Guyana chronicle e paper 26 03 2017

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Nothing harmful No. 104864

SUNDAY MARCH 26, 2017

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– about Code of Conduct, Nagamootoo tells Jagdeo

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Fuel boat explodes Page 9

The vessel on fire near “Green Island “on Saturday afternoon

Dynamic Airways Tension between Mental health and Digicel to be tackled at promises ‘agreeable’ – GTT GTT wants investigation into Digicel alleged illegal trans-border link exchange rate community level

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 26, 2017

PM’s wife relates ‘magic’ of the sari – at first Sari Draping Demonstration and Exhibition

By Timeka Garnett SITA Nagamootoo amused with a cheerful tale of how it was her eye-catching sari that mesmerised her now husband, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, when they first met over 50 years ago.

She was at the time speaking at a Sari Draping Demonstration and Exhibition Saturday at the Kalyan Centre and Shopping Plaza.

“I wore my first sari in 1966 during a Diwali Beauty Pageant and I can share a secret, that was when my husband, now prime minister, was captivated and I think captured. I think my sari had something to do with that special moment,” Nagamootoo related.

The cultural event was aimed at making sari wrapping a little bit easier for the women who don

From right: Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Venkatachalam Mahalingam; his wife Anu; and wife of Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, Sita Nagamootoo, browsing the sari on display at the event

them. There was a live sari wrapping demonstration as well as documentary on the clothing.

The event also saw models displaying sari outfits from the Mumbai Bazaar, Styles Indfia and Jairam Little India Store. There was also poetry, dancing and dramatic pieces coordinated

by Neaz Subhan.

The event also celebrated other aspects of the Indian culture, including Indian foods and henna painting.

It was organised by Indian High Commissioner Venkatachalam Mahalingam, who pointed out that the event was long overdue and was happy it came to realisation.

Mrs. Nagamootoo also praised the timely hosting of the event.

“This event is being held at an appropriate time when Guyana is observing the 100th Anniversary of the Abolition of Indian Indentureship and when the focus is on Indian culture,” she

said.

Mahalingam pointed out that the sari was cultural and not religious clothing, though it is oftentimes thought to be associated with Hinduism.

“The beauty of the sari is - it is an extra-ordinary feminine garment, suited to the youngest of girls as well as the most elderly women.

It is inconceivably wrong to attribute the sari to be Hindu attire. Sari is common wear among Hindus, Christians and Muslims in India,” Mahalingam said.

He is hoping that the exhibition grows into a larger event.

“This Sari Draping Demonstration and Exhibition event is only a soft beginning and I can assure you with the overwhelming response that we get from you, will motivate us to continue even on a larger scale in the years to come. We can even carry this event to other parts of Guyana too,” he said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 26, 2017

– about Code of Conduct, Nagamootoo tells Jagdeo THE revised Code of Conduct merely expands on the existing body of rules to guide public officials in the execution of their duties, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo said while making it clear that it does not include new disciplinary powers.

The Prime Minister’s statement comes amid claims by the Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, that Government is pushing to have the Integrity Commission Act amended to have additional powers vested in the President.

During a recent press conference, Jagdeo said: “The Prime Minister wrote me seeking to have the Integrity Commission Law amended with the purpose of not strengthening the accountability provisions and the declarations of assets – so you can track politicians and public officials’ assets – but to undermine it by including now, giving the President Executive authority to go after people; to discipline people. So he now has authority under the Integrity Commission Act that he never had.”

The Integrity Commission Act makes provision for the Code of Conduct for ministers of Government, members of the National Assembly and public office holders.

The revised Code of

Conduct was sent to the Opposition Leader for review but was rubbished by him, who described it as “crap.”

“This typical, vintage, back ball vulgarity, by Jagdeo, who was quoted in the media, is showing disrespect for the draft that my office has sent to him for comments,” the prime minister said in response.

It was made clear that Part IV of the current Integrity Commission Act which makes provision for a Code of Conduct remains intact.

In addition to penalties in the Act, persons in public life if charged for violating the code could be prosecuted under existing criminal laws and if found guilty would be fined and or jailed.

The law, as is, sets out how complaints ought to be

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

same as regards other persons holding public office.

They have no disciplinary powers to sanction or dismiss anyone, under this article, the prime minister insisted.

The revised draft code of conduct has undergone extensive review and has been previously made available

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo

made against persons in public life and for the Integrity Commission to investigate the merit of the complaints.

The Commission could refer the matter to the Director of Pubic Prosecution (DPP) for criminal prosecution of any breach committed by a person holding public office, among them being the President, Leader of the Opposition, ministers and members of parliament.

In addition, the Integrity Commission could refer its findings to anybody that has disciplinary control over the person identified in the report.

The revised code is intended to place responsibility on the President to ensure his ministers observe the code and for the minister of state as head of department of Public Service to do the

to various stakeholders, including civil society and the Guyana Bar Association for their review and input.

The document was disseminated ahead of being tabled in the National Assembly so as to set a higher standard of conduct for senior public officials. It is expected that added to the list of public officials would be those attached to the Pub-

lic Procurement Commission and the anti-money laundering units.

The new code came out of the work of a committee headed by former Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman and comprising Simobe Morris-Ramlall, Dela Britton, Tamara Khan, Sasha Rajkumar, Carlyle Goring and Darlene Christian.

Woman says ‘yes’ after 49 proposals Akeem Peter’s dream wedding blossomed into a beautiful reality when he tied the knot with his African queen Kerron Boston, at Duke Lodge, on Saturday in the presence of those closest to them.

THE all-expensive paid wedding was a gift to the couple after they emerged the winners of Guyana Wedding Expo 2017 ‘Race to the Altar’ challenge.

Akeem Peter is one who understands that a man’s bride is worth waiting for, and after his 49th proposal to the “apple” of his eye failed, persistence brought what he could safely call an accomplishment.

He went down on his knees once again and Kerron Boston finally said “yes!” On Saturday, they both committed to love each other eternally.

One of the newest couples in town! Mr. and Mrs. Peter

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 26, 2017

With healthcare bill dead, Republicans turn to taxes AFTER failing to repeal Obamacare, Republicans in the U.S. Congress quickly pivoted on Friday to President Donald Trump’s next priority: overhauling the federal tax code, but their plan has already split the business community.

Division among Republicans was the chief cause of

the embarrassing setback on Obamacare, and similar fault lines have been evident for months in the Republicans’ tax plan, mainly over an untested proposal to use the tax code to boost exports.

House of Representatives tax committee Chairman Kevin Brady conceded the demise of a Republican plan

to roll back Obamacare could make the path to tax reform harder.

“This made a big challenge more challenging. But it’s not insurmountable,” he told Fox News after Ryan canceled a vote on an Obamacare rollback bill.

But Brady said he and House Speaker Paul Ryan are all-in on tax reform.

Brady said House Republicans plan to begin moving on tax reform this spring and to pass legislation before Congress’s summer recess in late July.

“We’re going to work with the administration to get this done,” he said.

Trump has been unclear about his position on the most problematic feature of the House Republicans’ tax “blueprint,” a proposal known as the border adjustment tax that would cut taxes on exports and raise them on imports.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Friday that tax reform in many ways is “a

File photo: House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) speaks with the media on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 14, 2017. REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein lot simpler” than healthcare presidents since 1986 when multinationals and cut other reform. it was last accomplished un- tax rates for businesses and “We’re able to take the tax der former President Ronald investors. code and redesign things and I Reagan.

The plan has divided busithink there is very, very strong The U.S. tax code is rid- nesses, prompting import-desupport,” Mnuchin said at an event dled with narrow subsidies and pendent industries to warn of hosted by news website Axios. loopholes, many of them deep- higher prices for consumer Comprehensive tax rely embedded in the economy goods from clothing and elecform is a policy goal so and defended by the interests tronics to gasoline. complex that it has defied they benefit, such as the mortBrady has been adamant successive Congresses and gage interest deduction and the that border adjustment will business interest deductibility. be part of the House tax Brady’s panel has been reform, saying earlier this working on a plan since mid- week that the provision was 2016 that would cut the cor- “a given” for final legislation porate tax rate to 20 per cent but would include a transifrom 35 per cent, end taxing tion period for import-heavy foreign profits for U.S.-based industries. (Reuters)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 26, 2017

China lifts total ban on Brazil meat CHINA has lifted a total ban on imports of Brazilian meat imposed over allegations that companies have been selling unsafe produce for years.

Brazil’s Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi says the move follows a “giant effort” by officials to explain the investigation into tainted food.

Chile and Egypt have also lifted their bans, the Brazilian government says.

Brazil is the world’s biggest red meat and poultry exporter, selling more than $12bn (£9.7bn) a year.

The scandal was triggered by a huge federal police operation last week that found evidence that meat-packers had been selling rotten and substandard produce for several years.

China and Chile will keep their import bans for the 21 Brazilian units under investigation by the operation, the government said.

“Lifting this suspension was the result of a giant effort by Brazil to explain that the investigation targeted the conduct of individuals and

allege that some managers bribed health inspectors and politicians to get government certificates for their products.

The scandal caused a

A two-year long police investigation unveiled serious flaws in Brazil’s meat inspection procedures not the quality of the meat,” Mr Maggi told Reuters news agency.

In a statement, Brazil’s President Michel Temer said the moves “reaffirm the trust of the international community in our sanitary control, robust and recognised around the world”.

Brazil meat exports

amount to nearly $14bn (£11bn) each year.

They have fallen sharply since the scandal broke out.

The European Union, which is the main importer of Brazilian meat after China and Hong Kong, announced on Friday that it would reject produce from the plants being investigated.

Venezuela asks for help from UN VENEZUELA’S President Nicolas Maduro has asked for help from the United Nations to boost supplies of medicine.

Maduro said the UN had the expertise to normalise the supply and distribution of

The opposition says Maduro’s mismanagement is to blame for the economic crisis drugs in the country.

Venezuela’s Medical Federation said recently that hospitals had less than five per cent of the medicines they needed.

The President blames the problems on an economic war against his Government and the sharp fall in oil prices. ``I’ve asked for support

from the United Nations to help treat the economic and social injuries that have hit our people,’’ he said Friday on television.

The opposition says Maduro’s mismanagement is to blame for the country’s worsening economic crisis.

Shortages of food and many other essential items mean Venezuelans have to

face long queues almost daily to buy basic goods.

Medicines are no exception.

Correspondents say Maduro’s acknowledgement that Venezuela needs outside help is indicative of the dire situation the country is in, despite having some of the largest oil reserves in the world. (BBC)

Health and Food Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis will visit Brazil this week to hold emergency meetings with officials and industry leaders before the EU decides on what measures it will adopt.

Brazilian investigators

22 per cent drop in weekly average exports of pork and poultry, Reuters reports.

There was no data related to beef exports. (BBC)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 26, 2017

Editorial

Lessons of Richardson’s third term

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AST week, it was learnt that the Attorney General’s Chambers had been unsuccessful in locating Cedric Richardson at the address he submitted in his petition to the Constitutional Court, for an interpretation of the Guyana Constitution, as to whether a person who served two consecutive terms as president could contest and hold office again.

Former president Bharrat Jagdeo was cited in the petition as the example.

When the petitioner approached the court in December 2014, this act followed a similar 2009 focus by a group calling itself “Guyanese Coalition For Jagdeo Third Term.” This campaign was pushed by persons close to Mr Jagdeo, it spared no expense, and was sustained with much energy. There were billboards splashed across the country, seeking to sensitise and win the citizenry over, in as much as the advocates were conscious the Constitution prohibited such possibility.

The support given by Mr Jagdeo for Mr Donald Ramotar to be the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) presidential candidate for the 2011 General and Regional Elections (GRE), in as much as there were preferred higher-profile candidates, hinted that the former may have seen the latter as a caretaker president. This was a label then President Ramotar had to defend repeatedly during his term.

The decision of the High Court (2015) and Appeal Court (2017) about the constitutionality of a third term has not been surprising for some. In spite of the courts’ decisions, when

the Constitution was amended, it was the understanding of the populace, political parties, and members of the National Assembly that no person shall be president for more than two consecutive terms. When this Bill was passed and assented by then President Jagdeo, all were comforted that at least on this issue there was unanimous agreement.

When Richardson filed his petition and Mr Jagdeo was asked about any intent to return to politics and being thought of as an unseen hand behind the third term, he said he wanted no constitutional office. But within a few months he was on the political hustings and appeared on his party’s List of Representatives for the May 2015 GRE. When the PPP/C lost the Executive, he offered himself and took up the position of the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly.

The about turn of wanting constitutional office has since been accompanied by affirmative speeches as to what he would do when the PPP/C returns to the Executive. Such statements are made in an atmosphere where political confidence is being exuded and alongside public debates of the courts’ interpretation of the third term. These pretentions have led the society to believe that the courts’ decisions were influenced politically and more so in light of Mr Jagdeo’s manoeuvrings that he is single-mindedly pursuing a third term.

While some may argue that a person has a right to change his or her mind, at the same time it would be remembered that Mr Jagdeo led the Executive government that signed into law the cap on the two terms, committing every citizen to this.

The expression of interest, implicit or explicit, to a change of heart will not only be viewed as wanting power through the backdoor, but also demonstrates the people cannot trust governments and politicians.

