Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 25 05 2016

Don’t interfere No. 104562

WEDNESDAY MAY 25, 2016

Price: $80

(Vat Inclusive)

– New UG VC warns against interference, plugs research

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GRAND REHEARSAL: The scene at the new-look Durban Park last evening as the various participants in tonight’s cultural event went through their respective paces one last time (Photo by Delano Williams)

No shortage of 2 Babita Sarjou’s skeletal remains... alleged essential medical Husband, accomplice for supplies – Dr Norton court today 28 Page

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GDF rank dies in Soesdyke 10 accident Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

No shortage of essential medical supplies – Dr Norton

By Svetlana Marshall GUYANA’S health care system is not in crisis, Public Health Minister Dr George Norton told the National Assembly on Tuesday, as he dispelled suggestions of a widespread shortage of essential medical supplies.

In a motion brought before the House by former Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, it was alleged that Article 24 of the Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to free medical attention, is being breached.

Dr Anthony, in his motion, said that although the Ministry’s budgetary allo-

cation had tripled in 2016 -- to $19B from a low of $5B in 2015, of which $5B have been set aside for the procurement and distribution of medicines and medical supplies -- there is a countrywide shortage of basic and essential drugs and medical supplies.

In 2015, more than $600M allocated for medicines and medical supplies had not been utilised.

In defence of his motion on Tuesday, the Opposition Member of Parliament cited a number of cases. He reported that during a recent Public Accountants Committee meeting, a staff of the Georgetown Public Hospital

(GPHC) would have indicated that there was a shortage of 168 items.

“We have received reports that at many of the hospitals, health centres and

supplies.

According to him, many patients, particularly those with chronic diseases, are often forced to purchase the prescribed medication.

Public Health Minister Dr George Norton addressing the House on Thursday

PPP/C Member of Parliament Dr Frank Anthony defending his motion in the House

health posts across this country, there are varying shortages of medical supplies,” he posited, while contending that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has received numerous complaints from patients about the lack of medicines and medical

“It is quite an untenable situation, especially for many poor people who depend on the public health system for their medication. When the public health system malfunctions, it is literally a lifeand-death situation,” he said.

A wide range of intravenous antibiotics, aspirins, Septrin, worm tablets, and antifungal treatments such

as fluconazole are among the medications alleged to be out of stock, in addition to syringes, oxygen masks, and other medical supplies.

Considering the overwhelming complaints received from the central hospital and regional hospitals and health centres, Dr Anthony, through his motion, sought to have an investigation launched to determine magnitude of the situation, and to obtain a better understanding of the drugs and medical supplies that are out of stock.

The PPP/C member had the unwavering support of his colleagues, including Dr Jennifer Westford, Pauline Sukhai and Yvonne Pearson.

But when the Public Health Minister took to the floor, he told the House that there is no need for an investigation into the alleged shortage. Dr Norton told the House that this issue is one of the most misrepresented issues in the public health sector within recent times.

Checks to health institutions across the country would reveal that there is no shortage of essential medicines and medical supplies, Dr Norton emphasised.

“I personally visited the

regions: from White Water Creek in Region One to Sand Creek in Region Two; from Moleson Creek in Region Six to Bamboo Creek in Region Eight. I have been there, and I know what takes place,” Dr Norton said while maintaining that there was neither evidence nor report of a stock-out of essential medical supplies or medication.

“I want to say, Mr Speaker, that categorically, there is no crisis in the health sector (insofar) as it relates to medicine and medical supplies,” he added.

However, the minister conceded that the public health sector has had shortage of a “few” medical supplies, but not essential medicines.

He told the House that steps are being taken to remedy the situation.

Minister Norton said that, contrary to reports published in sections of the media, the Pan-American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is assisting his Ministry with the importation of medicines and medical supplies, not because of a shortage, but to ensure a smooth transition from the single-sourcing method which was employed over the years by the PPP/C to the new procurement method which will allow small, medium and large-scale medical institutions to supply drugs and medical supplies.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Don’t interfere

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– New UG VC warns against interference, plugs research

By Ravin Singh

Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Guyana (UG), Professor Ivelaw Griffith is warning the governing council of the institution not to be tempted to assume his role as was practiced in the past and also called for more scientific research by university to make it more relevant in today’s society.

He also described the nation’s premier tertiary institution as being in a “crisis” after his examination of three critical areas, which support the existence of the university and advanced some ideas as to how these can be fixed. The VC made this revelation on Sunday during his address to stakeholders and employees of the Turkeyen-based institution in the Education Lecture Theatre.

In his elaborate, but comprehensive presentation, which was supported by a power-point display, the VC stated that honesty would beckon all to recognise that the university is currently facing a crisis. His contention was supported by the examination of core challenges which UG has been confronted with for decades; a resource challenge, an esteem challenge, and what he described as a perspicacity challenge. “We’ve got to face that three dimensional challenge and fix it” he said.

Meanwhile, he commented on the role of the University’s council, admonishing that it must not assume the responsibilities of the VC as was practiced before. Rather, he suggested that the two must know its role and requirements at the university and effectively and efficiently work to fulfil their obligations.

“We have to enable the Council to do the Council’s work and not the Vice Chancellor’s work. I will not be a VC allowing the council to do my work” the VC said.

RESOURCES CHALLENGE The Professor who served in a number of leadership positions in several universities in the United States explained that UG’s resource challenge revolves around two resources; financial and human capital resource.

And part of what has accentuated the human capital challenge, he said, is insufficient money to replace employees who have left, and insufficient money to pay those who are here, which leads to those people eventually leaving.

Further, he went on to suggest that politicization, even at the level of the council has affected the way in which the university should run.

“If we don’t accept that reality and do something about it, we are wasting our time. We cannot allow that political overlay to affect what we do. That has resulted in issues such as lost of accreditation and products produced by the university” he said.

Just last year, UG’s School of Medicine (UGSM) lost its accreditation which had the potential of diminishing the regional recognition of Medical Students’ certificates. The accreditation was lost in July 2015, following the university’s delay in submitting a report on the school’s progress to the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health

Professions (CAAM-HP).

MORALE OF STAFF Secondly, Professor Griffith highlighted that the morale not only of the academic, but the average staff at the institution has not been what it should be. And according to him, the low morale and the financial and human capital challenge are not entities in and of themselves.

“They have domino connections and implication which

issues, which affect Guyana including road-rage homicide, and extending as far as deaths in the mining and logging industries.

He questioned the role of the university in making a contribution to the social, economic, and political landscape in Guyana, noting that a national university cannot fail in that obligation to be in the research business and to inform policy makers. Further, Professor Griffith reasoned that policy makers do not have time to hold seminars, which underscores the need for entities such as the University to produce a five-page report to inform these policy makers on critical issues and the causes. “So we need to get back into the research environment, not only lecturers, but also the students” he added.

DON’T INTERFERE

Professor Ivelaw Griffith, UG’s incoming Vice- Chancellor go beyond the campus” he added.

Passionate in tone, he declared that, “We’ve got to do some things to fix the morale and we’re starting this year.” To this end, he hinted at a possible luncheon for fathers on campus this year, to celebrate Fathers’ Day. He also revealed that beginning next year, management will work towards making both Fathers’ Day and Mothers’ Day luncheon, an annual event.

“It is aimed at building morale. And we have to recognise that morale is low and morale affects efficiency; it affects people coming on time, people’s willingness to leave at five, even though the job is not finished”, the VC said.

GET BACK TO RESEARCH The third challenge as was pointed out by the Professor, who was the first UG student to graduate with a distinction in Political Science, is a perspicacity challenge.

He related that the university once had a reputation for research, and that must be regained. “That is what I call perspicacity, and part of that perspicacity is connected to our brand. So we will work towards building that back. This university should be in the forefront in asking questions about the social issues which address this nation” he said.

He envisioned a group leading research on critical

Professor Griffith will assume office as UG’s 10th Vice-Chancellor on June 14, 2016. Professor Griffith, who has the honour of being the first person in the University of Guyana’s history to graduate with Distinction in Political Science in 1980, has achieved an outstanding record as a scholar, academic leader and teacher.

Currently, he is the Executive-in-Residence at the University at Albany State University of New York. Previously, he held a number of other leadership positions, including President of Fort Valley State University in Georgia (2013-2015), Provost and Senior Vice- President at York College in New York (2007-2013), Provost at Radford University in Virginia (2006-2007), Dean of the Honours College at Florida International University (2001-2006), and Budget Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Florida International University (1998-2001), all while maintaining his tenure as a political science professor.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Baksh made $200,000 out-of-town claim ––on a day he was running GWI in the office

AN AUDIT into the operations of the Guyana Water Authority (GWI) has unearthed a slew of procedural irregularities and one instance where fictitious bills were allegedly issued under the stewardship of former Chief Executive Officer Shaik Baksh.

The investigation into GWI found that for the period January 2014 to May 2015, a total of $3.9M had been issued to Baksh and employees performing duties as his Executive Assistant, to facilitate official field trips.

But the legitimacy of expenses and field trips could not have been verified, since bills produced did not provide any contact information for the persons issuing same; no other official from GWI was stated accompanying the Chief Executive on the claimed official visits; and the purpose of the visits was not stated.

The report noted that the way bills were present-

ed to substantiate expenses incurred were unsatisfactory. The report observed that there were “like handwritings and formation of letters on bills ‘supposedly’ issued by different individuals. Bills issued from different persons in different locations… showed signs of being from the same book, since the receipts contained one of the above, if not both, and had the same designs.

“Individuals who ‘supposedly’ issued the receipts from one location issued another at a different location. Cash receipt of US$400, equivalent to Gy$84,000 (Ex. Rate @210) dated 05/09/14 and written to S. Baksh from M. Ramgoolan for ‘hire of taxi Piarco – POS San Fernando Chaguanas/POS’ was presented to clear advance of $105,000 taken on 04/09/14 for a visit to the Water Authority of Trinidad and Tobago.

“We were informed that neither the Board of Directors nor senior management

was aware of this visit.”

In addition, bills dated December 4, 2014 and totalling $200,000 were proven to be fictitious, as security logs showed that the Chief Executive was at

Former GWI CEO Shaik Baksh head office instead of the locations claimed.

ELECTIONS DAY The report added that an advance of $300,000 was

issued on April 30, 2015 for visits to Upper Pomeroon region, Santa Rosa and villages in the Moruka sub- region. However, one of the bills presented, totalling $245,000 for hiring of speed boat from Charity to Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa to Moruka return, and Santa

Rosa to Mabaruma return, was dated May 11, 2015 – Elections Day, which was declared a public holiday.

According to the report, an advance of $220,000 was requested on May 22, 2015 by Demallea Benjamin, Communication Assistant (acting in the capacity of the Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive at the time) for visits to communities along the upper and lower Mazaruni River and Bartica.

A cheque was prepared and approved on the mentioned date. The Communications Assistant indicated that she collected the cheque, changed same, and gave the cash to the CEO on May 25, 2015.

But on May 29, 2015, the Director of Finance informed that the money was refunded by the Chief Executive, and a receipt, #80324, was issued for same. The reason provided for the cancellation of the trip was that the cash was received too late.

MEDICAL CLAIM This aside, the auditor highlighted that the Chief Executive’s employment contract dated September

17, 2012 does not provide for compensation for medical expenses; however, an instance was noted wherein monies were reimbursed for a “claimed” on-the-job accident.

“This accident was never reported to the Occupational Health and Safety Officer or the Human Resources Department, nor was there any accident report prepared to justify payments. The total value amounted to $29,000, which was approved by the Management Accountant, S. Tiwari, and paid on April 24, 2015.” the report said.

Under his contract, Baksh was entitled to 22 hours’ security services at his Lot 16 Ixora Avenue, Eccles, East Bank Demerara home, and he hired two private security personnel. This is despite being informed by Human Resources Director Gale Doris that GWI has a contracted security firm which provides this service.

The creation of these two positions was not approved by the board, and the recruitment process was carried out solely by Baksh, who instructed the Human Resources Department to create personnel files, prepare employment contracts and make necessary arrangements for salary See page 5

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Son beats father to death in TV ruckus, police say

By Rabindra Rooplall

A FATHER of four had an argument with his eldest son, who had restricted him from changing the television channel. He is now dead after reportedly being beaten with a metal object by his son last Thursday, May 19, 2016.

