Guyana Chronicle 25 05 2018

FRIDAY 25th May, 2018

Plan well for oil No.105285

…World Bank urges as Guyanese MPs get training on Sovereign Wealth Fund

PAGE

14

All roads lead to Carnival 02 Parade Saturday PAGE

Fourth person 03 dies following Kuru Kururu crash PAGE

Dookie sent 24 on leave again PAGE

Children get their moves right for today’s grand Independence flag-raising cultural show at D’Urban Park (Samuel Maughn photo)

Gov't pushes mediation

… AG urges lawyers to embrace method to cut backlog of cases, deliver timelier justice 13 PAGE

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

All roads lead to Carnival Parade Saturday

By Vishani Ragobeer

AS the activities organised for Guyana Carnival draw near to a close, all roads will lead to the Genesis Road Parade on Saturday where scores of revellers will showcase their elaborate costumes.

Speaking to members of the media was chairman of the carnival, Bobby Vieira, who disclosed the parade route.

The parade leaves from the newly built Kitty Roundabout and heads south along the eastern half of Vlissengen Road to the D’Urban Park. Assembly time is 10:00hrs and the parade leaves at 11:00 hours.

There will be no ‘floats’ as Guyanese are accustomed to seeing during the Mashramani celebrations. Rather, there will be people in five sections -- each showing off their costumes.

Vieira encouraged families with children to go to the D’Urban Park to enjoy the spectacle since the revellers will be parading around the

[Seated from left] Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Akeem Peter; Chairman of the Guyana Carnival, Bobby Vieira; Deputy Commander for ‘A’ Division Errol Watts and Deputy Superintendent Dennis Stephens, briefing the media on Thursday park.

After this, the revellers will take a short break to refuel and then march from D’Urban Park along the

western section of Vlissengen Road onto Thomas Road, then to the National Park for the highly anticipated soca rave.

To facilitate this event, there will be several road closures, Deputy Superintendent

Dennis Stephens said.

No vehicular traffic will be able to proceed west on Homestretch and Mandela Avenues and along the parade route.

He warned that the revellers and patrons will be using

the roadways, and as such motorists should adhere to the closures. He also advised patrons and revellers to carpool and appoint designated drivers.

Meanwhile, Vieria said the carnival events have been

going good thus far.

“As far as I know, we’ve had an incident-free carnival,” he said, noting that he is “overwhelmingly pleased” with the support from the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

“There has been no major activity that would cause a dent on this carnival activity,” Deputy Commander for ‘A’ Division and Senior Superintendent, Errol Watts said.

This was attributed to diligent work by police officers.

“We will ensure that all those persons who are visiting and who are here attending these functions will be safe at all times,” Watts assured.

And for vendors who may wish to ply their trade, Deputy Mayor of Georgetown Akeem Peter, said this can be done along Vlissengen Road where spots have been demarcated.

Spots between Thomas Road to the seawall carry a cost of $10,000; between Thomas Road and Lamaha Street, $12,000 and between Lamaha and Church Streets and between Church Streets to D’Urban Park $15,000.

Child labour consultation rolls into Linden IN an effort to completely eradicate child labour from Guyana by 2025, the Ministry of Social Protection, Department of Labour, has embarked on countrywide consultations with stakeholders to garner varying inputs for the development of a national child labour policy.

Linden’s consultation was the third of its kind and over 30 stakeholders from the mining town were engaged on Wednesday and gave their input on the issue. These included representatives from the religious organizations, financial institutions, the business community, elected representatives, NGO’s and public servants.

Giving opening remarks was Assistant Chief Labour Officer, Ms Karen Corbin, who said that child labour is very real in Guyana even though laws have been put in place as well as the ratification of the ILO Convention Act. Lacking, she said, is the involvement of stakeholders, hence the hosting of consultations countrywide for them to play their role in this very pertinent issue. “Children throughout the world should be nurtured not neglected, educated not exploited and helped not harmed…we at the Ministry of Social Protection are on the road to ensuring that all stakeholders are involved, hence your invitation here this morning.”

Collaboration is also done with national and international organizations such as UNICEF to further tackle the issue.

Giving an in-depth PowerPoint presentation on Child Labour in Guyana was Dr Quincy Jones. His presentation gave the stakeholders a vivid picture

of where Guyana is in the fight against child labour and what areas need to be focussed on during discussions surrounding the development of the policy.

The stakeholders were informed that child labour includes any child under the age of 18 taking part in the worst form of child labour and children under 12 participating in economic activities that can affect their health and wellbeing and is detrimental to their attendance at school or vocational training.

A study done by the Bureau of Statistics and UNICEF revealed that 18% of children ages 5-17 years are engaged in child labour in Guyana; 10% are involved in economic activities above the age specific threshold and 13% work under hazardous conditions. Neglect is the leading form of child labour in Guyana, which forces children to undertake employment to provide for their basic needs. The study further showed that most of the children involved in child labour works in the agriculture sector followed by industry and hospitality services.

Children of Amerindian descent living in the interior locations are said to be particularly vulnerable to the mining and extractive industry.

PROGRESS Jones highlighted that significant progress in 2010 was made by Guyana with the ratification of all six essential international conventions that address child labour.

Additionally, laws made in 1999 surrounding child labour have been amended and updated. “Though we

have made significant progress towards addressing child labour, though we have a contextual understanding of child labour in Guyana and a bit of snap shot of that state of child labour in Guyana, it is hoped that a national child labour policy will be able to address the gaps as it pertains to protecting children from child labour,” he urged.

Some gaps that were highlighted showed that legislation put in place does not adequately protect Guyana’s children from child labour. The various Acts that need strengthening include Employment of Young Persons and Children Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act and Protection of Children Act. The stakeholders were urged to craft a comprehensive child labour policy with all the necessary supportive mechanisms including the eradication of neglect. “The national child labour policy must be sensitive enough and comprehensive enough to protect children from instances of child labour owed to neglect,” said Jones.

The Child Labour Policy should have clear definitions of child labour, full protection of children under 18 from engaging in hazardous work, sufficient prohibition of the use of children for illicit activities, a supportive regulation for restrictions.

Dr. Jones, in his conclusion, urged the stakeholders to consider the inconsistencies and gaps and to reconcile these. He said the policy must focus on the multi-layered contextual nature of child labour in Guyana.

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

Pride, patrimony, pageantry to feature prominently –– as Guyana celebrates 52 years of Independence

GUYANA’S 52nd Independence Anniversary celebrations will focus predominantly on the country’s youth.

The programme this year places emphasis on developing a strong sense of national pride, patriotism and appreciation for the strides Guyana has made since gaining its independence.

It will include a plethora of cultural dances, music and other artistic pieces, as well as a two-hour ‘Independence Flag Concert’, featuring popular local artistes.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, who paid a site visit to the rehearsals today, said that works were done at the Homestretch Avenue venue to enhance its scenery for the hosting of this national event. He also took the opportunity to encourage persons to come out and celebrate Guyana’s cultural diversity, and to participate in an event which, among other things, aims to promote social cohesion.

“I want to remind persons that the action moves down to Stabroek Market

where we will have a flag concert with our local artistes, and I would like everyone to come out and enjoy some of our local artistes,” Ministed Norton said.

Director of National Events, Lt. Colonel Colin Henry explained that rehearsals got underway last Thursday, and that preparations are ongoing and rehearsal logistics are in place.

Said he: “The total number of students is estimated at 1000, with 200 ranks of the Guyana Defence Force participating in the parade, as well as members of the Cadet Corps, Scouts and Pathfinders, and another 1700 students taking part in the cultural presentation.

This brings the total number of participants to 3000 or thereabouts.”

During the rehearsals on Thursday, Director of the National Dance Company, Ms. Vivienne Daniels, who coordinated the dance pieces for the programme, explained that national patrimony, folklore and social cohesion will be exhibited through dance. “People

must come out and support the nation’s children,” she urged, adding that youth participation is an essential part of the celebrations.

Youths of the Joint School Steelpan Group, which comprises of students from West Demerara Secondary, North Ruimveldt Multilateral School and President’s College, are set to perform hits from Guyanese music legend, Dave Martins.

Many of the students who are participating in the event expressed a general sense of excitement as they shared their thoughts on the Independence festivities.

Joshua DeCannon of North Ruimveldt Secondary and a member of the National Cadet Corps explained why he was eager to play his role in the festivities. “Independence is very important to me,” he said, “because I get to see fellow Guyanese people from all different races just come together and unite as we celebrate.

“Come out and experience a wide variety of dances, schoolchildren marching and to witness the

Members of the Disciplined Forces going through their paces at D’Urban Park on Thursday (DPI photo) flag-raising; it will be very beautiful.”

Ms. Shakira Dunn, a fourth former at St. Joseph High said that the level of national social cohesion displayed during the preparation phase of the event was inspiring for her.

Meanwhile, Leroy Geer of Saint Stanislaus College, who is participating in the national choir, indicated that celebrations like this

Youths must realise full potential –– Mabaruma regional education officer

REGIONAL Education Officer for Mabaruma Nigel Richards has said the Department of Education will continue to provide opportunities for youths to develop their potentials to the fullest.

He gave the assurance to headteachers and students at an opening ceremony for a headteachers’ meeting that was hosted by students across the three sub- regions on Tuesday.

This was followed by a Youth Leadership Symposium that engaged the students and exposed them to topics that included career choices, positive discipline, leadership and cultural humility.

Also addressing the symposium, Regional

The headteachers’ meeting that was hosted by students Chairman Brentnol Ashley commended the Department of Education for the initiative, and encouraged the young people to learn as much as they can since they are the ones who will

one day assume leadership roles in their town, villages and communities.

The Department of Education joined with over 100 students from across the region to observe the begin-

ning of Youth Week 2018.

These activities also formed part of the region’s schedule of activities for Independence Week which began on Sunday, May 21, 2018.

help Guyanese to appreciate the steady development of Guyana as an independent nation. Geer also encouraged all Guyanese to attend the national event.

“I think everyone should come out and support,” he said. “As a country, we should actually come together as one people, one nation with one destiny and support our country in every way.

“The active inclusion of youths in this year’s celebrations accords with the wishes of President David Granger. This year also pioneers a change in the time at which the event will be held, so as to facilitate children across Guyana to fully participate and enjoy Guyana’s Independence celebrations.”

The venue is expected to accommodate in excess of 30,000 persons.

Fourth person dies following Kuru Kururu crash A FOURTH victim in the May 13 accident on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway passed away on Wednesday, authorities at the Georgetown Public Hospital confirmed.

Forty-year-old Rookmin Indraine of Kaneville Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara, died Wednesday evening. Indraine was one of several adults and children who were passengers in a minibus that was travelling along the Soesdyke Linden Highway at Kuru Kururu, when a car driven by a woman slammed into the minibus.

Three of the four occupants who were in the car, namely Shenelle Hughes, 31, of 2344 Rohan Housing Scheme, Diamond, East Bank Demerara, died on Friday last. Prior to her death, 24 year old Quinton Odel of Lot 137 Blankenburg, West Coast Demerara, had passed away at the Georgetown Public hospital (GPH). Before his death, six-year-old Arianna Hughes of Diamond Housing Scheme had died one day after the crash. All the deaths have been recorded as a result of injuries they sustained during the accident.

Shenelle Hughes was the driver of the car while Odel is said to have been the owner, while the six-year- old was Hughes’ child.

There were several other children who were injured in the crash.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday May 25, 2018

Trump pulls out of North Korea summit US President Donald Trump has cancelled a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, saying the world had “lost a great opportunity for lasting peace”.

He said his decision was because of “tremendous anger and open hostility” in a recent North Korean statement.

The summit aimed at ridding the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons and would have been the first time a sitting US president met a North

Korean leader.

But both sides have recently cast doubt on whether the talks would happen.

Mr Trump’s announcement came just hours after North Korea said it had dismantled tunnels at its only nuclear test site in a move witnessed by foreign reporters.

Mr Trump said he had been looking forward to the now-cancelled summit in Singapore on 12 June.

“I was very much looking forward to being there with

you. Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have the long-planned meeting,” Mr Trump said.

“You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used,” he added.

But he called the meeting a “missed opportunity”, saying “someday, I look very much forward to meeting you”. (BBC)

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un

UK’s MI6 to recruit children of immigrants for first time LONDON (Reuters) - Britain’s foreign spy agency will allow the children of immigrants to join the organization for the first time

and will launch its first ever TV advert.

Alex Younger, the chief of MI6 known as “C”, is scrapping a rule that new

recruits must have two British-born parents and they will now only need to be British born.

The service is on a recruitment drive aimed at women with children and black and minority ethnic candidates to bolster the service’s diversity.

“I want this opportunity to dispel the myths that still too often see potential candidates rule themselves out,” Younger told reporters. “My message remains simple: There is no ‘standard’ Ml6 officer: if you have what it takes, then apply to join us.”

The change comes as MI6, whose greatest fictional agent is James Bond, launches the first TV advert in its 109-year history on Thursday evening. The advert shows a mother and her young child watching a shark in an aquarium.

“We are intelligence officers, but we don’t do what you think. It is not keeping your cool in the shark tank; it is picking up the silent cues that matter,” the voice-over in the advert says.

It ends: “MI6; secretly, we are just like you.”

