Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 25 07 2016

No. 104623

MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

Sanjay’s robbed of millions in cash, jewellery

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One of the vaults that were emptied by the robbers who attacked the Lot 26 Sherriff Street jewellery store late Saturday night (Adrian Narine photo)

DJ ‘Bashment’ killed in accident

Dead: Wavel ‘Bashment’ Sabsook

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13 No clear-cut 7 more victory along detained in ethnic lines 19 Black Bush triple murder Page

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––Ramkarran shares views on Compendium Two of National Census

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

Chronicle journalist wins Heritage Journalism award GUYANA Chronicle Senior Reporter Alva Solomon has been awarded a prize in this year’s edition of the Godfrey Chin Prize for Heritage Journalism.

Solomon is one of several awardees recognised by the judges of the Godfrey Chin Award (GCA) which is administered by the Guyana Cultural Association of

New York, Inc. He was awarded for his submissions which included the article titled “A trip to Ariwa Beach”, which was featured in the Guyana Chronicle in February this year.

The article highlighted the lighter, social side of the El Nino dry weather conditions which were ongoing

Guyana Chronicle journalist Alva Solomon

in the Rupununi at the time.

The awards will be presented to the winners late in August during the Guyana Folk Festival celebrations in Brooklyn, New York.

The Godfrey Chin Prize for Heritage Journalism was established in 2011.

It is inspired by Godfrey Chin’s indefatigable efforts to study and to celebrate Guyana’s rich cultural heritage and creativity.

The prize has been established to encourage and reward writers whose published works promote understanding and appreciation of the diverse strands of Guyanese heritage and contribute to celebrating the commonalities that connect the people of Guyana.

Chin, who has been described as a master raconteur, social history icon and culture enthusiast, passed away in 2012 at age 74.

He was the author of the very popular Nostalgia series in various media, as well as a book– Godfrey’s Nostalgias Golden Memories of Guyana 1940-1980.

He was also a pictorial enthusiast.

Chin had hosted pictorial exhibitions here and at various venues across North America, including Vancouver, Canada and in the US, namely Washington DC, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Orlando.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

Sanjay’s robbed of millions in cash, jewellery

By Svetlana Marshall

FOUR armed bandits invaded Sanjay’s Jewellery late Saturday night, and walked away with millions in cash and jewellery.

Proprietor Sanjay Persaud was held at gunpoint as the robbers executed what could be described as a well-planned robbery.

“They came with umbrellas, and their hats were low down in their faces; very low,” Persaud told Guyana Chronicle as he sat in front of his Lot 26 Sherriff Street jewellery store and home on Sunday, awaiting the return of crime scene investigators.

He had just gotten

home, at around 23:30h on Saturday, when one of the bandits held him at gunpoint as he was about to open his gate.

Warned not to retaliate, he was thereafter grilled by the bandits.

“They asked me ‘where is the studio key?’ I told them it is upstairs. I went (upstairs, and) they asked me ‘where is the camera system?’ I took them, and they took away the DVR. They come down stairs and asked me to open the safe, and I opened the two safes for them,” the businessman recounted.

Each armed with handguns, the men then proceeded to remove more than G$2M from the safes,

which are located in the lower flat of the building.

They also carted off an undisclosed amount of US currency and millions’ worth in jewellery.

Two of the robbers, he said, stood out to him.

“Two of them, their language sound like Dutch, they didn’t (have) that clean Guyanese accent; two of them sounded like Dutch people,” he said.

After the men made good their escape, Persaud immediately sought help by calling 911, but his calls went unanswered.

“I never got on to 911.

I called 912 and a lady answered me, and I told her what happened and she said she will make contact

Sanjay Persaud assisting crime scene investigators probing the robbery with the police; and then I remembered two people off my head and I dialled their numbers,” he said.

Approximately 30

minutes after, police arrived at the scene. Investigations are presently ongoing by the police.

This robbery has oc-

The Sherriff Street Sanjay’s Jewellery Inc branch that was invaded on Saturday night

curred some 13 years after his Lot 48 Sherriff and Garnett Streets’ premises had been robbed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

Democrats in disarray ahead of Clinton nomination

THE head of the Democratic Party resigned on Sunday amid a furor over embarrassing leaked emails, hoping to head off a growing rebellion by Bernie Sanders supporters on the eve of the convention to nominate Hillary Clinton for the White House.

Lingering bitterness from the heated primary campaign between Clinton and Sanders erupted after more than 19,000 Democratic National Committee emails, leaked on Friday, confirmed Sanders’ frequent charge that the party played favourites in the race.

In a statement, DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said the best way for the party to accomplish its goal of putting Clinton in the White House was for her to step aside. Sanders had demanded earlier in the day that Wasserman Schultz resign.

The furor was a blow to a party keen on projecting stability in contrast to the volatility of Republican candidate Donald Trump, who was formally nominated at a raucous convention in Cleveland last week.

It also overshadowed preparations in Philadelphia for Clinton’s coronation as the nominee to face Trump in the Nov. 8 presidential election. She will be the first woman nominated for President by a major US political

Democratic US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks as Senator Bernie Sanders wipes his forehead after he endorsed her during a campaign rally in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, US, July 12, 2016. REUTERS/Brian Snyder party. leaked on Friday by the ‘A RUSSIAN CONNECThe four-day Demo- WikiLeaks website disclosed TION?’ cratic convention will open that DNC officials explored The Clinton camp queson Monday. In some good ways to undermine Sanders’ innews for Clinton, The New surgent presidential campaign, tioned whether Russians York Times reported that including raising questions may have had a hand in the businessman and former about whether Sanders, who is hack attack on the party’s emails and were interested New York City Mayor Mi- Jewish, was really an atheist. chael Bloomberg will enSanders said Wasserman in helping Trump, who has dorse her in a prime-time Schultz, a US representative exchanged words of praise speech on Monday, saying from Florida, had made the with Russian President Vladshe will be the best choice right decision for the future of imir Putin.

“What’s disturbing to for moderate voters in 2016. the Democratic Party. us is that experts are telling The cache of emails “The party leadership must us that Russian state actors also always remain impartial in the presidential nominating broke into the DNC, stole process, something which did these emails and other exnot occur in the 2016 race,” perts are now saying that Russians are releasing these he said. emails for the purpose of

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helping Donald Trump,” Clinton campaign chairman Robby Mook said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort said the Clinton camp was trying to distract from its party discord ahead of the convention.

“What’s in those emails show that it was a clearly rigged system, that Bernie Sanders ... never had a chance,” Manafort said on ABC. Clinton, 68, a former Secretary of State, and Sanders, 74, an independent US senator from Vermont who ran for president as a Democrat, waged a bruising months-long battle for the nomination. Branding himself a democratic socialist, Sanders galvanised young and liberal voters with his calls to rein in Wall Street and eradicate income inequality.

But Sanders repeatedly voiced frustration with a DNC and party establishment he felt was stacked against him, and the resentment from Sanders and his supporters threatened to disrupt the convention.

“I’m not shocked but I’m disappointed,” Sanders said of the emails earlier on Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.”

The emails showed DNC officials pondering various ways to undercut Sanders. Brad Marshall, the DNC’s chief financial officer, apologised on Facebook on Saturday for an email in which he discussed how some voters in upcoming nominating contests in Kentucky and West Virginia would reject an atheist.

“He had skated on saying he has a Jewish heritage,” Marshall wrote in a May 5 email to three top

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DNC officials. No names were mentioned, but Sanders was the only Jewish candidate.

“I think I read he is an atheist. This could make several points difference with my peeps. My Southern Baptist peeps would draw a big difference between a Jew and an atheist.”

Clinton told CBS’s “60 Minutes” in an interview that aired on Sunday that she had not read any of the emails but it was “wrong and unacceptable” to bring religion into the political process.

SANDERS SUPPORTERS ANGRY The emails angered many Sanders supporters who were already dismayed

by Clinton’s choice on Friday of low-key US Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia as her vice presidential running mate. Kaine, 58, who could appeal to independents and moderates, has never been aligned with party liberals.

Sanders, who has endorsed Clinton and will speak on her behalf to the convention on Monday, said he would have preferred she pick US Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, a favourite of the party’s liberal wing, as her Number two.

“I have known Tim Kaine for a number of years. ... Tim is a very, very smart guy. He is a very nice guy,” Sanders said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

“He is more conservative than I am. Would I have preferred to see somebody like an Elizabeth Warren selected by Secretary Clinton? Yes, I would have,” he said.

Carrying pitchforks meant to portray Clinton as the devil, hundreds of Sanders supporters took to the streets of Philadelphia earlier on Sunday to say they felt betrayed by the DNC.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

Battered by climate change

-- small island states turn to selling passports TO prospective tourists, the tiny Caribbean nation of Dominica markets itself as the ‘Nature Island’, touting its charms as “a diver’s dream and hiker’s paradise”.

But when Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit recently toured the Persian Gulf and Southeast Asia to woo foreign investors, his unique selling point was neither his country’s colourful coral reefs nor its lush rainforests.

Rather, it was visa-free travel to Europe: for as little as US$100,000, foreigners can acquire citizenship of the Commonwealth of Dominica – and a passport that allows them to travel unimpeded to over 100 countries worldwide, including the United Kingdom and the entire Schengen zone.

Such economic citizenship programmes, which are being run by several small island states in the region, have raised concerns that terrorists, criminals and other shady characters could buy Caribbean passports to evade justice, slip into Europe and North America through the back door, or squirrel away billions in stolen public money in tropical tax paradises.

Defenders of the programmes counter that, in a fiercely competitive global economy, some small island nations have few other ways to raise Government revenue, attract private sector investment, and cope with the consequences of climate change.

Dominica seems a likely case in point. In the years after independence, the island’s small-scale farmers made ends meet by growing bananas for export, until the World Trade Organisation forced the European Union to end its preferential treatment of local growers of the crop. Hopelessly outcompeted by commercial plantations in Central and South America, the Dominican banana trade collapsed.

Much of the island’s modest manufacturing base also folded in the face of global competition, further adding to the ranks of the unemployed.

A revolving cast of foreign patrons including the Chinese Government, Libya’s Gaddafi, Venezuela’s Chavez, and the King of Morocco occasionally

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit jumped in to help the rulers of the mini-state to continue paying civil servants’ salaries and make modest investments.

Then, in August 2015, disaster struck in the form of Tropical Storm Erika, which according to the World Bank wiped out 90 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product in the space of a few hours.

The storm left much of Dominica’s infrastructure in ruins, and sent its prime minister scrambling from one global citizenship fair to the next in a bid to raise cash.

“After Tropical Storm Erika, the citizenship by investment programme was a lifeline,” said Vince Henderson, Dominica’s permanent representative to the United Nations. “It’s a major source of state revenue.”

Budget projections for the current financial year forecast US$26 million in revenue from the programme, enough to cover the entire national education budget of a country less than 30 miles across that has only 72,000 residents.

In January 2016, the Government announced that the programme was exceeding all expectations, raising US$46 million during the first six months alone.

Micha-Rose Emmett, the managing director of CS Global Partners, a London-based company that promotes the Dominican programme on the Government’s behalf, explained that Dominica is very competitive in terms of price – at US$100,000, its passports cost less than half of what its closest competitors charge – and “very fast processing times” of less than three months.

Argentina ex-leader not afraid of jail

FORMER Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner says she is not afraid of going to prison as a result of the corruption charges she faces.

Ms Fernandez has been accused of making fraudulent currency transactions during her time in office, a claim she denies.

In an interview with several media outlets, she rejected the allegations as politically motivated.

She says she is paying the price for her generous welfare and nationalisation policies.

“When you make decisions like these, it’s clear that you risk going to jail and being politically persecuted,” she told a group of foreign correspondents at her Patagonian estate.

“I’m not afraid of going to jail, at all.”

Ms Fernandez led the country between 2007 and 2015 and was replaced in December by the centre-right Mauricio Macri.

In May she was charged with allegedly ordering irregular central bank transactions in the US dollar futures market. Earlier this month her assets were frozen.

Some of her closest aides are also being investigated for alleged mishandling of

Ms Fernandez spoke to foreign correspondents at her home in El Calafate, Patagonia

convent in Buenos Aires.

Ms Fernandez dismissed the incident as the kind of thing that could beset any Government.

“I don’t want to minimise anything, but I think those are episodes that can take place for any Government,” she told the reporters.

The Roman Catholic Church in Argentina has recently launched an investigation into whether four nuns at the Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima religious community helped to hide the hoard. (BBC)

Former public works secretary Jose Lopez (c) was arrested outside a convent public funds.

Her former public works secretary, Jose Lopez, was allegedly caught stashing bags of cash and jewels in a

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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 Haags Bosch Landfill

THE Haags Bosch landfill contract which was signed on 14th July is up in controversy. A group is claiming it has not been justly treated in the examination and awarding of this contract.

This newspaper has, on more than one occasion, editorialised on the necessity of having the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) established. One does not have to be a rocket scientist -- but just be paying attention to public perceptions, some of which are not without justification -- to know that once Cabinet retains control of the tender process, it will continue to be marred by controversies and accusations.

Cabinet functions as an exclusive body, with the public becoming the beneficiaries of its ‘ins and outs’ based on what is reported by a member or attendee of this grouping. Past PPP/C governments have been accused of abusing the tendering process and dispensing contracts at times not in keeping with established laws and ethical standards. There are in the society –- and persons can easily recall -- numerous cases of major contracts being single-sourced; equity and justice being absent in the awarding of contracts; shoddy work being done, or expired goods being supplied.

