Guyana Chronicle Epaper 25 07 2017

Plot to kill the President unbelievable Page 3

…Crime Chief tells CoI

7 recaptured TUESDAY JULY 25, 2017

No. 104984

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

Page 2

…hours after 13 inmates flee Lusignan Prison via tunnel

Joint services intensify ‘Clean Sweep’ – Over 40 cellphones seized

See other stories on pages 8, 9, 13 & 14

Photos by HGP Nightly News

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25, 2017

7 prison escapees recaptured – remaining 10 being pursued by joint services SEVEN of thirteen prison escapees who ‘dug’ their way to freedom on Monday morning at the Lusignan holding facility were recaptured the same evening by the joint services.

Early Monday morning, during their routine head-count, authorities discovered that 13 prisoners had escaped. Prisoners were transferred to the pasture-like compound after a July 9 fire destroyed more than 70 of the Georgetown Prison where they were being held.

Most of the prisoners were then sent to the prisons at Timehri, New Amsterdam, Mazaruni and at Lusignan which is next to the holding facility. However, ninety-nine high-profile criminals remained in the compound since they were to be transferred back

to the Georgetown Prison later on Monday.

But on that morning, the prisoners had other plans.

Thirteen men dug their way out of the compound, bumping the total number of escapees up to 17.

After it was discovered that the 13 men had escaped on Monday, an emergency meeting was convened by the National Security Committee to devise a plan.

Later that evening, Assistance Commissioner of Police (ag) David Ramnarine confirmed that seven (of the thirteen that escaped on Monday had been recaptured. Those persons are: Odel Roberts, Jamal Forde, Rayon Jones, Winston Long, Teshawn McKenzie, Jason Howard and Jamal Joseph.

According to the police, three of the prisoners were

recaptured at Mon Repos on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) while two were recaptured at Stabroek Market in Georgetown.

The three who were nabbed on the East Coast are: Odel Roberts, Jamal Forde, and Rayon Jones.

The two who were captured at Stabroek are Winston Long and Teshawn McKenzie. It is not clear where Jason Howard and Jamal Joseph were recaptured.

The other six Lusignan escapees who are still on the run are: Shawn Harris, Paul Goriah, Clive Forde, Kerry Cromwell, Pascal Smith, and Kendell Skeete. The four Georgetown Prison escapees who are still on the run are: Stafrei Alexander, Cobena Stephens aka “OJ”, Mark Royden Williams and Uree Varswyk.

(Ravin Singh)

Career criminals among recaptured escapees CAREER criminal, Jason Howard, aka “Smelly”, who has multiple charges against him, ranging from armed robbery to murder, was among several prisoners who escaped from the Lusignan Prison between Sunday and Monday but have since been recaptured.

According to his files, in December 2016, the 24-yearold was among four men who were charged with the murder of the elderly rice-farming couple, Mohamed Munir and his wife, Bibi Jamila, who were burnt to death at their Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo home in April 2016.

Again in December 2016, he and one Curtis Vasconcellos were jointly charged for an offence which alleged that on December 14 that year, at Main Street while in the company of each other and armed with a gun, robbed Valdeo Seegobin of $2.9M cash, a cheque book, a haversack, a hard drive and other items totalling $2,969,700.

Howard was also charged in December 2016 for a robbery committed on October 22, 2016 at Water Street, Georgetown in which he allegedly wounded Quacy Joseph with intent to murder him.

Joseph, a security guard attached to Electronics City’s Water Street branch, was shot during a robbery which took place within the store in the Fogarty’s building.

He was also charged for robbing Bibi Jabar of $6,000 cash on October 12, 2016 at Church Street, Georgetown; Roopnarine Boodhoo of $800,000 cash on October 1, 2016 at North Road, Bourda; fruit vendor Sheik Sadik on November 18, 2016 at Oronoque Street, Queenstown at gunpoint and making off with $35,000 in cash; and Bibi Bacchus, while being in the company of another, on November 6, 2016 at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara of $100,000 cash.

CLIVE FORDE Another of the escapees is Clive Forde, who, in March 2017, with Keiron Taylor were committed to stand trial in the High Court for the murder of 22-year-old Senasie Lewis, who was gunned down outside the Ghetto Flex nightspot in Albouystown in 2015.

A career criminal like Howrad, Forde was back in January 2013, placed before the courts on charges of robbery under arms and

discharging a loaded firearm.

It was alleged that on October 27, 2012, at William and Queen Streets, Kitty, with intent to maim, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm, he discharged a loaded firearm at Nicolas and Anthony Sancho and Aubrey Denny.

Another allegation against him is that he robbed Sherwin Duncan, at gunpoint, of a quantity of gold and diamond jewellery, valued a total of $1.4M, on December 20, 2012.

WINSTON LONG In June this year, Long, who is among seven of the 13 escapees who have been recaptured, was charged for allegedly assaulting Constable Derwayne Eastman on November 26, 2016, at High Street, Georgetown.

KERRY CROMWELL In April 2016, Cromwell, 24, was remanded to prison after he was charged with the murder of Linden bus driver, Alvin Lorrimer. He appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore, where he was not required to plead to the charge that he murdered Lorrimer on March 21.

Lorrimer, who was a minibus driver, was shot

while standing outside of his bus at the Linden bus park seeking passengers.

And on September 9, 2014, Cromwell, of 130 King Edward Street, Albouystown, and another man allegedly robbed Ashanti Lawrence at gunpoint at Enachu Street, Section ‘K,’ Campbellville.

PASCAL SMITH In June 2017, Smith, 25, was remanded to prison on a murder charge after he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Leron Daly. Smith was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleged that on May 27, 2017, at Alexander Street, Georgetown, he murdered one John Houston.

JAMAL FORDE In April 2016, Jamal Forde, 22, who has also been recaptured, was charged for the robbery/murder of Sophia shopkeeper, Shawn Anys on May 1, 2015 at Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

ODEL ROBERTS Age: 25 In April 2016, Roberts of ‘C’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, who has been recaptured, was committed to

stand trial at the High Court for the murder of Sophia shopkeeper Shawn Anys on May 1, 2015 at Sophia, Greater Georgetown. Jamal Forde was also before the courts in the same matter.

KENDELL SKEETE Age: 36 In May 2015, Skeete of Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara, who had been charged and for whom an arrest warrant had been issued by the court during 2008, was remanded to prison for the murder of Kenneth Allen, 27, of Goed Fortuin .

PAUL GORIAH Age: 28 In May 2017, Paul Goriah, of Grove Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara, along with two others were committed to stand trial at the High Court in Georgetown for the murder of remigrant agriculturist, Anthony Breedy, whose lifeless body was found in his Hill Foot, Soesdyke residence in March 2016.

RAYON JONAS In May this year, Jonas of Mandela Avenue, Georgetown was placed before Georgetown Magistrate

Judy Latchman in the aftermath of an alleged row over drugs. Jonas, who has been recaptured, sustained severe chops to his right arm after allegedly firing gunshots at Colin Daly who was also charged with wounding Jonas.

SHAWN HARRIS Age: 29 In February 2016, Shawn Harris, aka “Bruk Up”, of Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown was charged for allegedly staging a daylight robbery at the Bank of Baroda branch at Montrose, East Coast Demerara.

Three other men were also charged in connection with the incident. He was remanded to prison after appearing before Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court the following month.

Harris was also charged in February this year for the murder of 42-year-old Sunil Singh, a homeless man who had attempted to break up an altercation at the Blue Martini nightclub between the bartender there, Charles Del Valenzuela, and three men who demanded entry to the club.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Plot to kill the President unbelievable …Crime Chief tells COI

By Ariana Gordon

CRIME CHIEF, Wendell Blanhum, has described the allegations of a plot to assassinate President David Granger as “inherently incredible” when called before the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the matter on Monday.

Blanhum, who engaged in a heated rebuttal with Commissioner and former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe, was asked by retired Justice Ian Chang to state how he views the allegations made by Andriff Gillard. Gillard had alleged that Nizam Khan had offered him $7M to assassinate President Granger sometime in 2015 but he declined. The accuser said he had approached Khan to borrow $6M and it was then when the accused said he would give him $7M if he killed the President.

Commissioner and former Assistant Commissioner, Paul Slowe, speaks during the COI into the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger (Samuel Maughn photo)

“How would you view the allegation made by Gillard?, asked Justice Chang who is representing the interest of the Guyana Po-

lice Force (GPF) to which Blanhum responded, “It is my humble opinion that the allegation made by Gillard against Khan is inherently

incredible.”

During his testimony, the Crime Chief told the Commission that based on legal advice received from Police Legal Advisor (PLA), Justice Claudette Singh, the information yielded from the investigation was “tenuous” and as such should continue; it was not sufficient to lay charges.

In his evidence-in-chief, Blanhum recounted that he received a call from a staff of the Ministry of Public Security on March 29, indicating that Gillard was at the said ministry and claimed he was offered $7M to kill the President.

“I contacted Commander ‘A’ Division and explained to him the story told to me by the lady…and based on the serious nature, I requested that he send none other than the Divisional Detective, Michael Kingston,” he told the Commission.

Commander ‘A’ Division

Retired Justice, Ian Chang, questions Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum, as hearings continue at the COI into the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger, on Monday (Samuel Maughn photo)

Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum, makes a point on Monday during the COI into the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger (Samuel Maughn photo)

at the time, Clifton Hicken had complied and Kingston escorted Gillard to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to meet with Blanhum.

Head of the Major Crime Unit, Mitchell Caesar, was also present and Gillard was interviewed. “After telling us…I instructed Caesar to commence an investigation into the matter. They left my office…thereafter I reported the allegation to David Ramnarine, who was the acting Police Commissioner at the time.”

Ramnarine said he was going to inform his superiors about the matter, Blanhum said. Additionally, he recounted that Caesar kept him

abreast with the state of the investigation and at around 16:00h, told him they were finished taking the 17-page statement from Gillard and were en route to arrest Khan.

Khan was arrested at his Diamond, East Bank Demerara home, his firearm seized and his home searched.

Meanwhile, Blanhum said he received a brief from Caesar at around 08:30hrs the following day and it was then he was made aware that Nizam Khan was placed on station bail. He told the Commission that “significant progress” was made in the investigation as officers were in possession of statements Turn to page 16 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Thousands march in nation-wide protest BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – A nationwide protest called by trade unions and the private sector has won the support of thousands of Barbadians, who turned out on Monday urging the government to roll back the increase in the National Social Responsibility Levy.

The protest is jointly organised by the Barbados Private Sector Association, the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), the National Union of Public Work-

ers (NUPW), the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), and the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU).

On Sunday, the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) called on all members to participate in a national march and rally .

The umbrella organisation said it informed, in writing, the head of the Civil Service and and the permanent secretary in the ministry of the industrial action.

“The march has been organised to continue to insist

on our rights as citizens to engage in meaningful social dialogue with our government on issues that affect us all.”

The NUPW said it warned the government at a pre-budget meeting that the union would not support increased taxes.

“Yet the government introduced an unjust National Social Responsibility Levy Tax, even though public sector workers have not received a salary increase in almost a decade. We have publicly suggested that the workers at least be given coping subsidy, since salary negotiations have not been** concluded or a repeal to the NSRL based on the expected hardship it will cause public servants and the vulnerable.”

The NUPW added that although a letter was delivered to Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart asking for dialogue on the issue – “To

date our government has refused to meet with us.

We have since engaged the Private Sector, our social partner to press government to engage – this has still not happened.”

The NUPW said as a result, the citizens have been asked to join in to demand “discussions towards solutions that will work because we all can commit to them;meaningful dialogue through a functioning social partnership; protection for the most vulnerable and increased spending power for members who have not received a salary or wage adjustment for almost a decade.”

However, in response to the protest action, the Prime Minister in an address on Sunday urged nationals not to be taken for a ride by the newly found alliance between labour and the private sector.

Addressing a lun-

cheon given by the ruling Democratic Labour Party’s Christ Church West branch , Stuart predicted

that the “new-found fellowship” between the private sector and the trade unions would not last.

Team TT finishes 16th at Robot Olympics TEAM Trinidad and Tobago, represented by three Form Five students of Presentation College, Chaguanas, finished 16th in a field of 163 teams at the recently concluded inaugural FIRST Global Challenge in Washington in the United States.

The team of Avidesh Marajh (team representative and programmer), Fahad Hosein (team captain and driver) and Josef Gonzalez (driver) won four out of six matches, defeating seasoned robotics teams like the USA and Russia.

In each two-and-a-half minute match, team TT was paired with two other

nations, and challenged to use their robot to pick up and distinguish between different coloured balls which represented clean water and contaminants.

To score points, teams deposited the balls into different locations on the playing field.

The team was mentored by Shastri Ram, the 2011 President’s Medal winner and Master’s student in robotics at Carnegie Mellon University; Daniel Ramsook, a Physics teacher at Presentation College; and Vikash Marajh, a biomedical engineering student at King’s College, London.

(Trinidad Newsday)

Tuesday, June 25th, 2017 -5:00hrs Wednesday, June 26th, 2017 - 5:00hrs Thursday, July 27th 2017 - 5:00 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25 2017

Drought-hit Rome faces water cuts Heinz in court over baby food ALMOST two-thirds of Italy’s farmland has been hit by a prolonged drought, costing Italian agriculture some €2B ($2.3B; £1.8B), farmers say.

Dairy farmers and those growing olives, tomatoes and wine grapes are among the most affected, farmers association Coldiretti warns.

Rome faces eight hours a day without running water after a halt was ordered on pumping water from a nearby lake. A state of emergency was earlier declared in two northern provinces.

In southern Italy, hundreds of people were evacuated earlier this month, as firefighters battled wildfires.

‘ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER’ Coldiretti warns that 60% of farmland is threatened by the drought caused by low levels of rainfall, and made worse by a heatwave.

Wine grapes and olive production are suffering throughout much of Italy, amid concerns that a poor harvest could push prices up.

Reports say that milk production has fallen in several areas, as cows suffer in the heat.

At least 10 Italian regions are preparing requests to the agriculture ministry for a state of natural calamity to be declared because of the drought, Italy’s Ansa news agency quotes sources as saying.

In Rome, utility company, Acea has warned of drastic water rationing after the local authorities in the Lazio region ordered the halt to pumping water out of Lake Bracciano, about 30km (19 miles) north of the capital.

The governor of Lazio told Tgcom24 TV station over the weekend, “The truth is, Lake Bracciano has fallen too much, and we risk an environmental disaster.”

He added that only 8% of Rome’s water was coming from the lake, urging the city authorities to find a solution quickly.

Earlier this month, Acea began shutting some of Rome’s famed drinking fountains. (BBC)

Child fined for selling lemonade A FIVE-year-old girl was fined £150 by a council for selling 50p cups of lemonade to festival goers.

The girl’s father, Andre Spicer said his daughter had set up the stall in Mile End, east London, while thousands of music fans were on their way to the Lovebox Festival at the weekend.

Mr Spicer said his daughter burst into tears and told him, “I’ve done a bad thing.”

Tower Hamlets Council has since cancelled the fine and apologised.

Mr Spicer said his daughter loved the idea of setting up a stall near their home. “She just wanted to put a smile on people’s faces. She was really proud of herself,” he said.

“But after a small time trading, four enforcement officers walked over from the other side of the road.

“I was quite shocked! I thought that they would just tell us to pack up and go home.

COMMONSENSE FAIL “But they turned on their mobile camera and began read-

ing from a big script, explaining that she did not have a trading licence.

“My daughter clung to me screaming, ‘Daddy, Daddy, I’ve done a bad thing!’ She’s five.

“We were then issued a fine of £150. We packed up and walked home.”

A council spokesman said: “We are very sorry that this has happened. We expect our

enforcement officers to show commonsense and to use their powers sensibly.

“This clearly did not happen.

