4, observed

two young girls at Marudi Landing, central part leading to several backdams in the region. “She went over to the woman who they stopped at and asked her to produce identification for the girls and also the circumstances that led to them being there,” Primus explained.

She said the GWMO representative wanted to know if the girls had travelled to the interior to work, or if they were relatives of the woman whose company they were in. No identification was produced, but she recorded the names of the girls, one of whom was Brazilian; and while the Guyanese girl claimed to be 22 years old, the Brazilian said she was 16.

Further contact with Lethem Police Station revealed the true identity of the Guyanese girl to be a 16-yearold mother of one who was wanted by police, but the girl made good her escape at that very moment.

The GWMO collaborated with the police to assist the Brazilian girl to return home, and that was when fresh trouble began for that GWMO member.

“The following night she started receiving death threats, because they feel as though she is a threat to their current arrangements in the back-

dam… One other (GWMO) member overheard two men planning as to how they can kill her. It started getting (more) serious (as) one person even came to her shop and threatened her to her face. The threats continued, and after a week she made arrangements for herself to leave the backdam,”Primus detailed.

Primus said the GWMO members supported their colleague’s move, since the GWMO neither wanted to lose a representative nor see her life go down as another unsolved mystery in the hinterland. “…due to the threats made to the life of our regional representative, we have come to a decision that she would not be going back in; because, at the end of the day, if anything happens to her in there, you can (recall) from case to case of people being killed in mining areas, nothing comes out of it. No one goes to investigate (and) no one gives the family any satisfaction. So we couldn’t risk the same fate happening to one of the members of our organisation.”

Primus also alleged that the Brazilian girl who was rescued complained to the GWMO representative that when she was travelling in to Marudi, “the police officers

told her when she coming out they could stay by them and then go out.”

“So here you have underage girls entering the interior under a government that has pledged to stamp out trafficking, and (police), instead of questioning them, inviting them to come and stay at (their) home,” Primus said.

She said the organisation is concerned that young girls are still permitted to enter the hinterland areas even without producing identification documents.

“How it is that young girls are still being allowed to pass the police stations?

These girls would have had to pass Aishalton Police Station, and if they had no identification to show in the backdam, it therefore means that they had no identification to show at the checkpoints either,” Primus pointed out.

She said the GWMO has sent letters to various ministries and other stakeholders concerning the issues, and pointed out that in order to seriously combat trafficking in persons, all organisations and agencies involved in combating TIP must play their roles in ensuring potential victims are not allowed into hinterland districts, and that victims are given much support.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Donald Trump: ‘The shackles have been taken off me’

Donald Trump is launching a kamikaze mission -- fracturing his own party four weeks before Election Day. The GOP nominee is lashing out in a stream of tweets boiling with rage and resentment, slamming House Speaker Paul Ryan for effectively cutting him loose and accusing the party leadership of dooming his campaign.

It’s a meltdown unprecedented by a presidential nominee this late in the year.

“It is so nice that the shackles have been taken off me and I can now fight for America the way I want to,” Trump said in a tweet that raised the prospect of a full on civil war in the Republican Party. Such a battle would pit his loyal supporters against the rest of the GOP, including vulnerable lawmakers running for re-election that could threaten the party’s hold on Congress.

Trump’s outbursts come with his national polls tanking and his route to the 270 electoral votes he needs to win the White House closing fast. Trump also called Ryan, the Wisconsin Republican, “very weak” and “ineffective” -- an attack that comes the day after Ryan told House colleagues he’d no longer

defend or campaign for the GOP presidential nominee.

“Our very weak and ineffective leader, Paul Ryan, had a bad conference call where his members went wild at his disloyalty,” Trump tweeted.

“Despite winning the second debate in a landslide (every poll), it is hard to do well when Paul Ryan and others give zero support,” he also tweeted.

Trump also criticized GOP Arizona Sen. John

Cain begged for my support during his primary (I gave, he won), then dropped me over locker room remarks!”

Trump tweeted. Trump said Republicans who are “disloyal” are “far more difficult” than Clinton.

“Disloyal R’s are far more difficult than Crooked Hillary. They come at you from all sides. They don’t know how to win - I will teach them,” he tweeted.

Trump’s move to go

GOP Presidential candidate, Donald Trump McCain who rescinded his endorsement of the Republican presidential nominee over the weekend. “The very foul mouthed Sen. John Mc-

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rogue and incite anarchy in the party leaves Republican leaders in a tough position.

His behavior risks alienating moderate and swing voters

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vital to maintain GOP control of the Senate. But repudiating Trump entirely would risk a backlash by the record breaking millions of voters who flocked to the Republican nominee in the primary process. Ryan sought a middle ground Monday when he told House Republicans on a conference call he will no longer defend or campaign for Trump, instead spending the campaign’s final four weeks focusing on House and Senate races in an effort to help the GOP maintain control of Congress.

GOP on the precipice “Paul Ryan is focusing the next month on defeating Democrats, and all Republicans running for office should probably do the same,” Ryan spokesperson Brendan Buck said Tuesday, a statement echoing his response on Monday.

“The speaker is going to spend the next month focused entirely on protecting our congressional majorities,” Ryan’s spokeswoman, AshLee Strong, said in a statement Monday. Trump even cast the Democratic Party -- which nominated Hillary Clinton -- as a stronger organization than the GOP that nominated him. “With the

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exception of cheating Bernie out of the nom the Dems have always proven to be far more loyal to each other than the Republicans!,” he tweeted.

The feud follows an outpouring of high-profile Republicans slamming the real estate mogul, after the release Friday of a 2005 recording featuring Trump making lewd and sexually aggressive comments about women. Republican elected officials and party elders lined up Saturday to denounce Trump’s incendiary remarks. Some sitting members of Congress pulled their support entirely, while others blasted the remarks but continued supporting the GOP standard-bearer. Some said they wanted Trump to step aside so that his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, can lead the ticket. Pence said in a CNN interview Monday that he’s sticking with Trump. Even a top ally, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, criticized Trump for not going far enough to apologize for his lewd and sexually aggressive comments about women that emerged in a video from 2005.

“I was there when he

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found out about it and there’s no question in my mind he’s embarrassed by it,” Christie told WFAN radio in New York. “But I think that he should have been much more direct and much more focused on saying, just saying ‘I’m sorry’ and only ‘I’m sorry,’ and that’s what I would have done.’”

And Trump is not just targeting his own party. At a rally in Pennsylvania on Monday night, he raised the prospect that the election is being rigged to stop him becoming President, a scorched earth narrative that threatens one of the bedrock principles of American democracy -- faith in the electoral system itself. “I hear these horror shows, and we have to make sure that this election is not stolen from us and is not taken away from us,” Trump said in Pennsylvania. Trump will have his first chance to demonstrate his shackle-free approach at an evening rally in Florida on Tuesday night, that could offer a preview of how he plans to act in the final four weeks of the election, if his campaign tips into a deeper free-fall. (CNN)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Hurricane Matthew

Haiti risks ‘real famine’, says interim president

Haiti’s interim president has warned his country risks “real famine” following the “apocalyptic destruction” of Hurricane Matthew.

Jocelerme Privert said famine could take hold within three to four months if the situation was not managed properly. It comes as UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon called for a “massive response” to help the country.

The category-four storm is believed to have killed as many as 900 Haitians. It has also wiped towns and villages off the map, destroying tens of thousands of homes, crops and food reserves.

Mr Privert said the loss was “amazing”, saying food, water and medicine was im-

struction part of what has been destroyed,” he said. Matthew was the strongest hurricane to hit the region in a decade.

The UN has launched an emergency appeal for nearly $120m (£97m) in aid to cover the next three months. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Mr Ban said: “”Hundreds have died; at least 1.4 million people need assistance at this time. “Some towns and villages have been almost wiped off the map; crops and food reserves have been destroyed; at least 300 schools have been damaged,” The UN humanitarian agency issued the appeal to help provide “life-saving assistance and protection” for 750,000 people in south-west-

reached the island via Nepalese UN troops, causing the deaths of nearly 10,000 people. A treatment centre in the town of Jeremie has become overcrowded with not enough beds for patients, and some of them were being forced outside, reports said. Many of the cases involved children.

Other countries including France and the US have pledged to send aid. The Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal for $6.9m (£5.6m) and Unicef said it needed at least $5m to meet the immediate needs of 500,000 affected children.

Meanwhile, at least 21 have been killed by Matthew in the US, 10 of them in North Carolina, most of

Fiery screams - Kids tied up, shot; 14-y-o paralysed Sombre was the general mood on Monday at 7 March Pen Road in Spanish Town, St Catherine, in the Africa Settlement area, where five persons, including three children were shot, killed and their homes torched early last Sunday morning.

then shot. He said the little girl who was spared from the attack ran and hid until the smoke cleared. Everyone thought she was among the rubble, dead, but she survived.

The family member recounted the events he experienced leading up to the

Members of the Peace Management Initiative at the premises on March Pen Road yesterday, where five persons were shot and killed

The worst hit area has been described as the “bread basket” of Haiti

mediately needed. “But the concern is if we don’t take action now for the longer impact... three to four months when the foods stop coming we are going to have a real famine.”

He described seeing “apocalyptic” destruction.

“What I saw with my eyes yesterday will take a lot of effort to work on the recon-

ern Haiti over the next three months. Officials were still struggling to reach the hardest-hit areas, the agency said, with communities in need of food, clean water and clothing.

There were growing fears that flooding could cause a cholera outbreak similar to that after the 2010 earthquake. The waterborne disease

them swept away by flood waters. “Hurricane Matthew is off the map. But it is still with us. And it is still deadly,” Governor Pat McCrory said. There were also four deaths in Florida and three each in Georgia and South Carolina. One death was reported in Virginia.

Nearly 1.2 million people were without power. (BBC)

It would have been five dead children instead of three, if a 14-year-old girl who was shot 10 times had succumbed to injuries, and a five-year-old girl, who some persons say was deliberately spared by the gangsters had not been. The gunmen were reportedly wearing police vests, masks and sporting high-powered rifles.

Two of the children killed, according to a family member who requested that his name not be used in this story, were murdered execution style. He told The Gleaner that the two children aged nine and 14 years were tied up by the hoodlums and

ordeal. He was a few metres away when it happened.

“You hear like dem a kick off di gate. When dem kick off di gate, you hear explosion, [shots] firing non-stop and a bare people a scream.

So mi come out fi look if a police. When mi come out and look, mi see dem inna police vest. Some a dem have on mask, some a dem don’t. When mi come out, dem see mi and fire shot, [but] mi escape. Bout 15 to 20 a dem. All in a mi mind, mi a try come to the screaming, but mi couldn’t because it was a lot of them and dem a fire shot. After the shot dem start fire, mi come

round come see mi family dem pon di ground a burn up and some a dem a scream same way,” he said.

Petrena Hansel, mother of the 14-year-old girl who survived, told The Gleaner that one side of her daughter’s body is now paralysed.

“Dem nuh have nuh heart, a dat me know. When dem kick off di door, mi know dem see the two-year-old pon di bed. Dem coulda save the two-year-old, too. Dem gone already suh we just affi think bout dem funeral. Nobody nuh have nothing good fi seh bout it (the incident), everybody feel it, down to the police feel it,” she told The Gleaner.

A curfew that was ordered since Sunday was in full effect yesterday.

Lawmen and soldiers were busy setting up and manning barricades at different spots through the community. The police were on patrol stopping and searching vehicles and civilians. The Peace Management Initiative had a team in the area, giving support to the family members of the victims.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet discussed the matter yesterday, and Prime Minister Andrew Holness said he was deeply saddened by it.

