Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 25 04 2017

‘Great things in store for you’

Page 15

– AG tells Lindeners at Town Week opening

No. 104893

TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

Guyana courts UK investors …President upbeat, says renewed interest being shown

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UK company to craft marketing plan for GuySuCo Page 2

President David Granger, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge and Guyana’s High Commissioner to the UK, Mr. Hamley Case during the meeting with CZARNIKOW’s Associate Director, Mr. John Ireland (first right) and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Robin Cave (second right) (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

Nandlall arrested for law books

– says keys to storehouse with overseas relative

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Miner charged for shallow grave murder

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17 illegal guns seized so far in ‘F’ Division

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

UK company to craft new marketing plan for GuySuCo

PRESIDENT David Granger on Monday met with executives from United Kingdom (UK) based sugar and ethanol trading, advisory and supply chain management firm, CZARNIKOW at the National Liberal Club in London, to discuss the re-organisation of the sugar sector and the development of a competitive marketing strategy for the Guyana Sugar Corporation Incorporated (GuySuCo).

The meeting occurred even as Government looks at making the sugar industry more competitive in light of local and global challenges, a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency said.

CZARNIKOW, which has been working with the sugar company for a number of years, will engage with GuySuCo on the new strategic plan after the White Paper on the Future of the Sugar Industry is laid in the National Assembly on May 8, 2017,and debates are completed.

Associate Director, Mr.

John Ireland and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Robin Cave met with the President, as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge and High Commissioner, Mr. Hamley Case.

The Head of State said that Guyana needs technical support even as the country looks toward the consolidation of the industry in order to make it more competitive.

This, he said, would be done through a combination of the maintenance of the Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt sugar estates, private sector investment and the promotion of peasant farming.

President Granger said that a push towards increased value added production is important to the future of the industry.

Currently, the sector employs about 17,000 people and the President emphasised the need for investment in order to ensure viability and increased efficiency in the industry. The meeting also allowed discussions on ways to consolidate Guyana’s access to the British

market in light of Brexit, the term coined to describe the United Kingdom’s impending withdrawal from the EU. This matter is at the top of the agenda for discussions, during the President’s visit to the UK this week, but Guyana’s marketing strategy for sugar is also likely to include improving access to EU markets and the expansion of marketing arrangements in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Over the next few days President Granger will engage in a series of high-level meetings in addition to the Caribbean Council’s Annual Reception at the House of Lords and the Investment Seminar on Guyana. While there, the President will also meet with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and Rt. Hon. Baroness Anelay of St Johns DBE,as well as the Guyanese diaspora in London.

Meanwhile,Minister of State, Joseph Harmon,speaking at a public meeting in Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara on Sunday,told

CZARNIKOW’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Robin Cave (left) and Associate Director, Mr. John Ireland (right) during the meeting

residents Government will restructure the industry and simultaneously change the way in which resources are allocated. These steps he posited are necessary for the effective utilization of tax payers’ dollars, noting that in the long run, Government will be in a better position to do more for citizens. Gov-

ernment’s plans for the future of the Sugar Industry will be clearly stated in a White Paper which will be laid in the National Assembly on May 8, 2017.

A ‘White Paper’ is a government report giving information or proposals on an issue. The draft White Paper on the sugar industry’s

future was submitted by Minister of Agriculture,Noel Holder,to Cabinet for its consideration at its Tuesday, April 18 meeting.

Harmon had noted that discussions on the White Paper will surround the feasibility of amalgamating some of the sugar estates and factories where appropriate, the requirement for divestment of some facilities, and the utilisation of some of the facilities of the estates, particularly the land, for sugar workers and cane farmers to undertake agro-based activities. In his 2017 budget presentation, Minister of Finance,Winston Jordan had said that the status quo of the sugar industry can neither be sustained nor maintained. According to the Finance Minister,as currently structured, the industry would require government’s support to the tune of $18.6 billion and $21.4 billion for the years 2017 and 2018, respectively. (Ministry of the Presidency)

TIGI calls for strengthened Code of Conduct for Ministers LOCAL Transparency watchdog, Transparency International Guyana Incorporated (TIGI) said it has reviewed the proposed amendments to the Integrity Commission Act and recommended that the Act be modified to eliminate the ‘terror clause’ and remove the power bestowed on the minister.

The body which was invited by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in February to review the proposed amendments to the Integrity Commission Act and Code of Conduct for Ministers of Government, Members of the National Assembly and Public Office Holders,noted quite early in its assessment that the Act does not give the authority or power to the Integrity Commission to impose sanctions on Ministers of Government or any other public officials though its main

responsibility is to conduct investigations whenever complaints are submitted.

Additionally, the Commission is required to obtain disclosures of assets and finances of Ministers and their immediate families within identified timeframes of taking office and each year after. In fact, TIGI made it clear in a statement to the media that Ministers are required to disclose assets and finances and to do otherwise is unlawful.

However, the Integrity Commission is non-functional and has been for a while; something the body described as a “grave shortcoming that should be addressed immediately.” It means therefore that when public officials fail to make disclosures in accordance with the Act,a tribunal could be established to investigate.

Moreover, when citizens complain against the actions

of public officials, the Commission has the power to investigate and then submit its findings and recommendations via a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who will then determine criminal liability. The Commission may also submit a report to the relevant body responsible for disciplinary action for whatever actions that body deems necessary. It is important to note that when a report is submitted to the DPP, the said report must be submitted to the President and the Commission about actions taken against the individual.

However, the disciplinary body which the Commission submits recommendations is not specified in the principal Act and the nature of the disciplinary actions to be taken is determined by the relevant body responsible for disciplinary action even if the Commission made recommendations, TIGI stated.

“Ultimately, the Commission has no power to determine any courses of actions to be taken against individuals and there are no guarantees that its recommendations will be executed under the Act. However,

TIGI believes that disciplinary actions should be undertaken pursuant to the recommendations of the Commission when explicit articulation in the Code of Conduct is absent.”

TIGI in its assessment also noted that a complaint about a public official may be made in person or by means of a registered mail to the Commission.

“However, the Principal Act includes a terror clause. Section 28, subsection 3 specifies a penalty of twenty-five thousand dollars and a prison term of two months for persons who make complaints that are “frivolous, mischievous or spiteful”.”

The legislation specifically states that the nature of the complaint for which the person is found guilty shall be published in a daily newspaper at the expense of the person.

“The motivation for this provision can hardly be described in civil terms and any description of it will be a euphemism. It is meant to deter complaints and ignores the fact that the Integrity Commission is responsible for investigating. It provides pre-emptive protection by instilling fear,” said TIGI as it has recommended the deletion

of Section 28.

However, Section 29 indicates that the Commission will reject complaints that are determined to be frivolous or addresses issue outside of its foci. “TIGI believes that this latter provision is enough and we call for complete deletion of section 28 from the Integrity Commission Act.” Meanwhile, the Transparency body noted the provisions in Section 39 which confers power on the Minister to make regulations and deemed it “misplaced and inimical to a meaningful integrity legislation” as it contradicts the establishment of an independent Integrity Commission. As a result, TIGI has recommended that “regulations be made by instruction or recommendation from the Integrity Commission to the Minister. All references to regulations by the Minister in the Principal Act and the Code of Conduct therefore need to be removed.”

As it relates to the Code of Conduct for Ministers, the transparency body suggested that there be more specificity so as to strengthen the provisions relative to the penalties for breaches. The proposed Code

of Conduct has provided several definitions for what has been described as the ‘ten principles of public life’.

Those principles are: accountability, dignity, diligence, duty, honour, integrity, loyalty, objectivity, responsibility and transparency. However, the transparency watchdog sought to highlight some issues with the definitions of some terms and made recommendations.

In the proposed Code of Conduct, Integrity speaks to public officials and their close family members upon the assumption of office declaring their private interests relative to the duties of the public officer and other interests as required by the Integrity Commission Act and any other law.

However, TIGI finds that while the definition targets conflict of interest, it in effect dilutes the Principal Act relative to Financial Disclosure and may create a loophole for avoiding disclosures of assets and income. As such, “TIGI advocates firmly for preservation of the intent of the Act through articulation of its full requirements with respect to disclosures in the definition of Integrity.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Guyana courts UK investors …President upbeat, says renewed interest being shown PRESIDENT David Granger said that Guyana’s future as an investment capital is a promising one and that foreign investors are keen on coming here in light of his government’s efforts to create a conducive environment for business and commerce.

The President made these comments during a meeting with Caribbean Council’s Managing Director, Mr. Chris Bennett and Marketing and Events Coordinator, Ms. Emily Soar one day ahead of Guyana’s attendance at an Investment Seminar on Guyana which will be hosted by the Council at the Army and Navy Club, London. President Granger is currently in the UK on an official visit during which he will meet Queen Elizabeth 11.

According to a Ministry of the Presidency release,the seminar will be attended by several major UK based stakeholders including Tullow Oil plc, Repsol S.A, BK Atlantic as well as other agencies interested in investing in Guyana and the Caribbean in the areas of port infrastructure and other sectors.

The ministry said Guyana’s attendance at this seminar is critical as it augurs well for the country’s investment

agenda. The event also comes at a time when renewed interest in investment by foreign stakeholders is growing due to Guyana’s changing business environment and President Granger, during a brief interview following the meeting, said that investors would have therefore taken note of this. “There is definitely deeper interest [in investment]. Investors are not foolish people, they want to make a profit and they are very careful with their investments and they wanted to see that we have made changes to the conditions and situations that existed before. I think now they are seeing greater transparency, they are seeing a respect for institutions, they are seeing the passage of legislations for anti-money laundering, they are seeing the arrest of former government servants who have been accused of committing offences. I think they feel that Guyana is a safer, cleaner destination for their investment and when people plan to come into a country they would want to do reconnaissance, they would want to come and do feasibility studies and I think this is what has taken place now,” the President said.

It is against this backdrop that Minister of Foreign

Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge, during the interview, said that today’s seminar will serve as a means of creating new investment opportunities while strengthening existing relationships that the country has with the United Kingdom. “[The President’s] great interest here is in speaking to investors; those who have an interest and a capacity to participate either in Three Ps [Public-Private Partnership] Projects or simply undertaking foreign direct investment,’ the Minister said. He said that the event will also see attendance from investors, British policy makers, members of the European Commission, Members of the European Union as well as private sector agencies.

“All of those are important in terms of creating a helpful climate for the type of investment that Guyana needs. So those people will be present and we will try to whet their appetite as it were and to work with them. Some are already undertaking investments in Guyana, some have perhaps an interest which we need to capitalise on and that is the nature and the focus. In the case of the policy makers, for example, in the UK, the President, I believe, will be continuing the types of exchanges that he would have

started with them before,” the Minister said.

Meanwhile, President Granger said that his UK visit is a re-engagement with the United Kingdom which is meant to strengthen ties and is not necessarily triggered

by Brexit. “I met Prime Minister David Cameron since 2015 and he had indicated his intention to re-engage more fully with the Caribbean; of course you know Britain has been in the Caribbean for over three centuries and it is a question of perhaps re-evaluating Britain’s role in terms of trade and investment on a worldwide context. I would not have associated in a more narrow sense with Brexit, certainly every country is concerned with its national interest and Britain has advantages in the Caribbean.

It is an English speaking region. We are all members of the Commonwealth and British industries, British tourists, British investments are well established,so I would say of all the nations on earth Britain has advantages in the Caribbean and it is a good thing that they would mark or signal their intention to re-engage,” the President said.

This re-engagement, the President said, could also see long term benefits for the Caribbean, and by extension for

President David Granger

Guyana. “Although Britain may not be regarded as one of the key strategic powers,it is certainly a major economic power in terms of trade and financial services and we can’t ignore that. Britain, whether or not it is part of the EU, is itself a large market and it has social capital and this is the sort of thing Guyana needs for its development. We feel that in terms of other relationships we have with Britain: engineering, education, infrastructural development there is a lot of work that Britain can do. Several of the major projects in Guyana were constructed by British engineers- sea defences, water control schemes. So there is much more that we can get out of our relationship with Britain and this is a good opportunity. So my being here is advancement on Guyana’s infrastructural and economic development. We can’t lose,” the Head of State said.

Greenidge said that Guyana has worked fairly assiduously with the UK with regard to particular issues such as Guyana’s sovereignty, investment and security.

“Security has implications for the diaspora,even our diaspora as well as foreigners. They want to be assured that their economic investments are properly protected,so legal framework- it’s still an area we have to do a lot of work in….Outside of that of course there are the usual problems of ensuring safety or persons.

I am speaking also of safety of property of investments.

That is something that needs to be taken a lot further and they have been approached for assistance in both those directions,” the minister said.

Moreover, the minister said that Guyana’s future as a petroleum producing nation has undoubtedly increased the interest of other countries with regard to investment opportunities.

“Part of the logical reason for that is that you are speaking of benefits from the operation of an oil industry, from greater economic growth and success that would go with oil.

So people are preparing to now look not at investments in oil and gas itself but other areas,whether they be infrastructure or normal business,” the minister said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

‘Son Chapman’ owner passes away

By Vanessa Braithwaite

NORMAN Chapman, owner of the ‘Son Chapman’ vessel that was blown up back in 1964 died last week following a brief period of illness.

His death comes amid celebrations in his home town- Linden to mark the community’s 47th Anniversary.

