Guyana Chronicle Epaper 05 18 2019

SATURDAY 18th May, 2019

GET IN LINE No.105641

Gov’t to spend $50M to boost agriculture in Reg. 8

… 100 farmers to benefit

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… AG, CFATF issue stern warning to Guyana ahead of 4th Round

SEE STORY ON PAGE 03 ►

… spotlight turns on lawyers to help combat money laundering

NAMILCO celebrates 50 years

Five errant 10 broadcasters to face court PAGE

Man kills wife at Anna 17 Regina

… eyes expansion in coming years

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On the occasion of its 50th Anniversary, the National Milling Company, on Thursday evening, hosted a reception to celebrate the occasion at the Guyana Pegasus. In photo, Managing Director of the company, Roopnaraine Sukhai (left) and Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy here, Terry Steers-Gonzalez give the thumbs-up after cutting the anniversary cake (Adrian Narine photo)

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Oil consultant hired following transparent process

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

…DoE says in response to KN ‘fake news’

OIL Consultant Dr. Michael Warner, who was hired to complete Guyana’s draft Local Content Policy was hired by the government following a fair and transparent process.

This was reiterated by Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe in a release issued by the Ministry of the Presidency on Friday evening. He rejected the claims published in Friday’s edition of the Kaieteur News that Dr. Warner, who was hired to complete Guyana’s draft Local Content Policy, is employed by ExxonMobil.

Dr Bynoe first commented on the issue at a press conference recently when the question was posed to him by the newspaper. He clarified at that forum that Dr Warner was working along with the department on the key petroleum policy document.

In the article titled, “Sole sourced or open tender?

Questions surface over contract awarded to ExxonMobil’s employee” the paper

stated on Friday that “Dr. Warner is an employee of DAI, the contractor engaged

by ExxonMobil to manage the Local Content Centre for Development”.

“The Department rejects this statement as false, noting that it is yet another indication that the Kaieteur News rushed to publication instead of first checking its facts”, the statement read.

“Dr. Warner is not an employee of ExxonMobil.

Dr. Warner was at the time contracted with DAI, which is a huge consultancy firm, and he was doing some work with DAI, [which] has been contracted with ExxonMobil to assist with the establishment of the Centre for Local Business Development here.

Since Dr. Warner has started this … local content process with us he has severed links with DAI. In fact, he is doing just part-time work with DAI and other individuals, and as a result of that we are comfortable that we are getting value for money where Dr.

Warner is concerned,” Dr. Bynoe said.

The Director said he is perturbed by the Kaieteur News article as the paper had posed this same question to him at the Department of Energy’s press conference hosted on May 3, 2019 and he believed that he had addressed it then. In fact, at that event Kaieteur News Journalist asked: “…there have been some concerns about the fact that an ExxonMobil specialist, Michael Warner is the one leading the review of the document. Could you say whether the Energy Department is concerned about this in terms of ensuring that the provisions are in keeping with the best interest of the country?”

Dr Bynoe’s verbatim response was: “…Let me first say that he is not an ExxonMobil specialist. He is a local content specialist whose expertise has been used by a multiplicity of entities inclusive of ExxonMobil. Guyana

is utilizing his services and we have hired him based on a competitive process where, like other consultants, he had the opportunity to have his CV submitted to us. It was sent to the World Bank [which] is financing this project and we are confident that we are currently getting value for money.”

Additionally, the Director rejected the ambiguities in the paper’s questions about the hiring process for the post. He noted that Dr. Warner was selected as the best candidate to execute the project from among a total of three applications, following a limited competitive selection process, which is in keeping with World Bank regulations.

“Well, I first would like to clarify that there are many tendering processes that can be used to expedite a particular contract. In this case, we used what is termed a limited competitive selection of individual consultants which is consistent with the

World Bank’s regulations of July 2016 which were revised in November 2017 and further in August 2018 - Item 7.38. This would allow since it’s an individual consultancy, for us to use a three-CV process and to assess the consultants based on their expertise and qualification, as well as their ability to deliver. This is the process which was followed.

After we would have gone through the three CVs, there would have been an evaluation report completed which had to then go to the World Bank for their non-objection and based on that Dr. Warner was selected as the best candidate to execute this consultancy. So there was no issue of sole sourcing,” Dr. Bynoe said.

Dr. Bynoe further noted that both the Ministry and the Department of Energy view the media as a partner in this new industry and in disseminating information to the public not only about what oil and gas would mean for their

Director of the Department of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe futures, but how those revenues would be allocated and spent for future development.

As such, he expressed the hope that the media would utilise the avenues of communication with the Department available to them to make enquires before rushing to publication.

Ministers’ resignation created opportunity for assessment – Gaskin THE resignation of four ministers of government created an opportunity for President David Granger to do a reassessment of the administration, said former Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin.

April last, President Granger accepted resignation letters from Vice-President and Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Public Service, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine; and Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin.

The ministers tendered their resignations in keeping with the indications of High Court and Court of Appeal that it is unconsti-

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes tutional for a person who swore allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state to be a Member of Parliament.

Those ministers have since been reassigned to other positions within their respective ministries.

“I believe the resignation of ministers created an opportunity for reassessment and he (the president) did some moving around,” said Gaskin, as he defended his appointment as Director of Manufacturing and Marketing within the Ministry of Business.

The former minister said the President identified areas of deficiencies before appointing him and the other ministers to different posts. “For instance, marketing needed more attention and that was recognised,” Gaskin contended during an Alliance For

Change (AFC) press briefing on Friday at the Centre for Change.

According to him, there is much to be done in the areas manufacturing and marketing, and under his stewardship, he will raise the bar.

In addition, Gaskin said the reassigning of the ministers was not done to circumvent the ruling of the court, but to meet the outstanding demands of the various sectors.

Quizzed about his technical abilities to be in the position he now holds, Gaskin admitted that he does not have university qualifications but said he has over 40 years of experience in the manufacturing sector.

Minister of Public Telecommunications and Executive Member of the AFC, Catherine Hughes, also defended the appointment of the former ministers, noting that it is a reflection of a high level of maturity when persons accept that it was necessary to retain the experienced officials.

Hughes said Greenidge is a prime example of the available skills, adding that the former minister has knowledge and experience in the border dispute case Former Minister of Busibetween Guyana and Ven- ness, Dominic Gaskin ezuela.

“Are we as a nation ruled that dual citizens going to question and fuss cannot sit in Parliament about individuals delivering but, it states nothing on our territorial integrity?” about them being employed by the governshe asked.

Hughes said the court ment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

… AG, CFATF issue stern warning to Guyana ahead of 4th Round

… spotlight turns on lawyers to help combat money laundering

By Svetlana Marshall FULL cooperation is needed if Guyana is to successfully complete the 4th Round of Mutual Evaluation by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) in 2022, CFATF Executive Director Dawne Spicer said, while warning that failure to cooperate could result in the country facing enhanced scrutiny in all finance-related sectors.

During the 4th Round of Mutual Evaluation, CFATF assesses countries’ ‘Technical Compliance’ and ‘Effectiveness’ in combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism. With Guyana having the requisite Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Legislation in place, the focus is now on prosecution and conviction.

In her address to lawyers at a training programme organised by the AML/CFT National Coordinating Committee on Friday, Spicer said a country approach is needed to successfully combat Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing. “This crosses all lines of politics,” the CFATF Executive Director told the lawyers seated in Cara Lodge.

Spicer said there is no time for playing politics.

“Silos don’t work well for this process. So if you have silos in this process; if you have people playing politics with this process, I am going to tell you what’s going to happen, you are going to end up on the list. It’s that simple,” the CFATF Executive Director warned.

If placed on a list, the regional and international financial watch dogs (CFATF/ FATF) will call on its more than 200 countries to put enhanced due diligence measures in place when dealing with Guyana. “When that happens, it means that the cost of doing business with Guyana will be skyrocketed because nobody would want to do business with Guy-

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams his opening address, said ana,” Spicer explained In Guyana, she said, at- attorneys-at-law and all torneys are deemed “high other legal professionals risk” with respect to Mon- play an important role in ey-Laundering and Financ- countering Money Launing of Terrorism. It was ex- dering and Financing of plained attorneys fall within Terrorism but the current the Designated Non-Finan- situation leaves much to be cial Businesses and Profes- desired.

“In Guyana, this secsions (DNFBPs) when they engage in the purchasing tor is not supervised for its and buying of real estate; compliance with the AML/ the management of client’s CFT Act, Cap 10:01 which finances and assets; and the is based on the standards of management of bank and the Financial Action Task savings accounts among Force (FATF). If this position remains unchanged then others.

Spicer said lawyers must Guyana will find combatcomply with Recommenda- ting ML/TF to be a difficult tion 10 (Customer Due Dil- task,” the Attorney General igence); Recommendation said.

He noted that if this trend 11 (Record Keeping); Recommendation 12 (Politically continues, Guyana, which Exposed Persons); Recom- exited the 3rd Round of mendation 15 (New Tech- Mutual Evaluation in 2016, nologies); Recommendation will have a difficult time 17 (Third Parties); Recom- demonstrating that its AML/ mendation 18 (Internal Con- CFT regime is effective in trols); Recommendation 19 the 4th Round of Mutual (High Risk Countries) and Evaluation.

“The urgent need is to Recommendation 21 (Tipping Off and Confidence) ensure that attorneys are takas set out by FATF/CFATF. ing measures to ensure they She called on the at- are not facilitating ML/TF torneys to file Suspicious stems from the results of the Transaction Reports once National Risk Assessment they do not breach the (NRA) which was completed in 2017,” he posited. confidentiality clause.

The NRA was conducted to provide a comprehensive MUCH TO BE assessment of Guyana’s DESIRED A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l Money Laundering and Terand Legal Affairs Min- rorism Financing risks. Out ister, Basil Williams, in of the NRA birthed a Na-

tional Action Plan which was developed to identify and prioritise the steps the Government should take to remedy the deficiencies identified.

As stated by the CFATF Executive Director, the Attorney General said the NRA found that the vulnerability of Attorneys-at-Law to be used for Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing is very high. He said it has become necessary for lawyers to have an AML/CFT supervisory body. “This action is necessary as the NRA determined that lawyers are exposed to being misused for purposes of facilitating or assisting, directly or indirectly in money laundering activities of criminals,” the Attorney General said.

According to a report

by FATF ‘Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Vulnerabilities of the Legal Professionals,’ “criminals seek out the involvement of legal professionals in their ML/TF activities, sometimes because a legal professional is required to complete certain transactions, and sometimes to access specialised legal and notarial skills and services which could assist the laundering of the proceeds of crime and the funding of terrorism.”

TAKE ACTIONS The Attorney General said it is important to take necessary actions. With

CFATF Executive Director Dawne Spicer Guyana being on a cusp of economic transformation with the development of the Oil and Gas Industry, he said, it is important to make the country a safe and secure place that attracts investors.

“Under the AML/CFT Act, Cap 10:11, Attorneys-at-Law are named as reporting entities and are required to comply with the obligations under the AML/CFT Act and in similar vein to be supervised to ensure they are compliant. Regulation and supervision of this sector is very important as low level of regulation will hinder Guyana from being effective in the fight against ML/FT. The current lack of supervision is a major vulnerability and exposes an overall deficiency in our system which must be remedied sooner rather than later,” the Attorney General told the lawyers.

EMBRACING AML/CFT REGIME President of the Guyana Bar Association (GBA), Kamal Ramkarran, told the Attorneys-at-Law that there is nothing to fear in embracing the AML/CFT regime. He said AML/CFT legislation is a deterrent to financial crimes.

Ramkarran called on the attorneys to be vigilant, and aid in the fight to combat Money Laundering and the Terrorist Financing.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland; Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit, Matthew Langevine; Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Charles Fund-a-Fatt; and Commissioner of Police, Leslie James were among the officials present at the training. Today, training will continue but this time with accountants.

Participants of the AML/CFT Training (Photos by Adrian Narine)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

Insurer says Iran’s Guards likely to have organized tanker attacks LONDON/OSLO (Reuters) - Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) are “highly likely” to have facilitated attacks last Sunday on four tankers including two Saudi ships off Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, according to a Norwegian insurers’ report seen by Reuters.

The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Norway are investigating the attacks, which also hit a UAE- and a Norwegian-flagged vessel. A confidential assessment issued this week by the Norwegian Shipowners’ Mutual War Risks Insurance Association (DNK) concluded that the attack was likely to have been carried out

by a surface vessel operating close by that despatched underwater drones carrying 30-50 kg (65-110 lb) of high-grade explosives to detonate on impact.

The attacks took place against a backdrop of U.S.-Iranian tension following Washington’s decision this month to try to cut Tehran’s oil exports

to zero and beef up its military presence in the Gulf in response to what it called Iranian threats.

The DNK based its assessment that the IRGC was likely to have orchestrated the attacks on a number of factors, including: - A high likelihood that the IRGC had previously supplied its allies, the Houthi militia fighting a Saudi-backed government in Yemen, with explosive-laden surface drone boats capable of homing in on GPS navigational positions for accuracy.

- The similarity of shrapnel found on the Norwegian tanker to shrapnel from drone boats used off Yemen by Houthis, even though the craft previously used by the Houthis were surface boats rather than the underwater drones likely to have been deployed in Fujairah.

- The fact that Iran and particularly the IRGC had recently threatened to use military force and that, against a militarily stronger foe, they were highly likely to choose “asymmetric measures with plausible deniability”. DNK noted that the Fujairah attack had caused “relatively limited damage” and had been carried out at a time when U.S. Navy ships were still en route to the Gulf.

ADVERTISEMENT Both the Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker Amjad and the UAE-flagged bunker vessel A.

Michel sustained damage in the area of their engine rooms, while the Saudi tanker Al Marzoqah was damaged in the aft section and the Norwegian tanker Andrea Victory suffered extensive damage to the stern, DNK said.

The DNK report said the attacks had been carried out between six and 10 nautical miles off Fujairah, which lies close to the Strait of Hormuz.

SENDING A MESSAGE Iran has in the past threatened to block all exports through the Strait of Hormuz, through which an estimated fifth of the world’s oil passes.