In fairness to the APNU+AFC government, when its parties were in the opposition, they condemned the practice of Cabinet awarding contracts, and pushed for the establishment of the PPC. The group, when in opposition, also pushed for the removal of the no-objection clause by Cabinet in the Procurement Act. What is clearly being seen is that, in the absence of the PPC, the present controversy should come as no surprise to the Government. Finance Minister Winston Jordan recently said that at least 70 per cent of the National Budget goes towards the procurement of goods and services. This is a tremendous amount of the nation’s financial resources.

As such, it requires prudent planning and execution, so as to derive the best available goods and services for the people.

Should it be established, The PPC must be an organization that is open to the public; one presenting persons with opportunity to question decision(s),

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

Expired goods being sold at Port Mourant Market Dear Editor,

IT is now becoming epidemic and frustrating to see the high volume of expired goods that are being circulated and sold to consumers at the Port Mourant Market. The prevalence of expired goods at the market has increased rapidly over the past few weeks.

It was observed that retailers at the market have removed the expiry dates printed on the items by the

manufacturers and stamped a later date. Consumers are conned into believing that the products sold have not expired as yet and due to the reduced costs, they are purchasing in large quantities. Some of these items are butter, bottled juices, Ovaltine, biscuits and other confectionery, carbonated, etc.

Mr Editor, these practices are illegal and unhealthy to the nation’s population and economy. A continuation of this practice will in

the immediate future cause widespread incidence of food-related poisoning and possibly deaths in Region Six. To date, the Environmental and Health Inspection Unit of the Government has made no attempt to get these expired goods off the market stalls. With each passing week, the volume of expired goods keeps increasing and so is the number of victims susceptible to food poisoning.

Members of the public

need to be educated on these illegal practices and its dire consequences, so as to make healthier decisions before purchasing these items. It will be most grateful if the Government’s Environmental and Health Inspection Unit do something as soon as possible so as to get these items off the stalls of the Port Mourant Market.

Yours sincerely, DAVID BRIGBHUKAN

Skeldon High School registration fee too high Dear Editor, THE result slips for the Grade Six Exams have July 22 for parents to register children. Almost 200 parents turned up at Skeldon High School and not even one teacher came to do the registration. They didn’t even have the man-

ners to put the notice on television or something.

People don’t have time to waste.

The next thing too is this blood test business. How come parents have to do children’s blood tests and walk with the results and $5000 before they register the children?

and allowing for mechanisms to be put in place to have decisions reviewed. This approach to handling the business of the State and Government lends itself to more transparency.

In the specific case of the Haags Bosch contract, what is obvious in the exchange between the Ministry of Committees and the aggrieved bidder is that the bidder has questioned the decision of the Government by writing to the said ministry. The bidder has said the ministry denied a request to engage it in a review prior to the signing of the contract. The ministry has not publicly denied this.

The absence of denial by the ministry can be construed as acknowledgement of the claim made by the bidder, and this highlights another concern in the delivery of governance. The people’s condemnation of the absence of civility and ethical conduct by government officials, elected and appointed, is still fresh in the memory of this nation.

The APNU and AFC, when in opposition, had empathised with the nation and had expressed consternation when the stated concerns were practised.

Efforts must be made, as a matter of priority, to ensure ethical and civil practices in the conduct of government’s business; in the process, restoring the people’s confidence in their government.

With the recent establishment of the Protest Bid Committee (PBC), which is expected to hear the complaint, this

The secretary of the school who is the hospital dentist’s wife said all the children have to get blood tests and we would have to pay $5000 when they are ready to do registration.

Blood tests are done every year, but this price is too hot now.

Not everybody can line up at the Skeldon Hospital for a blood test. Some people went to private doctors. Come on, man.

Where can poor people find that kind of money?

Yours co-operatively, INDERJIT RAMPERSAUD

arguably may be the first step in ensuring some integrity and sanity are returned to the manner in which State contracts are awarded.

It is expected that the protesting bidder would be given adequate notice to appear before the PBC, and preliminary meetings would be held with the bidder to outline the procedures that have to be followed. Given that this is the PBC’s inaugural meeting and all eyes would be on the panel, it should seek -- in this environment where suspicions run high -- to operate in a manner that, at the conclusion of its work and the publication of its finding, justice is not only served, but appears to have been served.

Where the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has failed to act with deserving haste to have the nominees of the PPC presented to Parliament to be voted on, now that Parliament is in recession, the opportunity to bring universal acceptance and credibility to the procurement process is once again delayed.

While the PAC chairman is from the Opposition PPP/C, it is not to the APNU+AFC government’s and Guyana’s advantage not to have the PPC constituted. This is an unfortunate place for the Executive and Legislature to find themselves; and the country cannot continue to be governed with these internecine allegations, conflicts and absence of constitutional bodies.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

Can the traditions of Indigenous people help us reverse climate change?

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By Patricia Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary-General

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ROM above, Guyana’s Iwokrama tropical rainforest reserve is a feast for the eyes: Acres and acres of lush, green vegetation, interrupted by meandering rivers with pristine mirrored surfaces. And beneath the seemingly never-ending stretch of treetops is an explosion of exotic life, including at least 1,250 plant species, more than 500 species of birds; and endangered giants such as the world’s largest otter, river turtle, anteater, caiman and fresh water fish.

The stunning Iwokrama is at the centre of the Guiana Shield - one of four remaining tropical rainforest ecosystems in the world. For many this is a prime tourist destination, but for Sydney Allicock, Guyana’s fourth Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, this is home. At the invitation of the President of Guyana, David Granger, we visited the centre together to discuss recent developments.

A member of the indigenous Macushi tribe, Minister Allicock grew up in Surama village, just outside the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, which was jointly founded by the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat.

His father Fred helped to set up and manage the Centre.

It was our starting point for a voyage through the nearly one million acres of reservation lands. As we travelled, the minister told me about his battle to protect the delicate and invaluable ecosystem, often referred

The Iwokrama River Lodge and Research Centre

Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock to as the lungs of the earth.

The ancient wisdom and practices of the Macushi people, he says, may hold the answers to averting the impending doom of climate change.

“Today I see a circle, we are coming back to a recognition of the value of the indigenous way of life and our principles about how we treat the environment, how we conserve and take just what we need, not be greedy. We need to understand

our role in the ecosystem, so we can benefit from the forest while keeping it in its pristine state,” he tells me as we stand in the shadow of the roaring, majestic Kaieteur Falls - the world’s highest single-drop waterfall.

For centuries, the indigenous people in Guyana co-existed in harmony with the animals and plants around them. For many of these communities, every life -- from

the tiniest creature to the great monsters of the wild -- is sacred and respected. Often these values and beliefs are dismissed as primitive and mystical.

Unfortunately, for centuries, our attitude was that we could take whatever we want from the earth without consequences -- until the day we woke up to the fact that killing our forests and polluting our atmosphere were acts

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland and Minister Allicock with guides at the majestic Kaieteur Falls

of mass suicide. And now we are hurtling toward disaster at a frightening pace, and we are still not really motivated to change our actions.

Today’s reality is that 14 to 16 million hectares of rain forest are lost every year, and deforestation is thought to be responsible for 20 per cent of the global emissions of greenhouse gasses.

Caribbean Leaders met in Guyana this week at the Caribbean Community summit.

Dominica was due to host the meeting, but couldn’t because the country is still recovering from the economic blow dealt by hurricane Erika, which took lives and swiped 90 per cent of that country’s GDP in minutes.

These are the realities of climate change - the enemy of economic stability and sustainable debt management.

This is why helping countries to honour agreements made in December at the COP21 climate change summit is one of my priorities.

Since taking office, I have hosted a high-level dialogue on climate change to capture the views of experts and thought leaders on the topic, so that we could better shape our response.

The Commonwealth Secretariat has proposed the new Multilateral Debt Swap idea to discount loan repayments

to the value of climate action.

We are also establishing our Climate Finance Access Hub, which will help countries access some of the substantial amount of money already pledged for climate change mitigation.

But we also absolutely need to support Iwokrama and the centre; firstly, because the world cannot survive without its lungs, and secondly because of all the critical research and innovation happening there.

I was particularly impressed with its involvement in biodiversity initiatives and cutting-edge ‘biomimicking’ projects, which could copy nature’s processes to help the world heal itself. What makes the centre really interesting is that it is plugged in to the wisdom of the indigenous people, who can share ideas about how to benefit from our planet’s resources without causing it harm.

My hope is that hundreds of years from now, my great-great-greatgranddaughter will be able to hop on to her solar-powered hover craft and glide across the Iwokrama rain forest, and enjoy the delights of nature that I experienced this week. If we fail to reverse climate change, there might be no Iwokrama for her to visit.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland listens carefully to a point being made by Minister Allicock

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

VILLAGE ECONOMY

Victorians are a proud and intense people

By Margaret Burke MUCH has, so far, been said about Victoria village: some of its challenges and despair, its visions and accomplishments, some triumphs; as well as plans that will see much more positive developments taking place.

Victoria Village was birthed out of a major struggle that saw victory in the end. Our forefathers fought, bought, and then settled, to a large extent, in this ‘first’ village. Their struggles could not be in vain, and so it is

that with zest and determination they must continue to triumph.

Most of the villagers are tremendously hopeful.

With the emergence of a new administration and the introduction of systems that would directly impact their lives, there is heightened expectation that they will not be disappointed. The battle to recover and sustain the economic ventures that were once well established, while at the same time moving into new areas of economic activity are well on the way. This is not to say, however, that

there are not those who have major concerns; and while many people care and would like to see the day when there is change for the better in the village, some feel that they must be apprehensive, and do express some anxieties.

This situation is even more obvious among the elders in the village.

VICTORIANS ARE A PROUD PEOPLE The people of Victoria seem almost always to be a happy people, even at ‘wakes’ and/or funerals.

In the midst of all the sor-

torians are known to most of the rest of Guyana, but those who are and will always be positioned in the hall of fame in Victoria are people who, through their ancestors, found a place in the village and in their country; worked hard, and in some cases continue to work hard (some behind the scenes) to ensure that villagers have a taste of the good life.

The names of people who have made their mark, not only in the village but in the country, are Professor Harold Lutchman, former Vice-Chancellor of the Uni-

Stanley Roberts, and many others, some of whom were mentioned before.

There are also those in the diaspora who take a special interest in the village.

CULTURE AND SPORT The Victoria Kings football team has managed to pull through, and in the recent changing of the guard, which saw Attorney Rexford Jackson become the new president of this organisation, there are some great plans in store. Attorney Jackson said football

“…football and other sports in the community can be used as a catalyst for change. Sports, once properly organised and developed, can give young people an opportunity to contribute in meaningful ways to their community.”

Victoria Kings Executive:In the top row, from left, are Attorney Rexford Jackson, president; vice-president, Carlotta De Jesus; treasurer Kenwyne Nurse; secretary Calvin Marks; team manager Delon Vangronigen; and Anu George, equipment manager

One of Guyana’s finest drummers, Mr. Nigel “Jilly” Fraser

row, someone somewhere among the villagers would find something to say or do to make people laugh. The village people can safely be described as a proud but intense people.

And indeed there are many Victorians who are accomplished scholars in various areas of aptitude.

Almost, if not altogether, every family in the village is represented in this category.

It is said that all Victorians are related by blood, even though some are closer related than others. After some quick socialising with folks in the village, one would realise that almost all of them can explain how they are related to many others within the village.

The names of many Vic-

versity of Guyana; Justice Jo-Ann Barlow; famous master sculptor Ivor Thom; Attorney-at-Law Rexford Jackson; Doreen Butcher, educator, agriculturist and community activist; former CEO and Land Surveying Specialist Leon Rutherford; former Village Chairman

Part 3

has always been the predominant sport in Victoria, and involvement of the young people in the village has been overwhelming.

Attorney Jackson declared that the Victoria Kings Football Club remains a football powerhouse on the East Coast of Demerara. It con-

Renowned Sculptor Ivor Thom tinues to be the only club on the East Coast to have won the prestigious Kashif and Shangai Tournament.

Over the years, many of the players have represented Guyana at the junior and senior levels.

The football programme is spearheaded by Mr Andre Huntley (coach), who has been working assiduously to develop and hone the

Victoria Kings under–17 footballers

See page 11

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

Kuribrong mining family calls for help ––following harassment, alleged shooting by another miner

By Ariana Gordon

A MINING family currently operating at Kuribrong in the Potaro area of Region Eight is calling on the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to intervene in a land dispute there.

Ruby Carrington, her sons and nephews, who were earlier this year caught mining on what has been deemed State property in the Kuribrong area and were issued a cease work order, now fear for their lives as another miner, Sheik Halfroze, is allegedly harassing and threatening them.

According to Carrington, who spoke with Guyana Chronicle on Thursday while in Georgetown, she is tired of the runaround and lack of protection she and her family receive at the hands of the police.

“Since Easter time he come in with the warden and they tell we must move out of the place… He personally come back and chop down the pipe and box…

When we go to Bartica Police Station and report it…they didn’t take no report -- do nothing about the matter,” she explained.

The frustrated woman said she is now before the court, as Halfroze sued her for $10M. Halfroze, she said, is claiming that she and her son Devon Davis have damaged his property and continuously carry persons on his land. “I cannot stop people from going on the land,” she told Guyana Chronicle.

