Guyana chronicle e paper 13 10 2016

US$50,000 for Haiti No. 104703

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

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Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo shares conversation with Mr Sayed Aqa, Vice President of the Islamic Development Bank at a reception at the Guyana Marriott Hotel Wednesday evening. Others in photo, from left, are Minister of Finance Winston Jordan and officials of the Bank, namely Mr Saifullah Abid, Anise Terai (partly hidden) and Mr Mohammed Jamal (Delano Williams photo)

Highly erroneous

…Gov’t debunks SN ‘Cabinet asks AG to explain…’ story P.7

Guyana shaping ties with Islamic Development Bank P.8

Carvil Duncan 21% drop suspended from in serious all Commissions crimes P.13

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

US$50,000 for Haiti

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

GUYANA will contribute US$50, 000 cash to aid Haiti cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, Finance Minister Winston Jordan confirmed Wednesday evening.

The storm, the strongest since 2007, killed approximately 1,000 people in the impoverished country.

The Finance Minister said that the money to help Haiti will have to be approved by the National Assembly and then it will be delivered to Haiti.

The opposition PPP had said it fully supported “the expressed intention of the Guyana Government to offer support to Haiti, which will aid humanitarian relief efforts, as well as longer-term relief and recovery operations.”

The PPP said it stood in support of the Haitian people and government.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge had told reporters that assistance to Haiti was discussed at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting and it was decided that cash was best suited for the hurricane-ravaged country.

“What we discussed (at Cabinet) is that when a country like Haiti is so often and badly devastated the normal material resources

after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake leveled much of the nation’s capital Port-auPrince, where reconstruction is still ongoing and disillusionment about the involvement of the international community in the rebuilding still runs high.

Haitian interim President, Jocelerme Privert on Tuesday played down the international aid response to Hurricane Matthew, saying some promised foreign aid

recovery.

Privert said the Haitian government had managed and steered aid to the proper channels and had opened up accessibility to many areas that had been cut off after the storm because of flooding, landslides, downed trees and debris.

“Many countries have promised us aid – some support in kind, but others have made promises that have not yet materi-

Children eat in a partially destroyed orphanage after Hurricane Matthew had passed Jeremie, Haiti, October 11, 2016 (REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins)

to which we can provide them…can prove a challenge.”

The Minister explained that packing a ship with food supplies and other necessities is good but when the ship reaches Port- au -Prince, Haiti it may prove exceedingly difficult to get the supplies to the most affected areas because of roads being completely destroyed and the like.

“What we will do in order to react more quickly is to provide some cash in the first instance. We are not in a position to deliver [supplies] into Haiti in a hurry at this point—if there are some

things they need it may be easier for them to buy—or get other countries to provide helicopters to move the stuff quickly…the other element would likely to take long,” said Greenidge.

He said that Guyana’s contribution may not be massive for Haiti, but noted that “it is not the size that matters…if you deliver that at a critical place it may help people and save lives.”

Southwestern Haiti was smashed by the Category 4 hurricane on Oct. 4, last which barrelled through the southern coast of the poor island nation, killing some 1,000 people and displacing

People fight as they try to get food during a special distribution in a church after Hurricane Matthew passed through Jeremie, Haiti, October 11, 2016.

(REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins)

hundreds of thousands.

The storm has most acutely hit farmers in southern rural areas, six years

had yet to materialise and that the devastated country was mostly funding its own

alised,” Privert was quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

Trump ‘groped woman like an octopus’

Two women have told the New York Times that Donald Trump touched them inappropriately, but the Republican candidate’s campaign denies the report.

One woman said the White House hopeful grabbed her breasts and attempted to put his hand up her skirt on a flight three decades ago.

The second woman said Mr Trump kissed her on the mouth against her will at Trump Towers in 2005.

Mr Trump’s campaign said “this entire article is fiction”.

The New York Times was launching “a completely false, coordinated character assassination,” a statement from his campaign said.

Jessica Leeds, 74, from Manhattan, told the paper

she had been sitting next to Mr Trump in the first-class cabin of a flight to New York when he lifted the armrest and began to touch her.

She was 38 years old at the time.

“He was like an octopus... his hands were everywhere,” she said. “It was an assault.”

‘SO UPSET’ Rachel Crooks was a 22-year-old receptionist at a real estate company in Trump Tower when she said she was kissed on the lips by Mr Trump outside a lift in the building.

“It was so inappropriate,” Ms Crooks told the New York Times.

“I was so upset that he thought I was so insignificant that he could do that.”

Jessica Leeds says Donald Trump groped her on a flight when she was a 38-year-old businesswoman Neither women has ever turned to economy.

Ms Leeds said she had reported their accounts to the authorities, but both shared largely put the encounter out what happened to them with of her mind until last year, when Mr Trump’s presidenfriends and family.

Ms Leeds said she was tial campaign took off.

“His behaviour is “angry and shook up” after deep-seated in his characMr Trump touched her.

She said she quickly left ter,” she said. “To those who the first-class cabin and re- would vote for him, I would

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wish for them to reflect on this.”

Ms Crooks said she “started hysterically crying” to her boyfriend after Mr Trump kissed her.

She said Mr Trump later asked for her phone number, which he said he wanted to pass on to his modelling agency, but she never heard from them.

On coming forward, she said: “People should know... this behaviour is pervasive and it is real.”

The Clinton campaign said the “disturbing” New York Times story “sadly fits everything we know about the way Donald Trump has treated women”.

“These reports suggest that he lied on the debate stage and that the disgusting behaviour he bragged about in the tape is more than just words.”

‘GRABBED MY ASS’ Meanwhile, Mindy McGillivray told the Palm Beach Post she was 23 when Trump grabbed her bottom at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida in 2003.

She said he was standing next to his then-fiancee Melania Knauss at the time.

Ms McGillivray, who is now 36, said she never reported the incident to the authorities.

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But her companion that d a y, p h o t o g r a p h e r K e n Davidoff, told the newspaper he remembers her pulling him aside moments afterwards and telling him: “Donald just grabbed my ass!”

Mr Trump’s campaign said Ms McGillivray’s allegation “lacks any merit or veracity”.

All three women have said they support Hillary Clinton’s campaign for president.

On Friday a 2005 video emerged which showed Mr Trump making obscene remarks about groping women.

He apologised for the comments, but described them as “locker-room talk”.

Many top Republicans, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, have distanced themselves in recent days from the businessman-turned-politician.

Mr Trump fired back in a string of tweets, saying the “shackles” had been removed.

He said he neither wanted nor needed Mr Ryan’s support and vowed to teach “disloyal” Republicans “how to win”.

A recent PRRI/Atlantic poll suggested Mrs Clinton holds a 49-38 lead over her opponent. (BBC News)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

Sustainable Development Framework launched - paves way for better life for indigenous villages

Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister, Sydney Allicock addressing the launch of the Sustainable Development Agreement Framework at the Umana Yana on Wednesday

By Shauna Jemmott THE Sustainable Development Agreement Framework (SDAF) was launched on Wednesday, paving the way for financial and technical support to indigenous villages, geared at providing them a better life.

The framework is part of Guyana’s programme to accomplish the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to put an

end to all forms of poverty, fight inequality, and tackle climate change.

The programme is designed to assist Indigenous communities achieve their sustainable development vision over a 10- year period, and part of it requires them to annually submit proposals for developmental projects to be approved by the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs.

The framework will also support communities in mon-

itoring the impact of the monies and other resources invested, and will assist the Ministry and other stakeholders to ensure their investments result in long-term community benefits.

In a broader sense, it is expected to enable effective coordination and planning to achieve local sustainable development targets in keeping with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to which Guy-

ana is a signatory.

Speaking at the launch at the Umana Yana, Georgetown, Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister, Sydney Allicock said the initiative will help Indigenous communities to identify steps to be taken to rise out of poverty.

“I believe that we could only fight poverty with those people who know about poverty, getting them involved, to show us or show the team what their needs are. Life has become hard as I see it, because we have lost our direction of being able to manage in our natural environment, and there is where there is a good opportunity to have such a framework to include those skills that are still there in making the communities stronger and better for the future,” Allicock said.

Life in a natural environment, caring for its ecosystems, with little financial and technological resources

is one familiar to Indigenous peoples.

It is the feeling that now is the time for the establishment of partnership through Government, non-governmental organisations, local community agencies and international donor agencies to conquer the social ills that still exist in Indigenous communities, the minister said.

“So what is important too, in the lives of community is the understanding of partnership. We have relations with all living things that are around, now we have partners who could bring the financial support… the partnership in this I’m quite certain will work,” Allicock contended.

The history of the framework lies with ideas set out by the Kanuku Mountains Community Reporting Group (KMCRG), the minister noted, pointing out that as population grows, pressure on

the natural environment increases.

With this, he said, the need to better manage the environment also increases.

Here is where the SDAF is very important and will need to buy in from all communities, the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister said.

“With land demarcation we need to step up our knowledge through modern technology to develop areas already tested… We realise that the communities need our assistance and technical guidance … If we’re going to move this process forward, we need the entire community to have that buying… this system is going to allow us to use the supportive approach instead of a dictatorial one (which) will allow and give the communities the confidence that they so much deserve or need for managing their affairs.”

RANKS of the Guyana Police Force Tuesday evening arrested a 32-year- old male robbery suspect with an unlicensed pistol and 11

matching rounds, at his home in East Ruimveldt.

Investigators visited the suspect’s home about 1845hrs, after information

was received that he was one of several suspects fingered in an armed robbery which occurred in Eccles, East Bank Demerara on October 2, 2016.

Robbery suspect nabbed

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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

Aftermath of

Hurricane Matthew

LAST week Hurricane Matthew, which started out at Category 4, pummelled Haiti in what the United Nations has described as the worst humanitarian crisis in the last decade. Haiti and Haitians need help and persons are encouraged to make contributions in whatever forms possible in lending a hand to them in this their moment of crisis.

At the time of writing, more than 1000 are dead, families have been displaced, approximately 90 percent of the crops destroyed in the areas affected, buildings and other infrastructure have been destroyed. The health of survivors outside of the shortage of food and exposure to dangerous physical surroundings has been made more vulnerable to other forms of diseases. The deadly and highly infectious water-borne disease cholera has struck and persons are understandably terrified.

It is also noted that the hurricane hit The Bahamas, Cuba and the United States (U.S.), bringing destruction and loss of lives in its wake. Havoc has been wreaked in states such as Georgia, Florida, the Carolinas and Virginia, at a cost not yet fully estimated, but ranging thus far in the tens of billions.

Natural disasters bring with them displacement in the lives of people through destruction of their communities and ways of life. For instance, there will be overloading of the healthcare system, destruction of schools and disruption of schooling, shortage of food, disruption of telephone and other utilities, and destruction of homes, buildings and other infrastructure.

Fortunately for the U.S., there exist mechanisms to minimise aftershocks. Government -- federal, state and local -- along with strong non-governmental organisations and individuals render support in mitigating the consequences and assisting the recovery. Unfortunately, poor societies such as Haiti, considered the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, are operating without these mechanisms and have been reliant on external support every time disaster hits.

When such support is not forthcoming, it leads to consequences such as increase in poverty, outward migration and persons risking their lives to flee as seen in the use of boats not equipped to navigate across the Atlantic or Caribbean Sea. It also creates space for predators such as paedophiles and human traffickers. Human disasters born out of failure or inadequacy to deal with dire consequences of natural disaster have to be addressed. Haitians should not be allowed to continue to dwell in such despair and despondency . Continuous poverty in Haiti results in continuous poverty throughout the world. The country is still struggling to get on its feet, having been ravished by an earthquake in 2010 that saw support pouring in from all quarters around the world. President Barack Obama had appointed former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton to head the United States’ government relief and rebuilding efforts.

Countries in the Caribbean Community (CARCICOM) share a common history with Haiti. These societies were not only enslaved and colonized, but share the waters of the Atlantic and Caribbean Sea that encircle Haiti. Caribbean people, resident or in the diaspora, share a common culture and a deep and abiding interest that we as a people can collectively overcome the adversities we face. The Caribbean community,people and gov-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

Coalition gov’t does not hoard power in central government Dear Editor I REFER to a letter signed

by Mr Norman Whittaker captioned, ‘The Local Government Commission should be established’ (SN, October 9), in which Mr Whittaker makes erroneous assertions which I intend to hereby address.

The current administration – having respect for the rule of law – has repeatedly made clear that it is committed to setting up the commission. Moreover, the government has taken concrete steps to have the commission established.

Pursuant to Section 4 (1) (b) of the Local Government Commission Act of 2013, which states that the Local Government Commission shall include, ‘three members appointed by the President acting on advice of Leader of the Opposition after consultation with other parliamentary parties,’ I had written to the Honourable

Leader of the Opposition on May 11, 2016 requesting his co-operation in this regard.

On July 6, 2016, Opposition Chief Whip Ms. Gail Teixeira replied to my correspondence on Mr. Jagdeo’s behalf, naming three persons: Mr Clinton Collymore, Mr Norman Whittaker, and Ms Carol Sooba.

I subsequently wrote to Ms Teixeira on July 30, 2016 requesting confirmation that ‘consultation with other parliamentary parties’ as required by Section 4 (1) (b) of the Act, leading to the submission of the three nominees by the Leader of the Opposition, had indeed occurred. To date, I have not received a reply.

Editor, evidently, for an administration that respects the law we cannot proceed to establish the commission in the absence of confirmation that the requirements of the law have been met by all the stakeholders. Editor, regard-

ing another matter, on the same day, Mr Anil Nandlall wrote a letter in the Kaieteur News captioned, ‘Anil Nandlall documents the current abuse of power.’ Mr Nandlall made several claims; I wish to address two of them.

Mr Nandlall, pronounced on the “lawfulness” of my input in the appointments of [the] Mayor of Mabaruma and the chairpersons of the five tied Neighbourhood Democratic Councils. As an attorney, and moreover the former Attorney General, I am shocked that Mr Nandlall would comment and further, pronounce on a matter which is before the court. Needless to say, I will offer no comment on this matter which is sub judice.

Secondly, Mr. Nandlall stated that the government systematically uses regional officials (“Overseers, Regional Executive Officers and Town Clerks, all agents of the executive”) to thwart

and frustrate the work of local democratic organs not controlled by government. Editor, I categorically reject this ridiculous statement. I am puzzled; I wonder upon what basis is Mr. Nandlall’s statement premised. In any case, as has been repeatedly stated, this government has a policy of decentralisation of decision-making power and continuously strives to ensure harmony between the elected and appointed elements of all councils.