This newspaper has reported that during the visits made by the AG’s Chambers to serve the Notice of Application and Affidavit in Support of the Application to appeal the court’s decision, it was advised that Richardson did not reside there and never did. What is not made known is whether the person who the Chambers spoke to at the residence is speaking the truth, or the petitioner has since moved to another location to avoid being served. Whichever it is proven to be, this would nonetheless give rise to more speculation that the whole third term is a continuation of the 2009 push and is being managed and funded by persons whose interest or fronting aligns with who is proposed to benefit from a favourable decision.

The inability to find the petitioner lends the impression that mischief is afoot. It suggests deliberate efforts are being made to ensure the document is not served, paving the way for a technicality to be found when appearing at the Caribbean Court of Justice, to have the matter struck out. Should this happen, it carries consequences for the case not to be fully adjudicated and by extension securing of a third term. The possibilities lay ominous and real.

The approach needs to be a holistic one Dear Editor

THE current discussion on the sugar industry vis-a-vis the bauxite industry being conducted by the PPP/C is deserving of context. The issue of the levy (i.e. tax to the state) was applied to sugar and bauxite and came into effect before Reynolds Bauxite Company in Berbice, and the sugar companies (Bookers and Demerara Company) were nationalised.

These acts were taken as major planks in the nation’s developmental thrust towards taking control of its economic destiny. Jamaica, under the leadership of Michael Manley, applied similar levies to both industries, preceding Guyana in this regard.

The effort to make a case that sugar was discriminated

against by placing a levy is mischievous. Politicians need to be told that they must stop the act of making out a case for the future of sugar grounded on partisan and racial premises. The sugar industry belongs to Guyanese, where the initial foundation such as the canals, roadways, farmlands, and revenues were built, prepared, cultivated and earned by free labour from the African community, which went on for centuries.

Playing to racial fears that the earnings of Indians, who make up the majority in the industry, were taken away by the state through the levy and this group is being targeted today because of their identity, must not be allowed to gain currency without factoring in the centuries of unpaid wages of those who toiled before.

The claim that in the

1980s the state spent billions on the bauxite industry failed to advise that a levy was also applied to bauxite. In claiming discrimination or preferential treatment of a section of workers against another, the society is being advised that in the early 1990s under the PNC government both LINMINE and GuySuCo were placed under contract management with the intent of privatizing them.

In 1992, GUYMINE produced in excess of 480,000 tonnes of bauxite. On the ascension of the PPP/C to office in October, 1992, LINMINE’s production level was cut for the following year to 250,000 tonnes. This deliberate decision to drastically reduce production was communicated to the bauxite unions by Prime Minister Sam Hinds, who also advised that jobs will be cut.

Clearly, here it was not a case where bauxite had a production problem but a deliberate decision taken by the government to reduce production and lay off workers. The decision to reduce production led to the loss of markets, as customary buyers had to go elsewhere to meet their demands. The government made its position very clear that bauxite will be privatised and sugar will remain a state entity.

The sugar and bauxite industries cannot only be looked at within the context of race and political persuasion. The approach needs to be holistic as to what each means to the country and particularly the communities within which they exist. It was not the community of Linden or the opposition

PNC at the time that privatised the steam power plant that provided cheap energy to the people and bauxite operations. It was the PPP/C government.

In privatising the bauxite company in Linden, the PPP/C government refused to listen to legitimate concerns and pleas by the workers, residents, unions, then PNC opposition, and others. In the years of negotiating benefits for workers, unseen wages are also factored in. In the instance of bauxite workers, this included electricity and water. When the PPP/C government took away the cheap, reliable supply, concomitantly government shouldered the responsibility to ensure the service is provided.

There was agreement between the unions and stateowned company that increases

in electricity rates will only be arrived at after agreement between the two parties. The state under the PPP/C never sought to honour this agreement, so in 2012 when the people took to the streets, it was a reminder of government’s failure to govern in good faith.

In the sugar industry, every Guyanese, through their ancestors, have given of their sweat and labour. Presently, the industry, though comprising a majority of Indians, also has a significant amount of non-Indians. Seeking to resolve its problems and determining a sound way forward would not help pitting Indians against their non-Indian colleagues in the workforce.

LINCOLN LEWIS

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 26, 2017

Berbice business donates motorbikes to police

THE Berbice Police Division’s fleet of motorcycles was given a boost, after businessman Faizal Ally made the first donation of a 250cc motorcycle valued $240,000 during a simple ceremony outside the newest addition of the Ally chain of buildings at Main and New Street, New Amsterdam.

Ally had inherited the business from his father Ahmad who had commenced selling furniture in the Ancient County in 1985. However, the business has since blossomed into a sixchain store which can be found in areas of New Amsterdam, East Canje, Corriverton in Berbice and Diamond in the Demerara county .

The entrepreneur observed that without the necessary tools, the cops could not be efficient in their fight against crime within their respective communities.

With this in mind, the chief executive officer noted that the company decided to jump ahead of its competitors to donate the first of several bikes to the Guyana Police Force, after a discussion was held with the divisional hierarchy .

Private sector meets British High Commissioner THE Private Sector Commission met on Thursday, March 23, with British High Commissioner, His Excellency Greg Quinn, to discuss a number of matters which are of concern to the private sector.

Topics discussed included the Chairmanship of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), governance issues, the possible impact of Brexit on Guyana’s trade relationship with the United Kingdom and the sugar crisis.

The State Assets Recovery Bill and the operations of SOCU were also discussed.

The handing–over ceremony The second bike, he said, would coincide with the opening of the new multi- million dollar complex scheduled for the month of August.

Meanwhile, Divisional Commander Ian Amsterdam, while expressing gratitude

urged other members of the business community to assist the police to better serve and protect . ‘ It’s another partnership venture to show what the business community can do to help the police force, by

coming on board with the necessary tools to make our job easier.

‘Motorbikes are one of the tools we depend on, and as first responders for serious crimes, especially in areas where there are improper

streets and terrains.’

Although the Berbice division are in possession of motorcycles, Amsterdam observed that the bikes were ‘ailing,’ resulting in a need for the timely donation.

Further, he issued a call

for the other businesses to come on board and help the force, so they can become effective and efficient.

Also attending the ceremony were divisional officers and other ranks of the Berbice Division

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Better code, bitter response AT the back of every membership card of the People’s Progressive Party is a Code of Conduct, styled “DUTIES.” It wasn’t there in 1964 when I first joined,but it appeared after the party subscribed officially to Marxism-Leninism (Communism) some five years later, and required all members to observe “party discipline.”

Though the Central Committee provided general leadership for the observance of the Code, a three-member Disciplinary Committee would conduct inquiries and hearings, and recommend punishment. That could range from suspension of membership to expulsion from the party, as had been the fate of Balramsingh Rai, Moses Bhagwan, Balchand Persaud and Khemraj Ramjattan.

The current PPP General-Secretary, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, was never incubated under that Code, nor did he labour under its over-arching principles of “revolutionary morality.” He didn’t need to.

He was never in the political trenches, nor did he transition through the ranks to high political office. For him, the Party Code was “crap.” So too was its ideology that was based on “Marxism-Leninism,” “socialism” and “nationalism.” Jagdeo simply circumcised the PPP’s ideology, and cut off the “ism” from it.

BOTTOM LINE The bottom-line of a party Code or Rules, is to get members to observe proper conduct, serve selflessly, stay clear of corruption and all practices that could taint the party. Once in government, those principles ought to guide the conduct of state officials, hence the need for a Code of Conduct within the framework of a law. The Code in the current Integrity Commission Act captures and amplifies the intention of “party discipline” at the level of Government.

The existing Code is a body of rules to guide public officials to carry out their official duties free from corrupt practices. But it needed revision to bring it in line with international standards, which was undertaken by the new government.

The revised draft Code of Conduct has undergone extensive reviews and has been previously made available to various stakeholders, including civil society and the Guyana Bar Association for their inputs. Cabinet authorised that it should get wider circulation and that the Opposition should be asked to give its views.

There is no rush to take it to the National Assembly in its present form, and all constructive comments would be taken into consideration.

NO SENSIBLE SUGGESTIONS So, I am surprised that the Leader of the Opposition has chosen to defecate on the revised Code of Conduct for Persons in Public Office which was sent to him by the Office of the Prime Minister for his comments. He has chosen instead to rubbish the Code as “crap”, and arrogantly refused to offer any sensible suggestions to improve it.

This is typical, vintage, back-ball vulgarity by Mr. Jagdeo, who was quoted in the media as showing disrespect for the draft that my office has sent to him for comments.

I cannot say that Mr. Jagdeo has misguided himself on the issue. He would know that Part IV of the current Integrity Commission Act, which makes provisions for a Code of Conduct, remains intact, word for word.

He would know too that the Act prescribes penalties for persons in public life who are in breach of it and proceedings could be instituted by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) under the Act and existing criminal offences laws. When found guilty, violators could be fined or jailed.

The law, as is, sets out how complaints ought to be made against ministers and other persons in public life. It

SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 26, 2017

is the Integrity Commission that initiates investigation into the merit of the complaints.

The Commission could refer the matter to the Director of Pubic Prosecutions (DPP) for criminal prosecution of any breach committed by a person holding public office, among them being the President, Leader of the Opposition, Ministers and MPs. In addition, the Integrity Commission could refer its findings to any other body that has disciplinary control over the person identified in the report.

the Code of Conduct was virtually castrated. The Integrity Commission became headless at the death of its chairman, the late Bishop Randolph George, in 2009.

The Commission became dysfunctional.

The lack of monitoring of declaration of assets resulted in apparent unjust enrichment.

Many persons in public office displayed wealth disproportionate to their earnings, which would have raised irresistible inference of unlawful conduct.

But no one was ever investigated under the Integrity Act.

NO POWERS TO PUNISH The revised Code does not give powers to the President or the Minister of State to discipline or punish any wrongdoers. The intention behind the revised Code is to place responsibility on the President to ensure that his ministers observe the Code. The Minister of State, who has responsibility for the Public Service, is authorised to do the same as regards other persons holding public office, or who receives salaries from the public purse.

So why is Mr. Jagdeo tearing up his pants and stirring up so much stench over the revised Code?

We need only to look back at how, under his presidency,

WIDESPREAD CORRUPTION The nation has since been grappling with the widespread incidence of corrupt practices, sleaze and malfeasance. Guyana plunged to the bottom of the corruption perception index ladder, and became characterised for “pervasive corruption.”

There was no moral authority that could have exhorted Government Ministers to observe the Code, whether there was a functional Commission or not. All were involved in and all were consumed by the malaise. High officials were cited for violation of the Constitution as regards unauthorised spending of public funds and misappro-

priation of state assets. Later, legal proceedings were initiated and criminal prosecution has started in a few cases.

There were cases where senior public servants were caught up in the cobwebs of suspected dirty dealings as no one in higher office had been required to remind them to stay clean, that is, to observe the Code of Conduct, as bland as it has been.

The revised draft Code vests the President with responsibility to ensure that his ministers observe the Code.

The word is “observe” not “enforce” or punish, as Mr. Jagdeo warply twisted the revised Code to be saying. In getting declarants to observe the Code, the President and the Minister of State could remind them of the penalty for any breach, which is set out in the substantive law.

It is clear that Mr Jagdeo is jumping frantically and irresponsibly on the limb of negative reaction to everything being proposed by Government. This should not surprise anyone, not since Mr. Jagdeo was called in by investigators in connection with the Pradoville heist of public property.

The reason for Mr Jagdeo’s hysteria could be found in the new rules in the revised Code of Conduct that deal with appropriation of public property for personal use or interest, which would make it difficult for any defaulter to hide under the frock of “immunity.”

The revise Code specifies that a public official would be guilty of a criminal offence if he/she makes decisions from which a personal material benefit is derived or acquires property interests for himself/ herself or for cronies.

Under the revised Code, a person could be fined or jailed or both if found guilty on criminal charges for using public property or equipment other than for public purposes.

So, I don’t buy that Jagdeo’s beef is over any perceived powers that the Executive may enjoy under the revised Code. He is worried that the revised Code could pierce his self-constructed, thin veil of immunity.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 26, 2017

Tension between GTT and Digicel – GTT wants investigation into Digicel alleged illegal trans-border link THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) is calling for an investigation into Digicel’s alleged “illegal, unlicensed trans-border link between Guyana and Suriname.”

Additionally, the telephone giant is demanding that Digicel make public its records detailing tax payments on the revenue generated by this perceived illegal bypass operation in the interest of transparency.

In a statement on Saturday, GTT said it is time to get down to the bottom of the situation. GTT is contending that the illegal bypass operation has been active for more than five years, costing the country approximately US$30M. This burning issue was brought to the fore on numerous occasions over the last two years, GTT posited, noting that it is time for transparency “to ensure openness and forthright conduct and to establish confidence that all interested parties are being treated fairly and equitably.”

The Guyanese people must know the complete details of the unauthorised cross-border link, the telephone giant said.

It said instead of clearing the air on the issue, Digicel has opted to make excuses and has launched new and unfounded claims that are meant to distract the public and media.

“To finally provide complete transparency about the illegal bypass operation, we

Digicel CEO Kevin Kelly (left) makes a point, while his GTT counterpart Justin Nedd counters at the Public Utilities Commission hearing last Tuesday

call for the Government to initiate a comprehensive audit, conducted by a respected and experienced third party.