The frustrated woman claimed Halfroze went into the mining location last Sunday and shot at the dredge and mining camp. She said she, her family and the workers fear for their lives.

“We have nowhere to work…we need the place to work… we want to work honestly,” the woman told this publication.

Her nephew, Shane Jacobs, said: “We are being ‘fight down’ all the time by Sheik Halfroze, who is claiming that the place we are on right now is his own.”

Jacobs said Halfroze is not the only person claiming the land, but the GGMC has thus far failed to state who the land belongs to.

“Last week Sunday he was in my pit, testing the pit and saying the land is his own and he working right there…I end up retaliate towards him, telling him he can’t work there. I tell he if it is he own, bring the lawyer and documents and I would withdraw from the place… He said that if he Government was in power he would have done move me out of there with force,” Jacobs recounted.

The miner said he is tired of the threats being made by Halfroze, and is calling on the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment to in-

tervene. He said he wants the GGMC to state clearly who is the owner of the land, so that the way forward can be formulated.

SOMETHING COOKING UP “I was made to understand the land is not his own, and he buy an alternative from a man name Telford Layne; and for me, something cooking up in GGMC… I would like the Government to seek into this, also GGMC to come and verify this place, to solve the problem going on now in Kuribrong with

Junior Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Simona Broomes Sheik Halfroze; because every time he keep molesting us…”

Jacobs told Guyana Chronicle that last Sunday’s events resulted in workers being afraid to work in the area. “He shoot up with he gun and said I have to leave, and (he) had my men running,” he recalled.

According to the miner, he has invested some $10M to get to the Kuribrong location, and in order for him to be relocated “I have to get money to move…I can’t move from there suh.”

VERIFICATION The frustrated man said if Halfroze is the owner of the land, he is prepared to move; but until he sees an official document to that effect, he will not relocate.

“I am looking to work, but not under those conditions… It is hard and very far…I want GGMC to come to this place

and verify, so we could know once and for all.”

In an article published in Kaieteur News of Sunday, July 24, 2016 under the headline “Gold miner forced off Kuribrong land by raiders”, Halfroze said he acquired the land at Kuribrong in January 2015 by virtue of a Power of Attorney, and discovered raiders on the land at the time of acquisition.

RAIDERS He told Kaieteur News that, in March of that year, he and GGMC mines officers visited the location and cease-work orders were issued. The man said he and his 12 employees are fearful for their lives, as the raiders have been threatening them.

By virtue of an “irrevocable limited Power of Attorney”, Halfroze has the power to sell and operate the mining block, located at the confluence of the Kuribrong and Amaila Rivers in Region Eight.

Contacted for a comment, Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, Simona Broomes, told Guyana Chronicle that the situation is being investigated.

She explained that the investigation started months ago, and, to her surprise, officers of the GGMC have issued a prospecting permit and mining licence to Halfroze.

The minister also said the miners were told they would have to vacate the Kuribrong location. “I did make it clear to them when I visited the location that they have to move… They did mention that the water is high (and there was) no pontoon at the time for them to come out…but when I visited, I saw the camp and all of that… I did not see the dredge working, so they said that as soon as the water dropped they would have moved.”

Minister Broomes told Guyana Chronicle she was informed that a syndicate has been formed with other persons, and those miners have applied to Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Raphael Trotman, for allocation of land in the said area of contention. “…they were waiting to see (if the) syndicate (would) get the place,” the minister stated. She said an instruction was handed down for all matters relative to the specific contentious area to be halted, pending the outcome of investigations.

“At that time, they (complaining miners) had said the mines officers chop down their box and took their gold. I later learnt that, in spite of that, a prospecting licence was granted,” Minister Broomes added.

According to Minister Broomes, the miners complained that other persons entered into arrangements with the GGMC

mines officers and received letters permitting them to work in areas that are deemed mineral rich.

“This is of concern to me…. What I have seen is, on the 16th January, a gentleman made an application for an area; on the same 16th January, he then gave a miner Power of Attorney for the said plot of land. It demonstrated that the applicant was absolutely positive that he would get the land,” Minister Broomes declared.

She said it is only fair to the parties involved in the dispute that the matter be solved before the GGMC proceeds with allocating any portion of the land in dispute.

“The influence of the applicant is not only of great concern to the miner, but to me as well. In spite of my instruction on the investigation, the gentleman was granted a prospecting licence days later, against the regulations and policy,” Minister Broomes disclosed.

She also said that Halfroze had applied for a mining licence that was not granted, given the intervention of GGMC Commissioner (ag) Newell Dennison.

BREACH OF REGULATIONS “The persons who are dealing with these matters at Land Management, they are fully well aware of the regulations; and therefore applying for mining licence after receiving a prospecting licence calls for a different process.

The applicant must show some level of prospecting for 3-6 months,” she said.

Minister Broomes made it clear that this is not the first time regulations have been breached by the GGMC, but she said she is not going to “bury my head in the sand and doubt, deny to the media that the allegations that the miners are making with the particular applicant and the arrangement (are) not being investigated”.

The complainants had visited the GGMC to see if the land was available, but they were told it was a cancelled block and, as such, they cannot now apply for it.

“So while legitimately they wanted to apply, they were denied applying for it because the place was not available.

But these other applicants, who have no dredge and are not in a stranded position, just showed up and get a licence,” she declared.

The minister made it clear that she has several concerns about the particular issue, and has submitted to Minister Trotman a confidential report that contains several recommendations.

“I cannot defend something that is unclear and questionable; it is something that needs to be addressed, and urgently,” Minister Broomes stressed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

Some things you may not know about child abuse SO August school vacation is here, and the children are home; you can see them everywhere you turn: some attending summer camps and summer schools; some riding their bicycles, or just hanging out with friends; and some walking about the market places selling seasoning, pears or other vegetables and goods.

Did you know it is against the law for children to be ‘selling’, and that this is a form of child abuse? Parents are meant to work to provide the necessities for their children, not the other way around. If a parent is having a hard time and cannot cope financially, there is public assistance available, and there are other official means and methods by which families in need can receive help.

Did you know that a person has both a legal and moral obligation to report suspected child abuse? This can be done through the

Child Care and Protection Agency, or through the police.

Many adults who may observe or have the notion that something is not right in a family or with a child decide to play it safe and ignore their suspicions. Children suffer because adults fail to take action on their behalf. It is an offence under the Protection of Children Act 2009 for an adult to have knowledge of a child being abused and fail to report this to the authorities.

Did you know it is an offence for anyone to have sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 years old? If a person touches a child in a sexual way, or causes a child to touch someone else in a sexual way, that is sexual abuse, and is punishable by law. Sexual abuse offenders are liable (on summary conviction) for up to ten years’ imprisonment.

Some parents encourage their underage children to partake in sexual activities for

money or kind, and some parents are even the perpetrators of these heinous acts against their children. Under the Protection of Children Act 2009, parents who assist in abusing, or abuse, children in this way can be prosecuted and imprisoned.

Did you know that there are different types of child abuse? Some are more apparent than others. Emotional abuse is when an adult threatens or belittles a child, or when the adult berates a child’s capabilities, appearance or qualities.

Psychological abuse is another abuse that tends to go unnoticed; it is when an adult refuses to listen to a child, makes fun of a child and/or makes the child do degrading things.

This type of abuse can affect a child internally. It can make him/her lack confidence and self-esteem, negative traits which they may carry into adulthood.

So be aware of the law: don’t send your children on the road to ‘sell’ during their school vacation. You can go to prison if you know or think that a child is being abused but fail to tell the police or the Child Care and Protection Agency. The hotline number of this agency is 227-0979. You don’t have to give your name or address in reporting the abuse; you can remain anonymous if you wish.

Do all you can to protect your children from sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse. Care for them the best way you can, especially during the holidays. DON’T PUT YOUR CHILD AT RISK. Parenting tip: Children will follow your example, not your advice. Write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com This message is from the Child Care and Protection Agency of the Ministry of Social Protection.

Salvation Army tackles human trafficking

By Shirley Thomas A MASS gathering of 123 female Caribbean Salvationists, drawn from 11 regional countries, recently met in Barbados for The Salvation Army’s first ever Women’s Leadership Conference .

Held under the theme “Beauty for Brokenness”, the conference held at Al-

mond Court Hotel in Speights Town from July 11 to15, gave insight into the horrors of human trafficking, among other things.

It brought together a band of keenly enthusiastic women from nine regional countries. The countries represented were Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, St Kitts, St Martin, Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the

Grenadines, Grenada and Suriname.

Joining them was a 24-member delegation from the Guyana Division of the Salvation Army, under the command of Divisional Director of Women’s Ministries, (DDWM) Major Carolinda Cumberbatch.

The event was organised by a group of ‘hard working women’ from The Army’s

Territorial Headquarters in Jamaica, said Major Cumberbatch, who identified them as Commissioner Eva Marseille; Lieutenant Colonel Verona Haughton and Major Hazel Griffin.

They were supported by the Women’s Ministry team in Barbados, namely Major Marie Theodore; Major Marcia Morris, as well as the other officers and Women of

The Guyana delegation at the Salvation Army Women’s Conference held in Barbados

the Barbados Division.

Special guest was Colonel Janet Munn, who is the Training Principal of The Salvation Army’s Training College in New York.

Meanwhile, Special Guest Speaker was Jennifer J Johnson, Chair of the Barbados Evangelical Association Women’s Commission and Chair of Evangelical Association of the Caribbean Women’s Commission.

Major Cumberbatch said that the focus of the conference was on justice for the vulnerable in society with special emphasis on women and girls.

“We spent time looking in the Bible to see how the vulnerable women got justice and help us to open our eyes to the injustices in this world and how we can be a part of the solution.”

The DCWM said that one of the main characters looked at was the “Persistent Widow” whose story is recorded in Luke 18:1-8. She was a vulnerable person no one to speak up for her.

She faced an unjust judge who feared neither God nor man but she was persistent in seeking justice. In the end, the judge gave in and she received her justice.

“It reminds us that in today’s world things are similar, but if we are persistent, we would get the victory,”

she concluded.

Major Cumberbatch remarked that Jennifer Johnson, who is the Caribbean Region Representative on the World Evangelical Association Women’s Committee and a member of the World Evangelical Alliance Global Human Trafficking Task force, spoke to the conference “… out of her wealth of knowledge on human trafficking and domestic violence. We were reminded as the church (Body of Christ) we cannot be silent on these issues. It is not just happening in the world but it is happening in our churches as well.”

Evidently heartened and inspired, Major Cumberbatch concluded: “We left the conference more informed and changed persons. We not only listened to the lectures but we participated in the Bible studies with a view to looking at what we can do to be a part of addressing these issues. We had times of praise and worship, praying and covering each other.

One of the highlights was taking some old clothing and making them into new garments which were then model in a fashion show. We were reminded through this exercise that God can take the broken people and things around us and make something Beautiful.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

Showdown continues at Linden Town Council ––Mayor, Councillors clash over urgent business motion

By Vanessa Braithwaite MAYOR of Linden Carwyn Holland and Councillors were caught in a heated discussion on Tuesday at an extraordinary statutory meeting after the Mayor granted Councillor Derron John the permission to move a motion of urgent public business.

Though the request was made at the start of the meeting and permission was given to move the motion at the end of the meeting, this was not favourably accepted by Councillor Lennox Gasper and Councillor Fern McKoy who, in their perusal of Chapter 28:01 of the laws governing the Council, aggressively argued that the Mayor is acting outside of the law.

Councillor Lennox Gasper, who read directly from the law, said an agenda was set for the Extraordinary Meeting and the Council must stick to the agenda. Gasper added that in the law’s provision for motions to be moved without notice, none was mention of urgent public business as requested by Councillor John.

“Mr Mayor, I submit that none of these are a motion for urgent public business, I reiterate that this is an extraordinary business and this business must stick to the agenda,

Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland if we deviate, I will ask to be excused from this because you are going in contravention of the law of this Council,” he contended.

Mayor Holland however contended that the Councillor must be given permission to speak as he was given permission earlier in

the meeting to do so.

“We already gave him a commitment at the start and we got no-objection at the start and now we reach this point and we are looking to deny him that opportunity which I gave him at the start,” the Mayor said as he addressed the Council.

Councillor Fern Mckoy, who was a member of the previous Council, argued that the Council is drifting away from the conditions of the law and the habitual occurrence of doing so will bring serious consequences.

“Mr Mayor why can’t we follow the rules and the policies of this Council, we are drifting away from that and that is not supposed to happen. These things are going to backfire on us Mr Mayor; these things are not supposed to happen,” argued Councillor McKoy. She added: “If we are talking about moving forward Mr Mayor, Madam Deputy this is not the way to go… Mr Mayor you are wrong… I am advising you sir, this is not the way to go,” said McKoy. The veteran Councillor then accused the Mayor of usurping his powers, to which the Mayor denied doing.

Mayor Holland argued that any urgent public business is interest to him and it is in this interest that he will allow for the motion

to be moved. Councillor Lennox Gasper then stormed out of the meeting mentioning that the Council is not operating under the law.

Town Clerk Janella Bowen advised that in accordance with the law, any motion passed that was not a part of the meeting’s agenda will be null and void.

“If we have issues that are raised, recommendations made, discussions made, more than likely the legal aspect will be that they will be null and void because of the structure of the meeting….giving advice, the Council can choose to do whatever.”

