Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 23 08 2016

No. 104652

TUESDAY AUGUST 23, 2016

Price: $80

(Vat Inclusive)

Linden needs a ‘shake-up’ – Lawrence says govt services not getting to residents

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New body to push 12 Amerindian development Page

…as govt seeks fresh approach to project execution

Young Amerindian dancers perform at the opening of the National Toshaos Council conference at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre on Monday (Delano Williams photo)

Cops hunt 2017 Budget for vigilantes December 5

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…say charges will be laid against them

Teen killed, dumped in cemetery 5 Page

- Suspect allegedly confesses

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Skills-training gets big boost at Woodley Park US-based Guyanese to partner with Social Protection Ministry

Minister Lawrence, officials from the Ramrattan Social Service Centre for Excellence and staff from the Social Protection Ministry pose with students and volunteer teachers of this year’s Academic and Skills Training Workshop for children and youths of Woodley Park Village under the auspices of the Ramrattan family and the USA Guyana Humanitarian Inc CHILDREN and youths of Woodley Park, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) have yet another venue to socialise and learn a skill, thanks to a group of overseas-based Guyanese, including the USA Guyana Humanitarian Inc. and the Ramrattan family of the United States.

Together, they recently opened a Library and Information Technology Laboratory at the Ramrattan Social Service Centre for Excellence.

These facilities are now part of the centre that was commissioned sometime back by the Ramrattan family to host the annual Academic and Skills

Training Workshop for children and youths of the village.

At the recent event, the group simultaneously hosted the graduation ceremony for the third batch of students who completed the annual workshop. Commending the children and youths for participating, Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence noted that she was happy to see the large numbers, including parents, “because we can have villages filled with children, but if we do not have families, parents, guardians and concerned citizens who recognise the value of having an education, then ventures

Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence and Treasurer of the USA Guyana Humanitarian Inc. Angeli Maystry cut the ribbon to the newly-built Library and Information Technology Laboratory at the Ramrattan Social Service Centre for Excellence

such as these will not be successful.”

Lawrence commended the Ramrattan family, their partners and supporters for the work they had done to ensure the centre remained open. “I don’t think we can measure the value of what the Ramratan family has done in this community,” she declared.

EXPANDING SERVICES The group hopes to further expand the services offered at the centre by partnering with the Ministries of Agriculture, Education, Social Cohesion and Social Protection.

EDUCATION PLUS GOD The Social Protection Minister noted that since her assumption of office, she had “focused heavily on building stronger families because it is important to our communities and country. We can have the best teachers and the facilities could be open all day, but unless the elders instill the values in children, including that education plus God equals success, they will not come here.” She said that too often adults believed that taking children along to church was all they needed to do, “but we have to direct our children and lead them in the right direction.”

She told the children that having academic certification was essential, but acquiring a skill was an invaluable experience as it taught discipline.

“You can pass on that skill to your family, even your children,” Lawrence said.

She then pointed out that her ministry could not pass up the opportunity to

President of USA Guyana Humanitarian Inc. Mohan Singh presents a token of appreciation to Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence for the ministry’s support to the Ramrattan Social Service Centre for Excellence. Also in photos are Pandit Prabudyal Ramrattan on whose premises the centre was erected and Treasurer of the Group Angeli Maystry partner with the supporters rattan on whose premises “My family and I built of the initiatives. Conse- the centre was erected, said this centre but we have been quently, the Ministry of So- he undertook the initiative working with the USA Guycial Protection, through the in response to a need he saw ana Humanitarian Inc. and Board of Industrial Training locally during one of his visits its supporters to conduct the [BIT] will begin a part- home. A former teacher at the activities,” he explained. nership to ensure that the Rosignol Primary School, he President of the USA Ramrattan Social Service left Guyana for England in Guyana Humanitarian Inc. Centre for Excellence is 1966 and eventually settled Mohan Singh said that he had utilised throughout the year in the United States. Pandit been friends with Pandit Ramby hosting skills training Ramrattan is a professional rattan for more than 25 years in various fields for young teacher and licensed acupunc- and did not hesitate to partner people. At the moment, the turist, having taught at the on the new venture having facility is only opened when University of Wales, among seen the need in many local the Academic and Skills other institutions. communities. Singh explained Training Workshop is held “I am now retired and so that annually they used the in August.

I am hoping to increase my workshops to teach skills in Treasurer of the Group, visits back home and increase information technology, phoAngeli Maystry, a profes- the work we do home to help tography, entrepreneurship, sional teacher in the United young people. This all got agriculture, leadership, and States, said that the workshop started because I was in a dis- reading. was usually conducted in col- cussion about how to prevent Participants are also laboration with several local suicide and so we began with coursed in topical and sovolunteers and the group was providing information and cial issues and lifeskills to working on arrangements to soon realised that the infor- empower themselves, their have the library and computer mation alone did not work, we families and community. He facilities open to the children needed to provide people with explained that the grouping all year long with the support resources. Hence, we came up also spread their wings in of those volunteers. with the idea of providing a other areas, including JaPandit Prabudyal Ram- skill to empower people. maica and New York.

2017 Budget for December 5 reading -Granger THE APNU+AFC coalition government will present the 2017 National Budget on December 5 this year.

The announcement was made by President David Granger when he addressed indigenous leaders from 212 communities across the country at the meeting of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) on Monday at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.

The Head of State said Government was ensuring and maintaining adequate preparation in tandem with its planning mechanisms.

The first budget under the one-year-old government was

presented on August 10, 2015 under the theme: “A Fresh Approach to the Good Life in a Green Economy.”

Less than 10 months later, on January 29, the $230B Budget for 2016 was presented in the National Assembly by Finance Minister Winston Jordan under the theme “Stimulating Growth, Restoring Confidence: The Good Life Beckons.” $40.3B were allocated in the 2016 budget for the Education Sector; $28B for the Public Health Sector; $24B for Public Security; $20.3B for the Agriculture Sector; $15.8B for Housing and Water, and $14.4B for Public Infrastructure.

Linden needs a ‘shake-up’ GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 23, 2016

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– Lawrence says govt services not getting to residents

By Vanessa Braithwaite

MINISTER of Social Protection Volda Lawrence believes that Linden needs a ‘shake up’ so that the residents can benefit from services made available by the government to bring relief to citizens.

Lawrence at a public meeting in the mining town said that something or someone in Region 10 is preventing services from reaching residents.

The minister’s response followed concerns voiced by residents on issues regarding the education system, unemployment rate, and environmental issues along with information sharing.

CLOG IN THE SYSTEM “Something is wrong in this region, something is wrong, we are in Georgetown, we are at Cabinet meeting, we are passing this, we are passing that, we are talking about bringing the services to our people and Linden comes up repeatedly because we know over 23 years you have been punished and then to come here and to hear the stories that we are hearing …. there is a clog in the system in Linden…there is something or someone stopping the services that this government is bringing…something is wrong,” declared Lawrence.

Many residents of the mining town were issued termination letters from the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP) and have labeled the move to terminate them unfair.

Those residents have called on the Social Protection Minister to intervene as they are of the opinion that the Linden Mayor and Town Council is being unfair to them.

Regional Democratic Councillor Gordon Callender disclosed that the workers turned to him after being served with the termination letters.

He said in a bid to prevent them from heading to the streets, he tried to get the intervention of several persons in authority, including the Regional Chairman.

Meanwhile, Deloris Gibbons, a CIPP worker blamed the Linden Mayor and Town Council for ‘corrupting’ the entire programme as many of the councillors pass instructions.

“One time they telling you don’t wuk, stop wuk, next day who tell you wuk, we never tell you stop wuk, this is how deh get yuh …”she said.

Gibbons also accused Deputy Mayor Waneka Arrindell of not respecting the workers and placing a bin that should be used for the community of Green Valley in her yard.

“The bin is come but the bin in come on the road, the bin come in her yard,” she claimed with the support of many other CIIP workers present.

Town Clerk Jonnellor Bowen recently told members of the media that the decision to terminate approximately 271 workers in Linden under CIIP was made through the councillors of LMTC. Regional Chairman Renis Morian had asked for those letters to be rescinded, noting that it created uneasiness among the workers who were not properly consulted on the move.

Bowen said prior to the decision, she received correspondence at the level of the Ministry of Communities, based on discussions with the permanent secretary, where it was noted that the 271 employees under the CIIP programme would be allowed to work up to July 31, 2016.

She said the correspondence stated too that a maximum of 250 workers must be employed no later than August 1, 2016 and would work for eight hours per day, 4 days per week, 16 days per month, which would also include an increase in payment from $12,500 to $25,000 per month.

Many of the workers were not told of the reason they were issued termination letters and this lapse in the information process created tension among the group.

Industrial Relations Officer of the Guyana Public Service Union for Linden, Morris Butters at the meeting addressed the issue of limited information spiraling out of control as there isn’t a proper communication mechanism in place between the

municipality and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

“Anything affecting the people of Linden decided on at the Town Council or the RDC, it remains there, it does not come out to the people so that they can know what their leaders are doing and what their leaders have planned for them. I think they need to have something so that we can inform the people of this community,” Butters said.

He recommended that the councils utilize the medium of television or radio to disseminate information as they have a “responsibility to the people.”

DISCONNECT Minister Lawrence concluded that there is a disconnect between the Town Council and the people and committed to discuss the situation with Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan. She said the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Linden will also be summoned to a meeting.

“We want to know what is going on in this region, this region needs a shakeup,” she affirmed.

Lawrence said she will do a follow-up visit to the mining town in September. The public meeting brought to an end a weekend visit to communities along the Berbice River by Minister Lawrence and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Family of vigilante victim wants justice -says he was not a criminal

THE Guyana Police Force is in search of several persons in connection with the shooting death of 21-yearold Seon Clarke, which occurred last Saturday on the Pearl Public Road, E.B.D at about 22:30h allegedly during a vigilante-style operation.

