Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 16 09 2016

Hope for SMEs No. 104676

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

...Guyana courts EU to help set up development bank

Bogus registration on illegal aircraft

P.8

Law enforcement officials believe that the abandoned plane was on a narco-trafficking mission

Pit-bull Police target rampage crime gang ‒ leaves one dead, several injured

P.15

P.3

…following series of robberies in Eccles Centre

Chinese investors shun Baishanlin

…crucial meeting on future here in two weeks’ time P.12

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

Patterson puts errant contractors on notice

By Alva Solomon

THE authorities are examining the revocation proce-

dures which can be applied to errant contractors who have been awarded contracts but are unable to un-

dertake works after those contracts have been inked.

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson said persons would complain of their inability to secure contracts for works across the country, but their ability to undertake works are hampered by identified challenges such as availability of equipment since some contractors would have more than one contract and continue to bid for more.

He listed projects in Regions One and Eight in which

the contractor received mobilisation fees since June this year, yet no physical work has begun.

He said the Linden/Lethem Road works were tendered and awarded and soon the rainy season will commence in that area, and again, no work has started.

Residents of the Mabaruma sub-region have complained about the dire state of the pot-holed filled roads which connects Mabaruma to other communities in recent months, some of which have

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and Minister within the Ministry Annette Ferguson during the press briefing on Thursday

A vehicle moves along the roadway in the Mabaruma sub-region last weekend. The roadways in the area have been in a dire state in recent months and residents have been calling on the authorities to fix them

caused motorists to reconsider plans of undertaking public transportation services there.

According to Patterson, a contract was signed since July for works to be undertaken and a commencement order was given in August for a four-month contract, yet no work has been undertaken.

The minister said he called the contractor’s engineer who informed that the works will be finished in a month and a half. This, he said is not realistic.

“On revocation, we are

moving to that,” he said, but noted someone may be awarded a contract for a period of four months but works may not commence until late in that period.

In these situations, he said technically, the awardee has not breached the contract since the timeframe remains valid.

The minister went on to say that having collected monies for mobilisation with no works undertaken, “the Ministry feels locked in”.

Turning his attention to another matter, Minister Pat-

terson said over the next three months, the MPI will focus on plans to attract graduate engineers to be stationed in hinterland regions.

Earlier this year, he said positions were advertised for 11 engineers to be stationed in the hinterland districts, but the MPI was able to attract only one person. “That obviously impacts on our delivery schedule,” he said, noting that for each project, the Ministry assigns an engineer from Georgetown.

“They can visit so often, that is one of the distinct challenges we have,” he said, noting that it limits the MPI’s capacity to carry out testing and work can be affected in the end.

According to Patterson, the role of the MPI is expanding since it does most of the “heavy lifting for the Government” in terms of projects such as maintenance of roads, buildings and other infrastructural works countrywide.

Questioned on the possibility of contracting engineers, Patterson said this does not work in tandem with the Public Service rules. He said he had approached Cabinet but was told that under the Public Service Commission rules, it was not possible.

The minister said Cabinet had asked the Public Service Ministry to advertise positions for 11 engineers at a monthly salary of $230,000, but persons were still unwilling to go into the interior.

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Hope for SMEs GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

...Guyana courts EU to fund development bank

President David Granger (third from left) along with EIB Vice-President Pim van Ballekom (on the right) and Minister within the Ministry of Finance Jaipaul Sharma on the left. Also in photo are other members of the delegation

By Svetlana Marshall GUYANA has courted the European Investment Bank (EIB) for assistance in setting up a development bank- a campaign promise by the coalition government and a much-touted initiative of President David Granger.

Granger floated the idea when he met with a EIB delegation which is being led by the bank’s Vice-President, Pim van Ballekom. The team is here on a two-day visit exploring opportunities for the financing of new projects in Guyana.

On Thursday, the delega-

tion accompanied by the EU Ambassador Jernej Videti?, met with President Granger and Minister within the Ministry of Finance Jaipaul Sharma at the Ministry of the Presidency, where a number of ideas were discussed, chief among which is the establishment of a development bank. “The Government is looking into the possibilities to create a development bank here, and then we could provide the credit line to that development bank in order to enable them to lend them out to the projects in the country,” the EIB Vice-President told reporters shortly after exiting

the meeting with President Granger.

He said discussions on financing the proposed development bank will also be the subject of discussion when the delegation meets with Finance Minister Winston Jordan today. Since taking office in May, 2015, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government has talked much about creating a development bank in Guyana to ensure manufacturers, agro-processors and service providers have access to capital to gain a competitive edge in their businesses. Last

Bandits snatch $2M from airline agent BANDITS on Wednesday grabbed a bag containing $2M in cash from a couple on Robb Street, Georgetown and police are urging citizens to avoid walking around with large sums of cash.

The couple was relieved of the cash while sitting in a car. They had just withdrawn the cash from a city bank. Crime Chief (ag) Hugh Jessemy urged members of the public to use more plastic (ATM cards) rather than carrying around large sums of money.

He also encouraged citizens to be alert and vigilant and report all incidents of crime to the police. Jessemy told the Guyana Chronicle that it was about 13:10hrs when airline agent, Marcia Rahaman and her husband, Sheik Rahaman of Lot 302 Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara, had made a withdrawal from the Scotiabank branch on Carmichael Street.

He related that the couple then proceeded to Robb Street where Sheik Rahaman went into a

store to make a purchase leaving his wife seated in their car, when two men held her at gunpoint and took away the bag she had containing $2M in cash.

Sheik Rahaman is said to be a businessman and was in the city to transact business when the armed robbery occurred.

The robbers reportedly escaped via a motorcycle.

Jessemy said no arrests have been made, but police are trying to get surveillance footage of the incident.

November, it issued a request for the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to commission a study to examine the demand for and the feasibility of establishing a development bank here. Currently, some funding for small businesses is being provided through the Rural Development Fund and the Small and Micro-Enterprises Development Fund.

The Government strongly believes that micro-enterprises can be promoted as a means of establishing economic independence for young people.

Improving infrastructure Apart from the development bank, Pim van Ballekom said President Granger put forward a number of other interesting ideas. “He was interested in improving infrastructure; he is also interested in improving the accessibility as a means of finance,” he posited. However, Pim van Ballekom said while the banking sector is quite good here, there is often some reluctance on the part of lenders when considering Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs), but this reluctance he emphasized, is nothing new. “That [reluctance] is not uncommon, that [reluctance] happens everywhere in the world, even in the country I know best – the Netherlands – where access to finance for SMEs is sometimes a hurdle to economic growth and prosperity,” the EIB vice-president said.

However, he said it would be “quite good” if the bank could lend support to Guyana and its commercial banks to make the process easier.

Asked whether there is a fixed amount the bank is willing to pump into Guyana, he responded in the negative.

“There is no amount fixed for a specific country or a

sector. We are looking into the possibilities, and if it is a good-quality project and an interesting investment, then we will go ahead,” he noted.

If following this fact-finding mission, Guyana and the EIB agree on a particular investment, the vice-president said the entire process to commence the financing of that project would take approximately six months. “If it is a new investment, depends on the riskiness and research, normally it is six months,” he said, while noting that the process with recurrent clients is much faster.

In addition to meeting the Finance Minister today, the delegation was also expected to meet with members of the private sector on Thursday evening. In 2013, a team from the EIB had visited Guyana to explore investment opportunities here. At the time, the bank had reportedly identified a number of financing opportunities in the areas of renewable energy, water management and SMEs. The EIB in the past had invested 63M Euros in Guyana for the execution of nine projects in the areas of forestry, mining, water and sanitation and the financial sector to support micro, small and medium-sized companies development.

The last project according to the EIB vice-president ended in 2000.

Alex Miller passes away FORMER senior public servant, Vibert Alexander Miller, died in New York on Tuesday. He was 81.

An MBA and City University of New York faculty member, Miller was among the overseas-based professionals who answered the call in the early 70s to return home and lend their talents to the development of the young nation.

When the Guyana State Corporation (GUYSTAC) was created under the late Dr. Kenneth King, Miller was among the opening team of high-level recruits.

And as Management Services Officer at the former Guyana Broadcasting Service (GBS) and other corporations, he served as the principal management liaison between GUYSTAC and those government agencies.

Miller later led the marketing team at the Guyana Timbers Export Board before remigrating to the US,

Alex Miller

where he worked for several years with New York Telephone and NYNEX until his retirement.

With several family members still living here, Alex paid his last visit home back in May for the 50th anniversary celebrations.

He leaves to mourn his wife, Beverley, children David, Alicia Colin and Samantha, and four grandchildren. Funeral services for Alex will be on Sunday at Cadman Memorial Church, Brooklyn, NY.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

Trump in excellent Ohio police kills boy who drew BB gun health, says doctor Republican nominee Donald Trump is in “excellent physical health,” according to a letter from his doctor.

Trump released the letter following a recent physical examination by Dr Harold N Bornstein.

The 70-year-old is listed as 6ft 3in (1.9 metres) and weighing 236lb (107kg).

The letter comes as his rival Hillary Clinton returns to the campaign trail after time off with pneumonia, appearing briefly to reporters.

Boarding a plane in White Plains, New York, she spoke to journalists as she flew to North Carolina to hold a rally, her first campaign event since the weekend.

Both candidates have faced public scrutiny over transparency about the state

Donald Trump appearing on The Dr Oz Show to discuss his health

of their health.

“He takes a lipid lowering agent (rosuvastatin) and a low dose aspirin,” the letter said. “He does not use tobacco products or alcohol.”

His weight and height give him a body mass index of 29.5, according to US measurements, which is within the “overweight” range but close to the “obese” mark at 30.0.

Trump discussed his health with talk-show host

Dr Mehmet Oz in a taped interview, which is set to air on Thursday.

Clinton released a note from her doctor on Wednesday calling her “fit to serve” as President, as well as detailing the medications she is taking and her cholesterol levels.

The polls indicate a tight race nationally and in the key battleground states, with 54 days to Election Day. (BBC)

A 13-year-old black boy has been shot dead by police in the US state of Ohio after allegedly pulling an air gun from his waistband while being arrested.

Officers were responding to a report of an armed robbery in Columbus when they spotted three male suspects matching the descriptions given by the victim.

Two then ran off and were followed by police to an alley.

There, police say, Tyree King pulled out the gun and was shot multiple times by a white officer.

Police later established that the boy had actually been carrying a BB gun - a type of sporting air gun that is designed to shoot pellets - with an attached laser sight.

The victim of the robbery told officers the group had approached him and demanded money. One of them reportedly had a gun.

After the shooting, Tyree King was taken to a children’s hospital, where he later died.

The other suspect found

“Our officers carry a gun that looks practically identical,” Police Chief Kim Jacobs said

with him in the alley was questioned and released pending further investigation.

More suspects are being pursued, police say.

In a press conference on Thursday morning, Chief of Police Kim Jacobs showed reporters a photo of the kind of BB gun found at the scene.

“Our officers carry a gun that looks practically identical to this weapon,” she said, holding the printed image up for cameras. “It turned out not to be a firearm in the sense that it fires real bullets but as you can see, it looks like a firearm that could kill you.”

Columbus police said the officer involved, a nine-year veteran of the service named Brian Mason, would receive mandated psychological counselling and would be offered leave to help cope with the “traumatic experience”.

Police chief Jacobs said Mason had “just recently transferred to that area of town.”

‘DIFFICULT TIMES’ Social media users are comparing Tyree King’s death to the shooting of another black child in the

state.

In 2014, Tamir Rice, 12, was shot and killed by a white police officer in Cleveland while he was playing with a pellet gun outside a recreation centre.

The city agreed earlier this year to pay $6m (£4.14m) to his family.

His death sparked local protests at a time when the deaths of black people at the hands of police had sparked a national debate.

Asked about the comparisons being made by members of the public, Police Chief Jacobs said: “I don’t know how they would know that. We don’t have enough facts to know how this relates to any other shooting.”

She said the investigation, once complete, would be referred to a grand jury, who would decide if any criminal charges should be brought.

City mayor Andrew Ginther appealed for patience during this “difficult time”.

“It is a dangerous time to be a police officer in this country,” he said. “It is our job to support them, as well as the people they protect.”

“It is critical that we remain calm and committed to the investigative process.”

Both the mayor and police committed to sharing information from the investigation publicly as it became available. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

GRA agrees to release some of BaiShanLin’s vehicles

By Ariana Gordon THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Thursday met with officials of Baishanlin International Forest Development Inc (BIFDI) and has reportedly agreed to release the company’s vehicles seized by the authority back in April.

Trade and Foreign Manager for the Chinese company, Eddie Wang, told the Guyana Chronicle that “GRA has agreed to release some of the vehicles, just one or two I guess…”

He said the revenue authority did not state when the vehicles would be released,

but noted that Baishanlin through its attorney Satram and Satram, is to write GRA on Monday as a follow-up to Thursday’s meeting. “Our company was represented by our lawyer Mr Satram… we had a talk with the commissioner and his team… the commissioner has made some requests of us,” Said Wang.

