Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 19 09 2016

Gov’t fixing salary, office No. 104679

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016

Price: $80 (VAT Inclusive)

…for public procurement body

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Judicial independence

...independence of the judiciary major focus at Commonwealth judges' confab

Engineers in big push to remove sunken ‘draga’

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Commonwealth jurists attended a welcome reception at the Marriott Hotel Sunday evening ahead of their conference which opens this morning at the same venue

15 homeless Fourth suspect ‒ as fire sweeps through Corriverton home 3 P.

nabbed

‒ in Black Bush triple murder P.2

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Guyanese robber killed in Suriname A GUYANESE was among a gang of persons gunned down in Suriname on Saturday as police in the resort Geyersvlijt responded to a report of a robbery at a supermarket on the Anamoestraat.

According to Surinamese News report, the shopkeeper and his partner told the lawmen that four armed men came into the supermarket and overpowered them; two of the men were masked. The shopkeeper and his wife

knevelden then shouted for help.

A neighbour, who heard, took a look and saw the robbers fleeing the scene with their booty. Surinamese sources disclosed that the cornered gang consisted of one Guyanese, two Jamaicans and one Surinamese. Police visited the homes of those gang members and three other persons were arrested.

Reports further reveal that a security guard from a security company who came riding gave chase. The robbers fired at the vehicle, resulting in the windscreen being shattered, but the guard was unharmed.

The criminals then fled the area Anamoestraat and Kleinestraat and ran into the forest.

The robbers opened fire on members of the Regional Assistance Team Paramaribo who had arrived in the meantime. There was an encounter with the police. The four robbers were cornered and shot by police. Three of them died. The fourth criminal was transported by ambulance to the Emergency Medicine at the Academic Hospital Par-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 19, 2016

Decomposed body of pensioner found in home THE badly decomposed body of Verona Franklin, 86, of Fyrish Village, East Berbice, Corentyne, was discovered in her home on Saturday.

The pensioner, who lived alone, was reportedly seen two days before by neighbours. On Saturday afternoon neighbours called relatives after a pungent scent was noticeably emanating from her residence.

Relatives sensing some-

thing wrong rushed to the home and alerted police after discovering her dead.

According to a police source, a grandson went into the house and discovered the badly decomposed body of the woman in her bedroom.

It is believed she died of natural causes. Due to the state of decomposition, the body was removed early Sunday morning and buried immediately.

Fourth suspect nabbed

‒ in Black Bush triple murder The suspects that were shot (Viribus Audax Photo Suriname)

amaribo, where he has been admitted.

Reports disclose that the police seized at the scene a shotgun with shortened barrel and butt, and a revolver. Booty was also found. The three bodies were seized after consultation with a member of the Public Prosecutor. The investigation in this case has been transferred to the Department of Capital Crimes. The identity of the robbers is not known.

THE fourth suspect in the Black Bush triple murder who was on the run since July has been captured by ranks of the Criminal Investigation Department in a covert operation.

The suspect, Rakesh Karamchand called “Go to front,” who was wanted in connection with the murder of Pawan Chandradeo, 37, called “Suresh” and “Jug Up”; his son Jaikarran Chandradeo, 16, called “Kevin”; and his brother-in-law Na-

resh Rooplall, 35, called “Teeka Bai” and “Mice” was captured by ranks in the Corentyne backlands after they conducted a raid based on intelligence gathered.

The trio were found dead after a fishing trip, shot at point blank range.

Karamchand was found with an unlicensed shot gun and several rounds of ammunition in his possession at the time of the arrest. He was the fourth suspect fingered in the murder of the trio who were fishing and stumbled upon the men who were allegedly stealing diesel fuel at the time.

The other suspects, Carlton Chetram called “cashew boy” and “lie man” and his 17-year-old son Jairam Chetram both of 36 Mibicuri South and worker Tameshwar Jagmohan, 18, called “Guana”, of 222 Mibicuri South, Black Bush Polder, were remanded to prison after they reportedly confessed to the crime.

They are expected to make their third court appearance on Wednesday.

Karamchand, of Sheet Anchor, East Canje, is expected to be charged shortly.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 19, 2016

‒ after fire sweeps through Corriverton home

FIFTEEN persons are now homeless after a fire of unknown origin swept through a two-storey, six-bedroom building at Lot 114 Alexander Street, Rampur Village, Springlands, Corriverton Corentyne, East Berbice on Saturday.

Nothing was saved from the blaze.

Among the homeless are seven children aged from three years to 10 years, and eight adults who are now contemplating their next move.

Gloria Downer, 52, owner

of the home and foster mother to several of the children, estimates her losses at $8M. She told the Guyana Chronicle that when she returned from market at about 15:30 hrs, the children said they needed something to eat.

“I come from the market and the kids say they hungry, so I buy a food and the kids eat and went to play in the yard. A little while after, one of the boys come to me and say smoke coming from upstairs, so I hurry to check; and when I reach and watch up, the whole upstairs

Prospect woman missing RELATIVES of a mother of one who has been missing for the past three weeks are asking the public and relevant authorities to assist in locating the whereabouts of Shawnette Savory called “Shonette”.

The 37-year-old woman went missing from her residence at Lot 222, Last Street Prospect, East Bank Demerara on August, 29, 2016.

Her sister, Vanessa Ramcharran said that Savory who lives alone would usually call whenever she would decide to stay out late.

“She called me the same Monday she went missing and talked to me and she told me that she was leaving home to go buy credit for her (GPL) meter. She went home back and put in the credit in the meter and a little while after the landlady said she went out back and she never returned,” Ramcharran said.

“We tried calling her cell number daily but it keeps going to voicemail.

Someone that knows her in the area also told us that they spoke to her the same day she went missing. He has not since been able to get back onto her.”

Adding that her sister is a mother of one but the

Distraught: Gloria Downer

in smoke,” Downer told the Guyana Chronicle.

Downer said no one was upstairs at the time, and the genesis of the fire is unclear, but it is suspected that the started in a back bedroom.

Downer said she screamed for help and the neighbours came to assist in getting the children to safety.

They also formed a bucket brigade before the Fire Ser-

What remains of the Lot 114 Alexander Street, Rampur Village, Corriverton, Berbice home after the blaze

vice arrived, but by the time firemen came, it was too late to save anything because the building was well ablaze.

A distraught Downer, who has been living at the residence for the past 42 years, is appealing for help from the public. “People who have children does

bring them and I does mind them….

Last night we sleep by the neighbours. I really don’t know the next move; they have to go to school, all seven of them does go, but now they have nothing,” she disclosed.

Cane harvester Thomas

Cush said he, his wife and her sister, along with several nephews and the children shared the burnt out home.

“It is a major loss,” he said.

Persons interested in helping the now homeless persons can contact them on telephone number 6023160.

Missing: Shawnette Savory

18-year-old lives with the father in the United States, Ramcharran said this is the first time this has ever happened and checks at her apartment revealed that all her important documents and valuables were left behind.

“So it’s not like she knowingly went away.”

Ramcharran said a report was made to the Providence Police Station. The woman explained that her sister was not working at the time of her disappearance but the “toilet paper factory in Diamond” she worked with tried making contact with her since they recommenced operations, but they were unable also to contact the missing woman.

Anyone knowing of Savory’s whereabouts can contact the nearest police station or 2333699.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo with Minister of State Joseph Harmon and acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh after being sworn in as acting President on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photo)

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo at his Main Street, Georgetown residence on Sunday took the oath to perform duties as President in absence of President David Granger.

President Granger has left the jurisdiction to attend the United Nations' 71st General Assembly in New York, USA (Samuel Maughn photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 19, 2016

Fraser crowned Miss Guyana Universe 2016

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HE second time was definitely the charm for former Miss Universe Guyana first runner-up Soyini Fraser, who was crowned Miss Universe Guyana on Saturday.

Fraser beat out tough competition from former Miss World Guyana Rufeiya Husain, among others, when the pageant was hosted at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

“My chest is just trying to contain my heart right now. At the announcement of the top five I was just happy to be the first person called; I was just crazy, excited.

You can’t even understand how hard it is when you’re up here and you have so many beautiful women in one place and you just wish that you are the ones that the judges think can take the next step,” Fraser told reporters following her win.

Husain finished as first runner-up. Ariella Basdeo

was the second runner-up, followed by Ashley John and Ayana Whitehead in the third and fourth positions.

Dressed in her red Sidney L Francois evening gown, Fraser was crowned by outgoing queen Shauna Ramdyhan.

Fraser also saw herself picking up the pageant award for “Best Talent”, while in other awards Malika Russell won “Miss Congeniality”, Xameira Kippins deservingly took the “Miss Fitness Award”; Ariella Basdeo took the “Beautiful Heart” award; and Ashley John earned the “People’s Choice Award.”

There was no award for best gown, but obviously if there was, Soyini would have seen herself copping another award, in her fishtail designed dress, with designer Francois continuing to show that he is the “Pageant King” when it comes to evening gowns.

The pageant got off to an embarrassing start-- one hour

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segment got underway with the lovely young ladies strutting their stuff in their Kandice Pelletier two-piece bikinis.

As if the late start did not afford patrons enough time to mingle, the night then headed into intermission, where more worries awaited the VIP patrons when it was soon realised the bar was out of many drinks.

Soyini Fraser waves to the crowd after being crowned Miss Guyana Universe 2016 and a half late. And added themselves without one.

Things started off with the to that, the VIP section was overloaded and when host traditional presentation of the Sherod Duncan invited the young ladies, with the beauties attendees to take their seats, entering to Timeka Marshall’s many VIP patrons found “Come Go Down Deh.” The crowd favourites were quickly identified as Ashley John and Kippins.

As a singer sweetly serenaded the audience to “Mermaid Fantasy,” the swimsuit

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BETTER FIND “I’ve only had two glasses of wine and they’re out of wine already, I paid $15,000 for my ticket, they better find more wine,” commented an irate patron, sending organisers once again scrambling to fix things.

During intermission, supporters were given the opportunity to mingle with the newly minted Miss Guyana India queen, the radiant, Brittany Singh. It was then time for the evening gown segment, and then it was time for the suspenseful announcement of the top 10 finalists.

The top 10 finalists had already been decided upon based on the delegates’ performance at the preceding, lacklustre Miss Universe Guyana “Preliminary and Talent Night” last week Tuesday at the Savannah Suite of the Pegasus Hotel.