Clarke was allegedly murdered at the hands of vigilantes, while his friend was badly beaten on ground that they were suspected bandits.

Acting Commander of ‘A’ Division, Marlon Chapman, told Guyana Chronicle on Monday that while no arrest has been made thus far, the Force is actively pursuing the case. Though he declined to disclose a figure, Commander Chapman said investigators are in search of several persons in connection with the incident.

Seon Clarke Meanwhile, Clarke’s family is not only outraged over the incident, but is also outraged by media reports

which painted him as a criminal who had a poor relationship with his family.

According to the dead man’s family, the information which surfaced in the local newspapers is far from the truth, and may be a case of a mix-up in identities.

Initially, reporters interviewed Godfrey Clarke,

who said he was the father of Seon Clarke of Old Road, Land of Canaan, E.B.D. Clarke had said his son, who is also known as ‘Cash Money,’ had previous brushes with the law, and had been released from prison four weeks ago after being on remand for simple larceny. But on Monday, relatives of the dead man, who also identified him as Seon Clarke, said Clarke’s father Andre Clarke has been bedridden for several months after he was involved in a vehicle accident.

“Seon lived with me from since a baby…I don’t know him as any thief. No police never came and search the house. He was not a criminal,” his grandmother Margret Davis said, as she rubbished the claims made.

“Cash Money? I never know my nephew as Cash Money,” one of his aunts added.

Contrary to media reports, the woman said, her nephew was not residing at Land of Canaan at the time of the incident. “If you are saying that this person went to jail, provide the evidence…They say he went

to jail, he served his time and all these things. Find out the jail he was in… They got him mixed up… I don’t know who is Godfrey Clarke; I don’t know who is Cash Money,” she lamented.

Turning her attention to the incident which left her nephew dead, the woman said she wants nothing but justice, as she questioned the reason behind the senseless killing.

Another relative said Clarke was shot and killed although he had surrendered and pleaded with the residents. “You can’t shoot a man without him retaliating.

Why would you shoot him to the back? Either he was running or you had him on the ground face down,” the woman reasoned.

In an initial police report, the police said that at about 14:00h on Saturday, Clarke and a male companion had visited a grocery store at Sarah Johanna, E.B.D, and were observed by the proprietor “behaving suspiciously.” The proprietor, police said, made his way to the public road and alerted a policeman who was passing at the time. The policeman responded, and in the process summoned other policemen. However, the men fled into the bushes and were not seen again until 22:30h that day, when they were spotted on the Pearl

Public Road.

Persons in the area reportedly apprehended them; and during the process, it is alleged, one of the public-spirited citizens shot Clarke and inflicted a beating on his friend.

The men were handed over to the police, who rushed them to the Diamond Public Hospital, where Clarke was pronounced dead on arrival whilst his friend was treated and sent away.

This second suspect has since been taken into police custody and is assisting with the investigation.

Clarke’s death comes days after two bandits were severely beaten by residents in North Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Speaking on the issue, President David Granger has said that ‘vigilantism’ would not be tolerated.

“We can’t tolerate that. We accept that citizens have a right to protect their property and so on, and we expect people to be organised in CPGs – the Community Policing Groups; but we can’t tolerate vigilantism, especially when it results in the injury or death of anybody,” he said.

The Guyanese leader, a former member of the Disciplined Services Commission (DFC), told reporters that such a situation “can get out of hand”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Teen killed, dumped in cemetery

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- suspect allegedly confesses

By Nafeeza Yahya FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD Akeem Grimmond of Lot 53B Section ‘A’, Number 60 Village Corentyne was found dead in a burial ground after being missing for two days.

Discovered under a tamarind tree in the Number 60-61 burial ground at about 14:30 hrs on Monday, the teen’s body was lying face down in a shallow drain covered in blood with several chops and stab wounds in evidence.

The prime suspect in the murder -- Terani Goolcharan of Number 60 Village, Corentyne -– reportedly confessed on Monday night to killing the teenager, according to police sources. The man reportedly confided in his wife that he had stabbed and chopped

the teenager before dumping his body at the burial ground.

It is unclear why Goolcharan had killed Grimmond.

Grimmond’s mother, Parbattie Thakordyal, called "Girly”, said her son had left on Saturday afternoon to pen the cows in a field situated some 300 metres from his home, but did not return. Nine months pregnant, the distraught woman said: "I can't believe this! My son! I can't deal with this! Why?” as she wept for her son.

Babita Liladar, a neighbour, said she had seen Grimmond at about 17:00hrs on Saturday, when he passed by her house and called out to her, saying he was going to pen the cows. She said that at about 21:00h, Grimmond’s mother told her that

he had not returned home.

Grimmond’s mother and her husband had then launched a search for him, but were unsuccessful in finding his body on Saturday night.

Liladar said she had reached out to neighbours on the following day, and another search ensued for the teenager. All of Sunday, searches were conducted in the Number 60 Village area, including the area at which Grimmond had gone to pen his cows, but there was no sign of the lad. Fearing the worse, the search party continued its search on Monday, but this time with the assistance of the Number 59 Community Policing Group (CPG). On Monday afternoon the boy’s body was discovered in the Number 60-61 Village cemetery.

The tamarind tree under which Akeem Grimmond was found dead in the Number 60-61 Village cemetery Ryan Persaud, Grimmond’s step-father, said

Trio in custody following death of Better Hope pensioner GUYANA Chronicle understands that Annand Ramkissoon, his employer and another person are being held at the Sparendaam Police Station in connection with the death of 76-yearold David Ramkissoon, a Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) pensioner who was, on Sunday evening, found dead in his home by relatives.

Nalini Ramkissoon, wife of the suspect Annand Ramkissoon, who is a son of the deceased, told Guyana Chronicle on Monday that she and other relatives went to a creek on Sunday as part of a family outing, but her father-in-law opted not to go. Upon their return from the outing, she and her husband found their rooms ransacked and the pensioner lifeless on a chair in the living room.

“We left around 12 on Sunday to go to the creek…

When we left, my fatherin-law was rocking in the

turned home at Better Hope at approximately 7:30pm on Sunday, and noticed that the lights in the house were off and the doors open.

“When we go inside, my husband (Annand Ramkissoon) went upstairs to check the rooms, but found them ransacked… When he come

Dead: David Ramkissoon hammock,” the woman said.

She noted that because the pensioner had opted not to go to the creek with them, several calls were made to him to ensure he was ok, but unfortunately, those calls went unanswered. She claims that neither she nor her husband had found the unanswered calls suspicious, as the elderly Ramkissoon would usually take afternoon strolls.

She said family re-

down now, he saw his father in a pool of blood on the chair with his throat slit,” she recounted.

Neighbours were alerted and the police were called. The elder Ramkissoon was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Goolcharan was initially detained and questioned by police on Saturday morning, but was subsequently released. "He is a psychopath and shouldn't be on

the streets. I want justice for my son, and I want the police to make sure they question him thoroughly," Persaud told Guyana Chronicle.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

City Council and the Vendors

THE City’s Fathers and Mothers who made promises to vendors and residents of Georgetown are once again displaying a disconnect from existing realities.

The treatment of the vendors post Local Government Elections has seen the Council moving them from one area to another absent any consultation and seeming regard for the impact, positive or negative, the decision would have. Representatives of the Council found it fitting, in what can be construed as talking down to the vendors rather than seeking way(s) to accommodate them, with an aim of finding common ground and arriving at consensus.

In spite of public outcries that the Council allow the vendors the right to be heard, it stuck to its position that it will not entertain further discussion on the matter, and its decision is final and binding. The resulting ill-feeling between the two groups has reached the point where some vendors having felt that their confidence was betrayed by councillors and there exists little, if any , regard for them have moved to establish a trade union to represent their affairs with the Council.

When council representatives were asked about the vendors forming a union, some of the comments were unpalatable and less than encouraging in improving relationship between the two groups. In an environment of such nature it helps when relationship is tempered with facts, objectivity, and mutual respect.

There exist a view that in the first instance City Hall did not engage in proper assessment and development of a plan before the abrupt removal of the vendors around the Stabroek areas to what is dubbed ‘Parliament View.’ The new location it is learnt, from day one, was deprived of basic necessities such as potable water, toileting facilities, and protection from the weather. With Council being aware of the unpalatable condition, yet relocated vendors to the area, only to respond amidst outcries about the conditions that such is temporary, reflects an ad hoc approach to the entire affair.

Currently the Council is seeking to establish what it is calling a “flee market” to attract vendors to sell primarily clothing to satisfy the new school term and year. The Council has advised that this is to assist vendors occupying

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 23, 2016

OP-ED Registries have always been part of the Executive arm of State

By Basil Williams Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs

THIS is in relation to a letter published in the Stabroek News on Thursday, August 18, 2016 under the caption the “JSC has power to appoint the Deputy Registrar of Deeds”.

I agree with the caption, because it is the APNU+AFC’s Government which made this possible.

Among its first acts was the passage into law of legislation which restored the independence of constitutional bodies which had been emasculated during the 23 years of PPP/C rule, including the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

However, independent commissions are not above the rule of law in Guyana.

That the rules and decisions they make can be challenged in a Court of Law when breaches or excesses occur is established law in Commonwealth Jurisdictions, including in Guyana.

Independent commissions are required to exercise their discretion judiciously, not whimsically or capriciously. The power of the JSC to appoint Registrars and Deputy Registrars of the Deeds and Supreme Court Registries was not contemplated in the Westminster-type Constitution Guyana received on its Independence in 1966, and that power did not exist.

That power also did not exist in the 1970, 1980 and 1980 Revised Constitutions, because the Guyana Constitution is based on the doctrine of the separation of powers of the three

Attorney General Basil Williams arms of the State; to wit, the Executive/Government, Legislature/Parliament and the Judiciary.

The Deeds and the Supreme Court Registries were, since independence, part of the Executive, and not the Judiciary. On the dawning of the 21st century, a power struggle developed over whether the Chief Justice/ Chancellor or the Registrar of the Supreme Court was in charge of the Supreme Court and Deeds Registries.