That father is 71-year-old contractor

Rickford Bourne of Lot 732 Turkeyen, Section ‘D’ Sophia. His son, 36-yearold Kwame Bourne, is in police custody assisting with the investigations.

The senior Bourne succumbed to his injuries on Monday evening at the Georgetown Public Hospital; and distraught wife and mother Cynthis Ferguson said she received on Thursday a text message from her daughter stating

Baksh made $200,000 out-of-town ...

From page 4

payment.

“It should be noted that the two security personnel were paid a basic salary of $44,000 and $16,000 to compensate for overtime ($120,000 per month). This was cost effective (savings of $118,700 per month) compared to $238,700 (2 Baton Security 22hrs@$350 per hour for 31 days) that would have been incurred using the contracted security firm.

“Although these positions were not on the company’s regular payroll or approved contracted positions, approval was granted by the Chief Executive to pay salary increases for 2014,” the auditor noted.

REPORTEDLY OVERSTEPPED AUTHORITY According to the report, it appears that Baksh used his position to override policies and procedures, and overstepped his authority with or without the approval of the Board. The report noted that there is no evidence in the Board of Directors’

minutes to confirm that Baksh was authorised to use vehicle PPP 9050, which was intended to be used by the Project Manager of Georgetown Sanitation Programme.

Vehicle PPP 9050 was never used on the contract under which it was acquired. The Project Manager and Engineer had to resort to the use of an assigned vehicle from GWI’s vehicle pool, which is shared throughout the company on a first-come-first-served basis. This significantly hampered the work of the Project Manager and Engineer throughout the duration of the contract.

It was also noted that Baksh’s employment contract stated that “gratuity should be paid subject to satisfactory performance”, but there was no evidence that this was done.

In light of the findings, the auditor has recommended that the new Board review the contract of Baksh, to determine whether benefits paid were consistent with his contract of employment; and if not, they should pursue all overpayments.

the land’,” the woman said.

Reflecting on the dreadful day the violence occurred, Ms Ferguson said her reputed husband had called her cell phone to complain about their son’s behaviour.

“He said when you gon come and talk to this bai? Yo gon come when he kill meh? He got a iron that hook onto the window…The problem they had was over the TV, because when my husband come home he loves to watch news, and Kwame tell he that he must not change the channel and whatever channel it is on it should be left there.”

Dead: Rickford Bourne while he was The woman said that her husband admitted to the Georgetown Public was out working most of the time, and her son had no right hitting his father, Hospital and he had even threatened to kill the that her brother had severely beaten their senior Bourne on several occasions over various issues. father with a metal object.

She said on Monday that when she Ms Ferguson said she then advised her daughter to take Mr Bourne to the visited the hospital, her husband was panting for breath while being attached hospital.

“An ex-police up the road assisted, to a life machine. “When me and my and he was carried to the station; then daughter go back it was 5:20pm, and the police said carry him to the hospital when we reach he, all the things conbecause they don’t have any medical nected to him was not attached. When we see he, his eyes was closed and we form,” she said.

Ms Ferguson eventually saw her know he dead.”

Ferguson said she always warned Mr. reputed husband the following day at the hospital. She said: “When I see him Bourne to visit the police station and I said ‘Oh God! Ow! He couldn’t even make a report, since the junior Bourne was always misbehaving as if he was move or speak, and he was just there.”

She said that after the hospital visit, on drugs.

The dead man’s daughter, Aisha she travelled to the Turkeyen Police Station to make a report of the matter. Bourne, said her father was a very “God said, ‘Honour thy father and thy loving person but he could also be very mother that thy days may be long upon stubborn.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

The Babita Sarjou story THE Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force was able to unearth Babita Sarjou’s body in a three-foot grave aback her reputed husband’s house.

The police have reported that Sarjou’s reputed husband Sharadananda Narine, called ‘Anand’, and his alleged accomplice Darel Pronton, called ‘Yankee’, who led them to the grave, were interrogated and held in connection with the crime.

The CID claims the skeletal remain are that of Sarjou, but will do a DNA test to establish 100 percent certainty.

This case presents several scenarios. Foremost, it tells of the horror of domestic abuse; it can lead to death, of which one too many are occurring. The right to life is guaranteed by the Guyana Constitution. A partner or spouse has to learn to walk away if it is felt that the relationship has gone sour. Counselling and education are needed to help persons cope with such issues, be they on the receiving on dispensing side. Where a person can value life at a mere $50,000 and another can accept such payment speak to the basest of instincts. It also says that, at a price, persons are available to snuff out other persons’ lives at the request of another.

These social ills have to be addressed, and the full brunt of the law felt for the recruiter and executor of the gruesome act.

At the familial level, while the discovery of the body may answer some nagging questions for Sarjou’s relatives -- as to where she was; and if dead, where her body was disposed -- it will also open painful wounds of having to lose a loved one in this brutal manner. Some form of emotional support service, though it cannot erase the horror of what happened, can aid in providing the coping skills needed at this time.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum and his team have again distinguished themselves in the cracking of this six-year-old crime. As he said, the missing person case is closed, and the Force is now moving to have charges of homicide laid. Though persons are likely to face charges, what is equally important is the quality of presentation on the part of the prosecutor, which is crucial in ensuring convictions.

There have been cases, even though with the evident presence of guilt, the manner in which they were handled in the court, including witnesses not

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Going forward, a course for our future Dear Editor, MAY 26 this year marks the 50th anniversary of Guyana as an independent, sovereign nation. It provides an opportunity for the celebration of the achievements of our founding fathers, and gives occasion for pause to reflect on our achievements, while taking stock of our challenges and sharpening our focus on our goals as a nation.

Much will very likely be written about our achievements and challenges.

My intention is to propose a course for the future we set ourselves -- that Good Life. This necessarily involves discussion from a number of perspectives.

These have been summarized into the following: Leadership and Politics, and Economics and the Role of Government.

If anything, leadership and politics remain very real and significant risks to our social and economic progress. This is so because the politics of our last fifty years did not find it expedient to identify and prepare our remarkable and talented youths for positions of leadership within our political parties. The result has been that we have lost tremendous natural talent to foreign shores, and what remains has sought to remain, for the most part, quite divorced from public life.

This is not at all unexpected, since it is a virtual impossibility for intelligent individuals to be trapped in the idiocy of racism, prevalent in our politics.

Of course racism has been effective, because it appeals to ignorance -- a trait which has been inculcated into our culture and utilized by the past administration as part of its central strategy of maintaining control.

Indeed, notable rebels from our major political parties have managed to hold fast to their dream of changing Guyana for the better, and break away from these mainstream political bodies to achieve the virtually unthinkable possibility of a political third force

with enough political clout to change our political outcomes, and ultimately shape our economic, social and political destiny.

This is not to say that our political problem has been solved; far from it.

Common to all our political parties is that none of them can claim to have one, two, five or ten persons who can appeal to, and capture the imagination, trust and goodwill of, people from across the major races. Indeed, the recent national election has seen the coalition of the PNCR and the AFC providing a platform for leaders from both major races upon which the population from both races could pin their hopes for equal and favourable representation at the national political level.

Within the context of our future, however, here looking from 2025 onwards, we need to seriously ask ourselves who among us can speak to, and win confidence and trust across our major races. Failing this, we will continue to hold ourselves to ransom, with the AFC being our political wildcard.

And an almost absolute certainty is that Guyanese will unlikely rise to such political activism at the polls as witnessed at the last elections. It is therefore absolutely essential that the hope of that Good Life, which Guyanese bought into, becomes an unmistakable reality for our citizens.

That aside, our political parties need to start forming leadership groups and imparting the necessary training to serve as politicians going into the future. In this regard, Government may wish to consider appropriating the President’s College to respond to this national interest.

As a footnote to the issue of leadership, one may be tempted to ask whether many of our Guyanese who have not benefited from a sound secondary education cannot be leaders. A preface

turning up, case jackets disappearing, shoddy presentation and preparation by the prosecutors, have caused the culpable to walk free.

From recent handling of crime fighting, the sense is given that the Crime Chief is doing an admirable job. This can improve police/community relations, as citizens feel confident that they can provide information and work with the police in crime fighting. Similarly, the Force needs to recognise the importance of ensuring crime fighting techniques, including confessions, are consistent with modern policing standards, as this is equally important in ensuring the culpable are held to account, and not allowed to walk free on technicality or violation of their rights.

The opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) issued a statement on Monday commending Blanhum and the CID for their work. This sentiment is felt by law-abiding Guyanese, since crime affects everyone, irrespective of their politics, and the use of crime to score political points never helps in its solution and elimination.

to the answer to this question is that it is worthy to note that more than a few educated individuals have established themselves as deviations from the norm of excellence in leadership, even within their respective disciplines. They are eligible to be qualified as being affected by the disease of idiocy.

More to the point, however: every adult qualifies as a leader, since regardless of his/her academic achievements, he/she ultimately becomes responsible for his/her welfare as well as that of his/her spouse and, in particular, their children. Whether adults are employees or become self-employed, they are ultimately responsible for the welfare of their households, and for instilling in their children the qualities that bring success in today’s society; namely, good manners and access to the best education possible.

Indeed, men and women with basic secondary education who have become successful and financially viable could very well be deemed to be great leaders, since they were able to overcome greater odds than individuals with the benefit of a sound tertiary education.

The ideas presented on economics and government have been around globally, but their absence locally, to my knowledge, make them relevant for consideration in addition to alternatives. Economics and government are intertwined concepts which are essential to the crucial transitory, transformative change sought after in Guyana. The fundamental role of economics has more or less been grasped, with the clear understanding that our twin public policy priorities are employment-creation and provision of cheap, reliable energy to launch massive private investment in our industrial/manufacturing and See page 7

Where, too, the PPP/C has pointed to what the party considers avenues for improvement, though such may not have been factors they took into consideration for implementation when in government, such should be looked at for their merit and demerit. The issue too of the rank of the Crime Chief should not escape attention.

We believe that his responsibility should be consistent with the appropriate rank and remuneration, as this will offer incentive to improve performance.

And finally, the breakthrough in the Sarjou case opens possibilities for other cold cases. Some cases that readily come to mind are Monica Reece, Ronald Waddell, and the hundreds who have died during the crime spree of 2002-2006; and where it is believed and reported that some bodies were buried aback of the Botanical Gardens.

The family of the late Minister of Agriculture Satyadeow Sawh has made it known that they seek answers into his death, and the State has made known similar interest, which is a step in the right direction.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Region 8 REO should be commended Dear Editor, PLEASE allow us, a number of residents of Mahdia, Kato and Kopinang, to voice our pleasure and satisfaction with the numerous positives that continue to grace us through the evident hard and diligent work of our Region’s REO, Mr. Rafel Downes.

While this man has served in both administrations of the PPP/C and APNU/AFC as REO, there is one thing that is evident about his leadership: getting the work done is his primary objective.

While the country takes time to celebrate its Jubilee anniversary, it is important to note that we, the residents of Region 8, equally have a lot to celebrate. While we must confess that we are not very knowledgeable of the performances of the REOs in several other regions, we are cognizant of the fact that having a REO like ours -- who is easily accessible, takes time to meet residents and others, executes programmes, and runs the affairs of the RDC in a very professional manner, thus eliminating politics from the day-to-day running, which in the past has seen our region deteriorate to an all-time low -- he should be commended for his sterling contributions and efforts thus far.

There were instances under the previous administration when getting things done within the RDC was very challenging and constituted a complete headache, as officers and staff moved in a lackadaisical manner, and practically enjoyed life on the road while they were expected to be in their offices. Any favours were done through the awarding of contracts, employment was done via the political connection route, while victimization and discrimination were certain for those within the Region’s administration and for members of the public who dared to voice their disapproval and/or objection to the many ills taking place.

As such, we are breathing continued sighs of relief with the enormous efforts of this

hardworking REO. Further, while we are still cognizant of some ‘rotten eggs’ that continue to plague the system through their presence and employment, we are satisfied that efforts are genuinely being made to ensure that projects and programmes are executed within the region at the highest professional standard.

