Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 27 06 2016

Grounded No. 104595

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

‒ one of the two planes in Ogle airport fiasco detained in Anguilla

Man burns to death in house fire 3

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Soldiers accused of raping teen Too much stigma 7

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‒ attached to HIV at Charity, but youths still living risky lives

Guyanese hardly overstay in US 3

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The remains of the De Willem Village, area ‘G’ Squatting Area, West Coast Demerara home where Satesh Jagmohan (inset) lost his life

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 27, 2016

Vanished without a trace ‒ three years on, relatives of Gould Amsterdam call for cold case probe IT HAS been almost three years since the pregnant Gould Marcelle Amsterdam left her home at Caracas, West Canje, Berbice, without a trace, leaving behind her two school-aged children, Akeesha and Javzel.

Her sister Daneel Amsterdam, along with other relatives, is calling on the police to open the seemingly cold case, as was done in the Babita Sarjou matter.

The skeletal remains, believed to be Sarjou, were found on May 22 last in a shallow grave behind the Lot 51, Seaforth Street, Campbellville residence of Sarjou’s estranged husband Sharadananda Narine, who along with an accomplice has since been charged.

Daneel told the Guyana Chronicle that her missing sister who disappeared on October 5, 2013, had a son with Errol ‘Son Son’ Lindo, who was subsequently murdered at High

Dam, Caracas, Mount Sinai, on April 18, 2014.

Following his death, his sister Dolly Rahaman, now deceased was recorded as saying that she knew of the whereabouts of the pregnant woman, and had promised the relatives that they would meet her.

Further, it was revealed that on the night Lindo was murdered, relatives received a telephone call, and based on the digital codes, they are of the opinion that the call emanated from neighbouring Suriname.

The voice, they claim, sounded similar to that of their missing sister.

However, the person hung up the phone seconds later and efforts to return calls to that number failed repeatedly.

The relative said the family visited the office of the then Deputy Commander, Berbice Division, Stephen Mansel, and he too

dialed the number but was unsuccessful.

Back then they were advised and printed fliers with their sibling’s information, which were given to a senior rank of the Criminal Investigation Department within the division, with the intention of having the leaflets filtered across neighbouring Suriname.

Relatives said, they were told that the local cops have a good relationship with their neighbouring counterparts, but to date, no response has been forthcoming.

In recent times, relatives are being told that their sister is buried at Sandvoort Village, West Canje.

WANT CLOSURE “We want a closure, just like the mother of Babita Sarjou,” lamented Daneel Amsterdam. Whenever there is a family function, our sister is not there. We miss her. We want to find her, so we can find closure,” she reiterated.

“People, even the police are of the opinion that we know of the whereabouts of our sister. We do not

had shared an intimate relationship with the missing woman, resulting in the birth of now 12-year-old Javzel Lindo.

Missing: Gould Marcelle Amsterdam

know. We need a closure.

My sister was expecting to deliver a daughter, according to an ultrasound.

That girl would have been almost three, preparing to go to pre-school… we need answers,” Amsterdam pleaded.

On October 5, 2013, Gould Marcelle Amsterdam, then a member of the Neighbourhood Community Police, left her children at approximately 23:00hrs, telling her daughter Akeesha Daniels that she was going over to ‘Son Son’.

‘Son Son’ was Errol Lindo, who had lived about a hundred meters away, and

WAS ABUSIVE However, according to a sister Danell, the relationship initially seemed good, but became abusive in the latter years, resulting in a separation between the couple.

The sibling recalled an incident in which Lindo allegedly attempted to drown the mother of three, but was prevented from doing so by one Errol Lewis, who was passing by. A charge was filed against Lindo, and the case was being heard at the New Amsterdam Court at the time when she went missing.

According to reports, on Sunday morning, the 13-year- old Akeesha, on visiting a nearby Aunt, enquired whether her mother was at her house. After receiving a negative response, she reported that her mother did not sleep at home. Subsequently, telephone calls were made to her phone, but without any

success, as the instrument was turned off.

“My sister never goes out without indicating where she was going. She was seven months pregnant, and the baby was in the breech position. Doctors had told her to rest, and that was what she was doing.”

It was noted that none of Gould Amsterdam’s personal items were taken away, except for a pair of slippers she would wear around the community. She was last seen with a white vest and a pair of black tights.

Following reports of the missing woman, police had arrested Errol Lindo after a search behind his home unearthed a sheet and a canvas rope.

“My sister has left without a trace. These things only happen in the movies. My sister is not an angel, but she was industrious, independent and needs to be with her children.”

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Gould Amsterdam, called ‘Massa’ or ‘Greens Lady’, can contact her sister Daneel Amsterdam on cell number 645 0593, or visit the nearest police station.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 27, 2016

Planes Guyanese hardly grounded

overstay in US

‒ Anguilla releases one, another flown to Puerto Rico

‒ US Deputy Chief of Mission Bryan Hunt

US Deputy Chief of Mission Bryan Hunt

LESS than one per cent of Guyanese overstay their time in the United States, outgoing US Deputy Chief of Mission Bryan Hunt said.

In an exclusive interview, Hunt told Guyana Chronicle that the US Embassy is encouraged to issue more visas given that many Guyanese who were issued with non-immigrant visas, for business or pleasure, have returned home.

This is according to period studies conducted by the US Embassy on the return rate.

According to the Deputy Chief of Mission, the high rates of return are linked to the state of Guyana’s economy.

“Because Guyana’s socio-economic situation has gotten better, because we have this data that demonstrates that most Guyanese travellers use their visas appropriately and legitimately… our consular officers are able to make better decisions, which in Guyana’s case means that more Guyanese are qualified to travel to the United States,” he explained.

According to Hunt, in the past, Guyanese were more than often denied visas

to the United States because they were being judged on a Guyana. This no longer happens, he said.

“I think when I first got here in 2013, we had a situation where people were assessing visa applications based upon a Guyana that no longer existed, a Guyana that was ten years, 15 years old. A Guyana where lots of people overstayed their visas in the United States

and for which people were looking for economic opportunity,’ the outgoing Deputy Chief of Mission explained.

Since, then he said, the US Embassy has been helping consular officers to better understand the Guyana of today. Consular officers are therefore urged to look at recent trends in terms of travel to help them make accurate and fair decisions.

Hunt said he is encouraged by the high rate of return and hopes that this positive trend continues for the good of all Guyanese.

Statistical data coming out of the US Embassy indicates that in 2015, a total of 39,000 Guyanese were interviewed for non-immigrant visas, the majority of whom were granted their visas.

Approximately 4900 Guyanese were also issued with immigrant or permanent visas. In the early 2000s, less than 6000 visas were issued by the US Embassy.

One of the Cessna 206 aircraft at the centre of the matter

ONE of the aircraft that departed the Eugene F. Correia International Airport (EFCIA) without authorisation is still grounded in Anguilla, while the other has been flown to San Juan, Puerto Rico on Sunday morning. A reliable source has informed this newspaper that the aircraft, registered 8R-GTP, departed Anguilla for Puerto Rico on Sunday morning.

On Saturday, two Cessna 206 model aircraft, owned by Oxford Aviation and bearing registration number 8R-GMP and 8R-GTP, left the Eugene F. Correia International Airport at Ogle at approximately 05:30 hrs without appropriate air traffic clearance for departure.

The two pilots, identified as Guyanese Munidat Persaud and an overseas operator whose name was given as Vladimir, flew through Trinidad and Tobago’s airspace undetected, grounded in Gre-

nada, and, upon continuing their journey, were held by authorities in Anguilla, after attempting to make another stop in that country.

Officials in Guyana have commenced an investigation into the matter.

However, the other Cessna 206 was barred from departing because it did not have the required airworthiness certificate as a result of a violation of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, on Sunday confirmed that indeed one of the aircraft is still in Anguilla while the other remains in Puerto Rico.

There is a High Court matter involving the aircraft, and their owners are barred from leaving Guyana. That matter involves an incident which occurred at the Region Seven airstrip at Ekereku, near the Venezuela border, in which one of the two aircraft in question

ran into a Cessna 172 aircraft, registered as 8R-GHJ. This latter aircraft, owned by pilot Orlando Charles of Domestic Aviation, sustained structural damage during the incident, and that matter has been in the courts for some time.

Veteran aviator Captain Gerry Gouveia said the pilots’ action was “in total violation and disrespect of Guyana’s aviation laws”. He also noted that it is intriguing that Grenada accepted the pilots without approved documents, and he said it should be looked at carefully.

Local pilots never breached any of the airport’s regulations, and moreso Guyana’s aviation laws.

Guyana‘s air traffic control services does not provide radar coverage, but rather handling based on radio communications with pilots, a form of air traffic control (ATC) known as procedural air traffic control.

At Ogle, the pilots usually request an ATC clearance from the tower at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at Timehri in order to operate outside the airport’s boundaries. To fly outside of Guyana, such requests have to be made days in advance, and would require coordination between Guyana and the ATC agencies in the countries whose airspace the aircraft would transit.

Man burns to death in house fire

By Rabindra Rooplall THE body of a 20-yearold man was found in a charred state in his inlaws’ home Saturday night at De Willem Village, area ‘G’ Squatting Area, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

Dead is Satesh Jagmohan of De Willem Village, area ‘G’ Squatting Area, WCD. According to reports, the fire occurred after 22:00hrs and though two fire engines visited the scene, they were unable to contain the blaze.

The burnt remains of the body were removed by the Ezekiel Funeral Home.

According to Ramdhani Jagmohan, the father of the deceased, Satesh was the eldest of eight children.

He said his son, who is a

porter, returned home at 21:00hrs Saturday night and had dinner.

He then visited his uncle’s home which is in the neighbouring yard where he has been staying for the past four weeks since a separation between his uncle and wife.

“My wife brother and he wife left and for that time when they left, he does come for my son to sleep at their home to keep he and his son company. He gone to bush the other day, and was he son and me son sleeping there, and he wife come yesterday [Saturday] from wherever she living on the East Coast and take her son and carry him away,” he explained.

The father, recalling what occurred Saturday

night, explained that he was watching television after having dinner when he heard a loud banging on his fence.

“Somebody start lash down the zinc and say, Fire!

Fire! Meh know meh got dogs and sometimes people does just lash the zinc, so meh open the door to see is who, and when a come out I see the house in big fire,” he lamented.

Ramdhani said he immediately dashed into the neighbouring yard to save his son and noticed that the entire building was up in flames.

The father related that he ran under the house in the hope of removing a few floor boards so that his son could have gained access to escape, but to no avail.

“Meh try knocking out

two flooring, when ah doing that is share kerosene I smelling all over the house, the fire was spreading fast and I couldn’t save my son, at about 02:00hrs [Sunday] they find what was left of him,” Ramdhani said as tears rolled down his face.

He called on the police to investigate the origin of the fire, since it appeared as if kerosene was doused inside the building before the fire was ignited.

According to residents in the area, the fire quickly razed the building as if there was some sort of fuel used to burn it.

One woman said Satesh was a very willing person and was not known to have problems with anyone.

“He didn’t deserve to die like that in fire, he was burnt

Dead: Satesh Jagmohan

alive.”