Since assuming office, the Government has pursued a number of audits to bring clarity to various aspects of our economy. Given the financial significance of an illegal bypass operation, it would certainly seem appropriate for a similar audit to take place here,” GTT said.

RELEASE FINANCIAL RECORD Additionally, GTT wants Digicel to release its financial records to determine whether it paid taxes from the revenues generated by the alleged “illegal bypass operation.”

“Given Digicel’s acknowledgement of its bypass activity, the public deserves to know – with conclusive evidence – if the company has paid its fair share of taxes on the tremendous revenues it has reaped from this activi-

ty,” GTT argued.

GTT is maintaining that based on its investigation, Digicel should have paid US$30M or GUY$7B to Guyana’s treasury over the last five years.

“Think about the loss to Guyana if these taxes have not been paid. It is 30 million U.S. dollars that could have gone to new roads, bridges and other infrastructure improvements. It is 30 million U.S. dollars that could have been put to work to fight disease and improve healthcare.

No matter how you look at it, this would mean a tremendous loss to our country and our people if the taxes have not been paid,” GTT further argued.

It said that Guyanese would agree that Digicel should not be allowed to flout the laws of Guyana by conducting an unauthorised international telephony business.

“The fact of the matter is, Guyanese citizens are arrest-

ed for significantly smaller transgressions than what Digicel has been doing for at least the last five years.

So now, we must insist on action. Action that produces transparency and finally sheds a bright light on this dark activity that Digicel has been conducting,” the company insisted.

With liberalisation on the horizon, the practice of equity and transparent conduct of all players is of paramount importance, GTT reiterated.

SMOKESCREEN However, Digicel has long rubbished the claims made by GTT. During a meeting with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Digicel Chief Executive Officer Kevin Kelly denied the allegations, stating that the remarks were being used as a “smokescreen” to cover up GTT’s “anti-competitive” act.

The matter surrounding

Fuel boat explodes

By Alva Solomon A BOAT laden with fuel exploded on Saturday afternoon at Santa Rosa, Moruca.

No injuries were reported.

Reports are that sometime after 15:00hrs, fuel was being unloaded from the vessel downriver from the port of Kumaka when the fire started.

The incident occurred in the vicinity of “Green Island “located a mile away from Kumaka.

Residents reported that gasoline was seen along the water prior to the explosion and persons noted that a leak may have started the fire. At least two persons were on board at the time and

they reportedly ran for cover as the flames ignited.

According to reports, the owners of the vessel who are from the Pomeroon River, sought permission from the Santa Rosa Village Council last year to sell fuel at wholesale quantities in the area.

The boat would travel into the area and moor along the sides of the river bank as sales were arranged with locals.

Moruca resident Graham Atkinson told the Guyana Chronicle that he was in church at the time when he was told thick smoke was observed in the distance. He said when he saw the smoke he immediately suspected it was a fuel boat which had caught afire.

He said the village council had

appealed to the operators of such boats to exercise extreme caution while conducting their trade in the area.

He said this was emphasized since the village was informed that the operators would usually cook on board the fuel vessels.

Meanwhile, following Saturday’s incident, residents expressed concern over the practice of fuel boats loading and offloading near the Kumaka Bridge.

Persons called on the village council to urge the boat operators to moor their vessels upriver, since a conflagration could reduce the entire waterfront business area to ashes, the residents contended.

Digicel’s alleged illegal bypass resurfaced last Wednesday after it took GTT to the PUC over what it considers to be an “anti-competitive” act. In a complaint to the PUC, Digicel contended that GTT’s promotion “Get More Pay Less” is “anti-competitive.”

It argued that GTT, which still holds a monopoly in the market for international services in Guyana, is providing Digicel with a wholesale rate, which is considerably in excess of the “highest possible retail rates its customers would pay.”

Digicel is requesting that the Commission make an order forthwith that all present and future promotions concerning international rates, be extended by GTT to Digicel to be offered as part of their bundled minutes to their customers.

Last Tuesday, when the companies met with PUC Chairman Prem Persaud, Digicel’s CEO explained that if the assumption were to be made that customers only use the GTT bundle for overseas calls to Canada and USA, then their call rate will be between $26.26 and $30.40.

“This is significantly below the PUC set retail rates of $100 ($90 off peak) and US$134.50 ($94.15 off peak) for the USA and Canada respectively,” Kelly pointed out.

At present, GTT gives Digicel a discount on these PUC set retail rates, which on average is 35 per cent.

Therefore, Digicel’s cost per minute would be in the region of $65 and $87.42. As such, Kelly contended that GTT’s bundles are ‘unfair’ and should be adjusted, or the PUC should lower the price so that Digicel can benefit as well.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 26, 2017

Tuschen accident…

Mohan’s file to be sent for legal advice THE Guyana Police Force will be seeking legal advice in the fatal accident involving four- year-old Ramkaran Mohan of Tuschen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo.

The child was fatally struck down on March 14 and relatives and residents have since been protesting, calling for the female driver who was driving the car to face the law.

Police in a statement on Saturday said the file will be sent for legal advice on Monday.

The police said the administration of the force has noted and respects the views expressed by those concerned, but calls for caution to be exercised

since investigations are not a “fly-by- night” process.

In addition, the police noted that as regards the circumstances surrounding the accident, greater attention to detail had to be exercised prior to submitting the file for advice.

“We urge all concerned to be patient as we assure that a professional approach into the matter has always been at the forefront,” the police said.

On March 14, at approximately 11: 30hrs, Ram and his seven-year-old brother, Komal, were being accompanied by their uncle, Michael Plass, to a shop obliquely opposite their Lot 1088, Tuschen residence, to purchase a ball to play cricket when he was struck

Dead: Ramkaran Mohan, known as “Ram”

by a silver-coloured Toyota Premio bearing the number plate PVV 5084.

The car was driven by a woman identified as Grace Alves, from the same area.

The toddler was rushed to the Leonora Diagnostic

Centre and was subsequently transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he succumbed a few hours later.

The female driver and the car were taken into custody, but according to Commander of ‘D’ Division, Leslie James, the woman was subsequently placed on $20,000 station bail.

When asked if she will be charged, Commander James told the Guyana Chronicle that the police have received conflicting reports as to how the accident occurred.

He said two witnesses reported that the child had run into the path of the car, while another witness stated otherwise.

Sol Guyana spruces up manatee pond

The team from Sol Guyana Inc during the maintenance exercise at the manatee pond in the Botanical Gardens

SOL Guyana Inc. on Saturday conducted yet another maintenance exercise at the manatee pond at the Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens in Georgetown, as part of activities in fulfilling its corporate social responsibility.

A team of managers and employees from the regional petroleum company which has a local office at Lot BB Agricola, East Bank Demerara, visited the Zoological Gardens and cleaned and painted the manatee pond and surroundings areas.

In addition to maintaining the manatee pond at the Zoological Gardens, the company has also contributed to a number of charities.

A significant share of the company’s annual budget is earmarked for environmental conservation and educational initiatives and it has been involved in these projects for decades.

Sol supplies fuels, lubricants and Liquified Propane Gas (LPG) through an extensive service station network and supplies petroleum-based products to commercial customers who are involved in shipping, luxury boating, aviation, mining, trucking and fleet operations.

The petroleum marketing company is the largest in the Caribbean basin, with operations in 23 countries.

Mental health to be tackled at community level – through partnership between Public Health Ministry, PAHO

THROUGH a Community Mental Health Programme, the Public Health Ministry in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) will train a wide range of medical personnel to treat common mental health disorders.

In making this disclosure, Director of the Mental Health Unit, Dr. Util Richmond-Thomas, explained that the Community Mental Health initiative will give much needed support to the psychiatrists in Guyana.

There are six psychiatrists: three at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), one at the National Psychiatric Hospital, one at Linden Hospital Complex and one in the private sector.

“The majority of mental, neurological and substance use disorders can be managed by non-specialist health care providers. It is a myth that improvements in mental health need expensive technologies and large numbers of highly specialised staff,” Dr. Richmond-Thomas said.

Cognisant of the challenges and the opportunities, she said the Public Health Ministry will soon embark on

a training programme targeting non-specialist doctors in the 10 administrative regions.

The trainers were trained by PAHO in August 2016.

“These trained healthcare providers will treat the common mental health disorders. These include depression, self-harm or suicide, psychosis, bipolar disorder, epilepsy or seizures, developmental and behavioural disorders and substance abuse disorders. They will also be trained in the appropriate pharmacological and psychosocial interventions for these disorders,” the Mental Health Unit director explained.

“Of course, there will always be need for specialists.

However, the vision is that with so many watchdogs of the nation’s mental health, there will be a drastic reduction in mental, neurological and substance abuse disorders and a corresponding increase in quality of life,” she added.

When this programme takes full effect, persons needing mental care will no longer have to leave their communities and travel long and expensive distances to the regional hospitals or to GPHC and the National Psy-

chiatric Hospital.

“They will be able to access that care at the health centres in their community or at their regional or district hospital. Like pregnancy, diabetes mellitus and hypertensive persons will be able to access effective care everywhere including the health centres from competent health care providers.

Also like pregnancy, diabetes mellitus and hypertension, they will be referred for specialist care when necessary,” Dr. Richmond-Thomas posited.

ANTI-DEPRESSION CAMPAIGN Additionally, the Mental Health Unit will soon launch its anti-depression campaign.

Through these programmes and with sustained collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders, Guyana’s suicide rate is expected to drop by 2018.

Currently, Guyana has the highest suicide rate in the world, however, the country has not been suffering alone, Dr. Richmond-Thomas said.

She explained that globally, there is a large gap between the need for treatment

and the actual provision of it. Between 76 per cent and 85 per cent of people with severe mental disorders receive no treatment for their disorders in low-income and middle-income countries, she pointed out.

In high income countries that figure is 35 per cent to 50 per cent. Suicide in Guyana is a reflection of this problem.

“Depression is the most common mental illness. It accounts for 4.3 per cent of the global burden of disease and by 2030 is forecasted to be the second largest single cause of disability worldwide using the WHO’s measure DALY (disability adjusted life year),” she further explained.

Statistics show that approximately 50 per cent of persons who commit suicide are depressed. Approximately 15 per cent of depressed patients kill themselves.

Although there are known, effective treatments for depression, fewer than half of those affected in the world are diagnosed and treated and in low-income countries such as Guyana, fewer than 10 persons.

“This reality is as a result of lack of resources, lack of

Mental Health Unit Director, Dr. Util Richmond-Thomas

trained health care providers and social stigma associated with mental disorders,” the Mental Health Unit director noted.

Other barriers include inaccurate assessments, mis-diagnoses and incorrect treatments. The pattern is the same for all mental

disorders. Almost half of the world’s population lives in countries where on average one psychiatrist serves 200,000 or more people.

Other mental health providers who are trained in the use of psychosocial interventions are even scarcer.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 26, 2017

Walter Rodney and our complex Guyanese Journey

IF DR WALTER Rodney were alive, he would have been 75 years old this past week. Some people have been asking me to comment on the status of the Walter Rodney CoI, which was debated in the National Assembly last August.

Some wanted to know why the WPA has not been making noise about the failure of the government to act on the findings.

I think as far as the government is concerned, the Rodney matter is closed.

When the report of the Commission of Inquiry was debated in the National Assembly, the majority voted to “acknowledge” it and “take measures to examine the findings and recommendations herein in order to ascertain whether any and if so, which are acceptable and implementable.” The PPP’s original motion wanted the Assembly to adopt rather than merely acknowledge the findings of the report.

I suppose acknowledging rather than adopting the findings places less bur-

den on the government to act on them. One therefore must ask whether after seven months the authorities have not found any of the findings and recommendations implementable.

I, personally, am not hopeful that there would be any movement in that direction. The entire thing is too tied up with partisan politics. From the beginning, the PPP treated the matter as a political football aimed at scoring points against the PNC. Not surprisingly, the PNC’s response was equally partisan. The new government, dominated as it is by the PNC’s faction, continued the PNC’s line that the inquiry was flawed and halted it prematurely.

In the circumstances the WPA’s hands are tied; there is not much we can do as a party. From the beginning the party was marginalised from the process— we were never consulted.

The PPP claimed that this was Mrs Rodney’s request, even though there seems to be some confusion re-

garding the truthfulness of that claim. But as WPA’s Eusi Kwayana pointed out, even if such a request had been made, that should not have prevented President Ramotar from consulting the WPA and others. The WPA took the position that the government’s failure to consult important stakeholders renders the CoI partisan, but did not object to its members participating.

The WPA is part of the present government and I suppose in normal circumstances it is not unreasonable to expect the party to pressure its colleagues to do more regarding the findings.

But, the truth is that we have little if any leverage within the government. We have always been and continue to be committed to justice for our assassinated brother. We continue to believe that Walter Rodney’s assassination was planned and executed because of his political activity and with the full knowledge of leading officials of the then government and the State. Insofar as the CoI es-

tablishes that, we embrace it.

I do not think that the recommendations of the CoI are unreasonable. They include calls for the professionalisation of the police force and the army, so as to avoid future assassinations.

In fact, since the Rodney assassination, there were several others which occurred under the PPP’s watch and in which members of the police force were prime suspects.

The other recommendations had to do with free and fair elections and working to heal the ethnic divide.