Government business is being administered in a professional manner, eliminating the dirty politics that once plagued the RDC; and while a review of the National Budget will confirm that Region 8 has been granted the smallest budget, it must be understood that this is the most difficult region for anyone to traverse.

Accessing the two subsections of the region, Madhia and Kato, require air travel, while a number of communities cannot be accessed via land, and as such, it puts evident strain financially and administratively on the Region’s administrators in getting around, thus challenging their effectiveness in the execution of their duties.

However, despite these and many other challenges, it is heartwarming to see the REO, backed by his Deputy, Gavin Gounga, visiting a number of communities in an effort to reach out to the people while ensuring that works and programmes are completed.

We would like to add, further, that praising the REO for what we are so far seeing as his diligence, perseverance and commitment to the region is by no means an indication that there are no problems and challenges that need to be addressed. However, it’s an indication that he continues to work very hard, and hopefully, with this manner of operation and aggression in getting things done, he will continue to receive the support of the right individuals around him.

It is evident that, based on the media reports on a number of issues, many REOs are campaigning and working in a political manner, thus resulting in many regions expressing their frustration and disgust over the performance or non-performance of their REOs.

Going forward, a course ...

From page 6

other sectors.

A critical first start is the development of a five-year development strategy for our economy. This involves, for each economic sector, energy, health or education for example, a determination of criteria for the optimal delivery of output/service.

Also essential is the quantification of resources available to each sector, and the resource requirements necessary for achieving optimal delivery of output. For example, a target for the energy sector may be the development of 5,000 MW of capacity at a cost of US$0.09/KWH, while in education a target may be 25 students per class. The formulation of these and similar metrics will provide the basis for measuring year-on-year performance, with revisions to the targets for optimal delivery of output/service as necessary.

Effective government is necessary for the achievement of the sector targets, notably those of energy. In this regard, Government needs to ensure that the necessary technical staffing requirements are available, to deliver the quantitative evaluation as well as the criteria for optimal delivery.

The strategies for all sectors may now be combined and evaluated individually and in aggregate to appreciate the full resource re-

quirements for achieving all sectorial targets, in addition to workgroup sessions to formulate systems of cooperation to secure success in meeting targets.

Further, ideas from the National Development Strategy, which was allowed to gather dust, may be absorbed into the new strategy.

Finally, while our government ministers, our very senior public servants, have been awarded compensation packages which allow them to live that Good Life now, they should reflect that the masses, who in the majority represent the working class low to middle income households, have suffered for close to a generation under the previous administration, and are looking forward with immediacy for improvements in the form of more and higher paying jobs. It would therefore be politically expedient to work assiduously to deliver on the promises of that Good Life to all Guyanese.

I take this opportunity to wish all Guyanese -- both at home, including visiting family members, and in the Diaspora - a Happy 50th Anniversary Independence Jubilee, and may we all work together to deliver on our dreams for our country, ourselves and our families.

Yours faithfully, CRAIG SYLVESTER

However, while we have our own share of problems in Region 8, we are satisfied that it has nothing to do with the problems that some of the other regions are faced with.

We therefore would like to publicly express our appreciation and continued support for REO Downes, as we firmly believe that he is a man who is bent on achieving results, thus he is determined, dedicated, committed and, most importantly, disciplined.

The Honourable Minister of Communities, Mr. Ronald Bulkan, should take note of the work and performance of this REO, as I am sure that should his performance be emulated and/or replicated in other regions, getting things done administratively would not be as stagnant and/or stalled as the residents of many regions continue to express.

Mr. Editor, we therefore would like

to express to REO Rafel Downes that he certainly deserves a pat on his shoulder.

Regards, CLAIRE EDWARDS, PATRICK MARKS SHERLOCK JUPITER ANDY THOMAS PHYLLIS JONES COLEEN THUKNAUTH SHERWIN HINDS PATRICIA JOSIAH ANTHONY ETWAROO MICHELLE BENJAMIN ERLENE HUNTE LYDIA JACK RACHEAL SMITH ANNETTE MICHAEL SINGH

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

The M&CC: Lack of empathy; disregard for the law

By Akola Thompson

FORMER President of the United States of America, John Adams, once said, “Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak; and that it is doing God’s service, when it is violating all His laws.”

While God is not involved in the Mayor and City Council’s recent escapades, I chose the quote because it seemed to speak to how mankind, when given a bit of power, will seek to make something -- such as a city –- better, while simultaneously flouting its laws and trampling on the weak, all in the name of “betterment”.

One can, to a certain degree, understand the Council’s zeal

in carrying out its tasks. President David Granger has continuously and publicly supported the work of the Council; and yes, some of its works do need support. After decades of living with the eyesore that is Georgetown, the clean-up drives have helped the city significantly. However, while one can agree that our city needs to be clean, I am sure many can also see the need for respect and consideration to be accorded those who ply their trade in the city’s environs.

Instead, the M&CC seems to have developed contempt for the citizens of the municipality and the laws, which aiming to protect those citizens.

First, there was the vendors’ displacement, which to a certain degree still remains. Despite the Council collecting

money from the vendors -- an act which legitimized their trade -- the Council issued an ultimatum, under the guise of “consultations”, for the vendors to either move or be removed. The Council seems to be fond of the word “consultation”, but its members should know that issuing an edict to those who have been legitimized through the collection of money for the spots they occupy could hardly be considered vending illegally.

Nevertheless, the City Council, in the pursuit of supposed development and cleanliness for the upcoming Jubilee celebrations, forged ahead with its efforts and displaced scores of vendors, leaving them in limbo while the Council

Please see page 9

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

From page 8 rushed to secure and prepare the assigned space for the vendors to occupy.

There remains an evident disconnect between the councillors and those they represent. By choosing to strongarm the ‘small men,’ they are alienating many of the same people who placed them in their position of power. They should consider the possibility that, in the next LGE, they may not fare so well.

Their seeming lack of concern by City Councillors for those affected by their decisions has blinded them to how quickly people can turn on those they once respected if their livelihoods are being threatened.

I watched with interest and slight amusement when Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo visited the vendors’ stalls recently. There were many who berated him; yes,

and supporters of the coalition seemed to focus on that gladly. However, there were also many who chose to engage in conversation with Jagdeo.

There were many who were thankful for the time he had taken in coming to see them and listening to their concerns.

It did not matter that the system had been virtually the same in several areas under his and Donald Ramotar’s rule, people like the idea of having leaders who seem concerned about them.

Now, let’s move forward to the M&CC’s recent act of destroying the “dread” shop located in the Stabroek Market vicinity, and then claiming ignorance of any court matter involving the shop.

I am a relatively young person, but from the time I had a fair grasp of my mental faculties, I knew that ignorance of the law was no excuse for violating it. Hence my amusement when Mayor

Patricia Chase-Greene sought to justify and back the Town Clerk’s decision to demolish the shop -- which is claimed by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure -- by saying she knows of “no injunction or any other court matter that involves Dread Shop and the City Council.”

To have the shop demolished with no court determination of its ownership displays an evident contempt for the laws of the land.

Following the dread shop’s demolition, I called out Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan on his silence regarding the Town Clerk’s action. Duncan responded by saying that he could not comment upon whether or not the M&CC was wrong, as he is guided by the law, which serves to pronounce on innocence or guilt. Despite saying he was guided by the law, Duncan refused to speak on the Council’s apparent flouting of the law; showing

that maybe neither he nor the other councillors had placed as much thought into the law as they would have the rest of us citizens believe.

I cannot see past the irony that, in trying to enforce the city’s laws, what

the Council has essentially done is break them, sending a strong message that litigants should not await the outcome of court proceedings, particularly if they are in a position of power and belong to the ruling

party. Society can only begin to have some semblance of functionality when its laws are administered in a fair and equitable manner, rather than when they seem to apply only to those who apparently have no power.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

GDF rank dies in Soesdyke accident GUYANA Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal Quee Brotherson lost his life yesterday morning after the vehicle he was driving slammed into a parked truck on the Soesdyke Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

It is reported that the vehicle bearing number plate DFB 1454 was heading north along the Soesdyke Public Road when the accident

occurred.

Brotherson was rushed to the East Bank Regional Hospital at Diamond, and was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A release from the GDF noted that soldiers are now mourning his death.

“Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Mark

Phillips, together with all other officers and ranks of the GDF, commiserate with the family members and friends of LCPL Brotherson in this hour of sorrow.

“Lance Corporal Brotherson served with the 31 Special Forces Squadron of the GDF. May his soul find eternal rest”, the GDF stated on its Facebook account.

Dead: GDF Lance Corporal Quee Brotherson

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

New float parade route ‘more advantageous’

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– says minister Henry

By Ravin Singh MINISTER within the Ministry of Education with responsibility for Culture, Nicolette Henry has defended the recent shift in the Independence Day Parade route from Church Street to Brickdam, contending that the new route is “more advantageous”.

The minister offered the view yesterday at a press conference hosted by the National Commemoration Commission at the Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.

On Monday, the Commission, which is the body coordinating the events for the 50th Independence celebrations, made the announcement of the shift in the route, and this stirred much controversy.

Many did not like the tardiness of such an announcement. The Float Parade will move from the Stabroek Square to east along Brickdam, then into Durban Park.

However, Minister Henry told reporters yesterday that the decision was made after it was realised that the space at Stabroek Square had become available due to the recent removal of the bus park and vendors from the area.

She highlighted that Stabroek, as the rendezvous point, is much more spacious, which made it a better option.

The minister further pointed out that the new

Junior Education Minister Nicolette Henry route is a much shorter one, which works to the advantage of children who will be participating.

On Tuesday, some 27 agencies had indicated their interest in participating in the float parades. An additional 10 floats will comprise the children’s parade.

“It offers a bigger space t h a n w e h a d p r e v i o u sly planned as our start up point,” she said, adding that “we need to have a route that is more child-friendly and therefore if it is shorter that would definitely be more child-friendly.”

Deeming the new route to be a more “advantageous one”, the minister noted that “I can find disadvantages too, but we must focus on the advantages.”

The announcement of the shift also raised concerns re-

garding commercial activities which dominate such events.

With well over 70 vendors having applied and registered to ply their trade on this day, Minister Henry told members of the media that they will be disallowed from doing so.

Questioned further about the implications for traffic since the Stabroek Park area is a central hub for public transportation in and out of the City, Henry reasoned that the Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has a plan which would see several roads being closed off

on Thursday.

This, she said would allow for alternative provisions to be made to handle the issue of public transportation, and in a much larger context, traffic on that day.

The float parade on May 26 will commence at 10:30 hrs, which is the time the first float is expected to leave Stabroek and head for D’urban Park.

The last float is expected to arrive at the ground by 17:30 hrs that afternoon. The traditional judging of the floats will also be done following the arrival of all floats at the

venue.

Preceding that event will be the annual flag-raising ceremony, which will be held at the same venue on May 25. Though the programme is scheduled to commence at 20:00 hrs, the formal proceedings will commence at 22:00 hrs at D’urban Park.

This programme will see a Joint Services (Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force) band display, followed by the military parade and cultural performance.

This will be succeeded by the hoisting of the Golden

Arrowhead at midnight on May 26.

The estimated seating capacity, as was disclosed by the minister is over 20,000, while approximately 1000 seats are reserved for VIPs. However, given the expected turn out at the event, Minister Henry noted that the seating arrangements will be organised on a “first come, first serve basis”.

The minister also remains optimistic that the advent of the rainy season should not dampen expectations and that the celebrations are likely to go as planned.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Industrial museum on the cards

By Vanessa Braithwaite AS Region 10 celebrates 100 years of bauxite mining, the centennial committee yesterday hosted a ceremonial launching of the observances, which will climax in October.

The launch was held at the site that is earmarked for the construction of an industrial museum, which should be

completed by October.

The site is located at the railway which the trains traversed transporting the bauxite from the mines to the processing plant.

Present at the launch were members of the centennial committee, including Horace James, Chairman; former President and Prime Minister and Guymine employee Samuel Hinds;

––as Region 10 launches bauxite centennial former Minister of Public Works and Guymine employee Robeson Benn; Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland; Deputy Mayor Waneka Arrindel; Regional Chairman Renis Morian; General Manager of Bosai, Eric Yu; members of the old bauxite employees body, and many other stakeholders in Linden.