A generator, gas stove and bottle, along with other items were among the debris.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 27, 2016

EU post-Brexit opposition crisis deepens

LABOUR leader Jeremy Corbyn has said he will stand in any new leadership election, and reshape his shadow cabinet over the next 24 hours.

He urged people “to come together to heal the divisions” after the EU vote.

Shadow Commons leader Chris Bryant is the latest in a string of La bour shadow Cabinet members to resign in protest at Mr Corbyn’s leadership over the EU referendum - and more are expected.

Mr Corbyn said he regretted those resignations.

But he warned: “Those who want to change Labour’s leadership will have to stand in a democratic election, in which I will be a candidate.”

He also said he had been elected as leader with “an overwhelming man-

date for a different kind of politics”.

“I am not going to betray the trust of those who voted for me - or the millions of supporters across the country who need Labour to represent them,” he added.

“Neither wing of the Tory Government has an exit plan. Labour will now ensure that our reform agenda is at the heart of the negotiations that lie ahead. That includes the freedom to shape our economy for the future and the necessity of protecting social and employment rights.

“One clear message from last Thursday’s vote is that millions of people feel shut out of a political and economic system that has let them down and scarred our country with grotesque levels of inequality.”

‘DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED’ His comments came after he sacked shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn, who told Mr Corbyn he had lost confidence in him.

Earlier, a party spokesman said Mr Corbyn - who faces a no confidence vote over a “lacklustre” EU campaign - “won’t be resigning”.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell and shadow cabinet members Andy Burnham, Diane Abbott and Emily Thornberry have given Mr Corbyn their support despite the resignations.

Deputy Labour leader Tom Watson has said he is “deeply disappointed” that Mr Benn had been sacked and “equally saddened” by the shadow cabinet resignations.

He said his focus was to “hold the Labour Party together in very turbulent times” and that he would meet Mr Corbyn on Monday to discuss the “way forward”.

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The series of shadow cabinet walkouts began on Sunday morning, hours after Mr Benn was sacked by the Labour leader.

Karl Turner, the shadow attorney general, also resigned. His is not a shadow cabinet post, but he attends meetings.

The Labour Party campaigned for Remain during the referendum, which saw the UK voting to leave the EU by 52 per cent to 48 per cent on Thursday.

But Mr Corbyn - who has been a long-standing critic of the EU and who is regarded as the most Eurosceptic Labour leader in years - has been accused by some in his party of not making the case for the EU forcefully enough.

As a result, a motion of no confidence against Mr Corbyn has been submitted by Labour MPs Dame Margaret Hodge and Ann Coffey - and it is expected to be considered at the next meeting of Labour MPs on Monday. A secret ballot

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could be held the following day.

‘NOT A LEADER’ Meanwhile, a number of senior trade unionists on Labour’s ruling national executive committee rallied in support of Mr Corbyn - including Unite leader Len McCluskey and Dave Ward of the Communication Workers Union.

And about 180,000 people have signed an online petition backing the Labour leader, who was elected last September in a landslide victory.

Speaking on Sunday’s Andrew Marr Show, Mr Benn - who has ruled out any Labour leadership bid - said Mr Corbyn was “a good and decent man but he is not a leader”.

“At this absolutely critical time for our country following the EU referendum result, the Labour Party needs strong and effective leadership to hold the Government to account.

“We don’t currently have that and there is also

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no confidence we would be able to win a general election as long as Jeremy remains leader. And I felt it was important to say that,” he added.

Hours after Mr Benn’s sacking, Ms Alexander, who joined Mr Corbyn’s shadow cabinet last year, tweeted that she had resigned “with a heavy heart”.

In a letter to the Labour leader, she said she respected him “as a man of principle” but said “I do not believe you have the capacity to shape the answers our country is demanding and I believe that if we are to form the next Government, a change of leadership is essential”.

Elsewhere, Ms Powell said in her resignation letter to Mr Corbyn: “It is increasingly clear that your position is untenable and that you are unable to command the support of the shadow cabinet, the Parliamentary Labour Party and, most importantly, the country.”

But Mr McDonnell, speaking on Radio 5 live’s Pienaar’s Politics, was defiant, saying: “Jeremy is not going anywhere and will continue on.” (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 27, 2016

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Gifts from London for Bosco boys

A LONDON-BASED Guyanese, with a passion for taking care of the needs of less fortunate children, recently made a presentation of food items and personal effects to the children of St. John Bosco Orphanage, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara.

Mrs. Evelyn Solomon and her son Garfield Daw, now on a visit home for Guyana’s Golden Jubilee, handed over the items to Administrator of the Orphanage, Ms. Grace Daniels last Thursday afternoon.

The presentation was witnessed by benefactors Earle Morris and Yvette Goring, orphans at the institution and members of the media covering the assignment.

The orphanage has a steel orchestra and the children expressed their gratitude by rendering melodious steel pan music for the deeply appreciative guests.

Mrs. Solomon, who has been residing in London for the last 32 years, would travel home on vacation from time to time - on each occasion making donations to needy children.

However, having two sons, she admits having a close affinity for boys, and so is preoccupied with making donations to the institution.

St. John Bosco Orphanage was established in 1879 by Roman Catholic priest, Father Luigi Casati, an Italian Missionary who gave shelter to a number of homeless boys in Plaisance.

Incredibly, out of that grew the well established orphanage of today, which provides a home for about 50 boys between the ages of 6 and 18. At present there are 45 on record – home schoolers, as well as Nursery to Grade 6.

In 1902 the orphanage was placed under the care of the Roman Catholic Sisters of Mercy in Guyana who continue to administer it, growing over the last 14 years from strength to strength.

The present building, a massive concrete struc-

Photograph highlights the presentation of sustenance items for St. John Bosco Orphanage

by Ms. Evelyn Solomon

ture, was opened in 2009, and is maintained with financial help from benefactors, both local and overseas. For those administering this arduous task, it is but a ‘labour of love’.

Meanwhile, on the Roman Catholic Calen d ar, P op e F ran ci s has dedicated the year 2016 as the ‘Year of Mercy’. He affirmed that the ‘Holy Year’ is a response to the world’s need for a ‘revolution o f t e n d e r n e s s ’ f ro m which ‘justice and all the rest derives’.

The students of St. John Bosco Orphanage on steel pans offer a rendition for the visitors to the institution

Second from right is Ms. Evelyn Solomon. Others from left are Yvette Goring, Earle Morris, Garfield Daw and Administrator, Ms. Grace Daniels

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

Strengthening the Regional Government System

REGIONAL Government, which falls under the Local Democratic Organs, came into effect with the 1980 Guyana Constitution. The spirit and intent of establishing a regional system is to ensure that the people within the demarcated boundaries can manage their affairs and utilise the resources therein for their benefit and development.

With this establishment, the country was divided into 10 administrative regions, and an examination will see that each region is known from specific resources.

For instance, Region Two is forested highland and low coastal plain, and some hilly sand and clay; Region Four is mostly low coastal plain with small portions of hilly sand and clay, more inland; Region Seven has within it the forested highland and little hilly sand and clay. The other regions too comprise unique and common topographies and natural resources.

A careful look at the regions’ demarcation will see representation of our geographic areas-hilly sand and clay, interior savannahs, low coastal plain, and highlands- distributed, which suggests that the planners sought to ensure, where possible, that the nation’s natural resources are spread among the people, irrespective of regions. Inevitably, this would have necessitated working within and across region(s), in competition and cooperation for the region’s welfare and by extension the benefit of the country as a whole.

Along with diverse and distributive topography and national resources, so too were the people. While regions may have a predominance of one race or tribe, no region is homogeneous. This convergence of diverse groups in the same geographic space with the responsibility to manage their affairs would out of necessity cause them to recognise and appreciate that their well-beings are intertwined and consequently it is in their interest to work with each other.

It would be myopic to pretend putting diverse groups with shared historical experiences which have not all been pleasant, that the regional system of self-government would automatically erase the unpleasant past and bring automatic forgiveness or trust. However, it is reasonable to expect where persons, notwithstanding diversity and not-so-pleasant historical experiences, knowing that the development of one is hinged on the development of the other, would develop ways and means to work together, including building trust and avoiding and resolving conflicts.

Since the regional system was put in place, it is fair to say much has not been done within the last 36 years to strengthen it and allow the people within regions the needed autonomy to raise their own revenue and develop the region based on their plan. Outside of the rudimentary laws establishing the system, the system awaits legislations to allow it to function efficiently and effectively.

Since 1992, regional governments have become more diverse. It has been seen that leadership of Regional Democratic Councils are shared by different political parties or groups, outside of the strongholds of the two major political parties, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic and the People’s National Congress Reform. This fact may have informed incumbent government scepticism of strengthening the system, lest control by central government or dependen-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 27, 2016

Guyana needs a new vision Dear Editor,

GEORGETOWN is the capital city of Guyana, but it’s in a very bad state because of the number of vagrants, touts, beggars, thieves, and white collar crooks who roam in it. I wish to begin my discourse with the vagrants.

The word “vagrant” can be defined as “one who has no established residence, and wanders idly from place to place without lawful or visible means of support.”

As I walked around the Guyana Post Office Corporation Building, I counted over twenty vagrants sleeping on cardboard boxes. They eat, sleep, urinate and defecate there, and their presence makes the place a living hell for shop owners, citizens, and those who work at GPOC. But they don’t stop there, they have extended their living quarters to the Fogarty’s Building, doing the same filthiness, but the administrators at City Hall turn a blind eye to all this filthiness from these vagrants.

Their urine and faeces stink from a distance and attract lots of flies. Near GPOC there are a lot of places that sell food and snacks, and Fogarty’s still have their Rose Bud Cafe. How unsanitary this is for those who sell food there to inhale the stench from these vagrants’ excrement; worst yet, people have to sit and eat while smelling the stench.

It makes us look really bad when foreigners visit the Rose Bud cafe to eat. We have a large number of new ministries, with lots of competent and educated ministers, but none seems to see these vagrants make the city worse than a pig pen.

A building should be erected to house these vagrants. The Ministry of Social Protection, or the Ministry of Social Cohesion, or The Ministry of Human Services needs to build living

quarters for these vagrants, to keep the city clean.

They should clean them up, train them, and put them in a rehab. centre, since most of them are very young and can still work. Their lives are being destroyed by drugs and alcohol.

City Hall has been very busy with the parking meter situation, planning to suck every dollar out of the citizens of Georgetown; they should now be busy building a home for these vagrants, and for the women who beg with more than six children on the pave, in order for us to have a good, green and clean environment.

We have endless beggars all over Georgetown, most of whom are women with children. These same children from unwanted fathers and poor mothers grow up to be bandits and criminals.

Millions were wasted on the Jubilee, why not waste tax payers’ money by building homes for the poor and needy, and help them and their children -- who beg -- to be better citizens of this beautiful land of ours?

I hope the Minister of Finance would put housing for vagrants in his next budget. Guyana is a nation dying slowly in poverty and human degradation while our leaders drive Hummers and Cadillacs.

I now come to the touts, who make the bus and car parks a living hell as they rob people from time to time or set thieves to rob people. They need to be picked up by the police and be made to clean the city.

