Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 17 05 2017

Fixing drug procurement … Min Lawrence promises revised system

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Patterson new Ombudsman No. 104915

WEDNESDAY MAY 17, 2017

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

– to be sworn-in shortly

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Justice Winston Patterson

Curling, a game usually played on ice, was introduced on Tuesday for the first time at the Giftland Mall, by the Guyana Curling Federation.

Chronicle Sport’s reporter Rawle Toney (right) gives the game a try. (Samuel Maughn Photo)

‘Run from rum’ … judge tel s man who set son on fire Page 23

PPP ignored 12 warnings by COTED on illegal tax Page 2

–– Ram knocks Nandlall’s ‘hypocrisy’

Trio on the run … after allegedly raping 12-year-old

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 17, 2017

CCJ ruling

PPP ignored 12 warnings by COTED on illegal tax CHARTERED Accountant Christopher Ram has pinned the blame for the two mega judgments against Guyana by foreign beverage companies on the PPP administration, disclosing that the then government had ignored 12 warnings by the Council of Trade and Economic Development

(COTED) to drop the illegal tax they had implemented since 1997.

Ram’s comments were contained in a letter to the editor appearing in another section of the media on Tuesday in which he zeroed in on Anil Nandlall’s criticisms of the government for not settling its environmental tax

case with SM Jaleel and its subsidiary Guyana Beverage Inc, a decision on which was handed down by the CCJ on May 9. “Had Mr Nandlall disclosed that the root of the problem was the PPP’s failure to withdraw the 1997 tax which became unlawful on the coming into force of the Revised Treaty of Chaguara-

–– Ram knocks Nandlall’s ‘hypocrisy’ mas in 2001, his letter would have had more credibility.

In fact, the PPP recklessly ignored 12 warnings from the Council of Trade and Economic Development (COTED) of CARICOM between May 22, 2001 and March 30, 2012, that the tax was a violation of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC). Mr Nandlall places the blame on APNU and the AFC for their failure to support an amendment in 2013, but does not state why the PPP/C did not use its majority prior to 2011

Christopher Ram

to amend the legislation, or why it did not simply stop collecting the tax after it lost its parliamentary majority, as the CCJ pointed out,” Ram wrote in his letter.

He said it was also important to recall that Nandlall, a former attorney general himself, had argued the similar case brought by RUDISA against the government, but failed to raise important points of law, one of which the CCJ indicated would have been an attractive proposition. “The CCJ ruled in its entirety against Guyana in RUDISA, which was awarded judgment for the full sum of US$6,047,244 they claimed.

In the SM Jaleel case, the claim against Guyana was for $2,277 million for the period January 2006 to August 7, 2015. The CCJ ruled, however, that only $1,178 million collected between May 7, 2011 and August 7, 2015 must be refunded. That works out at approximately 52% and after tax adjustment to approximately $700 million,” Ram wrote.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams SC “I believe that Mr Basil Williams was right in taking the case to the CCJ and that Guyana has reason to consider that the ruling was particularly harsh against it. In fact, had the CCJ not rejected two applications by Guyana for reasons that are highly debatable, Guyana would have fared much better. The applications were to See page 3

Fixing drug procurement

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 17, 2017

… Min Lawrence promises revised system THE Ministry of Public Health’s revised drug-procurement system which will help resolve the ongoing drug shortage throughout the country is expected to be implemented by the month of June.

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, announced that the detailed adjustments will be presented to the media, providing information and making the general public familiar with the revised system.

Minister Lawrence told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that, “I am planning to have a press conference where we will show it (revised document) to the press people and get their answers and questions …I also want them to know that we were not just revising the whole procurement process, but even as we did so, we were taking into consideration the suppliers, the importers the manufacturers and so on to ensure that the process and the request com-

ing out of the ministry, that it works in tandem with all of these players because we can’t do without them.”

Minister Lawrence explained that in the past, the procurement and ordering of drugs were not properly forecast or catered to. She cited as an example, an excess amount of drugs will be purchased for 20,000 cancer patients when only 5000 patients are actually in the region. The excess amount of drugs can be left to expire or spoil if not properly stored.

“There were no records for the consumption, so you were just buying… So the ordering was being done on assumption and not based on consumption, and we have tried to remedy that as far as possible,” the minister added.

During a visit to health facilities in Region Six on Monday, Minister Lawrence highlighted the need for better resource management.

The poor management of human and financial resources

affects the overall delivery of health care in the region. The minister said with stringent management in place, the effective administration of drugs and medical supplies will become easier.

Meanwhile, other issues that remain in the region are due to the fact that the region’s health sector is not being given priority, the minister stated. The need for an effective line of communication was emphasised

by Minister Lawrence. She added that there are some small issues in the region which require minor inputs and should really be non-issues. “I know that the issues within the region are not only drug-related, but there are other issues because I have seen these issues in other regions, and it seems to permeate through the health industry. So coming into the region, I believe that it has been worth my while. This is just the first of my visits, and what I want to ensure is that we can open that link of

communication, have that interaction between the administrators, the doctors, and the region that holds the purse and also to get the region to see it through a health perspective and to approach it,” Minister Lawrence said.

More specifically, the minister and a team visited the Skeldon District Hospital, the National Ophthalmology Hospital in Port Mourant and the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital.

The staff of these facilities highlighted concerns and areas where there can be improvement, to infrastructure and services, to assist in better health-care delivery.

Some of the common issues which were highlighted include outdated equipment, limited work space, and poor staff-patient ratio, among others. Minister Lawrence also discovered that buildings which have been built by the regional administration as health facilities and are now ‘white elephants.’

Minister Lawrence said, “We have also been able to enlighten the region that they must treat health with special gloves, so to speak, that there are certain things which they have to take into consideration like ensuring we don’t only use building codes, but that they have to ensure that they involve the standards department of the Ministry of Public Health, so that we can ensure that when they’re building a theatre room and they’re building an x-ray room or any place or building or area to provide medical services that it meets those standards.”

The Ministry of Public Health, according to Minister Lawrence, has appointed Alex Foster, Social and Welfare Services advocate in Region Six, as the Focal Point in the region to the ministry. Foster is expected to liaise with the Ministry of Public Health and the regional health facilities, ensuring that issues are addressed in a timely manner.

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence Solutions to address the ongoing shortage of drugs and medical supplies have been continually sought after by the current administration.

A number of initiatives, including the computerisation of medical records and drugs and material inventory have already been implemented.

The computerised management system which will be put in place will provide detailed data and guidance on drugs and medical supplies from the stage of tendering to distribution and consumption.

–– at ninth Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence

PPP ignored 12 warnings by COTED ...

From page 2

produce expert evidence from Dr Maurice Odle and me, and the second a request for documents.” According to Ram, when the CCJ adjudicated on the RTC, it acted under its original jurisdiction where both facts and law are at issue. “This contrasts with non-RTC cases in which it acts under its appellate jurisdiction in which only issues of law are adjudicated on. While the CCJ has considerable discretionary powers, these need to be applied with great care. There was nothing to lose and much to gain by the presentation and examination of the relevant facts,” he said.

He pointed out that Guyana’s defence rested on two limbs, the first passing on ie, that SM Jaleel/Guyana Beverages Inc passed on the tax to consumers and that to allow them to collect from Guyana would have constituted unjust enrichment; and secondly, what lawyers call laches, which is another term

for delay in bringing a claim.

“Guyana had what we considered quite compelling evidence that tax was included in cost of sales as disclosed by the financial statements of Guyana Beverages Inc, and that from the very beginning the company had placed an advertisement in Guyana’s national newspapers advising the public that it would be increasing the price of the product by the amount of the environment tax of $10 per bottle. Yet, the court ruled that for Guyana to have succeeded in its passing-on defence, it had to produce evidence that the tax was separately itemised on the invoice. The CCJ was clearly unaware that other than in the case of Value Added Tax, it is highly unusual that indirect taxes are separately itemised on an invoice. We would also have led accounting evidence to support Guyana’s case.”

The attorney general in a statement last Saturday said the CCJ ruling was a victory for Guyana, noting that tax-

payers will no longer have to bear “the full burden of the lawlessness” of the previous administration.

In handing down its judgment on Tuesday in the case – SM Jaleel and Guyana Beverages Inc. v the State of Guyana – the CCJ ordered Guyana to pay a collective sum of Environmental Tax for the period March 7, 2011, to August 2015, together with four per cent interest per annum. Ahead of the judgment, the companies had argued that Guyana had breached the principles of trade liberalisation and free movement of goods envisioned by the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC) – the treaty which established the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). As such, they were claiming a refund of the environmental taxes imposed on the companies during the period January 1, 2006, to the date of repeal of the Act in August 2015.

Williams said when the

APNU+AFC Government assumed office in May 2015, it inherited the unpaid judgment of over US$6M or GY$ 7.2 Billion awarded against the PPP/C Government by the CCJ. In other words, Guyana was destined to reimburse S.M. Jaleel a similar sum of over US$6M. He said for the two defences argued by the attorney general on behalf of Guyana , two points were noted: that S.M. Jaleel & Company Limited/ Guyana Beverages Inc had passed on to the consumers the Environmental Tax and for the country to reimburse them, would be to unjustly enrich them.

In addition, it was noted that on the issue of “Laches,” the companies had sat on their rights and failed to challenge Guyana’s collection of the said tax at the earliest opportunity, and were therefore barred by ‘Laches’ from maintaining any claim. The recent ruling would see the Trinidadian company obtaining only reimbursement for four instead of nine years -- a

sum which would be subject to Corporation Tax of 40 per cent -- less than half of their claim.

“The court finds that a period of five years is neither too long nor unduly short for a claimant to commence proceedings. The court considers that this time limit will protect states from being vexed by claims relating to long-past incidents about which their records may no longer be in existence; and as to which their witnesses may well have no accurate recollection,” the CCJ explained.

Surinamese entity, Rudisa

Beverages, had taken the PPP Government to court over the “discriminatory” Environmental Tax a few years ago.

The company had argued that there was an imposition of $10 on every disposable container imported into Guyana.

They eventually won the case, by arguing that a similar tax was not imposed on local distributors such as Banks DIH and Demerara Distillers limited. “All of this happened because of the ineptitude of the PPP Government,” Williams said of the recent CCJ ruling.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Trump: I have ‘absolute right’ to share info with Russians Facing heavy criticism over his handling of highly classified information, U.S. President Donald Trump defended having shared “facts” with senior Russian officials, saying on Tuesday he had an “absolute right” to do so and had been trying to get Moscow to be more active in combating Islamic State militants.

Trump’s acknowledgement that he had given sensitive information during a White House meeting last week undercut intense efforts by senior aides to play down the incident. The president took to Twitter on Tuesday to defend his actions against intense criticism, including from some of his fellow Republicans, after news reports emerged on Monday of Trump’s conversations about a planned Islamic State operation.

Two U.S. officials said Trump shared intelligence, supplied by a U.S. ally in the fight against Islamic State, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak during an Oval Office meeting last Wednesday. The disclosures

roiled the administration as it struggled to move past the backlash over Trump’s abrupt firing on May 9 of FBI Director James Comey, who was investigating potential ties between Russia and Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

The U.S. dollar fell on Tuesday in part due to concerns that Trump’s presidency will become caught up in controversies and he will fail to deliver on promises to overhaul the U.S. tax and healthcare systems. “As President I wanted to share with Russia (at an openly scheduled W.H. meeting) which I have the absolute right to do, facts pertaining to terrorism and airline flight safety,” Trump tweeted.

“Humanitarian reasons, plus I want Russia to greatly step up their fight against ISIS & terrorism.” Islamic State, or ISIS, is a common foe of Moscow and Washington. A U.S. president has the authority to disclose even the most highly classified information at will, but U.S. and allied officials told Reuters that

Trump had endangered cooperation from an ally that has some intelligence on Islamic State.

National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said Trump did not know the source of the information he revealed to Kislyak and Lavrov, the public face of Russian foreign policies that are often at odds with U.S. aims.

“The president wasn’t even aware of where this information came from. He wasn’t briefed on the source and method of the information either,” McMaster told reporters on Tuesday.

“What the president shared was wholly appropriate,” he said.

Trump has frequently said he wants to improve U.S. relations with Moscow, damaged by years of disagreement over Russia’s role in Ukraine and its backing for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The president’s tweets compounded controversy over his meeting with the Russians, even after members of his senior staff played down the importance of the information he gave to Russia. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and McMaster denied

on Monday night that Trump had revealed intelligence sources and methods or military operations at the Russia meeting.

U.S. ALLIES Turmoil in the White House in recent weeks has overshadowed Republican legislative priorities such as healthcare and tax reform and laid bare sharp divisions between the White House and U.S. intelligence agencies, which concluded in January that Russia had tried to influence the election in Trump’s favour. The euro surged more than 1 percent against the dollar on Tuesday, rising to its highest since Trump was elected president in November. Lower-than-expected U.S. housing data also dampened the dollar. “(The story about Trump and Russia) probably is playing out as a weaker dollar on the view that Trump may not be around long enough to deliver his tax reform, which is at least partially priced into the dollar,” said RBC Capital Markets currency strategist Adam Cole, in London.

The U.S. officials told Reuters that Trump revealed the information to the Russians without consulting the ally that provided it, which threatens to jeopardize a long-standing intelligence-sharing agreement.

During the presidential campaign Trump repeatedly assailed his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, for her handling of classified information by email while she was secretary of state.

The FBI concluded after an investigation last year that there were no grounds to pursue any charges against Clinton. Trump departs on Friday for his first overseas trip as president, traveling to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Italy and Belgium on visits that will test his foreign policy skills.

KREMLIN DEFENSE The Kremlin came to Trump’s defense, calling reports that he had disclosed classified material in the White House meeting as “complete nonsense.”

Russia has denied U.S. intelligence agency findings that Moscow hacked and leaked the emails of senior U.S. Democrats in an attempt to tip the presidential election in Trump’s favour.