“The fine will be cancelled immediately, and we have contacted Mr Spicer and his daughter to apologise.” (BBC)

HEINZ has been taken to court in Australia after a watchdog said it falsely marketed a children’s food as healthy.

The lawsuit concerns Shredz, a snack made from fruit juice concentrate and pastes.

Heinz, which denies the allegations, says the bars have “a similar nutrition profile to sultanas”.

But the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says they should be treated like confectionery.

It claims the snack, aimed at toddlers, contains more than 60% sugar.

The product is no longer on the market, but came in three flavours, “peach apple and veg”, “berries apple and veg”, and “strawberry and apple with chia seeds”.

The packaging stated it was “99% fruit and veg”, and

featured a selection of fruits prominently on the front.

The ACCC’s lawyer, Tom Duggan, told the Federal Court in Adelaide that the “berries, apple and veg” Shredz had up to 68.7 grams of sugar per 100 grams.

Nutritionist Rosemary Stanton, who helped draw up Australia’s dietary guidelines, said the bars were more akin to sweets than fruit or vegetables.

“Confectionery with added vitamins is still confectionery,” she said.

She added that while the product did contain some dietary fibre as well as assorted vitamins, the same is true of many unhealthy foods.

“Sure, there are some positive nutrients in there, just as there are positive nutrients in a Big Mac,” she said.

The nutritionist advised that Shredz, in her opinion, should be categorised as an

occasional treat.

The food company strongly denies the allegations of false marketing.

In a statement, Heinz rejected the ACCC’s claims about the bars’ packaging.

“The Shredz products were snack foods available in small individually-packaged servings appropriate for children aged one to three,” it said.

“The Shredz products had a similar nutrition profile to dried apple or sultanas.

“Heinz stands behind the Shredz products and their packaging.”

The legal action was launched in June 2016 after a complaint about toddlers’ foodstuffs by campaign group, the Obesity Policy Coalition.

The ACCC is seeking financial penalties, corrective notices and costs from Heinz. (BBC)

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Operation ‘Cleansweep’ THE breakout from the Lusignan ‘holding’ prison of 13 prisoners is alarming, coming at a time when the authorities have been working around-the-clock to secure the 1,000 – odd inmates who were dislocated as a result of the July 9 fires at the Camp Street jail.

The escapees are all considered as deadly and dangerous, most of whom have been awaiting trial on charges of murder and offences in which guns were involved. From information released, the police revealed that the escapees had dug a tunnel in the toilet area of the Lusignan facility, which was used for the location of the Camp Street prisoners, all of whom survived the fires that razed the age-old prisons. One prison warden was shot and killed.

There has been prevailing unrests in Guyana’s prisons for many years, due mainly to over-crowding and inadequate diets. In February 2002, a prison break resulted in several dangerous criminals running amok. They wreaked havoc by killing, robbing and otherwise committing some of the most despicable crimes of this century. In the deadly melee, the escapees were all killed but not after some 400 persons were slaughtered. The then government had blamed the killings on shootouts among drug gangs and an armed insurgency.

In the aftermath of that crime spree, a Government Minister was assassinated and brutal massacres were committed

by a sadistic gang in such places as Lusignan and Bartica. In March 2016, fresh ferment erupted in the central Georgetown jail, resulting in the criminal convict masterminds engineering a fire that took the lives of 17 prisoners.

Since then, periodic sweeps of the facilities have unearthed guns, knives and an assortment of other deadly weapons, together with cellphones. On July 9, 2017 prisoners did a copycat operation, this time razing the prison in an inferno. The entire prison population of over 1,000 inmates were unhurt, but eight of them escaped. Since then, four were captured or accounted for, leaving four on the run.

Then came the Lusignan break-out, when measures were being completed to remove the prisoners considered dangerous to a secured location in the old Camp Street jail. This is a testing time for our security forces, under whose watch this new break-out took place. The challenge now is to secure the Lusignan as well as other prisons, and to intensify the hunt for the 17 escapees all of whom are considered to be extremely dangerous.

This is the time for the state to re-affirm its ownership of the process to ensure public safety, and this newspaper fully backs our Government and the joint services in taking whatever measures are necessary to bring this situation back to some level of normalacy. All Guyanese who do not wish

to see a return to the episodes of barbaric crimes, must rally behind our security forces in what has been described as Operation Cleansweep.

As we have said before, this is not the time to seek political mileage and to engage in finger-pointing, given the seriousness of the issue and the importance of presenting a united front in the face of what is clearly a threat to law and order. The acts by those inmates to subvert this, placing the lives of their fellow inmates, the prison officers, compound, and the wider society at risk, call for sober reflection. Crime hurts society, and for citizens what happened at Lusignan it is important that it be handled judiciously and the nation does not see a repeat of the 2002-2006 criminal mayhem.

President’s comment no disregard for the rule of law Dear Editor, THOSE who resort to, and use legal dogma to condemn President Granger, must be guided by elementary principles of fairness and intellectual decency, equally recognize and accept that legal dogma also exist and applies, and can and should be resorted to, to exonerate him from any wrongdoing, (perceived or actual) and provide him respite from any constitutional opprobrium. And legal dogma requires us to say that the mere expression of a person’s intention, however (mis)interpreted has never constituted any public wrong. Accordingly, until and unless President Granger does, or attempts to do something which is in defiance of, or amounts to some disobedience of some clear, compliable court order of the Chief Justice(ag), he has committed no constitutional wrong.

It is against this backdrop of considerations of elementary fairness and legal dogma, that I proceed to examine the soundness and veracity of critical views contained in

letters to the press over an extempore comment made by the President in answer to reporter’s question on the occasion of his swearing-in on Wednesday july 19 of five judges (four High Court, one Court of Appeal) to serve in the Judiciary. And one must stop and think: is it not more probable that on that occasion the very President would not exhibit any anti-Judicial disposition.

First Anil Nandlall’s. His charge is one of infringement of separation of powers doctrine by the President. (KN 2017 – 07 – 20 “President Granger has infringed on the separation of powers”).

I begin my rejection of Nandlall’s arguments with this: detached reflection, legal erudition and impeccability in expression cannot be expected in an extempore comment made in the presence and moment of reporters’ microphones. Be that as it may, what matters is that the President never did (and could not possibly have done at that swearing-in event); nor purported to do, anything that under the Constitution it is the Judiciary’s function to do Infringement is like a consti-

tutional crime; there must be an act/omission. By his mere comments on any view, was the President interpreting, or purporting to interpret article 161? Certainly not. If this matter was, ex hypothesis, litigated in court, how would Nandlall show that an infringement has happened?

He could not. Nandlall writes as if constitutional law places some gagging writ on the Executive commenting (even critically) on the Judiciary. It does not. Nowadays, Judges do not fear criticisms (unlike in the 1760’s), nor should they resent it.

A greater public interest is at stake. It is freedom of speech itself. Does our constitutional law deny this freedom to the President? Not at all. But, with an accustomed degree of political rhetoric he inveighs against the President’s extempore comments thus: “they are the most intemperate and contumacious utterances emanating from a Head-of-State and directed to a chief justice in the English speaking Caribbean in recent memory”. How can he forget the public, wanton, flagrant, bellicose disregard (albeit not in the form of words) by Janet

Jagan for then Chief Justice Bernard’s restraining court order, by contemptuously and with dismissive disdain throwing it over her shoulder.

That, Mr. Nandlall, was a case of contumacy, befitting all the hyperbole with which you have inveighed against President Granger’s “utterances”. I will return to his letter as is necessary.

Second, there is Chery Devonish’s. She pens an abstract disquisition of general principles of law about the Judiciary’s role in the interpretation of the Constitution (KN 2017 – 07 -22) Under the caption “The Judiciary is the authoritative interpreter of the Constitution”). She is obviously of some learning, but I question the relevance of her disquisition to the facts of this matter. She has confused interpretation, with EXERCISE OF POWERS to appoint (President’s; not the Judiciary’s role). Close analysis shows it is exercise that the President had in mind. No amount of linguistic artifice can convert that inevitability somehow into interpretation. And when that exercise is inevitably done, it must, and can only be done,

by the President. Could any interpretation change or even be concerned to change, that cold reality. No. The hard fact of the matter is that the exercise of the President’s power in article 161(2) does not to any extent whatsoever depend on him (or his principle legal adviser--the AG) having to decipher, or understand some difficult ambiguous esoteric wording.

Third, Lincoln Lewis’, his too, like Devonish’s, is a disquisition of abstract trite general mantra, albeit of a different theme. (KN 2017 – 07 – 22 under caption “The gov’t. has the premier responsibility to respect court rulings). What I have argued above in relation to Devonish’s letter applies equally to Lewis’.

Editor, those three letters have this in common: they are based on a false premise of a monstrous fallacy that the President has in point of fact done some act, or omission that the CJ (ag) has ruled cannot be done, or should be done, as the case may be. No such thing has happened. And here is how the fallacy happens. Here are the newspaper headlines: GC “AG: CJ ruling

vindicates President decision; KN “Court rules… GECOM Chairman need not be a former judge”, SN “CJ rules law doesn’t favour judges for Gecom Chair – says President must give reasons for any rejection”. So, for argument sake we treat these as fairly representing the ruling. Is the Judge by the words “need not be a former judge “or, “law doesn’t favour judges”, to be understood as unequivocally ordering that the President cannot, and is not permitted by article 161(2) to choose a former judge? Plainly, not at all. The order (when one is entered) would be amenable to an understanding and capable of being understood, as still permitting the President, if he so chooses, to appoint a former judge, assuming the President finds that nominee “not unacceptable”. In these events, has the President done anything it was the Judge’s role to do? No. Would he have disrespected or disobeyed any judge’s order?

No. Would he have interpreted (rather than exercised, as he must his powers) the Constitution? No. Editor, there is a view to Turm to Page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25 2017

City Hall report card Dear Editor,

AFTER observing for more than two years now, how the capital of Guyana, Georgetown, is being administered, I feel compelled to issue a report card of the performance of the Town Clerk who is its Chief Administrative Officer.

Accountability: F A big fat F in this area as the citizens still await the effecting of a comprehensive forensic audit of the Council’s accounting and human resource records dating back to 1994.

Transparency: F A definite fail grade in this area with the hiding of the parking meter contract from the citizenry and even the Councillors themselves with the exception of the Fantastic Four, for doling out massive contracts to friends without bidding or adhering to tender board procedures and for travel-

ling frequently without even notifying the Council Credibility: F Since the single sourcing of the Parking Meter Company without consultation, and the renting of portable toilets at 82,000 each per month, damages the credibility of the individual and the Georgetown Municipality as a whole, an F would have to be given for this area.

Competence: F His initial failure to carry out a directive from Cabinet which had asked the Council to suspend the parking meter by-laws, the continual bankruptcy of the Council and the dilapidated state of all municipal buildings headed by City Hall itself in which he proudly sits would earn him a super F. Caring Nature: F In this area he gets an F for his ill treatment of the vendors who have been bullied and chased from pillar to post, for his abuse

of the Cosmetologists who have been dumped on the Merriman Mall in what is now a shantytown, and for the exploitation of Council’s workers that he pays late almost every month and fails to give them proper tools and equipment to work with.

Blaming others for their incompetence: A. For this subject The Town Clerk passes with flying colours as he is well known for blaming the citizens for the heaps of garbage around the city rather than himself for failing to pay the contractors and the City Constabulary for not charging litterbugs, for blaming the weather patterns for continuous flooding rather than the shoddy work done by his ‘special’ contractor and his engineers who failed to maintain the integrity of the drainage system Ability to Think Strategically: F

This individual actually earned an F minus in this area as rather than thinking practically and strategically he instead dreams up some irrational, far-fetched and impracticable ideas such as deploying drones to keep an eye in the sky over the vendors, to set up a

petting zoo and presidential park on the Merriman Mall and to build modern shopping malls in the city, even though City Hall is supposedly broke.

Hiring Top Talent: F Nepotism, Cronyism and Favoritism are the hallmarks of this gentleman’s term in office. Ability, experience, knowledge and competence are not prerequisites for a job there. Instead, what is

President’s comment no... which I subscribe: that courts should show self-restraint when invited by litigants to pronounce on and render determinations that is by the very nature of the matter, legally impossible to supervise and enforce, and is therefore illusory. Interpretation is not enhanced by illusion. Is it legally possible (even forensically possible) for a court to supervise the non-justiciable power vested in the President by article 111(1) by the words “his own deliberate judgment”, used when making his article 161(2) appointment? It appears to me to be a legal impossibility.

And it is instructive that in the exercise of that power so far, the President has reject-

ed two lists; but the CJ (ag) ruling does not involve any determination that the President in doing that misdirected himself, or exercised his power wrongly? So, it must follow that the President’s interpretation of article 161(2) on which he based his exercise of power in rejecting those Lists/nominees was right and constitutional.

I end with this admission: my first impulsive reaction upon reading about the President’s comments was one of spontaneous denunciation of what, on its face, the comment seem to suggest. But as a lawyer since 1984, I know both by learning and empirically

required is that you be a church pal to the gang, a relative to a senior officer of the Council or a friend of one of the big enchiladas at City Hall. All in all, this individual has been an enormous failure that has resulted in the city becoming a failed, bankrupt, garbage infested corrupt city.

Regards Riley Matthews

From Page 6 that first impressions can be found to be fallacious.

Upon a further sober, dispassionate consideration of this matter, I have come to the conclusion that in all the circumstances of this matter, there can be no greater legalistic nonsense written than that the President’s comment is somehow nuanced disregard for the rule of law; disrespectful, or in purported usurpation of the Judiciary’s function.

Regards Maxwell Edwards Attorney–at–Law (Former Senior Magistrate)

8

City wants in

– King calls on Police to keep Constabulary in the loop

By Telesha Ramnarine TOWN Clerk Royston King has written to the Commissioner of Police requesting that a structured communication approach be put in place between the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Constabulary Department of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

King said he’s “very troubled” at the fact that after the first jail break recently, Chief Constable Andrew Foo had no formal information from the GPF on the matter.

Speaking with city councillors at the statutory meeting on Monday, King said a meeting will be convened shortly between the two parties to discuss how this system can become a reality.

He conceded that the Constabulary Department is not properly equipped and resourced, but noted that the laws provide for it to be informed of certain developments by the GPF. RATE OF ABSENTEEISM Some city councillors, however, pointed out that the department is not performing well at the moment, and referred to the extremely high rate of absenteeism that has been plaguing it for the longest

while.

Councillor, Malcolm Ferreira, for instance, noted that some 58 staff members were granted leave approval in June by the medical department. “This building (is) getting people sick?

Something is definitely wrong,” he said.

Although other departments also suffer from absenteeism, the rate can never be compared to the constabulary, Ferreira noted.

Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen noted that a welfare officer was employed by the municipality to look into issues like these, but the number of reports going to him is overwhelming.

Just recently, Ferreira pointed out to council, in just one month, 32 members of the Constabulary stayed home from work.

With the department short of staff for the longest while, Ferreira raised the issue of the “unusually high” number of absent and sick days that were recorded in a recent month.

He questioned if it was something in the environment that was causing so many persons to become ill at the same time, or whether it was simply an excuse to stay off the job.

The mayor responded

that this seems to be a pattern in the Constabulary Department, and that the Chief Constable ought to take a grip of his officers.

The Chief Constable had told a recent statutory meeting that the department is currently short of 138 staff members.

The Constabulary has responsibility for the prevention and detection of crime in Georgetown, along with similar powers and privileges to that of members of the GPF. It also has authority to prosecute persons for offences such as assault, disorderly behaviour, urinating in public places, using indecent language and encumbering the pavements, among others.

The department also provides security for the municipal markets, daycare centres,koker pumps and City Hall buildings, among other facilities.

Providing security alone takes up much of the department’s resources, Foo had once told the Guyana Chronicle.

The Enforcement Unit, which deals with itinerant vending and other breaches of the city by-laws, is also very small and short of its full complement of staff.

