Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 26 04 2017

Cuban passengers leave CJIA Page 15

No. 104894

WEDNESDAY APRIL 26, 2017

Price: $80

Invest in Guyana (VAT Inclusive)

–– President tells British investors Guyana is ‘best destination’

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UK investors queued up to speak one-on-one with President David Granger, following the formal presentations. Here the Head of State is pictured in discussion with Director at ION Geophysical, Mr. Folarin Lajumoke.( Ministry of the Presidency photo)

GTT to up speed

Registrar Pastor gets 20 of Deeds years for raping girl in pickle Page 23

-will serve 18 because of “unblemished record”

… allegedly pays self $4.5M in gratuity, Page 9 waives $7M in outstanding fees

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Registrar of Deeds Ms. Azeena Baksh

–– partnering with top company to improve Internet, data services

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

GTT to up speed –– partnering with top company to improve Internet, data services

GUYANA Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) will be applying the latest generation of networking technologies and equipment– an investment that is expected to provide faster speeds, more capacity and enhanced network reliability.

This multimillion dollar investment comes at a time when the telephone giant is under pressure to provide the evidence that it has the network capacity to meet the needs of the market in light of calls for Government to sanction Digicel over its alleged illegal bypass.

In recent weeks, GTT has

been campaigning against Digicel, contending that the company has operated a trans-border link between Guyana and Suriname in violation of the law, its telecommunications license and would have robbed the country’s treasury of approximately US$30M or GY$7B – allegations which Digicel has denied.

In responding to the string of allegations, the Public Telecommunication Ministry said GTT must submit the relevant information and data to clearly demonstrate that it has the network capacity to ensure that the people of Guyana will not be adversely affected by

discontinuance of the Digicel link to Suriname.

Since then, GTT has been making public its capacity to meet the demands of the market. On Tuesday, the telephone giant announced that it is partnering with General Datatech (GDT) – a leading systems integrator and tier 1 Cisco partner – to upgrade systems and architecture to a level consistent with the best practices of leading global service providers around the world.

“These investments will not only provide for faster and better services today, but will also allow GT&T to easily manage aggressive traffic growth scenarios for many years to come,” GTT said in a press statement.

GDT is an award-winning technology integration partner with expertise in the delivery of enterprise network, collaboration, mobility and data center technologies to service

providers, large enterprises, and businesses of all sizes.

Currently, GTT’s broadband network provides access to the Internet for more than 50,000 customers, including residences, business, health care providers, schools and government agencies across the country, the company said.

“This system upgrade, coupled with GTT’s substantial undersea capacity, will facilitate a substantial improvement in broadband and data connectivity services through provision of faster speeds and more secure and reliable connections,” the company assured.

It added too that the steps being taken to enhance its services will allow for greater utilisation of the Internet.

However, GTT noted that due to the upgrades being done some customers may experience intermittent outages.

That project is expected to be completed by the third quarter 2017.

“GTT deeply regrets any inconvenience you may experience and commits to making all efforts to minimise the outages during the business day and early evening.”

Meanwhile, in a paid

advertisement in the daily newspapers last Sunday, GTT restated its position, while alluding to several “facts.”

Boasting of its transparency, the telephone company said its tax records would show that it has paid well over US$45M over the last five years. Digicel, it argued should make its financial and tax records public.

Digicel, in response said GTT should focus on the customers and competition and desist from spreading lies.

While expressing its disappointment, Digicel said categorically it owes no taxes and is in good standing with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

“Digicel calls upon GTT to desist from making false allegations that serve to mislead and remove the focus from the imminent opening of a fully competitive telecoms sector in Guyana and to allow the Government to continue to work towards making liberalisation a reality for the benefit of the public of Guyana,” the company stated.

Digicel said GTT and the people of Guyana must be reminded of several movements

CEO of GTT, Justin Nedd that changed the telecommunication landscape in Guyana.

“When Digicel began providing services in Guyana in 2007, consumers saw up to 50% decrease in domestic call rates and access to new affordable handsets with no activation fees,” it pointed out.

Additionally, Digicel pointed out that services have since been provided to remote regions of Guyana. “It must be noted that today, 27 years after GTT’s launched in Guyana, there are still areas, even in Georgetown where customers are still waiting for service from GTT.” Upon recognising the need for consumers in Guyana to have access to the Internet on the go, Digicel, in May 2007 introduced mobile Internet service via Blackberry. It was only in November 2011 that GTT decided to follow suit – over four and a half years later, the company said.

“The exchange of text messages between the Digicel and GTT networks was made possible through the efforts of Digicel despite GTT’s resistance for over two years as Digicel considered it to be a basic requirement of service provision for Guyanese to be connected to one another regardless of choice of network,” it added.

Invest in Guyana

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

–– President tells British investors Guyana is ‘best destination’

PRESIDENT David Granger has said that Guyana, for long-term development, has the most exciting investment prospects in the Caribbean and added that the country holds an enviable and strategic position as the link between the South American continent, the Caribbean Region and the rest of the world.

The President’s remarks, which were made at an investment seminar organised by the Caribbean Council in London on Tuesday, were supported

by Mr Gil Holzman, President and Chief Exective Officer of ECO Atlantic Oil and Gas, which has a stake in oil and gas exploration in Guyana.

He said, “With everything combined together under the management of the President and his administration, I think the next two to five to 10 years will be very transformational and again, from my personal perspective, this is probably the best investment destination in the world at the moment.”

President Granger and Mr Holzman were part of a panel, which included Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Carl Greenidge; British High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr Greg Quinn and Mr Andy Thorne, Group Chairman of the Kestrel Group, which is involved in the shipping industry in Guyana. The session was facilitated by British Member of Parliament Lord Bruce of Bennachie and in the audience were business executives from infrastructure, port development, oil and gas, tourism and hospitality and shipping, who are already operating in the Caribbean and Guyana, or are interested in doing so, along with members of the diplomatic community.

The Guyanese Head of State sold Guyana as an exciting investment destination with several advantages and opportunities. “We have the land, we have an intelligent, English-speaking population, we have the resources, and I think people who are looking for something different; something unique, will come to Guyana.

I am not suggesting that you leave Belize or Antigua or Barbados, but I am suggesting for long-term development, Guyana is the best prospect for investment,” he said. President Granger painted a picture of Guyana’s potential and the ‘green’ State development policy, which would see it taking advantage of its eco-tourism product, preserving its environ-

ment, pursuing ‘green’ energy development while taking advantage of coming oil and gas revenues to accomplish these goals, declaring that even as the country transitions, it has to ‘walk on two legs.’

“Oil and gas is a very attractive prospect… We

time and although there have been uncertainties in markets in the European Union, we still have a viable sugar industry, which can generate enough biomass to produce energy,” he said.

Even as the administration works to steadily im-

parts of the world.

“We can assure that your profits can be repatriated. We can assure you that our legal system, our Judiciary, our Ombudsman, our Auditor General, our elections are all entirely in consonance with what is required in Western

and that there were instances of discrimination, as a result of a number of factors, including corruption. “This is something that the current Government has been mandated to address… regulations have been changed, laws have been amended in a wide range

In the audience at the Investment Seminar for Guyana were business executives from infrastructure, port development, oil and gas, tourism and hospitality and shipping sectors, as well as some members of the diplomatic community (Ministry of the Presidency photo) probably wouldn’t start to produce oil and gas till maybe 2020... We will continue to develop our sources of renewable energy and at the same time use the revenues from the petroleum industry to funnel our development of infrastructure and education in particular, and ensure that other industries could be diversified away from what we call our six sisters; sugar, rice, bauxite, timber and gold and diamonds. Oil and gas are not going to distract us. We are going to ensure that the revenues… go into our Sovereign Wealth Fund, but we will also ensure that we continue to become a ‘green’ state by developing our sustainable energy resources,” President Granger said.

With the need for cheaper energy to boost the manufacturing sector, the Head of State outlined Guyana’s energy-generation potential and called for investments in solar and wind energy, biomass and hydropower.

“We can generate electricity from about 100 sites…

We have huge savannahs and the sunlight is sufficient to generate electricity in many of our hinterland communities…

We are the largest CARICOM [Caribbean Community] sugar producer up to the present

prove Guyana’s reputation as an attractive investment destination, President Granger told those gathered that progress is already being made, with regard to the legal and regulatory environment.

This he said, combined with the fact that Guyana, the only English-speaking country on the continent of South America, has a similar common law, parliamentary system and institutional infrastructure that can be found in other Commonwealth countries means that there would be some ease of doing business for companies from those

Europe and the Commonwealth. Only last year we had our Local Government Elections, which under the previous administration had been suspended for nearly two decades and when the elections were held, we created three new towns. The urbanisation of our hinterland is proceeding apace. ,” he said.

Supporting this point, Minister Greenidge said that prior to the 2015 elections, there were serious concerns that the device for setting rules and for allocating resources in the various sectors were less than transparent

of ways, including in relation to money laundering and funding of terrorism, legislation pertaining to the mining sector and the updating of legislation in relation to forestry and the like,” he said.

From the foreign policy point of view, the President spoke of the various regional

and international bodies with which Guyana is affiliated, such as the Union of South American States (UNASUR), the Organisation of American States, CARICOM, Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR), Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the United Nations. He also updated the gathering on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy and assured investors that the matter is on its way to being resolved.

The Guyanese Head of State acknowledged, though, that the country has series deficiencies in the area of infrastructural development and noted that Government is focused on comprehensive development plans that include deep-water harbours, aerodromes and road and bridge networks that link the coastland to the hinterland.

Minister Greenidge added that the infrastructure needed for the sustained development of the productive sectors is inadequate and stated that this is a major priority area for the administration.

He said, too, that the country is working with its neighbours and international partners to look at the development of a deep-water port that allows Guyana and other countries in South America to ship their goods to markets in North America and Europe. Mr Holzman from ECO Atlantic Oil and Gas, encouraging See page 4

Invest in ...

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From page 3

other investors to take a look at Guyana, said that the economic boom that Guyana is about to witness as a result of oil production will have a significant effect on several sectors such as real estate, hotels, tourism, airlines, shipping, education and healthcare and will create exciting opportunities.

“You will have 20,000 expats flying into the country and they will need hotel rooms. The big companies that are going to build the infrastructure, they will need areas next to the port. You will need better roads from the airport,” he said.

Nevertheless, Mr Holzman pointed out that the Government is taking impressive measures in terms of ensuring that benefits of the oil and gas industry redound to the citizens and contribute to national development. He added that while there is a need to develop capacity to manage the sector in Government Ministries and agencies, he said that his interactions with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Geology and Mines Com-

Member of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Lord Bruce of Bennachie, chairing the discussion at the Investment Seminar on Guyana, which was facilitated by the Caribbean Council. President David Granger lead the discussion, in which the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Carl Greenidge, also participated. (Ministry of the Presidency photo) mission have been heartening.

“These are all very savvy people; they are very responsible. They know that the big opportunity of the oil discovery, which is transformational for the country,

should be dealt with very, very carefully… I know that your administration, Mr President, is speaking with everyone there is in the UN, in the United States,

here in the United Kingdom, in Norway [and elsewhere] in order to learn from other people’s mistakes, in order to take the right measures going forward, taking

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 26, 2017 the oil opportunity and making it for the greater good of your people and your country and I think you’re taking very impressive measures,” Mr Holzman said.

He also informed the Head of State that his company, which is conducting exploration work in the Stabroek Block, respects the country’s ‘green’ thrust.

Kestrel Group’s Chairman, Mr Thorne, in his remarks described Guyana as “the most amazing, magical place” where it is safe and easy to conduct business. “Please go to Guyana; it is an amazing country, listen to the people. The opportunities there are amazing, but do the right thing; give back to the local people. Do this for them as well as yourselves. Make money, but make it the right way. Give a helping hand when you can.

People do not want a handout they want a hand up. So please do the right thing,” he urged potential investors.

Mr Thorne also spoke of a project that will be implemented in Guyana under the auspices of the Prince’s Trust International. He explained that it targets young people who are unemployed; offering them training in various fields such as tourism, hospitality, port operations, infrastructure and transportation among others and finding them full-time employment at the end of the programme. He noted that

when oil comes on stream, there will be an immediate boom in jobs and these individuals will be trained and ready. “It is so important and so valuable that we do this. In Barbados when we started it, I was a little sceptical, but 41 young people went on to the course and 36 ended up in full-time employment,” he said.

British High Commissioner to Guyana Mr Quinn, said Guyana is moving in the right direction, particularly as it relates to the ease of doing business and the reduction of corruption.

“I think we went up 16 points on the ease of doing business between 2016 and 2017 and that was from 140 to 124 and the corruptions perception index, which went from 29 to 34…

We believe that this is an Administration and a Government, which we can and want to work with and which has significant potential going forward,” he said.

President Granger also spoke, along with the Rt. Hon. Baroness Anelay, Minister for the Commonwealth and the UN, whom he had met with earlier in the day at the Caribbean Council’s House of Lords Annual Reception and met with Member of Parliament and Foreign Secretary, Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson. Details of that engagement will be provided in a subsequent report.

The Head of State will have an audience with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II tomorrow at Windsor Castle.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017 - 14:30 hrs Thursday,April 27, 2017 - 05:00 hrs Friday, April 28, 2017 - 05:00 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Clues lead to mystery Trini conman in Guyana …Tracking $60m defrauded from National Energy Corporation It has been five-and-half-years since a conman and his associates defrauded the National Energy Corporation (NEC, now National Energy) of $60 million with authorities still clueless as to who perpetrated the act.

Of that amount, $25 million still remains unaccounted for, with $17 million lodged at a Dubai bank. In addition there is a new story about the other $8 million (US$1.2m) apparently sent to Central International Company Ltd (CIC) in Boston, USA. New information has however been uncovered by the Express which has been following the money trail over the last two years, into the $60 million wire transfer fraud at National Energy in September 2011. The Express has found a fake paper trail of cheese shipments to Guyana to throw off financial investigators while more than $8 million was converted into gold and later shipped to Dubai from Brazil.

The $60 million was split in three directions.

1. A wire transfer of $8 million (US$1.2m) to CIC in Boston.

2. A second wire transfer for $35 million (US $4.7m) to an attorney in Antigua 3. And a third transfer of $17 million (US $3.75m) to a bank in Dubai.

The money sent to Antigua was recovered but red tape has been making it difficult to retrieve the funds funnelled to Dubai.

First Citizens hires investigators The bank through which the fraudulent transaction passed was First Citizens which hired Kroll

— an internationally recognised corporate investigations firm — to track the $8 million to CIC in Boston. Kroll investigators discovered invoices dated October 2011 for large quantities of Australian cheese, apparently purchased from CIC — an import/export business.

The consignee named on the document was G Bacchus Enterprise, in Georgetown, Guyana.

Kroll investigators said in a report they tried to determine whether a vessel named Cap Beaufort, which was identified on the invoice, transported the cheese from Australia to Guyana. However, after an exhaustive search of all Australian cheese manufacturers, Kroll concluded it was unable to link any of the listed companies as utilising the services of CIC as the exporter of their products. They also traced the ports where the shipping vessel Cap Beaufort had docked from as far back as May 2011 to December 2011.

Kroll investigators found “Guyana was never listed as a destination”. Kroll also concluded Guyana was not a port where the Cap Beaufort, owned by shipping line Hamburg Sud, even did business.

After extensive interviews with Guyanese customs and port officials, the Kroll report determined there was “no evidence to suggest CIC utilised a vessel named Cap Beaufort to transport cheddar cheese goods from Australia to Guyana.” Financial investigators believe the invoices were created for a cheese shipment that never existed, used to create a fake paper

trail, and distract anyone trying to track the money.

Where did the money really go?

TheExpressstartedbycontacting the man listed on the invoice as the consignee for the cheese: Rahaman Goolmohed Bacchus, in Guyana.