Councillor Derron John after listening to the deliberations argued that he should be given a chance to speak as the 28:01 is very clear on this issue. He read the law which stated that “Before the Council proceed to order a member may with the permission of the Mayor or the Deputy make a statement to the Council drawing attention to any alleged breach of privileges or may explain a matter affecting his personal conduct to a member of the Council. He however withdrew to move the motion.

Councillors and members of the public have been publicly complaining about the continuous in-fighting at the newly-elected Council which has been deemed a deterrent to progress.

Victorians are a proud ...

From page 8

skills of all the players.

However, efforts to realise a holistic development of the club have been stymied by the lack of financial resources.

Despite these challenges, the players remain passionate about the sport. Jackson noted that, as president of the club, football and other sports in the community can be used as a catalyst to effect change. Sports, once properly organised and developed, can give young people an opportunity to contribute in meaningful ways to their community.

For some years now, not much emphasis has been placed on the area of culture by members and leaders of the community. There is, however, still a very vibrant and dynamic masquerade band in the village.

“We have one of Guyana’s finest drummers in Mr Nigel Fraser,” Attorney Jackson proudly stated.

VILLAGE DAY With the coming of the Village Day on August 7, things are about to turn around. The programme and activities for the day promise to be very exciting, to say the least. However, much more than all the excitement is the fact that for the day to be as successful as it promises to be, some of the very activities that seemed to have been dead or were dying have to now come alive.

Additionally, according to the architects of this event, there are plans in place to sustain what has now been restarted.

And for the Victoria Village Day, the events will commence with a church service in which there will be prayers for the further upliftment of the village. All denominations are scheduled to take part, and this activity will be held at the Wilberforce Congregational Church.

This event will be fol-

lowed by the unveiling of a mini-arch at the Victoria Public Road.

The Lady Sandels Park (Victoria Ground) is earmarked as the venue where the fun will begin.

Included in the events will be the inter-block competitions, with teams from Belfield (a street away), Victoria North, Public Road, Line and Line-Carla, which is the end of the township.

Among the many games will be football, cricket, circle tennis and “retire race”.

Face-painting will be included.

Cooking will play a major part of the events, and so there will be hot competition, with assorted pepperpot, metemgee, cook-up (with the works), fufu and cow heel soup all vying for the top place. It promises to be good.

A cultural evening, according to the organisers, is simply going to be great.

Booked as part of the events is an African wedding, and

it is hoped that this activity would be a real event, with the bride and groom tying the knot in actual marriage.

But taking prominence will be the presentation of awards, which will honour the top 10 Grade Six students, as well as the top five CXC students from the village.

Culminating the cultural

Victoria Kings Senior Team evening will be the sounds of drums -- the drumming of the drummers at their best for the evening’s activities.

There will also be a historic perspective on the village.

The event will be spiced up with other additions to make it memorable.

Having been put in the mood to listen and enjoy motivating discussions,

there will also be an infusion of ‘ganga time’ -- storytelling in an atmosphere of camp fire. This will also be held at the Victoria Ground.

Most of the village, especially the main thoroughfare, will be taken up for these activities, with booths, tents, tables and other amenities fixed in different places.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

No victimisation, says Dr Hanoman –– notes investigators will examine allegations against GPHC matron

By Shauna Jemmott WHILE it is now official that Director of Nursing Services (Matron) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Sister Collene Hicks has been sent on administrative leave, Board Chairman Dr Carl “Max” Hanoman has assured the Guyana

Nurses Association that victimisation is not a part of this approach.

Dr Hanoman in an invited comment told the Guyana Chronicle that the matron was on Friday handed a letter informing her that she was being sent on administrative leave.

He said the decision to send Hicks on leave was made by GPHC Chief

Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Alan Johnson, who had recommended the decision at a recent meeting with the hospital’s Board of Directors (BODs).

On Friday, the Guyana Nurses Association (GNA) in a press statement expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to send the matron on leave, stating there was no evidence

to support the allegations levelled against her.

At a press conference Thursday, Dr Hanoman announced that Johnson recommended that the matron be sent on administrative leave, while a petition signed by 150 staff nurses and doctors recommended that her services be terminated.

The matron has been accused of not providing enough nurses to support the delivery of healthcare in the various departments and shifting the nurses around the various departments of the hospital, thus obstructing the smooth flow of service delivery.

Complaints of unprofessionalism in service delivery and neglect have also surfaced at the institution, and Dr Hanoman said the institution’s CEO reported that although he had written the matron on several occasions, she refused to follow instructions.

“The CEO wrote her more than once and she did not follow instruc-

Director of Nursing Services (Matron) Sister Collene Hicks that body will have to report to the hospital on the findings.”

He said the CEO has assured the Board of Di-

GPHC Chairman, Dr Carl “Max” Hanoman tions,” Dr Hanoman said Thursday.

The Chairman described the decision as “fair” and gave the assurance that no one will be victimised in the process.

“I thought it was a fair decision, and I think the Nurses Association understands that.”

He explained that the leave is only to facilitate an investigation into the allegations and a move is being made to “set up an investigative body and

rectors that he had enough evidence to support his decision and some 150 staff nurses and doctors had signed a petition recommending the dismissal of the matron.

“We’re not victimising anybody. I’m not taking up sides… It’s just to facilitate an investigation,” Dr Hanoman told the Guyana Chronicle.

He said the BoDs is interested in conducting investigations into the entire system to find out

what are the “failures and faults of the system and try to correct the system” but as the process begins, “people are being drastic and hard.”

“We’re interested in patient care and if that care is compromised in any way, we have to intervene,” Dr Hanoman stated, and added that all systems and departments must be in order so that the hospital can have good patient relations.

IT WILL SHOCK THE NATION The Nurses Association in the statement Friday had also accused doctors at the institution of mis-diagnosing patients, resulting in further complications.

Further, they accused doctors of causing longer periods of hospitalisation and deaths of patients due to incorrect diagnoses and poor management of patients at the country’s main health institution. They said the nation would be in shock if investigations should be launched at departments outside the hospital’s Maternity Unit.

“If deaths in other d e p a r t m e n t s a re i n vestigated like those in the Maternity Unit, it will shock the nation as wrong diagnosis and poor management contribute to an alarming number of deaths and nurses are aware…” the GNA said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

DJ ‘Bashment’ killed in Diamond accident

By Svetlana Marshall

AN EARLY morning accident at Diamond, East Bank Demerara has left Disc Jockey (DJ) Wavel “Bashment” Sabsook of Lot 196 Somatta Point, Grove, EBD dead, and his friend Shamir Ally injured.

Reports reaching Guyana Chronicle indicate that the 31-year-old Sabsook and his friend Ally, who was driving at the time, were proceeding to Grove

at about 03:00h on Sunday when the vehicle in which they were travelling became uncontrollable and toppled several times before bursting into flames near the Distribution Services Limited (DSL) outlet at Diamond. Sabsook was flung from the vehicle and died on the spot.

Family members and friends gathered at Sabsook’s home to comfort his mother, Bibi Sabsook.

“He was my only child,” Bibi said as she fought to

hold back tears. The DJ, well known by his street name “Bashment”, had left his mother and daughter at home on Saturday morning with the promise to return early. He never did.

“He left yesterday morning to go across the river to do some work for somebody,” Bibi said, while explaining that when her son was not working as a DJ, he did electrical and technical work, such as fixing AC units and other equipment.

7 more detained in Black Bush triple murder SEVEN more persons were held on Sunday as police intensify investigation into the triple murder that recently rocked the quiet village of Black Bush Polder.

Divisional Commander Ian Amsterdam told the Guyana Chronicle that 10 persons have been detained thus far and B Division detectives are working close-

repeatedly warned not to fish in the area and the trio was mistaken for those men.

The source said it is just a matter of time before the men crack under pressure and confess to the crime.

Several of the men in custody are said to own rice fields in the vicinity where the murder occurred.

It was related that three

son Alvin Chandradeo had left their home to go on a fishing trip in the backlands.

The young Alvin — Chandradeo’s second child — said they had left for the creek to catch Hassar, and when they reached the irrigation sluice, his father asked him to wait, since they had a bit more distance to go.

Dead: Pawan Chandradeo called ‘Suresh’

Dead: Jaikaran Chandradeo called ‘Kevin’

Dead: Naresh Rooplall called ‘Mice’ and ‘Teekabai’

ly with colleagues at Eve Leary, Georgetown to crack the case.

A source close to the investigations has revealed that of the seven detained, two are believed to have committed the act while the others have knowledge of the crime.

Police are working on the theory that the victims were mistaken for unscrupulous fishermen who would frequent the area, damaging the fences of the rice farmers causing animals to destroy their crops.

The men were allegedly

men Pawan Chandradeo, Jaikarran Chandradeo and Naresh Rooplall were reportedly placed on their knees and then shot at point black range.

The bodies of Chandradeo, 37, called “Suresh” and “Jug Up”; his son Chandradeo, 16, called “Kevin”, and his brother-in-law Rooplall, 35, called “Teeka Bai” and “Mice” were discovered in the Cokrite Creek Savannah last Friday morning by farmers heading to their farms.

The three men, along with Pawan’s 13-year-old

The sluice has a security post, and it was thought that Alvin would be safe there, perhaps for just a few hours, until they returned.

Charandeo was a rice farmer and a father of four.

His teenage son who was gunned down alongside him worked in the rice fields with him.

Only a month ago, Chandradeo renewed his vows with Pam, his wife of 16 years, following a brief separation. Apart from Alvin, he leaves to mourn another son, aged 11, and a nine-year-old daughter.

Dead: Wavel ‘Bashment’ Sabsook After returning from Region Three, Sabsook met with Mohamed at Third Street, Grove. It is unclear how they spent their afternoon, but Bibi believes that drinking was involved.

Nevertheless, up until the accident happened, Bibi was of the opinion that her son might have gone to accompany one of his friends to DJ at a wedding or social reception.

“I woke up and he didn’t come home as yet, so I assumed that somewhere had some wedding or something. And as a man with music, even if it is not his music set play-

ing, he would go and fall in with the other guys; so I went back and I lie down,” she said.

Shortly after 03:00h on Sunday morning, Bibi heard loud shouting: “Bashment live hey!?

Bashment living hey!?” voices asked. Though hesitant at first, Bibi rushed through the door after being informed by the man and woman who had come that her son was involved in a serious accident.

“As they said that, I opened the door and I just rush out, and I said he died; that is what I said.”

Neighbours were quickly alerted, and Bibi

rushed to the scene, where she saw her son’s body covered with his shirt lying motionless in a pool of blood. The police were already on the scene, and she requested to see his remains.

“I raise up his shirt and I know it was my son lying there,” Bibi said.

According to Bibi, the driver of the car was taken to Diamond Regional Hospital for burns he had sustained to his body.

However, he was subsequently transferred to another hospital in the city.

“The driver was drunk.

I am not saying my son wasn’t drunk too; but young people these days, they going to party, if it is not girls is liquor,” the woman posited.

Sabsook leaves to mourn his mother and four-year-old daughter.

Thirty-three- years ago, Bibi had lost her only daughter in an accident that occurred in July. The doctors had ruled that Bibi would be able to get another child; and so, when she conceived Bashment following the death of her daughter, the family had rejoiced with her.

“Tell young people (to) serve God!” Bibi told Guyana Chronicle at the end of the interview, as she broke down in tears.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

Budding musicians complete intense training

By Shirley Thomas

FORTY budding young musicians were last Friday awarded certificates after completing two weeks of intense training in music during a Summer Programme sponsored by Foundation 7 Music School.

The programme, which lasted from July 8 to July

22, provided coaching in five areas: playing the guitar, drums, keyboard and steelpans; and catered for elementary, intermediate, and advanced level students.

Among the invitees at last Friday’s awards ceremony were parents of the participants, including Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Barton and

Mrs Scotland. Young Judah Scotland received two certificates, one from the drum class and another from the guitar class.

During the programme, the audience was treated to inspiring renditions by various categories of the young music makers, who feel good about themselves. There were also impressive testimonials

from representatives of each of the classes, who told of their love for music and what participating in the programme has done for them.

Among the select pieces rendered was one entitled “We are a Chosen Generation” – the combined efforts of all categories of the young musicians programme; as well as, “Let’s be United for Guyana”, by a group of juniors from the New Guyana School, who composed their own song and provided musical accompaniment on drums, guitars and keyboard.

It was a refreshing evening that brought pride and joy to the hearts of the students, parents and their teachers, as well as Foundation 7.

The school’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Reverend Williams, noted that there is need to bring back authentic music, which is a vital part of the learning process and an important part of one’s life.

It’s “a whole new field in a whole new world,” and brings priceless returns that last a lifetime, he said.

He expressed gratitude to coaches, parents and other stakeholders for the time and other resources invested in taking the students successfully through the programme.

Foundation 7 is a music school that was established about eight years ago. It was birthed out of the concern of six people: Reverend and Mrs. Ivan Williams of the Wesleyan Church in Guyana; and

Roy Stewart doing a heartwarming rendition on the saxophone their four children, who are music-oriented and would like to see sophisticated music live on.

MUSIC IS VITAL “We felt there was need to bring back authentic, genuine music to the fore. Music is a vital part in the learning process, and an important part in one’s life…music changes the world,” Reverend Williams said.

Foundation 7 has since been catering to the mu-

sical needs of many students of diversified age groups. Its oldest student is a 94-year-old guitarist, Public Relations Officer Angelisa Alexander said.