In 2001 the Constitution was amended quite inexplicably, and the power to appoint the Registrar and Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court and Deeds Registries was removed from the Public Service Commission (PSC) to the JSC by the provisions of Article 199(3) of the Constitution.

That the JSC was given the power to appoint the top two officers of the Deeds and Supreme Court Registries, while the PSC continues to appoint the rest of the staff in these Registries, might suggest that the PSC is inferior to the JSC, or that the persons appointed by the JSC are superior to their “underlings” appointed by the PSC. It thus appears that the constitutional engineering had resulted in

Parliament View who are not making a profit to sustain their business, and the flee market presents opportunity to do so, but none of the vendors turned up.

Enquiry reveals that the targeted Parliament View vendors do not sell the items the Council thinks will be sold, which demonstrates that another project has been embarked upon absent the needed ground work, including consultation. The city’s affairs cannot be managed in an ad hoc manner, including the non-involvement of stakeholders.

With vendors now having a trade union of choice the Council may be well advised to proceed in matters impacting this stakeholder with their union. It would not help vendors/ council relations to see the union as an enemy when the council stands more to gain through mutual respect. With engagement comes the exchange of ideas on how both groups can collaborate, not only in resolving areas of concerns/problems that exist between them, but also to address how systems can be developed and agreed upon for new areas that will and can be opened up for vending.

Being elected to public office carries expectation of

the Chief Justice/Chancellor having control over the heads of these registries. These Registry Heads may believe that, having been appointed by the JSC, the latter had supervisory control over them, the rest of the staff, and the business of the registries, and so blur the lines of governance.

This is a serious intrusion and interference into the affairs of the Executive by the Judiciary, and is a breach of the doctrine of the separation of powers. Under Article 199 (1) of the Constitution, the power of the JSC is limited to appointing, removing and disciplining the Registrars and Deputy Registrars. This Article cannot remove the Registries from the Executive/Government arm to the Judiciary.

POWERS OF THE JSC The power of the JSC to appoint the Registrars and Deputy Registrars of the Supreme Court and the Deeds Registries did not exist in the 1966, 1970, 1980 and the 1980 Revised Constitutions.

The stellar cast of Attorneys General: Sir Shridath Ramphal, O.E., S.C.; Dr. Mohamed Shahabuddeen, O.E., S.C.; and Mr. Keith Massiah, O.R., S.C., did not bestow such a power, recognising that it would offend the doctrine of the separation of powers which, according to the Privy Council’s decision in Hinds V R, was a fundamental underpinning of the Westminster model Constitution we received at Independence in 1966. In the 1966 and 1970 Constitutions, Article 94(3) provided:- “This Article applies to the office of Magistrate and to such other offices…connected with the courts of Guyana or for appointments to which legal

qualifications are required as may be prescribed by Parliament.” In the 1980 Constitution, Article 199(3) included an additional office, to wit:- “This Article applies to the office of the Commissioner of Title, Magistrate and to such other offices… connected with the courts of Guyana or for appointment to which legal qualifications are required as may be prescribed by Parliament.”

In the 1980 Revised Constitution, Act 17 of 1984 inserted Articles 2A and 2B. It was not until 2001, by Act No.6 of 2001, that Article 199(3) was substituted and a new provision introduced for the Registrars and Deputy Registrars to be appointed by the JSC, namely:- “This Article applies to the office of the Commissioner of Title, Magistrate, Director of Public Prosecutions, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Registrar of the High Court, Deputy Registrar of the High Court, Registrar of Deeds, Deputy Registrar of Deeds and to such other offices… connected with the courts of Guyana or for appointment to which legal qualifications are required as may be prescribed by Parliament.”

This meant that, from 1966 to 2001, the said Registrars and Deputy Registrars were appointed by the Public Service Commission. In the 1966, 1970 (Article 96) and 1980 Constitutions and the 1980 Revised Constitution, Article 201 were the relevant provisions and read thus: “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution the power to make appointments to public offices and to remove and exercise disciplinary See page 7

not only adhering to laws and by-laws but also to temper these with what is just and fair. At the city level it may require revisiting by-laws not merely as deterrence in dealing with the city or making them more acceptable, but also with an eye that vendors and council can work together to keep the business of the town alive, and all attendant areas that impact on their well-being are being observed.

Street vending in Guyana is not an industry that attracts person leaving from one area and coming primarily to buy.

The industry merely satisfies, on most occasions, someone who is passing by, may see something and like it, or may see something that is needed and was being forgotten. The service vendors provide is not one that is equivalent to a store or supermarket established in a fixed location or building.

Treating with street vending also has to take cognisance of the culture of the industry and the role it plays in the delivery of goods and services to the society. More importantly decisions must factor in that this sector of our society enjoys its deserving place.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Registries have always been part of the ...

From page 6

control over persons holding or acting in such offices shall vest in the Public Service Commission.”

Articles 96 (7) and 201 (7) of the said Constitutions provided that the PSC did not appoint several categories of public officers, including the DPP, Auditor General, Permanent Secretaries, Secretary to Cabinet inter alia, but did not include the said Registrars and Deputy Registrars. It is therefore in 2001 that the Registrars and Deputy Registrars were transferred to the JSC by Article 199(3) of the Constitution.

From 1966 to 2001, the Supreme Court and Deeds Registries were part of the Executive arm of the State, and not the Judiciary.

The question which arises, however, is whether the “Registrar of the High Court” is the same person as the “Registrar of the Supreme Court.”

In Article 125 of the 1966 and 1970 Constitutions, the word “court” means “any

court of law in Guyana and shall be construed as including the Judicial Committee.”

In Article 232 of the 1980 Constitution and 1980 Revised Constitution, the word “court” means “any court of law in Guyana.” At no time did the definition of “court” include the Supreme Court, Deeds or Land Registries.

INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY In the 1966, 1970 and 1980 Constitutions, there was no equivalent to Article 122A of the 1980 Revised Constitution of 2001, speaking to the independence of the Judiciary. Article 122A provides:(1) All courts and all persons presiding over the courts shall exercise their functions independently of the control and direction of any other person or authority and shall be free and independent from the political executive and any other form of direction and control.

(2) Subject to the provisions of articles 199 and 201 all courts shall be administratively autonomous and shall be funded by a direct charge upon the Consolidated Fund;

and such courts shall operate in accordance with the principles of sound financial and administrative management.

It is contended that the provisions of this Article did not include or speak to the aforementioned Registries, which are not part of the Judiciary. It is further contended that Article 122 A (2) contemplates a court having a secretariat or its own registry to service it specifically, and the Head can be described as the Registrar of the High Court, not the Supreme Court, the latter being part the administration of government or executive, like the Deeds and Land Registries.

That the Deeds Registry has at all material times, from Independence in 1966 to the present, been administered by the Executive/Government and not the Judiciary is supported by the provision of section 7 (1) of the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority Act 2013. To wit: “The Functions of the Governing Board in addition to the functions under the laws referred to in section (4) are

the functions relating to the Deeds Registry that were discharged by the Ministry responsible for the Public Service and the Public Service Commission on the date immediately preceding the appointment day……”

Additionally, section 7 (3) confirms that the Minister with responsibility for the Deeds Registry is the Minister of Legal Affairs:“The Minister may give the Board general policy directives with respect to the dis-

charge of its functions under this Act as he considers necessary and the Board shall give effect to the directives.”

Section 2 defines “Minister” as meaning the Minister of Legal Affairs.

The Act establishes, under section 3, the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority as a corporate body with a governing Board.

It is clear that whatever policy directive is given by the Minister for the smooth and effective running of the Authority the JSC could

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undermine by simply inserting a Registrar and Deputy Registrar of its choice. This could only lead to anarchy.

The Chancellor/JSC and the designated Minister cannot both administer the Deeds and Commercial Authority.

To reaffirm the commitment to the doctrine of the separation of powers and restore the independence of the Registries would require the repeal of Article 199 (3).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Cops hunt vigilantes … say charges will be laid against them

By Rabindra Rooplall CITIZENS are being advised by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to desist from vigilante justice. Acting commander of ‘A’ division Marlon Chapman is calling on citizens to not take the law into their own hands but instead support the work of the GPF. Chapman, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle said citizens can work in concert with the Force to protect their communities from criminal elements. “I want this to be made very clear that I have a zero tolerance for vigilante killings or beatings, we have courts in this country and if an infraction is committed against the law the police will investigate and the court will decide who is guilty or not guilty,” he warned.

The past few days have seen an upsurge in vigilant

justice across the country and the Commander noted that every instance of vigilante justice is being investigated.

He pointed to the incidents which took place at Pearl Village, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and North Ruimveldt. Chapman said when those guilty of the acts are found they will be dealt with appropriately. In the case of the North Ruimveldt an attempted robbery was committed on 37 year-old barber Roger Lovell who was beaten by a bandit with a gun.

An alarm was raised and persons responded and apprehended the robbers who were then severely beaten.

Police recovered a .32 pistol and live rounds at the scene.

One of the men was taken to the hospital treated and sent away while the other remains a patient.

In the case of Sarah Jo-

Acting Commander of “A” Division Marlon Chapman hanna, EBD, the Commander without revealing much information said it is alleged that two men exited a motorcar and entered a business armed with handguns. The duo attempted to rob the

proprietor but an alarm was raised.

“An alarm was raised again and public spirited citizens responded and the men were able to escape into the bushes while the car drove away. Later that night information received indicated that the suspects were later seen on the Pearl Public Road and by the time police responded, residents pounced upon them and they were beaten, someone in the crowd discharged a round which hit a suspect who was later taken to Diamond Hospital where he was pronounced dead,” Commander Chapman said.

He explained that a postmortem examination done on the deceased indicated that the man died of shock and hemorrhage due to the gunshot injury.