The WPA is not opposed to such reforms and I would be surprised if the other parties in the coalition are opposed to them. But the sticking point is the findings.

The PNC would never accept any finding that implicates it founder-leader. The AFC has never been an interested party on this matter and would not oppose its larger colleague’s stance.

It’s unfortunate that the CoI has been mired in partisan politics; once that happened, it puts us in a no-win

situation. As a party, we certainly didn’t want to be party to the PPP’s game. But we also didn’t and don’t want to be party to the PNC’s disregard for what happened.

My own view is that the whole Rodney affair, like other important incidents in our political history, is the victim of our precarious political environment.

It would take tremendous maturity on the part of the PPP and PNC to allow for more freedom to deal with the unfortunate moments in our political journey. We are not there yet.

For me, the primary task for us who are believers in the Rodney way is to ensure that his contributions both at the levels of ideas and practice are put to work in the process of ensuring that Guyana remains a livable place that is hospitable to the best in humanity. I continue to believe that Rodney is essential to unleashing the most noble aspects of our collective humanity, but we have to unshackle him from our dirty politics.

I recently met a young Tanzanian journalist who told me that she read and studied Rodney’s “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa” while she was in high school. Just think if our high school students can be similarly exposed, what that can do for their intellectual development and for the quality of knowledge construction in Guyana.

Today we grapple with Social Cohesion, but Walter Rodney and his ideas, which dealt a lot with our common Guyanese-ness is not part of the discourse. I doubt that those in charge of Social Cohesion ever read a paragraph

by Rodney; hence, the lack of appreciation for his value in that regard. We continue to self-destruct.

More of Dr. Hinds ‘writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com. Send comments to dhinds6106@ aol.com

Dynamic Airways promises ‘agreeable’ exchange rate RORAIMA Airways has said that tickets for travel on Dynamic Airways will be sold at the exchange rate applicable on the day of the transaction and will be “mutually agreed upon,” as it stays clear of mentioning an exchange rate.

The announcement by Roraima Airways follows criticisms from the travelling public pertaining to the high exchange rate to travel on the airline, which in recent years has been in the spotlight for a number of problematic issues.

The airline in a release said it is accepting payment in Guyana dollars for airline tickets and travel agents re-

mitting payments for tickets sold on Dynamic are encouraged to remit such payments in U.S. dollars.

These agents might have access to U.S. dollars at competitive exchange rates, the airline noted.

However, Roraima said it will accept remittances from travel agents in Guyana dollars at a mutually agreed exchange rate to the U.S. dollar.

On Friday, Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr Gobind Ganga, told reporters during a press briefing at the Ministry of Finance that the air carrier may have illegally upped its foreign exchange rate regarding ticket prices.

It has been charging a

G$250 to US$1 rate.

Reports on Thursday say Roraima Airways , the local handling company of Dynamic , informed travel agencies that the carrier’s tickets must be sold at a new rate of G$250 , a rate which it arrived at after making similar increases within a matter of days.

Dr Ganga said the rate would be “less competitive” for the problematic airline, a move he termed illegal, since according to him, the entity should utilise the Central Bank exchange rate which he termed an advertised rate.

Roraima Airways said it has noted the efforts of the Government to stabilise the

exchange rate and will monitor the rate over the coming weeks to determine whether the rate needs to be adjusted.

“We have been in discussions with Dynamic and the airline is committed to maintaining its competitive airfares of $US579 which are currently the lowest offered on the Guyana/New York route,” the airline said.

Roraima Airways Chief Executive Officer, Gerry Gouveia, said Dynamic Airways remains fully committed to Guyana and will continue to contribute to various social development efforts in keeping with its good corporate citizenship.

Roraima Airways CEO Gerry Gouveia

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 26, 2017

The hustle mentality will be the bane of development WE are living in a world where sound-bytes are becoming acceptable forms to influence support, speak to issues, and perform in a manner not to the welfare of the people and their peaceful co-existence. There is a crisis in the delivery of service, not supported by the laws and acceptable tenets, but acceptance to fall for sound-bytes and the new category of con-artists (hustlers) that are taking the people for a ride, using their tax dollars to militate against their interest.

The government, trade union, private sector, cooperative, and other institutions are not exempted from review. People are speaking to issues and engaging in acts not guided by laws and universal acceptable principles but by gut-feeling and expedience. When we talk about hustle we mean operating outside of universally acceptable norms and standards.

As a citizen of the world, when Donald Trump was elected President of the United States (U.S.) on a campaign ran purely on sound-bytes and devoid of substance, integrity and programmes, there resided serious reservations as to the

quality of governance he could deliver to the U.S.,the world and international institutions, given the country’s global influence.

Since his presidency, we have seen Executive Orders to ban the entry of Muslims, which the Courts have rejected given their discriminatory content and violation of the constitution. Last week, attention was paid to him and the House of Representatives move to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act (ACA), given that in addition to projections the vote would have denied 24 million access to care, the human rights element troubled me.

The United Nations, which the U.S. co-founded, has declared healthcare a fundamental right and the effort by the Barack Obama administration to make it a reality, through the ACA, has my support. Thankfully, the House failed to get the required votes to replace the Act and as Republican Speaker Paul Ryan-a principal mover against the ACAwas compelled to conclude in the moment of defeat, “Obamacare remains the law of the land.”

Those who wanted to deny this right to all are ben-

eficiaries of care for them and family, through a federal healthcare plan. Trump, who is obsessed with erasing Obama’s legacy, as president has round-the-clock physician, an emergency medical vehicle that travels with him and free access to military hospitals, all paid for through the sweat of the labour of the taxpayers whom he wanted to deny at least a little of what he enjoys.

What the U.S. situations are advising us is that the hustle mentality poses a threat of becoming the new norm and should it be allowed to succeed, carries dire implications for the people’s rights, freedoms, growth and development. Guyana is not spared in this regard and whereas the U.S has active civil society and other systems of checks and balances that can aid in righting the society, we are not quite there.

When persons vie for leadership or are appointed to leadership, coming with it, is great responsibility. Elected leadership is about programmes developed for the people, guided by principles, conventions, charters, rules and laws. Appointed leadership is expected to abide by the aforesaid and implement

programmes within the confines of the policies.

The society condemns the policeman who solicits or accepts “small piece” when a person violates the law, not recognising the condemnation, though deserving, the police is a microcosm of the degeneracy that accepts hustling as the best way to give the impression that things are done according to the rules or to skirt the rules.

When a government minister refuses to follow law and procedures to execute an act, because such requires compliance and justification, which he/she considers hindrance to achieving a pre-determined agenda, this is a form of hustling. The consequence of such behaviour not only threatens the systems in place to ensure law and order, but sets a dangerous precedent, and erodes good governance.

That elected and appointed official who makes you feel he is getting the job done by refusing to respect laws and established rules, being contemptuous of demographics he/she considers a humbug, though the rights of the group are protected, he/she is not operating in the interest of acceptable behaviour

and the collective, but making statements because they sound sexy and provide relatable sound-bytes.

The businessman who thinks it appropriate to work with a custom officer to rob the State its deserving revenue robs the society, and hinders the execution of programmes for the public good. Likewise, the elected officials who have the authority at their disposal to effect laws, policies and programmes to empower the people, but instead pretend the job is being done by calling on the people to act when they do not have the institutional capacity to so do, are engaging in a hustle at the people’s expense.

By some twisted logic these persons have come to accept that calling for things to get done when they are the ones who hold the levers to get them done is a sufficient form of governance. Yes, it provides good sound-bytes and headlines that somebody recognises the problem and is calling for it to be fixed, but why must we as a people settle for this hustle from those who are entrusted the responsibility to deliver?

The historical integrity that came with wanting to

serve the public has been increasingly brought into question for years now. This society can bear witness to public officials who have abused the people’s confidence to pursue avenues for personal enrichment. Any way such acts are looked at, regardless of who is in office, or has your vote, it is unacceptable. Public service was never meant to be the vehicle for personal enrichment.

Every progressive society has enshrined in its law the people’s rights and freedoms and behaviours that flow therefrom are expected to confirm and respect these tenets, be it government or non-government organisations. The trending hustle mentality, which holds in contempt these values, is robbing us of what we justly deserve.

We deserve good governance, quality social services, tax compliance, security, proper representation, decent wages and working conditions, employment, and other opportunities which would redound to our development. We must therefore hold ourselves and leaders accountable for realising and delivering these.

Sophia, Angoy’s Avenue youths benefit from SBB programme THE SMALL Business Bureau (SBB), in collaboration with several ministries has initiated a Youth Entrepreneurship Programme for 40 ‘at risk’ youths, ranging in ages from 18 to 25.

This Youth Biz 592 programme commenced on March 14, targeting youths from Sophia, Georgetown and Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice.

In an interview with the

Government Information Agency (GINA), Officer in Charge of the SBB, Gillian Edwards, said that the programme evolved through collaboration among the Ministries of Public Security, Education, the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, and the U.S.-based Youth Build Link and the SBB. Edwards said that the aim of the programme was to keep youths who have

been abused, school dropouts and teenage mothers among others out of possible negative activities. Edwards said the programme also helps to guide the youths into entrepreneurial activities.

“It is a very complex programme, because while addressing all those needs, we also address the physiological needs of the youths as well,” Edwards noted.

The youths are being

schooled in the areas of literacy, and parenting skills, and there is also a focus on gender. Edwards said that the hope is that at the end of the programme the “youths are steered towards creating their own businesses.”

However, Edwards said that in some instances some of these youths already have their own businesses and they will be looking to expand them because there is also a grant component of

the project. She explained that the SBB offers support in this initiative through day care support and stipends for transportation because they want to keep encouraging the youths to attend all the sessions.

The pilot project will last for three-and-a-half months and is funded by the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB).

Edwards noted that the Ministry of Public Security

with Youth Build Link from the USA, (the lead expert for the project on entrepreneurship), signed the project and the Ministry of Public Security contracted SBB to implement it.

Edwards said that all entities involved are excited about the project.

The sessions will be interactive and the content of the modules simple to understand. (By: Gabreila Patram)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 26, 2017

Climate change, environment, – top agenda of CARPHA human health research conference here HEALTH and environmental specialists from the region and farther afield will examine a raft of issues during the 62nd Annual Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) conference that will be held here in Guyana next month.

In a statement, CARPHA’S Executive Director, Dr. James Hospedales, said that increases in vector-borne diseases, rising sea levels, prolonged periods of drought, and intense storms and hurricanes in the region are among critical issues on the agenda.

The conference will be held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown, from April 27-29 under the theme “Climate Change, the Environment and Human Health.”

CARPHA Executive Director, Dr. James Hospedales

The CARPHA conference is expected to “deliver a roadmap to chart the regional response to climate and health,” Dr. Hospedales said.

He said the conference is a major regional forum where health researchers share and

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud

promote ways in which evidence can be used to improve people’s health and prevent death and suffering. The conference “also provides a training ground for young researchers,” Hospedales explained, adding that environmental health profession-

als, researchers, senior health officers and clinicians will be among regional and international delegates to attend the health research conference.

An expert panel of climate change and health specialists is also expected to deliver their findings on the implications of rising sea levels, the impact of climate change on food security and health, as well as the significance of tobacco use among Caribbean youths.

Additionally, these experts are expected to share their perspectives on transgendered health, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and the much-feared Zika virus.

The conference will host a series of events including a

grant writing and implementation science workshop; a stakeholder policy dialogue; training in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH); training in indoor air quality, and a seminar on Health Diplomacy for Caribbean Chief Medical Officers (CMOs).

Guyana’s CMO, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, said the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) “is fully supportive of the event” as it will zero in on diseases that are of serious concern to the country.

Dr Persaud said a programme targeting local tourism and health industries will also be launched during the week of the conference.

According to him, the agency will work with the

Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) to include hoteliers, and tour operators into a system of surveillance, which will include training in food safety, and regulatory mechanisms.

Dr Persaud wants locals in the health and environmental sectors to register and take full advantage of conference sessions.

The Caribbean, which comprises small island nations, is one of the most vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change.

In recent years, the vulnerability of the region has been exposed by the vagaries of climate change and diseases spread by vectors, especially mosquitoes.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 26, 2017

Baby Heart Foundation to expand services in Guyana – amid success stories THE team of cardiologists and other medical professionals from the International Children’s Heart Foundation, commonly known as the Baby Heart Foundation (BHF), plans to expand its services in Guyana, more specifically at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The Guyana Programme to Advance Cardiac Care (GPACC), a project supported by the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Canada, provides collaborative support to BHF by facilitating operations and care services to patients who might be diagnosed with heart diseases.

Paediatric Cardiologist of BHF, Dr. Rodrigo Soto, said that officials from the team are currently engaged with the Ministry of Public Health and officials of the GPHC on expanding the facility to accommodate more patients for the purpose of observation to efficiently complete any heart surgery.

“There are many things that we have been discussing with the Ministry of (Public) Health and with GPHC in order to expand our unit, the intensive care unit, to double the capacity in order to accommodate more patients, since we have been increasing the complexity of our cases,” Dr. Soto explained.

The aim of the GPACC is to improve the health outcomes of patients with heart disease. This programme started in 2015 and takes up accommodation at the GPHC, housing a six-bed cardiac intensive care unit (CICU), a six-bed step-down unit, a heart-function clinic, a cardiology clinic, an active echo and treadmill laboratory and an in-patient ward cardiology service.

