Guyana chronicle e paper 29 05 2017

Diaspora development plan to be finalised shortly Page 14

No. 104927

MONDAY MAY 29, 2017

Price: $80

Crackdown (VAT Inclusive)

… several nabbed in massive illegal mining operation at Kaieteur National Park … Trotman says dredge owners being sought

Page 4

CH&PA hails housing expo a success

–– East Ruimveldt resident wins free house lot

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Thousands on Sunday visited the Housing Expo at Perseverance, East Bank Demerara to explore the various options for home ownership (Adrian Narine photo)

Gaskin talks up economic

Pirates brutalise fishers in Waini take-off on UK visit River attack Page 3

Page 3

Prominent anti-DV Page 5 activist succumbs to cancer

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Baby delivered in mid-air on GDF flight

A PREGNANT woman who developed complications on board a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) aircraft on Saturday,had her delivery done in midair after the aircraft was

transformed into a delivery room.

The plane, according to a GDF statement, was at the time headed to the coastland from the village of Fairview in the North

The baby shortly after delivery on board the Guyana Defence Force aircraft

Rupununi.

A Texila University medical student who was on board the flight rendered assistance to the pregnant woman. The GDF noted that pilots, Majors Mohin-

der Ramjag and Patrick Nichols were elated at the outcome of the situation.

The mother and child were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for treatment.

The infant being taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation after the aircraft landed at the Eugene F Correia International Airport on Saturday evening

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 29, 2017

Police destroy marijuana field, make-shift camp A QUARTER- ACRE plot of cultivated cannabis, a make-shift camp and a quantity of dried cannabis were destroyed by fire during a joint operation in Region Seven on Saturday.

The police in a statement said no one has been arrested and a live 12-gauge cartridge and an identification card which were found in the camp have been lodged.

The operation was organised on the basis of intelligence gathered and about 11:00hrs on Saturday, the team (policemen and soldiers) ascended on Arou Mountain Top and successfully executed their plan, the release said.Â

The illegal plants and other items that were set on fire

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 29, 2017

Major economic transformation beckons –– business minister tells Guyana’s diaspora in the UK

GUYANA is on the cusp of a major economic transformation, to provide opportunities for the socio-economic advancement of its people, Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin told members of Guyana’s diaspora in the UK on Friday.

Gaskin said there has to be major economic transformation if Guyana is serious about development and noted that Guyanese living in the UK have lots to offer Guyana.

“Our Government has developed a Diaspora Engagement Strategy aimed at ensuring that Guyanese outside of Guyana have an opportunity to contribute to the development of our country,” said the Minister of Business, at the country’s 51st independence anniversary, celebrated at the High Commission of Guyana in London.

Gaskin also spoke of some of the challenges faced when organising the diaspora and managing its expectations, the realities of governing and the advances of the Government on several fronts, a statement from the Ministry of Business

said on Sunday.

He also commented on the terrorist attack at Manchester, England, following a concert by American singer Ariana Grande.

Gaskin said too that the challenges facing Guyana are not unique, while noting that there is poverty, inequality, poor health care and education, globally.

“This is what we inherited and this is what we are fixing,” he stated.

According to the Minister of Business, transacting business here has been a major challenge for many and noted that his ministry has sought assistance from the World Bank to work on an action plan aimed at improving the ease of doing business in Guyana.

“Significant improvements are expected over the coming years,” the minister stated, while adding that despite the many challenges, Guyana’s economy continues to grow.

DID BETTER “Last year it grew by 3.3 per cent, which is impressive when compared to all our neighbouring

economies: Venezuela -experiencing severe economic depression; Brazil -- experiencing negative economic growth for a second year running; Trinidad -- experiencing negative growth also; and Barbados -- its economy grew by less than one per cent last year,” he stressed.

The minister of business said too that with the discovery of oil, Guyana is receiving a new level of attention,to which the country is not accustomed. He was quick to note that this new attention is “not necessarily a bad thing.”

Minister Gaskin reminded those gathered at the event that Guyana had been ignored by the international business community for a long time and not much consideration was given to make it an investment destination.

“We have a chance to change this and to transform our country into one that is ready to do business with the rest of the world,” said the minister of business as he stressed the dangers of the country’s over reliance on a single sector

to drive economic growth.

He stated that value-added sectors such as agro-processing, forestry and pharmaceutical products, tourism, business process outsourcing and infrastructural development are in need of a “kick-start” to diversify foreign earnings and create sustainable economic growth and employment.

The minister of business reassured members of the diaspora that “Guyana has what it takes to produce food on a large scale; Guyana has what it takes to emerge as a top eco-tourism destination. Guyana has what it takes to provide various business services that meet global requirements.

Guyana has raw materials that can be processed at home.”

INFRASTRUCTURAL PLANS Meanwhile, Gaskin spoke of Guyana’s infrastructural plans and noted that investments in infrastructure are expected to increase national competitiveness.

He mentioned the road

from Lethem to the Atlantic Coast becoming a reality, while noting that already a section from Linden to Mabura is being paved and a bridge over the Essequibo will connect that road to the final stretch to Lethem, providing an alternate route to the Atlantic for Brazilian businesses.

“A new bridge will be built across the Demerara River, to take off the heavy traffic that can no longer be efficiently handled by the current bridge; new roads will link the East Bank Demerara to the East Coast of Demerara and link Parika to Linden via the East Bank of the Essequibo River. So there will be the opening up of new lands, which will see development of new agricultural, industrial and residential areas,” the minister added.

Gaskin stressed too the importance of preserving the country’s wealth for posterity.

“The conservation and preservation of our natural habitats – rainforests, wetlands, and savannahs is therefore an obligation that we take seriously and Guyana has made several

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin notable commitments in this regard.

“An additional two million hectares have been committed for conservation and Guyana has committed to the use of renewable energy sources for the generation of 100 per cent of its electricity needs by the year 2025. We are currently exploring the use of some form of sovereign wealth fund to guarantee the wellbeing of future generations of Guyanese,” the minister said.

Additionally, he made it clear that while crime remains a major concern here, the rate of most serious crimes has decreased when compared to previous years.

Pirates brutalise fishers in Waini River attack

By Rabindra Rooplall THE police are investigating a piracy attack on five seamen which occurred at the mouth of the Waini River, some 10 miles into the Atlantic Ocean.

The men who were left stranded at sea for over a week were rescued on Saturday by a passing vessel.

The matter was reported to the police M.B. Tamakay Floating base.

On the same day, the men were escorted to the Mabaruma Regional Hospital where they were treated and sent away.

The boat captain was identified as 41-year-old Muneshwar Bissoon, a fisherman of Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

According to reports, earlier in the month, the

captain and his crew left Hague Jib Shore, WCD in a 50- foot fishing boat powered by two Yamaha engines.

On May 14, they arrived at the Waini River mouth where they began their fishing and proceeded into the Atlantic Ocean until May 21.

Reports indicate that Bissoon and crew were in their cabin when they heard the sound of what appeared to be a boat engine next to their boat, and upon looking outside, they saw four masked men, two armed with large guns and the other two with cutlasses.

In split seconds, the two men armed with the cutlasses jumped on Bissoon’s boat and broadsided all members on board. The captain was chopped to the

left side of his head and another crew member lost a finger.

After the ordeal, the crew was told to lie face down on the bow and the pirates who spoke English and Spanish proceeded to rob them.

The pirates stole the t w o Ya m a h a e n g i n e s valued $$300,000 and a quantity of foodstuff valued $80,000, a quantity of fish valued $54, 0000, two cellphones, three drums of fuel valued $81,000, four 12- volt batteries, valued $140,000, one 12- volt water pump valued $35,000, two cylinders of cooking gas valued $24,000, a quantity of clothing valued $100,000 and other supplies. The pirates then made good their escape in another speedboat.

Crackdown

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 29, 2017

…several nabbed in massive illegal operation at Kaieteur National Park was planned very secretly …Trotman says dredge owners being sought because it was found in

By Ariana Gordon SEVERAL villagers from Chenapau, Region Eight, were on Sunday afternoon arrested and transported to Georgetown from the Kaieteur National Park for allegedly being involved in illegal mining in the area.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that a joint operation by soldiers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) resulted in approximately 20 Chenapau residents being brought to the city to assist with investigations.

Kaieteur National Park

is one of the country’s protected areas and as such, mining in the area of the park is prohibited. The park is one of the oldest and most iconic Protected Areas of Guyana and was established in 1929. It is especially known for the majestic Kaieteur Falls, the tallest single-drop waterfall in the world.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, on Sunday confirmed that an operation took place at the Kaieteur National Park and that several persons -primarily workers -- were arrested. It is the intention of the Ministry of Natural Resources to seize and, or disable all dredges found

working in the area, Trotman asserted. “I am looking at seizing and or disabling them,” he told the Guyana Chronicle, while explaining that there is no routine monitoring of the Kaieteur National Park areas as it is not a designated mining district.

Trotman explained that a few weeks ago it was observed that there was a resurgence of illegal mining at the Kaieteur National Park contrary to regulations. As such, a secret operation was planned to halt the operations at the behest of President David Granger, who has overarching responsibility for the environment. Sometime

last year, GGMC officials had visited the area and stopped miners from operating in the protected area; those persons were warned and reaffirmed government’s strong objection to any kind of mining in the area. During that operation last year, a policeman lost his life when the boat in which he was travelling capsized. “Kaieteur is expected to be maintained as pristine place for protection of our bio-diversity, the Kaieteur National Park is part of the protected area, so a decision was taken to have a decisive operation to address the situation.”

Back in April last year,

Monday, May 29, 2017 - 05:00 hrs Tuesday, May 30, 2017 - 08:30 hrs Wednesday, May 31, 2017 - 09:00 hrs

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

Guyana Police Force Police Special Constable 14536 Akeem Hyles had died following the boat accident in the Amatuk Falls area, Potaro River.

Hyles, who was attached to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), was among a team of Joint Services personnel and officials of the GMC in a boat in the Amatuk Falls area when the vessel capsized. A police report then had noted that Hyles had departed Ogle Airport with other ranks who were dispatched to assist the GGMC officials in dealing with illegal mining in the Kaieteur National Park area. According to reports, although Constable Hyles was a good swimmer, the murky waters of the Potaro River were a challenge for him, and he was swallowed up by the river.

VERY DISAPPOINTING The Natural Resources Minister described the situation as “very disappointing” that in a year’s time persons have returned to the area. “A decision was taken to act quickly; it

the past that people were communicating with [those guilty].”

The minister noted that the police have detained persons who are being questioned, many of whom he believes may have been hired by dredge owners to work. “We are more interested in the dredge owners and operators than the mere labourers; certainly, the fact that people are being brought out is a sign that this is not a casual thing, this is serious.