In April, GRA seized several vehicles belonging to the Chinese logging company; that seizure resulted in the company’s attorneys writing the revenue authority for the return of the vehicles.

The company had accused the APNU+AFC coalition

government of attempting to cripple its investment here and noted that its actions against it were unlawful.

In a letter dated May 16, 2016, the company called on the commissioner-general (ag) at the time, Ingrid Griffith, to return all items seized

by GRA to the company.

“The investment agreement under which concessions were granted has not expired as you alleged in your letters.

It was renewed in January 2015 for a further period of three years,” the letter said.

The company through its attorneys argued that GRA‘s action was a violation of the international obligations

Brazil ex-President Lula faces charges Federal prosecutors in Brazil have asked a judge to file corruption charges against former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

They accused him of being the "boss" of a huge corruption scheme that cost the state oil company, Petrobras, an estimated $12.6bn (£9.5bn) in losses.

Prosecutors had been investigating whether Lula and his wife failed to declare ownership of a luxury flat.

He has denied owning the penthouse and says the case is politically motivated.

A criminal conviction would bar him from running for President in 2018.

Lula has called the episode a "deplorable spectacle".

He and his wife deny any wrongdoing and say there is no proof for any of the alle-

gations.

A judge is due to rule in the next few days whether to formally charge Lula.

The flat was built by a construction company implicated in the scandal at Petrobras.

Several politicians and Petrobras executives have been arrested and sentenced after a two-year anti-corruption investigation called Operation Car Wash.

Prosecutors initially focused on money laundering, but soon came to allegations of a complex corruption scheme at Petrobras, where overpriced contracts were given in return for bribes.

Some of the illicitly-obtained money was used to finance the electoral campaign of top Brazilian politicians, they allege.

"Lula was the big boss of the Petrobras corruption scheme. Lula was on top of the power pyramid," prosecutor Deltan Dalagnol said at a news conference in Curitiba on Wednesday.

"Lula appointed several senior executives at Petrobras so that they could raise funds for political parties in the governing coalition [through corruption].

"Without Lula's decision power, it would be impossible for this scheme to exist," the prosecutor added.

A former union leader, Lula, 70, served as President from 2003 to 2010.

He announced plans earlier this year to run for office again in 2018 but in July he was indicted on charges of obstructing investigations into Petrobras. (BBC)

Guyana has under its agreement with China.

The company had also written Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the matter, saying that the seizure of the vehicles — Nissan minivan PRR 3888 and brand new Lexus SUV PRR 2888 has resulted in significant losses to the company.

Meanwhile, Wang told the Guyana Chronicle that they are willing to cooperate with the GRA. “We are willing to cooperate with GRA and try to get the understanding of Guyana…we try to sit down and have a conversation with both sides to solve the problem in an amicable way…not to embarrass both sides…when they seized the property we feel hurt.” Wang said that after discussions with shareholders and other key partners, they will be putting forward a written proposal to the Government of Guyana. “As soon as both the shareholders give a clear instruction as to what should be done… of course we would give the government a proposal, what

we are going to do, whether we are staying or quit.” [sic] The Trade and Foreign Manager noted that the company does owe $80M as indicated by the GFC recently.

“For our logging operation the figure GFC declared is real…$80M we need to tell the commission if our partner will pay off this…so that GFC will make their own decision. I think as long as we secure the investment, show the confidence in Guyana government and GFC we still can request to re-sign the agreement with GFC to collect concession. We need to have forest resource first… we cannot just construct a factory without the assurance of raw materials.”

Wang said all parties are at the drawing table, noting that “they have not shut us out…they are waiting for us to give them more information…they are cooperating with us.”

Last Tuesday, the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) announced that it will be repossessing concessions held

by Baishanlin. In a statement to the media, the GFC said its decision to repossess Baishanlin’s concessions follows

the company’s inability to deliver on agreed actions to introduce investors to the GFC, as well as failing to address its liability, despite having been given time to prove that it had an acceptable plan to clear its GY$80M debt.

Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Eddie Boyer told the Guyana Chronicle in an invited comment that the PSC does not have all of the facts before it and as such does not want to make a premature comment on the issue. Additionally, Boyer said the PSC was not approached by the government or the GFC on the matter and said it would have been good if the commission were involved.

“We always welcome investment to Guyana— from all over the world…

I would like to say to them that while our government is resolute in encouraging investment, there should be some resolve but not at the expense of the taxpayers.”

The resolve the PSC chairman said must not prevent other investors from coming to Guyana or result in the Chinese logging company’s debt being written off.

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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

When ego becomes dangerous THE 2016 United States’ (U.S.) presidential election is being viewed with anxiety and trepidation by many around the world. This cycle has not seen necessary reliance on debating the issues and presenting a plan to the electorate, more particularly by Republican contender Donald Trump. Instead, a reality-style television show approach to issues facing that society and the world are dominating coverage by the media, apparently more driven by ratings.

The U.S. is considered the world’s most powerful nation and whether Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton or Trump wins, he/she will be the most powerful political leader of the free world. Consequently, it cannot be over-emphasised how watched this election is by the free world and by oppressive societies. On Wednesday 7th September, NBC held a Commander-in-Chief Forum for Clinton and Trump. These are serious times and as was expected,there were thorough discussions on national security and the military, including issues such as terrorism, civil wars, and U.S. relations with countries and international organisations.

Moderator Matt Lauer thought it best to raise the emails controversy with Clinton, putting her on the defensive.

This led to her oft-repeated claim that she did not transmit sensitive mail. This claim has been discredited by Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Director James Comey. At Comey’s July 5 press conference, he said a “very small number” of emails, sent and received over Clinton’s private server, “bore markings indicating the presence of classified information.”

When it was Trump’s turn he was asked about his admiration for Russia President Vladimir Putin and true to his personality, he did not disappoint. He gushingly spoke about Putin and his presidency based on a compliment he thinks was paid him. In December 2015, Putin was asked to weigh in on the U.S. election and candidates, and he referred to Trump as “brilliant.” Trump when asked by the media for a response to Putin’s view positively spoke of the latter on the unsubstantiated view that he was called a “genius.” FactCheck.org (6th May 2016), relying on interviews with Russian language experts has shown that though different meanings can be derived from the word

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

Public servants deserve 20% increase Dear Editor

A FLURRY of letters regarding the 10 percent salary increase given by Government would seem to suggest that it did not go down well with the unions and the public service workers. And they are right.

Let me make this point that, as a former trade unionist, the workers’ spending power has been reduced over the past 18 years by the Jagdeo and Ramotar governments. Those two governments paid the workers a mere 5 percent salary increase, which was deemed starvation wages. The workers later became disillusioned with the 5 percent offered, but they couldn’t oppose it.

The sugar workers were given preferential treatment, with 15 percent across-the-board increases although production was low in the sugar industry. The previous administration reversed the Aubrey Armstrong tribunal decision of 31 percent increase for the workers; scaled down some increases; removed capital taxes on vested interests; increased indirect taxation on consumer goods; and reduced the workers’ spending power. There were other methods used in their desperate bid for votes. For decades, the Jagdeo,Ramotar Administration successfully held off a claim by the public servants for revision of salaries and wages in the face of the steep rise in the cost of living. At every elections and weeks before Christmas, Government agreed to pay out a small 5 percent to the employees.

What the PPP government did in its 18 years of government on the labour front was: change the labour legislation

to 40–hour week without reduction in pay; pass a minimum wage law for all working people; give portal-to-portal pay in certain industries, and remove the means test. The two-week annual holidays with pay; time-and-a-half for overtime; double time for Sundays; Sundays and holidays equal pay for equal work; and improvement of working conditions with regard to health standards began during the Burnham era. In the new environment of this Government, labour has already made some important advances. Unions and their workers are also heartened by the fact that the collective bargaining, so sacred to trade unions, has under the Jagdeo,Ramotar governments been restored; and today the GPSU can bargain directly with the Government on vital issues, in particular on wages. This is vital if unions and Government are to improve the working and living conditions of the workers.

The GPSU, through consistent struggles and militant action, regained its collective bargaining rights this year, and have since been able to move earnings for the public servant workers to a more satisfactory level. I feel, from my union experience, a 20 percent across-theboard salary increase would have been more reasonable. No one can deny that the workers and their unions, especially the GPSU, played a leading role in the great struggle for removal of the PPP after 23 years in power.

I have noted the vigour with which Ministers Volda Lawarence, Simona Broomes and Keith Scott have been moving to resolve disputes in relation to union-recognition issues. Several polls and surveys have been conducted

“brilliant” and the context within which it was used, it does not mean genius.

In both Clinton and Trump’s cases, the media are acquainted with the truth, yet Lauer allowed the candidates to repeat their claims, unchallenged. Trump, evidently the consummate salesman, is revelling in the attention as the media seemingly are delighted with the audience he brings them. Putin’s ‘admiration’ for Trump’s ‘intellect’ is a big part of Trump’s foreign policy, if it can be so described.

The countries’ Cold War history, Putin, a former agent of the KGB -- considered the world’s largest spy and state-security machine -- Russia’s less than subtle play under his leadership to carve out global positions of dominance as in Crimea, Georgia, and Syria, coupled with the allegation that the country aided persons in breaking into the Democratic National Convention’s database to aid Trump’s chance, being so central in U.S. politics, is bound to be seen as one of the greatest prizes in (inter)national security in recent times.

It is true the aforesaid is not lost on the Russian leader and also has an impact on his ego. In the said Fact Check

over the past 15 months to settle issues which were long festering under the PPP, and allowed some unscrupulous employers to benefit by increasing the exploitation of workers. When the new government assumed office, within the first 100 days, it offered pensioners a 10 percent increase in the face of run-away inflation, wage freeze, retrenchment and credit squeeze. The Government inherited a wrecked economy. Some 60 percent of our people have been living below the poverty line, 40 percent are jobless; millions were allotted in increased allowances for the disciplined services, and just a pittance was allotted to nurses, teachers, pensioners etc.

Indications are that the economy is slowing down as a result of both external and internal factors. The Government is faced with reduced prices for key exports such as rice and sugar, projected production and revenue shortfalls due to natural disasters emanating from El Nino weather conditions, drought and floods. And the Government has had to bail out rice farmers and sugar workers with millions of dollars which went missing from the PetroCaribe Fund. As the country’s ability to pay continues to improve, the unions and their workers will press ahead for a more liveable wage. The GPSU and Government can still, in good faith, continue bargaining for duty-free concessions, houselots, and increments for the public servants and other workers.

Regards, MOHAMED KHAN

article, updated 17th June, Reuters reported that in a speech in St. Petersburg, Russia, Putin on instant date, clarified “that he had only described Trump as ‘flamboyant,’ and added with a smile, ‘He is, isn’t he? I did not give any other assessment of him.’”

The importance of ego in politics is understood, given that it plays a role in wanting to be in that arena.

Monday, 26th September is the first presidential debate.

The world will be watching. Meet the Press moderator Chuck Todd (8th September) said after listening to the Forum it “demonstrated…that both candidates have a lot of homework to do ahead of the debates.” Expectations will be harboured that the debates will be about truth and substantive issues. Equally expected is that the moderators would have done their homework and ensure the candidates treat the event with deserving seriousness.

Hopefully with Lauer’s performance being the subject of criticisms from fellow journalists and pundits, a standard has been set of what to expect. A misplaced ego can be dangerous and the world is seeing glimpses of it.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

Water service improves in Victoria Dear Editor

FOR as long as I have known myself living in Victoria, East Coast Demerara, I have had to fetch water for very long distances, whether through riding, cart-pulling or sometimes walking. As a child I remembered gathering at a central spot in the village where many other residents would be for the purpose of fetching water by buckets and bottles, at about a quarter mile away from my home.

As I grew, more people had pipes in their yards, but these pipes were mere ornaments, since many would just drip and residents would have

to use bowls and little drinks bottle to fill their buckets, this was a very lengthy process.

The trench water was then used for other activities other than drinking, atrociously, though persons were billed an enormous amount of money for water they were not receiving. Water meters were also put in place on pipes that had no water coming through the taps and barrels were placed in many yards with the promise that the water pressure would increase; this never happened in reality and many smartly took the barrels out of the ground and set it to catch rain water. For years, this was the plight of the average Victorian with a few exceptions of those who

lived at the road front.

This year has seen a major difference in the services of G.W.I, especially in the last couple of months. There are still many more areas for improvement, but it’s important to make considerable mention of some of the areas of improvement. Victorians living at the back are grateful for the pressure of water they are now receiving; we can now afford to have showers in our one-flat buildings; those with high houses still struggle to have water upstairs, except for late at nights when most pipes are shut off and no longer do we have to fetch water to flush toilets and wash wares, and water has finally come to even the

The First Peoples have a rich culture Dear Editor,

GUYANESE, more particularly our Amerindian brothers and sisters, mark September as Amerindian Heritage Month. This year’s theme, ‘Our Culture, Earth’s Future,Save the Environment,Live the Indigenous Way,’ could not be more apt, given the rich culture of our First Peoples.

