Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 20 09 2016

Guyana hopeful No. 104680

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016

Price: $80

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…of UN’s response to juridical settlement on border controversy

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No interference

…Gov’t reaffirms commitment to independent judiciary

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six cops punished for bad behaviour

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NCN reverses 17 decision Page

––agrees to pay suspended Sport Editor

Six-month maternity leave soon Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr Riyad Insanally on Friday last presented his Letters of credence to President Barack Obama at the White House. In this White House photo, Ambassador Insanally and the US President posed for a photograph following the ceremony. Ambassador Insanally, who was appointed by President Granger earlier this year, has been on the job since September 1, the day he presented his credentials to the Deputy Chief of Protocol at the US State Department. He succeeds Ambassador Bayney Karran, who has been posted to China.

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Angry man bites woman on lips

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday September 20, 2016

Protecting migrants

Guyana urges coordinated approach to tackle refugee crisis

By Ariana Gordon AT THE United Nations’ General Assembly in New York, Guyana will continue to support the protection of the rights of all migrants.

This country welcomes the process that the 2016 High-level Meeting on Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants at the United Nations (UN)

presents. President David Granger said as much during his address at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday. The Guyanese leader said the 2016 High-Level Meeting on Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants is the platform to which convening of the 2018 Inter-governmental conference on international migration will be held. He said the

2018 conference will be convened with the aim of adopting a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration, and gave Guyana’s commitment to that process.

“We intend to ensure that the root causes of conflicts are eliminated, and that peace will prevail in the world,” the President said, as he alluded to Guyana’s own

President David Granger, Foreign Affairs Minister Mr. Carl Greenidge, and Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Audrey Waddell, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York (MoTP photo)

President David Granger with Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Rudolph Michael Ten-Pow (MoTP photo) stance within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). “Natural disaster has also been a cause of the refugee and migrant problem. The global community must not

ignore the impact which catastrophic natural disasters -- including those caused by climate change -- have had in triggering that which produces refugees and migrants,” he cautioned.

Referring to the tragic case of Haiti in 2010, when that Caribbean state was destroyed by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake which affected some three and one-half million persons and resulted in the deaths of 222,000, President Granger said the Caribbean was overwhelmed by the “death, disease, dislocation and destruction inflicted on the Caribbean state of Haiti, a sister member of our Community.”

“The earthquake left thousands of persons dead, and consigned thousands of others to a life as refugees in their own country. Haiti’s agony is being compounded today by the creation of new waves of refugees from the Dominican Republic,” he declared.

Notwithstanding that, President Granger said the Political Declaration on Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants offers a path towards addressing the problem in a more coherent and comprehensive manner. The ‘Declaration’,

he said, must be supported by all, to bring an end to international terrorism and state and intra-state conflicts that are “active, incipient and latent.”

He believes that the 2016 meeting represents an opportunity for the international community to commit to a comprehensive solution to “a complex and chronic problem.”

The Guyanese Leader said refugee and migrant crises present grave challenges globally, and he noted that the images and reports of men, women and children who were forced to run away from their homes and homelands in search of safety tell the story of many. The international community President Granger said can ill afford to ignore the plight of “these desperate refugees and migrants.”

“Their conditions and situations demand a commitment to address both the root causes as well as the human consequences which accompany these refugee and migration crises,” he added.

The Guyanese Head of State was the 19th speaker on Monday. He said conflicts within and among states are mainly responsible for most of the mass movement of people, ref-

ugees and migrants evident today via the media.

But while refugees and migrants suffer, they are not the only ones affected by the situation. President Granger reminded that should conflicts between states remain unresolved, situations can escalate into regional and global crises which can threaten the existence of larger numbers of persons in wider areas beyond each territory’s borders.

CONFLICT PREVENTION The Guyanese leader emphasised the need for the root causes of conflicts globally, which have spawned refugee and migrant crises, to be addressed. “Conflict-prevention and resolution must be part of the longterm response to the crisis of refugees and migrants.

The international community has a responsibility to prevent these conflicts, and to usher in an era of security and preservation of peace between states.”

President of the General Assembly, H.E. Peter Thomson, the organiser of the High-Level Meeting, said he would take forward the commitment see page 8

Guyana hopeful

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday September 20, 2016

… of UN’s response to juridical settlement on border controversy

By Ariana Gordon GUYANA remains hopeful that there will be a favourable response to its request for a juridical settlement to the border controversy with Venezuela before United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon demits office in December.

Speaking with Guyanese journalists at Guyana’s Mission in New York on Monday, President David Granger said he is satisfied with what the UN Secretary General has done thus far in the process, but noted his displeasure with Venezuela’s approach to the matter.

“I am satisfied with what the Secretary General has done.

I am not satisfied that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has acted in good faith…

“After 50 years, we had hoped we would have been further along the line towards a solution. It is quite clear to us that much more need to be done by Venezuela if this matter is to be resolved,” President Granger said.

The President praised the work of Mr. Ban ahead of his address on Tuesday at the 71st United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

“We are satisfied that he has been working within the limitations of his office,” the President said.

Accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge; Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Michael Ten-Pow; and former Commonwealth Secretary-General Sir Shridath Ramphal, President Granger made it clear that the UN Secretary General has been the most engaged of the Secretaries

General on the issue over the last 50 years.

“I have not seen a Secretary General so engaged in this matter… He has done everything possible, particularly within the last year… since our first meeting in Bridgetown, to ensure that his Chef de Cabinet, his representatives, shuttle between Caracas and Georgetown; and whenever we’ve met, he is always fully abreast with the controversy.”

The UN Secretary General visited Guyana last October,

the juridical route is best suited to end the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela.

Venezuela, on the other hand, has called for a restart of the Good Officer’s Process.

President Granger has said he is convinced of Mr. Ban’s “sincerity in trying to bring this matter to closure”. “I am very hopeful that this Secretary General, given his engagement over the last year or more, is going to do something that is going to lead to a favourable outcome,” he remarked.

confirmed. He has said that, with the UN Secretary General recognising Guyana’s position on the border controversy, it is Guyana’s hope that the Secretary General can provide an “assessment as to what happened [since] the last time we met… How he proposes to move, if not between now and the future, then certainly between now and when he demits office”.

The option chosen by the Secretary General may not be revealed at the upcoming

From left to right are: Sir Shridath Ramphal; Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge; President David Granger; and Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Michael Ten-Pow, at the media briefing at the Guyana Mission in New York on Monday (Ariana Gordon photo) just after concluding climate change talks in Bolivia. At the 2015 United Nations General Assembly, Ban Ki-moon had promised the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela to have an investigative team visit the two countries with the aim of resolving the border controversy.

Shortly after his visit to Guyana, his Chef de Cabinet at the time, Susanna Malcorra, and a team of UN officials visited Guyana and Venezuela to conduct their investigations on the matter.

Guyana has maintained that

Like President Granger, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge agreed that the UN Secretary General has “gone a long way towards trying to work on both parties to take steps necessary to resolve the matter”.

“At this point in time, we can’t tell you whether that process has actually gone forward in a meaningful way… We’d have to wait on him to see what he says,” said Greenidge.

President Granger and team are likely to meet with the UN Secretary General on Saturday; that meeting is yet to be

meeting with Guyana, Minister Greenidge has disclosed.

“It is essentially to exercise the responsibility that has been given to him in the context of the Geneva Agreement, in recognition of the fact that the two sides cannot agree on the way forward to resolve the controversy over whether or not the 1899 arbitral award is null and void.”

Guyana has maintained its position that the border issue with Venezuela has been settled in 1899 by way of an Arbitral Award; but Venezuela is holding strong to its claim on the

Essequibo region.

In May 2015, Venezuela’s illegal claim to the Essequibo resurfaced following an announcement by US oil giant ExxonMobil of a significant oil find here. Following that announcement, Guyana’s Spanish-speaking neighbour issued a decree claiming part of Guyana’s territorial space.

The decree was subsequently recalled by Venezuela’s President following increased pressure from the international community.

BILATERAL TALKS President Granger would also be addressing the issue of climate change and Guyana’s commitment to ensuring a greener world. He said Guyana is “way ahead” of other territories, and noted that the country will put forward its Policy Statement at the UN. In 1989, three years before the Rio Summit, Guyana dedicated a huge area of its territory -- 371,000 square kilometres -- to the Commonwealth and the world, to prove we could manage our environment in a sustainable manner.

Guyana has very firmly adopted a “green agenda”, and is part of the Guiana Shield, which contains “the most unique bio-diversity in the world”, President Granger has said, while stating that the country is “part of the lungs of the Earth”.

Guyana last Wednesday inked a US$5M agreement with the German Government to support implementation of the third phase of an ongoing programme to develop protected areas in the country.

The President said the work that Germany has been doing

in the field of biodiversity and in supporting Guyana’s environmental drive is providing a global service.

Guyana committed to the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21), not only to extend existing protected areas, but also to create new ones.

President Granger noted that with Guyana’s ongoing relations with the Kingdom of Norway, this country is ensuring that the message of Guyana’s green economy is one that is delivered to potential investors.

“We want to see green energy -– solar, air, hydro, bio-gas generation; we want to contribute to countering the effects of climate change; we want to protect our own coastal zone; we want to provide education in bio-diversity, develop eco-tourism, exports.”

Meanwhile, Minister Greenidge said Guyana will be participating in several bilateral meetings over the next few days. He said CARICOM member states will be speaking to the United States, Japan, and other countries on the issue of correspondent banking and regional security, among other issues.

Additionally, CARICOM will be speaking with the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP) on its future and the way forward.

The Foreign Affairs Minister also said that the report of the “Wise men” (group) will be discussed.

Additionally, Guyana has bilateral meetings planned with Fiji, India and Nigeria with the intention to look at deepening political and economic ties.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday September 20, 2016

Gov’t, religious leaders unite against suicide, domestic violence

SEVERAL Government officials, including Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, together with leaders from across all religious backgrounds and members of civil society, gathered at the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) on Friday evening for a “Voices against Violence” candlelight vigil.

The event, which highlighted the need for all stakeholders to play their part in the fight against violence, suicide, and other social ills in society, was organised by the ACIC in collaboration with The Caribbean Voice (TCV). Held under the theme “Connect, Communicate, Care”, the vigil was an initiative intended to send a strong message to communi-

ties involved in anti-violence activism, while fostering the concept of communal action for community well-being.

Delivering the feature address at the event, held in the lecture hall of the complex, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo congratulated the ACIC and the TCV for planning the event. “It is a great educational session.

There are things said here this evening that I have not heard said before -- and with such simplicity --addressing the issue of domestic violence, the issue of suicide, the issue of alcohol abuse; drug abuse as well.”

The Prime Minister appealed to the gathering to get involved in trying to save the life of a loved one who might be a victim of domestic violence, or someone who is affected by issues which can lead them to commit suicide.

“There is no one cause of suicide, suicide is sometimes done for the most pathetic reasons. I have had suicide in my family: one (member)

committed suicide for the sake of love. There is no such thing as ‘love suicide’; it is death, and not love. And even if you play around, and if you play around or fool around, you can do that with any other thing, not your life,” the Prime Minister advised.

He explained that there is a great need to communicate. “Speak to each other.

Identify members of your family who are depressed, who might have a problem; try to help them solve the problem, because you have one life, and that life should be treated as a treasure,” he admonished.

Representing Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally, Government Member of Parliament John Adams said suicide does not end the chances of life getting worse, but eliminates the possibility of life getting better.

“We need to rid our country of this scourge, it is now a national epidemic; it has no race, and it affects ev-

eryone. Last week we were in Region Six, where we set up a regional committee that will deal with suicide. I trust that after we leave here tonight, the ACIC, along with the regional administration for Region Three, can have a committee in place to deal with suicide; to see how best we (can) help those persons who are troubled,” Adams declared.

He also said: “Our Government is willing to work with any organisation that decides to help in saving lives. We need to put an end to suicide, and these lights that we lit tonight must give us hope (that) all is not lost.”

Representing Regional Executive Officer Denis Jaikarran, Assistant Regional Executive Officer Hardyal Hardatt said officials of the 14 neighbourhood democratic councils within Region Three must be involved and engaged in the process of saving lives, since they deal more directly with the residents.

“It is wise that we get them onboard, so we can have a broad base within the

region and the committees that we will form… Life needs to be preserved and promoted, so we have to sensitise our people, and do that in the correct way,” the AREO said.

In his remarks, Mental Health Therapist Dr. Mark Constantine said Guyana has seen a startling rise in the number of suicide cases; and many families, friends, and even the nation are questioning why.

Dr. Constantine expressed his belief that many people die by suicide because depression is triggered by several negative life experiences for which persons who commit suicide do not receive help.

“Know what the symptoms of depression are, and remember that any untreated mental illness -including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and others -- may cause suicide,” Dr. Constantine advised.

ADMONITIONS In his remarks, Malcolm Harripaul, repre-

senting the Ministry of the Presidency, advocated that a stand should be taken against domestic violence and suicide in Guyana, since those scourges lead to destruction of society.

Reverend Ronald Mc Garrell, representing the Universal Peace Federation, called for a more serious role to be played in engaging children to find out the issues affecting them, so the worstcase scenarios can be avoided.

General President of the ACIC, Hakeem Khan, in providing an overview of the initiative, said the overall objective is to begin the process of community taking ownership for its safety. “That process is expected to also create the environment for NGOs to collaborate with community leaders and organisations to hold community empowerment sessions and help implement anti-violence training,” Khan said.

(GINA)

six cops punished for bad behaviour THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) has taken action against six of its personnel who had reportedly acted in an unprofessional manner while on duty.

A release from the GPF noted that a report was received against a subordinate officer and three constables who had been observed acting unprofessionally while on duty at Coverden, East Bank Demerara at about 16:00h on Friday last.

“Condign action has been taken against these four ranks; and, in particular, they will not be engaging the travelling public regarding police duties,” the release stated.

Two other junior ranks of the GPF have also been reprimanded under similar circumstances.

The release further stated that, following a warning from Police Commissioner (ag.) David Ramnarine regarding deviation from Force policies, complaints and allegations of unprofessional conduct, the

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complaints and calls have been significantly reduced.

“This is a good sign, and augers well for our continued engagement with the public, inclusive of trust, respect, support and co-operation,” the release stated.

Ramnarine recently reaffirmed the GPF’s zero tolerance for ranks who set up roadblocks or randomly stop private vehicles without authorisation. The acting Top Cop made clear the Force’s position during a press conference held last Friday following numerous criticisms from members of the public.

He said traffic ranks are permitted to stop vehicles on the roadways only if an offence has been committed, and the anti-crime patrol units are permitted to stop vehicles based only on information coming from police stations or the police operations room regarding a person or vehicle of interest.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday September 20, 2016

Region warned against naysayers –– at consultation on establishment of Regional Tripartite Social Dialogue Mechanism

By Svetlana Marshall CONSULTATION on the establishment of a Regional Tripartite Social Dialogue Mechanism and a Social Protection Floor opened on Monday at the CARICOM Secretariat with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) calling on regional leaders to take up the mantle and be wary of naysayers.