According to DNK, it was highly likely that the attacks had been intended to send a message to the United States and its allies that Iran did not need to block the Strait to disrupt freedom of navigation in the region. DNK said Iran was also likely to continue similar low-scale attacks on merchant vessels in the coming period. Iranian officials and the Revolutionary Guards’ (IRGC) spokesman were not available for comment. Tehran had already rejected allegations of involvement and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had said that “extremist individuals” in the U.S. government were pursuing dangerous policies. No one claimed responsibility for the attacks.

DNK’s managing director

Svein Ringbakken declined to comment, except to say that “this is an internal and confidential report produced to inform shipowner members of the DNK about the incidents in Fujairah and the most likely explanation”.

The UAE has not blamed anyone for the attack.

Two U.S. government sources said this week that U.S. officials believed Iran had encouraged Houthi militants or Iraq-based Shi’ite militias to carry out the attack. In a joint letter seen by Reuters and sent to the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Norway said the attacks had been deliberate and could have resulted in casualties, spillages of oil or harmful chemicals.

“The attacks damaged the hulls of at least three of the vessels, threatened the safety and lives of those on board, and could have led to an environmental disaster,” the letter said. Last month, the United States designated the entire IRGC as a terrorist organization. Washington had previously designated entities and individuals connected with the IRGC, which controls vast segments of Iran’s economy. Tehran responded by designating the regional United States Central Command (CENTCOM) as a terrorist organization.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

30,800 children born without HIV since 2010 …new PAHO reports says significant progress made towards elimination of MTCT

Caribbean countries are moving towards the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and Chagas, but progress has been uneven, according to a new report from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The report “New generations free of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and Chagas disease in the Americas 2018”, which compiles data from 52 countries and territories in the Americas, shows that since 2010, 30,800 children were born without HIV thanks to interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission.

“Significant progress has been made towards ensuring a generation free from AIDS and syphilis, and now efforts are also being made to stop children from being born with hepatitis B and Chagas,” said PAHO Director, Carissa F. Etienne. “We must intensify and integrate the response and expand access to health services if we want to end transmission of these four diseases,” she added.

In 2017, 20 countries and territories of the Americas reported data indicating the elimination of mother-to-

child transmission of HIV, seven of which received validation from WHO. However, it is estimated that each year, 3500 children are either born with HIV, or contract HIV from their mothers in Latin America and the Caribbean. In the Region, 73% of pregnant women underwent at least one HIV test, 73% of those that tested positive went on to access treatment.

This is an increase from 2010 but still lower than the 95% testing and treatment goal.

INCREASE IN CASES OF CONGENITAL SYPHILIS According to the new report, in 2017, 15 countries also reported data indicating the elimination of congenital syphilis, seven of which received validation from WHO. However, the report also shows that cases of congenital syphilis are on the rise.

In 2017, 37 countries reported more than 28,800 cases, 22% more than in 2016, although 85% of reported cases are concentrated in just one country in the Region.

The report also shows other unequal results. While the screening of pregnant women for syphilis has de-

creased, the treatment of those who have had the test and are found to be positive has increased.

VACCINATION, KEY TO PREVENTING HEPATITIS B The countries of the Americas have vaccinated against hepatitis B for more than 20 years. This has enabled the Region to achieve the goal of eliminating mother-to-child transmission of this disease (estimated regional prevalence of hepatitis B in children aged 5 years of 0.1%). Individually, it is estimated that several countries have also achieved this goal.

However, it is estimated that 6000 children contract the hepatitis B virus each year in the Region. In order to prevent this, PAHO recommends giving four doses of the vaccine to all children under the age of 1, the first one during the first 24 hours of life, which is a key time for preventing transmission. In 2017, vaccination coverage with the third dose for children under the age of 1 was 87% and 25 countries and territories introduced the vaccine dose during the first 24 hours after birth to all new-

borns. This latter coverage increased from 61% in 2010 to 76% in 2017. Efforts are needed to continue increasing hepatitis B vaccination coverage in children.

VERTICAL TRANSMISSION OF CHAGAS ACCOUNTS FOR 20% OF NEW CASES It is estimated that each year, around 9000 babies are born with Chagas disease in Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for more than 20% of all new cases in the Region.

However, in 2017 countries notified PAHO of just 280 new cases, which highlights the urgent need to improve detection and notification systems. The screening of Chagas disease in pregnant women also varies significantly, from 7% to 55% in the few countries that report

data. The PAHO elimination initiative establishes the goal of testing at least 90% of pregnant women and newborns of HIV-positive mothers.

“Eliminating motherto-child transmission of these four diseases presents a huge challenge”, said Dr. Marcos Espinal, Director of the Department of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health at PAHO. “However, implementing an integrated approach in addressing this issue is an opportunity to ensure that advances towards elimination are equitable,” he added.

The new PAHO report is the first to address the four diseases together, following the 2014 renewal of a commitment made in 2010 by Ministers of Health in the Region,

to eliminate mother-tochild transmission of HIV and syphilis, which was then expanded to include the other two diseases. In order to support its Member States in achieving this, in 2017, PAHO launched the Framework for the Elimination of Motherto-child Transmission of HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis and Chagas Disease (ETMI-PLUS). This is a roadmap outlining strategies and interventions aimed at women before and during pregnancy, as well as for postpartum women and their newborns, in a Region with 15 million pregnant women per year and a high rate of prenatal care, but where inequalities in access to health persist, and lost opportunities remain, between and within countries.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

Self-sufficiency and the GNS

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ultural icon, Dr. Vibert Cambridge reminded in a (Stabroek News February 15, 2004) article of the song ‘I want to build this land’. This song was composed by the Guyana National Service (GNS) staff “in 1974, [and] is often associated with the first Great March done by 280 pioneers from Kimbia Centre to the National Park in 1975 - a distance of 160 miles.” This was a feat and accomplishment by Guyanese.

For those who may not know about the GNS, its existence marks an era in this nation’s history when Guyanese were imbued with confidence that they can do and be anything they set their minds to and work towards. Cambridge, in the instant article, recounts: Forbes Burnham saw the “National Service (as) intended to be the principal instrument to ensure the emergence and development of the type of Guyanese men, women and youths essential to the prosperity and furtherance, and indeed the survival of the nation.”

He further advised that Janet Jagan saw many of the GNS’ goals as laudable, such as: “opening up the hinterland”; “for the youth to be oriented to use their hands and not scorn manual labour”; “the development of necessary skills for nation building and the attitudes that go with national development”; “the sharing of common experiences and the working together of all racial groups with the objective of bringing them together.”

A difference she has with Burnham, according to Cambridge, was that “she did not agree that GNS was the most viable vehicle for the achievement of those goals.” Mrs Jagan was entitled to her views, equally as Burnham was entitled to his; but what is evident in the excerpts is that political discourses had an element of being issues-based, and credit was offered to the other for their thinking. Today, it is hard to find acceptance or give credit to the thinking of a political opponent, however worthy the idea, since politics has moved from rivalry to enmity.

While the GNS served many functions, its mission could not have been possible if those who served, including its leadership and rank-and-file, were not driven by conviction and commitment. They were imbued with that sense of patriotism to build Guyana; to accept challenges; to go into places unknown and unexplored and conquer them, including carving out livable spaces in jungle areas, and developing communities on the pre-eminent principle of self-sufficiency.

Self-sufficiency identifies the desire for freedom from control; and where this exists, the potential for growth and development, personal and national, are doable. There was a time in our pre- and post- independence history when politics was dominated by competing ideas on substantive issues to make reality of dreams, notwithstanding rivalry and conflicts among political forces and groups. And as thought is given to this aspect of lived experiences, it is reminded that the word ‘build’ is a verb in the present tense; it means that the process is happening in the here and now.

The Founding Fathers, Mothers and Children of the pre-independence society delivered to us, on 26th May 1966, a nation called Guyana. By their actions, including the institutions that established the nation-state, they have laid the foundation, put up the pillars, enclosed the walls, and put within that space the essentials that would ensure survival and security. We of the present generation, as heirs of their pains, struggles and sacrifices, find it incumbent upon us to build on what they have laid. As society becomes more complex, domestic and foreign, it becomes necessary to build in recognition of the prevailing dynamics, and also to anticipate and plan for future development and protection.

Where this nation continues to debate its history and be preoccupied with who is/are to be blamed for the state of affairs today, if truth be told, those who came before did what they thought was best at the time. It is now our time to

build on what we think is best for this nation at this period of our existence, given the resources at our disposal.

It is appropriate to say that, outside of the era of the GNS, this nation has not had the needed injection of self-sufficiency to drive its people, more particularly the young, to think and dream big, and act in accordance with those dreams. This is not to say that Guyanese lack the capacity and capability to distinguish themselves, or to engage in the necessary struggles and sacrifices to achieve those dreams. No; ever so often, there is news of a student distinguishing him/herself at CXC and CAPE, or besting their Caribbean counterparts in some endeavour. An overseas-based Guyanese a few years ago, whose educational foundation was laid here, was accepted by 21 universities in the United States, inclusive of all its ivy leagues. Four children of Guyanese parentage have won global awards and recognition for a technological security application. Our youth here have created an E-Directory. Others are distinguishing themselves in sports, culture, music and so forth.

There is no shortage of talent within the Guyanese genes pool; yet, within recent years, the concept of development has taken on a different meaning. The society was made to feel that development meant opportunities created for few to cash in at the expense of the people; the disregard for their rights, resources and institutions established to protect them. This is a call to action: Guyanese have to go back to the drawing board and pick up from where their forebears left off. It is not, and never was, an admirable place to find ourselves -- blaming others for what is in the past, when the opportunity is present to learn from mistakes, right the wrongs, and build on the achievements. There is no need for spectators to the things considered wrong, equally as it is important to disabuse ourselves of the notion that things will change without our input.

Holding of LGEs

We are grateful for your service

− a very significant achievement of the coalition Dear Editor,

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hat this APNU+AFC Coalition has done during its first four years in government has been significantly overshadowed by the no-confidence motion controversy.

It was good to hear our Head of State outline some of the things the government was able to

do and in the same breath, acknowledge the things it was unable to do to the extent he would have been more comfortable with.

In relation to corruption, a former president used to always say to the people who accused his administration of corruption, that they must bring the evidence, and never did anything to unearth the evidence and eliminate or minimise corrup-

tion.

This same former president, during the campaign for the last Local Government Election, spoke about taking back the country through Local Government Election and democracy at the grassroots level, yet his government and party never attempted to hold these elections.

One of the most important promises made

by the coalition in its manifesto was the holding of Local Government Election. Holding of this election twice in four years is a manifestation of its commitment to local democracy and what made it more spectacular is that the government held it knowing they would have lost.

Regards Archie W. Cordis

Dear Editor,

O

n behalf of our late son (Mark Narine), who was murdered on March 31, 2019, I, Aaron Narine (father), Radha Narine (mother) and family would like to express our sincere appreciation for the professional conduct of the Guyana Police Force that attended Leguan Island on May 9, 2019.

My family and I would like to extend our greatest gratitude to Commissioner, Leslie Albert James; Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Maxine Graham; Deputy Commissioner of Crime, Lyndon Alves; and all other officers who attended from Eve Leary, Georgetown.

We look forward to the day when all parties involved directly and indirectly with this case are brought to justice.

Regards The family of the late Mark Narine

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

OP-ED

By Dr. Mark Devonish

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oday I wish to initiate a national debate on mental health. Guyana is one of the countries in the world that is deeply affected with persons who have mental health issues and the associated suicide Recently, I learnt of a former medical colleague who is battling mental health illness. The individual is a gifted doctor who is now a vagrant on the streets with no support from healthcare professionals or the Guyana Medical Council. Whatever happened to duty of care? In St. Lucia where I worked, a young and gifted colleague committed suicide because of mental health illness because of lack of support.

Also in St. Lucia, I had a former colleague who is battling mental health illness with no support. He too is a vagrant on the streets. I saw a video of a young lady experiencing a mental health crisis at UG and some folks on social media found it funny. These are just a few unfortunate examples. The evidence is that doctors are at higher risk of mental health illness and suicide because of the nature of our jobs.

I am not at liberty to divulge the mental health illness of any of my colleagues but I do wish to share my own battles. I have chosen today, May 17 to disclose this since today is my late mother’s 35th death anniversary and her 66th birthday. I wish to educate the public about the relationship between childhood psychology trauma and mental health illness. I also wish to highlight the deep-seated ignorance of mental health illness in Guyana, the prejudice and stigma we experience hence the main reason why many patients keep their diagnosis private. What I am going to write is no easy task. I wrote several letters to the editor with a view of sharing my mental health battles, only to email the editor to request it not be published. Today I have taken the painful decision to be open up about it because I feel I owe it to my fellow patients to be their advocate.

I suffered from mental illness since I was a teenager. The tragic death of my mother when I was too

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With the right support, mental health patients in Guyana can live productive lives

young to understand the finality of death was a major factor, and being abandoned by a useless father further compounded this childhood mental trauma. My aunt did a great job bringing up five orphans but at the tender age of 22, she was not equipped to deal with that massive responsibility. I applaud her for her efforts and owe her a great debt of gratitude.

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE As a teenager, I had to be hospitalised for one week for attempted suicide. I am not sure what transpired during my inpatient stay, but I was referred to a psychiatrist. I went to my appointment and became scared with what I saw: a crowded clinic with patients in varying stages of mental distress. I exited the clinic and vowed never to return. My former colleagues in medical school and internship must have suspected something was wrong because of my mercurial mood.

I migrated and my symptoms of highs and lows continued. Insomnia, paranoia and the associated irritability was a pattern of behaviour.

One of my consultants, within a year of me migrating to the UK, recognised that I needed help. I was forced to seek help and was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder which I likely had since I was a teenager. I was ashamed of my diagnosis and would never discuss it.

The negatives are many but I rather focus on the few positives, namely, increased creativity and higher than average intelligence by many who have it. Many past and present brilliant scientists have it. Many great writers have it. Many Grammy and Oscar winning artists and actors have it. Some psychiatrists argue it is the price that humans had to pay for higher intelligence when compared to our primitive ancestors.

