Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 15 06 2016

Big ganja bust No. 104583

WEDNESDAY JUNE 15, 2016

Price: $80

(Vat Inclusive)

- GRA seizes two tonnes of ganja, customs broker arrested

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NO WAY!

- Brickdam students, teachers oppose being transferred to schools around Georgetown Page 3

Chief Education Officer (CEO) Olato Sam pleading with parents to accept the terms of his proposal for the resolution of the issue (Delano Williams photo)

Guyanese deported for stealing corned beef Page 20

Man charged Gov’t cuts for mechanic’s power of 9 murder 16 school boards Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Emotional scenes at church service for slain US teen

Shemel Mercurius’s mother, Lovern Williams (second left) arrives at the Clarendon Road, Brooklyn, New York Church on Tuesday. She is surrounded by relatives THERE were no dry eyes as relatives, friends, acquaintances and teachers exited the Clarendon Road Church located at 3304 Clarendon Road, Brooklyn, New York on Tuesday after paying their respects to 16-year-old Shemel Mercurius who was shot dead two weeks ago.

Mercurius who migrated to New York some four years ago was killed by her boyfriend in her East Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York apartment as she was babysitting her three-year-old cousin Josia on June 2. The threeyear-old was unharmed.

The Teen’s boyfriend identified as Taariq Stephens, a 24-year-old man with a

half-dozen prior arrests has been charged for the murder of the Guyanese teenager.

Stephens turned himself over to the New York Police Department (NYPD) and was charged with the murder of Mercurius and being in possession of a weapon last Thursday at the 67th Precinct station house in East Flatbush.

The viewing which began at 15:30h on Tuesday saw scores of persons paying tribute to the 16 year old girl and giving their condolences to her family. Immediately after the viewing which lasted approximately 4 hours, a church service was held. Relatives who stood outside of the

NYPD officers offer words of comfort to Shemel Mercurius’s brother (Right) on Tuesday. Also in photo are Mercurius’ father Dexter Mercurius (center) and other relatives

Persons arriving at the Clarendon Road Church, Brooklyn, New York on Tuesday Clarendon Road Church told Guyana Chronicle that Mercurius was ‘a loving child’.

Her cousin Grace Lawson described her as “an angel.”

“She was the sweetest young lady ever. It is just sad and unbelievable that we are all here today under these circumstances.”

Lawson said Mercurius was a mannerly and loving child who would always enquire about the well-being of her relatives and friends. “I got to see her most times in the afternoon when she was coming home from school…

there is no other word to describe her but being an angel,” said Lawson who last saw the teenager the Wednesday before she died.

She said Mercurius was excited about the Region’s examinations that are scheduled soon and she was studying hard for the exams. Lawson recounted that she got the news while at work but she did not make much of the news as she was not informed that it was her 16-year-old cousin. She said when she got home her niece told her somebody got shot. “I turned

Dexter Mercurius (right), father of 16-year-old Shemel Mercurius, walks alongside a relative (left) outside of the Clarendon Road Church, Brooklyn, New York on Tuesday to my brother and I said thank God you guys are in the house. I didn’t pay any more attention to it until like 6 o’clock the next morning when they said Mercurius…I jumped up. There is only one Mercurius I know…when they said Shemel we went Berserk.”

The emotional woman said her niece saw when the teen was taken out of her

apartment complex by paramedics but her family did not know it as Mercurius.

Meanwhile, as many left the church after viewing Mercurius’ body they were heard speaking of her characteristics. One woman said: “That child was so pleasant…wherever she saw me she would say hello and ask how I was doing.” A young girl was overheard speaking to her parent said, “Mom, can’t believe my friend is gone. This is so hard for me right now.”

She cried uncontrollably as she reminisced on times spent with the Guyanese teen.

A relative of the 16 year old girl told Guyana Chronicle that ‘it is unfortunate that she was brought to the United States to get a better life and ended up dead.’ He said his family needs justice and he stood outside of the Church. “I can’t believe she is gone; I can’t believe she died this way, so young.

She had her entire future ahead of her,” the man said. Mercurius would be laid to rest on Wednesday at the Canarsie Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.

Big ganja bust

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

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GRA seizes two tonnes of ganja, customs broker arrested

ANTI-narcotics agents on Monday seized approximately two tonnes of compressed marijuana from a container at the John Fernandes Wharf on Water Street.

Acting on information, shortly after 1 pm on Monday, officers attached to the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and the Port Control Unit (PCU) of the GRA broke the container, which was shipped to these shores with a quantity of machinery last month. A customs broker was arrested shortly after the bust was made.

The container arrived in Guyana from the United States on May 16 onboard the vessel “MC Fouma”. Since then, GRA officials were monitoring the vessel’s movement. The vessel made one stop in Jamaica before proceeding here. Investigators believe that the container was tampered with while in Jamaica or en-route to Guyana. From all appearances, a source noted, the drug may have been shipped by persons familiar with the drug trade here. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

NO WAY!

A quantity of the illicit substance which was discovered on Monday

- Brickdam students, teachers oppose being transferred to schools around Georgetown

By Ravin Singh PANDEMONIUM broke out on Tuesday afternoon at an assembly of teachers and students of Brickdam Secondary School and their parents and officials from the Education Ministry during discussions regarding the indefinite closure of the school and possible arrangements for students and teachers to be relocated.

The Ministry of Education, through Chief Education Officer (CEO) Olato Sam, announced that “Brickdam [Secondary] is no more”, given the inoperable state of the school.

Conditions at the school had forced teachers to down tools since Thursday last in protest at what they deem “unacceptable standards” at one of the country’s top secondary schools.

According to Sam, who spoke at the meeting, held on Tuesday afternoon at St Stanislaus College, teachers had agreed, on Friday during a meeting, to resume teaching, since only three weeks remain in the academic term; while a long-term solution was also promised.

“I personally asked them [the teachers] if they would

work for the next three weeks and allow us to find a permanent solution for the problem

by September. But somewhere between Friday and Monday, they decided that they weren’t going to teach,” he told parents and students in the presence of teachers of Brickdam Secondary, who did not object to his assertions.

NOT SO His statement was, however, subsequently debunked by one teacher, who spoke to this newspaper on condition of anonymity due to the fear of victimisation. That teacher explained that the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) had tried, at a meeting, to lobby the CEO to engage a teacher representative in the presence of GTU and other Ministry officials. The intent was to arrive at a feasible plan, but to no avail.

This teacher, who has served the institution for a number of years, said that without any consultations, Sam imposed his decision of having the teachers and students dispersed to other schools around Georgetown.

Thus the teachers were all served with letters indicating which school they would be transferred to on Tuesday.

“This decision to disperse both the students and teachers was forced down our throats, since no one was consulted on it,” the teacher explained.

The teacher pleaded continuously with this newspaper to ensure identity protection, since, according to this teacher, teachers have been victimised for speaking out.

“One teacher was seconded to David Rose School for being vocal on this issue and fighting for the rights of his colleagues,” this teacher said.

Teachers also believe that if they are dispersed it will eventually become a permanent move and would likely result in dissolution of Brickdam Secondary School. On this basis, they are maintaining that they would continue to fight for their rights and those of the students, and for the survival of the institution they hold dearly.

MEETING TODAY Teachers of Brickdam Secondary will meet among themselves today to discuss what actions will be taken or what decisions will be made on their part.

The teachers had proposed that the Ministry provide a temporary holding place, preferably another

City Councillor Malcolm Ferreira (in yellow shirt) encouraging teachers of Brickdam Secondary to compromise with the CEO in the interest of their students underpopulated school, to house the academic staff and students of Brickdam for the remainder of this term.

They said that, during this time, students will only be writing examinations, which allows for a shift system to be arranged and the Ministry to have enough time to devise a long-term solution to the problem.

“Saint Stanislaus currently has adequate space. The fifth and sixth formers are out of school currently, so the students of Brickdam can come to Saints on a shift system and get their tests done,” the teacher said.

The population of Brickdam Secondary is less than 300 students.

The GTU had proposed a similar arrangement, and had suggested that the Ministry relocate the students and teachers to Enterprise Primary, since that institution is currently underpopulated.

Enterprise Primary was Please turn to page 7

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Timehri Prison on lockdown ––Gun allegedly thrown over fence, but none found

Police searching a section of the Timehri Prison compound for the gun THE Prison at Timehri on the upper East Bank was put on complete lock-down yesterday after news surfaced that someone in a white vehicle threw a handgun over the fence at round 10:30hrs.

Ranks from the police force and prison service were quickly deployed to

make a thorough search of both the building and compound for the weapon, but came up empty handed.

A Joint Service team, replete with fire tenders, also joined the search, but by 14:30hrs had still not unearthed any weapon.

What they did find, however, according to prison sources, were ille-

gal wines and other minor infractions within the confines of the Timehri Prison.

Readers will recall the morning of March 3, when 17 prisoners housed at the Camp Street jail lost their lives in a fire.

This turn of events prompted scores of prisoners to be transferred from

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the Camp Street Prison to other locations across the country in a bid to ease the congestion at the Georgetown penitentiary.

The 132-year-old Camp Street Prison, occupying an entire city block, was built to house 600 inmates but, for years now has been dogged by overcrowding.

The transfer of the Camp Street prisoners has been seen as a positive move by the prison authorities; and from all accounts, the inmates have been transferred to the Mazaruni, New Amsterdam, Lusignan and Timehri prisons.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Bullet still lodged in shot teen waitress CHEST doctors are yet to operate on teen waitress Onika Luke, who was shot to the chin during an attempted robbery at her part-time place of employment -- the Lucky Star Chinese Restaurant at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara -- on May 27 last, when a lone gunman stormed the business place and she failed to comply with the gunman’s request that she give him all the money in the cash register.

Besides taking a bullet in the chin, Luke’s left thumb was also shot off in the attack.

Relatives say that although the teen appears to be slowly healing, the bullet has since moved from her throat into her chest cavity.

Her brother, Wendell Ranjee, has said, “She is feeling much better and is healing. The neck specialist said that the bullet moved from there and headed to the chest region. Now chest doctors have to take charge, but I wasn’t told when this will happen.”

Reflecting on the progression of events, Ranjee said the teen was discharged from a private city hospital one week after the incident, and was admitted to the Public Hospital after it was realised that although the bill had surpassed $1M, nothing had been done for the teen.

“Nothing was done at the private hospital; and when enquiries were made as to when the surgery would be done, they didn’t know,” Ranjee said, adding: “I asked them what would be the

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average cost for her to stay there until the surgery is done, and I was told it would cost almost $80,000 a day.”

Acknowledging that his sister’s employer was standing the medical bill at the private hospital, Ranjee said

Teen waitress Onika Luke it would be reckless to spend money when nothing was being done.

The first round of surgery was done at the Georgetown Public Hospital, after the wounded area became infected and the bullet had moved to below the teen’s collar bone.

As things now stand, the teen is unable to eat or breathe properly because of the position where the bullet is lodged; and this is what makes the operation complicated.

In the meantime, the police are on the hunt for the suspect, while the investigation is in progress.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Dale Andrews has the last say –– as Cabinet adjourns so PM could attend funeral

By Shirley Thomas VETERAN local journalist Dale Anthony Andrews, who had the enviable reputation of always beating the competition, again managed to do the impossible yesterday, even in death.

This time around, he succeeded in interrupting a session of Cabinet meeting so Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo could attend his funeral service, held at the Trinity Methodist Church at

larly announced on arrival at the service: “So his last story should read, ‘Cabinet adjourned for Dale Andrews’ Funeral’.”