Many seemed sufficient-

ly satisfied with this list, which outside of the top five also included Kippins, Odessa Grogan, Iman Jaisingh, Denisha Rogers, and Meleisa DeFreitas. It was the end of the road for Keliesha Kelly, Aysya Kelly, and Ashley Cameron.

Moving at a mercifully fast pace, just over one hour after its start, the pageant was already down to its final five, and it was time for the final questions.

Each delegate was required to answer two questions: one universal question given to all of the delegates, as well as a second question individual to each delegate.

The first general and easy question asked the ladies: “Why should you be chosen to be Miss Universe Guyana 2016?” To which almost all of the top five answered wonderfully, making it tough for the audience to begin assessing a winner.

In her answer to this question, Soyini noted that she felt being a confidently beautiful young woman, of determination and strength, are traits that she believes should give her the crown.

Her second question was: “There has been much debate and discussion about the University of Guyana; I know generally education in Guyana. If you could make a difference in education in Guyana, what would it be and how would you do it.”

Fraser beautifully noted that she would “ensure that teachers’ salaries are raised”, a very well received answer. And in the end this was obviously the best question and answers that stood out to the judges.

Soyini now moves on to representing Guyana at the Miss Universe Pageant in the Philippines on January 1, 2016, when she will be hopeful of making it into the top 15 and ending Guyana’s poor standing at the pageant over the years.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 19, 2016

4 narrowly escape death

By Shirley Thomas

FOUR members of the North Ruimveldt AME Zion Church Ruimveldt on Sunday morning narrowly escaped death when the motor car in which they were travelling was rammed off a road in Meadowbrook, by a speeding Toyota Allion PTT 1315, and sent flying into a nearby trench.

The occupants of the car, Toyota Allion PMM 1588 driven by Andrea Jordan, were returning home from a Christian Education Day Celebration hosted at the church.

Around 12:20 hrs, Jordan was driving north along Takuba Road when, as she approached the intersec-

Andrea Jordan’s car PMM 1588 in the Meadowbrook trench on Sunday

No shortage of essential drugs in Region 5 REGION Five Regional Health Officer, Dr Steven Cheefoon said there is no shortage of essential drugs at health facilities in the region.

He gave the assurance at the Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) statutory meeting last week in response to allegations of widespread shortages by opposition councillors.

Berbice litterbug fined $15,000

A WEST Coast Berbice man was last Friday fined $15,000 for dumping garbage along the highway. Bryan Jhingoree of Number 22 Village was found guilty of committing the offence on August 12.

The charge read that he dumped a large quantity of domestic waste on the southern side of the Number 22 Village Public Road within the Union/Naarstigheid Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC), knowing that his action would be a nuisance and be injurious to the health of residents in the area.

Jhingoree was absent from the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court when the charge was brought up before Magistrate Rhondell Weever by Senior Environmental Health Officer in Region Five, Ignatius Merai.

Magistrate Weever entered a not guilty plea for him and proceeded to hold a trial in his absence.

Merai told the court that Jhingoree had apparently been employed by some businesses in the area to collect their garbage and dump it wherever he deemed convenient.

Merai said that he had dumped one set of garbage on the road reserve when he was spotted by a concerned citizen who promptly reported the illegal activity to the Environmental Health Department.

Officers of the department responded to the complaint and caught him red handed dumping another set of garbage on the road reserve.

After receiving evidence from supporting witnesses, the magistrate found Jhingoree guilty in his absence.

She ruled that he pay the fine or spend 21 days in prison.

The magistrate also ruled that he must clean up the garbage, and failing to do so will see the NDC doing the clean-up and recovering the cost from him.

Having been found guilty in absentia, the police are expected to locate Jhingoree and get him to comply with the ruling of the Court.

-- says Regional Health Officer “Why there would have appeared to be some shortages is because we have two shelves for storing drugs: one as a distribution shelf and one for stocking and storage. We would have drugs pre-packed outside on the distribution shelf but in the recent past on certain clinic days, we would have a high influx of patients referred from other hospitals to receive treatment at Fort Wellington or Mahaicony hospitals.

“This, would have caused a temporary shortage on the distribution shelf and in such cases, the patient would receive the drugs the next day or on the next clinic date if it is a drug that is on the non-essential list.”

He assured that his department has put systems in place to ensure that this problem does not re-occur.

“We have put an extra 1000 of every medication on the distribution shelf to cater for the excess of patients with chronic illnesses referred to us by hospitals outside the region.”

Region Five has 15 health centres and two cottage hospitals.

tion just off Meadowbrook Football Field and Takuba Road, her car was slammed

by Toyota Allion PTT 1315 heading east into Guyhoc Park, along the Ball Field Road.

Witnesses said the motor car heading into Guyhoc, was driven by a young man, at a fast rate. He exercised no caution as he approached the ‘right of way’ and crashed into the left side of the woman’s car, hitting it clean off the road.

On impact, the offending vehicle spun around and ended up parked in the middle of the intersection and facing the direction from whence it had come.

Witnesses said the man panicked and immediately exited his car, leaving it

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parked in the middle of the busy intersection and ran away.

The accident attracted residents and passersby who rescued the female driver, along with another woman and two schoolaged children (all church members) who were seated in the back seat of the vehicle.

While the female driver (Jordan) and the two children showed no immediate signs of having been injured, the other woman Andrea Raymon, a nurse, soon after began complaining of pains in her jaws and ears.

The survivors expressed thanks to God for protecting them from serious injury or death in the crash.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial Too many road accidents

LAST week the Police Traffic Department launched “Operation Safeway” in the presence of a road fatality figure that has this year increased by 33 per cent. This figure is troubling, and suggests the need for drastic actions -- remedial, pre-emptive and sanctioned -- to stem the reckless use of our roads.

The collision last Friday on the Unity, East Coast Demerara road, which resulted in deaths and injuries, comes in the midst of publicity efforts by the police to curb the senseless use of the roads. Where lives are affected and destruction to vehicles and roadways occur, this nation can ill afford to let this pattern of conduct -- now becoming a way of life -- continue. Accidents don’t happen, they are caused. There are reasons that contribute to the upsurge in accidents, and the police should be able to identify those in order to target the sources, develop appropriate strategies, and allocate needed resources.

Even without this newspaper having the benefit of scientific data to determine the propensity of particular road behaviours, it cannot be denied that road usage needs to be looked at through holistic lenses. It may be important to revisit the process of training and licensing of drivers with a view to strengthening their understanding of signs and road usage, and to inculcate in them a greater awareness of the responsibility of every driver. A motor vehicle in the hands of the wrong driver can become a destructive weapon.

Discourtesy is a prevalent feature in today’s society.

Some motorists accelerate when the light is at amber, don’t want to wait for the light to turn green, are intolerant to observers of traffic laws, and would incessantly blow their horns for others to get out of their way. There are drivers who refuse to stop at pedestrian crossings; or convey the impression they won’t stop, even though persons are standing at, or using, the crosswalk. In some areas, the speed limit is an incentive to be reckless, particularly in two-lane roads and zones populated by schools and residential districts, where homes are in close proximity to roads.

Bad road practices and discourtesies are also evident among pedestrians. Some are known to cross the streets with little or no regard for their safety, show no courtesy to drivers, and at times would even dare motorists to hit them. These users are also guilty of distracted practices such as jaywalking, wearing earplugs, or talking on their cell-phones while ignoring proper road use and etiquette.

Then there are the connected and those who drive officials -- government and diplomatic. They feel that the rules of the road and responsibility of drivers are not applicable to them. These persons can be seen driving above the speed limit, parking inappropriately, and ignoring other rules of the road.

Where drinking is considered social, the legally allowable alcohol content in a driver’s blood must be rigidly

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 19, 2016

Dulcolax caused me to go into premature labour Dear Editor,

PLEASE permit me to express some of my views in your newspaper, following the death of my baby girl whom I gave birth to prematurely after having Ducolax, “medical term for the known pill bilious wash” administered to me at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

I was an expectant mom attending both private and public (GPHC) maternal clinics. On August 11, 2016, I attended the GPHC clinic at 07.30hrs, choosing to go that early to avoid the usual rush of dozens of other expectant mothers showing up for their clinic appointments.

A blood pressure test was carried out on me which found my BP to be 150/100 and the nurse reported the findings to the head nurse who after some time recommended that I be taken to the upper flat of the Maternity Ward to have the test redone.

At this point after waiting for some time, the test was done and it showed that my BP was now 150/70mmHg, then 140/80mmHg then 110/70mmHg. After these readings were related to me, a doctor advised that I would be admitted for observation and that checks would also be done to ascertain if my baby was doing fine; they later related that the latter was the case, my baby was doing fine.

I would admit that I was very reluctant to stay at the facility, but finally agreed to

do so as I knew that I would need to await the return of the doctor to again check my blood pressure.

That same Thursday, the doctor returned to inform me that I would need to remain at the facility for 48 hours of total observation, something that I was not too pleased with, but knew that I had to do it for my baby’s well-being. I would later inform my family members of the doctor’s advice.

Throughout the day on Thursday I recall wanting to use the washroom, but was not able to do so as I was constipated, so I returned to bed. Later that evening as nurses were doing the rounds and checking patients, I asked one of them if there was medication that they could give to a constipated mom and she told me docalax.

She later brought the very small yellow pill and gave it to me. I saw no harm in it as earlier that evening I had also witnessed them giving another expectant mother the same pill, I then drank the pill.

The following morning, Saturday 13th August, I was waiting to be discharged from the hospital, but i felt pains in my tummy and my unborn child moving frequently.

Thinking that she was hungry or something of the sort, I asked my mom to bring me some porridge at the hospital which she did, but the movements and pain continued.

Shortly after, the doctors came around on the ward and I asked him about the

enforced, given the intertwined relationship between alcohol use and accidents. It is important to ensure that traffic lights are always working; and when they are not, such should be considered deserving of priority attention.

In the meanwhile, traffic officers should be placed at the affected areas to ensure orderly movement of road users, pedestrians and vehicles. The police may find it useful to have more road signs erected and more cameras installed at areas, particularly where speeding occurs.

The Traffic Department should also revisit penalties.

