Guyana_Chronicle E-Paper 31 08 2016

Oil by 2020 No. 104660

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016

Price: $80

(Vat Inclusive)

- Exxon pegs production at 100,000 barrels per day

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50% of budget unused Page 3

‌ Jordan points to rollover projects, unpreparedness of some agencies

DNA testing in Guyana soon Page

Cop Page19 charged for deadly Regent St smash-up

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Police Constable Timothy Horatio

JAGS Aviation building 16 US$3.5M hangar at Ogle

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New lease on life Page

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The sutured spot at the side of Constable Victor Fausette’s head is where the landmark surgical intervention was done last Saturday, thanks to the Mercy Hospital and Head Surgeon Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi (Photo by Kennyann Bacchus)

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AG wants SOCU to focus

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

- on fighting money laundering

By Svetlana Marshall Attorney General, Basil Williams believes that the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) might be too burdened with police work, stressing that the unit cannot lose focus of its core functions in policing the new Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime.

The AG made the comments at a news conference on Tuesday at which he gave an update on Guyana’s preparedness for an onsite visit by a five-member team from the International Co-operation Review Group (ICRG) who will evaluate this country’s AML/CFT regime.

SOCU is an arm of the Guyana Police Force. “SOCU as you know is a creature of the AML/CFT regime. It was created under the AML/CFT legislation. It is important for us, and SOCU has been very busy, very up and about, and it is very important for Guyana that SOCU actual-

ly performs its core functions, the functions related to AML/CFT and that it is not burdened with other police work.” Williams continued:” We don’t want to be accused, if they go and investigate further…that it is an attempt for us to really stymie the operations of SOCU and so as to hamstring any progress under the AML/CFT REGIME. So SOCU is a specialised agency, and we have to work out, nothing has come to Cabinet yet, to really determine its scope but you know being in the FATF world, the CFATF world, the impression I have SOCU is really to be a kind of independent body.”

Williams said” right now it is embedded in the Police Force, and you know we will have to look at the entire arrangements because what I am receiving at these meetings, is that they expect these agencies to be independent… and without any interference.” Asked whether he was suggesting that the current situation lends itself to interference, Williams said” well

Attorney General, Basil Williams

SOCU Director Sydney James

it is embedded in the Guyana Police Force and the reporting arrangements, it would appear to be police commissioner and all that. Cabinet hasn’t really dealt with that issue, but it needs to address it, the important thing is, is that we cannot remove SOCU of its core functions and that is to investigate crimes under the AML/CFT regime.” The Attorney General said.

During this year’s budget debate in the National Assembly, the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had expressed concern over SOCU being placed under the Ministry of the Presidency as an entity to receive funding. $40M was budgeted under the Ministry of the Presidency for SOCU. Minister of

State Joseph Harmon in response to the concerns of the opposition said, the situation is a temporary one.

Harmon’s response was deemed unsatisfactory to the opposition’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, who said that the Terms of Reference (TOR) of SOCU does not indicate that it should be listed under the Ministry of the Presidency.

She said too that SOCU being listed under the Ministry of the Presidency contradicted with the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/ CFT) Legislation.

Earlier this year also Irish Financial Investigation expert, Dr.Sam Sittlington in a report following a study of the unit had raised concerns

about the limited human resource capacity of SOCU given the number of cases before the Unit. He said SOCU is tremendously understaffed and is in dire need of human resources. At the time Dr. Sittlington observed that there were nine persons working with SOCU, an assistant director, four investigators, a secretary and three Criminal Investigation Department (CID) detectives who have been seconded to work on the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Ltd (NICIL) investigations currently with SOCU to help sift the vast amount of documents from that case.

“SOCU currently manages a total of 285 investigations, 59 of those are live investigations, of which immediate action is required and the remaining held until further intelligence becomes available.” “They are also expecting further large NICILtype investigations to reach their doors in the coming weeks. This workload cannot be sustained within the current staff.” A proposal has since been submitted for consideration on the issue.

For the year so far SOCU has made several raids and seized cash.

Dr Sittlington in his report had also said that SOCU

has been “kicked about like a political football” in the press and that the comments made about the entity “can be demoralising for the staff and certainly for Assistant Commissioner James.”

Additionally, Dr. Sittlington said that the majority of equipment supplied and used by SOCU is from “external sources,” but noted the importance of sustaining the operations of the Unit.

“Sustainability needs to be provided for and applied with a complete audit of the unit’s workload, capabilities, responsibilities and successes. If I was to describe the current process of obtaining equipment to assist SOCU operations I would use the terms beg, steal or borrow, and I wouldn’t be far wrong.

But I would take out the word steal. So in order to work effectively, SOCU need to know what their budget is and that those funds are immediately available,” he added.

He urged stakeholders to “invest in SOCU,” noting that the “The returns can be substantial and the re-investment potential can have a huge impact on crime such as drug trafficking, gold smuggling, fraud, cash couriers, tax evasion and other acquisitive crimes.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

50% of budget unused

… Jordan points to rollover projects, unpreparedness of some agencies

By Zena Henry THE 2017 National Budget is set to be tabled in the National Assembly in early December, some three months from now; and officials are racing against time to increase the level of spending for this year's estimates.

But yesterday, Finance Minister Winston Jordan confirmed that, almost nine months into the year, less than 50 percent of the 2016 National Budget has thus far been spent. Describing the scenario as “unfavourable”, Jordan explained that Government’s continuous battle with existing items has hindered the smooth functioning of many agencies.

“By the half-year, we recognised that we needed to reshuffle programmes and put more resources into what we are doing,” Minister Jordan explained. He said that among the issues “are many projects that have clogged up the system.”

He pointed to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion project, which he said has been restarted, and detailed that this required the necessary evaluation and other assessments, which consumed some time. “These are just projects that we have to get out of the way before we can actually start our stuff,” the minister explained.

He said that the need to speed up some processes and strengthen agencies has been recognised. “For instance, we are already speeding up the process with the Public Tender Board.

We are strengthening agencies and evaluating implementation processes,” he explained.

Among other considerations contributing to failure of the system, the Finance Minister said, was “so-called interference”, which is being removed. He singled out Region Six to state that while months of controversy had existed there, and blame for sloth had been thrown on the Regional Executive Officer (REO), the failure has been recognized as having to do with slow implementation systems in the region.

Minister Jordan also believes that some agencies “may have been caught off-guard with an early 2016 Budget.” He opined that some agencies were “so accustomed to being relaxed and lackadaisical (in their approach to getting things

done) that they were surprised by the early budget and were unable to get their footing.”

Months past Government’s first year in office, its officials are still trying to fix a lot of what is wrong with the system it inherited from the previous Administration.

Minister Jordan declared: “Yes, it is embarrassing” to have spent such a meagre percentage of what has been Minister of Finance budgeted for development so Winston Jordan far into the year. However, he said increases in public sector wages, granted within the last couple of days, should take the Government a further $50B into the budget.

New measures put in place by Cabinet are also expected to see agencies spending more of their allocated budget fees, he said.

Minister Jordan is hoping that a large sum from the 2016 budget will not have to be returned to the state purse, as more can be done to boost the economy.

With the objective to build a platform to put the economy on a higher growth path to enable the “Good Life”, the Government, on January 29 this year, presented a $230B budget that projected the economy would grow by 4.4 per cent.

The Administration had, last year, forecasted a 3.4 per cent economic growth, but fell short of that target, registering a growth of three per cent. Presenting his second budget, themed “Stimulating Growth, Restoring Confidence: The Good Life Beckons”, Jordan had told the House that 2015 was perhaps the most challenging year yet. “All of the country’s key industries: sugar, rice, bauxite, gold forestry, had found themselves in various states of distress. Even remittances, which have contributed significantly to income, consumption, investment

and employment; and upon which so many of our people depend, was a victim of the slowdown in the world economy,” he had said then.

Minister Jordan contends that Guyana’s excessive reliance on the foregoing generators of foreign exchange will continue to expose the economy to volatile external developments. “It is a tribute to this young Government’s prudent management of the economy — including timely policy interventions — that the economy’s growth trajectory continued; that there were no reported job losses; and, as was evident in the last two months of 2015, the business community’s confidence had been restored,” Jordan had said then, as he had predicted that 2016 would be a year of recovery, a platform to put the economy on a higher growth path to realise the “good life”.

In his mid-year review, Jordan had said that the economy was buoyed by a sterling performance in the mining sector, and that the local economy had recorded a 2% growth over the past six months, and was expected to post a growth rate of approximately 4% at the end of the year, despite low returns in rice and sugar.

The Finance Minister has said he is pleased with the overall performance of the sectors during 2016, hailing the performance of the mining and quarrying sector as “very good”, while noting that economic growth in the first half of the year had reached two per cent, substantially above the 0.9 per cent (revised from 0.7 per cent) growth rate achieved during the same period last year.

“The performance of the economy in the first half (of the year) was buoyed by growth in the mining sector, particularly as a result of increased production of gold, as well as growth in some of the services sector,” the Mid-Year Report stated.

Production in the gold industry reached 322,493 ounces during the first half of 2016, an increase of 94.3 per cent over the same period last year.

It is believed that “improved oversight of concessions to the sector was among factors that contributed to an increase in output,” Minister Jordan has said.

GFC seeking GRIF funding to promote value-added products THE Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) is exploring skills training and capacity building in sawmilling as part of encouraging added value to forest products.

Commissioner of the GFC, James Singh told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the commission is collaborating with the private sector in preparing a proposal to seek funding from the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF). Focus will be on the establishment of a training school to provide, among other things, practical, marketing and entrepreneurial skills.

“The GFC is coordinating a multi-pronged approach to encourage added value to forest products,” Singh said.

The commissioner explained that an enabling environment is being actively pursued to

ensure added value to forest products. “Ensuring that there is sufficient raw material for manufacturers of added value products is also a critical element,” Singh pointed out.

The GFC continues to engage private sector bodies and companies to determine the products that the local or overseas markets require which can be supplied by Guyana.

To this end, the GFC has created a draft log export policy. “This policy is for feedback from the public and essentially is aimed at restricting log exports, especially logs from those species that are potentially in demand by added value forest produce manufacturers,” Singh explained. The final policy is expected to be completed shortly, Singh said.

Last year the Natural Resources Ministry placed restrictions on the export of

Commissioner of the GFC, James Singh lotus logs following complaints by furniture manufacturers about shortages on the local market. There has been a concerted effort by government to ensure added value of forest products locally.

Guyana relies heavily on the export of raw logs. There are sawmills, kiln ovens and one plywood manufacturing factory that add value to forest

products.

Earlier this year President David Granger called for more sawmills and university level programmes to focused on added value for forest products. Additionally, Singh said the GFC will approach GRIF to fund other initiatives, “To add impetus to the movement to add value.” One such initiative is a revolving fund to provide support to stakeholders to retool or invest in the appropriate equipment to facilitate added value. Another initiative being explored is a log consolidation yard.

Currently, the GFC facilitates training of stakeholders in key aspects of value added manufacturing. “It’s recognised that despite the current challenges…many local companies are still persevering and producing high quality

added value forest products at competitive prices,” Singh said. Adding value to products from the sector is challenged by low cost financing, poor access roads, high cost of energy, low level of skills and shipping constraints among others.

However, the 2016 midyear report projected a rise in production of value added products in the sec-

tor as a result of increased production, combined with a larger market for value-added forestry products.

(GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Oil by 2020

--Exxon pegs production at 100,000 barrels per day

By Ravin Singh GUYANA is poised to start, from as early as 2020, producing an estimated 100,000 barrels of “good quality” oil per day, ExxonMobil has revealed.

