Guyana chronicle e paper 07 16 2016

SISTERS RAPED No. 104614

SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

… beaten, thrown out of house; mother arrested

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Bad roads, land allocation issues, public assistance

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––Lindeners complain as Gov’t looks to address concerns

Lands and Surveys Commission officials listen to residents’ concerns during the Government’s ministerial outreach to the mining community of Linden on Friday (Delano Williams photo)

CoI will decide 5 ‘Putoo’ put 13 homeless 2 compensation in separate away for 11 for George family Page

Page

–– Colonel Algernon sworn in to investigate death of boys in Drop-in Centre

fires

see stories on pages 9&15

years

–– for disfiguring schoolboy

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016

CoI will decide compensation for George family ––Colonel Algernon sworn in to inquire into death of boys in Drop-in Centre blaze

By Ariana Gordon THE one-man Commission of Inquiry (CoI) headed by retired Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Colonel Windee Algernon will determine whether the family of Antonio and Joshua George will receive compensation from Government.

The lads perished on July 8 when the Drop-in Centre on Hadfield Street, Georgetown, was ravaged by fire.

Algernon was sworn in on Friday by Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to conduct the inquiry into the horrific death of the boys who were temporarily housed at the Drop-in Centre.

“The family would have

been contacted by the Ministry of Social Protection and they would have been given some comfort level, but insofar as the compensation is concerned, we will await the findings of the commission,” Minister of State Joseph Harmon told reporters on Friday following the swearing-in of Algernon.

Joshua, two, and Antonio George, six, along with three other siblings were removed from their parents’ home last Wednesday and placed at the Drop-in Centre by the Ministry of Social Protection’s Child Services Division.

According to Harmon, in less than two weeks, a preliminary report will be presented to the President. “… anytime a life in Guyana is lost, it is something that

will have to be inquired into… because the commission will determine what needs to be done. It is basically about two weeks or so and we can wait on that,” he added.

According to the Terms of Reference (ToR), a preliminary report is to be submitted to the President on July 22, while the final report is to be completed

by August 15.

He made it clear that should there be a request for an extension of time to produce the reports, there is a possibility that it would be granted.

Algernon is required to examine, advise, report and to probe into all the circumstances surrounding the death of the brothers on July 8, and to report its findings and conclusions, along with recommendations to prevent recurrences of that nature.

The retired army colonel is also required to assess the nature of the injuries sustained by all the children who were in the care and custody of the State at the Drop-in-Centre at the time of the fire, as well as

Retired Colonel Windee Algernon stands between Minister of State Joseph Harmon (right) and Magistrate Fabayo Azore (left) on Friday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to assess the dangers to which children and the staff were exposed at the time of the incident.

Additionally, Algernon is required to determine whether the conduct of the staff

at the Drop-in –Centre who were on duty on July 8 was in conformity with the required statutory obligations of the State and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

She will also investigate

the blameworthiness of individuals, report on whether there was a failure on the part of State officials to deal appropriately or adequately with matters that gave rise to the loss of lives and whether there were any unsafe or improper arrangements for the care, custody and welfare of the children.

Algernon is required to make “comprehensive recommendations” to ensure the safety of children at the Dropin- Centre. In so doing, she is to speak to the effectiveness and adequacy of the current emergency arrangements there for fire or other disasters, the level of interaction between the departments, agencies and service providers and how those sectors can work together to better protect children and young people who are under the care and supervision of the State.

The ultimate aim is “to prevent a recurrence of any such incident”, the ToR stated.

Meanwhile, Algernon, the lone commissioner to probe the death of the two children, told reporters shortly after the simple ceremony that it is an honour to be called upon to investigate the tragic death of the lads.

The inquiry proceedings were to commence on Friday.

The views of all stakeholders, including but not limited to the staff of the Drop-in Centre, the children who reside there, staff of the Ministry of Social Protection, parents and guardians of the children under care at the Drop-in Centre are to be taken into account.

The inquiry will be conducted “continually at the Conference Room of the Department of the Public Service, Ministry of the Presidency,” located on Waterloo Street and shall be held in public.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016

Bad roads, land allocation issues, public assistance ––Lindeners complain as Gov’t looks to address concerns

By Vanessa Braithwaite

WHEN a Government ministerial team comprising Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Junior Minister of Communities, Valarie Patterson; Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix; Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sidney Allicock; and Junior Minister of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, visited the mining town of Linden for

a second time on Friday, Lindeners took the opportunity to raise their concerns about bad roads, land allocation issues, and public assistance.

Intent of getting their concerns addressed, scores of Region 10 residents flocked the partially inundated Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, braving the inclement weather to seize the opportunity to speak to members of this team.

The team of Government ministers paid keen attention to

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, addressing residents of Linden on Friday

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes and her team listen attentively to a concern raised by a resident during the outreach on Friday (Delano Williams photos)

Sisters allegedly raped by stepfather - beaten, thrown out of house; mother arrested

By Nafeeza Yahya THREE sisters, ages four, seven and 10 were allegedly raped by their stepfather during the course of the week and according to reports, it is believed that they were raped multiple times.

The suspect, who resides on the East Bank of Berbice (EBB), lives with the mother and a few of her 14 children. The couple is said to have one child together.

According to information reaching this newspaper, the girls were found sleeping in the vicinity of the Edingburgh seawall, EBB, around 08:45hrs Thursday morning

by School Welfare Officers.

The stepfather is now wanted for questioning by the police while the mother of the girls has been arrested.

Commander of ‘B’ Division, Ian Amsterdam, said the girls revealed that they were sexually molested and often beaten by their stepfather.

This newspaper understands that the 10-year-old revealed that they were beaten and thrown out of the house, while the eldest of the trio said she was also beaten in the head with a hammer. After they were told to leave, the girls reportedly spent the night on the seawalls.

They were then taken to the hospital where a medical examination was done and confirmed they had indeed been sexually assaulted. The commander said the police will leave no stone unturned to find the suspect.

Meanwhile, the police are also working closely with the Child Care and Protection Agency and other agencies as it relates to the safety of the children. The girls are currently hospitalised.

the residents’ concerns and responded to their queries.

Also in attendance were top Government officials representing various agencies, such as the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Protection, the Guyana Revenue Authority, the National Insurance Scheme, the Guyana Water Incorporated and the Lands and Surveys Commission. Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, was also there.

Minister Harmon told the gathering that the administration is bringing the Government to the people. “This is not just a meet-the-people, this is an exercise in dealing with issues which affect you as citizens, and what we have done is actually brought the Government out here…. The decision makers are here, and we expect that once you come to them and there are issues which affect you, they will be able to

make decisions here on the ground,” Harmon said.

Minister Simona Broomes echoed similar sentiments in stating that, as a mining community, Region 10 residents may have issues relative to mining and the environment, and she is here to assist them.

“We are here to serve the people of Region 10 if; they have concerns in mining, forestry, environment, we are here,” she declared.

Though residents met with various representatives individually or as a group, many persons revealed to the media that their issues had to do with land allocation and the tedious process of acquiring land.

In addition, residents bemoaned the terrible state of roads in many communities.

Concerned citizens flocked Minister Valarie Patterson and team, yearning for answers and solutions to infrastructural development in their communities, and for answers in relation to land allocation.

HIGH FARES Moblissa resident Denise said she had journeyed all the way to Linden to chat with the team concerning infrastructural development within Moblissa.

She told the media that residents, farmers and students are forced to walk seven miles to the Linden Soesdyke Highway in order to avoid paying the $2500 drivers demand for a drop, because of the deplorable state of the roads.

Denise said Moblissa is in dire need of infrastructural development. “Because of the transportation problem, we have a lot of dropouts, we have teenage pregnancy; only yesterday we had a high school student coming from lessons and get rob in the trail,” she said, adding: “Well, see page 8

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016

Military attempts a coup in Turkey

(Reuters)- TURKEY’S military said on Friday it had seized power but President Tayyip Erdogan vowed that the attempted coup would be put down.

If successful, the overthrow of Erdogan, who has ruled Turkey since 2003, would be one of the biggest shifts in the Middle East in years, transforming one of the most important U.S. allies while war rages on its border. Even if it fails, the coup attempt could destabilize a pivotal country in the region. “ We w i l l o v e r c o m e this,” Erdogan said, speaking on a video call to a mobile phone held up to the camera by an announcer on the Turkish sister station of CNN. He called on his followers to take to the streets to defend his government and said the

coup plotters would pay a heavy price.

An official said Erdogan was speaking from Marmaris on the Turkish coast where he was on holiday. Erdogan

said he would swiftly return to Ankara. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and other senior officials said the elected government remained in office. Yildirim called the

coup attempt a terrorist act by gangs and illegal formations.

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to Internet social media sites was cut off, and troops sealed off the two bridges over the Bosphorus in Istanbul, one of which was still lit up red, white and blue in solidarity with victims of the Bastille Day truck attack in France a day earlier.

Soldiers took control of TRT state television, which announced a countrywide curfew and martial law.

An announcer read a statement on the orders of the military that accused the government of eroding the democratic and secular rule of law. The country would be run by a “peace council” that would ensure the safety of the population, the statement said. TRT later went off the air.

Gingrich calls for screening US Muslims (BBC) - Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has suggested testing all US Muslims to see if they believe in Sharia, and deporting those who do.

Sharia is Islamic religious law based on the Koran, the life of Muhammad and the rulings of Islamic scholars. Mr Gingrich’s comments follow

DATE: 13/07/2016

Te l e v i s i o n i m a g e s showed scores of people, some waving Turkish flags, gathered in major squares in main city Istanbul and capital Ankara to show support for the elected government.

Gunfire broke out in both cities.

Warplanes and helicopters roared over Ankara and explosions could be heard there. Reuters reporters saw a helicopter open fire. State-run news agency Anadolu said military helicopters had fired on the headquarters of the intelligence agency.

Reuters journalists saw tanks open fire near the parliament building in Ankara, which they had surrounded.

Airports were shut, access

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an attack in the French city of Nice, which has killed at least 84 people.

His comments echo the sentiments of Donald Trump, who has said Muslims should be banned from entering the US. “Western civilisation is in a war. We should frankly test every person here who is of a Muslim background and if they believe in Sharia they should be deported,” Mr Gingrich told Fox News.

