Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_7_22_2019

MONDAY 22nd JULY, 2019

No.105706

‘I await GECOM’s advice’ – President maintains GECOM must advise on readiness for elections before date is fixed – insists on credible elections, backs 03 GECOM on house-to-house registration PAGE

Hundreds of first-time voters registered as house-to-house registration enters second day

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President David Granger

New well for Moco Moco

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Some 500,000 int’l visitors 09 expected by 2025 PAGE

Automatic toll system for DHB Rain or shine: a GECOM worker during a house-to-house registration exercise at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, on Sunday (DPI Photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

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‘I await GECOM’s advice’ – President maintains GECOM must advise on readiness for elections before date is fixed – insists on credible elections, backs GECOM on house-to-house registration

By Svetlana Marshall PRESIDENT David Granger said he will proclaim a date for elections when the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) advises him that it is in a state of readiness for the conduct of credible, fair and free elections.

His statement comes at a time when the opposition, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is calling for an early date to be set. In fact, on Saturday, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo wrote the Head of State requesting that he issue a proclamation dissolving the 11th Parliament and fix a date for the next General and Regional Elections. The elections, Jagdeo said, must not be held beyond September 18, 2019.

The opposition leader also called for the resignation of the President and Cabinet, on the basis that a no-confidence motion was successfully passed against the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change

(APNU+AFC) government.

But ahead of that letter, President Granger during the Public Interest Television Programme, said the government, through the National Assembly, has financially equipped GECOM to prepare for elections; however, a date cannot be set until the elections commission indicates that it’s capable of conducting credible elections.

GECOM, through its attorney Stanley Marcus, has long stated that it could facilitate credible elections only after December 25, 2019, when the process of houseto-house registration is completed. It has said that it cannot conduct elections on an expired List of Electors and house-to-house registration has become necessary to produce a new and credible list.

That countrywide exercise commenced on Saturday.

“At this stage, only the elections commission has the authority to run elections, not the Executive, not the National Assembly, not the President; and I am going to abide

by whatever decisions the elections commission takes with regard to the preparation of the list. I will abide by the advice of the elections commission on when to call elections. Right now it is only the elections commission that could determine the time and the form of elections, and I am prepared to abide by their decisions,” President Granger said.

His position is one which was taken by Jagdeo when he was serving as President of Guyana in 2006. In an address to the nation, the then President had said: “The law says that GECOM shall define the form of verification of the list or may decide on verification and will decide on what form it will take. Not the PPP, not the PNC, not any party, GECOM. That’s a constitutional body, independent just like the courts.”

SUPPORT On the grounds that the list, in addition to being expired, is bloated, President Granger, the People’s Nation-

al Congress Reform (PNCR), the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government have supported the process of house-to-house registration.

“We accept that the list is bloated, we accept that there were far too many persons on the list who might be ineligible, and we believe that many people who are not on the list are eligible and should be on the list,” the President explained. The President said he has taken note of newspaper articles, that the elections commission started house-to-house registration on Saturday, July 20, 2019. “…These are not my doings, these are the doings of the elections commission and I support them. We should have a clean and credible list,” he posited.

In giving an overview of government’s posture in the current political construct, President Granger said he and his government have been fully compliant with

the rulings and consequential orders of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). He said that though the term interim government is not defined in the Constitution of Guyana, the government has accepted that position in keeping with the CCJ’s orders.

“There is nothing in the Constitution which defines interim status, but in the jurisdictions which adhere to the Westminster system, if you want to call it that, in Canada, Australia and other countries, we have consulted with the laws, and interim government means that we do not for example pass a budget; we obviously got to keep government running, the routine functions of government, I cannot undertake state visits, and sign agreements with foreign countries, we have to limit our expenditure, we have to ensure that we don’t embark on any controversial projects, so there are about half of a dozen or more conventions with which we have to comply to ensure that the government restrains expen-

President David Granger

diture, restrains its actions,” he explained.

He added: “It doesn’t mean that the government is out of office; it doesn’t mean that the government ceases to function. There cannot be a void; you cannot have a country that is ungoverned.”

The President maintained that everything he has done thus far is within the confines of the Constitution and the decisions of the CCJ. Under the Jagdeo presidency, elections were delayed twice. In 2001, General and Regional Elections were due on January 17 in accordance with the Herdmanston Accord; however, Jagdeo while as President, had cause to delay the elections based on advice of the GECOM. Again in 2006 under Jagdeo’s presidency, elections were delayed.

The constitutional deadline was August 4, 2006, but GECOM was unable to meet it.

Prime Minister calls out ‘false accusers’ in bond row PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has adduced evidence to show that the proprietors of the Sussex Street Bond and New GPC Inc. have made false and damaging statements about his character in relation to the NEW GPC bond.

At the commissioning of the $539 million Central Supplies Unit (CSU)/Kingston Bond on June 11, 2019, Nagamootoo had revealed that he “pleaded” with New GPC Inc Chairman Dr Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop for the continued use of a portion of the New GPC

bond, but was refused.

“After we got into office in 2015 we were confronted with a situation where we had to find a bond, and find a bond quickly. We were using at one of the locations, in fact, a bond belonging to the New GPC – a private outfit. And we were informed that the proprietors wanted their bond back — and in a hurry. So I spoke to Dr Bobby Ramroop myself and said, ‘please, we will be in a problem trying to find a location at short notice to store our pharmaceutical supplies and these have to be stored

in very refined and specific conditions.’ I pleaded with him to consider whether he could make available even a piece of his bond for use by government,” Nagamootoo had said at the commissioning.

This sudden withdrawal of partnership, he explained, forced the government to look for new storage for its pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical items at a location which spurred controversy.

They had to settle for the TURN TO PAGE 7

Correspondence between Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and the NEW GPC back in 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

Tanker seizure: Jeremy Hunt urges Iran to release Stena Impero Philip Hammond plans to

(BBC) The foreign secretary has urged Iran to reverse its "illegal" seizure of a British-flagged tanker in the Gulf.

Jeremy Hunt said it "raises very serious questions" about the security of British and (BBC) Philip Hammond international shipping in the has told the BBC he intends Strait of Hormuz. to resignas as chancellor if It comes Iran released new Boris becomes the footageJohnson of the capture on FriUK’s PM.Impero. day ofnext the Stena Tehran said the vessel was "viHe said a no-deal Brexit, olating international maritime something Mr Johnson has rules". left open as an option, was afterI acould phoneever call “notSpeaking something with his Iranian counterpart, Mr sign up to”.

Hunt said Iran viewed this as a "tit-for-tat situation" following the detention of an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar.

But he said "nothing could be further from the truth".

The Stena Impero's owners said they wanted access at the port of Bandar Abbas to the 23 crew members, who they said are in good health.

BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said it appears the Asked if he thought he Iranian Revolutionary Guard would be prepared sacked next week, was "quite to push this Mr Hammond said would right up to the brink of he a conflict, resign on Wednesday to short Theyet probably stopping just resa May. of one".

He said he intends to quit WHAT after PrimeHAPPENED? Minister’s QuesThebutStena Impero was tions before Mrs May seized by the Iranian Revolusteps down. tionary Guard onon Friday a key Speaking the in BBC’s shipping route in the Gulf.

Footage emerged on Saturday appearing to show the moment the tanker was raided.

It was released by Iran's Revolutionary Guard-affiliated

Fars news agency.

It shows masked forces dropping down ropes onto the ship from a helicopter after it was surrounded by high-speed vessels.

A Royal Navy frigate, HMS Montrose, was alerted and raced Andrew Mr to intervene,Marr as it didShow, - successfulHammond saidBritish-flagged it was imly - with another tanker just a week portant theover next PM ago. and his But this time it was too far chancellor were “closely away to stop the Stena Impero aligned” on Brexit policy. being - the Mrseized Johnson hastanker said was the already in Iranian waters.

UK must leave the EU by state-rundeadline IRNA news the Iran's new Brexit of agency said the tanker was cap31 October “do or die, come tured after it collided with a fishwhat may”. ing boat and failed to respond to His leadership rival Jercalls from the smaller craft. emyBut Hunt saidsaid a no-deal Mrhas Hunt it was exit cannot be ruled but seized in Omani watersout, in "clear he is prepared to delay contravention offurther international Brexit if required to get a new law" and then forced to sail into withdrawal deal.

Iran.

Mr the The Hammond Stena Impero'ssaid Swedish situation “might be more owners, Stena Bulk, said it had complicated” if Mr Hunt been fully complying with regulationsthe andTory had been in internawins leadership tional waters thethe time. contest, but at “all polling” It said Mr the Johnson crew members, suggested would who are Indian, Russian, Latvian succeed.

“That is what is likely to happen, and I’m making my plans accordingly”, he said, adding he would wait until the result is announced on Tuesday to “see for sure”.

Mr Hammond said he understood committing to leave by this date, even with no deal, would be a condition for serving in Mr Johnson’s cabinet.

He said: “That is not something I could ever sign up to. It’s very important that a prime minister is able to have a chancellor that is closely aligned with him in

and Filipino, were in good health. situation," he said.

A second British-owned A UK government spokesLiberian-flagged tanker, the MV woman said earlier it had advised Mesdar, was also boarded by UK shipping to stay out of the armed guards on the same day area. but was released.

What does Iran say?

It came after Royal Marines Iran's foreign minister Jahelped seize Iranian tanker Grace vad Zarif tweeted that the UK 1 off Gibraltar earlier this month, "must cease being an accessory to because of evidence it was carry- #EconomicTerrorism of the US". ing oil to Syria in breach of EU He said it was Iran that guarsanctions. antees the security of the Gulf and Iran described the incident the Strait of Hormuz. as "piracy" but Mr Hunt said "Unlike the piracy in the the Grace 1 was detained legally Strait of Gibraltar, our action in Gibraltarian waters "totally in the Persian Gulf is to uphold within the law". international maritime rules," On Saturday, UK govern- he said. ment ministers held an emergenAbbasali Kadkhodaei, cy meeting of Cobra and a senior spokesman of the state watchdog Iranian diplomat was summoned the Guardian Council, said on to the Foreign Office in London. Twitter that "the law of retaliation Afterwards, Mr Hunt said is a recognised concept in internaMPs would be updated onHunt Mon-(l) or tional law"Johnson shortly after Either Jeremy Boris (r)the ship's day about what "further mea- PMseizure announced. will become next was week sures" the government would What's the background to terms of policy”. take, adding the threat level had this?He had said he could added that Jeremy exclude when beenHeraised to the highest level “notThe latestanything” developments Hunt’s he would back of alert. position regarding a asked come whether amid a deterioration in "Our priority to be arelations Iran and the no-deal Brexitcontinues was “more motion between of no-confidence in to find a way the the UKgovernment. and US. nuanced”, andtohede-escalate had not demanded a “loyalty pledge” on Asked whether he would the exit date from prospective go against the next PM in ministers. a vote of no confidence, he Mr Hammond said he said: “I don’t think it will get would support either man in to that”. their pursuit of a new Brexit “I am confident that Pardeal, but it would not be pos- liament does have a way of sible to agree this before the preventing a no-deal exit on end of October.

October 31 without parlia“A genuine pursuit of a mentary consent”. deal will require a little lon“I intend to work with ger”, he added. others to ensure Parliament Mr Hammond has been a uses its power to make sure prominent critic of the idea that the new government of a no-deal Brexit, recently can’t do that”, he added. indicating he may vote to Earlier, Justice Secrebring down the next PM to tary David Gauke reiterated stop such a scenario. his intention to resign from government should the next prime minister pursue a nodeal Brexit.

Mr Gauke told the Sunday Times: “If the test of loyalty to stay in the cabinet is a commitment to support nodeal on October 31 - which, to be fair to him, Boris has consistently said - then that’s not something I’m prepared to sign up to.”

The votes haven’t been counted - but already Westminster is preparing for Prime Minister Johnson.

Tensions between the US and Iran have risen sharply since April, when the US tightened sanctions it had reimposed on Iran after unilaterally withdrawing from a 2015 nuclear deal.

The US blamed Iran for It’sonnot a surprise that attacks tankers in the world's Philip Hammond has decidkey shipping area since May ed not denies to serve in accusations. a Johnson Tehran all the government.

On Friday, the US claimed to the manner ofdrone the haveBut destroyed an Iranian announcement - live on telein the Gulf. vision, hammering Unlike the US, theMr UKJohngovson’s key policycommitted on Brexit ernment remains to so shows just curbs how thepublicly nuclear -deal, which deep divisions in the Iran's nuclear activities in Tory return Party for therun. lifting of sanctions tenJustice Secretary David sions.

Gauke has confirmed he’ll However, the UK's decision quit tooseize if Mr wins to help theJohnson Iranian tanker off Gibraltar earlier this -Grace and 1others are likely to month infuriated Iran. follow.

On Friday, Gibraltar There is an element of granted a 30-day to jumping beforeextension they are allow authorities to continue pushed. detaining tanker, which But it’sthe also a reminder was next suspected of carrying oil the PM will face the to Syria in breach of EU sancsame huge challenge Theretions. sa May faced - how do you manage discipline in a bitterly divided party, with such a slender working majority in Parliament?

Nobody knows the answer for sure.

Meanwhile, the Irish deputy prime minister said the Irish Republic would have “no choice” but to protect its place in the EU’s single market if the UK “forces a no-deal Brexit on everybody else”.

Also speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, Simon Coveney warned that if the incoming Conservative prime minister chose to “tear up” the Brexit withdrawal deal, then “we’re in trouble”.

“That’s a little bit like saying, ‘Give me what I want or I’m going to burn the house down for everybody”.

Some 160,000 Conservative Party members are voting in a postal ballot to elect the next leader.

Ballots must be returned by 17:00 BST on Monday, with the winner of the contest due to be announced on Tuesday.

quit if Johnson becomes PM

Monday, July 22, 2019 05:00hrs.-06:30hrs.