“A gruesome murder was committed. The killings must end. The Government is now even more resolved to dismantle the gangs and bring those responsible to justice,” Holness said.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial Child endangerment charge LAST week, a woman was found guilty of child endangerment under the Protection of Children Act. The case is interesting on many levels, and reviewing it is not intended to devalue the importance of the judiciary in society, but seeking to spark conversation on issues this society may not be comfortable talking openly about.

According to how the case was presented, last month, the woman was caught throwing her baby on the road and walking away. When a dog tried to grab the baby, who was wrapped in a blanket, the mother turned around and picked up her baby, then later threw the child on the road and walked away.

In the testimony, it was said that the woman has a habit of drinking. On her part, she admitted that she did not want the baby. Her countenance during the proceeding moved from fits of laughter on hearing the testimony against her to imploring the magistrate to “please see with me” when the verdict was announced.

It ought to be said that no child should be denied the right to live a normal life, and have the protection of loving parents or guardians. That being said, the surface examination of the case raises many questions deserving of answers. There is no denying that the woman was guilty of abandoning and endangering the baby, but this behavioural characteristic is inconsistent with what can be described as normal behaviour.

And it begs the question: was any evaluation performed to determine the mental state of the accused?

Outside of shouldering responsibility for one’s action, it is also important to ascertain if such action occurred when the person knew better and was capable of doing better. Retributive justice is also designed to bring reform and reintegration in society, after doing the time to lead a normal and productive life. With apparent absence of a medical report or evaluation of the woman’s mental state, two things come to mind: substance abuse and/or postpartum depression.

Prolonged use of alcohol can lead to alcohol dependency, which is substance abuse/mental health, and is often seen in individuals who are trying to treat or mask depressive symptoms. If one is not being treated, such is known to impair judgement and decision-making over time. This needs to be ascertained, or ruled out in the particular case. Postpartum depression is considered a serious population health issue that is often overlooked. And mental illness is often the last thing one thinks of when another is operating outside the norms of behaviours we are accustomed to seeing.

Imagine feeling extremely sad and overwhelmed all by yourself, then add to it someone else who relies on you for everything and takes away your night’s sleep. What would any of us do? Giving up a child to a loved one; leaving them on the road, at a hospital, or in the trash is a phenomenon that has been in existence for ages. One would ask, before judging the mother, is it safer to keep the child in an environment where, for one reason or another, the child could receive adequate care? Or is it more appropriate to give the child to someone else, or place the child where he/she has a chance to be found and brought into a home to be loved and adequately cared for?

It is not the norm for a mother to even think of giving her child to someone else, much less discard that child on the road. When this behaviour is observed, it warrants further investigation as to the circumstances or emotions that led to

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Bai Shan Lin must comply with Guyana’s laws Dear Editor,

THE Chinese business enterprise is an important component in the world, and we are all consumers of their goods and services. Although this is a fact, I call for greater respect from them in regard to our country’s policies and people.

They must act according to the terms and conditions stated in their agreements. Bai Shan Lin has put their hands and feet everywhere in life and industry, instead of concentrating on their main area of investment.

Recent complaints have shown

that they are competing with our stone quarries, trucking sand, hardware stores.

They are aggressively selling these goods when the duty-free vehicles were bought to mainly transport logs. The wrongful use and abuse of these vehicles need to be stopped immediately. Their goal should not be to compete with small and medium-sized businesses. This practice is unheard of and is too aggressive.

It was reported that Bai Shan Lin is selling the hardware on top of logging trucks, and visit construction sites to sell hardware and construc-

tion materials. Again, this will definitely affect local manufacturers and porters who solely engage in this trade, and businesses that employ staff and pay workers via NIS. Government should ensure Bai Shan Lin are not allowed to exercise ultra-vires on their terms of reference. Bai Shan Lin should make every effort to comply with their terms of reference, otherwise there needs be the suspension of contract. They should not be allowed to use their giant legs and hands to stifle investment of local investors.

We must encourage the

Chinese to invest, but with very serious systems to supervise their projects. It is also known that Chinese stores and businesses do not like to pay taxes and they often remit tax of VAT and NIS. This is also true of some local business people.

Government should put a strict framework in place to ensure a friendly business environment from which all benefit, and in which none can exceed their legal terms of arrangement.

Regards, ROSHAN KHAN

Foreign aid and urban economic sustainability

-why the City Council thinks Georgetown should be prepared Dear Editor, GLOBALISATION is one of the age-old concepts that have been used to explain a number of today’s international issues.

Proponents of globalisation have argued for its benefits, particularly in the areas of resource mobilisation and economic development.

There are countless examples of countries and cities attaining economic advancement due to the easy flow of goods, services and labour, among other things.

Of recent, we have been faced with some of the ills of globalisation. Contrarily enough, some of these same issues that now pose a challenge were once perceived as positives of a globally integrated world.

One of the most pressing issues is the free movement of labour. It is debatable that the free movement of skilled labour would have contributed a great lot to building some of the most economically developed nations.

Nevertheless, it is for two important reasons that free movement contributes to economic development of both the host and home

countries and cities.

Migrant workers often remit significant portions of their wages to their home countries. This in turn is converted into consumption demand in these countries.

The added benefit is that these workers also boost the demand in the host countries, which also adds to tax revenues. Some of the most prominent concerns host countries /cities have with migrant workers are their effects on the economic and social fabric of their societies. An influx of these workers could create extreme pressure on host governments, particularly in the areas of health and social services’ provision.

It is this concern that has permeated the European society with its recent upsurge in migrants. The migration and refugee crisis in Europe has caused in excess of a million persons, inclusive of women and children, to be displaced in what appears to be an overnight occurrence.

Countries like Guyana and its neighbouring counterparts, though not directly affected by these displaced citizens, will share the brunt of this issue. Already, there are internation-

al organisations which are cutting back on their aid to developing countries. This is by no means an attempt to stymie progress in the smaller countries, but is an effort to safeguard their own citizens, who are competing for the same social services as the migrants and refugees.

This means that funds once directed to official donor aid (ODA) will be kept in host nations to address the emerging issues they now face at home. Therefore, in view of these current global circumstances, it is important to promote economic sustainability nationally, and even at the urban level. It is for this reason that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is pushing for Georgetown to become economically viable by implementing certain projects to encourage residents and businesses to be self-sustaining.

The premise of this thrust is based on the fact that the developing world is cutting back on the amount of donor aid; thus there is need for more stable revenue sources. This is why the Council is encouraging residents to honour their civic responsibility and

pay all outstanding rates and taxes. It is this same revenue that the Council needs to rehabilitate and improve city infrastructure and boost its service delivery. Once these revenues are appropriately invested, there would emerge an environment that encourages and enables private entrepreneurship and opportunities for sustainable sources of income for all residents.

The fact remains that international aid alone cannot, and will not, create economic sustainability, whether at the national or at the municipal level.

It is becoming more and more pertinent that any country or city seeking economic sustainability must look beyond the dependency of aid and venture out into paths that would lead to the accomplishment of this goal.

The Council, in its thrust to make Georgetown a green city, is well aware of the challenges, and is taking proactive steps to ensure our city does not get left behind.

that action. Where postpartum depression can lead to problematic parenting and potential harm to the infant, when it is identified after evaluation, the disorder has to be treated to restore wellness to the parent and ensure the protection and safety of

the child.

Could signs/symptoms have been missed? And shouldn’t the mother be immediately referred for psychiatric evaluation and treatment? With our high suicide rate, couldn’t another approach be tried

to ensure that the woman feels safe? Fining someone who may be unable to pay ($100,000 fine, or alternatively three months in jail) may not be the answer to the problem. Wouldn’t it be further traumatizing, if the woman cannot pay,

by putting her in jail? This could have been a family member of one of us; and do we want to run the risk of sending a message that we are a community not supportive of our own, or not having an obligation to do the right thing?

Regards, ROYSTON KING Town Clerk City of Georgetown

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Minister Harmon is a dedicated servant to the people of Guyana Dear Editor,

for me. However, when one falls prey easily to the media’s questions, especially their constant demand for direct answers on sensitive complex matters, and the answers are provided without proper political sense, it reflects lack of strength, of which often times it is not so.

Considering the above, I wish to categorically state that Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, is a dedicated servant to the people of Guyana, and since his assumption to the office of Minister of State, he would have -both by way of government

and privately -- lifted the lives of many.

Not only has he made numerous donations to communities and individuals in the form of street lights, sporting gear, radio sets, school bags etc., but he would have also brought government to the people through the Ministry of the Presidency outreaches in the many regions. These philanthropic and dutiful actions of Mr. Harmon are nothing more than those of an action deliverer who gets the job done. As the famous saying goes, “The reward for good work is more work,” and that in itself is the reason

why this noble man has so much responsibility within this government.

The President, in my humble opinion, knows his capabilities and entrusted him with the duties of ensuring that people’s issues are addressed. The sad thing, however, is that in his quest to ensure that actions are taken to bring relief to people, he seems to be powerful and this seems to make others feel inferior.

I don’t believe Cde. Harmon sees himself as being above any minister, and given the many negative stones that are thrown at

‘Fresh water professionals’ need to get their facts straight

sage while, at the same time, the difference between the draught of the vessel and the depth of water in the channel is within certain parameters on a rising tide.

The fact is that there are no sand banks in this channel, and the mud at the bed of the channel is what is described locally as ‘sling mud’, an

extremely soft mud.

All of the ‘fresh water professionals’ who seek to misinform the Public Infrastructure Ministry and peddle nonsense are advised to get their facts together and refrain from misleading the politicians, the local and overseas business communities, as well

FOR 23 years, the political culture of our dear, beloved country was not one of complete maturity, and betterment of the lives of our people was not of primary importance.

Instead, politicians focused on means and ways by which they can just eat at each other, so as to ensure that they can selfishly gain more grounds over sometimes their own colleagues and, of course, their opponents from different political parties.

Today we, as a nation,

Dear Editor, ON two consecutive Sundays -- September 25 and October 2, 2016 -- the Alliance For Change column in the Kaieteur News reported that, due to the shallow depth of water in the Demerara Ships Channel, large vessels could not enter Port Georgetown; as a result of which cargo had to be shipped in small quantities on smaller vessels, making more voyages which lead to increased cost to the business com-

are so blessed to have a President who looks beyond party politics and, in my opinion, genuinely for all the people of Guyana. It tells that we are heading in a positive direction towards political maturity; and of course it would not be an easy task. The first hurdle that we would have to jump over, and I believe we are halfway in doing so, is to make this coalition government work.

The President and Prime Minister would have repeatedly said that this government is solid as a rock, and that is excellent assurance

munity.

This is quite true. However, the September 25 edition stated in part: “The large cargo ships get stuck in the navigational channel, even at high tide”, while the October 2 edition states, “The slightly larger cargo ships get stuck on sand banks and in mud when they attempt to navigate the Demerara Navigational Channel even at high tide”.

The undersigned is at this time concerned only with the above two statements mentioned in the two Alliance

For Change columns. Let me state categorically that at no time did any vessel, large or small, under the guidance of a licensed MARAD pilot, get stuck while attempting to navigate the Demerara Channel.

Further, no MARAD-licensed pilot would attempt to pilot a vessel in the Demerara Ships Channel when the draught of the vessel is more than the depth of water in the channel, unless the vessel conforms to certain established criteria which would guarantee safe pas-

More accountability needed at City Hall Dear Editor, WHY has the Georgetown City Council opted to contract out all of its services, even though it claims to be cash-strapped whilst at the same time it is maintaining a huge employee database of approximately one thousand workers?