In the settlement of the Americas, the various tribes brought their customs and traditions. These customs and traditions have shaped our nation; these are customs and traditions we all identify with and benefit from. The

names, places, foods, architecture, building materials, etc, of our First Peoples have seamlessly been woven into the nation’s fabric and have helped in shaping our aspiration to be ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’.

The name Guyana is of Amerindian origin. So too is the Cacique Crown which graces our Coat-of-Arms and is one of our national honours. Pepperpot, cassava bread, and cassareep – just to name a few – are among the dishes taken for granted today. That stands out about our brothers and sisters is their unwavering belief in the right to self-determination. This conviction

has seen valiant struggles carried out to protect the right to shape their lives and to live consistent with their ideals. That the Government of Guyana has respected and protected this in the constitution is indicative of the fact that our Amerindian brothers and sisters were on the right track centuries ago. After the Amerindians fought against the odds and lived to tell the stories of struggle and success, their heritage is worthy of celebration.

Happy Amerindian Heritage Month!

Yours faithfully, Sharma Solomon

GOA needs a good captain Dear Editor

ATTORNEYS-at-law Roysdale Forde,Nigel Hughes,David Fernandes and Vidushi Persaud, are names mentioned by Mr Rawle Welch (Sports Reporter) whom he believes, possess the credentials to serve as President of the GOA (Guyana Olympic Association) in his published KN report dated September14,2016.

That was brilliant of the writer to pen his choices and as I see it, the current President of the GOA is in

for some serious challenge/s during the next elections.

Those names are indeed serious contenders.

The possibility now exists that the guard will sooner or later be changed and I sincerely wish everyone well.

Hopefully, Guyana will be represented on the podium at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. To the athletes from Regions One to 10, whatever comes out of the next GOA elections, respect the decision and keep working hard towards international stardom.

It comes with major sacrifices, funding, discipline etc.

In the event I might not be available to pen a correspondence or have to be out of town, I take this moment to extend my gratitude to the current members of the GOA for their consideration in acknowledging my little contribution over the years in the fields.

If any of the names mentioned above should lead the GOA in the near future, it’s a big ship with major responsibilities. Captain that ship well.

Regards T. Pemberton

last part of east sideline in Victoria. Almost everyone has a flowing pipe in their yards, and leak inspectors are checking constantly to make sure this new and improved water experience for Victorians are maintained.

More water meters need to be attached to ensure that this service is financed, so that it can be sustained. Residents without water meters who are receiving water need to also have the ability to regulate their water and better manage their usage.

Water during the course of the night-- water cuts off at 10 in Victoria -- I have lived other places where water flows all night, this is not a strange asking and an area for improvement.

The quality of water is another point that G.W.I needs to pay attention to and I am sure not only Victorians have this problem.

Though I understand how much goes into making the water even to the stage it is at, it’s also factual that this issue needs to be constantly

before the eyes of the authority to provide Guyanese with water that is not full of iron and rust. Water quality in Victoria and even in Guyana has come a long way and I am sure that with the improvements that we have seen thus far, Victorians would be willing to continue to work with G.W.I in whatever way possible as they provide a service that is aimed at excellence.

Regards Samuel Gillis

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

Bogus US registration on illegal aircraft …Yupukari area on radar for narco trade

By Fareeza Haniff THE abandoned aircraft found at an interior airstrip bears a bogus United States (US) registration and the area where it was found was on the radar for the illicit drug trade, Cabinet Secretary Joseph Harmon has revealed.

The twin engine Cessna Aircraft was found Wednesday at the Yupukari Airstrip, Region 9, (Upper Demerara/ Upper Takatu) bearing registration number N767Z, but Harmon told a post cabinet media briefing Thursday that investigations conducted by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Customs Ant-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) found that there is another active aircraft in the US with the same registration number.

The Cessna 441 Conquest 11 is said to be a very

expensive aircraft, with an aviation official putting the price at US$2M. The official said too that it is extraordinarily strange for such type of craft to be found at the location. Guyana Chronicle was also told that the payload of the plane is about 4000 pounds minus fuel and has a range of 2500 miles on fuel.

He further explained that the area has been under regular and constant surveillance because in the past an airstrip not very far from that location was actually used for aircraft that were connected to the illicit drug trade.

“The members of CANU, the police force, the ranks are there. They’re checking the aircraft to determine whether in fact it had a cargo, whether the cargo has been disposed of or what,” Harmon disclosed.

Army Chief of Staff Brigadier Mark Philips had

told the Guyana Chronicle that the aircraft was spotted by residents of Yupukari who alerted the GDF and the police and according to Harmon a joint patrol was sent in and found the aircraft partly hidden. “It was off of the airstrip itself and there seemed to have been some kind of a camouflage net that was thrown over it and it was partly in the bushes so we get the sense that it would have been there a few days,” the Cabinet Secretary revealed.

He believes that the aircraft was not at the location for too long, “because these joint services patrols now they go in the North and South Rupununi on a regular basis so they are in touch with the villages, they’re in touch with the communities and that connection of community to the joint services, that information connection is working well for the defence

The abandoned aircraft

Infrastructure Ministry prepares for Budget 2017 THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) has engaged the Ministry of Finance on preparations for its budget, which will be read as part of the national budget 2017 in December.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson told members of the media on Thursday that the Ministry defended its submissions, and according to him the entity is competing with several other ministries to receive

funding for projects in the 2017 Fiscal year, including in Hinterland areas.

The Ministry will make a final submission to the Ministry of Finance today. There are some marque projects such as the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project which has to be completed in 2017.

Patterson said the $4B allocated in 2016 for the CJIA project has been expended, and it is expected to be fin-

ished by December 2017.

The contractor, he said is pushing to meet the project deadline, and the Ministry may approach Parliament for with a supplementary budget to complete the project.

Works at the CJIA is being undertaken by the Chinese firm, China Habour Engineering Company (CHEC) and includes the construction of a roundabout at the entrance to the airport.

and security of our borders.”

Government intends to release more information on the aircraft as the investigation is ongoing.

Not the first time here that authorities have stumbled on illegal aircraft in the hinterland. Back in March 2005 police had stumbled on a Cessna 206 aircraft with duplicate registration said to be used in Venezuela.

The Cessna with black and grey stripes with an emblem suspected to be that of Venezuela on its tail was first

observed to be bearing the number YV0880P. Police had issued a wanted bulletin for Gary Anthony Grandison, whose address was given as Lot 13, Guyhoc Gardens and 13, Prince William Street Plaisance, East Coast Demerara. One of the men for whom wanted bulletins had been issued later turned himself over to police but no charges were laid in connection with the plane.

The white single engine aircraft had among its features a special drop door, as well

as on-board fuel tanks to facilitate long-range flights, an indication that it may have been used in some illegal activity, including the trafficking in narcotics or persons, lawmen here had said.

Additionally, in October 2012 an Ecuadorian-registered 421 Cessna plane was seized at an illegal airstrip at Pirara, Region Nine. The plane was quickly repainted and its registration number changed, when authorities here had found it.

Gov’t rushes generators to Bartica to ease blackout woes BARTICIANS can expect a relief from current load-shedding in the Region Seven township this weekend since three generator sets including a replacement from the Onverwagt power station in Berbice are expected to be operational by Sunday.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, told reporters on Thursday during a news briefing at his Wight’s Lane, Kingston office that the unit from Onverwagt on the West Coast of Berbice was expected to arrive in the mining town on Thursday morning. The set was being moved by trail to Bartica.

He explained that the town was being powered by three generator sets, however, one was switched -off two weeks ago for overhaul.

During the process, one of the two remaining sets developed a problem leaving the town to be supplied with power by a lone set. This resulted in load-shedding for 12-hour

periods to two sections of the town.

The minister informed the reporters that one of the generator sets is expected to be operational by Saturday and will complement the newer generator set as well as the one currently in operation.

“By Sunday all three sets will be up and running,” he said.

Patterson also noted that arising out of an emergency, the authorities will be renting a parcel of land opposite the Bartica Power Station at a cost of $1.5M to house one of the generating sets. He said that next to the power station is the town’s market and this gave rise to space constraints.

“The rental is to a private individual who knowing our dire position is charging $1.5M monthly “, he said in disappointing tones, noting that there was no other option.

He expressed hope that the arrangement will last less than one month, noting that where transparency is concerned, the move arose out of an emergency procedure. Residents

had expressed frustration over the situation. Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall told this publication last week that the town is severely affected by the poor supply of electricity.

He explained that the lone generator which services the town supplies only 1.2 megawatts of electricity when the demand is two megawatts.

He also noted that the current situation is placing economic hardship on residents, particularly the business community, and is affecting schoolchildren and giving rise to the issue of security. In addition to the poor supply of electricity, the mayor said, the Bartica Town Council has serious issues with the operation and location of the power station.“The present facility is inconsistent with the ‘greening’ of Bartica. If you visit the site, you will see that the power plant continues to be responsible for air pollution, and even water pollution,” Marshall explained.

Wales lands for rice farming The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) through its Engineering Services Department is inviting sealed bids for the clearing of some 485 acres of lands at the Wales Estate to facilitate rice cultivation.

In an advertisement appearing in this newspaper, GuySUCO said that the lands are required to be cleared of all vegetation to facilitate laser land leveling for rice cul-

tivation. According to the advertisement, a site visit at the bidder’s own expense has been arranged for Wales Estate today at 14:00h.

Contractors are asked to assemble at the administration building at the estate. The GuySUCO advertisement said too that the lands are originally cane lands and were recently taken out of cultivation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

Guyana’s ‘Walking Dead’ ‒ the tribe of the addicted WE all know someone or a relative who has been a part of that tribe, is still there, or died in its mocking embrace or is still recovering from its diabolical shackles. Drug addiction spans the landscape of crime, domestic upheavals, street violence and suicide as a cause ingredient. But to address this cause phenomenon seems to have stunned the authorities.

Our country is a HIPC and lethargic in functional areas where the vine could have been plucked at the bottom step rather than wait until it has covered the door and begins to wind its way through the nearest window.

After the ‘Baby Arthur’ case in 1994, nothing happened. Drugs as a means of wealth continued to lure, entice and entrap politicians, lawyers and members of the Joint Services. Most of them that I spoke to back then justified the money by saying that it’s just passing through.

CRAB DANCE Well, a whole lot has spilled over. The ancestors

have left us with a proverb that says, ‘Once yuh guh crab dance, yuh must get mud’.

Apart from the addicts that families are forced to abandon, there are those who are semi-functioning addicts.

The P.R.O of the City Hall announced after the elections that they were going to force families to take back relatives that were sleeping on the streets. This was astonishing that a junior representative of the City Hall in the capital of Guyana was unaware of the scourge of drugs.

The reality is that those families are torn by grief to abandon their brothers and husbands to the streets, but to save themselves, this hard choice has to be made, for the consequences of trying to deal with this mind-damaging condition can be disastrous.

For years, our media have reported on mothers, grandmothers, grandfathers, and relatives being murdered by drug users for money to support this diabolical habit.

Addicts have also been used as cheap assassins; one was even paid with a snow

cone and sent on his mission. I have witnessed strong brethren and sistren being damaged by cocaine, marijuana and alcohol. Cigarettes are devastating, but not so obvious.

NEW FACES It is not unusual to see new faces, much younger, and from their countenances, recent additions to the scourge. The thing is, I don’t drive, so I encounter these new faces up close and personal.

Struck by the invasion of drugs and addictive citizens over two decades ago, I made pictorial records and began to explore literature that explained drugs throughout the ages.

I have a working relationship with Clarence Young, who runs the Phoenix Recovery Project at Mon Repos. This is a drug-rehabilitation facility with successes. His expertise and knowledge-pool far outclass mine, but there is one principle that both Phoenix and The Salvation Army subscribe to that I disagree with: that they cannot keep addicts if they don’t want to stay.

Well, let’s visit the classics: Homer’s Odyssey,

when some of Ulysses’ men on their way home from Troy fell in with the narcotic, ‘Lotus-Eaters’.

Homer’s hero, Ulysses, was less than in keeping with the democratic measures of our modern addict reformers: “...I myself took these men back weeping, by force, to where the ships were, and put them aboard under the rowing benches and tied them Fast, and then gave the order to the rest of my eager companions to embark On the ships in haste, for fear someone else might taste of the lotus and forget the way home...”

This is ‘rehab’, old school; brutal but effective.

FURTHER READING There’s a book I have delved into that forced me to cross-read, costing me to expend much-needed funds.

It’s name is ‘The Chemical Muse’ by D.C.A. Hillman. I bought it because much of what was discussed demanded that I explore other literature that indicated scenarios that I had taken for granted before, but had caused some numbing need for further clarification.

That included biblical and historical references that had left questions unanswered, for example, ‘How could the Roman population find pleasure in the savagery of gladiators, and wild animals devouring human beings?’