SUNDAY July 21, 2019 05:30hrs ~ 07:00hrs

Saturday July 20, 2019

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July 19, 2019

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01 02 05 07 09

02, 06, 11, 22, 26

9, 8, 8

4, 8, 4

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

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CCJ, best court for all

Saunders gives priority to expanding member countries (TRINIDAD NEWSDAY) The new head of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will be working doubly hard to convince TT nationals and other citizens in the countries that have not yet signed on completely to the CCJ as their final court of appeal, that it is truly the best court for the region.

“Judging is not a mathematical science but the appreciation of culture and values and societal goals whose national disputes you are judging,” Justice Adrian Saunders told Sunday Newsday last week. “I think a Caribbean court will always be better placed to do that than a court based in Timbuktu or wherever.”

He said: “We in the Caribbean are just as capable of producing independent, impartial and bright judges as any other nation. I don’t think we are inferior to any other court anywhere else.

The Privy Council is the best court for Britain. The US Supreme Court is best suited for America. The CCJ, in my humble view, is the best court for the Caribbean.”

The 65-year-old Vincentian-born, Caribbean jurist defended the CCJ saying it can stand toe to toe with any other final appellate court in any other jurisdiction underscoring that the CCJ is the best court for the Caribbean countries who conceived it, financed it and are currently underutilising it. Saunders said in many of the jurisdictions a referendum is needed, and it is the people that ultimately decide.

In a wide-ranging interview at his office on Henry Street, Port of Spain last week, Saunders said the CCJ is not just an appellate court but also serves to adjudicate

any other issues that arise out of possible breaches in the Caricom treaty. This is called the original jurisdiction and even if appeals aren’t sent to the CCJ, the original jurisdiction is utilised with many of the cases coming from TT companies. He added that in some way, TT and other Caricom countries are receiving some “bang for their buck”.

On February 14, 2001, the agreement establishing the CCJ was signed by Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Two years later Dominica and St Vincent signed on and the CCJ was inaugurated in April 2005. Of the 12 countries that facilitated the US$100 million investment that currently pays for the running of the CCJ, only four – Guyana, Dominica, Belize and Barbados – have chosen the CCJ as their final court of appeal.

Two others, Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda tried unsuccessfully to convince their populace, through a referendum, to delink from the Privy Council and accept the CCJ. Saunders admitted that the shift is not an easy one and requires constitutional reform, sending the matter in the arena of politics. He veered away from the politics but said he and his team will be working to convince the population of the countries not yet joined, that the CCJ is worthy of their appeals.

The CCJ last month made a historic ruling that Guyana must hold elections after upholding a no-confidence vote against the Arthur Granger administration.

“We want to do more outreach work. The court sees itself not just as an institution

but one that interfaces with the justice system in the countries that are part of us. We can assist in the training of judges, devising or assisting in devising court structures.

We have worked with Jurist Project to assist in establishing a sexual offences court in Antigua and Barbuda. We have helped Guyana with the introduction of new civil procedure rules. The Guyanese judicial system has improved, not all the credit is to us but we have been working with them. We keep wanting to do more. We are in this weird place where people don’t know you but they don’t trust you. They don’t examine your track record but automatically think its poor.”

Saunders said there are plans to increase the efficiency in hearing cases and shorten the length of time it takes to deliver judgments.

Saunders added that the CCJ was first to do video conferencing to hear matters, something that the Privy Council is now copying, and like the Privy Council they are also live-streaming their hearings.

He added that all cases are filed electronically making the process more efficient and readying themselves for when the other eight countries, including TT come on board. In the last fiscal year, the CCJ completed 21 appellant cases and eighth cases in the original jurisdiction.

He added that this outreach will help convince the people not only that the CCJ is there and is competent but to invite them to engage with them and judge for themselves.

“Some people believe we don’t do anything, people need to appreciate the output and the quality of the judgment to form objective opinion. Too often the right

Woman held with over $500,000 cocaine in airport

(TRINIDAD NEWSDAY) A 37-year-old woman is expected to appear before an Arima Magistrate on Monday charged with the possession of cocaine with the intention of trafficking after she was arrested on Thursday morning with the drugs strapped to her body.

Police said the woman was at the airport at around 6 am when she began acting suspiciously, which alerted Customs and Excise Officers to search her and her luggage.

She was found with the drugs strapped to

her body in small plastic bags.

She was taken to the Piarco Police Station where she was arrested and charged. Newsday understands the woman who is from Las Alturas, Morvant, was assigned to the Piarco International Airport. The drugs were 1.14 kilograms in weight and had an estimated value of TT $529,689.

Editor’s note: This story originally stated that the woman was a customs officer.

This was inaccurate and has since been corrected.

comparator is not used. Many use their local court jurisdiction. You cannot extrapolate from your local justice sector to the CCJ some of the things that you are unhappy with in the local justice sector.

The CCJ is a final court.

What people should do is ask how long does it take in final courts from the time of filing to a judgment. If you ask that question, then the CCJ will be in a far more favourable light.”

He added: “There is nothing I can say to convince anyone that if all 12 came we will give a judgment in the same six months. We don’t deal with paper anymore, cases are filed electronically now. If Jamaica or TT comes on board now we will have a lot more cases. One of our points in the strategic plan is to ensure we are organising ourselves that when that happens we are ready.”

Saunders said the CCJ is

a new court when compared to other courts, but the Caribbean is ready for judicial independence. In the interim he said, the court will do the best it can for the four countries that use it for their appeals.

Asked about the complaints that the Privy Council is superior to the CCJ and the competency of the judges, Saunders chuckled saying those who use that excuse don’t know the track record of the Privy Council judges or their schooling but complain about CCJ judges. He repeated his mantra that CCJ judges can see from near and judge from far, a concept that only Caribbean judges adjudicating Caribbean issues can appreciate. He said his mantra allows a judge to fully appreciate all the nuances close enough to understand and identify all the little factors to give the best decisions possible. Judging from far is being objective and distant

CCJ president Adrian Saunders is committed to convincing more Caricom countries to make the CCJ their final court of appeal.

PHOTOS BY ROGER JACOB/CARIBBEAN COURT Of JUSTiCE

from the situation, something only Caribbean judges can do for Caribbean cases.

“The Privy Council is a good court, they have been in existence for many years and they do what they do quite well. I am satisfied that we are just as good a court and we do what we do just as well. I can’t imagine that in 20-30 years, countries that will have been independent for 70/80 years still using a court in Britain.

If that does happen we, will have to just deal with that.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

Moving forward

WE are in the presence of yet another political firestorm orchestrated by the Opposition, which has consequences for our country’s immediate future. Therefore, we are forced to once again contend with both our frailties as a nation and our desire to march on despite those frailties.

It seems as if we can never find what it takes to muster that spirt that is needed to prevent political disagreements from becoming political liabilities. President David Granger has already warned against the situation escalating into a gridlock, even as he continues to commit his government to finding solutions to the current political situation. He has also correctly stated that our country is in no crisis, as some have suggested, that what has been happening ** is the Opposition’s way of creating mischief and chaos towards their own narrow

agenda.

It is natural to have different approaches to national development—after all we are a diverse society—but it is not natural to succeed in constantly becoming trapped by those differences.

Guyana, like the rest of the Caribbean, is a very complex space. Its politics is fuelled by a complex convergence of social class, ethnicity, race, gender and political tribalism. Ours is a post-plantation society which still bears the raw scars of the plantation, but it’s a society that often allows itself to pretend that the plantation has receded into the distant past. Truth be told, most of our Guyanese and Caribbean history have been a story of bondage. And that must mean and teach something to its victims.

From the splits of our fledgling nationalist movement in the 1950s to the present, we have searched for that magic touch of national

harmony. While there have been moments of hope and optimism, these have often given way to disharmony.

And our moments of disharmony have stood in the way of our national development, our independence imperative and our constant struggle for survival in a world that is perpetually hostile to newly independent societies.

Over 50 years after our final blow to formal colonisation launched us on the road to unfettered nationhood, we are still fighting the same internal political battles that threatened to tear us apart before we achieved full statehood. No doubt, we congratulate ourselves on the fact that we have stayed together as a nation, but how many times have we not been to the edge of ruin? While the legacy of colonisation is still very much present in our institutions and political culture, we have got to own the consequences—the colonials are no longer physically

here.

In the end, we remain trapped in bondage, even if without the chains of the plantation. The mystery of our underdevelopment in the face of our potential riches lies in this national malady.

Every now and then, together and separately, our factions have embraced reason, but these have been fleeting—we have allowed ourselves to be too wedded to the politics of unreason which has over time become normative.

How can the descendants of the colonised so often find ways to undermine national solidarity? Is it that the spirt which generated the quest for joint freedom no longer resides in our national consciousness? We refuse to believe that Guyanese have given up on becoming the model nation of co-equals.

So, there must be a way out of this vicious cycle of aggression and victimhood.

Many have correctly put the onus on our political

leaderships to show the way towards something healthier and hopeful. President Granger clearly has been doing his part, we call on the Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo to follow suit. His daily ranting and threats and now calling on citizens to boycott the Guyana Elections Commission lawful house to house registration is most anti-national and undemocratic. It is as if the lure of power proves to be so seductive that Mr Jagdeo has not been able to help himself Or, is it that he has long surrendered to the emptiness of jargons, cuss-outs, false promises and the carnival of political spite?

But leaderships arise out of followerships and in turn cultivate those followers.

As our national poet Martin Carter cautions: “All are involved/All are consumed.”

We cannot survive as a nation, if we continue to allow leaders the likes of Mr Jag-

deo to dictate our collective notion of socio-political reality. We must again become accustomed to questioning our leaders—not just the government, but our leaders in and out of government.

It is the essence of civic engagement which unfortunately has been in short supply recently.

We, therefore, renew our call for a widening dialogue away from the political competition. Governments come and go, but the nation must live on. In a matter of months, we will become an “oil- producing” nation which would fundamentally change our country’s sense of itself and the world’s sense of who we are. We already know that such a development requires a shift from what we have been in terms of our attitude to nationhood.

So, this is not the time to be torn apart by the politics of expediency—it’s still nation time!

Enforce the law to protect children on roadways Dear Editor, HAVE you noticed that every single day and moreso on weekends (and now that school holidays are here), there is one thing you’re bound to see when on the roadways of Guyana? And it is a most concerning, disturbing sight: toddlers and young children standing in the front seat of vehicles or in between the driver’s and passenger seats, or

standing sticking their heads through the window as their parents/guardians drive on the highways with his/her own seatbelt securely fastened, oblivious to any of the grave dangers of allowing a child to be unrestrained in a moving vehicle. You can also see in other instances, the children sitting on the laps of parents or relatives who are also strapped in safely and the child in his/her care sitting

up sometimes with little hands on dashboards or against the back of seats.

Not to mention the infants and babies held and not in the recommended car seats. Car seats save lives, just as seat belts do.

Section 45F(1) of our Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act clearly states that every driver of a motor vehicle which conveys a child shall cause such child to wear or be conveyed in an appropriate child- re-

straint system. It goes on to say that a driver who contravenes this sub-section commits an offence and is liable on summary jurisdiction to a fine not exceeding $10,000. The Act goes on to state that the device used for securing the child should be designed “either to be fixed directly to an anchorage point, or be used in conjunction with an adult seat belt and held in place by the restraining action of the belt.”

Over two years ago, the then Traffic Chief Mr Dion Moore, was reported as saying that “the ‘child restraint’ law was not at the time being enforced by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and that they were then in sensitisation mode.

Once awareness was raised on this matter, Moore said enforcement would begin.

Just yesterday, our current Traffic Chief Superintendent Mr. Linden Isles said, “The attitude of

drivers… contributes to a variety of accidents…. We continue to educate and enforce the laws, so there will come a time when persons will realise that their attitude will have to change.”

I sincerely hope that time is now. Let us start the immediate enforcement of this law and advocate protecting our children on the roadways.

Sincerely, Concerned citizen

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

7

Prime Minister calls out...

FROM PAGE 3

Sussex Street Bond which was “more or less a house that was converted into a bond,” which several newspapers then labelled as unfit.

The prime minister said the construction of the new Kingston bond was absolutely necessary because government had to find suitable storage.

However, on July 14, 2019, in the Guyana Times newspaper, Ramroop denied that the prime minister had contacted him, pleading for

the continued use of the bond.

In turn, Nagamootoo produced a letter dated July, 19 2016 and signed by General Manager, R. Ravie Ramcharitar which showed that the two men indeed corresponded regarding the use of the New GPC bond.

“The businessman who rented the building to the government clearly misinterpreted what I had said, and launched a nasty, vicious, and defamatory media cam-

paign against me,” Nagamootoo stated in his My Turn Column on Sunday.

“I have grown a thick skin as a politician. I have endured many personal attacks, and I sometimes had felt that I should review my mantra that, as a revolutionary, I should not resolve problems or issues through litigation. So far, I have ignored the yapping of petty political puppies at my heels.

But I take issue with those who impute that I am a liar,

and that I am corrupt.”

Meanwhile, in the Guyana Times article, proprietor of the Sussex Street Bond, Larry Singh, was also disgruntled that the prime minister had referred to the bond as “more or less a house” and sought to relabel it as ‘fit and proper’ for a pharmaceutical bond.

However, the prime minister corrected Singh: “I have never said that the Sussex Street building was not fit to be a bond. I was aware

that WHO and PAHO are not certifying agencies and that they did not issue any clearance of the fitness of the premises at the time when a Cabinet sub-committee visited the facility. When the drugs bond issue erupted in the National Assembly, a parliamentary delegation also inspected the facility.

Their reports tell their own story about which I now reserve further comments… several full-page ads were published, with the libel re-

peated and republished that I had ‘personally benefitted’ from his largesse. It was clear that the landlord was accusing me of taking bribes or kick-backs from his businesses, which I vehemently deny as untrue.”

Following the Sussex Street bond controversy, a decision was made to find an alternative site because government was being held “prisoner” by the pharmaceutical lobbies.