DATE: DATE: 26/11/2016 23/05/2018 26/11/2016 24/05/2018

06 07 18 19 26 14 02 03 12 14 09 12 16 N I 11

06 16 13 08

14 11

21 06

24 26

26/11/2016 22/05/2018

04 5

07 4

03 5

26/11/2016 24/05/2018

05 8

04 5

01 3

26/11/2016 24/05/2018 02 08

09 06

10 10

11 09 13 02 14 18

18 01

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday May 25, 2018

McLaughlin vows to challenge the UK

– if ownership registry becomes mandatory GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, CMC – Premier Alden McLaughlin says his administration will head to court if the United Kingdom decides to mandate a public beneficial ownership registry for companies in the territory.

During a press conference on Monday, McLaughlin said that the stance being taken by the UK “is unlawful, and we do not accept it.”

According to McLaughlin, the government would wait to see if the U.K. issues the order-in-council to require the establishment of a public company ownership registry and then wait further to see if it seeks to implement that in the Cayman Islands.

“Cayman’s best course of action is to challenge any decision of the U.K. government by order in council to amend local legislation … which will render the issue to our courts here,” he said.

“That [challenge] will never happen if the U.K. doesn’t make the order in council.”

He also noted that his administration would not seek any challenge within the U.K. courts to the May 1 vote in the House of Commons that amended Britain’s Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill. The amendment inserted a requirement in the

Cayman Islands Premier, Alden McLaughlin

bill that all U.K. overseas territories implement an open public register of company ownership by December 31, 2020. If that deadline is not met, the bill requires the U.K. Secretary of State to draft orders in council to force the territories to comply.

He revealed that legal advice received by Cayman’s government in the U.K. noted that taking action against the vote in the Commons “brings the difficulties inherent in the arguments surrounding parliamentary supremacy.”

Parliament is the supreme legal entity in the U.K. and even if the courts do find its decisions to be unlawful, it is ultimately up to the lawmakers themselves to go back and change them.

The Premier said the legal battles surrounding that process were likely to take years and, in the meantime, regulatory standards could change.

Concerning constitutional

change, McLaughlin said he addressed this during meetings last week with U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May in an effort prevent a reoccurrence of what happened with the May 1 House of Commons vote on the amendment to the Sanctions and Anti Money Laundering Bill.

The premier said any constitutional changes should provide that, as long as Cayman is in keeping with its international obligations and standards, its power of self-governance is “absolute.”

He however said that he did not perceive any of the U.K.’s recent actions, or Cayman’s challenging of those actions, as “steps toward independence.”

“But if the U.K. parliament comes to believe they can legislate for the territories any time they disagree … it is a threat to our very existence,” he said.

Barbados in waiting mode – after ‘incident-free’ 12-hour poll BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Barbadians are now awaiting the outcome of Thursday’s general election after the estimated 542 polling stations closed after a 12-hour period.

While, generally, the election was incident free, several people, mainly non-nationals, were forced to go to the Court to get an order allowing them to cast their ballots.

Chief Justice Sir Marston Gibson ruled that approximately 20 nationals and non-nationals should be allowed to vote before

the polls were closed after a sixand-a-half hour emergency hearing of the matter on Thursday.

There had been widespread reports that several people were turned away from their respective polling stations, and their legal representatives, led by Elliot Mottley, the father of the leader of the main opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) Mia Mottley, urged them to show up at the Supreme Court to give testimony that they had in fact been in the island for the requisite three years.

As a result of the ruling, the

Chief Electoral Officer, Angela Taylor, was given an order to issue an addendum to allow for the parties to vote.

Counting of the ballots were sceheduled to begin at 20:00h (local time).

While there are a record 135 candidates and seven political parties vying for control of the 30-member Parliament, the contest was seen as a straight fight between the incumbent Democratic Labour Party (DLP) of Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and the BLP.

Hundreds expect to have criminal records expunged ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Hundreds of persons are expected to have their criminal records expunged from the system due to the establishment of a Rehabilitation Board in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders legislation which came into effect in 2017.

Chaired by Attorney-General Dr Lawrence Joseph, the five-member board includes representatives from the Ministry of Social Development, the Police Force and the Office of the Prime Minister.

During Wednesday’s weekly post-cabinet press briefing, Joseph disclosed that the Board will receive applications from offenders who want their records to be removed from the criminal records department.

However, this is only applicable to offences that fall within certain categories.

“This act will now be enabling people who committed offences that can be removed

after a certain period to have a clean slate,” said Joseph, who explained that Grenada is not the first country within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to approve such legislation.

He noted that Jamaica as well as St Vincent and the Grenadines have this legislation in place.

“There are lots of young people who are deprived of good opportunities because of minor crimes committed in their younger lives,” Joseph said, adding: “The records of the crimes remain on the system, and we realise that there are persons who lose out on good opportunities, so this law will provide for them to have it remove and never be referred to again.”

Joseph said that the process will be simple one, whereby each person will have to make an application for the Board to consider the removal.

The applicants will pay a fee of EC$50, present the necessary documentation to the Ministry

of Legal Affairs, and await a decision from the Board, which meets monthly.

According to Veronica Charles, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development, all applications will undergo a social enquiry report.

“That report will play an integral role in the outcome, which will only be approved or not approved,” she said, while confirming that once an application request is approved, the Police will remove it from the criminal records.

Matters which are excluded from the rehabilitation process are: Murder; voluntary manslaughter; robbery with violence; arson, and any indictable offence carrying a penalty including imprisonment for a term of 15 years or more of imprisonment.

Those not included are convictions of imprisonment for life, and imprisonment for a term exceeding five years.

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday May 25, 2018

Building our nation TOMORROW Guyana will be celebrating its 52nd Anniversary of political independence. This milestone, when compared to many countries around the world, makes Guyana a relatively young nation.

But in a world that is becoming more complex and fast-paced, where forces of global trade can leave young societies dependent or lagging, threats of terrorism make us vulnerable; what Guyanese can maintain and deepen is that unity of purpose that birthed this nation.

Our country, irrespective of historical hostility between and among groups, on the eve of independence, saw the unanimity of purpose and aspiration to be “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.” At this stage of the nation’s evolution, we need to not only recognise and acknowledge

the contributions of each group, but also to find ways in which we can build an environment of equity.

Historical differences that may have divided us must now serve as lessons to unite us. The tendency to blame others for our present state of not achieving the much-sought after national unity, where they are deceased, those alive must take responsibility for either failing to learn from their missteps or moving to correct them. The divisive boast of which group did more than which is counter-productive to the accurate evolution of the nation and the role each played, at different periods and collectively, in its development.

Guyanese, regardless of diversity, must recognise and appreciate that Guyana is the only place we can truly call home and there-

fore must have a vested interest in protecting it, resolving our differences and working in harmony.

Fifty-one years after from whence we came should only matter as to where we were born in this beautiful land. To ignore that this anniversary finds sections of society and individuals disgruntled is to ignore the importance of every group and individual in the nation.

Similarly, efforts to ensure national unity and cohesion should not see bystanders, but groups and individuals seeking to get involved. At the most basic of analogies, a nation can be likened to a family unit.

There will be conflicts and discord, but neither should undermine the importance of keeping the unit together. Where Guyanese are perceived to be disunited when it comes to the preser-

vation of the nation and the achievements of their ancestors, it creates opportunities for external forces to undermine our quest for peace.

External threats as in mistreatment of Guyanese workers and misplaced claims to our territorial integrity require singleness of purpose and commitment to ensure that those who seek to violate us know that we would cherish and defend forever the nation that gave us birth. The resources of this country are meant to be exploited by the people, for the benefit of the people. It requires not only vigilance in ensuring that these are secured, but also warding off any invader that seeks to violate us and our resources.

The management of the nation’s business, the growth and development of its citizens, require the involvement of all. To the

extent that the laws of Guyana allow for this, it is urged that it be respected. Irrespective of our breed, hue, or quality, as Guyanese we must strive to live up to the ideals that we stand firm in the never-changing creed of national unity. This means that our development not only requires, but must see singleness of purpose in stamping out corruption, discrimination, and all practices inimical to the process.

As citizens, it is important to put our proverbial shoulders to the wheel in moving the nation forward. To the extent where any feels excluded or is excluded,

the responsibility becomes all to help in removing perception of alienation.

Nation-building is hard work. None can pretend it would be easy. And because it is hard work, it requires the inputs of all, understanding and respecting the rights and freedoms of all. This nation is fortunate to have a blueprint in helping us to achieve this, i.e., the Guyana Constitution.

When these fundamentals are acknowledged and reinforced in our daily lives, Guyana can climb the glorious perch to fame and prosperity.

Guyana Goldfields still uses local airlines Dear Editor, I READ with shock and amazement an article in one of the leading daily newspapers accusing Guyana Goldfields of completely abandoning hiring local aircraft companies to conduct charters for its mines in the interior.

Here are some facts. I was at Ogle Airport seeing off a friend just this week when I learned that at least two of the several planes which were periodically taking off that day were doing charters for the Aurora Mines. That means that despite the fact

that the company has bought, and now owns, a 19-seater aircraft, it still does not have the capacity all by itself to service all of its daily cargo, passenger and emergency needs. It therefore must still depend on companies like ASL and Wings Aviation and must, out of necessity, do so in the foreseeable future.

If it appears that I am a bit informed, this might be because I had spent about an hour chatting with staff at one of the hangars at Ogle about what is happening in the aviation sector while my friend waited to board. I had not been to Ogle in a few months

and was just updating myself.

After seeing preparations for the take-off of the company’s Twin Otter plane, I did ask questions of staff and was told that the private operators are still doing contract flying for the company each and every week because they are still needed. There were several such flights this week and more will follow going forward. As a Guyanese, I would be appalled if the firm hogs everything for itself.

Additionally, several Guyanese aviators, Captains Paul Dalgetty, Mike Rogers, Dion Haynes and others, are flying the company’s plane as

captains in training and will soon qualify to take complete command.

It was also explained to me, Mr. Editor, that the country has long lost the capacity to fly, maintain and manage Twin Otter aircraft because the last two which were owned by Guyana Airways were sold off after elections in 1992. So pilots, engineers and others have to be retrained and recertified to operate the aircraft. This is the reason why there are a few Canadian captains attached to the company.

A quick call to the company or a visit to the operations by the writer at Ogle would

have nailed the lie that Guyana Goldfields is abandoning its local content obligations.

It is, I am told, paying a huge monthly sum for office space and ground handling services for its plane and operations to Guyanese-owned Wings Aviation. One staff pointed me to the presence of Captain Dalgetty who was sent to Canada to train and certify and is now back with the company.

And when the domestic companies fly cargo to the interior, these planes often carry supplies bought from many Guyanese contractors and suppliers, from foodstuff to anything that is needed in

a hurry.

Having said all of this, I am surprised that the company has remained quiet, given the level of discourse in the society about local content obligations involving the big investor companies like Aurora Mines, Troy Resources and of course Exxon. I humbly submit that it might be better for Goldfields to defend itself rather than remain quiet and absorb the blows it is getting.

Regards Winston Mars Potential business investor

MOPI apologises for Mother’s Day inconvenience Dear Editor ON Sunday May 13, The Ministry of Public Infrastructure, through its contractor, undertook construction works in

the Atlantic Gardens area as part of the upgrade of the East Coast Demerara Roadway from Better Hope to Belfield.

The Ministry has since been informed that these works

affected ingress and egress to Atlantic Gardens on Mother’s Day and left residents shut off.

We therefore extend our apologies to residents and road users who were affected and

further apologise for not updating residents on the shift in the scheduled date for works.

We would like to assure you that steps have been taken to prevent a re-occurrence

through better communication as the works for upgrade of the East Coast Demerara Roadway from Better Hope to Belfield progress.

We apologise once again

and sincerely regret all inconveniences caused.

Regards Desilon Daniels Public Relations Officer

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday May 25, 2018

City Environmental Officer must take blame for pig rearing in cemetery Dear Editor

PLEASE permit me space in your newspaper to address a matter of concern to all citizens. It is with great concern that I read an article published in the Stabroek News which states that a pig farmer secures [an] injunction to block the city from evicting her. Every situation has a genesis. Therefore, even though the animal farmer is in total violation of the laws, the head of the Environmental section of the city must take full responsibility for this flagrant violation of the public health laws that has occurred and is allowed to persist.

Persons may want to blame the pig farmer, but where was the council’s chief sanitary officer from the onset of the pig farm?

Just imagine a pig farm is allowed to function within [the] very confines of the city’s space.

Also, the land on which the farm is operated belongs to the council. Moreover, the worst case scenario is the land closely adjoins the Le Repentir Cemetery. The very thought of pig farm in close proximity to [a] cemetery raises eyebrows. I am

seriously considering how the health of the population is placed at risk, because of the possibility of contamination and cross-contamination and migration of micro-organism.

The Georgetown City Council has a public health department that is responsible for addressing these and other environmental health issues. How could it be that the Council has an environmental health department and matters such as these continue in many local communities in the city? This simply means that the department is not functioning the way that it should. Very often the cry of the council is we do not have [the] necessary manpower.

But with the limited human and other resources, I am quite sure that much more can be done in local communities to effectively address prevailing environmental health issues and simultaneously preserving the health of citizens.

Is this a sign of ineptitude, laziness and lackadaisical behavior on the part of some city officials who sit around all day, do nothing and collect lofty salaries at the expense of the health of the citizens?

It is rather preposterous that

the animal farm has moved from asking for time to filing an injunction against the council. This is nauseating and sickening news to hear. However, it is important that officers who allowed this to persist under their stewardship, take full responsibility. I firmly support the view that both chief and deputy chief health officers of the council should be appropriately sanctioned for putting the health of the population at risk. It was observed that the pig farm was in operation for many years and no action was taken to address the matter. It [is] reasonable to conclude that if the chief environmental officer had acted promptly and appropriately, this would not have been the state of affairs in the city.

