Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 17 11 2016

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RUSAL SNUB THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

No. 104738

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‒ RUSAL ditches meeting with gov’t and bauxite workers' union

Frustration boils over as student nurses told to re-sit exams 8

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‒ Minister of Health says Nursing Council must produce evidence exam papers were leaked

Aleea Caesar (centre) a student-nurse of the St Joseph Mercy Hospital speaks during a meeting with Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton as other student-nurses look on. (Samuel Maughn photo)

Suspected sheep DPP moves Jagdeo chastises thief identified Dharamlall for 7 to seize Dataram’s as former cop 5 Facebook comments assets 4 P.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY NOVEMBER 17, 2016

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 17, 2016

RUSAL SNUB

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 17, 2016

‒ RUSAL ditches meeting with gov’t and bauxite workers' union

ANGERED by the no-show of Russian -controlled Bauxite Company of Guyana (BCGI) to a meeting summoned by Ministry of Social Protection Department of Labour, the government is now forced to explore avenues to address the level of disrespect meted out to it by the company.

BCGI, the local subsidiary of Russian bauxite giant RUSAL, was on Wednesday summoned to a meeting by Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott. That meeting sought to bring together RUSAL’s representatives and the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU).

However, the company was a no- show and a furious subject Minister Keith Scott told reporters after waiting more than an hour for RUSAL’s representatives that his administration will not encourage such lack of respect.

“We are totally upset and annoyed in that we summoned the bauxite company to meet with us and to meet with the union,” Scott said, noting that the company has “shown contempt to us as a ministry…government”.

Scott said RUSAL has arbitrarily determined what is right and what is wrong.

He warned that RUSAL is in no position to make a decision for a union or the government. “The absence today

we view very seriously,” he said, noting that government is gravely concerned about the lack of respect.

“This is something we will not countenance from either a union or from any investor whatsoever, local or otherwise,” said Scott.

According to the minister, his ministry has held several meetings with representatives of RUSAL and the union, but separately.

It was felt that after several meetings with the parties that there be a collective meeting.

“Today we have called a meeting among the key persons, the ministry, the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers union and BCGI better known as RUSAL , to finally put to rest the problem that has been existing

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott (head table) makes a point to the media on Wednesday in the presence of Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence (second left- head table), senior officials of the Department of Labour and President and General- Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) Leslie Gonsalves (right) and Lincoln Lewis (second right)

AL’s blatant disrespect, a new course of action must be taken.

Over the years, the bauxite company has been found in breach of the country’s labour laws and workers’ rights, but has failed to

“We are here to see that our country is given the respect that is due to it as an independent nation and there shall be no compromise whatsoever. We wish to let it be known our extreme anger at the behaviour of RUSAL towards us. We will not accept that!” – Minister Keith Scott between the union and the bauxite company since the dismissal of 57 persons and suspension of 67 workers between 2009-1010.”

Scott said he believed that the matter has been prolonged for far too long and noted that given RUS-

comply despite repeated warnings by the previous administration and now, the APNU+AFC government.

Industrial action in the past by approximately 70 workers attached to the bauxite company for inhu-

mane working conditions and below-par wages and salaries resulted in the company dismissing the workers.

“We are not going to accept this any longer; I don’t know what went on in the past with any other government, but this government over the last 17 months has made every effort to see a peaceful and amicable resolution of the outstanding issues,” said Scott.

He stressed that his ministry is not there to get into a haggling situation with RUSAL, but to see the laws of Guyana respected. “We are here to see that our country is given the respect that is due to it as an independent nation and there shall be no compromise whatsoever.

We wish to let it be known our extreme anger at the behaviour of RUSAL towards us. We will not accept that!”

Scott, who was seated

next to Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence and senior labour officials of the Department of Labour, made it clear that for his administration, workers and their rights are paramount.

NOT SURPRISED Meanwhile, General -Secretary of the GB&GWU Lincoln Lewis said his union was not surprised by RUSAL’s refusal to participate in the meeting, noting that the company’s behaviour is not unique to Guyana, but is consistent throughout the developing world where it has investments.

Citing Guinea as an example, Lewis noted the action of frustrated workers there who were forced to burn buildings and break equipment before management of the bauxite company paid them any attention.

“We have reached the

point now that this is a matter that is challenging the sovereignty of this country. When the minister can write the company and invite them to a meeting of the recognised union and they decide they are not going to come, constantly deciding that they are not going to talk to the union.”

He believes the situation is at a point where Guyanese should search for a common ground to find the way forward to “to deal with a group of people who have decided that regardless of how we see their welcome or stay, they are going to treat the workers here anyhow and they are going to flout the laws of this country.”

The GB&GWU will collaborate with the government and any other agency to ensure that RUSAL respects the laws of Guyana.

“Either they respect the law or an alternative has to be done,” Lewis told the media.

It should be noted that RUSAL has not recognised the GB&GWU as the union representing its workers and in fact has prepared a document indicating that its workers no longer wish to be represented by the GB&GWU. The company instructed its workers to sign this document, which the company would forward to the Government of Guyana with the hope that “the workers’ request would be respected”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 17, 2016

Colwyn Harding, alleged DPP moves to seize accomplice charged Dataram’s assets with robbery COLWYN Harding and his alleged accomplice, Tyron Escource, 23, were on Wednesday remanded after pleading not guilty to a joint charge of robbery with violence before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

Harding, 26 of Laing Avenue, Georgetown had once alleged that he was brutally raped with a baton and otherwise assaulted by two police officers while in custody at the Timehri Police Station in 2013.

However, this case was

Colwyn Harding

dismissed in March, 2016 by trial magistrate Leron Daly at the Providence Magistrate’s Court due to insufficient evidence.

Harding, along with Es-

The vehicle from which the money was snatched

Russian...

The Guyana Chronicle had reported last month that this bauxite company told its workers that it has found a union for them, and accord-

From page 3

ingly, “they must sign the document and it will be forwarded to the Government to put the (GB&GWU) in its place.”

cource of West Ruimveldt is accused of robbing Jameel Williams on November 14, 2016 at Barr Street, Kitty of a $5,000 Samsung Cellphone, a $1,500 pocket knife along with $15,000 cash while using personal violence against him. The unrepresented duo both pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Police Prosecutor Inspector Neville Jeffers strongly opposed bail based on the prevalence and nature of the charge. He also pointed out that violence was used in the commission of the crime and the duo reportedly admitted to the crime in a caution statement to the police.

The prosecutor noted that Harding currently has a summary matter before City Magistrate Leron Daly but is not attending court. The Chief Magistrate remanded the men until November 24 and transferred the matter to Night Court’s Magistrate Madan Kissoon.

In 2015, Harding was freed of an armed robbery charge before City Magistrate Judy Latchman after the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against him. He also has another robbery matter at the Providence Magistrates Court.

THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Wednesday moved to the court to seize the assets of convicted drug lord Barry Dataram, who is currently serving an eight-year jail sentence for cocaine-trafficking and faces other charges related to trying to escape sentencing.

The DPP and the Special Organised Crime Unit have estimated Dataram’s assets and his possible links to money laundering at $9M. Before city Magistrate Judy Latchman, a lawyer attached to the DPP made an application for the seizure of Dataram’s assets which will be served to him on November 25.

Dataram, his reputed wife Anjanie Boodnarine, Kevin Charran, and Trevor Gouveia were charged with the possession of 129.230 kilogrammes of cocaine (equivalent to 284 pounds) that were found on April 16, 2015 at the Lot 661 Silver Dam, Fourth Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme house owned by Dataram.

Dataram was found guilty and sentenced to 60 months imprisonment and fined $164 million.

At the time, he and Boodnarine were absent from court and it was found that they had left the country.

However, the couple was captured by Surinamese police and turned over to the local

Convicted drug lord, Barry Dataram

Dataram’s wife, Anjanie Boodnarine

authorities and charged with attempting to defeat the administration of justice, forging Republic of Guyana passports and departing Guyana without presenting themselves to immigration officers.

Dataram pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to a total of 2 years and 24 months’ jail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. Boodnarine denied the allegations, but is currently on remand after the chief magistrate refused to grant her bail, ruling that the court is of the opinion she is a flight risk.

The couple is currently awaiting trial before Magistrate Latchman for illegal ammunition possession; that trial will commence on November 25.

The couple was charged earlier this year for having 180

rounds of .223 ammunition in their possession on April 16, at Lot 661 Fourth Avenue, Block ‘X’ Diamond, East Bank Demerara, when they were not holders of firearm licences.

During the raid on the Diamond property, ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) found approximately $9 million and this was later handed over to SOCU, so that an investigation could be initiated.

There are a number of provisions in the AML/CFT law that address the freezing of assets including bank accounts and the eventual forfeiture of assets of every description found to be connected to drug-trafficking, money laundering, terrorism financing and trafficking of arms among other crimes.

OPTIONS Meanwhile, Scott said Government has several options available to it and those options are being examined thoroughly.

“Whatever we do will be lawfully done,” he assured. Asked whether Government will be looking to issue a cease-work order to the company until all issues are ironed out, the minister responded, “Cease what?

Stop doing what? If we were to have a stoppage of production that would be very well in the realm of the trade union itself calling a strike or whatever, which would then open the door for talks, negotiations or arbitration,

but we have to look at all options available to us.”

Scott sought to assure the media that since entering office 17 months ago, his ministry has not been resting “on our laurels…we have been engaging them and encouraging them to come to the table.”

“You do not just jump off and say, ‘RUSAL you have been behaving bad.’

We have given them an opportunity to say let us be engaged, they have done that part, union has done that part. We have given them copies of the constitution, the labour laws, we have pointed out to them the areas where they have been going wrong...We shall take up the

matter at a higher level… that has endless possibilities, including international levels. From there onwards, we are going to a new phase.”

The minister said too that his administration has a duty to the workers while stressing that “we will not stand idly by and have a company walk all over the Guyanese people.”

Like the Government, the union was tight-lipped about its plans, but noted through its General -Secretary that “we will up the ante on this matter…at the appropriate time we shall move.”

Meanwhile, the Guyana Chronicle understands that RUSAL’s plant has a capacity to process over three

million tonnes of bauxite per year. Of that amount, approximately 1.4M tonnes are sourced from Guyana, while the remainder is sourced from Guinea.

Guyana’s ore has been described as a sweetener to the bauxite retrieved from Guinea. It therefore means that the quality of the ore from Guyana is better and richer than that which comes out of Guinea and so RUSAL uses Guyana’s ore to blend the mineral.

“They need the Guyana ore- the government shouldn’t walk with the idea if you pressure them to respect, they will walk away,” one expert told the Guyana Chronicle.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 17, 2016

Suspected sheep thief identified as former cop ‒ relatives deny police account THE suspected bandit, who was fatally shot by police has been positively identified as Rondel Marks, known as Romel Hoppie/ Blackie of Suddie Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast.

Marks, a former policeman, was positively identified on Wednesday by his mother, Monica Marks, at the Arokium Funeral Home in New Amsterdam. She went to identify his body after seeing an image of him on Facebook. The mother said she had not seen Marks in the two years since he left their Suddie, Essequibo Coast home.