The announcement, made yesterday by ExxonMobil’s Country Manager Jeff Simon at a media engagement at Cara Lodge in Georgetown, saw Simon explaining that mainly drilling

will be done between 2016 and 2019.

In May 2015, after having drilled the first Liza-1 well in the Stabroek Bloc offshore Guyana, the company made its first announcement of an oil find.

In June this year, following the drilling of the Liza-2 well, another announcement was made of a “world-class discovery” of between 800 million and 1.4 billion barrels of oil. The company is presently drilling the Liza-3

ExxonMobil Country Manager Jeff Simon briefed the media at yesterday’s press conference (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

well in preparation for exploration in about four to five years’ time.

Noting that the installation of project facilities will be done between 2019 and 2020, Simon said that during the period at reference, ExxonMobil will be developing infrastructure to process 100,000 barrels per day, which is about 20,000 barrels more than what Trinidad and Tobago currently produces.

LIKELY TO FLUCTUATE And though, from 2020 onwards, there will be continued drilling and actual production of oil, Simon was keen to note that the projected 100,000 barrels per day will not necessarily remain constant for the proposed 20-year period that the company will be drilling; production would rather most likely fluctuate.

He was equally keen to

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make this statement: “The oil is of good quality; it is not sour, and does not have things which will make it difficult to purify.”

He, however, sought to dispel the notion that ExxonMobil’s operation in Guyana is likely to create employment for thousands of Guyanese, saying that only two floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels will be in operation, each requiring at least 50 persons.

While those persons will not be Guyanese because of the technicality of the operation, Simon said, approximately 300 Guyanese are already working with the company in terms of providing fuel and food supplies; as well as security, transportation, waste management, medical and information technology, among other services.

He, however, disclosed

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that the company has targeted having between 75% and 95% of its total staff being Guyanese.

“The greatest benefit is the revenue stream provided to the country,” Simon said, adding: “If job creation is critical, then take some of that money and put it into areas where job creation could be exponential relative to what we are talking about here,” he advised.

KEY BENEFITS Jobs apart, Guyanese would also benefit from training in the petroleum industry. Back in July, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, had said at a post-Cabinet press briefing that ExxonMobil has indicated to Government that it plans to train Guyanese in various spheres of activity associated with petroleum exploration and production.

This point was also articulated by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael

Trotman, who also said in July that the Government of Guyana continues to stress the importance of training for Guyanese.

“As part of the new dispensation, we have stressed to the company that they must be involved in training, and not after-production; pre-production. We are doing (the) best we can to train as many people as possible. I should add that many Guyanese who already work in the oil and gas industry in other parts of the world are expressing their willingness to come home,” the Minister had said.

In addition, Education Minister Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine had announced that the Education Ministry, in conjunction with the University of Guyana (UG), would be establishing a special facility or school for oil and gas exploration.

COSTWISE In relation to cost, Simon noted, the Production Sharing Agreement that the company has with the Government of Guyana caters for the recovery of billions of US dollars that have been invested by ExxonMobil.

To date, the company has expended about US$500M, with that figure expected to climb to billions as exploration, and subsequently production, takes effect.

Guyana, on the other hand, will receive about half of its revenues from ‘profit oil’, while a fraction would go to ExxonMobil and other investors to recoup investment through ‘cost oil’.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Masked bandits rob Mahaica Chinese restaurant

POLICE are hunting two masked men who, with the aid of a gun, relieved an East Coast Chinese restaurateur of cash and an iPhone Monday night.

The incident reportedly occurred at Belmont, Mahaica, where the restaurant is located, and according to Commander of ‘C’ Division, Paul Williams, it was around

21:30hrs when the restaurateur was about to secure her business place that she was accosted by the robbers.

The victim has been identified as Yan Mani, 48, who recalled seeing the men earlier sitting by the Mahaica Market, which is located just opposite the restaurant.

The senior officer added

that the woman, who was alone at the time, was obviously being observed, as they pounced on her at the entrance of the business as she was about to close up for the evening.

He disclosed that the robbers initially demanded money, but after she hesitated, one of them pointed the gun at her, forcing her to hand over

$120,000 in cash, which was the day’s takings, and an iPhone worth $20,000.

Williams said the men fled unchallenged in a waiting grey car, which sped away soon after the robbery.

So far, no arrests have been made, but according to the Commander, “The case is active.”

Port Kaituma murder….

Porknocker to face murder charge in businessman’s death THE police have apprehended the prime suspect in last Sunday’s murder of a 55-year-old businessman at Four Miles, Port Kaituma, North West District.

The man, who has been identified as a 37-year-old por-

knocker from Five Miles, Port Kaituma, is expected to face the charge of murder today at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court for allegedly killing Ramsammy Narine of Best Village, West Coast Demerara.

Police said in a release yes-

terday that investigations have revealed that the suspect and his friends were drinking at a shop at the interior location owned by the deceased, when they were asked to leave but refused.

At that, an argument ensued, and the suspect reportedly

Veteran playwright on ‘causing death’ charge A N AT I O N A L D r a m a School instructor was yesterday placed on $300,000 bail when he appeared before city Magistrate Lerone Daly, charged with dangerous driving, causing death.

It is alleged that Godfrey Naughton, 63, drove his motor car in a dangerous manner to the public, thereby causing the death of Fitzroy Daly.

Naughton having denied the charge, the prosecutor

did not object, but asked that he be placed on a substantial amount of bail. Naughton was also charged with failing to render assistance.

The matter is adjourned until September 7.

left, only to return with an arrow, with which he fatally stabbed Ramsammy.

It was also reported that an accomplice of his had also doused Narine, a father of five, with gasoline, before the other man stabbed him.

Narine reportedly moved to the area earlier this year, after purchasing the business from his brother.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

Human Development Index

THE change being pursued in regard to the measurement in determining development -– that it be shifted from the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to the Human Development Index (HDI) -- represents a progressive stand taken by liberal leaders since in the 1980s.

The United Nations Development Programme deems the HDI a summary measure of average achievements in key dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and having a decent standard of living.

With the focus moving from assessing development on economic growth alone to including people and their capabilities as important criteria, there is signalled a major shift in measuring development. It further says that any approach to development using the HDI criteria -- the preferred measurement in a Green Economy --requires acceptance of man’s holistic well-being; which would see protection and advancement of his cultural, social, economic and political rights in determining the quality of life experienced. Where, in using GDP, primary attention would be paid to issues such as balancing the budget, the HDI would examine indices such as mortality in various demographics; reduction of poverty; improvement in health, life expectancy, literacy, appropriate housing; improving the environment through carbon emissions’ reduction and proper waste management practices; and how factors like these impact on the people’s development.

It therefore means that Government in its development plan for society, will not only have to come up with programmes, but also put policies and laws in place so as to make sure the product withstands the test of scrutiny based on the HDI standard. Consequently, the approach to development -- now more than before -- requires making Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution a doable component of governance.

A people-centred approach to development necessitates the involvement of those whose lives would be impacted, and takes cognisance of society’s diversity in efforts at meeting unique needs of respective demographics. In this sphere, data gathering -- an important component to ensuring scientific approach to planning and measurable outcomes -- will not only aid maximum exploitation of resources and reduction of waste; but, more importantly, the involvement of stakeholders whose lives would be impacted by policies, decisions and laws.

In various stages of the nation’s evolution, policymakers have talked about focusing on development through measurable impact on the people’s wellbeing. Even predating the Green Economy, which has three planks -- Labour Policies, Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection -- various governments have argued and put policies and programmes in place, though of varying degree,

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

I fully support revision of the Amerindian Act Dear Editor, THE National Toshaos Council meeting concluded recently, and Indigenous village leaders, including myself, participated and made specific recommendations for revision of the Amerindian Act. However, as Toshao of Isseneru Village, I wish to state that I strongly disagree with Ms. Melinda Jankie’s views on what Amerindians should and should not do in relation to mining on their lands. Under the Laws of Guyana, we are obligated, as leaders, to preform our duties without fear or favour in the best interest of our peoples.

Editor, the deliberate interjection of Ms. Jankie’s letter has raised more questions and discontent among Indigenous leaders and communities working towards strengthening land rights

in the Amerindian Act. Its main purpose was to dissuade Indigenous leaders by counter-blasting the Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs and traduce Indigenous communities and organizations to justify her devious role in the creation of the Amerindian Act. Editor, Ms. Jankie has placed herself in a questionable position, being one of the crafters of the Amerindian Act. Let’s examine her assertions. In one paragraph of her letter, she stated, “There is no large scale mining taking place in Guyana, but useful for frightening Amerindian communities.”

I wish to remind her that mining activities of small and medium scale are transcendent to large scale mining if left unchecked by the GGMC. Mining concessions held by third parties are exempted and excluded from

the title grant, and upheld by the justice system in Guyana because there are no legal mechanisms in the Amerindian Act for titled communities to seek and obtain restitution of their lands held by third parties.

In the same paragraph, she also asserted that “Amerindian communities have a veto, unless the state believes it is in public interest to have large scale mining”. I would like to point out that under Section 50 of the Amerindian Act, Amerindian communities are not guaranteed a solid veto, because the state can override the community’s veto and grant permission to a miner or conglomerate to extract resources from Amerindian-titled lands.

The laws also guarantee that, under the Amerindian Act, the Minister of Amerindian Affairs has arbitrary powers to determine the size

of lands that would be issued to Indigenous communities.

Common sense would let ordinary people know that Indigenous peoples would be at a disadvantage, because they can make claims to their traditional lands but it all depends on the outcome of the state’s decisions.

In conclusion, the speculations made by Ms. Jankie to discredit others are dismissive and partial, because we all know that the Amerindian Act is nugatory in the court of law. Therefore, I join my fellow colleagues in the National Toshaos Council to confront these challenges by fully endorsing the revision of the Amerindian Act 2006.

Regards, DHANESS LARSON Toshao Isseneru Village.

Organising vendors is good Dear Editor, I am very happy to see that stall holders/vendors in Georgetown have organised themselves, as was hinted a few weeks ago by the consummate humanitarian and AFC Chairman, Nigel Hughes.

What I find impressive

about their organisation is that they have formed a trade union and have chosen a strong leader in Eon Andrews - who is honest, articulate, loyal, and obviously a visionary. I have seen Eon Andrews portray these traits as a councillor making his presentations at City Coun-

cil’s statutory meetings during the life of the previous council.

One has to possess special skills, coupled with an acute intellect, to organise and develop the legal framework to formally unionise workers in the informal sector such as minibus service providers, and to do it again with stall

holders/vendors. Unionising workers from two of the most contentious informal workers groupings in Guyana (minibus operators and stall holders/vendors) is deserving of a national award.

Regards, TEARRA DE SILVA

Wash bays need regulating Dear Editor, A NUMBER of car washes have recently sprung up in residential areas. Some operate at a high level of noise, causing discomfort to neighbours in

their homes -- you have to talk on your telephone or Skype in the washroom area; also, you have to turn up the volume of your TV; dirty water discolouring the walls of your homes.

I wish to ask City Coun-

focusing on human development in preference to economic growth alone.

Sometime ago, the United Nations was pushing the New Global Human Order, some principles of which are embedded in the HDI; and the society would recall the passion of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, in opposition and as president, pushing for a human face to development. Against this backdrop, decisions made by Government in influencing the National Minimum Wage and Wage/Salary Bill for public sector workers can be understood; as can the Forbes Burnham Administration’s Feed, Clothe and House national programme.