Could it be that the big wigs at City Hall are getting kickbacks from these contractors whilst at the same time finding employment for their friends and family members within the Council?

In years past, the Council had a special Roads Division that was responsible

for building and maintaining all of the roads in the city, except for the primary highways. Today they do no such thing, so where does that budgeted sum go? In the past, the Council replaced all defective street lamps, ensuring that the city remains safe and well-lit. Today they don’t even check, let alone replace the defective lamps; so where do the amounts budgeted for street lighting go?

They have a City Constabulary, but they engage the services of a private guard service, costing tens of millions a month. Why? They have a General Works

Division to repair their bridges and buildings, yet bridges are collapsing around the city and their municipal buildings are all in a ruinous state.

And yet they have the nerve to declare publicly that they will be tearing down private dilapidated buildings.

Can the President not see how incompetent, corrupt and disgraceful the administration of the Georgetown Municipality is, and have a Commission of Inquiry formed to investigate why our capital is in such a mess?

Regards, DEBRA GIBSON

him, I wish to say to him publicly that he must never stop meeting the public on a daily basis; he must never stop assisting the poor and vulnerable; he must never stop stepping out of his boundaries to ensure a smile is on people’s faces; and he must never stop being who he is: a noble servant of the people.

Minister Harmon, I know of thousands who are with you and will continue to be with you, because we know you are genuine.

Regards, GANESH MAHIPAUL as the general public. This type of misinformation can have a negative impact on the nation’s economy, as international ship owners and operators would be skeptical to list Guyana as one of their ports of call.

Regards, CAPTAIN R.E.W. ADAMS

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Tagore teachers being …over sexual assault, probed drug use allegations

By Nafeeza Yahya

REGIONAL Education Officer (REDO) of Region Six, Ms. Volika Jaikishoon, and a team from the Regional Education Department met with the staff and administrative board of the Tagore Memorial Secondary School -- at the centre of several allegations of inappropriate behaviours by teachers -after parents and guardians of students at the school called for the removal of the principal, the teacher who has been accused on several counts of sexual assault, and another accused of encouraging students to smoke narcotics.

Parents and guardians are reportedly outraged that two of the school’s teachers are allegedly involved in inappropriate behaviours with students, and are accusing

the administrative board and head-teacher of covering up the incidents.

One incident alleges that a male teacher was arrested in July for sexual assault after he was allegedly found inappropriately touching a female student while in school sometime back in June. This matter is currently before the courts, but other students have since reportedly come forward with similar allegations against that teacher.

Parents and guardians are concerned that their complaints to the principal are being swept under the proverbial rug; and they accuse the administrative board of “siding with the teacher” and “accepting a lot of slackness.”

“Long I think this thing happening. Them should have get he out of there and take action against him,” one

parent said in relation to the male teacher accused of inappropriately touching female students.

Speaking with this newspaper on condition of anonymity, parents and guardians have said that from what they gathered, the teacher has, for some time now, been indecently assaulting several female students, and whenever the matter is reported to the head-teacher, the allegations are simply brushed aside with the platitude: “I’ll look into it”.

Parents feel that the unconcerned attitude of the school’s administration will ruin the reputation of the school.

Another grievance involves allegations that another male teacher has been encouraging students to smoke marijuana by offering them a ‘pull’ while stating that smoking the narcotic is not a big deal.

One parent has said her daughter has been acting “strange” recently, and upon her enquiring, the child confided in her the teacher’s habit in regard to giving students narcotics. She related that a report was made to the head-teacher, and they are expecting the school to take disciplinary action against that teacher.

Another parent disclosed that her son has been acting abnormally, and at times would return home from school with his eyes red and him “acting out”. She only

recently learnt that the teacher in question has been encouraging her son to smoke narcotics. She is adamant that the teacher should be investigated, and is of the opinion that the school no longer provides a safe environment for students.

This teacher who is at the centre of the marijuana smoking allegation is said to also be in the habit of acting in a hostile manner to students.

He would often use indecent language in their presence, and would act “strangely” from time to time.

Contacted on the issue, school board chairman Charlie Amar confirmed that an investigation has been launched; but he stated that until that investigation has been completed, he would not be able to speak publicly on the matter. The chairman has said there are two sides to a story, and he believes that the investigation would bring the truth to light.

“The image of many good schools can be tarnished when erroneous and unfounded thoughts go through the media by irresponsible people without verifying and investigating,” he declared.

He also said that the safety and well-being of the students is of paramount importance, and if the teachers are guilty of neglect or endangering the lives of the students, then the appropriate course of action would be taken against them.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Family seeks answers for teen’s death IT HAS been over two months since eighteen year old, Andel Raymond Daniels, was fatally shot at Catherine’s Burg, Canje River, about seventy miles from the New Amsterdam Township in Berbice, and his family is seeking answers with regard to the young man’s killer and circumstances surrounding his death.

Daniels’ grandfather, Lowell Amsterdam, is hopeful that his grandson’s death will not go unsolved- much like the disappearance of his own daughter – Daniels’ mother- 37 year old, Gould Marcellene Amsterdamwho went missing three years ago.

Amsterdam said that residents along the Canje River are tight lipped but he hopes that they will reveal any information they may have about how his grandson met his demise to investigators.

“As a family, we want answers and we want closure.

The death of my grandson has created deeper wounds, as the wound of my daughter’s [disappearance] was never healed,” he said.

Further, Amsterdam, added that he is yet to hear from investigators, since submitting a statement to the police after his grandson’s post mortem examination in August. He stated that on that occasion he was told that the police were awaiting a ballistic report, after which a decision would be made on the way forward. But, two months later and still no response, Amsterdam said.

Daniels died as a result of a gunshot wound to his abdomen, just above his navel. Reports were that the teenager, formerly of High Dam, Caracas, West Canje Berbice, was accidently shot in his abdomen, after a stairway- which was being rehabilitated -collapsed under him. It was said that Daniels was on his way to the bathroom, and was carrying a shot gun to protect himself as he had earlier seen wild animals in the vicinity. Another report alleged he was shot during a hunting expedition, while another claimed that he had shot himself.

At the time, the teen, along with some colleagues were cultivating plots of land at Catherine’s Burg, about two miles from Ikura, and a further fifteen miles from the heavily populated

Bara Cara.

Reports are that after Daniels was shot, he was placed in a boat and transported to Ikura. From there he was placed in another boat to the medical centre at Bara Cara, before being transported to the New Amsterdam Hospital, but succumbed sometime before arriving. Following the report, police ranks from Central Police Station and attached to the Criminal Investigation Department travelled to the riverine community were they recovered a 16-gauge double barrel shotgun in the boat which had transported Daniels from Catherine’s Burg to Ikura.

The police then proceeded to Catherine’s Burg where they inspected the house which was then under rehabilitation and location where the incident allegedly occurred. Relatives had reported that they received a phone call at around 21:30 hours on August 4, that Daniels was shot and seriously injured and that he was being transported to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

This incident has gravely shaken the family as it is the second tragedy to strike within the last three years.

In October 2013, Gould Marcell Amsterdam, known as ‘Massa’, who was seven months pregnant when she was reported missing. The woman, who was a neighbourhood police rank at the time and a mother of three, went missing after she left to go and visit the father of one of her children, Errol Lindo, who had lived next door. Amsterdam has not been seen or heard of since.

Following the reports of the missing woman, police arrested Errol Lindo, after a search behind his home unearthed a sheet and a canvas rope. “My sister has left without a trace. These things only happen in the movies. My Sister is not an angel, but she was industrious, independent and needs to be with her children,” one relative said.

Relatives are appealing to the general public, and anyone who knows the whereabouts of Gould Amsterdam called ‘Massa’ or ‘Greens Lady’, or any information leading to the truth of Daniels’ death, that they contact the family on telephone numbers 645 0593, 601 4975 or the nearest police station.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Kitty resident on $1.5M bail for fraud ON TUESDAY at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court City magistrate Judy Latchman placed a Kitty man on $1.5M bail after he pleaded not guilty to a charge of fraudulent conversation.

Forty-one-year-old Rajesh Sahadie denied the allegation against him which stated that on September 7, 2015, at Georgetown, he conspired with another person to commit a felony; that is to say, by way of Republic Bank cheque #322007167, from Lloyd Singh by falsely pretending he knew Shannon Boston, also known as Venice La Rose, claiming that the said woman owned a plot of land at Block H1 Peter’s Hall East Bank Demerara.

Defense lawyer, Attorney

Glenn Hanoman said his client was placed on bail in his own recognizance and has been in frequent contact with the police and has given his statement. Hanoman added that Sahadie was surprised that he was charged since he reported the matter to the police six times.

He also stated that persons in need of money to borrow would often accompany the defendant to Singh who would lend them. He argued that his client was not aware that the woman was a ‘con’ woman.

He therefore asked for bail to be set in a reasonable sum.

Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt stated that the defendant and the virtual complainant are known to each other. The court heard that on the day in question the defendant brought a woman to Singh, claiming

she had a plot of land to sell.

Singh paid the GYD$10 million and bought the land. He later, discovered that the plot of land was not for sale, and the identification card that had been presented to him by the woman had been forged.

Magistrate Latchman granted the defendant bail in the sum of GYD$1.5 million to which the defense attorney objected. Hanoman stated the amount granted would be tantamount to bail being refused his client.

He explained that his client is currently in an embarrassing financial situation, and appealed for the sum to be reduced. However, the magistrate maintained bail amount and the matter was adjourned for November 1, 2016.

Fisherman pleads guilty to manslaughter JUSTICE Roxanne George on Tuesday ordered a Probation Report for Neil Boodram who appeared before her and pleaded not guilty to the murder of Madan Kumar Sahadeo, but guilty of manslaughter.

After the accused, who was represented by Attor-

ney-at-Law, Mr. Mark Conway requested a probation report for his client, State counsel, Miss Tuana Hardy reported that the accused committed the offence on April 28, 2013 by slitting the throat of Sahadeo.

Mr. Conway noted that his client, a fisherman, had

expressed remorse for what had happened. His client, who is a model prisoner at the Georgetown prison was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offence.

The judge fixed October 28 at 9am for probation report and sentence.

Hung jury in the Port Kaituma murder case

By George Barclay

A DEMERARA Assizes jury trying Alvin Gounga, called Captain, for the murder of Desmond Henry following a gold row at Port Kaituma, NWD in 2005, yesterday failed to agree on a verdict.

Consequently, Mad am Justice Roxane George discharged the jury, whose members had indicated that further directions would not be helpful, and ordered that the accused should face a retrial.

It is believed that the Director of Public Prosecutions would decide on whether or not to withdraw the murder charge against the accused, after taking into account the circumstances of the case.

It was a short case, in which the principal witness, the daughter of the deceased,

once lived as man and wife with the accused. Everything had reportedly gone well, until the accused became angry after announcing that gold had been stolen from him.

This created a problem between the principal witness, the accused and the deceased, who was shot with a bow and arrow by the accused on May 14th 2005.

The lone eyewitness was the daughter of the deceased, who claimed that the accused was the aggressor and had actually shot her father, who then spun around and picked up a pitchfork which he threw at the accused. Grimacing with pain, he also threw an axe at the deceased, the woman had said.

But the accused denied the story as told by the principal witness. He claimed that her father had first attacked him with a fork and axe,

causing him to use his bow and arrow in defence of his life.

Defence counsel Mr. Dexter Todd had urged the jury to return a not-guilty verdict, but state prosecutor Miss Narissa Leander had contended that the shooting could not have been done in self-defence since it was done before any action had been taken by the deceased.

Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, who had performed the post-mortem on the deceased, said death was due to wound infection; and declared that the deceased would have survived if he had received early treatment for his injury.

The jury, discharged yesterday without giving a verdict, was instructed to report to the court today for possible selection in another murder case.

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Robbery suspect nabbed with unlicensed gun A 35-YEAR-OLD male of Industrial Area, Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10 has been arrested in Cuyuni, Region Seven, with an unlicensed .32 pistol and five matching rounds.

A police statement indicated that ranks of the Guyana Police Force saw the

suspect, who is wanted for questioning in connection with a report of robbery-under-arms, at “Cumo Cumo”, Cuyuni/ Mazaruni at about 09:00h, and promptly arrested and searched him, unearthing the firearm and ammunition in his possession.

Father of five ‘cleans out’ Campbellville house A FATHER of five was on Monday remanded to prison by Magistrate, Judy Latchman when he appeared before her charged with break and enter and larceny.

Thirty- year-old Keon Crandon of Durban Backlands denied the allegation which stated that on October 5, 2016 at Sheriff and Enachu Streets,

Section K Campbellville, he stole from Dianna Panday: three gas bottles valued at $20,000 and a four-burner gas stove valued $50,000; a Dell Desktop computer worth $200,000; a 42” television set value $100,000; three flower vases worth $20,000 and articles of clothing to the tune of some $60,000.

Police Prosecutor, Shawn

Gonzalves objected to bail based on the grounds of the seriousness and the prevalence of the offence and the penalty the offence carries.

Gonzalves told the court that he was informed by the investigating rank that Crandon had served a sentence before for simple larceny.

Crandon was remanded to prison until November 2.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 12, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Over 75 buildings destroyed by fire …$111M set aside for new fire stations, fire tenders CITIZENS are being urged to take precautionary measures to protect themselves and properties from fires, as the Guyana Fire Service observes National Fire Prevention Week -- the country’s 42nd observance.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, in his message, said there must be a “conscientious effort by all to do what is necessary to avert, in every way possible, the outbreaks of fire in our surroundings.”

So far for the year, 75 buildings have been de-

stroyed by fire, while 17 were severely damaged. Most of the fires involved dwelling houses. Fires have resulted in the loss of 24 lives, and a number of persons being left homeless.

“Certainly, these fires have left scars on the lives and the minds of persons affected, and by extension their families and communities,” said the minister.

The number of fires that have occurred this year has caused the Government to invest some $30M to begin the first phase of constructing

two new fire stations -- at Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and at Lethem in Region 9. An additional $83M will be spent to acquire more fire-fighting tenders and water bowsers.

The Ministry of Public Security is partnering with the Ministry of Public Health to expand emergency medical services utilizing a larger fleet of ambulances and personnel to cover the entire country. The first phase is to become operational next month.

“The auxiliary arm of

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan

the Guyana Fire Service will be activated to give support to the regular Fire Service when necessary,” Minister Ramjattan has said. He said the Fire Service is making every effort to ensure that Guyanese are made aware of preventative measures.

“It requires, for example, that house-holders ensure that all precautions are taken in their homes; that the business community must invest in smoke-detection and fire-extinguishing equipment, as well as ensure they are abiding with all the safety regulations (regarding) storage of

goods etc; that Government agencies implement all safety and fire prevention regulations; that the entertainment sector ensures that entrances and exits are unencumbered for their guests, and provide fire detection and extinguishing equipment,” the Minister said in his message.

Minister Ramjattan is urging citizens to desist from stealing or tampering with electricity, because there is a likelihood that a fire can occur from that practice; leaving young children alone at home with access to items such as matches and lighters; as well as leaving cooking activities unattended, among other things.

“Large corporate and industrial entities should ensure that a fire safety professional is appointed to do regular checks and provide daily monitoring and evaluation of new fire precautious on site,” he said.

The Guyana Fire Service will be expanding its public campaign with the aim of reaching more persons across the country through the media. It is hoped that the programmes relative to the public campaign bear fruit.

Fires have an economic, social and emotional impact

on those affected, and on the country as a whole. As such, the minister noted, the consequences of fires have contributed negatively to the country’s social and economic well-being.

“Quite a large number of varying types of fires have left a considerable toll on our society in terms of lives lost, properties destroyed and damaged, and many of our citizens being rendered homeless and jobless…

One cannot underestimate the economic, social, and even emotional impact that would have occurred as a result of this destructive element,” he stated.

The theme for Fire Prevention Week 2016, ‘Fire Safety, A Collective Responsibility for the Preservation of Life and Property’, is indicative of a need for every citizen to take cognizance of his/her roles and responsibilities regarding fire safety. This should not be seen as the responsibility of the Guyana Fire Service alone, but as that of everyone.

Several activities have been planned across the country to commemorate Fire Prevention Week, which stated on October 9.

DPP still to receive file on Sheriff St. fatal accident THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is yet to receive any file on the death of four-year-old Ambeka Providence, who was killed last month in an accident on Sheriff Street, Georgetown involving two motor vehicles.

In a statement the police claim that the file was sent to the DPP chambers and they are awaiting advice. The drivers involved in the fatal accident have not yet been charged.

Reports indicate that on September 10, 2016 Providence, her mother and another relative were in the back seat of a car PMM 1426 as it proceeded south on Sheriff Street; as the car stopped at the centre of the junction of Sheriff and Garnett Streets, in preparation to turn west, motor vehicle GPP 3500, which was proceeding north, collided with the left

Dead: Ambeka Providence

of the car, resulting in the infant being flung through the window and onto the roadway. She was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Her mother, Abiola Trotman along with Cheryl Williams, received injuries and were admitted as patients and later discharged. The driver of the car, Derrick Bailey

was unhurt and he was released on station bail.

The other driver of the SUV, GPP 3500, 21-yearold Heeranand Boodhram, of First Street, Sachi Bazaar, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown was hospitalized. He was also released on station bail.

Abiola Trotman, the dead girl’s mother, who was also injured in the accident, said that she has not received any information on the probe, despite placing several calls and visiting the police station.

The grieving mother said that she has also had no communication with the driver of the SUV, who was allegedly drunk when he slammed into a vehicle in which she and her daughter were travelling.

Police had said that a breathalyzer test performed on the SUV driver revealed that his breath alcohol content was above the prescribed limit.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Tributes pour in for Lord Canary TRIBUTES continue to pour in for Calypsonian Malcolm Corrica, popularly known as Lord Canary, who died on Monday while receiving treatment at the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital, East Bank Demerara.

Family members confirmed that Corrica died on Monday afternoon while undergoing treatment. He had been suffering from diabetes, and had one of his legs amputated some years ago.

The late Malcolm Corrica was born to William and Inez Corrica of Bagotstown Village, East Bank Demerara on March 21, 1937 in Georgetown, and attended the Agricola Methodist School. His life was one of service to Guyana: as a businessman, entertainer and politician.

Mr. Corrica served in the National Assembly of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, representing the Peoples National Congress from January 3, 1969 to December 12, 1985. He returned to the National Assembly on December 27, 1990, and served until August 28, 1992.

During his tenure as a Member of Parliament, he served as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Communication; Minister of State in the Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection; and Minister

Malcolm Corrica, aka ‘ Lord Canary’

of State for Culture in the Ministry of Education, Social Development and Culture.

In 1992, he was awarded the Medal of Service (M.S.) for long service with exceptional dedication in the field of politics and popular music, as a composer and entertainer.

TRIBUTES President David Granger has said in a statement that Guyana mourns the passing of the late Malcolm Corrica.

“His Excellency Brigadier David Granger, MSS, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and the Cabinet of Ministers extend heartfelt sympathy to the

children of Malcolm Corrica: Malcolm, Jeffrey and Pamela; and other relatives and close friends.”

The Department of Culture, Youth and Sport of the Ministry of Education (MoE) has also expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of Corrica. “During his illustrious career, Lord Canary has won several Mashramani competitions and has represented Guyana on the international stage with his defying lyrics. His most popular tunes, such as “Cockle,” “A Woman is a Woman”, “Tribute to Woman”, “Wicked Cricket”, “Doctor Beckles” and “The People will Talk”, tell stories of Guyana’s rich culture and have, no doubt, amused many.”

The MoE said Lord Canary’s ascent to the international stage in the early years has set a precedent for the art form (calypso), its enhancement and endurance.

This is evident in the yearly calypso competitions held in observance of Mashramani.

“Mr. Corrica also made a recognizable contribution towards the development and sustainability of the Mashramani celebrations while he was Minister of Culture under the LFS Burnham Administration. He also served as a judge for several calypso competitions nationally and

Guyana’s ambassador to Geneva presents credentials Guyana’s Ambassador to the United Nations Organisations (Geneva), Dr J.R. Deep Ford, on Monday presented his credentials to Director General Michael Moller.

During the ceremony, held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, the ambassador discussed Guyana’s place in the multilateral framework, and its important role in contributing to the ongoing work in critical areas such as climate change and green economies, human rights and responsibilities, and inclusive and integrated development.

Prior to his appointment as Ambassador of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to United Nations Organizations in Geneva and the Government of Switzerland, Dr. Ford held several senior positions at the United Nations for sixteen years; and was more recently the

Guyana’s Ambassador to Geneva, Dr. J.R Deep Ford, and Director General of the UN Organisations in Geneva, Michael Moller

Director of Caribbean Operations for the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Dr. Ford started his professional career as a lecturer at the University of Guyana, and also earlier worked for the Commonwealth Secretariat.

In the coming weeks, this Guyana ambassador will present credentials to the Government of Switzerland which will provide support for the establishment and operations of the Guyana Embassy in Geneva.

regionally. As we prepare to launch the Mash 2017 activities, we, at the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, will endeavour to remember and honour the work and contributions (of) Lord Canary.”

In his book, ‘The Lord

Canary’, it was written that as a member of the second Parliament -- 19691973 –- Corrica, a former member of the People’s National Congress Youth Organisation, forerunner of the YSM, was assigned various projects under the aegis of the Ministry of

Works. One of his proudest achievements was overseeing the completion of the Bel-Lu Clay Brick Factory on the West Bank of Demerara. This was Prime Minister Burnham’s trademark local project, and it was a virtual pioneering brand.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Ambitious Future Leaders Club formed to transform South Georgetown He said, “We bring them together, with proper supervision and structure, and explain to them that we are all in the struggle together so fighting each other will only destroy us more.”

On the same day, the O-Zone Foundation & US Embassy HAP Program Partnered with the Ambitious Future Leaders Club to

‘A’ Division Commander Clifton Hicken engaged in a ‘pep talk’ with the youths on Saturday

By Michel Outridge THE LIVES of youths of Albouystown/Charlestown (South Georgetown) have been enhanced with several projects initiated

by Councillor Malcolm Ferreira.

On Saturday at Carmel

the youths but the one that stands out more is ‘Division

by Street.’

Ferreira explained that a mini ‘turf war’ between kids as young as seven years was still ongoing. He disclosed that many boys and girls from different streets in the community do not interact

A representative of the US Embassy poses with members of the Ambitious Future Leaders Club where they made a donation of footwear on Saturday

Secondary School the Police Commander of ‘A’ Division Clifton Hicken accompanied by senior ranks were present for the launching of the Ambitious Future Leaders Youth Group in collaboration with the Impact Albouystown/Charlestown Project geared towards improving police/community relationships.

Ferreira of Constituency #10 told the Guyana Chronicle that the strategy in Albouystown was really challenging, having to deal with the many issues affecting

with each other unless it’s to fight or ‘cuss out.”