Marks was shot dead when police responded to a report of larceny of sheep at Vryheid Village, West Canje on Tuesday morning. Following that encounter, police were led to the home of Raymond La Fleur, a convicted murderer who has been on the run since 2011, when he escaped from the New Amsterdam Prison. There, they arrested a man and seized a number of items suspected to have been stolen, as well as a firearm.

Police, in a statement, said that Marks had drawn a loaded firearm at ranks who were responding to a report of larceny of sheep ongoing at a farmhouse at Lochaber Village, West Canje, Berbice at about 06:20hrs.

Investigations have revealed that on November 12, 2016, a cattle and livestock farmer from Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice reported that a

Rondel Marks called Blackie

flock of 29 sheep was stolen from his ranch at Calabash Creek, East Canje. Based on information received, the victim and three police ranks, one armed with a service weapon, proceeded on Tuesday morning to a location at Lochaber Village, West Canje, where the victim positively identified twelve of his sheep tied at the back of a farmhouse.

The ranks then proceeded towards the entrance of the farmhouse, and were immediately confronted by Marks who rushed into the house, armed himself with a handgun, and attempted to shoot the armed policeman who had followed him indoors.

The rank discharged his firearm several times at the suspect, and he fell. He was rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Marks’ relatives do not believe that he shot at Police.

Tricia Rodney, Marks adopted sister, questioned why no policeman was injured if indeed a gun was drawn by

her now deceased relative.

“He was an ex-cop, military trained. He worked during the period when terror reigned in Georgetown… and if he had drawn a gun, somebody would have been injured, because he could handle a weapon.

“He was no sheep thief.

He was not in that kind a business,” she claimed.

She said that the relatives are yet to see Marks’ “green Nike sneakers which was bought at Colours store for $80,000 or his turquoise coloured Jordan boots which is also expensive; his gold chain, nor his money about $300,000, were not found,” she claimed.

Meanwhile, Beatrice Mc Donald, the sister of Raymond La Fleur, whose home was visited and searched by the police, told this newspaper that the sheep removed from the yard had belonged to her sibling.

On Tuesday, police ranks had accompanied cattle farmer Yoganand Baljit to the Vryheid Village, after he reported that he lost twenty nine [29] sheep from his ranch at Calabash Creek, West Canje, and had received information of the animals location.

During their visit, Marks was shot and twelve heads of sheep were recovered.

However, Mc Donald armed with her documents, visited the law chambers of Murseline Bacchus, where this reporter was shown a photocopied receipt in the name of Raymond La

Fleur for 23 sheep at a cost of $300,000. However, only $200,000 was paid to Keith Mc Donald [husband of Beatrice] on May 11, 2016.

Further, a photocopied “Cattle in Transit” document purports to show that the animals passed through the Grove Police Station on May 11, 2016 by Keith Mc Donald, of Lot 62 Friendship Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara. The animals, which were described as “twelve big and elev-

en small” were destined to Nikita Girdharry [La Fleur reputed wife] of West Canje Berbice.

This newspaper was reliably informed that Raymond La Fleur will be visiting Central Police Station shortly, accompanied by his attorney.

Meanwhile, the items retrieved from the shack and the home of Raymond La Fleur remains in police custody.

An autopsy on the body of Rondel Marks is schedule

for next week as the country is currently manned by a lone Government Pathologist, Dr Vivikanand Brijmohan, as Dr Nehaul Singh is on leave.

Mark Van Lewin, aged 28 years of Sand Hills, Berbice River, who reportedly told cops that he had attended a function the night before and had gone to La Fleur’s residence to rest, remains in police custody, while the .765 Taurus and a 9mm pistol have been sent to be analysed.

Bandits grab $2.5M in Main St blitz TWO bandits on a CG motorcycle robbed two men in a Hilux pick-up on Wednesday afternoon while they were stalled at the traffic light in front of the Ministry of Finance, Main Street.

Reports revealed that the men were traced from a city bank and while at the traffic light, the bandits rolled up beside the Hilux pick-up and tried opening the door which was locked. One of the bandits then whipped out a handgun and fired a single shot into the window which was shattered; he then proceeded to grab a bag containing $2.5M cash from the man in the passenger seat, before fleeing.

One eyewitness said “all this happened in less than 20 seconds. What was chilling is how easily these guys operate. The guys told me that they just came from the bank.

The police arrived about 10 minutes later.

That was criminally motivated, that’s our reality. I’m still at awe at what I just witnessed.”

He continued: “Luckily, no one was shot, but the two men looked traumatised.”

Commander of ‘A’ Division, Clifton Hicken, said police are investigating the circumstance of the robbery and will be accessing the CCTV cameras footage in the area.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 17, 2016

Major shake-up for GPHC Board

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Editorial

THE National Assembly is an institution Guyanese have respect for, given that it is the most representative branch of government, the nation’s highest decision-making forum, and what flows from its members impacts the lives of all.

There was a period in the nation’s history when citizens looked forward to parliamentary sittings. Those were sittings where members showcased their oratorical skills and intellectual prowess on the issues they spoke to, inclusive of the parliamentary standing orders, the nation’s constitution and laws, and referencing world events in justifying their positions.

With recent flare-ups in the parliament, one cannot help recalling the parting words of the late Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Doodnauth Singh S.C. when in 2009, as a Member of the National Assembly, he told his colleagues that it was a privilege to serve but he would not say that it has always been a pleasure. Singh went on to express concern that the people’s business was not always addressed in a civilised and decent atmosphere. This view seven years hence not only haunts the Assembly’s hallowed halls but has become more pervasive and increasingly worse.

It can only be hoped that there would be appreciation for the fact that parliamentary immunity does not grant immunity to be crass, disrespectful of the other, show no regard for authority, or engage in the abuse of authority and privilege. While parliamentary discourse and debate would involve cut and thrust, cut and thrust is an art that encompasses the skilful use of language, which is quite unlike the crassness that the society is being subjected to.

Were our children behaving in like manner in the classrooms they would have been punished, and deservedly so. In this media age adults should remember when they behave like rascals they are not only failing themselves, but their children, family and society. The less than desirable behaviour which is informed by less than desirable regards for the House and citizens has debilitating consequences for the society. In our democracy there has always been an opposition and government sitting in the House, which in itself is an inclusionary undercurrent in influencing governance.

Being in opposition does not mean the party or its members have to oppose for the sake of opposing. Being in the government does not mean that the group or its members have to ignore the voice of the opposition. Being on either side of the House does not grant licence to be unbecoming.

It has become a disturbing aspect of our politics to see our parliamentarians sleeping when the House is in session or attention diverted to issues not before them. In the social media craze it is not unusual to see parliamentarians taking less than becoming pictures of their colleagues, more particularly on the other side, and posting them sometimes

NEW faces are expected to assume the position of board of directors at the country’s premier health institution, the Guyana Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

This was made clear by Health Minister, George Norton who confirmed to the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday that the life of the board will come to an end this month. The minister is adamant that moves are afoot to have members of the new board seated by December 1.

“The life of this board will come to an end by the end of this month,” Norton said. He pointed out that already persons have been identified to sit on the board and it is now a matter of taking their names to Cabinet for deliberations before they are sworn in.

“We have already identified a new board,” the minister stated. “The names must now be taken to Cabinet and

thereafter they will be sworn in.” The minister did not say that this would be the case, but it is very likely that the board may receive a new chairman. Insider information is that new persons have been sought to sit on the GPHC board, which include a new chairman.

The current GPHC board chaired by Dr. Max Hanoman made headlines over a split between himself and the health minister following the reinstatement of Chief Executive Officer, Michael Khan. Khan was sent on accumulated leave to facilitate investigations into the procurement and storage of GPHC medication and medical supplies. The government was unhappy that the CEO had been asked to return to duty after an audit of GPHC had fingered him in some wrongdoing.

It was publicised that the CEO had cheated the state

out of PAYE sums after he instructed that deductions are not made on his responsibility allowance. In addition to Khan the other members of the board are Col. Patrick West, Cleopatra Barkoye, Collette Adams (Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry

Dr. Max Hanoman of Public Health), Mandy Sukhdeo, Sonya Roopnauth, Kempton Alexander along with Dr. Sheik Amir and Allan Johnson as Ex-Officio Members.

Meanwhile, other areas of concern in relation to the CEO, the probe said, were

poor internal management, the absence of SOPs micromanagement, especially in the areas of finance.

Cabinet overrode the board’s decision to again reinstate Khan. Another issue that is said to be gaining traction is the rehiring of Director of Financial Services at GPHC, Mohamed Karimullah. Under the People’s Progressive Party administration and then board chair, Neermal Rekha, Karimullah and an account’s clerk were sent off on administrative leave to facilitate an investigation in the disappearance of more than $4M. Karimullah had taken Khan and the then chair to court claiming arbitrary dismissal and the excessive use of power. An alleged inconclusive police investigation was last of that matter. Karimullah is said to be on the job just over two weeks now.

TSC to redo teachers’ promotions list …abandons thoughts of appealing court decision THE Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has abandoned initial thoughts of appealing a court decision which scrapped its method of promoting teachers and has proceeded in earnest in getting a list ready for early next year.

In July 2015 the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) had filed an injunction against the TSC objecting to the publication of the final list of teachers promoted in 2015.

The injunction was granted by then Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang, preventing the TSC from issuing and publishing promotions for 2015.

The matter was brought to the High Court by Attorney-at-law Roysdale Forde who represented the GTU. The union felt that the TSC had strayed from its rules and regulations in the way it processed promotions.

The commission was using the assessments given by education officers, head-teach-

ers, Regional Education Officers and not the provision of the Rule Book governing the Teaching Service Commission to promote teachers. This, the union felt was flawed as officials and head

Chairperson of TSC, Leila Ramson teachers who had personal grouse with teachers had deliberately given skewed comments which stifled their promotion.

Last week the matter was decided in the High Court when Chief Justice, Yonette Cummings-Edwards ruled that the procedure used by the

when the House is still in session. Evidently, among some the attention span required to prepare, discuss and debate the people’s business is infinitesimal. On the other hand some presentations are a far cry from the issues before the House, which demonstrate lack of understanding and failure to do the required homework.

Our present parliament has within members who are relatively much more academically qualified than their predecessors. This certificated progress regrettably is not represented in the quality of presentation, debate, cut and thrust, and intellectual curiosity. Intellectual curiosity will necessitate doing the required homework in

TSC was flawed and ought not to have been used. In an immediate reaction GTU President, Mark Lyte said the way has now been cleared for teachers to be promoted based on their years of service, age and achievements.

“Here it is a Judge had to correct her (TSC Chairman, Leila Ramson) that what you and your commission would have done, it was not properly done so you need to re-do it now,” GTU General Secretary, Coretta Mc Donald told reporters after the ruling.

During the run up to the court case the GTU had said that it had no confidence in the commission or its chairperson. The union had called for a complete review of all the applications made; but TSC was only willing to look at specific ones. The union had also charged that it had enough evidence to prove that many eligible teachers were not promoted for various reasons and that due

process was not followed.