“We are after the dredge owners, last year we put some punitive, heavy fines on the dredge owners. They were not supposed to go back there…I would hope that none of those who were fined last year have returned, but certainly we expected last year that the message would have been promptly sent,” said Trotman. The minister made it clear that the GGMC officers are not routinely stationed at the Kaieteur National Park as it is not within a mining district. “We don’t keep GGMC officers there, because there is not supposed to be any mining. The GGMC officers are supposed to be in the mining districts so that area is a reserved area. It would be the Kaieteur Wardens and the Pilots; we rely on them when they do oversights when they are taking tourists in, to make reports.” This far, there have not been similar issues of mining in other protected areas across the country, the minister said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 29, 2017

Prominent anti-domestic violence activist succumbs to cancer

By Shauna Jemmott

U.S.-based Guyanese domestic violence activist, Sukree Budhram, reportedly put up a good fight, but didn’t have the strength to go on any longer.

She died at age 50 around 03:00hrs on Saturday at the Cornerstone Hospice in Orlando, Florida.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the Berbice-born Budhram, who resided in Clermont, Florida, had for several months been fighting cancer and spoke of her dreaded journey on her blogsite at https://sukreespeaks.com/.

She said she had begged God to give her time to see her two children, Randy and Samantha, finish college, one in December this year, and the other in 2018. But apparently, he couldn’t bear to see her suffer anymore.

The founder of the Caribbean-American Domestic Violence Awareness (CADVA) organisation, Budhram was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a bone cancer which mostly affects children, but is rare in adults.

Her diagnosis came late, as the cancer, which had significantly grown in size, had already spread to the soft tissue in her lungs.

In her last post on her blog on April 20, Budhram said: “The cancer that plagues me is extremely fast-growing. When it came back, it came back very quickly and spread rapidly on my right side. We saw this happen twice: in June 2016 and January 2017.”

After successful treatment in the latter months of 2016, she, for some unexplained reason, experienced a recurrence of the disease between January and April of this year, which saw her being in and out of hospital regularly.

As she explained in her post: “With good reason, as you will see with my recent experience, struggles and triumphs… “September2016 PET Scan results showed no trace of cancer, and as a result, we decided to stretch out the treatments from every three weeks to every six weeks, starting in November.

“That only lasted one six-week cycle before the cancer returned with a vengeance in January 2017.

“It was pushing very hard on my right lungs, causing me to have breathing issues. I had to be put on the breathing tube; I had to be on wheelchair mode of transportation for about three days.

“Walking became impossible; I was not getting enough oxygen to aid in

walking. This resulted in yet another blood transfusion late January.

“Over a weekend, it was almost on the entire right half of my body according to the CT scan. I was hospitalised from January 23 29. During that time, we had to change the chemotherapy medication along with obtaining another blood transfusion. I was administered the new drugs on day two after admission, and it worked immediately to start killing the cells.”

In February, radiation was done and it was a time when even eating had become difficult and fearful.

“The process itself is simple and fast. However, because it was in my chest area, I ended up having severe constriction to eating,” she said.

“I was not able to swallow for about four weeks.

Sukree Budhram That was most of February and part of March. Eating became a fear; It felt like a knife cutting me… Eventually, after three different medications and time, this went away and I was able to eat normal again.

“I lost 15 pounds in the process, but quickly put back half of that since then.”

But Budhram’s battle worsened as her body be-

came weaker, with tentacles of the disease spreading to take whatever life was left in her.

On April 7, she had another PET scan to detect the presence of cancer again.

Taking again to her blog, she wrote: “The results showed no cancer present.

I want to share that this cancer type responds to medication very well, but without chemo, it comes back very aggressive, and can spread in days, causing death without treatment very quickly; in a matter of about seven days I was told. So I understand I will remain on chemotherapy indefinitely at this junction.

“It may change later on, but for now, it remains. In

addition, I had an MRI done on the brain on the April 5 and it showed the presence of either sinus or metastatic cancer.

“We will do a CT scan or a biopsy to try to confirm what that could be. Finally, my lower lumbar will undergo an MRI to determine why I have excruciating pain there. The process continues, and I have to just take care of my body, food and spirit.”

That said day, on April 7, she would permanently retire from work after over 33 years, and was given additional doctor’s appointments as her condition deteriorated, creating cause for additional doctor’s appointments.

As she recorded, “So far, I have my days filled with appointments and doctor’s visits. Luckily, my hair is growing back slowly, and I hope it grows in for the summer. This medication does not seem to knock my hair. “Thank you God for every little thing in my life, and my family and friends who are there for me. Bless all of us, and keep us safe in your bosom of warmth and safety.”

She was hospitalised for two days, on April 16 and 17, after experiencing severe nausea.

The Guyana Chronicle extends sincere condolences to the family and all affected by her death.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 29, 2017

Owning your home LAST Friday, the Ministry of Communities opened a four-day exposition of its “Housing Solutions 2017 and Beyond” programme at Perseverance, East Bank of Demerara. This project has an ambitious and doable aim to construct similar communities in six regions. What is also heartening given what was seen in recent housing development projects, is the commitment by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) to regulate all development and construction in the proposed housing schemes.

To own your home is the dream of most, if not all, and determinedly pursued. A home not only represents a place to rest one’s head, share with loved ones, and pride of achievement, but it also has material value and brings with it ownership of country. Very often society measures among personal accomplishments this asset. It cannot be ignored in the past that ownership eluded many not because of the absence of land, but also prohibitive cost and absence of a national concerted programme to facilitate acquisition. Efforts by the Government to correct all these major deficiencies and ensuring potential home-owners are not only overpriced, but get their money’s worth, cannot be ignored.

Guyanese have departed these shores to find work in order to build their dream home here, or the desire for ownership has served as a major factor to migrate. Squatting areas have also emerged from the said desire. To the extent that Government has decided it will play a leading role in helping citizens pursue this dream, in an evidently elevated standard, would play a significant role in not only cementing ownership of country, but also the desire to remain or re-migrate.

Where citizens believe this prized accomplishment is too attainable for them, they are inclined to work to achieve it. The displayed models are not

only attractive, but are also catering to diverse economic backgrounds, thereby making the housing drive inclusive. When this worthwhile project comes to fruition, it will bode well for creating even development in an aesthetically pleasing environment.

Creating communities where standards are set -- e.g. aesthetics, functionality, safety, infrastructures and historic preservation -- such gives rise to residents being actively involved, which brings with it high expectations. People are inclined to value the community, take pride in its sanitation, environment, policing themselves and others in ensuring upkeep and maintenance. This type of neighbour helps to maintain property value as well as re-sale value.

Times have also changed wherein that people are more aware of environmental and health issues and their consequences. For instance, sewage management may necessitate upgrading the solid waste system in keeping with modernity and population growth. These factors would require institutional strengthening not only at CH&PA, but also new regulations being implemented and enforced.

For example, where a home is air conditioned, if the unit’s Freon is leaking, how could it be rectified. Where there is inspection in wiring a house, such inspection should also apply to other construction from a safety, sanitary, environmental and regulatory standpoint, which will ensure proper maintenance.

These are support systems government will have to facilitate and citizens require to help through maintenance to ensure protection of their valued assets.

Supporting the appearance of these new developments would require a proper system behind them. For instance, the construction of some of the buildings appears more temperate friendly than tropical. With it follows the question whether choice will exist, such as refashioning to our climate and in keeping with the ‘green state’ focus or owners will have to be prepared to pay

higher electricity charges to make their atmospheric conditions conducive.

Government, in its effort to facilitate home ownership, may also find it worthwhile to examine the expanding range/possibilities of involvement in light of precedence. History advises that the national housing drive was aided through private development under the Bharrat Jagdeo administration; involvement of the State, trade union, cooperatives, and disciplined services under the Forbes Burnham administration, coupled with government oversight; and the State during the premiership of Cheddi Jagan.

To the average home aspirants -- the displayed duplexes, single-family units and apartments, whether being physically present to see and touch, signed up to own, or followed through media, mainstream and/or social -- whoever can help with acquisition helps their cause. Society could significantly benefit from a sustained and structured housing drive. Where government maintains a hands-on approach in setting the standards, as it also oversees implementation with other stakeholders, it can make this formidable task doable.

PPP back to their old ways of destroying Guyana

Dear Editor,

IT is with great concern that I am penning this letter because of what I have heard and read about in the years when the PPP were in opposition before the 1992 elections.

During my campaign in 2015, I was asked by a businessman of Rosignol to sit and listen as to what will happen after the elections or when the APNU+AFC gains power. Let me state that the businessman said to me he has no political connections or affiliation to any party.

The businessman took over 40 minutes to explain in a nutshell, the hardship and the economic downfall of the country when the PNC was in power. He told me the reasons as to why the hardship and economic downfall happened. Moreover, he swore that after the 2015 elections, if the PPP did not gain power, the same will be repeated as during those years. He said the country will be plunged into a state of slow economic development and investors will be asked to stay away. He also mentioned that the opposition will use every tool available to ensure that 1960-1987 returns.

He further went on to state that in those years, the PPP crippled the country because of racism and

the economic powerhouse was from mainly one race or sector of people in Guyana. He mentioned the bottomhouse meetings that the PPP used to hold and asking the sugar workers and rice farmers to stop working and planting.

Sugar workers were used in those days to sabotage the sugar industry, calling unwanted strikes, burning of canefields, businessmen to stop investing, etc. He said that the PPP used the race card and its people as the tool in making this country an underdeveloped country and soon it will happen.

Well, I can now say that the businessman was well on track and knows his country and politicians. Indeed, history will bring the tears of those years back to the elder’s memory and make us as young ones learn, so that we should not repeat such great mistakes again.

It is very much evident today that the PPP has an agenda to ensure that Guyana once again becomes a poor nation. But this time they will fail and fail tremendously. Over the past few months or year, we saw the opposition making some very wild statements about Guyana’s economy. But let me state that indeed the economy is slower now than when the PPP was in power.

That is because the DEA is now active in Guyana under the APNU+AFC government and lots of the money that uses to circulate on the drug trade that pushed the economy up is no more.

Look at the amount of drugs (cocaine) being found on a weekly basis since this government took office. Look at some of the mega businesses that have closed their doors since the DEA came and let’s look at the reason\s, why they had to stop doing business.

The PPP is not interested in Guyana’s development, but the oil money. They wanted to build more Pradovilles, beach\pool houses, etc. They wanted to see Guyana down to the ground in the economic sector and that there must not be development. That is why the leader of the opposition and his cabals are running and jumping about lying to the Guyanese people. They are going to the sugar workers telling them that sugar has a future and that this government don’t want sugar to stay. Well, the sugar workers must understand that sugar is in crisis all over the world, not here alone.

PPP and GAWU are asking the workers to strike every week so that they cannot make days pay. I am also made to understand that some of the man-

agement at the various estates that are affiliated to the PPP are sabotaging the entire processes of those estates. Only last week I was told that some 450 bags of sugar that were stolen was found in the Kayman Sankar compound at Blairmont.

