Guyana chronicle e paper 05 13 2018

13th May, 2018

No.105273

Another Berbice businessman arrested – in connection with piracy attack – relatives of slain fishermen want closure

Lindo Creek revisited

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Chairman of the Lindo Creek COI, Justice Donald Trotman and members of his reconnaissance team standing at the site where the massacre took place almost 10 years ago at Lindo Creek, on the Upper Berbice River (Photo by Svetlana Marshall)

No wilful failure 03 to operationalise Judicial Review Act PAGE

‘LGE will not Gov’t reaffirms support for Guyana be postponed’ PAGE

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– attorney general – GECOM Chairman

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Independence Carnival

Relatives want closure

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 13, 2018

... two weeks after high-seas massacre

By Nafeeza Yahya

IT’S been labelled one of the deadliest attacks of its kind this part of the world in recent times, but now almost three weeks on, the relatives of the 20 fishermen whose fates were sealed when pirates struck are yet to come to terms with what happened, much less move on.

Of the 20 men involved in the deadly high-seas ordeal, just five lived to tell the grisly tale. Three have been confirmed dead, as their bodies were recovered, while the remaining 12 are still unaccounted for and feared dead.

Of the four fishing vessels that came under attack that fateful night three Fridays ago in Surinamese waters, two have since been recovered. One was reportedly sunk, while the other is still listed as missing, and suspected to been coveted by the maruders.

After news of the tragedy broke the day after the attack, many of the men’s relatives living here travelled to neighbouring Suriname in the hope of finding their loved ones alive. But with those hopes since dashed with each passing day, they now want closure; to know whose bodies have been recovered, so they can give them their final rites.

Minister of Public Security, Mr Khemraj Ramjattan and a team of high-level government officials travelled last weekend to Suriname to stand in solidarity and meet with relatives of the 20 fishermen and Surinamese authorities so that together they could discuss the way forward.

On Sunday, the minister met with the victims’ families at the Guyana embassy on Henck Arron Straat in the Suriname capital, Paramaribo, and had an over three-hour “heart to heart” discussion on what occurred, and recorded sensitive details from survivors.

They then met the following morning with senior Surinamese officials, where Minister Ramjattan conveyed the relevant details and concerns expressed at the meetings he had the day before.

At the conclusion of those meetings, he met with the media of both Suriname and Guyana, and thereafter told the Guyana Chronicle he was satisfied with the way the Surinamese authorities have handled the matter.

‘PLEASE BE PATIENT’ He also pleaded with the relatives of those fishermen that are still missing to exercise some patience, as the authorities of both countries are trying their best to ascertain the identities of the bodies in their custody, a process that will take some time due to the operational differences of the security force of the two countries.

Said the minister: “There are certain differences in operational modes and all of that... For example, the Surinamese authority wanted to do DNA testing on all those bodies so far recovered. Although they can be in a state where it could be identified by family members, they want 100% certainty.

And that is a method they have here: DNA testing. It takes some time, and the family members were somewhat cross with the police, saying it’s better to give us the body so they could be buried. But it doesn’t happen like that here, where, like in Guyana, the body can be identified, and a post mortem is done and it is handed over.”

But while some relatives have been nothing but understanding and appreciative of what the authorites have been doing, the majority are appealing to the Guyana Government to try to convince their Surinamese counterpart to hand over the bodies. Some even raised their concerns at numerous meetings, but to no avail.

Opposition leader, Mr Bharrat Jagdeo in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle at the Waldring Dock in down-town Paramaribo said he is committed to working with the government on the matter, and is happy that Minister Ramjattan went to Suriname to see what is taking place on the ground, but is also calling on the authorities to treat the situation as an exceptional one.

He said he intends to raise the issue in the National Assembly here so as to help raise public awareness on it, and bring closure as quickly as possible to the affected families.

Some relatives are contending that they best know their loved ones, and that a quick physical examination of the remains is all that is needed to quickly put the matter to rest.

BADLY DECOMPOSED However, this publication has been given to understand that the bodies are badly decomposed, and some are even missing parts, which would make that difficult.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, one family member said he was told that only the first body that was recovered is recognisable, while the others are in a terrible state.

“They told me that the bodies are badly damaged; one even missing a leg,” he said, adding: “They say the smell is so bad that if they expose people to that, and it is not their relatives, it will only make it more difficult for us.

“The DNA is easier. They also mention it is unhealthy to come into contact with the bodies how they are now, so I don’t mind waiting.”

Others are contending that they have been in Suriname for over a week, and have expended a lot of monies without getting anything concrete.

“All meh money done,” one said. “Meh husband had steel in he foot; if me see the body, me know me guh recognise am. But meh nah get more money, and meh nah know whah fuh do.”

Ralph Couchman’s distraught mother The woman’s sentiments were echoed by many who contend the constant running around and uncertainty has taken a toll on them not only financially, but mentally as well. Some put on hold jobs and other commitments just to get answers.

“My son does do everything for me,” said another mother.

“He is the youngest, and I just want know if is he body there or not, so I can know what to do, ‘cause I can’t really stay long because I staying by people who helping me.

“But you got to get conscience too; I can’t leave here without knowing what happen, or if he is one of the bodies.

I can’t live with that,” said Nandanie Sukra, mother of Ralph Couchman, who is just 22.

She told the Guyana Chronicle she was told after submitting her DNA sample that given the state of decomposition the bodies are in, it would be difficult to get a sample from the flesh, and that the bones would have to be sent for testing.

What she would like to know, however, is what will become of the flesh and remaining bones, and how long the process will take.

“I just want know if his body is here or not,” the grief-stricken mother said. “If it is here, please give me so I can bury him and satisfy myself. Even if meh ain’t get no results, I gon have to live with that.”

Concerned fisherfolk and family members of the missing fishermen at the Waldring Dock in Paramaribo

No wilful failure to operationalise – attorney general Judicial Review Act

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 13, 2018

THERE has been no wilful failure and/or refusal on the part of Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams or his government to bring into operation the Judicial Review Act 2010 as alleged by former Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall.