According to the union the commission had been making decisions on the basis of “comments” penned by respective Regional Education Officers (REDO) and officials at the Education Ministry on the application forms when teachers apply for promotion.

Although some teachers may have scored the highest possible points, they were refused promotion because of reports from regional officers or head teachers that they needed more supervision, while persons with fewer points were promoted instead. The TSC receives the form from the central ministry and acts on just the comments instead of the points, which is an accumulation of the years of experience and qualifications of a teacher. So the TSC basically deviated from the rules,” the GTU had contended.

improving the quality of presentation, having thorough understanding of the issues and rules, and listening to the people’s expectations and being able to meet them. Cavalier attitudes in the absence of knowledge reflects a sense of irresponsibility. The consequence of this behaviour forces the society to lose confidence in our parliamentary representatives and shy away from politics because it is seen as a game played by irresponsible adults. Fifty years as an independent nation it is not unreasonable to expect that our parliamentarians would have been building on the quality of performance demonstrated by those in the earlier era.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 17, 2016

Jagdeo chastises Dharamlall for Facebook comments OPPOSITION Leader Bharrat Jagdeo Wednesday chastised his PPP Parliamentarian Nigel Dharamlall for ranting on his Facebook page about President David Granger.

Jagdeo, during a press conference at his party’s Freedom House headquarters, Wednesday said he had received a number of calls about Dharamlall’s Facebook comments.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

PPP/C Parliamentarian, Nigel Dharamlall “I looked at the comments and find them unacceptable, in fact reprehensible. I believe of being critical of the President - the opposition in the past has criticised each other, but it should never get personal,” Jagdeo said.

He said the coalition government can be addressed on

issues, but this can be done without being disrespectful.

“I have spoken to Mr Dharamlall. He said to me that he recognised that the language was not befitting a Member of Parliament and he apologised to everyone for it and he has expressed contrition to me that there will be no repetition of this sort,” Jagdeo stated.

Jagdeo said the PPP/C could deal with venality, duplicity and incompetence by using language that is not hateful or personal.

On one of his posts, adding President Grang-

er, Dharamlall stated: “Even though I didn’t support your party you have still been LUCKY to be installed as President of Guyana by GECOM. Since then though, your Brainlessness has been in Overdrive. Everything that comes out of your Mouth makes you sound foolish… I’m worried that people are thinking that you are a Dud… You are our President… get rid of Ramjattan…get rid of the criminals…get rid of the thieves…in and out of Government.”

Duplexes for Bartica, other Region Seven communities THE town of Bartica, Region Seven is to be included in government’s plans to construct housing for low income households.

In an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) recently, Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Adams-Patterson explained that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) will be targeting the construction of at least 50 duplexes in the community.

“There are slated 50 duplexes which is 100 apartments. I know that is not enough to answer totally the full demand of housing in the community, but that is just one part of our initiative for the community,” the Minister said, noting that the Ministry is still to identify the lands in the community for the construction of the duplexes. The lands remaining in Four Miles and Five Miles Schemes cannot be used as they are no longer in keeping with the administra-

tion’s vision of livable and wholesome communities.

The areas of Four and Five Miles in Bartica were previously identified by CH&PA for housing development for residents of Bartica. “ We h a v e h o u s i n g schemes there and there are some more lands that are available there, but my visit there revealed that a lot of the remaining lands are sloped, they are swampy, and so even though in our system, under the former government such house lots were allotted, I cannot allocate those lands for development…I cannot give people that kind of land,” the Minister explained.

Minister Adams-Patterson, who just under a week ago visited the community, plans to return with officials to identify the lands for construction of the duplexes.

The Minister will be accompanied by Presidential Advisor on the Environment, Rear Admiral (ret’d) Gary Best, who is also in-charge of the

proposed Green Bartica Development Plan. “He (Best) is willing to return with us to identify, which area we would now use for residential housing, and which area we would be using for commercial lots,” the Minister said. Government would be pushing for this to be done by the end of the year, the Minister Adams-Patterson added.

G o v e r n m e n t ’s n e w model for housing, the construction of 5,000 apartments/duplexes is expected to cost $50 Billion. This new model seeks to improve the housing delivery system to address the backlog of 25,000 applicants, over 17,800 of which can be classified as low income households. It also seeks to move beyond the provision of serviced lots to create livable and wholesome communities through the provision of full infrastructure; social facilities and services, and the supply of housing units. (GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 17, 2016

Frustration boils over as student nurses told to re-sit exams

‒ Minister of Health says Nursing Council must produce evidence exam papers were leaked

By Ariana Gordon UNLESS the Guyana Nursing Council can provide credible evidence of the National Nursing examinations being compromised by students, the Ministry of Public Health is not prepared to have those students re-sit the examinations.

Some 250 nursing students sat the state examinations on October 18 and 19, 2016 but were informed on November 11 that they’d have to re-sit the examinations because they were “compromised”. No further explanation was provided.

Minister of Public Health

Dr. Norton explained that upon hearing of leaked state examination papers he launched an investigation and summoned a meeting with the Chief Nursing Officer - who is also the Chairman of the Guyana Nursing Council - the Director of Health Sciences Programme and the Principal Tutor of the Georgetown School of Nursing.

The invited parties were required to inform the health committee of the breach, but unfortunately information was not forth coming.

“I made every effort … but I could not get any information…no attempts were made to furnish them (nurses)

Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton (center) makes a point during a meeting with student nurses from across the country on Wednesday

with the particulars as to how, where, when the information was compromised. The nurs-

es don’t know anything about it and it is unfair for them to re-write the examinations,” said Dr. Norton.

The Ministry of Public Health, he said, stands resolute with the nursing students who are also from private hospitals like the St Joseph Mercy Hospital. “…this creates a situation where one is forced to think things are not as transparent as they are supposed to be; unless the Ministry is provided with facts or evidence to show the student nurses are at fault then we agree with the nurses.”

The Minister made it clear that while the Nursing Council by statute has certain

responsibilities, everybody must also recognise that it is not all about the Nursing Council. “There are 250 students affected; it seems to have been done without their welfare in view.”

Dr. Norton is also of the opinion that the Nursing Council should have conducted a thorough investigation before making a decision.

“What is the cause? Who is responsible?” he asked as he noted that his Ministry has some difficulty in determining the competency of the Nursing Council.

“If one is compromised then the others are likely to be compromised,” he declared, noting that if the stalemate

continues the matter would be best addressed by the Courts.

“The Police are investigating the matter, but if we have to engage the courts then so be it!” a seemingly frustrated Dr. Norton exclaimed.

“We need nurses in the Public Health system,” said Dr Norton who dubbed the situation as unfortunate.

During a meeting held Wednesday afternoon with the Minister of Public Health and student nurses representing the Georgetown and New Amsterdam Schools of Nursing, the Charles Rosa School of Nursing (Linden) and the St Joseph Mercy Hospital, declared that the Guyana Nursing Council is being unfair and is with-holding vital information from them.

According to the students, they would have spent three years six months on the programme and are not prepared to re-write an examination.

Many of the student-nurses became emotional as they recounted the many sacrifices they would have made to complete the programme.

Jeanel Lewis, a student-nurse of the Georgetown School of Nursing said it has been physically, mentally and emotionally taxing on her. “It is not easy being in Turn to page 10 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 17, 2016

Officer-in-charge of Bartica hid during 2008 massacre ‒ said station was under attack and he was alone THE policeman who was in charge of the Bartica Police Station at the time of the gruesome massacre almost nine years ago, which killed three of his men and nine civilians, said he went into hiding during the attack because he was alone and felt unsafe.

Lewis Goulding, then Assistant Superintendent of Police, was among two witnesses who testified Wednesday in the High Court before Justice Roxane George and a 12-member jury as the trial into the February 17, 2008 Bartica massacre continues.

On trial are Mark Royden called “Durant,” Dennis Williams called “Anaconda,” and Roger Simon called “Goat Man.” They have been indicted on 12 counts of murder and one count of terrorism, one count of unlawful wounding and three counts of break and enter and larceny.

The three men, along with two others, are facing the charges.

Michael Caesar and Clebert Reece have since pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter separately and will return to the High Court on December 16, 2016 for probation report, followed by sentencing by Justice Roxane George.

Royden is being represented by Roger Yearwood, while Williams’s lawyer is Saphier Hussain and Simon’s attorney is Peter Hugh.

Goulding told the court that as officer-in -charge, he was aware of the police Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), some of which he named in court, but claimed he did not

Dennis Williams called “Anaconda”

render assistance because he knew the station was under attack and he was alone.

Goulding, who retired five years ago, told the court that he was tramautised by the event and he gave a detailed testimony on Wednesday.

Goulding recalled that on February 16, 2008 at about 21:00hrs, he was walking past the Bartica Police Station on his way to check on ranks under his command on First Avenue when he was approached by a woman, who was running.

He said she told him “something” which caused him to change his course and he went to a safe place and in hiding not far from the police station, where he heard gunshots coming from the direction of the said station.

Under cross-examination, he told the court it was about 10 minutes after he was told “something” by the woman that he first heard gunshots.

Goulding stated that the gunfire lasted

Mark Royden called “Durant”

about 20 minutes and during that time he was peeping from inside a house and when he thought it was safe he went on the road.

As he was about to head to the Bartica Police Station, he saw a vehicle approaching with eight men, two of whom were seated on the bonnet, two in the tray and two in the front seat and two more in the back seat.

Goulding told the court that he then recognised that the vehicle was the land rover, PKK 162, attached to the Bartica Police Station but did not recognise the men. As such, he went back into hiding.

At that point, he said he heard the vehicle turn in the direction of the Bartica Stelling and soon after heard an explosion, after which he came out from hiding about five minutes after having heard what sounded like an engine of a speed boat starting up.

Goulding added that he was peeping and when he heard the engine move off and he went to the Bartica Police Station, where he spoke to Inspector Michael Sutton and other ranks in the yard.

He said he went upstairs into the kitchen area and the barrack room and saw two injured cops he identified as Constables Benjamin and Campbell.

He reported that their bodies bore what appeared to be gunshot wounds and blood.

Goulding said in the kitchen area he saw the motionless bodies of Lance Corporal Zakir and Constable Fredericks, both of whom appeared to be dead.

Goulding told the court that in the yard he saw the body of Constable Osborne lying in a propped up position with one hand holding onto the gate. His body bore what appeared to be gunshot wounds.

He said he received some information and he went to the Bartica Stelling where he saw five bodies bearing what appeared to be gunshot wounds and they appeared to be dead.

Goulding said he made contact with the driver and he examined the bodies and had them removed from the Stelling to the Bartica Hospital, along with the bodies of the three slain cops, where a doctor and the medic examined the bodies.

He added that the two injured ranks were also taken to the Bartica Hospital.

Goulding told the court that the men in the police vehicle were not cops, but the vehicle was the police vehicle, a white land rover PKK 162, and at the time he first saw that vehicle he was about 62 feet away in a safe

place, in hiding.

