Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 19 04 2017

Former Minister Frank Hope dies Page 3

No. 104887

WEDNESDAY APRIL 19, 2017

Price: $80

Shake-up at Gold Board (VAT Inclusive)

–– GM, deputy and compliance officer to be sent on leave

Page 4

Ms Lisa Ramotar

Buxton family donates hampers to children

Page 2

This little boy holds on to his hamper as First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger interacts with him (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

Jonas declines GECOM nomination Page 9

–– Jagdeo says list down to seven, still to consult

Mining Four killed in concerns separate incidents Pages 10,13, 17&18

Page 3

–– Gov’t launches probe into reports of pollution of Mazaruni River

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

Buxton family donates hampers to children FIRST Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger on Tuesday joined the Battersfield family of Buxton to distribute over 800 toiletry hampers to children from six schools in and near the community, at

the Arundel Congregational Church.

The family, which is well-known in Buxton, said that they invited the First Lady to participate in the exercise because they are

Some of the youngest recipients of hampers at Tuesday’s donation exercise at the Arundel Congregational Church. First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger is pictured in the back row, centre inspired by her commitment to providing educational and other opportunities for Guyanese.

In her remarks, the First Lady commended the family, many of whom now reside in the United States, for contributing to the community. “I think it is a beautiful way for the Battersfield family to introduce this tradition. I don’t call it giving back. I call it giving forward because they are using the resources that they have been blessed with,” Mrs. Granger said.

The First Lady also applauded other persons from the community, who continue to contribute to enhancing the lives of its residents, such as Ms. Joycelyn Wilson, who facilitated her participation in today’s activity. “People

go away and they come back.

It’s as if there’s something calling them back to do something for their community…

You have examples like Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, you have the Battersfield family, you have other families, who live in the villages… and give forward to the children of the community,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Carol Battersfield said that her family was pleased that the First Lady agreed to participate in the exercise as “she has brought a change to our country with her desire to put her people first”. Thirty-five members from three generations of the Battersfield family travelled to Guyana to host the outreach exercise. The children, who received the hampers were drawn from the

Friendship Nursery School, Company Road Nursery School, Hendon Nursery School, Friendship Primary School and Company Road Primary and Buxton Primary Schools. This is the second year that the family is hosting the outreach exercise and they expressed the intention to make it an annual event.

In an invited comment, Ms. Marcia Auguste of Buxton, whose son received a hamper, said that she was particularly pleased that the First Lady took the time to meet and interact with the children. “I think it is a privilege to have First Lady here because most times we get the President when it is Christmas and Easter… [but] having the First Lady here is a privilege. Most children don’t really know her and never meet her [so] this is very good,” she said.

Ms. Patronella Blair of Friendship, whose two children received hampers, said that she is happy that the Battersfield family thought of this initiative, as it will help to reduce her expenses when preparing them for the new school term. “It is very nice that the Battersfield family could give back to our community and to the children and it is very appreciated by me, also other parents. I would like everyone to know it is… accepted… it is very helpful,” she said. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Some members of the Battersfield family, who participated in the donation exercise. First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger is pictured at centre.

3

Mining concerns

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

– Gov’t launches probe into reports of pollution of Mazaruni River

NATURAL Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has instructed a team to launch an investigation into the claims made by the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) that there is environmental degradation in Puruni and Mazaruni, due to gold-mining activities.

The team, comprising officers of the Guyana Geology and Miles Commission (GGMC) and the Ministry’s Compliance Division, will be dispatched into the affected areas in Puruni and Mazaruni in a matter of days with a view to ascertain accuracy of the reports. Once found to be true, the Natural Resources Ministry, in a statement on Tuesday, said corrective measures will be put in place.

“As part of its 2017 programme, the ministry has made the issue of compliance in all natural resources operations a high priority.

Our Compliance Division, created in 2016, is now being staffed. This notwithstanding, the Compliance Division has already been integral in a number of recent compliance enforcement campaigns in collaboration with the GGMC,

which has resulted in the shutting down of a number of mining operations, including river mining, due to environmental infringements,” the Natural Resources Ministry explained.

Additionally, the ministry’s Compliance Division has been mandated to work with other relevant stakeholders and agencies on a rapid assessment of the situation in order to formulate long-term remedial policy adjustments.

At the inception meeting of the new Board of Directors of the GGMC last Thursday, Minister Trotman called on members of the board to focus on environmental management.

“Government recognises that mining has been for decades, and will continue to be, one of the mainstays of our economy and will not shirk its responsibility to ensure that it is done in a manner that respects the environment. As a nation, our efforts have not been as effective; especially in the area where mining effluent from both within Venezuela and Guyana combine to affect our rivers,” the ministry posited.

It said too that it is appreciative of the vigilance of agencies such as the

GHRA, even as it recommits itself to uphold its Mission Statement: ‘To develop, implement and oversee policies for the responsible exploration, development and utilisation of natural resources whilst ensuring the protection and conservation of the environment and advancing the green economy.”

The investigation comes days after the GHRA called for a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the impact of mining in the Akawaio communities, Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven.

In a statement last week, GHRA contended that large stretches of the Upper Mazaruni between Jawalla and Imbaimadai, are in danger of becoming unnavigable during the current dry season even by canoe, much less outboard engines.

According to the Human Rights Association, this is as a result of reckless and illegal dumping of tailings along the banks of the river. Mining on this stretch of the Mazaruni River directly and on the banks of rivers inland to a distance of 30 metres, although illegal operations, continue to flourish.

“Experienced Amerin-

dian boat-pilots who have traversed the river for decades now have to seek the assistance of miners familiar with the river to navigate the shoals, submerged sandbanks and reefs created by tailings.

“Incredibly, in the present dry season, a person can now wade across sections of the Upper Mazaruni River, something which will become commonplace if mining is allowed to continue unhindered. Indigenous communities living along the Mazaruni can no longer eat fish from the river, even without the deterrent of mercury poisoning,” GHRA stated.

It added: “Progress in the communities is visible in many forms – health, education, physical infra-structure, better communications and availability of a range of household goods. All of this progress will, however, count for little if access to potable water is eliminated, or expensive clarification and purification techniques are required for access to safe water.

It said availability of fresh water, currently more valuable than oil, is rapidly diminishing on a global scale.

With 23 per cent of

Former Minister Frank Hope dies FORMER Minister of Government, US-based Guyanese Franklin Eleazer Hope, 92, passed away peacefully at his home in Maryland USA on the 13th April 2017, family members have confirmed.

In keeping with his wishes, his body was cremated and will be remembered in a private memorial. Born in Buxton where he grew up and had his formative years, attended Teachers Training College, eventually achieving the position of Deputy Head Master. He left the teaching profession to pursue studies

Former Minister of Finance and Trade, Franklin Eleazer Hope

in economics (UK) and statistics (USA). On returning to Guyana, joined the staff at the Bureau of Statistics where he subsequently attained the position of Chief Statistician.

He was appointed Secretary to Treasury in 1970 and Minister of Finance and Trade in 1972. He remained a member of the cabinet until 1983 when he resigned from his Ministerial position to take up an appointment with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Washington DC. He had returned to Guy-

ana in 1991 as a representative of the World Bank, to head the implementation of the Economic Recovery Program (ERP) during the President Desmond Hoyte administration. In retirement, he spent lots of time gardening and sitting in his favourite leather reclining chair, watching CNN, family members said. His interest in economic and political events around the world never ceased.

He is survived by his wife, children, daughters-in law, sons-in law, grand children, a great-grandson and his brother.

the world’s fresh water originating in the Guyana Shield, pollution on the current scale starts to have global implications, the human rights body said.

The GHRA said the threat of river pollution to Guyana’s fledgling eco-tourism industry could be terminal.

“Swimming on the western side of the Essequibo, where most eco-lodges are located, is in jeopardy along with sports, fishing, yacht harbours and even bird-watching,” the human rights body said.

It said the strength of the mining lobby in Guyana is formidable, exemplified in former President Ramotar being forced within a month to rescind a temporary ban on new river mining due to a clamour from the industry.

The GHRA also noted that while individual Amerindians might be found who will justify river mining, the Village Councils and communities oppose it.

“As their only source of ready income, many Amerindians work on the dredges and mining sites as labourers owned by coastlanders, but have no authority over whether river-mining should be taking place

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman or not. Similarly,mining and the condition in which it takes place on community lands is a separate problem from river-mining,” the GRHA said Guyana recently ratified the UN Convention on Climate Change, which calls for a transformative approach to life as a whole, fundamentally challenging the morality of markets as the dominant mechanism for progress.

A green economy implies transformation on an ambitious scale, requiring new governance structures appropriate to the challenge, the GHRA said.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Shake-up at Gold Board

-GM, deputy and compliance officer to be sent on leave THE Ministry of Natural Resources is expected this week to send on administrative leave three top officials of the Guyana Gold Board as part of an ongoing investigation into the operations of that entity.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the General Manager, Lisaveta Ramotar, daughter of former President Donald Ramotar, her deputy and the compliance officer will all be sent on leave this week. This is as a result of alleged discrepancies unearthed at the ministry and the officers would be required to be off the job to facilitate a full-scale probe.

The Gold Board is also to conduct an investigation stemming from the alleged bank fraud against licensed gold dealer Saddiqi Rafeek Mohamed Rasul and the reported links with personnel at the office. Earlier this month, the Ministry of Natural Resources had said it noted the media reports regarding the charges against Rasul and the alleged links with personnel at the Guyana Gold Board. As a consequence of these reports,

the ministry said it will maintain its vigilance over the operations of the Board and will task the incoming directors with the immediate task of probing this and related matters as to whether anyone from the agency acted improperly or outside of their mandate in conducting business with the said licensed gold dealer.

“We have also requested the Guyana Police Force to provide additional information and clarification with a view to aiding the investigation,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that it is committed to transparency and accountability within the natural resources sector and will be fully engaged with the authorities in addressing any matter of impropriety in the sector, and in particular, to ensure that the Guyana Gold Board is a credible and reliable institution of State.

Rasul appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates Court two weeks ago charged with six counts of obtaining money by false pretence. Rasul, who owns SSS Minerals Trading Enterprise, appeared before Chief

Magistrate, Ann McLennan and pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that he is involved in a $956M fraud at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI).

Magistrate McLennan ruled against the objections of the prosecutor and released the 34-year-old businessman on $3M bail. The charges alleged that between March 21 and 22, 2017 at Bartica, with intent to defraud, he obtained the sum of $290M, $298M, $138M, $45M, $89M and $96M from the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) by falsely pretending he had cash in his account at Citizens Bank to honour the cheques he encashed.

His lawyer, Sandil Kissoon, explained to the court that his client is being criminalised for the negligence of GBTI, which decided to pay the money without verifying the standard balance of Rasul’s Citizen’s Bank account.

In Kissoon’s application for bail, he explained that his client does not pose a flight risk, since he is a prominent businessman in Bartica, who owns several dredges,

mining claims and lots.

Police Prosecutor Alvin Moore strongly opposed bail, on the ground that the accused is under investigation for similar offences. According to the prosecutor, the police will soon issue a wanted bulletin for a female manager at GBTI. Prosecutor Moore said that the manager did not follow protocols laid out by the bank when paying out the money.

Bail was granted and the case was transferred to the Bartica Magistrates Court for April 21, 2017. According to officials, Citizens Bank over two weeks ago closed the accounts of Rasul, after noticing several suspicious transactions in his accounts. At the GBTI Bartica branch, cheques drawn on Citizens Bank and totalling over $900M were deposited to Rasul’s accounts. It is protocol that banks would normally hold other banks’ cheques until they are cleared, before making payments against them. However, it appears as though this procedure was not followed by GBTI officials.

Ms Lisa Ramotar was last month questioned by SOCU as part of the Pradoville2 case

Wednesday, April 19th, 2017 - 11:00 hrs Thursday, April 20th, 2017 -12:00 hrs Friday, April 21st 2017 - 13:30 hrs

DATE: DATE: 26/11/2016 15/04/2017 26/11/2016 18/04/2017

03 14 21 19 26 05 02 02 12 07 18 23 27 N B 11

06 06 13 12

14 15

21 19

24 23

26/11/2016 18/04/2017

04 07

07 01

03 05

26/11/2016 18/04/2017

05 04

04 02

01 04

26/11/2016 18/04/2017 02 01

09 03

10 04

11 06 13 09 14 10

18 11

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Venezuela slams nations for ‘meddling’ over protest call

[BBC] - Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez has criticised as “rude meddling” a joint communique by 11 Latin American countries calling on Venezuela’s government to “guarantee the right to peaceful protest”.

The 11 countries also condemned the death of six people in anti-government marches this month. The opposition is planning a mass protest for Wednesday. The government has called on its supporters to hold rival marches.

Venezuela is deeply divided between those who support the government of the socialist President Nicolas Maduro and those who blame him for the country’s economic crisis and want him gone from power.

There has been a series of anti-government protests in the capital, Caracas, and other major cities, as well as marches by government supporters.

In their joint statement, the governments of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay rejected the violence, which led to the deaths of

Opposition politicians have called for mass anti-government protests for Wednesday

six people during the recent demonstrations.

They called on President Maduro “to prevent any violence against protesters” and also called on opposition groups “to exercise their right to demonstrate responsibly so that the day remains peaceful with people expressing themselves calmly”.

The Latin American countries also called on the Venezuela government to quickly set dates for elections to be held “to solve the grave crisis which Venezuela is experiencing and which worries the region”. Regional elections originally due to be held in

December 2016 were postponed by the electoral council to 2017, but a date has not yet been set.

Municipal elections are also due to be held in 2017.

Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez labelled the communique as “rude interference”.

She also wrote that “these governments misuse international law to back interventionism in Venezuela to attempt to govern the country from abroad”. She ended a series of tweets by saying that “there is no imperialist force in this world which can defeat the sovereign people of Venezuela”.

Opposition Leader going after Bahamas PM’s job [Caribbean360] - The leader of the Bahamas’ main opposition Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr Hubert Minnis is back in the public’s glare with a vengeance, declaring he’s ready to take Prime Minister Perry Christie’s job.

On May 10, Bahamians will go to the polls to elect a new government. And Minnis, who was missing from Parliament for the past three months, has signalled he’s fired up and ready to go. In recent weeks, critics have accused Minnis of running from the press, but he told reporters last week that nothing could be further from truth and that he has been on a serious mission.

“I was not at Parliament because I was out campaigning.

The FNM and my focus is to take Perry Christie’s job. I want his job, my colleagues want the other ministers’ job. So we were not running from anyone; we were campaigning, preparing ourselves for election,” he said.

“He [Christie] says it’s a sprint. It’s a sprint for who? We have been moving continuously all along, it’s not a sprint for us.” Minnis, who was ousted as Opposition Leader by colleague Loretta Turner-Butler last December, suggested that Christie and the ruling Progres-

Dr Hubert Minnis

sive Labour Party (PLP) would be the ones “doing the sprinting to catch his party.”

However, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts has accused Dr Minnis of refusing to talk to the press and publicly debate Christie.

“It’s shocking and unbeliev-

able that the man who wants to be Prime Minister turns his back on the press. Minnis has also refused to debate the man he seeks to replace, Prime Minister Perry G Christie. Clearly, the Bahamian people will draw the correct conclusion – that Minnis is unprepared and not ready for the high office of Prime Minister,” he charged in a statement.

A defiant Minnis hit back, saying that Roberts cannot speak for the FNM and when the party is ready to engage in a debate, it would do so.

“When we’re ready it can be done – and on our terms not on Bradley Roberts’ terms. But we are focused now on removing Perry Christie and the PLP and Bradley Roberts so we don’t hear his voice ever again in this Bahamas,” he said.

Cop among 9 killed in road crashes in Jamaica [Jamaica Observer] – Nine people, including a policeman, lost their lives tragically over the Easter weekend in road crashes. The latest occurred on the Port Royal main road Monday about 6: 15 am when a man, who has been identified as Cecil Prawl, reportedly lost control of his car and crashed.