“Sharia is incompatible with western civilisation. Modern Muslims who have given up Sharia, glad to have them as citizens. Perfectly happy to have them next door,” he added.

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Hours earlier, a driver, identified by French media as Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, rammed a lorry through a crowd of people celebrating Bastille Day before he was shot dead by police.

Police reportedly discovered guns and grenades inside the lorry. No group has claimed responsibility but French President Francois Hollande described the tragedy as a terror attack. Mr Gingrich was in the frame as running mate to likely Republican nominee Mr Trump before Indiana Governor Mike Pence was asked.

He also suggested monitoring US mosques and jailing anyone who visits websites favouring a terror group. “Anybody who goes on a website favouring Isis, or al-Qaeda, or other terrorist groups, that should be a felony, and they should go to jail,” he added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016

‘Putoo’ put away for 11 years -- for disfiguring schoolboy

KELVIN Joshua Singh, also known as ‘Putoo’, has been sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment by Justice Brassington Reynolds at the Berbice Assizes, after he was found guilty of throwing a destructive liquid from a green bottle on Harlon Rose.

The substance caused permanent disfigurement to the back of Rose’s head and along his left side, including his shoulder, arm and abdomen.

Singh, 26, had been indicted with the name Kelvin Joshua, but a birth certificate recorded his correct name, which was highlighted during the presentation of the probation report at the Berbice Assizes on Friday.

The convict had been indicted with the principal count of inflicting grievous bodily harm, and an alternative count of throwing destructive substance.

The 12-member mixed jury had, last month, returned within 25 minutes after retiring, the verdict with respect to the first count, which stated that Singh, on July 11, 2012, in the County of Berbice, caused grievous bodily harm to Harlon Rose with intent to harm, maim, disfigure or disable him.

State Counsel Stacy Goodings, prosecuting, had led the evidence of four witnesses who had each given sworn testimony about the events which led to the incident and Rose receiving the injuries at Victoria Street, Cumberland, East Canje Berbice.

On the evening of July 9, 2012, Rose was a 15-yearold student at Canje Secondary School, going on to becoming 16. He had ridden his bicycle to Victoria Street in his home village of Cumberland, East Canje Berbice, to visit Deon Jackman, called ‘Yankee’, a hire car driver, as he was expected to travel to Barbados two days later.

Jackman was not at home, but Rose saw the man’s wife, Rosetta, along with her sister Wendy, and their cousin Sarah, gaffing in the street and he joined them. While conversing with the women, he observed Singh, whom he knew as Putoo, and who lived next door to Wendy Cort, his

Convicted: Kelvin Joshua Singh, called ‘Putoo’ mother’s friend.

CHALLENGE TO FIGHT Putoo was cursing and beating his parents, but Rose did not pay much attention until Putoo suddenly ran out of his yard with a golf club in his hand and questioned whether Rose wanted to fight.

The schoolboy had refused to fight, and had explained that his reason for being in the area was to meet Yankee. Singh was overheard saying, “Wait! I coming back.”

Shortly afterwards, Rose felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around, he saw Singh with an upraised green bottle. Rose barred with his left hand, as he had believed that Singh had intended to strike him, but instead, he felt a liquid thrown on the back of his head rundown his neck to his back and stomach area and along his left side.

He screamed to the women, standing nearby. “It burning! It burning! Putoo throw acid on me.” Hurriedly, he pulled off his vest and dived into a nearby trench, before being pulled out by Wendy Cort.

He was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where

he was admitted and remained a patient for almost a month.

In his defence, Singh claimed he had approached the virtual complainant with a hockey stick after he heard a noise coming from his yard. He had run downstairs and had seen the victim in his yard. According to him, the person was armed with a bottle, the contents of which were thrown on him, causing him to be burnt on his shoulder. As a result, they fought, but he was unable as to how the victim in this case was burnt.

Singh said he failed to make a report at the police station, as a “set of people” had gathered in front of his house. Later the next day, police had visited his home, from where they had arrested him and taken him to Central Police Station.

Subsequently, he was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where he was treated by medical personnel before being returned into police custody, where charges were instituted.

A NUISANCE In her report on the prisoner’s background, Senior Probation Officer Egla Babb noted that residents of various areas where the convict lived had revealed that they were afraid of him because he regularly traversed the streets and used expletives, and expressed in vulgar and obscene language his intentions to disrespect and dishonour females in the community.

Consequently, he instilled fear in some residents, especially parents with female children, as whenever he behaves in this manner, they would keep their children indoors.

Moreover, some residents were happy that the man had been removed from the community, and were fearful of his return, as he might again disturb their peace.

On the other hand, some members of the public claimed that the accused was a good person. His parents, sibling, and spouse indicated that he was not of nefarious character. However, it is alleged that he was verbally and physically abusive to his parents.

Dream big -- Dharmic Rama Krishna 2016 graduating classes urged GRADUATING students of the Dharmic Rama Krishna Nursery and Primary Schools were on Friday urged to “dream big and have great aspirations” as they progress to a higher level in their academic life.

C h a rg i n g t h e y o u n g minds with the task of forging ahead was President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr Vindhya Persaud, who underscored that education is the key to success.

Dr Persaud declared that the 28 primary and 27 nursery graduates will take a step into a new atmosphere and grade, where they will be introduced to a new line of teaching.

However, the foundation of knowledge they acquired from the institution must not be forgotten, she said, given that what they learnt will be useful to guide them through the initial stages of their new school lives.

Dharmic Rama Krishna Primary produced Aryan Persaud, one of the top students at the National Grade Six Assessment (NAGA). He scored 568 marks at the examination.

Arun Sooknarine, also of

Aryan Singh with his parents at the graduation (Javin Singh photo) Dharmic Rama Krishna gained 562 marks and was placed fifth in the country.

Their outstanding performances at the 2016 NGSA have placed the school on the national map, said the Dharmic Sabha President.

Aside from Persaud and Sooknarine, several other pupils secured impressive grades at this year’s examination and will be heading to some of the top schools in the country.

The students who will be writing the NGSA next year were encouraged to use the suc-

cess of the outstanding students as motivation and strive to emulate or perform better when their time at the examination comes.

A number of trophies and awards were distributed to the top performers.

Meanwhile, the Dharmic Sabha has acquired a plot of land and will be using it to build a secondary school.

But as it stands now, the Sabha does not have the finances to start the project, and as such, has appealed to parents to contribute to this worthy cause.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016

Container tax is burdensome Dear Editor,

HERE go the Georgetown City Council again!

Another tax, another levy, another burdensome fee has been placed on the backs of the citizenry of Georgetown. This time, it is the $25,000 container parking fee being levied on business persons who are seeking to have their containers

offloaded in front of their stores.

The Council, in their normal arrogance and contempt for the citizens, did not bother to consult with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, nor did they consult the Private Sector Commission or its members before imposing this charge.

They just got up one morning and decided to squeeze the citizenry a little more.

But what will be most i n t e re s t i n g t o n o t e i s whether the ‘King Fish’ food truck -- which occupies the corner of King and Regent Streets; which is well known to be owned by the brother of a senior staffer of the Georgetown Municipality; and which is there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, selling fried fish, fried plan-

ing the city with no particular compensation for the damage that they cause.

This news was disappointing because, in my view, it shows the level of responsibility people are given in the city. In developed countries, people pay to park, so such facilities can be better managed. They pay to use the city’s thoroughfares, so the roads can be properly kept.

Among many other things, they compensate the city for using public facilities when other citizens are being denied.

I do not see it as being unfair to the users of containers to have them billed for damages caused to our city, and penalized when they break the regulations that are being put in place. I have personally seen containers parked in

busy, congested areas. I have seen them parked for days on street corners, and sometimes taking over parts of the road.

I even saw -- one time while driving through Queenstown (a residential area) -- containers parked in a yard.

Containers are also being operated at all times of the day. One can feel the vibrations when these monstrous trucks pass by, and it is no wonder traffic is sometimes held up when some drivers find themselves in tight positions when using roads that they shouldn’t.

I believe that all these issues should be addressed in the scheme of managing container trucks. They are among the biggest -- if not the biggest -- vehicles operating in the country. For too long, the container agencies and the

tains and other fast foods and beverages – would have to pay the $25,000 or the $5,000-per-day fee, or whether it would be allowed to continue operating without charge, as it is doing now. There must be equity in taxation, otherwise more people will become tax evaders.

Sincerely, SEAN MONIZ

Protecting Container owners should contribute to repair of roads and advancing child rights Dear Editor,

TO GUYANA’S credit, much work has been done on child rights. Among the first things done by the Government of Guyana was bringing a laser beam sort of attention to education. Guyana stood out among her counterparts in the Caribbean and further afield in early childhood education, which initially began at 3 years and nine months. More schools were built, allowing for greater accommodation of children; and at the post-primarily level, the then common entrance school examination was used to place students in schools, based on their evaluated intellectual abilities and interests.

In recognition of secondary education, the programme was expanded and augmented beyond the known schools -- inclusive of the so-called elite that carried only specific curriculum -- to include the multilateral and community high schools. The multilateral secondary curriculum allowed for expression and pursuit of academia based on interest and ability, whereas the community high was geared toward the more technically-inclined, with opportunity presented at the 4th form to sit an examination to enter into the secondary school.

The nationalisation of schools allowed all to benefit from a national education programme designed by the Government, besides aiding in eliminating discrimination against a child attending a school based on religious ideology. Prior to the advent of public education, some schools were managed by one or other religious denomination, and there were instances when access to those schools was denied children based on their religion; those children, and sometimes their family members, had to ‘convert’ in order to gain admittance to certain schools.

Where newly-independent Guyana embraced religious freedom and pursued universal education as important to nation-building, it would have been engaging in double-standards to continue the practice of accepting a child into, or rejecting that child from, an educational institution based on religious considerations.

In the area of economics, some expenses were offset by the State through various measures. The State assumed responsibility for programmes such as free uniform, textbooks, meals, transportation, and tuition from nursery to university.

Taking some financial responsibilities from the family and placing them on the State had two-fold benefits

AS I understand it, City Hall is responsible for the management and care of roads in the city. To me, that means that if the road is damaged, it is the duty of the Council to repair it.