BAUXITE MINING Mr. Horace James told the audience that the ceremony is just a prelude to greater things to come, and the aim is mainly to educate the students of Linden on the significance of bauxite mining and the role it played in the development of the town and the country.

“It is important that people know that bauxite mining started in October 1916, and the history and the role that bauxite played in the development of Linden, of Guyana, and (in) World Wars 1 and 2,” he said.

James posited that bauxite mining can be deemed responsible for Linden being developed into a community and later a town. Without bauxite, Linden would not have even been occupied.

“This area would have been like other settlements along the Demerara River, other than for bauxite; but this town was established as a company town,” Mr. James noted.

Former bauxite worker and history enthusiast Winslow Paris performed a dramatic poem, illustrating his days at the bauxite company and the way many persons migrated to Linden to be in the employ of the then bauxite company.

At that time, he said, bauxite took care of the entire country, and even though there is a decline in bauxite mining, Lindeners are still surviving, as they are a contented people.

EARLY DAYS Bauxite mining started in 1916 when a Scotsman, George Bain Mackenzie, came to Linden and observed bauxite in the soil.

He fooled the residents, giving them the impression that he wanted to plant oranges. After his death, other expatriates came and commenced bauxite mining in the community of Three See page 13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Industrial museum ...

From page 12

Friends. At that time, manual methods such as pickaxe and spade were used to access the bauxite in the soil. However, as the bauxite went deeper in the soil, the companies began using heavy duty machinery such as excavators and walking draglines.

The first company to commence bauxite mining was the Demerara Bauxite Company (Demba), an offshoot of the Canadian Aluminum Com-

the observances.

Former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds gave a synopsis of the reasons for the company being nationalized, and how the bauxite company struggled to stay alive after being forced to retrench workers and close several mining operations.

DIVERSIFICATION He also encouraged Lindeners to accept that the glory days of bauxite

Former Guymine worker Winslow Parris sporting his iron helmet that was used during the former days of bauxite mining, as he recites his poem pany (Alcan), then followed Guymine, Linmine, Linpa, Omai, and now Bosai.

NATIONALIZATION The bauxite company was nationalized in 1971, and after operating at a loss, the then Government was on the verge of closing operations, as the Consolidated Fund was forced to fetch the financial burden of the company, with US$15M per year. The high competition in the alumina market was deemed responsible for this.

Many private companies showed interest in the company, but the one who was willing to invest in the ailing company was Chinese company BOSAI Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc., who commenced operations in 2007 and is still in operation.

The General Manager of BOSAI Inc. told the audience that his company was pleased to have significantly contributed to the economy of Guyana and to the foreign industry.

“BOSAI company is honoured to be with you to experience this historical moment,” he said. Yu noted that among BOSAI’s biggest contributions to the Linden community was the installation of the dust collector system, which cost the company US$8M. BOSAI will also be contributing a memorial arch for the 100-year celebration, and will lend support to other projects for

are over and residents need to diversify in an effort to keep the economy going.

Mayor Carwyn Holland, in his brief remarks, said he is not prepared to do away completely with the bauxite industry, but does agree that diversification is a solution to the ailing economy of Linden.

“Instead of doing away with bauxite, we can add other means of expanding our economy in Linden, but we should strengthen the industry and bring it back to a better place,” he advised.

Mayor Holland stressed that Linden should be compensated for the years of bauxite mining that contributed to the development of the country and the world.

“Bauxite has made significant contributions to Guyana over its 100 years….

Many contributions were made to the development of this country… In fact, all the beneficiaries should play a part at this time in the restructuring and upgrading of Linden,” Mayor Holland said.

Linden, he added, needs help in many ways, and persons should come onboard to assist.

These sentiments were also echoed by Regional Chairman Renis Morian.

The bauxite centennial committee plans to construct an industrial museum, a commemorative arch, and a statue of a bauxite man; and will also host a bauxite symposium and produce a centennial magazine.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Bandits shoot RK guard, steal night deposit - Company offering reward for their capture

By Rabindra Rooplall BANDITS in a black Toyota Raum on Monday trailed a security van making night deposits; one of the guards was shot, and a bag containing an undisclosed sum was stolen when the guard

exited the vehicle in front of Demerara Bank at Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara.

This was confirmed by Divisional Commander Marlon Chapman, who said the incident occurred at 19:45hrs, and 24-year-old Damian Pearce, the guard

who was shot, is at present hospitalized.

Commander Chapman said the security guards doing the night deposits did not get a chance to return fire. The other security guard on duty was identified as 22-year-old Cleveland Pyle.

Reports disclosed that Pearce, who resides in Linden and is attached to R.K’s Security Services, was shot to his left foot. Police said the perpetrator also relieved the guards of two .32 revolvers with 10 rounds, and escaped in a motorcar driven by an accomplice.

The security vehicle had collected cash from businesses in Mahaica before visiting various banks. Upon arrival at Demerara Bank at Le Ressouvenir, to make the

cash deposit, a man exited a dark coloured vehicle which was in the vicinity and attacked the guards.

Pearce was walking towards the bank at the time to make the deposit when he was shot before being relieved of the bag.

Chief Executive Officer of RK’s Security Services, Roshan Khan, disclosed that he is placing a $250,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the perpetrators.

Khan said criminals need to be dealt with condignly. “Our injured rank will be protected, and our clients’ money is insured…

The police will do their work, and I believe they will quickly apprehend the bandits. I have faith in the police.”

He added, “It’s a sad period in the country when criminals can think that they rule and can hurt people and take their properties.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Stats Bureau to start roll out of final census data at month-end

THE Bureau of Statistics will be rolling out the final aspects of the National Population and Housing Census at the end of this month.

This announcement was made by Chief Statistician Lennox Benjamin, on Monday during a press conference hosted by Finance Minister Winston Jordan.

According to Benjamin, at the end of May, the first roll-out of compendiums will be done, after which national, economic, educational, housing and foreign-born components (profiles) will be rolled out in June.

‘GROSSLY UNDER-UTILISED’ The preliminary report of the National Popula-

tion and Housing Census was released in 2014, and Benjamin believes the information therein is “grossly underutilized”. He told reporters on Monday that “A population census is a very serious matter…we have put a preliminary report in the public domain since June 2014”, but unfortunately, persons have little or no faith in that information provided almost two years ago.

The Bureau, he said, has been congratulated recently by a “major regional body” for the work done on the preliminary report, but on all accounts, even policy makers are finding it difficult to utilise the document.

That preliminary report included a number of areas,

including, but not limited to, preliminary population count, the number of households, and the average household size by region; the regional population growth, regional population density, gender distribution and the population distribution by coastland and hinterland regions.

Field exercises for the country’s last census were completed in December 2012, while the final verification and editing were finished in June 2013. The preliminary report was released one year after the final verification process, he said.

Census 2012 was part of the United Nations 2010 round of global population and housing censuses.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

IDB assisting with labour force survey for next year

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- unemployment now in double digits, says Chief Statistician

By Ariana Gordon

THE Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is currently assisting the Bureau of Statistics with the conducting of a Labour Force Survey early next year. That survey will detect the number of unemployed persons in Guyana.

Chief Statistician, Lennox Benjamin on Monday, during a press conference hosted by the Ministry of Finance, said that a week of intensive work with the IDB has just been completed in that regard, and the Bureau is looking “to put a labour force in the field from January 2, 2017.”

LEVEL OF POVERTY Benjamin said too that a living conditions survey that will determine the level of poverty here will also be conducted next year. That survey

will begin in August 2017.

The revelations made by Benjamin followed questions on the rate of unemployment in Guyana. The Chief Statistician disclosed that Guyana has not done a Labour Force Survey for almost a decade.

He said the rate of unemployment can be garnered from that survey. Accordingly, proxies are being used to quantify the rate of unemployment here.

“We had done substantial work in 2008 with the US Bureau of Census, but at the point and time of implementation we did not get permission to proceed.”

Benjamin explained that “When a national survey is put in the field, the first thing that has to happen is that the approval of Cabinet has to be given; when the approval of Cabinet is given the funding has to be secured either by government or funding agencies or a combination

Chief Statistician, Lennox Benjamin of both.”

Since no approval was granted, no Labour Force Survey was conducted for many years. He said the proxies are gathered from the census and household surveys.

DOUBLE DIGITS “ Based on those proxies we know that unemployment

has been running at double digital… about 10.711… coming out of the last census there has also been an economic activity profile from which we will be getting that unemployment rate and I can say to you up front that it will be double digital. I don’t want to pre-empt by quoting a specific figure. I can say from the position I sit that it will again be double digital at this point in time.”

The Bureau of Statistic head said that one should

not only be interested in the “overall top line indicator” but should examine the age groups, and gender profiles of those unemployed.

UNDEREMPLOYMENT

“In Guyana we focus a lot on unemployment, we need to focus equally on underemployment. We have now the emerging phenomenon over time of multiple jobs. It is no longer the time where you are a public servant and you

go home at 4:30pm. You’d be surprised people have two and three jobs now,” remarked Benjamin.

The challenge for Guyana, he said, is that “we don’t want a labour force indicator at a specific point in time.

We want something that is continuous.”

The problem, however, with a continuous Labour Force Survey is the fact that Guyana is significantly larger than its Caribbean counterparts.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Hundreds of residents host flag raising at Stanleytown AMIDST Guyana’s 50th Golden Jubilee Independence celebrations countrywide, residents of Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara and neighbouring villages came together Sunday with the La Retraite/Stanleytown Development Group to host their annual Cultural Explosion and Flag Raising Ceremony on Stanleytown Public Road.

The ceremony saw hundreds of residents turning out to view the cultural programme, which included poems, national and folk songs and dances.

The ceremony began with a march by over 80 Master Guides, who represented the Feceson and Numinous Districts. The youths in the community, along with students of La Retraite Primary School, Genesis Early Childhood and the River Side Angel dancers among others then entertained the audience by dancing to popular

local songs.

The Mighty Rebel also graced the stage to belt out a few catchy calypsos, while the Region Three Teachers’ Choir did a song they composed specially for the Independence celebration. The programme also had stints of ballroom dancing and karate displays.

Meanwhile, political activist and university professor, Dr. David Hinds in a brief address told the villagers that “Independence is not for a moment, it is a process and it continues all the time and for the past fifty years we have faced a lot of changes and we have survived.”

The Golden Arrowhead was raised just after 22:00 hrs by Master Guide Jhameel Duncan with assistance from Tenesha and Nayasha Washington of the Stanleytown Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Master Guide Jhameel Duncan with assistance from Tenesha and Nayasha Washington of Stanleytown Seventh Day Adventist Church raise the Golden Arrowhead as the National Anthem was being sung

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Education vital for Afro-says Greenidge at African Guyanese Awards Ceremony

By Svetlana Marshall

THE value and importance of education must be instilled within the minds of Afro-Guyanese, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, said as he underscored the importance of education in the transformation of the physical, economic, and social landscapes of Guyana.

“Education is very critical,” Minister Greenidge said, as he delivered the keynote address at an African Guyanese Awards Ceremony held at the Pegasus Hotel on Monday night. In the past, the African community had committed to the edification of its children in a decision which entailed many years of sacrifices, but had proven to be beneficial, the Vice President posited.

“It is important that we find a means of ensuring that the current generation can also value education (and) recognise the role of education in social mobility,” Minister Greenidge added, while emphasising that education must be seen as a change agent that recognises the evolution of technology.

While education is important, attention must also be given to application, he posited, while noting that institutional arrangements should be put in place to ensure that the necessary skills are regenerated or generated.

Boasting of their contributions, the Vice President said Afro-Guyanese have mastered many skills, and have contributed significantly to the development of Guyana through their active roles in the Public Service.

“There is nowhere…that this community has not left its mark…in relation to the volume and quality of public servants -- a quality which has enabled us to stand proudly anywhere in the world,” Minister Greenidge posited.

The African Guyanese Awards Ceremony, which was organised by the Pan-African Movement, Cuffy 250, Women’s Roundtable and the Miss Emancipation Committee, was held in observance of the Decade for People of African Descent.