Judicial Review refers to that area of the law which allows a person aggrieved by any public officer, including ministers of government, public authorities or statutory tribunal, to challenge the identified act or omission on the ground that same is unlawful. The process therefore guards against the abuse of power.

The Attorney General’s Chambers Saturday, in response to a Kaieteur News article dated May 9, 2018 and headlined: “AG pussyfoots with operational Judicial Review Act— creates barrier to certain reliefs of Court” issued its Affidavit of Defence dated January 2018 which contends that the legislature has provided for the delayed commencement of the Act. Last year, former AG Anil Nandlall under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had moved to the High Court seeking an Order Nisi of Mandamus compelling the current AG, Basil Williams, to bring into operation the Judicial Review Act of 2010.

When the Act was passed, Nandlall was not serving as Minister of Legal Affairs and AG, but party colleague, Charles Ramson was. In his application, Nandlall argued that the AG has failed, refused or neglected to bring the Act

into operation despite it being part of his responsibilities. According to the former AG, when the 2010 legislation was passed in the National Assembly, it could not become operational as the old High Court rules made no provision for Judicial Review.

Williams, by way of the Affidavit, contends that the commencement of the Act must be done in accordance with his administration’s legislative agenda.

The Respondent (AG) pointed to Article 106 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana which states that Cabinet has to “aid and advise the President in the general direction and control of the Government and is collectively responsible therefor to Parliament”.

“This legislative agenda is presented by His Excellency the President at the opening of every session of Parliament,” the Affidavit stated, stressing that it is the executive arm of government of which the Minister of Legal Affairs is a member determines the appropriate commencement date of the Act. DATE SET BY MINISTER Meanwhile, Section one of the Act says that the legislation shall become operational “on a date appointed by order of the Minister”.

However, the allegations put by Nandlall in his Fixed Date Application dated November 28, 2017 were denied.

The State has accepted that there has been a delay since 2010 in bringing the

legislation into operation. From 2010 to now, there were at least two different attorney generals, inclusive of Nandlall.

“The respondent contends that the assertion that the enforcement of the Act was dependent on the existence of the Civil Procedure Rules is misconceived and erroneous.”

The State argued that the natural and ordinary meaning of “rules of Court” in section 3(1) of the Judicial Review Act which provides that an application for judicial review shall be made “in accordance with this Act and with rules of court” contemplates rules that are in force and did not expressly or implicitly refer to any rules of Court to be made as alleged by the applicant.

As such, Williams made it clear that the legislature provides for the delayed commencement of the Act. Additionally, the State contends that the granting of the Orders prayed for

by Nandlall would “amount to a grave abrogation of the doctrine of separation of powers for the Judiciary to compel and or direct the Executive to perform the function to determine the date of commencement that the legislature has by law vested to the executive arm of government”.

As a result, the State contends that there exists no lacuna in law or prejudice to members of the public who seek judicial review as alleged by Nandlall. “Since it is settled law in Guyana that before the passage of the Judicial Review Act the High Court of Guyana has powers of judicial review and to make prerogative

Attorney General, Basil Williams orders within the law. The applicant’s allegation that there currently exists a lacuna in the law is erroneous.”

The Judicial Review Act No. 23 of 2010 provides for an application to be made to the High Court for relief by way of judicial review.

The matter is being heard before Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 13, 2018

‘LGE will not be postponed’- GECOM Chairman THE Local Government Elections (LGE), regardless of any challenges, will not be postponed said Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), retired judge James Patterson.

“It looks as if but I cannot guarantee that we are going to be undisturbed, unless there are troublemakers,” said Patterson in an invited comment.

He believes that his staff

understands the seriousness of the task ahead and intends to take it very seriously.

Although a date has not been set, they have been preparing. It is believed that Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan will pronounce on it very soon.

GECOM has not encountered any challenges so far pertaining to the LGE, but there was a recent discovery

Chairman of GECOM, Justice James Patterson (Adrian Narine photo)

of a fake Identification Card (ID) which stirred some concerns for the elections body, he said.

“We have since put out a publication to arrest any such further cards and we said if found, it should be reported to the police and further the commission so we could deal with it,” he explained.

Minister Bulkan early this year said LGE is expected to

be held in the last quarter of 2018 and authorities are hoping for citizen participation to climb above 50 per cent.

According to the minister, in the 2016 Local Government Elections, the overall participation figure stood at 43 per cent. He said while the 50 per cent figure may seem low, a similar figure occurs in terms of local elections in other jurisdictions.

In the 2018 National Budget, an allocation to facilitate the holding of the elections was made to the tune of $2.9B, which Bulkan described as a “huge investment”.

He said it represents an equivocal commitment and determination by this administration to ensure that there is democratic governance.

CCJ to meet today to hear appeal of St. Lucian national – who wants in on Barbados Electoral List PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will hold an emergency hearing on Sunday as a St. Lucian-born academic challenges the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) to have his

name included in the electoral list.

President Sir Dennis Byron will head a five-member CCJ panel of judges to hear the matter. The CCJ is Barbados’s highest court.

Political observers said that this matter has implications not only for the ap-

pellant but also for Commonwealth citizens, living in Barbados, who want to be registered to vote in May 24 general elections.

Professor Eddy Ventose, who has lived in Barbados for several years, is seeking to be included on the Barbados electoral register. He

alleges that under the prevailing laws he is qualified and entitled to be registered.

The Court of Appeal earlier this week ruled that Ventose was entitled to be registered to vote but stopped short of compelling the Chief Electoral Officer to do so, instead, ordering the Chief Electoral Officer to determine Professor Ventose’s claim within 24 hours.

Ventose is asking the CCJ to declare that his name should be on the final vot-

ers’ list ahead of its publication this week.

The CCJ said that the request for appeal came to the CCJ late Friday and it responded by scheduling the hearing for this Sunday.

The CCJ said that the hearing will be livestreamed and broadcast-quality audio and video files will be available for all representatives of the media after the hearing.

