Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 21 04 2017

Assassination plot No. 104889

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

--cops uncover scheme to assassinate President Granger Page 3

-plotters contacted, DPP advice sought

‘Stay focused’

-- Digicel urges GTT to focus on customers, Page competition 11

Carol Joseph resigns

Page 9

$5B injected into housing sector

-- to create jobs, stimulate economy

Page 3

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

Guyanese living longer

-- but more emphasis needed on care for the elderly

By Navendra Seoraj PERSONS in Guyana are living longer, but more emphasis has to be placed on care for the elderly, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud said.

He made the observation at a meeting with stakeholders on Thursday to present the Elderly Care Strategic Plan.

“Eight per cent of the country’s population is over 65 years and from all indications , life expectancy is on the rise,” Dr Persaud said.

Last year, then Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton, noted that over the last five decades, Guyana’s health sector has advanced significantly and has been able to achieve a higher life expectancy.

“Life expectancy has ris-

A section of the gathering at the stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday

en from 40 in the 1960s to 61 by 1970 and that remained the same by 1990.

This has now increased to 64 for males and 71 for females, as per 2014 statistics.

This was made possible due to improvements in health

care delivery,” Dr Norton had said.

But although the increase is consistent, Dr Persaud said there is need for intervention in the areas, including proper hygiene.

The “biggest pull down” for the life expectancy rate is usually related to early deaths, said Dr Persaud, who highlighted that those deaths are usually neonatal deaths or infections caused by vi-

olence.

High increases of persons living with chronic diseases have also added to the life expectancy being dormant but, over the years, persons have been surviving due to extensive efforts by local and international medical experts.

“We have been able to save in excess of 50 per cent of the persons who would have died about 10 years ago,” said the CMO. In order to maintain this work, the strategic plan for elderly care has to be implemented in full, the CMO said, pointing out that persons over age 65 years are not treated with the urgency they deserve.

This, he said, can be improved by residential care, particularly in rural areas, because the majority of the homes are located in urban areas.

Dr Persaud hailed the

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, addressing stakeholders at the Grand Coastal Hotel, East Coast Demerara

work of the Palms and other stakeholders who are located in Georgetown, but said more recreational facilities, day-care centres and other social service centres are needed.

Gov’t intends to evolutionise telemedicine

-- says Minister Hughes on tour of TAU campus MINISTER of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes,was given a comprehensive tour of the spanking new Texila American University (TAU) campus at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Texila is an accredited private medical school owned by the Texila American University Limited, headquartered in New Jersey, USA. The university has been operating in Guyana since September 2010,and now offers un-

dergraduate and post-graduate degrees in medicine, nursing, public health and allied sciences.

Spearheading the tour were Vice Chancellor, Dr. A. Anand, and Head of Operations, Immanuel Prabalanatham who showed the minister the school’s state-of-art laboratories, classrooms and examination rooms, mock trauma centre and other medical teaching facilities.

They explained Texila’s broad use of advanced information technology

Not many trained medical personnel work in the interior, she explained, but soon the res-

idents there will have access to the Internet. This is the first component for telemedicine.

US$364,727 overhead pedestrian crossing for Diamond

Public Telecommunications Minister Catherine Hughes touring the Texila American University (TAU) campus

for teaching and research.

Minister Hughes, in offering brief remarks, said it is her Ministry’s vision to evolutionalise telemedicine in Guyana. It was on this note that the Texila officials disclosed that telemedicine is one of their near-term objectives, that is, to train medical per-

sonnel for this relatively new field of medicine in the developed world.

Minister Hughes expressed the hope that Guyana could achieve this goal in the foreseeable future for the benefit of citizens located away from administrative centres, especially in the hinterland.

DIAMOND, East Bank Demerara will now be the fourth village to benefit from an overhead pedestrian crossing.

Minister of State,Joseph Harmon on Thursday said a contract in the sum of US$364,727 was awarded to S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services for work on the Diamond overhead pedestrian crossing.

Works are expected to commence shortly.

“You would recall that I had previously announced the award of US$1M contracts for the construction of overhead crossing at Houston, Peter’s Hall and at Eccles.

This is an additional overhead crossing that’s going to be constructed.”

During last year, the Government had made known its intention to construct overhead pedestrian walkways.

With more than 10,000 vehicles entering the country every year, traffic congestion on key arteries leading to Georgetown continues to be a major bugbear.

This congestion has been contributing heavily to delays for workers at peak travel times – in the morning, between 07:00hrs and 09:00hrs, and evening – from 16:00hrs to 18:30hrs.

The East Bank Demerara road is among the busiest in the country, providing linkages to not only the villages along the way, but to the Demerara Harbour Bridge which leads to the West Demerara,Essequibo,Linden and by extension to the hinterland.

The Cheddie Jagan International Airport, the country’s main port, is located at Timehri, further compounding the situation.

Over the years, there have been talks of a number of projects to reduce the traffic situation, including new roads, shifting bus parks and even better parking.

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Assassination plot

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

--cops uncover scheme to assassinate President Granger --plotters contacted, DPP advice sought

By Rabindra Rooplall The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the police legal advisor are assisting with investigations into an alleged plot to shoot President David Granger while he is on one of his many outreaches.

Minster of State, Joseph Harmon, at a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday morning at the Ministry of Presidency, disclosed that the administration has been provided with some information by the police about an ongoing investigation of this nature. The investigation has reached a point where advice of the police legal advisor is also being sought, Harmon said.

Harmon made the disclosure when asked about the alleged plot by a reporter. “While we have a popular President that all the people around the

country love and embrace him, there are sometimes misguided people, especially of what they see on facebook and copycat type of issues and therefore we always have to be careful,” Harmon said.

He explained that since the investigation is ongoing he is not at liberty to disclose in any great detail the nature of the inquiry. “I have the full confidence of the ability of the security forces to protect our President and the ministers of Government who have been elected by the people to run the Government,” Harmon noted. When asked if names of high-ranking policemen were listed as being involved, Harmon said he was not briefed about such information. $7M BOUNTY Meanwhile, in an interview on Nightly News a man who was approached to carry out the act spoke of a $7M bounty

that was offered him to shoot at President Granger during one of his outreaches. The $7M it was said was offered by a prominent individual. The whistleblower in the interview stated that the businessman told him “… President Granger, we have to have him assassinated before he moves from where he is living, before of course if he moves his security will enhance and you can’t get to him.”

He further related that the businessman told him, “you know we and the commissioner is friends, the whole judiciary is friends, we will take care of you, all you have to do is don’t let who you know get it done to know who is we, and we ain’t want know who you get.”

The informant explained that the businessman entered his house and brought out a large weapon which he collected and minutes later returned. He explained he had

approached the businessman to conduct a business worth $6M when the proposal was made to find someone to assassinate the President and he will be paid $7M. “The next day I go back to he and said watch, me ain’t deh in them thing yo know, me aint event want you tell me back about that,” the informant said claiming that he never killed anyone before and is just a businessman.

NEW SECURITY FEATURES Only last week Harmon defended the new concrete fence securing the Ministry of the Presidency (MoP), emphasising that it must be consistent with security features of a high office such as one of the President.

The previous chain-link fence has been dismantled for a more than 12-foot high concrete wall that also provides now, for very little view into the premises. Harmon then had told re-

porters that the MoTP has to be a safe zone. “We have to ensure that, whatever physical facilities that we put in place, can guarantee the physical security of this premises and the physical security of the persons who enter and leave this premises.”

He pointed to the 2002 shooting that left two persons dead after they had stormed the then Office of the President (OP). Persons were protesting against the then People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government’s treatment of the people of Kwakwani and other Berbice bauxite mining areas when they barged into the presidential compound and were shot by guards.

“We have to put in place security arrangements that will prevent us from using maximum force as was done in the previous administration,” Harmon said, adding: “It is important for us to ensure that we have proper facilities. This is the office of his Excellency the President…we have to ensure that all of the security arrange-

President David Granger

ments that are put in place are consistent with that high office which the president holds, and the fact that it is located here.”

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo was Guyana’s President at the time the protesters were shot. He had recently ridiculed the new security feature, calling it the “Great Wall of China”.

“The Opposition Leader is entitled to give his opinion on several matters which he expresses very easily these days,” said Harmon.

$5B injected into housing sector -- to create jobs, stimulate economy

By Rabindra Rooplall GOVERNMENT will be investing $5 Billion in the housing sector for the delivery and construction of 758 housing units in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and 10 in a bid to boost the economy.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon made this disclosure during a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday.

He said Government is taking every step to ensure eco-

nomic activities are revitalised and that money continues to flow into the economy.

Responding to questions on reports of the country in an economic slow-down, and talks by some sections of the business community of laying-off workers, Harmon said these reports are taken very seriously by Cabinet.

He explained that due to these reports, President David Granger has at least on three occasions recently summoned some of the key sector ministers including finance, agri-

culture and business to look at options on how to address the slow-down.

Harmon said in responding to the slow-down, the Government is moving to “pump huge sums of money into the economy” that would generate employment and economic activities.

The money for the construction of these units is projected to have a ripple effect across the economy. It is expected to create employment opportunities for thousands and increase the demand for

construction material.

“The economy is always on the forefront of our considerations, not only in the Cabinet but in all of our Government undertakings. The impact that the economy has on the people of this country is something which we are very careful about dealing with,” Harmon said.

He pointed out that the

economic slow-down in the country has to be taken in conjunction with the economic reality of neighbouring countries such as Suriname, Brazil, Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago which are in deep recession, due to falling oil prices and other economic crises.

“These economic (realities) are not strange, people are reading, they are on the Internet

and they understand what is going on internationally,” he said, adding: “We are doing our best to ensure that we do not have to go down the road, where some of these countries have gone.”

Guyana has been dependent on traditional export products, and, as a result, the economy has suffered as bauxite, gold, sugar and rice prices have fallen.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

Policeman killed in Paris shooting claimed by ISIS A French policeman was shot dead and two others were wounded in central Paris on Thursday night in an attack carried out days before presidential elections and quickly claimed by the Islamic State militant group.

President Francois Hollande said he was convinced the “cowardly killing” on the Champs Elysees boulevard, in which the assailant was himself shot dead by police, was an act of terrorism.

The wide avenue that leads away from the Arc de Triomphe had been crowded with Parisians and tourists enjoying a spring evening, but police

quickly cleared the area, which remained empty well into the night of all but heavily armed security forces and police vehicles.

Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins said the man had been identified, but investigators were still assessing if he had accomplices.

A police arrest warrant issued earlier on Thursday, which was seen by Reuters after the attack, warned of a dangerous individual who had come into France by train from Belgium on Thursday. It was unclear if that man was the attacker or linked to the shooting.

Officers searched the home

DATE: 19-Apr-2017 C

of the dead attacker in a town east of Paris, a police source said.

“The sense of duty of our policemen tonight averted a massacre ... they prevented a bloodbath on the Champs Elysees,” Interior Minister Matthias Fekl told reporters.

“A little after 9 PM a vehicle stopped alongside a police car which was parked. Immediately a man got out and fired on the police vehicle, mortally wounding a police officer,” Interior Ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet said.

France has lived under a state of emergency since 2015 and has suffered a spate of

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Police secure the Champs Elysee Avenue after a shooting incident in Paris, France, April 20, 2017 (REUTERS/Christian Hartmann) Islamist militant attacks mostly perpetrated by young men who grew up in France and Belgium and that have killed more than 230 people in the past two years.

Witness Chelloug, a kitchen assistant, told Reuters he was walking out of a shop and saw a man get out of a car and open fire with a rifle on a policeman.

“The policeman fell down.

I heard six shots, I was afraid.

I have a two year-old girl and I thought I was going to die...

He shot straight at the police officer.”

The Islamic State group, which is being driven out of its areas of territorial control in Iraq and Syria by Western-backed coalitions and has hundreds of French-speaking fighters, claimed responsibility for Thursday’s shooting via its Amaq news agency, naming the attacker as Abu Yousif al-Belgiki.

The claim came quickly and the naming of the assailant suggested a degree of direct contact with Islamic State. The group also claimed responsibility for a car attack in London

last month killing four, but gave no name or details.

Police sources said the man was known to intelligence services. French television networks reported that he was a 39-year-old French national known for previous violent crimes.

POLICE CLEAR THE AREA Police authorities called on the public to avoid the area.

The Arc de Triomphe monument and the top half of the Champs Elysees were packed with police vans, lights flashing and heavily armed police shutting the area down after what was described by one journalist as a major exchange of fire.

The incident came as French voters prepared go to the polls on Sunday in the most tightly-contested presidential election in decades.

“We shall be of the utmost vigilance, especially in relation to the election,” said President Hollande, who is not himself running for re-election.

Earlier this week, two men were arrested in Marseille who

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police said had been planning an attack ahead of the election.

A machine gun, two hand guns and three kilos of TATP explosive were among the weapons found at a flat in the southern city along with Islamic State propaganda materials, according to Molins.

That incident brought issues of security and immigration back to the forefront of the campaign, with the anti-immigration National Front leader Marine Le Pen repeating her call for Europe’s partly open borders to be closed.

On Thursday, speaking after a television appearance, she said she was “deeply angry” as well as sad for the police victims “because not everything is done ... to protect our compatriots. They need more than our compassion.”

Candidates in the election said they had been warned about the Marseille attackers.

