Guyana Chronicle E-paper 9-04-2018

TUESDAY 4th September, 2018

No.105387

10% of teachers on strike -Ministry to deploy 2,500 substitutes soon

See page 3

Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry addressing students in Berbice

Dead: Jennifer Park

Dead: Michael ‘Aubrey’ Ross

Injured and traumatized: Judy Park

Two killed in M’cony crash

See page 10

Residents in the area assisting to get persons out of the vehicle after the crash

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 4, 2018

$4B to meet teachers’ demands ...gov’t urges union to return to bargaining table

IT WILL cost the treasury over $4B to meet the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) demands for a 40 per cent and incremental five per cent salary increases, the Education Ministry has revealed.

Having stated that it is not able to meet this figure and coupled with a nationwide strike branding the resumption of school in the country, the ministry says that it has about 2,500 educators in its database to be deployed as a Plan B. This latter initiative forms a part of the government’s contingency plan which kicked into action on Monday, when hundreds of teachers from all across the country took up industrial action in demand of salary increases.

At a news conference on Monday evening, comprising of Minister of Education Nicolette Henry and Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson, the team revealed that there was no new figure to be put forward to the union, although stating that they are still in talks with the Ministry of Finance to

find other areas of funding.

“We have not been able to have that information as yet from the Ministry of Finance in terms of the additional funding that they were tasked to seek at this point in time, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education Adele Clarke updated.

The ministry had initially put forward a ballpark figure of $700M for salary increases and $200 million to address de-bunching while President David Granger on Friday said that the government is currently looking for additional funds to increase the amount.

TEMPORARY TEACHERS In the meanwhile, the ministry is still working to assess the schools in need of the “temporary teachers” with the help of the Regional Education Officers (REDOs). Those in the contingency plan include persons awaiting their applications to be processed; trainees from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE); retired teachers

and volunteers.

Just last week the Education Ministry, in keeping with the plan, had rolled out advertisements in the media seeking substitute teachers to serve schools in the Georgetown education district.

The ads required interested persons to contact the Department of Educatio(DoE) by September 4, 2018 to which 32 persons have since responded. At the press conference, Hutson stated that the requirements for all being recruited included CXC passes, while persons who are retired teachers would have previous qualifications.

Hutson also stated that the payment of volunteers now rendering service is not out of the picture.

When asked about the number within the contingency plan in contrast to the number of teachers on strike and how this affects the education system, Huston responded: “This is a work in process…rather than not doing anything with our children while persons are staying away from the classrooms, it is incumbent upon us, and it is incumbent upon anybody who wants to see an education sector progress to do something. And, so there are a number of applications that keep coming in

but, like I said, it’s a work in progress….it’s not something that the government will fix immediately but I think we are on our way to bringing some kind of relief to our children who are really depending upon us.”

He made the remarks even as he vouched that the teachers being been placed at the various schools are competent to do the job, while the current circumstances will not affect the regular operations of the CPCE. CONCILIATION Minister Henry said that the government will continue to add substitute teachers to different regions based on the need for such. Speaking on the relations between the ministry and the GTU, she stated that having exhausted the negotiation phase of the collective bargaining agreement, they are now at the conciliation stage.

This, she explained, requires parties to meet with a third party, identified as the Ministry of Labour, which is to serve as mediator.

However, the GTU has since stated that it has lost faith in the conciliation process as the labour ministry and other labour officials have compromised their position, having all represented the Education ministry at previous negotiation meetings.

“We’re now waiting on the Ministry of Social Protection to call both parties...

Minister of Education Nicolette Henry at a press conference hosted on Monday at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) on the ongoing teachers’ strike issue (Adrian Narine photo)

the Ministry of Education’s position is that both parties, we look at their proposal and bring that for discussion at the conciliation phase but we have not been able to get an agreement on that,” Henry said, adding: “Due process is required and when going through these procedures we don’t have an opportunity to cherry pick which stage we go through. We have to go through stage by stage and exhaust each stage before we arrive at the other stage.

That is the procedure by which we’re guided.”

With the GTU recently suggesting that it would be willing to negotiate below its initial 40 per cent, Henry said that is it only through the discussions in adherence to the bargaining agreement that the government can consider new offers.

However, she added that

given the urgency and importance of the matter, it is expected that the parties involved will soon facilitate the resumption of dialogue on the matter. At the same time, she relayed that the ministry is working to keep schools open even as it encourages students to return to schools daily as the government works with parents, REOs and other officers to facilitate the contingency plan.

Speaking to how long the ministry will be able to continue the contingency plan, Henry responded: “Once you’re operating under a situation that is not normal and one that creates a lot of additional tasking it is going to put a strain on the system, but it is our responsibility to ensure that our children are in the classrooms.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 4, 2018

10% of teachers on strike …34 out of 1000 schools closed

-Ministry to deploy 2,500 substitutes soon JUST around 10% of public school teachers participated in strike action by the Guyana Teacher’s Union on Monday and about 34 of the some 1000 schools were closed, the Ministry of Education said on Monday.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has a complement of 10,615 teachers, but only 1,065 took part in the strike action on Monday and absented themselves from school. According to the breakdown given by the ministry of teachers who were absent are: Region 1, 33; Region 2, 21; Region 3, 43; Region 4, 34; Region 5 (to be tallied); Region 6, 276; Region 7, (to be tallied); Region 8, 3; Region 9, 36; Region 10, 400; and Georgetown, 219.

Despite their absence, the ministry said it was able to account for 90 per cent of its staff complement by recruiting volunteers which included students of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and retirees.

This was according to a senior official of the MoE, Marcia Paddy, who also added that most schools were opened on Monday despite the nationwide strike. According to a breakdown of the information which was provided by the ministry, just five schools out of 47 were

From left- senior official of the MOE, Marcia Paddy; CEO, Marcel Hutson; and Education Minister Nicolette Henry at a recent press conference (Adrian Narine photo)

closed in Region One (Barima-Waini); all schools in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) were opened; all were also opened in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); all 132 schools were opened in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); 2 out of 75 schools were closed in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 3 out of 142 were closed in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); 1 out of 35 schools was closed in Region

Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); all schools were opened in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); 12 out of 83 schools were closed in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); 11 out of 60 schools were closed in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice); and all 91 schools in Georgetown were opened.

“When we say all those schools were opened, we mean that all the doors of the schools were open and the

learners could access anything from the school,” said Paddy at a press briefing on Monday evening. Prior to the commencement of the strike, the ministry had already established a contingency plan which allowed them to fill the void and even gave them the opportunity to make provisions for the schools which were closed.

“We have a database and based on the need, we will adjust the figures of the sub-

stitutes,” said Chief Education Officer (CEO), Marcel Hutson. As part of the contingency, an advertisement, which solicited volunteers, was issued by the ministry.

Although only 32 persons have responded to the advertisement, Hutson believes that the trainees from CPCE and retirees were able to compensate for the shortfall.

“This is a work in progress… we have people who would be willing to offer their ser-

vice… in fact there are a number of applications that keep coming in,” he said, adding that the situation is not one which could be fixed immediately but the ministry is on its way to bringing relief to the children.

Minister of Education Nicolette Henry said testimony to the relief is the number of applications that are with the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) and the ministry. Though the TSC is yet to provide a list of persons who have met the requirements, they have already gathered 2,500 persons, including trainees, retirees and volunteers, who will be deployed soon.

The cost of the venture is still being worked out but the ministry believes that the contingency plan will work. “When you are operating under a situation which is not normal and which creates additional tasking, it will put a strain on any system,” said the minister, adding that it is, however, their duty to ensure that every child is in the classroom during the academic year. The ministry intends on ensuring that regional education officers monitor the situation so that they would be able to make informed decisions going forward.

36 enter four-year medic programme THIRTY-SIX young professionals from all across Guyana will be embarking on a four- year medic programme, which was officially launched yesterday by the Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence, at the ministry’s Nursing Annex, Fort Street, Kingston.

“My expectations are high. I am buoyed by the thought that I would have 36 additional qualified professionals deployed in all the regions, who will dedicate their lives towards the improvement of the health status of the citizens of this country,” the minister told the gathering as she delivered the feature address at the launching ceremony.

“I was overjoyed to see a full complement of participation from all the regions, thus strengthening the ministry’s orientation of focusing on the hinterland and far-flung areas and improving the health services there and providing quality care for our people,” she said.

The programme sees the participation of several individuals from the hinterland and riverine areas. It is envisaged that these persons will return to their communities to work, and this will go a long way in improving the quality of health services provided in those areas.

“More than ever the ministry recognises how essential it is to have a com-

petent and qualified workforce, to help bridge the gap and create a sustainable healthy environment for all, in every community,” Lawrence noted.

“If I’m on the coastland and I could walk into a health centre and be provided with 10 services, then, irrespective of where I am in the hinterland I should be able to have those same services. Guyanese wherever you live you should be provided with the same services at the highest quality.”

She implored of the trainees to remain committed and persevere as they go through their studies from year to year, reminding them of the important role they

will be playing in the health system after completing their studies and receiving their certificates. “ Tr a i n e e s , y o u , t h e health personnel, represent the cornerstone of the health care system without highly qualified persons to man our systems and dispense the necessary care as we strategise to prevent and control the onset of diseases,” she said.

The programme is being done by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the University of Guyana, Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS). Dean of the FHS, Dr. Emanuel Cummings also reminded the students of the standard they must

hold themselves to as UG students.

The programme will comprise two phases, the first phase which includes basic nursing and midwifery skills and the second which deals with comprehensive clinical skills.

The medic programme in Guyana was first started in 1978 when the then Ministry of Health was approached with an offer to facilitate the training of mid-level health care practitioners to service the citizens living in remote communities in Guyana, viz., the hinterland communities.

“The need was great.

There was no school of medicine in Guyana. All

MDs were trained in Cuba and access to medical services was limited in remote and coastal tribal areas.

Among the diverse Guyana population, the indigenous people were most at risk.

The medics filled the gap of providing that mid-level health care,” related Director of Health Sciences Seraiah Validum, as she spoke briefly on the history of the medic programme in Guyana.

A l s o d e l i v e r i n g re marks at the event were Coordinator of the Medic Training Programme, Chief Medic Lolitta Rebeiro and MoPH Chief Medical Officer, Shamdeo Persaud.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 4, 2018

‘Your education will not be affected’ – Minister Henry assures Berbicians

By Nafeeza Yahya M I N I S T E R o f E d u c ation Nicolette Henry on Monday visited several schools across East Berbice, Corentyne where she assured students that their education will not be affected as provisions are being made to ensure substitute teachers are available to take up the slack for those striking.

While addressing students in the auditorium of the Berbice High School, she highlighted that regional educational officers were dispatched across the region and are on the ground to assess the situation, and will provide clear instructions as to what will be done by the end of the day.

“The decision is that we will have the students here, teachers that are present and each and every child here would have left knowing that they would have done something…You are here to learn and you will learn

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Education Minister, Nicolette Henry in conversation with parents

something each and every day,” she assured.

She also assured parents that provisions are in place to guarantee no harm comes to their children and that

their education is priority.

“You don’t have to be fearful…we are monitoring this every day to ensure the children are not put in harm’s way. We love our teachers… we care for our teachers but we cannot create more problems to solve the problem,” she said.

“We have to solve the problem, we have to talk, we have to discuss it, initiate it until it is resolved in the most amicably and respectable way and we will do that, but in the meantime you must continue to benefit from your education. We

have a responsibility to you and we also have responsibilities to the teachers,” said the minister.

She also called on students to be supportive, since they may be taught by teachers they are not familiar with, and expects them to be fully prepared for their regional examinations at the end of the school term.

“We recognise there are challenges and we also recognise that the challenges have to be addressed. What we want to ensure while we address those challenges [is] we do not create other

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challenges. Because, if you are not in school and not learning that would be a more long-term challenge, not only for you but the entire country and as adults, as leaders whether for the Union or the government we have to be,” the minister told the students at Canje Secondary. Minister Henry spent the entire day visiting schools across Region Six and interacted with students, parents and teachers wishing them well for the new school year and encouraging them to be punctual and consistent in their attendance, especially students preparing for the CSEC examinations.