This occurrence points to the need for strong environmental advocacy groups in Guyana that will promote environmental issues on behalf of the suffering citizens who do not have a voice on these issues. Strong pressure groups would allow for the feet of erring officers to be held to the fire, so that environmental standards would be upheld. In addition, there is also an urgent need for central government to

City Council continues to work in the best interest of all vendors Dear Editor, PLEASE refer to a letter which appeared in the Thursday, May 17, 2018 of your dailies, Captioned: M&CC needs to decide on its priorities.

Amber Valentine is quite right about a global food crisis in 2015. However, she is very wrong on the situation relating to wholesalers and retailers at our Bourda Market facility.

In fact, the writer seems to want to paint a picture that gives the impression that the Council is preventing farmers and wholesalers from plying their trade; this is far from the truth. The City Council continues to make the point that it has a responsibility and a duty to work in the interest of all vendors, whether wholesalers, middlemen, retailers and even storeowners whose business are contiguous to our local market facility.

In relation to the situation on Robb Street, I wish to make the following points: 1. The City Mayor and Town Clerk have been receiving numerous complaints from retailers and legitimate stallholders who

operate in the Bourda Green about the unfair treatment meted out to them by some wholesalers.

2. Retailers and stallholders claims we found to be true; some wholesalers were extending their act beyond the three hours allotted to do business and in fact, they were competing with retailers and undercutting them.

This has led to the impoverishment of many of the retailers and legitimate stall holders.

The Mayor and Town Clerk visited the market and spoke with both groups with a view of arriving at a compromise to allow all those who are plying their trade to make a livelihood.

Unfortunately, the situation persisted and the Town Clerk was forced to take action to ensure that wholesalers, middlemen, retailers and storeowners were allotted time to do their business.

In addition, the Mayor of Georgetown, members of the Market/Public Health Committee and the administration met with the wholesalers and retailers on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at City Hall and discussed the matter thoroughly, taking into account all circumstances involved and

the need to move forward and improve profitability for those who sell in and around the Bourda Market.

After much discussions and deliberations, the vendors agreed on the following: A) Wholesalers would do business on Robb Street between Alexander and Bourda Street from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm from Monday to Friday.

B) Retailers will ply their trade in the same area from 5:00 pm to 7:00 am the next morning.

C) All vendors who use that area to do business should have a proper refuse receptacle to dispose of their waste in an environmentally friendly manner.

D) Each vendor should take responsibility for the cleanliness of the area in which they operate.

E) To form a Market sub-committee to address the concerns of the wholesalers, middlemen, retailers and storeowners.

Regards Debra Lewis Public Relations Officer Mayor and City Council City of Georgetown

provide available spaces away from the city for animal farmers to ply their trade.

It is time that certain officers get off of their man-made thrones and do the work that they are paid to do at the council. Over the years, I have observed that the best place to work in Guyana

is the Georgetown City Council.

There is no place like Georgetown City Council, where an officer of the health department can be seen during working hours imbibing alcoholic beverages at ‘bam bam alley’ in full view of all; what lawlessness!

I conclude with this fa-

mous saying--one rotten apple spoils the entire barrel. The chief sanitation and deputy health officer must be made to account for their actions or inactions.

Regards Grantley Moe

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

PM hails Guyanese spirit of independence

–– at ‘Child Rights and Independence’ workshop

By Michel Outridge THE Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) on Thursday morning hosted its third ‘Child Rights and Independence’ workshop in observance of Guyana’s 52nd Independence Anniversary.

Addressing the gathering at the Herdmanston Lodge at Peter Rose and Anira Streets, Queenstown, were Acting President and Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Ms Valarie Garrido-Lowe.

Minister Nagamootoo told the gathering of mainly schoolchildren that Independence is about paying homage to the birth of a nation, since at times we seem to forget the

determination and resilience of our First Peoples can attest.

He said that in much the same way that we are proud of our spirit of Independence, then so too should we feel proud to move forward as a people, particularly now that we are no longer seen as a poor country, with the advent of becoming an oil-producing country.

JUVENILE JUSTICE BILL He also touched briefly on the juvenile justice bill, saying that now that that landmark piece of legislation has been passed, allowances will be made for those underage children who come into contact or conflict with the law.

On the issue of youths being incarcer-

Some of the participants at the RCC workshop (Photos by Delano Williams) essence of what the topic is about.

He went on to describe the word as meaning--the building of our self-esteem and national pride as Guyanese--since we are a uniquely identifiable people, as the

ated for having in their possession small amounts of marijuana, Minister Nagamootoo said that were he to have his way, they would be receiving counselling and sent to rehabilitation instead of going to jail.

Acting President and Prime Minister, Mr Moses Nagamootoo speaking at the RCC workshop at the Herdmanston Lodge on Thursday, while seated at the head table are RCC Chair, Ms Aleema Nasir and Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Ms Valerie Garrido-Lowe He was, however, at pains to explain that while he believes that youths should be given non-custodial sentences, the magistrates are not wrong in sending them to prison, since the law so specifies that they should.

That said, he feels that a new approach needs to be taken, whereby our laws can take into account the circumstances under which young offenders live, as Independence would have no meaning if our children are abandoned.

For RCC Chair, Ms Aleema Nasir, the Independence of any nation is always a momentous occasion to reflect on the circumstances surrounding it, and to contemplate on its significance.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH She said that with the RCC being constitutionally mandated to promote and participate in the education and empowerment of youths all across Guyana, its work programme engages stakeholders

in such ways as holding outreaches in far-flung hinterland communities, and paying visits to those penal institutions where youths are held.

She pointed out that what their visits to hinterland and riverine communities have taught them is that there is a dire need for children to access secondary education in close proximity to where they live, so as to prevent their parents taking them elsewhere to find it and a better way of life, and in so doing never return to contribute to the development of their native villages.

What they’ve found, too, Nasir said, is that children often do better at schools, whether primary or secondary, that are close to their homes and families.

Minister Garrido-Lowe used the occasion to commend the work of the RCC to ensure that the rights of children in Guyana, wherever they happen to be, are safeguarded, and to call upon the youths themselves to appreciate each other’s cultures.

Project on stream to tackle prison overcrowding ATTORNEY General (AG) Basil Williams, on Wednesday, met with the consultants contracted under the Support for the Criminal Justice System Programme to discuss issues relating to overcrowding at the prisons. The consultants are John McKendrick and Keith Peterson.

According to a release from the AG Chambers,

arising from the discussions was a pilot project to provide legal assistance to persons accused of minor, non-violent offences in pre-trial detention. The project also entails training activities which seek to strengthen legal representation skills among Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other aid providers.

The project may use supervised paralegals

to provide support in various legal aid tasks in prisons and at police stations. Those identified are: seeking dismissal of charges, arranging diversion where appropriate, or arguing for bail and generally avoiding procedural delays.

In addition, the discussions included the implementation of a more proactive use of alterna-

Attorney-General Basil Williams, second right, and members of the consulting team tive sentencing by the criminal justice system.

The Government may consider having prisoners

deferred to a rehabilitation facility for specified treatment.

To this end, a study is

being carried out on the appropriate treatments of substance abuse and mental health issues.

Eight cell phones found during Camp St Prison search RANKS of the Joint Services on Thursday conducted a search of the Camp Street Prison in the city, during which a number of prohibited items were unearthed.

The list includes eight cell phones, one sim card and one gram of cannabis. A quantity of razor blades, improvised weapons and unused ziploc bags were also found by the

authorities.

Currently 187 inmates are at the Camp Street prison.

Over the years a number of prison officers were placed before the courts for facilitat-

ing the smuggling of contraband into the prison cells for inmates. In some instances the items were intended for, and in other cases, delivered to suspects on remand for

murder, cocaine trafficking, armed robberies and other serious crimes.

Only recently prisoners at the New Amsterdam jail posted photographs on social

media with them drinking high-end liquor on Mother’s Day. An investigation has been launched into the matter.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

Govt’s position is that the law must prevail –– Harmon comments on ganja sentencing debate

IN the aftermath of a 27-year-old father being imprisoned for three years after he was found with eight grams of marijuana, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said that government’s position is that the law must prevail.

Harmon on Thursday, during his post-cabinet press briefing, said the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic substances Act of 1988 signed into law by former President Desmond Hoyte, does not provide a magistrate with discretion when dealing with certain amounts of marijuana possession which can be considered trafficking.

He said that if someone is found with a small amount of marijuana which can be considered for personal use, only then does the magistrate have

a discretion which can attract community service.

Noting that the law reeks some amount of hardship if a person is found with marijuana which is slightly above the limit of possession, Harmon said the magistrates can only apply the law. He said that if the law needs to be amended or changed, that would be a responsibility of the legislative branch.

“I believe that there is a motion in the National Assembly not really for decriminalisation of marijuana, but for allowing magistrates greater discretion in sentencing…decriminalisation will require a larger consultation of the population. Once that is done, the government will take a position on the matter,” Harmon said.

The sentencing of the

man had outraged sections of society and even the Alliance For Change called for swift action to remove custodial sentencing for persons found with small amounts of ganja.

The case has also revived calls for reforming of the laws prohibiting the use of ganja here AFC Member of Parliament, Michael Carrington had said that since 2015, a bill was tabled in the National Assembly for debate, but it has since been languishing on the order paper, being deferred time and time again.

“The time to act is now. We must no longer sit idly by and allow our young men and women to be sentenced to several years of jail time alongside hardened criminals, murderers and rapists.

“We will not be found

Cabinet approves ratification of CARICOM arrest warrant treaty CABINET approved the ratification of the CARICOM Arrest Warrant Treaty which was signed by CARICOM member states at the 38th Regular Meeting of Heads of States in July 2017 in Grenada.

This was announced by Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Thursday during his post-cabinet press briefing.

Harmon explained that the objective of this treaty is to establish within the Caribbean Community a system of arrest and surrender of requested persons, for the purposes of conducting a criminal prosecution for an applicable offence; or executing a custodial sentence where the

requested persons have fled from justice after being sentenced for an applicable offence.

He said that the treaty required three member states to sign for its entry into force and Guyana having received the approval of cabinet will be the signatory of the treaty. The treaty is one of the regional security instruments that was formulated to enhance cooperation between member states in the fight against crime, and to reduce the complexity, cost and delays in the existing extradition arrangements inherent in the region.

The Caribbean Arrest Treaty was formally signed onto in July 2017.

complicit in destroying the lives of our young people and wounding our society rather than acting to heal it,” the AFC said.

The party also announced that it will commence plans to host, in the near future, a national symposium on the issue at which all stakeholders and sectors of society will be invited to deliberate and exchange views.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

President pardons female prisoner PRESIDENT David Granger has granted presidential pardon to Shremattie Singh, 30, a woman prisoner at the New Amsterdam Prison ahead of the celebration of Guyana’s 52nd Independent Anniversary today.

A Public Security Ministry release said the pardon was granted in keeping with Article 188(2) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

Singh served a portion of her sentence for false pretence.

“It is expected that this expression of compassion and humanity by

Pardoned: Shremattie Singh His Excellency will result in this prisoner reuniting with her family and leading a good and useful life hereon,” the release stated.

11

Second suspect held for murder of Goldfields manager

A SECOND suspect is in police custody in connection with the murder of a supply chain manager attached to the Guyana Goldfields Inc. The body of 42-year-old Neil Whyte of Suite 1608141 Adelaide Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada was found on Monday night in an apartment at Thomas Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown. The naked body bore several visible stab wounds to the neck.

According to the police, the victim was staying at the upper flat of an apartment of a three-storey concrete building located on Thomas Street, after returning from the hinterland on Monday.

Residents said that earlier in the night, the man came downstairs and told a friend that he will be meeting someone at the corner of Thomas and Middle Streets.

He subsequently returned to the building with an ex-employee, who later

left.

The guard at the premises, knowing that it is the protocol of the complex that a visitor of a guest must be checked out of the building by the guest, later went up to Whyte’s room and saw him lying in a pool of blood on the bed and appeared to be dead. He was naked and bound.

The guard informed his superiors who subsequently informed the police. The murder is re-

Dead: Neil Whyte ported to have occurred between 22:22hrs and 23:45hrs on Monday. The first suspect, a 25-year-old ex-employee was arrested at about 06:30hrs on Tuesday at his Vryheid Village, West Canje, Berbice home.

Berbice man gets one-year imprisonment –– fined $2M for narco trafficking DILLION Harry, the Berbice man who threw a multi-coloured bag from motorcar PLL 6046 containing four and a half pounds of compressed marijuana, was sentenced to 12 months in prison and fined

$2M when he appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

Harry had pleaded not guilty to the charge but was found guilty following the

trial. Failing to pay the fine will result in him having to serve an extended period of 18 months behind bars.

Lead witness, Lance Corporal Dinesh Bachu said that acting on information and while in the company of oth-

er police ranks, they went to Tucber Park, where they saw a Toyota Bluebird motorcar parked in front of the popular Fordy’s Restaurant.

In the front seat of the vehicle were Kwesi Samuels called “Big Worm” and Raynard Audler. A search was conducted on the men but no narcotics were found.

However, moments later

a white Toyota IST car, bearing registration number PLL 6046 which was 50 feet behind the other car, drove past and tossed the multi-coloured bag out of the vehicle.

