Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 25 03 2017

House Republicans pull health care bill Page 4

SATURDAY MARCH 25, 2017

No. 104863

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

IMF projects 3.5% growth – recovery in rice production

Page 3

–– encourages overhaul of sugar industry but calls for safety net for those affected

Linden must fulfil its mission as a town –– President Granger

Page 2

Marketing coordinator of The Guyana Chronicle, Akash Persaud, presenting a copy of this newspaper’s special 50th Independence Anniversary Sports supplement to President David Granger at the Linden Trade and Investment Fair at the Egbert Benjamin Exhibition and Conference Centre, Linden. (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

‘Crass disrespect’ Page 8

–– AG says accusations made

by Nandlall is an assault on the government

Gov’t to explore all options to stabilise Guyana dollar Page 9

Man dies after lamp explodes in home Page 20

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 25, 2017

Linden must fulfil its mission as a town – President Granger

By Vanessa Braithwaite

PRESIDENT David Granger has urged Lindeners to adapt to the model of positive economic development if they are to fulfil their mission as a capital town, by prioritising agro-processing and investment.

The President was at the time delivering the feature address at the opening ceremony of the Linden Trade and Investment Fair at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Centre in Linden.

Addressing a packed audience which included Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin, Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland and Regional Chairman Renis Morian, President Granger stressed the need to progress from exporting raw materials to exporting value-added products which will significantly boost not only the economy of Linden, but the entire Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice region.

“If we continue to export raw wood, we will continue

to import furniture….we still digging, cutting and fetching, the time has come to add value, to create products, we need to combine human talent with financial capital,” the President urged.

President Granger said that with its plethora of resources and geographical advantages, the region in no way should be underprivileged and urged regional officials to capitalise on this with the implementation of the Plan of Action for Regional Development (PARD). He alluded to the region possessing its own aerodrome, its potential for eco-tourism, its unique location and its possession of many intellectual minds.

The Head of State highlighted the models of positive investment which include infrastructure, investment, and information technology.

INVEST IN THE TOWN Being cognisant that financing is the major key to investment, the President urged Lindeners living in the diaspora to invest in their town, as they are aware of the special qualities that the town possesses.

To reach these persons, Lindeners were urged by the Head of State to use information technology.

“Once you create a safe and attractive environment, I am confident that they will come back and lead the entrepreneurial development

President David Granger was accompanied by a Mackenzie High School student and Regional Chairman Renis Morian to cut the ceremonial ribbon, signalling the opening of the 2017 Linden Trade and Investment Fair at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Centre of this place.” The President better products.

While Regional Chairalso encouraged Lindeners to Similar sentiments were man Renis Morian in his save their money, so that any echoed by Chairman of the address posited that the deidea of value-added produc- Linden Enterprise Network, velopmental strategies should tion can materialise easily.

Kensil Grenville, who in his be pushed in schools and that President Granger used short address said that the the Regional Democratic the opportunity to congratu- time is ripe for Lindeners to Council is prioritising agrilate the coordinators of the move forward as a people cultural development in not Linden Trade and Exposition and to elevate primary pro- only Linden, but in the entire Fair for the positive attitude duction to secondary produc- Region 10. and zest displayed by both tion. “If it can be done in the Over 20 booths were set the team and the regional Caribbean, if it can be done up by Linden’s local proauthorities in their efforts to in other regions, it can be ducers and entrepreneurial push Linden’s development. done here,” he posited. pioneers. Some of these are Meanwhile, President of M a y o r o f L i n d e n , Chanzar’s Enterprise, Favorthe Linden Chamber of Com- Carwyn Holland, high- able Delights, Denise Instimerce, Kevin Deyounge, lighted that fact that the tute of Catering, Corporate urged stakeholders to put Linden Mayor and Town Supplies and Bolo’s Variety, their differences aside and Council is on a quest to amongst others. work in unison towards the drive development and Several firms from common development of revealed that a software Georgetown and other reLinden. He revealed that the application will soon be gions also set up booths fair’s main aim is to show- launched to better facil- at the fair in an effort to case local producers and to itate Linden’s develop- showcase their products push them to produce even ment techniques. and services.

President Granger inspecting a bottle of honey produced in Linden, while the young Linden producer looks on in smiles at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Centre in Linden

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IMF projects 3.5% growth

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 25, 2017

– recovery in rice production

–– encourages overhaul of sugar industry but calls for safety net for those affected THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected a 3.5 per cent real economic growth for Guyana this year, reporting that the local economy expanded in 2016, although growth was uneven.

A mission from the bank in a statement on a recent visit here said that last year subdued agricultural commodity prices and adverse weather conditions led to a contraction of agriculture with negative spillovers to manufacturing and services.

In addition, delays in public investment remained a drag on construction, but Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was buoyed by very large increases in gold output, including from new mines.

The total real GDP increased by 3.3 per cent, despite a contraction in non-mining GDP. This year, the mission projects real economic growth of 3.5 per cent, driven by an increase in public investment, continued expansion in the extractive sector, and a recovery in rice production.

Despite weather-related shocks to food prices and excess demand during Guyana’s Golden Jubilee, inflation remained subdued at 1.5 per cent at the end of 2016, and is expected to be around 2.5 per cent at end-2017.

The mission also noted that in 2016, the current account balance improved to 3.5 per cent of GDP from a 5.7 per cent deficit in 2015, reducing the overall Balance of Payment (BoP) deficit.

It said reserve coverage remained at about 3.5 months of imports and the anticipated start of oil production in 2020 will provide a significant boost to exports and official reserves in the medium-term.

“The 2016 non-financial public sector deficit is estimated at 2.9 per cent of GDP, lower than the budgeted 5.5 per cent. Despite slower than expected growth, fiscal revenue increased due to improvements in tax administration and higher royalties from the mining sector. Expenditure increased less than projected, mostly due to lower than budgeted public investment.

“In 2017, the deficit is projected to increase to about seven per cent of GDP, due in part to delayed capital spending from 2016 and the reclassification of subsidies to state-owned enterprises as financing instead of revenue to the receiving enterprise.”

STANDS READY Guyana is preparing draft legislation for a fiscal regime for oil revenues, and a Sovereign Wealth Fund and the IMF says it stands ready to provide technical advice in these areas.

The mission commended the authorities for refraining from non-concessional external borrowing against future oil revenue and urged them to continue to maintain a prudent external debt stance.

It also encouraged the authorities to continue to strengthen public procurement and public investment management in line with international best practices.

Improving the appraisal, selection and execution of projects could enhance the

efficiency, timeliness and quality of public investment, the mission said.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to reach 61 per cent of GDP by 2019, but the mission said debt sustainability risks remain moderate.

The Government, the mission said, has affirmed that the debt-to-GDP ratio will decline rapidly after the start of oil production, dropping to under 50 per cent by 2020.

The mission recommended fiscal adjustment to safeguard against downside risks, pointing out that the adjustment could be achieved by curtailing the growth of current expenditure, supported by public enterprise reform.

VAT REFORM The mission welcomed the VAT reform which broadened the tax base, while reducing the rate from 16 to 14 per cent, and encouraged the authorities to continue to strengthen tax administration.

It also welcomed Guy-

Wedding expo opens – as Gov’t emphasises inclusivity

By Shauna Jemmott GOVERNMENT has emphasised the importance it places on inclusivity on national matters and its faith in accomplishing the social cohesion it speaks about.

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, Friday evening during her feature address at the opening of Wedding Expo 2017 at Duke Lodge, Kingston, reiterated that the APNU+AFC government is open to both private and public sectors in its effort to take Guyana ahead.

The minister was responding to comments by President of the Guyanese American Chamber of Commerce, Wesley Kirton, who had earlier expressed concern that the

relationship between the two institutions is ‘cold’.

Kirton, who chaired the ‘Wedding-expo’ programme, indicated in his welcoming remarks that while the private sector is critical to the sustainable development of the country, there is some level of distrust among government and the private sector.

“I’m a little concerned about … the coldness of the relationship at this time between [the] private sector and the government. It is critical for both sides, private sector and the government, to begin to trust one another more and to seek to work together to enhance and build the economy and to help create… but further enhance the prosperity and happiness which the pop-

ulation so dearly look forward to,” Kirton stated.

He also said that even as young couples face new challenges, society has the role of reminding them of the sanctity of marriage, even as support mechanisms are needed to ensure lasting marriages and stronger families.

However, Minister Ally responded, “this government is open to work with all Guyana, be it private or public.

We believe in development.

We believe in love and unity and to achieve that yes, we have to work together.”

She endorsed the wedding exposition as a tourism drive, which offers a ‘oneof-a-kind experience’, a new perspective on destinations and the wedding industry

here to Guyanese and visitors.

Minister Ally said it gives all participants a true Guyanese experience, and continues to promote and benefit the ‘entire’ tourism industry.

“The annual showcasing of Wedding Expo will assist to move up the ranking of the preferred destination for staging weddings. There is a strong market available regionally and internationally for weddings and Guyana is a perfect and unique destination, unlike many other countries,” Minister Ally said.

She said however, that in all the joys of supporting weddings this year under the theme ‘magnificent beginnings’ the importance of promoting healthy marriage relationships must not be ignored.

ana’s interest in issuing a long-term domestic bond to substitute for short-term domestic financing, and help develop capital markets.

The mission stressed the importance of settling Government balances at the Bank of Guyana (BoG) and going forward; local authorities were encouraged to consolidate Government accounts at the Central Bank and establish a Treasury Single Account in line with international best practices.

Guyana’s progress in liberalising the communications sector and the plans to increase the contribution of low-cost renewables to the energy matrix, improve transportation links, and modernise the payment system were also welcomed.

“Addressing these long-standing structural impediments will stimulate construction, help raise productivity in traditional sectors, facilitate diversification into higher added-value activities and make growth more inclusive,” the mission said.

The mission also encour-

aged the Government to press ahead with the overhaul of the sugar industry, while being mindful of the large social impact and providing a safety net to protect those affected by that process.

However, it noted that the pass-through from the VAT reform to inflation should be closely monitored. Guyana, it said, remains vulnerable to external shocks due to its dependence on imported oil and the concentration of exports on a few commodities.

The mission also noted the increase in exchange-rate flexibility, which should facilitate adjustment to external developments, and safeguard reserves.

The inter-bank foreign exchange market appears segmented and illiquid, and could be further developed, including by enhancing the transparency of market activity, the mission said, and recommended that any official foreign exchange purchases and sales use a market mechanism similar to the one used for auctioning treasury bills.

“The ministry is committed to building strong relationships and families within our nation. Our responsibility as a government is to provide an integrated social development service that enhances development and improve the quality of life for all. Healthy family relationships are essential for social cohesion.”

According to Minister Ally, socialisation of the wellbeing of each child is the base from which the family can learn, work and contribute positively to society, and play integral roles in the care of the vulnerable in society, such as the disabled and elderly.

The family is the first institution of learning and is where each member can be taught to be good citizens, living in harmony with the wider society.

“It is a realistic, reasonable and sensible approach to forging what I believe is one of the most important things in our national life – that is relationship and family.

Studies have shown that the strength and stability of adult relationships are vital to the

wellbeing of children. If the relationship is strong then the adults are more likely to support each other through whatever challenges they face, including approaching parenting with confidence.

And if they are confident parents,” she said, “then their children are more likely to succeed.”

In recognition that marriages and relationships without violence promote a stable society, Ally said her ministry actively pursues programmes and activities which promote healthy and violence-free relationships.

In endorsing the creative Wedding expo undertaking by Captain Gerry Gouveia and Roraima Airways, Minister Ally said, “Families are the building blocks of a strong nation and this government will invest in this regard.”

The exhibition, which sees several exhibitors providing various wedding services, was declared open

by Minister Ally, and will run until Sunday at Roraima Duke Lodge, Kingston, Georgetown.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 25, 2017

House Republicans pull health care bill

SEVEN years of Republican efforts to eradicate President Barack Obama’s proudest domestic achievement ended Friday before a single vote was cast.

House Speaker, Paul Ryan, sensationally pulled his Obamacare repeal bill from the floor Friday afternoon, a day after President Donald Trump had threatened to walk away from health care reform if he didn’t get a vote.

“We were very close,” Trump said in the Oval Office, after the bill was pulled. “It was a very, very tight mar gin.”

The decision to delay the vote marks an acute embarrassment for the President, who

U.S President, Donald Trump

had gambled big by presenting holdout House conservatives with a take-it-or-leave it ultimatum Thursday night and put his own credibility on the line.

But Trump repeat edly pointed the finger directly at Democrats, who all opposed the measure, rather than at

his own party, which holds a significant majority in the House.

