Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 31 05 2017

New supermarket opens at Supenaam

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No. 104929

WEDNESDAY MAY 31, 2017

Price: $80

Five charged for $550M cocaine NARAINE LALL THE Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has filed two charges against four men for the $550M cocaine in dressed wood at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo back on May 12th.

A release from CANU said that bike racer Stephen Vieira has been charged jointly with Tazim Gafoor, Nazim Gafoor and Sherwayne DeAbreu with trafficking in narcotics. In absentia, Narine Lall has been charged separately with trafficking in narcotics. CANU had initially held a fifth man Hakim Mohamed but he has not been charged.

In its initial statement CANU had said

STEPHEN VIEIRA that ranks made the discovery after conducting a search at the parapet in front of the premises of one Akeem Mohamed at 227 Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo on May 12. They searched a truck laden with several pallets of 1×6 dressed lumber boards. After several boards were drilled randomly, a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine was found.

“The truck, its driver and porters were escorted to CANU Headquarters where a detailed search of the cargo was completed.

The said search revealed cocaine found in random boards scattered among genuine boards in each pallet. Each of the compro-

(VAT Inclusive)

NAZIM GAFOOR

TAZIM GAFOOR

mised boards had a dug-out cavity with vacuum-sealed plastic packets containing cocaine pasted therein. Discovered was a total of 84.986 kilograms of cocaine, having a landed US street value in excess of 550 million Guyana dollars,” the release had said.

CANU had said too investigations revealed that the truck was hired to pick up and transport the lumber from Lall’s sawmill at Lookout, East Bank Essequibo to the wharf at Georgetown. “At this time, all porters and the truck driver are still in custody assisting in investigations that reveal a well-planned web of participants,” the anti-narcotics agency said. It noted that

popular racing motorcyclist Vieira was listed on shipping documents as the representative of Lall, the shipper. Naraine Lall, based on investigations thus far, is allegedly out of the jurisdiction as revealed by checks at his home for him.

CANU had said that it had a digital video recording device retrieved from Nazim Gafoor at Vreed-en-Hoop,West Bank Demerara and hopes to find material of evidential value after due analysis.

Further, the unit said there was a batch of related dress wood from the very shipper that had already made it onto the wharf and which was retrieved by CANU.

Kaieteur Gold target Canje farmer found pinned miners charged in sight under tractor

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– GGMC insists no permission was given for mining operations

… Trotman forecasts another mammoth figure this year

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 31, 2017

PM breaks it down –– Draws nexus between independence, access to education

By Vanessa Braithwaite THE pre-independence era has been described as a time when our nation’s citizenry endured national oppression and discrimination against the common right to pursue basic education.

Our nation’s transformation after gaining Independence was discussed at an Independence and Child Rights Workshop hosted by the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) on Monday,

of Independence as a gateway to freedom from an era which did not allow for equal access to education, which, in turn, could be described as a bondage holding the country down politically, educationally and economically.

Describing the system as purely discriminatory, the PM said: “It was something you had to get rid of. And so, independence also meant the declaration of freedom against national oppression, against discrimination that forces you to be something

cation is highly accessible and free.

“It is a fact when you focus on the Independence struggle and the achievement of Independence, that it would mean nothing if it would not translate into intellectual freedom,” he said, adding: “Our 51 years of Independence cannot be divorced from the efforts that have been made for us to provide the best opportunities for our children.”

Touching on the right of

Listening attentively to the presentations are, from left, RCC Chairperson, Ms. Aleema Nasir; Minister of Natural Resources, Mr Raphael Trotman; and Prime Minister, Mr Moses Nagamootoo when Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo was the feature speaker at the opening ceremony.

Addressing a room filled with students, teachers and other invitees, the prime minister encouraged his audience to look at the attainment

that you should not be.”

But despite the negativities, which were enshrined in our colonial history, the PM said he is proud of the good fight that was put up over the decades, which has allowed our nation to graduate to a stage where edu-

a child to a speedy trial, the PM said no child should be held custody in an adult penal facility, as has been happening here. Neither should they be identified during court proceedings, which is something he feels the media should uphold.

“The media has a responsibility not to help with the demoralisation of our young people, particularly children, by identifying them and exposing them to ridicule and condemnation,” he said.

Chairwoman of the Women and Gender Equality Commission, Ms. Indra Chandar-

Ms. Indra Chandarpal making her presentation Monday at the RCC workshop.

Seated from left are: An RCC member, Ambassdor Jernej Videtic, and Mr. Ruel Johnson pal also spoke briefly on dressing. haustive work of the RCC in the issue of child protection, “We feel that our children each administrative region in particularly the legislations and youths must be grounded lifting the consciousness of governing it post-Indepen- in such narrative, which will, all adult stakeholders, includence, and the evolution of in turn, shape their participa- sive of adult vision councils, the education system here to tion and leadership capacity regional and district hospiwhere it’s at today. and role,” she said. tals, RDCs, police, juvenile RCC Chairperson, Ms. Contending that an ed- holding centres, and GuyAleema Nasir, on the other ucated child is one that is ana’s correctional facility.” hand, spoke about upholding empowered and can therefore She also called for the the rights of the child and make meaningful contribu- rights of children with disthe need for children to be tions to society, and by so do- ability to be preserved, as educated, which is something ing help dismantle the system are the rights of children in she said the RCC has been of colonialism, Nasir said: See page 3 working assiduously on ad“This explains the ex-

The audience of students, teachers and special invitees at Monday’s opening ceremony of the RCC workshop

Kaieteur miners charged

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 31, 2017

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–– GGMC insists no permission was given for mining operations

By Ravin Singh ALL of the miners who were arrested for mining illegally in the Kaieteur National Park area have been released, but will face court charges on July 18, 2017 at the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court, the Amerindian People Association said in a statement.

The accused were summoned by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) on Tuesday, where they were told of the offence they committed.

The individuals arrested and subsequently released are; Calixtus Francis, 47; Kenvil Cyril, 18; Donald Andrew, 48; Aladin Sebastian, 29; Garlon Andrew, 32; Clifford Andrew, 30; Leroy Fraser, 29; Collin Francisco, 27; Phillip Andrew, 18; Rudolph Bobb-Semple, 37; Franklin George, 38; Carlton Lewis, 40; Jason Baptiste, 30; Cecil Baptiste, 56; Bryan Mason, 31; Tomson Edwards, 17; Sabrina Dossantos, 26; Mark Andrew, 26; Carrol Williams, 22; and Clive Edwards, 20.

Meanwhile, at least one miner from Chenapau has produced four receipts which suggest that he made payments to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) for claims (lands) intended to facilitate mining activities in the Kaieteur Park area. According to one receipt seen by the Guyana Chronicle, George De Abreu paid the sum of $16,000 on January 5, 2017, for “renewal of 16 G&PS claims namely ‘Sparkle, Sparkle #1-#4, Cash, Cash #1-#4, Troy, Troy #1-#5, located on September 7, 2016”. The most recent payment was made on May

15, 2017, and all payment receipts were stamped by GGMC. But Commissioner of GGMC, Newell Dennison has since clarified that a payment receipt does not give an individual the right to mine on lands, and it is only a mining permit or license which could empower individuals to legally conduct mining activities. Noting that he has not seen the receipts, which were provided

by Indigenous Rights Activist, Michael Mc Garrell, the Commissioner said that those in no way could have translated to requests being granted by GGMC for those individuals to mine in any area, moreso KNP. Dennisson further explained that when money is paid for a claim (land), a verification and research process is then conducted to ascertain whether the area is available and if it reaches the specifications for mining. He said that only after all these requirements are satisfied would a permit or license be issued for mining to be conducted in that identified area. However, he was keen to note that no payment receipt could have been given for any area in KNP, since it is a protected area. The receipts seen by this publication do not indicate which area/s were paid for. As such, the Commissioner contended that those individuals could not have been expecting a permit or license to mine in that area, since it would have been against the law to grant same.

Section 4 of the Kaieteur National Park Act states, “It shall not be lawful for any person to enter into, travel or

encamp within the park or to build any structure therein, or to hunt, chase, catch, shoot at, kill or otherwise disturb any animal or cut, pluck or gather any of the flora or interfere with or disturb he soil by mining or other operations within the park or to remove anything whatsoever from the park except in accordance with regulations made under this act. (2) Any person acting in contravention of any of the provisions of subsection (1) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of ninety-seven thousand five hundred dollars, and anything taken by such person from the park shall be forfeited.”

According to the regulations made under the Mining Act 2005, Part XXVII Section 251 (1) (a), “No person shall conduct mining and quarrying activities in the following areas- (b) In specified nature reserves and parks where resource extraction is prohibited; (c) In buffer areas without express approval of the Commission and the notification of parties likely to be affected by the activity.”

M e a n w h i l e , To s h a o of Chenapau, Edward Mc Garrell, has defended the miners, arguing that there is no clear boundary of the KNP. Michael Mc Garrell also weighed in, offering that miners were nowhere close to the sign which indicates where the National Park is.

But the GGMC commissioner when questioned about this, maintained that to the best of his knowledge, no mining activity is to be permitted in the Park, and he finds it hard to believe that GGMC officials and the police would arrest individuals who were

One of the claim receipts of George De Abreu not mining in the area.

After government moved to have the alleged illegal mining halted on Sunday, relatives of the arrested miners staged a protest on Monday, calling for the government to allow those persons to ply their trade since it is

PM breaks it ...

From page 2

contact with the law so they can receive a speedy trial, since most children involved in crime are victims of multi-dimensional child poverty.

Ambassador Jernej Videti? of the European Union gave the Government of Guyana, the RCC and other local human rights organisations the assurance that the EU remains committed to the fight for human rights to be recognised

in Guyana.

“The European Union has a long-term commitment to saving families and communities for Guyanese children,” he said.

“Human rights are one of the core values for the European Union and its member states; the rights of vulnerable groups, especially children, are particularly important in this regard,” he added.

Cultural Policy Advisor to

the Ministry of Education, Mr Ruel Johnson, while he agreed that the nation has transitioned since Independence, and that the fight on human rights has widened, said the education system has been failing generations of children living in Indigenous communities countrywide, especially those who only speak their native language.

It’s a trend, he said, that is currently engaging the at-

tention of the Ministry of Education.

The Independence and Child Rights Workshop was launched in 2016 in recognition of Guyana’s 50th Jubilee Celebrations, and after seeing its success, the RCC decided to make it an annual event.

The aim is to expose children to an overview of Guyana’s history in an anti-colonial movement and struggle which ended in 1966.

the only means of income for many families. Of the five mines discovered on Sunday, three had already

been issued cease orders by GGMC in 2014 with reinforcement actions as recent as 2016.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Lethem Mayor condemns removal of proposed regional flag by regional vice-chairman

MAYOR of Lethem, Carlton Beckles, has condemned the actions of Regional Vice-Chairman Karl Singh, whom the Mayor claims unceremoniously removed the proposed regional flag from the flag pole at the Revolution Square in Lethem on the morning of Guyana’s Independence.

