Guyana_chronicle_epaper_08_26_2016

UG budget at $5.2B …VC announces major shake-up in leadership FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

No. 104655

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A living wage

…GPSU says gov’t offer falls short of demands P.9

Man charged with murder of Berbice boy 16 Gov't releases controversial bond contract ….PPP ups call for its revocation 21 P.

GDF is ready ‒ Pres Granger says at HOMEGUARD closing

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GDF troops during a simulation exercise as part of Operation HOMEGUARD at Tacama Training Area, Thursday morning (Ministry of the President photos)

Terani Goolsaran

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Chikungunya grounds Bheri

…verdict in ‘slap and strip case put off P.17

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

A living wage 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

…GPSU says gov’t offer falls short of demands THE Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) on Thursday made it clear that the Government of Guyana’s “final offer” on the wages and salaries talks, will not be decided upon before the union’s General Council meeting that is to be held by September 2.

“The pronouncement of the General Council will be communicated to the members, the Government of Guyana and the general public,” a statement from the union said.

The GPSU has maintained that its focus remains the provision of “a living wage” for public servants. Over the years, the union has been calling on the government to lift wages and salaries to a living wage, resolve the issue of de-bunching within the salary scales as well as address the adequacy of allowances paid to public servants.

Negotiations between the APNU+AFC coalition government and the GPSU began in June this year and resulted in the government first offering a 5.5 per cent increase for public servants earning below $100,000. Government’s initial proposals were rejected by the GPSU. The Government said the union had proposed a 40 per cent increase across the board for

public servants, something the union has denied. On the other hand, the Government said it had proposed a differentiated approach to the increases, so that the lower bands of public servants could benefit.

The Government is prepared to pay a 10 per cent increase to persons earning $99,000 or less; six per cent to persons who earn between $100,000 and $299,000; five per cent to public servants earning between $300,000 and $799,000; two per cent for those earning between $800,000 and $999,000; and one per cent for those earning above $1M. REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE However, the union maintains that during negotiations, a request was made for detailed information on several aspects of the government’s revenue and expenditure, which had not been provided. The union on August 9 proposed a three-year salary increase structure. As of January 1, 2016, the union proposed a flat increase of $7,500 monthly added to the salaries of public servants at December 31, 2015, as well as to the amount payable at the minimum and maximum of each of bands 1 – 14 of

the Schedule of Salary in the Public Service; and a 25 per cent increase across the board to the salariesof all public servants, as well as the amount payable at the minimum and maximum of each of the bands 1- 14.

For 2017, it was proposed that there be a flat increase of $7,000 monthly added to the salaries of public servants at the end of December 2016, along with the amount payable at the minimum and maximum of each band. Additionally, a 20 per cent increase across the board on all salaries as at December 2016 for public servants, coupled with the amount payable at the minimum and maximum of each of the 14 bands.

In 2018, the GPSU recommended a flat increase of $9,000 monthly, added to the salaries at the end of the previous year as well as the amount payable at the minimum and maximum of each band. A 20 per cent across the board was also recommended in 2018.

The union noted that in each of the years an additional increase should be provided for to cover inflation as determined by the Bureau of Statistics.

Furthermore, the GPSU had called for the beginning

President of GPSU, Patrick Yarde

of the de-bunching exercise immediately after the conclusion of the wages and salaries negotiations and proposed that after the first three years of service, public servants receive a one-month increase in wages and salaries and for every additional two years of service, one month’s increment be provided.

The union had also insisted that six months notification and information for appraisal criteria be given to public servants and a comprehensive exercise conducted to ensure that they are well acquainted with what they have to satisfy and/or confirm to. “Assessment should commence for performance in the year 2017,” the union urged.

In the case of allowances, the GPSU had reminded the

government that Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, agreed last year to begin reviewing the allowances paid to public servants. It was agreed that a Tripartite Committee comprising representatives of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the union would be established. “There has been an inordinate delay in addressing this matter. Execution of same should commence from a current date (in 2016) and completed within two months,” the GPSU stated. Additionally, the reform of the Public Service must be done with specific reference to the organizational restructuring in the public service, coupled with a job-evaluation exercise of the posts.

“In this regard, it is the GPSU’s position that the findings and recommendations of all previous and current reports of committees, arbitration tribunals and the Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service of Guyana should form an adequate basis for the determination and completion of this exercise within the three-year period of the above proposal,” the GPSU said.

It is the GPSU’s position that no full-time worker, whether public or private sector, should be forced to “go hungry, without reasonable shelter, basic clothing and ad-

equate leisure,” while noting that wages which dooms the worker to poverty deprives the employer of a motivated worker and correspondingly the quality and service which the public expects and deserves.

“Poverty robs the worker and his or her family of their self- esteem, right to dignity and a decent life, “the union stated. “The union’s argument in the struggle for a living wage for decades is that it helps to protect the workers at the lowest level of the socio-economic structure,” said the union, which is pushing not for a nominal wage, but a “real wage” determined by the cost of living.

The GPSU believes that for too long Guyana’s economy has been structured on a pattern of low wages which results in mass migration. “We further believe that once the compensation pay for those at the bottom of the scale is taken care of, consequential increases and adjustments will satisfy the need for those at the top.

The union is not unmindful of the immediate implication of implementing what a living wage should be and is prepared to support a multi-year approach [three years] to achieve this goal,” a statement from the union said.

Guyana can learn from China’s embrace of education ‒ Prime Minister says

By Rabindra Rooplall CHINA, which was a poor, underdeveloped country is now the envy of the world as it has leapfrogged into being one of the fastest-growing economies with its embrace of education, says Prime Minister and First Vice-President, Moses Nagamootoo.

The Prime Minister, who was accompanied by his wife Sita Nagamootoo, made these remarks on Wednesday evening at a reception hosted by the Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Zhang Limin at the Chinese Embassy.

The event was in honour of all the participants of the Chinese training programmes and scholarships, most notably media officials and journalists from across the state and private entities who recently benefited from a three-week training course hosted by the government in the People’s Republic of China.

Other sectors such as

health and security also benefited from their officials being granted similar opportunities.

At the event, Director of the Government Information Agency, Beverly Alert, related the experience she gained along with 17 other media operatives who attended the three-week course in China.

In expressing her gratitude, two frames of photographs of the team at different sites in China were presented to Ambassador Zhang Limin and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

ICT SEMINAR IN CHINA The Prime Minister disclosed that government recently approved a memorandum for Minister of Public Telecommunications Catherine Hughes and another batch of Guyanese to attend a seminar on ICT in China, which is leading the way into the digital future.

Minister Hughes will be exposed to technology that

will be of benefit to Guyana, Prime Minister Nagamootoo said, adding that with determination and sacrifice any country can hit the high road of development and prosperity.

“We need to retrace our steps and re-invent our relationships. The Ambassador addressed the issue of the media giving coverage to Chinese companies in Guyana and I must say things are quite different now than they were in the past,” the First Vice-President noted.

He explained that it is expected that all Chinese companies conform to the laws of Guyana. “When you open the doors for investment you must make sure you bring in the pure and uncorrupted investors and it must not be seen as anti-Chinese or anti-Indian or anti-African, when criticisms are made of the way companies do business.”

FRIEND OF GUYANA Underscoring that China is a friend of Guyana, the Prime Minister noted that all investors must have a fair return and be treated fairly. “They must

have an open playing field as everyone else would enjoy and there should be no selective treatment of Chinese companies in the same way there should not be any focus of the media unfairly against Chinese companies. Deal with the facts and not sensationalism.” He said the press is not there to persecute, only to present verifiable and credible facts.

Meanwhile, Reginald Brotherson, Permanent Secretary, Department of the Public Service, Ministry of the Presidency, said all of the scholarships, whether short or long, have financial implications.

He said Guyana has benefited from several disciplines in training, including technology, communication, medicine and finance among others.

“We expect you the beneficiaries of the training would ensure that you utilize such training for the development of Guyana…” he noted.

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Zhang Limin, noted that although the two countries are separated by vast oceans, the first group of Chinese arrived in Guyana as early as

1863 and a monument was erected in Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara, for the Chinese.

He explained that the Chinese people have been living in harmony with the local people and gradually integrated into the local society and became one of the six groups in Guyana.

Ambassador Limin said China has assisted Guyana in its development through grants and donations to the Government of Guyana, as well as through scholarships. He said the China/Guyana friendship has evolved while he has been working here for over three years. However, some sections of the media have been peddling untruths about some Chinese companies in Guyana.

“I know the reports of the media are trying to get the attention of the public so it’s natural to have some exaggeration, but I think journalists should have their professional ethics and these should be based on the facts and should not be fabricated,” the envoy declared.

He said the Chinese com-

panies are willing to make more investments in Guyana and more contributions to the economic and social development of the country.

It is good when the media point out things that are done wrongly by Chinese companies, the Ambassador said, as all Chinese companies are required to abide by the legal requirements in Guyana.

MEDIA INPUTS “If the media can point out the wrongdoings, then it can be helpful for the company to develop themselves. I think the reports should be objective and respect the facts… I hope that journalists and friends from the media can do more work to assist with [the] China/Guyana friendship,” the ambassador noted.

In 1972, Guyana was the first English-speaking Caribbean country to recognise the People’s Republic of China, and after more than 42 years of friendship and cooperation, the bilateral relationship between these two countries continues to flourish.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

Mahaica fatality…

Daughter to take British mom’s remains home TWENTY-three-year-old Sheneeza Lewis, who was injured on August 17, 2016 in an accident that claimed her mother’s life on the Chelsea Public Road, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital on Tuesday.

The body of her mother, 58-year-old Bibi Ameroon Hussein O’Donovan of Lot 15, Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice, will be returning to England where it will be buried.

The two British citizens were heading to the airport on their

US election...

Trump calls Hillary Clinton a ‘bigot’ REPUBLICAN presidential nominee Donald Trump has accused Democratic rival Hillary Clinton of being a “bigot” in his latest appeal to minority voters.

Speaking at a Mississippi rally, he said his opponent “sees people of colour only as votes, not as human beings worthy of a better future.”

Mr Trump added that Mrs Clinton and the Democratic party had taken advantage of the African-American community.

Mrs Clinton fired back, saying, “He is taking a hate movement mainstream.”

The Democratic presidential nominee called out Mr Trump for questioning the citizenship of President Barack Obama and for failing to disavow former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, adding that he was “peddling bigotry and prejudice and paranoia”.

In recent days, Mr Trump has attempted to court African-Americans after failing to gain support among this key voting bloc.

Sheneeza Lewis

Dead: Bibi Ameroon Hussein O’Donovan

way back to England when the taxi they were using crashed into a truck on the Chelsea Public Road, killing Ms O’Donovan instantly.

Relatives told this publication that having been discharged from the hospital, Lewis, who suffered a broken jaw in the collision, will be returning to England this Sunday.

Meanwhile, Haroon Eshack, 66, the driver of the ill-fated vehicle, has been slapped with charges pertaining to causing death by dangerous driving.

He was denied bail by Sparendaam Magistrate, Zamilla Ally-Seepaul, upon learning that the man was previously involved in a fatal accident in Berbice where three persons had

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been killed.

Eshack, it is alleged, drove his car, HC 6753 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing O’Donovan’s demise on August 17 along the Chelsea Public Road. He was not required to plead to the charge.

Reports are that the car that was being used by the mother and daughter was heading to the airport for a 05:00hrs check-in when it slammed into the rear of a truck, GHH 7197, in the vicinity of the Mahaica Bridge.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

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Tax-free overtime for bauxite workers

BAUXITE workers can soon expect the implementation of tax-free overtime in keeping with a promise made by the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government upon assumption to office.

In a meeting with the management of the Bauxite Company Guyana Inc. (RUSAL), Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence said it was a done deal, explaining that the Finance Minister Winston Jordan will soon make a pronouncement on the matter. “This is a done deal, the workers will be given their tax exemptions on overtime,” Minister Lawrence said on Thursday.

At the time, Minister Lawrence was speaking at the Department of Labour in the presence of the Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott; the Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle; Labour Consultant, Francis Carryl; and senior functionaries of RUSAL including the Programme Manager, Gennadly Derevyanko.

Tax-free concession on overtime work was implemented in 1988. This concession was enjoyed by workers up until 2007 when it was arbitrarily taken away by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Administration. The move by the PPP Administration had adversely affected the earnings of bauxite workers from Linden and Kwakwani, and was seen as a punitive exercise for not supporting the PPP. In addition to making the announcement, Thursday’s meeting between the Social Protection Ministry and the Management of RUSAL was primarily held to discuss and possibly iron out a number of issues plaguing workers operating in the Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice District.

However, the contentious issue

Senior functionaries of BCGI/RUSAL during the meeting at the Labour Department surrounding the 57 workers company’s master payroll, with respect to the payment ter several minutes of delib- that, the law allows us to do who were dismissed from the Ministry’s Labour Con- of N.I.S and P.A.Y.E, and eration, the Ministry agreed that,” he lamented.

But Minister Scott, who BCGI/RUSAL back in No- sultant expressed major con- secondly to dismiss workers. that it would write the comvember 2009 did not surface, cern over the hiring of con- He said in the end workers pany on this particular matter was clearly in a ‘no-sense’ because they were unable to mood, said no worker should although there were high tractual workers, contending are losing. be laid off because of a de“This contract thing can’t arrive at a consensus. expectations on part of the that the move is an attempt Workers had also com- fective vehicle. According to unions given a commitment to circumvent the payment work, we only call them given by the current admin- of N.I.S and P.A.Y.E contri- contract workers to prevent plained about being forced him, alternative work should them from getting their ben- to drive defective vehicles, be provided until the maistration to resolve the matter. butions.

Nevertheless, painstakIn response, the com- efits. They are not entitled to and they are made to pay chines are repaired.

While there were some ingly, the officials discussed pany’s representatives said bonus, they are not entitled for damages to vehicles and in detail the 31 complaints once employed under con- to pay increase, they are not equipment. When the matter disagreements, RUSAL made to the Ministerial tract for service, it is the re- entitled to anything,” Ogle arose, the company’s con- agree to establish an Occusultant cited case in which pational Health and SafeTeam by the bauxite workers sponsibility of the employee lamented. workers were asked to oper- ty Committee, and host a Additionally, the workers during a recent visit to the to pay his own N.I.S and had complained about the 30 ate a machine two hours at a meeting with workers and company.