The two top Republicans in Congress, House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, were muted in their response to Trump giving

information to Russia. Ryan’s office said he hoped for a full explanation, while McConnell told Bloomberg TV he wished for a little less drama from the White House.

Other Republicans, however, expressed concern. Senator Susan Collins called for the Senate Intelligence Committee to be briefed on the matter, while Bob Corker, head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on Monday the allegations were “very, very troubling.”

“Obviously, they’re in a downward spiral right now,” Corker said of the White House. “And they’ve got to come to grips with all that’s happening.” Senator John McCain, a Republican foreign policy hawk who has frequently criticized Trump, said the reports that the president shared sensitive intelligence with Russian officials “are deeply disturbing.” Republicans control both chambers of Congress, but the latest controversy further fired up Democrats against Trump.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer urged the White House to immediately release transcripts of the meeting with the Russians to the relevant lawmakers probing alleged interference

by Russia in the election. (Reuters)

Wednesday, May 17, 2017 - 09:00 hrs Thursday, May 18, 2017 - 10:00 hrs Friday, May 19, 2017 - 08:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 17, 2017

Winston Patterson new Ombudsman JUSTICE Winston Patterson has been appointed the new Ombudsman and will be swornin shortly, well- placed sources have told the Guyana Chronicle.

Patterson will fill the post left vacant by Justice Retired Judge Winston Lennox McLennon

Moore who passed away in September 2016. The ombudsman’s office is an independent, impartial body providing free services, in investigating complaints that haven’t been solved by an organisation or public body that the complaint is against.

An Ombudsman will also

investigate complaints of cases that have been handled badly or unfairly, making someone suffer as a result.

Since retiring Justice Patterson has served in several capacities.

He recently served on the tribunal to investigate to inquire, investigate and

recommend whether Mr. Carvil Duncan, Chairman and appointed member of the Public Service Commission ought to be removed from office for inability to discharge the functions of said office.

Justice Patterson worked in several countries as Registrar of the

Judiciary in Guyana and St. Kitts/Nevis. Magistrate, Chief Magistrate/ Provost Marshall in the Magistrate’s Court in Barbados, The family Court in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Magistrate’s Court in The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Justice Winston Patterson

High crime rates in Caribbean require new evidence-based policy approaches- IDB study THE Caribbean region needs to redirect its anti-crime efforts in favor of more interventions that are evidence-based and targeted at high-risk individuals and geographic areas, with improved monitoring of police and justice systems, a study by the Inter-American Development Bank recommends.

The study, Restoring Paradise in the Caribbean: Combatting Violence with Numbers, is based on the results of new crime victimization surveys carried out in The Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Three thousand individuals were interviewed in each of the five countries. With almost half of all crimes going unreported to the police, these victimization surveys provide a fuller picture of the prevalence

of crime and its unique characteristics when compared to other regions.

When comparing results from Caribbean capital cities with the International Crime Victimization Surveys database, non-violent property crimes in the region are low.

The average rate of individuals victimized by theft of personal property, in a 12-month period, in the Caribbean is 4.8%, compared with the global average of 8.1%. Rates of burglary (4.1%) are significantly lower in the Caribbean than in Africa (8%) and Latin America (5.9%).

Violent crime rates, on the other hand, are among the highest in the world. The average rate of victimization by assault and threat (6.8%) is higher than in any other region, including Latin America

(4.7%). Nearly one in three said they had lost someone to violence. Guns are used about twice as often in robbery and three times as often in assault in the Caribbean as compared with the global average.

Violence is concentrated in certain neighborhoods and demographic groups, often far away from tourist resorts. Certain demographic groups are repeatedly victimized, mainly 18 to 25-year-olds who live in poorer areas. A high proportion of victims said they were attacked by people they know, often in their homes or neighborhood.

“The victimization surveys help us understand how crime affects populations, particularly those who are most vulnerable,” said Ana María Rodríguez, the manager of the IDB’s Department of In-

stitutions for Development.

“Notably, women and youth were found to be less likely to report violent crimes to the police. These surveys help direct

prevention efforts to those who need them the most.”

“The Caribbean region is rightfully known for its beauty, warmth, culture,

music and, yes, beckoning environment,” said Therese Turner-Jones, the manager of the IDB’s Caribbean Department.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Sober celebration EVEN though Guyana has managed to commendably reduce the national suicide rate from 44.2 per 100,000 (a rate disclosed some four years ago), to 30.6 per 100,000 today, there is still much more work to be done.

Guyana is no longer the suicide capital of the world, an unwanted position now occupied by Sri Lanka with a rate of 34.6 per 100,000, but its current rate is an indication that there must be no complacency in fighting the scourge. A rate of 30.6 per 100,000 is still high compared to the global average which the World Health Organisation (WHO) puts at 10.7 per 100,000.

However, it does indicate that Guyana has made significant progress in the past few years in reducing cases of persons taking their own lives. And for this, the government and all non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which have forged a collaborative relationship to beat back suicide are deserving of high praise. But this success calls for sober celebration.

Though Guyana has managed to significantly reduce suicide cases in the past four years, from reports of regional health officials, the same level of success has not been attained for attempted cases, which of late, appear to be on the increase. It is for this reason, the government and all the NGOs which have been working arduously to bring this social ill under control, should not let up, but continue to

press on with their efforts to further bring down the national suicide rate.

This requires continued robust work in the two major red zones in Guyana— Essequibo and Berbice. From official reports, pesticides and overdose of medicinal drugs are the common means used by persons to take their lives and causes range from depression, domestic violence, alcohol abuse and employment. Not too recently, on the Essequibo Coast, the number of attempted suicide cases has caused some alarm among health officials and social workers.

The causes for the increase include those mentioned earlier and some have even gone further to attribute the economic decline, particularly in the rice-growing areas, as a possible cause. In a country still politically polarised even after 50 years as an Independent nation, shortcomings in one area quickly become the rallying cause for opposing groups, even though it is one usually devoid of any concrete solution. But be that as it may, regardless of which side is speaking, the merit or gravity of the situation must never be treated lightly or simply put, must be given full attention.

And cases of suicide and attempted suicide deserve full attention. The recent announcement by the Public Health Ministry that a psychologist as well as a psychiatrist will be assigned to the Essequibo Coast is most welcome news to all those who have been leading the fight against suicide there.

This area has been a red zone for some time now and the two experts will complement the sterling work of NGOs, notably the Sunrise Centre, in dissuading persons there from taking their own lives.

Other NGOs, including religious organisations, have been going into communities, talking to depressed residents and offering them vital support. These efforts need to be replicated across Guyana, if Guyana is going to put a further dent in the national suicide rate and avoid prematurely losing its most vital resource for development --- its people. But it would require a concerted effort from all, including those in political leadership, to work together to help their brothers and sisters in distress recognise the hope of change life presents.

A tribute to a fallen comrade Dear Editor,

IT IS never easy for me to pay tribute to a fallen comrade, whether the death has resulted from acts of oppression or, from natural causes.

However, notwithstanding those difficulties, I would like with your permission, to say something in recognition of the work of Sister Tchaiko Kwayana, who died recently.

She was the wife of Brother Eusi Kwayana. For the purpose of this tribute, I wish to refer to it as “Remembering Sister Tchaiko – Remembering the Ujamaa Villages.”

When I received the news that Sister Tchaiko had died, I was on my way to the Walter Rodney Groundings (WRG), a WPA TV show on Sunday May 7th 2017. Brother Desmond Trotman had picked me up along the route to take me to the studio and, on entering the car he told me our Sister had died. He had gotten the information from an email Sister Andaiye sent out alerting persons to what had happened.

I was stunned on hearing the news. For a moment my body went cold. I knew of Sister Tchaiko’s illness but was not aware that her situation was

that critical.

Trotty and I joined Brother Deon Abrams on the WRG programme where we expressed our personal and collective condolences to Brother Eusi and his children.

I first came into contact with Sister Tchaiko as a young activist in the African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA) in early 1970. She was one of the many militants from the diaspora who came to Guyana through the Pan-African Secretariat. At that time the Pan- African Secretariat was housed in ASCRIA’s building in Georgetown. In those days, ASCRIA and the PNC were allies and worked closely. ASCRIA supported the Burnham regime and its social, economic and political objectives.

I recall working with Sister Tchaiko in a house-tohouse campaign in sections of Georgetown explaining to residents the government’s nationalization policy and urged their support.

Tchaiko and Eusi worked together in many African villages across the country, promoting African culture, education, and politics. The Kwayanas became a house-

hold name in the homes of thousands across the country.

In the course of their work for ASCRIA, Eusi and Tchaiko collaborated in the production of a book titled “Scars of Bondage: A first study of the slave colonial experience of Africans in Guyana.” They also collaborated on the first comprehensive book of African names in Guyana.

Given my closeness with Eusi and Tchaiko and the endless hours I spent at their home as a comrade and a student, I can give scores of examples of Tchaiko’s contributions to the struggles of the African community and the Guyanese nation. Her activities were varied, cultural, moral, social, spiritual, educational -- formal and informal -- economic and political.

When one grieves for a fallen comrade, the challenges that one faces in trying to put one’s thoughts of that person on record are numerous. It is in this context that I have encountered some difficulty in coming to grips with the main focus of this tribute. There is so much one can say about the life and work of this Pan-African heroine, but I feel it is important to say the following.

As I reflect on the fact that Sister Tchaiko departed to the world of the ancestors in the month of May, the month of Guyana’s Independence Anniversary, it should be borne in mind that Sister Tchaiko’s sojourn here in Guyana began shortly after Guyana became an independent country. I recall that this historic event was marked by the renewal of Venezuela’s erroneous claim to two thirds of our territory and that country illegally invaded and occupied Guyana’s half of Ankoko Island. There seems to be great significance that our beloved Sister died while we are celebrating our 51st Independence Anniversary and this period like the earlier period, is once again characterized by our western neighbour’s aggression and its, renewed claim to our territory.

The observation I wish to make now relates to ASCRIA’s and Tchaiko/Eusi’s work to protect our nation’s territorial integrity on our western border. Burnham and his government had agreed to an ASCRIA initiative to develop economic communities at strategic points in the area claimed by Venezuela. The objectives of that initiative

were as follows: (a) to have communities occupying the land economically; (b) shift some of the population from the coast to the hinterland; (c) locating communities in the disputed area had the advantage of providing early information on Venezuela’s military movements. If my memory is correct, three such communities were established which we called Ujamaa Villages.

These were to be socialist-type communities. The idea was adopted from Tanzania.

Many comrades from the diaspora, notably from North America, took up residence in these areas. Sister Tchaiko played a major role in these developments. It will be remiss of me not to mention the names of other diaspora sisters and brothers who contributed immensely in our work at that time. I recall Sisters Ayesha, Roberta and Shukuru and Brothers, Gaiedi and Zulili.

But the Ujamaa communities/villages became victims of the ASCRIA/PNC split and they died. Thiers were not natural deaths but speedy ones after Burnham declared war on ASCRIA. The diaspora comrades and particularly those

from North America were no longer welcome in Guyana and the Pan African Secretariat was subsequently removed from Guyana.

I am contending here that the death of Sister Tchaiko in the month of May has some significance for those of us who have survived the struggles of that period. It is a reminder to us of the contradictions of that memorable period in Guyana’s history. In a way, Tchaiko’s death is also reminding Guyanese of the challenges we still face as a community and as a nation. These are (1) to defend our territorial integrity; (2) shift the population from the coast to interior locations; (3) establish a socially just society; and (4) the need for the African community to rekindle the Pan-African spirit and solidarity. These observations and reflections I believe capture our beloved Sister’s importance, her devotion and solidarity to her adopted country and her Pan-African spirit.

Sister Tchaiko - Lives!

Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 17, 2017

OP-ED

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

By UNAIDS Regional Director Dr César Núñez

TODAY, May 17, the world marks International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT). This observance is meant to draw the attention of the public, decision-makers and the media to the challenges faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersexed (LGBTI) people.

Usually, this is an opportunity to explore societal issues such as violence or discriminatory laws. This year’s theme comes closer to home. The focus is on the role of families in the well-being of their LGBTI members.

The realisation or revelation that a young person’s sexual orientation or gender identity is at odds with cultural norms or religious teachings is distressing for many families. Some relatives respond with uneasy

silence. CARIMIS, a 2014 online survey in the Caribbean, showed that one in three MSMs actually kept their sexuality a secret from their families. Other families attempt to use unproven and dangerous methods to change their loved ones. All too often young people are abused, rejected, disowned or put out. In Latin America, 44–70% of transgender women and girls have felt the need to leave home or were thrown out of their homes.

There is a clear link between the social vulnerability caused by family rejection and HIV. A 2013 Jamaica study found that HIV rates were highest among men who have sex with men who had experienced adverse life events including homelessness and physical violence.

Even in less extreme cases, family rejection and the prejudice sexual minorities face in the wider society can create psychological

distress, fuelling self-harm and risk-taking. A seminal 2009 study found that higher rates of family rejection were linked to poorer health outcomes. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults who reported higher levels of family rejection during adolescence were three times more likely to report having had unprotected sex.

So what can we do?

Together, we must devise strategies to give young people and their families the support and information they need to cultivate open communication and reduce HIV vulnerability. Governments, civil society and faith communities can all play a part.

Across the region there are examples of innovation to address this issue.

Pride in Action,a non-governmental organization housed at the University of the West Indies, Mona,offers LGBT students of tertiary and secondary-level institu-

EU celebrates IDAHOT ON this day, together with millions of people around the world, the EU celebrates the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. It is a timely opportunity to remind Governments of their obligation to promote the universality of human rights and ensure that everyone, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, enjoys these rights without discrimination.

In recent years, remarkable progress has been made around the world to advance the enjoyment of all human rights by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and Intersex persons (LGBTI. Several countries have decriminalised homosexuality and others have enacted new statutes to protect

individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity. None of these changes could have happened without the dedication of courageous activists working to advance equal rights for LGBTI persons.

Great obstacles remain in many places around the globe.