Fines can be increased to the point of becoming meaningful deterrence that should ensure compliance with Wthe rules of the road. Suspension of licences, repeat offenders having to return to classrooms, and offenders engaging in community service are worthy of consideration. Increasing insurance after each accident could also be explored as a deterrent. An

blood pressure test and he told me that everything was ok with that. I further asked him if it was safe for me to be using docalax, given that i was pregnant and if it was safe for my baby and again he said yes, but did say that it should not be used on a regular basis. I was then told that I could go home as I was being discharged.

On my arrival home I told my mom that my tummy was hurting and the child has me uncomfortable; I thought then that it was turning pain as i was close to 27 weeks. I showered, had a large meal and then rested until the evening. However, the pain continued and began to get more intense. I decided to go on the internet and check the side-effects of pregnant mothers using docalax and my worst fears were confirmed.

I was not aware that all along I was getting contraction pains and the effects of the pill had brought on my labour. I told my husband I cannot take the pain any longer and that I needed to go to the hospital.

I called my doctor and she told me that I should go to the hospital. Upon arrival at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, the doctors there checked and my baby was reportedly doing fine. I was given pain killers, but the pains kept getting worst and as I proceeded to the washroom to urine, my water bag broke with the worst sound as if it were a squib; my child’s foot came through my pri-

vates and within seconds she was out and her heart was beating fine.

She was taken to the ICU where oxygen was given to her and she continued breathing and crying, I began praying to God that my baby would be a miracle baby. However, doctors at the hospital there told me that the oxygen would poison my baby as she was too small, so they removed the supply and then left. I then began regretting the fact that I had requested of the doctors at the GPHC a pill for constipation and said to myself that had I only followed my instinct my child would have been alive today. (Docalax, the medical term for Bilious Wash, caused my child her life).

N o o n e c a n u n d e rstand the pain I am going through at this point as I am hurting dearly and only someone who would have gone through the experience would feel it the way I am feeling it. I serve a living God, and only Jehovah understands my pain. I am writing this letter to the press so that no other expectant mother would have to go through what I have been through.

I don’t want another to make that mistake and they should all know that “Bilious Wash” which is known in the medical field as Docalax, is not safe for your unborn child.

Regards Distraught mother

ignored though important consequence of bad road usage is that of economic loss, such as earnings to families -- be they incurred through destruction of vehicles, injuries or deaths.

People do not usually cater for these, and understandably so.

Frankly, this society has developed a road usage culture that is rude, reckless and unbecoming. All and any effort to curb this destructive behaviour need to be examined, and where practicable implemented. The police are encouraged to engage stakeholders, such as local government authorities, the minibus and hire car associations, and the National Road Safety Council, to solicit their opinions and support in crafting a wider strategy to address road usage.

In the meantime, given its stated intent, “Operation Safeway” is needed, and citizens are encouraged to work with the police in their efforts to enforce the laws and restore courtesy to the roads. It ultimately would save our lives.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 19, 2016

Would the Golden Jaguars be adequately prepared?

Dear Editor

“WHILE Nero Fiddles, Rome Burns”, and with the lack of domestic activity for the Elite League players, over two months following the conclusion of the 2015/2016 Elite League Competition. Editor, at this crucial juncture of the nation’s continued participation in the CFU/Digicel Senior Regional Championship, which resumes during October, 2016 and definitely not 2017.

May, I remonstrate: the further a team advances in a competition, the more intense

its rivalry becomes. As a consequence, adequate preparation is always essential for meaningful success. With this factor being taken into serious consideration, compounded by the fact that of the two opponents, our eastern neighbour Suriname, Guyana’s nemesis, would not be a walkover,especially with the Dutch hosting the first leg. As it relates to Jamaica, the “Reggae Boyz” are coming with a wealth of international experience, exposure and professionalism.

The Jamaicans’ outfit is being led by captain Wes Brown,

who also is the captain of the defending BPL champions Leicester City. As a consequence, they are a cohesive unit, having already for the year played more quality opponents in international friendlies, along with this year’s COPA CENTENARIO Champions-Chile, whom they had previously defeated. Despite not winning any of their three matches in the tournament in the USA, the “Reggae Boyz weren’t disgracedl or humiliated in their performance, facing opponents such as Argentina.

Whereas they failed to score a goal and conceded six, losing both of their World Cup fixtures to Panama and Haiti, by similar 0-2 margins. Nevertheless, the Reggae Boyz would rebound with “fire in their eyes” and in the process seeking to establish their dominance at the CFU level. Whether or not the “Golden Jaguars” are up to the task in repelling the Jamaicans’ onslaught, or Suriname’s traditional ball possession game compounded by slick passing, along with the Jamaicans physical and robust approach. Come

next month (October) at a local venue to be decided, host Guyana’s defining moments will set the tone in determining if the Golden Jaguars will advance further in the tournament, in pursuit of attempting to qualify for the first time ever in a Gold Cup competition.

Meanwhile, it would be remiss of me not to mention the frivolous excuses emanating from the GFF’s Secretariat, as it relates to selection, training, encampment and friendly internationals against quality opponents, in pursuit of adequate preparation.

The issue is “it should have never happened, rather than why did it happen” along with the GFF at the 13th hour still uncertain of a venue! When it is common knowledge that the Providence Stadium pitches are undergoing remedial works for “cricket purposes” and definitely not football. By the way, is there a functioning grounds committee within the GFF’s Constitutional requirement?

Nevertheless, Best of Luck!

Regards LESTER SEALEY

Lincoln Lewis supports tribunal to probe Duncan Dear Editor: THE appointment by President David Granger of a tribunal consistent with Article 225 of the Guyana Constitution to inquire into the conduct of Carvil Duncan who holds constitutional offices is noted. This is a step in the right direction, given that Guyana is a nation of laws and the respect, in this instance, to comply with the Constitution in dealing with this matter augurs well for all.

The process must therefore be

allowed to proceed unhindered by anyone.

The Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo has pronounced on the appointment of the tribunal by emphatically accusing the president of witch-hunting. Appointment of the tribunal is satisfying the constitutional requirement to deal with the Duncan matter and the conclusion of the inquiry is what the president is expected to act upon.

Had the president done nothing it would have been tanta-

mount to flying in the face of public outcries and abrogation of his responsibility to ensure those who operate on behalf of the State conduct themselves within the confines of the laws and acceptable behavioural standards.

Article 225 (2) expressly states, “The officer may be removed from office only for inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause whatsoever) or for misbehaviour.”

I find Jagdeo’s disagree-

ment to respect the Constitution characteristic of his nature.

During his presidency, acceptable universal principles, laws, rules, conventions and charters meant nothing to him if they could not serve his self-interest. The country was managed without regard for universally acceptable practices, people’s rights were transgressed, and witch-hunting was the order of the day. Duncan’s presence on the Public Service Commission (PSC) was considered a deliberate act by the Jagdeo

government to keep the workers’ recognised trade union, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), from sitting on the commission. The union that Duncan serves, the Guyana Labour Union, does not represent public servants appointed by the PSC, which the Jadgeo administration was aware of.

My own experience has shown that under Duncan’s chairmanship on the PSC the rights of many public servants were transgressed. Many of these persons are still languishing

out there without being given a hearing.

Allegations have been made against Duncan and he holds constitutional offices.

The activation of Article 225 by the president allows for a fair hearing and the right to be heard, though it is not surprising that Jagdeo would see such as sinister. Let it be repeated, the tribunal must be allowed to do its work.

Regards LINCOLN LEWIS.

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Gov’t fixing salary, office

... for public procurement body THE long-awaited Public Procurement Commission (PPC) will soon be established and put into operation, according to Prime Minister Moses Nag-

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo amootoo.

“I am told that a lot of

progress has been made,” he told Guyana Chronicle last week. According to the Prime Minister: “the process is now awaiting some administrative procedures, including finalising the remuneration packages.”

A building, the Prime Minister said, has already been identified and operations will soon commence once the members are sworn in.

Last August, Members of Parliament on both sides of the National Assembly approved a motion which listed possible candidates who will sit on the constitutional body. The members, to be appointed by President David Granger following their nomination by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly, are Emily Dodson, Carol Corbin, Ivor English, Sukrishnalall

Pasha, and former Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Kishore Gopaul.

English is the former head of the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD); Pasha served as chairman of the Small Business Council; Corbin was Programme Manager at Caricom Secretariat; and Dodson is an experienced attorney–at-law.

The establishment and operationalisation of the PPC will effectively end Cabinet’s role in the award of multi-million dollar contracts. The amended Constitution, which paved the way for the PPC some 14 years also, allows for the dismantling of the Bid Protest Committee and reducing the responsibilities of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 19, 2016

Proud Buxtonian gives back to community

By Margaret Burke A BORN and bred Buxtonion, George Abrams is very proud of his village, even though he migrated to the United States of America since 1969.

On his arrival in that country, he attended the Howard University from 1969 to 1971, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing with honours.

The father of seven children is happily married to Clarice, also of Buxton, and is delighted to show off his second generation, which makes him a grandfather of

engaging in that activity for four years at the Buxton Backdam (farmland). He later worked at the Lusignan and Enmore sugar estates for five years, and then the Demerara Bauxite Company in Linden for nine years, before migrating to the United States in 1969. Among the many jobs he worked at was controller for a non-profit company from 1971 to 1989.

“I began my accounting practice in 1989, and continued to this day. I provided several small black businesses with marketing, accounting and tax services; provide tax services to

persons from the diaspora to adopt, he still made it happen.

“The biggest challenge is obtaining contracts to maintain the operations…

There are no set-aside contracts to assist in developing the depressed areas,” Abrams noted.

At the moment, he pointed out, there are 12 workers, most of whom are females and are drawn largely from Buxton.

However, the plan is to have at least 30 workers serve the establishment, which he hopes to accomplish as the

Judicial independence ...independence of the judiciary major focus at Commonwealth judges’ confab TOP jurists around the world are meeting here from today to brainstorm ways to promote better understanding of judicial independence issues amongst officers and to explore the approach to those issues in different parts of the Commonwealth.

Acting President and First Vice-President, Moses Nagamootoo, will be delivering the feature address at the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association conference billed for the Marriott Hotel under the theme “The Judiciary as Guarantors of the rule of law.”

It is the first time Guyana will be hosting the conference.