Containers have contributed to damaging and destroying our roads, and are sometimes parked in hazardous positions. It is high time the use of containers is managed in this city.

For the longest while, I have questioned whether the owners of these containers were contributing to the repair of the roads. I wondered whether the city was collecting anything to help with that work. Boy, was I surprised when I read that those vehicles were travers-

for a young post-colonial society which, at independence, was met with high unemployment and limited economic opportunities. In the sphere of the family, this eliminated economic stressors and served to ensure the child pursues an education. In regard to the State, it ensured creating an educated society equipped with skills and talents needed for development.

The tier-ship, or rather discrimination, in the legal system and ‘shame’ in the society that children were subjected to because they were not born in ‘wedlock’ were removed through repealing of the law that referred to such children as ‘bastards’, not entitled to inheritance from their fathers.

This labelling would have been applicable to children whose parents did not have a registered marriage, which meant it included all across the ethnic divide.

Examination shows that this holistic multi-prong approach to education was aimed at leaving no child behind.

With the child’s psycho-social and economic wellbeing taken care of, education became one of the nation’s greatest equalisers. More importantly, in the area of childhood development, there was this sense of equality and assurance that God-given talent would be allowed to bloom and grow irrespective of a child or family’s socio-economic status; and he or she can be whatever he or she wanted to be.

In that some of the economic and supplemental benefits

business people have enjoyed the bulk of their money without compensating the city.

Some Guyanese have lived so free in this country that they are willing to complain anytime money is involved, even if it’s for their own benefit. Already, the business community is challenging the fee being proposed by the Council.

I am no economist, but I believe that if you constantly have containers at your business, it means business is good because you have a steady turnover of goods. So, do not be selfish; pay the fee and help the city grow.

The representatives of businesses and their organizations want consultations and discussions See page 7

stated above are no longer available, some being aborted during the period of economic downturn, it does not prevent examination of new ways to ensure children are not denied an education in keeping with their ability.

It was a mistake to scrap the community high school programme, because that scrapping has prevented the streaming of children based on their abilities and interests at the time of examination. Taking the approach of lumping children in programmes in which they show no aptitude is tantamount to creating and churning out functional illiterates, which in itself is a denial of the right of the child, based on ability. This is an area deserving attention by the authorities.

Outside of education which is foundational and considered very important for growth and development, personal and national, other laws have been put in place to protect and advance child rights. And to the extent that some of these laws are not being enforced, or are partially enforced, such acts constitute denial of the right of the child.

More importantly, the Child Rights Commission -- whose role is, among other things, to oversee national policies, provide recommendation to enforce and strengthen existing laws, and to create new laws -- is comatose. It is a crying shame on Guyana, whose record has been one of pioneering child rights and breaking barriers in this regard, not to have this commission performing at its optimum.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016

NAACIE urges more united approach to labour issues Dear Editor, THOSE of us in Guyana’s Labour Movement who fashioned the joint FITUG/TUC Labour Day Rally of May 1, 2016 were generally heartened by the number of worker-related issues on which we found common ground to address in the presence of the nation’s prime minister.

It was intended that high-profiled national workers’ events, besides attracting continual media headlines, would galvanize our two representational bodies to continue dialogue towards practical mechanism for joint approaches to Government and to all employers concerning our members’ welfare.

Up front, NAACIE advises trade union leaders, in

the context of the one-year coalition Administration which has opted not to have a full pledged Labour Ministry: “Sleep with your members, not with Government leaders”.

It is one thing for “popular” Labour leaders to debate national issues regarding the Constitution and the politics of the land; that intellectual/ analytical ability to debate must be put to the service of union membership.

What ideas or proposals for structured joint representations have been advanced lately? Why can’t we mobilize representation concerning the woes of the sugar industry? For example: if, at this time, sugar goes under without sound futuristic plans, the economy would take a further battering, to the demise of all of us.

The real role of all trade unions is representation no matter who is the employer/ company or Government.

More solidarity is needed now; not just the song on May Day. There should also be joint TUC/FITUG sessions, workshops and seminars to discuss making practical approaches to regional and international trade union bodies to explore how the new communication technologies can serve the Labour movement, and to formulate strategies, joint approaches to have the administration listen to our united voice on such issues as preparation for oil revenues, constitutional reform and/or crime reduction. Are those challenges and needs beyond our abilities?

This 21st century reality

Kaieteur News’ attack on young professionals Dear Editor, FIRST, I wish to commend Mr. Manzoor Nadir for his letter on the gutter journalism of the Kaieteur newspaper. I could not agree more with his reference to the misuse of a media house to convict and pass sentence on people.

Case in point: a front page headline in Sunday’s Kaieteur News dated July 10, 2016: “Marcia Sharma faces jail time – SOCU, Police Legal Advisor”. It is very interesting that, the next day, KN reported that the same police legal advisor recommended civil action. The point I want to make is that Kaieteur News did have access to the report, and in two days’ time the story was changed; however, the damage to Mrs. Sharma’s reputation had been done with the first article.

Mr. Lall and company (seem to) assume the divine

right to decide the fate of people. They have also been on the case of Dr. Mahender Sharma and many others whom the Lall clique (allegedly) has on its target list.

Those in charge of the KN appear to deliberately set out to destroy people; I had my piece of their (alleged) wrath years ago, but I am still here, and can hold my head high and even higher than the bosses at Kaieteur News.

I can deal with Adam and Lall’s (alleged) deviousness and distorting of information; what I want the authorities to investigate is how KN is (allegedly) able to get confidential information that was not released. There is an (alleged) serious breach of confidentiality within SOCU, Police Headquarters and the Government.

This (allegedly) serious breach demands that there be an audit of the systems at SOCU and the Guyana Police Force.

And while we are at it, the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment should investigate a particular shoe store on Regent Street, where (it is alleged that) the largest amount of mercury is illegally sold. The Justice For All Party did not campaign against one set of oppression to have it replaced by another.

As part of the Media Association and as an active campaigner, The JFAP and CNS Channel 6 have stood for democracy and a free press which is responsible and upholds the ethics of the profession. The Media Monitoring Unit also needs to speak up on this type of reporting in the name of a free press.

Digicel, Courts and the others, adopting public spaces, play parks, community development groups etc., but very little is coming from medium and small scale operators.

You hardly see these people giving to the public, but there is a challenge for

everything that involves them giving a little more. I await the day when people would start thinking along the lines of Guyana’s development and not just their personal concerns.

Yours truly, MRS. SAVITREE SHARMA General Secretary, Justice For All Party/ Member of APNU

Containers should ...

From page 6

on the proposed fee, but these are the same people who benefit from citizens buying from them, yet they give little support to the well-being of their customers. You hear of very large companies, such as

Sincerely, AKEEM BENNONS

indicates the arrival of new industries that demand new skills from workers, inclusive of non-management employees; but all those graduates from tertiary institutions -with their degrees, diplomas and certificates -- must be influenced and persuaded to become organized at their work places to really enjoy the fruits of their qualifica-

tions. What are we unionists doing about that?

NAACIE urges a more united approach to issues such as those cited above.

NAACIE is willing to initiate movement in this direction. We can’t wait for another Government; this “newness” demands a new or renewed militancy.

Our political, cultural and

religious affiliations are personal. Our members’ working class welfare is national.

Let the trade union leaders ensure that “workers of Guyana unite.”

KENNETH JOSEPH, AA General Secretary NAACIE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016

Three held for Nigg armed robbery

DILIGENT police investigation has led to the capture of three men who are believed to have been involved in the recent robbery of a grocery parlour at Nigg, East Berbice, Corentyne.

Commander of ‘B’ Division, Ian Amsterdam, confirmed that three men are in custody assisting with the investigation and charges are expected to be laid soon, as the police seek the other suspects in the robbery.

Those in custody are said to be from the Nigg/Hampshire area. On Wednesday evening at around 19:00hrs, five armed men stormed the Karamalall’s Grocery parlour as they were about to close.

According to Nandeshwar Karamalall, known as “chill,” at around 19:00hrs on Wednesday evening, he was about to close the shop, which opened its doors only four months ago, when the masked men who were armed with guns and cutlasses stormed the shop and attacked him. He said the bandits demanded cash and jewellery.

His visibly traumatized wife, Dharama Devi Karamalall, said three of the gunmen jumped over the counter and one of them gun-butted her to the head while demanding money and jewellery; the other two remained on the other side with her husband.

In tears, she recalled handing over a quantity of phone cards, approximately 60,000 in cash and cigarettes as the men held on to her three-year-old daughter threatening to hurt her if she does not comply with their demands.

According to her, even after handing over the items, the bandits demanded more but her 12-yearold got on her knees and pleaded with the men not to hurt her sister or parents.

The home of the Karamalalls

Bad roads, land allocation issues, public ...

From page 3

they promised that they are going to look into it, but we need more than looking into, because is a long time now we just getting ‘we gon look into it’ and promises, and nothing is being done… We want something to be done immediately,” she said.

Some residents expressed satisfaction with the responses they received from the team, while others were optimistic that solutions would be forthcoming soon.

Owell Hinds of Amelia’s Ward told reporters he is satisfied with the process thus far, and that he was given all assurance that his issue concerning water would be remedied in a matter of days.

Another resident who visited the Ministry of Citizenship’s booth expressed satisfaction with the way her issue was handled, and was optimistic that it would be resolved earliest.

“My birth certificate was burnt in a fire. Every time I try back at GPO, they don’t have any records of my birth; so I come here

today, and I am pleased with what I heard, and I will do what they say on Monday, so I can get it back,” she said.

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE Many single mothers asked the officials from the Ministry of Social Protection to provide them with public assistance.

They revealed that it is very hard economically to fend for their children single-handedly while being unemployed.

Merna Andries told this publication that she is really in need of public assistance, as she cannot afford to send two of her school-aged children to school.

Andries is unemployed, and recently gave birth to a baby boy.

“I get a son and another lil daughter, and deh father don’t give them nothing; and a wan help, cuz is high school and is til over the river, and I ain’t get no money for transportation,” the mother related.

The regional officials expressed appreciation to the Government for bringing the initiative to Linden for a second time in the year thus far.

Regional Member of Parliament (MP) Jermaine Figueira described the efforts of the Government and Ministers as a reflection of selfless service to the people.