Earlier this month, the Court of Appeal paved the way for Commonwealth nationals residing in Barbados for more than three years

could be included in the list of voters.

Attorney Gregory Nicholls, who among a group of lawyers, representing Ventose and three other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals, said that the Court of Appeal threw out long standing rules that barred Commonwealth citizens resident here for three years from voting.

He said the Appellate Court ruled the EBC and Chief Electoral Officer unlawfully refused to register his clients on the electoral list.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 13, 2018

The sacrifice of a mother –– housewife turns businesswoman; did it to save her daughter

A MOTHER’s love is irreplaceable and unforgettable, especially because of the sacrifices she makes to ensure that her children have the best care and life. Businesswoman, Bibi Farina Fareed is one such mother who took a leap of faith to start a business in order to save her daughter’s life.

In 1997, Fareed of

something done fast, so she created Lisa’s manufacturing at her home. The establishment was named after her eldest daughter.

Although they managed to get Issaradeen to Trinidad in 1997, a few years later they had to take her to do another surgery.

In order to earn more money, Fareed started to make plantain and cassava chips.

“My husband was

Fareed (centre) shares a moment with her daughter and husband (Adrian Narine photo) Belle West, Number Two Canal, gave birth to one of her daughters, Kristina Issaradeen, but doctors discovered that the child had Hydrocephalus--a condition in which there is an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain. It typically causes increased pressure inside the skull.

“At that time it was hard on me because she had to get a surgery done in Trinidad and we did not have enough money. So I started to preserve Carambola or as we know ‘five finger’… I was not working, only my husband, so I had to find a way to get it done,” said Fareed during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday.

The businesswoman knew that she had to get

working but ends could not have met, so we had to get something done to sustain us; my father who lives in Canal Number One had ‘five finger’ trees and my cousin used to preserve it but she migrated around the same time, so I decided to do it and it eventually became profitable, although not on a large scale but it gave us enough to make ends meet,” she said.

After being able to get her daughter treated, she could not give up the business because she had found a market that needed to be supplied.

Fareed was supplying the regular markets and even supermarkets with her products. Since then, she said they have kept their standards and quality high so that the market will

continue to grow.

“One of our biggest challenges so far was finding proper labels and packaging but after trying and trying, we found a good one but right now we are trying to change the package for the chips,” said the businesswoman.

In the future she hopes to access international markets, but Fareed intends on ensuring that she could satisfy the local market before moving on.

Lisa’s manufacturing will soon be introducing new items. For now, on the weekends, they have been selling barbecue and fried rice.

“The gratitude I have for what my mother did and is doing for me is overwhelming; words cannot express how thankful and grateful I am for my mother and the business,” said Issaradeen.

She described her mother’s efforts as remarkable because she managed to get the money and business together in such a short time.

“I owe her my life; it was a miracle…she brought me to where I am today,” Issaradeen said, adding that she intends to contribute in a great way to the growth of the business.

Despite what she experienced in her younger days, Issaradeen, with the help of her family, has become a successful young woman and continues to grow.

She is now a student at the Cyril Potter College of Education but still works with her mother at home.

Bibi Farina Fareed, owner of Lisa’s manufacturing, frying some plantain chips that will soon be packaged for sale (Adrian Narine photo)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 13, 2018

The reassuring person of the mother TODAY, Guyana and the world over will be celebrating another observance of Mother’s Day. For most families and households, this day usually begins with attending religious worship, followed by a special family breakfast.

But there is mostly the larger family gathering for lunch, where mother and grandmother, if present, are showered with praises and gifts, in addition to assurances of continuous love and affection from their children and grandchildren.

Absolutely, all mothers have every right to be pampered and loved for what they have been/are to their children and grandchildren –family, inclusive of husband/companion.

However, a mother at home may cook every day, wash each week, and deal with cleaning something or someone in the house every day. She will teach her child/children to read, write, count and numerous other things. She is even their doctor from time to time, with home remedies and old school advice about life. She subsidises our catering, babysitting and educational cost. No matter (if you are) a minister, politician, businessman, woman entrepreneur, all began in the womb of a mother. All started their early years with a mother.

That mothers have become the bedrock of most families is a universal given, that is undisputed, given its pervasive global fact. Even in marked patriarchal societies, it is the female, who, as both wife and mother, is expected to manage the home, inclusive of bringing up the children.

As UN Women’s report, Progress of the World’s Women documents, women have become more visible in the paid economy in recent years in many countries. However, women’s other works, their unpaid work to produce and sustain families, which is no less valuable, is typically unrecognised and invisible.

The reality of family life everywhere is one identified by the woman, who has become the symbol representative of her family, attending social situations such as Parent-Teacher Association meetings, answering a summon to her child/children’s school in any issue of discipline, and matters pertaining to scholastic performance; taking

her children to social gatherings and seeking medical attention. At religious gatherings, the presence of the mother is predominant, most times outnumbering the male presence.

It is tradition for children to mostly confide in their mothers, not only because of the natural mother-and-child bond, or because of this increasing modern-day phenomenon - the absence of fathers and the wide perception that the latter would be less sympathetic; but also because of the proven fact that mothers are always ready and willing to give a sympathetic and caring ear to whatever challenge/ crisis situation the child may be encountering and even to offer advice, that is traditionally known to include finding solutions and giving leadership.

The fact is that mothers have taken pre-eminence in leading their families even where fathers are present, and in the wider phenomenon as single parent. The latter has exemplified the true role of today’s mothers, whether working class or professional. She is seen as that tower of strength and reassuring calm; a rock for refuge, and a symbol of stability.

Many of today’s younger generation have attested to the fact, of their mothers being the strong support and influence in their growth and upbringing and even their successes when their fathers would have abandoned responsibilities, not even contributing as is morally and legally obligated in such post - circumstance.

But despite so much more responsibilities that mothers do have to shoulder in these modern times, because of irresponsible/uncooperative fathers, they now have to cope with the added, daily burden of domestic violence that have taken the lives of so many of their counterparts, while leaving others with life-crippling infirmities.