Others joining the bereaved family members and the Kaieteur News family in paying tribute to the fallen journalist comprised members of the Guyana Press Association and representatives of the wider media fraternity.

Dale Andrews, the man with the knack for stirring the police into action where

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo expressing condolences to an inconsolable Publisher of the Kaieteur News, Mr. Glen Lall High and Durban Streets.

As the PM, who is known for his wry humour, jocu-

making arrests and solving crime were concerned, transitioned this life on June 4,

after serving the local media with distinction for well over 20 years. He was 47.

A graduate of the prestigious Queen’s College, Andrews, whose last tenure was with the Kaieteur News, which he served for well over 15 years, died at a city hospital after a brief period of illness.

MOVING SERVICE It was a moving Thanksgiving Service, with glowing tributes delivered under a sombre atmosphere. The church was packed to capacity, with many in the congregation being people whose lives Andrews had touched as he journeyed through life.

In his tribute, Prime Minister Nagamootoo said: “We are saying goodbye to a dear friend, a hard worker, a journalist. Dale, who worked beyond the normal call of duty, even though sick, presented his last story the night before he died.”

The Prime Minister recalled having known Dale Andrews for a number of years, during which time he had spotted the passion, zeal and enthusiasm in him as a young reporter working with the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation.

When later he saw him again, the PM said, Dale had taken over the crime beat at the Kaieteur News, and was delivering with distinction, to the extent that he was better known in media circles as ‘The Crime Chief’.

He spoke of Dale having developed into a feature writer with a particular flare -- that of being a crime reporter.

“He has been a dedicated journalist; and journalists are the ones who present you with the news as they happen,” the PM said.

Himself a journalist for the better part of his adult life, the Prime Minister remarked that journalism can be an almost thankless job. He added that journalists almost risk becoming extinct, often facing the threat of death in the execution of their duties.

IT IS FINISHED Of Dale’s passing, the Prime Minister said: “He has finished a journey; he decided that no threat or humiliation will take him away.”

Urging his colleagues not to dwell on his passing, but rather on what he represented, the PM said: “He represented a fearlessness that all journalists must possess in bringing the truth, in defending freedom of expression and the democratic rights of people to know the truth and what is taking place in society.”

In closing, he asserted:

The Prime Minister paying tribute “So, my friend Dale, you have done your part. The younger journalists in our midst will read about you; will hear about you….”

The Prime Minister, on behalf of President David Granger and the entire Cabinet, extended condolences to the family and loved ones of Dale Andrews, the management and staff of the Kaieteur News, and to all journalists in Guyana.

Said he: “We have lost a friend, and the profession would continue, knowing that there were people like Dale Andrews who had stood the course and who battled

on, perhaps under difficult circumstances, but nevertheless took the torch of the freedom of expression forward so that our country can become safer; can ensure that we preserve its democratic values, and much more; that we preserve a Free Press.

Andrews has left his indelible footprints in journalism, and was right up there with the best and brightest in the business.”

He leaves to mourn his mother, Bertnell Andrews; wife Penelope, children, brothers, sisters and other relatives and friends.

Kaieteur News staff and relatives of the deceased bearing the casket out of the church (Cullen Bess Nelson photos)

Mourners and symnpathizers at the Thanksgiving Service

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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 Orlando massacre

OVER the past few centuries, persons identified as LBGT were often ostracized, ridiculed and feared, as they were thought to be unnatural.

While a large number of persons still feel this way concerning that minority group, that number has been significantly diminished over the past decades, as advances in public acceptance have largely been made.

It is these advances which saw the world being shocked, last Sunday, when media reports surfaced of the mass shooting at a popular gay bar in Orlando, which left 49 persons dead and 53 injured, making it the largest mass shooting in U.S history.

This act has reminded the world that despite its many advances, bigotry and unadulterated hate still fester, even in the most tolerant of societies.

Speculations regarding the reasons behind the shootings have been countless, and have ranged from Islamic extremism to self-loathing, as the shooter was said to have been struggling with an identity he has long since been conditioned to hate.

Regardless of the reasons behind this tragedy, the fact is that it was an attack on the lives and liberties of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals not only in the U.S, but also around the world.

Here, in Guyana, sympathy and words of collective condemnation have been so overwhelming that even those who express the view that the gunman had done the right thing in carrying out such brutal murders are being challenged regarding their homophobia. The hard truth, however, that words of condemnation against anti-gay rhetoric are not enough, is something which seems to be lost upon the majority. Whether addressed or not, homophobia is learnt from childhood, ranging from a strict sense of gender roles to anti-gay rhetoric touted by society’s leaders.

Several of the countries’ leaders have, in various sections of the media, been heard condemning the murders and calling for tolerance and acceptance of the LGBT community. This is despite no substantial effort being made to protect those belonging to the LBGT group here, and removing outdated legislation that make criminals out of otherwise law-abiding citizens.

While Guyana has never had such a mass violence against LBGT persons, there has, over the years, been a continuous rise in violent attacks against homosexual men, particularly those who are transgender; and those attacks have often re-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Team Legacy troubled by operations at City Hall Dear Editor, TEAM Legacy has taken note of the recent actions at City Hall, and wishes to make its position on various matters clear and public.

Once the votes were counted and councillors sworn-in, our first surprise came when the councillors were told there are no supporting mechanisms for the councillors to meet with the members of the constituents, and no funding would be made available for establishing offices in the constituencies.

We believe this is an absolute necessity. The constituency councillors should be able to have ongoing dialogue with their constituents;

it is not efficient to have residents from all constituencies visit City Hall to meet with their councillors.

Secondly, the Town Clerk continues to operate independently of the council. Removal of vendors from Stabroek Square, demolition of the Dread Shop, the new parking meters’ system, among other things, are clear examples.

Many times the members of the council learn about decisions taken and executed by the Town Clerk only from the press.

We are not duly consulted or informed. When questioned, we are told that these decisions were made by the previous council. However, we believe that even if deci-

sions were made previously, the new council should, and must, be able to review these decisions to determine if they align with the vision of the new council.

There are many red flags surrounding the new parking meter system that is slated to be implemented. There are questions about the company, the manner in which the contract was signed, and the details of the agreement between the city and the company.

Though requested, we are yet to see a copy of the contract.

We believe this goes against the purpose of Local Government Elections.

We, the councillors, are the elected officials. We have been elected by the people of our city, but our efforts to act on behalf of our constituents and the city are being stymied at almost every turn.

While we understand that steps must be taken to reclaim city property and to improve the city, we believe that stakeholder consultations are necessary. Team Legacy recognizes some efforts are being made, but the current methods are unacceptable.

Regards, CAROLYN MURRAY, Councillor - Team Legacy

Is there a conspiracy against Harmon?

Dear Editor, IN MY previous letter, I indicated that I would have written to you again in the hope that some answers to the questions I asked then (and those of Nigel Hinds in his letter around the same time) would have been forthcoming.

I don’t think I saw anything in response, and so my thoughts remained unshared in the scenarios in which I had envisaged them. But the Kaieteur News editorial today (June 9th), headlined ‘Political Self Destruction’, reignited this eerie-sure feeling that something is not right. It can’t be.

Whether the aim is to destroy Harmon politically, so as to pave the way for others or to satisfy over-inflated egos by flaunting the power of the fourth estate, or a combination of both, I don’t know; but for sure there has to be some kind of a conspiracy here.

I still cannot see why

making Tiwari an honorific advisor, or backing-off GRA from Bai Shan Lin, would warrant this continuing public attack campaign by the Kaieteur News, and surely ‘others’ behind the scenes.

It warrants, therefore, that I share with you some of my thoughts as regards who are some of the players-cum-intellectual authors in this ugly scheme. This letter will start with two; others and the plot in more detail are to follow as things evolve.

In order to avoid libel and the excuse for non-publication, I have to resort to satire -- which I am advised should escape the discerning of, say, the ordinary passenger in the route 42 minibus.

I hope, however, that some readers and of course the actors will figure who I am talking about.

As is their right, they can agree or disagree, or they can even believe wrongly who I am referring to. Either way,

sulted in death.

Despite the deaths of these men, public response to these murders has been miniscule at best, with only a selective few seeing the clear trend of hate-driven crimes that was forming.

The years 2013-2015 saw these targeted murders rising, but the public largely remained oblivious, and even the police force did not seem to see the significance in the crimes, nor the need to actively pursue and solve them.

In 2014, a march was organised against the slothful way in which the police were investigating murders of several homosexual men, with several citing the reasons for sloth as being trans-phobia and homophobia deeply ingrained within the psyche of the police officers.

I can imagine them asking ‘who the hell is William Tell?’

So, let me start with the snake. Irrespective of its realization that it can get no further than where it is, it cannot change its habits. It will continue to look to see what can be done to whom it perceives is in the way of its ambitions, using its accumulated venom smartly and sparingly.

Venom use in this instance is in direct contrast with the ad lib use of its ‘snake oil’, as we saw during the election campaign, leading those unsuspecting and gullible constituents into a mess that they will have to cleanse themselves of. (But that is another story for another time) Because this letter must not be too long, let me just ‘wrap-up’ on the snake by saying that the Chinese have no regard or respect for it.

After all, it is no secret that they eat the darn thing.

The mongoose, on the other hand, is in a different category altogether. According to Wikipedia, it was introduced in the Caribbean Islands, including the Bahamas, to help control the snake. But being the resourceful ‘smart Alec’ that he is, Mr Mongoose quickly adjusted him game plan against the snake, with his eyes on ‘the big fat chicken’ instead.

He would allow the snake all the sabre-rattling it wants, in full confidence that it will triumph over the snake when the time comes. After all, it did happen before, and for sure he has read Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Riki-Tiki-Tavi’ a hundred times and more.

As to whether Kaieteur News is part of this conspiracy, that is for the readers to judge; but the publisher and editor ought to be cautioned that the moral of their own editorial applies equally to See page 7

If nothing else, the Orlando tragedy has offered us at home and abroad the opportunity to confront the often unchallenged anti-gay rhetoric and actions touted and carried out by friends, family members and acquaintances. When these views remain unchallenged, all they serve to do is contribute to the acceptance of hatred and violence against those in whom their distaste lies.

Too often, these messages of hate are allowed to seep into the minds of our children. We, as a country, must collectively aim to resist the forces of division and denounce the unnecessary draconian anti-gay legislation which just serve to breed intolerance and hate. Regardless of what religion one belongs to, efforts should be made to ensure harmful ideologies which discriminate against any group are not adopted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

KN grenade attack…

One of two wanted men surrenders JANIEL Howard, called ‘JP’, one of the prime suspects in the grenade attack on the Kaieteur News, turned himself in at the Ruimveldt Police Station Monday evening after a wanted bulletin was issued for him.

The bulletin stated that Howard, 30, of Lot 322 Section ‘C’, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown was “wanted by the police for questioning in relation to ‘attempting to cause explosion’ which occurred on June 6, 2016, at Saffon Street, Charlestown,

Janiel Howard called ‘JP’

Georgetown.”

But the police are still to capture 20-year-old Shemar Wilson, called ‘Abdue’, who is also wanted in connection with the grenade-throwing incident.

Wilson is from Lot 43 North Sophia, Georgetown, and Lot 51 West La Penitence. Among the suspects now in custody is an individual who allegedly handed over money and the fragmentation grenade to the individuals who threw the device near to the vehicle of Kaieteur News publisher,

NO WAY!