“This exercise demonstrates that the ministers are committed towards serving the interest of the people in the sense that they are not serving from their offices, but are actually bringing Government directly to the people of Guyana,” he said.

According to Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland, a

monthly outreach of this nature would be appreciated.

“The people are looking for answers, and answers that are sometimes out of the reach of the local authority; and I believe that we want to hear from the Ministry.”

The ministerial outreach was organised by the Ministry of the Presidency, and

A section of the gathering at the outreach on Friday

Region 10 is the fifth region that has benefited since the APNU+AFC Administration assumed office.

Though all issues will not be solved immediately, the ministers assured the residents that there will be follow-ups to ensure that all the issued raised are addressed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016

President recommits to offering the ‘good life’ on 71st birthday I N T E N D E D t o b e a he has a team that is ca- tended appreciation to under good leadership. calculated reminder of pable of transforming the his colleagues and the “It is about the future; one’s age, birthdays are land of many waters to people of Guyana, as he that is what this 71st birthnot often observed with support his vision for a recommitted to providing day is all about. I plan and the intent of making ‘good life’ for all Guy- the country with the lead- I think about the future,” the years count. And if anese, and ensure there ership that the people need the Head of State said. there is one person who has been investing time in ensuring his years count, it is President David Granger, who has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the ‘good life’ is provided for all Guyanese.

The Head of State’s remarks were made at a special breakfast organised by the People’s National Congress (PNC) on Friday to observe the 71st birth anniversary of the country’s leader.

Held at Congress Place in Sophia, on the eastern outskirts of Georgetown, the event was well attended by party members and supporters, who seized the opportunity to extend well wishes to President Granger.

In what can be termed a selfless act, the President shaped his speech to emphasize that the birthday celebrations only serve to renew his drive and determination to pro- President David Granger receiving, from a representative of the Guyana vide a high quality of life Police Force (GPF), a cake with the Guyana Flag and the Presidential Crest for all Guyanese.

Expressing how much of a “moving moment” the is no recurrence of what and deserve. He was quick “Today, my 71st birthoccasion was for him as transpired over the last 23 to point out that his prayer day, I obviously feel some Head of State, President years. continues to be for Guy- sense of nostalgia; but, Granger said he believes To this end, he ex- ana to continue to prosper more than that, I feel a

sense of confidence that people are with me; that people understand where I want to go, where I want Guyana to go; people understand the type of country I want our children and grandchildren to inherit; and that we will all do this together,” the President declared.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, who gave brief remarks at the event, pointed out that the President has the essential qualities of a politician and a leader.

Williams said that on occasions such as these, the only drawback is that those observing their birthdays do not like to remember their age. However, he noted that President Granger has no problem with that, because he is excelling beyond all imagination, regardless of age. “[He has the] essential qualities of a politician.

You cannot be a politician if you are not prepared to serve the people of Guyana, and we have to keep that focus,” the AG said.

He added that Guyana is proud to have a President who is committed to service and development of citizens.

Also offering remarks was Councillor for the Regional Democratic Coun-

cil (RDC) of the Mahaica Berbice (Region Five) area, Carol Smith-Joseph.

Speaking on behalf of the Women’s Arm of the PNC, Joseph expressed her belief that Guyana has seen a change, not only in governance, but in the care and commitment shown to Guyanese under the stewardship of President Granger.

“As Guyana embraces this new transitory phase of renewed governance and development, moving from a country that seemed to have lost its way to one well entrenched on the path of economic, social and moral recovery, let us all recognise and applaud the huge presence and impact of God’s special servant,” she admonished.

“This is a birthday with a difference. It is premised on love, goodwill and hope for all aspiring Guyanese here and in the diaspora,” Joseph said.

Apart from routine speeches, the celebrations were marked by the traditional cutting of a birthday cake, which the President shared with his wife, First Lady Sandra Granger. Melodious renditions of ‘Happy Birthday’ were sung to him, and wishes for a prosperous future were extended.

Fire guts Sophia home CAROL Beckles, popularly known as “Sister Carol,” of Bel Air, North Sophia, suffered millions in losses as a fire of unknown origin destroyed her home on Friday evening.

During an interview with this newspaper, the distressed Beckles explained that tragedy struck around 18:30hrs when she received a call from her neighbour, who informed her that the house was on fire.

“I was at work when my neighbour called and said that my house in on fire… when I arrived home the entire inside was

destroyed and only the outer frame was left standing,” said a tearful Beckles.

This was shocking she said, given that no one was home at the time. According to residents, the fire started from the lower flat of the home and spread rapidly.

A member of the fire service indicated that it appeared to be an electrical problem and added that investigations are still under way. Meanwhile, Beckles, her two children and another relative are now homeless and are hoping for the best in the near future.

Residents look on as the raging fire destroys the home of Carol Beckles. [Jenell Kishun photo]

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016

Moving tributes as Walter Willis laid to rest

By Shirley Thomas

THE body of veteran engineer Walter Willis, of the Public Infrastructure Ministry, was cremated on Friday at the Good Hope Crematorium, East Coast Demerara, following

his daughter, Sonja Willis.

In the many tributes rendered in his honour, Mr. Willis was remembered for his sterling contribution as an engineer to the Government and people of Guyana. Minister Patterson, in his tribute, described

With a passion for his work and a desire to always be in a state of readiness to respond to the task at hand, Willis was always dressed in his safety vest and broad-rimmed sun hat, by which he had come to be easily recognized. He had

been tasked with overlooking a number of Government projects, including the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project, and had been serving as Technical Advisor to the Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson.

The late Walter Willis

The widowed Mrs. Dolly Willis is being comforted by her daughter Sandra Murray (left) and Minister Annette Ferguson (right) a moving Thanksgiving Service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Brickdam, Georgetown.

Mr. Willis died at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital late last Monday, after being admitted on Saturday. While on treatment, he entered into a state of coma from which he never regained consciousness. He was 66, and would have turned 67 later this month.

Among the hundreds joining the bereaved family members in paying their last respects to the fallen engineering icon were Minister of Public Infrastructure (MPI), David Patterson; Minister with the MPI, Annette Ferguson; Mayor of Georgetown, Patricia Chase-Greene; former President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar; Mr Beni Sankar; Walter Willis’s son, Dr. Christopher Willis; and

Willis’s passing as a great loss to the ministry, adding that he would be sorely missed. On behalf of His Excellency President David Granger; Minister Annette Ferguson and other cabinet ministers, as well as the staff of the MPI, Minister Patterson extended profound sympathy to the widow of the deceased, Mrs. Dolly Willis; their three children, and other bereaved family members.

“Mr. Willis will be remembered by all as a dedicated worker who went above and beyond [the normal call of duty] to ensure the proper execution of all projects under his remit. He was always willing to offer advice, and (he) worked meticulously. He was also fondly known to all as a stickler for protocol, and could be seen traversing even the hallways of the Ministry with a safety vest on,” the minister recalled.

Ironically, Willis’s last assignment with the minister was on the Friday before his death, when he accompanied the minister and a team of officials, and later briefed members of the media on the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project. On that occasion, Willis had observed that the magnitude and height of elevated works to the main runway at CJIA would be a first for any project in the history of this country, and he had

provided statistics on aspects of the project.

A 17-year veteran at the MPI, Willis, who commenced working with the then Ministry of Transport and Hydraulics on May 3, 1999, had been employed as the Technical Adviser to three successive ministers: Anthony Xavier; Harrinarine Nawbatt; Robeson Benn; and finally, Minister David Patterson.

Rev. Keith Hardless (at front left) and Monsignor Terrence Montrose (right) lead the way as the body of Mr. Walter Willis is bourne out of the Church

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016

Ex-cop jailed for illegal gun, ammo possession

By Clestine Juan

FORMER policeman, Tito Benons, was handed a twoyear jail sentence by Magistrate Fabayo Azore after he was found guilty of illegal possession of a gun and ammunition.

Benons was found guilty on Friday at the conclusion of a three-month long trial for having in possession a Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol on March 26, at Norton Street and Louisa Row, Georgetown, without being the holder of a firearm licence.

He was also convicted for having 15 live rounds of ammunition in his possession on the day in question, when he was not the holder of a firearm licence. The former police constable, who said he was attached to the Berbice Anti-Crime Unit, told the court that on the

day in question, he and his cousins and friend were riding their motorcycles along Cemetery Road.

Ex-cop Tito Benons According to Benons, he was the pillion rider on his friend’s motorcycle when he noticed a black object lying on the side of the road. The defendant said he retrieved

the weapon and was taking it to the Brickdam Police Station when he was intercepted by the police.

He was taken into custody and escorted to the Brickdam Police Station Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where he was handed over to Sergeant Sarrabo. He added that he relayed his story to the Sergeant but was still charged.

But Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Stephen Telford, informed the court that Benons told the ranks that the weapon belonged to him and that it was for his protection Benons begged the magistrate for leniency and told the court that he came from a broken home and was raised by his grandmother.

“My grandmother tried with me,” the convict explained while telling the court that he had worked as a teacher for 12 years before

Linden airstrip expected to be re-opened

By Vanessa Braithwaite REGION 10 officials have welcomed the interest of the Canadian Embassy, the American Embassy, the European Union and Food for the Poor in financially supporting developmental projects in the mining town of Linden, and are hoping those entities would finance re-opening of the old Linden airstrip.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian told the Guyana Chronicle that representatives of the Region 10 Democratic Council have had fruitful discussions with these interested organisations, and the various committees within the Council have been mandated to present early submission of proposals for projects within their remit.

Morian said he has already received a proposal from the Youth and Cultural Development Committee.

The Works Committee is also currently working on a proposal for the upgrading of the Linden airstrip.

During a recent visit to

the airstrip, officials from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure noted the value of the facility in increasing commerce in the region.

The 5000-foot-long airstrip, which has a clearance of 300 feet, lies in the heart of the bauxite mining area of Linden, but has not been utilised for years. It needs upgrading to become operational. Given its capacity to accommodate international flights, even jets, regional officials are pushing for the airstrip to be developed into a local airport.

Linden is also considered a gateway to the interior regions. Many employees of international gold and timber companies are from Linden, and if the airstrip is developed it would save them money, as they would no longer have to travel to Georgetown to be flown into the interior locations.

