Chronicle 07 09 2016

BROTHERS DIE SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2016

No. 104607

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

‌ in fire at Drop-in Centre; Gov’t takes responsibility

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2&3

Missing UG student found dead Page

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Undertakers remove the body of 19-year-old Harris Anthony Persaud, who washed up on the western foreshore of Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara. [Ivan Bentham photo]

Race to finish CJIA expansion ...completion of terminal facilities seen as main challenge Page 5

Targeted visits

... banks, cambios, jewellery firms on FATF radar Page 9

Special committee to handle GT squatters 8 Page

BROTHERS DIE

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By Navendra Seoraj

A FIRE that completely destroyed the top flat of the Children’s Dropin Centre on Hadfield Street, Georgetown on Thursday evening has claimed the lives of two brothers: 6-yearold Joshua George and 2 - y e a r- o l d A n t o n i o George.

The Centre is administered by the Child Care and Protection Agency, and according to reports, the building began to burn at approximately 23:45 hrs. when the fire, suspected to be electrical in nature, reportedly started on an electrical post.

An eyewitness said

the children housed there began to scream, and police quickly cordoned off the area whilst a hospital ambulance rushed to the scene. The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) arrived on scene some 10 to 15 minutes later, but by then it was too late.

While most of the children managed to escape -- including three other siblings of the George brothers -- and stood on the street looking on as the fire engulfed the building, the two boys remained trapped in the building.

According to reports, their mother, Sonia, collapsed upon learning that the boys had perished in the fire. She had to be

rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the Ministry of Social Protection had, two days ago, taken Joshua, Antonio and three other siblings away from their mother’s residence at Norton and Chapel Streets, Georgetown and had placed them in the Centre.

The Ministry had reportedly decided to take action following reports that the children were physically abused by their step-father and that the 6-year-old had recently run away from home.

Relatives and neighbours told this newspaper that the 37-year-old

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 9, 2016

… in fire at Drop-in Centre

… mother collapses after hearing news

Workers clearing the Drop-in Centre of debris yesterday

A view of the burnt upper flat of the Centre

mother “tried with her children,” to ensure that they were taken care of.

Though they might not have led a luxurious life, relatives said that the mother worked hard and tried her best to make ends meet.

“On Tuesday night I was sitting on my stairs when a vehicle pull up in front of their house…I see Sonia come out and talk to the people them, but I thought was people that come to buy the land.

“Is later that night Sonia come over and told me how ‘welfare’ came and took away them children,” said a resident.

According to residents, earlier that day a report was made to the welfare department that the 6-year-old had disappeared from the house for two days and was eventually found at the Square of the Revolution. This was confirmed by official of the Social Protection Ministry, Walter Robertson, at a press conference on

Friday, where it was noted that after receiving reports, officers began their search and found the child. He said that the Government agreed to assist the mother in developing a better life, hence the children were being kept temporarily at the Centre.

Meanwhile, neighbours said this was not the first time the child had disappeared from home, noting that, “he father does abuse the children steady… only the other day he beat one of them and swell up their eyes.”

This allegation was also made by other neighbouring residents, who highlighted that they constantly hear rumbling and arguments emanating from the home.

“We tried telling Sonia to go and lodge a complaint, but she was afraid for unknown reasons.”

Residents noted that the mother worked as a domestic aid in the area and used the little she earned to send her children to school and maintain the house.

“She used to do a lot to sustain her family, and the fact that welfare took them from her saddened her and made her turn to almost everyone known

to get help to get her children back,” bemoaned one relative.

Neighbours remembered the children as being jovial and pleasant most of the time, despite the unfortunate conditions under which they were living.

PRESIDENT GRANGER SADDENED President David Granger, in a statement, expressed his sadness after learning of the tragic fire. According to the release, the President mourns the loss of the children’s lives because they will never have the opportunity to rise above their circumstances.

The President also has in his thoughts the other children who depended on the Centre, which is administered under the Child Care and Protection Agency, for shelter and support and who are doubtless traumatised by the horrific experience.

As such, he has committed to working with the Ministry of Social Protection to ensure that counselling services are provided to the 28 children who are now housed at the Sophia Care Centre.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 9, 2016

DEADLY FIRE

Gov’t takes responsibility for death of siblings - ‘No safe zones for children during fire,’ Min Lawrence

By Derwayne Wills THE Social Protection Ministry has not only taken full responsibility for the Friday morning fire at the Drop-In Centre which killed two boys, ages 2 and 6, but will cover the family’s psycho-social support and funeral arrangements for the boys.

Details on what occurred at the Hadfield Street Centre are still emerging, but subject Minister Volda Lawrence opined that more could have been done to ensure the safety of the children against fires at the home.

Some 31 children were housed in the recently renovated Hadfield Street complex under the control of Lawrence’s ministry.

Joshua and Antonio George were placed in the home on Wednesday, following reports of child maltreatment at their Norton and Chapel Streets, Georgetown, residence.

Two of the ministry’s social services assistants attached to the Hadfield Street complex gave accounts of what transpired Friday morning at a press conference yesterday afternoon.

Ministry officials said it is not normal for two staffers alone to be stationed at the centre and that this would have to be investigated.

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence and head of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), Ann Greene, were present at that press conference.

Sharon Jones, one of the centre’s social service assistants, was in charge of the 18 girls stationed on the top floor of the two-storey wooden and concrete Hadfield Street complex.

Jones recalled hearing an electrical disturbance at about five minutes after midnight on Friday morning.

After inquiring, she noticed “blue flames running up the wall.”

Jones said she panicked and grabbed a small child who was just behind her. She said she called out to Rupert Hinds, the other social services assistant who was stationed on the ground floor of the complex with 13 boys

in his care.

Jones then proceeded to wake up the other girls on the floor. The girls started panicking, screaming and latching on to her clothing.

Jones said after opening the upstairs door for the girls, she gave the keys to one of the girls and instructed her to open the door at the bottom of the step leading outside the complex.

“I had a baby and I had to put her down. Then I remembered I had not picked her up back,” Jones recounted.

As the blaze continued to grow, Jones said she managed to search for the baby until that baby was located.

She subsequently came into contact with two-year-old Antonio, now deceased.

“He running coming from the other end screaming. He’s crying coming to me. So I had to just barely now duck underneath a bed because I realised that flames started to come down from the room,” Jones added.

Jones said she had both the baby and Antonio in her hand. She then proceeded down the stairs where she met Hinds and another child coming up the stairwell with a fire extinguisher in hand.

By the time Jones reached the front door to head out into the yard and onto the road, she realised she was no longer holding young Antonio’s hand. She proceeded with the baby in her hand onto Hadfield Street.

Rupert Hinds, in his account at yesterday’s press

conference, was stationed on the lower flat of the building, while renovations were being done in the boys’ dormitory on the top floor.

Hinds said his first alert was the sound of the girls screaming. Hinds did not call 912 immediately, but instead sought to evacuate the boys

building.

“We tried to get them but could not have gotten into the building because the entire building was engulfed in flames.”

The Child Care Agency’s head, Ann Greene, pledged the full support of her agency to work with the surviving

From left, Social Service Assistants Sharon Jones and Rupert Hinds as they recounted Friday morning’s tragic fire. on his flat.

He recalled opening the door to let them out, then proceeded onto the second floor armed with a fire extinguisher. His attempts to fight the fire himself proved futile. It was then he recalled making an effort to call the Fire Department. His call went unanswered.

As he watched the blaze from Hadfield Street, Hinds was convinced that all the children had been evacuated.

When the Fire Department arrived, Hinds was informed by his colleague that two boys are still upstairs in the

three siblings and the family, even as investigations continue into the allegations of neglect and abuse at the Norton and Chapel Streets homes of these children.

Following the fire, the other 29 children of the Drop-In Centre are stationed at the Sophia Centre and the Halfway Home. Those children are currently receiving therapy from specialists at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

When asked whether there were protocols in place at the centre in the event of a fire, Greene responded in the

affirmative.

She said there were fire drills up to last year, and confirmed the Fire Department had encouraged the installation of a number of fire-fighting equipment including extinguishers and fire-proof blankets.

Greene also said her staff were adequately trained in fire evacuations but that circumstances prevented the effective execution of things learned in training.

“You might have training, but if you panic, you might get carried away and forget all the things you have to do,” the CPA head said.

Greene’s position however conflicted with that of Social Protection Minister Lawrence. Lawrence said she had conversations with staff at the Centre, where the need for a fire drill was discussed.

“I spoke with the staff and one of the things we were doing was a fire drill.

An actual fire drill in place.”

Lawrence admitted that in the event of a fire, there was no safe space for the children to be evacuated to.

“This morning when I got there, I realised there was no space for these children to evacuate.”

This is not the first fire at the Centre. There was another in 2010, but no fatalities.

Although the fire investigation is still ongoing, Jones’s report yesterday suggests that the fire was electrical in origin.

Asked how frequently electrical assessments are done at the building, Greene

said those are done by a ministry official who assesses what needs to be done in the building and makes reports.

Greene says she has never received any reports of electrical problems.

Minister Lawrence, on the other hand, said she feels it is a “deficiency in the government system” that regular electrical assessments are not done at government agencies.

“I am working in the ministry; I never saw anyone come and inspect my office.

That’s a deficiency that now we have to correct.”

Lawrence said her ministry’s staff are now looking at what could be done at other homes under the ministry’s control to ensure this sort of thing does not re-occur.

There was one report from an eyewitness at the scene of the fire who said that two-year-old Antonio ran back into the building in search of his six-yearold brother Joshua, but that the stairs collapsed preventing anyone from rescuing the two boys who were presumably trapped upstairs.

Ministry officials have since denied this, saying they await the official report from the Fire Department. Antonio and Joshua’s mother and father are 37 years and 51 years, respectively, ministry officials said.

The bodies of Joshua and Antonio George are at the Georgetown Public Hospital awaiting post-mortems.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 9, 2016

US expels Russian diplomats over Moscow ‘attack’

(BBC) - THE US has expelled two Russian diplomats in response to an attack on an American diplomat in Moscow, the state department says.