During the well-attended awards ceremony, more than 50 stalwarts in the Afro-Guyanese Community were honoured, including some posthumous, two of whom received standing ovation.

Guyana’s First Executive President, the late Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, was praised for his contributions

Vice-President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge received his award for his continuous contribution to the development of Guyana

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

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-Guyanese development to the development of this country.

“I’m humbled to accept this award on behalf of the son of a school teacher who became the first Executive President of Guyana,” Roxanne Burnhman said as she received the award in her father’s honour.

Her mother, the late Viola Burnham was also recognised for the contributions she had made in the area of Women’s Rights and Empowerment.

It was an emotional evening for the parents and supporters of Courtney Crum-Ewing, who was murdered in March 2015 while encouraging Guyanese to vote in the May 11, 2015 elections.

In a brief statement, they emphasised the need for justice to prevail. The late Crum-Ewing was among those who were honoured as Afro-Guyanese political activists.

Political activist Dr Walter Rodney, who was assassinated on June 13, 1980, was among the other posthumous awardees.

President David Granger; Minister Greenidge; Dr Grantley Walrond, a professional geologist who once served as Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC); Dr Joycelynn Loncke, Head of the Pan-African Movement; political activist Ruel Johnson; youth activist Sharma Solomon; Dr Melissa Varswyk, an expert in Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematic (STEM); and Vincent Alexander, who continues to serve in the area of Local Government, were among the other awardees.

According to the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Flavia Pansieri, human rights’ violations are still part of the daily reality for many people of African descent.

“Whether as descendants of the victims of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade or as more recent migrants, studies and findings by international and national bodies demonstrate that people of African descent still have limited access to quality education, health services, housing, and social security,” Pansieri had said during the launch of the International Decade for People of African Descent (2014-2024) held in Geneva.

She added: “In many cases, their situation remains largely invisible, and insufficient recognition and respect has been given to the efforts of people of African descent to seek redress for their present condition. They all too often experience discrimination in their access to justice, and face alarmingly high rates of police violence, together with racial profiling,” she said.

Roxanne Burnham, daughter of Guyana’s First Executive President, the late Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, receiving the award in his honour

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Pricey, but a good read

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

- ‘Undiscovered-Guyana’ to be used as branding tool for fledgling tourism industry

IT comes at quite a hefty price, but from all accounts, it’s a good read and it’s worth every penny it costs.

The item at reference is the book “Undiscovered-Guyana” which, along with an accompanying video, was launched on Sunday at the Herdmanston Lodge in Queenstown, Georgetown.

In retrospect, it was the culmination of what started as the germ of an idea coming out of a discussion among officials of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and President David Granger, whose vision of educating Guyanese and the world at large about Guyana’s greatest treasures is no secret.

As Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, would observe at the launch: “This book will promote awareness and pride in Guyana’s rich and varied landscapes, while serving as a branding tool to build interest in Guyana as a tourism destination.”

The idea was not just to entice potential visitors in search of a place where they can experience intact nature, diverse wildlife, alluring culture and a people who are authentically welcoming, but to also showcase and promote Guyana’s efforts at balancing its ecological footprint with the planet’s bio-capacity, while maintaining a healthy biodiversity.

It was also meant to serve as a reminder to those of the older generation of the wonders that are here, and imbue in the younger ones a deep appreciation of those wonders.

Said Minister Trotman, “With this love, and a renewed sense of ownership, the photos must inspire the natural urge to protect, maintain, and wisely use what we are so privileged to have.”

Speaking later with WWF’s Country Manager Aiesha Williams, the Guyana Chronicle learnt that “Undiscovered-Guyana” is essentially a bounded collection of

roughly 300 photographs that display the stunning beauty and rich diversity of Guyana’s landscapes and places.

The photographs document the range of natural landscapes over which men and women, through millennia, have carved out and erected places for their own habitation in a shared space, sometimes not respectfully so.

It also portrays Guyana’s ethnic diversity, with its range of Indigenous settlements, varied architecture and farms, and representative places of worship; and documents Guyana’s industries -- from fishing boats to sugarcane fields, from gold and bauxite mines to Rupununi cattle ranches, and an offshore oil venture.

Both book and video, she said, are a reflection of the complete path upon which the new Guyana is embarking -- a path of sustainable use of our resources in keeping with our commitment to a ‘green’ economy and the Paris Cli-

mate Change Agreement which the President signed in April.

Bringing this vision to fruition, Williams said, required the support of a range of collaborators, including the Guyana Defence Force (GDF); hence the book will be marketed at a price of $10,000, and can be purchased at various books stores across the country.

It will also be available in hotels and other tourism destinations, but the video will be available Online for the world to see for free.

The WWF has a long association with Guyana, going back to 1977 with sea turtle conservation, and later moving to work in the area of sustainable development programmes by focusing on forestry,

among other extractive sectors. Of late, its activities are geared towards supporting REDD+, protected areas, nature-based tourism, sustainable fisheries and marine conservation, environmental governance, the phasing out of mercury, and better practices in small and medium-scale gold mining. (Navendra Seoraj)

Minister Trotman hands a copy of the book to Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock (Photo by Delano Williams)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Egbert Fields tapped for GCAA director-general post FORMER Flight Operations Inspector of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Egbert Fields is being considered for the post of Director General of the aviation umbrella body.

Fields, who has several years of experience, has served as a pilot with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), an inspector with the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS), Flight Operations and Oversight Manager of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority and Transnational Inspector for the Regional Aviation Safety Oversight.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed through multiple sources that the post was offered to Fields, but it is unclear if he has accepted the offer.

After Zulficar Mohammed retired in May last year, several names were being considered to fill the position, including current Director General (acting) Chitrani Heeralall. Reports are that Heeralall may be re-assigned to another senior post within the GCAA. This newspaper had reported in September that a new Director General for the GCAA would have been named in October, following the “reconfiguration and reintroduction” of the GCAA’s Board.

Junior Minister of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson later clarified that only board members would be named and not a Director General by the October timeline.

The GCAA board, which is chaired by Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Larry London, was subsequently installed earlier this year.

Minister Ferguson had stated that one of the pressing issues facing the aviation body is the appointment of air traffic controllers, as submissions were made about the lack of appointments over the past eight years. The GCAA is also experiencing a shortage of controllers as several have moved to greener pastures overseas.

Wednesday May 25th, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Thursday May 26th, 2016 - 05:30 hrs Friday May 27th, 2016 - 08:30 hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

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Guyanese woman facing jail - for trafficking ‘ganja’ in ‘Bim’

A GUYANESE woman will know her fate next month after pleading guilty to trafficking marijuana into Barbados.

La-Toya Kenisha Smart, a 25-year-old Guyanese customer service representative, was remanded to jail after she pleaded guilty to charges of possession, possession with intent to supply,

Kenisha Smart leaves Central Police Station with a large bag of her possessions in two (Barbados Today photo)

Sophia man remanded over cannabis trafficking in Cuyuni A SOPHIA resident is now a remanded prisoner after police said he was caught with 137 grams of cannabis during a search in front of a police station in the interior.

The charge against Desmond Rigby, 33 years, stated that on May 23, at 70 Kilometer Police Outpost, Cuyuni River he had in his possession cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Rigby of 153 Last Field, Sophia denied the charge when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday.

The teary defendant told the court that he was being wrongfully accused by the police. He told the court that on the day in question he was standing at a bus shed opposite the police station with several other persons awaiting transportation to head into the Cuyuni Backdam.

The accused noted that ranks from the police station came and conducted a search on everyone and found a black bag, which concealed the cannabis. “ Somebody stash the bag behind my haversack,” Rigby told the magistrate as tears rolled down his cheeks as he Desmond Rigby stated also that he was beaten by the police.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers told the court that on the day in question, police saw the defendant with a blue haversack and conducted a search which unearthed a bulky black plastic bag in which marijuana was found concealed and he was arrested and charged.

Jeffers pointed out that when the ranks arrested Rigby with the drug he told them, “officer that is my own, I just going and drop off this fine shipment.”

Bail was refused and the matter was transferred to Bartica Magistrate’s Court for June 9.

trafficking and importation of cannabis, the Barbados Today reported.

She arrived in Barbados last weekend and a search of her luggage revealed eight packages of cannabis weighing one pound.

She will return to court on June 20 for sentencing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Colombian on forged passport, illegal entry charges

A 48-YEAR-OLD Colombian appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday, charged with uttering a forged passport and illegal entry.

Luis Eugenio Torrez denied that he, on May 20, at Moleson Creek, Springlands, Corentyne with intent to defraud uttered to a police officer one Cuban passport, numbered AR678850.

The court heard that the document was issued in favour of himself with false arrival and departure dates, stamps inserted to show that he was granted a Guyana tourist visa and business visa and purporting to show that same was issued by the Central Immigration and Passport Office of Guyana.

The other charge stated that on April 14, at Charity, Essequibo he entered Guyana by sea and disembarked without presenting himself to an immigration officer. Speaking through an interpreter he pleaded guilty to the charge.

He was represented by Attorney-at-law Paul Fung-A- Fat, who told the court that his client was fleeced by persons who target tourists and they took advantage of him.

According to the prosecution, on May 20, Torrez was an outgoing passenger at Moleson Creek when he presented a Colombian passport to Immigration Officer, Constable Yazier Augrim.

The officer upon checking the passport discovered that it was forged and he had entered the country illegally.

The magistrate fined the Colombian $20,000 for illegal entry. However, failure to pay the fine will result in one month’s imprisonment. Torrez was granted $50,000 bail on the forged passport charge, and the matter was adjourned for June 1.

Luis Eugenio Torrez

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Take stern action against Madramootoo - forensic auditor recommends

FORENSIC auditor Saykar Boodhoo, who investigated the operations of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), has recommended that the Government fire Hanniel Madramootoo if he is still in the employ of the Agriculture Ministry.

Madramootoo was allegedly involved in acts of fraud. It is alleged that Madramootoo, an engineer, colluded with a contractor to execute a multi-million-dollar fraud on GMC. Identifying the act as a case of financial impropriety conducted by the GMC Senior Management, Boodhoo, in his 64-page report, explained that in 2011 a contract was awarded to Constantine Engineering and Construction Services of Trinidad and Tobago to construct a new building for the GMCs Head Office and the Guyana Shop.

The contract, in the sum of $23.9M, was reportedly awarded by the National Tender and Procurement Board (NPTAB); however, the auditor was unable to review the bidding documents, due to the lack of evidence.

According to Boodhoo, NPTAB Head Donald De Clou indicated that there is no evidence suggesting that NPTAB was involved in the tender process, even though the contract indicated otherwise. This particular project was managed by Madramootoo, an engineer attached to the Agriculture Ministry at the time.

By February 2012, the contract sum was amended to include the additional sum of $7.6M without going out to tender.

The amendment to the contract also extended the contract duration to March 16, 2016.

“Based on discussion with Mr Owen Nestor, GMC’s accountant, shortly after the contract amendment, the contractor announced to GMC that he (would) be unable to complete the construction of the GMC office building. It is unclear exactly how much funds was given to Constantine Engineering.

“As such, another contractor was called in to complete the electrical wiring and relevant works to the GMC Office

building,” the auditor explained.

The situation further deteriorated. Months after it was handed over to GMC, there were leaks throughout the building via the roof. Another contractor had to be hired to remedy the situation.

“It was also discovered that old lumber and old zinc sheets with euroband were used to construct the roof of the building.

EVIDENT THROUGHOUT “Throughout the building, substandard work is evident and present. The wood used to construct the internal walls was poorly manufactured, and the concrete walls are chipping and with paint peeling and falling off the walls,” the auditor further pointed out in his report.

The auditor believes the GMC’s Board and senior management are just as culpable as the contractor. He explained that the directors visited the building on numerous occasions during its construction stage, but failed to highlight the “blatant poor quality of work performed by the contractor.”

Additionally, he said, there is no documentation indicating that the Board had made any attempt to prevent the fraud that was being perpetrated against GMC by the contractor.

“An Internet search for the name of the contractor’s firm -- Constantine Engineering and Construction Services Limited -- proved futile,” Boodhoo pointed out.