The Councillor stated that the funny part was that some even tell others that they are from the “ghetto side of Albouystown and you from the other side.”

Ferreira related that the Ambitious Future Leaders Club creates the environment where young “Hotskulls” and “Ms.Peppers” can meet and have normal conversations so when they see each other on each other’s ‘turf’, they are more likely to talk to each other rather than fight.

distribute footwear to those present at their launching.

In addition, Bhena’s Footwear Store donated 77 pairs of female footwear and Shawn Holder donated school supplies on behalf of an overseas-based Guyanese for the children present.

Ferreira told this newspaper that they have youth club activity every Saturday from

10 am at Carmel Secondary School where they have a membership of more than 400 children drawn from the Albouystown/Charlestown area.

He pointed out that they engage the youths in life training skills, community cohesion, and motivational talks among other things.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Pizza Hut opens at Giftland Mall

Managing Director of the Corum Group, Navin Singh, poses with staffers on Friday at the Pizza Hut’s newest outlet at Giftland Mall

THE local Pizza Hut franchise has officially opened its third outlet in Guyana. Last Friday, at the Giftland Mall at Turkeyen, ECD, the Pizza Hut Express, which employs 30 persons, was officially opened to the public.

Speaking to reporters at the event, Managing Director Navin Singh said the franchise is pleased to open its Express location to patrons of the Giftland Mall.

He related that this outlet reduces the waiting time for pizzas and facilitates ease of access to customers on the East Coast Demerara corridor.

He also disclosed that the franchise is looking for viable locations on the East Bank and West Coast De-

merara corridors, but feasibility studies would have to be done.

He said the Giftland Mall is the ideal location for an outlet, because it serves as the central hub for many who frequent the mall, and the age range of customers is from 14 to 75 years old.

Singh noted that the Pizza Hut Express has a very innovative and interactive online ordering system: www.pizzahutguyana. com ,and has had more than 1,000 orders so far since opening for business a week ago.

He said prices are the same as obtain at the other two outlets, and the franchise has received excellent feedback in regard to its newest opening.

‘Iconic Guyanese’ Carmen Jarvis launches book PRESIDENT David Granger has hailed as “an iconic Guyanese” Ms. Carmen Jarvis, Guyana’s renowned educationist and former Secretary General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

This is even as he received from her own hands a copy of her newly published autobiography, “From Seedtime to Harvest”, at the Georgetown Club.

President Granger has

with two publications – the History Gazette and the Guyana Historical Journal, which he declared would not have come to fruition without her assistance.

Disclosing that his interaction with Ms. Jarvis began in the 1990s, after his military career had come to an end, Guyana’s Head of State described the 92-yearold Ms. Jarvis as “part of a class” of persons whose moral contributions to Guyana are priceless.

President David Granger receiving a copy of Ms. Carmen Jarvis’s autobiography: ‘From Seedtime to Harvest’ (MoTP photo)

celebrated the life and times of this retired UNESCO Secretary General, and in delivering an address at a classy launching ceremony for the autobiography, thanked her for contributing greatly to his own writings; assisting

“Ms. Jarvis is (one who) would be described in modern-day parlance as an iconic Guyanese…. When we consider some of the reverses that we have faced, we are very grateful for that generation of persons who were

born in the 1920s; because they transmitted certain values and standards, some of which has been lost, but were it not for them, Guyana would have been in a very different place.

“So I regard her not only as a person, but as a part of a class,” President Granger said.

Professor Vibert Cambridge has hailed the publication as a valuable contribution to Guyana’s history.

“From Seedtime to Harvest is a valuable contribution to our understanding of contemporary Guyanese history.

It is a multi-dimensional and textured work. It contributes to our understanding of the peopling of Guyana…” Professor Cambridge said.

He expressed pleasure at Government’s encouragement of Guyanese to produce autobiographies at the country’s 50th Anniversary Literary Celebration held in May this year.

Ms. Jarvis thanked all who contributed to the successful production of her autobiography, and donated copies to the National Library, the University of Guyana Library, UNESCO Office, Guyana Girl Guides and the Smyth’s Congregational Church.

The legendary Ms. Jar-

The acting Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, is seated in the audience at the launch of Ms. Jarvis’s autobiography (MoTP photo)

vis was also responsible for the introduction of ‘World Teachers Day’, celebrations in Guyana.

Professor David Dabydeen, a close friend of Ms. Jarvis’s, was responsible for preparing the preface of the book. The professor, in a message delivered by Dr. Paloma Mohammed, described Jarvis’s story as “a remarkable story of a modest upbringing in Guyana, ending with her being Headmistress of Bishops High School and later Secretary General of UNESCO Office in Guyana.”

From his description of her life, she has, from a very tender age, been a passionate pursuer of her goals. Her childhood story detailed that

she had been raised in a strict home with principles built on the Bible; and her dad, being a gospel minister, was bent on her becoming a seamstress instead of a teacher.

Ms. Jarvis couldn’t bear to imagine her life outside of her educationist dream, and worked toward walking her own career path. She won a scholarship to Bishops High School, and when her dad took her for an interview with the school’s head-teacher, she confessed that she wanted to eventually become the school’s head-teacher as well.

Professor David Dabydeen said only white English folks could then head such prestigious institutions, but young Carmen Jarvis was a “radical.” In her years of

teaching, she was employed at Queen’s College before being appointed as Headmistress of Bishops High School.

She later became Secretary General of UNESCO in Guyana, raising millions of dollars for several educational projects here. She was one of the longest serving and most respected Secretaries General, and was awarded the Aristotle Medal by UNESCO. “She is enormously experienced in UNESCO matters, and (is) a woman of utmost principle. She is a national treasure. She’s someone whose example of human decency and whose example of determination enriched my life,” Professor Dabydeen said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Efforts must be made to eradicate

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stigma of National Psychiatric Hospital

- Mental Health Month launched in Region Six THE month of October marks Mental Health Month, and Region Six Director of Health Services, Jevaughn Stephens has said that efforts will be made to eradicate the stigma attached to the country’s lone mental health institution, the National Psychiatric Hospital, located in Berbice.

Stephens made these comments at a rally hosted on Monday, to launch Mental Health Month at Fort Canje, Berbice. While mentioning this year’s theme: “Psychological and Mental Health; First Aid For All”, Stephens highlighted that four out of five persons suffer from mental health challenges, but due to the stigma attached to the facility – which, he said, is commonly referred to as the ‘mad house’- this prevents persons from accessing services that can help them overcome their challenges.

Stephens added that there

Students along with nurses listening to speakers during the mental health rally

is a need for all stakeholders to unify to ensure that there are stronger communities.

“The fabric of the community is deteriorating. We need to revive those things which are necessary as we show support to persons who are valued,” he said.

He noted that eighty five percent of the inpatients are drawn from outside of Re-

gion Six and a significant number are neglected by their loved ones, who leave their relatives behind even after being treated and discharged.

“After they are discharged, and having been neglected by family, they remain institutionalised and it would seem as though their condition remains as it was before they were admitted.

A strategy needs to be put in place, for persons to be reintegrated into the society. Patients must have an alternative after treatment.

A half-way-home can be coerced to the government, so their rehabilitation into the society can be continued,” he said. Further plans are on stream to remove the National Psychiatric Hospi-

tal from its current location and efforts are being made to reduce the stigma of the institution.’

Medical Superintendent of the Mental Health Institution, Dr. Vineshri Khirodar, revealed that 222 persons experienced unnecessary death nationally over the past year, after they inflicted self-harm. “Mental health is under threat; it’s a psychological warfare. When we come to work we take each other for granted. We do not greet our brothers and sisters. We do not take time off to find out how they are really doing,” he said. “…We are social beings, many of us do not have coping skills, many cry alone and then when they can’t deal with life anymore, that’s it. They have no one to turn to, and it is with this in mind that we are trying to restructure the operation of the institution with the intervention of the Ministry of

Health,” Khirodar said.

Consequently, Chief Executive Officer of the New Amsterdam Hospital, Colin Bynoe noted that mental health community clinics must be established, to create linkages with the family and possibly help to reduce the stigma.

The rally was punctuated by cultural presentations and was attended by medical staff, as well as students form secondary and tertiary institutions in the Region. Amongst other activities planned for the month are visits to the Geriatric homes and visits to schools in the New Amsterdam and East Canje areas by health officials where discussions will be held. A luncheon and a day of sports is also scheduled for the patients of the New Amsterdam Psychiatric Hospital, along with a trip to Skeldon and Number 63 Beach.

DTL and its treatment of workers

By Akola Thompson

IT’S NOT often that the actions of companies in Guyana take me by surprise.

After all, this is a country in which companies such as Bosai and the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc., to name a few, have committed, and continue to commit in many regards, gross human rights’ violations; but never before in the history of Guyana has any business entity fired workers for taking protest actions against the company in which they are employed.

I do not know much about Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL), but from what I have gathered from others, they are allegedly no strangers to human rights’ violations here.

Throughout the years, they have come up on the radar of the various ministries, but apparently DTL are a power unto themselves, and will continue to commit infraction after infraction without any serious involvement or condemnation from relevant ministries.

I imagine that DTL, in their long run of unethical happenings, have somehow, over the years, redefined the meaning of the word “unlawful.” Workers were told that “as a result of the strike action taken” by them, “unlawfully and without prior notice to the company,” their services were no longer required.

Eight workers, some of whom have worked at the company for more than a

decade, are each now out of a job because they dared to stand in peaceful protestation against the oppressive machinery that is DTL. Since then, according to media reports, three more workers involved in protest action have been handed their dismissal letters.

My questions are: Why is this allowed to happen? Why is a company allowed to blatantly ignore workers’ rights to engage in strike and protest actions, which are backed not only by Section 8 of the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act, but also by the Constitution?

I might have missed it, but I have heard nothing from the Ministry of Social Protection, under which the Department of Labour falls.

Hopefully, they are working to reinstate the workers and issue heavy sanctions against DTL, because this level of worker intimidation and anti-union action should be nipped in the bud before the workers’ right to stand for their rights is further violated.

One may ask why a company would even want to fire workers for protesting, but DTL’s action is, of course, very clear that they do not want to raise their workers’ pay, and deem it much easier to fire them instead, regardless of the illegality of that firing.

With no increase since 2014, and failing to approve any increase in wages last year, DTL decided to hand out a disrespectful $5000 as a Christmas bonus in an econo-

my in which $5000 does not mean much. What this shows us is that DTL are not only disrespectful to the TESPA and the Constitution, but also have no consideration for the workers.

While it was reported that there was a large protest action following the dismissal of the workers from DTL, there is the high likelihood that DTL’s attempt to terrorise their workers into silence would be successful, as the likelihood of repeated protest actions from other workers would be miniscule.

It appears as though, in the world of DTL, compliant workers would be rewarded by keeping their same underpaid and taxing jobs, while those who dare to challenge the status quo would be un-

constitutionally dismissed; and it causes one to wonder whether freedom really is just a façade.

Unless DTL’s thuggish behaviour is continuously challenged, they will continue to commit gross injustices against their workers, and this is unacceptable. No company should be allowed to infringe upon workers’ rights; but apparently here in Guyana, the more oppressive you are, the more you are allowed to get away with.

More of Akola Thompson’s work can be found on her website, akolathompson.com. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to send them to akolathompson@hotmail.com.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Mental Health Institute coming ‒ Gov’t boosting counselling, therapy services DR. KAREN Cummings, the Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, has said the administration is taking concrete steps to address the issue of mental health; and that in addition to the recently launched Mental Health Unit, which treats patients on an out-patient basis, plans are in train to establish a Mental Health Institute which offers counselling and occupational therapy.

