Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 14 07 2016

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016

Price: $80

Shaping a ‘new’ GuySuCo No. 104612

(VAT Inclusive)

–– Dairy, livestock, rice farming among new ventures to be pursued

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Hague conference, pioneer in child rights, opens 9 Page

President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger interact with Maria Cristina Perceval, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Mariane Flach, UNICEF Representative in Guyana at the opening of the Hague Conference Wednesday evening. (Samuel Maughn photo)

Action plan for Battered by floods, Several Soesdyke /Linden communities to get 13 safe mining 2 Mahaicony being developed farmers cry for help potable water for first time Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

Action plan for safe mining being developed

By Svetlana Marshall

WITH all hands on deck, the safety issues plaguing the mining sector could be resolved, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman said as he called for a collaborative approach to reduce the risks attached to mining, particularly in the gold-mining industry.

According to statistical reports, from 2010 to 2015 a total of 62 miners were killed while working in the mining sector. Of that batch, 31 were killed over the past two years due to the collapse of mining pits.

What is needed is “a road map,” Minister Trotman said as he addressed active players in the field during a Mining Safety Seminar at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre on Wednesday.

In keeping with the theme: “Putting Safety First in Mining – charting a course to cultivate compliance and strengthening enforcement,” he said governmental action is necessary to lead the way as the key regulator of the industry, but the government alone cannot do it.

A collective role must be recognised, accepted, and immediately implemented, the Natural Resources Minister emphasised, noting that business can no longer continue

as usual unless the systems for operating, monitoring and modernizing the mining sector are revisited.

“It must, by necessity, include a refined Government policy, enhanced regulation, monitoring and enforcement by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission

our interest to join hands to tackle this scourge,” Minister Trotman added.

With this in mind, the seminar, facilitated by the Natural Resources Ministry, was designed to put on focus modern mechanisms, innovative and time-tested ways that can improve the health

cate miners at this stage, given the alarming numbers of accidents in the sector which have led to injuries and even deaths, Minister Trotman believes that introspection must first be done at the level of the regulatory bodies, hence the seminar targeted active players from the GGMC,

Stanley Ming, chairman of the GGMC board, makes a point to GGMC Commissioner (ag) Newell Dennison at Wednesday’s workshop (GGMC), and improved education techniques supported by our technical institutes, university, and by the companies that profit from the sale of excavators, ATVs and mining equipment,” he explained.

“In short, it is in all of

and safety practices within the sector.

Additionally, it set the stage for the development, documentation and launch of an Action Plan, to mitigate the risks of fatal accidents in the mining industry.

While it is critical to edu-

including the mines officers and representatives from the Guyana Mining School and Training Centre.

“We must…be up to date with the best practices that exist, areas of contextual relevance and the most effective means of communicating the

essential messages,” Minister Trotman posited, while stating that the seminar creates a platform for stakeholders to initiate a plan that would be comprehensive and transformative.

Already,the GGMC, in collaboration with the Mining , has developed a module for general managers of dredge operations and persons entering mining with the intention of providing mandatory training in the various processes of mining – from financial management to mine pit design, construction and maintenance, and basic first aid techniques.

The module was completed this year.

“The small and medium-scale miners are faced with several challenges. These include knowing where to position their dredge to make a profit and how to effectively come into compliance with the regulations and laws that the mining sector demands. The Ministry of Natural Resources, together with the GGMC and the Mining School aims to assist them to achieve their aims,” Minister Trotman emphasised.

According to him, since taking office, the coalition government has been building the capacity of workers in the sector to respond to the challenges in the sector.

It was pointed out that last January, the ministry with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) facilitated a Training of Trainers Programme which sought to enhance the capacity of GGMC’s workers in the area of safety. That was followed by a Caribbean Regional Training Workshop on Environment, Community, Health and Safety in the Neglected Development Minerals sector in April – the month designated for the promotion of Occupational Health and Safety. That seminar had received the backing of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

“It is anticipated that these capacity-building opportunities that were provided will be useful in the successful execution of today’s main objective to create a roadmap to address mining safety and to arrest the

deaths in this industry that we all hold dear. Safe, and productive mining is in the best interest of Guyana and every Guyanese,” Minister Trotman said. Paraphrasing a popular slogan, he said “All lives matter, miners’ lives matter.”

Major-General Ret’d Joseph Singh, who was among key speakers at the forum, in his address alluded to the 2015 Commission of Inquiry (CoI) which was conducted

by Dr. Grantley Walrond.

At the end of that inquiry, Dr. Walrond had concluded the the principal cause of pit- failure accidents was the constant neglect of safe mining practices.

Major-General Singh, who had also conducted two CoIs in 2016, had made a similar conclusion. In a series of recommendations, he called on the GGMC to take stern action against defaulters within the industry.

“Mining property owners must be held accountable

by GGMC for all mining operations within the boundaries of their properties, their compliance with the Mining Act and Regulations, and their ability to manage mining operations using the best possible technical, health and safety and environmental practices,” he said.

GGMC, he said, must also ensure that its mines officers are adequately equipped to execute their duties, while noting that property owners are accountable to the commission. The key players at the ground level, ranging from the property owners, dredge owners, general managers to rangers must mine in a responsible manner, in keeping with the legislations and regulations in place.

Craig Timms of Troy Resources Guyana Inc, and Charles Ceres and Michael Williams of Guyana Goldfields had also delivered in-depth presentations on recommended best practices for safety in mining and for open-pit mine construction. Dr. Walrond had also made a case for change, as he gave an in-depth analysis on the current status of the sector with respect to safety.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

Shaping a ‘new’ GuySuCo –– Dairy, livestock, rice farming among new ventures to be pursued

–– Wales to be used as diversification ‘model’

By Nafeeza Yahya IN the first public pronouncements on the diversification plan for the sugar industry, Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder Wednesday pointed to a range of economic activities meant to maintain jobs across the industry.

“The new GuySuCo (Guyana Sugar Corporation) will not be about sugar alone, but a business in which sugar is but one activity.

“It will include other activities such as co-generation, aquaculture, fruit crops, dairy farming, livestock farming and rice cultivation,” Holder told sugar workers at the Albion estate where champion workers were being honoured.

He said the new business ventures would be geared to make a profit and be “cash” positive, both individually and collectively.

So far, he said the corporation is attempting to utilize its assets to generate funds and this includes land sales and diversification to other products.

Holder announced that GuySuCo has established a diversified products division, recruited a coordinator and will establish a diversified Products Sub-committee of the board of Directors.”

Acting CEO of GuySuCo, Paul Bhim, said “Guysuco is a business and has to function as one and that the future of Guysuco lies in the combination of profitable non-sugar activities and some sugar production.”

Holder said it’s unlikely that the corporation will achieve its 2016 production target of 242,287 tonnes of sugar due to poor weather conditions in the latter part of 2015 and early 2016.

However, he said he was happy that the corporation

board and management is [sic] pursuing a one-year change management programme,” Holder stated.

He explained that the two campaigns are geared to enhance team-building and collaborative initiatives that promote shared values

mitted to securing the future of the approximately 17,000 persons employed in the sugar industry and their dependants.”

Bhim also thanked the government for their recognition of the state of affairs of the industry and plugging funds to help them, but assured that GuySuCo must function as a business and

tioned against industrial action and called for a new industrial relations climate where the union, workers and management [would] work together for the betterment of the industry and workers.

According to Minister Holder, the 193 strike actions during 2015, even though it was one less than

operations and sought to motivate others to strive for excellence.

The champion workers awarded were: Haresh Balram of Skeldon Estate; Hugh Orin Thomas of Albion Estate; Jagdeo Phillips of Rose Hall Estate; Hansram Jagdeo of Blairmont Estate; Peter Budhu of Enmore Estate; Ramlochan Ramou-

GuySuCo’s champion workers who were honoured on Wednesday has recognised the need to continue on the road to diversification with the launching of the “New Guysuco” by introducing two campaigns, namely “One GuySuCo” and ‘Putting GuySuCo first.”

“For the first crop of 2016, we have experienced underperformance of 29% with actual production of 56,825 tonnes, compared with a budget of 80,270 tonnes.

“This will clearly have financial implications and solidifies the grave need for GuySuCo to continue on the road to diversification to revitalize the industry.

“It is heartening that the

among the employees to achieve the new GuySuCo. “It is this positive attitude and team-spirit that will propel the industry forward and undoubtedly contribute to future success.”

Minister Holder said the Wales estate, which was identified as the least productive estate, is earmarked as the model for diversification and feasibility studies are presently ongoing and should be out by October of this year. He said the government will facilitate the expansion and sustainability of the industry.

“I said it once and I would like to reiterate it here, government is com-

with the diversification, the corporation will weather the storm to become a profitable organisation.

The minister stated that the ministry will work with the management and board to “put the industry on sound footing.”

This, he said, continues to be “the core target of our government as both sugar workers and their families remain close to our heart.”

The Agriculture Minister applauded the workers for their hard work, stating that “you are the main reason for the corporation exceeding the 2015 target by 3,627 tonnes.”

Minister Holder cau-

the previous year, amounted to G$181.5 million or 70,129 in man days and wages lost.

GuySuCo honoured 29 workers in various fields across all the estates, with 10 champion workers receiving $50,000, a gold brooch, and a trip to Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls for themselves and spouse.

The 10 first runners-up received $30,000 and a certificate of appreciation, while nine second runners- up received $20,000 and a certificate of appreciation for their efforts.

The honour scheme recognises workers who championed above others in their respective field of

tar of LBI Estate; Kevin Floyd Edgar of Head Office; Ryan Petrie of the Demerara Sugar Terminal; Chandraite Dharundhar of Wales Estate; and Kalicharran Ramnaraess of Uitvlugt Estate.

Acting CEO Paul Bhim, in his brief remarks, applauded the efforts of the champion workers, whom he said rose above negative criticism and publicity to become champions in their respective fields.

He also appealed to others to be motivated and take a page out of the books of the champions as a lot more of similar efforts are needed to get the sugar industry back on track.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

Britain’s new PM May gives Johnson big job, says needs time before Brexit talks (Reuters) - THERESA May became Britain’s prime minister on Wednesday with the task of leading it out of the European Union, and quickly named leading ‘Brexit’ supporters including former London mayor Boris Johnson to key positions in her new government.

The former Conservative interior minister, 59, said after being appointed by Queen Elizabeth that she would champion social justice and carve out a bright new future for Britain after last month’s shock referendum vote to quit the EU. “We will rise to the challenge. As we leave the European Union we will forge a bold new positive role for ourselves in the world, and we will make Britain a country that works not for a privileged few, but

for every one of us,” she said outside 10 Downing Street, vacated hours earlier by David Cameron.

Cameron stepped down after Britons rejected his entreaties to stay in the EU, a decision that has set back European efforts to forge greater unity and created huge uncertainty in Britain and across the 28-nation bloc. May faced immediate pressure from EU leaders to serve formal notice of Britain’s withdrawal and set the clock ticking on a twoyear countdown to its final departure.

In phone calls with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande, May said she needed time. “On all the phone calls, the prime minister emphasized her commitment

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star Amber Rudd switched from the energy ministry to take May’s old job as Home Secretary.

‘BURNING INJUSTICE’ May is Queen Elizabeth’s 13th prime minister in a line that started with Winston Churchill. An official photograph showed her curtseying to the smiling monarch.

Britain’s Prime Minister, Theresa May, watched by husband Philip, speaks to the media outside number 10 Downing Street, in central London, Britain. [REUTERS/STEFAN WERMUTH] to delivering the will of the British people to leave the European Union,” a spokeswoman for May said.

“The prime minister explained that we would need some time to prepare for these negotiations and spoke of her hope that these could be conducted in a constructive and positive spirit.”

Just over an hour after entering her new office, she started naming ministers, appointing the steady and experienced foreign minister Philip Hammond to take charge of the finance

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ministry. He replaces George Osborne, whose determination to balance Britain’s books made him synonymous with austerity.

In a major surprise, May named Johnson, a leading eurosceptic who had until recently been seen as her main rival for the prime minister’s job, to take over as foreign secretary.

Other prominent ‘Leave’ campaigners were also rewarded. One, David Davis, took the key role of Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. Another, Liam Fox, was named to head a new international trade department. May herself had sided with Cameron in trying to keep Britain inside the EU, so needed to reach out to the winning Leave side in order to heal divisions in the ruling party and show her commitment to respecting the popular vote. “Brexit means Brexit”

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has quickly become her new mantra.

By awarding such a senior job to Johnson, she also showed a conciliatory side. The two had clashed over policing in London while Johnson was serving as mayor. And since last month’s vote, for which he campaigned vigorously, Johnson had suffered widespread criticism and ridicule for failing to present a clear Brexit plan and swiftly dropping out of the leadership race.

With his unkempt blonde hair, bumbling humor and penchant for Latin quotations, the man known to Britons simply as ‘Boris’ will be the government’s most colorful figure, but a controversial choice for conducting sensitive diplomacy with world leaders.

Asked by a reporter whether he would apologize to U.S. President Barack Obama for controversially saying the “part-Kenyan” president was biased against Britain because of “an ancestral dislike of the British empire”, Johnson said: “The United States of America will be in the front of the queue.”

The quip was a reference to a comment by Obama during Britain’s EU referendum campaign that the country would be at the back of the queue for trade deals if it voted to leave the bloc. Among other appointments, rising

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She is also Britain’s second female head of government after Margaret Thatcher.

Seen as a tough, competent and intensely private person, already being compared to Germany’s Angela Merkel, she must now try to limit the damage to British trade and investment as she renegotiates the country’s ties with its 27 EU partners. She will also attempt to unite a fractured nation in which many, on the evidence of the referendum, feel angry with the political elite and left behind by the forces of globalization.

In comments addressed to ordinary Britons, she spoke of the ‘burning injustice’ suffered by large sections of society: poor people facing shorter life expectancy; blacks treated more harshly by the criminal justice system; women earning less than men; the mentally ill; and young people struggling to buy homes. Acknowledging the struggles faced by many, May declared: “The government I lead will be driven not by the interests of the privileged few, but by yours. We will do everything we can to give you more control over your lives.”

