Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 13 03 2017

NGO investing $400M in Berbice Page 12

No. 104851

MONDAY MARCH 13, 2017

Price: $80

Colourful explosion (VAT Inclusive)

– thousands of Guyanese celebrate Phagwah

see Pages 10 & 11

Guyanese from all walks of life celebrating Phagwah also known as the Festival of Colours on Sunday

Lawrence Explore bemoans informal crooked staff discussion Page 8

–– says fast-tracking of critical drugs was necessary

Page 5

–– Ramkarran urges Gov’t, Opposition in arriving at consensus candidate for GECOM chair

Cop detained Page 4

–– after shooting taxi driver while reportedly pursuing thieves

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 13, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 13, 2017

Equal opportunities for small miners … foreign nationals to benefit from syndicates, says Broomes

By Ariana Gordon

BRAZILIAN miners operating within the Puruni mining area, CuyuniMazaruni, Region Seven on Saturday called on Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes to provide opportunities for them to benefit from opportunities available to local miners.

Speaking at an informative session at the Puruni Landing on Saturday, Minister Broomes made it clear that the opportunities being made available for small-scale miners are not limited to local miners but also to foreign nationals who have the requisite documentation to work here.

She explained to those gathered that the APNU+AFC coalition Government has opened the doors for equal opportunities for all in the sector to operate.

“Syndicates make provision for all….

This is not only for local miners… you too as Brazilians, or Venezuelans or wherever you are from can benefit. Once you are part of a syndicate; you will be treated equally,” the minister said as she explained that small miners in the Puruni area have been struggling for a number of years to access lands to mine.

“Get yourselves into syndicates; through these syndicates you would be

in a position to get lands to work… you won’t have to raid, or be the subject of landlordism,” she added, while noting that often time foreign nationals, more specifically Brazilians are exploited, something she believes must come to an end.

“Join the syndicate; being a member of the syndicate is a safe way to prevent exploitation… all must be treated equally; I am not here to hurt you, I don’t like the exploitation,” the minister, who is a former miner told the Brazilians gathered as she listened to their many complaints.

According to the Brazilians, some of whom have been living and working in Guyana for a number of years, they applied to the Ministry of Public Security, Department of Citizenship for work permits and all other documentation relevant for them to work here, but often time, the documentation is not provided though monies would have been paid.

One very vocal Brazilian national who spoke through a translator explained to the minister that they have been constantly going to the Department of Citizenship to apply for their work permit. The miner said they fulfil all requirements and pay for the document but never receive same.

“We go, we pay but we never get it… we get receipts from them but no permit is given to us. We don’t want to work here

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes makes a point on Saturday to miners at the Puruni landing, Region Seven illegally, we want to follow the laws but they are giving us a hard time,” said the Brazilian national who was supported by other Brazilian miners.

One Brazilian woman told Minister Broomes that she has been living in Guyana for more than 15 years and has observed the difficulty other Brazilians experience when they come to Guyana to work in the mining industry.

“Me come long… but them can’t get permit even though they apply and pay,” the woman said unaided by a translator.

JOIN SYNDICATE “Please help us, Minister,” the woman begged as Minister Broomes advised the group of Brazilians operating in the area to join the syndicate.

“Join the syndicate, report these matters to the syndicate who will bring it to Georgetown and I will communicate with the Minister of Citizenship to see what the issue is,” she assured. The Brazilians agreed and were offered to be on the executive of the syndicate, a position they intend to take up.

Meanwhile, miners continue to cry out against what they deem to be injustices meted out to them as they are currently unable to mine in the area as large-scale miners seem to occupy most

Miners gathered at a meeting on syndicates hosted by the Puruni Mining Syndicate on Saturday (Photos by Kawise Wishart)

See page 7

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Cop detained

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 13, 2017

-- after shooting taxi driver while reportedly pursuing thieves A RANK of the Guyana Police Force is currently under close arrest after shooting a 46-year-old taxi driver, while allegedly pursuing two thieves in the vicinity of Sussex Street, Georgetown on Sunday.

The injured man has been identified as Kenneth Hoyte, a taxi-driver of Tucville, Georgetown. He received two gunshot wounds to his left hand and left knee.

In a statement issued hours after the incident, the Police Force said it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting of Hoyte, which occurred about 09:00hrs on Sunday at Sussex Street, Charlestown, by one of its members.

During the initial stage of the investigation, the rank alleged that he was driving a motorcar south on Saffon Street, Charlestown, with his driving side window glass down, in slow moving traffic, when he was pounced upon by two males, one on a pedal cycle and the other on foot.

He also alleged that the cyclist placed a gun at him and his accomplice snatched his “gold chain with a gold band” before escaping.

The subordinate officer reportedly exited his vehicle and

pursued the suspects.

According to the rank, it was while chasing after the suspects that they discharged several rounds in his direction, causing him to respond with his licensed firearm.

According to the police, it was then discovered that Hoyte, who was in vicinity of the alleged pursuit, received two gunshot wounds to his left hand and left knee. The taxi driver was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) by the said subordinate officer where he was admitted in stable condition.

“The scene was visited by a senior detective during which it was ascertained that a female passerby found the gold chain, purported to belong to the subordinate officer and handed over same to the police,” the Police Force statement said.

Additionally, it was disclosed that nine spent shells were recovered at the scene.

“As a result of the circumstances, including that the victim who was shot, has indicated to the detectives an incidental narrative of [the] event, which conflicts with that of the subordinate officer; [the officer] has since been detained and his firearm lodged, pending the investigation,” the Force said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 13, 2017

Explore informal discussion

-- Ramkarran urges Gov’t, Opposition to arrive at consensus candidate for GECOM chair CITING the responsibility of the country’s leaders to rise above their differences and agree on a Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), public commentator Ralph Ramkarran believes the powers that be can “informally” discuss the possible names for the post outside of their constitutional mandate.

Writing on his weekly blog, ConversationTree.gy, Ramkarran said that while the formula for selecting a chair is constitutionally enshrined and that must be formally adhered to, he said that the prerequisite does not exclude the leaders from informally suggesting names, one of which can be placed on the list of nominees.

“However, the sense is that informal discourse outside constitutional obligations is not indulged in,” he noted.

According to the Former Speaker of the National Assembly, if the situation arises in which the President seeks to appoint a Judge, a former Judge or a person qualified to be a judge, Guyana’s entire future as a democratic polity, with accompanying challenges, will be in jeopardy.

He added that the unwritten rule that fundamental changes to electoral practices since 1992 should not be undertaken without broad consensus, must not be allowed to fall apart. This is notwithstanding the letter of the law.

He said that the country has a long history of struggle for electoral democracy and the nation has seen firsthand, the devastating impact of manipulated elections on a country’s development and the psyche of a people.

He said it will take several generations in the future for the “suspicions and accusations” over elections to disappear, something he added the country can do without.

Since 1990, he said that

there were many reforms, which in his opinion brought free and fair elections to the country. He said that the two most fundamental reforms which were agreed to by the relevant stakeholders were chair of the Elections Commission, as well as the counting of the votes at the place of poll.

In addition, he noted that several other laws, regulations and practices supplemented the two main reforms, noting that these were agreed to between the two main political parties and these are included in the Constitution or in the Representation of the People Act. NO DIFFICULTY He said from 1992 there was no difficulty in agreeing to naming a GECOM Chair.

He noted however, that the request in 1990 by Former US President Jimmy Carter from then Opposition Leader, the Late Cheddi Jagan for six acceptable names to take to President Hoyte brought forth Ambassador Rudy Collins as the first Chair.

He said Collins selection went unopposed by both the Opposition Leader and President and it became the constitutional formula. “It has never failed and four subsequent Chairs were agreed to

under the formula”.

Ramkarran made reference to the move by President David Granger’s rejection of the list submitted

by Opposition Leader. In January, the President made it clear that the six nominees of the Opposition Leader are not qualified based on the constitutional requirements.

Following a request from the President and consultations with stakeholders, Jagdeo complied and submitted controversial Indian rights activist, Rhyaan Shah, a two-time elections candidate for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Professor James Rose, Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Consultant, Lawrence Latchmansingh; business executive, Ramesh Dookhoo; former chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Major General (rtd) Norman Mc Lean; and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram. The Head of State stressed that Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana states that the chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Common-

Former House Speaker, Ralph Ramkarran

wealth, or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court, or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge, or any other fit and proper person, to be appointed by the President.

According to Ramkarran, the initial explanation by President Granger, which according to him “seemed to suggest that only a judge, a former judge or a person qualified to be a judge was qualified to be appointed” was wrong.

The Opposition appeared to have decided early on that the PPP/C will pursue the issue via the legal route and challenge the President’s interpretation of the constitutional provision on the appointment of a new chair.

QUALITIES OF NOMINEES

Following a meeting last Wednesday, it was reported that President Granger was expected to write the Opposition Leader within a week, outlining the qualities he expects in a nominee for the vacant post at GECOM. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, following the second round of meeting between the President and Jagdeo at State House, noted that the President will write

a letter to the Opposition Leader to further guide his selection process, following which Jagdeo is expected to submit his new list.

Minister Harmon also said that while a date for the next engagement with the Opposition Leader has not been fixed, there is not going to be much delay in concluding the appointment of the new Chair of GECOM.

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Editorial

Jagdeo’s Babu Jaan address LAST Sunday the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) held a memorial event at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, to mark the 20th death anniversary of the party’s Founder Leader, Dr. Cheddie Jagan. Events to honour the deceased and someone of Dr. Jagan’s stature would usually see speakers revisiting their contributions to society, the things they stood for, and probably how such would relate to present time.

When the party’s leader, General Secretary, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, took to the podium he made known that speaking to Dr. Jagan’s legacy was not his intent, since it’s his belief the deceased achievements were too many and he would not spend time referring to them. What was off-putting, apart from side-lining Dr. Jagan, who the event was hosted in memory of, was the coded language of race appeal.

Mr. Jagdeo in speaking to what is happening in sugar, though none should fault him having interest, dealt with the industry and company’s future in a manner unbecoming of the seriousness they deserve. Where he feels that A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government is moving to destroy sugar-where a significant amount comprises the PPP/C’s support base- he did not see it worthy to remind the audience of the role he played, which has contributed to sugar’s current state.

During Mr. Jagdeo’s presidency the sugar industry was not only allowed to slide, but the nation’s largest investment in any state company was made in the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). The Skeldon Sugar factory,which he touted would have been the saviour for sugar, cost taxpayers more than US$200M. This factory never functioned based on expectation, as more money was thrown behind it to do modifications.

Skeldon is not only a white elephant but it remains an albatross around the neck of every Guyanese.

It is unfortunate that during his presidency,and as sugar continued to decline,he never brought its problems to the National Assembly to have them debated and decisions made.

Sugar workers, supporters of the PPP/C and every Guyanese should be concerned about whether his language of indignation at Babu Jaan was that of sincerity or seeing the political expediency to be had at Dr. Jagan’s expense.

If Mr. Jadgeo is concerned about the viability of the industry as Leader of the Opposition,he should have had the PPP/C appeared before the 2015 Commission of Inquiry into GuySuCo and submit its ideas, including recommendations.