When we spoke to him on the telephone on March 29, he had agreed to meet when we arrived in Guyana the following week. When the Express turned up at his warehouse in Georgetown, Guyana, to ask him about the questionable invoices, a worker indicated Bacchus was not in the country.

Arriving later at his main head office an employee indicated Rahaman was in the country but was not available to speak to us. Financial investigators for Kroll said they had interviewed Bacchus in Guyana, when they were there in November 2011. He told them he had never received any cheese and knew nothing about the shipment. Bacchus’s lawyer, Gordon Gilholkes, spoke to us on the phone on April 7, saying his client was not willing to discuss this matter or any other business dealings he had.

But Kroll wasn’t finished in Guyana.

Investigators obtained credible information that led them to believe the conman entered Guyana with a significant amount of the money that was supposedly wired to CIC in Boston. They then turned their attention to the bustling America Street, where you can get just about any currency exchanged, but where the US dollar remains king.

Along America Street in Georgetown, Guyana, persons

trade gold or foreign currency using a nickname. Hot on the trail of the money and the Trinidadian mystery man, investigators were reliably informed he had contacted a Guyanese businessman to trade the US$1.2 million (TT$8 million) with a nickname ensuring he remained anonymous.

“You can come here with US$300,000, $400,000 and once the money is good we’ll take it from you. We do not need to know your real name,” said one of the men hustling the US currency along the street, who spoke with the Express.

With the monetary arrangement firmed up with the Guyanese businessman connections on America Street, it was then time to meet at a private location. Investigators with an intimate knowledge of this case say the mysterious Trinidadian man rendezvoused at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel in late 2011. Sources say an associate of a well known Guyanese businessman met the mysterious Trinidadian man and “he exchanged over $1 million US dollars for Guyanese currency.”

DUBAI SHIPMENT Investigators say the mystery man then headed into the Guyanese interior where he purchased the equivalent in gold. They were further informed he crossed the Bra-

zilian border and placed the gold on a ship that was destined for Dubai.

Investigators familiar with the case said they arrived at the hotel about three weeks later, after the meeting, that supposedly took place in the lobby and asked to peruse the security cameras. “Unfortunately, in those days the cameras would usually wipe footage every two days,” said a source.

The Trinidadian conman lived to fight another day since they weren’t able to get a handle on his identity, nor that of the associate he met. Kroll then turned their investigations into the gold-mining business in Guyana — and sought the assistance of Nigel Hinds and Associates Financial Services based in Georgetown to track the Trinidadian mystery man’s gold-buying activities. Hinds, who spoke to the Express, said in late November 2011 he had managed to track down a gold miner, who could help the Kroll investigators possibly pinpoint the mysterious Trinidadian.

“I think the connecting points to the person would have been the mining industry that the person would have some association and would have travelled to Dubai and I think that was the general or main parameters around which we attempted to locate the person,” Hinds explained. Hinds said he later wrote to the financial investigators

in a letter outlining what the gold miner called Party A — (to protect his identity) — needed clarity on before he could assist. “We were able to arrange an interview with the owner of a mining business.

Generally, the information we got from him, well before he answers any questions, he would need to know who the investigators represented and purpose of the investigation and any other relevant information,” he said.

Hinds had at this time submitted an invoice for payment before they proceeded further, but Kroll, he said, never responded. Financial investigators familiar with the case told the Express that First Citizens had asked them to stop the investigation at this critical juncture, at a time when they were closing in on the conman and were also close to obtaining the shipping documents of the gold shipped from Brazil to Dubai, and the names of the sender and receiver.

“What we were told is that this could be detrimental to the lives of many people because of the players involved,” a source said. Hinds was certain that had the financial investigators followed through with the bank’s blessings they would have been one step closer to nabbing the culprits.

So why did First Citizens stop the investigation? And what action did they take internally against their employees following this $60 million fraudulent wire transfer? (Trinidad Express)

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Sexual assault awareness GUYANA is observing ‘Sexual Awareness Week’ from April 24th to 30th under the theme: “Engaging New Voices to End Sexual Violence,” with the Ministry of Social Protection highlighting sexual assault as “one of the most pervasive violations of human rights.”

The message is that sexual assault must not be viewed as “a dirty little secret, a taboo,” since it really is a violation of one’s inherent dignity and it’s about power and control, not about sex.

The ministry in a full-page newspaper advertisement declared that “the time for complacency and the shrouded culture of silence has long passed and belongs to another era. The silence on sexual assault against women, men and children must be broken; it is time for stronger action.”

Moreover, the ministry has reaffirmed its commitment “to shift and functionally transform attitudes that permit sexual assault to be hidden in a culture of silence (that) permits such a crime to go unpunished.” In a timely, rallying call, the Social Protection Ministry said further that “together, as a nation we must stand united and speak up to change the culture that questions the actions of victims, rather than those of the perpetrators.”

Media operatives, therefore, have an invaluable role to play by the way they report stories about sexual assault, so that they do not indulge in any shade of ‘victim-blaming.’ The media must focus on seeking to influence change in attitudes and behaviours across the community that condone or excuse sexual assault in any of its heinous manifestations–non-consensual sexual behaviour such as rape or sexual assault, psychological forms of abuse such as sexual harassment, human trafficking and indecent exposure, the use of a position of trust for sexual purposes, which includes some forms of paedophilia and pederasty and incest.

The ministry, in a comprehensive and multi-pronged strategic intervention, involving a cross-section of governmental agencies as well as civil society, has formulated a coordinated mechanism

Hinds was stripped Dear Editor, I JUST want Mr Freddie Kissoon to say what “policy- making powers” Mr Sam Hinds had when he held the post of Prime Minister?

My question arose from the column written by Mr. Kissoon in the Kaieteur News dated 24th April, 2017. Unless Mr. Kissoon knows something not shared with the public, Mr. Hinds was last sworn in as Prime Minister on December 5, 2011 without any portfolio announced then.

He had held the portfolio for Natural Resources (mining), but lost that to Robert Persaud whom President Ramotar made Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. He was previously stripped of the portfolio for Public Works and Transportation, which was assigned to Robeson Benn.

Almost as an afterthought, Prime Minister Hinds was assigned “Energy,” which had been part of the Natural Resources or Mining portfolio, which in effect gave him oversight only of the Guyana Power and Light.

President Ramotar was asked whether the PM (Hinds) had been left without a portfolio.

This is what the Stabroek News (6/12/11) reported: “The president explained that he still retains parliamentary affairs and energy, and suggested that with the advent of hydro power, the Prime Minister’s hands will be full.”

Well, there was no advent of hydro. Later, he shared some functions regarding telecommunications, which pertains to negotiations with GT&T to give up its monopoly.

Regards Earl Hamilton

through the National Task Force for the Prevention of Sexual Violence. Moreover, protocols for medical practitioners, police officers and prosecutors have been developed and training programmes are said to be currently ongoing.

However, civil society and the media must take the responsibility of systematically monitoring whether these protocols are being effectively followed when victims are in need of timely intervention and support, and to speak out whenever there are violations or shortcomings. In seeking to bring about the necessary behavioural changes, a number of prevailing myths must be methodically debunked. Rape and sexual assault are crimes of violence and control that stem from a person’s determination to exercise power over another and neither provocative dress nor promiscuous behaviours are invitations for unwanted sexual activity.

Even if a person went voluntarily to someone’s residence or room and consented to engage in some sexual activity, it does not serve as a blanket consent for all sexual activity. If a person is unsure about whether the other person is comfortable with an elevated level of sexual activity, the person should stop and ask.

When someone says “No” or “Stop”, that means STOP. In reality, a victim may not always put up a fight or resist, as there are many reasons why a victim of sexual assault would not fight or resist the attacker. She/he may feel that fighting or resisting will make her/his attacker angry, resulting in more severe injury and may not resist as a coping mechanism for dealing with the trauma of being sexually assaulted. In many cases of sexual assault, a weapon is not involved and the offender often uses physical strength, physical violence, intimidation, threats, or a combination of these tactics to overpower the victim.

The unresolved experiences of sexual assault can have longterm psychological and social effects, and other effects of the trauma include changes in how victims view trust, anger and

blame, shock, loss of control, a sense of vulnerability, fear, selfblame or guilt for ‘allowing’ the crime to happen. Beyond these effects, being assaulted can also have impacts that are less tangible.

The ministry put it this way: “Sexual assault has tremendous costs to communities, and our nation as a whole. If left unaddressed, these human rights violations pose serious consequences for current and future generations. It undermines the health, dignity, security and autonomy of its victims. Victims of sexual assault can suffer sexual and reproductive health consequences, including forced and unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted infections including HIV, and even death.”

Our observance of Sexual Awareness Week should be seen as a call to action for everyone. Although the subject of sexual assault is a difficult subject for many people to talk about, this observance is a means of raising awareness so that people not only begin to think about the implications, but they could start doing something about it as well.

You can help to raise the national awareness of sexual violence simply by educating yourself and your family about the issues. You may even explore other ways in which you can personally get involved in the fight to raise awareness and prevent sexual violence in your community. You can also leverage social media for the greater good and speak for those who do not have a voice or are not able to express it.

Not surprised Jagdeo backed down from polygraph test Dear Editor, I WAS not surprised after I read the article in the Kaieteur News (KN) on April 19th, 2017, captioned: “Jagdeo says no to polygraph test” and learned that former President and now Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Bharat Jagdeo, sought to escape from participating in the open challenge issued to him by CEO of the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU), Mr. Aubrey Heath-Retemyer.

It will be recalled that Mr. Retemyer, in replying to one of Jagdeo’s diatribes against members of SARU, challenged Jagdeo to make himself (along with Retemyer) available for a polygraph test to see who is the more credible person in their utterances on matters of public interest and importance. I must admit that I experienced much amusement at the antics of Jagdeo when he was

confronted with Retemyer’s challenge. Jagdeo, astute politician that he is, was fully aware that Retemyer was forcing him into a credibility contest. Without saying so, he knew that the results of this contest would have put him in extremely bad light and, like the proverbial coward he is, he chose the coward’s way out. After denying the need for the polygraph test with Retemyer and in a desperate effort to save his face, he then called for a polygraph test with President David Granger.

The controversy between Retemyer and Jagdeo has its genesis in an E-Governance operation that retrieved computers from the Enmore-Hope NDC to prevent them from being sold to a high official of the NDC in violation of the terms of the agreement on which they were given to the NDC by an agency of the Guyana Governmnent, the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF). That

operation was carried out in the presence of members of SARU and residents of the Enmore-Hope community and only took place after a member of the NDC had reported that the computers, which were donated for a specific purpose i.e. to conduct a training programme for young people in the community of Enmore-Hope, was not being used for the intended purpose and was about to be sold to the official of the NDC. Jagdeo and the PPP deemed the retrieval of the computers as politically motivated and unlawful. When faced with irrefutable evidence that the NDC had taken a decision to sell the computers, Jagdeo responded in his usual obnoxious style by cussing out SARU officials and accusing them of corruption. This drew a sharp reaction from SARU’s CEO who defended his unit and referred to Jagdeo’s allegations as outright lies.

In an article in the KN on Friday, April 14, 2017, captioned “SARU CEO to Jagdeo… I’m willing to take a polygraph test…are you?”

Mr. Retemyer is quoted as saying, “… he can account for every penny he has and he is willing to have an international firm conduct the exercise.” He then challenged “Jagdeo to submit himself to the test if he has nothing to hide.” From all appearances unlike Retemyer, the PPP leader seems to have a lot to hide. Retemyer’s challenge calling out Jagdeo was appropriate, since the issue surrounding the computers and Jagdeo’s accusations against SARU officials, as I pointed out above, raised questions of credibility. In normal circumstances, this issue would be a straightforward matter, which would be resolved on the basis of the evidence. Not so for Jagdeo and the PPP. For them evidence don’t matter, Turn to page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Gross disrespect to mothers and women

Dear Editor

IN the light of recent comments made in the April 17, 2017 publication, Kaieteur News and its editor via the column “Dem Boys She,” seem to be hell-bent on provoking a verbal face-off with the Leader of the Opposition,The Honourable Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.

It is a universally known fact that any negative comment about someone’s mother is taboo and is sure to invoke the wrath of that mother’s offspring, regardless of age, gender or status. Not only is it taboo, but it is also disrespectful to make disdainful comments about a mother, someone who is held in high regard since creation.

The owner and editor of Kaieteur News seem to have lost their way morally on issues as it relates to women.

Women throughout the ages have always been the teachers of training, core values and genuine principles in and out of the home. Regardless of what is that woman’s status quo in society, be it good or bad, a mother would almost always seek to ensure that her offspring had a better life and upbringing. This morale is evident world-wide. However, there are instances when some children

on becoming an adult would veer away from some of those teachings and this would reflect that there is a clear disconnect from childhood to adulthood.

Under the heading: “All of them killing trace back to one man” and the jargon of Dr. Jagdeo’s mother being an encourager of assumed misconduct bears no relevance to each other. Thieving and killing plagued this earth long before the arrival of Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and will be here long after he departs. So how can he be blamed for it?

This article comes just after Guyana and the rest of the world observed International Women’s Day and just as we are preparing to celebrate another Mother’s Day. Henceforth, this article reeks of disrespect and ingratitude to mothers and women in general and also to a former Head-of-State and a sitting Opposition Leader and his late mother. Former President Jagdeo has done Guyana proud and is respected internationally, given the fact that he has received many awards from many Global Organisations for his work and contributions. But as the old saying states: “A king has no honour in his own land.”

I wonder if such an attack was attributed to the current President Mr. David Granger what would have been the outcome.

But again, two old sayings state: “Monkey know which limb to jump on” and “Tom drunk but Tom ain’t stupid.”

A review of recent happenings will show that seemingly, women in Guyana have become targets of disdainful and reprehensible attacks in this new political dispensation. Not only women, but any PPP/C activist or supporter, male or female, seems to be singled out for these attacks which have now channelled their way to our parents. I wonder what does Minister Dawn Hastings have to say about this article, since in one of our debates in the National Assembly recently, she stated that Dem Boys Seh was her favourite column.

As a mother, a politician and a commissioner on the Women and Gender Equality Commission, I denounce this recent onslaught on the Leader of the Opposition and to ALL women in general from a news agency that publishes articles on women in leadership and their contributions to our country’s development. Such utterances coming from an agency that heralds activities such as International Women’s Day, Stop Violence against women and Mothers’ Day is hypocritical of their work and support to core values

Congratulations to Carifta Games team Dear Editor GUYANA’S exceptional performances and achievements at the recently held Carifta Games in Curacao must be lauded.

The team of young athletes has made us proud. Likewise, the Government must be commended for its unprecedented initiative of providing scholarships for the successful Carifta

Games team. This augurs well for the future and can serve as an inspiration for up-and-coming athletes. It is hoped these young people would not squander this opportunity, but would make full use of the scholarships while at the same time enhancing and furthering their athletic abilities.

Maybe some day in the not-too-distant future, these athletes will be in the Guy-

Not surprised Jagdeo... every issue is partisan and must be exploited politically.

Lies, deception and character assassination are their tools of choice. To realize this objective, Jagdeo shamelessly invented the malicious and false accusation that SARU officials are shaking down businessmen and that their personal bank accounts have swollen with cash. This line of attack is consistent with the above approach.

In political and diplomatic circles at home and abroad, Jagdeo, when he was President, had developed a formidable repetition as a

pathological liar. A person with such a character is unlikely to pass a polygraph test anywhere on this planet. No one is more aware of this fact than Bharrat Jagdeo. To cover his nakedness after being exposed, he, in a vulgar way, invoked the question of rank and superiority, claiming he was President and Retemyer is not his equal.