The dead man was iden-

tified as 21- year-old Seon Clarke, aka Cash Money, of Campbellville and his unidentified accomplice lives in North East La Penitence.

When asked if Seon Clarke had any previous brushes with the law, the commander noted that he was recently released from prison for a series of armed robberies.

Notwithstanding the occurrences of the past, the acting Divisional Commander made it clear that it is not the public’s responsibility to beat an alleged criminal. He said when an alleged criminal is apprehended, that person should be taken to the nearest police station.

Meanwhile, Commander Chapman warned criminals against attacking innocent persons. “Crime does not pay, there are organizations that you can go to like the central recruitment agency at

the Labour Ministry to find a job; if you need help you can visit the Salvation Army, Food for the Poor or other organisations. Think about it, when you commit a crime it’s only you who stand to really lose because the law catches up with you,” he stressed.

On Sunday, President David Granger issued a strong warning against the practice of vigilante justice. The president made it clear that such behavior would not be tolerated by his administration.

“We can’t tolerate that.

We accept that citizens have a right to protect their properties and so on, but we expect people to be organised in Community Policing Groups. But we can’t tolerate vigilantism, especially when it results in the injury or death of anybody; it can get out of hand,” President Granger stated.

Recovering Cub Scout returns to St. Lucia

ST. LUCIAN Cub Scout Nick Omari Joseph, the eightyear-old who was knocked down on July 26 while participating in the Caribbean Cuboree, departed for home on Sunday with his mom, Delia Finistere.

Joseph was seriously injured in that accident, sustaining a fractured skull and injury to his lung as a result of being submerged after being hit by the vehicle, and his condition in the first five days of his hospitalization was described as critical.

The accident occurred on Woolford Avenue in the vicinity of the Scout Association of Guyana (SAG) Headquarters.

Nine-year-old Darnell Matthews, the fellow St. Lucian Cub Scout who was also injured in the accident, was treated for minor injuries and sent away.

Quick action by a team of doctors had resulted in Joseph being stabilized within hours of the accident. He has since been recovering gradually.

Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry; President of the Scouts Association of Guyana (SAG), Chief Scout Ramsay Ali; SAG Chief Commissioner Zaida Joaquin; and friend of the Joseph family, Francisca Charles, were all at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport at Ogle, ECD to bid Joseph and his mother farewell.

Joseph’s mother emotionally extended gratitude to all who played a role in his recovery, noting that she was extremely happy to be returning home with her son.

Minister Henry said she, too, was happy that Joseph’s condition had improved to the point that he is now able to return home. She said she was also pleased that the Cuboree continued without further incident after the unfortunate accident.

“We will continue to be in touch with Nick’s family, to the extent that we would like to be informed as to his full progress in recovery from this accident. I trust that the whole exercise here in Guyana was fruitful for all of the Scouts that participated from the various countries,” she said.

SAG President Ramsay Ali said the reaction from the Government of Guyana immediately after the accident was “extremely positive”; and this, he believes, contributed to saving the child’s life.

“To the doctors and everybody who were part of this whole process that brought us here: On behalf of the Scout Association, I am extremely grateful for their support, and I want to thank them,” Ali stated.

Eight-year-old Nick Omari Joseph (seated at centre) awaits his flight at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, Ogle. Also in the photograph are his mother, Delia Finistere (seated left); Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry; and representatives of the Scouts Association of Guyana, including its President, Ramsay Ali (standing at centre) LIVING AS FAMILY Ali said the surgery Joseph underwent for his head injury “The positive is that, as a Scout Association…we all bond was very successful, according to the doctor who performed the procedure, but the injury sustained to his lungs were of together as a family; and that is a positive, not only for Scouting, but for this country as a whole. We bonded together to more concern to doctors.

“What kept Nick in hospital for a longer period was in fact make sure that Nick had the best care and that his mom had some damage that was done to his lungs, because he actually the best support. Scouting is really a family. If people can spent about three and a half minutes under water, and that was recognize that as Scouts we can live as family, I think all other a little bit of a concern to doctors in the first five days. This human beings can live as family. Because of this process, I believe that is what held his mother up; because we were in was treated, and he responded very well,” Ali pointed out.

Ali emphasized also that Government had ensured that the daily contact with her, providing support, and also Nick…,” she pointed out. best medical care was provided to Joseph.

Joaquin said she would be visiting St. Lucia in October to SAG Chief Commissioner Zaida Joaquin, who was performing the duties of Camp Chief at the 14th Caribbean follow up on Joseph’s recovery in her capacity as a represenCuboree at the time of the accident, said that while the incident tative of the Inter-American Scout Region.

Joseph was among 1,000 Cub Scouts gathered in Guywas extremely unfortunate, it had served to bring the members ana for the Cuboree at the time of the accident. of the scouting fraternity together.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Change attitudes

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- Mining fatalities still a major concern

By Svetlana Marshall ACTING Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Mr. Newell Dennison, is calling on miners to change their attitudes in regard to Occupational Health and Safety practices.

Underscoring the importance of safety in the mining sector, he has reflected on the number of mining fatalities that have occurred over the years.

Since 2006, more than 119 mine-related deaths have been recorded in Guyana; and according to reports, the constant neglect of Occupation, Health and Safety (OHS) practices is among the leading factors responsible for those deaths. Just this month, 45-year-old Ricky Hughes of East Bank Berbice died while mining at Omai in Region Eight.

Well aware of the situation, Dennison has said that attitudes must change.

“My view is that attitudes have to be changed; where common sense, common decency and common goals for (betterment) at the broader social level must be obtained,” he said, as he addressed leading men and women in the industry during the Mining Week Opening Ceremony and Awards Dinner, held at the Pegasus Hotel on Sunday evening.

This function was attended by President David Granger and Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman.

“It requires a serious commitment to partner and collaborate first with each other as Guyanese citizens, and then with institutions like the GGMC, (which) are present to serve, support and guide; and, where necessary, apply the appropriate measures of the law,” he added.

Dennison said the GGMC would continue to push for a stronger culture of safety in mining through awareness sessions and enforcement of the law. Nothing in mining, he said, should translate to risking life on callous practices, while warning that actions would be taken against defaulters.

Vice President of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Andron Alphonso, echoed similar sentiments. “While mining does have its unavoidable potential

perils and occupational hazards, such deaths are completely unacceptable, and all stakeholders must continue to work together to curb this trend…,” Alphonso emphasised.

Apart from mining fatalities, Alphonso said, the industry continues to be plagued by many challenges, including the lack of access to mineralized lands; rising operational costs; illegal mining; poor conditions of many interior roads; and lack of roads leading to new mining areas.

Insufficient mineral recovery technologies employed locally were also among the concerns raised.

Notwithstanding these challenges, the GGDMA Vice President said, the Association has been engaging the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, GGMC, and the Guyana Gold Board with the hope of arriving at workable solutions.

Alphonso remains optimistic about the future of the mining industry. He highlighted the success of the industry over the years. “As the largest earner of foreign currency for our nation, the local gold and diamond mining industry has been the main driver of growth, development, and disposable income in Guyana. Over the last decade, thousands of Guyanese, many of whom cannot find employment in any other sector, (have been) directly employed in the mining industry…” he said.

Without a doubt, he said, gold declaration this year would reach a high of 600,000 ounces, surpassing the 2015 mark of 450,873 ounces.

During the awards ceremony, Adamantium Holdings was presented with the Top Gold Producer Award for its production of 13,399 ounces in 2015. The Top Dealer Award went to Mohamed’s Enterprise, while Diamonds’ Top Producer Award was presented to La Goin Luiz Sequeira.

Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Incorporated (BMGGI) and RUSAL were both awarded for their outstanding performances in the local bauxite industry, while the Top Quarry Producer Award went to Toolsie Persaud Ltd. The Top Sand Producer Award was copped by Lybsur Sand and Quarry, while Guyana Goldfields received an award for practising Environmental Safety.

Newell Dennison, acting Commissioner of the GGMC, advocating for miners to put safety first in mining Guyana Gold Fields Inc. at Aurora Mines has an excellent 251 days “no loss time” record, in addition to a world class mine site and operations circuit, with attendant corporate social responsibility within the community, which is expected to mature.

The Innovation Award went to Winslow Higgins, while Kevin Jeffrey was awarded for his ethical practices. Wavney Phillipe, Cyrilda DeJesus, Anthony Shields, Horrace James and Dick Manning were dubbed icons in the mining industry, and were accordingly presented with plaques for their contributions to the industry.

Clifford Stanley of the Guyana Chronicle, Gaulbert Sutherland of Stabroek News, and Jarryl Bryan of Kaieteur News were also awarded for their excellent reporting on the sector.

Mining Week 2016 is being held under the theme “Extracting Minerals, Underscoring Safety, Protecting the Environment.”

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman is bordered by Wavney Phillipe on the left and Dick Manning on the right, along with the other awardees

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 23, 2016

City Hall moving to court over huge NICIL debt THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is in the process of initiating legal proceedings against the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) for huge amounts of money owed the municipality, says Town Clerk Royston King.

King made the announcement on Monday during the Council’s statutory meeting at City Hall, and noted that NICIL owes billions of dollars to the M&CC in rates and taxes for the Guyana National Industrial Company

Incorporated (GNIC), Central Garage Inc; West Ruimveldt Industrial Site, and state land in the vicinity of the Oil Mill in Kingston.

City Hall is owed $172M for GNIC, more than $33M for Central Garage Inc and West Ruimveldt Industrial Site, and more than $179M for state land in the vicinity of the Oil Mill in Kingston.

“And so we are proceeding to take legal action so that we can cover these outstanding sums to do work in the city,” King stated.

NICIL was created in 1990 under the Companies Act to hold and manage the assets of the government.

Just recently, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) called on the business community to pay up all rates and taxes owed to the M&CC, which, according to reports, add up to more than $16B. “This is an alarming amount,” the GCCI said in a statement, while reminding businesses that rates and taxes account for a significant percentage of total revenue obtained by the City Council, which in turn uses that money to provide critical services to the City.