“There are some voices that claim that social dialogue is damaged, not effective; that

ILO Director of the Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean, Claudia Coenjaerts industrial relations are disturbed and that it is not worth the investment,” ILO Director of the Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean, Claudia Coenjaerts, said.

But she warned against drawing wrong conclusions.

“We must be careful not to draw the wrong conclusions; too much is at stake. We must instead rehabilitate the model and commit to – now more than ever – ensure that our complex, intertwined, and far-reaching policy choices are based on evidence, representativeness, and consensus,” she added.

Although tripartism is painstaking, both at the national and regional levels, Coenjaerts said the region and its people must recognise, understand, and address the challenges in an effort to

move the process forward.

Indonesia, Brazil, and even Barbados and Jamaica, though faced with many challenges, have undertaken social dialogue with some level of success, the ILO Caribbean Director pointed out.

She called on countries to analyse those success stories.

In the area of Social Protection, Coenjaerts underscored the importance of reducing poverty, thus simultaneously improving people’s standards of living.

“Social protection is about reducing poverty and inequality, but it is much more than that; it is critical for inclusive growth, as its boosts human capital and productivity, supports domestic demand, and facilitates structural transformation of national economies,” she explained.

In moving the process forward, the ILO Caribbean Director said, it is important to analyse social protection systems with emphasis on social insurance and social assistance.

The one-day regional consultation was facilitated under the 10th European Development Fund CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) Economic Integration Programme, and saw in attendance the Assistant Secretary-General of the Human and Social Development of CARICOM, Dr. Douglas Slater; President of the Caribbean Employers’ Confederation (CEC), Wayne Chen; and First Vice-President of the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL), Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson, among other officials.

Chen, in brief remarks, reiterated the CEC’s commitment to enhancing the process of social dialogue at the national and regional levels, and to the development of robust social protection for all the region’s citizens.

“As employers, we recognise our vital role in providing the decent and sustainable jobs and economic opportunities which are essential for economic growth, wealth

creation, and improved living standards for citizens of our region,” he said.

Cognizant of the situation within the market economy, Chen said, concerted, effective and coordinated actions are needed to protect the already fragile social fabric. “The whole world is open for business; some will swim and some will sink. We, as small developing nations, have to quickly learn to swim well; learn how to work together to develop a welltrained, adaptable, and productive workforce, with efficient enterprises and state policies that foster them,” he added.

Chen posited that while the region must be mindful of its needs, it must also be mindful of the cost of a robust social safety net, and its impact on overall competitiveness. “A fine balance has to be achieved, as we are competing against countries

President of the Caribbean Employers’ Confederation (CEC), Wayne Chen and regions with lower wages and standards of social protection. Finding this balance will only be possible with meaningful and effective social dialogue.”

Like the ILO, the CEC underscored the importance of the tripartite social dialogue mechanism and social dialogue. This creates a platform for Governments, the private sector, labour, and civil society to discuss and address socio-economic

Two escape from Lusignan Prison TWO prisoners attached to the Lusignan Prison on the East Coast of Demerara escaped from the facility on Monday after they had been taken to do work on the prison’s farm.

The Guyana Chronicle tried unsuccessfully to contact Director of Prisons Carl Graham on the matter, but a News Source article said the escapees have

been identified as Sayouse Shakir, 26, from the Essequibo Coast; and Rajindra Deonarine, 23, of East Coast Demerara.

The Lusignan Prison houses offenders of less serious crimes.

Both the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Prison Service have launched a search for the two men.

issues.

Based on Monday’s consultation, recommendations will be made to the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD). It is believed that such a mechanism would lend support to successful implementation of

the CSME, particularly in the areas of labour and migration.

The social protection floor refers to a range of interventions aimed at ensuring the welfare of citizens and communities.

These include employment generation, labour

standards, and providing a safety net for families and households. A regional social protection floor would provide the policy and framework in which member states can further develop national social protection floors.

The consultation on the establishment of a Regional Tripartite Social Dialogue Mechanism, and a Social Protection Floor at the CARICOM Secretariat

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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 2016 UN General Assembly THE United Nations (UN) 71st Annual General Assembly is presently being held in New York, United States (U.S).

This year’s assembly is being held in a global landscape that is becoming more complex and some may argue dangerous.

Monday the Assembly opened amidst three attacks in three states in the U.S over the weekend - New York, New Jersey and Minnesota. The Islamic States (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the stabbing attack in the Minnesota mall. In the New Jersey and New York bombings, alleged attacker 28-year Ahmad Khan Raham, a naturalised U.S citizen, born in Afghanistan, was held by U.S authorities on Monday.

Manhattan, New York city, where the bombing happened is the borough where the UN is headquartered and General Assembly is being held, and the city is presently under heightened security.

The potential political fodder this could create and the whipping of xenophobia in a U.S presidential election campaign where Republican candidate Donald Trump has appealed to ethnic fear is anyone’s guess. It is however undeniably understood that such frenzy plays into the hands of extremists. The Islamic State (ISIS) has not identified with Raham, though by now such acts are known to also be influenced by individuals acting by themselves, on conviction of and in the name of an ideology that sees the Western world as an enemy of Islam and the reward in the afterlife for attacking this perceived enemy.

On the UN’s plate, most likely high on its agenda will be the issue of the refugee crisis of the Middle East. According to the Associated Press this is the largest such concentration since World War II. Syria’s six-year conflict, which has significantly impacted on the refugee crisis, will also be of concern. In the meantime the U.S and Russia two weekends ago agreed to a ceasefire in Syria with conditionalities to take effect from Monday 12th September. And just when the world thought the deal will actually be implemented, according to the Syrian government the U.S led an airstrike on Saturday that hit its forces. On Monday, 19th September, the Syria army pulled out of the truce deal. This strike saw the pointing of fighters by Russia questioning the U.S intent in signing and simultaneous trading of accusation as to which country should or isn’t presenting the U.N a copy of the deal.

In the global landscape there is no doubt Russia is angling itself as a force and power in its own right, evident with Crimea, Georgia and Syria more importantly given that the U.S saw it as important to arrive at a deal with that country. In the Russian politics early results show President Vladimir Putin party winning parliamentary elections.

Further afield Chancellor Andrea Merkel of Germany, who has a compassionate Refugee and Migrant Policy though much opposed at home - her party lost support in

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Some parts of CPCE broken and need repairs Dear Editor,

I AM a student of Cyril Potter College of Education and currently in my final year. I would like to address some issues that have been plaguing my colleagues and me since we began our training last September.

Firstly, I would like to address the issue of grants.

When I first started CPCE, I was made aware that we would be given a stipend (grants) to assist with transportation and cost of supplies for our projects. According to the 2015 revised student booklet, resident students will receive five thousand and five hundred dollars (5500), while non-resident students will receive seven thousand five hundred (7500).

However this has yet

to be the case as I am a non-resident student and I am yet to receive the seven thousand five hundred (7500). So far my colleagues and I have only received a sum of $7080 and as my colleague who wrote into this publication earlier this month stated that is not substantial for teachers in training to live on, especially taking into consideration the money we spend on supplies for projects is sometimes three times the amount of the stipend.

Lastly I would like to talk about an issue that has been of great concern to me.

Last year a colleague of mine obtained three F’s, which represent failed grades in three consecutive courses. According to the 2010 – 2011 rule booklet of the college, which

was revised for 2015, which in itself is cause for expulsion. My colleague however requested a review of these three courses but before the review was completed the college gave him a letter, asking him to withdraw from the college on the grounds of the three failed courses.

Two and a half months have passed and my colleague has not heard anything from the CPCE regarding his review results.

At the end of the third month into his wait he received a letter informing him that he had not failed any of the three courses and an erratum had been made. Unfortunately for him months of classes had been missed and it would have been difficult for him to catch up with the class. So through no fault

of his own he was forced to ultimately leave the college for good.

My concern with the marking and review system at Cyril Potter College of Education is a great one. I too also have failed a course last semester (almost three months ago) and while attending college and inquiring daily I have yet to learn any news for my review.

I am writing this letter not only for myself and colleagues but also for aspiring teachers who will one day also need to pass through the gates of Cyril Potter College of Education. Some parts of the system are broken and are in desperate need of repair.

Regards FIABAN SWEET

Medical misdiagnosis Dear Editor, I WRITE this letter out of utter frustration and on behalf of the many fellow Guyanese who may have been in a similar situation and are without any recourse to stop this practice.

The facts are as follows: Some time ago I started experiencing severe pain in the groin area. I went to see a doctor who placed me on medication and told me I needed surgery to correct an inguinal hernia, which he scheduled for a later date. No x-ray was done just a physical examination. I paid for the medication and prepared myself mentally for the surgery that would have cost in excess of $200,000.

Out of an abundance of caution, I sought the opinion of another doctor who told me my condition resulted from an abscess and gave me further medication which took care of the problem. No surgery was necessary.

To say I was stunned at the misdiagnosis is an understatement. I felt wronged that had I not gone for a second opinion I would have had to endure an unnecessary and expensive surgery. I spoke to a friend who is a lawyer and was told that since no harm resulted no legal action against the doctor could have been maintained in a court of law. I was advised to lodge a complaint with the Medical Council.

I feel further wronged.

that country’s elections to the centre-left Social Democrats.

The UN officials, heads of government and attendees will be very busy over the coming days dealing with pressing issues and engaging in sidebar diplomacy. To these are added issues such as climate change, hunger, human rights, their transgressions by governments and groups, and the need for enforcement by its 193 Member States.

To our immediate national interest, President David Granger and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge are attending the assembly and will be putting forward Guyana’s case on the Venezuela border controversy, seeking resolution soonest.

Where it is becoming clearer every day that the country is soon to embark in the oil business, this controversy is deserving of resolution as a matter of urgency. And with Venezuela having its own political volatility and President Nicolás Maduro using the controversy as a stabilising political strategy in claiming

Had harm resulted and I had died then what? Who would have known that death resulted from unnecessary surgery?

How many Guyanese have had unnecessary and expensive surgery as a result of some doctor misdiagnosing their condition? How many have died from same? What action(s) can be taken against such a doctor?

I know in other parts of the world, the public has recourse to suing for medical malpractice or negligence.

What about Guyana? The dailies are replete with Guyanese dying from alleged malpractices. How many of those were misdiagnosed?

Are doctors scamming poor persons to collect money or is that they are not qualified

to do their jobs?

What can the average Guyanese do about piercing the god-like mystique that surrounds doctors and make them accountable for their actions? I, for one, feel violated and would like to see these “quacks” to become accountable for their callous actions. In this day and age, doctors who violate their oath of “do no harm” should not be foisted on an unsuspecting public.

Guyanese should not throw up their collective arms in resignation but start a grassroots movement to have doctors become accountable for their actions.

Regards STAN GOUVEIA

two-thirds of our land and part of our Exclusive Economic Zone the soonest it is unequivocally made clear all of these belong to us the better it is for our national interest.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s term of office ends in December. His was a leadership in spite of setbacks that saw strides in improving human relations, advancing rights around the world, and forcing discussions and resolution on climate change, among other pressing humanitarian, developmental and environmental issues. His successor is bound to have his or her hands full. The world is becoming increasingly complex, with competing interests and causalities in the pursuit of. The UN remains a very, if not the most important organisation to forge camaraderie among member-states on common issues, grounded in mutual respect, fundamental rights and freedoms, prosperity for all, and a clean environment.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 20, 2016

‘I tried my best with Ramayya’ -PM Infighting at Capoey Lake

…says ex-AFC member had refused parliamentary seat

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo DR. VEERASAMMY RAMAYYA, the recently resigned executive member of the Alliance For Change (AFC), was not in favour of the AFC coalescing with the APNU ahead of the 2015 General Elections, and had even refused a seat in Parliament when the parties had won the polls, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said last week.

Now Dr. Ramayya has tendered his resignation from the party, to take effect in September 2016 -- for the second time following the APNU+AFC victory at the 2015 polls. This time, he has declared that his protest against corruption is falling on deaf ears, and that his investments in the fledgling AFC have not paid off.

When Dr. Ramayya had first resigned from the AFC, he had complained about the position offered him following the APNU+AFC victory at the polls. He was persuaded to stay on, and was offered the post of Regional Executive Officer of Region Six. He has now resigned from that position.

In a letter dated September 13th, 2016 and addressed to AFC General Secretary David Patterson, Dr. Ramayya explained: “My contribution and investments did not resonate deeply into the party. Hereby my six years of constructive efforts and time spent rewarded those who are the beneficiaries.

Today, I have no remorse to exit myself from the party, because I am (a) self–assertive and strong-minded individual who always crusades with uncompromising principles, because the party fails to deliver.” He added: “During the campaign season, corruption was highly politicized; and at present everyone has turned a blind eye.”

Dr. Ramayya told this publication that, for all the years, he had always stood against corruption, and it was promised that the party would fight to eradicate it. He said it is happening presently, and he cannot accept that.

“Honestly, I don’t think I was treated as an executive member of the party. The fiveyear-plus that I have given

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan them was a great sacrifice on my part financially, and with my time and effort with the television programme and going door to door…”

He also complained that the money he had spent in 2011 and 2015 was not reimbursed.

He mentioned spending more than $15M, for which he was given a mere $5.5M. “Recently, I have sent six letters out from the President downwards, asking them if I would be reimbursed for the money I spent in 2015. (It is now) three weeks, and no one had the courtesy to acknowledge my letter; and further to that, in 2011, although I received $5.5M, the election cost Region Six over $20M… “Today I find that people who have not invested more for this new Government are reaping the benefit,” Ramayya said.

NO EVIDENCE Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Vice Chairman of the AFC, has said that while the former executive member is alleging that Government is indulging in corrupt practices, he has failed to provide supporting evidence. Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of the Presidency last Thursday, the Prime Minister said that while Dr. Ramayya has been using a slogan, he is unaware of the context in which the former AFC executive member is alleging corruption.

Notwithstanding the allegations being made, the Prime Minister has wished Dr. Ramayya well. “He is my friend, he is my brother, he is my villager… He has made a tremendous sacrifice and a strong contribution for his village, for his country, and for Guyana.”

The Prime Minister added that the current situation does not change his perception of Dr. Ramayya. “He remains a good person,” the Prime Minister maintains, even as he added that he had tried his best with respect to Dr. Ramayya.

“I think I could credit myself with having strongly recommended him to be the REO; and I supported his appointment, I went to Berbice -- Whim, his home village -- to

Former AFC member Dr Veerasammy Ramayya announce his appointment. I was proud of his appointment,” the Prime Minister emphasised.

He was also keen to point out that the Region Six leader has long been critical of the coalition. “I know for sure… he was the only person at the leadership of the Alliance For Change who voted against the AFC entering in partnership with APNU; so he is consistent.

He said he didn’t feel that we should join the coalition, and that’s why he didn’t even accept a seat in the National Assembly… So I wish him well,” the Prime Minister declared.