She spoke of the “precious bond” between the nations of the United Kingdom, implicit recognition of the tensions generated by the referendum in which England and Wales chose to quit the EU, but Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay, raising the possibility of a new Scottish vote on independence. Outside Downing Street, a group of demonstrators chanted: ‘What do we want? Brexit!

When do we want it? Now!’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

Brazil beefs up security ahead of Olympics

THE federal government in Brazil says it is releasing additional funding to beef up security ahead of next month’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Sports Minister Leonardo Picciani said the armed forces would get an extra $24M (£18M) to help them meet security needs.

The military would begin patrolling sports venues from 24 July, he added.

More than 80,000 police and soldiers will patrol the streets of Rio for the duration of the games.

The state of Rio de Janeiro has recently cut budgets across the board, including that of the police.

The police in Rio recently staged demonstrations against the late payment of salaries, and a lack of basic necessities like car fuel and toilet paper.

Correspondents say the protests are a symptom of the political and economic woes which have engulfed

Brazilian Public-Safety National Force personnel on patrol at Olympic facilities in Rio (Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters)

Brazil in recent times.

Brazil’s Senate suspended the country’s President Dilma Rousseff in May, and then began impeachment proceedings against her over allegations that she manipulated the government budget ahead of her 2014 re-election campaign.

On the economic front, government figures for the first quarter of 2016 showed that Brazil was experiencing its worst recession in 25 years.

And the Olympic organising committee has had to deal with news that several famous sportsmen -- including golf world number one Jason Day -- have withdrawn from the games because of fears about the Zika virus.

However, the CEO of the games has said that concerns about the virus affecting the Olympics have been “blown out of the proportion.” (BBC)

Brazil prosecutors open criminal probe into Samarco CEO (Reuters) - Brazilian federal prosecutors said on Wednesday they opened an investigation into alleged environmental crimes by Roberto Carvalho, chief executive of iron-ore mining company Samarco Mineração SA, over a deadly damburst last year.

According to a statement released by prosecutors, Samarco, a 50-50 joint venture between Brazil’s Vale SA and Australia’s BHP Billiton Ltd, has failed to fully implement emergency precautionary measures ordered by Brazil’s environmental protection agency Ibama in the wake of the October 2015 tailings dam burst.

In what has been billed the worst environmental disaster in Brazil’s history, the flood of iron-rich mud killed 19 people, wiped out several towns and polluted hundreds of kilometers (miles) of rivers in Brazil’s Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo states.

The opening of an investigation is the latest setback for plans to re-open Samarco, restore lost jobs in the region and help it raise cash for an estimated 20 billion real ($6.13 million) clean-up plan.Brazilian prosecutors have attacked the plan, agreed to with the federal government in March, as too small and lacking specifics. Samarco’s mine is not expected to reopen before mid-2017.

“The omissive acts of the

chief executive could be categorized as environmental crimes,” the prosecutors said in the statement. Samarco officials did not immediately respond to a request for comments from the company and Carvalho.

According to Ibama and the prosecutors, Samarco has failed to properly contain 24.8 million cubic meters (875.8 million cubic feet) of mine tailings -- enough to fill 10,000 Olympic swimming pools -- that remain spread over

the disaster area and have not been flushed away by rains or floods. The amount represents more than three quarters of the total amount of muddy mine tailings that spilled out of the broken dam.

The containment struc-

tures built by Samarco are insufficient, the prosecutors said and will allow 2.8 million cubic meters (98.9 million cubic feet) of muddy tailings to be swept into rivers downstream by as early as March 2017. Of the 11 mea-

sures ordered on Samarco

by Ibama, four were partially implemented and the rest were totally ignored, prosecutors said. They added that Vale and BHP are considered co-responsible for the disaster as owners of the company.

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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

The Hague Convention Conference THE three-day Hague Convention Conference opens in Georgetown today. The Hague Conference on Private and International Law (HCCH) is the world organisation for cross-border cooperation in civil and commercial matters.

The hosting of this conference under the theme: “International Family Law, Legal Cooperation and Commerce, Promoting Human Rights and Cross-Border Trade in Guyana through the Hague Convention” is a welcoming sign.

More importantly, that the Government has not only taken the initiative to host the convention but also indicated Guyana’s intention of becoming a HCCH member, is a plus for small-state societies such as ours that have to compete for our share in a global economy that is complex and fiercely competitive.

Membership in organisations of this nature comes with the corresponding responsibility to comply with the rules governing membership and implementation of conventions enshrined therein. Choosing which conventions will be regarded is not a choice issue, but that of expected full compliance, lest a country be cited.

Recent events bear this out, as in the instance of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), which is affiliated to the international Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Previous editorials have dealt in depth with this matter and the consequences, present and potential, Guyana and its citizens are facing and are likely to face in ensuring full compliance with international expectations on laws pertaining to Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, has communicated that a benefit of being a HCCH member is that Guyana can access pertinent legal conventions that would benefit the country’s trade and human rights’ interests, which is another step in the right direction. Guyana is a member of the European Union (EU) through association with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and The Dominican Republic Economic Partnership Agreement, where among the focus of the EU Common Market is that of promoting human rights.

The convergence of interest on human rights can only

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

Compensation for policy-makers, leaders and directors ONGOING media coverage regarding all forms of compensation (salaries, benefits, stipends, perks etc) payable to the top echelons of government and national, public and civil service organisations suggests that it might be useful to have some public ventilation on the underlying bases and justifications for the apparent dissonances, discrepancies and differentials within the body politic.

(It is acknowledged that similar issues are au courant in other spheres within and outside our nation with established avenues and procedures for dealing with them).

The most recent high-profile public service cases in point are the amounts being paid to parliamentarians and ministers which may be considered as “super salaries” when compared with the paltry, beggarly sums being paid as “stipends” to Chairmen and Directors of the Boards of governmental agencies and authorities. (My understanding is that the stipends paid to Chairmen are $10,000 and Directors $7,000 per month; they were apparently fixed in the last century, are clearly well below the current national minimum wage and to me, quite an insult to the personal pride of the recipients which no amount of altruism and considerations of service to the motherland can assuage).

How can we countenance and knowingly live with the glaring differentials between the earnings of politicians and the stipends of professionals who are usually appointed to serve on critical boards where the responsibilities and efforts required

are at least apparently equal if not superior in some cases. The efforts and responsibilities of Chairmen and Directors of Boards such as the GRA and GUYSUCO who actually provide leadership and professional oversight for operations within the commanding heights of the economy are virtual “full time” jobs. Besides, as far as I gather, they have “fiduciary responsibility” and can be sued if found to be delinquent in the performance of their duties as Directors.

Contrary to generally held impressions, some, if not most of these Chairmen and Directors do not simply attend monthly meetings (on which impression the current stipends were apparently fixed); typically, they have a lot of “homework” to do to prepare for the meetings and sub-committee work based on their particular areas of expertise; then there are the continual “oversight” and “representational” obligations which they are expected to discharge.

While parliamentarians enjoy extensive “parliamentary breaks” for example, Chairmen and Directors of State Boards must be on the ball continually, especially in some productive and service-oriented operations such as GuySuCo and the GRA. I know of a case where one Board Chairman was so engrossed in the affairs of the organisation that he was considered and often referred to as the “Executive Chairman.”

Does the Government expect or unwittingly encourage these professionals and upright citizens who are normally requested to serve on the

strengthen the country’s welfare in the international arena.

HCCH Secretary-General Christophe Bernasconi in an interview with this newspaper has advised that the conference is to promote work in the field of human rights with regard to the protection of children in cross-border situations, and other child- abduction and child-protection matters, as well as strengthening the rule of law, which would enable commercial operators to have legal certainty before they decide to do business in foreign jurisdictions, thereby fostering international trade and business.

Recently, this newspaper carried a story on Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Minister Simona Broomes speaking to the issue of Guyana being removed from the United States (U.S.) Government’s Tier 2 Watch list. In acknowledging efforts at compliance which resulted in Guyana’s elevation in status, the minister noted that the country still has ways to go, children are still being trafficked, and the fight to end TIP requires widespread support.

It is reasonable to assume that the minister was alluding to support for conventions against TIPs and protection for children’s rights, as well as for local laws and for business and citizens to avoid this unsavoury practice, and where it exists for it be reported. The State’s judiciary and enforcing arm are adequately empowered to deal with TIPs. Notably, the Guyana Constitution has enshrined Funda-

boards to fall prey to or to seek illicit, under-the-table or round-about means of self-compensation and aggrandizement?

There is also the case where a Director on the Board of one of these operations was so appalled at the miserly stipend payable to him that he quickly sought an opportunity to serve the same outfit, in virtually the same capacity, but as a functional head of the said organization for which he is being paid a handsome salary plus related benefits. Such unsavoury moves become unnecessary if proper systems were in place for determining the relative demands, difficulties and other differentials inherent in the different roles within the various organisations.

There are several simple Job Evaluation systems and techniques readily available to establish defensible, systemic and objective bases for fair and equitable compensation arrangements based on relativities and comparability following orderly processes of Job Analyses, Job Evaluation and other Human Resource Management applications.

Government should seriously consider employing such approaches for a start if it really wants to attract and retain the people with the appropriate competencies and profiles, whether as board members or staff, for all its operations and agencies, and who would not be tempted to do any form of wangling to meet obviously critical demands of the respective positions.

NOWRANG PERSAUD

mental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual, which are built off of the United Nations Human Rights Declarations, which the HCCH will be guided by in its operations. Institutional support for ensuring these are respected can be had through the Human Rights Commission, Women and Gender Equality Commission, Indigenous Rights Commission, all of which have not been established. As a matter of accepted universal principle, where a law provides no hiatus for the functioning of any institution, such institutions ought to never be non-functional.

Where the HCCH values adherence to rights and strengthening the rule of law in providing international commercial operators legal certainty before they decide on engaging in trade and business with foreign jurisdictions, it is to Guyana’s benefit to act accordingly.

Present encounters with the FATF, CFATF and the U.S.’s stance on TIPs, the consequences for compliance and non-compliance are lessons to be taken away on how international relations, trade and business are moving toward, insisting on, and relying more and more on forging alliances with countries engaged in ethical practices of human rights and the rule of law.

With such requirements and protection, Guyana and citizens stand to elevate our status on the Human Development Index.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

Barrels of liquor at CPL cricket: What’s wrong with this picture?

TO say that we at The Caribbean Voice are aghast that barrels of liquor flowed at CPL matches at the National Stadium would be an understatement.

We do understand that the liquor companies are businesses that must do promotion and focus on the bottom line.

However, we believe it is time for these businesses to recognise that social responsibility goes beyond sponsoring events and activities. To this end, we urge liquor companies to recognise the fact that alcoholism is at the very core of many social pathologies in Guyana. We also urge them to craft and execute strategies that would help to tackle this issue, including statements in their advertisements and commercials emphasising, “responsible drinking,” “don’t drink and drive,” “no drinking by pregnant women,” “no drinking by minors,” “regular excess drinking can lead to addiction and various health problems” and the like.

The fact is that statistics show that the Guyanese drinking culture (rum culture) where most persons “drink to get drunk”, frequently at excessive and harmful levels, is associated with many forms of entertainment and participation in social events. Flowing barrels of liquor at sports actually play into this cultural trait with no consideration given to its debilitating effects, not to mention the messages conveyed to youth and minors, hundreds of whom were at these matches. So what are the quantitative indicators of this trait and what are its effects?

On average, Guyanese, aged 15 or older, consumed more than eight litres daily of pure alcohol in 2010, compared to the global figure of 6.2 litres, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said in a 2014 report. However, the average drinker in Guyana consumed more than 3.5 gallons/13.7 litres of total alcohol daily. One-seventh of this consumption (14%) was unrecorded - homemade alcohol, illegally produced or sold outside normal Government controls.

About 15.2 per cent of male drinkers (10% of the population aged 15+) engaged in heavy, episodic drinking, that is, consumed at least 60 grams of pure alcohol at least once per month. Also, 8.6% of males and 5.9% of all Guyanese aged 15 and older are classified as having alcohol use disorder (a pattern of alcohol use which causes mental or physical damage to health), with 3.9% and 1.9% respectively classified as alcoholics.

A 1997 study found that 54% of youths aged between 12 and 25 years, were occasional drinkers and 7.5% were regular drinkers. Also, a 2013 survey by the Organization of American States/ Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (OAS/CICAD) found that the overall average among the Caribbean (Guyana included) for first use of alcohol was about 12 years

old. Furthermore, the average for males was about 11.9 years and for females 12.5 years. The survey also found that Guyana outstripped all the other Caribbean nations in terms of binge drinking among students.

It must be noted that all those figures quoted above would most likely be higher today.

Also, children and young people who misuse alcohol are at greater risk of suffering negative health and social outcomes compared to adults, because they have not yet fully developed their mental and physical faculties. Data and research on underage sexual activity shows evidence that indicates a positive correlation between early regular alcohol consumption and the early onset of risky sexual activity with attendant high risks of teenage pregnancy (Guyana has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in the Caribbean) and STDs, including AIDS (The Caribbean Voice is aware of a number of such cases with at least one young lady becoming suicidal).

While reliable statistics are not available, it is a fact that alcohol has an overall economic cost to all nations and takes a toll on workplace productivity.

In fact, alcoholism has been identified as a major reason for absenteeism in Guyana’s sugar industry. Other substantial costs to society include property damage, job loss and health service costs. Alcohol abuse has many potential consequences, including accidental falls; burns; drowning; brain damage; impaired driving resulting in accidents, deaths and injuries; poor school performance; work productivity loss; sexual assault; truancy; violence; vandalism; homicides; suicides; lowered inhibitions and increased impulsivity; risky sexual behavior, including early initiation of sexual behaviour and multiple sexual partners often leading to pregnancy and STDs. Also, it is generally well known that a relatively small proportion of incidents, involving alcohol-related violence, are reported to police, making it difficult to determine the full extent of alcohol-related violence. Media reports continually cite alcohol as an important risk factor for domestic violence, child abuse and neglect. The high rate of alcohol involvement in intimate partner homicide continues to be widely reported. The consumption of alcohol, either by the offender or victim or both, is also a significant contributing factor in incidents of non-fatal domestic violence, with research demonstrating that women whose partners consume alcohol at excessive levels are more likely to experience domestic violence.