She also addressed the issue of inadequate and unqualified staffing as it relates to mental health treatment in Guyana. Speaking with

the Guyana Chronicle, Dr. Cummings said the Mental Health Institute would be able to provide training and clinical experience to those officers in this field, so that the delivery of mental health in Guyana would be holistically improved.

The minister revealed that the institute would be situated on Quamina Street, South Cummingsburg, where the Mental Health Unit is currently housed; while patients would be catered for on an out-patient basis via the mental Health Unit.

She also revealed that she is looking to have the

Psychiatric Ward at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) upgraded to accommodate patients with acute or severe illnesses.

The GPHC Psychiatric Ward currently has a limited number of beds, and Dr. Cummings revealed that she is seeking to increase the number of beds there. She said that while the GPHC would not be able to host patients for an extended period of time, there needs to be a facility that caters for patients suffering from chronic mental illnesses that would require extended institutional care.

The alternative to upgrading the GPHC Psychiatric Ward is to use the National Psychiatric Hospital at Fort Canje in East Berbice, but she said that serious renovation must be done to that facility to make it more “health-friendly” for its occupants.

Dr. Cummings however noted that “the idea is not to keep them there all the time”, but to eventually rehabilitate them into society.

STAFFING Minister Cummings also declared, “We are working assiduously to get the right persons for the job.” She noted that several mental health practitioners, including doctors, psychiatrists, psychol-

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings

ogists and social workers (needed to deliver primary care) are being earmarked.

The minister also said

training is ongoing for persons in this field, as the Public Health Ministry is “strengthening what we have.” She highlighted that a Deputy Director of the Mental Health Unit will shortly be installed to complement the recently installed Director of the Mental Health Unit, Dr. Meenawattie Rajkumar.

“We are trying to attract the best persons for the job,” the minister noted, and further said, “We want to offer a comprehensive package.”

World Mental Health Day was celebrated yesterday, October 10th, under the theme “Dignity in Mental Health: Psychological and Mental Health First Aid for all.”

Regional officials get training in conflict resolution REGIONAL officials from across Guyana are now better equipped to handle and defuse controversy as the curtains came down on training sessions in conflict resolution, mediation, negotiation and restorative circles.

The two-day training, which falls under the Youth and Citizenship Participation process, was held at the Umana Yana and saw participation from Regional Chairmen and councillors of the 10 Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), the Ministry of Communities said in a release.

The training was facilitated by Columbia University Professor Dr. Hakim Williams with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Counterpart International, in collaboration with Help and Shelter and the Ministry of Communities.

Dr. Williams, also an Assistant Professor at the Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, spoke of the restorative circle as a powerful tool of ancestral wisdom, which “equalizes voices” and holds potential solutions to festering conflicts. A restorative circle is a com-

Columbia University Professor Dr. Hakim Williams

munity process for defusing conflict and has its basis in a traditional indigenous practice. It brings together the three parties in a conflict: those who have acted, those directly impacted, and the wider community within an intentional systemic context, to dialogue as equals.

Dr. Williams explained that the circle keeper (the person who holds the reins on the conversation) must engage in active listening, be alert, attentive, and have

a posture that communicates concern and commitment towards the restorative process.

Of processes which exclude women, children and other vulnerable groups, Dr. Williams said, “The restorative circle ensures that everyone has a voice, and so it is powerful in disrupting histories of exclusion.”

He pointed to authenticity; openness; deep, active listening and empathy as qualities of effective diaTurn to page 19 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Youth dies weeks after being shot by bandit ALMOST two weeks after a bandit grabbed a gold chain and shot Gregory Anthony Garraway to the chest, the young man succumbed to his injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Tuesday.

Relatives are calling on the authorities to quickly find the killer. Reports reveal that the 25-year-old Charlestown resident who worked at a popular supermarket was attacked in the wee hours of October 1, 2016 when he left the Dynasty Sports Club, South Ruimveldt heading towards Mandela Avenue to make a purchase from a fast food outlet. He was shot and robbed of a gold chain in full view of his brother who stood outside the club.

The bandit made good his escape and Garraway was transported to the Balwant Singh Hospital before being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where he succumbed while on a life support machine.

“I’m hurt, I’m lost, I’m so angry a part of me is missing now I will miss you dearly I know I won’t be able to call you or yell at you or even represent you anymore but you will forever live in

Dead: Gregory Anthony Garraway

my heart I will always love you and I will look over our other siblings it’s hard so hard bye my loving brother”, his sister Tiffany Garraway stated in a social media post.

Tiffany Garraway had earlier said Gregory was shot in his abdomen and lost a kidney and damaged his liver. “We thought he was going to make it and come around but he succumbed.

I guess it was so much pain for my little brother. And up to now police haven’t held anyone.”

Police said that they are working on the case and anyone with information pertaining to the shooting can contact the nearest police station.

Regional officials... logue, and is of the view that persons who are not genuine are easily detectable in such circumstances. “You lose all credibility if you’re on your phone or if your facial expression projects indifference. When you come across as a robot and you don’t show levels of vulnerability, then no one will talk to you,” Dr. Williams underscored.

He outlined that an effective leader is one who tries different approaches, takes risks, and deviates from the traditional way of thinking.

The conflict resolution training comes at a time when the work of several Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) are in limbo arising from the political impasse created by the results of the last local government elections.

Although the training targeted regional councils, the manuals which are being developed will be applicable to NDCs and are expected to be replicated and completed in communities by the end of the year. The first phase of the project was aimed at providing voter education, while the second phase focused on community engagement.

Counterpart International is also conducting training in leadership and local governance, and is working in 10 communities: Mabaruma, Bush Lot, Hopetown, Sophia,

From page 18

Cummings Lodge, Belle West, Uitvlugt, Stewartville and Good Hope.

“We’re working in those communities with the NDCs and the residents to provide social cohesion training,” one of the organisers, Rawle Small, disclosed. Small further added that in addition to the training, the communities will be provided with a minimum grant funding that will allow each community to implement a social cohesion micro-project. This is expected to run from November through December.

Counterpart International is an organization which builds capacity in leaders, organisations and social networks to help solve pressing challenges.

The organization, which began in 1965, now has its roots in over 65 countries and supports persons who are solution-oriented. It embraces the fundamental premise of creating local ownership and building problem-solving capabilities at the local level to create positive and lasting impacts. Counterpart takes a building block approach with local partners to support strong and more resilient communities by developing leaders, strengthening organizations, and fostering multi-sector community partnerships.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 12, 2016

GNBS hosts essay competition to mark National Quality Week

THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) on Monday hosted several students from various technical and vocational institutes in Guyana for an essay competition, in observance of World Standards Day, 2016.

Executive Director of

GNBS, Candelle Walcott Bostwick explained that over the years, GNBS would involve students at various levels to participate in the essay competition, however, this year the organisation decided to focus on technical and vocational institutes.

“We wanted to see how

the students at the technical institutes would view the theme this year; and those essays were well done; at least we have an idea as to what the students, at that level are thinking about standards.”

Bostwick stated that GNBS is using the competition as a form of communi-

cating standards and the benefits of standards to society.

Eight technical and vocational institutes were invited to come on board for the competition, however, only six responded and participated.

The top three awardees are: the Georgetown Technical Institute (GTI), Esther Fraser who won first place; New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI), Jonathon Cyril who copped second place; and Leonora Technical

and Training Centre, Suvendra Nauth who placed third.

National Quality Week/ World Standards Day is being observed by GNBS during the October 10-14 period, under the theme “Standards build trust”.

Winners of the essay competition standing among supportive teachers and fellow classmates

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 12, 2016

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Stand-pipes for Andy Ville

THE Guyana Water Inc is examining the possibility of providing access to running water to the residents of Andy Ville, Linden.

This will be made possible through the erection of stand pipes at various points within the community. The village’s main source of water is rain.

During a meeting on Sunday, GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles told members of the Community Development Council (CDC) and other residents that the option of stand pipes was chosen because the area has not yet been regularised.

“What I would try to do after we get a good sense as to what the situation is, we’ll try as best as possible to see how we can bring some relief to the area”, Dr. Van West-Charles noted, according to a release from GWI. He further explained that, “because the area is not established as yet we don’t know where roads would run etc, we can’t run a lot of distribution lines but what we may be able to do, and I would be advised by the engineers, is to begin putting stand pipes whereby you can get easy access”.

The GWI MD committed to liaising with the Ministry of Communities and the

Lands and Survey Commission, to move ahead with the project. The residents also assured GWI of their willingness to volunteer their labour towards the realisation of the project.

GWI will spearhead the undertaking, as well as provide the pipes to be laid. In an effort to prevent water wastage, the MD encourged the villagers to be viligant and to report any leakage. Additionally, pressure taps will be installed to assist in this regard.

The community with 90 households and an average of 220 persons, stands to benefit from at least three stand pipes at each main road.

Following the meeting, the residents took Dr. Van West-Charles and a team of officials for a walkabout in the community to assess possible areas where the stand pipes can be erected. Those present at the meeting expressed their gratitude to GWI for looking into satisfying their basic need for access to running water.

Sunday’s meeting came on the heels of a visit to Timehri North, which is also expected to gain access to running water by the end of this year.

Water: Residents and GWI officials engage in a walkabout to assess the needs of the Andy Ville community.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 12, 2016

Children’s cancer awareness walk on Saturday

By Crystal Stoll

THE Key Club of the Georgetown International

Academy will, on Saturday, be hosting a walk to raise awareness of cancer in children.

The walk is expected to start at 06:00 hrs at the National Park, and end at the Parade Ground on Middle

Street, Georgetown. The first 300 persons to arrive for the walk will receive T-shirts bearing cancer

awareness and the Giving Hope Foundation logos.

The exercise, held under the theme: “Children Walking for Children -help us fight Cancer now,” is geared at raising the awareness of children in Guyana about those children who are affected by different types of cancer, especially those in the hinterland regions. It also seeks to raise money to combat the disease, local club president Gabriel Strand said.

“The more donations (received) the more kids we can help, because the mortality rate has improved….

All the donations will be sent to the Giving Hope Foundation,” he explained.

Donations can be made directly to the club presi-

dent, who can be reached at gabriel.strand123@gmail. com or +592-653-1500.

According to Strand, the club, a community service-oriented group which tries to build leadership in community groups and schools, is among the oldest and largest high school student organisations in the world. It has been involved in a number of programmes, including the International Coastal Clean (ICC) up programme, the building of a hydroponics shade house, and providing hampers for the needy.

The Key Club president is encouraging the public to join the club in helping to spread throughout Guyana awareness of cancer in children.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 12, 2016

TUF no more?

THE building which housed the headquarters of The United Force (TUF) at Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, opposite the Bourda Cricket Ground is being demolished.

Persons at the site reported that the facility was torn down by its owners.

The United Force, which was launched on 5th October 1960, celebrated its 56th anniversary this year. The leaders who founded the party were drawn mainly from the business community at the time and they included Peter d’Aguiar, who was long seen as its visionary leader.

At the May 2015 polls, the party failed to obtain a seat.

Wednesday October 12th, 2016 - 14:00 hrs Thursday October 13th, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Friday October 14th, 2016 - 14:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 12, 2016

India whitewash New Zealand INDIA completed a 3-0 whitewash in devastating fashion as a seven-wicket haul from R. Ashwin shot New Zealand out for 153 in their last innings of the series.

India declared just under an hour from tea, after Cheteshwar Pujara had completed his eighth Test hundred, to set New Zealand a target of 475 and give themselves a day and a half to take 10 wickets. They only needed 44.5 overs, as New Zealand lost nine wickets for 115 runs in the post-tea session.