And unlike the PPP regime, this administration does not hoard power in central government. That having been said, I would welcome Mr Nandlall sharing any evidence of such conduct, so that if there is any merit in his statement, the matter can be addressed.

Regards Ronald Bulkan Minister of Communities

Greenheart ban by UK not good Dear Editor, I READ Terrence Williams’s letter in the Sunday Kaieteur News (09-10-2016) captioned “A plea to the Guyana Forestry Commission” and I am in agreement with his letter. Williams’s letter was in response to Dr Janette Bulkan’s letter in the media, where she said that the UK’s ban on our greenheart is correct on the basis that Guyana does not practise Sustainable Forest Management (SFM).

Dr Bulkan is entitled to her own views regarding Guyana’s forestry sector, even though they are not consistent with assessments made by international For-

est Monitors (IFM) on Guyana’s deforestation rate.

For example, Guyana’s year 5 interim measures report for forest–based performance required by the Kingdom of Norway stated that Guyana has achieved a deforestation rate of 0.065%. This is still very low and by comparison to other forest countries, the lowest. This forest-based performance report for January 2014- December 2014 was assessed and endorsed by international forestry experts from Norway stipulated by the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Guyana and Norway in pursuance of Guyana’s low-carbon development strategy (LCDS).

It is also important to mention that Guyana’s interim measures report for year 5 for Norway was based on Redd + indicators, as well as the previous reports using our own monitoring , reporting and verification system (MRVS) developed by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) in partnership with stakeholders.

So basically it is not fair to say that the GFC is not practising sustainable Forest Management as is always claimed by Dr Bulkan.

But Dr Bulkan, while being a GFC board director who resides overseas and uses Skype at board meetings, continues to express uncomplimentary views

about the management of Guyana’s forestry sector in the public domain instead of at board meetings which brings into question the matter of confidentiality.

This I find very strange, since it is not based on professionalism and in this regard I do believe that the GFC should have a code of conduct for its board members. Like Terrence Williams, I do believe that the ban on greenheart by the United Kingdom (UK) is simply not correct and it should be removed, since it is not justified.

Regards Peter Persaud

Ingratitude worse than witchcraft Dear Editor ‘MEDIATRONICA’ and ‘journacology’ seem to have posited a yarn that Carvil Duncan was offered a monetary package by the Ministry of the Presidency

compensatory to his resignation.

In the Holy Quran the question is asked, “Which one of the favours of your Lord will you deny?” It also warns that ingratitude

is worse than witchcraft.

There may have existed, as is the nature of the presidency, a compassionate policy towards Mr Duncan so as to do justice to his long-service

entitlements in the course of negotiating his termination of services.

ernments,should not only be prepared to work with Haiti after every disaster, but also in a structured and continuous way in finding solutions to minimise the shocks that may occur from time to time.

As North America and Eu-

rope seek to pay attention to the crisis in the Middle East that leads to migration and refugees, CARICOM, as an institution, has a responsibility to pay continuous attention to the plight of this member state.

Structures need to be put in

place to address issues such as resettlement of Haitians with specific goals in mind and providing food, since the country has been made barren through deforestation that resulted from bad environmental practices of local

and foreign extractors. Our support to Haiti is needed not only in overcoming the present humanitarian crisis, but also in ensuring systems are put in place that could make the future better than the immediate past and present.

Regards Glendon Khanai

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

…Gov’t debunks SN ‘Cabinet asks AG to explain…’ story THE government has described as false, an article in the Stabroek News on Wednesday which said that a decision was taken at Cabinet on Tuesday to have Attorney-General Basil Williams prepare a report to explain the compulsory acquisition of two plots of land at Carmichael and Middle Streets belonging to High Commissioner to Canada Clarissa Riehl and the Beharry Group of Companies.

Attorney General Basil Williams “It is highly erroneous, false and mischievous, no

such decision was taken at Cabinet. The matter was not even discussed,” Williams told the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday. Noting that the article in the privately-owned Stabroek News is a “total fabrication,” Williams said too he was not even at Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, but was able to confirm that the matter was not an agenda issue and never came up for discussion. The Guyana Chronicle was also able to independently ascertain from three other Cabinet members that the matter was never discussed.

CLEARED BY PARLIAMENT Williams maintained that this matter was fully ventilated at the level of Cabinet months before and was also a subject of scrutiny in Parliament during this year’s budget when the sums proposed for the acquisition of the lands had come up under his ministry’s estimates. “I do not know what report Cabinet will now ask for, when Cabinet, the Ministry of Finance and

the Parliament have all dealt with this issue,” Williams said. Williams had told a news conference last week that the move to acquire the two plots of privately-owned lands for public purposes was actually initiated by the former PPP/C administration which is now decrying the decision.

Government recently issued the order to acquire the east quarter of Lot 92 Middle and Carmichael Streets under The Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act. The Official Gazette of September 24, described the lands as follows: “East quarter of Lot numbered 92 …Middle and Carmichael Streets …with all the buildings and erections thereon, save and except the building and erections situate on sublot lettered ‘A’ part of the said quarter lot the property of Patrick L. O’Dowd, and save and except the said sub-lot `A’ as shown and defined on a plan

by Sugreen A. Nehaul, Sworn Land Surveyor, dated 19th June 1947, and deposited in Deeds Registry on 26th June, 1947, transported to the said

Patrick L. O’ Dowd on 23rd May, 1960 – No.910.”

Since then, former Minister of Legal Affairs under the PPP, Anil Nandlall, has decried the move, stating that it has “sent chills down the spine of right-thinking Guyanese, especially property owners.” The former AG reasoned that because of the “obvious, draconian nature” of this power to acquire land this way, and the sanctity accorded to private property, it is a power that is used on the rarest of occasions and in the most exceptional of circumstances.

“It is always an option of last resort,” he said.

Nandlall went on to suggest that Government should not acquire these lands via the “compulsory acquisition” mechanism, but that they should utilise one of the numerous Government buildings and empty plots of State lands scattered all across the city.

INHERITED Williams on Wednesday again insisted that this was a move initiated by the PPP

Some issues deserve the President’s attention Dear Editor, THE days of invoking worshipping of leaders and brain-washing, although tried in Guyana, are slowly becoming a thing of the past. The world is paying rapt attention to Guyana’s political and economic landscape, for reasons that range from it being a strategic port for shipments of illicit drugs to its potential for being overcome by a brand of politics not exactly in line with traditional geopolitical interests.

The President is expected to speak at Parliament today.

The following are a number of issues I wish to propose he addresses: (1) Why, in Guyana’s democracy, where all men are equal in the sight of the law, and each must pay his fair share of taxes, Guyanese working for $100,000/month have to pay $15,000 in taxes while he, the President, receives approximately $1,800,000/month, and pays none at all. This excludes an additional $500,000 or so in annual allowances. Apparently this was written into Section 13 of the Income Tax Act, and applies also to the Chancellor and the Chief Justice. All of this lends to the president a mistaken perception that he is somehow better than other hard-working Guyanese.

There are a number of ways of looking at these numbers.

The President receives $21,600,000 annually, or $108,000,000 million during his term in office, excluding allowances. Additionally, he neglects to pay $6,300,000 in annual income taxes, or $31,500,000 over the five-year term. These latter amounts can assist much in financing increases for the lowest paid public servants who continue to get a raw deal. Examining these figures and the President’s declared intention to deliver on that ‘Good Life’ for Guyanese, it becomes clearer how concerned he is about improving the lot of public servants on one hand, and how he is viewed from the global perspective as an ethical person concerned about eliminating the abuses of the executive powers enshrined in our laws.

The President may wish to rethink his current military strategy – apparently he is being guided by this – and move to rescind the relevant section, and just to restore face, he should pay all back taxes due since his inauguration last year. This has been an issue about which no one is talking recently, but which the international community is quietly observing, since all of this provides insight into the

basic character of the man who is the president. That he has not addressed it in the first instance is precarious enough. One gets the impression that he is playing a muted version of the power game of the Kabaka (the all-powerful colloquial title of king assigned to Burnham), which would definitely not sit well with international investors with the potential to transform Guyana.

(2) Prior to the elections last year, the President and his government strongly advocated for job-creation and higher wages. Subsequently, job-creation was subsumed within his newly coined paradigm of a ‘Green Economy.’ More recently, he seems to have been advocating that we become entrepreneurs.

Two changes in strategy to dealing with a crucial economic problem in just two years. If we all become entrepreneurs, then there will be no workers left. But this might just be his point. There would be no need for the annual acrimony and negative public relations that result from consulting with unions.

(3). Some time back the President displayed what in some circles was considered gross disrespect to a section of the private sector by saying that they were small-minded, while proceeding

to push through the name change for Ogle Airport to its current title.

The concept of branding is an important revenue-generating factor in international trade relations, influencing the flow of millions of dollars in foreign currency.

Interference by governments in such trivial, yet important matters, raises questions about what the government considers to be its true role in the economy.

(4) From this, we fast-forward to the recent move to acquire private property to serve the public interest. As has been highlighted in the press, such tactics are reminiscent of nationalisation under Burnham, and allowing for some wider perspective, may be used in the future to seize private property for redistribution to cronies and ministers through NICIL, which has found renewed strategic importance to the current government.

The President is called upon to announce a revocation of this latter process and indicate an immediate end to any and all such activities now and in the future. I suggest that his success in office depends on decisions he makes on these issues.

Regards, Craig Sylvester

during its time in office. “The nation should know that when we [APNU+AFC] entered Government, I inherited that proposal by the PPP to acquire those said lots. And the staff that I inherited recommended those lots.”

The AG explained that when he entered office, he began making attempts to establish a permanent law reform commission and a law-review unit, but that the current premises could not accommodate those units.

As such, he opted to rent a building to house those units, and expressions of interest for that rental had been received.

Subsequently however, he was made aware that attempts had already been made by the former Government to acquire the plots. “So the issue of the compulsory acquisition was something inherited from the PPP. So perhaps the problem Mr Nandlall has is that he didn’t get to do the transaction,” Minister Williams said.

He recalled too that Nandlall had raised the issue in the National Assembly during consideration of the budget and he (Williams) had responded, saying that the evaluation was done by the Chief Evaluation Officer of the Government. The project was then approved by the Ministry of Finance and Cabinet, after which it was passed and approved by the National Assembly. Williams said too that if the PPP had remained in office, they would have paid $560M more than the current government for the same two plots of land. “He [Nandlall]

indicated to me that those two small plots are worth $600M. So in telling me that, my impression is that if he had been able to do that transaction, then it would have cost the government $600M when it is costing us $40M -- $20M per lot,” the AG said. Nandlall has since denied ever telling Williams these things.

LEGAL ACTION Stabroek News also reported that the Beharry Group has retained an attorney to deal with the issue and hinted at possible legal action. Williams said that he is not sure on what grounds the owners of the lands are going to challenge the decision. He said the legal action taken by government is called compulsory acquisition and unless there is evidence of a breach in procedures, he does not see on what grounds the decisions would be challenged. Williams reminded the Chronicle that the PPP during its term in office had compulsorily acquired several lands, including a large portion on Water Street to facilitate vending. Williams also revealed that a charitable organisation, the Berbice Bharati Saywa Sangha, which operates senior citizens homes in Berbice, had their lands compulsorily acquired by the PPP/C administration in 2000. He said that the former administration had acquired the lands to construct the University of Guyana Tain Campus.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

Guyana shaping ties with Islamic Development Bank

By Neil Marks

KEY executives of the Islamic Development Bank are on their first visit to Guyana and the government here expects to shape a financing partnership by the time discussions are over in the next few days.

“We want to be offering the full package of development assistance, including finance, but not exclusively financing,” said Mr Sayed Aqa, Vice President of the Bank. He is leading a delegation for talks with the government and the private sector.

“The Bank’s objectives and priorities coincide with ours and our development agenda, so we are excited in trying to develop this partnership agenda as quickly as possible so we could get projects to excite the bank and have them financed,” Winston Jordan, the Finance Minister said Wednesday evening.

Guyana acceded to membership of the Islamic Development Bank in March this year. It was seen as a signal

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan shakes hands with Mr Sayed Aqa, Vice President of the Islamic Development Bank at the Guyana Marriott Hotel Wednesday evening (Delano Williams photo)

development as the country attempted to join the Bank ever since it became a member of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in 1998, as this is a prerequisite to joining the Bank.

Speaking ahead of a welcome reception for the executives of the bank at the

Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, Minister Jordan said that Guyana is excited about the partnership.

He said this was especially so since it comes at a time when access to concessionary resources is becoming more difficult and membership to the Bank will afford Guy-

ana an alternative source of financing to highly concessional resources, including grants and interest free loans.

“We have to be excited because we are aware of what the bank does, we are aware of what the Bank has done in our neighbouring country Suriname…and we are hop-

ing that we can have similar or greater things,” Minister Jordan stated.

The areas of intervention of the Islamic Development Bank include human development, rural development and food safety, infrastructural development, trade among member countries, as well as private sector development, research and development.

Guyana is the second country in the Americas to join the Bank, following on after Suriname.

In April this year, Suriname announced that it would benefit from a US$1.75 billion loan from the Islamic Development Bank and was first intended to be used to finance imports of social merchandise, such as basic goods and medicines and fund infrastructural and agricultural projects.

Mr Saifullah Abid, Senior Country Manager responsible for Guyana said that the country has a lot of potential, and he sees potential particularly in the agricultural sector.

He said this would be

ideal because Guyana can help meet the world demand for food and agricultural industries can create jobs for Guyanese.

“We hope we can have some modest contribution to the development of Guyana, building on the lessons we have learnt in Suriname, and other member countries,” said Mr Aqa. “We hope to link Guyana to other member countries so they can benefit from them as well, in addition to the financing,” he added.

The Bank was established in December 1973 and officially opened its doors for business on October 20, 1975, with Headquarters in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

It also operates through regional offices in Kazakhstan, Senegal, Malaysia and the Kingdom of Morocco.

The Bank was established with the purpose of fostering economic development and social progress in member countries and Muslim communities.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

PPP to boycott President’s speech today ‒ says suspension of Carvil Duncan an assault on constitutional democracy THE Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has announced that it will boycott today’s parliamentary speech by President David Granger because of the move to suspend Mr Carvil Duncan from all constitutional commissions.

The PPP Wednesday evening said it was shocked at the unfolding events in relation to Mr Carvil Duncan, who has been suspended from all commissions, including as chairman of the Public Service Commission.

The Ministry of the Presidency said that Mr Duncan was suspended in keeping with the constitution, as is reported on Page 13 of today’s edition.