Additionally, alcohol use and abuse often lead to increased family dysfunction and to other family members ending up with mental health problems such as anxiety, fear and depression, as well as

increased criminal behaviour as alcohol loosens inhibitions and makes it easier for individuals to become prey to peer pressure, and/or to be coerced and manipulated. Who knows whether alcohol may not be contributing to the current high crime rate among the youth (including teenagers) as inebriated youngsters wanting to fit in, became involved in that first act of crime and then its downhill from there. In fact, The Caribbean Voice is aware of a number of such cases.

The direct alcohol death rate for Guyana is 1.6 per 100,000, but again this figure could be much higher today. And since alcoholism also plays a significant part in suicides, and in domestic violence and child abuse, which often lead to fatalities, the overall death rate (direct and indirect) would also be much higher.

Against this background, existing realities serve to foster alcohol consumption and alcoholism. According to the WHO, while some countries are already strengthening measures to protect people, including increasing taxes on alcohol, limiting the availability of alcohol by raising the age limit, and regulating the marketing of alcoholic beverages, Guyana has, “No written policy adopted or revised pertaining to the fight against alcoholism, no legally binding regulations on alcohol advertising and product placement, as well as no legal regulations on alcohol sponsorship sales.

A national legal minimum age limit for purchase of alcohol exists, however, it is not enforced.”

Furthermore, Guyana has only four in-house alcoholism treatment centres, all of which have high costs associated with their programmes, all of which are located in Georgetown and all of which show only about a 25% recovery rate.

Then there are: * The failure of the Criminal Justice system to appreciate rehabilitation as an alternative to incarceration as well as lack of any structured rehabilitation programme in prisons; * A benevolent attitude towards alcoholics and drinking on the whole, often with wives and mothers actively fostering this as a social activity among fathers, husbands and children; * The easy availability of alcohol not only with respect to licensed liquor bars/rum shops openly selling liquor to all and sundry, but also with respect to unlicensed bottom house bars springing up all over the place.

So what then, should be done? In addition to the need for liquor businesses to expand their concept of social responsibility as pointed out above and the need for implementation of measures referenced by WHO above, other steps include: > Creating substance abuse-related education, assessment, intervention, treatment and recovery services and making them available nation wide;

> Expanding the number of behavioural health provider options in an effort to increase the number of citizens served; > Exploring new funding sources from donor communities for behavioural health programmes, services, and providers and increasing gov’t funding for same; > Partnering with NGOs and faithbased organisations to implément evidenced-based prevention programmes that teach personal responsibility for one’s health. > Maximizing the use of social media to its fullest public health potential to educate the public, particularly those under the age of 18. > Improving the internal culture at the Health Department by attracting and engaging high-quality staff; ensuring professional excellence by concentrating on ongoing professional development and training, providing training funds and tracking all training; developing leadership competencies; and developing a succession plan and mentorship programme. > Leveraging technology/infrastructure by implementing an electronic health record (EHR) system. > Establishing at least one Rehabilitation Treatment Centre in each of Guyana’s 10 regions, which was a goal of the previous government.

It must be pointed out that these measures would not be stand-alone ones but inclusive and scaffolding. Thus treatment centres can also deal with drugs and mental health issues. And social media can be harnessed to promote overall health care. Ditto for funding and training. In fact, all of this can be built into an integrated health care system, as advocated by WHO, so that resources are maximized and health care becomes comprehensive and inter-related.

Finally, may we suggest that from next year, the government enters into an agreement with CPL to foster awareness of suicide, alcoholism, drugs use, teenage pregnancy, trafficking and related issues. In addition to posters and banners strategically placed around the stadium (and which can be used continuously over time), cricketers can deliver messages via mass media, commentators can deliver messages during commentaries and so on. This collaborative approach is very cost- effective and can be a policy that harnesses every opportunity – sports, culture, entertainment, mass assemblies, training programmes, festivals and so on. For example Mashramani is another great opportunity to focus on these issues.

There has been enough rhetoric and excuses; it is time for the government to rework priorities relating to the welfare of the citizenry.

THE CARIBBEAN VOICE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

CCJ has achieved a lot in 11 years - Sir Byron points to landmark decisions

By Ariana Gordon IT HAS been 11 years since the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and its President, Sir Dennis Byron, believes that the institution has made an impact on the Region.

Sir Byron, who is currently in Guyana for The Hague Convention Conference, told reporters on Wednesday that the CCJ is fulfilling its mandate.

Structured to have two jurisdictions, an original and an appellate, the CCJ in its original jurisdiction is an international tribunal with compulsory and exclusive jurisdiction for the interpretation and application of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, the treaty which established and governs the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The CCJ hears and delivers judgment on disputes arising between contracting parties to the Agreement, contracting parties and the

Community, and between the Community’s Nationals, contracting parties and Community institutions, or between nationals themselves.

He said there are a num-

made a very significant contribution already,” said the President of the CCJ. He said too that in the case of Guyana, the court has dealt with several cases

“Eleven years is a very short time when you think about the history of judicial development but even within such a period I think we have made a very significant contribution already,” Sir Byron, President of the CCJ ber of cases that have proven transformative in the Region and noted that the court in its appellate jurisdiction has heard over 180 cases and has clarified many important legal provisions that affect persons within the Region.

“Eleven years is a very short time when you think about the history of judicial development but even within such a period I think we have

that have proven to be of important development not only to Guyana but to the region.

Many CARICOM countries are yet to make the CCJ their final court of appeal.

The CCJ was established after the Twelfth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference in 2001 in Bridgetown, Barbados where the Heads of Government Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize,

Questions to GPL and the government I HAVE several questions that need to be answered concerning the tender for the GPL/IDB Power Utility Upgrade Programme, Lot A. This tender was closed on February 24, 2016; five companies tendered for this job.

Initially the bid security and tender prices were valid for only 120 days. Recently, GPL sent letters to contractors asking them to secure bid security for an additional 120 days and indicate whether their tender prices still stand.

Five companies tendered for this job, of which three are Chinese, one local and another a joint venture between a local and a Colombian outfit.

Mr Editor, some of this is very baffling to me.

We as Guyanese deserve some answers, simply because this project is a lossreduction one. This will bring relief to the national coffers by saving on a wide list of items such as generation cost and line maintenance.

This project has been widely talked about in Guyana and the Caribbean, because of the amount of savings it will bring to the utility

company and the nation as a whole.

Some of my questions to the Board and Management of GPL, the Government of Guyana and, the IDB and EU are: 1. Why is the project still not implemented two years after funding was approved, while we are losing millions each day from generation losses which are estimated to be around 30%?

2. Why the need to extend the bid time by a further 120 days? There are only five companies to evaluate. Can GPL and the IDB say what is the reason for the delay?

3. Why is the media running a smear campaign against the Chinese contractors? This is not looking well for our country, since China is our largest donor and investor.

4. Who are the personnel in charge of this project? No mention has been made of a project manager and team.

5. From my understanding and reading of the project document ,only three of the contractors meet the criteria of the bid. They all seem to be the Chinese companies.

Then why the long wait if only three bids are to be evaluated?

6. From my understanding, there were evaluators from different Government ministries that evaluated this project and they have all completed their evaluations.

Can GPL say what is the current status of the bid process?

If GPL uses the other 120 days as requested, this will bring us to 0ctober 24,2016. That’s double the time a project usually takes for evaluation in Guyana.

Mr Editor, these are just a few of the questions I have.

Hopefully we will see an award soon or some sort of release by GPL. I am hoping this is not some sort of trickery by the administration to award to some friend or allow the media to dictate who it must be awarded to.

If GPL is spending upwards of $7 billion on generation each year and losing 30% of this on line losses, let’s do the math on total money going down the drain.

MICHAEL PERSAUD

President of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Sir Dennis Byron Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago signed on.

Dominica and St Vincent & the Grenadines, signed the agreement on 15 February 2003, bringing the total number of signatories to 12.

The signing of that agreement emphasized the central role of the court in providing legal certainty to the operations of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

Meanwhile, in its appellate jurisdiction, the CCJ considers and determines appeals in both civil and criminal matters from courts within the jurisdiction of Member states.

“As I said, eleven years is not a long time in the history of the region and indications are that discussions are moving forward,” said Sir Byron.

Thus far, only Guyana, Dominica, Barbados and Belize have acceded to the CCJ thereby making it the

final court of appeal, while two other countries, Antigua and Grenada have started the process.

The President of the CCJ reminded that the two countries (Antigua and Grenada) require a referendum before their accession to the CCJ become effective.

Sir Byron said he believed that it is important for more information about the Court and how it operates be placed in the public domain so that citizens of the Region can determine the benefits that would be derived from a regional court.

“Our mission is not really to lobby people but to provide information about what the court does and how it operates – information about the cases- the case law developed… so people have an opportunity to decide for themselves what is good for them, or not.”

The CCJ has an active Communications department, he said, while noting that information is channeled through the court’s website.

Asked whether he believed that the rulings made by the CCJ are effective in determining clear established lines, Sir Byron responded in the affirmative and referenced the case of Jamaican Shanique Myrie who claimed damages against the state of Barbados after protesting the treatment she received at the Grantley Adams Airport in March 2011.

Myrie was awarded BDS$77,240 by the CCJ, which ruled that subjecting her to a cavity search, locking her up in an unsanitary cell and then deporting her

ran contrary to the rules of the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. In the ruling, the CCJ stated that people of CARICOM must be allowed, without harassment, into any member state for six months; and that if a refusal is made, the person must be given the reason in writing, and must be notified of their right to seek legal redress.

“Myrie…set out clear cut principles,” the CCJ President stated as he explained that Jamaican Maurice Tomlinson had filed an application to the CCJ seeking special leave to begin proceedings in the Court under Article 222 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that speaks to regional integration movement within CARICOM. Tomlinson, a homosexual, claimed that the provisions of the Immigration Acts of Belize and Trinidad and Tobago prohibit the entry of homosexuals into the respective jurisdictions.

“In the court defence, the document produced to advocate their position; both governments stated that they have accepted and acted upon the decision on the Myrie case,” Sir Byron said re-enforcing his point that the rulings of the CCJ are being enforced.

The CCJ president said he is extremely happy to visit Guyana and sees Guyana as an important country in the development of the region judicially and otherwise. “We get the most cases from Guyana…and we look forward to working continuously with Guyana,” he stated.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

Hague conference, pioneer in child rights, opens

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–– President sees need for consultation before new commitments on international family law, legal cooperation and commerce LEGAL implications and ramifications of conventions aligned to the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) must be understood, President David Granger said Wednesday evening as he emphasised the need for consultation.

The President was speaking at the opening of the Hague Conference at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

HCCH is an organisation that develops international treaties and conventions that deal with international issues involving private individuals or commercial operators and the creation of an environment that is conducive to cross-border trade, cross-border investment, cross-border commerce, the creation of legal certainty and predictability for people and operators, so that all the rules are known, before participation in commercial transactions or overseas investments.

The conference also deals with child adoption, child abduction and child rights.

“We have to commit to understanding more fully the legal implications and ramifications of the adoption of these conventions of the “Conference’ – a process that must be preceded by consultations with national stakeholders,” President Granger said as he delivered the feature address at the opening of the conference.

Nevertheless, he said Guyana’s hosting of the conference is a demonstration of its commitment to examine ways in which its domestic and international human rights architecture, especially on the issues of international family law, legal cooperation and commerce, can be strengthened.

The foundation has been laid for a solid, legal architecture of child protection

but the country, he said, must commit to improving existing legislation and similarly commit to fostering an enabling environment for commerce and trade in keeping with the promise of a “good life for all Guyanese.”

“A ‘good life’ means more than economic growth.

It is about the creation of a caring and protective society, especially for its most

va of 1924 – a landmark in international law –recognised that mankind owed to the child the best that it had to give, the President said.

That ‘Declaration’ had triggered discussions which culminated in the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.

“The Hague Conference, in the meantime, produced

measures for the protection of children. The conventions of the Hague Conference have complemented and supported the United Nations’ efforts in the protection of children, have encouraged the development of national systems of legal protections for children and have been instrumental in the development of family law.

Zooming in closer to

conference will assist us in improving our systems – both legal and administrative – for the protection of our children,” he posited.

In the area of commerce, he said Guyana will be looking to HCCH for guidance on possible steps to be taken to improve legal certainty and predictability in trade.

“Trade is important to every country. Our country

organising the event locally, reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment in supporting the Hague Conference.

In reinforcing the country’s commitment, the AG nominated Chief Justice Yvonne Cummings-Edwards and Justice Roxanne George as Guyana’s representatives on the International Hague Network of Judges.

“I have no doubt they

Students of the Success Elementary Primary choir perform for the audience at the opening of the Hague conference Wednesday evening vulnerable members, its children. A ‘good life’ means respecting the rights of children, protecting them from abuse and providing greater opportunities for them to have successful lives,” he said.

According to him, this can achieved at the level of the family, the community, the state and international organisations.

It was pointed out that the Hague Conference has been a pioneer in the protection of the child.

The Declaration of Gene-

two important conventions which impacted on the protection of children: Convention on the law applicable to maintenance obligations towards children; and Convention concerning the recognition and enforcement of decisions relating to maintenance obligations towards children,” President Granger explained. .

Additionally, several other conventions were produced relating to the protection of minors, adoptions, child abductions and child support and maintenance and

home, President Granger pointed out that here in Guyana a number of important laws relating to the protection of children have been instituted including: Status of Children Act; Child Protection Act; Adoption of Children Act; Sexual Offences Act; and Custody, Contact, Guardianship and Maintenance Act. “Guyana’s legal architecture – relating to the protection of children and to issues of family law – is far from finished. We expect that the deliberations of this

can be the gateway both to markets on the continent and in the Caribbean and the wider world. Legal certainty and predictability in international commerce will provide assurances to exporters and importers trading in regional and international markets.”

