Guyana Chronicle Epaper 27 07 2017

SEE INSIDE

No. 104986

THURSDAY JULY 27, 2017

Price: $80

GTT sees sabotage (VAT Inclusive)

…as fiber optic cable damaged for fourth time – gov’t warns against ‘warped competition’

Scores to benefit from youth entrepreneurship programme

Page 3

Lawyer arrested for obstruction of Justice in Bisram murder case

Page 2

Page 8

Plane crash

Aircraft made ‘quick’ nosedive into jungle Page 16

…GCAA opens probe

US Ambassador, Perry Holloway and Public Affairs Assistant of the US Embassy, Aretha Majeed (centre) peruse one of the booths set up at the Youth Exposition and Volunteer fair at Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown. [Samuel Maughn photo]

Seven prisoners charged with escaping custody – 3 jailed for one year

Page 8

Prison escapee captured in Linden house Page 10

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Scores to benefit from youth entrepreneurship programme

By Vishani Ragobeer SCORES of youths across Guyana would be beneficiaries of the Guyana Youth and Social Entrepreneurship Programme (GYSEP) which

was implemented here by the Guyanese Youth Ambassadors of 2015.

One Wednesday, six of seven participatory groups pitched their ideas on fostering youth engagement and devel-

opment at a youth exposition at the Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown.

Of the six project ideas pitched, ‘Youth Education Society’, which targets creating well-rounded children, and

Prison Officer laid to rest

Ambassador Holloway chats with a member of the Youth Leaders for the future, one of the participatory groups of the GYSEP

The Prison Warden who was killed during the July 9, 2017 jail break at the Georgetown Prison, was laid to rest on Tuesday at Ann’s Grove cemetery where he received a 21-gun salute.

Earlier hundreds of mourners were at the Ann’s Grove Methodist Church to pay their last respects, including Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, acting Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels and Head of Operations of the Guyana Fire Service, Compton Sparman. On July 9, Wickham, 33, was shot five times as prisoners broke out of the jail after setting the building on fire.

‘Math Guru’, which seeks to enhance the mathematical skills of secondary school children, were judged as the better projects ideas.

US Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway affirmed that the Embassy will continue to support similar youth development initiatives as it is cogni-

sant of the positive returns of such programmes.

While acknowledging the contributions made by young people through a myriad of groups to create a better future, he said, “The work that you all do on a continuous basis has an innumerable impact on the lives of other”.

Ashraf Dabie, who was in 2015 a youth ambassador and vice-president of the US Embassy’s Youth Action Network (YAN), said the programme was crafted to share the knowledge the 2015 cohort received with other youths, in an attempt to promote the development of youths in Guyana.

“Rather than keeping the programme to only the participants who benefitted from the programme [the GYSEP], we decided to host an exposition to involve more youth,” Dabie said.

The main objective of the day’s event, as related by Dabie, was to underscore the positive work that youths have already done and are able to do.

The youth ambassadors also joined with the YAN and other stakeholders to host an exposition and volunteer fair.

The GYSEP was the fourth project implemented by the ambassadors after they returned from their three- week exchange programme in the USA, in 2015.

During the programme, seven youth groups, consisting of three to five members benefitted from four days of training in the areas of civic engagement, leadership, team work and entrepreneurship.

The Youth Ambassadors Programme is supported by the US Embassy in Guyana and targets the development of youths.

Selected youths participate in a three-week cultural and leadership exchange in the US and as a follow-up, are tasked with implementing developmental programmes in Guyana when they return.

This year, six more youth ambassadors, along with one adult mentor will depart Guyana on August 6 for their three-week exchange in the US.

GTT sees sabotage 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

…as fiber optic cable damaged for fourth time – gov’t warns against ‘warped competition’

By Svetlana Marshall CRIMINAL minded organisations or individuals have launched an attack on the country’s telecommunication infrastructure aimed at destabilizing Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Justin Nedd said as he called on Guyanese to help the company bring the perpetrators to justice.

On Tuesday, GTT’s fiber optic cable was sabotaged for the fourth time in ten days, affecting over 20,000 customers and putting the country’s residents, national security and emergency mechanism at risk, particularly under the current climate.

On each of the recent occasions, cell, landline and internet services to the natural resources economic hub of Linden, Ituni, Kwakwani, Mabura, Mahadia, Troy Mining and Bartica communities were affected. Backed by the Public Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes, during a joint press conference on Wednesday at the Ministry, GTT CEO, who was “red with anger,” said it is clear that the telecommunication company has enemies, but made it clear that the recent spate of sabotage would only impair Guyana’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) growth.

GTT CEO, Justin Nedd (extreme right) addressing reporters in the presence of Public Telecommunication Minister Cathy Hughes (centre) and Communication Specialist, Alex Graham The vandalized cable

THE SABOTAGE The first act in this recent series of sabotage was detected on July 14, 2017, one day before GTT officially launched the Blaze fibre optic high speed internet. In February, 2017, the company’s fiber optic cable was also sabotaged at a time when it launched its high speed LTE broadband in Essequibo. Over the past 12 months, Nedd said GTT’s loss of service and restoration effort equated to $50M. “This is money that could have gone to providing more broadband to more homes across the country,” Nedd posited.

It was emphasized that the attacks are executed at strategic times. “Now we are launching the fastest internet

in the country with our 50 megabits per second downloads, this is internet that is comparable or faster than most places in the U.S and

Canada and we are seeing an increase in sabotage.”

According to the GTT CEO, the recent development is a blatant destruction of the

GTT technicians restoring the sabotaged cable on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway

country’s communication infrastructure by rogue elements with clear motives.

“This is being done by people who know what they are doing. This is an attack on the people of Guyana and I want to say this is an attack on the 22,000 households that we will bring 50 megabits per second internet speed to in 2017 alone,” Nedd stated.

In applauding his technical team at GTT, Nedd pointed out that they would have worked long hours to restore services to the 20,000 customers who were affected.

Questioned whether reports were made to the Police, Nedd responded in the positive, explaining that the Guyana Police Force has been very helpful in the past and currently there is an active investigation ongoing.

“Unfortunately, the rate of success is highly depen-

dent on our citizens, our people, our Guyanese to really bring forward information and that has not been as forthcoming as we would like,” the CEO said.

As such, he is calling on persons living in Guyana to assist GTT and the Guyana Police Force in finding the rogue elements whose agenda it is to stymie the development of the ICT sector. Reports can be made to GTT’s hotline 0908.

“I want to ask each and every person to be sheriffs and look out for these rogue elements that would want to hold our nation back. We would offer a very handsome reward to anyone who would help us bring these culprits to justice,” Nedd stated. A reward of $1M is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator(s).

It was made clear by Turn to page 9 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

U.S. sanctions Venezuelan officials to pressure Maduro – sources WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The Trump administration imposed sanctions on 13 senior officials of Venezuela’s government, military and state oil company PDVSA today, U.S. officials said, seeking to ratchet up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro to scrap plans for a controversial new congress.

The United States targeted individuals, including the country’s army and police chiefs, the national director of elections and a PDVSA vice president, while sparing Venezuela for now from broader financial or “sectoral” sanctions against its vital oil industry – though such actions, the officials told Reuters, are still under consideration.

The move is aimed at showing Maduro’s socialist government that U.S. President Donald Trump is prepared to make good on his threat of “strong and swift economic actions” if it goes ahead with plans for a vote on Sunday to establish a constituent assembly that critics

say will cement Maduro as dictator, the officials said.

The U.S. Treasury Department planned to issue a formal sanctions announcement later today, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

One of the U.S. officials warned the move was just an initial round of sanctions and that the administration was readying tougher additional measures that could be rolled out as part of a “steady drumbeat” of responses to the Venezuelan crisis.

The most serious of the potential future steps would be financial sanctions that would halt dollar payments for the country’s oil, starving the government of hard currency, or a total ban on oil imports to the United States, Venezuela’s biggest customer.

But the decision to hold back on hitting Venezuela’s oil sector reflected a continuing internal debate that has weighed the risks of inflicting further suffering on the Venezuelan people, raising U.S. domestic gasoline

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro

prices and causing problems for PDVSA’s U.S. refining subsidiary Citgo.

Even some of Maduro’s domestic critics have cautioned that the Venezuelan leader could rally his supporters under a nationalist banner if the United States goes too far on sanctions.

Among those sanctioned today were national elections director Tibisay Lucena, army chief Jesus Suarez, national police director Carlos Perez and PDVSA vice president for finance Simon Zerpa, the officials said, speaking on condition of

anonymity.

The accusations they face from Washington include human rights abuses, undermining democracy and corruption.

Like the Trump administration, Venezuela’s majority-backed opposition is demanding that Maduro scrap Sunday’s election, which would create a congress with powers to rewrite the country’s constitution and override all other institutions.

But Maduro insists it is the only way to empower the people and bring peace after four months of anti-govern-

ment unrest in which more than 100 people have been killed.

The U.S. officials said the “designated” individuals were accused of supporting Maduro’s crackdown, harming democratic institutions or victimizing the Venezuelan people through corruption, and that additional “bad actors” could be sanctioned later.

Punitive measures include freezing U.S. assets, banning travel to the United States and prohibiting Americans from doing business with them.

Sanctions were imposed on the chief judge and seven other members of Venezuela’s pro-Maduro Supreme Court in May in response to their decision to annul the opposition-led Congress earlier this year.

That followed similar U.S. sanctions in February against Venezuela’s Vice President Tareck El Aissami for alleged links to drug trafficking.

Assets in the United States and elsewhere tied to

El Aissami and an alleged associate and frozen by U.S. order now total hundreds of millions of dollars, far more than was expected, one of the U.S. officials told Reuters.

The Trump administration has also weighed possible sanctions against Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino and Socialist Party No. 2 Diosdado Cabello, other U.S. sources have told Reuters. But the two Maduro allies were not included in the latest round of punitive measures, the U.S. officials said today.

However, individual sanctions have much more limited impact than some of other weapons in the U.S. sanctions arsenal.

Sanctions prohibiting any transaction in U.S. currency by PDVSA, for instance, are among the toughest of various oil-related measures under discussion at the White House, a senior White House official and an adviser with direct knowledge of the discussions told Reuters last week.

Brazil: City of God actor wanted for killing Rio policeman [BBC] - Police in Brazil say one of the child actors from the acclaimed film City of God is a suspect in Sunday’s killing of an officer in one of Rio de Janeiro’s shantytowns, or favelas.

Ivan da Silva Martins played a small part as a gang member in the film.

He is now 34 and is thought to control drug trafficking in the Vidigal favela.

The film was released

in Brazil in 2002, exposing to the rest of the world the bitter reality of crime, violence and poverty in Rio’s favelas. Mr Martins was one of many boys and teenagers recruited from the city’s poorest quarters to work as actors in the film.

He is now believed to be feared by the Vidigal community where police says he is known as Ivan the Terrible. City of God director Fernando Meirelles said he

had gradually lost contact with all the young actors, but told O Globo newspaper that he was “saddened by the news”.

The film begins in the early 1960s and follows the life of a young boy who becomes a drug lord in Cidade de Deus (City of God), a favela in the outskirts of Rio. It became a surprise blockbuster and received four Oscar nominations.

Fifteen years later, violence is again on the rise in Brazil, particularly in Rio de Janeiro. The policeman shot dead on Sunday, Sgt Hudson Araujo, was the 91st officer killed this year in the state of Rio. Brazil is now going through the worst recession in its history. The finances of many states, including Rio, have collapsed and there is no prospect of a solution for Brazil’s serious

political crisis.

The families of police officers say their loved ones are paying a heavy

price for trying to fight crime without the re sources and equipment required.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

It was Dr. Roopnaraine’s decision to remain Minister – WPA THE decision by Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine to rescind his resignation from a ministerial portfolio was one which was made by him and not the Working Peoples’ Alliance (WPA) – the party which he represents in government.

This was the assertion of executive member of the party, Dr. David Hinds at the party’s press conference on Wednesday.

“The decision was made

by Dr. Roopnaraine to remain in government,” Dr Hinds said.

On July 19, the Public Service Minister tendered his resignation as a Minister, just one month after being reassigned from the Education Ministry. After a meeting with President David Granger on July 20, the Minister rescinded his resignation.

The Minister had initially denied that poor health was

the cause of him attempting to resign. However, the WPA said on Wednesday that this was one of the reasons given to the party by him.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had confirmed on Thursday last, that: “his [Dr. Roopnaraine’s] health situation was making it challenging for him to be able to contribute to the level with which he expected to contribute.”

But although the decision to remain a Minister was not one made by the party, the WPA was keen to note that Dr. Roopnaraine had spoken to the party about his decision. Chairperson of the party, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley confirmed at the press conference that: “Dr Roopnaraine did speak with me about the matter. Then I spoke to the members and some of them met with him.”

And although the par-

Executive Members of the WPA (L-R): Chairwoman of the party, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Dr. David Hinds and Tacuma Ogunseye

ty supports Dr Roopnaraine’s decision, it did not say whether it was a decision that would have been taken at a party level. Rather, Dr. Hinds offered that: “we defer to his judgment as to whether he can continue to function in office.”

The Public Service Department where Dr. Roopnaraine has been reassigned

to, falls under the Ministry of the Presidency which is headed by Minister of State Joseph Harmon. He remains a Cabinet Member and a Member of Parliament.

The WPA at its press conference in June had noted that in keeping with the arrangement between coalition partners, all political parties should have been given a

substantive ministry. But after Dr. Roopnaraine had been transferred, the party said that while it does not have a sense of entitlement, it was expecting the President, on principle, to award the party a “substantive ministry.”

Although no adjustments were made since then, the WPA said on Wednesday

that it is satisfied with the position since the party was assured that Dr. Roopnaraine remains a senior minister.

Further, Dr. Hinds added that the WPA is guided by the principles that it is not in politics and government for the sharing of spots.

“We do recognise the importance of representation in government because you have the capacity to influence policy. In that regard we would like to think that we would want to be represented,” he said.

Despite this recognition however, the WPA executive member said that: “What we are trying to disabuse the nation of, is the view that is being peddled that we are fighting for position. We are not fighting for position.

We’re fighting for principles, correct policies and the survival of the coalition and for each member of the partnership to be treated equally.”

Pakistan village council orders ‘revenge rape’ of girl [BBC] - Some 20 people from Multan, Pakistan, have been arrested for ordering the rape of a teenage girl, in revenge for a rape her brother allegedly committed.

Police said the families of the two girls are related.

Members of both had joined forces to decide what should be done.

“A jirga [village council] had ordered the rape of a 16-year-old girl as punishment, as her brother had raped a 12-year-old,” police official Allah Baksh told AFP. He said the village council was approached earlier this month by a man who said his 12-year-old sister had been raped by their cousin.

The council then ordered the complainant to rape the sister of the accused in return which police say he did.

Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported that the girl was forced to appear before the group and raped in front of them and her parents. The mothers of the two girls later filed complaints at the local police station.

Medical examinations have confirmed rape in both cases. Another officer, Ahsan Younas, told BBC Urdu that

A villager points to the house where a teenage girl was raped in Muzaffarabad, Multan

the first girl to be raped was aged between 12 and 14. The victim of the revenge rape is said to be 16 or 17.

He said police had registered a complaint against 25 people, and that the suspect accused of raping the 12-year-old was still at large.

While some reports say the group that ordered the rape was a jirga - or village council - BBC sources said it was actually formed by members of the two families. Jirgas, a kind of council formed of local elders, often settle disputes in rural Pakistan.

However, they are illegal and have been condemned for a series of controversial rulings - including ordering so-called

“honour killings” and past incidents of “revenge rape”.

In 2002, a jirga ordered the gang rape of 28-year-old Mukhtar Mai, whose 12-yearold brother was accused of an affair with an older woman.

Ms Mai took her rapists to

court - an act of extraordinary courage in Pakistan, where sexual assault victims still face considerable stigma.