Discrimination and violence against LGBTI persons is still widespread. The EU condemns discrimination and violence against LGBTI individuals in the strongest possible terms.

During Guyana’s most recent Universal Periodic Review by the United Nations, it was recommended that Guyana change its laws in order to guarantee better protection of LGBTI persons; especially the laws criminalizing same-sex intimacy and

cross-gender dressing which, are discriminatory. In response, Guyana agreed “to strengthen the protection of LGBTI individuals” and “to continue its effort in eliminating discrimination against LGBTI people, starting with the review of its related legislation.”

The European Union therefore encourages the Government of Guyana to repeal the laws criminalising same-sex intimacy and cross-dressing.

We fully support the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination -- SASOD -and other Guyanese human rights activists in their efforts in this area.

Regards European Union

Mad men hunting elephants

Dear Editor,

I was appalled that a former Attorney General, Mr Anil Nandlall, would think it acceptable to rely on the advice of someone on how to hunt elephants!

His letter in Guyana Times (GT 15/05/2017) carried the insensitive caption, “When hunting elephants, do not be distracted by rabbits,” endorsing the poaching of a critically endangered

animal.

Mr Editor, I am shocked that a self-proclaimed “chatree” would choose to hunt elephants knowing that one of his deities, Shree Ganesh, bears the head of an elephant. I am sure that the intemperate Mr Nandlall would counter-argue that his hunting could not be literally interpreted. Mr Robert Corbin, referenced in Nandlall’s letter, could

also explain that when he referred to “certain wild men” he was making a classical allusion to drunken politicians who threatened journalists with armed attacks, unmindful of the outcome of horror, terror, and death. Only such madmen would welcome such outcome, since “wha come sah duh”!

Regards Kumar J. Persaud

UNAIDS Regional Director Dr César Núñez

tions in Jamaica safe, appropriate and accessible support systems. Through peer support, students are empowered to address low self-esteem, negative self-images and feelings of

isolation. The organization also provides staff development and advocacy support with a view to making university campuses more inclusive.

In Trinidad and Tobago the Collaborative HIV/ AIDS Management Programme (CHAMP) is a joint effort between the Anglican church and the Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago. It brings parents and young people together to develop communication skills, while addressing issues such as peer pressure and family life. The programme offers education about HIV and sexuality and has offered support to families confronting challenges.

Now more than ever, the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean are discussing the complex issues surrounding sexuality and gender identity. In the past year, court rulings in Belize, Guyana and Suriname have prompted widespread dialogue about laws, rights and justice. More and more, civil society and the media are shining a light on the fact that four of every five killings of transgender people occur in Latin America.

Our region has lots of work to do in our parliaments, streets, schools and communities. This year’s IDAHOT is a reminder that we must also address these issues in our homes

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Arch anxieties and lessons in governance

A

S part of a private initiative in which I am involved, on the morning of Thursday May 4, between the peak hours of 6am and 9am I had every vehicle entering Georgetown counted at the point of Liliendaal.

The total was 5767, comprising: Cars, SUVs & Pickups: 4366 Buses: 918 and Trucks & others: 483 This was just for three hours. I estimated that based on traffic heading out of Georgetown and an average per hour for the other daylight hours that the East Coast Demerara Highway is used approximately 25,000 times every working day.

Late on Wednesday night last week when I saw the advisory to close a portion of the lower ECD Highway to vehicular traffic, I thought that there was a good chance that it could result in gridlock based on the information I had at hand, compounded by the fact that a portion of the Railway Embankment is currently closed to facilitate works on the Liliendaal bridge.

I thought about raising this with my colleagues in government and asking for review. I decided against it as I had done previously when I thought that the traffic arrangements for events at the Guyana National Stadium were not very thoughtful,

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 17, 2017

to state the case mildly. I have repeatedly stood down because I had given the benefit of the doubt to the Guyana Police Force’s traffic-management capacity. This is not an area of my professional expertise and I am always cautious in meddling in things in which I have little experience or competence. It was also late and plans would have been far advanced for the installation.

In retrospect, I should not have stood down. By a stroke of initiative and lucky timing, I had critical data in my possession which in all likelihood was not in the possession of other officials.

The issue relating to the traffic gridlock which resulted from the arch installation was not a deliberate act of wanting to inconvenience the public. It was a simple, regrettable but instructive case of under-estimating aspects of our fast-changing reality. Ten years ago this operation could have been conducted with minimal disruption. Twenty years ago it might have gone completely unnoticed. One of the fastest growing aspects of Guyanese society is personal vehicle ownership. It is a thriving business. There are countless auto dealerships everywhere, from city to rural villages. Thousands of persons are directly buying vehicles online. Personal vehicle ownership in Guyana has exploded, this having been largely facilitated by access to financing through commercial banks and the auto dealerships themselves.

It is for this reason that Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, has been repeating ad nauseam that government must make decisions based on hard and credible data and that the need for data-driven decision-making is mandatory to get governance right.

What transpired last week was not wilful incompetence or spite. It was based on a desire, by this government, to please and to do the right thing. This was one instance in which it backfired and though belatedly, steps were taken to remedy the situation.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, has taken full responsibility.

This is a marked and refreshing departure from the previous administration’s ‘take it and shut up’ approach to governance.

One of the things which this government is still to master is being shrewd in decision-making. Shrewd decision-making is an essential feature of good governance.

Shrewd does not equal uncaring or unmindful. It means, relative to the issue at hand, taking decisions which are for the greater good, but which may pre-emptively upset some stakeholders who are set on a certain course of action. The arch installation provides us with a pertinent lesson in the need for shrewd leadership and governance. There have been previous recent examples as well.

This government has been, to its own detriment, keen to facilitate and accommodate, whether it is the ordinary citizen, the business sector, civil society or big business who play a central role in keeping the wheels of the economy turning.

Another arch was installed at Agricola/ Eccles. Yet another was erected at Linden.

There were disruptions then, but not as severe as there was last week. Perhaps we underestimated the volume of traffic that uses the ECD Highway daily. We clearly underestimated the volume of traffic which uses the ECD Highway daily, since the closure of part of the Railway Embankment.

And the unfortunate and regrettable disruption, stressful as it was for some, should not overshadow that the arch is a good thing for Guyana. For too long, we had neglected the aesthetics of our country, allowed it to become rundown to the point of resembling a shantytown. A once garden country reduced to rubbish and rot.

Why should Guyanese only experience civilization when they travel overseas?

Why should monuments, arches, statues only be for when we travel? Why can’t Guyana too have symbols which celebrate our culture, history and nationhood?

We must not lose sight of the big(ger) picture.

It is acknowledged however that as a government, we need to be clear of mind in decision-making. We need to, always, and regardless of repercussions, make decisions in the best interest of the people and the greater good, even though that would mean making some folks (sometimes very influential and powerful folks) unhappy. It is a difficult and delicate balance to strike.

Lessons are learnt every day. And it is without question that the quality of governance has vastly improved from what it was a few years prior.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 17, 2017

Easy Sky under close watch for overweight

AS THE authorities monitor the operations of Honduran airline, Easy Sky, steps have been taken to ensure the weight limits of the overhead compartment of the airline’s aircraft are not exceeded.

The airline, which was grounded by the GCAA last month, was given temporary permission by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) until June 30th, to operate here following which a decision will be made regarding its operations in this country. In the meantime, the airline was instructed not to make any passenger bookings beyond that date.

According to airport sources, it was discovered during the month of April that the airline may have been breaching aviation regulations by packing extra weight on its Boeing 737 aircraft. During inspections by aviation officials, it was discovered that the overhead compartment of the aircraft, which is reserved for carry-on luggage and personal items, was being packed with cargo.

Persons on the airside of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) noted

that the airline’s aircraft was utilising the entire length of the main runway during take-off. Most transnational airlines implement restrictions regarding carry-on and checked baggage.

While preparing for departure, in most instances, the passenger is expected to pay a fee if airline staff determines baggage as checked rather than carry-on. CJIA officials also discovered that passengers onboard Easy Sky’s flights were carrying extra luggage in the space between the seats of the aircraft, another breach of the civil aviation regulations.

The airline’s passengers, mainly Cubans, were stranded at the CJIA late last month for several days after the GCAA grounded the carrier over safety concerns. Safety deficiencies on the aircraft were detected following an inspection by the GCAA on April 21. The immediate suspension was a necessity in the interest of public safety, the aviation body stated.

There has been an influx of Cubans visiting these shores. Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge, noted last December that the presence of foreigners, who

Vendor remanded on ‘ganja’ charge A STABROEK Market Vendor was remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a drug trafficking charge on Tuesday.

Travis Alexander, 26, of Dhanraj Street, Newtown Kitty denied that on May 12, 2017 at Stabroek Market, he had 23 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor, Arwyn Moore objected to bail on the grounds that no special reason was given by the defendant for bail to be granted. According to the prosecutor, the police had arrested Alexander after he had allegedly robbed someone and was positively identified by the victim.

The police, while conducting a search on Alexander, found a black plastic bag in his pants pocket which contained leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis sativa.

The Chief Magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Alexander until May 29, 2017.

travel here particularly to shop, demonstrates a “closer cooperation” between Guyana and the Spanish-speaking island.

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EasySky passengers prepare to check-in at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) last Friday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 17, 2017

Addressing mental illness

By Akola Thompson ON my way to one of my final examinations yesterday, I was met with the message that one of my cousins had committed suicide in Trinidad. He was 29-years-old when he died.

For almost his entire life he had struggled with things darker than himself. I did not know him that well. If my memory serves me right, I believe I met him maybe only four times in my life. What I did know well however, was his story. He was someone who for most of his life was considered ‘troubled.’

No one could understand how he can go from normalcy at one point into severe depression and bouts of erraticism the next.

One time, he was admitted to the Berbice Psychiatric Hospital. I had heard many things then that I did not quite understand. A few family members and friends were angry he was in there, not because of the condition of the place or even because of its lack of proper treatment. They were concerned about how it looked.

He was a smart young black man who should not be having those kinds of problems. As if mental illness is concerned about the shade and potential of its victims.

I asked my cousin whether anyone knew why he had killed himself and whether he had still been troubling from depression. She was unsure, but said that, “he always used to run off.” Stigma concerning mental illness is very prevalent in Guyana because, as a superstitious people, mental illness is often seen as not illness in of itself, but rather, symptoms of witchcraft or ‘demons.’

Mental illness was not a strange occurrence in the family and he also dabbled in hard drugs. It was when he started experimenting with cocaine that his issues seemed to be further exacerbated. Because now, he was not only mentally ill, he also had to face the stigma that came towards him

because of his drug addiction.

This death has caused me to consider my own mental health. Since my brief but crippling experience with a depression that left me feeling suicidal for many days, I’ve worried about it. I no longer feel suicidal, but there are dark days and often, all it takes is a couple of dark days.

The general air of flurry to help curb mental illness and stop suicide that was present just a year ago seems to have gone once again. I’m not surprised, just disappointed that our attention to this issue only comes around in cycles. There are of course many Non-Governmental Organizations doing tremendous work across the country, but if the Government is serious about addressing mental health, they need to stop with the sporadic treatment of suicide and actually have sustained dialogue and initiatives.

The truth is, we may never be able to eradicate suicide. It is a complex issue and even if one does everything right, mental illness is an incredibly hard thing to live with and persons will invariably fall through the cracks. This does not mean we should be weary of trying because often, people are crying out for help.

We need to work on the attitudes we have towards the mentally ill and suicides.

Too often I hear phrases concerning mental illness such as, “that is white people stupidness.” When and where did we buy into the theory that mental illness was only a Caucasian problem? We have a similar thing here too when it comes to race. Suicide is painted as the Indian’s way out of life and I have seen surprise on the faces of many when they were told that ‘black’ people had killed themselves.

Fear of the unknown is understandable, but that fear should never cause you to castigate or abandon someone in need of your help to save them from themselves.

Anti-sugar reform protest continues 11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 17, 2017

… despite govt’s assurances

SUGAR workers joined by housewives, business persons, students and pensioners took part in a spirited march from the vicinity of Rose Hall Estate to the Sheet Anchor Turn and back to the Estate Tuesday morning, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) has reported.

GAWU said in a release that the demonstration is a show of the “people’s strong opposition to the plan by the Government and the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) to close Rose Hall Estate at year-end.” According to GAWU the Administration’s plans for sugar have triggered off a spate of protests in the sugar belt, as workers fathom the dire consequences of closure as painfully shown recently with the closure of Wales Estate.

During the march, despite the threatening rain, the protestors carried a number of placards, including “Upturn the decision to close Rose Hall Estate”, “We would be sunk into poverty after closure”, “APNU/AFC Gov’t betray sugar workers”, and “Closure of RH Estate is a political act”. And, as they marched the gathering got

bigger and people joined it along the way and it is estimated that the marchers reached over 2,500 persons.

The protestors were addressed by, among others, GAWU General Secretary, Seepaul Narine; GAWU Vice President, Harvey Tambron, and three (3) sugar workers.

The speakers condemned the plan for the closure which they visualised would bring grave suffering. They encouraged those present to continue to put up a fight and called on the Administration to listen to the cries of people and abandon their shortsighted plans for sugar. Among the large gathering were Regional Chairman, David Armogan and Member of Parliament, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo.

Rose Hall Estate, according to data from GuySuCo, employs some 2,300 workers and assuming a family size of four (4), about 10,000 persons or 1.4 per cent of the country’s population will be directly impacted by the closure decision. Work in the sugar estate is the main avenue of employment, as has been the case for generations now, in that populous rural community. Closure will surely leave a vacuum that will not only gravely impact workers

but also force businesses and service providers to curtail or end operations and thus making the bad situation even worse.

Also on Tuesday morning workers of Albion staged a picketing exercise outside of the Estate to demonstrate their strong disagreement with plans to miniaturise the sugar industry.

The workers are very much concerned over the grave difficulties that will beset thousands of Guyanese who stand to be affected by the plans for sugar. The Albion contingent stands in solidarity with their colleagues of Skeldon, Rose Hall and Enmore/LBI Estates who are threatened with closure and sell-out, GAWU said.