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan also weighed in on the issue, declaring last week Wednesday that he had anticipated the former REO’s resignation.

On the issue of Dr. Ramayya being owed $15M, Ramjattan, Guyana’s Public Security Minister, said: “We don’t owe him a dime! Absolutely nothing!

15M? During the campaign, we paid the people who we were supposed to pay, and they all got their monies. A claim of $15M… would make me use some very unpleasant words which I do not want to use.”

Ramjattan’s statement was in response to questions posed by the Guyana Chronicle. He did, however, acknowledge the work put in by Dr. Ramayya, and said the party has done that which was required for the former Region Six REO. “I think we did what we had to do for him… [We] gave him the regional executive position. I might be unpleasant with the remarks…, (but) he still remains a very good friend and he worked hard for the party. I will probably put out a statement later on; I don’t want to (do so) now,” Ramjattan told the Guyana Chronicle.

The AFC leader has no objection to Dr. Ramayya rejoining the party in the future, despite him resigning for the second time. “I have, for a person like that, an open-door policy. Mistakes will be made; mistakes have been made; even I have made mistakes. Yes, why not? A person like him I would give second and third chances,” remarked Ramjattan.

Dear Editor,

THE Amerindian community of Capoey is divided on many issues facing them due to the Village Captain Elections on the 21st July, 2015.

It was alleged that there was a tie between Melrose Henry and the now captain Ester Rodrigues; as a result seven new voters were added to the tied list, all whom were deemed to be cousins of Ester Rodrigues and not living in the village for years, but were allowed to vote to break the tie.

From that day of the alleged rigged elections, the village was separated by two factions.

There are frequent conflicts over a new cricket ground which was developed in the old workout sandpit by the Younges and some young girls who won several games and trophies for Capoey. There is only one cricket ground behind the school which is being utilised by one section of the youths over the Capoey Lake; the other section of youth lives on the other side of the sandpit area and for them to have access to the playground behind the school, they have to cross over the lake by paddle boats some distance and then journey back in the night by paddling their boats. This is a dangerous trek, so they have decided to use the abandoned and worked-out sandpit as their playground. This seems to have offended the captain, because this group did not vote

for her. In fact, they opposed the rigging of the elections and she became bitter with them, so she would use all means to suppress their efforts to play their cricket.

Things went very bad two weeks ago. These ladies planned a fundraising activity to raise funds to buy materials and construct a pavilion at the old sandpit where their ground is located; they prepared flyers and advertised the fundraising activity one month before; they hired a music box, cooked meals and bought drinks from a wholesale department to sell. On the day of the activity, the captain turned up and prevented them from holding their activity, so they had to abandon their plans and all their foods were spoilt. They had to pay for the music set in advance, so they couldn’t retrieve their money and the stocks had to be sold over to a shop in the village.

It is evident that these two factions of villagers will not live in harmony anymore, because the nature and depth of the conflicts are widening every day. It is understandable that policymakers and ministers of these Amerindian communities have been increasingly occupied since the rigged elections of the captain to find solutions to resolve these conflicts. However, a number of techniques need to be employed for reconciliation between these two groups. The concept of a more

7

representative village council will empower everyone. It was argued that while there may be cultural and societal constraints in arriving at a representative type of council, the advantages to be derived would certainly outweigh the disadvantages for who would not toe the line of the captain.

This captain is playing the politics of “divide and rule,” pitting the two major factions against each other. The Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs should not sweep this issue under the carpet, with the pretense that he does not know what this captain is doing in Capoey. At the same time, it must not be seen as an unsolvable problem. What needs to be done is recognition of the problem and implementing certain reforms in the Amerindian Act, whereby captains would be answerable for marginalisation and discrimination against their people.

The captain of Capoey must find the means of cooperation, including power-sharing with the other Amerindians living in the community, she needs to reach out further and broaden partnerships at all levels.

By way of conclusion, this matter was brought to the attention of the Regional Chairman, Mr. Devanand Ramdatt, by me and he promised to look into it before it escalates.

Regards MOHAMED KHAN

8

Guyana urges coordinated ...

From page 2 of the membership of the UN to begin a process leading to a global compact on migration and refugees.

“I will be urging member states to maintain their high levels of ambition throughout these processes, and to always reach for the higher ground. The fate of millions of refugees and migrants rests with us,” he said.

His Excellency Thompson also said that women and girls who are on the move are vulnerable, and often suffer the compounding effects of “physical insecurity, multiple forms of discrimination, and lack of access to basic services.”

The UN General Assembly President said there are still too many desperate persons in search of refuge and security. Those very vulnerable people are subject to hostility. “I urge all people to recognise the positive contribution that migrants make to countries in which they settle. Today’s adoption of the New York Declaration marks an important step forward, and reflects our collective commitment to address this global challenge. I urge all member states to swiftly implement their commitments under the Declaration,” he said.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described the summit as a “breakthrough” in the global collective efforts to address the challenges of human mobility.

“The Summit represents a breakthrough in our collective efforts to address the challenges of human mobility. Refugees and migrants are not to be seen as a burden; they offer great potential, if only we unlock it. We must place the human rights of all refugees and migrants at the heart of our commitments,” he said.

The UN Secretary-General is to demit office in December. World leaders signed the New York Declaration, which has been adopted to ensure that more children can attend school and workers can securely seek jobs abroad. The UN Secretary-General has said that adoption of the declaration would bring together all partners to protect the human rights of all refugees and migrants, regardless of their status; increase support for the hardest hit countries; assist despairing people in protracted crises to ensure that children get an education; improve search-and-rescue operations, and boost humanitarian funding and resettlement of refugees.

“I call on world leaders to join this campaign and commit together to upholding the rights and dignity of everyone forced by circumstances to flee their homes in search of a better life. This summit shows that we can find common ground,” remarked Ban Ki-moon.

He said the summit would have real significance only if all promises made on Monday are honoured, and that implementation of the New York Declaration would ensure that no refugee or migrant is left behind.

World leaders gathered on Monday at the United Nations General Assembly to adopt the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, which expresses the political will of global leaders to protect the rights of refugees and migrants; to save lives; and share responsibility for large movements on a global scale.

By adopting the New York Declaration, UN member states have committed to start negotiations leading to the 2018 international conference on migration; develop guidelines on the treatment of migrants in vulnerable situations; and achieve a more equitable sharing of the burden and responsibility for hosting and supporting the world’s refugees by adopting a global compact on refugees in 2018, the UN said in a release.

A new campaign called “Together – Respect, Safety and Dignity for All” was launched on Monday to “respond to rising xenophobia and turn fear into hope.” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) signed the new agreement by which IOM becomes a related organisation of the United Nations, thereby strengthening the comprehensive global approach to migration.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday September 20, 2016

Chancellor sees broader role for judiciary

… urges fierceness in the protection of judicial independence

By Alva Solomon THE time is ripe for the judiciary to adopt a broader role in the Guyanese society in order for the public to understand its work and he urged judicial officers to be fierce and bold as those who are weak are less likely to be effective.

This was the assertion made by Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh when he addressed delegates from several jurisdictions across the Commonwealth and Guyana at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association conference, which commenced on Monday morning at the Marriot Hotel in Kingston.

“Many people see the courts as a place of punishment, scarcely do they see it as a place where their rights are asserted and established,” Justice Singh said, noting that people are mystified by the judiciary’s legalese, robes and wigs.

The Chancellor noted that the judiciary must be able to convey to the wider society that access to justice does not necessarily mean access to the courts, adding that while the courts may satisfactorily resolve many disputes, there is a great number of disputes that can be equally resolved by other methods. “This approach may ensure people better understand our role as guarantors of the rule of law and not of their human rights,” he added.

The conference is being held under the theme “The

judiciary as guarantors of the rule of law.”

Visiting President of Trinidad and Tobago, Anthony Carmona attended the opening session, as well as several top government officials including Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo

principle that the law should be able to govern the nation and the Chancellor explained that in order to ensure a guarantee as regards the rule of law; the judiciary must possess certain characteristics and attributes. “That is judicial independence,” he said

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who is performing the functions of President, sits alongside Chancellor Carl Singh (left) and Chief Judge and President of the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (CMJA), John Lowendes who is performing the functions of President, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Basil Williams, as well as Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

While addressing the audience which included judges, magistrates and other judicial officials, Justice Singh noted that the theme for this year’s conference, which is being held in Guyana for the first time, gives rise to the consideration of several important issues. The rule of law is defined as the legal

as he listed activist judges who are “bold outspoken and fierce.” He said that judges who are weak are less likely to be effective guarantors.

The Chancellor noted that the independence of the judiciary is buttressed by the provisions of the constitution and according to him, the readiness of judges to assert and protect that the judiciary’s independence is important. The Chancellor commended the government of Guyana for “publicly delivering complete independence of the judiciary by way of legislative enactment

which give the local judiciary complete control over its financial affairs. He spoke of tension which exists between the executive and the judicial branches of law and he noted that they are many and varied.

He gave examples as he mentioned an instance a few years ago when a retired Chief Justice publicly chided a government minister for inappropriate remarks that the minister made. He said the former judicial official reminded the minister of a healthy tension between the executive and the judiciary as being good for democracy.

Speaking at opening session, CJMA President , Chief Judge John Lowndes told the gathering that there is no doubt that the participants have seen the programnme agenda which addresses a number of issues. He spoke of the rule of law and its relation to an independent judiciary, noting that the effective operation of the rule of law hinges on the latter.

Over the duration of the event, presentations will focus on a number of issues including upholding the rule of law in the courtroom, balancing anti-terrorism legislation with the people’s human rights, environmental law and sustainable development, as well as cybercrime.

President Carmona is expected to make a keynote speech on Tuesday at the commencement of that day’s session. The conference concludes on Thursday.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (centre) stands next to President of Trinidad and Tobago, Anthony Carmona among other judicial officials at the opening of the conference on Monday morning

No interference

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday September 20, 2016

…Gov’t reaffirms commitment to independent judiciary

By Alva Solomon

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has told a high-level conference of jurists that Government does not interfere with the work of the judiciary, and that the administration is committed to its independence in the discharge of its duties.

A lawyer by training, the Prime Minister made the remark during the feature address made at the Monday opening of the conference of Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association, being held at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown. This conference is being held under the theme “The Judiciary as Guarantors of the Rule of Law”.

Nagamootoo said that in the democracies which constitute the Commonwealth, “that guarantee provides a measure of comfort to our people and is an assurance of freedom and stability.” He noted that since the APNU+AFC administration’s assumption of office in May 2015, “we have made a conscious and determined effort at giving recognition and meaning to the declaration adopted on the 24th September, 2012 by the United Nations General Assembly at the High Level Meeting on the Rule of Law, which reaffirmed that: “Human rights, the Rule of Law and democracy are interlinked and mutually reinforcing, and that they belong to the universal and indivisible core values and principles of the United Nations.”

Nagamootoo said Government is conscious of the distinction that must be made between

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo addressing the conference “rule by law”, whereby Government erroneously places itself above the law, and the “rule of law”, which implies that everyone in society, including the Government, is bound by the law.

“It is on the latter that we have rested the structure of Government, recognising that constitutional limits on the exercise of governmental authority -- which is a key feature of any democracy -- require adherence to the rule of law. Indeed, the quality of governance is defined by observance of the rule of law.

Good governance depends on it,” Nagamootoo said in his remarks.

Currently performing the duties of President while President David Granger attends the United Nations General Assembly, Nagamootoo told the conference that, in recent times, constitutional reformers and law-makers have adopted liberal concepts in the approach to governance.

“First, we recognised that there should be clear limits to the power of the Executive, or Government. We recognised that Government exercises its authority through publicly disclosed laws that are adopted and enforced by (an) independent judiciary with established and accepted procedures.

We are committed to the principle of ‘equality before the law’, and that the law must apply equally to the Government and the governed,” he explained.

INDEPENDENCE On the issue of judicial independence, Nagamootoo said: “Our government is unshaken in the belief that, in our state structure, the judiciary should be independent (to the fullest extent of the meaning that can be given to the phrase).

Our recognition is that an independent judiciary is the strongest guarantee for the protection of the rights of our citizens. We believe that an independent judiciary is the bedrock of the stability of our nation. We believe that only an independent judiciary could be the guarantor of the rule of law. So, within this focus and within this framework, our government has

legislatively created the structure to give effect to true and meaningful judicial independence.”

He affirmed that Government has repeatedly and publicly so declared; and asserted that judges, in their adjudicatory role, are not in any way subjected to any form of improper, inappropriate or unwarranted governmental influence.

“That is a matter of which we in this present administration are exceptionally proud, and I make this claim without fear of contradiction.

While we respect the separation of powers, we promote comity among the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary,” the Prime Minister declared.

Nagamootoo said that not only does the local judiciary enjoy independence when it decides issues between citizen and citizen, or between citizen and the state; it also has independence over its administrative machinery, its registries and their personnel. “More importantly, however, our government, by legislative intervention, recognised the judiciary as a constitutional agency and made provision for its financial independence by ensuring that the state provides adequate resources for the judiciary to perform its functions.”

The Prime Minister said, in sum, that the judiciary of Guyana enjoying adjudicatory, institutional and financial independence may be a first for the Commonwealth Caribbean. “…a recent achievement since our assumption of office,” he declared.

Six-month maternity leave soon – Minister Norton

A NATIONAL symposium focused on addressing the protection, promotion and support of exclusive breastfeeding was held Monday as part of activities in observance of National Breastfeeding Week that began on September 18.

Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton delivering an address at the event held at the National Cultural Centre, urged local recreational businesses to create and put in place infrastructure that will facilitate and support exclusive breastfeeding.

The minister said, “Breastfeeding is everybody’s business” and that the implementation of the six-month maternity leave is soon to be part of Guyana’s legislation.

Dr William Adu-Krow, Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO)

Country representative said that the organisation will continue to play its role in the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding.

Dr. Adu-Krow also advocated for at least six weeks paternity leave for fathers to assist, and to further support exclusive breastfeeding.

The PAHO/WHO representative supported the six-month maternity leave for mothers and said that through the strengthening of health information systems, workplaces will be able to better support this implementation.

WHO regards breastfeeding as the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, provided they have accurate information, and the support of their family, the health care system and society at large.

The theme of this year’s National Breastfeeding Week is, ‘Breastfeeding: a key to sustainable development’. It speaks to breastfeeding being the key element in recreating the way people think towards valuing well-being from the start of life. The theme also shows the links among breastfeeding and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that Guyana along with other countries signed onto in 2015.

These goals focus on ecology, the economy and equity worldwide. It has been noted that Guyana expects to achieve a 50 per cent exclusive breastfeeding rate by 2025; therefore health officials strongly recommended exclusive breastfeeding from birth up until six months.

The expansion of exclusive breastfeeding awareness is currently being facilitated through accreditation of a number of hospitals to ‘baby friendly status’.

Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton and PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow and other officials after the unveiling of a breastfeeding message at the symposium on breastfeeding (GINA photo) Eleven hospitals attained baby friendly hospital status under the Ministry of Public Health’s Baby Friendly Hospitals Initiative (BHFI).

This initiative, in collaboration with the WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), seeks to

recognise health institutions adhering to the breastfeeding policy.

Twenty-nine other local hospitals are expected to attain baby friendly status after their evaluation. It has been noted that only 38 percent of babies across the world are

exclusively breast fed.

A large billboard, highlighting the ministry’s full support of exclusive breastfeeding will be erected during this week at the football field, east of the Public Health Ministry, Brickdam. (GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday September 20, 2016

Deep anguish relived at Camp Groomes –– as 2000 storage base explosion inquiry commences

By Shirley Thomas THERE was a mood of deep anguish last Thursday as ex-soldiers of the Guyana Defence Force who survived the December 18, 2000 series of explosions at Camp Groomes, the army’s ammunition storage base on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, painfully relived the memories of the horrific ordeal in which the storage base was destroyed, killing three soldiers and severely injuring 11 others.

Testifying before Chairman of the Commission, Colonel (Ret’d) Desmond Roberts; and its Secretary, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Carmichael, were survivors Samuel Archer, Colywn Lewis, Wendell Cort, Leeroy Hutson, Joslyn Ross and Winsel Waithe. Also testifying, though not from Camp Groomes, was former soldier Kerwin Wilson, who was the last to give evidence.

There was overwhelming consensus in the survivors’ testimonies that the treatment meted out to them by the army was unconsciona-

the Chief-of-Staff and/or other senior ranks at the Army Headquarters to discuss their plight, but they were always given the royal run around.

They credited Major Stewart for his compassionate outlook, but named another senior rank whom they said never gave them words of encouragement, nor did he ever “tell we anything to brave up we spirits.”

Archer also recalls being sent for “orders” because he had open wounds on his feet and could not wade through flood waters to go to work. He said that when he was informed that he was being sent off the job as ‘medically unfit’ he was so shocked he impulsively asked: “Sir, you putting we off medically unfit and we so young?” To this day, the men are still in a state of uncertainty regarding what would become of their lives.

Archer said he asked for the men to be given a sergeant or staff sergeant’s salary until they qualified for benefits, but the officer replied, “No, the Chief-of-Staff said you’ll have to go, and you’ll have to go!”

sated for the injuries they had suffered in the line of duty; being ‘struck off strength’ once the army had determined that they could no longer function optimally as soldiers; the gross inadequacy of the $1M approved for each of them; and further, that they still do not know if it was a grant, gratuity or GDF pension.

They are asking that the $25,000 they are currently being given be increased to at least $60,000; or alternatively, that they be given the equivalent of a sergeant’s pay.

Moreover, the soldiers contend that whatever method was used to compute the payment, it ended up with them getting less than $1M, and as little as $700,000. That amount was received several years ago. The only other payment they receive is a fixed amount of $25,000 per month. They are still unclear on what that sum represents, and how long it will continue.

The survivors also related that after they had been struck off strength and not given any money, the army had initially promised

Asked how they propose compensation be paid to them, some opted for monthly payments while the majority seemed to favour lump sum payments, so that they could be able to do something tangible. They all needed homes, they said, and made requests for land; or preferably, the setting up of a housing scheme.

In his testimony, Samuel Archer recalled that, prior to the explosions, he had seen a lance corporal (name given) walking at the back of the arms store, and had cautioned him.

“I gon talk if anything happen,” he had told the lance corporal. Strangely, that same lance corporal was the only person who emerged from that ordeal practically unhurt, Archer recalled. He noted that that lance corporal had only got a scrape at the back of his head.

He said there was evidence that somebody had been chipping blocks from the arms store, and added: “I believe to myself that the explosion was the work of an experienced person who knows how to get into the store.”

Archer said he attempted to give a state-

Some Camp Groomes survivors testifying at Thursday’s Commission of Inquiry ble once it was established that they were no longer able to function optimally as soldiers.

Sixteen years later, the wounded soldiers continue to suffer varying degrees of pain and other forms of disconcertion from the multiple debilitating injuries they had sustained.

The survivors told the Commission that they had served the Guyana Defence Force dedicatedly for a number of years, and were disappointed at having been struck-offstrength (sos) and left to fend for themselves after a few years. The men said they were initially given light duties to perform in the office, but that concession was eventually suspended and they were sent home on condition of being medically unfit.

Samuel Archer, the first to testify, said that for the first four to five months after being sent home, he received no payment.

He had been in the army since 1994, and was among those bearing the brunt of the injuries during the explosions. He was burnt with chemicals from his face down; his shoulders, legs and insteps were so badly burnt that the bones were exposed.

Notwithstanding, he had to scale a burning fence and, with another soldier, literally crawl five miles to reach Camp Soweyo, where he reported the explosions and sought to get transportation to rescue and take the injured to hospital.

The army offered them each $1M, and the rank asked how could soldiers who were injured to that extent while in the line of duty be given just $1M, but he was given no answer. He said that during all this, he was just hoping and praying for a change. “I was just praying fuh somebody come and tek over this country,” he said. And now the survivors are each demanding adequate compensation plus disability benefits.

As Archer continued his testimony, appealing to the sympathy of the Chairman, he declared: “Sir, look things we pass through and nobody cared enough about us.” He related the ordeal of constantly ‘blacking out’ (losing consciousness) as the doctors scraped the dead flesh off his skin, the result of being burnt with chemicals. “And now we get treat like ‘dog or cat’; like animal when you going and hunt – just shoot them down.” [That is how they treat we, he said.]

The Commission Chairman asked what he would like to have, and the very vocal Archer replied: “Sir, I need compensation for my injuries, so I could live a proper life…. Right now $25,000 can’t mind me, my wife and the children. And those sentiments were precisely expressed by the other survivors, who were in one accord in relation to what obtains and what their survival needs are.

RUN AROUND But the men claimed that, throughout the ordeal, they tried ad nauseam to reach

INADEQUATE To justify their claims, the survivors cited, among other things, not being compen-

to provide them with a backdated payment, but that hasn’t happened. Notwithstanding, the survivors consider it ludicrous that the army should believe that a mere $1M could compensate for the near-death experiences they had endured, and could cover payments for follow-up treatment.

Archer said that within two weeks of the disaster, the GDF had initiated their evacuation to hospitals in Texas, USA and Barbados.

He said they left the hospitals with the clear understanding that at the end of every year they would be required to return for evaluation and further treatment until the doctors were satisfied that it was no longer necessary.

However, this was never honoured, he said.

The survivors said, too, that even though they might appear on the outside to be healthy, they are not; and they cannot work to earn a living.

Archer reports that he is unable to properly stand on his feet, since, whenever he does, he gets sensations of an invasion by “stinging flies and ants.”

Others told of having sustained injuries to their eyes, backs, necks; and one said he was in danger of losing his leg, among other things.

With the Chairman’s permission, some of the men removed portions of their clothing to give the commission an idea of the injuries they had sustained in the blasts, and the extent of their present sufferings. Most of them now depend on proceeds eked out from kitchen gardens to augment their paltry income.

ment to a particular Colonel (name given) but the Colonel would only tell him, “That ain’t important now.” He persisted, saying, “With all due respect, sir, I would like to know what caused the explosion,” and the Colonel replied: “If I don’t know, you gon know?”

Albeit, a senior rank had reportedly tried to create the impression that the soldiers in the building might have been smoking and might have discarded a cigarette stub which later ignited, causing the explosions and inferno.

The survivors rubbished that statement.

The injured survivor is convinced that the ranks were deliberately ‘smoked out’ and opiated at Camp Groomes, since nobody had ever slept the way they did in the hours leading up to the explosion. At the time of the explosions, Archer said, he also was sleeping.

He said he was dreaming about wars and of being attacked when suddenly he heard a loud explosion, and jumped up only to find the building on fire.

The Chairman, at this juncture, asked the ranks whether a board of enquiry was ever launched into the explosion and destruction of the arms base, and deaths and injuries to soldiers, to which the survivors unanimously responded: “No, sir. Nobody ever interviewed us; this is the first time we come to a board where somebody can listen we. This is the very first time.”

The Chairman also questioned whether the relatives of the soldiers killed had ever been compensated, but no one was able to say.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday September 20, 2016

Wings Aviation seeking to launch national carrier GUYANA may be closer to having a flag carrier sooner than expected since information reaching the Guyana Chronicle is that one local aviation company is poised to service the country’s national flying needs, and is ready to go on the green light of the relevant authorities.

It is understood that Air Guyana, a subsidiary of the well-established Wings Aviation Inc, also parent company of the popular Fly Jamaica, is experienced and has the capacity to provide the necessary service to popular international routes such as the United States and Canada.

According to information, Wings Aviation Inc is expected to acquire two new planes in the near future, but is ready to rebrand one of its two Boeings in vibrant Guyanese colours, boldly displaying an Air Guyana emblem and base it here for specific service to the Guyanese people.

The company has recently hired an additional 25 flight attendants and has already designed a green Guyanese oriented overall for its onboard staff. They have the relevant authorisation from countries where they operate abroad and are now gearing toward local documentation to commence operation here.

“All they (authorities) have to do is say the word and they are ready to launch,” an aviation source stated. “Wings Aviation is ready to launch Air Guyana. They already have the staff and the training… they have enough ca-

pacity for both Air Guyana and Fly Jamaica.”

The Guyana Chronicle was told that currently, Wings Aviation Inc has 36 Guyanese flight attendants outside of the 25 recently hired. Of that number, there were five Amerin-

GCA Director General, Egbert Field dians from Hinterland communities. Training for these attendants has already commenced.

It is stated that once Air Guyana gets the go ahead, it will commence with two weekly non-stop flights to Toronto and several other destinations. This is expected to improve airlift and provide several direct and indirect

benefits.

Since Guyana Airways Corporation’s fall some 15 years ago, the Guyanese public has endured about everything seeking reliable service to major destinations in the US and Canada. With the pull out of Delta Airlines some years ago, and limited airlift ability in the recent past, many Guyanese passengers were hounded with overpriced tickets, unscrupulous charter operators and even endured poor service, to the point where the Government had once threatened a foreign-based airline to be better to Guyanese passengers.

Caribbean Airlines, Dynamic Airways and Fly Jamaica, which was launched 2013, have been the notable three servicing Guyanese passengers on the major routes, with Fly Jamaica standing out, being owned by Guyanese. That airline has risen to prominence for onboard service and continued improvement toward time schedules.

Guyana is currently without Category One status and this does not permit operators registered here to fly non-stop to the United States. Guyana Civil Aviation (GCA) Director General, Egbert Field is confident of Guyana attaining the necessary status in the near future. The retired army officer and seasoned aviator has already registered intent to use his many years’ experience to steer the Guyanese aviation sector in the right direction.

He told Guyana Chronicle that Wings Aviation has expressed interest in servicing

Guyana, but the agency awaits the company’s official application. When asked about the company’s operation of Fly Jamaica in Guyana and whether he believes they can be trusted to operator under a Guyanese banner, Field said “Fly Jamaica is an organisation that really understands the way an airline is run, and is running it the way it is supposed to.”

Field, a former inspector with Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS) and who was flight operations and oversight manager of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority and transnational inspector for the Regional Aviation Safety Oversight had been required to give Fly Jamaica its pass to operator during its certification process and remembered how diligently and professionally the company had gone through the motion.

He said had it not been for Guyana’s failure to acquire Category One status, Fly Jamaica itself would have been a Guyanese registered company. He noted however the success and great support the Guyanese-owned company has gained from the Jamaican public. Senior Wings Aviation officials have confirmed the company’s intent to service the Guyanese public through Air Guyana but provided no additional information. The Wings Aviation Inc has been operational since 1984 and is located at the Eugene F Correia Airport in Ogle. It has extensive operations in Canada, the US, Jamaica and Guyana.

Linden toll booth to Pregnant Jamaican start operation soon remanded on drugs charge

THE long-anticipated reintroduction of the Kara Kara toll station in Linden should begin in a few weeks, according to Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland.

It has been close to a month since Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan approved the by-laws governing the rates to be paid by commercial vehicles, especially lumber and container trucks plying the interior route.

Holland said the process would be carefully handled, so that the purpose of the booth would be fulfilled. “We will let the public know when we will start. The revenues garnered are only to help the township undertake much needed work, such as road repairs, garbage collection, and other community services,” Holland affirmed.

Minister Bulkan approved rates ranging from $2000 to $7000 to be paid by 18 categories of vehicles, particularly vehicles passing through the town with fuel, lumber or merchandise. With these rates, the Council will be raking in approximately $3M monthly, or more than $36M on an annual basis. This revenue will assist the cash-strapped Council in many ways, including sufficient transportation for garbage collection; paying workers’ wages; and, most importantly, paying off the almost $200 million debt owed to the National Insurance Scheme, Guyana Power and Light, and other entities.

The Council successfully lobbied the Government to increase the yearly subvention from $12M to 16M, but this seems insufficient to fulfill all the needs of the Council.

Mayor Holland has reiterated that businesses registered in Linden would only pay a biennial fee for the use of the toll, and hire cars or vehicles entering the town for every purpose

other than commercial will not be subjected to paying the toll. Truck driver Trevor Hack told the Guyana Chronicle that reintroduction of the toll would mean “a little squeeze” on his and other drivers’ pockets, but he is happy that Linden would finally see development.

“Yes, I know it gon be lil hard on we, but we gotta look on the bigger picture, and that is (that) the town gon benefit, and I would do anything for Linden,” he said, in contrast to some other Linden businessmen, who are not in favour of paying the biennial fee.

The Kara Kara toll station was disbanded in 2013 by former Minister of Local Government Norman Whittaker. It was established in 1997 under the stewardship of then Mayor Stanley Smith, following an order by then Local Government Minister Clinton Collymore.

According to reports, the booth was disbanded to accommodate the operations of giant lumber company Bishanlin. As a result of this subsidized operation, the Council lost close to $250M, according to former IMC chairman Orin Gordon.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, described the intentional suspension of the boot by the previous administration as an effort to stymie the progress of the town. “They never wanted you to strive, they took away all of your financial abilities to spend money to look after yourselves. You used to take fees from those large trucks passing through Linden, the heavy lumber trucks and the bauxite container trucks; and you used to get a reasonable income from that as a Town Council. Thirty-five percent of those revenues constituted your budget in this town of Linden,” said the Minister.

A 29- YEAR-OLD Jamaican national who is three months’ pregnant was remanded to prison after she appeared on Monday before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

It is alleged that Carlene Grant had in her possession 629 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking on September 17, 2016 on the Potaro Road.

Grant had pleaded guilty with explanation to the allegation that was read to her, but after her explanation the magistrate changed her plea to not guilty.

Her attorney told the court that she was

staying illegally in Guyana since she had overstayed her six-month period granted to stay in the country.

Grant told the court that she was invited to Guyana by a friend and she was granted six months in the country. However she had overstayed her time because she has a relationship with someone in Guyana.