In 2015, I once again attempted suicide. I drove my Audi TT Quadro sports car into a parking lot of cars.

Anyone who knows about Audi Sports would tell you they have powerful engines.

My car was written off. Four other cars were written off in the process. I was stopped by hitting into a wall. I immediately regretted it but lied it was an accident. Clearly it was not. At that time I was

off sick for 11 months as the medical council investigated my mental health. No clinical concerns were ever raised; it was always my pendulum of moods.

Today thankfully, I am better on medication and I do receive the support from my employer, medical council and my psychiatrist (medical supervisor) who all recognised me as an exceptional doctor who needed help. The support was instigated in 2016 by the medical council in the form of legal undertakings since despite the investigations I continued to refuse the necessary support because like most mental health patients, I refused to accept my diagnosis. In retrospect this was the best thing to have happened and started as the impetus for me to be open about my diagnosis with those close to me.

MENTAL ILLNESS I started with my former QC buddies via our WhatsApp group. The circumstance under which this information was shared was after an army captain shot his girlfriend fourteen times dead. They were of the view that mental illness caused him to do so but I argued that his actions demonstrated clarity in his thoughts, so he was not impaired by mental illness. I further argued that maybe he has concurrent mental illness but it played no role in his actions. I then informed them as a doctor, but more importantly as a patient who has mental illness, it is more likely that violence would be directed at us than vice-versa. That was when they knew for the first time and it took lots of courage on my part to disclose it.

After my disclosure their reactions were shocking. I will outline the many bad experiences which is asymp-

tomatic of the ignorance of mental illness in Guyana and the great prejudice that mental health patients experience on a daily basis.

Immediately after I disclosed my diagnosis there was an incident where 106 candidates took the driving theory test but 207 passed.

In all likelihood, the additional 101 passes were sold. Some of my affluent colleagues boasted of their parents buying their drivers licences when they were teenagers. I argued that as someone who grew up in poverty, I was never afforded such privileges from the police. I then continued by stating anything could be bought in Guyana – even justice. Many of my colleagues were displeased with my last statement and one of them attacked my mental health and said, “doc go take your meds.” In my humble opinion, my argument was rational and was not influenced by my mental health. I was deeply hurt because of the betrayal of my trust but also more importantly, I was battling the recent tragic death of my younger brother. As a result, I took a break from the group but was persuaded to rejoin.

Last year May, Guyana had its first carnival. I was not in agreement with the carnival but kept my views to myself until one of my colleagues brought it up for discussion in the group.

I argued that carnival is a very bad idea since it is the poor who would be exploited for the benefit of the rich.

Providing carnival loans to impoverished people to party is highly irresponsible. The consequence of such an action is that many kids will go hungry until the next paycheck. I postulated that to take the poor out of poverty, such loans should

be provided for small investments in businesses and their children’s education.

One of my colleagues took umbrage with me, stating that kids will go hungry and directed an offensive remark at me. He described me as ignorant and foolish and questioned where I got such statistics and facts from. I then argued that in view of the fact that the carnival was less than 24hrs previously, then such statistics would not be available but to get a better understanding, one can extrapolate from other celebratory events, for example Christmas. Many people spend beyond their means, take loans and take home appliances and furniture on credit. The result is that those items are repossessed a few months after Christmas since they cannot afford to make the payments. Many kids go to school hungry as a result.

I then advised my former colleague, who called me ignorant and foolish, that as an aristocrat who was brought up in a cocoon of privileges, he would not have had such experiences hence could not understand my position.

ATTACKS BY COLLEAGUES Another colleague, who witnessed when I was called ignorant and foolish, took offence that I referred to said colleague as an aristocrat. She told me so in no uncertain terms but ignored his offensive insults directed at me. I responded by asking her when was she elected and inaugurated as the President of the Aristocratic Defence Union. Others got involved. One said that I am a narcissist who indulges in ‘gaslighting’. Another one told me I have ADHD. I suggested to her being a google psychiatrist do have its limitations which she should

recognise. Another told me I should go smoke some weed.

Something I never did in my life. They were all having a go at attacking my mental health because they were incapable of countering my argument. I sarcastically but politely requested to know if those defending the aristocrat were all members of the newly-formed Royal Society of the Protection of Endangered Aristocrats. The mental health attacks intensified. The statement that hurt the most was what the last person said. This very individual, a few months previously told me “doc go take your meds.” No one reprimanded him then. As a result, he repeated it then used the American phrase “drop mic”. For him I had special words. I knew he was not good enough to attend university despite attending QC, so I suggested to him that now he has dropped the mic, he can pick up a few books, read a few journals, attend a few academic conferences and attend a few professional development classes. I then reassured him that once he has completed those, which may take a few years since he may need breaks from candy stand at the corner of Flathbush Avenue, I will afford him the opportunity of debating my 10-year-old daughter, my bipolar creativity with words at its best.

I subsequently informed all of those who attacked my mental health that they are not my intellectual equal since rather than engaging me in a debate, they resorted to argumentum ad hominem attacks. In my opinion, the fact that I came from a family of beggars and thieves, I should have known my position on the intellectual

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

Campus-wide improvements from 2016 to present have been steady and total in excess of half a billion dollars Dear Editor,

A

wise man once told me “in the absence of credible information, there will be misinformation”. Allow me to provide clarity on the issues cited in letter titled “Appalling conditions at UG’s Turkeyen Campus” published in the May 14 edition of the Kaieteur News.

The Cheddi B. Jagan Lecture Theatre or CBJLT as its commonly called, was recently renovated compliments of funding emanating from the Yesu Persaud Foundation in conjunction with the Faculty of Social Sciences, to the tune of sixteen million one hundred and thirty six thousand eight hundred and ninety dollars ($16,136,890). This building, in its current construct, comprises five lecture halls

of which two are used exclusively to facilitate two Commonwealth Masters Programmes in public and business administration respectively and in total, comfortably accommodates in excess of three hundred students at any one sitting.

Therefore, in light of the foregoing, please note the following: 1. Back-up Power – this matter was addressed in scope of works issued contractually, as a critical component of the existing infrastructure was defective. Efforts made by the contractor to source this critical piece of equipment proved futile, as the then proposed available options were rejected on the basis of quality. Even further, while renovation works were being executed on this building, several other improvement projects were simultaneously being

effected around the Turkeyen campus. Noteworthy and relevant at that time, was the road resurfacing and new parking lot project, mainly because during the parking lot construction aspect, excavation works would have damaged a subsurface feeder line, responsible for providing back-up power to the CBJLT, thus changing the scope of works required. Efforts have since been made to have these works done via a new concise contractual arrangement, which involves the public tender process due to estimated execution costs and this is expected to be completed shortly.

2. Running Water – to say that there has been no running water on campus in any washroom area for periods spanning weeks at a time, is a very irresponsible and reckless statement to

make. Imagine a situation where a public washroom facility is without water for weeks and is still being utilised by any number of persons. Even further, imagine such a situation in close proximity to a crowd gathering of any form or in this case, a classroom setting.

Recently, Turkeyen campus was battling an issue of low/no water pressure resulting from our sole feeder line-to-well connection being damaged as a result of excavation works done in the area. This issue has since been resolved. However, during this period, alternative arrangements were made to ensure the impact of this situation on students and staff alike was either not felt or significantly reduced. These arrangements included the bulk purchase of water from third party suppliers, which was then distributed to areas across campus where tanks and other such storage units were present (95 per cent of the campus) or the filling of drums and placing them in areas where tanks were not present (five per cent of the campus), for the purposes of hand washing and flushing toilets. Additionally, in

some cases, staff from the maintenance division were deployed periodically to assist with the flushing of toilets, just to bring ease to a situation that was beyond our control as an institution.

3. Washroom Closure – It is in fact true that one washroom on the ground floor was closed. However, what was not mentioned, was the fact that a new larger facility was constructed on that same ground floor as part of the renovation scope and not only did it include a single washroom closet like the original, but two additional urinals were installed, as this was the male washroom which was affected. Even further, it should be noted that the original washroom closet was closed out and repurposed as an electrical panel room due to a need for space to safely house additional electrical panels, consequent of electrical upgrade done as part of renovation works completed.

Campus-wide improvements from 2016 to present have been steady and totals in excess of half a billion dollars or more specifically five hundred and fifty-six million eight hundred and

forty-five thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven dollars ($556,845,787) and US eight hundred and twenty-two thousand dollars (US $822,000) as of March 2019. These monies were spent to improve facilities for both student and staff experiences and have ranged from the erection of completely new buildings to the installation and commissioning of brand new generator sets for the purpose of back-up power, and were all made possible compliments of Government of Guyana, private sector, donor agencies and University of Guyana funding. One can choose to view the glass from two commonly known perspectives, however, for one to choose to ignore the glass even exist while we drink of its content is to be dishonest with one’s self.

Finally, a special invitation is extended to those reading this letter to come visit the Turkeyen campus (if you have not done so already) and judge for yourselves the realities that exist.

Regards, Mr. Bjorn Williams Director, Estates

With the right support ...

food chain and should not have been this intelligent, articulate and witty. The irony is that the bipolar they attacked give me the edge in creativity in expression that they clearly were unable to rebut. My bipolar they saw as a curse became my oratory creative weapon.

To further reinforce the ignorance of this group I would highlight an unrelated incident. One of my Indo-Guyanese colleagues who live in Canada and is a Muslim shared with the group discrimination experienced by his daughter. I suggested that as a black person living in a predominantly white Western society these things will happen but it is important to address them in a dignified manner. Some in the group – all Indo-Guyanese – became offended and said that they are not black they are brown. I suggested the next time they pass through JFK and are stopped for “special” treatment, they should inform the immigration officers that they are not black but they are brown.

Intelligent but yet worldly foolish.

Ralph Ramkarran, who is the father of one of my former QC buddies, who attacked my mental health, also did the very thing. I had reason to question his credibility after the no-confidence motion since he changed his earlier legal opinion of 34 votes being

required for the passage of the NCM. I respectfully argued that with his credibility in question, it is reasonable to question any further legal opinions he offered. I also highlighted the fact that if he were a professional witness being cross examined, then any lawyer worth his salt would have destroyed him on the witness stand.

Because of my letter, he and his younger son, the President of the Guyana Bar Association, called me a lunatic on social media.

In my opinion, his eldest son shared my diagnosis with them hence the reason for the ad hominem attack.

It is shocking that a senior council, former speaker of the house, a man old enough to be my father and a man who aspires to be president of a country which has the highest rate of mental health illness and suicide in the world, would make such an offensive statement. I once respected Mr. Ramkarran as an elder statesman but after that ad hominem attack, I lost all respect for him. This became evident via my subsequent letters on him. As a result of this ad hominem attack I do not think Ralph Ramkarran and his political party ANUG is deserving of any Guyanese’s vote, a country in desperate need of leadership with a mental health crisis.

With the help of my employers and the medical

FROM PAGE 7

council, I became the first from my batch to pass the MRCP (UK) in record time.

I became the first from my batch to become a consultant in the UK, the first from my batch to become a specialist in the UK, the first from my batch to become a fellow of a royal college (FRCP Edin), the first and only MRCP PACES examiner from Guyana and possibly the Caribbean. I was recently nominated for the FRCP (UK) fellowship.

RIGHT SUPPORT My point is that with the right support, mental health patients in Guyana can live productive lives. The government should urgently develop policies to address this very serious national issue. The public needs to be educated. The public needs to understand that mental illness is not dissimilar to physical illness. Laws should be passed to protect mental health patients from discrimination. It should be mandatory that employers have systems in place to support employees affected by mental health illness.

Finally, do please permit me to wish my mother a happy birthday. Today is 35 years since I witnessed your painful death. Mom, your death was not in vain since your death motivated me, against all odds, to become a doctor and a patient advocate.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

Missing pensioner Enmore man jailed for robberies, escaping from police station found dead

THE decomposed body of Chandramohan Ishmael called “Lionel”, a farmer of Yakusari South, Black Bush Polder, was discovered in the backlands of Number 67 Village, East Berbice Corentyne.

Ishmael was reported missing one week ago. Since then, the family has been desperately searching for the father of four. His body was spotted by someone who was operating an excavator in the area on Thursday, and family members identified his remains on Friday morning.

Reports are that the man had left his home in the wee hours of Thursday morning (May 9), and was seen in the popular Three Bridge area.

He then solicited a ride to the road from farmers who were making their way to the market.

As word spread of his disappearance, the man’s family received a telephone call from someone who said

they saw him a few days later at Number 67 Village. However, the family searched the area but did not find him. They eventually left and offered to pay for any information in relation to the man’s whereabouts and also sought help from residents to continue the search.

Chandramohan Ishmael called “Lionel”

On Thursday, the family once again received another dreadful telephone call indicating that the body of someone fitting the description of Ishmael was seen in the savannah area at Number 67 Village. The discovery was made by an excavator operator. The man was found with his watch and a gold band on his hands.

Ishmael was found lying on his back. Due to the state of his body, it was impossible to detect any marks of violence.

The man’s children and his sister, Golden Ishmael, travelled up to the area and confirmed that the body was indeed that of Chandramohan Ishmael. His sister told the Guyana Chronicle that her brother had a lot on his mind prior to his disappearance.

The remains were taken to the Ramoo Funeral Home where it is awaiting an autopsy.

Accused found guilty for killing Sparendaam Squatting Area man

TWENTY-EIGHTYEAR-OLD Junior Anthony Henry was on Friday found guilty by a 12-member mixed jury for the murder of Michael Hamilton, who was killed in 2013 at Sparendaam Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara.

Henry, called ‘Oswald’ formerly of Third Street, Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara was tried by Justice James Bovell-Drakes at the Demerara High Court for the capital offence.

The indictment alleged that Henry, on October 7, 2013, at Sparendaam Squatting Area, killed Hamilton.

He was represented by attorneys-at-law, Lyndon Amsterdam and Latoya Roberts, while the State was represented by prosecutors Tiffini Lyken and Sarah Martin.

Attorney Amsterdam asked the court to have probation reports prepared on his client before sentencing is passed. In this regard, Justice Drakes adjourned the matter until May 31, 2019, to pass sentence on Henry.