Approximately 42 per cent or 600 of the 1,403 teachers in Region Six were on strike, based on the numbers provided by the GTU. Information reaching the Guyana Chronicle indicates that the Vryman’s Ervin Secondary School was the most affected where none of the 35 teachers showed up for work. At the Rose

Hall Town Primary School students were seen with confused looks on their faces, as approximately 500 of them were forced to return home, even as a lone Grade Five teacher was in her classroom doing school work.

The teachers took to the streets of New Amsterdam to protest for better salaries, while others who spoke on conditions of anonymity, said while they are in support of the strike action they are fearful of being reprimanded and went to work as per normal. “I have a family of my own to maintain and while I desperately need an increase, I cannot risk losing my job or even a pay cut because it would only make my personal situation worse, so I am in solidarity with those striking but I must first protect my job so my family can continue to enjoy the things we have,” one teacher said.

Another who shared similar sentiments, said she cannot know that there are students entering the school and will be in a new environment and leave them there to fend for themselves. “I cannot leave these babies to be here by themselves, I will probably join the strike later in the week but I could not muster the courage to leave these little ones here all alone, it will only scar them and make my job more difficult later on, so I rather be here and help them settle in then go out and strike later on,” the teacher said. There were several schools that were not affected at all by the strike actions since all teachers showed up for work and had a productive day. The GTU is planning to continue to strike until an amicable solution is agreed upon.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 4, 2018

AG refutes contempt-of-court claim – over Judicial Review Act commencement date ATTORNEY-General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams says he had no knowledge that he had failed in his attempt to secure a stay for an order by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire when he identified January 1, 2019 as the commencement date for the Judicial Review Act. In May, 2018, the Chief Justice had ruled that Minister Williams’ failure to bring the Act into force was unlawful and in violation of the will of the people. In response, the Attorney-General, at the level of the Court of Appeal, filed an application to stay the execution of the Chief Justice’s decision, but Justice of Appeal Rafiq Khan discharged the application.

On Monday during a press conference at his Chambers, the Attorney-General said when he signed the commencement order on August 15, 2018 for the Judicial Review Act to take effect from January 1, 2019 and not on July 31, 2018 as stipulated by the Chief Justice, he had no knowledge that the stay of execution was not granted.

“Because the knowledge of an interim stay was not known, the advice from the parliamentary division was

that since July 31 had passed, then you had to use within a reasonable time,” Minister Williams told reporters.

But the Attorney-General corrected this action by issuing a new commencement order on August 27, which in the Official Gazette identified July 31, 2018 as the commencement date for the implementation of the Judicial Review Act, in keeping with the ruling handed down by the Chief Justice (ag).

The Judicial Review Act No. 23 of 2010 provides for an application to be made to the High Court for relief by way of judicial review.

Reminding reporters that the Judicial Review Act is a product of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), which was assented to by the then President Bharrat Jagdeo in 2010, and was not enforced under that administration, Minister Williams contended: “They never brought it into effect, and it was because they didn’t want us who were in opposition, me in particular, to be able to sue them by using all of the remedies that that Act would have presented to me.”

Repeat offender back in court, jail – this time for just $5000 A REPEAT offender was on Monday back before a Magistrate and remanded to prison for break & enter and larceny.

The charges allege that on August 24 at Vlissingen Road and Regent Street, Rico Persaud broke and entered a section of the Ministry of Agriculture and stole $5000 cash belonging to a staff named Christine Kissons.

The 26-year-old man of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, who is no stranger to the court, denied the charge as it was read out to him by Magistrate Judy Latchman in court.

Prosecutor Quinn Harris objected to his being granted bail due to the seriousness of the offence, and the fact that the accused was previously charged before the said court for a similar offence.

According to the facts presented in court, on the day of question, the virtual complainant left her bag in her

office to go to the kitchen, and upon returning noticed that her bag was gone. The missing bag was later found in the male washroom minus the $5000.

With the aid of CCTV footage, the defendant was seen opening the door, reaching for the bag, and after committing the act, exiting the compound and joining a minibus.

The matter was duly reported to the police, and the defendant, when arrested, told ranks in a caution statement, “Ah done do it, man!”

Bail was refused by Magistrate Latchman, and Persaud was remanded to prison until September 24.

Back in May, Persaud was sentenced to nine months imprisonment by Magistrate McGusty after he pleaded guilty to the theft of a cell-phone valued $100,000.

On that occasion, he told the magistrate, “Your Worship, I see the phone, I pick it up and tek it.”

ATTORNEY-General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams

NOTICE OF APPEAL In addition to the stay of execution application which was shot down by Justice Khan, the Attorney-General also filed a Notice of Appeal against the decision of Chief Justice (ag). That matter is likely to come up when the court returns from recess.

The Notice of Appeal is calling on the Court of Appeal to set aside the entire decision handed down by the Chief Justice, on the grounds that she “committed a specific illegality when, by her ruling, she purported to dic-

tate to the Minister of Legal Affairs her own timelines to bring the Judicial Review Act into force, in contravention of the doctrine of the Separation of Powers.”

According to Minister Williams, the Chief Justice usurped the discretion vested in him by the legislature to bring legislation into force.

The chief justice’s ruling follows an application to the court last year by Former Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, calling for Williams to be mandated to bring into force the Judicial Review Act. Nandlall had acknowledged that the said Act was not brought into operation by him when he served as Legal Affairs Minister, because there were no complementary procedural rules of the court to accompany the said Act, as the Rules of the High Court 1955 made no provisions for a judicial review.

Nandlall said that at the time, new Civil Procedure Rules were in draft form, and these rules laid out the legal procedure in respect of how the court can be approached to access the remedies provided for in the Judicial Review Act.

He, however, said on February 5, 2017 that a Practice Direction, dated January 23, 2017 and published on February 4, 2017 in the Official Gazette by the Honourable Chancellor (ag.) Mr. Justice Carl Singh, directed that the Civil Procedure Rules 2016 shall take effect from February 6, 2017; the said Practice Direction also provided that the Civil Procedure Rules 2016 shall govern the practice and procedure of all civil proceedings filed in the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature after February 6, 2017.

However, the Minister of Legal Affairs argues that the judge erred when she failed to apply the overriding objective of the new Civil Procedure Rules to deal with cases justly and not to exercise her discretion injudiciously by stepping into the province of the executive Arm of government.

Further, he posits that Justice George-Wiltshire committed a specific illegality when she ruled that he had breached a duty by not bringing the Judicial Review Act into force.

On Monday, the Attorney-General said the State will appeal the case at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) if the need arises.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 4, 2018

Indigenous Peoples’ development AS Guyanese begin the month-long celebration of the achievements of our country’s indigenous peoples, much will be said about government’s plans and initiatives.

As such, it is important to remember that government’s undertakings are not haphazard and random. Instead, the administration has an overarching, holistic programme of developmental ideals.

That five-year programme which can be summed up in ten points, was articulated

by President Granger at the National Toshaos Council meeting on August 28, 2015.

The major objectives of the plan are: improving quality of life, promoting inclusion, preventing deforestation, reducing the cost of living, reducing dependency, fostering dignified self-sufficient development, preservation of cultural identity, ensuring access to education,

and closing the gap between coastal and hinterland conditions. The plan can be summarised as follows.

1) Hinterland Education Support Programme: With the goal of providing every child with a sound education in preparation for employment, government will work towards ensuring that poverty, hunger, lack of transportation, and other impediments to school attendance are removed.

2) Hinterland Poverty Reduction Programme: Too many persons are “extremely poor,” with an expenditure level below what is required to purchase a minimum, daily, low-cost diet. Hinterland poverty can be reduced through good governance.

Sensible policies, wise management of resources, and programmes geared towards self-sufficiency are being pursued.

3) Hinterland Infrastruc-

ture Extension Programme: Government intends to bridge the gap between coastal and hinterland conditions through pursuit of policies which will result in rapid economic convergence. Improvement of physical infrastructure – roads, aerodromes, stellings, ferries, better links between farmers and markets, and other forms of communication – will be the primary driver of this initiative.

4) Hinterland Energy Development Programme: With the objective of ensuring energy security, the administration is working towards conversion to sustainable energy sources. Solar farms, micro-hydro plants, and wind farms will form the backbone of the programme to power residences, schools, community centres, offices, shops, and sports halls.

5) Hinterland Employment and Youth Service: Aimed at creating permanent,

self-sufficient employment, government is focussing on training, fostering the conditions for entrepreneurship, and job creation.

6) Hinterland Happy Household Programme: Government wants Guyanese to be happy. Encouragement of investment, economic projects, community development, agriculture, agro-processing, and other similar ventures will result in more money for households. Additionally, communities must be made safe. To this end, government is working towards crime reduction, and an end to the exploitation of Indigenous Guyanese, particularly the crime of trafficking in persons (TIP).

7) Hinterland and Indigenous Peoples Land Commission: Land is life. Government is aware of controversies and disputes. Government will not ignore such

GTT must fix this problem

Dear Editor,

I AM writing you this email in the interest of the Guyanese Public that utilize the services of GTT (Guyana Telephone & Telegraph).

Over the past six to eight months, I have been utilising the 30-day unlimited bundle plan offered by GTT. This service is a great initiative for business users. However, if one is to carefully follow up on their account balance, they would find that subsequently after selecting the service which offers unlimited voice calls to GTT, free minutes to other networks, data and free text, that credit have been further deducted

on calls. I have now grown tired of the endless calls to GTT customer Service centre filled with the many unnecessary sugar-coated apologies and greetings that have been mentally automated into these CSR. Every single month I would have to endure time wasted to rectify this issue. The outlying problem on a national level is that there exist many unsuspecting customers who may not be aware of this issue and as such GTT deducts credit which are not queried or neither returned to customers. I have tested this over my six months.

This intentional glitch may well be making money

in the hundreds of millions [of]dollars towards GTT as they scramble to deal with the looming monopoly issue.

One would only be left to wonder which other service offered by GTT that has this issue. It is definitely unfair to persons who are not so tech-savvy and unaware to have to bear this cost that profits towards GTT. All their yearly audits need to be resifted and these monies returned to Guyanese. It is time for GTT to honour their customers with a proper service rather than have these CSR try to sell sugar-coated words to customers who are subsequently given a sugar-coated run around of

a crappy service intended to frustrate customers that eventually abandon their queries and thus GTT profits from this frustration.

I would like to request that the Public Utilities Commission investigate GTT thoroughly in all the services they are offering and the monies owed to customers, which I am sure is in the hundreds of millions of dollars, are returned to customers without the regular inconvenience and no cost towards customers.

Regards Joel Oudkerk

claims. Instead, each issue will be addressed by Commission, and, in the spirit of compromise, matters such as demarcation will be settled to the satisfaction of all concerned.

8) Hinterland Language, Cultural, and Sports Commission: Government is working to preserve indigenous languages and culture.

This programme will allow the individual cultures to flourish, so that all Guyanese can experience and appreciate the rich diversity of our peoples.

9) Hinterland Tourism and Development Service: Aiming to establish eco-tourism on sound economic footing, government is working towards promoting our tourism produc, both internationally and locally.

The economic spinoffs will further enhance the lives of hinterland residents.

10) Hinterland Public

Services Provision Scheme: Public services are vital to happiness, wellbeing, and a good life. Government is determined to ensuring that every hinterland community has access to radio, newspapers, and two-way communications. All citizens must have access to quality health care, birth certificates, identification documents, and land titles. Business owners should not have to travel to Georgetown to register their business; such services should be available nearby.

President Granger has expressed pleasure at the fact that village leaders now feel free to engage government on all issues.

And he has assured that in the spirit of democratic inclusion, Indigenous Guyanese can now take up their rightful place at the table of government.