“Most of the interior companies that do heavy mining in gold and so on, most of the workers come from Region 10; so this is a good jump-off point instead

of them paying for people to go to Parika and so on,” Councilor Charles Sampson said.

Other miners can access their areas of work easier than having to journey through the trail. Linden could become a hub for those frequenting the interior locations; and, like Bartica, the airstrip can possibly attract investors to the town, thereby improving commercial activities and reducing unemployment in the region.

Other enterprises, such as shipping and beverage companies, can also benefit from the airstrip being operational.

Taking these facts into consideration, the officials, through Regional Chairman Morian, will be proposing that the airstrip be fenced, equipped with a hangar, adequate lighting, waiting area, toilet facilities, security, air bag and a taxi service.

There was also a recommendation for a hotel to be constructed near the airstrip, for the convenience of passengers and crew members in cases of delay.

resigning to join the Guyana Police Force because his family comes from a military background.

“Your worship give me another chance… I’m begging you,” the ex-police officer said in his plea for

mercy.

The magistrate took into consideration the seriousness, prevalence and penalty which the offence attracts.

Benons was sentenced to two years imprisonment on each charge,but the sentenc-

es will run concurrently. He was also fined $50,000 on each charge.

The defendant had made his first court appearance in March 2016 and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016

‘Smiley’ gets 13 years for stabbing friend

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric HANSEL Andre Lewis, a deportee known as ‘Smiley’, was on Friday sentenced by Justice Brassington Reynolds to 13 years’ imprisonment for the attempted murder of Chris Burrowes in a slashing incident which occurred in the wee hours of January 01, 2013 at the Rainbow Bar located at Charles Place,

New Amsterdam Berbice.

Lewis was, on June 20, found guilty of slashing Burrowes’s throat, but his sentencing was delayed due to the unavailability of the probation report. He was represented by Defence Counsel Ramesh Rajkumar On Friday, Probation and Welfare Officer Judith Vankennie told the court that Lewis feels badly about the incident and continues to

maintain that he is wrongfully accused. At time of the incident, he and the virtual complainant were at the bar consuming alcohol when an argument ensued. According to Lewis, they both went their separate ways, and he could not recall any physical altercation between them.

Probation Officer Vankennie said Lewis had experienced a happy childhood while residing in Guyana,

but he migrated to the United States in 1990 and came into conflict with the law, hence he was deported to his homeland in 2002.

A report from the National Psychiatric Hospital revealed that he had been admitted there in 2008 for drug abuse; and investigations conducted in the community of John Lewis Street in Angoy’s Avenue, where Lewis live, revealed that he is

known for his alcoholic tendencies, and has caused disturbances in the community.

Lewis confessed to hav-

Hansel Andre Lewis, aka ‘Smiley’ ing consumed alcohol at the time of the incident, but was unable to recall the incident for which he was indicted.

It was submitted that Lewis may benefit from a period of psychiatric evaluation and treatment as a means of addressing his drug abuse and alcoholism.

Prior to handing down sentence, Justice Reynolds told the defendant, “Your life story resembles one of turmoil and tragedy…there

are people lining up early in the mornings to benefit form the opportunity which you wasted. You had brushes with the law and had to suffer deportation…the jury did not believe your account.

They did not buy the story.

Because an offensive weapon was used, the offence became aggravated, (and) even though you slashed him just once, the injury is life threatening.”

Prosecutor Stacey Goodings had revealed during the trial that the men were consuming alcoholic beverages, but it was Burrowes who had objected and asked Lewis to remove from near to him, because Lewis was smoking “something which was high-scented.”

Burrowes subsequently left the bar and walked some distance to urinate. He was in the process of zipping his pants when he saw Lewis remove a two-inch broad, plastic handled knife from his left side pocket and quickly stab him on his right side neck.

Burrowes was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and remained a patient for almost a month.

Man remanded for attempted murder of lover’s husband TWENTY-EIGHT-year-old Stephon Barlow of Sophia Squatting Area, Georgetown was remanded to prison by City Magistrate Fabayo Azore on Friday following allegations that he attempted to murder the reputed husband of his lover.

Barlow was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that on July 2, at Georgetown, while being in the company of another, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Sherwin Johnson with the intent to commit murder.

Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail based on the gravity of the charge, while stating that Johnson is still in critical condition at the hospital.

Barlow was subsequently remanded to prison until July 27 and the matter was transferred to Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Meanwhile on July 12 Johnson’s reputed wife Alexis Tappin of Lot 3 Campbell Street, Georgetown was also charged and remanded for the said offence.

Tappin and Johnson reportedly lived together with their child at the Lot 3 Campbell Street, Georgetown address and on the day in question Johnson arrived home and found his wife in bed with Barlow.

The woman and her lover allegedly dealt Johnson several lashes about his body; Tappin reportedly armed herself with a crowbar and stabbed him several times.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016

GPSU bashes GRA Chairman for creating hostile environment

FEATURED prominently in the press recently was Chairman of the Governing Board of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Rawle Lucas, who is now being blamed by a local union for creating hostility and insecurity at the taxregulation agency.

In a statement issued to the press on Friday, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) sought to register its observation which is that external interference

by Lucas has caused this unfortunate situation at the organisation.

“GPSU wishes to note its observations that the external interference of Mr Rawle Lucas, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Revenue Authority has moved the environment of the organisation to a hostile

and insecure one for staff at all levels, evidently resulting in low morale and motivation,” the statement noted.

According to the union which represents public servants across the country, its executive council stands in support of its members who are employed by the GRA and who are currently being confronted with unwarranted challenges.

The GPSU in its statement reasoned that the actions taken by the chairman, particularly those recently executed, may be deemed excessive and above that authorised by Act No. 13 of the Revenue Authority Act 1996 Revised Edition 2004.

The union contended that there seems to be a continued culture of the past, which is to effect promotions which disposed

Chairman of the Governing Board of GRA, Rawle Lucas experienced and qualified staff, and to terminate and dismiss staff at will without due process.

Additionally, the GPSU highlighted that it is also offended with the “unfair

categorization” of the staff as being untrustworthy and apparently undermining authority and revenue targets, which by virtue of their employment are their fundamental roles.

Given this prevailing situation, the union noted that it felt compelled to bring these concerns to the attention of President David Granger, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan and the Attorney General, Basil Williams.

Meanwhile, they also sought to remind staff that the union would stand resolutely with them throughout all challenges and excessive action being meted out arbitrarily and without merit.

“We however, urged all staff to maintain their professionalism and to continue to deliver quality service to

the public which enhances the image of the Revenue Authority in the national interest,” the GPSU said in its statement.

Lucas, who is not an executive chairman, admitted recently that highly sensitive government documents are stored at his office at the Critchlow Labour College, because of his concerns about security and confidentiality at the GRA. He was at the time responding to an anonymous letter which suggested that he was abusing his authority and awarding benefits

to himself at the expense of the authority. He said he felt the need for the public to understand the context in which he delivers service to the GRA. However, Lucas failed to respond to the writer’s suggestions that he was making unilateral decisions at GRA and that his actions have resulted in low staff morale.

Lucas was also criticised for reportedly hiring a student of his to serve as his personal assistant and awarding her a manager’s salary.

Saturday July 16th, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Sunday July 17th, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Monday July 18th, 2016 - 14:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016

Parika house ravaged by fire - nine homeless

By Ariana Gordon

A FAMILY of nine is now homeless following a fire that completely destroyed their two-storey house located at 237 Old Road Parika, East Bank Essequibo, (EBE) on Thursday night.

According to Samantha Johnson, an occupant of the lower flat of the property, the fire may have started around 20:00hrs. She told the Guyana Chronicle that she left the house at approximately 19:00h to travel to Georgetown to watch one of her daughters play

informing her of the fire.

She said she did not take her relative seriously and asked her to stop making light of such situations.

“She called me and asked me aunty you are at home? I said, no, I am not at home we are going to football because ladies tournament football started…

She said aunty I heard your house burning down… I told her to stop making all those jokes and she said no.”

The woman, who was in the front seat of a minibus heading to the city, said shortly after speaking with the relative, her daughters’

The destroyed Old Road, Parika house football at the Square of the Revolution.

Johnson said she was on the Demerara Harbour Bridge when she received a call from a relative who lives at De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara (WCD),

phones rang and they too were informed of the tragedy.

Johnson could not state what happened after she left her home but told this newspaper that there was no one in the bottom flat of the

A distraught Samantha Johnson speaks to the Guyana Chronicle on Friday just outside the destroyed house. house after she and her children left for Georgetown.

“I have two daughters, a niece and a husband. Nobody wasn’t downstairs at the time, but my cousin was upstairs at the time; she, her husband and her two children were,” Johnson said as tears flowed from her eyes freely.

She said, “I cannot say what happened, I wasn’t at home,” while noting that it is possible that the fire was electrical in nature. The distraught 38-year-old woman recalled that on Tuesday her 15,000-volt stabilizer caught fire, but said the issue was not reported to

the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) corporation.

“We get electrical problems… that happened on Tuesday – my 15,000-volt stabilizer from the wall itself, it start fire but we pull it out and I didn’t call GPL because we were busy Tuesday, Wednesday and then this fire happened yesterday.”

When asked to quantify her losses, Johnson said she

was not in a position to so do, but described her loss as “a great one.”

“I had everything in my home…because I cook and sell, I bake cake, icing cake for people and everything just went up.”

She is unsure of her future, but said her daughters will stay with their father until she and her husband decide on the way forward.

Meanwhile, contrary to rumours that have been circulating, Johnson made it clear that no relative of hers or her husband were in police custody as a result of suspected arson.

“Nobody is not in police custody…I went to the police station…I was there and nobody was there,” she told the Guyana Chronicle.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016

Guyana’s agriculture sector holds the potential to tackle regional food insecurity

Some of the ducklings which are reared by the Guyana Livestock Development Authority.

Georgetown, Guyana – (July 16, 2016) AS Guyana aims to become a self-sufficient, food-secure nation with the capacity to serve the Caribbean Region, a number of key initiatives are being implemented.