They believe that the new facility is proof that with determination the government can overcome challenges and deliver better service to Guyanese.

Combined effort for better cooperation will bring mutual benefit to Guyana

Dear Editor,

HISTORY is replete with nations having their moments of challenge. Whether threatened by external forces or by internal domestic tensions that threaten the indivisibility and viability of the state; these would have been instances that have demanded a coming together; first, of all primary political-social-economic groups; and of the citizens, to cooperate for strategy to protect and defeat the particular threat to the existence of the particular nation, if it originates from beyond.

It is even more incumbent, that the same urgency be summoned, to confront domestic challenges, for in both instances, the socio-viability of the state is threatened, particularly its cohesiveness.

Therefore, it is the coming together of every organisation, inclusive of every citizen, that must pool especially their mental and intellectual ener-

gies, to overcome obstacles which obstruct the greater good. For it is only genuine cooperation, of working together, in times of national challenges that strengthens and protects a nation As an example, there is more than broad support among all Guyanese, when it comes to the question of the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela, in which the latter has dishonestly re-opened an ever since settled border dispute with Guyana, legally settled at the Paris Tribunal by the 1899 Arbitral Award that definably settled the issue. Beyond all doubt, it is a given among all Guyanese, irrespective of political affiliation and ethnicity, that every square inch of sovereign land is theirs as Guyanese, as a nation and people.

Unfortunately however, the latter understood cohesiveness has been absent from our political development as a nation.

The no-confidence mo-

tion of December 21, and all that it has entailed is both a stark example and reminder of the political divide that has been at the heart of our existence as a nation. And since we are all au fait with the issues that have since occurred, the opinion would not be detained, except to say that there are challenges that demand a higher call to country, rather the promotion of grandstanding; inflammatory rhetoric, and politically selfish ends that cannot benefit Guyana as a nation.

There have been stern tests to government and nation; but “Cometh the hour, cometh the man”, would be apt in describing the very strong and steady leadership provided by President David Granger as he seeks to give guidance and calmness, despite undisguised environment.

In reiterating this fact, we must understand primarily that all politics is said to be adversarial, and that this has taken very extreme

forms in Guyana, since 2015.

However, despite the fact of whatever background that exists, and which has been fuelling this kind of uncivil behaviour which can do no good to current attempts at making Guyana a better place for all Guyanese; despite the differing contentions and approaches to whatever crossroads we may be at, as to the right answers or solutions – it is only a coming together of all various contenders and their respective bodies, be they political: all political parties; economic: all business and commercial organisations or their umbrella representative body; the religious bodies or their representative grouping; trade unions and umbrella professional bodies, such as the media and other interest groups and NGOs, such as civil society.

We would refuse to believe that there are not still good Guyanese and patriots who do not have the greater good of their country as a

first priority, rather than their individual selfish agenda, and that they cannot bring a reasoned debate to whatever issues are current. Further, we would refuse to believe that reason has fled, and has been replaced by the impossible and the irrational, which again, cannot result in any positive outcome or result for country and people. And this is all said, with the fact that a nation and its true moral quality is best tested by adversity, that demonstrates its honesty about itself – what it truly represents.

This is indeed a phase in our modern history that challenges every Guyanese organisation, irrespective of political affiliation, or even socio-ethnic base; every Guyanese who professes love and care for their country, and respect for their fellow Guyanese, irrespective of race, to join together for the big effort of rising above partisanship of all types, and narrow political enclaves, so that we all can move Guyana to the

summit of its great potential.

But we must understand that such a promise land can only be entered, by the inevitable recognition that ALL must cooperate for Guyana, not by empty rhetoric, but by real COOPERATION, that this moment demands.

At times such as these, we are reminded of that uptempo national song: ‘Let us cooperate,’ composed by W.R.A. Pilgrim, the song may have been composed for a specific occasion of national importance. The lyrics call for unity and sacrifice to overcome challenges, at the same time reassures Guyanese that we are indeed up to the task.

Indeed, at this junction of our history; we can co-operate for Guyana, let us co-operate for our land, let us resolve to fight together, see we do it right together.

Can we do it? YES, WE CAN. Regards Earl Hamilton

Mindframe guidelines for media reporting on suicide

THE Caribbean Voice is thrilled that yet another training session on suicide reporting has been undertaken with the Guyana media, especially in view of the fact that the local media continue to sensationalise suicide, post pics of suicide victims, and use suicide-inappropriate language such as ‘commit.’ However, we also know that lots of advocacy has been done in this

respect by various entities, including The Caribbean Voice, as well as by persons working behind the scenes, and we believe that the Guyana Press Association must now take the lead in ensuring that journalists conform to appropriate suicide reportage.

We are also aware that the mindframe guidelines, developed in Australia, consid-

ered possibly the best approach globally, has been offered to relevant government and professional media entities as an approach that can be implemented. Thus we strongly urge that the Guyana Press Association, editors of all media entities and government ministries and agencies responsible for media, along with the Ministries of Social Protection and Public

Health, work together to ensure that the mindframe guidelines become normal practice in the short term. These guidelines are online, can be accessed by anyone and are easy to understand, present on and follow.

Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

Automatic toll system for DHB

By Lisa Hamilton

ALMOST 10,000 vehicles traverse the Demerara Harbour Bridge daily and these, before the end of the year, will have access to an automated toll-collection system which saves time and increases data management.

The Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) Electrical Engineer Andre Crowder and Traffic Coordinator, Hazelu Richardson sat down with this newspaper recently to give a detailed sneak preview of the trans-

of utilising the cash-based system for drivers without the RFID tag, or any driver who simply wishes to pay with cash.

The new system is still in its testing phase, but in a month’s time, the DHBC hopes to implement the same, beginning with its eight charge-companies.

The entire project is being funded through the corporation’s toll revenue with phase one costing some $5.5M, while phase two will include gradual, wide-scale installation.

and once one of these computers begins to hang, the whole system will hang and you will have to manually write the ticket information until you get the system working,” Crowder explained.

On the other hand, the new software presents fewer options; has an online means of making payments; reduces the likeliness of errors and the amount of cash stored at the booths.

How it works is through the scanning of the RFID tag by a sleek machine, which has been placed above the

The new automated toll system in action

formation to come.

The new system utilises Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), a form of wireless communication which uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects.

The system presents a shorter and instantaneous process of producing a ticket and enables drivers to simply drive up to the toll booth, collect their tickets and continue on their way. Drivers can even pass through the toll booth without stopping, as an electronic receipt of their payment will be accessible on line. Additionally, toll booth operators will have the option

THIS IS THE FUTURE Explaining the challenges of the present system, the officials stated that the ticketing software had numerous categories of selection to meet one end goal and was prone to freezing, which would oftentimes prevent the company from receiving a tally of the revenue collected for the day.

The system, created in 2008, also contributes to long delays when toll booth operators have to manually write up tickets for companies utilising the bridge by charge bills.

“This would slow up the traffic during peak periods

toll booths.

One of the RFIDs being used for testing seen by the newspaper was placed on the top right-hand corner of a DHBC vehicle, taking up very little space.

“When the vehicle comes up, the RFID recognises that vehicle and then it automatically sends this to the system to print this vehicle number; that’s once the vehicle has money inside the account.

If the vehicle does not have money inside the account, it’s going to show up [on the computer] that the vehicle does not have any balance and we can cash it directly,” Crowder explained.

The Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag placed on a vehicle and working well during testing

DHBC Electrical Engineer, Andre Crowder, and Traffic Coordinator, Hazelu Richardson (Samuel Maughn photos)

The first installation of the RFID tag on vehicles will be free of cost, but if this is damaged, the vehicle owner or driver will have to bear the replacement cost.

When it comes to the electronic payment, the DHBC is still deciding on the means through which drivers will pay for the tickets, with Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) being only one of several options available.

The application was created by local IT company Smartware Solutions, as a means of empowering local businesses and encouraging more local companies to excel in Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

Crowder said the team is working on creating an added option for individuals to check their balance online and for automatic emails to be sent to vehicle owners when their balances reach a low level.

The site for the system will also show drivers or companies the trip history of their vehicles.

Meanwhile, the corporation hopes to tie in the same system with ocean-going vessels travelling between the bridge.

BENEFICIAL TO ALL Telling of what spurred the idea some two years ago

for the system, Crowder said: “More than one time we had the issue where if we lost connection with the server, the whole system would shut down. Sometimes, if there are power outages, the whole system shuts down and you have to write tickets for like an hour or two, which contributes to traffic [snarling].”

Richardson added that there were many errors in these cases, as toll booth operators working under pressure would document incorrect information.

“For us, in the Audit Department, it was becoming a problem for us to verify whether or not the correct number was written, or whether it was to the right company,” she said.

Now, the DHBC is also collaborating with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) whereby the information captured can be compared in the authority’s database to capture illegal vehicular activities, which would also be shared with the police.

“The Guyana Revenue Authority would already have information about every licensed vehicle. Now, if it [the vehicle] passes through the system and the information shown is a different information from what actually was registered to the Guyana Revenue Authority, the relevant

authority will be flagged. So, if by any chance you know you’re not supposed to have two vehicles carrying the same registration number, if that occurs, it will not affect the normal operations of the cashier, but whoever is supposed to receive that information will receive it,” Richardson said.

Questioned on what would occur in the event that a vehicle with the RFID tag but no money passes through the toll booth without stopping, the DHBC officials stated that this will be flagged on the system and, the next time credit is placed in the vehicle’s account, the previous amount owed will be deducted along with an added fee.

“For the harbour bridge we are one of the most demanded tolling systems,” Richardson stated, adding that: “Besides the vehicles that are crossing the bridge, as it relates to crime, data management and these things, it will benefit not only the commuters, but Guyana on a whole.”

Meanwhile, Crowder said: “We’re looking by September-August to do the full implementation in the remaining booths; that will be for the charge-vehicles. By October-November, then we can branch out into the public.”

The equipment which scans the RFID tag

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

9

Some 500,000 int’l visitors expected by 2025

By Naomi Marshall

THE Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) is advocating for tourism operators to produce more products since it anticipates some 500,000 international visitors will be coming to the Amazon paradise by 2025.

According to the GTA, Guyana has experienced a 9.2 per cent increase in international arrivals for the period of January-May 2019, and as such, the market demand is filling its capacity, resulting in the need for more products.

GTA Director, Brian Mullis, speaking at a recent press conference, said Guyana is gradually building its image on the international arena.

“We are now being recognised as a leading global destination, with more and more people coming, but we have a fortuitous problem.

That problem at reference, he said, is unmet market demands. “We need more products,” Mullis said.

According to Mullis, there are any number of tax

concessions and incentives for travelling tourism in the areas of ground transportation, accommodation, refurbishments, and for tour operators as well.

“However, recognising that tourism is an export sector, we are looking at advocating for that formal recognition of the sector as an export sector in 2020, so that we can be afforded some of the tax concessions and incentives that other export sectors have,” he noted.

With this recognition, the Authority would be able to significantly strengthen the enabling and policy environment to get increases in product development and increased investments, among other incentives.

“We basically want it to be possible for the sector to provide vehicles, particularly 4x4 vehicles, in the interior, but also larger transit vehicles for larger groups; up to 20 individuals. We want to see incentives for expanding existing lodging, particularly in the interior where the majority of our accommodations have an

average of eight rooms. Refurbishing existing lodging as well, some of our lodging is tired, it’s in need to repair, enhancement, equipment and other wise,” Mullis explained.

He added: “Unlike our neighbouring destinations in the Caribbean that are known for sun, sand and sea, we are known for nature, adventure and culture, and people are looking to buy things such as inflatable kayaks, mountain bikes and any other equipment that people can use to enjoy the plethora of outdoor activities that we have here in the country.”

PREFERENCE Based on GTA’s Strategic Visitors Flow Map, a high percentage of tourists entering Guyana are interested in experiencing tourism activities in and around Georgetown, and the lower and upper Essequibo regions, among other areas of interest. Due to this trend, the GTA has prioritised those areas for additional development.

“The increase in Kaieteur

Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar

National Park is evident year by year. We saw a 10 per cent increase last year in visitation, and we are anticipating that it’s going to continue to grow,” Mullis said, adding: “Then, of course, with our premiere circuit in the Rupununi, visitation is growing there to the point where we are hearing from the tourism sector that a lot of lodges have been fully booked out for 2020.”

Also at the press confer-

ence was Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar, who stated that the tourism sector will continue to be a high priority for the Government of Guyana, since it understands the value and transformative potential the sector has on the quality of life of Guyanese people.

“The ministry is supporting the development of tourism in our country, and we will see how best we can afford our investors and the concessions that they request,” Minister Rajkumar said.

He stated that citizens of Guyana should view themselves as ambassadors of the country, and should all play a role in the development of the local tourism sector.

“Regardless of which part the visitors to Guyana go, there are certain things that they would need, and those are accommodations, food and transportation, among other services, which we know that we have to provide. And in providing these services, we all can participate,” he explained.

In 2018, Guyana wel-

comed approximately 286,732 international visitors, which showed a 15.9 per cent increase in arrivals.

Some 183,639 persons came for leisure, which reflects a 21 per cent increase from the previous year.

In June this year, Guyana was conferred the Latin American Travel Association (LATA)’s “Best in Sustainable Tourism” award.

According to the GTA, the country was awarded during LATA’s “Experience Latin America” conference in London, England, Europe’s largest Business to Business (B2B) travel conference.

The LATA Award recognises destinations, individuals and/or companies with exemplary case studies of tourism or those who have made exceptional contribution to the development of sustainable travel in Latin America.

In March, Guyana was also named Best Ecotourism destination in the world. The award was presented to Guyana at the world-renowned ITB trade fair in Berlin, Germany.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

If your son is 14 years old, read this IF your son is 14 years old, six years ago he was a mere eight-year-old angel-faced child, but look at him now?

Now he is an adolescent on the brink of adulthood.