When their convictions were overturned by Pakistan’s Supreme Court, she was offered many ways out of the country. However, she chose to stay in her village and start a girls’ school and a women’s refuge yards away from where she was raped. Ms Mai is now a prominent women’s rights activist, and her story inspired an opera, “Thumbprint”, which opened in New York in 2014.

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Editorial Dogged perception

THE Guyana Chronicle for years has been no stranger when it comes to charges of biased reporting, but of late, some of the criticisms seem rooted more in perception transferred from a bygone era.

It is true that no so long ago, the state of the State’s newspaper was not one worthy of remembering as it was a tool to castigate members of the political opposition and others who oppose the government. In fact, some editors went as far as to say that there is nothing like balance and objective reporting in the State media, meaning that the newspaper’s role is to follow the dictates of the government.

It was no surprise then that the Guyana Chronicle degenerated into a propaganda broadsheet by car-

rying wholesale the deeply jaundiced views of political operatives and officials without even having the decency of affording the other party a right to respond to their criticisms. Many, including supporters of the former government since then had made a decision not to buy or read the State’s newspaper because only information on the government can be found therein.

While the Guyana Chronicle has some where to go in becoming a truly national newspaper, it has at least made a turnaround from the state it was in about three years ago, with some noteworthy steps to professionalise the way the newspaper reports the news. But the perception of heavy government bias still remains, even though the Chronicle for the

past two years has performed outstandingly in a number of journalism competitions that demand professional work.

In 2015, the Guyana Chronicle swept the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) in the print category and did a repeat the following year, winning the overall prize in the keenly contested competitions involving the socalled ‘independent’ media houses. The submissions for these awards had nothing to do with politics. They examined a wide range of areas in the health sector, proffered solutions and were published year-round. It showed that the Chronicle has created an environment for professional work to develop and flourish.

These aside, coverage on a people perspective (re-

porting not centred on views of politicians) in agriculture, sport, local government, the environment, arts and culture, women and business have increased considerably.

But the perception of heavy bias still exists. Even though only last week, this newspaper literally ‘cleaned up’ the Guyana Press Association (GPA) Media Awards, writing on these very issues which give balance in terms of variety in coverage and voice to the people on issues that affect them.

This level of professionalism and achievements the Chronicle has never witnessed in the past two decades and probably way beyond that period, and undoubtedly it is a living testimony that dispels the perception of chronic bias. It is important that these gains are

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

preserved and expanded and deeply partisan reporting on politics remains a thing of the past. This is essential in changing the perception of this newspaper, which two years embarked on a mission to be a newspaper of public record, covering a wide range of issues, from the near and far corners of Guyana.

The Guyana Chronicle is a State newspaper; it represents the interest of the people and, as such, cannot shut out the voices

of reasoned or constructive criticisms. The positive strides that have been made by this newspaper in shaking off an old unsavory image must at least be appreciated, and all, regardless of where you sit on the political divide, should play a role in making it an admirable product. Such a move will be of great help in helping to erase the negative perception and will also be of great benefit to whichever government holds power.

Was Mike Brasse Min. Trotman responds to Ramon Gaskin political contacts beyond GECOM, PPP? Dear Editor:

Dear Editor: TAX Payers continue to ask questions about Mike Brasse supplies to GECOM from 1994 to 2015. The focal point of discussions: Was he connected to the political elite of the day?

For the records, the People Progressive Party never objected to any request GECOM recommended for Cabinet’s approval.

After the 2006 elections, the minutes of GECOM’s statutory commissoners’ meetings will reveal that the PPP commission members, the late Keshev (Bud) Mangal, Mahmood Shaw and Moen Mc Doom, recommended that GECOM should boycott all transactions with Mike Brasse but those recommendations fell on deaf ears.

The then Chief Elections Officer, Gocool Boodoo, who was GECOM’s accounting

officer, continued to transact business with Mike Brasse through his companies: Brassonics, Tristar, Mtech Business Solutions and Mobile Authority. Please note that all of these companies are connected to Mike Brasse. The situation got so out of hand, that the President of the day, Bharrat Jagdeo, mentioned in 2010 that he was gravely concerned about the number of single-sourcing that Mr. Boodoo is recommending to Cabinet for approval.

For the records, the radios were granted Cabinet’s approval two days before the 2015 elections.

The company approved was Mike Brasse’s Mobile Authority. Rewind to 2008, the Auditor General aborted a Forensic Audit after twenty four million (24,000,000) was expended on Okidata Toners. The company under investigation was Mobile

Authority owned by Mike Brasse. The Auditor General’s complaint was that one of the quotations that GECOM used in its summary of quotes was fake.

He complained that the place cannot be located by visit or by telephone. But unlike 2015, Mr. Deodat Sharma failed to recommend police charges. Was he acting on orders from New Garden Street or he’s a fan of the pop group, The Eagles’ 1970’s hit song ‘New Kid in Town’?

There’s a popular verse in that song, ‘Johnny come lately’. Would Glen Lall and the Kaieteur News take a walk down memory lane? I do not want to repeat what Christopher Ram wrote about Mr. Deodat Sharma’s performance as Auditor General.

Regards Concerned GECOM staff

REFERENCE is made to a letter penned by Mr. Ramon Gaskin about recent comments made by me regarding the Government of Guyana/ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC Nexen Production Share Agreement (PSA), and to which I respond as follows: 1. The position adumbrated by me as Minister of Natural Resources is one that is embraced by the entire

Government of Guyana and does not represent a singular Raphael Trotman opinion and/or position; 2. The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (GCRG) has received expert opinions and advice to the effect that, inter alia, the terms of the agreement should not be publicised at this time as the provisions of Section 4 of the Petroleum Act, though somewhat ambiguous, should be interpreted in a manner that

prevents publication; and 3. The Petroleum Act is currently under review for amendments and the GCRG will await the completion of that process, and the recommendations made, before reviewing the matter of the publication of the agreement.

Regards HON. RAPHAEL G. C. TROTMAN, M.P. Minister of Natural Resources

Plantation White has not gained any traction Dear Editor:

THE July 19, 2017 Stabroek News in a report titled “Berbicians informed of ‘New GuySuCo’ plans for Rose Hall Estate”, GuySuCo’s Communication Officer Ms Audreyanna Thomas is reported, among other things, to have said “that the new GuySuCo will include, the Plantation White, which will be evaluated to replace the low priced bulk raw sugar.”

After reading the report, I did some research where I

learnt that Plantation White is a new form of white sugar which is produced in a non-traditional manner. My reading also advised me that Plantation White is not a product that has gained much traction since it still lacks many characteristics to be considered as White Sugar in a contemporary sense.

Having had this much information, it is incomprehensible that GuySuCo is going along a path to possibly produce a product which is not accepted by the market. Furthermore, what is GuySuCo’s con-

tingency should the new Skeldon owner set up a sugar refinery and produce true White Sugar. I recall the Indian investors who visited the Skeldon factory, according to the press, expressed the idea to have a refinery established there.

It is disturbing for me editor that GuySuCo which has so much opportunity for a secured future, is just giving it away to foreigners who will take even more wealth from Guyanese.

Regards PATRICIA PERSAUD

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Tendering and retendering for contracts costly, annoying Dear Editor, THIS writer has been involved with tendering for security contracts for over 38 years. I have seen a lot of bad, and much ugliness in this process. However, I wish to state that in recent years things seem to have taken a dip for the worse and this gives a negative image to the Government of the day. In fairness, I do not believe that the Government encourages corruption or is involved in the deceit that preponderates the system of tender awards. At the same time, any thinker can see the award of tenders usually involves favouritism, nepotism and even corruption.

Of course, I also observed this practice during the term of the previous Government.

Being a businessman who is involved in the security industry, I can comment on the hardships faced when tendering for security contracts. However, I believe this is a common phenomenon in the other industries as well. Sadly, it does not only happen with Ministerial tenders but also with the Regional, Institutional, Corporation, and Government Agency and Government Commission tenders. As I have continuously stated, I have no political axe to grind. As a patriot, all I desire is good governance from whoever is elected.

At least 99% of all tenders for security are known for its mathematical disorder and illogicality. Whether the documents are not explicit enough in its criteria, or the calculations (inclusive of personnel numbers) do not add up, there is always some drama and confusion.

Further, many times our

company must call to advise them on our observances, which sometimes lead to appreciation at times but also annoyances and a “don’t care” attitude at other times.

Our company, RK’s Guyana Security Services has been in business for almost four (4) decades and so we understand the complications that come from tendering for certain contracts. Once again, this is not new for this administration, as it occurred in the past.

I wish to state that it would appear that once a particular company offers a rate to make it competitive, for no justifiable reason whatsoever, the tenders are cancelled and are retendered.

It seems as though the persons in these governmental institutions believe tenders are a joke and something to use for personal benefits and gratuities. Meanwhile, some other prejudices may be involved: apparent political; apparent racism; apparent just dislikes of personality.

Retenders are costly and it would appear that certain administrators in Ministries and Commissions don’t seem to realise that tendering is a very costly venture, it takes many hours (costly for labour), it takes a lot of mental energy to fulfill all the criteria. In many cases, a tenderer must repurchase the tender documents. Added to that, it takes costs for financial accountants to procure financial compliances. And finally, in all tenders, a company must find tens of thousands and sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars for a bid security. One Commission has retendered thrice (3 times) over the past few months unjustifiably. Can any scholar imagine why? To note, that Commission has already had fingers pointed

at it for numerous acts of alleged corruption and conspiracies.

It is the opinion of the undersigned that whenever a retender is advertised, Government Ministries, Commissions and Institutions should provide the new tender documents free of charge to those who previously tendered and to compensate for the 2% bid security. On a frequent basis, it has been observed that one particular company, who is usually the highest tender, receives the award. My company, RK’s Guyana Security Services will never tender below cost so we do not believe in the lowest tender as it creates a social crisis. Since in order to do this, Value Added Tax (VAT) will be stolen (and I know many companies which does this), NIS contributions will be stolen (again) and even declare bankruptcy to hoodwink the NIS, GRA and the entire Government structure. This particular company in 2015 was awarded a contract for the Ministry of Communities although its bid was 30 mil-

lion dollars above our tender. Also, RK’s served this Ministry for over two years without a complaint, without a loss and with an extremely high caliber of service. That same company then took over a contract from us at the Ministry of Agriculture, even though their tender was 10 million dollars above ours.

For the year and a half that we served the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry was happy and we are proud to have departed both locations with dignity and honour.

I definitively wish to highlight that throughout the entire Government structure, there seems to be rampant acts of favouritism, nepotism and corruption. I wish to be pellucid that in the former and current administrations, persons were/are self-seekers of enhancement and then there are others, who hate and dislike.

I believe that Cabinet would not be involved in any activity that is unprincipled and dishonourable. There appears to be a group of people of power operating like a “Shadow Cabinet”,

which overrides the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) and the official Cabinet, awards are being given and taken away by its “whim and fancy”. The evidence that I have at hand can prove embarrassing to the Government nationally and internationally. I have written to the highest authorities, met with several honorable personalities and professionals in the Government all of whom were shocked by the scenario.

Even as it looks like an attempt to destroy me and my business, the individual leading this charge does not realise that he and his “Shadow Cabinet” cannot hurt me.

I believe in a God of the Worlds so any negative, will affect him and his acolytes, or sent my way will affect them and bring judgement on them from the universe.

Yes, some will suffer (our staff) that is why our hearts pain and I am depressed.

Our company has security ranks employed for 30 years, for 25, 22, 20 and 10 years.

As a result of the actions of this “Shadow Cabinet”, our hardworking people who are mainly from a particular ethnic block will be affected.

I have taken the prerogative to move stage by stage in dealing with this matter.

Hence as mentioned, I have written numerous letters, but the next step is for this matter to be exposed fully to the media and then eventually, taken up legally in the Supreme Court of Guyana. I would like to encourage this Government to distance itself from the few recalcitrant persons functioning as a “Shadow Cabinet”, as they do not have Guyana at heart but vengeance, self-wealth and power. Our nation has come a long way from independence to ensure accountability, transparency and fairness in tendering, let us only build in these strides.

Regards Roshan Khan Snr CEO/Chairman RK’s Guyana Security Services

8

Seven prisoners charged with escaping custody – 3 jailed for one year

SEVEN of thirteen prison escapees who were recaptured by the Joint Services after ‘digging’ their way to freedom from the Lusig-

Odel Roberts

Jamal Joseph

Teshawn McKenzie

nan holding facility, were charged on Wednesday with escaping from lawful custody.

Between July 23 and the wee hours of July 24 the fugitives, burrowed their way out of the holding area via a 5 ft. deep tunnel next to the fence at the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara.

According to the police, three of the prisoners were recaptured at Mon Repos on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) while two were recaptured at Stabroek Market in Georgetown.

The recaptured prisoners, Odel Roberts, Jamal Forde, Rayon Jones, Win-

Jason Howard

Jamal Forde

ston Long, Teshawn McKenzie, Jason Howard and Jamal Joseph, all appeared before Magistrate Peter Hugh at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court, charged separately.

Jamal Forde, Winston Long and Jamal Joseph confessed to the offence and were each sentenced to one year imprisonment. Meanwhile, Teshawn McKenzie, Ryan Jones, Jason Howard and Odel Roberts pleaded not guilty and were remanded until August 11.

Meanwhile, the five Lusignan escapees who are still on the run are: Shawn Harris, Paul Goriah, Clive Forde, Kerry Cromwell and Pascal Smith. The four Georgetown Prison escapees

Rayon Jonas

Winston Long

who are still on the run are: Stafrei Alexander, Cobena Stephens aka “OJ”, Mark Royden Williams and Uree Varswyk.

Recaptured 24-year-old Jason Howard also called ‘Smelly,’ is accused of a horrific double murder, attempted murder, and a string of armed robberies. He was considered to be the most dangerous of the escapees.

Jamal Forde, 22, of Car Wash Bay, Bel Air, Georgetown, was charged with the May, 2015 murder of Sophia businessman Shawn Anys, who was slain during the course of a robbery.

Odel Roberts, 22, called ‘Gully,’ of 124 ‘C’ Field, Sophia, was charged with the murder of businessman, Shawn Anys.

Winston Long was in June this year charged for allegedly assaulting Constable Derwayne Eastman on November 26, 2016, at High Street, Georgetown.

Teshawn McKenzie is on remand for armed robbery.

Jamal Joseph is on remand for inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Rayon Jonas of Mandela Avenue, Georgetown was placed before Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman in the aftermath of an alleged row over drugs. Jonas sustained severe chops to his right arm after allegedly firing gunshots at one Colin Daly who was also charged with inflicting injury to Jonas.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Male sex workers accused of robbing Presidential Guards TWO male sex workers, who allegedly robbed two Presidential Guards with a chopper, appeared before City Magistrate, Fabayo Azore, on Wednesday, charged with two counts of armed robbery.

Kevin Forester, 21, of Side Line Dam, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and Godfrey Cox, 17, of Charlestown, Georgetown, were jointly charged. Particulars of the charge alleged that on July 19, 2017 at Main Street, Georgetown, the duo while armed with a chopper, robbed Nicolai Reddie of a Samsung cell phone valued $54,000 and $800 cash.

It is further alleged that on the same day and loca-

tion, they robbed Akeem Haroon of a Samsung cell phone valued $60,000 and $400 cash. The duo denied the charge when it was read to them. Police Prosecutor, Simon Payne, strongly opposed to the defendants being released on bail based on the nature and seriousness of the charge.

The prosecutor further pointed out that the defendants are known to the court and have other charges of similar nature against them. The Magistrate, however, overruled the prosecution’s objection and released the duo on $25,000 bail on each of the charges. The matter is adjourned to August 9.

Lawyer arrested for obstruction of Justice in Bisram murder case AS the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder of Berbice carpenter, Fiyaz Narinedatt continued on Wednesday at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court, prominent Berbice Attorney-at-Law, Chandra Sohan was arrested for obstructing the course of justice.

The former Magistrate was arrested after it was alleged that he coerced two witnesses on what to say during the previous hearing of the PI. Up to press time he remained in custody, as he was awaiting a Habeas Corpus which was being prepared on his behalf.