Junior Anthony Henry

According to the police, at about 17:30 hrs, on the day in question, 22-year-old Hamilton, of Sparendaam Housing Scheme, ECD, was allegedly shot and killed by the suspect, Henry. It was also stated that investigations had revealed that Hamilton’s sister was at home when she heard an explosion and when she looked outside, she saw her brother running after Henry.

The police said that as Hamilton got closer, Henry turned around and shot him in the chest, before making good his escape, leaving the aggressor to be taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The men reportedly had an on-going feud over a woman, said to have been Henry’s girlfriend.

Eighteen-year-old on larceny charge EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD Alliyah Bacchus on Thursday appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Providence Magistrate’s Court charged with simple larceny. She pleaded not guilty and was granted $50,000 bail.

The court was told that, on May 10, 2019 at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, Bacchus stole a sum of $350 000.00 in cash and jewellery from Lindon Heywood.

Bacchus pleaded not guilty to the offence and told the court that she was at the home of Heywood and asked for money to travel to the city, but was given only $1100. The court was also told that Heywood and Bacchus were involved in a relationship since Bacchus was 14 years old.

Bacchus‘s next court appearance is June 14, 2019. (Dillon Goring)

A 23-year-old labourer was on Friday sentenced to six years imprisonment by Magistrate Fabayo Azore after confessing to escaping from the Cove and John Police Station along with counts of armed robbery.

Kelvin Wilkinson called ‘Kevin’ of Hope, East Enmore, East Coast Demerara, appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court hours after being re-arrested by the police.

Particulars of the first charge alleged that, on February 20, 2019, Wilkinson, while being armed with a

weapon, robbed Ramnarace Somar. The second charge alleged that on May 10, 2019, Wilkinson, while being armed with a weapon, robbed Kusilica Bhagwandin.

The last charge alleged that on May 16, 2019, Wilkinson, while being in custody at Cove and John Police Station on criminal charges, escaped. Wilkinson, who was unrepresented, pleaded guilty to the three charges and was handed a two-year sentence on each charge. However Magistrate Azore ordered that the sentencing run concurrently.

According to reports, on May 16, 2019, Wilkinson was in police custody at the Cove and John Police Station on two robbery under arms charges, pending a court appearance.

Wilkinson, while being prepared for his court appearance, escaped from the police station. The police then launched a manhunt for him and after receiving intelligence, they went to his sister’s home where they were first met with resistance, during which time Wilkinson tried to slip away through the alleyway but was nabbed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

Five errant broadcasters to face court

THE Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) will be taking five broadcasters to court for defaulting on fees and operating without licenses.

“GNBA will be putting certain broadcasters before the court...we have contacted our lawyer to move ahead

with certain litigation against certain broadcasters,” said Chairman of the GNBA, Leslie Sobers, during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Friday.

Sobers made it clear that the authority will not be putting people before the court for content but, for

being defaulters. Among the broadcasters are those who have been operating without a license; those who had licenses but they have expired; and those who owe millions of dollars and are neglecting and refusing to pay.

“We have said and we have given early warning,

we have even put into place payment plans…those who are part of the payment plan would not be troubled,” said Sobers. Although most defaulters had joined the payment plan in the past, he said there are others who believe they can continue to test the authority’s decency and patience.

“We won’t have it, we are going to court,” said the chairman, adding that once the court order is issued the authority will act swiftly.

He said once there is a court order the authority will be allowed to seize equipment and put it up for sale in order to make money. Despite the aggressive approach, Sobers said defaulters can still approach the authority to sort out the matter before it reaches the court. The authority intends on continuing its efforts to address all infractions and ensure that all broadcasters are up to date with the regulations of the GNBA. Late last year the GNBA had said that outstanding fees exceeded $50M. Earlier in the year, 2018 the GNBA

had announced that the outstanding sum owed by some 12 broadcasters stood at over $100M with one broadcaster, alone, owing $20M for broadcast rights.

“There are many of those who are working. Some of them are making their payments regularly; some are consistent and we’re seeing progress among those who are consistent. What we’re doing for those with backlogs is that as they clear the backlog, for example, for 2015 we issue the license and if they then clear up 2016, we send that license too and we’re going in stages like that, bit by bit and we’re seeing some progress,” Sobers had told the Guyana Chronicle back in October last year.

Last month Sobers was quoted by Demerara Waves Online News as saying that a number of stations have been on air without licences for years, while others have breached payment agreements with the regulator. He had said then that the GNBA had grown weary of waiting on payments.

Chairman of the GNBA, Leslie Sobers “Mostly, they haven’t paid their licence dues and some of them might have entered into agreements with the authority for offsetting their backlog and they haven’t been honouring it so we couldn’t regard them as compliant and some of them, their licences have expired and they have not sought to renew it [sic] as yet,” he told the Demerara Waves.

Youth in ‘cricket bat’ murder trial found guilty SIX years after Deon Manbodh, called Ramesh, was fatally beaten with a cricket bat to his head his 20-yearold attacker was, on Friday, found guilty of the crime.

Jonathan Budhan formally of Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara was, on Friday, convicted by a 12-member jury for the offence of

Jonathan Budhan manslaughter. Budhan was initially charged with murder, which stated that on October 20, 2016, he killed 40-yearold Manbodh, at Best Village, West Coast Demerara.

However, the jury found that Budhan was not guilty for the capital offence of murder but guilty of the lesser offence of manslaughter. Budhan’s attorney, Nigel Hughes, asked the court to have probation reports prepared on his client before sentencing is passed.

In this regard, Justice

Singh adjourned the matter until June 7, 2019 for sentencing. The state was represented

by Prosecutors Tuanna Hardy and Abigail Gibbs.

Reports are, Budhan who was 19 at the time of the incident, lashed Ramesh, of 655 Best Village, West Coast Demerara, to the head on October 20, 2016. Ramesh was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital and was in a coma for five days before succumbing to his injuries.

From the testimonies made during the trial, on October 20, 2016, Budhan was with his girlfriend Bena, when her uncle, Ramesh, approached the two and ‘embarrassed them in public’, then took his niece away with him.

The accused, who lived with his aunt, Basmattie Baksh, went home after the incident and complained to her about the public scene Ramesh created.

He told his aunt that Ramesh would constantly harass him and call him names and that he was embarrassed. The aunt, who testified in court, said that she and her nephew were waiting on the bridge of her home, to ask Ramesh what had transpired. Ramesh lived a few houses away, so he had to pass their home to get to his. When Ramesh came, the aunt said she was trying to find out from him what really happened and they agreed to

DEAD Deon Manbodh, called Ramesh walk down to the place where he confronted the couple, to find out the full details.

While they were walking, Budhan used his cricket bat and dealt a blow to Ramesh’s head, causing him to fall to the ground. Baksh told the court that she did not see the bat in her nephew’s hand until the incident.

Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh, who testified, said that the results of the post-mortem showed that Ramesh was lashed three times and that the lashes had to have been dealt with force because of the damage it caused to the head. However, Budhan said he only hit Ramesh once with his bat, and that it was out of frustration, after a series of provocation he faced from the now deceased.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

Black Bush Polder families attacked by armed bandits … residents call for improved police presence

A BLACK Bush Polder family was forced to seek refuge in a clump of banana stalks next to their home for several hours early Friday morning following a brutal robbery carried out by three armed bandits.

Lenox Ramcharran, 51, his wife and 2 children of Lot 15 Johana North, Black Bush Polder, Berbice said they spent over four hours hiding in banana trees after bandits invaded their home and brutalized them demanding cash and jewellery earlier in the night.

The still traumatized Ramcharran, a rice farmer by trade, told the Guyana Chronicle that he had just returned from the fields at around 20:30 hrs on Thursday night and was preparing to take a shower and settle in, when he heard his dogs barking continuously. Upon investigating he was confronted by three armed men who held him at gun point.

“After me come down me decide to check the back by the combine shed and three man stick me up, them lash me in me head and bring me back inside the house. Them tie me up and me wife and two children and tell abee fuh lie down and them start beat me and ask fuh money and jewellery,” he said.

Despite handing over $200,000 in cash and some jewellery the masked bandits were relentless in their assault on Ramcharran and they proceeded to ransack the house looking for more valuables.

“After them keep beating abee and them get the money, them want more, so them get abee pun the ground and them ransack the whole house. Them a fire shots steady so nobody can’t come out to help. Them spend almost half an hour tumbling up the whole place and then them gone when we hear wan shot from outside on the street,” he said.

Around 01:30 hrs Friday morning, the family heard what appeared to be a gunshot and fearing that the men had returned as they promised, they decided to hide between the banana trees until dawn. They later sought medical

… legal action sought The home of Herman Roopnarine where the bandits struck on Friday morning. attention. want the money and gold. Abee tell The police arrived hours after the them we nah get but them nah believe ordeal due to the unavailability of a so them start to break the window and vehicle and the officers combed the area me hide and tell them ayuh come in me but were unable to find any trace of the ah wait,” he said. men. Family members were initially The screams of the family alerted fearful to speak with the media as the neighbours but they were fearful due men threatened to return and kill them to the gunshots. The police were called if they made a report. but again were unable to respond due to The family is still fearful and they the unavailability of a vehicle. The men are calling on the relevant authorities to eventually left after the family called a put better security measures in the area. friend who gathered a few other villagMeanwhile, two streets away from ers and they came to their rescue with a the Ramcharrans , at Lot 35 Johanna car, horns blaring.

North, Black Bush Polder another famThe bandits only managed to take a ily was attacked by three armed men at pair of gold earring from Roopnarine’s around 01:30 hrs on Friday morning. wife who threw it at the men while The men were unable to gain entry into pleading for the life of her husband and the home as the owner waited by the family, stating that was all they had. door armed with a cutlass daring the Meanwhile, residents who spoke men to enter. with this publication believe the men The man, Herman Roopnarine, a who carried out both robberies are the farmer, said he heard what appeared to same based on the description provided be glass shattering followed by screams by the families. They have since issued from his two daughters. As he ran out a call for another police vehicle to be armed with a cutlass towards their made available to the Mibicuri Police bedroom he had to dive for cover as Station. the men opened fire on the screaming They explained that the police teenage girls. station had a new vehicle but it was “Them fire one shot and it hit the damaged and has not yet been replaced. bedroom door so me duck down and go They posited the bandits are aware of the behind and a peep them. Them see me limitations of the police and are exploitand start shoot again so me tell them ing the situation to their benefit. ayuh come in me a wait fuh ayuh. Them Investigations into both robberies fire like three shot and ah tell me them are ongoing.

SASOD wants full protection of LGBT community THE Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) has called for the Prevention of Discrimination Act to be amended.

“We are working and lobbying with Parliament to introduce a bill to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the Act in order to add protection for the LGBT community,” said Managing Director of SASOD, Joel Simpson.

He was at the time speaking at a reception in commemoration of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) on Wednesday.

Simpson said the proposed amendment to the Act will create legal protection for the Lesbian, Gays, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.

He said there have been

PPP controlled Facebook page shares gov’t official personal banking details

forward steps in this regard, starting with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)’s ruling that the law against cross-dressing is unconstitutional.

“We commend the government for its support. Last November, the government said that it respects the Caribbean Court of Justice’s landmark decision that found that Guyana’s law against cross-dressing was unconstitutional,” said US Ambassador, Sarah-Ann Lynch.

She said the government of the United States understands that many people and even institutions consider LGBT rights to be a sensitive issue.

In Guyana and many other parts of the world, members of the LGBT community have sometime faced violence, harassment, intim-

idation and disregard of their basic human rights.

“More troubling is the fact that despite being signatories to the many United Nations human rights agreements, many governments still seem far from establishing real legal protections for members of the LGBT community,” said the US diplomat.

In the Caribbean, many LGBT youth face social, economic, educational and other disparities. Though Guyana has made a measure of progress in this regard, some issues persist.

The ambassador said, a mere decade ago in Guyana, gay men experienced harassment and other social consequences for cross-dressing; and it is still illegal for adult men to be involved in consensual same-sex sexual

activity.

“Gay rights are human rights. I cannot emphasise this enough. If we as a society are committed to ensuring that all people are respected and treated equally, then it is imperative to remember that this includes the LGBT community as well,” said Ambassador Ann-Lynch.

Justice and protection must be for all. LGBT individuals, as well as other marginalised people, are entitled to the full measure of dignity and rights, not because they belong to a distinct group, but because they are people.

She commended the Government of Guyana for signalling a softer tone towards the LGBT community by permitting the first gay pride parade in June 2018.

MINISTER of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, has expressed concern about sensitive personal details which a social media page, allegedly connected to the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP), obtained regarding a trip he made overseas in 2016.

Minister Patterson noted on his Facebook page on Friday evening that the operators of the page claimed that a sum Minister of Public of US$9000 was trans- Infrastructure, David ferred to his personal bank Patterson account.

He explained that in April 2016, via the Chinese Embassy in Guyana, an invitation was extended to him to attend and make a presentation at the 7th International Investment and Construction Forum in Macao, China.

The orgainzers committed to reimburse travel-related expenses up to US$10,000, he said and the government green-lighted his participation in the event. He said the advance for the trip was paid by the Maritime Administration Department.

“I attended the conference, and sometime in 2017, a refund for my travels was processed and paid to me as the attendee. I promptly remitted same to MARAD. This is not an unusual practice with regard to reimbursements for international travel,” he said.

He said what is “deeply worrying” about the situation is that the PPP has illegally sought and obtained his personal financial details from a bank used by him or an agency that receives such information.

He said that he has since instructed his lawyers to take the necessary legal actions against any offending party.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

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Reg.10 in race against time

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

–– to complete all its 100+ projects by year-end

AS the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Region Ten forges ahead with spending the $3.9B it has been allocated in the 2019 Budget, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Orrin Gordon

told the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday that over 100 projects, both capital and recurring, have thus far been tendered.

This apparent race against time to get work

done, he said, is part of the regional admistration’s plan to have all the projects they have come up with awarded by the first half of the year, so that the residents of Region Ten can begin to see true value

for their money.

“We are hoping that by the end of June, all the capital, and most of the recurring projects, would have been awarded, or at least be at the point of being tendered,” he said.