At an international level, when environmental protection became a matter of interest among world leaders, the Desmond Hoyte Administration made the progressive step for a small state society at the 1989 Commonwealth Summit in identifying the Iwokrama Rainforest for member countries “to study the utilisation of the forest on a sustainable basis and the conservation of the species.”

The Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which aimed to transform Guyana while combating climate change, was pushed under the Bharrat Jagdeo Administration (2009).

If properly managed, the LCDS can be a vehicle to bring not

cil a number of questions: Did you give permission for these car washes to operate on Council reserve? Are they registered with the Guyana Revenue Authority? Do they pay the Guyana Water Inc.

and Guyana Power & Light commercial rates?

Here’s hoping something can be done.

Regards, NAME WITHHELD

only economic opportunities, but training that would bring about awareness and embracement of acceptable norms and standards adumbrated by international organisations.

A factor in our society -- where measurement of development from a human component has not been rigidly applied –- is that there exists no organised national programme, or even of an experiential scale, to measure impact and effect; and this has to be addressed, given that the HDI requires good monitoring systems, strong regulatory laws, and enforcing institutions.

This year, with Guyana signing the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the David Granger/Moses Nagamootoo Administration pledged to implement Reduced Impact Logging, and has committed to placing two million hectares of forest under conservation.

As this administration makes the Green Economy its pillar for development, it would require bringing together respective stakeholders who are advancing the protection of interest groups; such as the employers, trade unions, environmentalists, human rights activists, and others. And it’s the process of the HDI to have these stakeholders at the decision-making table, where the philosophy, concept and programmes will be discussed, developed and advanced.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Duo remanded for cocaine in teen’s suitcase

FORTY–one–year old Colda Towler and 40–year-old Ian Griffith were remanded on Tuesday by Magistrate Lerone Daly for the illegal

possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Towler of Lot 1, Mandela Avenue, East La Penitence and Griffith of North

East La Penitence denied the charge, which stated that on August 26, 2016 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA),

Cabinet on recess

-sub-committee greenlights several contracts THE Cabinet of the Government of Guyana is on recess for about one month, a senior administration official has confirmed.

Observers say it might be the first time locally that the entire Cabinet has taken a recess, which incidentally coincides with the two-month recess of parliament.

However, at its Tuesday sub-committee meeting, Cabinet approved $21.6M to reconstruct the Five Miles Bartica/Potaro Road in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region #7. The contract has been awarded to S. Maraj Contracting Service. Also, a contract worth

$43,251,000 was approved for the upgrading of sea defences between Bush Lot and Reliance, on the Essequibo Coast in the Region Two demographic of Pomeroon-Supenaam.

Doodnauth Construction and Supplies will execute those works.

In the Prison system, $27,725,000 have been awarded to Netcom Computer City, and $4,153,000 to Hardware Depot, for the supply of agricultural equipment to the Guyana Prison Service.

Additionally, four contracts in the water sector have been awarded for the supply of galvanized pipes; 25mm polyhose; ferrule

straps and polyconnectors; and stopcocks. Totalling $96,622,000, the contracts have been awarded to National Hardware Limited and Y2K Construction.

At the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, a contract valued US$99,000 has been awarded to Biomedical International Corporation for servicing health care equipment. Contracts worth $58,932,000 have also been awarded to Koshall’s Catering and D&Gee’s Foods for the supply of cooked meals for the Ministry of Social Protection’s Night Shelter facility at East La Penitence, Georgetown.

ECHO wants PNCR to follow through on ‘green economy’ theme Dear Editor,

THE Environmental Community Health Organisation (ECHO) is pleased to note the “green” theme of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) -- the largest party in the current coalition Government - at its recently concluded 19th Biennial Delegates Congress.

It is extremely commendable that this matter has been endorsed to be lifted so highly on a political platform.

ECHO is delighted that the party’s leadership encouraged members to recognize, and thus approve, the importance of the “green economy” concept.

As we know, climate change/global warming has become the global topic, and nations are working together to reduce their carbon production.

ECHO has continuously called on local leaders to engage in meaningful responses to the matter of

global warming and climate change by encouraging a pro-environmental attitude within the country. The organization has participated in many initiatives which it believes will help to foster positive attitudes towards the environment. This includes the early enactment of eco-friendly behaviour youngsters, particularly those within the school system. The idea is to get children involved in caring for the environment, so that they can carry over this positive message to their adult life, and teach others to also be environmentally conscious.

ECHO believes that much more can be done to increase environmental awareness in the country. It is for this reason that ECHO’s directors will be paying close attention to how the PNCR plans to unfold its green theme, and how it plans to execute its ‘green economy’ strategy.

Given Guyana’s upcoming oil economy, ECHO be-

lieves that the “Green Economy” discussion needs to be heightened, along with that of increasing renewable energy.

Guyana must work towards reducing its dependency on fossil fuel and reducing its carbon footprint.

ECHO looks forward to working with all stakeholders in addressing negative environmental impacts. There are several new ideas on ECHO’s Board for its clubs and members as it continues to support the green economy. ECHO has organized environmental clubs with their very own green ambassadors in several schools around the country, and has hundreds of members ranging from all ages.

We look forward to working with all political parties and private and public organisations in our bid to make Guyana.

Regards, ROYSTON KING Executive Director Environmental Community Health Organization

Colda Towler they attempted to smuggle 1.004kg of cocaine out of

Guyana by using Towler’s 15-year-old old Guyanese born son, who is a resident in the United States.

It is alleged that the two placed the cocaine in the handles of the teen’s luggage. Towler’s Attorney, Paul Fung–a-Fat stated that his client, along with Griffith packed the suitcases which they borrowed from a friend and they were unaware that cocaine was concealed in the handles of the suitcases.

The duo was remanded until September 13, as police investigation continues. The teen was traveling alone and was

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Ian Griffith about to board an Eastern Airlines flight back to the United States when he was intercepted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

The Walter Roth Museum

By Akola Thompson

SINCE Government revealed that it was considering relocating the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology, the public has been up in arms over the move. One day after the electorate had made its considerations clear, the electorate was again addressed and told that the Walter Roth Museum would soon be moved to a section in the National Museum, leaving the people with a fait accompli situation, a reality for which the coalition seems to have a new fondness.

Justifications for the move given by President David Granger and other members of the coalition were not only thin, as is seen in the “easier public access” argument; but do not seem to be well-thought-out, as spinoff consequences of the move did not seem to be considered. That aside, from all appearances, Government did not choose to have any consultation with Indigenous representatives, nor did it gain insight from experts in the fields of either anthropology or archaeology to advise it on the move.

We’ve since learnt that the decision is on hold to allow consultations to be had; and one has to wonder why these consultations were not made beforehand, considering the importance of the artifacts housed in the museum, not

only to the nine Amerindian tribes, but to our collective Guyanese history and identity. While museums and storage sites for historical and other valuable artifacts have been relocated over the years, several factors point to the whimsical nature of the move; and with the Walter Roth museum being the first Museum of Anthropology in the English-speaking Caribbean, the public has a right to demand that Government does not take the matter lightly.

The public, as was stated in an online petition aiming to stop relocation of the Walter Roth museum, has not yet heard how the governing coalition intends to address these spinoff factors that the move will surely interrupt, such as the archeological and anthropological research; disbandment of the Library, Denis Williams Field School, the junior archaeology program; and even possibly stymieing current efforts being made to sustain indigenous languages.

It was also pointed out that moving the museum from the space it has inhabited for decades is in violation of Article 149G, under the Protection of Fundamental Rights in the Guyana Constitution, which states: “indigenous peoples shall have the right to the protection, preservation and promulgation of their languages, cultural heritage and way of life”. And it is also in violation of the UNESCO Con-

ventions on Cultural Diversity and Intangible Heritage, to which Guyana has signed.

Therefore, the decision to move the museum is not only whimsical, but also lacks a solid vision; and has chosen, whether intentionally or not, to de-prioritize indigenous history and culture in a time when they are grossly neglected.

From an allegorical angle, this move shows us how little mind is paid to the indigenous people of Guyana, and how its planned shuffling to a wing in another building -- which has a more national focus and no space -- is not in the best interest.

Coupled with the knowledge that the move was spurred on by the decision that the space was needed to be used

by Government, the public has a right to wonder whether Government places any paramountcy on indigenous rights and culture.

The Government would be wise to think its plans through, and carry out proper consultations and indepth research on the possible fallouts of these plans, before dictating to the public. One hopes that consultations currently ongoing will keep the museum right where it is, and not see it being spirited away to another location.

DNA testing in Guyana soon …gun residue examination also on cards at Forensic Lab THE Ministry of Public Security is building the capacity of the forensic laboratory so that in the long run, the facility can provide DNA and gun residue testing which are internationally recognised.

This capacity training is being developed through the Ministry’s Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP). And in a recent interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), Project Manager of the CSSP, Clement Henry said that the process for the procurement of high- end equipment for the lab has begun.

“We have been engaging in discussion with the bank, with forensic experts in look-

ing at the possibility of acquiring rapid testing DNA and gun testing residue devices,” Henry explained. Improving the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Forensic Laboratory’s effectiveness towards preventing and conducting crime investigations is the second component of the CSSP. This component is being funded at the cost of US$5.5M through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Apart from the procurement of equipment for the laboratory, the CSSP will facilitate local and overseas training, and training materials for lab staff and the GPF, in terms of crime investigation and evidence collection. A Memorandum

Project Manager of the CSSP, Clement Henry of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between the GPF and the CSSP for liaison officers. “We have been working on terms of reference and would have had no objection from the

bank for terms of reference for a proficiency testing body for the laboratory,” Henry told GINA. Further, this body will regularly evaluate the accuracy of tests done at the lab and look

at the calibration of the equipment among other things. “At the end of this project we hope to move the lab to ensure that they receive ISO, international standard accreditation,” Henry pointed out.

Meanwhile, the CSSP has begun advertisements for the procurement of equipment for an integrated information system. “The integrated crime information system, which is an information technology based system, helps in the garnering of information on crime and violence across the country, and this information is collected at different police stations and then located in a central database,” Henry explained.

Police and the Ministry

of Public Security’s Crime Observatory analyse the information to identify trends in crime and violence and develop evidence-based prevention strategies. “So what we’re doing now is to ensure that we expand this integrated crime information system which was developed under the first phase of CSSP,” Henry added. The CSSP is a five-year programme, and the international accreditation of the laboratory is expected to be achieved within the programme’s lifespan. “In the end, what the proficiency body offers is public assurance that the results of the lab are sound and the outputs are robust,” Henry added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Guyana ready for FATF

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… AG satisfied with compliance arrangements at key financial agencies

By Svetlana Marshall A FIVE-member team from the International Co-operation Review Group (ICRG) will be here in mid-September to evaluate the country’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime.

From September 14-15, the international financial watchdog will verify whether Guyana has introduced the reforms recommended in the Action Plan agreed between the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Guyana Government.

Additionally, the visit will confirm whether there is a political commitment to sustain the reforms.

Speaking to reporters in his chambers on Tuesday, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams said all systems are in place to facilitate the onsite visit. As head of the AML/CFT Compliance Team, the Attorney General noted that meetings were held with key agencies, including the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and the Bank of Guyana to sensitize them on their AML/CFT obligations.

According to him, during these meetings he was very impressed with the compliance arrangements instituted by the various agencies and organisations. “I found that most of them had compliance officers, and most of them were very aware of the requirements of FATF,” Minister Williams said. “I think they are all well positioned,” he further posited.