Meanwhile, Attorney, Sanjeev Datadin, who is representing the five murder accused, told the court that the actions of the police are meant to intimidate lawyers and interfere with their work.

He said that witnesses have a right to legal representation when they end up in court after the police forces them to sign statements.

The PI continues today before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh. The matter involves a US-based Guyanese philanthropist and businessman, Marcus Brian Bisram, who is accused of being the mastermind behind the murder of Narindatt.

It is alleged that on November 1, 2016, Bisram was hosting an after-party for the Community Policing Group during which he reportedly made sexual advances to Narinedatt, who was present at the party, but was rejected.

Reports are that Narinedatt was urinating when the Guy-

Attorney-at-Law, Chandra Sohan

anese/US based businessman approached him and tried to touch his private parts.

Narinedatt became angry, accosted the businessman and slapped him twice. The businessman then reportedly ordered one of his bodyguards to “get rid of him,” and that he (businessman) “will deal with it.”

The carpenter was reportedly viciously attacked by the bodyguards and several others joined in beating him to death, allegedly in the presence of all at the party.

His body was placed on the public road and ran over by a car to make it appear to be an accident. Soon after, seven persons were arrested with two allegedly confessing that Narinedatt was beaten to death, and fingered Bisram as the mastermind behind the act.

Bisram was recently arrested in the United Stated and is awaiting extradition to face murder charges along with five others: Orlando Dookie, Niran Yacoob, Deodat Datt, Radesh Motie, and Haripaul Parsram.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Study targets Female Prison Officer jailed for alternatives to trafficking ‘ganja’ pre-trial detention WOMAN Prison Officer, Joan Ann Erskine, who was nabbed with298 grams of cannabis sativa at the New Amsterdam Prison, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment and fined $200,000 by Senior Magistrate Alex Moore, after she was found guilty of trafficking in narcotics.

In default of paying the fine, Erskine will have to spend another six months in prison. The 35-year-old woman, who served the Guyana Prison Service for over 14 years, had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was placed on 150,000 bail.

However, she was found guilty after the Magistrate overruled the submissions of Attorney-at-law, Tania Clement Warren.

Police Prosecutor, Godfrey Playter led the evidence of Chief Officer, Colin John, Woman Prison Officer, Donell Crandon, convicted prisoner, William Johnson and some investigators. The court heard that on October 23, 2016 at about 10:32 hrs, Crandon was on duty at the New Amsterdam (NA) prison as the gate officer when

Joan Ann Erskine

she observed Erskine, who was also on duty, acting in a suspicious manner. The court was told that Erskine was walking in and out of the female prison as she conversed on her cellphone.

Erskine then requested Crandon to open the main door and she did so. Crandon observed Erskine collecting a bulky black plastic bag from a dark coloured car. The plastic bag was placed in her working bag.

Afterwards, Inmate Johnson approached the main gate with an empty basket. On

that day, Johnson was the Chief Cook. He had finished cooking and was collecting food containers belonging to staff from the reception area. While returning to the inner gate with his basket, the court heard that Erskine placed a bulky black plastic bag in the basket.

Johnson questioned Erskine about the bag and she responded, “take it to Mohamed Ally, Is he biscuits and medications.”

Meanwhile, Prison Officer Crandon, who saw when Erskine placed the bag in the basket, requested to have it searched. While it was being searched Erskine attempted to snatch the bag and said, “don’t open the bag, meh got two lil children fo mind.”

Chief Officer John observed the two prison officers and he intervened.

He then opened the bag and found five parcels containing leaves, seeds and stems of cannabis sativa wrapped with brown scotch tape. The police were contacted, the narcotics were weighed and charges were instituted.

GTT sees...

Nedd that despite the attacks on the company, it will continue with its mission to provide Guyana with blazing internet speeds.

“GTT will not be moved; our team will not be moved.

There is no force, evil or otherwise that will stop us from providing the fastest, most reliable, the most secured communications to your homes and to your businesses,” the CEO stated.

SAD SITUATION Alarmed, Minister Hughes said it is a “sad” situation and warned that if it is “some warp sense of competition” the perpetrators will face the full brunt of the law.

She said these attacks by persons who seek to thwart development in the country, come at a time when Government through the Public Telecommunications Ministry is upgrading the ICT sector.

“I have been talking about using the internet for health, telemedicine, online learning; we are talking about students today that can only submit their SBAs for CSEC online, and therefore anybody that is callous and uncaring to cut a cable that prevents people in the event of a personal emergency, they can’t even pick up the phone to make a call, students that might be preparing for exams, whatever the scenario is, it is totally unacceptable and we will deal with the perpetrators,” she said.

Vandalism of overhead, on the ground or subsurface cable is an offence and it is a serious offence, she warned while referencing to Section 131 of the Criminal Law Offenses Act Chapter 8:01.

“If this happens to be some warped sense of competition, I want to say that in the spirit of fair competition

From page 3

and trade, all should be allowed to conduct legitimate and responsible business in the sector and to bring much needed service to the Guyanese people.”

She made it clear that the National Telecommunications Agency will not be issuing any licence to any person or organization found culpable of committing such act.

Minister Hughes also used the opportunity to warn drivers, some of whom are guilty of destroying the telecommunication infrastructure.

“For too long we have had big trucks and all kinds of vehicles traversing our streets, ripping up cables, bringing down cables and so I am urging operators of large vehicles to be cautious, to be conscious of overhead cables that are existing in and around our country.”

Consultant Peter Pursglove and Members of the Judiciary and the Magistracy

AMID ongoing efforts to reduce prison overcrowding here, the President David Granger-led administration is examining ways of freeing up the prison system of mentally ill persons and substance abusers and directing them to appropriate centres for treatment.

To this end Peter Pursglove S.C., consultant contracted under the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Inter-American Development Bank’s Citizen Security Strengthening Programme, is in Guyana to hold consultations with a number of senior government functionaries, members of the Judiciary and Magistracy, technical officers from relevant government departments and ministries, along with stakeholders from civil society and non-governmental organisations during the period July 24-28, 2017.

His task is to garner the relevant information and data to complete a study on alternatives to pre-trial detention.

This is Mr Pursglove second visit in the conduct of this study.

According to a release from the Public Security Ministry, the study is expected to contribute to a reduction in prison overcrowding and prevent further criminalisation of youths, since it will

contribute to the design of a structured pre-trial opportunity programme.

From the consultant’s preliminary consultations with stakeholders, it was recognised that currently there is no structured diversion programme in Guyana and that resources will have to be allocated by government if such programmes are to be established. However, before proceeding to design and implement such programme, it is necessary to gather and analyse the relevant statistical and other types of information available relating to the various offender groups that may be targeted by any diversion programmes.

Among the consultant’s task are: reviewing criminal laws in order to flag for legislative review any offences that need no longer be classified as criminal acts or which may now be decriminalized; collecting and analysing the relevant statistical information relating to the various offender groups that may be targeted by any diversion programmes; consulting on the possibility of developing a diversion strategy aimed at diverting certain types of offenders out of the criminal justice system; investigating the possibility of establishing a pilot diversion programme for the mentally ill to ensure

that offenders with mental health problems who enter the criminal justice system are identified and directed towards appropriate mental health care; examining the prospects of establishing a diversion strategy for alcohol and substance abusers aimed at curbing alcohol and drug related crime; and exploring possibilities for the use of restorative justice as a diversion mechanism as an alternative to imprisonment in respect of matters that would otherwise be subject to criminal sanctions.

The release stated that citizen security and crime reduction is one of the leading policy priorities of the Government and with assistance from the IDB , the administration has developed a Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP) that focuses on the prevention and reduction of crime and violence, and public sector and civil society capacity building.

As part of the CSSP, the Consultant was hired to conduct research on models and good practises in the field of pre-trial detention and specifically to explore and present alternatives to pre-trial detention that are harmonious with the criminal justice processes in Guyana.

Vendor stabbed to death Police are investigating the murder of 51-year-old Dhanpaul Dookie known as “Pauline”, a labourer/vendor of Uitspa Village, Linden Highway /Demerara River.

According to a police report, the murder occurred between 20:00 hrs July

24 and 08:00 hrs on Wednesday at the said address by person or persons unknown. The body which bore multiple suspected stab wounds is at the Lyken’s Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination. No one has yet been arrested.

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Prison escapee recaptured in Linden house ANOTHER prison escapee has been recaptured by the authorities.

Kendall Skeete was recaptured around 11:15hrs on Wednesday at the Wisroc Housing Scheme, Wismar, Linden, the police reported.

According to police sources, ‘E’ Division ranks acted on information and captured Skeete, who was at the time hiding out at a resident’s house.

He told officers that he journeyed to Linden via a hire car and that he just wanted to see his family. The Guyana Chronicle understands that no force was used to recapture Skeete, who is cooperating with the police.

The father of seven was remanded to prison for murder and subsequently escaped from the Lusignan prison in

the wee hours of Monday, along with 12 others. All of the escapees went their separate ways.

The Guyana Police Force in a press release on Tuesday also appealed to members of the public, relatives and friends to give any relevant information as to the whereabouts of these escapees so that they can be captured and returned to the prison.

Those who remain on the run are: Clive Forde known as “El Sinkie”, Paul Goriah, Shawn Harris known as “Shawny”, Pascal Smith, Kerry Cromwell, Mark Royden Durant known as “Royden Williams and Smallie”, Stafrie Alexander Hopkinson, Uree Varswyck known as “Malcolm Gordon” and Cobena Stephens known as “OJ”.

Recaptured: Kendall Skeete

Durant, Hopkinson, Varswyck and Stephens had escaped from the Georgetown Prison on July 9, following a fire which destroyed most of the prison buildings and which subsequently led to the relocation of the prisoners to the Lusignan pasture on the East Coast of Demerara.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Ex-cop freed of murder charge FORMER policeman and murder accused, Ruel Brandon walked out of the Georgetown High Court a free man on Wednesday when Justice Nareshwar Harnanan upheld submissions made by defence lawyer, Nigel Hughes, during a voir dire, that Brandon’s confession statement should not be admitted into evidence.

Following the Judge’s decision, the State did not offer further evidence and the jury was then directed to return a formal not guilty verdict. Brandon, who is now a taxi driver, was on trial for the 2015 murder of seaman, Davonan Sookram called “Tall Man.” A visibly relieved Brandon stepped out of the courtroom after his shackles and handcuffs were removed and hugged his wife and relatives.

The State’s case was that between July 27 and 31, 2015, Brandon reportedly murdered Sookram at Ruby Backdam, East Bank Essequibo. The accused had pleaded not guilty to the offence. The State was represented by Lisa Cave, Siand Dhurjon and Shawnette Austin. A total of 10 witnesses testified at the trial.

Sookram’s decomposing body was found along the

Dead: Davonan Sookram

access road at Ruby, East Bank Essequibo, on July 31, 2015, four days after he went missing. According to police reports, Brandon who was familiar with Sookram and his family, picked up Sookram from home on July 27, 2015, and he was never seen alive again.

Sookram’s wife had reported him missing and on July 31, 2015 she was speaking to the police at the Parika Station when they received information that a body was found.

Police reported that at about noon on July 31, 2015, they received information that a decomposing body was observed along the access road at Ruby, with a suspected gunshot wound to the head. It was later identi-

Freed: Ruel Brandon walks out the Georgetown High Court on Wednesday [Michel Outridge photo]

fied to be that of the missing man, Sookram.

Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh had testified that on August 3, 2015, he performed a post mortem on the body of Sookram, which was in an advanced state of decomposition.

He said that from the circular wound on the right side of the back of the head, the cause of death was consistent with gunshot injuries. He also estimated the time of death to have been two to five days before the body was discovered.

Man charged with causing wife’s death – accused of drunk driving ALMOST three days after 20-year-old Gaitri Sahadeo was killed in a motorcycle accident along the Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) road, her 24-year-old reputed husband has been charged with causing her death; he was also slapped with six other traffic related charges.

Laurent McGarrell of Golden Grove, EBD, appeared before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday and denied that on July 23, 2017 at Providence, he drove motorcycle, CJ 1957, in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of Sahadeo.

McGarrell, a Forklift Operator at Caribbean Containers Inc. was released on $100,000 bail by the Chief Magistrate and ordered to return to court on August 8. He was then immediately taken before City Magistrate, Sunil Scarce, to answer to six other traffic related offences as a result of the accident. He was charged with driving without a driver's licence; driving without a third party insurance; driving without a safety helmet and driving

DEAD: Gaitri Sahadeo

Laurent McGarrell

the motorcycle without consent from the owner.

He was also charged with driving the motorcycle while being under the influence of alcohol. The unrepresented man pleaded guilty to the charges, except taking the motorcycle without the consent of the owner.

He explained to the court that “his brain is not working since he is studying his dead wife” and he is not in the right frame of mind. Magistrate Scarce then ordered that McGarrell be examined by a psychiatrist. McGarrell was ordered to post bail in the sum of $20,000 on each charge. As a condition of bail, McGarrell

was ordered to report to the Providence Police Station every Saturday until the determination of the matter. He has to return to court on August 8.

According to reports, the accident occurred at around 00:30hrs on the eastern carriageway of the Providence, EBD Public Road when the motorcycle suffered a blowout.

Sahadeo, who was the pillion rider and who was not wearing a helmet, reportedly sustained injuries to the head. She was picked up in an unconscious condition and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she succumbed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Command centre set up in Berbice to comb backlands – massive hunt ongoing, ‘scrutinizing eyes’ guarding prisons – Ramjattan

By Navendra Seoraj

A command centre has been established in Berbice to aid the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in combing the backlands in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), as the joint services continue their hunt for the remaining nine prison escapees.

“We need proper surveillance in the Berbice backlands because we have had a number of reports coming from that area,” said Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, during a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday.

The command centre is headed by the new Commander of ‘B’ Division, Paul Williams. It is an intelligence system that is equipped with adequate officers who will act immediately on information received.

In the wee hours of Monday, 13 prisoners dug their way out of the Lusignan Prison within the Lusignan pasture, East Coast Demerara. However, police were able to recapture seven of them within 24 hours and another one early Wednesday morning.

Minister Ramjattan confirmed that a “massive” manhunt is on to capture those who are still on the run.

Those who remain on the run are: Clive Forde known as “El Sinkie”, Paul Goriah, Shawn Harris known as “Shawny”, Pascal Smith, Kerry Cromwell, Mark Royden Durant known as “Royden Williams and Smallie”, Stafrie Alexander Hopkinson, Uree Varswyck known as “Malcolm Gordon” and Cobena Stephens known as “OJ”.

Durant, Hopkinson, Varswyck and Stephens had escaped from the Georgetown Prison on July 9, following a fire which destroyed most of the prison buildings and which subsequently led to the relocation of the prisoners to the Lusignan pasture on the East Coast of Demerara.

As a result of the incident at Lusignan, eighty-five prisoners were transferred from the pasture to the Camp Street brick prison facility.

“When they were sent there, they started again

with their bad behaviour… prisoners destroyed the beds and use the foot to break the brick wall,” said the Minister who pointed out that the prisoners’ efforts were in vain because of the strength of the wall.

Members of the joint services were able to bring the situation at the Camp Street Prison under control by engaging the prisoners and listening to their demands and concerns. Following those discussions, the officials of the prison allowed families to provide self-support for their relatives who are imprisoned.

Minister Ramjattan pointed out that the meals from relatives have helped in calming the inmates down.

“I hope they stop behaving the way they do… as was explained to them by senior officers, it is in their best interest that they be more disciplined,” he said while adding that the joint services are doing their part to instill discipline into them.

One of the methods that was employed was to sanitise the prison. Several phones and illegal weapons were recovered during that process. Frequent checks will be done to ensure that the prison is free of contraband, said Ramjattan.

When asked if all systems are in place to ensure that another prison break is avoided, he said security has been ramped up at every holding facility around the country.