The BHF, working along with GPACC, is looking to have more health care professionals trained to perform surgical procedures and cardiac care on an extended basis.

Dr Debra Isaacs, a cardiologist attached to the GPACC, said there will be a time when a team in Guyana will be able to independently support the programme. Dr Isaacs explained that, “Our goals are not to just come here and do things; our goals are to actually work with the local health care team and increase their skills to allow sustainability of these programmes. My goal, I have always said, is that at some point people will say, well you don’t actually have to come here and work anymore, we could do it on our own, come and visit, but we

don’t need you to do the work.”

Meanwhile, Dr Isaacs said that she has noticed that overall cardiac healthcare has continually improved over the years through support from GPACC and the Baby Heart Foundation. “We have got to the point where the echo laboratory, the treadmill laboratory and the cardiac ICU are actually still continuing the work when we are not here. We’ve proDr. Debra Issacs – Cardiologist, Guyana Programme for Advanced Cardiac Care (GPACC)

Dr. Rodrigo Soto – Paediatric Cardiologist, International Children’s Heart Foundation (ICHF)

vided support and provided increased education and provided increased service and we are always available.

We’re in contact online, but they [local team] are actually running the service really on their own.”

The Baby Heart Foundation is halfway through its first trip to Guyana for the year 2017. The cardiologists

aim to complete 14 open heart surgeries during this first visit. Children between the ages of five months old to 17 years old, over the past week successfully underwent surgeries.

Congenital heart disease is said to be the leading cause for babies and children needing to undergo open-heart surgeries. The disease has a rate of 0.8 to one percent in the birth of babies per year, which means that infants born in Guyana among these statistics will have Congenital Heart Disease.

Dr. Soto said, “That would put Guyana in anything between 60 to 70 patients every year, new patients every year with congenital heart disease that require surgery.”

The team is expected to complete a total of four visits for the year, aiming for a targeted 100 per cent success rate. (By: Delicia Haynes. (GINA)

Argentinian seeks Guyana’s support for top IICA post MR. MANUEL OTERO, the Argentinian candidate for the post of Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) made a two-day visit to Guyana last week in a quest to win support in the elections for that post which will be held in October.

Mr Otero made courtesy calls on Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder; Director General of the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Audrey Waddell; Ambassador Colin Granderson, of the CARICOM Secretariat, as well as the office of the representative of the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the local office of the IICA. His aim he said was to let these officials get to know him and know some of his visions for the continuing development Turn to page 19 ►

Mr. Manuel Otero, Argentina’s candidate for the post of Director General of IICA from 2018-2022 during his visit to Guyana last week

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 26, 2017

25 Bartica youths graduate as heavy-duty equipment operators LAST FRIDAY, the Ministry of Social Protection through its Board of Industrial Training (BIT), graduated 25 youths at Bartica.

The BIT training programme is aimed at empowering youths with skills necessary to meet the future needs of local industries. During the six-month session, the youths were trained specifically in Heavy Duty Equipment Operation.

Present at the graduation ceremony were Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott; Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford; Deputy Mayor of Bartica, Kamala Persaud; Assistant Director of the National Community Development Councils (NCDC), Donald Ainsworth; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Protection, Lorene Baird and Heavy Duty Equipment Operator Officer Earl Pestano.

Minister Scott said that the graduation of the youths

From left to right- Assistant Director of the National Community Development Councils (NCDC), Donald Ainsworth; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Protection, Lorene Baird; Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott; Heavy Duty Equipment Operation Officer, Earl Pestano and Executive Development Officer of the Hope Foundation, Ivor Melville, along with the 25 graduates

indicates that Bartica will no longer have to look to Georgetown for handouts. The minister said that the youths are now equipped with the skills needed to further push the developmental process in the township.

However, Minister Scott highlighted the importance of government’s intervention to foster the leaders who under-

stand how to go about developing the ‘Green Town’ of Bartica. “Unless we train you, unless we train your brothers and sisters they would not know how to do it,” the minister explained.

Minister Scott also encouraged the youths to form cooperatives as it is the best way to rapidly develop the town.

The minister said by form-

ing the cooperatives “it will help you to access the type of equipment you need to foster development in Bartica and Guyana as a whole.”

Deputy Mayor Kamala Persaud, lauded the graduates for completing the training programme. However, she cautioned them stating that, “going forward I hope that you will constantly tell yourselves

that the sky is not the limit, your mind is; whatever you put your mind to you can achieve it and today is a testimony to it.”

The deputy mayor urged the graduates not to take the opportunities they receive for granted. Persaud noted that very soon, the town and the larger region will need the skills that they have acquired.

Persaud stated that “there are many projects as we move forward that will require your knowledge, your skill and you will financially benefit from these projects.”

NDCD Assistant Director Donald Ainsworth expressed similar sentiments as Deputy Mayor Persaud and Minister Scott. He urged the youths to use the skills they have acquired to foster development in Bartica. “There is so much to be done to develop Bartica that your skill would be needed right here and I hope that you would commit yourself to enhance life here in Bartica.”

The graduation of 25 youths makes it the third batch to graduate from the BIT training programme in Bartica. While the course saw only males graduating, the Heavy Duty Equipment Operator Officer Earl Pestano indicated that already five females have registered for the programme, which recommences in April, 2017.

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Tourism workshops kick off in Bartica THE first in a series of regional tourism workshops to be held over the next several months kicked off on Friday, at Bartica/Potaro, Region Seven.

The workshop was held in the boardroom of the regional administration office, began at 14:00 hrs and attracted some 30 participants.

Director-General of the Department of Tourism within the Ministry of Business, Donald Sinclair, who on Thursday briefed the media on plans for the rolling out of the workshops and related

activities, said the workshops are being held in accordance with the Ministry of Business policy of spreading the planning of tourism to all regions of Guyana, through its Department of Tourism.

The aim of these regional tourism workshops, the director-general said, is to decentralise the planning of tourism to all the regions of Guyana, as a means of having the regional authorities more involved in tourism planning.

In other words, it is an effort to decentralise tourism planning, rather than have it

all happening in Georgetown – either from the Department of Tourism or the Guyana Tourism Authority.

The workshop held at Bartica will be replicated in all the other regions, Mr Sinclair said, pointing out that the objectives are to enhance stakeholders’ understanding of the role that tourism can play in the development of the region; identify in each region, the visitor hotspots that serve, or can serve as the basis for a viable visitor industry; as well as elaborate the lines of action needed to

Department of Tourism Director-General Donald Sinclair, addresses journalists at the press briefing in the company of Tourism Development Officers (from left) Surujdai Kissoon and Joyanne Ramnauth

strengthen tourism business, based upon those hotspots identified.

Sinclair said the Department of Tourism believes that these planning workshops will be most meaningful were they to have the participation of regional administration decision-makers.

These are the chairman and regional administrative officer; representatives of the banking and security sectors; owners/managers of key tourism establishments and services such as hotels, houses, restaurants, transportation services, places of entertainment, events, organisers; and persons in sports and culture.

It is anticipated that coming out of the workshops, there will be an agreed list of tourism hotspots for Region Seven; that there will be clearly established and defined roles for each key stakeholder, as well as ‘lines of action’ with time frames for developing tourism, based upon those hotspots.

BEST KEPT VILLAGE (BKV) COMPETITION Launched last month at the Ministry of Business in Georgetown, this initiative was the brainchild of the Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, who has delegated the director-general to come up with details about the competition.

Following last month’s launch, all regions were invited to select their participating villages. Entries will be entertained in three categories: small, medium and large.

A high level of interest was shown in this competition, as was evident from the queries and phone calls from prospective sponsors.

The purpose of the initiative is to restore and enhance pride in village and community; nurture a passion for a clean, pleasing and healthy village environment and strengthen cooperation and partnerships within the village with the aim of improving village environments.

There will be three cat-

egories in which to enter: Small Village – population under 1,000; Medium-Sized Village – population between 1,000 and 5,000 and Large Village – population over 5,000.

Specific responsibility for getting the villages ready will rest with the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in each region and residents through self-help.

The director-general stressed that the “Best Kept Village Competition” offers to sponsors, high visibility and abundant corporate social responsibility opportunity by way of their financial contributions to the prize pool.

Judges will be paying close attention to a number of areas in the competition.

These are absence of litter and unsightly refuse dumps; condition of playing fields, schoolyards, public spaces and signboards; condition of public and private buildings, gardens and other open spaces; condition of churchyards and places of worship, schools, cemeteries and monuments; condition of public halls, sports facilities, and community buildings; cleanliness of public conveniences; state of trenches, drains and canals; condition of commercial and business premises, including advertisement and other signs; initiatives in train to care the environment; and efforts in progress to create welcoming and visitor-friendly attitudes in residents.

All administrative regions have signalled their intention of participating in the Best Kept Village Competition, with Region Seven submitting the largest number of Villages (13) in the Small Village category, followed

by Region Two with seven in the same category and Region Nine with five.

In the medium category, Region Three had the highest number of submissions with eight villages participating, followed by Region Seven with four entries.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 26, 2017

Argentinian seeks Guyana’s... of IICA in its role of promoting sustainable agricultural development among member states through the facilitation of innovative technical cooperation.

In a brief interview at Argentina’s embassy in Georgetown, Mr Otero who is a veterinarian by profession told Chronicle that during his courtesy calls on local officials, he had learnt a great deal about agriculture in Guyana and the efforts of the Govern-

ment to implement policies for the benefit of farmers.

He added that he had also visited the CARICOM Secretariat where he learnt more about CARICOM and the Regional integration process.

He said: “Since I am from Argentina I found that I have to be very humble and be conscious that the reality of the other countries in South America is totally different from the reality of the Caribbean

Sunday, March 26, 2017 - 04:00 | 14:30 hrs Monday, March 27, 2017 - 04:30 | 14:30 hrs Tuesday, March 28, 2017 - 05:00 hrs

countries.”

He said that he and Minister Holder agreed on the necessity for IICA to differentiate its strategy for the Caribbean from that of its strategy for the Latin American countries.

He added that as a candidate for the position of Director General he had made a commitment to Minister Holder that if elected he will create within IICA the position of a Regional Director for

From page 14

the Caribbean who will be responsible for executing strategies suited to the needs of farmers and the development of agriculture in the Region.

Himself and Minister Holder had also agreed on the need for IICA to strengthen the work of the Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute (CARDI).

He also pledged if elected to ensure greater collaboration between

the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and IICA to ensure that their programs for agricultural development activities do not overlap and create wastage of time, effort and money.

Mr. Otero, 67, worked with IICA in various senior positions for several years his last post being IICA representative to Brazil from 2011 to 2015.

He said he would also promote Guyana as an

IICA member state for membership in the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Centre (CATIE) , a regional centre dedicated to research and graduate education in agriculture, and the management, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources also based in Costa Rica and headed by a Guyanese Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim. (Clifford Stanley)

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Head coach Dover sees competitive game against Martinique on Tuesday …Charles Pollard honoured to be named Assistant Coach

“IT’s a privilege anytime you’re called up to represent your country, this time it is no different. It was an honour when I got the phone call to be assistant to Wayne Dover…it’s only fitting that I give him my support,” said Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard, the newly-appointed assistant coach said.

Pollard was called to the position following Dover’s appointed as interim national head coach for the International Friendly against Martinique on Tuesday at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground (MSC), Linden.

The soft-spoken assistant coach who has been an outstanding former national defender and cap-

tain, has been coaching for approximately four years.

While he currently coaches Club Sando, a Trinidadian professional club, he began his coaching career at Slingerz FC in Guyana.

“I’m still learning the game as a coach. I was excellent as a player but coaching is a different factor…I’m enhancing my education,” Pollard,who represented Guyana for approximately 17 years stated.

In commenting on coaching players who were youth players and sometimes teammates during his years as a player, Pollard said: “I think it will be easier. I think we have the relationship from then to now.

They’ve always respected me when I used to play, the transition was easy. I think some of the guys here have not experienced football at the highest level and need some support. That’s where I come in, to share my knowledge and nurture them.”

Looking ahead, the coach who played professionally in Trinidad and USA,noted that while the current national team has a good blend of youth and experience with a good attitude, the mental game needs to be improved.

However, he is interested in sharing his talent and experience: “I’m positive, I would not want to be a part of something I’m not

IAAF World Relays attract title sponsorship from telecoms firm THE IAAF World Relays has had a change of name.The event will now be called the IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas 2017 after the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) announced its sponsorship.

“This is another ‘blue letter day’ in the history of BTC,” said BTC CEO Leon Williams, when announcing the title sponsorship.

“Today, we are again stepping up to the plate, investing almost $400,000 in the youth of this nation to ensure that their limitless potential is met. By investing in the community, we are investing in a better future for the entire country.”

The relays, scheduled to run from April 22-23, is also sponsored by the Caribbean Bottling Company Bahamas Limited, ASICS, SEIKO, TDK and Official Supplier Mondo.

“The success of any venture of this magnitude is the partnership of good corporate citizenry,” said Rosemunde Carey, CEO, IAAF/BTC World Relays.

“We will take this opportunity with your partnership, to promote not only our athletes and country, but BTC as a valuable corporate citizen. Your enthusiastic support has added vibrancy to our unique branding of the IWR that no other country has ever hosted.”