It is an incontestable fact that in the discourse between them, Retemyer has struck Jagdeo a mortal blow, in the process forcing him to bow out in disgrace.

Despite his public antics,

ana contingent to a Commonwealth Games meet or ultimately, the Olympics.

Congratulations and continued successes to the Carifta team and all who worked to ensure success. It is important for all to remember this is not the end, but rather just the beginning.

Regards Shamshun Mohamed

From Page 6 Jagdeo is aware that time is running out and SARA will, inevitably, become reality and his talk of SARU not being a legal entity will be a thing of the past. Sooner, rather than later, the nation and the world will have evidence of Jagdeo and the PPP government’s rape of the country’s wealth. Then it will become clearer to everyone why Jagdeo could not accept Retemyer’s challenge to expose himself to a polygraph test.

Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

of women. There is a deafening silence coming from the many women’s rights advocates and their organisations.

Are they suffering from the

muzzle-me manoeuvre or the fear- frenzy factor or a little bit of both? Let’s remember, today for me tomorrow for you and we all come from a

mother.

Regards Gillian Burton-Persaud Member of Parliament

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Sugar, votes and cyclical poverty

IN a 2004 BBC documentary titled, ’Guyana -- Trouble in Paradise,’ longtime President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and PPP Member of Parliament Mr Komal Chand, speaking on the likely ramifications of the removal of the European Union preferential market for Guyana’s sugar, coldly said, “it could result in the closure of some of our sugar estates.”

Mr Chand was not hesitant or uncertain. He was emphatic, decisive and clear. In commenting on Mr Chand’s remark, the documentary’s narrator, Rageh Omar, said, “the trade union leader paints a bleak picture.”

Then President Bharrat Jagdeo, was also featured in the same documentary , saying of

the European Union’s move, “It’s an issue of bad faith and it’s going to lead to a lack of trust. This could cost us in excess of US$35M per annum.”

At the time, GuySuCo’s sales to the European Union market amounted to 50% of its total sugar output and a mammoth 70% of its revenues. The EU market was an effective lifeline for GuySuCo. Without it, both Mr Chand and Mr Jagdeo knew sugar would become comatose in Guyana.

Mr Chand recognised this in his response to the removal of the preferential quota and knew instinctively that sugar would no longer be sustainable in Guyana. There was no grey area, it was stark and it was black and white -- no EU market and sugar would become

crippled. In the intervening period, a false grey space, which was out of sync with reality, was manufactured by the then political directorate.

This grey area of pumping billions into the failing industry was done to sustain jobs which are widely known to belong to persons who constitute the core of political support for the then ruling party. The people of Guyana paid dearly for this as money which should otherwise have been dedicated to social services and infrastructural development were funnelled, by the tens of billions, into GuySuCo. Though battling to preserve jobs in an industry which was producing sugar at a cost far in excess of the market price, the PPP government could not avoid

closure of the Diamond and LBI estates. Be not fooled. There is a political quarter in this country which feigns concern for the plight of the sugar workers and which has been so doing for decades. Field sugar workers in particular are seasonal workers.

They work preparing the land and cutting canes, but ‘out of crop’ they have to ‘ketch their hand’ at menial jobs, including catching and selling backdam fish, clearing land, cleaning trenches and canals, working in the rice fields and other such work. Sugar workers’ lives are no story of prosperity and glamour as some would make it out to be. Large numbers of field sugar workers live in perpetual, punishing, cyclical poverty.

They are highly dependent on money from the back-breaking sugar field work for their sustenance. The former PPP administration knew this when it was in government and it knows this now.

Any group which claims to be concerned about the welfare of sugar workers would have been busy seeking to put plans in place to elevate these thousands of persons from their condition, not condemning them to it. For 23 years under the PPP regime what obtained? A clear policy of keeping field sugar workers in the field. There was little effort to diversify, despite sugar coming under globally difficult times, leading to both scaling back and closures throughout the Caribbean, from Jamaica to Trinidad.

When the EU pulled the plug after the turn of the century, rather than embark on an aggressive programme to diversify and transition the sugar workers from a life of dependence on feeble sugar, the PPP engaged in doling out billions into propping up the failing industry. A culture

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

of mendicancy was formed, perpetuated and it prevailed. The annual bailouts led to a now entrenched belief that come whatever may, government is obliged to starve and deny other sectors of funding and treat sugar as a sacred cow by pumping tens of billions of dollars into the black hole it has become.

In the 2017 budget, $9BILLION was allocated to GuySuCo. This is $9BILLION which has to be found but which cannot be spent on roads, education, health services, public security or public infrastructure. The PPP pursued a policy of recklessness and irresponsibility, racking up a humungous debt of over GY$85BILLION by 2015. Since the Coalition Government took office, it has poured GY$33BILLION into the industry. The stark and unavoidable reality is that sugar, more than anything else in this land, is causing an immense strain on the treasury.

A programme of diversification, divestment and a contracted amalgamation is unavoidable. It is imperative that Guyana retain sugar operations to supply the demands of the local market and to supply the international markets it maintains.

This process need not require sugar workers being left out in the cold, or even being at a disadvantage. It does however require reorientation and refocusing. There are dozens of other crops which are viable and feasible and for which mechanisms can be worked out to ensure jobs and opportunities for business and industry are provided. This is where diversification must be pursued in earnest. The fixation with cutting, fetching and loading cane must be banished. Sugar workers must not be duped into believing that they have a single opportunity to provide for their families.

They are hardworking people who, from their demonstrable commitment in the fields, are prepared to pursue meaningful work and would be keen to engage in employment which does not condemn them to perpetual, cyclical, generational poverty.

Politicians who rely on sugar workers for votes must stop lying to them, deceiving them and using them as pawns in their quest for political relevance and power. Komal Chand and Bharrat Jagdeo knew the truth in 2004, they must speak it now.

Several testify at CoI into cocaine vessel … commission gets extension to May THE work of the Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the entry, interception, detention and subsequent release of a vessel reportedly linked to the US$71.7M drug bust has been extended.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that permission was granted for the life of the commission to be extended to the end of May to allow for the completion of its investigation. The commission was expected to submit its report, findings and recommendations to President David Granger on April 12, 2017, but due to having a late start, an extension was granted.

However, a source at the commission assured the Guyana Chronicle that the investigation was progressing smoothly, and that the commission was receiving unhindered support from the relevant agencies, including the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).

The unnamed private maritime vessel was spotted in Guyana’s waters off the Corentyne coast moving north between February 11 to 14, 2017. While in the vicinity of Shell Beach, it was intercepted by local authorities, and brought into the Waini River and searched. Though narcotics were not found on the vessel, which was subse-

quently released, it is believed that the vessel is linked to a massive high-seas drug bust, which ensnared four Guyanese nationals and netted cocaine worth US$71.7M last February, 70 nautical miles north of Suriname in international waters .

It is believed that this vessel had transferred the large cocaine shipment to the mother vessel which was subsequently seized by the U.S. authorities and found to be carrying over four tonnes of cocaine.

The inquiry is expected to unravel the facts supporting the unnamed maritime vessel.

According to the Terms of Reference, the commission will investigate the circumstances under which the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) received information that the vessel had entered Guyana, intercepted, detained and searched.

Additionally, the commission will try to ascertain what led to the release of the vessel, and whether the operation was approved by an authority in Guyana. The legality of the operation will also come into question.

The ownership of the vessel, its capacity, capabilities and the identities of all persons who were on board at the time of the operation will also be placed under the microscope.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

Registrar of Deeds in pickle … allegedly pays self $4.5M in gratuity, waives $7M in outstanding fees

THE police have been called in to investigate allegations of corruption against the Registrar of Deeds on reports that she unlawfully paid herself gratuity amounting to $4.5M and also waived outstanding fees due to the registries in the sum of over $7M. In a release, the Ministry of Legal Affairs said on Tuesday that staff of the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority (DCRA) had called upon it to investigate complaints of alleged financial improprieties committed by acting Registrar of Deeds, Ms. Azeena Baksh.

The ministry said it has referred the complaints to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) through Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum. According to the ministry, both the Human Resource and Accounting Departments have complained that as Head of the Budget Agency and sole person in authority to approve and sign off the payroll of the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority and one of the main signatories of the Authority’s bank

account, the acting Registrar allegedly unlawfully paid herself gratuity, well knowing she was a pensionable employee, having been appointed by the Judicial Services Commission (JSC).

“Registrar Baksh further allegedly unlawfully paid herself a higher salary than was approved by the JSC,” the ministry stated, adding that the Deeds Registry officers have disclosed that these payments started since 2014 and continued up to the present and amount to nearly $4.5M. Moreover, according to the ministry, the Deeds Registry has also laid over with the Ministry of Legal Affairs documents revealing that Registrar Baksh out of revenue due, owing and payable to the Authority in or around the sum of $8,544,000, allegedly unlawfully waived the sum of $7,044,000 upon the request of an attorney-at-Law, who paid the sum of only $1.5M. Baksh was appointed by the Judicial Service Commission in July 2012. At the time of her appointment, it was noted that

she holds a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Guyana and also completed the Certificate of Legal Education (LEC) at the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and held several positions at various agencies, including at the Ministries of Legal Affairs and Human Services and Social Security. A forensic audit done

by D. Bahadur and Company on the Deeds and Commercial Registries, had recommended among other things that the policy of recording revenue on an accrual basis should be changed to a cash basis, which is in support of the current recording method, noting that bank reconciliations should be prepared and reviewed monthly. The audit report pointed out that there was a Demerara Bank account in the name of the Deeds and Commercial Registries. However, the funds do not belong to the Registries, the account is an Escrow Account established as a result of court order #173CD. “Based on confirmation received from Demerara Bank Ltd and credit advices seen,

Nandlall runs to court to keep law books FORMER Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall has turned to the High Court to secure a Conservatory Order to prevent the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) from seizing some 15 Commonwealth Law Reports paid for by the state.

Nandlall made the application one day after he was arrested and questioned over some $2.5M worth of law reports which he had taken away from the Ministry of Legal Affairs in 2015, allegedly with the permission of former President Donald Ramotar. Former Legal Affairs Ministry Permanent Secretary Melissa Tucker said the purported agreement between the former Attorney General and former President circumvents the procedural accountability of the Budget Agency that is governed by the Stores Regulations 1993 and the FMAA 2003.

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

The Auditor General in his conclusion had said that the Commonwealth Law Books acquired by the ministry were not subject to storekeeping procedures and were not required, since they were part of his condition of service. However, Tucker made it clear that the ministry was never privy to any condition of service for Nandlall, which included the purchase of law reports.

She added that the purchase of the law books, using public

funds for Nandlall’s personal use, was, “A flagrant misuse of public funds. Property bought with public funds by the ministry ought to remain the property of the ministry,” Tucker stated. She said, “The ministry feels compelled to remind you [Auditor General] that according to the FMAA: “Public money

PPP MP, Mohabir Anil Nandlall means all money belonging to the State, received or collected by officials in their capacity or by any person authorised to receive or collect such money.” In addition, Tucker stated that Section 48 of the FMAA, which speaks of the misuse of public funds, provides that: “A minister or official shall not in any manner misuse, misapply, or improperly dispose of public money.”

In his court document filed on Tuesday,Nandlall argued that he was the owner of the 14 Commonwealth Law Reports for the years 2013 to May 2015, noting that they

were acquired during his tenure as Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister as a condition of his service. He had been subscribing to Lexis Nexis (UK) the publishers of the Commonwealth Law Reports since 2003.

Nandlall said he was informed by officers of SOCU that it was their intention to raid his home to seize and detain the said Commonwealth Law Reports.

“The applicant has been given no prior notice by the officers, servants and or agents of the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) or any other investigative arm of the State of Guyana of its intention to either investigate the applicant in respect of the said Commonwealth Law Reports, or the seizure, detention and/ or confiscation thereof,” the former Attorney General stated.

To build his case, Nandlall provided the court with a letter dated December 1, 2015 by former President Ramotar to the Auditor General indicating that he had granted the then AG permission to take the reports. “It was agreed that the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Legal Affairs, will assume and continue the payment of certain subscriptions for Mr. Mohabir Anil Nandlall, for professional books and journals, which were in existence prior to his appointment,” a section of the letter stated. Nandlall has reportedly secured a Conservatory Order from Chief Justice Roxanne George to temporarily block SOCU or the police from seizing the reports.

Registrar of Deeds Ms. Azeena Baksh Bosai Mineral Group Guyana Inc. was depositing both interest and principal loan repayments as per the court order and debenture. The balance on this US$ a/c suggests that the loan has since been repaid, due to there being no further deposits to the A/c.”

According to the forensic audit, there is no evidence of any reconciliation being done, neither any monitoring of the

account. It was therefore recommended that the Escrow Account be reconciled and monitored on an ongoing basis. It is recommended that this matter be brought to the attention of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, since it also involves CLICO. “The Ministries of Finance and Legal Affairs should be informed of the following for their action in relation to the Escrow Account and Act of Deposit Account: The conditions under which these accounts operate; the balance on the accounts as at the date of the forensic audit; the steps taken by the Deeds to effect a reconciliation of the Act of Deposit Account with the aid of available bank statements and court orders; the results of this exercise; and the unresolved balance on the account; and advise on how to deal with the balance within the legal framework.”

Additionally, the auditor had recommended that the vacancy for an internal auditor be

filled immediately to address many of the matters affecting the DCRA, including the missing receipt book that saw a former cashier, Kayren Booker, being fired for fraud. Additionally, there was a vacancy for a Registrar of Commerce.

Currently, Registrar of Deeds Azeena Baksh holds the post of Registrar of Commerce, but the auditor believes that her dual role can result in “work overload and oversight.” “Additionally, without the appointment of a Registrar of Commerce, various functions of this department can be backlogged; e.g. the registration of trademarks has been significantly delayed, and this may be one of the prime reasons,” the report stated.

A number of other key positions, including Assistant Registrar of Commerce, Field Auditor, Audit Clerk and Stores Clerk have to be filled to reduce inefficiency at the DCRA.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

Stigmatisation and reactionary approach to mental illness

By Akola Thompson DESPITE its prevalence throughout the years, the stigma concerning mental health has hardly diminished. What this does is further alienate the mentally ill and stops them from seeking treatment and instead cause them to suffer in silence. What this silence essentially does however, is further paint mental illness as something that should be kept under wraps, rather than be addressed.

We see them as dangerous and unstable and it does not help that the most common instances we see is of the mentally ill on the streets or of those who commit atrocities against others. But mental illness is multifaceted and often the signs are almost indistinguishable from what we might consider to be normal. Even moreso, if the person has learnt how to mask his/her illness as is seen with numbers of those suffering from depression.

One of the problems we have is the reactionary way in which we try to fight certain social ills, particularly the campaigns against suicide and the de-stigmatisation of mental health. This is particularly seen in the government and public sector where lofty proclamations about their plans to address mental health are made, but are never followed through on or only make temporary appearances before disappearing once again into non-existence.

We cannot continue with the same pattern of only upping the ante when there is an increase in certain cases and falling back into sporadic campaigns and outreaches.

If one is truly serious about diminishing and eradicating mental illness and its stigmatisation, then what we need to aim for is sustainability and precise targeting.

We need to target specific demographic/s, because by trying to get the information to the general public, our messages often become too diluted.

One thing we do not necessarily always pay attention to when we think about suicide is the phenomena of suicide clusters or copycat behaviour that can largely be influenced by the way in which suicide is

portrayed in the media. The romanticising in the media, of persons who complete suicide or the amount of attention given to one that may be particularly sensational can be extremely dangerous to those who may have suicidal thoughts or feelings.