President David Granger has, on several occasions, commented on the vast agricultural potential of Guyana, particularly those regions of the country where it is already a primary source of income. On the occasion of World Food Day in October last year, President Granger said that greater food security is one of the means of eliminating extreme poverty and hunger within the next 15 years. The President has also, during visits to several parts of the country, commented on the vast potential of Guyana’s agricultural regions, noting that they hold the key to Guyana becoming a food-secure and environmentally sustainable country.

Moreover, as the food-import bill of the Caribbean Community stands at a cost of approximately US $4 Billion, President Granger has said that CARICOM’s food insecurity must be reversed if the Region is to survive.

The President made these comments at the opening ceremony of two farm-to-market roads in Parika, in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara region, and reiterated the

need for investment in these areas, which he referred to as “agriculture powerhouses,” to ensure the increase agricultural production.

“Our farmers can contribute to regional food security by increasing agricultural output… Guyana can play a meaningful role in becoming the rice bowl and vegetable basket [of the Caribbean]. We can play such a role through investment, through infrastructure, through information and through innovation,” the President said.

Of course, Guyana’s potential for tackling regional food insecurity also extends past the areas of crop production. It is here where the work of institutions such as the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) becomes apparent.

The GLDA’s mandate is to focus on the improvement of livestock production and ensure a healthy livestock population, so as to provide wholesome livestock products – both meat and dairy -countrywide and potentially for exportation.

The GLDA has placed professionals across the country and this group includes livestock officers, livestock extension agents, veterinary officers and other professionals, who are required to perform visits, support training and provide various forms of assistance to the farmers in those communities.

Moreover, Chief Executive Officer of the GLDA, Mr Nigel Cumberbatch, explained that the GLDA headquarters in Mon Repos is also involved in several large-scale programmes aimed at research and other aspects of livestock production. Among the programmes which they are most proud of is the Hatchery, which he boasted incubates in excess of 70,000 eggs weekly and hatches in excess of 15,000 chicks,also weekly.

The agency is also very proud of its work in the area of artificial insemination, having moved from importing semen straws to now using local products for breeding. One of the institution’s livestock officers, Ms Abiola Douglas, explained that the work conducted in artificial insemination aims at producing better genetic breeds of livestock in the country by processing, storing and utilising semen from locally bred livestock and inseminating the livestock of farmers so as to improve the quality of the breeds. “We have been successful in processing and inseminating and getting results for the past five months now. We are still in [the] learning process, but so far, we have seen about 70 percent positive results,” she said. It is hoped that in the future, Guyana could possibly move to even exporting products for Artificial Insemination purposes in other countries.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016 The Charolais Bull

Some of the cattle which can be found at the GLDA, East Coast Demerara.

Speaking on the potential of the farm itself, GLDA Farm Manager, Mr Winfield Washington, said that due to the work in artificial insemination, they have been able to produce livestock at a heavier weight within a shorter time, and have been using this as a grading system of their progress. “We look to increase the amount of meat in a shorter time and we look at that as a grade system, because in terms of food security, if one animal can produce meat for two in a shorter time then that is good, and that comes with our genetically improved breeds,” he said.

Also located at the headquarters is the newly established Veterinary Services

Laboratory. Acting Manager, Dr Dane Hartley, explained that within the two years of its establishment, most of the work has involved putting measures in place to make the facility fully operational, but added that currently they do provide several lab services and conduct other research-based projects.

“We have made quite a bit of progress. We have a serology department that is pretty much functional and now working to build a microbiology department fully functional, so that we can meet the needs of farmers, exporters and practising veterinarians. We are also pushing to have histopathology and pathology departments as well.

Building these departments is to lend support to what we have and to help vets to come up with solid diagnoses that can solve problems that farmers and animal holders on a whole may be facing,” Dr. Hartley said.

All of these projects combined is part of the mandate of the GLDA to tackle problems faced by livestock farmers and provide solutions that will ensure better work output for their farm products. Currently, the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region, which was once known for its cattle production, has seen significant decline in this area. During a recent visit to the Rupununi, Mr. Cumberbatch revealed that the farmers have provided

Sheep grazing in the pastures of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority on the East Coast of Demerara

several recommendations that they feel will aid in tackling the issue. Some of the recommendations farmers have made include the provision of a new abattoir to help them market their meat, the introduction of new and improved breeds of animals so, expansion of marketing opportunities by marketing their meat to Georgetown and Brazil.

As a result, the GLDA is also working closely with the farmers and has increased its staff complement in the region. “We are having discussions with the Inter-American Development Bank and we are looking to ensure that the slaughter facilities in the Rupununi are improved. We are also looking at establishing a model station, which will look to deal with both livestock and crops and we are looking at pastures and other management systems,” he said.

Other problems facing farmers countrywide include the challenge of finding adequate markets and the changing market prices. The GLDA, therefore, assists in helping to reduce the cost of production and in trying to ensure that genetic potential of the animal is exploited to its fullest and in order for them to do so. “We also

The ducklings known as the “Khunshan ducks” are also reared by the Guyana Livestock Development Authority at their location on the East Coast of Demerara.

ensure that the feed they produce for the animal is the right type as well and look to see that the management system is one that assists in reducing time it takes to get the animal to market in a shorter time so cost of production is lower and can sell at a price that is affordable to the consuming public,” he said.

There have also been issues regarding the lack of adequate pasture land and lack of adequate transportation, which can hinder production. On the matter of pastures, Mr Cumberbatch said that adequate land for grazing is a necessity that many farmers tend to overlook, but that the benefits of providing adequate pasture land to livestock far outweigh any disadvantages. With regard to transportation, noting that as a significant problem, the CEO said that the institution is working to improve the way they transport cattle and other livestock across the country as well.

With all this work and aim toward self-sufficiency, on the other hand, the question arises as to whether the

country is producing meat at a level that could also be exported. In this regard, Mr Cumberbatch said that there is some way to go before the country can begin to export meat and meat products. The reason for this, he said, lies in the issue of inadequate abattoir and slaughter facilities.

“Unless we can put in proper slaughter facilities it will be extremely difficult for us to export livestock products.

With poultry, we need to do a risk analysis and if we do that and find that our risk is not that great, then the possibility exists to export poultry products, but in terms of other meat, the need of a proper abattoir is critical,” he said.

But even as the GLDA tackles these problems, it is still certain that the livestock sector of Guyana is secure as the country’s livestock production is at a sustainable level, which sees little to no importation of products with the exception of processed meat and dairy. As time goes by, efforts will be made to create a vibrant dairy industry, thereby reducing the imports of these products altogether.

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Digicel National Schools Football Championships

Sir Leon’s crush Lodge Secondary 15-0 for South Zone title

By Stephan Sookram IT was utter demolition.

That was the only way to describe Sir Leon’s Lesson win yesterday against Lodge Secondary School as

the South Georgetown Zone of the tournament concluded at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ground.

Sir Leon’s Kiefer Brandt led the scoring with goals in the 33rd, 45th, 53rd, 61st, 85th and 87th while his nearest competitor and teammate David George scored four including the opening one in the 17th as well as the others in the 24th, 39th and 55th.

Sylvester Richardson scored a brace with in the 71st and 80th while Adrian Aaron (63rd) Jaleel Lancelot (65th) and Jaleel Evans

(78th) each contributed to the score-line.

At the half it was 5-0 and already a run-away train for Sir Leon’s who played more technically skilful football, utilising to full extent through balls and wing crosses into the box.

There was no shortage of distance-shots too as they came from as far as 25 yards out.

And just like goals, there was no shortage of cards shown as the referee had to brandish red twice, once for Isiah Peters and the second for Mark Reece.

Sarwan wins case...

From Backpage

sponse.

“Dr Hilaire still refused to let Mr Sarwan know what he meant by his words in his letter and, further, stated that ‘if I don’t change my attitude, my career would end’, and then he hung up the phone,” said Seenath Jairam the arbitrator, in his

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final judgement.

The ruling stated that Sarwan’s claim of having suffered “loss and damage” had been accepted and the batsman had been “denigrated” because the WICB was not transparent and had committed various branches of their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the player.

(Sportsmax.com)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016

North West Secondary upstage Hosororo Primary

By Ava Solomon

NORTH West Secondary School (NWSS) upstaged crowd-favourites Hosororo Primary in penalties to book a place against defending champions Christianburg Wismar Secondary as action in the Digicel Football Championship continued

at the Santa Rosa Community Centre ground in Moruca.

Backed by a large crowd at the Region One ground, Hosororo went ahead from a Damian Cedeno volley which slipped through the gloves of the NWSS goalkeeper early in the first half.

However, the secondary

school team pulled one back in the 22nd minute when Leonardo Emmanuel fired one in from the edge of the 18-yeard box.

From the outset the NWSS team retained most of the possession but their opponents were not to be underestimated as they coordinated their passes as the first half elapsed.

When play resumed in the second half, a lull in scoring opportunities brought more excitement to the boisterous crowd as the Hosororo Primary went ahead on a penalty kick 36 minutes into the second half. The infringement resulted from an infraction within the 18yard box.

With Hosororo now one goal ahead, the team seemed confident of pulling off a win but the NWSS boys were unfazed and some amount of confusion in front of the Hosororo goal saw Daniel Bazilio fire off his left boot past a hapless Hosororo goalie. The crowd was now silenced as the NWSS players attacked their opponents’ goal on several occasions; Hosororo goalkeeper was now working overtime.

When the referee called an end to regulation time in the 90th minute, the crowd went silent.

NWSS goalkeeper, who was substituted in the second half, pulled off two saves, and a few misses

and saves sent the Hosororo team packing as their opponents celebrated the win which eluded them for the past two years.

The win by NWSS will see the Region One champions take on the 2015 champions Christianburg/ Wismar Secondary on July 20 at the Mabaruma Settlement ground. The winner will move into the semi-final stage of the championships.

Moruca residents were upset at the change in venue, as the game on July20 was originally set for Santa Rosa. NWSS will now have home advantage against their Region 10 opponents when the two clash in four days time.

Russell faces anti-doping hearing next week WEST Indies all-rounder Andre Russell is set to face an independent anti-doping disciplinary panel on July 20 in Jamaica for a preliminary hearing over alleged whereabouts-clause violations, his lawyer Patrick Foster has said.

“The matter is set for hearing next week Wednesday at 10.00hrs,” Foster told Reuters. “The hearing will deal with preliminary matters, but evidence will begin on another date.”