M&CC to take responsibility – to undertake 60% of garbage disposal THE withdrawal of the services of City Hall’s two major garbage contractors last week has opened up an opportunity for the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to “rethink” its approach to providing this service to the city.

Town Clerk,Royston King made the observation on Monday at the statutory meeting when he also noted that the M&CC intends to take over at least 60 per cent of the total collection by the end of 2017.

“There are a number of approaches we are looking at and have already discussed.

It’s very frightening when contractors can actually withdraw their services at their own whims and fancies and the city is left vulnerable to all kinds of public health and

environmental challenges,” said King.

“While we know we owe monies to the contractors, we also believe that they have a civic responsibility to ensure the integrity of our environment. Therefore we were a little disappointed particularly since we were also talking with them in finding a way forward in terms of paying them,” King continued.

Puran Brothers Disposal Services and Cevons Waste Management recently opted to pull their garbage collection services from the city due to outstanding balances from the M&CC. King told city councillors last month that the M&CC was finding it increasingly difficult to honour its financial obligations to the contractors.

He said Council has been trying to keep up with current bills, although it has outstanding amounts for the years 2015 and 2016.

King said it was “extremely difficult” for the Council to sustain payments to these contractors because the municipality is being asked to do more with less resources. He pointed out that the Council is now doing more drainage works than it did before.

Although help has been forthcoming from the Ministry of Infrastructure, it is often inadequate, King noted, and called for the commercial fee to be implemented as soon as possible, and for the container-fee issue to be sorted out.

Meanwhile, in a press statement, the M&CC said the monthly payment to both contractors is $45M.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25, 2017

‘We’re soon going to know’

…Ramjattan says details of jailbreak will soon unfold

By Alva Solomon PUBLIC Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, has deemed Sunday night breakout of the Lusignan Prison as an unfortunate incident and declared that “we are soon going to know what happen.” Thirteen prisoners dug their way out of the pasture at the Lusignan Prison sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning.

The minister made the comments while addressing the media at a news conference Monday afternoon. He noted however that he did not wish to identify where the blame should be laid in light of the incident at this time, but noted that ultimately he is responsible, but he said resignation was not something he is currently considering. “Resignation is not a word that I am normally associated with. I have gone through this political career, with a lot, but not necessarily worse than this but equivalent to this and I am still here and I want to believe that I will still be here when all of this is over,” Ramjattan said.

He said the situation is an “embarrassment” for the security sector and the Government itself, which has a number of security experts within its administration.

According to Ramjattan those who are directly responsible would be security at the perimeters of the prison as well as those providing security on the inside.

He said that there have been setbacks and lapses which can point to persons being held accountable however, he noted that there is a literal “war” to catch the escapes. He said that dereliction of duty is not among the priorities to focus on at the moment.

Ramjattan said that the Camp Street brick prison has been sufficiently completed, noting that the ideal aim was to construct and administrative building and infirmary at the site. He said however, that the plans have been fast tracked and the remaining 86 prisoners who have been housed in the pasture at the Lusignan facility have been transferred to Camp Street. As he spoke of the gravity of the situation he noted that,” I do not want us to however surrender to these criminals.”

CONFIDENCE BUILDING Meanwhile, as the authorities hunt for inmates who escaped from the

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, at the media conference

Lusignan Prison on Sunday night, Police Commissioner (ag) David Ramnarine is appealing to the public to assist the force with any information which would lead to the capture of prisoners at large. The names of the prisoners who escaped on Sunday night between 1:30hrs and 02:00hrs are Clive Forde, Teshawn McKenzie, Winston Long, Kerry Cromwell, Pascal Smith, Odel Roberts, Kendell Skeete, Paul Goriah, Jamal Forde, Jamal Joseph, Rayon Jonas, Jason Howard and Shawn Harris.

Four other prisoners who escaped following a fire which gutted most of the Georgetown Prison on July 9 are Stafrei Alexander, Cobena Stephens aka “OJ”, Mark Royden Williams and Uree Varswyk. Speaking also at the press briefing held at the Ministry of Public Security on Brickdam, Ramnarine said that the police have intensified its operations. ”We have to continue and we will continue, “he said, noting that the force is working on confidence building patrols across the capital city and the outskirts as well as other parts of the country. He said an arrangement is in place where the police force will respond to information it receives. This response, he noted, includes the use of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit of the force. Ramnarine called on the public to cooperate with the authorities. He also called on the citizenry to be patient and vigilant of any strange characters particularly in areas deemed “backlands” . He said that there is information which the police is working on

and this may prove useful in their efforts in the aftermath of the recent escape.

Prisons Director, Gladwyn Samuels, clarified that previously 90 prisoners were held at the pasture; however the number rose to 99 following later admissions from the courts. He said on Sunday afternoon around 16:00hrs a lock-down tally was undertaken and 635 prisoners were accounted for in total at Lusignan. He said there were 104 inmates in the new holding area, as well as 136 who have been of the prison population prior to the escape. On Monday morning another tally was done and following checks, it was recognised that 13 inmates of the 99 who were in the pasture could not be accounted for at the facility.

Samuels said the men’s escape route was discovered. He informed the press that prison officers have been manning the facility, including the towers and he noted that ranks of the Guyana Defence Force provide security to the outer cordon. He said he visited the swamped area on Monday and observed the area through which the men escaped. The recent incident has led to a “massive” joint services operation, code named “Clean sweep”, which has been intensified to recapture the 13 new escapees and the four escapees. “We apologise for any inconvenience this massive joint service manhunt will result in.

The security services are utilising every means and resources at their disposal to recapture the fugitives,” Ramjattan stressed earlier on Monday during a televised programme.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Escapees fled via tunnel …had shunned portable toilet for outhouse THE 13 prisoners who escaped from the Lusignan Prison on Sunday night fled from the area via a five feet long conduit, which was dug in the vicinity of a make-shift toilet.

This is according to Director of Prisons, Gladwyn Samuels, who told the media during a press briefing on Monday at the Ministry of Public Security, that personnel at a tower which is in the vicinity of the area were probably hampered by low visibility.

Samuels noted that the men may have fled around 01:00hrs-02:30hrs when it was raining heavily in the area. He explained that because some prisoners would

have been uncomfortable in using the portable toilet facility provided at the pasture area where they were being held, he said that some of the men resorted to relieving themselves at an area where two fences converged in a “V” shape.

They had covered the area to avoid detection by the prison officials. At the opportune time, the men continued digging the hole until they were able to flee the prison. “And how they do it, police nor soldiers nor the prison authority could have seen how it happen because they do it in an angle,” a police source told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday.

He said that a zinc sheet

was erected in the area and according to him the earth in that area would have been soft as a result of inundation. On the outer part of the fence where the escape occurred, Samuels said there was some amount of grass which he posited may have provided coverage for the escapees. Samuels described the hole as being five feet in depth, stretching five feet in length, and another two feet on the outer portion of the hole where the men exited the area. Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan told the media that in light of the escape there will be increased monitoring of security on the outer perimeter to patrol the area.

The prisoners who escaped are: Tishan McKenzie, Winston Long, Kerry Cromwell, Pascal Smith, Odel Roberts, Kendell Skeete, Paul Goriah, Jamal Forde, Jamal Joseph, Rayon Jonas, Jason Howard and Shawn Harris. The men were discovered missing on Monday morning when a head count was made.

President David Granger and members of the National Security Committee (NSC) were on Monday briefed on the latest report of a prison break at the Lusignan Prison. The high-level committee was briefed by Director of Prisons, Mr. Gladwyn Samuels and Heads of the Joint Services at the Joint Operations Centre.

Escapee in purported Facebook post THE first thing on the mind of recent prison escapee, Odel Roberts after he fled the Lusignan Prison on Sunday was to make a post on Facebook, thanking God for keeping him alive.

Roberts, 26, of Lot 124 ‘C’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown is among 13 prisoners who dug a hole under the fence of the holding area at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara (ECD,and escaped.

Mere hours after fleeing, the murder accused posted: “God thanks u for my life the night I’m now out of jail, just

Pillion rider killed in motorcycle accident

DEAD: Gaitri Sahadeo

A MOTORCYCLIST is in police custody following the death by accident of his reputed wife in the wee hours of the morning on Sunday.

Dead is Gaitri Sahadeo, 20,of Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), who was reportedly the pillion rider when the accident oc-

‘B’ Division under new command

Assistant Commissioner, Paul Williams

FORCE Training Officer, Assistant Commissioner, Paul Williams, will today be taking up the post of Commander of ‘B’ Division (Berbice), as Assistant Commissioner, Ian Amsterdam, heads into retirement.

Senior Superintendent, Edmond Cooper will now be the Deputy Commander, replacing Senior Superintendent Errol Watts.

Assistant Commissioner, Ian Amsterdam

Senior Superintendent, Edmond Cooper

Murder accused, Odel Roberts

One of the many photos Roberts posted on his Facebook page

curred.

According to reports, the accident occurred at around 00:30hrs on the eastern carriageway of the Providence, EBD Public Road when the motorcycle the victim’s common-law husband, Laurent McGarrell, was riding crashed after suffering a blowout.

Sahadeo, who reportedly sustained injuries to the head, was picked up in an unconscious condition and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she succumbed.

The police say that while McGarrell was in custody, he was given a breathalyzer test which proved that his blood alcohol level was 40 micrograms.

Both parties, the police say, were not wearing safety helmets, on top of which the rider was unlicensed.

want bad girl by myself now.”

Roberts’ Facebook page has been busy in the last few weeks since the July 9, Camp Street fire and jailbreak. His page has been active with posts about the conditions prisoners were made to live under at the Lusignan Prison since the fire gutted sections of the Camp Street Prison.

One of his posts stated: “Life in Jail just !@#$ up right now, O my god come for me now.”

There are numerous photographs and videos, which were posted by inmates, especially in the aftermath of the fire. There were videos at the Lusignan Prison of inmates killing a calf and roasting it for a meal.

Many of the spectators on Facebook wondered how the men were still equipped with cell phones and their means of charging them in the Lusignan pasture.

Roberts was charged with Jamal Forde, who also escaped, and was committed to stand trial at the High Court in Georgetown for the May 1, 2015 murder of Sophia busi-

The post on Roberts’ Facebook page

nessman, Shawn Anys.

According to reports, Anys, who owned a small grocery shop, was confronted by armed bandits at his home.

It was reported that the gunmen shot Anys while demanding cash and valuables from him.

They reportedly made off with $40,000 in cash along with jewellery.

The 37-year-old businessman was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has confirmed that 13 inmates escaped from the Lusignan Prison. They

are: Clive Forde accused of Murder, Teshawn McKenzie accused of Armed Robbery, Winston Long accused of Armed Robbery, Kerry Cromwell accused of Murder, Pascal Smith accused of Murder, Odel Roberts accused of Murder, Kendall Skeete accused of Murder, Paul Goriah accused of Robbery/Murder, Jamal Forde accused of Robbery/Murder, Jamal Joseph accused of Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm, Rayon Jones accused of Discharging Loaded Firearm, Jason Howard accused of Murder and Shawn Harris accused of Murder.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Develop realistic, achievable budgets – Jordan urges as agency heads meet

By Svetlana Marshall FINANCE Minister Winston Jordan has underscored the importance of developing realistic and achievable budgets as the country tries to strike a balance between its incomes versus expenditures.

In his address during the opening ceremony of the ‘Budget 2018 Preparation and Sensitisation Session’ at the Guyana Marriott on Monday, the Finance Minister said the upcoming budget is being crafted at a time when domestic revenues and other sources of financing are not expected to be substantially higher than 2017, and that as such effective planning is critical.

“You are well aware of demands by certain groups for removal of one tax or the other. You are well aware that as a result of our upper middle income classification, concessional resources are dwindling,” Minister Jordan said as he reminded the Heads of Budget Agencies present of the reality.

As such, he said, greater effort will be needed to widen the tax net through greater efficiency in the administration and collection of taxes.

On the flip side, the Finance Minister said expenditure pressures continue to mount. “For example, in 2018, we have to find new monies to finance Local Government Elections and re-build the country’s prison system, even as we continue to support GuySuCo, which continues to consume billions of dollars.

Finance Minister,Winston Jordan,addressing Heads of Budget Agencies and senior government officials at a Budget 2018 preparation and sensitisation session on Monday

“So, the math should be clear: Lower expectations for revenue juxtaposed against higher demands for spending equals bigger budget deficit, which in turn means bigger debt and debt repayments for present and future generations. Only an irresponsible government will contemplate such a scenario. We are not such a government!” he said.

Given the reality, Minister Jordan said it is incumbent upon agency heads to develop realistic and achievable budgets.

According to him, many Budget Agencies have adopted a horizontal approach in the preparation of their budgets as against utilising a vertical approach.

“Even as we have employed a more programmatic approach to our budgeting, too many budget agencies remain steeped in line item budgeting, focusing on inputs rather than outputs.

My admonition to you right now is: STOP IT! “Adopting a vertical approach would allow for prioritization of key projects and initiatives,” the Finance Minister said, adding: KNOW YOUR SECTOR “Be guided by the strategic plans and the sector’s medium-term objectives; be guided by value-for-money and cost-efficiency mea-

sures. Above all else, be guided by results. Your job means achieving a balance of all of these. You must demonstrate a persistent and keen interest in managing in a timely manner. Know your sector. Collect the data, know the data, and use it for your evidence-based submissions to the Ministry of Finance, and within your own agencies. Nothing less is good enough! Nothing less is demanded of you!”

In revising and updating their plans for the next four years, Minister Jordan said it is important for Budget Agencies to be cognisant of the vision of the government, emphasising that in the examination of their performance framework, they must ensure that requests for the allocation of resources will directly and measurably contribute to the achievement of programme deliverables.

“It is also a time for serious reflection on past performance; a time to determine what works and what doesn’t; what is contributing to the expected outcomes of the programme and what is not; what programmes need to be scrapped altogether,

what needs to be re-engineered, what needs to be expanded and what needs to improve,” he posited.

At the macro level, Minister Jordan said that the government is in the process of analysing and reflecting on the performance of the economy for the first half of the year. Growth performance of the various sectors of the economy, inflation, financial stability, the level of economic activity, job creation, earnings from exports, the amount expended on imports and the rate of implementation of public sector investment are among variables that are being microscopically examined.

Despite the prevailing challenges, the Finance Minister said the government will continue to pursue the “Good Life” for all Guyanese.

For the government, he said, the “Good Life” is neither mantra, a slogan, an abstract concept nor nirvana but rather a constant reminder that it must improve the quality of life of all Guyanese, through the improvement in the quality and quantity of goods and

services be it in the areas of health, education, security, economic stability, community development or job creation.

It was noted these critical areas of development will be embodied in the Green State Development Strategy, currently being developed with the help of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).

“These national goals will incorporate the relevant Sustainable Development Goals and any outstanding targets related to the Millennium Development Goals,” Minister Jordan added.

As it pursues the “Good Life” for the Guyanese people, Government will continue to champion good governance and transparency, he added.

The closed-door session, which attracted a number of Heads of Budget Agencies and Senior Government Officials, on Monday focused on the Green State Development Strategy Framework, Fiscal Outlook on Oil and Gas, Green Initiatives in the Public Sector and Child Friendly Budgeting.

Government officials at the opening on Monday of the Budget 2018 preparation and sensitisation meeting

Guyanese accused of raping TT law student A 31-year-old Guyanese man who allegedly buggered and forced a law student to carry out grevious sexual acts, is assisting the Arouca police in their investigation into the two offences.

The traumatised victim, who is from Tobago, returned to the sister isle on Saturday night, hours after the incident, and is receiving counseling for his ordeal. Ac-

cording to reports, the victim who is pursuing a law degree, travels to Trinidad every Saturday to attend classes.

On Saturday afternoon around 16:00hrs he exited a taxi in Arouca and was on his way to board another taxi to take him to the Piarco International Airport when he saw a man whom he thought looked familiar. The victim told police that he was approached by the man who

told him that he was going to Tobago but needed to go to his apartment to change, and asked the law student to accompany him to his apartment so he could freshen up before they both departed for the airport.