Under cross-examination by Defence Counsel Roger Yearwood, Goulding said that because of what the woman told him he knew it was unsafe to go to the police station; as such, he went into hiding and he made contact with his senior officers, Assistant Commissioners Primo and Trotz.

He told Yearwood when questioned that it was about 10 minutes after he had spoken to the woman when he first heard gunshots.

Denzil Spencer also testified in court that he identified the body of his uncle Edwin Gilkes, who was a security guard and witnessed the post-mortem at the GPHC on February 22, 2008 after which the body was handed over for burial in Bartica on February 27, 2008.

The case has been adjourned to December 6, 2016 at 09:00hrs.

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

Rondell ‘Fineman’ Rawlins, then the country’s most wanted man, according to the police, led the gang on the rampage in Bartica

Roger Simon called “Goat Man”

as well as the one that converged on Lusignan on January 26, 2008.

Rawlins was killed during a joint services operation on August 28, 2008. With his death and the arrest and prosecution of the five suspects, it had appeared as though the police had closed their investigation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 17, 2016

Door to ‘green’ economy open Hooded bandits raid Texila to CARICOM member states University

‒ President Granger

THE “green” state development agenda, which is being advanced by the Government of Guyana, presents opportunities for Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states to invest in eco-tourism and climate-resilient agriculture and access opportunities for education and research in bio-diversity.

This view was advanced on Wednesday by President David Granger during a meeting with Secretary-General of CARICOM, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque on the sidelines of the 22nd Session of the Conference of Parties (COP22) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) in Morocco.

At the meeting, the Head of State described the progress Guyana has made with regard to defining its “green” state policy and also discussed with the Secretary-General the region’s position on the critical need for improved financing for climate-related programmes.

The President, in an in-

‒ steal cash, laptops

President David Granger and Ambassador Irwin LaRocque greet each other at their meeting on Wednesday

vited comment following the meeting, said that even as the international momentum towards urgently addressing climate change is propelling countries to make this a priority area, it has created new opportunities regionally for collaboration and this has opened the door to CARICOM investments in Guyana’s push towards a “green” economy.

“We emphasised Guyana’s role as the largest CAR-

ICOM state, but being fully part of the Caribbean economy and we see that the other island states, which have got developed tourism industries would see it fit to invest more in Guyana’s unique eco-tourism product… Things have changed… some of the possibilities which are now apparent were not evident in 1973, when the Community was established, but I would say that particularly over the last year since COP21, the doors

to the ‘green’ economy have been opened and this is the door, which I expect more CARICOM states to walk through,” he said.

Also attending the meeting were Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan; Dr. Douglas Slater, Assistant Secretary-General, Directorate for Human and Social Development; and Dr. Neville Bissember, Assistant General Counsel at CARICOM.

Frustration boils over... a programme for 3 years, six months and when I received the letter I was really upset…I cried,” she told reporters.

Lewis believes that the Nursing Council is being unfair to the students and called on the body to “deal with the person who compromised the examinations internally…it is the Council that prints the papers.”

Like Lewis, Vibert Forde also of the Georgetown School of Nursing said “It is not ethical, right or fair!” for the Nursing Council to take such a position.

“When questions were asked there was a lot of red tape…we are not aware of persons trying to cheat the exam,” Forde said noting that even the manner in which the student-nurses were informed leaves much to be desired.

Representing the Charles Rosa School of Nursing was Orlando Roland, who like his colleagues, argued for the Nursing Council to produce evidence of the examination papers being compromised.

“There is no evidence that we tried to buy or cheat…it was a tedious period for us;

many people made sacrifices, left their children…it is very hard and when we received that notice my batch mates collapsed and were rushed to the hospital.”

Roland contends that it is unreasonable for the Nursing Council to demand that students re-write all four of the examinations. “To re-write all four (courses) and to prepare in such a short time” is unacceptable.

An emotional Lovern Sam, also from Linden, was moved to tears as she recounted her struggles over the past three years to complete the programme. “I made a sacrifice to be here for three years leaving my two children and it is hard to stay another six months…I would just like that the decision being made is unfair to us as students because many of us have made sacrifices to be in the programme.”

Like her colleagues, Ashana Halley, of the New Amsterdam School of Nursing, said it has not only been a physical, emotional and mental challenge for her, but a financial one. Halley who was reluctant to speak for

fear of victimisation pleaded with the Nursing council to conduct a thorough investigation.

“If there is evidence, why not investigate? I think it is not fair to the students,” she stated.

Additionally, Aleea Caesar, of the St Joseph Mercy Hospital, said she and other nursing students at the private institution worked very hard to prepare for the exam and made it clear that it is unacceptable for them to resit the exam when they know nothing of the leak.

“Compromised? Is that a fair explanation as to why we have to go through mental turmoil? I don’t think it is fair to the students or the tutors because they invested in us…we are not looking for a fight we just want what is fair. The ‘Peter paying for Paul’ method can’t apply in this situation. We need to get to the source…we did not do this; where did the leak come from?”

The students are required to re-write Functional Paper 1 which comprises of 50 multiple choice questions and Functional Paper 2, which

THE offices of the Critchlow Labour College (CLC) and Texila University were on Tuesday night broken into by two persons whose faces were covered with hoods.

In a statement, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) which administers the CLC said the surveillance camera picked the images of two persons hooded and well covered.

According to the GTUC, a grill door was removed

Prime suspect in footballer’s murder caught

From page 8

comprises of four essay type questions. This is in addition to Clinical Paper 1, which comprises 100 multiple choice questions and Paper 2, four essay type questions.

Meanwhile, in a letter dated November 15 and dispatched to the Registrar of the Guyana Nursing Council and copied to the Principal Tutor (acting), Cleopatra Barkoye, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Public Health, Trevor Thomas and Dr. Norton, Attorney Anil Nandlall reminded the body that the students who wrote the examination are on a scholarship contract for three years which was expired on or about June 24, 2016.

“Currently, the Government of Guyana is in breach of this arrangement. In the circumstances, these students are demanding that their examination papers be marked and the results disclosed. I am to convey to you that at this point in time, they are unprepared to sit another set of examinations,” the letter stated.

Additionally, Nandlall urged that the matter be resolved amicably to avoid litigation.

from the administrative office, and the thieves subsequently squeezed themselves through a hole in the wall to enter the Finance Office.

From the Finance Office, they opened the door and then removed window panes and gained entry into the Texilla Office. Among the items removed were: laptops, projectors and money.

The police have been called in and have commenced their investigations.

DEAD: Michael Payne

THE prime suspect who was wanted for the murder of Michael Payne on November 11, at Albouystown, has been arrested.

A police release confirmed that the arrest was made around 20:30hrs Tuesday, in Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown.

Payne, 27 was shot dead during a quarrel over the seizure of a bicycle in La Penitence Street, Albouystown.

The footballer,of South Ruimveldt,Georgetown, was a father of one.

Police had apprehended 38-year-old Sherlock McKenzie, called “Beggar,” a

resident of Albouystown, Georgetown, in connection with Payne’s death.

According to reports, Payne, who for the past three months has been staying at a relative in Ketley Street, Charlestown, had an argument with McKenzie over “territory issues” within Albouystown, and this had escalated after McKenzie seized the bicycle of Payne’s cousin and took it to his home.

When Payne got wind of what had transpired, he and an accomplice went in a Toyota Premio to McKenzie’s home and kicked down his door, and a scuffle ensued during which Payne was shot. The police said several loud explosions were reportedly heard during this altercation, and the suspects fled the scene thereafter, but Payne was found with several suspected gunshot wounds to his head, chest and upper left arm.

He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival. The body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Home to await a post-mortem.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 17, 2016

Fire leaves Berbice ‘Pandit’ homeless A labourer of Number 69 Village, East Berbice has been left homeless after a fire gutted his two-storied wooden home on Tuesday evening.

Baijnauth Baichand, 46, called “Pandit,” who lived alone said he was not at home when the fire started.

He said that when he returned home at 19:30 hrs his home was engulfed in flames.

“I went by a friend; when I go home, I saw the Police and Fire and the whole house in fire” The fire is believed to be electrical in origin since a Guyana Power and Light wire collapsed and the one connected to his home fell in the yard.

The man said there was no electricity to his house but he was told by a power company worker that the wire which collapsed was a live wire.

Mr Baichand and what remains of the house he lived in

“They told me it was a GPL wire which caused the fire.

“I didn’t have anything the house which could have

caused a fire; I didn’t even cook in the house (Tuesday),” Baichand stated.

Baichand , who has been living at the house

for the past four years, said he has nowhere to go and no finances to rebuild and is currently seeking refuge at a friend’s place.

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Smith Memorial celebrates 173rd anniversary THE Smith Memorial Congregational Church located on Brickdam is celebrating its 173rd Anniversary this month and the occasion will be marked by an anniversary service on Sunday at 09.00h.

At the service, visitors will be enlightened on the history of the historical church. The religious institution was opened on November 24, 1843 as a tribute to the work and suffering of the late Reverend John Smith who was sentenced to death. Smith, a London Missionary Society Minister, died by hanging for the role he allegedly played in the notorious East Coast Demerara Slave Insurrection in 1823, a release by the church said.

Smith died a prisoner on death row on February 6th 1824. He was referred to as the ‘Demerara Martyr’ as a

result of the circumstances surrounding his death. As history has it, Reverend John Smith came to British Guiana in February, 1817 to succeed Reverend John Wray who was the pioneer missionary of the London Missionary Society at Bethel Chapel, Le Resouvenir, East Coast Demerara. It was recorded that Smith, gave instructions to the slaves and disobeyed the rules of the slave-owners by teaching their slaves to read the Bible and Catechism.

Other martyrs of the Bethel Chapel was Quamina, a slave and Senior Deacon and his son Jack Gladstone, who played a pivotal role in the 1823 uprising, which had as its goal, the freedom of slaves. The site on which the church is located is regarded as a heritage site by the National Trust of Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 17, 2016

Local food industry professionals briefed on food traceability systems REPRESENTATIVES of small and medium-sized food processors and food industry professionals were this week educated on food traceability systems which ensure that health concerns about the safety and quality of food produced locally, imported or exported are adequately addressed.

The capacity-building workshop, held on Tuesday and Wednesday, was organised by the local office of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA), in collaboration with the Global Food Traceability Center (GFTC) of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) in Chicago, Illinois.

The workshop was funded by the European Union under the 10th EDF project of ”Support to the Caribbean forum of ACP states in the implementation of commitments undertaken under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) : Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures.” The venue was the Regency Suites Hotel in Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

Food traceability systems are record-keeping procedures, or tracing systems, that record the path of a food product or an ingredient in a food product from its initial supplier through all processing stages until it reaches the end consumer.

The traceability programme is one element of the SPS programme which aims to increase CARIFORUM states production and trade in agriculture and fisheries which meet international standards and thereby qualify these products for access to international markets in Europe and North America.

