Guyana chronicle new york edition 09 22 2017

www.guyanachronicle.com

www.guyanachronicle No. 68.com ISSUE ISSUE No. 68

WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

FREE DISTRIBUTION FREE DISTRIBUTION

President David Granger calls President David Granger calls President David Granger calls for Peace, at the 72nd UNGA for peace at the 72nd UNGA for Peace, at the 72nd UNGA Page 2 Page Page 22

Guyanese in BVI gripped by fear Page 3

--at prospect of riding out Hurricane Maria so soon after Irma

“Striving for peace must be humanity’s “Striving for peace ceaseless quest.” must be humanity’s ceaseless quest.”

March Forward March Forward Mr. President Mr.The President — DiasporaPage Is 22 — The Behind Diaspora Firmly YouIs Firmly Behind You US$170M for new harbour bridge Page 22

-feasibility study Page 16 recommends 250 %, 700% increase in tolls

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 22, 2017

2

President David Granger calls for Peace at the 72nd UNGA — addresses Hurricanes in the region

I

n his address to the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, His Excellency Hon. David A. Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, called for peace in the world. The Head of State told the General Assembly on September 20, 2017, that ‘striving for peace’ has been the principal purpose and preoccupation of this organization throughout its existence.

A good life for the world’s peoples and the sustainable use of the planet’s recourses are predicated on peace with justice, including justice within and between states. The world is weary of war.’

‘Striving for peace’ must be humanity’s ceaseless quest. The United Nations is the paramount global instrument of peace. It has a vital role to play in ensuring respect for international law through the International Court of Justice and the Security Council’.

He added, ‘striving for peace’ we must aim at resolving long-standing inter-state conflicts. Guyana, in this regard, supports the call for the reform

of the Security Council to give even greater voice to developing countries.

‘Striving for peace’ and the right to development have been Guyana’s deepest concern since Independence in 1966.

I addressed this Honourable Assembly last September, explaining the danger we have been facing on our borders as a consequence of the territorial claims of our western neighbour — the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. I laid before the world’s nations the peril Guyana was enduring on its borders at the hands of Venezuela.

Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s territory, however, has not diminished

By Staff Reporter

Consul General Hon. Barbara Atherly with former Guyana Foreign Minister Sir Shridath Ramphal at the 72nd UNGA.

or been diverted. Guyana remains imperilled.

Disturbing developments within Venezuela have attracted the world’s attention and roused the concerns of many of us over the privations of its people.

The Caribbean people wish for the Caribbean to be a Zone of Peace. The Venezuelan claim to Guyana’s territorial integrity, however, would be a threat to that zone. Venezuela is more than four times the size of Guyana.

Venezuela, however, claims two-thirds of Guyana’s territory including our maritime space.

We depend on our territorial and maritime resources for development and for the release of our people from poverty.

The Venezuelan claim persists after 51 years of Independence. An eminent international Arbitral Tribunal provided ‘a full, perfect and final settlement’ 118 years ago in 1899.

Venezuela denounced that Arbitral Award in 1962, at the Decolonisation Committee of this Assembly as British Guiana strove for its Independence.

Guyana warns the world, through this Assembly, that peace will be at stake in our region if justice does not become ascendant, not only within Venezuela, but also in respect to its border controversy with Guyana.

Four UN Secretaries-General have been seized of the Venezuelan claims. The choice has become one between just and peaceful settlement in accordance with international law, and a Venezuelan posture of attrition that is increasingly more blustering and militaristic. In this matter, protraction is the enemy of resolution and the ally of sustained conflict.

Fortunately, as they indicated publicly, former Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and current Secretary General António Guterres have decided that, under the 1966 Geneva Agreement, if by the end of the year 2017 significant progress has not been made toward arriving at a full agreement for the settlement of the contro-

Ambassador Michael Ten-Pow and staff member of the Guyana Mission Hallima Yassin with H.E. President David Granger and First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger at the 72nd UNGA. (All pictures by Tangerine Clarke)

versy, the International Court of Justice will be the next means of peaceful settlement, unless Guyana and Venezuela jointly request otherwise.

Guyana has been working assiduously with the Secretary General's Personal Representative. Guyana looks to the international community to ensure that Venezuela is not allowed

small islands developing and lowlying coastal states of the Caribbean.

Guyana is playing its part, within the limits of its resources, to provide relief to affected populations in sister Caribbean states.”

“Climate change is not a fiction or the invention of a few extremists.

The small island states of the

First lady, Sandra Granger, Kevin Granger and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge in the General Assembly Hall listening to His Excellency Brigadier David Granger address the UN. (All pictures at UN by Tangerine Clarke)

to thwart the processes of judicial settlement, which are the clear and agreed path to peace and justice.

Addressing the massive hurricane destruction in the region, President Ganger said “a sustainable planet humanity’s ultimate patrimony. Nothing is more vital to people’s survival. We have been indifferent too long to the need to protect the planet and now its sustainability is threatened on many fronts.”

President Granger, who sent a delegation to repatriate Guyanese and help citizens in the Caribbean devastation, said Hurricane Irma was a deadly, destructive portent of the extreme vulnerability and fragility of the

Caribbean and parts of North America, have felt the devastating fury of a series of hurricanes — Harvey, Irma, Jose, Katia, Lee and Maria.

“Guyana signed and celebrated the Paris Agreement on climate change last year in this Assembly. We renew our commitment to its goals this year.

This is demonstrated most positively in Guyana’s pioneering role in global environment stewardship.

Mr. Granger added that Guyana, in 1989 — three years before the Rio Conference of 1992 —had the foresight to enter into an environment covenant with the international community by dedicating 360,000 hectares of its rainforest.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 22, 2017 Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 22, 2017

3

Guyanese in BVI gripped by fear

3

--at prospect of riding out Hurricane Maria so soon after Irma

By Alexis Rodney DAYS after being ravaged by the Category Five hurricane, Irma, another major storm is set to bear down yet again on some hapless Caribbean territories.

But Guyanese living in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), which is expected to feel the wrath the Category Three fiend named Maria, this week said the British territory is not prepared for a second bout of such devastation.

Many say they have already been displaced by Hurricane Irma, and are still in the process of seeking the

handle another hurricane, back-to-back. We just came out of one, and are now rebuilding,” one Guyanese living in the British territory said.

Describing the devastation wrought by Irma, one man who asked not to be named said almost 50 per cent of the islands’ inhabitants have lost their homes.

the most danger to the hurricane-battered Caribbean.

Maria has prompted a hurricane warning for Martinique, Guadeloupe, Dominica, St. Kitts, Nevis and Montserrat. A tropical storm

A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical storm-force winds.

The warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours.

NOT AGAIN! These include about 20 Guyanese families that he knows personally. “Everybody has a different story to tell. People have lost so much, we cannot deal with another hurricane,” he said.

The aftermath of Hurricane Irma in the BVI (Photos by Teon Carter)

warning is in effect for Antigua and Barbuda, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Lucia.

assistance of the Guyana Government on the way forward. Some are exploring the possibility of returning home, but for those who intend to remain, and had already begun picking up the pieces, they are unsure of the level of further devastation the hurricane would bring to the country.

The Guyana Chronicle spoke with a few of those persons on Monday. Teon Carter said he has been living on “the islands” for just about two years, and that while many Guyanese have already expressed their intention of returning home, he is disappointed that a few officials who met with them mid last week sought to influence them to “remain and rebuild.”

“People want to go home back,” Carter said. “I don’t think it was fair for them to try to influence them to stay.”

Meanwhile, though much weaker than her predecessor, Irma, Hurricane Maria is still causing a significant amount of distress among Guyanese who said they have already lost so much.

“I don’t think we can

“I don’t think the country can handle a second hurricane just after Hurricane Irma,” another man said.

“About 80 per cent of the islands have been destroyed; some areas worse than others. It is 95 miles per hour, half of what Irma was, but it is still dangerous.”

Hurricane Maria is forecast to rapidly gain strength over the next two days as it takes aim at the Caribbean.

The storm is expected to be a major hurricane when it hits the Leeward Islands over the next few days, intensifying to a Category 4 hurricane in 48 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center's latest update.

As of Sunday at 11 p.m.

ET, Maria was about 100 miles (165 kilometres) northeast of Barbados, and about 210 miles (340 kilometres) east-southeast of Dominica, the center said. It had strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane, packing winds of 85 mph, and is forecast to continue moving towards the Eastern Caribbean at 13 mph.

Maria is one of three storms churning in the Atlantic Ocean, but it poses

A hurricane watch is in effect for the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin

Islands, St. Maarten/St. Martin, St. Barthelemy and Anguilla -- many of which were devastated when Irma blew through the Caribbean, killing 44 people. A hurricane watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds.

SATURDAY’S MEETING Speaking of the meeting on Saturday between Guyana’s Minister of Citizenship Mr Winston Felix and Guyanese living in the BVI, Carter said the government has commenced a process of selecting persons who have indicated that they want to return home. A list of names has been generated, especially for those individuals whose children were not born in Guyana and are unable to attend school at this time.

Meanwhile, the Government of Guyana, through the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and the Disaster Risk Reduction Platform, has set up a CDC IRMA RECOVERY FUND at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) and Republic Bank Limited (RBL) to raise funds to further assist Guyanese who are suffering as a result of Irma.

The government has already contributed US$100,000 to the fund, and is continuing to spearhead efforts to take the much-needed items to the islands.

Contributions can be made to the IRMA RECOVERY FUND GBTI account number: 011802489012; or IRMA RECOVERY FUND REPUBLIC BANK account number: 651-993-8

4 4

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 22, 2017 Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 22, 2017

Roofs blown away, house flattened

…as storm rips through Bath Settlement

By Clifford Stanley SIX houses were partially damaged and another was flattened at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, when a storm ripped through a section of the village late Monday afternoon.

Block D 1 of Bath Settlement resounded to the sounds of zinc sheets being hammered on to the roofs of homes as affected residents hustled to replace blownaway roofs before nightfall.

One home owner was not so lucky with her property: Ms Sheila Harrichan, 58, escaped injury, but the wind sent her home crashing to the ground with her trapped on the verandah. Her home was flattened and will have

to be reconstructed, a staff of the regional administration of Region Five, which is offering her help, said.

Other home-owners reported additional losses due to rain damage of electrical items such as television sets, DVD players, refrigerators and freezers as the storm with accompanying sheets of rain, loud thunder and lightning hammered that section of the village for about 15 minutes before abating.

A lifelong resident of Bath Settlement said that the slanting rain, loud thunder and flashing sheets of lightning was the worst he had ever experienced.

“Everything turn black and white. We couldn’t see anything for that period,” he

said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Harrichan who lives alone and who was the worst-hit vic-

tim of the storm, is in dire need of assistance in terms of shelter and reconstruction of her home. Her husband died 16 years ago, she said and she is a two-daya-week domestic worker “I don’t have the financial

resources to rebuild. All my furniture and belongings are exposed to the weather. I have nowhere to go. “ Kind neighbours rescued her Monday night and last night. People’s National Congress Parliamentarian

Worst hit: Bath Settlement storm victim Ms Sheila Harrichan outside her home yesterday

for Region Five Miss Jennifer Wade and Mr Abel Seetaram of the AFC visited the area yesterday and collected information on what assistance was needed. Regional Executive Officer of the region, Ovid Morrison, said that the region will assist Ms Harrichan with rebuilding, but it will take some time. Regional Engineer Dhanpaul Sukha explained: “Our first thought was that all we had to do was jack up the house and place it back on the blocks. But on investigation our carpenters found that the beams of the house had been badly damaged. They have to dismantle and reconstruct.”

Meanwhile, Mr Seetaram was yesterday afternoon mobilising assistance to help the storm victims and in particular Ms Harrichan to regain the shelter of her own home.

Gov’t delivers first set of relief

--to hurricane-affected islands THE first set of relief by Government to hurricane-affected islands, Antigua, Sint Maarten, and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) arrived in Antigua via aircraft on Sunday.

Minister of Citizenship Mr Winston Felix, who joined the Needs Assessment team in Antigua on Sunday, has expressed the government’s commitment to continued support.

Following his arrival on Antigua, the Minister travelled to Tortola, in the BVI, where he met with some of the Guyanese nationals liv-

ing there and who were were affected by Hurricane Irma.

It is estimated that some 1,500 Guyanese reside on the island.

According to Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Preparedness and Response Manager, Major Sean Welcome, the initial relief effort was made possible through a generous donation from Gaico Construction Ltd. Among items it was able to purchase were rice, medical supplies, and water.

According to information reaching the Department of Public Information(DPI), the

supplies are to be distributed in Antigua and Barbuda.

Containers are also on their way, by boat, to Antigua with further provisions, including building materials, which are to be distributed farther afield to BVI and Sint Maarten.

The Antiguan government has given its Guyanese counterpart the assurance that the items will be delivered to its desired locations.

There has also been a special call from the BVI for logs from Guyana to be used as electricity poles. The request was made to CARICOM

— WANTED —

ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES

The New York Edition (Guyana Chronicle) is looking for motivated sales representatives to join our team selling print and on-line advertising to an established account list.

The New York Edition (Guyana Chronicle) is a weekly newspaper, carrying news, views and comments from the Diaspora, Guyana and the Caribbean and is circulated every Friday in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, as well as on our webpage (www.guyanachronicle.com).

Do you have experience meeting and exceeding sales goals, anticipating challenges and continually seeking new customers. If you are goal-driven, we want to talk to you.

Email your resume and references to Dennis Nelson @ dennisnelson.nychronicle@yahoo.com or call: (917) 379-6590 to schedule an interview.

Minister of Citizenship, Mr Winston Felix (second right), along with the CDC’s Major Sean Welcome (right) and island officials inspecting the first wave of relief supplies on arrival Sunday (Photo courtesy DPI)

Secretary-General, Irwin LaRocque.

In this regard, Minister Felix has assured Ambassador LaRocque that the request will be treated as a priority, and will be discussed with the government.

With BVI and Sint Maarten bracing for Hurricane Maria, the regional and international community continues its support to islands affected by Hurricane Irma, and Guyana also remains committed in this regard.

SITUATION IN BVI According to the Needs Assessment team, Hurricane Irma has left the BVI without power.

As with Sint Maarten, the Category Five hurricane has damaged the island severely, leaving families with limited cellular data and Internet service.

While the island is receiving support from the in-

ternational community, many Guyanese nationals there are still in need of tarpaulins, insect repellent, and water purification pills.

In the meantime, commercial flights were scheduled to resume on Monday, but will most likely be postponed because of Hurricane Maria.

There are reports of Guyanese casualties, and one family has already met with Minister Felix. In the face of the devastation left by Hurricane Irma, the Guyanese community is steadfastly unified, especially as they prepare for Hurricane Maria. However, their main concern is the schooling of their children. The DPI also understands that there are 11 shelters in operation across Tortola. The island is said to have been pummelled for six hours by Hurricane Irma, and again, similar to Guyanese nationals living in Sint

Maarten, those residing in the BVI are looking to rebuild.

On a positive note, supermarkets and shops have reopened their doors.

In an effort to assist Guyanese nationals living on Tortola, the largest of the islands that make up the BVI, Minister Felix has committed to ensuring that all their damaged documents are replaced, and to facilitate the registration of those of their children who have not been so documented.

CDC UPDATE Meanwhile, the CDC early Monday afternoon held a meeting to discuss their plan of action following the review of the Needs Assessment team.

Discussions are expected to be ongoing as ther government is committed to bringing relief to nationals affected by the hurricane on the islands.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 22, 2017

The Handel Andrews Column

T TH HE E H HI IS ST TO ORY RY PA PAG GE E

A Brief history of Guyanese Music

T

his article briefly traces Guyanese music to the early 60s. It was the most productive period in Guyana’s musical history.

In an article of this size every contributor cannot be mentioned. I hope those mentioned will make you proud.

After folk songs, Shanto is the earliest Guyanese musical form and the only one that we can called our own. Greatly influenced by calypso and mento, it is a light-hearted description of life, usually accompanied by a guitar. “It’s an improvisation of words and music with an AfroWest Indian beat, but the language and topics must be intrinsically Guyanese before it can be considered Shanto.” It was largely featured at vaudeville shows. Augustus Hinds (Bill Rogers) is credited with creating it.

In 1934, he recorded with RCA Victor Bluebird Recording Co., then the largest recording company in the world.

SHANTO

He is the first Guyanese to sign a recording contract with a British Gramophone Record Company “PARLAPHONE RECORDS” where he recorded “Beegee Bhagee”, “Daddy Gon” and “Sightseeing In The U.K.” “Beegee Bhagee went worldwide after Harry Belafonte used it on one of his albums. For me, The West Indian Weed Woman” is his best creation. the story is about an herbal vendor who roamed the streets of Georgetown, Guyana, selling her leaves, spices, roots and other natural traditional medicines — cures for the body and mind.

“One day ah met an old woman selling An ah wanted something to eat I say I was going to put a Bit in she way But I tek back when I meet I thought she had bananas, oranges, or pears But was nothing that I need For when I ask the old woman What she was selling She said she was selling weed.

But I can’t remember all that she call — But these were a few she had: Man Piaba, Woman Piaba Tantan

BILL ROGERS

5

ville. These included Mighty Sparrow, Lord Melody, Lord Cristo, Mighty Spoiler, Lord Melody and Small Island Pride.

During this period, Guyana produced great calypsonians, including Lord Canary, Lord Sweet Dreams, King Cobra, Intruder (32), Lord Inventor (Eddie Hooper) of “Where are your Friends Now”, “Passing Memories” and “Why Should I Leave Guyana” fame and the greatest Guyanese extempo calypsonian of all time, The Lord Coffee.

BRASS BANDS

Fall-Back and Lemon Grass Minnie Root, Gully Root, Granny-Back Bone Bitter Tally. Lime leaf, and Toro Collie Bitters, Carilla Bush, Flat ‘o the Earth, and Iron Weed, Sweet Broom, Fowl Tongue, Wild Daisy, Sweet Sage and even Toyo. She had Cat mint, Chinee Mint, Soldier rod, Pasture lana and Cowfoot bush, Milk weed, brick weed, Bird vine, Ants bush, Bishop Cap and Rock Balsam, Surinam Some of the Bitters, Wild Green great Brass Bands Tea, Sweet Finger of the 40s through and Worm Bush, the 50s included Zeb Grass, Para Harry Banks OrGrass, Carrion chestra, Bert Rogers Crow Bush, Sweet and his Aristocrats Bitters and Tisane.”