Additionally, he said the conference can play a leading role in providing legal certainty and predictability in international contracts.

Meanwhile, Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General (AG) Basil Williams who was responsible for

will bring to this prestigious network a wealth of knowledge that will contribute positively to operating and functioning of the Hague Conference,” Williams said.

The conference, which is themed “International Family Law, Legal Cooperation and Commerce, Promoting Human Rights and Cross-Border Trade in Guyana through the Hague Convention,” was organised by HCCH, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Government of Guyana.

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Cross-dressing appeal postponed to October

THE Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), Guyana Trans United (GTU) and the University of the West Indies Faculties of Law Rights Advocacy Project (U-RAP) have welcomed

is not a crime as long as they did not do so for an “improper purpose.”

Cross-dressers believed that this did not stop them from being arrested or harassed by the police, as they did not define what “improper purpose”

be made for SASOD to be joined in the appeal.

Mr Hughes stressed that SASOD had an important interest in the appeal in light of the decision of the chief justice to strike it out as an applicant, and given larger questions at

not to mention the entire LGBT community.”

Managing Director of SASOD, Joel Simpson, posited that Caribbean courts have taken a very restrictive approach to the standing of organisations, which he finds untenable.

Attorneys Gino Persaud, Arif Bulkan and Tracy Robinson listen as attorney Nigel Hughes makes a point on Wednesday. The attorneys are all part of the appellant’s team in the cross-dressing appeal case. (Leroy Adolphus photo) the setting down of the McEwan and Others appeal, related to the cross-dressing law in Guyana, for a full hearing on October 17, 2016.

The appeal was fixed for hearing on Wednesday at the Court of Appeal.

Gulliver McEwan, the first-named appellant, and representatives of SASOD and GTU were present in a completely full courtroom.

The appellants filed their skeleton arguments in accordance with the rules of the court, but the arguments of the State are yet to be filed.

The Court of Appeal noted that the arguments filed by counsel for the appellants were extensive and that it wished some time to fully review them and to receive the arguments from the State.

In early September, 2013, then Chief Justice Ian Chang ruled that cross-dressing by men

meant.

As a result, the cross-dressers, along with SASOD, which advocates for the rights of sexual minority groups, appealed the chief justice’s ruling.

The transgender women had petitioned the High Court to strike down laws that left them open to arrest, following a police crackdown the year before on male-to-female cross-dressers.

During the brief hearing at the Court of Appeal Wednesday, Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh raised a question as to the procedural validity of SASOD being on the rubric of the appeal, since the organisation was struck out as a party at first instance. Mr. Nigel Hughes, on behalf of the appellants, responded that the relevant documents would be amended, but added that in those circumstances, a formal application would

stake on the role that organisations can play in public-interest litigation.

Asked to comment on this matter at a post-hearing debriefing session held at SASOD’s office later in the day, the first-named litigant and Executive Director of GTU, Gulliver McEwan, stressed that excluding civil society o rg a n i s a t i o n s ( C S O s ) such as SASOD and GTU would inhibit marginalised persons from being able to access justice.

“If civil society groups are not included in the case, then how can we as a community be represented in something that affects us all?” McEwan questioned. “This case doesn’t just affect the four individual litigants, it affects us all,” McEwan said, while emphasising that CSOs also give the case weight and credence.

“For trans-people it has far-reaching implications,

“The Guyana Constitution through the 2003 reforms has given the organisations the right to be heard on behalf of the people they serve.

“This case gives the court an opportunity to give life to this constitutional right,” Simpson stated.

He added that this is particularly important for advancing human rights in Guyana where individuals are often stigmatized, re-victimized and face amplified risks to their safety and security when challenging the State to respect the rights of a minority group.

“It makes no sense articulating rights in the Constitution if organisations are shut out from accessing them ‘acting on behalf of its members’ as Article 154 of the Guyana Constitution provides,” Simpson concluded.

GUYANA CHRONICLE ThursdAy July 14, 2016

Berbice man who tried to kill lover jailed for 15 years

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric AN Ankerville, Port Mourant man was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on Wednesday by Justice Jo Ann Barlow for the attempted murder of his lover, Jasmattie Isaacs, in November 2013.

Chandrasheekar Itwaru was on trial for chopping the woman in her abdomen while she was bathing in her backyard at Ankerville, Port Mourant, Corentyne.

The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict after deliberating for just under 60 minutes. He was unrepresented during the trial.

The court heard that on November 6, 2013, Itwaru had assaulted the woman; however he returned six days later and committed the gruesome act. Addressing Itwaru, Justice Barlow said, “You were not satisfied. You returned on the 16th November, 2013 and attacked her again, resulting in this matter. What you did was wrong. Society frowns on such behaviour. The court is one of the voices which speaks for the society.

The court cannot condone such vicious, malicious and unnecessary action. If the relationship has ended, be it man or woman, we must be prepared to go Chandrasheekar Itwaru our separate ways.”

According to the judge, it is only by the mercy of God that the man was charged with attempted murder since he had vowed to kill Isaacs.

“I do hope you will find it in your heart to make yourself into someone who is less violent. Violence must not be your first choice,” Justice Barlow said after imposing the sentence.

Earlier, State Counsel Stacy Goodings had led the evidence of four witnesses which included the now debarred medical practitioner Dr R. Rahaman, who had recorded that the victim sustained two deep penetrative abdominal stab wounds, with protrusion of the abdominal contents. Small stab wounds were also observed to the back of her neck, left arm and right breast.

In 2013, Itwaru, along with Isaacs and her two children were living together with Isaacs’s mother at Lot 208 Ankerville, Port Mourant. The two had shared an “on- and-off” relationship for about nine years.

About three weeks prior to the incident, Itwaru and Isaacs separated. He had threatened her with a cutlass, and had beaten her on the road. On November 16, 2013, at about 07:00hrs, the victim was bathing in the backyard when Itwaru appeared next to her and placed a knife to her throat, while he slashed her abdomen with another weapon.

The woman was rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital in an unconscious state, before being transported by ambulance to the New Amsterdam Hospital. She was then transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where she remained a patient for a month.

In her evidence, Vijwattie Isaacs, mother of the victim related that she had put Itwaru out of her home because he was ill-treating her grandchildren. She testified that on the day in question, she was picking flowers in preparation for prayers, when she heard the screams of her grandchildren.

The woman then saw Itwaru “boring the gyal with a lance and a knife.” The court heard that she pelted him and alerted neighbours; however Itwaru escaped. He was subsequently arrested and charged.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

Surviving Cancer & Other potholes ‘ATTITUDE IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ORDEAL & AN ADVENTURE’

“I FEEL ok, kinda hyper actually,” I responded to my family and friends as I settled into bed to relax. It was only ten in the morning but I had already completed my second round of chemotherapy that day, pretty much all that was on ‘my to do’ list for the week.

I was thankful that my IV was inserted successfully the first time and was kept in good spirits by the usual friendly and funny conversations shared amongst the oncology patients in my chemo sessions. It is ironic that in this place some of the most upbeat, life enthusiasts could be found, albeit with a line stuck in their arm but that’s really saying something, isn’t it?

I did my second chemo with the same ladies I met on my first round, this helped to make the process less rigid and less uncomfortable for me - we shared information with each other on healthy eating and remedies that helped to ease some of the

chemo side effects like nausea (ginger tea). It’s like belonging to a class and developing a similar friendship and camaraderie amongst ourselves and the Nurses.

It’s like we’re all trying to study for the same subject but we’re unprepared so we swap information hoping to score points with our bodies, the only difference is the class is cancer and whether you fail or pass it ultimately has nothing to do with how much you know or how prepared you are but it’s a special bond between strangers, something that only comes from sharing in the exact experience.

Hey! who would have thought Chemo was a group activity? Sarcasm aside, I now understand why it’s done in a group settingthere’s power in numbers and the positive energy from our group certainly helps each of us to get through the 2-3 hours, feeling good about ourselves, and knowing that we’re all fighting together; this rein-

forces our faith in whatever faith we believe in- because this is the type of strength and passion that Churches are built upon.

As I got comfortable in bed, I removed the head scarf I had worn that morning to therapy. Because I had a crew cut, my hair was no longer shedding profusely all over my clothes and pillows; it had actually upped it exit strategy from my head. I could now rub my fingers along my scalp and just ‘erase’ away the hair. Of course the day I discovered that, being the comic I am, I tried to ‘write’ (by erasing the hair) a few choice words on my scalp but that was an epic fail, instead I was left with some different sized random lines that looked like binary codes.

My headache seemed to be starting as I strained to read something on my laptop. This was too soon though, wasn’t it? I didn’t get the headache or the upset/nauseated feeling until the next day after chemo

Colombian fined $30, 000 for overstaying A 29 year-old Colombian national was on Wednesday fined $30,000 by Magistrate Ann McLennan for overstaying in Guyana.

Karen Rosario Mona pleaded guilty to the charge. She was granted permission to stay in Guyana for two months starting March 11. However, she remained in the country way beyond the time and was eventually arrested last Monday.

Mona’s attorney Paul Fung-a-Fat explained that the woman was granted a five year business visa from Guyana.

He further disclosed that the woman is in a relationship with a Guyanese national.

The Magistrate scolded the lawyer, explaining to him that even though the woman was granted a business visa, Mona would still have to adhere to the conditions under which she was allowed to stay in Guyana, namely the three month period which expired on May 11.

According to Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones, the woman had applied for a five year extension of stay

Karen Rosario Mona from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

However, her time ran out before the extension was granted.

The woman posted the fine and saved herself four weeks imprisonment.

on my first round and it was the same dosage. As the headache intensified I closed the laptop and took a sip of coconut water. ‘Ugh... what is this’, I thought as my mouth started to taste weird, I popped a ginger mint to ease the queasiness I was starting to experience.

And then it hit me. I’m such a dum dum sometimes, it was only obvious that the side effects would come on stronger and faster this time- my body had gone into the second round of treatment already beaten up by the first. My immune system had been fully armored the first time so to speak but now the chemo was interacting with an immune system weakened from the first fight and judging from how my body

was starting to react my immunity was definitely under threat from outside sources.

I’m not sure what was more upsetting; the fact that my side effects were coming at me faster and stronger than before, or that I couldn’t do much about it except drink some gravol and sleep the day away.

Sleeping the day away is like a prison sentence to me, I don’t like napping in the day. I depend on physical activity and mental stimulation to enjoy my day and now here I was being forced to spend at least 70% of it with my eyes closed.

Dinner, which I ate around 7pm comprised of breakfast really as I was too nauseated to stomach anything more than toasted

bread and tea.

A certain heaviness fell on me and I couldn’t shake it. ‘If I feel so horrible and this is the first round my body is experiencing with a lowered immune system, what’s going to happen when I get to the 4th? And that’s just half way through’, could I even complete eighth rounds of this toxin?

I tossed and turned all night, the dream version of myself slowly walking through a thick expanse of large, beautiful trees but the walking soon turned to frantic running and the trees lost their unusually bright hue. My dream collapsed as I realized I wasn’t just running, I was being chased.

Next week: Managing chemotherapy as a normal part of life.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE ThursdAy July 14, 2016

Suriname sees need for strong collaboration to tackle cross-border issues

By Ariana Gordon GUYANA and Suriname are to increase collaboration with the aim of tackling cross-border issues says Suriname’s Minister of Justice and Police, Dr Jennifer Van Dijk-Silos.

Speaking with reporters on Wednesday at the Pegasus Hotel, the Surinamese minister said both countries have resources that can be beneficial to all stakeholders. She said cooperating in an economic way will see the two countries tackling issues that are unique to them.

Both countries, Dr Van Dijk-Silos, who is currently in Guyana for The Hague Convention Conference being held at the Pegasus Hotel, said will develop a concept that can allow for development. “We will be the Dubai of South America,” she said positively.

She said as sister CARICOM countries, the duo can strengthen collaboration with law enforcement entities to tackle cross border crimes.

“Regarding the free movement of people and goods from Suriname and Guyana, it is necessary that we have to cooperate closely as countries…” she said, noting that she will be meeting with Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams

and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan.

The Surinamese Minister noted that there can be lots of success in solving crimes in both countries as she reminded that there is a significant movement of people and goods across the borders. With the movement of goods the Minister said are rogue elements.

“We will have a lot of success in solving some criminal deeds that are cross bordering criminality… we have to look at the backtrack, also how will we formalise that… I have to reach a very active cooperation again among the police force, fire department, legal affairs…” she stated.

Guyana and Suriname have for years been discussing the regularisation of the back-track route. The back track route is used by many to enter the two countries.

In 2010, government had declined a proposal by Suriname’s then Justice Minister Chandrikapersad Santokhi to regulate back-track travel between Guyana and Suriname. Guyana’s Home Affairs Minister at the time Clement Rohee had said Guyana’s position was as a result of “national interest” concerns.

Dr Van Dijk-Silos was quick to state that while she serves as Minister of Justice and Police for Suriname it does not mean that

the level of cooperation between Guyana and Suriname will be limited to that area.

Suriname’s Minister of Justice and Police Dr Jennifer Van Dijk-Silos She said that through collaboration there can be exchanges at the level of the Universities (University of Guyana and University of Suriname).

“It is important for the University of

New board of Linden TV still to meet THE Linden Television Station Board of Trustees is still to hold a meeting as was mandated by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who urged that this be done within seven days.

H o w e v e r, t w e n t y days have passed and the meeting is yet to be held, which is aimed at acknowledging the eleven members who emerged from the various stakeholders. These members are to be added to the Trust and to be legally embedded.

A well-placed source from the current Trust explained to this newspaper that correspondence was sent by Councillors of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), stating that they do not endorse those chosen to represent their entity, claiming it was done unilaterally.

Councillor Vladimir

Glasgow revealed to the Guyana Chronicle that he is one of the Councillors who penned the letter as he is in disagreement with those chosen by the Regional Chairman to represent the RDC. Councillor Gordon Callender, who held a press conference the day after the meeting was held with the Prime Minister, exclaimed his disapproval in which the names were chosen.

