Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 28 03 2017

Sex workers charged with violent robbery Page 11

No. 104866

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

No complaint of threats …Justice Holder gives reason for leaving bench – writes chancellor on High Court incident

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Avoiding sleaze – PM says petroleum resources must not transform into buying votes

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Linden TV to be Biker dies in Springlands handed over soon – region’s broadcasting board to convene first meeting on Friday crash Page 8

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Jeff Simons , country Manager of ExxonMobil, applauds as Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo prepares to address the gathering. Backing the camera is President of the Guyana Oil and gas Association, Bobby Gossai Jr.

Fire destroys Noble House fuel facility

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A tidy sum

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

...New NGO raises $170,000 to help launch Baramita charity

By Tamica Garnett

A TOTAL of $170,000 was raised last Thursday evening towards the start-up of a charity at Baramita, in the Barima-Waini District of Region One. The fundraiser was held at the Cara Lodge, on downtown Quamina Street, by a relatively new organisation named “100 Women Who Care Guyana,” which has as its objective to raise funding for charities across Guyana.

The recipient organisation on this occasion is named “By Faith,” and is headed by Manager of Mer-

cy Resident Care, Leslyn Holder.

The money was turned over to Holder on-the-spot, causing her to be moved to tears as she thanked the donors for their generosity, and for voting in favour of

her charity.

“I’m feeling the love from all of you,” Holder said as she accepted the money.

A WORLD MOVEMENT The “100 Women Who Care Guyana” is Guyana’s first branch of the larger “100 Women Who Care” movement, which has 340 arms across North America.

The movement is premised on a simple concept, which, as its name suggests, aims to bring together at least 100 women who care enough to donate towards a charity.

The male equivalent is called “100 Men Who Give A Damn,” but the female’s was founded by Valerie Jenkinson, a Canadian who started similar branches in St Lucia and Curaçao.

Local psychologist, Caitlin Vieira is the Chairperson of the Guyana arm, while Indira Harry is the treasurer.

In Guyana, the group will meet every three months, so that each member can nominate a charity of their liking; and from those nominees,

three will be randomly selected for funding. Members then have to make a donation to get to vote for one of the three charities.

Donations start at $5000 per person, and while persons can donate more, if they’re so desirous, each person is entitled to only one vote, regardless of the amount they donate.

The charity that receives the money is then expected to report on what developments were made, and how the money was spent at the organisation’s next meeting.

‘BY FAITH’ Last Wednesday, “By Faith” was selected by virtue of garnering more votes than Help and Shelter, and Bal Nivas, a children’s home run by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha.

Prior to the voting process, a representative from each of the charities stood before the audience to talk about their organisation, and make a pitch as to why they should receive the money.

Holder, in her pitch, spoke of how the community of Baramita, in Region One, “really captured her heart” while doing mental health awareness work across the country. Holder, a remigrant from the UK, is a former Education and Training Coordinator for Mental Health Services at the Ministry of Public Health.

She shared the heartbreaking tale of how she could not forget the things she saw in Baramita.

“My very last visit broke my heart,” she said. “I cried for an hour on the plane coming home. One little boy said to me, ‘Miss, if you can take me with you, I really want to become a teacher and come back and help my community.’

“And I spoke to the Health Minister, and I said, ‘Forget mental health; I want to do something. If it kills me, I have to help these people in some way.’”

LIFE AT BARAMITA As for the community

itself, Holder said: “In Baramita, they have many, many social issues involving families, young people... There is alcohol, drug abuse, sexual abuse; and I’ve seen children without food.

“Ninety-eight per cent of those children can’t access schools, because of the distance, because of transport, because of no food, because parents aren’t educated enough.”

Speaking with this publication about her plans for the money, Holder said one of her first objectives is to get a few on-the-ground staff in Baramita, and to also take herself out there as soon as possible.

“In my Action Plan,” she said, “I want to have persons there on the ground who are responsible for certain things; so I’ll be getting some staff on board, doing some training, getting some parents involved.

“And I have to ensure that I’m there, so that people see me and they are motivated.”

Holder said she knows that there will be many challenges, particularly the language barrier, as a lot of the residents of the largely Amerindian community speak mainly Carib, with only a handful speaking English. Holder, however, said she will not let this stop her.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

No complaint of threats …Justice Holder gives reason for leaving bench – writes chancellor on High Court incident

JUSTICE Franklin Holder said he left the bench last week Thursday during the Carvil Duncan trial because of an alleged statement made by Attorney General, Basil Williams, which is: “I could say what I want to say and however I want to say it, I have always been like that.”

“Immediately after hearing these words, I rose from the Bench and went into my Chambers. I did not adjourn the matter, nor did I give any instructions to the parties,” Justice Holder mentioned in a letter of complaint addressed to Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards, which was seen by this newspaper.

His letter made no mention of any “threat”, and although he referenced Williams’ statement about a dead magistrate, Justice Holder made no specific complaint about it nor did he describe it as a threat.

People’s Progressive Party MP, Anil Nandlall had made the allegations that

Williams had threatened to kill the judge- a claim which Williams has denied. During a news conference last Friday Williams in detailing what transpired said that he was cross-examining Duncan, who is being represented by Nandlall, and the latter kept interrupting the court. Wil-

Justice Franklin Holder

liams, SC said that when the Judge announced that he was about to adjourn the matter, he (Williams) made a request to ask a final question, which he was permitted to do. The

AG said that after he had asked his final question to the confidential secretary of Duncan, since she was the one being cross-examined, he thanked her and proceeded to his seat.

EX ABUNDANTI CAUTELA He then stated that: “When I was about to sit, I saw the Judge was about to leave and I said ex abundanti cautela; out of excessive caution could I enquire the answer ‘no’ was recorded. The Judge, to my surprise said, Mr. Williams you’re not incharge of my court.” The AG related that the Judge then said that he interprets what Williams said to mean that he (the Judge) did not record a previous answer given by the witness, and that he (the Judge) takes great umbrage to that.

Williams, SC said he then shared an experience which happened years ago, where a magistrate presiding over a matter he was involved in had interpreted something he said,

Attorney General, Basil Williams

differently. He said that since then he has been “particular” about what he says in court and “incidentally, that magistrate is dead now”.

He noted that after this, he continued his conversation with Justice Holder, after which Nandlall “jumped in as though he was under the influence of something” and the Judge left the benches.

The AG said that his view is that the Judge had intended to leave but he (Williams) had detained him by asking another question. He said that no date was given by the Judge for a continuation of the hearing, as he has the option of sending notices to counsel about new dates.

Judy Stuart- Adonis, Senior Legal Advisor, who was in court during the incident, in a statement seen by this newspaper said the AG was insistent in the inconsistencies of the witness being recorded, after which he subsequently referenced a former Magistrate, who also misconstrued him and that Magistrate is now deceased, meaning he/she is no longer a sitting Magistrate. Esther Sam, Principal Legal Adviser at the AG chambers also gave a similar account.

Meanwhile, in light of the accusations against him that he threatened to kill the judge, the AG on Friday had warned that he will take legal actions against the media houses that repeated the allegations by

Nandlall. “I practiced law for 33 years and no allegations have been made against me in the practice of my profession.

Newspapers have come out and I shall be taking actions against those newspapers” he told reporters.

The AG said that he will be taking actions because several weeks ago he warned that it was no longer “free day” on his name, as he would not permit anyone to filch his “good name”.

“I have never done acts of corruption” AG Williams maintained.

He went on to state that the accusation by Nandlall, who is a former AG, “reeks of crass disrespect” and is an “assault on the government,” since he (Williams) is a government minister. “I gave warning. I am not going to allow people to attack me and my office. It is an assault on the government.

We have to ensure people’s reputation are protected” the AG said, confirming that legal actions will also be taken against Nandlall.

$184M set aside for major road, drainage works in Region 5 THE Administration of Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) is gearing up to spend over $184M on roads, bridges and drainage projects across the Region this year as part of its capital programme.

The majority of this sum, $88M, is to be spent on rehabilitation, upgrading and continuation of community roads in both the Mahaicony-Abary Sub-Region and the Abary-Berbice Sub Region.

Out of this overall allocation for infrastructure develop-

ment by the Government and under agricultural development, $25M will be spent on improving drainage and irrigation channels in six villages in Mahaicony.

The largest of these D&I projects is the rehabilitation of a total of 12.4 miles of channels and dams at Perth/Biabu Canal and Cottage/Planters’ Hall at a total cost of approximately $14M. Some 3.32 miles of the northern side line drain at Perth Village will be rehabilitated at a cost of $6M.

One drainage structure with a regulatory head is to be constructed at Davis Area at a cost of $1.5M and another at Grass Hook at a cost of $2M. The D& I system in the Mahaicony-Abary sub-Region will also benefit from the construction of one sluice at Perth and another at Strath Campbell, at a costs of $492,000 and $1M respectively. The Administration will also spend $14M to construct a tarmac at the Abary sluice which will facilitate activities of fishermen

who use the area as a site for their fishing operations and related business activities.

With respect to access to farmlands, Farm to Market roads at Mahaicony , No 8 Village West Coast Berbice and at Biaboo Mahaica Creek, will be rehabilitated at a cost of $34.5M and a bridge will facilitate access to farmlands at Now or Never Mahaicony, at a cost of $3.5M. Under bridges, two green heart timber bridges are to be constructed: one at Union Village

West Coast Berbice, north of the public road and another at Zeskendren, Mahaicony, at a cost of 1.8M and $6M respectively.

A concrete bridge is to be constructed at a cost of $7M at Gillis Avenue Hopetown and neighbouring Bush Lot Village. They will benefit from a $4.5M Reinforced Concrete bridge at Four Foot. Meanwhile West Berbice communities of Catherina’s Lust, Litchfield, Lovely Lass, Waterloo,

Paradise and Rosignol, are slated to benefit from rehabilitation, upgrading and continuation of community roads at a total cost of $85M and work will commence on the upgrading of Benjamin Street at Perth Mahaicony with a start-up budget of $3M. The Administration has issued invitations for contractors to tender for these works. Many of these tenders already submitted are to be opened this week and on April 4th next.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Trump’s son-in-law to be questioned

New York Times noth--over alleged Russian ties the ing significant was discussed,

PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s son-in-law and aide, Jared Kushner, will be questioned by a US committee investigating alleged ties between the Trump team and Moscow.

Mr Kushner has volunteered to speak to the Senate Intelligence Committee, the White House has said.

It is examining Russia’s alleged interference in last year’s election.

The US intelligence community believes alleged Russian hacking during the presidential election was done to help Mr Trump defeat Hillary Clinton.

Russia has denied the allegations and President Trump has branded the story “fake news”.

There are two congressional investigations into the issue, plus an FBI one.

The Senate committee wants to question him about two

meetings he allegedly arranged with senior Russians, officials told the New York Times.

But staff of Mr Kushner, who was a senior adviser to Mr Trump during the election campaign, have said that so far, his offer to be questioned has not been answered.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said that Mr Kushner has not invoked executive privilege, and will testify, because his job with the campaign was to be a “conduit to leaders”.

“That was his role, and he wants to make sure that he’s very clear about the role that he played, who he talked to, and that’s it,” Mr Spicer said on Monday.

The first was with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak at Trump Tower in New York in December. The second was with the head of Russia’s stateowned development bank.

White House staff told

and members of the president-elect’s team routinely met Russians and other foreign delegations.

Meanwhile, Mr Kushner has been picked to lead a new White House team that aims to overhaul government bureaucracy.

It will have sweeping powers to reform procedures, with technology and data a key area and the help of Apple CEO Tim Cook and Microsoft founder Bill Gates reportedly enlisted.

Mr Kushner, 36, told the newspaper “the government should be run like a great American company.”

He is a property investor and media executive who is married to Mr Trump’s daughter, Ivanka.

He already advises the president on foreign relations, and is said to have been influential in helping President Trump choose staff for his campaign and in government.

(BBC)

‘Monster’ cyclone batters Australian islands A CYCLONE carrying winds of up to 263km/h (163mph) has battered popular holiday islands as it moves towards the coast of Queensland, Australia.

More than 25,000 people were urged to evacuate ahead of Cyclone Debbie, a Category Four storm now predicted to reach the mainland about 14:00 local time (04:00 GMT) today.

About 23,000 homes have already lost power, and there are reports of damage.

Authorities say it would be the area’s worst storm since Cyclone Yasi in 2011.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said the cyclone’s “very destructive core” had already reached the Whitsunday Islands.

“We’re getting reports of roofs starting to lift, even in some of our own facilities in the Whitsundays,” said Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski.

One person in the region compared the winds

to “freight trains coming through left and right”.

“The trees are going wild; the place is just shaking continuously,” the man, identified only as Charlie, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Electricity providers said more homes would lose power, and for an unknown period of time.

TEST OF ENDURANCE Forecasters have twice delayed predictions of when the slow-moving storm will make landfall.

It is now expected to cross the coast somewhere south of Bowen, and remain over Queensland for hours.

“We are in for a long, tough day,” said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

“The intensity and ferocity of the winds is going to be gradually increasing.

Everyone is bunkered down.”

Ms Palaszczuk described the storm as “a monster”, and compared it to Cyclone Yasi, which had devastated

towns and flooded evacuation centres.

She said Monday’s emergency evacuation order was “probably the largest ever” for the north-eastern state.

Ms Palaszczuk said that shelters had been made available on higher ground for those with nowhere else to go.