“These events manifest the level to which the AP-

NU+AFC administration led

by President David Granger will descend to assault our constitutional democracy.

“The implications and ramifications are deep and far-reaching,” the opposition PPP stated.

The parliamentary opposition noted that Mr Duncan, apart from being the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, is an ex-officio member of the Police and Judicial Service Commissions.

“These commissions were established by the Constitution to create checks and balances against Executive abuse of power. They are independent and their officers are highly protected,” according to the statement from Mr Jagdeo’s office.

The parliamentary oppo-

Bharrat Jagdeo

President David Granger

sition stated that a tribunal was established against Mr Duncan, even though certain criminal charges filed against Mr Duncan are still pending in the court.

“This tribunal is proceeding with its work although Mr Duncan’s lawyers have indicated that it was set up in breach of the rules of natural justice and its work

will violate Mr Duncan’s constitutional presumption of innocence and is without due process,” the PPP claimed.

The party said that the implications and consequences, which flow from all of this, is “not only destructive to our democratic ethos, but is a frightening unleashing of Executive power on a high constitutional office-holder.”

In light of these events, the PPP said it would be “impossible to sit through another lecture on democratic governance and constitutional propriety to be delivered by the President today “in our Parliament, the premier law-making institution in our country and a constitutional institution, which forms the cornerstone of our democ-

racy.”

The PPP said it had sat through the President’s parliamentary speeches before, according him respect as Head of State, but it “must in this instance register our protestation.”

“To do otherwise would be a derogation of our responsibility as Members of Parliament.

“We must register our deep and abiding displeasure at such wanton Executive abuse of our Constitution and its important agencies,” the PPP stated.

The PPP is expected in the House after the President’s speech, saying it will participate in the debate on the National Youth Policy, an important issue that will be up for consideration.

Youths say age for houselot should be 18 YOUNG people are in support of dropping the age requirement for a houselot from 21 to 18 years.

However, they recognise that in doing so the government would face immediate challenges. At a public consultation in Georgetown on whether the age should move from 21 to 18, persons said it would help young people to be more responsible. They however, noted other challenges in securing a houselot including high interest rates.

Thomas Griffith, who was at the consultation, agreed with the motion to have young adults own their

houselots at age 18. “I think that young people of this generation have great responsibility at the age of 18. I think we’ve come to a place of maturity because of how society is, so I think we are capable of owning our own property,” Griffith said.

A teacher, Shabaza Douglas said that giving young people the opportunity to own their homes would help make them accountable.

“I think changing the policy from 21 to 18 is a great initiative, since young people can do so many things like making certain choices at 18; so why not make a positive

choice of owning your own home and it also gives you a sense of feeling responsible,” Douglas said.

Suanna Swan, a medical student at the University of Guyana, noted that while the initiative is timely and would be beneficial to young people, other factors should be taken into consideration.

“We have to consider how the young people would be able to afford the cost of the home. At the banks the interest rates are very high and this would be difficult for young people,” Swan said.

Other participants spoke of the difficulty that would

be existent when the age moves from 21 to 18 years, since the demand would be greater. Some also spoke about reducing the price for lands.

Consultations on the issue have been ongoing in a number of regions, with

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Patterson. The minister has noted that at the age of 18, a person is considered an adult and allowed to vote, get married, and own a vehicle.

Minister Adams-Patterson explained that her

ministry is considering housing units in the form of apartments, duplexes and condominiums at affordable prices and the consultations will help in deciding on the way forward. (Government Information Agency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

Greenidge: Relations with China intact ‒ says no company above the law

By Ariana Gordon GUYANA’S diplomatic relationship with China will remain intact despite the enforcement of this country’s laws on Chinese companies here which have failed to comply with specified rules of operation.

Over the past few weeks, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has started to repossess concessions held

by Chinese logging company Baishanlin International Forest Development Inc (BIFDI) due to that company’s failure to deliver on agreed actions to introduce investors to the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), as well as failing to address its liability, though given time to prove that the company has an acceptable plan to clear a debt of approximately $80M. Incorporated in September 2006 under the Guyana Companies Act 1991 with the main objective of timber harvesting and establishing downstream wood processing operations in Linden, BIFDI has been scrutinised following allegations of being involved in shady transactions, particularly under the PPP/C Administration.

Over the past few months another Chinese-run logging company, Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL) has been accused of violating the labour laws and was the subject of many media reports.

On Tuesday night, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge said Guyana’s relationship with China remains strong and noted that the APNU-AFC Government is not targeting Chinese companies.

He said if any business breaches the laws of Guyana, that business will be penalised.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

“We don’t have a problem with any nationality- the concern that we have is that they have concessions on certain terms and those terms were not honoured and that is a serious matter. If you get fiscal concessions with both a depleting and depletable resource… they deplete the resource, they haven’t played by the rules and therefore Government had to take action. If a German firm came and did the same thing, the same would apply and you have to do same with Guyanese firms too,” he said.

The Foreign Affairs Minister made it clear that the rules enforced by Guyana are universal and noted that representatives of the Chinese Government here have assured the Government that they have “demanded of their companies that they respect the law”.

Recently he said China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Zhang Limin called on Chinese firms, large and small, to respect the laws that apply and govern the conditions under which they get concessions.

“That is the case for all nationalities. We cannot go to China even as a non- en-

trepreneur and break the law…they are not going to say we are fraternal,” added the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Asked whether he believes the Chinese Government would encourage its companies here to pull their other investments, Minister Greenidge responded “why should it? Because one of its firms breaks the law and action is taken against them you withdraw?”

He reminded that Guyana has always supported the People’s Republic of China over the years even when other territories have failed to do so.

“We were there with China and China as far as I can see recognises the value of a bilateral friend who stands with it through thick and thin and no Government worth its salt is going to be encouraging its companies to break the law and then get upset when the law is applied to them.”

The Foreign Affairs Minister made it clear that while there may be “popular speculation” he is sure that the diplomacy is not run that way.

“That may be how you run your house, or kitchen but you can’t run diplomacy that way, so don’t take much notice of those persons who suggest that a rift will arise. We have taken action against American companies in the past and we will continue to do the same against all of those who break the law.”

The intention, the minister said is to ensure that all business conducted in Guyana is done at a high standard and in compliance with the law, rules and regulations.

“If we do our business properly and we apply our laws evenly then we’d be respected both by the firms and the country; that is what we are aiming to do,” said Greenidge.

Prison officer on bail for assault A THIRTY-SEVEN-year-old prison officer who assaulted a 17-year-old girl on the Route 44 bus park was on Wednesday placed on self-bail when he appeared before Magistrate Brenden Glasford at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Night Court.

George Solomon of Den Amstel, West Coast of Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on Friday, October 7 at the Route 44 mini-bus park, he assaulted Kia Grant.

The unrepresented accused requested to be placed on reasonable bail, since he is the sole breadwinner for his two minor

children.

Magistrate Glasford placed the prison officer on self-bail and transferred the matter to Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for November 12.

According to reports, on the day in question, the teen along with her mother was standing at the Route 44 bus park when Solomon walked up to the young lady and started to point his hand in front of her face, saying “ yah see them hard-card you does give me.” A confrontation ensued, the matter was reported and Glasford was charged for assault.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

21% drop in serious crimes THE police have recorded a 21% decrease in serious crimes at the end of September when compared to the same period last year.

In a statement,the police said there was a 9% reduction in reports of murder; a 5% decrease in gun-related robberies; a 17% decrease in armed robberies in which other instruments were used; a 15% decrease in robberies where no instruments were used; a 25% decrease in Robberies With Violence; a 4% decrease in Robberies With Aggravation; a 33% decrease in Larceny from the Person;

a 19% decrease in Rapes; a 13% decrease in Burglaries and a 21% decrease in Break and Enter and Larceny.

Additionally, 67 illegal firearms were seized, which include 29 pistols, 21 revolvers, and 17 shotguns. The police said the consistent and continuous reduction in all of the above listed serious crimes, is an indication that the strategies are working well, have yielded and will continue to yield positive results, thereby assuring all citizens that their collaborative effort in partnering with law enforcement is vital.

Timehri handyman found dead on Craig sea dam THE decomposed body of a Timehri, East Bank Demerara man was discovered at Craig sea dam Wednesday morning.

Dead is Infant Forrester, 53, called “Bolt and Nut.” The father of two was well known by residents of Timehri as a farmer, labourer and handyman.

Reports revealed that a fisherman who was on the sea dam, spotted the body and alerted residents in the area. Residents then made contact with the Grove Police Station, located just in the neighbouring village, but the police arrived hours later.

The man’s body was badly decomposed with his ribs and other bones in his body showing.

The dead man’s son, Dexter Forrester, said his father last worked with a man

in the village who dropped off his father at the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital weeks ago.

“My father was missing three weeks now.

“We searched for him but didn’t see him; last month was his birthday and now he is dead,” the son said. When asked if he had made a report to the police, he replied in the negative.

He explained that his father was a hardworking man who was peaceful and was not known to be a trouble maker. However, he said his father consumed alcohol regularly and had seizures at times.

The man whom Forrester last worked with told this publication that he did manual labour for anyone in the community who required a handyman.

Police from the Criminal Investigations Department and others at the area where Forrester’s body was discovered

Infant Forrester in happier times on a farm in Timehri

According to the police exposure to training, both locally and internationally, continues to be a priority at all levels of the force. From January to September of this year, 97 officers and other ranks benefited from overseas training in all aspects of policing as previously stated, but now includes a) Training to combat human trafficking for Judicial Authorities b) Victim identification, referral and assistance and c) Public Corruption and Ethics.

The force said the Cops and Faith Community Network continues to be of significant assistance to the force in its mandate as was alluded to in its August month release. In terms of Juvenile Offenders, they have now dealt with 389 males and 134 females, who have been spared the indignity of the Criminal Justice System, due to their intervention between the complainants/reporters, victims and the police.

INCREASED ROAD FATALITIES Meanwhile, the force said as regards traffic management, there has been an increase in road fatalities, with 100 deaths recorded at the end of September, which is 10 more than for the same period last year. It must be noted however, that had it not been for the operationalising of “Operation Safeway” in Mid-September, that number would have likely been higher. There was a reduction in

serious and minor accidents by 12.2% and 9% respectively.

Traffic enforcement is continuous countrywide, the police said with “Operation Safeway” already creating an impact on the operators of all classes of vehicles. Special emphasis is placed on speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and the other areas of concern, in order to reduce the carnage on our roads.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

GFC in the dark over DTL’s closure …company’s licence was not renewed

By Svetlana Marshall ALTHOUGH Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL) has indicated to the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) that it is winding up its operations, it is yet to inform the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC).

On Wednesday, GFC Chairperson Jocelyn Dow told the Guyana Chronicle that DTL has not indicated its intention to close its logging operations here, nor has it applied to transfer its shares to another foreign company.

Dow, however, indicated that the logging company which operates at Mabura Hill in Region 10 had applied for an extension of its 25-year-old lease which has since expired, but permission was not granted.

In response, DTL secured an injunction from the High Court in July preventing GFC from closing down its operations. The company, which was once named Demerara Woods Limited, was privatised in 1991 and

renamed Demerara Timbers Limited and was issued with a 25-year-old lease agreement called Timbers Sales Agreement (TSA). However, in recent years DTL has been unable to fulfil many of the requirements under the TSA, particularly with regard to production and the payment of royalties. “DTL owes the commission millions in royalties and acreage fees and up to yesterday [Tuesday] not a cent has been paid,” Dow told this newspaper.

The company reportedly owes the Commission more than $26M in royalties and acreage fees.

The chairperson of the Forestry Commission said that it was unreasonable for the logging company to believe that its 25-year-lease should be automatically extended when it has failed to fulfil all of the criteria in the investment agreement.

“They have their business to do and we have our business to do,” she posited. If the company closes its operations without fully paying the commission, Dow said the commission will

explore a number of options to recover the outstanding revenue.

“The commission could explore taking DTL to the commercial court to recover monies outstanding to them and it is an option the commission would explore if the company is indeed closing down,” she posited.

However, she made it clear that the commission has not been unreasonable to any operator in the forestry sector, but said it is the duty of the commission to ensure that these companies abide by their investment agreements.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the DTL Head Office in Kingston, Georgetown, the Sales Manager Robert Perry, who was the only manager present at the time of the visit, declined to speak to this newspaper.

However, when he was previously contacted, Perry denied that the logging company was closing down.

However, DTL on Tuesday informed GAWU that it would be closing its operations at Mabura Hill and that

DTL Head Office in Kingston

a number of workers would become redundant. Close to 100 workers are on the list that was issued to GAWU following the announcement.

Oscar Hector, a contractor who has been working with DTL for more than 25 years, told the Chronicle that the logging company has already terminated the contracts of approximately five contractors, including

himself, as it begins to scale down operations at Mabura Hill.

They were served with the letters of termination approximately two weeks ago. “No reason was given in the letter. They just said that our contracts will be terminated with effect from November 1.”

Hector has provided the company with a number of services, including the supply of labour, but his primary contract focused on the “Green Chain” which involves the measuring and packing of 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 explained too that approximately two months ago, the Management of DTL, without any explanation or

due notice, closed its main sawmill.

Last December, the Ministry of Social Protection, Department of Labour, had issued the company with a stern warning after it was 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 shut- down,” Hector opined.

Following the closure of the sawmill, DTL reportedly hired another contractor who now operates a portable mill.

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

Police recover car, cellphones stolen from Berbice businessman THE police have recovered a motor car and two of five cellphones which were stolen when bandits attacked a Berbice businessman Tuesday evening at New Amsterdam, Berbice.

In a release, the police said a prompt response from ranks in New Amsterdam, following a report of a robbery under arms at Overwinning, East Bank Berbice, led to the recovery of the victim’s motor car and two of the five cellphones al-

legedly stolen.

The 49-year-old businessman had reported being robbed by three men, two of whom were armed.

The businessman, who sells GTT and Digicel phone cards, had just returned home in his motor car when the suspects pounced, relieved him of his motor car, two laptops, his phones and a quantity of phone cards; after which he alerted the police who responded.

The suspects have not yet been apprehended.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

Carvil Duncan suspended from all Commissions PRESIDENT David Granger has suspended Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Carvil Duncan with immediate effect, pending the outcome of the proceedings of the Tribunal.