One would find numerous forms of drug usage in the ancient western world.

And in the east, too!

What lay behind the

countless acts of genocide committed in the name of God by the Hebrew prophets of the Old Testament, similar to the macabre savagery of the Nazis in WWII? Did the incense used by these ancient men to induce what they thought were transcendent states; what, with the advent of neuro-science, we now call hallucinogens, result in these difficult to justify narratives?

Again, could it have resulted in the coming of another prophet, ‘The Christ’ or Maã Kheru, as his Khemetic Mystery tutors would have called him, to liberate and humanise from the past with a New Testament.

Because of the volume of information, this would require an entire epistle; beyond the scope of this article, so I must now close this chapter.

HALLUCINOGENS Fast forward to Guyana.

Mind-altering substances do not enhance humans; they disturb us. None of our Guyana scholars, the likes of Forbes Burnham, Fred Wills etc., emerged from youthful addictions; they immersed themselves in a wide scope of knowledge, and found its power.

As the coordinator of RESCU, a non- profit, info-based group that has visited schools and clubs and spoken on the myth of addictive substances, we ponder why in no school can be found one poster that refutes the peddled nonsense on the substances that pervade our communities. The Ministry of Education has a functional workbook on Literacy and Life Skills, but there is no existing tactical policy from the Ministry of Health or any ministry to counter the propaganda for abusive substances. At least, not yet.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

SOCU to remain Gov’t slams PPP’s under police control “anti-national stance” Amaila Falls Project

CABINET has had the final say as to under whose control the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) will be, Cabinet Secretary Joseph Harmon has noted.

He told reporters on Thursday that it was made clear in Tuesday’s cabinet meeting that SOCU will remain under the Guyana Police Force (GPF), clearing up the misconception that Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams wants the unit to be removed from under the supervision of the GPF. “It was clear in cabinet that there was no diversion, it is clear that SOCU is a unit under the Guyana Police Force and it’s under the superintendents of the Guyana Police Force. What Minister Williams did say is that they will have to have

a wider role in so far as the Anti-Money Laundering legislation is concerned but he never said that it (SOCU) must be under him [Williams) for his superintendents. It remains a unit of the Guyana Police Force,” Harmon clarified.

Recently Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan committed to trim SOCU’s responsibilities to deal with financial crimes only. He told reporters that while he can concede the reduction of responsibilities for SOCU, he does not want the unit to be separated from the GPF. The Public S ecurity Minister agreed that the powers granted to SOCU are expansive, but has made the argument that the unit must be in a position to do essentially what the An-

ti-money laundering Act provides for. “…but if let’s say there are no Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) investigations ordered, are we going to have 10 policemen sitting a whole year doing nothing? They are good, qualified people to deal with frauds, especially white collar crimes, what do we do? Are we not going to put inside of this thing that they should deal with white collar crimes and fraud and so on?” he asked.

Ramjattan said if SOCU is investigating an anti-terrorist act as a result of money transfers or otherwise that leads to murder, the unit should not have to depend on the Homicide department to deal with that aspect of the investigation.

…will continue to engage IDB, Norway THE government has again committed itself to full transparency in determining the future of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, following accusations by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo that the issue is shrouded in secrecy.

“It is not that there is no transparency and all of that information is in the public domain. Sometimes, I am amused with the way in which the Opposition operates on these things, seeking to get the public’s attention,” Cabinet Secretary Joseph Harmon told a post-cabinet media briefing Thursday.

Harmon has accused the Opposition Leader of taking an “anti-national” stance on the matter, given the fact that he (Jagdeo) wrote a letter to the Government of Norway on August 24, 2016 with regard to its concerns on the lack of inclusivity and transparency.

“We are in fact in engagement with Norway. We are in engagement with IDB. As I speak to you now, a team from the IDB is at the

Ministry of Finance discussing these matters. This is one of the issues that will come up in the margins of the UN General Assembly meeting. These matters were elaborated upon in the National Assembly in a select committee where I sat and the Opposition were given full disclosure on all the matters they asked about Norway, about the Green Climate Fund, about the Amaila Falls [project] and it is clear that the decision that was taken was between the Government of Guyana and the Kingdom of Norway was that they would set up an independent assessor to determine whether in fact this is going anywhere,” Harmon clarified.

He said that Norway is still in the process of finalising an assessor. Norwegian company, Norconsult, was selected to review the financial model of the Amaila Falls Project, after which it will be determined whether the controversial project will go ahead.

The Guyana Chronicle

had reported last year that Norway is keeping US$80 million of funding from its forest-saving deal with Guyana for the project, but the funds could be diverted to other clean-energy initiatives if the project is deemed impractical, Finance Minister Winston Jordan had said. The governments of Guyana and Norway had agreed that a “once-and-for-all” study should be done to determine the feasibility of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project. In August 2013, the developer of the project, Sithe Global, pulled out saying its development funds hinged on support from all political forces.

The current coalition government,then made up of APNU and AFC as separate opposition parties, refused to support the project in the form it was presented, saying it would put the country under a severe debt burden and that there was no guarantee that power from Amaila would have been cheaper for Guyanese.

MV Barima to resume operations next month

By Alva Solomon RESIDENTS of the North West District can expect a relief from river transport woes since the Motor Vessel (MV) Barima is expected out of the shipyard in October and will join the MV Lady Northcote to service the Region One routes.

Residents have complained of the dire need for additional vessels to service the route on a frequent basis since only the Lady Northcote has been moving goods and passengers to the region.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson told reporters on Thursday that the service is expected to be fully complimented by February next year when the MV Kimbia, which also plies the route, is expected out of the shipyard.

She explained that the approval of $194M for the rehabilitation of the two en-

gines onboard the MV Kimbia is set to commence soon since they were taken out and sent to Holland to be rehabilitated.

“They should arrive there by this month-end,” she said of the vessel’s engines, noting that the contractor has informed that it will take a period of five months for the engines to be rehabilitated.

She said that the Lady Northcote which currently plies the Port Georgetown – Kumaka/Port Kaituma routes will continue to ply the routes while the MV Barima is expected to join the older vessel next month.

She explained that the contractor has informed that the MV Barima will be operational on October 8, noting that the vessel’s two generators and winch have to be replaced.

Meanwhile, patrons on the Essequibo Coast will also experience relief in river transport since the Chi-

nese-built ferries MV Sabanto and MV Kanawan are back in operation.

They are expected to restart operations along the Essequibo Coast and at the Essequibo Islands.

As regards the Good Hope Stelling near Supenaam, she said that the authorities apologise for the situation there regarding works to be undertaken to remedy the problem.

The stelling was damaged when the Sabanto crashed into the structure late in July.

“In the earliest of time works will commence,” Ferguson said noting that a sum of $17M will be expended on fixing the stelling.

She said works will include the driving of piles, replacement of metal plates among other works at the stelling. Ferguson said the works will last for seven days and will be undertaken by the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

Tribunal sworn in to investigate Duncan A THREE-MEMBER tribunal has been sworn in to inquire, investigate and recommend whether Carvil Duncan, Chairman and appointed member of the Public Service Commission should be removed from office.

In addition to being charged with fraud, Duncan has not been executing his functions effectively. In keeping with Article 225 of the Constitution of Guyana, Justice Roxane George – Chairperson of the tribunal, Justice (ret’d) Winston Patterson and Attorney-at-Law Robert Ramcharran took the oath of Office on Thursday before President David Granger at the Ministry of the Presidency.

The tribunal is expected to commence its work immediately and render its report, findings and recommendations to President Granger on or before October 31, 2016.

In offering congratulations and appreciation to the tribunal for taking up this challenge, the Head of State said it is an indication that Guyana is a well-run country.

“It represents the com-

Duncan asking him to show cause why a tribunal should not be established to address the question of his removal from constitutional office.

The Prime Minister had advised that, as a member of the Judicial Service Commission, Duncan has to defend the charges before officials appointed by this Commission. However, Duncan never responded to the Prime Minister’s letter. The Prime Minister then advised the President that a tribunal ought to be established to investigate whether Duncan

Chairperson of the Tribunal Justice Roxane George taking the oath of office before President David Granger

mitment of this Administration for due process. We are obliged that when matters are brought to our attention that the response should not be hasty, arbitrary or whimsical and that, we follow the Constitution both in spirit and in letter,” President Granger said.

Initially, Government had sought to have Duncan remove himself, but he failed to cooperate. President Granger had long expressed concern over the current

criminal charges laid against Duncan even as he continues to sit on several constitutional bodies, including the Public Service Commission, the Police Service Commission and the Judicial Service Commission.

Duncan was charged following alleged financial irregularities at the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), where he had served as a board member. During March 2016, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo wrote to

should be removed from the constitutional commissions.

Duncan, who is also President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and General-Secretary of the Guyana Labour Union, was charged jointly with former Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL), Aershwar Deonarine, over the unapproved transfer of approximately $29M to their personal bank accounts from the PetroCaribe fund.

Duncan, when he was

first charged, was placed on $1M bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Police have alleged that Duncan stole $984,900 from GPL on March 31, 2015 at Georgetown, after conspiring with Deonarine to commit the act of simple larceny. Duncan is also alleged to have conspired with Deonarine to commit a felony – that is to say between May 7 and 8 at Georgetown, he conspired to steal GYD$27,757,500, property of GPL. He has denied the charges.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

Chinese investors shun BaiShanLin …crucial meeting on future here in two weeks’ time

By Ariana Gordon BAISHANLIN International Forest Development Inc (BIFDI) said it has been unsuccessful thus far in locking down its two largest shareholders to invest here and that a major meeting with key stakeholders, including the Chinese Government, will take place in another two weeks to determine the company’s future in Guyana.

Guyana has already repossessed the forest concessions granted to Barama and is making moves to recover money owed by the company. However, the company said it is dependent upon its partners to provide the much-needed financial assistance to deliver on its promise to the government of Guyana, a wood-processing factory. Baishanlin’s Trade and Foreign Department Manager, Eddie Wang, told the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday that the company has encountered financial challenges and is unable to maintain its operating costs here along with constructing the wood-processing facility as promised.

As such, the company initially partnered with Da Xing Anling Group Inc., a state-owned forestry commission partnered with Baishanlin under the commitment that Baishanlin submits a business plan of its projects to the Commerce department of the Chinese government. This was done and Da Xing Group got on board with Baishanlin. It was finances provided by the state-owned forestry company that begun phase one of the wood-processing facility.

Wang explained that after securing land for the wood-processing facility from The National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), it was necessary for funds to be used to clear “virgin forestry land” located at

Fitz Hope, near Mobilisa, Region 10. At that time, the company had submitted documents to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) requesting duty-free concessions for its machinery to be used for the clearing and filling of the land in the first phase and beyond.

However, in 2014 and some parts of 2015, the Da Xing

business just keep our basic operation.

“The project funding comes from the Bank loan… when the bank said it has to redo the evaluation, I am not sure the cost of the second phase but…we still keep waiting, we keep submitting documents to them and explained the situation here. “ It was a result of the

Baishanlin’s Trade and Foreign Department Manager, Eddie Wang

Group decided to re-evaluate its investment in the project here following several newspaper reports about Baishanlin, Wang told the Guyana Chronicle.

He said during its re-evaluation, the stateowned forestry group was required to submit a report to the China Development Bank (CDB), as it was that bank that provided the group with a loan for the construction of the wood-processing facility. “…the banks considered writing off the project as it was facing high risk… according to the bank-loan procedure, they have to redo evaluation for the project to ensure that it was wise to continue investment.”

As a result of the position taken by that stakeholder, Baishanlin is unable to progress. The company is maintaining its inability to finance the construction of the wood-processing facility which was expected to provide much-needed jobs to Guyanese. “…our company’s logging business is not enough to keep the operations and keep investing in the project- the company’s

position taken by the China Development Bank that the company was advised by the Government of Guyana to seek new partners (investors). In that light, the company partnered with another state-owned company, Long Jiang Forest Industries Group. “We told the government that the company is awaiting financing for the project… we met with Guyana Forestry Commis-

sion (GFC) and Ministry of Natural Resources…explaining our financial plight, they encouraged us to get a new partner inside so as to continue investment in Guyana and try to achieve this project as early as possible.”

It was the company’s first partner Da Xing that secured the partnership with Long Jiang Industries Group, because the company could ill afford to wait for the CDB to approve the loan, given the lengthy process.

“Long Jiang forest is another state- owned forestry commission in China and during the Minister of State’s trip to China, our partner introduced him to Long Jiang…they reached an agreement that the new company is going to help us to continue investing in Guyana and help us to achieve this wood-processing facility project,” explained Wang. Long Jiang Forest Industries Group has also acquired 55 per cent shares in Baishanlin. Minister of State Joseph Harmon who visited that company on March 27 had said that Long Jiang Forest Industries intends to “fully take over the company [Shan Lin] by June, 2016.”

“The Vice-Director of

the company, Mr Wong Dong Xu, in the presence of officials of Bai Shan Lin, gave the assurance that the company will be in Guyana

by May 2016 to complete due diligence for the takeover,” Harmon said in a statement in April.