In addition to meeting with the Bank of Guyana, the FIU, and SOCU, the ICRG Team, which is an arm of FATF, will be meeting with the Attorney General and his Compliance Team, the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), and Supervisory Authorities, including the Securities Exchange Council, and Reporting Entities such as Republic Bank, Guyana Bank for Trade and Investment (GBTI), Western Union Money Transfer and Confidential Cambio.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams addressing a pool of reporters at his Chambers on Tuesday The result of the on-site visit will be on the agenda at the next FATF Plenary meeting schedule to take place in Paris in October. Minister Williams, however, in underscoring the importance of having Guyana satisfy the onsite visit, stated clearly that once the requirements are met, a motion will be moved during the October Plenary to have Guyana exit the FATF Review List. The country, he said, must first exit FATF’s review list before exiting the CFATF list.

As the country awaits the onsite visit, the Attorney General said the current Administration has done everything possible to have the country be removed from both lists.

“We have done everything. We have satisfied the recommendations of the agreed action plan and also on the follow-up report of CFATF.”

$17.9M cleared for Guyanese law students A PROGRESS report on the collaborative agreement between the University of Guyana (UG), the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Council of Legal Education (CLE) is expected to come up for discussion soon.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, on Tuesday, said the report is expected to be delivered when the 48TH Meeting of the Council of Legal Education is held in Antigua and Barbuda next week, from September 1- 4.

Guyana will be represented by the Attorney General.

On Thursday September 1, the Special Meeting of the Executive Council will be held, and that would be followed by the Meeting of the Council of Legal Education the next day.

“The business of the latter meeting will include financial contributions to council, the collaborative legal agreement between UG/UWI and CLE for a progress report, and elections for the position of chairman, as well as members of the Executive Committee to be held at the end of the Council,” Minister Williams explained.

He said UG is currently in discussion with UWI on “The

Revised Final Draft of the Collaborative Agreement.”

Under the proposed agreement, Guyana is hoping to not only gain automatic entry into the Hugh Wooding Law School for Guyanese students, but also non-Guyanese graduates. The original agreement came to an end in 2013.

In August, Minister Williams was successful in his bid to the National Assembly to approve funds to assist Guyanese law students at the Hugh Wooding Law School.

“Parliament recently approved the payment by the Government of 25 per cent of the economic cost of the fees paid

by Guyanese Law Students attending the Hugh Wooding Law School for each of the two years for the academic years 2016-2018. The annual sum for 50 law students is $17.9M or US$85,000 per annum,” the Legal Affairs Minister explained.

While in the National Assembly, Minister Williams had noted that the cost for one student per year at the Hugh Wooding Law School is approximately $2.83M but with Government’s intervention that cost will be minimised and the students will now pay about $2.47M each.

Meanwhile, at a separate press conference, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Vishnu Doerga said the members of the chamber and by extension the Private Sector are anxiously awaiting the outcome of onsite visit.

He the business community has been feeling the impact of Guyana’s initial noncompliance to FATF and CFATF’s requirements. “The biggest impact since all of this started, was that the cost of business went up because of transaction scrutiny, things went up,” he posited. Doerga noted too that the time taken to transact business has also increased much to the disadvantage of businesses here.

Nevertheless, he said GCCI remains optimistic, given the upcoming visit. “We do understand that this is necessary but it is unfortunate that a small proportion of people…do get involved in money laundering, in financing of terrorism and it is under fortunate that…all of us are affected by this,” he said.

Currently, Guyana has an Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act in place, along with other related legislation governing supervisory bodies, financial institutions, law enforcement, and foreign affairs.

The National Assembly, in May, passed the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill 2016. In 2015, it had also passed the Anti-Terrorism and Terrorist Related Activities Bill; the AML/ CFT (Amendment) Bill Nos. 1 and 2; and the AML/CFT Regulations, all in keeping with recommendations made by FATF and CFATF. The decision to take Guyana off the review lists was made during an FATF Plenary and Working Group meeting held in Busan, Korea, from June 18-24.

The meeting, which was attended by the Attorney-General and Acting Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Alicia Williams, saw the Plenary adopting FATF/ICRG Cochair’s Report, which stated that Guyana had substantially completed its Action Plan at the Technical level.

“In line with the procedures for removing jurisdictions from ICRG review, the ICRG recommends that an on-site visit take place to the country prior to the October 2016 meetings, in order to verify that the implementation of its AML/CFT reforms has begun and is being sustained, and there is political commitment to sustain implementation,” sections of the report read.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

New lease on life - ‘Mercy Hospital’ in landmark surgery to help policeman overcome serious head injury

A SURGICAL procedure known in medical circles as a craniotomy was last Saturday historically performed at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in a bid to help a young policeman recover from traumatic head injury.

Essentially the surgical removal of a portion of the skull to allow access to the brain, the procedure was performed by Head Surgeon of the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi, on 25-year-old Police Constable Victor Fausette, who was shot in the head, just above the left ear, allegedly by a man of unsound mind back in June 2015.

The Guyana Chronicle has since learnt that Saturday’s surgery was one of a number of medical inter-

ventions Fausette has had to undergo since the shooting; but thankfully, he is on the road to full recovery.

EXTREMELY GRATEFUL From his hospital bed, Fausette told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that he is extremely grateful to Dr. Dukhi for all the care and attention he has lavished on him “during the various stages of the surgery.”

And while he did not say whether all the procedures he has had to date were done at that hospital, Fausette said Dr. Dukhi “worked very hard, and showed a lot of interest in getting the surgery done.”

Fausette also thanked his mother and other family members and well-wishers for giving him sterling sup-

Visiting with recovering Constable Victor Fausette (second right) yesterday were, from left, Assistant Commissioner Christopher Griffith; Deputy Superintendent and Welfare Officer Lorraine Saul; and Senior Superintendent Maxine Graham (Photo by Kennyann Bacchus) port throughout the ordeal.

And he thanked the Guyana Police Force, represented by senior officials: Assistant Commissioner Christopher Griffith, Senior Superintendent Maxine Graham and Deputy Superintendent and Welfare Officer Lorraine Saul, who were by his bedside yesterday to enquire how he was progressing since the surgery.

He has said he would refrain from giving any serious thought to returning to work until he has fully recovered.

NIGHT OF THE SHOOTING Giving a background into the incident responsible for Fausette’s hospitalisation, Assistant Commissioner Griffith said Fausette’s assailant was being held at the Wisrock Police Outpost and

Fausette was the only rank on duty at the time of the incident. The now deceased 18-year-old suspect, Regan Richards, first relieved Fausette of his firearm, then shot him in the head. Fortunately for Fausette, the proximity of the police outpost to the community may have helped save his life, because when residents heard the gun go off, they hurried to the scene to see what was going on; and when they saw Fausette lying in a pool of blood, they picked him up and rushed him to the Linden Hospital.

Police reportedly received a call shortly after the shooting, stating that a man, who turned out to be the berserk 18-year-old, was walking in the One Mile area with a gun in his hand.

Members of the anti-crime patrol later found Richards hiding in his home;

and when called upon to surrender, he responded by opening fire on them, leaving them with no option but to return fire, fatally wounding him in the process.

FREE OF COST Deputy Superintendent Lorraine Saul profusely thanked Dr. Sukhi for employing his medical expertise in aid of Fausette’s recovery, free of cost to the patient.

“We thank God for what (Dr. Dukhi) has done, and may he continue to be blessed,” she said.

She explained that since the incident, which saw the extraction of a bullet from the constable’s head, the GPF has assisted in every way possible to ensure that Fausette makes a full recovery, since he was injured on duty. (Rabindra Rooplall)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Minibus ‘pick-pockets’ on the loose A GUYANA National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) employee reportedly lost $46,000 while travelling on a minibus in the city just over a week ago.

Convinced he was robbed by a ‘pick-pocket’ who was keeping track of his every move, this employee is urging the public to be on the lookout when using public transportation, as ‘pick-pockets’ may be on board, just awaiting opportunity to rob them.

The employee recalls joining a Route 40 minibus at the stop at Vlissengen Road and Lama Avenue, just outside the Shell gas station, and sitting immediately behind the conductor. He had the money on his person, neatly wrapped in a small blue plastic bag, which may have somehow been dislodged when he sat down, and, unknowing to him, was now in full view of whoever was sitting behind him.

When the bus turned into Regent Street moments later, the employee said, he heard someone behind him call out to the conductor, “Ah coming off hey! Ah coming off hey!” The employee said he impulsively looked around, and the man immediately decided he was not disembarking anymore.

When the employee was about to disembark the bus at Orange Walk, another man, who was also disembarking

but was saddled with two heavy bags, asked him to retrieve his cell-phone which he had dropped in attempting to disembark the bus.

“As I bent down to pick up the phone,” the employee said, “I felt someone graze me. When I looked up, I see the same man who had made a false alarm about wanting to disembark at the head of Regent Street hurrying away from the scene.”

The employee said that as he walked away from the bus, he suddenly remembered his money; and as he pushed his hand into his pocket, he realised it was gone. He tried calling out to the bus man, but the bus had already picked up speed and was headed down town.

Now unable to make the purchase for which he had travelled, the beleaguered employee was forced to return home empty-handed, while the strange man must probably have found himself $46,000 richer.

Relating his experience to a small businessman a few days later, this employee learned that the businessman had fallen for the same ruse while travelling on a minibus.

The businessman related that as he bent down to pick up the phone, another man, who was apparently working in collusion with the owner of the cell-phone, pretended to bump into him, and robbed him of the $15,000 he had on his person.

The GNNL employee is reiterating his call to commuters of public transportation to be very careful, especially when carrying large sums of money on their persons.

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ARIES - You can dream up many ways to combat your boredom today, but finally come to the realisation that escape is not an option. Your promises are catching up with you and there’s really nothing you can do but put your shoulder to the wheel and push, even if it’s an uphill journey. Succumbing to a distraction is not a wise move now; it will only be gratifying for a fleeting moment and just put you further behind schedule. You only fail when you stop trying.

TAURUS - There’s no reason to restrain your colourful streak of creative energy today.

In fact, the more chances you take now, the greater your odds for success. Naturally, analysing your options before you begin a project is prudent, but don’t think about them so much that your mojo begins to fade. Get out of your head and into your heart. Don’t minimise your potential. It’s better to gamble on your vision than settle for mediocrity. Norman Vincent Peale wrote, “Shoot for the Moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

GEMINI - Although you might know where you’re going, there seems to be too many speed bumps on the road to success. You don’t want to slow down for the purpose of safety.

You want to gain momentum and fly right over any obstacles, but that only works in your dreams. The key to reaching your destination is to be aware enough to actually interact with any resistance that’s between you and your personal satisfaction. Philosopher Soren Kierkegaard wrote, “Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.”

CANCER - Finding the right words to let someone know how you feel can be exhausting, but you’re not interested in giving up before you bridge the gulf, even if you’re struggling with what to say. Although you might make a false start or two, your powerful intentions combined with persistence win others over. Don’t assume you know where the conversation will lead. Summon up your courage, get the ball rolling and let reality surprise you with the outcome.

LEO - You are resistant to conforming to other people’s expectations today. In fact, your rebellious urge won’t settle down, even if you know it will only stir up a storm. You can’t suppress your true nature now because denial only makes it grow stronger. Instead, find a creative channel for expressing your unconventional position. People will be more supportive than you think as long as your message is consistent with your conscience.

Intelligence is knowing which path to take; wisdom is taking it.