Duncan was suspended on Monday, the same day, he indicated through his attorney, Anil Nandlall that he will be moving to the High Court to challenge the legal-

Carvil Duncan

ity of the Tribunal appointed to determine whether he should be removed from the constitutional office after being charged with fraud.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of the Presidency on Wednesday, in a letter dated October 10, 2016, President Granger informed Duncan that in addition to his role as PSC Chairman, he is also suspended from performing the Constitutional functions as ex-officio member of the Judicial Service Commission, the Police Service Commission and other functions as ex-officio member of the Commissions of the Board of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

This decision, the Ministry said is in accordance with Article 225 (6) of the Constitution which states that “If the question of removing the officer from office has been referred to a tribunal under this article, the President, acting in accordance with the advice of the prescribed authority, may suspend the officer from performing the functions of his office, and any such suspension may at any time be revoked by the President, acting in accordance with such advice as aforesaid, and shall in any case cease to have effect if

the tribunal recommends to the President that the officer should not be removed from office.”

Additionally, in accordance with Article 255 (4) of the Constitution, President Granger on September 15, had appointed a Tribunal to inquire, investigate and recommend whether Duncan ought to be removed from office for inability to discharge the functions of his Constitutional posts.

The Ministry is also maintaining that Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo had written to Duncan calling on him to explain why a Tribunal should not be appointed but this letter went unanswered. However, Duncan is contending that he never received any correspondence from the Prime Minister.

However, the Ministry said, the Tribunal is in receipt of evidence that the Prime Minister’s letter was delivered by the Guyana Post Office Corporation.

On Saturday, Duncan alleged that he was offered a “financial package” in exchange for his resignation by the President and Minister of State Joseph Harmon but this claim was categorically denied by Minister Harmon.

In fact, both the President and Minister Harmon had met with Mr. Duncan in an effort to have him voluntarily vacate the Constitutional positions he holds, since it is undesirable for someone who is facing criminal charges to hold those positions.

Duncan is currently before the court on fraud charges after it was discovered by auditors that he paid himself approximately $1M and allegedly conspired with Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of the Guyana Power and Light, Aeshwar Deonarine, for an unapproved transfer of approximately $27M into the latter’s personal account.

Members of the Tribunal, Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire, Justice (ret’d) Winston Patterson and Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Robert Ramcharran, are expected to present their report to the President on or before Monday October 31, 2016.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

Start of Bartica massacre trial adjourned to Friday THE BARTICA massacre trial was on Wednesday called in the High Court before Justice Roxane George and was adjourned to Friday to give time to address some legal and administrative issues.

More than 30 witnesses are expected to testify in the high-profile case, which is expected to end in late November.

The state is being represented by prosecutors Diana Kaulesar, Tuanna

Hardy and Narissa Leander.

The defence attorneys are Roger Yearwood, Madan Kissoon, Saphier Hussain, Maxwell McKay and Peter Hugh.

The five accused are Mark Royden called Durant Williams, Dennis Williams called Anaconda, Clebert Reece called Chi-Chi, Michael Caesar, and Roger Simon. It is alleged that they murdered 12 men at Bartica on February 17, 2008.

The five are facing 12

counts of murder, one count of terrorism, one count of unlawful wounding and three counts of break and enter and larceny.

During the February 17, 2008 rampage nine civilians and three cops were gunned down by a group of heavily armed men, who descended on Bartica at nightfall.

Those who lost their lives were Bartica residents Edwin Gilkes, Dexter Adrian and Irving Ferreira; policemen stationed at the Bartica Police Station, namely Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir, Constables Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne; Deonarine Singh of Wakenaam; Ronald Gomes of Kuru Kururu; Ashraf Khan of Middlesex, Essequibo; Abdool Yasseen; Errol Thomas of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo and Baldeo Singh of Montrose, East Coast Demerara.

Rondell ‘Fineman’ Rawlins, according to the police, led the gang on the rampage in Bartica, as well as the one that converged on Lusignan on January 26, 2008. Rawlins was killed during a joint services operation on August 28, 2008.

The Police had revealed that investigations found a

weapon which was stolen from the Bartica police station on the night of February 17, 2008.

Around 9.45 on the night of February 17, 2008 an estimated 15-20 gunmen rampaged through Bartica.

Reports were that three of the men were left to guard the river while more than 10 others assaulted the community in the hour-long attack. The police outpost was first attacked and three officers were killed, while the other persons were later gunned down.

On March 7, the joint services had issued a statement revealing that they had unearthed one of the 11 12-gauge shotguns that had been stolen from CBR owner Chunilall Baboolall, which was abandoned in a camp at Bucktown, Wismar, Linden. The lawmen had also retrieved Baboolall’s Guyana passport and his National Insurance Scheme (NIS) card. The documents were found along with a quantity of eating utensils, a searchlight, a green tarpaulin; a hacksaw blade, and an empty plastic water container, among other articles.

Thursday, October 13, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Friday, October 14, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Satursday, October 15, 2016 - 14:30 hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

MARAD joins search for missing fishers

15

Three win scholarships from Courts

From left, first row: former awardee Jamain Hutton with awardees Tyra Bakker, Mahin Sugrim and Olivia Parris-Bowen with Courts board members Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

By Crystal Stoll

Feared dead: Arjohn Persaud

Feared dead: Samuel Dabideen

Omadatt Basdeo

THE Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) will be assisting with the search for two fishermen who disappeared at sea two weeks ago, ‘D’ Division Commander Leslie James has confirmed.

Samuel Dabideen, the 43-year-old captain of the vessel and his 23-year-old son Arjohn Persaud are feared dead after their boat capsized at sea.

The men are from De Willem, West Coast Demerara. Their other two colleagues who made it to shore alive are Omadatt Basdeo, 32, called “Budha”, of West Coast Demerara and Mahesh Singh, 35, of Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

The men are blaming each other for their colleagues’ disappearance even

as police intensify their investigations.

Commander James said he spoke to Basdeo and relatives of the missing men and an investigation is being carried out with the assistance of MARAD. Reports are that the men left on the fishing expedition from the shores of Ruby, East Bank Essequibo on September 27, 2016.

Relatives were told that the captain and his son went missing on September 29, but they received the information from the owner of the vessel only on Tuesday last.

Relatives said they were told that once on the high sea, Singh was left on the larger vessel to overlook the three men, who ventured out in a smaller boat with a 1,000-pound seine to catch

fish.

Singh eventually lost sight of the men and decided to search the waters with the vessel. He gave up the search two days after the men went missing, and decided to return to Guyana, where the owner of the vessel was contacted and told what had occurred.

Basdeo claimed that the boat he and the two others were in capsized and he swam three miles before reaching the shores of Trinidad, where he sought the assistance of the police and coast guard there.

“We would like all the neighbouring countries to assist in reporting any sighting to the relevant authorities in Guyana, so we can know exactly what is happening,” one relative said.

King warns ‘dirty’ Merriman Mall hairstylists GEORGETOWN Town Clerk Royston King is not pleased and has issued a warning to hairstylists in a section of Merriman Mall to stop operating in “unsanitary conditions” or face the consequences.

A few months ago, City Hall developed a section of Merriman Mall by adding tents, washrooms and other amenities for hairdressers and cosmetologists to ply their trade.

A recent investigation

has found that they are working under very unsanitary conditions.

“They are making the place look like a shanty town and unless they start paying attention to what is happening within their immediate environment, I will have no other choice but to have them removed.”

The vendors must ensure that their environment is clean and tidy.

According to the Town

Clerk, he met with the hairstylists about the situation several times but they still continue their dirty ways.

“This is the challenge we face with a number of vendors around the country… there are even some vendors who are bent on just doing business and forgetting to clear the area they occupy,” he lamented.

King said City Hall will do all within its power to address the unsightly situation.

FURNITURE giant Courts Guyana Incorporated on Wednesday awarded full scholarships to three University of Guyana (UG) students through its annual Scholarship Programme.

The awardees are final-year Environmental Science student Olivia Parris- Bowen, first-year Computer Science student Mahin Sugrim and third-year law student Tyra Bakker.

Courts Customer Experience Manager Shonelle Bacchus said the three students were selected on basis of criteria outlined by Courts.

“You would have to have been a shopper, either the customer or the child of the customer. The account should be in good standing, meaning no bad debts attached to it; you had to have the GPA [Grade Point Average]; they [students] must demonstrate their financial need,” Bowen told the Guyana Chronicle, pointing out that there was a verification process to ensure that the awardees really need the scholarship.

“After we shortlisted for the interviews, we asked

persons to come in with their payslips and other personal documents, so we could assess whether they needed the scholarships or not,” she explained.

The awardees were elated at the good gesture by the furniture giant.

“I am very elated because honestly, I didn’t think I would win. I am very happy about that; this will take a weight off me and I will definitely get to focus more on my studies and other aspects,” said Bakker.

And according to Bowen, “It is a relief quite honestly, especially since the Loan Agency now came out with new stipulations for you to actually be granted the loan; it is always a back-and-forth situation and it is usually very time-consuming, so you’re always in a rush to finish that… so it is a relief and I’m very appreciative for it.”

Sugrim also could not be happier.

“Having a scholarship, this releases the financial grip that all of us face when it’s time to pay tuition fees, and such being granted this opportunity from Courts eases the financial burdens from my parents as well, and I can focus more on my studies.”

UG students, Akilla Whitney, Jamain Hatton and Ron Ghanie have also benefited from the full oneyear scholarship programme which started last year.

Each year new students will be able to apply for the scholarships in addition to those already in the programme, once they upkeep a GPA of 3.0.

Courts for many years has been actively involved in several education programmes, including the Courts annual Reading is Fun Programme at UG and more recently, its backpack and stationery distribution in various low-income communities.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

Oil and gas watchdog launched ...wants sector to start off on the right foot to benefit all Guyanese

Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge and Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes officially unveil the plaque marking the commissioning of the Guyana Oil and Gas Association as other members of the body look on.

By Alva Solomon Leading private sector executives here have formed the Guyana Oil and Gas Association (GOGA) to police Guyana’s move into petroleum production in efforts to ensure transparency and benefits for Guyanese.

“Starting on the right foot is particularly important,” said Boddy Gossai Jr., the president and Chief Executive of the association.

“The oil and gas industry must make economic contributions that benefit all of Guyana; investments can generate substantial economic needs,” he stated.

The GOGA was introduced to a packed audience at the Marriot Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown Tuesday evening. They are advocating for comprehensive science-based policies as well as the effective and transparent market principles to ensure benefit to locals.

Gossai said that Guyana must carefully analyse which sub-sectors of energy are being promoted and how these will enable the development of other areas within the sector. “…GOGA will undertake a transparent approach by working with all for the greater benefit of the all in the value chain,” he stated.

He said that the national oil and gas entities have all modified their social corporate responsibilities as the industry develops while the entities have also ensured compliance with local pro-

cedures.

Second Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge told those gathered that the industry is at a point where market prices and commodities are fluctuating erratically.

“That makes it important to diversify the industrial commercial base on which

to make sure that sure those resources are used in a manner which will enable us to diversify across a significant spectrum of activities,” he said.

He said that it is the defence mechanism against “the so called resource curse” noting that the issue of human resource has to be examined

that we meet some of the anticipated challenges that the resources bring,” he added.

Gossai Jr told the gathering that the establishment of the Association is to ensure the oil and gas facets of the economy are developed in a comprehensive manner for the benefit of all stakeholders in the industry and also the

alliances and associations among others.

According to GOGA, overtime as the oil and gas industry develops from its initial stages, the nature and extent of local content is likely to vary along reliance on foreign as oppose to local inputs.

“The ability of the local

to the Cabinet’s oil and gas subcommittee shortly.

In a statement , the ministry said that it has completed a screening evaluation of the sites and that several possible locations were examined along the Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo Rivers, and the top two ranked sites were identified.

Directors of the association, Anand Beharry, its President Bobby Gossai Jr. and Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes sit alongside Canadian High Commissioner Pierre Giroux and Inter-American Development Bank Resident Representative Sophie Makonnen we depend,”he said. to ensure “we do not price people of Guyana. economy to supply these The recent world class He said that the govern- ourselves out of the marHe said the objectives various inputs also depends offshore oil discovery by ment does not envisage an ket” as has occurred in other of the body allow it to work on its level development and Exxon has firmly launched inter-dependence on oil and countries. with the government and all industrialization,” the body Guyana’s hydrocarbon ingas products noting that it He said that there are a relevant stakeholders. said. dustry. Guyana’s potential will take the opportunity to wide range of opportunities Speaking on GOGA’s The Ministry of Public rests on the discovery of ensure that infrastructure is for Guyana and according membership he said that Infrastructure last month the Liza-1 and Liza-2 wells, put in place to facilitate de- to him, the government will full membership will consist announced that potential sites located approximately 120 velopment of services such work to ensure that the nation of persons whose business for the proposed oil and gas miles off our shores in 5,500 as marine services among can pursue same as a sustain- activities are in whole or industry onshore support feet of water. others. able path. partially related to the indus- base have been identified and First oil is anticipated “So it is our intention “We will try to ensure try. These include strategic it will be presenting its report on or before the year 2020.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

African Holocaust Day observed

ACDA makes case for reparations

By Svetlana Marshall Afro-Guyanese paid floral tributes to their ancestors as they observed African Holocaust Day (MAAFA Day) on Wednesday.

For over 400 years, more than 15 million men, women and children were the victims of the tragic transatlantic slave trade, the United Nation (UN) has said, describing it as one of the darkest chapters in human history.

In fact, the African Holocaust is the greatest continuing tragedy the world has ever seen. It was also the most impacting social event in the history of humanity.

It is a Holocaust which is constantly denied, mitigated and trivialized.

At a libation ceremony at the Seawall Bandstand in Georgetown, the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) joined with other African-centered Organisations globally to observe African Holocaust Day under the theme “Reparatory Justice for African Holocaust through Development.”

In his message, ACDA’s Director, Dr. Eric Phillips called on his African brothers and sisters to know their history, positing that contrary to the history books, Africans were the first to have arrived in this part of the world.

He said “Luzia,” the skeleton which was found in Lapa Vermelha, Brazil in 1975 was proven to be an African woman who lived 12, 000 years ago, pointing out that the Indigenous People crossed the Bering Strait 10,000 years ago.

“We must stop saying that we were not the first people because we are…

If we are going to demand reparatory justice, we have do it on the basis of truth and this is the truth,” Dr. Phillips said.