STATE PAPER Only last week government unveiled its State Paper on sugar, noting that the industry here lies in a smaller sector, with reduced losses and cash deficits but coupled with a separate and profitable diversified enterprise, which would ensure a viable future.

Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, said the ‘State Paper on the Future of the

A section of the march on Tuesday in Rose Hall Sugar Industry’, will focus on the poorly-performing estates and have them shift from sugar to diversification. “The proposed courses of action are to amalgamate [merge] Wales Estate with Uitvlugt Estate and reassign its cane to the Uitvlugt factory, since the estate is operating at 50 percent capacity. Sixty percent of its drainage and irrigation infrastructure is in a dilapidated condition. The corporation furthermore seeks to divest itself of the Skeldon Estate. The estates of Albion and Rose Hall are to be amalgamated and the factory at Rose Hall is to be closed.”

Holder said GuySuCo would then consist of three estates and three sugar factories. The estates would be Blairmont on the West Bank Berbice, Albion-Rose Hall in East Berbice and the Uit-

vlugt-Wales estate in West Demerara. The three estates will be complete with factories and will have cane supplied from all five locations.

By virtue of the amalgamation, the Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and Rose Hall, Berbice factories will be closed by year-end. In the case of Enmore, that factory will be closed at the end of the year when all cane would have been harvested and the East Coast Estates would be earmarked for diversification.

“The process will result in improving the relationship with some cane cutters, estate staff and about 1,710 private cane farmers. These adjustments mean that GuySuCo would be scaled-down into a more efficient entity that focuses on producing sugar to satisfy the domestic and foreign markets that provide

preferential access to our sugar. This entails taking advantage of the opportunity to merge better performing lands to operate factories more efficiently,” Holder said.

But even as there will be a major restructuring of the industry, GuySuCo is required to retain many of its workers for all operations on the merged estates or factories and those employees are to receive leased lands from the sugar company to engage in crops to be decided by both GuySuCo and the Ministry of Agriculture.

Additionally, the Minister said GuySuCo plans, apart from restructuring the estates and factories, to transfer to the state charges for the drainage and irrigation and health services that it provides to the communities, and around the estates.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 17, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 17, 2017

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World Telecommunications Day

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 17, 2017

55 ICT hubs up in coastal regions

By Cathy Hughes

SOME 55 ICT Community Hubs are in operation mainly in the coastal regions including Liverpool, Corentyne; Lima Sands and Good Hope, Essequibo Coast, Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes said in a message to mark World Telecommunications Day, to be celebrated today.

Hughes said too that

community leaders are being trained so they could help others, especially students, who need the internet for class assignments. Simultaneously, the computer labs, staff rooms and administrative offices in 102 secondary schools and technical/vocational institutes now have access to free internet, as do a few regional administration and education offices, hospitals and some public services in the regions.

Below is the full text of the message

World Telecommunication Day has been celebrated annually on 17 May since 1969, the year of the founding of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The theme this year, “Big Data, Big Impact”, is premised on the fact that every business, governing agency, NGOs, every person and educational institu-

tion has access to copious amounts of structured and unstructured data every second of every day. The ITU used this occasion to highlight the numerous means of extracting meaningful value from the data available to us via any ICT device and system at our disposal. Their message is to encourage the use of advanced technologies to manage and store data.

The theme is in keeping with the ITU’s push for tech-

nological development in all member countries, including Guyana. From our perspective, development translates into a fully green economy, Smart City and towns, inter-connected public services, e.g. medical facilities, fire, water and electricity services; eLearning, telemedicine and eTransactions.

It translates into interconnected primary and secondary schools and university campuses to share lectures in real-time, and research data among other things. It provides information on the safe transfer to computers of the copious amounts of ancient, fragile paper documents currently housed in our national archives, post offices, the Deeds Registry, hospitals and even churches.

The Significant Impact of this technological age for Guyana is the sprint we’re running to take computers, the internet and the wide world of possibilities to our people, including the remote regions where our indigenous citizens live with time-honoured cultures, customs and conventions. This sprint is to ensure that these citizens in particular, can communicate at any time with any one, any authority, any institution in or outside of Guyana; that they have better-than-adequate learning and health facilities.

The Government of Guyana, fully aware of the transformational impact of ICT on national development, established the Ministry of Public Telecommunications in 2016. As part our overall mandate, our achievements to date include the following: * The passing of the Telecommunications Liberalization Bill that would remove exclusivity from one company * Drafting the regulations to open up this sector to investors (these have been circulated and stakeholder/ public inputs received) * Providing schools, community centres, Government ministries and public service departments with fast internet * Designing/facilitating the creation of applications to ultimately eliminate long lines and long hours at the GRA, the Immigration Department, NIS, post offices and even hospitals * Refining the passport application app, while a broad programme is set in motion to upgrade and convert inland district post offices to ICT Community Hubs with postal services * Designing an application for safer pension payments To date, there are 55 ICT Community Hubs in oper-

Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes ation mainly in the coastal regions including Liverpool, Corentyne; Lima Sands and Good Hope, Essequibo Coast. Community leaders are being trained so they could help others, especially students who need the internet for class assignments. Simultaneously, the computer labs, staff rooms and administrative offices in 102 secondary schools and technical/vocational institutes now have access to free internet as do a few regional administration and education offices, hospitals and some public services in the regions.

In mid-April, the MOPT signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Guyana to continue our technical collaboration that began in 2016. UG now has a new teleconferencing platform that allows students at the Tain and John’s campuses to participate in live classes at Turkeyen. The first set of Wifi hotspots will also be activated at Turkeyen and CPCE shortly.

The UG campus is also home to our Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT) which will open its doors in Q3 2017.

In collaboration with the Government of India, CEIT will first train Guyanese ICT trainers, since it is imperative that Guyana has its own large pool of highly accomplished ICT skills to service the business community, and to implement and sustain Guyana’s ICT-led education, health, trade and national development.

The Government of Guyana is committed to ensuring that ICT provides modern, cutting-edge support to all productive and social sectors, as well as the enabling environment for a strong, sustainable private sector.

The imminent oil and gas industry will also demand that ICT and connectivity become critical elements of our economy.

I wish to assure all of our stakeholders and communities that the Ministry of Public Telecommunications is open to working with you, developing new ideas that will utilize ICT to take this nation to the heights it has the potential to reach.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 17, 2017

New judges, Public Service tribunal to be sworn in today PRESIDENT David Granger will today swear in new judges of the High Court and also the long-awaited Public Service Appellate Tribunal, according to an advisory from his office.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon only recently had confirmed that the appointment of judges to

the High Court and Court of Appeal was engaging the attention of President Granger. His remarks had come amid accusations from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) that government was procrasinating on making the appointments. Harmon however stated that recommendations to appoint

judges have to be made by the JSC and passed on to the President. “I don’t know what Mr Nandlall is talking about with the President recommending.

The President has not recommended anybody; the JSC will meet and make its recommendation and as I said earlier, the President will act on those rec-

GDF fires murder accused soldier THE Guyana Defence Force on Tuesday announced that it has dismissed 23239 Private Shaqeil Grant with effect from May 1, 2017.

The 20-year-old soldier was on Monday charged with the murder of Sophia bread vendor, Andre Alexander, who was gunned down during a robbery at his stall recently. Private Grant of Section ‘B’ Greater Georgetown appeared before Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

It’s alleged that Grant on May 5, at ‘C’ Field Sophia, murdered 42-year-old Alexander in the furtherance of a robbery.

Police Prosecutor, Ayesha Gibbon told the court that Alexander was a bread vendor and had a stand at ‘C’ Field Sophia.According to the facts,on May 5, at about 20:30hrs,Grant,along

Dead: Andre Alexander

Murder accused: Shaquille Grant

with another person,rode up to Alexander’s stand on a CG motorcycle, while being armed with a gun and shot the bread vendor to his chest. The men relieved the vendor of an undisclosed sum of cash and made good their escape.

Alexander was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he died while receiving treatment. Magistrate Ally-Seepaul remanded the unrepresented man until June 8, 2017.

ommendations,” said the Minister of State during his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing.

The JSC had advised the President in March, 2016, to appoint four judges.

It was reported that the body unanimously recommended in February 2016 that Justice Mr Rishi Persaud and Justice Ms Dawn Gregory be appointed to the Court of Appeal and Mr Sandil Kissoon and Ms DamoneYounge, Attorneys-at-Law, be appointed Puisne Judges.

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Trio on the run after allegedly raping 12-year-old THE police are on the hunt for a father, his son and nephew who have gone into hiding after allegedly raping a 12-year-old female relative multiple times between November 2016 and May 2017 in Berbice.

This newspaper understands that the child was sexually assaulted by her 46-year-old stepfather, her 18-year-old stepbrother and the elderly man’s 22-yearold cousin on several occasions. Frustration forced the child to confide in an aunt, who then contacted the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) on May 11, 2017.

After questioning the child, the CCPA called in the police, who took her to a medical institution where a medical examination was conducted and it confirmed she was sexually active.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the 7th Grader lives with her moth-

er, step-father and two siblings, while her stepbrother lives in another house in the same yard. According to information received, the young lady would usually assist with chores in both homes and whenever she visited the home of her stepbrother to do her chores, he and his cousin would force themselves on her. They reportedly threatened her to remain silent and after realizing that she did not tell anyone, they kept on raping her whenever she went to the home.

According to reports, the mother of the victim would be at work during the course of the day, while the stepfather, who is a cane harvester, would usually return home before the mother.

It is alleged that during this period, the man would sexually assault the child.

Investigations are continuing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 17, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 17, 2017

Govt expanding use of less popular timber species

By Vanessa Braithwaite

THE Ministry of Natural Resources through the Guyana Forestry Commission in collaboration with several supporting organisations, on Monday hosted a public education and awareness workshop aimed at edifying the necessary players, on the benefits of expanding usage of Lesser Used Species (LUS) of timbers in Guyana.

Opening remarks at the workshop highlighted the fact that Guyana’s forestry base is equipped with over 1000 different species of wood but only 30 of these are used. The participants including contractors, saw millers, lumber yard operator, forest concessionaires and other entrepreneurs were given the opportunity to participate in an informative session aimed at highlighting challenges and solutions.

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman,

giving the feature address highlighted the fact that over the years Guyana has been dependent on exporting raw timber and only recently there was an increase in value added production.

With this revolution, there is need to adapt to the LUS rather than to over rely on the 30 out of 1000 species.

“As a responsible people and government, we cannot allow this situation to continue unabated this is especially so since studies commissioned by the GFC (Guyana Forestry Commission) and FPDMC (Forest Products Development and Marketing Council) showed that some of these lesser used species are comparable to traditional commercial timber species, it is therefore imperative that we begin to utilize the comparable LUS” Trotman urged. He revealed that research shows that the local market is not receptive to the LUS and local contractors are reluctant to try them which pose as a

major challenge in proving the initiative successful “This needs to change and we are currently in Cabinet addressing the National Housing Policy and I have no doubt that this will be addressed there,” he said.

At a time when the forestry sector is at a decline, the Natural Resource Minister however expressed optimism that this workshop is opportune in bringing discussions to the table with the various players. He made commitments to the various organizations that his Ministry will support any venture undertaken to boost extensive usage of timber.

Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin in his short address expressed satisfaction that the value added production in the timber industry is finally expanding since it was unfortunate that a country with such generous endowment of forest was stuck with exporting raw material. “ I believe that there is a strong

will to finally remove the barriers and obstacles that were stopping this industry from taking off, I believe with that will, we have an opportunity to put our heads together,” Gaskin said adding that a strategy needs to be developed for the plethora of species to be exploited.

Chairman of the Guyana Forestry Commission Joycelyn Dow told the audience that she is cognizant that there is a complex system which the sector is built on and this poses as one of the major challenges. As a result of this, she encouraged the major players to create an enabling environment so that everyone can play an integral role in this new initiative.

“You must demand of us (GFC) what is needed for you to do a better job….. we are willing to do that,” she said while encouraging all Guyanese to work together and be consistent towards to success of this initiative.

Shyam Nokta President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association said that his organization has over the years made several attempts at promoting LUS and is finally happy that the initiative is being embarked on. Research has been done which he said confirms the mechanical properties including durability which are found in these underexploited species. He highlighted economic and environmental benefits. “From an environmental standpoint, it will help to reduce the pressure on species that are currently high in demand in the markets and thereby allow for fewer threatened or vulnerable species…… so there is from both sides from an economic and environmental perspective, a general incentive to move in the direction of lesser used species,” he said. The GMSA President said that the challenges lie in the supply and demand since

there is a lack of knowledge of the LUS. “The GMSA is committed towards the of the use of lesser known species, we want to commend the initiatives that are being taken in this regard and we want to express our commitment in working with the FPDMC, the GFC, the Ministry of Natural Resources in working with other stake holders in the efforts in promoting lesser known species.”

Some of the prime species used in Guyana are greenheart, purple heart, mora, bullet wood and locust while some of the LUS with the similar density that can be bought at a cheaper price are Buruda, Black Kakaralli, kurokai and Suya.

The discussion highlighted that the utilization of these species will allow for better management of the sector, it will lead to increase in the value added production and will increase employment from logging along the chain of production.

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Father charged with bribery, son remanded on gun charges

A 19-YEAR-OLD Sophia resident was on Tuesday remanded to prison for gun related charges, while his father along with an accomplice was charged with bribing the police for the teen’s release.

Michael Raghubir called ‘Mickey’ of ‘C’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied that on May 9, 2017 at Vlissengen Road, Georgetown he had a .38 pistol in his possession when he was not a licenced firearm holder.

It is further alleged that on the same date and location, he had five live rounds of .38 ammunition in his possession. The teen’s lawyer, Glen Hanoman told the court that his client is not a flight risk and visited the police station voluntary prior to his arrest.

The Magistrate however overruled the lawyer’s bail application and remanded the teen until June 2, 2017, when he will appear before

Michael Raghubir known as ‘Mickey’

Anil Persaud

Kemendra Raghubir

City Magistrate, Leron Daly.