The law student said because the man looked familiar he did not feel that there was anything sinister about the invitation to go to the suspect’s apartment. According

to the victim, upon arriving at the apartment a short distance away from the Arouca taxi stand, the man placed a knife at his neck, and ordered him to perform oral sex. He said that following the act, he was then buggered for close to ten minutes. Following the two rape acts, the student was allowed to leave. He made his way to the Arouca Police Station where the matter was reported.

The victim was taken to the St Joseph Health Centre where he was examined by DMO, Dr Gopaul, and a medical certificate obtained. Police officers then took the victim back to the Arouca area where a search was carried out at the apartment where the rape act took place, and a 31-year-old Guyanese national arrested. The suspect was taken back to the

Arouca Police Station and was expected to be placed on an identification parade yesterday for the two rape acts as well as other criminal acts reported by victims. The law student was expected to return to the country yesterday to attend the identification parade.

Sources say that the man was inconsolable following the incident. Investigations are continuing. (Newsday)

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Continued from Monday

AG’s submission in ‘GECOM chairperson’ court case Stamp J in Bourne (Inspector of Taxes) v. Norwich Crematorium Ltd propounded that ‘Sentences are not mere collections of words to be taken out of the sentence, defined separately by reference to the dictionary or decided cases, and then put back again into the sentence with the meaning which one has assigned to them as separate words, so as to give the sentence or phrase a meaning which as a sentence or phrase it cannot bear without distortion of the English language.

That one must construe a word or phrase in a section of an Act of Parliament with all the assistance one can from decided cases and, if you will, from the dictionary, is not in doubt; but having obtained all that assistance, one must not at the end of the day distort that which has to be construed and give it a meaning which in its context one would not think it can possibly bear.”

[Emphasis mine].

Therefore, while one may resort to various aids of interpretation to construe a provision, such construction must always be against the backdrop of the context being used. Professor Willis gives an apt example of the application of this rule when he states that a thrower of vitriol cannot be indicted under a section that makes it an offence to “shoot, cut, stab, or wound”, for the simple reason that the wounding contemplated by the section is a wound which involves the making of a hole or slice.

Vitriol, being a sulphuric acid, would not cause such a wound and therefore does not fall within the context of wounding contemplated by that specific section.

In Pengelly v Bell Punch Co Ltd , the word ‘floors’ in the phrase ‘floors, steps, stairs, passages and gangways’ which were required to be kept free from construction, was held not to apply to part of a factory floor used for storage rather than passage. Hence Fit and proper person can only be a person with qualities and characteristics of a judge, former judge or person who can be a judge.

These characteristics include the ability to be impartial, knowledgeable of the law

and the ability to make sound judgments.

The Bar Association fell into error when it predicated its contentions on a ‘pull out’ of words from an entire article and purported to interpret them without reference to or in isolation from the other words in that article, in breach of the established canons of construction. It is respectfully submitted that to interpret only the words, “Or any other fit and proper person” in Article 161 (2), breaches the established said canons of construction.

Hence in answer to Question A the list must include a judge, former judge or a person qualified to be a judge or any other fit and proper person (judge like qualities).

Application of section 5(1) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Act, Cap. 2:01 Article 232(9) of the Constitution and sections 3(2) and 4(1) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Act are relevant to the application of section 5(1) to the Constitution. Article 239(9) states – “(9) The Interpretation and General Clauses Act… shall apply…for the purpose of interpreting this Constitution…”

Section 3(2) states –“(2) …this Act [the Interpretation and General Clauses Act] shall, unless it is otherwise expressly provided, apply to this Act and to all written law…”

Section 4(1) states – “4.

(1) Where expressions are defined in or for the purposes of or used in any written law or public document, such expressions shall have the meanings assigned to them, unless there is anything in the subject or context repugnant to or inconsistent with such meaning.”.

Section 5 (1) states – “5.

(1) In any written law and in any public document – “or”, “other”, and “otherwise” shall be construed disjunctively and not as implying similarity, unless the expression “similar”, or some equivalent expression, is added;”.

Section 5(1) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Act contains definitions of expressions that may be used to interpret those expressions used in any written law and in

any public document. Those definitions shall be used unless there is something in the subject or context of the written law that is repugnant or inconsistent with the definition. Applying section 5(1) to article 161(2), the words “or any other” in the category “ or any other fit and proper person” renders the category disjunctive from the two previous categories since the word “similar” or any equivalent expression is not used with those words. The category of “any fit and proper person” must then be given a very wide construction. This means that any person “who is fit and proper” is eligible for the post of Chairman.

The first two categories, judges and persons qualified to be judges, can be classified as persons of the legal profession. The intention of the amendment is to widen the classes of persons specified to include persons of the legal profession. Hence, it would be contrary to the intention of the constitution to construe the expression “any other fit and proper person” too widely, as this would open the door for persons other than the persons of the legal profession. In this regard, an application of section 5(1) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Act in that manner to determine the members of the third category will be repugnant to or inconsistent with the context of article 161(2) and (4).

This is not a favourable construction of the article.

Question B President’s Unfettered Discretion Subsection 1 of Article 182 of the Constitution of Guyana grants the President immunity from being personally answerable to any court for the performance of the functions of his or her office or any act done in the performance of those functions. In other words, the President’s actions done in the execution of his office cannot be questioned in any court of law and are therefore his acts are immune from curial process. Jowitts dictionary of English law 7th edn, Volume 1 p.1030 defines discretion as; ‘Discretion is a science of understanding, to discern between falsity and truth, between wrong

and right, between shadows and substance, between equity and colourable glosses and pretences and not to do according to their wills and private effections for as one said, talis discretion discretionem confundit’ It should be noted that our President is an Executive President. The people of Guyana have granted to him wide powers and wide discretion and trust him to exercise it wisely. It is the people through the constitution who have so decided.

Additionally, Article 111(1) of the Constitution of Guyana provides that: “ In the exercise of his or her functions under this Constitution or any other law, the President shall act in accordance with his or her own deliberate judgment except in cases where, by this Constitution or by any other law, he or she is required to act in accordance with the advice or on recommendation of any person or authority.”

These are the clear words of the constitution. To interpret them to mean anything less than what is clearly stated here is to read words into the constitution and to misconstrue it. The office of the President cannot be equated to that of any other public authority and thus be made subject to judicial review.

According to Fiadjoe in his text Commonwealth Caribbean Public Law: “The chances of the Head of State’s discretion coming up for judicial review would be few and far between, whereas the possibilities of the review of the discretion of the Service Commissions and other organs would be legion. It would also be philosophically easier to justify the argument that the founding fathers of the Constitution must have intended to shield the office of Head of State as a representative of the Crown, more so than they would have wished for the Service Commissions.” p. 71 If the people wish they can amend the powers and discretion of our executive President but it would have to be done through Parliament not the court. In Guyana, Article 8 declares the Constitution to be the supreme law of the land. The office of the President is established by

and under the Constitution.

By Article 89, the President shall be the Head of State, the supreme executive authority and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Guyana.

Article 111(1) stipulates, “In the exercise of his or her functions under this constitution or any other law, the President shall act in accordance with his or her own deliberate judgment except in cases where, by this Constitution or by any other law, he or she is required to act in accordance with the advice or on the recommendation of any person or authority.”

The case of Democratic Alliance v President of the Republic of South Africa and Another (5950/2017) [2017] ZAWCHC 34 concerned the President’s decision to appoint Mr Menz Simelane as the National Director of Public Prosecutions (National Director) of the Republic of South Africa. This power was conferred by s 91(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 108 of 1996 (the Constitution) which the court stated had to be read together with s 83 of the Constitution. Section 83 reads: “The Presidenta. is the Head of State and head of the national executive; b. must uphold, defend and respect the Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic; and c. promotes the unity of the nation and that which will advance the Republic.”

In this case it was decided that the executive power conferred upon the office of the President by s 91(1) of the Constitution is circumscribed by the bounds of rationality and by sections 83(b) and (c) of the Constitution and was reviewable.

The court should note that there is no equivalent provision in the Constitution of South Africa to Article 111(1). Therefore, there can be no absolute reliance on South African authorities to support the position that the President’s exercise of his discretion is subject to review. Hence the case of the President of the Republic of South Africa where the Court came to the conclusion that the discretion of the President

is subject to review cannot be accepted as the final position here. This would amount to dis-regarding Article 111.

The court should also note the case of AG v Dumas, 2017 UKPC 12 cannot be applied or equated to our local situation here either since The President of Trinidad and Tobago is not an executive President clothed with the powers and discretion granted to our President by our constitution and as such must be immediately distinguished. The Constitution of Guyana is declared to be supreme and although this living instrument has created the office of the President it does not limit the exercise of his discretion except in the few instances where he is required to consult with other authorities but consultation does not necessarily mean adherence and obedience to the suggestions or proposals of the consulted authority.

The discretion is with him to decide if the list is unacceptable to him or not.

This discretion, it is humbly submitted is not one which can be subject to review by the court since he is acting in his own deliberate judgment. The very constitution has provided the solution where the list is found to be unacceptable to him. The President can then go on to appoint someone is who is a judge, a former judge or could be a judge. The court reviewing his discretion is certainly not the solution provided by the constitution.

It is submitted that the office of the President should not be equated with that of other public authorities, other constitutional office holders like the DPP and public bodies.

It is in keeping with public policy that the Head of State not be required to divulge sensitive confidential opinions and information considered in the exercise of his discretion. It is for this reason he is empowered to act in accordance with his or her own deliberate judgment.

The court is reminded of the case of Re Blake [1994] 2 WLR 101.

Hence the President is not required to give reasons for his rejection of the list.

Questions C and D Article 184 of the Consti-

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12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Guyanese nabbed by US law enforcement in drug probe THIRTY-two-year-old Jermaine Horatio has been arrested and charged in the United States after messages between him and a confidential source revealed that he was attempting to facilitate the shipment of drugs to that country.

According to court documents, the former airline employee was taken into custody by the law enforcement officers and charged

last Thursday in a Brooklyn Federal Courthouse. He was then remanded to prison.

Horatio, who was born in Guyana but now resides in the US, was nabbed after officers intercepted his text and social media messages which were being monitored since February of this year.

Those messages indicate that he was attempting to use contacts at the John F. Kennedy Airport in New

York, to facilitate the shipment of drugs to the U.S. from Guyana.

Having worked at the airport, he reportedly used the people with whom he had developed a relationship while there to do the job.

Court documents reveal that the ‘Feds’ had one of their confidential sources at the airport network with Horatio, who then attempted to use the said source as

Jermaine Horatio

one of the facilitators of the shipment of narcotics.

The confidential source reportedly told law enforcement officers, “Horatio is currently involved in a scheme to import n a r c o t i c s i n t o A transcription of the conversation the United States between the Confidential Source (CS) through JFK Air- and Jermaine Horatio (Device) on a port.” drug shipment to the US

Jordan slams sloth in budget spending LESS than 30 per cent of the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) has been expended as of June 2017, Finance Minister Winston Jordan disclosed on Monday.

For 2017, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government had set aside $58B for its Public Sector Investment Programme.

Like budget agencies,

the government, at the macro level,is reviewing its performance for the first half of the year, and according to the Finance Minister, the findings leave much to be desired.

“We still have budget agencies, in June, figuring out specifications of items to be purchased; we have awarded only 53 per cent of the PSIP, and expended a mere 28 per cent on maintenance of infrastructure

within the recurrent budget,” Minister Jordan said as he expressed his dissatisfaction.

Questioning the reason for the continued sloth in the implementation of the PSIP, the minister said agencies can no longer give the excuse of having to work with a late budget.

“No late budget excuse is applicable any longer, because for Budget 2017, the presentation to Parliament

was on November 28, 2016, a signal accomplishment of this administration,” he lamented.

The benefits of having an early budget are slowly being materialised. “While we happily and deservedly bask in the glow of improved Grade 4 examination results, we need to wake up to the reality that less than 50 per cent of our Grade 6 children passed mathematics this year,” Minister Jordan

said, adding:“Drugs and medical supplies are still in short supply at GPHC and in all of our regions.”

Heads of Budget Agencies must do better, the Finance Minister urged, noting that effective systems must be implemented to prevent a reoccurrence. “We need to be in a BETTER position and in a BETTER place, for where we are currently can neither be countenanced nor endured,” he said.

“I trust, therefore, that as a collective, we will use the opportunity of reflection to renew our energies towards improved performance and better results across all sectors,” he added.

At the time, the Finance Minister was delivering the feature address during the opening ceremony of a “Budget 2018 Preparation and Sensitisation Session” at the Guyana Marriott on Monday.

AG’s submission in ‘GECOM chairperson’... tution provides for the role of the Leader of the Opposition appointed under Article 110.

Article 184.

The Leader of the Opposition was not vested with any power either to perform or share the powers of the President or Executive functions of the Government.

Both Articles 110 and 184 provide only for the qualifications and tenure of office for the Leader of the Opposition as well as his tenure as a Member of Parliament under Article 156 of the Constitution.

1. He is not an appointing authority and cannot, therefore, share any such authority with the President under Article 161.

2. As Leader of the Opposition, he can only nominate (6) candidates for the appointment of Chairman of GECOM under Article 161 (6) BUT he cannot recommend any of them. Therefore, in this circumstance, once the Leader of the Op-

position nominates the 6 candidates under Article 161 (6), the President is at liberty to either accept or ignore the nominations. There is nowhere in the Article which binds the President to accept the nominations or to even consult with the leader of the opposition.

He can reject the list in its entirety even if it contains some judges, former judges or persons who can qualify to be a judge since the list in its entirety must be acceptable to him. If the entire list is not acceptable to him, he can reject the list.

It should be noteworthy that the term ‘any other fit and proper person’ connotes that the persons in the other categories must also be fit and proper.

The constitution contemplates that a person who fits the qualifications may not necessarily be acceptable to the President. Hence the President has the discretion based on information

which may be known to him to deem the list unacceptable. The Constitution speaks to the list being unacceptable to him. Logic therefore dictates that if the President is shackled to a list or list proffered by the leader of the opposition, he is logically incapable of exercising his own deliberate judgement as implied by the ordinary meaning of the sections. “His own deliberate judgment” If one person is unacceptable it means the entire list can be deemed unacceptable to him. He needs to have six choices, not 4 or 5 but 6. It is trite law that the power to approve necessarily implies a power to refuse to approve. More significantly, the discretion is not controlled by any provision limiting the power and there is no requirement for him to give reasons for rejecting any list.

In an application for mandamus to compel the

exercise of a constitutional power when the Kaduna House of Assembly rejected four successive lists of persons nominated by the Governor for the appointment of Commissioners, the Court held that there is a distinction between a power and a duty and mandamus will not lie to compel the exercise of a power which in any case is discretionary. Please see Governor of Kaduna State v House of Assembly [1981] 2 NCLR 722.

The court therefore should not allow itself to be used to dilute, circumvent or in any way threaten the use of the Executive Powers of the President. This would be an abuse of the judicial process. The court is cautioned not to be so used. Further the Applicant has come to this court seeking purely declarations. As such the entire exercise is academic.

The findings of the court certainly do not bind the President, the State or any

arm of the State.

The position existing under the English Law was that the court will not answer hypothetical questions. If the declaration would serve no useful purpose - graphically described by Pumfrey LJ in his last judgment, Nokia Corporation v Inter Digital Technology Corporation [2007] EWHC 3077 (Pat), as “the legal equivalent of shouting in an empty room” - the court will not entertain such a claim.

The declaration is a discretionary remedy. This important characteristic probably derives not from the fact that the power to grant it was first conferred on the Court of Chancery, but from the discretionary power conferred by the rule of court.