The Sub-Committee established to look into sugar invited the participation of the PPP/C,but the party again failed to submit a proposal to improve GuySuCo’s performance. Condemning efforts by the APNU+AFC government in dealing with sugar-and this is not to say that these are perfect--when failing as Leader of Opposition and PPP/C to propose alternative, the blame for the state of sugar deservedly lies with Mr. Jagdeo.

Asking citizens to stand up and resist, where the constitution allows for freedom of expression, including dissent, should be respected. At the same time society will not forget that this very right Mr. Jagdeo reminds citizens of, he himself showed great intolerance for same while he was president. This society is littered with stories of agony of those who dare to stand up and resist during his government. A water-cannon, considered a most repressive form of crowd control tool, was purchased to dowse those that dare to stand up and resist.

The state of the economy may be in decline, and this is not under dispute;the Minister of Finance has admitted it, even

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 13, 2017

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

though belatedly. But interest in Guyana would see recommendations being made to halt the slide, not seeking to revel in it and degrade any effort at economic opportunities. To derisively see any encouragement or effort to produce local products as deprivation is not only politically naïve but counterproductive to any effort at self-reliance and economic advancement.

Guyana Food Import Bill is astronomically high, which puts pressure on our foreign exchange reserve and also take citizens out of the productive sector. Guyanese should feel proud of producing value-added from our primary agriculture products. Those who produce plantain chips, etc. should have the support and encouragement of all to produce for domestic and foreign consumption. Doing this will not only save foreign exchange, but also bring more.

The growth and development of Guyana require the input of all. The Leader of the Opposition is being paid to also propose ideas to build Guyana and create the opportunities for all to work in peace and harmony. It is therefore not unreasonable to encourage him to take heed of these expectations of him.

President a creature of the Constitution, not opposite way around Dear Editor,

PRESIDENTIAL immunity has to do with the protection of judgement that comes with the discharge of duty on behalf of the State, not ascribing to oneself the property of the State.

The “Immunities of the President” as outlined in Article 182 of the Guyana Constitution could never have been intended to grant President the power, privilege, or authority to violate the Rule of the Law, when in taking the Oath of Office that person has sworn to uphold the Constitution.

The Oath of Office reads:- “I ………, do hereby solemnly declare that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the People of Guyana, that I will fully execute the office of ……. without fear or favour, affection or illwill and that in the execution of the functions of that office I will honour, uphold and preserve

the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.”

In Title 4 of the Constitution, which deals with “The President”, Article 180 allows for “Removal of President for violation of [the] Constitution or gross misconduct.”

If the constitution allows immunity for the President to do as he or she feels then it makes an ass of Article 180 that checks the President’s conduct by the people, through the National Assembly, in exercising their responsibility to remove him or her.

Further, Article 9, which deals with sovereignty expressly says, “Sovereignty belongs to the people, who exercise it through their representatives and the democratic organs established by or under the Constitution.”

What this article is telling us, is that the people, as a whole, are supreme to any action taken by any elected official.

Elected officials serve as representatives of the people and not supreme leaders of the people.

An article in the Constitution that is often taken for granted, but very essential to our existence is Article 146, which deals with the “Protection of freedom of expression”. This article comes under Title 1 which speaks to the “Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual.”

Article 146 not only protects the right to share and receive ideas, information and knowledge, but in doing so it allows us to check elected officials, including the President. Behind this backdrop one can appreciate why the media, as an institution, is considered vital to democracy.

Because it is through the media, as a mass institution, we participate in the process of sharing ideas, information and knowledge

as to the activities within the countries and the people involved in these and are affected by these.

The Sparendaam ‘Pradoville 2’ issue has to do with State land perceived to have been acquired through shady circumstances and former President Bharrat Jagdeo is at the centre of this arrangement. The issue before us, as it relates to immunity is that the former President is a direct beneficiary to a process he authorised. The President appoints the ministers and they function on his behalf and he is therefore ultimately responsible for their conduct. The buck stops at the President.

This country has laws that specifically outline how lands are to be acquired and state properties are to be disposed of. Where the president has taken an Oath of Office to obey the constitution he is subject to laws and is duty-bound to obey them.

This society continues to be done a disservice from the lack of constitutional knowledge and the propaganda that it is a bad Constitution, which continues to create tolerant-space for people to blame this instrument when others violate it, or when others seek to use it to cover their dastardly conduct.

This notion that the enshrining of immunity to a President is a Forbes Burnham thing is wrong. Immunity clause is standard for Heads of Government and is written into a Constitution and some countries apply it as a matter of convention.

The absence of knowledge of the Constitution goes to the heart of law enforcement in this country, for when Jagdeo advised the State Organised Crime Unit that he will not answer any question pertaining to the investigation of Pradoville 2, when he himself is a beneficiary, law enforcement

should have been able to accordingly advise him rather than remaining mum and allowed him to flout his responsibility.

Immunity is intended to protect the president as he uses his judgement in matters of state in the discharge of his day-to-day duty on behalf of the people. But this duty is circumscribed and checked by the Constitution and the laws that flow therefrom. If immunity meant the President can run wild and do as he pleases then Article 9, 146 and 180 would be meaningless.

The President is a creature of the Constitution, not the Constitution a creature of the President. This means the office holder does not operate above this supreme instrument, but operates within the confines of it.

Yours sincerely, Lincoln Lewis

Equal opportunities ...

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 13, 2017

From page 3

of the lands.

Some complain that they are currently indebted and in most cases do not have food to sustain their camps.

“It hard minister, it really hard. Right now, I owe a lot of people and when I come out (out of mining camp), I does have to walk back track so that the people I owe don’t see me. They will think I hiding and don’t want to pay them, but I don’t have any money,” said a female miner.

Another miner named Nicholas Bailey told Guyana Chronicle that he has a similar struggle.

“Thing never so bad yet; it really tight in here. My workers have no food, no water, nothing. I come out here to see if I can get somethings for them to at least eat. A whole week since I ain’t working, I move out from Tiger Creek and I left and I go inside small Mara Mara and the warden them come and tell me I can’t work because my dredge ain’t register for the year. I ain’t get no money to register the dredge,” Bailey said as he explained that he needs

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes listens to the plight of Brazilian nationals (left) on Saturday during a miners’ meeting held at the Puruni, Region Seven only $6000 to register the dredge but is finding it difficult to source the money.

LEVEL PLAYING FIELD Other miners called for there to be a level playing field and for the establishment of health and police outposts in the community.

Meanwhile Minister Broomes made it clear

that syndicates will function as a cooperative and though they are not the only ways to which miners can receive lands, it is a way in which miners can work together to achieve a common goal.

“You are allowed to identify an area for yourself, make an application for land… we are opening up lands for you now.

Once the areas chosen are available, you have the

Undertaking at Homestretch Avenue Dear Editor, THERE is a very disturbing tendency that has been developed by some drivers (particularly minibus drivers), who use Homestretch Avenue, and it is that of undertaking, while passing other vehicles.

Not only is this practice of undertaking illegal, it is also very dangerous. This illegal practice has been happening for quite some time, and it seems as if nothing is being done by law enforcement to stop this illegal and most dangerous activity.

The number of near misses one can see while driving along Homestretch Avenue is quite alarming and appalling. That there have not been more acci-

dents on that road must be the manifestation of divine intervention.

I have seen and experienced minibuses racing up the inside of the lane, abusing the road shoulders, blaring their horns for drivers to give way for them to pass.

Many times unsuspecting law-abiding drivers are so startled by the sudden cacophony of horns that they instinctively pull away, into the path of oncoming traffic.

Luckily and again perhaps, divine intervention, accidents do not occur.

Any driver taking a vehicle up the road shoulder with horns blaring while forcing its way through an undertaking maneuver is really asking the law-abiding citizen driving in his or her

lane to move over to provide clear passage. But where is the law-abiding driver expected to go? Homestretch Avenue has one lane heading east and the other west.

Our drivers must learn lane discipline.

It is long past the time for the Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force to put effective measures in place to stop this illegal and dangerous practice of undertaking on Homestretch Avenue. Errant drivers must be charged and made to endure harsh penalties. This illegal practice of undertaking along Homestretch Avenue must stop immediately!

Yours faithfully, Richard Francois

opportunity. When the land is given, it is for all members of the syndicate equally; you have nothing to lose,” Broomes told the miners of Puruni and neighbouring communities.

Addressing the views of those who believe syndicates cannot work, Minister Broomes said in the past syndicates did not operate in the same fashion.

“This is something that is new, it is your own and you can make the best of it,” she said as she warned that trafficking-in-persons (TIP), labour trafficking, exploitation and abuse will not be tolerated.

“Syndicate representation is wide across the country; it is a win-win situation but it must be done orderly… syndicates can ease the problems and I would not encourage the

Wild West situation,” the minister charged.

At the end of the meeting, approximately 115 miners signed up to be part of the Puruni Mining Syndicate. Asked to comment on the reaction by the miners, Minister Broomes told Guyana Chronicle that she is impressed by the support shown for the initiative.

“It is beyond my imagination, the response I have seen as I travel to the different communities,” she said as she explained that a meeting is being arranged for representatives of all syndicates to meet with the ministers of natural resources in the coming weeks.

“They (miners) are doing everything for themselves and are enthusiastic… I am happy from Government’s standpoint that we did not take the situation the miners faced for granted and we examined other initiatives to ensure miners can benefit from lands,” Minister Broomes added.

She noted too that Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman is also pleased that the miners are happy with the initiative.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 13, 2017

Lawrence bemoans crooked staff –– says fast-tracking of critical drugs was necessary

By Svetlana Marshall THE Ministry of Public Health’s decision to fast track the procurement of critical drugs was necessary to safeguard the health of the nation, Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence has said.

In an effort to minimise the negative effects the shortages of critical drugs were having on the health sector, the Public Health Ministry sought the approval of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) for ANSA McAl to supply drugs and pharmaceuticals to the tune of some $605M. The Trinidadian conglomerate was among four companies, including New GPC, Health 2000 and ChirosynDiscovery from which these emergency supplies were procured.

“My priority is to ensure the nation’s health is given top priority. The health system will not be held hostage by unprincipled persons and therefore I made the decision to shortlist the critical but unavailable items and the suppliers with the ability to provide them on time to avert deepening the drug demand difficulties,” Minister Lawrence said in a statement on Saturday.

It was explained that other companies were not a part of this process, due to ongoing investigations into their late or non-delivery of

critical drugs during 2016, to procure for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

“Some of these pharmaceuticals were overdue by as much as six (6) months, which exacerbated the drugs shortage at the hospital.

These are the same suppliers, who before May 2015, when all the pharmaceuticals for the nation was sole sourced from New GPC for billions of dollars, were given the opportunity under the Granger administration to become suppliers of pharmaceuticals to the Public Healthcare sector,” the Public Health Ministry pointed out.

It was noted that ANSA McAL is one of only two companies in Guyana that is able to provide the coldchain storage necessary to maintain the integrity of a wide range of critical pharmaceuticals.