“We cater for children who would like to have that certificate, as well as for the musical needs of adults who would like to fulfill that musical pleasure and receive certification, or just want to quench that thirst for playing an instrument,” Alexander asserted.

A section of the gathering at the Foundation 7 summer programme closing ceremony, held at the National Library Conference Room on Friday. House Speaker Dr Barton Scotland and Mrs Scotland are seated at left in the second row

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

Council gives NA pavement vendors ultimatum --have until September 4 to remove THE New Amsterdam Town Council has notified several pavement vendors in the main commercial area of Pitt Street that they have until September 4 to cease encumbering the area.

The Council has said that failure to adhere to the notice would result in a fine being imposed or legal action being taken in accordance with Sections 303 and 304 of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28.01, Sections A, B, and C, which deal with by-laws governing encroachment.

The notice, seen by the Guyana Chronicle, was signed by Town Clerk Sharon Alexander and General Foreman Charles Johnson and copied to His Worship, Mayor Kirt Wynter.

“If any person encroaches upon any street or part thereof, or Council’s re-

serve, by building thereon, any part thereon, any house or structure, by erecting, planting or digging thereon… every such person shall be guilty of an offence under these by-laws and shall be liable to a minimum fine of ten thousand dollars and not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars,” the notice read.

Vendors were told that they are required to remove such structures, leaving four feet from the wall of the street drain closest to their fence line, which is the Council’s reserve.

Consequently, several vendors operating stalls and stores along the western half of Pitt Street have met with the Mayor and Council on Friday; and following what was said to be a fruitful discussion, an extended period was given until September 4 for the

Pavement vending will not be allowed on Pitt Street after September 4 removal of encumbrances, PEDESTRIANS ON THE pedestrians walking on the STREET before the Council is forced streets, so we are working on At a press briefing, May- the initiative of clearing the to dismantle stalls along the or Wynter said, “We have the pavements. We met with the pavement.

vendors, and after discussions we have given them until September 4 to continue their business, as persons would have invested in school items.

But thereafter, we need to access the drains and return the town to its former glory.”

Deputy Mayor Winifred Haywood said she is optimistic that when the work commences, there will be no hostility displayed by the small vendors, as had occurred in Georgetown. She also appealed to New Amsterdam residents to bear with the Council as it seeks to transform the century-old township.

“We understand it will be challenging, but we want the citizens to co-operate with us,” she concluded.

Head of the Works Committee, Councillor William Moore, has called on residents to clear all encumbrances and inter-lot drains in their respective areas.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

Two UWI professors to serve on International AIDS Society

TWO professors of paediatrics at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, are to serve on the International AIDS Society’s (IAS) governing council for the next four years.

Professors Russell Pierre and Celia DC Christie-Samuels were expected to take up office Saturday, the last day of the 21st International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016) in Durban, South Africa.

Pierre is also a consultant paediatrician in the Department of Child and Adolescent Health at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), while Christie-Samuels is a senior consultant paediatrician at the UHWI. He is also the Director of Jamaica’s Paediatric, Perinatal, Adolescent HIV/AIDS Programme, and Director of the Vaccines Infectious Diseases Centre.

Christie-Samuels, who represented Latin America and the Caribbean as a longtime member of the governing council, will take office as treasurer, while Pierre will join Horacio Salomon of Argentina, as well as Luis Soto-Ramirez of Mexico — both of whom were re-elected — and Mauro Schechter of Brazil as a regional member of the IAS’ governing council, representing Latin America and the Caribbean.

“I feel honoured and humbled to be nominated, voted and elected to be the treasurer of the International AIDS Society, having completed eight years as a member of the IAS’ governing council, representing Latin America and the Caribbean region,” Christie-Samuels told the Jamaica Observer on Thursday.

She said that she was grateful to the Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica and Scotia Jamaica Life Insurance Company Ltd for the nine years of financial experience gained when she was a member of their board of directors and auditing committees.

“I am pleased also to be involved in the leadership of the IAS at this time, along with Professor Russell Pierre,” she continued. “Both of us are unique in our membership as we are paediatricians — both of us are from the Caribbean and also the UWI. “Together we have the unique opportunity to advocate for worldwide elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and AIDS and to increase global access to antiretroviral drugs and services to children and adolescents, in

addition to other responsibilities,” she said.

The IAS, which was founded in 1988, reportedly has more than 10,000 members from 180 countries and is the largest conference-organising body of health care professionals worldwide.

Pierre told the Observer that the IAS is a prestigious and influential society.

“Hence it is critical that the Caribbean is represented on the governing council to have a voice in shaping policy and the HIV and AIDS agenda going forward,” he said.

“There are some unique issues and needs in the Caribbean, in addition to those which are universal.

The professor of paediatrics said more Jamaicans should become members of the IAS and seek to be elected to the governing council.

“Think about how diverse the Caribbean is, there is the mixed group of English-speaking Caribbean countries then French-, Spanish- and Dutch-speaking groups. The more representation we have in the IAS then it increases our chance for the needs and issues to be addressed,” he said.

The IAS last night (Friday) announced the results of the 2016 General Council Election and introduced the new governing council members at its IAS member’s meeting and reception at the Durban International Convention Centre.

IAS President Chris Beyrer said the most recent elections had the society’s largest participation in years.

A total of 1,675 votes were received, which saw 22.1 per cent of all members eligible to vote participating in the elections. The governing council includes members from the United States and Canada, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific Islands, Europe, as well as the president, president-elect, treasurer, immediate past president, and executive director.

IAS members work on all fronts of the global response to AIDS and include researchers, clinicians, policy and programme planners, public health and community practitioners.

Professor Pierre also weighed in on the minimal number of representatives from the Caribbean at AIDS 2016.

He told the Observer that he believes it is due to a lack of awareness about the organisation and its role; the need to raise the profile; and issues of

financing.

In relation to the lack of awareness, Pierre said he plans to improve the dissemination of information via the various interest groups in the Caribbean. He also said a lot of great work was being done in the Caribbean by various interest

groups, but it is not being disseminated.

The conference, he added, provided various fora for the kind of exposure that would raise the profile of the region.

Pierre admitted that the conference is expensive but

said there are opportunities to participate, despite the cost.

“There are means to still participate under a reduced cost through the volunteer programme and applying for scholarships. It also takes planning, strategically, to be present every two years,” he

continued. “We can provide appropriate advice in this regard.”

Both Pierre and Christie-Samuels are committed to representing the Caribbean on the governing council to ensure that the region’s needs are addressed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

No clear-cut victory along ethnic lines ––Ramkarran shares views on Compendium Two of National Census

By Ariana Gordon WITH the release of the long awaited ethnic census in Compendium Two last week, it has been discerned that neither the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) nor A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has clear cut supporters along ethnic lines.

Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, in his weekly column ‘The Conversation Tree’, said that while the PPP appears to be confident of an awaiting victory come 2020, when the National Elections are due, the situation may not be that straightforward.

According to the census, conducted in 2012, the Indian population has declined from 326,277 or 43.4 per cent in 2002, to 297,493 or 39.8 per cent in 2012. The African population has declined from 227,062 or 30.2 per cent in 2002, to 218,483 or 29.2 per cent in 2012. The Amerindian population has increased from

persons residing within Region Six, the party’s stronghold, had declined by 15,000.

This indicated that some of the support moved to the Alliance For Change (AFC).

Though winning the elections in 2011, the PPP did not hold the majority in the National Assembly. The PPP secured 32 seats while APNU secured 26 and the AFC seven.

With the latter parties coming together, the PPP became a

RALPH RAMKARRAN from primarily the Indian and Amerindian communities; but, between 1980 and 2012, there has been a decline by 96,924, which represents a decline of 24 per cent.

“The increase in size of the Amerindian population did not make up for the decline in the Indian population. Amer-

“The speed of the decline of the Indian population suggests that the PPP cannot expect to sustain electoral and political dominance, even if it does so in the short-term” - Ramkarran 66,675 or 9.1 per cent in 2002, to 78,492 or 10.5 per cent in 2012. The Mixed population has increased from 125,727 or 16.7 per cent in 2002, to 148,532 or 19.9 per cent in 2012.

Ramkarran, in his article titled ‘Politics and the Ethnic Census’, said the PPP believes it can regain power by a majority at the next elections because of “diminishing support for the AFC.” “However, its own support among the Indian business and professional classes and the larger Indian middle class is weakening, and its leadership is either jaded or short of talent and the capacity to inspire.

It also carries much baggage from its 23-year rule.”

He also noted that the APNU has the advantage of “an increasing mixed population and the perquisites of Government to entice Amerindian support away from the PPP.” What he described as a “cleaner record” by the APNU during its governance will play an important role in demonstrating that the party is in a better position to manage the country than the PPP, which held office for 23 years.

HUGE DECLINE Statistics have shown that the PPP gains support

indians increased by 38,149 between 1980 and 2012; that is, from 40,343 in 1980 to 78,492 in 2012.

The difference between the reduction of Indians and the increase of Amerindians shows a net loss of 58,775, or 15 per cent among the PPP’s voting support,” said Ramkarran, a former PPP stalwart, in his article.

APNU receives most of its support from the African and Mixed communities, and it has been shown that, between 2002 and 2012, the African population has declined, although by only one per cent.

The Mixed population has, however, increased by 3.2 per cent.

It therefore means that APNU has benefited from a net increase of 2.2 per cent in the population of which it relies for most of its support.

The African population has lost 8,579 persons, while the Mixed population increased by 22,805, a net increase of 14,226 or seven per cent.

Meanwhile, Ramkarran has said an analysis of the 2012 Census suggests that the decline in the Indian population could have been one of the factors responsible for the decreased support received by the PPP at the 2011 General Elections.

Another possible reason could be that the number of

figurative winner.

“Neither the numerical nor the percentage support obtained by the parties between 1992 and 2011 show any basis on which it can be concluded that the ethnic population figures have had an impact on the results.

“The PPP’s support went up from 166,340 in 2011 to 202,694 in 2015, reflecting an intensification of political work after its disastrous

performance in 2011. APNU may also have increased from 139,678 in 2011 due to a similar intensification, but there is no way to tell what was the portion of the total vote of 207,200 that APNU attracted, since some of those votes were brought in by the AFC,” the Senior Counsel noted.

NOT REALISTIC He said, too, that with

what is believed to be a rapid decline of the Indian population over the years, there can be no doubt that the PPP’s expectation to sustain electoral and political dominance, even for a short term, can’t be realistic.

“The speed of the decline of the Indian population suggests that the PPP cannot expect to sustain electoral and See page 20

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Kara Kara dumpsite access road to be upgraded

By Vanessa Braithwaite

LINDEN Mayor Carwyn Holland has said that Central Government has responded positively to a request made by the Linden Mayor and Town Council (M&TC) to finance the upgrading of the deplorable road leading to the Kara Kara dumpsite.

Holland told this publica-

tion that the contract for the project is in the process of completion and this move has been welcomed as Linden has been struggling with environmentally acceptable garbage disposal over the past years.

Currently garbage is being disposed of in proximity to the Dakoura Creek from which water for the entire Wismar shore is sourced.

Residents had earlier in

the year made an alarm to the authorities about the indiscriminate dumping of garbage at the creek’s water shed area which was resulting in leaching into the creek.

Private companies such as Cevon’s Waste Management, as well as other entities such as the M&TC and the Wismar Hospital were allegedly practicing improper dumping at the watershed.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

The Kara Kara dumpsite is very close to the creek Such an environmental lapse was brought to the attention of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from which an order came to close down the dump site.

This, however, was not immediately done as the other dumpsite located at Kara Kara was difficult to access due to the deplorable state of the road.

Mayor Holland contented that better access to the dumpsite would not eliminate all the problems as the Council does not have adequate facilities for effective garbage collection.

“Having the facility is one thing, but having the equipment to actually pick

up the garbage around the town… that’s the other one… we are basically handicapped, we are limped when it comes to garbage collection and we don’t have a compactor truck to assist and aid in the pickup of garbage and we need to have such facilities to be able to better serve our Linden community,” he said.

With several bins being donated by various organisations, the Mayor explained that these are not having its full use as the Council is only furnished with one tractor and one truck for garbage collection.

He however resolves to continue fighting for proper garbage disposal in Linden.

No clear-cut victory along...

From page 19

political dominance, even if it does so in the short-term,” Ramkarran contended.

“For APNU, the declining support of the AFC places the coalition in danger of losing a straight electoral battle with the PPP. But our political history suggests that with an ingrained culture of ethno/political competition, APNU+AFC and the PPP will take their chances in the next elections,” Ramkarran opined.

HINDRANCE He noted that while political differences and disputes are no worse in Guyana than elsewhere, the fact that one half of the population feels alienated when it perceives that the other half is in power hinders investment and economic progress.

“But the drive for ethno/political supremacy is so compelling that new constitutional approaches which might alter the system of election of the President and the structure of the State, to

“The intent and bona fides of the two main political parties will be tested in the upcoming constitutional reform process” - Ramkarran encourage compromise and inclusivity in our political process, is hardly on the front burner.

“The intent and bona fides of the two main political parties will be tested in the upcoming constitutional reform process,” Ramkarran has posited.

It should be noted that the Indian population declined by three per cent between 1980 and 1991; by five per cent between 1991 and 2002, and by four per cent between 2002 and 2012.

The African population increased by two per cent between 1980 and 1991; declined by two per cent between 1991 and 2002; and declined by one per cent between 2001 and 2012.