P.A.Y.E contributions.

In response, the manageBut this response was minutes launch break and the time, when the AC became other representatives to ment of the bauxite compa- met with major objection by two 15 minutes break they dysfunctional, but they re- determine which hospital ny agreed to effect several the Chief Labour Officer. “If are given during a 12 hours’ fused. As such, he said in workers should be taken to corrective measures, howev- you are a responsible com- work day, saying that it was such a case, the workers in the event of an accident. er, key issues regarding the pany or a foreign company, insufficient. But when the would be paid for half a day With the current system in contracting of workers, hours you should guide and advise issued surfaced during the for a given period, and if the place, workers are taken to of work, overtime, the pay- them that all workers must meeting, RUSAL’s consul- matter is not solved, they Balwant Singh Hospital but ment of National Insurance pay their N.I.S. and P.A.Y.E tant Mohammed Akeel asked would be temporarily laid they are usually left with Scheme (N.I.S) and Pay As contributions, nothing else is “wuh wrang with duh?” Af- off. “The law allows us to do huge medical bills.

You Earn (PAYE) contribu- acceptable,” Ogle said. tion, and the lunch period He too maintained that are up for further discussion the move by the company to given major disagreements. hire workers on a contractual Requesting to see the basis is to circumvent the law

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence engages the Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle during the meeting in the presence of Minister Keith Scott

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

Prime Minister Rowley’s visit to Jamaica

COMING soon after the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government Meeting in Georgetown (July 4-6) it may have passed under the radar or escaped attention of a four-day visit (July 17-21) to Jamaica by Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. This visit which was hosted by Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness sought to address a range of issues relating to the bilateral relationship, including trade and immigration, between the two countries.

In July 2013 then Leader of the Opposition Holness had publicly called for Jamaica to suspend its membership of CARICOM until growing trade-related disputes could be satisfactorily resolved more urgently with Trinidad and Tobago.

Since being elected prime minister in February 2016, Holness has repeatedly made it known that Jamaica has no intention of leaving CARICOM. It is also instructive that so soon in leading the country’s new government, he moved to have the burning issues addressed and resolved.

The meeting is deserving of attention, given that it was not only held by two new leaders in government who have made it clear their commitment to address festering concerns that existed between the countries and their peoples, but also for its implications in deepening the integration movement.

The two countries within recent times have had estranged relations, primarily stemming from immigration differences.

T&T had been turning back, deporting and detaining Jamaicans on claims of violations of its immigration laws. In speaking specifically to the immigration matter and approach to addressing same with Rowley, Holness said, “Both leaders must find ways to ensure that ‘this natural exchange and interconnectedness between our countries is hassle-free and facilitated by our respective regulatory bureaucracies.”

Before the engagement of the two Heads, residents of Jamaica had reacted to the treatment of their fellow citizens by the T&T authorities, calling on their government to block the entry of products made in the twin-island republic. Citizens were called on not to purchase these goods and shopkeepers to take them off the shelves. The potential effect of this were it to be carried through and/or sustained would not only be a breach of Jamaica’s obligations under CARICOM, but also would have been likely to have negative consequences on the producing and purchasing countries, as well as on trade and integration.

The Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) is hinged on free movement of goods and services in the region.

However, in the area of movement of people, there continues to be different views on how this should happen and even conflicts on how it ought to be implemented and citizens treated. Whereas each country, though a member of CARICOM, has its sovereign laws including immigration, which should be respected by every country, such has been observed more in the breach.

For instance in 2008 during the Bharrat Jagdeo government, the David Thompson administration of Barbados was seeking to have that country’s immigration law respected.

During this period there were citizens from other countries, who, not understanding how the free movement of skills is applied, felt that they could have entered any country and commenced work without the required Skills Certificate issued by the originating country and Work Permit from the host country.

Many Guyanese used the much-talked-about Free Move-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

Why the delay in setting up Local Government Commission Dear Editor,

SOMETHING has to be considerably wrong, which is preventing the Government from appointing and commencing the operations of the Local Government Commission (LGC). Several weeks ago, the opposition named their commissioners who are ready and raring to go, but the government continues to delay the process of announcing and appointing theirs and the question is, why?

The Guyanese public was assured that the government had as one of its priorities, the setting up of the LGC; in fact, the impression given was that the commission would have been set up even before the local government

elections were held.

But this was not to be. The authority and independence of local democratic organs which include the nine municipalities and 65 neighbourhood democratic councils cannot be guaranteed without this commission. An important aspect of the commission is that it shall have power to deal with all matters relating to the regulation and staffing of local government organs, including employment and dismissal of staff and with dispute resolution within and between local government organs.

It could not be more needed now to deal with the wayward and corrupt officers in the Georgetown municipality that are arrogantly corrupt, narcissistic and inept. I think the real problem is that the commission, once

established, will take over most of the current oversight role exercised by the Ministry of Communities. The ministry, therefore, will no longer have the ability to degrade the capacity of local government organs which will now be able to exercise executive authority in keeping with the autonomy guaranteed by the constitution, and therefore the minister is in no hurry to relinquish this power and authority.

In fact, the commission will oversee not only municipalities and NDCs, but also Regional Democratic Councils as well as Amerindian villages, and therefore we need it commissioned without any further delay.

Best regards Riley Matthews

Calls continue for audit of City Hall Dear Editor, HOW could the Town Clerk of Georgetown have the audacity to tell the citizenry that there is no secrecy regarding the council’s accounting system, including its many bank accounts?

If there is no secrecy, then why is he and others so vigorously preventing the commissioning of a deep, wide-ranging forensic audit of its accounting system?

If there is no secrecy, then why have they not presented their accounts for qualification by the state auditors for more than a decade now? If there is no secrecy, then why aren’t all of their bank accounts reflected on their financial statements?

If there is no secrecy, why then can’t

all of their councillors be given a copy of the crooked parking meter contract they signed with Smart City Solutions/ National Parking Systems?

If there is no secrecy, why then have they not yet made public the city’s budget for 2016, when it is already August of 2016? If there is no secrecy, why then are the members of staff of the Finance Department being muzzled and prevented from speaking to the press regarding matters of considerable importance to citizens?

If there is no secrecy, why did they so hurriedly appoint a Chairman of the Finance Committee after the mayoral election process and stuff the committee full with old timers from the past scandalous council? If there is no secrecy,

then why have the senior administrative and financial management staffers of the council refused to proceed on their vacation leave like everyone else has to within the municipality?

No other public organization in the whole of Guyana is less transparent, more secretive, more corrupt, and more untrustworthy than the Georgetown municipality, and yet the town clerk goes to the media to say they have no secrets. Wait until a forensic audit is held, then there will no doubt be the discovery of more secrets than those held by the KGB, CIA or the MI5 all together.

Regards Debra Gibson

MV Lady Northcote delays purely mechanical Dear Editor, REFERENCE is made to an article published on Friday August 19, 2016, on the online media site, Citizens Report Guyana, under the headline, “Region One residents claim PNC’s political gains behind delayed operation of MV Northcote.”

In the article, the news entity claimed that the Georgetown to Region One motor vessel, the Lady Northcote, was deliberately delayed in Mabaruma from Saturday August 13 to Wednesday August 24, 2016. MV Lady Northcote falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s (MPI) Transport and Harbours Department.

MPI therefore wishes to refute the entity’s claims of deliberate delays and

to offer clarifications. The vessel is scheduled to provide services to Region One twice monthly, to the communities of Kumaka and Port Kaituma. The vessel last departed on August 12 and its delay was as a result of mechanical issues, as opposed to the purported “political gains” stated in the article.

These mechanical issues not only made departure impossible, but also resulted in the manual loading of cargo.

Manual loading is oftentimes difficult, since persons use the opportunity to transport very heavy cargo to and from Region One. Loading would normally require the use of a crane.

The ministry further wishes to highlight that the Lady Northcote has been facing issues for years and efforts have been made to rectify identified

ment of Skills and migrated to Barbados without honouring their legal obligations under the programme. In doing so, they were in breach of the immigration laws of Barbados. Conflicts between the two countries and their peoples ensued with trading of words and allegations, including accusation made that Barbados’s effort to enforce its law was based on racism.

This position was articulated from some unlikely quarters and on the assumption that most of those to be affected by enforcement would have been East Indians.

Unfortunately, the governments of Guyana and Barbados never sought to have a meeting similar to that of Rowley and Holness. And with Thompson dying in office and a new prime minister replacing him, there exists no defin-

problems. Over the years, the vessel – which is more than 75 years old – has undergone a number of dockings and repairs. In fact, extensive repairs were conducted on the vessel in late 2015 to reduce the discomfort of passengers and instances of delays and to improve travelling times. Furthermore, the Transport and Harbours Department is working assiduously to have the MV Lady Northcote’s minor mechanical issues resolved swiftly. The ministry would like to thank members of the travelling public for their patience and understanding.

Regards Desilon Daniels Public Relations Officer Ministry of Public Infrastructure

itive agreement between the two countries on this matter.

The survival of CARICOM, like organisations of similar nature, will be reliant on member states having signed on to agreements, treaties and ratified conventions, charters and declarations being committed to honour them, with due regard for each country’s sovereignty. In that Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago under new leadership has sought to do so, and mindful of the tensions between their peoples, these gentlemen as 21st century leaders have set in train a new form of action and engagement that can become the model, if not best practice, for other member states to emulate. At the level of the peoples, such bodes well for harmonising relations based on mutual respect.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

Guyana seeks technical support for oil and gas take-off

President Granger flanked by Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Ms Nicole Olivierre and Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, Mr Andre Laveau

PRESIDENT David Granger on Thursday held discussions with top oil and gas officials of Trinidad and Tobago during a meeting at his Shiv Chanderpaul Drive office.

T&T Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Ms Nicole Olivierre and Deputy Permanent Secretary in her ministry, Mr Andre Laveau, met with Mr Granger and Guyana’s Minister of Natural Resources, Mr Raphael Trotman. The Head of State said that as Guyana prepares to harness its oil and gas potential, the country is looking forward to technical support and cooperation from its CARICOM sister state.

“There are mutual benefits to be derived. Trinidad has been very friendly to us in the Region, but we must be

prepared to extend not just friendship, but concrete arrangements as well, which would benefit our Caribbean people; a new pattern of collaboration,” the Head of State said.

In this regard, Minister Olivierre spoke of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed by the former administration in 2013 for cooperation in the energy sector and said that her Government is looking to continue that cooperation. However, that MoU has since expired and President Granger has asked that it be reconceptualised and expanded to include other areas of cooperation such as agriculture, education, infrastructure and tourism.

Minister Trotman gave the assurance that the process of

drafting and finalising a new MoU will move swiftly apace and said that this will be done at the level of the two permanent secretaries (Guyana and Trinidad) with a view to having something concrete

by October later this year.

Earlier in the week, Minister Trotman had met with the same team and the two discussed collaboration on Guyana’s developing oil and gas sectors. Olivierre said then that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is keen to collaborate with the Government of Guyana to lend their experience and to support Guyana in its efforts to develop its petroleum sector. “Having had several decades of experience, we can certainly assist the Government through guiding Turn to page 8 ►

Minister of Public Infrastructure,The Hon David Patterson; Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources,The Hon Simona J Broomes; Minister of Finance,The Hon Winston Jordan; Minister of Energy and Energy Industries of Trinidad and Tobago,The Hon Nicole T Olivierre and Minister of Natural Resources,The Hon Raphael G C Trotman

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

Two in custody for Alleged Internet fisherman’s murder burglar remanded THE police in Berbice have arrested two persons in connection with the death of 26-year-old Levan Chanderpaul, whose body was found in the backlands of the village Wednesday evening.

A post-mortem performed on Chanderpaul has indicated that he died as a result of haemorrhage and a fractured skull. According to reports, one of the suspects was having an affair with Chanderpaul while the other is reported to have threatened “to kill him” on numerous occasions, because of alleged shady deals.

Speaking with this publication, Seranie Chanderpaul, the mother of the dead man recalled last seeing him alive on Monday when he came home for dinner. “He come like around 7:30 eat and suh and then he tell me he gotta go out little and he was gonna come back.” He never returned. She explained, after

Seranie Chanderpaul

he did not return home on Monday followed by Tuesday, she became worried and made a missing person report at the Number 51 Police Station. While she made her way home the mother said she stopped by the home of one of the suspects who cursed and chased her. “I pass by and he wife tell me lemme check at the woman he was having affair with backyard, when me

go by she,[she] start cuss up so me just go home and then me husband was getting ready to go search for he again, same time two boy come and tell we they find a body in the backdam.”

Seranie Chanderpaul explained that her husband went and their worst fears were confirmed when the body of Chanderpaul was discovered face down, clad only in his briefs and bearing marks of violence on his face and head. His feet and hands were also bound. Police are continuing their investigation into the murder.

Meanwhile, this is the second murder to hit the area within days: on Monday last, the body of 14-yearold Akeem Grimmond of Number 60 Village was discovered in a cemetery with several chops and stab wounds.

Churches donate to Lodge Health Centre THE Lodge Health Centre at Hadfield and John Streets, Lodge is expected to benefit considerably from yesterday’s donation of two wheelchairs and a stroller, handed over by Bishop Timothy Norton of God’s Cathedral of Praise in Lamaha Park, in association with the Agape House of Prayer and Praise and Worship of Brooklyn, New York.

The items are to be used by patients at the Lodge Health Centre who are either amputees or otherwise unable to walk, or have difficulty doing so.

The donation, received by Medex Karen Sears, was witnessed by Nurses Anne Marie Hudson and Dawn Miller, and by patients at the Centre.

Expressing gratitude to Bishop Norton and the Churches, Medex Sears said

the presentation is a welcome gesture. “We are highly appreciative of the items. They are much needed, particularly when we have clinic for persons with chronic illnesses; that is when you see adult patients (who are) unable to walk being practically lifted out of the vehicles and into the centre by their loved ones,” she said.

The Medex observed that the items are of superior quality: ‘Go-Kart Drive’ wheel chairs and ‘Inva Care’ adjustable walkers are known to be very durable, she said.

Noting that work was being done along Hadfield Street earlier this week, Medex Sears seized the opportunity to appeal to the authorities at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Police Traffic Department to put a Pedestrian Crossing road marking outside of the

clinic, to assist especially senior citizens travelling to and from the clinic in getting across the road safely.