The 55 per cent shareholder in Bai Shan Lin had committed to expand on the obligations made by Baishanlin. However, while Long Jiang had agreed to finance the project, “they haven’t done any action.”

Wang said in his opinion the Chinese entity is awaiting some documentation and is also checking the state of the country so as to decipher whether it is wise to invest.

“As a state-owned company, they need to go through a lengthy legal procedure…everything passed through the senior persons… The first partner took an entire year before they started. This procedure cannot be done in one or two nights--- [and] everything was explained to the GFC and ministry.”

Wang noted that the Chinese government monitors keenly the developments happening in Guyana and noted that last Sunday’s move by the GRA to seize several items from the company’s Coomacka, Region 10 location may have an im-

pact on the entity’s decision.

The Trade and Foreign Manager said he understands that the government is out of patience and said they “they are so hurry to see everything achieved and so they want our investment to benefit local citizens to create job opportunities here.

On our side, my boss keeps saying we need time, support and patience from the government and people, but the government action releases a bad signal to our China side, this won’t help them it will just make them hesitant.”

Wang said too that there can be no guarantee at the moment, the future of the investment here as Baishanlin is not a one-man show. “The company has shareholders, partners…in the following two weeks our shareholders [along] with the Chinese Government, the commerce department and the CDB will have a meeting to decide if this investment is going to be continued.”

He told the Guyana Chronicle that while General Manager of Baishanlin, Chu Hongbo, has indicated to one media entity that he requests an additional three years to fulfil its agreement, it may not be realistic, given the time that transactions coming out of China take.

Guyana pushing for final ruling on border controversy at UN PRESIDENT David Granger will be pushing for a final resolution to the ongoing Guyana/Venezuela border controversy at the 71st session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

The annual meeting of 193 countries officially opened on Tuesday at the UN’s headquarters in New York and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge is already in New York, laying the groundwork, Cabinet

Secretary Joseph Harmon told a post- cabinet media briefing Thursday.

According to Harmon, President Granger will be accompanied by a delegation which will have the primary focus of dealing with the Guyana/Venezuela controversy, given the fact that Secretary-General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon, is slated to demit office in November.

“Therefore, it is important for us to try and get a decision out of the Secre-

tary- General about a means by which the controversy can be finally resolved. As you’re aware, Guyana has taken the position that the matter is a legal one and it should be dealt with at the legal level; a judicial settlement is what we’re looking for and therefore the delegation will be trying to press home that position of Guyana,” Harmon said.

President Granger has already indicated to the United Nations Sec-

retary-General that the process of talks has been worn out and that it is time for a final legal settlement to Venezuela’s claim that the arbitral award of 1899 which settled the countries’ borders is null and void.

Guyana’s position was laid out when Granger met Mr Ban in the presence of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in September 2015.

Since then, the UN has sent two teams to Guyana to move the process further.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

Pit-bull rampage 15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

‒ leaves one dead, several injured

By Rabindra Rooplall

Meh hall the cutlass and do Whap! Whap! Yo understand, and meh shove me bicycle on one of them, then I do whap! And I chop one by he mouth and he holler and run away along with the others,” the

the station. Is when I went back around there I hear a man died,” the pensioner said.

Adams, who is a GuySuCo employee, was also riding through the area on bicycle around 03:00hrs when the dogs sunk their teeth into both his legs.

“They back me into an empty lot and I keep swinging

AN UNIDENTIFIED man is dead and several are injured after a vicious attack by pit bulls in the wee hours of Thursday morning.

The dogs reportedly belong to Marceline Basdeo-Small, the owner of the residence at Lot 87 Leonora Parafield, West Coast Demerara (WCD). According to police, the gate to the property was left opened.

Residents say the killed vagrant, believed to be around 65, had been in the area for the past several months and is only known as “Boxer”.

Police were summoned to the scene at 06:10hrs and the body was taken to Ezekiel Funeral Parlour.

Basdeo-Small was a Miss Guyana Universe delegate in 2002. She first came to prominence in 2001, when she and a male acquaintance alleged that they were kidnapped. The incident, according to Marceline took place Injured: Wilbert Adams who was at in front of Tower Hotel, the Leonora Cottage Hospital points Main Street, George- to one of the places where the dogs town. It was alleged attacked him during the one that the two were taken hour ordeal to an abandon house at Ramanand Bhikam doing a demonstration of how he and another as Wilbert AdKaieteur Avenue, Bel Air used his cutlass to fend off the dogs ams of Cornelia Ida, WCD. Park, Georgetown.

Bhikam told the GuyShe is also the wife of ana Chronicle that around pensioner explained.

Barry Small, who was senBhikam said he then 05:05hrs, he was riding tenced with his lover Bibi his bicycle on “Cow Dam” called out for the owner of Gopaul for the murder of and as soon as he turned the dogs for several minGopaul’s daughter. Small into another street, the dogs utes but got no answer. and Gopaul were sentenced Frustrated, he proceeded to pounced on him. to a combined 202 years in “When I reach there, the the Leonora Police Station jail for the murder. dogs attacked me, I say well where he made a report and Justice Navindra Singh what thing is this, I know visited the Leonora Cottage sentenced Gopaul to 106 some dogs does attack and Hospital where he received years in jail while Jarvis move off, but not them dog treatment.

Barry Small got 96 years for “Is a lucky thing I had this,” he said. the despicable act. meh cutlass or else they He added: “I had a cutReports revealed that lass on my bicycle, and would have damaged me the four pit bulls also inwhen the dog attacked me, I a lot yo know. The pojured three men and a 13start to fire chop and then I lice hold onto the owner’s year-old boy of Parika, East see all of them around meh. brother and carried him to Bank Essequibo.

They were attacked and bitten before the destructive carnivores turned their attention to sheep in the neighbourhood.

Residents claimed that the owner disregarded cries and pleads for help from the victims.

One of the victims was identified as Ramanand Bhikam, 62, of Stewartville Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara (WCD), The house where Marceline Basdeo-Small lives

my bike to hit them away and I even pick up a wood and lashing them but they ain’t backing off. One hour after a car passed in the area and the driver who knows me helped me, although I was screaming no one came to help me,” he explained.

He explained that the driver of the vehicle had to rev the engine which resulted in the dogs scampering from the area, which allowed him to escape.

Adams was taken to the GuySuCo dispensary, then to the Lenora Cottage Hospital before he made a report at the Leonora Police Station.

An eyewitness said three

police officers and a criminal investigator visited the scene after the owner jumped into her vehicle and drove to her father’s residence. “Ten minutes after the father come with her car and drive it under the house and he catch the dogs and bathe them up and lock them up. So police was waiting on her to come out the house but they would not get to hold her because she is not there,” the eyewitness said.

Several residents told this publication that they had made reports to the Lenora Police Station regarding attacks by the very dogs.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

Nursery educatio ACTING Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson on Tuesday said that nursery education is not static but is dynamic and solicits support for its development.

He made the disclosure while making remarks at the Ministry of Education on Tuesday launching of the Guyana Nursery Education Programme’s 40th anniversary at the Roxanne Burnham Nursery School with the

theme” Investing in Quality Nursery Education for successful lifelong learning.”

He outlined the importance of nursery education which he described as vital for development of children in preparation for primary education.

Hutson related that they must make the delivery of nursery education funfilled and at the same time be creative, innovative and child-friendly.

He told the gathering that nursery school was the first exercise where children were separated from the comfort of their parents and in this regard it should be a place that is comfortable and secure.

The senior education officer said children in nursery school build self-esteem and start to communicate with other pupils and teachers and with this in mind it should be the foundation for life-long progress.

Pupils of East Nursery Sch background is Acting Chief E As

Hutson reiterated the need for nursery schools to be a place where children can build self-confidence and be the basic foundation in language for higher education since nursery

Steel Pan players of North Georgetown S

Police target

…following series of robberies THE police have arrested two men and are looking at dismantling a crime gang that has been terrorising residents of Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

Following a series of break and enter and larceny incidents, coupled with daring daylight armed robberies within the Young Professionals Housing Scheme, Eccles, a top police official said with two suspects in custody it is only a matter of time before they dismantle that gang of criminals.

Within recent times, several homes have been broken into and robbed by burglars and in most cases the victims were not at home when it happened.

These home owners suffered losses and in one case the house was vandalised by a gang of men operating in the area.

Registrar of Deeds Azeena Bacchus, was not spared when two gunmen tied up her security guard and the contractor, who was doing building works

on Wednesday at a Young Professional She was home alon the men told her em to her after which th the house and dem valuables.

However, her rel her home the same of their vehicle on t the bandits to flee hu were summoned, but had already made She was the victim o last year.

Meanwhile, th ney-at-Law Paula ken into on Wednes while her daughter The men entered th ing open a back win a businessman was robbers, who gaine

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

on is never static, says top man activities through a colourful classroom and to incorporate pre-reading while maintaining a clean and tidy environment.

He however, admitted that they had a lot of ground to cover in the delivery of nursery education in Guyana to impact the lives of the little ones which can be achieved by the pooling of resources, skills, knowledge and assistance from stakeholders.

Meanwhile, giving an overview of 40 years of nursery education in Guyana, Assistant Chief Education Of-

hool, who successfully recited poems, looking on in the Education Officer Marcel Hutson and Mrs. Ingrid Trotman ssistant Chief Education Officer

school facilitates the transition to primary school.

He highlighted the importance of learning while at nursery age and encouraged teachers to treat children kind-

ly and to teach children in small portions.

Hutson urged teachers to be quiet-speaking to nursery school children and to engage them in various educational

Secondary School in action on Tuesday

t crime gang in Eccles

about 1:25pm at the ls Housing Scheme. ne at the time when mployees to call out hey gained entry into manded money and

latives showed up at time and the sound the driveway caused urriedly. The police t by then the robbers good their escape. of a similar robbery

he home of AttorNicolson was brosday at about 10am r was home alone. he house after prisndow. The home of also broken into by ed entry after ham-

mering a gaping hole in the concrete wall of a one-flat house. They carted off valuables including household appliances. The police said they have received reports of several break and enter and larceny and armed robberies of residents, as such, they have intensified mobile patrols in that area.

In its recent crime statistics update, the Guyana Police Force said it has recorded an 18% decrease in serious crimes at the end of August this year, relative to the same period last year. There was a 10% reduction in reports of murder; a 7% decrease in gun-related robberies; a 17% decrease in armed robberies in which other instruments were used; a 9% decrease in robberies in which no instruments were used; a 19% decrease in robberies with violence; a combined 40% decrease in break and enter and larceny, and burglary; a 20% decrease in rape; and a 38% decrease in larceny from the person.

ficer Mrs. Ingrid Trotman said 40 years ago on September 13, 1976 the then government launched the nursery education programme.

She recalled that before that nursery schools were privately-owned and were referred to as “bottom house kindergarten” and at the start of this programme by the Ministry of Education there was an enrollment of about 19,000 pupils in 380 nursery schools.

Mrs. Trotman disclosed that to date on the 40th anni-

versary there are about 26,500 children enrolled in 332 district schools and 142 nursery classes in Guyana managed by about 1,700 nursery teachers.

She stated that of the 1,700 nursery teachers there were three males.

At the end of 2016 a model nursery school will be constructed in Mocha Arcadia, she said.

Mrs. Trotman said the two-year nursery education programme should be made compulsory in our present nursery education sector stra-

tegic plan.

Also making remarks was Liza Joseph-Rhyce, head teacher of Roxanne Burnham Nursery school, Quenita Waldrond and Lavern Cameron, District Education Officer Nursery.

Education month is celebrated from September 1 to October 5, 2016 under the theme; “Each Child Matters: Stakeholders Unite for the Enhancement of Education.”

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Passion,

By Jasmaine Payne

WHEN 29-year-old Krystle DeSantos launched her blog, krystledesantos.com, last year, being featured by Buzzfeed, one of the world’s largest Internet media companies, was not something she foresaw.

In fact, blogging had already been a significant part her life since 2009, and had simply provided a platform for her to express her creativity and her love for all things décor.

“It shows my journey of pursuing my creative endeavours, and it provides me with a means of having my voice out there,” Krystle said in an interview with the Buzz.

Earlier this year, Krystle received the gift that every serious blogger dreams of: The chance of being featured on Buzzfeed. Buzfeed chose Krystle to be among 20 bloggers to showcase style inspired by renowned Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo.

Said Krystle, “I love Frida because her style embodies things that are core to what I love: Bright colours, floral prints. And that really comes from home.

“When I reflect on it, I realise it is because I

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

art

grew up in Guyana, and it is part of my heritage that I connect with these things.”

BARELY EXPLORED In Guyana, blogging remains a barely explored industry, with the few blogs in existence mostly focusing on politics or minor sections within the arts.

But Krystle has proven that blogging can serve as a significant outlet for creativity, as it has done for her. For persons interested in blogging, she advises that they use something that they are most passionate about; do their research, be original, use attractive imagery, and above all, just start doing it.