This is indeed a sad and tragic commentary as to the modern position of mothers, many of whom are mentally and physically degraded in the presence of their children.

It is grievous and unacceptable that children are also in the habit of abusing their mothers in all forms.

Too many mothers, who would have singlehandedly invested so much in the upbringing and educational growth and development of their children, are abandoned and forgotten, often having to seek refuge in institutions or on the streets. There have been so many mothers who have had to die lonely and grief-stricken, because of gross, cruel indifference from their children.

But there are, of course, children who have been dutiful to their mothers, continuously giving love, showing kindness and are materially supportive, whether it is Mother’s Day or not. Such progeny should be commended!.

We all know being a mother is a full-time job, whether you have a career to juggle or not. But how much is all that unpaid labour that mothers put into raising a family actually worth? They work, they cook, they clean, they take care of us when we’re sick and when we’re well, and they love us unconditionally.

If women stopped doing unpaid care work, if they stopped having children, nurturing them, and rounding them into productive and creative human beings, there would be no labour force and the global economy would grind to a halt.

So, beyond this one day when mothers receive cards, gifts and flowers as tokens of appreciation, from their families, this is also a moment to look at how societies and economies recognise and reward the work of mothers, and women more broadly.

Thus mothers who have given birth or have mothered others deserve to be praised and treated kindly every day, particularly as they advance to the vulnerable senior years of their lives.

Such an opportunity to acknowledge a mother’s love must be taken when they are alive and not when they are being readied for their final journey - Mother’s Day is every day, not just today, the official Mother’s Day!

GPSU message on the occasion of International Nurses Day, 2018

International Nurses Day is organized by the International Council of Nurses and allows, each year, for sober reflection on the contribution that nurses, that special group of workers, make to societies around the world. For us in Guyana, International Nurses Day has a particular significance.

For whatever else it does, it provides a poignant reminder of the role that our nurses play in sustaining the foundation of a national health service that remains worryingly vulnerable and which would be in an even more perilous state in the absence of that unflagging commitment that our nurses have continued to demonstrate in the most trying of circumstances.

Nor will the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) neglect, on this important day, to make reference to what remains the yawning gap between the service given to this nation by our nurses and the shameful and shocking absence of anything even remotely resembling commensurate reward. If we understand that the profession of nursing is vocational in character and that, perhaps, effort can never be truly matched by comparable reward, we expect, at least, that the role of nurses will at least be respected and that the employer will make a particular effort, periodically, to take initiatives that causes them to consider their contribution meaningful. Truth be told, not nearly enough of that happens. For decades,

we have not only bemoaned the physical conditions in our state health institutions, but, as well, our calls for those conditions to be improved have fallen on deaf ears.

We have, as well, bemoaned the treatment of our nurses, not least the insultingly low level of the stipends afforded our nurses in training and, as if to add insult to injury, the many months it takes, after they become fully qualified, to be placed on the fixed established. As we have done in the past, we call on the Ministry of Public Health to bring a swift end to these unacceptable inadequacies.

Simultaneously, the Guyana Public Service Union wishes to urge our nurses to continue to soldier on in the understanding that

it is their country that they serve. Whatever the limitations that exist in the conditions of their service, the union is confident that the people of our country recognize our nurses for the heroes that they are. Certainly, there is no category of worker of whom our union is more proud than our nurses.

As a union, we are reminded on the occasion of Nurses Day 2018 of our obligation to continue to remind the Government of Guyana of the huge unfulfilled debt owing to the nurses of [this] country.

It is high time that they begin to pay. We salute and pay fulsome tribute to the nation’s nurses and to the nursing profession in Guyana.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 13, 2018

Change the ‘sex talk’ in the Caribbean – urges IPPF advisor

LUCELLA Campbell, Senior Programme Advisor for the Caribbean working out of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) in New York, has found that there needs to be a change in the ‘conversation’ around sex and sexuality in the Caribbean.

The IPPF official is currently on a visit to Guyana and wants to find out just what is happening at the various family planning organisations.

Speaking with Guyana Chronicle, Campbell explained what she meant by a change in the ‘sex conversation’.

“Right now, whenever the word sex comes up, people snigger; it’s as if there’s

some shame or some apology that they think needs to be attached to the whole thesis of sex and sexuality. All of us are here because of sex. I mean, sex is what is behind physical existence. To me, it is something we need to change our understanding of; we really need to reshape our thinking around sex and see it as something central to humanity; central to being physical beings and really celebrate sex,” she expressed.

Explaining further, she offered: “When we talk about celebrating sex, we’re not talking about going out and having as much sex as possible and with as many partners as possible. We are talking about recognising it

as something central to life.

You celebrate it with responsibility.”

She called on the schools, the PTAs, religious bodies, and just every individual to be better informed on the subject and teach their children about it correctly.

The low contraceptive prevalence rate here, being only at 37 per cent, is what results in many persons not having control of their lives.

“Men and women are not taking control of their reproductive lives; they’re having babies without plan and that’s a problem. We can see the repercussions of that in the society, especially when we have a certain degree of poverty in the country. Women end up being dependent on men and the gender dynamics come into play in terms of them

IPPF Advisor Lucella Campbell

GRPA Director Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth

not having control over their lives. So the business of being cognisant of your decision-making is really important,” Campbell said.

Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) Director, Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth said with Guyana being the country with the second highest adolescent pregnancies, the

GRPA has moved to prepare a policy to reintegrate pregnant and parenting adolescent girls into school. “We find a whole cycle of poverty and abuse. The cycle just continues. How do we enable the breaking of the cycle?” she asked.

She recalled how the GRPA was established a few years after Guyana gained its Independence, out of the need for women to take control of their lives; from the recognition that women play an important role in the soci-

JCI hosts week of activities JUNIOR Chamber International (JCI) will be hosting a week of activities beginning today to promote the development of young people, tackle local issues and to embed values of civic engagement in local youths.

“The motive of the Jaycees week of activities is to observe our existence and our relevance as a humanitarian organisation and highlight the work we do as young active citizens,” JCI President, Kevin Cornette said.