Staff members at the clinic say motorists, particularly minibus drivers, are in the habit of speeding down Hadfield Street without an iota of compassion for seniors, who are made to wait at the side of the road for lengthy periods, whether in intense sunshine or rain.

The Guyana Chronicle also observed that even though there is a little ramp at the gate, there is none at the entrance to the building. To this end, a request is also being made for a mini ramp to be made at the door, to allow wheel chairs access into and out of the building; and, if possible, two speed humps should be placed outside of the building.

Guyana seeks... them on the various pitfalls to avoid when dealing with the multinational companies and developing the industry for the benefit of the people of Guyana,” she said.

Olivierre said that Trinidad and Tobago would certainly have advice on how to prepare the Guyanese people how to absorb the jobs that will become available because of Guyana’s recent discovery. “We certainly would like to share our technical expertise and our educational facilities to the Government

of Guyana, so that the people can really benefit,” said Olivierre.

Trotman said that the engagement between the two Caribbean Governments is a good thing. “It follows on meetings held between President [of Guyana] David A Granger and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Keith C Rowley for the two countries to draw closer and for Guyana in particular to gain knowledge, experience and expertise from Trinidad’s

From page 7

journey to becoming an oil-producing country,” he said. Trotman called the discussions a first and welcome step and expressed the hope that later in the year Guyana will pay a similar visit to Trinidad and Tobago to further the cooperation on the oil and gas sector in terms the of transfer of knowledge. “We are looking for scholarships for students,[and] training in terms of bringing Trinidadians here and sending Guyanese there,” he said.

THIRTY-one-year-old Jason Joseph, better known as “Chicken,” of Charlotte Street, Bourda, was remanded to prison when he appeared before city magistrate Judy Latchman charged with breaking and entering.

It is alleged that on August 17, at Charlotte Street, Joseph broke and entered the Internet café of Orlando Boston and stole one

Dragon Touch Tablet valued G$25,000, and G$142,000 in cash, property of Boston.

The police prosecutor objected to bail, on the ground that the defendant was positively identified by the CCTV cameras in the area, and the police were able to recover the ‘Tablet’.

The matter has been adjourned until September 7 for statements.

City Mayor ...

‘What’s wrong with this Constabulary Department!’

By Telesha Ramnarine GEORGETOWN Mayor Patricia Chase-Green has accused top officers of the City Constabulary of sweeping matters of sexual harassment under the carpet, and of “picking and choosing” whom they want to dismiss.

A visibly upset ChaseGreen said she cannot understand what is happening in the constabulary department, as her desk is piled up with complaints of how senior officers treat members of the public and even of the constabulary.

“It’s unfortunate that the city constabulary chooses who they want to dismiss, and some matters of sexual harassment are being placed under the carpet. I have difficulties with that; serious difficulties!” the mayor exclaimed.

Chase-Green raised the matter in the context of the dismissal of Lance Corporal Clifton Pellew, after an allegation was made against him.

The mayor is contending that this officer was dismissed without observing the rules of natural justice.

“He was dismissed by this council without natural justice, without an orderly-room hearing, and the matter was referred to the national police. To date, this officer has not been charged.

I have been asking for all of the reports on this matter. I am going to say quite clearly that anyone can be dismissed

from this council, but there must be natural justice for everyone. You don’t pick and choose who you want to dismiss in this council. Everyone must be given a fair hearing,” she declared.

Even as this treatment is meted out to this officer, Chase-Green called to mind how last July 7, four constables standing in Water Street uttered the most dirty abuse to each other while in the public’s domain. “I have not heard any charges laid against them.”

SEXUAL HARASSMENT Then she brought up the issue of a female officer who made a report of sexual harassment. “The matter was brought to my attention.

Suddenly, I hear apology was made and everything back to normal. Unacceptable! I will not sit here for any sexual harassment matter to go under the table. It must be dealt with. What is wrong with this constabulary department!”

Chase-Green chided.

DEMANDING BRIBES Meanwhile, just recently, when a team from City Hall, including Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan, visited Stabroek Market, top officials of the constabulary were embarrassed by vendors who pointed them out for demanding bribes.

“Look he deh right deh.

Meh give he $5000,” one vendor told the team while pointing to the officer. Numerous complaints were

reportedly received on the issue of bribery. The officers who were pointed out simply turned their faces and didn’t respond.

Vendors complained of having to pay $1,000 and sometimes $2,000 to the constabulary officers on a weekly basis.

In fact, vendors at the various markets in Georgetown have long been complaining about the harassment they regularly experience at the hands of city constables.

However, many of them prefer not to make reports of these instances as they claim those in higher authority also accept bribes. “So how you gon try the devil case in hell?” one vendor had said.

A few months ago, scores of vendors who had turned up at a City Hall meeting accused officers of the City Constabulary of making their lives miserable when they refuse to pay them bribes.

The names of several officers, who create problems for vendors who do not want to pay them, were called. In fact, one vendor complained that the stall owners are not able to open their businesses on some occasions, if they have no money to pay on that day.

The mayor had chided those vendors who pay bribes, but complain only when they experience a problem. “The constables don’t push their hands in your pocket,” Chase-Green had remarked.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

UG budget at $5.2B …VC announces major shake-up in leadership The Finance and General Purpose Committee (F&GPC) of the University of Guyana has endorsed the Vice Chancellor’s bold and all-time-high budget request to the Government of Guyana of $5.2 billion for financial year 2017, even as it announces major changes in its leadership structure.

The Vice Chancellor – Ivelaw Griffith received the committee’s endorsement during a late night meeting on Monday, the university said in a statement on Thursday. According to the university it needs GUY$3.0 for recurrent expenditure and GUY$2.2 billion for capital works. “The priorities of the administration focused on increased salaries for academic and non-academic staff, the provision of basic supplies and facilities that have been undermining efficiency and morale for years, campus security, and improving several of the facilities that negative-

ly impact health and safety as well as security,” the statement said.

The new buildings proposed by the Griffith administration include a new library and an academic complex to house the Business School, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the School of Graduate Studies and Research, and the Office of Undergraduate Research.

Also approved at the Monday night meeting was the purchase of a badly-needed student center, using existing resources from the Learning Resource funds.

The Vice-Chancellor plans to have the student center operational during the upcoming semester. The F&GPC, which is the second highest policy making body after the University Council, also approved a proposal

by Vice-Chancellor to comprehensively restructure the university’s leadership.

The university explained

that the “re-organisation plan, which reassigns a few existing officials, promotes one individual and establishes a few new positions, aims to create greater levels of efficiency and effectiveness and set the stage for innovation in academic and non-academic areas.”

In alluding to the 2013 Hamilton Consultant Report on the university, which called for “the university to undergo a major restructuring…to make it a high performance institution”, Vice-Chancellor Griffith, who is in his first three months at the university said, “I am of the strong view that greater levels of effectiveness and efficiency can only be achieved through the immediate reorganisation of the administration of the university through realignment of functions and roles.”

The changes, which become effective from October 1 this year, entail having Dr

City Council warns against squatting ‒ leaving leased land ‘idle’

By Telesha Ramnarine THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is warning that it intends to repossess leased land from persons who are not using it for its intended purpose.

Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen raised the issue recently with city councillors, noting that those lands are just being kept with bushes growing on them. “They’re paying the lease and holding it down and have a whole set of bush growing and you’re passing and two tigers could run out and have the council look bad,” the Mayor observed.

“They should be repossessed,” she urged, even if they are up-to-date with their yearly payments. “We cannot afford for you to come to the council and ask for a piece of land to do a development and then at the end of the day you don’t use it for the development; you just have it there not doing anything. There are other persons who are willing and able and so therefore we have to move forward. No one should be allowed to stall the progress of this council,” she stated.

Chase-Green asked Town Clerk Royston King to ensure that the individuals who have leased lands come forward and pay their yearly amounts, and to repossess those lands that are being paid for but are not being used.

SQUATTING Meanwhile, another means being explored to reclaim lands belonging to the City Council is that of establishing a specific committee to deal with the issue of squatting in Georgetown.

Approximately 1,000 families are currently occupying Council reserves.

Councillor Heston Bostwick had pointed out that on the West Ruimveldt Front Road (Hunter Street to Vlissengen Road), there are 218 families squatting; from Vlissengen Road to Mandela Avenue, 175 families; at Container City, 85 families; and at Side Line Dam, 80 families.

Bostwick is proposing that the committee work in collaboration with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). “You will be able to know who definite, legitimate squatters

are, and who are not,” he said.

The councillor observed that over the years, many persons who were residing on the council’s reserves had been allocated house lots but have chosen to remain squatting.

“So I am proposing that the committee look at all issues dealing with squatting, primarily around the city, and come up with a plan whereby land can be allocated to those who have applications at the Ministry of Housing (Housing Department),” Bostwick offered.

The Mayor had said that Bostwick’s figures do not include squatters in other locations of the city such as Towler’s Dam, which starts from Mandela Avenue to the Tucville Bridge and beyond, going to North Ruimveldt.

She said they also do not take in behind Laing Avenue and behind the Chinese Embassy on Mandela Avenue.

“So we are looking at approximately 1,000 families,” she calculated.

Councillors Sophia Whyte, Monica Thomas, Trichria Richards, Desiree Liverpool, Lyndon Hilliman, and Yvonne Ferguson also raised the issue of squatting.

Michael Scott, until recently Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, become Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic Engagement.

In addition to the Faculties within his portfolio, Dr Scott will have oversight over several new units: the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning; the School of Graduate Studies and Research; and the Office of Undergraduate Research, the latter two of which will get some initial leadership guidance from the Vice-Chancellor because of his expertise and experience in those areas.

The current Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academics, Dr Barbara Reynolds, has been reassigned as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Planning and International Engagement, a new entity intended to streamline and extend UG’s international relationships and build new grant, research, and other relationships with other universities and with international organisations.

Dr Paloma Mohamed, a former Director of the Center for Communication Studies and a former Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, will occupy the newly created po-

Vice Chancellor of University of Guyana, Professor Ivelaw Griffith

sition of Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Planning and Development, Dr Elizabeth Ramlal, has been invited to become Executive Director of the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE), to lead the realignment of the Institute to strengthen its service delivery across the country and realise it entrepreneurial potential.

The new administrative team, the statement said, will be further strengthened with the establishment of an Office of Strategic Initiatives as an adjunct to the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, to under-

take institutional strengthening, project management, and allied services.

The current Programme Officer in the Office of the Vice Chancellor, Karen Wishart, has been promoted to become the first occupant of the newly established position of Chief of Staff in the Vice-Chancellery.

This promotion coincides with the renaming of the Senior Administrative Group to the Vice-Chancellor’s Cabinet, which would include the Deputy Vice Chancellors, Registrar, Bursar, Human Resources Director, Director of the Berbice Campus, the Legal Officer—a new position— the Director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives and the Chief of Staff. Another notable aspect of the Griffith Plan is the re-designation of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences as a full-fledged Faculty with a Dean. Vice-Chancellor Griffith observed that in addition to the superior teaching and research already being done by that unit, elevating it to a Faculty enhances its respectability and the prospects for more grants and consulting contracts by the academic staff there.

Old England ‘shallow grave’ murder...

Trial ends in second hung jury

By George Barclay LAKERAJ Frederick who was facing a murder charge over the shooting of Clifton Bonus, called ‘Mutts’, is set to face a third trial in the High Court after the second trial ended yesterday in another hung jury.

Presiding judge at the Demerara Assizes, Mr. James Bovell Drakes had no other alternative but to remand the accused to prison and order that he faces yet another retrial at the next criminal session.

At both trials the defence and prosecution lawyers had urged the jury to pay attention to the evidence and give a verdict in accordance with the oath they had taken.

But at yesterday’s retrial after the jury had deliberated for over two hours, the foreman reported that there were in disagreement in relation to the verdict in the proportion

Murder accused Lakeraj Fredricks to face a third trial

of ten to two.

The judge was told that further directions would not be helpful.

According to the prosecution’s case, the shooting that caused the death of ‘Mutts’ was due to a quarrel between both men over marijuana plants at Old England, Upper Demerara River. The

partly decomposed body of the victim was found in a shallow grave on June 3, 2011 with gunshot injuries to the head.

Defence lawyers Lawrence Harris and Hewly Griffith had asked the jury to find that the alleged confession by the Linden resident was a concoction by the police in an effort to prove their case.

State counsel Siand Dhurjon had told the jury in his address that “In the interest of the accused is that you cannot convict him unless you are satisfied so that you feel sure that he is guilty. The interest of the State is the security of the nation, it is the justice of victims and the apprehension of criminals.”

According to a legal opinion, it is believed that in the event that the trial ends in yet another hung jury the accused would be freed by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

GDF is ready 10

C O M M A N D ER-in-CHIEF of the Guyana Armed Forces, President David Granger, on Thursday congratulated troops of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), who participated in the week-long Field Tactical Exercise (FTX) “HOMEGUARD.” The President, who was accompanied by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, and officials from the Ministry of Finance at the Tacama Training Area (TTA), Berbice River, said the exercise serves as a reaffirmation to the Defence Board and the Guyanese people that the force is always prepared to carry out its mandate.

The exercise began on August 16 and concluded one day early with the final contingent of troops moving into the Exercise Area

located in the jungle and savannahs of Ituni, Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice (Region 10) and Tacama East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six).

The Exercise was designed to assess the GDF troops in Close Country Warfare (CCW) and Open Country Warfare (OCW) simulations of battle. It utilised all available resources and pitted the troops against a simulated enemy to validate training at all levels.

President Granger said that the GDF has a mandate to protect citizens and defend the territorial integrity of the country. As such, the President noted that round -the -clock training is mandatory to ensure that the force is always ready.

“The force, in order to accomplish its mission, if it is to master the art of war, it must train. In Guyana, you must master, also, Guyana’s diverse landscape consisting

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

‒ Pres Granger says at Home Guard closing

President David Granger addresses the troops upon completion of the ‘final attack’ and consequently, Exercise HOMEGUARD, at the Tacama Training Area, early Thursday morning

of the low, flat coastal plain, hilly sandy zone, undulating savannahs, swampy wetlands, verdant rainforests, majestic mountains and myriad meandering creeks and rivers. You have to learn to operate in all of these areas and I am happy that HOMEGUARD has moved you in different terrains, different landscapes, so that you master all of the ecological zones in this great country. The force’s mandate demands leader-

ship on the part of every officer and, on the part of every soldier and unit. You have to have the ability to operate anywhere in Guyana, by day or by night, whether the sun is shining or [if] it’s raining,” the President remarked.