Spokesman John Kirby said the two officials - who have not been named were told to leave on 17 June.

Mr Kirby said that earlier that month, a Russian policeman attacked the US diplomat near the US embassy in Moscow.

“The action was unprovoked,” he said. Russia said the diplomat worked for the CIA and had refused to show ID papers. Last month, US officials said harassment

against US diplomats by Russian security and intelligence services was on the rise.

Russia has denied the allegation. “On 17 June, we expelled two Russian officials from the United States to respond to this attack,” Mr Kirby said on Friday.

He said this was in response to the attack on the US diplomat on 6 June. The assault happened after the accredited American official had identified himself to the policeman, Mr Kirby said.

“The action was unprovoked and it endangered the safety of our employee.

The Russian claim that the policeman was protecting the embassy from an unidentified individual is simply untrue.”

Russia said earlier this week that the US official was a CIA agent who had refused

to provide his identification papers and hit the policeman in the face.

“Instead of the CIA employee, who was in disguise, as we understand, it could have been anyone - a terrorist, an extremist, a suicide bomber,” Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

Russian media have also released a video of what they say was the scuffle between

the US diplomat and the Russian policeman.

Last month, the US said it had raised the issue of the alleged harassment of US diplomats in Russia directly with President Vladimir Putin.

Washington said the problems began two years ago after the US - as well as the EU - imposed sanctions against Russia over its annexation of Ukraine’s

southern Crimea peninsula and its ongoing involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Specific incidents have not officially been revealed.

But the Washington Post said last month they included breaking into the homes of embassy staff, rearranging furniture and even killing a family pet.

No official response has been made by Russia but

a statement to the Post did not deny the charge and said there had been US provocation against Russian diplomats.

The former US ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, told the newspaper that while his family was living in Moscow, they were routinely followed by security services that wanted him to know they were being watched.

Five police officers killers, others wounded in Dallas

(BBC) - Bomb-making material, rifles, ammunition and a combat journal have been found at the home of the main suspect in the Dallas shooting. Police said the material was found when they searched the home of Micah Johnson in the Dallas suburb of Mesquite.

Five police officers were killed and seven wounded in a hail of gunfire during a protest against the shooting of black

men by police. Johnson died following a long stand-off with police in central Dallas. Police confirmed media reports that the 25-year-old army veteran was the person killed when they remotely detonated explosives they sent into the car park where he was holed up.

They said he had no criminal history. The protest in Dallas took place after this week’s deaths of Philando Castile in Minnesota and Alton Sterling

in Louisiana.

Police Chief David Brown said the suspect had told a negotiator that he had wanted to kill white people, especially white police officers, because he was angry about the recent shootings of black men by police.

Mr Brown added that the man had said he was not affiliated with any groups and he had acted alone. US Homeland

Security Secretary Jeh Johnson appeared to confirm this in a statement later on Friday.

“At this time there appears to have been one gunman with no known links to or inspiration from any international terrorist organisation,” he told a news conference in New York.

Police arrested three people and initially said they believed at least two snipers had caught police in crossfire, shooting some officers in the back.

Facebook images show Micah Johnson giving a black power salute and dressed in military uniform

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 9, 2016

Race to finish CJIA expansion

By Alva Solomon

AS expansion works at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) moves toward its December 2017 schedule, the contractor foresees completion of the terminal facilities as the major challenging factor which may impact the timeline.

At the same time, works to the actual runway expansion are on schedule and the contractor will utilise a new form of technology in compaction works at the two ends of the main runway.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson; Opposition Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Finance Juan Edghill and airport officials, as well as officials of the contracting firm China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) toured the airport on Friday and members of the media were afforded an opportunity to view the works in progress at the site.

The 32-month project, which commenced in January 2013, two years after the contract was signed between the Government and CHEC, was extended past its original completion date of September 2015 to December next year.

The scope of the project includes the extension of the

were ongoing while workmen were carrying out construction works to two of 19 houses. The houses will be built over the next few months for residents identified for relocation at the north-eastern end of the runway, where initial works were undertaken when the project commenced.

At the south-western end of the runway, sand works were impeded on Friday by rainy weather while several trucks , of a total of 125 who were sub-contracted by the Chinese to ferry sand to the worksite, awaited changes in the weather pattern.

At this end, the elevated works are expected to climb past the halfway level by year-end, according to CHEC, and Government engineer Walter Willis noted that works of such height and magnitude have never been undertaken in Guyana.

A CHALLENGE According to Project Manager Keliang Liu of CHEC, while the runway extension works are on stream and within a controllable schedule, renovation works to the terminal building and works to the new terminal building will be challenging.

“Because of the terminal building, we know that we can only finish it part by part,” Liu said.

The company will be im-

... completion of terminal facilities seen as main challenge settlements to acceptable magnitudes under the proposed loading and provide acceptable long-term performance of the treated ground.

The technique was proposed by the contractor, and according to Liu, it differs from the layer-by-layer compaction method which requires a waiting period after compacting material.

“From timing, we get settlement out of the sand, whatever we gain in the process, we get to the true level of embankment before we pave it,” he said.

NEW According to Patterson, the technique is new to these shores, but “It is very common outside of Guyana.”

Amid queries which may draw concern about the method, including the settlement of the sand during compaction, Project Manager within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Carmichael Thorne, further explained that there is a misconception between what is consolidation and compaction.

He said the method is used to compact the sand and settlement, which will happen overtime as a result of the consolidation of the layers below

One of the houses being constructed for a resident, who will be immediately relocated from his current home which lies close to the current work site at the north-eastern end of the runway main runway 06/24 from 2270 metres to 3360 metres, relocation of the Guyana Defence Force Engineering Corps, relocation of residents’ houses, police houses, road diversions and utility works.

The scope also includes construction of parking, taxiway works and installation of ground-lighting facilities, construction of a new arrival terminal building, extension works to the existing terminal facility, construction of a new diesel generation room, a new fire pump station, as well as a new boarding corridor with bridges.

Works were progressing when the team visited the site at both ends of the runway where compaction works were in progress. At the same time, works off the airside where the new fire pump facilities

plementing an engineering method, known as vibro-flotation, to speed up the compaction works at both ends of the runway before it is paved.

Vibro-flotation is a Specialist Deep Foundation Technique used for Ground improvement to considerable depth, up to 75 metres. It uses a probe called Vibro-flot (which could be powered electrically or hydraulically) to strengthen the soil by deep compaction to make the soil suitable to support proposed imposed load.

According to online definitions, the process involves the introduction of backfill granular material, in this case sand, to form stone columns interlocking with surrounding soil.

Treatment is to provide adequate bearing capacity, restrict total and differential

the sand.

The latter, he noted, is a result of the sand being placed there.

“The Vibro-flotation is a method to compact the sand and after the compaction is done, fill will be done to get back to the desired level,” he said.

He added that the issue of settlement overtime and consolidation of the works is an issue that will happen regardless of the method used.

“That has to do with the ground improvement which is being done presently with sand columns and wickdrains.”

He said the project has ensured that the tolerances (or catered eventualities) have met the requirements for a runway in the long-term.

According to Minister

Patterson, the design for the paving of the runway is for a 15 to 20-year period.

“So, at the end of the time irrespective of the method you use, it will have to be repaved,” he added.

RELOCATION Meanwhile, as regards relocation of residents at the northern end of the runway, two families will be relocated immediately and their homes were being completed on Friday.

Referred to as Relocation Scheme, a total of 19 families will move into the area eventually, on plots of land which caters for 57 house lots. This varies from the relocation plans which the previous administration had embarked on.

Patterson said that lights and water will be provided to the relocated residents, while

the cost of the homes being built will equate their existing homes based on valuation processes undertaken by the Valuation Department of the Ministry of Finance.

“The Valuation Department executed valuation of size of the properties and they gave a low and high value to work with,” he said, adding: “I think we went down the middle and explained to those persons.”

Following the tour, Edghill said that for the record, the Opposition welcomes the initiative of the MPI to invite the party to participate in the review of the project.

“It would seem that it is a departure from what would have been our complaint about the lack of consultation and disclosures,” he said.

His queries were based on the sums of monies expended for various aspects of the proj-

ect, including disbursements and the likelihood of expending the total sums spent thus far.

Some $4B was allocated to be spent on the expansion project in 2016 and Patterson said a payment of $2.8B is due shortly. For the relocation of the GDF compound, the first contact of $254M was budgeted and awarded. Later, an inspection was done by army and MPI officials and shortfalls were cited. An additional $63M was budgeted and the sum is currently being expended to facilitate corrective works.

As works on the ground continue, the project may be impacted by unforeseen ground conditions, maintenance of operations as well as the relocation of utility facilities and operators, including airlines which operate at the CJIA.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

PATRICK MANNING

PATRICK Manning (1946-2016), former leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM) and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, died on Saturday, 2nd July, leaving a complex but rich legacy. He is recorded as the youngest and longest-serving Leader of the PNM, having succeeded George Chambers after the latter had lost his parliamentary seat in a national election, in which A.N.R Robinson emerged as Prime Minister (1986-1991).

The PNM acquired three seats in the 1986 elections, and among them was Manning, who retained the seat he represented.

It is instructive to note that in the 40-plus years that he served his constituency, he succeeded in increasing the popular vote in every election. He stands in contrast to many politicians, in whom confidence and popularity wane, and who would see their votes being reduced from time to time.

Manning functioned in a society not unlike ours, where race and politics intersect and divide; and it saw him at times in a position of having to comfort and deliver leadership to his support base.

When Basdeo Panday was elected Prime Minister (1995), Panday rode on the popular support of the Indian community, and it was perceived in political circles that to give his community assurances he would govern in their interest, he made his first overseas trip to India and visited the village from which his ancestors originated. This act of Panday’s gave comfort to the Indian community.

On Manning’s return to the prime-ministership of his country in the 2001 elections, having previously served from 1991 to 1995, he invited Nelson Mandela, a world-renowned African icon, to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to give a morale booster to the African community, the constituent from which he had garnered the majority of his support.

Manning was a tactician of no mean order. He was mindful of recognising and incorporating the influences in society in every step on his way in leadership.