Dance Orchestra, Mr. GouBill performed veia’s Orchestra, regularly on the Tom Charles and British Guiana CricHis Syncopators, ket Club (BGCC) Washboards and ground, Promenade Nelo and his LuckGardens (Little garies Orchestra.. den) and Chinese These bands were Cricket Club (CCC) led by brilliant mugrounds. sicians. This writer By 1940, CarLORD iNVENTOR considers Syncopanival was an annual tors to have been the event in Trinidad and Tobago. However, in Guyana, vaudeville was the call of the best in this time. Persons of my mother’s day. After Carnival, many great calypso- age might have preferred Bert Rogers.

Syncopators was led by Thomas nians came to Guyana and played vaude-

(Tom) Benjamin Charles, a brilliant drummer from Victoria Village. Founding members of the Band were Harry Whittaker (the best alto saxophonist in the region), Ferdinand Eversley (tenor saxophone), Edgar Davidson (Lead Trumpet), Basil Harris (Base), Byron Hunte (Piano). Tom Charles’ compositions included: Sugar Plumb, Can Can Girl, Creole Licks, Strong Man Cuffy, Happy Day Boom and Guyana Boom.

Vocalists with the band included Ulric Gouveia, Annie Haynes, Ina Vyphuis, Monica Chopperfield (Lady Guymine) and in the later days the great Johnny Braff.

Another spectacular band of the 50s

LORD CANARY

Boston Shipping Enterprises, Inc. (continued on page 20)

We Make Shipping Overseas as Easy as Shipping Next Door TO WE SHIP GUYANA, JAMAICA BARRELS TRINIDAD & TOBAGO BOXES GRENADA, BARBADOS DOCUMENTS ST. VINCENT LUGGAGE ST. LUCIA, HAITI APPLIANCES & Other World Wide Destinations FURNITURE CONTAINERS FAST RELIABLE SERVICE CARS & REASONABLE RATES

BOSTON SHIPPING ENTERPRISES, INC. 718.443. 8400

Fax: 718.443. 8403

506 Decatur Street (Corner of Ralph Ave.) Brooklyn, NY 11233 Licensed and Bonded as Required By The Federal Maritime Commission — For Your Protection

6 6

For All Publishing and Advertising in New York consult our New York Representative:

Dennis A. Nelson

dennisnelson.nychronicle@yahoo.com

Tel: 917-379-6590

Editorial guyanachronicle.com

For All Publishing and Advertising in New York consult our New York Representative:

Dennis A. Nelson

dennisnelson.nychronicle@yahoo.com

Tel: 917-379-6590

Editorial Fighting HIV/AIDS SINCE the first case of HIV/AIDS was recorded decades ago, millions of persons around the globe have died annually from the various symptoms associated with that disease.

HIV/AIDS was, in its early stages, erroneously linked to homosexual behaviour, because of its prominence within the gay community, particularly amongst men who had sex with men. So widespread was this belief that at one point the disease was called the “gay cancer.”

It has since been recognised that while homosexual couples and women are more at risk of contracting the disease, with more than half of the infected population being women, the disease is not particularly about who becomes infected.

Despite public service messages, advertisements, and seminars hosted to educate persons on the dangers attached to having unprotected sex, there are still a substantial number of persons dying every year from AIDS-related complications. Millions of dollars are annually being spent to help sensitise the public about the disease -- which was first diagnosed here in Guyana in the year 1987 -- not only because of its ability to rob otherwise healthy persons of their lives and knock decades off a country’s national development, but also for its ability to “widen the gulf between rich and poor nations, and push already stigmatised groups closer to the margins of society.”

A combination of factors, such as increased access to antiretroviral treatments; programmes focusing on youth development and reproductive health, and counselling has since seen a constant decrease in the number of new cases each year.

While Guyana and countries across the Caribbean still stand in second place to the Sub-Saharan Africa Region -- where new HIV/AIDS cases average 5000 every year, accompanied by at least 200 deaths -- with new and more affordable treatment options now available, there has been a 70% reduction in AIDS-related deaths, compared to 15 years ago.

Guyana also seems to be doing well in the fight against mother-to-child transmission of the disease, as a result of the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme, and may soon be able to boast of

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 22, 2017 Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 15, 2017

Guyana calls on UN to protect the Guiana Shield

By Svetlana Marshall

President David Granger has called on the United Nations to help protect and preserve the ‘Guiana Shield’ as a global resource for the survival and sustainability of the planet.

The Guyanese President made the call at a time when countries across the world are being devastated by natural disasters. In Dominica, Hurricane Maria left more than nine persons dead and significant damage to the country’s infrastructure, while in Mexico, over 200 people were killed after a magnitude 7.1 earth quake struck the North American country.

President Granger, in his address during the General Debate of the 72nd Regular Session of the UN General Assembly, said the Guiana Shield is critical to the mitigation of the greenhouse effect.

Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are linked to the increase in global temperatures which will ultimately result in increased risk of drought and increased intensity of storms, including tropical cyclones with higher wind speeds.

“Guyana is part of the Guiana Shield, one of the world’s last remaining blocks of pristine rainforest.

The ‘Shield’ is the source of 15 per cent of the world’s freshwater reserves…It provides environmental services such as the regulation of the water cycle, water quality and pollination. The ‘Shield’s’ forests capture and store carbon, thereby mitigating the greenhouse effect. The ‘Shield’ is essential to life on the planet,” Pres-

ident Granger told the world leaders.

It is the strong belief of the President, that a sustainable planet is humanity’s ultimate patrimony.

“We have been indifferent too long to the need to protect the planet and now its sustainability is threatened on many fronts,” he stated.

Emphasising that climate change is not a fiction nor the invention of a few extremists, President Granger pointed to the small island states of the Caribbean and parts of North America that have felt the devastating fury of a series of hurricanes – Harvey, Irma, José, Katia, Lee and Maria.

“Hurricane Irma was a deadly, destructive portent of the extreme vulnerability and fragility of the small island developing and low-lying coastal states of the Caribbean.

Guyana is playing its part, within the limits of its resources, to provide relief to affected populations in sister Caribbean states,” he said.

It was on this note that the President renewed Guyana’s commitment to the UN’s Paris Climate Agreement, which he had signed onto on behalf of the country in 2016.

Guyana’s recommitment to the agreement is demonstrated most positively in the country’s pioneering role in global environmental stewardship.

He recalled that in 1989 – three years before the Rio Conference of 1992 – Guyana entered into an environmental covenant with the international community by dedicating 360,000 hectares of its rainforest.

Guyana, 20 years after that international initiative, entered an agreement with the Kingdom of Norway

“…to work together to provide the world with a relevant, replicable model of how Reducing Emissions and Forest Degradation, plus conservation and sustainable forest management (REDD+) can align the development objectives of forest countries with the need to combat climate change.”

Meanwhile, in making reference to the theme of the General Debate “Focusing on people: Striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet,” President Granger noted that is facing several serious humanitarian crises.

“Children, in too many parts of the world, still die from preventable diseases or go to bed hungry. Women, in some places, are denied equal opportunities to enjoy a ‘good life.’

The gap between the world’s rich and its poor remains unacceptably wide. Conflicts within states have spawned international refugee crises which have resulted in millions being displaced from their homelands,” he told the world leaders.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he posited, are a representation of the UN’s collective mission to eradicate hunger and poverty, while promoting equal opportunities in education, employment and social justice for both men and women.

However, he said the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is being obstructed by the incidence of human rights violations and the involuntary migration of people from their homelands and by terrorism and warfare.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in articles in this newspaper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policies and views of the management of the New York Edition of the Guyana Chronicle. the public health achievement of eliminating mother-to-child be done in helping to eliminate or diminish the number of stigma-related and discriminatory attitudes held totransmission of HIV as Cuba did in June 2015.

For all the improvements over the years, however, doctors wards those with the disease. Stigmatisation, in Guyana are now of the opinion that a new formulated strategy needs and around the world, is often so strong that those who to be put in place with the spread of the virus, as many per- are infected, or suspect that they are, are often hindered sons across the country are taking comfort in its success rate from seeking treatment or learning their status and of reduction and this has encouraged complacency, as many being educated on preventative measures. This creates have stopped seeing the urgent need for protection, which has a barrier, which could potentially become life-threatening and significantly decrease the mental health of the resulted in “a growing trend of new HIV cases.”

Whilein there has newspaper been some progress, over the There is an urgent need to sustain and intensify efforts The views and opinions expressed inperson. articles this are in the fight against infection, so that its levels can be kept at years, with the monitoring and reduction of stigmatisation within the workplace, guidelines have been put a minimum, amongst young Currently, those ofparticularly the authors andpeople. do not necessarily reflect theaspolicies and statistics show that over 60% of the new cases are isolated to in place to help in that respect, stigmatisation within the wider is still largely in place; and, for the young persons, showing the need for more education regardviews of the management of the New Yorksociety Edition of the Guyana most part, will largely remain that way over the next ing the virus and its potential dangers amongst the young.

Chronicle.

Education on prevention aside, more also needs to few years.

Disclaimer:

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 22, 2017

robertsconsulting@gmx.com * (347) 279-6668

W

Lessons For Caribbean Governments After Irma

estate developers permission to remove sand from beaches and dredge protective mangrove swamps to erect cheap hotels by the water’s edge.

Jamaica is a classic case of this unwise short-tem “tourism at any cost” an approach that features large box hotels built on or near beaches. Fixing these unintended probMore devastation caused by Irma. lems is bound to be expensive. I submit that they will be left pledged to support the organization.

So the bottom line is this: To untended, as myopic politicians cannot weather coming storms, as well as earthsee beyond the next election. quakes and droughts, the Caribbean reCARICOM’s weak bureaucracies What this means is that the vast majority and regional political fragmentation is gion will have to do a lot more. Billions of the region’s population occupies hous- also a real challenge that hinders a collec- of dollars will have to be spent on uping that is too flimsy and structurally tive, coherent, and proactive regional dis- grading buildings, roads and other infraweak to withstand even a Category 1 hur- aster preparedness and response regime. structure. With prudent forward planning and thinking when powerful hurricanes ricane or a powerful tropical storm.

Regional governments are notorious for force Caribbean islands to rebuild they A lot of this poor planning and fail- paying lip service and giving very little should take the opportunity to build houre to learn from previous natural disas- support to some of the joint initiatives tels and roads farther away from the ters is about governments giving real they have created. For example, even as seashore. CARICOM has an obligation to Irma loomed large and dan- set up uniform building codes and stanIrma wreaked havoc in gerous and the destruction dards for the entire region. CARICOM the Caribbean forecast, CDEMA’s mem- agencies empowered by the region’s govbers had yet to approve the ernments must be able to mobilize fleets budget of its disaster co-or- of boats and planes at short notice when dination unit. The Carib- a disaster strikes. Better planning coopbean Community Climate eration not only in the region but also Change Center, which is with North American and European partsupposed to help members ners is necessary and vital to handle the adjust to climate change, other Irmas that are bound to come. incredibly gets almost no CARICOM’s governments must step up money from the region’s to the plate or the alternative will be dire government that has indeed.

ith a US$30 billion damage and destruction price tag, Hurricane Irma is the worst natural disaster to hit the Caribbean region in over 50 years. The Category 5 storm also ravaged Florida chalking up an additional $50 billion in death and destruction. For Floridians the cost to rebuild will be footed by the US Federal government. It’s not so easy for the small islandnation states of the Caribbean. The hurricane destroyed Barbuda, Antigua’s poorer sister isle in their independent state; wrecked most dwellings on tiny St. Martin, an island divided between France and the Netherlands; flattened Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands, and St, John in the American-owned half of the same archipelago. Irma’s cost to these small Caribbean islands, which promote themselves as tourist paradises, will exceed their Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Still, Hurricane Irma is a dire warning for the Caribbean that its political leaders ignore at their peril. The fact is that warmer seas, one of the negative effects of climate change, will bring stronger and larger (area-wise) hurricanes with bigger storm surges and more destructive power.

That’s something that all regional governments must recognize and confront: more powerful annual storms will smash the beach resorts from which the large majority of Caribbean islands make their living. A one-meter (39. 3700787 inches) rise in sea levels that environmental scientists believe can happen this century could possibly displace more than 100,000 people in the region. That is a looming humanitarian crisis and disaster waiting to happen.

In this context CARICOM governments and institutions need to get a grip on this annual natural phenomenon because its not if but when and where the next round of dangerous hurricanes will hit. Today it’s Barbuda, Cuba and St. Martin, tomorrow it will be Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Haiti or all of them — if hurricane trends are anything to go by. To be sure the region has learned a few lessons since Hurricane Ivan pummeled Grenada in 2004. This government has become better at educating residents and providing emergency shelter that is an object lesson for the rest of CARICOM. There’s now a regional disaster insurance program that pays out money in the event of a hurricane. And there’s CDEMA (Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency), a regional organization, that co-ordinates planning and relief efforts for its 18 members, including British overseas territories.

That’s the good news. The bad news is that ALL of the regional Caribbean governments have dropped the ball when it comes to the difficult things needed to make their islands safer and more resilient. For example, antiquated and outmoded building codes, some going back to the 1800s, are still applied in a knee-jerk fashion, if at all.

7

EMPHASIS ON TRAVEL AND TOURISM 8

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 22, 2017

New cases of ‘black money’ …FIU, SOCU on the trail of new money-laundering reports

By Alexis Rodney THE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) continues to work with the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) in monitoring new cases of money laundering with improved intelligence analysis, Director Matthew Langevine has said.

He is also urging the speedy establishment of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Authority and the appointment of a lawyer and accountant for the unit. The FIU Director said on Tuesday that the unit has had a few new cases which have been passed on to SOCU. While he could not give statistics at the time, he told the Guyana Chronicle that the FIU remains committed to its original task of keeping money laundering at bay.

“We’ve been working closely and reporting as required to SOCU. There have been a number of cases that we have been working and adding new cases,” Langevine told the Guyana Chronicle.

Staff appointment Regarding the posts of Lawyer and Accountant, the FIU Director said the critical positions have been vacant for a very long time. And although persons have been identified to fill the vacan-

cies, the final decision sits in the hands of the National Assembly. He said while Parliament is currently in recess, he hopes that the issue would be addressed as soon as the session resumes, as the two positions are critical to the effective functioning of the FIU. He said too that the very important AML authority is very important to the process of cooperative oversight of the FIU, a very important arm based on the law.

Meanwhile, Langevine said the Financial Unit continues its preparation for the fourth round of assessment of Guyana by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) which is expected in 2022.

He said currently the unit, in collaboration with the Chambers of the Attorney General, has been conducting consultations and meetings with both stakeholders and especially reporting entities to bring them up to date with the regulations. According to him, many reporting agencies have still not yet come on board and that the FIU was working towards rectifying that.

“The fourth round requires a demonstration of effectiveness. We have to ensure that the reporting agencies are on board. The main ones have started, friendly

Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit, Matthew Langevine

societies, cooperatives etc.

We are working also with the supervisory authority to be engaged in the oversight of these reporting authorities”, he told the Guyana Chronicle.

Back in May, the FIU had said that it would be moving to have lawyers, accountants and those in private practice be brought under regulation as part of the FIU requirement to ensure Guyana clears the Fourth Round of Mutual Evaluation by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force.

Updating on that, Lan-

gevine said both the FIU and the attorney general had met with the two groups. He said the professionals are aware of their expectations. One of the things needed he said however, is the appointment of a supervisory authority for the groups. He said there will be ongoing conversations which he hopes will lead to a common understanding.

In preparation for its Fourth Round of Mutual Evaluation, Guyana must have in place a robust regulatory and supervisory framework for all the reporting sectors. According to the FIU, the implementation process therefore requires ensuring that all reporting entities under the AML/CFT Act of 2009, comply with sections 15, 16, 18, 19 and 20 of the

said Act. These provisions relate, among other things, to the conducting of customer due diligence, record-keeping and maintenance, submitting suspicious and other reports to the FIU and appointment of a compliance officer.

Langevine also addressed criticisms of the FIU’s failure to publish its annual reports. He explained that an amendment to the AML ACT in 2015 no longer requires the unit to publish its annual reports. He said information coming out of the FIU can be requested by the AML authority. “The FIU is no longer required to publish reports. It is illuminated under sections 111”, he told this publication.

MINERVA TRAVEL

CLIA/IATA OSSN/SATH APTA/PATA TPOC/IGLTA M/W/DBE CERTIFIED

ELAINE HENRY, CTA, MCC Travel Consultant 1053 E 40th Street Tel: 718-377-2071 Brooklyn, NY 11210 Fax: 718-377-1291 email: minitravel@hotmail.com www.minervatravel.net

$275.00 $589.00

To Advertise in this new and exciting paper The New York Edition of the GUYANA CHRONICLE — Guyana’s National Newspaper call: 917-379-6590

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 22, 2017

9

Puerto Rico faces floods, misery after Maria 'obliteration' San Juan (AFP) — Flash floods brought fresh misery to Puerto Rico on Thursday after its infrastructure was shattered by Hurricane Maria and President Donald Trump declared the US territory a disaster zone.

The hurricane, which Trump said had "absolutely obliterated" the island, left its 3.4 million people totally without power and officials said it may be months before it is fully restored.

The storm was blamed for 10 deaths in the Caribbean, including a man in northern Puerto Rico's Bayamon district who was struck by a board he had used to cover his windows.

"Puerto Rico is absolutely obliterated," Trump told reporters after declaring the island a disaster area in a move that will free up emergency relief funding.

"Puerto Rico is in a very, very, very tough shape," he said.

Though the storm had moved back out to sea, authorities declared a flash flood warning for all of Puerto Rico as "torrential" rains continued to lash the island.

"If possible, move to higher ground NOW!" the National Weather Service station in San Juan said in a tweet, calling the flooding "catastrophic."

Puerto Rico was expected to receive 20 to 30 inches (51 to 76 centimeters) of rain through Saturday, with some isolated areas receiving 35 inches, the National Hurricane Center said.

The rain had turned some roads in the US territory into muddy brown rivers, impassable to all but the largest of vehicles.

Toppled trees, street signs and power cables were strewn across roads that were also littered with debris.

Although Maria has now passed over Puerto Rico and lost some of its power, it is still packing winds of 115 miles per hour (185 kilometers per hour) and moving northwards towards the Turks and Caicos Islands after brushing the Dominican Republic.

TOTALLY DESTROYED Puerto Rico's Governor Ricardo Rossello, who called Maria "the most devastating storm in a century" said the island was having to contend with mass flooding and a total breakdown of its power and telecommunications infrastructure.