This is as opposed to in the past, where there were instances when monies had to be sent back to the Consolidated Fund because projects were not being put up for tender and awarded in a timely manner. To remedy the situation, the RDC took a different approach this year by utilising the Regional Tender Board for the smaller projects, to which $900M have been allocated. “We are trying to finish almost all of our capital projects before the first half, as against going to the National Tender Board. Once it comes to the regional tender system, that means it is moving a little faster, and that is what is happening right now,” he said.

Much larger projects, however, such as the construction of the Amelia’s Ward Nursery and Primary schools, have been tendered at the national level. Among other major capital projects for 2019 is the sole-sourcing of a river ambulance that is expected to serve riverine communities up the Demerara River. Last year, the RDC purchased a river ambulance to serve communities up the Berbice River, and that ambulance was handed over last month by Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence.

Gordon also related that for 2019, over 300 contractors have been prequalified for contracts, and the RDC has been pushing for local content, which means that we’re seeing more than 20% of the local contractors being awarded small contracts. On Wednesday, some contractors corroborated the REO’s story, and related that the move

REO of Region Ten Orrin Gordon is having a ripple effect on the Linden economy, in that just about everybody is getting on a piece of the pie, so to speak. Some of the projects that have already been awarded are for the rehabilitation of over 20 roads, drains and other public infrastructure.

School and other public buildings are also to be maintained and rehabilitated, while the contracts for the supplies needed for the various sectors have also been awarded.

In addition to works being done in Linden, REO Gordon related that of the some $50M in contracts that have been tendered, a good bit will go towards projects in the region’s riverine communities. These projects, he said, are being awarded to the leaders and residents of those communities at reference.

And while the focus may be on contracts for projects, Gordon said that value is also being given to the community in a much larger way, by way of the $1.9M allocated for salaries to be paid to the 1,100 employees registered in the regional system.

The RDC is the largest employer in Linden, with

teachers, nurses, health workers, community workers etc on its payroll, and if this spending power is taken away from the region, the economy will be crippled. The second largest employer in Linden is Bosai Minerals.

“That is not something to basically dismiss, without any due regard,” Gordon said, adding: “That is something that is critical; it is important. It adds to the community, because all the teachers, the nurses, from the health workers, there are over 11,00 employees working in the regional system.

That is significant; it is not something to basically gloss over. It is quite significant; we need to take cognisance of that.”

He was the first to agree, however, that employment through the RDC should not be the only driver of the economy, as the private entities should also play a pivotal role in the community’s economic development.

The $3.9B allocation is a more than $500M increase on that of 2018.

And with agriculture being the new kid on the bloc this time around, that alone accounts for a whopping $22.7M.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

Sugrim to be charged next week with murder of wife Ryan Sugrim

RYAN Sugrim, the man who allegedly killed and then buried his wife in a shallow grave will be charged with murder when he appears in court next week, police confirmed.

Investigators had approached the High Court to extend his detention and were granted 72 hours. The 38-year-old

businessman allegedly confessed to killing his wife, Zaila Sugrim, a mother of five. The woman had separated from Sugrim eight months ago after enduring over a decade of abuse. She cared for three of their children while Sugrim had two.

A postmortem revealed that she had been shot in the head. A .32

warhead was reportedly extracted from the corpse during the autopsy. The businessman owned a.32 revolver, which he lodged at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) Headquarters, Eve Leary, on Monday.

On Tuesday, detectives dug up Mrs. Sugrim’s bound, wrapped, and decomposing remains from a shallow grave

behind a Crane, West Coast Demerara gas station where her husband is employed. Her brother, Akbar Haniff said his sister’s body was burnt beyond recognition before she was placed in the shallow grave.

She was last seen alive on May, 11, 2019 when she entered her ex-husband’s vehicle.

Dead: Zaila Sugrim

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

GNBS to observe World Metrology Day

UNDER the theme, “The International System of Units - Fundamentally better”, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) will be observing World Metrology Day on May 20, 2019.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the GNBS, Lloyd David, said World Metrology Day commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention in 1875. He explained that this treaty provides the basis for

a coherent measurement system worldwide that underpins scientific discovery and innovation, industrial manufacturing and international trade, as well as the improvement of the quality of life and the protection of

the global environment.

David said that the General Conference on Weights and Measures is agreed as perhaps one of the most significant revisions to the International System of Units (SI) since its inception.

Research, he said, into new measurement methods, including those using quantum phenomena, underpin the change.

“The SI is now based on a set of definitions – each linked to the laws of physics and have the advantage of being able to embrace further improvements in measurement science and technology – to meet the needs of future users for many years to come,” David said.

Across the world, he noted national metrology institutes continually advance measurement science by developing and validating new measurement techniques at whatever level of sophistication is needed.

“The national metrology institutes participate in

comparisons coordinated by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) to ensure the reliability of measurement results worldwide,” David said.

He explained that the BIPM also provides a forum for its Member States to address new measurement challenges. The International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML) develops international recommendations, the aim of which is to align and harmonise requirements worldwide in many fields.

David said that the GNBS, as the National Metrology Institute (NMI), continues to improve and expand its measurement services in the areas of verification (stamping) and calibration to meet the needs of all stakeholders.

These stakeholders, he said, include those who use measuring devices and instruments at shops, markets, supermarkets, industry, manufacturing companies, hospitals, health

PRO of the GNBS, Lloyd David centres, airlines, shipping companies, post offices, petrol stations, bulk terminals and laboratories.

As a result, he said more than 10,000 measuring devices and instruments are submitted to the GNBS annually.

“A mini exhibition to promote the SI units and encourage appropriate measurement practices is planned for vendors and consumers on Friday, May 24, 2019 at the Stabroek Market Square,” he said.

CARICOM, Colombia relations get boost THE revival of the relationship between the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Colombia was given a boost with discussions between CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and Colombia’s Foreign Min-

Ministerial Meeting between the Foreign Ministers of the Community and Colombia to be held in Cartagena de Indias, on 29 June, 2019. In a further sign of strengthening ties, a Colombian Ambassador will be accredited to CAR-

co-operation, disaster management and security. The Colombian Foreign Minister stated that his country was interested in strengthening regional co-operation.

They agreed that a strengthened institutional framework was necessary

CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque (right) in discussion with Colombia’s Foreign Minister His Excellency Carlos Homes Trujilo Gracia at the Headquarters of the CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown, Guyana, Thursday ister His Excellency Carlos Homes Trujillo Gracia on Thursday at the CARICOM Secretariat’s Headquarters in Georgetown, Guyana.

The discussions were held against the background of the upcoming

ICOM on 12 June.

According to a release by Caricom Secretary-General LaRocque expressed his appreciation for the efforts to revive the relationship during the discussions which included exchanges on trade and economic issues, technical

for the relationship going forward including the convening of a Joint Council on Trade.

The two parties have in place an Agreement on Trade, Economic and Technical Co-operation which was signed in 1994 and amended in 1998.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

Man kills wife at Anna Regina

AN Anna Regina woman was allegedly stabbed to death by her reputed husband, who after committing the gruesome act, drank herbicide.

Dead is 39-year-old Farida Khayum, a domestic worker and mother of six children, who resided at Lot 9 Anna Regina, Region Two. Khayum was reportedly stabbed 12 times. Her suspected killer is now a

blood.

When asked if she heard the couple arguing prior to the incident, Harduwar responded in the negative. “I went into my bed, my daughter was getting ready to head out to a maticoor night nearby. I didn’t hear any loud argument,” the grieving mother recalled.

Harduwar said her daughter was a loving person. According to her, for the short

Golden Harduwar and one of her grandsons patient at the Suddie Public Hospital. The victim and the suspect shared a common-law relationship for 10 years.

In a statement, the Guyana Police Force said it is investigating the murder which occurred at about 22:20hrs at the couple’s residence.

“Investigations revealed that the victim was preparing to go to a nearby function when an argument ensued between herself and the suspect. The suspect, who became annoyed, armed himself with a knife and fatally stabbed her multiple times,” the police said. The condition of the 42-year-old suspect, who is under guard, is said to be stable.

Golden Harduwar, the victim’s mother, confirmed that the incident occurred at around 22:20hrs on Thursday at the couple’s home. Harduwar said she was sleeping in one of the rooms in the single flat concrete building, when she heard her daughter screaming for help. The woman reportedly rushed to her daughter’s rescue, and found her lying in a pool of

time she has been living with the family, she never knew that the couple had a violent relationship. With tears in her eyes, Harduwar said she is “baffled” as to why her sonin-law killed her daughter.

Harduwar lived in Pomeroon but recently relocated

Khayum and her reputed husband lived for 10 years, they had no children together. The dead woman’s children are now worried about how they will survive now that their main provider is no more.

Beverly Khayum said the news of her sister’s death

Dead: Farida Khayum to Anna Regina to live with her daughter after suffering a stroke.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that Khayum’s two sons, ages 10 and 14, witnessed her murder. In the presence of their grandmother, the older of the two recalled seeing his foster father smoking a cigarette while sitting in a hammock on the outskirt of the building. At the time, Khayum, according to her son, was combing her hair while sitting in another hammock inside the house.

The teenager said his foster father suddenly went into the kitchen, picked up a knife and started stabbing his mother.

“I tried to intervene but he wanted to hit me. I saw him stabbing mom and then stabbing himself to his hands, then I saw my mother drop to the ground and she said she dead” the tearful son recounted.

The 14-year-old boy said his mother worked as a domestic worker to take care of him and his other siblings. Though

The scene of the murder

comes as a major shock, and brings back haunting memories of their father’s death.

Beverly explained that in 1994 their father, Abdool Khayum, was murdered at the same premises. “It’s like a movie, everything replaying before our eyes, my father

now my sister,” Beverly said.

The body of the deceased is currently at the Suddie Mortuary awaiting a post mortem examination.

The family said it would welcome any donation to assist with the burial of their loved one.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

Saturday, May 18, 2019 - 4:30 hrs–14:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

UG unions, Vice-Chancellor at odds over management of institution THE University of Guyana Workers Union [UGWU] and the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association [UGSSA] have intensified their calls for the ouster of Vice Chancellor, Professor, Ivelaw Griffith.

The unions are also calling for the resignation of Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Major-General (Ret’d) Joseph Singh and the non-renewal of the Vice Chancellor’s contract which ends on June, 13, 2019. The unions also plan to write the Government and President David Granger to highlight various issues being faced at the University of Guyana. “The VC mantra is about affordability and the Pro-Chancellor has adopted that mantra that everything has to be affordable, and this is only considered when looking at staff but nothing to do with the VC,” UGSSA President, Dr. Jewel Thomas said.

She explained that the current VC is the highest paid in the University’s history while he expects the institution to pay for his “high-maintenance” lifestyle. “The brand new black SUV assigned to him was purchased at a great cost

by UG because the car used by the previous VC was not good enough for him, we pay for the gasoline and the driver used, and when the VC is out the vehicle has to be running all the time so the air conditioning is to his liking,” Dr. Thomas noted.

She explained that the VC does not drive himself, but needs a driver at all times and that overtime along with his schedule is paid by UG. Dr. Thomas said the VC is always complaining how much the staff is demanding and costing UG but does not share how much he is costing the institution to maintain his lifestyle.

“He gets a gratuity, a bonus; he had even requested a credit card when he became VC and the university

pays for whatever is on the card, we also know that his salary is higher than any other VC and he also only travels business class which is paid by UG, he will tell you he get free trips, ask him how many occasions were free,” the UGSSA President said.

She continued: “He also requested an increase in allowances in accordance to Ministerial levels; Minister of the Government… the Pro-Chancellor has refused to tell us what is in the VC’s contract.”

Dr. Thomas said the university is a national one maintained with taxpayer’s funds and nothing should be kept secret from council.

“We were told that we cannot know how much we are spending on the VC and there have been questions that have been asked and not been answered, members of the media should now go and ask and find out, what I can say is that we cannot afford him, this contract that he got no other VC should ever get,” the UGSSA President said.

ATTACKS Professor Griffith himself recently cleared the air on what he describes as “egregious misinformation” being reported about his administration of the tertiary institution.

He had tied those ‘attacks’ to efforts by some to scuttle his chances of getting a renewal of his contract. “For some time now I have been silent as misinformation, outright fabrications, and innuendo have been published as journalism products and facilitated as letters to the editor,” he said in his own letter to the editor. “These have been designed to malign and hurt the image of the university and me, and to impede the progress we are making by doing tangible things to improve the service to students and staff.”

He directed focus to

two specific news reports, published recently by the Kaieteur News; these were: “No toilet paper and soap for staff, but UG spent over $400,000 to cater dinner for eight”, and “UG executives tripled their salaries in five years.”

“Not only is it patently inaccurate to assert that there is no toilet paper and

“It is well known that the union leaders behind these stories have their agendas against the administration and me in particular, and with my current contract ending soon, they have stepped up their campaign to force me out,” the principal alleged in his letter.

He went on to claim

the unions, including their Articles of Association, Certificates of Recognition, Statements of Income and Expenditure for recent years, and recent Annual Returns and audited statements.

Subsequent to those matters, the news reports surfaced. Not wishing to engage in a “tit-for tat”,

UGWU President, Bruce Haynes and UGSSA President, Dr. Jewel Thomas at the press briefing at UG on Friday. soap at UG, but the claim that $400,000 was spent on a dinner for eight individuals is patently false! I say this without fear of contradiction,” he stressed. At the very least, he said that a reporter should have checked with personnel from the university for a comment or to seek evidence about that dinner.

As regards the salary increases, he opined also: “The public and the profession of journalism would have been better served had someone verified the accuracy of the assertion by checking with the Personnel Officer or the Bursar for a comment and secure the appropriate information and explanations.”

In both of those news reports, it was reported that the information was provided by the UG workers’ unions, which in recent times have been at loggerheads with the university over salary increases and a lack of development of the teaching space.

that the unions are working to “sour the public space and stoke discontent in advance of the Council meeting,” in light of his recent expression of interest in renewing his contract as Vice-Chancellor.

AUDIT OF BOOKS Recently, the Ministry of Education notified the Vice-Chancellor’s office of the unions’ request for a forensic audit into the university’s spending.