Many are of the opinion that we should stop reporting on suicides to avoid this exact thing, but I do not believe that is the way to approach the problem. When these tragic instances occur, I believe they present us with an opportunity to talk seriously about suicide, what are its implications and the ways in which we as individuals and as a collective society can learn warning signs so as to effectively reach out to those who are suicidal. It presents us with an opportunity to reach out to those who may feel as though that is their way out, to let them know that there are options and they can get help.

There is tremendous work being done

by Non-Governmental Organisations, faith-based organisations and the private and public sectors; and it seems that they have been having a positive impact as the World Health Organisation (WHO) now lists Guyana as having the fourth highest suicide rate in the world. While this means that Guyana is no longer the suicide capital of the world, it shows that we still have remarkable work to do and our efforts in its prevention and in other mental health issues should be sustained.

Several factors are at play in the lax struggle against mental illness. These factors range from political unwillingness to a culture of self-reliance and stigma; and it will take several interrelated factors to help hasten the process of tightening the struggle against mental illness.

In our fight against mental illness, we all need to realise that we are essential in its de-stigmatisation and ensuring that the mentally ill get the appropriate help and support needed. Our attitudes towards mental illness need to be analyzed and we should challenge ourselves to be more open and empathetic in the way we address and treat the mentally ill.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

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TIGI calls for strengthened Code of Conduct for Ministers

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Ultimately, the Commission has no power to determine any courses of actions to be taken against individuals and there are no guarantees that its recommendations will be executed under the Act. However, TIGI believes that disciplinary actions should be undertaken pursuant to the recommendations of the Commission when explicit articulation in the Code of Conduct is absent.”

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

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

The legislation specifically states that the nature of the complaint for which the person is found guilty shall be published in a daily newspaper at the expense of the person. “The motivation for this provision can hardly be described in civil terms and any description of it will be a euphemism.

It is meant to deter complaints and ignores the fact that the Integrity Commission is responsible for investigating. It provides pre-emptive protection by instilling fear,” said TIGI as it has recommended the deletion of Section 28.

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

As it relates to the Code of Conduct for Ministers, the transparency body suggested that there be more specificity so as to strengthen the provisions relative to the penalties for breaches. The proposed Code of Conduct has provided several definitions for what has been described as the ‘ten principles of public life’.

Those principles are: accountability, dignity, diligence, duty, honour, integrity, loyalty, objectivity, responsibility and transparency. However, the transparency watchdog sought to highlight some issues with the definitions of some terms and made recommendations. In the proposed Code of Conduct, Integrity speaks to public officials and their close family members upon the assumption of office declaring their private interests relative to the duties of the public officer and other interests as required by the Integrity Commission Act and any other law.

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

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

Gov’t urges calm as police probe plot … slams Demwaves ‘misleading’ headline

GOVERNMENT on Tuesday urged citizens to be calm as the Guyana Police Force investigates allegations of a plot to shoot President David Granger.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of the Presidency responding to a “misleading “ Demerara Waves report, the Ministry of the Presidency calls for calm as the Guyana Police Force continues to investigate this matter.

Meanwhile, the MoTP slammed what it described as a sensational and misleading Demerara Waves headline posted on April

24, 2017, “Man fingered in plot to assassinate Granger attended Presidential Adviser’s recent birthday party.”

“The Ministry of the Presidency wishes to inform all and sundry that Mr. Basil Blackman AA, the individual mentioned in the sensational report, is not an adviser to His Excellency David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, neither is he an official of the Ministry of the Presidency.” As such, the Ministry of the Presidency demands that Demerara Waves immedi-

ately retract the “erroneous headline and all content of the above-mentioned article which stated that Mr. Basil Blackman is an official of the Ministry of the Presidency.”

Minster of State, Joseph Harmon, at a post-Cabinet briefing last Thursday had disclosed that the administration was provided with some information by the police about their ongoing investigation of a plot to shoot President Granger. He said then that the investigation had reached a point where advice of the police legal advisor is also being

sought. “While we have a popular President that all the people around the country love and embrace him, there are sometimes misguided people, especially of what they see on facebook and copycat type of issues and therefore we always have to be careful,” Harmon said. “I have the full confidence of the ability of the security forces to protect our President and the ministers of Government who have been elected by the people to run the Government,” Harmon noted.

Meanwhile, in an interview on Nightly News, a

man who claimed that he was approached to carry out the act spoke of a $7M bounty that was offered him to shoot at President Granger during one of his outreaches. The $7M it was said was offered by a prominent individual.

The man stated that the businessman told him “…

President Granger, we have to have him assassinated before he moves from where he is living, before of course if he moves his security will enhance and you can’t get to him.”

The man explained that the businessman entered

his house and brought out a large weapon which he collected and minutes later returned. He explained he had approached the businessman to conduct a business worth $6M when the proposal was made to find someone to assassinate the President and he will be paid $7M. “The next day I go back to he and said watch, me ain’t deh in them thing yo know, me aint event want you tell me back about that,” the informant said, claiming that he never killed anyone before and is just a businessman.

Consultant arraigned on multiple fraud charges CHAIRMAN of Micro Business Developers and Consultant Incorporated, Clinton Allen accused of swindling over $1.6M from three persons was on Tuesday charged with fraud.

Allen, 56, of South Better Hope, East Coast Demerara appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied the three obtaining money by false pretense charges when they were read to him.

Particulars of the first charge alleged that Allen, between January 31 and February 8, at Sherriff Street, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he obtained the sum of $516,000 from Samuel Manoo by falsely pretending that he was in a position to grant a $4M loan to him.

It further alleged that Allen, between November 3, 2016 and December 29, 2016 at Sherriff Street, Georgetown, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of $700,000 from Lorelai Lalchan by falsely pretending that he was in a position to grant a $5M loan to him.

Thirdly, it is alleged that Allen, between November 4,2016 and December 9,2016 at Sherriff Street, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $415,000 from

Lorelai Lalchan by falsely pretending that he was in a position to grant a $3.4M loan to him.

According to Police Prosecutor, Arwyn Moore,

acquiring.

The victims, Moore noted, would be issued a receipt when handing over their down payment and would be asked to return later for their loan. However, persons would be given the royal runaround and would often be issued a cheque which would be rejected by the bank.

Moore had objected to the accused being released on bail on the ground that that Allen might flee the jurisdiction or tamper with the witnesses. The Magistrate ruled in the prosecution favour and remanded Allen until May 16.

The prosecution further noted that the chairman is currently out on $400,000 bail for obtaining from Jeetendra Ram of Fantasy Auto Chairman of Micro Busi- Sales six motorcars valued ness Developers and $26,300,000, under or by Consultant Incorporated, virtue of forged Republic Clinton Allen Bank Ltd cheques during the month of December the charges stemmed from 2016. an alleged major fraud opThe charge was read eration surrounding the Mi- to him on March 09, 2017 cro Business Developers and he denied the offence. and Consultant Incorpo- However, his bailer in that rated. Moore pointed out matter, who was present that the accused’s business on Tuesday, signaled his would lure persons as a intention to the court for money-lending institution, his bail money to be rewhich would require per- turned to him. The Magissons to pay a down pay- trate revoked the bail and ment or percentage of the ordered that the money be money they are desirous of returned to the bailer.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

Staff shortage hits ‘Food and Drug’ hard –– CARPHA temporarily filling the void

By Navendra Seoraj

A STAFF shortage has left the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GAFDD) hamstrung and incapable of assessing medical drugs.

This has caused GAFDD Director, Marlon Cole, to again plead for staff on Tuesday while being interviewed by members of the media.

Last year, Cole had said that the Food and Drug Department, which had only six inspectors at the time, was facing a number of challenges

trials and so forth.

“We have not been doing things effectively, because of the shortage of inspectors,” Cole said, “so we have articulated the position to the ministers, which was accepted and validated as a need for urgent attention.”

EASE THE BURDEN Meanwhile, despite the odds, some of the department’s burden has been somewhat lifted, because Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence, in March signed on to the Caribbe-

GAFDD Director Marlon Cole speaking to members of the gathering on Wednesday with addressing approximately 600 importers.

This year, the situation has gotten much worse, because the department now has only three inspectors at its disposal.

“Due to the limited amount of inspectors, we are unable to do any assessment of medical drugs,” Cole said, adding that the only procedure they can follow at the moment is to review the dossiers that are submitted by importers of medical drugs.

In reviewing those dossiers, what the GAFDD will in essence be doing is ensuring that they follow the submission criteria, because time does not permit the department to do an actual assessment.

After ensuring that all the requisite documents are in place, the department will then issue a marketing authorisation to the relevant importer, which will allow him to distribute the medical drug that has been registered.

Cole, however, said that there is an urgent need for persons to do extensive assessments such as drug-safety tests; checking to see if the drug was tested on animals and humans; and ensuring that it went through clinical

an Public Health Agency (CARPHA)’s Caribbean Registration System (CRS).

Through the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CARPHA, instead of investors submitting their dossiers to the Food and Drug Department, they will now have to do so electronically to the CRS for assessment of the drug(s) bio-availability, drug safety and so forth.

During a meeting with stakeholders on Wednesday at the Cara Lodge, Cole pointed out that CARPHA will do the assessment and make recommendations on behalf of the GAFDD for the drug to be registered in the investors’ territory.

“CRS relies on certification of the WHO-prequalified medicines and those which received marketing authorisation in Europe, Canada, the U.S., and Mexico,” Cole said.

“They do assessments to ensure that there are checks and balances as they relate to solution, acid disintegration test and so forth, after which they make a recommendation to the other member states before giving authorities the right to issue or not issue a marketing authorisation for the tested drug,” he added.

Added to that, the registra-

tion system will put emphasis on sub-standard, spurious, falsely labelled, falsified and counterfeit (SSFFC) drugs.

CARPHA will, however, only be assessing generic drugs such as those for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Malaria and Tuberculosis.

This means that the GAFDD will still be tasked with assessing innovator (brand-oriented) products.

Stakeholders being enlightened about CARPHA’s CRS (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

Way cleared for GPSU elections …as court discharges injunction

THE Injunction that was granted to prevent the Guyana Public Service Union from proceeding with elections was discharged on Tuesday, the union said in a release.

Justice Nareshwar Harnanan on Thursday 20th April, 2017 had granted a temporary injunction blocking the elections after a motion was filed by Mr. Gregory Gaspar of the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission.

Gaspar was represented by Attorney at Law Mr. Nigel Hughes.

The Judge after hearing submissions by the Union’s Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Roysdale Forde and relying on evidence adduced by the Union which revealed that the allegations by Mr. Gaspar of the Union’s non-compliance with the Union’s rules and its obligations under the Trade Union’s Act were erroneous and misconceived, GPSU said.

The Union’s attorney submissions included evidence that Annual Returns to the Registrar of Trade Unions which had Income and Expenditure Statements and GPSU President, Balance Sheets for the Patrick Yarde entire period up to 31st December 2016. Also presented was a statement from the Auditor General confirming that the Audit of the Union’s accounts up to 2005 and that Income and Expenditure Statements and Balance Sheets up to 31st December 2016 were in his possession. The GPSU said both Gaspar and Jermain Hermanstyne were fully aware of these facts “but deliberately set out to publicly misrepresent them for personal and petty reasons.”

“The Elections Officer has been advised that the Union is now free to proceed with the Elections. The Elections Officer and supporting personnel are working assiduously to hold the Elections on Thursday 27th April, 2017. The General Secretary has issued a Circular calling on all members that notwithstanding the obvious inconvenience caused to make every effort to discharge their civic responsibilities towards the Union and meaningfully participate in the upcoming Elections.”

The court had ordered that “an election for the union’s executive council will not be held until the third day of May, 2017, or sooner, on the production by the respondents of the Auditor General’s report to the applicant and members of the GPSU and the audited Treasurer’s report for the GPSU for the past 12 years to date.”

Gaspar’s action also had called for the appointment of an Interim Management Committee to function in the absence of the council.

The interim body was expected to be tasked with the preparation and presentation of the Treasurer’s report for 2004-2017 at the biennial conference.

Action taken against the GPSU came amidst calls for long-standing GPSU President, Patrick Yarde, to step aside and allow fresh faces to run that trade union organisation. Yarde has been at the helm of the GPSU for decades, and challenges to his presidency by younger members have not been successful over the years.

For days, members of the union gathered outside of its Shiv Chanderpaul Drive headquarters voicing their dissatisfaction with Yarde’s leadership.

One of the protestors, Jermaine Hermanstine, had explained that the leadership of the GPSU has not been changed for approximately 30 years. They are of the view that Yarde is too ‘comfortable’ in his seat as President.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

Stranded Cuban passengers leave CJIA –– Easy Sky granted temporary permit to operate

HUNDREDS of stranded Cuban passengers began leaving the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Tuesday aboard Honduran-based airline, Easy Sky’s Boeing 732 aircraft.

Easy Sky, whose local partner is Roraima Airways, was suspended from operating at the CJIA this week by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) over safety concerns.

Reports are that the airline was grounded after it was pointed out that the aircraft used by the airline appeared overbooked and overloaded on several of its

flights.

The situation resulted in hundreds of Cuban nationals being stranded at the CJIA, mostly traders who travel here to purchase

goods to resell on the island.

The airline was subsequently granted temporary permission to operate at the CJIA to ferry the stranded

passengers, while its Airworthiness Operator Certificate (AOC) was being reviewed by the GCAA. A statement from the Prime Minister‘s Office

Easy Sky’s Boeing 732 aircraft “taxiing” for take-off around midday on Tuesday as it prepared to depart the CJIA

has noted that alternative arrangements have been put in place to avert the situation.

Easy Sky first introduced its service here in October last year, and subsequently expanded its flights from three to four per week, ferrying approximately 300 Cubans each week between Cuba and Guyana.

On Tuesday, airport officials told the Guyana Chronicle that the airline’s aircraft departed the CJIA with a fully booked flight for Havana around midday.

And while several passengers were left behind, arrangements were being

put in place to fly them to Cuba.

There has been an influx of Cubans visiting these shores. Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, noted last December that the presence of foreigners, who travel here particularly to shop, demonstrates a “closer cooperation” between Guyana and the Spanish-speaking island.

He said Cubans do not require visas to visit Guyana, and those arriving here are not only interested in trade.

He noted that there are Cubans who come here just for the purpose of tourism.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

CH&PA to put spotlight on fireproof building materials

THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) is expected to make the promotion of safe construction materials a priority at its upcoming housing exposition, May 26 to the 29. This

was disclosed by Project Manager, Kennard Dazzle during a media tour of the construction site at Perseverance on the East Bank of Demerara on Monday.

Dazzel told the media that

following Minister Valerie Patterson’s visit to Poland, where she was introduced to special safety construction materials, the developers have since been invited to participate in the housing exposition

to construct prefab homes made out of fireproof materials. The Polish will develop their version of low- and middle-income homes with the materials.

Another company, Ca-

Lelon Saul, CPHA’s Chief Executive Officer nadian Caribe, located in Ruimveldt Gardens, is also expected to construct homes using other safety materials.

In their version of the home, the company is said to be using PVC-like material that will also be used in framing the homes. This material is said to be fire-resistant and demonstrations on how these materials work are expected at the expo.

Concern was raised regarding security against fires, particularly where the provision of duplex houses were concerned. The Housing Ministry has however declared their interest in making fireproof and other safe construction materials an integral part of the sector. With a number of houses already in their final stages of completion, housing officials highlighted various types of the model homes, ranging from single homes, duplexes to elevated houses that come in timber or concrete.

Dazzle explained that almost all the buildings are bigger than the Turn-Key homes, except for the single 600sq ft. homes which carry the same size. He explained that the duplexes range up to as much as 1500 sq. ft. They come at ground level, while others come elevated. The elevated duplexes take up the same space as the Turn-Key, but provide for the construction of the lower flats. Likewise, some single homes, are also built flat or elevated for personal development by the home owner.