In a statement, Beckles claimed that the regional Vice-chairman removed the proposed regional flag from the pole on May 26 at about 07:30hrs. He stated that the flag had been raised by the Regional Democratic Council at 00:30 hrs that morning at the flag-raising ceremony, following the raising of the Golden Arrowhead. “The regional chairman objected to the proposed flag being raised on the grounds that they have not finished their consultations, this is four months after the mandate

was received from the Honourable Minister of Communities,” Beckles said in the statement. The mayor added that following requests made by the mayor to the regional chairman regarding a date when the consultations would be made, Singh failed to provide same. “This resulted in the mayor informing the regional chairman that the proposed flag would be raised with an aim of having the consultation going on and to sensitize the residents, since we were mandated to display, have discussions and come to a decision on the proposed regional flag at the consultative forum on the 20th of January, 2017 at the Marriott Hotel, where all 10 administrative regions and all nine Town/City Councils were invited,” the mayor reported.

The mayor noted that the PPP/C-led regions and Town Councils had boycotted that

forum at which a threemonth deadline was given for regions to complete their consultations. The results of these consultations were expected to be submitted to the Minister of Communities

by April 20. “The Mayor and Town Council of Lethem did their consultations within the township and submitted their reports to the Ministry of Communities and the regional chairman. From all observations, it seems that the office of the regional chairman is dragging its feet in having these consultations done and the actions of the regional vice-chairman are proof of this,” the statement said.

However, the mayor noted that Singh’s action may have broken the law, which is why the mayor has called for an investigation to be conducted into whether or not this is so, since the flag was raised in a public space

conference of the Guyana Association of Municipalities (GAM), stressed the importance of the three levels of Governments working together.... His Excellency also stated that these regions are envisioned to become cities in the future, thus it is the belief of the Mayor and Town Council that regional identity is one step forward to achieving this with an aim of decentralization of authority at the regional and municipal levels, so that they can in the future become autonomous,” the statement continued.

The mayor referred to Singh’s decision to remove the flag as “disrespectful to the Mayor and Town Council of Lethem, the residents of Lethem, and the Disciplined Services,” stating that the concerns regarding the flag should have been outwardly expressed to the Mayor and

Mayor of Lethem, Carlton Beckles

and it is the property of the Government of Guyana, and open spaces within the municipality boundaries are the responsibility of the Mayor and Town Council.

“His Excellency, President David Granger, in his address to the mayors, deputy mayors and other attendees at the recently held

Town Council, and allow debate on the issue. “He had no right [to] arbitrarily remove a symbol, despite the fact it was still in proposal mode, from a square designed to accommodate national commemorative observances. The Council has lodged an official report with the Guyana police Force, where statements were given, we now look forward for the law to take its course, since this individual seems so adamant on carrying out the wishes of his masters and would have shown total disregard for the vision of the President of this country and the Government of the day. His action is also in total disrespect to the Town Council, since the flag was raised within the boundary of the town at an area that is the responsibility of the Council,” the statement said.

Syndicates want GGMC speed up processing mining lands

By Shauna Jemmott THE National Mining Syndicates on Tuesday commenced two days of protest action pressing claims for permission to mine on lands promised to them even as they level allegations of corruption against unnamed officials of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

About 100 members of mining syndicates paced Brickdam just outside of the GGMC Tuesday calling on officials to “stop the backdoor arrangements” in processing applications for lands by syndicates, as they outlined several hindrances to them receiving documentation to begin mining.

An executive of the body, Judith David-Blair, a former PNCR Member of Parliament told the media that although the syndicate initiative by government through the Ministry of Natural Resources is a ray of hope for small miners and intended to give them opportunities, they are still waiting for those lands after more than a year. “This is an initiative through which the small miners can be given lands to work

A section of the small miners protesting outside of the GGMC

after years of being frustrated by landlordism. We need lands to work and this initiative is the thing that we see that will work and we’re happy that the government has endorsed this initiative,” Blair said.

She said however: “after making several applications for land for over a year now, we have not been given a formal word or documentation that would lead us into mining and not prospecting. For after a year it’s very hard because first as small miners we have a multitude of people, hundreds

of thousands of families with us that are fighting for bread and butter today. And all we know is mining, and that’s what we wanna do and dredges have been laid up for over years and now through this initiative of the syndicates we’re hoping that our lands will be processed.”

She recalled that during a meeting with Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, on March 29 the minister assured the syndicates that priority would be given to the processing of their land applications, but the contrary is being manifest-

ed before their eyes. “He said that he endorsed and he agreed with 90% of the stuff that we brought to him and that we will have priority in having our lands processed. But this is far from so right now because we’re in a situation where some of the lands that we’ve applied for, we’re seeing being processed through a gazette ‘special order’ of the minister whereby other people were given the lands that we applied for and we’re very concerned,” she stated.

The syndicates are calling on the minister to hear the cries

of the small miners who have been frustrated for a lifetime by landlordism in the mining industry, where some medium scale operators have exploited them to prospect lands many times and as soon as they discovered large amounts of gold, expelled them from mining the lands even after they would have paid for positions.

Landlords have also given them positions on mined-out lands, taking whatever little monies they owned as they (small miners) blindly made unprofitable investments. “We

wanna say to the minister this morning that he has to hear the cry of the small miners, the plight of the small miners and he has to pay attention to us because while a few will be benefitting, the masses are still in distress and woeful and we’re waiting on him to make a decision,” the woman miner explained.

She echoed too that the syndicates are dissatisfied with the processing of their applications by the GGMC, which they label as ‘slothful’. Some syndicates have applied for lands more than a year ago but still have not received formal documentation, while some applications are misplaced within the GGMC’s Land Management Unit, where such applications are being processed and approved.

Contacted on the issue GGMC Commissioner, Newell Dennison, said he would offer no comments on the issue.

“I am of the view that those issues were issues that were aired to the minister directly and I am of the view that it is not my remit to speak on that.

I have no comment to make,” Dennison told the Guyana Chronicle.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 31, 2017

$89M Liliendaal bridge re-opens THE modern Liliendaal bridge, which boasts pedestrian walkways, is now open to vehicular traffic after engineers from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Monday evening completed construction works -- one month ahead of schedule.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, said that while the initial deadline was June 2017, the ministry had been working towards an opening date of May 23, 2017. However, due to the inclement weather, the final touches were delayed.

According to an MoPI release, works to the tune of $89M, which saw the bridge converted to a pre-

The Liliendaal bridge is re-opened to vehicular traffic [Delano Williams photos] stressed concrete structure, commenced in March to prevent a collapse or any incidents after the bridge had showed signs of imminent failure. One of the panels had

become detached, making the bridge unstable.

As the Government continues to place focus on infrastructural development across the country, Minister

Patterson said that the ministry will be working to upgrade other bridges along the railway embankment to a similar structure, the MoPI release concluded.

A close-up of the walkway added to one side of the bridge

East Canje farmer dies U.S. immigration swoops down in tractor accident

on illegal Guyanese man

… forced to call for back-up after residents try to stop arrest [NY Daily News] - MORE than 30 angry Queens residents tried to stop federal immigration agents on Tuesday from arresting a neighborhood construction worker accused of burglary and illegally re-entering the country.

Residents demanded to know why Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials had swooped in to arrest Hardat (Ryan) Sampat, 35, near 101st Ave and 112th Street in Richmond Hill about 10 a.m.

The Guyanese native was driving away from his family’s home on 112th Street, when federal agents in unmarked cars boxed him in with their vehicles and took him into custody,

witnesses said. Police had arrested Sampat for two separate burglaries on April 10 and May 9, according to court records. He was on his way to Queens Criminal Court Tuesday for a scheduled court appearance when ICE agents grabbed him on an arrest warrant, neighbours said. His worried sister kneeled before the ICE agents and prayed as they brought him to an awaiting car. “(She asked) Why me?

Why me?” said family friend Melissa Rivera, 22.

“They didn’t even look her way. They didn’t care. This is what Trump is doing.

It’s not fair to do to the people.”

Facing the growing

Hardat Sampat crowd, ICE agents called for back-up. NYPD cops were diverted to the corner for crowd control, but no additional arrests were made, officials said. ICE agents took Sampat to Manhattan Federal Court

for processing.

He had been deported about five years ago but allegedly came back to the U.S. illegally to be with his family. Rivera said Sampat wanted his day in court, since he had proof that he was in Florida when one of the burglaries took place.

“It’s messed up, because he was on his way to prove his innocence about the burglary and then he gets arrested before he can,” Rivera said. “His family had been through this before with him and now it’s happening again.

He’s a loving father, uncle, son,” she said.

“It’s not right. They just took him from his family.”

3 years jail for driver who caused road death A MINIBUS driver was sentenced to three years imprisonment by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for the offence of causing death by dangerous driving.

Kevin Farrell, 31, of Supply, East Bank Demerara

was found guilty after a trial on Tuesday. The court heard that on October 11, 2016 at Herstelling Road, he drove minibus, BVV 906 in a dangerous manner causing the death of Bernard Henry.

In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate said that Farrell

should have checked his tyres to ensure that they were proper working condition, especially when driving on the wet road.

The court heard that three of the tyres from the minibus were found to be defected, which resulted in

the driver suffering a “blowout”, which caused the accident. Magistrate McLennan said that the prosecution had proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

In mitigation, Farrell, in tears, told the court that he was sorry for his actions.

THE lifeless body of 63-year-old Hatim Khan, known as “Jackson,” was discovered pinned under his overturned tractor at a pasture field in New Forest backlands, East Canje, on Tuesday.

The incident occurred some 30 miles from the New Amsterdam township; the area can only be accessed by tractors or motorbikes. Khan’s colleague, Michael Welch, said he was riding a horse in the savannah, while the elderly man was driving the tractor when he [Welch] heard an explosion around 12:30hrs.

Welch said he saw smoke emanating from the already overturned tractor and observed that Khan was already pinned under the bonnet of the vehicle, while his arms and feet were out- Dead: Hatim Khan stretched. Welch said he known as ‘Jackson’ had to wait almost four hours before help arrived in the densely forested area.

This newspaper understands that Khan, who is a cattle farmer, left his Lot 13 Adelphi Village, East Canje home just after 05:30hrs on Tuesday to take workers to the cattle ranch and to transport schoolchildren to their various schools. He returned to the ranch around 11:00hrs and realised that the tractor driver did not show up for work. He then decided to operate the vehicle.

Following his death, an excavator was driven to the scene to assist in overturning the tractor, thereafter allowing detectives to access the body, which was subsequently placed in a wooden tray and pulled by another tractor through the backlands under police escort.

Khan was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was pronounced dead. His body is at the Arokium Funeral Home, where a post-mortem is expected to be conducted shortly. Khan leaves to mourn his wife, Radhikaran Khan and a child from another union.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Combating non-communicable diseases

SEVENTY percent of deaths globally are the result of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This disturbing statistic as made known by the World Health Organisation (WHO), suggests that people can live healthier and longer lives. According to its April 2017 Fact sheet, NCDs kill 40 million people each year. The four diseases accounting for 81 percent of deaths are cardiovascular (heart), killing 17.7 million people annually; cancer (8.8 million); respiratory (such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and bronchitis), which is responsible for 3.9 million; and diabetes 1.6 million.

Fighting NCDs requires strategic-targeting techniques if the nation’s resources are to be properly utilised. Whereas it is recognised the comfort level of some to see the world through race-neutral lens, combating NCDs requires the disabusing of this thinking. Demographic research has shown a predisposition for certain diseases in one race as against others and effective management of the problem requires diverting resources to the source.