More than 2,000 emergency workers are also on standby, but people have been warned that crews will only respond when it is safe to do so.

Some residents have refused, to leave despite warnings that Cyclone Debbie’s destructive core could be as wide as 62 miles (100km).

Queensland authorities have closed 181 schools and 232 early childhood education centres.

All flights have been cancelled at Townsville Airport and Mackay Airport.

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said the weather contributed to the death of a woman in a car crash on Monday. (BBC)

Tuesday March 28th, 2017 -05:00 hrs Wednesday March 29th, 2017 - 05:00 hrs Thursday March 30th, 2017 - 05:00 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

US rapper in Colombia drug lord row US rapper Wiz Khalifa has angered Colombians by publishing photos of himself visiting the grave of the notorious drug lord, Pablo Escobar in the city of Medellín.

Escobar terrorised Colombia in the 1980s and 1990s, bribing, kidnapping or killing all those who stood in his way.

Medellín Mayor Federico Gutierrez said Wiz Khalifa should apologise for “advocating crime”.

He said Wiz Khalifa should have brought flowers to Escobar’s victims instead.

‘SCOUNDREL’

Photographs posted by the 29-year-old rapper from Pittsburgh, who had played a concert in Medellín on Friday, showed flowers and a marijuana joint on the grave of Pablo Escobar.

Wiz Khalifa is a prolific consumer of marijuana, who has had a strain of marijuana named after him, which he markets with a company in Colorado.

But his offering to the late Colombian drug lord did not go down well with the Medellín mayor, who called the rapper a “scoundrel”.

“It shows that this guy has never had to

Wiz Khalifa

suffer from the violence inflicted by these drug traffickers,” Mr Gutierrez said.

Pablo Escobar and his Medellín cartel are held responsible for about 4,000 killings, including the bombing of an airliner in which all 107 people on board were killed.

The city of Medellín has tried to shed its image as the cartel’s former headquarters ever since Escobar was shot dead by police in 1993.

The photos of Wiz Khalifa at the grave, and also posing in front of the apartment building where Escobar lived therefore

touched a raw nerve among many Colombians.

But others seemed bemused by the outrage Wiz Khalifa’s visit to the grave has caused.

Twitter user @KarolinaWolf joked: “And here’s me thinking that marijuana-loving rapper Wiz Khalifa came to Medellín to visit the remains of [the recently canonised Colombian missionary] Mother Laura. Unbelievable.”

Wiz Khalifa himself has so far not commented on the anger he’s caused among some Colombians with his Escobar-themed tour of Medellín.

Brazilian airline compensates indigenous tribe --for damages caused by 2006 plane crash ONE of Brazil’s top airlines, Gol, has agreed to pay $1.3M (£1M) to an indigenous tribe in compensation for the damage caused by a 2006 plane crash.

A Gol aircraft on a commercial flight collided with a private jet in mid-air in September 2006, in the skies above the Caiapó indigenous reserve.

The Caiapó tribe refused to go back to the area where the debris fell.

They say it is now polluted and cursed with the presence of the dead.

Their dwellings and a health centre set up by Brazil’s indigenous agency, Funai, had to be rebuilt elsewhere in the reserve, a Caiapó chief told Globo television.

HEAD-ON COLLISION The two planes were travelling in opposite directions when they collided over an area of the Amazon forest in the state of Mato Grosso.

The Embraer Legacy 600

private jet, which was travelling to the United States,

managed to fly to a nearby airport and land safely.

Leader of the Caiapó Peoples, Chief Raoni who has campaigned for indigenous rights for years in Brazil

But the Gol Boeing 7378EH aircraft crashed in the middle of the reserve, killing all 154 people onboard.

A Brazilian government inquiry concluded that there had been errors both by the two American pilots on the Legacy jet and air traffic control in Brazil.

Two years ago, tribe leaders sought help from Funai to ask for compensation,

Globo TV reported.

The airline and tribe leaders came to an out-ofcourt agreement, which was signed by the Caiapó at a ceremony earlier this month.

The Caiapó chief is Raoni Metuktire, who became famous when he travelled around the world with British rock star, Sting in the late 1980s to highlight the destruction of the Amazon

rainforest.

He campaigned for the demarcation of indigenous lands threatened by hydroelectric dams, illegal mining and the expansion of soya plantations.

His foundation will manage the compensation money, under the watch of Funai and Brazil’s Attorney General’s Office.

(BBC)

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

The seriousness of driving OFTEN said in jest is “If you can drive in Guyana, you can drive anywhere in the world”, and though this theory is yet to be proven, the connotations hold a serious undertone that remind us that this is not something that Guyanese should be proud of. It stems from the assumption that the risks involved in driving in Guyana are so extreme that they prepare the driver for any dangerous roadway elsewhere in the world.

Guyana has been known for its high road fatality rate.

Last year, the country recorded a 10 percent increase in fatal accidents with 127 deaths, while this year has seen a significant number so far, with 13 deaths recorded as of mid-February. Just recently, a four-year-old was killed while walking with a relative on the main road of the Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo. The incident spurred protest by residents and family members of the deceased after the driver was released on bail.

While fatal accidents are the worst outcomes of the misuse of roadways, it is the actual misuse that remains the burning issue for drivers in Guyana. Statistics show that there is no shortage of charges by police of persons committing traffic offenses-- 42,349 persons were charged for various traffic violations for the year 2016--yet drivers continue to be callous on the road.

Though the task may seem simple, driving is in fact a complex action that requires significant use of several parts of the brain. While operating a vehicle, it often takes a load of brain power to analyse, plan, make decisions and quick judgments at all points during the journey. One’s brain is also constantly at work in the area of visio-spatial perception (average) and other analytical tasks. For this reason, stern warnings are continually made against indulging in distractions such as using the phone to talk or text or other

types of multi-tasking while driving. It is these seemingly harmless distractions, however, and the perceived ease of movement of the vehicle that drivers often take for granted just how technical driving is. It is also the late reaction of our brain, often brought about by these distractions that lead to dangerous outcomes.

Danger also rears its ugly head every time drivers take other unnecessary risks such as fail to utilise the required patience and/or breaking traffic rules. On an average journey, drivers can be seen taking countless risks and breaking numerous rules trying to get to their destination, all in the name of shaving off a few minutes- or sometimes mere seconds, from the trip. And indeed, this is something that is not unique to Guyana, but somehow the frequency with which you encounter ‘reckless drivers’ is so high here, that one must wonder what is it that allows this behaviour to thrive?

Perhaps it is that while there are penalties, these are not efficiently enforced, or when they are, they are not stringent enough. If the fine for breaking a minor traffic law were an exorbitant amount, this could serve as a deterrent for drivers. In larger countries, an offense as minor as driving without a tail light could incur hundreds of US dollars.

Systems are also in place for the revocation of licences through a strict points system. Drivers are therefore made to keep in line due to little or no room for error on the roadways. In Guyana, there are countless vehicles with one or no tail lights working, and little or no penalty is incurred for such offences. Though seemingly not connected to the larger problem of road fatalities and other misdemeanors, it is such minor oversights that create a gateway for larger offences to occur.

Somehow, the gravity of driving does not connect with the average driver. Every time you step into a vehicle, you

put your life and the life of others at serious risk. It is for this reason that rules are in place. But if these rules are not adequately enforced due to a lax system, and if you fail to place enough attention to the task itself, the consequences can be dire. Moreover, if drivers are allowed to skip pertinent steps before becoming a driver--such as acquiring false documents or bypassing parts of the licensing process as is rumoured to be a regular occurrence in Guyana – these events could put many unqualified persons behind the wheel as well. Such persons would therefore not learn important techniques needed to operate vehicles and therefore fail to build the respect required for the rules of the road.

Not all accidents can be avoided, but there are too many that occur that could have been. Driving can become routine, but what persons fail to realise is that while many routes we take may be the same, the situation never is. As such, vigilance must be taken on the part of both authorities and drivers; the 5 Cs must become a mantra,and the value for human life must be a top priority when getting behind the wheel.

Yarde has done well, but time for him to go Dear Editor

IT IS most disgusting to be following the present highlighted GPSU-Yarde’s tenure and contest for the Union’s upcoming elections.

Mr. Mortimer Livan, 1st Vice President, who headed that Press Conference, indicating he and the Executive body fully support Yarde’s contesting for the upcoming election and if re-elected they support him fully. They are all stifling their consciences and trying to safeguard their ‘gifted hand-outs.’

It totally sickens my stomach and is a vexation to the spirit of that Press Conference Mr. Livan saying [“… the reason why Yarde has gained the full support of the council, is because most of the members have found him to be efficient. He said that he has been to conciliations and negotiations with Yarde, and the manner in which Yarde deals with such matters, he doubts whether there is any-

one who could be as efficient as the president. Livan said that the council had been with the GPSU president on many occasions, and have seen what he can get done,” Stabroek News, Thursday 23, 2017, pg22]. How can a (good) leader serve for 30 years with an Executive body, advancing in age (mind you, according to Yarde’s amendment of the Union’s rules there is no age limit of serving as President) but considering ever so often Yarde having to fly overseas for his own medical and personal reasons, some right thinking person would believe that such a good leader as Yarde really is, according to his 1st Vice President and his Executive body, he should have been grooming one or two to follow his steps to be somewhat efficient like him.

But at the Press Conference it seemed to me that all of them are under Yarde’s hypnotic induction-whatever method he uses. Come on readers how silly it sounds from that Press

Conference that there is not even one from the Executive Council to contest Yarde.

Let them have an audit, and please Mr. Auditor, please don’t send your young staff for Yarde to continue finding fault with them after realising they are asking too many questions in unravelling all the misdemeanours and then having to report them for some concocted reason.

Check for all dues, their Social Bar that Yarde holds as his own, and unearth all those ‘good persons’ not employed there but are around the Union that are being paid (receiving) lump sums of money called salary for works only they and Yarde can explain, while some of his employees receive ‘small change. Let us see how well the Executive cronies will continue their full support. All those many vouchers in some staff and his very same good Executives names against their knowledge and some just do not mind because of being

inheritors of freebies or their basket of goods.

There is loads of knowledge with staff there: one such incident I can never forget is the disposal of some documents; when being disposed some people noticed their names on vouchers for lump sum payments that they knew nothing of. Further, try to ask the staff there or ask his dear Mr. Livan why as soon as monthly dues are in it cannot settle in the bank for some time before it is being taken for some uprising expense from the boss or ask why staff have to wait solely on lump sum dues to be paid their salary because there is no money in the bank.

A brief on the staff turnover ratio shows there is a lot left to wonder. Through a five year period I dare you readers’ to find out the amount of people that have worked and left the Union-their experiences too, mostly because of the unfair treatment meted out by Yarde, himself. Why

him and no one else you may wonder? Well it is because he sits there: Office, home or overseas and makes every iota decision. It is beyond unfair and inhuman some treatment some staff endured and still endures working under this so-called human rights activist called Patrick Yarde.

Can you imagine that some staff working there takes home salary fortnightly? Beyond gross; while some Executive members, friends, family members and himself cart off the big sums-eat large, drink lavish and travel widely. I dare you to enquire and investigate. Further enquiry should go after all the money the previous government would have given to the Union for its renovation works; investment in their Public Servants, etc. Also to imagine, yearning to retire to enjoy your remaining sanity but are threatened with losing any benefit given to you for your lengthy years of service.

Readers go further into

imagination working at a Union, being unfairly treated and having to represent people with matters of the same nature as yours and your colleagues and resolving same with the relevant authorities.

It definitely plays with your mind because there is no one you can turn to but through the door-resign. You would think resigning solves all at once; no! If you notify them in advance of leaving there is always some issue with your salary. They would have you running back and forth after leaving.

No doubt that Yarde has contributed well to the Union but a fresh, committed mind is needed now. It is time Public Servants go out and vote, vote like a boss and vote change. Yarde is indeed there too long and has surely out lived his merit representing the rights of Public Servants.

Regards, Name Provided

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Kissoon was sucked into the struggle of the rich and powerful Dear Editor, FREDERICK Kissoon in his column published in the Kaieteur News on Friday March 24, 2017, under the caption: “Class struggle in Guyana: Marx versus Popper” made some important observations on the character and outcome of the parking meter protests.

In his letter Kissoon compared that protest with the street vendors struggle against their removal from the city pavements by the Georgetown City Council and showed the social and class realities that influence the outcome of these struggles.

Kissoon’s contention

is that the parking meter and the vendors’ protests demonstrated important aspects of the class contradictions in our society.

He pointed to the fact that persons who were the leading force in the parking meter mobilization were citizens with endless resources - financial, social and political - to prosecute their campaign against the City Council, SCS and the government. The struggle of the vendors, (who are among the poor and powerless in the society) unlike that of the supporters of MAPM, was devoid of resources and unsurprisingly, did not achieve the partial victory that MAPM was able to obtain. Without the

resources that were at the disposal of the organisers of MAPM the vendors had to abide with the council‘s decision that removed them from the established places of their livelihood.

The parking meter demonstrations attracted a number of working people who had good reasons to identify with the struggle, but as Kissoon pointed out the principal actors were prominent members of the private sector and I would add, members of the opposition PPP. This involvement in protest action represented a marked departure in the normal behaviour of members of the private sector as it relates to their attitude to social/

Private school is a cover for low performers Dear Editor THE recent move by Government to impose VAT on private school has seen many people giving their opinions about this present administration and we saw a few started to picketing at various locations with the aim of trying to get the Government to change their position.