The dead policeman was identified as Constable Ramon Stephens, 33, of the Motorised Patrol Division. According to Vice Chairman of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) Dr Lucien Jones, “Based on preliminary reports it appears that excessive speeding is the cause for the road fatalities.”

But, despite the weekend tragedies, Dr Jones told the Jamaica Observer that the country has been seeing a monthly decline in fatal crashes.

“Since the start of the year we have had 100 fatalities, compared to 128 last year.

This represent a 22 per cent reduction in road deaths,” he said. “We started off the year pretty good, as 30 people died

in January, compared to 36 last year; 22 people died in February, compared to 33 last year; and in March 31 people died, compared to 38 last year,” Dr Jones added.

He said significantly fewer motorcyclists were being killed in road accidents, while noting that deaths from motorcycle have accounted for the majority of road accidents over past few years. Although the Easter holiday period has ended, Dr Jones said the carnival season is still on and as result urged motorists to be cautious on the road and

not to drive under the influence of alcohol and marijuana.

“The number one message is to be very careful and to keep within the speed limit,” he told the Observer.

In the meantime, he has urged motorcyclists and pillions riders to wear their helmets, and drivers to make use of their seat belt, not only in the front seat but also in the back seat. Pedestrians were also warned to be more aware on the road and to desist from listening from their earphones while walking.

6

Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Guyana’s tourism product OVER the last three days, a family of five whose teenage members had never set foot on Guyana’s soil decided to explore the land their parents kept harping so much about. The first-hand look at the country’s tourism potential almost pushed them over the edge (Kaieteur Falls).

According to the trio, it was a revelation. It was awesome.

The amazing topography and vast natural resources, the tropical rainforests replete with exotic flora and fauna, the wide expanse of rich, virgin territory – all served as a pleasant warning that the South American republic was set to become a major eco-tourism destination in the near future. And while tourism was still a relatively new industry, it was now one of the largest foreign exchange earners for the country, having made inroads into the Diasporic and traditional markets in North America and Europe.

As they zipped through a corridor of overhanging vegetation, they stared spellbound at a curious scene. A petite, bare-footed Amerindian girl sat in a canoe, blowing bubbles through a bamboo shoot. Between puffs, she sang “Oh Beautiful Guyana,” a national song that thanked nature for being so kind to a land blessed with abundant resources. The girl’s brother, sitting next to her, was fighting a global war with his hand-held electronic game.

The paradox of Old World – New World co-existence was not lost on the five of them. It brought home the fact that even as they were world-wide travellers they were unaware that such beauty and magnificence lay within easy reach and at little cost.

It didn’t take long for them to be completely overwhelmed and bowled over. Between arrival and departure, they were exposed to the beautiful and verdant Interior and a city proud of its historical landmarks.

They saw the majestic Kaieteur Falls for the first time and according to all five, they continue to see it in their mind’s eyes.

They fell in love with Baganara Island Resort. It aims ‘to bring your dream to life’…and it did. 187 acres of lush green foliage, table tennis and beach volleyball combined to provide much-needed exercise for them --- Brooklyn and Manhattan-based practitioners.

The Shanklands Rainforest Resort, nestled between the mighty Essequibo River and the unspoiled forest, awaited.

They opted for rustic accommodation that included a hammock and they slept the sleep of the innocent. At dawn, they watched parrots and macaws in a series of races that had no lanes, no officials and no finish lines. They followed the course of a jetliner, so tiny in the sky, vision unimpeded by high-risers or smog. The quiet was deafening. No telephones, no intrusions, no mosquitoes.

They left Guyana sated with knowledge, the desire to visit again and the resolve to get the word out that Guyana is the place to go for a vacation.

But while we must applaud the ebullience and bubbly enthusiasm pouring out of the relevant ministries and travel agencies, we must remind ourselves that the tourism road ahead is strewn with a myriad of obstacles and veritable landmines. From the time people land at the airports (Cheddi Jagan International and Ogle) up to when they’re waving goodbye, they are our responsibilities. We have to get our security up to scratch; there are not enough CCTV cameras all along the East Bank and East Coast roads to engender some feeling of safety. And we are painfully aware of the stick-ups by those ‘spotters’ and set-ups by family members.

Last year in preparation for our 50th anniversary of independence, tourism workers were trained and prepared for

all events – front office, house-keeping, food production, food and beverage services, travel consultants, and tour operators. Hotels, resorts and restaurants conducted seminars to prepare the workforce, especially with new genres like gastronomy and wine tourism becoming key components for experiencing the culture and lifestyle of any destination and a growing travel motivation.

We have to squeeze everything out of our vaunted eco-tourism market – typically defined as travel to destinations where the flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions and no damage is done to the environment. The authorities must also encourage a partnership with social media which can lead to huge advantages for advertising and marketing. Wedding tourism seems to be the fad these days. United States investigative heavyweights, National Geographic, USA Today and the Huffington Post, have already paid visits to our beautiful country. The ‘familiarisation tour’ was part of a drive to showcase the unique attraction of Guyana to the U.S. market.

And hopefully the rest of the world.

GAWU’s advice to the Wales workers is in keeping with TESPA

Dear Editor,

WE refer to a letter of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) which appeared in the April 13, 2017 edition of the Stabroek News under the hand of the company’s Senior Communications Officer, Ms Audreyanna Thomas.

The corporation’s officer again belabours the worn-out, and wrong argument that Wales Estate has not been closed. But we hasten to ask: hasn’t the cultivation of cane and the processing of sugar ended at Wales? Haven’t hundreds of workers been made redundant and are confronted with the prospect of an uncertain future? Haven’t many cane farmers, a large number with small, ancestral, peasant-type holdings, been forced out of business?

Hasn’t the corporation begun to cannibalize the Wales factory?

Certainly, if that isn’t closure, then GuySuCo and Ms Thomas may have redefined the word.

While our union, the workers and all Guyanese continually hear about Wales being the

launching pad for the corporation’s re-activation of its Other Crops Division (OCD), we ask the sugar company to advise us all how far have their ideas been implemented? As far as we are aware, nothing has been done and all we hear about are studies, feasibility assessments, etc. Undoubtedly, the corporation put the “cart before the horse” in closing Wales.

Ms Thomas makes reference to high production costs, but fails to tell us that a significant proportion, around 70 per cent, of the industry’s costs are fixed. An important element in addressing cost reduction is improved production which will lend to lower average fixed costs.

On the declining market prices, the corporation is well aware that refocusing its marketing within the CARICOM Region and non-traditional European buyers is a first step to securing improved prices. Moreover, establishing a refinery will absorb a large proportion of its sugar output and for which there is an assured lucrative market in the

Caribbean. The maximisation of the packaging capacity is also another area where profitability can be had. On the corporation’s debt, we see the quoted sum as a ‘red herring’ meant to deceive and mislead.

We share GuySuCo’s view about Uitvlugt and are supportive of measures and plans to improve production. But we ask when it is generally accepted that all estates are operating below their potentiality, why hasn’t the corporation advanced plans to have production in line with productivity as it seeks to do at Uitvlugt? On the labour issue at Uitvlugt, it is irksome for us that the corporation has refused funding for further mechanization at that estate to address the labour difficulties.

We take the corporation’s explanation, on this matter, with a pinch of salt.

Ms Thomas refers to the need to secure Uitvlugt “…to contribute to a buoyant economy in West Demerara communities.”

We share the view entirely, but

are at the same time confused. As it is, the same state-owned enterprise which closed Wales Estate located in West Demerara and is advancing plans to close East Demerara and Rose Hall Estates and to sell out Skeldon Estate.

Aren’t those workers, residents and communities deserving of similar treatment.

GAWU’s advice to the Wales workers is in keeping with the workers’ rights as outlined in the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act (TESPA). It would be unprincipled and callous for our union to knowingly countenance an illegality. And concerning the planters of East Demerara, the workers being given tasks when not planting are widely known and accepted. It is GuySuCo, which in spite of long-standing practices, that is compelling the planters to cut canes. It is disheartening for us to register, in both scenarios, that the corporation is seemingly re-introducing the wretched system of forced labour in the sugar industry.

While GuySuCo points to

the level of turnout by cane cutters at East Demerara Estates, it fails to see the absurdity in its statement. At this time, when jobs outside of sugar are limited, if not non-existent, the level of turnout should strike a chord.

The fact remains that willingness to work is influenced by rates of pay. Certainly, denial of pay raises and Annual Production Incentive (API) in recent times along with other machinations to reduce workers’ incomes will not lend to improved willingness to work. The workers and the union are willing to work to turn around the industry, but our enthusiasm and drive have been tempered by the anti-workers position and haughty and arrogant attitude being displayed by the corporation’s officers.

We reiterate, the majority of strikes are related to price disputes which arise when negotiations regarding additional payments for workers to undertake tasks in vine-infested, grassy and weedy fields breakdown. Such work stoppages are deemed legitimate by the agreement between

the parties. These stoppages could be avoided if the corporation approaches the matters more open-mindedly with a view to seek a resolution; oftentimes this is not the case. Moreover, high cane yields reduce the propensity of vines and other obstacles in the fields and in that way reducing demands for additional payments which in effect serves to reduce work stoppages. This is known by the corporation’s ‘best minds’.

The corporation in its submission to the Administration, and which was shared with us, points out that by 2020 it would become profitable. But at the same time, 9,000 workers directly would be jobless and the hopes, dreams and aspirations of thousands more would be shattered. We shudder to think of such treatment meted out to our working people. Is this the ‘Good Life’ the workers and their families were promised.

Regards Seepaul Narine General-Secretary GAWU

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Minister Harmon: A chrysalis within the new government

Dear Editor,

OFTENTIMES, we forget that with newness, a metamorphosis follows. Metamorphosis: a cycle that transforms a caterpillar into a butterfly. My obsession with butterflies travels way beneath the surface of its beauty into the depths of comparable morals. It is this system that lends itself to my description of our current government and more specifically, Member of Parliament and Minister of State, Mr Joseph Harmon.

Minister Harmon, in his transitional state, has been the subject of much inveterate scrutiny, but the smattering must not be viewed

as conclusive. I wish to hypothesise that the minister is currently like a chrysalis; this is the third cycle in the development of a butterfly. It is this stage that the delicate creature undergoes most of its transformation into the representation we most admire. Outwardly, Minister Harmon may approach many matters seemingly dormant or restful, but is in fact working diligently to establish beneficial and permanent change without avarice.

It is with this knowledge that I acknowledge Minister Harmon’s good work. Sometimes it is more difficult to see when you are standing close up -when you are scrutinising. Sometimes we give

praise that is worthy, but when it cannot be received.

With my lens-corrected, and long-distance vision, I can clearly see the minister’s strides toward a better Guyana, and consequently, extend heartfelt gratitude as a citizen, bid him congratulations, and task him with continuance (in my reluctance to compliment him when he cannot hear it). To Minister Harmon: although you are not yet a butterfly, I can see the colour of the wings you will produce. Again, keep up the good work.

Regards Simona T Broomes (Daughter of Minister Broomes)

Troubled by death of premature baby Dear Editor I AM troubled .When I recall the news of the death of a premature baby at the West Demerara Hospital, the circumstances surrounding the death, and the response, I am troubled. A premature baby is born, 25 weeks old .The child is born alive, but because the baby is not yet 28 weeks old, she is dismissed as a “non-viable foetus.” It is reported that the mother was asked: “Yuh want we dump it in the bin one time?” Dump a living , breathing child in the bin!? Is this what we have come to as a nation? Don’t lives matter anymore? I have read of cases of babies born prematurely that lived, that were so small that they could fit in the palm of one’s hand! The PRO in trying to explain away the callous behaviour of those involved, said “…it is the desire of every physician to save even the most premature of lives…” (KN Thursday, April 13,2017), but there is no evidence of this here!

The physician (if the report is accurate) was prepared to dump a living child in the garbage bin!! This child fought for life for hours… and was still alive when the mother visited the next day. I could understand if the child had died despite efforts to keep her alive, but this was not the case.

I call to mind many, many years ago, when a sister of mine gave birth to a premature baby of similar age. She

was put in an incubator and was doing well…until an unadvised member of staff took the baby out of the incubator to show her to a relative. Later that evening, when someone checked the baby, she had turned blue…She died. Could it be that our medical practitioners need to be advised that every child, even when chances of survival seem slim, MUST be given a fighting chance to live! And shouldn’t every hospital be equipped with incubators?

I heard the lofty explanation by the PRO, “ That when foetuses are considered non-viable, resuscitation attempts would not be offered”. I repeat...That child lived for hours…till the next day. That baby was not waiting to be ‘resuscitated’, but was begging for a kind hand and heart to help her to continue living…

According to the PRO, in the USA, “viability… occurs at 24 weeks with the chances of survival charted at 40 to 70 per cent. In Japan, viability stands at 22 weeks, with slightly higher chances of survival…” (Kaieteur News, Thursday April 13, 2017). Is it true that the West Demerara Hospital has no incubator and we are prepared to dump a living child in the garbage bin?

May God have mercy on us!

Could it be that the lack of the fear of God and the minimizing of the sanctity of life have unleashed wanton bloodshed on our dear land?

The rest of the mother’s story, as reported, seems to

be taken from the script of a horror movie. “ … a man… turn up the oxygen that the baby was on…We start seeing the smoke how it coming through the oxygen through she nose, but by the time we get the doctor that was the last of the baby.”(Stabroek News, Wed. April 5,2017).

Could someone explain this?

With whose authority did ‘this man’ turn up the oxygen. Was this a deliberate attempt to snuff out the child’s life?

In the book of Proverbs in the Holy Bible, a King is groomed for national leadership with this advice from a truly wise mother: “Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31: 8-9). This advice is not only for ‘kings,’ but for every God-fearing citizen.

Earlier in Proverbs ( Chap.

24:10-12) King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, counselled : “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say,” Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the heart consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?

And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?”

Regards Claudia Heywood

8

Bickering, brinkmanship and the hoarders of political power

INTERNAL political bickering and brinkmanship are not unique to Guyanese politics.

They exist everywhere.

Governments govern, oppositions oppose and oftentimes juvenile, infantile quibbling ensues. Whether fueled by ego, ambition or a preoccupation with attaining power, it is deleterious to the interest of the state and its people, while yielding to either an individual or the interests of a few entrenched elites.

What is not prevalent in other jurisdictions, as it is here, is the vicious, immobilizing perpetual political partisan-

ship. In other societies there are national issues and matters which are sacred, which transcend narrow political agendas and on which there is national consensus. Politicians are not allowed to tamper with these at their whim and fancy or to pursue sectarian interests. Recent advances considered, we are still to achieve this level of political maturity.

With the prospect of Guyana joining the ranks of oil producing states it is time for us, as a society, to fast-track our progress in this regard.

The people must not wait on the politicians but make it their own mission.

The status quo in Guyanese politics is that nothing is sacred, everything is fair game for politicians to exact their ounce of fat. And it is that which, as a society, we must collectively address. The recent incident-free protests against the implementation of parking meters and the application of Value Added Tax on private education tuition are positive developments, that, as a society, we are showing signs of political evolution. It is a process which must continue and which must be people, not politician, driven.

There can be no compromise that Guyana’s Sover-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

eign Wealth Fund, when it is established in the coming years, must be above the political fray, managed in the best interest of all of Guyana regardless of which party is in government. It is the people of Guyana who must demand this of their politicians on all sides.

NO HIJACKING The people of Guyana must demand too, that constitutional reform not be hijacked as a cheap political football to score pot shots and as a platform for intransigence, stonewalling and brinkmanship.

Insinuations by one political camp, that for the process to receive their commitment some persons across the fence must disengage and disappear is patently disingenuous. It constitutes an unmistakable, if desperate, attempt to hold the process to ransom.