“ANSA McAL not only airfreighted the drugs (this helped spike the cost to import the items) for the public health sector, but also donated four refrigerators to GPHC to store the emergency supplies at the internationally acceptable temperature of 20 to 80 C,” the Ministry said.

It added that no other company in the history of the institution has provided cold storage facilities at the hospital, although one of them was the sole supplier of pharmaceuticals to the

institution for over 20 years.

“All pharmaceuticals for the entire nation were solesourced from that company for billions of taxpayers’ dollars. During that period, GPHC used icepacks to store these sensitive drugs at the facility, because the main refrigerator was in poor condition and unable to maintain the correct temperature for these drugs endangering their efficacy, potency and integrity.”

It is alleged that moles involved in GPHC procurement system have been leaking information to the media with the aim of discrediting officials of the institution and often-times it is misinformation.

FAST-TRACKED But the Ministry is maintaining that the tender process was never breached.

The route to procure the emergency supplies was simply fast-tracked – a process which the National Procurement and Tender Board Act makes provision for.

The Public Health Minister had also said that a conspiracy among drug suppliers and ministry staff was responsible for the crisis in the sector.

When she moved from Social Protection to Public Health, Minister Lawrence said she was “greeted with the news of a shortage of drugs in the system” and immediately held talks with

Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence Material Management Unit (MMU) staff of the Ministry of Public health. Visits were made to several regional hospitals and the GPHC with the aim of correcting the problem.

Three months after taking up the post, Minister Lawrence said she is “still uncovering a combination of skullduggery, collusion, delinquency, deliberate breaching of established sector protocol by public health staff, manipulation of the of system by importers with the support of employees and fabrication of records, including evidence of bogus receipts.”

CROOKEDNESS So pervasive is the practice that “we have had to call in the police to deal with staff who are selling drugs to private pharma-

cies,” Lawrence disclosed.

According to her, the current drug shortage was a ploy manufactured by some unprincipled importers and crooked Public Health staff to enrich themselves.

“Without a shadow of doubt this shortage is manmade and created to cheat the country of medical supplies and cash… but I am not for sale,” Minister Lawrence said.

It was pointed out that some suppliers wait until the contractual delivery date is near and then indicate their inability to supply the items for which they have had been paid. Others, she said, supplied a few of the items then refuse to supply the remainder, blaming unexpected changes in the global market prices.

“This has created the supply gaps, creating acute shortage, especially in the outlying regions,” Lawrence said.

The Ministry said that while these companies are short-changing the Public Health Sector, the very items are available on the local market at very steep prices from the same suppliers and their pharmaceutical clients. As a result, private health institutions nationwide are forced to buy the now high-priced items in limited quantities to help meet the needs of their patients.

Based on the ongoing

investigation, the Ministry said it is clear that the Public Health system needs urgent and massive overhaul.

The engineered shortage meant that drugs, which should have been in the Public Health System since 2016 to cater for demands in the first quarter of this year are not there, and this has far reaching implications for the tender process for drugs, Minister Lawrence said.

She is bracing for a fierce fight from suppliers and stiff staff opposition because they now feel threatened by the new course being chartered for the Public Health System.

“The fresh wind of change has brought open tender, a proper procurement policy which includes computerisation of information, storage of critical drugs under internationally acceptable conditions and the placement of pharmacists in wards of the GPHC,” the Ministry said.

In addition, the Pan American Health Organisation and World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) are throwing their support behind local efforts to help develop a proper and accountable public health system.

PAHO/WHO is helping to shape policy directions in the areas of procurement, distribution, storage and managing consumption levels of pharmaceuticals at the GPHC.

GWI warns against tampering of fire hydrants THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is calling on residents to desist from tampering with fire hydrants and its water distribution network.

The call was made on Sunday after residents of Agricola, East Bank Demerara reportedly opened the fire hydrant in the area at around 09:00hrs, resulting in the wastage of

water.

GWI Regional Manager (Georgetown), Curtis Niles told Guyana Chronicle that around 09:00hrs on Sunday, he received a call from the Guyana Fire Service informing him that a hydrant at Agricola was turned on by residents.

It was explained by the Fire Service, that a similar incident had occurred last

year, and the firemen had difficulties in turning it off, hence, a decision, this time around, was taken to call GWI. Upon learning of the issue, Niles sent his crew to the area, along with ranks of the Guyana Police Force, to close the fire hydrant.

“The police was there to make it easy, howev-

er, they were still unable to get the fire hydrant closed,” Niles noted.

According to reports, residents in the area, who were barring the GWI crew from closing the hydrant, were playing with the water.

“We ultimately took off the well to take control of the situation because this went on for hours,”

the regional manager disclosed.

The well was switched off around 12:00hrs, thereby affecting the entire community. At the time of the interview, Niles was unable to say when the well was switched back on.

It was made clear that only GWI and the Guyana Fire Service has the

authority to activate fire hydrants.

In an advisory, GWI said tampering with water hydrants and its water distribution network can result in “long hours of downtime and inconvenience to other residents.”

GWI also said that charges of tampering can be laid against persons who fail to adhere.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 13, 2017

Father your sons

BEING the Father of a son is a significant role because boys need their Fathers’ for security and knowledge. There are three stages of boyhood and during the first stage baby boys can get by, even if they only have their mothers in their lives. During the second stage (6 – 14) however, boys tend to gravitate towards and rely upon their fathers (or male relatives) to teach them how to be men. They need to ‘download the software’ (preferably) from their fathers to complete their development. But fathers how reliable and responsible are you? And how much do you know about the developing boy? See how well you do in our quiz?

1) a) b) c)

For fathers to assist in their son’s development they have to be aware of: What their son needs and when it is needed Which video games their sons’ like to play How many friends their sons’ have at any given time

2) a) b) c)

Boys see their mothers’ as their first example of: Discipline, boundaries and strength Love, intimacy and affection Health, beauty and serenity

3) The best start for a boy child is for him to: a) Live with his father from birth to adolescence b) Be left with various family members during infancy c) Have both parents involved in his upbringing from birth to adolescence 4) Around the age of 14 boy children tend to: a) Cling closer to their fathers b) Start growing away from their parents c) Stop growing taller and put on weight 5) a) b) c)

7) a) b) c)

The reason girls sometimes seem way ahead of boys is because: Girls’ brains are wired differently from boys Girls are always better than boys Girls eat more food than boys

8) Regardless of what stage boys are at, in comparison to girls, boy always a) Surpass expectation without intervention b) Lag behind because they need encouragement c) Catch up eventually somewhere along the line 9) In matters of conflict Fathers should always be able to: a) Teach their sons ways to solve disputes through reasoning b) Teach their sons how to get the better of their opponent c) Teach their sons the art of being ‘wrong and strong’ 10) At the age of 14 a boy’s testosterone (male hormone) level increases by 800% this can make him a) Tired and listless on occasions b) More academically inclined and studious c) Argumentative, moody and restless 11) Before boys enter adolescence, father’s need to: a) Buy grown up clothes for them to look smart b) Teach them the Highway Code so they can learn to drive c) Channel their energy into something productive and meaningful 12) A father should nurture his son up until adolescence to produce: a) A pal that he can turn to in his time of need b) Good memories that will nourish their relationship for decades to come c) A person who can help clean the yard

It’s a proven fact that parents: Always treat boys better than girls Treat boys more harshly than girls Always treat boys and girls equally

6) Fathers can help develop their son’s speech, language and communication skills by: a) Taking them to day care while they are at work b) Talking loudly to their partners in front of them c) Reading stories to them from very young

A father who recognises his role and nurtures his son accordingly, despite the odds, can rest assured that he has done his duty. A level-headed, rounded young man should emerge in the future.

Answers: 1) a 2) b 3) c 4) b 5) b 6) c 7) a 8) c 9) a 10) c 11) c 12) b If you need advice on your fathering skills or would like to speak to a CPA officer call the Childcare and Protection Agency on 227 4082 or write to us at: childcaregy@ gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

Surrender old grievances – Dr Norton urges in Phagwah message

MINISTER of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton said Guyanese must surrender old grievances and march steadily with a united front. He made this call in his message in observance of the Festival of Holi, commonly called Phagwah.

“We must let this good-natured celebration set the tone for the surrendering of old grievances, as we continue to march steadily with a united front. Let it allow us to have a greater appreciation of our relationships with family, friends, workmates and other persons in our lives,” Minister Norton said.

The celebration of Phagwah, which was brought to Guyana by the Indian indentured immigrants, more particularly the Hindus in the

early 1838, comes at a time when the country is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Abolition of Indian Indentureship.

“There is, no doubt, heightened appreciation among members of the Indian community for their culture and the contributions of their foreparents. It is without a doubt that this group has made significant contributions to our dear land both in the form of culture and the shaping of our economy,” the Social Cohesion Minister said.

On Sunday, Guyanese throughout the length and breadth of Guyana celebrated the Hindu religious Festival of ‘Holi’ – a celebration of the triumph of good over evil. It is ushered in with the burning of Holika.

This Spring Festival is a joyful celebration that provides the opportunity for persons to rid themselves of past errors and to mend broken relationships. The observance of this festival is not only important to the Hindu community, but has grown into an important celebration for all Guyanese.

In celebration, Hindus and non-Hindus alike unite as one to indulge in the traditional colouring of each other with dry powder and coloured water. This forms a part of the unique fabric of the Guyanese society.

“Phagwah can be considered as an occasion, which sees the manifestation of the unity of our people and this is certainly worth celebrating. It is important that we as a people preserve every aspect of

our culture and use it to bring us closer together,” Minister Norton posited.

Last Friday, the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture Youth and Sport hosted its annual observance of Phagwah. Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, during the event, which was held at the Ministry’s Main Street office, said Guyana is one of few countries blessed with many cultures.

“May it bring joy, peace, health and wealth to you; may the festivities brighten your lives and those near and dear to you,” Minister Henry said, while extending Phagwah greetings to all Guyanese.

She expressed the hope that Guyanese can appreciate and enjoy each other’s

culture, in keeping with the country’s motto, “One People, One Nation, and One Destiny”.

President David Granger and Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo also extended Phagwah greetings to Guyanese.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo had also pointed out that this year’s celebration coincides with the observance of the 100th anniversary of the Abolition of Indian Indentureship.

“The ending of that system of exploitation of cheap labour, is indeed a triumph of good over evil. We are forever indebted to our Indian ancestors for preserving, against great odds, their religion, their rituals and their festivities, such as Phagwah, and Diwali, Mother Kali Puja

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton and Yesu Kathas, Eid-ul-Adha, Youman Nabi, as well as other Christian ceremonies,” the prime minister said.

He noted that although Guyanese are faced with multiple challenges, they must work together to overcome them, and to realise the common hope of the good life for all.

Colourful explosion

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 13, 2017

-- thousands of Guyanese celebrate Phagwah PRESIDENT David Granger said Phagwah has become a fundamental part of Guyanese heritage as he joined hundreds in celebrating the Festival of Colours on Sunday.