Drmic keeps up Switzerland’s perfect qualifying record (REUTERS)-Josip Drmic scored less than two minutes after coming on as a substitute to give Switzerland a 1-0 win over Latvia which kept up their 100 percent record in their World Cup qualifying group on Saturday.

The Borussia Moenchengladbach forward, who had not scored a goal for either club or country this season, came off the bench in the 65th minute to replace Gelson Fernandes and 90 seconds later rose at the far post to

majestically head in Admir Mehmedi’s cross.

The win left Switzerland top of European Group B with 15 points from five games with second-placed Portugal on nine points ahead of their match at home to Hungary later on Saturday (1945 GMT).

Switzerland dominated the game and Latvia, who have only three points, were indebted to 36-yearold goalkeeper Andris Vanins for keeping the score down.

sure of or won’t be successful at. Guyanese are a very competitive type of people physically,but if we work on the mental part, we could do a great lot.”

Meanwhile, the Golden Jaguars continue intensive daily training sessions at the National Track and Field Facility, Leonora,as they prepare for the International Friendly on Tuesday.

In an invited comment, Interim head coach Dover said it will be a competitive game and he is working assiduously to give the nation a good result: “Martinique is preparing for the CONCACAF Gold Cup and they’re coming with an extremely strong team.

We’re looking forward to the challenge, we know it will be a challenge but we will work diligently to ensure that we build the squad into a unit that will go out there and play so we can get as positive result. We will not approach timidly, we want to give a good showing especially to our fans so that they can go away feeling satisfied based on the result of the night.”

While most of the squad have arrived, Marcel Barrington, Samuel Cox and Warren Creavalle are expected in the country today.

The team will be shortlisted on Monday.

Patrons are encouraged to wear yellow.Admission to Tuesday’s game is $1,500.

Jeffrey using GMR&SC season opener as gauge

By Stephan Sookram FRESH off his exploits in Endurance Karting, Stefan Jeffrey believes that the April 2nd National Race of Champions is the litmus test to understand the capabilities of his machine.

Under the auspices of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC), the first leg of the local championship will take place next Sunday with an eye to blowing the dust off competitors.

He said, “We got some work to do right now, we had a little mishap about two weeks ago so we had to bring in some parts but so far we are in the middle of some Fab [fabrication] work.

“I’m trying to go up tomorrow [Sunday] to test my gearbox. I changed some ratios to try and get it right because obviously it’s a new motor and we did some testing about two weeks back and we are trying to get that right before next week Sunday,” Stefan added.

He has returned to gym work and karting ahead of the event, adding that game plan wise, “the aim is to bring the car home safe, obviously; bring the car home safe and stand on the top step of the podium.”

Speaking about a possible entry to the Caribbean Series, Jeffrey said that he is open to it once he gets a full understanding of the car having installed some new parts, hinting at the possibility of at least making three rounds.

His Honda Civic is sponsored by Automotive Art, Stanley Dewalt, A&S Signs, Shiv Autobody, Hose and Bolts, Brava lubricants and Kristal Cleaners.

Meanwhile, the event’s sponsors include Ansa McAl,through the Stag Beer brand, ExxonMobil, Fly Jamaica, Seaboard Marine, Tony’s Auto Spares, Japarts, Choke Gas Station, CARICOM Auto Sales, E Networks, S. Jagmohan Hardware supplies, Truck Masters and Jialing.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 26, 2017

Rain ends first day’s play with S.Africa on 123 for four (REUTERS)-South Africa were 123 for four in the third Test against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Saturday be-

fore rain forced the abandonment of the first day’s play after 41 overs.

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who won the toss

and chose to bat after overnight rain delayed the start of play by 30 minutes, was on 33 and Temba Bavuma on 13 when the decision to end

Hashim Amla play was made.

The hosts had dismissed Hashim Amla for 50 after lunch just before the rain returned and forced the players off the field at about 3.20 p.m. (0220 GMT) midway through the middle session.

While the rain had stopped, umpires Rod Tucker and Bruce Oxenford aban-

doned play shortly after 5.45 p.m. after they inspected the wicket and outfield.

New Zealand had reduced South Africa to 71 for three at lunch, which was taken five minutes early when a rain shower swept across the ground.

Matt Henry, who was brought back for the injured Tim Southee, dismissed debutant opener Theunis du Bruyn for a duck and had JP Duminy caught in the deep about 20 minutes before lunch.

Colin de Grandhomme had the first session’s other wicket when he bowled Dean

Elgar for five as the hosts, who were also without Trent Boult, reduced the Proteas to 5-2 in the fourth over.

Amla was the only other wicket to fall when he played around a de Grandhomme yorker shortly after he had reached his 32nd test half century.

Rain is forecast for the Hamilton area throughout the Test, which New Zealand must win to level the series after South Africa won the second game in Wellington by eight wickets.

The first Test in Dunedin ended in a draw with the entire final day washed out.

SCOREBOARD SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings D. Elgar b de Grandhomme 5 T. de Bruyn c Latham b Henry 0 H. Amla b de Grandhomme 50 J. Duminy c Patel b Henry 20 F. du Plessis not out 33 T. Bavuma not out 13 Extras (lb-1 w-1) 2 Total (for 4 wickets, 41 overs) 123 Fall of wickets: 1-5 T. de Bruyn,2-5 D. Elgar,3-64 J. Duminy,4-97 H. Amla To bat: Q. de Kock, V. Philander, K. Maharaj, M. Morkel, K. Rabada Bowling: M. Henry 10 - 2 - 25 - 2(w-1),C. de Grandhomme 16 - 3 - 43 – 2, N. Wagner 13 - 2 - 44 – 0,J. Patel 2 - 0 - 10 – 0.

Tamim ton fires Tigers past Sri Lanka (REUTERS)-Opener Tamim Iqbal struck his eighth hundred and shared a 144-run stand with Shakib Al Hasan to set up a comprehensive 90-run win for Bangladesh over Sri Lanka in the first one-day international at Dambulla on Saturday.

Left-hander Tamim hit a 142-ball 127 while all-rounder Shakib scored a brisk 72 off 71 deliveries to help Bangladesh post 324-5 in their 50 overs after the hosts won the toss and put them in to bat.

Sri Lanka, who suffered their first Test loss to their South Asian rivals on Sunday, were bundled out for 234 in reply with nearly five overs remaining.

The hosts were reduced to 31 for three in the 11th over and never recovered.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal’s 59 was the only knock of substance from Sri Lanka’s top order while all-rounder Thisara Perera struck a few late boundaries in his 55 from 35 balls.

Seamer Mustafizur Rahman was the most successful bowler for Bangladesh with figures of 3-56.

Earlier, Bangladesh lost opener Soumya Sark-

ar for 10 but recovered through a second-wicket stand of 90 between Tamim and Sabbir Rahman who scored 54.

Sabbir and captain Mushfiqur Rahim (one) were out in successive overs to bring Tamim and Shakib together and the duo rebuilt Bangla-

desh’s innings before accelerating on.

Tamim hit 15 fours and a six in his innings while Shakib’s knock included four boundaries and a six.

The second ODI in the three-match series will be played at the same venue on Tuesday.

SCOREBOARD BANGLADESH Innings T. Iqbal c Gunathilaka b Kumara 127 S. Sarkar c Chandimal b Lakmal 10 Sa. Rahman c Tharanga b Gunaratne 54 M. Rahim c&b Sandakan 1 S. Al Hasan c Sandakan b Lakmal 72 Mosa. Hossain not out 24 Mahmudullah not out 13 Extras (lb-10 w-13) 23 Total (for 5 wickets, 50 overs) 324 Fall of wickets: 1-29 S. Sarkar,2-119 Sa. Rahman,3-120 M. Rahim,4-264 S. Al Hasan,5-289 T. Iqbal Did not bat: M. Hasan, M. Mortaza, T. Ahmed, M. Rahman Bowling: S. Lakmal 8 - 0 - 45 – 2,L. Kumara 8 - 0 - 74 - 1(w-3), T. Perera 8 - 0 - 63 – 0,S. Pathirana 5 - 0 - 27 - 0(w-2), L. Sandakan 8 - 0 - 43 - 1(w-3),A. Gunaratne 10 - 0 - 40 - 1(w-1) D. Gunathilaka 3 - 0 - 22 – 0.

SRI LANKA Innings D. Gunathilaka lbw b Mortaza 0 U. Tharanga c Mortaza b Ahmed 19 K. Mendis c sub b M. Hasan 4 D. Chandimal c Sarkar b M. Hasan 59 A. Gunaratne c Mosa. Hossain b Al Hasan 24 M. Siriwardana c sub b M. Rahman 22 S. Pathirana c Mahmudullah b Mortaza 31 T. Perera c Mahmudullah b M. Rahman 55 S. Lakmal c Sa. Rahman b M. Rahman 8 L. Sandakan run out (M. Rahman) 3 L. Kumara not out 0 Extras (lb-5 w-4) 9 Total (all out, 45.1 overs) 234 Fall of wickets: 1-0 D. Gunathilaka,2-15 K. Mendis,3-31 U. Tharanga,4-87 A. Gunaratne,5-121 D. Chandimal,6-153 M. Siriwardana,7-171 S. Pathirana,8-208 S. Lakmal,9-232 L. Sandakan,10-234 T. Perera Bowling: M. Mortaza 7 - 2 - 35 – 2, M. Hasan 10 - 0 - 43 – 2, T. Ahmed 9 - 0 - 41 - 1(w-2) S. Al Hasan 8 - 0 - 33 - 1(w-1), M. Rahman 8.1 - 0 - 56 - 3(w-1), Mosa. Hossain 3 - 0 - 21 – 0.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE march 26, 2017

Smith ton helps Australia to 300 ... left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav shines on debut with 4-68

DHARAMSALA, India(Reuters)-Australia skipper Steve Smith’s third century of the series and India spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s memorable debut left the fourth and final Test between the teams evenly poised on Saturday.

Smith, comfortably the leading scorer of the series, made 111 as he and David Warner, who scored 56, added 134 runs for the second wicket to help Australia dominate the morning session after opting to bat.

Left-arm wrist-spinner Yadav, an inspirational selection in India’s bold move to go with five bowlers, led the hosts’ strong comeback in the post-lunch session when five wickets tumbled for 64 runs.

Matthew Wade made 57 down the order to help Australia reach 300 before the tourists folded leaving India to bat the final over of the day, a maiden one from Josh

Hazlewood.

Wade conceded Australia lost an opportunity to post a bigger total. “(Australia were) one for 140, so after lunch you hope to push but credit to the Indians who bowled really well through the middle session,” he told reporters.

“We had to find a way to grind out 300. To get there in the end was a good effort.”

Openers Lokesh Rahul, who faced all six deliveries from Hazlewood, and Murali Vijay will hope to give India a strong start when they resume today.

The hosts received a jolt even before a ball was bowled when regular skipper Virat Kohli was ruled out of the match with a shoulder injury he had sustained in the drawn third test in Ranchi.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, replacing fellow paceman Ishant Sharma, swung the first ball of the match to in-

duce an edge from Warner but Karun Nair spilled it at third slip.

India did not have to wait long for the breakthrough though.

In the next over, Umesh Yadav pushed one through Matt Renshaw’s gate and pegged back his off-stump to dismiss the opener for one.

Smith and Warner laid the foundation for a big first innings total with a century partnership during which Smith’s characteristic fluency contrasted Warner’s scratchy knock.

Warner brought up his first fifty of the series after Smith had reached his own, before Kuldeep led India’s fightback after lunch with brilliant display of wrist-spin bowling.

The 22-year-old generated extra bounce and the ball flew off the shoulder of Warner’s bat en route to India’s stop-gap skipper Ajinkya Rahane at slip.

Kuldeep Yadav is mobbed by his team-mates after taking anpther wiclet.

BCB Inter-zone U-17 tournament bowls off today THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Inter-zone Under-17 fifty-over round robin competition starts today, with two matches.

The tournament is divided into four Zones:Upper Corentyne, Lower/Central Corentyne, New Amsterdam/Canje and West Berbice.

Each Zone will compete in three matches each before a final squad is selected for the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) Under-17 Inter-County competition slated

for May. In today’s fixture,West Berbice will host Upper Corentyne, while the New Amsterdam/ Canje Zone will compete against the Lower Corentyne Zone at the Port Mourant Cricket Club ground.

Matches start at 09:30hrs and players are asked to report to their respective venues for 08:00 hrs sharp.

The competition will continue on April 2, at venues to be announced.

brilliant googly to peg back Australia.

Smith brought up his 20th Test century in 150 balls to steer Australia past the 200-run mark before edging Ravichandran Ashwin to Rahane in the slip.

Smith faced 173 balls during his composed knock, hitting 14 boundaries.

Wade and Pat Cummins, who made 21, defied the Indian bowlers

for nearly 13 overs before being separated.

“All four wickets are special but I guess the first wicket (of Warner) was important from the team’s point of view,” Kuldeep said.

“They did not take a chance against me and were largely content taking singles. I didn’t face any problem.”

The four-Test series is level at 1-1.

SCOREBOARD Skipper Steven Smith struck his third century of the series on the opening day in Dharamsala.

Umesh dismissed Shaun Marsh for four before Kuldeep (4-68) returned to further torment the tourists.