The resource persons for the programme were Tejas Bhatt, Director of the IFT and Jaheon Koo, Director of Food Safety Programmes of the IFT. Officials present at the launch on Tuesday included Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr George Jervis; Executive Board Member of the

Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA),Mr Raymond Ramsaroop; Local IICA representative Mr Wilmot Garnett and senior staffers of the IICA. Mr Garnett welcomed the 30 participants and told them that in current times as world trade continues to increase, food safety remains a major challenge.

Traceability systems must be developed and managed using scientific methods, especially to link the finished product to the specific grower. He told participants that the management tools they will receive at the traceability workshop will better enable them to manage the supply

chain, production/operation efficiencies, competitive advantage and market access, recall capabilities and food safety.

He stressed that IICA’s commitment is results, and the agency was committed to continue to support CARIFORUM member states with the necessary management tools to increase their market share, globally.

Jervis said that being able to ascertain the origin of products, ingredients and their attributes, from the farm through food-processing to retail and the consumer, is growing in importance.

“It is critically important for people nowadays to know and or actively find out where what they eat is coming from.” He mentioned rumours that shrimp, which is being smuggled to and sold in Guyana, are harvested in the sewage system of another country. He lauded the organisers of the programme and stressed that apart from local food safety, gaining a capability for traceability is necessary for exporting food to the major markets in Europe and North America.

Mr Ramsaroop said that concerns about both the safety and quality of food continue to escalate and the importance of traceability is widely recognised by persons within the industry.

He said that if all comply with the process, consumers will benefit from the resultant transparency about the products they consume and will be very happy about it.

Topics being dealt with at the two-day workshop include: Principles and practice of traceability and recall systems; its role in the implementation and management of food-safety management systems and tools required for implementing the traceability system.

Public sector participants include representatives from the New Guyana Marketing Corporation, the Guyana School of Agriculture, the University of Guyana, the Government Analyst/Food and Drug Department, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, the Guyana Livestock Development Authority, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute and the National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO).

Private sector participants include representatives from Bounty Farm, Prestige Manufacturing Limited, Major Foods Limited, Edward Beharry and Sons, Ricks and Sari, Sterling Products, Jet’s Enterprises, Women Agricultural Development Network (WADN) Bounty Farm and Survival Supermarket.

Thursday, November 17, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Friday, Novemeber 18, 2016 - 08:30 hrs Saturday, November 19, 2016 - 09:00 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 17, 2016

Digicel sponsors GIS Day 2016

DIGICEL Guyana has enlisted as one of the sponsors of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day 2016. Guyana GIS Day is focused on using ICT/GIS for Guyana’s development, with encouragement and support from several other Guyanese professionals.

“Digicel Guyana is a proud sponsor of this event, and wishes all the participants a successful seminar,” a release from the company stated.

In the photo, sponsorship Executive Louanna Abrams hands over sponsorship cheque to Dr. Allyson Stoll, and looking on is Haimwant Persaud, both members of the Guyana GIS Day organizing committee

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 17, 2016

Vets urged to play greater role in creating healthier environment VETERINARIANS have been charged to play their role in promoting a healthy environment through the ‘One Health Initiative’.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, at the opening ceremony of the 29th Biennial Caribbean Medical Association Conference on Monday said the One Health initiative is an important one which recognises that the health of humans is directly connected to the health of animals and the environment.

The ceremony was convened at the Marriott hotel under the theme “New Horizons in veterinary medicine embracing one health, one medicine for a safer world”.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, performing the duties of President, Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, and President, Guyana Veterinary Association, Dr. Nicholas Waldron were among those present at the

conference.

Minister Cummings explained that the One Health concept is a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaboration and communication in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment.

She pointed out that “it is also strongly believed that the synergism achieved by the one health concept will advance health care for the 21st century and beyond.”

The Minister noted that Guyana is an active participant within the Caribbean’s “One Health, One Love” project, which is working to ensure CARICOM leaders understand and embrace the concept and support its implementation in the respective countries. “The Government of Guyana signalled its commitment to the Caribbean’s One Health initiative and will provide the necessary support needed through the relevant Ministries and organisations,”

Minister Cummings stated.

The Minister reminded the veterinarians that they are responsible for reporting disease events and trends to the state public health and regulatory agencies. Dr. Cummings urged that they collaborate with medical officials, when necessary. “These relationships would not exist if not for the link between animals and humans. Many factors contribute to the vulnerability of livestock; these include increase in intensity and concentration of production, agriculture, genetic conversions of many food producing species and accessibility of livestock to external biosecurity measures,” the Minister in the Ministry of Public Health pointed out.

Minster Cummings contended that setting up national action plans requires the collaboration of stakeholders from all relevant areas. A common worldwide approach can bring about a lasting

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings

change. She pointed out that the conference is timely, and will provide an opportunity and environment for Guyana’s leading veterinarians to exchange knowledge and experiences.

Meanwhile, Minister Holder stressed the need for more emphasis on animal health. The Minister said that

as the population increases so too, will the demand for animal products. “In a majority of countries, most public funding is given to the concern of human health with limited focus on animal health. This limited funding for animal health is one of the major factors in the control of the spread of diseases; therefore the duty is on you, the veterinarians, to champion this important cause of imbalance of resource allocation within your countries.”

The Minister pointed out that in many developing countries; infrastructure is lacking, to combat animal diseases. The lack of disease specialists and diagnostic laboratory facilities makes it difficult to protect the animals, therefore the veterinarians through animal services are responsible for protecting animal health, providing sound surveillance information on the occurrences of diseases within territories and con-

ducting risk analysis, Minister Holder explained.

The Minister urged the veterinarians to make use of the conference and network with other participants for better protection of animals.

Fortune Sithole, a participant of the conference which ends on Thursday, described it as informative. Sithole is looking forward to working along with other participants to implement the One Health concept.

Meanwhile, Dr. Waldron encouraged the veterinarians to be innovative and play their role in their local associations. Dr. Waldron said the world is being plagued by multiple challenges including water shortages, increasing global population and climate change, therefore, veterinarians have to adapt and have an open mind to be more effective in promoting the One Health concept.

(GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 17, 2016

Final study on Guyana-Brazil road link completed THE final results of the Guyana- Brazil land transport link and deepwater port project’s was on Wednesday presented to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson.

The project can prove economically beneficial to

Guyana through stakeholders’ participation, the minister stated. The final results were presented at the second conference at the Marriott Hotel by Maritime Economist, Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC), Dr. Andreas Nohn in the presence of Minister

Patterson, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, Country Representative, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Sophie Makonnen and Facilitation Specialist, HCP, Peter Cardebring among other rep-

resentatives from IDB, HPC and Brazil. The first conference was in July 2013.

Minister Patterson said that stakeholders’ participation is necessary since there are many challenges to address if the project is to be completed in a timely manner. The minister pointed out that Guyana must improve its logistics performance to ease the burdensome process of documentary compliance, and make the process less time-consuming. It also has to improve administrative handling for international trade, customs and agreements governing the operation of trucks, undertaking of cargo, and improving infrastructure, and official communication between the two countries.

Additionally, Minister Patterson emphasised that the project can lead to economic growth, and an increase in Gross Domestic Product.

“Guyana can increase the competitiveness of its exports, and lower maritime cost. Guyana can also benefit from stimulating activity along the road leading to regional economic benefits in terms of employment and GDP. When we also take into account the need for tolling, this may also take another dimension of economic returns for Guyana.”

The Public Infrastructure Minister indicated that Brazil has not been a major import or export player even though Guyana shares a border with that country. The Amazon River on the Atlantic Coast is the main route for import and export to Roraima. However, this route is not only time consuming, but relatively expensive, therefore, an alternative transportation route is necessary.

“The traffic potential for cargo is considered to be significant, which is the reason for this market survey, and if the existing port of Georgetown cannot support this potential, the development of a suitable water port in Guyana is therefore the way to go, while the corridor linking the Guyanese border will prove to be a major competitive alternative for routing cargo to and from Brazil,” Minister Patterson explained.

Meanwhile, Makonnen said the initiative is part of the bank’s larger strategic efforts to promote regional economic integration which is one of the institution’s five priority areas. Integration is considered as an engine for growth and development. It is a strategic platform, and allows countries to overcome the disadvantage of small market size in a world where economies of scales are critical, Makonnen explained.

Makonnen pointed out that the market study analyses possible transport corridors, reviews what trade facilitation measures would have

to occur for port efficiency, customs handling, and border crossing in Guyana and then generate the traffic forecast with different growth assumption. “Guyana has high maritime transport cost due to shallow river ports that do not allow the use of larger ships.

It also has a small population.

In order to justify the deep water port, the project will have to rely on transship to and from Northern Brazil states.”

The link through the hinterland would open new territories to economic development and generate more cost. Over the years, the Governments of both countries have been working towards the enhancement of trade, economic and physical integration.

In 2013, the IDB approved funding of US$1.5 million for studies required to prepare a road link to Brazil and a deep-water port project. The project has four components. These include a market study in the Amazonas, Para and Roraima to ascertain the degree of trade that could be diverted to a port in Guyana, an engineering study to satisfy the various demand scenarios derived under the market study, social and environmental studies that will fund the scoping, a consultation process with relevant stakeholders, and field activities and preparation of a Strategic Environmental and Social Study (SESA). (GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 17, 2016

Debutants deliver as Windies win HARARE, Zimbabwe (CMC) – West Indies recovered from a batting collapse to mount a clinical bowling effort, and beat Sri Lanka by 62 runs in their opening game of the Tri-Nations Series here yesterday.

Sent in at the Harare Sports Club, West Indies were well poised at 172 for four in the 42nd over before losing their last six wickets for 55 runs, to be all out for a disappointing 227 off 49.2 overs.

Left-hander Jonathan Carter top-scored with 54 on his 29th birth anniversary while wicketkeeper Shai Hope stroked 47 and fellow debutant Rovman Powell, a typically enterprising 44 off just 29 balls.

In reply, Sri Lanka slumped to 16 for three in the sixth over, recovered to reach 139 for six in the 26th before crumbling to 165 all out off 43.1 overs – losing their last four wickets for 26 runs.

The architects of Sri Lanka’s demise were fast bowler Shannon Gabriel (3-31) and off-spinner Ashley Nurse (346) who picked up three wickets apiece, while captain and seamer Jason Holder claimed two for 16 from eight superb overs.

Sachith Pathirana, batting at number eight, top-scored

with 45 from 40 balls while Shehan Jayasuriya made 31 and Niroshan Dickwella, 28.

With the victory, West Indies moved to the top of the table on five points, ahead on net run rate of Sri Lanka also on five points, with Zimbabwe yet to register a point.

The Caribbean side’s start was less than impressive, however, as they lost both openers Johnson Charles (2) and Kraigg Brathwaite (14) cheap-

back on track. The right-handed Hope first added 49 for the third wicket with the left-handed Evin Lewis, whose 27 came from 50 balls and included a single four.

When Lewis was caught at the wicket off left-arm spinner Sachith Pathirana in the 24th over, Hope put on a further 53 or the fourth wicket with Carter, to take West Indies past triple figures.