The conference will also feature President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Anthony Carmona, who will give the keynote address on Tuesday as well as President of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Sir Charles Michael Dennis Byron. Conference organisers said that some 267 delegates around the world will attend the event, including a delegation from Canada.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday, Chancellor of Judiciary Justice Carl Singh said that the topics that have been identified on the conference agenda have direct relevance to matters that are being pursued by the Guyana Government presently. Those topics include matters such as domestic violence, indigenous

peoples’ rights and environmental law and sustainable development. Justice Singh said the outcomes of discussions on these topics will be important as a learning and resource tool for countries that will be participating. Other topics to be discussed are: providing sufficient resources for the courts and judiciary as a fundamental constitutional obligation; upholding the rule of law in the courtroom; balancing anti-terrorism with people’s human rights and capital punishmentto abolish or not to abolish.

Justice Singh has indicated that the conference has attracted a distinguished array of speakers on a diverse spread of topics on the Rule of Law, the provision of resources for the Courts, anti-terrorism legislation and human rights, Environmental Law and Sustainable development.

In an earlier statement last week, the Supreme Court said that the conference which begins at 08:45hrs has recorded intended participation from judges and magistrates coming from a wide spread of countries across the Commonwealth, from as far as Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Canada and the Caribbean region. The aim of the conference is to promote better understanding of judicial independence issues amongst judicial officers of all ranks and from all parts

of the Commonwealth, and to explore the approach to those issues in different parts of the Commonwealth. In addition, it is intended that amongst the magistrates and judges of the Commonwealth, greater awareness would be promoted of international treaties and laws relating to the development and access to justice; and to consider the practical application of that body of law. This engagement will also enhance networking within the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association.

Founded in 1970, the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges Association is registered as a charitable organisation in the United Kingdom. It is a Company Limited by Guarantee and not having a Share Capital.

The Association is governed by a General Assembly of its members which meets not less frequently than every fourth year. It has been the normal practice of the Association for the General Assembly of Members to be held during the week of the Triennial Conference.

There is an elected Council upon which sit three representatives from each of six regions: The Caribbean; East, Central and Southern Africa; West Africa; the Indian Ocean; Atlantic and Mediterranean and the Pacific Ocean.

A worker shows off some of the various patterns at the Primo’s Sewing Establishment 12.

Abrams spoke of enjoying his early days in Guyana, specifically Buxton, where he gained his primary education.

He stated that he more or less self-studied for the GCE examinations at both Ordinary and Advanced levels. He later self-studied for even higher education, pursuing the Chartered Institute of Secretaries (London Professional Degree).

While in the United States, Abrams went on to attend the American University in Washington DC, where he completed a Master’s in Marketing in 1973.

He later passed the Certified Public Accountant examination (CPA) in 1980; attended the Southeastern U n i v e r s i t y, a g a i n i n Washington DC, in 19931994, and again completed another programme – a Masters in Taxation with honours in 1994.

WORKING IN GUYANA AND THE US From an early age, Abrams said, he enjoyed farming with his father,

individuals; provide representation before the Internal Revenue Service for many; provided business plans to assist others, among many other services.”

PRIMO’S SEWING ESTABLISHMENT A man to his word, committed to his promise, Abrams relentlessly pursued his dream, and delivered.

According to Abrams, t h e P r i m o ’s S e w i n g Establishment, situated at Lot 23, Company Road, Buxton, was created “to provide employment in the village, and at the same time provide reasonably-priced clothing for the people, especially school uniforms for our children”.

Despite the challenges, he noted, and although start-up loans are almost impossible to obtain, even with large collateral; in addition to the fact that the banking policies and requirements are stringent and difficult for

service expands.The Primo’s Establishment has been training staff to have firsthand knowledge, so they could specialise in making well-fitted uniforms for schoolchildren as well as employees. They are also equipped to make properly tailored dress shirts for men, which can match international (brand name) standards.

The financing for this project was provided by Abrams, who indicated that “help is needed from the Government ministries to assist in obtaining contracts to supply uniforms etc for the workers, so as to keep the operation going. Despite all the challenges, we manage to produce excellent quality school uniforms at affordable prices for our future leaders, as well as fine clothing for men and women of Buxton and all over Guyana, in pursuit of enhancing our village economy.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 19, 2016

Teacher in dire condition needs help

By Clestine Juan

A LEONORA Primary School teacher is in desperate need of help for treatment and recovery after suffering a major stroke in July.

Shakeela “Dolly” Babe, 41, during the summer break of school in July left Guyana to attend her niece’s weeding in Canada with her family.

However, a few days before the wedding celebration, she began experiencing severe headaches and loss of vision which prompted the family to call 911.

Before the ambulance could have arrived, Dolly was incoherent and unable to move her limbs. She was abruptly taken to Sunnybrook Hospital, Canada emergency room where she was unconscious and after several tests the doctors revealed that the woman suffered a major stroke.

The teacher was not responding to medication and her brain continued to swell and after spending a few days in the emergency room, she still showed no signs of improvement. Doctors had found a severe blood clot in her brain, as well as a few in her chest. The clots caused nerve damage to the right side of her brain which paralysed her entire left body, causing her to be unable to walk.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, the woman nephew, Krishal Ramesh explained that his aunt had to undergo a decompressive craniectomy, a neurosurgical procedure which part of the skull is removed to allow a swelling brain room to expand without being squeezed.

Ramesh further explained

public to give generously and help save her life. Anyone willing to assist her can contact Ramesh on telephone

Shakeela Babe in happier times during her visit to Canada

that since his aunt’s surgery, she is still unable to move her left body, and is not able to speak coherently while he brain continues to swell.

“She’s responsive and remembers everything but as you may expect, she is having a difficult time living her life without the ability to move her left leg or arm,” the nephew pointed out.

“The inability to move one side of her body also made it impossible to eat.

She was then given a feeding tube where liquid food was pumped directly into her stomach,” he added.

Teacher Babe was discharged from the Canadian hospital on August 30th in an effort to reduce her medical bills and was taken back to her family home. She is scheduled to go under the knife again in October for replacement surgery.

According to Ramesh, his aunt is not medically insured and her treatment in Canada racked up a medical bill to-

taling over Cdn $120,000 for two hospitals.

In addition, she requires physiotherapy at home to help her learn to regain possible movement, which costs about US$100 per week.

Babe, who has been a teacher for the past 15 years, had planned to start her master’s degree this September and had future plans to teach in Canada.

“She is one of the most loving and caring people I know and has only lived her life with the intention to spread love… It breaks my heart to see her in this state, and I cannot begin to imagine the pain both emotionally and physically she is forced to endure,” the nephew continued.

When question about whether his aunt will be returning to Guyana, Ramesh explained that she will return once she makes a full recovery.

Babe’s relatives is appealing to members of the

Shakeela Babe after her decompressive craniectomy surgery

number 416-301-2400 in Canada or Farida Jonas on +529-667-4917 in Guyana.

Persons can also donate

money at https://www.gofundme.com/helpdollyrecover or email krishalr@ yahoo.com.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 19, 2016

Engineers in big push to remove …Gov’t apologises, residents fume sunken ‘draga’ OFFICIALS from the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and Crown Mining Supplies will be intensifying efforts to remove a dredge that sank in the Mazaruni River and cut off passage to many boats operating there, thus causing severe hardships to students and businesses.

The Ministry of Natural Resources said in a statement on Friday that efforts would be intensified to remove the

dredge, called ‘draga’, from its location in the Mazaruni River. The ministry said it is mindful of the public’s many complaints, and is committed to ensuring that this issue is addressed as soon as possible.

“While there has been some degree of restriction in the river due to the salvage cables attached to the wreck, it is reported that some cargo and passenger boats have been able to pass the area

without, hindrance through a back channel,” the ministry said, adding that the water level of the Mazaruni River has of late caused some difficulty in the salvage efforts.

“There is to be an emergency meeting on Monday, September 19, 2016, convened between an advisory board of MARAD and the operator responsible for the sunken dredge with a view to working out emergency modalities for the removal of the

Engineers are battling to remove this dredge that sank in the Mazaruni River

dredge,” the statement said.

Minster within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, apologised on Thursday to users of the Mazaruni channel, Region Seven, for the inconvenience caused by the sunken dredge. In an invited comment, Minister Ferguson told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that she understands the plight of those affected, and is apologising to them. She is also urging residents, tourists, boat operators, miners and

school children to continue to have patience as the ministry works to bring relief shortly.

Minister Ferguson told GINA that MARAD engineers took the initiative to cut the dredge into pieces to surface it, and by the end of September the entire dredge should be surfaced.

Media reports state that, approximately two months ago, the dredge sank while it was proceeding along the river on its way to Potaro.

This has adversely affected Turn to centre page ►

Monday, September 19, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Tuesday, September 20, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Wednesday, September 21, 2016 - 08:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 19, 2016

U.S. investigators search for links in weekend attacks Cuomo said the act of blowing up a bomb in a crowded area of Manhattan “is obviously an act of terrorism.”

No suspects were immediately identified in the New York and New Jersey attacks. The Islamic State militant group quickly claimed responsibility for the Minnesota attack by a

The mangled dumpster at the site of the explosion that rocked the New York’s Chelsea neighborhood late on Saturday

Federal investigators sought to determine on Sunday if there were links among three attacks across the United States this weekend, involving bombings in New York City and New Jersey and a stabbing rampage at a Minnesota shopping mall.

While officials described all three as deliberate, criminal acts and were investigating them as potential “acts of terrorism,” they stopped short of characterizing the motivation behind any of them until more evidence is uncovered. Twenty-nine people were wounded by an explosive device that rocked New York’s Chelsea neighborhood late on Saturday, sending a deafening roar and powerful shock wave through several blocks of the popular Manhattan shopping district. Also on Saturday, nine people were stabbed in St. Cloud, Minnesota, 1,300 miles (2,100 km) away.

No international militant group immediately claimed responsibility for the New York blast, for an undetonated pressure-cooker bomb found four blocks away or a similar device that went off earlier along the route of a Saturday road race in suburban New Jersey. But New York Governor Andrew

man who made references to Allah and asked at least one person if he or she was Muslim before he assaulted the individual. An off-duty police officer fatally shot the assailant. Police did not immediately identify the Minnesota attacker, citing an ongoing investigation, although some local media

reports gave his name and said he was an African-born junior college student. Reuters could not immediately confirm his identity.

ADDITIONAL POLICE DEPLOYED In New York, officials said they would deploy an Turn to page 14 ►

Duncan was used 12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 19, 2016

‒ says as chair of PSC, he transgressed workers’ rights GENERAL Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress, Lincoln Lewis, has backed the setting up of a tribunal to investigate the conduct of fraud accused Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Carvil Duncan. He contends that under Duncan’s chairmanship of the PSC, the rights of many public servants were transgressed.