“We had no Democratic support,” he said. “I’ve been saying for the last year and a half that the best thing we could do, politically speaking, is let Obamacare explode.

It’s exploding right now.”

The failure also puts Ryan in a much weakened political position, after being defied by his own conference, which seems just as unsuited to governing in the Trump era as it was when it was effectively a protest coalition under Obama.

It became clear during a day of intense political intrigue that despite fierce arm-twisting

by Trump, Ryan and other leaders that the votes simply were not there to pass the bill and the leadership and the White House were headed for a lopsided defeat.

They were unable to narrow the schism between Freedom Caucus

conservatives, who believe the bill keeps too much of Obamacare intact, and moderates, who worry they will pay an electoral price if millions of Americans lose health insurance.

The House meltdown on Obamacare repeal has perilous implications for the American health care system, with Republicans apparently unable to repeal the law but also unwilling to fix the deficiencies that the White House says will collapse the law.

“We came up short,” Ryan told re porters. “We are go-

ing to be living with Obamacare for the foreseeable future.”

Democrats were gleeful after the failure to even hold a vote.

“In my life, I have never seen an administration as incompetent as the one occupying the White House today,” said Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer, the New York Democrat, who spars often with Trump. “Today we’ve learned they can’t count votes and they can’t close a deal. So much for the art of the deal.” (CNN)

Saturday March 25th, 2017 -14:30 hrs Sunday March 26th, 2017 - 14:30 hrs Monday March 27th, 2017 - 14:30 hrs House Speaker, Paul Ryan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 25, 2017

Government to pay Republic Bank loan for Marriott Hotel GOVERNMENT may have to find an “unbudgeted” US$1.1M to bail the Marriott Hotel out as the controversial hotel’s loan is due.

This was disclosed on Friday by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, during a press briefing at his ministry’s boardroom on Main Street.

While speaking on the subject of situations in which the government finds itself, Jordan said that the loan amount is due at Republic Bank.

The Marriott Hotel, which is a US$30M investment by the Government, through the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), is owned by Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI) and was reported to have been financed by a US$27M loan raised from a consortium of businesses.

Republic Bank had assumed responsibility for managing the loan, which with interest and other costs would see the hotel repaying US$26M in 26 installments.

On Friday, Jordan said AHI “don’t have any money and NICIL, the holding company which was being utilised by the previous administration to finance several major investments, also does not have monies to repay the loan amount.

“Who is going to pay so we don’t lose the asset of Marriott, “Jordan asked as he noted that the US$1.1M is payable every six months for a 13-year period.

Asked if the hotel is not performing, he said “It

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

doesn’t matter if it does well, remember it’s the entertainment that was going to make it (loan payments)”.

He said the government will have to make the payment, a sum which he termed an “unbudgeted expense”.

He said the government has to find the money, a problem which he noted was not created by the present administration.

This publication reported last December that even with a “good” occupancy rate, the controversial 197-room Marriott Hotel was unable to service its loan. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the (NICIL), Horace James, said that the hotel’s Board of Directors disclosed that the hotel was unable to service its debt at its Annual General Meeting during the last quarter of 2016.

“They [the board] say they are not able to service their debt,” he said, adding that there are still some outstanding loans from Republic Bank that the hotel might be

Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown

able to access.

However, the CEO pointed out that AHI would “obviously” need to revise its plan to access those loans.

He added too that he believes this process of revising the plan has begun.

He posited that the additional revenue the hotel could have been generating from its Entertainment Complex and Casino was not there. As such, James noted that the board expressed its intention to have the Entertainment Complex and Casino up and running at the soonest possible time.

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Editorial

THE planting of sugar for commercial purpose has always attracted its own politics. The politics of slavery was one where the plantation owners exploited the unpaid labour of Africans, who were deemed property, and lived and toiled under inhumane conditions. This barbaric system resulted in resistance throughout the hundreds of years of its existence. When indentured labour arrived, though conditions of work and living were relatively better than slavery, the system of servitude was still abominable and those workers fought it.

The oppressive systems of slavery and indentureship were not without leadership and organising among the oppressed to bring about justice and parity in the society. Neither were the oppressed without supportive leadership from those who did not live and labour under such conditions.

In 1943, when Dr Cheddi Jagan returned to then British Guiana and focused attention on mobilising the masses to change their circumstances, he met an energised and formally organised workforce in the sugar industry. Those workers were organised into trade unions by the likes of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow and Iyube Edun and were conscious of what their conditions of work and living ought to be. Jagan joined the trade union and made an impact both in forestry and sugar, lending leadership to the workers’ cause.

In 1948 when the strikes in the estates on the East Coast of Demerara occurred, which resulted in the deaths of sugar workers, Jagan played a leading role in giving direction to this activity. On the day of the funeral of those, who are the Enmore Martyrs, mourners marched along the East Coast Demerara road all the way to Le Repentir Cemetery in Georgetown.

In that procession, Jagan walked with the leaders which would

have sent a message to the colonial power that Indians on the sugar estates have found a leader in him.

The 1948 event was a game- changer and influenced the Crown to favourably respond to calls for a Commission of Inquiry into the riots that resulted from the strikes. And as Jagan maintained a presence in the sugar industry through the trade union, he intensified his party politics around the country.

Sugar’s inherent politics of activism has not been lost on those who pursue politics to get into office or make political statements, one way or the other. The Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Rise Organise and Rebuild Guyana (ROAR), and the Alliance For Change (AFC) when they came onto the political scene headed straight to the sugar belt to engage the workers and tried forming trade unions or pressure groups from within the ranks, notwithstanding the presence of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and NAACIE. The earlier rivalry between the recognised Manpower Citizens Association (MPCA) and challenger Guyana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU) to represent the workers saw the accusation by the latter that the former was a company union.

The GIWU was co-founded by Jagan in 1946 and with the nationalisation of the sugar industry in 1976 GAWU, formerly GIWU, won recognition to represent the workers.

During nationalization, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) suffered from constant arson where young sugar canes, the property of the state, were burnt. This act ended when the PPP assumed political office in 1992. There were other acts of alleged sabotage to factory equipment during the pre-1992 period. The State carried tremendous loss of revenue from these incidents at a time when sugar’s price was lucrative

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 25, 2017

on the world and preferential markets. The aborted diversification plans in the industry adversely impacted the industry’s revenue capacity.

When the World Bank advised Guyana that the industry should be closed, the PPP/C government failed to do any feasibility study even as estates were closed and the Consolidated Fund was used to invest more than US$200M in the decrepit Skeldon Factory. Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, at this time when the industry requires level-headed approaches to determine its future, is opting to take a different route.

Though the crisis in sugar escalated under Mr Jagdeo’s presidency, the proposals he is raising now to save the industry, had he implemented them could have probably stopped the haemorrhaging. The industry was also denied required attention during his 12- year presidency to prepare for the inevitable. Where the European Union recently announced phasing out preferential treatment, and in the midst of GuySuCo’s crisis, Government has to be mindful of sugar’s politics and the consequences that could be wrought by those who see the sugar workers as expedient to their desire for political office.

Missionary sought to Royston King must be sent

discredit Hinduism on his accumulative leave Dear Editor, I COMMEND Ms Sherlina Nageer and Mr Chris Persaud on their letters to the editor under captions, “Who gave an American missionary permission to preach in Georgetown schools” (SN, March 21), and “Roopnaraine should investigate matter of missionaries preaching in Georgetown schools” (SN, March 23), respectively.

And, “Missionary at Central High School” (Guyana Times, March 23).

I first learnt about this missionary when I came across a documentary against Hinduism titled, “The truth about Hinduism,” by Pastor Steven Anderson of the Faithful Word Baptist Church on YouTube. I viewed the said documentary and other videos of the Church’s

works and realised some of the preachings were actually held in several public schools in Georgetown. I then made some comments and a call on the authorities, particularly the Ministry of Education on social network, to look into the matter.

Mr Editor, having viewed the documentary and other talks held at these public schools, I am of the conviction that this missionary’s objective is to discredit, demonise and destroy Hinduism. The documentary presented a crude, vicious and disrespectful image of Hinduism. The producer of the documentary basically recorded the practices of a remote forest tribe in India and declared such practices to be the Hindu religion. The pastor then quoted biblical ideologies to demonstrate the so-called superiority of

his faith. There was also a relentless attack on the Bhagavad Geeta.

I later learnt that after the uploading of the documentary on YouTube, it was removed within six days as a result of it reaching 65,000 viewers.

The church has ordered thousands of DVDs of the said documentary to be distributed, particularly among Indians who are their targets. I call on every right- thinking person to condemn this hate mission and that the Ministries of Education and Social Cohesion look into this matter.

Discipline all authorities who allowed these people to enter public schools to discredit Hinduism. Guyana is a secular State.

Regards Pt. C. Nandalall

Dear Editor, THE Minister of State has indicated that the Government’s policy is to ensure that officers do not accumulate annual leave and in turn request pay in lieu of such. He said that this is the practice that they have encountered since they came into office and this sounds quite reasonable.

But why then doesn’t this same law apply to the Town Clerk of Georgetown, Royston King, who has years of annual leave accumulated but who has opted not to take it. Indeed, there could be no better time than now, for him to be made to

take his leave, as there has been a suggestion that an audit in some shape or form may soon be undertaken at the Council.

Additionally, with the Minister of Communities suspending the operation of the By-Laws, which governs the Parking Meter Project for three months to allow for the review of the agreement, again it would be a good idea to have the town clerk, a major player in the process, recuse himself, because of a potential conflict of interest or lack of impartiality.

There is an old saying: “What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.” Or is King above

the law? One gets the feeling that he is indispensable, and should he take his leave then the entire City Council would collapse. Time off work is important for health and well-being, and it also helps increase productivity. Creating an environment that encourages taking accrued holiday leave offers the opportunity to improve the mood and productivity of workers.

The human resource manager of the Council should be sanctioned for encouraging this malpractice and unprofessional conduct.

Regards Mateo Phelephe

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 25, 2017

Town Clerk Association being mulled

By Shauna Jemmott

THE Ministry of Communities is mulling the establishment of a ‘National Town Clerk Association’ as it seeks to get town clerks to effectively execute their duties.

The suggestion was thrown out during a workshop by New Amsterdam Deputy Town Clerk, Merlyn Henry, at a recent workshop facilitated by the Ministry of Communities.

The Ministry of Communities in a press statement, said town clerks and their deputies from across the nine municipal councils have called for the establishment of a National Town Clerk Association.

Henry said the forum will assist the clerks in discharging their mandate effectively and improving their overall functionality.

Among those who attended the seminar were Georgetown Town Clerk, Royston King; New Amsterdam’s, Sharon Alexander; Anna Regina’s, Diane Critchlow; Lethem’s, Keisha Vincent; Mabaruma, Barrington Ward; Rose Hall, Natasha Munroe; Corriverton’s, Narendranauth Sukhram; and Bartica’s,

Phoebe Wallerson.

During the discussions with Permanent Secretary, Emil McGarrell, the town clerks said issues of financial and human resource management were among their main concerns.

They believe that if addressed, these issues can minimise the instances of other problems that may arise.

The workshop was organised by the Ministry’s Municipal Services Department under the theme, “Improving Municipal Management to enhance service delivery.”

The sessions were designed to allow for the drafting of terms of reference to inform and guide the roles and functions of the post of town clerk.

Most of the town clerks spoke of the nature of their work and the frustrations and challenges they encounter and posited potential solutions that can be used to foster better working relations between them and the Council.

MISINTERPRETATION One of the main challenges highlighted by all of the town clerks was the

conflicts that arose out of a misinterpretation of the roles of the elected element of the Council as policy-makers, against the administrative element.

They were reminded of Article 71 and its ensuing sub-sections, which provides for Guyana’s division into regions and sub-regions, which would fall under the ambit of any municipality.

The town clerks were also told of Government’s desire to entrench local Government development as one of the priority areas, even as the towns were being positioned as economic zones within the structure.

With plans to establish three additional towns on the cards, McGarrell stated that municipalities would be charged with the vital responsibility of ensuring that the needs of citizens are well considered.

“When citizens feel satisfied at the council level, it is only then that Central Government would have delivered on its mandate,” the permanent secretary remarked.

The town clerks noted that the forum was very instrumental in providing information and best prac-

tices that can be adopted by the various councils.

They were also a great deal of knowledge-sharing and networking among the town clerks that will allow for greater transparency and regularity in the accounting system at the council level.

The Ministry is currently in discussions to facilitate an action round-table with mayors, deputy mayors and town clerks in the near future.

The town clerks were informed that the Ministry’s legal department is preparing proposed amendments to the Municipal and District Council Act Chapter 28:01 that relates to the stalemates resulting from the internal local Government elections.