The Police prosecutor told the court that no special reason was given for the defendant to be granted bail. Grant had overstayed her time and she had no fixed address. The defendant is expected to return to court on September 26, 2016.

Angry man bites woman on lips TWENTY-tWO-year old Mark Gonsalves was fined $40,000 on Monday when he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman on an assault charge.

Gonsalves pleaded guilty to the charge which alleged that on Friday, April 1, 2016 at Block ‘E’ South Sophia, Georgetown, he unlawfully assaulted Lorraine Hope so as to cause her actual bodily harm.

When questioned about the inci-

dent, Gonsalves told the court that he felt that she had somebody else with him. He said he got angry and bit her.

However, Hope told the court that she was attacked by the Gonsalves on her way to work. She stated that he grabbed her bag and threw it in a nearby trench then proceeded to bite her on the lips.

Gonsalves was fined $40,000 or by default 14 days’ imprisonment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday September 20, 2016

Championing the cause of a child’s right to protection THIS week (18th– 24th September) is Child Protection week. Just one week out of fifty-two, when the Childcare and Protection Agency design a variety of public events aimed at heightening the nation’s awareness of the plight in which some of our children live and the various ways in which adults can help them.

As a nation if we are serious about preventing child abuse we must think of children as our responsibility, therefore, we (adults) need to work together and not against one another to make meaningful progress. We should not be afraid to report even ‘suspected’ cases of child abuse. Child abuse is real and it is happening right now in all walks of life, across all types of communities – even in the faith-based, and in every region of Guyana.

The prevention of child abuse and the protection of our children must be a national effort; it is not just the job of the Childcare and Protection Agency: Non-governmental

organisations that specialise in child related issues, volunteers, teachers, parents, faithbased organisations and the general public can all become involved in protecting our nation’s children. Just call the Childcare and Protection Agency and talk to a member of staff about getting involved. Everyone is invited to give a helping hand: there will always be something you can do to help vulnerable children should you sincerely want to assist.

Here are some simple things you can do in your neighbourhood to prevent child abuse and to raise awareness, without having to try too hard. * Be watchful over the children in your neighbourhood and community. Give them a smile, show an interest and be friendly.

Children (and most families) usually appreciate genuine neighbours: adults they can trust. * Give children a listening ear. Make yourself available for children in your

neighbourhood and community. A little quality time spent could make a difference in a child’s life. * Lend a helping hand to a family in need. You can link a family ‘in need’ to available resources in your community or to social protection services that will assist them. When families are in need children suffer. * Talk about child protection and the prevention of child abuse in your community. Find out more about the tell-tale signs of abuse. Share information with your neighbours. * Ask community leaders to hold meetings/workshops to address issues of child protection and prevention of child abuse.

Educate your community. * Make your community a safe haven for children; get your neighbours on board, start a ‘child protection’ watch group. * To report child abuse contact the Childcare and Protection Agency’s hotline

on 227 0979.

Most of the time when we look out on the World everything seems alright on the surface, but the reality is that children are being abused even as you read these words.

Children learn to live with abuse; they suffer in silence because they are children.

Let us make an effort to do what we can to lessen their vulnerable circumstances. In our hearts and minds let us champion the cause of a child’s right to protection from harm.

To learn more about the activities for Child Protection Week visit our website childcaregy@gmail.com Tune in tonight (Tuesday 20th September) at 8.05 on NCN for our live phone-in programme Listen to our radio broadcast ‘Every step of the way’ week days on VOG 7.45 a.m. and 98.1 at 5.05 pm A message from the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ministry of Social Protection

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday September 20, 2016

Facts about GuySuCo

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Rebounding requires a highly mobilized GuySuCo community

By Audreyanna Thomas

IT was Albert Einstein who said that ‘we can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them’. This quotation by Einstein is extremely important to the leadership of GuySuCo as they seek to craft a New GuySuCo. The Corporation is changing. It should be noted that the change is mainly externally motivated and much of it is outside of the control of GuySuCo but nevertheless, it has been accepted that the change cannot be avoided or prevented, therefore a key question is, how can GuySuCo manage the change process? Change being a movement from a current state, through a transition state and to a future state.

As GuySuCo goes through the movement of change to evolve into the New GuySuCo, one of the most difficult but yet necessary focus area, is to develop a ‘mobilized GuySuCo community’. Programmes are being implemented to mobilize its employees, the Unions, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders around a common goal and developing shared values and purpose among these various interest groups.

The responses to the change thus far have been mixed. Some stakeholders have embraced the change and have been making the necessary adjustments, it has been

recognized that others may take some time to change, while on the other hand, some stakeholders are reluctant and, there is a possibility that some of them may never accept the change.

Managing the change process The Corporation has recognized that fundamental to managing the change process effectively, there is need for a clear vision and direction to be laid out. It has to mobilize stakeholders around a common goal. Hence the common goal is to increase efficiencies – production and productivity in its current core business – sugar; and the diversification programme will include; aquaculture, fruit crops, livestock and dairy farming and rice cultivation.

As one of largest entities in Guyana, GuySuCo has both primary and secondary stakeholders with varying levels of interest in the viability and sustainability of the Corporation. The primary stakeholders are: The Government of Guyana, Board of Directors, management, employees, customers and suppliers. The secondary stakeholders are: Cane farmers, families of employees, investors, trade unions, communities, members of the public, private sector, civil society and international organizations. Therefore GuySuCo is very cognizant of the impact change will have on all of these stakeholders, hence, the corporate strategy targets all stakeholders and is designed to address the various levels of responses to the change that’s

taking place. A challenge for the Corporation is first of all, getting the buy-in from stakeholders on the new direction in which it is heading; if stakeholders do not buy-in to the new direction, it will not prevent the change from happening but could have negative effects on the Corporation’s ability to rebound in a short timeframe which can have severe impact on the business.

GuySuCo as an employer is not only caring but caters for addressing many of the needs of its employees so that they can develop to be the highest quality person and contribute towards the Corporation as best as they can. Employees have to see themselves as a key component in the change process.

Each and every employee of the Corporation has to develop a sense of ownership and make a commitment to increasing production and productivity and ensuring a prosperous future for sugar and the Corporation.

DISCIPLINED CORPORATION As the debate continues on GuySuCo and the future of the Corporation, it is

imperative that interested parties channel energies and resources in the right direction. Rebounding would demand a GuySuCo that is being rebuilt on sound organizational, business and moral principles.

It is fundamental that there is a clear understanding of how principles are interconnected and their importance and relevance to the desired outcomes which the Corporation would like to achieve. For example, the more effort employees put into the Second Crop, the higher the possibility of achieving the target set, likewise reduce effort, would ultimately result in reduced targets. Employees have to make wise decisions in the best interest of themselves, their families, their communities and the Corporation.

Finally, GuySuCo has a very good chance of re-bounding; however, it would require a highly mobilized and disciplined community. (Audreyanna Thomas is a Senior Communications Officer at the Guyana Sugar Corporation)

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Cancer is not a death sentence –cancer survivor tells story

By Shauna Jemmott IFEYANA Pompey-Roberts was just 14-years-old when she fell off a tree and hit her breast on an abject. Later that year she felt a lump in her breast.

Ten years later, she was diagnosed with ‘grade 1’ breast cancer.

Ifeyana knew little of the disease but was aware that both her father’s parents died as a result of the dreaded disease, and like many women today, she feared

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday September 20, 2016

the thought of a death sentence after feeling the trespassing lump.

For years she refused to walk into the doctor’s office, until one particular day.

“It becomes painful and bigger so I went to the doctor and I did a biopsy. The result shows I have cancer.”

I felt a terrible fear and thought it was the end. But when she was 20-years-old, Ifeyana gave birth to her first child – a daughter.

“I didn’t want to nurse her on the

without a mother became unbearable.

Cancer Survivor Ifeyana Pompey–Roberts breast with the lump (and) I get an abscess on it. The abscess heals up and I leave it alone.”

Hearing the doctor’s revelation at 24-years-old, she said “I lost it. I start to cry thinking I am going to die young. I grieve for days.”

The news tore her family apart, as the man with whom she shared a common-law relationship walked away, strengthening her thought that survival was impossible.

“Then I say I will live my life and when time to die I will die. I am not going to do no treatment.”

An aunt, Wendy, convinced her to revisit the doctor and she knew her options then. “(The doctor said) I have to remove the breast. I asked him if he is crazy. I am 25 years old, how I am going to live with one breast. I say I am not doing it.

My aunt say think about your daughter.”

That was the moment she secluded herself and drifted into reflections and deep thought.

Ifeyana had spent her childhood without her mom. She lived in an extended family in Two Friends Village, East Coast Demerara with her grandparents, father, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings and step-mom. Life was good, but not easy. Her mom died leaving her and four other siblings while the last of them was just a few months old.

While her father worked hard to maintain them, her responsibilities as the eldest were great. Dad remarried and produced other children, and she also had an older sister Ayana. The thought of her daughter growing up

HARD DECISION “I want to live for her so I decided to remove it. From the doctor office my aunt take me to the cancer society (and) they gave me some booklets.”

She read and researched on cancer, the disease to which she had just become victim, and realised she had a 90 per cent chance of becoming a survivor. But after breaking the news to her then partner, “he didn’t say anything. He left (and) he didn’t return until about three days. The same day I went to get some sleeping clothes to go in the hospital to remove the breast, that same day he moved out”.

Though she had made up her mind, Ifeyana said she battled with devastation, shame and a broken heart. Still battling whether or not to undergo the surgery, a persistent aunt and awareness about the disease gave her the courage to make the hard decision.

“But I had to for my daughter. So I went (and) I remove the breast. That was the hardest thing I ever did. I was so ashamed. My aunt was there encouraging me to fight back. So more I read about cancer more I get the courage to fight back.”

Ifeyana said she travelled to Trinidad for radiation therapy and chemotherapy therapy, and with the use of some herbal medicine and family support, “I beat cancer.”

Getting rid of the infected breast and a man who did not love her enough to support her through her difficult times brought her a new beginning.

“I get four children and married after beating cancer and today I am still cancer -free and going strong in God grace,” she confessed.

Ifeyana is advising those diagnosed with cancer to never give up the fight.

“First ask your doctor about your diagnosis then educate yourself about it … take the treatment. I know the treatment is hard. Your diet is very important.

The healthier you are the stronger you become (and) the less side effects you will get.

A diagnosis of cancer is not usually the end. Never stop fighting, no matter what… With God anything is possible,” she said.

Ifeyana has now joined others in raising awareness about cancer. At the beginning of her awareness campaigns, she proudly states, “My name is Ifeyana Pompey Roberts. I am a cancer survivor for 17 years.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday September 20, 2016

PM: Ban can leave lasting legacy –– by forging definitive resolution on Guyana/Venezuela border controversy

By Alva Solomon THE forging of a definitive resolution regarding Guyana’s border concerns with neighbouring Venezuela could be a part of the legacy which United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon can leave behind.

This is according to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo,who is performing the functions of President.

The Prime Minister made the remarks after issuing a call for solidarity from legal luminaries from across the Commonwealth on Guyana’s border matter with Venezuela.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo was at the time addressing participants at this year’s Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (CMJA) conference which commenced on Monday morning at the Marriot

Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo told reporters that Guyana expects that the UN

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo Secretary General, who will demit office soon, can advance the proposal that the border controversy be sent to

the world court.

“We are demanding a judicial settlement of this matter, it is (a) matter of the rule of law, the international rule of law,” he said.

Earlier, he told the gathering, which included other Government officials and visiting Trinidad and Tobago President, Anthony Carmona, that he was addressing the participants in the absence of President David Granger.

President Granger is currently attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York,where he plans to push for a juridical settlement of the issue.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo told the CMJA conference participants of Guyana’s contention that Venezuela’s aggressive stance “haunts us”.

He said after 50 years of Independence, Guyana de-

serves a better life.

“At last,Guyana is on the threshold of an exciting future,” he said, noting that the

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon country has proposed to the United Nations a juridical settlement.

He said that he raised

the issue at Monday’s meeting,since those present represent “a wide cross section of (the) Commonwealth jurisdiction and for a cause we seek your solidarity”.

Guyana’s border controversy with Venezuela dates back to over a century, with renewed and forceful claims

by Venezuela after the American oil firm Exxon Mobil announced a giant oil find offshore Guyana last year.

With the oil discovery approximately 120 miles offshore Guyana, Venezuela extended its land claim and sought this country’s Atlantic front. This decree was deemed by Guyana’s President as “obnoxious”.

It was back in 1966, on the eve of Guyana’s Independence from Britain, that Venezuela claimed that the 1899 arbitral award,which defined the countries’ borders,was

null and void.

That triggered the socalled Geneva Agreement, which mandated the United Nations Secretary General to dictate a mechanism to settle the controversy as provided for in Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations.

The then UN Secretary General selected the Good Officers Process as one of the specific means available under the Charter. However, President Granger contended last year that after 25 years, the Good Officers Process has been exhausted.

In July this year,he expressed hope that the outgoing United Nations Secretary General will declare a move to the International Court of Justice within a four- month timeframe, to settle once and for all the border controversy with Venezuela.

Councillor working in the interest of youths

GEORGETOWN Councillor Malcolm Ferreira continues to make strides in the interest of youths and today more than 50 students, who were unable to attend school for the new term did so after being presented with school supplies following a backto-school drive which saw the support of members of the business community.

He told the Guyana Chronicle that in the Albouystown/Charlestown area where he grew up he saw the need to initiate such a drive because many students could not go to school simply because they did not have all the essentials needed.

Ferreira of Constituency #10 said while some schoolage children had some of the things needed for school, others had none and with the inspiration of 12-year-old Owen Bennett who wanted a pair of football sneakers, he embarked on the move.

The Councillor stated that with Owen’s call for assistance he knew he had to do something to ensure that the boy who is an aspiring football player get his wish.

Detailing the start of the back-to-school drive,

Ferreira said it was not easy, but after he made a call for assistance several businessmen and women stepped in and offered their support by providing school shoes, back packs, uniforms and stationery.

He related that he made sure those who did not have anything for school was provided with such and they made it to school even after classes had started a few days before.

Ferreira stated that to date 300 students were gifted school supplies by the way of kind sponsors who wants to remain anonymous.

He said, “The truth is, I was inspired by Owen Bennett. He is responsible for all of the give-back that’s happening in the community.

Owen pleaded for ‘PEGS’ and his screams have resulted in all that has happened so far. So today Owen received his ‘PEGS’ and he brought along his friend too. Youths like Owen are bursting with athletic abilities and we must channel those energies in a positive manner.”

Chronicling his life, Ferreira told this newspaper that as a young boy his aim was to become a gynecologist

but that didn’t work out.

As a former President’s College student he was determined to always be at the top in his class, given the fact he came from a humble home growing up in the Albouystown/Charlestown area.

He noted, “But at home, the role models around in Albouystown were mostly wanted men, thieves, gam-

blers, pick pockets, hustlers, break and enter crew, hardcore robbers, bullies, and old jail men with bare jail talks.”