The ACDA Director also rubbished the argument put by historians that only 15 million Africans were victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

“Europeans keep telling us that 15 million people were brought to this part of the world. What they forget conveniently to tell us is that

Afro-Guyanese pay floral tributes to their ancestors whose bones were scattered across the Atlantic Ocean during the Transatlantic Slave Trade

An Afro-Guyanese woman performs an African ritual at the seawall in observance of Holocaust Day

ACDA Director Dr Eric Phillips calling on Afro-Guyanese to know the truth about their history

in the year 1650, both Europe and African had a 100 million people, and by 1850, 200 years later, Europe’s population grew from a 100 million to 265 million and Africa’s population shrunk from a 100 million to 95 million,” he explained.

According to him, 170 million Africans were affected. “Let us stop buying into this injustice of saying that only 15 million people were brought here. The numbers are a 170 million.

They say it is 15 million because they want to reduce the reparation they have to pay and we have fallen into that trap,” he contended.

Zooming in closer to home, Dr. Phillips said Africans laboured tremendously for the development of Guyana, and should be compensated.

“Of course you know what we did. We drove back the sea. We cleared 15, 000 square miles of Guyana or 18 per cent of Guyana.

We humanized nine million acres of land. We installed 2.58 million miles of drainage. We built the seawalls and 2176 miles of river defense, and our ancestors dug a 100 million tons of earth with their bare hands and 450, 000 of them died doing that,” he pointed out.

He said the Indigenous People were given reparation and so should Africans. “If they can get 13.8 per cent - and we blessed their hearts, it’s theirs - we who died in large numbers, 450, 000 of us, and who were enslaved for 200 years, shouldn’t we get 18 per cent of Guyana? That is justice.”

He said all Afro-Guyanese should join the movement for reparation. However, he said Afro-Guyanese must become self-reliant and create their own economy while demanding equality of access.

Director of the Museum of African Heritage Jenny Daily, in offering brief remarks, said the crime committed against their African ancestors is an opened wound.

“We cannot rest until there is justice. But there is a justice we can do for (our) self. Do not be dis-empowered, do not be uneducated and do not be economically weak, do not destroy family and do not disunite,” she encouraged.

“But every time we drop out of school, do crime, disrespect our history and our culture, we are doing an injustice to their memory. We are confirming to the legacy of slavery,” she added.

ACDA, in a statement, pointed out that October 12, 1492 Christopher Columbus ventured into this part of the known world, starting the unbridled discrimination of indigenous peoples and cultures. According to ACDA, it was Columbus’ discovery that ushered in chattel slavery.

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Guyana sitting on much undiscovered wealth ‒ say geologists; mapping exercise to uncover precious minerals

Aries Your psychic radar is hypersensitive, making it easy to quickly jump to a wrong conclusion today. Allowing more time between your gut reaction and your actual response is wise because a dynamic Mercury-Mars square can instigate conflict. A simple misunderstanding might provoke angry words if you're unable to hold your tongue. Avoid arguments over insignificant differences while staying alert to deeper power struggles that could develop over the days ahead. Nevertheless, protecting your territory may not be as constructive as cultivating peace.

Taurus Sticking to the specific issues at hand today enables you to overcome nearly any obstacle. Your key question is whether to hold onto someone or something that no longer satisfies your needs. Unfortunately, mischievous Mercury brings problems rather than solutions when it squares Mars in your 9th House of Future Vision. Keep in mind that this energetic aspect is better used to provide much-needed perspective than to discuss delicate matters with intelligence and grace. Author Charles Buxton wrote, "In life, as in chess, forethought wins."

By Ariana Gordon WITH Government’s announcement of the discovery of lithium, geologists are on track to complete a mapping exercise over the next three years to uncover some of the other types of precious minerals here.

Speaking under the condition of anonymity, two geologists told Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday that lithium was first discovered in Guyana approximately five years ago.

According to them, other minerals were also discovered at the time of exploration.

Columbite-Tantalie (ColTan), Rare Earth Elements (REE), PGE group of elements, which includes platinum, palladium, and iridium are just a few of the minerals discovered by the local geologists over the years.

“Outside of the traditional gold and diamond there are many other minerals…the Geological Services Department of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has been charged with the question of endowment,” said one of the geologists.

According to the expert, Guyanese are sitting on much wealth unknown to them.

“There is a lack of knowledge of what minerals can be found in Guyana. We need to go out…map the country and in two or three years we will be able to say clearly all of the resources that are here… the quantities and values.”

Referencing an article published in the Guyana Chronicle Newspaper last Sunday on the discovery of lithium here, the geologist said, “We are at the first stage” while noting that “we can’t as a small nation rely on a one crop economy… we need to get an understanding of all of our minerals… the Geological Services Department discovered lithium about five years ago… this was far ahead of time before this company (Guyana Strategic Minerals) is going to roll out this project.”

While lithium is a chemical element that is derived from stones and is used in rechargeable batteries found

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

Gemini You can be quite the persuasive diplomat these days when defending an emotional position. Your social charm serves you well while witty Mercury flies through gracious Libra and your 5th House of Self-Expression. However, your current vulnerability complicates things now, and managing your anger is crucial to your happiness. For the best results, consciously work to alleviate hostilities before they escalate into a crisis. A stitch in time saves nine.

Cancer Dramatic words have an enduring influence now, so watch the tone of your voice when responding to someone's manipulative behaviour. Talkative Mercury is spinning an emotional web with warrior Mars, making it even more critical to contain your negativity. Push yourself to a higher level of creativity rather than expecting others to speak your language. Your attitude is everything today, so use the strength of your emotions to attract what you desire and repel what you no longer want. Seeking serenity on the inside helps to create calmness on the outside.

Geologists examine a map during an exploration exercise in Guyana

in Mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras and electric vehicles, the other minerals discoverable would have significant value.

Lithium has been discovered in northern Guyana in mining districts One, Three, Four and Five but it demands deeper exploration.

The geologists disclosed that they are currently using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) Point Interpolation method to uncover the hidden minerals.

It was explained that the IDW method examines the value of the mineral. The assigned values to unknown points are calculated with a weighted average of the values available at the known points.

The geologists argued that with more exploration, discovery in large quantities is likely. They believe that the “future is bright” and called for there to be equal amounts of focus being placed on other areas in the extractive industry.

“The extractive industry is not only about gold and diamond and now oil as we are made to believe. It is about precious stones, and other minerals that are rich in the earth …all minerals are equally valuable,” said the geologist.

The geologists reminded of the mandate given to the GGMC by President David Granger when he took office and said, “it is our responsibility to unlock Guyana’s mineral potential.”

The Geological Services Department has put forward its many projects it intends

to work on in the near future, all of which have been approved by the Board of Directors.

Meanwhile, in an invited comment, Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes told Guyana Chronicle that much work is being done in the extractive sector to ensure all Guyanese benefit.

She said it is with great pride that the GGMC, under the stewardship of her Ministry has continued exploration operations to discover the country’s wealth.

She explained that while there is need for much more exploration to be done by geologists, she is confident that Guyana will continue to shine in the extractive sector.

“I have said this before, there are many other miners apart from gold, diamond, bauxite and now oil…if we become knowledgeable about these untouched resources we have and what they can be used for, you could imagine the benefits that will be accrued.”

Minister Broomes stressed that in the future all Guyanese would be able to benefit from the country’s resources.

She is of the belief that with the mapping exercise to be conducted, there is room for many surprises.

“We are looking to work with investors to develop these minerals… this would really push the entire extractive industry and the country’s economy,” Broomes who was a miner told Guyana Chronicle.

Leo Balancing your own needs with those of someone at work can be especially tricky today. It may be difficult to get any traction in a serious discussion when communicator Mercury in ambivalent Libra is so determined to avoid conflict. Unfortunately, your charm alone is not sufficient to minimise the potential drama. Much to your chagrin, even the best-laid plans can fall apart now. Nevertheless, perseverance is the antidote to compensate for your current tendency to break through the resistance and happily move on. You can't change what you refuse to confront.

Virgo A mild disagreement today might grow into a serious conflict in the near future as your current impatience is ignited by a pushy Mercury-Mars square. However, the depths of your thinking and precision of your words establish a path to awareness and compromise if you can stay calm. Nevertheless, facing your own fear of failure may be an uphill battle now, tempted as you are to force an issue. Instead of overplaying your hand, employing patience is your safest bet. If you create your own storm, don't get upset when it rains.

Libra The noise of everyday communication takes centre stage today while chatty Mercury tensely squares contentious Mars. But life gets complicated when you are required to take care of others now that Mars is heating up your 4th House of Family. Even if you're disappointed by the current circumstances that are restricting your freedom, don't waste time wallowing in self-pity. Show up with a positive attitude, continue working on your plans and prepare to shift your focus to your own agenda as soon as the opportunity arises.

Scorpio It's absolutely necessary to carefully handle any conflict that surfaces today, because even your kindest comments may sound harsh to the wrong ears. An argumentative Mercury-Mars square exacerbates the stressful conditions, turning conversations into verbal combat before you know it. Raising deep issues can be highly productive, but only if done with a conscious intent to heal. Don't let your annoyance get the best of you; making your point passionately is admirable as long as you keep your emotions under control.

Sagittarius Barbed words can fly out of your mouth without thought today, wounding others while unintentionally revealing your hidden frustration. However, addressing repressed feelings is healthy if you can accompany it with good-natured humour and a generous spirit. Instead of expressing your anger without regard for the consequences, apply your emotional intensity to an intellectually challenging task now. A busy mind is a happy mind.

Capricorn Your emotions might lead you into turbulent waters today. Vivid dreams overflow into your waking life to reactivate a struggle between your personal fantasies and your professional commitments. Mental Mercury and physical Mars engage in a cosmic skirmish that can unravel a relationship as anxious fears overwhelm your cool logic. Although words spoken in the heat of the moment could meet a hostile response, conscious kindness prevents a meltdown from turning nasty. Thankfully, things smooth out quickly if you don't insist on having your own way. Cooperation beats competition every time.

Aquarius You can't wait to tell everyone about your escape plan but your spirit of adventure may clash with your more responsible ambitions today. Some things are better left unsaid, especially while loquacious Mercury in your 9th House of Big Ideas forms a combative square with warrior Mars in your 12th House of Secrets. Although you might find it tough to suppress your urge to speak up, patience works better than pushing now. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

Pisces You're not interested in subduing your feelings today for the sake of making peace in a relationship. The moody Moon's presence in your sign adds to your emotional sensitivity and vulnerability, but a challenging square between trickster Mercury and militant Mars packs an extra punch into every word you speak. Nevertheless, if you're unable to resolve a difference of opinion quickly, it may be smarter to retreat for a few days in order to let your emotions cool off. If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. A moment of compassion prevents a lifetime of regret.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

‘E’ Division bids farewell to Commander Calvin Brutus, other senior ranks

AFTER spending two and a half years as Commander of the ‘E’ Division, Senior Superintendent, Calvin Brutus is being transferred and will be replaced by Senior Superintendent F Karinbaksh.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday, Brutus confirmed that he will be transferred, along with Inspector Chabinaught Singh, who was responsible for crime in the Division and two other senior ranks.

Brutus and Singh had allegedly been at logger heads with regional authorities over the past months. Inspector

against him by regional officials. Last February, persons staged an official protest for the removal of Brutus and Singh claiming that persons were being unfairly treated by the senior ranks.

Calvin Brutus Singh’s car was, two weeks ago, set on fire by unknown persons. Senior Superintendent Brutus told this publication that he believes he was transferred as a result of the complaints that were made

REDUCED CRIME RATE During Commander Brutus’s and Inspector Singh’s tenure, the Division saw a 38 percent decrease in the crime rate to 2015, while robbery under arms has been reduced to 19 percent. Not only has the division recorded only two murders for 2016 but they were also solved within days.

In an exclusive interview, Singh said that the division has implemented various strategies to keep crime at an all time low. These strategies include the maintaining of foot and mobile patrols in targeted areas such as Central Amelia’s Ward, Blue Berry Hill, Block 22 and One Mile.

“The Division has identified hot spots and would target these areas by beefing up security in addition to managing our known characters.

If we charge someone for serious crimes and they are on bail we would monitor them closely to prevent them from committing another offence,”

Singh said.

The Division also maintains a close relationship with the Neighborhood and Community Policing Groups that would have a better relationship with the residents in addition to various stakeholders in the Region. “We would keep interactions with the Community Police and try to educate them on various crime fighting techniques so that they can be as effective as we are in tackling crime,” Singh explained.

ENGAGING THE YOUTH The Division also tries to keep a close relationship

with the youth, especially those who are unemployed and living in targeted communities. In addition to the scout group and periodic visits to schools, Senior Superintendent Brutus played an integral role in the life skills training programme which has seen tremendous success over the last several months. The Division has established various youth groups across Region 10 including far flung areas such as Kiruni and Silver Hill to get involved in social activities such as leather craft making and culinary classes.

UN dubs Linden a prospective World Tourism Destination THE mining town of Linden has been categorised as a prospective World Tourism Destination by a representative of the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki moon. The announcement was made at a recently held World Tourism Summit in Chonqing, China that was attended by Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland and Regional Chairman Renis Morian.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Mayor Holland said that he was amazed to see Linden’s rich scenic beauty and natural picturesque landscape and majestic sandy hills being featured in the presence of international leaders.

The city of Chonqing is now on the verge of twinning with Linden to not only develop its untapped tourism gems. Also highlighted were the natural rock springs that are located in China and used to captivate tourists. There are several of these natural springs available in Linden and Mayor Holland is looking to take a pattern of the way China developed their springs

as a means of bringing in revenue through tourism. “China utilised those natural springs as one aspect of their tourist attractions. If you examine the natural springs, they have the limestone rock that contains chemicals to clean your skin, and they have built a pool around it and persons would pay just to go in there and bathe, so that is one way we can utilise and promote our springs because we have many, even better than those in China that we can turn into such spots,” Holland explained.

With Linden’s vast sandy hills and splendid clay mountains, the Mayor is looking to invest in these areas via air car operations, where tourists and visitors can pay to fly over, for a view of what has been left after decades of bauxite mining. The air cars will overlook the beautiful blue lake and surrounding scenery that are often used for photo shoots and local movie shoots. The municipality is also communicating with a Guyanese Hollywood actor to sell Linden’s touristic scenes to Hollywood for movie shoots.

Also available for tourism are several jungle trails where tourists can get a glimpse of the various species of exotic flora and fauna. Communities such as Buck Town, Rockstone and Malali can also be developed as tourism destinations. With Region 10 being the only region

with the three main rivers passing through, Holland is of the opinion that these tranquil waterways in addition to the black water creeks and springs can also be used to develop tourism.

“We have beautiful waterways.

If you look at the Demerara River at nights you would see

the beauty of that river. We are looking for someone to invest into a boat that could be used for cruises. Persons would pay and have food and music at nights, like a mini cruise, so that is what we are looking to develop for the river,” the Mayor said.