Many of the picketers are parents. I am somewhat of the view that they are not really in touch with reality. I am quite sure they will be burden directly with paying that VAT and the private schools will be benefitting financially. Listening to the comments being solicited from the picketers, I believe that many of them should look at reality and see if what they are picketing for is indeed a good cause and if some of those picketing are indeed parents as they are claiming.

During last week’s picketing exercise, one so-called picketing parent said that many days children attending public school would go home without any school work in their books and that is why they chose to send their children to private school. The Ministry of Education and the GTU should condemn that slanderous statement because either that ‘Parent’ has something against public school or might have a more

active role in the private school. I don’t have a problem with people exercising their democratic rights, but if you are going to do that and make up lies in the process, I believe I should defend that. That parent should say which public school is that.

She gives the impression as if whichever school she was talking about has no interest in the education of the child and quite honestly I believe that she was lying.

Many things could be said about schools but I’ve never heard of a public school that doesn’t teach the children anything or give them information to write in their books or teachers that do not like their jobs.

Editor, private school is an option to many who have kids not educated/qualify enough to attend the school that many view as bright schools (Queens College, Saints etc.) thus in order to not look bad in their society they enrol them at private schools. Look at the results of private schools and you will see that many cannot achieve marks even close to the public schools. I travel a lot and ask lots of questions and a while back I had written about a private school at Meten-meer-Zorg and to date there has been no changes and I have wondered why people are criticising public schools

and they are not against private schools that are charging fees and cannot give a better service.

The owner of the school has the keys for the school and the children would have to brave the morning sun until he comes before they could enter the school which is usually after 8am.

There is no proper shed for them or any seating area so many would have to stand by the grills, under the sun or rain until the school/gate is opened. Unlike public school, one teacher is assigned to a class and she/he has to teach all the subjects and even jump over to another class to teach at the same time. At the public schools, secondary/high/college, one teacher teaches one subject and if there are seven different subjects during the day, then seven different teachers will be teaching the children throughout the day. I have nothing against that school but I cannot understand if you are charging 100% for a service and only providing 25% then I find something wrong there and if people are going to criticize Government’s action, they should look at what they are defending first.

Regards Sahadeo Bates

political issues. The city experienced the closure of a number of business houses in support of the protests. Many business proprietors forced their employees to join the weekly demonstrations. These economic czars were silent during the grave excesses of the PPP regime, which saw a reign of state terror lasting many years that resulted in the execution of hundreds of citizens mainly young African men.

At no time in that long and painful ordeal did the private sector elements close their doors to denounce the state’s involvement in those extra –judicial killings. In fact their advocacy in that period was

to call for more draconian measures to be employed by the police, army and the government.

I am totally against the parking meter project but I refused to join the protest actions for the reasons expressed above and those enunciated in Kissoon’s column.

I wish at this time to pose two questions to Kissoon which are intended to develop a better understanding of his posture on the parking meter fiasco: The first question is this: Freddie, given your keen awareness of the class nature of the parking meter protests why did you join the demonstrations?

Secondly, why have you

agonised over not being able to be there more often? Freddie, given your ideological position and the politics implicit in your analysis and your class conviction, it is fair to expect that you will demonstrate constraints when faced with some types of manifestations of class struggle in the society. In failing to exercise these constraints you run the risk of being sucked into the struggle of the rich and powerful. The parking meter weekly demonstrations, colourful as they were are one such struggle.

Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

“I knew who I was this morning but I’ve changed a few times since then”- Lewis Carroll’s Alice (‘Through the looking glass’) A FEELING of normalcy had returned to my body. I was over the bad smells;in fact I welcomed bacon into my diet whenever I was ‘allowed’ to sneak it in.Yes, I was a foodie again but with the inclusion of fresh fruits and books on Alternative Medicine from my Dad who would always pop into my room for insightful discussions on health, politics and religion but these days it was mostly health.

Along with the chemo treatments I was always eating soursop,aka Graviola (scientific name: Annona muricata) and brewing tea with its leaves,as it is known to have anti-cancer properties. I had been told by

one of the past oncologists I consulted with that “those things are myths.”

This is why it’s easy to lose faith in modern medicine when Doctors are so easy to discredit anything that cannot be sold over the counter. While Soursop cannot ‘cure’ cancer, according to the Cancer Research UK “In laboratory studies, graviola extracts can kill some types of liver and breast cancer cells that are resistant to particular chemotherapy drugs.” There is no myth that benefits can be reaped from adding this fruit to the diet of a cancer patient, it just makes common sense and I was appalled that the Doctor I had spoken to was severely

dismissive of it and ‘any other herbal/natural cure as nonsense’.

Hey Doc, Lapachol -- an anti-cancer, anti-tumor and inflammation medication--is made from Tabebuia species (trumpet tree). There are over a hundred active ingredients derived from plants and used in the drugs we buy from the pharmacy. What do you think they used in Egypt and Rome back in the days? I refuse to be fooled by doctors and pharmaceutical companies that benefit by keeping me sick;never underestimate how ruthless and unethical greed makes people and corporations.

Just two days after getting my pixie mohawk hair-

cut,my hair started to fall out. When I touched the tips of my hair I felt an unpleasant tingle shoot down to my scalp.My hair was prepared to go on sabbatical but the nerves attached to the follicles were making the process an uncomfortable one. I could run my fingers through my hair and expect to discover at least ten hair in my hand. ‘Ok not so bad’ I thought, At this rate there won’t be a significant hair loss any time soon.

The weekend had come again,which doesn’t mean anything when you’re home everyday;any day could be the weekend but this marked the Birthday celebrations of my friend Gina. Happy to

be feeling somewhat ‘back to normal’ and excited to be doing something that did not involve needles in my arm, I got all ‘dolled up’ and attended. Once there, I enjoyed having conversations that weren’t centered on ‘ how many chemo sessions do you have again’? and more on “ Kanye is a kardashian and doesn’t even know it’’, lol.

Amidst all the skinning and grinning and odd thing was happening to my hair.

Its new m.o to fall everywhere seems to have gained significant momentum from the time I had left home to the three hours I had been socializing, my scalp was tingling and I could literally

feel the hair falling around my neck and shoulders.

Two hours later I was apologizing to people for hair in their drinks. Ok, time to leave. As I headed outside a strong wind blew and I thought half my head would blow away.During the car ride home I kept my windows up, I was becoming a mess, hair stuck to my dress,I had started to itch. As I wrapped my hair up in a scarf for the first time and climbed into bed it dawned on me what I had to do. I reached for my cellphone and texted the words “Ann, I need you to shave my head asap’. This was it, no going back now.

TV to be handed over soon Biker dies in Springlands crash Linden – region’s broadcasting board to convene first meeting on Friday THE life of a 20-year-old man was snuffed out by an alleged drunk driver at around 20:30hrs on Sunday evening when a car collided with his motor cycle in Springlands,Corentyne.

Dead is Irshad Mahmood, a welder. He had just rode off from his recently-engaged fiancée,who was in the vicinity of Sukhpaul’s Gas Station,to meet up a friend and was returning to her when a gold coloured Toyota Fielder Wagon bearing licence plate PNN 7736 attempted to turn into the Gas Station and collided with Mahmood.

The impact sent him flying several feet in the air and he landed on the pavement,resulting in internal and head injuries.He was picked up and rushed to the Skeldon Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The driver of the car fled the scene but was arrested Monday morning by ranks who recognised him as a passenger in another car.

Mahmood’s fiancée, Reshma Ramdatt, 18, who witnessed the accident said,“We were sitting by the gas station and he see a friend who call he so he leff he helmet and ride off because was not far.

When he come back he almost reach me and a car look like it did coming in the gas station turn and hit he and pitch he in

Dead: Irshad Mahmood

on 30th April 2017.

Meanwhile, Mahmood’s mother, Violet Khanai is calling on the police to ensure justice is served for her son, whom she described as caring and always willing. “I want the police to make sure we get justice fuh me son, the driver knock he down and getaway, he nah even stop and see if he okay or try fuh take he to the hospital;he knock he down like a dog and getaway.” Guyana Chronicle understands that the driver told investigators when he was arrested that he was on his way to turn himself in at the Springlands police station. He is currently in custody assisting with investigations.

the air. He fall down and start fuh bleed through he nose and ears. We hustle pick he up and put he in a car fuh carry he to the hospital and when we reach them tell we he dead” The young lady recalled amidst sobs that as soon as the accident occurred the driver of the car fled the scene without looking back in the direction of Mahmood. She further related that they were only engaged a few weeks ago and were planning to tie the knot The mangled car involved in the accident

Stakeholders of Linden Television at the meeting on Monday with Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valarie Patterson, at the Ministry of the Presidency

THE newly-constituted Board of the Region 10 Broadcasting Incorporated will convene its first meeting on Friday, March 31, in Linden – a necessary step which will pave the way for the mining town to receive its own television station.

At that meeting on Friday, both the Chairperson and Company Secretary will be appointed and their appointments ratified.

According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, stakeholders from Linden met with Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, at the Ministry of the Presidency on Monday. At that meeting, the PM assured stakeholders that all systems are in place to ensure that the television station is handed over to the community.

However, he told them that while the government was eager to hand it over,

it was them who needed to ensure that they reached consensus on the trust company to manage the affairs of the television station.

He also pledged government’s support to upgrade and better outfit the facility after it is handed over.

It was reported at the meeting by Sharma Solomon, a member of the Region 10 Broadcasting Trust Company that the Board has been expanded to facilitate fifteen Directors as opposed to four.

He said that this was done to ensure broader representation and a wider cross section of stakeholders from Region 10.

Prior to this, the Prime Minister, who has responsibility for public information, was formally written to about the concerns of various stakeholders with regard to the proposed composition of the Board of Directors.

As a result, he invited all

stakeholders to two previous meetings with the intention of arriving at a consensus before the handing over of the television station.

Newly appointed Chairman of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) reiterated the position of his predecessor Leonard Craig that the GNBA is prepared to grant a license to the mining town’s Broadcasting Trust to operate the television station.

The handover of Linden TV to the community for their ownership and management was part of an agreement with the previous government following the 2012 uprising which was not honoured by the then government.

Also attending the meeting on Monday were Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Patterson.

No sleaze 9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

– PM says petroleum resources must not transform into buying votes

By Alva Solomon CITING the “resource curse” that many petroleum producing countries have experienced, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo says that the government is committed to ensure transparency and accountability as Guyana‘s petroleum sector evolves.

The Prime Minister was at the time speaking at the opening of the Guyana Oil and Gas Association (GOGA) conference and exhibition at the Georgetown Marriot Hotel in Kingston on Monday morning. The conference is being held under the theme “The initiation of a transformative industry.“ The Prime Minister noted that in his responsibility for governance, he wishes to see a governance struc-

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, addresses the audience at the opening of the conference and exhibition on Monday morning

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, interacts with an exhibitor during a tour of the exhibition on Monday morning

ture in which officials are accountable. He pointed to the administration’s “early move”, since it assumed office in pursuing constitutional reform which he noted is to ensure that there is no political “one-man-ship”.

He said the constitution needs to guarantee that there would not be practices of authoritarianism. “We are very uncompromising as regards the avoidance of sleaze and maleficence in public office,” he said, noting that there are many stories of the resource curse where the governance structure could not support the viability of

the petroleum sector in some countries.

According to Nagamootoo, the government will work towards ensuring that there is public accountability in which the government sets the example. While addressing the packed room, the Prime Minister also noted that when the portfolio of governance was provided to him, one of the first initiatives pursued was Guyana’s preparation to become a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). He said that the move was to ensure that the petroleum industry be one which is characterised by transparency and accountability.

The Prime Minister, during his address, also commended subject Minister,

Raphael Trotman, whom he noted has reassured that a sovereign wealth fund will be established.

He said the government considers that a proportion of the proceeds of the industry should not only be expended on the future of the country but must also be invested in the development of resources, as well as in the infrastructure, education and health sectors. To this end, he pointed to an integration of other sectors of the economy with that of the petroleum industry.

He noted too that the government wants to see resources “spread into the future and not just gobbled up by any administration that would feel the proceeds should be for short term gains.” He added that

“it must not transform into votes,” but a viable future.

The conference was officially opened on Sunday afternoon and a number of entities with direct and indirect connection to the sector are participating in the exhibition.

During Monday’s agenda of the conference, presentations are expected to be made on the Guyana Basin, technologies in the sector, as well as on environmental, regulatory and safety standards. According to GOGA, the two day event is set to promote long-lasting business relationships and unlock possibilities that will deliver the ultimate business setting to succeed in today’s competitive hydrocarbons marketplace.

A section of the gathering at the conference

Reporters protest sexual assault of colleague REPORTERS in East Berbice Corentyne, on Monday staged a picketing exercise in front of the Whim Police Station standing in solidarity with one of their colleagues over the omission of a sexual assault charge in a matter involving a reporter and a Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) overseer.

The protest was staged over an incident which occurred in May 15th 2016, involving a Guyana Times reporter and the Port Mourant/Johns NDC overseer Budwattie Ramnarine at the NDC. Additionally, vendors who were subjected to verbal assaults by the overseer in that and other incidents were also

protesting for the removal of Ramnarine. They are contending that her actions are high-handed.