Ferreira told the Guyana Chronicle that education paved the way for him to become the person he is today and it also caused him to have a vested interest in youths since he is aware of their situation.

18 fraud charges dismissed

Councillor Malcolm Ferreira with Owen Bennett during the presentation of a pair of football sneakers

CITY MAGISTRATE Judy Latchman on Monday dismissed 18 fraud charges against Sandy Balkaran.

The prosecutor was asked by the Magistrate to close the case due to the absence of his witnesses.

And the defence attorney told the court that the prosecutor had not provided evidence to make a prima facie case. The magistrate then dismissed the matters.

The 28-year-old housewife was accused of swindling more than $7M from her friend. According to the charges Balkaran of Duncan Street, Bel Air, Georgetown, is accused of defrauding Prakash Mangar of the money between March and April.

The court heard that the woman was given the money by several individuals on behalf of Mangar to purchase clothing for a boutique.

But instead, Balkaran was alleged to have converted the money to her own use and benefit.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Scenes from the opening of the CMJA con

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who is performing the duties of President ,addresses the participants at the conference

Chancellor of the Judiciary(ag)Carl Singh addresses the opening of the historic conference

Another section of the gathering

An indigenous dance group also entertained the gathering

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 20, 2016

nference at the Marriott Hotel on Monday This trio performs a beautiful rendition of the national song “Oh Beautiful Guyana”.

President Anthony Carmona of Trinidad and Tobago sits alongside Attorney General Basil Williams, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, and Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland An Indian dance troupe performs during the morning’s cultural session

African drumming lightens the atmosphere at the opening session of the conference

A section of the participants looks on attentively at the morning’s proceedings

NCN reverses decision

WHILE suspension of the National Communications Network Sports Editor Mrs. Jocelle Archibald-Hawke still stands, management of the state-owned entity has agreed to somewhat temper the severity of the punishment with what can be termed mercy.

Accordingly, she will now receive her salary in full for the month of September, whereas the mother of two had been suspended without pay for an alleged infraction. She is, however, expected to serve out the suspension in full, which means that she will be off the

--agrees to pay suspended Sports Editor

NCN Sports Editor, Mrs. Jocelle Archibald-Hawke

job until September 29.

The Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU), representing Mrs. Archibald-Hawke’s interest, was reportedly verbally informed on Monday that she will be paid her salary for September. The Union and the sports editor are awaiting written confirmation of this new development.

Having served the NCN for almost nine years, during

which she has passed several performance-based assessments, consistently scoring 100 per cent therein; and having been promoted to the position of Sports Editor almost two years ago, Mrs. Archibald-Hawke was taken off the air because she had, on her Facebook page, expressed the view that she was “surrounded by idiots”, after a colleague had asked President Granger what she thought was

a really dumb question.

The NCN Human Resource Department had subsequently asked her to apologise, and she did; but she was nevertheless suspended, allegedly because the apology was not to the liking of her colleague. Moreover, reports of past incidents of misconduct which had already been dealt with had allegedly been revisited in arriving at the decision to suspend Mrs. Archibald-Hawke.

A number of prominent individuals and organisations have strongly condemned the

action by the NCN management, headed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lennox Cornette. President David Granger himself thought the decision was “inhumane”, and said as much during his weekly televised programme, “The Public Interest”.

“She has not committed a crime; it is not as though she’s a murderer. I think it was inhumane to take away her salary or to suspend her from her job. I don’t know she has committed any crime at all,” the President said.

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Trade unions unhappy

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday September 20, 2016

–– will meet Thursday to discuss challenges confronting them

By Svetlana Marshall THE Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) will be hosting a special meeting with unions across Guyana, to discuss the many challenges that currently confront them.

“The intent of this meeting is to discuss the many challenges that confront the trade union community, among which are the continuous violation of the Right to Collective Bargaining, as seen in sectors such as the Public Service, Teaching Service, the rice and bauxite industries,” GTUC General Secretary Lincoln Lewis said recently in a circular to trade unions.

Lewis said it is important to convene the meeting, given the number of flagrant violations to the Guyana Constitution, Laws of Guyana, International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions, and respect for time-honoured principles.

“These matters have direct impact on the survival

and well-being of our right to exist as a stakeholder in this society, and be part of the decision-making processes that affect the well-being of our membership,” Lewis stated.

The meeting will be held in the GTUC boardroom in Woolford Avenue, Georgetown on Thursday from 10:00hrs. Approximately 40 presidents and general secretaries from unions across Guyana are expected to attend.

In an interview with Guyana Chronicle on Monday ahead of the meeting, Lewis said matters involving the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) and RUSAL will be among top issues on the agenda.

GTUC has long accused the Russian bauxite company (RUSAL) of disregarding its workers’ rights to operate in safe conditions. Fifty-seven persons were, in 2009, dismissed

by RUSAL in a matter which remains unresolved.

Additionally, the company has failed to recognise the

union representing those workers.

“On every occasion that the Ministry has met with the BCGI on RUS-

Veteran trade unionist Lincoln Lewis AL, the issue of engaging with the trade union has not been discussed. What they are doing (is that) they are walking around that issue; they have never said, and they do not say, that the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’

Union (GB&GWU) is the recognised trade union for the workers; they (are) always talking in abstract about respecting (the) workers’ right to join a union,” Lewis declared.

He said failure to engage the union is a breach of the law – Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act. “So it comes over as if the Government or the Ministry of Labour is an accomplice of the act of seeking to keep the union from representing the workers,” Lewis charged.

Lewis is also contending that the Government is promoting and protecting the interests of the business community, and doing to the contrary for labour.

The Government’s imposition of a one-to-10 per cent increase for public servants without the approval of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) is another issue to be addressed, Lewis said.

Commenting on the issue, Lewis said he is

surprised at Government’s action. “I am not only surprised, but I believe that that is an act of deception: that is how I see it. It puts you to the point where you begin to question if what you would have understood -- that politics is about people and people’s development -– if those values and principles no longer stand.”

Representatives from

the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU); the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE); The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG); GTUC; GPSU and GB&GWU are among the unions expected to attend the meeting.

Killed Guyanese bandit in Suriname identified as Rodwell Wiggins A BANDIT who was part of a gang of persons who were gunned down in neighbouring Suriname on Saturday last has been identified as Guyanese national Rodwell Wiggins.

Wiggins is said to be attached to a Georgetown taxi service, but persons at the entity informed that the 31year old man was never employed there.

He was killed after Surinamese police in the resort Geyersvlijt responded to a report of a robbery at a supermarket on the Anamoestraat. According to a Surinamese New 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, saw the robbers fleeing the scene with their booty. The criminals fled the area and RODWELL WIGGINS 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 and the four robbers were cornered and shot. Three of them died and the fourth criminal was transported by ambulance to the Academic Hospital in Paramaribo, where he has been admitted.

Surinamese sources disclosed that the gang consisted of Guyanese, Jamaicans and a Surinamese.

Police visited the homes of those gang members and three other persons were arrested.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday September 20, 2016

Lawrence rails against absentee fathers … says ministry will be moving to address situation

PARENTING is not a one-sided affair that is left to mothers due to absentee fathers and the Ministry of Social Protection said it taking steps to address this trend to ensure that children receive the benefits of good parenting.

This is according to Social Protection Minister, Volda Lawrence, who told the just concluded Presbyterian Church Women’s Convention that “…parenting should involve both partners…so it follows that this job of parenting is not a one-sided affair, but demands the attention and the care of both parties …

The implication for man and woman, with regard to parenting , then, is that they have to be unanimous in their approach to parenting; they cannot send mixed or different messages; the values and the social behaviors that they want the child to demonstrate must be agreed on by both parents”.

The Minister cautioned parents to lead their children by example so that the child can observe and emulate appropriate social behaviours. “We know of the growing problem in our society: the absent fathers.

Immediately you recognise how parenting is compromised; the single parent is busy trying to provide financially; this becomes a priority and parenting takes second place. We are witnessing the consequences of such home-situations; a society riddled with the scourge of social woes: dysfunctional families and children, teenage pregnancy, child abuse and violence, suicide among others,” she said.

The minister noted that there is a breakdown in our parenting even in some stable homesteads, where both parents are present.

“The quality time we once spent with our children have disappeared; the mobile, the tablet, the I-pad have taken over and replaced the family conversations where

issues were discussed and guidance and values were the focus of attention. What has become of our parenting and are we prepared to let things slip further? We cannot and this is the reason why the Ministry of Social Protection is advocating at every forum the need for us to restore our family structure and values. With this in place, we can begin to impact on our children and practice effective parenting,” Minister Lawrence said.

Delivering her presentation on the Social Aspects of Parenting at the Convention that was held under the theme, “Commitment to Christ leads to Effective Parenting”, the minister further noted that children need to know how to interact and empathise with their peers, as well as adults; they must have some notion of social etiquette and have an appreciation of what is or isn’t acceptable in society.

Importantly as well, children should be taught respect for self as well as the elderly and how to operate as socially capable individuals cognisant of the discipline and the behavior that different situations warrant. “Children have a role as well as the parents; it calls for love, understanding and patience not anger and abuse…We cannot take shortcuts when we are parenting; we cannot achieve the good life with delinquent behaviors; we must accept the challenges and try to mold our children.”

Speaking directing to those women who attended the convention, she noted that parenting begins even within the womb. “From the moment of conception until birth, parenting is taking place; as you are preparing a healthy environment for baby’s growth, you are eating nutritious foods, reading the appropriate literature and nurturing that life that is in vitro. You have begun to take care of baby’s development, one of the fundamen-

well-being and the way in which our children merge into the society.

One quick look at our society today and you will notice the misfits, the social

Minister of Social P r o t e c t i o n , Vo l d a Lawrence tals of parenting. Women, we have a special place in God’s heart; He has chosen us to be the sacred vessel for fulfilling this wonderful process of creation. So, ladies, let us not renege on God’s divine purpose.

We have a commitment to ensure that our God-given gift is not abused. We must seriously accept our responsibility and honor our obligation.”

Through the Child Protection Agency, the Ministry has several programmes to help parents who are experiencing difficulties parenting their children, while the Probation and Social Services Department provides assistance to strengthen families and help those in trouble. Parents are urged to not only cater to children’s physical needs, but social and emotional needs as well. Children have several rights and parent must ensure that these rights are respected, such as the right to an education.

Commending the women of the Presbyterian church for the work they and the entire church have done over the years, especially for children’s development, the Minister Lawrence noted that the church’s support and guidance has made a difference in the lives of many.

“Ladies, our role as parents is critical to the future

ills that prevail as a result, perhaps, from a lack of appropriate sustained parenting. It is imperative, therefore, that we continuously instill these virtues; it is not

a one-time effort; you will appreciate the magnitude of our task and good parenting means that our work is never done.” (Ministry of Social Protection)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday September 20, 2016

‘Muscle head’ freed of murder charge SHAYANDIAL Ramroop was on Friday freed by Justice Jo Ann Barlow at the Berbice Assizes, after she upheld no-case submissions by Defence Counsel Ms. Kim Kyte in association with Attorney-at-law Tania Clement.

Ramroop had been arraigned for the murder of 18-yearold Ajai Cecil, who died of a single stab wound to the heart on November 11, 2012, the day after he celebrated his first wedding anniversary.

Following the judge’s directive, the 12-member mixed jury was ordered to return a formal verdict of ‘Not guilty’.

Ramroop quickly exited the courtroom, accompanied by a sibling of his who was in the courtroom.

Earlier, State Prosecutrix Ms. Stacy Goodings had led the evidence of four witnesses, who all stated that the incident had occurred at Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, where Cecil, a nut seller, had earlier attended a fun day at a nearby ground.

Shayandial Ramroop He was returning home with a relative, when he was fatally stabbed.

The injured man was initially taken to the Port Mourant Hospital, but seeing that the gates to the health facility were closed, he was subsequently then taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital, were medical practitioners certified his death.

However, in her submissions, Kyte said the evidence of the prosecution’s main witness, Deonarine Bishram, called ‘Rakesh’, was manifestly unreliable and riddled with inconsistencies.

His evidence is in conflict with his police statement and deposition, which highlighted issues which were not resolved, and goes to the root of the State’s case, she concluded.

Tuesday September 20th, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Wednesday September 21th, 2016 - 08:30 hrs Thursday September 22th, 2016 - 09:30 hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday September 20, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 20, 2016

India’s support essential for growth of Cricket - BCCI chief ANURAG Thakur, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has hit out at the International Cricket Council (ICC) claiming that cricket cannot grow without India’s support.

The BCCI and ICC have been involved in a spat over the way the sport has been run, but Thakur has denied any rift with the ICC and said they are just concerned about the growth of the game.

“We have opposed the two-tier Test system as nations like Bangladesh and Zimbabwe won’t be able to compete at the highest level. We want to grow the game of cricket and it’s not possible without India’s support,” Thakur said as quoted by the Times of India.

“We have always stood by smaller nations. We always talk for the betterment of cricket. Since the BCCI is the biggest cricket body in the world, it is our duty to grow cricket on world level.”

Despite Thakur ’s assurances, there have been widespread reports that the BCCI is unhappy with the ICC on various fronts. The Indian cricket board was not too pleased at being excluded from a meeting of the ICC’s finance committee which was held earlier this month.

The BCCI was also reportedly miffed at a move to revoke the ‘Big Three’ revenue model, under which

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BCCI president Anurag Thakur India, along with Australia and England, gets a lion’s share of the revenues.

The BCCI has expressed reservations over the ICC’s decision to allocate a budget of $135M (£106M) as organisational costs for the Champions Trophy which is way higher than the $45M that was given to the board to host the ICC T20 World Cup earlier this year “Today other countries need more money than India.

When we are asked to cut our shares then we suggested that the ICC should cut down their event costs.

“If the BCCI has been successful in hosting tournaments whether the IPL or World Cup while cutting down the event costs, then it is also equally important for other organisations to look into this matter. We are here to help,” Thakur added.

(Yahoo Sport)

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Floodlights/Wakenaam T20 billed for Friday evening at DCC

THE much-anticipated T20 match between city team Floodlights and Wakenaam G-Square Cavaliers will be played this Friday from 18:00hrs at the Demerara Cricket Club ground.

The match was originally scheduled for last Saturday evening, but was called off due to the soggy condition of the ground.

Former West Indies Test batsman Travis Dowlin and former West Indies T20 player Christopher Barnwell are expected to make their debut for the city team.

Admission to the venue is free.

Floodlights squad reads:

Travis Dowlin Ricky Deonarain (captain), Reyaz Husein, Khalid

june, Patrick Khan, Travis Dowlin, Surendra Nauth, Lloyd Rooplall, Christopher Barnwell, Lalta Gainda, Yusuf Unos and Romeo Deonarain.