The new housing solutions are also providing some cost benefits to potential beneficiaries. Dazzle said this is because the homes are being

developed as a package based on the price ranges provided by the Ministry. Some developers are therefore constructing the homes move-in ready with tiled floors, fittings, fencing and casted yards.

“Beneficiaries might be able to save as much as $2 to $3 million,” Dazzle estimated.

The tiny Turn Key homes were offered at $4.9m per unit with very little amenities.

These home owners have highlighted that the added features are running them into thousands and millions of dollars.

Dazzle noted however that based on the price range and the category of home, the developer will only provide such facilities if it is within the budgeted range for the home. All the model homes will have necessary additions such as sealed ceilings and other conveniences. Dazzle noted that while these features may seem minor, they are among the issues faced by Turn Key homeowners since many homes are infested with bats, other animals and insects.

Lelon Saul, CPHA’s Chief Executive Officer, who led the media tour, explained that despite the defects with the Turn Key properties there is no intent to abandon the project, only to make it better where necessary. “We are constructing duplexes, town houses and are constructing single-units and of course we are giving out service lots. So it is not just one solution, we are not abandoning anything.

We are catering to the greater needs of the people.”

Currently, some 400 men are working at the model home site, with at least 100 employed to construct the eight homes being done by the ministry. Contractors said they employed many persons from various areas, some from deprived areas. Some contractors also expressed gratitude after highlighting much difficulty in gaining such government jobs previously.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that more housing projects will commence in 10 locations across six regions soon. Apart from the construction of these homes, Dazzle said the government is also ensuring the provision of electricity and water in the relevant locations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

Expanded rehab services needed … to cope with growing number of chronic diseases, accidents

By Svetlana Marshall

THE growing number of chronic diseases and injuries from domestic and motor vehicular accidents has resulted in the need for Guyana’s disability and rehabilitation services to be strengthened and expanded, Director of Disability and Rehabilitation Services Ariane Mangar has said.

Mangar was at the time delivering remarks during the 4th Annual Meeting of CARICOM and Dutch Caribbean CBR Conference at the Grand Coastal Hotel on Monday. “Recent epidemiological trends in Guyana indicate a growing number of chronic diseases, and injuries from domestic and motor vehicular accidents. These trends signal a pattern of marked increases in the number of disabilities and related problems impacting on the family, community, and the country,” she explained, while adding that failure to provide the required services will only result in an enormous social and economic burden.

Although the country has made significant achievements in providing disability and rehabilitation services, Mangar said the current trend has created the need for these services to be enhanced.

Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR), she said, offers a viable option to bridge the gaps and strengthen the continuum of rehabilitation interventions across different social sectors.

This is the first time the Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Regional Conference is being held here in Guyana. It was organized by the Public Health Ministry’s Disability and Rehabilitation Services, in collaboration with the Caribbean CBR Network.

CBR was initiated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1978, following the Declaration of Alma-Ata in an effort to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities. Since then, it has grown to become a multi-sectoral approach working to improve the equalization of opportunities and social inclusion of people with disabilities, while tackling the issues of poverty and disability.

Mangar said in Guyana CBR was introduced via a small pilot project in 1986 which was being executed by Brian O’Toole and Geraldine Maison-Halls some 31 years ago.

Initially, the project was designed to increase rehabilitation coverage across the country by training vol-

unteers, parents, members and caregivers, but CBR has evolved tremendously since then.

“The early 1990s saw a decline in the level of rehabilitation service delivery and this was due in the main to the high rate of attrition of both physiotherapists and assistants…However, the latter part of the 1990s saw a gradual improvement of the rehabilitation services with the introduction of a new cadre of mid-level rehabilitation personnel – rehabilitation assistants,” the Director of Disability and Rehabilitation Services pointed out.

It was noted too that assistant-level rehabilitation workers were trained in basic technologies in physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, as a strategy to increase the number of workers to meet the needs of those living with disabilities.

This move had resulted in the expansion of services to Regions One, Five, Seven and Nine.

“The year 2012 saw a major breakthrough in the rehabilitation programme, as disability and rehabilitation services became available and accessible in all 10 of the administrative regions of Guyana, as Region Eight became the last region to introduce rehabilitation services with the placement of rehabilitation assistants at the Mahdia Hospital,” the director further pointed out.

Today, another cadre of rehabilitation workers called audiological practitioners provides basic audiological interventions in Georgetown and other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Health Services and Systems Advisor Paul Edwards, underscored the importance of providing equitable and quality services to persons living with disability in keeping with the country’s Health Vision 2020.

“We need to ensure that whatever financial support is made to this programme is spent and well spent,” he added, while noting some countries would have had challenges in spending money provided. WHO, he said, will continue to assist where necessary.

Geraldine Maison-Halls, Coordinator of the Rehabilitation Assistant Training Programme; Vice-Chairman of the Guyana CBR Programme, Lloyd Griffith; Chairman of the Guyana Council of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, Leon Walcott; Dr. Glenville Liburd, Chairman of the Steering Committee for

the Caribbean CBR Network and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Physiotherapist, Isha Urling, were among the officials present.

Catherine Sykes and Janice Jackson were among the facilitators that presented on Monday and will continue to present during the three-day forum.

Geraldine Maison-Halls, Coordinator of the Rehabilitation Assistant Training Programme; Disability and Rehabilitation Services Director Ariane Mangar, and WHO Health Services and Systems Advisor Paul Edwards

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

Alleged assassination plot …

File sent for legal advice

A PROPOSED confrontation between the two persons associated with an investigation into a plot to shoot the Head of State came off Tuesday at the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

This has been con-

firmed by Crime Chief Superintendent Wendell Blanhum, who went on to explain that the confrontation followed a process whereby the person making the allegation repeats the story going the rounds to the police, in the presence of the person against

whom the allegation was made.

“On completion, the suspect is given the opportunity to respond, if he so desires, by admitting or denying the allegation…

“The police are in the process of dispatching the case file to the Police

… after confrontation between informant, plotter

Crime Chief Superintendent Wendell Blanhum Legal Adviser,” Blanum said, adding that the men were not placed in police custody.

In an interview on

Nightly News, a man alleged being approached by a prominent local businessman and offered a $7M contract to shoot President David Granger during one of his outreaches.

The whistleblower in the interview stated that the businessman told him, “President Granger, we have to have him assassinated before he moves from where he is living; because, of course, if he moves, his security will enhance and you can’t get to him.”

The informant explained that having told him what the plan was, the businessman next went into his house and returned minutes later with a large

weapon.

He explained that he had initially approached the businessman about borrowing $6M when the proposal about assassinating the President was made.

“The next day,” the informant told Nightly News’ anchor, Travis Chase, “I go back to he and said, ‘Watch, me ain’t deh in dem t’ing yuh know; me ain’t even want you tell me back ‘bout that.”

He claimed that he’d never before killed anyone, and he did not know why the businessman should choose him of all people to put a hit on the president.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

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Japanese specialist here

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

–– to help M&CC with composting initiatives

By Telesha Ramnarine

VISITING Japanese Waste Treatment Specialist Takamasa Eda, is here to spend six months with the Mayor and City Council’s (M&CC) Solid Waste Management Department to help with certain age-old technologies the municipality wants to revive.

Eda, also a senior volunteer from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is in Guyana for the first time, having also worked with similar initiatives in Guatemala.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle at the Solid Waste Department on Princes Street on Tuesday, Eda said he believes that department head Walter Narine has very good knowledge and technical experience, but needs support from citizens themselves, the city council, and the government.

One of the major projects that Eda will be helping with is the use of the composter and the bio-gas digester, which could result in saving costs for cooking gas and electricity.

“We are trying to get the municipal compost project going, and in Japan, they are not only doing composting, but they have innovative ways to use the waste to make new products.

“So, he will aid us with our plans in this area,” said

Georgetown a composting bin. “Eda will help me develop a proposal to seek funding from agencies like JICA, IDB (Inter-American Development Bank) or other loan partners for the composting bins,” Narine said.

“He’s also helping me to prepare a flier that we will distribute to each school to teach them how to use, reuse and recycle the waste,” he added.

He said that since Guyana has a serious issue with the disposal of plastic bottles, Eda will assist him in writing a proposal to acquire funding to set up a recycling plant for plastic bottles.

On Thursday and Friday, City Hall will be hosting an exhibition where the completed composter and bio-digester will be on display. “We are also taking the plastic bags that everyone

Messrs Takamasa Eda (left) and Walter Narine

Workers of the Solid Waste Department making floor mats from plastic bags throws away, and we will show you how to make floor mats with them,” he said, adding: “People might think these will tear, but when you see them, you will note that they won’t.”

He also said that at the exhibition, persons will be informed as to how to make toilet paper from their paper wastes. “This will be far cheaper than what you buy in the stores; all the facets of waste we have in Guyana, we want to find ways to reuse them in some way,” he pointed out.

Narine is hoping that by the time Eda is ready to leave in October, he will be in possession of at least four solid proposals that can be taken to lending agencies.

The completed composter that will be on display shortly at City Hall Narine, who also sat in on the interview.

TEACH COMPOSTING He wants to be able to teach schools how to do composting, and to give each of the 28 primary schools in

BIG PLANS In a previous interview, Narine had told the Guyana Chronicle that he has big plans to use the bio-digester to power the entire solid waste compound, thus reducing its dependence on Guyana Power and Light (GPL).

“What we’re attempting to do is to set up one small-scale composter in every school, which will aid in our school programme this year.

“We want to provide them with bins; teach them how to do composting, and also give them the composter,” he had said, adding: “So, all they need to do is throw their waste into the composter, give it a gentle turn, and within another six weeks, you have compost.

“If they do that every day, then they have the compost generating, and there is no cost to the school; we know how cash-strapped the schools are.

“We are also setting up a bio-digester, which basically breaks down the food waste or your cow or horse manure and produces methane gas.”

Methane gas can be used for cooking and power generation.

“What I want to do is to convert the methane gas into electricity and power this compound with the current and take us off the grid. We have direct access to the organic waste, which is from the municipal markets.

“A lot of people could do it, but they don’t have access to the waste; for them to do it, they will have to incur transportation costs which we don’t have to. That’s where we have an advantage,” Narine said.

He continued: “We in the municipality don’t really need the gas to cook, but households can do that to allow them to be less dependent on cooking gas.

“Your septic tank produces methane gas daily, and it is being wasted; you make the connections, and you don’t have to buy cooking gas at all.”

Narine said he will be looking to set up a team from his department that can install the bio-digester for anyone who is interested.

“They can call us; we can go and teach them the technology and set it up for them. They will have to pay for the materials, of course. You make this small investment, and you don’t have to buy cooking gas anymore,” he said.

‘Yankee’ killed in Bagotstown fracas

ONE man was killed and another is in police custody after violent confrontations which resulted in a stabbing Tuesday morning at Water Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Dead is Mark Ifill, 44, called “Yankee” of Bagotstown, EBD. The father of one was reportedly deported from the U.S. several years ago.

The perpetrator, a father

of five and one on its way, was identified as Sheldon Bowen, called “Muslim”, also of Bagotstown.

Police said enquiries disclosed that “Muslim” and “Yankee” had a heated argument over the removal of a water pipe by the latter from the former’s yard.

During the fight which ensued, “Muslim” reportedly dealt “Yankee” a blow to the head with an object and left, after the fight was

parted by public-spirited persons.

But he would return minutes later with a knife and stabbed “Yankee” to the left region of his chest, causing him to run and collapse a short distance away.

A team of medical personnel from the Georgetown Public Hospital responded and pronounced Ifill dead.

The body is presently at the Lyken Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem.

The body of “Yankee” covered by officers on the scene

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

Mocha residents lay out concerns during community meeting

RESIDENTS of Mocha-Arcadia, East Bank Demerara, have called for electricity, additional roads, an improved community playground and a centre for youths to keep active when they met with top officials of

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, addressing members of the gathering government recently.

Their concerns were heard by the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan; Finance Officer from the Minister of Finance, Hector Butts and other officials of the government. Last week at the Mocha Primary School, the team met with Chairman of the Neighbourhood Democratic Coun-

cil (NDC) Rudolph Adams and councillors, along with residents of Mocha-Arcadia, Barnwell North village on the east of the village, Prosperity one and two east of the village and Mocha-Arcadia, south of the village.

Residents highlighted the benefits they have gained from the works of the government and the NDCs progress since both establishments were democratically elected to office in 2015.

They also shared issues arising in the community that they would like to be addressed by the government.

The priorities for the residents were the two entrance bridges along the southern entrance to the Mocha -rcadia community from the main carriageway.

They expressed fears that in their current state both bridges would collapse without warning.

Residents indicated too that the need for electricity and additional roads in the Barnwell North, Mocha-Arcadia community, both central to and south of the village, is pivotal to development in their community. Persons also stressed the need for an improved community playground and centre for the youths to keep them active and engage in meaningful participation.

Among other issues raised were acquisition of land titles, potable water and electricity

Woman lures taxi driver into robbery A TAXI driver was lured to stop by a female on Fourth Street, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD) where he was robbed of a silver-grey Toyota premio motor car PTT 2541 after two men jumped in the rear seat of the vehicle Monday evening.

Police later found the vehicle abandoned and ransacked.

The taxi driver was identified as Narindra Singh, 24, of Cummings Lodge, ECD. Reports indicate that the man was robbed by two males and one female. One of the men was armed with a handgun.

According to reports, the taxi driver was flagged down by a female in Cummings Lodge and he stopped. Immediately after two men opened the rear doors of the vehicle and jumped in. He then related to the men that he was not working as per taxi, when one of the armed men held onto his neck and lashed him in his head with the handgun.

Reports further indicate that the driver fell unconscious and when he regained consciousness, he was on the parapet at Ninth Street, Cummings lodge. He reported the matter to the Turkeyen Police Station and the police acting on information, eventually recovered the car at Caneview Avenue in South Georgetown.

The car was left abandoned and it was ransacked.

According to the police, no one has as yet been arrested, as the investigation continues.

among other issues. Minister Bulkan responded to questions and promised solutions .

Butts urged the community to work together to address the village issues and developmental organs, noting that it was necessary to access the funds available.

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Residents voicing their concerns last week at the meeting with officials of the government

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

Bi-lingual education programme to be rolled out in three indigenous communities THE Ministry of Education will soon be rolling out a bi-lingual education programme in three indigenous communities in Region Nine for the September school term.

This was disclosed by Cultural Policy Advisor to the Ministry of Education, Ruel Johnson. The bi-lingual programme will be launched in three primary schools in the Grade One classes in Karaudarnau, Sawariwau and Maruranau, where students will be taught in their native Wapishana language. Johnson said that the programme is also aimed at preserving indigenous languages.

Ever since the 1980s, Johnson noted that it was realised that access to education has been impacted by the fact that Guyana among other countries is not mono-lingual.

“The challenge that this poses is that, when you execute an English Language curriculum in a community that the young people or the community as a whole does not treat English as a first language, you create a double barrier to learning itself and then having to essentially translate as you are learning,” Johnson explained.

“Translate does not quite capture it, but the Grade One curriculum rendered in Wapishana, not just in terms of a simple literal linguistics translation, but in terms of ensuring that symbols within the Cultural Policy Advisor, text for example represent Ruel Johnson reality of the communities themselves,” Johnson explained. Johnson said that President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs Sydney Allicock, along with a number of government officials have all spoken on the need to preserve indigenous languages.

According to Johnson, “language is best preserved when it is active as opposed to capturing it in a static form whether a book or CD, and this is where early childhood education plays a role.”

The Cultural Policy Advisor is hoping that by teaching the students in their native languages that there is a higher pass rate in examinations in indigenous communities.

Johnson noted that teachers have already been identified and have commenced training and participation in various workshops. The workshops include re-writing the curriculum in Wapishana, but with added details to make learning easier.