Lewis made his comments one day after Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo criticised President David Granger’s move last week to establish the tribunal. In a statement issued by his office, Jagdeo said the establishment of this tribunal was triggered by the institution of certain criminal charges against Duncan.

“These charges are still

pending before a magistrate of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The very Constitution that the President pledges to follow ‘in spirit and letter’ confers upon Mr. Duncan a presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of law,” the Opposition Leader said.

On Thursday last, President Granger swore in the three-member tribunal, in

keeping with Article 225 of the Constitution of Guyana. Justice Roxane George will chair the tribunal. The other members are Justice (ret’d) Winston Patterson and Attorney-at-Law Robert Ramcharran.

The tribunal is expected to commence its work immediately, and render its report, findings and recommendations to President

Granger on or before October 31, 2016.

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

We are obliged that when matters are brought to our attention, the response should not be hasty, arbitrary, or whimsical; and that we follow the Constitution both in spirit and in letter,” President Granger said Meanwhile, in a letter to the editor of this newspaper, Lewis said the appointment

by President Granger of a Tribunal, consistent with Article 225 of the Guyana Constitution, to inquire into the conduct of Duncan, who holds constitutional offices, is noted.

“This is a step in the right direction given that Guyana is a nation of laws and the respect, in this instance, to comply with the Constitution in dealing with this matter augurs well for all. The process must therefore be al-

General Secretary of GTUC, Lincoln Lewis

lowed to proceed unhindered by anyone”, Lewis noted.

Lewis said the Leader of the Opposition has pronounced on the appointment of the tribunal by emphatically accusing the President of witch-hunting. “Appointment of the tribunal is satisfying the constitutional requirement to deal with the Duncan matter, and the conclusion of the inquiry is what the President is expected to act upon,” Lewis noted.

JUDICIOUS DECISION He said that if the President had done nothing, it would have been tantamount to flying in the face of public outcries and abrogation of

Engineers in big the ingress and egress of users of the Mazaruni River. It was subsequently reported that the dredge had shifted position to the middle of the river, making the situation worse. However, the Minster said, “Relief is underway for the affected riverine communities, and I can assure the operators who ply their trade in the Mazaruni area that they will be relieved, as we work to remove the dredge, as soon as possible.”

The channel in which the partially submerged dredge is located serves as the only avenue for transportation for riverine communities to the upper and middle Mazaruni. Recently, the Ministry of Natural

Resources had indicated that it is currently engaged with a mining company to remove the dredge from the channel, and the ministry would continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with MARAD. Minister Patterson explained that Crown Mining Supplies, which owns the dredge, is likely to assist with the cost of its removal. In a letter to the Editor of this newspaper on Thursday, Ralph Persaud complained about the difficulties miners, boat operators, school children, tourists, and all other general users of the Mazaruni River are facing with the continued blockage of the channel at Piremap falls by

d by PPP – Lewis 13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 19, 2016

Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Carvil Duncan

his responsibility to ensure those who operate on behalf of the State conduct themselves within the confines of the laws and acceptable behavioural standards.

Lewis cited Article 225 (2), noting that it expressly states: “The officer may be removed from office only for inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause whatsoever) or for misbehaviour.” Lewis said: “I find Jagdeo’s (unwillingness) to respect the Constitution characteristic of his nature. During his presidency, acceptable universal principles, laws, rules, con-

ventions and charters meant nothing to him if they could not serve his self-interest.

The country was managed without regard for (universally) acceptable practices, people’s rights were transgressed, and witch-hunting (was) the order of the day.”

Lewis charged that Duncan’s presence on the Public Service Commission (PSC) was considered a “deliberate act by the Jagdeo Government to keep the workers’ recognised trade union, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), from sitting on the commission”.

He said the union that Duncan serves, the Guyana Labour Union, does not represent public servants appointed by the PSC, a fact which the Jagdeo Administration was aware of.

“My own experience has shown that, under Duncan’s chairmanship of the PSC, the rights of many public servants were transgressed.

Many of these persons are still languishing out there, without being given a hearing.”

Lewis said allegations have been made against Duncan, and he holds constitutional offices. “The activation of Article 225 by

g push... the dredge owned by Crown mining supplies.

“The water has risen significantly over the last week, and some operators are forced to navigate their boats over rocks alongside the channel, just to get much needed supplies to their workers and children that are stranded in the upper Mazaruni area,” Persaud noted in his letter. He said the situation is a “disaster waiting to happen, as the water may recede at any time and force these boat operators to take even more chances. To rub salt into the wounds, if seems as though the small miners and others affected have to cope by whatever means, since the company at fault here, Crown

From page 10

Mining Supplies, does nothing.

There has been no apology, no information, no relief, nothing,” Persaud lamented.

“I know of three separate occasions where dredges of the same size sunk at that very falls, and the owners, mostly Brazilians, got it removed within three days; but this company seems to be above the law, as there is no urgency on their part to have this dredge removed. This is blatant disregard for the rights of ordinary Guyanese; it appears as though there is one set of rules for the esteemed owners of this dredge and another set for the everyday citizen.”

the President allows for a fair hearing and the right to be heard,” he said, noting that he is not surprised that Jagdeo sees such a move as sinister.

Mr. Carvil Duncan, President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and Gen-

eral Secretary of the Guyana Labour Union, was charged jointly with Aeshwar Deonarine, former Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL), over the unapproved transfer from the PetroCaribe Fund of approximately $29M to their

personal bank accounts.

Duncan was initially placed on $1M bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Police allege that Duncan stole $984,900 from GPL on March 31, 2015 at Georgetown, after conspiring with Deonarine to commit the act of simple larceny.

Duncan is also alleged to have conspired with Deonarine to commit a felony – that is to say: between May 7 and 8 at Georgetown, he conspired to steal Gy$27,757,500, property of GPL. He has denied the charges.

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Potential sites identified ˗ for oil and gas industry onshore base THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure has completed a screening evaluation of sites for the proposed oil and gas industry onshore support base and will be presenting its report to the Cabinet’s oil and gas sub-committee shortly.

The committee, which focuses on matters concerning Guyana’s fledgling oil and gas industry, comprises of the Ministries of Natural Resources, Public Infrastructure, Business and Finance.

Several possible locations were examined along the

Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo Rivers, and the top two ranked sites were identified.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure will recommend that extensive studies be conducted on the top ranked locations before a final decision is made. Due to the restrictive timeframe, it is expected that a final recommendation will be made shortly.

ONSHORE BASE AND INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS The ideal onshore base

location will have the general characteristics: access for ocean going vessels and favourable ocean conditions; good transportation links with easy road access to Georgetown, its facilities, amenities and the international airports at Timehri and Ogle; short commuting time to urban centres for workers; short sailing transit times to offshore fields; flat topography to minimise construction costs; large vacant areas to allow future unrestricted expansion; and availability of power, water, waste di

The Government of Guyana is proposing, in association with the private sector, to construct an onshore base and associated infrastructure in order to support and serve the fledging offshore oil and gas sector.

The recent world class offshore oil discovery by Exxon has firmly launched Guyana’s hydrocarbon industry. Guyana’s potential rests on the discovery of the Liza-1 and Liza-2 wells, located approximately 120 miles off our shores in 5,500 feet of water.

The remote location and deep water will likely mean that the selected development will consist of subsea wells connected to a Floating Production Storage and Offtake vessel (FPSO) and shuttle tankers, which make for complex logistics.

First oil is anticipated on or before 2020, with all of the production facilities being fabricated overseas, installed and supported by large foreign based contractors and vessels.

However, as the development progresses into the operational phase, it is anticipated that the operators will require the local economy to provide an increasing percentage of these services.

It is this demand, coupled with the desire of the Government to expand and diversify their economy and provide much needed employment, which is driving the Government to pursue the development of an onshore base and associated infrastructure.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 19, 2016

U.S. investigators search for...

From page 11

additional 1,000 uniformed police officers and National Guard troops around a city already on a high state of alert heading into this week’s United Nations General Assembly. The event will bring some 135 heads of state and government to America’s most populous city. Federal Bureau of Investigation experts were examining remnants of the two devices that went off in Chelsea and Seaside Park, New Jersey, some 80 miles (130 km) south of New York City, as well as the third undetonated device. That third device was built in a pressure cooker, the same bomb design that killed three people and wounded more than 260 in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

“The crudity of the devices in all three cases certainly doesn’t point to any group that’s been developing (improvised explosive devices) for years,” said a U.S. official involved in the investigation who requested anonymity to discuss the inquiry.

The official added that the crude nature of the devices and the apparent low level of planning had some investigators concerned that the blasts were just a test of New York’s security.

“That’s what worries us: Was this some kind of test run, not just of the devices, but also of the surveillance

in New York and the response?” the official said.

The bomb that exploded in New York was made from a pressure cooker filled with shrapnel, a design intended to inflict maximum damage, the New York Times reported on Sunday, citing unnamed law enforcement officials.

Both presidential candidates spoke out about the attacks, with Democrat Hillary Clinton on Sunday issuing a statement condemning “the apparent terrorist attacks.”

On Saturday, Republican Donald Trump said following the New York blast: “We better get very tough, folks.”

The United States has experienced a series of deadly attacks over the past year by gunmen inspired by Islamic State, which has been fighting a long civil war in Syria. A man who claimed allegiance to the group fatally shot 50 people at an Orlando, Florida, nightclub in June, six months after a married couple massacred 14 in San Bernardino, California. All of the New York victims had been released from the hospital by Sunday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

Three of the people wounded in Minnesota remained in the hospital on Sunday, although their injuries were not considered life-threatening, St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis told a news conference. No one was hurt by the New Jersey pipe bomb.

‘ALL OVER THE INTERNET’ Investigators at the FBI’s lab in Quantico, Virginia, were set to look to see if the three devices in the New York area had a common design, although a U.S. official familiar with the inquiry said that would not be proof in itself the attacks were linked.

“Almost anybody could have fabricated these bombs and used cellphones as timed detonators,” said the official. “There are instructions all over the internet, and the crudity, position

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 19, 2016

Rosberg retakes F1 title lead after Singapore thriller

By John O’Brien SINGAPORE, (Reuters)-Germany’s Nico Rosberg celebrated his 200th Formula One race by retaking the championship lead from Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton after a pole to flag win in Singapore yesterday.