Knowing that for success to be achieved it requires the input of all political stakeholders, it may even be an attempt to set up the derailment of the process before it even commences in earnest. This attitude also reeks of a lack of commitment to this sacred aspect of national life. Petty pre-conditions to engagement cannot be used as a tool to hold the constitutional reform process hostage. The people of Guyana must demand that the politicians, on all sides, act responsibly and with maturity.

There is a danger as well, that once we overcome this artificial hurdle of political childishness, the focus of constitutional reform can be misguided. The national discourse on constitutional reform has been dominated by the issue of curbing presidential powers.

There is the view that this singular obsession is unhelpful and counter-productive. Considered estimation by reasoned minds may very well provide the view that constitutional reform ought to focus on two principal areas: (i) Electoral reform (ii) Decentralization of power (versus a simplistic curbing of presidential powers) DISCOURSE While electoral reform has also occupied significant space in the national discourse it has been a secondary issue.

The danger in this is that it may lead to the fermenting of the notion that Guyana’s electoral process and systems, as is, are ideal and require little or no modifications.

The difficulty is that the average citizen, in any village, town or city ward in Guyana, does not now directly elect a representative to the National

Assembly. It leaves a void. For example, at election time, the people of South Georgetown or Tuschen or Onverwagt or Skeldon or Paramakatoi do not have two candidates from either of the two main political forces lobby them for their votes to be directly elected to the National Assembly.

Guyanese vote for a list of candidates and it is the political directorate of the top performing lists which decide who sit in the National Assembly.

Whether this, proportional representation system is the most ideal for our situation requires grassroot and expert review.

Critically, it is the decentralization of power, which will truly empower the average Guyanese citizen. The obsession with the seeming unilateral curbing of presidential powers can be as dangerous as it is defeatist. It can easily result in a simple transference of powers from the President to some other entity which is nothing more than a creature of the President, be it the Prime Minister, Vice Presidents, an executive committee or the Cabinet. In effect, the presidential powers can be easily trimmed but placed in an office or entity for which the President either presides over or decides or appoints the occupant(s).

The result can be elongated or complex presidential powers which effectively returns the situation to square one.

HOLDING OF LGE In less than a year of the Coalition Government having assumed office, it held Local Government Elections, a fundamental constitutional right of every citizen, which, for spurious reasons, was flagrantly denied the people for two decades.

The scheduled holding of LGE is a fundamental pillar of the decentralization of power from the executive. It allows the people, at their community level to decide who should be their leaders and to hold them directly accountable.

The government has moved to allow for greater independence of the ten administrative regions. It is the intention for each region to have its own flag and capital town. The regions have begun to exer-

cise greater independence, both in the planning and the execution of their budgetary programmes.

Micro-managing from the political centre is being eschewed. It is being shunned to the extent that it has been to the detriment of the Coalition Government, specifically with regard to the parking meter issue. Despite demands from the protestors for government to intervene in the affairs of the Mayor and City Council the government resisted in an effort to allow for the matter to be resolved at the level of the council. It was only after it became apparent that a local resolution was elusive that central government reluctantly acted for the greater good.

(To their credit the Movement Against Parking Meters, during their weekly protests, largely concentrated their focus on demanding that the M&CC act.)

There were others whose focus was trained on government. Those who flippantly demand that central government intervene in regional and municipal affairs as first recourse are set on a path fraught with dangers and must carefully consider the implications.

The decentralization of powers come with the responsibility to exercise such powers at the regional, municipal and community levels.

MICRO-MANAGING Guyana has a history of being plagued and stifled by executive micro-management and megalomania. We ought not consider it an option for Guyana to return to the days when every pothole or breached koker must occupy the attention of the head of state before they are fixed. Such a scenario renders ministers and the Cabinet powerless and irrelevant - mere puppets. It perpetuates that government is the president and the president is the government; that it is a one man show. It is the recipe for lifetime dictators and POLITICAL PHARAOHS to emerge.

The hoarding of power by one man must remain a relic of Guyana’s political history. It is the people who must collectively hold the weight of power, not the president or politicians. Those elected to political office must serve, not rule.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

Jonas declines GECOM nomination – Jagdeo says list down to seven, still to consult

OPPOSITION Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, said he is still to complete consultations on nominees for the post of chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), even as attorney-at-law Timothy Jonas, who was listed among eight persons, has withdrawn from the nomination process.

Jagdeo himself confirmed at a news conference on Tuesday that one of the eight persons he had shortlisted had dropped out. He declined to give the name of that person, but the Guyana Chronicle has been able to confirm that Jonas declined the nomination. “The process of consultation with persons is not yet completed, so it would be premature to deny or confirm whether those names will be submitted in the final list,” said Jagdeo at the news conference. He added that he still has to meet with some of the persons who have been listed but, so far, one person has declined the offer. Jagdeo said that a specific timeline for submission of the list was not set, because some of the persons who were approached indicated that they need time to decide.

The PPP General-Secretary however assured that the list will be completed and submitted to President David Granger within a week.

“If I can go through [the] process by the end of the week, then by Monday the names can be submitted to the President, but I don’t want to say that,” he said.

Last week,the Guyana Chronicle reported that two judges and a sitting member of the board of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) are reportedly on the shortlist of names which Jagdeo intends to send to

Attorney-at-law, Timothy Jonas President David Granger for the post of chair of the elections body. With Jonas now dropping out,the Guyana Chronicle understands that the list of persons which Jagdeo is expected to submit to President Granger includes: Retired Justices: Claudette Singh and B.S. Roy; former PPP Member of Parliament and GECOM commissioner, Bibi Shadick, Attorney Kashir Khan and environmentalist, Annette Arjoon-Martins.

Shadick, a former minister under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration, was sworn in as a GECOM commissioner in September 2015. Justice Claudette Singh, a legal luminary with 40 years of experience, was appointed Senior Counsel in January this year. She was called to the Bar in London in 1973 and admitted to the Bar in Guyana in 1976. Justice Singh served as the Deputy Solicitor-General and as a Puisne Judge and a Justice of Appeal. During her tenure at the Chambers of the Attorney General (AG), she spearheaded the Modernisa-

tion of the Justice Reform Project and is currently serving as the Guyana Police Force’s Legal Advisor.

In 2001, Justice Singh had famously pronounced over an election petition which declared the 1997 elections null and void. The judge made the declaration on the grounds that a requirement for voter identification was beyond the legal authority of the Constitution of Guyana. As such, the PPP’s five-year term in office was cut to four years.

Justice B.S. Roy has presided over the courts for a number of years. Recently, the Court of Appeal ruled that the presidential term limit was null and void. Justice Roy along with retired Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Carl Singh, upheld a previous ruling made by retired Chief Justice Ian Chang.

Jonas has been in the legal profession for over two decades. He served as President of the Guyana Bar Association from 2010 to 2012. After assuming office, the government appointed several state boards. Jonas was named Chairman of the Competition and Consumers’ Affairs Board.

Khan has also served the legal profession here for a number of years. He also served as President of the Guyana Bar Association. Arjoon-Martins, a qualified pilot and aviation manager, spent many years as a conservationist, mainly in the marine sector. In January, President Granger made it clear that he will choose someone who is fit to be a judge as the new chairperson of GECOM. During his weekly recording of ‘The Public Interest’, the President revealed that the Constitution is clear

on the required qualifications and it is obvious that what the drafters of the document had in mind was someone who had arrived at the position of a judge.

The President made the comments after he had deemed “unacceptable,” a list which the Opposition Leader submitted. Having had his first list rejected, Jagdeo then requested that the President explain what he interprets as “fit and proper” before a second

list could be submitted. The letter he (Jagdeo) received on March 16, 2017, detailed the “qualities that the candidate to be Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission should possess.”

As reported by this newspaper last month , Jagdeo noted that he had decided to return to and consult with civil society bodies which had participated in the December 2016 consultations with him. Late last month, he met with 55 representatives

of 33 civil society organisations.

The representatives included religious leaders; members of the private sector; trade unions, including the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG); Indigenous organisations, including the National Toshaos Council; the Indian Action Committee (IAC); and the Justice Institute.

10

Gold declaration on target … first-quarter returns at 163,000 ounces

MINISTER of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, during a recent presentation in Lethem on the works of his ministry, revealed that 163,000 ounces of gold has been declared for the first quarter of 2017. Minister Trotman said that the 2017 budget has set the target of 694,000 ounces of gold, but the ministry is aiming for 700,000 ounces.

Last year’s unprecedented declaration earned the country USD$730,915,229. The country recorded the highest gold declaration with 641,668 ounces, 16.6 percent above its target. Small and medium-scale miners accounted for 429,188 ounces, while Guyana Goldfields and Troy Resources, large gold-mining operations, contributed

145,236 ounces and 67,244 ounces respectively. The Guyana Gold Board recorded 451,490 ounces of gold in 2015, surpassing the 380,000 ounces target.

Meanwhile, Trotman said that more attention will be placed on the mining of rare earth minerals, particularly lithium, in the coming year.

“We’re looking to do a survey to get a better sense of what exactly we have,” Minister Trotman told the Government Information Agency (GINA) recently.

Last year, a permit was given to a Canadian company for prospecting for lithium, Minister Trotman highlighted.

“That company has started doing some drilling and has seen signs of lithium. I believe they are now in the process of

looking for financiers to go further,” the minister further explained.

The Canada-based company, Guyana Strategic Metals (GSM) Incorporated is operating in Region Seven, Minister Trotman said. GSM earlier this year signed an agreement with an Australian company, Greenpower Energy, to acquire interests in the exploration. In the coming months, Greenpower Energy is expected to carry out an airborne geophysical survey to focus on the follow-up work.

Lithium is said to be the lightest known metal and is commonly used to make rechargeable batteries such as those found in cellphones.

The metal was said to have been discovered some five years ago in Guyana.

(GINA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

North West resident shot dead by police SHAKA Bourne, a resident of Yarakita, North West District, Region One was shot dead by a police rank Tuesday morning, after he [Bourne] allegedly pointed a loaded firearm at the cop.

According to a police report, the incident occurred at approximately 07:45hrs at Yarakita Village. The police report noted that a Police Constable armed with a service revolver, responded to several reports against Bourne by members of the community.

“Shaka Bourne (deceased) on seeing the police rank, immediately drew a loaded unlicensed revolver, threatening to shoot the constable, who instinctively discharged a round from his service revolver hitting him in the head,” the police report noted.

He was disarmed and rushed to the Mabaruma Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body is presently at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

The unlicensed .38 revolver with five

live matching rounds, as well as the service weapon used by the policeman have been lodged. A thorough investigation into the incident has since been launched by Divisional Commander, Senior Superintendent Ravindradat Budhram.

Bourne’s mother, Debra Sandiford told this newspaper that she was told that her son was heading to the police station to clarify a matter pertaining to the mother of his child when a specific police rank, who had always had a problem with him, intercepted him on the way resulting in a confrontation during which he was killed.

“This specific policeman that shot him has always been behind the cases and may have had a problem, resulting in his erratic behaviour…I want to get my son down to Georgetown to bury him, because I don’t want his body to be left up there,” the mother of seven said. She said her son was a father of two and a speedboat operator.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

16 new housing schemes to get water,electricity IN a bid to offer prospective home-owners a package deal of sorts, the government will be throwing water and electricity into its new housing drive.

In the circumstances, 16 new housing schemes have been earmarked to have the relevant infrastructure for water and electricity in place at the very outset, Minister of State Joseph Harmon announced just last week.

Noting that unlike under the previous administration, when houses were handed over to citizens without the requisite services, Minister Harmon told the media that this time around, things will be done a little differently.

For starters, he said, the government will be procuring conductors for the Ministry of Communities so that areas can be divided into lots.

For Lot One, for instance, Dynamic Engineering will

provide the conductors at a cost of $84.5M, while the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) company will provide the items for Lot Two at a cost of $87.1M. He went on to explain that the conductors will be used to power housing schemes in six regions across the country, namely: Onderneeming, in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Lust-en-Rust and Zeelugt in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Farm, Covent Garden, Peters Hall, Eccles Industrial Park, Perseverance, Paradise, Enmore, Barnwell, and the Diamond commercial and industrial area, all in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Hope and Bultirock in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Kilkoy Chesney in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); and Bartica in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Minister Harmon recalled

that under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration, several housing developments were started whereby citizens were allocated house lots. Those persons were even encouraged to build, he said, “but then, there were no lights; and no water in some cases.”

In this new dispensation, however, those services will be contracted out. “These contracts have been awarded to ensure the installation of electrical transmission and distribution networks are done to these areas,” Minister Harmon said.

THE GOOD NEWS And the good news is, those persons who have built their homes and were unable to move in because of the unavailability of basic amenities will soon be able to do so.

In recent times, many

Gov’t looking to restrict importation of pinewood –– following complaints from logging associations THE Ministry of Natural Resources is looking to restrict the importation of pinewood as an incentive to the 14 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on the local logging industry.

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman told the Government Information Agency (GINA) recently that this move will also seek to reverse what he terms “dumping” of the foreign lumber in Guyana. “We find that there is some degree of dumping of this foreign lumber coming in.

It is crowding out local loggers. We have been receiving complaints from the logging bodies, associations and the producers,” Minister Trotman revealed.

The minister explained that he will be consulting with pinewood importers before the decision is finalised.

“We would want to ensure that what we do is in the best interest of Guyana, Guyanese and those who will rely on the forest for a livelihood,” Minister Trotman said.

The Natural Resources Minister clarified that the restriction is not a ban on pinewood. “We’re going to ensure that pinewood can’t be imported into Guyana, and be sold at a price that is

cheaper than locally produced timber,” Trotman explained.

Ensuring that value is added to the local logging industry has been a major focus of the Ministry of Natural Resources which has oversight responsibility of the forestry sector.

ment’s housing drive, which seeks to provide affordable condominiums and duplexes to prospective homeowners.

The ministry is also pushing the use of local logs and lesser used species of wood in infrastructural works car-

The ministry has also recognised the need to provide incentives to local loggers, some of whom are complaining about the 14 percent VAT that was introduced to the sector this year. Apart from the restriction of pinewood, the ministry has also guaranteed a market for local loggers with the govern-

ried out by the government as a means of guaranteeing incomes for local loggers.

“We believe that the incentives that we are offering, and the opportunities that we are offering, will cancel out what is seen as an oppressive 14 percent VAT,” the minister said.

home-owners have been heard complaining about the many shortcomings with the turn-key houses being built and offered during the PPP administration. These faults, in many cases, had to do with poor construction, poor roads, and the unavailability of such basic services as water, electricity, telephone lines, and, as of late, Internet access.

This new administration, however, has been working assiduously to remedy that situation by providing basic services when handing over homes built by the State.

The Ministry of Housing has now included new building types for citizens to include duplexes and town houses that would take up less space, and house more families with less financial impact on the State.

Intense construction is

taking place in one of the newer housing schemes, the one at Perseverance on the East Bank of Demerara, where a housing exposition is scheduled to be held shortly.

Perseverance is one of the housing schemes that saw many residents being without water. It has since been upgraded, and is to become a model housing scheme from which home applicants can choose when their time comes around to receive their properties from the government.

The installation of additional electricity poles was also recently concluded, Perseverance’s Project Manager Mr Kennard Dazzle told the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday.

“All that is needed now,” he said, “is for the connection to be made to the existing network,” since transformers,

power lines and other items are already in place.

Minister of Telecommunications, Ms Catherine Hughes, has also pledged to work on ensuring telephone access is among the basic services in upcoming housing developments.

She said that a Universal Service Fund has been made available in the Telecommunications Bill to help provide telecoms service in fairly new housing and remote areas, where a company might not want to venture due to poor investment returns.