Additionally, the week of activities is also a platform that allows the group to give back to the community.

The week of activities be-

gins on Sunday, May 13 with a church service at the Glory Light Tabernacle Church, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD), followed by an interactive session at the Ruimveldt Children’s Home later that day.

On Monday, there will be member training on ‘Effective Communication’ at the group’s meeting place, which is inside the Committee Room of Parliament Buildings.

In keeping with the mandate to give back to the community, on Tuesday, May 15, the group will be making a donation of bins to the Alexander Village Nursery School as part of its protection of the environment

initiative, and on the following day, members will be donating blood at the blood bank of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The week of activities will culminate with impact training for members at Parliament Building on Thursday and a social at the Giftland ‘Strip’.

According to Cornette, the organisation’s members will be participating in all these activities but invita-

tions for participation in the workshops are extended to several other organisations.

Additionally, he pointed out that persons can join the group of young, active citizens by attending JCI’s monthly meetings held on the third Thursday of each month at 17:30 hours at the Parliament Buildings.

JCI was first introduced in Guyana in 1964 and engages in work aimed at impacting society.

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ety and have rights too.

Commenting on the issue of the low use of contraceptives in Guyana, Bisnauth noted that without family planning, the ‘burden’ of reproduction falls only on the woman. “It becomes a burden; it shouldn’t be a burden but when it’s not shared, when it’s not controlled or planned, it is a burden.”

Bisnauth said the areas in Guyana which are located far from the city ought to be looked at, as many of them lack proper access to contraceptives. “The Ministry of Health has many possibilities to enable units in the community.”

Even so, Bisnauth noted how there are often reports of women who do not turn up at the various facilities to uplift such contraceptives. However, such ones, she said, still must not be left to their plight. “To get to what’s happening to people is to visit their homes.

It takes a lot of resources but I think it’s possible.”

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MOTHERS, MASSACRES AND MALAYSIA

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ODAY is Mother’s Day, and I join with my wife in wishing all mothers a happy day. In her message, Sita – mother of our four children – reminded mothers that they have all brought into the world beautiful children.

“You took care of us, nurture us and help us grow. You have in turn taught us to be mothers, as well. For this we are forever grateful to you, dear mothers,” she said.

She then shared a familiar but poignant story of how mothers see or ought to see their children: One day some hunters went into a farm, and shot some birds. As they were leaving the farm with birds on a string, they saw at the gate an old Carrion Crow who, while looking at the dead birds, started to cry loudly.

One of the hunters asked, “Old bird, why are you crying?”

She said, “Because you killed all these little birds”.

The hunter explained, “We only shot the ugly birds, the little noisy crows.”

The old bird said, still crying, “Those noisy little crows are my beautiful children”.

“So you see, for a mother, no child is ugly.

They are all beautiful in her eyes”, Sita concluded.

BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN When I read that message, it struck me that the twelve Guyanese fishing crew who were brutally murdered in late April in the high seas off the east-

ern coast of Suriname were all beautiful children of several mothers. We couldn’t therefore celebrate this day without sharing the grief and loss of the mothers.

My mind also raced back to my own mother, now deceased, whose heart was as vast as the sea, and full of love for her twelve children. Now, I would remember her in my dreams as if we were re-united, and I would tell her the often unspoken words from my heart, “I love you, Ma”.

On Mother’s Day, I shared a poem of my dream that I had penned sometime after her death, in memory of all mothers who have passed on:MA [A son’s unsaid love] In yellow and on flowers I lay on my bamboo throne Your prince without kingdom Nothing now, only a shadow fading into the afternoon journeying into nightfall.

It took many painful years to make this uncertain journey Not knowing if you would be there, If ever you were there, when I come.

But I see you now, Ma Waiting.

Cheeks untutored for expression Bashful.

A mother’s triumph in my journey of love I embrace you with finality

My face cradled on soft silk of your breast.

As I kiss your forehead My tears wet your feet in devotion.

I feel gush of tears on my pillows.

Choking, I broke my pilgrimage of silence Screaming words that were never made for dreams: I love you, Ma! Re-born in your embrace Awaken to your love I make a final turn before leaving you in the world of my dreams.

FISHING FAMILY I was born in a fishing family on the Corentyne.

I grew up seeing my Pa and elder brothers heading out to sea, often in treacherous weather and during high tides. My mother, Gangama (named after the sea) would be distressed to see them leave, and would make sure that her sons were dressed in warm clothing, and had adequate water and ration. She would be restless until the tides receded, and they were safely back to shore.

My father used to explain that the sea was not a road where a fisherman could just jump off a boat and catch a bus. There was no room at sea for enemies, as each fisherman depended on the other, especially during high tides and heavy winds.

Those natural perils were challenging enough, and no one had feared then that they could share the sea with gangs of murderous men.

HIGH INCIDENCE OF PIRACY Before the Coalition took office in 2015, there was a high incidence of piracy off the coasts of Essequibo and the Corentyne.

The armed pirates would strip fishing crew of their catch and engines, and would cut their seines loose. There were periodic incidents of fishing crew being beaten and thrown overboard, but casualties were always low.

Since 2015, acts of piracy were reduced and contained to single digit numbers. That was due to a raft of security measures that included very costly aerial surveillance and marine patrols off the Guyana coast, and dismantling of criminal gangs, especially in Upper Corentyne. Both President Granger and Public Security Minister, Ramjattan provided enhanced leadership, and just as Guyana was getting back into the good books, tragedy struck again – this time in nearby Suriname.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 13, 2018

As Guyana mourned the tragedy, the Guyanese political Opposition pounced on the opportunity for the twin purpose of finding fault with Coalition’s anti-piracy operations and to divert attention from the on-going criminal prosecution of some former high-profile government officials.

A third reason was to cloak inner-party squable over anointment of presidential hopefuls with a feigned external pre-occupation with the Suriname Massacres.