The Ministry’s Legal Officer, Denise Hodge, explained that instead of having the terms for mayor and deputy mayor run on a calendar basis, the proposal suggests a term that runs from January 1 to December 31.

The newly-elected mayor and deputy mayor of Corriverton and the deputy mayor of Georgetown are expected to take the oath of office on Friday, March 31, 2017.

PPP playing a dangerous game Dear Editor, THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is playing dangerous games and the government must be vigilant.

While we understand the role of the Opposition, we must be able to differentiate between constructive and destructive opposition.

Let it be clear that the PPP is almost at the point of clutching at straws as they are aware of the amount of dirt that the malfeasance investigations have revealed on the former government. They are aware of the damage that could be done to the party, but are even more concerned for their freedom.

It is in this context that the PPP operates. To paint the nation’s current existence as doom and gloom, danger and despair to take the attention off their wrongdoings.

For example, it makes no

sense procrastinating on the Volda Lawrence emergency drug purchase which the PPP media, Citizen’s Report, Inews et al, have described as a scandal. During the PPP’s reign, many party associates became very rich going into various business sectors. The health sector was no different. Many suppliers are hacks with little to no experience in acquiring drugs, fronting for someone else, and running rackets. These are the same PPP associates providing drugs today and colluding to control the sector. In fact, it is no secret that the PPP created and enriched handpicked Indian business people to 1) outnumber Blacks and decrease their economic power and 2) ensure that even if the party were not in government, they’d remain in power, since the top brass within every sector would be connected to the PPP. This is why we have the

Private Sector Commission behaving like it is at war with the government.

They were fully aware of the underground economy that existed and benefited immensely from it, so they complain about the new measures. Of the many corrupt acts of the PPP, they are being questioned about one so far: Pradoville 2 and are already crying. While Jagdeo has activated his immunity as former president, others are already willing to pay the difference for the stolen properties. The party is complaining about a celebratory drink they claim the British High Commission, SOCU and government officials had following the arrest of PPP members. They say it is collusion.

The former Attorney General Anil Nandlall is constantly on Berbice radio spewing racist messages

about the ‘Black government’ wanting to erase the PPP and ultimately Indian power. He has been on the radio calling for Indians to protest, and to come out with their combines and tractors, while Jagdeo after his arrest has started numerous outreaches to garner party support against any further arrests pertaining to the Pradoville 2 investigation. Since the DPP is part of the Pradoville investigation, she cannot advise on the file.

However, the police legal advisor is taking her precious time perusing the case file against her “PPP friends.” The distractions will become plentiful if the government is to go ahead with the “hundreds” of inconsistencies found during PPP’s reign Regards Akeem Bennons

Man charged with death of ‘Six Head’ Lewis walks free THE man charged with causing the death of former World Boxing Champion, Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis walked out of the Georgetown Magistrate Court a free man on Friday. Lewis was the first Guyanese boxer to capture the WBC Welterweight world title in 2001.

Magistrate Fabayo Azore dismissed the charge against Manx Powers, who was on trial for the offence of causing death by dangerous driving, on the grounds that there was not enough evidence against him.

Powers,33, a Pork-Knocker of Lot 102 Campbellville, Georgetown was accused of driving motor car PNN 596 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Lewis on May 4,2015 at New Hope, East Bank Demerara.

Powers had been released on $250,000 bail pending trial.

In her ruling, the Mag-

FREED: Manx Powers

DEAD: Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis

istrate underscored that although Lewis died as a result of injuries he sustained in the accident, there was no evidence to prove that Powers drove in a dangerous manner.

The prosecution relied on the testimony of an eyewitness, who told the court that Lewis rode into the path of the motor car.

According to the eyewitness, Lewis attempted to cross the road on his bicycle and paid no attention to ongoing traffic. The eyewitness said that Powers failed to avoid the collision even after swerving from the bicycle Lewis was riding.

Meanwhile, the prosecution thereafter gave oral notice of its intention of appealing the decision. According to reports, Lewis, 44, of Hutsonville, New Hope, East Bank Demerara was riding a bicycle, when he lost control and rode into a motor car. He was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he died.

‘Crass disrespect’ 8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 25, 2017

–– AG says accusations made by Nandlall is an assault on the government

–– threatens legal action against KN, Guyana Times and INews

By Ravin Singh ACCUSATIONS made

by Anil Nandlall that Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, SC, threatened a High Court judge has been described by the latter as “crass disrespect” and an assault on the government.

The case involves Carvil Duncan, who was accused of being involved in the purloining of $27M, while he served as a Director of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).

Duncan was charged and a letter was dispatched to him by the Prime Minister, the designated authority, for him to show cause why a tribunal should not be set up by the President to look at the question of his removal from those constitutional offices he held; including the Public Service Commission, the Judicial Service Commission and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Commission.

Williams, SC, entered the case as AG after

Deputy Solicitor General (DSG), Prithima Kissoon, was sent on administrative leave last month.

Nandlall stated that during the trial on March 23, 2017, after hours of cross-examination, Williams got “agitated” and accused the High Court Judge, Justice Franklin Holder of not accurately recording answers from the witness.

He said that the Judge took umbrage to the accusation made by the AG who, despite being warned, made the accusation a second time. Nandlall related that the Judge again admonished Williams, SC about the accusation and he (Williams) responded by threatening the Judge.

Nandlall made a public statement about the incident on his Facebook profile on Thursday evening, and this was used by three media houses, which produced stories on the incident. The three entities were Kaieteur News, Guyana Times and INews.

In light of these accusations being peddled

by these publications, the AG on Friday at a press conference at the National Communications Network (NCN), said that he will take legal action against those media houses.

“I practised law for 33 years and no allegations have been made against me in the practice of my profession. Newspapers have come out and I shall be taking actions against those newspapers” he told reporters.

The AG said that he will be taking action because several weeks ago he warned that it was no longer “free day” on his name, as he would not permit anyone to filch his “good name”.

“I have never done acts of corruption” AG Williams maintained.

He went on to state that the accusation by Nandlall, who is a former AG, “reeks of crass disrespect” and is an “assault on the government,” since he (Williams) is a government minister.

“I gave warning. I am not going to allow peo-

ple to attack me and my office. It is an assault on the government. We have to ensure people’s reputations are protected” the AG said, confirming that legal action will also be taken against Nandlall.

In detailing what transpired, Williams, SC said that he was cross-examining Duncan, who is being represented by Nandlall, and the latter kept interrupting the court.

Williams, SC said that when the Judge announced that he was about to adjourn the matter, he (Williams) made a request to ask a final question, which he was permitted to do.

The AG said that after he had directed his final question to the confidential secretary of Duncan, since she was the one being cross-examined, he thanked her and proceeded to his seat.

He then stated that: “When I was about to sit, I saw the Judge was about to leave and I said ex abundanti cautela; out of excessive caution could I enquire the answer ‘no’

was recorded. The Judge, to my surprise said, Mr. Williams you’re not in charge of my court.”

The AG related that the Judge then said that he interprets what Williams said to mean that he (the Judge) did not record a previous answer given by the witness, and that he (the Judge) takes great umbrage to that.

Williams, SC said he then shared an experience which happened years ago, where a magistrate presiding over a matter he was involved in had interpreted something he said, differently. He said that since then he has been “particular” about what he says in court and “incidentally, that magistrate is dead now”.

He noted that after this, he continued his conversation with Justice Holder, after which Nandlall “jumped in as though he was under the influence of something” and the Judge left the benches.

The AG said that his view is that the Judge had intended to leave but he

Attorney General Basil Williams (Williams) had detained him by asking another question. He said that no date was given by the Judge for a continuation of the hearing, as he has the option of sending notices to counsel about new dates.

I am concerned about what happened… I am the Attorney General of this country and as Minister of Legal Affairs, I have an interest in how justice is meted out in this country” Williams, SC said.

Garbage strike looms –– contractors owed over $200M

THE city’s two garbage disposal contractors have indicated to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) that they will be on strike as of Monday, March 27, as they are owed over $200M. Puran Brothers Disposal Inc and Cevon’s Waste

Management have been at loggerheads with the M&CC over the years as a result of late payments.

Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan in a recent post on his Facebook page disclosed that Cevon’s and Puran Brothers are poised to strike from Monday after being owed $172,707,790 and

$115,141,777 respectively.

It was explained that threats by the two companies to strike come at a time when the Council’s debt stands at $2.5 billion, of which $1.7 billion is owed to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).

“Monies are owed to workers, companies and individu-

als…rarely days go by when the M&CC isn’t approached for the payments of monies owed to companies and individuals for services provided to the municipality. Some businesses and individuals have been waiting for over a year for payments,” said Duncan.

The deputy mayor disclosed that Council is cur-

rently reviewing its options should the two companies go ahead with the strike action.

In 2015, Puran Brothers had threatened to pull their services from the M&CC because the Council had owed them $40M. Efforts to contact both Cevons Waste Manage-

Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan ment and Puran Brothers Disposal proved futile on Friday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 25, 2017

Government to explore all options to stabilise Guyana dollar

–– commercial banks to meet to determine standard exchange rates

By Alva Solomon

SEVERAL factors including the hoarding of foreign currency from the local market, underperformance of the export sector as well as an additional demand for foreign currency are affecting the stability of the foreign exchange rate.

Against this backdrop Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, told the press on Friday afternoon that the government will explore all options to stabilise the value of the Guyana dollar.

At the same time, the commercial banks are expected to meet next week with the Central Bank and all parties are expected to determine and agree on a standard foreign exchange rate for transactions.

This was disclosed on Friday afternoon after officials of the Guyana Association of Bankers met with Jordan and Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma, Dr Gobind Ganga Governor of the Bank of Guyana and other officials in the ministry’s boardroom on Main Street in the capital.

While the exchange rate at some commercial banks hovered at G$208/G$210 to US$1 this week , recent reports in some sections of the media suggested that the value of the Guyana dollar had depreciated to various rates, including G$230 and G$250.

However, according to Jordan, the two figures quoted are for an online transaction, while another was being charged by an airline for ticket transactions.

He said the country is experiencing a “dry period” as regards the availability of foreign currency. According to

him, during the meeting with bank officials, the banks indicated that one factor which is contributing to the problem is that exports have dropped, a scenario which he admitted is known to the ministry. Since sugar is not doing as well as it should, the rice market is in a similar situation, while gold is the only mineral in the mining sector which is performing, he said the ministry is aware of the situation. He said gold is the only export which is out-performing the other sectors of the economy.

According to the Finance Minister, the banks also suggested that there are additional demands for foreign exchange from the local market. ”They feel there might be some type of hoarding,” he said. In addition, Jordan said gold dealers may not be declaring production as they , while there are the holders of retention accounts who are buying foreign currency from the local market.

“There is a mismatch between supply and demand “, he said, noting that commercial banks are knowledgeable of the situation on the ground.

The banks, the minister said, have agreed to meet more frequently and the Central Bank has agreed to provide support to such meetings.

Given the situation illustrated by the banks, Jordan said that the government “can do everything possible.” He said that the options available include ensuring that the Central Bank sellsforeign currency to the local market, a move which he noted the commercial banks indicated is not a first option at this time, since the situation would have to warrant such a move.

In addition , he said that

a number of persons hold retention accounts at the commercial banks, which he said have been “parked” and such persons are now “ trying to jump into the market. “ Jordan explained that retention account holders are afforded the “privilege” at the behest of the Central Bank to retain such monies at the commercial banks. He said some of the account holders are net earners of foreign currency and such persons are now taking advantage of the ongoing dry period on the foreign currency market.

He said the Central Bank will “do some talking “with the holders of such accounts, noting that the bank can consider implementing temporary measures as regards such accounts.

During the press briefing, Dr Ganga gave the reassurance that there is no foreign currency “crisis.” As regards air carrier Dynamic Airways, he said the airline may have illegally upped its firing exchange rate regarding ticket prices, where the problematic airline has been charging a G$250 to US$1 rate.

Reports on Thursday are that Roraima Airways , the local handling company of Dynamic , informed travel agencies that the carrier’s tickets must be sold at the new rate of G$250 , a rate which it arrived at after making similar increases within the matter of days.

Dr Ganga said that the rate would be “less competitive” for the problematic airline, a move he termed illegal, since according to him, the entity should utilise the Central Bank exchange rate which he termed an advertised rate.

Smuggling of AK-47, matching rounds …

Police awaiting advice in ASP matter ACTING top cop David Ramnarine has said that the police are awaiting final advice in the matter involving an assistant superintendent of police (ASP) in the smuggling of an AK-47 and matching rounds out of the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) compound.