Hughes said that the government wants to come up with at least some of the funds and work with private partners to ensure that every new housing scheme has Internet, telephone and other telecommunication services.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

Framework for ‘green’ pathway finalised –– strategy to become operational soon

GUYANA’S Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) is expected to become operationalised soon as the framework document for a ‘green’ pathway has been finalised.

The document, which is titled ‘Framework of the Guyana Green State Development Strategy and Financing Mechanisms “, lays out the elements to be examined and consulted upon during the course of developing the GSDS. The Department of Environment, under whose purview the GSDS falls, will pilot a massive Education and Awareness campaign over the next 12 to 18 months to raise awareness of the framework document while other governmental and non-governmental entities will also support the initiative. The campaign will ensure that consultations and engagements are informed and constructive.

The document represents a roadmap for developing Guyana along a reduced emissions pathway and builds on the successes of the Low Carbon Development Strate-

Director of the Department of Environment, Ndibi Schwiers gy (LCDS) and several other national documents such as the Nationally Determined Contributions, Climate Resilience Strategy Action Plan (CRSAP), Draft National Energy Policy, and National Adaptation Strategy for the Agricultural Sector (2009 -2018).

Central to the document’s success will be several major themes and these include structural transformation, sustainable management of

natural resources, transition towards renewable energy, resilient infrastructure and spatial development as well as human development and wellbeing. In addition, it will cover governance and institutional foundations as well as international cooperation, trade and investment.

The document was prepared by the Ministry of the Presidency with the technical and financial support of UN Environment, in close coordination with the UN Country Team, and based on an initial stakeholder consultation. The GSDS has been conceptualized to guide Guyana’s economic and sociocultural development over the next 15 years. It presents government’s principal foundations for inclusive green economic and social growth, provide a roadmap for achieving sustainable development targets, and related targets, and outline a long-term vision for a prosperous and equitable future.

The objective of the strategy is to reorient and diversify Guyana’s economy, reducing reliance on tradi-

tional sectors and opening up new sustainable income and investment opportunities in higher value-adding and higher growth sectors.

The GSDS will provide a platform from which Guyana can start the transition to a diversified green and inclusive economy and embrace sustainable development, become a leading example of a “Green State”, and serve as an inspiration to other countries

in the region and world-wide A month ago when the Department of Environment was officially commissioned by the government, President David Granger stated that the transition to the green state requires the collective action of all agencies, authorities, boards, department and ministries of the government.

“This department is expected to play a pivotal role in national devel-

opment,” he said of the newly commissioned state entity. According to the President, the unit “must coordinate the work of all those agencies,” relative to the environment and sustainable energy-generation.

The President noted too that the department will be required to work with other agencies to ensure that the green agenda remains on course.

Man stabbed to death at Covent Garden A 21-YEAR-OLD mason of Covent Garden sea dam on the East Bank of Demerara was stabbed twice in his back and later succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Tuesday morning.

He was identified as Vishal Hansraj. In an interview with this publication his mother, Sumintra Bridghokan called “Shanta” said her son left home to fly a kite on the sea dam and returned home in blood. “At 5’O clock on Easter Day he said he going and fly his kite, around 7, I was at home and he run home bleeding all over the place from the dam.

All he start to tell me is ‘mommy I gon dead I can’t breathe’, when I check he is two stabs he

had in his back,” the mother of eight said.

She explained that as her son bled through his mouth he was rushed to the East Demerara Regional Hospital where he was later transferred and admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The mother explained that her son did not relate or explain the circumstance under which he was stabbed or who stabbed him. She had expected to speak to him Tuesday and inquire what really occurred, however, he was already dead.

“My husband died eight years ago and I am a poor woman, now my son is gone, I don’t know how he will be buried

Dead: Vishal Hansraj now,” she said in tears. She said he was robbed and also stabbed in his back several years ago when someone stole his bicycle.

When asked if she made a report to the police station, she said no.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

Police up patrols on Linden Highway

… as traffic accidents spike

By Vanessa Braithwaite ROAD users traversing the Soesdyke/Linden Highway daily have expressed interest in the regular occurrence of vehicular accidents, especially during the evening hours.

Statistics coming out of ‘E’ and ‘A’ Divisions, which both share territorial borders on the highway, reveal that for the year 2017, a total of 21 accidents have so far been reported on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, three of which were fatal.

This is a slight increase when compared to 2016 for the same period. The death toll from the fatal accidents amounted to six persons, all of whom were males.

Many of these accidents

have reportedly occurred days apart, the latest being Saturday evening involving a truck and a car. While factors such as the condition of the highway and the absence of lighting equipment have been blamed, investigations into these calamities reveal that speeding and reckless driving are among the main factors.

Considering this double-digit number in just the span of four months, traffic ranks from both ‘A’ and ‘E’ Divisions are involved in joint patrols to monitor speeding drivers. Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday, Traffic Chief Dion Moore posited that this is done every day, both day and night. “There are daily enforcements and by night they have two cars

that ply the highway, one from Linden and one from Madewini that patrol the highway.” Traffic Corporal Dorvon Semple attached to the Mackenzie Police Station revealed that patrols are very active on the highway as speeding is a major cause of concern. “As of recent as yesterday, we had 26 speeding alone, that’s on the highway,” Semple highlighted.

While the ranks focus on speeding and negligent drivers during the day, since the speedometer does not function in the nights, the emphasis during the nights is on lumber and heavy-duty trucks that may be traversing the highway or parked dangerously.

“Basically, during the night is to ensure that no vehicle

trucks and heavy-duty vehicles are not permitted to traverse the highway after 6 pm.

Moore highlighted that the enforcements have been very effective, as no negligent truck drivers have so far been caught for 2017.

Traffic Chief Dion Moore is left unattended or broken down and so forth and if they should see those kinds of vehicles and no one is there, they would have to provide reflectorized material and so forth to ensure that the public can see,” Traffic Chief Moore said, reiterating that lumber

REPAIRS TO THE HIGHWAY Many drivers have however complained that the condition of the highway is also a main cause of concern which needs urgent attention. While drivers who are au fait with these infrastructural faults on the highway may be at lesser risk, strange drivers are more vulnerable to get into accidents especially during the nights, since there are no lights on the 45-mile of uninterrupted stretch of bituminous road filled with dangerous

curves, turns, bridges and bumps. “Yes I understand that speeding does cause accidents, but [it] is not speeding alone: some of these accidents is vehicle turn over and all of these things and the road have to do, the road needs repairing, they only patching patching and not doing proper repairs,” one bus driver plying the Linden to Georgetown route complained.

In an invited comment, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Geoffrey Vaughn, on Tuesday related that tenders are currently being advertised for contractors to bid for extensive repair works to be carried out not only on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, but on other main highways coming under the purview of his ministry.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

Lawyers for ‘Benjai’ threaten criminal, civil legal action following assault POPULAR Trinidadian Soca artiste, Rodney “Benjai” La Blanc, through his lawyers, has threatened to unleash “full legal apparatus” against those who assaulted him following his performance at the Palm Court nightclub in Guyana.

In a report published in the Trinidad Guardian newspaper on Tuesday, Le Blanc’s attorneys: Gideon Mac-Master, Keith Scotland and Joel Roper, stated that the artiste had just wrapped up his performance at Pulse Entertainment’s soca theme party at the Palm Court Night Club, Georgetown and that he was standing in a nearby car park in the company of his manager and other people when the driver of Soca artiste, Rodney a vehicle in the car park ‘Benjai’ La Blanc reversed into them.

According to the report in the Trinidad newspaper, when alerted to the presence of the group, the driver came out and pointed a firearm at Benjai and the group; the report further stated that the other occupant of the vehicle exited the passenger’s side and hurled a glass object at Le Blanc.

“We say nothing more of the incident at this time, other than to give the perpetrators of this heinous and unprovoked assault the assurance that we have ascertained their identities and will invoke the full legal apparatus against them, including vigorous pursuits of criminal and civil litigation to ensure that justice is served,” the attorneys noted.

Reports indicate that Benjai was slashed to his face with a glass bottle; he was rushed to a private hospital, where he received over 20 stitches for two deep cuts.

Young father remanded on armed robbery, ‘ganja’ charges A RESIDENT of Festival City Entrance, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was remanded to prison on Tuesday by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for the offences of armed robbery and illegal possession of cannabis.

Terry Holder, 21, pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Particulars of the first charge alleged that on March 3, 2017 at Guyhoc, Georgetown, while being in the company of others and armed with a gun, he robbed Kurt Embrack of $140,000.

It is further alleged that on April 10, 2017 at Tucville, Georgetown, Holder had eight grams of cannabis in his possession. The unrepresented man begged the magistrate to grant him bail, since he is the sole breadwinner of his one-month old daughter and reputed wife.

“These people claim that is masked-men robbed them.... But how they know that is I rob them?” Holder said to the magistrate. Police Prosecutor Alwyn Moore, however objected to bail on the ground that a handgun was used during the commission of the crime.

Bail was refused and Holder was remanded until May 3, 2017; the case was transferred to city Magistrate Judy Latchman.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

Teen killed in West Berbice accident A TEENAGER who was the pillion rider on a motorcycle died after the rider of the bike lost control of it and slammed into a utility pole at Cotton Tree Village, West Coast Berbice, early Tuesday morning.

The dead teen has been identified as Dave Kumar Williams, 16, also known as Boy, of 573 Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice. The rider of the motorcycle, Leon Norton, aged 21 of the same village was up to late Tuesday fighting for his life at the Georgetown Hospital after being transferred to that Institution from the New Amsterdam Public Hospital.

Reports state that Norton, riding motorcycle Dave Kumar Williams CF 9832, was negotiating a turn from DeEdward into Cotton Tree Village around 01:00hrs when he lost control. The injured men were picked up and rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where Williams died while receiving medical attention. Natram Sahadeo, a close relative of the deceased told the Guyana Chronicle that both men had participated in kite flying at Bath Settlement on Easter Monday. He said that he warned the rider to park the motorcycle, since he noticed that they were becoming inebriated. “I warned them about three occasions to park the bike,� the grieving Sahadeo said. Norton agreed to park the motorcycle at the home of a relative in the village but later, unbeknownst to Sahadeo, apparently changed his mind. Sahadeo said that it was around 01:00hrs that he received a phone call informing him of the fatal accident.

Williams had been engaged in cash crop farming in the village. He leaves to mourn his parents and two siblings.

Body in hotel still unidentified POLICE are still to ascertain the identity of a woman who was found dead on a bed in a room at a John Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown Hotel.

The body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Parlour awaiting identification and post-mortem. No relative has since come forward.

According to police, enquiries disclosed that the woman booked the room at 19:10 hours on Sunday for 12 hours. About 11:30 hours Monday the manager on checking the rooms observed that her room door was locked from inside. As a result, hotel staff called out to her but got no response. Upon further investigation hotel staff peered through a window of the said room where they observed the naked, motionless body of the woman on a bed.

Police said there were no marks of violence on her body.

Persons in the area told this publication that the woman who appeared to be in her 40s was a beggar, who is usually seen in the vicinity of Ashmin Mall, while others related that she is also a part-time commercial sex worker.

One worker at the hotel related that the woman was a regular patron at the hotel and it appeared as if she had overdosed on narcotics.

17

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

Man beaten to death at rum shop

A FATHER of two was bludgeoned to death when a man tried to rob him at a rum shop in Farm Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara on Monday night.

Dead is Balwan Ramsarran, 41, called “Anil” a joiner, who resided at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Reports indicate that Sunday last Ramsarran visited the Farm commu-

nity to carry money for his children but decided to stop at a shop to have a drink before heading to his destination.

While there a man who is known to be a bully approached Ramsarran demanding money. This resulted in a fight and Ramsarran was beaten in the head and about the body before the perpetrator fled the scene.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle his sister, Parbatie

Ramsarran said that her brother was not known as a fighter and died because he was taken advantage of by a bully who lives in Farm village, EBD. “Weekends he come home to bring money for his children and when he stopped at a shop, a boy tried to rob him, after he resisted, the boy lashed him to the side of his head and about the body with a piece of wood, he was bleeding through

his nose and eyes when his daughter and son rush him to the Diamond Hospital,” she explained.

She said her brother was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The doctor called the family and related that he was brain dead and on Tuesday morning he died.

“The boy that beat my brother lives in Farm and we need justice since an-

other person was killed at the same shop several years ago and nothing came out of it, all the fights happen there, my brother is not one to fight people,” the man’s grieving sister lamented.

The man’s teen daughter recalled that she was at home in Herstelling when the man who allegedly hit her father with the wood shouted “Meh done kill he. Go see he if he dead”.

Dead: Balwan Ramsarran

Bandits attack taxi driver, Fish trader freed of cocaine-in-shrimp charge pedestrian in separate robberies ON Tuesday at the Leonora Magistrates Court, Magistrate Rushell Liverpool dismissed the case against fish trader, Mohamed Ali called “Panta,” who was charged for being in possession of 51.626 kilos of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Ali, 51 a father of three, who resides at Lot 11 La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara was accused of being in possession of 51.626 kilos of cocaine on May 10, 2015 at Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara, for the purpose of trafficking.

In her ruling Liverpool stated that the Police Prosecutor, Bharat Mangru failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the elements of possession. The magistrate had overruled the no case submission presented by the prosecutor. Ali was placed on $600,000 bail

and ordered to lodge his passport and report to the Narcotics Branch at Eve Leary, every fortnight on Mondays.

Ali was represented by Attorney- at Law- Bernard De Santos.

According to the police’s facts, on May 10, 2015 the cocaine was transported to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) by one of Ali’s employees. It was concealed in 40 boxes of shrimp. Whilst his employee was at the airport, Ali made contact with him and ordered that he cancel the arrangement and return with the boxes, which caused a level of suspicion by ranks of the narcotics branch of the Police Force.

The ranks then searched the boxes and the cocaine was retrieved from them. The drug was intended to be loaded on to a Caribbean Airlines flight.

THREE armed men robbed a taxi driver of Albouystown on Easter Day of his valuables at Middle Street Mc Doom, East Bank Demerara. Reports indicate that the driver was robbed of $15,000 cash and his cell phone.

The taxi driver was soliciting passengers around the kitty seawall area when the perpetrator joined his motor HC 6578 and requested to be taken to Middle Street Mc.

Doom. There one of the three suspects, who were all sitting in the back passenger seat pointed a handgun at him and demanded that he hand over his valuables. The victim became afraid and handed over the abovementioned articles, after which they all ran away west along the street and made good their escape. No shots were fired.

Meanwhile, another robbery-under-arm occurred on Easter Day at Genip Lane

East Ruimveldt. Reports indicate that the armed robber attacked the victim, who was on his way to visit a friend. He was standing at the corner of Genip lane when the robber approached him from the eastern side of the said road and held him at gunpoint, relieving him of a $60,000 gold chain and two cell phones valued $90,000.

Police are investigating the robberies in anticipation of catching the perpetrators.

Lethem guard stabbed to death by bandit HAIMCHAND Persaud known as ‘Raj’ of Tabatinga, Lethem was pronounced dead on arrival at the Lethem Hospital in the wee hours of Tuesday, after he was stabbed by a bandit during an attempted robbery.

According to a police report, just after 2:30hrs, 31-year-old Persaud, a Se-

curity Guard, was rushed to the hospital by his reputed wife, bleeding profusely from a single stab wound to the left region of his chest.

He and his reputed wife had left an entertainment bar about 01:55hrs, in their community, after imbibing with some friends and were on their way home when the incident occurred.

According to the police, as the couple was in close proximity to their home, the suspect pounced with a knife and attempted to rob them, during which a physical encounter ensued between Persaud and the suspect, who stabbed him and escaped on a motor cycle.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

International Day for Monuments, Sites

19

Guyanese must embrace rich heritage –– Minister Henry urges

GUYANA joined with other countries around the world on Tuesday to observe International Day for Monuments and Sites under the theme: “Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Tourism.”