“The Regional Democratic Council had no discussion at none of the statutory meetings concerning the TV station; I am saying that is wrong, let us vote the person who we want to represent the TV station,” said Callender.

The representatives of the RDC are Regional Chairman Renis Morian who will also chair the board, Councilor Sandra

Adams and concerned citizen Mr. Phillip Bynoe. The other members to be added to the Trust are Mayor Carwyn Holland and his deputy Ms. Waneka Arrindale, Regional MPs Mr. Jermaine Figueira and Mr. Audwin Rutherford, Mr. Leslie Gonsalves and Ms. Merna Adrian.

The call for the Trust to be extended was made in February at a consultation held in Linden and chaired by the Prime Minister, who recommended that the membership be extended to include a wide cross section of stakeholders in the Region. Given this mandate, Secretary of the Trust Sharma Solomon sent correspondences to the various stakeholders requesting that a representative be chosen to join the Board of Trustees.

“The board immediately held a meeting with all five members and agreed to facilitate and have that bone of contention dealt with and settled by having all those members at the stake holders meeting to be a part of the board,” said Solomon.

Mayor Holland, who was also present at the meeting with the Prime Minister, posited that the ongoing controversy surrounding the television station will finally go to rest and the way forward has been paved.

The television station’s Trust was formed

by Sharma Solomon during his tenure as Regional Chairman after realizing that the law does not allow for a television station to be controlled by an RDC or an individual but only by a Trust or a company.

Suriname to have close collaboration with the University of Guyana. We have a lot of benefits and I have decided to motivate them to talk with the University of Guyana to go into cooperation again,” she said.

In the past, the two universities collaborated and were part of exchange programmes said the Minister of Justice and Police.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Justice and Police wants to see a Caribbean Centre of Children’s Rights established. She said the Rights of the Child must be taken seriously and as such steps must be taken to protect children.

She is of the opinion that the rights of children across the Caribbean Bloc are being neglected and more needs to be done to change that.

“If you realise that children are the future population of a country, it makes it necessary to develop a sustainable policy on how to protect your children, how you raise them, how you implement their rights,” Minister Van Dijk-Silos said.

She explained that though Suriname is party to The Hague Convention on Children’s Rights, it has been unable to establish a Children’s Rights Centre with executive authority but noted that by 2018 a policy would be implemented in Suriname to ensure that authority is established.

Police prosecutor escapes execution attempt A POLICE Corporal on Tuesday evening escaped unharmed after an execution attempt on his life.

Gunmen opened fire at the Corporal while he was in his yard at Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

The incident occurred at about 23:30 hrs Tuesday night after the Corporal had just returned from watching cricket at the Guyana National Stadium.

The officer, who is also a Police prosecutor, explained that upon his arrival home, he was greeted by total darkness since there was a power outage.

He parked his car on the bridge in front of his home and went into his yard.

“I went inside to get the dogs inside of their pens before bringing my car inside,” the Corporal disclosed.

Upon his return, gunmen opened fire at the officer but he managed to take cover from the hail of bullets before the gunmen shooters escaped.

The Prosecutor walked away unharmed while the lower flat of his home was riddle with bullets.

Ranks from the Diamond Police Station were summoned while he made

checks with his family who were awaken from the gunshots.

Police ranks removed three spent shells casing along with warheads that

The three bullet holes in the wall of the officer’s house were lodged inside the walls of the officer home.

“I didn’t see nothing because place was dark…. but if I walked little more I would have been shot,” the prosecutor said.

The motive of the apparent execution attempt is uncertain as Police investigates the case.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

Over 9,000 yellow fever vaccines administered in Berbice THE Berbice Regional Health Service (BRHS) has administered in excess of 9,000 yellow fever vaccines to residents of Regions Five and Six over the past three weeks.

Director of the BRHS, Jevaughn Stephens, told the Government Information Agency (GINA) during a telephone interview that the vaccines were administered at the Public Health building located on the bottom flat of the BRHS building.

Children from as young as age 11 to elderly in-

dividuals have benefited from this initiative as the immunisation process continues.

On July 8, 2016, the Ministry of Public Health issued a press release stating that, “Following the recent outbreak of yellow fever in Angola, several countries have imposed the requirements for vaccination against the disease for travel 10 days prior to arrival.”

It added that, “Guyana, as a part of the Latin American Region with risk of yellow fever is listed as one of the countries whose residents would be required to be immunised and issued with a yellow fever certificate prior to travel.”

The release also urged that “with the presence of the vector that transmits yellow fever and an uncertain “salvatic” environment in the hinterland, it is advisable that persons travelling from countries listed as endemic for yellow fever (mainly in Africa and Asia) should also be in possession of a valid International Certificate of Vaccination or prophylaxis on arrival in Guyana.”

The countries listed as endemic are mainly from the African continent. Thus far it does not include countries in North America, Europe, Central America and the Caribbean.

Individuals who require more information on the public health recommendations for travel can contact the Ministry of Public Health on telephone number 226-1560 or contact their nearest health care facility, for more information.

Gunmen caught after robbing vendors PUBLIC spirited citizens apprehended two gunmen who carried out a daring robbery on two vendors at Bourda Market on Monday.

According to a police report, the robbery was committed on Wayne Miller, 51 years and Darmenna Wong, 43 years, vendors of Bourda Market and both of whom reside at Block ‘Y’, Section ‘C’, Grove, East Bank Demerara.

The robbery occurred at 23:00h and the men carted off $500,000 in cash.

Investigations have so far revealed that the vendors were in the vicinity of Orange Walk and Robb Street, Bourda, when two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, approached the victims and robbed them of the cash mentioned. The victims raised an alarm and the suspects were apprehended by public spirited citizens.

The police were summoned and one 9mm pistol and five live matching rounds were found on one of the suspects.

They are in police custody assisting with the investigations.

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Several Soesdyke /Linden communities to get potable water for first time ABOUT 1,000 residents residing on the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway will benefit from potable water for the first time under a programme being executed by Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) to provide potable water to rural communities.

A $47.9M contract was awarded to R. Kissoon for the installation of transmission and distribution networks and service connections at Kuru Kuru and Kukururu, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway, while S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies was awarded a $45.4M contract for the installation of a transmission and distribution network at

Waiakabra, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway, the Government Information Agency (GINA) stated.

According to the Agency, the projects seek to enhance the quality of life for residents along the highway, and to make these communities attractive for residential settlement.

GWI’s Director of Infrastructure Planning and Implementation, Ramchand Jailal, explained that the agency is in the process of providing the contract document to the contractors, and works are expected to commence in August. The duration of the contract is two months.

“So we expect the

works will be completed within these periods and we are working closely with the communities to ensure that we deliver these projects successfully, very early, well within the third quarter of 2016 to ensure that the communities start to benefit very soon,” GINA quoted Mr Jailal as saying.

Additionally, Jailal said a project has just been completed in Hill Foot, which is serving that community and surrounding areas. He said that the GWI is now undertaking the drilling of a new well in Silver Hill to provide water service to that community.

“These communities have been suffering from the lack of water supply, they never had water supply in that community so this project provides for drilling of new potable water well and installation of the mains and service connections to provide service for the entire community,” Jailall explained.

Meanwhile, for the rehabilitation of potable water wells in Georgetown- Shelterbelt, North Ruimveldt Shelterbelt Number 2, Tucville and Mocha, a $20.2M contract was awarded to Water and Oil Well Service Company Ltd of Trinidad.

More reports of robbery, hijacking at cricket Sunday night - Patrons of the National Stadium urged to take precautions SUNDAY last, while thousands of Guyanese gathered in their numbers to witness the Guyana Amazon Warriors face off with the Trinbago Knight Riders at the Guyana National Stadium, two young men made life miserable for some fans.

Rajin Tulsidas and Gary (only name given) were robbed of a pair of Serengeti Sunglasses and a Samsung Galaxy Smartphone respectively, in what would have gone down as a case of “simple larceny’ until the thieves decided they needed a car to make their escape, leading up to a hijacking.

The duo had just left the cricket match at around 23:00 hours and were heading to Rajin’s car which was parked in front of the M.S. Supermarket, 7 Layton Avenue Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara, when two other young men, described as teenagers, confronted them and held them at gunpoint.

The gunmen reportedly

fired behind the duo in an attempt to scare them and damaged a Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi Canter in front of the supermarket in the process. At that point the duo was then robbed after which the gunmen ran over the road to hijack a car to make their escape.

The hijacked car belonged to Ganesh Persaud of La Grange, West Bank Demerara. Perasud and his family left the stadium at around 23:00 hours and was driving his car around Peter’s Hall in an attempt to easily maneuver out of the heavy traffic moving away from the stadium traffic when he witnessed the robbery.

The gunmen ran over the road, entered his car and demanded that he continue driving. Persaud said that he refused to comply with them and came out of the car. It was at this point that the gunmen took away his car keys and made their escape. Ganesh described the two perpetrators as young men who seemed to

be about 19 years of age.

The car, PLL 1699, is a Silver Toyota Carina 212 with “SWEETNESS” written at the front in yellow.

Persaud and his wife Nandi have also said that the car also contained many valuable documents including ID and Bank Cards.

Both parties Rajin and Gary and the Persaud family made reports to the Providence Police Station almost immediately after the incidents occurred.

Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan has asked the Guyana Police Force (GPF)to analyse auto theft or theft of auto parts during major events.

“It is so strange that in that high kind of activity area, with so many policemen, there have been allegations of cars being stolen, and I’ve asked for an analysis,” Ramjattan is quoted as saying by the Government Information Agency (GINA).

It was noted that at the CPL 20/20 cricket hosted over the weekend at the

National Stadium, several vehicles were broken into during the matches and car stereos, other valuables and even batteries were stolen.

C o m m a n d e r o f ‘ A’ Division, Clifton Hicken told GINA that he was not aware of any increase in reported incidents of stolen vehicles. However, he pointed out that police were able to thwart two separate attempted car “break-ins” during last Sunday’s cricket match at the National Stadium.

Commander Hicken advised that persons attending major events park within the designated areas that are usually announced before the event. Motorists are also advised to go to the events early so that they can park their vehicles in a suitably safe location.

Alternatively, patrons can make arrangements to be dropped off and collected by fellow drivers, at the end of the event, if they are uncomfortable with the parking facilities provided.

Battered by floods, Mahai

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By Ariana Gordon MAHAICONY farmers, reeling from losses as a result of floods, want to see robust intervention by government to relieve them of their plight.

The farmers along the Mahaicony creek say the “severe flooding” brought on by persistent rainfall has cost them millions of dollars in losses.

“We have been suffering since April and we are not seeing anyone.

Every official that passes through goes to Moraikobai (an Amerindian settlement located up the Mahaicony River),” said Nizam, a rice farmer from Esau and Jacob, Mahaicony.

The farmer claimed he has lost approximately 40 acres of rice but was optimistic that assistance would be rendered by Government officials.

“The rice ripe to cut but you can’t cut it because the water too much,” said Nizam, who has been a rice farmer for more than 15 years. He explained that he would reap approximately 30 bags per acre, with each bag sold at $2700.

“The Minister of Agriculture never go in there…he sits in his office all the time while we suffer here…just like the previous government.

The Government change but is the same things happening,” the frustrated man remarked.

The Minister, Mr Noel Holder, denied that government has turned its eyes away from the plight of farmers, saying that there have been interventions by a number of government agencies.

With the loss of income for approximately four months, Nizam said he is unable to pay for his two tractors that are currently damaged. He is fearful that the bank would repossess the tractors, as he has no money to pay for them.

But despite the complaints made by the rice farmers, General Manager of the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary-Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA), which has responsibility for water control, Aubrey Charles told the Guyana Chronicle that while things are not where they should be, government has assisted the rice farmers in the

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

The dam used by farmers to access rice fields at Mahaicony Creek, Region 5 Mahaicony Creek.

“Government did a lot of work there…a flood embankment was built, a Mahaicony façade drain was dug and a pump station installed there,” he stated.

According to Charles, the flood embankment is not in the best of conditions due to the consistent rainfall but explained that

the fixing of some of the issues in the Mahaicony Creek area will take time. “All the work the farmers want us to do takes time…they won’t happen immediately,” he remarked while stating that “it is not fair for them to be saying they are not getting help.”

Parbu Nowcharran of Pine Ground, Mahaico-

Nizam, a farmer from Mahaicony Creek, claims to have lost 40 acres of rice due to floods

ny Creek, said the water has receded slightly, but lamented the losses he has already faced; noting that farmers would have to wait for some time before the creek returns to a state of normalcy. “All farmers are affected… we can’t plant. We are willing to plant but we can’t get into the field.

The dam is bad,” he explained.

Nowcharran said by the time the water recedes, it will be too late for farmers to plant the next crop. As such, rice farmers would have to wait until next March to begin planting again.

He said he lost about 15 acres of rice due to the floods. He complained too that no government officials had gone to visit the farmers.

There is one drainage pump located at Pine Ground, but according to the rice farmer, the lone pump is not enough. “The pump is there but is only one and we need more to drain the water,” he told Guyana Chronicle.

IMPASSABLE Nowcharran noted that he will attempt to “shy paddy” into the

field as a last resort. He said the dam is impassable and poses serious danger to life and could also serve to damage equipment.

“The dam is really, really bad. I have got paddy ‘to shy’ but I have to walk and throw them,” he said.

The frustrated rice farmer said the situation is taking a toll on his family as that is his only source of income. “It is very hard, very, very hard on me,” he said.

Mangru Bhogpaul of Gordon Table told Guyana Chronicle of his challenges. He explained that he leaves his village to go to neighbouring Pine Ground to work.

Bhogpaul explained that Gordon Table does not have any drainage pumps and with the constant rainfall, the farms remain inundated.

“We need the dam to be repaired,” he stressed as he explained that if the land was not flooded, “we would have gotten big rice.”

“We depend on the rice to look after our family and with the rainfall it isn’t possible for us to take care of our family… inside here you nah got work… you have to look

icony farmers cry for help

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

for work and when we cut (rice) that’s how we get money,” Bhogpaul told this publication Monday afternoon after attempting to visit his rice field.