Sugar workers must understand that the PPP is using them to gain political will to make the industry worst. If the PPP is so interested in the welfare of the sugar workers, why is it that they took away several benefits, misplaced NIS contributions and closed estates?

The opposition is telling the rice farmers to stop planting. But the opposition is not saying, who will feed the families of the rice farmers, who will take care of their needs and livelihoods?.

I do believe that every rice farmer is making a profit when the crop ends and if anyone say to me they are not, then they are lying. The PPP should look at the rice industry worldwide and then talk to the farmers. Don’t talk because you want to stagger the rice industry or should I say cripple it.

The PPP and its leaders, including its GS over the past months, are going around telling people of the hardship of this country. But they are not telling the people where they normally

dwell, especially in the fancy restaurants, bars, etc. They exclude the GS are not telling the people the amount of children they have living and studying overseas that are being funded by them (PPP Leaders).

The PPP leaders are going to the people who are said to be the economic powerhouse of this land and telling them that things are going real bad and they need to close their businesses down, stop working and planting rice, stop making a better living and let’s tear Guyana’s future apart.

They (PPP) feel by doing that it will make them get into power. But what they are actually doing is telling those people who they truly believe are their supporters to suffer the country for our (PPP cabals) political gains.

They (PPP) are using you(sugar workers, businessmen, rice farmers, youths and all others) to ensure that their personal agendas are being met. They want the people to suffer and cry foul for a meal.

The PPP is back to its agenda of decades ago and the businessman from Rosignol is correct to say that the PPP will be fooling their supporters, who are said to be the economic powerhouse of the land, so as to bring Guyana down once again. They will use

the working class to better themselves and gain political points.

But long gone are the days when workers will burn the cane fields, destroy their rice crops, starve their families for politicians and moreover being made a political football. The PPP if interested must come to the floor and join hands in making Guyana a better place by stopping the inciting of racism and economic shutdown.

If the PPP cabal truly love Guyana, they will work with the government in ensuring that Guyana rises to the occasion as we welcome oil finds that will enable all Guyanese to be better. The APNU+AFC Government must now brace itself for what can be the worstturn scenario in the business and working sectors as the PPP leaders are going around spreading hatred and urging businesses to stop their operations. I urge the citizens of this land of ours to look deep into the hearts of the PPP and realise what they are fighting for and what they want. For sure, they are not fighting for the people’s betterment, but for their personal betterment and gains.

Regards Abel Seetaram

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 29, 2017

CH&PA hails housing expo a success

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-- East Ruimveldt resident wins free house lot East Ruimveldt, Georgetown resident Georgia French who applied for a house lot some 17 years ago emerged winner of a free house lot from the Ministry of Communities when the draw involving hundreds of participants was held Sunday evening at the first ever housing solution expo at Perseverance, East Bank Demerara.

A delighted French could hardly contain her excitement at the announcement and Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lelon Saul has hailed the expo which thus far saw hundreds in attendance and will conclude today, a resounding success.

During the first two days, score of persons visited the Ministry of Communities’ booth and Saul said the information gathered will be used by the Ministry to inform future housing solutions drive.

He noted that the information gathered will be used by the Ministry to inform future housing solutions drive.

Persons flocked the Ministry’s booth during the first two days of the exhibition to get information on application processes and updates on existing applications.

Some persons waited patiently to have their matters heard while others endured earlier in the day to have their names entered to be part of a drawing for a free houselot.

Visitors at the expo wasted no time in getting the relevant information about financing and insurance for their prospective properties.

Republic Bank, Scotia Bank, the New Building Society, and Nalico among other financial institutions were on hand to provide visitors with information on the services they offer.

Diane Khandi of Republic Bank told this publication that scores of persons visited their booth and many were interested in the loan application process and requirements.

NBS Deputy CEO Anil Beharry said the society was almost overwhelmed by visitors, particularly on the first day of the expo.

The NBS dubs itself the “home loan specialist in the country” and Beharry said several persons were able to qualify for housing loans.

Some visitors at the expo spoke favourably of the duplex homes, the highlight of the expo.

Dennis Hamilton of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, said the elevated two-bedroom duplex is small for him since he has to cater for friends and family.

“It is nice and good… the duplex is ok, but it will be for the needs of those who want that type of home.

Not everybody will need this same type.”

The Nedds, a family of four from Mocha, East Bank Demerara were ecstatic about the duplex houses.

“I like it. It looks comfortable for a small family like ours,” Mrs. Nedd said, noting that the layout of the upstairs and downstairs is exquisite.

The Charles’ from Linden, Region 10 also said they preferred an elevated duplex.

Mrs. Charles said her family of three did not want

the upstairs and downstairs duplex, but preferred the elevated model since they had the option of building the downstairs to their liking.

The housing expo also featured a range of building materials, some complementing the government’s green drive.

Guyanese-owned Canadian company, Greenheart, had on display their magnesium wallboards while LITEBUILT Concrete Guyana had on show their interlocking blocks which are heat-resistant, lightweight and use less cement when building.

Other materials included LED power-saving materials and solar powered systems.

The Ministry of Communities had warned private contractors to keep the structures they built within the price range agreed in their contract.

Some low income homes were being sold for $9M and a few contractors contend that the features they added to the property caused them to increase the price.

East Ruimveldt, Georgetown resident Georgia French receives documents for her free house lot from Minister within the Ministry of Communities with Responsibility for Housing Valarie Patterson as others look on

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 29, 2017

End the deadlock –– Ramkarran urges President Granger and Opposition Leader Jagdeo to engage on constitutional reform

FORMER Speaker of the National Assembly, Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran, has issued a call to President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to talk about Constitutional reform and find a way to get the process moving.

In his weekly blog, Ramkarran said, “The time has come for APNU+AFC and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to end the deadlock and get on with what they both promised.”

The attorney noted that because of the country’s ethnic divide, primarily between the Africans and East Indians, the country remains politically challenged.

“It is because of all these issues facing Guyana, undergirded by a political structure in which neither major ethnic group has confidence unless that group is perceived to control political power, that the Carter Center has called for constitutional reform,” he stated.

The Carter Center in its report on the May 2015 General and Regional Elections, said the 2004 winner-take-all system here does not serve the country’s interest, given its demographic patterns and history of entrenched ethnic voting.

“In this system, the party (and ethnic group) that wins a plurality of the votes claims all executive and legislative power except in the rare cases of opposition majorities in the National Assembly.

“This exclusionary governance system fuels ethnic insecurity and is a factor in Guyana’s long-running ethnic conflict.

“While this dynamic has changed somewhat since the Herdmanston reforms and the rise of a successful third political party in 2005, this does not obviate the need for further constitutional reforms,” the Center noted.

The coalition government during the lead-up to the May 2015 elections,had committed to having constitutional reform so as to achieve inclusive governance and power-sharing.

As such, the Carter Center called on the PPP to “engage fully in what should be an open process inclusive of all stakeholders.”

Meanwhile, Ramkarran noted that the APNU+AFC has shown the way and the PPP has not rejected constitutional reform either in principle or APNU+AFC proposals.

“The APNU+AFC has proposed in its last manifesto the following: separate

presidential elections; the requirement for 50 per cent +1 to win; the person who comes second in the presidential race to become the prime minister; and every party that wins 15 per cent or more of the votes to be entitled to seats in the government.”

ETHNO/POLITICAL RIVALRY He said too that Guyana’s ethno/political rivalry has long created a level of instability that it has become one of the main obstacles to economic growth, resulting in experts concluding that the instability affects foreign investments.

“With ethno/political division being the major ‘problematic’ in Guyana’s politics, it has now become routine political correctness to call for unity and cohesion. While this is a laudable objective, it is a long-term project and progress would be slow and imperceptible,” Ramkarran said.

In observance of the country’s 51st independence anniversary, President David Granger called for there to be a unified Guyana and in his independence Day address themed, ‘ Diversity and Destiny’, the President stressed

the need for social cohesion by learning to accept and respect each citizen’s values and beliefs, as well as to share “the common space we call our homeland.”

He noted that Independence Day celebrates the unique combination of people who came to Guyana: the Africans, Chinese, Indians and Portuguese, who with the Amerindians have contributed to the “creation of a multi-racial and multi-religious state.”

“The ‘free state’ is one that is free from discrimination; it is one that is built on the basis of respect for cultural diversity, political inclusivity and social equality,” said the head-of-state.

Similarly, Ramkarran said that the six peoples that created a diverse Guyana live here under the same roof, resulting in the understanding of differing historical experiences, and cultural and religious practices.

COMPARTMENTALISED LIVES “But the reality is that the main ethnic groups in Guyana live compartmentalised lives, whether in mixed communities or not, separated by our differences, and hardly ever interacting socially, culturally or politically. We are different

nations, living separate lives, subsisting in the same homeland and competing for scarce resources,” the attorney stated.

The attorney said too that many believe that partisanship has always determined how the country’s resources are distributed and each side claims to have ‘proof’ of many examples to justify discrimination and need for redress. “ G u y a n a ’s p o l i t i c a l course is no different from any other country with large ethnic groups. Our political parties have developed around our two large ethnic groups which, through ethnic-based political parties, compete with each other for political power. The intensity of the competition is conditioned by our own development.”

Ramkarran believes that the situation here is intense, perhaps conditioned by the killings, burnings and lootings of the 1960s and political disturbances more recently.

Additionally, the former speaker made the point that there have been many other challenges relative to corruption and the next elections.

NO DENT Despite the loud talk, new policing laws and in-

Former Speaker of the N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y, Ralph Ramkarran stitutions, no dent in corruption has been noticed.

It is as pervasive as it was in the past, though less noticeable because there is less government spending. This tells us that the culture of corruption, once entrenched, is extremely difficult to eradicate.

On the issue of selecting a new Chairman for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Ramkarran described the rejection of the first list submitted by the Opposition as “unexpected and surprising.”

“If the rumours that the second list is also to be rejected proves to be true, serious questions will emerge as to whether the APNU+AFC coalition government wants an independent chair and, if not, why not,” added Ramkarran.

Albouystown Health Centre re-opens today AFTER being closed close to a year for repairs, the Albouystown Health Centre is set for re-opening today.

A formal opening ceremony is planned, at which Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence is expected to deliver the feature address.

The health centre had been out of order since around June, 2016, and City Engineer Colvern Venture had often cited lack of finances as a problem.

Councillor Malcolm Ferreira had expressed concern that due to the stalling of repair works at the facility, persons have been using it for all manner of things, including as a place to have sex. This, he told a Council meeting, was brought to his attention by residents in the said

community.

Mayor Patricia Chase-Green had concurred that a number of unwholesome activities are carried out around the centre, because there is no security there. She had said earlier this year that the clinic would have had a February opening.

She had noted that oftentimes, people would lime in their vehicles outside of the centre while drinking alcohol and playing loud music.