“We have all systems in place to ensure that there is not another prison break… we said that the last time and still 13 prisoners managed to escape, but this time around we will have scrutinising eyes around the prisons,” said the Minister.

These methods are however temporary, given that the government is looking to construct a new prison.

According to Ramjattan, this will however take a year or two to finalise.

In the meantime, the Minister appealed to members of the public, relatives and friends to give any relevant information as to the whereabouts of the escapees so that they can be captured and returned to the prison.

Prisoners at Camp Street Jail were given the opportunity to express their concerns to the Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Patrick West

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

GPSU, Gov’t to negotiate increase for public servants – meeting set for August 4th THE Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has accepted government’s invitation to meet and start negotiations for the 2017 increase in wages and salaries for public servants.

However, the GPSU has called on the administration to first conclude the 2016 negotiations before moving forward to this year’s.

Government had offered to grant an increase of 10 per cent for persons earning below $99, 000 in August 2016 but it was rejected by

the union and a one-off bonus of $25,000 was given to public servants at the end of the year.

“We were invited on August 4, 2017 to start negotiations for 2017 but we must remember that 2016 is still on the table and must be completed,” said Vice President of the GPSU, Mortimer Livan at a press conference at the union’s office on Wednesday.

He said the decision to start discussions for 2017 is a “slap in the face” as it relates to the commitment

of President David Granger, who had pointed out that the negotiation is not at an impasse. In September 2017, during one of his Public Interest programmes, President Granger had said that the government’s offer in 2016 was not a final one that the negotiations are “incomplete.”

“The President promised us that the Ministries of Finance and the Presidency will notify us about the arrangements to continue the negotiations for 2016 but it never came through,”

lamented Livan.

In seeking redress from the President, the union has written to the Ministry of the Presidency with hope of having the 2016 negotiations addressed before moving to 2017.

The outcome of the 2016 negotiations is pertinent to the 2017 discussions, said the union’s Vice President, while adding that they have already submitted a proposal for increases for 2016, 2017 and 2018. A $7,000 per month --January to December 2017- was proposed to be added to the salary at December 31, 2016, and to minimum and maximum bands. In addition, a 20% increase across the board to the salary as at December 2016, to the amount payable at the minimum and maximum bands.

For year three, January to December 2018 it was proposed that there should be a flat increase of $9,000 per month added to the sal-

Vice President of the GPSU, Mortimer Livan address members of the media on Wednesday

ary at December 31, 2017.

Also, a 20% increase acrossthe-board to the salary as at December 2017, of each person employed in the public sector.

“By 2018 we want to have what we call a living wage or a basket of necessities…so we have to achieve the minimum wage,” said Livan.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

APNU to meet bi-monthly COMING out of the need for a more collective approach to decision-making, the five-party A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition has committed to meeting every two months.

Last month, the Working Peoples’ Alliance (WPA) – one of the parties in APNU – had issued a call to the leadership of the coalition for greater inclusion of its partners. APNU along with the Alliance for Change (AFC) won the May 11,

2015 General and Regional Elections.

However, since assuming executive office, APNU has not met formally as a single party. This was confirmed by Dr. David Hinds, an executive member of the WPA, at a press conference last month.

“The WPA was not consulted after the coalition won. There was no meeting between the WPA and the coalition or the President…” he said, calling for the five parties to be “mean-

ingfully engaged.”

“We want to play a meaningful role in shaping policy and shaping the vision of the government,” Dr. Hinds added. Subsequently, APNU announced that it would be hosting a general meeting this month.

The meeting was held on July 22 and according to Dr. Hinds on Wednesday, it was agreed that the parties will continue to meet every two months.

“The APNU will meet every two months,” he said,

explaining that the issue of consistency and frequency of meeting of APNU was raised at the meeting on July 22. “We discussed that thoroughly and solved that issue by agreeing that the APNU meet more often. And, we went as far as to decide when the next meeting will be, which is in the next two months. The APNU will meet every two months,” the WPA member reiterated.

He was keen to note though, that while no agen-

da was set for the next meeting, the Corbin Report will take center stage during the deliberations. The Corbin Report was compiled by former Peoples’ National Congress (PNC) – another party in APNU - leader, Robin Corbin. It identifies some of the concerns which the coalition parties raised after its formation in 2011.

Meanwhile, Dr. Hinds shared that no agreement was made on the frequency of the meeting of the leadership council of APNU.

He noted that the hub of the party is its executive, and as far as that body will meet regularly, the WPA will feel satisfied, since it will allow for discussions on issues affecting the partnership and wider national issues.

Outside of the meeting of the executive, Dr. Hinds said that a decision was also made for there to be other fora where parties can deliberate on policy making and the larger narrative of the partnership.

13 of 35 barbers, cosmetologists still at Merriman Mall – deadline for relocation is July 31

By Telesha Ramnarine ALTHOUGH the barbers and cosmetologists of the Merriman Mall shout a great cry whenever the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) talks of removing them, only 13 out of 35 of them were actually found working there when Mayor Patricia Chase-Green paid a visit recently.

Chase-Green is in possession of a list with 35 practitioners who have been asking the M&CC to consider another petition from them to extend their stay at the facility.

At the Council’s most recent statutory meeting, Chase-Green referred to reports of the Constabulary Department, with help from some councillors, who aid these barbers and cosmetologists to practice their trade on the streets.

The mayor promised to deal with the chief constable

and any who may be found guilty of relocating the practitioners to the streets.

The barbers and cosmetologists were given up to this month’s end to find a place to relocate, but they have since asked the M&CC to grant them another extension and although adamant in the past that they should remove because of public health issues, the mayor has now softened her approach.

“They are residents of this city; I will do whatever I can to assist,” Chase-Green had said in response to Councillor Trichria Richards recently, who was against the M&CC entertaining any more petitions from the vendors.

According to Richards, the barbers and cosmetologists are not actively pursuing their relocation, because they have found that they are continuing to be granted extensions.

“If we keep entertaining

Vendors along Merriman Mall

them, our three years will be up and they will still be there,” said Richards.

The Town Clerk reportedly has a plan in mind to transform the said area in a way that will allow the vendors to remain. But this matter has not yet reached the Council for deliberations.

Earlier this year, the mayor had said the Merriman Mall vendors have been disgracing the Council by their untidiness.

“We will not tolerate it!”

Chase-Green had said. The Council agreed, by a recommendation from the Markets’ Public Health Committee, that they should have been gone long ago.

“We tried our utmost best [sic] to ensure that no one is left without sending their child to school, or providing a meal by having them there. But it is not in the best interest of the City, the condition that place is being left in. They have three barbers there who have the place looking good, com-

pared to the female cosmetologists. The men showing the women them up on that place; we can’t tolerate that kind of lawlessness.”

The M&CC have always said that they are not responsible for relocating the vendors, but the vendors continue to look to the

municipality for assistance, considering that they have been occupying that spot for years and have been paying fees.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Bourda Street stalls to resemble those outside GPO

By Telesha Ramnarine

THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is considering erecting stalls on

Bourda Street that are the size and pattern of those outside the Guyana Post Office (GPOC).

The vendors at Bourda

Street were displaced approximately two years ago when the M&CC decided that no vending could take place there because of the

Vendors along Bourda Street

dangers posed by the old Bedford School building.

The mayor observed how the government, through one of its ministries, is ready to lend a helping hand to the project, but the M&CC is holding back the works.

She noted too, that since the Council has been waiting on the Engineer’s Department to come up with a pattern for the stalls for quite some time now, the M&CC should move forward with this idea that she is proposing.

Town Clerk Royston King responded that City Engineer, Colvern Venture, did submit the drawings but the committee dealing with the matter is looking at other options.

King said he can have those who are still plying

their business at Bourda Street to remove in three days, but the mayor declined his offer after calling for proper consultations on the matter.

Back in July 2015, King and senior M&CC officials met with some 20 vendors who plied their trade on Bourda Street. The purpose of that meeting was to inform the vendors that they will no longer be allowed to do business there because the Council was ready to go ahead with plans to demolish the said building.

The news was not welcomed by the vendors, but King explained that the situation was no longer tenable as the derelict building posed a threat to their very existence and those of passers-by too.

“The Bedford building

has been in a state of disrepair for a number of years.

The Council had issued a call for persons who have derelict structures to remove them, since they serve as a haven for criminal elements and persons of unsound mind.

Also, these structures are an eyesore and pose a threat to the lives of the passers-by and occupiers of neighbouring buildings,” King had said.

“We cannot allow you to operate in an environment that will compromise your safety and health,” he said, adding that while the Council is cognisant of the socio-economic factors affecting citizens, vendors need to cooperate with the administration so that the relocation process can be a smooth one.

Farmers owe MMA ADA $600M some instructed by the political in D&I charges –opposition not to pay

By Clifford Stanley FARMERS in the Mahaica/ Mahaicony/ Abary Agricultural Development Authority area (MMA/ADA) owe the Authority in excess of $600M for drainage and irrigation services and land rent, General Manager Aubrey Charles has disclosed.

Charles said that at the moment, payments by farmers amounted to about 30% of the sums needed for the provision of D&I services and as such, the farmers should understand that the MMA will only be able to provide the level of service they require if they honour their obligations.

He said that the flow of payments seems to suggest that farmers had been reneging on their debts to the MMA even more, after the increase in D&I Charges for 2017. He stressed, ”It should be made clear that the D&I rates prior to 2017 had been held down at a low level since 2006. Indeed, there had been no increase in D&I rates for the past ten years prior

to the increases for 2017-this even while the costs of maintenance of the scheme had been increasing by leaps and bounds.”

He opined: “Had the rates been increased in an incremental way to match the increase in operational costs between 2006 and 2016, it is quite possible that they would have been at their current level. But rice farmers got away with not having to pay any increase for ten years and they must know that they have to pay up or risk losing their crops, because we can only do so much with the limited funds available.”

He added: “I am told that despite the rains, farmers in the scheme are already complaining about lack of irrigation to their plots due to secondary canals and secondary drains being clogged up. There is little the MMA can do about this unless the attitude to payments to the MMA by these farmers changes.”

The MMA/ADA scheme is divided into three sections: the Abary/Berbice

area, the Mahaicony/Abary area and the Mahaica / Mahaicony area. Most of the farmers who are in default with their payments are rice farmers cultivating crops in the Abary/Berbice area. The D&I rates for the Abary/ Berbice rice cultivation was raised from a maximum of $2500 per acre to $8,000 per acre and the land rent charges increased from $1,000 per acre per year to $7,000 per acre per year for 2017.

This meant an overall increase from $3500 per acre per year to $15,000 per acre per year. The D&I charges for the Abary/Mahaicony area had been increased from $1241 to $7000 per acre per year and in the Mahaicony/ Mahaica area, from a situation where the farmers there had not been asked to pay for D&I charges, even though these services had been provided, from zero to $5000 per acre per year.

Farmers have since protested against the increases, saying that they had been too steep. Charles said that in

Turn to page 17 ►

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Report all industrial incident, accidents – Minister Scott urges employers MINISTER with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott has reminded proprietors and operators of businesses that it is a requirement by law that they report all industrial accidents/incidents to relevant authorities of the subject Ministry.

Minister Scott said there are a few workplace-related deaths that the Labour Department is currently looking into, many of them have not been reported by operators or owners, but by reports in the media and by other means of information.

“I would like to remind them that all accidents must be reported to us,” the minister told the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday.

Scott had told the news-

paper some weeks ago that the agency was investigating at least two deaths on the job, while they were also keeping an eye on the active jail break which has so far left one prison warder dead and several others injured.

With some Camp Street prisoners are still on the run, the minister said that while it is compulsory to launch an investigation into the death and injury of prison staffers, this will have to be done when the dust the clears and order is restored to the system.

“We have the situation on our radar but the situation is currently too fluid to engage,” Minister Scott said.

He however pointed out that so far, a labour officer has been assigned to com-

mence the communication chain that will be necessary for investigating the Camp Street matter.

Minister Scott told the Guyana Chronicle that his ministry’s Occupational Health and Safety Department was also investigating the death of 60-year-old Gerald Henry, who was shot to the chest and later died, following a botched robbery at a supermarket in Dennis Street, Sophia, where he was performing security duties.

The investigation into Henry’s death has been completed and will be made public.

However, investigations continue into the death of another security guard, Sammy Powell, who was found several days ago with his throat slit in front of his workplace on Robb Street.

Minister with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott

Outside of this, Minister Scott related that the ministry’s relevant department has added to its list of matters to be investigated, the

recent Roraima Airways plane accident a day ago which left veteran pilot, Collin Martin, dead.

The recent Republic Bank robbery and the toppling of a Guyana Sugar Company GuySuCo lorry in Berbice which was carrying some 18 sugar workers at the time are also on the bill.

Where the plane crash is concerned, Scott said his ministry is yet to receive any information from the company relating to the accident.

The reporting of the accident should be an almost immediate act where a staff is killed or injured on the job. The minister said his staff is however on standby to receive the necessary information to commence their work.

Regarding the Water

Street, Republic Bank robbery which left one of the armed robbers dead, Scott said staffers could be psychologically traumatised and it is the Ministry’s responsibility to ensure they get help.

The Ministry will also commence investigations into the Berbice matter in a bid to secure the safety of workers.

Last month, Minister Scott said the Occupational Safety and Health Unit within the Department of Labour had seen a 100 per cent decrease in workplace deaths, thus far for the year.

He owed the accomplishment to the instant investigation of fatal accidents on work sites and the enlightenment of workers on the issue of health and occupational safety.

Gov’t doing all it can to reform prison system – WPA THOUGH not pleased with the current situation, the Working Peoples’ Alliance (WPA) is convinced that the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government “is doing all it can” to arrest the problems affecting the penal system.

One year after 17 prisoners were killed in an inferno at the Georgetown Prison at Camp Street, Guyana was once again sent into a shock when the said Georgetown Prison went up in flames earlier this month – a fire set by a group of high-profile prisoners, who made good their escape. The situation was further compounded when 13 of the more than 1000 transferred prisoners escaped from the Lusignan Prison’s compound where they were being held in a pasture. To date, approximately nine escapees are on the run, the others were captured.

In addressing this national issue on Wednesday, during a press conference at Rodney’s House, WPA Executive Member, Dr. David

Hinds said he believes the Government is doing all it can.

“We feel that the protective services, especially the police, have acted with restraint and we want to draw attention to that because you know in previous times if there was a prison break of that magnitude we were certain that we were going to see dead bodies on the streets, and we want to commend the present government with the handling of the situation in that regard,” Dr. Hinds said.

Dr. Hinds, however, said that the Commission of Inquiry (COI) recommendations which the government had in its hand could have been implemented with more haste. “They could have been some more haste in terms of putting in place and implementing those recommendations”.

WPA Chairperson, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, who was also present at the press conference, said the recent jailbreaks are indicative of a breakdown in the administration of the penal system.

She said government should do all that is necessary to restore the prison system.

“The root causes of the recent prison outbreaks lie in the overcrowding of the prisons; in the abominable conditions in the prisons; poor remuneration of prison officers; the lengthy period of incarceration of persons while awaiting trial; and the fact that a small minority of officers have become compromised,” Sarabo-Halley pointed out.

Sarabo Halley said the party supports the government to address overcrowding. In addition, the top areas of priority are “better working conditions and improved wages and salaries for prison officers”. An immediate campaign aimed at ridding the prison service of corrupt officers and re-educating the force about the importance of integrity is an area which Halley calls to be mounted.

In addition to this being said by Halley, reference was made to, Odinga Wickham, who lost his life in the line of duty at the first

Security outside the Georgetown Prison

prison outbreak. She also emphasised that there is a linkage between poverty and alienation among the country’s youth and

our growing crime situation. During the press conference, she said “In this regard, we intend to use our voice within and

outside of government to advocate for more social programs aimed at bringing our young people into formal productive sectors”.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Plane crash

Aircraft made ‘quick’ nosedive into jungle …GCAA opens probe

By Alva Solomon A TEAM of investigators from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) headed to Eteringbang in Region Seven on Wednesday morning after a Roraima Airways plane crashed on Tuesday afternoon, killing its pilot.