Meanwhile, Naranyan Chintamani of Pine Ground would only call on Government to assist rice farmers in the Mahaicony Creek area to “provide a hymac to fix the dam before the next crop”.

The dam which is an integral access point for farmers to their land must be fixed immediately, the Pine Ground resident stressed. He said for as long as the land remains flooded, rice farmers would not be in a position

bles facing farmers.

“If the rain stops now, we’d have to wait a month and a half before planting back but it will be too late to start planting then… we won’t be able to work. When the land gets dry we’d have to prepare the land and wait for next March.”

Persaud explained that when cultivated late, the rice “gets diseases”.

“It is very difficult, very hard. I have lost about 200 bags of paddy…the dam is bad…I had to leave some in the back dam.”

The dam to access rice fields is inaccessible and Persaud has called for assistance in the construc-

Tractors parked at Esau and Jacob, Mahaicony Creek as rice farms remain flooded

Cows feed in the inundated rice lands at Mahaicony Creek to plant.

With 100 acres of land under water, another farmer Mahendra Persaud, said the rest of the year is forecasted to be a challenging one if the flooding persists.

He said the rain which started in April is nothing new to farmers but noted that the May/June rains are usually over in July.

NEED DRAINAGE PUMPS He believes that placing sufficient drainage pumps in the area will reduce some of the trou-

tion of an all-weather road.

“Most times during the rainy season there is a problem…once there is consistent rainfall there is flooding,” the rice farmer added.

Another farmer Ramcharran Bholagosin told the Guyana Chronicle that several complaints have been made to the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) but to no avail.

He said he has lost about 30 acres of rice and it is proving to be really difficult for him.

“I owe for a tractor

and I can’t pay my installment for it… the rice that I cut is just for fertiliser,” said Bholagosin.

He explained that he has approximately 50 acres of land to plant, but due to the unfavourable conditions, he is not in a position to do so.

He explained that what is needed immediately is a proper dam so farmers can access their rice fields. The frustrated rice farmer said a representative of the NDIA, whose name was given as “Dave” would visit the area from time to time and promise to assist but

“we call NDIA every day and they keep promising to come…this water nah drop!”

But despite the complaints from the rice farmers the MMA-ADA General Manager maintained that government has assisted the Mahaicony creek farmers. He said since the rainy season began, water has been pumped out of the land through the intervention of the NDIA. “We have been doing that; we had hiccups to get fuel to the pump station,” he noted but said when there was daily

persistent rainfall water would be pumped out every day. He said now the pumping schedule has been reduced.

“The rain eased so we do not pump everyday… we pump as the need arises,” he told Guyana Chronicle.

Charles explained that the Mahaicony façade drain is the main drainage channel in that area. The drain, he said, channels all water to the pump station at Pine Ground and that water is pumped into the Mahaicony River. That pump station was commissioned last year.

The MMA General Manager sought to as-

sure that government is doing its best to assist the farmers and noted that assistance is not provided on an individual basis but collectively. He said however that in specific cases, individual farmers would have benefited from assistance.

“NDIA has an excavator in the area that farmers have access to,” Charles added. He said the excavator is used to help farmers move their paddy sacs from the land into the pontoons given the rainy season.

The Mahaicony Creek area is supervised

by Moses Ramphall who visits the location regularly.

Farmer Mahendra Persaud

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Shaheed Orphanages introduce recreation space

THE Shaheed Boys and Girls Orphanages have introduced a recreation space at its Oleander Gardens, East Coast Demerara location.

The facility is currently outfitted with floodlights for security purposes, a benab, two swing and slide sets.

The endeavor was made possible by a number of contributors, most notably the Save Abee Foundation, Aurora Goldmines Inc. and the Association of Chinese Enterprises.

Raheema Rahaman and Hakeem Khan, the Treasurer and Secretary of the Management Board of the Orphanages, noted that the orphanages fall under the Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman, the only representative Muslim Organization to be incorporated by Parliamentary legislature.

They spoke of the “long and tedious road” in establishing the recreational space and thanked all who made the venture possible. Rahaman and Khan said that the orphanages are run through a transparent process and is open to any who wishes to examine any of their audited financial statements.

Khan said the space was needed as the Boys’ Orphanage lacks the space to adequately cater for the recreational needs of the boys housed there.

Ayanna Jean- Baptiste from the Guyana Goldfields Inc. (Aurora Goldmines Inc.) said that the gold producing organization has a “Children’s Need and development Initiative” for four years and was happy to be a part of the

setting up of the facility.

Jason Wong, a representative from the Association of Chinese Enterprises (Guyana) also expressed his pleasure to

Also speaking at this event, on behalf of Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence, was the Permanent Secretary Lorene Baird. She

A section of the recreational area be a part of this initiative, stating that “this kind of a social charity deserves everyone’s respect and aid.”

Co- founder of the Save Abee Foundation, Asha Tilak and team member Ricky Bisslondutt said the Foundation decided to partner on the venture after the need for it was highlighted by celebrated Guyanese singer Terry Gajraj, who is also a member of the Foundation.

said the Ministry remains committed to such projects.

She noted that “child rights are fundamental human rights” and stated that it was saddening that many children are still neglected, abandoned and abused, but it is important to provide stronger support to such organizations which help.

Malcolm Harripaul, Advisor at the Ministry of Presidency said that when he visited the area in January, 2013, the

area which is now a recreational facility, was waterlogged and could not be used.

He too expressed pleasure at the creation of the recreation space and pledged his support in organising structured sporting activities.

Perhaps the most empowering speech at this event was given by the Girls’ Orphanage’s neighbor - Pat Habibullah, better known as “Aunty Pat.” In her impromptu presentation, she said that the children were fully deserving of the facility. She also stated that the children themselves worked with their wheelbarrows and spades to help build the facility. She noted that the girls residing here have been faithful guardians of the neighborhood.

Aunty Pat said the most important thing is “See Me”- a cry the children have and one which she encourages everyone to understand. She said the children would always say Aunty Pat ‘see me” whenever they did something noteworthy and she said that these children should not be seen as orphans but as individuals and children who just want to be acknowledged and cared for.

Aunty Pat, in collaboration with other neighbors, presented a basketball, a football and a jump rope to the orphanages and she called on the public to also donate to these children.

Reaz Hussein- popular Television personality chaired this opening ceremony and Terry Gajraj- popular singer and also a member of the Save Abee Foundation entertained the audience.

(Vishani Ragobeer)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

Conference to define professional social work practices

THE Ministry of Social Protection in collaboration with the University of Guyana (UG), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers (GAPSW) will be hosting a conference on Standards for Professional Social Work Practice from July 20 to 21.

This conference is the first of its kind to be held in Guyana, and targets social work administrators, practitioners and educators, the Government Information Agency (GINA) stated.

According to GINA, the conference aims to allow key stakeholders to examine their practice in social work and present research, thereby contributing to the knowledge on the need for ethical and professional practice in Guyana.

GINA quoted the Ministry of Social Protection as saying that many professions globally and locally are licensed and guided by codes of conduct, but that this is not the same for the social work profession in Guyana.

“The absence of licensure and other mechanisms to safeguard ethical standards and monitor, and elevate professional competencies has led to a largely unregulated practice landscape,” GINA stated.

Additionally, the emerging and increasing trends in social problems nationally demand that Guyana be equipped with a social service workforce that is capable of delivering quality professional services, whilst responding to the needs of the nation, GINA said the ministry explained.

The information agency reported that the conference will explore thematic issues within the realm of ethical practice that will facilitate the exchange of ideas between and amongst practitioners, administrators, students, service users and academics.

This event is timely, since there has been an upsurge in social problems such as suicide, gender-based violence, child abuse, youth crime and teenage pregnancy, GINA stated.

The conference will be held at the Arthur Chung International Convention Centre (ACICC). Persons desirous of participating are asked to contact Oslyn Crawford on telephone numbers 2256212 or 680-3200 for registration.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

ARIES You may spend much of your day trying to sort out financial matters for yourself, your job, or perhaps for a friend or relative. A lot of phone calls, and a lot of research, perhaps on the Internet, could be necessary in order to accomplish this. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll attack it with determination and feel a great deal of satisfaction when you’re done. Go to it!

TAURUS Today you might spend a lot of time with the special person in your life.

Romance and affection are definitely a powerful factor in the course of your day, but much of what might bring you closer together is conversation. You’re likely to exchange information that interests you both about specific subjects and yourselves and future plans. A short journey might also take place. Enjoy your day!

GEMINI The possibility of some houseguests might have you checking your home to see what needs to be done to make it presentable. It may need a few minor repairs, and you could do some shopping to dress the place up a little. Books might give you some workable ideas. Your mind might be working more quickly than your body, however. Take care not to push yourself too hard.

CANCER Today you might decide to participate in community activities involving children. Field trips either for pleasure or educational purposes may take place, and you could enjoy it as much as the kids. Letters and phone calls could bring good news from far away, which you’ll almost certainly want to pass on to others. Tonight, curl up with the latest mystery. Intrigue should be especially appealing now.

LEO Your financial situation looks particularly good right now. An increase in income could be coming your way. The downside could be that contracts might be involved, and you’ll have to spend time perusing boring legal documents that need to be executed. A lot of visitors could come to your home tonight, probably to exchange ideas and information. Send them home before too late. You’ll want to get some sleep!

VIRGO Recent developments have brought new interests into your life. As a result, you might be seriously considering enrolling in a formal course of study involving these subjects. If you really want to do this, it’s definitely the right time to start. Others in your community might want to do the same, so a get-together to discuss the subject might help. Books and magazines could also be useful.

LIBRA Your mind is especially sharp. You’re logical and objective by nature.

However, today you’re likely to find that your thinking is more influenced by feeling than usual. This is a positive development. It demonstrates that your intuition is operating at a high level, so don’t fight it.

This is definitely the day to follow your heart rather than your head.

SCORPIO A group you’re involved with may want to discuss a trip of some kind, perhaps to a convention. The drive to expand your horizons is very strong today. Therefore, trips like this or other opportunities to learn and grow can be especially appealing. You might come up with a few ideas of your own that you prefer to pursue alone. Give it some thought!

SAGITTARIUS Your intuition is operating at a very high level today. You tend to follow your heart by nature, so you don’t always go out of your way to be logical or objective. However, more than one event could occur during the day in which it’s imperative that you go with your intuition even though it defies all logic. Have a little faith and go with your gut!

CAPRICORN Today should be a gratifying day, full of great news, pleasant surprises, and opening doors of opportunity on just about every level. Career breaks and chances to earn more money could come your way. New friends may be introduced to you, and opportunities for education and travel also may arise. Whatever actually manifests out of all this is up to you. You might find decisions difficult.

AQUARIUS Paperwork involving financial transactions may need to be handled today, but it won’t be as tedious as you think. Whatever information is required is easily obtained. Most of what is presented to you should be clear and understandable, and the people involved helpful. It’s important that you do get this done. If you wait, it might not go as smoothly. In the evening, schedule a romantic encounter. Your level of passion is rather high!

PISCES Social events could put you in touch with a lot of interesting people, some in fields such as law, education, or the ministry. Expect at some point to be treated to a monologue on social and ecological responsibilities, Pisces! You’ll have a lot of definite ideas on those subjects, but you’ll be more likely to listen than talk for most of the day. Enjoy your day.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

Livestock Authority looks to increase cattle production THE Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) is working to increase cattle production nationwide through its Artificial Insemination and genetics programme.

Dr. Dwight Walrond, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of the authority, told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that once the authority synchronises the programme and has it up and running across the country, it would be easy. “… we know our agriculture is based on the coast. In this way, we can programme our calving season to ensure we get our calves during the dry season to reduce our calf mortality.

Our calf mortality was approaching 40% which is unacceptable, so we at GLDA are doing a number of things to remedy this situation,” Dr. Walrond said.

According to GINA, the

DCEO revealed that the authority’s technical capacity has now been increased, and it is in a better position to provide genetics and artificial insemination services to farmers across the country.

“We had a staff who was exposed recently to some ad-

skeptical about the artificial insemination services provided by the livestock authority. However, Dr. Walrond said this has now changed with many farmers seeking out the authority’s services.

The newly developing relationship between farmers and

Cattle deworming at Kurukubaru by a representative from the Ministry of Agriculture. (Photo: UNDP) ditional training in artificial insemination in Jamaica for large ruminants.

“Additionally, I am more than happy to report that three staff who were working with me have made such great progress that they can now function on their own.

“That simply means we can now have more technical staff in the various regions to execute these programmes,” Dr Walrond stated.

GINA stated that the GLDA has been introducing cattle farmers to new breeds of cattle through its artificial insemination programme aimed at increasing cattle production.

“What we are trying to do is to make improved genetic material accessible to farmers at a pretty low cost,” the DCEO explained.

Farmers were previously

the GLDA has resulted from improved quality in the services the authority now provides.

“I try to spend at least two days in the field working with the staff and farmers so that the farmers can regain that confidence and we are seeing it. Farmers are seeing the high success rate, and we have some large farmers that are now interested and coming on board,” Walrond said.

The GLDA is also engaged in a cattle buy-back programme to prevent productive heifers from being slaughtered. The authority is the agency tasked with supporting the growth and development of the country’s livestock industry and continues to test several newly introduced cattle breeds at its Ebini Livestock Research Station in the Berbice River.

Thursday July 14th, 2015 - 13:00 hrs Friday July 15th, 2015 - 14:00 hrs Saturday July 16th, 2015 - 14:30 hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

Digicel National Schools Football Championship

DC Caesar Fox Secondary take Region 7 title

By Stephan Sookram REGION 7 will be represented at the Digicel National Schools Football Championship playoffs by DC Caesar Fox Secondary after they mauled Three Miles Secondary 5-0 in Bartica yesterday.

The team, formerly known as Waramadong Secondary utilised the skill and composure of their players to emerge unchallenged as the Region 7 champions.

From the whistle, the Caesar Fox side looked the more technically sound side, utilising the compactness and dexterity of the midfield to pass plays into the Three Miles box.