The subordinate officer involved, Corporal Shevon Marks, has since been placed before the court, charged for illegal possession of a high-powered rifle, with matching ammunition and was remanded to prison.

Marks was caught in an intelligence-led surveillance by his colleagues on February 28, when he and the ASP attempted to smuggle an AK-47 assault rifle with matching ammunition

out of the compound of the Tactical Services Unit (TSU).

Ramnarine said as for the senior officer, his file is still with the DPP for advice. He noted that the complete advice has not yet been returned to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) because it was re-sent for some points to be clarified.

In the meantime, the ASP in question, whose name was mentioned in the press has since been moved from the TSU to another location (Mounted Branch).

In an earlier interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told reporters that the ASP is expected to face a departmental charge.

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan (centre ), Junior Minister of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma (second from left ) and Bank of Guyana governor, Dr Gobind Ganga (third from left ), sit alongside officials of the Guyana Association of Bankers prior to a meeting between both parties on Friday.

Meanwhile, Minister Jordan noted that the government will continue to undertake its mandate to improve production in various economic sectors of the economy. “We are trying to do some work with sugar,” he said.

He said that he met with the Berbice Chamber of Commerce on Friday morning and officials of the body informed him that they prefer the Guyana Sugar Corporation being privatized, but with certain conditions. Noting that the Skeldon sugar factory may be a prime candidate for privatisation, he said that there are interests in various parts of GuySuco.”That would take

a load off of our hands as it relates to continuous transfers “, he noted.

He said that production in the rice sector appears to be improving as compared to 2016 and he noted that there are other crops which can be cultivated under a plantation-type agriculture method, such as coconuts and pineapples, which can bring foreign currency into the country.

“For us to go and get investment, plantation-type agriculture is the way to go ,“Jordan said.

He said the two largescale gold-mining firms, Troy Resources and Guyana Gold-

fields Inc., are at production stage while manganese mining would be on stream in 2018.

As regards communication with the local business bodies, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association and the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Jordan said that he has an open-door policy as regards interaction with the two entities.

He said he tried unsuccessfully to meet with the PSC in the recent past, while the GMSA has not contacted the Finance Ministry in recent times, including about its concerns on the economy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 25, 2017

GCCI elects new Council –– says no breaches in elections of Council members

THE Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday refuted allegations that their recently held Council elections obtained several breaches as reported by the Guyana Chronicle.

In a statement to the media, the GCCI said it has noted the articles carried by this publication about the conduct of the elections of Councillors at its Annual General Meeting, held at Duke Lodge on March 16 and made it, “categorically clear” that “the procedures followed at its recent elections were

open, transparent and fair, and were no different from the procedures followed at previous elections.”

Guyana Chronicle reported that the Chamber’s Executive Director, Kirk Hollingsworth, had acknowledged that there were several breaches in the procedures employed to elect members of the GCCI’s Council and has suggested that independent legal advice be sought.

The Guyana Chronicle had also carried an article on Monday, March 20, where some members have expressed concern about

the handling of the body’s election of the 2016/2017 Council last week and have called for a re-run of the election.

According to the aggrieved members, the Constitution of the body has been breached by the holding of the council election on the same day of the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

In the missive written to the Executive Management Committee and seen by this publication, Hollingsworth had said “In light of media reports today and discreet inqui-

ries by some members about the conduct of last Thursday’s elections for new council members, a Special Executive Management Committee meeting was convened at the chamber’s offices this afternoon.”

He continued: “At today’s Special Executive Management Committee meeting (Minutes attached), it was established that there were four material breaches of the chamber’s rules in the conduct of elections to the Council of the Chamber at last Thursday’s (16 March) AGM. The specific breaches are as follows: Rules -7.2C, 8.1, 8.5 and 8.6 (Amended Rules of Chamber attached).”

The executive director noted however that the

Special Executive Management Committee acknowledged that the procedures followed at the elections (most likely inadvertently) were hardly different from those followed at previous elections (since 2014 or thereabouts).

“Nevertheless, given the now evident material breaches, the Executive Committee suggested that independent legal opinion (Ronald Burch-Smith or Mark Waldron suggested attorneys), should be sought regarding the way forward in terms of the elections of the new GCCI Council,” the letter said.

Past president, Vishnu Doerga, had told Guyana Chronicle that as far as he is aware, there were no discrepancies in the

procedure employed for the election of Council members.

However, on Friday the GCCI said that “a new Council that is representative of the wishes of the majority of those members, who attended and participated in the elections of 16 March, is now in place and the new Council of the Chamber has pledged to ensure that the rules of the GCCI and procedures to be followed in the conduct of all future elections of the Chamber are aligned.”

Additionally, he assured that it will continue to represent the interests of all its members and said it strongly advocate for social and economic development of Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 25, 2017

UG disappointed in unions’ industrial action – pay hike up for discussion at Council meeting

THE University of Guyana (UG) Council is slated to discuss the issue of salary increases and other demands made by the unions at its upcoming meeting on March 30.

The University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU), have demanded that they be called to the negotiating table, instead of the administration imposing a 12 to 15 percent increase in salaries.

But the University of Guyana in a statement on Friday noted that the administration has been meeting in good faith with union executives for several months to end the cycle of conflict and dysfunction that has plagued the institution and has now found it “disappointing to see that the unions

have resorted to industrial action while efforts are being made to resolve outstanding matters.”

At a Town Hall meeting on March 20 at the Turkeyen Campus, Vice-Chancellor, Ivelaw Griffith, made it clear to the union leaders that in the absence of a decision by the University Council, it would be irresponsible of him to name a percentage salary increase, especially since one has to consider the source of the funds to pay the increase.

“The matter of salaries will be part of the 2017 revised budget, which will be one of three critical items the Vice-Chancellor will be placing on the agenda of the special UG Council meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 30, 2017. The revised budget, and the two other items—the creation of the

UG Vice-Chancellor Ivelaw Griffith School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation and the establishment of a new campus—were the subject of a campus consultation on March 15,” the statement

from UG noted.

The University claimed that the Academic Board, the leaders of the unions and the leaders of the UGSS were all invited to the consultation but the leaders of the unions chose to boycott it.

Professor Griffith had told the Guyana Chronicle that there are several critical items on the Council’s agenda aimed at addressing some of the long standing insufficiencies plaguing faculty, staff and students. This includes a multi-year pay hike for faculty and staff beginning 2017.

“The fact of the matter is that UG has been unable to attract the desired complement of qualified staff because of salaries that are not competitive. The staff deserves better and the students deserve better. We have to do something about that and

we have to do something now,” Professor Griffith had said.

According to him, hard realities will have to be faced and tough decisions will have to be made in order to get the University to where it should be. “If we don’t face it, we can’t fix it. I am in the business of facing and fixing.

I have been here for only 8 months and there is a lot of that to do. We have to keep focus on the work to benefit our students and our staff.”

According to the University, there is copious evidence of the administration’s responsiveness to the concerns of staff, pointing out that in November 2016, the employment of seven individuals from the UG Printery/ Bookstore was regularised by offering them permanent contracts; in January 2017,

three persons from the group of casual employees were appointed Tradesmen in the Facilities Maintenance Department; and in February, 20 casual employees were given contracts for one year and placed on the monthly payroll.

“It is also noteworthy that the University grants millions of dollars of educational waivers annually— where employees studying for diplomas and degrees pay no tuition fees.

This list of benefits does not include the improvements in the facilities that have begun under the Tenth Vice-Chancellor,” the statement noted.

The University said it is committed to improving the salaries and working conditions at the university and to enhancing the quality of staff performance to deliver quality educational services to students.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 25, 2017

Law student wins case against UG

By George Barclay

THE Guyana Appellate Court has ruled in favour of University of Guyana (UG) student, Clairmonte Cox, in a case where the university refused to review his results in the Law of Succession (313) and Trade Union Law (323) examinations.

Retired Chancellor (ag), Justice Carl Singh, along with Justice of Appeal, BS Roy and Madam Justice Dawn Gregory, an additional judge on February 24, 2017, dismissed an appeal by UG against the judgment of former Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang, who had decided in favour of the student, respondent Cox. On the 14th August, 2013, the applicant Cox, by way of Originating Motion,had applied to the court for the following prerogative reliefs: “(1) An order or Rule Nisi of Certiorari directed to the Board of Governors and the Council of the University of Guyana to show cause why an Order or Rule nisi of Certiorari should not issue to bring up to this Honour-

able Court and quash the decision made by the Board of Governors, the Council of the University of Guyana and the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana , contained in a letter by the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana to the applicant dated 4th June 2013, on the grounds that the said decision was made in breach of Rule 12 of the University Regulations, unfair, unreasonable, irrational, arbitrary, capricious , ultra vires, null , void and of no legal effect. “(2) An Order or Rule Nisi of Mandamus directed to the Board of Governors of the University of Guyana , the Council of the University and the principal and ViceChancellor of the University compelling them to grant to the applicant within fourteen days of service on them of this Order and unconditional review of the law of Succession – Law 313 and Trade Union Law – 323 courses he had failed a the final examination of the university in the academic year 2002 – 2003 on the grounds that the fail-

ure to grant an unconditional review after the demand was made by the applicant in breach of Rule 12 of the University Regulations, unfair, unreasonable, irrational, arbitrary, capricious, ultra vires, null void and of no legal effect.”

In September 2000, the applicant was admitted to a course of study at the university leading to a degree of Bachelor of Laws.

On December 4, 2000, he entered into a loan agreement with the Ministry of Finance acting on behalf of the Government of Guyana (the lender for the sum of $300, 000 on terms and conditions set out in a written agreement.

Despite his default in making repayment of that loan, he was allowed to attend classes for the final year and to write the examinations in seven subjects.

He wrote two supplemental examinations i.e. of Succession and Law of Insurance.

REFUSAL Despite his pleas to the university for nine years,

the university refused to release to him his grades for those examinations.

But on September 19, 2012, the High Court granted to him a writ of Mandamus compelling the university to release to him his examination grades for the academic year 2002 /2003.

Seven months after the Writ of Mandamus was served on the university, his examination results were released to him. On May 7, 2013, pursuant to Rule 12 of the university’s regulations, he applied to the Assistant Registrar for examinations of the university within the prescribed time and demanded a review of the two subjects he had failed.

On June 4, 2013, he received an e-mail from the Principal and Vice-Chancellor, rejecting his demand for a review and demanding that he pay all outstanding fees

and penalties as a condition precedent to being granted the review.

In his decision, then Chief Justice Chang said the court sees it fit to order that the decision of the university and the principal and vice-chancellor to refuse the applicant’s application for a review of his examination results of his two failed examination courses in the Law of Succession 313 and Trade Union Law 323 be quashed

by Certiorari.

The University of Guyana and the principal and vice-chancellor of the university are commanded by Mandamus to review or cause to be reviewed the examination results of the application in relation to the Law of Succession (313) and Trade Union Law (323) within one calendar month of the rendering of this decision.

The Court of Appeal read the Notice of Appeal dated and filed the second day of April 2014 by and on behalf of the appellant University of Guyana and the Record of Appeal filed herein.

Upon hearing, Attorney K Ramkarran, Counsel for the appellant University of Guyana and Ms B Glasford, in association with and for Rex Mc Kay, S.C. and Mr. Neil Boston, S.C., counsel for the respondent Clairmonte Cletus Cox: The Court of Appeal ordered that the appeal be and is hereby dismissed and that the judgment of the learned Chief Justice (ag) dated March 27, 2014, be and is hereby affirmed.

It is also ordered by consent that costs are agreed in the sum of $150, 000.00 be paid by the appellant to the respondent.

Rotaract Club of Georgetown hosts Inaugural Recycle Fair today …. CYEN observes Earth Hour

THE Rotaract Club of Georgetown (RCG) under its Community Service Arm will today host its Inaugural Recycle Fair under the theme “Think Ecofriendly, Live Ecofriendly.”

Members of the public are invited to the event, which will be held at the Parade Ground, Middle Street, Georgetown. Starting time is 08:00hrs and the fair continues until 17:00hrs.

The initiative, the first of its kind in Guyana, forms part of the Earth Hour week of events promoted by IWOKRAMA. On this occasion, the club, in partnership with Food for the Poor, will set up on Parade Ground throughout the period and will be collecting items that persons wish to recycle or donate to the less fortunate.

Trumpeted as a means to de-clutter and ‘spring-clean,’ the Rotaract Club of Georgetown is encouraging persons to donate new or reusable items including: clothes, shoes, toys, stationery, canned or packaged food items, bottles and utensils.

“Basically anything that households and businesses may have but may not be using or have no intention of using,” will be well received.

Arrangements are in place for persons with

large quantities of items to have them picked up prior to the fair.