- Brickdam students, teachers oppose ...

From page 3 built to facilitate 1100 students, but currently has a population of approximately 200.

According to reports, Sam strongly objected to this suggestion, saying that students at the primary level should not be mixed with those at the secondary level.

The meeting eventually descended into bedlam, as Sam reportedly opposed every other proposition presented to him by both teachers and parents.

Clifton Paul, a parent, recommended that the school cease operations immediately and wait for the academic term to end. He suggested that after school breaks

for the summer vacation, students with examinations pending could sit those examinations at another school.

“With this plan, we cannot complain about the availability of space or the mixing of students, because school will be out for the holidays,” he said.

This suggestion was also rejected by the CEO, who

goose’ and Charley Pride’s ‘Snakes crawl at night’ may be in repeat mode.

I hope to write again

soon.

Is there a conspiracy ...

From page 6 themselves. It is not only politicians who are sweetened by power, or use it to feather their nests for future ambitions and aspirations. As a matter of fact, that is somewhat acceptable in politics. When media houses become so pompous as to crave, and even flaunt, power to influence the state of play, then we are in for more trouble.

What Kaieteur News did to the PPP Government is no secret. And having tasted the sweetness of the power in doing so, and as rumour has it that a new political party is in the pipeline, it would appear that the modus used against the PPP is now being adjusted and fine-tuned for continuation. Those selected as targets are apparently not envisaged as a part of the new dispensation.

Harmon, though, seems to be a fighter. Last I heard, he was listening to folk and country music.

Let me guess: ‘Sly mon-

Yours faithfully, WILLIAM TELL

WANTED: Shemar Wilson, called ‘Abdue’ maintained that both teachers and students would be sent to schools across Georgetown.

He even stated that during this time the Ministry would find a permanent solution for the problem. However, it is unlikely that the Ministry would build a new school, given that that was not budgeted for in the 2016 National Budget.

And both teachers and parents are holding firm on not sending their children to schools in the city with which they are not familiar; not even to write examinations.

GRANDSTANDING Another parent, Colin Alfred, contended that all the

Glenn Lall. He was detained on Sunday. An individual who had borrowed the car that was used in the attack is also said to be among those detained. Reports disclosed that three persons, including the driver, were in the silver-grey Toyota Spacio from which the grenade was lobbed. Prior to the attack, the occupants were seen parked in James Street, Albouystown. It is believed that they drove past Kaieteur News twice before returning to James Street. After tossing the grenade, the men

headed north down Saffon Street, but later crashed in the vicinity of Norton Street and Mandela Avenue. Three men, including an individual in a hooded garment, reportedly fled from the car.

Anyone with information on Shemar Wilson and his whereabouts may contact the police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 225-227, 225-8196, 2271149, 226-7065, 911 or the nearest Police Station. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

CEO was doing was “grandstanding” and misusing the Queen’s language. Alfred explained that at the beginning of the meeting with parents, Sam stated that both Brickdam and Central High School have major problems. And just prior to his departure, Alfred added, he [the CEO] suggested that some of the students be transferred to the same Central High he said was not in a good state.

“I don’t know if it makes sense to him, but to us it doesn’t,” he said.

Alfred went on to express his dissatisfaction with some of Sam’s remarks during the meeting with parents. “It was also extremely poor for

the Chief Education Officer (CEO) of this country to tell teachers of that school in public that they don’t want to teach; all because these people are highlighting their grievances. It was unbecoming and shameful on his part,” an annoyed Alfred said.

After the CEO’s voice had been drowned out as a result of the disapproval of visibly upset parents, he departed. He was keen to note before leaving, however, that students of Brickdam Secondary would be issued with letters today (Wednesday) indicating which schools they will be transferred to.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

The parking meter debate

By Akola Thompson ON THE heels of public outrage surrounding their decision to relocate vendors and demolish the longstanding “dread shop”, the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown (M&CC) have again come under criticism following their decision to ignore their contract with parking meter company Astrolobe Technologies and enter discussions with the National Parking System.

City Clerk Royston King had earlier stated that Astrolobe did not have the competence or experience to undertake a project of the magnitude involved, hence the National Parking Systems was chosen to replace that company. However, media reports have pointed out that the company identified appears, from all indications, to be a scam. This belief was born out of the fact that, in this technological age, very little information can be found about this company or its operations.

While a Web search alone cannot determine the absolute validity of a product or service, it is unusual that no trace could be found of a company which claims to have set up parking systems in other countries.

Then, of course, there is new information coming from Kaieteur News: that the operational address submitted by the company is false and information concerning its operations seems to be cloaked in secrecy.

With glaring questions relating to the existence of

the company; the specifics of the deal, which appear to be known only by the mayor, town clerk and councillors Oscar Clarke and Junior Garrett, something seems incestuous at best.

Breaching a still valid contract in hope of giving it to someone else who has been hinted at having political connections to members on the council is not only high-handed, but is a deviation from what was promised to people regarding transparency and accountability, which have long been bones of contention among the electorate.

This action has caused many who would have voted in the Local Government Elections to wonder whether the changes seen are merely cosmetic, while the systems, principles and mindset of the previous council remain intact.

While the mayor has stated that the M&CC did not go to tender because it was spending no money, this decision has violated the need for transparency in procurement procedures -- something which the coalition Government, in their time as the Opposition, had argued strongly against.

With nothing having gone to tender, there is no way of knowing whether or not the public would has received the best deal.

Aside from the secret parking meter deal, however, whether or not the council has done any analysis regarding the impact these meters will have on businesses remains unknown; but from all indications, no such analysis has been carried out. These pricey systems would most likely

increase the cost of doing business in the capital.

Efforts have also seemingly been made to deceive the public regarding the fees attached to the meters. While many understood the term “rotation” to mean an hour, it in fact means 15 minutes. Therefore, persons who have to use the parking meters will pay $500, instead of the $120 an hour they were initially led to believe.

The fact that specific streets have been selected for installation of the parking meters is another bone of contention, as persons who have business on those particular streets face an evident economic disadvantage against those who do not, and can seek free parking elsewhere.

In an age where many countries are seeking to move away from expensive parking systems and implement more affordable options, such as Disc parking, the council’s decision to break ground and install physical meters suggests that the matter was not well thought out on their behalf.

Many can understand the need for stricter-monitored city parking, and there will, of course, be the upside of jobs being created and long-term revenue being garnered for the city. However, this process should have been carried out more transparently, and attempts to breach a contract which is valid for 25 years should never have happened, as it threatens to upend all the promises regarding transparency and due diligence made by the current administration during its time as the opposition.

King acting independent of City Council - Councillors Carolyn Caesar-Murray and Malcolm Ferreira

TOWN Clerk Royston King, currently in Mexico with Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen and Councillors Oscar Clarke and Junior Garrett, continues to operate “independently” of City Council, and the recent parking meters’ debacle is just one case in point.

These sentiments were expressed by Councillors Carolyn Caesar-Murray and Malcolm Ferreira, who are representing the two seats that Team Legacy (a community-based grass roots organization) won in this year’s Local Government Elections.

“There are many red flags surrounding the new parking meter system that is slated to be implemented. There are questions about the com-

pany, the manner in which the contract was signed, and the details of the agreement between the city and the company. Though requested, we are yet to see a copy of the contract,” a press statement issued by Team Legacy on Tuesday said.

At Monday’s statutory meeting of the M&CC, several councillors questioned why they could not gain access to the parking meter contract that was signed recently, and why the Council was not informed of the reason for the officers’ visiting Mexico.

Councillors were previously promised that they would be able to peruse the contract and provide their feedback. To date, however, the contract has not been

made available to either councillors or the public; and Team Legacy is contending that councillors are not duly consulted or informed about important decisions being made by the City Hall administration, such as in the cases of the removal of the vendors from Stabroek Square, the demolition of the ‘Dread Shop’, the new parking meters’ system, among other things.

“The Town Clerk continues to operate independently of the Council.

Many times the members of the Council learn about decisions taken and executed by the Town Clerk from the press. When questioned, we are told that these decisions were made by the previous Council. However, we be-

Town Clerk Royston King lieve that even if decisions were made previously, the new Council should be able to, and must, review these decisions to determine if

they align with the vision of the new Council.

“We believe this goes against the purpose of Local Government Elections. We, the councillors, are the elected officials. We have been elected by the people of our City, but our efforts to act on behalf of our constituents and the City are being stymied at almost every turn,” the release said.

Team Legacy said it understands that steps must be taken to reclaim City property and improve the City, but stakeholder consultations are still necessary.

“Team Legacy recognizes (that) some efforts are being made, but the current methods are unacceptable,” the release said.

The body said it has tak-

en note of the recent actions at City Hall, and wishes to make its position on various matters clear and public.

“Once the votes were counted and councillors sworn in, our first surprise came when the councillors were told that there are no supporting mechanisms for the councillors to meet with the members of the constituents. No funding would be made available for establishing offices in the constituencies. We believe that this is an absolute necessity.

The constituency councillors should be able to have an ongoing dialogue with their constituents – it is not efficient to have residents from all constituencies visit City Hall to meet with their councillors.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

40% discount on duties at Lethem under revision

By Alva Solomon

THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is currently examining the tax arrangement governing the importation of items from Brazil at the border community of Lethem, and reports are that a 40 per cent discount on duties which traders enjoyed may be revised soon.

Over the years, traders in the Rupununi administrative capital have enjoyed discounts on various items which they imported from Brazil and traded on the coastland.

However, this arrangement is currently being discussed between the regional administration and GRA officials.

GRA Board Chairman Rawle Lucas told the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday that

the revenue body is trying to locate policy documents which established the existing arrangement.

“We are studying the issue; we have to understand its implications before we can make a definite pronouncement,” he said.

This newspaper was recently informed by businessmen at Lethem that the move may affect businesses in the community as well as their ability to trade various items.

At the moment, businesses in the area would import various commodities, including alcoholic beverages, food and clothing, for resale in the area.

There are also traders who trade the items between the location and the Coastland.

Lethem Mayor Carlton Beckles told this newspaper

on Monday that there is a boundary mark for trading, whereby items such as alcoholic beverages cannot be traded past the Kurupukari Crossing on the Essequibo River.

But while such an arrangement exists, persons in the region noted, there are no stringent measures in place to curb the “smuggling” of items, such as alcohol. As a result, items are sometimes resold at more than 100 per cent of their value.

“Black Stone is a Brazilian alcoholic beverage that is in demand, and you can buy it for about $2000 when you convert the Reals in Boa Vista,” one businessman said.

Gy$65 is the local equivalent of one Brazilian Real.

According to the business-

Govt. cuts powers of school boards … hands back promotion, appointment, discipline to TSC

GOVERNMENT has revoked some of the powers previously bestowed on school boards, and has handed those powers back to the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), a top official from the Ministry of Education has confirmed.

According to a letter seen by this newspaper, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Delma Nedd, wrote her counterpart at the TSC, Phulander Khandhi, informing him of the decision.

Nedd, in her letter, referred to a December 14, 2015 letter from Khandhi in regard to Article 209 of the 1980 Constitution of Guyana on the subject. Nedd said that, upon a complete review, the Ministry of Education “hereby requests that the Teaching Service Commission assumes responsibility for the appointment, promotion, removal and discipline of teachers currently functioning in secondary schools with boards.”

The issue of governing school boards has been raging for some time now, with the Guyana Teachers’ Union and other stakeholders calling for the scrapping of this mechanism.

Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine himself had disclosed, last year July, that all school boards would be extensively reviewed, and a decision would be taken on whether to keep them or let them go.

Some of the schools governed by boards have been accused of misappropriating large sums of money which are solicited and collected from the students.

“I want to tell you that I am reviewing the whole concept of a school board. I am not very happy when it seems to me that some boards are colliding with educational policies. I would like to bring far more harmony to the system, and I would expect that school boards…all of these

people will be on the same page in terms of education delivery; so I am reviewing everything, including school boards,” Dr Roopnaraine had told the media back then.

President of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Mark Lyte, was also previously quoted in the Kaieteur News calling for the scrapping of School Boards. Lyte had also said there was need for a revision of the School Boards Secretariat.

“This has been something that we have asked for (for) a long time, because we find

that there is a lot of conflict.

People who do not necessarily understand education are placed on School Boards based on their political affiliations,” Lyte was quoted in the Kaieteur News as saying.

The GTU President said that School Boards comprising political appointees “generally…do nothing for the schools. So we would like to see School Boards being reviewed with a hope that it could become a thing of the past.”

man, the popular alcoholic beverage is sold for as much as $8,000., or even higher when brought to the capital city.

“So imagine a man with eight bottles. He will only spend $16,000 in Bom Fin, but when it reaches the Coast, is $64,000 we looking at,” he explained.

The Guyana Chronicle understands the move by

GRA is aimed at ensuring that the requisite revenues which the importation and trade of items from Brazil attract are retrieved. At the moment, residents of Lethem and surrounding communities would venture into the border town of Bom Fin, and further into the State of Roraima, to Boa Vista to purchase goods, including foodstuff for household use.

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At the same time, persons would purchase items and resell at Lethem; and persons reported recently that the items are being taxed by the revenue authorities in the area.

Lethem was made a town late last year, and its growing importance has been supported by the cross-border trade which exists via the Takutu Bridge.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

National Assembly should not settle wages/salaries disputes - GPSU says approach bypasses conciliation and arbitration talks

By Alva Solomon THE Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has viewed the report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Public Service as a credible starting point for the restructuring of the public service sector.

The body has expressed disappointment that wages and salaries for public servants have not as yet been increased, but has, at the same time, expressed disagreement with a recommendation contained in the CoI report that the National Assembly should be the ultimate decision-making forum in the event of a dispute regarding wages and salaries. This, the GPSU says would bypass the traditional process of conciliation and arbitration talks.

Speaking to this publication on Monday in a brief interview at the GPSU Headquarters at Shiv Chanderpaul Drive and Regent Road, Bourda, Georgetown, First Vice-President of the GPSU, Mortimer Livan, and several executive members of the body, revealed that the union’s executive is still studying the report.

Livan said the issue of wages and salaries, which has been a highly anticipated subject by most public servants, was disappointingly not mentioned. However, he noted that the report points to the establishment of a wages commission, which he noted is “almost similar” to the GPSU’s proposal of a wages policy.

He said the CoI also recommended multi-year proposals on the issue, but he noted that there was no mention of timelines. “It’s very vague,” he said, noting that Government does not have to follow the recommendations put forward in the report.

Livan also said that GPSU membership on the Public Service Commission was brought into question by the CoI, and he noted that the union finds “very disturbing” any “insinuation” that the trade unions are biased.

He said the commissioners mentioned that the GPSU membership on the Public Service Commission (PSC) was one of a conflict of interest, something to which the union objects. “We have been there over a period of time, we look for people who are professional and have integrity,” he said of the GPSU’s membership on the PSC. He noted that the GPSU’s two members are up against several from the Public Service Commission (PSC).

Another CoI recommendation which the GPSU discussed during the interview was that the Judicial Services Commis-

GPSU First Vice-President, Mortimer Livan sion (JSC) should appoint members of support staff of the judiciary, a process which has been under the mandate of the Public Service Commission.

Trevor Daly, a GPSU economic affairs committee member, said the report was extensive, in keeping with its terms of reference. He said the union supports the commissioners’ recommendation that consideration should be made in drawing parallels between Guyana’s Public Service and the private sector with those of the rest of the Caribbean region.

GOOD PLATFORM “While specific numbers were not recommended for wages and salaries, that is a good platform to build on,” Daly said.

He said that there should be a timeline regarding the implementation of the recommendations of the report, as he noted that the GPSU is prepared to enter into wages and salaries’ negotiations following the receipt of the report by Government.

According to the union’s executive, the CoI has recommended that efforts should be made to amend

the 1997 edition of the Public Service Rules. Livan said moves were made in 2004 to amend those rules. He added that while the commissioners called for the rules to be amended, “(the report) stopped short of specifically stating (that) it should be done in concurrence with the GPSU”.

He said any amendment, which affects the conditions of service of public servants should be done in collaboration with the GPSU. Speaking on the subject of public servants, Daly noted that there are several statutory bodies which evolved out of the Public Service and are now semi-autonomous agencies “which fall under ministerial control”.

“Ever so often, we have seen the Public Service Rules being applied conveniently. That has to be stopped, and there has to be a clear commitment from Government to treat with these agencies,” he explained.

He said such agencies are often excluded when the issue of wages and salaries arise. However, he noted that the reporting protocols for those bodies are not identifiable with the Public Service, although the same reporting methodology is required.

The GPSU executive is of the opinion that the commission’s recommendation for the removal of the conciliation/ arbitration mechanism from disputes defeats the purpose of inclusiveness.

“One of the things we do not agree with, in fact, is that the recommendations point to the National Assembly, should there not be an agreement with Government,” Livan said.

He said that taking the issue to the National Assembly essentially gives Government the advantage, since that forum is controlled by the government of the day.

The GPSU executive membership will continue to peruse the report, and the union is expected to make public its recommendations in the days ahead.

Professor Harold Lutchman led a three-member panel, which included Human Resources Management and Organisational Development specialist, Sandra Jones and Samuel Goolsarran, in conducting an inquiry into the Public Service.

Subsequent to submission of that report, President David Granger noted, during an edition of the Public’s Interest, that it would be used as a basis on which modifications can be made to emoluments for Public Servants.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

PAHO/WHO reaches out to Baramita - where suicide’s a major health concern

A FOUR-day health intervention initiative slated for Baramita, Region One, got underway yesterday when key health officials from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) visited the community.

The 16-member team, headed by PAHO’s Ms. Karen Roberts, comprises other PAHO/WHO officials and representatives of the Ministry of Public Health. They are expected to round up activities and return to Georgetown

by Friday.

The visit has been planned with the health needs of the people of the community in mind, and is intended to empower them to understand and take control of their health.

High on the agenda is suicide prevention. Suicide has been a source of much concern over the last several years, with some 63 residents of the predominantly Carib community having taken their lives, reportedly by hanging.

WORKSHOPS AND IMMUNIZATION Ta rg e t i n g t h e w i d e r community, there will be an immunization exercise to benefit residents of Aranka, Cassie Creek, Barama Line, Warapoa, Black Banana and surrounding areas.

And with a focus on the future leaders of the community (the youth population), the team will be holding workshops for students of Baramita Primary School.

Topics include: Healthy Life style Practice; Self Esteem; Suicide; HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

Other activities include Capacity-Building Workshops for Toshaos, Councillors and other stakeholders such as the police, teachers, representatives of sports and culture, businessmen and miners.

Other topics on which the team will engage local stakeholders include: Mental Health; Environmental Health and Suicide Prevention; Violence; Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

Essentially, there will be sensitization sessions on Communicable Diseases such as Tuberculosis, Malaria, Dengue and Zika.

POTENTIAL HAZARDS Visits are also scheduled to be made to mining sites, as well as ‘mined-out’ sites, said Community Development Officer, Virgil Ferriera, who outlined that the latter can constitute a potential hazard for unsuspecting persons venturing to fish there.

Noting that in the past, mercury was used in those areas during the mining process, Ferreira said since no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) would have been done following the closure of those sites, it is difficult to tell whether there are traces of mercury in the water in which residents might from time to time fish.

That apart, he said, such water accumulation constitutes breeding grounds for mosquitoes, making it possible for Malaria, Dengue and possibly Zika to be transmitted to residents.

Also on the cards is the

testing of potable water in the area, with a view to quickly arresting any possible contamination of drinking water sourced from improvised hand-dug holes.

Much is being done by PAHO/WHO, the Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Education to address the health and welfare needs of the young people in particular of Baramita.

CITY TOUR Last November, PAHO, in collaboration with other stakeholder ministries, hosted 23 students of the Primary and Secondary Departments of Baramita School on a fourday visit to Georgetown.

Accommodated at the Ocean View Hotel, the students who were accompanied by their headmistress and five community leaders (including parents) were taken on tour of the city.

While on tour, they paid

a courtesy call on President David Granger; had lunch with PAHO Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow; and discussions with Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine.

They also met with officials of the Public Health Ministry and Ministry of Social Protection.

The touring party also visited the Museum and National Library; The Bank of Guyana, from whence they had a panoramic view of the city; and were also taken on tours of the Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens.

The hosts of the programme put together the package for the young people, so as to have them engage in meaningful activities that would make them feel good about themselves; harbor feelings of pride and selfworth, while bringing them to a conscious realization that life is precious, worth living and should be cherished and preserved, not snuffed out.

FLASHBACK: Students of Baramita interact with Baramita community stakeholders

FLASHBACK: Students of Baramita have lunch with Dr. William Adu Krow

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Things looking up for Albouystown

- Sports, recreational facilities in the works

The intended play park at James and Bel Air streets

The sports facility to be constructed on Independence Boulevard IN their bid to make a practical contribution to the impoverished suburban community of Albouystown, Councillors Malcolm Ferreira and Heston Bostwick have teamed up to establish two facilities for sports and recreation.

But the duo cannot see the completion of the projects for at least three years, unless the public steps up and generously provides what is needed.

“I intend to beg for everything needed for these facilities,” Ferreira told the Chronicle on Tuesday.

The Councillor, who was elected through Constituency Ten, spoke to the Chronicle in an invited comment following his presentation of a draft proposal that he took to the City Council on Monday at the fortnightly statutory meeting.

Ferreira walked councillors through the layout of the proposed projects by means of a projection screen.

He and Bostwick intend to construct a play park opposite the clinic at James and Bel Air Streets, Albouystown, and a sports facility on Independence Boulevard.

Police Force appoints new public relations, press officer THE Guyana Police Force has appointed Superintendent of Police, Jairam Ramlakhan as Public Relations and Press Officer with effect from the month of June.

He has been shining whilst performing duties in almost all of the Policing Divisions from a grass root perspective that has earned him the respect of both his peers, subordinates and communities at large.

Superintendent Ramlakhan has moved through the ranks as the head of portfolios - too numerous to mention, with key posts such as the prestigious Chief Court Prosecutor of Division ‘B’ and Traffic Chief of the Guyana Police Force, with still quite a few years remaining before retirement to expound on his career.

Having enlisted in the Police Force almost three decades ago, he continues to strive to give of his best, which was highlighted when he won the President’s Gold Medal Essay Award in 2009.

He continues to give the utmost of his qualities in service to this nation, and is well known and is undisputed as someone who gets to the bottom of issues when Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan they are reported to him and ensures that justice is meted out fairly and deservingly.

Of the numerous facets of police training, Superintendent Ramlakhan is well versed and is quite capable of assuming any position or role that may be required of him within the Guyana Police Force.