In the PNM, as a political party, he built an institution, guided by technical communities in various areas, and utilised the technical competencies of consultants. There was a time in the PNM when he introduced a method of screening every candidate who would offer himself or herself for election, and this act brought him in conflict with various sections and individuals within his party.

He stood his ground, and the process was refined to the point where, today, every person who represents the

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 9, 2016

A trip to the bank Dear Editor EDITOR, a few weeks ago I went to cash a cheque at a local bank. I could not find my Guyana ID card, so before I left home I grabbed my newly issued driver’s licence.

I have been using my new driver’s licence to conduct financial transactions. However, my brother and several other persons had told me of the horrors they experience at that bank, so as a precaution, I also took with me my Barbados

ID card.

When I arrived at the counter I presented the cheque and my driver’s licence. The young lady told me that the bank does not accept the new driver’s licence as ID. I then gave her my Barbados ID card. Much to my dismay, I was told that the bank does not accept national ID cards from other countries.

At this point I asked to speak with a supervisor.

The supervisor told me just what the teller had told me. So I asked the supervisor to please

explain the rationale for these decisions. She told me that she does not make the rules.

In an effort to have the cheque encashed, I suggested that she call the issuer (they have his number), so as to verify that the cheque was indeed written to me. I was thinking that with two pieces of IDs and a phone call to the account holder, that would have been sufficient to prove that I was who I said I was.

I was told in no uncertain terms that I would not be

allowed to cash the cheque without my Guyana ID card or my passport. I had to leave the bank and return with my passport. Last week I heard that one man had hundreds of millions of illegal money on his account. I would not be surprised if I heard that his account was at the same bank.

These pathetic rules are only smoke screens.

ment and its supporters. I do recollect reading in the papers Tacuma threatening violence against PPP supporters during the election campaign in 2011 if the PPP were not defeated. Contrary to Tacuma’s “polemical attack” on my character, countless articles of mine critiqued the PPP administration; so much so that I was not welcome at Freedom House. It is not an exaggeration to say I critiqued the PPP much more than Tacuma or others ever did. I always critiqued the PPP for its unwillingness to share power with the true (elected) representatives of the various ethnic groups.

I was never viewed as a defender of the PPP. On the contrary, I was viewed (post-Jagan in particular) as a critic and hater of the PPP. Some even went so far to say I was WPA because of my sympathy for and financial donation to it. I do recall (in 1997) a former PPPite (a lawyer), now a minister with the AFC, at a Georgetown nightclub rebuking me for “criticising the PPP,” adding that I am not liked at Freedom House. The late Lionel Peters, who was present during that conversation, praised my objective and balanced commentaries. I also remember walking on Main

Street one mid-day (2001) when I bounced up with another former PPPite, now politically unaligned and perhaps the most respected political figure in the country, who lectured me about my critiques of the PPP, saying: “You want the PPP to lose the elections with your criticisms.” I should also note that friends who sat in the Central Committee and Ex Co of the PPP informed me that I was a frequent target of cuss down by the PPP leadership. It is also a fact that some ACG chaps in NY maligned my name as AFCite, a Nagamootoo-ite, and a Ramkarran-ite for my objective commentaries and reluctance to support discredited elements in the PPP and its policies. Has Tacuma missed the several pieces from Clement Rohee over the years rebuking my criticisms of the PPP? Instead of engaging in polemics and unsubstantiated attacks, Tacuma should re-read my analyses on the PPP’s governance or the period of time it was in opposition.

Tacuma is misleading in his claims about Dr. Jagan’s offer of a ministry to Prof Clive Thomas. Jagan made three offers to Thomas and the WPA and they declined all three.

It was the WPA that opposed Dr. Jagan being the con-

sensus presidential candidate for the PCD, saying Africans would not vote for an alliance led by Jagan. The NY activists I was involved with agreed with that sentiment, and we travelled to Guyana and made efforts to convince Dr Jagan to back down as the consensus candidate. Dr. Jagan made several (malleable) conditions for backing down from being the nominee. In conversations with me, he suggested Bishop George or Roger Luncheon as the nominee, neither of whom was acceptable to the WPA. Jagan was willing to accept a WPA proposed nominee, but Jagan insisted that the PPP would get a majority of seats and cabinet posts. The WPA objected to the condition on the flimsy ground that since previous elections had been rigged, the real support of the PPP could not be determined.

My recollection was PPP was offered 25% (?) of the seats.

That was insulting to the PPP, resulting in the collapse of talks over a consensus nominee. In a subsequent meeting, Jagan told me that the PPP took the position of going into the elections with himself as the nominee and with a Civic component. Dr. Thomas was offered to be Dr. Jagan’s

Regards Pastor WENDELL JEFFREY

Bisram says not a PPP defender

Dear Editor, PLEASE allow me to respond d to Tacuma Ogunseye who falsely attacked me as a defender of the PPP. (Guyana Chronicle NY edition).

He subsequently lectured Mr. Clairmont Lye (in “I was privy to report citing withdrawal of ministerial offer to Thomas” SN Jun 24) claiming that he (Tacuma) does not engage in public polemics.

I have always had the greatest respect for Tacuma for his Afro-nationalism, but he is wrong in seeking to label me. As Martin Carter penned, Tacuma does not have to bend facts to defend the regime that now feeds him. I remind Tacuma that he wrote he could not bring himself to tell all he knew (the whole truth of PNC violent atrocities against political opponents ) during the Rodney CoI because “it would benefit the PPP.” To the best of my recollection, and I have written thousands of articles since 1977, I never defended the PPP except for its right to govern (not its policies and programmes) after winning free and fair elections. And I did so because individuals like Tacuma threatened and or actually used violence against the PPP govern-

party and offers him/herself for public office has to go through a rudiment of consultation and training. This was seen as prerequisite for preparing each individual to conduct him/herself in a manner befitting that of public office.

In the Caribbean integration process, when Venezuela established the PetroCaribe Fund and several of the Caribbean countries thought it fit to choose this fund in preference to buying fuel from Trinidad and Tobago, Manning sought ways that could unite, rather than fracture, the Region. He pursued the opportunity to bring the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) into a programme in which Trinidad and Tobago can produce the energy and supply each OECS country.

This programme was dubbed the ‘Patrick Manning Initiative.’

In the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), as lead prime minister on the issue of regional security, while

See page 7

much progress was not made in reducing criminal activities across borders, he worked in CARICOM to ensure that structures were put in place to realise long-term benefits. One such benefit is the Regional Security System, where committing crimes within the Region can result in the person being brought to justice through cooperation among the countries.

This 37th Annual Conference of Heads of Government has taken the decision to activate the work done under Manning’s leadership. And it is hoped that this moves beyond mere commitment to that of actually seeing action, because this is what he was interested in, and it would be a befitting tribute to his contributions to the region, its peoples and their security.

As Manning is laid to rest in a state funeral today, his legacy is rich enough to see the country of his birth and the Caribbean Region grow from strength to strength.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 9, 2016

Bisram says not a PPP...

From page 6 running mate as the prime ministerial candidate. The WPA declined the offer. I travelled back to Guyana and met Jagan over the issue. He insisted that he wanted Clive Thomas as his running mate and urged me to ask him to reconsider. I went to Rodney House on Croal Street, and conversed with Rupert Roopnaraine, Eusi Kwayana, Nigel Westmaas, Wazir Mohammed and several others in separate meets. A few times, Ravi Dev and I visited Rodney House to discuss the issue.

The response from virtually everyone was that the offer of Prime Minister was made to Clive Thomas and not the WPA. It was semantics; these chaps were playing games, seemingly because they did not want to support Dr. Jagan’s candidacy. I travelled to UG and met Thomas; Father Malcolm Rodrigues (whom I had met on the Corentyne in March 1977 during the Berbice Students uprising) gave

me a lift inside the compound as we reminisced about the student strikes and conversed about the PCD talks. In his brief exchange with me, Dr. Thomas gently declined Jagan’s offer. He told me he was not interested in the position, and he suggested that Dr. Luncheon was more deserving of it, since he was with the PPP for so long. Other emissaries also met Thomas whose answer was a consistent “no.”

As time was going, Jagan named Sam Hinds as his running mate. I travelled to Guyana again, urging Jagan to find a way to accommodate Thomas. Jagan was agreeable. But he said he could not withdraw his (PM) offer to Sam Hinds as it had been made publicly, but he would like to have Thomas on his team with a cabinet post.

Thomas ran as the presidential candidate of the WPA with Rupert Roopnaraine as the prime ministerial candidate; the WPA secured just over 2% of the votes as compared with the PPP’s 53%.

That was a blunder of Thomas and the WPA. Dr Jagan told me he would offer the Planning Ministry to Thomas. In my subsequent meeting with President Jagan, I urged him to give Thomas the Finance Ministry. He said he had promised and offered it to Asgar Ally who had left his Central bank job in Jamaica.

In a follow-up trip to Guyana in February or April (1993) or could have been Christmas period 1992 , I met President Jagan at Freedom House and urged him to find a way to include Thomas in the cabinet.

He said the Planning Ministry was still vacant and urged me to ask Thomas to reconsider taking up the offer. I went to see Brother Eusi on why the WPA was not taking up the offer. Eusi’s response was that the ministry was given to Thomas and not to the WPA – a play on semantics.

I also conversed with Roopnaraine, Westmaas, Wazir, etc and all gave the same groupthink response. I visited Thomas at UG and conveyed

Jagan’s offer, and he politely declined the offer saying there were other individuals in the PPP who were more deserving of the post. I was disappointed with Thomas’s response given the enormous respect I held for him and the important role he could play in development. I do not know when, and if, the Planning Ministry was ever withdrawn. I do not remember if it was ever filled and who held the post. Is it not reasonable for a ministerial offer, that was consistently rejected over several months, be withdrawn? Would not the politics and development of the country been different if the WPA or Thomas had not declined Jagan’s offer of the PM position or the Planning Ministry?