Speaking at the celebrations hosted by the Indian High Commission,at the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) in Bel Air, Georgetown, the President said that Holi (or Phagwah) that was traditionally practised by the Indentured Immigrants brought from India to work on the plantations of then British Guiana,but it is now being celebrated by all Guyanese.

He noted that this year’s celebrations are even more joyful,since 2017 commemorates the centenary anniversary of the abolition of Indian indenturship.

The President,being very adept at Guyanese history said, “Holi has been a source of solidarity and sustenance, during and beyond the period of indentured immigration…

Holi has reinforced the link with the motherland and re-established cultural connections...so Holi is here to stay,”

President Granger told the gathering.

The Head of State added: “Holi is an opportunity for the renewal of human relations--an occasion for persons to set aside differences. It is time to forget and to forgive wrongs; to frolic, so let’s have fun!”

Also giving brief remarks at the ICC was the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam, who enlightened the gathering that in India (where the festival originated), Holi has several significances. He explained that Holi signifies the everlasting triumph of "good over evil", love and the beginning of spring.It also celebrates the importance of agriculture.

The programme featured a number of cultural presentations. Also in attendance were Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo, former President Donald Ramotar, former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds,Ministers of Government, Members of Parliament

Coloured powder decorates that air at the Guyana National Stadium

This family celebrates Holi at the Stadium

and Members of the Diplomatic Corps.

Meanwhile, at the Guyana National Stadium,Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), thousands of Guyanese came out as the Inspire Inc. held its fifth Phagwah Festival.

While Phagwah was celebrated in many different ways throughout the day, the greatest spectacle was perhaps when thousands of hands decorated the atmosphere with all screaming “Holi Hai” in unison.

Chief Executive Officer of Inspire Inc, Dr. Yog Mahadeo said the aim of the show is to unite all Guyanese despite their ethnic, religious or political differences.

Holding steadfast to this aim, the thousands of Guyanese feted to Indian cultural pieces such as chowtal singing, classical and contemporary Indian dances and renditions of popular songs as well as catchy soca songs.

All of the show’s entertainers were locals, and in the spirit of the holiday;just as patrons were allowed free entrance, the entertainers performed for free. The lineup of entertainers included chutney sensation, Amir Khan and GTT’s Jingle and Song competition winner, Calvin Burnett,along with many other singers, dance troupes and Hindu religious groups.

Youths making the most of phagwah in Bel Air, Georgetown

Early morning Phagwah celebrations at Albouystown

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 13, 2017

An Indian cultural dance being performed at the ICC President David Granger and former Attorney General Anil Nandlall share a light moment at the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC)

Afro-Guyanese celebrating Phagwah at the Stadium

A vendor inside the stadium enjoying the cultural programme

A little girl enjoying herself at the ICC A group of friends enjoying themselves at the Guyana National Stadium

Turn to page 16

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 13, 2017

NGO investing $400M in Berbice –– including the establishment of a new community this year

By Nafeeza Yahya THE Saint Francis Community Developers (SFCD), one of the better internationally recognised Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Guyana will be executing over $400,000,000 in projects this year.

The announcement was made by SFCD President, Alex Foster at the NGO’s headquarters in Portuguese Quarters, East Berbice Corentyne last week.

According to Foster, the availability of this enormous amount of funding was made possible through collaboration with numerous agencies and organisations.

As a result, a total of 21 projects received the greenlight that will see a wide cross-section of mostly Berbicians benefiting from numerous new services and facilities, in addition to those already offered by the organisation.

The charitable organisation currently offers empowerment opportunities in life and skills training activity, educational empowerment, career development, job preparation, micro credit, collaboration and represen-

Saint Francis Community Developers President, Alex Foster shows US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Terry Gonzalez, a photographic exhibition of his work tation with several social service providers and the development of community projects, while supporting small business developments.

According to Foster, his NGO has been partnering with Food for the Poor (FFTP) for the past 25 years, pointing out that through FFTP Project Department; they were able to distribute 302 combination desk and chairs thus far this year.

In addition, some 125 writing desks, 125 cupboards and 80 bookshelves were distributed to various schools and organisations, including

the Felix Austin Training College, the GuySuCo Training Centre, the New Amsterdam Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force and the Corriverton Amerindian Student Hostel.

The hostel was fully furnished by the FFTP and SFCD to ensure approximately 45 new students from the interior are comfortable for the next five years as they receive their education on the Corentyne Coast.

In addition, three houses were handed over to three families from Rose Hall Town, Williamsburg and

Port Mourant as part of the FFTP housing project that aids needy families in building and furnishing a house for them.

NEW COMMUNITY Among the major projects this year is the establishment of a 50-family community/village where needy families will be taken from various communities in Region Six and placed in a controlled environment, with the necessary facilities for their moral, social and economic upliftment.

Foster noted that the NGO

is already in discussion with the Lands and Surveys Department to identify a suitable area to establish the community.

“Working in collaboration with the commissioner of Lands and Survey, Mr Trevor Benn and his team, St. Francis is trying to secure houselots for 50 houses, an agriculture plot will also be a part of the area so that Food for the Poor can continue to do its magic by setting up kitchen gardens, green houses and shade houses, also a recreational space for recreational activities, since these 50 families will be uprooted from different communities in the region to form a new community and FFTP and St Francis believe they should be able to enjoy recreational activities and a community centre.”

Foster noted that instead of simply building a house and leaving the occupants to fend for themselves, SFCD and FFTP will work to empower the families by identifying their needs and putting systems in place to allow them to meet those needs, instead simply giving them handouts.

In this regard, he called on

those present to help identify needy families and make contact with SFCD so that they can assess the conditions and offer assistance.

He cautioned that while everyone would want to have a house built for them, the idea is to help those who are in extreme circumstances, first.

The SFCD 10-acre compound will also see some major infrastructural works being undertaken, much to the benefit of residents near and far.

Chief among the works is the establishment of the first multi-million dollar tilapia nursery in Region Six that has the capacity to produce 10,000 fingerlings every eight weeks.

This project is being undertaken by SFCD in collaboration with the Agriculture Ministry, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, FFTP and Oldendorf Carriers.

The collaborative effort will see facilities setup at Limlair Village, New Amsterdam and the SFCD headquarters respectively.

According to Foster, the ponds have already been See page 17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 13, 2017

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Trotman hails ‘dy GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 13, 2017

–– at recent commemoration o

By Shauna Jemmott

SHE battled for the empowerment of women, literally risked her life and family fighting to save victims of Trafficking-in-Persons (TIP) and in the process has won the admiration of many near and afar.

With the recent commemoration of the United Nations International Women’s Day, Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman has hailed his ministerial partner Simona Broomes, saying the Ministry is grateful for having “one of the most dynamic women in Guyana as a minister within our Ministry”.

The relentless efforts of Minister Broomes have placed her in hearts countrywide as one of the most admired women in public life.

Junior Natural Resources Minister, Simona Broomes Minister Trotman, in an interview with Guyana Chronicle

at State House Friday, credited her work again, this time calling her a “livewire” within his Ministry with a passion for people’s rights.

“I was actually saying to my staff on Wednesday that we need to celebrate the fact that we have one of the more dynamic women in Guyana as a minister within our Ministry.

She has been a livewire and we celebrate her work,” he told Guyana Chronicle.

Minister Broomes, who is known as a tough woman, even in Parent Teachers Association (PTA) meetings at her children’s schools, shot to public recognition when she formed the Guyana Women Miners’ Organisation just over five years ago, fighting for the respect of women and girls in the mining industry.

She was recognised by

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ynamic’ Broomes GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 13, 2017

of International Women’s Day former U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, as a hero against TIP in Guyana.

In her efforts to bring down the scourge of human trafficking, she kicked down doors, cried bitterly and rescued girls as young as nineyears-old from death or further damage in the cruel hinterland sex trade.

After resigning from GWMO, she was appointed Minister of Labour, where she was nothing less than her compassionate self, fighting for justice of the workforce and putting systems in place to ensure a fair and just system.

She has, however, been transferred to the Ministry of Natural Resources, a kind of ‘back-to-home’ move by President David Granger, in a familiar atmosphere as junior minister.

“And she’s been going out even now organising at the grassroots level miners who have been denied -- men and women -- to give them a chance to partake in the pat-

Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman rimony. And so we laud her work, we celebrate her. We celebrate Minister Broomes’ work and we give her our full support,” a proud Minister Trotman said.

Additionally, his Ministry celebrates the obvious

recognition that women have become more prevalent in the mining industry, and have become the backbone of the industry.

Minister Trotman recognised the changing roles of women in mining, but said the new leadership and membership of the GWMO is strong.

“We celebrate women in mining, women in forestry. I’ve met the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) headed by a strong woman and a strong membership.

I’ve met women who are mechanics, women who are engineers at Guyana Goldfields, who operate heavy-duty equipment, so in our sector, women are the backbone of our mining sector (and) in forestry.

They are not just cooking in kitchens, but they are operating heavy-duty equipment, they are down in the pit mining for gold themselves and tending to children and cooking, in addition.”

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Colourful...

From Page 11

SPLOOSH! Celebrations at the Guyana National Stadium

Station Street, Kitty flooded with people

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 13, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 13, 2017

NGO investing $400M ...

From page 12

dug and the first batch of 10,000 fingerlings to stock the ponds should be ready within eight weeks, since the feed has already arrived.

SFCD has also approached the prisons, GuySuCo Training Centre and the Felix Austin Training Centre to establish tilapia ponds to complement their agricultural programmes.

FURNITURE WORKSHOP SFCD has also received funding from a donor to commence construction of a two- story building in their compound that will house a furniture training workshop on the ground floor and a processing facility on the upper flat.

According to Foster, the equipment for furniture the workshop has already been sourced and is awaiting the completion of the building to be installed. This furniture workshop is meant to provide training and ultimately employment for students who will be taught the art of honing their joinery skills to produce international quality furniture.

Foster noted that President Granger on a visit had promised to purchase furniture to stock Government offices if he can produce them to international standards.

In speaking of the processing facility, he stated that this facility is meant to complement the various farms, greenhouses and shade houses that the NGO has established for the less fortunate across the region.

“In the next two months’ time, we will start construction of a two-storied building.

That two-story building will be housed on the upper flat as a preservation centre. That will ensure that the surplus produce coming from our farms across the region will be able process so there will

be no wastage. So St Francis therefore by October of 2017, will have the ability to produce ketchup, dry seasoning, pickles, pepper, casreep, cassava bread, baby feed and anything else that we can produce because of the things we are producing at the farm.”

The SFCD, in collaboration with the Government through the Social Protection Ministry, was able to successfully complete 10 shade houses in various communities in Region Six. It is expected that within six weeks, families will be reaping the benefits from all 10 shade houses as their produces are expected to be ready for harvesting.

Foster was high in praise for the Government since this is the first time it has worked on a project with Government.

In addition, SFCD will construct a career centre at its headquarters. The building will have three sections. One section will house the Inland Fishing /Greenhouse/shade house developmental centre, which will serve as a resource centre, in collaboration with the Agriculture Ministry.