Rookatooks has great potential Dear Editor,

of two genres original to Guyana, viz Queh queh I believe Guyanese musi- and cumfa music. I arrive cians are missing an op- at this conclusion from portunity that is termed my participation in queh with potential to catapult queh and listening to the Guyanese music and mu- legendary Little Jones band sicians on the regional in my youth. This muand international stage sic – rookatook--has been and establish a mon- made popular by Stitchie ey-making industry for One Man Band. I became themselves and Guyana. convinced of the potential I refer to a brand of mu- of this music when I was sic that is referred to as on the Plaisance Line Top rookatooks (my spelling). with youths from across Rookatooks, is to me ( I the Caribbean Turn to page 7 could be wrong), a merger

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 4, 2018

Are we really addressing the operations and viability of NIS? Dear Editor, RECENTLY, the news media carried an article on the operations of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) arising from a bi-partisan Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services meeting with the senior officials of the NIS. Having read the following: “NIS recorded successive deficits since 2015-GM (General Manager)….

The current fund stands at $31.9B… this year, NIS is expected to pay out $23.6B with contributions projected to reach $23.2B.” As a financial analyst, what was reported was basically confusing to me. Hence, I will enlighten our citizens on my assessment of the operations and future viability of the NIS. 1. I have neither in recent times seen an audited nor unaudited Financial Statements (FSs) in the news media. As a public entity, I am appalled that FSs are not published.

Certainly, citizens like myself will be interested in calculating and analyzing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in order to assess, among others, NIS’s financial position, its performance, its liquidity balance, and its future viability. Some KPIs which an analyst will need in order to determine the viability of this Scheme are: its net loss/ income margin, its return on

investment, its debt to equity ratio, its accumulated surplus, its investment portfolio and income (if any) accruing from those investments, and last but by no means least, its funding of the asset deficit to meet future obligations.

2. I am of the view that since the NIS commenced its operations in September 1969, the composition of its Board of Directors leaves much to be desired.

Based on published information over the years, this Board is and continues to lack the appointment of a director(s) with experience on Actuarial Valuation of pension schemes.

3. What should have been discussed at length at that meeting (not reported by the news media) is/are the Report(s) of the Actuary. If the Actuary is Bacon Woodrow & de Souza Limited from Trinidad, that firm is known to be doing high quality work on evaluating pension schemes in Guyana.

What has been disclosed by the GM, and I quote “based on the last actuarial report, the life of the scheme should come to an end in 2021/22.

I am worried and confused by that revelation by the GM. It seems to me that NIS may not exist after 2022, which is most unlikely. Surely, the Actuarial Reports (normally every five years) over the past two decades

have been repeating the same issues, and no serious action is apparently being taken on those pertinent issues.

4. What is an Actuarial Valuation? It is a type of appraisal of the NIS’s assets and liabilities of which investment, economic and demographic assumptions are used in order to determine the funded status of this pension scheme. Many variables have to be taken into account in this valuation. On the asset side, the actuary is required to make assumption(s) about the employer’s contribution rates and investment growth rate of the portfolio of stocks and bonds. On the liabilities side, the calculation of such payments is much more complex. The actuary must make assumptions regarding, but not limited to, among others, the discount rate which is the rate used to convert future cash flows to its present value, employees’ contribution rates, wages/salaries growth rates, inflation rates, mortality rates, and maximizing the dividend yields on investments in stocks and bonds.

If all the long-term assumptions are reasonable, then a realistic funding ratio can be derived. The ultimate funding ratio equals assets over liabilities. The solvency of the pension scheme is when there is a ratio of over 1.0 or 100 per cent, which will indicate that pension as-

Rookatooks has ... and at least two of them, including a Jamaican, asked me what type of music is it.

My response was, it is a mixture of two Guyanese genres.

I had, a few months ago, said to one person at the music school in the Department of Culture that the development of this music should be pursued.

I believe that Guyanese

musicians will do well to start putting lyrics to this genre and begin to produce Guyanese music. This will go a far way in promoting Guyana, Guyanese music and contribute to the development of a unique Guyanese tourism brand and move us away from being imitators of Jamaican and American music, among others. Let

From page 6

us pursue the potential that inheres in rookatooks.

I wish to applaud Stichy and request that he and other musicians put nice, decent and progressive lyrics to this evolving genre and realize the potential that inheres in it.

Regards Aubrey Norton

sets are adequate to cover its liabilities in the foreseeable future (approximately 10 years down the road). My understanding is that the NIS funding ratio is under 1.0 over the last two decades. If my understanding is correct, then what positive action is being addressed to have sufficient assets to pay the future benefits.

Mention has been made of GuySuco owing in excess of $1.5B as well as other businesses. The management at that Parliamentary Meeting had indicated that it has been taking action to recover contributions owing,which is a positive effort. However, as mentioned above, it is imperative that the authorities need to determine the required contributions needed to fund future benefits over time and in so doing, will eventually eliminate the Scheme’s deficit. Persistent underfunding, as it appears to be, will ul-

timately jeopardize NIS’s sustainability.

5. Besides the actuarially valuation, the efficiency level of the staff needs to be addressed and be improved. For example, why the payment of a benefit has to take 2, 3, 4-months to be made after the documentation has been accepted. You and I know of many others who have had this experience.

That being said, the financial position, performance and the ability to pay future benefits are causes of major concern of NIS’s current operations. Our emphasis, among others, has to be on the Actuarial Reports which information is indeed complex and can be difficult to understand for those who are not accustomed to working with this kind of information. It is my view that the authorities have to reveal financial information such as the extent of

the Scheme’s asset deficit, the required contributions per cent to clear this deficit, the period of time it will take to clear this deficit, who are to make these contributions, will it be the employers, the employees, the Government or all three parties. These are not easy decisions to make, hence it is imperative that the decision-makers have a full understanding of the schemes’ operations and its implications in both the short and long-term.

I do not see the life of NIS ending in 2021/22.

Let’s address the pertinent issues in a prompt and efficient manner, and we will need the involvement of the actuarial firm, and perhaps other financial specialists on the way forward towards this Scheme’s viability.

Regards John Seeram

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 4, 2018

All set for EXCO, CLE meetings here – setting up law school, IMPACT Justice report high on agenda

KEY issues pertinent to the legal system in Guyana and around the region, including the establishment of the Joseph Haynes Law School here and the Final Report on the Survey of Legal Education in CARICOM Member States will be discussed when the Council of Legal Education (CLE) and Executive Council (EXCO) meetings are held in Guyana this week.

The EXCO and CLE meetings are billed for the Guyana Marriott Hotel from September 6-8, and among those who have confirmed

their attendance are Heads of the Judiciaries, Attorneys-General, and Heads of Bar Associations of CARICOM countries, in addition to the principals of the Hugh Wooding, Norman Manley and Eugene Dupuch Law Schools.

The meeting will be chaired by CLE Chairman, Reginald Armour, SC. Attorney-General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, during a press conference at his Carmichael Street Chamber, said the stage is all set to host the meetings.

“Preparations are well underway for both meetings,” he said, while disclosing that he will form part of the Guyanese delegation along with the Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag.), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards; Head of the Bar Association, Kamal Ramkarran; and Robin Stoby.

Guyana’s move to establish the Joseph Haynes Law School here through a Public Private Partnership with the Law School of the Americas (LCA) and the University College of the Caribbean (UCC) is among issues high

on the agenda.

The Government of Guyana and its joint- venture partners are hoping to receive the greenlight from the CLE to establish the law school here, on the basis that the CLE Agreement provides for such a move, and that earlier indications show that permission was granted.

The February 2018 Final Report on the Survey of Legal Education in CARICOM Member States, which was conducted by Improved Access to Justice in the Caribbean (IMPACT Justice) and

funded by the Canadian Government, will also be high on the agenda.

This Thursday, the Dr. Lloyd Barnett, OJ, Lecture Series will be conducted by Justice Duke Pollard, former judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

The following day, the opening ceremony for the CLE meetings will be held at the Marriott Hotel, where President David Granger will deliver the feature address.

Justice Cummings-Edwards is also expected to address the legal luminaries along with the Attorney-General.

Later that day, the Attorney-General, as host and Head of the Guyana Bar, will hold a cultural reception for the participats at the Umana Yana.

Guyana hosted the CLE in the years 1975, 1981, 1987 and 1994, and played a pivotal role in its formation in 1971, whereby it is party to the Agreement Establishing the CLE together with CARICOM Member States Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, the Universities of the West Indies and Guyana.

Commander Chapman visits relatives of biker killed by ‘drunken’ policeman Commander ‘A’ Division, Assistant Commissioner Marlon Chapman along with other senior ranks on Monday visited the home of Akeem Anthony, a biker, who died as a result of a

collision with a police vehicle driven by a constable on Sunday.

The other ranks included Superintendent Linden Lord, Detective Deputy Superintendent Gary McAllister and

Assistant Superintendent Mark Vigilance.

The 23-year-old biker was killed on the spot at around 23.30hrs on Sunday on Mandela Avenue, after he

Commander Chapman, at right, with other senior ranks speaking to relatives at the home of the deceased, Akeem Anthony.

was struck by a Guyana Police Force (GPF) minibus that was driven by an allegedly intoxicated constable.

Akeem Anthony, of Lot 338 East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown, was reportedly hurled into a ditch on Mandela Avenue, in the vicinity of ‘Back Circle’, East Ruimveldt.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Police said that a breath-

alyser test revealed that the rank had consumed above the legal limit of alcohol. He has since been placed under close arrest.

Anthony was said to have worked at a catering service and was the member of a football club.

One eyewitness said that Anthony was heading west on his motorcycle CJ 511, along Mandela Avenue, when he turned north, with the intention of heading to the “Back Circle.”

Instead, he ended up in the path of the police-owned grey Toyota minibus, PVV 4652, that was heading east on Mandela Avenue.

The driver immediately exited and identified himself as a policeman. The rank and persons on the scene placed the motionless Anthony in the minibus and took him to the GPHC where he was pronounced dead on arrival

Prison warder fired for shoplifting

A PRISON warder who shoplifted from a Chinese supermarket located on the East Coast of Demerara recently has been fired.

He was identified by Director of Prisons (ag) Gladwin Samuels on Monday who noted that the video, which went viral on social

media, was sent to him.

After the video was sent to him, Samuels disclosed that he confirmed that the man was indeed a prison officer and upon confirmation, sought permission to have the man fired.

As such, he also confirmed that the officer’s dis-

missal was recommended “with immediate effect and approval was granted.”

According to the Director of Prisons, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) “has no more affiliation with him.”

The matter is being further investigated.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Law school to be discussed at CLE meeting today

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams addressing reporters on Monday at his Carmichael Street Office (Delano Williams’ Photo)

THE proposed JOF Haynes Law School will come up for discussion today when the Council of Legal Education (CLE) meets with the government, and its partners – Law School of the Americas (LCA) and the University College of the Caribbean (UCC) at the Chambers of the Attorney General.

Once full approval is granted for the establishment of the law school here, the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams said that construction will commence thereafter, noting that for too long Guyanese law students have been suffering in Trinidad and Tobago.

At a press conference at his Carmichael Street office on Monday, the attorney general said that during the high-level meeting, a report on the feasibility study, the business plan and the building plan and design, which were handed over to the CLE, will be discussed.

The Joseph Oscar Fitzclarence (JOF) Haynes Law School, when constructed will be located at the University of Guyana (UG). The state-ofthe-art law school is expected to cost $6M, and with the Guyana Government already securing the land, its private partners are in line to finance

the project. Alluding to the February 2018 Final Report on the Survey of Legal Education in CARICOM Member States, which was conducted by the Improved Access to Justice in the Caribbean (IMPACT Justice) and funded by the Canadian Government, Minister Williams said it has long been established that Guyana should have its own law school. In that report, it was recommended that law schools should be established as part of Utech in Jamaica, UG in Guyana and possibly in Antigua and Barbuda.

According to the report, the establishment of additional regional law schools in the three jurisdictions under the CLE would provide an early mechanism for addressing the unsatisfied demand for access to practice law by the many persons who are holders of non-University of the West Indies (UWI) LLB degrees.

The Attorney General reminded that there are legal provisions that allow for the establishment of additional law schools to complement the Hugh Wooding Law School and the Norman Manley Law School.