According to the reporter he was covering a protest at the NDC when Ramnarine physically and sexually assaulted him after she realised he was recording her actions against the protesters. The reporter had filed a report at the police station and the matter of physical assault is currently engaging the courts.

However, according to the reporter the police have omitted the sexual assault charge from their case jacket and he is accusing the police of deliberately dragging their feet due to the fact that he is a male and

Reporters and market vendors picketing in front of the Whim Police Station

the overseer is familiar with ranks at the station. “I am not satisfied with the way the police dealt with the matter first of all, because they did not institute the charges because I’m a male and the overseer a female, has

a somewhat more than normal relationship with some officers here at the station. They did not do what they were supposed to do,” the reporter said.

The reporter further contended that he is not pleased

with the fact that the overseer is still performing her duties as per normal despite him reporting the matter to the chairman of the NDC as well as the Deputy Regional Executive Officer for Re-

gion #6. Reporters have since boycotted the Port Mourant/ Johns NDC and the reporter is calling for boycott of the RDC of Region Six until the overseer is sent on leave to facilitate a proper investigation.

Reporters held placards that read ‘reporters need protection too’ and ‘why only one charge’ as they picketed the police station. The reporters are contending that in the execution of their duty they should be able to do same without being fearful or being subjected to any form of abuse. Additionally an arrest warrant was issued for Ramnarine who failed to appear in court on Monday to answer to the charges of assault.

10

4 years jail, $115M fine …for businessman found guilty of drug trafficking MAGISTRATE Krystal Lambert sentenced 54-year-old Balkisoon ‘Johnny’ Ramdass to four years imprisonment after he was found guilty of having 170 pounds of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The West Coast Demerara businessman was also fined a total of $115M. His trial was conducted before Magistrate Lambert at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s court. The matter was prosecuted by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) prosecutor Konyo Sandiford.

The court heard that on June 9, 2016 at Almond

Balkissoon Ramdass

Avenue, Roraima Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara, Ramdass had in his

possession 76.91 kilograms of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Three females, including the ex-wife of self-confessed drug-trafficker, Barry Dataram were jointly charged with Ramdass;however,the charges against them were dismissed during the trial.

The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), acting on a tip-off, conducted the raid, seized 170 pounds of cannabis, and arrested the four accused. Police believe that the marijuana, which was being compressed during the seizure, was being prepared to be shipped out of the country.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Man charged with wounding step-son SURAJ Singh appeared before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan,on Monday charged with wounding his step-son, Eon Lewis.

The 52-year-old Welder, who is a father of seven, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that on March 19, 2017, at Aranka Landing, Cuyuni River, he unlawfully and maliciously

wounded Lewis.

His lawyer, Clyde Forde in his bail application, told the court that Singh was severely beaten after the alleged incident and was hospitalized for several days. However, according to Police Prosecutor, Arwyn Moore, the incident resulted after Singh attempted to chop his wife with a cutlass

and Lewis intervened. As a result, Lewis was chopped.

The prosecution strongly opposed to bail on the grounds that the defendant will tamper or harass the step-son. Bail was refused and Singh was remanded until April 6, 2017; the matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

GDF Private on drug trafficking charge A GUYANA Defence Force (GDF) rank appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman on Monday at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The 25-year-old Private, Troyston Cort, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which

alleged that on March 23, 2017, at Stabroek Market, Georgetown, he had 15 grams of cannabis in his possession.

According to Prosecutor, Shawn Gonsalves, on the day in question, police on patrol in the Stabroek Market area saw the defendant acting in a suspicious manner and

conducted a search on him.

A quantity of marijuana was found in his pants pockets while more of the illegal substance was found in some zip-loc bags in his backpack. Magistrate Latchman released Cort on $70,000 bail and adjourned the matter until April 10, 2017.

Bartica resident allegedly Fire destroys Noble House Seafoods fuel facility found with cocaine A RESIDENT of Bartica appeared before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Cecil Martindale, 57, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that on March 26, 2017, at 5th Street and Second Avenue, Bartica, he had one gram of

cocaine in his possession.

The unrepresented accused told the court that he found the cocaine on the side of the road, wrapped up in some money.

“I found the cocaine inside some money on the ground… but I didn’t know what it was,” the defendant explained.

Police Prosecutor, Arwyn Moore told the court that on

the day in question, a police on patrol in Second Avenue, Bartica, saw Martindale acting in a suspicious manner and conducted a search on him, where the cocaine was found in his pants pocket.

The Magistrate released the 57-year-old man on$70,000 bail and transferred the matter to the Bartica Magistrate’s court for April 6, 2017.

‘Piggy’ freed of rape, robbery charges WESLEY Carlos Payne, called ‘Piggy’, was on Monday freed of a rape case against him, which alleged that back in 2008, he raped and robbed a nurse at the Wismar Hospital.

Payne, 45, of Christianburg, Linden was also freed of a third charge, which said he robbed another nurse on the same night of September 11, 2008 at the said location.

The accused, who claimed he is a father of six daughters, pleaded not guilty to the indictment in the High Court, and a 12-member jury delivered a unanimous “Not Guilty” verdict on all three counts.

Two preliminary inquiries were conducted in the magistrate’s court, and in both instances, sufficient evidence was made out against Payne for him to

stand trial in the High Court.

Five witnesses testified in the case that was being heard by Justice Navindra Singh.

Payne, who represented himself in court, was expressionless on hearing the “Not Guilty” verdict, and only offered a “Thank You” before being discharged.

No one, including his daughters, turned up at court during Payne’s trial.

FIVE of seven fuel tanks exploded Monday following a sudden fire at Noble House Seafoods, at Plantation Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

Reports revealed that a fishing vessel was being fueled in the area where bulk fuel is stored when the explosion occurred.

The fire, which started at around 13:45hrs, was as a result of a leakage of fuel

from a makeshift pump being used to fuel the fishing trawler.

“They were dispensing fuel to the fishing boat, and the fuel cork blow off and the fuel escaped, leaking onto the pump causing the fire,” one eyewitness said.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the scene, the entrance to the wharf which houses the fishery was closed, and the security

guards hastily related that the media was not allowed.

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle, when contacted, said the Fire Service will be monitoring the situation before any activity recommences at the wharf.

He said firemen used 150 gallon of foam to contain and extinguish the fire. The area that housed the fuel tanks and shed was damaged.

The scene yesterday at Noble House Seafoods

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

MPI preliminary study finds...

Georgetown needs more than parking meters THE increased number of vehicular traffic within the nation’s capital has long been a concern for the local authorities.

However, the implementation of parking meters is inadequate to address the myriad of issues contributing to traffic woes in Georgetown, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, has highlighted.

The minister was at the time addressing the contentious parking meter issue, when he indicated that a preliminary study on sustainable transportation for Georgetown had revealed that much more has to be done to address what seems to be a continuous traffic management issue within a growing city.

Minister Patterson said that based on the preliminary findings of the Sustainable Transport Sector Plan (STSP) 2016-2026, Central and Local Government may very well need to consider the implementation of parking meters, the restriction of certain vehicles, and serious infrastructural rehabilitation

among other measures.

BURSTING AT THE SEAMS One of the preliminary findings also is that “Urban roads in Georgetown are bursting at the seams.” The minister estimates that in the last 15 years, some 8000 cars have been added to the roadway without the complimentary infrastructure being put in place to support the increased flow of traffic.

The roads in Georgetown are not wide, the Minister observed, before highlighting the traffic congestion that this issue causes during peak hours on work days.

“The traffic study may lead to us having to restrict container cargo on certain days; to us making some roads “one-way” because of the commercial activities,” Minister Patterson said, adding: “We have to have some sort of regulation. So, yes, parking meters may be one of the menus which the study recommends.”

Still on the subject of parking meters, the minister

said: “I don’t want anyone to go away with the impression that I am against parking meters, or that the ministry won’t be recommending parking meters; we would.”

But in the meantime, he said, in order to avoid chaos, the parking meter has been suspended so as to allow for “impartial” discussions over the issue.

He said, too, that the city must be looked at in its entirety, since there are several other issues that need to be taken into account when addressing traffic issues in the city. One of the issues at reference, he said, is the occupation of the city’s reserves because of excessive parking.

For that matter, almost all the city’s reserve space are being used for either parking or commercial activity.

TAKING BACK THE CITY “We have to start taking back the city in concerns of drainage and everything like that,” the minister said. He noted, too, that all parties involved need to be mature

and far-looking when addressing the issues of the city to ensure its preservation.

The Public Infrastructure Ministry commenced preparation for the Sustainable Transport Sector Plan (STSP) 2016-2026 late last year. They say that the plan is one of the key economic infrastructure to support the socio-economic development of Guyana and respective aspects of its transportation sector.

The planning approach, the ministry says, “…provides a coordinated and cohesive planning framework that enables a whole of Government perspective in the prioritisation and funding of investments in the transport sector; [and] is intended for a consistent policy and regulatory regime that ensures efficiency, safety and sustainability in the construction, maintenance and use of physical transport infrastructure and services.”

The consultancy aspect of the 2016-2026 plan is expected to be completed before mid-year.

Broomes ensures staff’s safety – asks Labour to vet construction work at Natural Resources THE Department of Labour on Monday carried out an inspection of ongoing construction work at the National Resources Ministry’s Secretariat on Duke Street, Kingston.

The inspection was at the behest of Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ms Simona Broomes, whose office is located in a completed section of the two-storey building, which is still under construction.

Before carrying out the inspection, the Labour, Occupational Safety and Health Officer, Mr Roydon Croal was invited to a meeting with Minister Broomes in her office.

According to Minister Broomes, it is important that Government officials lead by example. “I called them because it is important that we live what we preach. I believe in workers’ rights; I believe in safety, and I

believe that workers’ safety should be placed first,” she posited.

Minister Broomes noted that provision has been made for washroom and lunchroom facilities with all the required amenities.

She said that based on his assessment, Croal will indicate what areas are in need of improvement, so that the Ministry can take appropriate remedial action.

“It is important that the environment is safe for our workers,” the minister said.

Even before the inspection was done, there was an obvious need for key warning and informative signs, as well as fire extinguishers to be placed at strategic points.

The ministry was also advised of the importance of having copies of the Occupational, Safety and Health Policy Act at the premises, all of which the minister has committed to sourcing.

Minister within the Ministry of the Natural Resources, Ms Simona Broomes during her meeting with Labour, Occupational, Safety and Health Officer, Mr Roydon Croal

Landing gear of ASL Cessna breaks on runway THE landing gear of an Air Services Limited (ASL) Cessna 172 broke on landing at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Monday afternoon.

The incident occurred around 1230hrs.

Reports are that the female student pilot was conducting a “solo” flight on the Cessna Skyhawk aircraft bearing registration 8R-AFS when the incident occurred on Runway 11; this is the secondary runway at the

airport. Rescue operations commenced immediately.

There were no reports of injuries. The incident is being investigated by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Reports are that in November 2013, a man ran into the path of an aircraft when it was on the verge of landing on the airstrip at Kwakwani.

The pilot took evasive action. However, the wing of the aircraft was damaged during the incident.

The Cessna 172 following the incident

Sex workers charged with robbery

– victim requested ‘club sandwich’ – court hears

TWO sex workers found themselves before city Magistrate Judy Latchman on Monday, charged with aggravated robbery.

Akeem Pyle, 24, of Victoria Road, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, and Gabriel Rowe, 25, of Fourth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the joint charge.

It is alleged that on March 25, 2017, at South Road, Georgetown, they robbed Anthony Amos of $30,000 cash, and at the time of, immediately before, or immediately after the robbery, used personal violence.

Their lawyer, Paul Funga-Fat explained that on the day in question, the alleged victim asked his clients for a “club sandwich” [three persons engaging in sex], however the man was intoxicated and could not satisfy his clients.

In his application for bail, the lawyer also pointed out that his clients are trans-

gender females and if placed on remand with the general male population, they would be raped repeatedly and treated inhumanely.

However, Police Prosecutor, Shawn Gonzales, strongly opposed bail citing the seriousness, penalty and prevalence of the offence.

According the prosecutor, on the night in question, at about 01:30hrs, the Virtual Complainant (VC) was in the passenger seat of a motor car driving along South Road when the car slowed down at a corner to turn.

The court heard that as the car slowed down, the sex workers entered the back seat and chocked Amos from behind. It is alleged that the diver immediately drove the car to the Brickdam Police Station where the defendants were arrested and charged.

Bail was granted in the sum of $100,000 for each defendant and the matter was adjourned to April 10, 2017.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Police to establish cybercrime unit here ACTING Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine, said Friday that the Guyana Police Force will be establishing a unit here to specifically address cybercrime.

He made the disclosure at the re-commissioning of the Felix Austin Computer Training Centre at Eve Leary, which will now be known as the Zara Cyber-Security Centre.

Ramnarine said the newly-commissioned cen-

Inside the Zara Cyber-Security Centre at Eve Leary

tre is geared to equip members of the public and Force with knowledge in Information Communication Technology (ICT). He said it was the Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, who, while he was Crime Chief, first approached the Zara Realty Group of Companies about working with the GPF on certain projects.

Ramnarine said that with the crime of choice these days being those that are Internet-related, the Centre will be utilised to provide capacity-building to deal with cyber threats, which demand a wide partnership in a permanent way for tackling cybercrimes.

He said that the Centre will be the resource location to equip ranks with skills and competency to have an informed approach, and the Force saw it necessary to train two of their ranks, who will in turn train

Acting Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine, left, helps with the traditional cutting of the ribbon on Friday to declare the Zara Cyber-Security Centre open

others.