G-Square Cavaliers squad reads: Heera Sukhram (captain), Chandrika Ragnauth, Jagarnauth Manbode - wicketkeeper, Kamal Khan, Satnarine Sahadeo, Bheesham Bhagpattie, Lokram Narine, Ghansham Samwaru, Mahendra Dindial, Tulsie Sahadeo, Bhumeshwar Ramkissoon, Tamesh Persaud and Tameshwar Persaud.

Christopher Barnwell This match is sponsored

by Tulsie Sahadeo, propriBaksh, Anil Beharry, Dhaetor of Factory Price on ram Persaud, Rakesh ArKing Street, Georgetown.

Tucber Park, Rose Hall Town clash in BCB/NBS second division final

TUCBER Park, from New Amsterdam, advanced to the final of the 2015 New Building Society (NBS) Limited-sponsored 40-over second division cricket competition after defeating Courtland Cricket Club of the Lower Corentyne area by seven wickets with 1.5 overs to spare.

The match, played last

Sunday at the Cumberland ground, was reduced to 20 overs aside, due to adverse weather conditions.

However, Tucber Park won the toss and inserted Courtland Cricket Club to bat first. They reached 132-9 when the overs expired. Jamal Cort topscored with 26. He got support from Travis Williams

with 25 and Troy Mathieson 13.

Bowling for Tucber Park, young pacer Omar Weatherspoon took 2-18, while Leon Swammy, Niall Smith, Joel Seitaram and Keon DeJesus took a wicket each.

In reply, Keon DeJesus and Hakeem Hinds contributed unbeaten innings of 37 and 36 respectively,

which easily took Tucber Park home. Steve Deonarine made 16.

Bowling for Courtland Cricket Club, skipper John Percival and Timothy McDonald took a wicket apiece.

Tucber Park will now play Rose Hall Town in the grand final at Albion Sports Complex at a date to be announced shortly.

T&T’s U-20s end camp in Guyana

… lose 1-0 to select team TRINIDAD & Tobago’s 2nd string National U-20 footballers yesterday ended a one-week training camp here in Guyana as part of preparations for next month’s CFU finals to be played in Curacao.

The Brian Williams-coached young ‘Soca Warriors’ left the country this morning satisfied with the work done while in Guyana, inclusive of a win and a loss in two practice matches.

Last Sunday’s encounter against a combined Elite League selection at the Leonora Stadium resulted in a 1-0 loss that coach Williams is not too overly perturbed over since eight overseas-based players (the nucleus of the team) were unavailable for the trip.

National midfielder Vurlon Mills struck the decisive strike early in the game

played at the Leonora Stadium when his attempted header struck his shoulder for the game’s only goal.

Thereafter it was hard work, in defence, at both ends of the pitch, as coach Williams and his opposite Jamal Shabazz offered playing time to most of the players.

According to Guyana’s head coach Jamal Shabazz the challenge against the T&T U-20s was perfect for his charges as they begin preparations for 3rd action in the CFU’s Senior Men’s Championship.

Shabazz added that a 26-man squad of local-based players will continue to train thrice weekly as a national unit while it is hoped that more match-readiness will be realised by players from Club training.

It is still uncertain as to

who from the pool of overseas-based players will be available for the October 8 fixture against Suriname in Paramaribo and three days later versus the ‘Reggae Boyz’ at a venue still to be determined.

Compatriot Williams in an overview of the training camp here in Guyana stated that staff of the young Trinbagonians

is satisfied with what was achieved and looks forward to another camp away from home prior to the CFU finals.

Williams disclosed that a two-week camp, inclusive of practice games, is set for Panama after which the unit will travel to Curacao for their opening game on October 22.

Mabaruma upset Tabatinga in ...

From back page Duncan (20 points) and Narda Mohamed (18 points) for that class while Aliya Gordon (11 points), outshone Shamara Duncan (7 points) and Darville Daniels.

Orealla/Siparuta took the male volleyball title 1511/15-7 over the first-place runners-up Mainstay, while Moruca had a tougher task in beating St Cuthbert’s 158/15-13 on the female end

of things.

In softball cricket action, St Cuthbert’s emerged winners over their Region Four counterparts Laluni while in the male tapeball division Region 2 United edged Mahdia by 5 runs.

The three-day event was held under the theme: ‘Our Culture, Earth’s Future - Save the Environment, Live the Indigenous Way’.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Smith backs Starc for Proteas first Test

(REUTERS) - Australia captain Steve Smith thinks Mitchell Starc will be fit to face South Africa in November despite a freak accident in training last week that left the pace bowler with a “gruesome” injury.

Left-armer Starc required 30 stitches last Thursday to close a gash in his left leg caused by a stump that had been dug into the ground at Hurstville Oval in south Sydney and will be in a leg brace for another two weeks.

“It wasn’t nice at all,” Smith told reporters yesterday ahead of Australia’s

Mitchell Starc departure for South Africa, where they will play a lone one-dayer against Ireland followed by five ODIs against the hosts.

“It was actually probably one of the most gruesome things

I have ever seen.

“I guess for Mitch, he’s got no tendon or ligament damage so given everything goes well over the next couple of weeks, we’re confident that’ll he be okay for the first Test match.”

Starc, who was being rested from the trip to South Africa along with fellow quick Josh Hazlewood, has established himself as the leader of Australia’s pace attack in all three forms of the game over the last couple of years.

The 26-year-old’s absence for the first of three Tests against the Proteas in Perth from November 3

would be a major setback for the hosts, who also face the South Africans in Hobart and a day-night match in Adelaide.

“It was just one of those things,” Smith said.

“You go for the ball and almost block everything out. As he was catching it a few of us were saying ‘don’t go for it’ but he took the catch and then what happened after that wasn’t great.

“He wasn’t overly impressed, but when things like that happen, particularly when he was about to have a bit of a rest and chill out, those are the kind

of things you don’t want to happen.”

Smith has also had a chance to rest after being brought home early from Sri Lanka in a move that was heavily criticised in the media.

“I think we could have got the messaging across a fair bit better,” Smith admitted. “We knew a fair way out that I was going to leave after the second one-day game The fact we only brought it out the day before probably shocked a few people.

“It will do me the world of good looking at what’s coming up.”

Cyber hackers publish medical data for Farah, Nadal and Rose

By Alan Baldwin in London OLYMPIC champions Mo Farah, Rafael Nadal and Justin Rose were among athletes targeted on Monday in the latest leak of confidential medical documents that the world anti-doping agency (WADA) says were hacked by a Russian cyber espionage group.

Britain’s Farah became only the second man to retain the 5 000 and 10 000 metres Olympic titles at the Rio de Janeiro Games last month while compatriot Rose won the first gold medal in golf for 112 years.

Spaniard Nadal, a 14time tennis grand slam winner, won Olympic men’s doubles gold with Marc Lopez. He also won the men’s singles title at the 2008 Beijing Games but missed London 2012 due to a knee injury.

WADA has said it believes the hackers, named

Mo Farah as APT28 and Fancy Bears, gained access to its anti-doping administration and management system (ADAMS) via an IOC-created account for the Rio Games.

Documents relating to Farah, and published on the fancybear.net website, showed that the distance runner had no active Therapeutic Use Ex-

emptions (TUEs) at the time of the Olympics.

WA D A h a s s a i d t h e “criminal attack” has recklessly exposed personal data in an attempt to smear reputations.

The agency has also said it believes the attacks are being carried out as retaliation for investigations that ex-

posed state-sponsored doping in Russia.

Fancy Bear has previously posted data for U.S. athletes Simone Biles, Elena Delle Donne, and Serena and Venus Williams as well as Tour de France-winning British cyclists Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome.

He received intravenous infusions of saline solution, morphine sulphate and vicodin administered orally during a period in hospital between July 3 and 5, 2014 when he had collapsed after a training run.

Prior to that, he was given a TUE for an 80mg dosage of the corticosteroid triamcinolone in October 2008.

Rose had authorisation for daily dosages of the anti-inflammatory drug prednisolone between May this year and June 20.

The documents relating to Nadal, who was out for more than two months with a wrist injury that forced him to miss

Rafael Nadal the French Open and Wimbledon before the Olympics, showed exemptions in 2009 and 2012.

The fourth release of data so far concerned 26 athletes from Argentina, Belgium, Burundi, Canada, Denmark, France, Britain, Hungary, Spain and the United States.

Other high-profile names

included Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba, British cyclist Callum Skinner and double Olympic rowing gold medallist Helen Glover.

TUEs allow athletes to take banned substances for verified medical needs and there is no suggestion any of those named have broken any rules

Schumacher ‘cannot walk’, German court hears

A LAWYER for Michael Schumacher has told a court in Germany that the former Formula 1 world champion “cannot walk” following his skiing injury.

Felix Damm was detailing the extent of Schumacher’s injuries in a lawsuit against German magazine, Bunte.

The magazine had reported last Christmas that the seven-time world champion could walk again.

But Mr Damm said that Schumacher, 47, “cannot walk” more than two and a half years after the accident.

Bunte had quoted a source at the end of last year as saying that Schumacher could manage some steps with the help of therapists and could raise an arm.

At the time, Schumacher’s agent, Sabine Kehm, Michael Schumacher suffered a head injury released a statement denying in a skiing accident in 2013. the story, saying: “Unfor-

tunately we are forced by a recent press report to clarify that the assertion that Michael could move again is not true.

“Such speculation is irresponsible, because given the seriousness of his injuries, his privacy is very important. Unfortunately they also give false hopes to many involved people.”

Schumacher suffered a head injury in a skiing accident in France in 2013.

He was placed in a medically induced coma for six months before being transferred to his home in Switzerland to continue his treatment.

Very little is known of the sports icon’s recovery as his family has strongly protected his privacy.

In February, his former boss at Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo, said: “I have news and unfortunately it is not good.” (BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Lady Budapest takes top honours at KMTC Post-Emancipation horse race meet

LADY Budapest of the J. Bactowar Stables negotiated the hot conditions successfully and landed safely to take top honours in the feature B1 Class event when the Kennard Memorial Turf Club held its Post-Emancipation horse race meet at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice on Sunday.

The seven-furlong event was an intense, continuous battle among the horses as the lead changed rapidly prior to the final turn.

When the horses hit the homestretch the race was still wide open, but with about 100 metres to the finish line, jockey Michael Semple, aboard Lady Budapest, used all his experience and came through on the inside to win by a neck.

The win was worth $1M, while Golden Blue Echo, imported from Canada a few weeks ago, had to settle for second position. Jack In My Style finished third, while Spit Fire claimed the fourth position.

Score’s Even finished last about six lengths behind in the five-horse field.

J. Bactowar Stables was in winners’ row again in the E and Lower race, with Lady Budapest working its way to a comfortable victory ahead of Light Up Canada and Goodwill Boy. Meanwhile, Country Boy was in winners’ row in the L and Non-Winners event ahead of Royal Progressive, Uncertain and Back Street Boys.

Stanley and Princess Saria, while Isn’t She Charming took the pole position in the G1 and Lower race from Cat Messiah.

Jockey Michael Semple won the Champion Jockey award, while the J. Bactowar Stables took the champion trainer and stable accolades.

The ‘Sport of Kings’ continues on October 2 at the Port Mourant Turf Club.

Den Amstel U-17s remain unbeaten in NAMILCO League

Joe Bactowar (in hat) collects the winning trophy for Lady Budapest’s victory in the B1 and Lower feature race.

Darren Bravo voted TTCB Cricketer of the year WEST Indies middle order batsman Darren Bravo was voted International Cricketer of the Year by the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) at their 60th annual awards function held last Saturday night at the National Energy Skills Centre at Rivulet Road in Couva.

Bravo, 27, copped his award primarily based on performances for the West Indies team during the last year. The left-hander will be looking to celebrate the award when he goes out for the West Indies against Pakistan in Dubai this Friday.

Meanwhile, Evin Lewis was named the National Senior Cricketer of the Year (Men).

The hard-hitting stroke-maker was among the “Five Cricketers of the Year” which also included regional Test batsman Bravo.

The others who made the cut were outstanding national all-rounder Imran Khan, spinner JohnRuss Jagessar who forced himself into the Red Force

Prince Gold took care of business from It’s My Turn, Rosetta and Midnight Blue in the H1 and Lower.

The L Open event was won by Affinity. The animal took pole position from She’s In Control, Danny Style and Iron Man. Awesome Cash won the Two-Year-Olds Guyana-bred event from Flash Again, King

team, and wicketkeeper Stephen Katwaroo, a standout in T&T’s victory march in the regional Super50 competition.

Queen’s Park Cricket Club was voted the “Club of the Year” and collected the Allen Sammy Trophy for their domination of the Premiership I and II competitions, while Curepe Sports Club, beaten finalists last year, were finally crowned Courts T20 Inter Club champions.

The prestigious President of the TTCB Aw a r d w a s h a n d e d t o hard-working Kerwin John of the Tobago Cricket Association, while Secondary Schools Cricket League president Surujdath Mahabir, also a youth coach, proudly walked away with the “Administrator of the Year Award.”

Meanwhile, Kirsten Kallicharan topped off a remarkable 2016 cricket season when he was adjudged “National Youth Cricketer of the Year.”

Kallicharan, 16, who attends Vishnu Boys Hindu College in Caroni, was only recently named the outstanding secondary schools cricketer of the year for his phenomenal batting as well as his handy effort with the ball.

He was also a member of the West Indies team which won the ICC World Under-19 Championship in Bangladesh earlier this year, and one of two Trinidad and Tobago picks on the regional squad along with Jyd Goolie.

Grouped with Kallicharan in the “Five Youth cricketers of the Year” were Cephas Cooper, Jonathan Bootan, Jarlanie Seales and Keagan Simmons.

Bootan was also acknowledged as the “Youth Spinner of the Year” for which he collected the Sonny Ramadhin Trophy, named after the illustrious T&T and West Indies spinner, and donated by the Penal/ Debe Regional Corporation. (Trinidad Guardian article).

DEN Amstel’s Under-17 team remain unbeaten in the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF)/NAMILCO National Under-17 League after registering a 4-3 win against Slingerz last Sunday at the Den Amstel ground, West Coast Demerara.

Playing in the WDFA leg of the Intra-Association National League, the Den Amstel unit won their fifth of five matches mainly through the efforts of Reuben Dainty and Keswin Fraser who both registered doubles.

Dainty scored his double in the second and 35th minutes, while Fraser was on target in the third and 70th minutes.

At halftime, Den Amstel held a 3-1 lead against the visitors as Odel Duncan

netted a sixth-minute goal for Slingerz who subsequently levelled the score 3-3 after Duncan registered his double of the game in the 47th and Ronaldo Massay chipped in with one ten minutes later.

Fraser rose to the occasion once again with a 70th minute goal to further solidify Den Amstel’s position at the top of the points table with 15 points; 17 goals for and five against.

Slingerz stay at second in the table with four points from four matches. They won one match, lost two and drew the other.

Meanwhile, when play in the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) leg of the league continued on Sunday at the Melanie ground, East Coast De-

merara, Plaisance came from one goal down to edge Victoria Kings 2-1 while Buxton United and Mahaica Determinators played to a 1-1 stalemate.