Francois Fillon, who is the conservative candidate, said he would cancel the campaign events he had been planning for Friday.

He also called for campaigning generally to be suspended, although from midnight on Friday the law says it has to stop anyway. Far left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon said campaigning should continue.

In November, 2015, Paris was rocked by near simultaneous gun-and-bomb attacks on entertainment sites, in which 130 people died and 368 were wounded.

Islamic State claimed responsibility. Two of the 10 known perpetrators were Belgian citizens and three others were French.

(Reuters)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

Growth returns to Caribbean - World Bank says counter-cyclical policies being pursued The World Bank says that countries in the Caribbean and Latin America are now pursuing counter-cyclical fiscal policies, in that they spending more in bad times and saving in good times.

In its semiannual report for the region entitled “Leaning against the Wind: Fiscal Police in Latin America and the Caribbean in a Historical Perspective”, the Washington based institution argues that the transformation is significant for a region that has often pursued pro-cyclical spending – increasing the risks of overheating economies during boom times and making recessions deeper

during the bad times.

According to the Consensus Forecasts, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the region is expected to grow by 1.5 per cent this year and 2.5 percent in 2018, putting an end to six years of an economic downturn, including recession over the past two years. The bank says if they materialize, recoveries expected in Brazil and Argentina will largely fuel the return to growth in the region.

“Mexico’s growth is expected to hover at around 1.4 percent, while Central America and the Caribbean will maintain steady growth of around 3.8 percent.” How-

ever, the World Bank says the fiscal accounts of many countries have suffered due to the prolonged slowdown.

“As of 2016, 29 out of 32 countries were facing fiscal deficits, largely due to higher spending. The median gross debt for the region stands at 50 percent of GDP.” However, the institution says that in a significant break with the past – many countries now find themselves in a better position to escape this difficult fiscal predicament, according to the report. “Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have traditionally been pro-cyclical, either be-

cause of political pressures to spend during good times or lack of access to international capital during bad times,” said Carlos Végh, World Bank Chief Economist for Latin America and the Caribbean.

“As a result, they often found themselves caught in a fiscal procyclicality trap, leading to higher public debt and fiscal deficits as well as lower credit ratings that left them few options to turn things around.” In response to the global financial crisis of 2008, the number of countries with a countercyclical fiscal policy increased from 10 to 45 per cent of

the region’s economies.

Countries such as Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, and Peru begun to increase public spending and/or lower taxes in an attempt to stimulate the economy.

The bank says while such measures produced fiscal deficits, they were the result of a concerted effort to minimize the downturn. On the other hand, countries that continued with pro-cyclical policies must now further consolidate their fiscal accounts to minimise the risks of deterioration in

their credit ratings and an increase in borrowing costs, the report argues. “While countries may still find it tempting to spend rather than save in the next boom cycle, the events of the last decade in fiscal policy give us hope that countries will play it safe instead and be prudent,” said Végh. “In an external environment characterized by frequent shocks and volatility, such prudence will allow them to turn fiscal policy into instruments to help cope with the next downturn and preserve social gains.”

(CMC)

A Trinidadian businessman, Robert Bermudez has been selected as the next Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI).

Education Minister An-

thony Garcia, made the announcement at a post Cabinet press conference on Thursday. Bermudez will be the second Trinidadian to hold this position following Dr Eric Williams. The term

of the current chancellor George Alleyne expires in late July 2017. Garcia said the UWI Council had established a search committee – that included representatives from contributing governments, the UWI Senate, the UWI Students’ Guild, the Post- Graduates Association and the University Teachers

Group – to find a new chancellor.

The decision to appoint Bermudez was ratified

by Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads in their last meeting in Guyana. Bermudez is the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bermudez Group of Companies and

has led the growth of the Bermudez Group from a local, family-owned business, to a regional business throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. He has enjoyed a distinguished career in business and is associated with several other corporate bodies in Trinidad and Tobago and

the Caribbean. He is also a non-executive director of the Massy Group. He was elected to the Board of Neal & Massy Holdings Limited, now Massy Holdings Ltd., in 1997 and has served on the Company’s Audit and Governance and Compensation Committees. (CMC)

TT businessman selected as UWI Chancellor

Robert Bermudez

Friday, April 21, 2017 Saturday, April 22, 2017 Sunday, April 23, 2017 Monday, April 24, 2017 Tuesday, April 25, 2017

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- 13:30 hrs 01:30 hrs - 14:00 hrs 02:30 hrs - 14:30 hrs 03:00 hrs - 14:30 hrs 04:00 hrs - 14:30 hrs

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

VENEZUELA is a rich country in natural resources, yet today its people are on the streets protesting as a result of the poor performance of its economy.

Fortunate to be ranked as having the world’s largest petroleum reserves and the fifth producer of oil, there is going to be intensification of the protests against President Nicolás Maduro’s government by the political opposition, business sector, and others.

On Tuesday, this threeyear protest reached another level when three persons died, and which saw the trading of blame by the opposition and government as to who is responsible. This has since erupted into what the opposition has called “the mother of all protests,” where both sides have resorted to the use of force and violence to repel the other. The escalating or tempering down of this latest salvo will depend

on the level of involvement, be it local and/or international that would aid an amicable process of restoring stability.

Calls by the international community to allow Venezuelans the right to peaceful protest has not borne fruit.

Civilians are lighting firebombs and shielding themselves from tear gas as they continue to advance the protests and call for action such as early elections and the re-opening of Parliament.

The political opposition has vowed that it will not cede its resistance until their demands are met. The government is using tear gas, hoses and water cannons, which evidently have not succeeded in quelling the resistance but intensifying the determination.

Guyanese resident in Venezuela are fleeing the instability and returning home.

This must not be seen as a problem, given our stability and after all Guyana is the

only place Guyanese can truly call home. Venezuela is an important country in the international community.

As a founder-member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), its importance is not only felt in the extractive sector and influencing of supply and prices, but also as a strategic force in the Latin American bloc.

For Guyana, Venezuela’s internal stability is not only important for peaceful resolution of the border controversy, but as a neighbour where there exists chaos within, it could lead to unplanned migration across a porous border. Such influx also creates potential for those with unsavoury intent to enter under cover of fleeing instability to carry nefarious acts. People move to countries that are considered more stable than theirs; particularly when there exists instability such

as political and economic upheavals and natural disasters, people move to the nearest place they consider to be a safe haven. Unplanned immigration brings with it adverse impact on social services such as education, health, and water consumption. This could lead to slum areas being thrown up and threats to public health by over-burdening the system, and creating challenges in controlling communicable diseases.

Whereas on Thursday the United States (U.S.) General Motor Company reported the Venezuela authorities engaged in the “illegal judicial seizure of its assets,” this latest development is likely to attract political and economic responses from the U.S. and its allies.

Within the past two weeks the world has already seen what war and the threats of war could look like. The sabre-rattling within recent

days even call to mind the need for clear-headedness in handling the situation in Venezuela, which has a powerful military.

The instability and turmoil are happening alongside Guyana. Brazil continues to have an unstable political climate. Venezuela is subjected to continuous political turmoil. Suriname is threatened by the people’s resistance to the government’s economic austerity measures. The pictures, messages, and footage seen from these countries are those of people showing unwillingness to cede ground or listen to the views of the

other. Where these protests suggest the existence of steeled determination on both sides, accompanied by violence, their impact is bound to ricochet all around, adversely affecting the economies and by extension the citizens’ quality of life. These realities suggest that Guyana’s continued stability requires of its leadership and citizenry constructively engaging each other on matters of concern to either or both.

This way, Guyana would not only pass through this period of upheaval intact, but also be a beacon of inspiration for others.

Dear Editor,

quality of sugar and it takes that responsibility very seriously.

Additionally, GuySuCo would be the first to admit that the production target of March 25, 2017 was lower than expected; the production figures are public information.

However, a fundamental and important aspect which Sase Singh missed, is context. That is, the organisational and wider societal context in which GuySuCo has found itself at this point in time.

Mr Singh’s letter is also very superficial. One would have thought that he would have done some reasonable research before writing. If his research had covered earlier releases and articles relating to the sugar corporation, he would have better understood some of the deeper issues confronting Guyana’s sugar industry.

The industry’s problems did not happen overnight. It was already in deep crisis when the interim management committee and new board were appointed in June and July, 2015, respectively. It was soon recognised that addressing the

ills of the corporation and industry could only be done by serious reorganisation which is a pre-requisite for retooling and improving productivity.

This has been the focus of the current management and board.

Additionally, the EL Nino phenomenon and the erratic weather pattern which followed were not “caused by management.”

On the Skeldon Estate situation: the co-generation plant was sold to Skeldon Energy Inc. (SEI) in February, 2015.

SEI subsequently commissioned an audit of the co-generation plant by Wartsilla, which indicated that the plant was in a very poor state. In mid-2016, SEI had to obtain funding for a limited programme to improve the safety of the plant. Unfortunately, this was not enough, by the end of the second crop 2016, further work was needed to render the co-generation plant safe to operate. The corporation had no option but to defer the start of the 2017 crop for safety reasons. Mr Singh attributes this to lack of proper planning. We do believe that this is more a function of the

extent of the deteriorated state of the plant and the very limited funds which are available to address the problem.

Why is production low?

Much has been said over the past months about the state of the industry and the underlying causes. While the corporation has been working tirelessly on those factors, which are within its control, the solutions are not overnight fixes and the El Nino experience followed by the erratic weather which continues to date, do not help.

Therefore, while production is a part of the focus of the corporation for 2017, its primary focus is aimed at clearly defining the future of the industry and strengthening the organisation to ensure that it is fit-for–purpose, or rather, fit to meet the demands of the ‘New GuySuCo’.

As most persons are aware, the ‘New GuySuCo’ will include two components - sugar and diversification. The organizational-strengthening aspect includes improving systems and structures and developing, recruiting and positioning ap-

propriate skills and expertise to ensure that the corporation has not only the right capacity, but also the right capabilities to secure a future entity that is resilient, sustainable and eventually profitable.

The management is cognisant of the fact that in order for productivity to be increased, it has to as a preliminary step, bring stability to the business; and this is being done by focusing on resuscitating the vital organs of the corporation – its systems and structures.

Another critical area of focus is changing the current organisational behavioural patterns. For example, strikes are doing much harm to the business and has proven largely not to be an enabling factor in the increase productivity drive, hence the urgent need to foster more collaborative working relationships with the three unions to reduce strikes and explore alternative means of resolving disagreements in the industry. In 2016 alone, there were 148 strikes and 44,500 man-days were lost. This has to change moving forward.

Additionally, the corporation is addressing the huge issue of poor attendance by harvesters on estates, since if adequate labour is not available to harvest the canes in a timely manner, productivity will invariably be low.

In concluding, as Mr Singh examines the industry and its productivity, we hope that this letter will assist in broadening his perspective beyond the financial and accounting aspects to factor in the more complex organisational and societal context within which GuySuCo is operating. We also hope that we have given him some assurances on our larger focus for re-designing, re-organising and re-engineering the corporation and more specifically, the core agenda for 2017.

Regards AUDREYANNA THOMAS Senior Communications Officer Communications Department Guyana SugarCorporation Inc. (GuySuCo)

THE Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) wishes to respond to a letter published in the Stabroek News on April 5, 2017 and titled, ‘GAWU is predicting low production figure for first crop’ and authored by Mr Sase Singh.

In his letter, Mr Singh noted ‘I couldn’t believe what I was reading when I got the Combat newspapers in my inbox. For the record, the Combat is printed by the GAWU, the largest workers’ union in Guyana. In the Combat, it is clearly stated that as at the week ending March 25, 2017, GuySuCo produced 20,037 tonnes of sugar from a target of 74,172 (or 27%).’

Mr Singh further proceeded to cast blame for the low production on various sections of GuySuCo’s management; and the management would not abdicate its responsibility. Indeed, management of the corporation has a responsibility to manage the entity as efficiently as possible, to produce the highest

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

Jagdeo’s greatest nightmare seems to be SARA

Dear Editor,

THERE are some things we can opt to ignore and allow to pass as irrelevance or nonsensical. However, when public figures utter unsubstantiated damaging or discrediting statements, there is cause for great concern and even need for such misinformation to be exposed, challenged and corrected. The latter is extremely important. It has become a Public Relations challenge for the incumbent administration particularly in this politically divided and intellectually fragile society, where analytical skills are at an all-time low.

Sustained, mischievous utterances and attacks by some members of the political opposition against the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA), its functionality and its human resource component have not gone unnoticed, nor should they be taken for granted. Such attacks seek to discredit and compromise SARA’s functionality and endanger its personnel.

The chief instigator and crusader against SARA is none other than one of Guyana’s former Presidents, Mr. Bharat Jagdeo. Mr Jagdeo’s greatest nightmare seems to

be SARA. He becomes vividly livid at just hearing the acronym. From the get-go, Mr Jagdeo opposed the very idea of a State Asset Recovery Agency. He sought, through various schemes and agents, to dismantle its very formation. Other tactics involved personal attacks against SARA officials, sensationalism and fear-mongering by some of his cohorts, particularly those in the Private Sector Commission (PSC). More recently, direct onslaughts have been levelled against Dr Clive Thomas, Messrs Eric Phillips, Desmond Trotman, Tacuma Ogunseye and Aubrey Heath-Retemyer. Those were the specific names mentioned by Mr Jagdeo!