Police had said that the teen is one of two suspects who had escaped from police during a chase; however he was later caught and arrested.

Meanwhile the teen’s father, Kemendra Raghubir and his alleged accomplice, Anil Persaud appeared before the Chief Magistrate jointly charged with police bribery.

Raghubir, a 39-year-old shop owner of ‘C’ Field Sophia and Persaud, a route 48 minibus conductor of Ram Singh Street, Sophia, both

pleaded not guilty.

It is alleged that on May 12, 2017 at Brickdam Police Station, they corruptly gave $500,000 to Police Constable Jerold Rodrigues, as inducement to release Michael Raghubir from police custody.

Defence lawyer, Hanoman represented Raghubir, while Persaud did not have legal representation.

Hanoman deemed the case “unusual’ and told the court that his client was under the impression that the $500,000 was bail for his son’s release.

But Police Prosecutor, Arwyn Moore told the court that the defendants acted in consort.

Kemendra Raghubir along with Persaud were busted in a sting operation, bribing the policeman and according to the Prosecutor, Police Constable Rodrigues is in possession of recording of the two men attempting to negotiate with him for the teen’s release.

The Prosecution did not object to bail and the men were released on $200,000 bail and ordered to report to the Criminal Investigation Department at the Brickdam Police every Friday.

The matter is adjourned until May 24, 2017 and has been transferred to City Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 17, 2017

High Court trial for former GDF rank accused of rape A FORMER Corporal attached to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was committed to face a judge and jury in the High Court by City Magistrate Judy Latchman for the offence of rape.

Winston Haynes, also known as ‘Carlos,’ is accused of raping a 21-year-old woman in January 2017 at Army Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri, East Bank Demerara.

He was represented by Attorney-at-law Dexter Todd during the Preliminary Inquiry (PI). Haynes remains on $600,000 bail and will go before a judge and jury Winston Haynes at the next sitting of the (Stabroek News Photo) Demerara Assizes.

It is alleged that the young woman was taken to the GDF base in an army vehicle and then escorted to a room, where she was assaulted. The Director of Public Prosecutions had recommended that only Haynes be charged, even though two other ranks were also accused.

After the allegations were first made against Haynes and two other soldiers, a Board of Inquiry was set up to determine the facts of the allegations and “whether the crime was committed.”

At the conclusion of the Inquiry, the three ranks were dismissed. According to the findings and recommendations of the Inquiry, the ranks were found to be not only in contravention of the Security Standing Orders, but also a number of other Standing Operating Procedures of the Force.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 17, 2017

GEA in move to redevelop Hosororo hydro-power plant

AS part of its mandate to develop and encourage the development and utilisation of sources of energy, other than sources presently in use, Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) engineers with assistance from GIZ/ REETA have completed the feasibility study, design and bid documents for redevelopment of a defunct micro hydro-power plant at Hosororo.

The main objectives of the project are: to increase the energy mix of the Mabaruma electrical grid with a clean and renewable source of energy; to gain experience in applying hydro-power engineering and other multi-disciplinary concepts for sustainable rural electrification; to gain understanding of runof-the-river hydro-technology and promote and increase the use of renewable energy in Guyana.

The Hosororo site is situated at the Hosororo Creek about 4.6 km bees flight to the south-west of Mabaruma, Region One, in the north of Guyana. In 1985, a study done

by Terrence Fletcher and Associates Limited studied the option to instal a hydro-power plant at the creek and supply electricity to an agricultural produce processing facility to be built nearby. In the late 1980s, a powerhouse with a turbine of reportedly 5 kW capacity was installed using the upper of two existing concrete weirs. The project was abandoned some years after its inauguration for reasons that are still unclear.

The Mabaruma Power and Light Company Inc currently supplies power to about 735 households with generators supplying about 400kW peak load. The Hinterland Electrification Company Inc (HECI) is in the process of procuring and installing a 400kW solar photovoltaic farm. The hydro-power plant will be supplying only about 20kW towards meeting the demand of the community.

The plant, conceptualised by GEA’s engineers, will entail

the construction of a 20kW run-of-the-river type micro hydro-power plant inclusive of weir/intake, penstock and power house. Electricity from the new plant will be fed directly to the distribution network of the local power utility MPLCI and will provide about 8% of the annual energy demand of 735MWh. The power system incorporating diesel, solar and hydro would be the first hybrid system of such diversity providing energy in Guyana.

The computed Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) was USD 0.31 per kWh compared to the cost of generation from fossil-based diesel of about USD 0.50 per kWh. GEA has commenced the tendering process, by inviting bids for the construction and installation works of the project. It is expected that the works will commence in July 2017 and be completed by March 2018. It is envisioned that the construction and installation phase of the project will provide a source of employment for the community, since the selected contractor will be required to utilise local labour, once available.

Supervision of the project during the construction phase will be conducted by GEA’s engineers, along with their counterparts from the Hinterland Electrification Company Inc (HECI) and the Mabaruma Power and Light Company (MPLC).

Additionally, regular updates will be provided to the mayor and councillors of the region, and the general community, on the project through meetings and site visits. During these sessions, they will be encouraged to participate in monitoring of the project.

While this project will provide much experience in implementing and operating hybrid systems, GEA and HECI are actively studying and pursuing similar systems for areas such as Bartica, Lethem, Kumu and other areas.

The Guyana Energy Agency will continue its efforts towards the devel-

opment of hydro-power in Guyana, in keeping with its vision to provide reliable energy in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable framework.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Guyana to tap assistance in climate agriculture GUYANA has been identified as the pilot country in a regional and international project for the development of agriculture in the Caribbean through a Building Regional Climate Capacity in the Caribbean (BRCCC) Programme and has hosted a training seminar for the project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The five-day seminar successfully empowers farmers to make informed decisions based on accurate, location-specific, climate and weather information; locally relevant crop, livestock and livelihood options, through

the use of participatory tools.

According to a press statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Hydromet Department will facilitate a workshop based on Guyana’s ability to develop Participatory Integrated Climate Services of Agriculture (PICSA).

Several facilitators have already become involved in making decisions on PICSA’s involvement in extension activities, even as the project targets small-scale farmers in an effort to “tailor climate information and services to support decision-making,” according to the ministry.

The statement said information gathered through the identification of farming

A section of the participants at the seminar

options, as well as comparing climate information and agriculture options, would be used as a guide to farmers on crop and livestock types for possible investment -- by determining crops which are resilient or suitable for the upcoming season.

According to Chief Hydromet Officer (ag) Dr Garvin Cummings, the PICSA approach will improve services given by extension officers instead of being a replacement for such extension services.

“The PICSA approach is intended to train persons involved in the provision of agricultural services, so that they can be carriers of climate information. With these officers equipped with the ability to offer this additional information, Hydromet would not be required to create its own extension arm in terms of getting information to the farmers, but rather use the existing human resource infrastructure, train them so that when they go out into the fields they can be carriers of climate information.”

Dr Cummings said.

The PICSA approach is based on statistics and gives reference to historical data to determine the possibilities of a recurrence of particular events, Dr Cummings said.

“PICSA was developed by a team of agricultural experts from Reading University in the United Kingdom and was piloted in South Sahara, Africa, in 2011. Since then, the approach continues to develop and is further tailored to specifically adapt to each country [where] it is executed. This approach requires participatory action, which would allow for the persons who play an integral role in agricultural development deliver information to its intended audience, that the information is understood, can

be interpreted and acted on,” the press statement explained.

According to the statement, Associate Professor from Reading University’s School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, Dr. Peter Dorward said PISCA does not dictate for farmers, but rather presents facts so that they can make their own judgement.

“When we present the information, farmers would be able to see for themselves that if they, for example, planted a certain crop at a particular farming cycle that they have the best chance or the highest probability of having successes in their agricultural activities.” Dr Dorward said.

The Ministry of Agriculture explained that Guyana was selected as the Caribbean country to lead the project based on findings from a visit earlier this year by a team of professionals from the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology and the University of Reading, to examine conditions here for the possible adoption of PISCA as a pilot project. Because of the success of the visit, other Caribbean countries would also benefit.

The team was able to meet with farmers and expressed satisfaction with their observations.

“How can we provide a better service to the region?

Not only as a regional organization but how we can help other member states through the national meteorological and hydrological services to provide meaningful information that will influence decisions and reduce their risks from hazards such as storms and droughts. It becomes critical, especially in this era where we are constantly discussing climate variability and change, that people recognize that there is a service out there on regional and national scales that they can take information and make decisions how they operate,” says Adrian Trotman of the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology.

The workshop will see participation from the Hydromet Department; the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI); the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA); The Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC); the Pesticide Board; The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB); The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo); the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) and the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 17, 2017

33 Sophia youth participate in 16th Self Reliance workshop THIRTY-THREE young people from Sophia and other communities on Monday morning participated in the 16th Self Reliance and Success in Business Workshop.

The participants, many of whom are young and unemployed, were selected to participate in the training programme in order to empower them to create employment for themselves and enhance their community.

Delivering opening remarks, Regional Chairman, Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four) Ms. Genevieve Allen, praised the participants for capitalising on the opportunity to augment their education. She also commended First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, for taking

a special interest in the youth of Sophia and for providing an opportunity for them to access training.

“I’d like to express appreciation to our First Lady for first of all showing the interest in the development of [the] men and women in our country and for giving you the opportunity so that you can acquire the necessary skills and information so that you can become independent… so that you can become empowered, that you do not become dependent on somebody, but after you would have acquired these skills that you can become an independent individual earning your own dollars, sharing the knowledge that you would have gained, only with your household, but

with your [community] and helping to bring about a change in our society,” she said.

Ms. Allen also expressed the hope that by the close of the workshop, the participants would have become more selfaware and would better be able to identify their strengths, spark their creativity and make sound decisions about their futures. “I [would] like to see, coming out from this group of trainees, new skills, new businesses and those businesses being successful… that we are going to be proud that because of this [workshop] you have developed your self-awareness, you have developed you self-esteem and that you are successful in your business ventures,” she said.

Meanwhile, Facilitator of

Some of the participants at the opening of the 16th Self Reliance and Success in Business Workshop

Interweave Solutions Incorporated, Mr. Yohann Sanjay Pooran, providing an overview of the workshop said 493 women and men have been trained

Pictured seated from left to right are: Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Ms. Yvonne Smith, Confidential Secretary to the First Lady; Ms. Genevieve Allen, Regional Chairman, Demerara-Mahaica; Mr. Yohann Sanjay Pooran, Facilitator, Interweave Solutions and Ms. Andrea Marks, Sophia Community Coordinator

across all Ten Administrative Regions since the workshops were introduced in 2015. “I can safely say that the Self Reliance and Success in Business [workshop], an initiative of the Office of the First Lady, changes the lives of people for the better in a powerful and impacting way…,” she said.

Several participants expressed the hope that the workshop will improve their ability to grow or start their own businesses. Ms. Nicola Gonsalves, a business owner of ‘E’ Field, Sophia said that she was pleased that the First Lady has brought the workshop to her. “A lot of women around the communities they need something like this because they are trying to [start] their own businesses, but they don’t have… the facility, they don’t have the finances so this will be a great opportunity for [them,] to come and learn more about [how to] run their business.”

Ms. Lorraine Pearson, also of ‘E’ Field, Sophia, expressed similar sentiments.

“I have plans [to start] my own business… but with this programme I feel that I can go ahead about [my business]. I am grateful and thanks to the

First Lady and the organisers,” she said.

Mr. Abram Stokes of Buxton said that while he does not have immediate plans to become an entrepreneur, he is currently unemployed and decided to participate in the workshop to augment his skills. “I am home doing nothing and my step mother encouraged me to try it to see if it could better me… Now that I am getting the opportunity, it’s best I think about [starting my own business]. I feel very pleased and happy to know that there are people looking out for me and other people like me and giving us the opportunity to better our lives and our families as well,” he said. The five-day workshop, which is held in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection, will close on Friday after which each participant who has completed the syllabus will be given a recognised certificate. Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Yvonne Smith, Confidential Secretary to the First Lady, local community coordinator, Ms. Andrea Marks also attended the workshop.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

CARIFESTA 13...

Auditions ongoing @ Umana Yana WITH a cap on space and August fast approaching, persons desirous of participating in this year’s Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta) XIII in Barbados are being asked to audition early in order to make the cut.

“People need to pay attention to advertisements and follow the timeframe that we have so that they do not miss out,” Director of Culture, Ms Tamika Boatswain said on Monday.

As she hastened to explain, unlike Carifesta XII

in Haiti back in 2015 when Guyana’s delegation was 80-strong, it won’t be able to send that many persons this year; just 60, because of budgetary constraints.

Auditions began Sunday and are being held daily from 14:00hrs at the Umana Yana.

Categories include: Craft, Culinary Arts, Fashion, Film Festival, Literary Arts, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Symposia, Animation, Storytelling Events, Grand Cultural Market, Trade Fair, Youth Focus and Community Festival.

According to reports coming out of host country, Barbados, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has sent the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) a progress report on preparations for CARIFESTA, billed for August 17-27 under the theme, “Asserting Our Culture, Celebrating Ourselves”.

And, based on that report, current CARICOM Chairman, Guyana’s President David Granger was quoted as saying that the 15-member community is fully cognisant of the importance of the festi-

Director of Culture, Ms Tamika Boatswain

val to the Caribbean identity and “brand”, and wishes to see full participation in the event.

“We are a unique people, and it is important that we showcase the diversity of our people,” he said.

PM Stuart concurred, saying that while CARIFESTA showcases the diversity of the region, it highlights the unique character of each host country.

“Over the years, it has changed its character to reflect where it is being held, because each host country

tries to put its cultural stamp on the festival. Therefore, we expect that while we will be having artistes from all over the region, there will be a peculiar Barbadian stamp on CARIFESTA XIII,” he said, adding that the Land of the Flying Fish, as Barbados is otherwise known, has had the privilege of hosting the event in 1981, and as such it is not virgin territory for them.