As a result of the non-functional facility, the mayor also noted that there have been complaints of financial strain on residents, who had to make their way to the Dorothy Bailey Health Centre on South Road or to the one in Festival City to access services.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 29, 2017

Region Seven urged to work in unity –– towards making ‘the good life’ a reality MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, has reminded Region Seven residents of the big plans the government has in store for them as she called on them to help make those plans a reality.

The minister was delivering the feature address on Thursday evening at the 51st independence flag-raising ceremony at Bartica, held under the theme, “Unity in diversity in a ‘green’ economy.”

Present were Region Seven Mayor, Mr Gifford Marshall; its Regional Executive Officer (REO), Mr Roderick Edinboro; and regional and municipal councillors.

Minister Ferguson explained to the huge gathering that since the APNU+AFC coalition took office two years ago, it has been continuously working to restore the neglected regions in Guyana, especially Bartica.

Hence, in 2016, the gov-

ernment undertook several ambitious and transformative projects, including the reconstruction of the Bartica-Potaro road to Five Miles, rehabilitation of the Puruni-Itabali Road, construction of the Apanachi Bridge to 26 Miles, Issano, and rehabilitation and construction of drains and bridges in Bartica.

Most importantly, plans for the ‘Green Bartica’ project are stepping up, as the municipality is set to receive a grant from the Office of Climate Change shortly, to aid in the implementation of the project. She also highlighted the enhancement and upgrade of the Bartica stelling, which is currently ongoing.

The minister noted that most of the foregoing projects have been completed, and that increasing efforts are being made to complete the others before the end of 2017.

Stressing the need for unity to make it all come

together, Minister Ferguson declared: “We are not like some who talk and divide; we preach unity and mean unity...

“I urge you, as Guyanese, to fight against those who continuously seek to divide us as a nation; I encourage you to support your leaders as they develop new initiatives to move Bartica, and to create ‘The Good Life’ for all citizens.”

She also posited that this government continues to work to realise its manifesto promises, and has been delivering. She listed as being among those achievements increases in old age pension and public servants’ salaries; the establishment of 51 new ICT hubs across Guyana; and a reduction of VAT to 14 per cent, all of which Barticians have also benefitted from. “Bartica, since gaining township status in 2016, I am aware that your region and communities have changed; and there are many [more]

Police help flood-relief efforts COMMANDER of ‘F’ Division (interior), Senior Superintendent Ravindradat Budhram and police ranks on Saturday dispatched supplies to flood-affected communities in Region Eight.

The commander said the supplies were donated by the business community as a result of good police/ public relations.

Residents said they are

heartened that the Guyana Police Force was supportive and had made the donation.

They also expressed satisfaction with the response of the Government to their needs after the devastating flash floods which left several homes destroyed and villagers displaced.

A team comprising representatives from the Ministry of Public Health, the

Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs and the Guyana Water Incorporated had visited the affected communities to conduct further assessments of the damage and impact to housing, agriculture and water.

More than 3,000 residents have been affected by the floods and homes, farms and roads have been destroyed.

Commander Budhram (second from left) with CDC representatives and policeman with some of the supplies donated

changes coming your way,” Minister Ferguson said.

“As we celebrate another year as an independent nation, let us unite and embrace nation- building,” she concluded.

Mayor Marshall, who voiced similar sentiments as Minister Ferguson, urged his fellow Barticians to work together to move the newly established township forward, stressing that there is a lot of work yet to be done, which can only be accomplished by bridging the gap of disunity.

“Guyana can and will move forward, only if we work together,” he said, adding: “For too long we’ve been neglected and left out from the decision-making process

in Guyana, but as the government seeks to promote unity, three Barticians are seated on three important boards, namely: Housing, Health and the National Communications Network.”

The mayor further illustrated several plans underway for Bartica, including the soon-to- be-completed boulevard, an enhanced community centre ground, and the Green Bartica Project.

Mayor Marshall lauded the government for these initiatives, which he said will certainly improve the standard of life for not only Bartica, but Region Seven at large. During the event, the gathering was reminded to never forget the great leaders who fought for Guyana’s

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson freedom.

Residents from across the region displayed their talents and skills through song, dance, poetry, drama and comedy. (GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 29, 2017

Discipline against punishment

MY big sister and I arrived home late from a visit to the park. Mummy told us to be home by four ‘o’ clock and it was now minutes to five. It wasn’t my fault, Jenny, my 12- year-old sister was very popular, she got caught up with her friends and before we both realised, it was way past four.

I walked behind her from the front door as we entered the living room where mummy was sitting patiently holding a belt, as we came in, she pointed at the clock and said, ‘Read de time deh.’

Jenny nervously answered, ‘Ten minutes to five mummy’ My mother continued, ‘...And is

wha’ time I tell you to reach home?’. ‘Four o clock’ Jenny replied. My mother got up and walked towards us, ‘Smell this leather’, she put the belt to our noses and made us smell the thick brown leather, ‘What I beating you for?’ she asked and we both replied nervously in our individual ways (anticipating the stinging lashes that were yet to reach our skin) ‘For coming home late mummy…

Ow mummy I sorry mummy, no mummy don’t beat we…’ We pleaded, but it was too late, lashes began to rain down on both of us. Soon our arms and legs, back and belly stung with the lashes. No sooner had we soothed one lash

when another one came down on an unsuspecting part of our skin.

I learnt early on during these beating sessions that it was better to make a lot of loud, crying noises and say ‘I sorry mummy’ as many times as possible, as soon as possible so the incident could be over faster. If you did anything like raise your hand to block a lash or try to prevent mummy from raising hers , that was tantamount to defiance and mummy would ask ‘You fighting me, you fighting me?...

And if you ever dared to accept the ‘licks’ boldly without crying or bawling, mummy would say, ‘You playing a woman, you not crying? I gan beat

you ‘til you cry.’ So this was our punishment for coming home late and did we ever come home late again? I can’t remember off-hand, but I would say that we did.

Let me just finish up on the ‘beating’ ritual.

After a while of beating, mummy would say ‘pass and put your face in the corner ’ and we would have to get past her to somewhere else in the house to put our faces in separate corners of a room: of course, as we ducked past her she’d put in one last lash on our backs or legs. I remember thinking, why doesn’t she just talk to us? Even at my tender age of eight, I knew that if she had just sat us down and explained things, I would understand and I wouldn’t do anything to deliberately upset her or make her worry.

This was my reasoning as a child, it was plain and simple, I didn’t need ‘licks,’ I needed communication. I wonder how many children still suffer the same fate? A parent lacks the skill to communicate with their child on a level of mutual reasoning, understanding and acceptance and so relies on a belt to do the talking for them.

Some people say that beating a child is a form of discipline, but isn’t beating a child a form of punishment? Discipline is about training a child in the right way, showing them (usually by example) the correct way things should be: Communicating with them and nurturing them ,so they have an understanding of life and know that boundaries exist to guide them.

Obviously, along the way

children will make mistakes, have accidents, do wrong things and exhibit unacceptable behaviour, they need discipline, but many parents punish their children by beating them instead of disciplining them: but discipline is what you do ‘for a child’ and not what you do ‘to a child’.

It is time parents realise that there are several ways to reprimand children that doesn’t require beating them and in these modern times, communication is the key. Get to know your child and find levels of communication and understanding that will help you bond for life.

Your child is precious, savour every moment of your time together.

Make their childhoods memorable in a positive way.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 29, 2017

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‘Put aside your differences’

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Ms Dawn Hastings-Williams; Brazil’s Vice-Consulate to Lethem, Ms Liza Mari; Region Nine Chairman, Mr Brian Allicock; Lethem Mayor, Mr Carlton Beckles; Member of Parliament, Mr Alister Charlie; and regional executives and personnel of the armed forces in Guyana and Brazil

–– Lethem residents urged at flag-raising ceremony LETHEM, in Region N i n e ( U p p e r Ta k u tu-Upper Essequibo) on Thursday evening joined several other regions in celebrating Guyana’s 51st independence anniversary under the theme, “Unity and Diversity in a ‘Green’ Economy.”

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Ms Dawn Hastings-Williams, told residents there that they have much to celebrate since the new administration took office.

“Lethem has always been known to be the land with a world of possibilities and lots of potential,” Minister Hastings-Williams noted.

One such potential, she said, had to do with President David Granger officially declaring it a town on October 21, 2015; another was the holding of Local Government Elections after a long break.

And the new administration had very good reason for taking either decision, the minister said, “because it wanted you to play a greater role in the decision-making process, so that your plans and dreams for the region can become a reality, since potential is here.”

But in order for the region to advance, the minister said, its residents will need to put aside their differences and work towards its goals. And once that is done, and those goals are

being met, she said, then Lethem will be well on its way to becoming a model town.

Regional Chairman Brian Allicock spoke about the plans for Region Nine for 2017. Noting that the region is open and willing to use its human resources to further its development, he encouraged the residents to join the public service system, so they can be meaningfully employed in their region and be able to develop both its economy and infrastructure.

He also thanked the Guyana Police Force for the work it has been doing over the years to reduce crime in the jurisdiction, and committed to supporting them on all grounds.

Lethem Mayor Mr Carlton Beckles said the township is on a path of becoming a capital town, which is at another level of governance.

The mayor noted that because of the decentralisation of authority, Lethem is now able to decide on the quality of roads they want, and to plan and execute their own town week activities.

“Never allow anyone to make you a hostage to your past!” he declared, adding: “Even more critically, never allow your own thinking to mire you in the past to failure!”

(GINA)

The Golden Arrowhead being raised at the 51st independence flag-raising ceremony in Lethem

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 29, 2017

Cummings hails developmental progress in Region One THE concept of unity, diversity and a green economy was packaged in a programme that showcased

Region One’s rich multi-racial heritage.

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of the region

observed the country’s 51st independence anniversary on Thursday evening with a wide array of cultural items

and addresses by speakers from both sides of the National Assembly, as well as regional bodies.

The event was held at the Mabaruma Settlement ground with hundreds in attendance.

The programme, which brought together people from all walks of life, was opened with prayers. This was followed by a packed cultural segment where students from Hosororo Primary, North West Secondary and other surrounding schools, as well as local churches performed songs and dances.

The key speaker of this event, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, seized the opportunity to dwell on this year’s independence theme, “Unity in diversity, in a green economy.”

“The Guyanese population is diverse. We are a people of six races, with varying religious backgrounds, political affiliations, sexual orientations, intellectual capacity, varying abilities and skill sets. We live in an era of increasing globalisation with the constant movement of people between countries and across borders, which also bring other aspects of diversity to our beautiful land,” Minister Cummings said.

The minister said this is based on the premise of Michael Novak’s quote, which explains unity in diversity.

“Michael Novak once said, and I quote ‘Unity in diversity is the highest possible attainment of a civilisation, a testimony to the most noble possibilities of the human race. This attainment is made possible through passionate concern for choice in an atmosphere of social trust.’”