The municipality is also

mulling the establishment of a heritage site where Linden’s rich history and heritage will be showcased. “The heritage site will form part of our tourism package where persons can flock in the thousands to take pictures and to indulge in our rich history and attraction of the waterways. Persons must be able to find that connection with their heritage,” he said. Holland revealed that the city of Chongqing has also committed to assisting in whatever way so as to have these goals materialize.

With Linden being easily accessible from the city and interior locations; with its low crime rate, hospitable residents, adequate accommodation and a plethora of choices to indulge in nature, Holland is of the opinion that with local and international support to develop Linden’s tourism potential, Linden in a few years can become a member of the World’s Tourism Cities Federation. This ways Linden will not only be attractive to tourists but to investors as well.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

Linden Lions club supports children with disabilities

Beneficiaries of one week of snacks and refreshments, members of the Abdul Mohamed Basketball Foundation

MEMBERS of the Linden Lions Branch Club in Linden in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) have been busy doing community work in the town in recent weeks in keeping with the Lions International Motto: “We Serve” The Club in collaboration with friends of the Lions recently presented to the Linden Centre for Disabled Children several electrical fans to make the Staff and children comfortable. The Club also provided one week of snacks and refreshments for over 25 youths from the Abdul Mohamed Basketball Foundation during their summer camp.

Wi t h s u p p o r t f r o m Banks DIH, Foreign Links Spare Parts shop, Bernard’s Variety store and Hinds Service station, it also hosted a primary schools children essay competition under the theme, “What is Linden like after 100 years of bauxite mining?”

Eight primary schools were invited and over a dozen students participated. First prize winner of the essay competition was Shaqueena Edwards of Amelia’s Ward Primary with Akeam Anthony of Christianburg Primary, Matthew Grenville of Watooka Day Primary and Tanika Mohabir of Regma Primary, winning second third and fourth places respective-

ly. The presentations of prizes were made in the LEN (Linden Economic Network) board room.

Member Lion Jermaine Joseph said that the Lions Clubs International will soon be observing its 100th anniversary and the Linden Branch activities, more of which are forthcoming, are aimed at assisting the International body to reach its Centennial Service Challenge goal of serving more than 100 million people by June 2018. The executive body for Linden Lions Branch Club is comprised: Lion Gwenett Sandiford President, Lion Karen JosephSecretary and Lion Alexis Billey Treasurer.

First Place winner of the Essay Competition on the topic: “What is Linden like after 100 years of bauxite mining?”Shaqueena Edwards of Amelia’s Ward primary receives her prize.

Delivery of education needs balance COMMISSIONERS mandated to examine the state of the education system met with residents including the Regional Democratic Council of Linden and Kwakwani, Region 10.

The consultations were held on October 6 and 7.

As education stakeholders raise their concerns about the current state of education and its delivery in Region 10, several calls were made for the ministry to

ensure that children across the country have access to equal education opportunities. Such opportunities as access to sports facilities and equipment, technology, adequate and hygienic school facilities, and transportation are said to be challenges in Region 10.

Among the other issues identified in the region are: the need for welfare officers; additional boat to assist children from riverine commu-

-Region 10 residents tell COI

nities getting to school in a timely manner and a bus to transport children who live in Moblissa, a village about 7 miles in from the Soesdyke Highway, who attend school in Linden. Moblissa residents noted that children continue to drop out of school due to the distance children travel to get to school.

A parent noted that the lack of internet access in the

community also presents a challenge when completing assignments. Residents of Obama Drive, Amelia’s Ward in Linden have also expressed similar concerns.

It was noted also that teachers continue to short change children in the classroom as they frequently complete the syllabus at their private lessons, which inevitably puts a significant number of

students at a disadvantage.

Meanwhile, Regional officials and community leaders are calling on the Government to ensure that all schools are placed on the same level in terms of the types and quality of subject areas and the level of resources put into sustaining those subject areas such as, the sciences. A call was also made for guidance and

counselling officers to be placed in primary schools.

The Commission has also noted concerns regarding sexual abuse and teenage pregnancy in Kwakwani.

Residents there have asked the Ministry to assist in putting mechanisms in place to tackle the issues plaguing the community.

Commissioners are currently in Region 2 for three days of consultations. (Ministry of Education)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

Linden Technical Institute, providing brighter future for Linden youth

By Vanessa Braithwaite

THE mining town of Linden is known for its high unemployment rate, which gives way to an equally high migration rate due to lack of opportunities for youth who have completed secondary school. There are few tertiary institutions in Linden, but among them, it is the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) which recruits the majority of secondary school graduates. Seen as springboard for university and an avenue to garner key technical skills required for this technological era, the Linden Technical Institute has been deemed a haven for not only the academically inclined, but those who desire to develop a technical or vocational skill despite a lack of qualifications to enter an elite tertiary institution or the world of work.

And while graduates of the Institute may not have a secured employer upon completion of their courses, this is not seen as a discouragement, but as an opportunity of moving one step closer to being employed.

HISTORY The Linden Technical Institute was established in 1958 to provide training for the apprentices of the then Demerara Bauxite Company Limited (DEMBA). The institution was known as the company’s

trade school where the students learned the theoretical aspect of the skills needed to manufacture bauxite. First known as the DEMBA Trade School (DTS), it was later renamed the Guymine Technical Training Comlex (GTTC) in the early 1970s but this would be the first of many name changes to come.

In the 1990s the name changed again to the Linmine Technical Training Complex (LTTC) only to again be changed to BIDCO Technical Training Complex (BTTC) later on. When, in 1996, the school became an entity under the Ministry of Education rather than the bauxite company, it was finally renamed the Linden Technical Institute.

While under the management of the bauxite company, the apprentices spent two years doing theoretical training and three years gaining practical experience in the plant. Following this five year stint, successful apprentices were guaranteed employment with the firm.

Several persons holding high offices in Linden today can accredit their success to the skills garnered at the Institute and later at the company.

Now an entity of the Ministry, however, the time spent at the institution is not one of apprenticeship. Instead, the courses span for a period of two years with students receiving practical experience via summer attachments. Students are allowed to pursue a wide

array of courses offered in three departments: the Building Department, the Business Department and the Mechanical Department. From among the 12 courses offered, students successful students are certified in skills such as welding, mechanics, electronics, electrical installation, masonry, furniture building, commerce, etc. The Institute has recently been equipped with a heavy duty automobile workshop to complement the mechanical department.

It has also recently implemented the competency based model of training to equip students with the skills that are required around the Caribbean.

“The competency based model of training is a system where students are more engaged in practical activities as against the traditional system of teaching,” Senior Lecturer, D’Nell Boyce, said.

This however would not have been possible without the highly valued partners that came on board to assist in this revolution. The Institution is currently involved in a number of partnerships including two colleges in Canada under the Caricom Education for Employment Programme (CEFE).

The programme is pushing to have more persons trained in skill areas and to enable and empower youngsters to get into jobs. It focuses on heavy equipment maintenance as is

demanded in Guyana’s mining areas.

Other partners include Macorp, Farm Supplies Limited, Guyana Gold Fields Incorporated, Bosai Minerals Incorporated, the Board of Industrial Training and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). The Institute is tasked with furnishing students with the knowledge of the occupational standard and the facility standard that these companies require for recruitment. According to Boyce, the partnerships have thus far brought about a lot of positives for LTI and the students are benefiting tremendously. “In the advent of the partnerships coming on board, we would have seen a vast turn around in the improvement of the interest of companies toward technical training at LTI...LTI was able to sign a memorandum of understanding with Caterpiller (MACORP) and that has a value of US$25,000,” Boyce said. He added that several donations in the form of tools and equipment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars from other companies such as Guyana Gold Fields Inc. Bosai Minerals and Farm Supplies Ltd are also made.

In addition to these official partnerships, the Institution has also developed unofficial relationships with other entities such as RUSAL and small scale mechanic workshops throughout Linden which provide training for students to reinforce what was learnt in the classroom.

NOT ALL BOOKS AND WORK The Institute also organises meaningful extracurricular activities that will stimulate the mind and bring about fitness.

It has over the years produced some of the best athletes in the country and this is as a result of the implementation of sporting activities in the curriculum.

Some other extracurricular activities include sports, debating competition, field trips, seminars, environmental clubs etc.

NOT THE SAME AS BACK THEN Though the institute has widened its sponsor base which has increased the overall standard of the learning environment, students, upon completion of their two year stint are often left unemployed as the bauxite company no longer accommodates these students in its employ.

According to Boyce, this is as a result of several factors.

“For one thing the intake was much smaller back then and then the downsizing of the bauxite company would have dwindled the ability to employ so many students. With the advent of the bauxite company de-linking from the Institute, that automatic privilege was lost and then the duration of the training would have changed from four years to two years,” Boyce explained.

He revealed however that students are recruited by mining companies but there is no official obligation to do so.

The Institute has, however, recruited former graduates to lecture as a means of giving them employment. Boyce, who attended the Institute when it was manned by the company in the 1990s, expressed the satisfying feeling of returning to serve. “Training that we would have received during the apprenticeship period is very useful and would have imparted some of the skills and knowledge needed. I started working with the bauxite company in 1995 until 2003....at the beginning of 2006 I would have been employed at the Linden Technical Institute. I started as a Lecturer 1 then was elevated to a Lecturer 11. I am presently a senior lecturer of the Mechanics Department and I am enjoying my job here,”Boyce said. He added that attending the Institute allowed him to be stronger and more marketable. He said that the Institution has indeed grown since the 90s but is still a work in progress.

Similar sentiments were echoed by fellow senior lecturer Shondel Nicholson Austin, who. joined the staff in 2001. Austin said that over the years she has played an integral role in the continuous revolutionising of the Institution. “In 2002 we introduced the Diploma in Computer Science,in Secretarial Science and the ordinary Diploma in Commerce. From 2002 to now,it has been challenging but at the same time teaching is my passion....what I love the most is the transformation you see from the time the students come in to the institution to the time they graduate. At the end it is remarkable,” she boasted. Austin said she would encourage every child in Linden to attend the Institution as it gives one that stability and readiness to make better decisions for life. The lectureres boasted of the many students who they have taught and are now professionals in Linden and elsewhere.

CHALLENGES As with all institutions, LTI does have its fair share of challenges. One of the main challenges is the inundation of the school’s compound during heavy rainfall which inconveniences the free flow of classes and other activities.

This, however, does not affect the overall performance of both lecturers and students. Since 1995, the Institute has been credited for certifying more than 6000 students. The yearly intake is approximately 250 students and each batch of students continue to benefit from the technical and vocational education and training programmes help to satisfy the needs of industries and the nation as a whole.

One new student, Tianna Aaron, said that she has no regrets choosing the Institution to further her studies as it already experiencing the benefits of being there. “I am so excited for the next two years and I am looking forward to learning so much in the field of computer science,”she said.

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Parents of visually impaired kids worry over children’s future

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

IT IS NEVER the desire of any parent to raise a child with a disability. When this occurs however, most parents take up the mantle and give that child the extra love, care and support needed to overcome the disability.

For Ronella Jarvis and Ryan Waldron of Wismar, Linden, this strength had to be mustered for both their sons who have been visually impaired for most of their lives. For their five-year-old daughter Jangi Waldron, this may be the case when she gets older but the parents are praying that she too does not become visually impaired, though she is already showing the signs.

It all started when Relon, the eldest of the couple’s six children, at the tender age of four years old started experiencing

problems with his eyes. As he grew, it became worse and just before sitting the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), he became completely blind. Their son Roell also started to experience eye problems and later lost his eyesight as well.

Their mother Ronella related that she had exhausted all energies and funds on doctors trying to understand how both her sons have become blind.

“When we took him to Dr. McDonald, that is when we found out that they have congenital toxoplasmosis,” she revealed.

Congenital toxoplasmosis is a group of symptoms that occur when a fetus is infected with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The infection can be contracted by the fetus if the mother becomes infected. The infection spreads

to the fetus through the placenta.

Most of the time, the symptoms are mild for the mother and she may not even be aware she has the parasite. However, infection of the fetus can cause serious problems. Problems are worse if the infection occurs in early pregnancy. Ronella said that when she tested for the disease after her children began to go blind, results showed evidence of the parasite in her blood which suggests that it was passed on to the children through pregnancy.

Despite all that has occurred, however, Ronella is happy to gain closure on the reason for her children’s blindness. She is now resolved to giving her children all the support she can give.

The boys are both students of Mackenzie High School after being successful at the NGSA.

Bauxite Centennial Committee unveils upcoming activities

THIS year marks 100 years of bauxite mining in Guyana, and the Bauxite Centennial Committee, on Tuesday, unveiled the list of events that will be part of the commemorative celebrations. The activities will begin on October 22, 2016 and run until November 21, 2016.

Chairman of the Committee, Horace James, told media operatives that October was chosen as the month to hold the centennial observances as history showed that in October 1916, the first shovel of bauxite was dug at Three Friends Mines in Linden. Since then, bauxite mining played an important role in the development of the town of Linden, the Region and Guyana as a whole.

To commemorate the importance of bauxite over the 100 years, a church service set for October 22 and 23 and will aim to give thanks for what bauxite mining has done and will continue to do for the communities in which mining is practised. The church service will be followed by a Debating and Quiz Competition which will see participation of all primary and secondary schools in Linden on the October 25. The hallmark of the observances is a Symposium and launch of the centennial magazine at the Constabulary Hall on October 26. “The symposium looks to the future and beyond for bauxite and the magazine was developed to chronicle the history over the past century,” James revealed. Two books written on life in Linden during the Demerara Bauxite Company (DEMBA) era will also be

unveiled at the Symposium.

This event is followed by the unveiling of four Centennial stamps by the Guyana Post Office Corporation on October 27 at Three Friends, where mining began. A bauxite centennial dinner is slated for October 28 at the Watooka Club.

Though the committee was aiming to have the unveiling of a centennial arch in October, this will not be done until November 21. The $20 million arch was donated by Bosai Minerals Incorporated and will be constructed by the Surinamese company that constructed the Agricola Independence Arch. “We decided to place the arch at the closest location where Mackenzie, Wismar and Watooka connect…and the arch must not be just an area for vehicles to drive by but it must depict the history of Linden,” James said. In addition to this, a recreational museum and industrial site will be established in proximity to the arch which will feature equipment that were used in the early days of mining.

Though it took 100 years to celebrate bauxite mining, committee members revealed that the observances will now be held every year. This is also in recognition of research that unearthed 300 million tons of bauxite left in the soil.