In March this year, the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) said Russell had reportedly missed three dope tests in a 12-month period, which equated to a failed test under doping laws.

Athletes are required to make their whereabouts known to local anti-doping agencies to facilitate testing under the WADA code and face a ban of up to two years if found guilty of repeatedly missing them.

“We received notification of Russell’s violation about two weeks ago and I’ve appointed a panel to hear his case,” JADCO independent disciplinary panel chairman Kent Pantry had

Andre Russell is currently playing for Jamaica Tallawahs in the CPL. told Reuters around March 2.

Russell, 27, has been a leading player in the T20 format in recent times. He played a crucial role in West Indies winning the 2016 World T20 title in March and April, and is a key performer in domestic leagues around the world.

Russell was part of winning campaigns for Sydney Thunder in the 2015-16 Big Bash League and for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League in February. He is also part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad in the IPL and is currently playing for Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League. (ESPN Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016

Yasir Shah’s five-wicket haul puts Pakistan on top (REUTERS) - Yasir Shah’s five-wicket haul gave Pakistan the edge on the second day of the first Test against England, who suffered a middle-order collapse to close on 253-7, 86 runs shy of the tourists’ first-innings total yesterday.

After Pakistan were dismissed for 339 early in the day, having added 57 runs to their overnight total, England sailed to 118-1 after lunch at Lord’s.

Yasir, however, turned the momentum in Pakistan’s favour, ripping through England’s middle

Yasir Shah celebrates the wicket of Moeen Ali. order to claim his fifth five-wicket haul in 13 Tests.

It was also a good day for Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir, who was bowling for the first time in a Test since being banned for spot-fixing. He claimed the wicket of Alastair Cook for 81.

That prompted a clenched-fist celebration from Amir, who had served half of a six-month prison sentence and was banned for five years for deliberately bowling noballs against England at the same ground in 2010.

E a r l i e r, E n g l a n d all-rounder Chris Woakes notched his first five-wicket Test haul to restrict the vis-

itors to a moderate first-innings total.

Woakes, who ended the innings with figures of 6-70, struck twice in the same over to pick up the wickets of Sarfraz Ahmed and Wahab Riaz.

Stuart Broad then ended Misbah-ul-Haq’s superb innings on 114, with the Pakistan skipper having added just four to his overnight tally.

The England bowler then enticed Amir, who was greeted with a ripple of applause as he came out to bat, to edge the ball to Joe Root at slip on 12.

Froome extends Tour de France lead on subdued day

By Julien Pretot VALLON PONT-D’ARC, France - Chris Froome turned the screw on his Tour de France rivals when he took second place in yesterday’s windswept individual time trial behind Tom Dumoulin as the race continued under heightened security and in a low-key mood after the deadly Nice attack.

Organisers had debated whether the stage should be cancelled and officials observed a minute’s silence before the first rider went down the ramp. There was another minute of silence at the podium ceremony after the stage.

Dutchman Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) clocked 50 minutes 15 seconds, beating Froome by 1:03.

The Briton, however, extended his overall race lead to 1:47 over Dutchman Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo), who moved up to second but lost 51 seconds to the Team Sky rider.

Froome’s compatriot Adam Yates (Orica-Bike Exchange) dropped from second to third, 2:45 off the pace after battling strong head and crosswinds.

Colombian Nairo Quintana (Movistar) lost 2:04 on the day to Froome, to slip from third to fourth overall,

Chris Woakes is overjoyed after taking his fifth wicket.

The tourists drew blood soon after the changeover when England opener Alex Hales edged an impeccable outswinger from Rahat Ali to Azhar Ali at third slip in the second over.

Cook and Root took England past lunch and deep into the afternoon before the latter top-edged Yasir to Mohammad Hafeez for 48 to begin the collapse.

James Vince (16) and Gary Ballance (6) were then trapped lbw by Yasir before Amir, who had been treated to a few shouts of ‘no-ball’ from the crowd after his first delivery, tempted Cook to swipe at a wide delivery which he played on to his own stumps.

Jonny Bairstow (29) was bowled by Yasir, who then became the first leg-spinner since Mushtaq Ahmed in 1996 to take five wickets at Lord’s when he trapped Moeen Ali lbw for 23.

England will begin day three with Woakes unbeaten on 31 and Broad on 11.

SCOREBOARD PAKISTAN 1st innings (overnight 282-6) M. Hafeez c Bairstow b Woakes

40 S. Masood c Bairstow b Woakes

7 Az. Ali lbw b Ball

7 Y. Khan c Ali b Broad 33 Misbah-ul-Haq b Broad 114 A. Shafiq c Bairstow b Woakes

73 R. Ali b Woakes 0 S. Ahmed c Vince b Woakes 25 W. Riaz b Woakes 0 M. Amir c Root b Broad 12 Y. Shah not out 11 Extras: (b-4, lb-10, nb-1, w-2) 17 Total:(all out, 99.2 overs) 339 Fall of wickets: 1-38 S. Masood,2-51 M. Hafeez,3-77 Az. Ali,4-134 Y. Khan,5-282 A. Shafiq,6-282 R. Ali,7310 S. Ahmed,8-310 W. Riaz,9-316

Riders and officials of the Tour de France observe a minute of silence in memory of victims of Nice truck attack on Bastille. (Reuters/Juan Medina) 2:59 off the pace ahead of ing and learnt something I can do. I did a very good TT a gruelling final week in terrible had happened. It’s (time trial). I did a good time. the Alps. an extremely sad day. So it I cannot say anything about The 13th stage of the sig- was a stage with two sides,” the others. It was a very good nature event of the country’s said Dumoulin following his TT for me personally.” sporting summer began at second stage win of the Tour Frenchman Thibaut Pinot, 0905 London time, with its after he prevailed in a moun- who was third in the 2014 publicity caravan -- usually tain-top finish at Arcalis, Tour de France, but dropped playing loud music to ener- Andorra last Sunday. out of contention in the first gise the thousands lining the “There was a question mountain stage this year, route -- silenced for the day. this morning whether we abandoned the race yesterday A gunman at the wheel could start. And I think it because of illness. of a heavy truck ploughed was right to go on racing.

Froome lacked the juice into a crowd celebrating It’s horrific what happened to beat time trial specialist France’s national day in but we cannot let terrorists Dumoulin but showed no ill the southern city late on decide on how we should be effects of the crash he sufThursday, killing at least 84 living. fered in the finale to Thurspeople and injuring scores “Two hours before my day’s 12th stage, when he in what President Francois start it was decided to race retained the yellow jersey Hollande called a terrorist and I decided to do every- thanks to a jury decision act. thing I could to race well that cancelled the time he “I woke up this morn- because that’s the only thing had lost in the incident.

Misbah-ul-Haq,10-339 M. Amir Bowling: S. Broad 27.2-9-71-3 (w-1), J. Ball 19-5-51-1 (w-1), C. Woakes 24-7-70-6, S. Finn 21-2-86-0, M. Ali 7-0-46-0 (nb-1), J. Vince 1-0-1-0.

ENGLAND 1st innings A. Cook b Amir 81 A. Hales c Az. Ali b R. Ali 6 J. Root c Hafeez b Shah 48 J. Vince lbw b Shah 16 G. Ballance lbw b Shah 6 J. Bairstow Shah 29 M. Ali lbw b Shah 23 C. Woakes not out 31 S. Broad not out 11 Extras: (nb-2) 2 Total: (for 7 wickets, 71 overs) 253 Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-118, 3-139, 4-147, 5-173, 6-193, 7-232.

Bowling: M. Amir 18-2-65-1, R. Ali 14-1-68-1, W. Riaz 14-0-56-0 (nb-2), Y. Shah 25-5-64-5

England to play five Tests in India

ENGLAND will play a five-match Test series in India for the first time in more than 30 years as part of their 2016 tour.

The tourists will also play three one-day games and three Twenty20 matches.

Rajkot will make its Test venue debut when the series starts on 9 November, as will Vishakapatnam when it hosts the second match.

Mohali, Mumbai and Chennai are the other venues for England’s first five-Test series in India since 1984-85.

England in India 2016-17 9-13 November: 1st Test, Rajkot 17-21 November: 2nd Test, Vishakapatnam 26-30 November: 3rd Test, Mohali 8-12 December: 4th Test, Mumbai 16-20 December: 5th Test, Chennai 15 January: 1st ODI, Pune 19 January: 2nd ODI, Cuttack 22 January: 3rd ODI, Kolkata 26 January: 1st T20, Kanpur 29 January: 2nd T20, Nagpur 1 February: 3rd T20, Bangalore(BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016

Kohli, Rahul, Jadeja hit fifties on Day 2

KL Rahul, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja registered fine half-centuries while Ajinkya Rahane and Wriddhiman Saha also spent quality time in the middle as the Indian batsmen had a good workout on day two of the second warm-up game against West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President’s XI, at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts yesterday.

While Rahul reached his second fifty of the tour in the opening session, Kohli and Jadeja registered theirs in the subsequent sessions as India posted a total of 364.

The visitors, who took a healthy first-innings lead of 184 despite off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall’s five-wicket haul, dismissed skipper Leon Johnson in the final over of the day to continue their dominance.

WICB President’s XI were 26 for 1 in their second innings at stumps, still 158

… Rakheem Cornwall secures 5-wicket haul

Ravindra Jadeja continues his impressive performance in the match. runs away from making India bat again.

Jadeja, who was the pick of the Indian bowlers on day one with figures of 3 for 16 in 13 overs,

continued his impressive display, this time with the bat, as he registered a 52ball half-century to extend the lead.

Coming in at the fall of

Ajinkya Rahane’s wicket, with the scorecard reading 254 for 7, Jadeja dealt in a flurry of boundaries in a brisk 44 runstand with Wriddhiman Saha to take India’s lead past 100.

While Saha fell just before tea, Jadeja continued positively, taking India past 300 and stretching the lead past 150 during the course of a 47-run partnership with R. Ashwin.

With the second new ball failing to aid the home team’s quest to break a partnership that was blossoming, skipper Johnson turned to Cornwall again.

The offspinner did not disappoint as he sent back Jadeja for a 60-ball 56, when the batsman handed a return catch. Ashwin (26) and Mishra (10 not out) helped India past 350 before a direct hit by Gudakesh Motie found the former short of the crease as India finished 16 short

Rahkeem Cornwall bags 5 for 118. of a 200-run lead.