“By virtue of Article 1 Paragraph 3 (B) of the Agreement establishing the CLE, it is inter alia empowered to

An artist impression of the JOF Haynes Law School

establish, equip and maintain Law Schools, one in Jamaica, one in Trinidad and Tobago and in such other territories as the Council may from time to time determine, for the purpose of providing postgraduate professional legal training,” Minister Williams pointed out.

He said that with Guyana on the verge of becoming a major oil and gas producing nation, it is even more important now than ever, that a law school be established here.

“We obviously have to be able to train lawyers in this area.

We have to get ownership of the industry, of the sector. We have gas also, and we also have a green state strategy dealing with the environment, and these are all new areas that we have to train lawyers,” the minister explained.

That aside, he said that Guyanese students attending the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad continue to face many challenges, and a law school here would eliminate many of those challeng-

es. “Of course our law students are punishing in Trinidad…up to last week several have come to me seeking scholarships to complete their programmes in Trinidad, at the Hugh Wooding Law School. I don’t know if you know but tuition alone is $98,000TT, that’s GUY$3M, and they still have to pay for accommodation, meals...It is difficult for them,” he said.

Chairman of the Council of Legal Education (CLE) Reginald Armour had reportedly said that permission was never granted for Guyana to establish its own law school – a position endorsed by former Attorney General and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Anil Nandlall, but Minister Williams on Monday maintained that it was.

Excerpts from the CLE (minutes dating as far back as 2002) suggest that approval was granted, and that the matter was actively discussed.

According to an extract from the minutes of the 34th Meeting of the CLE on Sep-

tember 2, 2002, the then Attorney General Doodnauth Singh (SC) had informed the Council of the country’s intention to establish a law school. A motion was then carried for a task force to be set up to work on the establishment of the law school, in conjunction with a committee set up by the Government of Guyana.

Additionally, minutes of the 36th Meeting of the CLE on January 21, 2005, revealed that progress had been made and the parties involved were considering a site for construction of the law school.

According to the minutes, the chairman reported to the Council that the Cabinet of Guyana had appointed a small committee to consider where the law school should be sited.

“The vice-chancellor of the University of Guyana and members of the law teaching department had purposed [sic] that a new facility be constructed on the campus of the University of Guyana,”

another section of the January 21, 2005 minutes read. It was last January 2017 that the Attorney General announced the launch of the project for establishment of the JOF Haynes Law School – after some two decades of lobbying for an alternative to the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica, the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago and the Eugene Dupuch Law School in The Bahamas.

The attorney general on Monday warned that if CLE objects to the construction of a law school here, the matter will be raised with the CARICOM Heads of Government. “It is an organ of the CARICOM Heads of Government, so it is a body within CARICOM, so the final arbitrator would be the Heads of Government if necessary,” he told reporters.

The attorney general is maintaining that there is “no real reason” why Guyana shouldn’t have its own law school established.

1,000 more nurses needed in health system WITH the health system countrywide currently short of approximately 1,000 nurses and still facing the effects of a brain drain, the Ministry of Public Health is looking to increase the numbers of nurses being trained for each batch.

Speaking with media personnel on Monday, as the Ministry launched a new batch of medics to embark on a four year training pro-

gramme, Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence acknowledged that migration continues to be a problem.

“Right now we need about 1,000 more nurses in the system. Migration is not only a Guyana issue. We will continue to see migration not only in nursing, not only in midwifery but in many other skilled areas. This has been a complaint right up to the World Health Organisation (WHO) by the less

developed countries, where the developed countries are coming into our areas and employing persons. Given that, what is it we’re going to do?” she questioned.

The solution for the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) will be to ramp up the numbers even more, so that the rate of those entering the medical field is faster than those leaving it.

“We are looking at projections, we’re projecting

ahead today that we’re not training 20 medics, our aim was to get 40 to train. Secondly, we are moving to ensure that once their year is completed that we start another batch, so that in a time frame of 8 –12 years we will be able to say that we are solid in terms of the numbers we have. In terms of nursing, instead of training 20 or 30 we’re about to roll out a programme where we’re going to be training

100 nurses. We have to do that in order to ensure that we can first fulfill our requirements,” the minister explained.

In 2016, the Ministry contemplated importing nurses when the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) faced a direct struggle in meeting its numbers.

Minister Lawrence says that there is the supply of fit persons applying to become nurses, so the problem was

a matter of finding the space to accommodate them, with this new aim she hopes to address that.

“We have lots of applications from persons who [meet] the requirements, but we don’t have the space to put them. That’s why we have moved to this new programme where we’re going to do training, we’re renting somewhere so we can have it done in a larger scale,” she relayed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 4, 2018

Trainee teacher, driver killed in Zealand crash

By Rabindra Rooplall and Nafeeza Yahya A 17-year-old who left the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) Monday morning because of a strike that called off classes, lost her life along with the driver after the car she was in collided with a truck and ended up in a trench alongside the Zealand Public Road, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.

Dead is Jennifer Park of Lot 25 Manchester Village, Corentyne, Berbice and Michael ‘Aubrey’ Ross of Queenstown, Corriverton, Berbice.

Her elder sister, Judy Park, who is a nurse attached to the Port Mourant hospital, was also injured in the accident. She remains hospitalised at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital.

Reports indicate that the fatal accident that claimed the lives of the two occurred around 12:30 pm while four persons were in the vehicle.

One is hospitalised and another, who appears to be a Surinamese that apparently came to Guyana via “backtrack,” reportedly escaped unhurt and left the scene.

Initial enquiries revealed that motorcar PMM 1423, driven by Michael ‘Aubrey’ Ross, was proceeding east along the northern carriageway of the road with the following passengers: Kevin Madray, Judy Park, 23, and Jennifer Park, 17, both of lot 25 Manchester Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

It was reported that the driver, in attempting to overtake a low-bed lorry which was transporting heavy-duty machinery, was forced to pull north since another vehicle was quickly approaching from the opposite direction and in the process, the car collided with the right side of the lorry, flipped several times and ended up in a northern trench.

The occupants were taken out of the submerged vehicle and were rushed to the

Mahaicony Cottage Hospital.

The driver and Jennifer Park were pronounced dead on arrival whilst Judy Park was treated and kept for observation. Madray appeared unhurt and left the scene, according to reports.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Khemran Racktoo who is a farmer, said that the speed the car was being driven at resulted in the deaths.

“The car was trying to overtake the low bed truck and a vehicle was coming opposite, and the speed the car was coming with along with the mud on the end of the roadway, when the guy pull he couldn’t control the car. It then slam into the concrete side of the trench and flip over and the four wheels was in the air and everyone was upsided down inside the car,” the eyewitness said.

He said that he, along with his workmen and some of the men who were on the truck, quickly assisted in the rescue, but despite these ef-

forts, two persons died.

“I tried to go for my tractor to pull the car out but the road was so backed up with vehicles I could not have gotten to do so, since police were not here at the time. Is awhile after they got out, the driver and the other girl died in the car. It took about half an hour before the driver and the girl came out, but it was clear that they died inside the car from drowning,” he explained.

He noted that the vehicle had on a spare “dummy” wheel at the left hand rear and it was surprising that a driver would go fast while using such a temporary wheel.

Meanwhile, the mother of the two girls, Vickey Park, was lost for words when this publication visited their home on Monday afternoon.

The 43-year-old said she heard from the girls at around noon when they explained they were returning home.

At their Manchester home, relatives and villagers gathered to offer words of

comfort. The two sisters were described as inseparable. The mother, who struggled to hold back the tears, explained that the elder sister Judy accompanied the younger sibling to ensure she settled in as a trainee teacher at CPCE. “They go everywhere together, always they do everything together. I am trying to cope but it’s hard. I don’t know how Judy will take it; they were extremely close,” the emotionally shaken mother said.

The driver was also known to the family, as he would also bring Jennifer home from school on the weekends.

The mother of two recalled that after time passed, she became worried and then noticed an aunt and her husband speaking; they both appeared worried.

Recognising something was amiss, she questioned if everything was fine with her daughters.

“Jennifer called around noon and spoke with her dad

for quite some time because she had free credit….After sometime I didn’t see them come home. I saw an aunt came by and after what was related to me I became numb and did not want to believe, but with the help of God I am trying,” she lamented.

Jennifer was described as the “livewire” of the family who had a passion for sharing knowledge and helping others. She was a former student of McGowan Primary and President College.

Meanwhile, friends and relatives of the driver, Aubrey Ross of Queenstown, Corriverton, described him as a hardworking individual.

The news of his demise sent shockwaves among taxi drivers who knew him.

At the Mahaicony Police Station, the vehicle, which was lodged there, had within it a number of bags with supplies purchased for a household. Police removed the items to prevent persons from looting the vehicle.

Teachers hold lively picketing exercise in Georgetown AS the rain poured on Monday, the day designated for back-to-school in Guyana, just over 200 teachers persisted on a strike while even more students and hopeful parents showed up at schools nationwide.

At some schools such as Peters Hall Primary, Smith's Memorial Primary, Diamond Primary and North Georgetown Primary, reports are that the children who showed up were sent home because there was noone there to attend to them. A number of parents also took matters into their own hands and were seen returning home with their children from several schools.

Among those schools were Patentia Primary on the West Bank Demerara; Eccles Primary on the East Bank Demerara; and Stella Maris Primary in Central Georgetown.

The teachers picketed in front of the Ministry of Education on Brickdam.

“Don’t give in, we will continue our action until the government agrees to meet with us or agree to our proposal,” said General Secretary of the GTU, Coretta McDonald in an invited comment.

The strike which is into its second week, started because the government and the GTU failed to arrive at a consensus primarily, on the government’s proposed $700M to facilitate salary increases and $200M to address

explained that for the time being, it would be business as usual.

Meanwhile,F.E Pollard Primary on David Street, Kitty was open until protests taking place at the Education Ministry picked up momentum and saw several teachers leaving the school to join in the demonstrations.

Reports reaching this newspaper were that some teachers, although they were present at school, made plans

istry of Education (MoE) Adele Clarke, who spoke with the Guyana Chronicle about the turnout at Queen’s College, Stella Maris Primary, St. Stanislaus College and Tutorial High. Speaking about her visit to Queen’s College at around 08:30hrs, Ms. Clarke said: “When we got there, they had between 65 to 75 per cent of attendance for the pupils. It was still a little early, so all the teach-

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education Adele Clarke,left, meets with head teacher (ag) David Sam,second left, of Tutorial High School to assess the attendance of students and teachers on Monday

de-bunching for 2018.

The said proposed figure from the government would not be sustainable or acceptable, the GTU argued, since it would amount to an increase by GY$5,000 per teacher for one year. Instead, the GTU has proposed an across-the-board increase in salary of 40 per cent for 2016 and incremental increases of five per cent in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively, to be granted to all categories of teachers and teacher educators.

Although the GTU and the government engaged in follow-up deliberations on the matter, the union had refused to budge from its proposal. The GTU has since said that 40 per cent is not the union’s final decision and they, instead, would be willing to negotiate down-

wards. “We should have been approached before by the government…teachers are in no confrontation, we love our children and want to be in school but we must be compensated for our work,” said McDonald, adding that if they are not approached or called in for negotiations the strike will continue.

UNAFFECTED SCHOOLS However, among those schools that were unaffected by the strike were St. Gabriel’s Primary in Georgetown, Eccles Nursery on the lower East Bank Demerara and Patentia Nursery on the West Bank Demerara, which opened their doors for classes and registration on Monday.

At Patentia Secondary also, there were limited teachers, but the deputy headteacher

GTU General Secretary, Coretta McDonald speaking to teachers at the GTU headquarters (Adrian Narine photo)

to sit in without doing any work in support of the strike.

However, regional education officers countrywide were also deployed on Monday to provide an assessment of the student and teacher turnout, and the need for back-up teachers as the government’s contingency plan kicks into action. Visiting schools in Georgetown was Permanent Secretary in the Min-

ers were not there as yet; they had about 20 per cent of the staff in place.