The TTA is the main training area of the Colonel John Clarke Military School which is located 160 km up the Berbice River in over 350 km² of savannah. It has been an ideal site for de-

fence training over the years for generations of troops, the President said.

“Exercise Home Guard ensures that the force is tactically trained and adequately equipped to defend this country should the need arise. Exercise Home Guard is a reaffirmation and reassurance to the Guyana Defence Board, some members of which are present today, that the force is properly commanded and ready to fulfil its mission. Exer-

cise Home Guard, through the training and tactical prowess that you have displayed so competently and convincingly, is a source of comfort to our citizens.

They can rest secure in the knowledge that you stand watch over our motherland, securing it [from] danger,” the Commander–in-Chief said.

Meanwhile, Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Mark Phillips, congratulated the troops on their performance. He noted that success of the troops is evident in the early completion of the exercise.

Ninety-one officers and 945 ranks from the force participated in the exercise. Exercise HOMEGUARD comes 10 months after the successful completion of Exercise GREENHEART, which was conducted in CuyuniMazaruni (Region Seven) last November.

Imported steel must have mill test certificates ‒ GRA IMPORTERS of steel and steel products are now required to submit Mill Test Certificates from the manufacturer of the product along with their customs declarations to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The announcement was made by the GRA on Thursday. The authority said based on a recent review on the classification declared by importers of steel and related products, it was recognised that the Harmonized System (HS) classification cannot be correctly determined without

the Mill Test Certificate.

“This Mill Test certificate shows the proportion of the elements contained in the steel imported, thus the need for the certificate to accompany each shipment of steel in accordance with the provisions of Section 233 (1) of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01,” the statement said.

The Mill Test Certificate must relate at all times to the specific consignment in the declaration (invoices, Bills of Lading, quantities, specifications etc.) and can be facilitated by the supplier

who would be able to obtain the certificate from the manufacturer. The Revenue Authority said the new requirement is in keeping with the Common External Tariff (CET), which also makes provisions for products of “non-alloy” steel that attract a 10% customs duty.

“Usually, most declarations submitted by importers label the product being imported as “alloy” steel which attracts five per cent customs duty. However, the Mill Test Certificate accompanying a shipment would

assist in clearing up any anomalies as the certified classification will be verified

by GRA’s Entry Processing Unit, with guidance from GRA’s Harmonized System Classification Committee (HSCC). The classification determined by the HSCC will be used to process and clear the consignments,” the statement added.

Should an importer fail to submit the Mill Test Certificate with the customs declaration, the importer would be required to deposit duty at a rate determined by

the GRA pending submission of the certificate. If the HSCC determines a different classification subsequent to an examination of additional documents, a notice of demand will be issued to the importer under Section 17 (2) of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01 for payment of the additional taxes.

“It must also be noted that importers have the option of presenting their case to the Customs Tariff Tribunal for a determination should they challenge the classification

after depositing the duties requested by GRA.” The Revenue Authority advised that in the interest of time relative to the processing and clearance of the imported items, importers should apply to the HSCC in advance for classification decisions on their imports to confirm whether they have used the correct classifications.

The HSCC can be contacted at GRA through its Secretary, Reshma Budhram, or at this email address classification@gra.gov.gy.

Surinam Airways wants to ‘free up’ more space for Guyanese GENERAL Manager of Surinam Airways, Henk Fitz-Jim has revealed that the airline approached the Government of Guyana to have some of its flights originate from Guyana, thus making more seats available for Guyanese passengers.

A release from the company noted that next week the airline will be-

gin a non-stop flight from Suriname to Miami thus immediately “freeing up” more seats to Guyanese passengers on its service to Miami and Orlando out of Guyana.

According to the release, should the airline be granted permission to have flights originate from Guyana, more jobs will be created for a Guyanese

crew and support staff.

The General Manager noted that during Guy ana’s Golden Jubilee celebrations last May, many passengers from Georgia expressed the hope that Surinam Airways would fly to Atlanta directly from Guyana.

“We are reaching out to the Guyanese community there to assess its real level

of interest and to look at that market, study it some more with a view to determining the needs and the feasibility of meeting those needs,” Fitz-Jim is quoted as saying in the release.

The airline also recently re-introduced its seasonal weekly nonstop flight to Orlando, Florida; last May introduced a third weekly non-stop flight to Miami

and is currently looking at the feasibility of a fourth weekly flight.

Meanwhile, Surinam Airways will be hosting an outreach reception at the Holy Cross Episcopal Royall Hall in Decatur, for the Guyanese American community residing in Georgia.

The release noted that this outreach will seek to survey the interest of the

Guyanese Americans in having the airline serve that market directly from Guyana in the future.

Henk Fitz-Jim said this initiative is being undertaken in response to the desire expressed by some Guyanese in Georgia, as well as Guyanese organizations, including the Guyanese American Chamber of Commerce (GACC).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

Guyana gives riveting performance ‒ at international Qaseeda contest

Guyana’s Indus Voices, led by Amar Ramessar, performing for the first time in Trinidad & Tobago

TRINIDAD & Tobago’s largest Islamic organization, the Anjuman Sunnatul Jamaat Association Inc. (ASJA), staged an event of grandeur and style, when it hosted the 14th International Qaseeda Competition 2016 in Trinidad & Tobago recently.

ASJA is affiliated to the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) and The Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman (GUSIA).

Guyana sent a large delegation, led by President General of ACIC, Hakeem Khan and was represented in all categories—Male and Female, Junior and Senior.

The event in Trinidad & Tobago follows Guyana’s hosting of it last year; next year it returns to Suriname.

Qaseeda is the singing of songs in praise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, and in Guyana, the Guyana United

Sadr Islamic Anjuman was the first organization to have organised such competitions in the past. Thereafter, other organizations also followed.

ASJA’s President, General Al Haj Yacoob Ally and also Chairman of its International Qaseeda Committee, Shazard Ali were both ecstatic at the very successful hosting of the event.

Public Relations Executive, Reyaz Hussein said the finals and presentation were hosted at the Convention Hall of the Center City Mall, and saw a gala dinner attended by hundreds of persons.

Highlight of the evening was the mesmerizing performance of Guyana’s Musical Group, INDUL VOICES, led by Amar Ramessar.

He explained that performing for the first time in T&T, Indus Voices provided musical interludes of qaseedas, ghazals and other

Friday, August 26, 2016 - 12:00 hrs Saturday, August 27, 2016 - 13:30 hrs Sunday, August 28, 2016 - 14:30 hrs

Muslim renditions at the programme, which filled the audience with amazement.

“As the voice of Ramessar resounded into the air, the audience stayed enthralled by their magnificent performance of Qaseedas, ghazals and Sufi renditions,” Hussein said.

INDUS VOICES was founded seven years ago, and comprises a set of very talented Guyanese artistes, ranging from percussion to

keyboards, to vocalists, all led by Amar Ramessar.

INDUS VOICES has done many charity shows across Guyana and internationally as well in countries such as Grenada and French Guyana,” Hussein said.

The “Late ZAID ALI’s Award” for the Most improved Junior Male Qaseeda Singer was also presented at the event.

This is the fifth year of the annual presentation,

which is made to Junior participants of the host country, who have shown the most potential in the Qaseeda singing.

The “Late MOHAMED AZEEZ IMRAN’s Award” for the Most improved Junior Female Qaseeda Singer

was also presented at the event.

This is the first year of what will be an annual award to the female Junior participant of the host country, who has shown the most potential in the Qaseeda singing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

Region 10 officials seeing development REGIONAL Officials of Region 10 are refuting the recent claims made by residents at two ministerial meetings that the RDC and MTC have failed them in terms of development and having their best interest at heart in addition to limited information disseminated to inform the people of what’s being discussed at the level of the councils.

In an invited comment Regional Democratic Councillor, Douglas Gittens explained that a plethora of developmental projects were being currently undertaken and the Regional Democratic Council was working towards the betterment of the region and the people.

“If you look around so many drains are being done,

so many roads are being done. If you go into West Watooka there is drainage work going on through the NDIA and several other developmental projects,” Gittens revealed. He said that the RDC had implemented the five years Plan of Regional Development (PARD) project which has taken into consideration every aspect as it relates to the development in the region. This PARD includes the construction of another bridge across the Demerara River, the upgrading of the Linden airstrip, construction of educational and health facilities etc.

Region 10 was the first region to execute such a plan and Douglas said that it allowed for every resident to be involved. The Regional

Chairman attended almost all of the communities and the meetings were very poorly attended by many of the residents,” Gittens stressed.

He however did not refute the claim that adequate information was not disseminated to the residents in a timely manner but blames this lapse on the absence of an information officer at the RDC. “We do not have an information person but that will soon change. We do not have a problem consulting with the people because the Region has an open door policy. Persons are always welcome to come to statutory meetings so persons can always feel free to come to the RDC for information.”

The Regional Councillor is urging the resi-

Carwyn Holland

Douglas Gittens

dents of Linden to be more patient as the Council is working with their interest at heart and will put systems in place to have them adequately furnished with information on the plans discussed and the materializing of those plans.

Sharing similar sentiments was Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira who acclaimed that he was cognizant of the people’s expressions of disappointment and their level of frustration but affirms that development is occurring in the Region.

The Member of Parliament revealed that some contracts were issued late as a result of the inclement weather, but all had since been tendered.

He also reiterated that the contractors had a specific timeline to complete these contracts but understands that the residents have not been furnished with this information which would have prevented some of the uneasiness permeating the mining town resulting from the residents being discontented.

“I am a strong advocate that access to information is vital and it is important for the residents not only in the region but the rest of Guyana to access information”.

The Member of Parliament stressed that the regional authorities must use the media to implement an open door

policy for the residents to access information.

“The elected representatives have a duty to the various constituencies, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor are duty bound to the people to inform them of what is going on,” affirmed Figueira who revealed that he previously advised the Mayor of this. Figueira stressed that there was no need for the people to be disgruntled as “these things should be known to them.”

Mayor of Linden Carwyn Holland recently blamed the cash-strapped council and the counter-productive actions of Town Clerk Jonnellor Bowen for stymieing the progress of the Council.

Though these limitations exist, Holland revealed that the Council had achieved much since taking office.

These include securing an increase in subvention from central Government, the securing of the Kara Kara toll booth, construction of internal streets and the undertaking of several clean-up campaigns with the help of the Ministry of Communities that loaned the Council much needed machinery to do so. Mayor Holland stressed that though the Council was experiencing challenges, the interest of the people was always paramount.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

Hold your leaders accountable for unsatisfactory services ‒ Broomes urges Linden residents Junior Minister of Natural Resources Simona Broomes has urged Linden residents to hold their leaders accountable for the issues that were brought to her attention by them. She reminded them that the ultimate power was in their hands and was strengthened more with the holding of local government elections.

The residents took the opportunity at the public meeting to voice their concerns on several issues affecting them as was done the day before at a meeting held with Minister of Social Services Volda Lawrence. Taking precedence over the many complaints was the termination letters issued to over 200 Community Improvement Infrastructure Programme (CIIP) workers by the Mayor and Town Council.

Though the issue had been laid to rest by Minister Keith Scott on Saturday, Councillor Gordon Callender told Minister Broomes that persons in authority defied the Minister’s decision and continued to threaten workers of termination of services. This angered many of the residents who supported Councillor Callender in his claim that there were persons in the town usurping power with the intent to control the masses.

Minister Broomes pos-

ited that this concern could be solved with the people as those in authority were only ‘given a chance by the electorate. “If within the government you have your concerns and you have your problems you can deal with it. When you vote and you don’t like what is happening, you can make changes, you can take action and all of that,” she exclaimed.

Minister Broomes in an effort to solve the issue encouraged the residents, moreso the workers, to call an emergency meeting and send correspondences to the requisite ministry on the decisions made by the people.

“These are problems that you all could fix comrades. The power is in the hands of the people…Local Government Elections. Stop calling on Ministers to fix problems, fix your problems in-house, put it on the paper, get it right.” She reiterated that it was President Granger who degreed that the “power is in the hands of the people” and it is “you the people who got to get it right.”

RDC Councillor Charles Sampson pledged his support with the CIIP workers but stressed that if the programme was to continue it must be done in an orderly manner. “The people must know upfront the hours of work. They also need to

know who takes care of their NIS. There are so many irregularities in this program that needs to be sorted,” Sampson explained.

EDUCATION FACILITIES The residents also sought the Minister’s intervention on the deplorable conditions of several schools in the region and the student hostel. The residents argued that with the re-opening of school only two weeks away, the children would be returning to the same conditions that were not conducive to learning.

Minister Broomes in her effort to bring immediate solution to the issue encouraged the people to be more au fait with the plans of the RDC and to be more involved in the budgetary process. She encouraged the residents to attend RDC statutory meetings but many of the residents revealed that they were intimidated to attend the meetings considering the attitude being displayed by Councillors.

One resident expressed his dissatisfaction in the leadership of those elected to serve and encouraged his fellow residents to call a no-confidence motion against them. “Call a no- confidence motion against the entire RDC. We put a proposal to His Excellency that we have

The hidden treasures of fat pork THERE ARE many things that can be identified with the mining town of Linden; the bauxite dust, the black water creeks, the white sandy hills and the countless fat pork trees.

The youngest child in Linden can testify to raiding the fat pork trees that are available in abundance.

Though the taste may not be as mouthwatering, children living in sandy areas take advantage of the bountiful fat pork that lures them with their velvet red skin.

In addition to this, they do not have to scale fences to raid trees, as this particular tropical fruit can be found practically everywhere as long as there is sand.

For adults however, fat pork is no longer appealing as they may have had years of deceit of its tasteless-

ness and so unfortunately this fruit that is grown in abundance drops right back into the sand until it rots.

This would surely change if Lindeners and in extension Guyanese would become knowledgeable of the numerous health benefits attached to fat pork. It seems as though this fruit that is widely ignored and wasted, is a medical gem.

The scientific name is chrysobalanus icaco and is grown in tropical countries bearing during summer time.