“In the event his overseas training may be called into question, it is known that he has already completed training in Police Administration (Barbados), International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (Jamaica) and Communicating Crime and Justice in Washington D.C. “It is as a result of these key courses among others that would have really molded him into the person that he is today; pleasant and approachable by all,” the police force noted.

“The attributes he has developed and became acclimated to are what contribute to him being an outstanding leader and with the well wishes of his comrades and family all intending to see him continue climbing the ladder of success.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Berbice High celebrates 100 years of existence

By Vishani Ragobeer

UNDER the theme “Seizing the opportunity to train and build a cohesive society”, both past and present students of the Berbice High School will be celebrating the school’s 100th year as an institution.

During all that time, this institution has been able to produce pioneers who have been instrumental in the development of Guyana.

This school traces its genesis to humble beginnings in 1916, when nine males from the region were given the opportunity to attend a secondary school started by the Canadian Presbyterian Church.

The school has transcended to produce some of Guyana’s finest figures to date. These include American EMMY Award winning executive producer Pamela Mahabeer and international diplomat and statesman Sir Shridath Ramphal.

The centenary celebrations were unveiled in September 2015 and launched at the said time.

These celebrations, which will eventually lead into the centenary week celebrations from August 31 to September 5, fall under the umbrella of the yearlong activities being spearheaded by the Berbice High School Alumni Association, and are dedicated to achieving specific objectives: to highlight the achievements of students of the Berbice High School, both past and present; to facilitate fellowship and mentorship between the alumni and current students; to raise the general profile of the Berbice High School by endeavouring to improve all of the school’s physical facilities; and to raise the concerns of young people in this region on the topic of social cohesion.

The Planning Com-

mittee, led by the Alumni Association, has tailored a programme for the Centenary Week celebrations.

This week of activities will include reunions, a day of inter-generational sports, a cultural extravaganza and fair highlighting Berbice talents, a career fair; and on Centenary Day, September 5th, there will be a ceremonial programme featuring empowering spokespersons such as President David Granger, Ms. Mahabeer, Sir Shridath Ramphal, New Amsterdam Mayor Kurt Anthony Wynter, and Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, among other persons.

A number of additional events would be held. The Organising Committee has also been able to organise an essay competition in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, which will see participants from the entire secondary school student population of Region Six. Each participant in the essay competition would be required to share his/her opinion on the different aspects of social cohesion -in keeping with the theme and one objective of the centenary celebrations -- in order to increase awareness of this topic in society. After evaluation, the top three essays from lower, middle and upper schools will be identified and published.

Generous prizes will be awarded, compliments of the magnanimous alumni.

There will also be a holistic upgrade of the school -- which includes upgrading all laboratories and co-curricular facilities, and improving the school’s compound among the many other improvements slated to be done; and there will be establishment of at least 10 scholarship funds aimed at providing greater opportunities to the students.

Members of the Berbice High School Organising Committee, Dr Grantley Walrond and Roxanne Alleyne, briefing the media about the school’s plans for its centenary anniversary (Delano Williams photo)

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The alumni also seek to identify and recognise distinguished colleagues of this school, and there will be a Lifetime Achievement Award to be allocated to one of the many candidates.

All past students of the Berbice High School, as well as members of the general public, are invited to participate in the school’s centenary celebrations and aid in the upgrade of the school, which would facilitate a conducive environment for students for generations to come.

A grand event is promised.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

All-weather road to link Wales and Uitvlugt estates GOVERNMENT, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has taken several steps to revitalise GuySuCo, in an effort to make sugar production efficient, keep workers employed, and the sugar industry afloat.

In a recent meeting with representatives of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder was able to clear up a number of issues that farmers in the region were facing. The Region Three Chamber of Commerce had requested the meeting, having held discussions with the La Retraite Cane Farmers Association about their concerns on the continuation of sugar cane farming at Wales, and alternative agricultural activities after the closure of the Wales Factory.

The Region Three Chamber of Commerce also expressed interest in developing a better understanding of the alternative agricultural activities which are being explored

by GuySuCo.

In a release, the Ministry of Agriculture said that given GuySuCo’s continuing to operate at a loss because of the world market price for sugar, a macro approach had to be taken in relation to the Wales Estate.

Over the years, Government has been forced to plug billions of dollars into a sector that formerly contributed Minister Holder is seen with members of the Region 3 Chamber of Commerce funds to the treasury. Evi- and GuySuco representative Tara Persaud dently this has had a clear enable Government to decide and aquaculture project man- vised of the option of accepteffect on the economy, as on the best mix of activities to agement services to new and ing lands which are closer to sectors like public infrastrucensure the economic viability existing aquaculture projects the Uitvlugt Estate. ture, health, education and of the Wales Estate in partic- worldwide.

“The truth of the matter is public servants’ wages and ular and GuySuCo in general.

Concerns were also raised this (that) Government cares salaries etc would be under These studies are being about the increased transpor- about GuySuCo. We want pressure, as those sectors are conducted in the areas of cat- tation cost farmers would to see GuySuCo survive, dependent on Government tle rearing for dairy purposes, have to endure to transport and in order to do so, some funding. With Government’s orchard crop cultivation, their cane to the Uitvlugt Es- very hard decisions have to decision to close the factory aquaculture, etc., and are ex- tate. Minister Holder pointed be made,” Minister Holder at Wales and merge the Wales pected to be completed by the out that 60% of the farmers’ stated, while pointing to the and Uitvlugt estates, there is middle of August of this year. cane is closer to Uitvlugt fact that both the Wales and hope that the Uitvlugt factory One of the companies than Wales. He added that Uitvlugt factories are currentwould now be able to operate carrying out the feasibility measures are also being put ly operating at 50% capacity. at 100% capacity. studies is AquaSol, Inc --a in place to facilitate the transMinister Holder further During the meeting, MinUnited States-based aqua- portation of canes via an stressed the fact that the Wales ister Holder pointed to the culture consulting company all-weather road linking the Estate is not being closed. fact that GuySuCo is currentthat provides expert opin- two estates.

“We are still seeing and readly involved in a number of ions, technology transfer, The farmers were also ad- ing in the media that the Wales feasibility studies that would

Estate is being closed. The Wales Estate is not being closed; the estate is being merged with the Uitvlugt Estate. However, the sugar factory that operates at the Wales Estate is being closed.”

Minister Holder stated. This decision, he added, was also considered by the previous Government, given the present state of the industry.

The minister noted that discontinuation of the previous attempts at diversification at GuySuCo was not due to failure of the projects; rather, the focus at that time was essentially with the contracting of Booker Tate as consultant, to prepare the industry for privatization, in keeping with the IMF dictate under the Hoyte Administration.

This decision was overturned by the post-1992 PPP/C Administration. The six member delegation was led by Mr. Ramesh Sugrim, President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger with the facilitators and participants of the Self Reliance and Success in Business Workshop

Participants of the workshop assisting in part of the presentation

Bartica women get training in business management

FIRST Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger on Monday launched the Self Reliance and Success in Business Workshop in the town of Bartica, Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region 7), where more than 25 women will over the next week benefit from training that is expected to help improve their business management skills.

During brief remarks to the group of women in the Boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council office, the First Lady said that it is important for women to be able to enhance their business skills, adding that women have lots of skills that they may not recognise could be marketable. “[This workshop] will show you how to be good businesswomen… It will show you how to plan, keep records, look at the market, look at the competition and see how you can get beyond that and create your own niche for yourself, not only how to establish a business but how to grow and expand it,” Mrs. Granger said.

The workshops have been held in other parts of the country and the First Lady explained that men have approached her to be part of it.

However, she said that targeting women has a specific and beneficial purpose. “When a woman’s economical standing improves, her family’s standing improves,” she said to loud applause from the participants.

Yohann Pooran, Representative of Interweave Solutions, which is the facilitator of the weeklong training programme, highlighted the key objectives of the workshop.

“Success in business is ex-

actly that. We teach you skills that if applied correctly, they can help you improve your circumstances financially by helping you build successful businesses,” he said.

Pooran added that the workshop will explore issues regarding finance, resource management, packaging, the fundamentals of marketing and why poor attitudes can hurt otherwise potentially successful businesses. “One must put on a positive construct if you want to achieve success. You can’t have a pessimistic outlook. You have to look at solutions, and a large part of successful businesses is that women entrepreneurs can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

His Worship, Mr. Gifford Marshall, Mayor of Bartica welcomed the initiative, stating that a focus on bettering the business skills of women could have a positive effect on other issues affecting the region. “The title of this workshop is very important and it sends a strong message. All of us should be empowered to ensure that the resources that are put into this initiative are put to good use,” the Mayor said.

He added that the business sector within Bartica is not perfect, but if residents put their best foot forward to enhance their skills, key problems can be solved. “We can make a difference with our positive attitudes by applying ourselves, using the principles learned at this workshop to improve our town and our Region,” The Mayor said.

This is the fifth such workshop to be held under the auspices of the Office of

the First Lady and is funded by the Ministry of Social Protection and the Minis-

try of Indigenous Peoples Affairs. Over the last few months, workshops were

also held in Lusignan in Demerara-Mahaica, Linden in Upper Demerara-Berbice,

Upper Takutu–Upper Essequibo and Barima–Waini.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Bartica man charged with murder of young mechanic

T W E N T Y- Y E A R - O L D Rayon Jones of Fourth Avenue, Bartica was remanded to prison on Tuesday

by City Magistrate Judy Latchman for the murder of Puranand Andrew Baljit, who was stabbed to death in his Timehri, East Bank Demerara home.

Jones was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on June 9, at Madewini on the East Bank Demerara, he murdered the young mechanic during

the course of a burglary.

The defendant was represented by attorney-at-law Latchmie Rahmant, who told the court that her client was the father of a young child and lived with his reputed wife. Rahmant requested that the preliminary inquiry of murder be done by paper committal in order to save the court’s time.

Magistrate Latchman adjourned the matter to July 5 and transferred the case to Chief Magistrate, Ann Mc-

Dead: Puranand Andrew Baljit

Lennan.

During his teenage years, Jones was arrested several times and appeared at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on break and enter and burglary charges.

Jones was arrested last Saturday at the Georgetown seawall by police after being lured there by his reputed wife. Baljit, 23, called ‘Andrew’ was found with several stab wounds about his body, mainly to the chest and

Murder accused Rayon Jones shoulder.

Following Jones’ arrest, he allegedly admitted to investigators that he had entered Baljit’s bedroom earlier that night and had secreted himself until the victim was asleep. He said that Baljit woke up suddenly and they had a fierce scuffle.

Baljit’s father said he heard his son scream and he

rushed over to his bedroom, but found that the door was locked. He then exited the house, climbed through his son’s bedroom window and found him lying in blood.

He said his son was then taken by his stepmother to the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Charged with growing marijuana plants TWENTY-six-year-old Steve Caesars, a miner accused of the possession of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, where he denied the charge.

The court heard that Caesars of Epson Village, Corentyne on Sunday June 12, at a Arukamai Backdam, Mabaruma, North West District had 453 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

He was remanded to prison and had his matter transferred to the Matthew’s Ridge Magistrate Court for August 2.

On Sunday, June 12, police conducted a drug eradication operation where a quarter acre field of about 300 marijuana plants ranging in height from one foot to six feet, was found under cultivation along with a camp. The field and camp were destroyed by fire.

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‘D’ Division police help West Bank school acquire new PA system L’AVENTURE Secondary School at Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara, now boasts a spanking new PA system, thanks in no small measure to the help of police in ‘D’ Division.