For further information about the auditions, persons can make contact via telephone numbers 6047712, 641-7364 or 696-1193.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 17, 2017

Avid poet, farmer turns 100

Minister of Social Protection, Ms Amna Ally (second right) extending well wishes to Mr. Hamilton

Mr. Horace Hamilton surrounded by family on Monday as they joined him in celebrating his 100th Birthday

By Sherah Alleyne MONDAY gone was a very special day in the lives of the Hamiltons of Princes Street, Lodge.

Not only did they celebrate the 100th birthday of the family’s patriarch, Mr Horace Hamilton, but they also had a very special guest, in the person of Minister of Social Protection, Ms Amna Ally, to help them celebrate this special milestone.

For the minister, the visit was no coincidence, as the day, besides being the second anniversary since the change of political guard here, was also being celebrated the world over as International Day of The Family.

And, she did not go empty-handed. She took him a hamper and a lovely card.

Born on May 15, 1917 at Gibraltar, Berbice in then British Guiana, Mr Hamilton is the lone survivor of six children who all lived past the age of 90. However, he is the only one to live to the ripe old age of 100.

According to family members, “His will to live is puzzling to many; even when they all gave up on him, he kept the hope of being alive to see a century.” This indomitable spirit of his has caused him to earn the undying respect of both family and friends, who often describe him as “a inspiration”.

Mr. Hamilton married Mary Singh Hamilton, and together they had ten children, two of whom were present as the “birthday bash”.

In his quest over the years to earn a living and at the same time keep fit and active, Mr Hamilton, up to the age of 96, grew tomatoes, peanuts and various other vegetables crops in the fertile Rupununi, where he lived for the better part of his life after moving there in the 1950s. And to his credit, that farmstead is still up and running to this day.

What is peculiar, and endearing as well, about Mr Hamilton, however, is that though he enjoyed farming, he also enjoyed writing poetry, and has penned over 50 poems over the last few years.

He also did a piece as his contribution this year to “International Day of the Family”, a snippet of which follows: “How sad to know of a broken home harder still, when you’re left alone it is indeed a grievous thought creating sorrow and pain in one’s heart.

“Children often go astray never cease to roam no one to guide them on their way because of a broken home.

Lovers, husbands and wives pay heed and take advice avoid a broken home or you would be left alone.”

It’s a poem that resonates with Minister Ally, who, like Mr Hamilton, shares similar views about the family.

“The family,” she said, “is one of the welfare pillars of society, and is essential for the socialisation of children and their individual wellbeing.”

Before she took her leave, she was presented a book of Mr. Hamilton’s favourite poems, along with some of the poems he himself would have penned.

‘Run from rum’ GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 17, 2017

… judge tells man who set son on fire … imposes 20-year prison sentence

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric JUSTICE James BovellDrakes imposed a 20-year sentence on a man, Devindra Somwaru, who was found guilty of setting ablaze his son after the child had tried to prevent him from drinking rum back in May 7, 2015.

Prior to imposing the sentence, the judge noted that the case was a troubled one, because the victim was a young person who was aged 13 years when he gave his evidence weeks ago. Addressing Devindra Somwaru who was stone-faced in the dock, Bovell-Drakes recalled that the evidence led indicated that: “Your son Rickey craved to be in your care. However, something went badly wrong on May 7, 2015, because on that day as a result of your

conduct he received extreme burns to his person.

“I have accepted the evidence of Dr Ganesh Omapersaud, who stated that the burns extended to 25 to 30 percent of his body. A witness said, parts of the body melted together and parts of the groin badly damaged.”

“What saddened me,” said the judge, “was the fact that you did not at any time, voluntarily admit that you did the act.

In fact, you said there were roaches or rats and you threw methylated spirits. Roaches and rats will go into holes, but the body of your son was damaged extraordinarily from his neck, face, and other parts.

He has serious injuries.” The prisoner was reminded that on the day in question there were only two persons in that home at Gangaram, East Canje, Berbice and at no time did he say

that it was his son who was using methylated spirits. “It was either he threw it on himself or you threw it on him. It was you in your defence who said you had used methylated spirits to chase out roaches.”

Rehashing the evidence of the victim Rickey Somwaru, it was reiterated that the elderly man turned to his son in the chair and threw the flammable liquid, before scratching a match , lighting the child afire. “There was a loud boom. I felt hot. I was on fire. I tried to run. I fell on the kitchen floor. My father started to kick me. When the fire was extinguished, I ran and kicked the door open. I jumped over the fence. I then jumped our neighbour fence, before alerting my neighbour,” the judge quoted the victim as saying. The judge told Devindra that he must

be penalised for the wrong he did to a child “and in doing so have to set an example to others who are parents, who may want to do the same.

They must think a hundred times before doing so. That child did you nothing. He did not harm you. He wanted to be loved by you. But what he got were burns and he continues to take treatment for those burns. He was not a stranger. He is your child,” Bovell-Drakes said.

Meanwhile, the judge perusing the Evidence Act told the court that the penalty for the crime is life imprisonment, even while informing the prisoner that his case does not warrant a suspended sentence, as it does not meet the level as the boy did not do anything that caused such extreme conduct.

Justice Bovell-Drakes questioned what may

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have entered Devindra’s head except for the ‘spirits’ he had consumed and expressed optimism of a change in Somwaru’s attitude during his period of incarceration .

RUN FROM RUM “Rum is not for you.

Shun It. Run from it. Do not go close to it. Don’t drink, you will put yourself in a worst state. You are lucky you could have been facing a more serious charge,” Justice Bovell-Drakes admonished Devindra before imposing the 20-year sentence.

Meanwhile, last week in his mitigation plea, the convict had asked the court for a suspended sentence, even while asking that he be allowed to offer compensation for the act for which he accepts full responsibility.

Devindra Somwaru He also expressed regret and apologised to his ex-wife who was seated in the courtroom.

“Further, I wish to take full responsibility. I acknowledge that if I was not under the influence of alcohol, this incident would not have happened to my son.

I beg this court for mercy, leniency, because I wish to go home one day where I can still help my sons.”

A probation report was presented in court by Ms Maisie Sheppard.

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Misbah and Younis Dr Webster receives ... did more than serve Pakistan; they served cricket

By Andy Bull ‘A fine journey with him in the middle’ SOME retirements leave you feeling older all of a sudden, as if time has just moved on in a leap. There were two such on Sunday night.

Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan played their final games, a Test against West Indies at Windsor Park in Dominica.

Younis is the last great batsman of his generation to go.

Thirty men scored 4 000 runs in Test cricket in the 2000s.

Among the other 29, you can still catch Chris Gayle swishing sixes in franchise cricket, see Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene on the county circuit.

The rest are retired, have become coaches, commentators, administrators. Younis, who made his debut in 2000, was the only one still playing Tests. We are not on the brink of the new era anymore but so far into it the one just gone is a business only for historians.

Of course they finished together. Younis and Misbah were one of the great partnerships.

They started late, because Misbah became a regular member of the team only in 2009 when he was 34 but still scored more runs together than any other pair of Pakistan batsmen.

In the long history of Test cricket, only two pairs scored as many runs in partnership at such a high average. Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe were one, Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting the other.

Then it is Misbah and Younis, 3 213 altogether, at 68.36.

After Allah, his wife and his children, Younis was the one Misbah wanted to thank in his farewell speech. “It was a very fine journey with him in the middle,” he said. “My name will come with his and be remembered in history.”

Younis was one of the finest players Pakistan have had, the first to score 10 000 Test runs, the first to score more than 30 Test centuries, his batting characterised by his bloody-minded determination to be “the last man standing” as he once put it, the one who “comes in and takes everything on his chest” when things get hard for the team. Younis was as tough as they come.

He scored five centuries in the fourth innings, more than any other player in history.

Since he started, Pakistan have won 28 Tests away from home, outside of the UAE. And in the

24 of those matches he played in, Younis scored 2 826 runs at 94.20, with 10 centuries. Steve Waugh is the only player with an away record anything like it.

Then there is Misbah, a player who was pretty much the Pakistan Cricket Board’s last choice to be captain, who has led the team to so many firsts, mosts and onlys. Misbah, who won more Tests than any other Pakistan captain. Misbah, who never lost a home series.

Misbah, who became the only captain in history whose team whitewashed England and Australia.

Misbah yoked himself so tightly to the needs of the team his career seemed to become one long exercise in self-abnegation. He batted so slow they called him “Tuk Tuk” but who also scored, one carefree day, the fastest 50 in Test cricket and tied Viv Richards’ record for the fastest ton.

If it had not been for Younis, Misbah would not have become captain. And if it had not been for Misbah, Younis would not have become Pakistan’s greatest batsman.

The captaincy was meant to be Younis’s. He was groomed for it by the PCB chairman, Shaharyar Khan. He picked Younis to be Inzamam-ulHaq’s deputy early in 2005.

When the time came for him to take over, before the Champions Trophy in 2006, he refused to do it. He said he did not want to be a “dummy captain” and, though he never said it in public, the problem was that the selectors had insisted on picking Faisal Iqbal when Younis wanted Misbah instead. In 2007, when Inzamam stepped down, Younis refused the job again, because he was so upset by the fallout from the World Cup. “I am still hurt and upset at the sort of hostile reception we have got on our return,” Younis said. “When your family gets threatening calls and our effigies are burnt and our pictures put on donkeys, I can’t lead the team in such circumstances.”

He finally took on the job in 2009 and won the World T20 that same year. He quit again after he was falsely accused of fixing by a Pakistani politician and his own players turned against him.

He even began to suspect they were deliberately losing matches out of spite. In 2010 he was banned for life, part of a cack-handed effort by the PCB to clean up its team.

It meant he missed their infamous tour of England that summer. (The Guardian).

Canada, the University of Miami in the USA, the University of Lund in Sweden, and the Universities of Melbourne and Monash in Australia.

While at Edinburgh, Dr Webster played cricket for Scotland and was voted sportsman-of-the-year. On his debut for Scotland he established a unique world record by taking a wicket with the first ball he bowled in each innings - the first time that had been done in the two centuries of First Class cricket.

He also played professional cricket for the County of Warwickshire in England and holds the second-best career bowling average in the 135year history of that club - 234 wickets at 19.36 runs with a strike rate of 45 and an economy rate of 2.5 runs per over.

Working in Medicine and in a live human sports laboratory it was only natural for

him to become interested in Sports Medicine, particularly in the mental component of that specialty.

In Australia, where he lived for 17 years, he did pioneering work in the mental preparation and mental conditioning of athletes and was affectionately known as the ‘guru’ and ‘witch doctor’.

He was best recognised for his work in Australian Rules football where he helped to prepare and condition the minds of players in teams that won the 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984 and 1985 Grand Finals.

The Grand Final is the equivalent of the American Super Bowl. His impact on the game and his influence on coaches were such that in the quarter-time break in a Finals game two head coaches fought each other over him - a sensational incident that stunned the 80 000 spectators at the

ground and the millions of TV viewers around Australia.

Dr Webster also worked with many of Australia’s best athletes including Dennis Lillee - one of the world’s greatest fast bowlers, Greg Chappell - Australia’s cricket captain and star batsman, and Greg Norman, the world’s number one golfer for 331 weeks before Tiger Woods came on the scene.

One of Dr Webster’s proudest achievements was the establishment of the Shell Cricket Academy of St George’s University in the late nineties in concert with Dr Ted Hollis, the Dean of Arts and Sciences, who was the driving force behind the project.

The Academy received wide coverage from the press and as a result St George’s University became a household name throughout the Caribbean.

Curling Federation eyes 2022 ...

European, to South America and to my parents’ homeland,” said Husain who is Canadian by birth.

He explained that he and his sister Farzana (Husain) see bringing a new sport that’s already played at the Olympics to Guyana as their way of giving back.

Husain explained that “this is a first step, because obviously we have no ice rink in Guyana, but is to show the basics of the sport and what it’s about, using a non-ice solution; so this is a great first step in introducing Guyanese to the sport.”

Founded in 2016, the GCF has been established to not only govern and promote the Winter Olympic Sport of Curling to Guyanese both within Guyana and abroad, but to also raise the profile of Winter Sport within the Caribbean region by working with other similar bodies and organisations.

At the moment, there’s no home for the sport in Guyana, but Husain isn’t too bothered, telling Chronicle Sport that “building an ice rink is a huge endeavour and I’m not sure that it’s what the country needs.”

He added, “Guyana needs a lot of things right now and I don’t think building an ice rink would be part of the solution. Our dream as a federation is to spread the sport and to bring, hopefully an ice rink to Guyana. But right now, the country needs more important things.”

The Federation was established to also provide athletes both in and out of Guyana opportunities to represent the country in

international competitions as governed by the World Curling Federation.

C u r r e n t l y, t h e G C F boasts two competitive athletes, (Rayad and Farzana Husain), who are both based in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, and have been participating in the sport for many years in Canada with great success.

The Federation recently received Conditional Membership status from the World Curling Federation (56th Member Association) at its World Curling Congress in Stockholm, Sweden in September 2016, which will allow them to access development programmes to promote the sport to the Guyanese people.

Following a one-year period, the next step will be to apply for Provisional Membership status, which

English Racing Tips Yarmouth 08:40 hrs Farook 09:10 hrs Rubensian 09:45 hrs Young Tom 10:20 hrs Kestrel Dot Com 10:50 hrs Ross Raith Rover 11:25 hrs Louis Vee 11:55 hrs Cooperess 12:25 hrs Paquita Bailarina Worcester 09:00 hrs Conteur D’Histoire 09:30 hrs Druid’s Folly 10:05 hrs Annie Angel 10:40 hrs Amron Kali 11:15 hrs Follow The Bear 11:45 hrs Muffins For Tea 12:15 hrs Old Harry Rocks York 09:20 hrs Lovell 09:55 hrs Wentworth Falls 10:30 hrs Brando 11:05 hrs Shutter Speed

Continued from back page

Continued from back page

would allow our athletes to compete in international events, with the first being the 2018 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship, which will take place at the end of April 2018 at a site to be announced by the World Curling Federation.