The second section will house an IT centre that will put to use 26 computers that were donated by Metro Office and Computer supplies.

The third section will house and host the organisation’s marching band and musical instruments, which is being utilised to teach music.

Foster stated that the creation of a resource centre will complement the service offered.

“St Francis will be creating a resource centre so residents within this region and further afield can benefit. We can share our resources and expertise so that we can be able to offer all collaborating partners and all the other regions technical support from a professional environment. This will aid in practical demonstration

and practical teachings, knowing that most of target group, the at-risk population, is not educationally inclined or their educational background is not what we would like it to be.

So we believe that practical teaching will be the foundation of our transfer of knowledge.

Also, also we will be able to document our successes – the methodology involved so that we can successfully aid in replication.”

To further enhance its services, SFCD will upgrade its economic venture centre located at the second building in Chandisingh School Street. This upgrade will see the re-opening of their stationery shop, copying centre and create a place where they can market the finished products coming from the Skills Training Centre.

NEW CHAPTERS This year, SFCD will also be launching two new chapters in honour of their 31st anniversary -- The St Francis Consultancy Service and St. Francis International.

“St Francis will be officially launching, in honour of our 31st anniversary, [the] St Francis Consultancy Services and Community Development, as we will become specialised in offering our services to Guyana, Caribbean and further afield in community development, utilising 30 years’ experience after winning five international awards and all the necessary recognition that we can have here locally. It is time we cash in and make our track record a source of income to generate funds to support our grassroots developmental activities. This is to ensure that we maintain our status since the year 2000. I am proud to say that St Francis is the only organisation in

Corrections GUYANA Chronicle in its Sunday, March 12, 2017 edition, in a story headlined “March demands end to violence,” incorrectly referred to social activist Karen De Souza as the late Karen De Souza.

This publication apologises to Ms De Souza and regrets any inconvenience this error may have caused.

In addition, in the said article, the word “enjoyed” was incorrectly attributed to Attorney-at-Law Nadia Sagar. What Sagar actually said was, “I endured the male gaze from colleagues and clients, sexual innuendoes, and lasciviousness were common place in the spaces that I worked…”

This publication regrets the error, and apologises to Sagar.

this country which can fully self-sustain. Donor funds go to the beneficiaries.”

The NGO in its 31st year is planning to have a seven-member team visit three states in the United States to launch the Saint Francis International.

According to Foster, the visit was initially planned for last year; however, it was rescheduled to this year and will see

the executives of SFCD visit Miami, Atlanta, New York, New Jersey and West Virginia to officially launch their international chapter which was registered two years ago. This international launch will further propel SFCD to a level of their own which would resonate well with their donors.

Other project slated for 2017 includes the expansion

of SFCD Japanese Hall, USAIDS (Protrack) youth empowerment project in agriculture, USAIDS (YESS Project) youth empowerment and the launch of the first early childhood development training centre in Guyana.

SFCD was established in 1986 and is among the most decorated and recognised NGOs in Guyana and the Caribbean.

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Vendor shot in heated argument

AN 18-YEAR-OLD vendor of North East La Penitence, Georgetown,was shot late Saturday night during a heated argument with an “identifiable” male.

The Guyana Police Force, in a statement on Sunday, said it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged shooting of Leon Blake.

The incident reportedly

occurred around 22:25hrs at the Number 41 Bus Park, Croal Street, Georgetown.

“Enquiries disclosed that the victim and the suspect had an exchange of words inside of a minibus whilst they were passengers.

The victim was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where he was treated and admitted in a stable condition.

The suspect has not yet been apprehended.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 13, 2017

ARIES Although you know better, it’s nearly impossible to keep your mouth shut today. You’re likely to take an assertive approach once blabbermouth Mercury bursts into your fiery sign.

You may not even realize what you said until it’s already out in the open -- you need to be extremely mindful to control your tongue. It’s not your problem if others can’t handle the truth, but you can adapt your delivery to prevent your words from leaving burn marks.

Kindness is an underrated commodity.

TAURUS You want to start the week out on the right foot to avoid a case of the Monday Blues.

Following a schedule to a tee sounds like a perfect idea but allows no room for surprises.

Oddly enough, you may be the one to foil your own plan when you suddenly decide to veer off course. While you certainly possess the conviction to reach your goals, being open to feedback from your employer or coworkers is a must if you want the day to go smoothly.

Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.

GEMINI You can barely keep your opinions to yourself today and you can’t wait to find a friendly ear. Your sociable disposition may win you an audience, but it could be hard to convince them to stay and listen. You’re coming across more aggressively than you think now that your key planet Mercury is in brash Aries. While this celestial update sets your mind on fire, it also makes your words more flammable. Cool your jets before someone does it for you.

CANCER You’re thinking at the speed of light and you’re ready to make a move into the next phase of your professional life. You’re imbued with a new courage when swift Mercury flies into gutsy Aries, getting straight to work in your 10th House of Career. Your head swirls with bold ideas about all the things you could accomplish, but now isn’t the best time to blurt out your desire for a promotion or a raise to your boss. Let your mind run wild in the creative realms for a while today; a healthy distraction stops you from speaking too soon.

Ben Franklin wrote, “It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation and only one bad one to lose it.”

LEO It’s as if the lights are suddenly turned on in your brain and you can see just how many empty shelves there are to fill. However, it seems like you can’t gather information fast enough as studious Mercury rushes into your 9th House of Higher Learning. Just remember that not everyone is as interested in your new passion as you are now. Resist the temptation to push your ideas on others until you assimilate all the incoming data and can find a more receptive audience. Charles Morgan wrote, “As knowledge increases, wonder deepens.”

VIRGO You can take a conciliatory approach to relationships, but your restlessness makes attempts at kind gestures feel irritating and shallow. You prefer to keep your real thoughts quiet today because they lure you into strange places in your mind. Mercury the Messenger journeys into your 8th House of Transformation, reacquainting you with parts of yourself you don’t usually see. Although disorienting at first, getting back in touch with your core values makes you even stronger in the long run. True authenticity matters more than unattainable perfection.

LIBRA Your lethargy melts away once the pace picks up today; an irritating start is nothing more than a speed bump. Everything changes once verbal Mercury calls the shots in your 7th House of Others. You’re more vocally assertive than you would be otherwise, but this celestial shift also allows you to think more like your partner or rival. This boost of mental juice can motivate you to talk out differences with someone at best, or pick fights for the sake of it at worst. Sometimes you must speak your truth, but honesty without tact is a beginner’s mistake. Daniele Vare wrote, “Diplomacy is the art of letting someone have your way.”

SCORPIO You’re considering disconnecting the doorbell and turning off your phone so nothing can disturb you today. Someone is likely to sneak in through the back door, but it won’t take long for you to promptly show them out. You have better things to do when rational Mercury moves into your 6th House of Logistics, motivating you to craft a cunning strategy for success. You’re not interested in collaboration; you want this plan to be all yours. However, beware of mental exhaustion if you attempt to burn the candle at both ends; Reserve some of your drive for the execution phase later on.

Monday , March 13th , 2017 - 05:00 hrs Tuesday, March 14th , 2017 - 05:00 hrs Wednesday, March 15th , 2017 - 05:00 hrs

SAGITTARIUS There’s plenty of work to do but you’re far more interested in searching for entertainment today. You may shove obligations to the back burner to chase pleasure now that the Moon is in lovely Libra. Additionally, your mischievous side is awakened when trickster Mercury skips into your 5th House of Fun and Games. While you’re sure to enjoy this newfound mental friskiness, your listening skills may get left behind in the amusement. Remarks you find hilarious might offend or hurt other people, so take care not to start fires due to carelessness. Practice the Golden Rule; don’t let your laughter come at someone else’s expense.

CAPRICORN No one but you notices that something is on your mind because you’re carrying on as efficiently as usual. But underneath the pleasantries, a much different story is playing out today.

Your poker face hides the fact that you wish you were spending time on a side project, but as the day continues it’s harder to keep up the act. You can’t wait to be back in your own space where you focus more on your agenda instead of balancing other people’s needs.

Maintaining professional boundaries prevents drama from getting in the way of satisfaction.

AQUARIUS It’s as if the cobwebs in your head are being swept clean, blasting open your neural pathways and creating space for anything you like. Sudden inspirations make you want to take action immediately, no matter whose toes might be stepped on. It’s not that you want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but you care more about the potential of your ideas than tiptoeing around alternate opinions. Besides, you’re convinced that anyone who listens closely enough will figure out you’re in the right. Nevertheless, it’s not worth provoking a verbal sparring match just to prove your point. Conflict cannot occur without your participation.

PISCES Contrary to what you may think, the charitable choice is not always the best one. Trying to divvy up your resources equally may sound like a good theory, but true harmony is achieved by balancing your funds and your energy separately. It’s time to step into the centre of your financial universe when mercantile Mercury strides into ambitious Aries, emphasizing your 2nd House of Money. It’s sensible, not selfish, to take care of your own business before helping others today. Confucius wrote, “When prosperity comes, do not use all of it.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 13, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 13, 2017

Ramos header puts Real Madrid back on top SERGIO Ramos headed a late winner as Real Madrid recovered from a howler by keeper Keylor Navas to beat 10-man Real Betis to go top of La Liga.

Navas escaped a red card for fouling Darko Brasanac, then spilled Antonio Sanabria’s shot into his own net.

made a habit of scoring vital goals for Zinedine Zidane’s side this season - most notably a last-minute equaliser against Barcelona and a late winner against Deportivo, both in December.

T h e c e n t r e - b a c k ’s power from set-pieces proved vital as Real did

Sergio Ramos has scored 10 goals this season, including a point-saver against Barcelona at the Nou Camp in December Cristiano Ronaldo headed Madrid level from a Marcelo cross before half-time.

Betis defender Matteo Piccinini was sent off for dragging back Lucas Vazquez with 12 minutes left, before Ramos powered in a Toni Kroos corner.

Morata cannot Bale out Madrid - but Ramos can Captain Ramos has

South Africa Racing Tips Flamingo Park 08:20 hrs Dodgy Itie 08:50 hrs Caribbean Bay 09:20 hrs Ahead Of Traffic 09:50 hrs Lady Duchess 10:20 hrs Roy’s Dispren English Racing Tips Stratford 10:10 hrs Zeehan 11:15 hrs Midnight Maestro 11:50 hrs Dr Robin 12:20 hrs Olofi 12:50 hrs Out Of Style Chepstow 10:20 hrs Point In Shoot 10:50 hrs Fraser Canyon 11:25 hrs Ckalco Des Loges 12:00 hrs What’s Up Rory

not quite click in attack without the suspended Gareth Bale, and with Karim Benzema named among the substitutes.

Alvaro Morata, given a chance from the start, was unable to make an impact and was replaced by Benzema with 20 minutes left.

Ronaldo provided his usual threat, heading a fine equaliser and seeing another goal ruled out for offside.