The system was formally handed over to the school during a simple presentation ceremony Friday, where the Guyana Chronicle learnt that it all stemmed from a request from the school’s headmistress, Ms Althea Daniels-Stuart.

As the headmistress explained, being involved in the school’s Education Management Certificate Programme, she was tasked with overseeing a project, which is how the idea of holding a fundraiser to buy a PA system for the school came about.

But all the funds they were able to raise, however, was just $17,000, which was nowhere near enough to buy the system. It was then, she said, that they came up with the idea of approaching the police for help, but was pleasantly surprised when Commander Stephen Mansell turned up with one that was not only new, but portable as well.

Now the money that was earmarked for the system will be used instead to buy a podium for the school.

It was later learnt that a West Demerara businessman was instrumental in the acquisition of the PA system, which, according to Commander Mansell, will be used for public speaking, debating competitions and general assembly.

300 ganja plants destroyed in Mabaruma ON Sunday June 12, the police conducted a drug eradication operation at Arukamai Backdam, Mabaruma, North West District. There they found a quarter acre field of about 300 marijuana plants ranging in height from 1 foot to six feet under cultivation, along with a camp.

The field and camp were destroyed by fire and no one was arrested.

Meanwhile, at 15:30 hrs on June 12, 2016 acting on information received, ranks attached to the Matthews Ridge Police Station arrested a male in the community, with four hundred and fifty-three (453) grams of cannabis sativa (marijuana).

He is in custody and will appear before the court tomorrow.

The marijuana field which was destroyed by the police

Commander Stephen Mansell shakes hand with Ms Althea Daniels-Stuart on Friday morning as students, REO Region 3, Dennis Jaikaran and others look on during the presentation ceremony

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Commander Budhram (left) handing over the gear to a representative of the youth group on Monday

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Let the games begin - Police donate sports gear to Mabaruma

COMMANDER ‘F’ Division (Interior Locations) Senior Superintendent, Ravindradat Budhram accompanied by other ranks on Monday made a sizeable donation of sports gear to the Mabaruma Police Renaissance Youth Group.

The donation will not only help youths in the district develop skills and build inter-personal relationships, but also provide them with a constructive outlet for their endeavours.

It is in keeping with the Guyana Police Force’s social crime prevention initiative, which has aided in drastically reducing crime country-wide, whilst at the same time equipping youths with the necessary skills to ensure a positive future.

Guyanese deported from Barbados for stealing corned beef A 51-YEAR-OLD Guyanese man was on Monday ordered to leave Barbados after pleading guilty to theft in the District “A” Magistrates’ Court.

Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sergeant issued the deportation order to Johnny Harington Worrell, who has been living in Barbados illegally for the past 11 years.

Worrell, who resided in Deacons Road, St Michael, was charged with stealing one can of corned beef valued at Bds$5, two cans of tuna worth $6.20, and three cans of condensed milk valued $11.55 from A1 Supermarket Limited.

He was arrested yesterday after security personnel responded to a report that a man was seen concealing items “on his person”. The tuna was found in spandex-like underpants, while the other items Johnny Harington Worrell was deported were found in the small of his for stealing corned beef back under a vest.

According to a report, the accused arrived in Barbados in December 2004 and applied for an extension to stay in the country until June the following year. However, he failed to regularize his status when it expired on August 31, 2005. (Barbados Today)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

MMA ramping up agricultural land distribution

By Clifford Stanley FARMERS in Region Five can expect a significant increase in the availability of agricultural lands to facilitate the expansion of rice cultivation and cattle rearing under legitimate titles this year.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA), Dr Ken Sealey said this has always been a priority activity since the new Board came on stream, but their work had been slowed considerably by a tremendous backlog of applications which had been allowed to accumulate under the previous administration.

In a recent comment on the issue, Sealey lamented stated, numerous leases were signed by the General Manager but were never signed by the then Minister of Agriculture. That kind of situation we had to deal with. Scores of applications had to be taken through the entire process again”.

He added: “This Board is aware of the increasing demand for land for agricultural activity in Region 5 and our aim is to make lands available to legitimate applicants so they can expand their production and productivity towards a good life.”

He disclosed that agricultural lands have been identified for distribution in

all three of the geographical sub-divisions of the region, namely lands between the Berbice and Abary Rivers, the Abary and Mahaicony Rivers and the Mahaicony and Mahaica Rivers.

“We distributed several leases to farmers to mark the Golden Jubilee celebrations and the momentum will continue.”

He said emphasis at the moment is on clearing the huge backlog to the extent that several more 50 year leases are to be handed over to farmers within a month.

MMA/ADA Gene r a l M a n a g e r, A u b r e y Charles said the scheme was working assiduously to provide leases to residents between the Mahaica and Mahaicony rivers beginning by year-end and continuing.

“We had meetings at Belmont and Perseverance villages and the surveys to demarcate the boundaries of the land have been completed. Unfortunately, we did not get to finalise the leases. However, I average that within a few weeks farmers in Belmont and Perseverance will receive their 50-year leases. That will be a good start for this area since the process will be continuous for the benefit of the neighbouring villagers,” he said.

According to Sealey, it is generally known that Region Five has one of the

Wednesday June 15th, 2016 - 14:00 hrs Thrusday June 16th, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Friday June 17th, 2016 - 14:30 hrs

largest acreages of rice under cultivation.

The region also supports 30-35 per cent of all livestock (mostly cattle) production and 10-15 per cent of national sugar production.

“The work of farmers be it cash crop or rice, continues to be a significant contributor to the country’s economy and without the allocation of lands, there can be no production,” Sealey said.

He stressed that the thrust by the current Board of Directors and management will facilitate the rapid expansion of agricultural production and productivity within the region for the benefit of its farmers and the country as a whole.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Several indigenous communities need help - Region 10 Administration seeks better relationship with Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs

By Vanessa Braithwaite THE Regional Democratic Council of Region 10 (Region 10 RDC) is calling for better collaboration with the Ministry of Indigenous

People’s Affairs in an effort to alleviate some of the burning issues facing residents in indigenous communities situated up the Berbice River.

On a recent visit to Upper

Berbice riverine communities, Region 10 Chairman Renis Morian and Regional Vice-Chairman, Elroy Adolph bemoaned the unfavourable conditions under which residents and students

are forced to live.

Among the communities they visited are Kalkuni, 8 Miles, Sand Hills and Kimbia.

Adolph told media operatives on Monday that most of the lavatory facilities at schools and health posts in Upper Berbice riverine communities are either out of service or in a deplorable state.

Parents of the children attending these schools are gravely concerned about this, as in some instances they have been suffering for years.

Region 10 Chairman, Renis Morian He made mention of the teachers’ washroom facility at Sand Hills, which has been inaccessible for the last

two years, forcing teachers to use other alternatives to relief themselves.

Parents and teachers of Murataro Primary School were forced to construct a pit latrine for the children after the newly-constructed washroom facility began “falling apart”.

Vice-Chairman Adolph said higher quality materials should be used when constructing facilities in riverine communities, so as to avoid wasting money in reconstruction. “We

Please see page 23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Several indigenous ...

From page 22

need to look for things that have durability, because you have 30, you have 40 children using the washrooms; so you need to have good things for them,” he said.

“We have visited four communities: none (of the washroom facilities) in the health post, neither in the schools, are working,” he explained.

HEALTH WOES Several health concerns were also raised by residents of the riverine communities

visited. The regional officials were told that there is a shortage of drugs at the various outposts, and there is no medical personnel to administer the drugs or to urgently attend to any medical situation.

While there are health workers who do periodic visits to these communities, the residents are calling for medical workers or doctors to be assigned to these communities, or at least two such personnel for the Berbice River.

There are also concerns about young people living in these riverine communi-

ties not being able to benefit from training programmes held in Linden.

Regional Chairman, Renis Morian alluded to a recent training programme from which those youths did not benefit. This, he said, would have been avoided if the RDC had possessed a better relationship with the requisite Ministry.

There are also located in the river several State resources from which the residents can benefit. Currently, there is located at Sand Hills a huge boat that was bought by the previous administration be-

fore the last elections. The Chairman said that while farmers and residents are experiencing difficulty in transporting their produce to the market, the boat can be used for that very purpose.

In Murataro, there is also

a generator that can be used to source electricity for other riverine communities, but it is basically left to rot while residents can benefit from this.

“I feel (that) once we work together, (with the Ministry) there will be

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accountability for Government’s resources in Indigenous areas,” Chairman Morian said. Morian said the problem lies at the feet of the Permanent Secretary to bring an end to the neglect of the communities up the river.

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Bolt to fine-tune Rio preparations at London Games (REUTERS) - Usain Bolt will fine-tune his preparations for the Rio Olympics by competing at the Anniversary Games in London on July 22.

Organisers of the event, staged at the stadium where Bolt won double sprint gold and the 4x100m relay in 2012, said the Jamaican world record holder would race in the 200m.

“The London Anniversary Games will be one of my last races before Rio and running in the 200m will hopefully set me up for a successful Olympic Games,” Bolt said in a statement.

“Britain has some very good young sprinters and I’m looking forward to running against them and returning to the Olympic

USAIN BOLT

Stadium.”

Up against him will be Britain’s European 200m champion Adam Gemili and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, the second fastest Briton of all-time with a personal best of 19.95.

Bolt will be appearing for the eighth time at the London leg of the prestigious IAAF Diamond League and holds the meeting record of 19.76, set at Crystal Palace in 2008.

The Rio Olympics begin on August 5.

Rugby America North (RAN) South Zone ...

Four overseas players in ‘Green Machine’ squad to face T&T GUYANA will field established players to meet the defending Rugby America North (RAN) 15s North Zone champions Trinidad & Tobago this weekend at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

Headlining the list is Australia-based Kevin McKenzie, a former Hornet’s player now plying his trade for the Latin Heat Australia.

Apart from McKenzie,

Richard Staglon (Trinidad Caribs/Yamaha Caribs), Ronald Mayers (Trinidad Northerns/Hornets), Claudius Butts (Harvards/Yamaha Caribs) and Peabo Hamilton (Trinidad Northerns/Hornets) have also been named as part of the touring contingent.

Other locally based players: Jason Tyrell (Hornets), Rondel McArthur (UG Wolves), Rickford Cummings

(Hornets), Kevon David (Yamaha Caribs), Jose Felicien (Hornets), Dwayne Schroeder (GDF), Jamal Angus (UG Wolves), and Delroy Gordon (Hornets).

Ryan Gonsalves (Hornets), Avery Corbin (GDF), Lancelot Adonis (UG Wolves), Partrick King (GDF), Godfrey Broomes (UG Wolves), Osie McKenzie (UG Wolves), Cyon Kitt

(GDF), Triton Brathwaite (GDF), Grantley Williams (Police Falcons) and Toby David (Hornets).

Saturday’s match against the defending South Zone champions Trinidad will see the winners play the Northern Zone finalists, which game will also be decided on Saturday when the Cayman Islands face Bermuda.

Simmons says Windies team moving ...

From back page position to make sure that the latter part of the batting can do what they do and they have done that today and they have seen us through.”

Simmons says Windies’ win over Australia is expected to boost their confidence as they bid for a place in the final.

Australia sit at the top of the ICC ODI table while the home side have been languishing at number eight.

“It is always a confidence-booster to beat Australia. I think our confidence has been good throughout the

series,” said Simmons.

“Going into the first game it was tight because we had not played a proper one-day series for a while but after the first game everybody settled down.

We had a bad second game

but we played well today and I think that’s confidence-booster enough.”