With eight overs available to go at the home team’s batsmen, India operated with Mohammed Shami and Ashwin at the start of President XI’s second innings. While Shami went past the outside edge a couple of times, Ashwin was a touch expensive,

being hit for a couple of fours

by Johnson.

However, he had the last laugh in his battle against the home team skipper as the left-hander got a leading edge to hand a catch back to the off-spinner on the last ball of the day.

(Cricbuzz)

T&T and Guyana battle for Windies Under-17s top honours

By Brij Parasnath in Trinidad and Tobago UNBEATEN Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana will do battle for overall leadership position in the West Indies Cricket Board Under-17s tournament.

Both teams remained undefeated after three rounds and the winner of their encounter today at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva will determine which team will strengthen their chances of lifting the regional youth title.

On Thursday, all third-

round matches were abandoned because of torrential downpour which left all the venues in a deplorable state and unfit for competitive cricket. Most of them looked like mudlark paradises.

Trinidad and Tobago registered convincing victories over defending champions Windward Islands and Jamaica while Guyana crushed Leeward Islands and Barbados in their first two rounds.

Playing at home, the Trinidad and Tobago team will start as favourites but will depend heavily on the

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday July 16, 2016) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Zouks & Patriots (2) Zouks Today’s Quiz: (1) Who top-scored for the Warriors in their first game in Hero CPL 2016?

(2) Who is the captain of the Barbados Tridents?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Bhaskar Yadram prolific Cephas Cooper and form-batsman Navin Bidaisee to lead the way with the bat.

Left-handed opener Bidaisee batted confidently and

topscored with 67 against Jamaica and received solid support from Leonardo Francis as they featured in the best opening partnership so far in the six-team tourney.

Bidaisee and Francis shared a 85-run first-wicket stand that laid the foundation for the eight-wicket victory over Jamaica at NCC while Cooper joined in the run-spree with his attractive strokeplay and was undefeated on 33 when the emphatic victory was sealed on Tuesday.

T&T captain Kirstan Kallicharran is yet to stamp his class on the tournament

and once he gets into groove he can also post big scores.

Brandon Singh and Nathaniel McDavid are also reliable batsmen who can contribute significantly with both bat and ball.

Guyana will be banking on their battery of spinners; including skipper Bhaskar Yadram, Kevin Sinclair, Kelvin Umroa, Ashmead Nedd and Alpheus Bookie; to restrict the Trinidadians as they did against Barbados who were bowled out for a miserly 59 runs.

But they will find that the Trinidadian batsmen are more adept to spin than their Bar-

badian counterparts and the encounter could prove to be a thrilling affair as they battle for supremacy.

Guyana captain Bhaskar Yadram as well as Sachin Singh, vice-captain Joshua Persaud and Steve Deonarain must produce with the bat to give their team a fighting chance to emerge victorious.

Meanwhile, Windwards will take on Jamaica at the Queen’s Park Oval while Barbados and Leeward Islands will clash at the Inshan Ali Park, Preysal.

All matches starts at 09:30hrs

GMRSC ready for day/night racing

PLANS for the inaugural day/night race meet of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) are on target with only a few fineries left to be put in place.

This is according to president of the GMR&SC, Mahendra Boodhoo, who spoke to Chronicle Sport yesterday.

“We are running a demo for the event on Friday evening to ensure that everything is ready for our day/night event. We are very excited by the prospect of this event for the future of racing here,” Boodhoo said.

He continued, “Competi-

GMR&SC president Mahendra Boodhoo tors are gearing themselves for the event which will be a fun-filled day/night theme.

Persons who are desirous can camp out as well; we have

areas set out for that.”

The event will double as round two of the local racing championship and will take place today.

Additionally, instead of the usual three races, there will be two races per class.

According to an earlier message, the change from the usual Sunday outing is to facilitate competitive practice before the second round of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) 2016 in Trinidad and Tobago just eight days after.

The other measure, tak-

en into consideration, was the fact that the vehicles that competed in the CMRC round one in Jamaica came back on July 14 with several of them expected to undergo repairs and upgrades ahead of round two.

The event will begin at 14:00hrs. However, scrutineering and checks will be done from 08:00hrs with time trials expected to commence two hours later Several of the country’s top riders and drivers are expected to be on show at the event.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 16, 2016

Jamaica Women beat Guyana by 43 runs

THE rain-hit preliminary rounds of the Regional Women’s Suerr 50 tournament concluded yesterday with Jamaica whipping hosts Guyana by 43 runs at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

Play in the other two matches between Windward Islands and Trinidad & Tobago at Enmore, and Barbados and Leeward Islands at Enterprise were abandoned without a ball

... Finalists yet to be decided being bowled.

After the preliminary rounds, Trinidad and Tobago topped the points standing with 13 points and have qualified for tomorrow’s final. However, the other finalists are yet to be decided after Guyana and Barbados tied on eleven points.

Chronicle Sport was told by match officials yesterday that the WICB statistician will need to calculate the net run rate in order to determine the other finalists, but up to press time last evening, no further details were made available.

Meanwhile, sent in to

bat after the game was reduced to 20 overs, Jamaica openers Jodian Morgan and Stafanie Taylor added 23 for the first wicket before they slipped to 23-3.

Morgan (17) was the first to be dismissed, off the bowling of Tremayne Smartt. Taylor followed immediately after, bowled

by Erva Giddings for five.

Soon after Shanel Daley was removed without scoring by Akaze Thompson, but player-of-the-match Chedean Nation then added two vital partnerships of 35 runs each, with Natasha McLean (10) and Rashada Williams (25).

Nation was eventually dismissed off the bowling of Giddings for a top-score of 35, inclusive of three boundaries, at 93-5. Tameka Sanford hit a six while Vanessa Watts made an unbeaten 15 which carried Jamaica to their challenging total.

Bowling for the hosts, Giddings finished with 3-23

while Thompson had 2-25 and Smartt finished with 1-25.

In reply, Guyana never came to grips with the Jamaican attack and struggled from the outset.

Shemaine Campbelle (18) Latoya Smith (16) and Thompson (11) were the only players to reach double figures as Guyana lost wickets on a regular basis and were eventually bowled out for 82 in 17.4 overs. Off-spinner Vanessa Watts was the beat bowler, claiming 3-22.

There were two wickets apiece for Nation, Taylor and Daley.

NAMILCO U-17 football league continues this weekend

Part of the action at Everest yesterday between Guyana and Jamaica

Jamaica beat Guyana 4-1 in U-17 football GUYANA’S national U-17 footballers were humbled 4-1 by Jamaica when the two sides met, yesterday, in the opening match of Group four in the CFU’s Preliminary group competition being played in St Thomas, USVI. The young Guyanese footballers held their own in the first half and went in at the break level at 1-1, thanks to a 31st minute equaliser by Canadian-born Roberto Case after the Jamaicans took the lead in the 16th minute of play.

The more organised and better prepared Jamaicans took full control of the sec-

Canadian-born

ond period as the Guyanese wilted physically and conceded three unanswered goals at the Lionel Roberts Stadium.

During the second period defender Cosmos De Santos had to leave the field and was taken to a hospital after a clash that injured his right knee. Reports are that all is well and DeSantos is expected to be in the starting lineup for the next engagement.

Guyana will be aiming to restore some pride in their next fixture against the home side tomorrow, before playing their final Group 4 match on Tuesday against Antigua and Barbuda.

Cosmos De Santos

TWO double-headers are scheduled for this weekend in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/NAMILCO U-17 nationwide League competition when games in the East Demerara FA zone of the tournament continue at the Golden Grove ground.

Today’s match-ups will see Buxton Stars against Ann’s Grove at 13:00hrs and will be followed by Buxton Youth Developers versus home team Golden Grove.

Tomorrow’s opening match set for 13:00hrs will feature Buxton United and Bachelor’s Adventure/Paradise, while BV/ Triumph United will tackle Victoria Kings in the final game.

Meanwhile, there will be no action in the Georgetown FA’s Zone of the NAMILCO U-17 this weekend since the Tucville ground is in an unplayable state.

Antigua and Barbuda end Guyana tournament

GUYANA’S female team suffered their third straight loss in the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) U-16 Championships on Thursday evening. The host team lost to Antigua and Barbuda by 32 points, score ending 62-30.

Guyana's defence forced 63 Antiguan turnovers but the local girls simply lacked the shooting touch to make a strong enough statement on the offensive end of the court.

However, Antigua pounded the Guyanese inside the paint with Britnay Gore dropping 25 points and 17 rebounds with Karel Knight adding 11 points for the visitors.

Jada Mohan once again fired, recording half of the team's total with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Mohan had a good shooting night from the free-throw line, hitting 11-19 shots but went 2-29 from the field.

The loss for Guyana means that the host nation have finished in the cellar position of the seven-team championship.

Jamaica Women beat Guyana by 43 runs (See Story on page 31)

Digicel National Schools Football Championships

Sir Leon’s crush Lodge Secondary 15-0 for South Zone title (See Story on page 27 )

One of the 15 goals scored during Sir Leon’s slaughter of Lodge Winners Sir Leon’s Lessons pose while their captain collects their Secondary in yesterday’s South Zone final of the Digicel National Schools trophy from Digicel representative Yancey Haywood Football Championship at the GDF ground. (Adrian Narine photos)

Sarwan wins case North West Secondary upstage Hosororo Primary against WICB

The victorious North West Secondary School team (See story on page 28)

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

FORMER West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan has won a claim against the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and is set to be awarded US$161 000.

The incident is rooted in a 2010 encounter between Sarwan and then chief executive officer of the WICB Ernest Hilaire. According to evidence presented in court Hilaire wrote a letter to Sarwan following the series against Australia, which questioned the players overall fitness and approach.

Sarwan had been injured in the first Test and had played the series with an injury.

“While this letter is not intended to highlight specific incidents, we hope that you take our concern as a statement of our desire for a

Ramnaresh Sarwan higher level of commitment and application from you as a contracted player and a member of the West Indies cricket team,” the document stated.

According to reports when the player called Hilaire to clarify the contents of the document he did not receive a valid reSee page 27 SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2016