According to the headmistress, she would have indicated that at the school’s orientation on Friday that there would have had more than 50 per cent of the staff turning out, so they are expecting more. She wasn’t quite certain if “it’s due to the weather, or traffic or all that’s happening this morn-

ing” why the teachers weren’t there as yet, but it was still a little early.

When this newspaper visited Queen’s College around 09:00hrs, the students had filled the chairs in the school’s auditorium while several teachers gathered nearby as the headteacher facilitated the morning’s assembly.

Meanwhile, the turnout at Stella Maris Primary showed that there was between 75 to 80 per cent of the teachers present, but the student turnout was low with less than 50 per cent of students present.

Several parents who had not yet left, were seen sitting with their children in the school’s compound awaiting word from the institution’s administration on whether classes would be in session.

“A little earlier there was a little confusion so some of the parents took their children home, but as it is now, we will be going to start classes and have things set in place,” Clarke informed.

At Tutorial High School, the head teacher(ag)David Sam was unable to provide an updated statistic on the turnout but stated that it was business as usual at the school.

“For the first day it’s very good compared to other years…I would not be able to give you a figure as I have to wait on the stats to come in, but with regards to our teachers Turn to page 11

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 4, 2018

Full roll-out of contingency plan in Linden today …as teachers continue protest for 40% pay hike

By Vanessa Braithwaite EXCITED and anxious students residing in the mining town of Linden were mostly met with locked school doors when they turned up for school on Monday, amid a countrywide strike called by the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU).

While there were a handful of schools with teachers who turned up on duty, most of the schools were locked.

The Department of Education (DoE) however, executed the contingency plan by dispatching several Cyril Potter College of Education teachers to various primary schools, to support the short quota of teachers who decided to report for duty. These included the Regma Primary School and the Mackenzie Primary School. Parents also decided to render assistance at the Mackenzie Primary School by staying with their children throughout the day, in classes where there were no teachers.

The parents, whose children were in Grade One, were seen tutoring them and keeping them in order. A parent who spoke on behalf of the others, said that they saw it fit to stay and assist in whatever way possible. “We saw that a lot of children came to school and not so many teachers, so we decide that they best thing to do rather than to keep them unsupervised, is to remain with them and help in whatever way possible.

Teachers who did turn up for duty were visited by Chief Education Officer (CEO) Marcel Hutson, who commended them for putting the nation’s children first. Hutson visited a number of schools including the Linden Foun-

dation Secondary School (LFSS), Mackenzie High School (MHS), the Wisburg Secondary School and the Christianburg Wismar Secondary School (CWSS). He also met with the Regional Educational Officer (REDO), Ms. Marcia Paddy Andrews, to discuss further planning of the regional contingency plan.

At the LFSS, Hutson

Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira explaining government’s response to the GTU’s demands

Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson addressing teachers at the Linden Foundation Secondary School

met with approximately 20 teachers and told them that he understands how they feel, going through what they are going through, as he reflects on the struggles he faced when he was a teacher. He reassured them that that the Ministry of Education and by extension, the Government of Guyana, is committed to making the lives of teachers better and that he personally desires that better be put on the table for teachers. “The Ministry of the Education is committed to resolving this issue, this morning while listening to the radio, I almost shed a tear, when a parent called in and the parent said the children didn’t trouble anybody, it is sad that a child woke up this morning to go to school and there is no school to go to. I wish if we could, in the interest of our

From page 10`

Teachers hold lively ...

I think it’s okay as well.

Most of our teachers are here and I didn’t get any bad signal in any case of our teachers striking. We have a mandate and that’s to educate the next generation,” Sam said.

Meanwhile, at the St. Stanislaus College 97 per cent of the teachers were present, while most of the students were in attendance even as the exact percentage was still being tallied.

“The aim is to ensure that we have the children in school, as well as to [ensure that] where they are going to be identified glitches or voids that we can fill those voids, so that the [teachers] can be in place and they [children] won’t necessarily lose. We

Trainee teachers preparing to be dispatched to various schools as part of the contingency plan

have officers deployed to all the regions,” Clarke said.

In Bartica, in Region Seven, the school’s welfare officers are manning the classrooms at several schools including the Bartica Secondary and the Three Miles Secondary.

Regional officials at Bartica are visiting schools around the town to monitor the situation and make necessary assessments as classes are in session and educators, including retirees, are lending their services. The general reports reaching the newspaper are that the strike action is being undertaken mainly by the secondary school teachers with the support of a few primary school teachers.

children do what we have to do, it is my desire that better will be done for you,” he said.

Hutson said that that the contingency plan will be put into effect at all cost by his ministry, so as to ensure that the nation’s children are taught. He affirmed that on the first day of school, there may be some hiccups as it relates to the ratio of back-up teachers to students, which resulted in some schools being closed and children having to return home but this will be sorted out earliest.

PROTEST

Meanwhile, at the protest, Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira tried to quell the heated crowd of teachers who were loudly chanting their disagreement with the government, Minister of Education Nicolette Henry and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott. He assured them that the government does care about them. Braving the chants, he said that as a teacher himself for 18 years, he empathises with them and understands the struggle.

He reassured them that the government will make things better for them in the earli-

est time. “I believe that the government will make every effort to give the teachers an increase that they will be comfortable with as soon as possible, the fact the President himself who demonstrated in my generation, a President who is seriously committed towards education, he has come out himself to say that he himself will take the lead in the teachers getting the increase that they can be comfortable with. He described teachers as the true nation builders, caring and selfless individuals who have contributed significantly to the development of the country.

President David Granger at last Friday’s press conference said that the Coalition administration, through the Ministry of Finance, is actively looking for new sources to offset funding to meet the payment of wages and salaries for teachers. The president disclosed that the Ministry of Social Protection

is presently in discussions with the Ministry of Finance to determine the way forward.

Municipal Councillor Lennox Gasper said that he is in solidarity with the teachers since he believes that as a caring government, more ought to be done to ensure that those that who mold the nation are treated properly. “I know that we are a caring government and hence we need to do more for our people, we did campaign and promise that we will do more for public servants and what did we do, as I see it, we did more for ourselves and those in parliament, than we did for the teachers,” Gasper noted. With four schools in his constituencies, Gasper said that teachers should be treated and remunerated better so that they will give better service and not have to be pressured into making money on the side.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 4, 2018

DPP appeals dismissal of Westford, Cummings matter THE Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has appealed the dismissal of charges against former Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford and her Personnel Manager Margaret Cummings who had charges of allegedly stealing State funds thrown out two Fridays ago.

Dr. Westford and Cummings were charged with stealing $639.4M from the Government of Guyana (GoG) between October 19, 2011 and April 28, 2015 while being employed at the then Public Service Ministry. But

Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman, in dismissing the case on Friday, August 24, said the charges were “bad in law”.

Since the dismissal of the matter, a number of critics have argued that it should be appealed, and according to the DPP Chambers, this was done on August 30, 2018.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle last Sunday, the Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma said Dr. Westford and Cummings, who worked under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government, should not have

been charged with larceny by a public officer but rather under the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, Sections 48 and 49.

It is alleged that between 2011 and 2015, Westford signed 24 memoranda amounting to $639,420,000 and sent them to the permanent secretary at the Office of the President to be signed and approved. The money,which was reportedly given to Cummings and subsequently handed over to the then minister, was said to have been requested for activities to be conducted in the 10 administrative

regions.

Section 48 and 49 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act state: “A Minister or official shall not in any manner misuse, misapply, or improperly dispose of public moneys.

(1) If a loss of public moneys should occur and, at the time of that loss, a Minister or official has caused or LAWS OF GUYANA 50 Cap. 73:02 Fiscal Management and Accountability contributed to that loss through misconduct or through deliberate or serious disregard of reasonable standards of care, that Minis-

Majority of teachers showed up at schools in Region Two

The teachers who protested in Region Two

NEATLY dressed in their new outfit, the majority of teachers from various catchment areas in Region Two showed up in their numbers for school on Monday amid a nationwide strike by the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) for increase in salary.

Children were seen as early as 07:00hrs entering various schools. Registrations were also ongoing for the new academic school term 2018-2019 at various nursery, primary and secondary schools. However, around 09:00 hours a group of approximately 50 teachers gathered in front of the Department of Education and began protesting. The teachers who hailed from Abram Zuil Secondary, Johanna Cecelia Secondary, Charity Secondary, Charity Nursery, Cotton Field Secondary and Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School protested for better wages and allowances. They all chanted “Pay us our cash, we don’t want a clash”. The protest action by the teachers lasted about two hours after which they were seen hanging around snack-

Children peering through windows at one of the schools

Children heading to their classes at the Cotton Field Second

ettes in the area. According to many of them, they will remain on strike until it is called off.

Meanwhile, during visits to several schools in the region, the Guyana Chronicle observed classes in ses-

sion with only two or three teachers absent. Regional Education Officer Ms. Nicola Matthews who visited the schools, said that most of the teachers had reported for work and those who stayed at home are on Whitley Council leave. When asked if the department has an alternative should more teachers join the strike, Matthews responded in the affirmative.

Officials from the Department of Education yesterday conducted extensive visits to schools to ensure that classes were convened.

At the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School (ARMS) only three teachers were absent and the school recorded an attendance of 600. At the Aurora Secondary School there was a 100 per cent attendance by teachers. Region Two, GTU representative Mrs. Desiree Vanlewin said that teachers in Region Two will continue to strike if their demands are not met by the government. According to Vanlewin, 75 per cent of the teachers in Region Two had joined the strike, however, the Department of Education reports were contrary to that given by the GTU official.

WEST COAST In Region Three, during visits to various schools it was observed that the children were out in their numbers. Parents were also seen taking their children to the schools. At Greenwich Park, scores of parents were seen with children while at Uitvlugt Secondary students were observed entering the school.

ter or official shall be personally liable to the Government for the amount of the loss.

(2) Where the misconduct or disregard of the person is not the sole cause of the loss referred to in subsection (1), the person shall be liable to pay only so much of the loss as is just and equitable having regard to the person’s share of the responsibility for the loss.”

Minister Sharma said, it was baffling as to how a very simple and straightforward case that was put together by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on the advice of the Police Legal Adviser

and the DPP, could still have resulted in the wrong charges being instituted.

“They wasted time, they wasted money, they wasted energy, and all of this could have been prevented if they had put the right charge,” the minister said.

He bemoaned the fact that although a total of 48 witnesses were called during the trial, the State Prosecutor Natasha Backer could not prove her case.

“You bring a set of witnesses that couldn’t support your case?” he questioned.

Alleged shooter in Bourda vendor’s murder held

Dead: Troy Ramalho

THE police have apprehended the alleged shooter in the killing of popular market vendor, Troy Ramalho, and he is expected to be charged this week.

On September 1, 2018, two other persons were charged jointly with the murder when they appeared before a city magistrate.

Akeem Morris, 26, a miner of 40 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty and George Paton, 34, a taxi driver of 177 BB Eccles, East Bank Demerara, were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

They were not required to plead to the charge which stated that on August 15, last, at Robb Street, Bourda, Lacytown, they murdered Troy Ramalho during the course of a robbery.

Morris and Paton will make their next court appearance on September 21.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield had told the court

that on the day in question, Ramalho was shot and killed while plying his trade at Bourda Market where he sold cheese and eggs. The court also heard that Paton was arrested and taken into custody after police received information that it was he who was transporting the bandits responsible for killing the market vendor. While in custody, he allegedly admitted to transporting the men.

The prosecutor added that the jewellery the deceased was wearing on the night he was shot is missing.

Ramalho, according to information, had just finished selling a customer and was sitting on a bench when the bandits approached and shot him.

Ramalho fell to the ground and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 4, 2018

Mixed reactions to strike in NA, Region Five

By Clifford Stanley and Jeune Vankeric DESPITE the countrywide strike action called by the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU), most of the schools in Berbice were opened on Monday and the majority of the teachers in schools in Region Five (Mahaica/ Berbice) reported for duty at the nursery, primary and secondary schools, a senior education official reported.