However, the organizers wish to inform the public that persons, who have not managed to have their items picked up, may take them to the venue of the fair, where they can be deposited into large boxes at strategic points on the lawns.

“For such persons, you’re not too late and it’s a good time for you to make your contribution. Just bring those bags, boxes and packages down to Parade Ground today,” said Jimeel Davis, Senior Manager of Food for the Poor, one of the organizing entities.

Once sorted, the items will be donated to Food for the Poor, who will take charge of delivering and distributing with members of RCG to those in need.

For further details, contact the Rotaract Club of Georgetown on telephone numbers 667-9713 or 678-5936.

Meanwhile, Earth Hour observances will also be held at the National Park, beginning at 19:30 hrs tonight. Activities include a concert and the switching off of lights for 60 minutes (one hour), during which candles will be used.

This Earth Hour event was organized jointly by the Caribbean Youth Environment Network and the Office of Climate Change.

Brothers accused of stealing raw gold from employer

TWO brothers appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Friday, charged with simple larceny.

The men, Alex Feidtkou, 23 and his younger brother Leon Alleyne, 21 of Essequibo are accused of stealing raw gold from their employer at Waini Backdam, Essequibo on March 20, 2017.

They pleaded not guilty to

the charge, which alleged that they stole 73 penny weights of gold from Zaheer Khan, their employer. The men were granted $100,000 bail each by the Chief Magistrate.

Police prosecutor, Deniro Jones, did not object to bail and informed the court that the gold was found in the possession of the men during a search exercise at Supenaam.

According to Jones, when the gold was found the men could not give an account of it, which made the police suspicious.

Subsequently, the men were arrested after the matter was reported by Khan about the gold theft. The matter was transferred to the Acquero Magistrates Court for April 4, 2017.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 25, 2017

Region Five administration forging ahead with Model Farm at Fort Wellington

DESPITE vehement protests by squatters late last year, the Regional Administration of Region Five is forging ahead with the establishment of a Model Farm demonstrating best farming and integrated farming practices at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice.

Regional Executive Officer (REO), Ovid Morrison, said last week that the Model Farm project will occupy 30 to 35 acres of the 49.7 acres of the land in the area and was in response to a charge

by President David Granger for the Region to craft a Plan of Action for Regional Development (PARD).

He remarked that since the Model Farm project was floated in October of last year, a number of farmers who had been squatting on the land had raised their objections to being asked to vacate the land. He rubbished claims by some “politically motivated individuals” that over 200 squatters will be adversely affected by the move to establish the Model Farm.

“There were actually 10 squatters on the land,” he said adding: “Late last year we gave these squatters up to February 28th, 2017 last

to come in and discuss with us relocation and a deadline of March 31st 2017 to move from the land. Only six of the 10 came in to discuss the situation with us on or before February 28th, and they will be given plots of 1.5 acres of land next to the Model Farm. ‘‘Those four who did not heed our invitation are either being discourteous or have lost interest and they will be evicted after the March 31st 2017 deadline.”

He stressed that there was no question that the land belonged to the Regional Administration and that those former squatters, who have been granted permission to farm there on an allotted 1.5 acres each will not be given titles, or allowed to set up any permanent crops or structures, just short-term cash crops.

Morrison said that the 30 to 35 acres large Model Farm will be established as a demonstration farm on the scientific principles of production of crops, livestock and aquaculture and will be maintained for a period of five years.

“The intention is that interested residents, farmers as well as senior schoolchildren in the Region, or even

farther afield, can visit, learn about and see the application of modern concepts in the production of crops, livestock and fish, such as shade house production and other such concepts, including that of integrated farming, where nothing goes to waste.”

He added that it is generally known that integrated farming eliminates the need for many expensive inputs, typically associated with conventional agricultural production, such as feed and fertilizers.

The Model Farm, he said, is intended to demonstrate the use of integrated farming systems such as those in which waste products from animals can serve as fertilizer or feed for fish and such water can be used as fertilizer for crops in a sort of cycle, which makes a small farm almost completely self-reliant in the required inputs for cheap, but highly productive agricultural production.

Morrison said that the Region also intends to assist senior students, who are enthused by the technology of the Model Farm, in obtaining land from the Mahaica/ Mahaicony/Abary Agricultural Development Authority

(MMA/ADA), which is the Regional land Administration agency, so that they can get involved in developing efficient and profitable systems of crops livestock and fish production.

A proposed management system for the Model Farm includes a Manage-

ment Committee comprising Councillors of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Officers of the Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) and experts in the field of crops, livestock and fisheries production among others.

Morrison noted that

some land preparation has been done to date on the site but the Region Five Model Farm project is expected to get fully underway following the expiry of the March 31st deadline given to the squatters. (Clifford Stanley)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 25, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 25, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 25, 2017

Aishalton lauded for 95% vaccine coverage in 2016

THE Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo village of Aishalton has topped all other communities in Guyana for vaccine coverage for 2016, said Dr Ertenisa Hamilton, Director (ag) of the Maternal Child Health (MCH) department.

Guyana has over the last decade been recognised for 90 per cent country-wide vaccine coverage, and the hinterland community of Aishalton achieved 95 per cent coverage

egation congratulated and honoured health practitioners and the community on the achievement. Members of the foreign delegation comprised Dr Anuradha Gupta, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GAVI; Maria Soledad Urrutia, Health Systems Specialist, PAHO/WHO, Washington DC; Sylvie Fouet, Guyana Representative, (UNICEF) and L Homero Hernandez, Senior Country Manager, Re-

quire big hospitals and structure; you can give vaccine to a child, under a tree or an open space”, Gupta said.

Recent research has shown that vaccines help to improve the cognitive development of children, enabling them to concentrate for longer periods, thereby resulting in improved learning.

Immunisation, Dr Gupta said, has also helped prevent unnecessary contraction of

Representatives of GAVI; PAHO/WHO, UNICEF, Region of the Americas Country Programmes and the Ministry of Public Health stand with leaders of Aishalton during a recent visit to that hinterland community. (Ministry of Public Health photo) for last year.

In a statement to the media on Friday, the Ministry of Public Health said Dr Hamilton’s disclosure was made during a two-day visit to Aishalton during a visit by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) and the Ministry of Public Health.

During their two-day stay, the foreign and local del-

gion of the Americas Country Programmes and Dr Janice Woolford, Specialist Family and Community Health, PAHO/WHO. Dr Shamdeo Persaud, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), headed the MoPH team which also included Drs Hamilton and Roland Choyee, Regional Health Officer, Region Nine.

GAVI’s Dr Gupta during her brief remarks noted that each year, some 110 million children receive vaccines globally. “You can see that immunization does not re-

diseases and deaths.

The GAVI Deputy CEO saluted the community for their hard work and emphasised GAVI’s commitment to supporting immunisation in Guyana. “We are extremely pleased that Guyana is a small country, but has shown very big will and a huge effort, because there is no new vaccine that Guyana has not introduced,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Dr Persaud spoke of the key role of vaccination for children and adults.

“The visit is demonstrating to

Departmental charges for Senior Superintendent of Police Watts THE Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has recommended that departmental charges be laid against Senior Superintendent of Police Errol Watts, who reportedly fuelled his private vehicle from a depot inside of the police compound.

Police Commissioner (ag) David Ramnarine told reporters on Friday that the initial advice from the OPR will stand and that Watts will be charged for his wrongdoing.

“From what I understand is that the file was requested and I do not know who initiated it, that the file be sent for some review and my understanding is that the advice obtained will withstand.”

When asked whether moves are afoot to prevent Watts from being charged departmentally, Ramnarine said, “I appreciate the point

you are making, but the initial advice given is good and would stand.”

He was at the time responding to the media at the conclusion of the Guyana Police Force’s re-commissioning of the Felix Austin Police Centre as Zara Cyber Security Centre at Eve Leary on Friday.

Watts was the focus of an internal probe, after it was found that he was fuelling his private vehicle from a depot inside of the police compound.

The wrongdoing occurred late 2016 and was recorded and published on social media.

The Force launched an investigation into the matter, as only police vehicles, marked and some un-marked, are authorised to be fuelled at the police depots which are located at several stations across the country.

our partners how important… giving a vaccine is and how eager the parents are maintaining the health and well-being of their children”, he said.

Dorothy James, Deputy Toshao, Aishalton, pointed out that although the demographics of the region vary, the health workers and community continue to toil through ‘thick and thin’ to ensure that the community remains healthy.

“We commend our partners and say a great thanks

for supplying vaccines free of cost,” James said In the 1970s, vaccination targeted initially six diseases: measles, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, diphtheria and tuberculosis. From 2001 to 2015, additional antigens were introduced which protected against yellow fever, hepatitis B, mumps, heamophilus influenza, rubella, rotavirus and pneumococcal and meningococcal The human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine was introduced as a pilot

in 2012. Plans are in place for national introduction in 2017.

The continuous vaccination of persons has helped to shield the public from several vaccine-preventable diseases, the Ministry of Public Health stated, while noting that it has gradually moved from its childhood programme over the last decade to include adolescents, and now the entire family under the motto ‘Not any child or family left unvaccinated.’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 25, 2017

GTI’s ‘Trade of Trades’ exhibition to fuel the future

By Shauna Jemmott

CHAIRMAN of the Board of Governors of the Government Technical Institute (GTI), Vincent Alexander, is optimistic that the institution’s ‘Trade of Trades’ exhibition will become an annual feature on its calendar of events bringing industries, students and businesses together to create a window of opportunities for all involved.

Speaking at the opening ceremony for the trade exhibition on the lawns of the campus located at Camp Street and Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, on Wednesday, Alexander said the trade fair “provides an opportunity to demonstrate our linkages – our forward linkages, our backward linkages, our lateral linkages, our linkages with industry, our linkage with tertiary and higher education, our linkage with secondary education.”

He called it a moment of pride and joy for students whose works were exhibited, as they were given the opportunity to demonstrate their skills to the wider community. He said too that it was a proud moment for secondary school students who were provided with the opportunity to observe the things taught at the institution.

“So they could start to cast their minds and cast their eyes beyond GTI and into the future in terms of what career path and what full development path they would wish to follow,” said Alexander, who

also is Technical Advisor to Minister of Education, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine.

Participating external industries also have been given the opportunity to attract students’ attention, motivating decisions which will positively affect their future, Alexander stated.

GTI has altered their day and pushed the theme of ‘fuelling the future’ with the hosting of the grand exhibition displaying the skills of students, and other exhibitors, even as students of other institutions and other visitors streamed into the compound for a peek at the works of craft and creativity.

Various departments of the institution – Land Survey-

ing, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Building, Business, Mechanical Engineering and Science – showcased several projects including their amazing metal creations and how they were done.

Assistant Chief Education Officer within the Ministry of Education, Patrick Chinedu, said the future of the institution and its students can only be fuelled through a collective effort by the Ministry of Education, Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) council, all TVET institutions and the private sector.

He said GTI and like institutions play critical roles in human and national develop-

Sir George James, who has retired from the institution, receives a farewell honour from GTI Lecturer, Malia Smith

Assistant Chief Education Officer, Patrick Chinedu, cuts the ribbon to declare open the Trade of Trades exhibition at the Government Technical Institute as Chairman of the Board of Governors, Vincent Alexander and other GTI executives, students and teachers, look on

A demonstration of metal-processing by a student as others look on

ment, since the improvement of human education and skill is imperative for the country’s economic development. “… Hence, a prudent education system assigns priority to human development in its policy formulation and ensures availability of appropriate funding for this purpose.”

Chinedu said his ministry’s Strategic Plan places emphasis on human development, of which one of the components is Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which now gains tremendous popularity in recent literature.

“The literature refers this subject to education and training that prepares people for an employment and makes them more productive

in various economic fields.

The significance of human development cannot be denied as it is directly linked with the economic growth as it exhibits threshold effects in the sense that nations must attain a certain human development level before future economic growth becomes sustainable,” Chinedu said.

He said in order to achieve greater development, technical institutions and training centres “must have the preferred machinery and equipment for training the skilled workers. The class supervisors must completely handle the production machinery to produce quality goods with higher efficiency.

The teaching staff should be familiar with the practical

knowledge of the factories and there should be an in-service training programme as well.”

Considering changes in the production techniques and introduction of new technology, there should be expert curriculum development and reviews.

Meanwhile, GTI Principal,Renita Crandon-Duncan, congratulated the students and staff for the “amazing projects” on display.

She said the ‘Trade of Trades’ exhibition creates linkages between GTI and other institutions and its skills trade showcased will inspire students of primary and secondary schools.

“Our projects will reflect future programmes of the institutions and innovations of staff and students. These projects are future-based and they demonstrate the importance of science and technology, not only to Technical Vocational Education Training, but to the development of the economy,” she said.