Though a recent report has said that Guyanese are living longer and this fact also requires improving or facilitating institutions to suit this demographic, the elderly also bring with them their own form on NCDS,such as high or low blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and dementia, which will require unique treatment plans. Government may also find it useful dealing with NCDs both from a preventive and curative/management standpoint. Where some diseases are

preventable based on lifestyle choice, such as eating healthy and exercising, public education and other forms of up-front incentives could serve as worthy investment in the people.

Ours is a society where reservations or disinterest exists about seeing a doctor, unless very sick. It is not uncommon when one is feeling unwell to tie his/her head, put a leaf in the head tie, sap the forehead with Limacol or methylated spirits, drink a panadol, some bush or epsom salts, thinking the symptoms and cause will go away. Periodic visits to a doctor could lead to early detection, diagnosis, and management of what the illness might be. Persons are walking around with heart issues, abnormal cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, are overweight or obese, and with cancer, which when unattended, can carry dire consequences. Impressing upon society the importance of these examinations as a means of knowing, and the fact that early detection can save lives, can never be over-emphasised.

Alcohol abuse can lead to NCDs in the form of alcoholism, which is a major problem in our society. Abuse of alcohol can lead to cirrhosis of the liver. Abuse of prescription medications and other substances such as heroin and cocaine will also lead to NCDs. These are mental issues that require specific planning, treatment and diversion of resources.

They also lead to other socio-economic spin- offs. Abuse takes place in the home, families are torn apart, children end up on the streets, themselves abused, teenage pregnancy or in foster care. The cultivating of preferences for imported

foods, the majority of which are over-processed and of cheap quality, it is important recognition be given to the consequences their consumption could bring. Processed foods lose some of their nutritional value, are high in sodium (cause of hypertension) and sugar/fructose (cause of diabetes). These foods also carry other additives that have proven to be unhealthy.

NCDs do not only affect the individual, they also affect the family and communities as a whole. They also put pressure on the society to manage them in that expenses are incurred by the State to provide care, and the disease(s) could compromise the ability of persons to lead fully active and productive lives.

It is being advised by WHO that NCDs can be chronic/long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioural factors. Combating these however is doable. Going by the fact sheet “detection, screening and treatment … as well as palliative care, are key components of the response….” These could include health and lifestyle changes such as exercise, healthy diets and having frequent checks with your doctors as indicated. Society could also be well served with the involvement of the public health department and other stakeholders in preventive medical care

Bad move to send Albion’s sugar Dem Boys Seh to the Enmore Packaging Plant crosses the line

Dear Editor,

THE IMC at GuySuCo has convinced the Government that the day-to-day decisions it is making are best for the citizens, the corporation and the country. At this instant, it is unclear whether the political offices that overlook the sugar sector know what I am about to reveal. If not, the holders of those offices should seek the truth, not half-truths or whole lies.

Editor, it is a known fact that Blairmont and Enmore estates produce direct-consumption quality sugars for consumers in the local and export markets. Uitvlugt estate produces sugar of a lesser quality that is sold on a limited basis in the local market

only. It is now observed for the first time ever, that sugar is being transported by road from Albion Estate to the Enmore Packaging Plant for packaging. Editor, Albion estate is a bulk sugar producer, meaning that all the sugar it produces is for refining before its consumption and not food-grade quality for direct consumption.

This decision to send Albion’s sugar to the Enmore Packaging Plant effectively means that GuySuCo is now placing industrial bulk grade sugar or non-food grade sugar into bags and/or packs for retail sale and thus direct use.

Non-food grade sugar does not meet the quality standards for direct consumption and, therefore, puts the health of consumers at risk. The entire

technical and administrative hierarchy should be made answerable for this decision, as it is tantamount to a criminal offence to knowingly place on the market such sugar.

This matter requires urgent investigation. Consumers pay hard-earned cash for a foodgrade product, not non-foodgrade product. Their health and well-being must never be treated with such contempt.

Apart from non-food grade sugar being packed, the cost of production will be much higher because of additional transport costs from Albion to Enmore.

Is this the sound business decision that the corporation often boasts about?

A logical question is: why not produce all food-grade sugar required for those

markets at the food-grade factories (Blairmont and Enmore)? A colossal blunder in planning and/or the record low production in the first crop of 2017 may be probable reasons for it not being done or made possible. I did warn about incompetence and possible record low production in a previous letter. Low production must be the cause for GuySuCo ending the first crop at Enmore, then twenty-four (24) hours later announcing that it would restart operations. Never before has such confusion and incompetence stalked the offices of executives and the IMC at GuySuCo. Regards Sookram Persaud

Dear Editor IN the “Dem Boys Seh” column in today’s edition (Tuesday, May 30, 2017) reference is made to Mr Irfaan Ali ‘does eat like a pig...’.

Editor, I find this analogy distasteful, disrespectful and offensive. Not just because this is the Holy Month of Ramadan, but Mr Ali is a respected Muslim and regardless of our feelings for

him, better decorum and respect for one’s religion and practices should be observed. The pig is a cursed animal in the Islamic religion and to equate a Muslim with this cursed animal is totally out of order. Please, better sensibilities need to be on display in satirical pieces in order not to offend anyone for any reason.

Regards Shamshun Mohamed

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Confronting child abuse Dear Editor,

PLEASE allow me space in your newspaper to once again bring to you and your readership’s attention the escalating plight of children without faces. Jason (not his real name) age 15 has been missing since Sunday 21st May, 2017.

Life in the city is not easy, but then again, is life back in the village any easier?

As the public is becoming more educated about child abuse, human trafficking and protective intervention, many people all across Guyana and the Caribbean are perhaps reflecting on their own childhood days realising that they too were abused. The abuse, whether it was physical, sexual, or emotional, would have appeared normal to them as children. Nobody talks about it, abuse was not part of our vocabulary back then. Some children even looked forward to the abuse and internalised it as affection from their abuser.

I recalled my early years practising as a psychotherapist here in Guyana, when I received an overseas call; the caller said that she was in her early 40s and had recently migrated to North America.

She said had she not travelled abroad, her awareness would have gone unnoticed. The caller said it had never occurred to her that something was wrong with her 64-year-old mother until she had migrated, and can’t help the feelings that she (caller) and her father were living in hell and didn’t know it. The caller cried out, poor daddy! All those years he was so loyal to mommy.

She said the feelings were so strong that something was not right with her mother that she started looking for a therapist in Guyana. She related that she did not have to look too far, as there was only one listing in the local telephone directory. The caller made an appointment for her mother to come in.

Hilda (not her real name)

arrived on time for her appointment; she was decked out in her “Sunday best.” Hilda insisted that nothing was wrong with her, claiming that her daughter was just worried about nothing, but since her daughter insisted, she kept her appointment. The first visit went well; Hilda completed paperwork and felt comfortable sharing light conversation.

It was on Hilda’s third visit that she began opening up. About 10 years earlier at the age of 54, while watching the Oprah Winfrey show on childhood sexual abuse, it was then and there that she (Hilda) made the discovery that what had happened to her had been a violation and a crime. In the past 10 years her life had gotten worst, feelings of guilt consumed her, and she blamed herself for the abuse but felt trapped because of the deep, convicted love that she still carried around for her dead abuser. Hilda said that life has not been easy, and described a feeling of being heavier and heavier with each passing year since watching that Oprah Winfrey show.

Hilda shared her experience of being sexually abused from the age of nine until her 16th birthday. The abuser was a close family member, a big man whom she fell in love with. “In the earlier years, it was painful when he penetrated me, but he was gentle and caring”. Hilda vividly described her abuser as tall, dark, and handsome and he smelled so good to this day she could still recognise the smell of Brut Cologne whenever a gentleman would pass by her wearing it. Hilda said she would go to the window just to see him hopping and skipping down the long dirt walkway dressed in his all-white suit, with matching white shoes and hat while whistling. “I would get so excited because he would always have a bag of hot peanuts in his pocket just for me along with his

small jar of Vaseline. I would look forward to those Saturday and Sunday morning treats of hot peanuts and breakfast.”

She continued, “To this day I love peanuts — that’s the only memory I have of him now.”

And when he was done with her, Hilda said he would lift her up and take her into the kitchen and sit her down on a chair or sometimes on the table and she would watch him make her the biggest breakfast while he was singing away.

I recalled the day when Hilda stood up tall with her back erect and chest up in the air and shook herself off from side to side. Then with a proud smile on her face she said now there I feel light, 50 years of dead weight gone! I sat there in my chair and literally watched a nine-year-old child go through Piaget’s stages of cognitive development. In a few short months, Hilda blossomed into a woman by meeting all her milestones, shading off decades of co-dependency, trapped in a cage that robbed her of her innocence, free at last! Hilda now had language to verbalise her innermost thoughts and feelings.

Hilda said she got married young to the first young man that noticed her and came calling, just to escape the big secret. She described how she compared her ex-husband who truly loved her to that of her childhood abuser; had she known what she knows now — that she had been abused as a child, her life would have been different and probably she would still be married.

Hilda reported that her marriage ended because she was detached from her emotions, and did not enjoy sex, she just existed void of any expressions or responsiveness for those close to her, including her only child. She explained that her ex-husband did everything in the home including raising their only child. While she just quietly watched on with a smile and after their divorce he continued to care for

her— running all her errands and taking her to church on Sundays and to her doctor’s appointments.

But Jason is missing.

By the end of three months, Hilda was going to the market on her own, calling a taxi for herself, deciding what meals she’ll prepare for the week, attended a prayer group meeting for the first time, and started tending to the plants in the yard again, for the first time on a weekly basis. She also reported that she started going to the beauty salon for the first time instead of her ex-husband buying that boxed hair dye.

The housekeeper went from three days a week to one day a week for doing laundry only. Hilda announced that she will be paying for her therapy sessions from here on with her allowance, had applied for a passport and planned to join her daughter who arranged a babysitting job in her newly soon-to- be-adopted land. A few months later, Hilda called to say thank you, as she was preparing to leave these shores. The real thanks goes to Oprah Winfrey who stepped down from her superstar status, to touch the lives of millions of women and some men who were childhood victims of sexual abuse all over this planet earth. People from all walks of life, all ages, ethnicities, economic backgrounds, and religious persuasions who were sexually molested by a trusting adult family member can and should get help. I personally thank Oprah Winfrey for making my work so much easier and allowing Hilda to step out of the cage after being trapped in that emotional time capsule for more than five decades.

Regards Ingrid Goodman Executive Director Patois Arts, Business & Professional Behavioural Services

‘Gas Man’ harassing junior ranks in ‘B’ Division Dear Editor

PERMIT me please to mention in a column of your paper the continuation of vindictiveness and spitefulness being meted out to at least 99.9 percent of junior ranks in ‘B’ Division by this senior officer, we would prefer to call ‘Gas man.’

One corporal who won a traffic violation has fallen prey to this kind of harassment.

Another rank (female), after being accused of not

being alert on duty, spoke up for herself and has felt the brunt of his vindictiveness.

Mr Editor, once you will not bring and carry news to ‘gas man,’ you are not his friend.

A rural constable who was employed after the election was told that she could not get pregnant, but yet one of his friends, who is female officer’s daughter and working in his office, is still on the job and being paid.

“What goes for one must go for all.”