These touts are all over the city, from the courts to the GRA to the Immigration Department to commercial banks and other ministries. They always seem to be connected to a white collar criminal in an office, who can get you a document instantly for a nice fat price.

So we can still see that corruption is still

cy by the people on central government is lost.

Conversely, it is understandable Guyana was stepping into new territory in 1980 and there may remain some uncertainty how to proceed. After 36 years the Regional Government system is no longer new. By now it should have been up and running, already passed its teething phase, allowing the regions to work with each other on shared resources -human and natural -- trading with each other, having their own tax system, which in itself lends for competition and incentives to do business or reside and executing an indigenous development plan, not having to solely rely on central government.

the order of the day. You are pushed around daily at offices for a document, all because you have to “grease somebody’s palm with some greens”.

Is this the good and green economy we want for Guyana?

The thieves lurk all over: banks, courts, embassies, ministries. They watch like a vulture from a mountain, looking to see whom to pounce on next. We have run out of jail space for young thieves who just want to live like parasites on innocent citizens who work hard for their money. If we enforce more serious laws in Guyana, we would be able to live in a better society. It’s very sad that those who make the laws break the laws.

Drugs destroy people, driving them to be thieves and vagrants; yet many lawmakers are calling to legalize marijuana smoking.

Guyana needs a new vision of honest political leadership that will take us into this new contemporary era for us to compete with the world. We must have a vision to eradicate poverty from our society, as well as begging, stealing, corruption and crime. Crime has plagued this nation for a very long time.

What Guyana needs is a better economic policy, like implementing better salaries for her citizens; at least $140,000 per month for the average Government worker. The police, teachers, public servants, and labourers will live in Guyana and not run out for better jobs and living standards. We have to learn to keep our people. If the politicians can eat turkey and steak, then we ought to be able to afford the same. A true leader will put others before himself because of his love and concern for his people.

Yours faithfully, REV. GIDEON CECIL

And while central government will still play a role in aiding development of the people via national laws, policies, revenues and security and, lending support to the regions through grants, the regions ought to by now have been allowed to raise and spend their money and provide needed services for the people in the communities.

It ought to be of concern to citizens that 36 years into the system to have regional chairmen/women calling or relying on central government to provide money or relief for things within the regions, under their responsibility, that were they empowered by laws to raise their own revenue, they could have done themselves.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 27, 2016

Capital towns to get stadium-like facilities – President Granger

By Ravin Singh PRESIDENT David Granger has said on Friday’s edition of his weekly television programme, ‘The Public Interest’, that capital towns in the regions will benefit from stadium-like facilities to accommodate public events in the future.

Guyana currently has nine towns: Anna Regina, Bartica, Corriverton, Georgetown, Lethem, Linden, Mabaruma, New Amsterdam and Rose Hall. A tenth town, Mahdia, is expected to be commissioned in 2017.

The President said Gov-

ernment is looking at developing stadium-like facilities in these towns. “We are looking at developing facilities in the capital towns. Those are at Lethem, Bartica, Mabaruma, Mahdia, Anna Regina and so on, which could be venues for public events,” President Granger said.

He also disclosed it is unlikely that the stands at Durban Park would be dismantled. The park was built initially through a two-phase process to host the flag-raising ceremony and float parade of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary.

The first was a public-pri-

vate phase in which private donations were utilised in construction of the park; the second phase was funded by Government.

Government had initially announced that the 27 wooden stands at Durban Park would be dismantled after the May 26 float parade and sent to various community centres.

But the President said on Friday that Government recognises the facility serves as an institution for public events and would consequently not like to deprive the public of its use. Government has therefore opted not

to dismantle the stadium-like facility, which has been used by several bodies for public events after the jubilee celebrations.

“We’ve had a second look at it and (concluded that) Durban Park is an institution which people have started to use. We’ve had requests; the churches have started to use the facility.

We’ve had other social func-

Dear Editor,

I AM rooting for the socalled “controversial” parking meter project, which the media have skillfully painted as corrupt and unethical.

I am all for change, and having parking meters in this country would be a huge change that would significantly transform vehicular activity in the city and introduce organisation in that regard.

More than that, some 100 jobs will be created directly, and others will be created indirectly. Based upon the utterances of Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan, that he had no information on the project, persons became concerned.

However, I understand the explanations of the Mayor, and my mind was eased further when the “controversial” contract was immediately handed over to the Government for inspection.

I will not dwell on the controversy then, but rather support an initiative that moves this country a step further into the technological age. Parking meters in Georgetown will help in sev-

eral ways: by relieving congestion, by taking care of all day parking, by introducing vehicular management, and by revenue generation, to name a few.

But more than that, persons will become employed.

The employment rate is high within the city, and many of those jobless persons are young and unskilled. Added to the social and financial benefits, parking meters will require operators, technicians, overseers, managers, among others. These are persons who will therefore receive training in the particular areas.

During installation of the meters, workers will be needed to conduct this work, alongside engineers and other technical people. This is a new opportunity for both the city and the council. It is a responsibility of the municipality to ensure the wellbeing of its citizens, and providing employment is a conscious way to do it.

It is understood that the council is eyeing young persons to come on board with the meter project as a means

of them acquiring skills in this field.

The council is saying that the parking meter company is taking 100% risk because the council is too broke to execute the project. The council will receive 20% when the company starts making money; they reportedly signed the contract before due diligence was complete because allocations for this and other avenues where written and agreed to in the contract. I could understand this, and I can also understand why other councillors were concerned; but if they are welcome to see the meter contract, just not have their own copy, then this issue should have been over with a long time ago, while the project is speeded up so Guyanese can see the change they voted for at the general and local government elections.

I am looking forward to the parking meters being installed, because I have every intention of applying for a job.

Regards, ABIOLA HOPE

tion, he noted that the present thinking is that the park would be improved and kept intact as a major place for public events.

As it relates to the cost for the facility, the President said he could not say how much was spent to build it, since at the level of Cabinet he was not in receipt of any report about overall expenditure.

Soldiers accused of raping teen

By Rabindra Rooplall

Parking meters good for Guyana

tions, including parades. So it is very likely that Durban Park, which is the single largest stadium in the country, will be kept as a place for public purposes,” the President said, adding that the stands will not be dismantled.

He further explained that the area would be protected against vandalism and any unsafe practice. In addi-

Two soldiers are under investigation as police examine an allegation made by a 17-year-old girl that she was raped by the duo, police said.

The teen and soldiers reside in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo.

According to reports, the teen is known to the

two men and they were at a birthday party in Tuschen.

After the party ended in the wee hours of the morning of Sunday morning, the girl was reportedly taken to one of the soldier’s house in the same village where they took turn in raping her.

She was allegedly beaten about the face and other areas of the body after putting up a resistance.

The traumatised young lady, following the incident, made a report to the police, and an investigation has since been launched into the incident.

The 2015 United States Department report on Human Rights said a high number of unreported cases of rape and sexual assault continues to haunt Guyana.

8

On 4 minutes 4 change this week we are giving you the opportunity to test your knowledge on our childcare service in Guyana. Below are twelve multiple choice questions. How many can you get right? You may surprise yourself by getting twelve out of twelve, then again you may have to look up a couple of the answers.

Have a go and send us an email if you would like harder questions next time.

No. 1 The Protection of Children’s act was passed in Parliament in:

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 27, 2016

a) 2011 b) 2008 c) 2009

a) Spiritual and Holistic abuse b) Sexual and Psychological abuse c) Intellectual and Social abuse

No.2 The Childcare and Protection agency falls under the: a) Ministry of Home Affairs Protection Bureau b) Ministry of Protective Children’s Rights c) Ministry of Social Protection

No. 4 Each child in care is given as procedure: a) A full medical examination b) A lollipop c) A clean bill of health

No. 3 Child abuse can be a mixture of:

No. 5 Children in institutional care: a) Only attend school on a part time basis b) Attend school with their Parent’s consent c) Attend school every day as normal No. 6 Children are removed from their family setting by the Childcare and Protection Agency when: a) They need to focus on their school work b) The Agency has spoken to their Parents c) They may be in danger, ‘at risk’ or have been abused No.7 The rights of a child state that every child is entitled to: a) A clean environment and the right to an education b) At least one meal and drink per day c) A daily dose of steamed callaloo to keep them strong No.8 Foster care is when a child is: a) Placed with a family until they are an adult b) Placed with a family on a temporary basis c) Placed with a family who will adopt them soon No. 9 A child at risk can be: a) A child who never finishes their home work b) A child who doesn’t socialise much c) A child who is left alone consistently to fend for himself No. 10 Which form of child abuse do you think is reported the most? a) Psychological abuse b) Sexual abuse c) Child Neglect No.11 When an allegation of Child Abuse is made to the Child Protection Agency it is: a) Placed on a list of things to be done in due time by Child Protection Officers b) Investigated as soon as possible by Child Protection Officers c) Given to Child Protection Officers for their approval No. 12 What should members of the public do if they wish to report child abuse? a) Call the Ministry of Health to make a report on 225 0010 b) Call the Childcare and Protection Agency 24 hour Hotline on 227 0979 c) Call the Emergency services on 911 If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the Childcare and Protection Hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com Here are the answers: 1) c 2) c 3) b 4) a 5) c 6) c 7) a 8) b 9) c 10) c 11) b 12) b

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 27, 2016

Catherina’s Lust Road in poor state ‒ residents call on Gov’t to look into situation RESIDENTS of Catherina’s Lust are calling on the Government to execute extensive repairs to the “old train line road” that runs through the community.

Currently, the road is virtually impassable. According to residents, the heavy downpours in recent times have transformed the dusty road into a muddy swamp.

The situation is further compounded, they said, by the constant use of tractors on the already deplorable thoroughfare.

During a recent visit to Catherina’s Lust, West Coast Berbice, residents complained bitterly about the situation.

One of the residents, Donette D’Andrade, told the Guyana Chronicle that after a hard day’s work she got stuck in the thick mud on her way home for more than 10 minutes, and had to solicit help from one of her neighbours.

“It is very difficult to get in or out,” she cried, adding: “It’s not bad, it’s terrible.”

Like many residents, D’Andrade believes that the use of tractors by farmers is a major contributing factor to the current state of the road.

“We deserve better, is not now we complaining about this road,

is long. If is not the thick, thick dust, is thick, thick mud. Is not pigs living behind there, is human beings, is normal people and we deserve better,” another resident Ismay Aaron added. Aaron has been living in the area for the past two years.

Hope Town Land Coop Society Chairperson Renee McCalman said the road, which is also identified as the sideline dam, is the main access to more than 350 house- lots, and has been a cause for concern for several years.

“For the past seven years, the Hope Town Coop Society has been dialoguing with the Regional Democratic Council to get the road fixed, but to no avail. Every time it rains, it is really difficult to get in or out,” she explained.

McCalman is of the strong opinion that another road should be identified by the relevant authorities for farmers to utilise.

“We are asking that the farmers use another entrance which is more to the east and the roads be fixed, so that residents can have access to their homes through there,” she posited.

She said although the matter has been raised at the level of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), the RDC and central

structure Minister David Patterson recently met with the residents.