SCOREBOARD

WEST INDIES innings

SRI LANKA innings

J. Charles c Perera b Lakmal 2 K. Brathwaite run-out 14 E. Lewis c wkp. Dickwella b Pathirana 27 S. Hope b Gunaratne 47 J. Carter c de Silva b Kulasekara 54 R. Powell c wkp. Dickwella b Pradeep 44 C. Brathwaite c Lakmal b Pradeep 14 J. Holder run-out 2 A. Nurse not out 5 S. Benn lbw b Kulasekara 7 S. Gabriel lbw b Lakmal 0 Extras: (lb-6, w-5) 11 Total. (all out; 49.2 overs) 227 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-27, 3-76), 4-129, 5-172, 6-209), 7-214, 8-215, 9-226.

Bowling: Kulasekara 10-1-37-2 (w-3), Lakmal 9.2-1-45-2, Pradeep 10-1-55-2 (w-2), Jayasuriya 4-0-19-0, Pathirana 6-0-25-1, Gunaratne 10-1-40-1.

D. de Silva c wkp. Hope b Holder 3 K. Perera run-out 4 N. Dickwella c Benn b Gabriel 28 B Mendis c Nurse b Holder 4 U. Tharanga c & b Nurse 12 A Gunaratne lbw b Nurse 18 S. Jayasuriya c Powell b C. Brathwaite 31 S. Pathirana c Lewis b Nurse 45 N. Kulasekara c Lewis b Gabriel 16 S. Lakmal b Gabriel 0 N. Pradeep not out 0 Extras: (w-4) 4 Total (all out; 43.1 overs) 165 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-8, 3-16, 4-51, 5-64, 6-79, 7-139, 8-151, 9-160.

Bowling: Gabriel 8.1-0-31-3 (w-2), Holder 8-0-16-2 (w-1), C. Brathwaite 9-0-34-1 (w1), Carter 1-0-4-0, Nurse 10-1-46-3, Benn 7-1-34-0.

Points: West Indies 5, Sri Lanka 0.

Man-of-the-Match: Jason Holder.

GFF unveils...

Festivals so that afterwards they can run the programme themselves. At the end of the day all the participants will be given a Certificate of Participation.

The actual programme will start next year February with coaching courses, after which there will be yearround structured coaching sessions for the youngsters.

The GFF plans to have a Technical Development Officer in each association who will be responsible for establishing academies for the different age groups. From those academies the best players will form the national squads for the different age group programmes all year round.

“One of the problems we have in the country is that we don’t have enough qualified coaches, referees or match commissioners, so those will be the big areas we will be looking to develop massive, come next year,” Greenwood advised.

The Englishman, who is just over a month in his four-

ly to stumble to 27 for two in the tenth over.

Charles was taken at third man off seamer Suranga Lakmal essaying a big hit in the fourth over and Brathwaite was unfortunately run-out by Nuwan Kulasekara’s direct hit at the non-striker’s end as he went through for a quick single.

Hope and Carter then featured in key partnerships which put the West Indies innings

From back page

year contract with the GFF, in his assessment of what he has seen so far revealed that “to improve the national team we need a much bigger base of players and at the moment the bottom of our triangle is very small so what we need to do is widen that base”.

“We have got fantastic individual skills in our U-11s, but we need to teach them the game a little bit more. In terms of where we are and how we play as a team we are probably a few years behind where we should be at the moment.

“Individually our skills level from a lot of the players is where it should be at this age, in terms of the U-11s, but theirs and the coaches’ understanding of the game is a key area we need to work on, but we have got fantastic potential here; we have just got to harness it a little better.

“We definitely got potential, we just need to help guide the structure better,” Greenwood said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 17, 2016

WADA chief under fire from Olympic committees (REUTERS) - The World Anti-Doping Agency ( WA D A ) a n d i t s h e a d Craig Reedie faced stinging criticism from national Olympic committees yesterday for its handling of the Russian doping scandal, days before its board meeting where the Scot is up for re-election.

Reedie, speaking to the general assembly of the Association of National Olympic committees (ANOC), said these were “troubled times” after the Russian doping affair, which resulted in dozens of athletes being banned from the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

sports bodies.

NEUTRAL PRESIDENT “During the discussions at the IOC Executive Board earlier this month, Sir Craig Reedie was advised of the intention of the IOC Executive Board to have in the future a neutral WADA president for the sake of the credibility and good governance of WADA,” an IOC spokesperson said yesterday.

“At the meeting, Sir Craig accepted this approach and said he would not stand in the way of such a solution. Following this he received the sup-

President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Craig Reedie While calling for more sanctioning powers for WADA and closer cooperation with governments, Reedie, who is up for re-election on November 20, had to defend his organisation’s actions with half a dozen NOCs criticising him at the assembly.

He also had to defend the timing of the release of part of the so-called McLaren report into doping in Russia shortly before the Rio Games in August.

The report uncovered systematic state-sponsored doping in Russia.

The investigation, triggered by media reports of state-backed doping in Russia, led to a partial ban on Russians at the Rio Games and the suspension of the country’s doping laboratory, its anti-doping agency and athletics federation.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who heads the ANOC and is an influential International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, called for a ‘neutral’ president to deal with the fallout of the doping crisis.

The IOC confirmed it had held talks with Reedie, who is standing for another three-year term, about appointing a neutral president in future and dropping the current system of rotating the choice of president between governments and

port of the IOC Executive Board for his reappointment as WADA president,” the spokesman said.

Sheikh Ahmad was concerned about the release of the second part of the McLaren report, due out in early December, and noted WADA’s suspension of the Doha doping lab was announced the day before the general assembly in the Qatari capital on Tuesday.

“There were questions of timing with the (McLaren) report and now we see it again with Doha, not because of cheating but because of procedures. The decision was only made on November 7, but came here on the day of the general assembly “I am now worried that the (second part of the) McLaren Report will come out in the first week of December during the IOC Executive Board, or the day after to undermine decisions there,” Sheikh Ahmad said.

He suggested moving WADA from Montreal to Geneva, where the World Health Organisation has offices.

Reedie apologised, saying the McLaren report had to come out before the Rio Games and that the Doha lab suspension announcement was not intentional.

23

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 17, 2016

Marsh resigns as Australia’s chairman of selectors

By Ian Ransom

MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - Rod Marsh has resigned as Australia’s chairman of selectors in the wake of the Test team’s 2-0 series loss to South Africa, having been roundly criticised for some of the panel’s decisions in recent months.

The former Test wicketkeeper announced a month ago that he would step down in mid-2017 but said yesterday he would vacate the role immediately as the fall-out from Australia’s fifth successive Test defeat continued.

“This is my own decision and no-one within Cricket Australia has pressured me or even suggested that I

should do this,” Marsh said in a media release.

“Clearly, though, it is time for some fresh thinking, just as it is for our Test team to welcome some new faces as we build for the future.”

Marsh, along with fellow selectors Mark Waugh, Trevor Hohns and Darren Lehmann, also Australia’s head coach, had been condemned for a number of selection issues this year.

After two poor Tests on the Sri Lanka tour, the selectors promptly dumped opening batsman Joe Burns and number three Usman Khawaja, despite the pair dominating during the previous home summer.

A disaffected Khawaja publicly slammed the panel

Rod Marsh as “fickle” for making him and Burns “scapegoats” for the wider team’s struggles during the 3-0 series whitewash.

Frontline bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were rested for the recent one-day international series away to South Africa and the under-strength Aus-

tralian squad were whitewashed 5-0.

Proteas captain Faf du Plessis said the result gave his team a huge confidence boost ahead of the Test series and felt the bowlers’ omission was a mistake on Australia’s part.

The selectors were again under the microscope for picking a 12-man squad to cover the first two Tests against South Africa, which was to have remained untouched regardless of the team’s performance in the series-opener in Perth.

Marsh raised eyebrows when he said uncapped paceman Joe Mennie’s inclusion at the expense of the more experienced and in-form seamer Jackson Bird was

down to his superior batting.

After Australia’s 177-run thrashing in Perth, the panel was further embarrassed when Waugh publicly assured struggling all-rounder Mitchell Marsh of his spot in the second Test in Hobart but later appeared to row back on the guarantee.

Marsh was dumped and his replacement Callum Ferguson, an uncapped middle order batsman, ran himself out for three in the first innings in Hobart and was out for one in the second.

The other changes for Hobart also failed, with Mennie taking 1-85 in a tepid debut and the reinstated Burns scoring one run from his two innings.

Australia captain Steve

Smith declined to criticise the panel after the Hobart loss on Tuesday but confirmed he and Lehmann were not getting the team they wanted.

Marsh’s resignation was announced only hours after Cricket Australia (CA) boss James Sutherland backed the 59-year-old to stay on board until his planned departure.

CA said they would have held an extraordinary meeting later yesterday to appoint an interim replacement for Marsh.

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh and paceman Jason Gillespie are likely to be among the candidates, having both expressed an interest in succeeding him last month.

U.S. face uphill battle to qualify for World Cup … lose 4-0 to Costa Rica; Honduras beat T&T 3-1 (REUTERS) - The United States face an uphill battle to qualify for their eighth consecutive World Cup Finals after being demolished 4-0 by a rampant Costa Rica in San Jose on Tuesday.

Four days after losing at home to Mexico, the U.S. were beaten again, leaving Jurgen Klinsmann’s side anchored at the bottom of the qualifying table without a point from two matches.

Costa Rica took the lead

two minutes before halftime when Johan Venegas rose unchallenged to glance home a Christian Bolanos cross.

The home side gunned for goals after the break and did not have to try too hard against a team that looked all

at sea in an atrocious second half.

Bolanos scored after 69 minutes when he got on the end of a lovely curling cross from Bryan Ruiz and five minutes later substitute Joel Campbell wrapped up the three points with a nice solo goal.

The Arsenal striker on loan to Sporting Lisbon rubbed salt into the U.S. wound when he added a fourth three minutes later.

The result leaves Klinsmann’s U.S. bottom of the six-team group alongside Trinidad and Tobago.

Costa Rica, meanwhile, top the so-called Hexagonal, the only side to win both their opening games.

The top three teams after the 10 home-and-away matches qualify automatically for Russia 2018, while the fourth-placed side will go into a play-off with a team from Asia.

Mexico, who drew 0-0 with Panama in a dull match

in the isthmus, have four points, the same as Panama.

In the evening’s earlier game, Honduras got their first points with a comprehensive 3-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago.

Romell Quioto and Emilio Izaguirre put Honduras in the driving seat with early goals and although Carlyle Mitchell pulled one back for the visitors after half-time, Eddie Hernandez scored a third for Honduras with 10 minutes remaining.

ICC reviewing du Plessis lolly footage (REUTERS) - Footage showing South Africa captain Faf du Plessis applying saliva to the ball with a lolly in his mouth is being reviewed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to see if he has breached the governing body’s code of conduct.

A day after South Africa took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the Test series in Australia by winning in Hobart, footage emerged showing du Plessis with a white lolly in his mouth, licking his finger before shining the ball.