It was inevitable that they would score first as a set piece which flew across the goalkeeper was tapped in by Ashton Ward in the 7th minute.

There was no shortage of chances as the DC side continued to press on, but they were oftentimes the victims of surprise attacks which were mostly long balls over the midfield into

wide positions. However, the attacks fizzled out on most occasions.

A few more close encounters, for the game leaders, one hitting the post and a few nostalgic saves from the Three Miles keeper ensured that the score ended as it did; though at the opposing end, his counterparts from Waramadong had an albeit easier task.

On the return from the break, Reon McNaughton in the 53rd minute tucked the goalkeeper’s parry into the net. The defenders stood rooted to the box, as the keeper made an impressive save to deny the initial shot, a curling effort from 25 yards out on the right flank.

The third goal and perhaps the one that sealed the deal was a free kick from 25 yards out on the right of the goal that soared past the keeper and soared into the left hand corner of the net from Collin Edwards in the 55th.

Goal number four came just after through a dink pass chipped over the head of the two Three Miles Secondary centre-backs which landed in the path of a charging Whitaker Paul in the 84th who completed the goal by finessing it into the right corner.

The final goal of the evening came on the stroke of the game’s end and was through a Frank Francis free kick from 30 yards out on the left side of the goal, which curled sweetly into the top left corner of the goal.

The DC Caesar Fox Secondary now move on to play Region Two champions Charity Secondary on July 20. The winners of that match will move on to the quarter-finals of the tournament.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

IOC’s Bach says total Russia Rio ban unlikely

By Mitch Phillips LONDON, England (Reuters) - Athletes from one sport should not be punished for the sins of those from another, the IOC president said yesterday, cooling speculation that Russia could be banned from the Olympics altogether for systematic doping.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is due to issue a report on Monday, covering its investigation into allegations that a Russian state-run system helped doped athletes escape detection at the Sochi Winter Olympics of 2014.

Travis Tygart, head of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, is one of several people who have said that if the report does confirm the allegations of systematic doping are true then Russia should be banned from the Rio Olympics.

Russia’s track and field athletes are already banned as a result of state-sponsored doping.

However, Thomas Bach, head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said: “It is obvious you cannot sanction a badminton player for an infringement of the rules by an official or a lab director at the Winter Games.

“In the same way we

would not consider sanctioning all athletes from a particular sport if there is manipulation of the rules by the leadership of a fed-

Thomas Bach eration.

“What we have to do is take decisions based on facts and to find the right balance between a collective responsibility and individual justice.”

Speaking on a conference call with international news agencies, Bach said he did not want to speculate about what measures could be taken until there is evidence of any proven infringement.

He added that the IOC was aware that several federations had already begun carrying out extra targeted tests on Russian athletes and made sure that their samples are tested outside the country in a bid to build confidence in the results.

One Russian athlete who

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could be competing in Rio is long jumper Darya Klishina, but it remains unclear which kit she will be wearing.

Due to being based, and tested, in the United States, she was declared eligible by the IAAF, who suggested she be allowed to compete as a neutral athlete.

Bach, however, indicated

otherwise.

“She has been declared eligible by her international federation,” he said. “Now it is up to her National Olympic Committee to decide about her entry to the Games and then she would be a member of the Russian team.”

BLANKET BAN

Russia’s weightlifters are also facing a blanket ban from Rio over doping but Bach said the IOC has not yet confirmed a series of failures from re-tests of samples given at the 2008 and 2012 Games.

Belarus and weightlifting superpower Kazakhstan are also banned from Rio, pend-

ing IOC confirmation after 17 weightlifters re-tested positive, while Bulgaria is already banned. “ M o re d i s c i p l i n a r y commission hearings are taking place over the next few weeks with priority being given to athletes who may qualify for Rio,” Bach said.

Ali’s gloves, Frazier’s jockstrap from famed 1971 fight go on sale

By David DeKok (REUTERS) - A jockstrap worn by boxer Joe Frazier when he defeated Muhammad Ali for the combined heavyweight title hit the auction block last Monday, along with the gloves Ali wore in that 1971 bout dubbed the ‘Fight of the Century’.

The jockstrap - expected to sell for $10 000 - already met its minimum bid of $5 000 bid by mid-morning, said Ken Goldin, owner of Goldin Auctions of Runnemede, New Jersey.

No bids had yet been received for the gloves, which are expected to sell for more than $1 million, Goldin said.

The auction concludes with live bidding on Au-

Boxing gloves, worn by Muhammad Ali during his March 8, 1971 ‘Fight of the Century’ in Madison Square Garden against Joe Frazier, are pictured in this undated handout photo obtained by Reuters, July 11, 2016. (Goldin Auctions/Handout via Reuters)

gust 4.

“People used to make jokes about auctioning off jockstraps as an example of something outrageous,” Goldin told Reuters. “Here we got one consigned for sale.”

The memorabilia went on sale just over a month after Ali’s death at an Arizona hospital at age 74. Frazier died in 2011.

Both fighters were undefeated when they met up in the match on March 8,

1971, at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Frazier defeated Ali in a unanimous, 15-round decision.

After the fight, Frazier gave the jockstrap to corner-man David Wolf, according to Goldin. Wolf, who was in the Frazier corner for all three of his fights with Ali, later became a manager for Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini and other boxers.

The jockstrap was found in Wolf’s apartment in New York after his death in 2009.

Minimum bids were set at $5 000 for the jockstrap and $250 000 for the gloves.

“Similar (Ali) gloves have sold in the millions,” Goldin said. “And that was before he died.”

Ball to make England debut at Lord’s today (REUTERS) - England’s Nottinghamshire paceman Jake Ball will make his debut in the first Test against Pakistan at Lord’s today, captain Alastair Cook said yesterday.

James Anderson, England’s most successful Test bowler with 454 wickets, was left out of the 12man squad with a shoulder injury, although Cook expects him back for the second Test.

“Jake will make his debut. Unfortunately Jimmy has missed out but it’s a great opportunity for Jake,” Cook told reporters.

Ball, who was in the squad for all three Tests

Jake Ball has taken 96 first-class wickets at an average of 25.96.

during the 2-0 series win over Sri Lanka earlier this month. was selected ahead of fellow uncapped seamer

Toby Roland-Jones.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes; he’s had a great year with Notts and looks a fine

bowler. He’s got wicket-taking balls in him, the ability to get good players out on flat wickets, and he puts the ball in good areas with good pace.”

The first Test at Lord’s also marks the return of Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir to the scene of the spot-fixing scandal of 2010, for which he was given a five-year ban.

Amir, who also spent time in jail for the offence, admitted he deliberately bowled a no-ball in the fourth Test.

England and Pakistan will play four Tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 between today and September 7.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

Blairmont spinner Hassan impresses on HACC debut

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada – Blairmont Cricket Club left-arm spinner Waqar Hassan made an auspicious start to his overseas stint, grabbing three for 31 from 6.5 overs to help Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) thrash Bawa Cricket Club by 32 runs, when play in the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) inaugural Elite League continued here over the last weekend.

The former Berbice Under-19 player, who is vacationing in Canada, used the occasion to also get acquainted with the conditions and proved a perfect foil to the varied bowling attack.

The 23-year-old Hassan, who also narrowly missed selection to the Berbice senior teams a few years ago,

Debutant Waqar Hassan (extreme right) poses with (from right) Damodar Daesrath, Riaz Kadir and Azib Ali Hanif. had the unique distinction of capturing a wicket with his first delivery before returning in his second spell to capture a further two, as Bawa were shot out for

121 in 43.5 overs, chasing HACC’s 153 all out in 35 overs.

Bawa’s destruction was started by seasoned campaigner and former Guyana

skipper Damodar Daesrath who ended with three for 23, bowling 10 consecutive overs on the trot while HACC captain Hemnarine Chattergoon took two for

23, also from 10 and left-arm spinner Bhim Bodhoo two for 25.

All-rounder Abid Roowala struck a defiant 40 after earlier bowling impressively to capture six for 16 in seven overs to wreck the top half of HACC. But once again, it was the heroics of former Guyana wicketkeeper Azib Ali Hanif who motored to 51 with seven classical fours to record his second half-century in as many innings.

Hanif received valuable support from another former Berbice Under-19 player Riaz Kadir, who, in his first game for HACC, blasted a robust 45 which included eight fours. The two featured in a face-saving 70-run seventh-wicket partnership after their team were tottering at 82 for six.

Once Hanif and Kadir departed in quick succession of each other, the last

four wickets tumbled for a mere run as HACC were dismissed for 153, a total that proved adequate in the end.

It was HACC second win over their archrivals and the fifth of the season, having lost to Victoria Park while their opening game versus Highland Creek suffered a washout.

Meanwhile, HACC president Narchand ‘Archie’ Mohan, who was mainly responsible for H a s s a n ’s s h o r t s o j o u r n with the team, was delighted with his performance.

Hassan hails from Number Two Village, West Coast Berbice, the neighbouring village of Cotton Tree, Mohan’s birthplace.

HACC will take on last year’s beaten Premiere League finalists Scarborough Cricket Club (SCC) at Ashtonbee Number 2 on Sunday, July 24 next.

Tendulkar says cricket pitches need to be more bowler-friendly

(REUTERS) - Cricket pitches need to be more bowler-friendly if the rising imbalance between bat and ball is to be addressed, Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar has said.

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) world cricket committee on Tuesday recommended limitations on the thickness and depth of bats amid concerns that the sport has tilted heavily in favour of the batsmen in recent years.

A report commissioned by the MCC, the guardian of the game’s laws, in 2014 found the thickness of bats had marginally increased in the last century and that edges had broadened by 300 percent, meaning even mistimed shots could still find

MCC captain Sachin Tendulkar prepares to catch a ball during a cricket match against a Rest of the World team to celebrate 200 years of Lord’s at Lord’s cricket ground in London, July 5, 2014. (Reuters/Philip Brown) the boundary.

50-over format, demanded Tendulkar, who quit in- more assistance for the bowlternational cricket in 2013 ers from the playing surface. as the game’s most prolific “The wickets need to batsman both in Tests and the change; they need to be

more helpful for bowlers,” Tendulkar said.

“In T20s, the greatest of bowlers are being reverse-swept. Three-hundred is no longer competitive in ODIs. “So there should be at least one format where bowlers have a better chance of executing their skills and making it more interesting for spectators.

“I don’t think it’s got much to do with bats, but I’m sure people on the (relevant) panel will be able to look into it.”

Te n d u l k a r ’s v i e w s echoed the sentiments of Australian opener David Warner who said last week that flat pitches rather than bats with thicker edges

are the reason batsmen have the upper hand in Test cricket.

Tendulkar was part of the panel that recommended Anil Kumble for the India coach’s job and he expects the team to benefit from the vast experience of the former leg-spinner.

“A fabulous player, a hard competitor and will not make any compromises on the field,” Tendulkar told ESPNcricinfo.

“He will be out there to win each and every moment.

“He played for almost 20 years, so there is plenty to share. I’ll just tell the players to grasp as much information from Anil as possible.”

Kumble, who came out

to bowl with a bandaged jaw in a 2002 Antigua Test, can also teach the players how to handle adversity, said Tendulkar.

“There are always big, crunch moments in any match and how to approach those moments is important,” Tendulkar said.

“In sport, over a period of time what you learn is not every day you are successful, sometimes you have to face failures.

“It is all about being a tough character and being able to stand back on your feet again and to compete the next day. Every day is a fresh day, new beginning.

That is something I feel Anil will teach them.”

Misbah challenges Amir to win over English public

SKIPPER Misbah-ul-Haq has revealed Mohammad Amir is in the right frame of mind as he prepares to return to the scene of his crime at Lord’s and challenged the Pakistan paceman to win over the English public ahead of the first Test.

Amir served a five-year ban for spot-fixing after being found guilty of deliberately bowling no-balls during the fourth Test against

England at Lord’s in 2010.

The 24-year-old quick made his limited-overs return at international level on the tour of New Zealand in January and will make his Test comeback on a ground where he will be braced for a hostile reception, given his actions six years ago.

Pakistan captain Misbah has no concerns over how Amir will cope with the occasion and said it is down to the left-armer to build bridg-

es with England fans at the start of the four-match series Asked how Amir has dealt with going back to Lord’s, Misbah said: “His mood is good. He’s just focusing on what he has to come and do in the ground.

“He’s really responding well to that, it’s a big opportunity for him to come on the field and perform for Pakistan, to win the people again.

“At the moment for us I have no worries for us in

terms of Mohammad Amir.”

Pakistan beat England 2-0 in the United Arab Emirates last year, but Misbah knows Alastair Cook’s men will be a different proposition on home soil in what will be the tourists’ first series under new head coach Mickey Arthur.

“It’s a big challenge, everybody knows that. England are playing really well, they just performed really well

against a top side (Sri Lanka),” the veteran batsman said.

“Our aim is to play good cricket, be competitive and try to win this series.”

Cook is eager for an end to talk of Amir’s return as England target revenge in the four-match series.

The England skipper said: “I’ve said all along I don’t think match-fixers should be allowed to play but at the time he (Amir)

was given his punishment, he’s served it so he’s entitled to come back. He’s served his time.

“I just hope that we can concentrate on the cricket now. It’s the big story about this Test match, but I thought the way both sides played in the UAE (last year) that the spirit between us was different to in the past, and I hope we can carry that on and talk about the cricket.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

GKC hosts succesful tri-annual grading ... World Record for Tyler Orderson

THE Guyana Karate College (GKC) on Monday held the second of its triannual grading examinations for this year for students belonging to its dojos, at the Carifesta Sports Complex on Carifesta Avenue, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

It was a special evening that was filled with passion, apprehension and gruelling martial arts displays especially for the younger children, many of whom undertook these grading examinations for the first time. The occasion coincided with the GKC’s tenth anniversary of its establishment, and saw students for very first time examined simultaneously by several high-ranking officials of the world karate governing body the International Karate Daigaku.