Johnson pointed out that the programme is expected to run for five years with the aim of having it in all indigenous communities and at higher school levels.

(GINA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

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Pastor gets 20 years for raping girl

By Michel Outridge

PASTOR Josiah Baptiste, 37, amidst a packed courtroom was on Tuesday morning sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for carnally knowing a girl under the age of 15, but he will spend only 18 years because of his “unblemished record,” Justice Jo-Ann Barlow ruled following a probation report in the High Court.

The judge told the court before handing down the sentence that after listening to the evidence presented in court, the virtual complainant and her brother both testified that he was guilty of the sexual offence. She added that Baptiste was left in

Georgetown, until his parents separated and he moved out.

At age 15, he realised he was not academically inclined and exited the school system and began working. He had a donkey cart business which he used to supply water to residents in the community where he resided, the officer related.

Joseph said the accused is on his third marriage and started preaching at the Love and Faith Church in Sophia, then moved to Soesdyke and Timehri then re-settled in Sophia.

She noted that at the time of the incident, Baptiste was left in charge of the child, who was six years old and her siblings while the child’s mother was at work as

Pastor Josiah Baptiste being led away to jail after he was sentenced in the High Court on Tuesday.(Cullen Bess-Nelson photo) care of his wife’s relative who was six-years-old at the time and he betrayed that trust by his actions on the day in question.

Justice Barlow said that the incident has fractured the relationship since the pastor’s wife took his side and not the child’s.

The judge urged Baptiste to continue counselling men who have similarly been convicted of sexual offences. In response, Justice Barlow asked Baptiste if he had anything to say and he replied in the negative.

In her plea of mitigation, Attorney-at-law Folio Richards told the court that Baptiste had no previous convictions and is the father of six with his youngest child being one-month-old.

Richards however, asked the court for an opportunity for Baptiste to continue to make contributions to the lives of his children and his conduct has been good to his family and played an active role in his church.

She noted that his wife is now a single parent tasked with providing for their children and asked the court to exercise leniency in sentencing, since he had an unblemished record.

After the sentencing, the smiling pastor was whisked away to jail while his family members lingered at the High Court for some time to digest the proceedings.

PROBATION REPORT Senior Probation and Welfare Officer Deborah Joseph, told the court that Baptiste had grown up in a stable home with six siblings in the Meadow Brook Squatting Area,

a security guard.

Joseph added that on the day in question, the accused took the child in a bedroom and he placed her on top of himself and put his penis into her. The virtual complainant, who is now 16 years old, said it hurt so much she begged the pastor to stop and it was then her brother peeped over the bedroom wall and saw what he was doing to his sister, who was crying out for help and told the accused that he would make his father kill him. It was only then, Joseph said,that the pastor let the child go; but she was bleeding heavily and the matter was reported to the Child Care and Protection Agency after the pastor had denied the act when confronted by the child’s father.

The child and her brother suffered abuse from the wife of the pastor after the incident which caused them to relocate.

Joseph said the effects of that incident has left the virtual complainant very tramautised and to date she is still struggling to remain focused, although in exams mode.

She stated that the accused has shown no remorse for his actions which took away the innocence and childhood of a six-year-old child and continues to declare his innocence. A total of 10 witnesses was called to testify in the matter before a 12-member jury.

The pastor was represented by attorney-at-law Maxwell McKay and Folio Richards, while the state prosecutors are Shawnette Austin and Tameika Clarke.

–– will serve 18 because of ‘unblemished record’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

Immunisation’s importance underscored

- at 15th Vaccination Week in Americas THE importance of vaccination, one of the most significant and necessary aspects for humans to live a healthy life has been emphasised by Minister in the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings.

In an address at Nieuw Nickerie- District Nickerie, Suriname, at a joint opening ceremony of the 15th Vaccination Week in the Americas, the minister noted that the simultaneous launch demonstrated the nature of good neighbourliness between the two countries. The event was held under the theme, “GetVax to celebrate a healthy tomorrow.”

“The relevancy and veracity of this theme cannot be overstated… it is considered by many leading minds that vaccination is one of the greatest achievements in modern civilisation,” Minister Cummings added.

The minister said that though the importance of immunisation is least likely to be shared amongst peers, she hopes that parents will ensure that their children are vaccinated, since there are no other preventative measures

Students of the Brickdam Secondary School holding the 15th Vaccination Week in the Americas poster available.“Immunisation remains the single most important way that parents can protect from serious diseases, as a consequence, the decision by parents to immunise their child or children is an extremely critical one,” Minister Cummings noted.

Meanwhile, over 30 persons including students from the Brickdam Secondary School, Lodge High School, and East Ruimveldt Secondary School among others, and nurses observed the 15th Vaccination Week in the Americas with a walk around Georgetown, today.

In an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), Deputy Chief Nursing Officer Linda Johnson expressed her gratitude to those who observed the walk, especially the students. Johnson explained that the walk will help to sensitise persons to get vaccinated.

Vaccination Week was initially proposed in 2002, following a measles outbreak in Venezuela and Colombia. It is an annual public health campaign by the member states of the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) that is celebrated between April 22-29.

Last year, during the National 2017 budget presentation, Former Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton highlighted that Guyana has successfully eliminated measles and was in the process of eliminating wild polio virus two.

The Former Public Health Minister explained that the Expanded Programme on Immunisation and Nutrition (EPI) has maintained 90 percent vaccination coverage for all antigens. (GINA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

Husband charged with causing wife’s death

A THIRTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD man was on Tuesday released on $200,000 bail after denying a charge that he caused the death of his wife by dangerous driving along the Piara Bridge, Lethem, in 2015.

Safraz Ameer, of Helena #2 Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, pleaded not guilty to a charge of causing the death of Vimala Balgobin by dangerous driving when he was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

It is alleged that Ameer on March 8, 2015, at Piara Bridge, Lethem trail, drove motor van PRR 7631 in a dangerous manner, which caused the death of his wife, Balgobin.

Attorney-at-law Jerome Khan, who represented Ameer deemed the incident an “unfortunate accident” while his client had suffered tremendously for the loss of his wife.

Khan further noted that his client was a businessman during the time of the accident but now is employed as a salesman.

Police Prosecutor, Arwyn Moore made no objection to bail, but requested that Khan report regularly to the nearest police station to ensure that he return to stand trial.

The Chief Magistrate released Ameer on $200,000 bail and ordered him to report to the Mahaica Police Station on a weekly basis. The matter has been transferred to the Lethem Magistrates Court.

According to reports, on March 8, 2015, Balgobin, who is also a member of the Guyana Marketing Corporation’s Board of Directors, was conducting training on women’s empowerment in remote locations in Lethem.

It was while Balgobin and her husband were driving back to Georgetown that the car careened off the Piara Bridge in Lethem. Balgobin died on the spot while Khan received injuries.

Cuban fined for overstaying in Guyana A 24-YEAR-OLD Cuban man was on Tuesday fined $20,000 for overstaying his time in Guyana when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Daniel Remez confessed that between March 1 and March 21, having been permitted to stay in Guyana from January 31 to February 28, he overstayed the said period.

Police Prosecutor Arwyn Moore told the court that Remez is a holder of a Cuban passport and he entered Guyana on January 31, via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and was granted a one-month stay.

Moore told the court that when checks were made on Remez on March 21, it was discovered that the accused had never applied for an extension of stay in Guyana and has been illegally in the country for the past three months.

The unrepresented man, with the aid of a translator, told the court that he came to Guyana in search of a better life for his family. The Chief Magistrate imposed a fine of $20,000 on Remez or in default, 4 weeks imprisonment.

After the Cuban pays his fine or serve his sentence he will be deported.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 26, 2017

Woman gets eight years for killing friend

A REMORSEFUL and tearful Angelique Williams, 20, was on Tuesday afternoon sentenced by Justice Navin-

dra Singh to eight years’ imprisonment in the Georgetown High Court following a probation report. However

she will serve only six years following a two-year deduction for time served.

She pleaded guilty to the

lesser count of manslaughter on April 6, 2017 in the fatal stabbing of her best friend Lloyda Renita Thomas on De-

cember 23, 2015 at Versailles, West Bank Demerara.

Thomas, who was at the time pregnant, was stabbed multiple times.

Her body bore 22 incised wounds and a post mortem revealed she died from shock and hemorrhage due to stab wounds.

Williams told the court before sentence was handed down that she was sorry for what had happened since the deceased was more than a friend. She was more like a sister.

She stated that regrets for her actions would not bring The deceased: Lloyda back Thomas, as such she Renita Thomas apologised to the relatives of Thomas, some of whom were father abuse her mother and in the courtroom. she is also a victim of abuse.

Williams asked for a secOctober added that Wilond chance to contribute to liams was the ‘party girl’ and society and begged for lenien- was accustomed to having her cy as she openly cried in a very way and being in the company packed courtroom. of wealthy men, so when she Justice Singh encouraged was asked to sit in the back Williams to complete high seat of a vehicle on the day in school which would enable her to be employed when she was released and make use of educational programmes offered by the prison.

The judge also urged Williams to enrol in anger management classes, while serving her time but noted she had to pay the price for her actions and could not benefit from a suspended sentence.

Justice Singh said he was moved by Angelique Williams being taken away to the probation prison on Tuesday afternoon after she was report and attor- sentenced (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo) ney-at-law Mark Waldron’s plea of mitigation which spoke of question she became angry and her traumatic life and took into a fight ensued between her and account she accepted respon- Thomas. sibility for her actions and did In his plea of mitigation not go through with a trial.

Mark Waldron told the court The judge added that she that Williams was about age two expressed sincere remorse when her father died and she was to the family of the deceased five when her mom passed away. and noted that she was well At age 13 she was the victim on her way to rehabilitation. of abuse by her partner and her brother died when she was 15.

PROBATION REPORT He explained that with Social Services and Wel- the loss of her loved ones she fare Officer, Alicia October, became tramautised and had in giving an early history and no guidance, considering the background of Williams told challenges and pain she faced the court that she grew up in life. with her parents and siblings He asked the court to give but when her parents passed her a second chance and asked away she was very young. for a suspended sentence.

She was then cared for In response, State proseby her elder sister, then later cutor Tuanna Hardy told the her brother, who was killed court that at age 21 Thomas’ in a vehicular accident after life was taken away by the best which she became delinquent, friend she trusted. suicidal and party-going, conThomas, in a fit of rage suming alcohol and smoking used a broken bottle to stab marijuana. her friend multiple times to October stated that at age the body during a heated 13 Williams dropped out of row after the group had left school and began to self-de- the Aracari Resort where struct, noting she witnessed her they had been imbibing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Former national track star Waveney Benn thanks 1E CEO and founder Sumir Karayi FORMER national middle-distance star Waveney Benn is grateful for the support given to Guyana’s CARIFTA Games team by 1E CEO and founder Sumir Karayi Guyana finished with a total of eight medals (four gold, one silver and three bronze) at the games hosted in Curacao earlier this month. It was Karayi, Benn said, who outfitted the team for the event with clothing, footwear and other paraphernalia.

Karayi is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of 1E Software and Services Company based in the United Kingdom.

The company develops software for managing and reducing costs in IT, known as Software Lifecycle Automation.

Founded in 1997, the company has more than 26 million licensees deployed worldwide, across 1 700 organisations in 42 countries.

Its customers are drawn

from public and private sectors across the world and include Dell, Arup, and Ford Motor Company.

Benn, who represented with distinction, for a number of years at several international and regional games, including gaining medals in the 400m and 800m at the CARIFTA Games, believes local athletes deserve every help given, making mention of Karayi’s timely gesture.

Benn hopes that Karayi will continue to support athletes in Guyana, especially those preparing for overseas participation.

She said that the Indian businessman was pleased to make the donation and would be happy to know that he would have contributed to Guyana’s success at the games.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Yasir spins Pakistan to victory over West Indies KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Timid West Indies failed to survive the anticipated final-day onslaught from Pakistan and slumped to a seven-wicket defeat in the opening Test at Sabina Park here yesterday.

Resuming their second innings on 93 for four, the hosts’ suspect batting once again stayed true to form, collapsing for 152 all out, 37 minutes before the scheduled lunch interval.

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah added two wickets to his overnight tally to finish with six for 63 while debutant seamer Mohammad Abbas ended with two for 35.

Roston Chase, batting at number seven, was left stranded on 16 as his teammates failed to show the required judgement on a decent track that offered precious few devils.

Set 32 for victory, Pakistan were untidy and made heavy weather of the target before finally crossing the line 20 minutes after lunch, when captain Misbah-ul-Haq launched ineffective leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo for consecutive sixes.

Both openers perished in the six overs possible be-

fore the break, with Ahmed Shezad nicking fast bowler Shannon Gabriel to wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich in the third over for six and Azhar Ali playing on to pacer Alzarri Joseph in the following over for one.

On 13 for two at lunch, the visitors lost veteran righthander Younis Khan in the fifth over following the resumption when he missed a full-length delivery from Bishoo and was plumb lbw for six, with the score on 24.

By then, however, Misbah had had enough of his batsmen’s dithering. He smashed the second ball he faced from Bishoo back overhead for six and then cleared the ropes at mid-wicket off the very next delivery, to ensure victory.

For Pakistan, the success ended a run of six straight defeats while the result left West Indies with their 11th loss in their last 15 outings.

Entering the final day still 28 runs behind and facing the daunting prospect of surviving against the guile of Yasir, the Caribbean side required nothing short of a miracle but no such interventions materialised.

Debutant left-hander

Vishal Singh and nightwatchman Devendra Bishoo, both yet to score at the start, saw West Indies through the first seven overs of the day and extended their stand to 21 before the first breakthrough came.

Vishal had just punched the previous delivery from left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir to the cover point boundary when he shouldered arms to the next ball and saw his stumps shattered for nine.

Bishoo (18), meanwhile, played and missed several times before losing his discipline, slashing at one from Abbas and edging to Younis at second slip.

And two balls later with no addition to the score, Dowrich missed one that came back from Abbas and was lbw, leaving West Indies tottering on 129 for seven – only eight runs ahead.

Captain Jason Holder played positively on arrival, stroking three fours in 14 as he temporarily raised hopes of a revival in a 22-run stand with Chase. But he perished to a loose stroke, wafting at a wide one from seamer Wahab Riaz and edging a catch behind.

CFU president Derrick calls for regional unity CARIBBEAN Football Union (CFU) President Gordon Derrick has called on the region’s executives to stand firm in support of its development following recent changes at the CONCACAF administrative level.

The CFU boss has questioned the structure of the newly formed Victor Montagliani-led administration, which he has criticized for having improper Caribbean representation and involvement at various levels of decision making.

CONCACAF recently cut some of the funding to CFU, electing to open its own offices in Jamaica, where it has taken over the

running of CFU qualifiers and other competitions, based on the budgets and schedules set out by the Caribbean body.

The issue has not met with major disagreement from the CFU but Derrick has cautioned the administration to remain mindful of its interests.

“We are a proud region and we know our markets better than anyone. We also know that we have a responsibility to develop our own talent and provide them with opportunity. That isn’t going to happen with outsiders coming in and taking over, we are the only people who will really make a difference to

our future and we need to work together as a region to do this,” said Derrick.

“We need help via the financial assistance grants that we are entitled to, like all the other FIFA members.

But we cannot rely on that alone and we need to develop our own programmes and competitions. No one else has any intention of doing that, no one has done that for us yet.

Their ambition for our region is usually to get our political support, often for their own personal benefit and enrichment. I don’t see that that has changed yet, in fact it may have got a little worse.”

(Sportsmax).

Yasir fittingly performed the final rites, trapping Alzarri Joseph lbw for one off the first ball of the next over to pick up his ninth five-wicket haul in Tests, before having last man Gabriel caught at midoff, skying an attempted big hit.