VIRGO - You are in your element as the Moon joins the planetary party already in progress in your rational sign. You can isolate important facts, analyse the data and choose the most sensible direction. However, timing is a problem as tomorrow’s Virgo Solar Eclipse draws near. You might believe that anything you do today will be washed away in the cosmic tides over the next few days. However, nothing is further from the truth. Big shifts are on the horizon, but your current behaviour is more important than ever. Picasso said, “Action is the foundational key to all success.”

LIBRA - You might feel like a monk in search of a monastery today. Unfortunately, even if you find a place for spiritual retreat, you may not have a lot of time for metaphysical pursuits. Nevertheless, the emphasis on your 12th House of Soul Consciousness is as strong as your real-world responsibilities, making your search for inner peace inescapable.

Acknowledge the limitations placed on your current actions by circumstance and accept what can’t be changed. However, it’s crucial to keep your dreams alive no matter the cost.

SCORPIO - You are resigned to fight an uphill battle today as long as your core beliefs are connected to your cause. In fact, you’re a sight to behold when you’re so charged up and ready to take on the world. But you might find yourself worn out by the end of the day, without a lot to show for your efforts, especially if you’re not following a specific plan. Take a few steps back and re-evaluate your strategy. Work smarter, not harder and success can be yours.

SAGITTARIUS - Although you are highly driven in your pursuit of your professional ambitions these days, your progress is still annoyingly sluggish. Your plans seem to be taking longer to manifest than you imagined. Nevertheless, the clouds are clearing and you can see blue sky today, raising your optimism and increasing your levity. Hope is replacing doubt, even if you’re not yet sure how everything is going to work out, but don’t worry about the big picture now; just attend to each little detail as it arises. Van Gogh said, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”

CAPRICORN - You’re drifting in dreamland today and could float off into the inner dimensions of space. Thankfully, the pragmatic Virgo Moon is a counterbalance that keeps you grounded. If you are championing a cause now, shout your message from the mountaintops. Nevertheless, your social concerns might conflict with your personal interests.

Sigmund Freud counselled, “In the small matters trust the mind, in the large ones the heart.”

AQUARIUS - Although your day begins normally, interpersonal dynamics quickly grow complicated. Your initial reaction is to jump in with your rational approach and do whatever is necessary to handle the tension. Unfortunately, your intervention only amplifies the problem today; the more you try to fix things, the worse they get. Paradoxically, the shortest path to resolution is to do nothing at all. Let the energetic imbalances tilt reality until it unwinds.

The calm will return after the storm releases the blocked energy. Sometimes, nature takes care of things better than humans.` PISCES - You may be criticised for being lost in your dreams today, but your inner world is where you do your best work. People might not take the time to listen to your process; they only judge you from their limited perspective. Nevertheless, there’s a grain of truth in the unsolicited advice you receive now. It never hurts to check back with the facts when you’re cruising the outer limits of your imagination. However, author Lloyd Alexander had a point when he wrote, “Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It’s a way of understanding it.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

President to soon appoint members of procurement body THE Public Procurement Commission (PPC) is expected to be put in place shortly with appointment of its members by President David Granger, the Office of the Prime Minister said in a statement on Monday. Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs disclosed that the names of the Commission members have been sent to the President for appointment. These names are Emily Dodson, Carol Corbin, Sukrishnalall Pasha, Ivor English and Nanda Gopaul.

These persons were nominated by the Appointments Committee and were approved by two-thirds of the elected members of the National Assembly on August 8. Under provisions of the Constitution, the President could only appoint members of the PPC after their nomination has been approved in the House, and by a two-thirds majority.

The PPC has been a contributing factor that predated the holding of the General and regional elections in May 2015, as the then opposition had insisted that Cabinet should cease the practice of giving ‘no objection’ to contracts for state projects and services, in favour of appeals by aggrieved contractors to the PPC.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Leguan Chip Factory to be operationalised soon THE Ministry of Business has invited interested investors to submit expressions of interest and business proposals for operating and managing the chip factory located on Leguan island in Region # 3.

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin had stated in his contribution to the 2016 Budget Debate that “the Leguan Chip Factory requires an additional contract for a road and a bridge to gain access to the premises, and this will be completed by Government, so that by the end of the first half of the year, the factory can be operational and provide some benefit for the community�.

The Leguan Chip Factory was one of four projects (two chip factories and 2 call centres) put on hold last year pending a review under the billion-dollar Rural Development Fund (RDF). This project, initiated by the previous Government in 2014, will now be completed in 2016 with some modifications.

Budget 2016 provides $195M to complete the remaining works on the projects at Tuschen, Enmore and Leguan. Once completed and operationalised, these projects are expected to increase economic opportunities and capabilities of vulnerable groups within the regions, and create more than 300 jobs in the rural communities in which they are located.

Work is currently ongoing to complete the Tuschen and Enmore call centres, but the Business Ministry has heeded the advice of the Sea Defence Board not to proceed with constructing the chip factory in Wakenaam, because it was built on land deemed prone to flooding and erosion. (GINA)

Wednesday August 31st, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Thursday Setpember 1st, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Friday Setpember 2nd, 2016 - 05:00 hrs

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Check meats for municipal stamp

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

- M&CC urges consumers

CITIZENS who are buying meat, especially beef and pork, are being urged to ensure that they check for the municipal stamp on the package that will indicate to them whether or not it was check by the food handling officers.

“We are concerned about the movement of illegal meat to shopping centres; we have been receiving reports that people are slaughtering animals outside of Georgetown and then bringing it to the city,” Town Clerk Royston King told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday.

King said the City Council is plagued with certain shortages, such as inadequate food and hygiene inspectors, which, if not addressed, will leave citizens vulnerable to unwholesome meats.

As to the unwholesome trend among some in the business of fetching meat on their backs without having a top on, King said, “This is a worrying situation, because when the perspiration mixes with the blood of the animals, this can lead to various public health situations.”

The good news, however, is that the City Council’s Public Health Department will soon begin a campaign to ensure that those who supply meat do so by the requisite guidelines. And according to King, “Those who fail to comply will be sanctioned, charged and placed before the courts. The meats will be seized and destroyed.”

Meanwhile, he said there have also been a number of reports about expired goods in the various municipal markets.

Beef, pork, chicken and fish should be stored at between 18 and 21 Degrees Celsius.

Motion passed for City constables to secure Hamilton Green’s home THE majority of City Councillors voted in favour of a motion to have the services of the City Constabulary Department extended to former prime minister and mayor Hamilton Green.

The motion was moved by Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen and seconded by Councillor Heston Bostwick at the council’s most recent statutory meeting.

Until a package becomes available from government, City Hall wants Green to benefit from the services of security guards at his residence.

Chase-Green said the former mayor served for 20 years in a succession and that his is a unique case. “At the end of this period, it will be up for discussion for any other mayor,” Chase-Green noted.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Security chiefs line up to testify

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… as inquiry into veterans’ affairs opens

HEADS of security services will be the first to testify when the Commission of Inquiry examining the conditions and circumstances facing veterans of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Guyana People’s Militia and the Guyana National Service (GNS) opens today.

The Commission is scheduled to conclude in October.

This was announced by Chairman of the Commission, Col. (Ret’d) Desmond Roberts at a news conference at the Department of Public Service in Waterloo Street, Georgetown, where the public hearings will be held.

The first set of persons lined up to be interviewed are the present heads of services, as well as former chiefs of staff of the GDF, including Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Gary Best and Retired Major Generals Norman McLean and Michael Atherly.

“We don’t want to see our veterans on the streets. It happened in several countries where veterans are among majority of the homeless. We do not want to see that in Guyana. We want to provide housing, entrepreneurial opportunities and good jobs if they need it, because they leave at 40 years old, they are still young people,” Col. Roberts said.

Additionally, the Commission will be examining ways to improve the Veteran’s Home and other issues, including the benefits provided to the families of those who are deceased and displaced records of veterans’ contributions to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

The Commission’s Secretary, Col. Denzil Carmichael informed that so far, 34 summons have been sent out by the Commission to the joint services, the private sector and the private banking institutions. This was followed by a two week sensitisation programme to assist persons in preparing written submissions.

He added that the Commission will be visiting Regions One, Two, Five and Six and the main military bases (Sewayo, Camp Stephenson and Camp Ayanganna) to interact with and get the views of current officers. The Commission will also be working closely with the Guyana Veterans Legion and the Regional Offices to reach out to as many veterans as possible, including those in the hinterland. The Commission will also be hearing from Guyanese veterans living overseas.

The Commission, in a release stated that, “veterans are required to retire when they are still comparatively young and several have been adversely affected by a life of privation, exposure to unhealthy conditions and extended periods of away from home and career development opportunities.

Their sacrifice and service to their country should not be ignored.”

Last year, at a Remembrance Day reception, President Granger announced the convening of a National Veterans’ Commission to look into the living conditions of veterans and make recommendations for improvements. On that occasion he also announced the return of a fixed annual State subvention for the Guyana Veterans’ Legion. The Head of State is firmly of the view that young military officers must know that they can look forward to a comfortable and dignified retirement.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

Chairman of the Commission, Col. (Ret’d) Desmond Roberts and Secretary to the Commission, Col. Denzil Carmichael during the press conference at the Department of Public Service

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Stakeholders traversing the site where the state-of-the-art hangar will be constructed

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

JAGS Aviation building US$3.5M hangar at Ogle

JAGS Aviation Inc. yesterday, August 30th, joined with Minster of State - Joseph Harmon and with representatives of the Eugene F. Correira International Airport to turn the sod for the construction of a “state of the art” aircraft hangar.

A BK International owned company, JAGS Aviation Inc., which has been sharing GuySuCo’s Hangar at the Eugene F. Correira International Airport (formerly known as the Ogle Airport) will begin the construction of its own Aircraft Hangar after being leased land from the Airport.

JAGS Aviation Inc. Consultant, Bobby Vieira, disclosed that approximately one year ago, discussions for leasing the land had commenced between the Aircraft Operator and the Airport and since, the requirements for the leasing of the land have been completed.

“JAGS Aviation is not wasting time in spreading its wings,” according to Bobby Vieira.

Vieira noted also, that the BK owned company which will soon be renamed “BK Air” has decided upon constructing its own hangar since it has been sharing GuySuCo’s hangar with GuySuCo’s aircrafts and a few other small carriers for some time now.

He noted however, that small operators from the Eugene F. Correira International Airport will also be able to benefit from this facility- just as JAGS Aviation would have once had.

The consultant said that this hanger will be a “modern aircraft facility with state of the art conveniences for the maintenance and protection of the aircrafts.” He also noted that this hangar will be the “most modern airport hangar in the entire hemisphere.”

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon noted that the addition of this hangar to the Airport will indeed “improve the quality of services provided here.”

He said that both he and the government welcome the investment of the Private Sector in Guyana’s Development.

The Minister also reiterated President Grange r ’s c o m m i t m e n t t o w a r d s p r o v i d i n g q u a l i t y service to the hinterland and declared that the introduction of this hangar will be able to foster that commitment.

BK’s Brian Tiwari when questioned noted that the company believes that “we can give a big input into the aviation sector,” and added that the investment being made into the construction of the hangar would be around USD $3.5 Million. He further noted that flights will be serviced to the hinterland areas of Guyana and Guyana generally, and will then expand to the wider Caribbean.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Adventists renew fight against domestic violence

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… hold massive ‘End-it-Now’ march in city

AMID the continuing rise in domestic violence here, the Seventh-day Adventist church on Saturday took to the streets of Georgetown with a massive march against the scourge under theme “End It Now.” The march formed part of the church’s annual Youth Congress activities and saw participation from hundreds of youths across the country.