Through time, the goal of the Federation is to send a curling team to the Olympic Winter Games perhaps as soon as the 2022 Olympics in Beijing in Mixed Doubles, as well as to produce medals in the World Championships.

Men’s curling was included in the Olympic programme in 1924 at the first Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix.

It was then dropped, and later re-introduced as a demonstration sport in 1932 in Lake Placid.

In 1998, Curling officially joined the Olympic programme, with both men’s and women’s competitions.

11:35 hrs Orewa 12:05 hrs Santry 12:35 hrs St Malo Irish Racing Tips Punchestown 12:45 hrs Townshend 11:15 hrs Killiney Court 13:45 hrs Stonehall Jack 14:15 hrs Delta Work 14:45 hrs Senewalk 15:15 hrs Knockraha King 15:45 hrs Narcissistic American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 On the Hassle Race 2 Wind Tartare Race 3 Milaya Race 4 Luzanna Race 5 Classy Chris Race 6 Converge Race 7 Rockford Race 8 Tasit Race 9 Bob

36

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Chelsea celebrate title with 4-3 romp against Watford

By Clare Lovell (REUTERS) - Departing captain John Terry led his Chelsea champions to a rip-roaring 4-3 victory over Watford on Monday, scoring the first goal on an evening of celebration, fireworks and streamers rather than vintage football at Stamford Bridge.

Terry, who is leaving this season after 22 years with the club, hooked home a loose ball from a Willian corner in the 22nd minute. The defender has scored in 17 consecutive Premier League seasons.

But the former England captain was at fault for the

Chelsea’s John Terry applauds their fans after the match.

(Reuters/Hannah McKay)

equaliser when barely two minutes later he back-headed

a ball he should have cleared, sending it straight to Etienne

Capoue for an easy headed goal.

Chelsea had won the title with a 1-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion on Friday, so Monday’s game was more about enjoying the moment with the fans and giving those who had not figured too often in the season a chance to shine.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, hailed by the crowd with chants of “Antonio, Antonio”, made nine changes from the West Brom game, mindful also of the FA Cup final less than two weeks away.

Although the makeshift side looked frail at the back, they commanded the midfield and

were always dangerous going forward.

Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta put Chelsea ahead again in the 36th minute and striker Michy Batshuayi, Diego Costa’s understudy, followed his goal on Friday with Chelsea’s third on Monday, four minutes into the second half.

Watford put a brief damper on fans’ celebrations with Daryl Janmaat dribbling through for Watford’s second goal and substitute Stefano Okaka equalising in the 74th.

But when substitute Cesc Fabregas put away the winner in the 88th minute, the stadium erupted once again in song for Conte, for Terry and for a title that had looked out of reach after a 10th-place finish last season and a shaky start last autumn.

Watford’s Sebastian Prodl was sent off in injury time after a reckless challenge on Pedro brought a second yellow card from referee Lee Mason.

But that was only one low point in an entertaining and committed performance from 16th-placed Watford, who never gave up despite having little to play for with just one game

at home to Manchester City to go next weekend.

“At this stage of the season I like to see this type of game,” Conte said. “It’s fun to see teams score three and four goals ... but only at this stage of the season.”

Fireworks lit up the sky in south-west London as Mason blew the final whistle while blue-and-white streamers rained on the pitch.

The players and their hugely popular Italian coach ran a lap of honour, the be-suited Conte jumping and dancing with his charges to celebrate a first English title in his first season in charge.

Chelsea could reach 93 points with victory at home to relegated Sunderland next weekend and Conte’s side have the chance to win the double when they meet Arsenal in the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 27.

“The FA Cup final you start to play 10 days before ... I have a plan in my head to play the final,” Conte said.

“At the moment I have 13 or 14 players who deserve to play the FA Cup final who are in very good form. I have 13 days to make my decision.”

Sharapova denied French Open wildcard

Maria Sharapova

(REUTERS) - Twice former champion Maria Sharapova was surprisingly denied a wildcard into the French Open yesterday - ending intense speculation about her place in the claycourt slam since she returned from a 15-month doping ban.

The 30-year-old Russian, who made her comeback last month after serving a suspension following a positive test for heart drug meldonium at last year’s Australian Open, had hoped for a favour from the French Tennis Federation (FFT) because her ranking, currently 211, does not warrant an automatic place.

The decision was announced by the FFT on Facebook Live shortly before Sharapova was due to play her second round at

the Italian Open in Rome.

It had been expected that the FFT would hand Sharapova, who won the 2012 and 2014 titles on the Parisian clay at least a wildcard into the qualifying tournament.

Sharapova’s return has been dogged by criticism with several leading players voicing their disapproval at the decision of tournament organisers in Stuttgart, Madrid and Rome to grant her a main draw wildcard.

The five-time grand slam champion is also sweating on her place at Wimbledon with the cutoff for direct entries into the main draw on Monday.

She needs a semi-final run in Rome to claim a main draw spot at Wimbledon by right.

37

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Jacklow youths building a foundation through sports in the Pomeroon

By Elroy Stephney THE spotlight has always been reserved for the coastland where most of the facilities and recreational activities are being managed.

This has resulted in the systematic and continuous isolation of sports in the districts of the Upper and Lower Pomeroon River.

It is indeed quite difficult to traverse the rough terrain of the plantation fields, some of which have been developed into playgrounds.

Notwithstanding, maintaining them - from flooding and weeds - remains a monumental task and in the process has stymied the development of sports in those areas.

There are very few estab-

lished youth organisations within the Pomeroon area that are engaged in community enhancement to facilitate the promotion of sports or to provide an opportunity for the youths to exhibit their potential.

The Jacklow Youth Organisation, however, is an exception. Currently the multi-faceted group has in excess of sixty members whose main objective is to promote youth empowerment through sports, training and education.

The members seek to foster community partnerships, establish institutional networks, care for the elderly and engage in economic ventures that will aid in sustaining their existence and progression.

The group was formed in

Sherman Austin, captain and a founding member of Jacklow Youth Organisation

2012 with Mr Reyaz Roopnarine serving as its current president. Members are involved in several sporting disciplines, including football, cricket, volleyball and circle

tennis.

Only recently the team participated in a volleyball tournament involving teams from other villages. Additionally a coach from the coastland was recruited to further train and enhance their skills in the sport.

They also boast of having quite a formidable cricket team which is being captained

by Sherman Austin, who is also a founding member of the thriving organisation.

Austin would have also represented the Pomeroon Cricket Committee in many tournaments and remains one of the more talented cricketers to have emerged from the Lower Pomeroon River.

Given his exposure and an enduring passion to strate-

gically serve the community with pride and commitment, the Jacklow Youth Organisation is beginning to rise above the mighty Pomeroon River and excel despite its limited resources.

Significantly, the group sought and obtained financial and technical assistance from the Youth Empowerment Initiative to erect a pavilion and improve the physical condition of the ground.

This has led to more activities being organised and it has sought to stimulate the interest of the youths, who can now be seen playing there on a daily basis. The organisation is also proud to promote literacy among its members and the community by conducting formal programmes.

Members are also frequently engaging the community by volunteering to selflessly serve the elderly during special occasions, such as at Christmas or Easter. Such undertakings have brought tremendous delight to the community and have created a sense of responsibility and satisfaction.

The organisation now intends to attract more youths to participate socially, culturally and through sports to organise more regular competitions and travel to other villages as well as the coastland to compete with other clubs.

There is no shortage of talent there, according to Austin and while the River may need a bridge for them to cross, the Jacklow Youth Organisation is moving in different ways and gaining positive results through sports.

Multi-purpose facility to be constructed in Essequibo

TO THE

Not only RHTY&SC M.S. was absent from BCB first division launch

THE attention of the Rose H a l l To w n Yo u t h a n d Sports Club M.S. has been drawn to an article in the Guyana Chronicle edition of Sunday May 14, under the headline ‘BCB launches Universal DVD 50 overs First Division Tournament’.

The article is about the long-awaited launching of a First Division Cricket tournament which is welcome by the Management of the RHTY&SC M.S. What is of concern to all of us is a statement at the end of the article that the RHTY&SC was the only club that failed to attend the launching ceremony.

This statement which has no meaning to the story is however false and incorrect.

According to information no representative of Police, Upper Corentyne or Skeldon was present while the representative of Blairmont left before the start of the ceremony.

The Management of the RHTY&SC M.S. is left to wonder what is the intention of the article’s author and would be grateful if he can inform us whether the presence of the RHTY&SC was necessary for the launching to be successful.

As Secretary/CEO of the RHTY&SC, I was unaware of any launching. On Friday May 12, 2017 I was in Georgetown with several senior Club officials for meetings with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Chief of Staff Brigadier Patrick West. After reading the article on Sunday, I enquired if any invitation was sent to the Club Office and was later told that someone had called the office on Friday at 16:30hrs.

The call was received by an Under-15 player who forgot to pass on the message.

In my 30 years’ experience as an Administrator, I have learnt that invitations are sent via email or in written format.

The president (ag) of the BCB for some strange reason at the launching said that he informed our first division captain of the launching.

The club office contacted our captain and he strongly denied the president’s (ag) statement. He stated that he was only informed of an upcoming cricket match on the 26th May at the Albion ground.

The RHTY&SC is totally committed to the de-

velopment of cricket and even donated to the said board when asked. What is sad is that people can visit the club office to bring in donation letters but cannot make sure that a proper invitation is sent to us.

The author of the article owes the RHTY&SC M.S. a public apology and he could also let us know how the headline included the name Universal DVD, when no mention of the sponsorship was made at the launching.

He should also let the general public know if he is still the PRO of the BCB as we understand that its “new management” has rejected his resignation.

In a precious article of his, it was stated that cricket was played at the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 levels in Berbice in 2017.

The headline for the article was ‘Berbice Cricket in safe hands’. Personally, I would be very grateful if the author can inform me when the tournaments were played and the teams involved. I await the information.

HILBERT FOSTER Secretary/CEO

Members of the Guyana Police Force, donors and residents join in the turning of the sod ceremony.

MEMBERS of Police ‘G’ Division, donors and residents at a simple ceremony joined together last Friday to turn the sod for the construction of a Multi-Purpose facility at the Affiance, Number 1 Sports ground on the Essequibo Coast.

It is the first resource centre to be constructed in the Region by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in collaboration with donors.

It is an initiative of the Commissioner of Police Mr Seelall Persaud. The Centre is being built to actively engage youths throughout the Region and will include a library, computers, boxing gym and a counselling room among other recreational facilities.

According to Woman Inspector Syndilin Isaacs, the

aim is to create better relationships with the various communities and to provide life-long skills for youths.

The ‘G’ Division of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is also partnering with the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) to enlist and sponsor students to undertake various courses including carpentry, electrical installation and masonry.

Additionally, each police station in the Region is attached to a Youth Club and provides similar guidance and leadership for the communities across the Essequibo Coast.

Meanwhile, the multi-purpose facility is estimated to cost in excess of $12M with funding primarily from the

business community and other stakeholders.

The GPF has also undertaken to provide similar facilities in other areas including hinterland communities, as a means of reducing crime, creating opportunities and being a partner with society in developing the country.

Prayers were offered at the beginning of the ceremony which was attended

by Police ranks including Woman Inspector Syndilin Isaacs and Sergeant Alfred Parks, along with Station Management Representative Baney Persaud, Regional Youth and Culture Officer Herald Alves and residents of the community.

The project is expected to be completed later in July, 2017. (Elroy Stephney)

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Windies to host India for 5 ODIs in June

MUMBAI, India (CMC) – Embattled West Indies will seek to enhance their qualification fortunes for the 2019 Cricket World Cup when they clash with powerhouse India in a fivematch series starting in the Caribbean next month.

The tour will run from June 23 to July 6, with the lone Twenty20 International scheduled for July 9, the Indian Cricket Board confirmed yesterday.

West Indies are currently ranked ninth in the International Cricket Council’s one-day rankings and are in danger of missing out on automatic qualification for

the World Cup. Hosts England and the other top seven sides in the rankings will book the automatic berths at the showpiece with the remaining teams having to enter a qualifier to determine the two last slots.

West Indies have done themselves no favours this year, whitewashed 3-0 by England last March and beaten 2-1 by Pakistan last month.

The Caribbean side will open the tour against India with two ODIs at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain on June 23 and 25 before heading to the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium for the third and fourth match-

es on June 30 and July 2.

Sabina Park in Kingston will host the final ODI on July 6 and the only T20I three days later.

India, ranked number three in the world, are currently preparing for the Champions Trophy in England which runs from June 1 to 18.

West Indies will be missing from the tournament for the first time since its inception after they were ranked outside the top eight in the world at the cut-off date for qualification.

Since 1979, West Indies and India have played 116 ODIs, West Indies have

won 60; India 53; one tied game and two no-results.

In IT20s since 2009; both have played seven matches with West Indies winning 4; India 2 and one ending with no result. The teams last met in August 2016 in Fort Lauderdale, where the 2nd of two Twenty20 matches was abandoned due to rain.

SCHEDULE Friday, June 23, 1st ODI - Queen’s Park Oval Sunday, June 25, 2nd ODI - Queen’s Park Oval Friday, June 30, 3rd ODI - Sir Vivian Richards Stadium Sunday, July 2, 4th

West Indies are currently ranked ninth in ICC ‘s ODI rankings

ODI - Sir Vivian Richards Stadium Thursday, July 6, 5th

ODI - Sabina Park Sunday, July 9, T20I Sabina Park

GKC founder passes on Pepsi Hikers take 2017 … Remembered as hardworking and dedicated

THE Guyana Karate College is mourning the loss of one of its founding members and instructors, Sensei Lavern Jones.

Jones, who passed away on May 12 was one of the

founding members of the GKC and Board of Trustee member since its inception in 2005.