However, during that meeting, it was explained that the sideline dam or old train line road is a farm-to-market road, and as such, falls under the Agriculture Ministry.

In an interview on Sunday, Minister Patterson told the Guyana Chronicle that the residents have been advised to submit a formal request to the Agriculture Ministry to have the road converted into a residential road.

He said only then the Public Infrastructure Ministry would be able to intervene.

Donnette D’Andrade complaining about the state of the road (Samuel Maughn photo)

Hope Town Land Coop Society Chairperson Renee McCalman (Samuel Maughn photo)

Government, all residents have received to date were promises.

“All we have been receiving are promises and promises and nothing else.”

Public Infra-

One of the many tractors that utilise the deplorable road in Catherina’s Lust, West Coast Berbice (Samuel Maughn photo)

It’s celebration time!

10

FOR Brazilians around the world, it is the season of Festa Junina, and Guyanese along with members of the diplomatic community last Saturday had a taste of the flavour and frolic of the gala celebration of the festival at the Brazil-Guyana Cultural Centre at 309 Church Street, Queenstown.

The event, the 20th to have been held in Georgetown, was hosted by the Brazilian Embassy in Georgetown.

Among the distinguished gathering were First Lady Sandra Granger; Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana, Lineu Pupo De Paula and spouse; U.S. Deputy Head of Mission Bryan Hunt; U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway; and Director of the Centro Cultural Brasil-Guiana, Marcio de Melo Teixeira.

The two-phase celebration began with a colourful party for children followed by one designated for adults.

The Brazilian June Festival is a traditional celebration of the farm-country lifestyle and features typical food, drinks, music and dancing.

At this time of the year, often extending into July in

First Lady Sandra Granger and Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana, Lineu Pupo De Paula, at the Brazilian Festa Junina held at the Guyana-Brazil Cultural Centre last Saturday evening

some parts of the country, folk in the city and in the country gather to make merry and enjoy the season’s treats.

As in Guyana during Mashramani, during Brazil’s June Festival, neighbourhoods, streets, schools and public buildings are decorated with flags, balloons and colourful buntings.

Hand-crafted bonfires and hot-air balloons also

add to the spectacular décor for the celebrations.

And last Saturday’s celebrations, it was not different. There were little children dressed as hillbillys, adorned in checkered shirts, straw hats and long boots, evoking the image of farmers who leave work on the land and head straight to the party to meet the ladies in plaits, hats and flowery dresses, colourfully and beautifully decorated.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 27, 2016

U.S. Deputy Head of Mission Bryan Hunt interacts with Brazilian Ambassador and wife, Mr and Mrs Lineu Pupo De Paula

Meanwhile, Brazilian dances were featured by dandily dressed boys and girls who agreeably regaled the spectators.

Mr Teixeira explained that the centre-stage music of the season is the traditional forro and a lot of this was played.

He also outlined that another main feature of the Festa Junina is the ‘Farm Wedding and Dance,’ Cassamento na Roca e Quadrilha, which is an enactment of a wedding ceremony, followed by a jolly dance with the wedding guests, and indeed that took centre stage at the performances

last evening.

And the director, commenting on the celebration of the farm-country lifestyle, said the crops form the latest harvest yield of delicious food – sweet and savoury, as well as a range of beverages and cocktails, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic.

The prized Brazil’s world-renowned Caipirinha made with lime, sugar and ice was readily available on this occasion. Caipirinha, he says, means “little hillbilly.” Also on display was a wide range of delicacies and sweet meats, all made Brazilian style.

The hillbilly or the country folk, he said, are the ones who actually take care of Brazil’s agriculture. They are very important people in Brazil because of their activities, their joy and their lifestyle.

Director Teixeira also said that the festival is a traditional celebration in Brazil and is one of the largest across the country.

It takes on different forms, since Brazil is very big, but in all five regions of Brazil, the June Festival is celebrated. The festival dates back to the era of Portuguese colonisation.

(Shirley Thomas)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 27, 2016

QUEENSTOWN VILLAGE

--and tales of the Comfa priests OCATED in the quiet but cheerful village of Queenstown, on the Essequibo Coast, the existence of St Bartholomew Anglican Church stretches back to the dark era of slavery, over a century ago.

Originally a coffee storage house, the building is believed to have first been constructed by slave labour in the 16th century, but following the abolition of slavery, was converted into a church by the White planter who had owned the plantation where it sat.

There is no record showing exactly when the building was consecrated a church, but some church elders believe that it happened around 1830. Unique in shape, the architecture was modified to

somewhat resemble the early ships that brought the slaves to the West Indies from the

Winston Christiani African coast after it was converted into a church. Though the building was renovated several times over the years,

its architecture was never changed.

According to church member Winston Christiani, 73, there have been several attempts to modify the building’s architecture, but most church members have rejected these proposals. Thus to this day, and for a long time to come -- if that time will ever come -– the building has retained the design of its construction at time of consecration.

The first church to be constructed in Queenstown, the building was named after St Bartholomew, one of the 12 disciples of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Bartholomew has been identified with Nathanael, who appears in the Gospel according to John as being introduced to

Christ by Philip (who would also become an apostle).

In the early days, the church was presided over by European priests, but as time went by, this culture changed and folks of African, Indian, and even Indigenous ancestry

were appointed as priests, once trained in Theology.

Queenstown residents worship at St Bartholomew Anglican Church every Sunday, and according to Christiani, Easter and Old Year’s Night services attract the

largest congregation.

A RELIGIOUS PEOPLE Queenstown residents are a religious people, and over

See Page 12

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 27, 2016

QUEENSTOWN ...

From page 11 the years, several Christian denominations established a presence in the village. Aside from the Anglicans, there are today Methodists, Presbyterians, Seven-Day Adventists and members of the Full Gospel Fellowship churches.

While the church is doing well, Christiani told the Guyana Chronicle, it has, in the past few years, lost some of its members to the Full Gospel Fellowship Church; and this is probably due to the way that church conducts its prayer services.

Services at the Full Gospel Fellowship Church are lively, with members singing and dancing, compared to the simple way services are conducted at the St Bartholomew Anglican Church.

Apart from the Christian churches, there is a Temple and a Masjid in Queenstown, the largest village in all of Guyana.

At the time of its founding in 1841, Queenstown, named after Queen Victoria, was a Black village; but today it has diversified, due mainly to interracial marriages, Christiani said.

All the sugar factories in the village have disappeared, and the lands used for planting sugarcane have now been given over to rice cultivation.

Queenstown has, from the days of slavery, remained an agriculture-based village, with residents engaged in cultivation of ground provision, coconut and cash crops.

Christiani related that in his days as a boy, practically every household had a farmer, with a vast majority of them planting cassava, which was used to make cassava bread. It used to be sold widely on the coast, until the arrival of wheaten flour. This caused the cassava bread business to decline, as villagers opted for wheaten flour, and eventually, many sought occupations other than farming. Some went into the bauxite and sugar industries, and learnt the mechanic trade, while others chose careers in teaching, the Police Force, and other public service disciplines.

Former Deputy Bank of Guyana Governor, Clarence Ellis, is a resident of Queenstown, Christiani told this publication.

LIFE HAS CHANGED Christiani said that, over the years, life in Queenstown has changed considerably. He pointed out that some of the old customs have died natural deaths and are hardly even spoken about today.

The church elder related that, growing up, his parents and grandparents had regaled him with stories of Moon Gazers, Mermaids and Baccoos, but he has never encountered any of those creatures. How-

The St Bartholomew Anglican Church at Queenstown, Essequibo Coast

Inside the St Bartholomew Anglican Church ever, Christini said, he knows matter, the ancestor spirt was of the Comfa drummers and contacted. If there was a wedComfa priests, who were ding, the spirit was contacted spiritualists with uncanny also, to have a presence at the abilities. ceremony so as to ensure all The Comfa priest and his goes well,” he said. close followers, Christini said, In those days, Christiani used to be consulted when said, there was no electricity a family was going through and people used to be very difficulties or when there was afraid of burial grounds; and a major occasion in the family. if someone were to say “I “The priest and his men, will send my grandfather on along with the person who you”, the hearer had valid consulted the priest, used to go reason to worry, because the to the burial ground of the per- person might go to consult the son’s father/mother or grandfa- Comfa priest to have him cast ther/ grandmother and invoke a spell on the hearer. them, asking for guidance to These things, the church overcome their troubles. From elder said, no longer exist what I was told, it used to be today; and young people in a frightening experience, but the village are not fearful of all the persons going to the the burial ground, as their burial ground were prepared grandparents were. for what was to come. I was “Today, some of them told that when the spirit was play on the tombs in the awakened, it groans and the burial ground; some gamble persons around would feel the on them; some smoke, and vibrations in the ground. some do other unholy things,” “The priest and his men, Christiani said.

I was told, would put to the And children today respirit the questions of the per- gard jumbie stories as jokes, sons seeking the invocation, “thanks to electricity, techand they spoke in ‘tongues’. nology and this enlightened If a family had a major court age”, he said.

The quiet but cheerful village of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 27, 2016

TOO MUCH STIGMA --attached to HIV at Charity, but youths still living risky lives

IN SPITE of the tremendous effort of the Ministry of Public Health, backed by non-governmental organisations and donor agencies, to fight the stigma of HIV/ AIDS, there is still work to be done, especially at Charity, Essequibo Coast.

This closely-knitted community with a population of over 6000 residents, the majority of whom are between 15 and 30 years old, practises a unique closeness among neighbours and community members, to the extent that most relationships are no secret, since everyone practically knows what everyone else is doing.

But members of the community are generally yet to become receptive to persons with the HIV, which means that anyone there with the virus has to keep it a very tightly guarded secret if they choose to remain in the community.

For this reason, persons who believe they have the virus seldom visit the Charity Hospital, preferring instead to go to the Suddie Public Hospital, even though they have to pay substantial transportation cost.

The Suddie Public Hospital is also the main treatment centre for the virus in Region Two, but testing and counselling are done at the Charity Hospital.

Patients who are tested positive are referred to the Suddie Public Hospital, and these cases have been few, Onecia Spellen, HIV Councillor/Tester at the Charity Hospital, told the Guyana

Chronicle. Spellen has been stationed at Charity Hospital for the past seven years, and works to prevent motherto-child transmission of the virus. Most of the cases to which she has been assigned were successful, as the patients took their treatment seriously.

These she counts as part of her achievements, pointing out to this publication that persons with the virus are usually in denial that they have the virus, and would keep the information to themselves. This might be due to the stigma the community and some family members attach to the virus, Spellen said, but she noted that patients with the virus have to find some close person to whom they can talk, and who can support them.

GIVE SUPPORT “Bottling up the feeling and experience will not help their cause; it will only add to the stress they are going through, and make matters worse for them. It is important that the family be supportive to a member who got the virus. You cannot change it as long as it happened, so it is very important that you give the infected person as much support as you can, so that he/she can at least feel some level of comfort.

“These people want someone to talk to, and the family should be a strong supporting unit. And secondly, persons tested positively with the virus have to accept that they have the virus, endeavour to live responsibly,

reckless youths to change their risky behaviours.