“The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women presents some startling statistics on the state of violence against women and girls worldwide. Available data reveals that between 15 and 76 percent of women are targeted for physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime,” Ms Pamela Mentore, Direc-

tor of Women at the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventist told marchers following the parade.

She noted that in the European Union, a little over one in five women has experienced physical and/or sexual violence from a partner. In Guatemala, two women are murdered, on average, each day. In Australia, Canada, Israel, South Africa and the United States, between 40 and 70 percent of female murder victims were killed by their intimate partners.

Worldwide, up to 50 percent of sexual assaults are committed against girls under 16.

The first sexual experience of some 30 percent of women was forced.

Mentore said Guyana has

not been spared, noting that without the statistical data, every casual reader or listener of our local news media knows that violence against our women and girls in Guyana is witnessing alarming rates. “And we have seen, or heard it all: sex trafficking, domestic abuse, sexual assault, child marriage, rape, incest, acid throwing, emotional and verbal abuse - and there are other forms. That is why I stand here today and call on all of us - let’s end it now!”

She disclosed that in a response to this most unfortunate social scourge, the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church has taken a collaborative ministries approach to addressing the

Youth Director of the Adventist Church, Pastor Marvin Smith leads his troops during the anti-domestic violence march

Members of the Mocha Drum Corps during the anti-domestic violence march

Adventist women railed against domestic violence and child abuse abuse meted out against this vulnerable group. In particular, the youth, women’s, children’s, men’s, and family ministries departments of the Adventist Church have collectively targeted “our artillery against this mutual enemy. Our resolve is to derive and execute strategies that would put an end to violence against girls and women.” Mentore said one of the strategies the church has collaboratively executed is the end it now abuse prevention programme.

The EndItNow programme is observed annually on the fourth Saturday of August and is deemed a significant stand by the Adventist world church in preventing and eliminating every form of abuse against women.

In Guyana, the church has embraced the programme.

Mentore said during this period of observance, throughout the 10 regions of Guyana, the church educates and empowers congregations on how to prevent and reduce abuse against women and girls. “This is done through seminars, discussions, the distribution of educational handouts, and the offering of prayers for victims of this crisis, both in the church and in our communities.”

Mentore said beyond Enditnow, “our various departments have responded to this kind of violence through further preventive education, vulnerable group empowerment, victim support, and advocacy through policy management strategies. Our efforts worldwide are directed towards a multiplicity of groups from both sexes among children, youths, and adults of the church and church communities.”

Touching on the issue of empowerment, Mentore said this is inherently tied to education, and therefore it is no surprise that much of our preventive education endows our women and girls with skills that allow them to be less susceptible to abuse.

“This is why our family ministries department provides umbrella coverage for all categories of persons with the aim of strengthening families through education and enrichment opportunities. It is intended that such intervention would empower family members to relate to each another in healthier ways.”

According to Mentore the Seventh-day Adventist Church also presents a

thriving support ministry for women and girls experiencing violence. She said there are the Women’s Ministries support initiatives, one being a mentoring programme for women and girls who need support. “Here friendships are promoted between older and younger women. Another is the divorce recovery program where support is provided for divorcees. Help is provided for the healing process and divorcees are able to express their feelings in a non-judgmental environment. There is also Young Women Connections where efforts are made to meet the specialised needs of young women aged 12 - 25.”

“As a church organisation, we have collectively put our shoulders to the task of fighting violence against our women and girls. While much has been accomplished, we are aware that the culture of violence is still pressing heavily against the moral walls of our society. Hence, we are prepared to intensify our work as we seek to develop minds and enhance the quality of lives.

We are saying “Enough is enough!” We are saying, “Stop the violence against our women and girls!”

And again I implore the help of all in the hearing of my voice – to everyone across the Cooperative Republic of Guyana -“Let’s end it now,” Mentore concluded. The march commenced at the National Park and ended at Durban Park where there officials of the church as well as the Ministry of Social Protection made brief remarks.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Cop remanded for tragic Regent Street smash-up POLICE Constable Timothy Horatio, who crashed a Route 40 (Kitty/ Campbellville) minibus into a utility pole last Saturday night on Regent Street, was remanded on Tuesday for causing death by dangerous driving.

He appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before City Magistrate Leron Daly and pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was remanded until September 09.

It is alleged that on August 27, the 26-year-old man drove minibus BTT 7944 in a dangerous manner at Regent and Bourda Streets, Georgetown, resulting in the death of Dillion Linton.

Horatio’s attorney in his bail application noted that Horatio is a Police Officer, a father of three small children and is the neighbor of the deceased, pointing out that they had a very close friendship. According to the lawyer, Horatio has already agreed to cover the funeral expenses of Linton and that he regrets the loss of life.

But police prosecutor Shevon Jupiter objected to bail, revealing that eight persons were injured in the accident, three of whom are still in the hospital and one who is still in critical condition.

The prosecutor further noted that Horatio might also face additional charges. According to the results of the post-mortem examination, Linton of Stone Avenue Campbellville, died as a result of shock and haemorrhage due to blunt trauma to the lungs.

Linton and several other passengers were in a speeding minibus driven by Horatio along Regent Street when he lost control of the vehicle and it crashed into a utility pole; the minibus also struck a motorcyclist in the process.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the police officer was drag-racing with another bus when the accident occurred.

Police Constable Timothy Horatio

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

World record-breaking England destroy Pakistan as Alex Hales hits 171 (REUTERS) - England amassed a world record oneday international total of 444 for three as they crushed Pakistan by 169 runs at Trent Bridge yesterday to take an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Jos Buttler struck the last ball of the innings for four to take Eoin Morgan’s men past Sri Lanka’s 443 for nine against Netherlands in July 2006.

Hales plundered 171, the highest individual limited-overs score by an England batsman, before Buttler reached his fifty off 22 deliveries, another record for his country.

The hosts passed their previous highest total of 408 for nine, made against New Zealand last year, while captain Morgan got to his half-century off 24 deliveries as he and Buttler shared an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 161.

“Quite a monumental knock from Alex Hales,” said Morgan. “To score 171 in any form of the game is remarkable and our innings was based around that.

“Records are hugely important, it emphasises we’re not just a chasing side. We probably have 17 or 18 players who have played in the last year and a half and could come into this side.”

Hales flayed four sixes and 22 fours in his 122-ball knock to surpass Robin Smith’s 167 not out against Australia in Birmingham in 1993.

Caught off a no-ball on

half-century and finished 90 not out off 51 balls while Morgan ended unbeaten on 57.

Hales and Root’s partnership was also England’s third-highest in one-day internationals.

Pakistan, in reply, were bowled out for 275 in 42.4 overs with paceman Chris Woakes the chief destroyer, taking four for 41.

Opener Sharjeel Khan hit

58 but wickets fell at regular intervals until Mohammad Amir smashed 58 in 28 balls to share an unlikely last-wicket stand of 76 with Yasir Shah (26 not out).

Amir’s half-century was the first by a number 11 in ODIs. “It was very tough today,” said Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali. “I think there were exceptional innings from Hales and Buttler.

SCOREBOARD Alex Hales brings up three figures from 83 balls and goes on to be dismissed for 171.

(Getty Images) 72 and dropped on 114, the 27-year-old right-hander passed Smith’s score by pulling Hasan Ali to the mid-wicket boundary.

PAKISTAN PAIN The bowler trapped him

lbw with the next delivery to end a second-wicket stand of 248 with Joe Root, who fell soon after for 85, but the pain was far from over for the Pakistan bowlers.

Buttler hammered six sixes and three fours to get to his

ENGLAND innings J. Roy c S. Ahmed b H. Ali 15 A. Hales lbw b H. Ali 171 J. Root S. Ahmed b Nawaz 85 J. Buttler not out 90 E. Morgan not out 57 Extras: (b-6, lb-8, nb-9, w-3) 26 Total: (for 3 wickets, 50 overs) 444 Fall of wickets: 1-33, 2-28, 3-28.

Bowling: M. Amir 10-0-72-0 (w-1), H. Ali 10-0-74-2 (nb-3) W. Riaz 10-0110-0 (nb-2, w-2), M. Nawaz 10-0-621, Y. Shah 6-0-48-0, Az. Ali 1-0-20-0, S. Malik 3-0-44-0.

PAKISTAN innings S. Aslam c Ali b Woakes 8 Sh. Khan c Stokes b Woakes

58 Az. Ali c Rashid b Woakes 13

B. Azam c Morgan b Stokes 9 S. Ahmed c Root b Rashid 38 S. Malik c Buttler b Plunkett 1 M. Nawaz c Morgan b Rashid

34 H. Ali b Ali

4 W. Riaz lbw b Wood 14 Y. Shah not out 26 M. Amir c & b Woakes 58 Extras: (b-4, lb-2, nb-1, w-5) 12 Total: (all out, 42.4 overs) 275 Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-50, 3-83, 4-106, 5-108, 6-155, 7-164, 8-180, 9-199.

Bowling: M. Wood 10-0-75-1 (w2), C. Woakes 5.4-1-41-4 (w-1), L. Plunkett 6-0-30-1 (w-1), B. Stokes 4-0-14-1 (w-1), M. Ali 7-036-1 (nb-1), A. Rashid 10-0-73-2.

Golden Jags skipper endures ‘racial slurs’

By Stephan Sookram GOLDEN Jaguars captain and Puerto Rico FC player Christopher Nurse has filed a report to officials of the North American Soc-

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cer League (NASL), following what he deems racist remarks during a game.

The central midfielder, who plies his trade with the Latin American club, was met with racial invectives from FC

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… NASL opens investigation

Edmonton player Nicolás Di Biase following the sending off of one of his teammates, Sainey Nyassi who had received a red card.

According to Nurse, the exact words said to him were ‘Chocha tu madre’, (roughly translated to meaning the genital area of his mother) and ‘Negro de mierda’ which translates to “Black (expletive).”

Though he did not know their exact meaning at the time, the Golden Jags skipper understood several words which he knew as racial slurs.

Nurse said following that, he lodged a complaint with opposing team captain, the referee and the players on the opposing team as well as consulted one of his Spanish-speaking team mates to ascertain the exact translations.

Following the final whistle, the central midfielder went to confront the player about his insults but according to Nurse, no remorse was shown by Di Biase.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport, Nurse said, “It’s disappointing to know a person can have that level of hate towards another individual purely because of the colour of skin. I am against racism towards any race, black, Indian, white or Chinese. It’s wrong and has no place in society or sport.”

After the day, the player admitted that had been second-guessing his decision to

report the matter, but stood up nonetheless saying, “When I finish soccer I am a black man with family.”

“It is not the first time I have confronted or experienced racism in my life and I’m sure it will not be the last,” he added, saying, “the good thing is people from all ethnicities have shown their support in voicing their opinions that it is wrong.

There is no place for it and it will not be tolerated.”

In a message to those both on and off the field who endure the scourge, he urged them not to be afraid to speak up against racist abuse in a constructive manner, saying, “Unity is strength and the support from all the different ethnicities shows us together we can influence change for the better.”

“The days of having to shut up and put up with racism are no longer acceptable,” he concluded.

The North American Soccer League (NASL) confirmed that a report had been filed and had opened an investigation.

“The NASL has opened an investigation with respect to an allegation that racially abusive comments were made by one player to another player during the FC Edmonton vs Puerto Rico FC game on August 28, 2016. Per League policy, no further comment will be made while the investigation is ongoing,” a post on its website read.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Steyn bowls South Africa to series win

By Mark Gleeson in Pretoria

(REUTERS) - Dale Steyn grabbed five wickets to lead South Africa to a convincing 204 run-victory over New Zealand in the second Test at Centurion yesterday that sealed a 1-0 win in the series.