12:30 hrs The Caller 13:00 hrs Thedrinky Meister 13:30 hrs Warthog Plumpton 10:30 hrs Clonusker 11:40 hrs Oscar Jane 12:10 hrs Funny Oyster 12:40 hrs Finish The Story 13:10 hrs Thundering Home American Racing Tips Philadelphia Park Race 1 Text Me Race 2 Pura Vida Zen Race 3 Lake Marion Race 4 Silverscreenactres Race 5 Belly Dancer Race 6 Riverwalk Weekend Race 7 White Rock Lake Race 8 Moe Trouble Race 9 Is She Hot

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 13, 2017

Can seals comeback win to maintain Liverpool’s top four push (REUTERS)-Liverpool kept their push for a topfour finish in the Premier League on course as Emre Can thundered home a second-half winner to complete a hard-earned 2-1 comeback win over Burnley at a relieved Anfield on Sunday.

Juergen Klopp’s side were again out of sorts but he was pleased with the way they won “ugly” to earn their first back-to-back league wins this year and keep up the pressure on the league’s leading trio.

While nowhere near their scintillating best, typifying the Merseysiders’

uneven form of 2017, Liverpool displayed real character to strike back after going behind to an Ashley Barnes goal after seven minutes.

With the league’s worst travellers Burnley dreaming of their first away win of the season, the out-ofsorts Reds were grateful to equalise just before halftime through their first shot on target from Georginio Wijnaldum.

Liverpool looked short of ideas before German international Can produced what Klopp called a “wonderful” goal from seemingly nowhere just after the hour mark, bending his low

25-metre strike into the bottom corner past a despairing Tom Heaton.

The victory gives Liverpool 55 points, a point behind second-placed Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City in third and 11 adrift of leaders Chelsea.

The top three all have a game in hand over the Reds, who now lead fifth-placed Arsenal by five points albeit having played two games more than Arsene Wenger’s side.

UGLY WIN “The result is massive for us -- it’s the first ugly

game we have won,” a delighted Klopp told Sky Sports. “It was intense and we had to fight.

“It is clear we have to do a few things better.

We were not at our absolute best but we fought.

I liked it. It is this kind of game we haven’t won until now.”

Liverpool followed a handsome home win over Arsenal with a dismal firsthalf display that left Anfield strangely quiet, especially when Barnes stretched to finish superbly with the outside of his right foot from Matt Lowton’s defence-slic-

Afghanistan whitewash Ireland in T20 series IRELAND suffered a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of Afghanistan in the Twenty20 series between the sides in India after losing by 28 runs in India on Sunday.

Afghanistan set a mammoth total of 233-8 off their 20 overs, Mohammad Nabi scoring 89 and Mohammad Shahzad 72.

Kevin O’Brien was the pick of the Irish bowling attack with figures of 4-45.

Ireland battled to a creditable 205 all out off 19.2 overs in reply, Gary Wilson hitting 59 and Paul Stirling 49, while Rashid Khan took 3-28.

Ireland won the toss and chose to put their opBy Richard Martin BARCELONA, (Reuters)-Barcelona were in danger of being toppled from the top of La Liga standings on Sunday after they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at lowly Deportivo La Coruna.

Four days after their heroic 6-1 Champions League win over Paris St Germain, Luis Enrique’s men could end the weekend knocked off their lofty perch if second-placed Real Madrid, who trail Barca by a point, beat Real Betis in Sunday’s late kickoff.

Former Real Madrid youth trainee Joselu gave Deportivo a deserved lead in the 40th minute after an error from Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen although Luis Su-

The Afghanistan players celebrate their T20 series whitewash over Ireland in the 3rd T20I, Greater Noida, India. arez restored parity in the 46th with a powerful drilled effort.

Deportivo defender Alex Bergantinos headed Deportivo back in front in the 74th minute and Barca, who were without Neymar through a thigh injury and clearly missed the Brazilian’s creative impetus, failed to react.

Suarez was denied a second equaliser by a brilliant save from Deportivo goalkeeper German Lux and suffered a first defeat in 20 league games since they were beaten 4-3 at Celta Vigo, also in Galicia, on Oct. 2.

Barca top of the standings with 60 points. Real also have an extra game in hand on Barca.

Depor went into the game one place above the relegation zone but are on

from Emre Can,” Klopp ing through ball.

Liverpool levelled with enthused.

Still, Liverpool had to their first shot on target during first-half stoppage hold on a mite nervously time, a coolly converted towards the finish as the volley from Wijnaldum af- home crowd feared that, as ter the ball sat up for him as has become a bit of a habit, Burnley’s rearguard failed they might slip up against a to deal with a cross from side they were expected to beat comfortably. the left.

Burnley never gave up, Klopp brought off Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp and James Milner celebrate after the game Reuters / Phil Noble Livepic playmaker Philippe Coutinho just before Can delivered his piece of inspiration when given room to shoot from distance.

“We had some moments... it was a wonderful goal

seeking to earn only their third point away from home all season, and manager Sean Dyche looked agonised when Lowton blazed a late chance over the bar.

ponents, who had already secured the series victory, in to bat in Greater Noida.

The Afghans scored at a stunning run rate of 11.65 per over, but an opening partnership of 65 off 26 balls between Stirling and Stuart Thompson got Ireland’s response off to a promising start.

Thompson smashed five sixes as he made 43 off just 18 balls.

Despite a fine half-century by Wilson, the Irish wickets fell steadily thereafter however, Amir Hamza and Karim Janat providing support to Rashid Khan by taking two wickets apiece.

“It was a fantastic game of cricket to have both teams score over 200, so credit to the

ground staff and to how the teams played,” said Ireland captain William Porterfield.

“It’s been a deserved series win for Afghanistan but there hasn’t been that much between the teams really, just five balls either way in the games.

“You cut down a few boundaries and you score a few more. You have to give it to them though as they’ve come hard at us and won the matches.

“You know in these games it’s going to come down to the last over or so. I was pleased with the way we kept coming and kept fighting to the end,” added the Irish skipper.

The sides will play five ODIs and an Intercontinental Cup game at the same venue. (BBC Sport)

Barca stunned by defeat at Deportivo

Deportivo’s Alex Bergantinos (R) celebrates after scoring second goal. REUTERS/Miguel Vidal the rise under new coach Gaizka Garitano last month.

Pepe Mel, who has now takThe Galicians were far en eight points in four games from intimidated by Barsince succeeding the sacked ca’s recent run of scoring

17 goals in their previous three outings, and did not allow the champions to settle. Joselu fired a venomous shot at goal in the first real attempt for either side, forcing an outstanding save from Ter Stegen to force a corner.

The German let himself down a minute later, though, letting the ball slip out of his hands from a tame shot and Joselu gobbled it up to score from close range.

Barca made the ideal start to the second half as Suarez instinctively drilled a loose ball under Lux to pull level, but they could not faze the home side, who soon set about restoring their lead.

Alejandro Arribas rattled the post with a header and Deportivo were wrongly given a corner, which they took full advantage of as Bergantinos outmuscled Jordi Alba to head home.

“We let them get into the game for too long in the first half and this is what football is like, when you give a team an advantage they always punish you,” Suarez told reporters.

“The PSG result did not cost us today, we’ve had enough days to recover. Deportivo are fighting relegation and we knew it was going to be difficult here but we’re not going to give up the fight for La Liga.”

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 13, 2017

GKC joins Police ‘A’ Division to show - weekly Karate classes for Karate benefits Sophia holding centre

Commander Cliffton Hicken and Sensei Frank Woon-a-tai shake hands during yesterday’s exhibition. (Adrian Narine Photo)

By Stephan Sookram KARATE has long been touted as a major factor in personal development and residents of several communities were treated to an exhibition of such when the Guyana Karate College teamed up with the Police ‘A’ Division on Saturday.

‘A’ division Command-

er, Assistant Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken,partnered with GKC head,Sensei Frank Won-ATai to hold the session for residents of several ’A’ division communities to help people understand what the sport is about.

Sensei Woon-A-Tai, who is also the founder of the International Karate Diagaku (IKD) based in

Canada, contended that karate has come a long way in developing and is not just a sport, but rather a lifestyle.

“We are here because we believe the Guyana Karate College can help the young people at risk or not at risk, find direction in life; keep them off drugs,off the streets and to help to break the cycle of crime and violence.”

Sensei Jeffrey Wong leads some of the residents through a few workout sessions.

According to Commander Hicken, “We see this as a benefit to the society at large and we want to ensure that we create an atmosphere that they keep on board with us so we can develop as a collective.”

“Community development is based on what the community needs and we’ve been doing that through the community leaders,” He

added, saying, “this by itself created interest for the community leaders and parents of the children and we can see it from the stands. Just a simple exercise we had today [yesterday] and the stands are filled.”

The commander added that the idea came about after a meeting with Sensei Woon-A-tai during which two objectives were

achieved.

“We’ve managed to coordinate and join Epic [Enhance Potential Inspire Change] to ensure that the Juveniles holding centre at Sophia will now be doing Karate classes weekly under the auspices of the GKC.” The club is under the guidance of senior instructor Sensei Jeffrey Wong.

Remembering Sir Frank

By Roger Seepersad SIR Everton Weekes, the last surviving member of Test cricket’s famous “The Three Ws” received a standing ovation from hundreds of fans at a packed Central Bank Auditorium in Port of Spain on Friday night as he walked on stage to receive the Sir Frank Worrell Noble Spirit Award as the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Committee marked the 50th anniversary of the passing of the legendary West Indies captain.

Weekes, 92, formed part of the West Indies Test trio which also included fellow Bajans Sir Frank Worrell and Sir Clyde Walcott and played 48 Tests between 1948 and 1958 scoring 4,455 runs at an average of 58.61 with 15 centuries.

He became the sixth person to receive the Noble Spirit Award. The first was Trinidadian Richard De Souza who was posthumously honoured in 2007. He was followed by Jamaican Franz ‘Gerry’ Alexander (posthumously), T&T’s Andy Ganteaume in 2011, and Barbadians Reverend Sir Wesley Hall and Tony Cozier in 2014.

Weekes cracked a few jokes as he received the award and then he shared with the audience a couple of stories about his time with Worrell, who died at age 42 on March 13, 1967 of leukaemia.

“Back in 1950 the West Indies touring team went to Cardiff and a few of us were invited to dinner by some West Indians,” Weekes related.

“We did not play cricket on Sundays in those days and Saturday night was the best night to be entertained. Prior Jones, Lance Pierre, Frank Worrell and myself were invited to dinner and drinks and after, Frank thought he should say a few words as a vote of thanks.

“I don’t know if many of you know that he stammered a bit. In his remarks he said something like ‘at the beginsment’ and he went on to thank them. On the way back Lance Pierre mustered up enough courage and asked him what is ‘beginsment’. So Frank said when you stammer it tells you that you are ahead of the average person. Your brain is working sharply and twice as fast of the av-

erage person. Then Lance Pierre said apparently your brain only works fast after a few drinks. And Frank said with that observation the story is ended...it might get out of hand.”

“You might not have known too that he was a right handed batsman and a right handed bowler,” Weekes added.

“At age 11 he fell and hurt his right shoulder and of course he was hospitalised and after hospital he had to wear the sling but he never stopped playing cricket. He could not bat but he would bowl with his left hand and it went on for about six months and when he recovered he continued to bowl left handed and bat right handed. So he was not born ambidextrous.”