Yours truly VISHNU BISRAM

Dynamic Airways has some challenges Dear Editor

I DON’T know what’s happening with Dynamic Airways, but the airline seems to be having some serious delays of flights of recent, none of which seems to be publicised in the media. Following the arrivals and departure information on the JFK and CJIA Internet platforms, one would see almost every single flight out of Guyana and especially the 1am scheduled flights out of JFK leave late.

For example, the 1am flight last Sunday out of JFK did not leave NY until later that day! It arrived sometime late afternoon at Timehri! There were angry crowds at Timehri that day I was made to understand. What’s going on Dynamic? Are you guys having issues and you don’t want passengers to know ? I think they should charge passengers little more and upgrade their tardy services especially out of NY. I cannot understand almost every 1 am flight leaves 2 hours later or so---the earliest! And their Timehri flights sometimes leave an hour or so later than scheduled. I demand a response from the manager.

Regards LEON SUSERAN

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 9, 2016

Special committee to handle GT squatters –– councillors recommend

By Telesha Ramnarine

A NUMBER of councillors on Monday suggested that the National Capital Planning Commission establish a specific committee to deal with the issue of squatting in Georgetown.

Approximately 1,000 families are currently occupying Council reserves.

The commission, expected to become a reality shortly, would see a structured approach being utilised for the development of Guyana’s capital. President David Granger had suggested its establishment when he visited the City Council recently.

Each councillor was afforded the opportunity to voice his/her ideas about what should make up the Terms of Reference (ToRs) at an Extraordinary Statutory Meeting that was called by Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen.

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

“A commission of this nature should seek to have committees that will look at the question of squatting and omit the thought of removing squatters; rather, say relocate

them. And just saying “relocate them” will tell you it has to be done in a particular manner.”

Bostwick is proposing that the committee work in collaboration with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA).

“You will be able to know who definite, legitimate squatters are, and who are not.”

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

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

He urged that a proper arrangement be put in place for the relocation exercise.

“We don’t want a situation where we go bulldozing people’s places.”

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

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

Audit reports: Cabinet sub- committee to decide who will be prosecuted A CABINET sub-committee has been established to examine the audit reports that were commissioned by the coalition government for criminal and negligent conduct.

Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma, told the Government Information Agency (GINA) recently that the “The special sub-committee looks at the audits and decides who will be prosecuted in terms of sending it to the police, while the disciplinary issues are sent to the Board of Directors of the particular entity for corrective actions.”

With the majority of forensic audits commissioned by government completed, there have been calls from different quarters for charges to be laid against several former government operatives. Minister Sharma said that citizens should show patience because investigations stemming from the audits are delicate and

time-consuming.

“I refer you to the Colonial Life Insurance Company, Trinidad issue; the Commission of Inquiry started in March 2011 and was completed in May of 2013. It accumulated millions of pages of information that is the amount of paper work. It is not anything simple,” Sharma explained.

The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Guyana Police Force has been tasked with investigating alleged criminal acts identified by the auditors. According to the minister, SOCU is the most qualified department to investigate alleged crimes identified by the forensic auditors.

“The department with the most experience is SOCU, the entity responsible for investigating financial crimes. The opposition is complaining about SOCU investigating audits despite being the most qualified unit. Would you have a team of qualified people paying them

Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma every month sitting down doing nothing?” Sharma asked.

After the General and Regional Elections in May 2015, the coalition government commissioned forensic audits into the operations of several departments of government.

The audits have revealed many procedural and financial breaches.

Only visitors from Africa, Asia require yellow fever vaccine FOLLOWING the recent outbreak of yellow fever in Angola, several countries have imposed the requirements for vaccination against the disease for travel 10 days prior to arrival.

Guyana, as a part of the Latin American region with risk of yellow fever is listed as one of the countries whose residents would be required to

be immunized and issued with a yellow fever certificate prior to travel, the Ministry of Public Health has announced.

The ministry in a statement noted that with the presence of the vector that transmits yellow fever and an uncertain “salvatic” environment in the hinterlands, it is advisable that persons travelling from countries listed as endemic for

yellow fever (mainly in Africa and Asia) should also be in possession of a valid International Certificate of Vaccination or take prophylaxis on arrival in Guyana.

The countries listed as endemic are mainly from the African continent and does not include countries in North America, Europe, Central America and the Caribbean.

Houses erected by squatters along West Ruimveldt Front Road, Georgetown looking at approximately 1000 families,” she calculated.

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

Meanwhile, Town Clerk Royston King noted that the commission’s ToR should first be determined by the Council, as those would provide answers to a number of issues raised by councillors, including squatting.

“We might want to include the University of Guyana, Ministry of Public Health, Central Housing and Planning Authority, the Guyana Water Inc, the Guyana Fire Service, Ministry of Communities,and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. All these must be part of the commission; but whether we will have a oneman commission and these persons are used

as resource personnel or whether we will have them be part of the actual commission is what this council must determine,” King offered.

He said the council will have to determine how much the commissioners would be paid.

“This council will have to pay for the commission. The commission, though independent in its work, will be subordinate to this council. The commission will have no power of its own, but will have the power that is given to it by this council.”

Councillors have one week to make their ideas about the commission known to the Town Clerk, after which King will have two weeks to formulate a draft proposal, circulate it to councillors, and then place it on the agenda for discussion at the following statutory meeting.

Investigation into murder of retired Professor incomplete THE police are still to indictable charge of complete their investi- murder, allegedly comgation into the murder mitted when they beat of 75-year-old retired and bound Professor professor Pairadeau Mars in his home. While M a r s , a l m o s t t w o in police custody, the months after five teen- teens have reportedly agers were charged confessed to the murder/ with the offence.

The teens made their second court appearance before City Magistrate Leron Daly on Friday, and were further remanded until July 14, when they are expected to be served with statements following police investigations.

Addressing the magistrate, Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru explained that he was not in possession of the file because the police have not completed their Murdered: Retired Proinvestigations into the fessor Parietdeau Mars murder.

The teenagers had, on May 18, appeared robbery. before Chief Magistrate The professor was Ann McLennan jointly found by his wife in charged with the mur- his home, on the day der of the former Uni- in question at about versity of Guyana Pro- 18:30hrs, with his hands fessor, which allegedly a n d f e e t d u c t - t a p e d occurred at his Lot 395 and with injuries to his Bissessar Street, Prashad head. The house was Nagar home during the ransacked, and a number course of a robbery. of articles and cash were The five teens -– missing. He was prothree lads and two lass- nounced dead on arrival es between the ages of at a private hospital.

15 and 17 -– face the The teens, reported-

ly known to Professor Mars, were arrested after neighbours observed the group leaving his residence with suitcases, and entering a car which left the scene.

His wife subsequently returned home and found his bloodied and lifeless body in the house. Less than 24 hours later, police arrested the suspects and recovered a sum of cash, along with a laptop computer, iPod and PlayStation that were taken from Mars’s home.

Professor Mars had specialised in African Studies at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, USA, having studied history at the University of Guyana and at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.

He was also credited with developing an international academic exchange project between Africana Studies, the College of Urban Labor and Metropolitan Affairs (CULMA), and the University of Guyana.

A post-mortem had revealed that his death was due to manual strangulation compounded by multiple fractures to the head and face.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 9, 2016

Brexit draws mixed reactions from C’bean leaders

By Derwayne Wills

CARICOM’S 37th summit concluded on Thursday evening with regional leaders varying on how the United Kingdom’s vote to exit the European Union will affect the 15-member trading bloc.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness said his country’s chairmanship of the EU-CARIFORUM trading bloc would be affected by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Holness was speaking on Thursday evening to members of the regional press corps following a round of meetings at the 37th summit of Caribbean leaders.

CARIFORUM is the community of African, Caribbean, and Pacific nations along with Cuba and The Dominican Republic, which maintain

from the now 27-nation European Union has yet to be finalised, but Caribbean leaders are already counting what the exit will mean for this Region.

The UK, according to Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, has been “A trusted and known advo-

Guyana’s President, David Granger, who co-hosted this year’s summit, said CARICOM’s official position is that “the United Kingdom and the European Union will remain strong and valued partners of the Caribbean Community.”

been.

“This thing really took most people by surprise and the evidence is that no real plans were made to deal with it. So we’ve got to keep monitoring the situation moment by moment and to be making contingency plans,” Elrington

He believes that both the UK and EU “may experience some diminution in their economic fortunes and that might have a negative impact on us [in the Caribbean], both in terms of remittances as well as in terms of tourism, donor aid and the like.”

Belize Foreign Minister, Wilfred Elrington

Dominica’s Prime Minister, who is also the Chairman of CARICOM, reported that the CARICOM Secretariat’s foreign policy advisors have prepared a dossier on the current events unfolding in the EU. Asked whether there is need for CARICOM to be more proactive on international developments, Jamaica’s

Andrew Holness responded in the affirmative.

He denied that his country is as ill-prepared as some others in the Region, contending that Jamaica is already looking to best capitalise on the unfolding events.

“I think CARICOM definitely needs to have standing analysis of the dynamic global environment. There is no question about that. But Jamaica is not shuffling; we have been very much analysing and preparing.

“While others may only see the threats, there may very well be opportunities and we are prepared to place ourselves in an advantageous position to deal with it,” Holness continued.

Belize’s Elrington on the other hand feels “CARICOM is exceedingly proactive in terms of monitoring these things,” but called for the media and educational institutions to do their part of ensuring that public awareness is maintained.

with recommendations made

by FATF and CFATF. “Guyana has significantly improved its overall level of compliance, and, most importantly, Guyana has fully addressed the core and key recommendations,” CFATF had said during that plenary meeting.

In November, 2013, CFATF had identified Guyana as a country with significant strategic deficiencies in its AML/CFT regime.

By May, 2014, the regional financial watchdog body sounded an alarm, calling on member countries to safeguard themselves from Guyana.

“Members are therefore called upon to implement further counter-measures to protect their financial systems from the ongoing money-laundering and terrorist-financing risks em-

anating from Guyana,” CFATF had said, even as it announced its referral of Guyana to the FATF. CFATF members were encouraged to enhance their due-diligence measures, introduce enhanced reporting mechanisms or systematic reporting of financial transactions; refuse the establishment of subsidiaries or branches or representative offices in Guyana.