A long-standing member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and a business-

man, who was known by many for the ‘Son Chapman’ launch that was blown to pieces on July 6th 1964 at Horadia, a community located in the Demerara River. Mr. Chapman passed away after a brief illness at the Mackenzie Hospital Complex.

He leaves to mourn his several children, including renowned educators Miss Janice Gibson and Ava Chapman, and the reigning Calypsonian Queen, Dianna Chapman. Mr. Chap-

man was known for his outgoing personality; his aggressive attitude for development.

POLITICAL STALWART The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has described Mr. Chapman’s loss as a grave one to the party, not only regionally but nationally, since he has contributed significantly to the party’s development. These sentiments were

Norman Chapman

echoed by Chairman of the PNC Region 10 Arm, Sandra Adams. “Mr. Chapman will be missed by the party regionally and nationally, as a very vocal member on issues that he thinks need to be addressed, whether it is community issues or whether it is issues relating to the party members of itself; he has always been very vocal and upright in terms of contributions,” she said.

Adams said she admired Mr. Chapman’s drive for development as he would observe things that would miss the eyes of the regular man. He was always active, she revealed, in terms of mobilising forces to pursue projects to foster forward movement for the party. Adams, who is also a long standing member of the PNCR and now

serves as the Deputy Director for Community Development Council, posited that Chapman played an integral role in her political career. “Personally I had a very good relationship with him and I admired him because if he feels I am wrong, he tells me straight, and I accepted his criticism because they were always constructive and that helped me in the process of being a politician over the years.

I have known him all my life in the party from since I would have joined in 1986.”

A Mackenzie High School teacher and former Member of Parliament, Ms Vanessa Kissoon, also spoke positively of Mr. Norman Chapman. “Chapman was a strong Stalwart, who lived his life and he was very outspoken and I admired him because he always stuck to what he believed and I have had the opportunity to work with him during the Son Chapman Memorial and I would always remember when he could get what he wanted, he would ‘suck his teeth’ and say don’t worry [with] them people girl, let we do we thing.” Kissoon said that she will miss him dearly. “His laugh I will always remember and how he used to make me laugh, telling me he is young and full of energy.” The former MP, along with the Virtuous Women on a Mission group, visited the ailing Chapman in January and presented him with a love bag.

His daughter Dianna Chap-

man said that her father’s death is a big blow to her. “My father was my biggest supporter, he was very instrumental in all stages of my life, he always encouraged me to always be on top, number 1, I loved him more that anyone could imagine. He said to me, “You’re a Chapman and we are powerful people, so always let people respect you,” she said. Despite her hurt, Dianna said that she vows to continue making her father proud and to continue living up to her family’s name.

Mr. Norman Chapman, despite suffering a huge blow when his vessel blew up killing over 40 persons, did not allow this to damper his spirit and continued being a role model and entrepreneur. He owned several business complexes in Mackenzie, known as the Chapman Square. When the Massacre occurred, Chapman speaking to a reporter years after, said that he was not surprised when he received the terrible news, as he had long been hearing of plans to ‘waste’ the Son Chapman.

He had made reports to the police, though, and had taken certain precautionary security measures.

Chapman reiterated that there were persons that were jealous of the popularity of the launch and were therefore determined to stop it at any cost.

He participated in memorial occasions in an effort to remember the lives of those who were killed in the tragedy.

Alleged assassination plot...

DPP refutes claim it was sent police file --counters that document was sent to GPF’s Legal Adviser THE office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has noted that contrary to a report in the April 22, 2017 edition of the Guyana Chronicle, it has not received any file from the Guyana Police Force pertaining to the alleged plot to assasinate the President.

The report at reference, headlined ‘Top Cop says alleged plot against President treasonous; DPP to return file in new week’ reads: “Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, has said that two persons were interviewed in connection with the alleged plot to shoot President David

Granger while he is on one of his many outreaches, and that file, which is with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), will be returned early in the new week.”

The report goes on to say, inter alia: “Seelall explained that the matter was investigated and sent for legal advice.

“And that was returned on Friday. But a recommendation was made by the police legal advisor, asking for a confrontation with the person making the allegation to clarify various issues within the investigation.

“Then the file was returned to the DPP once again... and that early next week, the file

will be returned and the relevant action will be taken.”

But the DPP, in a short but carefully worded statement issued on Monday, said: “Pursuant to media reports published in the Guyana Chronicle dated Saturday April 22, 2017... the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions herein wishes to verify that NO such police file has been sent to the DPP’s OFFICE by the Guyana Police Force for legal advice.

“Based on what was said

by Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, the police file in question was forwarded to the GPF’s Legal Advisor, Retired Madam Justice Claudette Singh.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

PM gets advice on new broadcasting regulations PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo,who is performing the functions of President,on Monday received advice on the Broadcasting Regulations from Chairman of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA), Leslie Sobers.

The handing over of the document took place at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Ministry of the Presidency. Prime Minister Nagamootoo,upon completion of the new regulations,will lay the document in the National Assembly.

He said the regulations will guide the operations of the authority and decisions.

The PM stated that he would have conducted consultations with the GNBA on the issue of drafting a subsidiary law for the regulations for the broadcasting spectrum in Guyana. Prime Minister Nagamootoo explained that he sought the advice of the GNBA board on what it “deems important issues that should form the regulations.”

The PM made reference to members who were on the

previous board that had started to work on the regulations.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo highlighted that the regulations are important to let the operators or providers of broadcasting know that they are not, “In a free for all.”

He said, “When you have a licence, it is not a licence to be irresponsible, unpatriotic or conducting any other functions that run contrary to the laws of Guyana and ( they are there) to ultimately protect the interest and sovereignty of Guyana.”

The PM highlighted that, “The broadcasting entity is supposed to keep a log of all the programmes that are aired and they fail to keep the log... You heard people complain that there was this terrible programme, obscene or advocating violence or terrorism,and the authority requests the broadcaster to produce the log and they say no,we don’t have it. We don’t even have the tape. That is a serious violation.”

The Prime Minister explained that there is something called Public Broadcasting, adding “when you

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo,who is performing the duties of President,receives Broadcast Regulations from Chairman of the Guyana Broadcasting Authority, Leslie Sobers.

have a public broadcast,you can have an emergency and the Minister responsible for broadcasting can request television and radio stations to broadcast a particular programme, alerting people to danger. A broadcaster may say ‘I do not have to’ or if

Brazilians robbed at gunpoint A BRAZILIAN man and his son were robbed at gun point by three armed men on Monday afternoon in front of their apartment at Fulton Court, Church and Irving Streets, Georgetown.

The son, identified only as Nathan, believes that they may have been trailed just after leaving a downtown gold dealership. This newspaper was told that the men fired a shot as they snatched his chain and two bags. The victims would not say what was in the bag, or estimate the cost of their lost.

The Brazilians had just pulled up in front of the apartment complex when the son observed a brown Toyota Corolla with three men inside parked behind his vehicle, and before he knew it a gun was being pointed in his father’s

The two Brazilians leaving the crime scene in a taxi (Tamica Garnett photo)

face.

“As soon as I parked the car, I left the car and I noticed a brown Toyota Corolla vehicle parked behind me. There was a driver, there was a guy beside the driver, with a bandana, and a guy behind. The guy that was behind in the passenger seat

Fulton Court at Church and Irving Streets, where yesterday’s robbery took place (Tamica Garnett photo)

stepped out real quickly with gun pointing to my father.

He snatched my father’s bag, came back and snatched my stuff and ran away. While he was snatching my stuff, he came to snatch my gold chain and when he did so his finger got stuck in my T-shirt and a shot went through my t-shirt and then they left,” a traumatised Nathan said.

The men have since contacted the police and are hopeful that the bandits would be brought to justice and they could perhaps recover some of their property.

This is not the first time that such a robbery has occurred at the Fulton Court.

Back in 2010, five Brazilian nationals and a Guyanese were attacked and robbed by three gunmen.

the President is making an address to the Nation, he or she may say’why should I carry it’, but if the regulations say that you shall carry such

a broadcast and you did not carry the broadcast you are in trouble.” The Prime Minister said that regulations are needed, but are not there to penal-

ise anyone. “They are there to guide the operators that when they receive a licence, it is not like transport that you own the licensee forever. A licence is a permission to use the facility until such a time your licence is invalid.”

Prime Minister Nagamootoo emphasised that the government will intervene based on requests by the authority for assistance.

The PM encouraged operators to ensure that they adhere to the regulations and note that licences can be revoked if the rules and regulations are breached.

Additionally, Chairman of the GNBA,Leslie Sobers, in brief remarks said that the regulations will govern “how broadcasters operate in the country in keeping with the Broadcasting Act. These regulations we hope, will form the basis of the PM’s own work as the Laws are formulated and regulations that will go with the Laws.” (GINA)

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Tackling malaria MALARIA cases in Guyana today are less of a headache in terms of volume, compared to what obtained about two decades ago.

It is a story which would be amiss if it does not begin with praise for the outstanding work of local health professionals, even though much still remains to be done. Guyana has been able to reduce the number of malaria cases from around 85,000 in 1995 to just about 32,000 cases in 2012.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease commonly caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Symptoms usually occur at least seven to nine days after a bite by an infected mosquito and include fever, chills, sweating, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.

In Guyana, two types of malaria are common, namely plasmodium vivax and plasmodium falciparum. If the plasmodium falciparum infection is not treated promptly, it may result in kidney failure, coma and even death. Malaria is widespread in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the planet and is responsible for over 600,000 deaths every year.

Through diligent work, health professionals have, over the years, managed to eradicate the disease-carrying mosquitoes from the coastland but the pests have shown tenacity in survival by migrating to more favourable grounds. With the coastland largely no longer safe to call home, due also in part to a change in climate, whereby weather conditions are much hotter these days, the Anopheles mosquitoes have

moved to the hinterland regions where the climate is cooler and more conducive to its growth.

There, their existence has been made much easier by the unsustainable environmental practices of mining operators.

It is little wonder that of the 30,000 new cases reported by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) in 2013, the overwhelming majority were persons involved in mining.

While updated statistics on malaria are not available, or out in the public domain, the 10,000 Amerindians, 9000 persons of mixed race, 7000 Afro-Guyanese and 3,000 Indo-Guyanese found to be infected point to the need for serious action.

The Public Health Ministry should have a permanent presence in mining communities or ensure medical outreaches are held regularly there by health professionals.

This is necessary to effectively sustain the fight against malaria and to have the upper hand in the battle. Timely diagnoses, treatment and raising of awareness are essential in preventing the spread of the disease.

Recent efforts by Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Boyle in raising awareness in the Region One sub-district of Moruca is highly commendable, and her message to the people there deeply encouraging.

Speaking to residents of the sub-region in observance of World Malaria Day last Saturday, Dr Boyle was keen on highlighting that everyone has a role to play in keeping malaria at bay.

From mining operators adopting environmentally-sustainable mining practices, to residents and local government officials keeping the environment clean, to support from government and the private sector, all have to work in tandem to make areas that are most vulnerable malaria-free.

If not, the government’s efforts in providing Longlasting Insecticide Net, Vivo tests, and anti-malarial drugs, among other support measures to the some 112,000 hinterland residents this year would not help in effectively curbing new cases.

And while great attention is being given to Moruca, a lesser highlighted area, it is the hope that the Ministry carries through with its promise and put the spotlight on all vulnerable areas. In this way, Guyana will continue to be ahead in the fight against malaria and serve as a model to her sister CARICOM nations as well as countries the world over in keeping the mosquito-borne disease at bay.

To deny AG access to the Court is to deny the State itself access to its own court Dear Editor, THE Attorney General is the custodian and guardian of our national patrimony (both land and chattel assets, excepting where statute e.g. the lands Department Act Cap 59:01; State Lands Act Cap 62:01 vests such custodianship in the President). Anil Nandlall knows this. Or, he ought to know. He was the AG during the Ramotar presidency. And yet, from that former AG there has been a repertoire of angst against the (incumbent) Attorney General, Basil Williams, S.C – inter alia from allegations about death threats to a judge, to now, a $125M libel action, that begs the question: why? Be that as it may, I argue for a shift of focus; to President Granger and the Executive power of Pardon, and the Attorney General’s proactivity or activism (or lack of) as regards his constitutional role and duty as custodian

of our national patrimony (State’s assets).

First, here are my arguments in justification of a pardon.

The “Attorney General of Guyana who shall be the principal legal adviser to the government of Guyana…” (Article 112 of the Constitution) is threatened by Justice Holder with non-access to his court.

The public is well aware of this standoff; a constitutional crisis is in gestation. In a previous letter (published by the Guyana Chronicle (“The AG is not guilty of contempt”, Monday, April 3, 2017) I warned of the engendering of a “constitutional crisis” and posited that “the Indians are circling the wagon,” (using an American historical metaphor) (see also a serialised publication by Kaieteur News under Captions – “Was the judge unfair to the Attorney General” – “Tuesday April 04; “An Attorney General must be shown and given respect by the Bench” – Wednesday

April 05; and “Anil Nandlall is scandalizing the Attorney General” – Saturday, April 08).

Ralph Ramkarran, SC. has now veildly written of “… a penalty as severe as disbarment” – “Drama in court” SN, Sunday, April 02; Dr. Luncheon too is circling the wagon (“Luncheon on the politics of the APNU+AFC government” – KN Thursday 13; “Double standards” – SN April 13). And of course, circling too are the Joshua Singhs (KN, Tuesday, April 18 under caption “An Appeal to President Granger for a Cabinet reshuffle”) The prime target is, of course, the Attorney General.