He continued: “So many nice things were said and I don’t think I could add a lot to what was said before, however I should mention he was such a close friend and so unselfish that I wonder sometimes if he is really in heaven.

We were so close that I thought if he were in heaven he would have asked for me to come and join him. I see him everyday because I have pictures in my home of

the West Indies teams over the years so he is always remembered but I wonder sometimes why I don’t hear from him.

“Being offered this presentation this evening one had to possess a lot of good qualities to be able to receive and having lived with me for some 92 years I think I should know if I qualified or not. I have been sent in last in the batting order which is a bit unusual but there is good reason for that. I would like to thank you for having me here and may God bless all of you,” Weekes concluded.

Giving the feature address at the function on Friday night was renowned broadcaster Trinidadian Sir Trevor McDonald who said he was honoured to give the memorial lecture.

“The honour for me derives entirely from the indisputable fact that this event cherishes and lavishes and continues to praise a truly great West Indian,” he said.

“My great admiration for Sir Frank went beyond the purest joy that was his late cut,” McDonald added.

“I admired most of all about him the dignity with which Frank and his contemporaries

Well deserved: Sir Everton Weekes, left, receives the Sir Frank Worrell Noble Spirit Award from Chairman of the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Committee Ainsworth Harewood at Central Bank Auditorium, Port of Spain Friday night. (Photo Curtis Chase,) bore the official tardiness in the appointment of the first black West Indies captain.

“I talked to Frank about it many times. He shrugged and smiled and then laughed loudly. Frank was incapable of bitterness and of harbouring any grudges. He was much too big a man for that.

He knew the importance of the game but he knew it was a game and he played it with grace, with style and with abundant humanity.

“Frank was above all a leader. He believed in that nurturing quality of leadership. He also believed

very strongly in West Indies unity and he saw the West Indies team as an integral part of that.

He ended with the quote: “Lives of great men always remind us that we can make our lives sublime, and in departure leave behind us footprints on the sands of time.”

He urged to the organisers to continue having such events which he said will ensure that this huge footprint that Sir Frank left will always be remembered. (Reprinted from the Trinidad Express)

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 13, 2017

Reifer’s five for 60 puts Jaguars in pole position KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – All-rounder Raymon Reifer picked the ideal time to grab his second first class five-wicket haul, as he undermined leaders Jamaica Scorpions and put reigning champions Guyana Jaguars in pole position to take victory on the final day of their sixth round clash in the Regional four-day championship here Sunday.

Playing on the penultimate day of the contest at Sabina Park, the left-arm seamer claimed five for 60 to send Scorpions tumbling for an inadequate 188 in their second innings.

Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul supported with three for 40.

Left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer … took his second five-wicket haul.

Left with 182 for victory, Jaguars reached the close on 79 for two – still 103 runs adrift of their target heading into Monday’s final day.

Shimron Hetmyer stroked a typically flashy 42, striking five fours and a six in a 45-ball knock to give the innings a handy start.

He put on 30 for the first wicket with captain Leon Johnson (10) after Tagenarine Chanderpaul retired hurt before he had scored.

Hetmyer then dominated a 49-run, second wicket partnership with Vishaul Singh (13 not out) before perishing the day’s final over.

Scorpions had earlier resumed the day on 61 for one but suffered a terrible batting collapse to lose their last nine wickets for 114 runs.

Permaul accounted for overnight batsmen Jermaine Blackwood (36) and Chadwick Walton (12) but Reifer was at the centre of the batting malaise, taking five of the last six wickets to fall.

Devon Thomas hit 32

and Brandon King, 22, the pair adding 35 for the sixth

wicket but it was not enough to stave off the collapse.

SCOREBOARD SCORPIONS 1st Innings 255 Jaguars 1st Innings 262 SCORPIONS 2nd Innings (overnight 61 for one) J Campbell c wkpr Bramble b Shepherd 26 +C Walton b Permaul 12 J Blackwood lbw b Permaul 37 A McCarthy c Johnson b Joseph 7 B King c Permaul b Reifer 22 D Thomas c Hetmyer b Reifer 32 D Green c wkp Bramble b Permaul 17 D Jacobs lbw b Reifer 0 *N Miller c wkp Bramble b Reifer 4 J Taylor c Johnson b Reifer 14 M Mindley not out 9 Extras: (b4, lb3, nb1) 8 TOTAL: (all out, 62.2 overs) 188 Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-74, 3-79, 4-95, 5-130, 6-157, 7-157, 8-165

9-165, 10-188.

Bowling: Joseph 9-1-35-1, Shepherd 11-0-39-1 (nb1), Reifer 16.2-5-60-5, Permaul 21-8-40-3, Motie 5-1-7-0.

JAGUARS 2nd Innings (target: 182) T Chanderpaul ret. hurt 0 S Hetmyer c Blackwood b Miller 42 *L Johnson c McCarthy b Green 10 V Singh not out 13 S Chanderpaul not out 0 Extras: (b3, lb5, w5, nb1) 14 TOTAL: (2 wkts, 19 overs) 79 Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-79.

Bowling: Taylor 5-1-19-0, Green 4-0-24-1, Mindley 4-0-15-0, Miller 5-2-6-1, Jacobs 1-0-7-0.

Position: Jaguars require 103 runs for victory.

Hope’s maiden ton underlines Red Force dominance

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Kyle Hope’s maiden first class hundred underlined Trinidad and Tobago Red Force’s dominance of the third day of their sixth round clash against Windward Islands Volcanoes, putting them in pole position for their second win of the Regional four-day championship.

In one of their best days of the campaign, the bottom-ofthe-table Red Force produced a strong batting display to convert their overnight position of 23 for one into 203 for five declared.

Hope, unbeaten on 10 at the start, finished on 105 not out while first innings century-maker Yannic Cariah got 47 and Isaiah Rajah, 30.

Set 375 for victory, Volcanoes ended the day on 68 for one – requiring a further 307 runs on Monday’s final day to pull off an unlikely win.

The hosts lost opener Tyrone Theophile cheaply for two in the second over but veteran left-hander Devon Smith struck an unbeaten 41 in a 66-run second wicket stand with rookie Taryck Gabriel who finished 24 not out.

Smith has so far faced 114 balls in 127 minutes at the crease and struck a single four.

Earlier, Hope produced his career-best as he batted Red Force into a potential match-winning position.

All told, the Barbadian right-hander struck six fours in an innings spanning 212

just four runs added to leave Red Force on 87 for three, Hope controlled an 88-run fourth wicket part-

SCOREBOARD RED FORCE 1st Innings 275

Opener Kyle Hope … stroked an unbeaten 105. deliveries in just under five wicket with Rajah who hit hours at the crease. four boundaries in a 56-ball More significantly, he an- knock. chored two productive stands When Rajah and Nichto propel the innings. Firstly, olas Alexis (0) perished in he put on 73 for the second the space of 33 balls with

Hurricanes facing defeat against the Pride THE Leeward Islands Hurricanes were staring defeat in the face at stumps on Sunday, the second day of their sixth-round match in the Digicel Four-Day competition against the Barbados Pride being played at the Kensington Oval.

Replying to the Pride’s first innings score of 313 all out, the Hurricanes were first routed for a paltry 163.

Asked to follow on, they were 16 for 4 at the close, still needing another 134 runs to force the Pride to bat again.

Barbados, resuming from their overnight total of 302 for 8, were all out for 313. Promising paceman Alzarri Joseph dismissed both overnight batsman Justin Greaves for 38 and Jomel Warrican for 32, to

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday March 13, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Sam Billings (2) Rohan Kanhai (vs ENG, Leeds, 1973) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which WI has played most ODIs against ENG to date?

How many?

(2) When and where ENG played an ODI game for the first time?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

nership with Cariah who counted two fours in an 89-ball knock that lasted 127 minutes.

Alzarri Joseph end with figures of 5 for 42 off 24.2 overs. Both batsmen were on 30 overnight.

In their turn at bat, the Hurricanes soon found themselves eight wickets down with just 90 runs on the board. They eventually folded for 163 all out.

Had it not been for a tenth-wicket partnership of 73 between Nkrumah Bonner who scored 70 and Jason Campbell (39), things would have been much worse for the Hurricanes'

batsmen who were blown away by Kemar Roach 3 for 29, Miguel Cummins 3 for 34 and Kevin Stoute 2 for 29.

Following on 150 runs behind, the Hurricanes were soon in tatters again, at 16 for 4. There was a wicket each for Roach, Cummins, Jomel Warrican and Roston Chase.

Kacey Carty 12 and Gavin Tonge were the batsmen at the crease at stumps.

Volcanoes 1st Innings 104 RED FORCE 2nd Innings (overnight 23 for one) *K Hope not out 105 J Solozano c Gabriel b Lewis 3 I Rajah c Johnson b Mayers 30 N Alexis c wkp Ambris b Sebastien 0 Y Cariah c Peters b Johnson 47 Imran Khan c Lesporis b Peters 9 +S Katwaroo not out 2 Extras (b4, w2, nb1) 7 TOTAL (5 wkts decl, 68 overs) 203 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-83, 3-87, 4-175, 5-195.

Bowling: Johnson 10-1-28-1

(w2), Lewis 6.5-2-21-1, Shillingford 18-2-42-0, Sebastien 14-142-1, Peters 12.1-1-44-1, Mayers 6-1-20-1, Theophile 1-0-2-0.

VOLCANOES 2nd Innings (target: 375 runs) D Smith not out 41 T Theophile run out 2 T Gabriel not out 24 Extras (b1) 1 TOTAL (1 wkt, 35 overs) 68 Fall of wicket: 1-2.

Bowling: Cottrell 5-1-14-0, Richards 5-1-12-0, Pierre 8-2-14-0, Charles 10-2-18-0, Imran Khan 6-2-8-0, Cariah 1-0-1-0.

Position: Volcanoes require 307 runs for victory with nine wickets intact.

SCOREBOARD PRIDE 1st Innings (overnight 302 for eight) O Phillips c wkp Hamilton b Tonge 6 A Alleyne c Carty b Tonge 11 S Brooks c wkp Hamilton b Joseph 63 R Chase c Powell b Tonge 49 J Carter lbw b Bonner 46 +S Dowrich c Cornwall b Joseph 0 *K Stoute lbw b Joseph 41 J Greaves c wkp Hamilton b Joseph 38 K Roach c wkp Hamilton b Bonner 3 J Warrican c Otto b Joseph 32 M Cummins not out 0 Extras: (b2, lb2, w3, nb17) 24 TOTAL: (all out, 100.2 overs) 313 Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-19, 3-125, 4-144, 5-144, 6-219, 7-245, 8-257, 9-310, 10-313.

Bowling: Joseph 24.2-10-42-5 (w2, nb1), Tonge 14.4-6-29-3 (nb5), Hosein 9-0-48-0, Cornwall 23-1-79-0 (nb6), Campbell 15-265-0 (nb1), Bonner 14.2-4-46-2 (w1, nb4).