He said that 57 ranks were exposed to overseas training in 2015, and more than 100 in 2016. About 30 ranks are in line so far for overseas training this year.

The Zara Group of Companies, Acting Commissioner Ramnarine said, has contributed tremendously to the GPF, whereby they have expended a

total of $20.5M towards the establishment of three computer centres here.

The GPF/Zara Computer centre in Berbice was commissioned on June 2, 2012, the one in Essequibo on July 8, 2013, and the one in Georgetown on November 28, 2013, all by then Commissioner of Police, Leroy Brumell.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Studies show…

Oil prices could peak from 2020 – even as cheaper ‘green energy’ threatens fossil fuel demand

By Ravin Singh EVEN as cheaper renewable energy threatens the demand for oil, studies indicate that prices for the latter could peak from 2020 – the year Guyana is expected to start oil production.

Two reports with these findings are the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) 2016 World Energy Outlook (WEO) and a report titled ‘Expect the unexpected: The disruptive power of low carbon technology’. The latter was done by researchers at the Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment at Imperial College London, and independent think-tank of the Carbon Tracker Initiative.

Two of the scenarios discussed in the IEA report were the Current Policies Scenario (CPS), which depicts a path for the global energy system based on policies or measures in places as of mid-2016; and the New Policies Scenario (NPS), which assumes that government pledges, such as those made in response to the Paris Agreement on climate change, will be reflected in legislation.

Under the CPS in the report, even without an oil price shock, the global price of crude oil is projected to rise to US$82 per barrel (bbl) by 2020, US$127/bbl by 2030, and US$146/bbl by 2040.

However, the NPS assumes that policies will cause global oil demand to be lower than in the CPS. Under this scenario, oil prices are pro-

jected to rise to US$79/bbl by 2020, US$111/bbl by 2030, and US$124/bbl by 2040.

The NPS also forecasts that oil prices could rise as high as 75 per cent from current levels over the next three years.

According to live world market charts in the United Kingdom (UK), oil is currently being traded at US$47 per barrel. ExxonMobil – the company currently drilling for oil in Guyana – has announced the discovery of reserves which could contain between 0.8 to 1.4 billion barrels of oil. The company has so far drilled five wells and is currently completing work on a sixth. Only one has come up dry. A total of 17 wells are expected to be drilled.

The oil firm’s country manager, Jeff Simon has disclosed that the company will be investing US$5B in preparation for production.

To date US$800M has been invested by ExxonMobil in exploring the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana – the area currently being drilled.

Since the discovery of these oil reserves, the USBased company has assured that Guyana could start producing 100,000 barrels of “good quality” oil per day, from as early as 2020. Under the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed between the government and ExxonMobil, Guyana will be entitled to 50 per cent of the proceeds from whatever resources are extracted.

With these developments, Minister of Natural Resource, Raphael Trotman had said

Environmental Economist, Thomas Singh

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

that calculating 800 million barrels of oil at a then cost of US$50 per barrel should give Guyanese an idea of how much money the country stands to make.

Assuming a minimum of 800 million barrels of oil are produced at a rate of US$50 as the Minister indicated, it means that US$40 billion will be generated from this production. Should ExxonMobil benefit from a cost recovery of US$5B (the amount the company intends to invest by 2020) and the remainder divided 50/50 (between Guyana and the company), it means that Guyana could receive US$17.5B (GYD$3.5 trillion) in oil revenues. Using the current policies scenario’s projected market price of US$82/bbl, it means that Guyana could receive US$30.3B (GYD$6 trillion) in oil revenues from 800 million barrels of oil; or US$21.1B (GYD$5.8 trillion) if the new policies scenario estimates are used.

Exchange rates for USD to GYD were calculated at 1-200, though it is likely to

fluctuate based on market forces.

According to the World Bank, Guyana has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$3.1B, which is a smaller amount than what could be generated from oil, even if prices collapse. Last year, the country had its status elevated from a lower middle-income to an upper middle-income country.

The agriculture sector has largely been responsible for propelling economic growth in Guyana. At a time when difficulties are being experienced in this sector, record figures are being recorded for gold production.

And with a new revenue stream expected by 2020, President David Granger has said though that some of the proceeds generated from oil will go into a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) with the surpluses being used to develop the country’s education system.

A SWF consists of pools of money derived from a country’s reserves, set aside for investment purposes to

benefit the country’s economy and citizens.

A National Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill has been drafted and according to Minister Trotman, that law will ensure that the fund is transparent, independent and inviolable in managing oil revenues for long-term national development.

But Guyana must be cautious and wise in how it handles this natural resource.

It is for this reason, the government appointed Dr. Jan Mangal, an expert in offshore and civil engineering, as the country’s petroleum advisor in the Ministry of the Presidency.

Meanwhile, the Grantham Institute-lead study warns that the power and road transport sectors account for approximately half of fossil fuel consumption in the world, therefore growth in these two sectors could have a major impact on the global demand for oil.

Highlighted in the study is that the growth in electric vehicles (EVs) alone could lead to two million barrels of oil per day (mbd) being displaced by 2025 - the same volume that caused a major oil price collapse in 2014-15.

Further, it finds 16mbd of oil demand displaced by 2040 and 25mbd by 2050.

The study also suggests that fossil fuels may lose 10 per cent of market share to solar panels and EVs within a single decade. In the past, a similar 10 per cent loss of power market share caused the collapse of the United States (US) coal mining industry.

However, the emergence and growth of solar technology does not pose an

immediate threat to the oil and gas sector, says Environmental Economist, Dr. Thomas Singh.

“It doesn’t pose a threat in the near future. It is relatively new technology” he shared with this newspaper.

Dr. Singh, who is also a lecturer at the University of Guyana (UG), explained that it is difficult to make a pronouncement on the impacts of such technology on the global demand for oil since market forces are sometimes extremely difficult to predict.

He was keen to note though that: “We entered into an agreement [with ExxonMobil] at a time when market fundamentals and prices are weak,” adding that if prices rise, Guyana will enjoy higher royalties.

On the other hand, the 2016 World Energy Outlook explains that proponents, who argue that solar technology will put an end to the demand for crude oil, ignore data from countries that have rapidly increased EV penetration. According to statistics from Forbes Magazine, the growth of EVs has not reduced the demand for oil in many countries, including Norway which has the largest fleet of plug-in EVs per capita in the world.

Statistics indicate that Norway’s growth rate for EVs has been averaging 110 per cent for the last seven years. In 2008, that country recorded 567 new EV sales.

Oil demand that year was 228,000 barrels per day (bpd). In 2015, Norway reported 39,632 new EV sales, while oil demand for that year was 234,000 bpd – 6,000 more bpd when compared to 2008.

Mayor threatens to take Duncan, Kuppen to court – says it’s unfair she is always blamed for financial irregularities CITY Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green, has accused Deputy Mayor, Sherod Duncan, of making utterances that damage her character and has threatened to take him to court if he continues to do so.

She’s also threatened to do likewise to People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Councillor, Bishram Kuppen.

Chase-Green has com-

plained bitterly of statements that are constantly made in the press and on social media by these individuals.

“I do not handle the cash of the M&CC, so the financial irregularities are not by me. It’s unfair! I’m going to take them to court if they continue,” the irate mayor said.

Kuppen had recently said that the Mayor is very supportive of Town Clerk,

Royston King’s actions of financial irregularities and mismanagement of the city’s business.

Chase-Green said it is unfortunate that the blame is always put on her, and referred to the “nonsense” that continues to be posted on social media. “You need to stop defaming my character! Stop!” ChaseGreen said.

King joined in, saying that Councillors taking the

negatives to the press and social media undermine the authority of the Council and erode the public’s confidence in it.

Meanwhile, the mayor has also threatened to evict from the meeting PPP Councillor, Khame Sharma, whom she’s accused of being disrespectful on numerous occasions.

“At some point, I’ll use the law to have you removed,” she said to

Khame Sharma

Bishram Kuppen

Councillor Sharma. “I’ve always been respectful to you, and on several occa-

sions, you have risen to disrespect us,” the mayor charged.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Scenes from the Oil & Gas conference Photos by Guyana Oil and Gas Association

Attorney at law Nigel Hughes who represents the association addressed the gathering on Monday morning

Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Newell Dennison addresses the gathering

President of the Guyana Oil and gas Association, Bobby Gossai Jr.

A section of the gathering at the conference

P v O

Ramps Logistics was one of the many businesses that had booths at the conference

The VHS Steel booth attracted quite a number of visitors during the conference

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana Pierre Giroux , third left at table , attended the opening of the conference on Monday morning

Prime Minister Nagamootoo visiting a booth at the Gas and Oil Conference

Locally-based Farfan and Mendes Group of Companies participated in the conference

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

‘Govt believes in equality for all Guyanese’ – President tells Region Five Disabled Persons Network PRESIDENT David Granger on Sunday told members of the Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five) Disabled Persons Network that his Government believes in equal opportunities for all Guyanese and that every person must have equal access to the public services.

The President made these comments during a meeting with the group at the Carmichael Centre in Seafield, West Coast Berbice, where the members shared with him several concerns affecting the group and sought the President’s assistance to improve conditions for disabled persons in the Region. “My Government believes in equality; that every Guyanese citizen, every person must be treated as equal and must have access to the public services of this country… so that if you have lost your sight or your mobility it doesn’t mean you have become less equal. You remain an equal citizen with the same rights as any person in Guyana,” the President said.

As such, the President said that persons with disabilities must, therefore, be given the resources available to improve access to the services and opportunities afforded to all citizens. “In this case we need to consider special education for persons who have different abilities… This means that if it is challenging for you to attend the schools, we must make special arrangements and this is something we must not ignore. Your education should not be left behind simply because of disability…

We have to look at individual disabilities if we are to ensure that people get access to the good things the Government

President Granger greets a young girl who, attended the meeting with her mother

has to offer,” the President said.

The Head of State also said that Government will explore options that can improve the ability of persons with disabilities to become financially independent. “There are so many things you can do if you are given the equipment… so you don’t have to ask people for help, so that you can generate your own income…

We believe in equality and employment for all and we believe in special education and we believe in providing that equality, which would allow you to work without depending on favours,” he said.

Chairman of the Network, Mr. Mark Archibald, who chaired the meeting, outlined several concerns that were affecting persons with disabilities in the Region. Chief among those issues is the need for bigger premises to house the group’s office, since the current building serves as a

community centre as well as the group’s main meeting place. Mr. Archibald said that the building is too small for its 60-plus members since the group is steadily growing.

Additionally, Mr. Archibald said that the building only has one entrance, which makes it unsafe in the event of an emergency. “We try to provide skills training for persons with disabilities in the areas of joinery, computer training and other areas… We want persons with disabilities to develop their own lives and not be burdens to their families. These things can only be possible if we are able to have a proper building to conduct these activities,” Mr. Archibald said.

He said that the group was presented with a plot of land by the previous administration but a lack of funds has prohibited them from proceeding with construction. Other issues highlighted

included the provision of a bus specially designed for persons with disabilities to aid in transportation of not only the members of the Network, but for other persons with disabilities in the Region.

The Network also requested access to a trained healthcare professional to tend to their health needs during emergencies and a first aid kit. The need for computers to assist in Information Technology (IT) training of its members was also mentioned as well as the need for a review of certain areas of the Disabilities Act to provide more inclusivity to persons with disabilities.

In response to their concerns, the President said that though monies from the Financial Budget have already been allocated for the year 2017, he would look into the various matters to see what resources could be provided to address their concerns. This includes looking at what could be done with regard to the construction of a new building, the provision of a special needs bus, the provision of IT training and access to computers, better health care and other important matters. The President also pledged to provide prompt feedback into the find-

ings of these matters.

“This is an educational experience for me. I am glad I came to listen to your concerns. I ensure you that this is the start of a process in which we will work together to resolve these problems. This is the way we solve problems in a cooperative and consultative manner. These are my commitments to continue to work with you to carry on the work of the previous administrations to ensure that you can play your part as citizens with rights in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. We need to continue working together to ensure that every child; every adult has access to the good life,” the President said.

Members of the group were grateful that the President took the trip to meet with them and have open discussions about their concerns.

Mr. Archibald said that the President’s visit shows that he is a caring President, one who is concerned about the needs of everyone. “The President took time off to come all the way up here just to see a small group of persons, we are proud of that. I am overwhelmed and happy he would come to visit us today,” he said.

Mr. Deonarine Sukhdeo said that he looks forward to whatever support the Presi-

dent will provide to the group and to persons with disabilities in Guyana. “I am so glad the President would reach us today. We had lots of things to tell him about. We hope that we would be able to build a new building. We need to have a space to be able to better ourselves,” he said.

Ms. Hannah Joseph said that she was excited to be able to meet the President and hoped that he would be able to assist the disabled community in the Region by addressing their concerns. “I am very happy and excited that the President came to meet with us today.

Whatever way he can help us we would be very much appreciated,” she said Ms. Abigail Hamilton Young said that the group is grateful for the President’s show of willingness to assist the group with their concerns. “We have different types of persons with disabilities here so we need people to have better facilities, better access to health care and emergency care. We would be glad to have our group looked after.

I am overwhelmed with joy.