Minister within the Ministry of Education responsible for youth, culture and sports, Nicolette Henry, explained that the theme is “an important one in the context of conservation in the 21st century.” Cultural Heritage helps people to remember their cultural diversity, and its understanding develops mutual respect among different

interest” have been documented on the Monuments’ Register, but there are still more that are yet to be discovered, Henry stated. Major works recently completed by the National Trust are the Damon Monument in Anna Regina; the Enmore Martyrs’ Monument; the Hogg Island Windmill, which is Dutch in origin, and the only type of structure of this nature that can be found in Guyana. In February, major work was done at the Rose Hall Sugar Estate Martyrs’ Monument.

During this month, Minister Henry said works will be done

Minister within the Ministry of Education responsible for Culture, Youth and Sports, Nicolette Henry speaking at the opening of the one-day exhibition to mark International Day for Monuments and Sites cultures, she said.

The National Trust of Guyana collaborated with the Department of Culture and the Department of Tourism in hosting an exhibition at the Guyana National Museum in recognition of International Day for Monuments and Sites. Minister Henry said the spot bridges both culture and tourism, because it is a very “significant cultural landscape in our city’s history, being the Company Path well and Lily pond, which is believed to have been constructed of bricks from Fort William Frederick, the first British fort constructed at the mouth of the Demerara River (Transport and Harbours). This clearly illustrates our rich and diverse heritage which we must take time to learn about, embrace and be proud of as Guyanese,” the minister stated.

A country’s cultural heritage is a unique and precious resource. Cultural sites provide enormous attraction for tourism around the world and can serve as powerful drivers for local and national economies, Minister Henry pointed out. She added that to tap into that potential, it is important that the sites are both accessible and well protected, and this is what the National Trust has been doing since its establishment in 1972.

The National Trust plays a “pivotal role in ensuring the country’s national patrimony is preserved,” Minister Henry noted. The record shows that over 400 sites and “things of national

at the Highbury Memorial site in East Bank Berbice to celebrate the 179th anniversary of the arrival of Indian Indentured immigrants to British Guiana and to commemorate the centenary anniversary of the abolition of indentureship.

The Trust also contributes to the preservation of other cultural and historical structures such as St. George’s Cathedral and St. Peter’s Anglican Church located in Leguan. Last year, the Trust received international acclaim by copping the International Green Apple Award for the Built Environment and Architectural Heritage, South America Global Winner from the Green Organisation. In 2013, the Trust was given the Heritage Protection Award from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation.

Minister Henry and Director-General of the Department of Tourism, Donald Sinclair, commended the National Trust for collaborating with key stakeholders to mount this special exhibition in recognition of International Day for Monuments and Sites. Chairman of the National Trust, Lennox Hernandez, explained that the aim of the International Day for Monuments and Sites is to encourage local communities and individuals throughout the world to consider the importance of cultural heritage to their lives, identities and communities, and to promote awareness of its diversity and vulnerability and the efforts

required to protect and conserve it.

The National Trust has embarked on several programmes, including hosting exhibitions, community outreach exercises, lectures, heritage education and radio programmes, among many others. Every year on April 18, countries worldwide celebrate International Day for Monuments and Sites which was approved by the 22nd UNESCO General Conference in 1983. (GINA)

A booth on display at the Guyana National Museum

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

‘Grey Boy’ refuses to enter courtroom, pleads innocence

REGAN Rodrigues, also known as ‘Grey Boy’ refused to leave the prisoner’s outpost of the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday to appear before Magistrate Judy Latchman, as he vehemently claimed his innocence in the murder of political activist, Courtney Crum-Ewing.

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force on Friday located and arrested Rodrigues, weeks after looking for him. Police confirmed that Rodrigues was caught

at approximately 16:15hrs on Friday in a house in Middle Road, La Penitence Georgetown.

However, when it was time for Rodrigues to make his appearance before Magistrate Latchman, the accused refused to leave the prisoner’s outpost and protested his innocence.

He was overheard shouting, “They try to frame me and put a gun inside meh house but is nah I do it, I ain’t kill the man.” Rodrigues appeared to be reading from a piece of paper as

he claimed his innocence and levelled damning accusations against several politicians. However, police ranks confiscated the paper but eventually returned it to Rodrigues.

Following his refusal to enter the courtroom, Magistrate Latchman decided to visit Rodrigues in the prisoner’s holding area, where she informed him that the matter was adjourned to April 25, 2017 and that he [Rodrigues] was remanded to prison.

In September 2016, Ro-

drigues was freed of the murder charge by Magistrate Latchman due to the lack of evidence. The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided to re-open the case for further evidence from police witnesses and for the Magistrate to rule on the oral statements made

by Rodrigues. Well known attorney Nigel Hughes has been appointed as a Special Prosecutor by the DPP to prosecute the case.

The bullet-riddled body of Crum-Ewing was found

Regan Rodrigues at Third Avenue, Diamond New Scheme EBD days before the May 11, 2015 elec-

tions. The 40-year-old was shot twice to the temple, once to the back of the head and twice to the stomach.

The police in a statement had stated that the political activist was accosted by four men in a car, one of whom discharged several rounds, hitting him about the body. It was reported that the killer (s) used a .32 pistol to execute Crum-Ewing.

The political activist was well known for his one-man protest outside the office of former Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall. Minutes before he was gunned down, he was reportedly heard via bullhorn urging residents of the neighbourhood to vote against the then ruling PPP/C party.

Man allegedly caught with 630 grams of cannabis remanded A 23-YEAR-OLD Norton Street resident was remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday for drugs found at this home during a police raid recently.

Andrew Mullins denied that on April 13, 2017 at Norton Street, Lodge, he had 630 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

However, according to the police facts read in court by Prosecutor, Alwyn Moore, on the day in question, police acted on information received and raided Mullins’ Norton Street home.

The court heard that when the police arrived, Mullins ran to the back door and ranks observed when he threw a black bag out of the door. Mullins was arrested and the bag with the suspected cannabis was retrieved.

His lawyer, George Thomas in his application for bail, explained that at the time of the raid, his client was asleep in the middle flat of the three story building. According to the lawyer, the alleged narcotics were found in the neighbour’s yard.

The prosecutor objected to bail based on the seriousness and gravity of the offence. As such, bail was denied and Mullins was remanded until May 05, 2017 when he will appear before City Magistrate, Dylon Bess.

GTI student accused of drug-trafficking A STUDENT of the Government Technical Institute (GTI) was remanded to prison on Tuesday by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a drug-trafficking charge.

Dulie Bagot, 20, of Fern Drive, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, denied that on April 14, 2017 at East Ruimveldt, he had in his possession 238 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. His attorney Stanley Moore explained to the court that his client is a student of the GTI, where he is studying to become a plumber. Moore further explained that the suspected drugs were not found in his client’s possession.

However, Police Prosecutor, Alwyn Moore opposed bail, noting that the analyst’s report on the drug is outstanding.

The chief magistrate remanded the young man until May 3, 2017, when he will appear before city Magistrate, Fabayo Azore.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

Gov’t kickstarts $77M upgrade of Mazaruni Prison

CONSTRUCTION of six living quarters at the Mazaruni Prisons of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), along with prison blocks for inmates are set to commence today after cabinet had approved the contract in February last, senior prison sources confirmed.

The contract which was allocated in two lots, saw one lot attracting $41,127,930. That contract has been awarded to N&A Construction. The other lot has attracted $35, 820,000, and awarded to A.A.V Raghubeer General Construc-

Mazaruni Prison, the President and his team not only assessed the living conditions of the prisoners and the prison officers, but interacted with both parties. The staffing population is currently below its 95 quota.

There are 54 persons on staff, but the Officer-in-Charge of the prison is hopeful that the staff population could be increased to a maximum of 200.

But this move, he said, would require additional living quarters for the prison officers.

“We had a good look at the conditions and what we discovered was that the living

which these officers live are improved.”

The State currently spends over $400,000 on one prisoner per year at the Camp Street penitentiary. Repeat offenders have increased over the years, this, was disclosed in the findings of a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Camp Street prison riot that claimed 17 lives following a fire on March 3, 2016.

Cabinet, earlier this year had also agreed to the establishment of a Steering Committee for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)-ap-

President David Granger and Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan and prison officials during their tour of the Mazaruni Penal Settlement last year (File Photo) tion. President David Granger, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan had visited the prison several months ago. The visit related to issues with regard to the living quarters of Prison Officers and construction of more prison blocks to facilitate transfer of prisoners from the Georgetown Prison in an effort to ease the overcrowding at the facility.

During their tour of the

quarters for those prison officers, were in a deplorable state and needed attention. “As soon as the prison officers go off of duty, they were going home.

It costs them about $10,000 every time they had to travel.”

Minister Harmon had said “So if you look at the salary of a prison officer and the fact that he needs to go home and check with his family and so on, we needed to do something to ensure that the conditions under

proved US$8 million Criminal Justice System Project.

This project is aimed at assisting Guyana to overcome prison overcrowding, by reducing pre-trial detentions and increasing the use of alternative sentencing, among other measures.

The Committee will comprise representatives of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Supreme Court of Judicature, the Chambers of the Director

Duo charged with robbing church members TWO men who allegedly robbed several church members during a farewell party on Regent Street, Georgetown, were charged and remanded to prison on Tuesday.

Appearing before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, charged with four counts of armed robbery, were former murder accused, 20-year-old Negus Lamaizon and 22-yearold Corinth Taylor, both from D’Urban Street, Lodge.

Particulars of the charges alleged that the duo, armed with a gun on April 10, 2017 at Robb Street, robbed Daidree Liverpool of two gold chains valued $220,000; Robin Fibruce of two gold chains and cellphone valued $349,000; Lester Andrews of a cell phone valued $160,000 and Quincy Waldron of a Blu cellphone, valued $30,000.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges and were represented by Attorney-at-law,

Former murder accused, Negus Lamaizon Adrian Thompson. According to Prosecutor Alwyn Moore, the duo reportedly rode up on their CG motor cycle, attacked and robbed several church members who were at a farewell party on Regent Street.

The prosecutor explained to the court that Lamaizon, who was recently freed of a murder charge almost three weeks ago, was nabbed at Springlands, East Berbice

Corinth Taylor - Corentyne en-route to Suriname, in an attempt to escape the police.

The Prosecutor noted that Lamaizon was positively identified by the victims during an identification parade held by the police.

Prosecutor Moore objected to bail, based on the seriousness and gravity of the offence. Bail was denied and the men were remanded until May 8, 2017.

of Public Prosecutions, the Ministry of Public Security, the Social Protection Ministry, and the Ministry of Finance.

The Committee will provide oversight and strategic direction and recommendations, and ensure the coordination of the programme of activities with those of the various Government offices that will be affected by its implementation.

The IDB website states that the loan objective is to contribute meaningfully to addressing the high concentration of the prison population in the country, which stands at 256 per 100,000 of the national population, well above the world average of 146 per 100,000.

The IDB stated: “The Guyanese criminal justice system ‘tends to use incarceration as the default sanction.

However, high rates of imprisonment have been associated with an individual’s future proclivity for crime and difficulties in securing employment, among other negative factors.

Building or expanding prison facilities can be a short-term fix for overcrowding, but if root causes are not addressed, the new facilities will eventually be filled.”

21

Three years jail, $3.2M fine for man busted with illegal drugs A FATHER of one was sentenced to three years imprisonment and fined $3.2M after he admitted to having in his possession 1096 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Eon Sampson, 32, of Mocha, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. The incident took place on April 13, 2017 at Itaballi Police Check Point, Mazaruni.

Sampson, who is expecting another baby within the next five months, stood in the prisoner’s dock and explained to the court that he resorted to the crime because he was experiencing fiEon Sampson nancial difficulties.

“Sorry for the mistake I have committed,” the unrepresented Sampson told the court as he explained that has no previous brushes with the law; he begged for leniency and told the Magistrate that he is the sole breadwinner of his family.

Police Prosecutor, Alwyn Moore told the court that Sampson was searched at the Itaballi Police Check Point and the narcotic was found inside his luggage.

The Chief Magistrate took into consideration Sampson’s guilty plea and imposed the minimal sentence of three years and the $3.2M fine, which is said to be three times the street value of the drug.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

Region Two saves $147M in 2016 –– due to responsible spending, minimising of corruption

By Rabindra Rooplall REGIONAL Executive Officer (REO) of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Rupert Hopkinson announced that the region saved $147M in 2016 through responsible spending and minimising of corruption.

He said this was done

through the interception of vouchers. “If Region Two can find $147M, then the possibility exists that if we are to check and scrutinise the spendings of all the regions, the government can rake in over a billion dollars annually to do their work,” the REO said.

He said the saving was utilised to do new projects,

while calling on the government to carry out a forensic audit in all the regions to ensure funds are properly spent.

“Previously when the money was not spent and when the end of the year comes along, the money is washed and spent on supplies that are not necessary and there are kickbacks and

we have the evidence that from year to year taxpayers money was misused,” Hopkinson said.

Acknowledging that he has come under criticism for moving slowly with signing vouchers, Hopkinson said this is done in search of loopholes in the system.

“When I am told that there is a purchase of 347

bales of toilet paper for the education department, I am going to intercept that voucher and I am going to ask questions, when that happened and I asked questions I was told, REO, that was a mistake,” the REO said in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

He explained that many things that seem amiss are being personally investigated on his behalf since any signs of corruption will be examined. Hopkinson said that from 2013-2016 he has uncovered that there has been $20M in lumber being purchased annually over the three- year period, which was not used or needed.

“All our projects are contracted, contractors are the ones that buy the lumber, it’s not supposed to be the department, we have a small force unit that repairs steps and small works which do not need such purchases.” He explained, “I decided to go like a detective and inquire where the $20M in lumber supplies are coming from and going [to] and I found one supplier who had no lumber yard, he had no sawmill, but he simply buys from somebody else and supplies.”

Despite the criticisms, Hopkinson said he is prepared to face the challenges.

He also called on the Ministry of the Presidency, which is in charge of the public service, to have a number of vacancies filled in the region that includes: Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Engineers, Regional Health Officer and several accounting positions.

Meanwhile, only recently President David Granger expressed optimism that with added production, coupled with its already immense agricultural production, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), has the potential to feed the entire country and the Caribbean. The region, he said, has been punching above its weight with agriculture and production and believes that the 2017 Essequibo Agro and Trade Exposition, at which he was at the time giving the feature address at its opening ceremony, will create avenues for the unleashing of under-exploited and hidden potential.

President Granger was at the time addressing a capacity audience at the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce Exposition and

REO of Region Two, Rupert Hopkinson Trade Fair.

“Last year, Region Two produced 85,000 metric tonnes of rice, 810 metric tonnes of fish and shrimp, 270 000 metric tonnes of agricultural produce and 44.4 M coconuts, so Region Two is not a poor region. It has potential,” Granger revealed, adding that there was a lot that the region could build upon.

STRENGTHS AND CHALLENGES Alluding to the region’s agricultural strengths, such as the availability of land, experience and expertise, Granger said that those should be exploited.

“We are quite aware of the potential and talent of your population, we are quite aware too that you have challenges, but we have to work together to overcome those challenges,” Granger affirmed.

Highlighting these, the Head of State said that there was the challenge of political collaboration, social cohesion and geographical differences, but he believed that those challenges were not difficult to overcome if the residents worked together to unleash the region’s potential. One solution he put forward was networking between the three tiers of government in the region and Anna Regina as the capital town, playing an integral role in its development.

“What we see here in Anna Regina is a hub, but it should not be a hub attracting poor people, it should be a hub of prosperity. It should be a hub of social cohesion.”

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

Major push to combat suicide

THE Ministry of Public Health’s Mental Health Unit said it will be forging ahead with programmes through collaboration with key government ministries to further combat suicide.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that Guyana is no longer the suicide capital of the world, but that there is still the need to tackle the high rates of suicide locally.