Other local names are coco-plum, cotton plum, icaco, icaque ponne, pork fat-apple or zicate. The fruit bears in clusters and its thick white cottony pulp cannot only be enjoyed raw but can be processed into jam or jelly. In islands such as Barbados, the pulp is placed in a container

with sugar to be stewed and enjoyed. The leaves of the plant is said to be a good herbal tea and is reported to help control diabetes type II while a tea from its bark may help kidney ailments. It was also reported by health practitioners that consumption of the fruit can be useful for sore throat, diarrhea, condyloma, acne, cancer, cateract, asthma and constipation.

The nutritional components is reported to be calcium, carbohydrates, calories, vitamin C and iron. Taking these findings into consideration, Lindeners may want to take a visit to one of those fat pork trees as it may be more beneficial to consider the health benefits rather than the taste. Like an apple, a fat pork a day may keep the doctor away.

Junior Minister of Natural Resources Simona Broomes

no confidence in the RDC.” Leslie Gonsalves citing his concern said the authorities should be a part of the discussions and meetings to interact with both the Min-

ister and the people but this had not been the case. “Today you are here you can’t see the Mayor, you can’t see the Deputy Mayor and you can see a whole host of

people who are claiming to be leaders. “They are doing things more for themselves to be looked at for photo opportunity when it’s out of their league” Minister Broomes who seemed to detect a rift between the people and the authorities stressed that unity should prevail if Linden and Guyana should move forward. “The Town council was elected, just now there is going to be another election. But I would just like to ask of us to unite and I would want to ask the RDC that you make the information available to the people. RDC is about the people, NDC is about the people because it is you representing the local people. Let us move Guyana forward, let us develop Linden. Stop the fighting.

If that advice is taken seriously, Linden can return to what it used to be.

14

Boyce and Jefford meet returns to Linden THE BOYCE and Jefford Track and Field classic will this weekend take the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground by storm as several international athletes will engage in athletic competitions with the aim of walking away with the $1M 1st prize. Promoter of the event Edison Jefford confidently boasted to the Guyana Chronicle that this year’s meet will not only be better than the last six years but will also see an increase in cash prizes.

He revealed that it is with the determined attitude of the promoters to continue hosting the event in Linden despite opposition from some to have the event hosted at the Lenora synthetic ground. “We made a commitment to Linden in 2010 and we are sticking to the community of Linden.

We have done so for seven years,” Jefford affirmed. He said that it is not only the overwhelming support from the Lindeners that have created a sense of obligation to have the event return every year but it is also in honour

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

From left, founders, Edison Jefford and Colin Boyce, Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, Committee Members, Chariss Joseph, Mark Scott and Theo Demonick at the launch of the 2016 Boyce and Jefford Classic at Giftland Mall.

of his father Elton Jefford who in his career as one of Guyana’s senior athlete represented Linden passionately. “I felt that we needed to honour him in some way and so I spoke to then President of the Athletic

Boyce and Jefford Launch 2016

Association in Guyana Mr. Colin Boyce and together we started what is now the Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic.

Though the event receives no corporate support from Linden given the status

of corporate Linden, Jefford opined that the move actually benefits the mining town tremendously as corporate Guyana can zero in on several investment opportunities. “We not only take corporate Guyana to

the community but we also take business to the community because a lot of persons who operate food franchise and these things would normally come and vend at the event….a lot of our sponsors would come to the event and interface with the people and get a firsthand view of some business prospects in Linden.”

He revealed however that the local authorities in collaboration with Central Government has given tremendous support in many ways - one being the erecting of floodlights valued $1.7 M. However he is urging the authorities to vigorously push for the construction of a modern sporting facility in Linden as it is very much needed considering the state of the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground which has discouraged many other promoters from bringing events to Linden.

Jefford stressed, “We see this event as a militant one, we have managed to continue to shed the light

not only MSC but the need for other facilities in Linden.

We are lobbying for modern facilities in Linden for the development of sport.”

Despite having to make the best of the facility, the promoter promised that the event to be held this Saturday and Sunday will surpass the expectation of Lindeners. As compared to past years, Saturday will be deemed more competitive with some finals of the track events taking place. Sunday however will see the finals of most of the events with the Guyanese competitors including Olympian Winston George, Kevin Bailey and Cassie George. They will be competing against international athletes from Trinidad, Jamaica, Grenada and the USA. “We expect very keen competition this weekend from our international counterparts as well as our local clubs and athletes who will be taking part and what we try to do is make this a family-oriented event by having a kids zone set up,” he revealed.

The prizes for the event totals $3 M with the winning club walking away with $1M with the second prize being $500 000. There will also be individual prizes with $50, 000 being the highest of these. Mr. Jefford posited that the entire expenditure for the event totals $10 M and though the returns are not as desired, he along with his Colin Boyce will continue to bring the annual event to the people of Linden.

“It hasn’t benefited us the way we want it to be.

We are making an investment and we’re hoping that one day we will be able to realize some successes but as it is now we are not seeing that yet but we are remaining steadfast.”

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

Mackenzie High dominates top 10 places in Region

Asher Marks

MACKENZIE High School has reclaimed the majority in this year’s Caribbean Secondary Examination Council (CSEC) results snatching eight of the top 10 spots.

This was a major come- back to last year’s top 10 score with Christianburg Wismar Secondary copping seven spots in the top 10. According to the Region 10’s Department of Education top list, this year CWSS has only secured two spots in the top 10 with an overall pass rate of 67%. Mackenzie High’s pass rate is 84% ranking the school’s overall performance a little lower than top achieving schools in Georgetown.

Top student Asher Marks who hails from the business stream told the Guyana Chronicle that his achievement of seven grade ones and four grade twos can be deemed the fruit of hard labour. The youngster accredited his performance to his ability to balance his time, attending a lot of lessons and studying hard. “I’m very happy that I have been able to accomplish this. It was a result of hard work and now I can prepare for the next road

Risa Retemyer

which is 6th form. He plans on returning to MHS this September to pursue business subjects in the Caribbean Advance Profienciency Examination. The top student gave foremost thanks to God for bringing him through the journey. “I would like to thank God, my family my teachers and friends for helping me through this journey,” he said. He encouraged the students now approaching 5th form to master the art of balancing time so as not be carried away in addition to working hard and being determined to succeed.

Copping the second place in the region’s top 10 is agriculture student Risa Retemyer who secured six grade ones and four grade twos. She accredited her achievement to God saying: “If someone says that God is not good then I would call them a liar ........

I just want to thank God that I passed all of my subjects even when I didn’t believe in me he still came through.

The other top students from Mackenzie High in respective order are Sheralyn Vangenderen, Tiffany Thomas, Caleah Barker, Tracia Hutson, Daicia Caesar and Myanda

Beauty of the Week This African queen whose attraction not only springs from her perfect facial features, beautiful eyes and captivating smile but from her pure soul, her humble spirit and her carefree laughter. Glenis Mingo takes more time in cultivating attractive qualities than flaunting her beautiful facial features and sensual body and that is the reason she is loved by many. This beloved sister, wife and friend is admired by manyhaving accomplished so much in her youth. This young bank manager and holder of a diploma in accounting leads a very simple life with the motto: “Life is better enjoyed behind the scenes.”

Johnny. Making the top 10 from CWSS in the places of 5th and 10th respectively is Yohancey Rogers and Malcolm James.

Though the results can be deemed excellent, compared to previous years there has been a significant drop. Commenting on this is former Member of Parliament and teacher Vanessa Kissoon who stressed that a better relationship between the teachers and the Region 10’s Department of Education needs to be established in order to gain excellent results. Kissoon commended the teachers for the work they would have put in for the results achieved and encouraged them to continue to work despite many of the conditions they are forced to work under is discouraging. “We produce presidents, doctors, lawyers and there are many areas that need improvement,” she said. One of her major concerns is the way young teachers sent to riverine areas are being treated after completing Cyril Potter College of Education. She referenced a situation when a young teacher miscarried her baby from travelling through the rough trail back to Linden and was treated inhumanely even having her salary cut for

not returning to work during the Ministry’s stipulated time.

Kisoon zeroed in on teacher’s salaries that should be increased, school’s sanitary conditions and lack of equipment and facilities to effectively perform. This she said can be curbed if there is mutual respect between the teachers and the Ministry. “If we don’t work together and show that respect we won’t go anywhere, we have to work together work hand in hand.”

Another major concern is the water system that students and teachers are forced to put up with and recommends that each school be equipped with four water tanks with purified water. Despite these challenges she stressed that the teachers too should play their part as they have a responsibility to be punctual and to teach not for the money but for the love of the children.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

Man charged with murder of B TWENTY-six-year-old Terani Goolsaran called “Brouser,” was on Thursday charged with the murder of 14- year-old Akeem Grimmond.

Goolsaran, a construction worker appeared before Magistrate Rabindrnauth Singh at the #51 Magistrates Court and was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on Saturday,

August 20, he allegedly murdered Grimmond. He was remanded to prison until September 14. He was unrepresented.

Meanwhile, as Goolsaran exited the court room and came into the courtyard to be taken away to the New Amsterdam Prison, his wife became unruly and started to scream at police officers and kicked the vehicles, pushing away everyone

who came into her path.

The teen was missing since Saturday last after leaving his home around 17:00hrs to attend to cows in a field about 300 metres away from his home.

His body was discovered two days later by members of the #59 Community Policing Group, who were assisting in the search for the missing teen. He was found lying face down in

a shallow drain covered in blood with several chops and stab wounds about the body in the Number 60-61 Village cemetery.

A post-mortem conducted on Tuesday by Pathologist Dr Vivakenand Bridgemohan showed that the teen died as a result of asphyxiation. Based on the post-mortem, police sources believe the teen was stabbed and chopped

before being thrown into the drain and pressed down. The post-mortem also revealed that there was mud in the teen’s lungs. The teen is now the second person in his family to fall victim to murder; his father was reportedly murdered several years ago in Alness Village and his body parts were stuffed in a cow that was butchered. The teen was

raised by his mother and stepfather Ryan Persaud after his father’s death.

Persaud said his son was a very well-mannered child and an ardent Christian.

He said Grimmond had a passion for science and would have gone into the science stream of the Central Corentyne Secondary School, where he would have been a Grade 10 student.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

Berbice boy

Terani Goolsaran

14-year-old Akeem Grimmond

Chikungunya stops Bheri from showing up at court THE case against former Minister of Health Dr Bheri Ramsaran for using insulting language towards women’s rights activist Sherlina Nageer , was postponed on Thursday after lawyers appearing for Ramsaran presented a medical certificate stating that he is unable to attend court since he has Chikungunya.

The magistrate was supposed to deliver a verdict in the case, as to whether Ramsaran is guilty.

Attorney Ian Anamaya represented Ramsaran, since his other lawyer Mursaline Bacchus had another

matter in the High Court. The lawyer presented a medical certificate to Magistrate Charlyn Artiga, who then adjourned the case to September 19.

The magistrate noted that the matter has been dragging on long enough and she will make a final decision on September 19 whether or not all parties are present.

Ramsaran is accused of using threatening language against women’s rights activist Sherlina Nageer on April 20, 2015, outside the Whim Magistrate’s Court. His lawyers had petitioned the High

Court for the matter to be squashed, however the petition was overruled and the matter has continued at the Magistrate’s Court.

He is accused of threatening to slap and strip Nageer naked.

The confrontation was caught on video and resulted in his dismissal as a government minister by former President Donald Ramotar, just before Guyanese went to the polls on May 11. He allegedly told Nageer that she is “a little piece of shit…idiot,” and asked a nearby police officer to arrest her.

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

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BACK in 2011, wken Tamika tne event answered.

Henry did ker kig ckop', tke nahiral-kair movement kad NOTHING NEW not yet picked up speed.

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To top off tke entire event, a natural kair skow will be GERM OFAN IDEA And tkus tke idea for tke kosted at tke end of tke day, Curlfest Guyana Natural Hair wkick will be tke first suck Expo was born. Tamika tken skow ever kosted in Guyana, teamed up witk fellow 'Natu ralista', Deniska Victor, wko NOW'S THE TIME kerself just opened 'Koko', a "Now is tke rigkt time to natural-kair supply store, and kost suck an event! Natural kair tke two women started putting is a kuge craze; it is more tkan togetker ideas to bring tke Expo just a craze. We are actually to life. g0^11^ back to wkere we came "We kad tke idea for a from, so we want to make sure while, but finding the time was tkat we do it properly," Tamika tke issue. But at tke beginning said. of tke year, we decided tkat we Tke event will bekosted would pull it off, and so we under tke tkeme, '#IamMy started officially planning for Hair', and wkile many may de tke event after tke Jubilee cele- bate about whether or not tkeir brations," Tamika said. hair defines them, Tamika says Since launching tke Expo's tkat tke purpose of pushing official Facebook page in July, suck a message goes beyond tke women have received muck wkat some may think. expressions of interest from tke "Tkat statement is there local natural-kair community, because we were taught tkat wkick kas been starved for re our kair is not pretty; or not sources relating to tke growing professional; or it's not good global movement. kair... If it's something posi Last Monday, tke Curlfest tive, tken we wouldn't deny Team kosted an information it. So, by us saying #IAm session at tke Pegasus Hotel, MyHair, we are portraying aimed at providing businesses a positive image of natural interested in participating in tke kair; we are saying tkat it is event the opportunity of find- something good; we can em ing out more about tke Expo, brace it and be proud of it," and having any questions about Tamika said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

‘Give Another Chance’ hosts back-to-school drive

IN an effort to continue fulfilling its mandate of improving the lives of underprivileged children, the Give Another Chance Foundation hosted a back-to-school drive in which it donated several school items to children in various communities.

The drive benefitted children from the East La Penitence community, whereby the organisation donated 50 pairs of sneakers and 50 back packs, each filled with school supplies.

Additionally, the top student of Hopetown Primary, East La Penitence Primary, Tucville Primary and Sophia Primary were each presented with a laptop and printer. “As the new school season approaches in just about two weeks, we wanted to make life a little less difficult for some of the parents in that community,” the organisation said in a statement.

The Give Another

Chance Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation which has been in operation for over five years while carrying out its mandate to help improve the lives of children in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Over the years, the organisation has provided free lessons for students; covered full tuition for well performing students to attend university; and have shared Christmas cheer by presenting children with presents during the season.

“We are committed to providing basic education for children, from preschool to university, and to providing healthcare to underprivileged children in rural and urban communities,” the organisation says in its statement.