There is thus ample jurisdiction to prevent its abuse; and the court always has inherent powers to refuse relief to speculators and busybodies, those who ask hypothetical questions or those who have

From page 11

no sufficient interest. As was said by Lord Dunedin in Russian Commercial Bank and Industrial Bank v British Bank for Foreign Trade Ltd. {1921} 2 AC 438; ‘The question must be real and not a theoretical question; the person raising it must have a real interest to raise it; he must be able to secure a proper contradictor, that is to say, someone presently existing who has a true interest to oppose the declaration sought. ‘ In other words, there must be a genuine legal issue between proper parties. See Administrative Law 9th Edn. by Professor William Wade and Professor Christopher Forsyth at page 570.Asking theoretical questions is purely an academic exercise and certainly an abuse of the process of the court and this is an issue which the court should consider seriously before exercising its discretion.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25, 2017

‘Clean Sweep’ intensifies to recapture escapees

Coroner testifies in ‘Ruby Backdam’ murder

FOLLOWING the escape of 13 prisoners from the Lusignan holding area, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan has said that a “massive” joint services manhunt has been launched to recapture the escapees.

As told to President David Granger at a special emergency meeting with the National Security Committee (NSC) around 07:00hrs, the 13 escapees were unaccounted for after a routine count was done. Ramjattan, during a televised address, related that upon discovering that 13 prisoners were missing, further checks of the premises revealed that a tunnel was dug and tracks were found south, towards the Lusignan Backlands.

In response to this, a “massive” joint services operation, code named “Clean sweep” has been intensified to recapture the 13 new escapees and the other four escapees. According to Ramjattan, ninety-nine inmates were in the holding area when the last full check was done; the remaining 86 will be transported today from the holding area to the refurbished brick prison at Camp Street, Georgetown.

According to the minister, the brick prison has been secured and there will be improved security infrastructure, more perimeter patrols and surveillance lights and cameras at both the Brick prison/ Camp Street prison area and the

GOVERNMENT Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, on Monday testified in the Georgetown High Court that he had performed the post mortem examination on the body of Davonan Sookram, which was found at Ruby Backdam in 2015.

Dr Singh was called to take the stand after a voir dire (a trial within a trial) was called to determine the admissibility of evidence. Dr. Singh said that on August 3, 2015 he performed a post mortem on the body of Sookram, which was in an advanced state of decomposition, the body was bloated and there was presence of maggots.

He added that there was skin slippage and the hair was falling off the body and there was a circular wound on the right side of the back of the head. Dr. Singh gave the cause of death as gunshot injuries to the head. He estimated the time of death as two to five days.

The trial is before Justice Nareshwar Harnanan and a 12-member jury and on trial is ex-cop Ruel Bran-

Police ranks have intensified their hunt for the prison escapees

Lusignan prison. Additionally, all prisoners will be subjected to increased checks throughout the day.

The four escapees that escaped from the Camp Street prison during the fire and unrest on July 9 and who still remain at large are: Stafrei Alexander, Cobena Stephens aka “OJ”, Mark Royden Williams and Uree Varswyk.

The 13 prisoners who have escaped from the Lusignan prison have been identified as Clive Forde, Tishan McKenzie, Winston Long, Kerry Cromwell, Pascal Smith, Odel Roberts, Kendell Skeete, Paul Goriah, Jamal Forde, Jamal Joseph, Rayon Jonas, Jason Howard and Shawn Harris.

The Public Security Minister described this escape from the Lusignan prison as “painful and unfortunate” and commented, “We have suffered another setback.” The minister

pleaded with the public for their cooperation in helping the joint services recapture the escapees and in facilitating their presence, especially along the East Coast and East Bank corridors where road blocks and security checks will be employed.

“The harboring of these criminals is a serious offense and anyone found to be assisting them will be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law,” Ramjattan underscored.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this massive joint service manhunt will result in. The security services are utilising every means and resources at their disposal to recapture the fugitives,” Ramjattan stressed. He stressed too that there will be a “relentless pursuit” and “unrelenting effort” in recapturing all the prisoners.

Jagdeo expresses deep concern over prison breakout Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, has expressed deep concerns over the recent prison break, calling it a disaster.

“This morning, 13 of the most dangerous prisoners escaped the pasture in which they were corralled at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.

This latest tragedy has catapulted the nation into even greater fear,” Jagdeo, who was President when sever-

al jailbreaks occurred- the mostly deadly being in 2002, said.

According to him the matter is compounded by the fact that “this government is manifestly incapable of saying or doing anything to allay the fear and trauma that have gripped this land.”

He questioned whom will the Coalition Government blame this time, the PPP/C again and whether it will still

ludicrously contend that they inherited this situation from the PPP/C government?

“We reiterate our continued support for the members of our Disciplined Forces. We urge them to expend their best efforts in seeking to capture all the escapees so that our country can return to some degree of normalcy,” the Opposition Leader said.

– says victim died of ‘gunshot injuries’

Deceased: Davonan Sookram

The accused: Ruel Brandon

don whom the state alleged that between July 27 and 31, 2015 he reportedly murdered Seaman Davonan Sookram at Ruby Backdam, East Bank Essequibo. The accused has pleaded not guilty to the offence. The state is being represented by Lisa Cave, Siand Dhurjon and Shawnette Austin while, the defence attorney is Nigel Hughes. The state is expected to call 10 witnesses.

Sookram’s decomposing body was found along the access road at Ruby, East Bank Essequibo on Friday, July 31, 2015 four days after he went missing. According to

police reports, Brandon, who was familiar with Sookram and his family, collected him from his home on July 27, 2015 and he was never seen alive again.

Sookram’s wife had reported him missing and on July 31, 2015 as she was speaking to the police at the Parika Station they received information that a body was found. It was described as a decomposing body, which was observed along the access road at Ruby, with a suspected gunshot wound to the head. It was later identified to be that of the missing man, Sookram.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25, 2017

RHTYSC, Namilco launch historic ‘Say No/Say Yes Exercise books’

THOUSANDS of school children drawn from 30 Secondary and Primary Schools, Children Orphanages and less fortunate students, would receive free exercise books under a Say No to Suicide Programme organised by the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and sponsored by the National Milling Company (Namilco).

Thirteen thousand exercise books which were printed locally were handed over by representative of Namilco, Miss World Guyana, Vena Mookram and Marketing Consultant Affeeze Khan to Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club President, Keith Foster, on Friday last during a ceremony at the St. Francis Community Developers Training Centre.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the Management of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports club in May 2017 paid an official visit to Namilco and Finance Controller, Bert Sukhai and an approval for the exercise books programme was given immediately. He explained that the main objectives of the exercise book programme was to reach thousand of youths in the education system to promote

“Representatives of some of the schools pose with a copy of the Namilco books along with Miss World Guyana, Vena Mookram

the importance of ‘Saying No to Suicide’ and promoting the message that life is worth living despite some minor problems.

The eighty-page exercise book carry messages for youths on suicide, choosing friends, crime, importance of education, Drug Abuse and Religion. The exercise books under the Motto “Change Your Thoughts and you will change your World” and

“You are Guyana’s Future - Act Wisely”, would be distributed to the following schools by the eight cricket teams of the RHTYSC - Line Path Secondary, Skeldon High, Tagore Memorial, Central Corentyne High, Black Bush Secondary, Winifred Gaskin Secondary, Manchester High, Corentyne Comprehensive, Port Mourant Secondary, J.C. Chandisingh Secondary, Lower Corentyne

Secondary, Canje Secondary, Berbice High School, Vryman’s Erven Secondary, Berbice Educational Institute, New Amsterdam Secondary and Tutorial Academy, and thirteen Primary Schools including, Rose Hall Town, Port Mourant, Belvedere, Cropper, Albion, Sheet Anchor and Tain.

Foster hailed the relationship between the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club

and Namilco as special and noted that together they have made a positive difference in the lives of youths, the elderly and less fortunate.

Special mention was made of Mr. Bert Sukhai, Fitzroy Mc Leod and Affeeze Khan of Namilco for their tireless efforts to make the project a reality.

Marketing Consultant of Namilco, Affeeze Khan hailed the project

as a well-organised and much-needed one for youths and stated that the company was pleased to be associated with it. He expressed confidence that the positive messages would be well received by students across Berbice.

Ms. World Guyana, Vena Mookram, speaking in her capacity as a representative of Namilco, advised the large gathering of Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club members, teachers and student to always strive to live a healthy lifestyle, stressing the need for proper eating habits and physical fitness in order to defeat diseases such as diabetes. The Queen also advised youths to cherish life and to always remember that Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Ms. Mookram also committed to making Guyana proud when she walks on the Ms. World stage in China in 2017.

Representatives of the schools and the Region 6 Ministry of Education all expressed gratitude to the Club and the Company for the donation of the ‘Say No to Suicide’ exercise books.

The messages in the books, they noted, would be of a massive assistance to students and hopefully they would follow them.

Over 40 cellphones seized at Lusignan Prison

By Vishani Ragobeer PRISONERS ‘going live’ from within their jail cells is of deep concern to prison authorities, although they said over 40 cellphones were seized during exercises at the Lusignan Pasture where several of the inmates had been held following the destruction of the Camp Street Prison.

The possibility of collusion, both from prison officers and prisoners, has not been ruled out Director of Prisons, Gladwyn Samuels has said.

During a press conference held at the Ministry of Public Security, Brickdam, following the escape of 13 prisoners from the Lusignan Prison, Samuels was questioned as to how prisoners had access to cellphones and other contraband items.

To this end, he related that there has been consideration for the possibility of collusion. “This is something we’ve never ruled out,” Samuels stressed.

During the press conference, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, weighed in that sanitisation exercises were done twice at the ‘swampy’ Lusignan Prison area, where in addition to other weapons, 22 cellphones were found during the initial check and 27 during the second.

“They are managing to be very smart,” Ramjattan said, while relating that these prisoners had managed to hide their items from the first check and more items could still be hidden. During these sanitisation efforts, Samuels related that some of the prisoners would be hiding the cellphones “in various places”, and while searches of the prisoners’ personal spaces can be done, these can only be done with reasonable cause, lest strife be incited.

It has been reported that prisoners have been publicising their escape plans via Facebook and

termind of the fire at Camp Street, Royden Williams, he could not ascertain the same at the time of this press conference. Moreover, the ‘ringleader’ for this escape plan could not be identified at the time either.

While interviews with the prisoners can be conducted, unless a prisoner volunteers to disclose certain information, there isn’t much that prison officers could garner. “It would impossible for anyone to operate as a ‘snitch’ in a general conversation,” he said.

Director of Prisons, Gladwyn Samuels

have been communicating with persons outside of the prisons. This has been made possible through the use of the cellphones within the system.

Unlike at a previous press conference where Samuels had indicated that several prisoners were involved in the escape plot of the mas-

COLLUSION Touching on collusion from prison officers, the director highlighted that there is some degree of camaraderie among the officers that could possibly explain why certain contraband materials trickle into the system. He explained that due to the number of years some staffers have worked together, there is some degree of trust that could foster improper and illegal

activities that officers engage in to earn extra cash.

Random searches are carried out on staff members, and Samuels accounted that on more than one occasion, several officers have been dismissed or even sent to prison for their involvement in transporting contraband items.

These searches, he explained, must be carried out by an officer of the similar sex and who is of a higher rank. And, though rotating staff would address these issues of cronyism, Samuels related that this is not always possible since some of the prisons like the New Amsterdam Prison, do not have the capacity to house the officers. However, he related, “as far as it is possible, we embark on the rotation of those staff.”

Upon the re- operationalisation of the Georgetown Prison, Samuels has advanced that “modern” scanners will be installed. “That will reduce the frequency at

which staff and other persons who enter the prison could attempt to smuggle, whether it is cellphones or other contraband into the facility,” he said.

Additionally, Samuels noted that cellphone jammers were installed at the Camp Street Prison prior to the fire and unrest, however, according to him, these were not in use since the use of these jammers resulted in the disability of certain other measures of communication. He stated that communication is necessary within the prison, and the administration is sourcing jammers that would not interfere with other means of communication of the prison. These should be installed once the Georgetown Prison is fully restored. In spite of the concerns of collusion, “This is not a situation where wrongdoers are condoned, it is just that it is a process,” the director said.

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25 2017

CoI hears: Top Cop had ordered release of alleged plotter

By Ariana Gordon

THE man accused of allegedly plotting to kill President David Granger would not have been granted bail by head of the Major Crimes Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mitchell Caesar.

Caesar appeared before the Commission called to inquire into the alleged plot to assassinate the President on Monday and told Commissioner Paul Slowe that while he did not find it strange that Police Commissioner, Seelall Persaud, instructed that Nazim Khan, the accused, and Andriff Gillard be placed on station bail, he would not have released the men so soon.

He noted that given the seriousness of the allegation, the two men would have remained in custody until such time as deemed fit for their released. “Notwithstanding the fact that he was on leave, you didn’t find it strange?” asked Slowe. Caesar replied in the negative, noting that he would not have placed the accused on bail but he was instructed.

“The issue of leave did not dawn on me at that time,” the ASP stated. He said he attempted to communicate with Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum, but it was pointed out that it was the Police Commissioner who instructed the men’s release. Caesar reports to the Crime Chief.

Asked why he did not communicate same with the Crime Chief, Caesar responded, “Sir, it is the Commissioner of Police. I didn’t see that was fit for me to do so, tell the Crime Chief that the Commissioner of Police said to put them on bail,” said Caesar, who accepted that he should have communicated with Blanhum. Caesar’s position was also held by Inspector Prim Narine, who also testified before the Commission on Monday.

Narine said he received a call from the Commissioner of Police, who after enquiring about what was transpiring at the CID, instructed him to release Imran Khan, the brother of Nizam Khan on his own recognisance and place the duo, Nizam and Gillard on station bail.

“I called Mr Caesar and

Head of the Major Crime Unit, Mitchell Caesar

told him what the instructions were because the Commissioner was on leave. He said to carry out the instructions and bail was set…”

Narine noted during his evidence-in-chief. It was reported that Imran Khan was behaving disorderly at the CID headquarters by using indecent language.

“Would you have sent Imran Khan on bail?” asked Slowe, to whom Inspector Narine responed, “I have been a police for 17 years, I would not have loosed any of them…because of the nature of the report. They would have remained in custody…the only reason they were sent on bail is because I was instructed.”

Asked whether he considered the instruction by the Police Commissioner inappropriate, Narine said, “I considered that to some extent, that’s why I contacted Mr Caesar.”

During cross examination, retired Justice Ian Chang representing the interest of the Police asked, “Would you consider it improper to take instruction from the Commissioner of Police who is on leave?” and the Inspector responded, “To some extent.” He told the Commission that view would be dependent on the instruction. He did not believe Khan was a flight risk.

“Are you aware that the acting commissioner would seek advice or instruction from the Commissioner when on leave?” questioned Justice Chang to whom, Narine responded, “I am not aware.”

He continued: “If you

didn’t get Caesar…” to which Narine said, “I would have sit there and watch them, if I didn’t get anybody.” Inspector Narine disclosed to the Commission that Imran Khan was a “friend of the police” and was seen on a number of occasions at police functions.

“I’ve known him for a couple of years…I’ve seen him around police Christmas parties…he interacted with various police, several levels…commissioners and divisional commanders,” he revealed. Inspector Narine’s statement was corroborated

by Corporal Heranjan Deonarine and ASP Caesar. Deonarine and Caesar told the Commission that he too saw Imran Khan socialising at police functions with varying levels of the hierarchy.

Commissioner Slowe asked Narine whether Imran Khan, who was accused of disorderly behaviour, was on his mobile device while in custody.

“Yes, I think Imran received a call on his cell phone…As I got there, while I was being briefed by the ranks, I realised he had a phone and as I approached him, he cut the conversation…I took the phone away from him,” the Inspector explained.