The aircraft, a Britten-Norman islander bearing registration, 8R-GRA, crashed on approach to landing around 17:53hrs on Tuesday. The airline’s chief pilot, Captain Collin Martin, 39, who was the lone occupant at the time, succumbed to injuries he sustained during the accident. The GCAA team, along with personnel from Roraima Airways, left the Eugene F Correia International airport at Ogle for Eteringbang on Wednesday morning to commence investigations into the fatal crash. The team’s initial departure time was delayed by bad weather at their place of destination.

On Tuesday afternoon, Captain Martin was engaged in the shuttling of fuel for miners between the Ekereku aerodrome and Eteringbang.

The aircraft crashed in an area of thick vegetation while preparing to land. Another aircraft operated by Roraima, registered as 8R-GRB, was flying in the area at the time of the incident and saw what happened. Roraima’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Captain Gerry Gouveia, noted on

social media that the aircraft involved in the accident made a “quick” nose-dive into the dense jungle in the area.

This was corroborated by reports from aviation sources. Captain Martin, a former Major in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), has been described by colleagues as one of the hardworking pilots at Roraima. He was credited with undertaking a number of medical evacuation flights from the hinterland, especially during the night.

Meanwhile, His Excellency President David Granger, in a statement said he is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Captain Collin Winston Martin, Chief Pilot at Roraima Airways.

Prior to his employment at Roraima Airways, Captain Martin served as a member of the Guyana Defence Force, having joined on March 1, 1995. He was commissioned as an Officer on November 12, 1995 and served for seventeen years, attaining the rank of Major before retiring on May 4, 2012. President Granger extends sincere condolences to the wife of the late Captain Martin, Dr. Roberta Martin, his daughter, Rebecca Martin, his mother and other relatives, as well as Captain Gerry Gouveia and the staff of Roraima Airways.

In August 2016, the aircraft involved in Tuesday’s accident sustained substantial damage to its under-carriage

after it encountered mechanical problems during take-off at Eteringbang. The pilot lost control of the aircraft at the time and during the aborted take-off attempt, it ran-off the runway and careened into a valley. No one was injured.

The aircraft came to prominence in November, 1996 when it was hijacked by three Spanish-speaking men at Kwebanna in the North West District. It was found several months later covered by bushes in Colombia. Guyana’s domestic aviation sector has experienced several accidents over the past decade. Most accidents have been non-fatal, however, there have been several instances which involved the loss of lives of the pilots and crew. The most recent fatal accident occurred in Jan-

uary, 2014 when a Trans Guyana Airways Cessna Caravan, bearing registration 8R-GHS crashed during a flight from the Olive Creek airstrip to Imbaimadai in Region Seven.

Flight TGA 700 crashed approximately two and onehalf minutes after takeoff, 3km south of Olive Creek. The pilot, Captain Blake Slater and cargo handler, Dwayne Jacobs died in the crash.

A GCAA investigation report stated that the probable cause of the accident was due to a power loss suffered by the engine. In another incident, in April, 2013, a Piper PA-23-250 aircraft, bearing registration – N27FT was destroyed when it crashed into a residential area at Sparendaam, shortly after departing from the Eugene F Correia International

The remains of Roraima Airways BN-2 Islander which crashed late Tuesday afternoon

A team of investigators headed to the Eteringbang airstrip as they commenced investigation into Tuesday afternoon’s accident. (Photo credit/Captain Gerry Gouveia

Airport at Ogle.

Those killed in the mid-afternoon accident were Nick Dmitriev, 54, a survey technician and Pierre Angiel, 71, the pilot and owner of the aircraft, who were in Guyana to do aerial surveys and digital mapping for the Amalia Falls Hydro-project.

The GCAA said the probable cause of that accident was due to failure of the right engine and possible loss of power in the left engine, and subsequent attempted forced landing in which the aircraft was destroyed by post impact

forces and post-impact fire.

In December 2014, an Air Services Limited (ASL) Britten Norman Islander, registered as 8R-GHE disappeared while on a routine shuttle operation from Mahdia to Karisparu in Region Eight. The pilot, Captain Nicholas Persaud, 27, and cargo handler David Bisnauth, 51, along with the aircraft, have not been found.

Subsequent searches by ASL and the GCAA came up empty-handed. The search was called off on January 19, 2015 with the crew presumed dead.

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Mabaruma residents skeptical of scope of works AS works commence on the upgrade of the roads in the town of Mabaruma, residents are skeptical at the scope of works being undertaken by the contractor.

Works commenced on the roadway in May, one month after Minister of State, Joseph Harmon announced at a post-Cabinet briefing that a contract was awarded to Mohamed Ramzan Ally Khan Con-

struction, to the tune of $66.2M for repairs to the Kumaka Stretch.

The road at the Mabaruma main township and the road to the airstrip are being rehabilitated at a cost of $82.1M. Reports from Maba ruma are that works commenced when the rains were pouring in May, and as result of the weather, such works were put on hold.

Works being undertaken on the main public road in the town of Mabaruma on Tuesday

Farmers owe MMA ADA $600M...

From page 14

response to the poor payment by farmers, the Board of the MMA had decided to focus its resources on maintenance of the main drains and canals first, and then the secondary drains and canals, as funds become available.

He added that the MMA had observed an increase in payments at the end of the spring crop (March 2017) and hoped that this trend will continue. Charles noted that the MMA had the option of repossessing the lands from defaulters, but was at the moment encouraging those farmers who have large sums of money outstanding to visit the office and work out a payment plan to eliminate their indebtedness.

Meanwhile, a reliable source within the rice industry in Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) disclosed that part of the reasons for the large amount of monies owed to the MMA was that many farmers had been encouraged by the political opposition not to pay any

charges, because they said the increases had been too steep. “They had these bottom house meetings where they instructed the farmers not to pay any rates to the MMA,” that source said.

The official stressed that the D&I charges of the MMA had been deliberately kept at an unrealistic level by the previous Administration for more than ten years, thereby starving the Management of the Scheme of the funds It required to provide efficient services.”

“If the MMA had been allowed to increase the D&I charges in an incremental way during those years, those new rates would have been less of a problem right now,” he said. He stressed that farmers should pay up because they can lose their crops if the D&I channels as well as the primary and secondary access dams continue to deteriorate, as they undoubtedly will, due to lack of maintenance.

A resident told the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday that while persons have welcomed the works, the scope of such works appeared temporary.

He said sand was being rolled onto the graded roadway and tar was being

plastered to cover the sand.

“The rains will wash away those works in no time,” another resident noted.

Last year, similar works were undertaken at Kumaka, the business hub of the Mabaruma sub-region and

within a month, the roads were in a deplorable state.

Minister Harmon noted in April that during several ministerial visits to sub-region one and two in Region One, the residents had voiced their concerns about the poor quality of

roads in Mabaruma and Port Kaituma.

He said at the time that Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, had indicated that he would be visiting the area to examine the scope of the works.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Giving women a head start --Region 10 MP spearheads skills training programmes in Linden

SCORES of single-mothers and unemployed women residing in communities on the Wismar shoreline in Linden recently benefitted from a skills training programme that was initiated by young Region 10 Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira.

The programme, which spanned several communities including Block 22, Blue Berry Hill, Wisroc, One Mile and Andy Ville, saw the participation of many women, who, over a two-week period, learned such skills as fabric designing, tie-dyeing and candle making.

With the high unemployment rate in Linden and the government’s push for entrepreneurial enterprising, MP Figueira said that the idea was birthed after he realised that despite the government has pumped money into the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) to empower Lindeners through financial assistance, there was still a lacking in skills within

issue in Linden, and the thrust behind this skills training programme is to empower people,” Figueira said, adding:

programme came into being.”

Sponsorship was sought, and responding favourably were Food for the Poor and

clothing or scented candles to commence their businesses.

According to Figueira, because the course was such

An array of scented candles made by participants of the just-concluded skills training programme

“Government has been trying to push an entrepreneur spirit within this communi-

Caring for Others out of the U.S.A. The participants learned from the best arts and

a huge success, it will become a regular feature on the township’s programme of activities.

is indeed a wealth of hidden talent in the communities that need to be awakened.

Many of the participants also expressed interest in continuing the training, to further perfect their skills.

One single mother of AndyVille told the Guyana Chronicle that the programme has indeed empowered her, and that she is ready to start her own business as she has already gained a client or two.

“I think it is a really good initiative, because rather than you sit down at home not doing anything, you can get up and get, and learn something with your hands,” she said, adding: “Is not that people were not willing, but you just needed a push; and that is what we got with this programme.

“So I would just like to thank the MP and all those that came on board.”

Other communities that will benefit from the next training programme will

new products on the market, and therefore for the success of the programme, Lindeners are being encouraged to support their own by buying local.

“The people in the communities have to be conscious that if the businesses have to grow, they have to support them so that they can create employment for fellow Lindeners and see it as a means of you contributing to the development of your community,” Figueira said.

There are also plans afoot to move from the manufacturing level to the marketing level so that the products can meet the standards of the competitors.

With this in mind, Figueira said he will be approaching GO-INVEST, the Linden Chamber of Commerce and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce to aid in perfecting the marketing of the products.

On August 1, there will be a Linden Craft Exposi-

MP Jermaine Figueira with some of the programme’s beneficiaries

the communities and therefore, it was more difficult for those unemployed to become their own bosses.

“We are very much aware that unemployment is a sore

ty, but there is shortage of a skill-set, particularly for the niche market that has great potential to boost business and entrepreneurial spirit...

And that is how the training

crafts teachers in Linden such as Monica Higgins and Donna Perry, and at the end of the programme were given the resources they need to create their own fabric pieces, tie-dye

HIDDEN TALENT Noting how impressed he was with the quality of work he saw at Saturday’s graduation exercise, Figueira said it just goes to show that there

be Kwakwani, Rockstone, Coomacka Mines and Speightland.

With the skilled training programme now on board, there will be a great supply of

tion opposite the Wismar Market, where the very participants, as well as other craftsmen and women in Linden, will be showcasing their products.

19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Vybz Entertainment looks beyond LTW --serving the community in more ways than one

L I N D E N To w n We e k (LTW) franchise holder, Vybz Entertainment, has been taking part in several community projects, despite not knowing whether they will be rewarded the 2018 contract.

tertainment, which is a group of young entrepreneurs and business personalities within the Linden community, redid the entire floor of the Linden Special Needs School. The school’s floor was in a deplorable condition, according to

the organisation teamed up with Babaloo Car Rental and Trucking Service and had the first half of the floor completed in 2016, while the other half was completed last week.

This was simultaneously done with the completion of a Bus

The bus shed at Wisroc that Vybz built

The organisation has been taking the time to not only plan parties and other entertainment activities, but to give back to the community, in light of the support it has received over the last three years.

Only last week, Vybz En-

Head Teacher Luanna Boyce who, during a previous interview with the Guyana Chronicle, had expressed fear since it proved dangerous to both life and limb.

Vybz Executive Member, Delicia Chee-A-Tow told the Guyana Chronicle that

Shed located at Wisroc.

The Bus Shed was Vybz’s 2016 contractual project for winning the franchise. It costs approximately $485,000 to construct it. Chee-A-Tow highlighted that over the years, Vybz has also made several donations to the May-

or and Town Council, such as bins and street lights for the community and will soon be making a donation to the police.

Vybz Entertainment has already bid for the 2018 LTW franchise, and while

saw activities for everyone being pulled off. Vybz’s mission was to revive the LTW, and so some young entrepreneurs pooled their resources together in an effort to do so. The team is chaired by popular singer Mr. Winston

Damuka Ngqondo, Vbyz Entertainment Logistics Officer (right) and O. Adams of Babaloo Car Rental & Trucking service making a presentation to Ms Janice Gibso, Chairman of the Linden Special Needs School. Also in the photo are Board members Ava Chapman and L. Butcher

things may be looking positive, the team is awaiting an official word from the LMTC on its position. According to Vybz Director, Lincoln Zephyr, the organisation overcame many challenges to deliver a very successful LTW 2017 which

Caesar, and has members ranging from promoters, teachers, entrepreneurs, youths, public relations personnel among others.

Zephyr noted that the team has plans to incorporate more young people for 2018, not only for the planning and

tainment level at a certain time of the year but continuous effort around the year, to do good things for the community,” he said.

In an effort to do so, the team will be collaborating with other NGO’s across Linden.

and vote, thus allowing for the removal of the PPP/C government after 23 years.

In addition to her own groups, Kissoon is also a member of the Caribbean Association of Feminist and Research Action (CAFRA); the Chairman of the Linden Critchlow Labour College Branch; a Director on the Linden Special Needs Board;

and a Director of the Region 10 Broadcasting Incorporative Board.

Despite holding these many hats, Kissoon said what she enjoys the most is being a mother to her five children and a teacher, something that has become a part of her over the last 15 years.

“I see my students in successful careers, like Ms Diana Chapman who won the senior calypso competition; Ms Ruqayyah Boyer who represented Guyana at the Miss World pageant; Cleon Coppin, who is a Captain in the Guyana Defence Force; Dion Anderson, a Chemical Engineer; and Mrs. Jamila Chapman Wills, teacher at the Mackenzie High School just to name a few.

“There are also many young professionals, especially my children, who all want to follow in my political footsteps,” she affirmed.

Kissoon has passed the baton on to the other MPs representing Region 10, and enjoys watching them do the tasks she once did selflessly. “I encourage them to represent the people who elected them without fear or favour,” Ms Kissoon said as she continues to show her resilience and strength in so many ways and is now pursuing Social Work at the University of Guyana.

Life after politics

--with Vanessa Kissoon, ‘Champion of the Voiceless’ MACKENZIE High School teacher and former Member of Parliament (MP) Vanessa Kissoon continues to play an integral role in youth and women development in the mining town of Linden.

Taking advantage of her popularity, which was used to create a positive impact on many during her tenure as MP, Vanessa Kissoon has gravitated from politics to social development, helping many along the way.

Her vibrant, outgoing and go-getter attitude has made it difficult for her to retire from Parliament and also retire from helping and making representation for others.

So she founded the Linden Youth Corps, of which she is also the coordinator. The Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has a large following of young people, and has been involved in a plethora of activities that are not only beneficial to them individually but to many who are less fortunate.

“We normally take part in a lot of community activities such as annual kite distribution, schools backpack dis-

tribution, honouring mothers and fathers on Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day, children’s Christmas parties and toys distribution,” Kissoon outlined.

The youths would also participate in community cleanup campaigns and health walks in an effort to create awareness.

The Virtuous Women on a Mission social group that Kissoon also founded focuses on women’s development in the community, and makes representation for those who may seem voiceless.

The group, which has a membership of women from several communities across Linden, has its mission in creating awareness and empowering women through various platforms.

“We held a regional health programme for women, and played an integral role in the Women of Business exposition,” Kissoon revealed, adding that in the past, the group has also honoured men in the Linden community for their outstanding and continued contributions.

One of the beneficiaries was the late Mr. Norman Chap-

man, owner of the ill-fated motor vessel, the Son Chapman, that sank on the Upper Demerara River in the mid-60s.

IN MY PERSONALITY As a young child, Kissoon, who grew up in Plaisance on the East Coast Demerara, said she always found herself representing her siblings and friends whenever the need arose. This leadership spirit is what led her to take up politics in the first place, since it would give her a chance to represent the voiceless. “I took up politics because of my love for humanity,” she said. “And it gave me the opportunity to represent and be a voice for the voiceless, and have persons understand that they must stand up for their rights and what they believe.”

After obtaining her trained teacher’s certificate, she began teaching at MHS in 2002. She joined the Guyana Youth and Student Movement in 2004 and became an MP in 2006, where served for two terms and was the female frontline activist in the Linden struggle against an injustice that was

execution of the LTW, but to provide them with skills training needed to contribute meaningfully to their communities.

“So as to get young people involved in the communities, not just at the enter-

Vanessa Kissoon

being imposed on the people of Linden by then PPP/C regime.