HIV Councillor/Tester Onecia Spellen and should take counselling “I have been counseland their treatment seriously. ling them, but the number At the Suddie Hospital it is is worrying. The story they done for free,” the HIV Coun- tell me is (a cause for) worry. cillor said.

Many of them have multiple She related that the few sex partners, and they have cases she has diagnosed at unprotected sex; and what is

the Charity Hospital have been young people who are living very reckless lives.

Many young people who are sexually active, Spellen said, do not come forward to be tested, and a great lot who have come in to be tested have been having unprotected sex with multiple partners.

worse is that many of them are in a competition to see who can sleep with the most persons. This often happens when they go on drinking sprees,” Spellen said.

The stigma the community attaches to the virus, she said, appears to do little, if anything, to influence the

THE PERCEPTION In fact, she said, the stigma is so great that persons, who come to her to be tested have to be very careful how they react when their results show negative.

“Some jump for joy, some scream, some would throw themselves on the floor, some try to hug me. I recall one of them kissed me and ran through the door. But while all this was happening, there is a crowd outside the office, anxious to know what is going one with the noise. Most of them believe that the person celebrating the negative result has been diagnosed as positive and finds it unpalatable to bear the results.

“And as soon as he exits the door, all attention is focused on him, and the general conclusion from those outside is that he has the virus.

The people who see him tell their neighbours and friends, and a whole lot of people begin to look at the man with suspicion; but the truth is that the man was tested negative,” she explained.

Those who are tested positive, she said, are often in a state of shock and denial, and she would usually have to tell them that she would turn up at their homes if they do not seek treatment and take their condition seriously.

“When they hear this, (it) is like if they see death coming. By the way, the people in the community do no call me

the HIV Councillor/Tester, they call me the AIDS girl; and if the AIDS girl turns up at your house, it means somebody in the house got AIDS. That has become a big issue of discussion in the neighbourhood, and there are all sorts of speculation (about) who in the house is likely to have the virus.

“It is a terrible thing, so when I tell them I would visit them, they don’t hesitate to take their treatment.

But I have to tell them this to ensure that they do take their treatment,” Spellen related.

She told the Guyana Chronicle that all this drama could be avoided if persons live responsible lives; and on that note, she appealed to the young people throughout Guyana, and especially at Charity, to live responsibly and protect themselves against the virus.

The Essequibo Coast has a population of some 46,000 persons. In 2015, only 1,773 persons were tested, of which 13 (seven females) of them were found to be HIV positive.

Recently, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported that 1,035 new HIV cases have been recorded in Guyana during the past six years; and an average of 85 per cent of all infected persons are on the Government-run treatment programme.

Guyana recorded its first AIDS case in 1987, and has since made significant strides in containing the virus.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 27, 2016

SEEING OPPORTUNITIES IN CHALLENGES

THE slowdown in business on the Essequibo Coast has left many fuming and fretting, but 10 women who formed themselves into a group called “WDs Dairies” have seen a great opportunity amidst the challenge.

The women, are stallholders, have realised that quitting business would not be their best option; and after much brainstorming, have decided that involvement in milk might be the trick to keep them in business.

--Charity women stallholders turn to milk to stay in business

Eva Adams is happy to complete her work, so that she can return to her stall in the mall

Most of the women were previously involved in vending clothes, which has, in the past year, seen a considerable drop in sales at Charity. They have since decided that while the average consumer might not be able to purchase the shirt or dress that becomes fashion, that consumer has to eat every day, and needs nutritious foods to nurture the body.

Mignon Alphonso pours the shake into a bottle. The preparation was done at the WDs Mall at Charity, Essequibo Coast Thus the women of WDs Diaries came up with the idea to purchase 10 gallons of milk every week and use their expertise to produce milk shakes from it.

The shakes come in four flavours: Strawberry, Peanut Punch, Whole Milk and Chocolate; and with a smooth, delicious taste, consumers regularly drain the bottles of their dregs in an effort to get every drop.

In fact, the women can rightly claim credit for demonstrating that some good can be retrieved from a bad situation. The milk shakes, which are well labelled, are bottled in discarded Gensing and Carib beer bottles after those had been thoroughly sterilised.

“Instead of buying a Gensing or Carib beer, which is an investment that would get you drunk and expose you to all sorts of danger, buy a milk shake. It will nourish your body; and at only $160 per bottle, it is far cheaper and better than any beer on the market,” one of the women, who asked that her name not be mentioned, told the Guyana Chronicle.

From the 10 gallons of milk, the women produce 150 bottles of shakes, utilising homemade techniques to pasteurise the milk, with the aid of a quality control officer. The whole process from pasteurisation of the milk to bottling and labelling takes about two hours, Eva Adams, another member of the group, said.

PROGRESSIVE The women’s group started the business about four weeks ago, and have since pooled their resources and purchased a small pasteurisation plant. Imported, the plant is expected to arrive in Guyana before Friday of this week; and following its setup, the women will increase production.

The plant has the capacity to pasteurise six gallons of milk per hour, and the group intends to expand production to 30 gallons of milk per week.

“Already, we have a ready market. The milk is sold in the WDs Mall and shops at Charity, and the response from consumers has been excellent. We will soon target the schools on the Essequibo Coast, but right now there is a great demand to produce more; but because we are doing the pasteurisation manually and operating a turn system with members of the group, our capacity to meet the demand out there is limited. But with the plant at our disposal, we will definitely increase production,” said Mignon Alphonso, who owns a boutique in the WDs Mall at Charity, Essequibo Coast.

Adams said that aside from the milk shakes, the group is looking to produce yogurts, cheese, ice-cream and other milk products, as there is a market for these products at Charity and the Essequibo Coast.

She said that if the business grows, the group would most likely establish a company and purchase a bigger pasteurisation plant to meet market demands.

For now, the women are taking things in small strides, and are consolidating their gains in order to be in a position to build and expand their business.

“Our hope is that this business will grow from strength to strength, and we will be able to expand to greater things; have more members; and be able to empower women through the creation of jobs. The Essequibo Coast is our target for now, but we also have our sight set outside the region. For the time being, we are taking it one step at a time,” said Adams, who also operates an ice-cream shop at the WDs Mall.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 27, 2016

CHARITY SECONDARY IN CRISIS --students affected by illnesses reportedly due to poor sanitary conditions

WITH a growing student population, the Charity Secondary School is beset with a host of problems, all of which cannot be addressed immediately; but the poor washroom facilities, a major health threat, requires urgent attention.

On a recent visit to the school, the Guyana Chronicle observed that of the six washrooms that cater to the school’s more than 800 students, all are in a rundown state, and only five are working. A thick orange-coloured water stain is evident all over the toilets, which are slippery and emit a very pungent spell.

The two washrooms which the teachers use also have problems, and water has to be fetched to flush them after use.

NEGLECT Over at the Charity dormitory, a short distance away, the boys’ bathroom is also in a poor state. A pipe in the bathroom has been broken for some time, thus the floor in the area is perpetually flooded, and children have to be careful how they walk, to avoid a slide and violent fall on the tiled floor.

Discoloured by thick water stain, the entire area resembles a holding area for hardened criminals rather than a place for hinterland students pursuing a secondary education.

One of the dorm mothers told this publication that during the recent El Nino dry weather period, the water tanks supplying the boys’ bathrooms hardly had water, and even though their early replenishment was requested of the region, this took days to happen.

The water in the tanks eventually ran out, and all the boys in the dorms were forced to bathe in a nearby canal.

The laundry area at the girls’ section is in a more horrible state than what obtains at the boys’ section.

From the look of things, it appears that these facilities have been in a state of neglect for a long time, and

little or no attention has been paid to get them fixed, even while the children continue to suffer.

President of the Charity Secondary School Parent-Teachers Association, Deleep Singh, said he is very frustrated with the situation at hand, and has tried to get an audience with Regional Executive Officer Rupert Hopkinson, but to no avail.

Mr Hopkinson told this newspaper that he is aware of the problem at the Charity Secondary School, but is unaware of any effort by Mr Singh to contact him for a discussion to address the problem at the school.

He said the washrooms at the school will be relocated to an area where there is better access to water, but he could not say when these works will begin.

The REO appears unaware of the issues at the student dorms nearby, but said all issues affecting the school will be addressed.

He pointed out that the region has only one plumber, but he has contracted the services of another to speed up the work.

T h e P TA P r e s i d e n t was, however, not too impressed by the REO’s comments. He contends that while he is happy to hear that issues affecting the school will be addressed, no timeline was given to do so. And the situation continues to worsen.

“So far, for this year, from the reports I have gotten, close to 200 students had to get treatment at the Charity Hospital for diarrhoea and typhoid. Of this number, a large number of girls had yeast infection.

This problem is pushing us to the tipping point; we have exercised patience, but it is running out. We would like the REO to treat these matters with due attention.

“I listen to the President (David Granger) and I deeply admire his vision for education, but he (President Granger) will be appalled if he knows what is happening here,” Mr. Singh said.

One of the out-of-order washrooms at the Charity Secondary School

The flooded bathroom area in the boys’ section of the dormitory

The laundry room in the girls’ dormitory

COMPLAINTS OF SICKNESS It does not appear that all the illnesses identified by the PTA President are mainly due to the unsanitary state of the school’s washrooms; the dorm mothers have told this publication that students there have also been affected by various illnesses. According to them, thus far for the year, about 50 students were affected by typhoid, diarrhoea and dengue fever.

At the time this newspaper visited the dorms, the compound was covered in thick vegetation, and the Guyana Chronicle was told that the region will be filling the compound to prevent flooding during the rainy season.

Because of the conditions at the dorms, Mr Singh said, parents have communicated to him their intention to take their children out of that facility, but he has urged them not to do so, as the school term is nearing an end. But, he said, this would not continue for long if the situation continues or does not improve.

OTHER PROBLEMS Aside from these issues, the PTA President said, the school is faced with several other problems which require urgent attention. He pointed out that the school has failed the basic guidelines of what an environment conducive to learning should be.

“There is no staffroom for teachers. Their staffroom is now a classroom. Classrooms are congested, (and) it is difficult for teachers to conduct classes as the noise levels are very high, putting the teachers under undue stress to communicate with their students, and for the students to hear what they are saying. And the classrooms are very hot, making it very difficult for the students to concentrate.”

T h e s e i s s u e s , M r.

Singh said, will have to be See page 16

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 27, 2016

PERSONALITY PROFILE

A YOUNG WOMAN OF EXCELLENCE

DR. SHANEER REID of Henrietta, Essequibo Coast, is a young woman of excellence. A former student of the Anna Regina Multilateral, this 27-year-old excelled at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, gaining eight grade one and two grade two passes.

She thereafter decided

to pursue a career in medicine, and, in 2005, she applied and won a Government of Guyana-Government of Cuba scholarship to study medicine in Cuba.

Successfully completing the programme in 2012, she began practising medicine at age 24.

With just over three years of practice to her credit, Dr Reid has already

Dr. Shaneer Reid

done stints at the New Amsterdam and Lethem Regional hospitals, besides working at a number of health centres throughout the Essequibo Coast.