The National Population and Housing Census was conducted in 2012. Published in 2014, it showed a decrease in the population from 751,223 in 2002, to 746,955 in 2012.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

Commercial cargo to pay toll at Kara Kara Bridge

By Vanessa Braithwaite VEHICLES transporting items for businesses registered in Linden will be subjected to a reduced toll fee, which would be paid every six months when the Kara Kara toll booth becomes operational.

Most councillors voted in favour of this move at a recently held extraordinary meeting of the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC). The exact value of this payment has not yet been decided upon, as the Council is still deliberating on the best way to operate the toll booth.

Though it may belong to a Lindener, any vehicle not operating or registered in Linden but is carrying items for commercial use will be subjected to paying toll upon leaving the town on every occasion. Among those vehicles are lumber trucks, machine haulers, container trucks; canters selling beverages, fish, fruits and vegetables or dry goods etc.

However, this stipulation will not apply to vehicles entering Linden for recreational and domestic use, as well as to hire cars.

These and other factors of interest were dis-

Monday July 25th, 2016 - 09:00 hrs Tuesday July 26th, 2016 - 10:00 hrs Wednesday July 27th, 2016 - 11:00 hrs

cussed by the LMTC, and though a final decision has not yet been made, Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland will be presenting the decisions as well as claims and objections of residents and corporate citizens to the Chief Counsel in Georgetown.

The LM&TC would also be engaging the Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Development and corporate citizens before making a pronouncement in regard to tolls.

Though a pronouncement has not been made

on the toll applicable to each category of vehicle, Mayor Holland, as well as the Linden Chamber of Commerce, did agree that the previous prices governing the operations were obsolete and would be amended to suit the present economy.

Some councillors are not optimistic that the operations of the toll booth would be permanent; they hope that history would not be repeating itself.

This is because the highway on which the toll booth is located may not be gazetted to Council,

hence operating the toll booth may not be legal.

Town Clerk Janella Bowen revealed that the booth was previously closed not because of its location, but because the by-laws had not been gazetted.

The Kara Kara toll booth came into being in 1997, but its operation was stopped in 2013 by former Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker. The purpose of the booth is to garner funds from heavy-duty trucks transporting lumber and other cargo to and from

the interior. According to reports, the booth was disbanded to accommodate the operations of giant lumber company Bi Shan Lin. As a result of this subsidised operation, the Council lost $250M, according to former IMC Chairman Orin Gordon.

Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, played a role in getting the booth back in operation. He had contended that its closure by the previous administration was an intentional act to stymie progress in Linden.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

ARIES Excess and self-indulgence entice you to risk stability in search of pleasure today.

Three planets, including sensual Venus, are camped out in your 5th House of Love, urging you to express your romantic needs. Unfortunately, you might fall victim to your own excitement and share more than you intend. Your enthusiasm prompts others to expect even more from you, which could eventually lead to disappointment, unless you follow through with your promises. Be safe and stick to the script.

TAURUS You face complicated issues with a playful sense of hum or that makes it easy to turn a loss into a gain. However, you can still see the dark side of things -- perhaps even imagining the worst -- yet a Grand Fire Trine reveals a great potential for happiness. But don’t get bogged down in doubt; let go of someone or something important if you must. Doing so makes room for even better experiences to fill in the gap. A head full of fears has no space for dreams.

GEMINI Your nerves are on edge now and you’re ready to seize the moment as it arrives.

However, anxiety and frustration can catalyse a sudden shift of energy. Nevertheless, today’s Grand Trine activates your social life, motivating you to go out of your way to interact with others at work and play. Developing new communication skills is easy once you recognise its importance in bringing happiness back into your life. A caring heart that listens is more valuable than an intelligent mind that talks.

CANCER Ironically, you can push others to their limits without appearing pushy today.

Adopting a gentler approach increases your sensitivity and enables you to address difficult issues with compassion. Collaborating with your colleagues makes it easier to pursue mutual dreams. But communication needs to flow both ways for everyone to benefit. Although you’re ready for change now, even the most brilliant strategy will require time to manifest the results you seek.

LEO You can charm your way into nearly anyone’s heart today, but you may overstep your bounds without even realising it. Although the Moon’s presence in your 9th House of Big Ideas is inflationary all by itself, trines to Venus and Mercury enable you to sweet talk your way out of trouble. Nevertheless, you might try to shatter the social conventions that normally restrain you. Tread lightly now; your unconventional ideas could create a mess you’ll be busy cleaning up over the days ahead.

VIRGO Analysis comes easy to you Virgos, empowering you to make a particularly smart decision today. However, brainy Mercury can lead you down a confusing path if you’re under pressure to make an immediate choice, especially if others are depending on your powers of discernment. Eliminate unrealistic alternatives when trying to make up your mind. Nevertheless, entertain every sensible possibility on its own merit as it appears. In all likelihood, you already know the truth.

LIBRA Cultivating close connections is complicated today because you’re following your feelings down two entirely different tracks. On one hand, you can get along with others better than ever. On the other hand, you’re itching to surprise everyone with your independent thinking and bold actions. Unfortunately, you might be so far ahead of your time that you must slow down, step back and rethink your strategy to bring your ideas to life. Focus on collaboration instead of competition for the best results.

SCORPIO You can feel the cosmic equilibrium today, even if there are disturbances to the force. The Moon’s square to tough-guy Pluto agitates a conflict between you and someone who may oppose your plan. Later in the evening, the Moon runs into reckless Uranus, encouraging you to push everyone out of their comfort zone.

Battles for control and a desire for freedom can undermine cooperation. If you find a compromise is impossible now, walk away from the disagreement before it escalates into a fight. A moment of silence saves you from a lifetime of regret.

SAGITTARIUS You are hungry for new experiences and find yourself taking chances in pursuit of a good time. You are compelled to express your feelings in more dramatic ways now thanks to an alignment of the Moon in your 5th House of Play to affectionate Venus and curious Mercury in your 9th House of Getaways. Romantic feelings may be aroused when you push past personal limits and explore unfamiliar territory. Proceed on the side of caution when someone’s heart is on the line.

CAPRICORN You’re convinced you have to take charge today or you’ll completely lose control when a Grand Fire Trine zaps three planets in your 8th House of Transformation.

Fortunately, you should have no difficulty sharing power and cooperating on a profound level as long as there’s time to gradually let down your guard. Once you notice the little improvements that are occurring around you, making a giant leap forward will seem as simple as taking another small step.

AQUARIUS Your thinking could be so far out on the ledge today that people believe you might be losing touch with reality. It’s entirely possible that your ideas are too radical to be understood. Nervous energy and intellectual restlessness is high as cerebral Mercury forms a creative aspect with evolutionary Pluto. Concentration is difficult when the flow of information is constantly interrupted. Nevertheless, exciting discoveries offer unexpected answers and foster surprising new connections if you can relax enough to stay flexible.

PISCES Your playful mood and creative approach to relationships make you a skilful collaborator today. You’re feeling quite popular now as the spontaneous Aries Moon trines flirty Venus in expressive Leo. This yummy cosmic combination magnifies your desirability, making you more successful at getting what you want from others. Passion expressed with patience is a winning formula; know what you want and pursue it at your own pace.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

India beat West Indies by innings and 92 runs (REUTERS)-India captain Virat Kohli lauded a “complete performance” by his team after they thrashed West Indies by an innings and 92 runs inside four days in the first Test in Antigua yesterday.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin collected 7-83 in the second innings as the home team collapsed to 231 all out after being forced to follow-on at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound.

It was Ashwin’s third career seven-wicket haul, his first outside India. He had not picked up any wickets in the first innings.

“The fast bowlers bowled really well in the first (innings) and I wasn’t really finding my rhythm to be very honest,” Ashwin, who also scored a century, said in an on-field interview after being named manof-the-match.

“I got a good long spell after lunch today.

Rhythm is the most important thing for me. I wasn’t quite comfortable yesterday. Today was very different.”

Carlos Brathwaite, batting at number nine, top scored for West Indies with 51 not out, while Marlon Samuels (50) and Devendra Bishoo (45) tried to frustrate the visitors but they only delayed the inevitable.

India ensured they would not lose with a first-innings total of 566 for eight declared, and they will take even greater heart from the way their balanced five-pronged

bowling attack -- three pacemen and two spinners -- rattled through the Windies twice in less than six sessions.

Pacemen Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav did the damage in the first innings with four wickets each, before Ashwin took over yesterday “It was a complete performance,” said India captain Virat Kohli, who played no small part in the victory with his first career double century.

“We’re very happy with the way we executed our plan. We just need to be confident but not complacent and not overconfident.”

West Indies, a lowly eighth in the International

Cricket Council (ICC) aTest rankings, started the fourTest series as big underdogs, but their inability to make a contest of the first test will raise further concerns about the future of the Caribbean team in the five-day format.

“We didn’t really bowl well in the first innings. It was a daunting task, trying to chase 560-odd,” said West Indies captain Jason Holder.

“We obviously need to bowl a bit better. Shannon (Gabriel) bowled extremely well, Bishoo was decent. We just need to string together some more dot balls, some more pressure deliveries.”

The second Test starts in Kingston, Jamaica, on Saturday.

SCOREBOARD INDIA 1st innings 566 for 8 decl (V. Kohli 200, R. Ashwin 113, S. Dhawan 84, A. Mishra 53) West Indies 1st innings 243 (K. Brathwaite 74, S. Dowrich 57no; U. Yadav 4-41, M. Shami 4-66) West Indies 2nd innings (Overnight: 21-1) K. Brathwaite lbw b I. Sharma 2 R. Chandrika c Saha b R. Ashwin 31 Da. Bravo c Rahane b U. Yadav 10 M. Samuels b R. Ashwin 50 J. Blackwood c Kohli b R. Ashwin 0 R. Chase c sub b R. Ashwin 8 S. Dowrich lbw b Mishra 9 J. Holder b R. Ashwin 16

C. Brathwaite not out 51 D. Bishoo c Pujara b R. Ashwin 45 S. Gabriel b R. Ashwin 4 Extras (nb-5) 5 Total (all out, 78 overs) 231 Fall of wickets: 1-2 K. Brathwaite,2-21 Da. Bravo,3-88 R. Chandrika,4-92 J. Blackwood,5-101 M. Samuels,6-106 R. Chase,7-120 S. Dowrich,8-132 J. Holder,9-227 D. Bishoo,10-231 S. Gabriel Bowling:I. Sharma 11 - 2 - 27 1(nb-3), M. Shami 10 - 3 - 26 - 0(nb-1),U. Yadav 13 - 4 - 34 - 1 R. Ashwin 25 - 8 - 83 – 7, A. Mishra 19 - 3 - 61 - 1(nb-1).

South Africa Racing Tips Flamingo Park 08:20 hrs Teagan’s Boyn 08:50 hrs Il Palio 09:20 hrs Zip Line 09:55 hrs Variety Spirit 10:30 hrs Easy To Please

Windsor 12:55 hrS Grey Galleon 13:25 hrs Company 14:00 hrs Inclination 14:30 hrs September Stars 15:00 hrs Street Poet 15:30 hrs Glens Wobbly

English Racing Tips Ayr 09:00 hrs Proud Archi 09:30 hrs Cymraeg Bounty 10:40 hrs Assisted 11:10 hrs Lexi’s Boy 11:40 hrs Moonlightnavigator 12:10 hrs Gailee Chapel

Irish Racing Tips Galway 12:15 hyrs Muthaza 12:45 hrs Sarwistan 13:15 hrs Right Honourable 14:20 hrs Kalann 14:50 hrs Baliyka 15:20 hrs Robin Des Foret

Newton Abbot 09:15 hrs Princess Roania 09:45 hrs Edgar 10:20 hrs Tzora 10:55 hrs Canicallyouback 11:25 hrs Elysian Prince 11:55 hrs Free Of Charge 12:30 hrs Machiato

American Racing Tips Saratoga Race 1 Girl Talk Race 2 Grey Glory Race 3 Pinstripe Race 4 Lady Joan Race 5 Laurel Heights Race 6 Animal Appeal Race 7 Watershed Race 8 Undrafted

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

England open up huge lead over Pakistan

(REUTERS)-England moved relentlessly towards a series-levelling victory over Pakistan on a rain-disrupted third day of the second Test in Manchester yesterday.

The hosts bowled out the Pakistanis for 198 before declining to enforce the follow-on, ending the day on 98 for one to lead by a commanding 489 runs with two days remaining at Old Trafford.

The touring side, replying to England’s 589 for eight declared, resumed on 57 for four and James Anderson soon had Shan Masood caught at second slip by Joe Root for 39.

Rain forced the players off the field for about an hour and when they returned Asad Shafiq, on four, drove loosely at

Umpire Rod Tucker had to tell Ben Stokes to calm down during the third day of the second Test at Old Trafford. a wide ball from Stuart Sarfraz Ahmed showed Broad and Alex Hales took some attacking intent and a simple catch at point. hit five boundaries in his 26

before nicking Ben Stokes to Root at an overcast Old Trafford.

Root, who scored a Test-best 254 on Saturday, pouched his fourth slip catch just before the interval, Yasir Shah, on one, becoming Chris Woakes’s fourth victim of the innings.

Captain Misbah-ulHaq and Wahab Riaz defiantly added 60 for the ninth wicket before Misbah was caught by Alastair Cook at short fine leg off Moeen Ali for 52 and Riaz was last man out for 39.

England led by 391 runs but Cook surprisingly decided not to make Pakistan bat again, preferring to give his bowlers a rest.