“As one of the leading business-support organisations in Guyana, the chamber is using its voice to urge the business community to be tax compliant,” GCCI said; and it had urged M&CC to take “legitimate action where necessary” against defaulters.

The Town Clerk had subsequently told this publication that business owners ought to be “ethical” in the way they manage their affairs.

“Pay up!” he admonished, as he disclosed that the City Council recently received 14 judgments in its favour.

“We are asking people to come in and settle their accounts,” said King, who noted that Council has a payment plan for those who are finding it difficult to discharge their liabilities to the M&CC in one payment.

“Come in to our Treasurer…talk to the treasurer… there is a facility to allow those who have difficulties to come in and have a special arrangement to pay their rates and taxes. The rates we are talking about are in place over two decades ago. There has not been re-evaluation of properties for a long time,” he explained.

City Council, he said, is in a strained financial position, and is hopeful that all citizens — not just business owners — will visit the rates and taxes division of the municipality and pay their outstanding balance.

Meanwhile, City Hall had announced in May that it was seeking legal permission to commence parate execution — the procedure by which it would be allowed to resell properties mortgaged to the bank.

Those mortgages are organised without going through court proceedings, and City Hall would be given the power to hold an auction for the sale of those properties by an appointed auctioneer.

King said City Hall’s lawyers are still in the process of applying to the courts for permission to move ahead with parate execution.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 23, 2016

‘Thief on wheels’ stabs and robs woman on Camp St.

By Svetlana Marshall

HAVING been stabbed and robbed, a 21-yearold North Ruimveldt female resident who asked to remain anonymous is alerting pedestrians to the presence of “a thief on wheels” who is roaming the North Cummingsburg ward, particularly in the vicinity of Camp Street.

The young woman said she was proceeding north of ‘the Avenue’ bordered

by Camp Street at approximately 21:30h on Sunday when she noticed a darkskinned man on a red racing bike.

“He ride past me at first but when I was about to cross Church Street he came close to me, but I moved away,” she recalled. Scared

The injured 21-year-old

for her life, she said, she decided to walk a bit faster but the man decided to follow her. He asked her a number of questions, including the location of Popeye’s and whether she was heading in the same direction. “I told him I was not heading in that direction but he kept asking more and more questions,” she recalled.

She said that just as she was about to pass Ultra Waters on Camp Street between Church and Quamina Streets, the man snatched her two cellular phones but she held on to his cycle.

“I know he would not have left without his bicycle, so I held on to it and I started to scream,” she said.

The commotion attracted a couple who was passing in a car and they decided to

‘Koko’ opens to great support CATERING to the needs of those who have done the big chop, are transitioning or are just looking for the manageable natural hair, Koko: Love Every Strand, opened its doors to the public last Saturday.

Located on Robb Street in the Mini Mart between Camp and Alexander Streets, the ‘natural hair store’ as it is commonly called by natural hair enthusiasts has garnered lots of support on social media in the months preceding its launch.

Owned by 27-year-old Denisha Victor, the store provides a wide array of natural hair products for the various hair types.

Victor told Guyana Chronicle that her move to open Koko followed her constant frustration when in search for quality hair products for her hair type in Guyana.

She explained that many of the products recommended or promoted online were not available here. “With my natural hair and not being able to find products I said you know what I should do this. When I cut my hair I realised that finding products that you were seeing on the Youtube videos were very difficult, you only had a selected amount of products here in Guyana so I decided why not, and I’ve always been interested in business, hence the reason Koko started,” She noted.

Victor said she toyed with the idea of establishing her own business to cater to the growing natural hair populace.

At the opening on Saturday, the

Proprietor Denisha Victor (left) with a happy customer store was flanked with women and men considered “natural hair freaks” in search of the ideal products for their hair.

The response Victor told Guyana Chronicle was way beyond her expectation and expressed gratitude. “It has been crazy.

Although we’ve been doing a lot of stuff on Facebook and so on, I really didn’t expect the type of response. The response has been overwhelming, and I’m so really thankful.”

The 27–year-old who only started her natural hair journey eight months ago said the ‘Cantu’ line of natural hair products is her favourite. Her store supplies Cantu, Eco Styler hair gels, As I am, Aphogee, Black Castor oil, Shea Moisture and Eden Body works hair products.

But while the store is aimed at serving the natural hair community, those with relaxed hair can also find products at Koko.

Those who purchased products from Koko on Saturday benefitted from free giveaways and discounts. “We aim to have very competitive prices, so most of our prices here will be lower than you will find anywhere else. I believe that every time someone comes to Koko they’ll be able to get a deal because of the amazing prices,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Victor will be partnering with the organizers of the upcoming natural hair expo, Curlfest Guyana, which is scheduled for October 9, in the Promenade Gardens. (Tamica Garnett)

intervene.

“When he saw the man coming, he said, ‘look back your phone!’ and he throw one of them at me and ran away. The people ran after him but they didn’t catch him,” she recollected.

During the ordeal, she said, the thief stabbed her with a sharp object to the left side of her abdomen and on her left hand, leaving her dripping blood on the public road. She said some good Samaritans placed her

in a taxi and sent her to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was treated and sent away.

She said she received eight stitches for the injuries sustained to her hand, but reported the incident at the police outpost at the hospital.

POLICE FOOT PATROLS She is emphasizing the need for police to conduct foot patrols at nights in key areas such as North Cum-

mingsburg. Camp Street, particularly between New Market and Quamina Streets - areas known for lurking thieves waiting to pounce on passersby.

Over the years, there have been calls for the police to heighten security in that area. However, Guyana Chronicle was told on Monday that there are usually motorcycle patrols along Camp Street between Regent and Lamaha streets.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 23, 2016

New body to push Ame …as govt seeks fresh approach to project execution

President David Granger greets several indigenous leaders, including Deputy Chairperson of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Lennox Shuman (in traditional apparel ) and Chairman of the NTC Joel Fredericks (third from right) the village councils possess

By Alva Solomon and other dignitaries at the the financial or manageriArthur Chung Convention al skills, resources or the NDIGENOUS lead- Centre, Liliendaal during the organizational structures ers were on Monday opening of the NTC. to effectively tackle the called upon to estabPresident Granger said challenges which they face lish a five-member Na- there are a number of is- and which the residents tional Indigenous Peoples’ sues affecting the hinter- encounter .

Authority, an executive land communities and he The Head of State notbody which will implement believes that a single annual ed that in other parts of relevant government pol- conference cannot adequate- the country, a village can icies and decisions of the ly address the issues aired look to the Neighbourhood National Toshaos Council there.

Democratic Council (NDC), (NTC).

“There needs to be a the Regional Democratic The proposal was made fresh approach to the exe- Council and the Ministry of

by President David Granger cution of hinterland projects Communities to take their on Monday as he addressed such as aerodromes”, he said concerns to Cabinet. some 212 Amerindian lead- as he called on the village “Sometimes we make ers, government officials leaders to consider whether decisions and we implement measures which are

I

intermittent,” he said, as he referred to the handing out of various forms of assistance to indigenous communities, “I do not feel that they (handouts) have over the years succeeded in creating the quality of life which we expect for all Guyanese”, he said.

The President suggested also that the NTC consider whether it may be necessary to consider an authority, which he said will implement recommendations which emerge at the end of the council’s meeting.

He said if a matter arises and needs to be addressed by the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, the subject minister usually liaises with the subject ministry relative to the issue, such as health or education.

“It is unfair to ask the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs to be a postman,” he said , whereby the ministry operates as a body which transfers request for one agency and seeks solutions via another.

President Granger called on Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock to consider his suggestions and recommend measures which can have the body up and running.

He said the body would not only report to the Assembly of Toshaos but also the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs on matters relevant to the economy, the environment, social protection and safety, infrastructure

and cultural issues.

NTC SECRETARIAT The President said he will consider suggestions made at the conference to have a secretariat established for the NTC in the city.

“I think the time has come to establish a permanent administrative arrangement,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister

Allicock has called on the village leaders to ensure that they capitalise on the opportunity available over the week ahead to interact with various leaders on matters of concern to them.

“It is an opportunity for you to bond, it is an opportunity for you to put all paperwork in place as possible,” he said, noting that the village leaders have the opportunity at the forum to say what they’d like

Indigenous leaders in traditional wear attended the opening ceremony of the weeklong meeting of the National Toshaos Council

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 23, 2016

erindian development

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock are greeted by indigenous leaders prior to the opening of the meeting of the National Toshaos Council on Monday what we have to do is hard work and that good life will to see in terms of improving position, that Guyana has at the council’s meeting not come,” he said. the economic growth of their celebrated 50 years of po- as an individual but as a represpective communities. litical independence and the resentative of their village.

RADIO STATIONS country should look forward “When you return, it’s Allicock spoke of the ECONOMIC to another 50 years of eco- your duty to allow the oth- work of the government INDEPENDENCE nomic independence. ers to understand what it is to improve the lives of the Allicock reminded the The minister said too we discussed, and what it is indigenous people in a numleaders of the President’s that each leader is present we are doing,” he said. “So ber of areas, including com-

Several indigenous leaders pose with officials of the government prior to the opening of the NTC meeting on Monday

munication. He referred to the establishment of radio stations in Lethem and in Mabaruma while noting that three other radio stations are on the cards for the villages of Orealla, Aishalton and Moruca.

The minister stressed that “the laid back attitude of some of the community development officers will have to be changed,” as they are the point of contact with the ministry in communities.

“We need to work together as team ….urgent matters must be reported immediately at the village council and the ministry and the regional offices,” he said.

He called on the leaders to avoid “agents of division”.

Prior to Monday’s meeting, the toshaos met and interacted with Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) over the weekend , an encounter which was described as a first in many years.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe told those gathered that in the past the government of today was not allowed to speak with the indigenous leaders on the eve of the NTC meeting. She said that the APNU+AFC administration will continue to support the NTC.