Currently stationed at the Charity Public Hospital, this belle has her sights set on becoming a paediatrician.

“I have a passion for children; and generally, in Guyana, there are not many paediatricians, and certainly on the Essequibo Coast there is a need for these doctors. I am more than happy to help fill this gap,” she told the Guyana Chronicle with a flooding smile.

On a daily basis, Dr Reid treats hypertensive and diabetic patients, and those with respiratory tract infections and malaria, among other illnesses. She also spends time educating these patients about the illnesses from which they are

suffering, and what they can do to be healthy.

When not so engaged, her time is occupied in some administrative work.

This young doctor sees her job as a challenge, but says she gets a sense of satisfaction in meeting people and helping them to stay healthy.

The elder of two children born to retired headmaster Leon Reid and housewife Sandra Reid, Dr Reid told this publication that when she is not at work, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

Dr Reid is a very upbeat person. She is lively in character and has all the qualities of a great leader in the making.

“We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are,” she told the Guyana Chronicle.

Her sister, Sheleza, a civil engineer, has also done her family proud.

CHARITY SECOND...

From page 15

addressed if the school is to return to a state where it is conducive to learning.

The Charity Secondary School was originally two buildings housing the offices of a construction firm. The buildings were renovated and converted into a secondary school in January 1990.

At the time, the school had a student population of just over 100; but, over the years, this number increased rapidly, and in early 2000, the former administration built a dorm in the school’s compound.

But with an ever-growing student population, a

new dorm was constructed behind the Charity Primary School and the one in the school’s compound was converted into a classroom.

Next year, the school’s student population is expected to reach 1000, and the PTA President is urging the Government to consider building a new state-of-the-art school with the capacity to accommodate 1500 students on the two-acre state land south of the student dorms.

The buildings and land on which the school currently sits can be used for agriculture science projects and practical work for other technical and vocational disciplines, he opined.

The canal next to the dormitory where the boys were forced to bathe after the water supply in their bathroom had been exhausted

KABAKABURI MISSION --and other miscellaneous facts

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 27, 2016

By Mohamed Khan

LEGEND has it that a “Dutch punt� with gold sank at Kabakaburi Mission, sixteen miles up the Pomeroon River, and had its fifty-metre metal chain tied to a huge silk cotton tree which today is still alive.

The huge metal links of the chain were reportedly noticeable up to the mid-1940s.

In 1948, the bi-monthly cargo steamer MV Pomeroon was said to have been directed to pull up the submerged Dutch punt, but the steamer tilted dangerously and the effort was aborted, although the winch had brought up two huge pieces of pitch pine wood.

The Kabakaburi mission was consecrated in 1872. A bronze bell at Kabakaburi with the inscription of the first Amerindian convert to Christianity is still visible.

MISCELLANEOUS FACTS The Pomeroon River was first inhabited by the Cariwanna tribes, which left many historical landmarks, one of which is the largest shell mound in Guyana. It is located at Siriki in the Upper Pomeroon.

The St Louis Church was built at Siriki in 1896.

With the exception of a brief Spanish occupation,

the Pomeroon River was occupied by the Dutch in 1620, and cotton was cultivated there. Remnants of a Dutch hospital at Siriki and a huge bronze bell are still there for all to see.

The Dutch-constructed Fort Zeelandia is located in the back lands of Plantation Panama and Caledonia, in the Lower Pomeroon.

Unlike Kyk-Over-Al, Fort Island and Fort Nassau in the Berbice River, which were built with baked bricks and cement, Fort Zeelandia was built with pitch pine materials. The forest was full of those trees at that time, but they have all disappeared because of logging.

There are several Amerindian communities located in the Pomeroon River. There is also the largest contingent of Portuguese dwellers living there, apart from those living in the capital city of Georgetown.

Portuguese pioneers came to the Pomeroon in 1837 and reoccupied the abandoned Dutch cotton fields, rehabilitated the existing canals, and began cultivating coconuts and ground provisions to subside the remaining sugar estates in the Essequibo.

Labour on the Pomeroon estates was provided by free slaves, Amerindians, and later Indentured Indian workers who, in three groups, migrat-

Monday, June 27, 2016 - 10:00 hrs Tuesday, June 28, 2016 - 10:30 hrs Wednesday, June 29, 2016 - 12:00 hrs

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ed from the coastland to the Upper Pomeroon between 1910 and 1940.

The Greenheart trees, which provide straight grain wood, and the Kabakali trees, which can withstand all kinds of weather, are peculiarities of the Pomeroon River forest.

Region One, Barima Waini, is famous for the Purpleheart tree. Its forests are inhabited by three species of wild hogs and two species of deer, besides tapir, jaguars, labbas, agoutis, land turtles and many venomous snakes.

T h e P o m e ro o n r i v er comprises 150 miles of smooth black water.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 27, 2016

‘Lone Soldier’ Geron Williams is ‘King’ ...

From back page first lap of the 30-lap circuit by breaking away with seven other riders that included four from Team Coco’s and three from Team Evolution.

They stayed together and shared the lead with either a team Coco’s member or a Team Evolution member pacing.

However, after three laps of the circuit was com-

pleted, Team Coco’s Jamal John and Stephano Husbands, along with Williams broke from the others and immediately opened a 45 seconds lead on the others and they maintained that lead for another nine laps even though Shaquille Agard had parted ways with the peloton three laps earlier.

After 12 laps, John and Williams held a mere 19 seconds lead over last year’s winner Hamza Eastman who had earlier chased Agard and overtook him to set himself in the third position.

Raynauth Jeffrey, the eventual second place finisher then attacked relentlessly and forged to the front of Williams and John, who eventually dropped out and his place taken by Stephano Husbands, the eventual third place finisher.

Thereafter, four of Jeffrey’s team Coco’s team mates as well as three from Team Evolution joined him (Jeffrey) and Williams.

The eight cyclists stuck together for another four laps before Jeffrey and Williams broke away and shared the lead for the remainder of the race.

With two laps remaining, Jeffrey tried in vain to shake off Williams who refused to be shaken off as he (Williams) stayed on Jeffrey’s back wheel.

With just approximately 300 metres remaining, Jeffrey `upped’ and Williams stayed on his (Jeffrey) back wheel until there was approximately 150 metres remaining and Director of Sport Christopher Jones started to wave the checquered flag signaling the finish line that Williams decided that it was time to forge ahead and this he did in fine style, leaving Jeffrey to struggle lengths behind while raising his hands in jubilation even before crossing the finish line.

After the dust was settled and the large crowd started celebrating, Williams told Chronicle Sport he is elated with reclaiming the championship title as this will give him bragging rights for the next 12 months.

“This is the best race of my life” Williams stated, adding “I’ve been training for this race for quite some time now and I’ve reaped my rewards.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 27, 2016

Germany cruise into last eight with 3-0 Slovakia win

By Philip O’Connor LILLE, France, (Reuters)-Germany thumped Slovakia 3-0 with goals from Jerome Boateng, Mario Gomez and Julian Draxler to cruise into the Euro 2016 quarter-finals on Sunday and confirm their status as tournament favourites with a sparkling performance.

Central defender Boateng, who had been passed fit after an injury, connected perfectly with a clearance in the eighth minute to volley home from 25 metres for his first international goal as the world champions took control from the start.

The Germans, who next face either holders Spain or Italy, saw Mesut Ozil’s weak 13th minute penalty saved but Gomez made no mistake two minutes from halftime when he tapped home a perfect cut back from the marauding Julian Draxler.

Draxler, coming into the starting lineup for the lacklustre Mario Goetze, was then left with far too much space at the far post to volley in their third just past the hour as the Germans kept a fourth straight clean sheet at the finals.

Comfortable with either foot, the winger utilised his speed and intelligence to good effect, helping his side pin the Slovaks in their own

half for much of the opening period.

DEFLECTED VOLLEY Boateng opened the scoring with a deflected volley following a corner and ran to celebrate with team doctor Hans-Wil-

es in an otherwise superb Germany performance.

Slovakia may have got the better of the Germans in a pre-Euro 2016 friendly but, apart from a few forays forward, they were all at sea.

Five minutes before halftime Juraj Kucka

home from close range to make it 2-0.

Slovakia were marginally better in the second half but when the excellent Draxler hooked a volley into the top corner in the 63rd minute there was no way back.

Draxler and Boateng

Thurman retains WBA welterweight title KEITH Thurman retained his WBA welterweight title with a unanimous decision win over Shawn Porter on Saturday night.

Much to the disappointment of the Barclays Center crowd, all three judges scored the fight 115-113 in favour of Thurman.

Thurman defended his title and improved to 27-0, while Porter is now 26-2-1 but may yet get a rematch.

“I’d give him a rematch. It was a great fight. He

Keith Thurman (left) was greeted by boos after defending his WBA welterweight title against Shawn Porter.

Defender Jerome Boateng celebrates giving Germany the lead after just seven minutes against Slovakia in the last-16 clash in Lille. (Reuters photo) helm Mueller-Wohlfahrt, who helped him recover from a muscle injury sustained in their last group game with Northern Ireland.

Ozil’s weak penalty, well saved by Matus Kozacik, was one of the few blemish-

forced a flying save from Germany captain Manuel Neuer as he sent Peter Pekarik’s cross toward the top corner.

Germany hit back immediately, Draxler turning Kucka inside out before squaring for Gomez to stab the ball

were replaced by Lukas Podolski and Benedikt Hoewedes nine minutes later as the game took on the air of a friendly with Germany’s place in the last eight against Spain or Italy already booked.

France come from behind to beat ten-man Ireland ANTOINE Griezmann struck twice as France came from behind to beat Ireland 2-1 and make the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.

The match in Lyon was barely a minute old when Irish forward Shane Long was brought down in the penalty box by Paul Pogba, with Robbie Brady stepping up to smash home via the post and give Ireland a surprise lead.

But hopes of a victory were dashed in four second-half minutes as Griezmann first headed home from a Bacary Sagna delivery, then smashed a shot low into the bottom right corner after Olivier Giroud played him into space.

Griezmann was at the heart of things again as he was brought down

France’s Antoine Griezmann celebrates after the game Reuters/Robert PrattaLivepic just outside the box when through on goal, Shane Duffy’s mis-timed chal-

lenge earning him a red card.

France had plenty of chances to put the game beyond doubt with a killer third as Irish legs tired. But a combination of wasteful finishing and inspired keeping from Darren Randolph gave the scoreline a deserved respectability for Irish efforts.

The hosts now go on to face either England or Iceland in the last eight – while Ireland will return home after a fine campaign, but with hopes of revenge dashed: a victory would have been the perfect way for them to exorcise the demon of Thierry Henry’s famous 2009 handball assist which probably denied Ireland a spot in the 2010 World Cup. (Eurosport)

was a great opponent,” Thurman said during an inring interview.

The Americans went at each other from the outset and they landed decent blows during the opening four rounds.

The entertaining and close fight could have gone either way, but it was Thurman who retained to heavy boos.

Asked if he felt he won the bout, Porter replied: “I do. I do, but I’m satisfied because the competitor [in Thurman] came out tonight.”

He added: “At the end of the day, I’m blessed to have these fans right now. We worked hard. He’s a great champion.”(Omnisport).