After a chaotic start that brought out a safety car on the opening lap, Rosberg stayed clear of Red Bull’s late-charging Daniel Ricciardo at the floodlit Marina Bay Street Circuit.

Triple world champion Hamilton completed the podium in third place.

“The whole car was on the edge, it always is here in Singapore, so it’s very satisfying to finish like that,” Rosberg told reporters.

The German’s third victory in a row, and 22nd of his career, lifted Rosberg on to 273 points, eight clear of Hamilton, with six rounds remaining and Australia’s Ricciardo a distant third on 179 in the title race.

Rosberg’s win was his eighth of the season and first in Singapore, a grand prix that has only been won by world champions until now.

The German had started two points behind Hamilton and, despite leading comfortably halfway though the race, crossed the line just 0.488 seconds ahead of Ricciardo after having to complete the last 28 laps on the same soft tyres.

Red Bull opted for a bold tyre strategy to put pressure on Rosberg late on and Ricciardo was eating into the advantage at roughly three seconds a lap in the closing stages but ran out of road before the chequered flag.

“Of course Daniel tried to pull one up on me with the pitstop at the end, we knew it was going to be tight but we

Nico Rosberg celebrates his victory in the Singapore Grand Prix yesterday. got there so I’m very happy,” added Rosberg, who opened a 43-point lead on Hamilton at the start of the season before falling behind when the Briton won six of seven races.

OVERHEATING BRAKES Hamilton had his own

private battle with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen behind the leading duo, the Briton losing third place to the Finn after a mistake on lap 34 but reclaiming the position with a timely pit stop to hold on to the finish.

“This weekend has been a tricky one for me but I’m just happy to get on the podium and get some points

for the team,” Hamilton said.

“The brakes were way overheating so I had to slow down. Once I did my second or third stop we managed to sort it out.”

Last year’s race winner Sebastian Vettel drove brilliantly from last on the starting grid to claim fifth place in the other Ferrari, the German coming home ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso in a McLaren.

The safety car was deployed immediately after the start when Nico Hulkenberg’s Force India, eighth on the grid, suffered a heavy crash after making contact with Carlos Sainz’s Toro Rosso Rosberg got away cleanly to lead from Ricciardo, with Hamilton in third and Raikkonen behind him after Verstappen suffered a woeful start to slip back to

eighth from fourth on the grid.

The race restarted and Rosberg would have been startled to see a marshal at the end of the start-finish straight picking up debris, the man just managing to get off the circuit before the Mercedes reached him.

There were no more safety cars, throughout a 61-lap race that has yet to be completed without one, but the different tyre strategies of the leading cars made for a tactical and exciting race on a circuit that offers very few overtaking opportunities.

Mexican Sergio Perez was eighth for Force India with Russian Daniil Kvyat ninth for Toro Rosso.

Denmark’s Kevin Magnussen scored the final point for Renault in only the second finish in the points for the team this season.

Athletes perform favourably at IGG trials LINDEN’s Chantoba Bright, Compton Caesar, Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Anfernee Headecker, Kenisha Phillips, and SUR’s Tyrell Peters,are just some of the athletes that the AAG will be looking at when they decide on Guyana’s athletics team to this year’s Inter-Guiana Games (IGG); after the athletes performed favourably at yesterday’s trials at the National Track and Field Centre in Leonora.

Others performing creditably for the day included GDF’s Lloyd McCurdy, and Running Brave’s Avon Samuels.

The day’s activities got started more than two hours behind schedule, with the girls’ 100m where Kenisha Phillips, who has been off the scene for awhile now,showed that she is still a force to be reckoned

with.Phillips was in fine form as she blazed the trail to win the event in 12.09s. She then

Chantoba Bright

went on to complete the sprint double later by taking the 200m in 25.08s.

Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School’s (CWSS) Onasha Rogers was just 0.30s behind Phillips in the 100m, while in the 200m,Deshanna Skeete took second place(behind Phillips) with a

time of 25.32sec.

Skeete would also play second fiddle in the 400m;this time losing to Avon Samuels who,with a substantial lead,took the event in 58.66s,bettering the 59.46s clocked by Skeete.

The boy’s 100m and 200m sprints saw Peters and Ceasar each emerging victorious;with Peters prevailing in the 100m,and Ceasar taking the 200m.

Running finals by time, Peters and Ceasar found themselves being pitted against each other in heat one of four. As the two pushed each other to the limit,Peters triumped in the 100m with a time of 10.57s, just edging out Compton’s 10.61s.

Compton returned with a vengeance in the 200; refusing to let up. It all paid

off as he sprinted across the finish line in 21.57s, ahead of Tyrell’s 22.06s.

Continuing above the 6m mark in the female long jump, Bright leaped to 6.09m to earn victory in that event.She later complemented that by winning the triple jump. In both events,Upper Demerara’s Melanie Griffith, who cleared 5.15m in the long jump and 10.81m in the triple,came in second.

Headeacker ruled the roost in the distance races, dominating the boys’ 1500m in 4:06.3s,and later taking the 800m in 1:58.73s, Odwin Tudor,who finished second to Headecker in the 1500m (4:06.4s),went on to win the 5000m in 16:15.1s.

Meanwhile, McCurdy won the boys’ javelin (56.13m) and triple jump (14.87m).

Good Performances from Maracas Open Water Swimmers

THE Maracas Open Water Swim Classic proved to be a good outing for the Dorado swim Club t h re e - m e m b e r t e a m which made the journey to Trinidad and Tobago to compete. The trio all swam in the Open Category and each one finished in the top 20,out of 270 competitors.

Daniel Scott and Alex Winter swam the 2650m

race where Scott finished in 9 th place with a time of 38m.39s, while teammate Winter finished 18th in 41.45s. However,Scott finished 10th overall,while Winter finishing 21st overall in the event.Soroya Simmons finished 4th in the 5000m,coming 10th overall.

Chronicle Sport with the swimmers after the event.

According to Scott

“I’m satisfied with my results but a bit disappointed that I stumbled when exiting the water in the final beach run to the finish.”

It was the stumble that allowed the others behind to catch up and pass him.

At that point he was in 6th position.

Winter chimed-in that he was happy with his performance,despite feeling

that he could have done better.

SImmons added that she was exhausted but proud of her performance.

The 20-year-old swimmer competed in the event last year when she swam a shorter distance.

The team returns to Guyana today along with the medals and trophies won during the event.

(Daniel Haynes)

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 19, 2016

Watford beat Man. United for Mourinho’s third consecutive loss Spurs up to third

By Neil Robinson LONDON,(Reuters)-Manchester United’s third defeat in eight days - and their first

by Watford in 30 years - left Jose Mourinho contemplating his worst run in management for a decade after a 3-1 drubbing in the Premier League yesterday.

It was as much the shapeless performance as the reverse that will trouble Mourinho, who last lost three competitive games in regulation time in 2006.

Since then the Special One has become the Beaten One, defeated in 11 of his past 21 Premier League games with Chelsea and Manchester United.

Mourinho is not the only manager under pressure with David Moyes’ Sunderland, beaten 1-0 at Tottenham Hotspur, and Stoke City’s Mark Hughes, whose side were thumped 4-1 away to Crystal Palace, staring up from the bottom of the table, But, as ever, it is the Portuguese who will attract the headlines, particularly on a weekend which saw Pep Guardiola record his eight straight win as Manchester City manager.

After five games City are top with 15 points ahead of Everton, who have 13. Spurs are third on 11 followed by Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, all with 10. United are seventh

on nine.

UNCOMFORTABLE UNITED United never looked comfortable at Vicarage Road from the moment Anthony Martial, still groggy from an earlier clash of heads, was bundled off the ball in the lead-up to Watford’s opener for Etienne Capoue.

Mourinho thought the goal should have been disallowed.

“It was an obvious situation but it is something I cannot control. I cannot improve the referees or officials and luck will arrive when she wants to.

But, yes, individual performances have to improve,” the Portuguese told reporters.

Watford’s other goals from Juan Zuniga in the 83rd minute and a late Troy Deeney penalty owed more to poor defending after Marcus Rashford had equalised just past the hour mark.

A l t h o u g h U n i t e d ’s world-record signing Paul Pogba unleashed one fizzing shot against the bar, the midfielder failed to stamp his authority on the game and was outshone by Capoue.

Victory was sweet for Watford manager Walter Mazzarri, who often clashed with Mourinho in Italy.

Asked if the pair would go for a drink after Sunday’s game, he said: “If he has time we will do it. We spoke before the game - even one

day next week we can go out for dinner.”

The result moved Watford to within two points and two positions of seventh-placed United, who appear to lack the solidity normally associated with Mourinho’s teams.

United’s latest setback follows a 2-1 home defeat

by Guardiola’s City in the Manchester derby and a 1-0 loss at Feyenoord in their first Europa League group stage game.

TOTTENHA M UNBEATEN Capoue’s former side Spurs remain unbeaten in the league and are up to third, four points behind leaders City after grinding out a victory over an improved Sunderland team.

Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham side were in dominant mood, making 19 firsthalf chances before striker Harry Kane finally broke the deadlock just before the hour mark.

One sour note saw the England striker carried off on a stretcher after injuring his ankle. Sunderland had Adnan Januzaj sent off late on for a second bookable offence.

Elsewhere, there was relief for Southampton manager Claude Puel after substitute Charlie Austin secured a 1-0 home win over Swansea City - their first in the league under the Frenchman - with his third goal in as many days after a Europa League brace.

Juan Camilo Zuniga scored the crucial second goal which killed off United Credit

Australia A take series after fourth day washout

PERSISTENT rain and a wet outfield resulted in an early call-off without a ball bowled on the final day of India A’s tour of Australia as the second unofficial Test in Brisbane ended in a draw.

India A had ended the

third day at 4 for 158, still 108 behind Australia A’s first-innings score of 435. India A had responded strongly with a 82-run opening stand before they lost four wickets for 16 runs.

Hilton Cartwright, who struck his second

first-class century in the game, was awarded the Man of the Match for his 117.

Australia A won the two-match series 1-0 having won the first unofficial Test by three wickets.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 19, 2016

Real beat Espanyol to equal league record for successive wins

By Richard Martin (REUTERS)-Real Madrid brushed off the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale to beat Espanyol 2-0 away and maintain their 100 percent start to the league season while matching the La Liga record of 16 consecutive victories.