SHOULD BE BLACKLISTED The auditor is therefore recommending that Constantine Engineering and its owner be barred from providing any services to the Government of Guyana.

A call was also made to have the engineer who was contracted to oversee the construction of the building fired, if still in the employ of the Ministry of Agriculture.

It was also recommended the Government send letters of reprimand to the members of the Board of Directors who were

engaged by GMC during that period of time.

“The letters should indicate their unprofessional behaviour and gross negligence which they exercised during their time at GMC. Such directors should also be barred from future engagements with the Government of Guyana,” Boodhoo recommended.

For years, the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) has been riddled with alleged corruption, ranging from acts of fraud to mismanagement, the audit report said. According to the forensic audit report compiled by Boodhoo for the period January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2015, the Agriculture Ministry has also been deliberately transferring funds to the Corporation to be used as “slush funds” for the Permanent Secretary and the Agriculture Minister.

Though the audit report did not disclose the sums, it is believed that millions of dollars were transferred to GMC by the Agriculture Ministry, without any clear indication of the purpose of these funds, which have increased significantly over the years.

According to the auditor, it appears as though these funds were deliberately transferred to GMC to circumvent financial accountability at the Ministry of Agriculture.

“These funds appear to be slush funds for the Permanent Secretary of MoA and the Minister of Agriculture,” Boodhoo said.

The auditor is recommending that the Permanent Secretary and Agriculture Minister be formally informed that these funds are not GMC’s revenues and expenses, and should be recorded correctly.

“The PS and MoA should be informed as to the proper accounting of the funds and the related expenses. GMC should record the funds from MoA as balance sheet general ledger asset and liability accounts. As funds are expended, the asset and liability general ledger accounts should be reduced accordingly,” the auditor explained in his report.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Babita Sarjou’s skeletal remains...

Husband, alleged accomplice for court today

By Rabindra Rooplall SHARADANANDA Narine, called Anand, and his alleged accomplice, Darel Pronton, called ‘Yankee’, are expected to be charged with the murder of Babita Sarjou.

Skeletal remains of a person believed to be Sarjou were discovered by police Sunday in a shallow grave behind her estranged husband’s Lot 51 Seaforth Street, Campbellville,

Georgetown property almost six years after she had mysteriously gone missing.

On November 4, 2010, Sarjou, 28, left home after telling her mother, Champa Seonarine, that she would be meeting with her estranged husband and four-year-old son at the Kitty Seawall to view the annual Diwali motorcade.

That same night she was expected to return to her mother’s Timehri home but she was never seen again.

Police Monday obtained a High Court order to detain the suspects for another 72 hours. While DNA samples were taken from the remains to confirm identity, relatives of Sarjou have already identified a pair of shoes and parts of the attire found with the skeleton as belonging to Sarjou.

The duo Sunday led detectives to the spot, located behind a zinc fence on the property.

Police there dug up a skull, bones and pieces of clothing.

Police disclosed that Sarjou’s husband has stated that he was furious because he suspected that she was having an affair with a man at her workplace. He was also angry that she had taken him to court on allegations that he had posted up nude pictures of her.

It is alleged that he hired the unemployed Pronton, whom he had befriended, to kill Sarjou. Pronton was Dead: Babita Sarjou allegedly paid $50,000 and promised a trip to Trinidad.

The trip to Trinidad never materialised.

It was reported that unknown to Sarjou, Narine and Pronton had already dug her grave in Narine’s Seaforth Street backyard, two days before. Sarjou reportedly met her husband outside the National Cultural Centre and entered his car. It is around this same area that Pronton, who was allegedly sitting in the back seat, strangled Sarjou. They then carried the body to Narine’s Seaforth Street residence where they placed it in a shallow grave.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Champa Seonarine said all her suspicions were on spot as she had a gut feeling that her daughter was buried inside the yard.

“Since Babita go missing I keep talking this thing, this is not the way Babita should have been gone. Anand got buildings in there which he was renting, and he had my daughter washing loads of bed sheets and he asked her not to even break a voice to the girls that were in the apartments,” a tearful Seonarine said. She said that once Anand is found guilty, he should be hanged.

Meanwhile, Mrs Seonarine praised the detectives and the Police Force, especially Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, who she noted was the real force behind the investigations.

On the fateful night that Babita Sarjoo disappeared, family members attempted to contact her on her two mobile phones but they appeared to have been turned off.

Mrs Seonarine said she first informed ranks at the Timehri Police Station about her daughter’s disappearance, then made a similar report at the Kitty Police Station.

Before she disappeared Sarjou had filed a harassment case against her husband, but the matter was subsequently dismissed. Her husband was accused of plastering copies of a nude picture of Sarjou, who had been missing since the night before Diwali, on the fence of her workplace at BK International.

The couple had separated at the time and according

Please see page 29

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

From page 28 to her mother, it was the fourth time Sarjou had left her husband and she had vowed not to return even though he was keeping her son away from her.

The couple was being counseled at the Ministry of Human Services and Sarjou was told that if she wanted to file for custody of her son, she had to empower herself by being gainfully employed. It was this that drove her to find a job and for the months she worked at the company she was described as a hard worker.

Instead of being embarrassed and cowed into silence, Babita reported the matter of the nude pictures displayed to the police, and charges were instituted against Narine.

The day Babita disappeared would have been three months since the nude printouts were plastered outside her workplace.

Earlier in the month, Police Commissioner Seelall

Persaud and Crime Chief Blanhum met with Champa Seonarine, and formally notified her that police had re-opened investigations into her daughter’s disappearance.

The Caribbean American Domestic Awareness Organisation (CADVA), a human rights body, has been pressing the police to have the Sarjou case reopened.

Chief Operations Officer, Dianne Madray had criticised the police for the investigation they had conducted into Sarjou’s fate.

“Every little clue they get, the organisation would forward the information to the police,” she said. “When she disappeared, we gave her phone to the police, where she was threatened.

We showed them Facebook messages, but none of those things can be found now,” the woman said.

Madray said that CADVA had appealed to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar AliHack for assistance. Madray also said she had sent a

Sharadananda Narine, called Anand, who was arrested after skeletal remains of a person believed to be Babita Sarjou, his estranged wife, were discovered by police in a shallow grave

letter to Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and on March 29 last, she received a response.

Sunday Madray and a tearful Mrs Seonarine stood on the roadway looking into the yard where the remains, believed to be that of Babita were found. In tears, she loudly declared in the direction of Narine’s house, sending a message to his present wife, that nothing good will come of their relationship since only an ill-fate lies ahead for him.

CADVA representative, Dianne Madray and Champa Seonarine walking away from the yard where the remains of a person believed to be Babita Sarjou were found

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Guyana urged to market drinking water

By Alva Solomon

GIVEN that it is one of three countries in the world with the highest per capita water availability, Guyana is in a unique position to capitalise on marketing its drinking water to the rest of the Caribbean region.

This is according to the President of Conservation International, Dr Russell Mittermeier, who told a gathering of Government officials and conservationists, on Monday evening at the Duke Lodge in Duke Street, Kingston, that this country’s per capita water rate follows Surname’s and Iceland’s.

He said that water is topical globally, and that “it is increasingly becoming a geo-political issue in many parts of the world”.

He told the gathering, which included Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman; Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock; and Minister

As regards the protected areas, he pointed to the Rupununi Savannahs as being one of several areas in the country which can be developed into such areas.

PARIS AGREEMENT On April 22, President David Granger signed the Paris Agreement at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

The agreement, which is within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) dealing with greenhouse gases emissions’ mitigation, adaptation and finance, starting in the year 2020, was identified by Dr Mittermeier as “the best and one of the best that came out of the Paris Convention”.

He said that, by signing the agreement, President Granger effectively placed Guyana in a comfortable position as regards the development of strategies in transitioning to a green economy.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, presenting a token of appreciation to Conservation International President Dr Russell Mittermeier on Monday evening initiatives with neighbours,” he noted.

Dr Mittermeier also suggested that Guyana can work towards making several sites, including the Roraima Mountain range, World Heritage sites under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) programmes.

Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock, sharing a few sentiments with Dr Mittermeier of Education Dr Rupert Roopnaraine that Guyana is well on its way to achieving its “green economy” mandate, since it already possesses vast natural potential, including the Rupununi Savannahs, which he identified as the most intact savannahs in the Amazonia region.

“This region is unique,” he said, noting that Guyana is the second greenest country on the planet, second only to neighbouring Suriname.

He said the Rupununi Savannah is overlooked sometimes in the “general scheme of things”, but the savannah is equal to the tropical rainforest here.

As regards the coastal region, Dr Mittermeier noted, the country can invest in “Blue Carbon initiatives”, a term which refers to the carbon captured by the world’s oceans and coastal ecosystems.

He said marine systems on a global scale have not received much attention. “You have the potential as a protected area or major protected area,” he noted in that regard, adding that the country is rich in its biodiversity.

According to Dr Mittermeier, there is need for the creation of protected areas. He noted that it is the “single most important tool” for achieving biodiversity and conservation.

He said that Guyana has the requisite network to add two million hectares of land and waterways for conservation, a commitment made by President Granger when he spoke of the Government’s intention to foster a Green Development Strategy at the opening of GuyExpo 2016 recently.

Guyana can also work along with its neighbours on the continent to conserve its landmass through a process which Dr Mittermeier termed “Transnational conservation”.

To this end, he said, he attended a meeting in French Guiana recently, where he met with representatives from Brazil, Guyana and Suriname.

“We really looked at how very different culturally we are, but how (through) collaboration (and cooperation) we can potentially get the French, because French Guiana is a department of France, (to) come and support

KEY PARTNERS Minister Trotman told the gathering that Guyana is blessed and favoured, with two international pillars in Conservation International and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

He described Conservation International as innovative, visionary and results-oriented.

Trotman said that one of the challenges ahead, as regards conservation, is financial sustainability of conservation systems, given both the competitive economy here and the environment.

He noted that the Protected Areas Trust Fund chaired by Major General (ret’d) Joe Singh has already contributed US$3.5M to conservation.

He said that over the next ten years, the Government is committed to raising the

Fund to US$10M. Minister Allicock spoke of the contributions of the Indigenous people to the Guiana Shield.

He said that, in reflecting on the past 50 years, “The first peoples of the Guiana Shield were responsible in large measure for the fact that we can today celebrate at this event”.

He said the Guiana Shield is one of several regions that possess the highest biodiversity in the world, with over 3000 vertebrate species, including 1168 fresh water fish, 269 amphibians, 295 reptiles, 1004 birds, 282 mammals and 13,367 species of vascular plants.

“This is the legacy of our fore bearers of the Guiana Shield,” Allicock said. “The world cannot ignore that fact. We cannot be unmindful of our heritage,” he added.

At Monday evening’s event, Conservational International donated US$100,000 to the Government’s conservation plans.

The preservation body called on other organisations to provide similar support, as it foresees this country’s rich, diverse natural potential as being pivotal to her transition to a green economy.

A section of the gathering at Monday night’s event

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Australia’s Henriques, Starc recalled for Sri Lanka tour (REUTERS) - Australia all-rounder Moises Henriques is in line for his first Test in three years after being named in the squad for their threematch tour of Sri Lanka in July and August.

The 29-year-old seam bowler played the last of his three Tests during the ill-fated 2013 tour of India where Australia were whitewashed 4-0 and four players were stood down for a match in the infamous

‘homework-gate’ episode.

Henriques failed to make an impression with the ball during that series but injuries to Peter Siddle and James Pattinson have opened the door for the Madeira-born cricket-

er to stake another claim in the top-ranked Test nation.

“Henriques comes into the squad to give the flexibility of an additional all-rounder option, having already shown he plays and adapts well to spin-friendly conditions,” chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said in a team release yesterday.

“He has been working hard with his fitness and we believe he is in prime condition to serve us well should he be selected to play.”

Fast bowler Mitchell Starc and left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe were also named in the 15-man squad yesterday for the matches in Pallekele, Galle and Colombo.

Lethal left-armer Starc returns to the Test set-up for the first time since he broke down with a foot injury during the inaugural day-night Test against New Zealand in Adelaide last November.