The driver of the car was recognised as Harry and the police ranks pursued and caught him on Republic Road and Essex Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice.

On examination of the bag, the cops found nine parcels labelled “Jamey”, “Cure Joy” and “NC” respectively.

Audler and Samuels were also charged with trafficking in narcotics.

However, the case was withdrawn against Samuels and Audler following advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

AG urges lawyers to embrace mediation … says method can cut backlog of cases, deliver timelier justice

By Alva Solomon

EVEN as government remains committed to ensuring that mediation is utilised in the judicial process, there are attorneys within the legal fraternity who are not embracing the method in a conciliatory mindset.

This came to the fore on Thursday at the opening ceremony of a two-day workshop in which top officials and other members of the judiciary, mediation experts from Guyana and overseas gathered at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Kingston for a two–day refresher training workshop.

Mediation Coordinator, Colin Chichester, told the

ation Institute and of that number, 354 were successful while 420 were unsuccessful.

He said the numbers suggest that there is an imbalance in persons arriving at an agreement.

Chichester said that there are attorneys who are not embracing mediation with a more conciliatory mindset. ”We find also that the attorneys tend not to orient their clients to the fact that they should expect a more embracing environment,” he said. “The non-attorney mediators are not being utilised, as opposed to attorneys.”

The Attorney General told the gathering that mediation, along with other alternative dispute resolution (ADR)

own disputes as mediation proceedings are not bound by the rules of evidence or any rigid procedure,” he noted.

Meanwhile, AG Williams, who is also a trained mediator, said that the Government of Guyana remains committed to ensure the judiciary functions to the benefit of all. This Government remains open to working closely with the judiciary, the bar, the mediation centre and other persons, so that together we can deliver a justice system that works for the benefit of all,” he noted.

Williams said too that in the long run, the success of mediation will depend on its acceptance by the legal profession, other professions, the

Guyanese.

Jamela Ali of Mediation Services International expressed hope that her organisation will make a difference in the judiciary here. She said that she is delighted that the Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Cummings-Edwards has continued the development of mediation since 2003/2004 when the system was established here.

She said that mediation is universally recognised, a valuable skill, it is a respective tool to non-violence and it equips the mediators with the ability to listen effectively and develop positive communication. The acting chancellor of the judiciary called on the mediators to Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, talks to the gathering

Members of the head table during the forum gathering which included Attorney General Basil Williams; Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards; British High Commissioner to Guyana, Lillian Chatterjee; Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and several high court judges among others, that to date close to 1,000 matters have been referred to the Medi-

methods serve as potent tools for resolving disputes. He said that mediation, when used properly, has the effect of reducing the backlog of cases and allows for timelier access to justice. “Apart from time, it is cheaper than litigation, saves money and avoids cases being continued by appeals. It also gives persons the liberty to resolve their

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Lillian Chatterjee, addresses the gathering (Samuel Maughn photos)

business community and the public at large. “To achieve this, all concerned must gain and enhance their understanding of mediation and its advantages,” he added.

Canadian High Commissioner told the gathering that the JURIST Project, which is being implemented by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), is part of Canada’s larger commitment to the region. She said that Canada remains committed to the health and strength of legal systems and many are aware of the importance of mediation in resolving a number of issues such as divorce, harassment, marks of violence and violence against women, among others.

On the issue of violence against women, High Commissioner Chatterjee said that it is one which should not be “culturally accepted.”

She said that as mediators, participants should sensitise parties on the process of mediation since it provides an atmosphere where people can fully understand one another.

She congratulated the local judiciary and the government for taking the issue “very seriously” and for also understanding its impact on

enhance their skills and to be ready to assist the judiciary in the process of the administration of justice. She said too that there is a proposal e to expand the existing list of mediators.

The refresher training will conclude on Friday. It is a follow-up to another workshop which was undertaken in Berbice. The event is being supported by the JURIST Project through the Government of Canada and Mediation Services International.

In the mediation process, the specific case is first examined by the court and then referred

Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards speaks to participants to the Mediation Coordinator.

Lawyers representing the respective parties must then agree on a mediator who would be provided by the coordinator.

A meeting is then scheduled between the mediator, lawyers and their

A section of the audience

clients, a process which can last three hours or more. All parties must sign an agreement and after a final consensus of the parties in dispute is reached, a corresponding order of court is made at the end of the process.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

Guyana always had resource wealth … just not in same magnitude as oil and gas, World Bank official says

By Navendra Seoraj MINISTER of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has reiterated that the government is committed to ensuring that a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) is established before the production of oil in 2020.

Government’s intention was to establish the Fund in the first quarter of this year

but the period was extended to allow stakeholders to be sensitised properly about the new oil and gas industry.

One of the most recent sensitisation programmes was the SWF workshop which was organised by the World Bank for Parliamentarians.

“I am happy that we are having another engagement on the management of oil

and gas; how the revenue should be managed and so forth,” Minister Trotman said, in an invited comment on the sidelines of the workshop at the Marriott Hotel on Monday.

He believes that any learning is good learning because what it does, in essence, is prepare participants; on this occasion it is Parliamentarians, for an

industry that is totally new to Guyana.

As Minister Trotman observed, although the government has been open to learning a thing or two about the SWF, it still intends to establish the Fund before production starts.

According to World Bank Director for the Caribbean and Latin America Ms Tahseen Sayed Khan, the whole purpose of the training is to share global expertise and knowledge with parliamentarians so that the revenue coming from the wells would be managed properly.

On this occasion, training involved two oil and gas

dling resources,” the Pakistani-born development and financial specialist said, adding that the country is, however, not accustomed to handling income the magnitude of oil and gas.

PROPERLY MANAGED She suggests that in order to ensure that the sector is properly managed there should be good advanced planning, transparency and consensus-building so as to allow Guyana to prepare well in advance.

Ms Khan is not the only person to stress the importance of having an SWF,

certed effort by all stakeholders to start a continuous conversation on how best to implement fiscal plans that directly address the needs of all Guyanese now,” Ambassador Holloway had said, adding that the development of a comprehensive SWF is the opportunity the country has been expecting to leverage the prosperity of the future into the development of the present.

According to Oil Now, ExxonMobil, through its local subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited and joint-venture partners HESS and CNOOC Nexen, is expected to begin production at around

Taking a breather during Monday’s oil and gas workshop are, from left, Minister of State Joseph Harmon; World Bank’s Ms Tahseen Sayed Khan and a colleague of hers and Minister of Natural Resources, Mr Raphael Trotman (Photo

by Adrian Narine) experts, who have worked in Africa, Sudan, Asia, Lebanon, Norway and even Holland, discussing ways in which the government could use the SWF to improve the economy.

Khan said the parliamentarians had an opportunity to examine how countries in Europe, Asia and Africa established the Fund to be used as a stabilisation factor to help future generations by ensuring that the wealth is well distributed.

She believes that the main functions of the Fund should be to help people who are not rich and to provide finance for health, education and social services.

“The interesting thing is that Guyana has always had resource wealth - gold and timber - so there is a familiarity with han-

as back in March, US Ambassador to Guyana, Mr Perry Holloway, had pretty much said the same thing; that there is need now more than ever, with the country moving into the realm of an important energy market, for a strong and transparent SWF. Ambassador Holloway had noted in an ‘op-ed’ that in spite of the often exaggerated gloom-and-doom pronouncements in some quarters, Guyana is poised to become one of the richest countries in the region with considerable revenue streams.

He had said too that the Fund will immediately begin to invest in education, health, infrastructure, agriculture, and security sectors of the country.

“I am referring to a con-

120,000 barrels of oil per day.

This being the case, Guyana will, from day one of production, receive 2% of the oil produced before cost is deducted, and 50 per cent of the profits, after cost is deducted.

The Oil Now report stated that royalty plus Guyana’s share of profit will result in the country receiving approximately 17,100 barrels of oil per day.

And at US$50 per barrel, that means that from day one of production, Guyana will be making US$855,000 (17,100 x US$50).

The price of oil, as of February 28, 2018 stands at US$66 per barrel. If this price holds, Guyana would instead be making US$1,128,600 from day one of production.

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

Berbice taxi driver charged with ganja trafficking

POLICE in ‘C’ Division acting on intelligence on Wednesday at about 12: 30hrs intercepted a Georgetown-bound mo-

torcar HC 6444 on the Cove and John Public Road and conducted a search.

A bag containing

eight taped parcels of compressed cannabis weighing in excess of three and a half kilogrammes was found.

Report into Savory’s disappearance still incomplete THE police investigation into the murder of Shawnette Savory, who disappeared two years ago from her Prospect, East Bank Demerara home, is still incomplete.

Currently on remand by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for Savory's murder is her 34-year-old ex-boyfriend, Devindra Ramdiah also known as “Duck Man”.

The indictment alleged that August 30, 2016 at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, he killed Savory.

On Thursday when the matter was called, Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers noted that the several statements along with other documents are still to be filed, since the investigation is still ongoing. The matter was adjourned until June 11.

The lawmen are still to locate the woman’s body and reports are that the suspect may have buried the woman’s remains at Soesdyke.

Police have been following several leads as they investigate the woman’s disappearance.

In April, investigators reopened the case after new information surfaced which suggested that Savory was killed by Ramdiah who is said to be an ex-lover.

When Guyana Chronicle visited the former boyfriend’s residence, it was clear that no one was at home in the building which seems to have been newly constructed or rehabilitated.

In December 2016, police dug-up the foundation of a one-bedroom shack at Belle West, Canal Number Two, West Bank Demerara as they searched for the woman. The whole-day operation proved Devindra Ramdiah also known as “Duck Man Investigators had visited Savory’s former residence as they searched for clues and on Monday, April 23, 2018, the police, accompanied by Savory’s former boyfriend, visited his Lot 186 Fourth Street, Prospect, EDB residence.

During that visit, at least six holes were dug in the yard, reportedly in search of the mother of one. On Tuesday this week, police ranks revisited the residence of Savory’s former boyfriend.

The boyfriend resided at the location with his mother and sister.

However, the two relatives relocated after police visited the premises.

Shawnette Savory futile.

On August 29, 2016, Savory, a mother of one went missing. She was last seen at Eccles, East Bank Demerara. The woman worked at a toilet paper factory in Diamond prior to her disappearance.

Lindener on drug trafficking charge granted bail REVA Bovell, 18, of Obama Drive, Linden, was on Thursday granted $100,000 bail when she appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a $5.9M drug trafficking charge.

Bovell is jointly charged with a 41-year-old taxi driver, Michael Bascom of Phase One, Linden Housing Scheme, for trafficking 11.832 kilograms of cannabis on May 9 at Linden/Soesdyke Highway.

The duo was charged since May 10 and was on remand after they denied committing the crime.

During their second court appearance, Bovell’s Attorney Dexter Todd made an application for bail on behalf of his client to allow her to write her Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) exams.

Todd noted that his client missed two

of her exams while on remand.

CANU Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford made no objection to Bovell being granted bail but objected to Bascom being released, citing the seriousness of the charge.

The magistrate granted Bovell $100,000 bail to allow her to sit her exams while remanding Bascom. The matter was adjourned until May 28.

According to reports, on the day in question, the car which was driven by Bascom was intercepted on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway with Bovell who was seated in the passenger seat.

The report detailed that the car was being tracked by CANU officers, who received a tip-off that the duo was transporting the drugs to a buyer in the city.

The driver, Eusi Wilson, 47, of Edinburg, East Bank Berbice has since been charged with the alleged possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking and will appear before the Cove and John Magistrate today.

The compressed cannabis that was found

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

Reputed husband remanded for Herstelling woman’s murder ‘Tall Man’ pleads guilty to manslaughter

THREE days after the lifeless body of 32-year-old Lowtie Atwaroo, called “Mona”, was discovered in a trench at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD), her reputed husband was charged and remanded for her murder.

Daniel Watson, 38, of Herstelling Housing Scheme, EBD, appeared on Thursday before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was not required to plead to the capital offence, which alleged that on May 21 at Herstelling

New Scheme, he murdered Atwaroo.

The man showed no emotion as he stood in the prisoner’s docks, while his attorney, Bernard DaSilva told the court that his client is employed as a porter at Massy Group of Companies.

He is contending that his client was beaten by the police and made to sign several documents. However, the prosecutor, Inspector Singh told the court that there are two outstanding statements against him, as well as the post-mortem report.

Watson was remanded to prison, and the matter adjourned until Monday.

According to reports, the couple had been living together for a number of years at Herstelling, but separated about two months ago because of the man’s abusive behaviour.

The woman had moved in with relatives at her father’s apartment, but on the night of her demise, had gone to visit Watson when persons in the neighbourhood heard her crying out for help.

When they rushed to the

scene, they reportedly saw Watson holding her down in a trench.

At the scene of the crime, the police found a black cap, a one-side slipper, a jersey and a black bag next to the woman’s body.

A close examination of the exposed parts of the body, which was clad in a pair of long blue jeans and black jersey, showed no marks of violence.

Watson, who had fled the scene by the time the police arrived, was later apprehended.

Daniel Watson

DESMOND Gordon called “Tall Man” pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter allegedly committed on his common-law wife, Bagwanttie Persaud called “Kamini”, at their Lot 196 Mangroo Street, Rose Hall Town home on May 16, 2016.

State Prosecutrix Tuanna Hardy informed Justice Brassington Reynolds and a mixed jury that the couple were in a common-law relationship, and had consumed alcohol for an extended period on that fateful day.