The attack against Mr Retemyer by the former President is my main reason for writing.

Mr Jagdeo has been using his status and immunity in a shockingly indiscriminate and disgraceful manner. It is jejune for someone of Mr Jagdeo’s standing to descend to the level that now appears to be his zone of comfort, where he rants all sort of ludicrous and character-damaging assertions about individuals, some of whom his comparative moral short falls are significantly great. His recalcitrance is simply unbe-

coming of a leading political figure.

Mr Jagdeo, in his latest public utterance, called Mr. Retemyer a re-migrated security guard and geriatric friend of President David Granger.

Jagdeo sought to establish the latter association as the reason for Mr Retemyer’s appointment as SARA’s CEO. Mr Jagdeo’s statement is not just ludicrous, mischievous misinformation, but also an affront to Guyana’s standing President – David Granger. It is also discrediting and slighting to the Guyana Defence Force, the University of Guyana, the Pan-African Development Foundation, the Christian community, and the New York City Department of Education; all credible institutions where Mr Retemyer has served honourably or received some form of accreditation.

Mr Jagdeo failed to pronounce that Mr Retemyer, notwithstanding all of his other personal accomplishments including legal marriage and children, is a practised Major (Retired) of the Guyana Defence Force who grew up on a sugar plantation and climbed the ladder of success without compromising his manhood or integrity.

Jagdeo also failed to posit that Mr Retemyer wrote a

book, is mentally alert, fit and can still do a conservative five-kilometre walk without necessary resuscitation or medical attention thereafter.

Mr Jagdeo has also insulted all members of security guard services and their personnel. Even if Mr Retemyer served all his life as a security guard, Mr Jagdeo’s statement has sought to establish disgrace and infamy of the profession as one which has no scope for career or personal development. If that is to be taken literally, Mr Jagdeo is insinuating that security guards are

worthless people.

As an elector and citizen of Guyana, I would urge Mr Jagdeo to make a concerted effort to act like the statesman he claims to be and refrain from treating his fellow countrymen with disdain and indignity, or further attempting to insult the intelligence of Guyanese. We will not all be hoodwinked.

On April 13, 2017, Guyana’s Parliament approved the SARA Bill, which will integrate and empower the SARU (State Assets Recovery Unit) to trace and recover stolen or misappropriated state assets. It also

provides the legislative scope for deterring and preventing such activities from taking place in future. Assets of the state fundamentally include Taxpayers-funded tangibles, Land and Finance.

The Guyana Government has a fiduciary duty to prudently manage, preserve and protect its state assets, as the majority of citizens expect the government to ensure that there is accountability, fairness and equitable distribution of the nation’s resources.

Regards ORETTE CUTTING

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

First Lady receives care hampers for WAD GTT rewards

CAROL Felix-Bathersfield and Melanie Bryan-Bathersfield on Thursday presented 14 personal care hampers to First Lady Sandra Granger for the teenage mothers attached to the Women Across Differences (WAD) organisation.

The presentation was made in the Office of the First Lady at State House.

The women,who are members of the well known Bathersfield family of Buxton, said that

on hearing of the First Lady’s work with WAD, they decided to donate the hampers left over from a donation exercise held in Buxton on Tuesday.

Both the First Lady and Clonel Samuels-Boston, Coordinator of WAD, expressed their gratitude to the family for their generosity.

The First Lady is patron of WAD, which provides counselling, health and other support services to teenage mothers.

winners of top-up promotion

Carol Felix-Bathersfield presents a hamper to Clonel Samuels-Boston, Coordinator of WAD in the presence of First Lady Sandra Granger (first, right) and Melanie Bryan-Bathersfield, at State House

Clonel Samuels-Boston, Coordinator of WAD, First Lady Sandra Granger, Melanie Bryan-Bathersfield and Carol Felix-Bathersfield share a light moment after the presentation exercise

GHRA welcomes Govt’s response to river pollution THE Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) said the decision by the Natural Resources Ministry to conduct a rapid assessment of the damage caused by gold mining in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni District is a welcome one.

Following concerns raised by the GHRA, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman instructed a team comprising officers of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the ministry’s Compliance Division, to conduct an investigation in the affected areas in Puruni and Mazaruni, with a view to ascertain the accuracy of the reports.

Once found to be true, corrective measures will be put in place. According to the GHRA, well-placed sources have pointed out that

the tributaries to major rivers, not so visible from the air, are in worse shape than the rivers themselves.

“The response to this decision reveals the scale of the odds facing even the most basic initiatives to enhance environmental protection in an industry which according to press reports, loses a minimum of USD240 million per annum in illegal gold exports,” the GHRA stated.

“This time around the stakes are higher, because not only environmental advocates, but the average Guyanese citizen for whom our rivers were a source of pride, are more aware of the economic and environmental costs involved. Since 2012 scientific evidence generated by the REDD+ programme has demonstrated not only that mining is destroying

waterways, but is also the main contributor to forest degradation as a whole. Not just interior communities, but many more Guyanese will be at risk if the authorities do not move vigorously against the irrevocable destruction of fresh-water resources on which the society as a whole depend,” it added.

The association emphasised that money cannot and should not be the only factor determining where gold-mining takes place.

It stressed too that the mining sector in particular needs to demonstrate much greater purposefulness with respect to Guyana’s natural assets, positing that the recent announcement of new licences granted in the Marudi, Madhia and Region One mining districts provided an opportunity to reinforce obligations to environmental res-

toration, non-use of mercury and other standards which should be non-negotiable.

“Placing the mining industry on a modern, equitable and efficient basis and pursing these goals within the national interest is a task for which many human energies and resources need to be mobilised. The responsibility of the State is to create equitable relations between all citizens, not to pander [to] or privilege destructive elements. The GHRA is also confident that the bulk of the mining industry will be in agreement with such a goal.”

To this end, the GHRA is calling for an inclusive national initiative to develop a more fundamental response to protection of fresh-water resources and reiterates its earlier call for an effective ban on all river-related mining.

By Vanessa Braithwaite THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has presented an all-inclusive trip to Jamaica and consolation prizes of two Samsung Galaxy 7 edge smart phones to the winners in GTT $1000 top-up promotion.

The promotion lasted for two weeks and the draw was done by random raffle last Tuesday.

GTT Director of Retail Sales Allison Dundas, explained that the promotion was just one of many that GTT has done over the years in recognition of its loyal customers.

“Our customers are loyal to us and as a company we do give back to our customers; we have been doing that over the years and for the year 2017, we have increased those giving-back meth-

ods. I don’t think that we have done trips before, this is the first of its kind, we have collaborated with fly Jamaica to make this trip possible,” Dundas said.

Fly Jamaica’s Commercial Manager Carl Bowen, said the company is pleased to have collaborated with GTT and will continue to do so in its upcoming Mother’s and Father’s Day promotions.

George Mahase of Kitty, Georgetown, won the four-day, all-inclusive trip to Jamaica. He will be accompanied by his wife.

“I am very thankful for it and it is the first time I ever get the chance to win something. I want to say thank you to GTT for making it possible and thank you to Fly Jamaica.” The two consolation winners were Paul Fernandes and Bibi Khan.

GTT Director of Retail Sales Allison Dundas (left) and Fly Jamaica’s Commercial Manager Carl Bowen (right), with promotion winners George Mahase and his wife and consolation winner, Paul Fernandes

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

Region Fivecelebrates RDC meeting ends inheritage uproar President Guyana’s -- after chairman accused of being disrespectful to REO THE statutory meeting of the Region Five Regional Democratic Council (RDC) ended abruptly on Thursday after the APNU+AFC Councillors stormed out in a protest at what they deem gross disrespect for the Regional Executive Officer (REO) by the regional chairman.

The councillors who walked out said that the breakup of the meeting was triggered by the response of Chairman Vickchand Ramphal to allegations made against the chairman and the vice chairman of the Bath/Woodley Park Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

Earlier in the meeting, the AFC Councillor Abel Seetaram had made allegations that an excavator assigned

REO Ovid Morison

to the NDC by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to do work in the Bath/Woodley Park area had been commandeered by the Chairman and Vice Chairman and deployed to do work to benefit lands the duo intended to use for their

personal benefit.

Seetaram said the two men had used the machine for several weeks to do work for their personal benefit even when parts of Bath Settlement were flooded due to several drains being clogged up with garbage.

He then said that himself and the REO,Ovid Morison had observed the misuse of the machine first hand and had demanded that it be used for the purpose for which it was sent to the area by the NDIA. The chairman and vice chairman, Seetaram said, complied with this demand but only briefly since the machine was soon again put into operation for their personal gain.

The trouble started when

Ramphal described the allegation as “vicious”, prompting councillors to suggest to him that he appeared to be taking the sides of the NDC Chairman and vice chairman.

The APNU+AFC councillors said they grew stronger in suspicions when Councillor Seetaram offered to provide photographs of the misuse of the excavator and Ramphal rejected this evidence, contending that photographs could not be reliable and that he would need to do his own investigations.

Ramphal also said that he had visited the area sometime after and had seen much evidence of work done by the excavator for the benefit of the community.

At this point, Morrison interjected, saying that he had personally seen the mis-

Chairman Vickchand Ramphal

use of the excavator and sees the chairman’s “skepticism” as an attack on his integrity.

“I am not a liar and if this trend in the discussion, this matter continues, I will have

to leave the meeting,” he said.Chairman Ramphal then told him that he is free to go.

This resulted in an uproar by the APNU+AFC councillors who accused the chairman of being disrespectful to the REO. The Councillors also stormed out of the meeting immediately after.

Ramphal later denied that he was casting doubts on the integrity of the REO, pointing out that he needed to get more evidence than that supplied by Seetaram and the REO who claimed to be eyewitnesses to the misuse of the excavator.

“I was merely addressing what Seetaram was saying,” he said.

The next RDC meeting is a month away,prompting some observers to surmise that the matter might be resolved by then.

Lisaveta Ramotar sent on leave Carol Joseph resigns GENERAL Manager of the Guyana Gold Board, Lisaveta Ramotar, was on Thursday sent on administrative leave along with her deputy and the compliance officer.

Ramotar is the daughter of former President Donald Ramotar. The trio have been temporarily relieved of their duties at a time when the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) is conducting an investigation into the op-

erations of the board based on a forensic audit report and a simultaneous police investigation into an alleged money-laundering ring.

When contacted on Thursday, Ramotar did not state clearly whether or not she had received the letter.

When first approached on the issue, she said if the Guyana Chronicle has received such information, then it must be true, given the fact that the newspaper broke the story

even before the matter was brought to her attention.

She subsequently said “I will most likely receive it, if not tomorrow on Monday.”

INVESTIGATION The Gold Board is also expected to conduct an investigation stemming from the alleged bank fraud charge against licensed gold dealer Saddiqi Rafeek Mohamed Rasul and the reported links with personnel at the office.

Earlier this month, the Min-

istry of Natural Resources had said it noted the media reports regarding the charges against Rasul and the alleged links with personnel at the Guyana Gold Board.

As a consequence of these reports, the ministry said it will maintain its vigilance over the operations of the board and will task the incoming directors with the immediate task of probing this and related matters, as Turn to Page 13

Lisaveta Ramotar was last month questioned by SOCU as part of the Pradoville2 investigation

APNU+AFC Region Five Councillor Carol Joseph has resigned from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) with effect from Thursday.

In a letter addressed to the Clerk of the RDC, Joseph did not indicate reasons for her resignation, but later in an interview with Guyana Chronicle cited a health condition as the main reason for her “calling it a day.”

Her resignation comes amid an accusation from a nurse at the Fort Wellington Cottage Hospital of her abusing her authority.

Nurse Sherilyn Marks had accused her of using her position as a regional councillor to get excessive quantities of drugs for her medical condition.

Joseph admitted that she had a medical condition which required frequent treatment, but denied allegations that she was addicted to pain-killing drugs or was being fed large quantities of it.

“I use medicine prescribed by a doctor and I am no addict who requires excessive amounts of medication. Those who know me and associate with me on a daily basis can confirm this.”

She accused Nurse Marks of unethical practice, claiming that she did not consent to the release of her personal health information.

“Regardless of whether I am a APNU+AFC councillor or not, her behaviour as a staff nurse/ midwife in releasing

Carol Joseph

information about my health condition to the press and to social media, to PPP/C MP Harry Gill, has been highly unethical and thoroughly disgusting and I am now getting legal advice for some form of redress,” she said.

Marks last year had lodged two complaints against Joseph over her use of authority to acquire excessive pain-killing medication. The letters of complaint were copied to top health, regional and Government officials.

Following the reading of the resignation by the Clerk, councillors from the APNU+AFC and the PPP/C expressed appreciation to Joseph for her service to the RDC since she became a regional councillor some 10 years ago.

Chairman Vickchand Ramphal said despite their differences, Joseph served the Council well over the years.

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Mocha man accused of sexually assaulting minor A Mocha, East Bank Demerara man charged with having sexual activity with a minor, was released on $100,000 bail

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Thursday.