“Blogs are pretty cheap; you don’t always have to pay to get a domain name,” Krystle said, adding: “Also, when I started blogging in 2009, blogs weren’t all that popular. But now the market is flooded, so

and the Guyanese blogger Krystle DeSantos and her Frida-inspired look which was featured on Buzzfeed

it is important to be yourself and not copy anyone’s style or work.

“At the end of the day, however, your blog is not about you; it is about providing value to others.”

Krystle’s Blog provides creative inspiration for fashion and décor

GUYANESE ROOTS Born in the United States to Guyanese parents, the young style enthusiast spent her formative years here in Guyana, but returnede permanently to the US when it was time to attend college.

Her career path began along the road of becoming a doctor, but after two years of pre-med course-work, she switched majors. It was during a time of uncertainty about her future that she turned to ‘Do-It-Yourself (DIY)’ projects and decorating to keep her inspired.

Aside from blogging, Krystle, who currently lives in New York, works in advertising for professional networking media site, Linkedin.

She admits that both aspects of her professional life -- art and her career -- balance out who she is as a person, as she believes that passion also requires some amount of skill.

“I love technology, and in the working world, there are skills you need for when you’re being creative. So it works out well,” she said.

Krystle’s blog features décor, style, vintage, and DIY-inspired posts, and has proven useful for anyone looking to get creative with their style, be it in fashion, in the home, or for a special event.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

Paradise Movies ‒ Bringing modern entertainment to Linden

Jovinski Thorne

THOUGH it has been in existence for just about a year, one of Linden’s only existing theatres is now bringing Box Office-released movies to residents of the mining town, offering them modern entertainment in a comfortable environment.

Located at a mall in Amelia’s Ward, Linden, the theatre has the capacity to seat up to 80 persons, and has recently been upgraded with enhancements in sound, digital projection and other improvements, making it now compatible to screen Box Office movies on their actual release dates.

“I wanted to give the people of Linden the opportunity to enjoy the same amenities that many other people worldwide enjoy,” says founder of Paradise Movies, Lyndon Lamott.

The 27-year-old, who was born and raised in Linden, now lives and works abroad as a pilot, but was sure to return to his hometown to invest in its devel-

opment. “Exposure is a limiting factor in Linden, so if we can expose them to different things in life, they will feel better, “Lyndon said, adding:

Lyndon Lamott, founder of Paradise Movies

The exterior of Paradise Movies, located at the Mall in Amelia’s Ward, Linden

‒ Young ‘trendsetter’ in the making

“When they f e e l better, they will think bet- ter; and when they think better, they will start to dream.”

Once dreams come into play, he opined, they will start to see opportunities outside of what is usually provided for them, even in their careers.

“We have to provide quality type of entertainment in Guyana so that people feel entitled; like they deserve things, and they can start feeling good about themselves and start to move the country forward,” he said.

The improved theatre may be only about a week old, but as Lyndon explained, plans to expand and improve are already in the making, and include the possibility of multiple screens.

He hopes to also tie the theatre revenue to education in Linden by using a percentage of the ticket sales to contribute to a scholarship fund for exceptional students who need financial aid. Once this works out, he hopes to award the scholarships annually in September, beginning next year. “Once the response is good, we can see different ways in which we can improve so that we can help to develop Linden,” he said.

TODAY, 17-year-old singer, Jovinski Thorne launches his newest single, ‘Trendsetter’, as an introduction to his upcoming reggae album which seeks to portray his coming-of-age as a local musician.

‘Trendsetter’ is a track with a new sound, which, according to the artiste, depicts “cool vibes”.

The album, though not yet named, is scheduled to be released sometime next year, and will feature other tracks that focus on situations and experiences that can appeal to persons of all generations.

“I want my music to be for all audiences while sending a positive message,” Jovinski told the Buzz in an interview.

“I am trying to be a household name in Guyana, and to take my talent to the next level by becoming a better singer, and letting my voice and story be heard,” he added.

Jovinski’s interest in entertainment began at the tender age of five when he started dancing, but it would grow after he first witnessed the performance of local group, X2, featuring Adrian Dutchin and Jumo Primo.

He readily admits that it was Jumo’s enthusiasm, stage presence and dance moves that captivated him even at such a young age, and, accompanied by his parents, he began attending every show at which Jumo performed.

Jovinski’s loyalty as a fan would not go unnoticed, and after listening to the youngster’s ‘demo’ for his first song, ‘AIDS’, which was recorded at Cinderella Studios, Jumo would eventually introduce him to Kross Kolor’s Burchmore Simon.

Over the years, Jovinski has enjoyed quite a few achievements, having won the East Bank’s Talent Competition in 2009 and the first GTT Cellink Kids Stage Competition in 2010.

He has had his fair share of stage performances over the years, and is well known for his earliest singles like ‘Too Young’, ‘Hello’ and ‘Girl you got my heart’.

And throughout his budding singing career, it is his entire family -- especially his parents, the Kross Kolor family and all his other supporters -- that he has to thank for their endless encouragement and support in all his endeavours.

Of course, school remains a big part of his life as well, but, according to him, he has been able to balance both his academic and music aspirations well.

As he aims for higher heights, Jovinski hopes that Guyana will continue to support local musicians, so that their talent and success can be heard around the world, and Guyanese can collectively share in the victories that will be achieved by local artistes like himself.

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Kim proves she’s ‘the selfie queen’ WE knew Kim Kardashian was a selfie queen, but we had no idea what her duties as social media royalty entailed. Until now, that is.

On Wednesday, Kim took over her sister Kendall Jenner’s website to break down her recent trip to Mexico by the numbers. She revealed that over the four-day trip, she wore nine different swimsuits (if they even classify as that), drank 10 watermelon smoothies with North, and spent a mere four hours on the beach. (That’s it?!)

The most ridiculous statistic, though, was the number of selfies the 35-year-old took in what was essentially an extra-long weekend.

The reality star admitted she snapped 6,000 photos of herself throughout the vacation.

Yes, 6,000! Most of us have never even had that many photos on our phones. Also, Kim’s

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

Bolt talks Bora Bora & the future

iCloud must have millions of pictures stored on it.

We broke down Kim’s digits even further: There are 1,440 minutes in a day, which equals 5,760 minutes in four days, which amounts to roughly one selfie per minute. It’s 1.042, to be exact. Damn, Kim! (Note: We are aware that the mother-oftwo probably uses the burst feature on her iPhone, which would make so much more sense, but being that we’re way less experienced selfie-takers, we found it amusing to picture Kim taking a pic every minute of the day for four days. We wouldn’t put it past her.)

For someone who released an entire book of selfies called Selfish, we can’t say we’re surprised about the numbers in the slightest.

Keep doing you, Kim. USAIN Bolt says he now feels like a true legend after winning three gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic games last month.

Speaking with Loop, the sprint legend says that after Rio, he definitely feels like he achieved his dream of being the greatest of all time.

“Back-to-back, I am the best, and I think I’ve done it,” Bolt said. “When people put me in the same sentence with Muhammad Ali, I think I’ve really ac-

complished what I’ve always wanted to.”

After a hugely successful stint in Rio, Bolt’s offthe-track life has made headlines across the globe, with some leaked photos of him in bed with a Brazilian female, and in a club in Rio kissing another.

But as soon as he landed in Jamaica, Usain Bolt took his girlfriend, Kasi Bennett, and bolted for Bora Bora for a much-needed vacation.

“Nice people; I got a lot of love there, and that was very nice,” he said.

Bolt also spoke about his plans after retirement, saying that he will be opening up a clinic in Jamaica to help young athletes with injuries.

“A few things I am trying to focus on, and one of them is trying to develop a clinic in Jamaica for the young athletes to help them with injuries,” he said.

Buzzing this weekend

LOOKS like it’s a very quiet weekend, but here’s what’s buzzing.

The talk of the entire weekend is Miss Guyana Universe! Have you got a favourite delegate yet?

The Miss Universe Guyana delegates have been heating up social media with their preliminary activities; now see who will walk away with the coveted crown tomorrow night at the final segment of the Miss Universe Guyana Pageant at the Marriott Hotel Guyana.

Tickets cost $10,000 and $15,000 VIP. Don’t miss it!

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

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12 receive GBTI bursary awards

The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Early Savers Club 2016 bursary awardees

THE Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) on Wednesday presented bursary awards to 12 members of its Early Savers Club who were successful at the recent National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

Speaking at the Bank’s Kingstown, Georgetown office, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Secondary), Leslyn Edwards-Charles congratulated the young awardees and urged them to continue to strive for excellence. “Do not waste time in school, be dedicated to your studies and all the hard work

will pay off,” she said.

Assistant Manager (Research and Planning), Sean Noel also congratulated the students and acknowledged that they would have made significant sacrifices to achieve their excellent scores.

The students awarded this year were Anthony Ferreira, Aryan Singh, Jonathan Arjune, Muhammad Boodhoo, Harshani Danpaul, Jonelle Hopkinson, Lemuel Assing, Alieya Ali, Rebekah Gharbaran, Vinaya Chatterdeo, Anjali Maharaj and Monesh Ramrup.

Friday, September 16, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Saturday, September 17, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Sunday, September 18, 2016 - 05:30 hrs

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Gov’t signs pact today to repay NIS FINANCE Minister Winston Jordan today will sign a Debenture Agreement with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) for an aggregated value of $5,641,431, 475.

This sum is to assist the NIS to recover its investment in the Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO).

The signing will take place at the Ministry of Finance boardroom. Back in August, Jordan had announced that the NIS would receive $5.6B from the Government of Guyana as compensation for the financial loss suffered as a result of an investment made in the now bankrupt Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO).

Jordan had disclosed during a media briefing that Cabinet consented to repay NIS through non-negotiable debenture certificates. The repayment would be made over a 20-year period at a fixed interest rate of 1.5 per cent per annum, the principal sum being four billion, eight hundred and eighty-two million, four hundred and forty-six thousand, one hundred and ninety-nine dollars ($4,882,446,199).

He said yearly payments are to begin from January 1, 2017, and at the end of the 20-year period, Government would have paid over five billion, six hundred and fifty-one million, four hundred and thirty-one thousand, four hundred and seventy-five dollars ($5,651,431,475)

in terms of principal and interest. “It is the best that the Government can do at the moment, but it is substantially more than NIS would have had if this investment continues to be impaired,” Minister Jordan said.

The decision to repay NIS followed a motion by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), when in opposition, to call upon the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government to take all steps necessary to guarantee that policyholders of CLICO Guyana would suffer no financial loss. That motion, moved by then Opposition Leader Robert Corbin and seconded

by Winston Murray, sought to have Government give an unequivocal guarantee to all contributors and beneficiaries of the NIS that there would be no consequential loss in benefits to them as a result of CLICO’s bankruptcy; and that the Government, and not contributors, would take up the slack.

Resolution 82, passed by the National Assembly on March 12, 2009, called upon Government to take all necessary steps to ensure that there would be no financial loss to any policyholder or depositor of CLICO (Guyana); and to take all possible actions to secure the investments made in CLICO (Guyana) by the NIS on behalf of contributors and beneficiaries of the Scheme, to prevent any consequential

loss in benefits to them.

The National Assembly had endorsed the statement by the government of the day, guaranteeing the savings, pensions, investments, and insurance of all investors, depositors, policy holders and contributors of CLICO (Guyana).

The Finance Minister said NIS has been “impaired” as a result of the CLICO situation, and was finding it difficult to provide the beneficiaries with assistance. “NIS investments in CLICO are impaired, with extreme unlikelihood of getting back that money,” Jordan said, adding: “As a result of that impairment…not only NIS, but the beneficiaries in NIS are suffering terribly; because their ability to raise benefits will obviously be constrained by the fact that they don’t have this money, and this money cannot be put to earn additional monies for them.”

The NIS had invested more than $6B in CLICO (Guyana), and CLICO reportedly invested some US$34M in its Bahamian counterpart, which became liquidated. The liquidator of the CLICO (Bahamas) company said in 2010 that, based on a preliminary view of documentation, policies were not issued by CLICO Bahamas, and as such, premiums received from Guyana and Suriname were never paid to the Bahamian company.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

Aries You’re stifled by the familiar pace of your life and want to shake it up a bit. However, you must be careful what you wish because the Pisces Full Moon Eclipse falls in your 12th House of Destiny and could bring more upheaval than you bargained for now. It’s in your best interest to maintain your daily routine without abandoning your regular schedule. React carefully to boredom, especially if you’ve been thinking about quitting your job. Instead of running away, find ways to integrate the sudden metaphysical insights you receive to create the excitement you crave.

Taurus Friends and colleagues may show disregard for your needs today and alter the rules of the game. Just as you think everyone is on the same page, you suddenly realise that you’re not even reading the same book as the Pisces Lunar Eclipse stirs up trouble in your 11th House of Groups. Cooperation with others is difficult now; nevertheless, you could be in for a pleasant surprise if someone new enters your life, bringing fun back to the workplace. Keep an open mind around people who operate very differently than you; if your basic goals are aligned, there is room for compromise.