In the coming months, the group will

19

Some of the children from East La Penitence who received the back-to-school items

organise a marathon walk and a child development fair dealing with education and health, with a specific focus on child obesity.

The Give Another Chance Foundation donated school supplies as well as laptops and printers to children from East La Penitence

Coming soon --One-stop service shop for businesses RECOGNISING the need for business in Guyana to receive the best professional support in the areas of event management and other marketing-related services, a group of four young entrepreneurs have come together to form ‘One Events Management’, which they refer to as a “One stop service shop for businesses”.

Events Director of the group, Natalya Thomas, in an interview with The Buzz said that it is their intention to bring a fresh spin on events and marketing management, and that the team of diverse young people all bring fresh new ideas, in an aim to achieve that goal.

“We want businesses to be able to reach their full potential in the area of marketing, and with our experience and contacts within the local, regional and international industry, our clients will benefit from that knowledge and receive value in return for their investment,” she said.

One Events Management has technically been in operation for three months now, but Natalya said that the group has since been actively involved in market research and other preparations, to ensure that they receive the best feedback possible on the market needs.

SEPTEMBER LAUNCH Once this groundwork is finished, the team will have an official launch in September. The portfolio for the business is wide, and includes event planning, marketing and advertising, public relations, image consultancy and other related services. “The fact that we can provide all these services under one umbrella should be appealing to businesses, because of its cost effective nature,” Natalya said.

The other members of the group are well known names: Randolph Critchlow, who has more than 10 years in the creative industry, as well as a background in International Relations, Advertising, Project Management, creative writing and theatre, serves as the Marketing and Advertising Director.

Alicia Bess, who is more popularly known for her participation in pageantry, and the Miss Global International 2015 pageant, serves as Finance Director for the group, and has a vast

Members of the ‘One Events Management’ team are, from left, Natalya Thomas, Alicia Bess and Nuriyyih Gerard. Seated centre is Randolph Critchlow banking, business and accounting background.

Nuriyyih Gerrard, who was recently crowned Miss World Guyana 2016, and who has over six years’ experience in the media, serves as the group’s Communications and Public Relations Officer.

The young entrepreneurs are all excited to begin this journey, in an aim to provide a unique spin on event planning and marketing for businesses. “We want businesses to look professional, and we want them to focus on the important tasks of marketing their business, and increasing their client relations, while enjoying the fruits of these endeavours by letting us take care of the myriad of details,” Natalya said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

Building homes and new customs

THE romance of the quaint cottage as a functional living unit in this day and age can be a nightmare, what with the dictates of the demands that are flung onto the practical evolution of the family today.

I have 38 collective years of raising children, and the same story echoes across the conversation plains with other fathers, and some mothers.

Most of us were raised in two-bedroom housing, to which efforts were made to transfer into a home. Privacy sought by adults had to be enforced; and it did not endure for extended periods, even with the threat of ‘licks’.

AN UNAVOIDABLE REALITY Those were difficult habitats to manage, especially when the child population extended to four and five, and elements of privacy for growing children became an unavoidable reality. In many cases, the sibling of the parents, mainly a childless aunt

of the children, would facilitate an adoptive sanctuary for a teenage child.

Education is a separate ‘being’ that imposes its nature on the home. The assignments given to children in many cases cannot be fulfilled through the text books parents are required to purchase, thus the need for a computer with Internet access, a printer, paper and extra ink cartridges and some furniture for filing and accommodation, which points to the obvious need for a study room.

Not included in the design of 90% of the turn-key houses built over the last 40 years, these initiate the invasion of spaces where space is already cramped, and stress is flinging its contagious tentacles in all directions.

The homemaker, most likely the mother of the brood, finds her anger rising as sacred decor is violated; no longer in these mentioned houses can a new suite, with the left-over chairs of the old

suite, be displayed without the natural suffocation of claustrophobia.

Then there is the husband, the mythical head of the home, provider and object of authority. Whether tradesman, service provider or employee, he will need a desk or table and a medium bookshelf tucked into some corner to accommodate his sanity; to avoid the retreat to the ‘Beer Garden’ with its huntresses and counter-productive temptations.

A NEW AGE A new age is upon us, and our new community developers cannot ignore it.

This is not only a local phenomenon; most people who migrate move into tworoom apartments designed for blue collar workers over a hundred years ago.

With the advent of the personal computer, a new world emerged; home service and creative businesses are part of the economic equation.

President Granger is urging young people to develop businesses; this is the right direction for a future that will include much less public employment.

A Bureau of Commerce will have to exist to catalogue what we offer, as against what is needed across the commercial marketplace. But in keeping with the topic of this article, home designs will have to be tailored and costed to help potential homeowners in the resident commercial category that now exists on the current housing forms.

Rather than have them purchase inadequate house designs, then have them experience the gruelling process of ‘necessary improvements’, every home should now come with a study area to accommodate parent and student academic activities.

Because this is where we are in the 2020s home environment [I’ve separated ‘House’, which is the location you go to grab some rest because of prevailing

circumstances, as against ‘Home’, that is, where you want to be].

Home economics in schools should, if it doesn’t now include it, provide instructions on space awareness; whatever inspired those three-piece suites in a little cottage that demanded observation and balance to move ten feet, because in the middle of it is a centre table with vase with too much artificial flowers that topple at the slightest nudge creating forbidden territory, are probably personal choices, yet options should be offered.

THE ONLY OPTION The home studio and operation for many talented people is the only option especially in the arts, where the restrictive layout of general support place arts practitioners as less than 4% of homeowners.

The new necessary standards of home design are not for any specific industry, but for the national accommo-

dation; a bookcase should be worked into the design, to imply the need to read, whether trade books, novels or non- fiction. The myth that teachers are responsible for the entire intellectual consciousness of the child has to be replaced by both obvious and subliminal messages to both children and parents that they, too, have a part to play in their education and further education respectively.

The house that becomes a home must inspire and be the place of refuge for mind, body and spirit.

In closing, I want to urge the application of specific rules that explain methods and materials used in building, and why specialist applications are necessary, and the consequences, for example, of not using construction plastics etc. A poor man should not have to build his home, as well as the contractor’s girl friends’ home, because of his ignorance and trust.

Buzzing this weekend

ARE you ready to say goodbye to the summer? If you haven’t been able to catch up on any of this year’s summer activities, now is your last chance to do so!

Here’s what’s buzzing this weekend.

TODAY Digicel will host the final round of its Amateur DJ Competition at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from 20:00hrs. Admission is free.

Come and see which of the DJs will walk away with the grand prize and bragging rights as the best Amateur DJ in Guyana!

TOMORROW Coming off of its massive success, Gravity Lounge is bringing back its Boyaka Silent Headphones Party.

Come and enjoy the ex-

citing new experience of quiet clubbing once again!

Referred to as the most talked-about event of the summer, this party promises to be even better than the last.

Admission: $2,000.

Tickets will be sold at Gravity Lounge and Electronic City.

Event starts at 21:00hrs.

Pulse Entertainment brings you ‘Rio De Janiero’, its bright, colourful and sexy party, celebrating the amazing city that just hosted this year’s Olympics.

Get ready to have fun, Brazilian style. Party begins at 21:00hrs; tickets $2,000.

Come and experience Brazilian cocktails and drinks by talented mixers, and prepare to dance the night away to the best Brazilian mix by DJ Anisah, Selector Carl and

DJ Ryan.

Princess Hotel and Casino presents “Models and Bottles”.

Come and party at the hotel’s Club Next. Ladies free before 23:00hrs.

Admission $2,000.

Free shots upon entry; free bottle of champagne for the sexiest lady in leggings and jeans.

SUNDAY Fun Park Rentals will launch its first annual National Play Day at the D’Urban Park from 11:00hrs to 17:00hrs.

Bring out your children to enjoy all types of fun and games. The event will cater for up to 1500 children, and the best part is that admission is free!

Play Day is a campaign

that highlights the importance of play in children’s lives. The Playday theme 2016 is ‘Play more…’, as the aim is to encourage children to play more at home, in the street, at school and in the community.

Come and support parents to allow their children

to play more, and foster communities to come together to rehabilitate community play grounds for children.

Play activities include Obstacle Fun Courses, Twister, Water Dunk, Bubble Machine, Trampolines, Bouncy Castles, and a host of traditional games.

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

Govt releases controversial bond contract

The Government of Guyana (GOG) on Thursday made good on its promise to release the contract between the Ministry of Public Health and Linden Holdings Inc. for the controversial Sussex Street bond but the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) maintains its call for the revocation of the deal.

The three year contract was entered into on June 1, 2016 and has the option of renewal for an additional three years at the end of June 2019. According to the contract, rent has been set at $12.5M monthly and the Ministry of Public Health is responsible for the payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on the property.

The contract may be terminated with due cause by either party twelve months ahead once notice is provided in writing. Additionally, the Ministry of Public Health has agreed to pay $37,500,000 representing two month’s rent in advance together with the equivalent of one month’s rent as a security deposit which would be refunded at the end of the tenancy minus deductions made by Linden Holdings for all or

any damages occasioned by the Ministry of Public Health.

The Ministry of Public Health is also responsible for the maintenance of aesthetics of the premises pay the monthly utilities on the premises which include the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT).

Moreover, the Ministry of Health is responsible for its own security arrangements and is mandated by the contract to permit the Landlord and its agents and workmen access to the premises “at all reasonable times” after 48 hours’ notice would have been provided in writing by the Landlords. Entry by the Landlord or his agents is relative to the fixtures and fittings on the building or the inspection of works.

Meanwhile, the contract warns the Ministry of Public Health against using the premises for “any purpose which is not permitted” under the Landlord and Tenant Act. However, the contract notes that the premise is to be used “for the purpose of a professional office”.

….PPP ups call for its revocation

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

Linden Holdings by virtue of the contract is mandated to pay all present and future rates, taxes, assessments payable for the property, to provide 24 hours security for the life of the lease, water, electricity, standby generator with over 45kva and auto transfer switch and general maintenance of all appliances in the buildings, to provide a walk-in freezer and 16 stand-up refrigerators, pallet racks as needed for storage on both levels, electric fork lift with 4000 pounds plus battery and

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

charger, central air conditioning on both levels and back up of 12 split air conditioning units with 18,000btu. Additionally, the Landlord reserves the right to take possession of the property should the Ministry of Public Health default in its payment of rent for 21 days.

SCANDAL The provisions of the contract as outlined above however do not sit well with the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP). The party in a state-

ment on Thursday night said “The recent release of an incomplete unsigned contract (Agreement of Tenancy) between the Ministry of Public Health and the Linden Holdings Inc., to the Parliamentarians, is adding more shock waves to what is now being popularly called the “drug bond scandal.”

The party said the contract was not meant for a bond but a professional office and noted too that the conditions of the contract for the Landlord are “exceedingly generous”. The contract is for three years and carries with it a 12 month notice of termination. Additionally, the PPP said the statements by Minister of Health Dr George Norton that the bond is PAHO/WHO compliant was mentioned nowhere in the agreement. The Health Minister will be submitting his written apology to Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland today.

“This has been carefully orchestrated to coincide with the PNC Congress

which is commencing on the afternoon of August 26th, 2016. One can expect the shedding of “crocodile tears” but this is insufficient, unacceptable and a downright media gimmick,” the PPP said in its statement. The opposition party said the coalition government has moved into “full PR mode” and are attempting to cover up acts of corruption. The government has repeatedly said that the New GPC, the pharmaceutical company that stored drugs for the government in the past was demanding $19M for its 70,000 square feet bond.

However the PPP maintains that the $19M demanded by New GPC for its bond is less than which has to be paid to Linden Holdings all together. “This scandalous corrupt act demonstrates the level of petulance, fickleness, lack of transparency and accountability, and irresponsible use of taxpayers’ money,” said the PPP while noting that “nothing short of the revocation of this contract will suffice.”

Tonight’s the night of reckoning

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

--as Digicel ‘DJ’ Competition final heads for Sports Hall

AFTER a tough semi-final round in Linden last weekend, the final seven deejays will really have to “bring it” tonight, when the fate of the ultimate winner in the Digicel “Bring the Beat” Amateur DJ Competition will be decided at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall tarmac.

Though the finals was set to be a contest between the final five of the competition, in a surprising turn of events, two “wild card” contestants were added to tonight’s line-up, thereby making the event all the more competitive.

The final five coming out to impress Georgetown tonight are DJ Spotlight, DJ Vybz, Selector Keston,

Selector Shaqq, and DJ Bentley, while taking the wildcards were DJ Smidjit and Mix Master Tony.

Those DJs who are no longer in the competition after the semi-finals are King Keev and DJ Eon Blackz, while Selector LJ has decided to opt out of the competition despite receiving a wild card earlier.

ENCOURAGING NUMBERS Lindeners came out in encouraging numbers last Friday night to see the DJs take on the challenge of mixing only 90s Retro Music; and while there were those who had the crowd yawning,

Selector Shaqq at the console last Friday night many of the DJs of the This week’s challenge night actually performed gave the DJs quite a lot of exceptionally well. wiggle room, because they

could basically select from any genre of music, as long as the song was from the 90s, which is something that resonates well with older crowds.

For us, DJs really shelled it down, as no one brought it like DJ Vybz did; with hits from Gregory Isaacs to Beenie Man, Vybz just kept it coming. Many just did not want to see him go; and as one patron aptly shouted, “Di man bad!”

But the crowd was not left wanting for too long.

Selector Keston was next on the stage, and he, too, had big crowd support. And when his performance was beset by technical difficulties, the crowd rallied around him and demanded that he be given time to complete

his performance, which the judges did.

Earlier in the night, 18-year-old Selector Shaqq put many of the older DJs to shame. Despite his age, the youngster knows how to appeal to the older crowd with his mixes.

DJ Spotlight, enjoying home-crowd advantage, gave the night a nice startoff with several Buju Banton tunes.

Selector LJ was another contestant who really got the crowd going, and we’re sorry to know that we won’t get to see what he would’ve done in the finals.

However, it is no surprise that King Keev and Eon Blackz are out of the competition.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

Blatter appears at CAS for appeal against ban

By Cecile Mantovani LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Reuters) - Disgraced former FIFA president Sepp Blatter appeared before sport’s highest tribunal, the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS), yesterday to appeal against his six-year ban from soccer.