Meanwhile, former Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai told members of the media that the NTC must have the scope to implement their decisions and so she does not agree with the call made by President Granger for the establishment of an Indigenous Peoples’ Authority.

Sukhai argued that since coming into office, the APNU+AFC coalition government failed to adequately address the issue of titled lands for indigenous people.

Notwithstanding that, the former minister under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) echoed the sentiments of Minister Allicock, stating that there is need for support, empowerment and training of indigenous people.

The NTC will meet and deliberate on a number of issues over the next four days, including the contentious Amerindian Act and land issues affecting residents.

Also present at the opening of the NTC were Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan, Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland and several Opposition MPs.

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Man on $1M bail for causing death by dangerous driving

TWENTY-six-year old Shameer Mohamed of Diamond was on Monday placed on $1million bail after he appeared before city magistrate Judy Latchman charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Mohamed denied the allegation which stated that on July 24, 2016 at Diamond Public Road he drove motor car PVV 2007 in a dangerous manner causing the death

of Disc Jockey (DJ) Wavel “Bashment” Sabsook of 196 Samanta Point, Grove, East Bank Demerara.

He also denied the allegation which stated that on that said date and location, he drove a motor car under the influence of alcohol, with a blood alcohol level of .103 micrograms. He was placed on $10,000 bail for that charge.

His lawyer, Peter Hugh,

told the court that his client was not a flight risk since he suffered burns about the body and he was unable to walk as a result of the accident. Also Mohamed was not in possession of his travel document which were destroyed when the car caught fire after the accident.

Hugh added that Mohamed had to receive “dressing” at the Georgetown Public Hospital every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and

the Prison services does not have the facilities to offer the sanitary care he needed to treat his burns.

The Police prosecution did not object to bail, but requested that Mohamed report to the Golden Grove Police Station Tuesday or Thursday.

The matter was adjured until September 2.

It was reported by Guyana Chronicle that the 31-year-old Sabsook and his friend Mohamed who was driving at the time, were proceeding to Grove at about 03:00h on Sunday, July 24 when the vehicle in which they were travelling

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Shameer Mohamed became uncontrollable and toppled several times before bursting into flames near the Distribution Services

Limited (DSL) outlet at Diamond. Sabsook was flung from the vehicle and died on the spot.

Suspected bandit remanded for attempting armed robbery TWENTY–TWO-year-old Patrick Goodluck of North Sophia, Georgetown, one of two young men who were badly beaten on an allegation that they had attempted to rob North Ruimveldt barber Roger Lovell on August 17th last, was remanded when he appeared before City Magistrate Judy Latchman to answer to the charge of attempting to commit a felony.

He denied the allegation, but the police prosecutor objected to bail, stating that Goodluck and another person had walked into Lovell’s house and attempted to rob him of his gold chain and CG motorcycle while being armed with a gun. The prosecutor said Lovell raised an alarm, and public-spirited citizens caught the bandits and beat them severely.

Goodluck’s attorney, Paul Fung-A-Fat, said his client was on his way to meet a friend, thus he was at the Patrick Goodluck wrong place at the wrong time, and he received blows to his eyes, neck, head and other parts of his body. The attorney asked that his client be taken to the hospital, since he was still in pain.

According to reports, on the date in question, one of the suspects acted as a lookout while the other made his way into Lovell’s home and woke him up by beating him with a gun. Lovell was questioned about the specific gold chain he wears as the beating continued at gunpoint, but Lovell used his bed sheet to wrap the bandit’s arm and tug him towards a window.

Police recovered a .32 pistol and live rounds at the scene. Both accused were admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where the other alleged bandit is reported to be in a critical condition.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 23, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 23, 2016

one-day title Britain revels in return U-19 due to... to superpower status From back page

By Mitch Phillips RIO DE JANEIRO,(Reuters)-The "Great Haul of China" in 2008 was seen as something of an aberration, 2012's success was surely all through home advantage but, after their best medal return from an overseas Games, Britain is indisputably back as an Olympic superpower.

Twenty years ago, long before marketers invented "Team GB", Britain trudged home from Atlanta with a solitary gold medal courtesy of rowers Steve Redgrave and Matt Pinsent and just 15 in all, placing a humiliating 36th in the medal table.

They leave Rio with 67, including 27 gold, sitting proudly second, above China and behind only the all-powerful United States.

Remarkably that tally surpasses the 65 with 29 gold from the home Games of four years ago and is topped only by the London Games of 1908 when they won 146, 56 of them gold - totals inflated somewhat by many events where barely anyone else took part.

"It makes me bloody proud," Sebastian Coe, the former head of the London Games organizing committee said this week.

Gold medalist Mo Farah (GBR) of Britain celebrates.

REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

"What a legacy. We wanted to ensure not just participation but to inspire people.

"We are winning medals across sports you would not have even have dreamed of even 10 years ago."

When Britain started to begin punching its weight again in Sydney 2000, with 11 golds, the hosts joked that they could win only in sports where you have to sit down.

While it is true that cycling, rowing, sailing, equestrian and canoeing have continued to provide the bulk of the golds, the joke no longer holds water as Britain have won in Rio across 15 sports, more than any other nation.

They also medaled in 18 of the 23 sports entered.

Track cycling was again the cash cow, as every member of the team came home

with something in a haul of six golds, four silvers and a bronze.

Among those winners were Bradley Wiggins, who now has the most medals of any British Olympian with eight, including five gold, and Jason Kenny, who joined Chris Hoy on six as winner of most golds. Laura Trott's double in Rio made her the all-time leading woman with four.

Rowing brought home three more, athletics, through Mo Farah, sailing, canoeing and equestrian, two each.

There were single golds in taekwondo, hockey, golf, tennis, swimming, boxing and triathlon but perhaps the most eye-catching performances came in gymnastics, where Max Whitlock won two golds and the country

seven medals in all having never previously stood atop the podium.

The reasons behind Britain's turnaround are varied but one constant and key driver has been the huge financial support offered by national lottery funding, which began in 1997.

That has enabled a wide variety of sports to invest hugely in facilities, coaching and all the other costly support network necessary to compete at elite level.

"Our high performance system is the envy of the world, thanks to sustained investment by our Government and The National Lottery," said Liz Nicholl, chief executive of UK Sport.

"The world-leading coaching, science, medicine and technology provided has enabled talent and potential to translate into world-beating performances."

Bill Sweeney, British Olympic Association CEO added: "It has been a brilliant Games but this is not an overnight success ... this is 20 years in the making and we've now enjoyed five successive Games of medal growth.

"No-one has come close to that and it's an unbelievable achievement."

eters, with the ultimate aim to represent the West Indies.

Drubahadur lauded the players for their success.

Guyana finished second in the points standing at the end of the seven-team round-robin series. In an invited comment coach Adrian Amsterdam indicated that the players were determined to play as true champions.

He added “It was a very professional performance. If you look at the whole tourna-

ment then, everyone did contribute: the bowlers bowled well, there were some good batting innings, and the fielding was good too.”

“So credit goes to the entire bunch of boys for their professional approach. I always believed that we had the talent to finish on top,” Amsterdam pointed out.

The Guyanese were dethroned by Trinidad and Tobago in the three-day competition.

Six medals for team Guyana at...

From back page

medal.

In the final played on Sunday, Narayan Ramdhani and Priyanna Ramdhani lost to Shae Martin and Amanda Haywood of Barbados: 219, 21-16 in Mixed doubles.

In the Boys doubles final Narayan Ramdhani and Mangra lost to Shae Martin and Keshem Moore of Barbados in a thrilling three-setter with Guyana winning the first set 17-21

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and losing the other two sets 21-15, 21-19.

Meanwhile, the Ramdhanis, along with Mangra and Ambika Ramraj, will participate in the Team events which commenced yesterday.

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20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Wet outfield means another day lost in Durban (REUTERS) -`A wet outfield again prevented play on the fourth day of the first Test between South Africa and New Zealand in what is becoming an increasing embarrassment for the hosts.

Heavy rain on Saturday night left the outfield at Kingsmead patchy, muddy

and dangerous for the players and no improvement in the situation, despite two clear days, meant no play for a second successive day.

Despite a gusty wind overnight, wet patches remained and any possibility of play ended after a 14:00hrs inspection, raising questions about a decision

to relay the outfield. It is also the first winter Test in Durban.

“It is most unfortunate and certainly beyond our control that the heavy unseasonal rains in Durban had impacted our plans,” Cricket South Africa chief executive Haroon Lorgat said.

“We are sympathet -

Ground staff cover the pitch after the play was abandoned due heavy overnight rain on the fourth d day of the first Test

ic to the efforts of all the ground staff who have tried their level best to ensure match-readiness despite the adverse weather conditions leading into this Test match.”

New Zealand were struggling at 15 for two in reply to South Africa's first innings of 263 before the rain came just before lunch on Saturday consigning the teams to their change rooms for the last

two and a half days.

A soggy draw seems inevitable with only one day left to play.

Work was done to improve the outfield in Durban - removing sand and grass and relaying it – after both teams complained that it was too hard when they played there last year in a one-day international.

The work was completed

on July 1 but flooding and a lack of sunshine had not helped the grass to properly cover, leaving it soft underfoot and patchy. The latest rains have exacerbated the situation.

The timing of the work is now under question as a similar process in Pretoria where the second Test is to be played next week was completed in April.

Bounty GCC, Pepsi Hikers register massive wins BOUNTY GCC and Pepsi Hikers registered massive wins in the latest round of the Guyana Hockey Board’s (GHB) Lucozade Indoor Tournament being played at the National Gymnasium.

According to a release, on Saturday evening Bounty GCC destroyed Old Fort Knockers by a 11-2 margin, while the same evening, Pepsi Hikers demolished Saints by a 8-3 margin.

There were also some heavy losses for other teams that played the same day.