The Opposition moved a motion in the National Assembly on Friday night that received government support, though the motion was flawed in many respects and lacked material, truthful disclosures. Most glaringly was the omission of a notorious fact that Vice-President Ramjattan and senior police ranks went to Suriname just about the time that the Opposition Leader was visiting. It was all an opportunistic ploy, not unusual for a party that is on a permanent hustle for potential votes in future elections.

I guess that Government has an inherent responsibility to seek, build and promote solidarity and overlook the intended parliamentary provocation, and supported both the suspension of the House rules to allow a debate on the mass murder and the motion. It is important that our fishermen and their bereaved families know that they are not alone; that government and opposition are united for their safety and security; and that there is national support for joint action by Guyana and Suriname to ensure that the criminals are brought to justice, and enhanced measures are put in place to contain deadly crimes at sea.

GUYANA’S COALITION EXAMPLE However, the sea is not the only arena from which citizens should be secured from crimes, as we saw from the change of government in Malaysia.

There, a former Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, quit the political party he had founded, joined with the opposition and removed his own regime at elections on grounds of corruption and graft.

When Mahathir was sworn in as Prime Minister, once again, at age 92, on May 10 last, it not only reminded us of our own historic May 11, but told us that Guyana had posted an example of inter-party combination that would be followed in other countries with a similar multi-ethnic composition. The national interest would make such cross-party cooperation and unity imperative.

The Guyana Coalition has every reason to feel that its decision on Valentine’s Day, 2015 was not only politically correct, but has become a worthy example for other countries to follow.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 13, 2018

Love, care and patience

9

– mother shares her experience raising autistic child

By Vishani Ragobeer EVEN though physically he looked perfect, his mother--Anjalena Beshpatty--knew something was wrong with her second child, Sameir, and it was a problem which no doctor at the hospital at the time was able to pinpoint.

Maybe it was because Sameir was her second child, Anjalena knew what developments to expect as he grew or maybe it was her maternal instincts kicking in, but the mother knew that all was not well with Sameir.

At about two years of age, he was not behaving as his sister did; he was not walking as yet and he seemed unable to interact easily.

Speaking to Guyana Chronicle, Beshpatty related that she was informed that Sameir could have autism after she took him to a medical outreach programme where he was examined by a doctor from overseas.

“That was the first time I heard the word autism. I had no idea what autism meant,” she recounted, and added, “Even when the doctor explained, I couldn’t comprehend [it] until I went to do some research on the Internet.”

This research led her to the Modified Checklist for Autism (otherwise known as M- Chat) which she filled out many times, in denial, but later realising that her son did indeed have the signs and symptoms associated with the problem.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), commonly called autism, refer to a wide range of conditions characterised by some degree of impaired social behaviour; communication and language; and a narrow range of interests and activities that are both unique to the individual and carried out repetitively.

These disorders begin in childhood and tend to persist into adolescence and adulthood and may be mild, moderate or severe. In most cases, the conditions are apparent during the first five years of life.

DIFFICULT TO AC-

CEPT “It was very difficult to accept for me. Even after so many years, there are still times when I struggle with knowing my child has all these challenges,” the mother stated.

Sameir, who has moderate to severe autism, was confronted with the challenge of performing even simple tasks that come almost natural to the average child.

And maybe these challenges will continue to confront him because there is no cure for ASD. However, there are steps that can be taken to help him adapt and overcome these challenges.

His road to rising above his challenges began with Anjalena’s decision to put her “expectations” aside and strive to give Sameir the best life that she possibly could within his spectrum.

She decided not to isolate him and enrolled him at a play school where he spent three years before moving into a nursery school where he spent another three years.

Her goal was to have him experience what interaction with other children in society felt like. According to her, those six years were instrumental in making Samir the person that he is today because he was able to acquire social skills.

Proudly, Beshpatty asserted: “He always has a smile on his face, he hugs everyone and he is so social.

He can interact with other children.”

CAN UNDERSTAND BUT CANNOT COMMUNICATE The boy, however, has receptive language skills but not expressive language skills, according to his mother, which means that he can understand what is communicated to him but not cannot effectively express himself verbally or non-verbally.

As such, over the years, he was taken to speech therapy sessions at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre.

It was here at the Ptolemy Reid Centre that Anjalena first heard about the Step by Step Foundation, a registered charity that works with children aged three to 12 who have autism.

Anjalena Beshpatty with her 15-year-old son, Sameir (Vishani Ragobeer photo)

When Anjalena and Sameir encountered the foundation, it had just been established by a former British High Commissioner to Guyana and his wife, who themselves have a son with autism, since there were no facilities in Guyana that managed the condition. The foundation opened up in 2011 and has had, and continues to have, a professional liaison with Dr. Jim Ellis, a U.S. clinical psychologist and expert in autism, as well as access to autism treatment.

While Dr. Ellis is not a resident of Guyana, he provides his services free of cost to the foundation by visiting Guyana about four times a year, and trains the tutors and holds weekly skype sessions to track the progress and development of the children and even tutors, as related by chairman of the foundation, Dr. Suraiya Ismail. Dr. Ellis was tapped because, as related by the chairperson, there is no real leeway for the “elaborate” diagnosis here.

Ismail further related that the school uses an individualised-based Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) approach at its core, alongside a mix of occupational and speech therapy to improve the communication, social and behavioural skills of children with autism, targeting the needs of each child.

Just as during Sameir’s time in the play and nursery schools, Anjalena devoted her time to being with her son at the new institution. And because of her evident devotion and the knowledge she had garnered over the years, Dr. Ellis began training her as a tutor and streamlined further training for her in the

USA. “I had so much knowledge already and I wanted not only to work with Sameir but to share it with other children. I went to Boston and got more training, independently funded, because I wanted to learn,” the mother posited.

Since its initiation in 2011, Anjalena has worked

with the foundation and was there as it progressed into a school seeking to cater for the needs of more children.

Over the years, Anjalena has honed these skills, amassed more knowledge and is now a senior tutor here.

Understanding that communication is perhaps “100 times more difficult” for children with autism, is pertinent to focus attention on this shortcoming.