Gladwin Welch, 54, was unrepresented when the matter was heard in-camera at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that between December 1, 2016

Gladwin Welch

and December 24, 2016 at New Settlement, Mocha,he engaged in sexual activity with a 9-year-old girl. The matter was adjourned to April 27, 2017. According to reports, the girl was sent to the man’s home to collect ‘eddo leaf’ when he called her to his bedroom and ordered that she show him her private parts. She compiled and he allegedly sexually assaulted her.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

Aries You might start your day with the greatest of intentions only to run into a wall that stops you dead in your tracks. Your initial reaction is to do an end run around the obstacle, but it turns out to be more substantial than you thought. Your fall-back strategy takes longer to execute, but is more reliable now than other flashier approaches. Methodical, hard work enables you to overcome nearly any impediment to success. Mark Cuban said, “Sweat equity is the most valuable equity there is.”

Taurus You wish you could take it easy today, but you have prior commitments you want to honour. Although you might rather carve out some time for rest and relaxation, you’re fully capable of delaying satisfaction in the name of productivity. Nevertheless, your acceptance of the present situation still can turn to resentment if you see others make their exit. Don’t be tempted by the illusion of immediate gratification. Abraham Lincoln said, “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”

Gemini It’s as if a new power plant came online today and all the electricity is being delivered to your door.

Suddenly, you possess a seemingly inexhaustible supply of energy as physical Mars recharges your sign. But you might not have a stable enough infrastructure to handle the upgrade. Exercising self-discipline is your most effective strategy now; saying no gives you time to reinforce your foundation.

The harder you work for something, the greater your sense of accomplishment when you achieve it.

Cancer Working long hours isn’t very much fun, yet it may lead to personal satisfaction when you reflect on the minor sacrifices you made in the name of success. In fact, meeting deadlines can be turned into a game that you actually win today. But instead of crossing one item at a time off your list, make optimal use of enterprising Mars by jumping all around on your agenda. Shaking up your work schedule keeps your energy reserves high and prevents you from getting bored. Hank Williams, Jr. sang, “Go on and do things your own way.” There’s nothing to be gained by conforming to mediocrity.

Leo You’re eager to slip away from work early so you can hang out with your friends today. But you’re afraid that you might get caught and the results won’t be pretty. Further analysis of the situation doesn’t help; reconsidering your options is useless now, because your heart still says do it while your brain says no. There’s almost nothing so urgent it’s worth losing your credibility. Inaction may seem easier on the surface, but it grows harder as time passes. C.S. Lewis wrote, “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.”

Virgo You have plenty of fresh ideas about how to further your career objectives. However, your innovative thoughts come quickly in clusters today, like schools of fish, making them nearly impossible to record. Your desire to capture a transitory moment could turn into an obsession now, making you emotionally unavailable to those close to you. Nevertheless, your current isolation is most likely a product of your own decisions. Letting go of your need to achieve results in the outer world can enrich your personal life. The choices you make determine your destiny.

Libra Your efforts at work might seem rather ineffectual today, but you probably are making more of an impact than you realise. Austere Saturn is blocking your key planet Venus, preventing you from experiencing the joy that is present in your life. Just because you’re not as connected to people now doesn’t mean the gulf is permanent or even real. It helps to employ the Golden Rule: treat others as you wish to be treated. The fear of losing love can be enough to push it away. Nelson Mandela claimed, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”

Scorpio You may be bitten by a playful bug, leaving you with a repetitive, happy tune in your head today.

Your key planet Mars flies into breezy Gemini, enticing you to overcome your caution and assume a more flirtatious attitude with life in general. Simultaneously, a heavy Venus-Saturn square weighs on your heart, admonishing your emotions and warning you about the consequences of sharing your feelings indiscriminately. You are a master of the words you don’t say and a slave to the ones you do.

Sagittarius Rigid expectations can prove to be your downfall in a relationship now. Thankfully, a friend or lover might teach you something very important about the benefits of flexibility. But this may not be an easy lesson while contentious Mars is camped out in your 7th House of Others. Resist the urge to over-react and erect boundaries; your walls protect your heart but they also keep those you love at a distance. Charles Darwin wrote, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”

Capricorn You’re most content when you’re in control of your environment, yet you tend to withdraw emotionally when you find yourself standing in the midst of uncertainty. Anxiety builds when your sensory input conflicts with the facts as you know them. You don’t know what to do when you can’t resolve the differences, so you often quit before you even start. Unfortunately, this is like a self-fulfilling prophesy; results turn sour because you assume they will. Terrell Owens says, “If you align expectations with reality, you will never be disappointed.”

Aquarius The further into your future you can imagine, the greater the chances for your success. However, your vision might be constricted now as naysaying Saturn blocks your view and frustrates your efforts to keep your eye on the distant prize. Instead of pushing up against an impenetrable barrier, exercise your strategic intelligence and temporarily halt your operation. Use this valuable time to reconsider your methods until the sky clears. Finnish journalist Erno Paasilinna wrote, “It is also a victory to know when to retreat.”

Pisces Your emotions are subdued today, but your actions are not. There is a disconnect between your desires and what you are willing to do to achieve satisfaction. Paradoxically, you seem to be spinning a lot of wheels, especially if you’re unsure of what you want now. You might set a goal early in the day and head out in that direction, only to change your mind later. Postpone important decisions while you continue to explore your options. Voltaire wrote, “Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position. But certainty is an absurd one.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

Digicel urges GTT to focus on customers, competition

IRISH telecommunications company, Digicel said the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) should focus on its customers and competition.

On Wednesday, GTT again contended that Digicel was bypassing the local network and using a Surinamese network for the provision of its data service, adding that the damage to Guyana could be in the vicinity of $30M. But these claims have all been dismissed

by Digicel. In response to GTT’s repeated allegation, Digicel on Thursday expressed its disappointment while stating categorically that it owes no taxes and is in good standing with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). “Digicel calls upon GTT to desist from making false allegations that serve to mislead and

remove the focus from the imminent opening of a fully competitive telecoms sector in Guyana and to allow the Government to continue to work towards making liberalisation a reality for the benefit of the public of Guyana,” Digicel stated.

Digicel said if GTT is confident that it provides a superior level of services to consumers in Guyana there should be no need to fear liberalisation.

“It’s ironic that GTT is trying to portray itself as a consumer champion whilst doing everything in its power to frustrate our attempts to provide competition and choice in the market. Despite these challenges, Digicel has managed to compete effectively with GTT and prides itself on its innovation and on the standard and quality of its services and will continue to fight

to provide them to the people of Guyana,” the telephone giant stated.

GTT has reportedly assured Government that it has the capacity to handle the volume of data and international voice services being demanded

by Guyanese.

According to GTT, it operates a reliable international service that contributes to the economy, employs over 600 Guyana workers and has the capacity to handle all of the country’s overseas traffic.

However, Digicel said GTT and the people of Guyana must be reminded of several movements that changed the telecommunication landscape in Guyana.

“When Digicel began providing services in Guyana in 2007, consumers saw up to 50% decrease in domestic call rates and access to new

affordable handsets with no activation fees,” it pointed out.

Additionally, Digicel pointed out that services have since been provided to remote regions of Guyana. “It must be noted that today, 27 years after GTT’s launch in Guyana, there are still areas even in Georgetown where customers are still waiting for service from GTT.” Upon recognising the need for consumers in Guyana to have access to the internet on the go, Digicel, in May 2007 introduced mobile internet

service via Blackberry.

It was only in November 2011 that GTT decided to follow suit - over four and a half years later, the company said.

“The exchange of text messages between the Digicel and GTT networks was made possible through the efforts of Digicel despite GTT’s resistance for over two years as Digicel considered it to be a basic requirement of service provision for Guyanese to be connected to one another regardless of choice of network,” it added.

In response to the claims made by GTT, the Ministry of Public Telecommunication has made it clear that GTT must provide the evidence that it has the network capacity to meet the needs of the market before a decision is taken to discontinue Digicel’s link to Suriname.

The Ministry’s statement came amid calls

by GTT for an investigation to be conducted into Digicel’s alleged “illegal, unlicensed trans-border link between Guyana and Suriname”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

Woman charged with attempted murder of boyfriend A RUBY, East Bank Demerara woman, accused of stabbing her boyfriend during a drunken brawl, was remanded to prison on Thursday by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Cynthia McTaire, 35, was charged with attempted murder and was not required to enter a plea. It is alleged that on April 17, 2017 at 4 Mile Arakaka, North West District, with intent to com-

mit murder, she unlawfully and maliciously wounded Ryan Roberts.

Police Prosecutor, Alwyn Moore said the two are in a relationship and on the day in question, they were consuming alcohol when an argument ensued and McTaire became annoyed.

She allegedly broke a beer bottle and stabbed Roberts to his chest. The man collapsed and was air-dashed

Lisaveta Ramotar...

From page 9 to whether anyone from the agency acted improperly or outside of their mandates in conducting business with the said licensed gold dealer.

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

Rasul appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court two weeks ago, charged with six counts of obtaining money by false pretence. Rasul, who owns SSS Minerals Trading Enterprise, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that he is involved in a $956M fraud at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI).

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

had cash in his account at Citizens Bank to honour the cheques he encashed.

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

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

Police Prosecutor Alvin Moore strongly opposed bail, on the ground that the accused is under investigation for similar offences.

According to the prosecutor, the police will soon issue a wanted bulletin for a female manager at GBTI. Prosecutor Moore said that the manager did not follow protocols laid out by the bank when paying out the money. Bail was granted and the case was transferred to the Bartica Magistrates Court for today April 21, 2017.

According to officials, Citizens Bank over two weeks ago closed the accounts of Rasul, after noticing several suspicious transactions in his accounts. At the GBTI Bartica branch, cheques drawn on Citizens Bank and totalling over $900M were deposited into Rasul’s accounts. It is protocol that banks would normally hold other banks’ cheques until they have been cleared.

However, it appears as though this procedure was not followed by GBTI officials.

to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Prosecutor Moore further told the court that Roberts remain in a critical condition at the hospital,and requested that bail be denied. The Chief Magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded McTaire until May 9, 2017 when the matter will be called at the Mathews Ridge Magistrate’s Court.

Cynthia McTaire

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

Several to attend overseas training programmes James Bond to CABINET has given approval for two ministers and several public servants to attend international training programmes in their respective areas of expertise.

This is according to Minster of State Joseph Harmon, who addressed the media at his post-Cabinet briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes, will attend a workshop on the Internet Of Things (IOT) under the theme, “Smart Living in the Caribbean and digital financial services.”

The event will be held in Trinidad and Tobago from April 24- 28, 2017. ICT advisor within the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, Lance Hinds, will also attend.

Harmon said the workshop will bring together ICT leaders and technical officers of CARICOM and to begin the development of mechanisms for promoting the concept of the IOT and the full digitalisation of digital tools to improve the delivery of financial services.

He said the minister will deliver a presentation during a panel discussion on privacy and information security, Caribbean rudiments and challenges.

Public Telecommunications Minister Catherine Hughes

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, will also represent Guyana at the Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labour of the Organisation of American States (OAS) to be held in Asunción, Paraguay, on April 28-30.

He said the conference will address issues such as the transition of informal to the formal economy, labour equality and the elimination of employment discrimination, strengthening of labour laws, social protection and child labour, and strengthening labour administration.

Cabinet has also granted approval for Deputy Superintendent of Police, Rafeek Ali, to participate in an Interpol-sponsored training pro-

gramme to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from May 30, 2017.

The training programme will discuss matters and address issues regarding the capabilities of firearms.

Meanwhile, Police Inspector Prem Narine will attend another Interpol-sponsored round-up and asset-training programme to be held in Singapore from May 22-26, 2017.

Minister Harmon said the training will equip participants with the knowledge to disrupt criminal networks responsible for organising financial crimes, locate and arrest fugitives wanted at the international level, as well as criminals who left their national jurisdictions to evade justice.

Cabinet has also approved the attendance of retired Colonel Chabilall Ramsaroop at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction to be held in Cancun, Mexico, from May 22-26, 2017.

He said the event will provide an opportunity to review global progress in the implementation of the framework for disaster risk reduction, which was adopted in Japan in 2015.

Approval was also granted for legal officer of the Childcare and Protection Agency, Telisha Williams,

chair Adoption Board

Junior Social Protection Minister, Keith Scott

to attend the Convention to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities scheduled to be held from May 1-4, 2017, in Trinidad and Tobago.

This workshop seeks to raise awareness among Government officials about the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.

National Science Coordinator, Petal Punalall-Jetoo, will represent Guyana at a major conference on science, technology and innovation in the Caribbean to be held in Trinidad and Tobago from May 3-4, 2017.

The conference aims to identify strategies to strengthen cooperation so that science, technology and innovation can be used more effectively to promote socio-economic development in the Caribbean.

US$17.5M upgrade for Suddie, West Dem, Bartica hospitals A RECENT line of credit approved by the Government of India will enable the modernisation of three primary health care facilities in Guyana.

About US$17.5 million will be provided for the improvement of the Suddie Regional Hospital, the West Demerara Regional Hospital and the Bartica District Hospital, a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

According to the release, under the initiative, Suddie Regional Hospital will receive almost US$8 million for the construction of a new ambulatory and inpatient centre and diagnostic care facility.

More than US$4.5 million will be used for the same purpose at West Demerara Regional Hospital. Furthermore, the Bartica District Hospital is expected to receive about US3 million for the expansion of the existing building along with the construction of a number of new structures in the compound.

The projects are all expected to commence later this year.