She tabled a Motion in the National Assembly coming out of the struggle called The August 21, 2012 Agreement, and also played a major role in the 2001 and 2015 Regional and National Elections whereby she talked youths and women into going out

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Giving Linden youths a sporting chance --‘Pocket Rocket’ on boxing, the way forward

MANY youths residing in neglected communities on the Wismar shore such as Victory Valley, have fallen prey to unconstructive activities which in some cases is the start of a criminal life.

With limited motivation, job opportunities, poor families and stigmatisation, many of these youths become victims to unfortunate social phenomena such as teenage pregnancy, school drop outs, drug addiction and gambling.

Veteran professional boxer Orlon Rogers, who is a Wismar resident, decided to use his expertise to create change in the lives of these youths.

Orlon, who is known in the ring as ‘Pocket Rocket’, was saved from going down the wayward road after commencing his boxing career in

Young Wismar amateur boxing champions, Akea Lamazon and Duel Augustine

1991. He then became professional in 2001, and took the opportunity to commence coaching young Lindeners, so he opened his first gym in the community of One Mile.

Over the years, ‘Pocket Rocket’ has taken many youths off the streets, who themselves became champions and professionals.

Said he: “Over the years, I have many successes. I have two champions; I also have the best set of amateur boxers in Guyana that came out of my hands, and presently, a whole core of them are in the Guyana Defence Force.”

From 2005 to 2013, he took a sabbatical from Linden and headed to Berbice, where he not only practised his skill as a contractor, but also opened a gym which reaped many successes, including copping seven Best Gym awards from the Guyana Boxing Association.

In 2013, he returned to Linden and opened a gym in Victory Valley, which is presently housed in the area’s Community Centre. ‘Pocket Rocket’ has been using the Linden Town Week period to recruit youths in these communities who would have expressed a willingness to box and after a period of training, they join the team.

Many of these youths have participated in international competitions and represented the Golden Ar-

rowhead well, many times returning home as champions.

“Presently, I have the Super Bantamweight Champion Richard Williamson and the Super Middleweight Champion Derick Richmond,” ‘Pocket Rocket’ said, adding: “I have three sets of top amateur boxers: We have Akea Lamazon who is the WBC amateur female champion, and Duel Augustine, who got the youth best boxer award last year.” Lamazon and Augustine are 16 and 18 years old respectively, and are just two of the many Lindeners who have already turned heads in the boxing arena in the Caribbean.

“We have from Victory Valley, Blue Berry Hill, Block 22, Christianburg and two from Mackenzie.”

A DISCIPLINED SPORT Refuting the popular belief that boxing is a violent sport, ‘Pocket Rocket’ said that on the contrary, it is one of the most disciplined sports that actually helps one to garner the skills of self-control while simultaneously teaching one self defence mechanisms.

“I would not have it as a

Veteran boxer and coach, Orlon Rogers, aka “Pocket Rocket”

violent sport; I tell my students, ‘You cannot have any confrontation on the streets.’

It’s also a part of self-defence as well, but I tell them to walk away, because, as a boxer, you know places where to hit someone that can hurt them,” he explained, adding that boxing also assists persons to be well rounded and boost their academic performance.

“I have a young man who has a distinction in English; it helps a lot; the discipline also helps them to aid in preventing fights as well.” ‘Pocket’ added.

Despite there is limited sponsorship for boxing in Linden, ‘Pocket Rocket’ has plans to expand the sport; to have more youths involved and to even have it integrated into the school system where youths can pursue the sport at the CSEC level. “I want to go at various schools and start a boxing workshop, but I haven’t received any response from the Ministry as yet,” he revealed.

The coach is also hoping to establish a modernised gym in Linden, since the only two there are currently are make-shift. With land available and the skills to construct, ‘Pocket Rocket’ is hoping to establish a modernised gym, and is hoping that the government will provide the funds to do so. He believes that the government should do more for boxing, not only in Linden but nationally, since proponents of the sport have done Guyana proud umpteen times.

“When you look at sports in Guyana, the only sport that brings glory to Guyana is boxing,” he said, adding: “I can call numerous championships; the only medal that came from the Olympics in Guyana is boxing, so I really think the government should pour more into it.”

The veteran boxer will be retiring next year but has no plans in the near future to stop promoting boxing in Linden, which is helping youths to gravitate to something useful. He also commenced a fortnightly boxing exhibition at the Ice Rock Club in Mackenzie, which is on the second and last Tuesday of every month. The young boxers use that opportunity to showcase their talents.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Study finds...

‘Coral gardening’ benefiting Caribbean reefs A NEW study has found that Caribbean staghorn corals (Acropora cervicornis) are benefiting from “coral gardening”, the process of restoring coral populations by planting laboratory-raised coral fragments on reefs.

The research, led by scientists at the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and partners, has important implications for the long-term survival of coral reefs worldwide, which have been in decline from multiple stressors such as climate change and ocean pollution.

“Our study showed that current restoration methods are very effective,” said UM Rosenstiel school’s coral biologist Stephanie Schopmeyer, the lead author of the study.

“Healthy coral reefs are essential to our everyday life and successful coral restoration has been proven as a recovery tool for lost coastal resources.”

In the study, the researchers set out to document res-

toration success during their initial two years at several coral restoration sites in Florida and Puerto Rico. Their findings showed that current restoration methods are not causing excess damage to donor colonies as a result of removing coral tissue to propagate new coral in the lab, and that once outplanted, corals behave just as wild colonies do.

Staghorn coral populations have declined as much

as 90% in the Caribbean since the 1980s.

As a result, the species was listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2006 to help protect and conserve these species that form the foundation of the biologically rich coral reef habitats.

The findings, published in the of the journal Coral Reefs, offers a guide for successful restoration and recovery efforts of the threatened species

BVI approves work permit exemptions --for business visitors

THE government of the British Virgin Islands has approved the exemption for work permits for various classes of business visitors, including those for arbitration and mediation.

The Cabinet approved the exemption based on recommendations in the Financial Services Consultancy Report approved by Cabinet in 2015 which set out a roadmap for repositioning and diversifying the financial services sector.

The change allows the BVI to compete with other jurisdictions globally.

According to Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. Orlando Smith, Cabinet’s approval illustrates Government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and supporting the creation of more substance-based economic activity in the BVI. “By creating a more business-friendly environment, we will be supporting the work of the BVI International Arbitration Centre, ans facilitating easier entrance requirements for

scores of persons involved in international arbitration.

As the demand for the arbitration centre grows and the persons utilising its services similarly increases, there will be a ripple effect in the local economy as they would require goods and services while here.”

The Premier noted that the exemption of work permits for business visitors is one of several measures to be implemented in the coming months “designed to reposition our economy for future sustainable growth.”

The work permit waiver will also be granted to persons visiting for meetings and conferences, those receiving training from BVI businesses, persons attending meetings as Directors, those conducting research with the required approval, persons making purchases from BVI businesses, those visiting clients for negotiations and business deals, and those who are expert witnesses in dispute resolution cases.

Persons participating in amateur sporting activities,

and students attending the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, Financial Services Institute or other academic institutions for training will also be eligible for a work permit exemption.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. Kedrick Pickering welcomed the Cabinet’s approval of the work permit exemptions saying it will help to improve the Territory’s competitiveness globally.

“The work permit exemptions for business visitors demonstrate the Labour Department’s commitment to facilitating the Territory’s economic agenda and making the changes required to provide more efficient and transparent processes,” he said.

The work permit exemption will be granted for 60 days in the case of arbitration/mediation and seven days for all other business visitors.

Extensions to the initial work permit waiver will be considered upon request.

(CMC)

worldwide.

Thousands of corals are

raised in laboratories and planted onto degraded reefs each year.

This study is the first to collect baseline coral restoration survival and productivity data at regional scales including data from 1,000s of individual A. cervicornis colonies, more than 120 distinct genotypes within six geographical regions to develop benchmarks to fully assess the progress and impacts of the region’s coral and reef restoration efforts.

Coral reefs are fisheries habitat, food for humans and other ocean species, and protection against natural hazards such as hurricanes.

As a result, coral restoration is viewed as an effective and cost-efficient strategy to buffer coastlines from the effects of storm surge and sea-level rise.

“Coral reefs are declining at an alarming rate and coral restoration programs are now considered an essential component to coral conservation and management plan,” said Diego Lirman, UM Rosenstiel School professor of marine biology and ecology and a coauthor of the study. “Our findings provide the necessary scientific benchmarks to evaluate restoration progress moving forward,” he said. (CMC)

Nigerian court clears dog owner --who named pet after president

CHARGES have been dropped against a 41-yearold Nigerian man who named his dog after President Muhammadu Buhari.

Joachim Iroko, a market trader also known as Joe Fortemose Chinakwe, was arrested in 2016 accused of conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

A judge in south-west Ogun State found the prosecution had failed to substantiate the charges against him.

The arrest sparked nationwide outrage. Critics accused the police of stifling constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.

At the time, presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said that Mr Buhari must be having a good laugh about

the story, and that anyone linking him to the dog incident was displaying their ignorance.

Speaking to Nigeria’s daily, the Vanguard, after the ruling, Mr Iroko said he had been vindicated, and thanked all those who had spoken out on his behalf.

Mr Iroko’s lawyer said the prosecution had repeatedly failed to present witnesses, and that the complainant was also absent.

The man who lodged the complaint in August 2016 was reported to be a neighbour.

‘MY HERO’ Mr Iroko walked his pet -- with the name Buhari painted on both flanks -- in

an area where support for the president was high, police said at the time.

Officers said they were worried the move could antagonise people, though he insisted it was meant as a compliment and that people had misunderstood him.

Mr Iroko said he named his dogs after his role models, and that others had been called Nelson Mandela and Obama.

“I named my beloved pet dog Buhari, who is my hero... My admiration for Buhari started far back when he was a military head of state.”

He later told local media he had received death threats over the perceived slight. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Silver medallist Allicock eyes 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo

By Rawle Toney KEEVIN Allicock, Guyana’s silver medallist at the just concluded Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas, returned to Guyana and is setting his sights on 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan as the Caribbean’s top flyweight fighter.

Allicock was the lone Guyanese to pick up a medal at the games in Nassau, but now the

18-year-old fighter believes that it’s time to shift his attention to the next Olympic games, telling Chronicle Sport that his showing at the Commonwealth Youth Games added fuel to his drive to win Guyana’s second Olympic medal.

“My big aim is being at the Olympics for Guyana and bringing the gold home, so I was able to get a lot of experience at these games, so I know that when I get out there next time, I will be able to do better,” a smiling Allicock said.

Allicock’s coach Sebert Blake believes the fighter has what it takes to fulfil his dreams, but, it would take much funding and exposure for him (Allicock) to reach his goal.

Meanwhile, looking at

his fight against Englishman James David in their flyweight (52kg) encounter, Allicock and even his coach believe that the Guyanese fighter was ‘robbed’ of the gold medal.

“The last fight I wasn’t comfortable with the decision because I know I didn’t deserve it; but what could I do? I have to live with the decision because I was able to win silver, so I’m thankful for that,” said Allicock.

He added, “I think the fight was very close. The decision that they gave me showed that the guy won all the rounds and I was wondering how is that because the guy was nowhere on my level in boxing. Not boasting or anything, he was never there.”

“We trained for gold, and I

was more focused on that. I was very confident in the final, I was strong and I was prepared. I’m a neutral guy, if I lose, I would say I did, but I think I won the final match,” the fighter added.

According to Blake, “Keevin won the crowd and yes I believe he was cheated and we observed that in the entire competition, the guys from Britain they were favoured in many bouts and not just against Guyana but other countries.”

“It wasn’t a fair decision, so the judges’ decision is final and now we have to move on and plan for other bouts,” said Blake.

Christopher Moore was the other Guyanese fighter vying for a podium finish at the Common-

wealth Youth Games, but he fell short at the quarter-final stage of the tournament, nonetheless, Blake was proud of the fighter’s achievement, despite his missing the podium.

“The guys really worked hard and we were able to achieve about 50% that we’ve been working on. Other than the Youth Olympics which is next year, this is the second highest level of competition and I’m glad that they were able to do well,” Blake said.

The fighters and coach were greeted by officials from the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) who showered them with praise and encouraged the duo to stay focused on the task ahead; qualifying for the Olympic Games.

By Stephan Sookram

who wanted to see a winning streak live on. But a coin has two sides.

On the first side, we see a Linden team determined to find a way through to the tournament by hook or crook.

They may not be playing the same brand of football that they were known for over their past four titles, but they have team spirit and community backing and those are major factors in any sport.

Their reliance on natural talent has also been at the forefront of their arsenal and coming through the ranks of the team has made them something to be feared, even when they misfire.

On the flip side, there is the highly organised and clinical Chase Academic

Foundation. They are assembled with one goal, to win trophies and they are as good as Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.

Boasting several national players and potential national players all uniting under one banner was no easy task and getting them to gel was an even harder undertaking for Henry Chase and his team, but they have done this, or seemingly so.

Their victories have been outright and they have trampled everything they have come across football-wise and as much as those from the mining town may not want to admit it, Chase are the favourites.

Still, the Linden-based side relish the underdog tag and must use it to find a

way through their biggest hurdle yet; the unstoppable force against the immovable object.

One thing is certain; once the dust settles, there will be broken hearts, damaged dreams and one spot less in Sunday’s final. That game is billed for 16:00hrs The other semi today will ensure that a hinterland team make a trip to the final, with Region 9 champions Annai playing Waramadong in another close contest.

Two of the better technically-correct teams in the tournament clash and it will come down to who have the skills to take that decisive spot.

Both games will be played at the Leonora Stadium.

Redemption for Linden or dominance from Chase?

THE Digicel Schools Football tournament moves into the semi-final round today with a pair of matches. The air is heavy with a possible shot at redemption for Linden’s Mackenzie High School as they play defending champions Chase Academic Foundation.

The four-time champions who were on course for a repeat last year but were stubbed by a Chase unit that was star-studded. But they now have an opportunity to repay what is owed to a team who have developed as their arch rivals.

While many on the final day just under a year ago wanted a change in dominance, there were those

Coach longs for international cricket to return to Pakistan PAKISTAN coach Mickey Arthur said yesterday he hoped a proposed tour of the World XI to the South Asian country would bring the embattled nation a step closer to reviving international cricket.

Pakistan have not hosted international cricket -- barring a limited-over series against Zimbabwe in 2015 -- since terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009.

And Monday’s blast in Lahore which killed 26 peo-

ple has again cast doubts over the World XI tour planned for mid-September this year.

However, Arthur said he regretted Pakistan’s isolation.

“The isolation is being very hard on Pakistan cricket,” Arthur told AFP. “PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) is doing an unbelievable job in trying to resurrect international cricket. I just hope the World XI tour goes ahead and that will almost be the curtain-raiser to, hopefully, get some international

cricket back.”

Pakistan has been forced to play home matches in the United Arab Emirates.

“Every international match we play as a unit we are playing effectively away from home, away from our own conditions and that makes it doubly difficult,” he said.

“Look, I definitely think it affects all cricket. The first class cricketers in Pakistan are not able to see their stars play at home and are not able to lift their standards so it’s a

vicious circle,” he added.

Arthur said Pakistan’s Champions Trophy win in England last month will change impressions.

“I think Pakistan was always a destination where it was hard to come and win.

I was the coach of the South African team which came here in 2007.

“We won the Test and one-day series and that was a massive win and achievement because not many sides had come and won in Pakistan.” (AFP)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Dhawan, Pujara centuries make Sri Lanka suffer SHIKAR Dhawan made his highest Test score with a rapid century and Cheteshwar Pujara also scored a magnificent hundred as India piled on the runs on a painful first day of the series for Sri Lanka.

Dhawan was dropped on 31

by Asela Gunaratne, who could miss the rest of the series after fracturing his thumb while attempting to cling on at second slip and went on to score a fifth Test hundred.