This request came after the unions had staged peaceful picketing exercises for weeks against what they deemed the ‘misappropriation’ of UG funds. Though the VC indicated to this newspaper that all spending was in keeping with his drive to transform the university, he expressed that the administration is willing to have its financial position examined by any competent and independent arbiter.

The administration, on the other hand, requested several documents from

the VC said that he has remained silent on matters reported thus far.

“My silence was and is guided by my desire to avoid an information tit-for-tat and to foster an environment of positive dialogue,” he said, but continued: “However, some recent egregious misinformation suggests the need to end the silence about things published and the journalism used.”

TANGIBLE ACHIEVEMENTS In his letter too, the VC directed focus to the “tangible things” done under his leadership that have resulted in the improvement of the university.

These include the newly commissioned US$665,000 Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Centre for the Behavioural Sciences and Research; the launch of the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI) in 2017; the launch of new degree

programmes in Petroleum Engineering, Food Science, Youth Work, Clinical Psychology, and in Nursing and Civil Engineering in Berbice, this year.

He reminded too that significant improvements were made to several of the university’s facilities at both campuses, while new spaces were developed.

And through support from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and Schlumberger, UG now has a $2B geotechnical lab for students studying petroleum and mining engineering.

“We also regained the accreditation of our School of Medicine in 2017. That is a special point of pride,” Griffith highlighted, while noting that just this past academic year, hundreds of students have participated in undergraduate research conferences overseas.

Continuing in similar vein, he noted that the new Math and Science Classroom building on campus will be completed soon, while work will begin later this year on a new building to house the Personnel Department and the Bursary.

“As a nation, we are at a critical moment in our national development, and partisan and personal agendas aside, Guyana and the Guyanese people have nothing to gain when important journalistic institutions such as yours facilitate the unquestioned dissemination of the kind of misinformation we have witnessed,” Professor Griffith said.

To quell this, he underscored: “Please know that I as well as other university officials would be happy to offer interviews to provide the appropriate contextual and factual information that can be used in your reporting on the matters that are of critical importance to our national university and our nation.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

NAMILCO celebrates 50 years … eyes expansion in coming years

By Navendra Seoraj

Managing Director of NAMILCO, Roopnarine Sukhai, and Deputy Chief of Mission for the US Embassy, Terry Steers-Gonzalez, cutting the ceremonial cake to commemorate the 50th Anniversary (Adrian Narine photo)

other certification which allows them to sell flour to popular franchises like Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Pizza Hut. NAMILCO exports flour and specialty flour products to the Caribbean, Suriname, North America and Northern Brazil. “Although there have been many successes, we have some trade issues on the table and we look forward to having those resolved through legislation,” said the managing director.

Despite the odds, with the oil industry closer to fruition, the company anticipates a growth in the population and an increase in flour consumption. “As such we will be discussing plans for the years to come...we will continue to take recommendations for new products and strive to maintain our quality,” said Sukhai.

President and Chief Executive Officer of Seaboard Corporation, Steve Bresky, said the company will continue to invest in the local market. He said the company has been transitioning into a modern entity by replacing old equipment with new technology. Part of its transition was to introduce and utilise ‘green’ and clean energy in its operations.

As the company continues to grow, he challenged the government to continue safeguarding the industry.

Bresky also commended the government for instituting policies which protect the local market and its investors.

THREE family members were Friday arraigned before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for allegedly circulating fake U.S. currency totalling $14,650.

Dexter Thompson, a 26-year-old clothes vendor; Yuimmeni Lopez, a 26-year-old national of Venezuela; and 40-yearold Simone Thompson, the mother of Dexter Thompson, all pleaded not guilty to the 10 charges read.

The first charge against Dexter Thompson alleged that on January 23, 2019 at Quail’s Optical, Thomas Street, Georgetown, he, knowing same to be forged, uttered to Clement Cumberbatch, US $1800.

The second charge al-

to Wannita Atkins, Mondale Smith and Ravindra Rajnauth.

Lopez, who resides at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, along with the other two defendants, was faced with three charges. Particulars of the first charge alleged that on May 15, 2019, at Georgetown, she had in her possession US $2,200 worth of forged currency without lawful authority or excuse.

The second charge read that on May 14, 2019, at East Street, Georgetown, she, knowing same to be forged and with intent to defraud, uttered US$2,500 to Rockmin Del Toro.

The final charge stated that on January 25, 2019, she, knowing same to be forged, uttered US$1,800

THE National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) has reached a milestone in its journey as a company, hitting its 50th year in the local market.

Despite the challenges within the manufacturing sector and a dynamic market, NAMICLO has persevered as a company and made its way to being one of the top performers in the industry. The company has made many positive strides over the years, said Managing Director of NAMILCO, Roopnarine Sukhai, during his presentation at a com-

memoration ceremony at the Marriott Hotel on Thursday evening.

Sukhai, who gave a breakdown of the company’s history, said NAMILCO, a subsidiary of Seaboard Corporation of the USA, saw an opportunity to set up a flour mill in Guyana and negotiated with the government in 1967 to make this a reality.

According to the company’s website, the land was purchased in 1967 at Agricola, and construction was completed by Taylor Woodrow & Associates and Ocrim of Italy in 1969. NAMILCO was officially opened on May 17, 1969 by the then Prime

Minister, Forbes Burnham.

The mill was established with a capacity to produce 3,300 one hundred-pound sacks per a twenty fourhour period. Over the years NAMILCO has re-tooled its mill, installing state-ofthe-art Buhler Packaging machines, scales, roller mills and storage silos.

On the company’s 40th anniversary, they achieved ISO 9001 certification and through this they have committed to develop, maintain and continually improve their Quality Management System.

According to Sukhai, the company also received an-

President and Chief Executive Officer of Seaboard Corporation, Steve Bresky (Adrian Narine photo) Seaboard Corporation em- in the country’s culinary ploys more than 25,000 peo- heritage. The company’s ple worldwide. The company flour and flour-based prodis number 481 on the 2018 ucts form an important part Fortune 500 list with net sales of Guyana’s local cuisine. of over $5 billion annually. “I suspect that NAMICLO Seaboard is traded on the could not have been in busiNYSE American under the ness without focusing on the symbol SEB. Seaboard will dynamism of the market and be celebrating 100 years in navigating the challenges,” business this September. said Minister Rajkumar.

Minister of Business, In response to the comHaimraj Rajkumar, com- pany’s challenges, he said mended NAMILCO for be- government is committed ing involved in the local to addressing the challenges market. “50 years is certainly in the manufacturing sector. a long time to be involved “Government is interested in in many things other than seeing modern manufacturing doing business in Guyana… that relies on the latest techgiven the uncertainties that nology… we want companies arise, it is the ultimate test to comply with international when a company could be standards,” he said. in operation for such a long Rajkumar believes that time and still manage to be progress in the industry a main stake in the business will continue as long as community,” said Rajkumar. there is strong collaboraHe said NAMILCO com- tion between the private mands a very hallowed place sector and government.

Trio in court for counterfeit currency Two of the defendants involved: from left, Dexter Thompson and Simone Thompson leged that on May 14, 2019, first charge read that on at East Street, North Cum- April 21, 2019, at Delph mingsburg, he, knowing Street, Campbellville, she, same to be forged and with knowing same to be forged intent to defraud, uttered and with intent to defraud, US$3,850 to Rockmin Del uttered US$300 to Zaheed Toro.

Harrynarine. The other In court yesterday, Sim- four charges state that she, one Thompson was also knowing same to be forged slapped with a total of five and with intent to defraud, charges. Particulars of the uttered a total of US$3,550

to Clement Cumberbatch, at Quail’s Optical.

They were represented

by Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade, who, in his bail application, told the court that Dexter Thompson is a father of two, while Lopez is the fiancée of Dexter. He further stated that his clients have fully cooperated with the police since investigations began and intend to remain fully committed to their responsibilities.

The prosecution, represented by Prosecutor Sanj Singh, made no objections to bail being granted to Dexter Thompson and Simone Thompson. However, he objected to bail being granted to Lopez, due to the fact that she is a foreign national and has not provided a permit to be in

Guyana, which makes her a flight risk.

According to reports, the two women would go into places and pay with the fake currency, while all three of them would circulate the ‘currency’ at different places. A number of other charges are expected to be laid against them.

After evaluating submissions made by both the prosecution and defence attorney, the magistrate decided to grant Simone Thompson bail in the sum of $250,000 and Dexter Thompson in the sum of $200,000. However, Lopez would not be granted bail until she presents her permit to the court.

The matter has been adjourned to May 21, 2019.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

Tourism body happy with proposed design for hospitality institute THE Tourism and Hospitality Association Guyana (THAG) had nothing but big praise for the proposed design of the Hospitality Institute when the first drafts were presented by the consulting firm, Deen and Partners Architects, at a stakeholders meeting on Friday at the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) Boardroom on Brickdam.

THAG President, Mitra Ramkumar, and other THAG officials, along with representatives from the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI), and Ministry of Finance (MoF) were taken through a PowerPoint presentation

by Principal of Deen and Partners, Mohammed Kamaludeen, showing two concept designs of the proposed Institute.

Kamaludeen stressed that the proposed concepts are not ‘written in stone’ and stakeholders’ recommendations will still be incorporated into the final design.

“I love it. The design itself I love it, I loved the facility, I loved the layout, no reservations there,”Ramkumar offered when asked about the designs.

“They have actually taken a lot of our recommendations onboard in the design and that is commendable.

I really liked that it has the separation with the opera-

tions of the hotel, the section for the training and the other section for the management and support staff. I like the concept of them looking at the building itself as being environmentally friendly and using renewable energy, those are all good things about it. The facility itself, with the swimming pool, tennis court and a basketball court, was very well laid out.”

The first concept design has three blocks, one that caters for a 60-room hotel where students will be exposed to practical training.

The second block will facilitate classes and training for learners of the institution, and the third section will be outfitted with facilities for staff and other administrative matters. The second concept that was presented has as part of its design, a hotel, a culinary block, as well as a teaching block in addition to a management and utilities section.

Ramkumar commended the MoE for having the stakeholders’ consultation so that all the necessary people can make inputs. “It gives us the opportunity to register our concerns and they can actually tweak it to satisfy the needs of the industry and that is what I appreciate so much with what the MoE is doing,” Ramkumar said.

Two issues coming out of the discussion last Friday

One of the concept designs for the Hospitality Institute was the need for the facility to have more extensive parking, and the need for a banquet hall. “There is a limited space. Staffing and students will be about 300, but the parking is just in excess of 100. I believe,” Ramkumar noted.

“While it is coming through a government institute, the business case of it is very important and we really

don’t want to have roadside parking and traffic with the fact that there’s a huge housing development at the back,” Ramkumar noted.

With the facility taking up most of the plot space, the suggestion was thrown out for there to be elevated parking. Deen and Partners Architects, which is working in association with Consulting Engineers Partnership

(CEP) and Leverage Consulting Engineers, signed the US$250,000 contract last month to design the facility.

The design phase is expected to take some five months.

Once the design is completed the Hospitality Institute is scheduled to be constructed at Providence on the East Bank of Demerara, on a 2.5-acre plot of land earmarked for the project.

The institute is expected to mimic a mini-four star

hotel. The project is being funded through collaboration between the Caribbean Development Bank and the Government of Guyana, and is being constructed in response to the growing demand for services in the hospitality sector in Guyana.

It is being implemented under the Guyana Skills Development and Employability Project, headed by Project Coordinator, Theron Siebs.

GWI working to normalise water supply to Eccles … Turkeyen supply to be affected Monday, May 20

The second concept design for the Hospitality Institute

THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has issued an advisory to residents of ‘EE’ Eccles on the East Bank of Demerara that the reduced level of service they are experiencing is due to technical difficulties being experienced within the distribution network.

The advisory comes in the wake of several recent complaints from residents in the community, about the reduced level of service.

According to the advisory, GWI’s maintenance team is working assiduously to rectify the situation and restore the level of service to normalcy within the shortest possible time.

Water supply will also be disrupted in the Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown area, because of the execution of emergency repairs on Monday, May 20, 2019. Customers from within the service areas of both communities are asked to store water in light of this notice.

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Gov’t to spend $50M to boost agriculture in Reg. 8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

… 100 farmers to benefit FOLLOWING an outreach to several villages in Region Eight, the Ministry of Agriculture, through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA),

will be carrying out a series of works to ensure farmers have access to proper irrigation and other services.

A total of $50M will be spent for the purchase, op-

eration and maintenance of a tractor with ploughing implements, as well as the installation and monitoring of irrigation pipes and networks in the identified villages.

Community plot in Monkey Mountain proposed by the villagers for agricultural development This was disclosed by Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Valarie Patterson-Yearwood, who stated that the works are intended to improve cultivation in the identified villages. The villages that stand to benefit include, but are not limited to: Monkey Mountain, Tusseneng, Bambo Creek/ Uruberu, Kato and Kurukabaru.

“Approximately 100 farmers are being targeted to receive assistance under NDIA’s 2019 work program.

While we want to ensure everyone benefits from government’s service, this will be done in phases, all with the aim of boosting their production and productivity,” Minister Patterson-Yearwood said.

The intervention stemmed from requests made by farmers and villagers who stated that the assistance will augment their farming practices especially during the dry season. With this intervention, farmers will be able to commence and sustain their cultivation. There is approximately 120 acres of prime lands which the villagers hope to bring under cultivation. The identified crops are rice, beans, peanuts and cash crops.

As a result, the tractor along with ploughing attachments will be purchased and

sent to carry out works in the specified villages to assist farmers with preparation of their fields, harvesting and transporting their crops.

NDIA’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Dave Hicks has disclosed that members of the community will also be consulted with at each stage of the project.

“When we are executing projects of this nature, we have consultations with various representatives from these communities. A portion of the budgeted cost will go to the community for the provision of labour and some materials through contracts. Works such as the installation of pipes and construction of bulk heads for trapping irrigation water will be contracted to the respective community,” Hicks said.

The authority also intends to establish an office in the region to address the drainage and irrigation needs of farmers and residents. The office will be manned by civil engineer, rangers and other technical staff to operate and monitor the irrigation networks.