Mr Editor, ‘gas man’s relative was one of the ranks implicated in the corruption charge against police officers. The most senior officer was exonerated and the other four are off the job. The lone female who is his relative is still on the job. Mr Editor, we know they are ranks who are corrupt and who bring discredit to the force, once they are found guilty, get rid of them. My final comment is the 12-hour shift.

Almost every Sunday the

shift changes, this means Mr Editor that if you report for duty at 20:00hrs on Saturday night you will not be going home until Sunday night. ‘Gas man’ reported at a station and instructed the ranks that there must not be a recurrence. (This only applies) to us the 99.9 percent. PS: Honourabe Minister of Security please look into the hours of work done by us.

Regards Fed up ranks

Nandlall must be exposed Dear Editor FORMER Attorney General Anil Nandlall seems to have a penchant for the sensational.

Despite being charged criminally for allegedly stealing law books belonging to the State, Mr Nandlall has nevertheless not lost his voice and his propensity, almost on a daily basis, to write letters accusing the current government of a string of mis-strides and political atrocities.

So it was no surprise when the police department this week lashed down his allegations that more than 200 persons are on an official travel blacklist at the Cheddi Jagan airport and other ports of entry and exit. Mr Nandlall had been able to gain some media traction with his allegation, but the police must be commended for responding quickly and pellucidly in clearing the air on a matter that would have already been causing discomfort and disquiet

among the citizenry.

In the end, the police said that there are just about 140 persons on a list of people who should not be allowed to travel because authorities have more than a passing interest in them. This is a case of egg on the face of Mr Nandlall and the PPP, the political party he represents and clearly wants to lead one day in the future. Friends called me from overseas asking for help in determining the veracity of the alleged 200 on a blacklist, such was the unease that his statements had caused.

So all I have to do now is refer them to the police’s statement and the line by commissioner that the allegation “is a total fabrication.” The Government’s PR messengers must be quick to respond to such allegations and acts of political mischief, as fake news of this kind could cause pain and hurt to the citizenry.

Regards Peter Joseph

Election of CPG chairman of Tapakuma irregular Dear Editor THERE was a meeting held in the Amerindian community of St Deny, Tapakuma, Region Two, to elect a chairman and committee of the newly formed Community Policing Group. This second round of elections, sir, was nothing more than a fraud.

Let me expound a little.

Firstly, based on investigation, it was discovered that the results of the first set of elections were purportedly overturned for the reason that there was no representative present from the police high command, even though two constables attended. Secondly, the first election was overtly derailed through the intervention of a single individual to insert a chairperson to her liking.

Just a single individual’s request, (a Regional Councillor) was granted at the expense of justice and fair play. Also, there was no police presence, quite unlike the first meeting, yet the new election results were upheld.

How indecent, lawless and wicked can people become?

Sir, it is hoped that the police at the command centre have observed that the individual who is now chairman of the newly formed policing group at this location is under the community’s magnifying lens for alleged involvement in illicit activities.

Could the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, intervene, or at the least, orde a fresh election?

Regards Name provided

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Katamuses, corkballs and the real $55M SUV scandal

MUCH ado is being made of the recent procurement of a vehicle by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). This however is a smokescreen being created in a less-than-sophisticated effort to detract from the real SUV scandal which the public needs to know about.

What the political opposition is attempting to do by focusing on the cost of the vehicle acquired by OPM is mask the obscene numbers attached to the vehicles which were purchased by the PPP administration and which, to this day, are still being utilised by their senior members.

Here are the indisputable facts: 1. 1. Former President Donald Ramotar utilizes a Toyota Landcruiser Prado which cost taxpayers approximately GY$17,000,000 (SEVENTEEN MILLION DOLLARS) 2. 2. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo utilizes a Toyota Landcruiser Prado which cost taxpayers approximately GY$15,000,000 (FIFTEEN MILLION DOLLARS) 3. 3. Former Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh utilized a Toyota Landcruiser Prado which cost taxpayers GY$23,000,000 (TWENTY THREE MILLION DOLLARS) These three vehicles – two of which are being currently used

by Opposition Leader Jagdeo and former President Ramotar – cost the state a total of GY$55,000,000.

That is FIFTY FIVE MILLION DOLARS of taxpayers’ money.

The vehicle procured for use by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo for non-coastland trips cost a mere GY$13.5m in comparison. This is a whopping $41,500,000 LESS than the three vehicles purchased during the term of the previous PPP administration circa 2013/2014 as listed above.

The cost of the vehicle recently procured by OPM is less than each of the three vehicles listed above. It is $3,500,000 LESS than the cost of the vehicle currently being used by former President Ramotar. It is $1,500,000 LESS than the cost of the vehicle currently being used by Opposition Leader Jagdeo. And it is a whole $9,500,000 less than the vehicle procured under the OPM budget, but which was utilized by Finance Minister Dr.

Ashni Singh instead.

And these vehicles were purchased several years prior, at costs which were still far in excess of the vehicle procured in 2016 for the current Prime Minister. There is an additional dimension of ‘scandalousity’ to this issue.

The facts are disturbing as they are instructive of how the previous government conducted business.

A sum of $23,000,000 was budgeted for the purchase of a single SUV vehicle for then Prime Minister Samuel Hinds. The SUV luxury vehicle was purchased for the full amount of $23,000,000, but it was reported to the new government that former Prime Minister Hinds was not permitted use of the vehicle. The obvious question now is whether the PPP government had second thoughts and did not believe that then Prime Minister Hinds was worthy of this $23million SUV and reverted him to an older model more befitting of their view of his relegated ribbon-cutting stature.

When the government changed in 2015, this $23M vehicle was not handed over to the OPM. It was reported by the OPM staff that the vehicle was assigned to the Ministry of Finance for use by then Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, whose challenges and troubles with vehicles were widely reported in the press.

The fleet of vehicles handed over at OPM included one vehicle which broke down in the middle of a street in Georgetown with the Prime Minister on board. Another vehicle could not navigate the elevation of the Berbice Bridge. I personally witnessed the front light falling off of another on the Linden-Lethem trail while en route to the Rupununi. On the return leg of this very trip, I witnessed the gas tank of another vehicle in the fleet coming loose and a disaster was narrowly avoided by a combination of luck and swift action. Lives could have been lost. The entire OPM fleet consisted of katamuses and corkballs, which were given fresh paint jobs to give the illusion of newness.

With a $23MILLION SUV missing from the OPM vehicle pool and a fleet of old and dilapidated vehicles, the sum of $22M was therefore reinstated to upgrade the prime ministerial fleet.

The monies were used not to purchase a SINGLE vehicle as was done by the PPP administration, but rather to purchase TWO

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 31, 2017

vehicles PLUS a motorcycle and the balance was RETURNED to the treasury. Following is the breakdown: 1. 1. SUV - $13,819,648 2. 2. Cars - $5,382,468 3. 3. Motorcycle - $203,000 TOTAL - $19,405,116 RETURNED TO TREASURY - $2,594,884 Two years later, under the new Coalition Government, less monies were being expended for the purchase of vehicles than was done by the PPP at an earlier time when vehicle prices were less than they are now.

FIFTY FIVE MILLION DOLLARS for three SUVs under the PPP – the cheapest of the lot was $15,000,000, $1.5MILLION MORE than the cost of the vehicle being used by PM Nagamootoo.

And this $15MILLION ride is being used by none other than Opposition Leader Jagdeo, yet total silence on this, as there is total silence on Mr. Ramotar’s $17MILLION auto-chariot and the one, which was used by former Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, which costs a fantastic $23MILLION.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 31, 2017

$5M village shop opens at Katoonarib

MORE than 400 residents of Katoonarib in Deep South Rupununi, Region Nine will benefit from the recently commissioned village shop that falls under the Amerindian Development Funded ADF’s Community Development Plan CDP project.

The shop cost some $5M. At the commissioning of the shop, Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, challenged residents to capitalise on these initiatives which will ensure economic and other developments are realised.

“It is indeed a great moment, a moment where history is being created here in this community and it means that under good leadership good things happen and that is what I have seen when we came in with the youths with the energy. I know we have a bright future ahead for this community,” Allicock assured.

Minister Allicock said the Government is ready and willing to provide guidance in the direction the village sees fit and one which will ensure development is achieved so that the “Good Life” promised can be realised sooner rather than later.

Villagers were commended for their support since one hundred percent of the construction of the facility was executed by residents. The minister said “this is how a community should be; we should work together, move

forward and make things happen bringing comfort to your community. A place of supply was a very thoughtful one because you can have a circulation center

ability and transparency, he said, must be taken seriously and the village council and villagers were reminded that “while you have the Community Management

that will be able to bring stuff that you cannot make and that you can sell stuff that you can make, we don’t only want to see things coming in here but also going out”.

Katoonarib is known as the largest producers of peanuts in the South Rupununi and Minister Allicock challenged residents to ensure the village shop is the springboard for bigger things to come. Account-

Team remember this is the village property so the CMT is not above the village council, it is under the village council but with that management capacity and responsibility. You must be able to report on a timely basis and the Toshao must be allowed to check the books or have somebody within the community doing the checks and helping you to balance as the business progresses.”

Security is another key component and according to the minister “every villager must be a security officer, meaning that you must be able to check, it is yours you

must allow it to grow so you don’t want anybody to come and rob you of it.”

Several villagers following the commissioning said they are happy that the village has its own shop and will support its operations.

“This is good it’s more close to me now”, Elfreda Cyril, who had to walk seven miles to the closest shop in the village noted. Olive Francis said: “I will support them here is where I buy everything from”. Another resident Mark Jacobs noted, “yes, yes I am happy with this shop and I will support it.”

Toshao of the Village, Marcus Alexander, said that since the business opened its doors it has not only received support from villagers but a number of businesses in Lethem. “The progress made is very rapid, we have been talking to the wholesalers and they have agreed to give us goods at Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock, a reasonable price so we assisting in the cutting of the ribbon to signal the opening of the new shop

can make a profit so how it looks in the next year we will be looking to put an extension to this building because we have been receiving the support from them and from the community,” he said.

Toshao Alexander says the village has already employed a permanent and two support staff to undertake the day to day operations of the business. Katoonarib has a population of approximately four hundred residents and their main economic activities are cash crop farming, cattle rearing, fishing, hunting, while some of the youth are gainfully employed in the extractive industry.

Meanwhile, since the introduction of the annual Presidential Grants in 2007, the village has received more than $10M towards economic advancement, while also receiving additional funding to support other projects.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 31, 2017

Some are more equal than others ‘All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others’ - George Orwell

By Akola Thompson THE issue of a referendum is one that has been in the Guyanese media and the public sphere for several weeks now. This largely has to do with the proposition -- backed up by two Members of Parliament so far -- that the issue of decriminalisation of same-sex intimacy will be taken to a referendum.

More particularly, it is Section 351 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act that specifically criminalises any form of intimacy between Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) that is causing the uproar. It is unclear whether Sections 352 and 353 of the act would also be taken to the referendum, but it is interesting to note that no one seems too particularly concerned

with it. It is interesting, because these two sections also criminalise buggery, but they are gender-neutral, meaning that anyone who engages in it, under the law, can be charged-- whether they are homosexual or not.