He leads a pace attack featuring Josh Hazlewood, Nathan CoulterNile and Jackson Bird, with Pattinson missing the series due to a recurrence of stress fractures in his back and Siddle also nursing a back injury.

O’Keefe, who played just his second Test in January in the series finale against West Indies in Sydney, will provide the option of a second spinner to back up regular Nathan Lyon.

“We know his ability, he takes wickets continually in first class cricket and he impresses when we select him to play Test cricket,” Marsh said of the 31-year-old.

Australia have retained the batting lineup which soundly defeated New Zealand and West Indies over the home summer.

Sri Lanka host the first Test in Pallekele on July 26, with matches in Galle (August 4) and Colombo (August 13) to follow.

The teams will also play five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches.

Squad: Steve Smith (capt.), David Warner, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Moises Henriques, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Steve O’Keefe, Jackson Bird, Nathan Coulter-Nile.

Shooters commended for awesome ...

From back page

from that.”

“When we got to the 600 yards and Slowe came back and said that we were ahead by about 7 points I said that if they couldn’t beat us the way we shot at 300 and 500, they would not beat us here at 600.

“When myself and Braithwaite came off with scores of 49, Peter had a 49 and the other guys were shooting well, the wheels started to turn and it all came together and I knew that when we came off with four 49s at 600 there was no way they could beat us, not in the conditions that we shot in. We fought hard at 600 yards, the coaches dug deep, we worked as a team and the rest is now history.”

Along with Head Wind coach Slowe, the others assisting were the captain Persaud, Lennox Braithwaite, Ransford Goodluck and vice-captain Dylan Fields. Slowe was also high in praise for the way the defending champions stood up to the challenge in carving a successful path to victory.

“Well, victories are always nice, what is even more satisfying is that we were able to dig deep and come back. We had a disastrous, by our standards, 300 yards; we’ve always said that you can’t win the shoot at 300 yards but you can definitely lose the competition there.”

After the 300 yards, Slowe said that during the team huddle, it was laid bare to the members that they had to step it up to bring home the bacon.

“I must say that the shooters dug very deep at 500 yards. But what was very surprising is that, notwithstanding the way we shot at 300 and 500 we were able to deliver. At 500 we turned on the heat, pulled it back and took the lead and were extremely confident that going to the 600 with a 7-point lead over Jamaica that we were going to deliver and that we did.”

Both captain and head coach said, “This is our Jubilee gift to the nation.”

Lennox Braithwaite emerged as the winner of the WOGART Cup being the top Individual Shot in the Short Range Championship. He won ahead of Barbados’ Shelly-Ann Hinds on Vs 16 to 14 after both accumulated 147 points over the three ranges.

The Guyanese shooters swept almost all the awards when the presentation took place on Saturday night at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

WICB, Digicel ink new 4-year ...

From back page benefits to Digicel customers. This includes the support of the long form of the game, and the future of Test Cricket, and this will play out with the broadcasting of the Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional 4-Day Competition set to start later this year.

“Our aim with all of our community and sponsorship initiatives is to support our customers and the things that they love and identify with most – and one of those things is cricket. The game of cricket has a long and fascinating history in the Caribbean uniting the people of the islands and the islands themselves through a shared passion and a competitive thrill,” said John Delves, Chief Commercial Officer at Digicel Group.

“The stunning recent successes of the men’s, women’s and U-19s teams have once again broadened the appeal of the game and excited new audiences.

“We are delighted to be involved now with all of the WICB teams and particularly pleased to be partnering on the coaching clinics which will help to nurture future champions from the Caribbean.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Raptors hold off Cavs to even East finals at 2-2

(THE Sports Xchange) - Kyle Lowry scored 35 points and DeMar DeRozan added 32 as the Toronto Raptors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 105-99 on Monday to tie the Eastern Conference finals at two wins each.

In winning their second consecutive game, the Raptors led by as many as 18 points during the second quarter and were ahead by 16 at halftime. However, the Cavaliers trimmed the lead to one early in the fourth quarter.

The teams changed onepoint leads in the fourth quarter, but when Lowry made a driving layup with 22.5 seconds to play, the Raptors led by six points.

The Raptors stopped the Cavaliers on their next possession.

Bismack Biyombo, who finished with five points and 14 rebounds, missed two free throws with 4.3 seconds left, but it made no difference.

DeMarre Carroll added 11 points for Toronto.

LeBron James led Cleveland with 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and Kyrie Irving added 26 points.

Channing Frye scored 12 points and Kevin Love 10 for the Cavaliers.

The Raptors led 27-24 after the first quarter after being up by as many as eight points. Carroll had seven first-quarter points to top the Raptors, and the Cavaliers got seven points from Irving.

Toronto led by 13 points with 4:35 to play in the sec-

ond quarter when Patrick Patterson put in a layup on a pass from Lowry, who hit a 3-pointer or the Raptors’ next possession to boost the

Lowry had 20 points in the first half for Toronto.

James led Cleveland with 16.

DeRozan opened the scoring in the third quarter,

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) takes a shot over the outstretched arm of Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the second half of game three of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. lead to 16.

L o w r y ’s s t e p - b a c k jumper, with 31.9 seconds to play in the half, put the Raptors into an 18-point lead.

Biyombo picked up his third personal foul with 8.9 seconds left when he blocked James going for the hoop.

James made both free throws, and the first half ended with Toronto leading 57-41.

and Toronto led by 18.

Irving made two 3-pointers in the third minute to trim the lead to 10, and J.R Smith’s 3-pointer cut the margin to seven with just under nine minutes left in the quarter.

DeRozan made two free throws with 6:13 left in the third to increase the edge to 13. The lead was 15 with 3:59 left on Lowry’s layup.

Chameera out of England tour with a back injury

SRI Lanka have suf- m i k a P r a s a d w i t h a fered a further injury shoulder injury. setback ahead of the second Test against England with pace bowler Dushmantha Chameera set to miss the rest of their tour with a stress fracture of the back.

Chameera, 24, who took three wickets as Sri Lanka lost the opening Test by an innings and 88 runs, could be out Dushmantha Chameera of action for up to four has played five Test months. matches for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka are also missing seamer DhamThe second Test starts

on Friday.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera has already been added to the Sri Lanka squad in place of Prasad, who may miss the remainder of the three-Test series and the five limited-over internationals and Twenty20 match to follow.

A statement from Sri Lanka Cricket said electors will meet in the next 24 hours to pick a replacement for Chameera, who could be out for up to four months. (BBC Sport).

Smith’s 3-pointer, with 1:43 left, cut Toronto’s lead to eight. The Raptors led 78-69 after three quarters.

The Cavs scored the first five points of the fourth quarter. The lead was down to one point with 10:15 to play when Frye made his second straight 3-pointer.

James gave the Cavaliers a brief one-point lead, and the advantage alternated as the teams exchanged hoops

in the middle minutes of the fourth quarter.

A dunk by Richard Jefferson with 6:24 to play and two free throws by James 20 seconds later put Cleveland ahead, 92-89. Lowry tied the game on a layup and made the free throw to tie the game.

DeRozan made two free throws with 3:59 to play, and Toronto led by two points.

After a Cleveland turnover,

Carroll made one of two free throws for a three-point lead.

With 2:43 left, Lowry made one of two free throws for a four-point Toronto lead.

Biyombo sank one of two free throws with 2:22 left, and the Raptors led by five points.

Irving hit a 3-pointer with two minutes to play, trimming the lead to two.

DeRozan’s short jumper got the lead up to four.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

AB de Villiers pulls off a heist as RCB reach third IPL final

THE question ahead of the IPL 2016 Qualifier 1 between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Lions was: how can the Suresh Raina-led Gujarat overcome the unstoppable Virat Kohli?

After managing to post 158 on an uncharacteristically tricky M Chinnaswamy stadium at Bangalore, Gujarat found the answer in Dhawal Kulkarni, when the bowler got rid of Kohli for a second-ball duck - his first in 51 T20 innings - in the second over.

Kohli went for a cut, but the back-of-length delivery didn’t bounce much and the RCB skipper played on to his stumps.

Kulkarni (4-1-14-4) went on to rip apart RCB’s famed top-order. Chris Gayle (9) and KL Rahul (0) perished in Kulkarni’s second over which was a maiden. Ravindra Jadeja (4-0-21-2) chipped in with the wicket of Shane Watson (1) and Kulkarni then scalped Sachin Baby (0). After the end of powerplay overs, RCB were in a middle of a royal meltdown at 31 for 5.

Gujarat had made a stellar comeback after being nine for three to post a decent score, riding on Smith 41-ball 73.

And now, the underdogs despite topping the standings

- coming in to the game, were in total command of the situation and looked set for their maiden final.

For RCB, their hopes

and only de Villiers applied himself well and understood the pace of the wicket. Stuart Binny played a crucial innings 21 off 15 balls to hand RCB

Player-of-the-match AB de Villiers creams a six down the ground. The South African maestro blasted 79 off 47 balls to rescue RCB from 29 for 5. could only be pinned on a certain AB de Villiers.

And the South African ‘Superman’ delivered with a brilliant unbeaten 47-ball 79-run knock to help RCB sneak through to their third IPL final by four wickets.

Generally known to be a batting paradise, the Bangalore track yesterday was dry, the ball gripped and turned

some kind of momentum.

Binny was sent back by Jadeja and de Villiers then shifted gears.

Shadab Jakati (3-0-450) had a horrible day with the ball. de Villiers hammered 19 runs off the eight balls he faced from the Goa bowler. Binny had clobbered 14 off the five he faced from the off-spinner.

Gujarat started to lose the plot.

Kulkarni was bowled out, so was Jadeja - their best bowlers. Dwayne Smith came on and 14 runs where taken off him. Iqbal Abdulla (33* off 25 balls), who had taken two wickets in Gujarat’s innings, proved to be an unlikely ally for the South African.

Batting for the first time in the tournament, the lefthander rotated the strike well and even managed to hit a few over the fence. His association with de Villiers accounted for a crucial and match-winning 91 runs for the sixth wicket. de Villiers was in full swing and Praveen Kumar bore the brunt giving away a four and a six in the 17th over. Abdulla then sealed it with three consecutive fours off Dwayne Bravo and the target was overhauled two balls into the 19th over, a total jail-break.

Earlier, Smith waged a lone battle with a valiant knock to lend some kind of respectability to the Gujarat total that finished at 158 all out. The rest of the Gujarat batting line-up, however, were guilty of throwing away their wickets owing to poor shot selection. (Times of India)

Easy wins for Djokovic and Nadal, Murray survives, Kerber out

By Martyn Herman PARIS, France (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams barely got their shoes dusty at the French Open yesterday but two of the top five women’s seeds went out and Andy Murray survived

the first round by the skin of his teeth.

Wo r l d n u m b e r o n e Djokovic, back on the Philippe Chatrier Court w h e r e S t a n Wa w r i n k a snatched the title from his grasp a year ago when a career slam loomed, crushed Taiwan’s Lu Yen-hsun 6-4,

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday May 25, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) &AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Ishant Sharma (RPS) (2) Lendl Simmons (MI)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Which team has already progressed to the IPL 2016 final?

(2) How many runs RCB’s Virat Kohli made in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2016?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

6-1, 6-1.

Nadal found big-serving Australian Sam Groth even more compliant as the Spaniard began his tilt at a 10th Roland Garros title with a 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 victory.

Reigning champion and top seed Williams completed the Chatrier programme by polishing off Slovakia’s Magdalena Rybarikova 6-2, 6-0.

Predictable, day three most definitely was not, though.

Germany’s Angelique Kerber, who four months ago downed Williams to win the Australian Open, was sent tumbling out by flying Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens who won 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

Third seed Kerber was troubled by a shoulder injury while later fifth seed Victoria Azarenka, the former world number one, hobbled out with a knee injury against Italy’s Karin Knapp when she trailed 4-0 in the deciding set.

The women’s draw has now lost three of the top sev-

en seeds after Italian Robert Vinci’s demise on Monday.

“First rounds are always tough in the tournament, especially for me. What can I say? It happens,” Kerber told reporters.

It rarely happens to the leading men though.