Director of the Mental Health Unit, Dr Util Richmond-Thomas told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that each of the government ministries that will be involved in the collaborative effort will contribute in the joint fight to end suicide by spreading awareness.

The Education Ministry will incorporate mental health topics into the Health

and Family Life Education (HFLE) syllabus in secondary schools. This aspect is pending the approval of the Ministry of Education before being rolled out shortly. “Our young people, we would have to give them the coping skills that they need to have a productive lifestyle. We have to educate them about mental illnesses and different kinds of topics that have to do with mental health. We are ready and waiting to go into the schools and use whatever time they would allocate to us, but so far we have not gotten the permission yet,” Dr. Richmond-Thomas explained.

Guyana now has the fourth highest suicide rate in the world with an estimated 29.0 per 100,000. Over the last five years, there has been an upsurge in the number of

100 years after…

IAC remembers arrival of last batch of Indian indentured labourers YESTERDAY April 18, 2017, was the centenary of the arrival of the last batch of immigrants from India, mainly indentured labourers, who landed here in 1917 aboard the Coolie Ship s.s. GANGES. A total of 437 persons, including 268 males, 130 females and 39 infants were distributed among twenty four (24) sugars estates in Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo.

Of this total, 124 persons embarked at Calcutta (Kolkata), while 313 embarked at Madras (Chennai), the Indian Action Committee said in a release.

These immigrants were allotted to the following sugar estates: (1) Skeldon -15; (2) Springlands-15; (3) Port Mourant-26; (4) Albion-19; (5) Rose Hall-16; (6) Providence (EBB)-15; (7) Mara- 10; (8) Blairmont-19; (9) Bath -15; (10) Cane Grove-26; (11) Hope- 21; (12) Enmore-19; (13) Non pariel-28 ; (14) Lusignan-23; (15) Mon Repos-19; (16) La Bonne Intention-19; (17) Ogle-16; (18) Diamond-2; (19) Uitvlugt-24; (20) De Kinderen-21; (21) Marionville (Wakenaam)-16; (22) Golden Fleece-16; (23) Anna Regina-19; (24) Hampton Court-18.

Immigrants who boarded at Calcutta were allotted to the following eight plantations: Springlands, Providence, Blairmont, Bath, Lusignan, Ogle, Diamond and Anna Regina.

Immigrants who boarded were allotted to the following sixteen plantations: Skeldon, Port Mourant, Albion, Rose Hall, Mara, Cane Grove, Hope, Enmore, Non pariel, Mon Repos, La Bonne Intention, Uitvlugt, De Kinderen, Marionville (W), Golden Fleece and Hampton Court.

The IAC regards this day as an important anniversary in the history of Guyana, which marks the end of this form of trading in humans on our shores, the British Government having ended the emigration of indentured labourers from India on March 12, 1917. The IAC urges all Guyanese to remember our ancestors who perished, as well as those who survived the arduous journey and made Guyana their home.

They worked, struggled and sacrificed with other groups to build our country and realise its freedoms.

reported cases of suicide, in comparison with the number of attempted cases. The Ministries of Agriculture, Education and Social Protection are all expected to play important roles in spreading awareness to targeted groups countrywide.

The WHO has established that suicide is the leading cause of death among young persons between the ages of 15-29 years old, globally.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of

Agriculture will be targeting farming communities, which have the greatest number of suicides, due to easy access to pesticides.

Over the last five years, 62 per cent of the persons who committed suicide in Guyana poisoned themselves by consuming agricultural chemicals. The Ministry of Agriculture’s input will seek to address the issue by educating farmers on basic methods for the use of these substances

and of access to pesticides often used in suicide. “We will have to educate people about the pesticides; what are the safer alternatives and if they are going to be using pesticides, how to store them, all the precautions they need to go through; what to do if somebody ingests some pesticides and teaching general alternative methods for farming that they can use.”

Meanwhile, persons affected by suicide, whether

a family member has committed the act or those who attempt suicide will benefit from counselling and other support systems. The Government of Guyana has charted a strategic course for combating suicide. A National Task Force on suicide has been established to raise awareness and prevention through education.

This is a vital component of the strategic plan for suicide reduction.

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

25

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

27

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

29

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

31

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

33

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 19, 2017

Melanie B is new Guinness Madrid see off Bayern in controversial thriller to reach semis East Coast champions

By Rik Sharma MADRID, Spain (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to send Real Madrid through to the Champions League semi-finals with a 4-2 extra-time win against 10-man Bayern Munich to seal a 6-3 aggregate victory in controversial circumstances.

A bizarre Sergio Ramos own goal forced the extra period after Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring for Bayern from the penalty spot and Ronaldo equalised.

Marcelo twice cleared off the line for Madrid and Jerome Boateng did the same for Bayern in a thrilling game, which was tilted in Madrid’s favour by Arturo Vidal’s dismissal for two yellow cards, the second of which was harsh.

Ronaldo put Madrid level at 2-2 on the night in the first period of extra time when he scored his 100th Champions League goal, from a clearly offside position, be-

fore he wrapped up his treble and Marco Asensio added a fourth.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Bayern began well, with Thiago Alcantara’s close-range shot brilliantly blocked on the goal line by Marcelo. Arjen Robben lashed the rebound into the side-netting.

Vidal crashed a strike inches over the crossbar and Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas had to be quick off his line to beat Ribery to a through-ball.

Madrid began to find their feet and were soon dominating, with the effervescent Marcelo crossing for Karim Benzema, who headed wide, and Dani Carvajal also firing an effort just off target.

Ramos nearly put the hosts ahead after the otherwise superb Manuel Neuer spilled a shot, but Jerome Boateng somehow blocked his effort on the line to keep his side in the tie.

Toni Kroos fired over and Ronaldo shot when he should have passed to Benzema as Madrid ended the first half

looking far more dangerous than their opponents.

However, it was Bayern who took the lead when Casemiro fouled Robben in the area and Lewandowski sent Navas the wrong way from the spot.

Ronaldo levelled the score, heading beyond Neuer in the 76th minute from a fine cross by Casemiro, but Bayern restored overall parity within a minute.

Ramos so used to being Madrid’s hero turned villain when he shinned the ball into his own net after a scramble in the area.

With the game heading towards extra-time Vidal was sent off for a second booking after appearing to win the ball cleanly from Asensio.

It gave Madrid the upper hand going into the added 30 minutes and they took advantage when Ronaldo scored the crucial second from Ramos’s cross, despite being in an offside position.

Madrid added two more late on, leaving Bayern exhausted and angry.

Leicester’s Champions League dream over … Atletico power into semis

By Martyn Herman LEICESTER, England (Reuters) - Leicester City’s fairytale Champions League journey came to an end at the King Power Stadium yesterday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Atletico Madrid, who reached the semi-finals for the third time in four seasons with a 2-1 aggregate win.

A first-half goal by Saul Niguez proved enough to ease the Spanish side through to the last four despite Leicester’s spirited revival in the second half when Jamie Vardy equalised on the night.

Diego Simeone’s side, who won the first leg in Madrid 1-0, had the better of the opening exchanges, but after Leicester finally found their feet, Shinji Okazaki firing over from close range, Saul extended Atletico’s overall lead in the 26th minute, heading home powerfully from Filipe Luis’s superb cross.

The Premier League champions, in their first Champions

League campaign, responded strongly, dominating the second half, and England striker Vardy equalised on 61 minutes after Ben Chilwell’s shot was blocked, but it was not quite enough.

Leicester defender Christian Fuchs spoke beforehand about the part the home crowd could play and the wall of noise that greeted kickoff would have shaken less battle-proven opposition than Simeone’s Atletico.

The hosts were roared forward and had their first real sight of goal when Vardy reached the byline and his cutback looked perfect for Okazaki but his stumbling effort flew high over the crossbar.

Atletico were calm and composed in possession and took the lead with a goal of devastating simplicity.

Filipe Luis received the ball wide on the left and his perfect cross was met by a soaring Niguez and his downward header zipped off the turf and beyond the diving Kasper Schmeichel.

Leicester’s already difficult

task now took on Everest-like proportions as they were required to score three goals against a mean defence, who had leaked only four so far in the competition.

Riyad Mahrez wasted one decent opportunity before halftime but fired straight at Jan Oblak from the edge of the area.

Leicester lived dangerously at the back and Schmeichel did well to deny Yannick Carrasco before halftime.

Craig Shakespeare sent Chilwell and Leonardo Ulloa on at halftime and Chilwell was soon in the thick of the action, shooting over the crossbar.

At the other end Antoine Griezmann, scorer of the penalty which separated the sides in Madrid, had Leicester’s hearts in their mouths with a surging run into the area but his unselfish pull back was just in front of a tumbling Carrasco.

With half an hour remaining Leicester’s lifeline arrived in the form of Vardy when the England striker calmly side-footed past Oblak after Chilwell’s shot flew across the area.

By Stephan Sookram AFTER a night of limited goals action, Melanie B emerged champions of the East Coast leg of the Colours/Guinness Greatest of the Streets Football challenge at the Haslington tarmac on Monday evening.

A twelfth-minute strike from Amoniki Rogers made the difference for the Melanie B side that gifted them their spot in the regional tournament later this year.

The battle got more heated after the goal, with the Plaisance side looking for an equaliser, coming close on

several occasions but never managing that decisive strike to turn the game in their favour.

Several powerful efforts in the dying minutes had the Plaisance fans on their toes with cheers but the rebounding effort off the goal quickly deflated them - the referee’s whistle marking the start of a party that carried on well into the night.

In the earlier third-place playoff Buxton Diamond managed to stave off the defending champions BV-B also by a 1-0 margin thanks to Kevon Assaye in the 3rd

minute.

The eventual winners got through the semi-final on penalties 2-0 over Melanie B after the game ended in a goalless stalemate. Plaisance B secured their spot via a 1-0 margin against Buxton Diamond thanks to Vincent Thomas 34th​.

The winning team will take home $250 000 and the championship trophy, along with the right to represent the East Coast in the national playoffs, while second-, third- and fourthplaced teams receive $150 000, $100 000 and $50 000 respectively.

Gayle becomes first 10,000run T20 batsman in RCB win RAJKOT, India (CMC) – West Indies superstar Chris Gayle became the first batsman to score 10 000 runs in Twenty20s, when he belted a typically bellicose half-century to fire Royal Challengers Bangalore to a 21-run win over Dwayne Smith’s Gujarat Lions in the Indian Premier League here yesterday.

The veteran left-hander, who has not played for West Indies in 12 months, hit a sparkling 38-ball 77 – his first half-century in 17 T20 innings – as RCB, sent in at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, raced to 213 for two off their 20 overs.

In reply, Lions made a good fist of it but were restricted to 192 for seven off their 20 overs, with Smith failing at the top of the order with one.

New Zealander Brendon McCullum pummelled 72 from 44 deliveries but lacked support in the top order.

The headlines, however, were all about the sensational Gayle who with 32, six and 22 in his three previous innings in the tournament, entered the game just three shy of the 10 000-run mark.

And he achieved the mark

in the fourth over of the innings and in his 290th T20 game when he edged seamer Basil Thampi to third man.

The 37-year-old then unleashed his full powers, blasting five fours and seven sixes as he raced to his 61st T20 half-century off just 23 balls, launching leftarm spinner Shivil Kaushik for his fifth six to raise the landmark.

Gayle featured in a up-tempo 122-run stand for

South Africa Racing Tips Scottsville 08:30 hrs Seattle Spell 09:05 hrs Heir Line 09:40 hrs Warfarer 10:15 hrs Into The Groove 10:50 hrs Russet Roses English Racing Tips Newmarket 08:50 hrs New Bidder 09:25 hrs Seven Heavens 10:00 hrs Abdon 10:35 hrs Pamplemousse 11:10 hrs Formidable Kitt 11:45 hrs Glittering Jewel 12:20 hrs Elucidation Cheltenham 09:05 hrs William Henry 09:40 hrs Village Vic

the first wicket with captain Virat Kohli who punched 64 from 50 deliveries.

The Jamaican eventually perished in the 13th over when he was lbw to leg-stump yorker from Thampi.

Gayle now has 10 074 runs, well ahead of McCullum who is second on the run-getters list with 7 596, with Australian Brad Hodge third on 7 338 and West Indies power-hitting Kieron Pollard fourth with 7 087.

10:15 hrs Its’Afreebee 10:50 hrs Doing Fine 11:25 hrs Baron Du Plessis 12:30 hrs Poker School Wolverhampton 12:40 hrs Space War 13:15 hrs Hart Stopper 13:45 hrs El Cap 14:15 hrs Mr Christopher 14:45 hrs Smiley Bagel 15:15 hrs Gulf Of Poets 15:45 hrs Swansway American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 One Last Cast Race 2 Grey Glory Race 3 Horoscope Race 4 Relentless Kiss Race 5 Stormy Princess Race 6 Three Eighty Eight Race 7 Volatility Race 8 Sapporo

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 19, 2017

St Fort completes sprint double at CARIFTA Games … Anderson, Cope deliver records WILLEMSTAD, Curacao (CMC) – Jamaican Britany Anderson set a new record in the Girls’ Under-18 sprint hurdles while Trinidadian Khalifa St Fort completed the sprint double by winning the 200 metres, to climax the 46th CARIFTA Games here Monday evening.

Anderson’s victory underlined Jamaica’s dominance in the sprint hurdles as they swept all four events at the Ergilio Hato Stadium, to once again reiterate their class on the final day of the track and field showpiece.

The record was one of two in the final session for Jamaica as Daniel Cope also set a new mark in the Boys’ Under-18 discus throw.

Powerhouse Jamaica won two of the four 200-metre finals and clinched three of the 800m gold on offer, while also picking two gold medals in the 4×400-metre relays.

Anderson set the tone for the evening session when she stopped the clock at 13.16

Sprinter Khalifa St Fort wins the 200m to complete the sprint double.

seconds, erasing her countrywoman Janeek Brown’s twoyear-old mark of 13.29.

She led a Jamaica one-two as Daszay Freeman followed her home in 13.39 while Bahamian Gabrielle Gibson did

enough to grab bronze in a time of 14.07.

Dejour Russell easily captured the corresponding Boys’ 110m event, speeding to a time of 13.19 seconds to beat Rasheem Brown of Cayman Islands into second in 13.70, and fellow Jamaican Jeremy Farr into third in 13.71.

Barbadians Tre Hollingsworth (13.89) and Nathan Fergusson (13.93) missed out on the podium when they finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Meanwhile, Amoi Brown narrowly missed out on countrywoman Samantha Elliott’s seven-year-old record of 13.42 seconds, when she crossed the line first in the Girls’ Under-20 event in 13.44.

Brown followed her home in 13.49 to create another Jamaica one-two, with Laetitia Bapte delivering bronze for Martinique in 13.79.

In the Boys’ Under-20, Orlando Bennett won a close battle with Bahamian Tavonte

Guyana’s Compton Caesar captures the 100m gold and a bronze.

Mott, clocking 13.60 for the victory to his challenger’s 13.64.

Uitvlugt down Eagles to win Super 4 Easter football fiesta TOURNAMENT MVP Trayon Bobb led Uitvlugt Warriors to the $100 000 firstplace prize while also winning for himself $20 000 when the Super 4 Massive Easter Football Fiesta, featuring West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) top four clubs, was played last Sunday night at the Den Amstel Community Centre ground.

Uitvlugt defeated Eagles FC of Stewartville 2-1 in the final after both had disposed of their respective semi-final opponents on a beautiful Easter Sunday night and which was witnessed by a colourful crowd.

Eagles, still beaming from their semifinals win over Pouderoyen, were harbouring thoughts of another upset win on the night but it was Uitvlugt who drew first blood to dampen the spirits of the energetic Eagles.

Daniel Floy scored in the 6th minute to give his side the psychological edge. Eagles never sat back despite trailing and silenced the Uitvlugt fans on 33 minutes when they equalised through a Daniel Clark goal. It was game on.