Public dialogue regarding this aspect of the referendum has largely been an expected response. As a largely conservative country, it comes as no surprise

that the majority want the laws to remain the same way with absolutely no change. This then causes me to wonder as to why in a representative democracy, where we vote our leaders in to make certain decisions, they think it wise to give the majority the mantle on deciding minority rights. Could it be that the coalition government is too afraid to alienate their populace given that they won by a very narrow margin? Knowing how politics work and how insidious it is, my answer is yes. But then, there is also the issue of the Opposition who is posturing itself both as an advocate for LGBT rights, while simultaneously appealing to their own supporters by sitting on the fence with the issue. When asked about the decriminalisation of same-sex intimacy via the referendum, Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, said that he does not believe the country is ready for such changes.

Keep in mind that this was his exact response when he was president and then de-facto president under the Ramotar administration.

Knowing how minority rights are skewed and castigated, there will never be

“a time” when the majority will feel as if they should be equal with minorities.

Our leaders do not help with this issue as often they end up conflating it with something that was not even a part of the conversation. This was seen when Jagdeo stated, “I don’t think the country, based on what our consultations show among large numbers of people, is ready for the same-sex marriage and all of those things.”

Same-sex marriage was not even being addressed and is definitely not going to referendum, but here he is conflating the two in an effort to further confuse the public. Would I like to see us have same-sex marriage?

Yes, but the fact remains that that is not the issue at the moment. Homo and trans phobia are obviously too great political currencies for either the ruling coalition or opposition to give up at this time.

This referendum continues to expose the ugly underbelly of homophobia entrenched in Guyana. When we can have respected women and children rights activists, sitting on two commissions -- the Women and Gender Equality Commission and

the Rights of the Child Commission – referring to homosexuals as evil and possessed, we know we have a serious problem.

Nicole Cole in all her wisdom tried to conflate the issues of homosexuality and paedophilia when she was challenged about her views relating to homosexuality. It apparently does not matter that heterosexuals are several times more likely to abuse and rape children. When this was pointed out to her, Cole came with a new argument of ‘heterophobia,’ which for all intents and purposes is not a thing.

This shows how strong belief systems are and how people will clutch at any opportunity they can to feel victimised if they feel their precious foundations of beliefs are being threatened. We cannot trust the Guyanese populace to vote on minority rights.

No matter how they twist it and turn it, if this goes to referendum, whether same-sex intimacy is decriminalised or not, I will remember this government as one which is more concerned with political mileage rather than the human rights of its populace.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 31, 2017

Adopting best practices for e-Governance

THE world’s leading experts in e-Governance along with governmental and non-governmental decision- makers, donors and civil society groups are meeting this week in Tallinn, Estonia, to discuss the ways and means of transferring knowledge and techniques, and sharing information on effective e-Governance in this information age.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes, and Floyd Levi, Chairman of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), are among approximately 350 delegates from 115 countries attending the Tallinn e-Governance Conference 2017 on May 30th and 31st. Estonia stands out as one of the world’s pioneers in ICT and e-Governance.

In a release, the ministry said that the conference was formally opened by the President of Estonia, H.E. Mrs. Kersti Kaljulaid.

The opening ceremony was also addressed

by Guyanese Dr. Patrick Ignatius Gomes, Secretary-General of the African, Caribbean

& Pacific countries (ACP) Participants witnessed a first-hand demonstration of Estonia’s highly lauded model of e-Governance and during the two-day conference, they will discuss several innovative e-Governance solutions that have already been proven successful in countries such as Namibia, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Serbia, Mauritius and Kenya.

Minister Hughes will also be a member of a panel that discusses: “ICT in the Service of Sustainable Development Goals.” In addition, industry experts will explore the strategies used by many countries to build their domestic e-Governance strategies, the lessons they learned and the best practices developing countries could adopt.

Before the conference, Minister Hughes had the distinct pleasure of visiting the Parliament of Estonia, and engaging in one-on-one discussions with key delegates. Estonia is located on the European continent, sharing borders with Latvia and Russia.

Minister Hughes with Ms. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Ghanian Minister of Communications (second, right), and Head of e-Government services in Ghana, Jeffery Addo (extreme left)

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Minister Hughes (centre) with Secretary-General of the ACP, Guyanese Mr. Patrick Ignatius Gomes (r) and NDMA Chairman, Floyd Levi (l).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 31, 2017

Contractor shot during attempted robbery in Better Hope

A CONTRACTOR of North Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, was

shot in the upper region of the right side of his ribs during an attempt-

ed robbery in front of his premises on Monday night.

He has been identified as 31-year-old Terence Ramlochan, who has since

been admitted to a private hospital in a stable condition.

According to a police report, about 21:00hrs, Ramlochan drove up in front of his gate, exited his vehicle and was in the process of opening the gate when a male suspect armed with a handgun pounced and demanded cash and his cellular

phone.

He refused and tried to disarm the suspect, but the suspect discharged a round which struck Ramlochan, who then fell to the ground; the suspect quickly fled the scene.

I n v e s t i g a t o r s a re working on all possible leads to have the perpetrator arrested and brought to justice.

Wednesday 31- May 2017 –– 09:00 hrs Thursday 1- June 2017 –– 10:00 hrs Friday 2- June 2017 –– 11:30 hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 31, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 31, 2017

Gold target in sight … Trotman forecasts another mammoth figure this year

MINISTER of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has said that current indicators show that Guyana’s extractive industries will turn out good performances this year and announced that declaration of gold production stands at 212,000 ounces so far.

Guyana’s highest production of gold at 713,000 ounces was recorded in 2016 and Minister Trotman noted that the country is well on its way to produce another mammoth figure this year. Trotman was speaking during a forum at City Hall on Monday when he made the remarks. His presentation was based on the discovery of oil and the role the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has to play in preparing and transforming Georgetown for the commencement of these operations.

The minister during his presentation, highlighted that the extractive industries, in the areas of gold, bauxite and manganese mining and the quarrying of sand and stone, are showing feasibility

for the commencement of or increase in production.

Interestingly, Guyana’s manganese industry has been inactive for some time now.

According to Minister Trotman however, “We are seeing some movement here.” An agreement between Bosai Minerals Group and Reunion Gold Corporation was approved earlier this year by Minister Trotman, whereby Bosai acquired the rights of the manganese project at Matthew’s Ridge, Region One and mining was slated to begin here in 2018. Minister Trotman noted during his presentation that preparatory works such as the rehabilitation of the road leading to the mine and wharf facilities are currently under way.

It is anticipated that the company will ship 350,000 tonnes of manganese per year. Here, the minister noted that the manganese will either be shipped directly from the North-West district to Trinidad or through use of the RUSAL’s shipment port at the mouth of the Berbice River. With Guyana’s highest

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman during his presentation to the Mayor and City Council production of gold at 713,000 ounces recorded in 2016, the minister also noted that Guyana is well on its way to produce another mammoth figure this year with 212,000

ounces being produced so far.

Through measures of empowering the small miners who contributed to 70% of last year’s total gold production, the creation of mining

syndicates has been greatly fostered by government. Reflecting upon the lives lost in mining accidents, especially via the caving in of mining pits, Minister Trotman mused, “One life lost, is one too many.” Thus, measures have begun placing attention on mine safety and educating miners on safe practices for managing mines through the establishment of a ‘Mine School’.

Speaking on bauxite too, the minister highlighted that since Guyana celebrated 100 years of the bauxite industry last year, a total review of the industry is being done, looking at the feasibility of another 100 years. He attested too that after a decline in the industry, the demand for bauxite seems to be picking up. Though prices for bauxite are yet to rise, the minister alluded to a possible investment in this industry via a United States company in addition to RUSAL and Bosai Minerals Group already here.

Most importantly however, government is currently examining the feasibility of

establishing an aluminum plant right here in Guyana, according to Trotman. For both stone and sand, there has been an increase in production and the minister accounted that they were both doing well, since government has become more vigilant in managing the resources. For sand especially, he disclosed that government would be able to give sand concessions to the M&CC through an arrangement with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). He explained that the arrangement allows sand to be mined as government works and provided to certain institutions (like M&CC) at concessionary prices for construction and repair works.

Wi t h o u t f o r g e t t i n g youth and paving the way for sustainable development, Minister Trotman briefly underscored that government intends to create a youth innovation fund for use in these extractive industries.

New supermarket opens at Supenaam

By Elroy Stephney

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, join with the family of Iftikar Mohamed in cutting the ribbon to commission the new Safe Way Supermarket in Supenaam

ENTREPRENEURS continue to place confidence in the economy of Region Two as a new supermarket- Safe Way Supermarket was commissioned on Monday at Supenaam on the Essequibo Coast.

It was the second Supermarket to be unveiled by Managing Director, Iftikar Mohamed, with the other being situated in Cotton Field.

The 42-year-old businessman was thrilled to provide such an investment to the community and has promised to discharge quality service to residents. The family-oriented businessman is the father of four children and together with his wife has invested heavily in his business ventures.

Employment opportunities have also been created with seven staff providing their services.

Meanwhile, Minister of Social Protection, Amna

The newly commissioned Safe Way Supermarket Ally in brief remarks at the opening congratulated the family for their investment stating that the atmosphere in Guyana is right for development. The minister later commissioned the facility by assisting with the cutting of the ribbon with Mohamed’s children to declare the Su-

permarket open. Also in attendance was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social protection, Lorraine Baird; Regional Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt, and Regional Executive Officer, Derrick Persaud.

Following the opening hampers were distributed

to senior citizens in communities of Supenaam and Hibernia.

It was also announced too that Mohamed donated a Masjid to the community and has continuously supported many causes including donations to schools and other social events.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 31, 2017

Centenarian benefits from police hamper distribution

A CENTENARIAN was among 13 recipients of community hampers, a distribution project which was recently hosted by the police at the Cove and John Police Station.

She was identified as Iris John, who is a retired school teacher. Commander of ‘C’

Division (East Coast Demerara), Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus and ranks distributed 13 hampers. The beneficiaries were selected by officers in charge of the various sub-divisions along with the station sergeants.

Senior Superintendent Brutus, who was recently

Three years jail for man caught with 481 grams ‘ganja’ A MINER who was arrested on Monday for the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking was sentenced to three years jail on Tuesday.

Sherwin McAlmont, a

on McAlmont, who was the passenger in the vehicle. A quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis was found inside the bag.

The police told the suspect of the offence com-

The suspected cannabis that was found miner of Seventh Avenue, Bartica, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Delon Bess at the Bartica Magistrates Court.

Reports indicate that the police conducted a search on motor lorry, GTT 6635 which was heading into the Puruni Backdam, when a constable found a black plastic bag

mitted and upon being cautioned, McAlmont reportedly admitted ownership of the suspected cannabis.

He was subsequently arrested and escorted to the Bartica Police Station where the cannabis was weighted and amounted to 481 grams.

Boat operator caught with unlicensed gun, ammo POLICE ranks in ‘F’ Division (interior locations) arrested the operator of a small vessel for unlawful possession of a small-calibre firearm with one live round at Barakat Landing, Puruni River, on Monday.

According to a police report, about 11:30hrs, the

The .32 semi-automatic pistol that was found ranks were on a “river patrol” when they observed the boat captain acting in a suspicious manner after he saw them. The ranks then decided to conduct a search, when they found an unlicensed .32 pistol with a matching round on his person.