According to results, Kevin Spencer recorded a helmet- trick for Bounty GCC in their game against Knockers, scoring field goals in the 10th, 26th, 37th and 38th minutes and was supported by Daniel Hooper who netted in the 35th minute and two during the 36th minute.

Jason Khalil contributed two goals in the 5th and 26th minutes, while one each was scored by Steven Xavier in the 12th minute and Kareem McKenzie in the 40th minute.

Responding for Old Fort Knockers was John Abrams who bagged a double in the 31st and 33rd minutes.

In the other high-scoring game, Robert France registered a treble for Pepsi Hikers in their win against Saints. France found the back of the opposition’s net in the 22nd, 24th and 26th minutes and was supported

by Aroydy Branford with a treble in the 17th, 33rd and 37th minutes.

Leon Bacchus contributed a double in the 3rd and 14 minutes.

Yonnick Peters and Hilton Chester scored for Saints in the 11th and 16th minutes respectively.

In other results from Saturday night’s matches, playing in the women’s category, GCC Spartans defeated Old Fort 2-0 after leading 1-0 at halftime. Scoring for the winners were Marzana Feidtkou (2nd minute) and Serena Chan (30th minute).

GCC Vintage inflicted a 9-5 loss on their Pitbulls counterparts, compliments of a double each from Alan Fernandes, (2nd and 15th minutes), Dwayne Scott (1st and 36th minutes), Devin Hooper (8th and 24th minutes) and Philip Fernandes (23rd and 25th minutes) plus a lone strike by Marcus Fiedtkou in the 32nd minute.

Scoring for Pitbulls were Meshach Sargeant who bagged a helmet-trick of goals in the 18th, 29th, 31st and 34th minutes and Keon McKenzie in the 39th minute.

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Serena and Kerber qualify for WTA Finals SERENA Williams and Angelique Kerber have qualified for the season-ending WTA Finals in Singapore.

American Williams and Germany's Kerber, ranked number one and two in the world respectively, are the first two players to seal their places in the prestigious tournament in October.

Williams has not spent much time on court this year, but claimed an Open Era record-equalling 22nd grand slam title by beating Kerber at Wimbledon last month.

"I'm very proud and excited to qualify for the BNP

to be back in Singapore later this year to hopefully win my sixth Billie Jean King Trophy."

Kerber has had a year to remember, establishing herself as a major force after winning her maiden major title at the Australian Open back in January.

The 28-year-old would

Angelique Kerber and Serena Williams

Paribas WTA Finals in Singapore," said Williams "I have great memories of

winning the title in Singapore in 2014 and being supported by so many fans. I can't wait

George siblings perform well at Goodwill Swim Meet

By Tamica Garnett

TWIN sisters Jadyn and Daniel George were Guyana’s top performing swimmers at this year’s Goodwill Swim Meet.

Guyana collected a total of 15 medals and finished with 373 points to end in sixth position at the meet which concluded last Sunday at the Rodney Heights Aquatic Centre in St Lucia.

Jadyn and Daniel ended with three gold and three silver medals, respectively.

Jadyn was the only swimmer on Guyana’s team of 29 swimmers to win a gold medal at the regional event, in which teams from Suriname, Barbados, Trinidad, St Lucia, and the Bahamas also participated.

The ultimate team win once again went to Trinidad and Tobago, who amassed 1 397 points to defend their title. In an almost exact repeat of last year’s placing Suriname once again came in second, ending with 1 080 points this year. Barbados again finished third, after assembling 721 points, and St Lucia were in for fourth, with 635 points.

The only change in this year’s results was that Bahamas moved up to finish fifth, having 566 points, while the Guyana team returned to the cellar position.

The other medal-takers on the Guyana team were Phillip DeNobrega, Ariel Rodrigues, Reakwon Noel, Nathan Hackett, and Kenita Mahaica.

Jadyn won Guyana’s first gold on Friday, when the competition began, in the Girls 11-12 100m freestyle, where she clocked 1:05.25s for the win. Danielle was just on her heels clocking 1:06.12s to take the silver.

The pair were back at it again on Saturday for the gold and silver in the 50m freestyle, with Jadyn finishing in a time of 29.69 seconds and Danielle touching the wall in 30.21 seconds.

On Sunday they challenged each other in the 200m freestyle, closing off their medal earnings by finishing in 2;21.58s for gold and 2:26.88s for silver.

On the Boys side, Phillip DeNobrega started off with silver in the Boys’ 15-17 100m freestyle, ending the race in 56.74 seconds. On the same day he put forward a

time of 1:04.06s in the 100m backstroke, which was just enough to get him the bronze medal in that event.

As the competition continued he managed a bronze in the 50m butterfly with a performance of 28.07 seconds, before he ended with silver in his 200m freestyle (2:05.81s).

After shining brightly in the Girls’ 8-and-under category last year, multiple gold medallist Aleka Persaud fell from grace as she took on a new age category this year. She could only muster a single bronze medal performance in the Girls’ 9-10 50m butterfly with a time of 33.67 seconds.

This year’s 8-and-under girl, Ariel Rodrigues, saw herself claim a bronze medal off her 42.18 seconds’ swim in the 50m butterfly of her category.

Kenita Mahaica took bronze in the Girls’ 13-14 50m backstroke (35.02s), Raekwon Noel won bronze in the Boys’ 9-10 50m butterfly (32.52s). in the Boys’ 13-14 category Nathan Hackett clocked 30.77 seconds to take a bronze in the 50m backstroke.

Dominoes competition on the lawns of Ministry of Foreign Affairs THE lawns of the Protocol Division of the Foreign Affairs Ministry will be packed with dominoes action this Friday when the Social Cohesion Inter-Ministry/ Government Agency competition gets underway at 16:30hrs.

Starting-time is scheduled for 16:30hrs and matches will be keenly contested since trophies and medals would be at stake for winners and runners-up.

The competition is hosted by James ‘Uprising’ Lewis, with prizes donated by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Minister of Legal Affairs and StarComm Office Furniture Inc., among others.

Teams are required to register before Thursday August 25 at noon, in order to be eligible to compete. Interested teams should contact Lewis on 628-1656, 6726179.

have replaced Williams at the top of the rankings if she had beaten Karolina Pliskova in the Western and Southern Open final last weekend, but was beaten in straight sets.

Kerber said: "I'm so happy to have qualified for the WTA Finals Singapore for the fourth time.

"It is one of the most

important events of the year and we all fight to qualify in the top eight. I have great memories from my other experiences at the tournament and I hope to play some great matches and win the title."

Agnieszka Radwanska won the WTA Finals title last year by beating Petra Kvitova. (Sportsmax.com)

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Speedo and Ralph Lauren among four to end Lochte sponsorship Four sponsors have dropped disgraced US Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte, including swimwear manufacturer Speedo and fashion label Ralph Lauren.

They were followed by announcements from skin care firm Syneron-Candela and Japanese mattress maker Airweave.

It comes after Lochte lied about being robbed at gunpoint by a policeman after a night out during the Rio Olympics.

Lochte, a 12-time Olympic gold medalist, has earned millions of dollars through endorsements.

Speedo, the biggest sponsor of the four, said: "We cannot condone behaviour that is counter to the values this brand has long stood for."

Lochte, aged 32, said he respected Speedo's decision, and thanked the company.

"I am grateful for the opportunities that our partnership has afforded me over the years,'' he said.

Ralph Lauren, which has removed some of Lochte's

The 12-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte

images from its website, said its sponsorship of the swimmer had been only for the Rio Olympics and would not be renewed.

Ralph Lauren and Airweave both stressed that they would continue their support of the US Olympic and Paralympic teams.

Syneron-Candela said: "We hold our employees to high standards, and we expect the same of our business partners.''

Speedo said it would donate a $50,000 portion of Lochte's sponsorship fee to the charity Save The Children's Brazilian operation.

The value of Lochte's Speedo sponsorship has not been disclosed. The contract reportedly expires this year after 10 years.

The US business magazine Forbes calculated that in the year of the 2012 London Olympics, Lochte earned about $2m in sponsorships from companies such as Gillette, Nissan, AT&T and Gatorade.

Lochte's performance at Rio did not reach the heights of his London triumph, but Forbes estimated his endorsements would still have been between $1m-$2m.

The saga started when Lochte and three teammates returned to the Olympic village after a late night out in Rio. They tried, unsuccessfully, to use the locked toilet at a garage and urinated outside instead.

After first claiming that he and his three team-mates had been robbed by bogus policemen, Lochte backtracked and admitted he had, while still drunk, "left

details out" and "over-exaggerated some parts of the story".

Despite the evidence against him, including CCTV footage, he has however denied that he actually lied in his initial account to Brazilian police.

Lochte's behaviour has been met with disdain in the US and he has been widely pilloried in the US media.

On 19 August the New York Post carried a frontpage headline describing him as the "Ugly American", along with the slogan "Liar, Liar, Speedo on fire".

Lochte is one of the most successful swimmers in history, with 12 Olympic medals, and he once had his own reality television show in the US. In Rio, he swam in two events, winning a gold medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay along with team-mate Jack Conger.

"We appreciate his many achievements and hope he moves forward and learns from this experience," Speedo said of Lochte.(BBC Sport)

Joshua Jones continues prolific scoring form for Beacons in Bartica leg BEACONS’ Joshua Jones continues to hit the back of the nets with consistency in the Bartica leg of the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 League.

Jones scored all three of his team’s goals in their 2-1 win over Ballers and a 1-1 draw with Riversview; Emanuel Atherly netted Ballers’ consolation goal while Kellon Richardson responded for Riversview in the drawn match.

In the latest play, Shairoon Khan blasted the nets in the 26th and 57th minutes in leading Lazio to a 2-0 blanking of Agatash FC. Wolves United did not have to break a sweat in taking full points against Potaro Strikers who did not show up.