Like he has done on so many occasions including the earlier semifinal, Trayon Bobb had to come to the rescue of his side and did so in fine style when

he banged in the winning goal in the 37th minute.

Uitvlugt downed old nemesis Den Amstel FC in their semifinal encounter, compliments of the lone strike coming off the boot of Trayon Bobb.

On the newly laid Den Amstel field which is tipped to be one of the better surfaces on the West Side, Uitvlugt went into the match with memories of their humiliating loss in the Den Amstel Mash Cup final to the former.

The 20/20 format of the semifinals also made the action more exciting, Uitvlugt it was though who dominated the home team even as they squandered many opportuni-

ties, but eventually made one count with 8 minutes left on the clock, Bobb making no mistake in netting.

The first semifinal went down to the wire between Eagles FC and Pouderoyen and when the allocated 40 minutes had elapsed, the score was still deadlocked. In the ensuing kicks from the penalty mark, Eagles prevailed 3-2 to earn their place in the final.

It was the Stewartville-based club’s second win over their more seasoned rivals in as many matches following their third place win in the Den Amstel Mash Cup. In the 60-minute third place match that brought together the

semi-final losers, Den Amstel made light work of Pouderoyen coming out 2-0 winners on account of goals from Dwayne St Kitts in the 29th minute and Keswyn Fraser in the 46th minute.

Prior to the final, the teams were met by Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Guyana Police Force D-Division Commander Leslie James, Guyana Football Federation Third vice-president with responsibility for the WDFA Ms Thandi McAllister, along with Super 4 Massive’s Alex Green and Akintunde Rudder aka Rigget.

The presentation will be held today at the Den Amstel Community Centre from 17:00hrs.

Director of Sport Christopher Jones 7th right, D-Division Commander Leslie James (3rd right), GFF Third VP Thandi McAllister (stooping left) join promoters Alex Green (right) and Akintunde Rudder (2nd left) and the victorious Uitvlugt Warriors FC on Sunday night at the Den Amstel ground.

Jamaican Alex Robinson was third in 13.72.

Rising Caribbean star St Fort once again emphasised her credentials when she followed up Saturday’s victory in the 100m with another convincing triumph in the 200m.

She clocked 23.99 seconds to easily dismiss Grenadian Halle Hazzard who took silver in 24.15, while Jamaican Kasheika Cameron grabbed bronze in 24.28.

Jamal Walton of Cayman Islands ensured the Jamaicans did not taste gold in the Under-20 category as he won the corresponding Boys’ half-lap in a time of 21.29, ahead of Trinidadian Jerrod Elock who stopped the clock at 21.54.

Guyanese Compton Caesar, who two days ago captured 100m gold, returned to take bronze in 21.57. Jamaica, however, had the upper hand in the Under-18s, winning both the Girls’ and Boys’ events. Michae Harriott crossed the line in 23.73 to barely get the better of Bahamian Devine Parker (23.87) while in the Boys’ event, Michael Stephens raced to 21.30, to pull off a narrow win over Joel Johnson of the Bahamas (21.55).

In the 800m, Barbadian Jonathan Jones proved the spoiler, as his win in the Boys’

Under-20 event prevented Jamaica from completing another clean sweep.

He was timed at one minute 51.51 seconds, finishing ahead of Jamaican Agerian Jackson who took silver in 1:52.07.

However, the Jamaica flag was all over the remaining three 800m events with Cemore Donald (2:11.28) and Shaquena Foote (2:13.44) producing a one-two in the Girls’ Under-18, Kimar Farquharson (1:54.65) and Tyrese Reid (1:54.79) pulling off a similar feat in the corresponding Boys’ race, and Chrissani May winning the Girls’ Under-20 in 2:12.43.

Cope, meanwhile, stole his share of the headlines when he tossed the discus 61.25 metres to break the record of 60.44 set by fellow Jamaican Phillippe Barnett last year.

Saj-Jay Stevens and Kevin Nedrick extended Jamaica’s success in the field events, winning the Girls’ Under-20 javelin in 45.10 metres and the Boys’ Under-20 shot putt in 19.29m respectively.

Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago made their presence felt in the distance relays, winning the Boys’ Under-18 event in 3:14.65 and the Boys’ Under-20 in 3:09.32 respectively.

US$1.26M prize money for world relays US$1.26 MILLION in prize money will be at stake when the best relay teams from across the world assemble for battle during the IAAF/BTC World Relays set for Nassau, Bahamas from April 22 to 23.

Winning teams will collect US$50 000, while second-placers net US$30 000. Bronze medal teams will take home US$20 000.

However, none of the participating teams will leave empty-handed as US$12 000 goes to fourth-placed teams, US$10 000 to fifth, US$8 000 to sixth.

The seventh-place teams will be awarded US$6 000 while US$4 000 goes to the teams finishing eighth.

Of course, there is an added incentive for world records. Teams managing to set new international marks will collect US$50 000 courtesy of the IAAF. Five world records have been set at the IAAF World Relays that began in 2014.

At the inaugural edition in 2014, a Jamaican quartet clocked 1:18.63 to take down the men’s world 4x200m record while Kenyan teams shattered the standards in both the men’s and women’s 4x1500m.

In 2015, USA teams stamped their authority on the distance medley event by breaking the records in the men’s and women’s races. All five records still stand.

36

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Same script, different cast ON Tuesday, April 11, FIFA president Gianni Infantino arrived in Guyana and while the primary reason for his five-hour visit was not specified, the leader of the world’s most popular sport ceremoniously turned the sod for what will be the country’s first football stadium.

Infantino, who considers himself both Italian and Swiss, was the third FIFA boss to visit, dating back to João Havelange in 1976 and Sepp Blatter in 2001. However, unlike Havelange’s visit when the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) was then known as the Guyana Football Association, Blatter also turned the sod for football’s first home at the University of Guyana.

In 1999, Guyana, Belize, Bahamas, Nicaragua and St Lucia were listed as countries to benefit from FIFA’s new initiative, the ‘Goal Project’ (now known as the FIFA Forward Programme).

However, in 2001, Blatter had stated that the building of stadiums was the responsibility of governments and subsequently revealed that FIFA would contribute some US$400 000.

The Government of Guyana, through then Minister of Sport Gail Teixeira, bluntly refused, leaving the ‘beautiful game’ with nowhere to call its own.

Back then, everything about football was shady; the GFF was under the dictatorship of Colin Klass, who had close ties to FIFA vice-president and CONCACAF head Jack Warner, but it was clear that Guyana was one of the few regional territories where football development was stagnant.

In fact, while Guyana was struggling to even find

a space for FIFA Goal Project in 2001, Warner was able to successfully build at least four new stadiums in

Colin Klass

Teviz and other young budding would-be stars compete for a World Cup, while the GFF could not have found a space in all of Guyana’s 83 000 square miles.

The local football federation struggled for years to acquire land from the Government of Guyana until Moroccan Alami Binani made available to them a piece of land at Orangestein, East Bank Essequibo.

In 2011, Klass was suspended for his involvement in the famous ‘Cash for Votes’ scandal and the project was shelved with only a land-clearing exercise ever conducted.

Christopher Matthias

of the game, Guyana saw a democratic change in power in 2013 with the election of Christopher Matthias.

During his (Matthias) tenure, most of which was

to acquire land behind the Leonora Track and Field Facility, but nothing came to fruition as the PPP-government allegedly offered less than four acres which was not approved by the world governing body.

Matthias then became the first GFF president to be removed by FIFA and was replaced by a Clinton Urling-led Normalisation Committee. Football seemed stable and it was somewhat of a ‘litmus test’ given by FIFA. Under Urling, GFF and the Eccles/Ramsburg Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) signed an

and Urling had said that acquisition of the land “will change the face of football in Guyana forever”; an echoed sentiment by FIFA’s president Infantino.

On November 14, 2015, Wayne Forde was elected president and the GFF boss believes that it wouldn’t be the same as it was before

Clinton Urling

(L-R) GFF president Wayne Forde, FIFA president Giannia Infantino and Minister Nicolette Henry at the turning of the sod the FIFA Forward Programme. (Delano Williams photo)

Trinidad and Tobago for the hosting of the FIFA U-17 World Cup. In essence, it was embarrassing that a country of 1981 square miles in size was able to enjoy seeing the likes of Argentina’s Carlos

Under Klass’ successor, Franklin Wilson, the GFF acquired US$500 000 funding for the resuscitation of the project after initially being allocated US$400 000. For the first time since Klass’ ascension to the helm

embroiled in turmoil, the GFF discarded the Orangestein land due to the uncertainty surrounding its ownership and the distance from the capital city.

The GFF had engaged the government in an attempt

agreement that would see the local governing body for the sport of football get a 30year lease for the Providence Community Centre ground.

The ground, 8.5 acres in size, sits opposite the Guyana National Stadium

with regard to the Goal Project; same script, different cast but he (Forde) is optimistic of a different climax.

Dwayne Ferdinand and Home Designs and Engineering Associates won the bid ($128,982,471) for the elementary work and Green Fields was named by FIFA to execute the laying of the Astro Turf.

Marcel Gaskin and Associates will supervise the works at the facility, and while no time-line of completion was given, FIFA has indicated that the funding for the project has been approved.

Under president Infantino, FIFA member associations now have access to at least US$1.25 million per year to support running costs, training, infrastructure and facilities projects, and for development programmes and competitions such as youth leagues and women’s football.

37

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Pele Alumni FC Youth development Programme

Ed Caesar urges athletes to strive for a sound educational background

By Michael DaSilva FORMER Chief Education Officer (CEO) of the Ministry of Education, Ed Caesar, is of the firm belief that successful and progressive athletes in any discipline are those who are academically qualified.

This statement was made yesterday when the Pele Football Club Alumni Corporation launched its inaugural Youth Development Programme at the Carifesta Sports Complex, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown.

Caesar, who opened the floor with a presentation on `Importance of Academics as a Sportsman/Woman, told the over 50 youths present that without a proper education, an athlete, regardless of his/her skill level, will one day have to find another source of income, especially in their later years, hence it is important that they strive hard to have a sound educational background.

Caesar pointed out that while serving as the CEO with the ministry and even now while being an external exam-

iner for Physical Education in Guyana not many secondary schools are placing much emphasis on sports education.

He however noted that all secondary schools in Region 6 have a physical education programme.

According to Caesar, many secondary school heads do not understand or refuse to understand the importance of physical education which is now a CXC subject.

“There are people in our country who do not understand the importance of sports and academics,” the former CEO lamented and went on relate that studies have shown that when an individual participates in sports and that individual is academically qualified, that person will be more focused and better able to make decisions under pressure. “You cannot do this if your academic is not on par,” Caesar lamented.

Caesar pointed out that as an athlete, a time will come and they will get old and their skill level will drop, “so what are you going to turn back to?” Caesar

Secretary of the Pele Alumni Corporation, David `Doggy’ Chan, addresses the youths who attended yesterday’s opening day of the Corporation’s Youth Development Camp at the Carifesta Sports Complex. (Photo by Delano Williams) questioned.

Caesar is of the view that Guyana does not have coaches who sit with their charges and stress the need for them to become academically qualified.

Warrican and Benn bowl Barbados to victory BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Not even a stunning half-century from rookie Fabian Allen could prevent Jamaica Scorpions from a sudden collapse, as they crashed to a 26-run defeat to Barbados Pride in their final match of the Regional four-day championship here yesterday.

Starting the final day at Kensington Oval on 114 for one in pursuit of 341 for victory, Scorpions were dismissed for 314, in the second session, after suffering a swift lower order meltdown.

Chadwick Walton, unbeaten on 70 overnight, made 93 while Trevon Griffith, who started the day on 25, made 53.

Allen, in only his fourth first-class game, smashed an entertaining 60 off 35 deliveries and Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood chimed in with 44.

Scorpions reached lunch on 241 for five – with another 100 runs required in the final two sessions of the contest.

But Test left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican claimed five for 87 and veteran spin-

ner Sulieman Benn, also a left-armer, picked up three for 90, as Scorpions lost their last five wickets for 73 runs.

The defeat for Scorpions was their fifth of the campaign and their fourth in five outings in the latter half of the competition, after leading at the mid-season break.

Starting the day in control of the run chase, Walton and Griffith extended their second wicket stand to 137 before being separated.

Scorpions were increasing their stranglehold on the game when Grifftih swung Warrican to Ashley Nurse at mid-on at 162 for two. Just inside the hour mark, Walton perished with his fifth first-class century in sight, superbly taken at short leg by Kyle Corbin off off-spinner Kenroy Williams.

All told, Walton faced 181 deliveries in a shade over 3-1/4 hours at the crease and counted seven fours and four sixes.

Scenting a way back, Pride claimed Paul Palmer cheaply for five to a juggling catch at leg slip by Jonathan Carter off Warrican, as Scor-

pions slumped to 176 for four.

Blackwood and the experienced Devon Thomas then came together to steady the innings, in a 65-run, fifth-wicket stand which seemed to be carrying Scorpions safely to the break.

But Blackwood fell on the stroke of lunch, when he edged Benn to Nurse at slip at 241 for five, after he had struck three fours and a six in a breezy 66-ball knock.

It all went haywire for Scorpions after lunch, with three wickets tumbling for five runs in the space of 20 balls to leave Scorpions on the verge of defeat at 251 for eight.

However, Allen brandished his bat to good effect, blasting three fours and six sixes to rally the innings and give Scorpions hope.

He put on a vital 44 for the ninth wicket with captain Nikita Miller (4) which rattled Pride before Warrican had Miller caught at slip by Benn.

Allen’s last-ditch effort ended when he holed out to Kevin Stoute at cover off Warrican.

All they (coaches) are interested in is for the team to win matches or individual honours, but they are not instilling the need to be academically qualified,” Caesar stated.

Caesar reminisced on his

youthful days when he attended a university in Canada and was a member of the university’s track and field team. Caesar said each weekend, the team’s coach will sit with the team members and the coach will find out from each

athlete, how their academic programme is going. This does not happen in Guyana,” the former CEO lamented, adding, “This is what needs to be done.”

Meanwhile, yesterday’s sessions also included Personal Hygiene, Proper Decision-Making, Sports Clinic – Physiotherapy, Public Speaking and Benefits of Athletics presentations.

Today, the participants will go on two field trips; the first will be one to the Eugene F. Correia International Airport and the other to Banks DIH Limited, Thirst Part.

Tomorrow, participants will learn about Understanding the Role of Computers, compliments of Computer World and Life Style/Etiquette, compliments of the Carnegie School of Home Economics.

Tomorrow also, from noon to 15:00hrs, there will be a luncheon and presentation of awards, while from 15:00hrs there will be a summary of the programme.

Supreme Court blocks Srinivasan comeback as BCCI representative A SHOCK return for N. Srinivasan to the boardrooms of the International Cricket Council (ICC) has been ruled out by India’s Supreme Court.

In a ruling delivered yesterday in Delhi by a three-judge bench, the court ruled that Srinivasan, a former BCCI president and ICC chairman, cannot attend crucial ICC meetings next week as the Indian board’s representative.

Instead, the court directed the BCCI’s acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary and CEO Rahul Johri to attend the ICC’s second round of quarterly meetings in Dubai between April 23 and 27.

Vikram Limaye, the Committee of Administrators member, who attended the previous ICC meeting as BCCI representative, will not be attending this time.

The court had been asked by the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) to clarify whether office-bearers disqualified by the Lodha Committee’s recommendations could return as representatives of state associations or the BCCI. The judges said, however, that they would not deliberate the broader eligibility issue for now, concentrating instead on the onepoint agenda to determine who from the BCCI will be negotiating in Dubai.