The suspect, who is a 51-year-old resident of Grant Pomeroon on the Pomeroon River, is being processed for court. This is the 19th illegal firearm to be seized for this year in ‘F’ Division.

assigned to the East Coast district as commander, expressed his passion and intention to have a close relationship with the communities under his purview.

“This is just the beginning of what we intend to do, we will look at intensifying the youth programmes, revitalizing station management and expanding on the Cops and Faith Network,” the commander told this newspaper.

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Commander Brutus (second from left) with centenarian, Iris John and other ranks

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 31, 2017

Diamond resident charged with death of cricket coach

A DIAMOND, East Bank Demerara man appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday,

charged with causing the death of cricket coach and umpire, Daniel Richmond by dangerous driving.

Elton Carter, 29, a building

contractor, was not allowed to plead to the charge, which alleged that on May 21, 2017, he drove motor pick-up, GRR 8350 on the corner of D’Urban

and Smyth Streets, Georgetown in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of Richmond.

Police Prosecutor, Shellon

Dead: Daniel Richmond Daniels objected to bail on the grounds that Carter did not cooperate with the police during the investigation and that he is a flight risk.

But defense lawyer, Stanley Moore told the court that his client was not the driver of the vehicle at the time of the accident. He added that a female was the driver of the vehicle at the time of the accident and his client has assisted the police in identifying who the female is.

However, Prosecutor Daniels also stated that Carter has

three traffic charges in the traffic court. As such, Carter was remanded to prison until June 1, 2017. Meanwhile, police are still seeking information on the whereabouts of said woman.

According to the police, Carter had initially told the police that he was at the wheel when the accident occurred; he later changed his story and said that a female was the driver.

According to reports, Richmond, of Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, was killed on the spot when the ‘Tacoma’, slammed into the minibus, BVV 5273, in which he was travelling. The impact reportedly caused the minibus, which was carrying other passengers, including Richmond, to topple several times then crashing into a utility pole and cracking it before coming to a rest.

The ‘Tacoma’, meanwhile, was sent headlong into a blue car, PLL 4474, parked on the parapet next to the ‘Classique GT Beer Garden’ at the corner of D’Urban and Smyth.

Armed bandits rob dredge owner in Cuyuni THREE armed, masked bandits attacked and robbed a gold dredge owner of an undisclosed amount of raw gold in the Black Water Backdam, Cuyuni River on Monday.

The bandits attacked a 62-year-old Brazilian, Chove Oliveira, who is the General Manager of Manuel Mining Company. Two of the men were armed with handguns and another with a knife. Reports indicate that the Brazilian had just finished “washing down” his sluice box and had the gold in a bucket. He was in the presence of his workers when the robbers emerged from the bushes, stuck them up and relieved them of the raw gold. They then made good their escape and in the process discharged a round into the air.

No one was injured. Police visited the scene and took statements as investigations continue.

Taxi driver remanded on gun, cocaine charges

–– had threatened to kill wife

A TAXI driver, who was allegedly caught with over 20 pounds of cocaine at his Lot 6 ‘J’ Duncan Street, Campbellville, Georgetown home, was remanded to prison on Tuesday.

Trevor Rodriguez, 32, was charged with having 11.363 kilogrammes of cocaine in his possession. He was also charged with having a 9mm pistol, a Glock 9mm pistol and a 1.357 magnum revolver along with matching ammunition when he is not the holder of a firearm licence.

Rodriguez pleaded not guilty to the charges before Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates Court. According to reports,the police arrested the taxi driver and his wife, Amanda Rodriguez, after three illegal firearms, matching rounds and 11.kg of cocaine were found at their home during a raid on May 26, 2017.

The court heard that Rodriguez is in the habit of threatening to kill his wife and on the day in question, he threatened to kill her with a gun at their Duncan Street home. The woman called a co-worker who came to her assistance and also took away the gun from the husband.

The police were notified and conducted a search at the home where they found the cocaine and gun hidden in a 20-pound and 100-pound gas cylinder, respectively. Both cylinders had false bottoms.

Rodriguez also faced four other charges, two each for making use of threatening language and threatening behaviour towards his wife.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 31, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 31, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Guptill, Williamson make short work of Sri Lanka’s 356 NEW Zealand, led by Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson, overhauled Sri Lanka’s target of 357 with ease to complete a six-wicket victory in both teams’ final warm-up game at Edgbaston.

Guptill smashed 10 fours and five sixes in his 76-ball knock of 116 while Williamson followed that up with a 60-ball 88. Both batsmen subsequently decided to retire out - Guptill in the 29th and Williamson in the 32nd - but by then New Zealand were 101 runs away at a required

run rate of less than six.

Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka’s batsmen fielded a batting-heavy outfit that posted 356 runs in their 50 overs. Upul Tharanga started the onslaught at the top, smashing 13 fours and three sixes to notch up a century.

Kusal Mendis, at one drop, hammered seven fours and a six in his 50-ball 57 while Dinesh Chandimal - at two down- hit a quickfire 55.

It took Sri Lanka 15 overs to get to 100, another 15 to get to 200 and only 12 more to get to 300. That they

managed to keep scoring at breakneck speed could well be attributed to their batting line-up.

Of the nine batsmen used by them, only Nuwan Kulasekara’s primary skill was that of a bowler. New Zealand, too, used nine bowlers but only Corey Anderson (0-39) and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner (0-34) went for less than six an over. Despite taking two wickets, Trent Boult leaked 47 runs in his five overs.

Tom Latham (44) was instrumental in providing New

7th Digicel Schools Football championship to be launched today

IT is considered the ‘Holy Grail’ for schools football in Guyana and today details surrounding the 7th edition of the Digicel Schools Football championship will be unveiled at the West Demerara Secondary School at 11:00hrs at the launching of the tournament.

Chase’s Academic Founda-

tion are the defending champions of the tournament, while the Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School, popularly known as Multi are the most decorated.

The Linden-based team have played in every final since the inception of the tournament, winning four consecutive titles, losing only in the

inaugural year to the Georgetown Technical Institute and in last year’s final.

Digicel and team representatives are expected to be on hand, today, to share their plans for the championship which is played on a ‘win or go home’ format, featuring schools from the ten administrative regions in Guyana.

Portugal, Venezuela progress ... nalist Tom Kundert, from that point on the European side were in total control of the match: In the second period, South Korea needed to make their possession count a little more, but they lacked the conviction needed to get back into the game. Eventually it was Xadas, outstanding throughout, who made the game safe with a brilliant individual goal.

The hosts did at least give their supporters something to cheer late on, as Lee gave the scoreline a more respectable look. Portugal, meanwhile,

will face either Saudi Arabia or Uruguay in the last eight.

In the day’s early fixture Venezuela had to bide their time against Japan but eventually came through late on.

The Vinotinto were the standout side in the group stages of the competition, putting together three consecutive wins. But they were frustrated by a determined opponent for long spells here.

Adalberto Penaranda, Yeferson Soteldo and Ronaldo Pena were all threatening for Venezuela early in the game, but they couldn’t apply the decisive touch in front of goal.

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Continued from back page

Japan did offer a threat on the counter and particularly from set pieces, with Ritsu Doan rattling the bar.

Still, neither side could find a breakthrough in normal time and after another goalless 15 minutes in extra time, penalties loomed. Herrera saved the Venezuela supporters from that torture, though, heading home a corner with 12 minutes on the clock.

Sports journalist David Cartlidge was impressed with the performance of the South Americans and particularly that of Herrera.

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Zealand a brisk start alongside Guptill with the pair adding 78 for the first wicket.

Guptill and Williamson then took over, scoring 157 runs in 94 balls for the second wicket. Ross Taylor replaced

Guptill with New Zealand at 235 for 2 in 29 overs, after which Neil Broom (37*) and Anderson - who reached his fifty with a six to finish the match - steered them home with 23 balls to spare.

Of Sri Lanka’s seven bowlers, only Seekkuge Prasanna’s legspin managed to pick up any wickets.

He finished with figures of 2 for 63 off his ten.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

French Open bans Maxime Hamou for kissing female interviewer

By Julien Pretot | PARIS, France (Reuters) - Maxime Hamou was banished from the French Open yesterday after the French player kissed and cuddled a TV journalist following his first-round exit, the French tennis federation (FFT) said.

“The management of the tournament has decided to revoke Maxime Hamou’s accreditation following his reprehensible behaviour with

a journalist yesterday,” the FFT said in statement.

Footage of the interview showed Hamou pulling the female journalist close before kissing her on the side of the head. As the reporter looked embarrassed and tried to push him away, he kissed her again.

After answering a question he kissed her a third time, and pulled her towards him while she tried to peel his hand off her chest.

“We sincerely regret the

incident that occurred during yesterday evening’s interview between Maly Thomas and Maxime Hamou,” Eurosport said in a statement to Reuters.

“The behaviour of the interviewee was highly inappropriate and we do not condone such conduct in any way.

“Maly is a highly respected journalist and we are pleased that a full apology is being offered.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Need for Rehab Centre to protect athletes, says former Essequibo cricketer

By Elroy Stephney FORMER Essequibo inter-county wicket-keeper/ batsman Asif Akbar believes that there is urgent need for the establishment of a rehabilitation centre to protect athletes.

Akbar was regarded as one of the finest wicketkeepers to have emerged from the county and who enjoyed a satisfying career representing Essequibo.

He also played for local teams including Lima United and Anna Regina Sports Club in first division

Former Essequibo Inter-county wicketkeeper/batsman Asif Akbar

matches.

Akbar remains an avid reader and has sought to be-

come a mentor for emerging sportsmen in the Region. According to Akbar who spoke with Chronicle Sport, “It is evident that the country is losing its promising athletes because of drug and alcohol abuse.”

He cited instances where many national and international sportsmen have become drug addicts, some after they have retired.

When juxtaposed, he claimed that in the present circumstances the youths are now falling prey even before their careers have

developed.

It is his view therefore that there should be a national intervention in establishing a centre that will seek to help our sportsmen in responsibly dealing with the dangerous phenomenon and preserve the rich talent of the small population.

Akbar further reasoned that in Essequibo, it is quite a challenge because there are limited opportunities for the athletes.

As a result, he claimed that the easiest resort is to indulge in drug and alcohol consumption. “Athletes have no proper training facilities, there are very few

stimulating competitions and many sports clubs are either defunct or dormant’, he observed.

In this regard, the stylish batsman is recommending that Government urgently address the local situation while nationally; there should be an appropriate centre to deal with the deviant behaviour of athletes, who need help to resurrect their careers, and others who may need assistance to carry on in life.

Akbar, a devout Muslim remains a strong advocate for institutional and structural advances in sports within Region 2.

He was also a skilful footballer and is willing to share his immense experience with youths from the county. However, he is distraught by the lack of commitment and passion from the emerging talent while acknowledging that the broken and non- existent policies and programmes are contributors to the present scenario.

However, he sees the need for urgent intervention by the relevant authorities to safeguard the future of sportsmen and women by creating rehab centres nationally to reduce the negative impact of an increasing number of victims.

Unfazed Murray clears Kuznetsov hurdle

By John Stonestreet

PARIS, France (Reuters) - With intimations of his Roland Garros demise appearing greatly exaggerated, world number one Andy Murray played it straight by the French Open form book yesterday with a mostly regulation 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 first-round win over Russia’s Andrey Kuznetsov.