She explained that simple tasks that people do almost naturally, such as putting on a sock, need to be broken down into minute steps that can be learned by the children.

Using the ABA methodology crafted to facilitate behaviour modification, the mother explained, “As tutors, you have to find different ways to teach the children.

Never underestimate the children and watch them surprise

us every time.”

According to her, each child needs individualised care which means that parents or guardians might have to tweak the programmes just a bit to suit them.

Since learning that Sameir has ASD more than 10 years ago, Anjalena left her job and focussed on caring for her son. Nowadays, Sameir can dress himself, communicate through communication devices and express himself to a greater degree.

For her, seeing her son progress is the best reward she can have. All the taunts of having a “retarded” or “disabled” son mean nothing to her since she focuses on him. She has transformed her situation into one in which she can readily assist others in the same situation.

“Sameir has given me the purpose of my life,” Anjalena affirmed.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 13, 2018

Original CJIA contract made no provision for air bridges –Patterson THE National Assembly on Friday evening approved $346,500,000 for the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to purchase and install two additional boarding bridges at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Currently, there are two boarding bridges installed at the airport. Subject Minister David Patterson said the requested sum is part of a new contract and not the US$138M contract originally entered into with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

Some sections of the refurbished airport are already in use while the new arrival terminal will be opened next month.

However, Opposition Member Juan Edghill questioned the amount of boarding bridges catered for in the original design. He said as far as he is aware of the number eight but Patterson said the contract did not speak specifically to eight boarding bridges.

“I have spoken on this extensively that we would always have four air bridges on completion that is since we took over. The contract had two and I always said four,” Patterson stressed.

“In fact, he said, the CHEC contract

makes no provision for boarding bridges (air bridges). Patterson has since committed to laying out to the House the initial and new contracts for the CJIA expansion project.

Additionally, the House approved for the Ministry of Agriculture $600M to offset increased expenditure for National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) which arose as a result of the transfer of drainage and irrigation responsibilities previously undertaken by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder told the Committee of Supply that the additional sums are needed to address the new responsibilities which the NDIA has to now undertake.

Amid intense questioning by Opposition Member Dharamkumar Seeraj, Holder said that despite the closure of the Skeldon Estate, a section of Rose Hall, East Demerara and Wales estates, there is still a need for drainage and irrigation works to be done as it is part of a wider drainage system.

“Sir, this gives an indication that this ministry is not sure about what they are doing.

The explanation in the remarks column, sir, for $600M seems to be very bland and I would ask the Minister of Agriculture to tell this House how he expects to spent this $600M that is being sought,” Seeraj requested.

DRAINAGE Holder, in response, made it clear that GuySuCo is no longer producing and cultivating at the four estates and with government’s move to divestment, it is in the best interest of that process that the NDIA carry out those functions that were once manned by the sugar company. “…These estates played a vital role of the drainage and irrigation network where they are situated, providing drainage and irrigation to agricultural and residential areas. It is in the government’s best interest to retain and maintain certain aspects of these estates,” the Agriculture Minister said. He believes that such a move will allow for “a more profitable divestment” of the estates.

Holder said that GuySuCo has since signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NDIA, in this regard. The MOU signed between the two entities will see the NDIA contract GuySuCo to maintain middle-walks and canals as well as rebuild access dams among other things. The NDIA will supervise the works, while GuySuCo will provide the manpower for the work.

Additionally, GuySuCo will provide a coordinating officer at each estate to inspect and verify the work.

According to the minister, the NDIA will be responsible for 26 additional drainage pump stations with 55 pumps, 3 additional pump stations with eight pumps, and the maintenance of 4,560 additional miles of drainage and irrigation canals along with 1,000 miles of access dams and 760 bridges among others.

“So here it is, the NDIA has been asked to assume this responsibility, which it has done. And as you can see the rains have started and there are no problems,” he stated.

However, when the attention of the Committee of Supply was turned to the $226,161,235 being sought by the ministry to facilitate the procurement of six long-boom excavators and four mini excavators along with spare parts following the conclusion of a legal matter between the NDIA and GUYTRAC, Holder was intensely grilled, causing much heckling by the Opposition side.

EXCAVATORS The Committee of Supply was informed that GUYTRAC had a contract with the NDIA for the provision of 20 mini excavators but that contract was terminated and the company took the state to court, thereby winning $226M in judgment.

Opposition Member Juan Edghill questioned Holder about the award of the court and the negotiations that followed thereafter between the two parties to the case. But the minister maintained that “NDIA doesn’t need 20 mini excavators…they seem to have been procured or wanted to be procured by the former administration for political mileage.”

Holder’s response resulted in many opposition members, including the Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo shouting, “misconduct in public office”.

Two ministers of the former administration are currently facing charges for misconduct in public office, contrary to

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson the common law.

CONCRETE FENCE FOR NOC Meanwhile, Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, was called upon to explain why government is expending some $81,614,005 on the construction of a concrete fence of perimeter 4,338 feet at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) to address security breaches.

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira in a passionate presentation called on Ally to reallocate the requested sum towards programmes aimed at rehabilitating the children housed at the NOC. Minister Ally admitted that no money was budgeted for in the 2018 Budget for the construction of the fence. Instead she said $6,696,000 was allocated towards the Palms Geriatric Home. “Could you say in what way the expenditure of $81M is justified for a fence versus $81M for programmes for the children to make reintegration into society better?” asked Teixeira, to which Ally said her government wants to ensure that those who are placed at the NOC are safe.

She told the house that the APNU+AFC Coalition government inherited the NOC which had poor infrastructure and was inundated with “bush”.

“Mr Chairman, we, now at Ministry of Social Protection are doing everything possible to secure and protect the residents of that institution,” the Minister assured the House. But Teixeira asked, “Are you building another prison?” to which Ally said, “No, we are not building a prison, we have a very small fence; it is low and very often the children run away.

“Over the last 12 months there have been seven separate incidents where 46 of the offenders absconded from the NOC. They are our responsibility …we have to protect them,” she declared.