However, several others joined the GTU in a countrywide strike action for salary increases. The official disclosed that those who supported the GTU strike amounted to a few individuals in most of the schools, but noted that the majority of teachers reported for duty and worked with their students during the day, with the result that none of the schools had to be closed.

Officials reported that there was one picketing demonstration by striking teachers at Fort Wellington, outside the Office of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) during the morning hours. The exercise lasted for about two hours before the picketers subsequently dispersed without any incident.

There were also reports that some children from a village were on their way to school when they were allegedly turned away, by a man who claimed that he was a Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) councillor.

A source said that the situation yesterday was closely monitored by officials of the Education Department of the Regional Administration and that not much contingency action had to be taken. They have put together a team that will continue to closely monitor the developments today, with a view to taking any contingency action which may be necessary, the source added.

Meanwhile, in New Am-

A teacher’s placard says it all outside of the Department of Education (DoE) in New Amsterdam

GTU President Mr. Mark Lyte

Teachers singing the century-old labour song ' Solidarity forever'

sterdam, several of the trained teachers within the East Berbice/Corentyne district, abandoned their classroom on the first day of the new school year, joining their colleagues across the nation in the strike action. The striking educators braved persistent rain as they converged at the Department of Education, Philadelphia Street in New Amsterdam from where they commenced a walk around the oldest township, via the main thor-

oughfare before entering into New Street, Strand, Chapel Street and Vryheid Street. The protest culminated in front of the Berbice Branch Office of the G TU in Vryman’s Erven.

Along the one-mile trek, the teachers sang ‘Solidarity forever’, a 100-year-old international classic, widely sung with fists raised and demands for justice. President of GTU Mr. Mark Lyte told reporters that the teachers were fully dressed for work,

but, because we were not given the package, “we are not going into the classroom.

This is to indicate that our teachers are ready to work, but because of how we are treated, we will not be attending classes.” The package, he said “is the multi-year proposal which includes salary increases, where there is the loggerhead …we have not been given any feasible figure in relation to what teachers would be given.”

Lyte said the government has not come to the table with something they can accept.

“We are starting with 40 per cent, and we have said that we are willing to negotiate, but they [the government] are not prepared to do so.

With respect to the conciliation process, we do not trust the ‘conciliation mediators’.

We remain open to the government and the minister of education to say, let's end this thing…we are willing to

make a commitment on the clothing allowances. Failure, of that we have to go to arbitration.”

Further, Lyte noted that the protest action on the first day of the new school term is to signal that the teachers remain on strike as was initiated on August 27. “Our teachers are told to remain at home until further notice. They will not be on the road, neither, will they be at school. “

New Crime Chief, Traffic Chief appointed THE country’s new Crime Chief is Deputy Commissioner ‘Law Enforcement’ Lyndon Alves while the new Traffic Chief will be Superintendent Linden Isles.

The Guyana Police Force made this disclosure Monday, noting that the transfers will take effect from yesterday’s date - September 3, 2018.

However, Alves is expected to head on annualised

leave, unless it is deferred.

Other transfers include: Deputy Commissioner Paul Williams, DSM, to ‘Administration; Deputy Commissioner Maxine Graham, DSM, to ‘Operations; Deputy Commissioner Nigel Hoppie, DSM, will head Special Branch/Intelligence; Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken will be Commander ‘B’ Division; Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus

Traffic Chief Superintendent Crime Chief Lyndon Alves Linden Isles

will be Commander of ‘C’ Division and Superintendent Dion Moore will be Second-in-Command ‘D’ Division while Superintendent Ramesh Ashram will be the Traffic Officer ‘A’ Division.

This is in the aftermath of former Crime Chief and Divisional Commander Leslie James being sworn in as the 12th Commissioner of Police.

President David Granger named James as the new

commissioner following consultations with the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, at State House recently.

This resulted in Assistant Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine, who acted as Top Cop for almost two years, being bypassed.

Ramnarine will be proceeding on annualised vacation leave as he congratulated the new leadership of the Guyana Police Force.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 4, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 4, 2018

Mechanic remanded after denying knowledge of cannabis CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan on Monday remanded a 32-year-old mechanic to prison after he was allegedly busted with almost four pounds of marijuana at the Issano Landing, Mazaruni River.

Slevin Lawrence of North Ruimveldt, is charged for having 1625.2 grams of cannabis sativa in his possession at the Issano Landing on September 2, 2018 for the purpose of trafficking. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Attorney Clive Forde who represented the father of one, told the court that his client has no knowledge of the illicit drug.

Forde, during his application for bail, indicated to the court that his client arrived at the Issano Landing with only three boxes and not the container in which the drug

Slevin Lawrence

was reportedly found.

He added that someone else had claimed the said container but the police chose to charge his client instead.

But according to the facts as presented by Prosecutor, Inspector

Gordon Mansfield, police ranks had observed Lawrence acting suspiciously when he arrived at the Issano Landing. As a result, they took him along with his belongings, which he identified, to the police station to be searched.

Mansfield further disclosed that the cannabis which was in a transparent packet was found hidden in a five-gallon bucket of grease.

The prosecutor objected to bail being granted to Lawrence on the ground that the accused had given an oral statement admitting ownership of the drug.

The chief magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour, remanded Lawrence to prison and transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court, where it will be recalled on September 20.

Carpenter released on $100k bail for ‘self-help’ fuel theft

Cedric Bobb

A CARPENTER found himself before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Monday charged for stealing over $300,000 worth in diesel from his employer, which he claimed was because of outstanding payments.

Cedric Bobb of Fourth Avenue,

Bartica pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on August 30 at First Street, Bartica while being employed as a servant to Kevin Baboolall, he stole seven drums of diesel valued $330,855.

Attorney Paul Fung-a-Fat told the court that Bobb worked for Baboolall who has an outstanding $370,000 payment for the defendant.

Fung-a-Fat noted that his client is going through financial distress and acted in a ‘self-help’ situation and took the drums of diesel.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Gordon Mansfield made no objection for bail.

The chief magistrate released Bobb on $100,000 bail and adjourned the matter until September 20 when it will be recalled at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 4, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 4, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Come roar...

By Rawle Toney

“WE need your support!” was the rallying call made

by UK-based trio-- Neil Danns, Samuel Cox and Jake Newton-- for the Golden Jaguars as Guyana prepare to host Barbados on Thursday in their opening game of the CONCACAF Nations League.

The CONCACAF Nations League is the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACF) new centralised men’s national team competition for national team football in the confederation.

The CONCACAF Nations League begins this month with a one-off qualifying phase, while the group

phase, consisting of threetiered leagues, will kick off in 2019, ending with the final to crown the Nations League champions.

The competition will also serve to unify the qualifying path for the region’s national teams to the newly-expanded Gold Cup which has moved from 12 to 16 teams. With matches being played on the FIFA dates between September 2018 and March 2019, Guyana, after their clash with Barbados on September 6, will then travel to The Turks and Caicos Islands for a meeting between the two countries on October 13, followed by an encounter against French Guiana on November 20, before hosting Belize in March, 2019.

Danns, the former Leicester City and Crystal Palace midfield maestro, will be making a return to the ‘Golden Jaguars’, after being named in Head Coach Michael Johnson’s 23-man squad. Speaking exclusively with Chronicle Sport yesterday, said “It’s always good to be back and to play with the new gaffer (Head Coach). It’s exciting times (because) the gaffer has a lot of experience and it’s going to be amazing to work with him and see how the team progresses.”

Commenting on the composition of the squad, Danns pointed out that “there’s a good mixture of foreign and local based players, some young lads, and I think that it is important for when we

FROM BACK PAGE move forward, we have a nice tight grouping and everyone working together.”

With stints at some of the top clubs in England’s Championship League One and Two, Danns is considered one of the highest calibre player on Johnson’s team and the now 25-yearold made it clear that he’s ready for the challenge ahead.

“Much will be expected of me; it has always been the same. I’ve been at clubs where it has been similar. I try not to think about that; I just love playing football and that could only affect what happens on the pitch and what happens with me and that’s something I always try to do.

I’m here and I fully understand what is expected of me and I could only give my best and that’s it,” Danns opined.

Speaking on now playing under Johnson, the usually candid Danns showered the former Jamaican International with praises, adding “No disrespect to the other coaches that I would’ve worked with because they’ve been brilliant.

Under coach Shabazz, under coach Dover, they were brilliant with me, and it’s just that the game’s progressing all the time and there’s new stuff coming to the game and the ‘gaffer’ now very educated with that.”

“He (Johnson) knows the progression and the way football is going, so I am really excited to see the opportunity given to the local players who maybe had not that base and I only see it benefitting the

country in the future and the most important thing is that filtering down to the young group and everyone is getting the right foundation to build on if they want a future in the game,” said the Bury FC midfield player.

Meanwhile, for Cox, like Danns, working with a new head coach is something he’s looking forward to, telling Chronicle Sport, “It almost feels like the start of something new for the programme. Everyone knows the importance of these up-coming games and its importance and I don’t think that the nation has been in a better position to qualify for a major competition than now.

“Everyone is looking forward to the up-coming matches and we just trying get as much support as possible for Thursday night at Leonora.

“I think everyone should be behind us regardless; we just need as much support.

The guys are working hard behind the scenes. We had a good camp in Brazil and with the new players coming in, and it’s a huge boost for the squad,” After being away for a few years, Newton, who featured 23 times for Guyana, said “It’s nice to have another attempt, or another bite of the cherry to get Guyana to the Gold Cup for the first time. We have a good blend of internationally-based and locally based players, and the coaching staff; and looking at the games, we have a good chance but we really need a good start.”

The main goal...

FROM BACK PAGE

By Stephan Sookram in Barbados --compliments of Mohamed’s Enterprise, Miracle Optical and AMS) M AT T H E W Tr u e l o v e , 1:01.910 was eclipsed in away a little bit because it one of Team Mohamed’s race one with 1:01.7 and had me worried for a while Enterprise riders in this later in race two with a and I would have had to year ’s Caribbean Mo- 1:01.542. answer questions of why tor Racing Championship “On the Saturday to be I’d been beaten by my little (CMRC) was focussed on fair, I wasn’t sure I’d be brother, but I managed to resetting the Bushy Park able to do it but I knew after keep that away and take all circuit record in Barba- a night’s sleep, I’d be able three wins.” dos. to come back fresher and Meanwhile, his brother He told the media on to go as much as we’d done Harry, who finished secSunday that while claiming and I was quite surprised ond on all three occasions, the championship might because I didn’t have to said that he was happy to have been one of his aims, push too hard for it. I felt be given one of the Team his main aim was to reset quite comfortable and re- Mohamed’s bikes to ride. the super-stock record, set laxed.”

I knew that I was a little by teammate Bryce Prince “It was a good battle. bit off matt and I knew that last year.

That’s what I was hoping if I kept on It, I would realTr u e l o v e , w h o n o w for really; close competi- ly give him a battle,” said leads the championship tion really, lacked that a younger brother Harry. with his sixth straight win little bit in Trinidad, so He afterwards concedsaid, “The main goal was to it’s good to come here and ed that his older brother get the lap record of Bryce battle with him for most of was ‘a little two quick’ [Prince] and try and stretch the race,” He added. for him. In the end, they it as much as we could.”

The British rider contin- finished one and two in all T h e o l d r e c o r d o f ued “I just managed to get three of the races.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Keys crushes Cibulkova to reach U.S. Open quarters

By Frank Pingue NEW YORK (Reuters) Madison Keys eased into the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open with a 6-1 6-3 victory over Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova on Monday.

The 14th-seeded American, looking to go one better than her runner-up finish at Flushing Meadows last year, relied on both her dangerous serve and powerful groundstrokes to deny Cibulkova any chance of an upset win.

Cibulkova, who arrived on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court brimming with confidence after toppling Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber in the previous round, countered with a similarly aggressive game to little avail.

With the U.S. Open’s heat advisory put back into effect, the pair traded punishing groundstrokes under the blazing sun and it was Cibulkova who was often pinned well behind the baseline and at the mercy of her opponent.