James Rodriguez scored his first Real goal in five months to give the visitors the lead in stoppage time before the break and Karim Benzema sealed the points in the 70th minute with a close-range finish past former Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez.

Real stay top of La Liga on 12 points, three above Barcelona and Las Palmas, having equalled Barca’s record of 16 straight league wins achieved under Pep Guardiola in the 2010/11 season.

Zinedine Zidane’s Real side also broke the Madrid club’s record for consecutive league wins, overtaking

Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema celebrates a goal. the 15-game winning streak allowed Lucas Vazquez and into the bottom corner of under Miguel Munoz in the Marco Asensio to face their the net.

1960/61 season. former club, while Rodriguez Benzema had looked Ronaldo missed the trip came in for Germany internaf a r f ro m m a t c h f i t to Espanyol with a sore tional Toni Kroos in midfield. against Sporting but was throat, having scored five Colombia’s 2014 World given another chance by goals in a 6-0 thrashing last Cup Golden Boot winner Zidane and, after having season, while Bale is recov- has not enjoyed a consistent an effort ruled out for ering from a hip injury sus- run in the side since Zidane offside in the first half, tained in Wednesday’s last- took charge but seized the the Frenchman tapped gasp 2-1 Champions League opportunity, nutmegging an in Asensio’s low cross to win over Sporting Lisbon.

Espanyol defender outside finish off a classy team The absence of the pair the area and stroking the ball move.

New Zealand begin India tour with a draw NEW Zealand’s three-day warm-up match against Mumbai ended in a draw at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi yesterday after Luke Ronchi scored a breezy ton in the second innings.

Resuming the day at 431 for 4, Mumbai added 33 runs to their overnight score and declared their innings after Siddhesh Lad notched up his century. Earlier in the day, Aditya Tare retired hurt for his overnight score of 53. Parikshit Valsangkar (10) and Sufiyan Shaikh (1) departed without making significant contributions.

Having conceded a 140run lead in the first innings, New Zealand decided to let some of their lower order batsmen spend time in the middle.

Opening the innings with Ronchi and Martin Guptill, the latter fell for a second-ball duck - caught

by Suryakumar Yadav off Vishal Dabholkar’s bowling.

Mitchell Santner (8),

Luke Ronchi slammed 15 boundaries and three sixes in his 107-run knock. © Getty Doug Bracewell (17) and Henry Nicholls (1), who walked out to bat at No 3, 4 and 5 respectively, didn’t make much use of the time at their hand, even as Ronchi was going strong at the other end.

The wicketkeeper-batsman found good company in the form of Trent Boult for the fifth wicket. Boult stuck around for 54 deliveries, before getting caught

by Royston Dias off Vijay

Gohil, reducing the tourists to 138 for 5.

Ronchi, nonetheless, was going strong and hammered three sixes and 15 boundaries on his way to a century. By the time he fell, stumped off Valsangkar, he had scored an 112-ball 107. In the process, he had also helped New Zealand overcome the first innings deficit.

Ronchi’s success in the warm-up tie and Guptill’s

twin failure has helped the Manawatu-born player make a strong case for selection in the starting XI for the first Test.

BJ Watling and Tom Latham occupied the crease for long and added to their tally of a decent first innings outing. While the former was stumped off Valsangkar for 43, the latter retired hurt on 25.

Lad joined the party with the ball as well, by picking up a couple of wickets, while Valsangkar bagged his third wicket by dismissing Ish Sodhi to end New Zealand’s second innings on 235.

B r i e f S c o re s : N e w Zealand 324/4 decl(Tom Latham 55 retd., Kane Williamson 50; Balwinder Sandhu 2-21) and 235 (Luke Ronchi 107, BJ Watling 43; Parikshit Valsangkar 3-41; Siddhesh Lad 2-11) drew with Mumbai 464/8 (Suryakumar Yadav 103, Kaustubh Pawar 100 retd., Siddhesh Lad 100; Ish Sodhi 2-132).

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Under-17 football

Golden Grove, Bachelor’s Adventure/Paradise secure easy wins

GOLDEN Grove and Bachelor’s Adventure/ Paradise Football Clubs registered easy victories on Saturday, when play in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Under-17 League continued at the Melanie Community Centre ground, East Coast Demerara.

According to a release, Golden Grove drubbed Buxton Stars 9-6, while Bachelors Adventure/Paradise beat Buxton Youth Developers 4-2 at the same venue.

The Golden Grove unit opened their account when Shamar Kingston found the back of the opposition’s net in the 15th minute with the first of his three strikes.

Del r on S keet e i n creased the team’s advantage in the 30th minute before Kingston recorded his second goal one minute later.

Three minutes into the second half, Kingston was once again on target to give his side a 4-0

lead.Clevon Montrose then extended the lead to 5-0;10 minutes before the end of regulation time.And four minutes later, Michael Woode added his name to the referee’s scorecard.

In the opening game on Saturday, Bachelor’s Adventure/Paradise virtually sealed the issue in the first half of their game against Buxton Youth Developers when Ingram Charles opened the scoring with a ninth minute strike, before Colin Hendricks made it 2-0 in favour of Bachelor’s Adventure ,11 minutes later.

Tichard Gordon subsequently netted a brace in the 30th and 40th minutes.

The Buxtonians stood resolute to the task and was rewarded with a Jaffarel Williams 57 th minute goal and another one off the boot of Akeem Adonis in the 75th minute.

Meanwhile, over in the West Demerara area, Wales secured three points via a walk-over from Beavers.

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09:20 hrs Trick Of The Lyte 09:50 hrs Rock Canyon 10:20 hrs Dutch Dream 10:50 hrs Bybrook 11:20 hrs Darrington 11:50 hrs Celtic Power 12:20 hrs Canny Style 12:50 hrs Riponian

English Racing Tips Kempton 09:10 hrs Mr Black 09:40 hrs Draw Swords 10:10 hrs Raven’s Lady 10:40 hrs Castellated 11:10 hrs His Kyllachy 11:40 hrs Shamshon 12:10 hrs Ehtiraas 12:40 hrs German Whip Hamil;ton

American Racing Tips Philadelphia Park Race 1 Thirstforadventure Race 2 Arnhem Race 3 Calculation Race 4 Miss Moneyhenny Race 5 Pleasant Mine Race 6 Infinite Fiesta Race 7 Polite Pearl Race 8 Trilogy Race 9 Sanculpa

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 19, 2016

Linden’s synthetic track will not be at MSC Ground-Jones

By Tamica Garnett AS anticipation of a synthetic track finally being laid in Linden continues to prevail, Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, confirmed that such a facility cannot be accommodated at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground, where many had hoped it would be.However,other locations are already being mulled over.

Speaking with Chronicle Sport, Jones agreed that the MSC facility, which currently houses a 300m grass track, will not do for the laying down of a synthetic track,which is 400m.

Thoughts were given to expanding the dimensions of the MSC boundaries.However, this was cast aside when

it was realised that all lands surrounding the MSC facility were occupied.

“We’re still exploring the option of putting a synthetic track in Linden, but it will not be at the MSC, because it doesn’t have the space. We had a site visit there a few months ago .We were actually looking at a fence, I think it’s the Northern fence, and it was advised that there is land space beyond that.So the idea actually was to remove that fence and utilise the space behind. However, I found out that [the land] it apparently has something to do with a school, so that was not feasible. “ Jones explained.

Nonetheless, Jones noted that this has in no way

Director of Sport Christopher Jones deterred(them) from moving ahead with the project, which he described as a venture that is “close to his heart”.

“We’re still on the move to get a synthetic track in Linden.It’s not going to be that easy but we’re working

on it, because Linden has the potential, Linden has the athletes, Linden is pregnant with athletes, so we want to provide them with that, so we’re working on it.”

In terms of alternative arrangements, Jones said that a parcel of land that had been earmarked for one of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Goal Projects, showed the capacity to accommodate both the Goal Project and a synthetic track facility.

“Apparently this is a vast land space. Through my intervention when Clinton Urling was President of GFF, I got government to essentially sign over the land, because the land was essentially under NICIL.So I had to get Minister [Joseph] Harmon to

commit the land to the RDC. That done, this was in preparation for the GFF and their goal project; and apparently there is adequate space for both football and the synthetic track facilities.” Jones opined.

But on the question of how soon Lindeners will be able to see the realization of this facility, Jones noted that it will be an uphill battle, as funding will be a challenge.

None-the-less, he disclosed that in the interim he has been engaging in consultations on how to proceed, whenever that time comes.

“I’ve already requested from the budget $440 million for the upgrade at the National Gymnasium, so for me to get an additional $400 million, it’s not going to be that easy, but we’re working

on it. Matter of fact I’ve already started speaking with overseas governments since last year.” Jones said.

Thus far, Guyana has only one synthetic track facility: the National Track and Field Centre,which is in Leonora on the West Coast of Demerara.This facility cost $1.084 billion and it was officially opened last year April.

When the track’s location was first unveiled,many stakeholders were not too pleased,and questioned the rationale behind putting the track in an area hardly known as an attraction point for athletics enthusiasts. The government-funded initiative was spearheaded by then Minister of Sports, Dr. Frank Anthony.

Border fears for the future of Test cricket AUSTRALIA batting legend Allan Border has admitted that he fears for the future of Test cricket and called on authorities to make the format more relevant in the wake of growing competition from Twenty20 cricket.

Test matches have come under threat due to the lack of spectators flocking stadiums, with some in cricketing circles seeking reduction in the duration of the game from five to four days.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) did propose a two-tier system recently aimed at making the format more competitive, but it was scrapped as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was not in favour of it.

“Though I fear for Test cricket a little bit, I have to admit I am a big fan of Twenty20 cricket. For me its the second revolution of the game after the Kerry Packer series. The format has brought new spectators of cricket.

At the same time, we have to think about how to keep Test cricket relevant in the coming years. Starting a Test world cricket is a good idea, but whether it is feasible or not, only the authorities can find out,” Border said as quoted by the Deccan Chronicle.

“How to fit that in the packed calendar is the biggest challenge. World Cup in a longer format will be time consuming.

To play the entire tour-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday September 19, 2016) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) The Kensington Oval, Barbados, 1958 (2) Draw Today’s Quiz: (1) Where and when did the WI & PAK first play an ODI against each other?