Third ODI abandoned due to rain

THE weather had the final say in Bristol yesterday as the third one-day international between England and Sri Lanka was abandoned due to rain.

England came into the clash holding a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, following a thrilling tie in the opener and a crushing 10-wicket success at Edgbaston on Friday.

The home side looked in a good position to make it 2-0 after restricting the tourists to 248-9 from their 50 overs - what looked to be a below-par score on a good surface.

But just four overs of England’s reply were possible as the rain arrived, with play called off at around 5.30pm local time.

Alex Hales had made a scintillating unbeaten 133 in Friday’s win, but he was out for a golden duck here as England reached 16-1 before the heavens opened.

Earlier in the piece, half centuries from Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis and captain Angelo Mathews had boosted Sri Lanka’s total, with Chris Woakes (3-34) and Liam Plunkett (3-46) impressing with the ball.

The fourth match of the series takes place at The Oval on Wednesday.(Omnisport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 27, 2016

Belgium to face Wales after Hazard-inspired victory EDEN Hazard scored a dazzling solo goal as Belgium defeated Hungary to book a Euro 2016 last-eight tie against Wales.

The Chelsea winger was outstanding in Toulouse and capped off a good Belgium display when he cut in from the left, beat two players and fired in low.

Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld headed Belgium ahead and Michu Batshuayi made it 2-0 when he tapped

in.

Hazard then scored his superb goal in the 80th minute before Yannick Carrasco fired in the fourth in stoppage time.

Belgium and Wales will meet in Lille on Friday.

They underwhelmed at the 2014 World Cup, but the most promising Belgium squad since Guy Thys’ 1980 runners-up suggested they could be set to fulfil their potential on the big stage.

At times, they made hard

work of it against the Magyars, but they did create 25 efforts on goal.

Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne had seven of those, including a brilliant first-half free-kick that was tipped over by 40-year-old Gabor Kiraly. The 24-yearold also provided two of the four assists.

Both he and Hazard were the most potent weapons, with Everton striker Romelu Lukaku failing to marry will-

Eden Hazard

ingness with goal threat.

It was Spurs defender Alderweireld who gave the Belgians a 10th-minute lead when he headed in De Bruyne’s free-kick from the left.

After soaking up Hungarian pressure, they finally scored a second when Batshuayi slotted in Hazard’s square ball, only two minutes after coming on.

Hazard made it 3-0 with the goal of the game. Bel-

gium broke from the Hungary area, De Bruyne played a pass to the feet of Hazard who dived in from the left, eased past two challenges before slotting into the keeper’s bottom left.

By this point, Hungary had given up the fight and were handed a knockout blow when Atletico Madrid’s Carrasco, on as a substitute, slammed in from a Radja Nainggolan through ball.(BBC Sport)

Bartica teachers complete foundation Bacca goal secures third place for Colombia cricket coaching course TEACHERS from fifteen primary and secondary schools in Bartica, Region 7 recently completed a threeday foundation cricket coaching course, compliments of the Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport in partnership with the National Sports Commission.

The workshop which was held on June 14, 15 and 16 at the Bartica Community Centre, attracted 17 teachers.

The course was conducted by experienced cricket coaches, Latchman Yadram and Daniel Richmond.

According to Yadram, the course sought to give the teachers a foundation in the sport, as they were exposed to both theory and practical.

At the end of it all, these teachers will be in charge of their school team,” Yadram stated.

Coaches Latchman Yadram (left) and Daniel Richmond (right) with participants at the completion of the three-day foundation cricket coaching course.

One of the teachers, Amanda Grant, from the Agatash Primary School, said the course was very timely

and informative.

Yadram indicated that there are plans to expand to other areas in the country

with the aim of ensuring each school is equipped with a certified cricket coach.

COLOMBIA recorded their best performance at the Copa America since they won South America’s premier tournament in 2001.

They ended their Copa America Centenario campaign on a high after seeing off hosts the United States 1-0 in Saturday’s third-place play-off.

Following unsuccessful semi-final fixtures, Carlos Bacca scored the only goal of the match in the 31st minute in Arizona as Colombia recorded their best performance at the Copa America since they won South America’s premier tournament in 2001.

Bacca netted his 13th international goal after scrambling the ball into the net from close range following a stunning throughball from captain James Rodriguez in a rematch of the Centenario curtain-raiser, which Jose Pekerman and Co. won 2-0 earlier this month.

USA did have their chances, with Bobby Wood going close and Clint Dempsey’s set-piece forcing Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina into a fine save.

Both teams finished the clash with 10 men, following late red cards to Michael Orozco and Santiago Arias.

Jurgen Klinsmann made six changes in the wake of the 4-0 drubbing to Argentina, a couple enforced as John Brooks and Fabian Johnson succumbed to injuries with Matt Besler and Orozco their replacements. Jermaine Jones, Bobby Wood and Alejandro Bedoya returned from suspension at the expense of Graham Zusi, Chris Wondolowski and Kyle Beckerman, while veteran keeper Tim Howard made his first appearance of the tournament.

Joshua overpowers Breazeale to retain IBF title

… Breazeale floored twice in seventh round LONDON, (Reuters) Britain’s Anthony Joshua put on a devastating display to retain his IBF heavyweight crown with a seventh round knockout of American Dominic Breazeale at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday.

Unbeaten Joshua dominated from the start but the 30-year-old Breazeale proved a courageous opponent, absorbing some thunderous blows throughout from the 2012 Olympic super-heavyweight champion before succumbing to Joshua’s power.

There were signs that Joshua was beginning to get frustrated in the sixth round

of his first title defence but he began the seventh with a tremendous barrage of blows that sent his opponent to the canvas.

Breazeale, also unbeaten prior to the bout, managed to continue but was floored again by a left and the referee waved an end to the contest without counting.

Joshua took his record to 17-0, all by knockout or stoppage, and his classy display offered more evidence to support the belief that the muscular 26-year-old could eventually unify the division.

“When you start catching them flush, you know they

can feel the shots, and so he was tough,” Joshua, who won the title by beating Charles Martin in his previous fight, told reporters.

“But this has been tough for me, as two weeks after my last fight I was straight back into the ring. So now I look forward to getting my break. I need some time off.”

EXCHANGED WORDS Joshua wobbled Breazeale in the second round with a right hook and again with a stinging shot to the body.

A cut and opened up above Breazeale’s swollen eye in the third but the

The Anthony Joshua juggernaut rolled on after seeing off the spirited challenge of Dominic Breazeale in London on Saturday.

American was still throwing punches, even if few of them found their target.

Joshua dominated the fourth round, although Breazeale did connect with a straight right to the top of the champion’s head in the fifth, exchanging words with the Briton at the bell.

Breazeale drew blood from Joshua’s nose in the sixth and ended the round on the front foot but the Briton nailed him in the seventh.

“I’m making waves in the U.S. now and one day I’m sure (WBC holder) Deontay Wilder and I will get to experience what each other are all about,” Joshua, who wore white in memory of heavyweight great Muhammad Ali, said.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 27, 2016

Game-changing week looms for ICC THE future of international cricket could be transformed this week, as the most significant ICC annual conference in recent years gets underway in Edinburgh today.

Delegates from more than 50 cricket nations will arrive in Scotland for six days of talks, with topics to be covered including a revamping of the world Test championship, changes to one-day international cricket, the use of technology and changes to the scheduling of World T20 tournaments.

Here are four of the hot topics which will be covered over the next six days: A two-tier Test system A revamp of Test cricket could see the top seven Test nations competing in division one for the title of world Test champion.

The second tier would be expanded to five teams (with inclusion in that division earned by the best performed associate nations) with promotion and relegation opportunities being decided across the concept’s two-year playing cycle.

It could be played over two or four years, with a final to possibly be held at Lord’s.

Test series could still be scheduled outside of mandatory league fixtures, meaning the Ashes would still be possible should England and Australia end up in different divisions.

A major revamp for oneday cricket One-day international

2019, each of the 13 teams would play a three-match series, either home or away, against every other country over a three-year period.

At the end of the championship, the top two teams could play off in a final.

Should the proposal go ahead, it could see Australia

side could be determined by the outcome of the 201517 World Cricket League Championship - the second tier of one-day cricket – a competition currently led by the Netherlands, while other teams include Scotland, Nepal, Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea.

month, including key changes to the decision review system.

They are recommending the benefit of the doubt given to the batsman be reduced by half.

Currently, 50 per cent of the ball has to be striking the stumps for a batsman to be given out lbw and overturn a

cricket could be completely revamped under a proposal from the ICC, which would see a new league of 13 teams introduced to give greater context and relevance to 50over contests.

Under the proposal, which could begin as soon as

play more regular matches against associate nations including Afghanistan and Ireland.

The current ICC oneday rankings table features 12 teams – the 10 full member nations plus Ireland and Afghanistan. The 13th

The league would also be used to determine qualification for the World Cup, as well as the seedings of teams.

The team finishing on the bottom of the table could also face relegation to the WCLC. Changes to playing regulations, including DRS The ICC cricket committee have put forward a number of proposals from their meeting at Lord’s earlier this

not-out verdict by the on-field umpire.

Under the new rules, only 25 per cent of the ball would need to be hitting the stump for a decision to be overturned.

Research conducted by the ICC has shown that by changing it to 25 per cent, 80 per cent more batsmen would be given out on review.

It was an issue that raised

‘Pressure? What pressure?,’ asks Williams at Wimbledon (REUTERS)-Serena Williams gave little away yesterday as she assessed her chances of retaining her Wimbledon title -- and dismissed suggestions that she is under any pressure.

The 34-year-old American has not struck a ball competitively since losing to Spain’s Garbine Muguruza in the French Open final on June 4 - a defeat that frustrated her hopes of matching Steffi Graf’s professional era record of 22 grand slam titles.

Considering she also fell at the final hurdle in Australia against Angelique Kerber and went out of the U.S. Open semi-finals last year when two wins away from a calendar grand slam, Williams would be forgiven for feeling a little edgy.

But she was hiding any tension well to the world’s media on the eve of the tournament.

“I don’t feel any pressure. I feel good and confident,” she said at the All England Club where she has won six singles titles, one more than her older sister Venus.

Williams never feels the need to play grasscourt warm-up tournaments, preferring instead to hit on the hardcourts back home before arriving in the week before the tournament. It is a tried and tested formula.

“I got here, I think, on Monday. So I’ve had a lot

SERENA WILLIAMS of time on the grass. I did the same preparation, and it seems to work,” said Williams, who starts her campaign on Tuesday against 148th ranked Swiss qualifier Amra Sadikovic.

Asked if she has found out anything about Sadikovic, she said: “Not yet.

But normally, my coach obviously does a lot of research, or the most that he can, then we go from there.

“Honestly, it doesn’t matter who I play. It doesn’t matter to me.”

While her approach is nonchalant, there are some who feel Williams’ struggle to match Graf’s record is playing on her mind.

“It’s not easy to try to do what she’s doing, to make history at this stage,” threetimes Wimbledon champion John McEnroe said in the build-up.

Another former champion Chris Evert reckons Williams is still the favourite but says other players are seeing a chink in her armour as she gets older.