Additionally, it was revealed that Gillard, the accused behaved in a hostile manner while stationed at CID and destroyed his mobile device after ranks discovered him videoing the environments of CID. “We were of the view that he was videoing the environs of CID and I told him I’d have to check his phone…In an

Inspector Prim Narine of the CID

attempt to check it, he held it and broke it.”

New witness Meanwhile, ASP Caesar disclosed to the Commission that CID is in receipt of a new statement from a resident of Grove. He said the person informed the police that she had known Gillard for some time as he had rented a cubicle at her salon and they live opposite each other at Grove.

Sometime before the incident, the woman said Gillard told her that he is renting a building and asked if she wanted to be a partner.

The woman refused but the duo continued their conversation where he told her he was going to make a report about Khan.

“She asked him if it is not the same guy who helped him start his business,” Caesar recounted noting that the woman felt that Gillard was making up the allegation against Khan.

On Monday too, Leon Baldeo, the man who claimed Gillard offered him $50,000 to tell the police he was there when Khan offered him (Gillard) $7M to kill the President appeared before the Commission. He said on March 26, he went to Gillard’s residence to cut his hair and his equipment was not working at the time so the duo was in conversation.

At that time, Baldeo said Gillard told him he would give him the $50,000 “to do something for him.”

The Tushen Housing Scheme man said Gillard accused Nizam Khan of having an affair with his wife

and building a fence at the back of his yard. “I told him they are big people…I aint looking fuh get into no problem I aint know about,” said Baldeo who was jailed for Trafficking in Narcotics and accused of armed robbery in the past. The man said he visited CID headquarters on April 5 to make a report but “I didn’t get through”.

He explained that he was at Jerry’s pools shop on Grove Public Road when he heard the men were “locked up.”

“I left there, I went home and went the next day to make the report at Eve Leary,” said Baldeo.

Commissioner Slowe asked, “How you end up at Eve Leary? What happened to Diamond, Providence, Grove, Brickdam…” to which the man responded, “I know is a serious offence.”

He explained that he caught a minibus and visited CID but he didn’t get through that morning but was told to return at 13:00hrs. He did not because he was working. The man explained that his statement was eventually made on April 9. The man visited the Commission’s Waterloo Street office last Friday though he was not summoned. “How did you know you were required to come here?” asked Slowe. “The Police went by my father and tell my father they want to summons me to come here…” he responded.

Khan’s car The man said he met with staff of the commission and then left the office via minibus. “Are you familiar

with motor vehicle PMM 7762?”

“No sir,” Baldeo stated. “Would it surprise you if you are told, and evidence was produced that you joined PMM 7762, you did not go into any minibus? Asked Slowe to which Baldeo responded in the negative. “Further, would it surprise you to know that PMM 7762 is registered and owned by Nizam Khan?”

Slowe continued.

“I don’t know sir. I don’t know, I jumped in a bus out there,” responded Baldeo to whom Slowe said was “creased”.

“When you left here, we looked at you, we spy pon you…we saw PMM 7762 pull up and that is the vehicle you went with,” Slowe added.

“That’s a lie! I jumped in a bus,” Baldeo contended, while committing to doing a lie detector test at the request of the Commission.

During Cross examination, Bladeo was asked why Gillard would have spoken to him three days before he went to the police to report the alleged plot.

“I don’t know what he think, he got to know what he think but that is what he told me on the 26th,” the man added. Slowe said he thought it was a typo but he assured it was the 26th March, he was offered the money by Gillard.

Baldeo said he and Gillard are friends but he did not trust him and was afraid that that Gillard would tell the police things to implicate him in the matter.

“Andriff and me does smoke weed…we smoke weed together,” he said noting that he is not related to the Khans. In a twist, Baldeo said he did not read the police statement he signed but for his name, address, and occupation. “You go to give a statement and the police tell you read and you choose not to read and then sign?” Slowe asked to which Baldeo responded, “I just read to confirm me name, address, my wife name and my daughter name…” But the Commissioner found his response amazing.

“I find it a little laughable…he didn’t read the part about the allegation… you aint know what you sign to,” questioned Slowe.

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Plot to kill the... from Gillard and one, Stephen Persaud. He noted too, reports of Gillard’s refusal to attend scheduled confrontations.

“Gillard was frustrating the process,” said Blanhum, who said he subsequently received a file from the PLA on June 11, which stated that no one could be charged as there was insufficient evidence. Commissioner Slowe questioned why Gillard was taken to CID as opposed to ‘A’ Division for questioning.

The Crime Chief noted the seriousness of the allegation

and the fact that CID has a number of experienced persons along with the requisite resources.

Blanhum was unsure whether a report was made from ‘A’ Division. “On a weekly basis as the Crime Chief, I am engaged with over one hundred investigations at the executive level of the force, the strategic, tactical level and operational level and I think the question should be asked to the investigators themselves,” he added.

However, Slowe content-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25, 2017

From page 3

ed that Blanhum ought to have ensured that his subordinates acted in accordance with the stipulated requirements. “You are responsible for a serious investigation, are you suggesting to me that you are overwhelmed?” the Commissioner asked to which Blanhum replied, “I never said that…I am telling you I won’t be able to answer that question, it is for an investigator to say whether he made an entry…that is not my responsibility.”

The Crime Chief said he has been at CID for the

past 17 years and there is absolutely no need for the Crime Chief to verify who made entries into the station diary or any other document.

He made it clear that he is a “manager at the executive level”.

SEELALL PERSAUD INTERVENED Additionally, the Crime Chief said he did not find it strange that his subordinates granted bail to both the accused and accuser along with the accused’s brother, Imran Khan, who was accused of disorderly behaviour at the CID. The Commission heard that it was Police Commissioner, Seelall Persaud, who instructed that the men re-

ceive bail. Persaud was reportedly on leave at the time and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ramnarine was acting Police Commissioner.

Moreover, Blanhum did not view the alleged plot

by Khan to be treason and noted that it was merely an incitement to commit murder.

“You don’t see it as treasonous? asked Slowe. The Crime Chief in response said, “I already made myself clear…as Crime Chief I am obligated to rely on facts and not my feelings.” He disclosed that the Special Branch Unit was also involved in the operations.

Slowe brought it to the attention of Blanhum that a report dated April 3, and submitted to the Police Commissioner for reportage to the National Security Council (NSC) bore the wrong date.

Instead of March 29, the report stated April 3, Blanhum noted that was simply an error.

“We all make mistakes, what relevance does that have on the case,” asked the Crime Chief who was clearly ruffled by the line of questioning. “It has a lot, it shows that you weren’t diligent in observing the dates…it tells me that due attention wasn’t paid to a document that you were sending to your superior that had to go to, perhaps the highest security level in this country,” said Slowe.

It was then that Blanhum accused Slowe of being prejudicial in his assessment.

“With all due respect commissioner, you are making assumptions and your comments based on your personal experience which can be viewed as prejudicial.” Slowe immediately dismissed Blanhum’s concerns, “Whether you determine it prejudicial or not, that is a matter for you.”

DERELICTION OF DUTY Former Commander ‘A’ Division Clifton Hicken appeared earlier before the Commission and he too bumped heads with Slowe.

Slowe told Hicken that there was a dereliction of his duty when he failed to question Gillard on March 29. Hicken told the Commission that he received a call from the Crime Chief requesting that Gillard be escorted to CID headquarters from the Ministry of Public Security. He sent Divisional Detective, Michael Kingston, to collect Gillard and take him to his (Hicken’s) office. When Gillard arrived, Hicken only verified he was the person Blanhum referred to and sent him to CID with Kingston.

The former Commander told the Commission that he contacted the Police Commissioner on the matter and, he too, told him to have Gillard sent to CID immediately for

questioning. “I confirmed the name of the man and forwarded him to CID headquarters,” said Hicken who currently serves as Assistant Commissioner, Operations.

Asked why he did not question Gillard, he said, “It was not for me to get involved in matters involving CID.” This response did not find favour with Slowe who said, “I am not accepting that!”

“Won’t you have been interested to know what is the story?” he continued. But Hicken maintained that he did what was required of him.

He said it was necessary for him to ensure it was the right individual being escorted to CID. “Chief, you have to confirm these things…if it was the wrong person, I would have been in the hot water by now,” said Hicken, who made it clear he has no intention to tarnish the nature of the investigation. “I just didn’t want to get involve.”

“Nobody wanted to get involve…that is quite clear and based on what you have said so far…you chose not to ask the man any questions,” concluded the Commissioner who noted “that is neglect, that is dereliction of duty.”

Hicken noted too, that as far as he is aware the matter was not recorded in his division and noted he was specifically asked to escort Gillard and not to interview him. “That is a commander level perspective?” questioned Slowe to which Hicken replied, “You are harping on the commander level and you know that when things are handled at CID Headquarters, commanders don’t get involved…I think some of the structures would have faded away…I note your tone and I am very straight with this inquiry…I know what you’re saying but the standard and latitude you would have had in your time is different…this is not where you left…this is a different time.”

However, Slowe maintained that initial investigations should begin at the divisional level and there must be records to reflect same. Hicken disclosed too, that while he is not familiar with the accused Nizam Khan, he is familiar with his brother Imran, called ‘Rastaman’. He told the Commission that `Rastaman’ has a workshop on the East Bank Demerara (EBD). “As Commander ‘A’ Division, I know a lot of people,” he said. “I know him because he has a workshop and from time to time police vehicle use to be helped out there… if there was minor repairs he would help us out and look after the vehicle,” he continued, after being pressed by Slowe. Retired Justice Chang later noted that Imran Khan is the son of ‘Rasta man’.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Armed bandits storm Berbice businessman’s home

– cart off day’s takings, other valuables

THE Harold family of Number 73 Village, East Berbice Corentyne, had to run for their lives when six armed men broke into their home in the wee hours of the morning on Monday.

The incident report edly occurred at around 02:00hrs as the men shot their way into the family’s two-storied dwelling and business place, and managed to cart off a quantity of jewellery and an undisclosed sum of cash.

In the aftermath, the patriarch has been left nursing gunshot wounds, the wife a sprained ankle, and the son multiple cuts to the feet.

According to Andrew, the Harolds’ 19-year-old son, he was awoken around 02:00 hrs by a loud banging sound followed by the shattering of glass.

But when he looked up and saw the kitchen window moving, the youngster said he immediately realised that someone was trying to gain entry into the house, so he ran to his parents room to warn them of the impending danger.

“When me wake up,” Andrew said, “me hear something ah bang and glass breaking. Suh, when me watch up, me see de kitchen window ah move and me run to meh parents room. Same time dem seh, ‘Bandit!’ and we hear couple gunshot, suh we run upstairs and close de middle door.”

Andrew explained that after securing the door at reference, which is an inner door made of steel that separates the two floors, he and his parents secreted themselves in a bedroom on the upper flat of the house.

But after hearing the men continuously banging away and shooting at the steel door to get upstairs,

they decided to make a run for it, since they feared the men would eventually gain entry into the bedroom.

Said he: “Dem start knocking de door, but dem can’t break it, so dem start shoot it and mek hole fuh get to the lock on the inside. But de lock jam; but we know dem gon’ eventually get in and shoot we, so we decide fuh open de front veranda and jump down.”

While he and his mother managed to make it to the western neighbour’s yard, Andrew said, his father, whose feet were broken in 11 places from a previous incident, decided to head east.

“Li’l bit after, me hear two more shots and daddy holler,” he said.

Picking up the story, Andrew’s dad, Rakesh said he managed to climb down in his bid to escape, but as he hit the ground, two shots rang out.

“When me reach ground, me hear ‘Bang!

Bang!’ And me feel something ah bu’n meh whole skin; all meh face and foot, and me fall down,” the 41-year-old businessman said, adding: “But me get up quick and run out to dem next side neighbour who tek me in. And meh call meh brudda-in-law fuh come and collect we.” He also tried calling the Springlands Police Station, but without success. “Dem nah ah answer meh,” he said.

When he eventually did get on to them, they told him they were on their way, but never showed up at his home until about an hour later. And this was after his brother-in-law had already taken him to the hospital.

He is of the view that had the police responded promptly, they would have captured or cornered the men, but by the time they

got there, the men had already made good their escape with the day’s sales and other valuables, along with the surveillance footage.

He was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital, then transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where 15 pellets were removed from various parts of his body, including his face and feet.

The police have since managed to arrest one person who is assisting with investigations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25, 2017

The last of the ‘chemo Wednesdays’ CUE BEE GEES ‘Staying Alive’, insert John Travolta moves. Yes! Finally!

The last day… The 8th

and FINAL chemo day was here and I was anxious and excited to have the IV stuck in my veins for

what I hoped was the last time. Two of my closest friends accompanied me as I approached my chemo

milestone.

So many thoughts were going through my mind as my friends made jokes and kept me lively with their banter. One of those thoughts was brought on by the pervading question everyone had been asking me “do you know if the chemo worked?”

I disliked this question because it forced me to consider the worst case scenariothe chemo not working. Now that the poison cure pumped through my veins for the ( I hoped) last time I couldn’t ignore it any longer.

There were two tests that would help to determine the progress of the chemotherapy; a CT Scan and the CA 125 blood test. The CA (Cancer Antigen) 125 is a protein that is a so-called tumor marker or biomarker, which is a substance that is found in greater concentration in tumor cells than in other cells of the body.

When my cancer was first diagnosed this was one of the first indicators used to determine the tumor was

not benign. This test is done periodically to monitor the levels in the blood before, during and after chemotherapy.

My last CA 125 done around 50% completion of my chemo showed that my levels of the antigen were quite above the normal range, in fact they had increased since my initial diagnosis but from my online medical research I learned that nothing could be substantiated until after my therapy was complete.

A decreasing level generally indicates that therapy, including chemotherapy, has been effective, while an increasing level indicates tumor recurrence. Because of normal test variation, small changes are usually not considered significant.

A doubling or halving of the previous value would be important.

As my last session came to a close I was visited by one of my doctors who gave me a big hug and words of encouragement; I was

reminded to visit her in the following two weeks for my clinic date where I would have my after chemo CA 125 test to determine my next stage of treatment, or should I say confirm my next treatment which would be radiation provided that my chemo worked. I climbed out of my favourite recliner in the chemo room, friends in tow, kissed my nurses (Nurse Singh, Benny & Griffith) goodbye; some of the nicest nurses I’ve ever met- they helped to make my treatment so much easier and I will forever be grateful for their kindness, we need more women like these in nursing.

Nothing compared to the feeling of accomplishment I had when I left the hospital that morning; I finally crossed the finish line of my marathon run, the scorecard however was to be determined. In the meantime and post chemo recovery I would be ‘staying alive, staying alive…ah ah ah ah…’

Next week: Radiation Therapy

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25 2017

Jamaica, USA to clash in CONCACAF Gold Cup final

JAMAICA went some way to avenging their 2015 Gold Cup final defeat to Mexico by stunning the defending champions 1-0.

Jamaica gained some revenge for their loss to Mexico in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup final, by claiming a stunning 1-0 win over them.

The Jamaicans advanced all the way to the final two years ago but were outclassed 3-1 by Mexico in the decider.

However, Jamaica went some way to avenging that defeat thanks to Kemar Lawrence’s outstanding 88th-min-

ute free-kick on Sunday.

After Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake produced a masterclass to thwart Mexico throughout in Pasadena, California, Lawrence stepped up and curled a set-piece past Jose Corona.

Jamaica will now meet hosts and five-time champions,, the United States, in the tournament final in Santa Clara tomorrow.

Mexico – with suspended head coach Juan Carlos Osorio watching in the stands – have rotated throughout the tournament but they only

made two changes to the team that beat Honduras 1-0 in the quarter-finals. Erick Torres and Erick Gutierrez came into the starting XI as Angel Sepulveda and Jesus Gallardo dropped out.

There was just one change for Jamaica, who overcame Canada 2-1 in the last eight.

Ladale Richie replaced Kevon Lambert.

Mexico and Jamaica played out a dour goalless draw in the group stage but this was a far more eventful clash as Blake produced a stellar first half to keep the

scores level.