The institution’s consideration of the green initiative also demonstrates the future of it producing and protection of the environment in its work.

“What you will witness today is an exemplification of that theme – what future plans GTI has for driving our economy and realising our vision to produce all-round, skilful graduates who will ensure that Guyana takes her rightful place in the global village,” Duncan said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 25, 2017

Fireside chat ignites entrepreneurial spirit

By Svetlana Marshall

STARTUP Grind Georgetown Guyana successfully pulled off its first fireside chat and networking forum with entrepreneurs in the field of Information and Com-

interface design specialists, graphics designers, marketers, web developers, mobile application developers, database developers and software engineers to deliver the most effective, comprehensive and unified solutions.

Founder of Version75 Solutions and Co-founder of We Own Space, Eldon Marks, making a point during the fireside chat munication Technology (ICT), calling for Guyanese to embrace local software developers.

Startup Grind is the largest independent startup community actively educating, inspiring and connecting 1,000,000 entrepreneurs in over 200 cities. The Georgetown GY Chapter is the one of the most recent additions to the international organisation which has been nurturing startup ecosystems in 98 countries through events and partnerships with organisations like Google for Entrepreneurs.

During the groundbreaking event at WeOwn Space in South Ruimveldt Gardens on Wednesday evening, Director of Startup Grind Georgetown Hilary Benjamin-Byer engaged the Founder of Version75 Solutions and Co-founder of WeOwn Space Eldon Marks in an explosive interview.

While chronicling his life’s experiences before a live audience of close to 40 budding entrepreneurs, Marks explained that Version75 Solutions (V75) is a community disguised as a company uniting user

He said when the digital company was established three years ago, it initially targeted foreign compa-

was a Canadian company.

“Through networking, we were fortunate enough to secure an offshore client – a Canadian Insurance Company,” he added. Today, 64 per cent of its projects are for clients outside of Guyana.

TENDENCY Marks’ sentiments were seconded by Chief Executive Officer of IntellectStorm, Rowen Willabus, who during the networking session, explained that many Guyanese have a tendency to support products and services that are developed outside of the country.

“In Guyana we have this culture where we must get a foreign nod before people could see the value in what we are doing,” Willabus posited.

He said the team at IntellectStorm – an Information Technology based solutions and marketing company – only gained national recognition and acceptance after it would have won the PitchIT Caribbean Challenge Competition in Jamaica with its

munity, we need to come together and keep pushing, pushing the boundaries, pushing people’s expectations – that is what is going to destroy this thing,” Willabus’ partner Triston Thompson added.

Notwithstanding the challenges, the entrepreneurs said the Government through the Public Telecommunication Ministry is creating an enabling environment, particularly for entrepreneurs in the field of ICT. According to them, the hosting of the 2016 Hackathon is a step in the right direction, noting that more and more businesses are having greater appreciation for ICT. The Hackathon, held for the first time in Guyana in November 2016, was designed to give software product developers an opportunity to own and market their own products and simultaneously develop their skills.

EXCELLENT INITIATIVE Minister of Public Telecommunication Cathy Hughes said the

Chief Executive Officer of IntellectStorm, Rowen Willabus and his partner Triston Joseph the fact that people are getting up and doing new and innovative things,” Minister Hughes said on the sideline of the forum.

Enthusiastic about the future of ICT in Guyana, the minister, with a burst of excitement, said it is only through ICT that Guyana will be transformed.

She said, however, the issues regarding local support is not unique to the ICT sector.

“We as Guyanese traditionally seem to think

The Startup Grind Georgetown GY Team with officials from the public and private sectors. From left to right: GGCI President and ActionCOACH Guyana Vishnu Doerga; Startup Grind Georgetown, Research and Assistant Coordinator Rosanna Ferreira; Director Hilary Benjamin-Byer; Team Coordinator Nevin Johnson; founder of Version75 Solutions and Co-founder of WeOwn Space Eldon Marks; Operations Director Yogvika Arjune and Minister of Public Telecommunication Cathy Hughes nies outside of Guyana due to the current stigma that persists.

“Locally we are faced with this stigma with respect to our own local developers…. We have this diminished image of our own skills as Guyanese,” he explained. Its first client

mobile software application Directory.gy.

As such, Willabus said it is important for entrepreneurs to collaborate within communities like Startup Grind to eradicate the stigma.

“We as a people, we as an entrepreneurial com-

‘Fireside Chat and networking” hosted by Startup Grind Georgetown GY was an “excellent initiative” – one which will help to promote Guyanese entrepreneurs and simultaneously ease the stigma.

“More and more I love

that something foreign is better,” Minister Hughes said while pledging to ensure that the Government plays an important role in changing this reality.

“Why would you go to Trinidad and hire somebody to make an app when you have a Guyanese right here that can do it?” ques-

tioned the minister as she reiterated the call for Guyanese to support local entrepreneurs.

Meanwhile, the Local Startup Grind Director Hilary Benjamin-Byer said the ultimate goal of the organisation is to create a start-up community in Guyana.

“Tonight’s event was a major success. We are working our way into creating a community where entrepreneurs could be nurtured. Importantly too, the community will create a space where entrepreneurs could network with each, and have easy access to investors who are willing to invest in start-up businesses.

“A community in which potential and young entrepreneurs could be nurtured, a community that will allow for entrepreneurs to network and a community that will attract investors to invest in start-up businesses not only in ICT, but in all fields,” he said.

Operations Director Yogvika Arjune said the next event will be held in April.

In addition to the Minister of Public Telecommunication, the event was attended by President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GGCI) and ActionCOACH Guyana, Vishnu Doerga, Founder of the Masterclass Institute Rosh Khan, Charles Huton of eCabs and representatives from New Generation Great Minds (NGGM).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 25, 2017

Man dies after lamp explodes in home -teenage son hospitalised

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric A RESIDENT of Plantation Warren, East Coast Berbice, died two days after his lamp exploded in his home, while he poured kerosene oil into it.

Deodat [only name given], 59, also known as ‘Ziggy’ suffered severe burns to his body on Tuesday night (March 21) and was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he subsequently died on Thursday morning.

His 16-year-old son, Mark Deodat known as ‘Marlon,’ also suffered burns about his body and is a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The incident occurred at approximately 19:00hrs, at the Cane Harvester’s modest two-flat wooden home, situated along the infamous Number 19 thoroughfare on the Corentyne Coastline, where he lived with his wife Deveka Kalichand and two of their children.

The widow recalled be-

Dead: Deodat also known as ‘Ziggy’ ing in the lower flat of the building when she heard an explosion. Rushing in the direction of the sound, she observed “a ball of fire

rolling down the building’s lone stairway.”

After recognizing that it was her husband whose clothing was engulfed in flames, she screamed, alerting her neighbours, who quickly responded. Her son Mark was also screaming, as he too was on fire. The neighbours poured water on Deodat while her son plunged into a nearby water-filled barrel. After the fire was extinguished, the mother of three observed that her husband of twenty five years was badly burnt.

His clothing, she said, was charred.

The grieving woman

recalled that just before the incident, her husband had prepared a dish of Cook Up Rice, and had served the meal to his family, saying it was his last. She said the memory of her husband’s

burnt body will forever be etched in her memory.

The body is at the New Amsterdam Hospital Mortuary, where it awaits a post mortem examination.

Region Five AFC councillor threatens to sue NEWSROOM REGION Five Alliance For Change (AFC) Councillor Abel Seetaram is threatening to sue online media outfit NEWSROOM for allegedly “spreading false and libellous information about him.”

In a statement to the media, Seetaram said that Newsroom had published an article which said he was taken into police custody to assist law-enforcement officers with their investigation into a fraud which reportedly occurred at the Mahaicony -Abary Rice Development Scheme (MARDS) at Burma, Mahaicony.

Newsroom reported on March 23 that Seetaram and Carol Joseph, both of whom are coalition councillrs within Region Five, were taken into police custody for questioning in relation to allegations of fraud at MARDS. Additionally, NEWSROOM published photographs of the duo under the headline: “APNU/AFC Councillors arrested for million dollar fraud at MARDS” and noted in the online article that both Seetaram and Joseph were released on station bail from the Mahaicony Police Station and were asked to return on a specific date.

Meanwhile, in a vexed response on Friday, Seetaram stated he was never arrested or placed on bail by the police in relation to any matter engaging the attention of the police.

He stated: “I will like to clearly state that the information carried on an online news outfit NEWSROOM on March 23rd, 2017, is totally misleading and untrue and I consider the lies very damaging to my reputation as a Councillor and a citizen.”

He called on the management of the online news outfit to immediately retract what he deems to be a damaging and libellous report against him. He is also demanding that a public apology be made within 24 hours or he will take legal action against the entity.

Investigation launched into ASP’s alleged assault of junior ranks POLICE Commissioner (ag), David Ramnarine, has ordered that an investigation be launched into the alleged assault of three constables under the command of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), which occurred on Tuesday night.

On Friday, Ramnarine described the incident, which occurred at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), involving the senior and junior ranks as an “ugly matter.”

It has been reported that on Tuesday night, the ASP, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, ordered the junior ranks to get dressed for an impromptu drill.

The junior ranks protested as their uniforms, at the time did not confirm with the required standards prescribed by the Force’s regulations. As a result of the objection made by the junior ranks, the ASP allegedly cursed and physically manhandled the ranks.

The entire incident was reportedly recorded by colleagues of those involved in the incident.

“Firstly I want to thank the media that called to draw my attention [to] that ugly matter. The very morning I caused two of my colleagues (Assistant Commissioners) to go to TSU. They were able to confirm that something happened there,” said the acting Police Commissioner.

Ramnarine disclosed that the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has been tasked with investigating the matter. The ‘Top Cop’ could not state whether the ASP was involved in similar incidents in the past.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 25, 2017

Lower Corentyne crowned Inter-secondary school champions

By Rajiv Bisnauth LOWER Corentyne Secondary School were crowned the Inter-secondary school champions for the first time after a sensational all-round display carried them to a six-wicket win over West Demerara Secondary in the final yesterday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground.

While it was a complete team effort for the Ancient County line-up, the Lower Corentyne spinners were the main architects of the commanding victory.

They combined to reduce the West Demerara side to 107 in 44.5 overs. Kristoff Williams was the main threat, claiming 4-24. Junior Sinclair supported with 3-14, while Joshua Wilson (2-18) and Vijay Gopilall (1-17) were the other successful bowlers.

Deciding to bat first on a pitch which appeared to be on the low and slower side, West Demerara openers, Daneshwar Kowlessar and

Nicholas Holder, began patiently until Gopilall started the slide when he bowled Kowlessar for nine.

That dismissal triggered the collapse and the spinners took control of the game.

Sinclair and Williams then claimed two wickets apiece to reduce West Demerara to 28-5.

However, Kemar Ferreira joined forces with Holder and the duo added 25 for the sixth wicket before Wilson trapped the latter leg-before-wicket for a patient 21.

Ferreira (16) and Mark Wong (2), fell in quick succession, but Christopher Gurdyal and Dev Seepersaud then staged a spirited fightback, adding 43 for the ninth-wicket. Gurdyal ended on 21, while Seepersaud made 18 before both were dismissed.

Lower Corentyne eventually chased down the target in 29 overs with six wickets in hand. Sinclair (20) started the run chase in an attacking mood before he and fellow opener Devendra Sumra (3)

Kelvon Anderson collects his man-of-the-match trophy from chairman of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) junior selector Nazimul Drepaul. went in quick succession at 28-2.

It was soon 35-3 when Haresh Fernandes went with-

out scoring, but Justin Gobin who joined Kelvon Anderaon then fashioned their victory at 107-4 when Gobin went

for 21.

Anderson remained unbeaten on 44 and was named man-of-the-match.

Speed will be a factor in Hong Kong – King

By Rawle Toney PAT R I C K K i n g h a s emerged as one of Guy-

ana’s most important components in rugby over the last year, especially in the Sevens format.

Having been one of Guyana’s premier athletes in Track and Field, it comes as no surprise that his sublime speed and agility would catapult him to being an asset for the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU).

King’s exploit on the rugby field didn’t go unnoticed by others in and around the Caribbean, given the fact he was named to the recently resuscitated West Indies rugby team, along with fellow Green Machine teammate Claudius Butts.

However, on April 7-9, King will have his chance to see just how good he is when he faces some un-

familiar opposition when Guyana participate at the IRB’s Hong Kong Sevens.

It will be the Green Machine’s second showing (first in 2012), but King’s first taste of competition at one of the IRB’s grandest stage.