So, you may wonder why the President has not invoked his presidential power of pardon to abort this unwanted constitutional crisis that is in gestation.

It cannot be in the public interest for it to come to full term and delivery (to use a medical analogy). This has nothing to do with independence of the judiciary.

Independence of the Judiciary is

no licence for judicial overreach.

And besides, the Constitution itself gives the power to be used at any point in the process: prior, during or after judicial process.

Mr. President,you are aware of Justice Holder’s infamous demand for an apology. So, I say with humility to President Granger: Mr. President,be like Portia, dispense Portian justice, (as in Shakespeare’s – The Merchant of Venice), render that demand nugatory; grant the Attorney General of Guyana a free PARDON. Frustrate the shyloks. Mr President, here is your authority: Article 188(1)(a) provides “The President may grant to any person concerned in… any offence under the laws of Guyana, a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions”. A pardon here would not amount to some tacit admission of guilt of the offence of contempt. The words “concerned in” embrace situations, as the present one, of there being no charge, but yet imputation, and insinuations and

the like of an offence from the Judge’s demand; and of course the mischief of the Joshua Singhs in inciting disrepute for the Attorney General. The infamy of an apology (I will shorty explain this infamy) hangs over the Attorney General’s head like the sword of Damocles.

Here is my explanation of the infamy. It serves to enhance the justification for a pardon.

The full text of justice Holder’s demand for an apology, is now public knowledge. It is quoted in Ralph Ramkarran’s column “Drama in Court”. In the judges words: “I am not prepared to sit and hear Mr. Williams as an Attorney – at – law in any matter whatsoever, unless he makes a genuine and meaningful apology to my satisfaction, in open court, both to me and to members of the bar since they too were scandalised by his despicable conduct” (emphasis all mine). This is infamy. This is nothing but naked judicial bullyism. And, against an At-

torney General. What has he done to deserve this ignominy of remorse by apology under duress. And besides, is an Attorney General just a mere “Attorney – at – law”? Not at all. He is sui generis. And by, “members of the Bar”, I take the Judge to mean (as he only could have meant) those Junior Counsels present in court during that business session, most notably among them, Anil Nandlall who, with an accustomed degree of belligerence, is an unrelenting confessed public nemesis of the Attorney General. Such an apology appears to me, to be appeasing, an unapologetic junior Counsel – Anil Nandlall.

Has this junior Counsel been demanded by the Judge to issue an open court apology to the Attorney General, as head of the Bar, for his notorious public “despicable” allegations made against the Attorney General.

No. But, that is not all. You may wonder: is the true constitutional Turn to page 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Guyana’s ranking improves

7

– 2016 Human Development Report THE 2016 Human Development Report (HDR) has grouped Guyana in the ‘Medium Human Development’ category and ranked at 127. Out of the 188 countries examined, Guyana is listed as a ‘Developing Country’ and grouped with Latin America and the Caribbean.

The United Nations (UN) compiled the report under

the theme, “Human Development for Everyone”. The presentation of key findings of the HDR 2016 will be formally presented by Dr. Patrick Chesney, Programme Specialist and Assistant Resident Representative / Programme, UNDP Guyana and Winston Jordan, Minister of Finance at the New Lecture Theatre, University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus on

To deny AG access... significance and status of an Attorney General beyond comprehension of this Judge?

In a nutshell, here are the credentials of an Attorney General that respectfully, Judge Holder seems very unfamiliar with. They are sui generis (i.e. peculiar to and special) prominent among these are (i) the sole and exclusive advocacy and litigant (locus standi) right in any civil court as representative of the State; and on behalf of the public, and, paradoxically sometimes, at the instance, and for the benefit of judges. (ii) status of non-disbarmentability (ie cannot be disbarred under the Legal Practitioners Act, cap 4:01 (“LPA”) – the necessary implication of sections 23, the exception in 35, 37). (iii) under the LPA, those judges have no power/jurisdiction to discipline under that statute the Attorney General, as they could any other Attorney – at – law, (iv) status of indispensability portfolio wise in the Cabinet (article 112), (v) (shared) custodianship of our national patrimony – civil litigation in respect thereof, now unquestionably the exclusive province of the Attorney General under the State Liability and Proceedings Act, 1984 cap. 6:05 especially sections 10 and 11.

Editor, so there can be no greater nonsense written about the Attorney General than the pious notion of disbarment, or, the infamy of an apology (as head of the Bar to junior counsel,) as a condition of his access to the State’s court presided over by justice Holder. Such a conditionality, portends a violation of the Constitution; and, arguably might, if executed, amount to “misbehaviour” (article 197 (3)). The judge cannot be unmindful, or indifferent to such considerations. All are sworn to uphold the Constitution. As the constitutional legal representative of the State, in civil matters, to deny the Attorney General access to the Court, is to, in point of constitutional law, purport to deny the State itself, access to its

own court. For this proposition, there is a landmark decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice reported as Martin and Another V. Attorney General of Belize, (2011) 78 WIR 51 (a, MUST read for all law officers in the AG’s chambers; and I dare say, judges too). Is it conceivable that any Judge in England would have the temerity to impede England’s Attorney General’s access to the Crown’s Court. If there is any precedent of this I shall be happy to be edified.

Anil’s libel suit I turn now to the libel action (as reported in both KN and SN, Sunday April 16 respective edition). The action is filed by MR. Nandlall over the Attorney General’s alleged public comments as expressions of his legal opinion that Mr. Nandlall is wrongfully in possession of law books he acquired during his tenure as AG with public moneys and has appropriated to his own private use and benefit, since demitting that office. That libel action is, in law, feeble and farcical. I argue, and will show in a subsequent letter how and why an IMPLIED privilege arises and exists in relation to the Attorney General by reason of his constitutional duties as to the recovery of State assets of which he is custodian in point of constitutional law. Duties carries correlative rights. Suffice it to say for now that Martin’s case supra decided that an Attorney General was competent to institute civil proceedings against former government ministers for recovery of State assets.

That case established a seminal precedent. From the Attorney General in whom the law has vested so much guardianship for the public good (as I have adumbrated above), much proactivity and activism is expected. The common law of libel and the Defamation Act Cap. 6:03 (if there be any inconsistency) must yield to the incidents of the discharge of the Attorney General’s constitutional duty of recovery of State assets. The

Wednesday, April 26, 2017.

The 2016 HDR focuses puts the Federated States of Micronesia at the same level as Guyana. The Report speaks to how human development can be ensured for everyone – now and in the future. The report states, “It starts with an account of the achievements, challenges and hopes for human progress, envisioning where human-

From Page 6 public’s interest in the recovery of state assets is paramount. It is all about justification and fair comment.

The libel action against an Attorney General in his official capacity is unprecedented in legal history. It is nothing but an abuse and misuse of the process of the civil court, to discourage, and frustrate the Attorney General in the discharge of his constitutional duty, as guardian of the State assets, to fearlessly recover by civil process, those assets which, in his professional judgment are wrongfully (criminally–larceny by bailee is one possible view; or, tortuously – misfeasance in public office is one possible view) in the possession of any one, and in this case – a former minister of government and AG. And if anyone doubts the validity of this proposition, I suggest they read and comprehend the Martin case, supra. For, as I apprehend, our constitutional law (which is the supreme law with which no other law in this case the common law of libel and the Defamation Act Cap 6:03, can be inconsistent) would be very defective if as it does, it imposes a duty of guardianship or custodianship of State assets on the Attorney General, implicit in which is a right of professional judgement, justly arrived at and entertained, as to whether State/ public assets have been, or are being, wrongfully misappropriated, and yet at the same time, preclude publication of that opinion/judgment to his client – the public. The law cannot be so defective. Publication has various modus operandi.

The Attorney General is, and must be on the same constitutional footing as the DPP against whom it is unthinkable that libel action would be taken, in respect of any professional judgment that Mr. X or Y has committed a criminal offence.

Regards Maxwell Edwards

ity wants to go. Its vision draws from and builds on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that the 193 member states of the United Nations endorsed last year and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that the world has committed to achieve.”

According to the Report, “It explores who has been left out in the progress in human development and why. It argues that to ensure human development for everyone, a mere mapping of the nature and location of deprivations is not enough. Some aspects of the human development approach and assessment perspectives have to be brought

to the fore.”

The document also identifies the national policies and key strategies that will enable every human being to achieve basic human development and to sustain and protect the gains.

The composite Human Development Index (HDI) integrates three basic dimensions of human development. Life expectancy at birth reflects the ability to lead a long and healthy life.

Mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling reflect the ability to acquire knowledge. And gross national income per capita reflects the ability to achieve a decent standard of living.

To measure human development more comprehensively, the HDR also presents four other composite indices. The Inequality-adjusted HDI discounts the HDI according to the extent of inequality. The Gender Development Index compares female and male HDI values. The Gender Inequality Index highlights women’s empowerment, and the Multidimensional Poverty Index measures non-income dimensions of poverty. The first HDR was offered in 1990 and presented human development as a people-centered approach to development.

(GINA)

8

Flagrant misuse GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

– PS says law books pact between Nandlall, Ramotar breached FMAA FORMER Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Melissa Tucker had told the Audit Office that the alleged pact between Former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall and former President, Donald Ramotar, regarding the purchase of law books for the former personal use was a “flagrant breach” of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA). And it was the new PS, Delma Nedd, who triggered Monday’s action

by SOCU after writing the Commissioner of Police, Seelall, requesting an investigation into the matter.

Tucker had made the comments in her response to the Auditor General’s findings into the books.

The Auditor General in its conclusion had said that the Commonwealth Law Books acquired by the min-

Former PS of Ministry of Legal Affairs, Melissa Tucker

istry were not subject to storekeeping procedures and were not required, since they were part of his condition of service. However, the then Permanent Secretary, Tucker, made it clear that the ministry was never preview to any condition of service for Nandlall, which included the purchase of law reports.

Tucker said the “the alleged agreement between the former AG and former President Ramotar circumvents the procedural accountability of the Budget Agency that is governed by the Stores Regulations 1993 and the FMAA 2003.” She added that the purchase of the law books, using public funds for Nandlall’s personal use was, “A flagrant misuse of public funds. Property bought with public funds by the ministry ought to remain the property of the ministry,” Tucker stated.

She said, “The ministry feels compelled to remind you (Auditor General) that according to FMAA: Public money means all money belonging to the State, received or collected by officials in their capacity or by any person authorised to receive or collect such money.” In addition, Tucker

Anil Nandlall at the SOCU headquarters

stated that Section 48 of the FMAA, which speaks of the misuse of public funds, provides that: “A minister or official shall not in any manner misuse, misapply, or improperly dispose of public

money.”

Nandlall was arrested by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) on Monday and questioned about the books. He stated that the books are in a house, but the keys to the property are being held by a relative who is overseas. Meanwhile, PS Nedd had written the Police Chief on April 21, 2017 informing him that her ministry was issued with the results of the Special Audit Report and written response as is required under section 27 of the Audit Act 2004, which reported among other things, that 14 Commonwealth Law Reports valued in excess of $2.8M, bought with state funds were removed from the ministry without lawful authority by Nandlall. This Nedd told the Commission was a violation of the Government Stores Regulations 1993 and the

FMAA Act, 2003.

Additionally, the audit had found that the books were not subject to storekeeping, according to Section 18 of the Stores Regulations 1993, which states, “All goods purchased shall be taken to the store and shall be subject to storekeeping procedures outlined in these regulations.”

Stating that the ministry had no evidence of the agreement between Nandlall and Ramotar, Tucker said that, “Even assuming that there was such an agreement, the use of public funds in this manner is against the FMAA.” She added that in respect to one law book valued $174,498 purchased on March 18, 2015, it was received by the Permanent Secretary on June 2, 2016 and was placed in the library.

Wife, alleged hit-man committed to 25 years on manslaughter plea High Court for Herstelling murder

DEAD : Nathan Persaud

Beverly Persaud

Oswald Junior Yaw

BEVERELY Persaud, 48, of Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara and 23-year-old Oswald Junior Yaw of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, were committed to stand trial in the High Court for the murder of Herstelling Block Maker, Nathan Persaud, who was killed in his home in 2015.

They were committed

by City Magistrate, Judy Latchman, at the end of the Preliminary Inquiry (PI).

Magistrate Latchman in her ruling said that after reviewing the evidence in its entirety, the court found that there

is enough evidence against the two accused for the case to be tried before a judge and jury.

It is alleged that Yaw, on September 10, 2015, at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, murdered Nathan Persaud in pursuance of a financial arrangement with Beverly Persaud to murder Persaud, who is her husband.

Persaud’s bloodied body was discovered lying face down in his house at Lot 66, Herstelling New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, on September 10, 2015.

The body bore a stab wound to the chest, and the back

of his head was bashed in.

Police recovered from the crime scene a hammer, two knives and a piece of rock, all of which had blood stains.

Yaw was later arrested at a city location, and reportedly confessed to beating the block maker to death with a hammer. He allegedly stated that he was promised $1.7M

by Beverly Persaud to kill her husband. He had reportedly collected $30,000 and a further $35,000 in advance.

After Persaud was killed, the accused was reportedly paid $10,000 and promised $100,000 in weekly payments.