The two teams will travel to Barbados for the second Test starting at Kensington Oval on Sunday.

SCOREBOARD

WEST INDIES 1st innings 286 PAKISTAN 1st innings 407 WEST INDIES 2nd innings (o/n 93 for four) K. Brathwaite b Yasir Shah 14 K. Powell c Younis Khan b Yasir Shah 49 S.Hetmyer b Yasir Shah 20 S Hope lbw b Yasir Shah 6 D. Bishoo c Younis Khan b Mohammad Abbas 18 Vishal Singh b Mohammad Amir 9 R. Chase not out 16 S. Dowrich lbw b Mohammad Abbas 0 J. Holder c wkp. Sarfraz Ahmed b Wahab Riaz 14 A. Joseph lbw b Yasir Shah 1 S. Gabriel c Mohammad Abbas b Yasir Shah 0 Extras: (lb-5) 5

Total: (all out, 52.4 overs) 152 Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-72, 3-84, 4-89, 5-110, 6-129, 7-129, 8-151, 9-152.

Bowling: Mohammad Amir 14-420-1, Mohammad Abbas 11-1-352, Yasir Shah 21.1-4-63-6, Wahab Riaz 6-0-29-1.

PAKISTAN 2nd innings (target: 32 runs) Azhar Ali b Joseph 1 Ahmed Shehzad c wkp. Dowrich b Gabriel 6 Babar Azam not out 9 Younis Khan lbw b Bishoo 6 Misbah-ul-Haq not out 12 Extras: (lb-2) 2 Total (3 wkts, 10.5 overs) 36 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-7, 3-24.

Bowling: Gabriel 3-1-7-1, Joseph 3-1-6-1, Bishoo 2.5-0-19-1, Holder 2-1-2-0.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Chelsea calm nerves and extend Premier League lead

By Clare Lovell

LONDON,(Reuters)-Buoyant Chelsea extended their Premier League lead and calmed nerves at Stamford Bridge with a 4-2 win over Southampton on Tuesday that moved them seven points clear of chasers Tottenham Hotspur.

Goals from Eden Hazard, captain Gary Cahill and two from a buzzing Diego Costa ensured Chelsea stayed on course for the double after they beat Tottenham by the same score in their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday.

Manager Antonio Costa juggled his team again on Tuesday starting with Costa and Hazard, who came off the bench at Wembley, and his tactics paid off.

It took them less than five minutes to open a lead when

Chelsea’s Diego Costa scores their fourth goal Action Images via Reuters / John Sibley Livepic Claude Puel’s Southamp- Manolo Gabbiadini looking Costa controlled a pass from Cesc Fabregas, surged forward ton worked their way back dangerous. and cut the ball back for the into the game, keeping tidy Their industry paid off advancing Hazard, who angled possession in midfield and in the 24th minute when forhis shot into the bottom corner making surging runs with Sofi- mer Chelsea midfielder Oriel ane Boufal, Ryan Bertrand and Romeu forced home from of Fraser Forster’s net.

close range after Gabbiadini’s shot clipped the leg of keeper Thibaut Courtois and fell into his path.

Chelsea’s lead in the Premier League has been chipped away in recent weeks by a resurgent Tottenham, but Saturday’s fiery Cup win had clearly boosted Conte’s side.

They grabbed the lead again just before halftime when a Fabregas corner was cleared only as far as N’Golo Kante 30 metres out. The France midfielder lobbed the ball back into the area for captain Gary Cahill to head home.

Costa, who has been misfiring of late, took his chance in the 53rd minute and powered in a header -- his 50th Premier League goal -- after a corner and one-two between Fabregas and Hazard.

He added a well-worked second for good measure in

the 89th after a one-two with Hazard.

Southampton scored a stoppage-time consolation goal through another former Chelsea player Ryan Bertrand.

Conte delighted fans by bringing on club captain John Terry, who announced his end-of-season departure from Chelsea last week after more than 18 years as a senior player, for the last five minutes of the game.

The former Juventus and Italy coach has used 36-yearold former England captain Terry sparingly since arriving at Stamford Bridge last July.

Conte, already a favourite at the ground where two seasons ago Jose Mourinho held sway, is aiming to emulate Chelsea predecessor and compatriot Carlo Ancelotti by winning the double in his first year in charge.

Zorg ground to host Simon’s Memorial cricket competition A GRAND day of cricket matches will feature on Sunday, April 30, at the Zorg ground in South Essequibo, four male teams namely Invaders Masters, Wild Oats, Zorg SC and Simon’s XI. They will compete for cash incentives and trophies.

In addition, a female exhibition match between Capoey All Stars and Zorg SC will be

played in memory of Leyland Simon, Elvis Simon, Carlton Simon and Steffon Simon, all of whom were ardent supporters of the sport and who had contributed significantly towards uplifting the standard of the game, especially in Zorg on the Essequibo Coast.

The male cricket will be a 10/10 softball knockout affair while the female players will pad up and

engage in a 15-overs hard ball match.

According to organiser Trevis Simon, the activities have been undertaken by relatives as a tribute to the deceased and in recognition of their passion for the game and their association in promoting community development.

He further disclosed that the event will become an

Jaguars’ success due to outstanding cricket programmes in Berbice, Georgetown and East Coast

I TAKE this opportunity to offer sincere congratulations to the Guyana Jaguars cricket team and the coach for their recent success at winning the Regional 4- Day cricket tournament for the third year in succession.

The players have performed exceptionally well despite all odds and they must be recognised for this unprecedented achievement.

Kudos must also be given to the Berbice Cricket Board, especially the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, led by Hilbert Foster, the Georgetown Cricket Association, led by Roger Harper and the East Coast Cricket Board, led by Bissoondyal Singh and their respective committee members.

These gentlemen and their

Association/Boards fought steadfastly over the last seven years to organise and develop cricket within their respective areas despite continuous interference and destabilisation efforts, perpetrated by the illegal regime calling itself the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).

Apart from the now regular and infamous impositions of court injunctions within these areas, the self-servicing GCB made regular disruptive incursions into the three areas with the intention of destroying the structure of the very game of cricket that they were supposed to be overseeing.

These three Association/ Boards have not for over seven years received a blind cent as cricket subsidy from the GCB, which in turn receives

over $70M from the WICB for cricket development and administration in Guyana.

It is these very three areas that have produced all the cricketers for the various Guyana teams. Yet the GCB wants recognition for the success of the Guyana Jaguars.

The GCB does not have a cricket development plan of its own and has brazenly piggy-backed on the tremendous cricket development and the talented players from Berbice, Georgetown and East Coast while ensuring that those areas do not have any say in the administration of Guyana Cricket.

What is even more disturbing is that the current Government, through its Ministry of Sport and the

annual feature which will seek to further promote and develop sports in the village as well as to harmonise the community and build healthier relationships among the villagers.

The games will begin at 09:00hrs and will attract over $100 000 and trophies as prizes for the respective winners.

Meanwhile some of the

players will be former national T20 all-rounder Ramesh Narine, former national Under-19 batsmen Delon Heyliger and Vijay Surujpaul, along with former Essequibo Inter-county batsmen Dinesh Joseph, Rovendra Parasram, Narendra Mandolall and Latchmikhant Narine.

Essequibo coach Forbes Daniels will also form part of the proceedings along

with a special appearance from Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt who will give brief remarks and donate a trophy as well.

The event will be attended by relatives and friends of the deceased and they will observe a minute’s silence, prior to the commencement of the anticipated exciting day of sports.

(Elroy Stephney)

National Sports Commission continue to reward this illegal regime for the efforts of others.

I do not know if it is due to ignorance, myopia or downright cronyism but the illegal GCB seems to be finding special favours even within their illegal operations.

A little over a year ago it was reported that the Minister of Sport admitted that she was unaware that there was a Cricket Administration Act and that she was not prepared to take the blame for not naming the stands at the Guyana National Stadium. Since then, instead of consolidating efforts to remove the frivolous challenges to the Act, the Minister and the Director of Sport seem to have formed a relationship with the illegal and incompetent GCB by: 1. Rewarding that illegal GCB and its controversial secretary with sports awards for 2016 at the ceremony held in January 2017, attended surprisingly by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Minister of Sport made some misleading pronouncements on the contributions of the President and Secretary of the GCB with regard to the development of youth cricketers.

3. Allocating $1.5?M in balls for school cricket to the

illegal GCB. The tournament was disappointingly scheduled to be played during the rainy season and exam term. It would be extremely useful to analyse the programme/plan that influenced this donation since from all appearances there was no proper ground preparation, no proper coaching programme, no proper cricket gear distribution and no proper zoning or coordination of the schedule of matches.

The tournament was akin to our youngsters playing cricket in the jungle!

There has been no organised ladies cricket since this regime hijacked the GCB in 2011, and they have been selecting female national players from the softball cricket instead. Yet this group has been able to bluff and hoodwink the present sports administration into giving them awards they never deserved.

Guyana has got the talent to produce world-class cricketers but the current environment of illegality, amateurism, deceit, favouritism and incompetent cannot help our players.

We are winning the war but losing the battle. Why? With Guyana winning regional tournaments and the West Indies Team at its lowest in 20 years, we cannot contribute much to

the WI teams.

Why are the likes of Roger Harper, Mark Harper, Neil Barry, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Monty Lynch, Albert Smith, Rabindranauth Seeram, Reon King, Clyde Butts, Rodrick Lovell and Hubern Evans not working with our youngsters within a structured programme that is carefully worked out and properly implemented?

The time is long overdue to implement the Guyana Cricket Act. If the Minister is unaware of the process she could seek guidance from her Senior Minister of Education, her Director of Sport, her Attorney General, her Minister of State or even the Minster of Public Security all of whom sat at 22 meetings of the Parliamentary Select Committee that crafted and passed the Cricket Bill into Law. The frivolous challenge to the Act that is preventing the holding of free and fair elections of the GCB was instituted by Anand Sanasie et al. It is self-serving and ensures that the illegal GCB does not hold any elections while they fondly embrace the government officials. Is this right in our democratic society?

W. G. BOSTON

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Cold Fusion receives cricket gear from overseas-based Guyanese

THE recently formed Cold Fusion Cricket Club of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, was last Saturday the recipient of a quantity of cricket gear, compliments of New York-based Guyanese Shameer ‘Joey’ Sadloo, his son Ian, Steve Ragubeer and Freddie Madray.

Cricket Zone and Millat Sporting Goods also contributed.

Sadloo, a former Guyana Under-19 cricketer, who also represented Everest Cricket Club (ECC) at the domestic level, and is on holiday in Guyana, handed over the equipment

Former Guyana Under-19 player Shameer Sadloo (right) hands over part of the donation to Cold Fusion president Budhnarine Persaud, in the presence of some members of his senior and youth club. Also in picture is Freddie Madray (centre). ECC president Rajesh Singh and Manniram Shew are on Sadloo’s left.

to Budhnarine Persaud, president of Cold Fusion at a simple ceremony, held at his former club on Camp Road, Georgetown.

Sports enthusiast and International Six dominoes captain Manniram Shew, also a prominent member of Everest, played an instrumental part in securing the gear from Sadloo, a long-time associate, and the others involved.

Members of both the senior and youth teams of Cold Fusion as well as executive members of Everest were also attended the presentation.

Following the presentation, former Guyana all-rounder and prominent East Bank Demerara cricket coach Claude St John, who played a big part in Sadloo’s success at the youth level, held a rap session with the youth players of Cold Fusion and this was well received by the youngsters.

Included among the cricket equipment were elbow guards, wicket-keeping pads, hip guards, bat rubbers, wicket-keeping gloves, jack straps, batting gloves, helmets, cricket bats, gear bag and practice clothes.

Hero CPL tournament to bowl off in St Lucia on August 4 GABBFF president

… CEO Damien O’Donohoe says fifth instalment of Hero CPL will be ‘the year of the fans’ THE stage is set for the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) to be the biggest and best party tournament to date, after tournament organisers confirmed that the fifth instalment will start on Friday, August 4 with St Lucia Stars welcoming 2015 champions Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) to the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium.

The 34-game competition, which will be staged in seven countries over a six-week period, will conclude with the final on Saturday, September 9, with the name of the host country set to be announced in due course.

The times for the Florida swing of matches have been confirmed, while the remaining start times will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

There will be the usual blend of day and night games, with the starting times to be announced shortly, and the St Lucia opener will lead into two keenly-contested double-headers in Central Broward Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida (on the weekend of August 5-6) where Guyana Amazon Warriors

Hero CPL CEO Damien O’Donohoe

will face Chris Gayle’s St Kitts & Nevis Patriots and Barbados Tridents will square off against reigning champions Jamaica Tallawahs in back-to-back games.

The action will then move to Port of Spain in Trinidad & Tobago which will run simultaneously with the St Lucia leg of matches (from the week of August 7 to 15), before Guyana and St Kitts & Nevis host the middle legs of the biggest party in sport (August 17-23).

As the race for one of the coveted finals berths heats up, the final rounds of matches will be held in Jamaica (from August 25 – September 1) and Barbados (from August 29 – September 3).

Finals week will begin

with a play-off on Tuesday, September 5 before the two eliminators and the final, which will round off the 2017 tournament on Saturday, September 9.

Looking ahead to the 2017 campaign, Hero CPL CEO Damien O’Donohoe said; “We are delighted to announce the dates of the Hero CPL fixtures earlier than usual this year which we believe will enable fans, sponsors, media and all of our key stakeholders ample opportunity to plan their trips and holidays for the biggest party in sport.

“Last year was the tournament’s biggest, with a global TV and online audience of almost 150 million and in the region of 250 000 fans attending our games.

We are determined to

enhance the fan participation across each venue, ensuring an even better experience for the many thousands of fans who will descend on each of our seven host countries.

“Once more we have the best talent in world cricket across our six teams. There have been a lot of eye-catching transfers, with Chris Gayle, Lendl Simmons and Dwayne Smith moving sides in the close season and the likes of Afghanistan’s exciting leg-spinner Rashid Khan, Chris Morris and Kane Williamson set to make their tournament bows. We are excited to welcome such a high calibre of talented, local and international players to the Hero CPL in just a few months’ time.

“It is our pledge to make the 2017 Hero CPL the ‘Year-of-theFan’ and there’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes to showcase all that is great about Caribbean culture, society and sport around the world.”

Tickets will go on sale in the coming weeks online from www.cplt20. com.

looking to bridge gaps

FRESH from the successful hosting of last weekend’s Novice competition, the Guyana Amateur Body Building and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) president Coel Marks has indicated his intention to bridge gaps that once faced the sport.

Speaking to media operatives, the GABBFF president outlined his vision for the sport, adding, “We need to ramp up our administration first of all to correct certain ills. There has been a disconnection between the federation and the athletes, so we want to have a robust interaction with all the stakeholders to get better moving forward.”

The body is also adamant about branding their athletes using identification cards as well as the creation of a database of their athletes.

He noted too that the federation intends to continue to develop athletes, adding, “What our federation will endeavour to do is try to funnel resources into those potential athletes and see if we can build a stronger base, where we can select athletes for overseas participation.

He noted too that the federation used the recently concluded tournament as a spotting ground, adding, “We did identify some keen talent.”

Reviewing the weekend, he stated that the competition had a good showing in terms of competition and crowd.

He continued, “This year which is a representation of the entire of Guyana, the bodybuilding stock is in Georgetown. Moving forward we want to expand. We had a strong showing, we had one of the biggest contingents of female (athletes), which is a good sign we are moving in the right index, very happy with the end results.”

Nolan Smith of Life Gym took the Mr Novice title after first picking up the Middleweight Class (Under-176lb) while Arlington Layne won the lightweight division.