“In the last few years, she’s been good enough at 60 percent to 70 percent to win matches,” said the American, who will be commentating for the ESPN network along with McEnroe.

“Now I don’t think it’s going to win matches for her. The competition has gotten better. They’re less intimidated by her. They know she’s human. They’ve seen a couple of bad losses.”

its head again at Lord’s earlier this month, when Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara vented his frustration after England batsman Jonny Bairstow survived a review by the narrowest of margins in the third Test.

Extra World Twenty20 tournaments The popularity of the recent World T20 tournament in India is likely to result in the ICC continuing to hold the event every two years, as opposed to the scheduled four.

Australia is set to host the next World T20 event in 2020, however the ICC is considering extra tournaments in 2018 and 2022, continuing the recent biennial trend.

The locations and dates for the additional tournaments are yet to be determined, but South Africa, the West Indies and the United Arab Emirates are thought to be in the running.

Such a move would also mean the ICC continue hosting a global cricket tournament each year, with the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2019 World Cup – both 50over showpiece events – to each be staged in England.

T h e 2 0 1 8 w o m e n ’s World T20 is already set to be hosted in the Caribbean, and the 2022 tournament in South Africa.

Thompson claims men’s 100m title TRINIDAD and Tobago sprinter Richard Thompson claimed the men’s 100m title at Saturday’s National Association for

Rondell Sorrillo who clocked 9.99, while dethroned national champions Keston Bledman was third in 10.10. Emmanuel Callender finished in fourth place and just outside the Olympic places in 10.19.

In the women’s equivalent Michelle Lee-Ahye turned the table on Kelly-Ann Baptiste. Lee-Ahye clocked 11 seconds flat to claim the title, with Kelly-Ann Baptiste and Semoy Hackett, who

were given the same time of 11.07, nipping at her heels.

Eighteen-year-old Khalifa St Fort set a new national record after finishing fourth in 11.16.

Mikel Thomas successfully defended his men’s 110m hurdles title, clocking a time of 13.67 in a negative 1.0 wind, to beat Ruebin Walters of to the line in 13.70. Third was Aarmis Massenburg in 13.88.

(Sportsmax.com)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday June 27, 2016) TT sprinter Richard Thompson Athletic Administrations (NAAA) National Sagicor Senior Championships.

Returning to his best after an injury plagued year, Thompson clocked 9.97s to claim the sprint crown in a blanket finish.

In second spot was

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

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Johnson Charles, Darren Bravo & Dinesh Ramdin (2) WI vs NZ, 1985

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who was declared ‘Player of the Match’ in the first game of the just-concluded Tri-Nations series?

(2) How many fours and sixes Marlon Samuels struck in his innings of 125 against Australia in Match #8 of the Tri-Nations series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 27, 2016

Guyana Amazon Warriors off to hunt CPL glory - We will go out there and work hard and make our home fans proud, says Harper

By Rajiv Bisnauth WITH the aim of going one step further and win the title, the Guyana Amazon Warriors departed for St Kitts and Nevis yesterday to begin their campaign in the fourth edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The Warriors, minus skipper Martin Guptill and leg-spinner Adam Zampa, looked a relaxed bunch as they departed the Eugene F. Correia International Airport.

Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, who is dubbed a “free agent” also departed with the Warriors line-up.

However, due to Bishoo being a centrally contracted West Indies Cricket Board(WICB) player, he could only be chosen as a replacement, but not as a frontline selection.

Bishoo could only be called upon to play provided he is not on West Indies duties.

Meanwhile, head coach Roger Harper told media operatives prior to the team’s departure that as a management unit they are

The Guyana Amazon Warriors prior to their departure yesterday from the Eugene F. Correia International Airport. Samuel Maughn photo happy with the preparation leading up to the tournament.

“Generally, I think concerning the role the weather played, we are very happy(with) what we managed to do. We got in three good simulation exercises, we had one warm up game, and I think the guys did pretty well, so we are happy where

we are,” Harper said.

“All the teams in the tournament are well balanced teams, so we expect each match to be very competitive, so we know we have to play good cricket. To our home fans, we will go out there and work hard and make them proud,” the former West Indies Vice-captain pointed out.

The squad includes six

Atwell fund raiser a success

THE Clive ‘The Punisher’ Atwell fundraiser held last Saturday at the Payless Variety store was a success despite heavy rainfall.

Atwell was grateful for the support he received but was moved to tears on two occasions. The first being when a one-legged man braved the rains to make his

contribution.

The second occurred at the hands of children who came fully attired in their rain gear with their parents to donate.

The boxer encouraged the children to keep on the good and kind path in life while also pronouncing a benediction with a scripture

Atwell receives donation from child

from Isaiah 11:6 which said ‘and a little child will lead them all’. He also advised them to be leaders and always respect persons no matter how successful they are.

At the event’s end, Atwell stated “The public has been responding kindly to me and I am grateful, and should the Government keep its pledge of $2Million and am I to receive it soon along with the generous contributions from Guyana, I will soon reach the target.”

He finished by thanking God and the persons involved in his life as well as those who have helped along his journey to full recovery.

Atwell fainted in the ninth round of his title fight against T&T based Dexter Gonzales at the Giftland Mall and had an emergency surgery done the same night for bleeding in his brain.

Atwell is scheduled for a second surgery which cannot be done in Guyana, and is in need of GYD 5 Million for the operation, after care and air tickets to T&T where the surgery will be done.

specialist batsmen in- New Zealand’s Guptill, Barbados’ Dwayne Smith, Australia’s Chris Lynn, Trinidad and Tobago’s Jason Mohammed, Antigua’s Orlando Peters and Guyana’s Assad Fudadin.

Sohail Tanvir of Pakistan,

Christopher Barnwell and Steven Jacobs of Guyana, and Rayad Emrit of Trinidad and Tobago are the all-rounders, while the bowlers are Veerasammy Permaul and Paul Wintz (Guyana), Zampa (Australia) and Muhammad Ahsan Ali Khan (ICC Amer-

icas).

Anthony Bramble (Guyana) and Steven Katwaroo (Trinidad and Tobago) are the wicketkeepers, while successful West Indies Under-19 World Cup captain, Shimron Hetmyer, is the Under-19 selectee.

Guptill was bought as the Marquee Player, while those retained from last year were Permaul, Barnwell and Bishoo.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors will play 10 games in the preliminary phase of the League, with four matches in Guyana, two in Florida, and one each in Trinidad and Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica and St Lucia.

After finishing as runners-up, losing to Jamaica Tallawahs in 2013 and Barbados Tridents in 2014, the South America side open the season with their first game against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Thursday at Warner Park.

Hero CPL 2016 will be held from June 29 to August 7.

Ming podiums in F4 season closer GUYANA’S Calvin Ming closed off the inaugural round of the NACAM Formula 4 Championship last weekend in Mexico City with a podium finish in race 1.

Driving from P6 in the first race of the day at the famous Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the Guyanese masterfully worked his way through the rank to finish third while his Racing Ram team mate Axel Matus finished first.

Race two which featured a reverse grid on Saturday morning had Calvin starting

in P6 and finished in P8, while his teammate Axel finished in P1.

In the third race of the weekend during Saturday afternoon, the grid positions were determined by the second fastest lap times during qualifying, which saw Calvin starting in P3. The race was very close right down to the finish line and Calvin finished in P4.

Each race was run for 25 minutes plus 1 lap on the 4 km long circuit.(Stephan Sookram)

Calvin Ming (right) stands with team-mate Axel Matus following the first race of the final round of F4 action in Mexico. Behind them is Calvin’s F4 Machine.

Guyana Amazon Warriors off to hunt CPL glory See story on page 27

GCF’s national road race championship

‘Lone Soldier’ Geron Williams is ‘King’ of the road ––It was the best race of my life-Williams

By Michael DaSilva

Geron Williams raises his hand in triumph even before crossing the finish line in yesterday’s GCF’s 71-mile road race around the outer circuit of the National Park (Delano Williams photos).

IN 2014, he won the Guyana Cycling Federation’s (GCF) 100-mile national road race championship, in 2015 he placed third in a 92.86-mile version of the same championship, but yesterday, Geron `The lone Soldier’ Williams returned two hours, 42 minutes 44 seconds in winning the 71-mile national championship which was staged around the outer circuit of the National Park.

Representing Continental Cycle Club, Williams, who is Guyana’s only professional cyclist based in the United States and riding for Team Foundation, made his intentions known from as early as the See page 23

Geron ‘The Lone Soldier’ Williams (centre) strike a pose with second and third place finishers Raynauth Jeffrey (left) and Stephano Husbands respectively, after yesterday’s GCF national road race championship

Marsh, Wade lead Aussies to victory in tri-series final

MATTHEW Wade rallied with the bat, then Mitch Marsh roared with the ball as Australia defeated West Indies by 58 runs in the ODI tri-series final at Kensington

Oval in Barbados last night.

Steve Smith’s side crashed to be 6 for 173 in the 37th over after the skipper won the toss at Kensington Oval.

But Wade’s unbeaten 57

Matthew Wade hit two fours and three sixes in his unbeaten 57.

helped the visitors bat out their overs and scrap together a total of 9 for 270.

The hosts were rolled over for 212 in 45.4 overs as Josh Hazlewood cleaned up the tail to grab figures of 5 for 50.

The decider was in the balance until Marsh blitzed the hosts’ form batsmen.

The all-rounder snared 3 for 2 in the space of 12 legal deliveries, including the key scalps of Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels.

Bravo feathered an edge to wicketkeeper Wade, while Samuels chipped a slower ball to George Bailey in the covers.

Johnson Charles, who topscored for West Indies with 45, was then trapped lbw by the 24-year-old.

Hazlewood ensured West Indies never recovered from 4 for 72.

Man-of-the-Match Marsh finished with figures of 3 for 32 from 10 overs, having earlier scored 32

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and been one of Australia’s top five to fall after making starts.

Wade showed great composure in a timely show of leadership, having been under pressure to deliver after being preferred ahead of Test wicketkeeper Peter Nevill.

Wade mixed dogged determination with dashing strokes as he conjured a competitive target with the help of Mitchell Starc, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Adam Zampa.

It was just the second time Australia added 25-plus runs for each of the seventh, eighth and ninth wickets in an ODI. West Indies did not help themselves with a couple of poor errors in the field during the final 10 overs, most notably a simple missed run-out from Denesh Ramdin when Wade was on 29.

Smith, who scored 46 before falling to an unthreatening short ball from Shannon

Mitchell Marsh took three wickets in three overs, West Indies v Australia, tri-series final, Barbadoseries final in Barbados © (AFPphotos) Gabriel, will be content with another trophy but unhappy Wade was left with so much work to do.

Smith, Marsh, Aaron Finch and George Bailey all spent over half an hour at the crease then threw away their wickets.

Finch clubbed 47 off 41 balls and looked in particu-

larly formidable touch, only to smash a slower ball from Kieron Pollard straight to Samuels in the deep.

Smith steadied but Australia slipped to 5 for 156 when the skipper and Glenn Maxwell were both dismissed

by Gabriel in the 31st over.

(AAP) MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2016