Contracts were awarded for the provision of irrigation pipes for Bambo Creek/Uruberu Tusseneng at the cost of $10,131,000 and $5,965,600 respectively.

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Nadal into Italian Open semi-finals (BBC) - DEFENDING champion and eight-time winner Rafael Nadal beat fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 6-0 to reach the Italian Open semi-finals.

Nadal, who has lost in the semi-finals of his past four tournaments, came from 0-2 down to win in one hour 38 minutes.

He next faces 20-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas, who went through following the withdrawal of Roger Federer.

World number three Federer, a four-time finalist in Rome, was unable to compete because of a right leg injury.

Nadal, a 17-time Grand Slam winner, conceded only

two games in his matches against Jeremy Chardy and Nikoloz Basilashvili on Thursday, but had to save a point to prevent a 3-0 deficit against fellow left-hander Verdasco.

He survived three break points at 4-4 in the first set but needed only 36 minutes to win the second.

Argentina’s world number 24 Diego Schwartzman secured his place in the semi-finals with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Japan’s Kei Nishikori in one hour 28 minutes.

Schwartzman will face compatriot Juan Martin del Potro or Serbia’s world number one Novak Djokovic for a place in tomorrow’s final.

Windies turn attention ...

West Indies well poised on 131 without loss in the 21st over, and they managed only another 21 runs from the 23 balls available.

Opener Soumya Sarkar then lashed a sparkling 66 off 41 deliveries in a 59-run opening stand with Tamim Iqbal (18), before adding a further 49 for the third wicket with Mushfiqur Rahim (36).

When Bangladesh lost three wickets for 34 runs in the space of 25 balls to slump to 143 for five in the 16th over, Mosaddek Hossain (52 not out) struck the fastest ODI half-century by a Bangladeshi in a 70-run, unbroken partnership with Mahmudullah (19 not out) to stun West Indies.

Holder conceded his side had been outplayed

by Bangladesh and that the Windies had not been quite up to scratch.

“They played well. I think their openers got them off to a really good start and they laid the foundation for them,” Holder said.

“We were probably a little flat in the field at the beginning. We dropped a chance, had a few fumbles in the field which didn’t help. Overall, it was not the performance we were looking for.”

Following the camp,

Windies captain Jason Holdder

West Indies travel to Bristol where they face New Zealand on May 26 in their first official warm-up before taking on South Africa two

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days later at the same venue.

They clash with Pakistan in their World Cup opener on May 31 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

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FROM PAGE 39

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

Brazil name Copa America squad (REUTERS) - BRAZILIAN coach Tite included Manchester City’s Fernandinho for his Copa America squad yesterday, but there was no place for Spurs forward Lucas Moura or Liverpool midfielder Fabinho.

Fernandinho was blamed in some circles for Brazil’s elimination from the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, but he has enjoyed an excellent Premier League season under Pep Guardiola and retains the confidence of the Brazil manager.

“Fernandinho knows what we expect, he knows his responsibility,” Tite told reporters, saying he was mature enough to cope with past criticism.

“Choosing two holding midfielders between Casemiro, Fernandinho and Fabinho is hard,” Tite added.

“Fabinho is going through a great moment, it was very difficult ... All three are playing at the top level and it hurts

a coach to choose but that’s my job.”

Moura, meanwhile, lost out despite scoring the hat-trick that took Spurs into the final of the Champions League.

Up front Tite opted for Neymar, David Neres, Richarlison, Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Jesus, and Everton, one of three home-based players in the squad.

“It was the hardest list I have had to put together. I had sleepless nights,” the coach said.

The coach refused to speak about Neymar’s disciplinary problems or whether the Paris St-Germain player would retain the captaincy. Tite said he would talk to the player personally before announcing his decision.

Neymar was banned for three games earlier this month for hitting a fan after the French Cup final. He was also reportedly

involved in a dressing room fracas after berating PSG team mates.

Brazil will host the Copa America between June 14 and July 7, kicking off against Bolivia before facing Venezuela and Peru.

All 10 South American nations will participate, along with guests Qatar and Japan.

Argentina, with Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero expected to attend, are hoping to end a 36-year trophy drought at the home of their fiercest rivals, while Chile, champions in the last two tournaments, aim to defend their title.

Brazil are also among favourites for a tournament they have not won since 2007. They will play friendlies against Qatar and Honduras before the Copa begins.

England grab fourth ODI against Pakistan (BBC) - ENGLAND survived a scare to win the fourth one-day international against Pakistan by

three wickets and wrap up the series with a game to spare.

Jason Roy’s century had

the home side coasting their chase of 341, only for his dismissal to spark a collapse of four wickets for 15 runs.

But Ben Stokes made 71 not out and Tom Curran, who should have been runout on seven, scored 31 to get the hosts over the line with three balls to spare.

In perfect batting conditions on the Trent Bridge ground where England have racked up the two highest ODI totals of all-time, Pakistan posted 340-7.

Babar Azam’s controlled 115 was the mainstay yet, even with England missing suspended captain Eoin Morgan and rested opener Jonny Bairstow, the visitors’ total did not feel like it should have posed a challenge.

That England were ultimately tested can only be good for their World Cup preparations and winning with a much-changed side - Chris Woakes, David Willey and Liam Plunkett were also rested - further demonstrates the depth of their squad.

England take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, which concludes at Headingley tomorrow.

England were put under pressure in the second match of the series, when Pakistan almost overhauled 373 in Southampton, but they dominated the third match in Bristol.

As far as their World Cup build-up goes, this was a new examination as they recovered after wobbling in a run-chase.

In addition, it was a welcome return to form for Stokes, who struggled with

Jason Roy brings up his century. © Getty Images

bat and ball at the end of the IPL and has not yet taken a wicket in this series.

With England needing 125 from 19.4 overs, Stokes first shared 42 with Joe Denly then crucially, 61 with Curran, who earlier claimed 4-75 with the ball.

There was a bizarre moment when Curran should have been run-out, only for Pakistan not to appeal despite the Surrey man’s

bat being on the crease line when the bail was removed.

Both Stokes who struck three sixes and Curran peppered the square boundaries until Curran was bowled by Hassan Ali in the 48th over.

Adil Rashid joined Stokes with 19 needed from the final two, but Junaid Khan’s 49th was taken for 16 and Stokes won it from the third ball of the final over.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

Basketball scores big at National Sports Awards … Stanton Rose, Chelsea Edghill named sportsman- and sportswoman-of-the-year

By Rawle Toney STANTON Rose, Guyana’s history-making Senior National Basketball team captain, carved his name deeper into the country’s archives when he was named the Senior Sportsman-of-the-Year last evening, when the National Sports Commission (NSC) hosted its annual National Sports Awards at the Pegasus Hotel.

Rose is the first basketball player in the history of the sport, locally, to be named Sportsman-of-theYear, and is also the first athlete from Kwakwani to win the prestigious accolade.

The now 19-year-old Rose placed his named among players like Lugard Mohan, Auric Tappin, Stanislaus Hadmon, Lorenzo Withrite and Leon Christian (just to name a few) as some of the most talented to ever suit up for Guyana; but what separates him from the aforementioned great ‘ballers’ is that he was able to bring the ‘elusive’ Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) men’s Caribbean title back to Guyana.

He is the youngest player (18 at the time) to ever captain Guyana at the CBC Championship, and left the 10-team tournament in Suriname as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his sensational performances, which also included a tournament-high 41 points performance that came in Guyana’s 104-102 double

overtime win against St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Rose, who led Guyana to an unbeaten run in the championship, totalled 106 points (third overall), led the tournament in steals, totalling 15 at an average of 2.5 per game, was third in points per game (17.7), third in assists per game, eighth in rebounds per game and was the fourth best efficient player.

His performances did not go unnoticed in Suriname, with several scouts reaching out to the 6’2” guard. In the end, though, he accepted an offer to play for Jacksonville College and will compete on the National Junior College Athletics Association circuit.

It was a big night for the sport of basketball, with the historic CBC-winning team copping the Sports Team-of-the-Year.

J u n i o r H e rc u l e s , t h e team’s head coach, was named Coach-of-the-Year, while the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) picked up the Most Improved Association award.

S E N I O R S P O RT S WOMAN-OF-THE-YEAR Chelsea Edghill, who won gold for Guyana in the Under-21 category at the Senior Caribbean Table Tennis Championships in Jamaica, held in September 2018, walked away as the Senior Sportswoman-of-the-Year at the end of the evening.

She won the College National Districts competition and placed second at

College National Regional competition in the United States, along with being a quarterfinalist at the South American Games. These are just some of the other highlights of Edghill’s sensational run last year in the sport.

While currently not based in Guyana due to being awarded a scholarship to Lindenwood University in the United States, where she studies chemistry, the 21 year-old was at the forefront during her time here, JUNIOR SPORTSMAN-OF-THEYEAR Shomari Wiltshire will go down as one of the local legends within Guyana’s squash fraternity and is well deserving of the 2018 junior Sportsman-of-theYear award.

Wiltshire, on the local scene, has won a staggering four local titles. His success began in May 2018 when he captured the Woodpecker Products Junior National U-15, U-17 and U-19 squash titles to start the year well.

The young man continued his form regionally where he clinched for the second year running the Junior Caribbean Under-15 title (gold) and was instrumental in leading Guyana to silver in the Team event which took place in Jamaica in July.

JUNIOR SPORTSWOMAN-OF-THEYEAR Priyanna Ramdhani is

Windies turn attention to final warm up camp

(CMC) – Captain Jason Holder yesterday turned his attention to West Indies’ one-week camp in Southampton, as the Caribbean side look to correct the flaws exposed in their defeat to Bangladesh in the Tri-Nations Series.

West Indies lost both group games to Bangladesh and then suffered a five-wicket defeat to the Asian side in yesterday’s final at The Village, after failing to defend 210 in a match reduced to 24 overs per side.

Their two wins in the

tournament came against hosts Ireland.

They will travel to the Rose Bowl today to start their final preparation for the World Cup, and will be joined by members of the squad who missed the Tri-Nations Series due to Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments.

“We’ve got some time in Southampton before we prepare for those two official warm-up games of the World Cup,” Holder said, following his side’s loss.

“So there’s more than enough time to put things

right and for those guys to come in and get acclimatised to the conditions and hopefully we can hit the ground running, come our first warm-up game.”

Sent in, West Indies finished on 152 for one with Man-of-the-Series Shai Hope top-scoring with 74 and opening partner Sunil Ambris getting an unbeaten 69, the pair posting 144 for the first wicket.

Rain caused a five-hour break in the innings with

TURN TO PAGE 35

a seriously talented young woman who in 2018, demonstrated the “show them what crazy can do” tag which encourages young girls to get involved in sports.

The 17-year-old in 2018 was ranked the number one junior and senior female local squash player while also standing at the apex of the Caribbean ranking in Under-17 and senior charts. She was also ranked as one of the top South American female players.

Her sustained hard work saw her lead Guyana to the 32nd ranked Junior Badminton Nationals after com-

peting in the World Juniors in Canada.

On the individual side, she dominated last year’s Caribbean Regional youth championships in Suriname by winning five gold medals (2 U-19 and 2 U-19) while also acquiring two silver and one bronze at the Caribbean International Senior Championships also held in Suriname.

COMPLETE RESULTS: Senior Sportsman-ofthe-Year: Stanton Rose Senior Sportswoman-of-the-Year: Chelsea Edghill Junior Sportsman-of-

the-Year: Shomari Wiltshire Junior Sportswoman-ofthe-Year: Priyanna Ramdhani Sports Association-of-the-Year: GFF Most Improved Association: GABF Male Coach-of-theYear: Junior Hercules Female Coach-of-theYear: Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan Male Sports Official: Franklin Wilson Female Sports Official: Dr Karen Pilgrim Female Sports Personality: Mothers in Motor Racing Sports Personality: Ramesh Sunich

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

West Indies crumble to Bangladesh (CMC) – LEFT-arm spinner Fabian Allen sent down a costly 25-run over as West Indies failed to hold their nerve when it mattered most, and slumped to a five-wicket defeat to Bangladesh under Duckworth-Lewis-Stern in the Tri-Nations Series final here yesterday.

In their final competitive One-Day International, ahead of the World Cup beginning month end, West Indies struggled to contain a buoyant Bangladesh as the Asian outfit easily chased down a difficult revised target of 210 with seven balls to spare, in the contest reduced to 24 overs per side.

Left-handed opener Soumya Sarkar struck a sparkling 66 off 41 balls but it was Mosaddek Hossain, batting at number seven, who turned the screws on West Indies with a breathtaking 24ball unbeaten 52 at the end.

With Soumya in full flight, Bangladesh were cruising to victory at 109 for two in the 12th over but lost three wickets for 34 runs in the space of 25 balls, to leave the result open.

H o w e v e r, M o s a d d e k slammed a 20-ball fifty – the fastest by a Bangladeshi in ODIs – in a 70-run, unbroken sixth-wicket stand with Mahmudullah (19 not out) to snuff out any chance of a

West Indies win.

The game, though, was still in the balance at the start of the 21st over from Allen, with 27 runs required from 18 balls.

single four.

The defeat to Bangladesh was the third straight in the tournament for West Indies and seventh in nine meetings over the last 12 months.

A light drizzle sprays down as Shai Hope drives through mid-off. (Sportsfile via Getty Images)

But Mosaddek switch-hit the left-arm spinner over the point boundary for six off the first ball and then then cleared the ropes at long on with the second delivery. He dabbed the third ball to the third man boundary before lashing the fourth over extra cover for the maximum, to leave the Windies shellshocked.

All told, the right-hander smacked two fours and five sixes while Mahmudullah faced 21 balls and struck a

Man-of-the-Series Shai Hope had earlier top-scored with 74 while Sunil Ambris stroked an unbeaten 69 as West Indies finished on 152 for one after rain resulted in a five-hour break during their innings.

Sent in, they had reached 131 without loss in the 21st over when the inclement weather drove players from the field.

Once play restarted, following a series of inspections, West Indies found

themselves with just 23 balls left in the innings and managed only another 21 runs.