(2) What was the result of the match?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Former Australia captain Allan Border

nament in one country is impossible. Unless you designate a whole year for it, you can’t handle a tournament of that magnitude. Maybe introducing a points system will help. Away wins should carry more value and no points for a draw.

I thought the two-tier Test system has some merit. You can bring teams like Ireland and Afghanistan into Tests. It gives context to every Test match played.

The pooling of television rights is a good thought,” he added.

The two-tier Test system see’s the top-ranked teams pooled in tier 1, where they

play bilateral Tests against each other during a period of four years.

Tier 2 on the other hand would consist of teams ranked eighth (West Indies), ninth (Bangladesh) and tenth (Zimbabwe) plus two more associate teams who fill face each other with the prospect of relegation and promotion. While nations such as Australia, South Africa, England and New Zealand were in favour of the move, the refusal of the BCCI to accept the two-tier system led to it being rejected by the ICC on 7 September 2016.

(Yahoo Sport).

Alvarez beats Smith-then challenges Golovkin GREAT Britain’s Liam Smith lost his WBO light-middleweight title to Mexican Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in Dallas.

Alvarez, 26, won with a ninth-round knockout as Smith, who had also been floored in the seventh, failed to beat the count following a body punch.

I t w a s 2 8 - y e a r- o l d Smith’s first defeat in 25 fights, in the third defence of the title he won in October 2015.

After the fight, Alvarez said “we are ready” for WBC, WBA and IBF

A crowd of 51,240 saw Saul Alvarez (left) beat Liam Smith at the home of the Dallas Cowboys middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin.

“He doesn’t want to ac-

cept,” said Alvarez. “I fear no man. I am the best at this sport. I want to fight the best.

“About a month ago, we offered ‘GGG’ three or four times as much to make the fight.”

Alvarez has lost only one of his 50 professional fights, against American Floyd Mayweather on points in 2013.

Kazakh Golovkin, 34, beat Britain’s Kell Brook in London last week to extend his unbeaten record to 36 fights, icluding 33 knockouts.

Smith said: “I am very disappointed. Canelo was too good. My timing was off.”(BBC Sport).

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 19, 2016

Three One Special Forces take the lead

DEFENDING champions, Coast Guard, did not get off to a good start,as they were edged out by the Three One Special Forces Unit ,when the swimming segment of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Inter-Unit Championships ended yesterday at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal.

tition are the merged One Infantry Battalion/Two One Artillery Company, Base Camp Ayanganna, Base Camp Stephenson , Defense Headquarters, Four Engineer’s Battalion, Training Corps, and Coastal Battalion. Results for the other teams were unavailable up to press time.

As the day’s activities concluded, Special Forces Unit ended with 126 points; 23 points ahead of the Coast Guards, while finishing a distant third was the Guyana People Militia unit with 49 points.

The other ten teams participating in the compe-

The four day Championships continue on Wednesday with the track and field segment, where several leading athletes are scheduled to participate, at the Camp Ayanganna Ground.

The athletics segment will run for three days, continuing on Thursday

Some of the action at yesterday’s swimming competition

and concluding on Friday, when the competition’s ultimate champion team will be declared.

The Championship is part of the GDF’S preparation and trial,which will help them to select their most competent athletes to represent them at the upcoming Joint Services Championships, formally called the Inter-Services Annual Athletics Championships (ISAAC).

GDF are currently the defending champions of that competition,which pits them against the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Prison Services, Guyana Fire Service, and City Constabulary.

Jaguars Franchise League 3-Day Tournament……

ECD complete comprehensive win over West Berbice

By Rajiv Bisnauth WEST Berbice’s batting collapsed for the second time in two days,as East Coast Demerara crushed them by an innings and 11 runs in their round-four game of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Jaguars Franchise League Three-day competition,yesterday at the Enterprise Busta Sports Club ground.

The visitors, following on by 177 runs, were bundled out for 162 in their second innings, 55 minutes before the tea interval.

Defeat was always on the cards for West Berbice,after being dismissed for 160 in their first innings in reply to the hosts’ total of 346;and then being forced to follow on.

Needing to bat for the entire final day,it was always going to be a tall order, despite having all ten wickets in hand.The visitors, who resumed on 9-0, were 177 runs shy of making the hosts bat again.

West Berbice’ embarrassment could have been far worse,had it not been for Leon Andrews, who top score with 91.

Their nemesis proved to be the hosts’ spinners,who crippled the innings with nine wickets between them.

Kamesh Yadram was the chief destroyer with 3-23, while Chanderpaul Hemraj (2-13), Steven Sankar (2-33),and Vivian Albert (2-37), were the other suc-

Leon Andrews top scored for West Berbice with 91. cessful spinners.

However, the visitors’ demise was set in motion when they lost five wickets in the morning session,to crash to 109-5.

The visitors suffered their first blow in the third over of the morning,when Avishkar Sewkarran, unbeaten on four overnight, was bowled by Albert after adding just two runs.

Leon Andrews, unbeaten on three at the start, then put together 52 runs for the second wicket with Brentnol Woldford,before the latter was run out for 15.

From a position of 68-2, West Berbice slipped to 825. Arthley Bailey was caught and bowled off Albert without scoring, while Kamesh Yadram and Chanderpaul Hemraj accounted for Sherwyn McPherson (2),and Andrew Dutchin (2).

However, Andrews stood

firm at the other end, and by the interval had progressed to 69 in the company of Kevin Jawhair, who was on 12.

After the interval,West Berbice lost their last five wickets for just 56 runs.

Both Andrews and Jawhair (12),went off the bowling of Sankar, while Sherwyn Mc Pherson (7) and Keyron Fraser (6) were removed by Yadram. All told, Andrews stroked six fours and three sixes in his innings of 91 that lasted 227minutes,in which he faced 156 balls.

Hemraj sealed the emphatic win when he accounted for Brandon Bess (9).

Over at the Tuschen ground, the West Demerara and Upper Corentyne match ended in a draw.

Play commenced at 12:30 hrs on the third and final day due to a wet outfield. West Demerara elected to bat first after winning the toss and declared their innings on 107/7.

Upper Corentyne then made a sporting declaration by closing their innings at 10/2 after Romario Shephard and Raymon Reifer claimed a wicket each in their first over.

West Demerara, seeking quick runs in their second innings declared on 72/2 off 9.5 overs leaving Upper Corentyne with a target of 170 off a minimum of 22 overs. Raymon Reifer was not out on 45 with 2 fours and 5 sixes.

Upper Corentyne then

struggled to 53/4 when bad light stopped play. Skipper Rajiv Ivan was not out 24.

Keshram Seyhodan and Raymon Reifer had 2/11 and 2/15 respectively.

The fifth round is scheduled for September 23-25, with Upper Corentyne playing Essequibo at Port Mourant, East Bank Demerara opposing West

Berbice at Everest, Lower Corentyne facing off with East Coast Demerara at Albion,and Georgetown clashing with West Demerara at GCC.

WDFA’s GFF/Stag Beer Football League

Wales record second win over Jetty Gunners

WALES recorded their second victory when the West Demerara Football Association(WDFA)/Guyana Football Association/ Stag Beer League continued on Saturday at the Den Amstel ground, West Coast Demerara.

According to reports, The West Bank Demerara side edged Jetty Gunners 1-0 through a Seon Lynch 39th minute goal;during a hardfought and bruising affair,and this allowed his team (Wales) to move to sixth place in the points standing, with seven points from an equal number of matches.

To date, Wales have played seven matches:losing three, drawing two,and winning two.With eight goals for and nine against,they have a goal difference of minus one.

Jetty Gunners on the other hand is at eight in the points standing, after playing six

matches. They won one game, lost four and drew one. They have so far scored five goals and conceded 14 for a minus nine goal difference;and currently has four points.

During the course of the game, Jetty Gunners were reduced to nine men as Brian Rodrigues and Ryan Haynes were both issued red cards, in the 65th and 70th minutes respectively.

Meanwhile, Den Amstel with 16 points continue to lead the points table after playing six matches. They have so far won five and drew one, with 15 goals to their name and six against, for a goal difference of plus nine.

Pouderoyen is second with 13 points from five matches. They have so far won four of their matches and drew one, with 20 goals for and six against.

Young Achievers is next with 12 points from eight

matches. They won four and drew an equal amount and to date, have scored 16 goals and conceded eight.

The fourth place team in the points standing is Eagles ,with 10 points from five matches. They won three, lost one and drew one.

Uitvlugt,who is currently in fifth with 10 points, also won three of their four matches and drew the other.

However Eagles have scored 19 goals and conceded 8,for a goal difference of plus 8.Uitvlugt has so far scored seven goals and conceded one for a plus six goal difference.

The League was scheduled to continue yesterday with a double-header at the same venue where Stewartville was scheduleto face Vegae Boys in the feature match.Den Amstel was slated to tackleEagles in the opening fixture.

Three One Special Forces take the lead (See Story on page 23 )

Athletes perform favourably at IGG trials (See Story on page 19 )

Linden’s Compton Ceasar (948) winning the boys’ 200m ahead of a disappointed Tyrell Peters (946) at yesterday’s IGG Trials (Delano Williams photos)

Sprint double champion, Kenisha Phillips takes the win in the girls’ 200m at the IGG Trials

Fired Windies coach Good Performances from Maracas Open Water Swimmers Simmons mulls legal action

(See Story on page 19 ) L-R Alex Winter, Soroya Simmons,and Daniel Scott,along with the medals they won.

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RECENTLY dismissed West Indies coach Phil Simmons is reportedly considering legal action against the West Indies Cricket Board(WICB).

According to reports published in The Telegraph the coach is expected to meet with his lawyer over the course of the next couple of days before coming to a decision.

Simmons was fired as the head of the regional team last week, with the WICB citing ‘differences in culture and strategic approach’ for dismissing the former playPhil Simmons er.

In November of last Despite the WICB not year Simmons was susbeing more specific as to why the coach was relieved of his pended for alleging outduties, one major bone of side interference in the contention between the par- selection process. The ties stemmed from the player coach was, however, later re-instated. The West selection process.

Simmons was keen to get Indies are currently on several players currently on tour against Pakistan in the fringes of the West Indies the United Arab Emirteam back into selection con- ates. Henderson Springtention, while the selection er, the assistant coach, panel routinely looked in other is the acting head coach.

(Sportsmax.com) directions.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016