After a confidence-sapping run-in to the tournament he came within one match of winning last year, the top seed would have been hoping for an easy introduction to settle the nerves.

For the most part, his 73rdranked opponent obliged, as the rich run of form that last week took Kuznetsov to the semi-final of the Geneva Open deserted him under the gaze of a packed Philippe Chatrier crowd.

Paris’ main showcourt had already played host to upsets in the day’s first two matches, with Murray’s compatriot, seventh-seeded Johanna Konta, going down in three sets to Taiwan’s unseeded Hsieh Su-Wei in the women’s draw, and Spain’s Fernando Verdasco ousting German ninth seed Alexander Zverev in four.

For a while some may have sensed the possibility of a third shock as the Scot began tentatively, his tennis underpowered and his manner subdued.

Recovering from illness and injury, his love affair with clay has turned sour this year, with early-round losses this month to Borna Coric in Madrid and Fabio Fognini in Rome.

He was broken when serv-

Andy Murray

ing for the first set at 5-4, but Kuznetsov handed the break right back in the next game.

Murray then lost his bearings midway the second set, dropping four games in a row to allow the Russian to square the match.

Bolstered by the return-

ing presence in his box of Ivan Lendl, his coach in grand slams since 2012 and credited with adding an extra edge of aggression to his game, the Scot then moved through the gears, mixing drops shots with lobs and adding more depth to his groundstrokes.

He breezed through the third and fourth sets with the loss of just two games and ended the match full of smiles that hinted at his relief over a potentially tricky hurdle negotiated.

“He (Kuznetsov) goes for his shots; he plays very aggressively ... so he takes your time away. But it was quite windy today ... and that can make things difficult,” Murray said in a courtside interview.

“I started to play better as the match went on. I have very good memories of Paris and I will try to have another good run this year.”

India beat Bangladesh in warm-up fixture BANGLADESH suffered a 240-run thrashing by India in their final warm-up game before they kick off their Champions Trophy campaign against hosts England tomorrow.

Shakib Al Hasan’s team were bowled out for just 84 in reply to India’s 324-7 pace bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav doing the damage with three wickets apiece.

Wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik top-scored for India with a 77-ball 94 before he retired to allow other

batsmen time in the middle.

Of those, Hardik Pandya clubbed four sixes in his unbeaten 80, but neither skipper Virat Kohli nor India’s star man MS Dhoni batted.

Both teams were able to field 15 players, with only 11 allowed to bat or field at any one time.

Bangladesh meet England at the same venue, The Oval, tomorrow, with defending champions India’s opening game of the Champions Trophy against Pakistan on Sunday. (BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Rabada rout fires rise to world No.1

SOUTH Africa pace sensation Kagiso Rabada’s demolition job on England at Lord’s on Monday has catapulted him to the world’s No.1 ranking for one-day bowlers.

The current top-ranked ODI team, South Africa, now boast the No.1 bowler and batsman, with Proteas skipper AB de Villiers maintaining his position.

Despite thumping England at Lord’s after Rabada’s newball heroics reduced the hosts to 6-20 inside five overs, South Africa lost the three-match series 2-1.

That saw their lead over Australia as the top-ranked ODI side shaved by a point to be just four clear of Steve Smith’s men ahead of tomorrow’s start for the Champions Trophy tournament.

Rabada, who last week celebrated his 22nd birthday, becomes the youngest bowl-

er to hold the world No.1 ODI bowler ranking since Pakistan’s Saqlain Mushtaq in 1998. Mushtaq was 21 years and 13 days old when he

Trent Boult to claim top spot.

Boult fell two spots to now lag behind Josh Hazlewood who is now fifth, giving Australia and South Africa two Kagiso Rabada claims four of the six England wickets to fall in the first five overs at Lord’s.

(Getty)

claimed the world No.1 ODI bowler ranking on January 11, 1998 Rabada had been ranked fifth but leapfrogged Imran Tahir, Mitchell Starc and

bowlers in the top five each.

The team and individual rankings are tightly congested ahead of the Champions Trophy. The top three batsmen – de Villiers, David Warner and

Virat Kohli are separated by just 22 points while only 23 points separate Rabada, Tahir and Starc in the bowlers’ list.

South Africa, India and England have four batsmen each inside the top 20 with New Zealand (three), Australia and Pakistan (two each) also having significant presence. Similarly, among bowlers, Bangladesh and England have three each inside the top 20, followed by New Zealand, South Africa and Australia with two each. In the all-rounders’ list led by Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan, there are three players from England in the top 10.

Other players to gain in the rankings after the England-South Africa series include Quinton de Kock (up two places to fourth) and Eoin Morgan (up five places to 17th) while England bowler Liam Plunkett rose seven spots to crack the top 20 in 16th spot.

Tiger Woods ‘found by police asleep at wheel’

(REUTERS) - Former world No.1 golfer Tiger Woods was asleep at the wheel of a stationary Mercedes-Benz vehicle on a Florida road and did not know where he was, according to a police report released yesterday, a day after his arrest on a charge of driving under the influence.

Woods had “extremely slow and slurred speech” after being awakened by a Jupiter police officer, who found the car the golfer was driving stopped in the right lane of the roadway and still running, the report said.

Woods was heading south, away from his Jupiter Island home, before his arrest at about 03:00hrs. (0700 GMT) on Monday, according to the report. It said Woods was cooperative but had a hard time walking and keeping his eyes open.

Former World No.1 golfer Tiger Woods

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday May 31, 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) Kyle Mills-28 wickets (NZ) (2) Fareez Maharoof-6/14 (SL vs WI, Mumbai, 2006) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which wicketkeeper has effected most dismissals in ICC

Champions Trophy cricket?

(2) Who is the last captain to lift the ICC Champions Trophy?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

“Woods had changed his story of where he was going and where he was coming from,” the report said, noting at one point he indicated he was returning from a golf trip in California.

The 41-year-old golfer, who underwent surgery in April to relieve lingering back pain, on Monday blamed an unexpected reaction to legal drugs for his arrest and apologised for the incident. Two breathalyzer tests showed Woods’ blood alcohol content to be zero, according to the report.

“I want the public to know that alcohol was not involved,” Woods s aid in a s ta tem en t.

“What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications,” he said. “I didn’t realise the mix of medications had affected me so strongly.”

Strauss open to four-day Test cricket, as sport battles declining audiences

Andrew Strauss

WITH Test audiences declining around the world, reducing the length of matches has been discussed at a high level among governing bodies, and Andrew Strauss, the England Director of Cricket believes the idea has merit.

Colin Graves, the ECB chairman, floated the possibility of four-day Tests soon after taking office in 2015. Strauss’ comments come as Twenty20 cricket grows in influence, with the ECB expected to launch an eight-team, citybased competition featuring new teams in 2020.

Asked about Test cricket’s future, Strauss , the former England Test opener said: “I genuinely believe that every game of international cricket you play should have some sort of meaning.

“A World Test Championship and a World One-Day

League would be really important opportunities.

“We are not quite there yet but we are making some progress, and I wouldn’t rule out the idea of four-day Test cricket, either.

“If we can get the playing conditions right, in the right circumstances, it might be a good thing in certain parts of the world. I am not necessarily saying it would happen in this country, but we can’t ‘love Test cricket to death’.

“We have to think about how that format remains relevant in an era when the white ball, and certainly Twenty20 is taking over.”

England’s director of cricket added on Sky Sports: “The game can work over three forms but you have to limit volume of each. Teams want to play as much cricket as they can, so we need a programme that is compelling.”

Wenger to extend stay at Arsenal by two years

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

(REUTERS) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has agreed a new two-year contract with the Premier League club, according to British media reports yesterday.

Wenger’s future was the subject of intense speculation during the season, with a section of disgruntled fans and pundits calling for the long-serving Frenchman to leave.

A formal announcement from Arsenal confirming that Wenger has decided to stay is expected today, the BBC reported.

An Arsenal spokeswoman told Reuters the club was due to issue a statement on Wenger’s future, but did not

say if the manager had put pen to paper on a fresh deal.

Wenger, 67, has been Arsenal manager for 21 years, winning three Premier League titles and seven FA Cup trophies, but the club could only manage a fifth-place finish this season.

Arsenal will miss out on the lucrative Champions League next term for the first time since Wenger took charge in 1996.

They did end the season with silverware, however, after beating Premier League champions and favourites Chelsea on Saturday to give Wenger his record seventh FA Cup success.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Blarmont CC awards ceremony

Foster urges cricketers to develop culture of hard work and dedication

LONG-serving Secretary/ CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Hilbert Foster, last Thursday issued an appeal to young cricketers at the Blairmont Cricket Club (BCC) to develop a culture of hard work, dedication and positive attitude if they can, to have a successful cricket career.

Foster was at the time giving the feature address at the Blairmont Community Centre Main Hall.

Foster told the attentive cricketers that success is only achieved via hard work, sweat and there was no short cut to glory. He stated that players who want to become a good batsmen must concentrate on batting and work hard on correcting faults while bowlers must spend hours in the nets working on varieties and pace.

Players like Basil Butcher, Rohan Kanhai, Roy Fredericks, Alvin Kallicharran all came from poor background

but were determined to succeed against all odds and as such worked hard to fulfil their dream of playing cricket at the highest level.

Foster spoke widely on the formula that youths should use to be successful in life and they included getting a proper educational background, saying No to Drugs and Alcohol, respecting parents and those in authority, (placing) full faith in the God you serve, avoiding criminal activities, choosing friends wisely and always aiming for the sky despite the challenges you face in life.

Foster also urged the Blairmont club to develop a culture of assisting others as no matter how poor you are, there is always someone poorer than you. He also advised the youths that they should avoid friends who encourage them to follow the evil ways of Satan.

True friends, he stated, encourage you to fulfil your dreams to serve the God you

RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster hands over donation to BCC president Shabeer Baksh.

believe in and to Say NO to Drugs, Crime, Suicide and Alcohol.

The RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO also urged the large gathering of parents not only to support the outstanding work of the Blairmont Club but also to strive always to

be the best role model to their children. He urged parents not to consume alcohol, curse or use illegal drugs in-front of children and to make sure that they inspire them to fulfil their potential in sports, culture and education.

Turning his attention to

cricket administrators, the former chairman of the Berbice Cricket Board’s Special Events Committee pleaded with them to always put the interest of the cricketers first.

He stated that administrators are there to serve the

cricketers and not to seek personal glory or to benefit from serving youths. Calling on leaders to be more visionary, he noted that cricket administration is about not only organising matches but also making sure that every young cricketer understands his/her role as a representative of Berbice, Guyana, the West Indies and their status as a positive role model.

He advises the RHTY&SC to continue playing a major role in Berbice and noted that the Club would always be a friend of Blairmont Cricket.

The RHTY&SC during the ceremony donated three trophies, twelve cricket medals and Youth Information booklets and some gifts for the top Blairmont cricketers under its Cricket Development Programme. The RHTY&SC M.S. in April had also assisted the Blairmont club with balls, bats and cricket stumps.

England expect to end drought in Champions Trophy

By Ed Osmond LONDON, England (Reuters) - England have never won a global 50-over tournament but they will not get a better chance to end their long wait than in this year’s Champions Trophy on home soil.

Eoin Morgan’s team have been transformed since their dismal World Cup performance two years ago, playing

a vibrant and aggressive brand of cricket that should make them formidable in their own conditions.