According to the release,

The Suddie Regional Hospital, Essequibo Coast, Region Two

Director of the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vanessa Dickenson, noted that “the signing of this agreement will pave the way for improving and upgrading the delivery of healthcare services in Guyana”.

Diplomatic relations between Guyana and India were established on May 26, 1966.

Since then, the bilateral relationship has been of mutual benefit including through the provision of official development assistance from the Government of India and of political support from Guyana.

The two countries are also cooperating in the areas of renewable energy technology, agriculture, health and education,

among others.

Presently, ongoing projects in Guyana include the acquisition of an ocean-going ferry to service Region One (Barima/Waini) as well as the development of the Centre of Excellence in Information Technology on the Turkeyen campus of the University of Guyana.

MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon, has said that Attorney James Bond has been appointed chairman of the new Adoption Board.

Addressing reporters at his post-Cabinet briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday, Harmon said the other board members are Geoffrey Sankies, Kashir Khan, Clonel Samuels-Boston, Punilall Latchman, Patricia Gray and a representative of the parliamentary opposition.

The life of the new board is one year.

The board processes monthly reviews of 12 to16 adoption applications. It also has to ensure that a child is not yet, and will not reach his or her 18th birthday during the process, which takes about seven months.

According to the law,

Attorney James Bond

an 18- year- old cannot be adopted.

Persons whose applications to adopt are rejected are usually allowed to appeal.

This is because in many cases, additional/new information surfaces, which was not available before, or because there might have been a misunderstanding of the process.

Mini-bus driver to know fate today …on trial for causing passenger’s death CITY Magistrate Judy Latchman will today make her ruling against a Route 42 mini-bus driver, who is on trial for causing the death of a passenger by dangerous driving.

Travis David, 28, of 110 Caesar Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara (EBD) is currently on $150,000 bail.

It is alleged that on January 6, 2015, on the Little Diamond Public Road (EBD), he drove motor vehicle BJJ 9471 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Lynette Joseph.

The case was prosecuted

by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Vishnu Hunt. The prosecution’s case is that on the day in question, at about 17:45hrs, the bus, which operates between Georgetown and Timehri, was proceeding north along the western carriageway of the Little Diamond Public Road.

It is alleged that as David was about to negotiate a turn, he lost control and skidded about 26 feet before connecting to a lamp post.

Joseph, who was sitting in the third seat behind the driver, subsequently succumbed

Travis David

to injuries she sustained as a result of the accident.

The mini-bus was said to be transporting eight persons to Georgetown, including the driver and conductor, when the accident occurred. Joseph, a security guard of National Hardware, died on her way to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre. Those injured wer Joylyn Barker, of 244 Second Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara, conductor, Mark Benjamin, 25, along with four others.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

Greater attention for search and rescue

By Shauna Jemmott JUNIOR Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson,has said Government is considering calls by the National Air Transport Association (NATA) executives to improve capacity for search-and-rescue services in the event of accidents in the aviation sector.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle at NATA’s first Annual General Meeting (AGM) Wednesday, Minister Ferguson said calls made by the association’s Vice-President, Captain Gerry Gouveia and President Annette Arjoon-Martins, will be taken into consideration, especially with an expected increase in flights as Guyana prepares for massive oil-and-gas exploration.

“Now that the call has been made with suggestions coming from the floor this afternoon, it is something that Government can take up, review and once it is feasible and workable, we have no difficulty having those measures implemented,” Minister Ferguson told the Guyana Chronicle.

Aircraft and crew have gone missing without a trace in the past, and the minister emphasised that ‘search and rescue’ is a major priority for aviators here.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has been working assiduously to comprehensively and adequately address this matter.

With an oil-and-gas industry on the horizon, aviation is expected to have a

massive boost. Companies have already started expressing interest in facilitating increase in air transport services within Guyana’s hinterland.

“Companies have started to engage [Government] where large helicopter companies want to come in and do business since oil and gas is something coming on stream. So what we have to do is get ourselves ready… ensure that those measures are put in place to avoid any relapses of what we had before,” the minister said.

Gouveia reiterated the long unanswered call for national search-and-rescue capacity and disclosed that he had been echoing such

that we always respond almost continuously to these things, instead of having a system set up like the Fire Service. You may not use it, you wish you don’t have to use it, but it must be there,” Gouveia advised.

He said for years professionals within the aviation sector had presented ideas to stakeholders to establish and equip a separate body of professionals to conduct the life-saving missions.

“Search and rescue remains a very serious concern of the private sector and minister after minister after minister, in the last 25 years, we have been pleading, ‘please take search and rescue serious’…. The sector has been advocating for a

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson

calls for the past 25 years.

SERIOUS CONCERN “Search and rescue remains a very serious concern of the local aviation industry.

It’s unfortunate… since we were young men in the army

long time that maybe what we could do is set up the search-and-rescue system in the organisation of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), because they already have equipment and machines and all they have

NATA Vice-President, Captain Gerry Gouveia

to have is a department in there to deal with the maritime search and rescue and aviation search and rescue.

But they have the emergency response systems already.”

Recalling his own experience years ago, Gouveia indicated that there is much fear when someone is involved in an aviation mishap in the jungle.

“I remember the night when I lay on the jungle floor after my own accident and worried about whether I would be found. Luckily at the time I had my own helicopter and the next day Major Sandiford came to rescue me. But we did not have, even back then 23-years ago, a search-and-rescue system that could instill the confidence.”

CONFIDENCE In tourism, mining, forestry or whatever the sector, he said people must be confident when they fly in

Inquest ordered into Tuschen fatal accident

THE Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has ordered an inquest into the death of four-year-old Ramkarran Mohan who was struck down on the Tuschen Housing Scheme Main Road, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

The police submitted the file at the DPP’s Chambers on March 27 for legal advice.

Reports indicate that the advice was given, because of the conflicting evidence that was submitted.

On March 14, at approximately 11: 30hrs, Ram and his seven-year-old brother, Komal, were being accompanied by their uncle, Michael Plass, to

a shop obliquely opposite their Lot 1088, Tuschen residence, to purchase a ball to play cricket when he was struck by a silver-coloured Toyota Premio bearing the number plate PVV 5084.

The car was being driven by a woman identified as Grace Alves, from the same area.

According to Ram’s grandmother, Bibi Khan, they were waiting to cross the road and the boy was holding onto his uncle’s hand when the car turned from the corner and “hooked” him out of the uncle’s hand, dragging him several feet

Dead: Ramkaran Mohan

away before coming to a halt.

The toddler was rushed to the Leonora Diagnostic Centre and was subsequently transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he succumbed a few hours later.

When contacted Thursday, Khan said: “I would like the relevant authorities to do a better investigation because we want justice, the lady that drive the vehicle has been behaving pompous and presumptuous, picking trouble with our family since there was [sic] no charges laid against her, bragging that her father is a senior police.”

the hinterland that a searchand-rescue system is there.

NATA President Arjoon-Martins said building search-and-rescue capacity is vital, not only for aviators and their families, but tourism and other sectors as well.

“We need to have very strong search-and-rescue capacity, because that’s a big part of our tourism industry right now…. I am begging you to let us this year break that 25-year log-jam that Gerry spoke about, where over the past 25 years we reiterated and it got nowhere,” Arjune-Martins pleaded.

Meanwhile, Guyana

Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Director-General, Colonel Egbert Fields, said the organisation is currently making preparations for activating an active search-andrescue unit, and has already selected individuals who are currently being trained in search and rescue.

He said Guyana will have an active professional body within the next six months to address such.

“For this year, I have identified a couple of individuals who have embarked on training… strictly overseas training, to prepare them for the search and rescue... also, to instruct and administer the necessary instructions in search and rescue... to prepare them to deal with search and rescue and the elements in the near future,” Colonel Fields said.

He added: “Within the next six months, we should be able to have search and rescue. I wouldn’t say we would have all the elements, like helicopters and these things in place, but in terms of the personnel and individuals knowing what to do during the time of need, we should have those in place.”

‘Operation Assurance 11’ today THE Guyana Police Force said ranks will be involved in several exercises under “Operation Assurance 11” on Friday, April 21, between 0800hrs- 1800hrs.

A release from the force noted that the exercises will be conducted on the East Coast, West Coast and East Bank of Demerara.

There will be movements of police personnel and pyrotechnics will be used, which will result in periodical, loud explosions.

Members of the public are asked not to be alarmed during the period of the operations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

‘Time to branch out’ --Local MUA to launch cosmetic line tomorrow IN the business world, one of the keys to staying competitive is to ensure that your brand is ever evolving, especially in a saturated market. Business owners must constantly seek new niches in order to attract new customers and to retain existing ones.

Guyana’s budding makeup industry has become one of those saturated markets, but makeup artists are quickly catching on to the new trend of evolving their businesses to stay competitive through the introduction of locally-branded makeup products.

Image Cosmetics’ custom-made mink eyelashes

Makeup artists (MUAs) like Tenisha Garnett-Billington and Renee Chester were among the first to launch their pressed glitter palettes, and now, makeup artist Janica Sandy has taken it a step further with the official launch of her “Image Cosmetics” line tomorrow at her Ultimate Image Studio in Gordon Street, Kitty at noon.

As the first phase of its launch, “Image Cosmetics” will, for now, just feature a collection of luxury mink eye lashes and eight-piece makeup brush sets.

“The mink lashes can be worn up to 30 times, are lightweight, and comfortable to wear because of the soft light fibres,” Janica said.

“The brush set comes with a makeup bag, and the brushes provide impeccable application for any makeup user,” she told The Buzz Thursday.

YEARS IN THE MAKING The MUA said that

though she’s only jus t launched, the idea for her own line of makeup was years in the making. “The thought of launching my own brand came after I was unable to source basic necessities of a certain quality to apply makeup and enhance my work,” she said.

“So these products are among some of the best quality of tools any makeup artist would need.”

But her work won’t stop there, as plans to expand the brand to offer a wider range of cosmetic tools are in the making. “I will continue to aim for the sky with continuous support and encouragement since my ultimate goal is to become an internationally renowned celebrity makeup artist,” she said.

Janica agrees that with the saturated makeup industry, makeup artists must branch out into different areas in order to attract new clients. “There are lots of things that we can do to diversify,” she said. “I think makeup artists should come

Janica Sandy’s very own eight-piece brush set under the brand, Image Cosmetics

up with different ways to advertise, and to get their name out there. Branding is also very important, so that people can identify with who you are.”

She is encouraging makeup artists to become more creative by looking into how they can launch their own products to show their originality.

“Customers are likely to pay attention to products

that have a brand they can identify with, and can also look to support local makeup artists who have established themselves. But most importantly your product has to be of quality,” she said.

Image Cosmetics products are available only at Janica’s Studio, but the MUA hopes to have the product distributed to local outlets in other parts of the country.

Feed the Flames to launch debut album in T&T LOCAL Heavy Metal band, Feed The Flames (FTF), is currently in Trinidad to perform at the Skyy Rock Festival, scheduled for tomorrow and Sunday night.

This is the second time the band will be taking their Guyanese sound to the twin island for this event, having first performed there last year at a rock event called ‘Lynchpin vs. The World’.

The band was very well received, and was almost immediately booked for this year’s Skyy Rock Festival.

On the first night, FTF will be performing a set of original material while launching their debut studio album titled ‘Kyk-Over-Al’, the title being a tribute to the famous Dutch fort on the Mighty Essequibo River.

The album features six original compositions, as well as a special bonus track, a rock version of Guyana’s National Anthem.

On the second night, the band will be presenting some Creole Rock, where Gavin Mendonca’s ‘Creole Rock: The Beginning’ will be launched in that island.

The Band will also collaborate with Josi, a local artiste who hails from the town of Linden.

The band is excited to once again represent Guyana at this event, and for its double album launch. ‘Feed The Flames’ will be representing their own unique style of Guyanese Culture, in the form of Rock n’ Roll.

ANNUAL EVENT Skyy Rock is an annual rock festival held in San Fernando, Trini-

dad. This year’s edition is a three-day event which begins today.

The first day will take the form of a Music Industry Conference, allowing Rock musicians in the Caribbean region to gain a better understanding of the business of music, while learning how to reach an international audience.

Tomorrow and Sunday nights will see a total of 20 Caribbean Rock bands performing, 18 of which are from Trinidad. ‘Feed the Flames’ is therefore among the only two foreign bands, with the second group, ‘Aeons of Disorder’, hailing from French Guiana.

It is the largest Rock Festival in the Caribbean, and a forum that encourages and allows young people to invest in their passion, and live the dream of being ‘Rockstars’, right here in the Caribbean.

‘Feed The Flames’ recently hosted their own local rock concert, with local band ‘Rock United Musicians’, and ‘Revolt’ all the way from Suriname.

The show was a huge success and a huge step forward for the Guyanese Rock Scene, proving that FTF can offer an alternative source of live entertainment, with the energetic phenomenon that is Rock n’ Roll.

‘Feed The Flames’ has expressed gratitude to all the persons who have supported them over the past eight years since the band was launched, and their sponsors who helped them to produce the album and travel to Trinidad.