West Indies will attempt to keep alive their hopes of playing in the final of the series when they play South Africa today.

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Greyville 08:40 hrs Irish Pride 09:20 hrs Bella Sonata 09:55 hrs REain In Africa 10:30 hrs Calabash

09:20 hrs Nikki Steel 09:55 hrs Template 10:30 hrs Allez Vic 11:05 hrs Better Days 11:45 hrs Isla Fernandos 12:20 hrs Moorlands George 12:55 hrs Yukon Delta

13:20 hrs Emma Beag 13:50 hrs Fioghting Days 14:20 hrSBalinabool Lass 14:50 hrs Queen Alphabet 15:20 hrs Wither Hills 15:50 hrs Cant Wait

ENGLISH RACING TIPS Hamilton 09:10 hrs Eva Gore 09:45 hrs Tagur 10:20 hrs Doeadeer 10:55 hrs Simply Clever 11:35 hrs Billy Slater 12:10 hrs Jocks Wa Hae 12:45 hrs Sleepy Haven

ASCOT 09:30 hrs Ibn Malik 10:05 hrs Lady Aurella 10:40 hrs Usherette 11:20 hrs A Shin Hikari 12:00 hrs Mr Owen 12:35 hrs Make Fast

AMERICAN RACING TIPS Belmont Race 1 Gee Pea Ess Race 2 Warriors Diva Race 3 Cloontia Race 4 Peculiar Sensation Race 5 Draxhall Woods Race 6 Capriana Race 7 Animal Appeal Race 8 Juba

UTTOXETER

IRISH RACING TIPS Wexford 12:50 hrs Bright Tomorrow

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

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Russia putting ‘comprehensive security’ in place for 2018 - FIFA

James and Irving fire Cavaliers to victory in game 5 to keep series alive

(REUTERS) - Global soccer body FIFA said that World Cup 2018 host nation Russia was putting in place a “comprehensive security concept” to prevent a repetition of the hooliganism which has marred the European championship in France.

Russia fans have been at the centre of the troubles and tournament organisers UEFA imposed a suspended disqualification and a 150 000 euro ($168 300) fine on the Russian Football Union (RFU) yesterday.

The incidents have raised more questions about security at the World Cup in two years’ time, adding to existing concerns about racism at Russian football matches.

“The policing and security infrastructures of major events of the scale of the Euro and the FIFA World Cup are very complex in nature,” said FIFA in a statement to Reuters.

“For the 2018 FIFA World Cup, detailed security planning began by the local authorities from the moment the host country was chosen,” it added.

“The relevant Russian authorities are putting in place a comprehensive security concept for next year’s Confederations Cup and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.” FIFA added that the security would incorporate “any lessons learnt from other events such as Euro 2016 and Rio 2016 (the Olympics Games) in order to try to avoid any repetition of such incidents.”

The game’s ruling body however, did not directly answer a question on whether it could guarantee the safety of visiting supporters from organised groups of Russian hooligans.

FIFA also said it could not comment on whether it would follow up on sanctions imposed against Russia

by European soccer’s governing body UEFA. “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee takes decisions based on the specific circumstances of each case. Therefore, please understand that we cannot comment or speculate on potential future scenarios.”

Petra/Ministry of Health/ Stop Gender-based Violence football final phase begins today THE Ministry of Public Health/Petra organised Stop Gender-based Violence football tournament will head into the final round today with action at the Cuffy Square.

Laing Avenue will open the proceedings against Campbellville from 19:00hrs before Hope Street/Tiger Bay take on California Square, and West Back Road oppose Channel 9.

In the second instalment of matches, Tucville will go head-to-head with North East La Penitence while Cross Street Werk-en-Rust clash with Globe Yard and Festival City meet North Riumveldt.

On Saturday evening, matches will continue with Broad Street playing the Ministry of Health, Albouystown facing Young Ballers and West Front Road confronting Queen Street Tiger Bay in the first set of matches.

Later that evening, Bent Street will battle against Kitty Weavers while Alexander Village challenge Leopold Street and Sparta Boss oppose Sophia.

(REUTERS) - LeBron James powered the sharpshooting Cleveland Cavaliers to a season-saving 112-97 win over the defending champion Golden State Warriors on Monday to climb within 3-2 in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.

Cleveland, facing elimination at the hands of the top-seeded Warriors, got 41 points each from James and Kyrie Irving and displayed a tenacious defence to set up another do-or-die game for the Cavaliers tomorrow in Cleveland.

“We are just happy we got another day, that’s all we can ask for. We got another day to survive,” James, who also had 16 rebounds and seven assists, said after the game.

“We understand this is a great team no matter who is out on the floor for those guys. They are the champions so we’ve got to be ready.”

With their season on the line, the Cavaliers exploded with their best game yet of the NBA Finals as James and Kyrie Irving proved too much for a Warriors team playing without suspended defensive stalwart Draymond Green.

The Cavaliers duo be-

came the first teammates to score at least 40 points in an NBA Finals game.

“They had two great games, two breakout games.

We need those two guys to give us confidence early, and

best 24 minutes yet of the Finals as the Warriors and Cavaliers each displayed some incredible shot-making that left the teams tied 61-61 at halftime.

It marked the high-

LeBron James scores 41 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeat Golden State Warriors 112-97. they both did that,” Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said about James and Irving.

“But I’m just very excited and proud of the way we scrapped and continued to play hard. That’s how we’ve got to play. That’s us.”

The game got off to a wild start and produced the

est-scoring first half in an NBA Finals game since the 1987 championship between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.

But after a tight first half it was Cleveland who finally pulled ahead by 10 points late in the third quarter as Irving carried over the shooting

clinic he put on during the first 24 minutes to keep the home crowd in check.

With a chance to clinch the title on their home court, where they had lost just three times all season, the Warriors were unable to find a way back into the game as the Cavs stymied any bit of momentum Golden State tried to generate.

Klay Thompson had a team-high 37 points for the Warriors on 11-of-20 shooting, including six three-pointers, but it was far from enough on this night.

“We had a good offensive first half, made some shots, had 61 points, and then kind of got bogged down in the second,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. “We tried a lot of different things, and nothing seemed to work. It was one of those nights.”

Green will be back in the Warriors lineup for tomorrow’s pivotal Game Six after serving a one-game ban after being assessed his fourth flagrant foul from his scuffle with James in the previous contest.

The Cavaliers are trying to become the first team to win a championship after falling behind 3-1 in the NBA Finals.

Uruguay whip Jamaica 3-0 SANTA CLARA, California – Jamaica saved the worst performance for last in going down 0-3 to Uruguay in their farewell game at Copa America Centenario here inside Levi’s Stadium on Monday night.

Already eliminated, Jamaica ended Group C at the foot of the four-team table pointless, behind Mexico and Venezuela on seven points, and Uruguay, who had also been eliminated prior to kick off, on three points.

It was a lethargic Reggae Boyz side which took the field in front of 40,166 spectators in a game of little significance, except for saving face.

The Boyz went behind on 21 minutes when Abel Hernandez raced in behind after a defence-splitting pass from Nicolas Lodeiro to plant a firm shot over the advancing Andre Blake in goal.

The same player almost doubled the advantage when

he once again beat the Jamaica defence, only for Blake to come to his team’s rescue

to conjure up a few half chances here and there, but the South Americans

Uruguay’s Mathias Corujo (L) drives the ball past Jamaica’s Je-Vaughn Watson to score during their Copa America Centenario football tournament match in Santa Clara, California, United States.

(Photo: AFP) with a smart save.

The Boyz managed

were their masters on the day and just after the hour

mark Edinson Cavani, the PSG star, planted a downward header against the base of Blake left hand post.

Uruguay increased their lead on 66 minutes when Ledeiro’s teasing left-sided cross bounced off Hernandez and slammed against the unfortunate Je-Vaughn Watson and past Blake.

As the game went on the Boyz looked more and more ragged as Uruguay launched many attacks with Cavani, in particular, being the most frustrated, having yet to score a goal in Copa America competitions.

Two minutes from the end substitute Matias Corujo completed the rout when he capitalised on Watson’s weak backward header to race in on the helpless Blake and slot home to end yet another frustrating tournament for the Reggae Boyz, who are yet to register a single goal in six Copa America appearances.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Mexico earn late draw versus Venezuela to finish atop Group C HOUSTON, Texas –– Jesus ‘Tecatito’ Corona slalomed through the Venezuelan defence 10 minutes from time to rescue a 1-1 draw for Mexico in their final Group C match in front of 67 319 fans in Houston’s NRG Stadium.

Jose Manuel Velazquez had opened the scoring early for Venezuela, but Mexico finished top of Group C -ahead of Venezuela only on goal difference -- and is now 22 games undefeated in all competitions, which is a new national team record.

Mexico will play Chile or Panama in Santa Clara, Calif. on Saturday, June 18, while Venezuela are almost certain to face Argentina in Foxborough, Ma. the same day.

Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio made nine changes for the final Group C match, with Venezuela coach Rafael Dudamel also switching four players from their 1-0 upset victory over

Mexico score in the final minutes to earn a point against Venezuela. (Photograph: Nelson Almeida/AFP/Getty Images) Uruguay, with both sides already through to the knockout rounds.

Substitute Corona stole the show against a well-organised Venezuela, with a

solo effort 10 minutes from time. The Porto player received the ball on the left of the midfield and charged at goal, leaving five Venezuela players in his wake before

2016 HERO CPL will be most competitive yet - Moody AUSTRALIAN two-time ICC Cricket World Cup winner Tom Moody believes that this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will be the most competitive yet and that the inclusion of a myriad of world-class players across all six teams will make it

lum and Shane Watson for the first time.

“There’s no doubt that every side was very shrewd through the Draft process and recruited very well. You can’t pick a winner. In the past you could have hinted that maybe the (Barbados) Tridents and the (Jamaica)

Chris Gayle and Tom Moody the biggest and best yet.

Moody, who recently steered Sunrisers Hyderabad to their maiden IPL title as head coach, is the CPL’s International Director of Cricket and played a key role in securing the signing of overseas players of the calibre of AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Brendon McCul-

Tallawahs were destined to play Finals cricket.

“But you look at the teams now and it’s very hard to pick a top two. And that’s very exciting for the tournament. There’s nothing better than having all six teams towards the back end of the tournament vying for the Finals,” the Australian said.

The 50-year-old believes that commitment of the world’s biggest players to the ‘biggest party in sport’, allied to a host of outstanding local West Indies and international stars, is a ringing endorsement of the growing international stature of the CPL, which will this year be played between June 29 and August 7. He revealed that getting those players to join the CPL was not a hard sell.

“I think it’s enormous (boost). I obviously spoke to all of these players - AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Kumar Sangakkara and Shane Watson - with regard to getting involved in the CPL in 2016 and it wasn’t a hard sell,” Moody said.

“The best players in the world want to play in this tournament because they have heard a lot of positive things about the tournament, they’ve heard how successful it’s been, they’ve heard how competitive it’s been and the best players want to play in the best tournaments.

It’s as simple as that.

“To lure the likes of McCullum, de Villiers, Watson and whoever it might have been to this tournament, and it’s littered with big international names, was a reasonably easy task purely because of what the CPL has managed to build over the last three years.”

finishing.

It was a nervy night for Mexico, especially after Velazquez struck an overhead kick past goalkeeper Jesus Corona in the 10th

minute from a free kick from the left flank, which Christian Santos headed back into his path.