In the Plaisance versus Victoria Kings match, Kevin Maxwell sent Victoria Kings into the lead with a 23rd minute goal from the penalty spot and his side held the lead going into the second half, but they were unable to maintain this lead as Jaheel Hinds levelled the score in the 65th minute then produced the sealer 10 minutes later.

In the earlier game that day (Sunday), Kobe Durant gave Buxton United the lead with a 20th minute goal but Ozella Jacobs responded for Mahaica Determinators in the 60th minute to level the score.

Lynch’s brace keeps Den Amstel at top of points standing A BRACE off the boot of Alister Lynch ensured Den Amstel maintained their lead in the points table of the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) STAG Beer Senior League, which continued on Sunday at the Den Amstel ground, West Coast Demerara.

Lynch’s double assisted his side to secure a narrow 3-2 win against Eagles.

The game started badly for Den Amstel as Eagles were first to go ahead through an Alonzo Henry sixth-minute conversion, but 13 minutes later, the home side found the equaliser as Lynch found the back of the opposition’s net for the first of his double.

Thirteen minutes be-

fore the break, Kevon Ward sent Den Amstel into the lead, but one minute before lemon-time, Eagles were able to level the score as Henry tucked in another goal (44th minute).

Locked 2-2, going into the second session, both teams were guilty of not finishing some good buildups for the most part of the session and it was not until the 67th minute that Lynch netted his second goal to take his team to 19 points from seven matches.

Den Amstel won six of their matches to date and drew the other. They have so far scored 18 goals and conceded eight.

Eagles, on the other hand, are fourth in the standing with 10 points

from six matches. They have won three, lost two and drawn one and have so far recorded 21 goals and conceded 11 for a plus 10 goal difference.

Meanwhile, in the opening fixture on Sunday, Stewartville secured a walkover victory over Veggae Boys and are currently sixth in the points standing with 10 points from seven matches after winning three and losing a similar number while drawing one.

Veggae Boys, on the other hand, are second from the bottom of the standing after playing eight matches. They won one and lost the other seven. They have conceded 36 goals while scoring only nine.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Plea talks under way in FIFA bribery case

By Nate Raymond

NEW YORK, NY (Reuters) - Several defendants charged in a wide-ranging corruption case involving soccer’s global governing body FIFA are in talks with U.S. officials about possibly pleading guilty, a U.S. prosecutor said yesterday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Norris spoke at a hearing in Brooklyn federal court after U.S. District Judge Pamela Chen set a November 6, 2017, trial date for seven former soccer officials and one former marketing executive.

“We are in ongoing plea discussions with several of these defendants,” Norris said.

The eight defendants, who have all pleaded n o t g u i l t y, a r e a m o n g the 42 individuals and entities charged so far as part of a U.S. investigation that has rocked Zurich-based FIFA and the soccer world.

U.S. prosecutors accuse the defendants of participating in schemes involving more than $200 million in bribes and kickbacks, which were both sought and received by soccer officials for marketing and broadcast rights to tournaments and matches.

To date, 16 people and two sports marketing companies have pleaded guilty to U.S. charges.

The eight defendants

… U.S. sets November 6, 2017 trial date

Jose Maria Marin of Brazil

Juan Angel Napout of Paraguay

facing the potential trial next year include former FIFA officials and executive committee members Jose Maria Marin of Brazil, Juan Angel Napout

of Paraguay, Eduardo Li of Costa Rica and Julio Rocha of Nicaragua.

Others include Mi ami-based sports marketing executive Aaron Da-

vidson, Hector Trujillo, a judge from Guatemala and ex-official with its soccer federation, former Cayman Islands soccer official Costas Takkas and ex-Venezuelan soccer official Rafael Esquivel.

In court yesterday, Norris said prosecutors had so far turned over to the defendants more than 10 million pages of evidence gathered in the probe.

New evidence continues to come in, he said, including 24 binders full of documents which Swiss authorities provided last week.

While Chen set November 2017 for when

any trial would begin, she cautioned that the case’s schedule could be adjusted if any new defendants are charged or if new charges are added The plan to try all eight defendants together is expected to be challenged by lawyers for Napout, Takkas, Marin and Rocha, who said they would all file motions to have separate trials.

An attorney for Napout also said he would move for a quicker trial.

“Mr Napout’s speedy trial rights are being severely hampered,” said John Pappalardo, Napout’s lawyer.

The Sacking of Phil Simmons! A wake-up call for CARICOM/Regional Governments to act urgently and decisively to the THE sacking of Coach Phil Simmons clearly illustrates the uncaring attitude of an incompetent and dictatorial WICB directorship blinded by its penchant for vindictiveness regardless of how it

affects the performance and morale of WI cricket and cricketers both past and present.

For the CEO of the WICB to suggest that Simmons’ vision was not in alignment with pre-ap-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Tuesday September 20, 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) Birmingham, England, 1975 (2) WI won by 1 wicket Today’s Quiz: (1) When and where did the WI & PAK first contest a T20 International game against each other?

(2) What was the result of the game?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

proved WICB strategic plans is an unacceptable and illogical excuse.

After all Simmons is the technical expert, the man who should be responsible for charting the course of the WI teams to on-field success, not Pybus, Cameron or even the Board. Simmons must therefore be provided with the “tools” to get his work done.

The fact of the matter is that the WICB directorship is so intent on preserving its status quo that it is doing whatever it takes to ensure that President Dave Cameron and his cohorts are re-elected next year.

That is the plan that Simmons cannot align himself with and, in that regard, the WICB Directors have gone overboard to entice Joel Garner, the No 1 challenger to Dave Cameron’s presidency, to accept the WI “manager-ship” even with his obvious conflicting positions as Director of WICB and Head of the Barbados Cricket Association.

Suddenly and interestingly there is an abundance of Barbadians in the various WI cricket teams as well as

in the various leadership roles of manager, captains, coaches, asst. coaches etc while particularly the Trinidadians have been deliberately marginalised. Clive Lloyd, Curtly Ambrose, Darren Sammy, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Dinesh Ramdin and now Phil Simmons are all pawns in the WICB chess game.

Victims of the well-crafted “plan”.

The continued unflinching support of Cameron and his cronies to the illegal and catastrophic disorganisation and mismanagement of Guyana’s Cricket provides nothing but insurance for the preservation of their group within the WI cricket directorship.

They have made no attempt to meet with the Guyanese cricketing membership to resolve the recurring issues for fear that the self-servicing Guyanese support they enjoy would be defeated and replaced in any legal democratic elections.

It is indeed sad that Caribbean Governments continue to sit idly by and allow this madness to prevail unhindered, instead of

taking positive and pragmatic actions and properly represent the people of the Caribbean by protecting our cricket – the single most important aspect of Caribbean unity.

It is commendable to see that Mr Imran Khan, former Media/Communications Manager of the WICB, has joined the protesting ranks by publicly calling for action against the WICB administrators.

I would, however implore Mr Khan to use his influence with the APNU/ AFC leadership to enforce the Cricket Administration Act which is being flouted by the current illegal regime calling itself the GCB. This will go a long way towards re-establishing democracy and transparency in Guyana’s cricket and inevitably throughout the Caribbean.

Caribbean Governments must now unite into an assertive and cohesive unit and withhold their grounds, facilities etc from the WI as a show of disapproval and also ensure that Cricket Boards within their individual territories have legally-elected officials.

Fans, organisations sportswriters etc must now raise their voices collectively against the WICB’s continued infractions and high-handedness. For their part, players must now bite the bullet and withdraw their services in solidarity with their counterparts and officials against whom injustices are being meted out.

After all, the WICB directors are so oblivious to our cricket legacy that they do not seem to mind our consistently poor performances at the highest level and are even sacrificing our young cricket talents like Jason Holder, Carlos Brathwaite and Kraigg Brathwaite to achieve their own narrow gains.

The time has come: Our Governments must, with urgency, act cohesively and decisively to rid our region of the self-serving and inept WICB clique that has ignominiously taken our beloved cricket into a downward spiral of despair.

CLAUDE RAPHAEL Former WICB Director

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Harris lands two gold medals at Senior National Karate Championships

OTHO Harris last Sunday landed gold in the Boys’ 14-17 kata and 14-17 (under 68kg) kumite, while Aliya Wong and Tashana Wong won the Girls’ 14-17 kata and kumite respectively, when the 2016 Senior National Karate Championships concluded last Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Homestretch Avenue.

Harris took his gold in the kata ahead of Avinash Ramlogan, while Charles Benjamin finished in third.

Jermaine Kendall and Mark

Wong placed second and third respectively, behind Harris in the kumite.

Loren Black grabbed second in both the Girls’ 14-17 kata and kumite. Finishing behind Black in the kata was Tashana, who walked away with a bronze medal also, at the end of the competition.

Ramlogan made sure he did not end the day without a gold himself, championing the Boys’ 14-17 Under-55kg kumite, beating out second-placed Charles Benjamin.

In the male 14-17 Over68kg kumite Trevon Miller

prevailed over Shemar Parkinson, leaving Storm Katchay in third spot.

In the older categories, Nyota Rodrigues won the female adult Over-18 years kata and Rebecca Wesley captured the kumite; Roger Peroune prevailed in the male adult Over-18 years, and Navindra Soodoo secured the male adult Over-18 years Under-67kg kumite gold; Rodwell Alleyne won the Under-75kg kumite, and Shaqueel Amin triumphed in the Under-84kg kumite.

The final gold medal in the individual segment was

Dorado coach pleased with Maracas Swim performance

THE Dorado Swim trio returned home yesterday after a successful outing at the Maracas Open Water Swim Classic last Saturday in Trinidad and Tobago.

The trio consisted of Soroya Simmons, Daniel Scott and Alex Winter. Each swam in the Open category and finished in the top 20, out of 270 competitors.

Daniel Scott and Alex Winter swam the 2 650m race where Scott finished in 9th place with a time of 38m.39s, while teammate Winter finished 18th in 41.45s. However, Scott finished 10th overall, while Winter finished 21st overall in the event. Soroya Simmons ended 4th in the 5 000m, coming 10th overall.

Coach Stephanie Fraser, commenting on the performances, said, “I’m very proud of the results and I expected them to do well.” She was also proud of the times they did.

“I knew it would be diffi-

L-R Alex Winter, Soroya Simmons, Daniel Scott

cult, especially the start of the race where it is a scramble to get into the water. This water had more waves that were stronger,” finished Fraser.

It is hoped that looking past this meet, the swimmers would have more avenues for open water swimming on the international circuit.

National training squad for Beach footballers selected

By Ras Wadada

THE Guyana Beach Football Association (GBFA) yesterday announced a 17-man squad to go into weekly training in preparation for next year’s CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers to be staged in Miami.

The players selected by the GBFA will be under the guidance of the appointed head coach Abdullah Hamid and his assistant Dillon Roberts, every Sunday from 15:00hrs, while there will be a one-week encampment

leading up to the departure date for the January 29 to February 5 qualifiers.

President of the GBFA, Rollin Tappin, in an invited comment informed Chronicle Sport that meetings with the Director of Sport and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) last week, pertaining to assistance for the Guyana’s debut participation, were very fruitful.

The GBFA head is expected to travel to Miami, along with another official, for a workshop and the draw for the groups in the qualifying competition to be held

on October 17.

The full training squad named: Cordell Johnson, Rodwyn Fraser, Michael Wilson, Keon Sears, Kellon Major, Ethan Spartan, Jamal Haynes, Tony Gilbert, Travis Bess, Jermaine Grandison, Marvin Sullivan, Kenard Simon, Tshekederi Whitehead, Deon Tyrell, Gishawn Moore, Trevorn Archibald and DeShawn Joseph.

The final team of12 players to represent Guyana at the qualifiers will be selected at the end of next month.

The winners display their medals last Sunday. for the Over-84kg male and this went to Dellon Hyman.

In this event Keith Beaton finished second, and Prince Roberts copped the thirdplace position.

Meanwhile in the Team competition, the women kata was taken by Berbice Shotokan Karate Dojo team, comprising Oneika Ramsuchit, Leah Shariff and Tulsidai Ramotar.

Association do Shotokan Karate – Guyana women’s

team of Chelcia Benjamin, Rebecca Wesley, and Kristine Ramkissoon finished in second.

On the men’s side, it was the Shotokan Karate-Do of Guyana that won both the male team kata and kumite.

Guyana Karate College finished second in the kata and National Martial Arts Association placed second in the kumite.

Following the competition, the winners received

their respective medals at a presentation and closing ceremony.

Gratitude was expressed to Director of Sport Christopher Jones for the donation of the medals and use of the CASH. Appreciation was also extended to the officials Bernice Irving, Tabita Goolsarran, Sattie Miller and Patrick Gurahoo for their 10 hours of officiating at the head-table.

Richards is top shot at GNRA Smallbore competition

GORDON Richards amassed some 87 points to end as the top shot in the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) Smallbore Section .22 Precision Pistol competition which went down at the Tactical Service Unit (TSU) Range, Eve Leary last Saturday.

Richards took his win ahead of Surujballi Persaud

who ended his day with 78 points. Just behind with 76 points was Raval Seojattan, Murtland Smith followed with 64 points and Compton Sarabo concluded his day with 56 points.

The competition saw shooters face off at the 5m, 7m, 10m, 15m and 20m distances, with each one required to shoot 10 rounds with their strong hand,

unsupported from the 5m, 7m and 10m distances, after which only the top 10 advanced to the 15m range where they shot 10 rounds with their strong hand supported.

It was then only the top five who made it in, competed at the 20m mark, with 10 available rounds with their strong hand supported.

Last Saturday’s top five shooters

Harris lands two gold medals at Senior National Karate Championships (See Story on page 31 )

2016 Indigenous Heritage Sports

Mabaruma upset Tabatinga in football final T

HE curtain came down Sunday evening on the 2016 edition of the Indigenous Heritage Sports with Mabaruma pulling off the upset of the evening when they warded off the Tabatinga side 6-2 in the male football final Under lights at the Everest ground, the match seemed to be equally poised for the taking during the earlier minutes with both sides scoring to leave things at 2-2 midway the first quarter. However, when the half ended, it was Mabaruma in front. They returned to the field full of life and despite suffering a red card, the Region One side managed to score two

Mabaruma celebrate after winning the 2016 Indigenous Heritage Sports male football title (Samuel Maughn photo)

more goals on their way to victory.

The Most Valuable Player for the male Final was Eon Knights.

Meanwhile, on the female side, Football Paruima defeated Moruca region 5-1 thanks to the MVP Evadney Thomas In Archery, Sean Duncan (57 points) beat off Anand Mangar (54 points) for the top spot in the male division leaving Erick Hing (30 points) third.

On the distaff end, Samira Duncan (27 points) successfully defeated Shearlyn See page 27

T&T’s U-20s end camp in Guyana ‌ lose 1-0 to select team (See Story on page 27 )

Mabaruma score one of the goals in their 6-2 win over Tabatinga.

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Guyana head coach Jamal Shabazz TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016