The powerful Dhawan

Shikar Dhawan celebrates his century with second fifty off just 48 balls.

Dhawan was only brought into the squad after Murali Vijay was ruled out of the tour due to a wrist injury and the left-hander grasped his opportunity in style on day one in Galle.

The destructive opener – playing his first Test this year – made a brilliant 190 off only 168 balls and the classy Pujara was still there on 144 when India closed on 399-3, Nuwan Pradeep taking all three wickets.

added insult to injury, scoring 126 runs in a punishing afternoon session for Sri Lanka, and the prolific Pujara cashed in on a flat pitch with another exquisite innings as the tourists made their second-highest score on day one of a Test.

Abhinav Mukund got his chance at the top of the order in the absence of the un-well KL Rahul, but fell cheaply when he edged Pradeep (3-64) behind after Virat Kohli won the toss.

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Dhawan was given a lifeline when he was put down

by Gunaratne, who was left in agony as his participation in this match at the very least came to a premature end.

The aggressive Dhawan was in one-day mode, using his feet superbly and was unbeaten on 64 to take the top-ranked side on to 115-1 at lunch, with Pujara looking ominously untroubled.

Dhawan cut loose after the interval, demonstrating the full range of strokes he has in his repertoire as the runs came all too easily, and Pujara was also in majestic touch.

A sweep for four took Dhawan to three figures, almost two years after his previous Test century at the same venue, and Pujara continued to show great timing as he eased to 50.

Sri Lanka’s stand-in captain Rangana Herath looked short of ideas with the free-scoring Dhawan in such imperious touch, but

after hitting 31 boundaries in a stunning knock, the opener gave it away by driving Pradeep to Angelo Mathews at mid-off just before tea to

end a stand of 253.

Kohli was given out caught behind for only three, attempting to hook Pradeep following a successful review from Her-

ath, but Pujara made Sri Lanka suffer and raised his bat to celebrate yet another hundred after finding a leg-side gap to pick up two.

Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane (39 not out) added 113 for the fourth wicket by the time India – who handed a debut to Hardik Pandya – closed in a commanding position.

(Omnisport)

SCOREBOARD

Cheteshwar Pujara strikes his 12th Test hundred and propels India to 399 for 3 at stumps.

INDIA 1st innings S. Dhawan c Mathews b Pradeep 190 A. Mukund c Dickwella b Pradeep 12 C. Pujara not out 144 V. Kohli c Dickwella b Pradeep 3 A. Rahane not out 39 Extras: (lb-4, nb-3, w-4) 11 Total: (for 3 wickets, 90 overs) 399 Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-280, 3-286.

Bowling: Nuwan Pradeep 181-64-3 (nb-1), Lahiru Kumara 16-0-95-0 (nb-2, w-4), Dilruwan Perera 25-1-103-0, Rangana Herath 24-4-95-0, Danushka Gunathilaka 7-0-41-0.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Twenty-seven teachers participating in KNVB World Coaches programme SOME 27 teachers from all across Guyana will spend the next few days learning how to teach football, as well as how to use football training as a means of solving social problems, during a Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) World Coaches programme.

The training is being administered by World Coaches Instructor, Andre Simmelink, who is being assisted by Jaliens Kenneth, and will run for five days, beginning last Monday and ending tomorrow, being held at the National Resource Centre, on Woolford Avenue.

The programme is being done as part of an arrangement brokered between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, and the Consulate

of the Netherlands.

T h e K N V B Wo r l d Coaches initiative is a programme that has been going on since 1997. It focuses on training football coaches in developing countries across the world, according to the body’s website.

“World Coaches are educated so that they can transfer their knowledge on football and social issues to future World Coaches in their area.

From physical education teachers to former professional football players, men or women: anyone can become a World Coach,” the website informs.

This was reiterated by Simmelink on Tuesday in an interview with Chronicle Sport, during a break from conducting a class.

“We started yesterday with the question what is football

organisations. It means that they can use football to solve

participants through daily sessions running from 09:00hrs

A section of the class being taught on Tuesday

and today we’re giving them some examples of how to teach the players in the schools and

some problems, social problems,” he said.

Simmelink is taking the

to 14:00hrs that involve both theoretical and practical teachings.

Technical Director within the Ministry of Education, Seon Erskine, commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from having a hand in bringing the initiative to Guyana.

“In any sport as you know it’s a blessing, any form of educational preparation, and the government of Guyana is grateful to the Netherlands for partnering with us and assisting us in such a tremendous way. This is an introductory course, and it’s not just football, it’s also life skills and that’s a key component that persons keep forgetting,” Director of Sport Christopher Jones also weighed in noting the many benefits that will come from having this programme in Guyana.

Raghunandan to head Berbice Chess Association IN an effort to spread the sport of chess and at the same time ensure that the sport is properly managed, the Berbice Chess Association was officially launched recently.

The association is headed by president and founder

Krishnanand Raghunandan, who is currently the assistant secretary of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) and member of the Regional Education Committee in Region Six. The executive compris-

es Steve Leung (vice-president), Jaysheer Carpen (secretary), Dane Grimmond (treasurer), and Executive Committee Members Kriskal, Winston Profitt and Walter Singh.

Raghunandan in brief remarks said that the associ-

ation will definitely spread the sport across Berbice.

“Although it was formed in East Berbice the Association is also open to persons on the West Coast of Berbice who play the game,” he said.

He added, “They just have to contact us and they can expect to be incorporated into the Association.”

Also present at the officially launching were vice-president of the Guyana Chess Federation, Frankie Farley, and Mr Er-

rol Tiwari, veteran chess player and columnist for the Sunday Stabroek.

Farley performed the official duties of declaring the Berbice Chess Association as being duly formed and announced the names of the executive.

Samad’s brilliant 105 earns HACC fourth win in SCA Elite league

TORONTO, Canada – Led by a masterful century by former Canadian all-rounder Abdool Samad, the first by a Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) player over the last two seasons, the former six-time Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) Premier League champions crushed Toronto Cricketers Sports Club by 88 runs as the Elite League continued at the Terry Fox ground, Scarborough here on Sunday.

Playing in only his second game of the 2017 season, Samad, the brother of former Guyana and Canadian opener Fazil ‘Terminator’ Sattaur, entered the fray with HACC in dire straits at 61 for four after winning the toss and opting to take first strike.

The elegant right-hander, who also represented Canada at the ICC World Cup, shared two face-saving partnerships, firstly adding 45 for the fifth wicket with former Guyana and West Indies B team opener Krishna Arjune, whose contribution was 32, and 86 with his skipper Azib Ali Hanif, another former Guyana national wicketkeeper batsman.

Dominating both partnerships, Samad, who mi-

grated to Canada at the age of 15, took the attack to all the Toronto Cricketers bowlers, blasting eight sixes and four fours in the process before he was well caught on the backward square-leg boundary for 105.

Hanif, in his first year at the helm of HACC, was left undefeated on 23 when the reduced 49 overs expired as HACC reached a challenging 221 for seven. Taseem Khan

Abdool Samad, following his brilliant 105 last Sunday

was Toronto Cricketers’ best bowler with two for 14 from three overs.

Toronto Cricketers, who entered the round as the leading team in the division after winning the Premiere League in 2016, never threatened and struggled throughout their innings before being bowled out for 133 in 39.2 overs as HACC bowlers kept them in check.

Off-spinner Tyrone Persaud, bowling late in the innings, ended with the impressive figures of three for 10 from 3.2 overs while there were two wickets each for left-arm spinner Manish Walia and Bim Bodhoo for 22 and 38 runs respectively. Arjune, bowling off-spin, chipped in with two for 36 from his full quota of 10 overs.

Having won the Premiere League for an unprecedented six consecutive seasons, HACC stumbled in last year’s inaugural Elite League season, bowing out in the semi-finals to eventual winners Victoria Park Cricket Club.

With four wins and three defeats, coupled with a rained-out game, HACC are aiming to be among the four teams in this year’s playoffs. (Frederick Halley)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Countdown intensifies for staging of Toronto Cup II … GFSCA among teams confirmed in Masters category

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada — As the countdown intensifies for the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Toronto Cup II, set to be staged during the Caribana weekend here, the organisers are confident that the tournament, which was first staged in 2015, will once again be a tremendous success.

Somewhat disappointed with the number of entries in the Open category, which features four teams, down from six, OMSCC president Azeem Khan pointed out that he was expecting a larger participation from the Toronto-based teams but this never materialised.

Of much significant is the fact that two new winners will be crowned this time around since defending Open champions New York Enforcers and Toronto’s Our Own which

Flashback: Toronto Cup I Open winners captain Anil Beharry of New York Enforcers collects the winning trophy from Emma Sunich, daughter of Ramesh Sunich (sponsor) of Trophy Stall, Guyana.

carted off the Masters category will not be participating.

It should, however, be noted that several of the players from both teams will be plying their trades for other clubs.

Regional Under-15 wins for Jamaica, Barbados and Leewards … Guyana knocked over for 51

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Jamaica stunned reigning champions Trinidad and Tobago while hosts Barbados produced a sterling fightback to deny Windward Islands in the opening round of the Regional Under-15 Championship here yesterday.

Playing at Rubis Sports Club in Brighton on the fringe of the capital, the Jamaicans thrashed T&T by 43 runs while at the Weymouth Sports Club, Barbados got the better of the Windwards by four wickets in a tense contest.

In the other game at North Stars, Leeward Islands also made a winning start when they beat Guyana by 36 runs.

It was Jamaica, however, who made the headlines. Sent in, they were dismissed for 120 off 44.2 overs with Brandon English scoring 25 and Nicholas Lewin getting 20.

They looked to be marching towards a larger total at 117 for six in the 43rd over but dramatically lost their last four wickets for three runs in the space of 12 deliveries.

Aneil Pitiram finished with three for 24 while Darren Samlal (2-14) and Chadeon Raymond (215) were the other wicket-takers.

In reply, T&T were bundled out for 77 in the 41st over with only opener Aaron Bankay showing any enterprise with 24.

They were tottering on four for two in the fourth over, recovered to reach 37 without further loss but then surrendered their last eight wickets for just 40 runs.

Rajiv Redhi (2-9), Brandon

English (2-13) and Andel Gordon (2-22) all finished with two wickets each.

Barbados, meanwhile, needed superb fighting knocks from Jakeem Forde and Tremaine Dowrich to chase down 104 and also make a winning start to their campaign.

The hosts looked beaten at 24 for six in the 13th over but Forde struck an unbeaten 30 and Dowrich, an unbeaten 25, in an unbroken 80-run, seventh-wicket partnership, to rescue the innings.

Jedd Joseph (2-12) and Tyran Theodore (2-12) were the best bowlers with two wickets apiece.

Earlier, the Windwards were dismissed for 103 off their 50 overs after opting to bat, with Joseph top-scoring with 20.

A 43-run, seventh-wicket stand between Joseph and captain Keygan Arnold (16) lifted the Windwards to 90 for seven but they lost their last four wickets for a mere 13 runs.

Jordan Knight (2-9), Jacob Bethell (2-12) and Forde (2-12) were the wicket-takers wickets.

The Leewards were good enough to get the better of Guyana despite failing to impress with the bat.

Opting for first knock, Jaivani Carthy’s 24 lifted them to 87 all out in the 39th over as Gaurav Ramesh (3-12) and Romel Retemiah (3-16) each wrecked the innings with three wickets apiece.

Kenny Sutton then grabbed four wickets for three runs and Rasheed Henry four for 12 as Guyana were knocked over for 51 off 15 overs.

The tournament will also serve as a dress rehearsal for the sixth edition of the Guyana Softball Cup, set to be staged in Georgetown later this year.

The teams down to do battle in the Open category

are NYSCL All-Stars, NYE/ Mafia Cricket Club, Sunshine All-Stars and Rems Tech All-Stars.

Among the eight set to vie for supremacy in the Masters division are last year’s run-

SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) - Barcelona striker Neymar has been cleared of any criminal charges in a long-running tax evasion case in Brazil, a Brazilian court said yesterday.

A judge in Sao Paulo said there was a “lack of just cause” in the case that alleged he underpaid income tax between 2011 and 2014.

Neymar’s father and agent said yesterday’s decision was a major victory.

“It is with great happiness that we received the news of the shelving of the Public Ministry’s case of tax evasion,” Neymar Sr. said in a statement sent to Reuters.

“The process is officially closed (and) that proves the legality of all our acts.”

Neymar could still, however, have to pay substantial sums to Brazil’s tax office.

Brazil’s federal tax office

charged Neymar in 2015 with evading 63 million reais ($19.94 million) in taxes due on income earned from the Santos and Barcelona soccer clubs and spon-

ners-up the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) Masters, NYSCL Legends, NY Hustlers, Tri-State Muslims, Ontario Masters Legends (OMSCC/ Host, League Team), Ontario Masters Softball International (OMSI - Ontario Masters Touring Team), Amazon Warriors (New Jersey) and Better Hope Legacy.

An exuberant Khan, who served as vice-president and tournament director when the tournament was held in September 2015, is promising a holiday weekend treat during the three days of action which commences next Friday and climaxes on Sunday with the final at the University of Toronto soccer ground, Scarborough.

According to Khan, he’s expecting a bumper crowd on Sunday when the day’s activities are expected to include additional side attractions and live on-the-spot commentary.

The welcoming ceremony will be held at the Tropi-

cal Nights Restaurant and Lounge, Morningside Avenue, (at Sheppard), Scarborough, starting at 1830hrs next Thursday, setting the stage for the commencement of the tournament the following morning.

Meanwhile, in her message to the OMSCC, MPP of Pickering-Scarborough East, Tracy MacCharles disclosed that she is honoured to congratulate the OMSCC on the staging of Toronto Cup II. According to the MPP, “over the last 17 years, the OMSCC has grown the sport of softball cricket throughout the province. We are grateful that through the power of sport, people are able to unite from different languages and cultures for a common interest.

“It is a pleasure to welcome teams from both North and South America to our great province to take part in friendly international competition. Best of luck to all!”

federal prosecutors, which has now been shelved.

“These were four years of unfounded accusations that me, my family and the employees of my companies suffered through, in every possible way,” Neymar’s father said in his statement.

“Although many people doubted it, there is justice in our country. Charge by charge, one after the other, they were knocked down by our defence, leaving it explicitly clear that we did not avoid paying one cent of tax.

“I hope we can now concentrate on our work and that my family has the peace it deserves.”

Neymar’s future on the pitch is the subject of speculation, with the player linked in Spanish, French and Brazilian media with a transfer to Paris St Germain.

Neymar, an idol in Brazil who led the Olympic team to glory at the 2016 Rio Games, said last week he was happy at Barcelona but he has yet to state definitively where he will play next season.

Widely considered the outstanding player of his generation in Brazil, Neymar led Santos to the Libertadores Cup for the first time since Pele played for the club.

He then moved to Barcelona in 2013 where he has formed one of the most deadly forward lines in football alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

He is currently on a pre-season tour with Barcelona, where he has won two La Liga titles and a Champions League, in the United States and is expected to play in Wednesday’s match against Manchester United in Maryland.

Neymar cleared in tax evasion case

Brazil and Barcelona striker Neymar

sors between 2011 and 2014.

Neymar appealed last year and a court ruling in his favour in March halved the penalty of 200 million reais in fines, back-taxes and interest that Brazil’s tax office had slapped on the player.

This was separate to the criminal prosecution brought by

United better prepared for league title charge - Mourinho (REUTERS) - Manchester United are better equipped to fight for the Premier League title in the upcoming season but need to improve further to be a contender for the Champions League, manager Jose Mourinho has said.

In Mourinho’s first season at Old Trafford, United won the League Cup and the Europa League but finished sixth in the English top flight, 24 points behind champions Chelsea.

“This season is going to be more difficult but I think we have better conditions to fight for the Premier

League,” Mourinho told the BBC. “I think this season we are a little bit better equipped. We are against fantastic teams, against amazing investments.

“But I believe in our group, in our spirit, in our empathy, in our togetherness.

I trust my boys and we are going to try.”