Ricardo Ramos, who heads the island's electricity board, said it could take months before power is fully restored.

"We recognize that the system, you know, has been totally destroyed," he said of the electricity network.

While the island had suffered major blackouts from previous hurricanes, Ramos said the impact would be felt much more keenly this time.

"Everybody uses, of course, their social media, and the kids play on their electronic games and video games, and now really the customer has changed," he told CNN. "I guess it's a good time for dads to buy a glove and ball and change the way you entertain your children and the way you are going to go to school and the way you are going to cook for gas stoves other than electric."

UNDER CURFEWIn San Juan, where tens of thousands rode

out the storm in shelters or else hunkered down in their homes, residents told of their terrifying ordeal.

"This was absolutely the worst experience we've had with a hurricane," Kim Neis, an American who has lived on the island for 30 years, told AFP. "None of the others were anything like as intense as this."

Rossello imposed a 6:00 pm to 6:00 am curfew until Saturday and warned of flooding and mudslides.

"I urge the people of Puerto Rico to commit to peace, understanding, and good judgment during these difficult times for our island," he said.

There were reports of looting and authorities said 10 people had been arrested.

Some of the damage caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

DOMINICA DEVASTATION Maria has already torn through several Caribbean islands, leaving at least seven people dead on Dominica.

In the French territory of Guadeloupe, one person was killed by a falling tree as Maria hit, while another died on the seafront.

At least two are missing after their boat sank off the French territory, while 40 percent of households were without power.

Strong winds were recorded in the Dominican Republic on Thursday due to Maria but there were no immediate reports of casualties or serious damage.

Scores battle for survival after huge 7.1 quake hits Mexico MEXICO CITY, Mexico - Over 200 people were killed across central Mexico, and several others were trapped beneath the debris of collapsed buildings after a tragic 7.1 magnitude earthquake shook the country.

The quake brought back horrid memories of a similar tragedy that occurred on the same day 32 years back — the 8 magnitude quake in 1985, that killed up to 10,000 people and left 30,000 others injured.

Mexico City, one of the world’s most densely populated cities saw at least 44 buildings collapsed on Tuesday night after the quake struck the earthquake-prone city at 1.14 pm While several were killed instantly after being buried in collapsed buildings, many others were trapped.

The city’s survivors struggled through the night and into the early hours of the morning, looking for those trapped beneath the immense piles of pancaked rubble, with cries of people often arising from the rubble, punctuating the silence after the devastation.

Power across 40 percent of the city of 20 million people was out after the quake and rescue and medical services were stretched to their limit overnight.

Volunteers, Medics and Marines worked side by side to clear away the chunks of concrete, forming lines in the city to pass along containers filled with rubble and dump them into waiting trucks.

According to the Federal Education Department, a collapsed school in the southern neighborhood of Villacoapa saw rescuers pulling out 25 bodies from the wreckage — all

but four of them children and more are believed to be under the wreckage.

Meanwhile, in the Del-Valle neighborhood, hundreds of people gathered to search for trapped residents.

In the area, at least two multi-story apartment buildings fell, and residents said dozens of people could have been inside.

At the Clínica Gabriel Mancera in Mexico City, over a dozen hospital beds had been set up on the patio outside as a triage center on Tuesday.

Further, experts pointed out that the quake

shook Mexico City so hard that the murky, stagnant waters of the city’s ancient Xochimilco canals were churned up, turning the waterways into wave pools.

Mayor Miguel Ángel Mancera said that 44 buildings had collapsed or partly collapsed in Mexico City alone, including a six-storey blocks of flats, a supermarket and a factory.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake struck 76 miles southeast of the cap-

ital.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday morning, Luis Felipe Puente, the head of Mexico’s civil protection agency, put the toll at 217, revising it down from earlier estimates.

On Tuesday night, President Enrique Peña Nieto urged calm in a video message, saying “the priority at this moment is to keep rescuing people who are still trapped and to give medical attention to the injured people.”

Nieto added that 40 percent of the capital and 60 percent of the neighboring Morelos state, was without power.

Two weeks back, southern part of the county was hit by an even larger 8.1 magnitude tremor that took place off the Pacific coast an shook the county, killing nearly 100 people.

Nieto had been travelling to the southern state of Oaxaca to inspect the damage from the earlier earthquake when the latest one occurred.

He immediately went back to the capital to convene a national emergency council.

According to scientists, the same largescale tectonic mechanism caused both events.

Last week scientists explained that the larger North American Plate is forcing the edge of the Cocos Plate to sink.

This collision generated both quakes.

Don Blakeman, a geophysicist with the USGS explained that Mexico City is partially

built on old lake sediment, which is much softer than rock.

He added that the seismic waves can be amplified traveling through the sediment, making the damage worse than in areas on moresolid ground.

He said aftershocks were possible, too.

According to the USGS estimates, the rupture was approximately 50 kilometers, or 31 miles deep, and as a rule, the shallower an earthquake is, the higher the chance for aftershocks.

Blakeman said, “Fifty kilometers is pretty shallow, so I would expect aftershocks.”

Hours after the quake, about two million people in the capital were without electricity and phone lines were down.

In his televised address, the country’s President said an emergency had been declared for the affected areas and the military had been drafted in to help with the response.

Meanwhile, Alfredo del Mazo Maza, governor of the State of Mexico ordered all public transport to operate services for free so that people could travel home.

Commenting on the tragedy on Twitter, President Donald Trump wrote, “God bless the people of Mexico City. We are with you and will be there for you.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also tweeted his support following the "devastating news.”

Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solis, in New York for the UN General Assembly, expressed his "solidarity" with the Mexican (CaribbeanNews.net) people.

10

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 22, 2017

WI CRICKET: SUSTAINABLE CHANGE "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong"

I

n last week's column, we heralded the first innings partnership of Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope at Headingly, Leeds during the 2nd Test between England and the West Indies. We surmised that this discipline and commitment was a snippet of what is required to effect the West Indies cricket reversal process. Little did we know, at that time, that this superb performance would have been repeated in the second innings leading to the first time the West Indies won a test in England for 17 years. One of the biggest upsets in Test cricket history. Congratulations West Indies!

There was rife speculation and hope that this could be the start of another era of West Indies success.

However, in the very next tour match against the Leicestershire county club, this same batting machine , batting first, found itself at 64 for the loss of five wickets only to be rescued by batsmen #7 and #9 who scored centuries and posted a respectable score by the end of the day.

Why the inconsistency, why the inability to effect sustainable change?

I think we can learn something from the life insurance industry here.

They often focus on those issues that affect new business generation, but this does not contribute to sustainable success if they ignore the policy renewal aspect of the business. In insurance, this is called the persistency ratio and is defined as “the percentage of an insurance company’s already written policies remaining in force without lapsing or being replaced by policies of other insurers.” www.megainsights.com/importanceOne cricket indicator of persisof-persistency-in-life-insurance-busitency is the batting average. If the ness/ . batting average of an individual bats-

men is low, how can the team be persistent in scoring high aggregate totals which is necessary to compete with other teams and get to the top of the rankings.

A little research on ESPNcricinfo will show that the combination of "age" and "test batting averages", respectively, of our "best"

— 1 Corinthians 16:13

eight batsmen (including a wicket keeper and an all-rounder) currently

Dr. Basil Springer’s Column

available for selection, is as follows: Darren Bravo (28;40), Kieron Powell (27;26), Jermaine Blackwood (25;33), Jason Holder (25;30), Roston Chase (25;41), Shane Dowrich (25;25), Kraigg Brathwaite (24;37) and Shai Hope (23; 30). A crude estimate of the expected score from these eight batsmen (the other three who have to bat are specialist bowlers who can be expected to score 30 runs between them) is 265. The team total can therefore be expected to average 295. Incidentally, in the first two tests of the current series the team totals averaged 288 over four innings.

My hypothesis is that this is too low if we want to get to the top and stay there. How much should it be?

Well in the mid 80s when West Indies were on top of the rankings, the expected team total averaged 332 based on the individual batting averages.

The average age of the current team is less than 27 years so let us adopt a persistency strategy that will lead to sustainable change. This should include continual self-renewal, mind-set change, skill-set change and cross cultural communication change (learning from other successful sporting teams) in our quest to get to the top and stay there.

Let us encourage our batsman to put runs on the board for our bowlers to defend. In whatever you do, do not rest on your laurels, take a fresh guard, stand firm in the faith, continually start again from zero, change that mind-set to learn from your mistakes rather than repeat them. Remember the bowler is your adversary with a brain and will continually be trying to knock you over. Get familiar with his culture and frustrate his efforts as you climb to sustainable success.

May I end on a personal note and offer sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Ronald Ramcharan, a Trinidadian colleague, who passed away suddenly recently.

Ronald was a regular reader of this column. We often engaged in friendly dialogue, especially about the waning fortunes of the West Indies team.

Gone too soon, may he rest in peace!

(Dr. Basil Springer GCM is a Change-Engine Consultant. His email address is basilgf57@ gmail.com. His columns may be found at www.nothingbeatsbusiness.com and on www.facebook .com/basilgf.)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 22, 2017

11

Ease The Tension — Enjoy A Laugh

Attendant: Welcome aboard Ala Carte Air, sir. May I see your ticket?

Passenger: Sure.

Attendant: You’re in seat 12B. That will be $5, please!

Passenger: What for?

Attendant: For telling you where to sit.

Passenger: But I already knew where to sit.

Attendant: Nevertheless, we are now charging a seat locator fee of $5. It’s the airline’snew policy.

Passenger: That’s the craziest thing I ever heard. I won’t pay it.

Attendant: Sir, do you want a seat on this flight, or not?

Passenger: Yes, yes. All right, I’ll pay. But the airline is going to hear about this.

Attendant: Thank you. My goodness, your carry-on bag looks heavy. Would you like me to stow it in the overhead compartment for you?

Passenger: That would be swell, thanks.

Attendant: No problem. Up we go, and done! That will be $10, please.

Passenger: What?

Attendant: The airline now charges a $10 carry-on assistance fee.

Passenger: This is extortion. I won’t stand for it.

Attendant: Actually, you’re right, you can’t stand.

You need to sit, and fasten your seat belt.

We’re about to push back from the gate.

THE AIRLINES OF THE FUTURE

TRINIDAD PELAU Ingredcients: 3 pounds chicken cut into large pieces 2 tablespoons green seasoning 2 teaspoons grated garlic 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup Salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil 3 brown sugar 2 cups parboiled rice, washed and drained 3/4 cup chopped onions 1/2 cup chopped sweet peppers 2 cups cooked pigeon peas 1 cup diced carrots 2 cups fresh coconut milk 2 cups cooking liquid (liquid from peas) 1 whole scotch bonnet pepper 1/2 cup sliced green onions How to Make It: 1. Marinate the Chicken 2. In a large bowl, place chicken, green seasoning, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce and ketchup along with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Toss to mix and coat the chicken with the seasonings. Set aside and let marinate for at least an hour.

4. Cook the Chicken 5. Pour oil into a large pot and place on mediumhigh heat. Let oil heat until hot but not smoking.

6. Make the burnt sugar by sprinkling it into the heated oil in an even layer. Let the sugar melt until it starts to froth and bubble. As soon as the edges of the froth/bubbles start to get a slight shade darker, immediately add the seasoned chicken and stir to mix and coat with the burnt sugar. Let cook for 7 to 10 minutes.

7. Add the rice to the pot, stir to mix and cook for 3 minutes.

8. Add onions, sweet peppers, peas, and carrots and cook for 1 minute.

9. Pour in coconut milk and other cooking liquid.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

10. Toss in whole scotch bonnet pepper. Cover pot and bring to a boil.

11. When the pot comes to a boil, remove lid partially and let boil until you can see the surface of the dish (about 7 to 8 minutes).

12. Cover pot fully, reduce heat to low and let cook for 25 to 30 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed. Sprinkle the green onion on top and fold into Pelau. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper if necessary. Serve hot or at room temperature.

IT’S A FACT

by JAMES SYDNEY

FLYING FISH EGGS THE NEW

CA VIAR

F

ish eggs have been very popular as a food. Perhaps the best known of them is caviar. Caviar is a delicacy, much spoken of, if not as much eaten, because of its great cost. However, that’s changing in a way.

Most traditional caviar comes from three types of sturgeon fish: beluga, ossetra, and sevruga. However, because it is so expensive, eggs from other species such as flying fish, paddlefish and salmon have become popular as well, especially because they also taste good. Flying fish eggs have earned the name Golden Caviar and are much sought after today.

They have become a staple at sushi and other restaurants.

Flying fish lay eggs on drifting pieces of wood or grass in the sea. When the flying fish season comes in some parts of the world, fishermen traditionally lay straw mats on the water. When they retrieve them later, thousands of yellow fish eggs would be found on the mats.

These are then prepared and eaten.

Flying fish eggs have had great impact on the economy in the Mandar Province in Indonesia. The Mandarese depended for centuries upon successful exploitation of the products of the sea.

Important among them was catching flying fish Flying Fish (Cypselurus spp.)

There, during the East Monsoon, flying fish once traveled in dense “flocks” or swarms, like sparrows and bees. They would come gliding and skim-

ming over the surface of the straits like silver missiles. The traditional way of capturing Flying Fish was based on buaro traps. Buaro traps are barrel-shaped baskets made with bamboo tied together with twine and covered over with tresses of vegetable material. They are so constructed that when flying fish dart into them they cannot exit.

Mandarese fishermen made a good living catching flying fish. They also

FLYING FISH EGGS

But, first I need that $10.

Passenger: No way!

Attendant: Sir, if you don’t comply, I will be forced to call the air marshal. And you really don’t want me to do that.

Passenger: Why not? Is he going to shoot me?

Attendant: No, but there’s a $50 air-marshal hailing fee.

Passenger: Oh, all right, here, take the $10.. I can’t believe this.

Attendant: Thank you for your cooperation, sir. Is there anything else I can do for you?

Passenger: Yes. It’s stuffy in here, and my overhead fan doesn’t seem to work. Can you fix it?

Attendant: Your overhead fan is not broken, sir. Just insert two quarters into the overhead coin slot for the first five minutes.

Passenger: The airline is charging me for cabin air?

Attendant: Of course not, sir. Stagnant cabin air is provided free of charge. It’s the circulating air that costs 50 cents.

Passenger: I don’t have any quarters. Can you make change for a dollar?

Attendant: Certainly, sir! Here you go!

Passenger: But you’ve given me only three quarters for my dollar.

Attendant: Yes, there’s a change-making fee of 25 cents.

Passenger: For cryin’ out loud. All I have left is a lousy quarter? What the heck can I do with this?

Attendant: Hang onto it. You’ll need it later for the lavatory.

knew that the schools of flying fish search for floating debris on which to deposit and fertilize their eggs. The buaros, launched and floating on the ocean surface took the place of naturally occurring seaweed and twigs, and the fish would deposit their eggs on them.

So when the buaros are hauled back to the boats, heavy with flying fish, there were also eggs deposited on the tresses and the sides of the traps. These were a nice byproduct of the search for flying fish and were distributed freely among neighbors and villagers.

When however, a Japanese market for flying fish eggs opened up, the eggs became more profitable than the flying fish themselves. Mandarese fishermen focused on maximizing the intake of eggs.

Today, the fishermen now use gill nets with such efficiency that overfishing and intensive collection of flying fish eggs have resulted in a serious reduction of flying fish populations in the area. Scientists are now saying that continued use of devices focused on egg collection are likely to reduce stocks of flying fish below acceptable levels for reproduction.

Sushi chefs, who continue to use them in California rolls - sushi made with rice, avocado and flying fish eggs rolled up in seaweed – will probably find that prices will steadily go up.

Meantime, restaurants are increasingly calling flying fish eggs “caviar.”

They taste just as good to most people, and can be made to lookblack, green, brown, yellow or gray like the original caviar.

12 12

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 22, 2017 Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 22, 2017

Concerns raised about Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge

By Vanessa Braithwaite THE Linden community became anxious on Wednesday after photos by Municipal Councillor, Lennox Gasper, surfaced on social media on the state of the bottom of the Wismar Mackenzie Bridge.

Gasper said the bridge is in need of urgent repair and while the top may look good, the bottom demands urgent attention.

The councillor has since taken his concern to the chairman of the Linmine Secretariat, Emit Alves, as well as Mayor of Linden.

Carwyn Holland.

Holland when contacted

he said.

With the Wismar/ Mackenzie Bridge being the only bridge linking the east and west of Linden, if it is shuts down to facilitate extensive emergency works or to construct a new one right at the spot, thousands of commuters will be affected.

“It will take several months to a year and we will have to be using pontoons to cross, so we need to look at a second bridge in the town,” the mayor posited.

Alves, however, said from his assessment, the bridge does not need urgent repairs and bemoaned the fact that the community was made anxious over an unwar-

they normally have at peak hours because persons are clamouring for a two-lane bridge to ease the traffic congestion. This bridge isn’t in a state where it will collapse or that sort,” Alves said.

Meanwhile, daily commuters of the bridge have expressed fear over the situation and have even questioned the need for closing it every Thursday to facilitate repairs, while the bottom is in a terrible state.

“Every Thursday they close the bridge so what is the men doing. I believe is time we stop this with this bridge, we urgently need a new bridge; this one is there for very long and the mid-

The Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge in the mining town of Linden

Linden Enterprise Network, Klensil Grenville, expressed fear that if this is not done, the road will be built and the town will be in the same economic situation as it is in now since no steps are being taken

in preparation for the road.

“What will happen with that Brazil Road is just what is happening right now, billions of dollars that is passing through this town and we are not in the position

to benefit from anything whatsoever. It will just happen in larger proportions or quantity and it will happen again. We have to move from ideas to initiation and sound planning,” he said.

Camp St. inmates demand steak for breakfast INMATES who are on remand at the Camp Street Prison, including several who had escaped from the Lusignan Prison, were furious on Tuesday morning because they were not served steak for breakfast.

Director of Prisons, Gladwyn Samuels, told members

of the media that there was indeed a ruckus at the prison, but the prison authorities managed to control the situation.

“The escapees wanted steak for breakfast and it was not served…those who created the stir were the men who escaped and were later

A view at the bottom of the Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge

on Wednesday said he does believe that the bridge is in dire need of emergency repairs and renewed his call for the construction of a second bridge.

“It needs urgent assessment, we can just go and look with the naked eye and make our assessment but we are not the specialist in that area, we need an engineer to tell us exactly what is going on and how much time it has,”

ranted situation.

He said the council has been rallying for a new bridge and is saying that this bridge is in need of emergency repairs to push that cause.