Consequently, an argument was said to have erupted, resulting in the accused taking away a cutlass from the now deceased 50-yearold woman.

Screams were heard before Gordon was seen running after his wife while inflicting several wounds to her head and neck.

Doctors at the Port Mourant Hospital pronounced her dead shortly afterwards.

A post-mortem report prepared by Dr Vivikanand Brijmohan records her death as due to shock and haemorrhage from multiple incised wounds.

Following the address by Hardy, Defence Counsel and Legal Aid representative, Sasha Roberts, sought to have an adjournment to facilitate a probation report on her client’s background.

Subsequently, a two-week adjournment was agreed upon for the presentation of the report, a plea in mitigation and sentencing.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

17

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

19

20

Almost Ready!

As Guyana prepares to usher in its 52nd Independence Anniversary, Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Social Cohesion Minister, Dr. George Norton said that the formal flag-raising ceremony will have a special emphasis on youth as well as a focus on developing a strong sense of national pride, patriotism and appreciation for the strides Guyana has made since gaining its Independence. In this photograph, the Golden Arrowhead is being mounted during rehearsals for the formal ceremony which will be hosted today. (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

New concept, massive response – Guyana Carnival brings exuberance, extravagance

By Navendra Seoraj IT may be a new concept for Guyana, but the response is certainly massive. Ten whole days of unadulterated fun, carnival style!

At first glance at a poster that says ‘Guyana Carnival’, a Guyanese who is unfamiliar with such an event would ponder what to expect, especially since Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean islands have set the tone for such festivals.

The DJs had the crowd on their toes at the Tower Poolside

dress and Spice, in her allwhite jumpsuit were both enough to attract the attention of the crowd but it was the ‘wining’ and ‘jamming’ that kept the vibe right throughout the night.

If that wasn’t enough to satisfy the insatiable appetite of the ‘Soca junkies’, the performance of Guyanese songstress, Big Red added flavour to the spice that was already there.

The night was domiA few of the ladies who attracted the crowd nated by the females but at Bare Skinz (Delano Williams photos) the male artistes didn’t fail to deliver. Voice, Teddyson John, Iwer George and Some persons said introducing the festival Kwasi Ace added the steam to the spice and to the little resource-rich country located on flavour.

Ryan Benn, an American said the perforthe coast of South America was the best idea mances were unlike any other. Benn said he since “slice bread”.

Although a lot of persons were unaware of travelled from the US just to be part of the what to expect, Soca Sensation, the big ‘De- inaugural carnival and based on the first event, stra’ out of ‘Trinbago’ and Dancehall Queen he believes that Guyana is well underway to ‘Spice’ electrified the stage at the National becoming a hub for entertainment and ‘feteing’.

Park for the inaugural event, ‘Destraction’.

The locals were also excited to be part of Their performances were captivating and in line with what persons should expect from the inaugural activity which set the stage for a ‘mind-blowing’ carnival. a carnival.

‘DESTRACTION’ Destra, decked in a bedazzled sliver-grey

THE WILD SEAS It was evident that they were ready to

Persons ‘feted’ at Tuesday on the Rocks

‘float’ when the carnival took to the sea.

‘Bright Colours’ at the Marriot Hotel Pier and the All White Boat Ride were events that had persons wobbling and shaking not because of the tides but because of the intoxicating music that was played by top DJs. Immediately after those events, the ‘feteers’ didn’t go far from the sea but instead right at the Marriot beach front where the sounds of the waves and birds were covered by the raving Soca junkies who danced the night away to melodious tunes.

UP, UP AND AWAY The partygoers finally hit land on May 21 when they went a few storeys up to the Gravity Lounge. DJ Energy and friends were ready to entertain the crowd who “took the roof” off of the building with their dancing. There was no shortage of beers, rum and ‘cutters’ at the fete.

Gravity came alive around midnight when hundreds were battling the guards to get into the building to enjoy what they were hearing from downstairs. Persons came through the elevator flouncing and bouncing to good music that evidently bit them.

BARE SKINZ After a hot, sweaty dose of fun it was time to cool down at “Bare Skinz” at the Tower Poolside. If the music, water and foam weren’t enough for everyone, the ladies in their twopiece and men in their short pants and tank tops should have been enough to stimulate the interest of both genders.

TUESDAY ON THE ROCKS For those who preferred a drier and spa-

cious atmosphere, Kes and the Band was just a stone’s throw away from the Tower Hotel, at the Marriot Hotel parking lot.

“Hello” was the greeting at the event, not from the security at the gate but from Kees Dieffenthaller, the lead singer of the band.

One of his biggest hits and presumably one of the biggest Soca hits of the year, “Hello” was performed by Kees at Tuesday on the Rocks.

The crowd couldn’t hold back their feet and body when the music hit their ears. Although there were other performances, Kees stole the stage and had everyone chanting, waving and jumping to some of his biggest hits.

During an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Kees said Guyana is a beautiful place with beautiful people.

“Everyone was warm and welcoming…I felt a connection; I would do anything I can to let the world and region know about Guyana,” said Kees.

He believes that Guyana Carnival is just the beginning of a process that will put Guyana and its artistes on the map.

According to the organisers, Guyana Carnival is a privately owned festival which will take place from May 18 – 27.

“It’s an amalgamation of influential entertainment bodies, the Government of Guyana and other key stakeholders to create a new exciting product to boost tourism, entertainment, and nightlife in our emerging city,” the official website read.

This idea was birthed out of Guyana’s 50th Independence celebration when the country recorded thousands of arrivals of visitors to Guyana. The Minister of Tourism at that time, the Honorable Cathy Hughes, had said Guyana should capitalise on celebrating this event on a grand scale annually. With this call to action serving as the catalyst, the committee saw it fit to formulate a grand event to satisfy the demand of the masses Guyana Carnival has so far and will continue to provide a major economic boost to several industries, with taxi drivers to hairdressers, clothing stores to hotels and airlines to restaurants will see an increase in business. It will also bring about much-needed exposure to our local musicians and DJs.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

Body, mind and the unknown within The culture of healing

LAST week I called a medical institution to make an inquiry on the medical expertise available that can advise on prescriptions either way, in the case of a person that had a drug addiction relapse. A doctor came on and I explained that the person was exhibiting erratic behaviour; the doctor on the phone told me that I should advise the family to take the person for tests at GPHC because a number of things could be happening including a possible brain tumour.

She’s possibly right, but though I spoke she didn’t listen.

I had said that this action was a result of a relapse after a year. I’m not a medical professional but I’ve read all I can on brain tumours because I grew up in a Guyana where every home had a medical book that one’s guardian was always consulting- I can’t remember the name but it was a red hardcover book.

This phone call was about an addict in relapse, none of the symptoms of tumours that I’ve read about in my need to get a new edition ‘Mayo Clinic’ was evident between the space, from the abstaining to the relapse, if she had only spared some time to listen. There are jokes I’ve heard growing up about doctors writing prescriptions before the patient even finished speaking about the ailment. One can only find humour when experiencing it for one’s self.

The Minister of Health Volda Lawrence told nurses “We are not there yet” in respect to medical care and rational modernisation; she is correct. ‘We’ both our outdated administrative framework, and the population, are a step away from superstition in our understanding of illnesses. We attribute everything to ‘somebody wuk pon meh’. Though this superstition has some merit, in that many accusations of spiritual harm can be attributed to inherited methods of organic poisoning that constitute herbal and animal part- con-

coctions that with death most likely are not easily detected in autopsies, and doctors during the strange illnesses that result from ingestion can be baffled and at wits’ end to arrive at a diagnosis. In some cases doctors even urge families to seek external help, referring to exploring the multitudes of frauds to find the two per cent that actually have an understanding of those arcane formulas and the antidotes, and we also defined every abnormal child as the result of a botched abortion. We have never documented the practices on what so-called herbal mystics give to their clients, especially the respected few. We really don’t document anything and that is one of the national lethargies that have to be challenged and quickly changed as we surrender Intellectual Property items to external explorers, through this unexplained inability to be proactive.

We live in a volatile world, where medical horror is evident and I’m not sure that our legislators have paid attention to that fact. That leaves our population vulnerable. Recently, I walked in on a conversation between a manager and an employee about the employee’s health. It appeared that he had visited a public medical practitioner and was told that he required instant surgery and was hesitant. The manager sent him to the company physician, who assured him that nothing was wrong with him. This he informed me of about a week later when I saw him on the street. I queried why did the first doctor lie, was he a fraud? Then he inserted a very morbid possibility of organ harvesting. We spoke for a while and I just couldn’t help pondering suppose he was right; what is there in Guyana to prevent it from happening here?

In 2010 India arrested Amit Kumar for creating one of the world’s largest kidney trafficking rings, which had clients from the United States, Canada, Greece, the Middle East, Turkey and India. The victims were poor low caste Indians who were paid as low as $300 Rupees. This trade is not exclusive to Kumar.

In Pakistan entire villages are populated by men who have one kidney; in China harvesting from executed prisoners have supported a booming transplant industry. The Philippines stopped its own transplant tourism in 2008. I am almost certain that we do not have legislation to cover the bold macabre world of medical bad business, which includes the illegal experimenting of drugs on unsuspecting persons, with especially mental-based illnesses.

Eight years ago, a police friend in a conversation on addicts in Guyana responded to my protests by asking me, “If we pick up all de junkie in town, gon be couple hundred ah dem, suh whey we gon put all ah them?”

I can imagine the frustration of the family that locked up the young man in a pig pen in Sophia, but, what was their alternative and what will be the state’s option now that the victim is in their possession? The last government pulled down, rather than renovate the aged and ailing Mental Asylum in New Amsterdam and replaced it. I’m not sure what has replaced it. The current government has to rebuild the human factor to manage any such specialist facility, especially like mental disorders which the medical fraternity on a whole is still not sure what is really going on in the brain, but still have to manage patients with disorders, especially with our contributing factors of the proliferation of mind-altering substances, the health task is tremendous.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

Morgan Freeman apologises after ‘inappropriate behaviour and harassment’ claims

So the Guyana Carnival is almost at its end and the weekend is filled with a lot of exciting events to celebrate Guyana’s 52nd Independence Anniversary.

FRIDAY Guyana Carnival presents “Tribe Ignite Guyana” The TRIBE IGNITE World Tour heads to Guyana and we bring the unique TRIBE experience!

For the first time ever the tour hits Guyana for an epic experience of Soca & Carnival! The Best DJs! The Best Artists! The Most Vibes!

Embodying the unique TRIBE Fete Experience that has come to be known the world over!

Are you ready to IGNITE Guyana?

VIP Drinks Inclusive Zone! (Cocktails, Rum & Beer) Get ready for the Pulse Carnival Band Experience. Make a memory from Midnight to Sunrise with Machel Montano and his band, Bunji Garlin with FayAnn Lyons and their full band!

All-Inclusive Pulse Carnival Band Revelations Experience Package $50 USD Fully Secured Section and free drinks It’s the ‘Stink and Dutty’ J'Ouvert. It’s going to be a wet night so you can’t miss this!

SATURDAY UEFA Finals: Liverpool vs. Real Madrid will be showing at 704 Sports Bar, Club and Sky Lounge. The biggest game in club football will this season be contested by holders Real Madrid and five-time winners Liverpool.

SUNDAY Wine Days presents Wine Tasting. Our monthly wine tasting event will be from 16:00hrs – 18:00hrs sharp. Six wines will be available for tasting, three Reds and three Whites with hors-d'oeuvres. Early Bird tickets are available until May 15 for $2,000 Misha’s Restaurant and Bar Presents Independence After-Carnival Cooldown Looking for that final hang? Then head up to Misha's Independence after Carnival Cooldown. Special appearances by the local artists.

The 80-year-old has been accused of making inappropriate comments and unwanted touching towards a young production assistant back in 2015.

The actor allegedly rested his hand and rubbed her lower back, while working on the bank heist comedy Going In Style.

She has also claimed he made comments about her figure and clothing on a near-daily basis.

Speaking to CNN about one reported incident, the assistant claimed the star “kept trying to lift up my skirt and asking if I was wearing underwear”.

The woman claimed he never successfully lifted up her skirt.

She added: "Alan [Arkin] made a comment telling him to stop. Morgan got freaked out and didn't know what to say."

24

Dookie sent on leave again … This time, in the public’s interest

WITH the power vested in him, Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix, who was at the time performing the duties of Minister of Public Security, instructed Commissioner of Police, at the time, Paul Williams, to have Deputy Superintendent of Police, Motie Dookie, proceed on leave in the public’s interest.

At the time, the decision was taken both Commissioner of Police (ag) David Ramnarine and substantive Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan were on travel duties together, in Arizona.

Dookie is the former head of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit who was the lone passenger in a minibus which was busted last December with large

amounts of smuggled whisky.

This is the second set of leave that Dookie has been sent on within the last few months, even as he awaits departmental charges which are to be instituted against him when the Police Service Commission is constituted.

Two weeks ago, Williams had removed Dookie out of No.2 Sub Division in ‘A’ Division while he (Williams) was acting top cop. Ramnarine had posted Dookie to ‘A’ Division after the officer returned from a long period of leave that followed the whisky scandal. Ramnarine defended his decision by saying that “Dookie could not be kept within four walls, if you know what I mean”.

Contacted on Thursday

afternoon, Minister Ramjattan told Guyana Chronicle that he is aware that Dookie was sent on leave in the interest of the public and that the decision was made by Minister Felix. Efforts to contact Ramnarine for a comment were unsuccessful.