If you haven’t spoken to your son yet about puberty and the changes that, no doubt, are taking place in his body, it is not too late, although this is a talk that should have taken place around four years ago when your son was 10 years old. Ten years old is a good age to speak to boys about puberty, because most boys begin to have ‘nocturnal emissions,’ better known as ‘wet dreams,’ around 11 to 13 years old.

If parents do not prepare their sons for this event -- which will be a regular occurrence in their lives for a while -- when it does happen they may think that something is wrong with their bodies, or that they have wet their beds. When on the contrary, the reason they have ejaculated during the night (while their bodies are relaxed), is because they

are growing into healthy young men.

As their bodies become pubescent they think about sex and their own sexuality.

It is not strange or unnatural for them to explore their bodies and to want answers to the many questions about the way it works.

Talking to an adolescent or pre-adolescent boy about ‘wet dreams’ and other adolescent bodily functions, works better when the information is coming from a man, preferably the boy’s father. Failing that, an older brother, an uncle or grandfather can impart the necessary information. But it should be someone the boy trusts and respects. Mothers can try to educate their sons about their changing bodies, nocturnal emissions, and general hygiene, if they choose, but women may find it difficult to answer questions about symptoms they have never experienced.

So many mothers live in denial or dread about their sons’ developing sexual feelings or having wet

dreams. They find it almost embarrassing to accept this natural development in a boy’s life. However, living in denial is a catalyst for disaster. When young men cannot rely on their parents (or a trusted adult) to give them relevant information in a timely manner, they turn to their peers. Information passed among adolescents can be inaccurate and fictitious, sometimes even painting the picture that sexuality is all about conquest and domination or just about having a good time.

Boys need to learn responsible penis ownership and this can only happen if a trusted male adult takes the time to explain to the young man in question the facts about the circle of life. Nocturnal emissions are simply surges of testosterone; it means their bodies are preparing for procreation.

Adults, just like all living creatures on earth, possess the ability to procreate and such is the circle of life. As people grow old and pass on, young people grow up

and make babies to replace them. This is only one aspect of an entire existence, but it is important that it is put into context early on in a young man’s life and especially long before he becomes sexually active.

Children change right before our eyes, physically intellectually, emotionally and socially. But sometimes parents do not care to acknowledge that their child is developing on several levels and that their development needs support.

A woman once remarked that while passing through Stabroek Market unexpectedly one afternoon, she found herself walking towards a group of secondary school boys. They were bantering and joking as they passed her by. It wasn’t until she had gone a little way down the road that she did a double take. Hold on, she thought, that boy at the front of the group I just passed,

that was my son. The boy had quite a different persona, while amongst his peers and his mother, who was used to seeing him in her own ‘light’ and mind, did not immediately recognise him.

It is important for boys to learn about control: how to control their urges, their desires, their bodies and eventually their lives. Of course, they will not learn all these things overnight, but helping them to understand their bodily changes during adolescence and the reasons why, is a useful start.

They may have been only eight years old six years ago, but six years from now they will be 20 years old and there is no need for them to embark on fatherhood, either prematurely or by mistake, due to misinformation or a warped notion about sex and/or relationships, which may have been inspired by their peers or worse still, the internet.

Try not to be scared or nervous if your son asks you any questions about his changing body or puberty.

Just take a deep breath and answer as truthfully as you can in an age-appropriate way. Even if you say, ‘I’ll have to get back to you on that one’ or ‘we’ll sit down and have a real good talk about that soon’, your child will feel satisfied. Just don’t continue to use delay tactics; do your research and choose words with which you feel comfortable, but if you procrastinate, it is the child, who eventually will become a man, who will miss out in the long run.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

One dead, three injured in Festival City shooting

F O R M E R m u r d e r a ccused, Leon Duncan called “Whistle,” was gunned down late Sunday evening while his brother and two other men were injured in a shooting at Willemstad Street, Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Duncan, 29, of Festival City, was shot while in the company of his brother, Shaquille Duncan and two other men, who have been identified as Orande Gordon of Nutmeg Street, North Ruimveldt and Lance Simon.

Reports are that the shooting occurred at approximately 22:00hrs. The group of young men were said to have been playing a game of cards at a culvert, a short distance from Duncan’s home, when a carload of men drove up and opened fire on them.

The shooting was said to be gang-related. After initially opening fire on the group, the shooter or shooters reportedly exited the vehicle and stood over Leon, firing at point-blank range.

“I was on my verandah, the car, a [Toyota] 212 pass through and drive round the place, but nobody didn’t know the car going and do

mischief. I didn’t even know was bullets; I thought was squibs. Then my husband said that don’t sound like squib, that sound like bullets, then I see everybody running out to see what going on, but the car circle round back the place and everybody running because nobody don’t want no car open bullet on them,” noted a resident who lives a short distance away from where the shooting occurred.

“They started shooting people right down deh by the culvert and everybody scatter and went running East, West, North and South.

When he get shoot, the boys them [shooters] make sure they come out and shoot he [Leon] properly.”

After the shooting, residents were apprehensive to pick up Leon, who is believed to have died on the spot.

“He was lying there for a while because people frighten to go to see what was going on because they [the shooters] turn back and circling afterwards; nobody didn’t know what to do. After a while, he friends and people around the area seh let they carry he to the hospital

and see what they could do; but when they lift he, you could see that he didn’t have no life in he body,” the resident said.

The Duncans have had numerous brushes with the law.

Shaquille Duncan was charged with armed robbery in February this year. He was shot by his accomplice during that incident. He was remanded to prison after making an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Leon Duncan had been before the courts for attempted murder, several armed robbery offences and assaulting a peace officer.

In March 2018, Duncan was slapped with wounding charges after he allegedly assaulted two security officers attached to the “704 Sports Bar” during a party in the company’s park. He is currently out on $160,000 bail for those charges.

In 2017, Duncan was charged with attempted murder and discharging a loaded firearm with intent, in relation to two shooting incidents at the Rio Night Club and the Privilege Night Club

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

11

New well for Moco Moco

THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), in its quest to create equity between the coastland and the hinterland, on Thursday, revealed plans to drill a water well in the village of Moco Moco, Region Nine.

During their visit to several communities in the region, GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard VanWest Charles; Executive Director of Hinterland Services, Ramchand Jailal and Region Nine Manager, John Yow, met with Moco Moco Toshao, James George,to discuss the way forward.

Director Jailal explained that works will commence in approximately two weeks and will include the drilling of a well and the laying of transmission and distribution mains.

He added that groundwater is a more secure and safe source of water and it can be easily pumped to the community since electricity is readily available there.

Dr. Van-West Charles proposed that the commu-

nections from an existing network to the western part of the community. Works were also done to ensure water is pumped faster to the well and a photovoltaic system will be installed to supply power to the network. Toshao Russian Dorrick thanked GWI and noted that the new network will significantly improve their everyday livelihoods.

GWI Officials with Moco Moco Toshao, James George and Health Centre staff

nity provides the manpower with guidance from GWI to get the job done.

The managing director asked the toshao to identify persons to be trained to service and maintain the system.

Toshao George welcomed the news, noting that it’s a step in the right direc-

tion for his village and that it is a dream come through.

Over 551 persons residing in Moco Moco and Moco Moco Settlement will benefit from this project.

MASSARA In Massara, a section of the community did not have access to potable water and

Suspected drug ‘pusher’ to be charged shortly A SUSPECTED drug ‘pusher’ is expected to be charged shortly, after he was seen throwing away what looked like a bottle just outside a liquor restaurant at Waterloo Village, West Coast Berbice on Saturday night.

Just before 23:00hrs on the day in question, the police were on mobile patrol along the West Berbice Public Road when the suspect, on seeing the police vehicle, threw away a small vial he had in his hands and ran into the said liquor bar.

One of the ranks gave chase, and when the suspect

The bottle of suspected cocaine

was apprehended and taken back to where he was seen

disposing of the vial, a small transparent glass bottle was found not too far away.

When the bottle was opened, it was found to contain a quantity of small, whitish rock-like substance suspected to be cocaine.

The suspect, after being cautioned about the seriousness of the offence, this being that he was in possession of a narcotic for the purpose of trafficking, was arrested and taken to the Fort Wellington Police Station with the suspected cocaine, which weighed 12 grams. He is expected to be charged shortly.

Blairmont Estate worker’s home burgled while he’s asleep MURPHY Dam resident, Imran Ameer was shocked upon awaking to discover that his Rosignol Village home had been robbed of cash and valuables totalling just under $1M. The Blairmont Estate employee, who was away on vacation, had only a few hours ago got in from the airport and turned in to bed just before 20:45hrs.

After getting out of bed, he immediately went to the lower flat of the two-storey wooden and concrete building, only to discover that the house had been ransacked, and that his 42” flat-screen television (valued $85,000) was missing, as were two Nintendo games (valued $140,000), a quantity of alcoholic beverages ($200,000), $80,000 in local

currency as well as US$2100.

Following the discovery, he went to check on his surveillance camera and saw the perpetrators in action as they carried out the robbery.

He has since voiced his concern, however, over the unresponsiveness of the cops, who, despite he shared the evidence with them, have not yet gotten back to him on the matter.

the residents were practising rainwater harvesting.

However, GWI has since run 2.7km of pipelines to interconnect the entire system and provide service connections to residents.

Works were also conducted to increase storage capacity for the community, allowing them six hours of water supply per day, compared to

two hours or in some cases no water access.

Massara Toshao, Arnold Bartholomew, said the residents of section two are satisfied now that the pipes are in their yard and thanked GWI for the work done.

YUPUKARI GWI connected pipelines and installed 25 service con-

SAND CREEK Upon carrying out checkup visits at Sand Creek, Dr. Van-West Charles registered his dissatisfaction with the plumbing work at the health centre and assured that GWI will work to rectify the problem.

Additionally, he noted that works are progressing on the network in the community and he will ensure all systems are functioning before its commissioning.

Sand Creek Toshao, Maxie Pugsley expressed gratitude to Dr. Van-West Charles for his constant visits to see that works are carried out satisfactorily.

(DPI)

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

Hundreds of first-time voters registered – as house-to-house registration enters Day Two

HUNDREDS of Guyanese countrywide continue to make use of the ongoing house-to-house registration process, seeing it as critical to the upcoming elections and the provision of updated Identification (ID) cards.

Both first-time and reoccurring registrants openly spoke with the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday after enumerators of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) visited their homes. “This is my first experience, and it was quite fine. I didn’t feel any pressure of some sort. The person that came was very helpful; they were very courteous,” 20-year-old Finesse Hamilton said.

“First I needed to have either my birth certificate or my passport; I gave that to them, and then they filled up two separate documents and I just signed. My picture was also taken; my height. And finally I had to get my finger prints from each of my fingers on to another document and that was it; very simple and to the point.”

A few registration workers, who were embracing the cold weather to carry out their duties, had just visited her residence in South Ruimveldt Gardens, Georgetown.

They also took note of

the registrant’s occupation and place of birth.

Asked her thoughts on the exercise and its importance, Hamilton stated: “In order for us to get a definite idea of the amount of citizens we have that can vote when elections come, I feel that this is very important. I hope that we get to go through the entire process, and it’s not cut short.”

Meanwhile, another firsttime voter was 19-year-old Esther Glasglow, all the way from the East Bank of Demerara (EBD). “It was easy for the first time. It wasn’t too bad,” she said, adding: “I believe it’s an important process, because we have to be registered in order to vote.”

NOT TO WORRY The registration workers have also notified residents that in the case that a family member who needs to be registered is not home at the time of their visit, they should be on the lookout, as workers will be returning in the next two weeks to previous locations.This also goes for individuals who were without their documents at the time of their first visit.

The Guyana Chronicle spoke with two individuals who expressed that when the enumerators came by,

Esther Glasglow

they hadn’t their documents at hand.

“They came here this morning, and everything was good. I didn’t get registered as yet, because I currently don’t have my birth certificate here, but they will come back for it,” one resident at Friendship, EBD said.

Another individual, in the presence of her daughter and mother, who got registered, expressed assurance that those not registered during the first visit will still have a chance to do so.

“It was okay. Three persons didn’t get registered today because they’re not at home. My daughter, she’s at work; my nephew is not around, and my cousin, he’s overseas right now. But they

said not to be afraid; they will be around, and they will pass back,” a resident in Gobin Drive, Friendship said.

She then added: “I believe it’s an important exercise, because without certain documents, you know, you can’t do certain things. If you don’t have an ID card, and it’s not updated, you cannot do any business transactions.

And that’s why I think it’s important.”

Meanwhile, Corletta Armstrong stated the while she and some of her children were registered, she has a son who still has to get his documents in order.

She is happy that GECOM has expressed a willingness to facilitate him, as it would be more cost-efficient for her family.

“I had my documents prepared, but I have some more kids in here that I’ll have to do late registration for [at GECOM]. I asked the [registration worker] if like how the registration is going on, if I would get a hard time and she said no,” Armstrong said.

“I want him to get his documents to do his registration before elections come up. At least you can get your ID card [which is] what you really need to use to do transactions and those stuff.”

Rushanna Bhagwandin,

Corletta Armstrong

who also live at the same residence, chimed in: “It’s important, and it’s the right way to go.”

Meanwhile, Pooran, who lives at Grove on the EBD, said he and five others in his household took the opportunity to get registered on Sunday. “It wasn’t hard, but it was lengthy, especially when you have like five and six persons in the house that got to do it. Everybody in my house had to do it; five persons, all adults,” he said.

“I would say it’s important, because you’re getting an ID card, and it’s for the elections.”

Thirty-five-year-old Cleveland Ramdeen added: “I registered; everything was just smooth. This is the second time I’m getting registered. It’s a part of your ID card, so it has to be important, because how will you get to transact business?”

The registration exercise commenced on Saturday, July 20, and is expected to end on October 20, 2019.