“They are looking for ways and means to get some degree of urgency into that matter so I was trying to tell him (Gasper) that he should not excite the public about the existing bridge and he could use the traffic jams that

dle is there since 1913 so is high time Linden get a new bridge,” Coretta Brathwaite commented.

In June, regional authorities during a meeting with executives of the Private Sector Commission raised concerns about the construction of the new bridge to facilitate the traffic that will be attracted by the Linden to Lethem road.

Former Chairman of the

Camp street prison

recaptured. The Lusignan set,” he said.

According to prison sources, the minor unrest was settled after Samuels and the Commander of A’ Division, Assistant Commissioner Marlon Chapman, had a conversation with prisoners.

8 Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 22, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 20, 2017

13

Exxon aiming to have 90% of activities run by Guyanese

By Svetlana Marshall in New York

PRESIDENT of ExxonMobil Exploration Company, Stephen Greenlee, committed to building local capacity in Guyana when he met with President David Granger on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Subsequent to his meeting with President Granger on Monday, Greenlee told journalists that ExxonMobil Exploration is aiming to have more than 90 per cent of its activities run by Guyanese when production starts in 2020.

Though he was unable to state the number of Guyanese currently in the employ of ExxonMobil, Greenlee gave the assurance that the numbers will climb once production kicks in.

“So our goal is when we are up and running in Guyana, and we have the projects, and we have the actual production activities occurring, our goal is to be like all the other places where we would have employed over 90 per cent nationals in our activities,” the ExxonMobil President said.

According to him, the development of local content is of significant importance to the oil-producing company, noting that more contracts will be made available to

Guyanese contractors. “One of our top priorities is tried [sic] to build a local capacity,” he emphasised. Greenlee’s commitment comes days after Trinidadian Con-

make a product, in this case, the production of oil.

That aside, the President of ExxonMobil said that the Liza field remains one of the company’s top priorities,

first phase. The Liza Phase 1 development includes a subsea production system and a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel designed to produce 120, 000

cost of approximately $1.2 billion for the FPSO facility, and will develop approximately 450 million barrels of oil. The Liza field forms part of the Stabroek Block and is

President briefed on Exxon exploration. President David Granger met with the President of ExxonMobil Stephen Greenlee at Guyana’s Permanent Mission in New York. The President along with Ministers of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge and Public Affairs Dawn Hastings-Williams were briefed on Exxon’s operations in Guyana. Also part of the meeting was Ambassador Michael Ten-Pow the Permanent Representative to the UN, Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Audrey Waddell and Sir Shridath Ramphal. sultant Anthony Paul told Guyanese stakeholders that the local-content policy that the Government is currently drafting, must benefit all Guyanese. Local content can be described as the materials and workers that are used to

even as he disclosed its intention to start the drilling of additional wells soon. In June, the U.S. oil giant had disclosed that its final investment into the development of the Liza field stands at approximately $4.4B for the

barrels of oil per day.

With production expected to commence in 2020, less than five years after the discovery of oil in the field, Phase 1 is expected to cost just over $4.4 billion which includes a lease capitalisation

approximately 190 kilometres offshore in water depth of 1,500 to 1,900 metres.

An optimistic Greenlee said the company’s plans are progressing smoothly as it fulfils its obligation. “As I told the president, I looked

around the organisation to see if they were any outstanding issues, and they really aren’t any. It is really out first priority and we are moving forward,” he posited.

The U.S. oil giant is currently drilling an exploration well, and according to Greenlee, the results would be available in the coming days.

“We are very close to getting down to our objectives, and the other programmes that we have in Guyana are going well too.

I really gave the president a really optimistic view of how things are going at our operations in Guyana, and the work that we are doing with the regulatory agencies,” he said.

Overall, Greenlee said he is “very pleased” with the progress being made.

Questioned about the company’s investment thus far in the exploration process, the ExxonMobil President said it ranges in the billions.

“It’s really hard to pull that number off from the top of my head, I will say probably in the hundreds of millions of dollars so far in the exploration campaign, and in the work that we are doing in development, all the engineering work and all that, it’s probably several hundred millions of dollars, and the development itself will be several billion dollars,” he posited.

Camp St inmates Hurricane Maria hits Youths benefitdemand from Guyana steak for breakfast Dominica; PM fears worst People’s Militia exercise

INMATES who are on remand at the Camp Street SOME youths severfrom Prison, 119 including R g i o nhad s T hescaped r e e , F ofrom ur, ale who Five, Six and 10, enjoyed a the Lusignan Prison, were brief stint frommorntheir furious onaway Tuesday homes and were ing because theypositively were not impacted the recent served steakatfor breakfast.

Guyana People’s Militia Director of Prisons, Glad(GPM) 2017 Teen Camp. wyn Samuels, told members According to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), following some basic regimentation to ensure that they understood and appreciated the disciplined environment, the youths were engaged in learning National Policy and Basic Jungle Survival Skills. They also had regular physical training sessions which were designed to enhance their levels of fitness.

The GPM Teen Camp is designed to allow youths from all over Guyana to

of the media that there was indeed a ruckus at the prison, but the prison authorities managed to control the situation.

“The escapees wanted steak for breakfast and it was not served…those who created the stir were the men who escaped and were later

recaptured. The Lusignan set,” he said.

According to prison sources, the minor unrest was settled after Samuels and the Commander of A’ Division, Assistant Commissioner Marlon Chapman, had a conversation with prisoners.

PRIME Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is given, in search of the injured and those is calling for international aid to his trapped in the rubble. “I am honestly not hurricane-battered country even as he preoccupied with physical damage at this said his focus now “is in rescuing the time, because it is devastating…indeed, trapped and securing medical assis- mind-boggling. My focus now is in restance for the injured.” cuing the trapped and securing medical Skerrit, who himself had to be “res- assistance for the injured. We will need cued” from his residence as Hurricane help, my friends, we will need help of all Maria, a Category 5 storm hit the island on kinds.

Monday night, said that “initial reports are “It is too early to speak of the condition of widespread devastation. “So far we have of the air and seaports, but I suspect both of the youths howfor toatie special typesis of lost all what money can buySome and replace. will belearning inoperable few days. That knots withwe a rope. courtesy GPM) My greatest fear for the morning is that why(Photos I am eager now tothe solicit the support will wake to news of serious physical inju- of friendly nations and organisations with ing offorthe importance benefit opportunityservices, ry and possible deaths as a result of from likelythe helicopter I personally am of to see a part of their country defending Guyana from landslides triggered by persistent rains. eager to get up and get around the coun-inmight never ternal andwhat’s external threats.

“So, far the winds havethey swept awayotherwise try to see and determine needed,” had seen, to socialise and to in Further, the roofs of almost every person I have Skerrit said camp a message the relayed by helps the processSt. of Lucia-based learning them spoken to or otherwise madebegin contacta with.

Organisation of Eastern gain a greater appreabout thewas GPM Caribbean and its role The roof to my own official residence States (OECS) ciation of Commission. the military and in the society. among the first to go and this apparently Dominica was hit by the a Category 5 also lays foundation In addition, the camp triggered an avalanche of torn-away roofs storm in 1979for when Hurricane David consideration of forms the incubator for the their in the city and the countryside.” swept through island killing several careers in the military after their involvement as young He said on Tuesday, the authorities people and leaving millions of dollars in they complete secondary In this regard, will “hit the road, as soon aspatriots. the all-clear damage.

(CMC) Camp Street Prisoninvolved in physical training sessions at the camp they gained an understand- education.

The youths

14

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 22, 2017

President David Granger’s UN address

Mr President,

Nothing is more important, in this General Debate, than that all delegates should respect the relevant theme – Focusing on people: Striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet.

People First, the theme enjoins us to focus on people – people of all countries and in all circumstances. The theme is about the human condition – of people in states that are large and small; rich and poor; strong and weak. The theme is about humanity’s condition everywhere on earth. The world faces several, serious, humanitarian crises. Children, in too many parts of the world, still die from preventable diseases or go to bed hungry. Women, in some places, are denied equal opportunities to enjoy a ‘good life’. The gap between the world’s rich and its poor remains unacceptably wide.

Conflicts, within states, have spawned international refugee crises which have resulted in millions being displaced from their homelands.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent our collective desire and determination to eradicate hunger and poverty from our planet while promoting equal opportunities in education, employment and social justice for both men and women.

The adoption of the SDGs has catalysed our aspirations for a better world into concrete and forward-looking actions and objectives. The respective ‘Goals’ seek to promote respect for the inherent dignity of people and their rights as human beings.

The advancement of these ‘Goals’, however, is being obstructed by the incidence of human rights violations and the involuntary migration of people from their homelands and by terrorism and warfare.

The challenge to the UN is to resolve to reinforce respect for the rights of citizens within the governance structures of our member states.

Planet Second, a sustainable planet is humanity’s ultimate patrimony. Nothing is more vital to people’s survival.

We have been indifferent too long to the need to protect the planet and now its sustainability is threatened on many fronts. Climate change is not a fiction or the invention of a few extremists. The small island states of the Caribbean

and parts of North America have felt the devastating fury of a series of hurricanes – Harvey, Irma, José, Katia, Lee and Maria – to whose frequency and ferocity mankind has contributed through the reckless exploitation of earth’s resources.

Hurricane Irma was a deadly, destructive portent of the extreme vulnerability and fragility of the small island developing and low-lying

conservation of biological diversity…”

Guyana, twenty years after that international initiative, entered an agreement with the Kingdom of Norway: “…to work together to provide the world with a relevant, replicable model of how Reducing Emissions and Forest Degradation, plus conservation and sustainable forest management (REDD+) can align the development

pose and preoccupation of this organization throughout its existence. A good life for the world’s peoples and the sustainable use of the planet’s resources are predicated on peace with justice, including justice within and between states. The world is weary of war. ‘Striving for peace’ must be humanity’s ceaseless quest. The United Nations is the paramount global instrument of peace. It has a

ber, explaining the danger we have been facing on our borders as a consequence of the territorial claims of our western neighbour – the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. I laid before the world’s nations the peril Guyana was enduring on its borders at the hands of Venezuela.

Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s territory, however, has not diminished or been diverted. Guyana remains

President David Granger greets President of Costa Rica, Mr. Luis Guillermo Solís in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge and Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Ambassador Michael Ten-Pow

coastal states of the Caribbean. Guyana is playing its part, within the limits of its resources, to provide relief to affected populations in sister Caribbean states.

Guyana signed and celebrated the Paris Agreement on climate change last year in this Assembly. We renew our commitment to its goals this year. This is demonstrated most positively in Guyana’s pioneering role in global environmental stewardship.

Guyana, in 1989 – three years before the Rio Conference of 1992 – had the foresight to enter into an environmental covenant with the international community by dedicating 360,000 hectares of its rainforest: “…to develop, demonstrate and make available to Guyana and the international community, systems, methods and techniques for the sustainable utilization of the multiple resources of the tropical forests and the

objectives of forest countries with the need to combat climate change.”

Guyana is part of the ‘Guiana Shield’, one of the world’s last remaining blocks of pristine rainforest. The ‘Shield’ is the source of 15 per cent of the world’s freshwater reserves. The ‘Shield’s’ biodiversity provides ecosystem services such as food, freshwater and medicinal products. It provides environmental services such as the regulation of the water cycle, water quality and pollination.

The ‘Shield’s’ forests capture and store carbon, thereby mitigating the greenhouse effect. The ‘Shield’ is essential to life on the planet. Guyana calls on the United Nations to help protect and preserve the ‘Guiana Shield’ as a global resource for the survival and sustainability of our planet.

Peace Third, ‘striving for peace’ has been the principal pur-

vital role to play in ensuring respect for international law through the International Court of Justice and the Security Council.

‘Striving for peace’ must aim at resolving long-standing inter-state conflicts. Guyana, in this regard, supports the call for the reform of the Security Council to give even greater voice to developing countries.

We iterate our support for a two-state solution to the Palestine-Israeli conflict. We affirm the right of the Palestinian people to a homeland and to a dignified existence.

We demand the withdrawal of the injurious economic embargo against the Caribbean island of Cuba. The embargo frustrates that state’s right to development. ‘Striving for peace’ and the right to development have been Guyana’s deepest concern since Independence in 1966.

I addressed this Honourable Assembly last Septem-

imperilled. Disturbing developments within Venezuela have attracted the world’s attention and roused the concerns of many of us over the privations of its people. The Caribbean people wish for the Caribbean to be a Zone of Peace. The Venezuelan claim to Guyana’s territorial integrity, however, would be a threat to that zone. Venezuela is more than four times the size of Guyana. Venezuela, however, claims two-thirds of Guyana’s territory including our maritime space.

We depend on our territorial and maritime resources for development and for the release of our people from poverty. The Venezuelan claim persists after fifty-one years of Independence. An eminent international Arbitral Tribunal provided ‘a full, perfect and final settlement’ 118 years ago in 1899. Venezuela denounced that Arbitral Award in 1962 at the Decolonisation Committee of this

Assembly as British Guiana strove for its Independence.

Guyana warns the world, through this Assembly, that peace will be at stake in our region if justice does not become ascendant, not only within Venezuela, but also in respect to its border controversy with Guyana. Four UN Secretaries-General have been seized of the Venezuelan claims. The choice has become one between just and peaceful settlement in accordance with international law, and a Venezuelan posture of attrition that is increasingly more blustering and militaristic. In this matter, protraction is the enemy of resolution and the ally of sustained conflict.

Fortunately, as they indicated publicly, former Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and current Secretary General António Guterres have decided that, under the 1966 Geneva Agreement, if by the end of the year 2017 significant progress has not been made toward arriving at a full agreement for the settlement of the controversy, the International Court of Justice will be the next means of peaceful settlement, unless Guyana and Venezuela jointly request otherwise.

Guyana has been working assiduously with the Secretary General’s Personal Representative. Guyana looks to the international community to ensure that Venezuela is not allowed to thwart the processes of judicial settlement which is the clear and agreed path to peace and justice.

Nations, United The people of the world yearn “to fulfil their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment” – an attainable objective of the Sustainable Development Goals endorsed by the United Nations. Peace for the world’s peoples is the mandate of the United Nations. Peace can be achieved by addressing the world’s humanitarian crises, promoting justice within and between nations and resolving long-standing conflicts between states.

Planet earth can provide a ‘good life’ for all. The planet can be protected from the ravages of climate change and the reckless damage to its ecology and biodiversity. United, the nations gathered here can fulfil the promise of the UN Charter and the theme of the General Assembly to focus on people, to strive for peace and to protect the planet.

I thank you.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 22, 2017

15

Venezuela must be stopped --President Granger reiterates call for peaceful settlement of border controversy

By Svetlana Marshall in New York PRESIDENT David Granger on Wednesday warned world leaders that there will be no peace this side of the Atlantic if justice does not prevail in the age-old Guyana-Venezuela border controversy.

“Guyana looks to the international community to ensure that Venezuela is not allowed to thwart the processes of judicial settlement, which is the clear and agreed path to peace and justice,” President Granger told world leaders assembled at the UN Headquarters in New York for the 72nd Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 72).

Last September, the Guyanese President detailed the danger faced by his country in the wake of territorial claims made by its western neighbour, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Today, one year later, he said, those claims have neither diminished nor have been diverted, but have rather intensified, with Venezuela increasingly becoming “more militaristic.”

Known for his equanimity in the face of adversity, the former army commander and retired brigadier told his colleague heads of state and other world leaders: “Four UN Secretaries-General have been seized of the Venezuelan claims. The choice has

become one between just and peaceful settlement, in accordance with international law, and a Venezuelan posture of attrition that is increasingly more blustering and militaristic.

“In this matter, protraction is the enemy of resolution, and the ally of sustained conflict.” He reminded his audience that former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his successor, Mr António Guterres, in keeping with the tenets of the 1966 Geneva Agreement, had agreed that if by the end of December 2017 significant progress has not been made towards arriving at a full agreement for the settlement of the controversy, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will be the next means of peaceful settlement, unless Guyana and Venezuela jointly request otherwise.

Norwegian diplomat, Mr Dag Halvor Nylander, who was appointed the Personal Representative of the current UN Secretary-General on the matter, has been visiting both countries as he compiles his report.

President Granger told the assembly that Guyana has been working assiduously with Mr Nylander, and that when he meets later with Secretary-General Guterres, the work his personal representative has done will come up for discussion. He is also hoping to get a clear understanding of the progress that has been made thus far, he said.

President David Granger speaking during the UN General Debate

NOTICEABLY ABSENT Venezuela’s President, Nicolás Maduro (whose absence was noticeable during the General Debate and more so throughout the 72nd Regular Session of the UN General Assembly last week), through a statement issued by his government, agreed that the border controversy would be referred to the ICJ, if significant progress is not made at the end of 2017 at the level of the Good Offices Process.

However, the Venezuelan Government subsequently

President David Granger, Minister of Public Affairs in the Ministery of the Presidency MS. Dawn Hastings- Williams and Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Ambassador Michael Ten-Pow, making their way to a meeting. (Ministery of the Presidency photo)

altered its statement, saying that mediation will be supported by the UN in order to find a practical and satisfactory solution to the controversy.

It’s perhaps the cue President Granger was waiting for, as he told world leaders in no uncertain terms that they should not allow the process set out by the former U.N. Secretary-General to be frustrated by Venezuela.

Prolonging of the controversy, he warned, will only serve to disrupt the peace in the Caribbean Region.

“The Caribbean people wish for the Caribbean to be a Zone of Peace. The Venezuelan claim to Guyana’s territorial integrity, however, would be a threat to that zone. “Venezuela is more than four times the size of Guyana. Venezuela, however, claims two-thirds of Guyana’s territory, including our maritime space,” President Granger said, adding that Guyana is heavily dependent on its territorial and maritime resources for the country’s development.

The international Arbitral Tribunal provided “a full, perfect and final settlement” 118 years ago in 1899. However, Venezuela denounced that Arbitral Award in 1962 at the Decolonisation Committee of this Assembly as British Guiana strove for its Independence.

Giving a global perspective on the matter, President Granger told world leaders that “striving for peace” must be humanity’s ceaseless quest, even as he pointed to the critical role being played by the UN in ensuring respect for international law through the International Court of Justice and the Security Council.

“Striving for peace,” he said, “must aim at resolving long-standing inter-state conflicts. Guyana, in this regard, supports the call for the reform of the Security Council to give even greater voice to developing countries. We iterate our support for a two-state solution to the Palestine-Israeli conflict. We affirm the right of the Palestinian people to a homeland and to a dignified existence.”