We are thankful and grateful for having him here and he has shown us that he is willing to listen to our concerns,” she said. (Ministry of the Presidency)

The President listens as the attendees voice their concerns

Mayor supports government’s suspension of parking meters – says Minister Bulkan acted in accordance with the law

By Telesha Ramnarine CITY Mayor Patricia Chase-Green yesterday said she is in “full support” of the government’s suspension of the parking meter project for the next three months, and that Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan has acted within his right.

On the sidelines of the fortnightly statutory meeting at City Hall, Chase-Green told reporters that the minister acted in accordance with the law.

This is notwithstanding that the legal advice obtained

by Town Clerk Royston King following City Hall’s receipt of the order suggested otherwise.

The legal advice, obtained from lawyer Roger Yearwood said that the Municipal and District Councils Act “does not permit the honourable minister to direct the Council to suspend any contract or by-laws enacted by it as the honourable minister purports to do by his order dated 17th day of March, 2017.”

But the mayor yesterday said that the Council has now accepted Cabinet’s recommendation, and will be meeting to discuss the details of the parking meter contract and to satisfy all the concerns that have been raised by the government.

“Right now, I am taking a break from parking meters;

we have three months to deal with it. The administration is expected to take certain steps and have certain things in preparation,” Chase-Green said.

According to her, under the law, it was the town clerk’s responsibility to seek legal advice so that the Council could have been properly advised.

“I don’t think at any point in time it was the Council’s intention to not honour the decision of Cabinet,” she said.

“Cabinet is one of the highest decision-making bodies. After the order was issued, and the town clerk would have complied with the order, there have not been

any meeting with Cabinet and councillors and there’s no indication as to that. But we will call a special meeting to deal with that.”

Chase-Green said she does not believe that the minister’s action has stifled the Council from acting on its own. “The minister is the minister; the minister just asked the Council to put a stay on the meters for three months to satisfy all the questions and queries made by the persons,” the mayor said, adding: “The contract will be looked at in detail; all that they ask for will be presented, and we will move forward.

This Council, under my may-

orship, is not going to disagree with the government’s position. They have asked us to suspend, and we have suspended.”

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Finance Committee Oscar Clarke, who is also the General Secretary of the People’s National Congress (PNC), had said at a previous meeting that after the minister communicated Cabinet’s recommendation, that the City Council thought it necessary to seek legal advice.

This, he said, is due to the fact that the decision regarding parking meters has to be taken by the Council and not the minister.

Clarke said it was clear that everyone wanted to know of the legal implications of suspending the by-laws, in-

cluding Minister Bulkan himself. He said the City Council did not want to follow the route that Cabinet recommended without legal advice.

Before the minister’s direction, the town clerk had written to Minister Bulkan asking him to consider that there is no provision in the contract between the City Council and Smart City Solutions (SCS) to suspend it in part or in its entirety.

“The suspension of the contract operates as a breach of contract and would therefore trigger the compensation clause,” he had noted.

The way forward on the parking meter depends heavily on the meeting to be convened with full council as well as to other consultations, the mayor has noted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Lethem funds school-bus service – to help ease financial burden on parents CHILDREN from six schools within the Lethem municipality in the Rupununi are expected to benefit from a dedicated bus service.

The implementation of the service follows the unveiling of a 32-seater bus to service the area.

According to a release from the Ministry of Communities, the Lethem Mayor and Town Council purchased the bus at a cost of $9M after recognising the plight of families within the communities.

The 32-seater bus began plying the route last Thursday, and transported the children to school free of cost during the inaugural period.

A payment system took effect this Monday, whereby each child is required to pay $1,000 per week, or $200 per day. Teachers will also benefit from the transportation

service, the release says.

Lethem Mayor, Mr Carlton Beckles, noted during the commissioning of the service last week that a second bus will be purchased in the coming months to address the transportation issues in the area.

Beckles said that the Council has a responsibility to families, like ensuring that children have the necessary transportation service to attend school.

“So, from the municipality, we have purchased this bus to get the children to school at an extremely reduced fare,” Beckles said.

The bus service is expected to benefit both residents and the municipality.

Beckles explained that whatever funds are garnered from the service will go towards the development of

education in the municipality.

TOO COSTLY As to the rationale for implementing the bus service, Beckles said: “Parents have to pay as much as $2000 or $2500 a week per child, and that is from Lethem to St Ignatius. If you have three children going to school and you are paying between $2000 and $2500, you are paying between $6000 and $7500 a week.”

Deputy Mayor, Ms Maxine Welch, said that the school-bus system is not meant to compete with private service providers, but was initiated to assist children in the communities, particularly those who traverse long distances on foot to and from school.

There’s also the case, she said, whereby some par-

The recently-commissioned 32-seater bus being used to take Lethem children to and from school

Children and teachers at the commissioning of the bus service last week

ents have more than one school-aged child and live in far-flung communities and as such may not be able to afford the cost of transportation.

Some parents, she said,

are forced to utilise the services of taxis, whereby they have to pay as much as $3,000 per child.

She foresees that the new transportation arrangement will boost student attendance

and punctuality.

Regional Chairman, Mr Bryan Allicock, applauded the municipality for taking such an initiative, since it will be of tremendous benefit to the community.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Acid-bath survivor ready to move on – for the sake of her children

By Shauna Jemmott IN SPITE of having to deal with the permanent reminder of the abuse; the hurt and the rejection, Shondell Williamson is now ready to put the past behind her and move on as best she could.

Williamson, the 26-yearold Berbician beauty who recently made the headlines when she was doused with

acid because she dared say “Enough is enough!” is thanking her lucky stars she’s alive, and now appealing for help to save her failing sight, for the sake of her children.

In an interview with Capitol News’ Royston Drakes, Shondell spoke of what her relationship’s like these days with her own children.

“They talk to me; they look at me, but they wouldn’t come close to me. “If I say,

‘Come touch me,’ they will say ‘No!’ But they’re just there, talking to me as normal,” Shondell said.

“That is painful,” she added, as the tears coursed down her once beautiful face.

Then, as if summoning an inner strength, she sniffles and wipes the tears away and immediately begins calling on women out there, who may themselves be subject to domestic abuse to let go; to walk away from that relationship.

Shondell Williamson after the attack

THE ABUSE She knows better than most what she’s talking about, as for close to ten years, she’s had to endure physical abuse at the hands of the very man she loved.

She said the only reason she stayed, is because she’d hoped that some day he’d come around; but after realising that that was not likely, she decided to end the relationship, and move back to New Amsterdam, where she’s from.

Alfred De Younge, called ‘Natta Boy’, 37, reportedly travelled all the way from Linden on the evening of January 19, 2017 and launched his final attack. And as he poured the acid all over her, he told her, “If I can’t have you, no one else can.”

Williamson related in the interview with Drakes that it was she who called De Younge that day; that it was the first time she did since she walked away from the relationship during a particularly abusive episode one afternoon last December.

“It was around afternoon time I ring his phone; that was the first time I ring his phone since we had a scene on the Linden Highway. That was December 13,” Shondell said, adding: “From since that day, I never called him; but on January 19, that was the first time I ever called his phone.”

THE CALL And the reason she called him, Shondell said, was because she’d been receiving a lot of complaints of late from her son’s teacher about his behaviour.

Detailing the sequence of events, Shondell said: “The reason why I called

his phone was because I was calling him fuh leh he talk to the big boy, because he does mostly listen to him.

“So I just call his phone for he to talk to him, and ask if he could just keep him; leh the big boy stay with him…

“I explain to him; he call me back and he told me that he’s gonna take both of the kids. And I say, ‘Okay, sure!’

“He had wanted to talk to them, but I told him not at this moment; that he should get back to me.” Surprisingly, he agreed.

Sometime later, she was at home at the house she shares with her friend in New Amsterdam, when she saw a white car pull up.

Not expecting anyone, she didn’t pay it any mind; and besides, her friend’s brother was outside.

But the next she knew, she heard someone calling for ‘Shondell’. Turned out it was the driver of the said white vehicle, but it was a voice she didn’t recognise.

Her friend’s brother, she said, asked the man in the white car to hold on; that he was going to get her.

But when she eventually got there, the man had already driven off.

Puzzled as to who it might be, she went back inside.

“I didn’t dig anything,” she said. “We was like, ‘Who could that person be to just come and say, ‘Shondell! and drive away.’ So, we just leave it like that.”

AMBUSHED! Sometime during the course of the evening, she went out on the road. It was while she was returning home that he struck.

“I was standing there…

And something just tell me, ‘Shondell, turn to your left.’

When I turn, I saw him approaching me.

“I know it was him,” she said. “The walk, the body structure, the face, everything...

“But it’s just the way he looked; he looked so strange, so I left staring at him, cause he had these, like, weave in his hair... And he had like a female garment on. So it leave me shocked, and so I just left staring at him.”

It was her friend who came to her rescue, but by that time, it was too late; the die had already been cast.

Her entire face has been disfigured, as well as her upper body, which had also been burnt in the attack, and is now wracked in pain. And to crown it all, she’s now losing her vision.

“Right now, my vision is very dull; I’m not seeing that clear, only close up.

My body, it does be painful sometimes, but I’m getting there,” Shondell said with an air of calm.

Her advice to other victims of domestic violence is: “Get out of it; fast! Even to the first hit; don’t think it will end there! It will continue!”

But in spite of it all, she feels that God is somehow using her for a purpose.

“I think God has a plan for me, so I can be a testimony to others; so I could be closer to Him,” she said, adding: “And when I walk, people should look at me and say, ‘Yes, indeed, she is a testimony. God has saved her because look what she was and look what she is today.”

Williamson had spent several weeks in medical care in hospital, after which she was discharged into the care of her family. Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA) has reached out and secured an appointment at a US hospital, where she will be put in the hands of specialist doctors.

Meanwhile, a strongly supported petition has been thrown out on social media

by Woman Activist, Nicole Cole for the government to establish a fund for survivors of Domestic Violence to avoid victims having to seek funds publicly.

Anyone who would like to contribute financially to Williamson’s cause can do so at http:// savinghandsemergencyaid.org/shondellwilliamson or: https://www. gofundme.com/ saveshondell or, directly to her bank account in Guyana: Bank: GBTI. Name: Lottia Williamson Account#: 00106249 – 2017.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Fireworks expected at MSC ground for Guyana/Martinique clash

By Rawle Toney GUYANA and Martinique are both promising an unforgettable evening of football for the people of Linden, when the two teams clash at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground in an International Friendly this evening.

The last time the two sides met, the game ended in a 2-2 draw in 2012.

However much has changed since then for both countries, especially for Martinique.

As an overseas department of the French Republic, Martinique is not a member of FIFA and is therefore not eligible to enter the FIFA World Cup or any competition organised first-hand by the organisation. Martinique is, however, a member of CONCACAF and CFU and is eligible for all competitions organised by both organisations.

While Guyana, despite being a powerhouse in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), have never qualified for the Gold Cup (male version), Martinique are preparing to make their fifth appearance at the CONCACAF showpiece this year.

Martinique will be placed in Group B of the 2017 Gold Cup alongside five-time champions USA, Panama, and Haiti. The French territory will play their first game against Haiti on July 8, the USA on July 12 and Panama on July 15.

The French department’s captain Kevin Parsemain who plays with Martinique’s top club Golden Lion, told Chronicle Sport that the game against Guyana is being seen as important as any other, especially since the JeanMarc Civault-coached side are coming off a 2-0 defeat to Barbados on Sunday in Bridgetown.

“Those games are important because the Gold Cup is pretty much played at a high and physical level and those games in the Caribbean are important because it’s always a fight.

It’s never a friendly game because everyone wants to show that they are the best side in the Caribbean so we’re coming well prepared,” Parsemain said upon his team’s arrival at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport yes-

terday.

Martinique will be without one of their main pieces, given the fact that the former West Ham and Real Madrid winger Julien Faubert picked up a red card against Barbados.

However, the team is made up of several players who ply their trade in some of the top leagues in Europe and North America.

Jean-Sylvain Babin, who plays for La Liga outfit Sporting Gijón and Seattle Sounders FC’s Jordy Delem are among some of the players to look for in the French unit.

“Guyana will be good game. It’s going to be tough but it will be exciting and we’re looking forward to the challenge.

A lot has changed for us from the last time we played. We’re heading to the Gold Cup and so this is an important match for us,” the Martinique skipper noted.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s Samuel Cox who was once again handed the team’s captain armband, lauded the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) effort to revive the Golden Jaguars

team and for also putting on the fixture against Martinique.

Cox stated that his teammates have been putting in the extra work and it’s only now for them to focus on the game and walk away with a win.

Guyana’s latest win was against the U.S. Virgin Islands; crushing them 7-0 at the Guyana National Stadium during the CFU Caribbean Cup. Guyana, however, lost to Suriname (3-2) in Paramaribo and 4-2 to the Reggae Boyz (Jamaica) at the Leonora Track and Field Centre which saw them narrowly missing out on a spot in the CONCACAF spectacle.

When asked about the team’s final selection for today’s game Gold Jaguars head coach Wayne Dovre declined to make a pronouncement.

But Warren Creavalle, Vurlon Mills, Trayon Bobb, Brandon Beresford and Adrian Butters should be among the familiar faces for the Golden Jaguars.

Kick off time is 20:00hrs. Admission $1500.