The minister highlighted to residents that there has been massive developments within the region and urged cooperation within the Barima -Waini region to realise greater results.

Wi t h c o o p e r a t i o n ,

now walk on our own.” Croal added that when Guyana became an independent nation, the country’s national symbols had indicated that ‘we are a united nation.’

Meanwhile, Region One Chairman Brentnol Ashley

Some of those in attendance at the flag-raising ceremony Guyana can easily be transformed into a green economy, she said. The APNU+AFC government has the objective of transitioning Guyana to a green economy status in keeping with international standards and agreements, Minister Cummings noted.

As Guyana transitions into a green economy, new, innovative technology is required, Dr Cummings added.

Opposition Member of Parliament, Colin Croal, encouraged those present to think about the future generation, since all the developments which Guyanese work together for will eventually benefit those to come.

“Guyana has achieved as a country, we have evolved and we have moved to ensure that as a baby grows we can

pleaded with residents to see each other through the eyes of humanity. This, he said, will cause residents to be their brother’s keepers, allowing them to work together for the greater good of the country.

“As we celebrate under one banner, under one flag our Golden Arrowhead, let us continue to stand strong, let us continue to be the diverse people we are, but yet united, to make not only Region One, but all of Guyana a greater state,” Ashley remarked.

Region One observed this year’s independence anniversary with a suicide-prevention rally under the theme, ‘Take a minute, Change a life.’ Other activities -- including sports -- are expected to be observed in observance of the 51st independence anniversary.

(GINA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 29, 2017

Supplementary funding needed –– to address Regions Seven and Eight flood woes, says PPP LESS than two weeks after heavy rains pounded Regions Seven and Eight, causing widespread flooding there, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is calling on government to visit the National Assembly with supplementary requests to address the disaster.

According to the Opposition party in a statement, the supplementary requests are vital to comprehensively address the level and breadth of destruction and its aftermath on the affected communities in the near future.

Following the floods, government officials have been on the ground monitoring the situation and providing assistance to the affected residents. Several non-governmental organisations and individuals have also pitched in their support.

The PPP also said it recognises that climate change and more unpredictable and intense weather patterns will make many communities in Guyana more vulnerable.

And on that note, it called on the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to extend its disaster preparedness master plan and operational mechanisms to all the regions, and to respond more effectively to natural disasters.

The Opposition party said government should spare no effort in its response to the floods and to meet the immediate, short and medium-term needs of the affected villages and residents.

Heavy rainfall, the main cause of the overflowing of Chenapau and Ireng rivers, caused severe flooding in the villages of Chenapau, Kaibarupai, Waipa, Sand Hills, Itabac and Kanapang in Region Eight.

In Region Seven, the villages of Kako, Wowetta, Jawalla, Waramadong, Imbaimadai, Phillipai, Amakokopai, Quebenang and Purima have also been affected by heavy rainfall.

The PPP said it recognises the severity and extent of the destruction of personal properties and belongings, crops and farms, community and public infrastructure affecting more than 3000 residents of the flooded villages.

The party also said it remains in touch with the people in communities affected and assures residents that it will continue to monitor the situation.

“The PPP is hopeful that the floodwaters will continue to recede and that the emergency response by the government and its agencies to the flood-affected villages will be stepped up, so that they can return to normalcy as soon as possible. The immediate needs of the affected communities – clean water, food supplies, medicines and emergency health workers must be the focus.

“Preparations for the short and medium-term needs of the communities to get back on their feet and reconstruct their homes, replace lost belongings, receive seeds and plants, so that they can start back cultivation and repairing and rebuilding community infrastructure, including roads and bridges, must also begin now,” the PPP contended.

It also called on government to ensure that the Regional Democratic Councils of the two affected regions, and, the toshaos and the Amerindian Village Councils are fully involved and integrated into this response operation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 29, 2017

Diaspora development plan shortly, says Harmon

Minister Harmon and team along with officials of MedShare

THE Government of Guyana is to finalise shortly, a comprehensive Diaspora Development Plan, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said on Saturday.

Speaking at the Ex Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Reunion 2017 Dinner, the retired army colonel now government minister advised that just last week the administration of President David Granger outlined its diaspora strategy, which will now be transformed into a plan.

“It is the intention of the government to put our engagement with our citizens in the diaspora on a firm footing,” Harmon told the gathering of some 250 Guyanese, mainly former officers and ranks of the GDF. He pointed out that Guyana again is on the rise “and with this has seen renewed interest in national life by all our people at home and in the diaspora.”

Harmon told the defence force veterans that President Granger, himself a retired Brigadier and former commander of the GDF, “has made a commitment to examine and correct the circumstances under which our veterans live.”

To this end, he made reference to a just completed commission of inquiry which has resulted in 79 recommendations which are now being considered for action.

Harmon updated his audience on developments in Guyana, including the discovery of oil and gas and plans for drilling, as well as about infrastructural development.

He also identified areas open for investment and encouraged Guyanese abroad to pursue some of these opportunities.

Three retired top GDF officers, Colonel “Pluto” Martindale’, Colonel Carl Morgan and Lt Colonel Arnold Godette received awards from the ex-GDF

Officers Association for their distinguished service to the military.

Tributes were also paid to some 100 deceased officers. Hundreds of Guyanese, if not thousands, converged in Atlanta, Georgia, for celebration of Guyana’s 51st independence anniversary, which coincides with the Memorial Day weekend and Caribbean Carnival.

Harmon is representing President Granger, who was invited for the celebration.

He has been attending several events as well as having meetings with non-profit and business organisations. On Friday evening, he attended a meet-and-greet hosted by the Guyanese Association of Georgia which attracted hundreds.

On Saturday, Minister Harmon was hosted to brunch by Dr. Charles Steele Jr, president of the National Southern Christian Leadership Conference (NSCLC) and a team from the conference that included the vice mayor of the City of College Park, Joe Carn.

The discussions focused on possible investment in Guyana by minority-owned businesses as well as promotion of Guyana’s eco-tourism product. A team from the NSCLC is expected to visit Guyana shortly.

Harmon also Saturday visited MEDSHARE, a non-profit organisation which facilitates access by governments and non-governmental organisations to bio medical equipment and supplies.

These discussions focused on the Guyana government and NGOs accessing the equipment and supplies through the organisation’s programmes.

Harmon also addressed Guyanese at a brunch Sunday and later in the day participated in the annual Guyana Family Day hosted by the Guyana Association.

(Wesley Kirton)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 29, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 29, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 29, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 29, 2017

Junior athletes perform well at Independence Meet

By Tamica Garnett SPRINT double wins from Linden’s Compton Caesar and Daniel Williams were just some of the highlights from several of the athletes on the national junior team at the Independence Track and Field Meet that concluded yesterday at the National Track and Field Centre, in Leonora.

As they prepare for this weekend’s South American Junior Championships, several athletes from the national Under- 20 team gave a glimpse of how well they can perform at next weekend’s South American Junior Championships which will be held at the same venue.

CARIFTA Games gold medallist, Compton Caesar continued in fine form to blaze ahead of GDF’s Rupert Perry in the men’s 200m to claim the sprint double, while Williams did the same in the boys’ 16 – 17 category.

On the distaff side, Onasha Rogers won the girls’ 200m challenge against Guyana Defence Force’s Kenisha Phillips, in a season’s best 24.48 seconds. Finishing some way behind Rogers, Phillips clocked 24.70 seconds.

The timings come just one week before the athletes compete at next weekend’s South American Junior Championships at the same venue. Several of the athletes from the National under-20 team also put out commendable performances; in many cases dominating their senior counterparts.

For the 200m win, Caesar completed the race in a time of 21.42 seconds. Just the day before he was again in front of Perry, taking the men’s 100m in 10.47 sec-

onds. Finishing in third was South American Youth Championships silver medalist, Tyrell Peters who clocked 10.72 seconds.Peters is also on the national under 20 team.

C A R I F TA G a m e s gold medallist Chantoba Bright,as was expected, won the long jump and triple jump, clearing a best of 5.96m in the long jump on Saturday, and 12.18m in yesterday’s triple jump.

Williams was just too good for the other competitors in the 200m which he won convincinly in 22.10 seconds.

In Saturday’s 100m he clocked 10.80 seconds.

Both times he finished ahead of Jermaine King.

Over in the long distances, Anfernee Headecker overwhelmed his competitors in the men’s 1500m run, finishing in just over four minutes (4:06), ahead of Matthew McKenzie who came in at 4:15.08s.

Claudrice McKoy ruled the women’s 1500m with a time of 4:51.16s; followed

by Leyanna Charles who had a time of 5:05.89s.

South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:30 hrs Nordic Leader 09:05 hrs Sanctuary 09:40 hrs Pippin 10:15 hrs Kingoftheworld 10:45 hrs Mandolin English Racing Tips Redcar 08:15 hrs Valley Of Rocks 08:50 hrs Pobbles 09:25 hrs Yoprkshiredebut 10:00 hrs Visitant 10:55 hrs King Bolete 11:10 hrs Mdnight Warrior Huntingdon 08:30 hrs Petrucci 09:00 hrs Vodka Wells 09:35 hrs Copperfacejack 10:10 hrs Captainofindustry 10:45 hrs Potterman Windsor 08:45 hrs Zabaletaswansong 09:20 hrs Fair Cop 09:55 hrs Turning The table 10:30 hrs Evergate 11:05 hrs Breden 11:40 hrs King Of Spin 12;15 hrs Rita’s Man 12:50 hrs Dangerous Ends Chemsford 08:55 hrs Headway 09:30 hrs Pearl Acclaim 10:05 hrs Dukes Meadow 10:40 hrs Masterson 11:15 hrs Isntshesomething 12:25 hrs Joysunny American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Brooklyn Speights Race 2 Fire Key Race 3 Giant Expectations Race 4 Fourstar Crook Race 5 Mc Sweetie Race 6 Kathryn the Wise Race 7 Syndergarrd Race 8 Diversify Race 9 Sweet Ella

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 29, 2017

Vettel emulates Schumacher as Ferrari end Monaco jinx

By Alan Baldwin MONACO,(Reuters)-Sebastian Vettel stretched his championship lead over Lewis Hamilton to 25 points on Sunday after becoming the first Ferrari driver since Michael Schumacher in 2001 to win Formula One’s showcase Monaco Grand Prix.

Team mate Kimi Raikkonen, on pole for the first time in nine years, lost out in the pitstops but secured a Ferrari one-two with Hamilton finishing seventh for Mercedes after starting 13th.

The German celebrated as jubilantly as his seven times champion compatriot would have done, whooping over the radio and beaming from the podium as mechanics sang the Italian national anthem.

“It’s obviously a great day for the team...great to get the points, great to get the win,”

said Vettel.

As with Schumacher in his pomp there was also a distinct whiff of ‘team orders’, with Raikkonen pitting first and Vettel staying out for a further five laps in a move that worked in his favour.