This means that there is an approximate 100, plus years left of mining for the Region.

With this prospect, James also mulled the possible establishment of an aluminum plant sometime in the future. Since the commencement of bauxite mining, the industry has expanded tremendously as man-

ual equipment was used during the early days with shipments being done in paper bags. Now, heavy duty equipment is used and bauxite is shipped out by ship loads. There are also three established bauxite companies in Guyana: RUSAL, Bosai Inc. and another that is currently in the testing phase.

HISTORY Bauxite mining started in 1916 when Scotsman, George Bain Mackenzie came to Linden and observed bauxite in the soil. He fooled the residents giving them the impression that he wanted to plant oranges. After his death, other expatriates came and commenced bauxite mining in the community of Three Friends. The first company to commence bauxite mining was DEMBA (Demerara Bauxite Company) which was an offshoot of the Canadian Aluminum Company, Alcan, followed by Guymine, Linmine, Linpa, Omai and presently Bosai. The bauxite company was nationalised in 1971 and after operating at a loss, the then Government was on the verge of closing operations as the consolidated fund was forced to fetch the financial burden of the company with US$15 million per year. The high competition in the alumina market was deemed responsible for this. Many private companies showed interest in the company but the one which was willing to invest in the ailing company was Chinese mining company Bosai Inc. who commenced operations in 2007 and is still in operation.

They attended that Wismar Hill Primary School where there is a specialised unit for visually impaired children. The teacher, she revealed played an integral role in the children’s success at the examination as Relon and Roell gained 474 and 465 marks respectively.

WOES AT MACKENZIE HIGH Now that the children are in High School however, Ronella, fighting back the tears, revealed how challenging it was for both the boys as there is no program in place to assist them at the school. She said that she has visited several regional officials, Ministers and Member of Parliament about the situation but nothing has changed. To her, the children’s future are is at stake as they are just passing through the education system.

“I got a recorder for my son

and it’s like waste of time as he is just going with the recorder and coming back home with it.

A few teachers might ask for the recorder, numerous times I go to the school and see my son sitting at the back of the class and the teacher would say oh he is not doing this subject and I would say nothing is wrong with his ears, he can learn,” she said.

Relon, in relating his day’s experience said that he sits in the class and would speak to some children and would try to listen and retain as he cannot take any notes. He said that he has experienced some bullying but has become seasoned to it but is worried about his little brother who just started the school. “I went through it but it’s he I’m studying because he now start,” he said.

Roell said that he had a friend who was willing to lend him his book and he would take

it home for his parents to write the notes but the boy’s parents stopped him from assisting him and now he just sits and listen.

“Now is like I can’t get the notes now so I just sit and listen.”

The parents are calling for the Government of Guyana to put systems in place to assist not only Relon and Roell but other visually impaired students who may be experiencing similar challenges. Their father Ryan Waldron said that the children are naturally intelligent and their future may go to waste as nothing is in place for them. “It really tough, it really hard and we need for something to be done to assist the children because it is unfair to them,” he said. Ronella said that despite the challenges, she is not giving up on her children and will continue to fight for them to receive an education they deserve.

In the photo is father Ryan Waldron, mother Ronelle Jarvis, Relon (right) and Roell (front)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

Coach Shabazz, Walter Moore bid farewell … quit Golden Jaguars IT WAS the end of the longest serving careers with the Guyana senior men’s national football selection –Golden Jaguars – as coach Jamal Shabazz and defender Walter Moore officially announced to the media after Tuesday night’s game versus Jamaica that they have decided

to call it a day.

The 32-year-old Moore had a rather inauspicious end to a career that makes him the first and only Guyanese player with 100 appearances. In his final outing as a Jaguar he was instantly red-carded for a dangerous tackle in the 68th minute with Guyana leading Jamaica 2-1. Moore who plays for Finnish club FF Jaro FC represented his country at all levels and ended with a record 103 international caps for Guyana’s senior national football team.

Moore, who started at the GFC before moving to Fruta Conquerors then to the T&T pro league, has been representing the Jaguars since 2009 and feels this is the right time to move on.

“I think this is the right time for me to step away from Guyana’s national football. It’s been a pleasure to play for Guyana and I will always have love for Guyana, but now it’s time for me to focus on my professional career. Stepping

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away from the national team doesn’t mean that I will turn my back on Guyana. I am still committed to helping the youngsters gain opportunities in Europe and other places. It’s been a very good journey for me, but unfortunately, like every good journey, it must come to an end,” Moore said.

The Finland-based Moore who left the country early yesterday morning has two more games with his club, after which he plans to have a vacation with his family before deciding on his future professional career.

“I got a few offers from Kazakstan, India and my old club in Finland. Through my agent we’ll figure out what’s next and what’s best for me.

I want to say thank you Guyana for everything. Thanks for all the fan-support, the die-hard support. I am going to miss you guys, God bless,” Moore shared in his parting words.

Meanwhile, at the postgame press conference coach

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Shabazz, when asked if it was his last game in charge of the Golden Jaguars, told the media that it definitely was the final game for him.

“It will be premature for me to say I go today.

I have to give the respect to the Federation and see how we can work because they have respected my contract, especially the new Administration and I must give them that respect as well. My desire is to leave in the shortest possible time,” Shabazz exclaimed.

“I have given ten years of my life and have become Guyanese. It took a tremendous sacrifice … I realise that I don’t have to be national coach to contribute to the Guyana development. I, however, would want to sit, because I have a contract, with the Administrators, and

work a good way so that I can go. Some would be happy, some would be sad, but this is life. I feel that now we have come to the end. We have a new Technical Director, and maybe the time has come for someone with fresh ideas and a fresh spirit,” Shabazz explained.

T h e Tr i n b a g o n i a n , during the decade he has been at the helm of the Jaguars guided the team to two Caribbean Cup finals as well as the semi-final round of CONCACAF’s World Cup qualifiers for the 2014 finals, the biggest achievement for the country in World Cup history which began for Guyana in 1976.

Shabazz’ two-year contract which he signed early last year with the-then Normalisation Committee expires early next year.

Muguruza, Keys advance in Linz

GARBINE Muguruza and Madison Keys boosted their hopes of securing a spot at the WTA Finals with wins in Austria.

Garbine Muguruza and Madison Keys advanced to the second round of the Generali Ladies Linz with straight-sets wins, while Carla Suarez Navarro secured a quarter-final spot.

Top seed Muguruza will guarantee her place at the WTA Finals in Singapore if she takes the title on her first appearance in the Austrian tournament, her campaign getting off to a strong start with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Cagla Buyukakcay.

The French Open champion required four attempts to wrap up the first set, but a single break at the start of the second proved enough to set up a second-round clash with former world number two Monica Niculescu.

“It was a tough first round. I think we both played well, so it was a battle out there, and a great feeling to start the tournament with a win like this,” said Muguruza.

“I’ve never played against her [Niculescu], or even practiced together, so it’ll be interesting. I think we have opposite styles, so I think it’s going to be a fun match.”

Wildcard and third seed Keys will also be hoping for a positive result to secure a spot in Singapore, and she had to fight from 4-2 down in the second set to overcome Camila Giorgi 6-3 6-4.

Suarez Navarro comfortably saw off fellow Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-4 6-1 to set up a last-eight match against Denisa Allertova, who defeated Anett Kontaveit 6-3 6-4.

Dominika Cibulkova cruised past Belinda Bencic 6-1 6-2, while French qualifier Oceane Dodin eliminated Sorana Cirstea 6-2 6-4 and Mandy Minella’s retirement handed Kirsten Flipkens passage to the second round, where defending champion Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova awaits.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

NSC heartened by CAC performances

THE NATIONAL Sports Commission (NSC) is heartened by the recent performances of Team Guyana at the recently concluded Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Body Building championships in the Dominican Republic.

During a meet-and-greet yesterday at the Commission’s Homestretch Avenue office, the Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, commended the team’s performance, adding that more support will be forthcoming from the government.

Guyana Team of Mr Guy-

ana Kerwin Clarke, Devon Davis, Bruce Whatley, Emmerson Campbell, Alisha Fortune and Franklin Brisport returned with five medals.

“Bodybuilding is noteworthy to mention because every time they participate at a regional or international event, they always return with awards. The NSC was only too proud to contribute to their travels because we knew that they would be representing the Golden Arrowhead to the best.”

President of the Guyana Body Building and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) Kev-

on Bess contended that they will continue in pursuit of greatness.

“It’s the fitting thing to have the athletes given the opportunity to represent Guyana at all costs and we hope that with this recent success and the success that we’ve been building on for the last couple of years that we can encourage more tangible support from the government going forward.

“The tally of medals this year is the highest since we’ve been participating in the CAC championships and the athletes have continued to

… pledges more support for athletes

show much progress and we hope going forward, we can have the athletes represent Guyana at more competitions. ‘ CAC Light Middleweight gold medallist Kerwin Clarke said, “I was elated by the performance at this year’s championship,” while Deron Davis, who obtained bronze in the Bantamweight category thought his experience

was great.

M e a n w h i l e , M e n ’s Physique silver medallist Campbell was thankful to his sponsors for the experience, saying, “This is the biggest CAC competition that ever was in the history of the 44year competition and this is the biggest medal haul. It wasn’t a fluke or we gained walkovers, it was a great achievement and I hope we

continue to get the support of corporate Guyana.”

Selvon Bruce Whatley picked up gold medal in the Masters Class before returning to take the silver medal in the Flyweight category.

Fortune narrowly missed out on a medal performance, having been entered in the wrong category, for which the organisers later apologised.

L-R, Franklin Brisport, CAC silver medallist Emmerson Campbell, GABBFF president Kevon Bess, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, gold medallist Kerwin Clarke, bronze winner Devon Davis and Alisha Fortune.

West Indies drop Pollard and Ramdin

WEST INDIES have dropped Kieron Pollard and Denesh Ramdin from their ODI squad for next month’s tri-series in Zimbabwe, which also features Sri Lanka. Courtney Browne, the head of West Indies’ selection committee, informed Pollard and Ramdin about their axing via email.

The emails, accessed by ESPNcricinfo, were sent by Browne earlier this week.

Browne’s message to both players was straightforward, saying they had been dropped and telling them they were free to seek clarification from him or the selection panel if they wanted. Considering the squad has not been officially announced yet, ESPNcricinfo sought a comment from the WICB yesterday, but the board

Kieron Pollard

did not respond.

Both Pollard and Ramdin had poor returns in the recently concluded limited-overs series against Pakistan in the UAE. Pollard managed 43 runs in the three T20s, and bowled two overs, going wicket-less. In the three-match ODI series, which West Indies lost 3-0, Pollard scored 42 runs at an average of 14.00. He took one wicket in the 12 overs he bowled across the three matches.

Ramdin, who was recalled to the ODI squad, compiled 79 runs at 26.33 in the three ODIs and did not feature in the T20s. Browne’s selection panel had dropped Ramdin from the squad for the fourTest series at home against

India earlier this year. Ramdin made the news public on Twitter before the squad was announced, and was subsequently sanctioned by the WICB. Ramdin has endured difficult times in the past 18 months. Despite helping West Indies level the Test series 1-all at home against England, Ramdin was stripped of Test captaincy immediately after the 2-0 home Test series loss to Australia.

Pollard, meanwhile, has had mixed returns since returning from knee surgery last November. Pollard was picked for the tri-series at home in June, involving Australia and South Africa, and was instrumental in West Indies finishing as

runners-up, scoring 205 runs at 41.00 including two half-centuries.

Browne, who replaced former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd as chairman of selectors in June, has taken some bold decisions during his short tenure, including dropping Darren Sammy after he had led West Indies to their second World T20 title.

Sammy did not hide his frustration when he called the symposium, organised by the WICB and the West Indies Players’ Association in July, to clear the differences between the board and the players, a “publicity stunt” on his Twitter account. (ESPN Sports Media Ltd)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

Vishaul career-best puts Windies A in command PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (CMC) – Vice-captain Vishaul Singh struck a career-best fifth first-class century to spearhead a massive West Indies A batting effort on the second day of the second four-day ‘Test’ against Sri Lanka A here Tuesday.

Unbeaten on 81 overnight at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, the left-hander carved out a superb 161 to lift We s t I n d i e s t o 5 0 9 f o r nine declared in their first innings.

Opener Rajendra Chandrika, who had retired hurt on 51 on Tuesday’s opening day, returned to make 84 while tail-ender Kemar Roach chipped in with 39.

At the close, captain Dimuth Karunaratne was holding the hosts’ innings together with an unbeaten 66 as they reached 128 for four – still 381 runs behind heading into today’s penultimate day.

Wicketkeeper Niroshan

wicket.

While Vishaul faced 306 deliveries and struck 16 fours, Chandrika hit nine boundaries off 84 balls, falling with his second firstclass century in sight, when he was lbw to leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay.

Vishaul, who reached triple figures 40 minutes before lunch, then added a further 90 for the seventh wicket with Roach, who

SCOREBOARD

Vishaul Singh Dickwella was not out on 38 and has so far put on 91 for the fifth wicket with Karunartne, a partnership which pulled Sri Lanka A around from danger at 37 for four.

Seamer Roach trapped Avishka Fernando lbw for seven at 19 for one and Test batsman Lahiru Thirimanne followed for three, at 32 for two, when he was

hit four fours and two sixes in his 80-ball stay at the crease.

The partnership took West Indies to lunch at 410 for six and helped the visitors increase their dominance in the second session, before Roach finally departed, an hour after the resumption.

Off-spinner Charith Asalanka was the best bowler with four for 104.

caught at the wicket off fast bowler Keon Joseph, who has taken two for four from four overs.

Joseph removed Roshen Silva for a firstball duck at 36 for three and with a run added, Charith Asalanka was lbw to off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall for one.

H o w e v e r, f i r s t ‘ Te s t ’ c e n t u r y - m a k e r

Karunaratne produced yet another excellent innings to stave off the collapse, facing 124 deliveries and counting 12 fours while Dickwella has struck two fours in his 65-ball knock.

Earlier, resuming from their overnight 331 for five, West Indies A flourished thanks to the Guyanese pair of Vishaul and Chandrika who put on 54 for the sixth

WEST INDIES 1st innings (o/n 331 for five) R. Chandrika lbw b Vandersay 84 K. Powell c wkp.. Dickwella b Anuk Fernando 29 S. Hetmyer b Asalanka 48 S. Brooks c wkp. Dickwella b Kumara 3 V Singh b Asalanka 161 J. Hamilton run-out 99 R. Cornwall lbw b Karunaratne 1 K. Roach c Avishka Fernando b Asalanka 39 G. Motie-Kanhai lbw b Asalanka 9 D. Johnson not out 8 Extras: (b-8, lb-3, w-9, nb-8) 28 Total: (9 wkts decl., 137.4 overs) 509 Fall of wickets: 1-52, 2-120, 3-140, 4-328, 5-331, 6-385, 7-475, 8-494, 9-509.