Of the 1,800 teams expected in total, 1,056 were deployed on Saturday, while there were 261 cluster offices. More teams will be added in the coming days to ensure that there is a full complement.

GECOM wishes to remind residents to keep their documents at hand. Those documents include a birth certificate, a valid passport, an adoption certificate or a naturalisation certificate/certificate of registration.

Married women may also be asked to present their marriage certificate, while individuals who have had a name change, which is not represented on their birth certificate, must present the certificate along with a deed poll.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

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Competency critical to work in petroleum, other sectors – Director of Energy THE Department of Energy continues to engage stakeholders across the country to ensure that they obtain a good understanding of the opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship both within the petroleum sector and in other fields.

During a series of stakeholder engagements, Director of the Department of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe, noted that while job opportunities abound, training, skills build-

GYFT forum.

The director of energy also encouraged the young people to pursue their passion and to ensure that they are competent in any field that suits their interest.

He noted that Guyanese are capable of providing training as well as ancillary services to the industry, which will become necessary in fields as varied as catering, tourism and engineering as the oil sector emerges.

ed? …. You need to do your homework…. There is also a programme called Google … what you don’t know you can investigate and find out… use it so that you are able to access more information to make informed choices,” he said. In response to concerns about acquiring job experience as new graduates, Dr Bynoe encouraged the young people to consider volunteering, both to gain experience and to obtain a broader perDirector of the Department of Energy Dr Mark Bynoe chats with these young men at the close of the Guyana Youth for Tomorrow (GYFT) symposium

Some of the young people at the Guyana Youth for Tomorrow (GYFT) symposium

ing, certification and competency are critical to capitalise on them.

The department reiterated this point in its recent engagements at the Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church, Retrieve, Linden, Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice (Region 10); the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly – Guyana Oil and Gas forum held at GITC and the Guyana Youth for Tomorrow (GYFT) symposium, both held in Georgetown. These was also a similar forum at the third Annual Hindu Youth Convention held at the Golden OM Dharmic Youth Organisation, New Amsterdam, Berbice, East Berbice-Corentyne.

“Within the industry, there are certain takeaways that we must hold to. One is that you must ensure that you are qualified and certified. Why is this important?

It is important because the industry has very high standards,” Dr. Bynoe said in his presentation titled “The advent of oil and its impact on our communities” at the

“It’s not just about oil and gas; it’s about all the other supporting services that are required. Guyana is yours, consume it. Guyana belongs to us all, occupy it… advise your friends and families to plan for careers not only in oil and gas. Your careers have to be beyond oil and gas. Yes, I said there might be opportunities therein, but there are opportunities outside, what we call the multiplier effect,” he said.

In this vein, the director cautioned young people to utilise their smart phones and the Internet to research the skillsets and certification required in their particular field, so that they are not duped by unscrupulous persons.

DO HOMEWORK “You have to do your own investigation to know whether those certificates would be accepted within the industry, because everybody can say ‘I’m able to train you in oil and gas management or make you a petroleum engineer, or ensure that you have the requisite skills, but will those certificates be accept-

spective of careers within their areas of interest.

“Volunteerism is about

gaining the experience and the expertise before you can start calling for your price. Too often people come through the door and the first thing they ask is… how much are you paying? That cannot be the mentality that we’re going forward with…

The careers chosen will take time and therefore we need to manage our expectations.

You’re not going to become an expert because you just graduated from law school.

You’re not going to become an expert because you just graduated from med school.

You’re not going to become an expert because you just graduated with an economics degree. These things take time,” he cautioned.

Meanwhile, the Council for Technical Vocational Education and Training (C-TVET) plans to implement a new records system in its institutions from September, to counter these concerns. C-TVET Officer – Standards and Curriculum, Seon Hamer said the council is embarking on this initiative in response to concerns expressed by its graduates.

“We’re looking towards implementing a log book system within the technical institutes where, while [students] are [being trained] … practical activities will be logged. [Students being trained] in electrical installation, for example, the institution would use the classes

… to do maintenance work … during classroom contact time or after… Those activities will be logged and will be signed off by your assessor and the school and it will be stamped by the school.

So after two years or three years of training, all of those activities will amount to work experience,” he said.

Additionally, echoing sentiments expressed by Bynoe, Hamer also encouraged the youth to develop their skillsets and to keep learning.

“We have to be engaged in continuous training and continuous upgrading of our qualifications, so that we will continue to be relevant in the employment sector,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

Journalist crowned ‘Miss Exquisitely Conscious’

By Marissa Foster SOCIAL work student and full-time journalist, Denica Henry, was crowned queen of the Miss Exquisitely Conscious beauty pageant on July 14, in the auditorium of the New Amsterdam Multilateral School.

Denica utilises her lei-

sure time working as a mental health advocate for the youth of Berbice. She is currently a full-time journalist at the Little Rock Television Station (LRTVS) and also the host of the popular show, Morning Spice, on 88.5 Rock FM in Berbice.

The young lady is also a second-year Social Work student at the University of

Guyana, Berbice Campus and is a past University of Guyana Students’ Society representative.

Denica is also a strong advocate for natural hair and is a woman of her word, rocking her own natural hair throughout the evening as the packed auditorium witnessed her outstanding performance. Apart from

being crowned queen, she also received awards for Miss Intelligence and Best Creative Costumes. Her creative wear depicted the Giant Anteater feeding in its natural habitat and was designed by the creative hands of Randy Madray.

Nerissa Semple, a 26-year-old Probation and Social Services Officer

Newly-crowned Miss Exquisitely Conscious 2019, Denica Henry and Miss World Guyana 2019, Joylyn Conway (Trevaun Wiggins photo)

from Number Nine Village, West Coast Berbice, was adjudged first runner-up and also won prizes for best gown (designed by Adena Thorne ), the best talent award for her spoken-word piece entitled “Building Bridges” and Miss Social Media.

Teresa Moses, a 20year- old customer sales representative from Goed Bananen Land, East Canje, took home the second runner-up title. Moses also copped the Miss Congeniality, Best Smile and Miss Entrepreneur prizes.

The newly-crowned queen and her fellow contestants will undertake several community service projects over the next year.

Some of which includes the continuation of Glorious, the Saturday morning radio programme on 88.5 Rock FM, a television talk show, community outreaches and the awareness ambassadors in their various communities.

The Miss Exquisitely Conscious Pageant was organised by Rhonda Jonas.

She is currently the coordinator, manager and director of this event and is also a graduate senior mistress of the New Amsterdam Multilateral School.

Jonas was assisted by Shanelly Kendall, an edu-

cator of the Berbice High School. When she is away from school, Kendall is pageant trainer and model who, over a duration of eight weeks, trained the delegates in the areas of walking, appropriate body language and posture, public speaking and confidence building, among others. This pageant caters for women who come from different strata of life (between 18-25 years, married and unmarried, with and without children).

The first year the pageant was held, it focused on social issues in society and was won by Antacia Thomas in 2017. In 2018, the focus was on mental health under the theme “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind”.

The winner was Orletta John. This year, the pageant was held under the theme “Self-care: Green Environment plus Sustenance” and centred on environmental, spiritual, financial, occupational, social, intellectual and mental wellness.

It also paid attention to interesting animals found in Guyana such as the Giant Otter, Leatherback Turtle, Jaguar, Arapaima, Harpy Eagle, Giant Anteater and Black Caiman.

Each delegate was given an animal to bring awareness to and depict in their creative wears.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

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‘South’ businessman accuses CANU of maltreatment, wrongful detention – a charge the agency ‘vehemently denies’ SOUTH Ruimveldt businessman, Collin Hooper was on Friday again arrested by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), and through his attorney, Siand Dhurjon, is alleging that his rights have been infringed.

Hooper is specifically alleging that he was brutalised

by CANU ranks while in their custody, and that said ranks planted evidence on him, in an effort to frame him, which allegations CANU Attorney, Konyo Sandiford, says the Unit “vehemently denies”.

Hooper had first been arrested by CANU back in February 2018 and charged with trafficking, following a raid at his home, during which some 4 grams of cocaine was unearthed, and he was allegedly seen flushing an undisclosed quantity of the said substance down a toilet.

That matter is still before the court. Last Friday, he was again detained, along with his son, Collin Hooper Jr. and others, after a package containing some 700 grams of cocaine was found in a trench near his home.

His lawyer on Sunday issued a statement on his behalf, in which he is alleging that a named person was offered $200,000 by “someone who works for CANU” to “set up” Hooper. Dhurjon’s also claims in his statement that “Hooper and his son

were slapped and punched in their faces, bellies and about their bodies by three CANU officers”, while their other fellow officers just stood by and watched.

Based on the evidence at hand, Dhurjon is calling for an inquiry and investigation into the incident, and says he intends to forward his findings to the authorities.

“It was long believed that CANU used violent and dishonest tactics to achieve their purposes, but now we have actual reports from independent eyewitnesses who are willing to come forward,” Dhurjon said, adding: “CANU will not be allowed to continue acting like this with impunity. The Rule of Law demands that they be held accountable. We have to refuse to live in a country where we are afraid of abuse and victimisation from officers of the law, and hold them accountable for their illegal activities.”

Sandiford, the agency’s lawyer, has countered Dhurjon’s allegations saying it’s all lies, and that the Unit will be releasing an official statement shortly.

“We’re vehemently denying all the allegations,” Sandiford stressed, adding that CANU officers were not initially aware that their quarry was Hooper: “He is clutching at straws; he can do that in court,” Dhurjon said, adding:

Nursing students robbed at gunpoint

TWO nursing students who reside at the recently-built nurses’ hostel at New Amsterdam, were robbed by a gun-totting bandit and his accomplice, who apparently gained entry through a northern window.

The resident students, Wendy John and Eliza Edwin, who both hail from Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), were asleep when, at around 01:30hrs on Sunday, they were awakened by two masked intruders who demanded that they hand over whatever valuables they had.

Being afraid, they did as told, and handed over one Samsung Galaxy S8 cellphone ($101,000.00); a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 ($43,000.00); and a Samsung Galaxy J2 Prime ($37,000.00).

But the dissatisfied thieves, who were the least bit impressed with the girls had to offer, proceeded to ransack the room to see what more they could come up with.

They were so engrossed in what they were doing, they didn’t see when John gave them the slip and managed to raise an alarm, alerting the other students at the hostel to what was taking place.

Too scared to do anything else, the burglars fled through the window through which they had gained entry before making good their escape in the dark.

The entire episode, the girls said, lasted approximately 30 minutes. Thereafter, the police were summoned, but no one has been apprehended as yet. Investigations are continuing.

“There was a sting operation; they followed it, and at the end of the operation, they ended up at his house. Our ranks did not even know they were going there; they were following a trail, and the trail led them there. Right now he is in custody pending investigations.”

Dhurjon said that during the raid, Hooper and his son were searched, and that a

plastic bag with a white substance inside it was retrieved from a trench. The contents of that plastic bag, he said, was weighed and found to be over 700 grams of cocaine.

Dhurjon is alleging that the plastic bag was planted by the “named person” working for CANU, and that three other persons who ere arrested at the same time as the Hoopers have already been

released, while they and the person who was offered the $200,000 bribe are still in custody.

Noting that CANU has no evidence against his client, Dhurjon said in the statement: “Three other men were arrested who were present at the scene, but they were set free after they were questioned repeatedly as to whether they could say if it was Hooper who stashed the cocaine in the trench. It is unclear whether CANU intends to set the men free in

spite of having no evidence against them.”

Sandiford has since confirmed that the Hoopers and the other person are still in custody, and that the 72 hours that CANU is allowed to hold them does not expire until Monday afternoon. He said that when the 72 hours will have expired, it will be decided whether or not the Hoopers will be charged.

On the allegations of brutality, Sandiford again insisted that they’re all trumped up.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

Greater supervision over Georgetown Restoration Programme TRUE to its promise, the Ministry of Communities (MoC) has been exerting greater supervision and accountability over the funds allocated to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) under the Georgetown Restoration Programme.

For 2019, the Programme was allocated $300 million in the national budget, bringing the total injected into the fund, since 2015, to $1B. The programme had incremental disbursements of $300 million in 2015, $200 million in 2016 and $200 million in 2018. No money

was allocated in 2017.

For the 2019, almost $200 million has been allocated, provisionally to projects around the city, including the rehabilitation of four markets and the commencement of construction on an administrative building at City Hall.

In the Auditor-General Report 2017, it was noted that from the 2016 allocation, the council could not produce any evidence accounting for some $70.489 million out of the $200 million given to them; prior to that, in the 2015 allocation, there was no evi-

MoC Coordinator of the Engineering Services, Naeem Khan.

dence of payments totalling $12.816M. All of the projects are passing through the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPATAB), a move the MoC made after the Auditor-General Report, over the past few years, has flagged the Programme for lack of transparency and accountability of the money. The Ministry is also playing a greater role in the supervision of the project.

“The ministry will be directly involved in the supervision and management of the project. We work along with the City Engineer Department in a collaborative manner so if there’s any changes they need, we would work along with them. But in terms of direct project implementation, it will be done by the Ministry,” explained MoC Coordinator of the Engineering Services, Naeem Khan. The need to exert greater control over the fund was highlighted last year, when, during a Commission of Inquiry (COI) of the operations of City Hall, it was revealed that then Town Clerk, Royston King, issued hundreds of millions of dollars in works to companies without even issuing a contract, or using proper procurement procedures.

MoC Permanent Secretary, Emil McGarrell, earlier this year, said projects would be mandated to pass through the NPATAB and the money directly handled by MoC to avoid this. Khan explained

that at the end of the day while M&CC decides how the money is spent, it is the central government that has to account for the money.