His 45th career win was the German’s third in six races but there was plenty of sympathy for Raikkonen, who last won with Lotus in 2013.

The Finn looked far from happy on the podium, staring fixedly ahead and taking gulps of the Champagne as Vettel sprayed his.

“It’s still second place but it doesn’t feel awful good,” he said. “It’s how it goes sometimes.”

“I know how it feels, it’s not a good feeling,” reigning champion Nico Rosberg, who retired at the end of last year after years of battling Hamilton at Mercedes, consoled

him as he conducted the postrace interviews on the finish straight.

Australian Daniel Ricciardo took his second successive podium with third place for Red Bull.

MINIMAL OVERTAKING In a race with plenty of sunshine and minimal overtaking, late crashes ensured the safety car made its traditional Monaco appearance.

While Raikkonen led for the first 34 laps, the writing was on the wall at the pitstops with a consensus emerging already before the start that Ferrari would favour the championship leader.

“It was a very tense race. I knew that (staying out) was the chance to win and I was able to use that window and come out ahead. After that I was able to control the gap behind,” said Vettel.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel celebrates winning the race. Reuters / Max Rossi

What had been a processional race, with the wider new cars making overtaking more difficult, turned into sudden drama with a collision between Jenson Button’s McLaren and Pascal Wehrlein’s Sauber at the tunnel entrance.

We h r l e i n ’s c a r w a s flipped on its side against the tyre wall and fence, with the German driver trapped inside and marshals unable to do anything about it, after Button went down the inside

in what looked like a wildly optimistic attempt to pass.

Button parked his damaged car at the other end of the tunnel with the safety car deployed.

Wehrlein’s team mate Marcus Ericsson then ploughed straight on into the barriers at the first corner with 13 laps remaining.

Ricciardo gained his places on strategy, with Dutch team mate Max Verstappen venting his fury over the radio with

some pithy language after discovering he was behind his team mate despite starting in front.

Verstappen finished fifth, behind Valtteri Bottas for Mercedes, with Carlos Sainz sixth for Toro Rosso. Frenchman Romain Grosjean was eighth.

Brazilian Felipe Massa was ninth for Williams and Denmark’s Kevin Magnussen took the final point for Haas. Mexican Sergio Perez was 13th, ending his run of 15 successive points finishes for Force India.

Former champions McLaren’s hopes of a first point of the season had already disappeared 12 laps from the end when Belgian rookie Stoffel Vandoorne, who had been 10th, crashed at the same place as Ericsson.

Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg was the first to retire, pulling over at the tunnel entrance with smoke coming out of the rear of his Renault on lap 16.

Kvitova makes emotional winning comeback at French Open

By Julien Pretot PARIS,(Reuters)-Victory was a bonus for Petra Kvitova as the Czech lefthander made an emotional return to the limelight at the French Open on Sunday, breezing into the second round in her first competitive match since a burglar stuck a knife through her playing hand.

“As I said last time, I had already won. This match is special to me. I won for the second time, if I can say,” she told reporters after become the first player to advance following a 6-3 6-2 win against American Julia Boserup.

“It wasn’t really about the game today. Yesterday I was thinking how everything would be, and I couldn’t really imagine how it would be.

“I thought maybe I’d cry when I’d step on the court, but I didn’t today.

Normally I can control my emotions on the court and I’m so I’m happy that I kind of did it, as well, this time,” Kvitova added, although she admitted getting more emotional after the match.

The 27-year-old, who dropped her racket and hid some tears behind her hands after match point, had spent five months out of the game since undergoing emergency surgery in December when she was stabbed during a burglary.

The twice Wimbledon champion, a semi-fi-

nalist at Roland Garros in 2012, looked poised and focussed, treating the sparse Court Philippe Chatrier crowd to a few exquisite drop shots and lightning-quick forehands.

For a while, it almost felt like the attack had never happened.

Asked how her hand felt, she replied: “I didn’t feel any differences, which is nice.

“After a little break when the rain came, I caught the racket and it was a little bit weird, but after one point everything was OK.”

she double-faulted, she opened a 2-0 lead by breaking in the second game.

Mixing winners and unforced errors in almost equal measure, Kvitova had three break points to go 4-0 up but Boserup saw them off, although she could not fully overturn the advantage. The Czech 15th seed, who is benefiting from a protected ranking, took the opening set with a solid half volley.

She broke twice in the second, sealing victory when Boserup netted a forehand.

Kvitova dropped her

Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova celebrates winning her first round match against USA’s Julia Boserup. Reuters / Pascal Rossignol

Kvitova ended up wasting little time on court as she set up a second-round meeting with either Russian Evgeniya Rodina or American Bethanie Mattek-Sands.

After an early blip when

racket and held her head in her hands, her eyes filling with tears while her support team, wearing T-shirts marked “Courage, Belief, Pojd” (Come on! in Czech), celebrated wildly.

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 29, 2017

Top seed Kerber knocked out of French Open

By John Stonestreet PARIS,(Reuters)-World number one Angelique Kerber’s nightmare season hit a new low on Sunday when, with expectations weighing heavily after a stellar 2016, she was dumped out of the French Open 6-2 6-2 by 40th-ranked Ekaterina Makarova.

The German became the first top seeded woman to lose in the opening round of the French Open since the sport turned professional in 1968 -- and the disparity between the players in her Russian opponent’s favour was as wide as the scoreline suggests.

Cutting a troubled figure on court a world away from the feisty baseliner

who last season battled her way to two grand slam titles, Kerber lacked the pace and power to trouble her fellow left-hander.

Kerber, 29, has struggled this year, withdrawing from the Madrid Open with a thigh injury and going down in straight sets to qualifier Anna Kontaveit in Rome.

But Sunday’s setback - al-

Germany’s Angelique Kerber in action during her first round match against Russia’s Ekaterina MakarovaReuters / Pascal Rossignol

beit on a surface for which she has no great affection, having made an opening-round exit in Paris last year - threatens to leave her season in tatters.

That picture offers the starkest of contrasts with a spectacular 2016 that also brought her major wins in the Australian and U.S. Opens.

“Last year it was a completely different year. I mean, the pressure is always there,” she told a news conference.

“This year the expectations are much bigger, especially in the big tournaments...

and the expectations are also from me really big, of course, because I know what I can do.”

The German will be happy to leave Roland Garros behind, and hope to rediscover a game in which several cylinders are misfiring in time for Wimbledon, where she finished runner-up last year.

“Right now I think that I have to find to myself again and just trying to forgot the claycourt season as soon as possible,” she said.

Makarova - who had won four of her previous 11 encounters with Kerber - was making her first singles appearance on the Philippe Chatrier centre court as well as fighting against history.

But, arriving at Roland Garros high on confidence after having beaten Agnieszka Radwanska and Dominika Cibulkova on clay this year, she held her nerve to close out the match in a final game that featured five deuce points.

“I was also fighting with my emotions not to wait for a mistake (by Kerber),” she said courtside.

The Russian had imposed herself early in the first set, hitting a series of blistering forehand winners down both wings that Kerber often struggled to reach.

After briefly threatening a recovery in the eighth game, in which she held two break points, Kerber meekly surrendered the first set with a forehand that never looked like clearing the net.

The German dropped serve in the next game, with Makarova hitting another four clean forehand winners to consolidate her hold on the match.

Jamaicans Kelly, Johnson on target NEW YORK, (CMC) – In-form Jamaican striker Dane Kelly struck his 10th goal of the season while fellow countryman Jason Johnson netted his second, as their respective sides earned contrasting results in the United Soccer League on Saturday.

The 26-year-old Kelly was on target in the first half but he was unable to prevent Reno 1868 FC from sharing the points with Colorado Springs Switchbacks in a 3-3 stalemate.

Johnson, meanwhile, scored the game-winner from the spot as Phoenix Rising came from behind to beat LA Galaxy II, 2-1.

Phoenix Rising lie just outside the playoff spots in ninth on 12 points in the Western Conference while Reno are one place below but also on 12 points Playing at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs, Reno let a 2-0 half-time lead slip as the hosts hit back strongly with three second half goals.

The visitors were ahead through Antoine Hoppenot’s clinical finish in the 37th minute and doubled their lead five minutes later when an alert

Kelly dispossessed captain Rony Argueta on the edge of the box and beat goalkeeper Moise Pouaty with a low shot inside the right post from about 14 yards.

Kelly is the league leader in goals and his career-best 58 are also a USL league record.

Aaron King came off the bench to halve the lead for the Switchbacks in the

dash Reno’s hopes.

At the Stubhub Center Track Stadium in Carson, California, the 26-yearold Johnson converted a 61st minute penalty to decide the contest after scores were locked 1-1 at half-time.

Ariel Lassiter put Galaxy II ahead in the 13th minu t e b e f o r e E r i c Av i l a squared the game in the 32nd minute.

Jamaican striker Dane Kelly.

50 and eight minutes later they were level through the first of Jordan Burt’s two goals.

Hoppenot thought he had won it when he scored his second two minutes from time but Burt equalised three minutes later to th

Ironically, Lassiter then tripped Avila in the box, 15 minutes into the second half, and Johnson’s left-footed spot kick then ricochetted off goalkeeper Clement Diop’s glove en route to the right-hand corner, to settle the game.

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 29, 2017

Chappell believes four nations have a real shot at winning Champions Trophy IAN Chappell believes four teams in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 have a real shot at winning the tournament.

The 50-over tournament hosted by England is set to kick off on 1 June and go until 18 June. The former Australia captain has earmarked four nations that he sees as having the strongest squads.

“The four really strong squads are hosts England, defending champions India and perennial competitors Australia and South Africa,” Chappell wrote in his ESPN column.

The whole nation of England was rocked following the Manchester bombing that killed 22 people at an Ariana Grande concert last Monday (22 May). With security tightened up for the event, Chappell believes the tragedy will have an effect on the England players but could spur them on

The England ODI cricketers

to win the entire tournament if they focus on their cricket.

“The English are renowned for their stoicism in times of adversity and this trait will be fully tested under

Wimbledon qualifying to be broadcast across Europe for first time

By Ossian Shine LONDON,(Reuters)-Wimbledon’s qualifying tournament -- this year featuring Maria Sharapova -- will for the first time be televised across Europe, after Eurosport struck a deal with the All England Club.

The sports broadcaster holds rights for the twoweek grasscourt grand slam tournament, and will be including the qualifiers at Roehampton, south-west London, from June 26.

“We have already received terrific feedback from tennis fans following our live coverage of the qualifying tournaments from the Australian Open and Roland Garros this year, and we’re delighted to be able to do the same for Wimbledon too,” Eurosport CEO Peter Hutton said.

“There is likely to be some high-profile players taking part in the Wimbledon qualifiers in 2017, so we’re expecting huge interest in our coverage from right across Europe.”