The President also used the opportunity to demand the withdrawal of the injurious economic embargo imposed against the Caribbean island of Cuba by the U.S. government, since it is frustrating the State’s right to development.

President David Granger along with Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations Ambassador Michael Ten-Pow and Minister of Public Affairs in the Ministry of the Presidency, Ms. Dawn Hastings-Williams, meeting with the Prime Minister of Malta, Mr. Joseph Muscat

from Government.GUYANA The main uncertainty in the traffic CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 20, 2017 Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 22, 2017 reason for this is reportedly forecast and thus the revthe high debt service caused enues, claims and force 16 Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 22, 2017 by theGuyana short loan periods and majeure (greater force). high interests in the market.

In order to compensate FLEXIBLE DEVELOPstudy recommends 250 increase in this, it%, was 700% advised that MENTinSTRATEGY -feasibility studyfor recommends 250 %, 700% increase tollstolls sts during con- barges and smaller coastal the toll tariff rates be inIt was therefore rece study which and service vessels. ommended that a flexible

By Navendra Seoraj approach roads, and lim- creased to 250 per cent of the d between JanA lowthe bridge ited budget is forreporteda first phase of 7 and AugustCSO’slyfinal about LIEVENSE re- 20 linkper roads.cent cheaper 2017 road toll rates and 700 development strategy be port on the feasibility study According to thea study, cluded that the than a high bridge (with reDemerara Har- due to the cost, it was con- per cent of the present rates adopted in order to control ouldfor betheBridge anew low 43.5 m CD). bour hasduced put theheight cludedofthat the business case estimated cost of the project ofto ston-Versailles Compared highis bridge, thethe project “financially for river vessels. “This way risks in cost and revenues at US$170M and the also pronot viable,” assuming similar emerara), with low bridge also has an poses increases in the tolls toll rates and no contribution the Government’s contribuby scope management, as nd ato movable estimatedfrom 15 Government. per cent higher help limit government’s The main reasonand for this reportedly nsitcontributions. seagoing lane capacity lessisrisk on tion will be limited to about this is the only way to influAccording to thethe report re- the high debt service caused by nse has advised breakdown of trucks and leased by the Ministry of Pub- the short loan periods and high US$39 million to be paid in ence the costs of the proje belicdesigned fallen off.in the market.

Infrastructure oncargo Tuesday, interests total cost is inclusive of Inthe orderinterest to compensate um the clearance Without forfor ect. Some of the strategies interest for pre-financing and this, it was advised that the toll five years after commissione Chart Datum pre-financing, the bridge’s costs during construction. The tariff rates be increased to 250 that were suggested include uninterrupted estimatedpercost study which was conducted cent ofis the US$150 2017 road toll ing of the project and the between 2017 and including rates and 700 per cent of the wlers, tugsJanuary and 1,million, contractors projects such as link roads August 17, 2017 concluded present rates for river vessels. project becomes viable,” the 16

MUS$170M for newforharbour bridge new harbour bridge

that the best option would be a low bridge at Houston-Versailles (West Bank Demerara), with three lanes and a movable section to transit seagoing vessels. Lievense has advised that the bridge be designed with a minimum clearance of 17.5 m above Chart Datum (CD) to allow uninterrupted passing of trawlers, tugs and barges and smaller coastal and service vessels.

A low bridge is reportedly about 20 per cent cheaper than a high bridge (with a reduced height of 43.5 m CD).

Compared to the high bridge, the low bridge also has an estimated 15 per cent higher lane capacity and less risk on the breakdown of trucks and cargo fallen off.

Without the interest for pre-financing, the bridge’s estimated cost is US$150 million, including contractors cost and additional costs for services, land acquisition for

“This way the Government’s contribution will be limited to about US$39 million to be paid in five years after commissioning of the project and the project becomes viable,” the report stated.

The recommended project, however, has from a financial point of view a limited safety margin and many factors are still uncertain. Those factors include the contract costs of the design and construction contractor, the final funding costs and interest, the uncertainty in the traffic forecast and thus the revenues, claims and force majeure (greater force).

FLEXIBLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY It was therefore recommended that a flexible development strategy be adopted in order to control risks in cost and revenues by scope management, as this is the only way to influence the costs

An artist’s impression of the low bridge at Houston-Versailles An artist’s impression of Demerara) the lowwith bridge atand Houston-Versailles (West Bank (West Bank three lanes a movable section Demerara) with three lanes and a movable section and viaducts over the bank cost and additional costs for report stated. services, land acquisition for The recommended proj- roads.

Although much is yet to the approach roads, and lim- ect, however, has from a ited budget for a first phase financial point of view a be done, the report pointed of link roads. limited safety margin and out that the present bridge According to the study, many factors are still un- is unreliable and lacks the due to the cost, it was con- certain. Those factors in- capacity to serve the traffic cluded that the business case clude the contract costs of demand hence a new bridge of the project is “financially the design and construction is required.

“The Demerara Harbour not viable,” assuming similar contractor, the final fundtoll rates and no contribution ing costs and interest, the Bridge has been in operation from Government. The main uncertainty in the traffic for 40 years and has long reason for this is reportedly forecast and thus the rev- passed its technical lifetime. the high debt service caused enues, claims and force The bridge is no longer able to service the present and by the short loan periods and majeure (greater force). future traffic demand,” conhigh interests in the market. cluded the Lievense report.

In order to compensate FLEXIBLE DEVELOPfor the new Demerara Harbour Bridge In addition, traffic is estifor this, it was advised The thatintended design MENT STRATEGY of the project.

Some of the ton, Peters Hall to (thegrow existingat mated to continue the toll tariff rates be inIt was therefore recstrategies that were suggested location) and New Hope, to creased to 250 per cent of the ommended that a flexible five per cent per annum. The include projects such as link construct a new bridge. The road in the greater 2017 road toll rates and 700 development strategy be over roads and viaducts the network Houston–Versailles location bank roads.

Although much was the recommended locaGeorgetown area is saturated per cent of the present rates adopted in order to control The intended design for the new Demerara Harbour is yet to be done, the report tion because, according to and thetheroad adjafor river vessels. “This way risks in cost and revenues pointed out that the present report network it has the highest cent to the present bridge the Government’s contribu- by scope management, as and lacks socio-economic cost benefitsis Bridge bridge is unreliable the capacity to serve trafficable (highest benefitsthe for present invested to serve tion will be limited to about this is the only way to influ- the not demand hence a new bridge is money); much lower urban traffic demand, US$39 million to be paid in ence the costs required. of the proj- and future and environmental impacts Demerara Harbour than new other locations. therefore linking roads five years after commission- ect. Some of the “The strategies Bridge include has been in operation are required to fully use the ing of the project and the that were suggested for 40 years and has long ISSUES TO BE REnew bridge’sSOLVED capacity. A project becomes viable,” the projects such as linkitsroads passed technical lifetime.

The bridge is no longer able to Thoughstudy it had the lowest pre-feasibility carried service the present and future investment cost, the report out in 2013 proposed three traffic demand,” concluded the cited some issues to be realternative HousLievense report. solved,locations, which include the In addition, traffic iston, esti- Peters resettlement of some housHall (the existing mated to continue to grow at es, and efforts to minimise location) and New to five per cent per annum.

The the impact to theHope, Muneshconstruct new bridge. road network in the greater wer aterminal, as well as to Georgetown area is saturatedThe theHouston–Versailles PSI Fishing terminal and the road network adja- which will be adjacent to the location was theWest recomcent to the present bridge is bridge.

On the Bank, not able to serve the present the Government advised mended location was because, and future traffic demand, to pay attention mangroveit according to the toreport therefore new linking roads fringe crossing, the current has highest socio-ecoare required to fully use the the drainage channel and a timnew bridge’s capacity.

A ber company.

Additionally, nomic cost benefits (highpre-feasibility study carried procedures for navigation invested out in 2013 proposed est threebenefits have to be for reconsidered and money); much lower urban alternative locations, Hous- new lead lines developed. and environmental impacts

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 22, 2017 GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 20, 2017

17

Forensic lab closer to conducting DNA testing

SEVERAL contracts, to improve the capacity of the Forensic Laboratory and facilitate the rehabilitation of numerous police stations across the country, were signed on Monday.

This aspect of work falls under Component Two of the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP) of the Ministry of Public Security. The contract for works to be undertaken on

the Forensic Laboratory was awarded to Horatio Construction Company to the tune of $16.5M, and will involve the installation of electrical components to ensure electricity is safely transferred to all sections of the building.

During the signing at his ministry, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, noted the works will bring the laboratory one step closer

to conducting Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing. He pointed out that the laboratory is currently conducting all other tests, except that of DNA testing. “We have to do what is called the air quality system and the security system which will be contracts.

I understand those are up for single sourcing that will be to the tune of $50M, and that will take care of what is called, the infrastructural

works that is [sic] going to complete it for DNA kind of testing” he explained.

The infrastructural works, the minister assured, will be completed by this year-end. Equipment will be sourced with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and should take about nine months for procurement and training, when it arrives. Project Manager of the CSSP, Clement Henry said that the work slated to be carried out at the Forensic Laboratory is to ensure the receipt of international accreditation.

Henry also pointed out that the government is pursuing a proficiency testing body to ensure that there is credibility for all tests conducted in the laboratory.

Additionally, seven police stations will be rehabilitated at a cost of $150.4M to make them more user-friendly. These include Suddie, Aishalton, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma, Annai, Issano and Aurora. The structures at Issano and Aishalton will be rehabilitated by R. Wilson Construction Company to the tune of $17.4M One of the contractors signing his agreement, flanked by Project Manager of and $20.5M, respectively. the CSSP, Clement Henry (left) and Permanent Secretary to the Public Security Aruku Investments will reMinistry, Danielle Mc Calmon model the Port Kaituma and

Accountant General arrested over alleged abuse of Lotto Fund THE Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) on Tuesday arrested Deputy Accountant General of the Ministry of Finance, Vladim Persaud, as investigations continue into fraud at the Guyana Lottery Commission Fund.

Persaud’s arrest stem from the findings of the forensic audit into the operation of the Commission’s Fund and the role he played in what have been deemed criminal activities. Over the past few months, several persons including Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and other senior members of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) were arrested by SOCU in relation to the many forensic audits conducted by the APNU+AFC coalition government.

The agreement between the Government of Guyana and Canadian Bank Note Ltd (CBN), which established the Guyana lottery, requires CBN to pay licence fees equivalent to 24 per cent of gross revenue. The Guyana Lotteries Commission was established to manage the licence fees obtained and ensure that monies spent were within the national sector and in conformity with established guidelines for accessing lotto funds.

It was observed by auditors that over the years the Commission collected monies from the varying lottery games and those monies were used to make payments upon approval by the Cabinet.

The said money was placed in a special bank account but was never transferred to the Consolidated Fund.

Auditor General Deodat Sharma in the 2015 Auditor General’s report said that when the change of government occurred in 2015, the Ministry of Finance transferred $1.069B from the lotteries fund to the Consolidated Fund.

Notwithstanding this, the Auditor General said though the Ministry of Finance has been budgeting for lottery receipts, money has been spent without the approval of Parliament. Sharma stated that apart from the $1.069B, significant sums which include previous years’ balances of $369.294M and proceeds of $421.754M received for 2015 still remain in the bank account and were used to meet expenditure. Monies were used to cover expenses for Carifesta, Mashramani, Amerindian Heritage, Rehabilitation of D’Urban Park and Emancipation.

Minister of Public Security handing over a contract to one of the contractors Mabaruma stations at a cost tiality within the room… of $31.7M, while the Suddie because we are moving toand Aurora stations will wards digitisation in many be redone by R. Kissoon of the processes, we want Construction Services for to have the computer room $54.5M. Raghubir General for them to work and also Construction was the award- an area whereby they can ed the contract to remodel gather evidence in a locathe Annai Police Station for tion where it is at least to the maximum to ensure a sum of $26.2M. “We are moving to- that, that process is confiwards installing a domes- dential,” Henry explained. tic violence room, so that The rehabilitation works persons reporting cases of on the police stations are domestic violence can do so slated to commence within with some level of confiden- the next two weeks. (DPI)

Rice shipment to Cuba being finalised A DELEGATION from ALIMPORT, a Cuban Import Agency for rice is currently in Guyana to finalise the first shipment of rice from the local company, Nand Persaud and Company Limited, to Cuba.

When the rice is shipped, it would represent the first shipment of rice from Guyana to the Spanish speaking country after 40 years.

In a statement Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the visiting delegation comprises of Maria Cristina Ramos Perdomo and Reynaldo Aguirre Labora, whose visit here will conclude on September 26.

“Less than two months ago a rice contract between Guyanese rice company and the Cuban state company was formally inked in Havana, Cuba,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba, Halim Majeed, has

described the visit as a means to further strengthen the country’s economic relations with the Spanish speaking nation of Cuba.

He disclosed that by the terms of the contract, Nand Persaud and Company Limited is expected to ship some 15,000 metric tonnes of rice to Cuba in September and October this year.

Based on the agreement between the two companies, Nand Persaud and Company Limited will also continue to supply rice to Cuba in 2018 as the company prepares to draft an investment proposal to set up a rice-milling plant and warehouse in the Port Mariel Free Zone.

Guyana and Cuba have enjoyed a close relation since the early 1970s; however, the countries officially established diplomatic ties in 1972 with Cuba agreeing to provide media supplies, doctors and medical training to Guyana; an initiative which continues to this day.

Woman nabbed with 68 ozs of gold at CJIA LAW-ENFORCEMENT officials Wednesday night intercepted a woman at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport with some 68 ounces of raw gold in a suitcase.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the outgoing passenger tried to smuggle the gold in false wheels on her suitcase. She was nabbed around 22:030hrs by lawmen, well-placed sources have confirmed.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 22, 2017

18

Emphasis on Real Estate, Taxes and Business The Edgar Henry Column

B

efore you choose this risky method of financing, it is incumbent upon you to take a hard look at appraisals and understand how it relates to the equity in your home. It is easy to say ‘use equity to acquire a business loan.’ This article makes a determination if it will work effectively for you. Clearly, business is business and should be identified as such. Whenever you begin to mingle the equity of your personal residence with your business, ‘be careful’ should be your watchwords.

Because of the rising market values of residential homes, most people think that they can now grab this golden opportunity to extract equity and plummet it into a business. This scenario is true. However several recent questions have focused on how to figure out if it makes sense to take money from one's personal residence to fund business activities. First of all, funding any business activity is always inherently risky, regardless of the source of the funding for the venture. Second, owning a home is the great American dream, so doing anything that puts that dream residence in jeopardy of foreclosure must be carefully considered. With those two things in mind, there is a way to clearly understand how a loan funded through a personal residence could provide capital for a business.

On one hand . . . if your residence has around 20 percent equity and 80 percent loan outstanding on its value, then this strategy should not be considered under any circumstance. First-time buyers who have just put a 10 to 20 percent down payment — equity — on a home, and borrowed the balance, should not do any deal where a second lender comes in and writes a loan package to allow the owners to cash

out that 10 to 20 percent equity in exchange for a 100 percent refinance. That puts all your equity into your business with absolutely no equity left in your house. Is this the reason you purchased your home? This is tantamount to maxing out your only credit card. Surely it is not wise to venture in that direction. If for some reason you hit any difficult economic situation with the business and you are behind or unable to

Using Home Equity to Fund your Business make your monthly mortgage, the second lender could very quickly foreclose, then both your equity and home are lost forever.

On the other hand . . . if you are a longer-time homeowner with more than 50 percent of your home's value as equity, the loan outstanding is less than half the market value of the house, then there is a way to figure out if borrowing from your home can work to provide capital for your business. I will outline the best possible simple approach in order to ensure you are not caught with your pants down:• Get a fair market appraisal on your house.

• Know the exact outstanding balance on all your mortgages — first, second, home equity line, other liens must all be combined here.

• Subtract the total debt from the appraised valuation; the difference is your equity.

• Divide the equity figure by the appraised valuation; this is your equity percentage. If this percentage is over 50 percent, then this could work for you.

• A lender will quote you a rate and monthly principal and interest to borrow out equity. Some may want interest-only payments, so the loan balance outstanding

does not get paid down over time. In real estate terminology we call this a balloon payment at the end of the term.

• Determine what the funds will be used for in your business. Figure out what monthly revenues will be like after you borrow this money and put it into your business.

• Figure your gross profit margin on those monthly sales, and subtract your fixed monthly selling and general administrative costs. You now have your targeted monthly operating income on a pre-tax basis.

• Now plug in your minimum monthly payment to the lender who did your homeequity funding deal. You'll make that monthly payment from your pre-tax operating income in the business.

• Pay yourself just enough of a gross salary or bonus so your take-home portion of this is equal to the monthly loan payment.

• Another way to make the payments, is for you to make the loan to the business and have the business repay you each month — no wages and payroll taxes in this case — and then you use that receipt each month from your business to pay your equity loan. This way the interest charged your firm could be equal to the rate on your home equity loan, and that interest paid could be tax-deductible to your business as well.

• the whole idea is to service the loan from your business operations.

As sales and your operating income grow, begin to make larger and larger payments to yourself each month to accelerate the retirement of the principal. The entire loan could be paid back within the time frame and the mission would be accomplished in that the business gets some much-needed capital, and the personal residence regains the borrowed equity.

Certainly, all kinds of things could go wrong with such a transaction. But the key is to keep the monthly debt service at a "very manageable" level relative to the operating income of the business. There is a general tendency to extract too much equity form a home without carefully seeking to have a positive ROI – Return On Investment. If the entrepreneur does not get overextended, then home equity can be a good place, and a safe haven to provide some capital for a growing profitable business entity.

“It is always better to have information and not need it, than to need it and not have it.”

To have all your real estate questions answered — FREE CONSULTATION — call: Edgar Henry @ (718) 930-9526

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 22, 2017

19

Decades-old school curriculum to be reviewed --under new sector-improvement project

Education Minister, Nicolette Henry

THE Ministry of Education will be moving to review a 20-year-old school curriculum, in an effort to re-energise the education sector here.

Particular focus will be placed on English and Mathematics, subject areas the education system has been struggling with over time.

Special focus will also be placed on the inclusion of the use of technology to aid teaching and learning, Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry has said.

The Minister was speaking on Wednesday to educators, students and other stakeholders during the launch of the Guyana Education Sector Improvement Project (GESIP) at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).

According to the Minister, it has already been acknowledged that the education system has to be fortified to serve all of Guyana’s students. It is for this reason, she explained, that the government has re-engineered a system that will produce a new framework, which will give every child the chance to be educated to their full potential.