Keys has been solid in

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New York, having dropped a single set through four matches, and turned it up a notch against her 29th-seeded opponent as she lost only 10 points on serve during a 76-minute match in which she was broken once.

Cibulkova, who had not reached this stage of the year’s final Grand Slam since reaching the last eight in 2010, pulled ahead 3-2 in the second set but Keys stormed home from there and clinched the win on her second match point when the Slovak sent a forehand wide.

With the win, Keys improved to 5-0 lifetime against Cibulkova and becomes only the second woman, after Kerber, to reach the quarter-finals or better at three of the four Grand Slams this year.

Next up for Keys, who was routed by Sloane Stephens in last year’s final, is the winner of the evening clash between five-times Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova and Spanish 30th seed Carla Suarez Navarro.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 4, 2018

‘Nothing left in the tank’

‒Cook to retire from international cricket after fifth Test

ENGLANDS’s highest Test run-scorer Alastair Cook will retire from international cricket after this week’s final Test against India.

The opener, 33, has scored 12,254 runs and made 32 centuries in 160 Tests - all England records.

“There is nothing left in the tank,” said Cook, who captained his country in a record 59 Tests.

The fifth Test of the series, in which England have an unassailable 3-1 lead, starts on Friday at The Oval.

Cook is sixth on the alltime list of Test run-scorers and has made a record 11,627 runs as an opener.

He added: “I have achieved more than I could have ever imagined and feel very privileged to have played for such a long time alongside some of the greats of the English game.”

However, he has struggled this year, averaging 18.62 in 16 innings, and has not scored a fifty in the current series against India.

‘I know the timing is right’ In a statement, Cook said his decision to retire from international cricket had come after “much thought and deliberation over the last few months”.

He added: “Although it is a sad day, I can do so with a big smile on my

face knowing I have given everything.

“The thought of not sharing the dressing room, again, with some of my team-mates was the hardest part of my decision, but I know the timing is right.

“I have loved cricket my whole life, from playing in the garden as a child, and will never underestimate how special it is to pull on an England shirt.

“So I know it is the right time to give the next generation of young cricketers their turn to entertain us and feel the immense pride that comes with representing your country.” Cook said he will continue playing county cricket and “can’t wait to get fully involved” with Essex in 2019 after signing a threeyear contract.

‘No player has given more to the England shirt’ Former England captain Michael Vaughan: “No player has given more to the England cricket shirt. No player has got more out of their ability. No player has shown more mental strength than Alastair Cook. More than that, he is the nicest cricketer we have ever had.

Thanks for all the memories Cookie...”

Ex-England captain and Cook’s former coach Graham Gooch: “Alastair has been the rock of England’s batting for the past 12 years

England won 24 of Alastair Cook’s 59 Tests as captain

and, while we are all sad to see him retire, we must rejoice in what he has done for our country. He is a genuine legend of English cricket.

“He is a legend not only because of his performances, but because of his attitude, his sacrifices, the way he has carried himself and the example he has set. Alastair is a perfect role model and is the image of the game we want to project.”

Former England skipper Nasser Hussain on Sky Sports: “He has been England’s greatest batsman.

He is mentally the toughest cricketer I have ever seen. He has been a truly remarkable cricketer.”

Ex-England captain Alec Stewart on BBC Radio 5 live: “He has timed it perfectly. He will still go out as

England’s greatest run-scorer.

We won’t fully appreciate him until he has gone.

“If someone breaks that England runs record then they will be a very good player and it will take them a long time to get there. He is the heartbeat of the team in such an unassuming way.”

Ex-England spinner and team-mate Graeme Swann on BBC Radio 5 live: “He is one of the nicest men alive.

There is a reason why he has lasted so long. He always put in 100% but would look and appreciate the other side of life.”

International Cricket Council chief executive David Richardson: “He is a tremendous example to young kids of how to play the game, with dedication, passion and never showing any kind of dissent.”

From last-minute replacement to England legend The left-hander made his Test debut at the age of 21, replacing Michael Vaughan against India at Nagpur in 2006, and hit an unbeaten century in the second innings.

He missed the third match of that series because of illness, but has made a record 158 consecutive Test appearances since.

Cook won four of the seven Ashes series in which he played, scoring 766 runs at an average of 127.66 in 201011 as England triumphed in Australia for the first time in 24 years.

Cook took over as captain from Andrew Strauss in 2012 and went on to win 24 of his Tests in charge.

Only Vaughan has more with 26, although Cook lost

a record 22 Tests as skipper.

In 2012, Cook led England to their first victory in India for 27 years.

He won two Ashes series as captain - at home in 2013 and 2015 - but was whitewashed 5-0 down under in 2013-14.

Cook became the first Englishman to reach 10,000 Test runs in 2016, although England lost 4-0 in India that winter and he resigned as captain in February 2017.

While he hit 243 against West Indies at Edgbaston l a s t s u m m e r, h e w e n t through another lean spell before making an unbeaten 244 against Australia in the Boxing Day Test, his fifth double century.

He has passed 50 once in 16 innings since then.

Cook formed a prodigious opening partnership with Strauss, scoring a combined 4,711 runs in 117 innings between 2006 and 2012 - the most by an England opening pair and third most for any country.

Following Strauss’ retirement in 2012, Cook has had 12 different opening partners.

Cook also scored 3,204 runs at an average of 36.40 in 92 one-day internationals, but has not played since 2014. He made four Twenty20 appearances for England.

The record-breaker Most Test runs for England - 12,254 Most Test centuries for England - 32 Most 150+ scores by England player - 11 Most Test appearances for England - 160 Most consecutive Test ap-

pearances by any player - 158 Most Tests as England captain - 59 Most catches by England fielder - 173 Six of the best - Cook’s greatest Test innings 104* v India, Nagpur, 2006: Flown in from West Indies to make his Test debut, Cook followed his first-innings 60 with a brilliant unbeaten century to secure a draw. It was obvious Cook and Test cricket were a perfect match.

235* v Australia, Brisbane, 2010: The first Test of the Ashes against a dominant Australia side. England trailed by 221 on first innings. No matter to Cook, who batted for the best part of two days, taking England to a scarcely believable 517-1 declared and setting the tone for a rare series win down under.

294 v India, Edgbaston, 2011: Cook’s highest Test score, and one central to England’s innings-and-242-run win. That it came after he had managed only 20 runs in his first four innings of the series said everything about Cook’s character.

190 v India, Kolkata, 2012: After scoring 176 and 122 in the first two Tests, captain Cook hit 190 in the third. A 23rd Test hundred made him England’s record centurion and helped England win in India for the first time since 1985.

95 v India, Southampton, 2014: England had been thumped 5-0 in Australia.

They had just lost at home to Sri Lanka. Cook had not scored a century in 27 innings. Calls for him to stand down were growing louder by the day. He may not have made it to three figures, but he received a standing ovation for playing what he claimed was the most pressurised innings of his career.

England won the series and he remained as skipper.

263 v Pakistan, Abu Dhabi, 2015: If ever an innings defined Cook’s career, this is it. Showing all his fabled concentration and patience, Cook batted for almost 14 hours in the desert heat - the third longest Test innings in history.

Only bad light prevented England from pulling off a remarkable victory.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 4, 2018

FIFA’s best player

Ronaldo, Modric and Salah in final three

Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Mohamed Salah are up for Best Fifa Men’s Player award

CRISTIANO Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Mohamed Salah are the finalists for Best Fifa Men’s Player award for 2018.

Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, missed out on a place in the top three.

There was also no place for any member of France’s World Cup winning squad.

Ly o n ’s C h a m p i o n s League winning duo Ada Hegerberg of Norway and Germay’s Dzsenifer Marozsan are the finalists for Best Fifa Women’s Player, alongside Brazil forward Marta.

Portugal winger Ronaldo, the 2016 and 2017 winner, won a fifth Champions League title with Real Ma-

drid in May before joining Juventus for £99.2m.

Real midfielder Luka Modric was named the World Cup 2018’s player of the tournament as Croatia reached the final against France.

Egypt forward Salah scored 44 goals as Liverpool reached the Champions League final, losing to Real.

Modric beat Ronaldo and Salah to win the Uefa Men’s Player of the Year last week.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Mohamed Salah are the finalists for Best FIFA Men’s Player award for 2018.

Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, missed out on a place in

the top three.

There was also no place for any member of France’s World Cup winning squad.

Ly o n ’s C h a m p i o n s League winning duo Ada Hegerberg of Norway and Germay’s Dzsenifer Marozsan are the finalists for Best Fifa Women’s Player, alongside Brazil forward Marta.

Portugal winger Ronaldo, the 2016 and 2017 winner, won a fifth Champions League title with Real Madrid in May before joining Juventus for £99.2m.

Real midfielder Luka Modric was named the World Cup 2018’s player of the tournament as Croatia reached the final against France.

Egypt forward Salah

Ada Hegerberg of Norway, Germay’s Dzsenifer Marozsan and Brazil forward Marta are the finalists for Best Fifa Women’s Player

scored 44 goals as Liverpool reached the Champions League final, losing to Real.

Modric beat Ronaldo and Salah to win the Uefa Men’s Player of the Year last week.

Men’s player Cristiano Ronaldo - Juventus & Portugal Luka Modric - Real Madrid & Croatia Mohamed Salah - Liverpool & Egypt Women’s player Ada Hegerberg - Lyon & Norway Dzsenifer Marozsan Lyon & Germany Marta - Orlando Pride & Brazil

Men’s coach Zlatko Dalic - Croatia Didier Deschamps France Zinedine Zidane - former Real Madrid Women’s coach Reynald Pedros - Lyon Asako Takakura - Japan Sarina Wiegman - Netherlands Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois - Real Madrid & Belgium Hugo Lloris - Tottenham & France Kasper Schmeichel Leicester & Denmark Puskas Award Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) v Liverpool Denis Cheryshev (Rus-

sia) v Croatia Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (AEK) v Olympiacos Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Cruzeiro) -v America MG Riley McGree (Newcastle Jets) v Melbourne City Lionel Messi (Argentina) v Nigeria Benjamin Pavard (France) v Argentina Ricardo Quaresma (Portugal) v Iran Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid ) v Juventus Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) v Everton Fan Award Sebastian Carrera (Deportes Puerto Montt, Chile) Peru fans Japan and Senegal fans (BBC Sport)

Bingo Spartans, GCC ‘The Sequel’ win as GHB Outdoor League resume WHEN action in the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) Developmental outdoor league resumed, Bingo Spartans, Hikers Gadgets and GCC ‘The Sequel’ all chalked up wins.

Abosaide Cadogan was impressive as she led Bingo Spartans to a 6-1 victory over Woodpecker Hikers.

Playing in the Women’s Bounty Paper Towel Second Division segment, Cadogan put her side in the lead after just five minutes before extending the advantage six minutes later. She proved too much for her opponents defence and completed her hat-trick in the 18th minute.

Woodpecker Hikers found it somewhat difficult to contain their rival and

Abosaide Cadogan.

Cadogan scored her fourth in the 29th minute before

she added another in the 32nd. Shondelle Durant

pulled one back for Woodpecker Hikers in the 35th

while Cadogan scored her sixth in the 39th.

Meanwhile, Saints beat Old Fort 3-0 with Cherub Outar opening the scoring in the 11th minute for the victors before Tekeisha Deleon netted a double to cement Saints’ victory.

In the Men’s competition, Hikers Gadgets defeated Old Fort 3-1. Jerazeno Bell gave Hikers Gadgets the lead in the 15th minute before Theodore Thierens drew Old Forte level one minute later.

H o w e v e r, H i k e r s showed grit and determination as Devon Munroe gave them the advantage in the 20th before Cove Bowman netted his teams’ third in the 36th.

GCC ‘The Sequel’ defeated GCC Bounty 4-1 as Jason Gomes opened proceedings in the fourth minute. However, their advantage was short-lived as Medroy Scotland hammered in a penalty corner in the 9th minute before Devin Hooper gave GCC ‘The Sequel’ the lead one minute later.

Phillip Fernandes then ensured GCC’s win with a brace in the 28th and 29th minutes respectively.