Guyana were placed in Pool G, alongside Spain, Uruguay and Papua New Guinea. The ‘Green Machine’ as they are more popularly known, will open their account on April 7 against Spain and would wrap up day one of the tournament against Papua New Guinea.

The men from the Land of Many Waters will play their South American neighbours Uruguay on April 8 in their final Group stage game.

“At the highest lev-

el, most teams, speed is one their attributes,” said King during a recent interview with Chronicle Sport, as the winger pointed out.

“I think that one of our plus is that we have a lot of speed, not only from me but actually everyone has the speed because that’s needed at the top level since Sevens is a fast-pace game.”

Ryan Gonsalves was named captain of the team, and will be joined

by Butts, King, Richard Staglon, Ronald Mayers, Avery Corbin, Vallon Adams, Blaise Bailey, Rupert Giles, Rickford Cummings, Peabo Hamilton and Rondell McArthur.

King pointed out that “most teams now working on speed on the main circuit and we could match

them, whether it’s on the wing or at the forwards, so that’s something good for us.”

A member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), King didn’t shy away from the fact that he’s eager to see where exactly he stands amongst some of the world’s best, adding, “I’m very excited to play in Hong Kong. I think it will be good for me to know just how good I am and what I have to work on to be the best at what I do and also to help Guyana Rugby go forward.”

The team will depart next week for New York, where they will play several warm-up matches to fine-tune preparations before heading to the East Asian city.

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WI, Pakistan can climb to third position in T20I rankings NEW Zealand currently lead the points table with 127 points, while India are in second position, with 124 points.

The West Indies and Pakistan square up for a four-match series starting in Bridgetown tomorrow, with a chance to move up to third position in the MRF Tyres ICC T20I Team Rankings.

But for that to happen, either of the two teams, who will also be playing a three-ODI series next month in a bid to boost

West Indies or Pakistan can climb up to third position in the T20I rankings at the conclusion of the series.

their direct qualification chances for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, will need to dominate in the T20I series.

ICC World Twenty20 champions West Indies will move up from 116 points to 123 points if they win all the matches, while a 3-1 win will see them leapfrog third-placed South Africa, who are on 117 points.

On the other hand, former ICC World Twenty20 champions Pakistan could go up to 118 points and

third position from their current sixth position with a 4-0 win, while a 3-1 result will lift them to fourth position and 116 points.

In the MRF Tyres ICC Rankings for T20I Batsmen, Marlon Samuels is the top-ranked batsman from either side in 19th position, while Ahmed Shehzad (34th) and Shoaib Malik (37th) are the two leading Pakistan batsmen who will be looking to improve their rankings.

Both sides boast some leading names in the MRF

Tyres ICC Rankings for T20I bowlers as West Indies leg-spinner Samuel Badree is ranked third, with 723 points but has to contend with Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Imad Wasim, who is just five points behind in fourth position.

Other leading bowlers in the series will include West Indies’ Sunil Narine (seventh) and Pakistan pace bowlers Sohail Tanvir and Wahab Riaz, who are ranked 36th and 45th respectively.

Lewis Hamilton surprised by Mercedes speed in Melbourne LEWIS Hamilton said he was surprised how good his Mercedes felt during yesterday’s practice at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Hamilton was 0.547 seconds clear of the field after a dominant performance and looks a strong favourite this weekend.

“I am on it and I plan to keep it that way, Hamilton

said. “It is a wonderful feeling to have the car so strong coming into a new era.”

However, Hamilton cautioned against writing off Ferrari so early.

The Italian team impressed in pre-season testing and the former world champion labelled them as favourites going into the weekend.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was second quickest and he did beat Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas by 0.009 secs.

Hamilton said: “It feels amazing and that is surprising.

I didn’t know how it was going to be.

“The test was not spectacular so coming into today it was quite refreshing to have the car

right where I needed it.

“I felt good in the car and I didn’t even notice the cars being more physical, which is also a positive because I have trained so hard to be ready for this season.

“The Ferrari is obviously very strong and fast, they might not have the power turned up or whatever and we will see tomorrow, but it seems we are as strong, if not a bit stronger than they.”

F1 has introduced new rules this season aimed at making the cars faster, more demanding and more dramatic.

The cars have met those targets but the competitive order appears not to have changed a great deal at this early stage.

Asked whether the gap between himself and Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton was representative, Vettel said: “I hope not. Overall it has been OK. The car doesn’t yet feel as good as it should and it can so I am confident we will find something overnight.

“We were very happy in testing and the times look good but it doesn’t mean anything.

“I am not that happy overall.

The balance is not yet where I want it to be. It is not bad but I think we can do better.

“We’ll see where it takes us today when everyone shows what he can do. Today it is still difficult to say. We had a mixed day but the team is doing well and there are lot of things we can improve.” (BBC Sport)

Injury rules Aiken out of Firebirds line-up JAMAICA international Romelda Aiken is set to miss her first-ever game for the Queensland Firebirds through injury, snapping a long spell of invincibility that stretches back to 2008.

The 28-year-old player has been an ever-present in the team’s line-up since making her debut almost nine years ago, but will be absent for Friday’s Suncorp Super Netball clash with Adelaide due to a knee injury.

According to reports Aiken has been diagnosed with a strained knee capsule, an injury that while expected to keep her off the court for only a short time, comes at an inconvenient time for the Firebirds.

The team, which claimed the last two ANZ Championship titles, have shown inconsistent form in their early Super Netball campaign. In five outings so far they have two wins, two losses and a draw.

Romelda Aiken Firebird coach Roselee Jencke hailed Aiken’s absence as a golden opportunity for the other players and the teammates to step up.

“It’s a really good opportunity to step up and be able to do the job without a really important player,” Jencke said.

The coach also pointed out that Aiken’s absence from the line-up was more

of a precaution than a necessity.

“It’s about her long-term health and fitness,” Jencke said.

“I’ve always believed that you don’t play anybody unless they are 100% unless you’re playing a grand final, so we are erring on the side of caution with Romelda.” (Sports Max)

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Paulinho hat-trick keeps Brazil on road to Russia (REUTERS) - Brazil recovered from conceding an early goal to beat Uruguay 4-1 in Montevideo on Thursday, with Paulinho grabbing a hat-trick in a win that all but cemented their place at next year’s World Cup finals.

The victory gave Tite his eighth win in eight games as coach and lifted leaders Brazil to 30 points in the South American qualifying group, a tally that has been more than enough to guarantee qualification in previous campaigns.

“We work hard every day and so this isn’t an accident,” Paulinho said of the three points and three goals, his first professional hat-trick.

“We played a great game and got a great win. We knew how difficult it would be here.

We went behind, but we kept our concentration and we had the coolness to go after a result.

“Now we need to keep it up and I am sure this team has a lot more to offer.”

The five-time World Cup winners led second-placed

Paulinho in midfield and the former Tottenham midfielder hammered home a spectacular right-foot shot from 30 yards out.

When Brazil took the lead six minutes into the second half it was again Paulinho who did the damage.

Goalkeeper Martin Silva could only parry Roberto Firmino’s shot from the edge of the box and Paulinho was on hand to knock the rebound home from six yards.

Brazil’s Paulinho (L) celebrates his second goal with teammate Phillipe Coutinho. (REUTERS/ Andres Stapff)

Uruguay by four points before the game but it was the weakened home side that took the lead after eight minutes thanks to a penalty from Edinson Cavani.

Marcelo tried to chest down the ball to his keeper but Cavani nipped in to intercept and was pulled down by

Alisson. The Paris St Germain striker got up to rifle the ball home low to Alisson’s right.

It was the first time that Brazil had gone behind since Tite took over as coach last summer and it only took 10 minutes to show they would not be bowed.

Neymar laid the ball off to

Messi penalty lifts Argentina into qualifying berths (REUTERS) - Lionel Messi converted a penalty as Argentina laboured to a 1-0 win over Chile in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday that put them back in the automatic qualifying spots for next year’s finals in Russia.

Messi beat Claudio Bravo from the spot in the 16th minute after Angel Di Maria had been pushed from behind in the first quarter of a poor, tense match on a terrible River Plate pitch.

Argentina, a shadow of the team that finished World Cup runners-up in 2014, moved into third place in the 10-nation South American group on 22 points, eight behind leaders Brazil and one in arrears to second-placed Uruguay.

Brazil earlier beat Uruguay 4-1.

Colombia, who beat Bolivia 1-0 at home, are now in the fourth qualifying place with 21 points, one ahead of Ecuador, who lost 2-1 away to Paraguay and sit in the playoff berth.

“We suffered because we lost the ball but at least we won,” relieved Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza told reporters.

Chile, missing suspended midfielder Arturo Vidal but worthy of at least a draw, gave Argentina and early scare when they had the ball in net after a free kick from the left only for Jose Fuenzalida to be ruled offside.

Argentina took the lead when Brazilian referee Sandro

Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts after scoring a penalty goal (REUTERS/Alberto Raggio) Ricci ruled that Fuenzalida had pushed Di Maria as he chased a fine through ball from Javier Mascherano.

Messi sent Bravo the wrong way and buried the ball in the back of the net to a roar from a wildly passionate 60 000 crowd at El Monumental.

Stringing moves together was difficult for both teams on a patchy pitch and Argentina were relieved when the final whistle went after withstanding intense pressure from the Copa America holders, who are now sixth in the group on goal difference.

Argentina central defender Nicolas Otamendi should have scored from a Messi free kick before halftime but blasted a

chance over the bar.

Messi was mostly kept quiet by the Chile defence but he had another chance to score from Marcos Rojo’s cross from the left only to see his effort go over the bar.

Midway the second half, Chile’s Alexis Sanchez hit the bar with a free kick and goalkeeper Sergio Romero had to get down sharply to prevent a subsequent cross from reaching substitute Nicolas Castillo.

On a disappointing night in front of goal for Chile, Sanchez lobbed a free kick from a similar position high over the bar and Castillo slipped through the defence to meet a cross but steered his shot wide of the near post.

Neymar had a quiet game but he got Brazil’s third with 16 minutes to go when he seized on a long ball to outrun Sebastian Coates and deftly lob the stranded Silva.

Paulinho got his third and Brazil’s fourth in injury time when he cheekily chested home a cross from Dani Alves.

In the evening’s earlier match, Colombia beat Bolivia 1-0 in Barranquilla.

James Rodriguez got the

winner from the penalty spot after 83 minutes to lift Colombia in to third place in the qualifying group with 21 points.

Paraguay also took three points to move into seventh place in the 10-team group with a narrow 2-1 win over Ecuador.

The top four teams qualify automatically for Russia 2018 and the fifth-placed side go into a playoff with a team from Oceania.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 25, 2017

Shreyas Iyer in line for India debut if Kohli fails fitness test SHOULD Virat Kohli be ruled out of the fourth Test against Australia, Shreyas Iyer could earn a debut for India in Dharamsala.

Uncapped batsman Shreyas Iyer has been included in India’s squad for the fourth Test against Australia in Dharamsala amid doubts over the fitness of captain Virat Kohli.

Kohli is suffering from a shoulder injury sustained during the drawn third Test in Ranchi and insisted yesterday his status as skipper will count for nothing if he is unable to prove his readiness to perform.

Were India’s leader to miss out, his absence might not be felt as keenly as would normally be expected. Usually the team’s

talisman, Kohli has made just 46 runs at an average of 9.20 in the series.

Iyer, 22, could be handed a debut in place of the captain, as India seek a win to secure a 2-1 series victory and reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The right-handed Mumbai batsman has an average of 55.18 from his 38 first-class matches,

scoring nine centuries and notching 50 on 16 occasions.

Fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who has not featured for the national team in the longest format since the third Test against England in November last year, has also been included in the squad after recovering from a knee injury.

(Sports Max)

Virat Kohli

Milo round of sixteen commences today

This Cullen Bess-Nelson photo shows the last of the group stage games in the Milo schools football tournament last weekend.

EIGHT teams will advance this weekend when the Petra-organised Milo Under-18 schools football tournament hits the roundof-16 phase at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

In the first game today, Tutorial Secondary will have to stave off Masters Academy for their spot in the next

round, with Carmel Secondary School taking on Lodge an hour and a half later.

Dolphin Secondary go head-to-head with Sir Leon Lessons in the third match of the afternoon, while East Ruimveldt play Morgan Learning Centre in the final game.

On Sunday morning, Queenstown will have their chance at a spot when they

challenge Buxton, with Pure Masters and School of the Nations confronting each other in the second game of the day.

Queen’s College will oppose their arch rivals Bishops’ High School in the third game of the day, with Chase Academy and South Ruimveldt Secondary battling in the final game.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday March 25, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 2259230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 2256158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

Darren Sammy (St. Lucia, 2011)

Shahid Afridi (St. Lucia, 2011) Today’s Quiz:

Who is the first WI to register a T20 International hundred?