The Canadian Judging team was headed by Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai, the Guyanese-born Chairman and Chief Instructor of the IKD who is a 9th degree black belt with over fifty years of experience in karate-do. It also

included his wife Sensei Maureen Woon-a-Tai, an 8th Dan, Sensei David Pykea 7th Dan, Sensei Bernice Hughes a 7th Dan, Sensei Janice Pyke a 6th Dan, Sensei Michelle Woon-A-Tai a 4th Dan, and Sensei Ken Woon-A-Tai a 4th Dan. For the local examiners, Sensei Jeffrey Wong a 6th Dan who is the Senior Instructor of the College, along with Sensei Lavern Jones, a 5th Dan, was involved in grading the students.

The highpoint of these grading examinations for the GKC was the attainment of a Sandan rank or third degree black belt by 12-year-old Tyler Orderson, making him the youngest karateka across the world under the umbrella of the IKD to accomplish this feat.

T h i s i s h i s t h i r d r ecord-breaking achievement as he has also earned the accolades of being the youngest 1st degree black belt globally when he was a mere seven years old and the youngest 2nd degree black belt at nine

Students who were graded years old.

Accompanying him in acquiring the sandan ranking was his batchmate, 16-year-old Alyssa Persaud, both of whom are A+ students of the prestigious Marian Academy. Additionally, obtaining the 3rd degree black belt were Leon Burnett and Roland Fanfair.

Attaining the Nidan rank or second degree black belt was Jonathan Connelly of New Guyana School whilst gaining the Shodan rank or 1st degree black belt were Alyssa Ramotar also of Marian Academy and Kellisa Jupiter of Westfield Preparatory More than forty other

karatekas were promoted from 10th kyu all the way to 1st kyu with some of them performing exceptionally well, skipping grades. Those included Jose Rodrigues skipping from 8th kyu to 6th kyu, Amber De Goeas from 8th to 6th kyu, Sophia Mittelholzer 7th kyu to 5th kyu, Somlata Bispat 7th kyu to 5th kyu, Sherlock Scott 7th kyu to 5th kyu Joshua Gibbs 7th kyu to 5th kyu.

It was an evening of deep pride and gratification for the Senior Instructor Sensei Jeffrey Wong who has dedicated the last ten years of his life to the development of karate-do in Guyana and the Guyana

Karate College, seeing this institution start from scratch and growing quickly into a leading martial arts institution in the country, with the enviable record of bringing back the most medals for Guyana at the Caribbean, South American and World Championships in addition to excelling at many local tournaments in individual and team kumite, kata, bunkai and enbu.

He, along with the chairman of the IKD Master Frank Woon-A-Tai whose main goal is to be of service to young people throughout the world by helping them find direction in life, met with the parents

World recordholder Tyler Enrique and the karatekas after the grading session.

He updated them of the progress of the GKC and the plans for the future including the completion of its new headquarters and main dojo at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, the enlargement of its student population and the expansion of tailored training options for females, business persons and preparing for the possibility of Karate-do debuting in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

Digicel, Ansa McAl give warm send-off to junior squash championships SEVERAL representatives from sponsors of the Guyana team to the Junior Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Championships, including Digicel and Ansa McAl, encouraged the team at a small gathering at the Georgetown Club yesterday.

The officials included Digicel’s Sponsorship and Events Manager, Luanna Abrams and Ansa McAl Smalta Brand Manager Anjeta Hinds, who wished the 22-man team well ahead of

their departure early this morning for the Cayman Islands, where the tournament will be held from July 14 to 25.

Speaking on behalf of Digicel, Abrams noted how happy and proud the company was to see the team off.

Digicel has a longstanding relationship with the GSA as a corporate sponsor to the entity.

“We are so happy to know that our team is going off, and of course we know that they are definitely going to make us proud. For

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday July 14, 2016) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to Tuesday’s quiz: (1) 3 wickets (2) Dwayne Bravo-28 wickets Today’s Quiz: (1) Which Warriors player faced the first ball in Hero CPL 2016?

(2) Which Tallawahs player delivered the first ball in Hero CPL 2016?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

The Guyana 2016 junior squash team with team coach, Carl Ince (sitting), Digicel’s Sponsorship and Events Manager, Luanna Abrams (second from right), and Ansa McAl Smalta Brand Manager, Anjeta Hinds (left). the past couple of years we various age categories.

Mekdeci will be particihave been proud sponsors of Team captain for the pating in the Boys Under-19 the Guyana Squash Associ- male team, Benjamin Mek- category where he will be hopation, and we are so happy deci, is really satisfied with ing to take home an individual that we continue to support. the team, and highlighted the title. He will then lead the It is central to our objective team’s unity as something Boys’ team which will also be for youth and community that sets them apart from the defending the Boys Team title. development.” Abrams said. other Caribbean teams This will be Mekdeci’s Guyana are the defend“I really think that our first year in the Under-19 ing team champions at the team dynamic is something category after moving out competition. The Guyana that has always stood apart of the Under-17 category team last year copped their from the rest of the Caribbe- he participated in last year.

11th consecutive title, and an, because we really have a At that time, Mekdeci made 21st overall team title at the sense of unity. It’s one Asso- it all the way to the Boys championships, which also ciation and one club, I think Under-17 finals before he features an individual divi- that’s something that we was cut down by Barbados’ sion where players can play have that’s really strong.” Jossiah Griffith. for individual titles in the Mekdeci said.

The female team, on the

other hand, is being captain

by Taylor Fernandes this year. Though she admitted that she feels the weight of the expectations upon them, she is confident they can once again prevail and bring home victory for Guyana.

“It’s kind of nerve-racking because I have the responsibility of leading the team, but I think we can do it. We’ve worked really hard and hope we bring home the 12th title. We have our national coach Carl Ince, who has been pushing us really hard,” Fernandes stated.

Meanwhile, defending champion in the Boys Under-13 category Shomari Wiltshire, is very much looking forward to returning and preserving his title.

“I feel really good, and I think I can win it again.

I’ve been training very hard over the past few weeks.”

Wiltshire noted.

The 22 players will be accompanied to the championships by team manager Garfield Wiltshire, assistant manager David Fernandes, coach Carl Ince and assistant coach Akeila Wiltshire.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 14, 2016

Teamwork key to Warriors success so far, says Harper

By Rajiv Bisnauth THE Guyana Amazon Warriors outfit have had a dream run so far in this year HERO Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with ten points from six games, and are the favourites to win the title for the first time.

The league leaders, the early pacesetters of the tournament with four consecutive victories, suffered their only defeat against Trinbago Knight Riders by seven runs last Sunday, their third home fixture.

But the Warriors returned to winning ways on Tuesday evening when they crushed St Lucia Zouks by eight wickets with both their batting and bowling firing simultaneously.

However, after the win, head coach Roger Harper has singled out teamwork as one of the main factors in his team’s success so far.

“With five wins out of six games and while a lot of credit has to go to the captain, the team as a whole as put together,

come out with three wins.

Further Harper was quick to defend the selection of Christopher Barnwell in the playing eleven, despite his limited success.

“Well, we know what he (Barnwell) is capable of and we know what the team requires, I think players batting down the order, there needs some firepower and we know what Barnwell can do and we have faith when we really need him he will deliver,” said

The Amazon Warriors team celebrate another dismissal we achieve here … we set

worked together as a team ... teamwork is what has gotten us this far and we look forward to achieve even much more,” the former West Indies vice-captain pointed out.

Harper added, “I am much satisficed of what

out to try and win each game, but to go away with three wins at home, and while we were disappointed to lose against Trinidad (Trinbago Knight Riders) because we could have played a lot better, we are satisfied that we have

Mayor’s Cup quarter-final action shifted to Victoria ground QUARTER-final action in the Annual Mayor’s Cup football tournament has been shifted to the Victoria ground, East Coast Demerara with a triple-header card set for Sunday.

Originally, the quarter-final playoff was set to start last Sunday at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) facility, but according to coordinator Lennox Arthur, because of the inclement weather, coupled with the staging of another competition that was being conducted the same day in the city, a new venue and date for the start of the quarter-final action had to be decided on.

So, come Sunday, beginning at 21:00hrs, Ann’s Grove will take on Cougars in the first of four quarter-final matches.

Two supporting games are also on the cards for Sunday, with the two win-

Harper.

Meanwhile, captain Martin Guptill was pleased that his team returned to their winning ways.

“It’s been brilliant for us at the top of the innings. We had a great start with the bat, the way Lynn (Chris) and Jason (Mohammed) played was superb. A tight game here few nights ago but glad that we are back to winning ways,” Guptill said.

Further, Lynn and Gup-

ners advancing to the quarter-final round.

From 17:00hrs, Camptown will engage Uitvlugt, while from 19:00hrs, Riddim Squad face Eagles of Linden.

The competition will continue tomorrow with more quarter-final action, this time at the GFC ground.

In the opening game from 17:00hrs, Police face Pouderoyen and from 19:00hrs Santos play Beavers, while from 21:00hrs Western Tigers tackle Den Amstel.

Two days later (Sunday), more quarter-final action is scheduled for the GFC venue where from 16:00hrs the winner of the Santos versus Beavers encounter will oppose the winner of the Police versus Pouderoyen affair. At 18:00hrs, Federal Winners Connection come up against the winner of the Riddim Squad versus Ea-

gles encounter.

The feature game on Sunday will bring together the winner of the Western Tigers versus the winner of the Camptown versus Uitvlugt match.

At stake in the tournament is the top prize of $700 000 and the Aruwai Resort trophy.

The other top three teams in the competition will receive $300 000 and the Ansa McAl trophy (2nd place), $200 000 and the John Fernandes Limited trophy (3rd place) and $100 000 and the Minister of State trophy (4th place).

Ricks and Sari Agro Industries has also donated hampers for each player on the winning team, while the highest goalscorer in the competition will be rewarded with a threepiece suite, compliments of AH&L Kissoon Furniture Store.

Jason Mohamed

till have galvanised the Guyana Amazon Warriors top-order with entertaining knocks, but Jason Mohammed has shown on a few occasions that he has the ability to provide the ballast and the impetus when required.

The Trinidadian has won two Man-of-theMatch awards so far, but has credited his success to his maturity.

“Yea, definitely I think my maturity has improved as the tournament progressed, but I haven’t said that I think the Guyana Amazon Warriors have allowed me to play the way I want to play which is to bat in the middle.

“I am a pretty slow starter and I have gained momentum and they have given me that opportunity to play so it’s working well for me so far,” Mohammed said after the Warriors win on Tuesday evening.

The Warriors departed early yesterday morning for Jamaica where they will play the home team tomorrow from 20:00hrs (21:00hrs Guyana time).

CAF director says he was misinterpreted

By Ras Wadada

THE Director/Principal of the Chase Academic Foundation (CAF), Henry Chase told Chronicle Sport yesterday that he never threatened to terminate the scholarships of students if they were not allowed to represent the school in a fixture of a schools competition.

“It was certainly a misinterpretation of what I stated and that is what it is. I honestly think the whole situation was handled poorly and should have been dealt with differently.

“After seeking a change in the date of the fixture with the organisers and being told it was not possible I sought the assistance of the GFF and still there was no amicable way forward,” Chase said.

Chase also added that it was also disheartening to the National U-17s to learn that coach Vurlon Mills was omitted from the tour party on the eve of departure. “He is like the motivator and inspiration to the team.”

Eight students from CAF and one from the Morgan Learning Centre (MLC) will face the Disciplinary Committee of the GFF for ignoring the directive of the National Federation.

The players were encamped as part of the National U-17 football squad and along with CAF’s coach Mills participated in a game last Monday. After an emergency meeting of the GFF Executive on Tuesday it was disclosed that Mills was removed from the National U-17 team as the assistant coach

and would appear before the Disciplinary Committee of the GFF as well as the nine players.

The CAF players are: Jeremy Garrett, Sese Norville, Nicholas McArthur, Rondell Peters, Daniel Floy, Cecil Jackman, Isaiah Jack and Raushan Ritch and the MLC player is Malakai Adonis. Ritch is the only player who was not selected on the National team from among the nine.

Today CAF will play Bishops’ High in the final of the Georgetown Zone of the Digicel schools competition at the Camp Ayanganna ground and seven of the starting eleven will be out as they are on National duties in the USVI. The team will, however, have on the sideline the expertise of coach Mills. The game kicks off at 15:30hrs.

Teamwork key to Warriors success so far, says Harper (See Story on page 27)

Digicel National Schools Football Championship

DC Caesar Fox Secondary take Region 7 title

Region 7 winners, DC Caesar Fox Secondary School, pose with their spoils after beating Three Miles Secondary 5-0 in Bartica. At centre, the captain collects his trophy from Digicel representative Mario Grimshaw. See story on page 23 (Adrian Narine photos)

DC Caesar Fox Secondary register their fourth goal on the way to winning the Region 7 final of the Digicel National Schools Football championship. against Three Miles Secondary.

Guyana beat Leewards by nine wickets in the Women’s Super50 clash GUYANA whipped Leeward Islands by nine wickets in round four of the Regional Women Super50 Tournament yesterday. The win is Guyana’s first after their first three-round matches were washed out.

The game was reduced

to 20 overs aside after overnight rain left the Everest outfield in a soggy state.

However, when play eventually started, Guyana won the toss and decided to field first.

The decision paid off, as the visitors were bowled out for just 43 in

15 overs. Plaffiana Millington was the chief destroyer for Guyana, claiming 3-5. Akaze Thompson snatched 2-7 while Tremayne Smartt and Mandy Mangru claimed a wicket apiece.

In reply Guyana reached 46-1 in eight overs. Shem-

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aine Campbelle and Latoya Smith were unbeaten on 17 and 15 respectively. Melaine Henry was the player dismissed for two.

Meanwhile, wet outfields due to the current inclement weather affected the other two round-four games with play aban-

doned without a ball being bowled.

No play was possible at Enmore where Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago were clashing or at Enterprise where Windward Islands and Barbados were expected to go head-to-head.

The fifth and final

round will be played tomorrow, weather permitting with Guyana taking on Jamaica at Everest, Barbados opposing Leewrads at Enterprise and Jamaica and Windwards clashing at Enmore.

The final is set for Sunday at Everest.

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016