SHAMEER ALLI was on Monday morning sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment

by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow in the Georgetown High Court after he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter for the June 8, 2013 murder of Shanaza Ramdatt.

His plea was accepted by the judge through his attorney Mark Conway.

The pensive Alli expressed remorse for his actions which led to the murder of his reputed wife. And during the sentencing, the judge took into account the use of a weapon (knife) and the domestic abuse for which she said a strong message was necessary for society.

She noted that his actions were unacceptable.

Justice Barlow sentenced Alli to 25 years in total from which eight years were deducted for the guilty plea, three years and 10 months subtracted for time served and one year deducted for good behaviour in prison and attendance at religious classes.

State prosecutor Shawnette Austin in association with Tameika Clarke,told the court that the deceased,Shanaza Ramdatt called ‘Reshma’,was the victim of constant abuse by her reputed husband, Shameer Alli.She related that the night before the murder she(Reshma) slept at a neighbour’s house in the company of her brother and went home on the morning of June 8, 2013, after which a quarrel ensued

between the couple at their Kuru Kururu home.

Austin told the court that shortly after the row, Ramdatt ran out the house holding her head while screaming for help. Austin added that at that point, the accused took a knife and began stabbing Ramdatt on her neck and hand,after which he ran into some bushes to hide.

Ramdatt’s lifeless body was found lying in a pool of blood while the accused tried to take his own life by slashing his throat but was taken to the hospital after which he was placed in police custody.

A post mortem performed by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh gave the cause of death as multiple incised (15) wounds.

High Court trial for trio accused of abducting cop THREE men were committed to stand trial in the High Court for the abduction of a police officer during the multi-million-dollar heist at the Bourda Post Office in April 2015.

City Magistrate, Judy Latchman, committed Simeon Williams, of Lot 36, Savage Street, West La Penitence, Stravo Evans of 169 Middle Road La Penitence and Oliver Franklin

of 102 Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, when the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the matter concluded on Monday.

It is alleged that on April 1, 2015, at Regent Street, Georgetown, they wrongfully restrained and abducted police officer, Andre July.

Magistrate Latchman during her ruling said that after reviewing the evidence presented by Police Corporal, Shawn Gonsalves in its en-

tirety, the court found that there is enough evidence against the three accused for the case to be tried before a judge and jury.

The men were out on High Court bail during the PI and Magistrate Latchman did not revoke such.

In March 2016, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had withdrawn the robbery-under-arms charges against the three men to fa-

Turn to page 9 ►

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Nandlall arrested for law books – says keys to storehouse with overseas relative

By Rabindra Rooplall FORMER Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, was on Monday arrested and questioned over some $2.5M worth of law reports which he had taken away from the Ministry of Legal Affairs, allegedly with the permission of former President Donald Ramotar.

Back in November 2015, the then Permanent Secretary of the Legal Affairs Ministry, Indira Ananjit, was sent on 52 days leave after the law books, reportedly valued $2.5 million, were found missing. This caused an audit to be launched by the Auditor General’s office to locate the books. During the audit the PPP MP told the auditors that he was subscribing to a company that was producing the books and when he was appointed as AG he requested from Ramotar that the state pays for the reports. However, the then Permanent Secretary

in the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Melissa Tucker, in her response to the audit findings made it clear that the ministry was never preview to any condition of service for Nandlall, which included the purchase of law reports. Tucker said the “the alleged agreement between the former AG and former President Ramotar circumvents the procedural accountability of the Budget Agency that is governed by the Stores Regulations 1993 and the FMAA 2003.” She added that the purchase of the law books, using public funds for Nandlall’s personal use was “a flagrant misuse of public funds. Property bought with public funds by the ministry ought to remain the property of the ministry,” Tucker stated.

Nandlall had explained that when he was appointed Attorney General, he requested as part of his contract of service for the Government of Guyana to stand the expense

for his subscriptions for the Commonwealth Law Books.

He had subscribed to Lexis Nexis, the publishers of the Law reports. “I was subscribing to this particular law report over a decade before my appointment as Attorney General. When I was offered the position, one of the conditions I asked for is for the Government of Guyana to continue to pay the subscription of these books, because I did not want to break the subscription,” Nandlall had pointed out.

Insisting that nothing was abnormal about the practice, the former AG had argued that it was done by other Government Ministries such as Finance and Health.

He had expressed awareness that for decades prior, the Government had paid for professional and technical publications, journals, periodicals, magazines. This, he said, had been done for ministers, as well as professional and technical personnel. When asked if

Anil Nandlall minutes after exiting SOCU’s camp street office

he would repay for the books, Nandlall said then that when he told investigators that he was willing to buy an entire set and donate it to the Ministry, the investigator related that the return of the law books was

not the issue, he was.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said of all the hundreds of cases that SOCU has in their care and the billions of dollars the APNU/AFC government has

accused People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)’s Members of stealing, it appears that a major case for the unit is dealing with Anil Nandlall ownership of a few law books.

“They probably don’t even have a mandate to investigate this issue, these law books can be purchased for GYD $400,000 and this has become a big act of corruption that this government is pursuing when they had claimed that PPP members stole over $305B,” Jagdeo said.

Jagdeo noted that SOCU doesn’t appear to be going after money launderers, drug trafficker or serious financial crimes, but seems fascinated with inconsequential matters involving the PPP. Jagdeo said he had urged the government, over a year ago, to hire an international firm to track down large sums of monies that they claimed PPP stashed away in accounts overseas as the government had claimed. However, this was never done.

Mother on the run, siblings Miner charged with murder remanded on cocaine charge …body was found in shallow grave TWO siblings were remanded to prison on Monday following the discovery of cocaine under the floorboards of their Cross Street, Werk-en-Rust home last Friday.

Police are currently on the hunt for their mother, who fled the scene during the search. Delon BobbSemple, 23 and his younger sister, 21-year-old Tomica, appeared before City Magistrate Judy Latchman and denied the joint charge.

It is alleged that on April 21, 2017 at Cross Street,

Werk-en-Rust Georgetown, the siblings had in their possession 171 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Their Attorney, Adrian Thompson,in his application for bail explained that both his clients are medically unfit to be placed on remand.

According to Thompson, in February, Delon underwent an open-heart surgery and is still recovering, while Tomica suffers from epilepsy.

The Prosecution,however,objected to bail on the grounds that the reasons pro-

vided by the defence are not sufficient. Corporal Shawn Gonsalves told the court that on April 21, police acted on information received and conducted a search in the house. The siblings, along with their mother, Odetta Bobb-Semple,were also searched by the ranks.

During the search, police found the cocaine hidden under the floor boards; at that time, the mother ran away from the cops and left the children behind. The siblings were remanded until May 8, 2017.

A MINER appeared before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan,on Monday charged with the murder of his colleague, whose remains were found in a shallow grave at Three Miles, Karrau Backdam, Mazaruni.

Delon Daniels of Aranka, Barama River, North West District was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleged that between April 7 and April 17, 2017,at Three Miles, Karrau Backdam, Mazaruni, he murdered Seon Mentore, also called ‘Fine Thyme’ of

Pomeroon, Region One. The man was unrepresented and was remanded to prison. The matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for May 19, 2017.

A little boy flying his kite at Karrau Backdam, Three Miles, Mazaruni stumbled upon the body of a man buried in a three-foot deep grave. The child’s parents informed the police, who went to the scene to investigate.

It was reported that on April 7 last, the now dead man and two others had gone to the mining pit to

“wash down” gold, after which they had gone for a drink. However, in the midst of consuming alcohol, the owner of the mining camp accused Mentore of stealing raw gold, and this led to an altercation.

Persons intervened and the two men went their separate ways; but thy ended up at the same mining camp, where they had another altercation, and it was then that the now dead man was chopped to death.

The dead man’s body was subsequently transported to another part of the mining concession, where it was buried.

Chef continues to excrete High Court trial for...

– has expelled cocaine pellets 52 thus far THE man arrested early Sunday on suspicion of trafficking in narcotics and later admitted to swallowing 35 pellets of cocaine, was at press time said to be still excreting the matter.

At the last count, which was late Sunday, the 26-year-old East Ruimveldt resident, who is reportedly a chef at an established

fast food outlet, was said to have excreted 14 pellets of cocaine, which is the equivalent of 146 grams of the substance.

Now, more than 24 hours later, he was reportedly still in excretion mode, and has thus far expelled 52 pellets, which amount to some 554 grams of cocaine.

And, by the look of

things, the police say, he’s likely to release lots more.

The erstwhile chef, who was on the police radar for some time now, and is under police guard at the Georgetown Public Hospital, was arrested at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) as he was about to board a flight to The Bahamas.

cilitate a PI into the alleged abduction.

It was reported that the men stormed a ‘Pitbull’ minibus, which had brought cash to the Bourda Post Office on the morning of the day in question. One of the men allegedly placed a gun to the driver’s head, while another relieved the police of his weapon.

One of the men reportedly took possession of the vehicle, while his accomplice forced the policemen into the back of the bus.

It was reported that they drove off with the cash in the vehicle and abandoned

From page 8

the bus with the policeman at Cemetery Road, Georgetown.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Den Amstel ministerial outreach yields mixed reaction – sees many suggestions being taken on board

By Svetlana Marshall

RESIDENTS of Den Amstel and neighbouring communities on the West Demerara have all applauded the government for its decision to reconstruct the Den Amstel Youth Camp.

But they’re not at all happy about the state of some of the access roads in the villages, as well as the deteriorating state of the village’s sea defence.

The foregoing concerns were raised on Sunday during a Town Hall Meeting with Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. At the meeting also were former Prime Minister and Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green; A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament, John Adams; the Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) Jennifer Ferriera; and the Hague-Blankenburg NDC Chairman, Kenton Hilliman.

Ayola Issacs was the first to stand to her feet.

Before raising the issue of the state of one of the main access roads in Den Amstel, she said the decision by the APNU+AFC government to rebuild the Den Amstel Youth Camp is a welcome initiative.

She made the point that in the past, the camp played an important role in molding the minds of youths across the district, and that its reconstruction will certainly be a plus for the region.

Her views were endorsed by many of the residents there, one of whom even suggested that a world-class swimming pool and gym be added to the new structure.

Issacs then moved on to the deplorable state of one of the main access roads in the village, which she said was destroyed by one of the largest construction companies in the country that was doing a sea defence project in the community.

“I am very concerned about this road. When it rains, I have to use longboots; and I think I have passed that stage,” Issacs told the Minister of State and his team. She said that the road is not an issue to her alone, as it affects many of the senior citizens in the village.

Another resident complained about the sub-standard work that was done

Ayola Issacs making a point during the Town Hall Meeting on Sunday

ment said that while the government has been making steady progress, all of the issues being raised cannot be addressed in the matter of two years. He seized the opportunity to announce that the youth camp will be complemented by the establishment of an agricultural school in the region, which will be a model of the Guyana School of Agriculture.

Ferriera, who has demonstrated a passion for youth development in the region and has arranged to meet with youths in her capacity as DREO, said she is here to do team work.

However, she said residents must be cognisant of the fact that many of the issues in Den Amstel and other villages were inherited from the previous administration. “So what we will do is to fix them,” she said, adding: “We are fixers, but please don’t think that it can fix overnight or in a

on the road at Fellowship.

According to that resident, only a part of the road was done.

Yet another resident said: “I wish to know if there is any provision in this year’s budget for sealing the cracks along the sea defence; I have observed a number of cracks that need immediate attention. We in this village would not want to wake up one morning and find ourselves under water.”

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, addressing residents at the Den Amstel Primary School (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

Another resident complaining about a haphazard road project, which was completed recently

MINISTER RESPONDS In response to all these queries and complaints, Minister Harmon said that although river and sea defences are very expensive undertakings, the government, in its 2017 Budget,

did allocate funds for work to be done at Wakenaam and in other areas. In fact, the government has allocated $1.1B for capital works in this area for 2017.

He noted, however, that the cracks alluded to by the residents will be taken into consideration when the

2018 National Budget is being formulated.

On the issue of the deplorable state of the roads in the villages, Minister Harmon said provision has been made in this year’s budget to repair and complete them, including the one mentioned

by Issacs and the other at Fellowship.

Turning his attention to the Den Amstel Youth Camp, Minister Harmon said that he, like many other West Coast residents, would have benefited significantly from the facility during his earlier years.

He said that it was because of this, and the “rundown state” in which it was left that the present

administration took the decision to reconstruct the camp, but with a modern touch. As such, he said, the suggestion to include a gym and a swimming pool is a welcome one.

The first phase of the project will be completed in November. The government has also rebuilt the Region Three Regional Education Office which was burnt down many years ago.

Meanwhile, in their opening remarks, the political leaders had called on the residents to be patient, noting that while demands will be made, all of them cannot be met at the same time.

The APNU+AFC Regional Member of Parlia-

week; we will try to do what we can.”

Minister in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, who had attended the outreach, after meeting with residents at Bagotsville, reminded the regional and local leaders that they represent the government, and that contrary to popular belief, this is not a government of some of the people but all. And as such, tremendous effort must be made to meet the demands of the citizenry. She was responding to concerns raised about attempts by the PPP to stymie progress in the region and create division.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Cancer Diplomacy 110 IT WAS another ‘Chemo Wednesday’ or ‘Chemo Wednesdays!’ as my boyfriend would say usually accompanied by the classic Travolta ‘Stayin’ Alive’ dance. My chemo sessions thus far had all taken place on Wednesdays and it had become a joke between us that made the treatments sound like a party, as if it were a ‘T.G.I F!’ we were referring to.