She was also an instructor at GKC and specialised in teaching the children’s

7th Dan Sensei Lavern Jones CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (WEDNESDAY MAY 17, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Haniff Mohammed-337 & Lawrence Rowe-302 (2) Sanju Samson-102 (DD vs RPS, April 11) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who is the first WI to be dismissed for 99 in a Test?

(2) Who is the first captain to lift the IPL winner’s trophy?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

class.

According to Senior Instructor Sensei Jeffrey Wong, Jones’ passing will surely have an effect on the college as her guidance to the youngsters was essential to their success in both regional and international tournaments.

“We will greatly miss her when it comes to training and even in everyday life. She was a wonderful person and a great influence on the youths of the GKC and I know her passing will be taken hard by those with whom she shared a special bond,” said Sensei Wong.

Meanwhile head of the GKC and International Karate Diagaku (IKD) Sensei Frank Woon-A-Tai, in a statement said, “She suffered a stroke when I was in Guyana last February. I visited her in hospital and she was later discharged.”

“She was a dedicated karate instructor and began her training in the early 1970s under Shihan Keith DaCosta, 7th Dan. Sensei Lavern was one of my most loyal and trusted students and I will miss her terribly.” “(My wife) Maureen and I, as well as IKD, send her daughter and loved ones our most sincere condolences. She is now at peace with the Lord.”

Funeral arrangements will be announced soon.

Farfan & Mendes League

The Pepsi Hikers team are the champions of the Farfan and Mendes men’s first division League.

THE curtain came down on the Guyana Hockey Board’s premier outdoor men’s competition, the Farfan and Mendes first division League, on Saturday afternoon at the St Stanislaus College ground.

The Pepsi Hikers put an exclamation mark on their league victory with a 14-0 thrashing of the youthful Saints Hockey Club side, to put them 3 points clear of second-placed Bounty GCC. After being frustrated by Saints in their first encounter which Hikers won 1-0, Hikers seemed bent on making a statement the second time around. Saints kept things respectable up to halftime

where they were trailing 0-4.

However their lack of substitutes and absence of their best player, Hilton Chester, left them lacking the quality to remain competitive against the country’s top side.

The Hikers, meanwhile, strengthened by the inclusion of tournament MVP Jamarj Assanah, Aroydy Branford and Jerazeno Bell punctuated the second half with an avalanche of goals. Shane Samuels led the way with 4 goals, followed by doubles from Tivesarid Garnett, Robert France, Assanah, Branford and Bell.

The Pepsi Hikers played unbeaten throughout the

two rounds of competition, scored 27 goals and only conceded 5. GCC’s Kevin Spencer was the top scorer for the tournament with 9 goals while Hikers midfielder Jamarj Assanah received the coveted Most Valuable Player Award.

During the presentation ceremony GHB secretary Tricia Fiedtkou thanked Farfan and Mendes for the company’s commitment to the sport over the past 30 years. The company’s representative James Mentore indicated his company’s enthusiasm for being associated with the sport for many years and pledged their intention to stay involved for years to come.

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Bunbury hopes to break land in September for US$215M facility in Ituni

By Rawle Toney ALEX Bunbury, the Guyanese-born Canadian football Hall of Fame player, is happy that his dream project - a sports and academic academy - is closer to being realised.

Bunbury told Chronicle Sport last evening he’s hoping to break ground for the US$215M facility in September, as he awaits approval from the Government of Guyana.

The 49-year-old, who rose to fame with Club Sport Marítimo; a professional club that competes in Portugal’s Primeira Liga, explained “not a dime of Government’s money will be spent on this project, but there are other areas that we asked to partner with them, so we’re awaiting its approval in Parliament.”.

Ituni, a small communi-

Alex Bunbury

An artist’s impression of the Alex Bunbury Sports and Academic Academy

ty located on the long trail from Linden to Kwakwani in Region 10, is the location

designated to host the Alex Bunbury Sports and Academics Academy (ABSAA).

Baker Barrios Architects Inc., an Orlando-based architecture and engineering group

conceptualised the design for the project.

Bunbury said that the facility will be fully funded by a Canadian investment firm, but could not have disclosed further information, based on a ‘non- discloser agreement’ with the anonymous entity.

However, the Plaisance native believes that the facility, with all things being equal, should be fully realised by 2020.

“This will be huge for Guyana,” Bunbury said, adding, “I’m excited, this is a dream come true, for Guyana really, because this

is about creating hope for young people there (in Guyana), and this also have huge tourism potential.”

Bunbury is well connected and respected within the football landscape internationally, especially in Portugal where he holds his former club’s all-time leading goal-scoring record.

“The idea is to have the facility also used by teams from all over the world and could potentially bring about 15 000 to 20 000 people here annually based on my projections. The project will also create employment,” said Bunbury.

BCCI miffed by WICB lack of support George into men’s 400m final on recent ICC votes – report Islamic Solidarity Games

NEW DELHI, India (CMC) – Factions of the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) want pressure brought to bear on the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for its lack of support in the recent vote regarding the International Cricket Council’s new governance structure and revenue-sharing model.

At an ICC Board meeting in Dubai last month, the BCCI found itself standing alone as nine other countries voted in support of the governance structure. On the

Dave Cameron about the recent ICC votes, as there is a belief the Caribbean board was not held accountable enough for the decision of the one-day side to abruptly abandon the tour here three years ago.

“We let the West Indies Cricket Board go scot-free back in 2014 after they pulled out midway,” a senior BCCI official, who requested anonymity, told the Press Trust of India.

“We claimed damages of US$42M but that was

WICB president Dave Cameron

contentious revenue-sharing model, India found support only from the Sri Lankan Board, as they lost 8-2 on vote.

Sections of the BCCI now want joint secretary Amitabh Chaudhary to speak to WICB president

also waived by Shashank Manohar after he became the BCCI president for the second time. Now they (WICB) have also voted against us at ICC Board.

We need to look at these aspects.”

The BCCI suspended

bilateral ties with West Indies and also lodged the multi-million dollar claim against the WICB back in November, 2014, after the team walked off the tour earlier the same month following the fourth ODI, stemming from a players’ pay dispute with the board.

However, the matter was settled amicably following talks between the WICB and the new Manohar-led BCCI, with the entities agreeing future bilateral tours.

In fact, only yesterday, the BCCI confirmed India’s six-match limited tour of the Caribbean starting next month, but the senior BCCI official said the only entity benefiting from the arrangement was the WICB. “There has to be some discussions with Cameron and WICB as to what their viewpoint is on governance,” the official continued.

“In any case, it’s the WICB which gains if we go (on the tour). Before the ICC Annual Conference, it would be great if Amitabh speaks to their cricket board.”

India toured the Caribbean last year for four Tests and also played West Indies in a two-match Twenty20 series in Florida.

AFTER finishing in second place with a time of 46.15 seconds yesterday, Guyana’s Winston George will be in today’s men’s 400m final at the Islamic Solidarity Games ongoing in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The national record-holder finished behind Iran’s Ali Khadivar who clocked 45.85 seconds. The final is set for 19:10hrs today, with Baku being nine hours ahead. Prior to stepping out for the 400m, George will take on the men’s 200m, competing in heat 5 of 5, with an entry time of 20.40 seconds.

When he steps out on the track today George will be hoping to improve on the silver medal performances he recorded the last time he performed at the Games, five years ago in Indonesia.

At that hosting George took silver in both the 400m and 200m.

Natrena Hooper was expected to have performed in the women’s triple jump yesterday. However, results were not available up to press time.

She will return for the women’s 200m today, where she will compete along with Guyana’s Alita Moore.

Also performing today will be Guyana’s Emanuel Archibald in the men’s triple jump final.

In tomorrow’s schedule, Moore will be in the women’s

400m, Hooper in the women’s high jump and Archibald in the men’s long jump.

Results for other sports at the event are as follows: SWIMMING Guyana’s Andrew Fowler made it into the semi-finals of the men’s 50m freestyle on Monday. Clocking a time of 25.51 seconds, Fowler finished sixth in heat three of three, and

advanced. In the semi-final he went on to clock 25.32 seconds.

Both Fowler and Guyanese Earlando McRae finished seventh in their respective heats of the men’s 100m freestyle yesterday. Swimming in heat one of three, McRae clocked 1:00.42s, while in heat two, Fowler finished his race in 57.54 seconds.

This was after McRae finished sixth with a time of 32.32 seconds in the men’s 50m backstroke heats. Prior to this, McRae finished seventh in his heats in the men’s 50m breaststroke with a time of 34.31 seconds.

BOXING Guyana’s Joel Williamson and Desmond Amsterdam lost in the round of 16 in their respective categories. Fighting in the Men’s Light (60kg), Williamson went under against Turkey’s Hakan Dogan on points; Amsterdam lost to Azerbaijan’s Kamran Shakhsuvarly in the men’s middle (75kg) category

Winston George

JUDO Guyana’s Joshua Buchanan lost to Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Hammad in the round of 32 in the Men’s 73kg category. Erskine Trotman was defeated by Jordan’s Ibrahim Khalaf in the round of 16 of the men’s 90kg category.

Bunbury hopes to break land in September for US$215M See facility in Ituni page 39

Dr Webster receives SGU’s Distinguished Service Medal A FORMER West Indies cricket administrator was among honorees at the Commencement Ceremony of the St George’s University (SGU) last Saturday.

Rudi Webster received SGU’s Distinguished Service Medal for commitment to the advancement of cricket in the international community and to the University in establishing the Shell Cricket Academy of St George’s University.

The cricket academy, launched in 2001, was an annual, intensive 12-week course for about two dozen young cricketers from the region. It was heralded as the way forward for the region’s cricket that has been in decline since the mid-1990s. Unfortunately, by 2005 the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) was forced to dispense with it because of what it said was lack of funding.

Dr Rudi Webster receives his Distinguished Service Medal from the St George’s University.

However, SGU praised the effort of Dr Webster and his team for establishing the academy.

Rudi Webster’s work spans the professions of medicine, sports, diplomacy and politics.

He attended Harrison College in Barbados and was a champion track and field athlete there.

Fifty years on, one of his track records still stands. He won the Barbados Scholarship in Science and went to Scotland to study Medicine at Edinburgh University and was the first student to be exempted from the first year of the medical course in the 291-year history of the Medical School.

He did his medical postgraduate training in Diagnostic Radiology in New Zealand and Australia and later taught at the University of McGill in

Turn to page 35

Curling Federation eyes 2022 Winter Olympics Dhoni delivers as Pune reach IPL final Curling officially introduced in Guyana

Rayad Husain

By Rawle Toney THE Guyana Curling Federation (GCF) yesterday hosted its first public event, held at the Giftland Mall, in an attempt to properly introduce Guyanese to the new sport.

Curling is a team sport played by two teams of four players on a rectangular sheet of ice. Its nickname, ‘The Roaring Game’, originates from the rumbling sound the 44-pound (19.96kg) granite stones make when they travel across the ice.

One of the world’s old-

est team sports, curling originated in the 16th century in Scotland, where games were played during winter on frozen ponds and lochs. The earliest-known curling stones came from the Scottish regions of Stirling and Perth and date from 1511.

Rayad Husain, General Secretary of the recently launched Federation and Abbie Darnley were on hand to give a graphic demonstration and to explain that they were overwhelmed by the support from the public.

Darnley is an instruc-

tor from Rock Solid Productions Inc.; a Canadian company that’s partnering with the Guyana Curling Federation in helping to introduce the sport locally.

The goal of the GCF is to raise awareness to the Guyanese people about the sport of curling, through the use of Street Curling, which is an iceless rink produced by Rock Solid Productions Inc. “I saw the need for potentially growing a sport and bringing something to Guyana that’s predominantly

Turn to page 35

MS Dhoni proved he is still a man for the big occasion and Washington Sundar also sparkled as Rising Pune Supergiant beat Mumbai Indians by 20 runs to reach the Indian Premier League final.

Dhoni has had his critics during the tournament, but the former India captain will play in a record seventh IPL final after bludgeoning a brutal unbeaten 40 off only 26 balls to get Pune up to 162-4.

Ajinkya Rahane and Manoj Tiwary made half-centuries and Dhoni produced some late fireworks, hitting five sixes, before Sundar claimed outstanding figures of 3-16 as Mumbai were able to muster only 142-9 at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday.

Parthiv Patel got a Mumbai side, who finished the regular season top of the table, off to a flyer in their run chase, but his 52 from 40 balls was in vain.

Pune can now put their feet up before the final in Hyderabad on May 21, while Mumbai will be their opponents if they defeat either Sunrisers Hyderabad or Kolkata Knight Riders in a second qualifier on Friday.

Rahul Tripathi went without scoring when he was cleaned up by the fifth ball of the match from Mitchell McClenaghan and Lasith Malinga struck a huge blow in the next

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

MS Dhoni clears the ropes five times in a swashbuckling knock and will play in his seventh IPL final on Sunday. over by getting rid of Steve ing 58 from only 48 deliveries.

Patel got Mumbai off to Smith.

Pune were 9-2 when Ti- a great start with three sixes wary arrived at the crease, early in their reply, but Lendl but Rahane (56 from 43) pro- Simmons was run-out at the vided some impetus by taking non-striker’s end after Shardul McClenaghan for back-to- Thakur got a hand on a mistimed stroke from his opening back boundaries.

Rahane went soon after partner.

Sundar put Pune firmly on passing 50 following a stand of 80, but Tiwary hit a McClen- top by removing Rohit Sharma aghan beamer to the boundary and Ambati Rayudu in the sixth to bring up his half-century over, the teenager also striking and hit the next ball down the a major blow by getting Kieron ground for six before Dhoni Pollard cheaply to put Mumbai cleared the ropes twice in a in the mire on 51-4.

Patel lacked support and penultimate over which yielded any chance of a Mumbai 26 runs.

There were another two victory was all but over when sixes from Dhoni in the last he holed out to Thakur, who over from Jasprit Bumrah finished with figures of 3-37, and Tiwary was run-out off as Pune marched into what the final ball in a dramatic will be Dhoni’s milestone end to the innings after mak- final. (Omnisport) WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017