Ashwin’s figures of 7 for 59 were his best in Test cricket, as were his match figures of 13 for 140. He picked up his 21st five-wicket haul, his sixth ten-wicket match haul, his seventh Player-of-theMatch award and seventh Player-of-the-Series award - fourth in a row - as well.

There probably isn’t a more influential cricketer anywhere in the world today.

Certainly no one has played a bigger part in India securing the No.1 Test ranking - a feat they got to celebrate when Virat Kohli was handed the ICC Test championship mace at the end of the match, in front of a capacity crowd in Indore.

Set a similar task last year in another dead-rubber Test, on a similar slow turner at Feroz Shah Kotla, South Africa chose to block their way to a draw.

They didn’t succeed, but they did make India toil for 143.1 overs.

New Zealand, having until now given India a harder time on this tour than South Africa did in theirs, adopted an entirely different approach and collapsed spectacularly.

R. ASHWIN Their two most accomplished batsmen, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, exemplified this approach.

Both came out looking to attack Ashwin, their tormentor through the series, and ended up playing a part in their own undoing.

Williamson hit Ashwin for three fours in his first two overs, either side of tea, but in that time also gave the bowler enough of a clue that he was looking to step across his stumps and play him with the turn

as much as possible. He shuffled across again to the eleventh ball he faced from Ashwin, premeditatedly, and a flatter, quicker one turned in and trapped him in front.

Like he had done to Kumar Sangakkara on the 2015 tour of Sri Lanka, Ashwin had dismissed Williamson four times in four innings.

In his first over at the crease, Taylor jumped out and hit Ashwin over the top for a four and a six off successive balls. As Ashwin’s spell continued, he stepped out again to whip him over midwicket, and then drove him against the turn through the covers. Having gone to 32 off 24, though, he chanced a sweep off a ball that was too full for the shot.

It sneaked under his bat and bowled him.

Luke Ronchi, James Neesham and Martin Guptill all fell in the next seven overs, the latter two to Ravindra Jadeja, and it seemed almost certain that the match wouldn’t go into a fifth day.

BJ Watling and Mitchell Santner hinted that it just might, while putting on 24 for the seventh wicket, but Ashwin came back to break their partnership, bowling over the wicket to the left-handed Santner and beating him with natural variation. Coming forward to defend, Santner inside-edged the ball into his pad and then onto the stumps.

India didn’t have to wait too long for the eighth and ninth wickets, but Watling and Trent Boult briefly raised the possibility of their having

to come back today to take the tenth, by putting on the longest partnership of the innings.

They stuck around for 10.1 overs, causing India a bit of frustration - Jadeja bowled a 45kph donkey drop to Boult, Ashwin dragged down a legbreak to Watling - and threatening to take the fourth day into an extra half-hour, before Boult came down the track to drive Ashwin and popped back a waist-high return catch.

Cheteshwar Pujara finished with a century and three fifties in the series.

India declared halfway through the morning session, one ball after Pujara brought up his hundred by helping a short ball from James Neesham to the fine leg boundary. It was a fitting way to reach the landmark, given that the area behind the wicket had fetched him 57 of his runs and six of his nine fours, with the lap-sweep and late cut his go-to shots against the spinners.

Having gone to lunch batting on 50 off 98 balls, he had sped away to score 51 off 50 in the second session.

At the other end, Ajinkya Rahane helped an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 58 to hurry along at 6.44 an over, stepping out to play his favourite chips down the ground and inside-out drives.

Ahead by 276 overnight, India had only extended their lead by eight runs when M Vijay was runout by a brilliant piece of fielding from Guptill in the

eighth over of the morning.

In walked Gautam Gambhir, who had retired hurt late on the third evening with a shoulder injury.

His re-entry sparked an immediate upsurge in India’s run rate, as he took frequent singles against New Zealand’s one-day fields, and pounced on anything remotely loose, his standout shot a drive drilled past extra-cover off Boult.

G a m b h i r ’s u r g e n c y rubbed off on Pujara as well.

He ran as fast as his troubled knees would take him, ending up with a dirt-streaked shirt from all the times he had to dive into the crease, and looked outside his usual repertoire of shots, even jumping out of his crease at one point to flat-bat Boult back over his head.

The pair added 76 for the second wicket before Gambhir fell for 50 off 56 balls, chipping Jeetan Patel to short extra-cover.

Kohli, the first-innings double-centurion, fell in the sixth over after lunch, given lbw looking to sweep Patel although replays suggested the ball may have struck his pad outside the line of off stump.

With nine overs to bat out before tea, New Zealand lost one wicket, Umesh Yadav going around the wicket in his first over and attacking the stumps to get Tom Latham lbw playing around his front pad.

New Zealand were 38 for 1 at tea. They probably would not have imagined that it would all be over after just one more session.

Fun and laughter as Sharapova returns to court THERE were smiles and laughs as Maria Sharapova played her first game of tennis since testing positive for meldonium at the Australian Open in January. A week after gaining a reduction to her doping ban - which will allow her to resume her career in April 2017 - the 29-yearold played in a charity tournament.

She featured in two doubles matches at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, a World Team Tennis Smash Hits charity event supporting the Elton John AIDS Foundation, hosted by the pop star and tennis legend Billie Jean King.

The fundraiser featured some of the biggest

MARIA SHARAPOVA names in the game’s history.

Sharapova, who had her original 24-month ban for testing positive to meldonium cut to 15 months by the Court of Arbitration of Sport, paired up with 16-year-old

Taylor Johnson against Martina Navratilova and fivetime grand slam doubles champion Liezel Huber.

In the final game of the day, Sharapova partn e re d J o h n M c E n ro e against Navratilova and Andy Roddick in an allstar clash of former world No.1 players.

On playing with U.S. youngster Johnson, the Russian star acknowledged the importance of the match, despite it being a fundraising event.

“It was a big occasion for her and also for me,” she told ESPN. “I haven’t been on court for a while.

For both of us, it was to have some fun and a bit of laughs.” (CNN)

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 12, 2016

IGG Basketball team shortlisted

By Daniel Haynes

AFTER two days and four intense training sessions, the Guyana U-19 Inter-Guiana Goodwill Games squad has been shortlisted for the upcoming games against Suriname.

The trials initially started with an extraordinary total of 41 players, but list has since been trimmed to 16 players from Georgetown, Berbice, Linden and Kwakwani.

However, the 12-man team

is yet to be selected from the 16 players left. This year the pool for selection was filled with big men as well as guards and finding the best players was a task.

However, the coaches who doubled as selectors are confident with the players that did make the cut. President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association, Junior Hercules, and University of Guyana coach Naylon Loncke are the coaches of the side.

According to Hercules:

“Our primary focus was to determine, amongst the 41 participants, whether or not they were able to dribble, pass, play, listen, rebound, be coachable and their overall activity. You were able to give yourself an individual option by ball work and drills and secondly by the ability to play in a team.”

He also added that the rate of errors made by the players during scrimmages was taken into account to determine which players to retain.

7s training commences today THE GUYANA Rugby Football Union (GRFU) has called 44 players to training practice in preparation for America North 7s Championships on November 12 and 13, 2016, in Trinidad & Tobago.

Commencing today at 15:45hrs, sessions will be played every afternoon until Friday. Game practice is on Saturday from 14:30hrs and on Sunday from 08:00hrs at the National Park Rugby Ground.

Those listed are: Richard Staglon, Ryan Gonsalves, Akeem Fraser, Kevin McKenzie, Rickford Cummings, Ryan Dey, Rupert Giles, Ronald Mayers, A. Jarvis, Dominique Lesprier, Rondell McArthur, Kevon David, Vallon Adams, Dwayne Schroeder, Troy Bascom, Daine Parks, Claudius Butts, P. Joseph,

Sean Phillips, Godfrey Broomes, K. Mars, T. Selman, Lancelot Adonis, Leon Greaves, O’Neil Charles, Peabo Hamilton, Osei McKenzie, Cyon Kitt, Patrick King, Grantley Williams, Toby Da-

vid, Avery Corbin, Jamal Angus, Blaise Bayley and Jason Tyrell They will be under head coach Kenneth Grant-Stuart, trainer Barrington Browne and manager Robin Roberts.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday October 12, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) &AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) 12 (2) Babar Azam

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who is the first West Indian to compile a hundred in his 100th ODI game?

(2) Put these in order beginning with the team that contested ODI cricket the earliest: Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, West Indies

Answers in tomorrow’s issue 12:30 hrs Some Plan

ENGLISH RACING TIPS BATH 08:30 hrs Panther Patrol 09:00 hrs Dusty Blue 09:30 hrs Kowaiyess 10:05 hyrs Coeur De Lion 10:40 hrs Dubka 11:10 hrs Beatbybeatbybeat 11:45 hrs Vantage Point 12:15 hrs Shalimah NOTTINGHAM 08:40 hrs Crowned Eagle 09:10 hrs Sea Tide 09:40 hrs Lenoire 10:15 hrs John T Chance 10:50 hrs Rainbow Rebel 11:20 hrs Satchville Flyer

11:55 hrs Swiss Affair 12:25 hrs Bonjour Steve WETHERBY 09:20 hrs Nucky Thompson 10:30 hrs Deise Diamond 11:00 hrs Lord Wishes 11:35 hrs Frederic 12:05 hrs Monbeg River 12:40 hrs Return Flight IRISH RACING TIPS Punchestown 09:15 hrs Masonbrook 09:45 hrs Hidden Cyclone 10:20 hrs Bosco Di Alco 10:55 hrs Catcheragain 11:25 hrs Strike Is Back 12:00 hrs Curragh Golan

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Durbanville 08:35 hrs Moulina 09:10 hrs Cndaleeyah 09:50 hrs Navasha 10:25 hrs Evoke Emotion 11:00 hrs New Caledonia AMERICAN RACING TIPS Keenland Race 1 Naifah Race 2 Persuasion Race 3 Holiday Man Race 4 Chastise Race 5 Fact Finding Race 6 Dream Dance Race 7 Lull Race 8 Tizational

The 16 players are: Akil Vaughn, Jahleel Duke, Jamal Gilkes, Malcolm Powar, Nathan Saul, Neil

Wills, Patrice Agrippa, Ramone Fogenay, Roger John, Sabastian Luke, Sherland Gillis, Stanton

Rose, Tafawa Daly, Terrence Daniels, Timothy Thompson and Travis Belgrave.

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 12, 2016

New CMRC champions to be crowned this year-end

By Stephan Sookram NEW Caribbean Motor Racing Championships Country champions will be crowned at the end of this racing season, with Trinidad in prime position to dethrone defending champions Guyana.

Following the latest release of points after the third round in Barbados, the Trinidadians have amassed 1 151 points Barbados second with 504, Jamaica third on 465 and Guyana fourth on 358.

Realistically, with a maximum of 630 pints on offer come November in Guyana, there are no contenders who can challenge the Twin Island Republic for that elusive country championship, which they lost by a mere eight points last year.

All that remains now is the official crowning cere-

mony and the jubilation that will follow.

The same can be said for the Group Four all-wheel drive category with Doug Gore set to shatter the twoyear stranglehold that Guyanese Kristian Jeffrey has had on the series.

Gore sits among the untouchables this year with 136 points from two rounds, his nearest competitor being countryman Kyle Gregg with 43 points and with 75 points up for grabs in Guyana, for Gore it is just about showing up to collect his trophy.

On the two-wheel drive end of things, the battle remains realistically between current leader Trinidadian Franklyn Boodram who has 144 points from three legs, Barbadian Mark Maloney with 118 from two legs and Jamaican Peter Rae with 108 also from two legs.