“We have work to do, by closing the disparities in education among schools and regions, raising grades in English and Mathematics in particular across the education spectrum, especially in the hinterland areas, and making sure that every child has access to equal education,” Minister Henry said.

She added that the project is a team effort, in that “all hands are on deck” to

produce the quality outcome needed from 2018 and beyond.

The project, she said, has been carefully designed, with specific measureable markers lending attainability to the results. It has four phases, beginning at the nursery and ending at the tertiary level.

Those components include training teachers and lecturers in course delivery and teaching practices. Educators are also expected to ensure that the students are part of the performance evaluation system, which she said has been tested and has shown qualitative results in the primary and the secondary schools.

The Ministry will also be acquiring technology for higher quality education to facilitate learning in classrooms in remote areas, the Minister related.

“The components are pillars of a new system of education that transform students. Teachers development and training is important,” she said.

Speaking also at the event was Chief Education Officer (CEO), Mr Marcel Hutson, who said that the dynamic nature of education requires constant review and research of programmes, with a view of the education system being relevant by meeting the social and economic needs of a society. He said the Ministry’s intention is to produce global citizens that will add value to the country and the world at large.

According to him, the success of the project requires a multiplicity of informed decisions to be taken;

Students, educators and other officials at the GESIP launch on Wednesday

which is what the project is all about.

“Some of those decisions include the review of the curriculum, which is the core of any education system,” he said. It is therefore incumbent upon us to ensure that the curriculum is so structured,” he added.

He, too, pointed out that the education system has struggled with Mathematics and English, which is why more focus will be given to a more “hands-on approach to the teaching of these subjects”. He said there will also be a concentration on the use of technology on the teaching/learning process.

ENCERD Director, Ms Jennifer Cumberbatch, said the project brings everyone closer to a new and improved curriculum, which is considered the heart of any learning institution. An effective curriculum, she said, provides teachers and administrators with a measure of plan and structure of delivering quality education.

“A reviewed curriculum is long overdue. There are many new and emerging challenges and demands to education and on curriculum,” Cumberbatch noted.

She said that seeing that the last curriculum review was done in the 1990s, it is high time for a renewal.

Cumberbatch said the revised curriculum will promote the development of competencies, including crit-

ical thinking, the use of technology, problem solving etc.

“With this spiral cur-

riculum that we intend to ary and tertiary levels inhave; we will see that our deed support each other,” nursery, primary, secondshe promised. (continued on page 20)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 22, 2017

20

A Brief history of Guyanese Music

year, but the best mass I saw Vadis play, was Helen of Troy.

In those days, hundreds of persons would tramp behind their favorite band. I loved pan; but it was not until around my 18th birthday that I tramped behind my first band, Kaietuckians. Steelband and tramping were looked down upon by most parents. How have things changed! Pan is played in church these days.

SINGERS AND SINGING GROUPS

was Al Seales’ Washboards Orchestra. Al was “a true musical visionary, who always thought that Guyana’s music should also express their Latin American influence, even though they were bound economically and culturally to the British West Indies.” He used Latin American percussion instruments in all his arrangements.

Al Seales was more than a band leader. In 1950, The British Guiana Police Male Voice Choir was he started GEMS Record Company, the earliest Recordthe best male choir in the Caribbean for many years. ing Company in the region to create a complete producFounded in 1944 by Inspector James Phoenix, its foundtion from musical arrangements recorded locally on ing members included: Eric Henry, Edgar Mann, John tape. The recordings were manufactured and distributed Fredericks, Cyril “Saggie” Jarvis, George Cruickshank, through MELODISC RECORDS of London, England, Samuel McCammon, Henry Burrowes and my uncle a gramophone company. Al’s first commercial release Jake Nurse. The group sang folk songs, spirituals and was “Jumbee Jamboree”, later recorded by the Andrew classical Music.

Sisters and Harry Belafonte.

JOHNNY BRAFF Other great musical groups were the Dawson The Maestro recorded some of the Caribbean’s Rony.

The band tramped to as far as Alberttown and Music Lovers’ Club (1939) and Vesta Lowe Choir, both best Calypsonians and his favorite local artist, Doreen Gravesande. She is best known for her recording of an Queenstown. I was about eight when I first heard steel- founded by Ms. Vesta Lowe, whose achievements are original song “Dig Me” on GEMS label. Lord Melody’s band. It was a Boxing Day and Tripoli was playing in legendary. Some of its members were James Phoenix, Mrs. Premdas’ yard, a couple yards before ours in SecJohn Fredericks and Jake Nurse.

“The Devil” and “BooBoo Man” were also recorded at GEMS. The label also boasted the The Woodside Choir was founded in 1952 greatest Caribbean Christmas song, “Happy Holat a Bishops’ High School tea party as the Bishidays” with Billy Moore’s Four Lords, comops’ High School Old Girls’ Choir. Until 1956, posed by Lord Melody. it was exclusively female. It was formed to participate in Guyana’s First Music Festival. It won I must also mention ACE Recording Stuthe Championship title for its class and test piece dio, owned and ran by Vivian Lee, which was Schubert’s “The Lord is My Shepherd.” recorded most of the great singers and bands of the 50s and 60s.

The choir had some distinguished conductors. Among these were: Ruby McGreggor, In the late 50s and 60s, great string bands William “Billy” Pilgrim, Deryck Bernard, and singers appeared – Rhythmaires, Combo 7, Aubrey Joseph, the Brothers (WJ and J) SimChet and the Diamonds, The Ramblers, to name monds and Reginald McDavid. a few. Each band had its own lead singer and the popularity of the band went to him. Rythmaires POPULAR SINGING GROUPS great lead singer was Ted E. Jones. I remember Some of the great groups of the 50 and dancing to his singing “From Russia With Love” early 60s included The Four Lords, Four Bees, an Old Year’s Night at BGCC with five encores.

The Oracles, The Heartbreakers, The Breakers Combo 7 was led by Des Glasford. Its lead Two, Otis and Eddie and the Debrells. The Four singer Winston “Pepe” Romalho (Ovaltine TalLords was formed by Billy Moore in the 50s.

The Ramblers (1951) Standing from left — ent Time) was the girls’ darling. Tony Ricardo Until the early 60s, it was the leading vocal made Chet and the Diamonds. In those days, I Bernie, Bing and Ambrose De Souza. Sitting — group in Guyana. Its members were Billy threw many parties and Chet was my favorite George Baldinvic and Romer Rego.

Moore, Neville Rose, Winston Manifold, Johnny band. One must not forget the Ramblers, led by ond Street. I’ll never forget how beautifully they played Bradford and Willie Wright. Their recordings include Bing Serrao. For those who never heard them, they (a tune requested by the great lady) “My Bonnie lies “Simply Tremendous”, “You You You” and the classic sounded like The Merrymen from Barbados. Another over the ocean.”

“Happy Holidays.” Composed by Lord Melody, it was popular string band, not as large as those mentioned, Texicans was formed by the Burnham Brothers, on the Guyana Hit Parade three years. was The Trade Winds, led by Guyana’s most recorded Charwin and Igris. Original members included Willie Another popular group was The Four Bees. It incalypsonian, Dave Martin.

Wright, Cecil Skeete and The Lord, Grimmick. It was cluded. Norman Beaton, founder; Ina King; Habib STEEL BANDS the best band playing sentimentals and classics.

Khan. I cant remember any recording by The Bees.

Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada had better steelKaituckians, called Miss Leitch’s band because However, Norman Beaton recorded “Come Back Melvbands than us. However, Guyana started playing clas- they practised under her house, was formed by Noel ina” on GEMS. He migrated to England and later sical music on pan before anyone. My friend Willie Leitch and Reggie Simpson, after Texicans returned starred on the BBC’s “Desmonds” show.

Wright told me a story about the Guyana all Stars tour from touring Brazil. It was the best all-round band, The Oracles, led by lead singer Maurice Frank, of Trinidad and Tobago in the 50s. They played at the good with kaiso, classics, sentimental and jump-up. was another popular group. However, it did not record.

Oval. When they beat Chopin’s “Etude in E Flat Kenneth Simon (Kid Simon) was its long-time leader. I danced to them at McKenzie (Linden) on many occaMajor”, everyone stood in awe. They had never heard Invaders, the Federation Yard band, was led by the sions and consider Maurice Frank equal to any lead pan like this. When T&T All-Stars played Kaiso, the third best first pan player in Guyana, Dan Sandiford. It singer I heard during the period herein discussed.

Guyanese hid their sticks. was a huge band with a large following. My friend CONCLUSION I grew up with pan and was representative on the Charlie Grazette (Winston Lewis) was its great bass British Guiana Youth Council as a representative for player, arguably equal to the older Grumble.

It was a joy researching and reminiscing about Quo Vadis.

Quo Vadis was the best damn tramping and mas Guyana’s vibrant musical tradition. “Ol’ time story Casablanca was Guyana’s first recognised steel- band in the land. Its leader was Cedric Williams sweet.” Old time music is also sweet. This project conband. Founded by “Salt Ham” and Bertrand de Varrell, (Pemya). They practised in Mrs. Simon’s Yard on Robb vinced me that much more should be written about it had no competition until Bertrand founded Tripoli. Its Street, near Bourda Market. I was always around Vadis, many artistes that made Guyana great. I could go on forgreat first pan player was Roy “Pelee” Geddes. because my longtime tailor, Ernest Bentley, was around ever. Another time, I will talk about Sam Dopey, Sam Tripoli operated out of Charlestown at Lombard the corner. Jack Waterloo and I had great days talking Chase and Jack Melo, Madam O’Lindy and , Sentipee and Drysdale streets. Its first pan player was the great steelband with “32” in the shop. I can’t remember the bands.

(from page 5)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 22, 2017

New York Chronicle Horoscope

21

CROSSWORD CROSSWORD

ISSUE 67 CROSSWORD ANSWER

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Find out more, if you want to start your own business. Trips will be exciting.

Don’t let your jealous imagination play games with you. Your ability to deal with humanitarian groups will enhance your reputation. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Friday.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You are best to deal with those outside your family. Lovers will be demanding. You are best to sign your partner up for activities that will be tiring.

Don’t let your emotions interfere with moneymaking deals. You will be highly entertaining when in contact with your lover. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Sunday.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Short trips will prove to be more fruitful than you imagined. Ask a close friend for advice. This is not the day to be extravagant. Your high energy must be directed into productive goals, or frustrations will occur. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Wednesday.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) Ease the anguish by offering assistance. Your depressed mood has been hard to shake. You’re in the mood to do things such as competitive sports, or perhaps a night on the town. Travel will be favorable. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Wednesday.

LEO (July 23 - Aug 22) Don’t overdo it. You need to enjoy yourself. Old friends may not like your choices. Physical activity will help defuse your frustration. Don’t let other people meddle in your private affairs. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Monday.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 23) You will have a childlike approach this month, big hearted and full of spunk.

Look for something entertaining to do. You’ve got that competitive edge. Family members will not be happy with the amount of time you are spending away from home. Don’t blow situations out of proportion or you could find that others will misinterpret what really happened. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Saturday.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23) Give everyone in the house a physical chore that will help burn off some of the excess energy. You may attract attention if you get out socially. Tie up your personal papers or push to have legal settlements completed. You are ready to blow up and your stress level has gone into over drive. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Wednesday.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) You can make progress professionally. You must not lead someone on or show interest in them for the wrong reasons. Underhandedness regarding legal matters or contracts must be counteracted. Travel will turn out to be far more exciting than you imagined. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Thursday.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21) They will jump at the chance to do something without you if it sounds like more fun. This month will be rather hectic on the domestic scene. You may have difficulty trying to get your mate to understand your position.

Try to enlist the support of your coworkers first. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Sunday.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Dealing with in-laws or relatives will not be in your best interest. You can accomplish a lot if you work out of your home this month. Expect temper tantrums on the home front if you haven’t been letting someone have their way. Sudden romantic infatuations could lead to a significant and prosperous connection. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Sunday.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) Travel will be in your best interest regardless of whether it is business or pleasure. Your mate will enjoy helping out. If you are not already, think about going into business for yourself. You may find that relationships are not going as well as you’d like. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Saturday.

PISCES (Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) Spend some time with people who can shed some light on your personal situation. You could lose money or precious belongings if you aren’t careful.

A little volleyball or other outdoor sports should be on your agenda. You will enjoy the interaction with youngsters and take great pride in the projects you’ve completed. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Wednesday.

33. In-box contents (hyph.)

36. Sheik’s wives 38. Real 39. Acts bored 40. Lucille Ball, e.g.

(2 wds.)

43. Bringing up the ___.

44. ___ of passage 45. Drought’s lack 47. Ambulance worker (abbr.)

50. Responsibility 51. Place to learn CPR 52. U.S. spy gp.

53. Scout’s shelter 54. Oohs and ___ 55. Topeka’s st.

ACROSS 1. Yodeler’s mountain 4. Scale units (abbr.)

7. Subtle essence 11. ___ “ the Good Times” 12. Wartime friend 14. Small wedge 15. Extremely 16. Toy with a string (hyph.)

17. Family dwelling 18. Enjoy caramels 20. Bring together 22. Sluggard 24. Detroit product 25. Haunted house sounds 26. Bucking beast 29. __ Love You” (2 wds.)

30. Pleasingly plump 31. Imitate

W O R D F I N D

DOWN 1. Behind, on a boat 2. Brit’s bathroom 3. Announce

C O D E S

4. Frosting separates these 5. Gust 6. Like a fox 7. Actor Kutcher 8. “We’d better be careful!” (hyph.)

9. Frosty covering 10. U.S. citizen (abbr.)

13. Low calorie dessert 19. Chicken chick 21. From Z ___ (2 wds.)

22. Little demon 23. Portion 24. Shame 27. Traffic collision (2 wds.)

28. Not closed 30. Snow shower 32. Dorothy’s aunt and others 34. Swear (to) 35. One Gershwin 36. “Laughing” animals 37. Org. that helps mortals 40. Brisk pace 41. Hollywood and ___ 42. Astonish 43. Drummer Buddy 46. Physicians’ gp.

48. Soccer great Hamm 49. Ecru

C I P H E A R N S D

ALPHABET

NUMBERS

COLUMN

REPLACE

BACKWARDS BREAK

ORDERS

PRACTICE

CONSTRUCT

REVEALED

GRIDS

SENTENCES

JARGON

SYMBOLS

DECIPHER DECODE HIDDEN HOBBY

JUMBLED MAKE

METHODS

ROWS

SECRET

SIDEWAYS SPOKEN TEXT

TRAINING

TRANSPOSE

ISSUE 67 WORDFIND ANSWER

22

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 22, 2017

MARCH FORWARD MR. PRESIDENT — THE DIASPORA IS FIRMLY BEHIND YOU

he Guyana Chronicle reports that the Guyana/Venezuela border con- 2016.

The genius of the Granger/Greenidge strattroversy will be one of the subjects that President Granger will discuss with the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, this week, during egy is that it puts the ball in the Venezuelans court. Guyana does not have the affirmative burhis visit to the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.

T

by Colin A. Moore

den to validate its claim before the ICJ. The stratto the Venezuelan proposal, but is also validated egy places the burden on Venezuela to validate by provisions of the United Nations Charter. its claim that it is entitled to two-thirds of the land Article 33, subdivision 1 of the United Na- mass of Guyana. It is a burden that Venezuela tions Charter, states in pertinent part, “the parties cannot sustain. Guyana can interpose the comto any dispute, shall first of all seek a solution by mon law defense of Res Judicata – a final decinegotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, ar- sion by a court of competent jurisdiction is bitration and judicial settlement.” binding on the parties to a dispute, in the same or Article 36, subdivision 3, states that Secu- any other forum. Since Venezuela was a party to rity Council may refer the matter to the Interna- the dispute in 1899, then the Arbitral Award of 1899 is binding on Venezuela, not only in 1899, tional Court of Justice.

Before referring the matter to the Interna- but before the International Court of Justice in tional Court of Justice, the aggrieved party must 2017.

The Granger/Greenidge strategy of seeking prove that it has exhausted all of the procedural steps articulated in Article 33. In the Venezuela/Guyana border controversy, Guyana can establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, that it has exhausted all of the procedural steps articulated in Article 33.

• Negotiations. In 1966, the Guyana government and Venezuela executed the Geneva Agreement under which the parties established a mixed boundary commission to police the border between Guyana and Venezuela. While this strategy was re- Journalist Tangerine Clarke strike a pose with garded by Guyana as a peaceful settlement His Excellency President David A. Granger and of the dispute Venezuela cynically re- First Lady H.E Sandra Granger at the UN. garded it as a re-litigation of the border dispute. While Guyana insisted that the a judicial settlement to the controversy will have Arbitral Award of 1899 was a valid and two significant consequences. Firstly, it provides final settlement of the border dispute. Venezuela with the rope with which to hang itVenezuela insisted that the bilateral rene- self. In the words of William Shakespeare, Poet James Richmond, Sir Shridath Ramphal, Attorney gotiation between Guyana and Venezuela Venezuela will be “hoist by its own petard.” SecColin Moore and Dr. Terrance Blackman after listening validated its claim that the Award of 1899 ondly, it will put an end to the Venezuelan stratto President Granger’s speech at the UN. egy of stretching out this controversy from was null and void. generation to generation. It will remove the • Reconciliation. In 1970, President tion, enquiry, mediation, conciliation and arbitra“Sword of Damocles” which has hung perilously tion, and none of that has worked. It is time for Raphael Caldera of Venezuela executed a 12-year over the body politic of Guyana for the last 39 Guyana to send its legal team to the Hague and moratorium on the Venezuela claim against years. It will plunge a stake in the heart of the litigate this matter before the ICJ. Guyana must Guyana. When the moratorium expired in 1983, Venezuelan Frankenstein, which has risen every not only “talk the talk,” Guyana must now “walk President Caldera refused to renew it. three years from the grave, like an evil spirit, to • Mediation. Between October 1999 and terrorize and intimidate the nation of Guyana. the walk.”