It was only the second goal Mexico had conceded in the 10 games Juan Carlos Osorio has been in charge, with this game the only one the Colombian hasn’t won as coach of El Tri. Corona had come on in the 18th minute, after left-winger Javier Aquino limped off the pitch with an injury to his left leg.

Mexico winger Hirving Lozano caused consistent problems for Venezuela down the right flank in the first half and went close in the 22nd after a give and go with Oribe Peralta on the edge of the penalty area.

El Tri had an appeal for a penalty turned down before halftime when Hector Moreno’s header appeared to strike Venezuela’s Wilker Angel’s arm from close range.

Mexico coach Osorio threw on Miguel Layun at halftime and Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez in the 68th, when El Tri switched from a 4-3-3 formation to a 4-4-2 in search of the equaliser.

Hernandez had a good chance from a free-kick in the 70th, just after Torino forward Josef Martinez -- who had also just come on -- was put through on goal, but his weak effort was easily saved

by Corona.

Venezuela goalkeeper Daniel Hernandez made a stunning double-save from a corner from Diego Reyes and Andres Guardado in the 75th and tackles flew in as Venezuela tried to hold on.

Corona’s magic ended up saving Mexico and helping El Tri avoid a difficult quarterfinal against Argentina, while Venezuela remain undefeated at the Copa America and perhaps the surprise of the tournament so far.

Windies quartet in T&T women’s squad THE West Indies Women’s quartet of Merissa Aguilleira, Britney Cooper, Stacy Ann King and Anisa Mohammed will spearhead Trinidad and Tobago’s title chase at the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Women’s Regional tournament in Guyana from July 3 to 21.

The quartet were part of the West Indies Women’s team who won the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in India earlier this year. Matches in the tournament will be played in the T20 and 50-over formats.

TT will also bank on the experience of Amanda Samaroo, Shenelle Lord, Kirbyina Alexander and Lee Ann Kirby.

Newcomers to the team are Rosalie Dollabaille and Rachael Vincent, who were part of the Hibiscus Ladies who won the 2016 TT Women’s Cricket Association League title.

TT will again be under the guidance of coach Gerald Garcia, while Marjorie Thomas will serve as manager and Wayne Samuel will be the team’s trainer.

T&T captain Merissa Aguilleira

SQUAD: Merissa Aguilleira (captain), Anisa Mohammed (vice-captain), Felicia Walters, Amanda Samaroo, Britney Cooper, Shenelle Lord, Stacy Ann King, Reniece Boyce, Kirbyina Alexander, Lee Ann Kirby, Karishma Ramharack, Rachael Vincent, Rosalie Dollabaille, Selene O’Neil; Gerald Garcia (coach), Marjorie Thomas (manager), Wayne Samuel (trainer).

(First Published In The Trinidad & Tobago Newsday).

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday June 15, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Sir Frank Worrell (51 Tests) (2) 213 players

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who was declared ‘Man of the Match’ when the WI and Australia contested an ODI for the first time?

(2) How many Australians have now captained the team in ODIs against the West Indies?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Several teams record wins in WDFA STAG Beer Senior League FOOTBALL action in the West Demerara Football Association continued recently with Den Amstel, Pouderoyen FC and Uitvlugt registering wins.

In the first game, Beavers and Wales United played to a nil-all draw with neither team managing to find that decisive goal.

Game two saw hosts Den Amstel, on the other hand, beat the Veggae boys by three goals to two. The Den Amstel side were led by Kevaughn Ward who netted twice (2nd and 21st minutes) to give his team the lead then advance before the end of the half.

In the second half, the Den Amstel side returned to see Paul Miggins’ 57th minute strike seal the game

Uitvlugt goalscorer Jamal Petty for them.

However, the Veggae boys responded with two quick-fire shots through Shemar Marcus’ 61st min-

ute shot and five minutes later through Jermain Cumberbatch.

Try as they may for the equaliser, the Veggae boys could not find the decider.

Meanwhile, Pouderoyen FC made light work of Jetty Gunners beating them 4-0.

A brace by Morgan Denny (37th ;73rd) coupled with single strikes from Dwayne St.Kitts (75th) and Jermaine McDonald (79th) sealed the game for the Pouderoyen side In the other game, a tight affair between Young Achievers and Uitvlugt resulted in the latter winning 1-0, the decider coming from Jamal Petty in the 58th minute.

Matches continue this Saturday and Sunday.

Pouderoyen FC goalscorers Dwayne St Kitts, Morgan Denny and Jermaine McDonald

Brazil sack Dunga after Copa failure St Cuthbert’s thrash Hauraruni 11-0 (REUTERS) - Brazil be charged with leading fired Dunga as coach the Under-23 squad in yesterday, the national August’s Olympic Games football confederation in Rio de Janeiro, the only (CBF) said, two days major tournament Brazil after his side failed to have never won. get past the group stages of the Centenary Copa America.

The Brazilians drew 0-0 with Ecuador and beat Haiti 7-1 but were beaten 1-0 by Peru to exit the competition at the group stages for the first time since 1987.

Dunga, who was in his second spell as Brazil coach, was fired after a meeting at the CBF in Rio de Janeiro.

“The Brazilian Football Confederation de- Dunga was in his seccided this Tuesday to o n d s p e l l a s B r a z i l dissolve the technical Coach commission of the Brazilian national team,” Tite led Sao Paulo’s the CBF said in a short biggest club to Brazil’s statement.

Serie A title in 2011 and “National teams coor- 2015 as well as the Copa dinator Gilmar Rinaldi, Libertadores and World coach Dunga and their Club Cup for the first entire team will leave time in 2012. their posts.

Dunga had never “The CBF has began coached until he was first the process of choosing hired as Brazil boss in a new technical com- 2006. He led them to the mission for the Brazilian Copa America in Veneteam.” zuela in his first major The overwhelming fa- tournament the following vourite to become Brazil’s year. new coach is Corinthians He was fired in 2010, 55-year-old manager Tite. immediately after BraThe new man will also zil were eliminated by

the Netherlands at the quarter-final stage of that year’s World Cup. After coaching his boyhood club, Internacional, for a year in 2013, Dunga was a surprise choice to replace Luiz Felipe Scolari after Brazil’s humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany in the 2014 World Cup. Dunga, who was captain of Brazil’s 1994 World Cup winning side, was given the task of revamping the national setup but his defensive style of play and curt manner won him few fans.

Led by Barcelona striker Neymar, Brazil performed well in friendlies, but were knocked out of the 2015 Copa America at the quarter-final stage by Paraguay and, without several firstteam players, they were poor again at this year’s tournament in the United States.

One of the main priorities for the new boss will be ensuring Brazil qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. After a poor start, Brazil sit in sixth place in the South American qualifying group.

The top four teams qualify automatically for the tournament and the fifth-placed side enter an inter-continental playoff.

as Digicel schools football continues

St. Cuthbert’s Secondary goal-scorers from left to right Mark Clenkian, Elroy Dundas, Keoan Kattow and Zak Ferreira posing for the camera following their lopsided win over Hauraruni Secondary FOOTBALL action in the 2016 edition of the Digicel schools football championship continued yesterday with St Cuthbert’s trashing Hauraruni 11-0.

Opening the scoring in the first minute was Zak Ferreira who put the hosts ahead before Keoan Kattow would extend the lead five minutes later.

It seemed a race between Ferreira and Kattow with the earlier scoring in the 14th and 16th to complete his hat trick while Kattow hammered in three more in the 17th, 18th and

25th minute to complete his helmet trick.

With the half ending 7-0, it seemed that the tourists had done enough work to secure a win. But they were not satisfied.

Mark Clenkian and Elroy Dundass picked up where the earlier two had left off.

Clenkian scored four minutes into the turn of the half before Dundass hammered in two successive strikes within minutes of each other in the 55th and 57th while Clenkian completed his brace in the 62nd.

Meanwhile on Monday, Canadian School of Arts and Science (CSAS) imposed a 7-0 drubbing on Supply Secondary yesterday, at the Leonora Synthetic Track facility.

The lanky Lucas Demkoski rired in a hattrick in the 13th, 18th and 35th minutes, while Elijah Johnson added a brace in the 14th and 27th minutes and there was one apiece for Abdullah Sanmoogan in the 16th and Shivharan Loknauth in the 42nd.

(Stephan Sookram)

Brazil sack Dunga after Copa failure

See story on page 35

Simmons says Windies team moving in the right direction

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – Head coach Phil Simmons says the West Indies cricket team is “moving in the right direction” after a comprehensive four-wicket win over world champions Australia in the Tri-Nation series on Monday.

West Indies bowlers restricted Australia to 265 for seven and spurred on by an aggressive 92 from Marlon Samuels and three important partnerships, chased down the target with four overs remaining.

The homeside has now registered their second win in the series after beating South Africa in the opening match and losing their second game to Australia.

“We realise that we didn’t bat properly against them last time so we had to bat properly this time so in that way we will be happy with ourselves because the batting came to the party today,” said Simmons.

“That’s what’s been lack-

ing for us. So it’s a good feeling to know you beat Australia who are world champions and number one team in the world so it means that we are moving in the right direction.”

Simmons has high praise for the top order for outstanding batting which ensured the win at Warner Park in Basseterre.

Opener Johnson Charles chipped in with 48 from 38 balls, left-hander Darren Bravo carved out 39 while Denesh Ramdin struck 29 and opener Andre Fletcher, a run-a-ball 27.

“The pressure is being put on the top four to make sure we setup whatever we have to do at the bottom,” said Simmons.

“We know how devastating we can be at the end of an innings with the players we have so the top four have been asked to put their dancing shoes on, make sure that we are in a

Marlon Samuels collects man-of-the-match award. (WICB photo)

Turn to page 32

‘Golden Jaguars’ in need Four overseas players of $$$ to advance in CFU in ‘Green Machine’ Men’s Caribbean Cup Rugby America North (RAN) South Zone ...

squad to face T&T

See story on page 32

Flashback! Guyana against Barbados at the National Park in a South Zone match earlier this year. (Delano Williams photo) Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

FOR the Guyana `Golden Jaguars’ to advance further in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Men’s Caribbean Cup, money is required and at the moment, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is cash-strapped, so, only corporate Guyana or the Government of Guyana can supply the `plaster for the wound’.

This is according to GFF’s president, Wayne Forde, who, while addressing media operatives at a recently held press briefing, informed that for every engagement that requires travel, sets the Federation back close to $3.5M. Forde lamented that “that’s ‘really challenging for us (GFF)”.

He is, however, hopeful that the situation will change over the coming months because of the promise that has been delivered by FIFA president, Gionaqnni Infantino,

“but as it is, we’re challenged financially. We don’t want a situation to arise where we cannot

GFF president Wayne Forde go further (in this tournament) because we simply can’t afford it (financially),” the GFF boss stated.

Forde is very optimistic the `Golden Jaguars’ can go very far in the tournament

and even win the championship, “but we simply need support to make this happen.”

In underscoring the value of corporate Guyana’s sponsorship, Forde said the `Golden Jaguars’ went through round one of the CFU’s tournament without conceding a single goal, finishing as the best team in their group, not losing any of their three matches in the round.

In the second round of the tournament, Guyana lost 2-5 to Curacao on an artificial turf, a surface unknown or unaccustomed to many of the team’s players, but rebounded to demolish United States Virgin Islands 7-0 on a grass surface.

The victory propelled the `Jags’ to round three which will run from October 3 to 11, with the fifth-place play-off set from November 7 to 15.

The final is scheduled for May 2017. (Michael DaSilva) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2016