Riversview were able

to rebound to a solid 2-0 win over Rising Stars in their following match thanks to a Kellon Richardson brace in the 25th

and 50th minutes. Lazio and Wolves also won via walkover from Potaro Strikers and Agatash FC respectively.

Final Windies, India Test abandoned as a draw

Joshua Jones- of Beacon FC, Bartica

(REUTERS) - The final Test between West Indies and India was abandoned as a draw yesterday as the soggy outfield remained unplayable in Trinidad and Tobago.

The result meant India won the four-Test series 2-0 but surrendered top spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings to Pakistan, less than a week after taking over the number one position from Australia.

India had needed to win in Port of Spain to keep the top ranking but only 22 overs were completed on Thursday, with play completely washed out over the following four days at Queen's Park Oval.

The fixture, played in Trinidad's rainy season, became the third-shortest non-abandoned Test ever.

India and West Indies now move to Florida for two Twenty20 matches this weekend.

Knockout Cricket tournament to be held on Sunday THE National Cultural Centre tarmac will once again be the location for the ‘Work Place Knockout Super 6 Cricket Competition’ on Sunday.

The competition is touted as the biggest competition of its kind by coordinator James ‘Uprising’ Lewis. Featuring only twelve teams, which will be selected on a first-registered basis, the teams will compete for trophies as well as medals.

The games start at 09:00hrs and promise to be exciting as well as competitive. Teams requiring more information can contact Lewis on 628-1656 or 672-6179.

T&T's Hypolite catches flack for ESPN coverage TRINIDAD and Tobago's Chef de Mission, Dr Ian Hypolite has received some flak for what some have called a conflict of interest at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Hypolite played an important role for ESPN during its coverage of the games, analysing the track and field events for the media house, all the while, reports suggest, he was shirking his duties as Chef de Mission.

The Chef de Mission's job requirements are immense and there are corridors of discontent, saying Hypolite could not have been effective if he had other focuses.

The questions have grown even louder because Hypolite's Trinidad and Tobago underperformed badly, with their only medal coming at the end of the track and field events, with Keshorn Walcott throwing the javelin far enough for a bronze medal.

One incident that came to the fore was a disqualification of the T&T team in the

T&T Chef de Mission Dr Ian Hypolite

4x100 metres relay.

Hypolite, on ESPN, said he believed T&T should ask for a review upon seeing a replay, however, there were concerns that he should have been the person leading the charge in that regard.

However, the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee had sanctioned Dr Hypolite's ESPN activities, saying his vast experience would serve to accurately analyse the team's medal opportunities in track and field. (Sportsmax.com)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER COMPLIMENTS OF: THE TROPHY STALL Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE 176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Miguel Cummings (2) 59 runs

Today’s Quiz: (1) Who was voted Man of the Match at the end of the third Test between WI and India?

(2) How many runs did the WI score in losing their last seven wickets in the first innings of the third Test of the WI/India series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Misbah proud of top-ranked Pakistan MISBAH-ul-Haq views Pakistan's rise to the top of the ICC Test rankings for the first time as "not a destination but part of a journey".

Pakistan replaced fierce rivals India as the top-ranked side in the world in the longest format when Virat Kohli's side drew their fourth and final Test against West Indies in Port of Spain yesterday, with four of the five days abandoned due to a wet outfield.

A 2-2 draw in England enabled Pakistan to leapfrog India, who won 2-0 in the

Caribbean but still drop to second in the rankings.

Pakistan have achieved the feat despite not having played a Test in their homeland since 2009 due to concerns over security and captain Misbah, 42, feels there is more to come.

"There is no greater feeling than to achieve the number one ranking in the most traditional and purest format of the sport. This is what cricketers play for and want to achieve in their careers," said the veteran batsman.

"Number one ranking is a reward for something we

Misbah-ul-Haq has challenged his Pakistan side to stay at the top of the rankings and become a force for years to come.

had planned as a group a few years ago and have worked extremely hard to achieve it.

To top the Test table, which boasts some of the best sides and players, is something to be very proud of.

"I want to compliment everyone who has been involved in the process, including all the players, the support personnel, the management, as well as our loyal fans and followers who remained committed to us and continued to back and support the side through the good and not-so-good days.

"For us, the number one

ranking is not a destination but part of a journey. Our long-term objective and strategy is to remain competitive, continue to challenge the top sides with good cricket and once again become the most followed side like the Pakistan teams of yesteryears.

"If we can achieve these on a consistent basis, then I am sure there will be more laurels like this down the line."

Australia sit third in the rankings following their 3-0 defeat in Sri Lanka, level on points with England.

(Omnisport)

MSC youth cricket academy opens GFF/FIFA Referees/ Assistants Programme starts tomorrow THE annual Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/ FIFA Referees/Assistants Programme (RAP) will commence tomorrow at the National Resource Centre.

During the five-day programme, there will be 20 national Elite and Assistant Referees, with 10 from each team.

Commencing with Referees Fitness test at the National Track and Field Facility, Leonora at 06:00hrs, the programme will then open formally at the National Resource Centre at 13:00hrs.

The daily sessions are scheduled to conclude at 17:00hrs with field sessions fixed for the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue on Friday and Saturday at 15:00hrs – 17:00hrs and Sunday at 06:00hrs – 08:00hrs.

One of the areas to be addressed during the RAP is the revised FIFA Laws of the Game and their respective interpretations.

The sessions will be facilitated by Peter Prendergast, FIFA Regional Development Officer/Technical Instructor and FIFA Fitness Instructor, Allan Morgan Browne.

Also present will be Head of the GFF’s Referees Department, Stanley Lancaster, as well as Roy McArthur and Ingraham Johnson who are Local Technical Instructors and Lindley Langhorne, Physical Fitness Instructor.

The RAP is a capacity-building programme which seeks to create uniformity among elite referees and to enable theme to meet the demands of the game.

THE Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) youth cricket academy commenced yesterday at its Thomas Lands facility, with close to fifty participants during the first-day attendance.

Coach Mark Harper during his opening remarks encouraged the participants to make full use of the sixday programme which is aimed at enhancing the talent of young and promising cricketers.

The former national player also encouraged the youths to be disciplined and attentive since apart from the on-field action, a number of motivational lectures are planned as part of the programme.

Among the aspects of the game that will be looked at

Coach Mark Harper briefing participants before the start of the youth cricket academy.

(Samuel Maughn photo)

are: hand/eye coordination, reflexes, agility and flexibility, balance, speed and the laws of cricket.

Participants will also be involved in several matches during the programme which will help to test the skills,

confidence and mental capabilities of players.

The sessions run from 09:00hrs to 15:30hrs daily.

Henrietta FC climb to second position The match was scheduled for the Anna Regina Community ground on Saturday but Charity did not show up.

Sunday’s match between Mainstay Goal Star and top-of-the-table Queenstown United was not played as the field was not properly marked, specifically, the 18-yard and 6-yard areas.

Latest Points Standings

Henrietta United Football Club

HENRIETTA United Football Club on account of a walkover from Charity Extreme moved into the second position on the

points table of the Essequibo leg of the ongoing GFF/ NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 League.

Club Played Wins Lost Queenstown 4 4 0 Henrietta 5 3 0 Charity 5 2 2 Wakapau 3 2 1 Dartmouth 4 1 1 Mainstay 4 1 2 Good Hope 3 0 4

Draw Points 0 12 2 11 1 7 0 6 2 5 1 4 0 0

Misbah proud of top-ranked Pakistan 23

P.

U-19 one-day title due to team work, says Persaud

The victorius Guyana Under-19 team with Director of Sport Christopher Jones and members of the Guyana Cricket Board (Adrian Narine photo)

By Rajiv Bisnauth A TOTAL team effort was the key ingredient in Guyana’s five-wicket win over the Windward Islands on Sunday in the final of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Under-19 tournament, claims captain Travis Persaud.

Speaking to media operatives yesterday after the team’s arrival at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, Persaud lauded his players for their commitment and hard work throughout the game and more so the entire tournament.

“This win was a total team effort in every way. We did well in all departments and the way we executed our plans also contributed well for our success. As I said before we

departed Guyana knowing that we have a strong team in order to defend our titles.

“We didn’t perform so well in the three-day, but we bounced back nicely in the one-day,” Persaud said.

Persaud credited the entire team for their performance but acknowledged that the senior players were their main weapons for success.

“Everybody did their part, everyone did what was expected of them, everybody acted in the capacity they were chosen to act on, and everybody gave a hundred percent, and in the end we came out successful,” Persaud pointed out.

Also on hand to congratulate the players were Director of Sport Christopher Jones, president of the Guyana Cricket

Six medals for team Guyana at CAREBACO C/ships

Guyana’s three-member team proudly display the Golden Arrowhead after they captured four silver and two bronze medals.

GUYANA’S three-member team captured four silver and two bronze medals after the individual categories in the Caribbean Badminton International Open Under-19 Championships (CAREBACO) concluded on Sunday in Aruba.

Narayan Ramdhani captured two silver in the Boys’ doubles and Mixed doubles and a bronze in the singles event. His sibling, Priyanna Ramdhani captured a silver in the mixed doubles) and a bronze in her singles event.

The other Guyanese participant, Jonathan Mangra, was the holder of a bronze Turn to page 19 ►

Board (GCB) Drubahadur, Marketing manager Raj Singh, chairman of the GCB’s Competitions Committee Colin Europe and chairman of the senior selectors Rayon Griffith.

Jones in his remarks congratulated the team for their success on behalf on the Guyana government and by extension the National Sport Commission (NSC).

The Director of Sport urged the players to continue the winning habit, adding that their success is a demonstration that the efforts of their trainer and coaches have definitely paid the dividends.

He implored the youngsters to continue to be humble, and at the same time continue to develop as Guyanese best crickTurn to page 19 ►

George siblings perform well at Goodwill Swim Meet

Story on page 21

›››

Twin sisters Jadyn and Danielle George at Goodwill Swim Meet

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016