“Mr Srinivasan cannot go,”

N. Srinivasan

the court observed during the hearing. The three Justices - Dipak Misra, AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud - were clear that there was a “cloud” hanging over Srinivasan’s integrity, which precluded him from being the right person to represent the BCCI. The ruling should temporarily end a recent push by BCCI officials to bring Srinivasan back into the fold for the ICC meetings. It is an important week for world cricket as members are expected to move closer not only to deciding how to govern the game, but, also significantly, how to divide its financial pie.

The BCCI left the last board meeting in February unhappy with

the new financial model that was presented, in which its share of ICC revenues was considerably reduced from the previous model created by the Big Three.

That Srinivasan was plotting a comeback was evident after he attended a special general body meeting (SGM) called by the BCCI, in which picking a representative for the ICC meetings was a main point on the agenda. That meeting on April 9 was adjourned and will be held on April 18.

By attending Srinivasan was ignoring court and COA warnings that office-bearers disqualified under the Lodha Committee recommendations could not attend the BCCI meetings.

Srinivasan was ineligible on three counts: he is over 70 years of age, has completed nine years as an office-bearer both at the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) and the BCCI, and is also yet to resign as TNCA president, thereby flouting the court judgement of July 2016, which had approved the Lodha Committee’s recommendations.

According to acting BCCI president CK Khanna, the SGM was still scheduled for April 18, but he would consult the other two office-bearers - Choudhary and the treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry - before taking a final decision.(ESPN Cricinfo).

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Red Force wraps up campaign on a high with innings win BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago Red Force ended an otherwise disappointing Regional four-day campaign on a high when they crushed Leeward Islands Hurricanes by an innings and 17 runs here Tuesday.

Starting the final day of their 10th round game at Warner Park needing a huge effort to pull off victory, Red Force found their inspiration in leg-spinner Imran Khan who finished with match figures of 11 for 140.

He failed to add to his overnight five-wicket haul as Hurricanes, resuming on 273 for six, were dismissed for 299. Seamer Roshon Primus took two of the four wickets to fall to finish with two for 62.

Following on by 254 runs, Hurricanes were dismissed for 237 in their second innings

with Khan proving T&T’s trump card again with six for 74.

Off-spinner Bryan Charles picked up three for 110.

Opener and captain Montcin Hodge resisted with an unbeaten 96 while Kacey Carty carved out his second half-century of the game with 54 and Akeem Saunders got 41.

Hurricanes were 188 for three at one stage inside the first hour after tea but suffered a swift collapse to lose their last seven wickets for 49 runs, and slide to their fifth defeat of the season.

In their second turn at the crease, Chesney Hughes fell cheaply for 11 with just 25 runs on the board but Hodge and Carty combined in an 83run second-wicket stand to steady the innings.

Hodge faced 222 balls in just over 4-3/4 hours and

SCOREBOARD

Imran Khan was named man-of-the match for his 11 wickets in the match.

struck 13 fours while Carty, in his eighth first class game, stroked five fours and two sixes in a handsome 79-ball knock.

Charles claimed Carty – mistiming a drive to midon – and Jamaican Nkrumah Bonner (0) – caught at the wicket – in successive deliveries but Hurricanes found

solace in another half-century stand, this time between Hodge and Saunders, which yielded 76 runs.

Saunders was within touching distance of his half-century when he gloved one from Khan that bounced and was caught at forward short-leg, triggering a terminal decline.

RED FORCE 1st innings 553 HURRICANES 1st innings (o/n 273 for six) M. Hodge c Webster b Khan 64 C. Hughes lbw b Charles 71 K. Carty c Webster b Khan 53 N. Bonner c Cooper b Khan 16 A. Saunders lbw b Primus 27 J. Otto lbw b Khan 0 S. Peters c and b Khan 0 J. Taylor b Cottrell 23 J. Louis c Cariah b Richards 16 J. Campbell b Primus 0 G. Tonge not out 8 Extras: (b-4, lb-8, w-2, nb-7) 21 Total: (all out, 107.5 overs) 299 Fal l of wi cket s: 1- 137, 2-175, 3-223, 4-223, 5-227, 6-237, 7-273, 8-275, 9-275.

Bowling: Cottrell 15-2-371, Richards 14.5-4-39-1, Primus 18-2-62-2, Webster 3-1-11-0, Imran Khan 287-66-5, Charles 29-10-72-1.

HURRICANES 2nd in-

nings (following on) M. Hodge not out 96 C. Hughes c Primus b Khan 11 K. Carty c Primus b Charles 54 N. Bonner c wkp. Jangoo b Charles 0 A. Saunders c Nicholson b Khan41 J. Otto c Richards b Cariah 8 S. Peters c Khan b Charles 8 J. Taylor c Cottrell b Khan 1 J. Louis b Khan 0 G. Tonge c Cariah b Khan 0 J. Campbell c Primus b Khan 1 Extras: (b-12, lb-4, nb-1) 17 Total: (all out, 79.5 overs) 237 Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-112, 3-112, 4-188, 5-207, 6-230, 7-231, 8-231, 9-231.

Bowling: Richards 5-1-4-0, Primus 4-0-7-0, Webster 2-012-0, Charles 31-6-110-3, Imran Khan 32.5-9-74-6, Cottrell 3-0-11-0, Cariah 2-0-3-1.

Points: Red Force 20.8, Hurricanes 5.

Wins for Jamaica, Trinidad as CUT Les USACA crush GCA XI by 129 runs in final match Harris T20 tourney opens in Guyana REGIONAL educators took time away from the classroom yesterday as the Caribbean Union of Teachers’ (CUT) Les Harris T20 cricket tournament commenced in Guyana with wins for Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago.

In the opening game hosts Guyana went down to Jamaica by 84 runs, after failing to chase down the earlier 185 total needed for victory at the Demerara Cricket Club ground.

Gavaskar Malachi made 63 and Keith Hibbert 49 in the total that was put on the board, as Jamaica opted to take first strike after win-

ning the toss.

Kewin Paul 2 for 30 from three overs represented the pick of the bowlers for Guyana, while Dacram Samaroo and Amitab Bisnath each supported with one.

With the bat, Guyana failed miserably going all out at 101 after 16.5 overs.

A half-century from Darnell Douglas (51) was the top score for the team and they will be hoping to rebound in the next game.

Carl Brissett was the leading wicket-taker with 4 for 8 off two overs and he was supported with two each from Gurald Morgan and Malachi.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

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) (2) Today’s Quiz: (1) Where and when did the WI and PAK play a

Test match for the first time?

(2) Who were the captains involved?

Part of the match between Trinidad and The Bahamas.

(Delano Williams photo)

Game two saw Trinidad beat The Bahamas by 95 runs.

Batting first, the Trinidad and Tobago side were not shy with the bat.

Christopher Sieusankar notched up 60, while Sester Hanooman clubbed 27 and Vinod Maharaj hit 26 in the side’s 169-4 total.

Les Melville picked up 1 for 19 off three overs while John Dolan had 1-26 from four, Himchand Rampersaud 1-14 from three.

In response, The Bahamas made only 74, all out, with 21 from Garth Davis, whiowas the leading scorer, while Devon

Shields dominated with four wickets from one over and Sieusankar and Dehan Seeram bagged two apiece.

The Les Harris Cricket Competition is a biennial limited overs contest that CUT organises. The last two tournaments were held in St Vincent in 2011 and St. Lucia 2013. The Jamaica Teachers Association are the winners of the last three tournaments.

Matches continue today at the Guyana Defence Force ground, with Guyana playing Trinidad in game one and Jamaica facing The Bahamas in game two. The tournament concludes on Friday.

A GEORGETOWN Cricket Association (GCA) XI received a thrashing from the USASA’s U-17s in the final match of their tour of Guyana yesterday, at Georgetown Cricket Club Bourda.

Batting first, the USACA team made 200-7 in their allotted 50 overs; their scorer-in-chief being Sijejah Nukkamella who was eventually run- out for 60.

He gained valuable assistance from Adrian Hinds who slammed 34, Pradeep Ravi 23 and Issah Jaggernauth 19 (not out) In response, the GCA XI were rooted out for 72 in 18.5

overs. Twan Hicks’ 20 not out was the highest total of that innings while 12-yearold Mahindra Dindayal was the only other batsman to get into double figures with 11.

This was due chiefly in part to AS Khangura who bagged 4-32 in his spell with Ravi copping 3-16 and Aditya Sharma 2-4 The touring USACA U-17s, hosted by the GCA, lost on Wednesday under lights and Thursday against TSC but won on Good Friday in a match against Imam Bacchus’ U-17s on the Essequibo Coast.

A GCA XI player executes a cover drive during their defeat by the USACA U-17s, at the GCC ground Bourda yesterday. (Delano Williams photo)

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Vishal can provide middle-order stability, says chief selector ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Chief selector Courtney Browne believes Vishal Singh can provide added stability in the West Indies middle-order, during the upcoming Test series against Pakistan.

The 28-year-old lefthander was one of two uncapped players named in 13man squad to face Pakistan in the opening Test, bowling off at Sabina Park in Jamaica on Friday.

Vishal endured an underwhelming first class season but carved out an unbeaten 135 in the three-day tour match against the Pakistanis

at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium last weekend, to force his way into contention.

“Vishal has been one of the more consistent batsmen in the Regional four-day ournament over the last few seasons and had a very good A-Team series against Sri Lanka last year,” Browne pointed out.

“His hundred over the weekend for the WICB President’s XI against the Pakistanis helped to fortify in our minds that he has a place in our squad. He gives us the option of a solid middle-order batsman around whom our

more free-scoring players can bat.”

Vishal managed over 700 runs last season and followed up with a superb 161 for West Indies A against Sri Lanka A in Pallekele last October. However, his returns this season have been poor, with just 317 runs at an average of 26.

Ever since selectors axed the long-serving Shiv Chanderpaul two years ago, they have been without a steady hand in the middle order and with Marlon Samuels dropped and Dwayne Bravo’s continued exile from the squad,

Vishal Singh

Vishal is being viewed as a solution to the middle order.

His Guyana Jaguars

teammate Shimron Hetmyer has also found space in the squad following a season that yielded 496 runs,

and Browne said the Youth World Cup captain was one for the future.

“Shimron has shown a lot of maturity during this season of regional games and also within our A team,” Browne explained.

“It is really satisfying to see someone that only a year ago was leading our Under-19 squad to the ICC Youth World Cup title progress so quickly to be considered for a place in the squad.

“We want to wish the young man well and hope that he, like all the others, can grasp the opportunity when it presents itself.”

Jamaica’s McLeod to face field of champions at Prefontaine Classic 2016 Olympic 110-metres hurdles champion, Omar McLeod, the first sprint hurdler to break 10 seconds in the flat 100m and 13 seconds in the 110m hurdles, takes on a stacked field in the sprint hurdles event at the 2017 Prefontaine Classic set for Eugene, Oregon on May 26 and 27.

McLeod, the 2016 World number one, will take on the last four number-one sprint hurdlers that will include the last two Olympic Champions,

the last two World Champions and the World Record Holder, all of whom have dipped under the 13-second barrier in their careers.

For their accomplishments, each of the five has ranked No. 1 in the world at least once by Track & Field News.

The Jamaican Olympic champion and World Indoor Champion, who has a personal best of 12.97, will face off against world-record

2016 Olumpic 110-metres hurdles champion Omar McLeod

holder Aries Merritt (12.80), Russia’s Sergey Shubenkov (12.98) who is the defending world champion from Beijing in 2015, and American David Oliver, who boasts a personal best of 12.89.

Also in the line-up will be the dual threat from France, 25-year-old France’s Pascal Martinot-Lagarde (12.95) and Dimitri Bascou, (13.12) the Olympic bronze medal last year, as well as 2016 European champion, Great Brit-

ain’s Andrew Pozzi, (13.13) who capped an undefeated indoor season in the 60 hurdles with a European Indoor gold.

Organisers are hoping to fill the remaining lane with Devon Allen, the 22-year-old Oregon star who twice swept NCAA and USATF titles. His best of 13.03 – set last July at Hayward Field to win the U.S. Olympic Trials – is the fastest by an American on U.S. soil since 2014.

Samuels donates US$14 000 to blind community WEST Indies cricketer Marlon Samuels, through The Marlon Samuels Foundation which was officially launched in 2013, has continued in his pledge to support Jamaica’s blind community by making a contribution of J$1.5M (US$11 700) to The Jamaica Society for the Blind to aid in the fulfilling of their mandate of promoting the welfare, education and employment of persons who are blind or visually impaired in Jamaica.

The donation was made at a press conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston yesterday, and was received by Executive Director of the Jamaica So-

ciety for the Blind, Ms Lola Marson.

Samuels also made a presentation of J$350 000

(US$2700) to a visually impaired student from Church Teachers College (CTC), 23-year-old Garfield Mitch-

Jamaica and West Indies cricketer is third from left while members of the Jamaica Society for the Blind display the cheques.

ell, who passed seven CXC subjects with Grade ones and twos. He had faced challenges with paying his tuition but is now a student at CTC pursuing his dream of becoming a teacher Mitchell shared his ordeal with the Jamaica Star newspaper on April 10 and Samuels saw his story and reached out to his family.

Samuels has been supporting Jamaica’s blind community since 2013 after he suffered an eye injury while playing for the Melbourne Renegades in the Australian Big Bash Twenty20 tournament, which left him confined to his hotel room and unable to see for two weeks.

“Well, the urge for this

is definitely two weeks of closing my left eye and not being able to see anything out of my right eye. It was total darkness, so I can imagine what they are going through for their entire life being like that,” said Samuels.

“So I will continue to do what I have done today as I know what it feels like to be without sight as I experienced those two traumatic weeks. If I can raise awareness for this cause, I would have achieved something for the community.

“Visual impairment has been a long-standing reality in the Jamaican society. JSB, through its service offerings and education, has really

been doing a great job and I would recommend genuine investment in this organisation.”

JSB focuses on helping blind people to adjust to their condition, lead productive lives and encourage, through public education, better eye care among the sighted.

The JSB programmes and services include vision-testing, rehabilitation, instruction, and public education. The funds were raised through pledges made by friends of Marlon Samuels, including Cricket World Cup 2007 CEO Chris Dehring & Samuel’s PSL Team Owner, Javed Afridi.

Vishal can provide middle-order stability, says chief selector P.39

Melanie B is new Guinness East Coast champions See Page 34 Melanie B receive their trophy and will represent East Coast in the Guinness Greatest of the Streets Regional playoff.

Gayle becomes first 10,000run T20 batsman in RCB win

See Page 34 Chris Gayle has now scored 10 074 runs in T20 cricket.

Sports journalism students to benefit from WICB bursaries THE West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the University of the West Indies (UWI), through the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communications (CARIMAC), yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding for five bursaries to begin September 2017.

The five bursaries are being named in honour of five Caribbean media stalwarts - the late Roy Lawrence and Tony Cozier; Tony Becca, Headley Samuels and Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira.

Head of CARIMAC, Professor Hopeton Dunn, says the programme is geared towards assisting students, with a specific interest in cricket, as they pursue further education in Media/Communications programmes to include undergraduate studies in Integrated Marketing Communication, Journalism (Radio, Television, Print and Online)

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

Guyanese cricket commentator Joseph `Reds’ Perreira

and Digital Media Production. This relationship is for three years.

He also noted that the MOU has prompted CARIMAC to add two new courses in the short term – Cricket Commentary and Analytics and Sport Culture and Caribbean Media,

which are expected to begin in the new academic year.

WICB president Dave Cameron said the initiative demonstrates the board’s commitment to the continued development of the sport in the region.

“The investment is for US$150 000 over the period and the students who get selected for the bursaries will have access to work experience in WICB’s international and regional series and with other partners where applicable,” said WICB president Dave Cameron.

“It was important that two of the oldest Caribbean institutions’ partnering for such an important programme is a signal of the commitment of the WICB to continue to facilitate the growth of cricket across the region. Education forms part of that role.”The selection criteria for the programme have been prepared and the five students will be selected shortly.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL, 19 , 2017