However, when contacted, Minister Felix confirmed that an administrative decision was taken to have Mr Dookie sent on leave in the public’s interest as it was found that in December 2017, he acted in a manner that was in contradiction to his duties.

Further, the minister related that to keep Dookie on the job would have been a bad example to his juniors who are looking on and are following the matter very

Deputy Superintendent of Police Motie Dookie closely.

Minister Felix did not come out clearly to say how long Dookie would remain off the job but indicated that when the Police Service Commission is constituted, Dookie’s matter would come up and then a determination would be made by that body with respect to how they should handle the matter.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

Syndicate urges small miners to sell to gold board THE National Mining Syndicate of Guyana is urging all small miners to sell their gold to the Guyana Gold Board (GGB).

The syndicate believes that in doing so, those miners would be contributing directly to the local economy.

It says that while it is aware that some small miners have over the years grown accustomed to selling their gold to authorised dealers, who in turn sell to the Board, there are significant financial returns and other benefits, which small miners could enjoy if they engage the board directly.

“Further, we stand firmly behind small miners who seek to do business with the GGB,” the syndicate said Wednesday in a press statement.

They have also reminded fellow miners that one of the requirements for working on syndicate mining properties is that production should be sold to the GGB, and to take their obligation to the State’s tax authority, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), very seriously.

According to the syndicate, being tax- compliant allows miners to access their duty-free concessions.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

Five finalists named for Scotiabank’s Vision Achiever Programme AN event planner, a tour operator, a bottled water manufacturer, a videographer and a developer of an online barter site are among the five finalists who will compete for $1.5M in this year’s edition of the Vision Achiever Programme Business Plan competition.

Scotiabank on Friday officially announced the finalists during its television show Money Moves, which airs on TVG Wednesdays at 20:00hrs. In a release the bank said the competition, in collaboration with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) to promote entrepreneurship, started in 2014 as a simple business plan competition, requiring entrants to use the bank’s online Plan Writer tool to prepare a plan which was then judged to arrive at the winner.

Over the years the competition evolved to include

video and television pitch elements, to teach the entrepreneurs how to pitch their business idea to the public and to create more awareness of the participants and garner public support for their business.

This year’s edition was launched at the Chamber’s boardroom on April 13, 2018 with a call for one-minute video pitches on new or existing businesses.

The videos were posted on Scotiabank’s Facebook page and members of the public were encouraged to vote for their favourite pitch.

The top three videos from Facebook reactions were: Shemar Spencer for Swopp, Shannita Ramnarine for Experience GT Tours and Natalya Thomas for Aone Events. The judges then selected two wildcards – Sherwin Bart for Your Waters and Ruth Wilson for Soarers Video Production.

The five finalists will be

put through an intense business coaching programme by partner ActionCoach from June to August, at the end of which they are expected to produce a business plan using Scotiabank’s free Plan Writer Tool from the bank’s website.

This plan, along with a television pitch in front of a panel of judges, will be scored, to arrive at the winner and runner-up of the competition. The winner gets $1M while the runner-up gets $500,000. The prize money has been doubled this year in light of the Bank’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.

There were 16 entrants into this year’s competition, several of whom benefitted from a free training session by partner Dr Rosh Khan of the Masterclass Institute ‘Marketing on a Shoestring Budget’.

Last year, Denisha Victor of Koko and Davindra

M&CC wants help from city businesses … with water, tools, other equipment to help keep environs clean

THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is calling on the business community to donate tools, water, or any other items that can help the municipality keep Georgetown clean, especially those areas in which they operate.

termed what Alabama did a demonstration of corporate social responsibility that can be emulated by other members of the business community.

“At the moment, Water Street, Robb Street, Regent Street, Croal Street, Charlotte

M&CC officials, including the mayor (third left) with some of the items Alabama Trading donated towards the pre-Independence clean-up exercise Just recently, Alabama Trading provided a Canter full of tools to aid the City Council in its clean-up efforts along Robbstown, Newtown, Lacytown and Bourda. The tools included five wheelbarrows, two dozen spades, and dozens of sand rakes and cutlasses.

Chung’s Global also donated a quantity of equipment to facilitate the said clean-up ahead of the country’s Independence Day celebrations this weekend.

Town Clerk Royston King has since

Street and Avenue of the Republic look extremely untidy and present a bad reflection of who we are as Guyanese,” the M&CC said in a statement recently.

“Businesses that are willing to make donations of tools, water and other things must feel free to call the office of the Town Clerk on telephone number 226-7717 and make their contribution towards this collective effort to promote the health and the wellbeing of the City of Georgetown and its populace,” it added.

Laltoo and Omesh Balmacoon of Guyana Premier successfully pitched their way to $500,000 and

$250,000 respectively from a field of six finalists.

The other finalists were New Generation Great

Minds, CWYN’s Domain, Shermol’s Cleaning Services and Freedom2Love Agency.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

27

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 25, 2018

29

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday May 25, 2018

Pakistan players told not to wear smart watches PAKISTAN players will stop wearing smart watches after they were visited by anti-corruption officials on the first day of the opening Test against England at Lord’s, says bowler Hasan Ali. International Cricket Council (ICC) staff met the Pakistan team at the close of play, although there was no allegation of wrongdoing.

“I didn’t know who was wearing them but yes, the ICC anti-corruption officer came to speak to us and they told us this is not allowed,” said Hasan.

“Next time nobody will wear them.”

Barring specific exceptions, players and officials are not permitted to have any communication devices during play.

That usually only extends to mobile phones in the dressing room, but some Pakistan players wore smart watches while fielding at Lord’s.

As those watches are able to receive communication and connect to the internet, the ICC effectively treats them as a phone. If a player wants to wear one, the connectivity must be disabled. (BBC Sport)

`Pocket Rocket’ Rogers forms boxing gym in Region Eight BOXING coach Orland ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers yesterday assisted in the formation of the

Hands in Gloves (HIG) boxing gym in Mahdia, Region Eight.

With the support of the Ministry of Social Cohesion and the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Rogers has been travelling across Guyana in an attempt to decentralise the sport of boxing. The diminutive coach is credited with the launching of gyms in Lethem, Region Nine and Mabaruma in Region One. GBA president Steve Ninvalle hailed the formation of HIG and pledged further support for Rogers. “We are in discussion with persons in Region Eight to make sure that the programme, started by Rogers, is kept alive,” Ninvalle said.

Rogers is expected to turn his attention to Region Six soon.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday May 25, 2018

31

19 Days to go …

Turkish delight!

2002’s unlikely bronze medallists

Turkey celebrate.

IN 2000, Galatasaray became the first Turkish team to win a European competition when they beat Arsenal in the UEFA Cup final. It was the herald of a golden generation. That summer, a Turkey squad that contained nine Galatasaray players, reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2000. It was just the start of a remarkable story.

A 6-0 aggregate win over Austria in November 2001 ensured that Turkey would return to the World Cup for the first time since 1954. Drawn into a group with debutants Costa Rica and China, they fancied their chances of progressing to the last 16. But their campaign commenced in Ulsan against an altogether more difficult opponents,: fourtime winners Brazil.

Hasan Şaş’ half volley stunned the Seleção and despite Ronaldo’s equaliser, the underdogs seemed destined for a point until Alpay

Özalan hauled down Luizão. The offence actually took place outside the box, but a penalty was awarded and Özalan was dismissed.

Rivaldo converted from the spot, and worse was to follow.

As Brazil won a corner deep in injury time, Hakan Ünsal kicked the ball to Rivaldo to hurry him up.

The ball gently bounced off Rivaldo’s thigh and he went down holding his face. The linesman stood mere feet away but after a consultation with the referee, Ünsal was given his marching orders. The dark side of Brazilian football had been exposed.

“We took control of the game but we could not control the referee,” said Turkey manager Şenol Güneş.

Kim Young-Joo would never officiate a World Cup game again, but Rivaldo was only fined £5 000.

There was no time to see the about injustice though.

Turkey had to avoid defeat

against Costa Rica to stay alive, and they would have to do it without two key defenders.

Emre Belözoğlu opened the scoring in Incheon but Winston Parks’ late equaliser left Turkey on the brink of elimination. Güneş’ team now needed to beat China and hope that Costa Rica lost to Brazil with a fourgoal swing across the two games. Turkey’s last World Cup win had come against Asian opposition 48 years before, and China were to bear the brunt of the Turks’ frustrations.

Within just 13 minutes, Turkey’s job was done. Şaş and Bülent Korkmaz scored in Seoul and two quick goals for Ronaldo in Suwon completed the goal difference swing. Costa Rica reduced the deficit to 3-2 early in the second half to briefly climb above Turkey, but two more Brazil goals soon put paid to that.

Shao Jiayi’s red card killed off any chance of a

China comeback and Ümit Davala scored to put the gloss on Turkey’s win and send them through. After the Rivaldo farce, most of the world was pleased to see Turkey advance, but that goodwill did not last long.

Co-hosts Japan lay in wait on the other side of the Korean Strait, and it was time for the underdogs to become the heartbreakers.

It was Davala, picking up where he’d left off against China, who powered a header into the net after 12 minutes.

Alex’s free kick rattled the woodwork for Japan, but the Blue Samurai were held at arm’s length by a stout defensive display. As Japanese tears mixed with the rain in Rifu, Turkey celebrated a place in the quarter-finals.

Another winnable game now presented itself. Senegal had shocked France in the opening match of the tournament but hadn’t won in normal time since

drawing against Denmark and Uruguay, before beating Sweden with a golden goal.

Like Japan, they had the majority of neutrals behind them. But it hadn’t done Japan much good.

With both teams feeling the eyes of history upon them, chances were few and far between. As the game went to sudden death, Senegal were in familiar territory, but it was Turkey who got the winner as Davala’s cross was swept in by İlhan Mansiz for a 94th minute golden goal. The wait for an African semi-finalist went on, but so did Turkey’s amazing journey.

A familiar foe awaited in Saitama. While Turkey’s presence in the semi-finals was a miracle, Brazil’s was routine. Hakan Ünsal was absent from the Turkey line-up so there was no handshake between him and Rivaldo. Özalan, the other man sent off in the previous encounter, tested Marcos with an early header.

Apart from that it was one-way traffic. Rüştü Reçber denied Cafu, Rivaldo and Ronaldo as Brazil lay siege to the Turks’ goal.

This was the game that made the Turkish goalkeeper a cult hero, he earned his place in FIFA’s team of the tournament, and made his distinctive ‘war paint’ look briefly fashionable among Sunday league copycats.

Reçber got a hand to Ronaldo’s toe-poked shot early in the second half but couldn’t keep it out. Brazil’s dominance continued unabated but Turkey always had a chance. İlhan’s cross deceived Marcos and nearly crept in, before a brilliant hooked volley from Hakan Şükür forced a sharp save from the Brazilian keeper.

As İlhan’s header flew harmlessly over in injury time, the dream was over.

With Germany beating South Korea in Seoul the previous day, the underdog’s day was done. But there was still time for both teams to get the send-off they deserved in the third place play off.

The only thing missing from Turkey’s incredible run was a goal for their talisman, but Hakan Şükür didn’t take long to put that right.

Within 11 seconds he had seized on a mistake to score the fastest ever World Cup goal. İlhan scored twice as Turkey won 3-2 to cap their amazing tournament with the bronze medal.

In 2002, Şükür and his teammates returned to Turkey as heroes. In 2018, Şükür cannot return to Turkey for fear of being branded an enemy of the state.

Ay-Yildizlilar’s all-time top scorer runs a bakery in California now, but soccer-mad patrons still recognise him and treat him as a hero.

A famous saying would have it that nobody remembers second place.

But clearly, everyone remembers who finished third in 2002.

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday May 25, 2018

Celtics clamp down on Cavs, take 3-2 series edge BOSTON, Mass. - Rookie Jayson Tatum scored 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds as the Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 9683 on Wednesday night to take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

Jaylen Brown added 17 points, Al Horford had 15 points and 12 boards and both Marcus Morris and Marcus Smart scored 13 for Boston. The Celtics have earned all three of their wins this series at home, where they are 10-0 in the playoffs.

“When we’re sometimes on the road, it’s just different in the playoffs,” Horford said. “You get on the road and you’re just out there against everybody else. Here, I just think that our guys just feel comfortable and good. It’s a credit to the atmosphere that’s here. It’s just a lot of fun to play in right now.”

LeBron James finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for Cleveland, though he committed six turnovers. Kevin Love had 14 points and seven boards for

the Cavaliers, who had evened the series with a 111-102 win in Game 4 on Monday.

James and Love were the only two Cleveland players to score in double figures.

“Defensively, holding this (Boston) team to 36 percent (shooting) from the field was a good job,” Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said. “We had a lot of mistakes that we could have cleaned up, but overall, they scored 96 points and shoot 36 percent. We’ve got to be able to score the basketball.”

Game 5 winners in best-ofseven playoff series that were tied 2-2 have won the series 83.1 percent of the time (16734).

Game 6 is tonight in Cleveland. Game 7, if necessary, would be Sunday in Boston.

“I look forward to seeing us respond on Friday night,” James said. “I know how well we’ve played at home in this postseason. That’s the only thing I can worry about right now. I’m not worried about a Game 7. You have to worry

World Cup in Russia

By Neil Robinson LONDON, England (Reuters) - England arrived at the World Cup in Russia without the noisily optimistic drumbeats that often accompany them to major tournaments.