The decision by President David A. Granger January 2007, the Secretary General of of Guyana and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl the United Nations appointed Oliver Greenidge to resort to judicial settlement of the Jackman, a former judge from BarbaVenezuela/Guyana border controversy, rather dos, as the Secretary General’s personal than negotiation and mediation, is an act that is representative to mediate in the contro“breathtaking in its audacity.” The easier course versy between Guyana and Venezuela. would have been to accept Venezuela’s proposal In 2009, the Secretary General apfor direct negotiations, and the Secretary Gen- pointed professor Norman Gervan as the eral’s proposal for UN mediation, but Granger Secretary General’s personal represenand Greenidge are aware that negotiation is a de- tative in the Guyana/Venezuela border laying tactic used by Venezuela to drag out the controversy. Professor Gervan died in process, only to resurrect it like a Frankenstein April 2014, and the post remained va- Courtney Noel, Guyanese-born Captain Bourne, Patricia monster, decades down the line. The insistence cant until the Secretary General ap- Jordon-Langford, Sheila Hazlewood of the Guyana on litigation is not only an astute counter move pointed Dag Halvor Nylander as the Mission and Ambassador Troy Torrington after meeting personal representative in December with President Granger.

Before demitting office in December 2016, former UN Secretary General, Ban-Ki-Moon had declared that Venezuela should return to the Good Offices Process for a period of one year, and that if no “significant progress” was made, the matter will be referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

It is one year later, the Statute of Limitation will expire in December 2017, and no “significant progress” has been made during the Good Offices Process. The issue is clear and unequivocal, President Granger should demand that Secretary General, Guterres refer the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy, forthwith, to the ICJ. No useful purpose will be served by any further procrastination, equivocation or circumvention.

Guyana has exhausted all of the procedural requirements of Article 33, subdivision 1 of the United Nations Charter. We have tried negotia-

23

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 22, 2017

MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE HOLDS 2017 PINNACLE AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIP DINNER OCTOBER 11

P

atricia ‘Miss Pat” Chin, a Jamaican entrepreneur and cofounder of VP Records, will be among three honorees at the Medgar Evers College Pinnacle Awards & Scholarship Dinner on October 11, 2017. Also being honored is Don Lowery, Senior Vice-President, Community Engagement at Nielsen and Paul T. Williams, Jr., Co-Founder and Managing Director, Williams Strategy Advisors and Of Counsel, Arent Fox LLP. The theme for this year’s black-tie fundraiser, the College’s major fundraising event, is “Carnival: A Celebration of Culture.” It takes place on Wednesday, October 11, from 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. at Guastavino’s, 409 East 49th Street in Manhattan.

The Pinnacle Awards Dinner allows the

College to raise much-needed scholarship funds and to showcase the extraordinary value, strength and diversity of our institution and our community.

The College’s goal this year is to raise $500,000 through the MEC Educational Foundation. There will also be a journal, a silent and an online auction, as well as an opportunity to make a tax-deductible donation.

Ms. Chin, Mr. Lowery and Mr. Williams, the three honorees, all mirror the College’s commitment to diversity and social equity. Our student body is highly international and more than 90 percent of MEC students receive financial aid to pursue their studies.

Medgar Evers College is named for the martyred civil rights leader Medgar

Wiley Evers. The College is a place where people are introduced to ideas and uncover the world while discovering themselves. A senior College of the City University of New York located in Brooklyn, Medgar Evers was established in 1970 to meet the social and educational needs of the Central

Brooklyn community.

Contact: FELICIA R. LEE Director of News and Information 718-270-5046 Flee@mec.cuny.edu

BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ HOSTS MUSLIM SCHOOL HOLIDAY EVENT Ruben Diaz Jr. Bronx Borough President John DeSio Communications Director

O

n Saturday, September 9, 2017, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosted his office’s annual Muslim School Holiday event at P.S. 83 in Morris Park. The event is designed to bring fun and activities for all in celebration of the addition of Muslim holidays to the public school calendar.

“Islam is one of the largest religions in the world, and, as I have said in the past, by recognizing these important holidays, we show that not only are we welcoming to

everyone’s religious beliefs but Top: Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. speaks during his office’s annual Muslim School that we respect everyone’s Consti- Holiday Event, which took place at P.S. 83 in Morris Park on Saturday, September 9, tutional right to freedom of reli2017. Below the Borough President plays a game of checkers with 16-year-old Rafa Shahbaim of Harding Park. gion,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “We are very happy to have a fun filled day for the children to enjoy.”

Over 300 community members attended the event. Bronx County District Attorney Darcel Clark, State Senator Jeff Klein and Assembly Member Mark Gjonaj also visited the event.

Contact: John DeSio jdesio@bronxbp.nyc.gov

ELECTED OFFICIALS TO AMAZON: THE BRONX IS A PRIME LOCATION FOR HQ2

E

lected officials from every corner of The Bronx have signed a letter to Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s Founder & CEO, urging the company to consider The Bronx as the site of its next headquarters.

“The Bronx offers many unique advantages when compared to other municipalities. We have seen a record investment in our infrastructure, and

we are leading the way in job creation.

Companies from all over the world are taking a fresh look at The Bronx, and our existing companies are expanding their presence in our borough. With smart planning and collaboration, Amazon could become a key piece of our ongoing renaissance,” states the letter.

Earlier this month, Amazon announced that it would seek a site for its second American headquarters, HQ2, and issued a nationwide request for proposals. Since then, Bronx elected

officials and business leaders have been working to identify potential locations that could host Amazon’s second headquarters and are developing a package of materials discussing the significant benefits of doing business in The Bronx for the company’s review.

“Our borough already has a working relationship with Amazon, and we would welcome them to The Bronx with open arms. We have numerous locations that could meet their needs and a skilled workforce to go with them,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben

Diaz Jr. “The Bronx has seen incredible progress on job creation and economic development in recent years. Amazon would be a tremendous new addition to our borough, and we look forward to discussing their proposal for a new headquarters, and how The Bronx could host them, in the near future. The Bronx is a prime location for Amazon’s next home.”

The complete letter to Amazon can be read at http://on.nyc.gov/2xNtASO.

24

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 22, 2017

HOW I MADE A DIFFERENCE You can, too!

"You must be the change you want to see in the world."

— Mahatma Gandhi.

“The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.”

— John F. Kennedy.

"I was made, by the law, a criminal, not because of what I had done, but because of what I stood for, because of what I thought, because of my conscience.” (Statement during trial, 1962) —Nelson Mandela “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.”

—Abraham Lincoln

In 2006, I got more involved in the struggle to change the system, include the voices of the oppressed and exploited, confronting treachery and evil in America, and striking at the root of evil — with my blood, sweat and tears! Serphin Maltese, a 30-year entrenched incumbent who was the powerful Chairman of his Party and his cronies introduced a bill to legalize racial profiling in New York State to make minorities official second class citizens. He got the required support from hypo-

critical Democrats — even beholden minority Assembly members who were also political leaders in Queens.

These opportunists put their narrow, selfish interests above the silent majority — the minority — to protect and advance their interests at their constituents’ expense and peril. This bill was going to put us back to the Jim Crow era, and eviscerate the civil rights and liberties previous generations fought so hard to forge.

I realized that although I was a lawyer, I could not make the necessary changes. I would be bound to follow the law, like all others in both law enforcement and the judicial system. Our hands would be tied, and we would be trapped by a racist, bigoted law that was going to put social, economic and political development hundreds of years back to the pre-civil rights era. Inspired by the doctrine of the great martyrs and leaders listed above, I had to launch a campaign to defeat institutional injustice, raise awareness about the putrid issues they stood for, and ensure that, win or lose, our children were not going to be officially relegated to and stereotyped as legal second class citizens. Only political courage and change could bring about a solution.

Consequently, I embarked on a political pilgrimage. Although I was the only Democratic candidate, I sought, but did not get the backing of the Queens Democratic Organization. In fact, other Democratic officials hypocritically crossed party lines to support Maltese. I was treated like a

The ALBERT BALDEO Column

pariah, and shunned from institutional politicians, but embraced by regular folks. I always put people above politics, and progress over dysfunction. I championed bread and butter issues like better education, health care, housFLASHBACK: Albert Baldeo campaigns (center), consisted of regular grass ing, public safety, roots people from diverse communities who wanted change and inclusion jobs, wages, govin the decision making process of government, to change politics forever. ernment services, able to reach out and unite the most diverse district civil rights and became a loud voice for change.

I have left an indelible roadmap and blueprint in Queens — from white voters in Howard Beach for future independent, courageous voices at and Maspeth, to Hispanics in Ridgewood, to South Asians in Woodhaven, to Indo Caribbeans in Richwww.AlbertBaldeo.com.

Thanks to this fight, Maltese almost lost his mond Hill and Afro Americans in South East seat and his perverse bill never became law. In Queens behind him, speaks volumes for Baldeo, fact, I was leading Maltese most of the race, and a rising star in politics and an example of leaderexit polls and preliminary counts and NY 1 de- ship in our community.

Baldeo had already scored a first as the first clared me the winner. However, the Board of Elections, for reasons which are not hard to decipher, Democratic nominee from our community to conthen changed that to “a narrow defeat.” I came test the general elections for the State Senate, and within 0.5%, or as the press termed it, “a whisker” his spectacular showing sent Maltese scampering all over his district to bring out his vote, and sent of victory! down the Republicans spines that they shivers The media lauded my efforts. They said: “Although Attorney Albert Baldeo did not win the were going to lose this seat.

Baldeo's near upset victory sends a strong election, he nearly created one of the biggest upmessage to everyone that all ethnicities, including sets in political history in Queens. Baldeo, who new Americans, must be respected by politicians, lost by a mere 783 votes, garnering 16,339 votes to his opponent Maltese's 17,122 votes, was actu- and that they must assist the entire community, not ally ahead in many stages as the count seesawed marginalize sections. His example will ensure that to the very end. Many people were already toast- our community is paid attention to, and that goving a Baldeo victory, and were suspicious that the ernment officials do more for our neighborhoods. numbers climbed for Maltese just when he was He fought a campaign based on the issues that our losing. There were widespread allegations of voter kids are not getting a sound education, our seniors intimidation, police harassment, electioneering are losing their homes due to the high costs of preand election workers involvement in the polls." scription drugs, housing is too expensive for These poll workers are all appointed by Maltese, everyone to afford, and that high taxes and poor and the police and supervisors are all loyal to him, so they manipulated the results of the poll to keep Maltese in, especially in Glendale where he lives. Baldeo was cheated," community leader Charles Ober remarked.

The Baldeo Campaign Office has confirmed that many allegations are coming in of voter disenfranchisement, especially among Latinos and South Asians. "I am not conceding this race until Flashback: Newspaper clippings showing Baldeo’s narrow all ballots are recounted, in- defeat. cluding absentee and affidavit ballots in view of the many allegations that government services are affecting many hard keep coming in of voting malfeasance and irregu- working taxpayers.”

I had never ran for office before, but my hard larity. My supporters have directed that they want work and sacrifices had made a difference. You a recount, and that is the will of the electorate. This is not about me, it is about their right to vote, and can, and must also. It’s the democratic way! No since this right is so fundamental, I can only re- one will do it for you, your children and our comspect their wishes and ask for the recount," Baldeo munity. Walk a few steps in our shoes, and build on the momentum, example and vision I have said.

However, Baldeo's strong showing was the fought so hard for — for yourselves and future talk of many newspapers, blog sites and political generations. The longest journey begins with a pundits, who all showered praises on his strong single step. Not only did I start the journey for you showing and near upset victory. Caribbean pride against all odds, I have brought you close to the soared with Baldeo's results, as many talked about finish line — or the mountain top as Martin Luther how close he came to defeating an opponent, who King Jr., taught us!

Note: Albert Baldeo is a civil rights acwas not only undefeated since 1988, but who is also the Queens County Chairman of the Repub- tivist and community advocate. As President lican Party. Moreover, this district had been ger- of the Baldeo Foundation and Queens Jusrymandered to propagate Maltese’s political tice Center, he has continued to fight for monarchy to the exclusion of all others. That is equal rights, dignity and inclusion in the dewhy Maltese was unchallenged since 1994 in an cision making process. He can be contacted election in this district. The fact that Baldeo was at the Baldeo Foundation: (718) 529-2300.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 22, 2017

25

Illegal aircraft spotted at Parabara

…lawmen dispatched to probe report

By Alva Solomon FOLLOWING reports that several aircraft have been seen landing at an illegal airstrip near Parabara in the South Rupununi, a law-enforcement team has been dispatched to the area to carry out an investigation.

According to reports from the area, on several occasions in recent months, aircraft were seen circling and later landing in the Parabara savannah, south of Lumid Pau. Region Nine Chairman Bryan Allicock, confirmed on Monday that a team which included Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ranks travelled to the location on Friday to investigate the reports. He said that the team was expected to return to Lethem on Wednesday. “We got messages from the area that aircraft were seen overflying there,” Allicock said.

An aviation source confirmed that there have been

several reports of aircraft landing near Parabara and reports from the ground indicate that the planes usually spend a very short time on the ground before taking off. Over the weekend , this newspaper was told that air traffic services at the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) was in receipt of a report of an unidentified aircraft which was spotted overhead in Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) several days ago.

Reports are that a female pilot attached to a domestic airline at Ogle was flying from the Kaieteur Falls airstrip to the coastland, when she observed an aircraft overhead. The sighting raised an alarm, since air traffic control had no knowledge of any additional traffic in the vicinity.

The country’s hinterland has been in the spotlight in recent months following the discovery of several illegal aircraft on illegitimate runways constructed in the Rupununi.

Cocaine swallower gets four years A 26-year-old man who swallowed a total of 114 cocaine pellets was on Tuesday sentenced to four years imprisonment and fined $2.5M, when he appeared before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Julius Fidel Watkins of Second Street, Cummings Lodge, pleaded guilty to the charge which read, that between September 12 and September 15, 2017, at the Woodlands Hospital and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), he had 960 grams of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The facts presented by Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) Prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford, stated that on September 12, the accused was an outgoing passenger at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on a Fly Jamaica flight destined for Canada.

The court heard that the accused was observed by a CANU rank acting in a suspicious manner. He was taken to the Woodlands Hospital where an x-ray that was conducted on him revealed pellet-like objects in his abdominal cavity.

Watkins admitted to ingest-

The most recent incident involved a Beechcraft King Air luxury plane bearing registration PR-IMC, which was discovered abandoned on an illegal airstrip in the North Rupununi. Two persons have been placed before the courts in connection with that incident.

The discovery came shortly after an illegal airstrip was found near the Santa Fe farms in the area.

On September 13 last year, a plane which was registered in Colombia was discovered near the village of Yupukari. Reports had also indicated that the area where the aircraft was found was on the radar in relation to the illegal drug-trafficking trade.

There were also reports that the abandoned aircraft had previously been sighted circling the area on numerous occasions in the past.

The plane bore registration number N767Z, and it was later revealed by Minister of

The spot on this Google map frame of Parabara’s location in the South Rupununi.

State Joseph Harmon, that the United States registration was bogus, since there is another active aircraft in the U.S. with the same registration number. Residents had found the plane almost one month before an official report was made to authorities, according to the preliminary findings of a Commission of

Inquiry (CoI) by Brigadier (Ret’d) Edward Collins.

The CoI report of Collins found that the state’s aviation authority is in no position to locate illegal aircraft within the country’s territory, despite the use of the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) which the aviation

Police facilitated my escape

-- says wanted man Stafrie Alexander

By Vanessa Braithwaite

Julius Fidel Watkins

ing 114 pellets laced with cocaine.

Meanwhile, during his stay in the hospital to expel the pellets, some complications developed resulting in Watkins having to be housed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Woodlands Hospital and the High Dependency Unit (HDU) at the GPHC as the cocaine was in his intestines.

Following his discharge from the hospital on September 16, the accused was taken to the CANU headquarters where he was told of the offence and he admitted in a caution statement. He was subsequently charged for the offence.

Watkins when he was given a chance to address the court said, “I am really sorry, I needed the extra money because my four kids have to go to school.”

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition

industry had adopted some two years ago.

The ADS-B system requires communication between the ground team and the pilot to ensure the operation of the system.

Unless the pilot activates his system and communicates with the ground crew, the system is useless.

PRISON escapee Stafrie Hopkinson Alexander who is on trial for escaping lawful custody at the Mackenzie Police Station on Monday testified that ranks of the said station facilitated his escape.

He made the disclosure when he appeared in the Linden Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Alexander testified that he allegedly paid Assistant Superintendent Chabinaught Singh, who was inspector at the time and stationed at the Mackenzie Police Station and manning the Criminal Investigation Department, a large sum of cash to facilitate the escape.

According to the convict, Lance Corporal Jason Bourne allegedly broke the wall through which he and Robin Maxwell escaped.

The two murder accused on December of 2015 escaped from the Mackenzie Police Station lockups via a hole in the wall after which they scaled the fence. While Alexander was later recaptured at a checkpoint at the Kurupukari crossing, Rupununi, Maxwell’s corpse weeks after was fished out

Stafrie Hopkinson Alexander

of the Demerara River in the vicinity of West Watooka.

The post-mortem revealed that he had sustained blunt trauma to the head and his skull was fractured. It was alleged that Alexander may have been responsible for Maxwell’s death.

They were both on trial for the murder of Linden businesswoman Shevon Gordon, which occurred at Wismar on April 4, 2015.

When the Guyana Chronicle contacted ASP Singh on the allegation, he vehemently denied it and said it was news to him.

“I don’t have any idea about that… and that is not the case, I won’t allow any thief man to get way from anywhere… I wouldn’t allow him to get away from anywhere,” Singh said.

Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus, who was E’

Division Commander at the time of the escape, said he wished not to comment on the matter.

Acting Commander of ‘E’ Division, Anthony Vanderhydren, said he is aware of the testimony but an investigation has not yet been launched since he has not seen the file as yet.

“I know that it was mentioned in court and I haven’t seen the file as yet, until I see the file then I will make a statement,” Vanderhydren said.

He added that Alexander will be attending court for the remainder of the week, since police are trying to push out his cases and when it concludes, he will access the file.

Alexander was one of several prisoners who also escaped from the Camp Street Prison in July, but was later recaptured on July 29 in Corentyne, Berbice.

To advertise in this newspaper call Dennis at: 917-379-6590

26

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 22, 2017

Amelia’s Ward residents up in arms --over illegal sand-pit operation in their backyards

By Vanessa Braithwaite RESIDENTS of a community aback Amelia’s Ward, Linden, are fearful they just might lose their properties if the illegal sandpit operation in their neighbourhood is allowed to flourish unchecked.

It is with this thought in mind that they are calling on the relevant authorities to look into the activity, which at the moment is causing large-scale soil erosion.

The residents on Tuesday met with members of the media, where they outlined the seriousness of the matter, which is fast becoming an environmental hazard.

They say that it is three years since they have been engaging regional authorities on the issue, but seem not to be getting anywhere.

What is basically occurring is that contractors, truck and tractor drivers and excavator operators alike, are all indiscriminately mining the white sand free of cost, to resell for various construction purposes.