Neither batsman looked troubled by Bangladesh’s attack with Hope hammering six fours and three sixes off 64 balls and Ambris notching seven fours in a 78-ball knock.

Hope was the first to his half-century off exactly 50 balls when he struck seamer Mustafizur Rahman for a straight six in the 18th over which leaked 13 runs.

Ambris, who had earlier smashed three boundaries in the 12th over from Mustafizur, reached his second half-century in ODIs with a couple to wide long off leg-spinner Sabbir Rahman in the 19th over.

When the rains arrived, Hope was perched on 68 and Ambris on 59 and on resumption, Hope added a further six runs before holing out to long on off off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the penultimate over.

Needing to score at nearly nine runs an over, Bangladesh took command of the run chase early through Soumya, who played audaciously to belt nine fours and three sixes.

He put on 59 for the first wicket with Tamim Iqbal (18) who was dropped on four off a sitter by Ashley Nurse running back from slip, with

Club SUR ready for GOBSA Independence Athletics meet COACH of Super Upcoming Runners (SUR) Athletics Club, Niall Stanton, is optimistic of his club’s chances at the Independence Track and Field Championships set for today and tomorrow at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

“Club SUR is very prepared for this meet and is looking to do better than last year. The athletes are working and are being supervised by top local coach Sir Rose,” Stanton revealed.

Further, Stanton shared that they expect good performances from their athletes. “Well, as coaches, we have very high expectations and are hoping to be in the top three or five because of the training so far that we have them going through.”

In addition, Stanton pointed out that such meets aid in the development of the sport/ “A meet like this is great for the development of the athletes of all ages and it brings out the best from them.

“Most of them get a

small gift and they love that and if you look at sports like this, it really goes a far way because you are seeing now more and more persons going out there and representing; and that is what raises the level of competition.”

With limited age group championships around, Stan-

ton also believes that more of these competitions are needed. “Yes, we do need more events for the athletes even if it is every other week, because it will motivate them more and also help the coach or coaches to know if they are developing and what needs to be changed in the training programme from time to

time,” Stanton stated.

However, Stanton did mention some of the athletes to watch out for, come championship time. He named Cordell Charles who just got back from CARIFTA Games, Joel Williams, Savannah Adams and Vibert Dummett.”

The meet will commence at 10:00hrs both days.

Cordell Charles will be looking to make Club SUR proud this weekend.

the score on 18 in the third over from seamer Kemar Roach.

Left-hander Tamim eventually fell attempting a third straight four off speedster Shannon Gabriel (2-30) in the sixth over, caught at mid-off by captain Jason Holder, and when Sabbir Rahman was hit in front without scoring in the same over to the second ball he faced, West Indies were back in the game.

However, Soumya put on 49 for the third wicket with wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim whose 36 came from 22 balls and included two fours and sixes.

And even though left-armer Raymon Reifer (2-23) got rid of both to claim his first wickets in ODIs and spark a Bangladesh slide, Mosaddek kept his composure to finish the game strongly.

SCOREBOARD WEST INDIES innings S. Hope c Mosaddek Hossain b Mehedi Hasan 74 S. Ambris not out 69 D. Bravo not out 3 EXTRAS: (lb-2, w-3, nb-1) 6 TOTAL: (1 wkt, 24 overs) 152 Fall of wicket: 1-144.

Bowling: Mashrafe Mortaza 6-0-28-0, Mohammad Saifuddin 5-0-29-0, Mustafizur Rahman 5-0-50-0, Mosaddek Hossain 2-0-9-0, Mehedi Hasan 4-0-22-1, Rahman 2-0-12-0.

BANGLADESH innings (target: 210 off 24 overs) Tamim Iqbal c Holder b Gabriel 18 Soumya Sarkar c sub. Cottrell b Reifer 66 Sabbir Rahman lbw b Gabriel 0 Mushfiqur Rahim lbw b Reifer 36 Mohammad Mithun lbw b Allen 17 Mahmudullah not out 19 Mosaddek Hossain not out 52 EXTRAS: (w05) 5 TOTAL: (5 wkts, 22.5 overs) 213 Fall of wickets: 1-59, 2-60, 3-109, 4-134, 5-143.

Bowling: Nurse 3-0-35-0, Holder 4-0-31-0, Roach 5-0-57-0, Gabriel 3-0-30-2, Reifer 3.5-0-23-2, Allen 4-0-37-1.

Result: Bangladesh won by five wickets (DLS) Series: Bangladesh won Tri-Nations Series MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: MOSADDEK HOSSAIN MAN-OF-THE-SERIES: SHAI HOPE

STAG Beer, Let’s ...

Pepsi Hornets are expected to be boosted by the likes of Abdullah Silverton, arguably one of the best players in Trinidad, and Blaise Bailey, who is returning from the United States. However, the organiser feels the visitors will be the team to beat along with the youthful Panthers unit.

R a w l e To n e y, vice-president of the Pepsi Hornets Rugby Club and one of the principals behind the tournament, stated all is set for the second edition of the only sporting event on the Guyana Carnival calendar.

Toney indicated that players will want to use the tournament to finetune their skills ahead of Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens tournament in July.

Meanwhile, Ansa M c A l ’s S TA G B e e r

FROM PAGE 39

Brand Manager, Nigel Worrell, made a presentation to Pepsi Hornets treasurer Roger Perreira at the company’s Beterverwagting (BV) headquarters.

According to Worrell, the sponsorship once again demonstrates Ansa McAl’s continued commitment to sports and in this case, sports tourism, since the tournament will feature teams and players from outside of Guyana.

Worrell noted that the company will continue to support the STAG Beer Carnival 7s and encourages everyone to head down to the GFC ground tomorrow to support the event.

The tournament will mark Let’s Bet Sports’ first time sponsoring rugby and the company already said that they’re looking forward to working closely in helping to push the sport.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 18, 2019

Berbice defeat Select U-17 by 56 runs despite Chaitnarine’s all-round brilliance

By Michelangelo Jacobus

BERBICE booked their spot in the final of the Handin-Hand U-19 50-Over Inter-County tournament by defeating a spirited Select U-17 side by 56 runs at the Everest ground, despite a brilliant all-round performance from Sarwan Chaitnarine who made a half-century and grabbed a 5-wicket haul.

On a day blessed with brilliant sunshine, the Select U-17 won the toss and sent in Berbice to bat.

Openers Alex Algoo and Junior Sinclair were rock solid, sharing a century partnership to give their team the ideal foundation before Sinclair fell for 70 from 91 deliveries (4x4, 6x3), lbw off

Corona Futsal returns tonight

the bowling of Chaitnarine.

Algoo soon followed, the second victim of Chaitnarine, for 73 from 84 deliveries (4x5, 6x4). From there on, the rest of Berbice batsmen struggled to string together partnerships and limped to 250-9 from their 50 overs as Chaitnarine struck at regular intervals and was well backed up by Chandrapaul Ramraj.

The only other batsmen to produce any runs were Garfield Benjamin who struck 32 before he was bowled by Chaitnarine while Davesh Persaud made 24 before falling to Ramraj.

Chaitnarine ended with figures of 5-36 from seven overs while Ramraj snared 3-45 (9 overs) and Niran Bissu 1-29 (5 overs).

In response, Select U-17

lost opener Amit Gainda for just five runs. However, Matthew Nandu and Mavendra Dindyal combined to take their side out of trouble with a half-century third-wicket stand.

Nandu was aggressive in his knock of 43 and played some attractive shots before he lost his stumps to Sinclair. Thereafter, the Select U-17 never got going and only Chaitnarine with his knock of 50 (63 deliveries, 4x6) and Dindyal with 33 contributed to their team’s run chase.

Kevin Umrao pegged the U-17 back taking five of their eight wickets to end with 5-31 from 10 overs.

U-17 were left 56 runs short of their required total, 194-8, when their 50 overs expired.

ROUND-robin matches in the Corona Futsal tournament will continue tonight with six matches at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.

In the first of the games, Beacon take on California Square from 19:30hrs and from 20:30hrs Mocha will play Future Stars.

Tucville and West Front Road clash from 21:00hrs while Tiger Bay meet North East La Penitence at 21:45hrs, Leopold Street face Bent Street from 22:30hrs and Back Circle oppose Sparta Boss from 23:15hrs.

On the last playing date, there were wins for Tiger Bay and Leopold Street.

Select U-17 opener Matthew Nandu cuts through the offside during his knock of 43 against Berbice at the Everest ground.

(Michelangelo Jacobus photo)

Tiger Bay beat Tucville 4-1, thanks to a hattrick from Anthony Abrams (5th, 7th & 20th minutes) and Deon Alfred’s 14th minute strike.

Tiger Bay had Nicholas McArthur (15th) on target.

Leopold Street showed no mercy when they played Mocha, decimating them 6-0 with strike from Okenny Fraser (9th), Eon Alleyne (10th), Cecil Jackman (14th), Darren Benjamin (15th), Carl Tudor (20th) and Rishawn Sandford (20th).

Back Circle were also winners against Beacon 7-2. Selwyn Williams three goals (5th, 6th and 7th) coupled with single strikes Stephan McLean (4th), Trayon Babb (18th), Quason Mcally

(19th) and Dellon Kelly (20th) ensured that the two goals scored by Beacon’s Kimba Braithwaite (12th) and Joshua Nicholas (19th) were nullified.

Bent Street drew with Future Stars 2-2 with Sheldon Holder (16th) and Daniel Wilson (2nd) scoring for the former while Jamal Cozier (6th) and William Europe (15th) scored for the latter.

Sparta Boss, through Gregory Richardson (9th), also had to settle for a draw against California Square thanks to Mishack Buretta 19th minute strike.

In the final game of the evening, North East went down 0-1 to West Front Road thanks to Hubert Pedro in the 16th minute.

GUYANA CARNIVAL 7S RUGBY

Ince-Carvalhal still unbeaten in Woodpecker Junior Squash STAG Beer, Let’s Bet Sports PLAY is well underway in the second half of the Woodpecker Products Junior National Tournament. Shomari Wiltshire maintained his clean slate against Michael Alphonso in the Boys U-17 & U-19 category.

Precision and calculation from the reigning champion kept Alphonso moving around the court in a valiant effort to earn points.

Impressive rallies, with outstanding play from both youngsters, evidenced the high standard of Junior Squash. Wilshire remained fully in charge and enjoyed an 11-4, 11-4, 11-5 victory, Samuel Ince-Carvalhal racked up his third win in as many matches, defeating Demetrius DeAbreu 3-0, and Nicholas Verwey secured his win over Gianni Carpenter in three straight games.

In the Boys Under-13, Joshua Verwey and Dhiren Persaud battled in a 5-set match. The players dug deep and ran down each other’s shots to level at two games apiece, before Verwey decided it was time to finish up with a great run of well-placed balls and a renewed determination as he

dominated for an 11-2 final game to take the match.

The girls continued their contest with easy wins from Abosaide Cadogan and Kirsten Gomes in the Under-17 & U-19. Aishani Persuad got the better of Beau Fernandes despite Fernandes coming back strong to win the second game, and Safirah Summer and Christiana Fernandes battled in another 4-setter that could have gone to either player.

Fernandes pushed ahead to take the first and was so close to the second when at 10-10, Sumner held on for the win. The ensuing 2 games were certainly close calls but it was Sumner who emerged triumphant with a 9-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-7 victory.

Play continued yesterday at 18:00hrs and two sessions will take place today at 11:00hrs and 18:00hrs at the Georgetown Club, Camp Street.

Results ○ Girls Under-11 Tiana Gomes routed Maya Dean 11-4, 11-0, 11-1. ○ Girls Under-13 Safirah Sumner defeat-

ed Christina Fernandes 9-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-7.

Aishani Persaud defeated Beau Fernandes 11-8, 8-11, 11-5, 11-3. ○ Girls Under-17 & U-19 Abosaide Cadogan thrashed Angel Rahim 110, 11-1, 11-3.

Kirsten Gomes mauled Teija Edwards 11-0, 11-0, 11-2. ○ Boys Under-13.

Joshua Verwey overcame Dhiren Persaud 9-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-7, 11-2.

Shiloh Asregado whipped Chad DeAbreu 11-6, 11-5, 11-5.

Louis DaSilva demolished Matthew Spooner 11-0, 11-0, 11-0. ○ Boys Under-15 Mohryan Baksh beat Zachary Persaud 11-6, 114, 11-7. ○ Boys Under-17 & U-19 Samuel Ince-Carvalhal trounced Demetrius DeAbreu 11-5, 11-4, 11-4.

Nicholas Verwey defeated Gianni Carpenter 11-7, 11-6, 11-2.

Shomari Wiltshire got the better of Michael Alphonso 11-4, 11-4, 11-5.

on board tournament

Pepsi Hornets treasurer Roger Perreira (left) receives the sponsor’s cheque from STAG Beer Brand Manager Nigel Worrell.

STAG Trinidad Northern Rugby Football Club will headline Sunday’s Guyana Carnival 7s Rugby tournament, which is set for the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, from 13:00hrs.

The tournament, which is in its second year, will see Ansa McAl behind their STAG Beer brand as the title sponsor, while the Guyana Lottery Company’s Let’s Bet Sports, Pepsi and Ramps Logistics are the other major sponsors.

The STAG Beer-sponsored Trinidadian Rugby Club, one of the Twin Island Republic’s oldest in the sport, will be competing in Guyana for the very first time, and will face the likes of Panthers, defending champions Pepsi Hornets, Caribs and Guyana Police Force.

TURN TO PAGE 38

Winners of last night's awards

Basketball scores big at National 37 Sports Awards Page

… Stanton Rose, Chelsea Edghill named sportsman- and sportswoman-of-the-year

Stanton Rose poses with his CBC MVP trophy and the John Yates trophy

West Indies crumble Ince-Carvalhal still unbeaten in Woodpecker Junior Squash to Bangladesh Page

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Sunil Ambris steers one down to third man. (Sportsfile via Getty Images)

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39 39

Samuel Ince-Carvalhal in action

Berbice defeat Select U-17 by 56 runs despite Chaitnarine’s all-round brilliance 39

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SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019