Those sponsors are: Chetson’s, Sankar’s Auto Works, Radio Rock n’ Roll, Howard’s Restaurant, Zoon, The Other Place, and Fraser’s Batter Service.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

Narcotics & our legal consciousness THE songs of ‘Swamp Dog’, ‘Buddy Miles’, and ‘Bobby Womack’ with reference to drug addiction didn’t reach my generation, except that we’d danced to Womack’s ‘Harry Hippie’, were confused by what was wrong with Swamp’s ‘Sam Stone’ and why that ‘banna’ took his girl down by the river and shot her.

We watched ‘Super Fly’ and thought that our brothers in America were crazy, and, in our innnocence, were convinced when we saw ‘Apocalypse Now’, which was too much to take in on realising that it was based on real events, that drugs had something to do with spiritual evil.

We lost our innocence in the 70s with ‘Brother Bob’ and the cult of marijuana.

Then emerged the Mother of all Curses, cocaine, with its consuming devastation and lure of quick wealth, which has irrevocably damaged the humanity of this country.

Needless to say, the leading horsemen of this curse are the politicians, lawyers, pilots, Joint Service Officers and some religious leaders.

The force of ‘Mama Coca’ tore down the façades of social decency and revealed the inner ugliness of human creatures we had mistakenly revered, summoning the healing cause for unrelenting social revolution with the seriousness of the current Philippines’ will to act, but not necessarily with the same force.

It is difficult to comprehend that we’d never before developed a legal and health-education framework to counter the proliferation of this new menace of mind-altering substances when the first evidence of how it could destroy humanity was made manifest in the mid-1980s.

President Desmond Hoyte had passed into law a three-year prison sentence for marijuana possession.

I’ve always considered that act premature and not quite well thought out. And Hoyte was a lawyer; but he was not too big to accept his human failing and admit that it was ‘NOT’ well considered, taking all into consideration. He admitted this in 1996, during a walkabout in Albouystown when I escorted him there and it was circumstantially believed that Corporal Beresford was high when he murdered young Jermaine Wilkinson.

I asked him the same question I have been asking ever since then: Where is the State information drive to counter the fiction about ‘herb heights’ and the contrived cult doctrine about the benefits of getting high?

The answer is none.

Though I have witnessed endless souls, many of them friends of mine, being lost from 1980 to 2017. These 37 years of silence and ad hoc response has opened the gates of hell for many families, but from some discussions I’ve had with a minister of the government and a top

legal mind with the means to act, some response of sorts is finally close around the corner.

THAT OTHER WORLD All the shattered human frames that are daily dismissed as ‘junkies’ are people who had lives. Many of us my not admit it, but we’ve all ridden our egos in the past and dared the forbidden, and survived. Humans all have different resistant capacities.

I can remember one profound lesson I had learnt.

Me and my friend, ‘Sparo’, took two popular ladies one evening for a few beers at ‘RENO’ on Sussex Street.

This was around the late 70s.

We were young men who knew ‘everything’! Banks DIH had come out with a supposed beverage named Bass Ale, and it became part of our seduction plan which was intended to passionately succeed.

I got up from the table after a few rounds and proceeded outside to a GEC lamppost on Sussex Street opposite ‘RENO’ to urinate.

And that was the last thing I remembered!

I awoke on a plank at the back of where I lived in West Ruimveldt. ‘Sparo’ fell asleep in RENO, and the two popular ladies, after dropping me home, came back, drank almost a dozen more ‘ales’, and got up and left ‘Sparo’, who lived on King Edward Street, out on the table. We later learnt

that as they walked out, they were killing themselves with laughter.

The foregoing autobiographical piece is to illustrate that people respond differently to addictive substances, whether alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana or crack cocaine.

I never got drunk again!

But it’s much more difficult to quit with cigarettes, marijuana and cocaine. If you ever permitted yourself, by forceful entry, to spend five minutes in a ‘drug yard’, you will afterwards ask yourself why such a place was ever allowed to exist.

And one of the answers, you will recognise, is that these places are not only a safe haven for drug addicts, but also a repository for tuberculosis, HIV-AIDS

transmission through the exchange of drug usage paraphernalia, and opportunistic sexual encounters; a veritable launching pad for addicts capable of break and enter, and a place of exchange for the hard-earned valuables from their host homes.

In that abyss, people grow old quickly, and suffer and die while the world looks on with their eyes ‘wide shut’. The problem also is that should the police arrest every addict, including those who drive up, shop and leave, where will they put them?

There aren’t enough Police Stations to keep them hard at work, painting for an entire month.

The idiotic reality is prevalent in our courts, who think that sentencing a drug addict to a long time in prison is

justice; or that sending a 22-year-old to a prison for selling ‘ganja’ without educating him about the THC effects in marijuana is holistic.

Through not doing the complete counter programme, which the past government had no interest in, the State has allowed the atmosphere for a dangerous hybrid called ‘HYDRO’ to now enter our vulnerable youth sphere.

Now we’re hearing about hemp [It’s really marijuana!] as a new agricultural possibility because of its 11th Century uses. That’s the argument, from an obvious conclusion that we’re too stupid to figure that out.

Yes; the surreal extends itself! Only the collective organic State can keep it real!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

It’s official!

--Ten in race for Miss India Guyana 2017 GUYANA officially got to see the face of the 10 young ladies that will be vying for the Miss India Guyana crown.

They were officially introduced to the public at their sashing ceremony held last Saturday at the Indian Monument.

The ultimate winner is now set to be determined come May 19, when the ceremony is held at the Mariott Hotel in Kingston, where the Grand Finale will be graced by the presence of international model and reigning Miss India Worldwide, Karina Kholi among other dignitaries.

Outfitted in matching RP Couture cocktail dresses, and looking flawless with their Renee Chester makeup, nine out of the 10 young ladies introduced themselves to Guyana last Saturday.

This year, the Miss India Guyana Organisation received a total 30 applications, and the delegates will be undergoing a two-month-long period of training and prejudging.

This programme will be

in stark contrast to last year’s situation, when franchise holder, Uma Bux received the franchise just two months before the pageant and had only weeks to prepare the three finalists, and ultimate winner.

It’s also an opportunity for the franchise to recuperate after the saga that saw last year’s queen, Britany Singh being eventually stripped of her title.

Eager not to see such a situation happening again,

MIGO will be putting this year’s batch through rigorous vetting.

THE SELECTION The initial 30 applicants had been cut in half after a month-long interview and due- diligence process; another stint of due diligence saw the number coming down to this final ten.

“The Miss India Guyana Organisation is not only looking to have a beauty ambassa-

dor on the international stage, but is also seeking to have a young leader and role model; a young woman who can be held in high esteem as a public figure; an all-rounder who can make Guyana proud and build a platform where young women like themselves can come together to fight the many societal ills plaguing our country today,” the organisation says in a press release.

Aside from the pre-judging, the top five delegates will be determined after going through the interview,

Guyana! Meet your Miss India Guyana 2017 delegates (Photo courtesy Epixx Media)

Sinach concert cancelled --due to travel document problems; now set for May 13 THE “Open Heaven: Worship Experience” concert that was expected to feature Nigerian singer Sinach last Tuesday night at the National Park, has now been pushed back to May 13.

This is after the “I Know Who I Am” singer had problems with

talent round, Indian wear, and evening gown segments.

After the top-five placement, the finalists will start afresh, whereby the question-and-answer segment will determine the winner.

The winner will then go on to represent Guyana at the Miss India Worldwide Pageant later in the year.

This year, the pageant is receiving overwhelming sponsorship from several corporate entities, and Bux took the opportunity last Saturday to thank them all for coming on

her “travelling documents”.

Organisers of the concert were left scrambling up to late Monday, trying to get the word out that the concert was being cancelled, and that full refunds were being done at ticket outlets.

“It was the worst thing that could have happened to the pa-

trons and local artistes who put off their busy schedules and were rehearsing all the time,” said Deacon Richard Hoyte, a director of concert organisers, Serenity Holdings.

The concert was also set to feature several top local artistes, including the psalmist, Samuel

Medas; Mariam Williams; Cheryl Maloney and Sean Sobers, and was being widely promoted.

On her “Sinach: Live” tour, the gospel performer was expected to headline a show in the Netherlands on April 15, before hitting Suriname on April 17, and then Guyana on April 18.

However, the Suriname and Guyana shows never came off, after the issue with travel documents saw the “Waymaker” singer missing all her connecting flights over the weekend.

Sinach was seen apologising in a video being widely circulated on social media.

“Hello Suriname and Guyana! This is Sinach,” she began.

“I am so sorry that I will not be with you at the worship concert; this is due to some problems and challenges with travelling documents, but we are resolving it and we are planning with organisers to come on a later date; on May 12 for Suriname, and May 13 for Guyana.

“So I’m looking forward to seeing all of you. God bless you!”

Sinach said in a Facebook video.

Hoyte noted that while all previously purchased tickets are still valid for the new date, full refunds are still being offered to anyone who wants that option.

board.

“We would like to acknowledge and extend a heartfelt thank you to our Gold Sponsors, Baitali Group of Suriname; Birkenstock Guyana; our partners, Give Foundation Guyana; the Indian Commemoration Trust; Ian Defreitas Productions; Epixx Media; Magic Touch Décor; Cloud9 Inc; Genesis Fitness; Sureida Nagredi; Anita Singh of Jewellery Plaza; and Marissa Jetto of The Market Place,” Bux said.

The full list of delegates is: Delegate 1: Cynthia Dookie Delegate 2: Sangeeta Bahadur Delegate 3: Alecia Jiwanram Delegate 4: Shoshanna Ramdeen Delegate 5: Divya Singh Delegate 6: Karishma Makwana Delegate 7: Samantha Chunilall Delegate 8: Rajnie Shiwpal Delegate 9: Sarah Rajkaran, and Delegate 10: Ash Ramnauth

WIST brings the Resurrection to life --for picnickers at the National Park IN observance of Easter in Guyana, the Worship In Spirit and Truth (WIST) Ministries International hosted their third annual Easter production at the National Park on Monday.

While families picnicked and flew their kites, the WIST dancers treated them to colourful and well-coordinated musical and dance renditions.

It’s now three years since the WIST has been preforming in the Park on Easter Monday, coordinator Cathy Telford told the Guyana Chronicle.

The production is based upon Jesus’s resurrection after being put to death, she said.

It’s an event that Christians the world over celebrate on Easter Sunday, two days after Good

Friday, the day of His crucifixion.

WIST Ministries International was started in September 2002 as a Christian dance school, and was inspired by a passage from the Bible, John 4:24, which says: “God is a Spirit, and they that Worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth”.

Today, WIST consists of a dance school with students ranging in age from four to over 35; a dance company of 15 members; and several partnering singers, poets, actors and musicians.

The group is made up of persons of various Christian denominations and locations across the East Coast, East Bank, West Bank, the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, and West Demerara.

WIST Ministries International dancers (Photo by Delano Williams)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

In-Time Party at Constabulary Hall; L&L Anniversary Party at L&L Restaurant and Bar.

The Inner Wheel Club of Georgetown’s Annual Hat Show and Garden Party is on for the 30th year at the Promenade Gardens! The popular hat competition is the main attraction, but this year, the rules have been changed to include just two categories: ‘Elegant’ and ‘Topical/Comical’. And, creativity is a must!

Cost: $500 for general entry; $2,000 for entry plus afternoon tea!

New Level Entertainment and Jumo present their “EASTER RAVE: The Bikini Edition” at the Tower Poolside!

Featuring a live performance by “SALTY” straight out of Trinidad! Music by Fusion Sound System and Seen Up.

The Guyana Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation is hosting its annual Novices Championship at the Theatre Guild.

Come out and witness the nation’s budding athletes in the world of competitive bodybuilding. It’s sure to be a treat!

Tickets: $1500.

LOOKS like it’s going to be another not-so- busy weekend, but that’s just at the Georgetown end, ‘cause, if you’re headed up Linden for the kick-off of the Linden Town Week, then things are looking a little brighter!

Of course, that doesn’t exactly mean that there’s nothing going on in Georgetown for you to get out and get your freak on this weekend. Options may be limited, but there’re still lots to do!

The Tower Poolside after-work lime is taking your taste buds to Jamaica again, while just up the road, on the same Main Street, 94.1 BOOM DJ Shizzle wants to celebrate his birthday and party with you.

Tomorrow, it’s back to the Tower Poolside, where Jumo and crew are still celebrating the Easter vibe with a rave party, and bikinis are welcome.

But if you prefer a good boat ride, then there’s an all-white boat cruise on Sunday that might be just right for you!

TODAY

DJ Shizzle’s birthnight party, “Far From Finished”, is going down at the Palm Court tonight! Entertainment by the BOOM DJs! Ladies free before 21.30hrs! And lots of giveaways all night! Admission: $2000

Eat, Drink and Lime this Friday, JAMAICAN STYLE! The Jamaican Afterwork Lime is back at the Tower Suites Poolside! Come out and relax after your week at work! The lime starts at 17:00hrs, so C & B there early to secure your seats! The menu includes quite the list of Jamaican cuisine!

TOMORROW

Linden Town Week: Freestyle Dance Competition at Amelia’s Ward Bus Park; Back-

SUNDAY

Linden Town Week: Linden Town Beach Jam at Bucktown Creek; Guinness In the Street at Amelia’s Ward Bus Park; Annual All White Affair at Major’s Residence in Amelia’s Ward.

Guyana’s hottest Boat Cruise, featuring the most hype Djs and bands from Guyana, the Caribbean and the USA, is back as Artistes in Direct Support present, “Yankee All White”.