Today, what was previ-

munity’s Policing Group, Mr Hement Singh has said that the area, though not regularised, has been home to a number of people for over 30 years now. He himself has been living there for the past 28 years.

To date, there are close to 800 residents living in the community, many of whom may soon lose their properties if the digging continues.

“It is affecting the entire community, because not too far from there, we got a spring; people who can’t afford to buy drinking water or vehicle to reach at the house, that is where they going to the spring to do everything,” the concerned Chairman said, adding: “And one of the other problems is the children; the children in the community is a lot, and the population keep growing all the time.

There are 425 children alone in the community, and 345 adults. And at one time one a child already fall in the pit.”

The Amelia’s Ward Primary School is just a stone’s throw away.

Singh’s wife said that in one day alone can see as many as three to four big

lence will get physical.

One resident, Mr Lewis Marks, in whose back yard the digging is currently taking place, said that he does not intend to take things lightly, and has every intention of doing persons harm should they cross the line.

The residents says they have spoken to several authorities at the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LMTC), the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), National Industrial Commercial In-

“Yesterday marked three years since we have been trying, so we decided as a three-year anniversary to go back and do the whole thing again from the start,” Singh said.

“And the first place we went back yesterday is right back at the environmental office at LMTC where we start from,” he added.

The residents said that Regional Chairman, Renis Morian also promised on several occasions to bring a halt

trucks and more come to dig from the pit; some even come at nights with lights.

MAY GET DICEY Singh said that on many occasions, the diggers and the residents have gotten into verbal conflict, and he is scared that one day the vio-

a serious threat to property, Mayor Holland as well as Head of the Environmental Committee, Wainright Betune, said that the halting of the operations will put many contractors out of jobs and will also result in an increased price for construction materials.

“There are about 40 to 45 persons that depend on the sand pit for a livelihood, so it is a rock-and-a-hard-place kind of situation, in that you can’t stop them and then put

Some of the houses under threat

An excavator and truck hard at work

ously a small sand pit is now an enormous hole mere feet away from the back yards of many of the residents, one of whose property has already lost some foundation posts due to the incessant excavation.

Chairman of the Com-

looking for,” Singh said. The residents claim that they have observed contractors working with the RDC and MTC are also raping the sand pit.

When asked about their regularisation status, Singh said that they are currently in the process of being regularised and the residents are presently engaging both NICIL, since the land is owned by that entity, and Guyana Lands and Survey Commission.

vestments Limited (NICIL) and even the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

Some of these authorities, including Mayor Carwyn Holland, have since visited the community and did express concern over the situation.

to the issue, and to even write Minister of State, Mr Joseph Harmon on the matter, but to date, has not received any help.

“There is nowhere else we can go to when it comes to Linden. They need to stop digging; that is what we are

CONFLICTING REPORTS When the Guyana Chronicle contacted NCIL Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Horace James on Tuesday, he said the houses are on NICIL’s property, but for sand removal, permission has to be given by GGMC. He, however, promised to visit the community today. When the residents visited the GGMC office on Monday, an officer, though willing to help them, said she was not given permission to stop the digging from her superiors in Georgetown.

Mayor Holland said that the Council held meetings with GGMC and is trying to regularise the entire operations of digging in Linden.

He admitted that it is a serious environmental hazard, and that the LMTC has engaged the RDC about having a new sand pit at a different location.

“Looking at the situation, they shouldn’t be digging any further there,” he said.

However, Regional Chairman Morian, when contacted, said that any matter relating to digging and sand should be forwarded to the Council.

While the sand pit operation has been deemed an environment hazard, and poses

these men out of jobs immediately, and you can’t allow them keep fetching out the sand and digging out people land,” Betune said, adding: “So they should create a buffer zone that they shouldn’t pass, and at the same time look for alternative locations.”

He said that moving to other locations, however, will see an increase in construction costs in Linden. One of the truck drivers who sell the sand told the Guyana Chronicle that he has been digging there for over 15 years, and has in his employ over five young men who would be unemployed if he stops.

The driver did admit that the situation is hazardous, but said that some of the residents came to live there after the digging started.

“They came and reach us here; this is all we know,” he said. “Linden done ain’t get work! Where exactly they want us to go!”

He admitted that there are other sand pits in Linden but they are not as easily accessible as this one. “If we have to travel farther,” he said. “That mean that the sand cost will go up and it will affect every resident so this thing has a far way to go.”

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending September 22, 2017

‘Discipline Hicken’

27

…CoI knocks Hicken, says he is part of “unprofessional wrangling”

By Ariana Gordon ASSISTANT Police Commissioner and head of operations, Clifton Hicken, is said to be “part of the unprofessional wrangling that is taking place among some of the senior officers of the Guyana Police Force and which had led to some degree of polarisation,” the report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger has concluded.

The commission has recommended disciplinary action against Hicken for a series of alleged infractions, including failing to follow established policing procedures pertaining to the investigation into the plot.

In the report submitted to President David Granger a few weeks ago, the Paul Slowe-led commission said Hicken should be disciplined for neglecting to ensure that a record of Andriff Gillard’s allegation of the plan to assassinate the President was made in the relevant station records within ‘A’ Division.

Hicken during his testimony before the commission said he had received a call from Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum requesting that Gillard be escorted to CID headquarters from the Ministry of Public

Security on March 29. He said he immediately sent Divisional Detective Michael Kingston to collect Gillard and take him to his (Hicken’s) office.

When Gillard arrived, Hicken only verified that he was the person to whom Blanhum had referred and sent him to CID with Kingston.

Hicken did not interview Gillard, who alleged that he was offered $7M to kill President Granger sometime in June 2015 by Nizam Khan.

The accuser contended that he asked Khan to borrow $6M, but instead was offered $7M once he agreed to kill the President. He refused but reported the matter to the police only in March, 2017.

But Hicken’s failure to interview Gillard was questioned

by Slowe, who had asked him why he did not question Gillard. “It was not for me to get involve [sic] in matters involving CID,” responded Hicken during his testimony. He said he contacted substantive police commissioner Seelall Persaud on the matter and he too told him to have Gillard sent to CID immediately for questioning. “I confirmed the name of the man and forwarded him to CID headquarters,” said Hicken, who currently serves as assistant commissioner, operations. This response did not find favour with Slowe, a

Assistant Commissioner Operations, Clifton Hicken

retired assistant commissioner who said, “I am not accepting that!” “Won’t you have been interested to know what is the story?” he continued. But Hicken maintained that he did what was required of him.

He said it was necessary for him to ensure it was the right individual being escorted to CID. “Chief, you have to

confirm these things…if it was the wrong person, I would have been in the hot water by now,” said Hicken, who made it clear he had no intention to tarnish the investigation. “I just didn’t want to get involve [sic].”

“Nobody wanted to get involve [sic]…that is quite clear and based on what you have

Ramjattan disappointed over leaked CoI report MINISTER of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, has expressed his disappointment over the leaked report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger.

This comes after media reports surfaced with recommendations emanating from the CoI. The minister said that the idea was to discuss the recommendations with the relevant authorities such as President Granger and members of Cabinet before it was released to the public. Some of the recommendations in the report include removal of the commissioner of police and sanctions against Assistant Commissioner Da-

vid Ramnarine and Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum.

The sanctions are a result of the manner in which the above-mentioned officers handled the investigation.

Minister Ramjattan said that before the recommendations are enforced, a more in-depth analysis of the findings must be conducted. He stated that “Yes, there were some negatives found and yes, we have to take care of that. We want a robust police force and we want security sector reform and we are in the process of that and the report did bring out a couple of things that ought not have been done and to that extent is where I am going to make my statement as to whether all that was recommended

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

must happen or all must not happen.”

Additionally, the CoI recommended that Deputy Crime Chief, Senior Superintendent of Police

Rishi Das be removed from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and a replacement appointed.

The minister noted that such recommendations coming out of the CoI can have negative consequences on an institution. With that, he added that it is important to make measured responses, so that we “do not throw the child out with the bath water.”

The CoI was conducted by retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe and the report was handed over to President David Granger two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo also expressed disappointment and concern over the leaking of the report. (DPI)

said so far…you chose not to ask the man any questions,” concluded the commissioner, who noted “that is neglect, that is dereliction of duty.” In his report to President Granger, Slowe made it clear that Hicken should be “disciplined for his failure to interview Gillard to ascertain the nature of the allegation.”

“This is a clear neglect by him,” the report stated. Slowe also recommended that Hicken be disciplined for reporting the allegation to Persaud, who at the time was on annualised vacation leave. “This conduct is prejudicial to good order or discipline,” he stated in his report, while adding that the former Commander ‘A’ Division be disciplined for failing to report the said allegation to Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine, who was acting as police commissioner then.

Meanwhile, Hicken had also said that as far as he is aware, the matter had not been recorded in his Division and noted that he acted upon instructions. His response caused him to bump heads with Slowe who questioned, “That is a commander-level perspective?” to which Hicken replied, “You are harping on the commander level and you know that when things are handled at CID Headquarters, commanders don’t get involved…I think

some of the structures would have faded away…I note your tone and I am very straight with this inquiry…I know what you’re saying, but the standard and latitude you would have had in your time is different… this is not where you left…this is a different time.”

However, Slowe maintained that initial investigations should begin at the divisional level and there must be records to reflect same. Additionally, it was recommended that Hicken be investigated for perjury in relation to his statement under oath that he had reported the allegation to Commissioner Persaud at about 10:00hrs on March 29.

“This claim was not supported by Commissioner Persaud’s sworn testimony before the commission. It should not go unnoticed that Hicken stated that he reported the allegation to Commissioner Persaud who was on leave and not Ramnarine, the acting commissioner. The evidence before the commission strongly suggests that Hicken is part of the unprofessional wrangling that is taking place among some of the senior officers of the GPF, and which had led to some degree of polarisation. It is obvious that Hicken is on the side of Commissioner Persaud,” the report concluded.

Pensioner killed by drunk driver

A FARM Nursery School security guard was killed after he was struck down on the Herstelling Public Road, East Bank Demerara on Tuesday afternoon by an intoxicated minibus driver.

Dead is Basil Rambarran, 66, of Farm, East Bank Demerara. The driver of the minibus was administered a breathalyser test and found to have exceeded the legal alcohol limit. He is in police custody assisting with investigations.

Reports indicate that the accident occurred around 16:45hrs on Tuesday while a 44-year-old mini-bus driver of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara was proceeding south along the western lane of the eastern carriageway in

his vehicle- BLL4639.

The pensioner was riding a bicycle and allegedly rode across the road from west to east when the minibus crashed into him.

He fell onto the roadside and sustained multiple injuries to the body.

The father of three was later pronounced dead at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre and the body is currently at the Lyken’s Funeral Parlour awaiting post-mortem examination.

His wife Agnis Rambarran said she received the news from her sister and when she visited the Georgetown Public Hospital her husband was already dead.

She is calling on the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the accident.

MoE still to meet with GTU over planning of See 35 annual Nationals Page

Johnny Bairstow puts the game beyond doubt with his maiden ODI hundred at Old Trafford. (Getty Images)

Bairstow condemns Windies to World Cup qualifiers with maiden ODI ton

Sri Lanka secure World Cup berth after Windies defeat

MANCHESTER, England (CMC) – West Opting to bat first, West Indies were givIndies’ dismal One-Day International en a rousing start by Gayle and Evin Lewis continued with a seven-wicket de- (11) who put on 45 off 33 deliveries.

20,form 2017 feat to England in the critical opener at The left-handed Gayle, dropped at secOld Trafford here yesterday, a result that ond slip by Root off the third ball of the condemned the Caribbean side to a 10- innings from pacer Chris Woakes before he team tournament order to more had than scored, great touch, SRI qualifying Lanka have become in of 205 with 19looked willincomplete thesmashing World reach the 2019 Worldovers Cup. remaining. two fours and three straight sixes to domithe eighth andCricket final team Cup line-up. sweep the five-match the stand. toNeeding qualifytoautomatically S r series i L a n knate a , Wo rld “You always know infor order achieve direction However, pulled long hop from theto2019 World Cup, qualification Champions in 1996, now Lewis there’s theapotential of West West Indies’ thatHales (notatqualifying forfollowing the showpiece, Indiesjoin putAustralia, them- Bangladesh, Moeen Ali to Alex square leg indithe seven-wicket defeat by they England, India,off-spinner’s New Zea- first rect); it was selves under pressure when mustered over,we andknew Gayle followed England in in thethefirst ODI reduced land, Pakistan South going be aadded toughwhen ask,”he 203 for nine contest to 42 20and balls later with 10toruns at Old Africa as the holed confirmed said Toby Radford, West overs per Trafford. side following a two-hour delayed out to deep mid-off to a brilliant runIndies’ batting coach. start due to a wet outfield. ning catch by Root off Woakes.

“Butfive we are very positive Captain Jason Holder top-scored with an Hope stroked boundaries as he as a group and are trying unbeaten 41 off 33 deliveries, while opener consolidated in a 50-run, third-wicket to develop in all formats.

Chris Gayle, in his first ODI in two years, partnership with Samuels before he If Marlon it means the qualifiers belted a typically aggressive 37 off 27 balls. too perished softly, whipping an ordinary next year, it means the Stylish right-hander Shai Hope carved delivery from seamer Stokes his hip qualifiers nextoffyear andto out an attractive 35 while Rovman Pow- be caught at square by our Bairstow in the we’ll leg build way back ell got 23, but no other Windies batsman 24th over. up.” passed 20.

Samuels, whoUpul consumed 46 balls Tharanga, Sriin Lanka’s ODI was12 As expected, England made light work making a boundary-less 17,captain departed relieved to in have of the target, coasting home in the 31st balls later at 107 for four the avoided 26th over that catch fate: behind “It’s no over with Jonny Bairstow celebrating his brushing a leg-side offsecret Stokes. have been(18) going promotion the top of the order with 100 not Powell and that Jasonwe Mohammed then tough time, I out – his maiden ODI century. propped up thethrough inningsaby adding a but run-asay a big, thank Test captain Joe Root chipped in with a ball 42 for thewant fifthtowicket but big once they you to our fans who’ve polished 54 while all-rounder Ben Stokes were separated,kept West faith Indieswith lost five us wickets when Sri Lanka ODI captain Upul Tharanga arrived at the end to help formalise the re- for 53 runs to decline. things looked bleak. sult with cameo unbeaten 15 balls. in the It was left to Holder wag the tail,althe Witha September 30 set23 off participants 2019 “ICC to events have the West 16th inevent, the last 21 will right-hander five fours to push his asThe thedefeat cut-offwas date, which be held thumping ways brought out the magic ODIs for(78 West Indies and their in 12th loss in between side beyond mark.

Indies points) now canEngland May thein200-run Sri Lanka cricket, and their 17ahead outings to England. with three for 43 while not last move of Sri Lan- 30 and July 15. Stokes finished I look forward to proving kaWest (86 points) the ICCformerWest Indies, two-timeAdil that once (2-31) again. and Woakes Indies, in two-time World leg-spinner Rashid ODI rankings, champions 1975were and the other “Wewicket-takers. have a clear plan champions, will irrespective now battle minnows Ire- in(2-41) of how their remaining 1979, must in atoward World Cup, land, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, alongnow compete Requiring strong the opening burst, the matches against a 10-team qualifier in 2018, and weHales will cheaply work hard with four teams fromEngland the ICC World Cricket Windies claimed Alex for 19 pan out. where they will be joined at aachieving each atstep.

League Championship and another two from when Lewis held juggling catch point They had gone into the by the bottom three sides As we say in dress-on the ICC World Cricket League Division off seamer Jerome Taylor with the the score five-match series needing in the ICC team rankings ing room, - Little ‘w’s Two, in abytournament next order to 31 in the fifth over. to win either 4-0 or 5-0year- in Afghanistan, Zimbabwe (wins) add up to make reach the World Cup. to amass enough points to and Ireland - as However, well as the the joy big was ‘W’short-lived - so that’sas

orld Cup 2018

See Page 32

Chris Gayle launches his innings with a volley of sixes.

FIFA bans CFU president Gordon Derrick for six years

Bairstow and Root came together in a 125- off 53 balls before chopping on to seamer run, second-wicket stand which killed off Kesrick Williams (2-50) in the 24th over the Windies’ hopes of a victory. and captain Eoin Morgan’s lean run continAll told, Bairstow faced 97 balls and ued when he nicked one behind off the same counted 11 fours in a well-paced knock, bowler three overs later, to perish for 10. reaching his landmark in the last over of the But Stokes provided a swift end to the game with a punch to deep over off off-spin- encounter, lashing a four and a pair of ner Ashley Nurse for three runs. sixes – the last of which sealed the rout Continued page Root, meanwhile, struck four boundariesfrom for the hosts.32

31

SCOREBOARD 5-1, Rashid 9-0-31-2, Plunkett WEST INDIES innings C. Gayle c Root b Woakes 37 8-0-42-0 (w-2), Stokes 9-0-43-3 E. Lewis c Hales b Ali 11 (w-4, nb-2).

S. Hope c Bairstow b Stokes 35 ENGLAND innings M. Samuels c wkp. Buttler b Stokes 17 100 J. Mohammed c Hales b Rashid 18 J. Bairstow not out 19 R. Powell c Willey b Woakes 23 A. Hales c Lewis b Taylor 54 J. Holder not out 41 J. Root b Williams A. Nurse c Root b Rashid 1 E. Morgan c wkp. Hope b Williams 10 23 D. Bishoo b Willey 5 B. Stokes not out 4 J. Taylor c wkp. Buttler b Stokes 2 Extras: (w4) K. Williams not out 0 Total: (3 wkts, 30.5 overs) 210 Extras: (lb-3, w-9, nb-2) 14 Fall of wickets: 1-31, 2-156, Total: (9 wkts, 42 overs) 204 3-175.

Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-53, 3-103, Bowling: Taylor 7-0-46-1 (w-1), 4-107, 5-149, 6-150, 7-160, 8-187, Holder 3-0-18-0, Williams 6-0-50Gordon Derrick had been president of the Nurse CFU since May 2012.

2 (w-1), 8.5-0-48-0 (w-1), 9-202.

Bishooarti6-0-48-0.Derrick, who is also Bowling: Woakes 8-0-41-2 ZURICH, (Reuters) - for (w-2), violating several World soccer body FIFA cles of FIFA’s ethical code.

General Secretary of Willey 6-0-39-1 (w-1), Ali 2-0said yesterday that the

The independent Eth-

the Antigua and Barbu-