Applying an artificial substance to alter the condition of the ball contravenes the ICC’s code of conduct.

“The ICC has been alerted to the footage and is currently reviewing the incident from the perspective of it being a possible breach of

Faf du Plessis was fined for ball-ampering in 2013. the ICC Code of Conduct,” an ICC spokesman said in a statement.

The world governing body has five days from the close of play on Tuesday to charge the South Africa skipper after the match referee’s report did not mention the incident.

In 2013, du Plessis was fined 50 percent of his match fee for ball-tampering in the second Test against Pakistan.

He was caught on camera rubbing the ball against a zip on his pocket on the third day of the match in Dubai, leading umpires Ian Gould and Rod Tucker to penalise South Africa five runs and change the ball. du Plessis did not contest the charge.

25

guyana CHRONICLE Thursday November 17, 2016

District 11 looking forward to Hohns to chair selection panel, improved showing this year Greg Chappell named interim selector

By Tamica Garnett

WITH just under one week left before the commencement of the multisport National Schools Championships, representatives of the North Georgetown – District

Basically it’s down to the teachers’ competition.

That team is not as strong as we would have expected it to be, but I think that it’s a better team than last year’s, so we’re hoping that can work,” Mariska said.

of the day we just have to come out and perform,” Wills commented.

Both Williams and Wills are confident in their Districts’ ability to retain the title in the swimming competition, which will be held next

North Georgetown, District 11 stage a march past at a National Schools Championships.

11 - are looking forward to an improved year at the event, reporting several enhancements in their contingent since last year.

Representative Mariska Williams says the District has seen improvement in the teams for both the cycling and teachers competitions, even though she admits that these remain North Georgetown’s weakest areas.

“This year we believe is a better year for us. We would have improved in cycling because this year we have the full squad, but as usual the problem is always getting a cycle, but nevertheless we are trying hard to see if we can get some cycles to borrow for the day. defending champions.

The two adversaries have traded Championships wins over the years and now both boast 14 titles apiece, in the 56-year history of the event.

This year’s battle will be even more suspenseful as stakeholders anticipate which District will go one up, and be the first to boast clinching a total 15 Championships win.

Of all the different divisions, track-and-field is usually the most intense component, made even more exciting this year, as both Linden and North Georgetown teams comprise a number of national

Admitting that the District has suffered blows in the other sections of the competition – swimming and track and field – due to a thinning of the herd, Mariska nonetheless remains firm that the District still has very strong teams in these two areas.

District head Mark Wills says with the track and field it will come down to the wire, and it will all have to do with how things play out on the day of reckoning.

“Athletics is something that is determined on the track, because not what you see on paper means that that person will be able to perform of their best on the track on the said day. At the end athletes.

While District 10 are the defending champions of the athletics competition, and District 11 are the defending champions of the swimming, it is West Demerara, District 3, who own the title in the teachers’ competition. The cycling segment was won

by Corentyne, District 6.

District 11 had finished second behind Linden in the athletics competition last year, while Linden ended second in the cycling, swimming and teachers’ division of the Championships, which in the end handed them their 14 Championships titles.

Monday, November 21, at the National Aquatic Centre in Liliendaal.

“Our strongest competition is always the swimming,” Wills established.

Beginning next week Monday, District 11 will vie against 14 other districts in the four different categories of the Championships, all aiming to claim the prize of being the overall champions at the prominent annual event.

With each passing year the main rivalry at the Championships remains to be between District 11 and track and field powerhouse Upper Demerara/ Kwakwani District 10 (Linden), who are currently the competition’s

GREG Chappell will join Australia’s national selection panel and Trevor Hohns will serve as chairman, after the departure of Rod Marsh from the role yesterday.

Both appointments have been made on an interim basis only, following an extraordinary meeting of the Cricket Australia board on Wednesday night.

Hohns has served on the national selection panel since 2014 in his current tenure, but previously sat on the panel from 1993 to 2006, including 10 years as chairman.

Initially, he had continued in his role as Queensland’s state talent manager while also serving on the national panel,

but will now relinquish that job to focus full-time on selection duties.

Chappell has had two previous stints as a national selector, first from 1984 to 1988, shortly after his retirement as a player, and again from 2010 to 2011, before he took up the role of Cricket Australia’s national talent manager. Chappell will step aside from that position while he serves as an interim national selector.

“It is vital that Australian cricket finds the best candidate for this role,” Cricket Australia’s chairman David Peever said. “Trevor is highly experienced as a selector, and will ensure we place our best players on the field this summer while

we seek a permanent replacement for Rod. “Greg has been instrumental in restructuring our youth pathway programme, driving the National Performance Squad, the introduction of a CA XI squad in the domestic one-day cup and creating clear pathways for talented youth in Australian cricket to aspire to wear the baggy green. His in-depth knowledge of up-andcoming talent in the Australian system will be invaluable.’’

The board will now begin a search for permanent national selectors, with no deadline having been set. Marsh’s tenure was originally to have ended in June next year (ESPN Cricinfo).

Greg Chappell has joined Australia’s selection panel on an interim basis.

Chattergoon, Baldeo spearhead ACC to double wins

Chattergoon, Baldeo spearhead ACC to double wins TWO solid half-centuries from former West Indies opener Sewnarine Chattergoon and a five-wicket haul from Balchand Baldeo spearheaded Albion Cricket Club (ACC) to contrasting wins over Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets and Port Mourant when play in the TENELEC Inc. 50-over cricket continued last weekend in Berbice.

At Area ‘H’ on Saturday, the hosts won the toss and inserted Albion to bat first.

They reached a respectable

191-9 in 44 overs. Chattergoon scored a crucial 62.

He got support from Sharaz Ramcharran, 45. Bowling for RHT Gizmos and Gadgets, Clinton Pestano took 2-30 off 7 overs.

In reply, the hosts were bowled out for a disappointing 114 runs in 27 overs to lose by 77 runs. Pestano topscored with 45. He got little support from Royston Crandon with 20. Off-spinner Balchand Baldeo spun web around the batsmen, taking 5-25 off 7 overs.

Over at Port Mourant ground on Sunday, Albion

batted first and again had a poor start before recovering

Sewnarine Chattergoon to make 208-9 off their allotted 50 overs.

Chattergoon once again led the recovery with a pa-

tient 65, with six fours and a six. He got support from David Latchaya 35, Veerapen Permaul 32 and Ramcharran 23. Bowling for the hosts, national middle-order batsman Chanderpaul Hemraj took 2-15, Dimitri Cameron 2-21 and Kellon Carmichael 2-48.

In reply, Port Mourant struggled throughout their innings and were eventually bowled out for 150 to lose by 58 runs. Samuel Kistasammy top-scored with a fighting 50. Bowling for ACC, the consistent Baldeo took 2-19, and Latchaya 2-34.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 17, 2016

Daniels, Bright, and Peters medal

at SA Youth Championships

WITH two silver and a bronze medals, Linden’s Daniel Williams prevailed as the most successful athlete of the four who represented Guyana at the South American Youth Championships in Concordia, Argentina, last weekend, where Tyrell Peters and CARIFTA Games bronze medallist Chantoba Bright also medalled.

Despite battling the challenge of coping with the constantly fluctuating temperature of Argentina’s climate and tough competition from the Brazil team, the Guyana team managed to perform remarkably well, with Bright finishing third in the Girls’ long jump and Peters also earning a bronze.

The three medals allowed Williams to take up podium position in all of his events, namely the Boys’ 200m, 400m and high jump.

In the 200m Williams clocked 22.11 seconds for the bronze, unable to beat Brazil’s Moraes Vinicius (21.41s) and Junior Cleverson (21.93s).

Only Brazil’s Da Silva

Bruno’s 48.12 seconds finish was better than the 48.57 seconds Daniel clocked in the 400m. In the high jump Daniel cleared 2 metres, ending behind Chile’s Francisco Moraga who also had

2 metres.

In spite of gaining medals, some of the athletes were not altogether happy with their performances, which they said were severely affected by the climate conditions.

The team on their arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport last Tuesday morning, from left, are Team manager Mayfield Taylor-Trim, coach Johnny Gravesande, Chantoba Bright, Kenisha Phillips, Tyrell Peters, Daniel Williams, AAG Council member Yvonne October, and AAG president Aubrey Hutson.

“It was hard to get warm, you weren’t sweating, you would be warming up, warming up but you weren’t sweating you were just getting tired. And as soon as I took off my sweater to go jump I got cold right away,” said Bright, on her return to Guyana last Tuesday morning.

Bright took a best leap of 5.96m for her bronze. This was an improvement of the 5.77m she performed last month at the Inter-Guiana Games, but still below her target of keeping her jumps above 6m which she had been clearing earlier this year.

The event was won by Columbia’s Andrea Quinto with a jump of 6.13 metres.

In the triple jump Bright finished fourth with 12.29m, in an event where the win again went to Columbia, this time through Marcela Cuesta who leaped 13.20m.

Tyrell Peters was in the

100m and 200m, managing to grab silver in the 100m after a 10.68 seconds run in the final, bettering the 10.87 seconds he had in the heats. However, he ended fifth in the 200m off a time of 22.47 seconds.

“I wasn’t satisfied with my timings because my personal best is 21.40 (seconds) and I ran 22.47 (seconds), so I’m not proud of that performance. But the climate was real bad, because it was like hot at one point and then really cold at other points, we had to just constantly adjust to whatever we had,” Peters told Chronicle Sport.

Battling illness, compounded by the climate, sprinter Kenisha Phillips was the only athlete who was unable to medal. Phillips was in the Girls’ 100m and 200m; finishing fifth in the 100m final in 12.13 seconds and fourth in the 200m with 25.12 seconds.

Soca Warriors suffer second straight loss in five days County champs Kent to SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras, (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors suffered their second defeat in five days when they went down 3-1 to Honduras in their second game of the CONCACAF final round 2018 World Cup qualifiers here Tuesday night.

The visitors conceded first half goals through Romell Quioto in the 16th minute and Emilio Izaguirre in the 19th to be down 2-0 at the break, before pulling one back seven minutes following the interval courtesy of Carlyle Mitchell.

However, any hopes of a comeback were squashed when Eddie Hernandez net-

Carlisle Mitchell ted in the 81st minute.

The defeat comes on the backs of last Friday’s 2-0 loss to Costa Rica at home and left the Trinidadians one form bottom of the six-nation group without a point.

“We gave up two early goals and allowed them to get on top of us. I thought both goals were preventable,” head coach Stephen Hart said.

“If I remember correctly, for one of the goals

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday November 17, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) &

AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1)

Tony Howard & Rangie Nanan

(2)

78 (vs AUST, The Oval, 1975)

Today’s Quiz:

(1)

What are the best match figures by a WI in Tests?

(2)

Clive Lloyd struck one century in ODI cricket. Where and when?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

we were just physically manhandled. I am not pleased with the level of commitment. Maybe it’s the level of fitness, I would have to see the game again but we are not closing up space quick enough in the transition and getting back into our defending shape after we attack.