The 80-year-old, who headed soccer’s global governing body for 17 years until he resigned in June last year, was banned from all football-related activity last December along with thethen European soccer boss,

Michel Platini.

“My name wouldn’t be Sepp Blatter if I didn’t have faith, if I wasn’t optimistic,” he told reporters as he arrived for the hearing. “I will accept the verdict because, in football, we learn to win, this is easy, but we also learn to lose, but this is not good, I wouldn’t want to lose.”

The bans were imposed for ethics violations related to a payment of two million Swiss francs that FIFA made to Platini with Blatter’s approval in 2011 for work done a decade earlier.

“I’m sure at the end .... that the (CAS) panel will understand that the payment made to Platini was really a debt that we (owed) him and this is a principle, if you have debts, you pay them,” Blatter said.

Both men, who have denied wrongdoing, were initially banned for eight years, later reduced to six by FIFA’s own appeals committee. Platini has already taken his case to CAS, who rejected his appeal but reduced his ban to four years.

CAS have not said when

its final decision on Blatter’s appeal will be announced.

Blatter resigned in the midst of a FIFA corruption crisis only four days into his fifth term.

Several dozen football officials, including former FIFA executive committee members, and entities were indicted in the United States on corruption-related charges last year.

Switzerland, for its part, opened a criminal investigation into the decision to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively.

Entries topping 60-horse mark for Rising Sun meet WITH entries topping the 60-horse mark, the principals of the Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC) have already put most systems in place for the club’s horse-race meet, scheduled for this Sunday at the club’s entity, Arima Park, West Coast Berbice.

Dubbed the President’s Cup, organisers have put together an impressive eightrace programme with all the big names to be on show for what is expected to be a competitive day of racing.

Over $7.5M in cash tro-

phies and other incentives are up for the taking, and with the RSTC known for creating exciting and highly competitive race meets, the event is expected to attract all the country’s top race horses.

The feature event will be a 1400-metre Classic for animals classified A and Lower for a first prize of $1.2M and the President’s Cup. Among the horses set to take the starting gates are Princess She Not, Jack in My Style, Spit Fire, Just

call me Boss, Lady Budapest and Because I Say So, Red and Lovely and Goodwill Boy. The other races are the E and Lower 1400-metre event for a winning take of $600 000 and a trophy.

The G Class event has a winner’s purse of $400 000 and a trophy over 1400 metres.

There is an event for horses classified H and Lower with the winner set to take home $300 000 and a trophy.

The horses classified

Two-year-old Guyana-bred will be racing for a winner’s cheque of $280 000 and a trophy, A competitive field is expected to take to the track in the race for animals classified J and Lower for $260 000 cash and trophy, while the final two events are for animals classified K and Lower and L and Lower.

The respective winners will take home $220 000 and $180 000 and trophies respectively. Race-time is 12:00hrs.

Putin says Russia ban is ‘immoral’ and ‘inhumane’ RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin says the country’s Paralympics ban is “outside the bounds of law, morality and humanity”.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) suspended Russia from the Rio Games starting on September 7 because of state-sponsored doping.

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Putin said the ruling was “cynical” and “humiliates those who take such decisions”.

Only Russian track and field athletes were banned from the Olympics.

Putin, speaking at an award ceremony for Russian Olympians at the Kremlin, said the country would hold spe-

cial competitions for banned Paralympic athletes, with the winners awarded the same prizes as in Rio. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russian Paralympians had taken “collective responsibility for an unproven crime”.

(BBC Sport)

Polish Olympian donates medal to help cancer victim POLISH discus thrower Piotr Malachowski has donated his Olympic silver medal to raise funds for a three-year-old boy with a rare form of cancer.

Malachowski, 33, won his second Olympic silver in Rio, finishing 82cm adrift of Germany’s Christoph Hart-

ing.

His donation enabled compatriot Olek Szymanski, who has retinoblastoma - an eye cancer affecting young children, to go to New York for treatment.

“My silver medal is worth a lot more than a week ago,” said Mala-

chowski.

“It is worth the health of little Olek.”

Malachowski, who also won silver in Beijing eight years ago, said fate had given him the chance to “increase the value of my silver”.

He added: “We were able to show that together we can

do wonders. It is our great shared success.

“Winning an Olympic medal is one of an athlete’s life dreams. Of course, the most precious is gold.

“I did everything in my power to get it. Unfortunately this time I did not succeed.” (BBC Sports)

It’s not your time, Corley warns ... world champion from 2001 to 2003, then boldly stated, “Dexter said it is his time, I understand that …but I will show you, it’s not your time, I will show you, when you fight someone like me it’s not your time, when you fight someone with 76 fights, it’s not your time.”

Gonsalves (8-12), however, said he is not bothered by Corley’s utterances and he (Gonsalves is very confident of winning the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) FECABOX lightweight title tomorrow night.

According to GBBC president Peter Abdool, a win for either of the two fighters will give him a ranking of #15 on the WBC list and will be a step closer for a WBC world title crack.

Gonsalves’ last fight was against former world-rater Clive Atwell.

In that fight, Gonsalves won by a TKO in the 10th round and since then he (Gonsalves has not fought

again.

Corley thanked the GBBC for allowing him the opportunity to fight in Guyana and also thanked Gonsalves for agreeing to fight him (Corley). “It’s going to be a great fight,” Corley predicted.

Gonsalves also thanked his opponent for signing the contract and said he is looking forward to a clean fight. “I know `Chop Chop’ fought some great fighters but he will now get a chance to fight a real great Guyanese.”

The main supporting bout on the five-bout card brings together Mark Austin and Jamaica’s Richard `Frog’ Holmes in an eight-round middleweight contest.

Imran Khan will meet Quincy Gomes in a sixround lightweight bout, Anthony Narine makes his debut as a professional in a four-round contest against Keve Allicock and the opening fight is a four-round super middleweight bout between Kelsey George and Charwin Estwick.

South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:45 hrs Lexicon 09:25 hrs Stratocruiser 10:00 hrs Thayer 10:35 hrs Acrostar 11:10 hrs Dreamforest

09:10 hrs Arzaak 09:45 hrs Chaplin 10:20 hrs Dheyaa 10:55 hrs Edge 11:30 hrs Intercepted 12:05 hrs Shore Step 12:40 hrs Go Amber Go

English Racing Tips Thirsk 08:50 hrs Dream On Dreamer 09:20 hrs Sue’s Angel 09:55 hrs Flowing Clarets 10:30 hrs Moshe 11:05 hrs Eccleston 11:40 hrs Ambriel 12:15 hrs Chaplin Bay 12:50 hrs Mon Beau Visage

Irish Racing Tips Down Royal 11:35 hrs Dodgybingo 12;10 hrs Bobarlee 12:45 hrs Prickly 13:15 hrs Kilcaragh Boy 13:45 hrs Rogue Agent 14:15 hrs Buachaill Maith 14:50 hrs Shantilly Lace

Newmarket 09:00 hrs Spatial 10:10 hrs Rummani 10:45 hrs Exoteric 11:20 hrs Qamarain 11:55 hrs Purple Magic 12:30 hrs Reputation

Saratoga Race 1 Syndergaard Race 2 Super Mama Race 3 Onecats Chance Race 4 Cahirciveen Race 5 Hit It Once More Race 6 Lucky Lou Pal Race 7 Iron Mizz Race 8 Neck of the Moon

From backpage

Ffos Las

American Racing Tips

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

Kenya disbands Olympic committee

Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge crosses the finish line to win the men’s marathon in Rio. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

KENYA’S National Olympic Committee has been disbanded following allegations of mismanagement at Rio 2016.

Sports minister Hassan Wario made the announcement at a news conference yesterday, highlighting a long list of alleged shortcomings by officials.

“There was alleged mismanagement of the facilitation of our athletes and the entire team Kenya ranging from accommodation and travel mishaps, mishandling of the accreditation of the list of participants to the provision of kits that never reached the athletes,” said Wario, who has set up a committee to investigate the case.

“I do hereby disband the National Olympic Committee with immediate effect

and transfer their responsibilities to Sports Kenya as the interim custodian.”

The disbandment follows claims by Olympic team captain and marathon runner Wesley Korir that members of the Kenyan squad were made to sleep in a shanty town following the closure of the athletes’ village.

Korir, who is also an MP in his homeland and claimed gunshots could be heard during the night, explained some athletes remained in Brazil because of a desire by officials to send them home on the cheapest possible flight.

Despite the setbacks, Kenya enjoyed its most successful Games in Rio, winning six gold medals, six silver and one bronze.

(Sportsmax.com)

Ronaldo voted UEFA’s 2015-16 Best Player in Europe (REUTERS) - Cristiano Ronaldo has been voted UEFA’s 2015-16 Best Player in Europe ahead of Real Madrid teammate Gareth Bale and Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann.

“We are really happy because two Real players were among the best in Europe,” said club president

Florentino Perez.

Ronaldo scored 51 goals in 48 games in all competitions for Real who won the Champions League and finished runners-up to Barcelona in La Liga.

The Portugal marksman also played a key role in his country’s triumph at Euro 2016.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

Norman Sue Bakery 15-over final set for tomorrow

… Archrivals Dant, Sunshine square off

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada -- Already with the Caribbean Sensation 10/10 trophy firmly in their grasp and aiming for a repeat performance of 2014 when they swept all before them, Dant are expected to face stiff opposition tomorrow when they oppose Sunshine in the Norman Sue Bakery-sponsored 15-over final at the Ashtonbee Number One ground.

The Conference A final of the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) tournament, featuring the two archrivals, will be played simultaneously with the Conference B final which

Hemnarine Chattergoon

Mahendranauth ‘Bobby’ Parasnauth

will see GTA Storms clashing with newcomers Enterprise in what is also expected to also be a thrilling contest.

What is certain is when the final delivery is bowled

in each contest, new winners will be crowned since Cricketers Cove who captured the Conference A title last season have since pulled out of this year’s

season while Rebels, who won the Conference B crown, have been elevated to Conference A. Playing well below the standard they had set in their debut season (2014), Dant were thrashed by Cricketers Cove in last year’s final after they were restricted to an insufficient 79 for nine in their allotted 15 overs. The latter got to the required total with five balls to spare with former Guyana Under-19 player Eyaaz Mohamed hitting a fine undefeated 41.

In tomorrow’s final, Dant face the only team who have stopped their unbeaten run in this year’s regular (20 overs) season tournament, whipping them in a high-scoring affair - a result that is sure to have supporters on both teams

Goodbye ‘Dilscoop’!

Dilshan to retire after Australia series “I have decided to retire from the ODIs after the third match in Dambulla (on Sunday) and will play the two Twenty20s and then retire completely,” Dilshan told local media.

After the conclusion of the five-match ODI series, Sri Lanka and Australia

Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan plays a shot. (REUTERS/And)

(REUTERS) - Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan will quit international cricket after the ongoing limited

overs series against Australia, the swashbuckling opener announced yesterday.

ICC fines Perera for Warner send-off, reprimands Starc

(REUTERS)-Sri Lanka’s Thisara Perera has been fined 15 percent of his match fee and Australian Mitchell Starc was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for their behaviour during the second one-day international in Colombo.

After dismissing David Warner during Australia’s unsuccessful run chase, all-rounder Perera used language and displayed actions which could have provoked a reaction from the Australia opener, the ICC said in a statement on Thursday.

Fast bowler Starc was charged for throwing the ball in the direction of batsman Dinesh Chandimal, who was inside the crease at the striker’s end and not attempting a run.

Both players admitted the offences and accepted the sanctions.

will play two Twenty20 matches on September 6 and September 9.

Inventor of the famous ‘Dilscoop’ ramp shot, Dilshan played the last of his 87 Tests in 2013 before quitting the longer format with 5 492 runs and 39 wickets.

A wily off-spinner and one of the most agile Sri

confident of victory for their respective sides.

Dant’s batting will be spearheaded by their season’s leading run-getter in vice-captain Hemnarine Chattergoon who has been in prolific form recently. All-rounder Damodar Daesrath, skipper Looknaught Ramsuchit, Shawn Deonandan and Muniram Karran are also expected to feature prominently.

The bowling will be in the capable hands of Satrohan ‘Blade’ Balkarran, Bolanauth ‘Bunty’ Sukhu, Deonandan and Riaz Kadir.

Not to be outdone, Sunshine’s batting lineup has also been shining with the likes of Azam Haniff, Anil Etwaroo, Avinash Sukhdeo and Anil Ramotar featuring

among the runs.

Captain Mahendranauth ‘Bobby’ Parasnauth is still rated among the best softball bowlers around and is known to have a penchant for the big occasion. He will be supported by Sukhdeo and Etwaroo among others in the bowling department.

A keen contest is therefore expected between two of the main powerhouses of softball in the OSCL. What is significant in the Conference B final is the fact that both Enterprise and GTA Storm are unbeaten in the regular season, the former with a 10-game winning streak and the latter romping to nine consecutive victories.

Picking a winner therefore is anybody’s guess.

Lankan fielders even at the age of 39, Dilshan scored 22 and 10 in the first two one-dayers of the ongoing five-match series against world champions Australia.

“I, together with my committee, wish to extend our sincere appreciation and wish him the very best in his future endeavours,” Sri Lanka Cricket president Thilanga Sumathipala said in a statement.

According to media reports, the former captain was persuaded to re-

tire as Sri Lanka builds a new team under Angelo Mathews with an eye on the 2019 World Cup. Dilshan made his oneday debut against Zimbabwe in 1999 and went on to play 329 ODIs, amassing 10 248 runs that included 22 hundreds, with an 86-plus strike rate.

He has also scored 1 884 runs in 78 Twenty20 Internationals and was Sri Lanka’s top scorer in this year’s World Twenty20 in India.

Pep Guardiola handed Barcelona return with Manchester City in Champions League

MANCHESTER City were drawn alongside Barcelona in the Champions League group stage, handing manager Pep Guardiola another return to Camp Nou. The European giants are joined by Borussia Monchengladbach and Celtic in Group C. Guardiola will not have fond memories of his first homecoming, when his Bayern Munich side were comprehensively picked apart in the semi-finals in 2014-15.

Leicester City’s reward for winning the Premier League is a favourable draw alongside Porto, Club Brugge and FC Copenhagen in Group G. Arsenal must emerge

against CSKA Moscow, Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco.