The Uttar Pradesh player disturbed Peter Handscomb’s stumps and then bamboozled Glenn Maxwell with a

AUSTRALIA 1st innings D. Warner c Rahane b K. Yadav 56 M. Renshaw b U. Yadav 1 S. Smith c Rahane b R. Ashwin 111 S. Marsh c Saha b U. Yadav 4 P. Handscomb b K. Yadav 8 G. Maxwell b K. Yadav 8 M. Wade b Jadeja 57 P. Cummins c&b K. Yadav 21 S. O’Keefe run out (Saha) 8 N. Lyon c Pujara b B. Kumar 13 J. Hazlewood not out 2 Extras (b-1 lb-10) 11 Total (all out, 88.3 overs) 300 Fall of wickets: 1-10 M. Renshaw,2-144 D. Warner,3-153 S. Marsh,4-168 P. Handscomb,5-178 G. Maxwell,6-208 S. Smith,7-245 P. Cummins,8-269 S. O’Keefe,9-298 M. Wade,10-300 N. Lyon Bowling: B. Kumar 12.3 - 2 - 41 – 1, U. Yadav 15 - 1 - 69 – 2,R. Ashwin 23 - 5 - 54 – 1, R. Jadeja 15 - 1 - 57 – 1, K. Yadav 23 - 3 - 68 – 4.

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Molino strike gives T&T crucial win in CONCACAF final round qualifier

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) — MLS star Kevin Molino scored the only goal as Trinidad and Tobago revived their 2018 World Cup dream with a 1-0 victory over Panama in their all-important CONCACAF final round qualifier here Friday night.

Desperately in need of a victory following losses in their two opening games last November, Trinidad were given a huge boost when the 26-year-old fired home what proved to be the winner in the 37th minute at the Hasely

Crawford Stadium.

The win left Trinidad fifth on three points in the six-team standings ahead of their clash with Mexico at the same venue on Tuesday.

Head coach Dennis Lawrence, in his first full international in charge after being appointed in January, praised the side for the character and national pride they displayed.

“I think the most important thing … that was demonstrated, was that what I asked the boys to do was to make sure the people of Trinidad and Tobago

came out and saw a team that wanted to fight for the country. I think they did that well,” Lawrence told a media conference afterwards.

“I am pretty pleased with 90 per cent of the game itself.

They tried to execute some of the things I wanted. We can enjoy it only for five minutes because the focus goes immediately onto to Mexico.”

Trinidad and Tobago were positive from the opening whistle, with Joevin Jones sending a free kick narrowly wide early before forcing a

Kevin Molino … scored the all-important goal for Trinidad and Tobago.

fine save out of goalkeeper Jaime Cano with a rasping drive.

Panama went close when Abdiel Arroyo sent his header wide but it was Trinidad and Tobago who grabbed the lead with half-time approaching.

Jones, just beyond the halfway line, played a pass into Minnesota FC forward Molino who found space to turn and surge to the top of the 18-yard box before unleashing a low right-footed volley that beat Cano to his right.

Goalkeeper Jan-Michael

Williams then pulled off a key save to preserve the scoreline when he denied Edgar Barcenas on the stroke of half-time.

In the second half, Panama pushed hard for the equaliser and while they had a couple of half chances, they failed to break down a stubborn T&T defence.

Veteran striker Kenwyne Jones came closest to adding to the hosts’ tally late on but only managed to lash his shot into the side-netting from close range.

Hamilton grabs pole, Vettel raises Ferrari hopes

By Ian Ransom MELBOURNE,(REUTERS)-Lewis Hamilton took pole for Mercedes at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Saturday but Sebastian Vettel raised hope of a Ferrari renaissance by grabbing a spot on the front row.

Hamilton’s flying lap of one minute 22.188 seconds set a new record at Albert Park but was only 0.268 seconds in front of German Vettel, offering the tantalising prospect of a competitive championship after three years of domination by the Silver Arrows.

Vettel left Hamilton’s new team mate Valtteri Bottas frustrated in the second row, the meat in a Ferrari sandwich next to fourth fastest Kimi Raikkonen.

On a cloudy day with the merest hint of rain, 32-yearold Hamilton grabbed his 62nd pole in Formula One,

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (C) of Britain reacts after setting pole position in qualifying alongside team mate Valtteri Bottas (L) of Finland and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel of Germany. REUTERS/Brandon Malone holding firm as Vettel and Bottas pushed hard late in the session.

After it wrapped up, the Briton rolled around the lakeside track with his index finger raised, 10 years

after his brilliant debut at the same circuit when he qualified fourth for McLaren and finished third in the race.

“It has been a fantastic weekend so far,” Hamilton

told reporters.

“I am really proud of my team, the guys have worked so hard to make the car what it is today.

“Valtteri has done a great job and it is great for Mer-

cedes. It is close between us all and it will be a tight race.”

After Hamilton dominated Friday practice, Vettel topped the timesheets in the final session on Saturday but rued a mistake in his fastest qualifying lap.”I lost it a bit in turn one...

Anyway, great job,” Vettel said on his team radio.

It was still encouraging enough for him to declare that the ‘scuderia’ could contend in Sunday’s race, having shown impressive pace and reliability during winter testing.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen qualified fifth but it was a forgettable day for his team mate Daniel Ricciardo, whose hopes of becoming the race’s first home winner spun out early in Q3.

He took a spin at turn 14, ended up in the gravel and will start 10th on the grid.

“I’m alright, sorry guys,” he said on the team radio before his car was towed off the track.

With McLaren plagued by power unit and reliability problems during winter testing, it was something of a surprise that twice champion Fernando Alonso survived the cut to Q2 and will start 13th on the grid.

His rookie team mate Stoffel Vandoorne will start 18th for the Honda-powered team.

Canadian teenager Lance Stroll has had a memorable, if drama-filled, debut for Williams and the 18-year-old was 19th fastest in Q1.

He will start last on the grid, however, due to a fiveplace penalty for needing a new gearbox following a crash during practice earlier on Saturday.

Antonio Giovinazzi, a late replacement for Pascal Wehrlein after the German pulled out with fitness concerns, will start 16th for Sauber after an impressive debut in qualifying, one behind team mate Marcus Ericsson.

Dempsey grabs hat-trick as U.S. hammer Honduras 6-0 (REUTERS)-Clint Dempsey scored a hat-trick as the United States hammered Honduras 6-0 in California on Friday to get their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign back on track.

The United States, who replaced coach Juergen Klinsmann with Bruce Arena in November after losing their last two qualifiers, opened the scoring through Sebastian Lletget after five minutes when he was on hand to tap home after Christian Pulisic’s shot squirmed past the goalkeeper.

Honduras came back into the game but the home side doubled their lead after 27

minutes when U.S. captain Michael Bradley was afforded time and space to fire home a low drive from 25 yards out.

Dempsey marked his return to the team after a year out with a heart complaint by making it 3-0 five minutes later when he volleyed home a deft pass from Pulisic, who made it 4-0 seconds after half-time when he shot into the bottom corner.

Pulisic turned provider again three minutes later with a perfectly weighted pass that Dempsey steered round the keeper before firing into the empty net.

Dempsey got his hat-trick and his side’s sixth goal in the

54th minute when he curled a spectacular free kick into the far corner of the net from 25 yards out.

The result takes the United States onto three points, equal with Trinidad and Tobago and Honduras, and off the bottom of the group on goal difference.

Mexico lead the table with seven points, one ahead of Costa Rica and three more than Panama.

The top three teams in the group qualify automatically for Russia while the fourthplaced side goes into a playoff with a team from the Asian conference.

United States forward Clint Dempsey (8) is congratulated after scoring a hattrick against Honduras during the second half of the Men’s World Cup Soccer Qualifier at Avaya Stadium. The United States defeated Honduras 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

29

SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 26, 2017

Ambris brilliant 231 puts Volcanoes in strong position BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) — Sunil Ambris’s monumental double hundred ensured Windward Islands Volcanoes took full honours for the second straight day of their eighth round game in the Regional four-day championship at Warner Park.

The 24-year-old righthander, resuming from his overnight 155 not out, carved out a splendid career-best 231 as Volcanoes piled up a mammoth 540 in their first innings on day two here Saturday.

Former West Indies

off-spinner Shane Shillingford then claimed three for 42 as Hurricanes stumbled and stuttered to the close on 135 for four — still 405 runs adrift with six wickets intact.

Captain and opener Kieran Powell top-scored with 49 while Keacy Carty made an attractive 35 and Jamaican Nkruman Bonner, 27 not out.

However, it was the innings of Ambris which will long be remembered. All told, the Vincentian stroke-maker faced a mere 256 deliveries in 5-1/2 hours at the crease, and

Sunil Ambris … struck a career-best 231. struck 27 fours and five sixes. night 371 for six into a poHe received support from tentially match-winning total.

Barbadian Kyle Mayers who Ambris raised his landsmashed a lively 76 while mark in the 12th over of the Shillingford got 31, as Vol- morning at better than a runcanoes converted their over- a-ball when he stroked left-

Allen’s aggressive half-century keeps Scorpions afloat PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) — Fabian Allen lashed an aggressive half-century in his first match of the season and second in first class cricket, to help Jamaica Scorpions keep their noses in front on day two of their eighth round game against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force here Saturday.

After eking out a small 27-run first innings lead, Scorpions found themselves stumbling badly on 66 for five in their second innings at Queen’s Park Oval before the 21-year-old arrived at the crease to pummel a top score of 60 of 68 balls, and help lift the visitors to 172 for seven at the close — an overall lead of 199 runs heading into Sunday’s third day.

Allen blasted five fours and four sixes as he posted his maiden first class half-century but more importantly, put on 65 for the sixth wicket with wicketkeeper Devon Thomas who

made 38.

Antiguan Thomas faced 59 balls and counted six

Seamer Rayad Emrit, with three for 30, had done the damage earlier as Scorpi-

Jamaica Scorpions captain Nikita Miller celebrates another one of his four wickets against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force on Saturday. (Photo courtesy WICB Media) fours before falling lbw to pacer Marlon Richards who finished with two for 25.

Allen added a further further 33 for the seventh wicket with Damion Jacobs (14 not out) before finally departing.

Over $3M up for grabs in today’s horse race meet IN excess of $3M will be up for grabs today when the Budhan Memorial Turf Club and Sports Complex stages its seven-race meet at the clubs facility at No. 66 Village, Corentyne.

Information reaching Chronicle Sport yesterday indicated that the feature event is for animals classified J1 and Lower, with the likes of Red Jet, Red Regent, Party Time, Little, Daddy’s Dollars and Blue Lightning listed to be in action.

Other events carded include the K and Lower, threeyear-old Guyana bred, L1 and Lower, L2 and Lower,Unclassified and Non-Winners.

Race time is 13:00hrs.

ons top order failed to find an answer to a purposeful Red Force attack.

The hosts, though, produced yet another disappointing batting display to be bowled out for 173, after resuming the day on 79 for three.

Captain and opener Kyle Hope, unbeaten on 33 overnight, top-scored with 67 while left-hander Yannic Cariah, starting the day on 19, made 45 — providing hope for Red Force in a positive 88-run, fourth wicket stand.

Hope faced 214 balls and struck six fours while Cariah consumed 129 deliveries and also counted six boundaries.

Once they were separated, however, Red Force slumped to 161 for seven at lunch and never recovered.

Captain and left-arm spinner Nikita Miller claimed four for 39 while leg-spinner Damion Jacobs picked up three for 46.

SCOREBOARD SCORPIONS 201 RED FORCE 1st Innings (overnight 79 for three) K Hope b Miller 67 J Solozano c wkp Thomas b Mindley 3 I Rajah lbw b Green 2 N Alexis lbw b Jacobs 10 Y Cariah lbw b Miller 45 Imran Khan run out 0 S Katwaroo b Jacobs 10 R Emrit not out 10 M Richards lbw b Miller 1 B Charles c Blackwood b Miller 4 S Cottrell b Jacobs 1 Extras (b7, lb9, w2, nb3) 21 TOTAL (all out, 84.2 overs) 174 Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-21, 3-49, 4-137, 5-137, 6-152, 7-156, 8-161, 9-173, 10-174.

Bowling: Mindley 13-6-23-1 (nb3), Green 14-5-30-1 (w2), Blackwood 4-1-7-0, Jacobs 23.2-2-46-3, Miller 28-8-39-4, Campbell 2-0-13-0.

SCORPIONS 2nd Innings T Griffith lbw b S Cottrell 21 J Campbell lbw b Richards 5 J Blackwood b Charles 16 P Palmer b Emrit 5 A McCarthy lbw b R Emrit 1 D Thomas lbw Richards 38 F Allen c Hope b Emrit 60 D Jacobs not out 14 D Green not out 4 Extras (lb3, w5) 8 TOTAL (7 wkts, 45 overs) 172 Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-38, 3-51, 4-53, 5-67, 6-131, 7-164.

Bowling: Cottrell 8-1-32-1, Richards 8-1-25-2, Charles 12-7-35-1, Emrit 8-2-30-3, Imran Khan 9-0-47-0.

Position: Scorpions lead by 199 runs.

arm spinner Jason Campbell to deep cover and sprinted a couple.

He extended his seventh wicket stand with Mayers to 173, a partnership which ensured Volcanoes dominated the first session.

Mayers, starting the day on 33, struck 10 fours and two sixes off 111 deliveries in a shade over 2-1/2 hours.