Years of underachievement and disappointment have doused any serious hope among supporters and jingoistic media that England will finally emulate the feats of 1966 and win the World Cup. Statistically, they remain one of the major teams most likely to qualify effortlessly for tournaments but least likely to win one.

Unbeaten in qualifiers for major tournaments since 2009, they have won only six knockout games of international football since that day when Bobby Moore lifted the Jules Rimet trophy at Wembley Stadium.

It is now 12 years since they beat Ecuador to reach the World Cup quarter-finals where they lost to Portugal on penalties, a familiar English fate over the years.

Their last two major

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) attempts a layup in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the third quarter of game five of the Eastern conference finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. (Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports) about Game 6. You ain’t put while James has gone to seven yourself in that moment until in a row between the Cavs and you take care of the present.”

Miami Heat.

Boston is one win away from Brown lauded the postseason its first NBA Finals appearance improvement of Tatum, since 2010, when it lost to the saying, “The sky’s the limit. rival Los Angeles Lakers in He’s gonna continue to get seven games. Cleveland have better. He’s my workout been in three consecutive Finals partner. I expect it in myself,

and I expect it in him..

“Everybody doesn’t hit the rookie wall. I don’t think Ben Simmons or Donovan Mitchell hit one either. I don’t think Jayson Tatum did. If you come into the league thinking you’re gonna hit one, you kind of ... limit yourself. J.T., ain’t no limit for that. He just comes in and works. He has the right people around him. Al. The right vets around him. Showing us the right way to win.”

Down 76-60 entering the fourth quarter, Cleveland fell behind by 20 early in the period before pulling within 85-73 on James’ layup with 4:43 to play.

Boston’s Terry Rozier hit a pull-up jumper 17 seconds later and Horford’s 3-pointer with 3:53 left put Boston ahead 9073.

The Cavs waived the white flag when James checked out with 3:11 remaining.

Lue said he thought James looked tired, but the coach added, “No concerns. You’ve got to be ready to play now. No concerns.”

Boston were up 53-42 at

England show quiet progress in bid to end years of hurt

tournaments have been disastrous, with exit in the group stages in Brazil in 2014, followed by ignominious defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016, a result that pitched

General view of England training at St George’s Park.

(Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine)

the team to a historic low and predictably cost manager Roy Hodgson his job.

In fact, there was more ignominy to come with the bizarre 67-day stewardship of Sam Allardyce, who departed after a newspaper sting, before current manager Gareth Southgate was promoted from the Under-21 team.

Southgate, who was an accomplished defender, is one of the few England players of recent vintage to have known relative success at an international tournament, having been in the side who

reached the semi-finals of Euro ’96.

But he also knows the heartbreak, having missed the penalty in a shootout that paved the way for Germany to progress to the final.

In his quietly effective way, the manager has stitched together a team who, after a tedious procession of qualifiers, are starting to show promise.

In captain Harry Kane, they boast one of the tournament’s most deadly front men, although finding the right creative midfielders to supply him has proved problematic.

Southgate has real attacking

talent to choose from in Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford, plus Kane’s Tottenham team mate Dele Alli and Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling, with the ever-dangerous Jamie Vardy likely to be unleashed as an impact substitute.

Further back, the manager has experimented with goalkeepers and centre backs around a formation that flits between 3-52 or 3-4-2-1, with John Stones, who has struggled to hold down a starting spot at Manchester City this season, likely to be the defensive linchpin.

Assuming they survive a favourable group draw that has pitted them against Belgium, Tunisia and Panama, they face a likely knockout game against Poland or Colombia followed by a possible quarter-final against Brazil, which would be a repeat of 2002 when England narrowly lost.

No one with a sense of history is looking beyond that.

American Racing Tips Pimlico Race 1 King Of Night Race 2 Legal Precedent Race 3 My Own Lane Race 4 Captain Trips Race 5 Clickjab Race 6 Bye Bye Blues Race 7 J.J.’S Candy Race 8 T Sizzle Race 9 Final Fear Canadian Racing Tips Woodbine Race 1 Edisto Island Race 2 My Cantata Race 3 Ocean Court Race 4 Ghostly Win Race 5 Fine Grit Race 6 Scholar Athlete Race 7 Colonel Canuck Race 8 Monetary System Irish Racing Tips Leopardstown 12:20 hrs Cape Of Good Hope 12:55 hrs Prosecution 13:25 hrs Captain Vancouver 13:55 hrs Khabaray 14:25 hrs Order Of St George 14:55 hrs Archer’s Up 15:25 hrs Raven’s Hat 15:55 hrs Faradays Law

halftime.

Tensions flared early in the second quarter when Cleveland’s Larry Nance Jr shoved Morris under the basket. Nance took exception to Morris standing over him after falling while battling for a loose ball.

Technical fouls were assessed to Morris, Nance and Rozier, who shoved Nance in retaliation as the teams scuffled.

Cleveland trailed 36-19 at the time but used a 12-3 run to pull within eight with 8:40 left until halftime.

The Celtics led 32-19 after one quarter.

“I’ve never played in a series where home court seemed to matter so much,” Cavs swingman Kyle Korver said.

“I mean, we’ve just played really bad here in Boston.

They probably feel the same way about how they played in Cleveland.

But thank God we’re going home next. Hopefully we’ll play better and force a Game 7 then you never know what can happen.”

English Racing Tips Haydock 08:50 hrs Abel Tasman 09:20 hrs Axel Jacklin 09:55 hrs Beyond Equal 10:30 hrs Shepherd Market 11:05 hrs Improve 11:40 hrs No I’m Easy 12:15 hrs Grecian Divine 12:45 hrs Dr Richard Kimble Goodwood 09:00 hrs Swiss Chime 09:35 hrs Sir Titan 10:10 hrs Admired 10:45 hrs Bombyx 11:20 hrs George Bowen 11:55 hrs Gavlar 12:25 hrs Crystal Deauville South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:25 hrs Road To Indy 09:00 hrs Sacred Oration 09:35 hrs Kingston Mines 10:10 hrs Kingston Warren 10:45 hrs Timedtoperfection Pontefract 13:30 hrs Zlatan 14:00 hrs New Society 14:30 hrs Celebrity Dancer 15:00 hrs Foxtrot Knight 15:30 hrs She’s Pukka 16:00 hrs Angels

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday May 25, 2018

Pakistan on top after England skittled out for 194 nick a catch to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed. Dawid Malan was also caught by Sarfraz off Hasan for six to leave England struggling at 43 for three.

Cook and Jonny Bairstow dug in with a partnership of 57 before Bairstow was bowled for 27 by Faheem Ashraf. Cook, playing in a record-equalling 153rd consecutive Test, was bowled by an excellent delivery from Mohammad Amir to end an innings lasting over three hours.

Mohammed Abbas (4-23) excelled on day one of the Test between Pakistan and England at Lord’s.

By Ed Osmond LONDON, England (Reuters) Pakistan dominated the first day of the opening Test after bowling out England for 184 and battling to 50 for one in overcast conditions at Lord’s yesterday.

England captain Joe Root won the toss but apart from a gritty 70 by Alastair Cook, his batsmen failed to show the necessary application as Mohammad Abbas and Hasan Ali took four wickets each with disciplined seam

bowling.

England failed to make the positive start they wanted following their heavy Ashes defeat in Australia and a rare series loss in New Zealand.

“We’re behind a little bit.

Pakistan have had the better day,” Cook said.

“We were probably 60 or 70 short on that wicket. But with a five-day Test match you have a chance to come back.

“It was a wicket where if you missed your length short or full you got

punished, but three of us got bowled with a bit of movement so there was clearly something in there,” Cook added.

Mark Stoneman’s unconvincing international career continued when he was bowled by Abbas for four, beaten as he tried to drive a full-length delivery which clipped the top of his off stump.

Root, who could have been run-out before he had scored, played carefully to get to four before driving rashly at a wide ball from Hasan to

STANDING OVATION The experienced lefthander, who hit 14 fours, looked crestfallen after missing out on a 33rd Test century and he trudged slowly back to the pavilion to a standing ovation.

Ben Stokes unfurled a few trademark attacking strokes in his 38 but he was trapped lbw by Abbas following a review and England’s last five wickets crumbled for the addition of 16 runs straight after tea.

Jos Buttler, on 14, edged Hasan to second slip where Asad Shafiq took a sharp catch. Dom Bess, making his debut, scored five before giving Shafiq another catch off Abbas, Stuart Broad was

ENGLAND 1st innings Alastair Cook b Mohammad Amir 70 Mark Stoneman b Mohammad Abbas 4 Joe Root c Sarfraz Ahmed b Hasan Ali 4 Dawid Malan c Sarfraz Ahmed b Hasan Ali 6 Jonny Bairstow b Faheem Ashraf 27 Ben Stokes lbw Mohammad Abbas 38 Jos Buttler c Asad Shafiq b Hasan Ali 14 Dom Bess c Asad Shafiq b Mohammad Abbas 5 Mark Wood c Mohammad Amir b Hasan Ali 7 Stuart Broad lbw Mohammad Abbas 0 James Anderson not out 0 Extras: (b-1, lb-6, nb-1, w-1) 9 Total: (all out, 58.2 overs) 184 Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-33, 3-43, 4-100, 5-149, 6-168, 7-168, 8-180, 9-180.

Bowling: Mohammad Amir 14-3-41-1, Mohammad Abbas 14-7-23-4, Hasan Ali 15.2- 2-51-4, (w-1, nb-1), Faheem Ashraf 9-2-28-1, Shadab Khan 6-0-34-0.

PAKISTAN 1st innings Azhar Ali not out 18 Imam ul-Haq lbw Stuart Broad 4 Haris Sohail not out 21 Extras: (lb-7) 7 Total: (23.0 overs) 50-1 Fall of wickets: 1-12.

Bowling: James Anderson 5-2-11-0, Stuart Broad 7-4-10-1, Mark Wood 6-3-9-0, Ben Stokes 4-2-9-0, Dom Bess 1-0-4-0.

lbw to Abbas for nought and Mark Wood was caught by a diving Amir at mid-on for seven.

England needed early wickets and Broad snared Pakistan opener Imamul-Haq lbw for four, but the hosts failed to make another breakthrough under the floodlights.

Azhar Ali (18 not out) and Haris Sohail (21 not out) were largely untroubled by the England fast bowlers,

although Azhar was dropped in the slips on 16 by Stokes off Wood to complete a poor day for Root’s side at the start of the two-match series.

“We had a plan because the pitch was fresh and had moisture so it was to bowl full and straight,” Hasan said.

“There was no need for bouncers because we were getting a lot of help from the pitch.”

John, DeNobrega in five-man Kohli to skip Surrey stint after team to represent Guyana in suffering neck injury French Guiana this weekend A FIVE-MAN selection of Jamual John, Paul DeNobrega, Curtis ‘Chappy’ Dey, Paul Chowee-nam and Walter Grant-Stuart departed Guyana via Suriname to compete in this weekend’s Stage Race in French Guiana.

The cyclists stopped in Suriname on Wednesday to uplift their travel visas and travelled to French Guiana yesterday.

The team is being managed

by Marc Sonaram.

The 5-man squad of Jamual John, Paul DeNobrega, Curtis Dey, Paul Cho-wee-nam and Walter Grant-Stuart

(REUTERS) - India cricket captain Virat Kohli has suffered a neck injury during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match and will not play for English county championship side Surrey next month, the country’s cricket board (BCCI) said yesterday.

Batsman Kohli had signed a one-month deal to represent Surrey in June to prepare for a Test series against England this year, but injured his neck while fielding for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Sunrisers Hyderabad last week.

“Kohli, who was scheduled to play for Surrey in the month of June, has been ruled out from participating,” the

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement.

“This decision was taken following assessments by the BCCI medical team, subsequent scans and a specialist visit. The Team India captain will now undergo a period of rehabilitation under the supervision of the BCCI medical team.”

Kohli is scheduled to undergo a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru on June 15 and the BCCI expects him to be fully fit for the tour of England.

India begin their tour of England in July with three Twenty20 internationals and three one-day internationals.

Virat Kohli They then take on the hosts in a five-Test series starting in August.

Ajinkya Rahane was earlier this month picked to lead India against Afghanistan, who play their maiden Test in Bengaluru in June, keeping in mind Kohli’s county commitments. (nL8N1SF5PP)

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday May 25, 2018

Malteenoes Sports Club implementing plans to move forward

The new Executive of the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC)

THE new Executive of the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) recently held its first Statutory meeting to name the sub-committees and make plans for the way forward.

The six sub-committees are as follows: Public Relations - Sean Devers (Chairman), Kurtis ‘DJ Casual’ Armstrong, Owen John and Darien Best.

Finance: Troy Lewis (Chairman), Shawn Holder, Marcus Watkins, Deborah McNichol and Lance Hinds.

Ground Committee: Troy Lewis (Chairman), Winston Semple and Shawn Holder.

Disciplinary Committee: Adrian Smith (Chairman), Shawn Holder, Sean Devers, Quasen Nedd and Theresa Pemberton.

Fund-Raising Committee: Deborah McNichol (Chairperson), Oswald Pearce, Kurtis Armstrong, Owen John, Troy Lewis, Marcus Watkins, Darien

Best, Kefa Naughton, Steven Jacobs, Theresa Pemberton and Alisha Dalrymple.

Cricket Committee: Shawn Holder (Chairman), Steven Jacobs, Sean Devers, Marcus Watkins, Owen John, Darien Best and Oswald Pearce.