Former Wimbledon champion Sharapova said she would not request a

wildcard for this year’s grasscourt championships after returning last month from a 15-month doping ban, and will instead attempt to qualify.

The June 26-29 qualifying tournament is played at the Bank of England Sports Grounds, and will be ticketed for the first time this year, with 1,000 tickets for sale at five pounds ($6.40) each. Proceeds will go to the Wimbledon Foundation.

Other changes to previous years include inflatable covers on two courts and an improved player lounge.

Asked earlier this month whether the changes were made with Sharapova’s possible presence in mind, All England Club chief executive Richard Lewis told the BBC: “I know it does seem very convenient timing but it is actually unrelated, genuinely unrelated, and we know that qualifying needs to continue to be improved, just like we improve facilities here at the championships. It’s part of an ongoing process.”

The main tournament will begin a week after the qualifiers on July 3.

the circumstances,” he added.

“Some players will cope better than others, but the ones who will fare the best are those who can overcome any anxieties and maintain their focus

on cricket while they are out on the field.”

Chappell also states that despite the Australia team currently being in a pay dispute with Cricket Australia

(CA), the issue has united the players, which could help them go all the way in England.

“The Australians are currently embroiled in a divisive pay dispute with their board, but the altercation has only served to unite the players,” he explained. “The sense that this dispute will further galvanise the Australian team was reinforced by skipper Steven Smith, when he indicated that winning the Champions Trophy would help the players in their negotiations with Cricket Australia.”

The cricket announcer also noted that the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) may help India in their preparations while praising them for their well-balanced attack.

“India don’t have the pace of the other three top bowling sides, but they do possess a well-balanced attack, capable of taking wick-

ets in any conditions.”

As for South Africa, who retained their place on top in the One Day International rankings, Chappell praised them for being well equipped both in the bowling and batting departments: “South Africa are the fourth powerhouse team and, even without the injured Dale Steyn, they possess a strong pace attack.

They also have the wily legspinner Imran Tahir seeking wickets in the middle overs, which is a crucial part of playing 50-over cricket successfully,” he said.

“The South African batting line-up is also powerful, but the team are yet to overcome the knockout-stage hoodoo that dogs them in tournaments. Despite assurances from skipper AB de Villiers in the 2015 World Cup that this was a thing of the past, they have done nothing to brush the monkey off their back.”

Kohli, Shami shine as India beat New Zealand in warm-up tie

LONDON: Defending champions India hit all the right chords during their resounding 45-run victory against New Zealand via Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-curtailed warm-up game where skipper Virat Kohli came good after an impressive show from the bowlers.

Comeback man Mohammed Shami (3/47 in 8 overs) along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/28 in 6.4 overs) shared bulk of the spoils to dismiss New Zealand for a meagre 189 in 38.4 overs.

In reply, India were 129 for 3 in 26 overs, when rain stopped play but they were comfortably ahead of the Black Caps as per Duckworth-Lewis par score of 84 after 26 overs.

Kohli started his English summer on a bright note hitting an unbeaten 52 off 55 balls while Mahendra Singh Dhoni also played some delightful strokes square off the wicket.

Shikhar Dhawan on his comeback got some quality time out there in the middle hitting 40 off 59 balls with the help of five boundaries, mostly square off the wicket.

Ajinkya Rahane (7), who is unlikely to find a place in the starting XI against Pakistan on June 4, did not do his case a world of good trying to hook a short-pitched delivery Tim Southee.

Dinesh Karthik (0) was given a chance as Kedar Jadhav is a certainty but he was all at sea against the swing.

But it was skipper Kohli, who did play a few uppish shots but controlled an easy run-chase adding 68 runs for the second wicket with Dhawan.

More importantly, Kohli got a fair amount of game time which will keep in good stead.

The two boundaries and a six were all square cuts.

The six could have gone into Colin de Grandhomme’s hands but he was a few yards inside the rope and missed the flight. The two boundaries were pure timing which generated a lot of power.

It was one such day where everything went in favour of India. Even though it’s practice game but Kohli

mi and Bhuvneshwar.

Former champions New Zealand’s in nings lasted 38.4 overs.

Playing in his first 50-over game for India since the 2015 World Cup semifinal, the 27-year-old Shami quickly got into the act and removed Martin Guptill in the third over, the extra bounce catching the batsman by surprise.

A 43-run partnership ensued between Luke Ronchi and Williamson, before Shami had the skipper caught at wide slip by a diving Ajinkya Rahane.

Shami struck again when he induced an edge from Neil Broom, reaping the benefits of some tight bowling, as the ball moved away slightly.

Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan added 68 for India’s second wicket.

(AFP Photo)

There was a straight drive off Adam Milne, a couple of cover drives off Tim Southee, an elegant pull-shot. There were a couple of uppish drives which could have gone into the hands of the fielder but Kohli looked positive.

Even Mahendra Singh Dhoni looked good during the brief stint at the crease.

will gain a lot of confidence from the victory after a string of demoralizing defeats in the recently concluded Indian Premier League.

Opting to bat after the coin landed in his favour, Kane Williamson’s side struggled to counter India’s disciplined bowling effort led by the pace duo of Sha-

Bhuvneshwar bowled Corey Anderson, while Ravindra Jadeja sent back Ronchi, at a good time from the Indian perspective as the Kiwi looked set for more.

Bhuvneshwar wrapped up the Kiwi innings by taking the wickets of Tim Southee and Trent Boult.

Ronchi top-scored for New Zealand with a brisk 66 off 63 balls, an innings that was studded with six boundaries and two sixes. (PTI)

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 29, 2017

Steelcity Warriors upstage Assassin to win Apollo Super Bash TORONTO, Canada – Underdogs, Steelcity Warriors upstaged Assassins to claim top honours when the Apollo Cricket Club Super Bash six-a-side five-over round-arm softball knockout competition came off with a bang last Saturday at Keele Top, North York, Toronto.

Entering the final as firm favourites with an experienced six-man squad, which included former Guyana skipper, Damodar Daesrath; former Guyana and West Indies Under-19 batsman, Hemnarine Chattergoon and former Berbice player, Loaknauth Ramsuchit who was at the helm, Assassins could only muster 48 all out in 4.5 overs in the six-over affair after electing to bat first.

Skipper Ramsuchit led from the front with an attacking 22 which included three massive sixes while Riaz Kadir supported with 20.

Avish Rukram, who a few years ago had the unique distinction of scoring over one thousand runs in a season, grabbed two

for five off just five deliveries of the fifth over as Assassins failed to bat out their quota of overs. Boodhu and Dennis Shiwlall supported with one wicket each.

Steelcity Warriors raced to the required total with three deliveries to spare, losing two wickets in the process with Rukhram completing a fine all-round performance with a match-win-

ning innings of 29 which contained two sixes and a four. Daesrath caused some amount of anxiety in his lone over, capturing two wickets in his first three deliveries but was them plundered for

Best bowler Avish Rukram receives his prize from a representative of Calypso Hut.

The jubilant Steelcity team and supporters after their resounding victory.

16 in the next three.

Dubbed the Apollo Super Bash tournament, the fund-raising effort attracted some 17 teams on a somewhat windy Saturday.

At the presentation ceremony, Rukhram carted off the major share of the individual awards:man-of-the-match, the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, sponsored by Caribbean Heat, and the best bowler in the final which saw Calypso Hut putting up the trophy.

Ramsuchit received the prize for the best batsman in the final, compliments of JDG Tooling.

The winners collected the Canadian Surplus Guyana sponsored trophy

and $1500 while the six members were decorated with medals. Runners-up Assassins were recipient of the Caribbean Lyme trophy and $500 while the players also received medals.

Among the other sponsors were T& S Enterprise 24 hours glass system while Dent Wizard and PGI Limited were responsible for the grand prize.

Organiser, Daesrath is expressing sincere thanks to all those responsible for the successful staging of the tournament and also disclosed that at Inter-county competition is slated for the same venue in July. (Frederick Halley)

Starc reiterates players’ faith in ACA Mitchell Starc has said the Australian men’s team has not changed its position on the current MoU standoff, and will continue to back the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) to represent the players in negotiations with Cricket Australia (CA).

The Australian team was briefed on the current situation by ACA chief executive Alistair Nicholson in Birmingham on Sunday, ahead of their final warm-up match, against Pakistan, before the Champions Trophy.

The tournament is the final competition the men’s team will play before the current MoU runs out at the end of June, and negotiations are at a stalemate with CA refusing the ACA’s request for independent mediation.

Instead, CA High Performance General Manager Pat Howard has, for the second time, sent direct emails to several senior Australian players, including Mitchell Starc, captain Steven Smith and David Warner, in an

attempt to circumvent the players’ union and deal directly with the players.

But Starc confirmed that, following the meeting with Nicholson, the players remain united in backing the ACA. “Our stance hasn’t changed,” Starc said. “Our full support is still behind the ACA to get the outcome that the

players are after, it’s all about getting a fair share, we’re not asking for more.

“The men and the women are on the same page, we’re sticking strong together and that was pretty much the conversation we had today.”

Starc suggested Howard’s efforts to deal directly with senior players would continue to be unsuccessful

‘Full support still behind ACA’ - Mitchell Starc

in the remaining weeks before the June 30 deadline.

“They’ve got four weeks to go on the MoU,” he said.

“The players are leaving it all to the ACA from our side of things and it’s up to Cricket Australia to sort that out with the ACA at the moment.”

Starc and his team-mates must now attempt to put the dispute to one side as they concentrate on their Champions Trophy campaign, which begins with a highly anticipated match at Edgbaston against New Zealand, the team they defeated to win the 2015 World Cup. Australia won their first warm-up match against Sri Lanka at The Oval and will face a Pakistan side that conjured a remarkable victory over Bangladesh at Edgbaston on Saturday.

For Starc, the final warmup match marks his return to the side since suffering a stress fracture to his right foot during Australia’s Test tour of India and gives him a chance to “blow the cobwebs out” and become reacquaint-

ed with English conditions before the tournament begins.

“It has all been in the nets for me in the last few weeks,” he said. “I’ve been over here for a week in the nets, being in Brisbane in the lead up to getting over to England, so coming off the foot injury I’m just looking forward to playing a game of cricket out in the middle again.

“There’s only so much you can get out of nets sessions and centre-wicket sessions. It’s all about match fitness for me and getting

some time in the legs.

“I guess I know my role pretty comfortably in this set-up. It’s about bowling with the new ball, trying to swing it - more than likely bowling at the death - and then a few overs in the middle, so just getting out there and performing my role again. Obviously it’s a great chance to do that in a warm-up game, where there’s a little bit less pressure. We still want to win these warm-up games, but come Friday it’s when we hit crunch time.”

(ESPN Cricinfo)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (MONDAY MAY 29, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Bangladesh (1988/1999) (2) South Africa Today’s Quiz: (1) What is the highest individual score in the ICC Champions

Trophy Competition?