Set an unlikely target of

400 to win the match, New Zealand were bowled out for 195 with a day to spare as South Africa kept intact their record of never losing a series against the Kiwis.

Steyn, who missed most of South Africa’s series against England with a shoulder injury, put South Africa on the path to victory

with three wickets in 10 balls at the start of the visitors’ innings as their top four batsmen were dismissed for a paltry 18 runs in the hour before lunch.

But New Zealand dug in during the second session with the loss of just one more wicket before tea.

Henry Nicholls made a

The South African team pose with trophy after the series win in Centurion.

Test-best score of 76 before becoming the last wicket to fall and Steyn’s fifth victim.

Steyn, who finished with figures of 5-33, removed both openers in his first over. Tom Latham was bowled by the first ball of the visitors’ second innings, leaving a delivery too close to his stumps, and Martin Guptill fell to the sixth, edging to Hashim Amla at slip.

The fast bowler trapped Ross Taylor lbw with a wicked delivery in his second over which stayed alarmingly low and hit the batsman on the ankle.

Captain Kane Williamson, who top-scored for New Zealand in their first innings of 214, was caught by a superb dive from wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock off Vernon Philander in the fourth over.

Nicholls and BJ Watling shared a 68-run partnership before spinner Dane Piedt had Watling trapped leg-before for 32.

After tea, Steyn cleanbowled Mitchell Santner (16) and Philander trapped Doug Bracewell lbw for 30. Tim Southee and Neil Wagner were dismissed by Kagiso Rabada before Steyn wrapped up victory for the hosts.

South Africa declared

their second innings after the first hour’s play yesterday on 132 for seven, setting New Zealand a record-breaking target on a pitch with uneven bounce and widening cracks that was proving increasingly treacherous for batsmen. The first Test in Durban ended in a waterlogged draw.

SCOREBOARD

SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings 481 for 8 (F. du Plessis 112 n.o, J. Duminy 88, Q. de Kock 82, H. Amla 58, S. Cook 56; N. Wagner 5-86) NEW ZEALAND 1st innings 214 (K. Williamson 77) South Africa 2nd innings (Overnight: 105-6) S. Cook lbw b Boult

4 Q. de Kock c Williamson b Bracewell 50 H. Amla c Guptill b Southee 1 J. Duminy lbw b Southee 0 F. du Plessis c Taylor b Boult 6 T. Bavuma not out 40 S. van Zyl c Watling b Wagner 5 V. Philander b Southee 14 D. Piedt not out 0 Extras: (b-4, lb-1, nb-1, w-6) 12 Total: (for 7 wickets, 47 overs) 132 Fall of wickets: 1-31, 2-32, 3-32, 4-47, 5-82, 6-98, 7-129.

Bowling: T. Southee 16-6-46-3 (w5), T. Boult 14-3-44-2, D. Bracewell 7-2-19-1, N. Wagner 10-1-18-1 (nb-

1, w-1).

NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings (Target: 400 runs) T. Latham b Steyn 0 M. Guptill c Amla b Steyn 0 K. Williamson c de Kock b Philander 5 R. Taylor lbw b Steyn 0 H. Nicholls c Rabada b Steyn

76 B. Watling lbw b Piedt 32 M. Santner b Steyn 16 D. Bracewell lbw b Philander

30 T. Southee b Rabada 14 N. Wagner lbw b Rabada 3 T. Boult not out 0 Extras: (b-10, lb-7, w-2) 19 Total: (all out, 58.2 overs) 195 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-3, 3-5, 4-7, 5-75, 6-118, 7-164, 8-187, 9-195.

Bowling: D. Steyn 16.2-4-33-5, V. Philander 14-4-34-2 (w-1), K. Rabada 13 -2-54-2 (w-1), S. van Zyl 3-1-5-0, D. Piedt 12-3-52-1.

Martin’s brutal 80 ensures ...

(From page 29)

in establishing a women’s division and spoke highly of the great atmosphere the tournament emanated. The inclusion of a 12-year-old in the winning side was also noted.

The record partnership for women’s cricket in the SCA, was witnessed by among others, Canada

Cricket manager Ingleton Liburd, CCO president Persaud called on all parties to work together for the continued improvement of women’s cricket in the interest of Canada while cautioning the coaches to place greater emphasis on fielding while SCA president Shiv Persaud pointed out that despite there being

winners and losers, the real winners were women’s cricket.

The SCA president expressed thanks to Deo Samaroo and Vish Jadunauth for their roles as coordinator and assistant coordinator respectively and to the sponsors which included Caribbean Wave and Kim Sue of Norman Sue Bakery.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

SCA Caribbean Wave women’s final

Martin’s brutal 80 ensures Kaisoca dethrone Superstars

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada -Chuntell Martin saved the best for last, producing an innings of immense quality to help Kaisoca Cricket Club women’s team dethrone defending champions Superstars in Sunday’s final of the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) tournament which climaxed at the Ashtonbee ground here.

In a brutal display, and displaying the form that had eluded her during the preliminary round matches, Martin blasted a stroke-filled 80 as Kaisoca upstaged favourites Superstars in the second edition of the tournament before a bumper Sunday afternoon crowd to claim the Caribbean Wave-sponsored winners’ trophy. Her innings, which also earned her the Most Valuable Player award for her team, included 10 fours and five towering sixes.

Set a challenging 131 for victory, after limiting their opponents to 130 for seven in the 20-over affair, Kaisoca raced to their required total in 13.2 overs, losing two wickets in the process, with skipper Mahwish Khan fittingly ending the game with two successive fours off medium pacer Lorraine Kenton.

But the day belonged to opener Martin, who along with Saniyah Zia, laid a solid platform for their team with a brilliant opening stand of 116. By the time they were dismissed in the 11th over, both via lbw to Amanjit Virk, victory was almost secured and was duly achieved two overs later.

The opening partnership between the more burly and aggressive Martin and the pint-sized Zia seemed to have taken the fight out of the Superstars’ attack and a few dropped chances did little to help their cause. While Martin was belligerent, treating all the bowlers with dis-

The victorious Kaisoca women’s team pose with officials of the SCA following Sunday’s win. (Pictures by Frederick Halley)

Lorraine Kenton of Superstars collects her MVP prize from Cricket Canada Development Officer Zubin Surkari.

Kaisoca’s MVP Chuntell Martin receives her award from Cricket Canada general manager Ingleton Liburd. dain, Zia was prepared to and Megan Yougnauth the play second fiddle but also former hitting three fours attacked when it merited in and a six and the latter her 35 which contained four two fours. The defending fours. Virk ended with two champions, however, suffor 23 in two overs. fered a severe blow when Earlier, Superstars star player Nicole Samuel innings was centred on (16) went caught behind contrasting knocks of 25 when looking well set. and 24 respectively from Skipper Khan took two MVP Lorraine Kenton for 17 and Zia (nicknamed

Shortie), who generated a fair amount of pace, two for 31.

Cricket Canada general manager Ingleton Liburd, its Cricket Development officer Zubin Surkari, Cricket Council of Ontario (CCO) Chief Executive Office Praim Persaud, along with executives of the SCA were among those witnessing the final.

Obviously impressed with the proceedings, Li-

burd disclosed that he was surprised with several of the performances and also lauded the input of the spectators, pointing out that the numbers were greater than those normally in attendance at a Toronto & District Cricket final.

Zurkari also showered praises on the SCA for taking the initiative Turn to page 28

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Evergreen Venus scrambles into US Open second round VENUS Williams battled into the second round of the US Open yesterday, grabbing a slice of Grand Slam history along the way with her 72nd main draw appearance in a major.

On the same day that younger sister Serena was due to launch her bid for a record seventh US Open title -- and a record-setting 23rd Grand Slam crown -- the elder Williams broke the Open Era mark she had shared with Amy Frazier for most Grand Slams contested.

The 36-year-old Venus, enjoying something of a resurgence in a 2016 season that includes a WTA title in Taiwan, survived 63 unforced errors in a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 victory over 22-year-old Ukrainian Kateryna Kozlova, who has risen more than 80 spots in the world rankings since February to her current number 93.

“The errors told the story today,” said Williams, whose aggressive game also produced 46 winners. “I’m going to try to change that for the second round.”

The match closed out the afternoon action on the Arthur Ashe stadium court, setting the stage for a blockbuster night that

Venus Williams of the U.S. celebrates defeating Kateryna Kozlova of Ukraine in their 2016 US Open Women’s Singles match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York yesterday. (AFP) included Serena’s firstround clash with Russian veteran Ekaterina Makarova and second-seeded Andy Murray taking on Czech Lukas Rosol.

Serena’s Wimbledon triumph in July saw her equal Steffi Graf’s Open Era record of 22 major titles.

She has won four of five encounters with Makarova, including two US Open matches against the Russian left-hander.

In other early matches, third-seeded Swiss Stan Wawrinka, a two-time semi-finalist, reached the second round with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 6-4 win over Spain’s Fernando Ver-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday August 31, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 3 (Roston Chase, Miguel Cummings & Alzarri Joseph) (2) 3 (Ravindra Jadeja, Carlos Braithwaite & Alzarri Joseph) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many Test matches the WI and India have now contested against each other?

(2) How many India have won?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

dasco.

“I’m really happy,” Waw-

rinka said after evening his career record against Verdasco at three wins apiece.

“Fernando is a tough player to play. He can be really aggressive. He doesn’t give you so much rhythm, so it’s not easy.”

Kei Nishikori, who became Asia’s first men’s Grand Slam finalist in New York in 2014, when he fell to Marin Cilic in the final, also advanced, downing German Benjamin Becker 6-1, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.

“It was a great feeling of course,” said Nishikori, whose breakthrough run in 2014 was followed by an abrupt firstround exit last year.

“I have great memories here and I always love com-

ing back to New York.”

HALEP ADVANCES Juan Martin del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, advanced with a 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) victory over fellow Argentine Diego Schwartzman.

The 27-year-old del Potro, almost pushed into retirement by three wrist surgeries, is back at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2013, earning a wild card invitation with a stirring run to an Olympic silver medal.

Women’s fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, trying to make it to the quarter-finals in New York for the first time, takes

on American qualifier Jessica Pegula.

Fifth-seeded Romanian Simona Halep survived late jitters to make it safely into the second round with a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Belgian Kirsten Flipkens.

Halep needed less than an hour, but admitted she was “too nervous to finish the match” after failing to take advantage of her first chance to close it out when leading 6-0, 5-0.

The late wobble, in front of a crowd that included compatriot Nadia Comeneci -- the first gymnast to be awarded a perfect score of 10 -- had Halep rating her own performance “less than nine”. (AFP)

Food for the Poor donates cricket gear to Malteenoes Sports Club Youth Cricket Academy FOOD for the Poor (Guyana) Incorporated (FFP) recently donated a quantity of cricketing gear in-

cluding bats, balls and started on Monday, Au- FFP was committed to asstumps to the Malteenoes gust 22, at its Thomas sisting in the development of Sports Club (MSC) youth Lands facility. all sports in Guyana as far as cricket academy which Joel Alleyne, a member possible. of the MSC senior crickHe further stated that et team, thanked FFP for he hoped the youths would the donation which he said take advantage of the opwould go a long way in as- portunities afforded them sisting the youngsters in the in the programme and lisprogramme in their cricket ten carefully to the coaches development. and facilitators, and strive THE Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) has advised In his remarks, Public to enhance the further dethat competitions run under their auspices will resume this Relations Manager of FFP velopment of the sport in Saturday.