In the Solo Girls U-19 competition, Hikers beat Saints Sonics 2-0 while in the Boy’s category, GCC Pitbulls gained a walk-over from Saints Splinters; three goals were awarded for the win.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 4, 2018

CPL experience was great, says Hemraj as St Lucia Stars eliminated from 2018 season

By Rajiv Bisnauth DESPITE being one of the strongest contenders at the start of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) this season, it has been yet another disappointing CPL season for the St Lucia Stars who struggled right through the tournament with just seven points from their preliminary fixtures.

On paper, the Stars had a star-studded field with the likes of David Warner, Lendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard, Andre Fletcher, Mitchell McClenaghan and Oais Ahman, among a few other top T20 players, but their performances were very poor, and should be a concern to the organisers for next season.

for the first time in the Pollard recorded a cenCPL, hitting 37. tury, the second of the The innings was just tournament so far, and he a glimpse of his class and is second on the run-scorpotential, and despite his ing charts with 330 from limited appearances in his ten innings. Fletcher the tournament in which with 257 runs, Warner the 25-year-old played in 262, including 72 not out; only two games, the exLendl Simmons (180), and perience was countless.

Rakheem Cornwall (131) “It was a great exare the only other St Lucia perience playing my Stars batsmen to pass 100 first CPL, even though runs, which has been their we didn’t qualify. I was major concern throughout privileged to play with the season. this franchise. It was Their bowling departa great feeling to share ment, led by McClena dressing room with aghan, was much more some of the most expeeffective. They ended rience t20 players. Even their campaign on a winthough I haven’t played ning note, beating the as much games as I Barbados Tridents by six wanted, I have gained wickets on Sunday last with Guyanese Chan- Chandrapaul Hemraj, batting for the first time in the CPL, scored a lot going forward,” Hemraj said. drapaul Hemraj, batting 37 against the Barbados Tridents on Sunday last.

Hemraj further mentioned that the familiarity gained will definitely help him to realise the ultimate goal of his cricketing ambition which is to play Test cricket for the West Indies.

Meanwhile, four teams have sealed their spots in the playoffs which begin on September 11 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

They are the Trinbago Knight Riders, the Guyana Amazon Warriors, the Jamaica Tallawahs (all with 10 points each) and the St Kitts Patriots with nine points. The Barbados Tridents, currently on four points with two games remaining, cannot advance even if they win their remaining games.

DeNobrega returns to top of the podium at GBI/Oasis Water 70-mile road race TEAM Evolution cyclist Paul DeNobrega made a triumphant return to the top of the podium on Sunday when he copped the Guyana Beverage Inc/Oasis Water 70-Mile road race in

Berbice.

DeNobrega held off stern challenges from Andre ‘Padlock’ Green and Andrew Hicks to cop the 70-mile event in a time of two hours, 50 minutes, 37.99 seconds.

Greene and Hicks had to settle for second and third, in that order, while Balram Narine, Romello Crawford, Michael Anthony, Rastaff Oselmo, Alanzo Ambrose, Kemuel Moses

Team Evolution’s Paul DeNobrega (forefront) made a welcome return to the top of the podium at the GBI/Oasis Water 70-mile road race in Berbice.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday September 4, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & Cummings Electrical Company Ltd. 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Ravi Rampaul - 47 wickets (2) Shimron Hetmyer - 21 years Today’s Quiz: (1) Who struck the one hundredth six in Hero CPL 2018?

(2) Who delivered the ball?

Answer in tomorrow's issue

and Jornel Yearwood took fourth to tenth place respectively.

The annual event was sponsored by the Guyana Beverage Inc. through their Oasis Water brand and was organized by the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC).

The cyclists began the race from the Guyana Beverage Company’s office at Palmyra, East Berbice, before proceeding to Corentyne and back to the place of origin for the finish.

Prizes were awarded to the first 10 finishers; the first three juniors; the first three 12-14 riders, along with 10 Sprint prizes.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 4, 2018

EBFA / Juicy Juice U-13 League

Timehri hold off Agricola to lift championship trophy after exciting draw WHAT will be a goal to remember for some time in the future by his teammates and himself was tucked in

by Timehri Panthers’ Omar Sam in the 46th minute of an intense battle which eventually earned them the championship trophy in the inaugural East Bank Football Association (EBFA) / Juicy Juice Under-13 League which ended on Sunday at the Timehri Red ground.

The league went all the way to the final match between the two sides that kept their unbeaten records intact after a memorable match.

Going into the game, Timehri had won their previous eight (8) matches while Agricola had won seven (1) and drew one.

Thus, it was anticipated to be a keen tussle and that it turned out to be. Agricola’s leading marksman and the league top goal scorer, Ian Daniels, was again the player to watch and he delivered in just the 4th minute when he worked his way past the Timehri defenders and fired past the goalkeeper, much to

the delight of the Agricola fans on hand.

Agricola was the more dominant team but the Timehri lads kept their composure and bided their time. In the 46th minute, there was a scrimmage in front of goal which allowed Sam to pounce on a loose ball that goalie, Andel Manoharlall was not in control of, to tap in the equalising goal and what turned out to be the most important goal of the league for them.

It was a fitting end to a well contested league featuring ten (10) of the clubs affiliated to the EBFA. Diamond United, in the best showing ever at any level, took the third place trophy while fellow village club, Diamond Upsetters, walked away with the fourth place trophy.

Agricola won all but one of the individual awards.

Timehri Panthers’ Colin David was named Best Coach of the League. Ian Daniels, who ended with an astounding 32 goals in 9 matches, won the Highest Goal Scorer trophy as well

as the Most Valuable Player prize. Teammate, Andel Manoharlall copped the Best Goalkeeper trophy.

Representing the sponsor, Sueria Manufacturing, Distributors of Juicy Juice, Sean Rodrigues in remarks before the presentation, informed the clubs that the company was very pleased to be associated with the EBFA through sponsorship of the U-13 league which no doubt brought to the fore a number of talented youths that he is confident would go on to represent Guyana.

“Our company had no hesitation in joining with the association to do this league, especially since it gives our youths a positive avenue to showcase and develop their skills. Congrats to Timehri, Agricola, Diamond United and Diamond Upsetters and all the other clubs which participated in this league.

You have displayed great discipline to be here every playing day to compete and that in itself is commendable.

“We at Sueria would continue to do our bit in giving back to the commu-

Sueria Manufacturing, Juicy Juice representative Sean Rodrigues pictured with the champions, Timehri Panthers, after handing over the trophy.

nity and empowering the community through sports.

We have also been doing our bit in other sports, including cricket.

“We wish you all the best in the new school term and encourage you to always make your education priority which would help you to be better rounded persons.”

Final Points Table Team Timehri Panthers Agricola Diamond United Diamond Upsetters Swan FC Herstelling Raiders SPKV FC Hararuni Eagles Soesdyke Falcons KK Warriors

P 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

The EBFA extended sincere thanks to Sueria Manufacturing for its partnership and is looking forward to many more collaborations as they continue to empower the youths of the East Bank and Linden/ Soesdyke Highway, through football.

Attention will now turn to the annual Ralph

W 8 7 6 4 4 4 3 2 1 1

L 0 0 2 3 4 4 6 6 6 7

D 1 2 1 2 1 1 0 1 2 1

Green-sponsored Under-11 League which will kick off in two weeks time. The EBFA will this weekend run off a Coaches Workshop that would be facilitated by its Technical Adviser, Winston Benons and GFF/ EBFA Technical Development Officer, Devnon Winter.

GF 44 50 45 19 13 20 14 7 10 8

GA 4 10 24 24 17 28 33 26 25 41

GD +40 +40 +21 -5 -4 -8 -19 -19 -15 -33

Points 25 23 19 14 13 13 9 7 5 4

Patriots blast past Tallawahs to secure playoff spot ST KITTS & Nevis Paafter the rain cleared. triots secured a Hero CaThe equation came back ribbean Premier League as 118 from 11 overs; 53 (CPL) play-off spot with more runs from another a thrilling rain-affected 27 balls.

Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Gayle launched a six victory over Jamaica down the ground but Tallawahs at Warner was then caught at deep Park. square-leg. When Ben Victory for the PaCutting was bowled first triots means they can no ball by Adam Zampa it longer be caught in the looked like the revised Hero CPL table by Bartarget was beyond the bados Tridents or St LuPatriots. cia Stars, yet it looked But van der Dusunlikely when Rovman sen (45* from 24) was Powell was propelling the joined by Mahmudullah Tallawahs to 206/6 at the (28* from 11) for an halfway stage. astonishing partnership But the Patriots, cruthat raced the Patriots cially, made an explosive to their revised target start to their run-chase with five balls to spare. with Chris Gayle setting The St Kitts and Nevis Patriots van der Dussen and Mahmudula Thomas had bowled the tone with four fours in celebrate. two fine overs before the the first over. rain, conceding just five the run-rate didn’t slip with That strong position Despite losing Evin Lew- Gayle joined by Rassie van meant that the DLS calcula- runs to go with the wicket of is to his first ball in the next der Dussen to take the score tion gave the Patriots a fight- Lewis, but his one remaining over, bowled off the inside to 65/1 from 6.3 overs when ing chance when the innings over after the rain proved edge by Oshane Thomas, the rain came. was reduced to 11 overs decisive.

Van der Russen smashed the first two balls for sixes and, after he collected a single, Mahmudullah took over. Two fours were steered to third-man before the over finished with another huge six over the leg-side.

Suddenly that target was down to 16 runs from 12. Mahmudullah launched Zampa for six in the next over, with runs off every ball taking the target down to two from the final over.

Mahmudullah duly got those runs from the first ball of the final over.

The Tallawahs were already sure of their place in the final four, but their chances of a top-two spot have taken a serious dent on a frustrating night. The Tallawahs, Trinbago Knight Riders and Guyana Amazon Warriors all have 10 points, but the Tallawahs now have only one group-stage game

remaining. The Warriors and Knight Riders both have three.

The Tallawahs’ innings had been a beautifully paced Twenty20 effort, with steady acceleration throughout taking them beyond the 200 mark.

Powell was the star with his highest T20 score of 84 from 40 balls before he was bowled behind his legs by Ben Cutting in the penultimate over. The innings had been given a fast start by Glenn Phillips, who made 40 from 29 balls, while Powell was ably supported by David Miller’s 32 from 20 in a partnership of 79 in seven overs.

Colin de Grandhomme and Steven Taylor then took the total beyond 200 in the final over, but when the rain, the calculators and the Patriots batsmen had done their bit, it was not enough.

(L-R) Samuel Cox, Neil Danns and Jake Newton at the SleepIn International Hotel and Casino (Rawle Toney photo)

Come roar with us!

See Page 18

Danns, Cox and Newton make rallying call for Golden Jaguars support ELITE LEAGUE..

Western Tigers, GDF chalk up victories

Western Tigers goal scorer, Vurlon Mills.

ON Saturday evening when action in the GFF Elite League Season III resumed at the GFC Ground, Western Tigers FC and the GDF FC were the latest victors with wins over New Amsterdam United and Buxton United, respectively.

In the first match of the night, Western Tigers took on New Amsterdam United and were ahead after just two minutes, through the boot of National player Vurlon Mills; that goal would be the only one of the match as it ended 1-0.

In the second match of the night, the GDF

faced Buxton and dispatched them 4-1 with a hat-trick from Abumchi Benjamin.

Benjamin got things underway in the 10th minute and added another just two minutes later before completing his hat-trick in the 49th minute.

Sherwyn Caesar added the icing on the cake, making it 4 for GDF in the 90th minute.

The league will resume after the international break which will see the Golden Jaguars face Barbados on Thursday (September 6) at the National Track and Field Facility, Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

Caribbean Motor Racing Championship round three…

‘The main goal was the lap record’

See Page 18

Matt Truelove (extreme right, sitting on the bike) and his brother Harry (extreme left) stand with the Team Mohamed’s Enterprise unit after standing tall in Barbados (Stephan Sookram photo) Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

– Team Mohamed’s Matt Truelove TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2018