(2) Who has scored most runs in ICC Champions Trophy Cricket

to date? How many?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 29, 2017

FIFA U-20 World Cup

Fates sealed as last 16 confirmed

The FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017 group stage came to a tense climax as the last 16 was finally confirmed.

Group F was wide open going into the final day, with a single goal in both games able to have completely transformed the shape of the first knockout round.

While there was joy for the likes of France, New Zealand, USA, Senegal and Saudi Arabia, it was a solemn goodbye for Honduras, Vietnam and Ecuador.

Away from the field of play there were mixed emotions too, as victory for Honduras was enough to catapult Germany into the last 16.

Saudi Arabia’s second-half equaliser, from Abdulelah Al-Amri gave the Saudi team with 15 minutes left for play but the United States could’nt find a late winner in a 1-1 draw However, this left Ar-

Abdulelah Alamri secured a spot in the round of 16 for Saudi Arabia after his equalising goal against the USA.

gentina heartbroken, seeing them exit at the first stage for the second time in succession.

RESULTS Group E: New Zealand

0-2 France | Honduras 2-0 Vietnam Group F: USA 1-1 Saudi Arabia | Senegal 0-0 Ecuador Just like during the first FIFA World Cup™ held in this region, a stunning goal

has left the question: Did he mean it? While it was Ronaldinho 15 years ago, this year it was Allan Saint-Maximin’s audacious effort from the left flank. Cross or shot? Speaking to FIFA.com, he is in no doubt.

“As I dribbled, I could see the keeper was not on his line. I couldn’t see anyone to cross to, so I said to myself: ‘Let’s try!’ It went well,” he said with a smile.

A heart-warming departure As Vietnam heard the final whistle of their debut U-20 World Cup, they knew they had not got the fairytale win they craved to keep their hopes alive, but that mattered not to the throng of supporters in red filling the Jeonju World Cup Stadium with noise. The departing side were cheered like heroes as they did a lap of honour to end their journey at Korea Republic.

A tense, tight finale Having seen an above average tournament for goals across the first eight days (at 2.75/match), last day nerves seemed to grip the octet of Group E and F. The scarcity of goals in Daejeon can be in part put down to some sublime

showings by New Zealand’s Michael Woud and Paul Bernardoni of France. However, the tension in Group F – and some help from the video assistant referee – saw them register the lowest daily tally of any group so far, with two.

The words: “We could have won and topped this group to face [one of the third placed teams], but this is what we’ve got. We’ll take it step by step. Our next game is against Mexico and we’re ready to play!”

Mouhamed Mbaye, Senegal ROUND of 16-fixtures Tuesday 30 May Venezuela-Japan Korea-Portugal Wednesday 31 May Uruguay-Saudi Arabia England-Costa Rica Zambia-Germany

saud, Mark Jeffers, Kennard Moonsammy, Mark Ramsammy and Himanauth Dindyal. Omar Hussain (Manager), Reon King (Coach), Dhanpaul (Assistant Coach).

Essequibo: Mark Williams (captain), Sachin Persaud, Kurt Lovell, Adrian Campbell, Mark Ramsammy, Joshua Jones, Quintin Sampson, Beesham Moses, Leslie Allen, Sheldon Charles, Mahindra Persaud, Chanderpaul Mohabir, Kellin Davis, Joel Fortune and Azeem Habib. Loaknauth Persaud (Manager), Andy Ramnarine (Coach).

Berbice: Adrian Sukwah, Kevin Sinclair, Sasenarine Sukhoo, Veramootoo Senwasane, Javid Karim, Matthew Hardyal, Daniel Samaroo, Emmanuel

Seecharran, Karan Arjpaul, Keith Simpson, Deon Sinclair, Sylus Tyndall, Raymond Vankenic and Steve Deonarine.

Michael Newland (Manager), Adrian Amsterdam (Coach).

Select Under-17: Alex Alvin Algoo, Sachin Stefan Singh, Orlando Jailall, Junior Alvin Sinclair, Kevlon Alston Anderson, Kevin Imran Christian, Robin Williams, Lance Rusell Roberts, Alphius Malcolm Bookie, Rajendra Singh, Nigel Deodat, Ashmead Romanno Nedd, Pradesh Ballkishun, Kelvin Umroa, Mark Gary Rankin, Gevon Shemar Schultz, Reyaz Khan and Qumar Tychicus Torrington. Nazeer Mohamed (Manager), Orin Bailey (Coach).

Thursday 1 June Mexico-Senegal France-Italy USA-New Zealand

GCB U-19 inter-county one-day competition bowls off today THE one-day version of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/ Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire Insurance Company Limited-sponsored under-19 Inter-County cricket competition bowls off today with two matches from 09:30hrs Today’s first round is set for the Police Sports Club ground where Demerara will face the Select Under-17 team, while at the Everest Cricket Club ground, Berbice will oppose Essequibo.

The competition is being used as a yardstick by the junior selectors to pick the Guyana team for the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) Regional under-19 competition scheduled for later this year.

The competition, which

Bhaskar Yadram will captain Demerara.

will be played on a round robin basis, is expected to be keenly contested.

Round two will be played on Wednesday, with Berbice facing Demerara at the Na-

tional Stadium, Providence, and Essequibo playing the Select Under-17 at the Police ground in Eve Leary.

The third round is scheduled for Thursday, with Demerara opposing Essequibo at the National Stadium, Providence, and Berbice facing the Select Under-17 at Everest.

The top two teams will play the final on Friday at the National Stadium, Providence.

The three-day format will commence on June 6 and concludes on June 16. Below are the four squads that will compete in the tournament.

Demerara: Bhaskar Yadram (Captain), Ronaldo Ali Mohamed (Vice-captain), Joshua Persaud, Raymond Perez, Navendra Persaud, Ramnarine

Essqequibo captain Mark Williams

Chatura, Richie Looknauth, Keshram Seybodan, Stephon Wilson, Sagar Hatheramani, Dwayne Dick, Kishna Singh, Garvin Boodwah, Dambuka Nqgando, Darshan Per-

Crawford registers easy win in GCF’s third points race for 2017 season BERBICE cyclist Romello Crawford easily won the Guyana Cycling Federation’s (GCF) third points race for the 2017 season, returning a time of three hours, 04.11 seconds to earn 15 points for the win.

Crawford’s Berbice counterpart Curtis Dey finished second and was one length behind Crawford crossing the finish line.

There were 28 cyclists who faced the starter at the Ocean View International Hotel, East Coast Demerara, and after being sent on their way to the Abary Bridge, East Coast Demerara and back to the place of origin for the finish, the pack of cyclists

took their time riding at about 27 miles an hour and on their way up to Abary Bridge, there were several attempts by some cyclists to attack, but the peloton was right on their (attackers) back wheel, preventing any break from being established.

On turning back for the downward journey, Crawford and Dey made a break and was followed by Mario King and Alonzo Ambrose who both failed in their effort to connect and the duo of Crawford and Dey worked in tandem until the final 100 metres when Crawford surged ahead of Dey and won by a length quite comfortably.

For the win, Crawford earned 15 points while Dey received 12 points; but the duo are still way behind Jamal John, who is leading on the GCF’s points standing and who has won the first two points races and has accumulated 30 points to date.

John was not a part of yesterday’s event since he, like team United’s Andrew Hicks and Hamza Eastman, are campaigning in the United States.

The other top eight places yesterday were occupied

by Mario King, Alonzo Ambrose, Leer Nunes, Ian `Dumb Boy’ Jackson, Jaikarran Sukhai, Warren McKay, Deoraj Garbarran, Junior

Romello Crawford

Niles, Nigel Dugid and Jason Cameron respectively.

Of the 10 prime prizes that were up for grabs, Crawford won four while Andre Green and Dey won two each.

Niles and Ambrose won one each.

Close on John’s wheel in the points standing with 20 points from two third place finishes in the previous two races is Hicks.

Following Hicks is Raphael Leung with 13 points, Paul DeNobrega (12) and Briton John (12).

Hamza Eastman is next with 10 points, but like Hicks, he too is campaigning on the US circuit.

Leer Nunes and Junior

Niles also have 10 points and they are followed by Ian Jackson (4), Dwayne Gibbs Jr (4), Jason Camereon (3), Eric Sankar (2), Ralph Williams (1) and Everal Murphy (1).

The GCF is using the points system for selecting their national team for Regional and International competitions, despite the selectees not being reigning champions and in some cases, not even being runners-up in national championships, resulting in Guyana being poorly represented at the recently concluded Pan American Road Race Championship that was held in the Dominican Republic.

Fates sealed as last 16 See page confirmed 23

Junior athletes perform well at

See Page 18

Independence Meet

Linden’s Onasha Rogers pulls off yet another upset over GDF’s Kenisha Phillips (Adrian Narine photo)

Linden’s Daniel Williams comes in for an easy win in the boys’ 16 – 17 200m yesterday (Adrian Narine photo) CARIFTA Games gold medalist Chantoba Bright during one of her jumps in the women’s long jump on Saturday

Xtreme Clean & Maintenance Co. / GT Beer ‘Gold Rush’ Futsal Tournament

Round robin teams confirmed following exciting second night action THRILLS, goals and close finishes marked night two of the inaugural Xtreme Clean & Maintenance Co. / GT Beer ‘Gold Rush’ Futsal Tournament, which continued on Saturday evening at the National Gymnasium.

With the teams vying for a spot in the round-robin stage of the competition, fans who swarmed the venue were treated to several mouth-watering encounters while most teams left being heartbroken.

Broad Street Bullies were made to show merit to their name, after being forced to play their best Futsal by a more than determined Buxton Diamond team.

Despite walking away

2 – 1 winners, Broad Street Bullies, with goals from Darren Benjamin (3rd minute) and Daniel Favourite, were pushed to the limit by the Buxton unit.

In fact, after Delon Wright had scored Buxton’s equalizer in the 14th minute, it was Favourite’s last minute strike that sealed the win for the Broad Street Bullies.

Meanwhile ,Plaisance, debutants in Futsal clashed with Alexander Village in what was the best game of the evening, given the fact that it took sudden-death penalty shootout to determine the winner after the two sides finished 4 – 4 at the end of regulation and extra time.

Tucville clinched a 5 – 4 win over Melanie ‘B’

thanks to William Europe, who slammed in four goals.

Other teams booking their spots in the next phase following wins were: Bent Street, Back Circle and Future Stars.

The top two teams in each group and the two best third-placed teams will advance to the Quarterfinals.

The Round- robin playoffs continue on June 6 and 8.

The Quarterfinal will be played on June 13, while the Semi-final is set for June 15 and the Final on Saturday June 17.

The winning team will take away $500,000 and the winners’ trophy, while second, third and fourth placed teams will take home $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively.

Part of the action in the Bent Street/Campbellville United encounter on Saturday evening in the Xtreme Clean & Maintenance Co. / GT Beer ‘Gold Rush’ Futsal Tournament.

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MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017