Meanwhile, a number of projects have been set for the year including the construction of a multipurpose all-weather sports facility, increasing their pool of youth cricketers and enlarging the general membership of the club.

A brainchild of Owen John, the construction of the practice facility is estimated to cost $3.3M and will include three pitches. MSC has gotten sponsorship from several businesses for this project.

The club hopes to develop a facility which can accommodate basketball, volleyball and futsal court in addition to cricket.

The entire sports facility should cost approximately $6.5M and would be rented to sports promoters to generate funds for the club, which plays in GCA’s competitions.

The club also has plans for installing floodlights and is seeking sponsorship for that project.

A number of overseas players, as well as former players, are willing to contribute in whatever way they can.

It was also noted that past presidents, Claude Raphael (who implemented a youth section in 1984), Lance Hinds and immediate past president Neil Barry, have all indicated their willingness to contribute to the club’s development.

A president is limited to two terms in office and current president Winston Semple and secretary, Adrian Smith, are exofficio members of each sub-committee.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday May 25, 2018)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) &CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Andrew Tye-24 wickets (Kings) (2) Rishabh Pant-128* (DD) Today’s Quiz: (1) What were the best bowling figures in a single game in the preliminary round of IPL 2018?

(2) How many centuries were scored in the round-robin segment of IPL 2018?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Kudos to Minister Norton for calling out the illegal GCB (Letter Editor)

to

the

Sports

MINISTER George Norton’s recent pronouncement that the current Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has been illegal for years is a bold and profound statement of fact. Arguably, it’s the first time that a Minister of Government has dared to publicly oppose this allpowerful illegal body.

One can recall that the law was enacted to resolve the chaos that consumed our administration from approximately ten years ago due largely to charges of unlawful elections, visa frauds and financial improprieties.

Through those years the GCB made every effort to prevent the resolution of the chaos by: 1. The Initiation of numerous court injunctions and violations of court orders.

2.

Challenge to the reading of the 2012 cricket administration Bill in Parliament.

3. Challenge to the Cricket Ombudsman.

4. Challenge to the Cricket

Administration Act 2014.

5. Acquiring an Injunction to prevent the holding of elections of the membership of the GCB, effectively giving themselves unlawful and unending ownership of Guyana Cricket.

6. Intervention in the courtordered elections of the Berbice Cricket Board.

The GCB’s unlawful appointment of a Cricket Ombudsman is in defiance of the CA 2014 Act which clearly outlines the role of the Minister under the Section “Holding of the First Elections of the GCB”.

This clearly reflects the nature of a presumptuous body that wants to stay in power regardless of what it takes.

Their actions have been unlawful, self-serving, divisive and destructive to Guyana and West Indies Cricket and must be dealt with now.

Their claims of a “flaw’’ in the Act cannot justify the perpetual illegality of their tenure. The intent of the law was to resolve not perpetuate the lawlessness and illegality in our cricket.

In our multiracial society why is a GCB consisting

of members of one ethnic group, who never played cricket, know nothing about cricket administration, care nothing about cricket or cricketers so intent on staying in power although it Is public knowledge that the GCB is an illegal entity?

Also, why is it that very senior official of both the present and the previous Governments of Guyana and also the Judiciary show favour to this illegal group although they are violating all tenets of democracy, proper accountability and are setting a bad example for the development and mentoring of our youngsters from the National school level upwards.

Minister Norton is in order to call them out and must be congratulated.

He should now follow up his proclamation with swift and positive actions towards the holding of free and fair elections of the GCB in keeping with the Cricket Administration Act 2014 and which must include the participation of all rightful cricket stakeholders.

It is time!

Michael Vanderstoop

Gayle sends congrats to AB de Villiers over great career BIG-hitting left hander Chris Gayle has acknowledged the fantastic career of AB ‘Mr 360-degree’ de Villiers, sending a post via Twitter.

Gayle joins cricketers like Dale Steyn and Sachin Tendulkar in saying ari va derci to the batsman, who after 114 Tests, 228 One Day Internationals, and 78 T20Is for South Africa, has called time on his international career. ”Congrats on a fantastic career legend, @ ABdeVilliers17 …I’ll be seeing you! All the best in your chapter. Blessed,” read the Tweet from Gayle.

Gayle played with de Villiers in the Indian Premier League for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, the two destroying numerous

Caption: South Africa’s AB de Villiers announced his retirement on Wednesday. bowling attacks over the years.

De Villiers’ 114 Tests included 8,765 runs, 22 centuries and 46 50s, all achieved at an average of 50.66. The batsman once scored an unbeaten 278.

In ODIs, de Villiers averaged evewn higher

with 53.50 inclusive of 9,577 runs with 25 ceturies and 53 half-centuries. De Villiers highest score in ODIs is 176.

In 78 T20Is de Villiers scored 1,672 runs at an average of 26.12, with 10 half centuries. His highest score was 79 not out.

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday May 25, 2018

Windies opener Devon Smith recalled for Sri Lanka series

Hooper named NJCAA Field Athlete-of-the-Year

… Jahmar Hamilton set for debut, Blackwood axed ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Veteran Devon Smith’s sensational form in the last regional first class season proved too difficult to be ignored, and selectors have picked him in a 13-man squad to face Sri Lanka in the threeTest series next month.

The Grenadian’s call-up comes five months shy of his 37th birthday and just over three years since he last played international cricket, on England’s three-Test tour of the Caribbean when he managed just 94 runs from four innings.

However, Smith was nothing short of superb in the last first class season, amassing a record-breaking 1 095 runs at an average of 84, with six hundreds to surpass 13 000 career runs.

Smith had been one of only seven batsmen to pass 600 runs the previous season and prior to that in the 2015-16 campaign, topped the batting charts with 719 runs.

Chairman of selectors, Courtney Browne said Smith’s heavy scoring had forced the hands of the panel.

“We have retained the core of

Prolific left-handed opener Devon Smith the Test team as they remain competitive even after a tough series in New Zealand,” he said.

“Devon Smith had an outstanding year and players who excel to that degree should be recognised. We are trying to improve our top order batting performances.”

West Indies-A one-day skipper, Jahmar Hamilton, is the lone uncapped player in the squad, despite one of his leanest first class returns in recent years when he scraped 237 runs at an average of 16 for Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

However, the 27-year-old lashed a hundred and a half-century

against touring England Lions last February, which seemed to get the attention of selectors.

“Jamar Hamilton comes into the squad after consecutive strong performances over the last three years and showed even better quality in the A-Team series against the England Lions. We wish the team every success,” Browne expressed.

No place in the squad has been found for Jermaine Blackwood.

However, the dashing Jamaican right-hander has averaged 30 in 27 Tests.

He has struggled for form internationally with just 15 runs from his last five Test innings

but returned to average 40 from three matches in the first class campaign earlier this year. He also gathered a pair of halfcenturies in one-dayers against Lions last March.

Windward Islands Volcanoes stroke-maker, Sunil Ambris, has also been overlooked despite recovering from a broken arm sustained in his ill-fated debut series against New Zealand last December.

As expected, the squad will be led by captain Jason Holder, and includes regulars like Roston Chase, Shai Hope, Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach.

West Indies will clash in Tests at Queen’s Park Oval, the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground and Kensington Oval from June 6 to 27.

The final Test at the Oval will be an historic day/night affair.

SQUAD – Jason Holder (captain), Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Miguel Cummins, Shimron Hetmyer, Kieran Powell, Kieran Roach, Jahmar Hamilton, Devon Smith.

Foster lashes out at cricket administrators PRESIDENT of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Hilbert Foster lashed out at cricket administrators for their lack of efforts in ensuring that the game is properly managed.

Foster made the remark during the BCB’s Awards Ceremony last Sunday. The BCB president stated that most cricket administrators take up positions at the various levels to boost their CV accreditations or chances to obtain a visitor visa.

Leaders, he stated, must lead by example. The longserving Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Secretary/CEO stated that cricket in Guyana needs all stakeholders, and as such, there is no place for a carefree, lazy or visionless people.

“Too many officials accept positions at the board level, but never turn up to fulfil their duties and this is

Hilbert Foster

affecting the development of the game,” Foster stated.

He issued a warning to officials in his administration that there would be no place for personal interest, indolence, greed, vindictiveness, deceit or corruption, since the BCB’s interest is to further develop the game in the

Ancient County.

“Berbice’s cricket must return to its former glory and that every cricketing talent in Berbice shall fulfil his/ her full potentials in spite of race, creed, family income, sex or club they play for,” Foster stressed.

The outspoken Foster further stated that voluntary work is no

excuse to be inactive, as persons were fully aware that they would not be paid when they accepted their positions.

This, he stated, is a problem affecting every club and cricket board in Guyana.

Meanwhile, the BCB is looking at a proposal to host former international cricket commentator Joseph ‘Red’ Perreira’ in July for four days.

During the visit, Perreira will conduct seminars for players, club officials and administrators within the county.

This will be part of the BCB’s effort to get all stakeholders to understand their responsibilities and to strengthen the administrative structure of clubs.

Foster stated it would better prepare players and clubs to be part of the cricketing revolution which is taking place in Berbice.

Natricia Hooper GUYANESE jumper Natricia Hooper was named the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletics Association) Division 1 Atlantic Region Female Field Athlete-of-theYear by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Wednesday.

The Essex County sophomore won the NJCAA Outdoor Championships triple jump title last weekend with a best jump of 13.37 metres (Wind: +2.2m/s).

It surpassed her own school record she set in April en route to defeating a strong field of mostly NCAA Division 1 jumpers to win the Penn Relays title if the wind was not slightly over the allowable limit of +2.0m/s.

Two weeks prior she finished eighth overall representing Guyana at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games with her lifetime best of 13.36m (+1.3m/s).

Hooper carried over the momentum from a very successful indoor season when she was also named the region’s Field Athlete-of-the-Year after going toe-to-toe with some of the best jumpers in the county at the NCAA Division I and II levels, and in most cases besting them.

Though she missed both the

Regional and NJCAA Indoor Championships, the 19-yearold went over 13m at four different meets finishing with a season’s and personal best 13.33m.

Hooper’s college best of 13.20m to win the event at the Dr Sander Invitational Armory Challenge over a number of NCAA Division I athletes was the 7th-best on the week across all divisions and finished the top mark in the NJCAA at the end of the season by 0.19m.

The 2017 CARIFTA Games triple jump gold medallist is one of the brightest track and field prospects coming out of the Caribbean and will be making the transition from the Junior College (NJCAA) level to NCAA Division 1 this summer.

The Georgetown, Guyananative, who is a solid 400m runner as well, caught the attention of several top NCAA Division 1 institutions but chose to sign with the University of Kentucky.

She received offers from other top universities such as University of Nebraska, Louisiana State University (LSU), Florida State University, University of Florida, Mississippi State, Clemson University and UCLA.

Lady Jags in ‘must-win’ game against Suriname tonight HAVING played to an entertaining 2–2 draw with Bermuda in their first game of the CONCACAF Group E Caribbean Qualifiers, on Wednesday, the ‘Lady Jags’, Guyana’s senior national women’s team, will now have to win tonight’s fixture against Suriname when the two face off from 19:30hrs at the Leonora Track and Field Centre.

Guyana’s two goals came from debutantes Cameo Hazelwood and Brianne Dessa.

Given the fact that Barbados already secured their three points to top the four-team group following their 2-1 over Suriname, Lady Jags’ coach Dr Ivan Joseph, made it clear that tonight, his charges will be going all-out for the win.

“Three matches in five days is a tough ask and that’s when you’ll need the depth of your team. No team is going to play only 14 players; you’ll need all 19 players to play.

The wear and tear will be there,” Dr Joseph said, when responding to Chronicle Sport about the health of his team.

The team was without defenders Kayla and Brianna De Souza, while captain Allison Heydorn was replaced in their first half of the game against Bermuda.

Mariam El-Masri and defender Collette Hope gave their coaching staff a little scare

when they went down in the second stanza of their home clash on Wednesday, but Dr Joseph reassured the Lady Jags’ readiness to face Suriname.

It was the very first meeting between Guyana and Bermuda in a senior women’s football match, but today’s match will mark the Lady Jags’ first meeting against Suriname in Guyana since their 2-0 win in 2010 in the same tournament.

At the game which was played at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground Bourda, on March 5, 2010, Brittany Persaud and Heydorn scored in the 19th and 47th minutes respectively to hand the Lady Jags the win over the Dutch-speaking rivals.

In the game against Bermuda, Dr Joseph went with Natalie Nedd in goal, Nikita Persaud, Sydney Cummings, Jade Vyphius, Cameo Hazlewood, Alison Heydorn, Brittany Persaud, Mariam El-Masri, Caliagh Copeland, Brianne Desa and Collette Hope. Tiandi Smith, Lakeisha Pearson and Ghilene Joseph were the substitutes used.

However, looking at today’s game, Dr Joseph did not mention any changes, only stated that the game will be reviewed and adjustments will be made, based on the strategies that will be implemented.

`Pocket Rocket’ Rogers forms boxing gym in Region Eight

Page 30

Coach Orlando Rogers (with toque) poses with newly recruited boxers, following a training session yesterday.

Guyana’s Brianne Dessa manoeuvres her way between two Bermudans during their 2-2 draw at the Leonora Track and Field Centre on May 23, 2018. (Adrian Narine photo)

Pakistan players told not to wear smart watches

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

Page 30

Hasan Ali

FRIDAY MAY 25, 2018