Eight successive one-day victories preceded the seven-wicket loss to top-ranked South Africa on Monday in a dead game with the series in the bag but coach Trevor Bayliss remained confident about his team’s chances.

“This result ensures we go into the Champions Tro-

phy without big heads,” Bayliss said.

“We should have done better than we did but a 2-1 series win over South Africa, we’ll take that every day.”

England’s only global one-day title came at the World Twenty20 in 2010 and they lost the 2013 Champions Trophy final to India at Edgbaston in a game reduced to 20 overs per side.

With a powerful batting

lineup, including pugnacious openers Jason Roy and Alex Hales, Test captain Joe Root, Morgan, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, England usually score their runs rapidly.

Captain Morgan’s team racked up totals of 339 and 330 to win the first two matches of the series against South Africa before slumping to 20 for six in tough conditions on the way to defeat at Lord’s.

“We have put in a lot this series but this was a hiccup,” Morgan said.

“It’s a lesson with the bat and ball - our bowlers to be disciplined and to our batsman that, sometimes, you have to sit in,” Morgan said.

“They made us play a hell of a lot and managed to get the ball moving around.

Certainly, it’s not down to a lack of trying.”

England face Bangladesh in the opening Champions Trophy group game tomorrow before meeting New Zealand and Australia.

India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa are in the other section, with the top two sides from each group progressing to the semi-finals.

Holders India and Australia, twice Champions Trophy winners, are among the favourites, along with South Africa who won the inaugu-

ral tournament in 1998.

“The four really strong squads are England, defending champions India and perennial competitors Australia and South Africa,” former Australia captain Ian Chappell told Cricinfo.

“Ever since hitting rock bottom with an early exit from the 2015 World Cup, England’s 50-over cricket has been on an upward trend. They appear to be peaking perfectly for this tournament.”

Champions Trophy 2017 tournament fixtures 1 June – England v Bangladesh, The Oval (Day) 2 June – Australia v New Zealand, Edgbaston (D) 3 June – Sri Lanka v South Africa, The Oval (D) 4 June – India v Pakistan, Edgbaston (D) 5 June – Australia v Bangladesh, The Oval (D/N) 6 June – England v New Zealand, Cardiff (D) 7 June – Pakistan v South Africa, Edgbaston (D/N) 8 June – India v Sri Lanka, The Oval (D) 9 June – New Zealand v Bangladesh, Cardiff (D) 10 June – England v Australia, Edgbaston (D) 11 June – India v South Africa, The Oval (D) 12 June – Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Cardiff (D)

14 June – First semi-final (A1 v B2), Cardiff (D) 15 June – Second semi-final (A2 v B1), Edgbaston (D) 18 June – Final, The Oval (D) 19 June – Reserve day (D)

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 31, 2017

India rejects Pakistan cricket series THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) yesterday announced the appointments of its Schools Development Officer and a Youth Development Coach.

According to a release from the GFF, Ceon Bristol was named Schools Development Officer, while Shurwin Forde the federation’s Youth Development Coach, all a part of the new youth development strategy employed by the Technical Department of the GFF. “This is the first time ever the GFF Technical Department has appointed a Schools Development Officer and it is a key position within the brand new youth development strategy,” said Ian Greenwood, GFF’s Technical Director.

“The role will focus on the development and oversight

Shurwin Forde

of all GFF School Football.

This will include developing both in-curriculum and extra-curriculum Schools Football programmes. The Schools Development Officer will also be actively recruiting teachers for the GFF’s Coach Education courses,” Greenwood continued.

Bristol, who was seconded from the Ministry of

Ceon Bristol

Education, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from the school system and the Guyana Teachers Union. He participated in a number of GFF Youth National Teams. “Ceon is the perfect person to develop the GFF Schools Football

Programme,” Greenwood added.

Meanwhile, Forde will be operating as a Youth Development Coach at the GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centre in Berbice, with the primary role of teaching the game to the youngsters following the National Playing and Coaching Curriculum.

“It’s fantastic to have another former National Team player employed by the GFF Technical Department to pass on his knowledge and passion for the game to our young players,” Greenwood said, “We want to continue opening the doors to current and former national team players who want to work within our development programmes, but of course they have to have a passion for coaching and a willingness to learn.”

UDFA elections was constitutional and necessary – Mitchell

By Joe Chapman RECENTLY elected president of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA), Terrence Mitchell, has taken umbrage to a report by former UDFA official Jermaine Figuiera on his assumption to the top post, as if it was unconstitutional and not aboveboard.

Speaking exclusively to Chronicle Sport, Mitchell said the May 13 elections of the UDFA was one which was overseen by the governing Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

“So the question about how I emerge to be president: Look it was constitutional.

The GFF got involved. The General Council of (UDFA) made that decision and decided they want this thing fixed. They called on me to serve as the president,” Mitchell said.

A Civil Engineer by profession, Mitchell highlighted, “We (UDFA) had a situation where the previous executive became unstable, so to speak, in the sense that persons who were disgruntled over a couple of things happening, started falling off the ship.”

Mitchell, who had resigned as secretary in February of this year, noted that it was his passion for the game and the fact that he wanted to “see football move forward; and I know I have what it

takes to take football to the next level” which fuelled his return to the game.

“I have ideas and surround myself with a team what have that passion to make it happen. GFF came on board and conducted that meeting, whether it was supposed to be three months later or whether it happens now,” Mitchell pointed out.

that the thing could continue going forward.”

He continued, “So this notion about the haste in fixing the football, that is a setback for me. I can’t see how you could think that we should stay destabilised for a period when we have the opportunity, not to do so that we can continue going forward. Nevertheless, our

Newly elected president of UDFA Terrence Mitchell

The former president of the Amelia’s Ward United FC on the question by Figuiera in another section of the media, where the Member of Parliament asked about the timing of the UDFA election, which was expected in another three months, stated, “The fact remains that we want to see the continued development of football. We cannot wait for it to be a long period, if you have the opportunity to fix it now, so

mentality was to fix it right now and move forward. We brought forward that elections early; there was a need for it.”

The UDFA boss was adamant stating “Anybody doing anything other than progress for football, I don’t want to hear from them. If you are not talking progress, don’t come talking retrogression to me. We are going forward, we are not looking back.”

INDIA on Monday ruled out any cricket series against Pakistan until “cross-border terrorism” stops.

The Indian and Pakistani cricket boards are scheduled to meet in Dubai on Monday to discuss a possible bilateral series. And the two countries play each other at the Champions Trophy in England on June 4.

But they have not played a bilateral series in India or Pakistan since 2012.

India’s sports minister Vijay Goel said: “India, Pakistan cannot play bilateral series till cross-border terror from Pakistan (stops).”

“Terror and sports cannot go hand in hand,” Goel told reporters, referring to India’s accusations against Pakistan in the disputed Kashmir region.

“BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) should first talk to the government before giving any proposal to Pakistan.”

While bilateral series remain frozen, their clashes on the international stage,

such as at the Champions Trophy, create high anticipation.

“We have no control on multi-national games and events,” Goel said.

According to a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the BCCI and its Pakistan counterpart the two sides have to play six series between 2015 and 2023.

However, India did not tour Pakistan and even refused a neutral venue in 2015. The possibility of India hosting their neighbours this year also looks bleak with political tensions over Kashmir on the boil.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has threatened to take legal action against the BCCI if the memorandum is not honoured, but it is still ready for dialogue.

BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary has made it clear that India “remains committed to playing”, but the “series cannot go ahead without the permission of the Indian government”. (AFP)

See Page 27

National U-15 team captain confident of success in St Martin ... 16-man squad departs tomorrow

FRUTA Conquerors defender Joshua Braithwaite who was appointed captain of the National U-15 team, believes that the team has what it takes to come out victorious at the June 2-4 ‘SOUALIGA’ Tournament in St Martin.

Braithwaite is a part of the 25 currently encamped, but the team, according to the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), will be broken down to 16 ahead of their departure for the French Island tomorrow.

“I expect the team to win this time as we’ve been together for a long time. This is the fourth camp that the national programme has had for us and I think this time, we won’t be having any excuse, I think we should win this time,” Braithwaite said, while also stating that it’s a great feeling to lead the national team.

The tournament, the GFF said, will serve as part of the national team’s preparatory activity for the CONCACAF U-15 Championship, scheduled for August 2017.

The squad includes players from six of the GFF-Scotia-

Joshua Braithwaite - captain of the National U-15 squad.

FIFA U-20 World Cup

Portugal, Venezuela progress to quarter-finals

bank Academy Training Centres (ATC) and one from Region One, including Georgetown (6), East Demerara (7), East Bank Demerara (2), Bartica (1), Berbice (5) and Rupununi (3).

Bryan Joseph was named head coach, while Challous McKinnon will serve as his assistant. Eon DeVeira (goalkeeper coach), Charlene Henry (physiotherapist) and Rohanna Carryl (operations) are the other members of the technical staff, which will be spearheaded by the GFF’s Technical Director Ian Greenwood.

The SOUALIGA Tournament will feature 10 territories Anguilla, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Tortola, Barbados, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Thomas and Guyana - most using the competition to fine-tune preparations for the upcoming August CONCACAF Championship.

Encamped squad: Shawn Adonis (goalkeeper), Oswin Fredericks (goalkeeper), Jamari Fredericks (goalkeeper), Joshua Braithwaite, Wayne Da Silva, Cyrus Nicholson, Jermaine Padmore, Rickford Emmanuel, Kevin Reddy, Marcus Wilson, Okifi Patoir, Shannon Samnauth, Orville Daniels, Tyrel Khan, Derron Niles, Jermaine Garrett, Ravon Bayley, Trevon Adams, Omari Glasgow, Ken Salvador, Troni Semple, Kamani Milne, Ronaldo Rodrigues, Cephas Chase and Ntini August.

7th Digicel Schools Football championship to be launched today See Page 23

FLASHBACK! Chase’s Academic Foundation celebrate their Digicel Schools Football title last year at the Guyana National Stadium.

The Venezuelans eventually battled past Japan. (JUNG YEON-JE/Getty Images) PORTUGAL cruised past host nation South Korea 3-1 in the last 16 of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup yesterday.

The Selecao were clinical early on, as goals from Bruno Xadas and Bruno Costa gave them a two-goal lead at the break. Xadas added his second midway the second period to make the game safe, before Lee Sang-Heon snatched a consolation.

Earlier in the day, Venezuela continued their impressive form at the tournament,

as they eventually overcame Japan 1-0 after extra time.

Manchester City youngster Yangel Herrera netted the winner in the 108th minute.

Three more quarter-finalists will be determined today, as Uruguay take on Saudi Arabia, England face Costa Rica and Zambia go up against Germany.

With a sizeable home crowd in attendance, Portugal would have been keen to put together a strong start and sap any buzz from the

atmosphere. And they did exactly that with a brilliant display.

A fluid move gave the Selecao the lead, with Xadas applying the finishing touch.

And while the host nation responded well to the early setback, Portugal pounced on the break to score for a second time, with Costa lashing home from 20 yards.

As noted by sports jour-

Turn to page 23

See Page 23

Maxime Hamou has been banished from Roland Garros.

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French Open bans Maxime Hamou for kissing female interviewer WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017