Additionally, it was clearly stated that countries should minimise their business relationships or financial transactions with Guyana and even persons within the country.

But now that the tide is changing, the business community can expect Guyana’s removal from the ‘Light Grey List’ in the not-too-distant future.

From left: Guyana’s President David Granger, CARICOM Chairman and Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and CARICOM Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque

Jamaica Prime Minister, Andrew Holness trade through the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU).

The UK’s withdrawal

cate for the Caribbean within the councils in the European Union.” Skerrit believes that the Region is not without friends in the EU. “We will have to identity one of our traditional European Union friends, whether it is Germany, France, or The Netherlands to continue to advocate matters of concern to us,” Skerrit continued.

President Granger was at the time speaking at a press conference following the final sessions of this year’s Caribbean summit of leaders.

While Caribbean leaders have committed to maintaining relations with both the UK and the EU, Belize’s Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington believes the Caribbean is not as prepared as it could have

said in an invited comment to this newspaper.

Elrington believes there is some direct impact which could be felt following the UK’s exit. The UK’s announcement of withdrawal from the EU has already seen the international stock market negatively affected, with much of foreign investment in the UK being jeopardised.

Targeted visits –– banks, cambios, jewellery firms on FATF radar THE Attorney General’s office will conduct a sensitisation campaign ahead of a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) delegation in September, which will examine whether this country is fully committed to implementing reforms to address money-laundering and terrorist-financing deficiencies At a recent meeting of FATF in Busan, Korea, the global monitoring body said, according to a release from the AG’s Chamber, “Guyana has fully addressed at a technical level, all the items on

the Action Plan which was agreed with the FATF.” Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, represented Guyana at that meeting in June.

The Legal Affairs Minister’s sensitisation campaign spans July 21 to August 4.

Agencies considered as priority by the ministry include the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), and the Special, Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

Also named are the Bank of Guyana; Cooperatives and Friendly Societies; the Guyana Securities Council;

the Gaming Authority; the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA); and the Guyana Gold Board. A number of banks, money transfer agencies, security companies, licensed gold dealers, and pawnbrokers are also named as priorities.

Currently, Guyana has an Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act in place, along with other related legislation governing supervisory bodies, financial institutions, law enforcement, and foreign affairs.

The National Assembly,

Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams in May, passed the AML/ CFT (Amendment) Bill 2016. In 2015, it had also passed the Anti-Terrorism and Terrorist Related Activities Bill; the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill Nos. 1 and 2; and the AML/CFT Regulations, all in keeping

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 9, 2016

GMSA applies for suspension of import taxes –– says taxes likely to result in higher prices

THE Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) has said in a press statement issued on Thursday that it is currently making efforts to engage relevant authorities to commence the process of applying for a suspension of the recently imposed import taxes.

This newspaper understands that the GMSA was made aware that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is moving to enforce import taxes on items which are in-

eligible for exemption, as is outlined in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. However, the local manufacturing sector wants tax waivers granted under the former administration to continue until a plan of action is developed to review the existing agreement.

The GMSA release has said that at a meeting with GRA and the Foreign Affairs Ministry, its president, Eon Caesar, expressed the association’s concerns about the significant consequences which could result from the

imposition of these taxes.

“It is imperative that manufacturers -- and more importantly, the purchasers of products -- be cognizant of the fact that this requirement would result in higher prices for products and services. This decision has a direct impact on the ‘end users’, as products and services which they normally utilize would become more expensive.” Caesar said.

According to the statement, one impact is the fact that while local manufacturers would be required to pay

GMSA President, Eon Caesar more for raw materials -- and as a consequence increase the costs for their products -- foreign competitors can continue to charge current rates for their products. This, the association says, is a significant issue for the local manufacturing sector, as

foreign competitors would be able to offer products at cheaper prices, creating an uneven playing field.

With representatives of both GRA and the Finance Ministry being present at the meeting, it was revealed that the association has engaged them on commencing the process of applying for a suspension of the import taxes.

“The GMSA is prepared to lead the process for a speedy resolution to the suspension of the import taxes, as this situation can have dire consequences for Guyana’s manufacturing, business and economic sectors,” Caesar said.

He was keen to note that while this is a short-term approach, GMSA is prepared to engage the Foreign Trade Department of the Ministry

Harris Anthony Persaud

By Ravin Singh THINGS took a turn for the worse on Friday after the body of University of Guyana (UG) student Harris Anthony Persaud, who went missing on Wednesday last, was found by relatives at Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Relatives of the 19-yearold, who resided at Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD), had been navigating their way along the seawall in search of him since receiving reports of his disappearance.

The search was embarked upon after two friends of the deceased, “Sarwan” and “Dave,” who were last seen with him, revealed that they all went for a swim behind the Marriott Hotel and Persaud was swept away by a huge wave on Wednesday.

The young man was said to have left his lot 21 Granny Field, Cane Grove, ECD home around 07:30hrs on that day to attend classes at UG. He was scheduled to report for work at 13:00hrs on the very day, at Mond’s Civil Engineering Department which is located at Unity, Mahaica. His father was expected to pick him up at 09:00 hrs that evening.

However, after classes that day, the teen reportedly contacted his supervisors to notify them that he would not be able to work since he had evening classes.

On Friday, the young

of Foreign Affairs to achieve the long-term goal of reclassifying items ineligible for import tax exemptions under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

Caesar also expressed his appreciation for the support extended by GRA and the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

“The fact that both entities have representatives at this very important gathering speaks volumes about the beneficial relationship with the GMSA. I wish to applaud the work of the GRA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in providing a wealth of support to the Association on this matter. We will continue to work closely with both entities for a speedy resolution,” he said.

Missing UG student found dead

man’s father, Nandkumar Persaud, revealed that a relative by the name of “Dog-man” had found his son’s body around 17:30hrs along the western side of the seashore at Garden of Eden, EBD. The police were immediately contacted to assist in retrieving the body which was

A distraught Nandkumar Persaud, father of the deceased in a swollen state.

Police sources disclosed that the two friends said they had no difficulties in swimming to safety after being struck by the wave. However, it was revealed that after Persaud was taken away, the duo reportedly panicked and grabbed his belongings, including his clothing, and left the area. They allegedly disposed of the young man’s

belongings along the Railway Embankment on the East Coast.

In an earlier report, the teen’s mother had reported that his cellphone was found at Buxton, his haversack at Enmore and his clothes at Cummings Lodge. He also had in his possession an Ipad which has not been found.

Despite the duo being held for questioning by the police, the young man’s father has said that he does not believe foul play led to his son’s death.

“I believe that it was a natural death… my son did drown, it isn’t a murder. The reason I said that is because these two youngsters were my son’s friends and was doing the same course at the university. A lot of questions will be asked about why they took the clothing, but I personally feel that they panicked and tried to avoid the problem,” the father of the deceased said.

However, he spared no bones in condemning them for not rendering assistance to his son and reporting it immediately, which he contends could have either saved his son’s life or assisted in locating the body sooner.

The 19-year-old who had a promising future was a second-year student of UG reading for a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering.

His two friends are also doing the same programme at the university. They were childhood friends of Persaud.

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Inquest completed into allegations by self-confessed drug lord MINISTER of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, on Friday received the report compiled after an inquiry was made into the allegations of self-confessed drug lord Barry Dataram regarding officials of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).

Mr. Dataram had, earlier this year, told reporters at HGPTV Channel 67’s Nightly News that he was involved in the drug trade, and accused top CANU officers of being in cahoots with drug lords.

President David Granger appointed Brigadier Bruce Lovell to conduct the probe shortly after the allegations were made by Dataram.

A Ministry of the Presidency release reports Brigadier Lovell as saying Dataram’s allegations made against officials of the State are of a very serious nature; Government was obliged to investigate them, and he has completed those investiga-

tions in the period of two months.

“I am positive that the Government will find favour with the recommendations as well as the conclusions, and take the appropriate actions,” Lovell said.

The release noted Minister Harmon as saying that quite a number of statements were taken from persons who had information regarding the allegations.

“It is important for us to have these inquiries done.

The Opposition and several other persons keep saying we are having inquiry after inquiry, but this is the way that we will determine what the facts of a situation are.

That is what we do: we get to the bottom of things, we get the facts and then we deliberate on (them); and the actions taken subsequently are actions which are to be

Self–confessed drug lord Barry Dataram taken by the State,” the minister said.

The report will be presented to the President, and a copy would be given to Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, receiving the report from Brigadier Bruce Lovell at the Ministry of the Presidency

Saturday July 9th, 2016 - 08:30 hrs Sunday July 10th, 2016 - 08:30 hrs Monday July 11th, 2016 - 09:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 9, 2016

SANTA FE: A MODEL OF SUCCESS –– waiting to be replicated by investors eying Guyana

PRESIDENT David Granger and Barbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart visited the Santa Fe Mega Farm located in the North Rupununi, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) on Thursday.

The thriving agricultural business venture is a major investment by prominent Barbadian investor Sir Kyffin Simpson in Guyana’s agriculture sector.

Prime Minister Stuart said Guyana is definitely open for business and investment, and the success of the Santa Fe farm can serve as a model for other investors from other parts of the Caribbean and further afield to get on board.

“We have come to see for ourselves, because we have a message to take back to Barbados…the project at Santa Fe is as good an example as any to be found of the wisdom of venturing out of Barbados and other parts of the Caribbean and coming here into Guyana and invest. If the Brazilians can do it, if the Chinese can do it…we here in CARICOM can do it as well,” he was quoted as saying

road, which will essentially open up the hinterland.

“We look forward to a new attitude to development, a new attitude to welcoming investments, and a new attitude to our economy. We have launched a green economy, and we are quite confident that now that a township has been created, Lethem will become a hub for investment,” the Guyanese Head of State said.

Speaking about Guyana’s tourism potential, President Granger said Guyana can benefit from the expertise of Barbados, which is known for its world-class tourism product.

“I want to see entrepreneurs from Barbados combining their product with our product; and we are going to be participants of this Caribbean project of developing our countries for our people and our children…. The door is open, and we are here to show our Caribbean brothers that, with our land space -- once we have investments and the expertise -- we can become as prosperous as any other part of the world,” he said.