This ‘Chemo Wednesday’ was special;it marked fifty percent completion of my chemotherapy. I was at round 4 and could not wait to complete this stage,mostly due to the fact that my chemo drugs would be changed.

This would be the last time I (hoped) would have the nausea and all that good stuff that comes from the chemo drug nicknamed ‘the red devil’. I saw the fourth round as a bridge to the fifth where I would reach the castle, slay the dragon and eat the dragon without feeling sick.

As I lounged in one of the recliners in the chemo room, I reached for the envelope in my bag. On the front of the card read ‘With deepest sym-

pathy in this difficult time’.

Huh? Did I die? Who died?

What’s going on? Inside the card more poignant words about ‘difficult times’ and scrawled below ‘love from uncle ---’ .

My feelings were quelled as I read who it was from; I had never even expected a card and was touched by his compassion. His intentions were good and sincere and that was more important than his perceived insensitive card.

I wasn’t alone in feeling the way I did. It seemed insensitivity and tact were problems faced by cancer patients globally. People want to be supportive but don’t always know what to say or do;here are a few of the comments I have heard as well as what to say /not say to someone diagnosed with cancer.

This is a delicate matter and saying or doing the ‘wrong’ thing can be more damaging to a patient than supportive.

1. You have to be strong/positive’. This means well but it also gives us the idea that you don’t think we already are. Instead say something like ‘You are strong, or you

are positive’. I have heard this a gazillion times and had it not been for the fact that I know it’s well intentioned I would have probably rolled my eyes.

2. The worst thing someone can do when they visit or talk with me is have an emotional breakdown. Cancer patients want support, hope and positive reinforcement. If the patient is emotional then I understand a friend or loved one being moved to tears. It’s important to show a brave face to your friend even if you feel very sad about it, it’s not about your feelings, it’s about theirs. Let them know there is hope.

3. ‘My aunt had breast cancer too, she died.’ No, no and no! Never tell someone with cancer a tragic story about someone else with cancer.

We need to inspire hope not fear.

4. ‘Will it go away after the chemo?’ We coexist in a life of uncertainty and can never ‘know’ anything for sure until it has actually happened. Predictions can go either way and doing so will only drive us and our chemo brain insane.

Vendor jailed for armed robbery of US citizen A VENDOR who robbed a United States (US) citizen at knife-point was sentenced to 56 months jail by City Magistrate Judy Latchman after he confessed on Monday.

Michael Whyte, a 39-year-old push-cart vendor admitted that on April 22, 2017 at Avenue of Republic, Georgetown, while armed with a knife, he robbed Taylor Lewinsky of a haversack, iPhone and several other items totaling $114,300.

The court heard that

on the day in question, at about 06:45 hrs, Lewinsky was walking along Avenue of Republic in the vicinity of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court when Whyte approached her from behind on a bicycle.

The accused pointed a knife at the woman and demanded that she hand over her haversack with the items,which she did.He then escaped in the direction of the Parika Bus Park.

However,Whyte collided with a pedestrian and was apprehended. The accused

was taken to the police mobile outpost with the items in his possession.

Whyte, who was unrepresented by an Attorney, told the court that he suffers from epilepsy and would often black-out, which makes him unware of his surroundings and activities.

But the Magistrate told him, “I believe that the time you will be spending imprisoned you will start thinking right,” before she imposed the 56-months jail sentence.

5. ‘Is there something I can do for you?’ This is one of the most considerate things you can ask someone who isn’t well but it’s better to offer to do something specific.

Instead,tell them what you would like to do for them e.g.

‘I will bring some fruits for you, what would you like?’

6. Ask questions about what we’ve been doing as opposed to things about cancer. It is something we have, not who we are.

7. A call or message can discern whether or not the patient is up for visitors,but don’t constantly push it.

Your intentions may be well-meaning but patients like their privacy and as a

general rule of thumb- if you have to ask where they live because you have never been to their house, you probably should not be visiting them unless they say so.

8. ‘Why do you wear a wig?’ This is a very personal choice and not one that a cancer patient needs to explain. Some women are comfortable rocking the bald look throughout their treatment but some of us, myself included, like to be reminded at times of what it feels like to have hair. Vain as we might be, aesthetics like wigs, eyelashes and makeup are important because they help us to ‘feel’ more like

our normal selves even if it is just by appearances - let us have that.

9. ‘You are in my prayers.’

This is one of the most compassionate things you can say to someone who is ill,but refrain from talk about religion,especially if you do not know that person’s beliefs.

It’s okay to not know what to say. I have cancer and I still don’t know the ‘appropriate ’thing to say to someone who does. The most impactful thing about showing support is just the mere act of reaching out in whatever way,no matter how small,to let them know they are in your thoughts.

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17 illegal guns seized so far in ‘F’ Division

– Brazilian miner arrested in latest haul COMMANDER of ‘F’ Division (Lethem-Interior Locations), Ravindradat Budhram, has said that the hard work of police in the region has resulted in the seizure of 17 illegal firearms thus far for the year.

The latest such seizure occurred on Sunday when a Brazilian miner was arrested at her mining camp at the Black Water Backdam in Konawaruk, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) with an unlicensed single-barrel shotgun and one live cartridge.

Acting on information, police ranks descended on the suspect’s

The unlicensed firearm seized on Sunday from the Brazilian miner

camp around 16:00hrs and made the discovery in her presence. The 47-year-old suspect, who speaks fluent English, has admitted ownership of the unlicensed firearm and ammunition and is being processed for court.

In 2016, the police seized a total of 109 illegal firearms, compared to 115 in 2015. These included 49 pistols, 32 revolvers, 26 shotguns, two rifles and one sub-machine gun.

Most of the weapons (46) were reportedly seized in “A” Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara), and “F” Division (34).

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Welder jailed for stealing aunt’s money A WELDER who stole his aunt’s money was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment by City Magistrate Judy Latchman after he pleaded guilty to larceny on Monday.

Dalchan Wilson, 24, admitted that on March 11, 2017 at Campbellville Housing Scheme, Georgetown, he stole $120,000 from Gaeta Osmond. The court heard that in January, Wilson was invited to stay by his aunt’s home in Campbellville since she lived alone.

The complainant said she kept her monthly saving of $180,000 inside a black purse in her room and on March 11, when she checked the cash, a total of $120,000 was missing. Osmond contacted Wilson who admitted to taking the money from her purse.

Police Prosecutor,Shawn Gonsalves told the court that Wilson was convicted several years ago for a similar charge and was ordered to pay a fine. The unrepresented man begged the court for leniency as he explained he is expect-

ing his son in a few months.

He said he is willing to work out a payment plan with his aunt to repay the money.

“I’m not really a criminal ... I saw the money and temptation took over,” Wilson told the court.

However,Magistrate Latchman scolded Wilson and recited the 7th commandment on him.

“Thou shall not steal.

You bit the hand that fed you after your aunt took you in,” Magistrate Latchman said to Wilson.

Bartica resident busted with ‘ganja’ A FIRST Avenue, Bartica resident was on Sunday afternoon arrested at his home with 491 grams of

cannabis.

Police, acting on information that the 27- year-old was selling narcotics at his place of abode, swooped down at the location at around 14:30hrs and observed him placing something in a toilet cistern when he saw them

coming.

An examination of the cistern revealed the illegal substance, packaged in small Ziploc bags.

He was promptly taken into custody, and will be charged and placed before the court today.

Teacher, farmer remanded on drug charges FIFTY-seven-year-old farmer,Linden Gordon, known as ‘Priest’ of Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden,was arrested last Wednesday by ranks of the Guyana Police Force with 93 grams of cannabis.

Gordon, who was arrested in Amelia’s Ward,was charged with Possession of Narcotics for the purpose of Trafficking and appeared last Friday before Magistrate

Clive Nurse at the Wales Magistrate’s Court,where he pleaded not guilty and was remanded to prison until May 24, 2017.

Additionally, on April 20, 2017, police ranks on duty at the Mabura Checkpoint arrested Jad Atkinson, 18, a teacher of Aishalton Village, South Rupununi,with 50 grams of cannabis.

He, too, appeared before Magistrate Nurse last Friday,when he pleaded not guilty to the charge, and was remanded until May 24, 2017 for trial at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

Then, last Saturday, a 26-year-old miner of Beverly Hills, Lethem was arrested at around 11:30hrs by ranks of a mobile patrol in the Marudi Backdam with 140 grams of cannabis, which he had in a haversack he was carrying. He is being processed for court.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

National Library Week 2017...

Guyana celebrates information literacy – in a changing technological world THE Guyana National Library will this week be celebrating the invaluable social contribution of libraries in observance of National Library Week 2017, under the theme, “Facing the future: Information literacy in a changing technological landscape”.

Chief Librarian, Ms Emily King told the Guyana Chronicle that while National Library Week is observed the world over from April 9 - 14, it is being done here from April 23 – 28, since every effort was being made to ensure a fun, creative and informative week of activities with the involvement of as many agencies as possible.

Thus far, the Guyana National Library has succeeded in getting agencies the likes of the University of Guyana, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, and CARICOM to join it in hosting a book exhibition that would allow the showcasing the various types of information available

at other libraries here.

The purpose of the exhibition, Ms King said, is to highlight the importance of libraries in different capacities, and to remind of the benefits to be had in preserving information through the leaves of a book.

The week-long celebration, King said, will also comprise of several lectures, and roundtable and panel discussions, all of which will be aired publicly, while the mobile book service, which is normally used for out-oftown communities, will be available in the city.

Persons will also be able to have their eyes checked, since the service will be made available by a volunteer company. King said contact can be made with the library for information on the upcoming events.

She noted, however, that while libraries have for aeons been one of society’s main sources of information, this is no longer the case, due to the continuous development

of technological capacities.

Distraction by other social and entertainment items introduced mainly through the electronic medium has supported the reduction of users.

NOT LIKE BEFORE “It’s not like it used to be,” King said of the public’s use of the library these days since the spread of electronic devices.

She told the Guyana Chronicle that though the library has seen a decline in users, she is confident that it will maintain its stride.

She explained that many persons still make time to access the services of the library, particularly the older folks who prefer to use books rather that the electronic devices. She said that students, especially those without smartphones or regular access to computers, would also come to the library to do their research, while some parents personally take their children

The Guyana National Library on Church and Main Streets

to the library and ensure that they access the facility. King conceded that libraries would need to do their part, however, to be competitive. She is convinced that while libraries will never die, they are overshadowed by the convenience of technology.

As such, the Guyana National Library has increased its services to research and educational guidance.

King said it was noticed that some students and even adults are unable to conduct research. They are unable to

use a book, not knowing what the index or content page is used for. Again, some persons cannot read and are unable to pronounce or spell simple words.

The Chief revealed that many persons going to First World countries to live, seek the assistance of the library with basic English.

She opined that these persons have come to recognise that they must have some level of literacy in the First World and often seek help from the library.

The facility, therefore, offers classes and other assistance in the use of books, learning how to read, write applications and filling out of forms among other functions. It is also an area the library would like to develop more, King said. “There will always be the need for the People’s University,” King stated. She believes that libraries will remain for their hard copy storage and lifespan regardless the technological development.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

‘Great things in store for you’ – AG tells Lindeners at Town Week opening

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Basil Williams, (Center) Regional Chairman, Renis Morian and Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, (right) Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira and Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland (left) awaiting the march-past

By Vanessa Braithwaite LINDENERS on Sunday observed a moment of silence in honour of the late Norman Chapman- the owner of the ill-fated ‘Son Chapman’ launch that was blown up in 1964 at Horadia, a timber grant settlement some 16 miles up the Demerara River. Mr Chapman died last week.

The occasion was the opening of the annual Linden Town Week- a 10-day activity in celebration of the township’s 47th Anniversary.

Held at Republic Avenue, the opening ceremony attracted hundreds of residents and visitors. The official opening saw a large delegation of dignitaries, including Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Basil Williams; Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin and his wife Han Gaskin; Members of Parliament: Jermaine Figueira and Audwin Rutherford; Mayors of Bartica, Georgetown and Rose Hall: Gifford Marshall, Patricia Chase-Green and Vijay Ramo respectively, Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland; Regional Chairman, Renis Morian and other regional officials.

GREAT THINGS IN STORE Williams in his address told Lindeners that great things are in store for the town. Alluding to the theme: “Reflect, refocus, moving forward with unity and strength for our community development”, Williams said that each aspect is needed for the town to develop.

“The theme embodies the aspirations of a town committed to development by being willing to evolve to the changing time. It speaks to people’s willingness to persevere against all odds, this is a town I have seen struggled but yet you rise,” Williams said.

Speaking on reflecting and refocusing, the Attorney General said that both are paramount and critical, but should be done thoughtfully. “It is re-focusing that will cause you to change direction, forge a new path to better execute those plans, re-focusing will better enable you to utilise resources to ensure the development of Linden…unity is pivotal to achieving goals…. It is through unity that we achieve nation-building and with unity there is strength.”

Williams reminded Lindeners of the many things to celebrate such as the infra-

structural developments that occurred in 2016-2017, such as the construction and rehabilitation of roads, bridges and public facilities. Linden he said is poised to become the second administrative town in Guyana and the gateway to South America.