After a cagey opening, Blake pulled off a stunning double save to deny Jesus Duenas and Torres in the 12th minute.

A low shot from Duenas, which took a wicked deflection, forced Blake into a fine block with his legs before stepping up to thwart Torres.

As Jamaica struggled to create anything in attack, Blake was kept busy as the Philadelphia Union goalkeeper somehow stopped a Torres header from point-blank range.

Mexico continued to dominate but Jamaica almost snatched the lead seven minutes before half-time.

Jermaine Taylor’s audacious long-range free-kick almost found the back of the net but Corona fisted the ball away for a corner.

Jamaica were much more threatening in the second half as Darren Mattocks almost weaved past three defenders en route to goal.

The counter-attacking system that proved so effective against Canada almost put Jamaica ahead but Ricardo

Morris’ effort was too tame and straight at Corona approaching the hour-mark.

Blake made another save in the 65th minute, albeit routine to push away Gallardo’s free-kick.

Jamaica had another opportunity to take the lead but Corona scrambled to palm away Damion Lowe’s goalbound header with 13 minutes remaining.

But Jamaica were not to be denied at the death, as Lawrence fired his team into a second successive Gold Cup.

Concerned cricket stakeholders stage peaceful protest outside AG’s Office STAKEHOLDERS for the game of Cricket in Guyana, yesterday staged a peaceful protest outside the Chambers of the country’s Attorney General, Basil Williams, calling for government’s intervention to bring some ‘semblance of normalcy’ to the way the game is administered.

The group’s placards displayed several malpractices by the Guyana Cricket Board which recently became Cricket Guyana Inc., now becoming an incorporated entity.

Among many things, the group is unanimously calling

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for unhindered elections by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), calling for the Government of Guyana to act on the Cricket Administration Bill which was passed in the National Assembly in 2014.

The Guyana Cricket Administration Bill that seeks to provide legal administrative guidelines for cricket.

The Bill had found favour with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), but the Alliance For Change (AFC) did not offer any support when it was being tabled in the National Assembly.

Frank Anthony, who 11:30 hrs Nabhan 12:00 hrs Candelaria 12:30 hrs The Daley Express Musselburgh 09:15 hrs Haymarket 09:45 hrs Footsteps Forever 10:15 hrs Silvanus 10:45 hrs Question Of Faith 11:15 hrs Major Crispies 11:45 hrs Sebastian’s Wish 12:15 hrs Bond Bombshell Nottingham 12:50 hrs Transmitting 13:20 hrs Ginbar 13:50 hrs Sitar 14:20 hrs Dark Power 14:50 hrs Al Nafoorah 15:20 hrs Mordoree 15:50 hrs Incus Irish Racing Tips Ballinrobe 12:40 hrs English Pale 13:10 hrs Top Othe Ra 13:40 hrs Ashjan 14:10 hrs Treasure Chest 14:40 hrs Presenting Julio 15:10 hrs Darkest Flyer 15:40 hrs Cornakill Rose

was at the time Minister of Sport, presented the Bill to the National Assembly and said it was drafted after extensive consultations with all stakeholders, and more so, following recommendations in a ruling made by the High Court.

Anthony pointed out that the Bill firstly, makes it legal for the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to be established as a corporate body comprising the Demerara, Essequibo and the Berbice Cricket Boards,

all of which will also be made corporate entities.

A section of the Bill will address the issue of phantom voting for the election of persons for administrative positions and at the same time will give limited power to the Minister of Sport.

The National Assembly was also told that the Bill provides for better financial accountability. As such, the GCB, under this new leg-

islation, will be required to present timely audited financial reports to the National Assembly, as well as the National Sports Commission.

However, three years later and several court matters involving the GCB and the Berbice Cricket Board, as well as the Government of Guyana, cricket took a nosedive as several public displays between the GCB and disgruntled affiliates and stakeholders unfolded.

The Group also accused the Government of Guyana for being “in bed” with the GCB which they deemed “illegal”.

Under the David Granger-led Government, the GCB has received considerable amount of support for a number of projects and developmental programmes.

The group plans on continuing their protest until they have an audience with the Government.

T&T make strong start as Guyana, Barbados make inroads BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – Reigning champions Trinidad and Tobago made a strong start to their title defence, taking honours on the opening day of their first-round match in the Regional Under-19 three-day championship against Windward Islands here yesterday.

Sent in at Conaree, T&T were dismissed for 233 with Saiba Batoosingh top-scoring with 60, Leonardo Julien getting 42 and captain and opener Navin Bidaisee chipping in with 27.

Dillon Douglas (3-27) and Lee Louisy (3-59) were the leading bowlers with three wickets apiece.

At the close, the Windwards were reeling on 68 for five in reply, after Bidaisee (2-0) and Aaron Maniram (219) claimed two wickets apiece to wreck the innings.

The Windwards were cruising at 51 without loss after Wayne Edward (39) and Johann Jeremiah (19) staged a solid opening stand but five wickets then tumbled for 17 runs to leave the innings in strife.

Earlier, T&T had been slumping at 58 for three before Batoosingh anchored two successive partnerships to put the innings back on course.

The right-hander faced 72 balls and struck nine fours, adding 51 for the fourth wicket with Christian Thurton (26) and a further 40 for the fifth wicket with Aaron Maniram (18).

When Batoosingh and Maniram fell in the space of two deliveries to leave T&T on 151 for six, Julien found an ally in Avinash Mahabirsingh (19) to post a valuable 47 for the seventh wicket.

At Verchilds, Ramnarine Chatura struck 62 as

Guyana, opting to bat first against Leeward Islands, were bowled out for 220.

Chatura counted nine fours and two sixes in a 116-ball knock and got support from opener Raymond Perez who gathered 48 off 114 deliveries with four fours and three sixes.

Kian Pemberton (351) and Zawandi White (3-56) were the leading wicket-takers with three wickets apiece.

Guyana lost Aley Algoo without a run on the board but Perez put on 43 for the second wicket with Kevin Sinclair (20) to revive the innings.

When the innings collapsed to 120 for six, Chatura stepped up to post 52 for the seventh wicket with Richie Looknauth (14).

In reply, the Leewards stumbled to 17 for one at the close, still 203 runs behind.

At St Paul’s, opener Shian Brathwaite and Kilano Brathwaite struck contrasting half-centuries but Barbados lost their last seven wickets for 83 runs to be dismissed for 192 in their first innings.

Shian smashed 66 off 62 balls with seven fours and four sixes while Kilano’s 53 was a patient knock, requiring 172 balls and including just two fours.

Shian and Kadeem Alleyne (10) put on 51 for the first wicket while Kilano added 30 for the fourth wicket with Nico Reifer (10) but wickets tumbled steadily thereafter.

Kristoph Virgo (3-43) and David Bird (3-53) both finished with three wickets apiece.

In reply, Jamaica were reduced to 11 for two with left-arm spinner Camarie Boyce grabbing both wickets.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Smith, Warner lead meeting with players’ union as MOU talks continue

AUSTRALIA’S Test stars met in Sydney on yesterday, when anger about cricket’s pay saga continued to build as the departure date for a tour of Bangladesh ticked closer.

Skipper Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and other unemployed teammates came together alongside Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) bigwigs Alistair Nicholson, Shane Watson and Simon Katich.

The two-hour meeting ended with players voicing their support for the “peace plan” terms sheet submitted by the ACA last week, while reaffirming their stance regarding next month’s tour of Bangladesh.

The previous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) expired at the end of the financial year, at which point some 230 cricketers became unemployed.

This month’s Australia

Steve Smith and David Warner

A tour was boycotted because of the impasse. The next deadline in the saga is August 18, when Smith’s side are due to depart for a two-Test tour of Bangladesh.

That trip won’t go ahead unless there is some form of agreement between

Cricket Australia (CA) and the ACA. “Not sure the players can do much more to solve the dispute. We’re really proud to offer up to an extra $30 million for grassroots,” Warner posted on Twitter, referencing the terms sheet

that the union sent to CA last week.

Paceman Pat Cummins tweeted that “players are as frustrated as anyone else.

We want to play. Offering even more to grassroots to get a deal!!!”.

It is arguably the most alarming sign yet that the

Baggy Green may become embroiled in the saga.

However, there has been slow progress in recent weeks. The ACA and CA both remain upbeat the Test series will proceed as planned.

Negotiations continued yesterday. CA chief executive officer James Sutherland and players’ union chief Nicholson spoke on the phone, having shared a productive meeting in person the previous day.

It’s business as usual, as far as National Selection Panel chairman Trevor Hohns is concerned.

Hohns’ selection panel is expected to add another bowler to the 13man Test squad soon, possibly as early as this week. Hohns will discuss the options, headlined by paceman Jackson Bird and leg-spinner Mitch Swepson, with Smith and coach Darren Lehmann.

Smith and other members of the touring party are

set to assemble in Darwin for a training camp that starts on August 10.

Coaches, officials, selectors, sponsors, government, fans and other stakeholders are becoming increasingly incensed by the standoff. Sports Minister Greg Hunt recently reached out to both sides of the dispute.

An emergency ACA meeting at the start of this month passed 14 resolutions, with one detailing that “an absent MoU there are no professional cricketers presently obliged or available to tour”.

Australia Squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (v-c), Ashton Agar, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Wade (plus one fast bowler.

(TBC) (AAP)

India-Sri Lanka first Test starts tomorrow

… Shastri on mission to keep India at No.1 NEW India head coach Ravi Shastri will tomorrow look to prove his team remain the world’s best Test side when they take on Sri Lanka in the first of three matches.

Shastri, who took over the demanding role after Anil Kumble’s acrimonious exit last month, has backed India to continue the “fearless brand of cricket” that helped them regain the No.1 position last year from Pakistan.

While India lost the Champions Trophy final to their arch-rivals, the Virat Kohli-led side are on a roll after winning 10 of the past 13 Tests, overcoming top sides like New Zealand, England and, narrowly, Australia.

“They know their job.

They are professional cricketers. Once they step

on the field they take over.

That is how it should be,” said Shastri, who became head coach after Kumble quit over his “untenable” relationship with Kohli.

“My role will be to get the guys (to) express themselves and play (a) fearless brand of cricket,” the former all-rounder added.

While India start as overwhelming favourites after the seventh-ranked Sri Lanka scraped past Zimbabwe in a one-off Test last week, Shastri has warned against complacency.

“Sri Lanka can’t be taken lightly at home. Their track record playing at home is as good as any other team. We would look to improve in the series,” said the 55-year-old.

The visitors have played a two-day warm-up game

in Colombo with returning batsman Shikhar Dhawan among the scorers.

India could start with three spinners and use leftarm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav with the experienced Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

Ashwin said Shastri’s presence has always had a “postive influence” on the team, adding that the players were looking to work together with the coach for some amazing results.

“Ravi has been a fabulous person to have in the dressing room. Even when he was here last time, we lost that Test in Galle and (he) really picked us up from that low point in our careers,” Ashwin told reporters yesterday.

Sri Lanka, whose new Test skipper Dinesh Chan-

dimal has been ruled out after being hospitalised for pneumonia, will need all the experience of stand-in-captain Rangana Herath.

The left-arm spinner, who took 11 wickets against Zimbabwe and his 31st five-wicket haul in 81 Tests, is key for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s pace lineup has been bolstered by the return of veteran Nuwan Pradeep, who is likely to start at Galle International Stadium.

Dhananjaya de Silva adds muscle to their strong batting arsenal, comprising former captain Angelo Mathews, Upul Tharanga and Niroshan Dickwella.

Sri Lanka’s interim coach Nic Pothas said the team should take inspiration from Kohli’s men who overcame a 1-0

New India head coach Ravi Shastri

deficit to beat the islanders in a three-Test series in 2015.

The triumph resurrected India’s fortunes as they registered their first series win in Sri Lanka for 23 years and went on to become the No.1 Test side again a year later.

“I think we probably are in the same situation that

Virat was talking about the Indian team being in a few years ago. We are in that rebuilding phase,” said Pothas.

The South African, who took charge after Graham Ford’s exit last month, added he was focused on changing the team’s culture and unleashing their potential.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25 2017

NA Warriors in a come-from-behind win over Hopetown Stealers

By Colin Bynoe THE Berbice Basketball Association (BBA) 2017 tournament for teams in Berbice and sponsored by Nigel Hinds Financial-Net continued on Sunday with a battle between New Amsterdam Warriors and Hopetown Stealers at the Vryman’s Erven Basketball Court.

NA Warriors started the tip-off with multiple runs, which created a slim first quarter lead 13-12 in favour of the Warriors.

The momentum in the game increased, as the

Stealers overtook the scoring, gaining a four points advantage at that stage.

28-24.

By the break the players refreshed themselves and both teams looked eager for the win.

The third quarter included an explosion in scoring from NA Warriors. In addition the Stealers team lost their way when they turned the ball over multiple times in the fifth quarter, to give the Warriors an opening.

They eventually took over the lead with the score on 48-46 with 3 minutes of

play remaining.

At that juncture, NA Warriors took their final time-out. It was a determined comeback from NA Warriors after being down 4 points at halftime, to take the win at the sound of the referee’s whistle 57-54 over Hopetown Stealers.

Leading the scorers was Qwesi Mickle with a gamehigh 22 points while Edmar Semple poured in 14 points and Fogenay 12 points.

For Hopetown Stealers, Elvis Thompson scored 14 points, Kelon Webster 12 and Lambert 9 points.

Meanwhile, in upcoming fixture Ithaca Hardliners and Canje Knight will play this Sunday at Ithaca basketball court.

The competition is being played on a round-robin basis in two zones. Zone A involves Canje Knight, Fyrish Black Shark and Ithaca Hardliners while Zone B comprises Rose Hall Town Jammers, Hopetown Stealers and N.A. Warriors.

Trophies, cash and other incentives are up for grabs. The tournament is being organised by (BBA) president Vibert Garrett.

CONCACAF Under-20 qualifier Clarke brace puts Jamaica women past Bermuda 2-1

HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) – Ebony Clarke scored in each half as Jamaica beat Bermuda 2-1 in their CONCACAF Caribbean Women’s Under-20 Group B qualifier at the National Stadium here on Sunday night.

The Reggae Girlz went into Sunday’s group decider with a superior goal difference over the hosts after trouncing Curaçao 10-0 on Friday night, following Bermuda’s 5-1 win over the same opponents two days earlier. St Lucia’s late withdrawal had reduced the group to three teams.

Canada-based Clarke put the well-organised visitors ahead in the third minute with a shot from the edge of the box that flew past goalkeeper Micah Pond, who frustrated the visitors with a string of fine saves during the game watched by more than 2 000 fans.

Deshae Darrell drew

Ebony Clarke scores both goals for Jamaica’s women.

Bermuda level on the hour when she outpaced the Jamaican defence to stroke the ball past advancing goalkeeper Sydney Scheider.

Parity lasted only five minutes, however, before Clarke scored the winner

for the visitors.

Jamaica will now join hosts St Kitts and Nevis and the other two group winners from Haiti and Dominican Republic in the final qualifying stage in November ahead of the 2018 championship.

Jamaica captain Emily Caza admitted her side were caught off-guard by Bermuda’s quality.

“We always felt confident of achieving our goal,” she said afterwards.

“We knew if we worked hard we would have enough to win, although I’ll admit we, maybe, underestimated Bermuda a bit.

“The early goal took the pressure off but we were still frantic at the beginning because of the competition they gave us.”

Bermuda captain Eva Frazzoni struggled to hold back tears after the final whistle but said she believed she and her teammates had won the hearts of the fans who packed into the stadium’s main stand.

“We left everything out there and we really thought it was our time,” the midfielder said. “It’s really hard to not make it through.”

All doping tests at Confederations Cup negative - FIFA ZURICH, Switzerland (Reuters) – There were no positive doping tests at this summer’s Confederations Cup in Russia, global football body FIFA said yesterday.