“When funds are coming from central government, especially at the Ministry of Communities, we want to make sure that there is proper project implementation because we will ultimately be responsible for the accountability of these provisions, so we can satisfy our self that we got value for money and that we account for it properly,” Khan said at least one company claimed to still be owed over $100 million by City Hall for works they did in 2015 under the Programme, notwithstanding the fact that all of the money allocated to the Programme, for that year, was handed over to the M&CC. The council also failed to comply with special conditions of an MoU which specified that the council was expected to use a special commercial bank account to “keep the financial resources’. The ministry was also expected to authorise all payments charged under this account, but all transactions were authorised by the council. A master inventory was also not maintained.

Also in 2015, though the M&CC was called to account for $241.637 M, they bafflingly submitted payment vouchers totalling $247.558 million, $5.921M more than what they were given.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

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‘Educate, qualify yourselves’

– Commander Cooper advises colleagues choices that person make.

In particular, he said a neighborhood that has fraying social structures is more likely to have high crime rates. Such a neighbourhood may have poor schools, vacant and vandalised buildings, high unemployment, and a mix of commercial and residential property.

“Most people aspire to

Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper and Attorney-at-Law, Dexter Todd, graduated with their Masters in Legal Studies from Charisma University, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies

COMMANDER of ‘D’ Division, Senior Superintendent, Edmond Cooper, has contended that ranks educating and qualifying themselves is the way forward as the Guyana Police Force (GPF) adopts a more systematic approach to development.

The commander shared this perspective at recent graduation from Charisma University, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies, with a Master of Arts in Legal Studies with a major in criminology. “People expect the police to know. Police have to always be in the forefront of learning and learning never ceases, there is no second guessing when you have a wide scope of knowledge in all fields,” the commander told this publication in an exclusive interview.

The senior superintendent said the GPF is changing and developing as Guyana attracts international eyes on its operations. Prior to his recent achievement, Commander Cooper had completed a Degree in Law and several diplomas which include legal studies, private investigations and public safety and security.

When asked what motivated him to pursue criminology, the commander said he knew it was an important career choice and it was magnified when at a conference, he heard President David Granger make a request for officers to inquire the reasons behind why crimes are committed.

“In my humble view, a criminologist or a person who studied criminology would be

in a position to assist the GPF in answering various questions, so that is why I ensured that I pursue such studies to enhance the force,” the senior superintendent explained.

He continued, “It was a very edifying programme and I learned a lot, and it widened my scope, and my eyes are opened to many new things which are taken for granted.

I will continue to elevate myself.” With 26 years of service under his belt, Cooper said 15 of those years he served as a court prosecutor and during his time he prosecuted many high-profile and sensitive cases.

“I have been successful in being a prosecutor and I would say it’s my specialty, I concentrate my area of discipline in the legal field and it is pivotal in understanding the concepts and laws to assist my colleagues, and advise citizens in many legal insights,” he shared.

Further sharing his perspective on law enforcement and criminology, Commander Cooper said, “in criminology, examining why people commit crime is very important in the ongoing debate of how crime should be handled and prevented.”

In underscoring the many theories, the commander said people generally act in their self-interest and make decisions to commit crime after weighing the potential risks (including getting caught and punished) against the rewards.

In the social disorganisation theory, he said a person’s physical and social environments are primarily responsible for the behavioural

always have money, but they don’t all have the same opportunities or abilities. When people fail to achieve society’s expectations through approved means such as hard work and delayed gratification, they may attempt to achieve success through crime,” the commander noted. Commander Cooper also pointed out that people de-

velop motivation to commit crime and the skills to commit crime through the people they associate with.

“Most people would commit crime if not for the controls that society places on individuals through institutions such as schools, workplaces, churches, and families,” he noted.

Commander Cooper said with his knowledge, he is able to better police the division. The commander also served as the Force’s

Second-in-Command – Administration (ag.), Force Training Officer (ag.) and Commander ‘C’ Division.

Before being elevated to those appointments, he performed duties in almost all of the policing divisions which include Deputy Commander ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘E’ Divisions; Officer-in-Charge, Bartica; Officer-in-Charge, Port Kaituma; and the Officer-in-Charge of number one and number two sub-divisions – ‘C’ Division.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

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Lady Jags stop Suriname 3-1 to end undefeated

By Rawle Toney IT was another impressive performance from Guyana, this time beating rivals, Suriname, 3-1 to finish at the top of Group A and undefeated in the CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championships Qualifiers which ended last evening at the National Track and Field Centre.

Tiandi Smith opened the home side’s account in the seventh minute, while Tori DeNobrega and Captain Brianne Desa scored in the 12th and 35th minutes respectively.

For Smith and Desa, their goals against Suriname marked their second for the

tournament.

Dr Ivan Joseph made one change to the lineup from the three previous games Guyana played, replacing Audrey Narine with DeNobrega.

Smith, Desa, Kiana Khedoo, Jade Vuyfhuis, Anessa O’Brien (GK), Rylee Traicoff, Jessica Myers, Nailah Rowe, Jenea Knight and Serena McDonald were the other players in the starting eleven.

With almost two of the three stands at the facility filled, the girls were cheered for their every play, but it was home town girl, Tiandi Smith, who brought the already vocal crowd to its feet when she latched onto a through-ball just on the edge

of the 18-yard box and placed here well-time effort past Suriname’s Deinthy Schooland in goal.

It didn’t take long after for goal number two to come; this time it was DeNobrega who would end a sensational run with an excellent goal.

With Guyana pressing forward, Suriname was forced to play deep as Smith, DeNobrega and Knight, with good ball service coming from Khedoo and McDonald in the midfield, kept the pressure for Guyana, but it didn’t result in goals.

In the 35th minute, the Lady Jags captain, Desa, showed off her shooting skills when she took a free-

kick from just over the Centre line that was hit too hard and on target for Schoonland to handle.

Guyana made one substitute in the first half, bringing in Horicia Adams for Khedoo.

The first-half ended 3-0 for Guyana and things seemed as if the crowd would’ve been treated to more goals in the second stanza, but Suriname had other plans.

Upon resumption, Suriname signalled their intention of a come-back when their leading scorer in the tournament, Orthea Riley, rocketed a shot on goal that had beaten O’Brien but came off the crossbar,

similar to two instances in the first-half.

On the next play, Riley sent another shot on goal that again came off the crossbar but this time, Tryfosa Sastrokromo was there to pat it home.

Sastrokromo’s goal in the 48th-minute marked the first time Guyana conceded a goal in the tournament.

Guyana then turned things up a bit through Smith, Knight and Vuyfhuis, but the aforementioned players would squander their chances, especially Smith.

Smith was lacklustre in front the goal which forced the crowd to call for her to be substituted but that did not

happen.

“She needs the playing time; if she doesn’t play now, when will she have the chance? No local football is being played in Guyana for her to get these minutes, so this was her time to get some games and learn from her mistakes,” said head coach, Dr Joseph, explaining to Chronicle Sport why he didn’t replace Smith.

Behind Desa, Guyana’s air-tight defending continued for much of the second half, but Suriname was still able to make some run on goal but with no success.

After the game, Dr Joseph commended the ladies from both sides for a wellplayed game.

Seejattan sweeps GMR&SC National Race of Champions ― wins for Vieira, King ON a rain-hit Sunday at the South Dakota Circuit, Shan Seejattan picked up wins in the Sport Tuner and Group 2 events of the second National Race of Champions.

Seejattan, driving two Honda Civics, one each in

the Sport Tuner and Group Two classes, snagged three wins in the former and two in the latter.

Elsewhere, there were superbike wins for Matthew Vieira as well as Lightweight bike wins for Terrance Clarke.

In the group four class, Andrew King picked up two wins from as many races while Danny Persaud picked up two wins in the group three.

Details in a subsequent edition.

Unstoppable Fraser-Pryce blazes to 100m glory in London LONDON (Reuters) Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce produced a superb display to outclass local favourite Dina Asher-Smith and Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou as she won the women’s 100 metres in 10.78 seconds at the London Diamond League on Sunday.

The 32-year-old double Olympic champion made a blistering start to dominate the race from start to finish, giving Asher-Smith (10.92) and Ta Lou (10.98) no chance of catching her.

“It’s a long season and I’ve been training and training. To come out here and run 10.78 is a fabulous time,” Fraser-Pryce, whose season’s best time of 10.73 came at home in Jamaica last month, said.

“I feel good. The aim is to make sure when I get to the Doha (world championships) that I’m on point.

Right now the females are so close in terms of time so you definitely just have to come out and make sure that you’re ready to run.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday, July 22, 2019)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL- Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) (1) (2) (1) (2)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

Joe Root-13 catches (ENG) 46 century-partnerships

Today’s Quiz:

How many times the WI and India have contested Test matches against each other to date?

How many times have they played ODIs against each other?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

“My aim for Doha is definitely to be on the podium. For me, its a long season from here so I am hoping my experience will come into play.”

Hellen Obiri sealed the women’s 5,000m in a time of 14:20.36 while fellow Kenyan Agnes Tirop also finished ahead of new mile world record holder Sifan Hassan who was third.

“In the last lap I was thinking, ‘work hard’ and said to myself when I went past Hassan ‘let me go, see if you can catch me,” Obiri, who set the best time of the year as well as a new meet record, said.

Akeem Bloomfield won the men’s 400m race with his season’s best time of 44.40 seconds, ahead of Jonathan Jones of Barbados and Jamaican compatriot Nathon Allen.

Swede Daniel Stahl surpassed Gerd Kanter’s 2010 meet record in discus with a 68.56m effort.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

Pinot tames rivals again as Yates takes 15th stage win

By Julien Pretot FOIX, France (Reuters) - Thibaut Pinot emerged as the strongest of the main contenders to win the Tour de France after dominating his rivals for the second successive day in the 15th stage, a 185-km mountain battle won by Briton Simon Yates on Sunday.

The Frenchman, who claimed victory at top of the iconic Col du Tourmalet on Saturday, left everyone gasping for air with a brutal attack seven kilometres from the finish in the

final ascent to the Prat d’Albis.

He crossed the line 33 seconds behind Yates, who prevailed from the day’s breakaway for a second stage win as his fellow Briton, defending champion Geraint Thomas lost further ground.

France’s Julian Alaphilippe was among those dropped but he retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey going into today’s second rest day.

Behind Alaphilippe, five riders are within 39 seconds, setting the stage for a pulsating final week in the Alps.

“It’s not a surprise that I cracked against the best climbers at the end of the second week, having given so much

since the start,” world number one Alaphilippe, who has never raced for the general classification, told reporters.

Alaphilippe still leads Thomas by one minute 35 seconds, Dutchman Steven Kruijswijk by 1:47 and fourth-placed Pinot by 1:50.

Thomas’s Ineos team mate Egan Bernal, of Colombia, who was the last rider dropped by Pinot, is fifth overall, 2:02 off the pace.

“We have a very strong team and our plan worked today, even if Thibaut’s attack was not premeditated,” his Groupama-FDJ sports director Yvon Madiot said.

“It was a very good Pyrenean leg. Now onto the rest day and the Alps. We’re not setting any limit.”

wrong end of a bunch split in the crosswinds last Monday.

“When you have good legs you have to seize the opportu-

The 185-km Stage 15 from Limoux to Foix Prat d’Albis - July 21, 2019 - Groupama-FDJ rider Thibaut Pinot of France finishes with Movistar Team rider Mikel Landa of Spain. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

Pinot was left delighted. “I gained time on everyone. It’s very good and we must continue like this,” he said, after writing off over two days the 100 seconds he lost to Thomas when caught at the

nities.”

No Frenchman has won the Tour de France since Bernard Hinault claimed the last of his five titles in 1985.

Pinot, after some great

work from team mates David Gaudu and Sebastien Reichenbach had put some rivals in the red, made his move seven kilometres from the top.

Thomas and Kruijswijk were dropped as Bernal crushed the pedals to join the Frenchman, taking Alaphilippe and German Emanuel Buchmann in his slipstream But another burst from Pinot was fatal to Alaphilippe before Bernal and Buchmann eventually also lost the Frenchman’s wheel.

Yates’s advantage was, however, comfortable enough for the Mitchelton-Scott rider to grab another stage win.

Thomas saved his second place in the general classification with a late acceleration to finish 1:22 behind Yates and 51 seconds adrift of Bernal.

Thomas said he had good legs but did not want to attack after Pinot because Bernal was up the road.

“It’s kind of a difficult one, tactics-wise, because I wanted to go, I had the legs to go but I wasn’t going to chase down Egan with the guys in the wheel,” the Welshman said.

Australia retain women’s Ashes after draw in only test (REUTERS) - Australia retained the women’s Ashes after the only test match in the series played across multiple formats ended in a draw at Taunton on Sunday.

After Australia had declared their first innings on 420-8, England avoided the follow-on and asked Australia to bat again, declaring at 275-9.

However, the visitors elected not to set a victory target and had reached 230-7 at the end of play.

Elysse Perry was again the pick of the Australian batters, following up her first innings 116 with an unbeaten 76 in the second.

The result means Ashes holders Australia, who lead England 8-2 on points having

won all three of the one-day internationals, will retain the trophy.

England can only level the series if they win the three remaining Twenty20 international games, starting on Friday.

Elysse Perry followed up her first innings 116 with an unbeaten 76 in the second

“It’s certainly a good position to be in. We had a hard four-day battle and it was a good challenge. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get a result here, but it was a great test,” Australia skipper Meg Lanning said.

“It’s been a lot closer than the scoreboard suggests, and we’re really looking forward to the T20s.”

A points system to determine the winner of a series has been used in women’s cricket since the 2013 Ashes. Teams are awarded two points for victory in limited-overs games and six in tests.

Drawn limited-overs games result in one point being awarded to both teams and two each if a test ends in a stalemate.

Kane hits 93rd minute wonder-goal as Spurs sink Juventus in Singapore

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane scored what he called “one of the best goals” of his career to beat Italian champions Juventus 3-2 in an enthralling International Champions Cup contest in Singapore on Sunday.

Kane capitalised after team mate Lucas Moura nicked the ball deep into injury time, allowing the striker to thump it from the halfway line high into the steamy night and over the head of Juventus’ back-pedalling goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

His goal completed a comeback after Cristiano Ronaldo put Juventus 2-1 in front.