Djokovic has not exited a slam in the first round since the 2006 Australian Open and a repeat never looked possible as he began a familiar quest for the one major title to elude him.

“It’s not the first time that I’m experiencing such anticipation and expectations,” Djokovic said.

“Whether or not I’m going to have a chance to fight for a trophy that’s in Almighty’s hands, I can’t influence that, but I can certainly give my best.”

Nadal’s only taste of a round-one defeat came at Wimbledon three years ago and there was never any chance of another meltdown as he leaked just three unforced errors.

Windies to warm up against Barbados Select XI today THE West Indies team preparing for the upcoming tri-nation series against South Africa and Australia starting in June, will play the first of two warm-up matches against a Barbados Select X1 today at the Kensington Oval.

The second match is to be played at the 3W’s Oval on Friday, May 27.

Both matches will be day/night contests under lights and will start at 2pm each day.

The international series starts in at the Guyana National Stadium and runs from June 3 to 7 before moving to Warner Park, St Kitts for the next round of games from June 11 to 15. The final round of games will be played at the Kensington Oval in Barbados from June 19 to 26.

The schedule sees West Indies vs South Africa on June 3 at the Guyana National Stadium where West Indies play Australia on June 5.

Australia take on South JOHNSON CHARLES Africa on June 7.

South Africa will go up against Australia at Warner Park on June 11 with the West Indies taking on Australia on June 13. The St. Kitts leg of the trip will conclude on June 15 when West Indies play South Africa.

The Barbados leg of the trip starts on June 19 with the Australians battling South Africa at the Kensington Oval. West Indies then challenge Australia on June 21 before taking on South Africa on June 24.

The final has been scheduled for Sunday, June 26.

The full West Indies squad includes Jason Holder (Captain), Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Jonathan Carter, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Shannon Gabriel, Sunil Narine, Ashley Nurse, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Marlon Samuels and Jerome Taylor.

National junior Karate Championships scheduled for Sunday THE Guyana Karate Federation will host its National Junior Karate Championships in celebration of the 50th Golden Jubilee of Independence of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

The tournament is set for Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH). The weigh-in for competitors will start at 09.00hrs, while the elimination round will begin at 10.00hrs.

The official tournament opening will start at 13.00hrs followed by the Final rounds. Competitors in the 6-8, 9-11, 12-14 and 15-17 age groups will be competing not only for the top spots but also for the opportunity to represent the federation on the international stage. The Olympic disclosed that World Karate Federation (WKF) rules will be used.

Trophies for 1st, 2nd, 3rd places will be donated by the National Sports Commission and presented to the winners at the end of the tournament.

The tournament is open so members of the public are encouraged to come out and support Guyanese youths who are developing themselves through the teachings of Karate.

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Hooper’s sprint double highlights Jubilee Track and Field Meet NATRENA Hooper’s sprint double, Rupert Perry’s win of the men’s 100m and performances by Kenisha Phillips and Andrea Foster were just some of the outstanding Guyana Defence Force’s performances of the day at the Jubilee Track and Field Meet, held last Sunday at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

Hooper took the women’s 100m win in a time of 11.4s to finish the race ahead of Aniquah Powley who clocked 11.7s. Third in the race was Police’s Kezia Bess with 12.1s. Hooper then followed that up by emphatically winning the 200m event.

Phillips, who found herself out of the Girls’ 1416 100m after suffering a false start, went on to record wins in the 200m and 400m

sprints of her category.

On the men’s side GDF’s Perry was in fine form as he blazed his way to a 10.1s finish in the 100m, where he finished ahead of clubmate Akeem Stewart (10.30s).

Coming in for third place was Police’s Kevin Abbensetts in 10.4s.

In the men’s 400m, Police Arinze Chance clinched the first-place position, ahead of Kareem Purch and Wayne Harlequin. Chance took victory in a time of 48.9s, just

Youth Basketball Guyana school games continue Rupert Perry blazes his way to a win in the men’s 100m.

Sensei Dunbar, nine-year-old black belt Sadella Britton honoured

CHIEF Instructor Sensei Winston Dunbar and nine-year-old black belt Sadella Britton were honoured by the Guyana Wado Ryu Karate Association at the Association’s Annual Junior championships which coincided with Guyana’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Sensei Dunbar and Britton were both presented with trophies with Dunbar receiving the honour for achieving 50 years as a martial arts practitioner while Britton was declared the leading junior karateka over the past year.

The junior competition, sponsored

by Banks DIH Limited, was held at the Sports Club at Thirst Park recent-

before Purch’s 49s finish. It took Harlequin 49.3s to make it to the finish line in time for third.

In the women’s 400m, Hooper was upstaged by CARIFTA Games bronze medallist Andrea Foster.

Foster’s speed endurance was the deciding factor as she closed and surpassed Hooper in the final 20m to pull out the win in a brisk 59 secs flat. Hooper clocked 59.4s, while Bess placed third in 1:01.3s.

ly and medals were presented to the top performers.

Britton won the Girls’ 6-9 year category with Zuri Waldron finishing in second position.

In other results, Eric Yang won the Boys’ 5-8 years ‘A’ division with second place being captured by Emmanuel Campbell while Kahalfani McAlister finished third.

The Boys’ 5-8 years ‘B’ division winner was Rajkumar Khunder with Justin Oriffield placing second and Allan Lam third.

The Boys’ 5-8 ‘C’ division was won

by Mahir Rajkumar who came out ahead of Anand Persaud and V. Naraine.

Derangali Naraine won the Girls’ 5-8

‘A’ category ahead of Tinashe Graig and Vasanna Persaud.

Cyron Nedd secured victory in the Boys’ 9-11 ‘A’ division with D’Anfernee Cush in second spot while Abhinav Singh copped first place in the Boys’ 9-11 ‘B’ category ahead of D’Andre Rose.

The Girls’ 12-14 division went to Nandanie Kuldip who won over Allicia Benjamin while Shay Britton copped first place in the Boys’ 12-14 ‘A’ division beating Jayden Craig and Ricky Campbell.

Darren Bobb won the Boys’ 12-14 ‘B’ division ahead of Chivpersaud Ragnauth and Isack Simpson.

Sensei Winston Dunbar and Sadella Britton hold trophies with the other participants.

THE Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) National Schools Basketball Festival, Georgetown & East Coast Regionals continued last weekend at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Some eleven matches were played on the two days with U-14, U-16 and U-19 male match-ups.

In the Under-14 matches, President’s College defeated Queen’s College in a score of 2-0 due to a walkover.

In the second match, St Stanislaus College defeated Plaisance Secondary School 33-8. Nathan Hackett had 13 points, 19 rebounds and 4 steals and Omario Ganeshbin had 10 points and 6 rebounds for Saints. Kelteen Sampson recorded 4 points.

St Rose’s High defeated Tutorial High 9-7. Jaheem Burton had 4 points and 11 rebounds while Jaden Graig added 4 points and 4 points for Rose’s. Jaden Moses had 3 points and 5 steals for Tutorial.

Marian Academy got past Bishops’ High 22-15. Corey Graham had 7 points, 13 rebounds, Jether Harris had 6 points, 9 rebounds and Ethan Fernandes had 5 points for the Marian side. Timothy Richmond had 8 points and 6 rebounds and Duwone Younge had 2 points and 8 rebounds.

In the U-16 male matches, Bladen Hall defeated Queen’s College 23-22. Joshua Gordon had 14 points and Quacey Shortt turned in 6 points, 5 rebounds and 5 blocks for Bladen Hall. Lugard Mohan had 9 points, 11 rebounds and 2 assists for QC. St Joseph High trounced Charlestown Secondary in a blowout that finished 29-8. Shaquavon Gill had 11 points and 5 rebounds while Tahir Meusa had 10 points and 5 rebounds for Joseph. Keoma Henry had all of Charlestown’s points with 4 rebounds.

Plaisance High upstaged Tutorial High 38-23 with Nigel Bowen claiming 13 points, 11 rebounds and 8 steals. Andrew Johnson had 20 points for the winners.

Zion Gray had 13 points and 3 assists for Tutorial.

In the U-19 games St Joseph High demolished Queen’s College 37-12 with Lemuel Grant and Abevia Perry recording 16 and 8 points respectively. Damani Thomas had 9 points, 14 rebounds and 3 steals while Darnell Green turned in 6 points with 16 rebounds for the losers.

Plaisance Secondary ran Tutorial High out the gym, outscoring them, 88-35. Terrence Daniels had 29 points and Nigel Bowen had 12 for Plaisance. Denzel Logan had 10 points for Tutorial.

In the final game of the night Government Technical Institute (GTI) took overwhelmed Bishops’ High in a complete blowout 92-45.

The tournament is sponsored by Digicel Guyana (Bigger Better Network). Edward B. Beharry (Champion) and Company Ltd and Banks DIH LTD (Powerade).

Games continue on Friday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Shooters commended for awesome comeback to retain WIFBSC Short Range Trophy WIFBSC Wogart Cup winner Lennox Braithwaite is presented with his award.

WIFBSC Short Range champs 2016, Guyana, display trophies and medals after winning the WIFB Short Range and Wadadli Cups as well as other Individual trophies and medals. Seated from right are Paul Slowe, Dylan Fields, Mahendra Persaud, Lennox Braithwaite and Ransford Goodluck. Standing from left are Peter Persaud, John Fraser, Terrence Stuart, Sherwin Felicien, Leo Romalho and Ryan Sampson.

FULLBORE captain of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) Mahendra Persaud is high in praise for the awesome performance of his countrymen that propelled them to victory last weekend in Antigua.

The victory ensured the Guyanese riflemen remained Short Range champions of the Caribbean when the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships 2016 ended last Saturday at the Crabbs Rifle Range in Antigua and Barbuda.

The Guyanese shooters found themselves trailing Jamaica and Barbados at the end of the first range (300 yards) of the competition which is the fiercest of all among the top marksmen and women in the Caribbean.

Persaud noted that after they found themselves trailing Jamaica by 4 points (368/372) after the 300 yards, something which is not the norm, they regrouped ahead of the 500 yards shoot.

“At that point I was almost thinking that it was all gone, subsequently we went to 500 and we improved a bit.

Myself and Head Wind coach Paul Slowe had a chat with the team, we shot a little better at 500 having regrouped but not as good as we can shoot.”At the 500 yards range the Guyanese team who had won the 4-man Wadadli Team Shoot on Friday, shot their way back into the lead with a total of 378 to Jamaica’s 367 and Barbados’ 365, the closest nations to the champs.

“Like everyone would say, we were all under the same conditions so if we were having a bad time other teams are probably also having a tough time; so we took courage See page 36

WICB, Digicel ink new 4-year deal

TELECOMMUNICATIONS provider Digicel and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) have signed a new agreement that will, in addition to sponsoring the senior team, also provide backing for the world champion Under-19 and Women’s teams.

All three teams created history earlier this year by winning world titles in their respective competitions.

The men’s senior team became the first team to win the World T20 title twice while the women were winning for the very first time.

In February, the West Indies Under-19 team won the U-19 world title for the very first time.

The new four-year deal will also see Digicel commit to help in the development

WICB and Digicel partnership during the unveiling of the new exciting four-year deal between WICB and Digicel at Kensington Oval yesterday. (Photo by WICB Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography) of coaching clinics across the Caribbean, to find and nurture the cricket stars of the future.

Digicel will also engage

in what has been described as a strong mix of branding and advertising at home games, activations, promotional opportunities and more access

to the teams. And, for the first time ever, the Digicel logo will also have a presence on all West Indies team’s jerseys at ICC events.

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“As part of the WICB’s plan to expand its commercial business, a key component of this strategy was the renewal of the relationship

with our long-term and valued team sponsor. The new partnership meets a number of our strategic commercial goals, and we are delighted to be continuing our long association with Digicel,” said WICB CEO Michael Muirhead.

“Over the past 12 years, Digicel has demonstrated its love of the game of cricket and has helped to bring new excitement to our passionate fans. This new era sees an expanded level of support for all of our teams and a focus on growing the next wave of Caribbean cricket champions in all formats.”

Digicel’s commitment will help the strategic growth of the WICB’s business and provide greater engagement for fans and See page 36 WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2016