Bowling: Asitha Fernando 19-263-0 (w-2), Kumara 20-2-78-1 (w-1, nb-2), Anuk Fernando 13-0-76-1 (w-6, nb-4), Vandersay 31-2-110-

1, Gunaratne 17-3-61-0 (nb-2), Asalanka 33.4-7-104-4, Karunaratne 4-2-6-1.

SRI LANKA 1st innings D. Karunaratne not out 66 Avishka Fernando lbw b Roach 7 L. Thirimanne c wkp. Hamilton b Joseph 3 R. Silva c Brooks b Joseph 0 K. Asalanka lbw b Cornwall 1 N. Dickwella not out 38 Extras: (b-8, lb-4, nb-1) 13 Total: (4 wkts, 40 overs) 128 Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-32, 3-36, 4-37.

Bowling: Roach 8-3-18-1, Johnson 8-3-25-0, Cornwall 14-3-38-1, Joseph 4-1-4-2 (nb-1), Motie-Kanhai 6-0-31-0.

Position: Sri Lanka A trail by 381 runs with six wickets intact.

Toss: Sri Lanka A. Umpires: N. de Silva, R. Kottahachchi.

Bravo says Test series vital for redemption DUBAI, United Arab Emirates CMC – Stylish left-hander Darren Bravo says West Indies will use the upcoming three-Test series against Pakistan to redeem themselves, following weak performances in the Twenty20 and OneDay International series recently.

West Indies crashed to 3-0 series losses in both the T20s and the ODIs, to enter the Test phase of the tour without a single win in their six previous matches.

“By all means, we didn’t really perform well in the shorter formats of the game (during this tour) and we’re disappointed about that,” Bravo said on the eve of the historic day/ night first Test here.

“Going into the Test match we will try our very best to put on a much better performance in the Test

match series. The guys are working hard and we are really excited about going into this first Test match with the pink ball and the last two with the normal red ball.”

As they did during the limited overs series against the likes of left-arm spinners Imad Wasim and Mohammed Nawaz, West Indies are expected to face a trial by spin during the Test series.

And while Imad has been left out of the Pakistan squad, Nawaz, fellow leftarm spinner Zulfiqar Babar and leg-spinner Yasir Shah have been included, and are expected to pose a significant threat on the slow pitches in the UAE. Bravo said confidence would be a key factor in the batting approach by the Windies.

“They are quality spinners … but I think it is very

important to back your defence,” he explained.

“If you like going over the top or if you like sweeping, if you like chipping to a particular spin bowler, you just have to go out there and back yourself.

“I don’t think you have to go out there and play names.

If you play names you’re going to be on the back foot from ball one. It’s just a matter of going out there and just being positive.”

Bravo got a half-century during the second ODI in Sharjah and stroked 91 at the same venue last week in a three-day game against the Pakistan Cricket Board Patron’s XI, to find form ahead of the longer format.

The last game was a day/ night affair featuring the revolutionary pink ball and the 27-year-old said his knock had allowed him time to get

comfortable with the unfamiliar pink ball.

“It was a very good experience spending some time out in the middle and getting acclimatised to the pink ball,” Bravo said.

“I believe early up it was a bit difficult to actually see the ball but at the end of

Darren Bravo

the day, once I spent more time out in the middle it was much easier.”

He added: “I think it is all about acclimatising and just believing in yourself at the end of the day. It’s cricket, the colour of the ball has changed. If from the inception (of cricket) we

used to use a pink ball, if we were going to try a red ball at this point in time it would have been difficult as well so it doesn’t matter.

“It’s about going out and acclimatising as quickly as possible and just accepting the challenge for what it is.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

Reggae Boyz come from behind to tame Jaguars

By Ras Wadada CARIBBEAN Cup Champions Jamaica recovered from a disjointed and shocking first half-hour of play to beat 10-man Guyana 4-2 in extra time, after the sides were deadlocked at 2, when regulation time expired.

The third round CFU-Scotiabank Senior Men’s fixture, played last Tuesday night at the Leonora Stadium on the West Coast Demerara, was the first international football game staged at the venue and was witnessed by several thousand supporters who were left disappointed at the end after an enterprising and fruitful first half where the Golden Jaguars led the Reggae Boyz 2-0 at the interval.

Coach Shabazz in search of a win made five changes to the starting line-up that lost to Suriname last Saturday, including replacing central defenders Quincy Adams and Colin Nelson. In their places came Jake Newton, who played at right back in Suriname, along with Dwayne Butters who was

not in the 18 in Suriname.

Captain Samuel Cox took up the right back position and Walter Moore held his place on the left.

The midfield also showed changes from Paramaribo.

Trayon Bobb and Brandon Beresford retained their places while Dwight Peters was omitted.

Daniel Wilson and Warren Creavalle who were used as substitutes in the Suriname game were the other two midfielders in the starting line-up where Anthony Abrams replaced Marcel Barrington and Anani Mohammed came in for Vurlon Mills in the attacking positions up front.

The Jaguars went on an all-out attack from the opening whistle and gave the fans much hope as early as the 7th minute, as central defender Butters timed a right-side corner kick, from left back Walter Moore, at the near post, to clinically nod to the far post for the Jaguars’ go-ahead goal..

The Canada-based Butters again timed to perfection another spot ball kick on the stroke of

the first half-hour of play, to nod past the Jamaican custodian Andre Blake The free kick from just outside the box on the attacking left was taken by Beresford whose kick went behind a flat-footed defence at the far post as Butters ran on to the ball that gave him an accommodating bounce to head past an unmoving Blake.

The Reggae Boyz, still looking in disarray and shocked by the early 2-0 deficit, slowly began to get their composure and passes together towards the end of the first period as the Jaguars were seemingly running out of the early pace and ideas they showed before the break.

On the resumption the Cup holders looked more imaginative and cohesive and after 10 minutes of play coach Theodore Whitmore made a double change and immediately the team looked more purposeful in their persistent attacks on the Guyana defence Coach Shabazz also made a substitution in the 62nd minute when he brought on Cashion London for Anani Mohammed.

The constant pressure of the Reggae Boyz down the flanks finally bore fruit on Guyana’s goal in the 63rd minute when captain Jevaughn Watson found himself alone at the far post and calmly booted home a right-side throw-in into the box that was back-headed.

Watson two minutes later got a booking for pulling back Bobb on a breakaway down the left side.

Coach Shabazz then replaced Abrams with Vurlon Mills in the 66th minute and two minutes on, the homeside were reduced to ten, as Antiguan referee Kerry Skepple pulled out his red card to dismiss left-back Moore for a dangerous tackle on Dicoy Williams from behind.

In the 72nd minute, Beresford clipped Corey Burke in the box and the referee pointed to the mark for Jamaica to equalise but they muffed the golden opportunity. The penalty kick

by Shaun Francis down the middle was delightfully denied by the boot of a full-stretched Kai Lyle diving to his left. The home fans erupted and the Jaguars

breathed a sigh of relief.

The ten-man Jaguars soaked up t remendous pressure in defence where Beresford took up the left back position. In the 84th minute the Jaguars produced a rare attack but a beautiful one-two combination on the right between second-half substitutes London and Mills ended in a right-booter from Mills at an acute angle from inside the area that was no problem for Blake.

With the minutes ticking away and the Jaguars holding out, an upset seemed in the making, but the Reggae Boyz were determined to level the score.

Tw o m i n u t e s f r o m full-time Dicoy Williams, from deep out on the right, looked up and saw that Lyle was way off his line and as though he had measured the distance with a tape, instinctively and calculatedly the Arnette Gardens forward clipped the ball into the far corner of the net, to dash all hopes of a Jaguars win.

Burke had a clear-cut opportunity to seal the win in regulation time for Jamaica but his unchallenged effort

with his head from inside the box went over the bar seconds from full-time.

The late equaliser took the wind out of the Jaguars, though they battled on bravely with goalkeeper Lyle making two pointblank saves in succession in the 2nd half of extra time.

The mental and physical fatigue of the Jaguars finally opened the way for the visitors, as Francis atoned for his penalty miss when he ran on to a nod by Burke in the box to beat the advancing Lyle in the 116th minute.

Burke made the final breach of Lyle’s citadel on the stroke of full time. He stole the ball from Butters just outside the area and rifled a left-booter past Lyle at the near post for a final 4-2 victory.

The win puts the defending champions at the top of Group One, with a decisive game against Suriname in Jamaica for a place in next year’s semi-finals of the CFU-Scotiabank Championship and another spot in CONCACAF’s GOLD Cup. For the Jaguars, it is the end of their campaign..

Coach Shabazz (right) with Guyana’s captain and Jamaica’s coach and captain at a press conference ( see page 27) photos by Delano Williams

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

Changes made to IGG Squad

PRESIDENT of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Nigel Hinds has made a final decision on the Inter-Guianas Games Basketball Squad.

The initial squad was selected by President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), Junior Hercules after trials concluded on October 2.

However the changes to the squad were highlighted in a press release

by Hinds on Wednesday.

According to the release, the new squad includes Tahquille Johnson and Akinni Wilson of Linden, Stanton Rose, Damair Gladstone, Troy David, Dellon Wallace

‘I have final say’ says GABF president

Nigel Hinds

and Jamol Gilkes of Kwakwani. The Georgetown based players include Nathan Saul, Roger John, Malcom Powdar, Sabastian Luke, Timothy Thompson, Patrice Agrippa, Akil Vaughn, Jaleel Duke, Travis Belgrave and Terrence Daniels. Berbice will see representation from Sherland Gillis, Neil Wills, Tafawa Daly and Ramone Fagenay.

The coaching staff includes Head Coach, Junior Hercules with assistant coaches Naylon Loncke and

Julian Haynes. Troy Greene has been named manager.

On the female side, the Georgetown-based players include Kesann Charles, Ruth Sanmoogan, Jada Mohan, Demelza Nicholas, Analisa Barclay and Ashley Khan. Kwakwani will see representation from Janelle Belle, Makeda Rogers and Kennesha Leacock with Saffiya Greene, Tandika Bouyea and Toshieka Arthur hailing from Berbice.

The coaching staff includes Head Coach Ann Gordon, assistant coaches Kirk

Fraser and Dave Causway while Deborah Solomon has been slated for the team manager position.

In a recent comment to the Guyana Chronicle, Hinds had stated: “Kwakwani has the best players in the country and there needs to be more Kwakwani representation in the squad and ultimately I have the final say in which players.”

Guyana will be playing against Suriname on October 21, 22 and 23 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

‘Lone Soldier’ may be hampered by flu DEFENDING champion of the Alanzo Greaves Birth Anniversary 30-lap cycle race, Geron `The Lone Soldier’ Williams, is not too optimistic of making a successful defence of the title he won last year, when this year’s edition wheels off at the National Park’s inner circuit on Saturday at 11:00hrs.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport yesterday, Williams said he is currently recovering from a bout of flu which he contracted while in Trinidad and Tobago during the recently-concluded Tobago Classic Series.

At the conclusion of that four-day activity, Williams placed fifth overall in the Division One category from a field of over 48 cyclists from around the world, including those from as far as Germany, Australia, Colombia, Venezuela, France and Denmark.

Williams said since returning to Guyana just about a week ago, he has been putting miles into his legs and at the moment he

is feeling fine.

Asked what are his chances of making a successful defence of the title, Williams replied: “I am not sure because I’m still recovering from the flu … but I’m feeling better and if the opportunity presents itself for me to win, then I’ll take advantage of it.”

According to race organiser Greaves, Saturday’s event was originally scheduled for September 1, one day after his birth anniversary, but because some of Guyana’s top riders were participating in the Tobago Classic Series, he (Greaves) decided to rescheduled the event to allow Williams to try and make a defence of his title, as well as to allow the other cyclists who were a part of the Tobago Classic to be a part of this event which carries a first prize of $12 000 cash, while the second- and third-place finishers will receive $10 000 and $8 000 respectively.

However, the `hog’ of the $90 000 prize package will be the prime prizes that are on offer. Accord-

Geron `The Lone Soldier’ Williams

ing to Greaves, each of the 30 laps will have a prize money worth $2 000, bringing the total amount of prime prizes to $60 000.

But it is a known fact that in the past, cycling enthusiasts usually upped the prime prize money to sometimes $4 000 per prime and this made the event even more interesting and intriguing.

Apart from Guyana’s only professional cyclist, Geron Williams, there are others who would want to win the coveted title and among them are Team Coco’s Hamza Eastman, Junior Niles, Raynauth Jeffrey, Shaquille Agard and Mark Harris, as well as Team Evolution’s Michael Anthony, Orville Hinds, Marlon `Fishy’ Williams and Raul Leal.

Team Coco’s and Team Evolution have been battling for supremacy since the 2016 cycling season started and Team Evolution have been the more dominant, but over the past two or three months Team Coco’s have taken over.

Geron Williams, the only registered Continental Cycle Club member (hence the name Lone Soldier) put an end to the dominance of both teams - Coco’s and Evolution when he returned from his base in the United States.

He stamped his authority by winning the National Road Race title ahead of the much-talked-about Jeffrey.

It is a victory that will long be remembered as Geron Williams used his professional experience on the United States circuit to full advantage and outfoxed Jeffrey, winning the event in an ordinary canter.

So come Saturday, racing fans and enthusiasts can expect `fireworks’ around the inner circuit of the National Park.

Meanwhile, Saturday’s activity will serve as a warm-up for Sunday’s 80-mile `Ounce of Gold’ road race which starts at 07:30hrs from Homestretch Avenue.

The defending champion is Jeffrey.

‘Lone Soldier’ may be hampered by flu

(See Story on page 31 )

Reggae Boyz come from behind to tame Jaguars (See Story on page 30 ) Pictures

by Delano Williams

Golden Jaguars celebrate goal number one. (#18) Adrian Butters is the scorer.

Reggae Boyz’ final goal! Corey Burke the scorer backing camera.

Coach Shabazz makes a point

Guyana captain Samuel Cox shows the agony of defeat.

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 on the go

Jamaica goalscorers (L to R): Corey Burke, Shaun Francis, Dicoy Williams and captain Jevaughn Watson.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016