Who is the first Pakistani to hit a T20 International century?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 25, 2017

Teachers complete foundation cricket coaching course

The participants, along with coach Latchman Yadram and sports organisers Lester Griffith and Marlon Whitney, pose for a photo at the conclusion of the course.

GT Beer/Petra Futsal resumes this evening

Tense action occurs on Tuesday evening in the GT Beer/Petra Futsal tournament at the National Gymnasium. (Adrian Narine photo) THROUGH the partnership of Banks DIH and the GT Beer Brand, the Petra organisation Futsal Championship will be in full flow this evening at the National Gymnasium.

The tournament, which will see some of the best futsal teams in Georgetown and its environs in the night’s opening match, pits Tiger Bay against Agricola Ballers from 19:30hrs.

Tucville will be in action as well against West

Back Road at 20:15hrs, with Sophia and Broad Street Ballerz taking the pitch for game three of the evening.

Game four will see Bent Street against Albouystown, followed by West Front Road versus North East La Penitence in game five.

Sparta Boss will oppose Back Circle in game six.

The round-robin stage will officially conclude on March 30, with the top two finishers and the best

two third-ranked teams from the respective groups moving onto to the quarter-final phase.

Winners of the tournament will collect $400 000 and the championship trophy at the conclusion of the final on April 15.

The runner-up team will pocket $200 000 and a trophy as well.

The third- and fourthplace finishers will collect $100 000 and $50 000 respectively.

MALE and female teachers in Region 3 last Thursday completed a three-day foundation cricket coaching course, compliments of the Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport in partnership with the National Sports Commission.

Teachers from sixteen schools between Wales and Crane on the West Demerara participated in the course, which was conducted by experienced cricket coach, Latchman Yadram, with the help of sports organisers Lester Griffith and Marlon Whitney.

According to Yadram, the course sought to give the teachers a foundation in the sport, as they were exposed to both theory and practical.

The teachers welcomed the initiative, which they say was timely and informative.

GCB National Secondary Schools Cricket League Combined Phase …

Lower Corentyne Combined through to final

LOWER Corentyne Combined team defeated New Amsterdam/Canje Combined by 24 runs to reach the Berbice final when play in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) National Secondary Schools Cricket League Combined Phase continued recently at the Albion Sports Complex ground.

Batting first, Lower Corentyne Combined were bowled out for 160, with talented opening batsman Junior Sinclair making

a solid 41 He received support from Nathaniel Ragoo and Kelvon Anderson, with 25 and 21 respectively.

Bowling for New Amsterdam/Canje Combined; Alex Algoo grabbed 2-19, Garfield Benjamin had 2-23 and Marvin Singh 2-33.

In reply, New Amsterdam/Canje appeared set to surpass the target, with Leon Swammy stroking a well-composed 46 and Aaron Ramsammy a re-

laxed 31.

However, after both batsmen were dismissed the remaining batsmen did not apply themselves to the task ahead, and New Amsterdam/Canje Combined eventually folded for 136 in 38.1 overs.

Kelvin Umroa and Renaldo Williams both claimed 3-21 while Nathaniel Ragoo had 2-9.

Lower Corentyne Combined will now face West Berbice Combined in the Berbice final.

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 25, 2017

Marvan Prashad : A Guyana and WI

star in the making GUYANA’S production line of young talent always seems to be churning, and the recently-concluded Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-County Under-15 one-day tournament featured some the nation’s future stars.

Indeed, some of the names might already be familiar to you, if you’re a cricket supporter; but one name that really stood out during the tournament was Marvan Prashad.

After an impressive tournament, Prashad shot into the limelight. He was voted player-of-the-tournament. The right-handed batsman scored 106 runs from three innings at an average of 53.

Prashad’s right-arm offspin earned him four wickets at an economy rate of 2.09.

P r a s h a d h a i l s f ro m Shieldstown, West Coast

Berbice, and plays for the Blairmont Cricket Club, a club that produced the great Guyana and West Indies batsman Roy Fredericks, but he is a rare cricketing talent.

A compact and tidy player, the 14-year-old definitely has a bright future.

In an exclusive interview the soft-spoken aspiring Test cricketer revealed that cricket is his passion.

“From a younger age I wanted to be a cricketer, I wanted to play for Guyana and ultimately West Indies, since Test cricket has always been my dream. ““Ask any cricketer and it’s their dream to play Test cricket. Test cricket is the ultimate test for any cricketer,” the Bush Lot Secondary School student said.

But at the present the Form Three student is not looking too far ahead. He said that while cricket is his passion, his academic

studies remain one of his main goals.

“I want to come out as a very good all-round individual, both at my game and academically,” he said.

When asked who his role models are, Prashad said Brian Lara, Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar.

“I always look at videos with those players, watching them makes me feel that I will one day be like them,” he said.

He comes from a humble background, with two other siblings, Prashad said he will one day make his family and friends proud.

Meanwhile, president of the Blairmont Cricket Club, Shabeer Baksh, believes that the club has found a talented player, a player he feels will prosper.

“He is technically one of the finest young players I have seen. I think he has a bright and good future ahead of him,” Baksh said.

Marvan Prashad collects his trophy from match referee Grantley Culbard after he was voted man-of-the-match in the final of the recently concluded Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-County Under-15 one-day tournament.

Marvan Prashad acknowledges his supporters at the conclusion of one of his knocks at his club.

BOSAI Inter-department basketball bounces off this evening PLANT Operations and defending champions General Services will bounce off this year’s BOSAI Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc. Inter-department basketball championship this eve-

ning, at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court at 18:30hrs.

Game two will bring together Plant Maintenance and Mines at 20.00hrs.

General Services will

have among their players Marlon Persaud, Clive McCalman, Deon Moore, Jamal Bethune, Theodore Tappin, Domain Webster, Seon Sutton, Randy Johnson, Alphie Robertson and Jermaine Dowden.

Their opponents have in their line-up: Rawleston Slowe, Quincy Datson, Myron Prescott, Devon McClean, Patrick Rickett, Omisi Williams, Germaine Chan and Weslie Bobb.

The Plant Mainte-

nance team comprises Tarryle Williamson, Anson Durant, Earnelle Turner, Orin Scott, Dave Hopkinson, Ryan Noel and Jamal McCalmont, while the Mines team will include Dennis An-

derson, Kevin Jackman, Carl Isaacs, Laurent Sampson, Melroy Ross, Marlon Pollydore, Oneal Fordyce, Chan, John Knights, Kurt Lewis, Collin Barker and Marvin Russell.

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 25, 2017

Hope’s career-best double puts Jaguars on ropes (CMC) - Shai Hope’s second career first-class double-hundred battered Guyana Jaguars and left them fighting to remain afloat in their eighth round Regional four-day championship game against Barbados Pride here, yesterday.

The 23-year-old Hope piled up a career-best unbeaten 215 as Pride, starting the second day at Kensington Oval on 293 for two, declared on an imposing 480 for three in their first innings.

Part-time off-spinner Roston Chase then picked up two wickets as Jaguars stumbled to the close on 119 for four, still 361 runs adrift of their target.

Raymon Reifer was unbeaten on 25 and was partnered by veteran left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul on 15, the

pair having stabilised the innings after it slipped to 86 for four, 40 minutes before the close.

After Pride declared 50 minutes before tea, attacking opener Shimron Hetmyer fell cheaply for one to the fifth ball of the innings, caught at short-leg

by Anthony Alleyne off fast bowler Miguel Cummins.

Test batsmen Rajindra Chandrika (24) and Leon Johnson (15) then added 52 for the second wicket - a partnership that saw Jaguars to the break on 30 for one.

Both failed to build on resumption, however, falling within 12 deliveries of each other. Chandrika drove Chase to substitute Justin Greaves at mid-wicket while skipper Johnson played back and was lbw to

the same bowler.

Left-hander Vishaul Singh spent an hour over 15 before clipping a leg-side catch to wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich off seamer Kevin Stoute.

Earlier, Hope took centre stage in an innings which spanned 391 balls and a shade over eight hours, and included 24 fours and three sixes.

Resuming on 118, he raced to his 150 on the stroke of the first hour and then raised his double hundred about 45 minutes after lunch off 378 balls.

Along the way, he put on 154 for the third wicket with Shamarh Brooks who converted his overnight 14 into 67 - his 13th first class half-century which came off 124 balls and included nine fours and a six.

Hope also added a further 76 in an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership with Roston Chase who was unbeaten on 33 off 43 deliveries at the end.

The knock was Hope’s fifth first class triple figure score, bettering his previous best of 211 against Windward Islands Volcanoes at the same venue two years ago.

Meanwhile, summarised scores in the other two eighthround games are as follows: Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, replying to Jamaica Scorpions’ 210 all out, were 79 for three in their first innings at the close on the opening day at Queen’s Park Oval.

Scores: SCORPIONS 210 (Jermaine Blackwood 68, Derval Green 53, Dev-

on Thomas 23; Imran Khan 4-28, Sheldon Cottrell 3-34) RED FORCE 79 for three (Kyle Hope 33 not out) Windward Islands Volcanoes, sent in by Leeward Islands Hurricanes, reached 371 for five at the close on the

opening day of their eighth round game at Warner Park.

Scores: VOLCANOES 371 for five (Sunil Ambris 155 not out, Devon Smith 65, Liam Sebastien 33 not out, Tyrone Theophile 30; Rahkeem Cornwall 3-110).

SCOREBOARD

PRIDE 1st innings (o/n 293 for two) K. Brathwaite lbw b Shepherd 143 A. Alleyne c wkp. Bramble b Reifer 8 S. Hope not out 215 S. Brooks c Chandrika b Shepherd 67 R. Chase not out 33 Extras: (lb-4, w-5, nb-5) 14 Total: (3 wkts decl., 137 overs) 480 Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-250, 3-404.

Bowling: Reifer 32-6-99-1 (w-1, nb-4), Pestano 22-2-90-0 (nb-1), Shepherd 27-4-111-2 (w-4), Motie 26-3-82-0, Bishoo 30-4-94-0.

JAGUARS 1st innings S. Hetmyer c Alleyne b Cummins 1 R. Chandrika c (sub) Greaves b Chase 24 L. Johnson lbw b Chase 15 V. Singh c wkp. Dowrich b Stoute 15 S. Chanderpaul not out 15 R. Reifer not out 25 Extras: (b-8, lb-9, nb-7) 24 Total: (4 wkts, 42 overs) 119 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-56, 3-64, 4-86.

Bowling: Cummins 9-1-25-1, Harding 8-1-26-0, Stoute 9-224-1, Chase 14-4-26-2, Nurse 2-1-1-0.

Position: Jaguars trail by 361 runs with six first-innings intact.

‘Champions of Champions’ Inter-county softball tournament officially launched FOR the first time since 1997, Guyana will see an Inter-county Softball tournament, as the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) launched its second installation of the event yesterday.

The tournament, which is set for the Ogle Community Centre ground, April 15-16, will see the Sankar Auto Works’ Valvoline Demerara side come up against Permaul’s Berbice (sponsored by Permaul’s Trading and Distribution); Trophy Stall’s Essequibo, and Wellman’s Demerara (sponsored by Mike’s Pharmacy). $200 000 will be awarded to the winning team, while second-placers will pocket $100 000.

Man-of-the-match for the final and best batsman will

Representatives of the GFSCA and sponsors at yesterday’s launch. (Rawle Toney photo)

both go home with $5 000 and a trophy.

According to the organisers, the preliminary matches will be played on the tournament’s opening day (April 15) and two more on April 16; the same day of the final.

It was also noted that a female exhibition game is planned between Demerara and Berbice on April 16 from 12:45hrs, where $50 000 is set aside for the winners and $25 000 for the losing team.

The tournament will be played under rules and regulations of the GSFA, who said that the association is excited to see the return of the Inter-county tournament and hopes that it becomes a stable feature on their calendar of events. (Rawle Toney)

‘Champions of Champions’ Inter-county softball tournament officially launched

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ry o Sto See age 35 P

Lower Corentyne crowned Inter-secondary school champions See story on page 29

The victorious Lower Corentyne Secondary School team and supporters.

Speed will be a factor Hope’s career-best double puts in Hong Kong – King Jaguars on ropes See story on page 29

See story on page 29

Patrick King celebrates in the arms of Dwayne Schroder (#3) after helping Guyana win Rugby America’s North (RAN) 7s Championship for a record eight times last year.

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Shai Hope celebrates his double-century against Guyana Jaguars at Kensington Oval yesterday. (Photo courtesy WICB Media) SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017