Gemini You’re itching for a more challenging job now and eager to move into new territory.

Sudden shifts in management or even a company reorganization can alter the direction of your professional life when the Pisces Full Moon Eclipse sends subtle yet powerful shockwaves through your 10th House of Career. Ironically, you don’t mind the uncertainty because you’re confident you’ll be able to capitalize on any potential opportunity. Your mental agility empowers you to dance circles around everyone else while they’re wondering what to do. A moment of hesitation may cost a lifetime of regrets.

Cancer You might be packing your bags to go on an unexpected trip as the Pisces Lunar Eclipse rattles your 9th House of Long Journeys. However, watching a travelogue or reading a great book might be enough to catalyze a major change in your life.

Thankfully, you can experience faraway lands without leaving the comfort of home -- an important consideration for you security-conscience Crabs. Mental attractions are just as important as physical ones when it comes to expanding your horizons.

Dreaming the improbable dream is a crucial step to achieving happiness.

Leo Intense emotions are agitated as the evocative Pisces Full Moon Eclipse ratchets up the energy in your 8th House of Deep Feelings. Your desires may be ready to boil over as you obsess about a power struggle in a relationship. The fact is you’re running out of patience and you’re probably willing to rock the boat in order to gain some financial independence. However, you could have second thoughts, prompting you to become more careful about executing your plans. Ben Franklin wrote, “Distrust and caution are the parents of security.”

Virgo Freedom is a theme for you now, although it may feel more like uncertainty. The Pisces Full Moon Eclipse polarizes your 7th House of Partnerships, bringing major shifts in the near future. A current relationship might be destabilized by someone who doesn’t want to play by your rules or by your own search for something new.

Relax and soak in this new world of possibilities, so you can enjoy the ride without worrying too much about your destination.

Libra Being awakened by the light of awareness isn’t always an easy path, and sometimes staying unconscious is less complicated. However, the Pisces Lunar Eclipse rattles your 6th House of Routine, releasing suppressed tensions with sudden force. You may be emotionally distraught if you have been hiding your true feelings.

But instead of impulsively running off to follow your own dream, turn this into a time of quiet introspection and spiritual contemplation. What you learn now might be a temporary transition, rather than a permanent solution.

Scorpio Moments of extreme confidence could have you strutting about on stage today, dazzling others with your wild imagination and playful wit. The Pisces Full Moon Eclipse in your 5th House of Romance can ignite your heart in a flash as someone you barely know becomes your obsession, or the fire for a current flame is rekindled. However, you might also overreact to all the sudden attention by pulling back and shutting people out in your need for privacy. In the words of Thoreau, “It is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things.”

Sagittarius If a cloud of self-doubt based on past failures obscures the Sun, just let it drift on by. The Pisces Lunar Eclipse uncovers buried secrets hiding in your 4th House of Foundations. Although you might experience an emotional earthquake on the inside, you’re able to appear coolly confident on the outside. Your capacity to respond to crises is excellent now, since you instinctively understand where your attention is needed, rather than on being distracted by demanding but less important issues. You always have time for the things you put first.

Capricorn You may feel somewhat overwhelmed by how much information is streaming into your awareness now, both from conventional learning and directly from the wisdom of your intuition. The escapist Pisces Full Moon Eclipse intensifies your 3rd House of Distractions, bringing an unpredictable quality to your world. However, this cosmic turbulence can attract a lucky coincidence, even as you continue to worry about your lack of stability. Your best strategy is to relinquish control -- not an easy thing for you to do -- and just let yourself be happy.

Aquarius The inherent instability of the otherworldly Pisces Full Moon Eclipse lands in your 2nd House of Values today, dropping you into a world of cloudy dreams and fuzzy reality. However, you like to keep it real, even if trust doesn’t come easily now.

And although you are quite resourceful by nature, you might act impetuously and thereby jeopardize the invincibility of your self-esteem or even your bank account.

Faith can move mountains but too much doubt creates them.

Pisces Your relationship life is on shaky ground while the Pisces Lunar Eclipse floods your 1st House of Self and your 7th House of Others. Whether this eclipse in your sign creates an immediate energetic shift or not, there will likely be rumblings below the surface that alter the way you connect with people. Boredom sets in quickly now, even if the situation was once cozy and comfortable. You can best handle any experience that rattles you by graciously adapting to the changing circumstances. You are intuitively heading in the right direction, even if you don’t yet know your destination.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

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Rio Paralympics 2016

Natasha Baker wins for Great Britain

GREAT Britain (GB) won four gold medals on the eighth afternoon of the Rio Paralympics, with Natasha Baker's dressage title following a trio of canoe successes.

B a k e r, 2 6 , a n d h e r mount Cabral defended the Class II crown which they won at London four years earlier.

Jeanette Chippington, who won 12 swimming medals between 1988 and 2004, clinched the KL1 canoe title on her return to the Paralympics.

Te a m m a t e s E m m a Wiggs (KL2) and Anne Dickins (KL3) also took gold at Lagoa.

Ian Marsden (KL1) and Nick Beighton (KL2) picked up bronze medals to mark a successful conclusion to the Rio regatta.

Six-time Paralympic champion David Weir confirmed he intends to retire from the track after the Paralympics, and from the sport entirely after April's London Marathon.

The Londoner, who has virtually no movement in

her lower half after contracting transverse myelitis as a baby, was the best rider on all five of the jury's scorecards, scoring 73.400% overall.

"I have been crying like a baby," she told Channel 4.

I am way more emotional than I was in London. My first day did not go as well as I had planned it, but I am so proud of (her horse's nickname) JP. "This will be his last competition and he tried his heart out for me. He is my best friend and my soulmate."

Chippington's first Paralympic medal came as a teenager in the backstroke at Seoul 1988.

When she took up canoeing in the wake of her retirement in 2004, she was determined that it was as a hobby rather than a return to elite competition.

Dame Sarah Storey who turned to the velodrome after her own successes in the pool - revels in another sport-hopper's success But the sport's inclusion in the 2016 programme and a desire to avenge her World Championship defeat by German Edina Muller combined to give her a sixth ap-

Baker (centre) beats Dutch pair Demi Vermeulen and Rixt van der Horst to gold medal. pearance on disability sport's They will play either on the brink of scoring to main stage.

Germany or the Netherlands send the match into over"Edina screamed when in today's bronze-medal time, before Canada's Trevor she crossed the line like play-off.

Hirschfield scored a drashe'd won and I was thinkThe men's wheelchair matic late winner in a 50-49 ing 'I'm sure I was ahead' rugby team are out of medal victory. so it was only when the contention after an agoAfter an openscoreboard said I'd won that nising one-point defeat by ing-match defeat from I knew I'd got the gold," said Canada in the group stages. Australia, Great Britain Chippington, who prevailed A crunching hit from will play hosts Brazil in by 0.114 seconds.

Canada's Zak Madell up- their final group match Great Britain's women's ended Britain's Ayaz Bhuta today at 16:45 BST. wheelchair basketball team were already assured their best-ever Paralympic finish after reaching the semi-finals, but fell short of overturning the United States and making the gold-medal ENGLISH AMERICAN match.

RACING TIPS RACING TIPS

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday September 16, 2016) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 2264512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 46 (2) 15 Today’s Quiz: (1) How many ODIs the WI & PAK have been engaged in to date?

(2) How many the WI have won?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Ayr 08:30 hrs Naval Warfare 09:00 hrs Grinty 09:30 hrs Tawny Port 10:05 hrs Bogart 10:40 hrs Clem Fandango 11:15 hrs Giant Spark 11:50 hrs Impulsive American 12:20 hrs Al Hawraa Newbury 08:40 hrs Al Reeh 09:10 hrs Dimitre 09:45 hrs Appeared 10:20 hrs Mainstream 10:55 hrs Raheen House 11:25 hrs Certificate 12:00 hrs Dabyah 12:30 hrs Muraabit Hexham 11:30 hrs Top Of The Glas 12:05 hrs Blake Dean 12:35 hrs Black Ivory 13:05 hrs Present Lodger 13:35 hrs Wyfield Rose 14:05 hrs Magnolia Ridge

Belmont Race 1 Redneck Gold Race 2 Mobridge Race 3 Juan and Bina Race 4 Buckwellspent Race 5 Royal saint Race 6 Harlan’s Hunch Race 7 Ortiga Race 8 Green Mask Race 9 Queenofthechannel IRISH RACING TIPS Listowel 09:05 hrs Itsalonglongroad 10:10 hrs Palmones 10:45 hrs Zafayan 11:20 hrs The Game Changer 11:55 hrs Blackthorn Prince 12:25 hrs Kaiser Black 12:55 hrs Trans Highway SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Fairview 08:40 hrs Aspen Fire 09:15 hrs Conquering Queen 09:55 hrs Bold Aspen 10:30 hrs La Rebel 11:05 hrs Dogmatism 11:35 hrs Sweetchild O Mine

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

WICB, Simmons never saw eye to eye - Muirhead (ESPNCricinfo) - WICB chief executive officer Michael Muirhead has said there was no one specific reason for the termination of coach Phil Simmons' contract, nor was it a sudden development.

In a nutshell, Muirhead said Simmons' vision did not "align" with the strategic approach of the WICB and the divide widened over the past few months, reaching a point where a final decision had to be made.

The decision to relieve Simmons of the job was taken by the board of directors at the quarterly WICB meeting last weekend in Dominica. It is understood the directors were asked to vote on the matter, but Muirhead would not reveal whether it was a unanimous decision to terminate Simmons' contract. "It was the board's decision. Let us leave it at that," Muirhead told ESPNcricinfo.

Asked whether it was his appraisal that eventually led to the decision, Muirhead did not reveal much.

"I hired him, so therefore I have to release him but that is on the recommendation of the board," he said. He did point out though that the WICB and Simmons had been deliberating on quite a few contentious issues behind the scenes.

"The coach has an opinion and the board collectively had another opinion, and that had happened on more than one occasion.

"It is a whole number of things over a period of time. I can't say it was really one thing. There is no one thing that defines what may have taken place. I think things came to a climax when a decision needed to be made."

Simmons' track record as West Indies coach was mixed. Appointed after last year's World Cup, the high points of his tenure were West Indies' draw at home against England last summer, and the World T20 win in India in April.

Importantly, the players seemed to be on the same wavelength as Simmons.

But Muirhead and the board

of directors remained unconvinced.

"Ultimately it is the performance of the team, and we want the team to perform the best it can do," Muirhead said. "Was it (doing so) is a question that is still unanswered."

Technically, Muirhead was not Simmons' boss. It was Richard Pybus, the WICB director of cricket. Simmon had mentioned in an interview that he and Pybus were not on the same page.

"Relationship is a difficult word," he had said of Pybus, soon after the World T20 triumph. "He communicates via emails but he has not spoken to me since the suspension. It's sad because this is not about him or me, this is about West Indies cricket."

withstanding one already having been approved and adopted by the board. I don't think he was aligned with that."

In a media release sent out on Tuesday, the WICB had pointed out it had identified "differences in culture" as one reason behind the friction between both parties.

Muirhead elaborated: "The other thing was the work culture was a little different.

It was how we do business, how we execute things. It was an organisational culture.

It was not the difference in ethnic culture as has been pointed out elsewhere."

Muirhead said he had had conversations with Simmons, and he had to intervene on quite few occasions to resolve issues. The last time they had met was about two Phil Simmons

At last weekend's meetings, the board discussed several reports including the ‘Cricket Report’ submitted

by Pybus and the CEO's report prepared by Muirhead.

Pybus' report was an overall review of cricket across the Caribbean, not limited to the West Indies teams and coaching staff.

Reiterating the lack of alignment in strategies, Muirhead said: "It has been an ongoing thing where I think Phil, in all that he has said and done, he has not aligned … the relationships were breaking down. I think he himself had ideas for a different strategic approach, not-

months ago, he said. When he called Simmons on Tuesday to reveal the board's decision, he said the chat was "cordial" and not "hostile" in any way.

Muirhead pointed out it was a "matter of coincidence" that the Simmons' termination was announced the day the West Indies limited-overs squad left for the UAE to play Pakistan.

"The sanctions and other things could not be discussed without the board meeting. We have board meetings every three months, where we discuss everything including the performance of the teams and the coaching staff."

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

Manchester United lose to Feyenoord (BBC) - Manchester United produced a lacklustre display as their Europa League campaign began in defeat at Feyenoord.

Jose Mourinho made eight changes from the team beaten by Manchester City and an Anthony Martial shot going wide was their only first-half chance.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic came on for the visitors and headed wide as he failed to turn around his side's fortunes.

Instead, Nicolai Jorgensen, who was offside, crossed for Tonny Vilhena to drive in Feyenoord's late winner.

Ibrahimovic went close to an equaliser with a drilled free-kick but it was saved at the second attempt by former Liverpool keeper Brad Jones.