HURRICANES 1st Innings M Hodge c wkp Dowrich b Roach 5 J Otto c Carter b Cummins 0 K Carty c Brooks b Cummins 0 N Bonner b Chase 70 +J Hamilton c wkp Dowrich b Roach 5 R Cornwall c Carter b Roach 6 AHosein c wkp Dowrich b Cummins 0

G Tonge b Stoute 17 A Joseph c Roach b Stoute 5 J Campbell not out 39 *K Powell absent out Extras: (b10, lb5, nb1) 16 TOTAL: (all out, 61.2 overs) 163 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-12, 3-12, 4-22, 5-30, 6-37, 7-80, 8-90, 9-163, 10-163.

Bowling: Roach 14-4-29-3, Cummins 14-7-34-2 (nb1), Greaves 11-4-19-0, Warrican 7-1-10-0, Stoute 9-1-29-2, Chase 4.2-0-221, Carter 2-1-5-0.

HURRICANES 2nd Innings (following-on) M Hodge c wkp Dowrich b Roach 0 J Otto c wkp Dowrich b Cummins 0 K Carty not out 12 A Joseph b Chase 1 R Cornwall c Carter b Warrican 3 G Tonge not out 0 TOTAL (4 wkts, 15 overs) 16 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-0, 3-13, 4-16.

Bowling: Roach 4-4-0-1, Cummins 4-3-4-1, Stoute 2-1-9-0, Chase 3-1-3-1, Warrican 2-2-0-1.

Position: Hurricanes require a further 134 runs to avoid an innings defeat.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 13, 2017

Excitement expected in Petra Futsal tonight

Flashback:Last Tuesday’s launch featured Referee Coordinator, Wayne Griffith;Co-Director,Troy Mendonca, Finance Director,Clifford Jones, and Troy Lambert, Manager of defending champions, Bent Street

SIX matches are on for this evening’s opening night of the Petra Futsal tournament at the National Gymnasium following the launch last Tuesday.

North East La Penitence will take on Leopold Street , while Festival City takes on West Back Road in game two.

Tu c v i l l e a n d K i t t y Weavers will play game three while North Ruimveldt and Agricola Ballers clash in game four. Broad Street ballers will play in game five against Channel 9 warriors while Sparta boss will take on Globe Yard.

This year’s event will feature 24 teams playing for $400,000 first prize and trophies. Second, third and fourth place finishers will collect $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively and trophies as well.

Petra organisation Co Director Troy Mendonca is reported as saying,“We will continue to run programs that we set out on a yearly basis and this is one of them. We are going ahead because this is one of our core events.”

The organisers disclosed that they are in talks to secure a tournament sponsor.

T h e f i r s t ro u n d o f matches will be an elimination round, with the resulting 12 teams being divided into three groups of four.

Upon the conclusion of the round-robin stage, the top two finishers and the best two third ranked teams from the respective groups will progress to the quarter-final phase.

The event is slated to conclude on April 15th and the defending champions are Bent Street.

Solomon says issues outside of football prompted his resignation

By Joe Chapman

FORMER president of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA),Sharma Solomon strongly believes that issues outside of football were behind the planned coup to get rid of him just prior to his decision to resign his position.He made this known to the public Friday evening at the launch of the CBR Stag Bowl Inter-Ward Football tournament outside the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) building in Linden.

Speaking exclusively with Chronicle Sport,the former Regional Chairman of Region 10 (Upper Demerara /Berbice) was firm in his view that the achievements gained while he was at the helm of the association over the past year were the best among affiliates of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and he dared anyone to dispute this.

He said “In thirteen

Sharma Solomon months of our operation, we had a league for the first time in three years. While we had some issues which started with the resignation of Collie Hercules as a vicepresident,and then Public Relations Officer Victory Wright,unlike other associations, we ran two Under17 tournaments; staged a coaching course where over 14 coaches were certified;held

a summer camp where over 500 kids benefited, and all the while managing internal issues..”

These were internal issues which surfaced while he was out of Linden working, but Solomon said this was not a factor in his general performance,since he was always on the ground observing what was happening with the sport.

But just about two weeks ago,Secretary Terrence Mitchell also resigned seemingly prompting this most recent reaction by way of the clubs petitioning the GFF with a no-confidence motion.

Looking at the opposition he got during his tenure after he and the majority of executives were voted back into office in late 2015,and after being banned by the Christopher Matthias-led GFF Executive for staging a year-end tournament, and being reprieved by the Clinton Urling-led GFF Normalisation Committee, Solomon pointedly said “it was

a coup of people running clubs in the association and I dare anyone to say otherwise that it was not that. I am always there.

It boils down to people not having the scope to violate and have to follow the Constitution of the UDFA,as the system is bigger than personalities.”

But the former UDFA president felt that while all this was occurring:”we thought much more could have been achieved.” He also mentioned that the UDFA with eight teams played a key role in having the first NAMILCO tournament being a success and it was won by Milerock. Then the UDFA hosted the CONCACAF Women Project for grass roots football for the federation.

“The association is in a financially stable condition to pay off all its liabilities and still run with a profit,” Solomon affirmed.While admitting that there may be some issues of rewards to clubs,he was quick to state “no one (association)

could boast like us about our financial position… and you can’t complain about football, and we have put between $8-10 M into the coffers of our clubs over this 13-month period, despite limited resources.”

On the other hand Solomon noted: “The cheque of $25,000 to clubs for appearance fees in the last year-end tournament was written to the clubs so that it would force clubs to have proper structures.

We have to look beyond your clubs....the rules must always be followed I believe. If I put an effort into something, I see it through. If persons are going to violate the rules then it would not be entertained.”

Maintaining that matters other than football were at the centre of the ‘no-confidence’ motion that was prepared to oust him, Solomon emphasised:”We got our profile raised among the other associations. We are unmatched in terms of what we did for football at the

association level. We can’t promote personal matters and people need to follow the rules.”

As he recapped the turbulent times which he dealt with while being the UDFA boss,Solomon opined that they were still able to get things done. But he hit back saying, “I think football is in a good place right now. Anybody serving a no-confidence motion has to go to the club’s structure to take a collective position. I believe this was not the case,’ Solomon noted.

This had nothing to do with football, and I reiterate that in 13 months at the helm of the UDFA, football is in a better position with $8-10M directly going to clubs. That should not be overlooked.”

In concluding,Solomon felt that all who participated even in ignorance, should be held accountable for jumping on the band wagon by their constituents, when asked about this.

Excitement expected in Petra Futsal tonight on tory See s e 27 pag

Former manager questions Windies players’professionalism

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Former West Indies team manager, Omar Khan, has questioned the professionalism of the embattled Caribbean side, following their whitewash at the hands of England in recent One-Day International series.

After watching the Windies’ capitulation in the final ODI of the three-match series last Thursday in Barbados, Trinidadian Khan said it appeared the players were not taking the game seriously.

“It is really disheartening and disappointing to see the way the West Indies are playing at the moment,” Khan told the Guardian newspaper here.

“The way they went about their business and I say business because this is business, sport is serious business, I looked at the

body language and they did not look like professionals.

“If you look at England team they came out there with a purpose and was professional, clinical. They (West Indies) looked more like models and not professionals.”

West Indies lost the opening two ODIs at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua and were hoping to rescue some pride in the final game of the series, only to suffer a 186-run defeat – their heaviest loss ever to the English in a one-dayer.

Chasing a huge 328, West Indies narrowly avoided the embarrassment of their lowest ODI total at Kensington Oval when they were dismissed for 142.

Only Jonathan Carter with 46 showed any enterprise as the top-order collapsed to leave the Windies languishing on 45 for six at one stage.

West Indies were beaten 3-0 in the ODI series Khan said the value of placed on individual perfor- sionalism, what it means to professionalism appeared mances. represent the people of the “Our players need to region, what it takes to win, to be lost on the team, with emphasis being seemingly understand what is profes- the value of working togeth-

er and valuing one another,” he contended.

“While we may have some brilliant individual performances at times, they need to understand that individual performances alone will not bring the team success. Everyone has to be on the same page.”

He also argued that judging from the body language of the players, there were obviously in no frame of mind to compete against the England “The body language they put out was not good at all against the English, it was as if they were defeated from the get go,” he pointed out.

“Someone needs to tell the players that body language represents 67 per cent of the communication that one sends and it is important to be positive.”

CONCACAF’s boss arrives in Guyana tonight GFF plans extra financial support

VICTOR Montagliani, president of the Confederations of North and Central America and the Caribbean Football (CONCACAF),is scheduled to arrive in Guyana at 21:30hrs tonight.

The Canadian,who was voted into the top position last year may 12th,became the 7th President of the Confederation which was established in 1961.

During his one-day official visit he will make

courtesy calls on several Ministers of Government tomorrow morning.

During the afternoon the 51 year-old Montagliani will participate in the official launch of the National Under-15 Frank Watson tournament being sponsored by the Pele FC Alumni of the USA. After the launch at the National Gymnasium,the CONCACAF Chief will head to Providence where he will have

CONCACAF president Victor Montaglianiis due to arrive in Guyana tonight.

a first-hand view of the site for the FIFA Forward Project to build a long- over-due home for football in Guyana, inclusive of several pitches.

Monagliani,who is also the head of the Canadian Soccer Association,will also meet with the Media at the Pegasus Hotel at 17:00hrs,and in the evening he will be the guest of honor at a closed door dinner.

He wings out of the country on Wednesday morning.

The Canadian is only the second head of CONCACAF to officially visit Guyana,following one by disgraced Trinidadian Austin ‘Jack’ Warner who has been indicted for corruption by the US Department of Justice and who frequented Guyana during his 21year tenure at the helm of football in the Region.

for Associations - Forde

THE Guyana Football Federation is drawing up plans to provide extra financial support to its nine member associations to help with running costs and salaries so that football can have a stronger foundation for growth around the country, GFF President Wayne Forde has announced.

The GFF wants to give its member associations as much financial and logistical support as possible to develop football in their respective regions, as it rolls out a wide range of programmes, and youth and other competitions.

The CONCACAF President,Victor Montagliani,will tomorrow launch the GFF-Pele Alumni Frank Watson Memorial Intra-Association U-15 Tournament – Guyana’s first nationwide under-15 youth football tournament, which will create another tier for youth

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development alongside the NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National U-17 League.

“We have a lot of people that are involved with the administration of football that are doing it voluntarily,” GFF President

GFF president Wayne Forde Forde said in an in-house interview. “We have to make changes to our statutes that would allow the (member association) president and secretary, and some of the people that serve football, to be com-

pensated.”

The GFF has so far employed nine regional Technical Development Officers and 14 Youth Development Coaches to support its member associations in the delivery of programmes such as the GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres, as well as to oversee competitions.

But key to the growth of the game is to properly fund the administration of the game at all levels, Forde said, alongside strict compliance and oversight measures to ensure that finances are used for their correct purpose in an efficient way.

“We are going to make a bold attempt with the increase in the FIFA funding where we are going to support our members by providing finances for their rental of their offices, telephone, utilities, and general office staff,” he said.

MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2017