Region Nine Chairman Bri-

an Allicock lauded the level of innovation at Santa Fe. He said that every time he visits the farm, something new is being developed; but he urged for some kind of mechanism to be worked out to make small farmers benefit from the expertise at Santa Fe. The Santa Fe farm spans a total of 29,000 acres of arable land in the North Rupununi.

Farm Manager Persaram Ramdat said some 1200 acres of land are currently under rice cultivation, while another 8,000 acres are being prepared for rice.

Water for the rice lands is directly supplied from the Ireng River through an impressive gravity irrigation system. Rice grown at Santa Fe is exported, while ground provisions and other cash crops are sold in Lethem.

The rice, when harvested, is processed at two huge silos located on the farm itself. This facility was constructed manually by some 30-odd residents, completely without the use of any machines. Cattle, poultry and small ruminants are also

President David Granger and Barbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart admire this organically grown bitter cassava, as Farm Manager Persaram Ramdat looks on. in a release from the Ministry of the Presidency.

That release noted the Barbadian Prime Minister as speaking of the close relationship shared by Guyana and Barbados over the years. Both countries gained independence in 1966, and both shared a High Commissioner to London for many years in the person of Sir Lionel Luckhoo.

President Granger said Santa Fe represents a reaffirmation of the bond between Guyana and the Caribbean, moreso Barbados. He said Region Nine is bigger than Costa Rica, and has an eco-tourism product that rivals that of countries like Costa Rica; therefore, it must be developed. However, noting that Region Nine lacks proper roads and other vital infrastructure, he reiterated his Government’s commitment to building the Linden-Lethem

being reared at Santa Fe. Even as Government looks to support the redevelopment of cattle rearing in Region Nine, after it had suffered some years of decline, GLDA Head Nigel Cumberbatch has said that plans are in the pipeline to resuscitate the sector. Those plans include the introduction of new breeds of cattle, construction of an abattoir and sourcing better markets.

He informed that GLDA has a strong presence throughout the Region, as a number of veterinarians and livestock assistants are posted in Region Nine to assist farmers and to deal with challenges such as disease outbreaks.

The President and Prime Minister were accompanied

by Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Noel Holder; Minister of Communities, Mr. Ronald Bulkan; Minister in the Office of the Barbados Prime Minister, Senator Darcy Boyce, who is responsible for energy, immigration, telecommunications and investment in Barbados; Executive Director of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development

Institute (CARDI), Mr. Barton Clarke; Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority, Mr. Nigel Cumberbatch;

and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Dr. Oudho Homenauth.

This ‘Warakabra’ captured the attention of Prime Minister Freundel Stuart when the team made a brief stop at Nappi Village

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 9, 2016

President Granger’s 5 Bs Initiative contributing to ‘Education Nation’ goal

WITH education as the topmost priority of the current administration, President David Granger’s Five Bs Initiative aimed at providing boats, buses, bicycles, breakfast and books to schoolchildren, has as a result given way to easier access to school and other basic school needs for many students across the country.

Over the past year the Five Bs Initiative quickly became a widespread success, gaining momentum and donations from the business community and allowing the administration to take the programme all across the country. So far, 10 buses, nine boats and hundreds of bicycles have been donated to several communities in aid of easing transportation problems for schoolchildren.

This is just one aspect of President Granger’s push to ensure that every child goes to school, but it has resulted in members of the private sector and ordinary citizens joining with Government to bring about tangible results for many families across Guyana. There are already reports that these donations have begun to increase

President David Granger commissioned a boat in Linden, in the Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice Region in January 2016

school attendance and ease the financial burdens that some parents face in sending their children to school.

President Granger has said that the initiative will pay dividends for the development of the regions in which they operate: to improve education, to improve access to jobs and to assist the youth in participating in enterprise. He added that the initiative was introduced following a visit to the Pomeroon, in which he was informed of the high cost of transportation for children to

get to and from school.

Benefit to the communities As a result, the riverine communities within the Pomeroon-Supenaam region were among the first to benefit from the initiative and have since received three boats, which transport children to and from school along the Pomeroon River.

Earlier this year, the first two buses were commissioned in the Mahaica-Berbice region.

At that event, the President emphasised the importance of education in eradicating

poverty, adding that with equal access to education, the country will not only develop rapidly, but also prevent children from falling victim to negative activities.

Later on, in February, it was the residents of East Berbice-Corentyne who benefited from a 50- seater bus as President Granger continued to spread his message of the importance of education to empowering children to take charge of their country, becoming business owners and informed decision-makers.

In March, the newly com-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 9, 2016

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First Lady Mrs Sandra Granger and Minister of Social Cohesion, Ms. Amna Ally commissioned bicycles donated to students of St Ignatius Secondary School in Lethem, in the Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo region in December 2015 being done at a regional level. This is not a central The minister added that missioned town of Bartica ara- Upper Berbice which tion nation’. “When you corporate citizens in helpgovernment task alone. she is proud to be part of received its first bus and 30 benefited from boats. First go to school on time…you ing to advance the initiative bicycles. There, the president Lady Sandra Granger has will be much more ready through their donations. She what she referred to as a In my charge to individsaid that access to education also played an active role in to absorb the education you stated that while most of the project that could have ual mayors, I said get the also reduces poverty and the programme, having re- are offered and so it is very focus has been placed on boats, only been implemented by children to school please inequality, stating that educa- ceived a number of donations important that your gen- buses and bicycles, the recent a visionary President, and make that a priority,” the tion is in fact, the foundation herself and participated in eration takes our country addition of books and bicycles looks forward to the proj- President said. With the of inequality. “One of the several commissioning cere- forward and moves us into has opened the opportunity for ect spreading its wings in municipalities involved, the reasons there is so much monies in various communi- the direction of progress and programmes to focus on those other parts of the country. provision of transportation poverty is because there is ties. Among the many areas productivity,” the First Lady aspects, and as time unfolds But despite the widespread then becomes a project success, the 5 Bs Initiative that is managed at variso much inequality. Once the benefiting from presentations said. Throughout the span this too will grow. child of a rich man and the made by the First Lady are of the initiative, Minister of Minister Ally said too has also come under some ous levels, which brings child of a poor man have the Barima-Waini , Lethem in Social Cohesion, Ms Amna that having consulted with criticism. There are those additional assurance that same education, they have the the Upper Takutu- Upper Ally, has been acknowledged areas that have since ben- who have called it a po- children get the access to chance to be equal and then Essequibo region, Mahdia in as playing an integral role in efited from the project, the litical gimmick. However, the facilities. Within the they have a better opportunity the Potaro-Siparuni region, the 5 Bs Programme with results have been promising President Granger, on an coming months, the 5 Bs at employment and making and the Mahaica-Berbice regard to garnering support despite minor teething prob- episode of The Public In- Initiative is slated to be taksure that you have a good and East Berbice-Corentyne for donations and other im- lems. “The residents have terest in April, said that en to communities in the life,” he said. regions. portant aspects of organising. welcomed the initiative. In the 5 Bs programme fulfils Essequibo Islands –West Other areas which have The First Lady has In an interview with Min- some areas they are so heart- a dire need and that it will Demerara as well as Mababenefited through this initia- echoed the President’s sen- ister Ally, she stated that this ened with the project that save parents a significant ruma in the Barima- Waini tive so far are Kuru Kururu timents in promoting educa- initiative brings to life the Pres- they are seeking to put up amount of money as it re- Region and communities in -- which received a bus --and tion, empowerment, equality ident’s dream, and that it is bus sheds for the children lates to school expenses. Pomeroon-Supenaam . As the riverine communities of and enterprise through this just one of his many efforts to assemble. As for the me- “I was very disappointed more private sector partMoraikobai on the Mahaico- initiative and has continued toward empowering youth for chanical problems that we when people made those ners come on board, the ny River, Baracara Village to spread the importance of the future through education. have been having, we have criticisms. It is a public President intends to spread in East Berbice-Corentyne the efforts being made into She also acknowledged the been able to deal with them good and I will continue to the initiative to even more and Linden in Upper Demer- making Guyana an ‘educa- role that has been played by quickly and easily,” she said. increase the transportation communities around the for the schoolchildren. The country in an aim to continstate is not involved. It is ue in his dream of Guyana not going into the state’s becoming an “education coffers. Maintenance is also nation.”

In March, the newly commissioned town of Bartica received its first bus and 30 bicycles

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 9, 2016

Bush Lot spoil Mahaicony’s dream 4-3

By Stephan Sookram

SHOCK and awe! That was what the Mahaicony side felt yesterday as they had the carpet pulled from under them by eventual Region 5 winners Bush Lot Secondary, when ac-

tion in the Digicel National Schools Football Championships continued.

Leading for 89 minutes, the Mahaicony side, playing at home, were blitzed by a quick effort from their Bush Lot counterparts who turned the game in their favour just moments before the final whistle.

From the opening toot, the Bush Lot side were put on the back foot after a ninth-minute goal from Mahaicony’s Nebert Sears, who collected a through ball and confidently slotted into the left side of the net.

The Bush Lot side looked scattered and uncoordinated as attack after attack came from the hosts and eventually conceded their second in the 20th minute, compliments of Sears again. He rushed the charging keeper before ‘stuffing’ him and putting the ball in the net.

The third goal came just nine minutes later through Daquand Gomes after his cross was pushed into the net

by Bush Lot’s keeper.

The dejected Bush Lot fans began to lose hope in their team but little did they

they know, resurgence was on the cards. A mix-up just before the stroke of halftime gifted Bush Lot a penalty which Shaqueel De Hart converted before the referee blew the whistle.

At 3-1 in favour of the hosts, the game seemed over but the visitors had other ideas as a rushing Titus Webster in the 48th minute collected a cross into the middle before lobbing the ball over the charging goalkeeper and into the net.

It brought renewed hunger for the visitors as they began to attack more frequently, eventually tying up the game through Webster in the 76th again, as his shot ricocheted off the bar and back into his path where he completed the header.

The game looked like it would have to go to penalties to decide a winner. However, a cross from the right flank which was fumbled in the box was slotted home by Jermain Perreira In the 89th.