Wayne Hamilton, said that our country.

Meanwhile, member clubs are being asked to complete preparation of their venues for Saturday’s scheduled resumption.

The current points table for the Noble House Seafoods 2nd Division cricket competition reads:ZONE-A Teams Matches Points Police SC 2 45 GNIC 2 37 UG 2 28 St Stanislaus College 0 00 ZONE-B Malteenoes SC 3 59 Third Class CC 2 43 GDF 1 16 Sophia CC 2 13 ZONE-C MYO 2 32 DCC 2 29 GCC 2 26 Ace Warriors CC 0 00 ZONE-D Transport SC 3 74 Everest CC 3 60 GYO 3 43 Joel Alleyne of MSC receives the gear from Diplomats SC 3 13 Wayne Hamilton.

GCA competitions set to resume Saturday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Chandi says omission from WI team `was not handled properly’ FLORIDA, United States (CMC) - Former West Indies middle-order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul is continuing to protest his unceremonious expulsion from the regional squad, saying he has given yeoman service without being honoured.

Chanderpaul, 42, who was dropped from the West Indies squad before the series against Australia last year, says his departure “was not handled properly”.

The veteran left-hander was axed after a poor run of form that saw him make 183 runs at 16.63 in the 11 innings that followed his 30th and final Test century a few months earlier

Shivnarine Chaderpaul represented West Indies in 164 Tests.

Guyanese cricketer, in an interview with ESPNcricinfo. against Bangladesh.

“A lot of times I went “You’ve put in so many back home to Guyana inyears. A lot of times you’ve jured from tours that I’ve been injured and you still been on for West Indies go out and play,” said the and go back home and

play, and you give so much service for your country and to West Indies and on the back end you were not properly honoured for it.”

Chanderpaul, who boasts a career average of 51, has averaged just 16 from his last 11 innings.

Overall, however, he has scored 11 867 from 164 Tests, with 30 hundreds and is just 87 runs short of overtaking Brian Lara as the leading West Indies run-scorer of all-time.

“I ended up getting the same treatment in the back end of it, where you are totally disrespected and you were not treated right, and you’ve given so many years of service to the Caribbean,”

he complained.

“There’s nobody there to properly honour you and send you off properly, maybe like what Sachin (Tendulkar) got in India or some of the other players I’ve seen get a proper sendoff. It was nothing like that.

It hurt in the end because you’ve done so much for the West Indies”.

Chanderpaul played five games for Guyana in the last edition of the WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL), averaging 49.83 to help them to defend their title.

Considered a West Indies cricket legend, Chanderpaul insists that there has been a lack of gratitude for his service to the re-

gion but conceded that he was not the only one who received an undignified farewell.

“I don’t think (the selectors) handled it properly. It was not the way they should have done something. They should have done it better,” said Chanderpaul whose last appearance came in May 2015, against England, where he made a nine-ball duck.

“This is something that happened way back in the past, when I started my career with some of the senior players, maybe like (Courtney) Walsh and other guys, Desmond Haynes. These are things that happened to those guys and it was not handled properly”.

Guyana U-15 Basketball Team returns

By Daniel Haynes IN THE recently concluded 2016 U-15 Centrobasket Championships in Patillas, Puerto Rico, Guyana learnt

the hard way what Centrobasket basketball is all about.

The team suffered three losses in their three games but gained invaluable experience.

The losses by the team

GBA commends Caribbean Championship players

THE Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) is extremely proud of the performance of the humble four-member team who represented Guyana at the recently concluded Caribbean Championships in Aruba.

Despite the small size of the team all of the members were able to medal in at least one event at the Championships, where the Guyanese players came up against players from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Aruba.

The team comprised siblings Narayan and Priyanna Ramdhani, as well as Ambika Ramraj and Jonathan Mangra.

In the regional Girls’ Under-15 category Priyanna finished with the gold in the singles, as well as in the doubles where she teamed up with Dominica’s Daniela Acosta; while in the international Under-19 category she won one silver and one bronze. She was also in the team competition where Guyana finished in second place.

Narayan ended with two silver and a bronze in the Under-19 international, and a bronze in the regional category. Mangra tool silver in the Under-19 international category.

In a press release from the body, the GBA continues to look “forward to having more support and recognition for our players as they have proved to be the best over the last seven years medalling at almost all the tournaments they attended in the Caribbean, Pan American, South American and Inter-Guianas.”

The Association also extended heartfelt appreciation to its sponsors Mohamed’s Enterprise, Republic Bank, NSC, BK International, Hand-in-Hand Insurance, Crown Mining, Gio Tech and Cosmopolitan Trading.

… harsh lessons learnt in Puerto Rico

Jermaine King, one of top three performers in tournament had persons asking questions, with one such question being if experience helped the performances.

Answering these questions was team manager Alex Graham who stated that the expe-

rience was worth it.

“You can’t get experience by staying at home, these U-15 players are the future of basketball and experience is part of the growing process.”

Graham highlighted the fact that Jermaine King, one of the Guyanese players, placed in the top three performers for the tournament. He also added that the tournament was the first time for the players, in addition to the other teams fielding overseas players.

“Other teams in the tournament had overseas players and these are players who were accustomed to playing at a higher level, Guyana was the only country with home-grown players,” Graham said.

In an exclusive comment to

Chronicle Sport, team captain Kwesi Roberts, weighed in on the experience.

“The tournament was one which demonstrated a very high level of basketball in all aspects, especially the physical and mental aspect of the game,” stated Roberts.

Roberts also offered comments on the high level of play and Guyana’s performance in relation to moving forward.

“We will stop at nothing to be excellent basketball players, as we prepare ourselves to be if not dominant, at least very competitive in another tournament similar to the previous one.”

“However, the only way we can improve is to ensure we allow the experience to be

our drive to much-needed development,” Roberts explained.

It is hoped that the team will improve and basketball will improve. The National Sports Commission (NSC) offered a statement on the athletes’ performance stating the lack of overseas exposure was to blame.

“Essentially, the performance of the athletes perhaps was due to a lack of overseas exposure; it is with this in mind that at the NSC we request a calendar of events from associations and federations to ensure we make representation in a timely manner to secure greater budgetary allocations.”

Additionally the NSC added its appreciation of the athletes and stated its plans for development programmes to aid associations in athlete development.

Windies ready to to take winning momentum to UAE LAUDERHILL, Florida (CMC) - West Indies T20 captain Carlos Brathwaite says the regional squad is anxious to take its winning momentum into the series against Pakistan starting September 23 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Brathwaite’s men are scheduled to play the Pakistanis in a three-match T20 International series September 23 and 24 in Dubai and in Abu Dhabi on September 27.

“We are looking forward

to it and we just came from Asia winning the World Cup,” said Brathwaite, who was recently appointed to replace St Lucian all-rounder Darren Sammy, who led West Indies to two T20 World Cup titles.

“So we are looking to get back out there and continue to put on a good show and this is the format we make West Indian fans smile the most so we look to continue to put smiles on their faces.”

The T20 matches are

part of an overall tour which also includes an ODI series between September 30 and October 5, with Sharjah and Abu Dhabi listed as venues.

Three Test matches also form part of the series with the first Test starting October 13 in Dubai while Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, will host the second and third Tests from October 21 and October 30 respectively.

“Whenever we step onto the park to play for West Indies it is one thing we look forward to doing

… that’s winning,” said the Barbadian all-rounder.

“The combination of the team, who is available, who is fit who is there … whoever is there would represent 110 percent. We will make plans coming close to that time depending on who is in the Pakistan team as well.”

Over the weekend in Florida, West Indies defeated India one-nil in a two-match T20 international series which was affected by rain.

Chandi says omission from WI team `was not handled properly’ See story on page 31

Gizmos and Gadgets supports local tennis starlet

ELECTRONICS Store, Gizmos and Gadgets, is sounding its voice in the sport arena with its recent sponsorship of Caribbean Gold medallist and table tennis player Kaysan Ninvalle.

Kaysan, the son of Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) president and AIBA executive Steve Ninvalle, bagged gold in the 11-and-under Boys’ singles at the Caribbean Table Tennis Federation (CTTF) Pre and Mini Cadet Championship, contested at the national indoor sports arena, Kingston, Jamaica.

I n a n i n v i t e d c o mment, Kaysan said, “I feel good because it’s the first time going out of the country representing Guyana and winning a gold in the

L-R: GTTA president Godfrey Munroe watches as Caribbean Table Tennis Federation (CTTF) Pre and Mini Cadet U-11 gold medallist Kaysan Ninvalle collects his Galaxy S7 from Gizmos and Gadgets manager Sophia Dolphin.

Under-11 category.”

“November we (are) going out of the country to Washington DC to play for Guyana again,” he said, adding, “I was focused on winning during the tournament.”

He says he plans to repeat the results in future tournaments.

The company handed over a brand new Samsung Galaxy S7 to Kaysan, and manager Sophia Dolphin said the company was moved by the youngster’s gold medal performance.

“Because he did extremely well with the gold, we are bringing on young people doing extremely well and so on, so we decide to give him a smart phone and people might ask why Gizmos gave him a luxurious phone be-

cause it is a S7 edge which is the newest phone.”

She continued, “It is much easier because he intends to travel a lot and he already has a laptop so we didn’t want to give him another laptop; we decide to give him the S7 edge to manoeuvre around.”

GTTA president Godfrey Munroe added, “Kaysan represents one of our brightest prospects. I think he played unbeaten in the Under-13 and Under-11 team events and then he went down to the 11 yearsand-under championships where he won the singles event, so it just underlines the potential he has because he plays far beyond his years.” (Stephan Sookram)

When we were in Trinidad on Saturday afternoon, the car was working excellent, but when we got back on Sunday morning, the car wasn’t turning.

“Something went wrong, it seemed as though someone messed around

the car. I (am) hoping that none of that happens in Barbados.”

His white, sponsored Honda Civic races under the banner of Special Auto, with further support from Top Power Racing, Blue Waters and Full Works

Seejatan sounds warning to CMRC field adding, “The car is working pretty good. We didn’t trouble anything much from Trinidad set up.”

He did, however, note problems during the second leg in Trinidad and Tobago, admitting, “We did have some setbacks from Trinidad.

Golden Jags skipper endures ‘racial slurs’ … NASL opens investigation

Group two driver Shan Seejatan leads the pack at last year’s final leg of the CMRC 2015 in Guyana. (Rohindra Mahase photo)

By Stephan Sookram SHAN Seejatan has sounded a warning to his competitors ahead of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship’s (CMRC) third leg in Barbados this weekend.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport yesterday, the Group two drivers confirmed that in Barbados he will be looking to close down that gap to-

wards the leader, Trinidadian Luke Bhola.

“The whole aim is to try to win the CMRC Group two championships, right now I am sitting fourth in the points but basically that’s the whole idea. Winning the championship is basically the drive behind touring, to try and win the championship.”

While Barbados is the

stomping ground of Mark Thompson in that class, Seejatan is hoping to come out on top and pull off a major upset.

“Everyone is going with high aims and that’s where we are aiming. We shoot high and it all comes down to race day - how they run the race, what positions we get (in qualifying), that’s how we are going to approach the day,” he said,

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Golden Jaguars skipper and FC Puerto Rico’s Christopher Nurse challenges for the ball during his game against FC Edmonton. See story on page 27 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016