Cook and Hales added 11 runs before rain halted play again and when the players

returned Hales was caught by wicketkeeper Ahmed off Mohammad Amir for 24, another failure for the under-pressure opening batsman.

But Root returned to the middle to join his captain and the pair took En-

gland through to the close without further loss, Cook finishing on 49 not out with Root on 23.

Pakistan won the first match in the four-Test series by 75 runs at Lord’s.

SCOREBOARD ENGLAND 1st innings 589 for 8 decl (J. Root 254, A. Cook 105, C. Woakes 58, J. Bairstow 58) Pakistan 1st innings (Overnight: 57-4) M. Hafeez c Root b Woakes 18 S. Masood c Root b Anderson

39 Az. Ali c&b Woakes 1 Y. Khan c Bairstow b Stokes 1 R. Ali c Ballance b Woakes 4 Misbah-ul-Haq c Cook b Ali

52 A. Shafiq c Hales b Broad 4 S. Ahmed c Root b Stokes 26 Y. Shah c Root b Woakes 1 W. Riaz c Hales b Ali 39 M. Amir not out 9 Extras (lb-2 nb-2) 4 Total (all out, 63.4 overs) 198 Fall of wickets: 1-27 M. Hafeez,2-43

Az. Ali,3-48 Y. Khan,4-53 R. Ali,5-71 S. Masood,6-76 A. Shafiq,7-112 S. Ahmed,8-119 Y. Shah,9-179 Misbahul-Haq,10-198 W. Riaz Bowling: J. Anderson 13 - 5 - 27 – 1, S. Broad 12 - 5 - 20 - 1(nb-1), M. Ali 7.4 - 0 - 43 - 2(nb-1,C. Woakes 16 - 1 - 67 - 4 B. Stokes 15 - 1 - 39 - 2 ENGLAND 2nd innings A. Cook not out 49 A. Hales c S. Ahmed b Amir 24 J. Root not out 23 Extras (lb-2) 2 Total(for 1 wickets, 21 overs) 98 Fall of wickets: 1-68 A. Hales To bat: J. Vince, G. Ballance, B. Stokes, J. Bairstow, M. Ali, C. Woakes, S. Broad, J. Anderson Bowling: M. Amir 10 - 2 - 36 – 1,R. Ali 5 - 0 - 26 – 0,

Russia escapes IOC blanket ban for Rio Olympics

By Karolos Grohmann

(REUTERS)-The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has rejected clarion calls for Russia to be banned from next month’s Rio Olympics over the nation’s doping record, offering athletes a lifeline by ruling that decisions on individual competitors will be left to the international sports federations.

The IOC’s decision yesterday, less than two weeks before the Rio Games opens on Aug. 5, follows the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) call for a blanket ban in response to the independent McLaren report that found evidence of state-sponsored doping by Russian athletes at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

“I think in this way, we have balanced on the one hand, the desire and need for

over the world.”

WADA and 14 national anti-doping organisations had urged the IOC to impose a blanket ban in the wake of the damning McLaren report, but former Olympic fencing champion Bach said that Russian sportsmen and women “will have to clear the highest hurdle to take part in the Olympics”.

IOC president Thomas Bach collective responsibility versus the right to individual justice of every individual athlete,” IOC President Thomas Bach said on a conference call.

“In this way we are protecting the clean athletes because of the high criteria we set. This may not please everybody, but this result is one which is respecting the rules of justice and all the clean athletes all

‘CONFUSING MESS’ The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) said the IOC had failed to show leadership with its decision.

“Many, including clean athletes and whistleblowers, have demonstrated courage and strength in confronting a culture of state-supported doping and corruption within Russia,” USADA chief Travis Tygart said.

“Disappointingly, however,

in response to the most important moment for clean athletes and the integrity of the Olympic Games, the IOC has refused to take decisive leadership. The decision regarding Russian participation and the confusing mess left in its wake is a significant blow to the rights of clean athletes.”

Russia’s Sports Minister, Vitaly Mutko, said the decision cleared the way for Russian participation.

“I hope that the majority of international federations will very promptly confirm the right of (Russian) sportspeople in different types of sports to take part in the Olympic Games,” Mutko said.

The International Tennis Federation wasted no time in clearing the seven Russian players nominated for Rio. The ITF said the players have been subject to a rigorous anti-dop-

ing programme outside Russia, which it considers sufficient to meet the IOC’s requirements.

SPOTLESS RECORD REQUIRED For individuals to be allowed to compete at Rio they must have a spotless international record on drug testing, the IOC said, adding athletes who have been sanctioned in the past for doping will not be eligible.

That would dash the hopes of middle-distance runner Yulia Stepanova, the whistleblower and former drug cheat whose initial evidence led to one of the biggest doping scandals in decades.

The IOC had said this week that it would not organise or give patronage to any sports event in Russia and that no member of the Russian Sports Ministry impli-

cated in the McLaren report would be accredited for Rio. It also ordered the immediate re-testing of all Russian athletes from the Sochi Olympics.

Though a series of international federations, anti-doping agencies and athletes have since called for a blanket ban, some have said they are against punishing innocent athletes.

“It would be quite difficult for us to think we should ban an entire team, which will include some cyclists who are not implicated in any of these stories we’ve been hearing,” said Brian Cookson, president of the International Cycling Union.

“We’re going to have to look at it case by case, rider by rider and team by team. At the end of the day, Russians are not the only sportsmen or women who have been found doping.”

Hamilton takes overall lead with Hungary win

By Abhishek Takle

BUDAPEST, (Reuet-

ers)-Triple Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton won the Hungarian Grand Prix yesterday to seize the championship lead from team mate Nico Rosberg for the first time this season.

The Briton took the chequered flag less than two seconds ahead of the German, who had lined up on pole position at the Hungaroring but lost out to Hamilton at the start in the key moment of the race.

Hamilton, who has now won in Hungary a record five times, leads Rosberg by six points after 11 of the season’s 21 races. The Briton has won five of the last six races, including the last three.

“The start was everything,” said Hamilton. “This is a great result for the team.

What a day.”

Sunday’s win was the 48th of his career and fifth of the season.

Until yesterday had shared the record for Hungary GP wins with seven times champion Michael

Schumacher.

“I grew up watching Michael so to have a similar number, and now one more than he had here, is incredible,” said Hamilton.

Australian Daniel Ricciardo finished third for Red Bull after pushing the Mercedes pair hard enough at one point for the champions to tell Hamilton to pick up the pace.

Ferrari’s four times world champion Sebastian Vettel, also a previous winner in Hungary, finished fourth after sounding off over the team radio about

slower cars holding him up as he lapped them.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen held off Ferrari’s feisty Kimi Raikkonen for fifth.

The Finn had started 14th but a long first stint saw him challenging the Dutchman.

The battle between the pair provided a moment of excitement in an otherwise uneventful race, with Raikkonen clipping the back of Verstappen’s car and damaging his front wing in an attempt to pass the 18-yearold.

Fernando Alonso was

the sole surviving McLaren in seventh.

McLaren’s hopes of a strong result on the back of their best qualifying performance since renewing their engine partnership with Honda were dashed early on, with Jenson Button falling down the order with hydraulics problems.

The 2009 world champion also collected a drivethrough penalty for a breach of radio rules before finally retiring late in the race.

Rosberg, who has also won five races this year,

will have the chance to seize back the lead in his home German Grand Prix.

The race at Hockenheim, absent from the calendar last year, takes place in just a week’s time.

“It was all down to the start in the end,” said Rosberg of Sunday’s race. “From then on I was trying to put all the pressure on Lewis but it’s not possible to pass at this track.

“To have the next race coming up very quickly sounds good, at my home race...it’s going to be awesome.”

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

Froome seals third Tour de France crown

CHRIS Froome became Britain’s first three-time winner of the Tour de France when he crossed the finish line of the 21-stage race in Paris yesterday.

The Team Sky rider, who won the 2013 and 2015 races, is the first man to defend his title in more than 20 years.

He finished arm-in-arm with his team-mates behind the peloton after Andre Greipel won the final sprint finish.

“It’s like the first time, it’s amazing. Every time it’s special,” said 31-yearold Froome.

“It’s an absolutely amazing feeling. It feels like a

Britain’s Geraint Thomas, left, congratulates 2016 Tour de France winner Chris Froome of Britain when crossing the finish line of the twenty-first stage of the Tour de France privilege to be in this position. I’ve always had my team-mates around me.”

Froome’s three victories in four years follows Sir

Bradley Wiggins becoming the first Briton to win the race in 2012.

He ended up beating Romain Bardet of France

by four minutes and five seconds with Colombia’s Nairo Quintana in third and Britain’s Adam Yates fourth.

The traditional final stage to Paris began with a processional ride from Chantilly, in northern France, with the winners of the four main jerseys leading the peloton.

Froome, in the yellow jersey, was joined by Yates in the white jersey as best young rider, Slovak Peter Sagan in the green points top and Poland’s Rafal Majka in the polka dot king of the mountains jersey.

When the riders reached Paris the pace was increased

for nine 6.8km laps of the city centre which culminated in a bunch sprint on the Champs-Elysees.

He becomes just the eighth rider to win at least three Tours de France, joining Belgium’s Phillipe Thys, Louison Bobet of France and American Greg LeMond on three.

With disgraced Lance Armstrong’s seven ‘wins’ between 1999-2005 expunged from the record books after he admitted to doping, the record of five Tour wins, held jointly by Frenchmen Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault, Belgium’s Eddy Mer-

ckz and Miguel Indurain of Spain, is very much in Froome’s sight.

Indurain was the last man to successfully defend the title, winning five successive Tours from 1991.

“It would be my dream to keep coming back for the next five or six years and give myself the best opportunity of winning again,” said Froome after finishing stage 20.

“I can’t say the novelty is wearing off. It’s such an incredible event and to be in the yellow jersey is every cyclist’s dream and the biggest honour in our sport.

Rio scrambles to be ready as athletes, soldiers arrive

By Paulo Pra RIO DE JANEIRO, (Reuters)-Tens of thousands of armed troops fanned out across Rio de Janeiro and local organisers faced a rebellion by Australia about unfinished living accommodations as athletes began to move in yesterday for the first Olympics ever in South America.

Australia’s Olympic team, complaining about uninhabitable rooms in the Olympic Village, refused to check in. Kitty Chiller, the head of the country’s delegation, complained of “blocked toilets, leaking pipes and exposed wiring.”

In the final stretch before the Games start Aug. 5, more

than 60,000 troops took positions across the city, part of

an overall contingent of more than 85,000 soldiers, police and other security forces that will be deployed for the

event at a time of heightened fears after recent massacres in Germany, France and the United States.

Meanwhile, authorities rerouted traffic in Barra de Tijuca, site of many game venues and the Olympic Village, which will house more than 11,000 athletes, coaches and staff.

Olympic organisers are still scrambling to finish everything from a beach volleyball venue to a new subway line, set to open just days before the opening ceremony. At the village, where lines formed Sunday as athletes began checking in, work crews were still making last minute repairs.

Australia’s refusal to move in follows local media reports that some team delegations, concerned over similar issues, had sought to hire their own maintenance crews in order to make their quarters suitable.

Mario Andrada, a spokesman for the local organising committee, yesterday said organisers are aware of the problems with some rooms, particularly affecting teams from Australia, New Zealand and Brazil.

“There are some electrical issues and some leaks,” he said, noting that a team of about 500 workers is currently addressing the problems. “It’s one of those things with new buildings, but it should not have happened.”

The complaints are not unlike those before other big spectacles in Brazil, like the 2014 World Cup, for which stadium crews were still wielding paintbrushes and screwdrivers even minutes before kickoff.

The new subway line, which will connect the popular seaside neighbourhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema to Barra de Tijuca, has suffered repeated delays and is still undergoing tests despite a scheduled inauguration next Saturday. Even then, the new line will operate only with partial service until after the Olympics.

Where authorities have left little to chance is security.

The massive deployment, over twice that in place for the 2012 London Olympics, is meant to deter the sort of violence and street crime that are common in Rio, a chaotic metropolis of 12 million people.

Behind the scenes, Brazilian intelligence and police are coordinating with foreign counterparts to share intelligence and assess threats posed by terrorism.

Last week, after a tip from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, police arrested 11 Brazilians who investigators say were sympathetic to the Islamic State militant group and had discussed the possibility of attacking the Games.

Mohamed spins T&T Women to 5-wicket win over Guyana

LED by off-spinner Anisa Mohammed, Trinidad and Tobago completed a stunning 5-wicket win over Guyana in game eight of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Women’s T20 tournament,played yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The visitors produced a disciplined bowling and fielding effort to restrict their Guyanese counterparts to a modest 63-8, and then reached 64-5 in eight overs.

Deciding to bat first after the game was delayed by rain, it was a struggle for the Guyanese batters from the word go, as they lost wickets at regular intervals and failed to put on a substantial partnership to get to a winning total.

Player-of-the-Match, Mohammed, picked up 4-9, a spell that hurt the Guyanese Women’s momentum, with only Melaine Henry (14), and

… Windwards, Leewards game abandoned

Tremayne Smartt (14), managing to get to double digits.

She was brilliantly supported by miserly spells from Lee Ann Kerby (1-6), Shenelle Lord (1-16), and Karishma Ramharack (1-17).