With the win, Bush Lot will have to play Mahdia on July 20 in the regional playoff.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 9, 2016

History calls as Serena, Kerber face off in final

By Pravin Char

LONDON, England (Reuters) - When Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber walk onto Wimbledon’s Centre Court for the women’s final today, the legacy of Steffi Graf will loom large.

The showdown will see world number one Williams try to equal Graf’s professional era record of 22 grand slam singles titles, while Kerber will seek to become the first German woman to lift the Wimbledon singles crown since her idol Graf 20 years ago.

If Kerber prevails, completing a daunting double over the Williams sisters at the tournament, it could also signal a changing of the guard at the top the women’s game.

It would be the second time this year she had beaten the American in a grand slam final, having triumphed at the Australian Open in January.

Venus in the last four. “I met her a few times -- the last time she told me, just believe in yourself.

“I will try to be the next one to win here after Steffi.”

Angelique Kerber (right) denied Serena Williams Steffi Graf’s milestone at the Australian Open.

Kerber, 28, would also become the first woman apart from Williams to win two grand slams in a season since Justine Henin in 2007, when the Belgian player was world number one.

Williams, who turns 35 in September, is a six-time Wimbledon champion and

the clear bookmakers’ favourite. But the Graf milestone is nevertheless sure to be weighing on her mind.

She has flatly refused to discuss it at this year’s championships, on one occasion testily telling reporters: “I’m not talking about that anymore. Sorry.”

Cummings wins as Pinot cracks in chaotic Tour stage

By Julien Pretot

LAC DE PAYOLLE, France (Reuters) - Briton Stephen Cummings powered away on the Col d’Aspin to claim a second career Tour de France stage win as overall contender Thibaut Pinot cracked in a seventh stage that ended in chaos yesterday.

As Team Dimension Data rider Cummings celebrated his stunning solo win, back down the road the inflatable arch marking 1km to go deflated and slowed down the bunch, sending fellow Briton Adam Yates crashing.

Organisers said they would probably take into account the times at the 3km mark.

Belgian Greg Van Avermaet retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey at the end of the 162.5-km trek L’Isle Jourdain.

Cummings, who last year won in Mende, jumped ahead of the day’s breakaway and held off 2014 Tour champion Vincenzo Nibali on the Col d’Aspin, the first big climb of this year’s race, before descending safely to the Lac de Payolle to give his African-based team their fourth stage win this year.

Team Dimension Data rider Stephen Cummings of Britain wins on the finish line.

(Reuters/Juan Medina) Mark Cavendish had already won three sprints and Cummings showed again that Dimension Data could also play a role in the mountains as the Tour entered the Pyrenees.

MASK OF PAIN “Of all my victories, I think it’s the best one. The Tour is the Tour, it’s special,” said Cummings, who was overlooked by British Cycling for this year’s Rio Olympics that will be held on a course suiting his profile.

“The Olympics is the Olympics, they made the selection. I’m over it, as an athlete you just deal with disappointment. This (the Tour)

is the biggest show, it’s much bigger than any Olympic Games.”

In the main bunch, Pinot’s FDJ team pulled in front at the foot of Aspin, a 12km ascent at an average gradient of 6.5 percent, but the Frenchman, third in the 2014 Tour and one of the main favourites, was then dropped, his face a mask of pain.

He crossed the line more than 2-1/2 minutes behind the other top guns.

South African Daryl Impey (Orica-Bike Exchange) was second and Spain’s Dani Navarri (Cofidis) took third place 1:05 behind Cummings.

Kerber, free of such weight of expectation and history, has been happy to discuss her ambitions to emulate Graf.

“She was always an idol for me, I have watched a lot of her matches, on YouTube sometimes,” she said after dispatching Williams’ sister

‘SHE WILL NOT MISS’ Both players, who have never played each other on grass, have been in fine form at the tournament.

Defending champion Williams has dropped just one set on her way to the final, culminating in her 48-minute demolition of Elena Vesnina in the last-four.

Kerber has not dropped a set, and impressively outgunned Williams’ sister Venus in the semis.

Williams leads left-handed Kerber 5-2 in matches since their first meeting nine years ago, and last season she won three of the four majors, including Wimbledon, only to stumble with a calendar-year Grand Slam in sight at the U.S. Open.

After Kerber denied her

Graf’s milestone at the Australian Open, Williams lost to Spain’s Garbine Muguruza in the French Open final.

Her experience is almost unparalleled though: this is her 28th grand slam singles final, and ninth at Wimbledon, compared with her opponent’s solitary major final appearance in Melbourne.

Whatever happens in today’s final, Williams will retain her number one ranking while Kerber will move onto her shoulder into second spot, from fourth.

If the match is anything like the 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 Australian Open encounter, the Centre crowd is in for a nail-biting classic with both players stretching each other to their limits.

Kerber knows what she must do to thwart the champion’s march on history once again.

“I have to be aggressive, go for it, try to win the match and not hope she will miss. She will not miss.”

Murray blows away Berdych to setup Raonic final at Wimbledon ANDY Murray’s quest for a second Wimbledon title moved to within one victory of fruition after the world No.2 flew past Tomas Berdych in their semi-final.

Murray was rarely troubled by his Czech rival as he came through 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 to book a final showdown with Milos Raonic, who eliminated Roger Federer in five sets earlier yesterday.

Despite boasting two Grand Slams – the 2012 U.S. Open and 2013 Wimbledon titles – this will actually be Murray’s 11th Major final, and his first

against an opponent other than Federer or Novak Djokovic.

He triumphed over Canadian Raonic at Queen’s Club prior to these championships and has won their last five encounters, a run stretching back to 2014.

Murray broke in the second game of the first set to suggest he would romp home to an early victory, but Berdych was quickly able to overturn the deficit.

It was not long, however, before Murray was able to break again as he closed the set down and set the

tone for a relatively one-sided contest.

While the second set was hard-fought, with long rallies and plenty of missed opportunities to break on each side, Berdych’s game was riddled with inconsistencies as Murray broke his Czech rival during his strongest spell on the match – sapping much of his resistance.

Going into the third set, Berdych had a mountain to climb and though he battled on in the first few games, it was Murray again who edged in front before wrapping up victory.

Blatter’s appeal against ban to be heard on August 25

(REUTERS) - An appeal by former FIFA president Sepp Blatter against a six-year ban from all soccer-related activities will be heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on August 25, CAS said on its website yesterday.

In February, global soccer body FIFA’s appeals

committee upheld the ban against Blatter for ethics violations, but reduced it from eight years to six.

The 80-year-old Swiss, once the most powerful man in the soccer world, lodged an appeal with CAS in March to have the decision overturned.

CAS said in March that

the arbitration procedure comprised the exchange of written submissions and the constitution of a panel of three arbitrators that would set up a hearing.

Following the hearing, the panel will deliberate and, at a later date, it will issue a decision in the form of an arbitral award.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY July 09, 2016

P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants

11-race cycle programme set for today CYCLE coach Hassan Mohamed will stage the 16th Annual P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants-sponsored 11-race cycle programme around the inner circuit of the National Park beginning at 08:00hrs today.

The event, which is being staged in collaboration with the Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club, is expected to attract Guyana’s top wheelsmen who will do battle in the feature 35-lap race that is open to schoolboys, novices and invitational cyclists from across Guyana.

Defending champion Paul DeNobrega will be out to make a successful defence of the title he won last year in a time of one hour 16 minutes 66.21 seconds, since he will be coming up against the likes of the inform Geron Williams, who is the 2016 national road race champion along with other in-form riders such as Team Evolution’s Orville Hinds, Michael Anthony, Marlon `Fishy’ Williams and Raul Leal, along with

Paul DeNobrega Andrew Hicks and Romelo Crawford of Berbice among others.

Anthony won last Sunday’s 35-mile road race over in the West Demerara area in convincing fashion

ahead of Geron Williams and could be the biggest danger to DeNobrega, but that is providing Geron Williams is not a part of the event.

Last year, the 10-lap

Ali hits another century on opening day AZHAR Ali’s fine knock of 145 overshadowed debutant Jofra Archer’s 4 for 49 as Pakistan finished with a commanding score of 365 for 5 at stumps on day one of their practice game against Sussex yesterday.

Ali, who scored his second century in as many games, was involved in good partnerships with Younis Khan and Misbah-ulHaq as the Pakistan batsmen spent quality time in the middle on the opening day of their second threeday warm-up encounter, at the County Ground in Hove, ahead of the first Test against England from July 14.

Asked to bat first, Pakistan did not have the best of starts as Archer, the 21-yearold right-arm pacer from Barbados, dismissed openers Mohammad Hafeez and Shan Masood early, leaving the visitors at 49 for 2.

Masood, who had scores of 62 and 29 against Sussex, failed to get going in this game as he departed for 4, getting an outside edge to the keeper.

Hafeez’s struggles on the tour continued as he was trapped in front by Archer

for 17, leaving Pakistan in a precarious position.

Ali and Younis got together and did some damage control with a good partnership as they kept the Sussex bowlers at bay. While Younis scored at a quicker rate, Ali was happy to play a sedate role as the third-wicket pair took Pakistan to 112 for 2 at lunch.

There was no respite for Sussex even after the break as Ali and Younis looked untroubled and started finding the boundaries at a regular frequency.

Both went past the fifty-run mark and took their partnership to 125 before Younis fell to Danny Briggs for 59 when he failed to clear Ajmal Shahzad at mid-off. Misbah then joined Ali and assisted the No. 3 batsman in building another steady stand as they helped Pakistan to 221 for 3 at tea.

Soon after the break, Ali hit a boundary apiece off Briggs and Will Beer in successive overs, to bring up his second century of the tour. Meanwhile, Misbah, who had fared poorly in the game against Sussex, was looking a lot more assured in this outing, as he

found the ropes regularly and brought up a 64-ball fifty with a four off Briggs.

The big hits also started coming off their blades as Ali and Misbah powered Pakistan past the 300-run mark, before the Pakistan skipper became Archer’s third scalp when he was trapped in front for 68. Ali, who was closing in on the 150-mark, fell five short of it as he could not execute a hook off Archer, handing a catch to the keeper.

Sarfraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq then added 28 runs in nine overs and remained unbeaten as Pakistan ended the day’s play in a position of strength.

(Cricbuzz)

juvenile category was won

by Jamal John in a time of 22 minutes 43.20 seconds and he is highly favoured to repeat that performance today.

In the five-lap event for veterans’ Shameer Baksh who won the race last year in a time of 12 minutes 16.39 seconds will be hard-pressed to stave off the challenge of the national Veterans champion Junior Niles along with Stephen Fernandes and Linden Blackman among others.

Shane Boodhram is the defending champion of the mountain bikers’ five-lap race, while Toshwana Doris will be out to repeat her last year’s performance in the 12-14 years three-lap race which she won with a time of eight minutes 27.11 seconds.

A representative of the P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Agency will be on hand to assist with the presentation of prizes to the respective winners.

Bolt signs new deal with Enertor WORLD’S fastest man Usain Bolt will become the face of sporting insole company Ene r t o r w h i c h re c e n t l y launched a new high performance product.

The new brand, which was launched in June, claims to cushion the feet and reduce the chances of injury. Bolt’s latest enUsain Bolt dorsement will see the athlete featured in yet another ad campaign, expected to be officially launched today in the UK. The ad initially features a young sprinter practising in the fields, supposedly a young Usain Bolt, with a voiceover from the sprinter who talks about a young boy deemed “too tall” to be a sprinter.

The voiceover then speaks to the athlete’s setbacks and the determination that got him to where he is today.

The ad then closes with Bolt on screen stating that he is not yet finished.

The campaign will run across TV, print, digital, social support and paid display, online and in-store activation. Bolt, the world’s fastest man, recently featured in another ad campaign for telecommunications company Virgin Media. (Sportsmax.com)

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Nat. U-17 League Bartica Wolves United roar to 11-1 win over Lazio

... Beacons edge Rising Stars 2-1 LAST weekend’s leg of the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Intra Association National Under-17 league in Bartica was highlighted by a huge 11-1 win for Wolves United over Lazio while Beacons edged Rising Stars 2-1 in the other match.

There were also two walkovers - Ballers did not show up for their match with Rivers View while Potaro Strikers turned up for their scheduled match with Agatash who never showed up.

Leading Wolves to their

big win were Lucas Santos, Mark Richards and Ryan Richards who all scored two goals each while there was one each for Darnel James, Leon Chan, Wesley Smith, Royston Deon and Keon Johnson. Lazio’s consolation goal was netted by Ayube Khan.

Both of Beacons’ goals came off the boot of the consistent Joshua Jones while De Angello Fiedtkou was the lone marker for Rising Stars.

Matches will continue this weekend.

Joshua Jones Beacons FC

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday July 09, 2016)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 11 (2) Colin Munro Today’s Quiz: (1) Where will the final game of Hero CPL scheduled to be played?

(2) What was the result of the Trident’s first match in Hero CPL 2016?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Ryan Richards, Mark Richards and Lusac Santos (R-L), scored two goals each for Wolves United.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 9, 2016

CBC U16 Male championships final

Guyana to face Bahamas tonight after blowing out Barbados 77-37

By Daniel Haynes IT could not have been written better, Guyana blowing out Barbados 7737 to progress to the final of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation U16 Male Championships. In the process, the Guyana team created history reaching their first CBC male U16 final final.

The scores were tied 2727 at one point in the game, but no one would guess that

from the final scoreline.

The first half saw Guyana taking apart the Barbados defence going on another scoring rampage that they had in the Trinidad and Tobago game.

The Barbados team did not make it easy for Guyana however, jumping to an 8-2 lead. But be it by big outside jump shots by Kevon Wiggins, who dropped a defender to hit a three, or huge rebounding by Jordan Alphonso, the team battled

to end the quarter 19-15.

The team took the lead in the second quarter through Jordan Alphonso playing the post position like a man possessed. The turnover equation however saw Guyana end the first half with a one point lead 30-29.

The second half started and Guyana decided that they were done making it close and just kicked into overdrive. The tide was turned not only on the offensive end but the defensive end.

Guyana team in a huddle after victory last night. (Daniel Haynes photo)

Andrew Johnson forcing the issue on a layup (Daniel Haynes photo) Guyana had the best Hall erupted as if a bomb had en boards, and his Barbados defensive half of the tour- went off. It was what fans team will take on Jamaica for nament holding the Bajans were waiting for, and with third today. to 8 points in the half. As the victory, the Guyanese Meanwhile, in other if holding them to 8 points join the Bahamas in the final matchups of the day, Triniwere not enough, Guyana tonight. dad and Tobago beat Domthen went on to score 47 Alphonso had a game inica 65-43, British Virgin points in the half, showing high of 16 points with 11 Islands lost to Suriname the potential fans knew rebounds and Nigel Bowen 65-70 and Aruba lost to Anthey had. had a breakout game with 14 tigua and Barbuda 85-71.

As the final buzzer sound- points and 11 rebounds.

The Bahamas beat Jamaica ed, the near capacity crowd at For Barbados, Makaari 72-51 to be the first team in the Cliff Anderson Sports Jones had 13 points and sev- the finals.

Strong Guyana U-17 team to compete in Regional tourney A STRONG Guyana Under-17 squad departed yesterday for Trinidad and Tobago to compete in the Regional Under-17 Tournament.

The tournament bowls off on Monday with Guyana facing Leeward Islands at Inshan Ali Park.

The squad is led by opening batsman Bhaskar Yadram, who will have former West Indies Under-15 selectee Joshua Persaud as his deputy.

Yadram and wicketkeeper batsman Persaud

Bhaskar Yadram is the captain of the Guyana Under-17 squad.

will lead a strong batting line-up which also includes the likes of Kevin Sinclair, Kurt Lovell, Kevlon Anderson, Alphius Bookie, Steve Deonarine, Sachin Singh and Ashmead Nedd.

All-rounders Javed Karim and Sagar Hathiramani are also expected to give good support with the bat.

Meanwhile, the bowling department will be led by medium pacers Collin Barlow, Joshua Jones and Kurt Lovell, along with experienced left-arm spinner

Ashmead Nedd. Off-spinners Kevin Sinclair, Kelvin Umroa, Hathiramani, Yadram and Karim will complete a spin-heavy bowling department.

The players recently concluded training camp at the Chetram Singh of Excellence Indoor facility in LBI, and are confident of doing well although the inclement weather prevented any outdoor practice sessions.

Following their firstround fixture against Lee-

ward Islands on Monday, Guyana will take on Barbados the following day at Inshan Ali Park. Round three will see Guyana play Jamaica on Thursday, July 14 at the National Cricket Centre (NCC) while Round four will be played on Saturday, July 16 as Guyana take on hosts Trinidad and Tobago at NCC. After that Guyana will play their final match on Sunday, July 17 against Windward Island at NCC. This tournament is the

o n l y Yo u t h t o u r n a m e n t that Guyana have never won.

The full squad reads: Bhaskar Yadram (captain), Joshua Persaud (vice-captain), Ashmead Nedd, Kevin Sinclair, Kurt Lovell, Alphius Bookie, Javed Karim, Sagar Hathiramani, Steve Deonarine, Kevlon Anderson, Sachin Singh, Kelvin Umroa, Collin Barlow and Joshua Jones. The manager is Nazeer Mohamed and the coach is Gavin Nedd.

Guyana to face Bahamas tonight in CBC U16 final (See Story on page 31)

Amazon Warriors aim to maintain momentum

By Rajiv Bisnauth

MAINTAINING momentum will be the order of the day when leaders Guyana Amazon Warriors take on third-place St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in their HERO Caribbean Premier League T20 cricket match at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, from noon today.

The local franchise, with a record of three wins in as many matches, currently lead the standings on six points.

The Warriors come into this clash after thrashing the Chris Gayle-led Jamaica Tallawahs by seven wickets in their last game Thursday evening.

Guyana bowlers have been exemplary with everyone contributing at crucial times.

Pakistani left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir leads the wicket-takers’ list with eight while leg-spinner Adam Zampa is in the fourth place with six wickets.

The unpredictable nature of left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul has given their attack a different dimension.

Chris Lynn has starred with the bat for Guyana

... clash with third place St Kitts and Nevis Patriots today

Left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir leads the wicket-takers’ list with eight after three games @CPL/Sportsfile. scoring 122 in their three matches but what will be of concern is the lack of runs from skipper Martin Guptill, who is yet to find form.

He has looked quite shaky in all three innings so far.

With no injury concerns at present, the Warriors are expected to go in with the same team that beat the Tallawahs in their last game.

Meanwhile, head coach Roger Harper is feeling confident after the wins in the

opening three rounds, but still thinks there is more that his charges can give.

“While we did pretty Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul will definitely be dangerous for well in winning our first the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in today’s encounter @CPL/Sportsfile. three games I think in each of the areas there are little work well as a team we can the three losses, they find and Devon Thomas have things that we can do a lit- appear to be even better than themselves in the third place been the only batters to tle better. put up a fight with the rest we look on paper,” Harper on the points table.

“Good teams actually said after the game on ThursDespite having two falling like a pack of cards. perform better than the sum day evening.

A lot more will be exbatsmen in the top five of their individual parts and On the other hand, the run-getters’ list, the St pected from Faf du Plesthat is what we are trying Patriots have concerns, win- Kitts’ outfit have struggled sis and company if they to achieve. We have some ning only one game out of to put up challenging totals will challenge the Warriors pretty good players, but if we four played so far. Despite on the board. Evin Lewis strong bowling attack.

Digicel National Schools Football Championships

Bush Lot spoil Mahaicony’s dream 4-3

The Mahaicony goalkeeper tries to keep out Jermain Perreira’s 89th minute decider as his dejected defenders already sense defeat.

(Adrian Narine photo) See story on page 28 Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

Region 5 Champions Bush Lot collect their prizes from Digicel Head of Customer Care, Sherwin Osbourne, after beating Mahaicony 4-3 yesterday. (Adrian Narine photo) SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2016