“When we do attack, we’re leaving people in isolation so our filling of space both defensively and offensively, we have to put way more physical effort.”

T&T fell behind when goalkeeper Marvin Phillips, a fifth minute replacement for Jan-Michael Williams, failed to keep out Quioto’s shot from just outside the box.

Three minutes later, Phillips found himself beaten again this time th rou gh I zagu irre’s left-footed volley.

The visitors hauled themselves back into the contest through Mitchell’s corner in the 52nd but T&T could not find the second goal to pull level.

There was disappointment for them nine minutes from time when substitute Hernandez, who had earlier struck the crossbar with a header, put the cap on the performance with a clinical close range finish.

play Regional Super50

ENGLISH country cricket team Kent has been confirmed to take part in the 2017 West Indies Regional Super 50-over competition.

The fourth edition of the tournament, which will get under way in January, will see the English team drawn in Group A where they will face Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, West Indies Under-19s and Windward Islands Volcanoes Kent chief executive

James Clifford Jamie Clifford said the seven-times county champions looked forward to experience of playing in the Caribbean.

“It is a huge honour. It will be the perfect opportunity to play competitive off-season cricket and good overseas experience for the players,” Clifford said.

“We look forward to helping make the competition a big success and introducing the Spitfires to cricket supporters in the Caribbean.”

West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Operations Manager Roland Holder believes facing the Englishmen will also provide a unique opportunity for the regional teams.

“Regional players will have an opportunity to test their skills against their contemporaries from another region. We anticipate keen contests with our Franchise Teams. We are pleased to welcome them,” Holder said.

The tournament will precede a three-match ODI series against England scheduled for March.(Sportsmax.com)

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 17, 2016

Windies Women whitewashed by India V I J AYAWA D A , I n d i a ( C M C ) – We s t I n d i e s Women were left sweating on automatic qualification for next year’s ICC 50-overs World Cup in England, after crashing to a 15-run defeat to India Women in their must-win final One-Day International of the three-match series here yesterday.

Set 200 for victory at the

their last six wickets for just 18 runs to fall apart down the stretch.

Kycia Knight struck form with a top score of 55 and teenage opener Hayley Matthews stroked a breezy 44 from 53 deliveries. But of the remaining specialist batsmen, only former captain Merissa Aguilleira with 22 managed to pass 20, as the Windies Women’s bat-

pionship points required to seal a top-four position in the standings and gain automatic World Cup qualification.

They lie fourth on 22 points but can be overtaken

Kycia Knight

Veda Krishnamurthy strikes her second fifty in the three-match series.

Mulapadu Cricket Stadium, the Caribbean girls were dismissed for 184 at the start of the final over, to concede the series 3-0 and further endanger their chances of an automatic berth at the ODI showpiece.

They appeared on course at 166 for four in the 45th over but shockingly lost

ting let them down yet again.

Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad was the main bowler for the hosts with four for 34, and was especially instrumental at the death taking three of the six wickets to tumble.

The defeat was the Windies Women’s last chance to secure the two ICC Cham-

By Rajiv Bisnauth

“Definitely we need to improve our fielding.

We put down a few simple

by either by India Women who are fifth with 19 points with three games left to play, or by South Africa Women who are sixth on 17 points also with three games remaining.

They were definitely in the hunt early on when they reduced India Women to 52 for three in the 21st over but Veda Krishnamurthy turned it around for the hosts with a brilliant 71 off 79 balls.

She stroked ten fours and anchored two half-century stands which all but deflated the Windies women. First, Krishnamurthy put on 51 for the fourth wicket with Harmanpreet Kaur who made 19 and then added a further 57 for the fifth wicket with

Devika Vaidya who hit an unbeaten 32 from 45 balls.

Even when she perished in the 45th over becoming the second of Chedean Nation’s two wickets, Vaida and Jhulan Goswami (18 not out) dished out more torment in a 39-run, sixth-wicket partnership off just 24 balls.

West Indies Women then got a great start from Matthews who inspired a 49-run opening partnership with Shaquana Quintyne who made 18.

The right-hander, who faced 53 balls and counted nine fours, put on another 20 for the second wicket with Knight before she was second out, lbw to Gayakwad in the 19th over.

Knight put on 27 for the third wicket with captain Stafanie Taylor whose run of poor form continued when she was dismissed for 14.

And when Deandra Dottin followed soon afterwards for 14 at 120 for four the Windies were stuttering but Knight and Aguilleira combined in a 46-run, fifth-wicket partnership to raise the visitors’ hopes.

Knight faced 94 balls and struck five fours while Aguilleira produced a cameo which included three fours and a six off 26 deliveries.

The momentum seemed to lie with the Windies Women with 34 runs required from 33 balls but Aguilleira’s run-out in the 45th over, triggered the sharp decline.

SCORE BOARD INDIA WOMEN innings D. Sharma c Fletcher b Mohammed 23 S. Mandhana c Taylor b Dottin 5 M. Raj c Mohammed b Nation 15 H. Kaur lbw b Taylor 19 V. Krishnamurthy b Nation 71 D. Vaidya not out 32 J. Goswami b Selman 18 S. Verma not out 4 Extras: (b-5, w-6, nb-1) 12 Total: (6 wkts, 50 overs) 199 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-36, 3-52, 4-103, 5-160, 6-189.

Bowling: Selman 10-2-39-1, Dottin 9-0-43-1 (w-4), Nation 7-2-21-2 (w-1), Mohammed 8-0-27-1, Fletcher 4-0-18-0, Matthews 8-0-36-0, Taylor 4-0-10-1.

WEST INDIES WOMEN innings H. Matthews lbw b Gayakwad 44 S. Quintyne lbw b Sharma 18 Kycia Knight b Gayakwad 55 S. Taylor c wkp. Verma b Kaur 14 D. Dottin c Goswami b Vaidya 14 M. Aguilleira run-out 22 B. Cooper b Gayakwad 2 C. Nation run-out 5 A. Fletcher run-out 2 A. Mohammed b Gayakwad 3 S. Selman not out 0 Extras: (b-1, w-4) 5 Total: (all out, 49.1 overs) 184 Fall of wickets: 1-49, 2-69, 3-96, 4-120, 5-166, 6-173, 7-174, 8-179, 9-183.

Bowling: Goswami 7-1-38-0, Parida 5-1-14-0 (w-1), Bisht 10-2-34-0, Deepti Sharma 9.1-0-27-1, Gayakwad 10-1-34-4 (w-1), Kaur 4-0-16-1 (w-1), Vaidya 4-0-20-1 (w-1).

ICC Championship points: India Women 2, West Indies Women 0.

Crandon urges fielding improvement ahead of Leeward Hurricanes clash DESPITE the ideal start, head coach of the Guyana Jaguars, Esaun Crandon has urged his side to improve their fielding ahead of round two of the Regional Four-Day Championship against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes from November 18 to 21 at Warner Park.

The defending champions whipped the Jamaica Scorpions by 181 runs in the opening round on Monday at the Guyana National Stadium, but Crandon warned his team that they needed to improve in order to be that competitive force as the tournament progresses.

Esaun Crandon chances in the latter part of the second innings, and if we are to be competitive we need to improve in that area.

Crandon added, “It’s an ideal start for us, our

batters did well in both innings. They put us in a good position from the start. I think the bowlers did well, especially our spinners, (Veerasammy) Permaul and (Gudakesh) Motie, they bowled well in tandem, but having said that, I think (Eon) Hooper and the pacers (Keon) Joseph and (Raymon) Reifer also bowled well.”

Batting wise, the former Guyana fast bowler urged his batsmen to aim for the three-figure digit.

Four batsmen scored half-centuries, veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul (91), Rajendra Chandrika (86), Vishaul Singh (71) and Leon Johnson (69).

Meanwhile, the senior selectors, led by former Guyana fast bowler, Rayon Griffith, has made one

Romario Shepherd change for the two overseas games.

Hooper, the off-spinner, who went wicket-less in the first round has been re-

placed by fast bowler Romario Shepherd. Hooper had replaced Devendra Bishoo who was called up for West Indies Tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

On the other hand, Shepherd is yet to play first-class cricket, but represented Guyana in one List A game earlier this year.

The win on Monday was the 18th time the Guyanese have gone undefeated since the 2013/2014 season.

The Guyanese have earned 17.8 points from the opening round. They will move to the Darren Sammy Cricket ground to face the Windward Islands Volcanoes in round three

from November 25 to 28 before returning home to challenge Barbados Pride in a day/night encounter and T&T Red Force.

The full squad reads: Rajendra Chandrika, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shimron Hetmyer, Leon Johnson (captain), Vishaul Singh (vice-captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Veerasammy Permaul, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Keon Joseph and Christopher Barnwell.

The officials are Esaun Crandon (coach), Rayon Griffith (assistant coach/ manager) and Ernesto Campo Gonzalez (physiotherapist).

Windies Women whitewashed

by India GFF unveils plans for ‘Grassroots’ Festival … to kick start programme in Golden Grove P.27

Debutants deliver as Windies win

P.22

Man-of-the-Match Jason Holder leads West Indies off the field after their 62-run win in Harare. (AFP photo)

By Ras Wadada TECHNICAL Director (TD) of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Ian Greenwood yesterday explained to the Media the Federation’s plans to kick start a ‘Grassroots’ Festival, designed for fiveto twelve-year-old boys and girls.

The Festival is scheduled to start at the end of January next year, but Greenwood stated over the next four weeks trial Festivals will be held in the different member associations (MA) of the GFF. “Over the next four weeks we are going to have one ‘Grassroots’ programme in each of the nine associations. Each Festival will be the start of a long-term ‘Grassroots’ plan which will kick off at the end of January next year, so the idea of the Festival this weekend is to really design a nice programme for a brand new number of kids between 5 and 12 years old.

“What really we want to do at the GFF is to get a brand new group of players into the football fraternity. The idea of the Festival is to try and bring out as many new boys and girls as possible.”

“What we hope to do as well is to get as many parents, aunties, uncles, relatives and friends to come on board, so the main idea of the Festival is to get as many new persons involved as possible”, the TD stated.

“The programme is really to promote ‘Grassroots’ football in Guyana because at the moment it is one of the key areas, as a Nation, we struggle with, in terms of the structure and the number of young boys and girls playing,” Greenwood declared.

The first Festival will be held at Golden Grove on the East Coast this Saturday be-

GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood

tween 10:00hrs and 14:00hrs and this will be the official times for all the Festivals to be staged in the various MAs. “We will first have an introduction to the programme for all the kids together with the parents, relatives and friends. After that the kids will be given different activities throughout the day. We’ll be working on fundamental warm-ups, dribbling techniques, passing techniques, lots of fun football games, lots of 3v3, 4v4 and 5v5 activities. It’s going to be a real introduction to lots of new boys and girls in terms of football,” the Englishman told the Media.

A coaching staff from the GFF, headed by the TD, will assist the MAs in running the Turn to page 22 ►

Some of the St Angela’s students practising ahead of their game on Sunday. (Photo by Adrian Narine) 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

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2016