When he played on to Campbell, Ambris found an ally in Shillingford and together they posted a further 60 for the eighth wicket in quick time.

Ambris was eventual-

ly last out, caught in the deep by Jeremiah Louis off off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall, attempting yet another six.

Cornwall finished with four for 151 while Campbell picked up three for 100.

In reply, Hurricanes slipped to 36 two before Powell and Carty added 55 for the third wicket to put the innings back on track.

Powell faced 99 balls and hit seven fours but fell to a catch in the deep after attempting to go over the top with Shillingford.

Suns guard Booker scores 70 points to join elite club (REUTERS)-Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker became the unlikeliest member of an elite scoring club when he erupted for 70 points on Friday against the Boston Celtics.

Just the sixth NBA player to ever reach the scoring mark, Booker joins hallowed players Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, David Thompson, Elgin Baylor and David Robinson.

It was an astounding performance from Booker, a

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) controls the ball while Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) defends during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports 20-year-old second-year player, and one few could predict coming.

“It’s a night I’m going to remember the rest of my life,” Booker told reporters.

Phoenix (22-51) fell to Boston 130-120 but Booker stole the limelight with his shooting.

“It’s a zone. It’s kind of hard to explain. I’ve been in those zones before, but never to this extent.”

Booker, averaging 20.9 points per game entering the night, had never scored as many as 40 points before lighting up the scoreboard Friday.

He made 21 of 40 field goal attempts for the game and tallied 51 points in the second half. Phoenix called late timeouts to give him more shots and the Boston crowd cheered as his total climbed.

“That meant a lot (to be cheered), especially here in Boston. I know how rowdy they can be on opponents sometimes. I respect that.”

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 26, 2017

First T20 at Kensington Oval …

Windies taking nothing for granted against dangerous Pakistan BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) — Following their chastening whitewash last September, West Indies are quietly hoping to return the favour on home soil, when they take on Pakistan in a the four-match Twenty20 International series starting at Kensington Oval here today.

The T20 World champions looked a shadow of the side that dominated the showpiece in India just months before, as they slumped to an embarrassing 3-0 loss in the United Arab Emirates.

But even though revenge rests on their minds, captain Carlos Brathwaite said they were taking nothing for granted against a dangerous Pakistan side.

“They are very, very worthy opponents,” Brathwaite told reporters here Saturday.

“I think they are one of the better teams in the world as well and it is tough playing them in their backyard but we welcome them to the West Indies and we want to take home advantage as well.

“Hopefully we can reflect the score that we were given away from

home.”

He added: “I think they play a fearless brand of cricket. Sometimes you see them skiddled out for 80 but on another day they can make 180, 200, and it can

SUNIL NARINE be very exciting as well.

“I think one of their strengths is their rotation of strike in the middle overs, they play spin very well.

“It’s about us counteracting that but not focussing on their strengths but maximising ours.”

West Indies will again miss the talents of superstar opener Chris Gayle and will also have to do without the experienced all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Andre

Russell.

However, they have at their disposal the likes of Kieron Pollard, Marlon Samuels and Lendl Simmons, all of whom are proven match-winners in the game’s shortest format.

Brathwaite pointed out that even without some of their leading names, West Indies were still an extremely strong side and were backing themselves to put up big totals.

“We have strength in depth. Not having Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell and still being able to pick the team we’ve selected is massive for any international team,” he noted.

“One thing we’ve always been able to boast of is power-hitters and we have four or five one after the other and with three or four in the shed. There’s a perfect mix of experience and youth as well. We have very, very young guys like … Rovman Powell, Jason Mohammed but then there’s still elder statesmen — although Pollard is only 28 he is a T20 veteran.

“You have Marlon Samuels and Lendl Simmons who have been touring all

CB/DMLAS/MOE/NSSCL …

Georgetown Combined District clash with Mahaicony-East Coast today FOLLOWING yesterday’s final preliminary game in the Georgetown District, a Georgetown Combined District team was selected to play the Mahaicony-East Coast Combined team today in the quarter-final phase of the Guyana Cricket Board/ National Secondary School Cricket League at the Ogle Community Centre ground from 9:30hrs.

The team was selected after the game between North Georgetown Combined and the Rest of Georgetown (players from South and East Georgetown), which was played at the Ogle Community Centre ground.

Rest of Georgetown won by nine wickets, with

5.1 overs to spare.

Overnight and early morning rain reduced the game to 15 overs aside, since the tournament’s playing conditions clearly stated that a game can be reduced to any amount of overs provided that actual play is possible.

Batting first, North Georgetown reached 50-5, with Alphius Bookie (14), the only batsman to reach double figures. Aren Beharry and Amel Tilku were unbeaten on 8 and 6 respectively.

Bowling for Rest of Georgetown,Qumar Torrington (2-12), Osapho Green (2-13) and Stephon Wilson (1-4), were the successful bowlers.

In reply,openers Ameer

Singh and Jamal Michael added 51 runs for the first wicket before Michael went for 17. When the victory target was achieved in 9.5 overs, Singh was unbeaten on 29.

At the conclusion of the game the Georgetown Combined District squad was selected.

The squad reads: Sachin Singh, Jamal Michael, Garrick Persaud, Stephon Wilson, Alphius Bookie, Nkosi Beaton, Ameer Singh, Tuen Hicks, Kester McAllister, Qumar Torrington, Anthony Hetsburger, Sunil Ramlall, Diquan Bamfield, Wayne Bollers, Ashmead Nedd and Osapho Green.

over the world and playing with success so I think that blend of youth and experience as well as powerful hitters coming on to the back end of the T20 innings, we can capitalise in the last 10 overs anywhere in the world against any team in the world.”

Last year’s nightmare against Pakistan still looms large. It was not so much that the Windies lost the series but rather, the way in which they did.

They mustered a paltry 115 in the opening game batting first and lost by nine wickets, failed to chase down 160 in the second outing and lost by 16 runs before scraping together 103 in their final game to lose by eight wickets.

Brathwaite admitted he was still unsure about what went wrong but said he hoped to the team would put things right in the upcoming series. “[I’m] not sure. It’s a

multitude of factors. Obviously when things don’t go as well as you would like,

SHOAIB MALIK everyone seems to know the problem but in the dressing room we are trying to find the solutions,” he said.

“Hopefully those solutions manifest themselves on the field come Sunday and we can get a win in Barbados and then get three more in Trinidad which

would be an ideal situation.”

On Saturday, West Indies left out Jonathan Carter, Andre Fletcher and Veerasammy Permaul from the final 13man squad.

First ball in all matches is 12:30pm (11:30am Jamaica Time).

SQUADS:WEST INDIES — Carlos Brathwaite (captain), Samuel Badree, Jason Holder, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton, Kesrick Williams.

PAKISTAN — Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Ahmad Shahzad, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Fakhar Zaman, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Muhammad Nawaz , Hasan Ali, Sohail Tanvir , Wahab Riaz, Rumman Raees, Usman Khan Shinwari.

Saqlain commits to England as spin consultant SAQLAIN Mushtaq is set to join the ECB on a twoyear contract. Saqlain, the former Pakistan spinner, has already had a couple of spells with the England

SAQLAIN MUSHTAQ team as a “spin consultant.”

In India it was noticeable that the performance of Adil Rashid, in particular, dipped sharply once Saqlain had left the tour.

The new deal will extend his involvement to 100-days each year and allow him to work not only with players in the international side but those developing within the county game.

“The ECB has hired my

services for two-years and I have to work 100 days a year with them,” Saqlain told Dawn. “My main duty will be with the England team but I will also work with young and rising spinners in English cricket.

“Both Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali are very talented and are already making a mark in International Cricket.

They performed well in England’s tour of India and I am

hopeful that I will be able to guide them to more success.”

Saqlain admitted that the PCB had approached him about working with Pakistan but said there had been no follow-up to an initial enquiry.

“If people ask why Saqlain has not worked with the PCB yet, then they should redirect their questions to the PCB,” he said.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday March 26, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Chris Gayle-117 (vs SA, Johannesburg, 2007) (2) Ahmed Shehzad-111* (vs BANG, Dhaka, 2014)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Inclusive of today’s game, how many times the WI and PAK have contested T20 Int’ls to date?

(2) Who is the only WI bowler to take a five-wicket haul against PAK in T20 Internationals?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 26, 2017

Chanderpaul passes 26 000 first class runs but Jaguars facing defeat

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) — Veteran left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul passed 26 000 first class runs and was once against standing between Guyana Jaguars and defeat, as Barbados Pride took a stranglehold of their eighth round contest here Saturday.

At age 42, the West Indies legend’s powers showed no signs of wane as he carved out exactly 50 in Jaguars first innings as they collapsed to 250 all out, in reply to Pride’s mammoth 480 for three declared, on the penultimate day at Kensington Oval.

Forced to follow on by 230 runs, Jaguars were slumping at 78 for three after losing two quick wickets but Chanderpaul once again came to their rescue and was unbeaten on 30 at the close, with the visitors tentatively placed at 119 for three.

Today is a rest day to accommodate the Twenty20 International between West Indies and Pakistan at the venue but Jaguars — still

111 runs adrift of making Pride bat again — will require a Herculean effort on Monday’s final day to avoid defeat.

Attacking opener Shimron Hetmyer made 28 off 24 balls with six fours, in a 44-run opening stand with Rajindra Chandrika, before driving off-spinner Ashley Nurse to substitute Justin Greaves at cover, off the second ball after tea.

Chandrika, who spent nearly 1-1/4 hours over 23, put on 26 for the second wicket with captain Leon Johnson (16) but perished when he struck a return

a six.

Once he was lbw to Cummins in the 10th over

SCOREBOARD

Veteran left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul … passed 26 000 first class runs yesterday at Kensing ton Oval..

Miguel Cummins was the chief destroyer for Barabdos Pride with five for 41.

Anthony Bramble celebrates his half-century against Barbados Pride

after lunch, Jaguars collapsed as Cummins ran through the lower order.

catch back to left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican.

With eight runs added, Johnson was taken at the wicket off Nurse, who finished with two for 33.

Chanderpaul, however, combined with Vishaul Singh (14 not out) to stabilise the innings in an unbroken 41-run, fourth wicket stand.

Earlier, wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble topscored with an attractive 77 and Raymon Reifer got

31, but Jaguars wasted a promising position of 239 for five as they lost their last five wickets for just 11 runs.

Fast bowler Miguel Cummins was the chief destroyer with five for 41 while off-spinner Roston Chase picked up four for 46.

Resuming the day on 119 for four, Jaguars lost Reifer in the day’s seventh over after he had added just six to his overnight 25, leaving Chanderpaul and Bramble to rescue the innings in a 106-run sixth wicket stand.

Chanderpaul, unbeaten on 15 overnight, achieved 26 000 runs in his 357th first class match when he reached 19. He went on to face 197 balls in just over 4-1/2 hours at the crease and struck four fours and a six.

Bramble was positive from the outset, and his knock came from just 115 deliveries in 128 minutes and included 12 fours and

PRIDE 1st Innings 480-3 decl.

Jaguars 1st Innings (overnight 119 for four) S Hetmyer c Alleyne b Cummins 1 R Chandrika c (sub) Greaves b Chase 24 L Johnson lbw b Chase 15 V Singh c wkp Dowrich b Stoute 15 S Chanderpaul c Nurse b Chase 50 R Reifer c wkp Dowrich b Cummins 31 A Bramble lbw b Cummins 77 R Shepherd lbw b Chase 0 D Bishoo c Brathwaite b Cummins 0 C Pestano lbw b Cummins 0 G Motie not out 5 Extras (b9, lb13, w1, nb9) 32 TOTAL (all out, 89.2 overs) 250 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-56, 3-64, 4-86, 5-133, 6-239, 7-244, 8-245, 9-245, 10-250.

Bowling: Cummins 18.2-4-41-5 (nb5), Harding 12-1-45-0 (w1, nb4), Stoute 16-6-36-1, Chase 29-11-46-4, Nurse 8-2-32-0, Warrican 6-0-28-0.

JAGUARS 2nd Innings (following-on) S Hetmyer c (sub) Greaves b Nurse 28 R Chandrika c and b Warrican 23 L Johnson c wkp Dowrich b Nurse 16 Extras (b1, lb2, w1, nb4) 8 TOTAL (3 wkts, 40 overs) 119 Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-70, 3-78.

Bowling: Cummins 4-0-16-0 (nb2), Chase 7-2-19-0, Harding 5-1-190 (nb2), Nurse 12-1-33-2 (w1), Warrican 8-2-19-1, Stoute 3-1-9-0, Brathwaite 1-0-1-0.

Position: Jaguars require a further 111 runs to avoid an innings defeat.

Chanderpaul passes 26 000 first class runs but Jaguars facing defeat See story on page 31

Head coach Dover sees competitive game against Martinique on Tuesday …Charles Pollard honoured to be named Assistant Coach See story on page 25 Golden jaguars trained yesterday morning for their International Friendly against Martinique.

Head coach Wayne Dover

Assistant coach Charles Pollard works with some of the Golden jaguars defenders during yesterday’s training.

Jeffrey using GMR&SC season opener as gauge See story on page 25

Stefan Jeffrey’s Honda Civic

IAAF World Relays attract title sponsorship from telecoms firm See story on page 25

The event will now be called the IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas 2017.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017