“It is probably one of the best goals of my career,” Kane said.

“I could see in parts of the game the keeper was off the line.

I thought if I get a chance to shoot, I’ll shoot and thankfully it went in.”

Spurs midfielder Erik Lamela scored the only goal of the first half, striking from close range in the 31st minute after Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon palmed a shot from teenage striker Troy Parrott into his path.

In a more lively second half, Juventus substitute Gonzalo Higuain equalised in the 56th minute after some neat interplay on the edge of the box gave him the space to place it low into the right corner.

Then up stepped crowd-favourite Ronaldo.

Defender Mattia De Sciglio cut the ball back to the Portuguese who drilled it across the keeper in his last touch before he was replaced.

But Juventus’ lead did not last long. In the 65th minute, Moura got on the end of a pinpoint pass from Tanguy Ndombele, the French midfielder who joined Spurs for a club record fee earlier this month.

In the closing stages, Higuain had a decent chance to break the deadlock. But it was Kane’s wonder-goal - which came after Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot lost the ball - which sealed the win in the dying seconds.

“It was a great goal. Unbelievable from Harry. It is good for him to set off pre-season with scoring,” said Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino.

The International Champions Cup features 12 teams playing friendly matches in venues in North America, Europe and Asia.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

Irishman Lowry wins British Open at Royal Portrush

Cricket World Cup final umpire admits ‘error’: report

The 148th Open Championship - Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Northern Ireland - Republic of Ireland’s Shane Lowry celebrates with the Claret Jug trophy after winning The Open Championship REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff

By Simon Evans

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (Reuters) - Irishman Shane Lowry staved off the biggest nerves of his golfing life, handling the wind and the rain to win the British Open Golf by six strokes amid emotional scenes at Royal Portrush on Sunday.

Fervently cheered on every shot by the sellout crowd, the 32-year-old from Clara, who began the day with a four stroke lead, was never seriously troubled in the final round with England’s Tommy Fleetwood unable to take his chances to put him under pressure.

Lowry carded one-over-par 72 in strong winds and at times driving rain, but he was rewarded with wild celebrations as the fans charged on to the fairway behind him as he approached the 18th green.

“It’s like an out of body experience. I was so calm coming down the last, I cannot believe it. The weather was awful but I had a look around, and everyone was struggling,” said Lowry who was greeted by his family on the green.

“It became a two horse race with Tommy, and I just tried to focus on staying ahead.”

Lowry finished at 15-under 269, while Fleetwood, shot 74 for second place.

“To lead by four at the start of the day and to keep that and to just control, he literally controlled the tournament from the start of today until the end, that’s a very, very impressive thing to do,” said Fleetwood, who was left to rue the early birdie opportunities he failed to convert.

With the weather making it hard for anyone to make a run from down the leaderboard it quickly turned into a headto-head duel between Lowry and Fleetwood.

“I got off to a very shaky start,” said Lowry, who had to sink a six-foot putt to salvage bogey at the first.

“I didn’t feel great out there. It’s probably the most uncomfortable I’ve ever felt on a golf course. You’re trying to win an Open in your home country, it’s incredibly difficult.”

But once he settled down and looked at a leaderboard he noticed that nobody was making a run at him.

He needed to avoid any big numbers on his card and duly did so, making nothing worse than bogey.

Even three straight bogeys around the turn hardly dented

his lead, and a six-foot birdie at the 15th hole that extended his margin to six strokes allowed him to almost enjoy a processional victory march up the final three holes.

“It was just so difficult,” he said. “I kept telling myself bogeys are not going to hurt you, let’s just keep the ball in play and if I make the odd par it will be pretty good.

Lowry savoured the walk up the 18th, greeted with delight by the singing gallery who packed the stands, with some Irish tricolours in the crowd.

After hitting his final approach shot he held his arms aloft in celebration and hugged his caddie, assured finally that there would be no late disaster.

GREETED BY HARRINGTON He became the second player from the Republic of Ireland, after Padraig Harrington in 2007 and 2008, to lift the Claret Jug, a fitting end to the first Open played in Northern Ireland since 1951.

Players from Ireland and Northern Ireland have won five of the past 13 Opens, with Darren Clarke (2011) and Rory McIlroy (2014) also hoisting the Claret Jug. Harrington and 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell were among those who greeted Lowry next to the 18th green, while McIlroy, the local favourite who missed the cut, was no doubt cheering from afar, Irish eyes smiling all over.

“We’re all one country when it comes to golf,” Lowry said.

“I said to my caddie walking down the last, ‘I can’t believe this is me, this is mine’.

“I’ve watched the Open since I was a little kid and to be named champion golfer of the year is just incredible.”

The win ended American hopes of a clean sweep of the year’s majors — Tony Finau was the best finishing American with his even-par 71 securing third place, eight strokes behind Lowry.

It was a strong showing from British golfers, who secured five of the top ten spots. Scotsman Robert MacIntyre finished sixth in his maiden major after shooting an impressive final round 68.

Lee Westwood finished tied for fourth with Brooks Koepka, a result which means the 46-year-old Englishman will return to the Masters after missing out on Augusta in the past two years.

Kumar Dharmasena during the Cricket World Cup final

THE umpire who awarded England six runs from a freak overthrow in the last over of the World Cup final has admitted he made an “error” and should have given one run fewer, a report said Sunday.

A throw to the stumps deflected off the bat of a diving Ben Stokes as he tried to complete a second run and raced to the boundary, with Sri Lankan umpire Kumar Dharmasena awarding six.

Three balls later the scores at 50 overs were tied as England reached 241 all out replying to New Zealand’s 241-8.

It took the nail-biting final to a Super Over which again was tied but England lifted the trophy by virtue of having scored more boundaries Critics, including former leading umpire Simon Taufel, said England should have been awarded five runs, not six, as the batsmen had not crossed for the second run at the moment the ball was thrown.

Former Sri Lankan Test player Dharmasena told the Sunday Times he did not have the benefit of television replays which showed the batsmen had not crossed.

“I agree that there was an error of judgement when I see it on TV replays now,” Dharmasena, who was umpiring the final with South Africa’s Marais Erasmus, told the local Sunday Times.

“But we did not have the luxury of TV replays at the ground and I do not regret the decision I made.”

Dharmasena said he signalled six after consulting the other match officials. “So, I did consult the leg umpire (Erasmus) through the communication system which is heard by all other umpires and the match referee,” he told the newspaper.

“While they cannot check TV replays, they all confirmed that the batsmen have completed the second run.

This is when I made my decision.”

Taufel had told Fox Sports Australia the umpires made a “clear mistake” as the batsmen had not crossed for their second run.

But the Australian also defended the match umpires, who he said had to make a complicated judgement, and said it would be “unfair” to say the decision altered the outcome of the tournament as it was impossible to now what would have happened in the final balls had five been awarded (AFP).

India selectors name Pant for all three formats for West Indies tour ..Jasprit Bumrah rested for limited-overs matches

MUMBAI (Reuters) - India’s cricket selectors on Sunday named Rishabh Pant as their preferred wicketkeeper for all three formats for next month’s tour of West Indies with the future of long-serving glovesman Mahendra Singh Dhoni still shrouded in mystery.

Dhoni, 38, has been the subject of intense speculation on his retirement from international cricket over the past few days since India’s semi-final exit from the World Cup. The veteran of 350 one-dayers, who quit playing Tests at the end of 2014, has not provided even a hint of what his plans are and made himself unavailable for the trip to the Caribbean where India will play three T20s, three

ODIs and two Tests.

“He’s expressed his unavailability for this series,” Chief selector MSK Prasad told reporters.

“We had certain roadmap and plans till the World Cup. Subsequently, we’ve laid down few more plans and we thought of giving as many opportunities as possible to Rishabh Pant and to see he is groomed.”

Widely considered as the best ‘finisher’ in contemporary cricket, Dhoni has recently struggled to start his innings while his ability to put bowlers to the sword at the end has also been on the wane.

Dhoni’s glovework, however, still remains top class and questions have been raised by former cricketers, pundits and

local media if it was the right time for him to step away and help India groom his successor.

The next 50-over World Cup is still four years away but the World Twenty20 will be held in 2020 and Dhoni enjoys unwavering support from India captain Virat Kohli who has publicly backed him on numerous occasions.

“Retirement is purely individual. A legendary cricketer like MS Dhoni, they know when to retire,” Prasad said.

“But what is the future course of action, what is the roadmap that we have to take is in the hands of the selection committee.

“I don’t think we need to discuss anything on it, because first of all he’s not

Rishabh Pant

available. Second, we have already started grooming some youngsters.”

With the two Tests in Caribbean kicking off the new World Test Championships, India named a full-strength 16-man squad for the series in which experienced wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha was recalled after being out injured

for more than a year.

His replacement Pant, 21, has used his chances well and hit a century in an Oval Test last year while also smashing an unbeaten 159 against Australia in Sydney in January.

Regular Test opener Prithvi Shaw and all-rounder Hardik Pandya were out with injuries with the latter also not named in the squads for white ball cricket.

Opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan has recovered from his broken thumb that forced him to leave the World Cup midway but all-rounder Vijay Shankar was yet to regain complete fitness following his toe injury.

SQUADS: Te s t s - Vi r a t K o h l i (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Mayank Agarwal, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara,

Hanuma Vihari, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav ODIs - Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kedar Jadhav, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Navdeep Saini T20s - Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Krunal Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Rahul Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

Windies A struggle as India A stroll to emphatic 4-1 series win ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Sherfane Rutherford and 47 runs, as pacer Deepak Chahar (2-39) and leg-spinner Rahul Sunil Ambris struck half-centuries but West Indies A suffered Chahar (2-53) combined to hurt the innings. a chastening eight-wicket thrashing in the final one-dayer, as Ambris was needlessly run out in the 16th over when he India A put a firm exclamation mark on a dominant series and Devon Thomas (1) chanced a quick single and Thomas display here Sunday. followed five balls later in Asked to chase 237 for the next over, playing back victory at Coolidge Cricket Ground, and falling lbw to left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya. the tourists hardly broke a sweat as Captain Roston Chase flirted with a wide one from they overhauled their target off 33 Navdeep and edged behind in the following over for overs, to win the five-match series one in the 18th over and left-hander Jonathan Carter 4-1. missed an ambitious reverse sweep and was bowled Ruturaj Gaikwad missed out on behind his back by left-arm spinner Axar Patel for nine. three figures when he fell for 99 with Rovman Powell (1) and Rahkeem Cornwall victory in sight while opening partner (10) were both knocked over cheaply by Rahul Shubman Gill stroked 69 and Shreyas Chahar before Rutherford came to his side’s Iyer an unbeaten 61. rescue, putting on 39 for the eighth wicket with Rutherford (65) and Ambris (61) had Keemo Paul (13) and a further 52 for the ninth earlier hit half-centuries to fire West Indies with Pierre.

A to 236 all out in the 48th over, after the Left-hander Rutherford punched four hosts opted to bat first. fours and four sixes in a defiant 70-ball innings Khary Pierre, batting at number 10, while Pierre’s produced a lively 34-ball knock struck a gutsy unbeaten 34 to help rescue with four fours and a six. an innings that lay in ruins at 163 for eight India A quickly erased any doubt about the in the 38th over. result when openers Gaikwad and Gill put on There were no such struggles when Ambris an exhilarating 110 off just 70 balls and Kjorn Ottley (21) were adding 77 off 81 Gaikwad slammed 11 fours and three deliveries for the first wicket, as West Indies A sixes off 89 deliveries while Gill faced controlled the early phase.

40 balls and struck eight fours and three Ambris struck seven fours and two sixes in sixes before falling in the 12th over. a 52-ball knock while the left-handed Ottley There was no let up, however, as counted two fours and a six off 36 balls Iyer arrived to notch three fours before hoisting seamer Navdeep Saini (2and two sixes off 64 balls in a 31) to deep mid-wicket in the 14th over.

112-run, second wicket stand His dismissal triggered a de- Sherfane Rutherford punched four fours and four with Gaikwad, as India A won cline as seven wickets perished for with time and effort to spare. sixes in a top score of 65 for Windies A

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale ‘very close’ to exit - Zidane REAL Madrid forward Gareth Bale is “very close to leaving” the Spanish club, says boss Zinedine Zidane.The Wales international, 30, was left out of Real’s 3-1 pre-season defeat by Bayern Munich in Houston, USA. Speaking after the game, Zidane said: “We hope he leaves soon. It would be best for everyone. We are working on his transfer to a new team.

“I have nothing personal against him, but there comes a time where things are done because they must be done.”

Bale, who has three years left on his Real contract, has won the Champions League four times since his £85m move to Madrid from Tottenham in 2013 - a world record deal at the time.

He has been linked with Premier League sides Manchester United and Spurs, German champions Bayern and also a move to the Chinese Super League.

In response to Zidane’s comments, Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett told AFP: “Zidane is a disgrace - he shows no respect for a player that has done so much for Real Madrid.”

Injury problems have limited the Welshman to 79 La Liga appearances in the past four seasons. He played 42 matches for Los Blancos last term, half of those as a substitute.

Bale was booed by home supporters at times last season, though his

agent said in March the player was “very happy” and wanted to “play all his career” at the Bernabeu club.

“I have to make decisions. We have to change,” Zidane added. “The exit is the coach’s decision, and also of the player, who knows the situation.

Gareth Bale has won the Champions League four times and La Liga once with Real Madrid

“The situation will change, I do not know if in 24 or 48 hours, but it will - and it’s a good thing for everyone.”

Bale ended last season on the bench as Real endured their poorest domestic campaign in 20 years, with 12 defeats, 68 points and a third-place finish 19 points behind champions Barcelona. They were also knocked out of the Champions League by Ajax in the last 16.