If you’re set to tune in to the El Clasico: Barcelona vs Real Madrid match, you can do so at the 704 Sports Bar! Admission: Free.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

No letting up, says Crandon … Uncapped Adams included in 13-man squad

By Rajiv Bisnauth GUYANA Jaguars head coach Esaun Crandon, after the crowning of the Regional four-day champions for a third straight year on Monday, says there is no room for complacency heading into today’s start in the final round of West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-day game against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The Jaguars crushed the Windward Islands Volcanoes by an innings and 122 runs in the ninth round and moved to an unassailable 131.4 points.

Speaking with Chronicle Sport yesterday, Crandon indicated that the hosts will play tough cricket, with the aim to end the season on a winning note.

“Definitely there is no room for complacency. We will come hard at them (Windward Islands Volcanoes); we will play tough cricket as usual, with the aim to end the season on a winning note,” Crandon pointed out.

He added, “We will be looking again to exploit the home conditions to our ad-

Esaun Crandon

Anthony Adams

vantage, something we have done really well in the past.

Having said that, it’s another opportunity for a couple of guys.”

Left-arm orthodox spinner Anthony Adams earned his maiden First Class call-up, while pacer Keon Joseph and all-rounder Raymon Reifer returned to the squad after representing the West Indies Cricket Board’s President’s XI against the touring Pakistan team in a three-day match in Jamaica.

Omitted from the last match against the Windward Islands Volcanoes which the Jaguars won inside three days are: Sherfane Rutherford, Clinton Pestano

and Romario Shepherd.

The Guyana Jaguars squad reads: Assad Fudadin, Rajendra Chandrika, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Leon Johnson, Bhaskar Yadram, Keemo Paul, Anthony Bramble, Raymon Reifer, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Keon Joseph, Steven Jacobs and Anthony Adams.

Leeward Islands Hurricanes squad reads: Montcin Hodge (captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Elvin Berridge, Jason Campbell, Kacey Carty, Jaeel Clarke, Chesney Hughes, Jeremiah Louis, Jermaine Otto, Sherwyn Peters, Akeem Saunders, Jacques Taylor and Gavin Tonge.

Radford hails start of new era (CMC) – Batting coach Roby Radford expects the influx of young players in the West Indies squad to compensate for the loss of experienced players like Marlon Samuels and Darren Bravo, in the threeTest series against Pakistan starting here today.

Both Samuels and Bravo, with 120 Tests between them, were both ignored by selectors in the 13-man squad announced earlier this week for the opening Test at Sabina Park, with the uncapped Guyanese pair of Vishal Singh and Shimron Hetmyer preferred instead.

And along with rookies like Roston Chase and Shai Hope – neither of whom has played 10 Tests – Radford believes West Indies could be seeing the emergence of a new era of batsmen.

“Marlon’s been a great servant to West Indies cricket and has played some wonderful innings over the years so we do lose a bit of experience

there but I’d like to think this is a dynamic group of young players with lots of talent and probably the start of a new age in West Indies cricket,” Radford said here.

“I’d like these boys to come in and play the way they play, not fear anything and play the way they would in any other team and not feel the occasion.

Just come out, do what they do and show everyone the talent that they’ve got.”

Vishal, 28, is an obdurate left-hander who has been rewarded for his heavy scoring in last year’s first-class championship and relative success with West Indies A. He also struck an unbeaten 135 for the WICB President’s XI in last weekend’s three-day tour match against the Pakistanis.

The 20-year-old Hetmyer, meanwhile, has been fasttracked into the Test side, following a first-class season where he gathered nearly 500 runs. His 97 in the recent tour match also helped his cause.

Radford said he liked the sensible yet no-nonsense approach brought by former Youth World Cup captain Hetmyer.

“The first time I saw him was up at Trelawny this week and it was a fantastic innings.

He deserved a hundred,” the Englishman noted.

“He ended up two or three runs short but it was a superb knock. He looks very organised. (He’s a) powerful batsman but correct, strikes the ball very cleanly but he’s not a hitter – he’s a proper batsman.

“If balls were there to defend, he defended them but the minute the bowler was loose it (ball) went a long way.”

Radford said both players seemed ready to handle Test quality bowling.

“I was really impressed by the way (Hetmyer) and Vishal Singh played. They were very mature innings and both players looked equipped to play the bowling of that calibre.”

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF)

Extra Time

STAG ELITE LEAGUE: GOAL SCORERS FROM ALL PARTICIPATING CLUBS

The Stag Elite League (Season 2) is almost half way through the second half. To date, 70 goals have been scored for the 2016/17 season with Sherwyn Ceasar from the GDF FC being the lead goal scorer with six (6) goals.

lars ($2,000,000.00) 4TH PRIZE – One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) The overall league Champion and Runner-up Clubs will be awarded automatic qualifying spots at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Championships.

Goal scorers of GDF FC goals are Jeffrey Pereira (GDF FC), Kwamie La Fleur (Fruta Conquerors FC), Dillon Wright and Denvor Dennis (Buxton United FC) and Terrence Aaron (Top XX FC) respectively.

Six players have two goals and 19 players have one scored a goal each

Jermine Junor This is followed by Delroy Fraser (GDF FC) and Eon Alleyne (Fruta Conquerors FC) with five goals each; Olvis Mitchell (GDF FC) and Jermine Junor (Fruta Conquerors FC) have four goals each.

Among those with three

Matches continue this Sunday at Buxton Community Centre Ground with Monedderlust FC vs Fruta Conquerors FC at 16:00hrs and Buxton United FC vs Victoria Kings FC at 18:30hrs.

The Stag Elite League is the senior league of the Guyana Football Federa-

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:

• STAG ELITE LEAGUE (Season 2) DATE: Sunday, April 23, 2017 VENUE: Buxton Community Centre Ground ADMISSION: $500.00 GAME #1: Monedderlust FC vs Fruta Conquerors FC at 16:00hrs GAME #2: Buxton United FC vs Victoria Kings FC at 18:30hrs Lucky patrons will win prizes compliments of Church’s Chicken, Jialing, Impressions, GFF and Ansa Mc Al ¤ Start of the GFF-Pele Alumuni Frank Watson Intra-Association National U-15 Tournament – May, 2017 ¤ Restart of GFF-NAMILCO ThunderBolt Flour Power National U-17 Tournament – May, 2017 ¤ National teams encampment

Goal scorer from TopXX FC

NEXT EDITION: Friday, 28th April, 2017

Kwamie La Fleur & Eon Alleyne of Fruta Conquerors FC tion (GFF) and seeks to, among others, provide a space for consistent and competitive engagement of footballers while facilitating disciplined players of a high technical and tactical ability, to be identified and or selected for national duties.

AMONG THE PRIZES OF THE SEASON ARE: 1ST PRIZE – Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00) 2ND PRIZE – Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00) 3RD PRIZE – Two Million Dol-

Goal scorer from Victoria King FC

PELE ALUMNI PRESENTS GEARS TO GFF Representatives of Pele Alumni handed over gears for the commencement of the GFF-Pele Alumni Frank Watson Intra-Association National U-15 Tournament scheduled to commence shortly.

The presentation was made on Thursday, 20th March to Wayne Forde, President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

The GFF signed a fiveyear agreement with the Pele Alumni to execute the programme which will benefit both boys and girls across Guyana. More details to follow

President Wayne Forde receives gears from Pele Alumni FC representative in the presence of GFF officials.

PRODUCED BY THE GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF) AND DESIGNED BY THE GUYANA CHRONICLE

For further Information or should you have questions/comments , please contact: General Secretary Guyana Football Federation (GFF) 17 Dadanawa Street, Section “K” Campbelville, Georgetown TEL: +1 592 227 8758 ext. 102 FAX: +1 592 225 2096

e-mail: gff@networksgy.com WEBSITE: www.gffonline.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/GuyanaFootballFederationInc INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/guyana_football_federation_inc/ SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/guyana-football-federation-inc LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/guyana-football-federation-inc TWITTER: @GFF_Inc_

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

Captains prepare for historic 50th Test at Sabina Park CAPTAINS Jason Holder of West Indies and Misbah ul-Haq of Pakistan have described it as an honour to lead their teams in the opening Test match of Brighto Paints presents Q Mobile Cup Test Series. The April 21-25 match marks two special occasions – the 50th Test at the Sabina Park and also the 50th Test between West Indies and Pakistan.

“This is a huge honour

to lead the West Indies team again in Test cricket, and it is made even more special because of this great occasion. West Indies and Pakistan have a rich history going back close to 60 years, so as a team we are mindful that we have to carry on the legacy established by those great men who paved the way,” Holder said.

“It is also significant that we will be part of the celebrations to mark the

50th Test at Sabina Park – a splendid occasion at one of the iconic venues in world cricket. To host 50 Test matches is something to be very proud of and as a team we want to do something memorable to commemorate the moment for the people of Jamaica and the entire Caribbean.”

Misbah said: “It is a great honour and privilege for me to lead Pakistan team in the 50th Test match

between our two sides. I would like to congratulate West Indies Cricket Board, the team and the local people on this auspicious occasion.

“West Indies has produced some great players over the years and it is always heartening to see both teams go against each other on the field. I once again congratulate the host country on this occasion and look forward to a great Test

series ahead.”

West Indies and Pakistan played their first Test match back in January, 1958, when the visitors toured the Caribbean for the first time.

The first series featured two historic innings – the first being Hanif Mohammad’s 337 in the second innings of the first Test in Barbados.

A month later, a young Garfield Sobers made his first Test century – 365 not out in the third Test at

Sabina Park – which set a new record for the highest score in Test cricket. This remains the highest score ever at Sabina Park.

The first Test at Sabina Park was between West Indies and England in 1930, when Karl Nunes led the home side. In that match George Headley made 223 in the second innings and the home side earned a draw.

(WICB Media Release)

Barbados respectively. At the World Junior Championships held in Chile in 2000, Mason won the silver medal in the high jump and in 2002, the bronze medal, before his home crowd in Kingston.

He won the high jump

title at the Pan American Championships in 2003.

He was a member of the MVP Track Club in Jamaica, alongside fellow Olympians Asafa Powell, Michael Frater and Brigitte Foster Hylton but left the club in 2005. He even-

tually changed allegiances in 2006, representing Great Britain at the behest of his mother.

At the time of his death, Mason operated a micro-financing business in Kingston.

(Digicel Sportsmax)

Jamaican-born high jumper dies in crash JAMAICAN-born British high jumper Germaine Mason has reportedly died in a motor vehicle accident along the Palisadoes Road in Kingston this morning.

He was 34.

Mason, who won a silver medal in the high jump for Great Britain at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, was a close friend of eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt. He holds the Jamaican high jump national record of 2.34m.

Mason was born in Jamaica on January 20, 1983, and attended the Wolmer’s

Germaine Mason Boys School. While repre- Games in 2000 and again senting Jamaica, he won in 2002, in San Juan, Puergold at the Junior Pan Am to Rico and Bridgetown,

Mumbai top order destroys Kings XI in highest successful chase IN THE best batting conditions of the IPL, Mumbai Indians coasted to their highest successful IPL chase to reclaim their spot atop the points table.

A target of 199 should have been more daunting but such was their dominance that by the 15th over of the innings, the required rate was 1.6.

All of that meant Hashim Amla’s maiden T20 hundred, 60-ball 104 stocked with elegance and grace, was in vain. It was also the highest successful chase this season.

Jos Buttler and Nitish Rana struck authoritative fifties in Mumbai’s chase after Parthiv Patel’s 18-ball 37. Buttler found form with a brutish display of power hitting, hammering seven

fours and five sixes.

Rana saw no need to keep the ball along the ground, striking seven sixes in his unbeaten 62, taking his top spot back at the top of this season’s run-making charts.

Occasionally, T20s are stripped of some of the simple joys of cricket, such as timing or technically-equipped batsmen building an innings. Kings XI have not lacked either.

Manan Vohra’s replacement, Shaun Marsh, and Amla are arguably the most pleasant opening pair in this IPL. They immediately showed why.

M a r s h ’s d e l e c t a b l e cuts, drives and pulls were matched by Amla’s beautiful wrists and timing. They raced to 46 before Marsh

played his worst stroke - a flick he tried to muscle, instead of relying on his timing.

Wriddhiman Saha had laboured to 11 off 14 balls, struggling for fluency. Although his strike rate was lofty, Amla was set on anchoring the innings. Kings XI’s run rate was approaching seven.

With plenty of batting resources to come and the chance of a middle-overs collapse relatively low, Saha decided to attack. It didn’t come off - he was bowled off Krunal Pandya, but he allowed more able hitters to use a strong platform.

Glenn Maxwell did, thwacking an 18-ball 40, making full use of the second half of the innings.

(ESPNCricinfo)

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

Women’s Regional Super50 tournament ... Guyana lose opener by five wickets

G U YA N A s u f f e re d a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Windward Islands in their round one clash in the Women’s Regional Super50 tournament yesterday in St Vincent.

A disciplined bowling effort from the islanders reduced the Guyanese to 131-9 off their allotted 50 overs after they were asked to bat first.

Opener June Ogle put together a fighting 37 from

132 balls, while Shemaine Campbelle (26) and Katana Mentore (16) were the other two batters, who reached double figures.