Defending champions Real Madrid face an in-

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola from a group containing Paris Saint-Germain, FC Basel and Ludogorets Razgrad, while north London rivals Tottenham were pitted

GROUP STAGE DRAW Group A Paris Saint-Germain Arsenal FC Basel Ludogorets Razgrad Group B Benfica Napoli Dynamo Kyiv Besiktas Group C Barcelona Manchester City Borussia Monchengladbach Celtic Group D Bayern Munich Atletico Madrid PSV Eindhoven

triguing double-header with Borussia Dortmund, plus ties against Sporting CP and Legia Warsaw.

FC Rostov Group E CSKA Moscow Bayer Leverkusen Tottenham Monaco Group F Real Madrid Borussia Dortmund Sporting CP Legia Warsaw Group G Leicester City Porto Club Brugge FC Copenhagen Group H Juventus Sevilla Lyon Dinamo Zagreb

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

Jaguars Franchise League Three-day competition bowls off today … will provide more opportunities, says Crandon

THE first-ever Jaguars Franchise League Threeday competition bowls off today with four games playing simultaneously countrywide.

The League which replaced the traditional Inter-county competition is comprised of eight franchises - four from Demerara, three from Berbice and one from Essequibo.

For the first-round fixtures, Nigg/Corentyne will face off with West

Leon Johnson

Shimron Hetmyer

Keemo Paul

Berbice at the Young Warriors Cricket Club,

Albion/New Amsterdam clash with Essequibo at the Tuschen Community Centre ground, Upper/Demerara / East Bank Demerara oppose Georgetown at Everest Cricket Club and East Coast Demerara challenge West Demerara at Enterprise Community Centre.

Among the players set to be on show are Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Leon Johnson, Assad Fudadin, Rajendra Chandrika, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo and Christopher Barnwell, all with international experience, while

Guyana fall to Dominican Republic

… finish game with 12 points IN their second game of the Centrobasket U-15 Championships, Guyana fell to the Dominican Republic in tragic fashion when the Spanish side demolished them by 106 points in a game that finished 118-12.

The first quarter saw Guyana only scoring 1 point while being unable to stop the Dominican Republic side from scoring 28.

It was much of the same in the second quarter with Guyana scoring 6 points while their opponents scored 21 taking the first half score to 49-7.

The Dominican Republic simply continued their dominance while stuffing any offence from Guyana to finish the game with 118 to Guyana’s 12.

The team will face Trinidad and Tobago today at 17:45hrs. It is hoped that in this game a better showing is produced by the local boys,

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Friday August 26, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Virat Kohli-251 runs (2) Ravi Ashwin-17 wickets Today’s Quiz: (1) Who made the highest individual score in the just-concluded WI/India Test series?

(2) What were the best innings bowling figures in the recent WI/India Test series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

West Indies Under-19 players Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Tevin Imlach will be turning out for West Berbice, Essequuibo and East Bank respectively.

Meanwhile, in an inv ited co mmen t, head coach of the senior team, Esaun Crandon is of the view that while the League will be of tremendous benefit to the game locally, it also provides opportunities where more players will be exposed to a professional set-up.

The 34-year-old added, “Definitely I see that as a positive to Guyana cricket going forward. We will be able to produce more players and those guys who are not in training with the

contracted players will know what it takes to be in the professional set-up, so it is something good going forward.”

Crandon, who has taken 90 wickets from 38 First-Class matches from 2000 to 2011, pointed out that the League will also create competitiveness among the players.

Apart from the Threeday competition, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) also has in the pipeline a Jaguars 50over League and the Jaguars Premier League T20 tournament.

The Leagues will be streamlined to feed into the WICB’s Professional Cricket League Fourday competition and the Regional Super50, as well as the Caribbean Premier League T20.

Olympic flag arrives in Tokyo for 2020 Games TOKYO, Japan (AFP) The Olympic flag arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday as Japan’s capital gears up to host the 2020 Games, with officials promising smooth sailing after Rio’s sometimes shaky 2016 instalment.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike carried the flag during a ceremony at Haneda airport after stepping off a plane from the Brazilian host city, accompanied by a delegation who picked up a record 41 medals in Rio. “I feel the full weight of the responsibility that this (flag) brings,” Koike told the crowd.

“I’m very happy that we’re able to bring the flag back after more than 50 years.

Tokyo last hosted the summer Olympics in 1964, highlighting Japan’s post-

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike waves the Olympic flag during its arrival ceremony at the Tokyo’s Haneda airport Wednesday.

(Photo: AFP)

war coming out party as it grew into a global economic powerhouse.

Japan sold itself as a safe pair of hands to host the event and he pledged in Rio he would try to make it the best Games yet.

But Tokyo’s Olympic preparations have suffered high-profile setbacks, including soaring costs and having to redesign the Games logo after accusations of plagiarism.

French prosecutors have also launched an investigation into alleged bribes linked to Tokyo’s winning Olympic bid, which organisers have denied.

Koike, who was elected in July as Tokyo’s first female governor, has ordered officials to rein in ballooning costs and pledged a formal review.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 26, 2016

T&T team here for Boyce/Jefford Classic … Jamaica due in last night

THE four Trinidadian athletes scheduled to participate at this weekend’s Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic arrived in Guyana yesterday, along with their team manager, while the Jamaica contingent was expected to arrive last night.

Arriving at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport yesterday were Ashton Gill, Recardo Prescott, Shikyla Walcott and Joanna Rogers, along with their manager Kelvin Nancoo.

Nancoo predicts a good showing from all his athletes

this weekend particularly Gill, who he has down to win the lucrative international men’s 800m event at the Classic.

“He’ll win that race this year for sure,” Nancoo predicted.

Gill, who was in the same race at the Classic last year, had finished in second place after bowing out against Guyana’s Kelvin Bayley.

Bayley, who now resides in the U.S., arrived in Guyana earlier this week, and will also be in the race, no doubt looking to defend his title and give Gill a run for his

Digicel appoints Usain Bolt as Chief Speed Officer DIGICEL, the telecoms firm, owned by billionaire Denis O’Brien, has appointed Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt as its Chief Speed Officer.

The job-for-life will see Bolt engage with customers from both a commercial and community point of view.

Digicel has sponsored Bolt since 2004 when he had just left high school.

The world’s fastest man will also be doing a series of partnership initiatives for young athletes, including speed camps and motivational and mentorship session.

Digicel director of marketing Peter Lloyd said the company was “honoured” to turn its 12-year relationship with Bolt into a lifelong partnership.

“Our relationship with Usain transcends sport – he is a unique human being who inspires millions of people across the world. As our Chief Speed Officer, we expect Usain to challenge us constantly to deliver awesome experiences to our customers be it from a prod-

money.

If Gill is to prevail he would also have to overcome his compatriot Prescott, also in this race.

Of the other athletes Walcott is scheduled to be a contender in the women’s 100m and 200m sprints the 200m being one of the monetary ‘international’ races in the Classic, while Rogers will be in the women’s 1500m.

In that 1500m Rogers can expect serious competition from Grenada’s Kenisha Pascal, along with other top local middle-distance queens. Guyana’s Andrea Foster is the defending champion in this event, but will not be participating this year, hence leaving the title up for grabs.

Meanwhile, the Jamaican athletes, including Keno Burrell, were expected to arrive in Guyana last evening. Other international athletes set to take part in the meet are scheduled to arrive in Guyana today.

The international athletes are looking to cash

Seated from left: Trinidad’s Ashton Gill, Shikyla Walcott, Joanna Rogers, and Recardo Prescott with manager Kelvin Nancoo in background, shortly after arriving in Guyana to compete in this weekend’s Boyce/Jefford Classic VII. in on the lucrative ‘international’ events featured at the meet, each of which carries a purse of US$500, divided among the top three athletes in the events, with US$250 for first place, US$150 for second, and US$100 for third.

In continuing in that stride of making it bigger and better with each coming year, this year’s edition will

see the increase of the ‘international events’ at the meet from six last year to eight this year, with the addition of the men’s and women’s javelin throws.

The other international events carded for the Championships are the women’s 200m, 1500m, and triple jump, along with the men’s 200m, 800m, and long jump.

In addition, the Cham-

pion Male and Female athletes will pocket $50 000 each while the Media and Masters races also have a similar $50 000 prize. Trophies will be given to the top four clubs while medals will be distributed to all athletes placing 1-3.

The cash prizes for the clubs total $2M with the winner running away with $1M.

Pakistan to play West Indies in day-night Test in October World’s fastest man Usain Bolt uct, service or community perspective.”

In accepting the new role and his lifetime contract, Usain said; “I’m very humbled. It’s been an amazing journey with Digicel – they have been there for me since I was 17 years old and now we will be together forever. As Digicel CSO, I am opening a new chapter and will be making it my mission to ensure that speed stays at the top of the agenda.”

(Irish Independent)

PAKISTAN will play their first day-night Test with a pink ball in Dubai against West Indies from October 13 to 17, the PCB announced yesterday.

The Pakistan board released the schedule for West Indies’ tour of the UAE, which starts on September 23 and comprises three T20Is, three ODIs and three Tests.

Dubai will host the first two T20I matches on September 23 and 24, with the third one being held in Abu Dhabi on September 27.

The ODI series will be played between September 30 and October 5, with Sharjah and Abu Dhabi listed as venues. The daynight Test will be the first

in the three-match series, and West Indies will play a day-night tour match against PCB Patrons XI between October 7 and 9 in Sharjah to prepare for the first Test.

The second and third Tests will be held in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, from October 21 and October 30 respectively.

In June, an initially reluctant WICB had agreed in principle to play a day-night Test in the UAE, following the PCB’s offer of a practice match and training sessions under lights. Pakistan are also scheduled to play a second day-night Test in the 2016-17 season, against Australia in Brisbane from December 15.

Apart from the daynight tour game, West Indies are scheduled to play two tour matches - a T20 and a two-day game against an ECB XI. Both matches will be held at the ICC Academy in Dubai.

The PCB had also mulled hosting West Indies in Sri Lanka to counter the growing expenses in the UAE, who have been hosts to Pakistan’s home series for a decade now. The idea, however, was dropped after assessing the drawbacks of playing in Sri Lanka during the monsoon. (ESPN Cricinfo) (Fixtures) Pakistan v WI in the UAE September 20: T20

tour match v ECB XI, ICC Academy September 23: 1st T20I, Dubai September 24: 2nd T20I, Dubai September 27: 3rd T20I, Abu Dhabi September 30: 1st ODI, Sharjah October 2: 2nd ODI, Sharjah October 3-4: Two-day tour match v ECB XI, ICC Academy October 5: 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi October 7-9: Threeday tour match v PCB Patrons XI (D/N), Sharjah October 13-17: 1st Test, Dubai (D/N) October 21-25: 2nd Test, Abu Dhabi October 30-November 3: 3rd Test, Sharjah

T&T team here for Boyce/ Jefford Classic See story on page 31

GBBC `Bad Intentions’ boxing card

It’s not your time, Corley warns Gonsalves

DeMarcus `Chop Chop’ Corley (left) and Dexter `The Cobra’ Gonsalves (right, strike a pose with GBBC president Peter Abdool who shows off the WBC’s FECABOX lightweight belt that will be up for grabs tomorrow night. (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

FORMER American World Boxing Organisation (WBO) super lightweight champion, DeMarcus `Chop Chop’ Corley, yesterday warned Guyana’s Dexter `The Cobra’ Gonsalves that the time is not right for him (Gonsalves) to become a champion.

This utterance was made yesterday when the two boxers faced members of the media at the pre-fight press conference at the Giftland OfficeMax Mall, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

The two will square off tomorrow night in the feature bout of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control’s (GBBC) `Bad Intentions’ boxing card fixed for the Giftland Mall.

Five bouts are card-

ed on the night’s programme which begins at 20:00hrs.

Asked what his chances are, coming up against a very experienced opponent in Corley, Gonsalves’ response was, “I’ve been training extra hard for this fight and I’ve watched tapes of his fights and have been working on his shortcomings. I notice he has faults and I will work on those faults since this fight means a lot to me and my family,” Gonsalves said, and then added, “`Chop Chop’ you had your time, now it is my time.”

To this the American, who has a record of 461-27-26 KOs and was a

See story on page 27

Pre-Cadet table Tennis Championships

Guyana bag five silver and one bronze in team events

THE Guyana Pre-Cadet Table Tennis team are currently battling for regional table tennis supremacy in the 2016 Caribbean Pre Cadet Table Tennis championships at the National Arena, Kingston Jamaica.

In their quest for championship honours the team secured 5 silver medals 1 bronze medal in Team events played on days one and two.

Guyana secured two silver and a bronze in the 13 years-and-under Boys’ team events through Kaysan Ninvalle, Isaiah Layne and Niran Bissu though

they lost in a tough contested battle to Trinidad and Tobago in the Team events on Tuesday.

En route to the final, the team defeated Barbados, Jamaica A and B. In the 13 years-and-under category the team of Thuraia Thomas, Neveah Clarkston and Abigale Martin also secured silver.

For the 11 years-andunder class the Guyana young team of Colin Wong, Dhanesh Persaud, Krystain Sahadeo and Alexander de Abreu had to settle for bronze after they defeated Barbados.

13 years-and-under Girls’ Doubles Abigale Martin and Neveah Clarkston picked up silver after losing out to a Trinidadian duo by a 3-2 margin.

In the Mixed doubles the Under-13 pair of Kaysan Ninvalle and Abigale Martin played their hearts out but narrowly lost to Trinidad and Tobago.

The team used yesterday as a rest day with action resuming today in the singles competition. Guyana’s chances to steal gold and overcome their Trinidad counterparts hinge on Kaysan Ninvalle who is actually

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competing in the 13 yearsand-under in the teams and doubles but is eligible for the 11 years-and-under where he will play the singles. Kaysan will be joined in the U-13 divison by Isaiah Layne, Niran Bissu and Alexander De Abreu.

Abigale Martin and Neveah Clarkston will also compete in the Girls’ 13 years-and-under singles while Thuraia Thomas will do battle in the 11 yearsand-under singles division.

In the Under-11 class, Colin Wong, Dhanesh Persaud and Krystian Sahadeo will represent Guyana.

Kaysan Ninvalle and Abigale Martin compete in the Mixed doubles of the 2016 Caribbean Pre-Cadet table Tennis Championships.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016