South Africa Racing Tips

11:10 hrs Mariah’s Legend 11:40 hrs Riddlestown 12:10 hrs Royal Ruby

Vaal 08:15 hrs The Great Duchess 08:50 hrs Silver King 09:25 hrs Cockade 10:05 hrs Wild Horizon 10:40 hrs My Treasure 11:15 hrs Wottahottie English Racing Tips Hexham 09:00 hrs Storm Forecast 09:30 hrs Trouble In Paris 10:30 hrs Ryedale Racer 11:00 hrs The Bishop 11:30 hrs Teescomponents Lad Southwell 09:10 hrs Duhallowcountry 09:40 hrs Fly Home Harry 10:10 hrs Fattsota 10:40 hrs Twist Of Ginge

Wolverhampton 09:20 hrs Lucent Dream 09:50 hrs William Sayle 10:20 hrs Revel 10:50 hrs Monjeni 11:20 hrs Cruise Tothelimit 11:50 hrs Count Octave American Racing Tips Philadelphia Park Race 1 Union River Race 2 Baychimo Race 3 Spring Fling Race 4 Un Po Di Vino Race 5 R Jolley Dreamer Race 6 Riverwalk Weekend Race 7 Summer House Race 8 She’s All Ready Race 9 Miss Moneyhenny

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

India close in on victory as Jadeja shines

By Amlan Chakraborty

DHARAMSALA, India (Reuters) - Ravindra Jadeja shone with bat and ball to put India in a commanding position to secure a series-clinching victory over Australia in the fourth and final Test yesterday.

After two days of fluctuating fortunes at the end of a tight series which is level at 1-1, India moved ahead in the morning session when they fashioned a valuable 32-run lead before being dismissed for 332 on the stroke of lunch.

On the liveliest of the four pitches used in the series, Australia’s top order struggled against the bouncing ball before Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin shared six wickets between them to bowl out the tourists for 137.

Chasing 106 to complete a 2-1 series victory, India were 19 for no loss at the close at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium which is hosting its first Test.

Openers Lokesh Rahul (13) and Murali Vijay (six) will resume today, with the hosts needing 87 runs to complete a comprehensive

win inside four days.

“We claimed three early wickets, which was a bonus for us,” Jadeja told reporters.

“We had already taken an upper hand with the 32run lead. From there, the momentum was with us,” added the all-rounder.

Jadeja made 63 and featured in a 96-run partnership with wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha after India resumed 52 runs adrift and with four wickets in hand.

Jadeja was hit on the helmet after deflecting a ball from Pat Cummins, who peppered the batsman with short deliveries. The 28-year-old connected with one to smash his fourth six before dragging a delivery from the same bowler on to his stumps.

Steve O’Keefe sent back Kumar in the next over and Cummins (3-94) got rid of Saha, who made 31, with another short delivery.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon (5-92) dismissed debutant Kuldeep Yadav for seven to wrap up the innings and complete his second five-wicket haul of the series.

Australia’s top order struggled from the start.

Karun Nair spilled David Warner at slip off Bhu-

ting coach Graeme Hick said.

“Very disappointing day! There’s always a chance until the final ball is

SCOREBOARD AUSTRALIA 1st innings 300 (S. Smith 111, M. Wade 57, D. Warner 56; K. Yadav 4-68)

Ravindra Jadeja top-scores for India with 63 then comes back with the ball to grab 3-24 on the third day.

vneshwar Kumar for the second time in the match but the opener, who has managed just one fifty in the series, was unable to capitalise and was caught behind for six off Umesh Yadav.

Much depended on captain Steve Smith and the highest scorer of the series hit three delectable boundaries before guiding a Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivery on to his stumps to depart for 17.

Pomeroon Oil Mill Challengers win inaugural 10/10 memorial title A LARGE and boisterous crowd at the Teneze Ferme ground in Lower Pomeroon River, last Sunday, witnessed hosts Pomeroon Oil Mill Challengers Sports emerge winners in the inaugaral 10/10 George Alphonso memorial one-day tournament involving four teams.

In the final, Pomeroon Oil Mill Challengers Sports were inserted to take first strike and managed 87-2 from their 10 overs.

Captain Mukesh Singh with 28 (2x6, 2x4) along with Carlos Matthias’ unbeaten 23 (1x6, 1x4) were the principal scorers Spinners Chris Matthias and Usen Rose claimed one wicket each. In reply, Teneze Ferme ‘B’ found scoring difficult and never threatened the target.

They eventually were all out for 54 in the 10th over to be defeated by 33 runs.

Suresh Dindyal (15) was the only batsman to reach double figures. Medium pacers Gary France with 4-16 and Mukesh Singh 3-15 com-

bined to earn their team the coveted trophy, medals and $60 000 while the runners-up received $40 000.

Third-place winners Teneze Ferme ‘A’ also pocketed $30 000 during the presentation which was witnessed by the widow and children of the late George Alphonso Sr, who was a popular cricketer and sup-

bowled. But it was a hard day today. The boys will be pretty down,” the former England batsman added.

porter of the game in the Pomeroon.

His daughter Kerenza Alphonso during her brief speech promised to have the competition played annually and to include more teams.

Eagles Sports also participated. Former national umpire Dasroy Balgobin and Deva Dass were the officiating umpires.

The victorious Pomeroon Oil Mill Challengers celebrate with their trophy.

Umesh (3-29) had Matt Renshaw caught behind as Australia lost three wickets before they had wiped out India’s first- innings lead.

Jadeja dismissed Shaun Marsh, Cummins and O’Keefe before Ashwin joined the party, claiming 3-29.

Glenn Maxwell topscored with a fluent 45 before falling lbw to Ashwin.

“You can hear a pin drop in the dressing-room,” bat-

INDIA 1st innings (o/n 248-6) L. Rahul c Warner b Cummins 60 M. Vijay c Wade b Hazlewood 11 C. Pujara c Handscomb b Lyon 57 A. Rahane c Smith b Lyon 46 K. Nair c Wade b Lyon 5 R. Ashwin lbw b Lyon 30 W. Saha c Smith b Cummins 31 R. Jadeja b Cummins 63 B. Kumar c Smith b O’Keefe 0 K. Yadav c Hazlewood b Lyon 7 U. Yadav not out 2 Extras: (b-4, lb-11, w-5) 20 Total: (all out, 118.1 overs) 332 Fall of wickets: 1-21,2108,3-157, 4-167, 5-216, 6-221,7-317, 8-318, 9-318.

Bowling: J. Hazlewood 25-8-511, P. Cummins 30-8-94-3 (w-5), N. Lyon 34.1-5-92-5, S. O’Keefe 27-4-75-1, G. Maxwell 2-0-5-0 AUSTRALIA 2nd innings M. Renshaw c Saha b U. Yadav 8 D. Warner c Saha b U. Yadav 6 S. Smith b B. Kumar 17 P. Handscomb c Rahane b R.

Ashwin 18 G. Maxwell lbw b R. Ashwin 45 S. Marsh c Pujara b Jadeja 1 M. Wade not out 25 P. Cummins c Rahane b Jadeja 12 S. O’Keefe c Pujara b Jadeja 0 N. Lyon c Vijay b U. Yadav 0 J. Hazlewood lbw b R. Ashwin 0 Extras: (b-4, lb-1) 5 Total: (all out, 53.5 overs) 137 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-31, 3-31, 4-87, 5-92, 6-106, 7-121, 8-121, 9-122.

Bowling: B. Kumar 7-1-27-1, U. Yadav 10-3-29-3, K. Yadav 5-0-23-0, R. Jadeja 18-724-3, R. Ashwin 13.5-4-29-3 INDIA 2nd innings (Target: 106 runs) L. Rahul not out 13 M. Vijay not out 6 Extras: 0 Total: (for no loss, 6 overs) 19 Fall of wickets: To bat: C. Pujara, A. Rahane, K. Nair, R. Ashwin, W. Saha, R. Jadeja, B. Kumar, K. Yadav, U. Yadav.

Bowling: P. Cummins 3-1-14-0, J. Hazlewood 2-05-0, S. O’Keefe 1-1-0-0.

Williamson equals Crowe record with 17th Test century

(REUTERS) - Captain Kane Williamson equalled the New Zealand record for Test centuries as his side reached 321 for four at the close of day three of the third Test against South Africa in Hamilton yesterday.

The 26-year-old joined former captain Martin Crowe on 17 Test centuries when he hit a full toss from Dean Elgar to the fence for his 10th boundary.

Williamson had moved to 148 at stumps with Mitchell Santner on 13, the home side holding a seven-run lead over South Africa’s first-innings of 314.

Williamson also surpassed 5 000 Test runs, the fastest New Zealander to do so in his 110th innings. Just five other of his countrymen have reached the mark.

The skipper shared in a 190-run partnership with opener Jeet Raval, who passed 50 for the fifth time and proved the perfect foil to the New Zealand skipper during a knock of 88.

The left-hander was dropped on 83 by South Africa captain Faf du Plessis and then got bogged down as he battled against the second new ball.

He failed to score a run for 25 deliveries before hitting Kagiso Rabada for a boundary but he fell shortly after when wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock took a brilliant, diving catch with one hand from an inside edge off Morne Morkel.

Tom Latham was the first wicket to fall when the opener became Morkel’s 250th Test

scalp during the first session which was delayed for 90 minutes due to overnight rain.

Rabada slowed New Zealand’s momentum in the final hour of play when he trapped Neil Broom in front for 12 then had Henry Nicholls caught by de Kock on his next delivery.

Santner, however, thwarted the hat-trick ball.

South Africa lead the series 1-0 having won the second game in Wellington by eight wickets. The rain-hit first Test in Dunedin ended in a draw.

SCOREBOARD SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings 314 (Q. de Kock 90, F. du Plessis 53, H. Amla 50; M. Henry 4-93) NEW ZEALAND 1st innings (o/n 67-0) T. Latham c de Kock b M. Morkel 50 J. Raval c de Kock b M. Morkel 88 K. Williamson not out 148 N. Broom lbw b Rabada 12 H. Nichollsc de Kock b Rabada 0

M. Santner not out 13 Extras: (lb-3, nb-7) 10 Total: (for 4 wickets, 104 overs) 321 Fall of wickets: 1-83, 2-273, 3-293, 4-293.

Bowling: V. Philander 25-659-0 (nb-2), M. Morkel 245-74-2, K. Rabada 21-1-83-2 (nb-5), K. Maharaj 29-271-0,J. Duminy 4-0-18-0, D. Elgar 1-0-13-0.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

beat Police in lastMan City fined £35 000 for DCC over Carib T20 thriller failing to control players (REUTERS) - Manchester City have been fined £35 000 by the English FA after they accepted a misconduct charge for the way their players reacted to a 50th minute penalty in the 1-1 Premier League draw with Liverpool on March 20.

City were charged by the FA last week after their players surrounded referee Michael Oliver who had awarded Liverpool a spot kick following a foul by Gael Clichy on Roberto Firmino.

Former City player James Milner converted the penalty after Clichy, who had raised his boot on Firmino, and David Silva were booked. Some City players continued to remonstrate afterwards. City equalised 18 minutes later through Sergio Aguero.

“Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today (Monday March 27 2017), Manchester City have been fined £35 000 after the club admitted

an FA misconduct charge,” the governing body said in a statement.

“City breached FA Rule E20(a) in that in or around

the 50th minute of the game against Liverpool on March 19 2017, the club failed to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaks with referee Michael Oliver after the game. (Reuters/Andrew Yates Livepic)

Lashley, Todd joint winners at LGC tournament AS preparations continue for the resumption of competitive golf, the new executive of the Lusignan Golf Club held a oneday tournament last Sunday.

The tournament, which attracted a number of season golfers, saw Mark Lashley and Gavin Todd declared joint winners after they had a combined net of 61.

Second place went to former Guyana Open champion Imran Khan and Troy Cadogan, with a combined net of 63, while Aleem Hussain and Richard Haniff recorded a combined net of 66.

orderly fashion.”

City, who are third in table, travel to sixthplaced Arsenal on Sunday.

DEMERARA Cricket Club remained unbeaten in the Georgetown Cricket Association’s (GCA)/ Carib T20 tournament after they edged hosts Police Sports Club by three runs on Sunday.

Set seven runs to win from the last over, discarded national player Christopher Barnwell bowled a superb over, which cost only three runs.

Police ended on 151-5 in pursuit of 155 for victory.

Earlier Sherfane Rutherford smashed an unbeaten 91, inclusive of eight sixes and four fours, after his team were 36-3 at one point.

Rutherford and Jahron Byron (14) added 68 for the fifth wicket.

Jason Heyliger claimed 3- 22 runs, while Leitch, Steven Harris and Ricardo Adams snared one wicket each.

In the run chase Police slipped to 21-3 before Len-

Sherfane Rutherford

nox Andrews took his team within the victory target, with an attacking 66-ball 75. Heyliger ended on 27 not out.

Barnwell took 2 for 37, Wintz, 1-15 and Nedd 1 for nine.

Barnwell ended with figures of 2-37, while Ashmead Nedd, Paul Wintz and Rutherford also claimed a wicket apiece.

Twenty-six Under-17 players for Georgetown training TWENTY-SIX players have been invited to participate in the Georgetown Under-17 training, scheduled for tomorrow at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground.

At the conclusion of the training, a squad will be selected to participate in the Demerara Inter-Association Cricket tournament, which is

expected to commence shortly.

The training session will be conducted by coach Garvin Nedd, from 16:00hrs.