Zidane returned to the Bernabeu in March to become the club’s third coach of the season. (BBC Sport)

SCORECARD WEST INDIES A S Ambris run out 61 K Ottley c Gill b Navdeep Saini 21 +D Thomas lbw b K Pandya 1 R Chase wkp Kishan b Navdeep Saini 1 J Carter b Axar Patel 9 R Powell c & b R Chahar 4 S Rutherford c R Chahar b D Chahar 65 R Cornwall c Pandey b R Chahar 10 K Paul c K Pandya b Khaleel Ahmed 13 K Pierre not out 35 A Jordan b D Chahar 6 Extras: (lb1, w7, nb2) 10 TOTAL: (all out, 47.4 overs) 236 Fall of wickets: 1-77, 2-86, 3-87, 4-89, 5-101, 6-103, 7-124, 8-163, 9-1225, 10-236 Bowling: D Chahar 6.4-0-39-2, Khaleel Ahmed 6-1-41-1, Pandya 8-0-32-1, Navdeep Saini 8-1-31-2, R Chahar 9-0-53-2, Axar Patel 10-0-39-1.

INDIA A R Gaikwad c Pierre b Paul 99 S Gill c Jordan b Cornwall 69 S Iyer not out 61 *M Pandey not out 7 Extras: (nb1) 1 TOTAL: (2 wkts, 33 overs) 237 Did not bat: K Pandya, +I Kishan, Khaleel Ahmed, Navdeep Saini, R Chahar, Axar Patel, D Chahar.

Fall of wickets: 1-110, 2-222.

Bowling: Jordan 6-0-43-0, Pierre 8-0-55-0, Paul 5-0-37-1, Cornwall 7-0-47-1, Chase 3-0-24-0, Carter 4-0-31-0, SERIES: INDIA WIN FIVE-MATCH SERIES 4-1.

Brilliant Pacquiao downs Thurman to capture WBA crown Las Vegas (AFP) - Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao rolled back the years to become the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history with a thrilling split decision victory over WBA champion Keith Thurman on Saturday.

The 40-year-old Pacquiao, 10 years older than the previously undefeated Thurman, delivered a vintage performance at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to leave the sell-out crowd of 14,356 roaring its approval.

Pacquiao floored Thurman with an electrifying combination in the first round and remained on the front foot throughout a pulsating 12-round duel.

Although the bloodied Thurman rallied in the later rounds to narrow Pacquiao’s lead, the judges scored it in the Filipino’s favour. Two judges scored it 115-112 for Pacquiao with the third scoring it 114-113 for Thurman.

A jubilant Pacquiao punched the air as the arena erupted after the victory was confirmed.

“It was fun,” Pacquiao said afterwards. “My opponent is a good fighter and boxer. He was strong.”

Thurman had riled Pacquiao in the build-up to the fight by vowing to “crucify” his deeply religious opponent, and later promising to send the Filipino icon into retirement.

Pacquiao, who improved to 62-7-2 with 39 knockouts, was gracious in victory.

“I’m not that kind of boxer who talks a lot; we were just promoting the fight,”

he said.

“He’s a good boxer and he’s strong. I was just blessed tonight.”

Pacquiao, who earned an estimated $20 million from Saturday’s fight, is now a major player in the competitive welterweight division once again after capturing Thurman’s WBA welterweight ‘super’ champion belt.

final bell in recognition of an epic contest.

“I knew it was too close,” Thurman said. “He got the knockdown so he had momentum in round one.

“This was a beautiful night of boxing. I wish I had a little bit more output to go toe to toe. I felt like he was getting a little bit tired, but he did have experience

Manny Pacquiao sends Keith Thurman to the mat during the first round of their WBA super world welterweight title fight (AFP Photo/John Gurzinski)

The eight-division world champion said he will now return to the Philippines to resume his work as a senator before deciding on his next move inside the ring.

“I think I will fight next year,” he said. “I will go back to the Philippines and work and then make a decision.”

- NO COMPLAINTS Thurman meanwhile had few complaints in defeat, embracing Pacquiao after the

in the ring.I would love the rematch.”

Earlier, a pumped-up Pacquiao had danced into the ring to the strains of Rocky movie anthem “Eye of the Tiger” to bring the crowd to its feet.

Deafening chants of “Manny, Manny” rolled around the packed arena as Pacquiao immediately set about building an advantage.

Towards the end of the

round, the crowd erupted as Pacquiao sent Thurman crashing to the canvas, uncorking a left to the ribs before detonating a right hand on the American’s jaw.

That set the tone for the early rounds, with Pacquiao urging Thurman on before using his superior handspeed and footwork to bamboozle his rival.

A dazzling combination wobbled Thurman again at the end of the second, and Pacquiao delighted the crowd with an Ali shuffle as the round closed.

Although Thurman improved, Pacquiao was able to control the tempo and had Thurman in trouble again in the fifth round with blood pouring from his mouth.

Thurman though was in no mood to surrender and he came back into the fight, snapping Pacquiao’s head back with a right cross left jab combination in the seventh round.

The younger Thurman appeared to be gaining momentum as the fight drew on, backing up Pacquiao with a clean combination in the eighth.

But again, Pacquiao responded strongly, swarming forward in the ninth round to have Thurman rattled again.

With Pacquiao leading after the 10th and 11th rounds, Thurman came out for the final round knowing he probably needed a knockout to win.

But Pacquiao drew on all of his experience, skipping out of range cleverly to keep Thurman at bay and score a famous win.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 22, 2019

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Georgetown Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Championships

Sparta Boss, Tiger Bay book quarter-final spots, Gold is Money falters

By Michelangelo Jacobus

THE return of the Georgetown Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Championship to the Berlin Tarmac saw fans turn out in their numbers to witness high quality streetball as crowd favourites, Sparta Boss and Tiger Bay, booked their quarter-final spots with victories on Saturday night while defending champions, Gold is Money, fell via penalties to a determined Broad Street.

On night two of the Group Stage round, Tiger Bay dominated Albouystown-B in their Group C encounter and booked their quarter-final berth with a resounding 4-0 win as Jason Fredericks (4th minute), Keoma Gravesande (9 th minute) and Solomon Austin with a Guinness Goal (any goal scored in the final 3 minutes of the match counts as 2) in the 19th minute sealed the deal.

Sparta Boss ran out 4-1 winners in their Group B fixture against Charlotte Street. Windell Allison handed Charlotte the early advantage with a fourth minute strike which would be the only goal of the first half, but Sparta came into their stride late in the second half as Ryan Hackett (14th minute) and Sheldon Sheperd (16th minute) struck before Curtez Kellman netted a Guinness Goal in the 18th minute to hand Sparta the victory.

In the feature match-up of the night, defending champions, Gold is Money, took on Broad Street in Group A action and it proved to be another tense affair as for the second night in succession,

Gold is Money’s Jermin ‘Pankie’ Junor on the ball during his side’s encounter with Broad Street on night two of the Georgetown Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Championship at the Berlin Tarmac

Broad Street were unable to score in regulation time which meant the affair had to be decided from the penalty spot yet again.

However, this time around, Broad Street held firm while Gold is Money faltered to hand their rivals a 4-3 victory on sudden death penalties.

Earlier in the night, LA Ballers recorded their second successive victory in Group A with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over John Street.

Andres Hinds put John Street 1-0 ahead with his sixth-minute strike and things looked to be going their way as LA Ballers were repeatedly frustrated as their attempts on goal proved futile. However, Jaleel ‘Shines’ Hamilton would be the savior with his 19th-minute Guinness Goal handing LA

US dominate Pan Am 200s, Jamaica, T&T left adrift THERE was to be no joy in the 200 metres for Jamaica or the wider Caribbean on day two of the Pan American Under 20 Championships, currently under way in Costa Rica.

The United States were a force to be reckoned with in the half-lap event, winning 1-2 finishes among both u20 men and women.

In the men’s event, Matthew Boling completed the sprint double, winning in 20.31 seconds, while Kennedy Lightner was second in 20.56.

Brazil’s Lucas Conceicao Vilar was third in 20.70, leaving Jamaica’s Xavier Nairne, out of the medals with his 20.91 seconds.

Canada’s Jeremiah Lauzon was fifth in 21.18, relegating Trinidad and Tobago’s Jabari Fox to sixth in 21.33 and the Bahamas, Rico Moultre, seventh in 21.44.

Rounding out the field was Argentina’s Elian Gaspar larregina.

Among the women, there was even less to write home about for the Caribbean as Jamaica’s Brandy Hall finished seventh in 24.39 seconds and the onlhy other entrant from the region, Trinidad and Tobago’s Shanqua Bascombe was last in 25.09.

The two were well beaten by the United States pair of Lanae-Tava Thomas, 22.80, and Jayda Ecfordm 23.04.

Brasil were again third in the half-lap event with Lorraine Barbosa Martines finishing in 23.06.

The race also included a fourth place finish for Canada’s Catherine Leger, 23.25, and a fifth place finish for Ecuador’s Gabriela Anahi Suarez Suarez. Another Canadian, Makenzy Pierre-Webster, was sixth in 23.43.

the 2-1 win.

In another classic rivalry, North East La Penitence came out on top with a 3-2 victory over Sophia; Shaquille Brown found the back of the goal in the seventh minute to give North East the 1-0 lead which they kept until the 18th minute when Sophia’s Joshua Kamal netted a Guinness Goal. It meant that Sophia were leading 2-1 at that point but Kelvin Moore broke Sophia’s heart with a 19th-minute Guinness Goal of his own to ensure that North East ran out 3-2 winners.

Albouystown-B needled Alexander Village with Lennox ‘Tyga’ Cort on target in the eighth-minute. Leopold Street also beat Future Stars via the same scoreline with Okeene Fraser netting the only goal in

the 13th minute.

Back Circle had Adrian Aaron (14th minute) and Jermain Beckles (17th minute) to thank for their 2-1 win over Rising Stars after Jorrell Tyrell had handed his side a 1-0 advantage in the fifth minute.

After two nights of Group Stage action, Sparta Boss and Albouystown-B have booked their quarter-final spots with two successive victories in Group B while Tiger Bay and Leopold Street are also undefeated in Group C and have qualified for the quarter-finals as well.

The group stage will end on Friday (July 26). The top two finishers from each pool will advance to the quarterfinals and subsequent semi-finals on Saturday (July 27) with the grand finale set for August 3 at

a venue to be announced.

The eight teams who failed to advance from the group round will contest the Guinness Plate Championship.

The winning team will collect $500,000 and the championship trophy, with the second, third, and fourth-placed finishers copping $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively with the corresponding trophies.

They will also earn automatic berth in the National Championship in August.

To date, Beacons (Bartica champions), Melanie-B (East Coast Demerara winners), Brothers United (West Demerara/East Bank Demerara winners), Trafalgar (Berbice champions) and High Rollers (Linden champions), have all secured automatic berths to the national championship.

Seaton kicks off Guyana’s participation in World Aquatics Championships with PB in 50M fly LEON Seaton splashed off Guyana’s participation in the 2019 FINA World Aquatics Championships with a personal best in the 50M butterfly on Sunday (Saturday night Guyana time) in Gwangju, South Korea.

Seaton, the youngest of a three-swimmer team, clocked 28.54s.

The 15-year-old finished second in Heat 3; unfortunately, due to the high level of competition at the meet, he did not qualify for the semi-finals. Overall, he finished with a better time than 17 swimmers at the meet.

Prior to the swim, the teen’s best time in the 50M fly was 28.73s.

Beside Seaton, top senior swimmers, Andrew Fowler and Jamila Sanmoogan, are also at the meet, along with Chairman of GASA’s Technical Committee, Sean Baksh, who travelled as Manager/ Coach, and GASA President, Ivan Persaud.

Persaud is at the Cham-

Team Guyana over the weekend at the 2019 FINA World Aquatics Championships in South Korea. From left to right: Jamila Sanmoogan, Manager/Coach Sean Baksh, Leon Seaton and Andrew Fowler

pionships to attend the General Congress of FINA and other pertinent meetings.

Fowler, 23, who is attending the Spire Institute in Ohio, will swim the 100M freestyle and the 50M freestyle on July 24th and 26th (South Korea is 13 hours ahead of Guyana). Also, this week Sanmoogan, 22, who is on a scholarship in Colombia, will swim the 50M butterfly and the 50M freestyle, while Seaton will compete in the 50M backstroke.

Seaton, who got past swimmers from Sudan, Benin, Solomon Islands, Palau, Rwanda, Cameroon, Djibouti and Yemen in Heat 3 in the butterfly, was praised by his coach.

“His start was excellent, his reaction time was very good, he is ranked with the fastest starters,” Baksh told Chronicle Sport after the race.

“He will go far, he’s only 15 and he’s matching his skills with the best in the world.”

Lady Jags’ Serena McDonald (#8) dribbles by Suriname’s captain Cady Chin-See-Chong during Guyana’s 3-1 win at the National Track and Field Centre (Samuel Maughn Photo)

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Lady Jags stop Suriname 3-1 to end undefeated

Guyana’s goal scorers! (L-R) Tori DeNobrega, Tiandi Smith and Brianne Desa (Rawle Toney photo)

Seejattan

sweeps GMR&SC National Race of Champions

Matthew Vieira displays his chequered flag

Unstoppable Fraser-Pryce blazes to 100m glory in London

― wins for Vieira, King Page

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Shan Seejattan’s Honda Civic

Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce poses as she celebrates winning the Women’s 100m race (Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley)

Tickets for Caribbean Schoolboys and Junior boxers go on sale from today TICKETS for next month’s fourth annual Caribbean Schoolboys and Junior Boxing Tournament go on sale from today.

Guyana has dominated the event, which attracts some

of the best young boxers in the region. Fans desirous of seeing Guyana go for four titles in four tries can contact any of the executive members of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) or contact president Steve Ninvalle on

624-6699.

Tickets are $500 for stands, $1500 for ringside and $4000 (ringside for all three days). The event is billed for the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from August 16-18.

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MONDAY, JULY 22, 2019