FIFA said that 379 tests were carried out on players at the eight-team tournament, which finished at the start of this month. The event acts as a dress rehearsal for next year’s World Cup in the same country.

“All participating players were tested through blood and urine in unannounced controls and, additionally, two players per team were tested by FIFA anti-doping officers after each of the competition’s 16 matches,” said FIFA in a statement.

FIFA added that the samples were analysed at laboratories accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), mostly

at the one in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The competition featured Germany, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, Cameroon, Mexico, Portugal and Russia.

FIFA has said it is still investigating allegations that footballers were among the Russian athletes who were involved in, or benefited from, an elaborate state-sponsored doping scheme.

A report by Canadian sports lawyer Richard McLaren published last year said more than 1 000 Russian athletes in Olympic and Paralympic sport were part of the institutional conspiracy to conceal positive doping tests.

The report, commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), said that football was among more than 30 sports involved.

Rabada raring to go after suspension LONDON, England (Reuters) - South African strike bowler Kagiso Rabada is eager to return to action for this week’s third Test against England at The Oval after serving a one-match suspension for disciplinary reasons, bowling coach Charl Langeveldt said yesterday.

The 22-year-old missed the second Test in Nottingham after being banned for what the International Cricket Council (ICC) called “inappropriate language” towards England batsman Ben Stokes in the first Test at Lord’s.

“He is the type of guy who steps up when the heat is on. Having KG back is a big bonus for us,” Langeveldt told reporters ahead of the third Test which starts on Thursday.

“He is a youngster with a lot of energy, he will come with a lot of energy. I have no doubt he will step up ... he will be raring to go,” Langeveldt added.

Rabada was handed one demerit point for giving Stokes a send-off after the all-rounder was caught behind in the first Test, which England won by 211 runs, but under ICC regulations was banned for accumulating four points in a 24-month period.

The fast bowler had al-

Kagiso Rabada set to return for the third Test at The Oval,

ready been penalised three points for “deliberate physical contact” with Sri Lanka’s Niroshan Dickwella in February, but Langeveldt said the incident has not affected Rabada’s morale.

“He has been positive.

He was obviously disappointed about what happened but he has learned from that. The important thing about an incident like this is to learn from it so that it doesn’t happen again,” Langeveldt said.

“KG is a strong character and he was positive the whole week. He said come Thursday he wants to be ready for the Test.”

South Africa won the second Test by 340 runs to level the four-match series at 1-1.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25, 2017

GASA selects 40 for Goodwill Swim Meet FOR the first time in at least ten years Guyana will be fielding a full team to the XXII Goodwill Swim Meet, after the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association released a list of 40 swimmers to participate at the regional event, which will be held in Guyana at the National Aquatic Centre from August 18 to 21.

This year’s team will see the return of last year’s top performers Jaydyn and Danielle George, as well as medallists Raekwon Noel, Kenita Mahaica and Aleka Persaud.

Come next month, Guyana will be competing against swimmers from Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St Lucia, Bahamas and Grenada, with each team being allowed a maximum of 40 swimmers. Defend-

ing champions Trinidad and Tobago, have been known to always aspire to take the full complement or at least to come as close as possible.

The same goes for Suriname, who have been in a constant battle against Trinidad and Tobago for the title. Guyana on the other hand had struggled over the years to garner the full complement and fitting quality of swimmers to represent the country.

The last time, within the last ten years, that Guyana selected a team this big was in 2008 when the country was reportedly represented by 38 swimmers, when the competition was again held in Guyana.

In 2011, just 8 swimmers - the lowest number - represented Guyana, when the

Twin sisters Jadyn and Danielle George who medalled at Goodwill Swim Meet in 2016

event was held in Trinidad.

“Last year Guyana produced a team of 29 swimmers when the event was held in St Lucia, and we came back with 15 medals, including three gold.

Overall however Guyana finished sixth, out of six countries.

Guyana have a dismal performance history at the developmental event, which was originally designed for swimmers from the participating countries who have not yet competed at higher levels of regional competition.

“We’re working to-

wards having a better showing at Goodwill this year, more points, more medals, that is our objective. Our hardest age group was the 8 and under, not getting the quality, that we’re looking for, for more medals,” said National coach, Sean Baksh.

The meet is an age group event for male and female swimmers in five age groups each, from the 8-and-Under to the 15-17 age ranges.

The full Guyana team is as follows Girls: 8-and-Under: Andica Vieira, Kyra Soares, Shareefah Lewis, Jovana Goodridge 9-10: Aleka Persaud, Patrice Mahaica, Monique Watson, Ariel Rodrigues 11-12: Lian Winter,

Amber De Goeas, Giselle Crane, Nia Fraser 13-14: Jadyn George, Danielle George, Donna Carter, Sofia Pinol 15-17: Nikita Fiedtkou, Kenita Mahaica, Accalia Khan, Teshanna Hunter Boys: 8-and-Under: Jeremy Sookram, Jonathan Lewis, Safraaz Mohamed, Aarav Singh 9-10: Paul Mahaica, Jaleel Anderson, Vladimir Woodroffe, Elliot Gonsalves 11-12: Leon Seaton, Raekwon Noel, Ejaz Mohamed, Ethan Gonsalves 13-14: Sekhel Tzedeq, Sion Jeffers, Rayvon Pires, Jonathon Sookram 15-17: Daniel Scott, Antonio Rodrigues, Joseph DeNobrega, Alex Winter

Canada beat U.S. to seal spot in 2018 Under-19 World Cup TORONTO, Canada (CMC) – Canada sealed their spot in next year’s 16team Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand by beating neighbours United States by four wickets in the final ICC Americas qualifier at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club on Sunday and advanced by virtue of a superior net run rate.

Canada, who lost to the U.S. by four wickets in a low-scoring match last Tuesday, avenged that defeat to

romp home with more than 10 overs to spare despite losing both openers for ducks in the first over of their reply.

Each country finished with three victories. Bermuda, the third team in the tournament, finished bottom of the standings after twice losing heavily to Canada and the U.S. Canada ended the weeklong tournament with a net run rate of 1.395 compared to the Americans’ 1.162.

Slow bowlers Rommel Shahzad and Aran Pathmana-

than shackled the U.S., who were dismissed for 132 from 47 overs after being sent in - number four Raymond Ramrattan top-scoring with 34 from 64 balls.

Off-break bowler Shahzad claimed an impressive six for 28 from 10 overs while slow left-arm bowler Pathmanathan picked up three for 20, also from 10.

The Canadian reply got off to the worst possible start as medium pacer Keshav Pabbisetty had captain Bhavindu Adihetty caught

Aran Pathmanathan picks up three wickets for Canada.

off his fourth ball and bowled Kunwarpal Chana with his sixth.

Pabbisetty, who finished with three for 12 from seven overs, struck again to dismiss Akash Gill for five with only 17 runs on the board, but number three Arslan Khan – later named man-ofthe-match – steered Canada into calmer waters with 52 from 80 balls, including four fours, before he was fifth out at 81.

Slow left-arm bowler Karthk Gattepalli, who

bowled Khan, earlier caught and bowled Kavian Naress for 16 to finish with two for 27 from 9.2 overs.

Pathmanathan was sixth to go for 13 in the 35th over but Ashtan Deosammy held his nerve to help guide his side home with an unbeaten 24 from 47 balls.

Besides clinching their place in next January’s Under-19 World Cup, Canada have also earned a spot in the Super50 One-Day tournament in St Kitts next month.

Banks DIH continues sponsorship of the Annual Guyana Cup horse race meet BANKS DIH, under its Banks Beer brand, is the official sponsor of the feature race at this year’s 11th Annual Guyana Cup Horse Race Meet billed

for August 13 at the Rising Sun Turf Club in West Berbice.

Banks Beer Brand Manager, Rawle Nedd, made the presentation to Nasru-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

COMPLIMENTS OF: THE TROPHY STALL Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE 176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)England, Australia, South Africa, India (2)South Africa Today’s Quiz: (1)Which WI scored most runs in the preliminary

rounds of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017?

(2) Which WI took most wickets in the prelim-

inary rounds of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Rawle Nedd (Banks Beer Trainer Manager) (second left) presents the sponsorship package to Nasrudeen Junior Mohamed (Guyana Cup Promoter) while Troy Peters (Communications Manager, Roy Jafarally (Race Organiser) and Mortimer Stewart (Outdoor Events Manager) look on.

deen Junior Mohamed, promoter of the event during a simple ceremony at Thirst Park.

The sponsorship package from the beverage giant includes the first-place trophy and cash incentive in the ‘B’ Class and Lower Open races, which are expected to feature all Guyana-bred and imported horses three years old and over.

Mohamed thanked Banks DIH Limited for its continued sponsorship of the Guyana Cup, now in its eleventh year.

“Banks DIH Limited has been one of our major sponsors for the past 11 years and we look forward to continuing this partner-

ship in the years ahead,” Mohamed said.

Banks DIH Communications Manager Troy Peters commended the Guyana Cup as the premier horse racing event on the local racing calendar, noting how honoured Banks DIH is to once again sponsor the feature race on the programme.

Also present at the presentation ceremony were Banks DIH Limited Outdoor Events Manager Mortimer Stewart and Roy Jafarally, one of the race organisers.

Over $11 million in cash prizes will be at stake in the eight-race programme scheduled to start at 11:00hrs at the West Berbice Turf Club.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 25 2017

FIBA Centrobasket U-17 Championship team departs today

Guyana to open tournament against Bahamas tomorrow

By Rawle Toney GUYANA’S team to this year’s FIBA Centrobasket U-17 tournament will depart these shores today for the Dominican Republic, where they compete in the eightteam tournament from July 26 to 30.

Drawn in Group ‘A’ of the tournament, that features Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the Lugard Mohan-coached team will bounce into action on opening day.

The Guyanese side will open their campaign against the Bahamas on July 26 at 13:00hrs, followed by a clash

with Puerto Rico on Thursday, July 27, and then close off their group-play against Mexico on July 28.

Teams will play in round-robin format for three days, after which, the top two teams from each group will advance to the next phase, where the first-place team of Group A will oppose the second-place in Group B and vice versa.

The winners of the semi-finals will advance to the ‘gold medal match’, while the losers will play for the bronze of the continental event.

The top three teams from the tournament will qualify to the FIBA U-18 Americas Championship 2018, to be

Team Guyana in a huddle during one of their practice games at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall recently.

played in St Catharines, Canada, June 11-17, 2018.

Nigel Bowen, Tramine Brown, Kelmar Carmichael, Akeem Crandon, Shamar

France, Roydon Glasgow, Jether Harris, Andrew Johnson, Jermaine King, Kevon Wiggins, Anthony Yanson and Jahleel Young are members

of Team Guyana, with Mohan being assisted by US-based Kenneth Avent on his coaching staff.

Meanwhile, Mohan said that while he’s optimistic of a good showing at the championship, he’s peeved at not having the services of one of his best players Jordan Alphonso.

Alphonso was the ‘backbone’ of the team that finished second at the CBC U-16 tournament when the event was hosted in Guyana last year.

The former Marian Academy student, before returning to the U.S., was considered the best youth player

in Guyana, and played a significant role in the team’s success.

Mohan in a recent interview told Chronicle Sport that “the best player is not available, so instead of going there with our strength, we’re weakened, but, we still have to compete and, like I said, I’ll do everything to ensure that the guys maximise their potential.”

The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) stated that they expect the high level of basketball competition in the Dominican Republic will expose the players to the intense training required to succeed at the international level.

Paul DeNobrega storms to victory in the 6th Grenville A. Felix Annual Memorial Cycle Road Race By: Colin Bynoe

From the onset the fans that turned out in support of the cyclist knew that the competitors would have had to dig deep to come out on top.

The 6th staging of the late Grenville A. Felix Memorial Cycle Race was held on Sunday, July 22nd The race started in front of the late Guysuco Engineer’s residence in Canefield, East Canje, Berbice and proceeded to # 51 Police Station on the Corentyne before turning back to finish at the place of origin.

The event which was sponsored

by Felix’s Children, grandchildren and other relatives in collaboration with The Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) saw riders from all the major clubs in

Guyana taking part.

The race attracted 39 starters with all competitors/teams trying there outmost best to formulate their strategy early on.

Team Evolution’s Paul DeNobrega in a time of two hours, forty two minute and fifty three seconds (2:42:53) took top honors from Shaquel Agard, who was his main competition coming down to the closing stages of the race. DeNobrega made his mark on the Palmyra road, when he signaled his intent to break away from the pack.

DeNobrega had previously won the Grenville memorial race in 2015, the race was much shorter in terms of miles, and he had clocked a time of (2:01:47) back then.

The riders made a flying start on

the way to Rose Hall Estate, where Felix worked for a major part of his life. Then they proceeded on the race route. What appeared to be an early cat and mouse game that saw team Trojan Romello Crawford taking the early lead. Six other riders were hot on his heels, Andre Padlock Green, Grant Stuart, Silvio Innis, Cortis Dey, Andrew Hicks and Paul DeNobrega.

The leading bunch of cyclist were closely knitted, heading into No. 19 road when they were confronted with a heavy north/easterly winds that slow them up considerably. They maintained the tussle as the proceeded on the 65 miles ride.

At the turn back point (No. 51 Village) the seven riders who were in the lead continued to push, evidently

the tactical maneuver continued to be a part of the race with the mental and physical attributes of the competitors being heavily taxed. The weather pattern changed, an extreme heat saw the riders having to use lots of water to cool down.

In the sprint home, around Palmyra, heading into the Canje area DeNobrega made his mind up and swiftly surge ahead of his main rivals.

Nearing the Canje turn heading home with about 300m out there was no stopping as he out sprinted Shaquel Agard.

Paul DeNobrega rushed to the finish with no other trailing rider in sight for the win. Rounding up the top ten finishers were Shaquel Agard 2nd , Romello Crawford 3rd , Andrew

Hicks 4th , Raul Leal 5th , Walter Grant Stuart 6th , Christopher ‘Chicken Legs’ Griffith 7th , Deraj Garbarran 8th , Alonyo Ambrose 9th and Cortis Dey 10th respectively.

The first veteran to Cross the line was Ian Jackson as he took top honors from Stephen Fernandes and Steve Rmasuchit. Top Female rider Shenika Texeira continued her winning ways when she over powered Deance Welch and Nianza Poyer.

For the Juvinile Cyclist who rode from Nand Persuad and Company Limited to the finish line, Zamal Khan took top honors followed by Johanthan Ramasuchit 2nd, David Hicks 3rd, and taking up the rear Kenwyn Collins.

The 7 sprint prizes saw Crawford, Green and Stuart taking two each.

While there were one each for Cortis Dey, Silvio Innis, Andrew Hicks, and Paul DeNonrega.

Speaking at the simple presentation, daughter of the late Grenville Felix, ‘Joan’ said, ‘I’m etuis of the attendance, and I thank God for the safety of the riders, no casualties over the 6 years’. She was also high in praise of the Police outriders who did a professional job.

The event which is staged in collaboration with the Flying Ace Cycle Club was first held in 2012 and then in 2013 on his Birthday.

As a result of Mr. Felix death late in 2013, it was decided to hold the race as a memorial event. Felix was one of the first local engineers trained

by GuySuCo.

Guyana to open tournament

against Bahamas tomorrow P.27

Jamaica, USA to clash in CONCACAF Gold Cup final … Lawrence stunner sinks defending champions Mexico

See Page 23 Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz celebrate Kemar Lawrence’s goal en route to their 1-0 victory over Mexico in Sunday’s semi-final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Concerned cricket stakeholders stage peaceful protest outside AG’s Office

Regional Under-19 three-day cricket

T&T make strong start as Guyana, Barbados make inroads

See Page 23 Protesters outside the Attorney General’s Chambers yesterday. (Photo compliments of the Newsroom) Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

See Page 23

Shian Brathwaite TUESDAY, JULY, 25 , 2017