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, for his part wished the town well, noting that the Linden Town Week is a signature event that has landed its way on the national calendar as a tourism event and therefore will garner support from his Ministry in this regard. Gaskin said that Linden is an ambitious town and this ambition has been manifested in the recent athletic success and will continue to see support from central government not only during town week but continuously.

Mayors Green, Marshall and Ramo all brought greetings from their towns and wished Linden well for its

47th Anniversary. The Mayors in their short addresses stressed that unity is the key for community development and encouraged Lindeners to unite and support their elected representatives. “There is a cry for unity, not only for Linden, but for the entire nation….it is you, me and all of us, who have to make this country a better place, who has to make this change,” Mayor Patricia Chase-Green urged, while Mayor Gifford Marshall posited, “Reflect and refocus, do not take your 47 years for granted, Linden needs to lead Guyana, not only in sports, entertainment and economically,”. Mayor Ramo affirmed that nothing can be achieved in disunity and urged Lindeners to come together for development, especially in its tourism industry.

Mayor Holland, who also urged Lindeners to use this opportunity to unite for development, said that the greatest obstacle to development is our mind-set and there are some persons not willing to change this, thus stymieing progress in Linden.

“They are those who lack the will for our development or are unwilling even to see all-inclusive development in Linden, I refuse to let hurdles set up by those who want Linden to be underdeveloped deter me from pushing for our progress,” Holland said, while saying agents are advocating for the status-quo of the previous administration to be maintained.

Despite these distractions, Holland urged Lindeners to think positively and to work collaboratively to attain the ideal model of development for our people.

Lindeners, he said, should hold their leaders accountable, while simultaneously playing an individual role in protecting their community.

“My commitment to advance

Dancers from Throne Room Expressions took to Republic Avenue to impress the crowd on the display of dance moves

Several young scouts marching through Republic Avenue giving their salute to Government and Regional Officials

progress in Linden is unshaken despite the challenges, in fact challenges only make us stronger….it is time for personality-clashes to take a back seat on this coalition train, it is time we disallow satanic forces from stealing our joy, killing our hopes and destroying our future,” Holland said.

Pastor Selwyn Sills, who also addressed the gathering said: “Reflecting gives us a chance to look back; look in as we reflect. I want to look at what we have and what we have achieved as a people, we Linden people are a people of strong inner drive.” Sills said. Lindeners, he said, need to recognise the need to move forward but should do so not only in unity but in oneness. “I know for sure that in unity and strength we can make it…I want you to understand that we are a gifted people but as we use the gifting we have, we can make things happen.” “I want to tell you, that we are not depressed as some people say, we are a very powerful people, start seeing Linden as God sees Linden…Linden is a special place.” As the crowd jumped and clapped in agreement to Sill’s message he urged them to have a paradigm shift and development will come.

COLOURFUL SHOW Meanwhile, the display of iridescent colours worn by dancers, drummers, marchers and other cultural performers was the spectacle of the day and set the stage for the show before the ceremonial session even commenced. Coupled with this, was the several cultural performances and dramatic pieces performed by young Lindeners, including reigning Calypso Queen, Dianna Chapman.

The atmosphere was nothing short of celebra-

tory, as Lindeners used the evening to celebrate the recent victories of the two young athletes, Chantoba Bright and Compton Caesar, who brought home two medals, including gold from the CARIFTA games. Mr. Winston Caesar, Chairman of Vybz Entertainment, the Linden Town Week Franchise Holder, expressed appreciation to the Linden Mayor and Town Council for giving the group of young innovative thinkers the opportunity to hosts the event for the past three years and has brought improvement to its overall execution. Despite that Vybz’s contractual tenure is at its end, Caesar said that would not be the end of Linden Town Week (LTW).

“Linden Town Week will be continuing to show improvement in the socio-economic activities in the town of Linden….we would like to say thank you to the Mayor and Town Council for giving us this opportunity to be able to be a part of this mega event with the kind of experience we have gotten,” Caesar said.

Some of the activities being offered are: The coveted Big and Bold Pageant, the Wismar Big Lime and the Vybz Regional All Black, set for April 26, 28 and 30, respectively. This year, Vybz will be collaborating with the Region 10 Tourism Development Association to hosts river tours along Linden’s heritage trail. Other activities include a Gospel Concert on April 24, Open Stage and DJs Night on the April 25, and a “Day of Sports” on April 26. The Bikers Fete and Colour Party are slated for April 28. The feting continues on April 29 with the “Soca Fete”. The 10-day activities will culminate with a “Wash-Down” party on May 1.

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APRIL 25, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE, TUESDAY APRIL 25, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Marques, DeClou, Khan register convincing wins in classy displays

By Michael DaSilva FANS of the fistic sport were treated to some classy displays of boxing on Sunday night when the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBB) staged its `Locked and Loaded’ fight card on Sunday night at the Giftland Mall, Pattensen, East Coast Demerara.

The few hundred fans in attendance witnessed Guyana’s Dexter `De Kid’ Marques shake off the ring rust he accumulated over his 14-month absence from the ring to win by a unanimous decision over Venezuela’s Luis Alberto Requena Zarraga in their 10-round lightweight contest.

Prior to that, Edmund DeClou pounded out a unanimous decision win against Winston Pompey in a six-round super middleweight contest and Imran `the Magic’ Khan chalked up his second professional victory from four bouts with a unanimous decision win against Keeve Allicock in a lightweight

contest.

In the feature fight on the night’s Pro Am card, Marques started the first round attacking his Venezuelan opponent with combinations, but Zarraga responded equally to even the round.

From the start of the second round, Marques continued his aggression, while Zarraga countered and eventually pinned the Guyanese against the ropes and pummelled him with some telling combinations and seemed to have won the round.

Before the start of round three, the disc jockey played Dave Martin’s Not a Blade of Grass and apparently this inspired Marques who started the round with several combinations to the body and head of the Venezuelan who continued to put up resistance with his counter-punching style but Marques kept to his task and stormed the Spanish fighter.

Round four saw Marques connecting with four telling combinations to the head of Zarraga

early in the round but Zarraga answered with a few combinations of his own.

From the start of the fifth round, both boxers faced off toe-totoe exchanging punches from all angles, but midway in the round, Marques connected with a bodyand-head combination to Zarraga that stunned him for a few seconds.

Round six saw Marques connect with straight rights and follow up with combinations, keeping the pressure on the Venezuelan.

From the seventh round, Marques looked as though he wanted to close off the fight, but Zarraga would have none of that as he put up resistance despite Marques keeping close to him.

Round eight and nine saw Marques, who obviously knew he was ahead on points on the judges’ score card, started to keep Zarraga at bay with triple left jabs and occasional straight rights and it worked for him.

For the final round, both fighters came out looking to close it

off as earliest as possible, going after each other, but in the end, it was Marques who did not fight since February last year that was announced the winner.

In the main supporting bout, Edmund DeClou improved his professional career record as he made it 17 wins and four losses as against Pompey who fought his 18th fight on Sunday night and lost to DeClou who seemed to be in fine nick.

The six-round contest saw DeClou and Pompey feel out each other during the opening round, after which they went at each other, as Pompey decided to keep close to his opponent, throwing combinations to which DeClou responded likewise.

From the third round DeClou came out attacking, throwing punches from every angle, but Pompey retaliated and started to take the fight to his opponent.

Rounds four and five saw DeClou using his left jabs and straight rights to good effect, keeping Pompey at bay, while in

the final round, DeClou continued the strategy which seemed to have frustrated Pompey who stalked his opponent but was unable to make any sort of penetration and in the end, DeClou was declared the winner.

In the first professional fight, Khan looked 100% fitter than when he last fought in October of 2016. He was head-butted in the first round and, after being treated for a cut over the left eye, he changed gears and took the fight to Allicock who stood the test of time.

However, Khan’s relentless attacks for the remainder of the fight were more than Allicock could stave off and in the end Khan secured his second professional victory from four fights.

Earlier in the night, Akeela Lamazon scored a unanimous points-decision win over Rewinne David in their ladies’ fourround World Boxing Council’s four-round bout, while Euel Augustin also secured a unanimous win against Kelon Isaacs in a light welterweight bout.

Yasir gives Pakistan control after Misbah stranded on 99 A BRILLIANT spell by Yasir Shah late on day four has given Pakistan control of the first Test against West Indies in Kingston.

Yasir (4-33) dominated before stumps yesterday as the Windies were reduced to 93-4 in their second innings, still trailing by 28 runs.

Opener Kieran Powell (49) had provided the resistance before he too fell at the hands of Yasir, who made the most of a turning and uneven Sabina Park wicket.

Devendra Bishoo and Vishaul Singh, who are both yet to score, made it to stumps and have plenty of work to do if the hosts are to salvage anything from the Test.

Pakistan had resumed at 2014 and reached 407 – a first-innings lead of 121 – although captain Misbah-ul-Haq was left stranded

on 99.

Mohammad Abbas (1) was trapped lbw to leave Misbah as the first Pakistan batsman – and sixth overall – to be left not out on 99.

Although Misbah can count himself unfortunate not to make three figures, he was dropped on 18 by Singh diving forward from short leg off Shannon Gabriel (3-92).

Gabriel did pick up a wicket in his next over, however, inducing an edge behind from Asad Shafiq (22), before Misbah and Sarfraz Ahmed built a partnership of 88.

Typically, Sarfraz played the more aggressive role with 54 from 70 balls before missing with a sweep to be cleaned up by Bishoo (1-106).

Misbah brought up his 5,000th Test run in the next over and with that milestone reached

SCOREBOARD

WEST INDIES 1st innings 286 PA K I S TA N 1 s t i n nings (o/n 201 for five) Azhar Ali c wkp. Dowrich b Joseph 15 Ahmed Shehzad lbw b Holder 31 Babar Azam b Gabriel 72 Younis Khan c Brathwaite b Gabriel 58 Misbah-ul-Haq not out 99 Asad Shafiq c wkp. Dowrich b Gabriel 22 Sarfraz Ahmed b Bishoo 54 Mohammed Amir c wkp.

Dowrich b Joseph 11 Wahab Riaz b Joseph 9 Yasir Shah run-out 8 Mohammed Abbas lbw b Chase 1 Extras: (b-4, lb-10, w-1, nb-12) 27 Total: (all out; 138.4 overs) 407 Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-54, 3-185, 4-186, 5-236, 6-324, 7-341, 8-355, 9-373.

Bowling: Gabriel 29-6-92-

3 (nb-6), Joseph 31-8-713 (nb-2), Holder 30-6-65-1 (nb-4), Bishoo 33-2-106-1 (w-1), Chase 8.4-1-371, Brathwaite 7-1-22-0.

WEST INDIES 2nd Innings K. Brathwaite b Yasir Shah 14 K. Powell c Younis Khan b Yasir Shah 49 S. Hetmyer b Yasir Shah 20 S. Hope lbw b Yasir Shah 6 D. Bishoo not out 0 V. Singh not out 0 Extras: (lb-4) 4 Total: (4 wkts, 28 overs) 93 Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-72, 3-84, 4-89/ Bowling: Mohammad Amir 9-2-11-0, Mohammad Abbas 6-0-21-0, Yasir Shah 9-033-4, Wahab Riaz 4-0-24-0.

Position: West Indies trail by 28 runs with six second innings wickets intact.

he set his sights on a century with the help of the tail.

Mohammad Amir (11) and Wahab Riaz (9) came and went and when Yasir departed for eight, Misbah was still 32 short of a hundred.

However, he used all of his considerable experience to farm the strike, depositing Bishoo for a couple of sixes in the meantime, but just when it looked as though he would reach three figures Abbas was trapped in front by Roston Chase (1-37).

West Indies had only just got the deficit below 100 when Kraigg Brathwaite (14) was

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bowled by Yasir, who would ensure an ideal finish to the day for Pakistan.

He got a delivery to turn a long way and saw Shimron Hetmyer (20) play on to leave the Windies at 72-2.

Shai Hope (6) was the next to go, a quicker ball from Yasir trapping him in front before he wasted a review.

Powell had looked the best of the batsmen but he went in the second-to-last over of the day, edging Yasir to Younis Khan at slip to leave the Windies fighting to save the Test.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Canada, Germany deliver shock World Relays wins (REUTERS) - Canada survived a scary moment in the heats before going on to deliver a stunning win ahead of the United States and Jamaica in the men’s 4x200 metres at the IAAF World Relays on Sunday.

Germany produced another surprise an hour later when they won the women’s 4x100 after U.S. leadoff runner Tianna Bar-

toletta slipped and fell.

Despite that disappointment, the Americans still ended the two-day competition in Nassau with the most gold medals - five.

A strong leg by Olympic silver medallist Andre De Grasse and a solid exchange with anchor Aaron Brown put the Canadians out front in the men’s 4x200 and Brown raced

home for the year’s best time of 1:19.42.

Brown said the team had been determined to make up for a dropped baton that knocked them out of Saturday’s 4x100.

“It did not go well yesterday,” said Brown. “But I’m glad we were able to break the curse, get the monkey off our backs and show the world what we are

Members of the United States team and captains LaShawn Merritt and Natasha Hastings pose with the golden baton award for the overall championship of the IAAF World Relays at Thomas A. Robinson Stadium. (Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

able to do in the relays.”

The win, the first in the event by a non-U.S. or Jamaican team at the World Relays, came after Canadian leadoff runner Gavin Smellie was called for a false start in the heats.