In reply, the visitors stumbled somewhat with the dis-

missals of Stacy Ann King (8), Kerby (6), Britney Cooper (18), Merissa Aguilleira (0), and Selene O’Neil (3), but Rachael Vincent and Mohammed took their team safely home with unbeaten knocks of 13 and 8 respectively.

Plaffiana Millington was

the pick of the Guyanese bowlers with 2-14, while Erva Giddings and Subrina Munroe had a wicket apiece.

Meanwhile, the game between Windward Islands and Leeward Islands was abandoned after Windward Islands reached 78-2.

Bolt hits out at ‘disrespectful’ Gatlin

Anisa Mohammed collects her Player-ofthe-Match trophy from Grantley Culbard.

JUSTIN Gatlin’s comments have disappointed Usain Bolt, who has accused his sprint rival of disrespect ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Usain Bolt has accused Justin Gatlin of being disrespectful in making comments regarding the Jamaican’s medical exemption to feature at Rio 2016.

Bolt pulled out of his na-

tional trials through injury, but was still chosen for the team to travel to Brazil.

Gatlin, Bolt’s main rival for 100-metre gold in Rio, felt the six-time Olympic champion was being given preferential treatment, something he would not have received in the United States.

And Bolt, who won the 200m at the Diamond League in London on Friday in a

time of 19.89 seconds, has taken exception to Gatlin’s remarks.

“For me I felt it was a joke, I felt it was a disrespect they think I’d back out of a trials,” said Bolt.

“I’ve proven myself year on year that I’m the greatest.

I laughed when I heard it, I was disappointed, especially in Justin Gatlin.” (Sportsmax.com)

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

Jamila Sanmoogan -From Guyana to Colombia to Rio Olympics

By Daniel Haynes WITH 11 days left in the countdown to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro, most Guyanese are awaiting the world’s biggest sporting event that will be held in their own ‘back yard’. However, 19 year old Guyanese swimmer, Jamila Keizia Sanmoogan, is not just watching the games but participating in them.

The second of Guyana’s swimmers and one of the six Olympic athletes, Jamila Keizia Sanmoogan is no stranger to the international stage. Her love of swimming she says, led her to where she is today.

Born March 20, 1997, the younger of two children, Jamila has been swimming since the age of 4, when she first found her love for water.

“I think I have always had a love for water; my parents were always scared of how I would just jump in” stated

Jamila Sanmoogan in competition Jamila, while laughing at the memory. “From there it just morphed and here I am.”

Here she is indeed and the swimmer, currently in Colombia on a swimming scholarship, recalled the moment she found out she had been chosen to represent her country.

“It felt as if my dreams

finally came true, there were so many feelings, from excitement to happiness” she stated before continuing, “I’m just happy to be representing my country and I’ll certainly do my best!”

The swimmer, who will be competing in the 50m freestyle, isn’t going out on her

first outing, so Guyanese can rest assured she is experienced. Jamila has represented Guyana in Suriname, Barbados, Russia, Qatar, Mexico and Paraguay, to name a few countries she has competed in.

The athlete had a piece of advice for all athletes, especially swimmers: “No matter how dedicated your lifestyle is, there is always going to be a point where you will want to stop because it is too hard. You need to find that something deep down inside of you and say I can, I will, and I won’t give up.”

She gives credit to all who have guided her to where she is: her coaches, her family, and those that encouraged her along her way.

The eyes of Guyanese will definitely be on her this year, and at 19, the world is her’s to conquer as she has the best wishes of a nation behind her.

Jamila Sanmoogan

Headquarters take swimming as Police Inter-Division championships begin

By Tamica Garnett

Consistent wins from Kiticia Pellew and Eva Harry helped Headquarters triumph in the swimming championships ahead of ‘A’ Division, while Deon Primus added some much needed points for’C’ division, as competition in the Guyana Police Force Inter-Division Championships started yesterday at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal.

As the day’s action came

to a close, Headquarters (HQ), the defending champions, ended with 124 points to take an early lead in the Championships, as ‘A’ Division ended second with 94 points, ‘C’ division ended third with 62 points, and ‘B’ Division brought up the rear with 17 points.

Harry and Pellew ensured that HQ placed at least among the top three in all of the day’s female events.

In the women’s 50m

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(2) What is the highest individual score made at Providence in Hero CPL 2016?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Some of the action in yesterday’s swimming championships backstroke, HQ took the top two spots as Pellew copped gold, and Harry ended with silver. The win was taken in a time of 1:02.88s, while Harry clocked 1:12.92s.

In the 50m freestyle,Pellow reached the wall in 42.87 seconds to take second place, and third went to Harry, who had a time of 49.57 seconds.

The win for this event was earned by ‘C’ Davena Edwards in a time of 39.50 seconds.

Pellew took another gold in the 50m butterfly, where she swam 49.17

seconds, once again overpowering Harry, who finished in 57.84 seconds.

Harry finally landed her own gold medal in the 50m breaststroke, when she swam the winning time of 53.43 seconds. Edwards was second with a time of 1:04.64s.

Edwards also finished third in the 50m butterfly after clocking 1:02.38s.

On the men’s side, 2015 male champion Deon Primus returned, this time taking away two gold and two silver.

Primus ruled in the men’s

50m backstroke (38.74s), and 50m butterfly (35.54s).

He took second places in the 50m freestyle (28.50s) and 50m breaststroke (41.78s).

Winning the 50m freestyle in a time of 28.16 seconds was ‘C’ Division’s Lindon Barkoye. Barkoye also captured the 50m breaststroke in 38.34 seconds.

He copped bronze for his performance in the 50m backstroke (41.87s).

Also performing well on the men’s side was ‘A’ Division’s Andy Persaud, who won silver in the 50m

butterfly (36.62s), bronze in the 50m freestyle (30.50s), and bronze in the 50m breaststroke (45.40s).

The swimming marked the beginning of the one week competition, which continues with the athletic championships tomorrow from 10am, at the Police Sports Club Ground.

Competition continues on Wednesday from 10.00hrs, at the same venue.

Things come to a climax with the finals on Friday, when competition starts at 14.00hrs

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 25, 2016

‘Time for healing and unity’-CFU boss

By Ras Wadada

PRESIDENT of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), Gordon Derrick, believes the way forward for the ‘Beautiful Game’ in the Region is Unity.

In an invited comment, the Antiguan who was elected to head the CFU for a second consecutive four- year term last Saturday, told Chronicle Sport about the immediate plan of the new Executive.

“The first thing is for the new executive to meet and really start the process of healing the Union which must be our priority.” “ We’ll meet swiftly and put our ideas together so as to come up with the best way how we can bond again as a body. We cannot progress without unity, so within

the next 90 days we will be implementing measures to bring about oneness in the Union.”

“We must first realise who we are, from where we are coming, and where we need to go”, informed Derrick.

Derrick, who had to overcome allegations of corruption in the Media and marginalization by another faction of the Union leading up to the elections, was able to secure the majority of the 31 votes to overcome the strong challenge of Trinbagonian, David John-Williams.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport minutes after the 39th Ordinary Congress of the CFU concluded at the Miami Sheraton Airport Hotel, an elated Derrick was full of praise for all the support that helped him retain the

Russell’s lawyer disputes anti-doping charge ANDRE Russell’s lawyer has disputed the Jamaican Anti-doping Commission’s (JADCO) claim that the West Indies allrounder had missed three dope tests in a 12-month period, resulting in a violation of the whereabouts clause.

According to The Jamaica Gleaner , Russell’s lawyer Patrick Forster claimed at the hearing of an independent panel on July 20 that his client had received correspondence from JADCO for only twice - January to March, 2015 and July to September, 2015 - for allegedly missing the out-of-competition doping tests.

Forster requested JADCO’s lawyer to make available the Commission’s third correspondence which notified Russell of his transgression.

The tribunal panel chairman Hugh Faulkner then asked JADCO to provide documentary evidence of Russell’s third filing failure, following which it was agreed that JADCO would provide details today.

JADCO has until August 10 to serve their files, while the deadline for Russell’s team is September 7. The hearing is set for September 19 and 20.

In March this year, JADCO said Russell had reportedly missed three dope tests

Andre Russell in a 12-month period, which equated to a failed test under doping laws.

Athletes are required make their whereabouts known to local anti-doping agencies to facilitate testing under the WADA code and face a ban of up to two years if found guilty of repeatedly missing them.

Russell, 28, has been a leading player in the T20 format in recent times. He played a crucial role in West Indies winning the 2016 World T20 title in March and April, and is a key performer in domestic leagues around the world.

Russell was part of winning campaigns for Sydney Thunder in the 2015-16 Big Bash League and for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League in February. He is currently playing for Jamaica Tallawahs in CPL 2016.(ESPN Cricinfo)

Gordon Derrick re-elected CFU president for a second term

top position. ”I first want to thank God for giving me the strength and guidance over the last four years, and ask of his blessings and guidance over the next four years.”

“I would also like to express sincere gratitude to all the member associations who supported me, as well as those who participated in

the elections. It’s a reflection that democracy is alive in the CFU, and this is what we must build on in going forward as a Union”, the CFU Boss posited.

The elected nine-member Executive of the CFU does not include anyone from the more developed and successful football nations of the Union: Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and Trinidad & Tobago.

‘Time for healing and unity’-CFU boss

India beat West Indies by innings and 92 runs See story on page 27

See story on page 31

Ravichandran Ashwin scored his third Test hundred before taking his 17th five-wicket haul to help India to an innings and 92-run victory in Antigua. © AFP

Charles, Watson inspire Zouks to nine-wicket win over Warriors

A match-winning stand between Shane Watson and Johnson Charles saw the St Lucia Zouks to victory over Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) last night..

Charles made a career best 94 not out as the Zouks made it three wins from three from their home leg to put themselves in the mix for finals week in St Kitts & Nevis.

(Final scores: St Lucia Zouks 162-1 (J Charles 94 not out, S Tanvir 1 for 47) beat Guyana Amazon Warriors 159-5 (C Lynn 86, J Taylor 2 for 26) by nine wickets with 23 balls remaining) The two batsmen paced the chase perfectly as they reached the victory target with some ease.

Another impressive Zouks bowling performance in the six over PowerPlay kept the Amazon Warriors to just 28 runs inside the fielding restrictions.

The Amazon Warriors lost opener Nic Maddinson in the first six having made two off 10 balls. Maddinson was playing his first Hero CPL match and his first game of cricket of any kind since March and he struggled to get going, departed bowled by Jerome Taylor.

Fellow Australian Chris

Player of the match Johnson Charles blasted five fours and seven sixes in his unbeaten 94.

Lynn continued the excellent form he has shown throughout this Hero CPL on his way to 86 from 45 balls. Lynn was already the leading run scorer for the Amazon Warriors before this game and he further extended his lead over his teammates and became the number one run getter in Hero CPL 2016, going past Hashim Amla.

With Martin Guptill now away with New Zealand Lynn’s contributions

will be more important than ever and he has taken on that responsibility with relish.

Lynn combined with Dwayne Smith to put on 100 runs for the second wicket as the Zouks lost their way under the pressure of that partnership.

Things began to improve for the home team when man of the hour Daren Sammy dismissed Smith for 56 (50). Since the

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

Beauséjour Stadium was renamed the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground he can do no wrong.

There was some sloppy fielding from the Zouks, not least from Charles who spilled two simple chances, but there were some highlights for the Zouks with the ball as the innings came to a close. Jerome Taylor was one of those shining lights, producing a brilliant spell of 2-26 off his four overs.

Lynn was on strike for final over, well set on 86 with a hundred in his sights. He went to the very first delivery of that Shane Watson over, brilliantly caught by Keddy Lesporis.

The West Indies’ Under-19 World Cup winning captain Shimron Hetmyer fell to the very next ball for a duck as the Zouks finished well with the ball after a shaky middle of the innings. Watson took two wickets and conceded just one run from the 20th over as the Amazon Warriors finished on 159-9.

Chasing 160 the Zouks got off to a poor start when Andre Fletcher was bowled by the 2016 Hero CPL’s leading wicket taker Sohail Tanvir for just three runs.

From there it was all about Watson and Charles who both made half centuries as they put together a 151 run partnership – the

best stand in this season’s Hero CPL. None of the Amazon Warriors bowlers could find a way to keep the Zouks scoring rate in check as they looked a little ring-rusty.

Captain Rayad Emrit could have dismissed Charles in the 11th over when a leading edge fell just short of the fielder.

Then Jason Mohammad dropped Charles when he was on 76. With those chances missed Charles took

his side home with match a winning contribution.

The Zouks got home for their third successive victory with ease, winning the game with nine wickets and 23 balls to spare to move into a qualification spot for the first time this season.

With another match at home before the Zouks take on the Jamaica Tallawahs in Florida they are looking good for their first ever appearance in the Hero CPL knockouts.

Man arrested after trying to steal Olympic torch A MAN was wrestled to the ground and arrested after he attempted to steal the Olympic torch Saturday as the flame’s relay made its way through the town of Guarulhos in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo.

Video shows an unidentified man breaking through security just a few steps ahead of the torch, which is conveyed by relay through the towns of the host country in the weeks leading up to the Opening Ceremonies. Guards took him away and the torch bearer, who is believed to have been hockey player Patricia de Albuquerque, continued her run.

The torch, which will be in Sao Paulo for the next few days, will arrive in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 4, the day before the Opening Ceremonies, after passing through more than 300 cities in Brazil on its journey from Greece.

Earlier this month, a protester was arrested after he tried unsuccessfully to put out the flame with a fire extinguisher.

MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016