The Short Class Men’s Physique winner was Roscoe Blair who also beat out the Tall Class winner Lance Gordon for the Overall Men’s Physique trophy while the Welterweight class was won by Odel Crum-Ewing and the Heavyweight class went to Oryan Joseph.

Greystone Lambert won the Bantamweight (Under-143lb) division while Natasha Chung carted off the Ms Bikini Open top prize. (Stephan Sookram)

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 26, 2017

GCB Inter-County U-17 tournament….

Demerara defend 168 to win by 20 runs

- Algu stars in Berbice easy victory Essequibo mar Torrington (11), Din- over thereafter with a number in the closing stages of the spinner Hemraj Harrilall The hosts’ made a disap-

By Rajiv Bisnauth

DEMERARA began their Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)-sponsored Igloo Inter-county Under-17 tournament on a high, as they beat the Select Under-15 team by 20 runs at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground yesterday.

Set 169 to win, the Select Under-15 team were bowled out for 148 in 49.3 overs.

Opener Ricardo Ramdehol made a fighting 98-ball 43, with five fours, but lethargic running between the wickets, along with the loss of a number of wickets at the back end of the innings, eventually cost the Select Under-15 team. Five batsmen were run-ut.

Kester McAllister (2-6), man-of-the-match Pradeep Balkishun (2-13) and Omar Torrington (1-37) were the successful bowlers for the hosts.

Earlier, winning the toss and deciding to bat, Demerara lost wickets at regular intervals and were denied momentum for almost the entire innings.

Medium-pacer Sheldon Charles (3-39) and left-arm

(2-26) were the pick of

Opener Alex Algu strikes an entertaining 81.

the bowlers, while Travon Charles, Andre Seepersaud and Daveanand Khemraj, all had a wicket apiece in a total bowling effort from the Select Under-15’s.

For the hosts a number of batsmen got starts but, not being able to convert promising starts into substantial contributions, they ended up 168-9 when the allotted overs expired.

Hemnauth Dindyal made a top score of 25, with six other batsmen managing double figures.

pointing start when they lost opener Rajendra Singh in the innings’ fourth over.

After adding 19 runs with fellow opener Navindra Persaud, Singh was caught at extra-cover off the bowling of Travon Charles for five.

However, it was a little better thereafter. Persaud and Alphius Bookie settled in and featured in a 38-run second-wicket stand.

But the introduction of Harrilall and Seepersud at opposite ends brought immediate success. Harrilall trapped Bookie leg-before-wicket for 13, while Seepersaud bowled Persaud for a 47-ball 17.

Pradesh Balkishun (18) followed soon after when he was run out in a mix-up with Dindyal.

Thereafter, Dindyal and Jeremiah Scott added 37 for the fifth-wicket before Hemraj removed Scott, caughtand-bowled, at 117-5.

Things slipped further for the hosts with four quick wickets, including Dindyal. McAllister (2) was trapped lbw to Khemraj before Sheldon Charles claimed the wickets of Qu-

dyal and Dequen Bamfield.

of quick wickets. Balkishun

Man-of-the-match Pradeep Balkishun collects his trophy from Match referee Colin Stuart.

Andrew Samaroo made an unbeaten 14.

The Select Under-15 openers were then allowed to score freely, and in the process put together 35 for the first wicket before Balkishun provided the breakthrough with the wicket of Shamar Yearwood who made 12.

Ricardo Ramdehol and Sheldon Charles then stitched together 51 for the second-wicket, But the chase faltered

trapped Ramdeol plumb in front, while Marvan Prashad went run-out without scoring.

Kester McAllister then removed both Saif Amoi without scoring and Sheldon Charles, to reduce the Select Under-15 team to 91-5.

They lost the remaining five wickets for just 57 runs, with Khemraj (16), Mark Ramanand (16) along with Travon Charles (11 not out), who offered some resistance

innings.

Meanwhile, in the other first-round game, Berbice whipped Essequibo by 115 runs.

Opener and man-of-thematch Alex Algu stroke an entertaining 81, with eight fours and three sixes, which eventually guided Berbice to 215 all out in 49.1 overs.

Algu received support from Kevin Omroa (26), Nigel Deodat (17) and Antonio February (14).

Bowling for Essequibo, Lance Roberts, Badesh Parastom and Reyaz Khan picked up two wickets each, while Leon Swami, Mahesh Ramnarine and Azeem Mohammed chipped in with a wicket.

In reply, Essequibo were bowled out for 100 in 28.5 overs. Roberts hit a top score of 28. Pacer Gevon Shultz took 4-21, Omroa 3-21, Deodat (2-28).

Kevlon Anderson was the other successful bowler.

The tournament continues tomorrow, with Demerara playing Essequibo at GCC, while Berbice will take on the Select Under-15 team at Everest.

CBR Hotshots Entertainment STAG Bowl Inter-ward Final on tonight … Valleys/Alleys face Block 22 for $1.2M

By Joe Chapman SILVERCITY/Valley/Alleys and Block 22 will collide in tonight’s final of the CBR Hotshots Entertainment STAG Bowl Inter-Ward football tournament at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, where the winner will pocket $1.2M. Kick-off time is 20:30hrs.

Thanks to National striker and guest player Delon Lanferman, Silvercity/Valley/Alleys outclassed Blueberry Hill 3-1 and Block 22 prevailed 3-1 on penalty against Silvertown/ Canvas City West Watooka after regulation and extra-time saw the two level 1-1.

The Silvercity/Valley/ Alleys will field a strong lineup with guest players - Lanferman, Solomon Austin, Konata Manning, Colwyn Drakes and Clarence Beaton.

Their rivals Block 22 will field imported play-

Delon Lanferman ers Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, Delroy Fraser and Trayon Babb, as well as Kevin Sullivan, Deshawn Joseph and junior national goalkeeper Jonathan Copeland between the uprights.

In the semi-finals, watched by a vociferous crowd at the town’s premier sporting facility, Lanferman was clearly in a zone of his own, netting a double for the finalists.

Sheldron Holder had

placed Blueberry Hill in the lead with his goal in the 29th minute but Silvercity/Valley/Alleys were able to level the scores 1-1 in the 67th minute from a strike by John Waldron.

Just when things looked heading to extra time, Lanferman, on the stroke of the 90th minute, was able to convert from the penalty spot after a foul was called in the box against the Blueberry Hill side which sparked some protest, but later quelled to allow for the spot kick to be taken.

In injury time, Lanferman tucked in a brace netting his team’s third goal which effectively signalled the conclusion of a hard-fought battle for a finals slot.

Earlier that evening Richardson put his team Block 22 into the lead against Silvertown West Watooka when he netted a 17th minute goal. But their opponents Silvertown/Canvas City/ West

Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson

Watooka levelled things in the 67th minute off their reliable striker Tony ‘Spirit’ Adams.

But, after a scoreless extra time, Block 22 were able to convert their chances from the penalty spot and walked away 3-1 winners.

The finals will be preceded by the third place playoff match between the losing semifinalists Silvertown and former champions Blueberry Hill at

18:30hrs.

The losing finalists get $500 000, third place winners receive $300 000 and fourth $150, 00.

The main sponsors are Ansa McAl behind their STAG beer brand while Babaloo’s Car Rental, Trophy Stall, Alex Bunbury, Bella’s Lumber Yard, Premier Sportz Fashion and Eagles United FC also contributed significantly towards the hosting of the tournament.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday April 26, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPAMY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Courtney Walsh-18 Tests (2) Imran Khan-18 Tests Today’s Quiz: (1) Fifty Test matches have now been played at Sabina Park. How many the WI have won?

(2) Which two made their Test debut against Pakistan?

Brian Lara, Carl Hooper, Jimmy Adams, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 26, 2017

A blend of local and overseas players for the Lady Jags – Forde

By Rawle Toney WITH Guyana’s female senior National team – the Lady Jags – preparing for the May 24-28 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Caribbean Cup, president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde told Chronicle Sport that the squad will feature a mixture of both local and overseas talent, representing the Land of Many Waters.

When the GFF hired Mark Rodrigues in 2010 to resuscitate the country’s women’s football programme, players with heritage ties to Guyana playing collegiate and professional league were assembled.

Rodrigues, due to the lack of any properly organised women’s football league and matches, was forced build a roster with predominantly overseas players.

“This time we’ll be going with a mixture of both local and overseas players,” explained Forde, as the GFF prepares to encamp the local players and will soon announce the overseas players called for their CFU engagement next month.

The GFF recently appointed Tricia Munroe, a former national player, as

FLASHBACK! Alison Heydorn is swarmed by her teammates after scoring Guyana’s winning goal against Guatemala at the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifiers tournament in Houston, Texas last year. its Women’s Development a women’s developmental Officer, with Forde making league and that helped to it clear that every federation kick-start our plans for womis mandated to not only en’s football and I think our invest in women’s football, Technical Director Mr. (Ian) but to do so meaningfully Greenwood, has a fantastic and to encourage growth in plan for women’s football, so the sport. yes, we have called overseas “We’re not at that place players,” Forde said. where we could send a local The Lady Jags in 2010 squad for international par- had qualified for the CONticipation, or have a predom- CACAF Gold Cup; a feat that inantly local squad. We had is yet to be accomplished by

GFF encamps 25 local players for CFU Women’s Caribbean Cup … Overseas-based to join in May

Some of the selected players before their encampment

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) yesterday announced the encampment of 25 national female football players, who were called to a five-day camp in New Amsterdam, in preparation for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Caribbean Cup scheduled for May 24-28.

A release from the Federation stated that this is the first time since the new Executive has been at the helm of football administration in Guyana that the female national team will participate in the CFU Women’s Caribbean Cup and this speaks to the renewed focus of the new

administration towards women’s football development in Guyana.

The players, selected via the GFF’s Technical Development programme, include those from Linden, Berbice, Rupununi, West Demerara and Georgetown. All of the players were also part of the recently concluded inaugural Women’s Development League.

This is the first of two camps for the team, commonly referred to as ‘Lady Jags’, and features two goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders and eight forwards from the follow-

ing member associations – Georgetown – 10, West Demerara – 5, Berbice –1, Upper Demerara – 3 and Rupununi – 6.

The second camp, scheduled for May 12-22, will include overseas-based players following which the squad will be announced.

Encampment for the ‘Lady Jags’ is managed by head coach designate and Technical Development Officer, Akilah Castello assisted by recently-appointed GFF’s Women’s Development Officer, Trisha Munroe.

The encamped squad: Ruth George, Nataile Nedd (GK), Anastacia Horsham, Keshauna McRae, Rebekah Nurse, Ronecia Lewis, Odessa Romeo, Collette Hope, Ameka Semple, Jillian Hawker (Defenders), Terryka Joseph, Lakeisha Pearson, Siacy Adams, Tiandi Smith, Shamika Marcus, Vanissa Sacapieo, Roshanna Grandison (Midfielders), Sasha James, Anulissa Johnson, Chante Leacock, Sherrilyn Kingston, Samantha Roberts, Helen Domingo, Sonia Griffith and Shennel Daniels (Forwards).

Golden Jaguars (male senior national team).

Facing Trinidad, hosts and eventual winners Mexico and Canada, Guyana failed to pick up a win, but put the world on notice that Lady Jags will be a force to be reckoned with in the Caribbean.

Despite reaching the penultimate round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Quilters the ‘Golden Jaguars’ are yet to feature in a major CONCACAF/FIFA tournament.

However, in-fighting and a stagnant GFF which led to the installation of a Normalisation Committee in 2014, saw the team miss several regional and international tournaments between 2010 and 2014 until the Clinton Urling-led body decided to bring Rodrigues for a second stint and this time the team reached the Olympic Qualifiers.

The Lady Jags had qualified for the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying in Houston, Texas, where they were grouped with Canada, Trinidad and Guatemala.

Guyana went down to Canada (5-0) and Trinidad (6-0), but won their first game at a CONCACAF tournament when they defeated Guatemala 2-1.

“The aim is to have our best possible time at any time

Mariam El Masiri has been one of Guyana’s top performers on the international stage. representing Guyana and if we’re happy to see that they that means having a predom- are properly prepared,” Forde inantly overseas team, then highlighted.

Akilah Castello was so be it. But our federation’s mandate is to have women’s named head coach and will football at a place where we be assisted by recently-apcould see more girls locally pointed GFF’s Women’s representing us. The Lady Development Officer Trisha Jags would’ve done us proud Munroe. when everything wasn’t seem to be going right for us, so

Windies in a ‘tough phase’, laments Holder KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Embattled West Indies captain Jason Holder conceded yesterday his inexperienced side were enduring a difficult period, after they suffered a seven-wicket thrashing at the hands of Pakistan on the last day of the opening Test at Sabina Park.

Behind by 121 runs on first innings, the Windies started the second day on 93 for four but failed in their bid for survival, dismissed for a paltry 152, 37 minutes before the scheduled lunch break.

Pakistan then scored the 32 runs required for victory to condemn West Indies to their 11th defeat in their last 15 Tests, with just one victory to show in that period.

“It’s a tough phase. It is very tough but it is what it is,” Holder said moments following the Windies defeat.

“We’ve got to work with what we have (in terms of players). I have full confidence in this young group. It’s just a matter of sticking together, but we’ve got to learn. It’s just not a matter of us coming in and playing cricket, we’ve got to learn and we’ve got to learn from our mistakes.”

He added: “It’s a very inexperienced side basically in

terms of our batting (but) it’s just a matter of them getting in and stamping their authority and there’s no better place to do it than in the next Test match.”

West Indies entered the game with a batting line-up which included two debutants – Guyanese left-handers Vishal Singh and Shimron Hetmyer – and three other batsmen in the top seven with less than 10 Tests to their name.

And the inexperience showed in the first innings as they slumped to 71 for five just after lunch on the opening day and needed half-centuries from Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich and Holder, to get up to 286.

“We did not make enough runs in the first innings. We lost wickets early and then we had to consolidate and we never really got that partnership going in the middle,” Holder explained.

“Credit must go to Shane Dowrich and Roston Chase (for) the way they batted. I came down at the end and tried to wag the tail a little bit but unfortunately that didn’t happen. We needed to get in excess of 300 runs but we didn’t.”

West Indies were then sloppy in the field as Pakistan piled up

407 to carve out a 121-run lead and batting a second time, the Caribbean side slumped to 93 for four at the close of Monday’s final day.

Tasked with surviving the final day, West Indies produced another sub-par display with the bat as leg-spinner Yasir Shah grabbed six wickets to help wreck the innings and earn Man-of-the-Match honours.

“Obviously we lost early wickets again; we we’re able to get a good start,” Holder pointed out.

“Yasir Shah did bowl well but I thought we could’ve batted a lot better. From the position we were in yesterday evening, it would have been difficult coming into a fifth day pitch trying to survive Yasir.”

He said the twin failure of usually prolific opener Kraigg Brathwaite had hurt West Indies.

“We definitely need to get off to a better start. A big key for us is Kraigg Brathwaite and he didn’t get off in this Test match,” the all-rounder said.

“The last Test match which we won against Pakistan, he carried his bat in both innings.

For him, he just needs to get in and stay in.”

A blend of local and overseas players for the Lady Jags – Forde See page 39

Yasir spins Pakistan to victory over West Indies See story on page 35

Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah celebrates his ninth Test five-for on the fifth day of the first Test at Sabiba Park.’’

West Indies captain Jason Holder congratulates batsman Babar Azam after Pakistan won the opening Test at Sabina Park on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy WICB Media)

Former national track star Waveney Benn thanks 1E CFU president Derrick CEO and founder Sumir Karayi calls for

regional unity

Waveney Benn (second from left) with Chantoba Bright, Claudrice McKoy and Compton Caesar, upon their return to Guyana

See page 34

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See page 35

CFU president Gordon Derrick WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2017