“There was maybe a little twitch, but I didn’t move,” said Smellie. “I was asking the officials to watch the video to see there was no false start.”

The officials agreed and the red card was withdrawn.

The United States, running without Justin Gatlin, were second in the final in 1:19.88 and Jamaica took third (1:21.09).

In the women’s 4x100, anchor Rebekka Haas held

off Jamaica’s Sashalee Forbes to give Germany their first World Relays victory in 42.84 seconds “We were just hoping to get a medal, but we got gold,” said German leadoff Alexandra Burghardt.

The United States won three of Sunday’s other finals.

Olympic bronze medallist Clayton Murphy outduelled Kenya’s Ferguson Rotich in the men’s 4x800 as the United States came home in 7:13.16 with Kenya running 7:13.70.

Olympian LaShawn Merritt anchored the Americans to a narrow victory over Botswana in the men’s 4x400, the

Americans winning in 3:02.13, just 0.15 seconds ahead of Botswana.

There was no such drama in the women’s 4x400 where the Americans came home in 3:24.36, nearly four seconds ahead of Poland.

“These ladies blew that thing open for me,” said American anchor Natasha Hastings.

Host Bahamas finally struck victory in the finale of the night, the mixed 4x400, in 3:14.42.

The top eight finishers in the 4x100 and 4x400 for men and women automatically qualified for the IAAF world championships in London in August.

Farfan & Mendes Men’s First Division Hockey League results THE Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground witnessed yet another entertaining battle between hockey giants, hosts Bounty GCC and the Pepsi Hikers, as the two teams squared off in the first round of the Farfan & Mendes Hockey League last Friday afternoon.

While both teams struggled to conform to the timing of the bounce on the Bourda outfield, GCC enjoyed the greater possession and pressed the game high into the Hikers defensive areas with several attacking forays that threatened the Hikers goal.

Five minutes into the match, GCC midfielder and junior national Kareem McKenzie carved a path through the middle before laying his pass to Philip Fernandes on his right. Fernandes replied with a delicate return pass into the path of McKenzie for the shot and first goal of the match.

GCC seemed to tighten their grip on the game even further and were rewarded with several penalty corner opportunities but the Hikers met the challenge on each occasion to deny the Bourda side their

second goal. The first half would come to an end with GCC enjoying a one-nil lead.

Six minutes into the second half, national midfielder Jamarj Assanah pounced on an errant defensive pass by GCC, to evade the defensive challenge of the GCC fullback and goalkeeper to slam home an equalising goal. The goal gave the Hikers a much-needed boost of confident while rattling the composure of the stunned GCC players.

With the game now hanging in the balance and challenges being made at both ends, a long pass out of the Hikers defence met roving striker Robert France high on the right wing.

France’s clean reception and turn of pace caught the GCC defence out of position and his pass across the goal was met only by advancing GCC goalkeeper Medroy Scotland.

While Scotland tried to clear the ball to safety, the rebound was trapped by Hikers midfielder Travon Young who sent his shot into the open net with just three minutes of playing time remaining.

The Hikers held on for the remainder of play to come away with the 2-1 victory.

In the second Farfan & Mendes men’s first division match of the weekend, Old Fort faced Saints Hockey Club with both sides looking for their first win of the competition. In just the opening two minutes of play, a careless tackle by Saints in their goalmouth area, handed Old Fort a penalty stroke and an easy opportunity to take the lead. Old Fort midfielder Aderemi Simon easily scored to give his team a one-nil lead.

Simon showed the class for which he is well known by scoring twice more in the match while teammate Chris Low scored a single to complete Old Fort’s four-goal match tally. Saints HC held firm in the early minutes despite the penalty goal and even managed to draw even briefly, through a counterattack by Ato Green in the 19th minute.

Despite the usual solid performance by Saints player/coach Robert Fernandes, Old Fort proved too much for Saints and ended the match with a 4-1 victory.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Serena thanks unborn baby after Four teams book semi-final places in returning to world number one Motielall Memorial T20 tournament (REUTERS) - Serena Williams returned to the top of the WTA world rankings yesterday and immediately shared the news with her unborn baby.

The American, who is skipping the rest of the year after announcing last week that she was pregnant, took to social media to offer her first public thoughts on impending motherhood.

“My Dearest Baby, You gave me the strength I didn’t know I had. You taught me the true meaning of serenity and peace,” the 35-year-old who owns 23 grand slam titles, said on Instagram.

“I can’t wait to meet you.

I can’t wait for you to join the players box next year,” she continues.

“But most importantly, I am so happy to share being number one in the world with you... once again today. From the world’s oldest number one to the world’s youngest number one. - Your Mommy.”

Williams set off a day of frenzied speculation last Wednesday with a sel-

Number one again ... Serena Williams has returned to the top of the women’s tennis rankings.

fie posted on social media -- posing for a photo in a yellow one-piece swimsuit on Snapchat -- with the caption “20 weeks”.

She deleted the post shortly afterwards but her Los Angeles-based publicist Kelly Bush Novak later confirmed that the player, who is engaged to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, was indeed expecting her first child.

It seems likely she was several weeks pregnant when she won this year’s Australian Open to move to

within one grand slam title of matching Australian Margaret Court’s record of 24.

Her message yesterday appears to underline her resolve to return to action next year.

Despite not having played since January when she moved ahead of Steffi Graf as the most successful tennis player in the professional era by beating sister Venus in the Australian Open final, she replaced Germany’s Angelique Kerber as world number one in the rankings yesterday.

THERE were wins for Imam Bacchus, Gunners, Walton Hall and Devonshire Castle last Sunday to book semi-final spots in the latest round of the Motielall, Jailall and Praboo Memorial T20 tournament held in North Essequibo.

At the Imam Bacchus ground in Affiance, Imam Bacchus SC beat Young Stars to win by 149 runs. Batting first, the host amassed 222-6 off 20 overs with Navindra Persaud scoring a brisk 58 (9x4) along with useful contributions from National Under-19 batsman Parmesh Parsotam 47(7x4) and an unbeaten 46 (4x4, 4x6) from senior Essequibo inter-county player Wayne Osborne.

Young Stars, in reply, were dismissed for 73 from 17 overs as only Suraj Lall with 25 (5x4) showing any promise at the crease. Medium pacer Ganesh Mangal took 2-11 from 4 overs as four batsmen perished via run-out.

In the other match at the same venue, Gunners shot their way to a 76-run victory

against Charity SC. Batting first after winning the toss, Gunners tallied 193-6 from 20 overs with 40 (4x4, 1x6) from former Essequibo inter-county captain Elroy Stephney and supported by Damion Wharton 38 (4x4) and skipper Haiman Beharry 36 (3x4, 2x6) not out.

Charity SC were then dismissed for 117 in the 20th over with brief knocks of 28 (3x4) from Hassan Rahim and Vickram Kanhai scoring 20. Medium pacer Damion Wharton capped a good all-round performance by claiming 3-19 from 3 overs and former national Under-15 pacer Zavier McDonald had 2-14 from 4 overs.

In the other games at the Walton Hall ground, Devonshire Castle ambushed Police to record a comprehensive 10-wicket victory.

The Lawmen perished for a miserly 55 from 17 overs.

Devonshire Castle in return took only 3.2 overs to reach their target with Navin Horil smashing an unbeaten 44, containing 7x4 and 2x6 to humiliate the policemen.

In the second game,

hosts Walton Hall recorded a 73-run win against Young Achievers. Batting first, Walton Hall rattled up 220-5 from their 20 overs with former inter-county players Navin Bahadur 51, Vishwanauth Lall 41 and Suresh Persaud 40, all contributing to the eventual total.

In response, despite a fluent innings of 77 (10x4, 3x6) from Narendra Mandolall, Young Achievers could reach only 147 in 18 overs as Lall returned with the ball to capture 3-20 from 4 overs of off-spin.

Meanwhile the semi-finals will be played this weekend - Imam Bacchus versus Walton Hall while Gunners will play Devonshire Castle.

Both matches are scheduled for the Anna Regina Community Centre ground.

The competition is sponsored by businessman Dharamdeo Lall and coordinated by the North Essequibo Cricket Committee (NECC) in memory of Lall’s three uncles who were former players from the village of Walton Hall on the Essequibo Coast.

(Elroy Stephney)

Dolphin Speed Swim Club win RHTY&SC M.S, holds...

From Page 27 inaugural Inter-Club Meet THE Mahaica siblings Kenita, Paul and Patrice - were among those who helped lead Dolphin Speed Swim Club to the team victory of the inaugural Dolphin’s Inter-Club Swim Meet which took place over the weekend at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal.

By sheer force of numbers, Dolphin overpowered the other five clubs to put together 683.5 points to top the table.

Swim Academy Sea Otters came in second place with 337 points, while performances from national age group record-holder Aleka Persaud and senior Earlando McRae propelled Orca Speed Swim Club to a 272.5 points third place spot.

Multiple gold medal performances from nation-

al record-holder Leon Seaton, Nathon Hackett and even the Goodwill silver medallist Jadyn George were not enough to see Silver Shark Aquatic SC finish any better than fourth place, with 221 points.

Learn to Swim Academy took the penultimate spot with 76 points, and Healthy Minds SC had 44 points.

Kenita along with clubmate Nikita Fiedtkou had Dolphin dominating the Girls’ 15-17 category, claiming gold and silver in almost all the races.

The pair traded wins for most of the day, with Kenita taking gold in the 50m butterfly (33.01s), 50m backstroke (35.19s) and 100m breaststroke (1:29.25s), with Fiedtkou finishing silver in all but the backstroke.

In the backstroke, Or-

ca’s Accalia Khan clocked 35.19 seconds and took the second place. She also shared second place with Kenita in the 50m freestyle after they both stopped the clock at 30.90 seconds.

That freestyle win went to Fiedtkou with time of 29.74 seconds. Fiedtkou’s also took the 50m breaststroke (40.12s) gold.

Dolphin had the advantage in the 8 and under category where they picked up easy points from Andica Vieira and Jeremy Sookram, who went almost unchallenged in all of their races.

In her usual style, Persaud ruled Girls’ 9-10 category, sweeping all the gold medals, while Patrice took silver.

The Boys’ side were led by Paul who had five straight wins.

Cricketer-of-the-Year Clinton Pestano received close to $450 000 worth of prizes.

Runner-up Cricketer-ofthe-Year Eon Hooper also received a large collection of prizes for his outstanding performance in the Guyana Cricket Board three-day cricket tournament. is:

The fill list of Awardees

Farfan and Mendes Under-15 Bowler – Tyrese Sealey Farfan and Mendes Under-15 Batsman – Chanderpaul Farfan and Mendes Under-15 Cricketer – Govindan Bakewell Under-17 Batsman – Kevlon Anderson Bakewell Under-17 Bowler – Junior Sinclair Bakewell Under-17 Cricketer-of-the-Year – Kevlon Anderson Pepsi Under-19 Bowler – Sylus Tyndall Pepsi Under-19 Batsman

– Kevin Sinclair Pepsi Under-19 Cricketer-of-the-Year – Kevin Sinclair Bakewell Second Division Bowler – Sylus Tyndall Bakewell Second Division Batsman – Delbert Hicks Bakewell Second Division Cricketer of the Year – Delbert Hicks Metro Female Bowler – Erva Giddings Metro Female Batswoman – Shemaine Campbelle Metro Female Cricketer-of-the-Year – Shemaine Campbelle Gizmos and Gadgets First Division Bowler – Shawn Perreira Gizmos and Gadgets First Division Batsman – Clinton Pestano Gizmos and Gadgets First Division Cricketer-ofthe-Year – Clinton Pestano National Senior Debuts – Eon Hooper, Clinton Pestano

Most Disciplined Male – Joshua Wilson Most Disciplined Female – Uma Matadeen Most Promising Member – Lucas Arthur Most Improved Players – Mahendra Gopilall and Jonathan Rampersaud Most Committed – M. Samaroo Fielder-of-the-Year – Keith Simpson Benefit Year – Keon Sinclair Cooperation with Management – D. Prahalad and Sunil Madrimootoo Worker-of-the-Year – Simon Naidu Special Awards – Angela Haniff, Anil Ramnarine, Reyad Rahaman, A. Seegobin, Justin Gobin, Mark Papannah, Brenda Millington, Elizabeth Brusch, Pamela Brusch and Lucy Pike.

Runner-up Cricketer-ofthe-Year – Eon Hooper Cricketer-of-the-Year – Clinton Pestano

26

Stokes stifles Pollard’s Mumbai to end winning streak at six BEN Stokes put in a star performance with the ball as Rising Pune Supergiants ended Mumbai Indians’ six-match winning streak in the IPL with a three-run success.

Leaders Mumbai came into yesterday’s meeting at Wankhede Stadium in glittering form but, despite a fifty from captain Rohit Sharma, they fell just short in their pursuit of 161 for victory.

Stokes was key to Pune’s success, picking up 2-21 from his four overs - including a wicket-maiden - to help pay back some more of his hefty price tag in the pre-season auction.

Pune openers Rahul Tripathi (45) and Ajinkya Rahane (38) set the platform for a respectable but by no means insurmountable 160-6, with Harbhajan Singh (1-20) and Jasprit Bumrah (2-29) particularly impressive for the hosts.