Those invited are: Ashmead Nedd, Sachin Singh, Alphius Bookie , Adrian Hinds, Yeudistir Persaud, Cevon Allen, Qumar Torrington, Joel Spencer, Jospice Jones, Dequan Bam-

field, Dwayne Dick, Nkosie Beaton, Garrick Persaud, Osapha Greene, Ghansham Premsham, Tyrese Payne, Jeremiah Benjamin, Fadil Hick, Bently Singh, Anthony Hetsberger, Wayne Bollers, Ariel Tilku, Daniel Paul, El Nathan Suknandan, Novindra Persaud and Afile Henry.

FIBA America’s Victor Mansure arrives for meeting with basketball stakeholders

Imran Khan drives off the 15th tee on Sunday.

THE International Basketball Federation (FIBA) America’s Assistant Regional Director Victor Mansure arrived in Guyana for a high-level meeting with the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) and key stakeholders of the game locally.

A release from the GABF states that Mansure intends to have an understanding of the current state of basketball in Guyana, including shortcomings and/or limitations, as

well as the way forward for the advancement of the sport.

The GABF had received a letter from FIBA America’s Regional Di-

rector Alberto Garcia, outlining the key changes by the International body to meet the high demands of the game of basketball globally. (Rawle Toney)

FIBA America’s Assistant Regional Director Victor Mansure

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

GuyanaNRA Smallbore .22 Precision Pistol Shoot

‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson and Braithwaite dominate classes SEASONED campaigner Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson and Jamaine Braithwaite emerged as the best senior and junior shooters following the 2017 season-opener of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) Smallbore Section.

The event, which commenced and concluded last Saturday at the Tactical Services Unit Range of the Guyana Police Force saw shooters of various ranks return to the most basic form of competition.

Competitors took on one another in three stages of shooting from 5m to 15m.

When all was over and the scores were tallied, veteran marksman Harold Hopkinson did not allow his age to be a deterrent as he racked up 231 points out of a possible 250 to take the top spot in the senior competition while Jamaine Braithwaite, who managed 217 points, ruled the roost among the juniors.

Hopkinson pushed Surujbali Persaud to

Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson (centre) poses with other top shots and competitors of the GuyanaNRA Smallbore .22 Precision Pistol Shoot.

second place, after he amassed 205 points with 3Vs and Joshua Ramlakhan who scored 187 points with 3Vs to third in the senior division.

In the Junior category, Braithwaite amassed 217 points with 5Vs to come out ahead of Randy Barnwell (205 with 1V) and Erwin Chapman (194 with 2Vs) Meanwhile, Hopkinson and Rajiv Latchana will compete at the Amazon Shoot set for Suriname from March 31.

Teams down to business end of Milo Schools U-18 football

EIGHT teams remain in the Petra-organised, Milo-sponsored Schools U-18 Football Championship following the round of sixteen matches last weekend.

Buxton United were the first to book their spot in the quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over Queenstown. Strikes came from Ablamy Robertson-21st, John Gonzales-26th, Kifambo Goodman-30th, and Teffrel Campbell-41st while Queenstown had Denzil Ross-59th

on target.

After a strong showing in the earlier game, Pure Masters could not get past School of the Nations. The latter produced a 2-1 win thanks to strikes from Carlos Oreido (22nd) and Quadad DeFreitas (33rd) while Matthew Gonsalves was on target for the losers.

Bishops’ High (2-1) also moved on to the next round at the expense of Queen’s College, as Imran Khan (3rd) and Keron

Niles (10th) were on target for the winners while DeAndro Kirton (14th) scored the consolidation goal.

The last game of the day saw another rout by defending champions Chase Academy, as they thrashed South Ruimveldt 13-0. Nicholas McArthur scored five goals (11th, 17th, 30th, 41st, 46th) while Rondell Peters scored a hat-trick (18th, 34th, 59th) to lead the team to victory.

Individual strikes came

from Malachi Adonis-7th, Tyrell Khan-24th, Isaiah Jack31st, Jeremy Garrett-61st and Joshua Williams-63rd.

On Sunday, the second set of matches saw Masters Academy demolish Tutorial High 12-1.

For Masters Calvin Peters scored a helmet-trick (5th, 9th, 32nd and 36th) with a hat-trick from Tyron Khan (52nd, 60th, 62nd) and a brace from Dorinyn George (58th, 64th) while single strikes came from O’Neil

Glasgow (1st), Ryan Dowden (28th), Carl Lynch (41st) and Andel Smith (47th).

Tutorial had Zion Gray on target (57th).

In the second game, Carmel needled Lodge Secondary with Darrel Niles 55th on the scorecard while Dolphin went down 1-7 to Sir Leon’s Lessons as Shemar Welch’s 68th minute goal was overturned by a helmet-trick from Adrian Aaron (9th, 40th, 57th, 59th) and single strikes from Omari James (56th), Meshach Barratt (60th) and Dexter Blue (65th) Morgan Learning Centre

was the last team to qualify via a 7-0 win over East Ruimveldt thanks to Chris Casey’s brace (44th, 55th) as well as lone strikes from Orin Moore (30th), Lionel Holder (34th), Daniel Clarke (53rd) and Daniel Floyd (62nd) The championship continues this weekend at the same venue with the quarter-final matches as the teams pursue the $500 000 first prize on offer in this tournament. Second-, third- and fourth-place finishers will pocket $300 000, $200 000 and $100 000 respectively – money that will go towards a school project.

Baird qualifies for IAAF World Championships

… Thompson runs wind-assisted time WORLD junior silver medallist Kadecia Baird

clinched an IAAF World Championships qualify-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

COMPLIMENTS OF: THE TROPHY STALL Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE 176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)Junaid Khan/Lendl Simmons (2)Beausejour Stadium (now Darren Sammy Cricket Ground), Gros Islet, St. Lucia, 2011 Today’s Quiz: (1Who is the first Pakistani to claim a five-wicket haul in a T20 International?

(2) Who is the first WI to be ‘stumped’ in a T20 International against Pakistan?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

ing time in the women’s 200m last weekend when she competed for her college Texas A & M at the Roadrunner Invitational in San Antonio, Texas.

Finishing in 23.03 seconds, the US-based Baird slides in just under the 23.10-seconds qualifying time for World Championships. However, that time was not enough for her to place in the race where she finished sixth overall.

Churning in an even more impressive performance was Baird’s teammate, and Guyana

national record holder, Brenessa Thompson, who

Kadecia Baird

finished second overall in the race with a wind-assisted time of 22.59 seconds.

However a +2.7 wind robbed Thompson’s time of any validation as an IAAF qualifying time. The 20-year-old, who holds the 22.99 seconds record, will still have a lot of opportunities as the season continues, as will Baird.

“This weekend was really great for me despite having a wind on my back. It’s still the beginning of the season and I have enough time to qualify,” Thompson told

Chronicle Sport.

Brenessa Thompson

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Forde promises more International football for Linden

By Rawle Toney

THE Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground is among Guyana’s most storied venues and today, it will once again embrace another historic moment in sports, more so in the sport of football, when Golden Jaguars face Martinique in an International Friendly.

It will be the French department’s first visit to Guyana and their second meeting with the Golden Jaguars.

In 2012, Martinique hosted Guyana and played to a 2-2 draw.

For Linden, it will be a return of international football since May 19, 2011, when Guyana defeated Barbados 1-0.

Forde pointed out during a press conference yesterday, “We’re not going to see the finest venue that’s available to us in Guyana, but what we will see is the spirit of the community coming together to make something for one of the most prized possession of this country, which is the Golden Jaguars football team.”

Many questioned the move by the GFF to play the game at the MSC ground, citing the facilities nearing deplorable state, poor surface and inadequate lighting. But, Forde told reporters that the venue has made a complete 360 turn and is now more than ready for the momentous game between Guyana and

Martinique.

“The Linden community has respondied in the most heartwarming way, with regard to the preparation and promotion of the game and the GFF is very encouraged,” Forde said.

“The GFF will do everything in its power to bring back prominent football to the Linden community. It is part of our overall strategy to spread the reach of the sport and even though circumstances do present some challenges, we must understand that you triumph when you take on these challenges, rather than doing what’s easy; defaulting to the next best thing and that’s not what we’re about.” Forde also

highlighted.

Forde challenged the Linden populace, stating, “If we could have an atmosphere, similar to the one that we’re so accustomed to when we watch the Barclay’s Premier League, at least two of the upcoming international friendlies will go to that Linden community.”

It is of the GFF boss’s opinion that Linden presents the Federation with “the best financial opportunity in bringing off such a game; the cost for the venue is low, the logistics are low, marketing the game is very low because you’re talking about a small community with a decent population, so if you could get less than a third of that

GFF president Wayne Forde

population in that venue, it’s a big win for us.”

“We have seen evidence of decline of attendance for the other games in Georgetown and some of the other venues and even though playing the game of football is our main priority, we have to do this in a very economical way. We can’t continue to incur over $3M taking a game to a venue and can’t at least recover that cost,” Forde said.

The GFF president said that rebuilding and rebranding the Golden Jaguars is their immediate priority and as such, a promise was made to play on every FIFA date for this year.

The Guyana-Martinique encounter will kick off at 20:00hrs and tickets cost $1500.

Reifer ensures great escape for Jaguars against Pride BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Raymon Reifer was the main architect of leaders and defending champions Guyana Jaguars escaping with a draw against Barbados Pride in the Regional 4-Day Tournament yesterday.

R e i f e r, t h e B a r b a dos-born, left-handed all-rounder, led tail-end resistance with an unbeaten 35 following Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s second half-century of the match, as the Jaguars were bowled out for

322 in their second innings just over an hour after tea on the final day of the eighth round match at Kensington Oval.

He then returned to grab 4-49 from six overs to leave the Pride’s victory chase in shambles, as the home team stumbled to 75 for five, leaving them 18 short of the target.

The result means that the Pride earned 11.8 points, moving to 99.2 for the season, but remain 7.6 behind the Jaguars whose tally for

the match was a meagre 3.6.

Chanderpaul and fellow left-hander Vishaul Singh fell before lunch for the Jaguars, following-on with a first-innings deficit of 230 and resuming on 119 for three following the rest day to allow the first Twenty20 International between West Indies and Pakistan at the same venue.

The pair defied the rest day to add 91 for the fourth wicket to add some resistance for the Guyanese before Chanderpaul was caught at extra cover off Roston Chase’s off-spin for 63 which followed up his obdurate, even 50 in the first innings, and Singh was

caught at short mid-wicket off Jomel Warrican, as the Jaguars reached 186 for five at lunch.

After the interval, Anthony Bramble joined Reifer and they put on 51 for the sixth wicket to further frustrate the Pride before three wickets – all to West Indies fast bowler Miguel Cummins – fell in the space of 29 balls and left the Jaguars 235 for eight at tea – and just five runs in the black.

Anthony Bramble was bowled off the inside edge for 30 before Romario Shepherd and Devendra Bishoo were both caught behind for one and two respectively, flirting with short, rising

deliveries from Cummins.

Tail-end defiance from Reifer, Clinton Pestano with 38 and Gudakesh Motie with 29 however, extended the Jaguars’ innings into the final hour.

The Pride, having 12 overs to complete the job, started briskly before Reifer started the procession to and from the pavilion, when he had left-handed opener Anthony Alleyne caught at long-on for 12.

He added the cheap scalps of Kevin Stoute and Ashley Nurse, as well as Shai Hope for the top score of 35, and Shepherd removed Shane Dowrich for one, as the Pride’s threat

fizzled out.

The Pride host Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in the following round, starting on April 7, but the Jaguars will be sidelined for that weekend, due to three One-day Internationals between West Indies and Pakistan being played at the Guyana National Stadium, pushing back their scheduled ninth round match against Leeward Islands Hurricanes until April 21 at the same venue.

The Jaguars face Windward Islands Volcanoes next time they take the field on April 14 on home soil for what was originally scheduled to be the final round.

Forde 27 promises more International football for Linden P.

Fireworks expected at MSC ground for Guyana/ Martinique clash

Linden Mayor to honour 17 stalwarts of ‘yesteryear’

See Page 23

Collie Hercules

The Golden Jaguars prior to their departure for Linden yesterday

See Page 23 Martinique upon their arrival at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport yesterday. (Adrian Narine photos) Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

MAYOR of Linden, Carwyn Holland, has agreed to a request from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) to present medals of appreciation to 17 outstanding past football players from the Mining Town tonight, before the epic clash between Guyana’s Golden Jaguars and Martinique.

The awardees are being recognised for their contribution towards the development of the game over the past 40 years.

These players chosen will include former nationals Rupert Charter, Dennis Solomon, Neville ‘Zipper’ Johnson, Nigel ‘Mice’ Cummings, Aubrey Hudson, Selwyn Hutson, Ivan Persaud, Ewart Grenville, Bryan Joseph, Michael Massiah, Mikey McKinnon, Collie Hercules and Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard.

The full 17-man team will be named just before the international fixture and introduced to the crowd which is expected to be on hand to witness this fixture since its last international game in 2011.

The Linden Mayor is the patron of tonight’s French Invasion international friendly game which kicks off at 20:00hrs at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

These players selected, with the blessings of the GFF, will each receive a medal, compliments of Mayor Holland. They have been outstanding at the club, regional and national levels dating back to the mid-1970s.

It is expected that for the players who are not around, a member of their family will be there to receive the token of appreciation on their behalf. (Joe Chapman) TUESDAY, MARCH, 28, 2017