Akeira Peters was the pick of the bowlers, with 3-23 off eight overs, while

Afy Fletcher (2-18), Swayline William (2-32), Qiana Joseph (1-15) and Holly Charles (1-11), were the other successful bowlers.

In reply, Cordel Jack made a composed 41 off 61 balls, while Fletcher

added 24 to the winning total. Erva Giddings and Kaysia Shultz picked up two wickets apiece for the Guyanese.

Meanwhile, in other first-round games: Barbados whipped defending

champions Trinidad and Tobago by six wickets, while the match between Jamaica and Leeward Islands was abandoned without a ball bowled due to a water-logged outfield.

Blairmont Cup Floodlight Reload set for April 30

THE Blairmont Cricket Club will be hosting its annual fund-raiser, the Blairmont Cup Floodlight Reload, on April 30 at the Blairmont Estate ground.

This is the third consecutive year that the competition would be held.

Ten top teams will be competing in the main event - the 10/10 cricket competition. The teams likely to participate are: Blairmont Cricket Club Blazers,

D’Edward Super Kings, Cotton Tree Die Hard, Albion Sports Club, Rose Hall Youth and Sports Club, Cold Fusion, Young and the Restless, Bush Lot, Enterprise and Young Warriors.

In 2016, Blairmont Cricket Club’s West Side Titans were the winners and Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club were runners-up. In 2015, Cotton Tree Die Hard emerged champions, while Blair-

mont Cricket Club came in as runners-up.

“The tournament will have nine exciting matches, while there will also will be an Over-40 exhibition game. There will be live commentary by international commentator, Inderjeet Persaud, while tassa drumming and air horn giveaway will make the atmosphere buzz,” the organisers said in a release.

There will also be a

dominoes competition involving 15 teams, starting at 12:30hrs, and a three-a-side volleyball tournament, geared at encouraging individuals to participate in physical activity.

Other attractions on the day will include barbecue sale, tassa drumming, bouncy castle, ice cream giveaway and cartoon characters walking around.

Inderjeet Persaud

National U-15 squad for encampment period WITH the GCB/Igloo Icecream Under-17 Inter-County tournament set to bowl off on Tuesday, the local governing body for the sport has invited the national Under-15 20-man squad for an encampment period, commencing tomorrow.

The players shortlisted are asked to be at the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence (GCB) Hostel in La Bonne Intention from 16:00hrs, with

their original birth certificate or a valid passport.

The squad will participate in the Under-17 Inter-County tournament, which will be used as part of their preparation for the upcoming WICB Regional Under-15 tournament, billed for July 24 to August 3 in Barbados.

The national Under-15 20-man squad reads: Shoaib Shaw, Ricardo Ramdeholl,

Daniel Dharamdat, Marvan Prashad, Sheldon Charles, Andre Seepersaud, Saif Omai, Mark Ramanand, Akash Heerlall, Gaurav Ramesh, Shamar Yearwood, Romel Retemiah, Devendra Kamraj, Trevor Charles, Anthony Williams, Movindra Dindyal, Chanderpaul Ramjat, Abdul Ramsammy, Ranaldo Monamed and Daniel Mootoo.

Gayle similar to Lloyd - Durani FORMER India all-rounder Salim Durani has compared the six-hitting exploits of record-setting Chris Gayle with another legendary West Indian left-hander Clive Lloyd.

The big-hitting Gayle became the first player in history to score over 10 000 runs in T20 cricket earlier this week after a 77-run 38-ball innings for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier English Racing Tips Newbury 09:00 hrs Qaaraat 09:30 hrs Rainbow Dreamer 10:05 hrs Shutter Speed 10:40 hrs Mori 11:10 hrs Chessman 11:40 hrs Double Up 12;10 hrs Superioritycomplex 12:40 hrs Tirania Ayr 09:10 hrs Burbank 09:40 hrs G’Day Aussie 10;15 hrs Rockportian 10:50 hrs Warriors Tale 11:20 hrs Nomoreblackjack 11:50 hrs Rons Dream 12:25 hrs Silent Steps

League (IPL). In typical Gayle fashion the knock included seven big sixes, which took his total in the format to 743, 248 more than second-place Kieron Pollard.

Durani, now 82 years old, was known as a big-hitter himself during the 60s and 70s and believes Gayle has a similar style to former World Cup-winning West Indies captain Lloyd.

“Gayle is the hardest hit-

ter of the ball in modern-day cricket. I knew another West Indian, too, who used to hit the ball very hard back in my time - Clive Lloyd. Then, I enjoyed watching Lloyd, now, I enjoy watching Gayle,” said Durani.

Lloyd, a player of similar stature, was also known for clearing the boundary after hitting 70 sixes in his career, the 14th highest of any player. (Digicel Sportsmax)

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27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 21, 2017

National Sports Awardees to be named tonight TONIGHT at the Pegasus Hotel the nation’s top sports men and women, along with sports personalities and journalists, will be honoured for their outstanding work in 2016, when the National Sports Commission (NSC) hosts its National Sports Awards.

There will be a total of 21 categories of awards on the night. Below are the categories and nominees.

Senior Sportswoman: Shemaine Campbelle, Brenessa Thompson, Chelsea Edghill and Ashley Khalil.

Senior Sportsman: Kerwin Clarke, Selvon Bruce Whatley, Emmerson Campbell, Devon Davis, Caerus Cipriani, Yannick Grimes, Troy Doris, Matthew Vie-

ira, Kevin Douglas, Jason Barker, Anthony Downes, Narayan Ramdhani, Kristian Jeffrey and Shimron Hetmyer.

Most Improved Association: Guyana Sports Shooting Federation, Athletics Association of Guyana, GABA, Guyana Tennis Association, Basketball Federation, Guyana Darts Association, Guyana Table Tennis Association, Junior B/Ball and GBF. Sport Association: Guyana Cricket Board, Guyana Sports Shooting Federation, Guyana Table Tennis Association, Guyana Rugby Football Union, Guyana Darts Association, Guyana Squash Association, Guyana Amateur Swimming Association and Youth

Football.

Female Sport Personality: Noshavyah King, Vidushi Persaud- McKinnon, Dr Karen Pilgrim, Grace McCalman, Lavern Fraser Thomas, Leona Kyte, Ajuli Beharry-Strand.

Male Sport Personality: Kevon Bess, Peter Green, Gokarn Ramdhani, Steve Ninvalle, Ramesh Sunich, Hugh Ross.

Male Coach: Rayon Griffith, Nicholas Hing, Johnny Gravesande, Linden Johnson, Leyland Leacock, Sebert Blake, Kenneth Grant, Carl Ince, Lugard Mohan.

Female Coach: Yolanda Persaud, Tiffany Solomon, Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan, Ann Gordon.

Male Sport Official:

Ry a n M c K i n n o n , G o d frey Munroe, Nigel Hinds, Gokarn Ramdhani.

Female Sport Official: Savitri Persaud, Leona Kyte, Vidushi Persaud- McKinnon, Faye Joseph, Petal Adams.

Junior Sportswoman: Plaffiana Millington, Chantoba Bright, Priyanna Ramdhani, Nevaeh Clarkson, Amy Grant, Larissa Wiltshire, Josha Buchanan.

Junior Sportsman: Bhaskar Yadram, Kaysan Ninvalle, Daniel Wlliams, Matthew Vieira, Narayan Ramdhani, Hemraj Rasaul, Shomari Wiltshire, Jonathon Mangra.

Sportsman (Pwds): Walter Grant-Stuart, Ulric Branche, Kevin Douglas, Calvin Thomas.

Sport Journalist (Print): Rawle Welch, Emmerson Campbell, Claude David, Tamica Garnett, Delvon McEwan, Michael Benjamin, Sean Devers, Duncan Saul.

Sport Journalist (NonPrint): Avenash Ramzan, Edwin Seeraj, Travis Hopkinson, Eric Collymore, Treiston Joseph.

Sport Journalist (Online): Avenash Ramzan, Treiston Joseph, Orin Davidson, Rawle Toney, Esan Griffith.

Sport Photographer: Orlando Charles, Delano Williams, Esan Griffith, Sean Devers.

Sport Team: Guyana Jaguars, Rugby Sevens, Guyana Badminton, GABA, GBA Caribbean Champion-

ship, GRFU Male National Team, GRFU, Under-16 B/ Ball Boys.

Corporate Sponsor (Large): Scotiabank, NEW GPC Inc., Digicel, Banks DIH Limited, Continental Group of Companies, GBTI, Bounty Farm, P&P Insurance, Demerara Distillers Limited, Beharry Group of Companies, Ansa McAl Trading, John Fernandes Limited.

Corporate Sponsor (Small): Hand-in-Hand, Fitness Express, El Dorado Trading, Sterling Products Limited, Bounty Farm, Trophy Stall, Trustee Pawn Shop, P&P Insurance, Banks DIH Limited, E-Networks, STL Electrical Agency, Star Party Rentals.

‘Green Machine’ begin RAN 15s title defence against Barbados

G U YA N A , t h e R u g b y Americas North (RAN) 15s South Zone champions, will begin their title defence quest against Barbados on Saturday May 13, at the Garrison Field.

After their clash against the men from the Land of the Flying Fish, the ‘Green Machine’ will return home for their encounter against arch nemesis Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday, June 10 at the National Park.

The last time Guyana faced Barbados the Guyanese ruggers walked away 39-5 winners and had beaten Trin-

idad 23-18 to win the South Zone title.

According to a release from the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), players will be put through their drills by the Union coaching personnel comprising head coach Kenneth Grant-Stuart, assistant coach Alton Agard, Strength and Conditioning coaches Theodore Henry and Phillip Barrington.

Guyana Men are the current runners-up to Mexico in the Regional RAN 15s Championships as well as Current RAN 7s Caribbean Champion.

Several newcomers in CMRA team to Jamaica SEVERAL newcomers have indicated their interest to represent team Guyana for the first leg of the Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Association (CMRA) 2017 championship, billed for Jamwest Jamaica.

Group two drivers Daniel Deokie, Azad Hassan and Nasrudeen Mohammed are some of the new faces expected to take the Caribbean by storm when the first leg gets going May 18-21.

They are expected to provide a stiff challenge against their Trinidadian counterparts as well as defending champion, Barbadian Mark Thompson.

The hosts, on the other hand, will depend on Sebastian Rae to defend home turf.

On the Group three front, Danny Persaud is expected to lead the charge of the Guyanese, with one of the stronger showings in recent year expected this time around.

He will be supported by Nazim Gafoor, Rameez Mohammed and Motilall Deodass. Dowalu Harper is the lone newcomer in this division.

Persaud, Mohammed and Gafoor are also expected in Group four division to take on the likes of Peter ‘Zoom Zoom’ Rae among others.

On the Superstock front, Stephen Vieira leads the charge with Kevin Persaud expected to make the journey as well, while team Mohammed’s Enterprise and John Bennett are the two newcomers on the train.

The vehicles are expected to load for Jamaica on May 4.Trinidad are the defending Country Champions.

Guyana’s 15s Rugby Team

Jones urges swimming programme participants to be consistent

D I R E C TO R o f S p o r t Christopher Jones yesterday charged the almost 180 young participants of the Easter Vacation Swimming Programme to be consistent in sports, as he delivered the feature address at the closing ceremony at the Colgrain Swimming Pool on Camp Street.

Students between the ages of 6 and 11years have spent the past two weeks learning the basic skills of swimming.

The programme is part of the National Sports Commission’s mandate, which aims at introducing swimming at a young age.

“We want to start the children off in sports, not only swimming. You have to start from young and be consistent. And of course you would be nowhere without the support of your parents.

After the programme concludes, parents you need to now take the next step and get the kids registered with

Two of the participants in action. the clubs, and be consistent with them,” Jones said.

Jones explained that sports can open many opportunities for athletes, locally, adding that the government is working to put a policy in place where scholarships can be offered to athletes once they display the necessary perquisites.

However, according to Jones, such initiative will only be made possible once the commitment from the parents is evident.

The programme was

held daily from Monday to Friday at the Colgrain Swimming Pool and at the

National Aquatic Centre (NAC).

The participants were divided into two groups with students between the ages of 9 and 11 training at the NAC, while students 6 to 8 years old remained at Colgrain.

Each group had three instructors. Marcia Rodrigues, Marisa Wray and Denroy Trotman worked with the younger group, while instructors at the NAC were Paul Mahaica, Dewane Griffith and Quancy Henry.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday April 21, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: Conrad Hunte-142 (Barbados, 1958) Haniff Mohammad-337 (Barbados, 1958) Today’s Quiz: Which WI has scored most Test runs against Pakistan to date?

Which Pakistani has made most Test runs against the WI to date?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

IPL 2017 Match 23rd KKR v Guj Lions at Kolkata on April 21 Begin at 10:30 (local time)

Radford hails start of new era

im ro n ed op en er Sh Yo un g un ca pp s hi m se lf fo r a ne t ie H et m ye r re ad ild-up to the opening bu e th in n edia) sessio urtesy WICB M Test. (Photo co See story on page 23

The Guyana Jaguars will look to finish the tournament on a high.

Vishaul Singh is set to make his Test debut.

Jason Holder See story on page 23

Captains prepare for historic 50th Test at Sabina Park See story on page 25

No letting up, says Crandon

Misbah ul-Haq

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FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017