According to the

CMRA rules, however, ‘In the event that there are 4 rounds to the championships in one calendar year, drivers will score points from their 9 best finishes’.

With 75 points on offer in round four, the title could go anywhere with just over half of those separating the top three.

In the Group Three class, no competition exists for defending champion Paul Vieira who has easily taken the title with 200 points; his nearest competitor being Guyana’s Nazim Gafoor with 73 points.

On the Group Two front, the possibilities are even more exciting with Trinidad’s Luke Bhola leading the way into round four with 123 points while his countryman and defending champion Marc Gill is within striking distance on 111 points.

Barbadian Mark Ma-

loney is down in third on 102 points and well within striking distance of the title. Mathematically, Trinidad’s Marc Williams and Guyanese Shan Seejatan have shots as well, but their position also depends on those above them scoring no points.

On the motorcycle front, Guyana lead with 437 while Trinidad (161), Jamaica (156) and Barbados (133) fall in that order.

Individually, Guyanese Matthew Vieira leads with 166 points ahead of his cousins Stephen (166) and Elliot (93) with those three the only possible winners that can emerge.

Nonetheless, South Dakota in Guyana holds many memories for a lot of those Caribbean drivers/ riders, most of whom have indicated their interest to come here for the final round on November 12-13.

GFF/STAG Beer Senior League

Uitvlugt Warriors beat Veggae Boyz 3-1 to move top of points table … Young Achievers held to 2-2 draw by Eagles UITVLUGT Warriors secured a 3-1 win over Veggae Boyz to move to the top of the points standings of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/STAG Beer Senior League for West Demerara teams, when play in the competition continued last Sunday at the Den Amstel Community Centre ground.

Young Achievers were held to a 2-2 draw by Eagles.

According to information received, Daniel Eloy sent Uitvlugt Warriors into the lead with a 24th minute goal but Veggae Boyz bounced back and levelled the

score through a Teron Jones 26th minute goal.

Three minutes later, Jermain Accra made his presence felt with a conversion to see Uitvlugt regain the lead.

Seven minutes into the second half, Kevin Duke sealed the issue to give Uitvlugt a 3-1 victory.

With the win, Uitvlugt move to 19 points from seven matches, similar to former longtime points leaders Den Amstel who also have 19 points from seven matches, but Uitvlugt have a plus 22 goal difference as against Den Amstel’s plus 10.

Pouderoyen, who played seven matches, place third with 17 points and a goal difference of plus 21.

They won five of their matches and drew the other two.

The loss by Veggae Boyz will see them remaining in the cellar position in the 11-team league with a mere three points from nine matches.

Meanwhile, in the feature game on Sunday, Young Achievers, after being two goals down, battled back to secure a 2-2 tie against Eagles, compliments of a second-half double

off the boot of Lloyd Prince.

Seon Miller and Alkeba Black gave Eagles a 2-0 lead, with goals in the 23rd and 55th minutes respectively. But Prince reduced the deficit in the 79th minute from the penalty spot then scored the equaliser ten minutes later.

Young Achievers remain fourth in the points standings with 16 points from 10 matches with a goal difference of plus 11.

Eagles, on the other hand, is sixth with 12 points from eight matches and a plus 10 goal difference.

NSBF a success!

‘We are pleased with outcome,’ says YBG director

By Daniel Haynes THE recently-concluded Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) National Schools Basketball Festival (NSBF) was a success. The tournament showcased some of the best junior talent the local circuit has with old faces like Stanton Rose, Nathan Saul and Neil Wills reminding us what they can do.

However, it was not just about the old faces.

New faces appeared - like Yannick Tappin and his brother Kobe Tappin from Mackenzie and their Kwakwani counterpart Kadeem Dover making a name for themselves.

The festival had to be rescheduled this year due to Guyana’s hosting of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation U-16 Championships in July, but had a strong showing in the October playing.

According to YBG Director Chris Bowman: “July will always be a better period for the Festival ... this year for the obvious reason it is what it is ... we are happy with the outcome.

The true test of the success of the Festival is that it never gets old for the players, and nothing has changed in that respect.”

The three-weekend tournament hosted action in the Under-14, U-16, U-19 and Girls’ divisions with Mackenzie High School taking home the championship in the U-14 and U-16 categories. For Kwakwani it was a three-peat in both the Girls’ and U-19 divisions.

Bowman once again commented on the results, “It was a terrific championship. We are very pleased with the outcome. We are grateful for the tremendous support from our sponsors and partners, including this year the Director of Sport and the NSC. “We believe the future of the game is secure with the talent we have seen at the U-14, U-16 and Girls levels. We are indebted to the volunteer coaches who continue to selflessly build a strong foundation for school basketball.”

Director of Sport Christopher Jones commented on the NSBF stating; “The NSBF is the only developmental programme that exists. It is the only way we can do talent-scouting at a young age in the school system.”

HE added; “It coincides with what the Government has planned to do with getting sport back in the school system. YBG has provided the model for us to use.”

With the tournament over and done with, players will be looking to December when the Titan Bowl is usually played. The tournament was sponsored by Digicel, Banks DIH and Beharry Group of Companies.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 12, 2016

GFF averts Beavers win puts threat of them in fourth place boycott … bows to players’ request GFF/NAMILCO National Under-17 League

BEAVERS FC jumped from fifth to fourth place in the points standings of the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) round of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/ NAMILCO National Under-17 League which continued over the past weekend at the Den Amstel Community Centre ground, West Coast Demerara.

According to reports, Beavers came from two goals down to edge Eagles 3-2 and have stepped up one

place ahead of Wales who are in the cellar position in the five-team league.

Glenroy Duncan and Mikel Small sent Eagles into the lead with a goal each within the space of five minutes. Duncan registered the opening goal of the contest in the 16th minute and Small then doubled the score in the 21st minute.

But Beavers’ Shaquille Richards reduced the score line with a 28th minute goal and Selbert Baptiste levelled it with a 40th minute goal.

Six minutes later Courtney Liverpool sealed the issue for Beavers.

With the victory, Beavers moved to fourth place with six points from seven matches. They won two and lost five with eight goals for and 22 against.

Eagles, on the other hand, remain third in the points standings with six points from two wins and two losses from their four matches to date. They have so far scored nine goals and conceded a similar

amount.

Den Amstel continue to lead the points table with 18 points from six wins in as many matches. Slingerz are second with seven points from six matches with two wins, one draw and three losses.

Meanwhile, in the East Bank Demerara Football zone, Grove Hi-Tech edged Soesdyke Falcons 1-0 compliments of a Jamacy Benjamin’s 58th minute strike, while Yarrowkabra secured a walkover victory from Mocha Champs.

Bangladesh management warns Sabbir to watch behaviour THE Bangladesh team management has made Sabbir Rahman aware of the danger he faces of getting suspended after he accrued three demerit points under the ICC’s updated code of conduct.

He has been punished twice in the space of two weeks since the new system was introduced on September 22, and along with India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who is also on three points, will be on a good behaviour watch list for the next two years.

This is because if they accrue one more point during this period (totalling four points), it will be converted into suspension points which will determine how many matches a player will then miss. The number of demerit points ranges from one to eight depending on the level of offence the player is charged

SABBIR RAHMAN with. Four points would equate to two suspension points which means they would miss one Test or a combination of ODIs and T20s.

Bangladesh manager Khaled Mahmud said they have told Sabbir to be careful of his behaviour, especially with his celebra-

tion that brought him the second punishment.

“We have already spoken to him about the risk that he is facing regarding the suspensions,” Mahmud said. “He is aware where he stands. After what happened in the last game, I think he has to tone down his celebrations, avoid doing what he did in that incident. He can obviously celebrate but within the appropriate limits.”

Sabbir’s first incident was during the first ODI against Afghanistan on September 25 when he argued with umpire Sharfuddoula over a leg-before decision. The next offence was when he and Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza were penalised for “overstepping their celebration” against England.

In another change from the old regulations, after serving a ban the player’s disciplinary slate will not

be automatically rubbed clean in terms of the demerit points. The points under the 2016 regulations would hold for the next 24 months, and in case of further penalties, add up and will move onto five and above, reaching the next level of suspension - eight and above demerit points which then make a player liable to be banned for two Tests. The demerit points would only be wiped clean after 24 months.

Mahmud, however, said that the new system is easier for players to understand where they stand in terms of breaching the code of conduct.

“I think the new system is quite helpful to the players,” Mahmud said.

“They now know where they stand in terms of the demerit points. Previously he may have been suspended after the second incident but now he has another chance.”

By Ras Wadada THE GUYANA Football Federation (GFF) was again embroiled in another off-the-pitch issue that threatened a boycott by the Golden Jaguars to last night’s crucial 3rd round CFU-Scotiabank encounter against the defending champions, the Reggae Boyz.

On the eve of the important game when the players were scheduled to have their final training session, the Golden Jaguars were otherwise engaged in intense discussions with the GFF on outstanding payments dating as far back as the 2014 World Cup qualifiers and as recently as last Saturday’s game against Suriname in Paramaribo.

According to GFF president Wayne Forde, there was a meeting with several members of the Golden Jaguars where several issues that centred primarily on finances were discussed.

“We had very indepth exchanges and got to the point where players wanted to have GFF president a written commitment Wayne Forde from the GFF to honour any obligations determined after a thorough investigation was conducted. We had two rounds of discussions with the first ending with the executive committee finding it difficult to concede to a position where a document will be signed.

“We think that some of the posture of the group that we met with and the language appeared to be very threatening and I personally felt that it was unfair, and it was not in the spirit of compromise that I was being placed in a position to concede to something, of course not having all the information at my disposal.

After a few hours had passed and we had our second round of discussion I can say from all appearances that the way the conversation ultimately unfolded, better judgement had prevailed.

“We gave them a document that essentially said what has always been our intentions and had been stated repeatedly within the press that the moment we have all the information pertaining to what transpired with the Mexico game, if there is compelling evidence that there is a financial obligation on the part of the Federation, those obligations will be honoured,” Forde stated publicly.

Chronicle Sport learnt that the meeting between the two parties went past midnight, but an amicable resolution was reached and the threat of a no-show by the Jaguars was withdrawn.

New CMRC champions to be crowned this year-end

See story on page 30

Reggae Boyz humble Golden Jaguars 4-2

The victorious Jamaica side after the game ended

Jamaica about to score their first goal Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

GUYANA’S Golden Jaguars were last night booted out of the 2016-17 CFU-Scotia Bank Senior Men’s Soccer Championship after losing in extra time to cup holders Jamaica by a 4-2 margin at the Leonora Stadium.

The Jaguars made five changes to their line-up and after 30 minutes of play led a dis-jointed looking Reggae Boyz 2-0, thanks to a double-header by one of the new starter, Adrian Butters. The Canadian-based Butters buried his first header at the near post from a Walter Moore right side corner in the 7th minute and then on the stroke of the first half hour he timed a left side free kick by Brandon Beresford to nod past the Jamaican custodian.

The Jamaicans looked a rejuvenated unit in the second period while the Jaguars wilted a bit. Captain Jevaughn Watson pulled one back in the 63 minute and two minutes from regulation time Dicoy Williams equalized to force the game into extra time. The Jaguars were reduced to ten when Moore was given marching orders

by Antiguan referee, Kerry Skepple for serious foul play.

The numerical advantage took its toll in the extra time period just when it looked as though penalties would have to be used to determine the winner, Shaun Francis gave the visitors the lead in the 116th and on the stroke of full time Corey Burke added another for a 4-2 win.

The battle is on as time runs out on Guyana WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016