The defeat means United have lost four successive European away games in a row for the first time.

Australia sweating over Starc fitness (ESPNCricinfo) - Australia are hopeful that key fast bowler Mitchell Starc will be fit for the start of the home summer despite suffering a deep laceration to his left shin during a training mishap yesterday.

However, Cricket Australia's chief medical officer, Dr John Orchard, who was at the ground and accompanied Starc to hospital, said that unless Starc suffered any complications he would hopefully remain on track to play Australia's first Test of the summer.

"Mitchell was taken to St George hospital in an ambulance this afternoon suffering a deep laceration to his left shin after colliding with some training equipment," Dr Orchard said. "Fortunately there were no bone fractures or tendon damage to his leg and he underwent surgery this afternoon to clean the wound and received approximately 30 stitches.

"He will remain in hospital for the next few days to minimise movement to his

Feyenoord team celebrates (BBC photo)

Mitchell Starc leg and will use an extension brace for the next two to three weeks until his stitches are removed. At this stage, barring any complications, we are hopeful he is on track to play at the start of the Australian summer."

Australia's selectors had already announced

that Starc would be rested from the ODI tour of South Africa, which starts later this month, in an effort to ensure he was fresh for the home Tests against South Africa and Pakistan. The first Test, against South Africa at the WACA, is still seven weeks away.

GFC appoints Brazilian head coach GUYANA’S oldest football club, Georgetown Football Club (GFC), is adding a touch of Brazilian flair to its play for the upcoming Elite League of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

Yesterday the club announced to the Media that a newly appointed head coach, Brazilian Fabiano Agrippino, who speaks Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and English and has played and coached in the Region, will be at the helm of the coaching staff.

The 42-year-old Brazilian, who represented T&T’s pro side Joe Public in the 90s, will be officially introduced to the Media this afternoon at the upper level of GFC from 14:00hrs.

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

Digicel makes timely donation to indigenous games … six hundred athletes expected

CELL Phone giant Digicel Guyana yesterday made a significant financial contribution to the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs as organisers prepare to host three days of non-stop action at the Everest Cricket Club ground in observance of Indigenous Heritage Month 2016.

During a simple presentation at Digicel’s Headquarters, Event Coordinator Anil Roberts said participation is expected to come from all ten administrative regions.

There will be football, volleyball, cricket in addition to novelty games, and Region Nine, the defending champions will try to retain their title.

The Paruima girls from Region 7 will be there to defend their title so we have a lot of participation - over six hundred athletes - over the three days. Swimming will take place at the National Aquatic Centre.

Roberts also indicated that Minister within the Ministry Valerie Garrido-Lowe and Director of Sport Christopher Jones will attend.

He disclosed there will be a number of indigenous cuisines on sale. A play area for kids and cultural presentations will be

among other attractions over the three days.

Meanwhile, Digicel’s Marketing Executive Louanna Abrams said, “Digicel is pleased to be associated with the Indigenous Heritage Sports this year. We have been the exclusive telecommunications sponsor for a number of years and of course this year it is no different. We hope that it will be a successful three days of sports and we will continue to support it in any way we can.”

Male and female football teams are drawn from Regions 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, Cricket from Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10, Volleyball, mixed teams from among specific regions and archery.

The National Aquatic Centre will come alive on Saturday from 09:00hrs until noon with competitors coming from Regions 1 to10.

Athletes will also compete in a number of Indigenous novelty games. among them piwari drinking, hot tuna pot eating, firewood bursting competition, lime and spoon.

Games time is 09:00hrs and admission fee is $200 but free to children under 12 years old.

Guyana hosts Trinidad & Tobago football camp THE Trinidad & Tobago National U-20 squad, currently in Guyana, will conduct a one-week training camp in preparation for the Caribbean U-20 Cup in Curacao this October. In this tournament the top five teams in the Caribbean will advance to the CONCACAF stage.

This is the second round of their qualifying campaign for the Korea Republic 2017 U-20 Cup, according to the Trinidad & Tobago Football Association (TTFA).

The squad arrived on Wednesday, and since then have undergone four training sessions at the National Track and Field Facility at Leonora.

The players are also scheduled for two practice matches with the first being against Alpha United today at Leonora at 16:00hrs.

The second match will be played against an all-star team tomorrow at the same

venue.

According to head coach of the Guyana men’s national team, Ja-

Trinidad techinical team

maal Shabazz, the matches against the local teams are aimed at giving exposure to the selected national

Forensic audit calls are ‘without any basis’- WICB (WICB Release) - The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has taken note of the repeated “calls to conduct a forensic audit of the Board in order to save West Indies cricket from absolute and total downfall”, made by former officials of the WICB. This call for a forensic audit was recently published

by ESPNcricinfo on September 8, 2016. The WICB has been advised there are similar publications by the former officials.

These calls for a forensic audit by the former officials are without any basis in fact, and importantly, notwithstanding, that these former officials are aware that the WICB has for many years retained internal and external auditors.

The Board’s internal and external audits are done and authorised by Price Waterhouse and KPMG respectively, and accounts are published by or available from the WICB on all its platforms, including the website where the reports are available.

The WICB notes that these allegations appear triggered not by fact or evidence but an emotional reaction to the WICB’s response to the CARICOM sub committee’s report and other matters. These officials have completely ignored the written responses of the WICB. The Board has been advised that in a number of instances the call for a forensic audit carries the suggestion of wrongdoing and misappropriation of WICB funds by present members of the WICB. Additionally, it suggests the auditors are either in-

players for the CFU 2016 Scotiabank Caribbean Men’s Cup Championship in October.

competent or complicit. These allegations are completely false, and seriously damaging to the reputation of the WICB, its members, and auditors.

The WICB has therefore decided that these are serious allegations and has referred the matter to Senior Counsel, Anthony Astaphan of Dominica, for his advice and recommendations.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 16, 2016

CFU 2016 Scotiabank Caribbean Men’s Cup Championship …

Nineteen overseas players called to trials

HEAD Coach of the Men’s National Team (Golden Jaguars), Jamaal Shabazz has announced 19 overseas-based players as part of a provisional list to face Suriname and Jamaica in the 3rd Round of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) 2016 Scotiabank Caribbean Men’s Cup Championship.

Those matches will take place on October 8 and 11 respectively.

The squad consists of 55 players including 19 from various countries including Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, England, Finland, USA and Australia and will commence weekly training on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 16:00hrs – 18:00hrs and on Saturdays, 09:00hrs – 11:00hrs at venues to be announced.

Guyana will face Suri-

name in Suriname and the Jamaica game is scheduled for Guyana, but due to the unavailability of the Guyana National Stadium on the date of the match, the National Track and Field Facility was being considered. A CFU team of inspectors is scheduled to visit Guyana to certify the National Track and Field Facility.

The full squad reads: Andrew Murray, Solomon Austin, Richie Richards, Kester Jacobs, Eon Alleyne, Vurlon Mills, Gregory Richardson, Devon Millington, Daniel Wilson, Dwight Peters, Quincy Adams, Trayon Bobb, Dellon Lanferman, Colin Nelson, Dwain Jacobs, Tichard Joseph Les Charles Critchlow, Pernell Schultz, Hubert Pedro, William Europe, Domini Garnett, Anthony Abrams,

Dwayne McLennon, Jeremy Garnett, Curtis Kellman, Dorville Stewart, Dennis Edwards, Linden Pickett, Trevon Lythcott, Kevin Cottoy, Darius Frank, Amaniki Buntim, Kevin Fraser, Deon Charter and Jermaine Junor.

It also includes Akel Clarke, Walter Moore, Samuel Cox, Christopher Nurse, Sheldon Holder, Neil Danns, Brandon Beresford, Anthony Whyte, Kadel Daniels, Marcel Barrington, Jake Newton, Shaquille Agard, Julien Edwards, Adrian Butters, Amos Ramsay, Adrian York, Kai McKenzie-Lyle, Warren Creavalle, Sherif El-Masri, and Corey Thomas.

The Third Round commences on October 5 and, in addition to the Guyana match, the other matches to be played on that day are: Haiti vs French Guiana

Flashback! Guyana’s Golden Jaguars display the Golden Arrowhead while on tour earlier this year. at the Stade Sylvio Cator Stadium (Haiti); Curacao vs Antigua and Barbuda at Ergilio Hato Stadium (Curacao) and Trinidad

and Tobago vs Dominican Republic at a venue to be announced.

Fifth Place playoff will be held from November 7 to

15 and the Final Round in May 2017. The top three of this tournament will qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

‘It has been an amazing journey,’ says Sarwan … as he retires from all forms of cricket

By Rajiv Bisnauth AFTER 286 international appearances, Ramnaresh Sarwan, one of West Indies’ finest batsmen, has retired from all forms of cricket.

Sarwan made the emotional announcement yesterday at the Stella Maris Primary School, the place where his tryst with the game began, when scoring two hundreds in an Under-12 competition.

“It’s been an amazing journey, the 36-year-old told the gathering, while accepting that he had a lot more cricket left in him when his international career came to an abrupt end.

However, in terms of Guyana, Sarwan feels he has a lot to offer, especially to the

younger generation, but on an administrative standpoint, he pointed out that once the difficulties facing Guyana’s cricket are sorted out, he probably will play a part.

Sarwan, who made his first-class debut for Guyana against Barbados in the Red Stripe Cup of 1995-96 at the age of 15, had an international career that lasted 13 years.

He featured in 87 Tests, 181 One Day Internationals (ODI), and 18 Twenty20 internationals, ever since his Test debut against Pakistan at Kensington Oval, Barbados in May 2000.

Sarwan, who captained West Indies in four Tests, five ODIs and two T20s, finishes his career with a total of 11 994 international runs, spread

Pure love! A student from Stella Maris Primary School feeds Ramnaresh Sarwan a piece of cake.

across all three formats of the game.

During his official announcement, Sarwan, while he thanked the Stella Maris `Primary School, the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), and the many others who have contributed towards his career, he singled out former West Indies players, Roger Harper and Carl Hooper, as the two key persons who had major influences in his cricketing career.

Sarwan pointed out that his 105 at St John’s, which led West Indies to a record 418-run successful chase against Australia in May 2003, his 84 on debut against Pakistan, and his career-best 291 against England in Barbados in 2009 were the highpoints in his career.

He, however, disclosed that his maiden tour of Australia in 2000-1, turned out to be his lowest phase, making just three runs from five innings, before signing off with a half-century at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Born in Wakenaam, Essequibo, he revealed that former Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and former Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath were the best bowlers he had played against, while the two teams were the most difficult ones, especially when playing them

A teacher from Stella Maris Primary School collects the Scotiabank Kiddy’s cricket gear from Ramnaresh Sarwan. in their own backyards.

Sarwan's career wasn't short of controversies either.

In 2005, he was one among several players involved in a contractual dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) over sponsorship restrictions by the new team sponsor Digicel which resulted in his missing the first Test against the visiting South African team, at his home ground, Bourda.

Later in the year, he joined Gayle in boycotting the Sri Lankan tour as the contractual negotiations were not resolved to his satisfaction.

Sarwan's last appearance for West Indies came during the 2013 Champions Trophy, but was promptly dropped

after a couple of timid performances, against Pakistan and India.

The right-handed batsman is one of only 11 players to score 4 000 or more runs batting at number three and at one time was regarded as the best finisher in ODIs. He last played for Knight Riders in this year’s CPL Tournament.

Meanwhile, the felicitation ceremony was also attended by Director of Sport Christopher Jones, former Headmistress of the Stella Maris `Primary School, Natalie Arthur, District Education Officer (Primary) Adrian Elgin, students and teachers of Stella Maris Primary School, among other well-wishers.

Jones, during his remarks urged the students to emulate Sarwan’s achievements.

Jones added that the NSC is currently looking to reintegrate Under-12 cricket into the school system.

Also making brief remarks were Arthur, Elgin and former vice-captain of the Stella Maris Primary School, Surendran Khayyam.

Sarwan was presented with a plaque and a cake, after which he presented an autographed bat along with Scotiabank Kiddies shirts and a Scotiabank Kiddies cricket gear bag, with bats, stumps and balls for the school’s Kiddies cricket team.

Sarwan was finally given a tour to the entire school.

CFU 2016 Scotiabank Caribbean Men’s Cup Championship …

Nineteen overseas players called 31 to trials Please see page

‘It has been an amazing journey,’ says Sarwan

… as he retires from all forms of cricket Please see page 31 The cricketing world says good-bye to Ramnaresh Sarwan

Sarwan is presented with a plaque from head-mistress of the Stella Marris `Primary School, Natalie Author

Digicel makes timely donation to indigenous 30 … six hundred games athletes expected Page

Digicel’s Marketing Executive Louanna Abrams, flanked by staff of the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs. (L-R) Dexter Glasgow Sport Committee Member (SCM), Samantha Fedee Permanent Secretary, Anil Roberts Events Organiser, Besham Ramsawak and Kimmon Daniels Sport Committee members.

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016