Having lifted the Europa League in May, United secured direct entry to the Champions League group stage but the Portuguese manager believes they are still behind the continent’s top clubs.

“We went to the Europa League as one of the top teams; we go to the Champions League and we are not one of the top teams,” Mourinho added.

“We have to be better, much better, for that objective.

The base of everything is to find what I call a happy dressing room.”

Mourinho has added striker Romelu Lukaku and centre back Victor Lindelof in the current transfer window but is still hoping to sign two more players ahead of the new season.

“One midfield player

would give me more options.

The other is an attacking player through the wings to give me more attacking options,” he said.

The British media have linked United with Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic and Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier as midfield options. Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic is Mourinho’s preferred choice to improve the attacking line, the reports have said.

United kick off their league campaign at home against West Ham United on August 13.

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Bahamas crush Guyana 114-63 at Centrobasket U-17 Championship … Guyana face Puerto Rico today at 15:00hrs

By Rawle Toney

A GAME-HIGH 32 points from guard Kevon Wiggins was not enough to stop the Bahamas from hammering Guyana by 51 points (11463) in their opening game of the 2017 Centrobasket U-17 Championship yesterday in the Dominican Republic.

Nigel Bowen (13 points) was the only other Guyanese in double digits, with Domnick Bridgewater scoring a team-high 27 points and eight steals for the Bahamas, while Grevaughn Goodman (23 points) and Samuel Hunter (17 points) were the other top scorers.

The Lugard Mohan-coached side will now face Puerto Rico today from 15:00hrs in their second game, where they will hope for an improved performance.

It was certainly not the type of start Mohan wanted, but the Guyanese were certainly not ready for the level of play the Bahamians brought to the floor in Santo Domingo.

Playing in the opening game of the championships, Guyana were outmatched at

both ends of the floor, since the Bahamas team were bigger and faster and were more physical.

“We think that the only way that we could compete

Kevon Wiggins

is by being aggressive on the defence,” Mohan had told Chronicle Sport prior to their departure, but it was the Bahamas who seemed more ready to play ball.

Bridgewater was the hothand for the Bahamas, who raced to a 41-10 point lead at the end of the first period.

In the second quarter,

Goodman and Hunter joined Bridgewater and terrorised Mohan’s boys, but Wiggins remained the only resistance to the Bahamas defence.

B a h a m a s o u t s c o re d Guyana 32-11 to close the first half leading by 52 points (73-21) but Wiggins sparked some life into the game with his relentless attack on the Bahamian’s defence in the third quarter.

The Guyanese guard, with 11 from 33 from the floor, carried Guyana to a 27-19 scoring blitz over Bahamas, but at the close of the penultimate stanza, the eventual winners still had a 92-48 points lead.

Guyana were down by 44 points starting the fourth quarter. Wiggins, with the help of Bowen, tried to shoot Guyana back into the game, but the Bahamas defence, coupled with a series of turnovers by the Guyanese, resulted in the blowout.

Statistically, the numbers showed just how clumsy Guyana were with the ball, finishing with 33 turnovers (12 more than the Bahamas).

The Bahamas had a total of 22 steals (12 more than Guyana), and collectively, the team shot 64% from the floor as com-

Guyana’s Kevon Wiggins shoots over Leroy Adderley of the Bahamas to score two of his game-high 32 points.

(Photo compliments of FIBA)

pared to Guyana’s 35%.

Bahamas scored 70 points in the paint (48 points more than Guyana), while both sides were miserable from beyond the arc (Bahamas 27.59%, Guyana 24%).

Meanwhile, speaking to Chronicle Sport after his team’s heavy defeat, Mohan said “Bahamas were by far the better team. I think all the players were tired and some were a little bit nervous and scared. If we had

come out in the first quarter like we did in the third, the game would have been more competitive.”

“Remember just being here is a win for team Guyana, and much more if one player gets a scholarship that’s an added plus and what this is all about,” Mohan said.

Looking ahead to today’s game against Puerto Rico, Mohan stated, “If we can continue with the same attitude, effort, intensity and mentality

from the second half of game one, to tomorrow’s (today’s) game, that would be a step in the right direction.”

The last time Guyana ever defeated the Bahamas in the sport of basketball was behind the Lugard Mohan-captained team at the 1996 CARICOM basketball Championship (now known as CBC tournament) which was hosted in Trinidad and Tobago, where they won 104-76.

Young Windies crash to 26-run defeat in second ODI Preparation in full swing for

MARONDERA, Zimbabwe (CMC) – A batting meltdown cost West Indies Under-19s another morale-boosting series win as they crashed to a 26-run defeat to Zimbabwe Under-19s in the second Youth One-Day International of the three-match series here yesterday.

Chasing a modest 237 for victory, the Caribbean side were well placed at 155 for four in the 34th over but lost their last six wickets for 55 runs, to collapse to 210 all out in the 45th at Peterhouse School.

Opener Keagan Simmons top-scored with 49 while Alick Athanaze got 46. Matthew Patrick and Bhaskar Yadram scored 42 apiece.

But they all perished after seemingly well set and no other Young Windies batsman managed to make it into double figures.

Seamer Dion Mazhawidza was the best bowler with three for 44 while off-spinner Taun Harrison finished with two for 34.

Zimbabwe had earlier raised 236 for nine off their 50 overs with Ryan Murray stroking 59, Dion Myers hitting 45 and Wesley Mad-

hevere, 38.

Sent in, Zimbabwe were stumbling at 64 for three in the 12th over before Murray and Myers came together to add 78 for the fourth wicket.

Opener Keagan Simmons top-scores with 49.

Murray faced 81 balls and counted eight fours while Myers struck five boundaries in a 90-ball knock.

When they were separated, Myers found an ally in Madhevere – who produced a breezy 39-ball innings with three fours – to post a handsome 39 for the next wicket.

Left-arm seamer Javier Spencer picked up four for 35 while pacer Nyeem Young claimed two for 64.

The Young Windies had a terrible start to their run chase,

losing Joshua Persaud (0) and captain Emmanuel Stewart (2) inside the first two overs to slump to eight for two.

However, Simmons anchored two successive stands to revive the innings and put the Windies back on course for victory.

He added 66 for the third wicket with the in-form Yadram, who struck four fours and a six off 56 deliveries, before posting another 45 for the fourth wicket with Athanaze who faced 60 balls and counted six fours.

Simmons was fourth out in the 25th over after facing 63 deliveries and hitting six fours but Athanaze and Patrick added a further 36 for the fifth wicket to keep the run chase alive.

Zimbabwe struck two key blows when they claimed Athanaze and Jeavor Royal (0) three balls part in the 34th over with no runs added to leave the Windies struggling on 155 for six and even though Patrick and Joshua Bishop (9) added 39 for the seventh wicket, the tourists ran out of steam as the last four wickets perished for 16 runs.

The final game is set for Saturday in Harare.

Guyana Primer Softball Cup

By Rajiv Bisnauth

PREPARATION for Guyana’s Primer Softball Cup is in full swing, according to chief coordinator Samuel Kingston.

Named the ‘Prime Minister’s Cup’, the three-day tournament is billed for October 27, 28 and 29.

Aimed at attracting 16 teams, eight each in the Masters and All Stars categories, Kingston informed Chronicle Sport that the first 16 teams to register will participate in the tournament.

Players must be over the age of 45 in order to play in the Masters category, while the All Stars format is open to all ages. Entrance is free.

It was also disclosed that at least two teams from the United States of America have already confirmed their participation.

The Over-45 category will make the champions $500 000 richer while in the All Stars category the winning team will collect $600 000.

The proposed venues

are the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), Everest Cricket Club, Gandhi Youth Or-

Samuel Kingston

ganisation (GYO), Police and GNIC. Teams who register for the Over-45 category must submit photo identification, preferably valid passports for every member of their 15-man squad.

Registration will be done through Samuel Kingston on 619-5103.

The official launch of the tournament is set for August 25.

The tournament is being held in collaboration with the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL), the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (THURSDAY JULY 27, 2017)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) England (2) Anya Shrubsole (ENG) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who scored most runs in the recent ICC Women’s World Cup? (2) Who claimed most wickets?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 27, 2017

Amazon Warriors begin training camp … Pakistani Babar Azam replaces injured Chris Lynn

By Rajiv Bisnauth

THE Guyana Amazon Warriors began a seven-day training programme yesterday as part of preparations for the August 4 start of the much-anticipated Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 tournament.

Pakistani Babar Azam has replaced Chris Lynn

Fourteen of the 17 members started the training camp at the Guyana National Stadium under head coach Roger Harper, assistant coach Esaun Crandon, strength and conditioning trainer Clinton Jeremiah along with the Warriors technical support team.

Under Harper, the Guyana Amazon Warriors will be looking to win the tournament for the first time.

The Warriors have been the most consistent team in

the history of CPL cricket, but never managed to win a single title after four years. They reached the final in 2013, 2014 and 2016, and were one of the semifinalists in 2015.

Meanwhile, Crandon told media operatives that the camp is more than an acquaintance exercise for the players.

Assistant coach Esaun Crandon

Crandon, who is also the Guyana Jaguars head coach, pointed out that the camp, a customary practice for teams preparing for competitions, is a vital one for the local franchise.

He further related that they will look to pack a heavy workload in the next week with the aim of getting to peak condition for the fifth edition of the League.

“Preparation is always im-

portant. We have a week together so we will try and put in as much as we could together.

We have an assessment in the morning (today) so there we will have a look with the guys and see where they are at present,” Crandon said.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed from the Warriors management unit that Pakistani batsman Babar Azam has replaced the injured Australia middle-order batsman Chris Lynn.

Azam is an exciting young batsman who has come up through the ranks of junior cricket in Pakistan and is already touted as one of the best young batsmen.

Azam first made a mark when he captained the Pakistan team at the Under-19 World Cup of 2012, where he ended up as the highest run-getter for his side scoring 287 runs from six games. He is expected here on tomorrow.

Further, Pakistani all-rounder Sohail Tanvir, New Zealand opener Martin Guptill, will arrive today.

This year the Warriors have retained Tanvir, Guptill, Lynn (out injured), Trinidad and Tobago all-rounder Rayad Emrit, Trinidad and Tobago batsman Jason Mohammed, Guyanese trio of Veerasammy Permaul, Assad

Strength and conditioning trainer Clinton Jeremiah looks on as members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors team engage in some exercise as part of their first day of training camp yesterday at Providence.

Coach Roger Harper and assistant coach Esaun Crandon (standing behind) look on.

Fudadin and Steven Jacobs and Trinidad and Tobago wicketkeeper/batsman Steven Katwaroo.

They have raked in six newcomers in their squad, Jamaican wicket-keeper/batsman Chadwick Walton, Afghanistan all-rounder Rashid Khan, ICC Americas opener Steven Taylor, along with Barbados all-rounder Roshon Primus and the Guyanese pair, batsman Gajanand Singh and fast bowler Keon Joseph.

Joseph was called in as a replacement for the injured Ronsford Beaton in the Guy-

ana Amazon Warriors squad in 2013. However, he did not play a match.

Further West Indies Under-19 World Cup Champions player Keemo Paul has been selected as a replacement for Shimron Hetmyer.

Hetmyer, who was initially selected by the Guyana Amazon Warriors as the West Indies Youth Player will be on West Indies Senior Team duties and as such Paul has been chosen as his replacement.

The squad will depart for Fort Lauderdale, Florida on August 2. During the Florida

leg, the Warriors will play St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in two games before returning to the Caribbean.

Guyana home games are billed for August 17, 19, 20 and 22 at the Guyana National Stadium.

The host team (Guyana Amazon Warriors) take on the Jamaica Tallawahs on August 17 from 20:00hrs; Trinbago Knight Riders on August 19 from 12:00hrs; Barbados Tridents on August 20 from 18:00hrs and St Lucia Stars on August 22 from 18:00hrs.

T&T, Guyana storm to outright wins as Jamaica steal thriller BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) – Reigning champions Trinidad and Tobago along with Guyana stormed to convincing victories but Jamaica snatched a narrow win in tense circumstances, on the final day of the opening round of the Regional Under-19 three-day championship here Wednesday.

At Conaree, T&T cruised to a 121-run victory over Windward Islands while Guyana beat Leeward Islands by 63 runs at Verchilds.

Jamaica made things exciting at St Paul’s as they chased down 147 to beat Barbados and get among the points.

Looking to make a strong start to their title defence, the Trinidadians proved clinical as they controlled the final day to keep the Windwards out of the contest.

Resuming on 117 for two in their second innings, T&T were dismissed for 207 with Saiba Batoosingh hitting 23

and Jayden Seales, 20 not out. Navin Bidaisee failed to add to his overnight 39 while Sachin Seecharan made 44 on Tuesday’s second day.

on 46 for the first wicket but left-arm spinner Justyn Gangoo (4-30) and Navin Bidaisee (4-69) sliced through the innings to ensure the last six

He put on 64 for the sixth wicket with Richie Looknauth who made 28 from 42 deliveries with five boundaries.

stroking 12 fours and a six off just 70 balls while Smith was patient, facing 101 deliveries and counting six fours and a six.

Ashmead Nedd … finished with four wickets for Guyana.

Dillon Douglas (2-28), Lee Louisy (2-38) and Daneal Dupigny (2-42) all finished with three wickets each.

Set 288 for victory, the Windwards started well but lost their way to be bowled out for 167, with Tahj Tavenier top-scoring with 57, Wayne Edwards getting 26 and fellow opener Kimani Melius scoring 22.

Edwards and Melius put

wickets tumbled for 73 runs.

Tavenier was last out after striking eight fours and a six off 102 deliveries.

Guyana, meanwhile, also had it all their own way against the Leewards.

Resuming their second innings on 101 for five, they motored to 172 for six declared with Ronaldo Ali Mohammed finishing with an unbeaten 50 off 84 balls with six fours and a six.

S e t a n i m p ro b a b l e 293 for victory, the Leewards made a good fist of it thanks to Javani Tyson who stroked 65 and Dimitri Adams who made 59, while Uri Smith struck 43.

They were struggling on 21 for two before Adams and Smith joined forces to add 93 fo the third wicket and repair the innings.

Adams produced a counter-attacking knock,

Once the partnership was broken wickets fell steadily and it was left to Tyson, who blasted two fours and five sixes off 94 balls, to provide the late flourish.

Ashmead Nedd led Guyana attack with four for 30 while fellow off-spinner Richie Looknauth picked up three for 58.

Jamaica sprung a big surprise when they came from behind to stun Barba-

dos late in the day, thanks to Andre McCarthy’s 61 and Shalome Parnell’s invaluable unbeaten 23.

They were slumping badly at 36 for four but McCarthy and Brad Barnes, who made 13, put a crucial 48 for the fifth wicket to rally the innings.

McCarthy faced 86 balls and hit four fours and two sixes but was seventh out – one of three wickets to tumble for 14 runs – leaving the Jamaicans on 121 for eight.

But Parnell remained steady in 53 balls at the crease to see his side home.

Left-arm spinner Camarie Boyce was the best bowler with four for 45 while off-spinner Dante Niles took three for 41.

Barbados had earlier fallen for 133 all out after resuming on 33 for three, with Jaden Edmund top-scoring with 22.

David Bird (3-23), Kristoph Virgo (3-28) and Brad Barnes (3-62) all finished with three wickets apiece.

Amazon Warriors begin training camp

See page 31

Silver medallist Allicock eyes 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo - Blake pleased with fighters’ performance at Commonwealth Youth Games See page 26

(L-R) Coach Sebert Blake, president of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) KA Juman Yassin and Commonwealth Youth Games silver medallist Keevin Allicock.

Christopher Moore

Digicel Schools Football semi-finals playoff

Redemption for Linden or dominance from Chase?

See page 26

Can Linden’s Christianburg/Wismar Secondary (red and green) stop the rise of a giant? (Delano Williams photo)

Chase Academic Foundation were on a charge to their second Digicel schools football title. (Samuel Maughn photo)

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THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2017