They were outshone

by Stokes, however, the England all-rounder conceding just seven from the penultimate over, leaving Jaydev Unadkat to just about defend 17 from the final set of six.

It was Supergiants’ third

CONCACAF Under-17 football

Poor second half leaves Jamaica down 5-0 to rampaging U.S.

THE United States exploded for all the goals in the second half to earn a 5-0 win over Jamaica in the 2017 CONCACAF Under-17 football Championship opener on Sunday at the Estadio Maracana.

The result provisionally moved the Americans into first place in Group C, with two-time defending champions Mexico and El Salvador scheduled to

Ben Stokes is pumped up after taking out Jos Buttler

straight win, and it began well with Rahane and Tripathi putting on 76 for the first wicket before the former chipped a return catch to Karn Sharma.

Tripathi was next to fall, also to the leg-spinner, having struck three fours and two sixes from his 31 deliveries, and Pune struggled to regain their momentum with Manoj Tiwary’s 22 from 13 the best they could muster thereafter.

In the reply, Stokes’ first

victim was England colleague Jos Buttler and the all-rounder had figures of 2-0 from seven balls when Karn played on to leave Mumbai 86-4 in the 13th.

Rohit represented their best chance of victory but he lacked the requisite support and eventually perished in the final over for 58 from 39 having struck six fours and three maximums - Harbhajan’s final-ball six doing little to spoil Pune’s party.

GFF encamps 25 in preparation for U-15 tournaments THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) encamped 25 players from across Guyana, in New Amsterdam, Berbice as part of the National U-15 team’s

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

preparations for a scheduled tournament in Saint Maarten in June and the 2017 CONCACAF U-15 tournament which is scheduled for August 13-17 in

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

COMPLIMENTS OF: THE TROPHY STALL Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE 176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Gerry Alexander-29 (25 catches; 4 stumpings) (2) Kamran Akmal-25 (23/2); Moin Khan-25 (21/4) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which WI has played most Tests against Paki-

stan to date?

(2)Which Pakistani has contested most Test

matches against the WI to date?

Bradenton, Florida.

The camp will be done in two phases, with the first being from April 22 to 25 and the second from May 5 to 7, as the team is exposed to the new national playing philosophy, implemented by the GFF Technical Department.

The group selected is among the most talented taken from the GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres; a national initiative, which seeks, among other goals, to create a pathway for the development of players to the senior national team.

The players will be engaged in intense fitness and other technical activities under the guidance Bryan Joseph and his assistant Challus McKinnon.

Following this, a shortlisted squad will be announced.

square off later in the day.

After an entertaining but scoreless - first half, the U.S. went ahead 1-0 in the 53rd minute, when Chris Durkin headed in from the edge of the sixyard box off George Acosta’s left-sided corner kick.

From that point on, it became the Ayo Akinola show. The 17-year-old Toronto FC product assisted on Tim Weah’s goal in the 77th minute to make it 2-0 and then struck for a

brace, netting in the 88th minute and from distance spectacularly in the second minute of stoppage time.

The outstanding Josh Sargent assisted on Akinola’s first goal and extended the advantage to 3-0 himself in the 87th minute.

Both sides return to action tomorrow as Jamaica will look to bounce back against El Salvador, followed by a meeting between Mexico and the USA. (Sportsmax)

Women’s Regional Super 50

Fletcher leads Windwards past Jamaica … Other wins for Barbados and Trinidad opener Hayley Matthews and Tobago ballsTheremaining. result meant that the made 20, as the Barbadians KINGSTOWN, St Vincent – A memorable spell from West Indies Women’s leg-spinner Afy Fletcher set up Windward Islands for a two-wicket victory over Jamaica in the Women’s Regional Super50 Tournament yesterday..

Fletcher, the Windward Islands captain, collected 7-13 from 9.2 overs, including incumbent Windies Women’s captain and batting superstar Stafanie Taylor for six, as the Jamaicans, sent in to bat, were bowled out for 84 in 35.2 overs in the third round match contested at Sion Hill.

It was the second straight double-figure total for the Jamaicans, whose line-up also includes internationals Shanel Daley, Chedean Nation and Chinelle Henry, after their opening match in the tournament against Leeward Islands was completely washed out.

The Jamaicans, however, made a fight of it with Nation grabbing 3-19 from nine overs and Vanessa Watts 2-25 from her allotted 10 overs, but Fletcher, the diminutive Grenadian, and opener Swayline Williams scored 23 each, as the host team successfully chased down their target with 82

Windwards claimed their third straight bonus-point victory of the tournament, moving them to 15 at the top of the standings.

At Park Hill: Windies Women’s fast bowler Shamilia Connell demolished the bottom half of the Guyana batting and fired Barbados to their third straight victory in the tournament by 41 runs.

Connell ended with 4-16 from eight overs, Aaliyah Alleyne finished with 3-13 from 7.4 overs and leg-spinner Keila Elliott took 2-35 from seven overs, as the Guyanese were bowled out for 104 in 39.4 overs, chasing 146 for victory.

The match looked poised for an intriguing conclusion, when Guyana reached 98 for five, but Connell transformed the complexion of the match in the space of seven deliveries.

She removed Akaze Thompson for five, Subrina Munroe for one and Plaffiana Millington for a duck, as the Guyanese lost their last five wickets for six runs.

Earlier, dynamic Windies Women’s all-rounder Deandra Dottin gathered 47 from 85 balls, her captain and Windies Women’s teammate Shakera Selman was not out on 30 and Windies Women’s

were dismissed for 145 in 44.3 overs.

Windies Women’s fast-medium bowler Tremayne Smartt was the most successful Guyanese bowler with 3-15 from 10 overs, her Windies Women’s teammate Erva Giddings and fellow international Munroe snared two apiece.

At the Arnos Vale Sports Complex: A destructive spell from long-standing Windies Women’s off-spinner Anisa Mohammed undermined the Leeward Islands batting to set up Trinidad & Tobago for an eight-wicket victory.

Mohammed grabbed 4-18 from 8.3 overs, as the Leewards, choosing to bat, were bowled out for 76 in 28.3 overs to give T&T their second victory of the tournament.

No Leewards batsman reached 20, as Karishma Ramharack and Caniesha Isaac shared the demolition job with two wickets apiece and the defending champions continued to get their campaign back on track.

Windies Women’s batsman Britney Cooper then led the run chase with 27 and T&T crossed the finish line with 39.2 overs remaining before the scheduled lunch interval.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 25, 2017

RHTY&SC M.S, holds biggest-ever Awards Ceremony

… Acting President hails outstanding work of the club THE Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), MS, last Sunday hosted its 27th Annual Awards Ceremony at the St Francis Community Training Centre.

Described as one of the largest-ever Awards Ceremony, an audience of over 500 club members, sponsors and special invitees, including acting President Moses Nagamootoo, witnessed a three-hour programme which paid tribute to outstanding teachers, law enforcement officers, retired teachers, honouring of Berbice 18th Test cricketer Shimron Hetmyer, as well as four outstanding Berbice cricket coaches.

Fifteen outstanding Guy-

RHTY&SC Awardees

anese received the Club’s Highest Award – The Dolphin Award of Excellence.

Additionally the club donated close to $2M worth of cricket gear, wheelchairs, trophies, cricket balls, medals and finance to crick-

et clubs, churches, NGOs, schools, the Guyana Police Force and individuals.

The Lower Corentyne Secondary School stood out as National Cricket Champions at the event, which was also attended by Min-

ister Amna Ally, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Ansa McAl Managing Director Troy Cadogan, Bakewell CEO Rajendra Ganga and Managing Director of Nand Persaud Co. Ltd Mohindra Persaud.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster delivered a comprehensive report of the RHTY&SC from January 2016 to April 2017.

The Club in 2016, according to Foster, successfully completed 453 programmes/activities while it has completed 206 of the 500 it has set itself for 2017.

The Club Secretary/CEO stated that the RHTY&SC was proud to become the first youth and sports organisation to receive a National Award - The Medal of Service.

Other speakers at the gala ceremony included the Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Club president Keith Foster, Rose Hall Town Clerk Natasha Munroe, Minister Amna Ally, Regional Chairman David Armogan and Jimeel Davis of Food for the Poor (GUY).

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nagamootoo who is also performing duties as Acting President, hailed the outstanding work of the RHTY&SC, M.S and issued an appeal to others to emulate the Club across Guyana.

The Acting President spoke on the importance of role models and an educated minds for youths to succeed and praised the tireless efforts of the three Foster brothers for their efforts in making a positive difference in the lives of others.

The Government, the Acting Head of State noted, would continue to invest heavily in activities that would benefit youths, the elderly and less fortunate.

15 cricket bats were distributed to junior cricketers of the Club while the 2016 Turn to Page 25

Tricia Munroe appointed first GFF Women’s Development Officer THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) yesterday announced the appointment of Lady Jaguars former national team captain Tricia Munroe as the federation’s first Women’s Development Officer, a landmark move for the progress of women’s football in Guyana and a central part of the delivery of the new, national football development strategy.

In a release, the GFF said the creation of a dedicated, full-time women’s football position within the Federation’s Technical Department opens up a range of exciting possibilities for the development and organisation of the sport across the country, including

improved leagues and competitions.

The GFF added that Munroe’s appointment will pave the way for an increased number of female coaching and refereeing activities, more programmes for girls’ football, and greater support for the nationwide GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres, as well as an enhanced youth and senior national team programme.

“I want to see women’s football grow more, as much as the men’s game, and get the attention it deserves,” said Munroe, who played in central defence for the Lady Jaguars

for more than a decade during the 1990s and 2000s.

“I hope that I can encourage more former players to get involved in the work of the GFF, so that we can harness their skills and passion to inspire the next generation of players, coaches, referees and administrators as we develop the sport,” Munroe said Munroe, who has also served as assistant coach at Fruta Conquerors, will be based at GFF headquarters in Georgetown as part of the newly-expanded Technical Department, run by Technical Director Ian Greenwood.

The expanded department features a Youth Development Officer, a Coach Education

Tricia Munroe

and Development Officer, a Schools Development Officer, a Technical Secretary, nine regional Technical Development Officers and 14 part-time Youth Development Coaches.

“As the GFF works aggressively to expand the scope

and impact of our football development programmes, we are delighted to be able to bring Tricia on board to help us take girls’ and women’s football to the next level in Guyana,” Technical Director Greenwood highlighted.

Greenwood also pointed out, “Tricia is fully aware of the challenges that women’s football faces in Guyana, and she is bursting with the ideas and energy that we are looking for, as the GFF works to break down those barriers, through greater investment and a specific focus on the needs of women’s football, from grassroots to elite level.”

The GFF said that they are

actively recruiting more women in football governance and management positions in a concerted effort to change the culture of football in Guyana.

This includes three positions for women on the nine-member Executive Committee – Thandi McAllister, Carmel Williams and Magzene Stewart – and GFF General Secretary Althea Scipio and GFF Deputy General Secretary (acting) Rennella Bourne..

Two of the GFF’s nine, full-time Technical Development Officer positions are also occupied by women – Akilah Castello (Upper Demerara FA) and Leah Smith (Bartica FA).

Linden pays tribute to historic CARIFTA Games team members

By Joe Chapman MAYOR of Linden Carwyn Holland and Regional Chairman of Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) Renis Morian have ensured that the authorities in Region 10 came up with trumps in honouring the Linden athletes who were part of the historic showing at the recent CARIFTA Games held in Curacao.

Guyana bagged eight medals and two of the four gold medals were won by Lindeners, sprinter Compton Caesar in the Under-20 100m and Chantoba Bright in the Under-18 Girls Long Jump.

Following a motorcade along the streets of Linden,

Caesar and Bright, along with Odesha Rogers and Tremaine Browne, were special guests of Minister within the Public Health Ministry Dr Karen Cummings, Members of Parliament Audwin Rutherford and Jermaine Figueira, NICIL Chairman Horace James, Regional Education Officer of Region 10 Marcia Paddy and president of the Amateur Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hutson among others.

Minister Dr Cummings said, “I’m very happy at what I’ve seen. You have made Guyana proud, not only Linden and its environs because your success is our success. Government is serious about the development

Guyana’s CARIFTA Games team upon arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport

of youth, we want to empower youth. In addition to academic qualifications we also know that sports is very important.”

“I know that Sports comes under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture and Sport, but nevertheless health plays a pivotal role.

I’ll keep close to the doctors here (in Linden) so that one of them could specialise in sports medicine, so you won’t only have coaches but you’ll have a sports doctor who will assist you at the new synthetic track. The Ministry of Public Health as well as the Government is behind you,” said Minister Cummings.

RHTY&SC M.S, holds biggestever Awards Ceremony P.27 GBBC’s `Locked and Loaded’ fight card

Marques, DeClou, Khan register convincing wins in classy displays

See Page 23 Dexter Marques (right) connects with a straight right to the jaw of Zarraga during their 10-round lightweight contest at the Giftland Mall on Sunday night. (Photo by Culloen Bess-Nelson)

Edmund DeCclou (left) on the attack against Winston Pompey in their six-round, super middleweight clash at the Giftland Mall on Sunday night. (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

Yasir gives Pakistan control after Misbah stranded on 99

See Page 23 Yasir Shah claims four wickets during the last session on the 4th day.

Misbah-ul-Haq is left stranded on 99 as Pakistan makes 407 all out.

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TUESDAY, APRIL, 25 , 2017