But the Opposition Chief Whip, not satisfied with Ally’s explanations, stressed that the children are in need of programmes to rehabilitate them so that they can be reintegrated into society. “The children have been exposed to a proper literacy programme, something you never paid emphasis on … the physical conditions we inherited – it was purely a rundown place…” Ally stated.

She informed the House that the fence will stand 10 feet high and will have ‘razor wire’.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 13, 2018

First-crop paddy production up - GRDB by 138,178 tonnes AS of May 7, the rice industry has harvested 86 percent of its 2018 production.

This is equivalent to 75,137 hectares of the 87,538 hectares sown and is a significant increase in production from 310,748 tonnes earlier in the year to 448,926 tonnes, said a press release from the Department of Public Information.

According to the release, General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Nizam Hassan highlighted the areas that have improved, noting that the first crop was a success and the performance will continue growing from 2017.

“What we have seen in the first crop, generally there has been improved productivity issues such as pests and disease were managed, farmers were being paid faster than previous crops, prices paid were improved from previous crops, as $3,000 per bag of paddy. The first crop fared very well and

we are very optimistic going ahead for the second crop. This kind of performance trend will just continue, we have seen this since the second crop of 2017,” Hassan said With the increase of this production from January to April 2018, there has also been an increase in exports, which sees sales increasing by over US$10Million. Hassan compared the current production to that of 2017, noting that the increase is credited to the exploration of new markets.

“For the period January to April 2018, we exported 139,501 tonnes valued at US$57.

7Million compared to 120,811 tonnes valued at US$47Million for the corresponding period of 2017. So, I’m talking about the first four months of 2018 compared with the first four months of 2017, in terms of the volume, that’s about 15 percent more we’ve exported.

The increases in the exports have primarily come of course from new markets that we’ve

Commonwealth body commends Guyana’s social cohesion strides –– but cites areas for improvement in legislature

THE Coalition Government was highly commended for its aggressive attempt at moulding a cohesive nation by Secretary-General (SG) to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Mr Akbar Khan, who held a press conference on Friday, before observing the sitting of the House.

Khan is on an official bilateral follow-up visit to Guyana which aims to observe the progress government has made since being elected to office three years ago.

One of the areas that Khan posited as most pleasing is the progress being made in the area of social cohesion, which is in alignment with the development goals of the United Nations as well as the CPA which is committed to democratic governance.

Khan, who has Guyanese roots, said he visited the social cohesion day activities and it was most humbling for him. “To see young people yesterday addressing core issues through presentation, music and other forms of collaboration and interaction was extremely humbling ... it is very pleasing to see the Government leading in social cohesion, it is only the third year … I believe very much that the future of every nation is around the celebration with respect to diversity … I am extremely pleased to see real genuine and meaningful attempts to move forward on social cohesion,” Khan told the media.

He also commended President David Granger, on the efforts to connect the hinterland and capital by providing equal services for both groups of residents and also by providing a platform for a competitive and entrepreneurial environment for young people.

“It is a great pleasure to be able to come back to Guyana in order to see the progress that has been made since 2015,” Khan posited.

He also commended the Government for strides taken in promoting the green

economy.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT Khan noted that in any legislature, as in the case of Guyana’s, there are areas for improvement in the way matters are handled in the House.

As a representative of an organisation that has a mandate to promote parliamentary democracy, it was important to follow up on how parliament has been functioning, with visits to key stakeholders, including the Speaker of the House Dr. Barton Scotland and members of the Opposition. He reminded the Members of Parliament of the image they portray and that they are representing the best interest of the electorate.

“Coming out of the elections in 2015, there were clearly some issues which needed to be addressed and three years later, I would wish to see a better degree of conjugality between the Opposition and Government in terms of working together on issues of national concern both on the floor of the House and at committee sessions,” he said.

Khan alluded to the issue in December of 2017, where members of the Guyana Police Force had to be called in to sanction some Members of Parliament. Situations such as those, he said, warranted an investigation by the Speaker.

Khan said that while opposition is necessary for crucial decision-making, such opposition in the House must be critical and not flimsy. “Rather than to oppose for the sake of opposing, opposition for the sake of opposition doesn’t help… constructive opposition is key to good decision-making,” he said.

The Secretary-General will be visiting the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson, and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo before he departs for St Kitts and Nevis within the next few days.

been exporting to,” said Hassan One such new market is Mexico, to which Guyana began exporting in 2017, ending that year with 113,525 tonnes of paddy shipped.

For this year up to May, 61,350 tonnes have

been exported. The aforementioned combined with 2017’s amount saw 174,875 tonnes valued at US$51.4Million being exported so far.

Most regions have harvested over 78 percent of its cultivation so far.

The updated harvest as of May 7, 2018 is as follows: Region Paddy Production (M/T) Percentage of hectares harvested Region 2 76,836.8 96.3% Region 3 43,422.8 97.8% Region 4 366,126.5 96.7% Region 5 3,069,376.5 82.7% Region 6 1,724,427.0 79.1% Region 9 14,227.2 100.0% The DPI said that Guyana’s rice industry continues to grow and is an important part of the country’s agricultural industry.

“The GRDB continues to make efforts towards the development of the rice indus-

try to increase production. Recently, they released ‘GRDB 15’ a new paddy variety holding positive characteristics which could see the rice industry benefiting in a number of ways,” the release said.

12

Now we wait

LATE in my term as a prefect at Queen’s College, I remember one of our most dedicated prefects coming up to me and saying: “Well, I guess it’s either me or you for the Ashni Singh Award!”

This award, granted to the best prefect, hadn’t really crossed my mind up until that point, but at once I felt excited. We had all been told so many stories about

how forceful and dedicated he was as Head Prefect, and I was really happy at least someone thought I could stand in his shoes. Fast forward to 2018, and pictures of the former Minister of Finance in chains are plastered all over newspapers and social media.

I don’t want to judge Singh until he has had a fair trial, and the facts are put out in the public domain

for all to assess, because I would hope to receive the same courtesy if charged and proven innocent. But given that his alleged crime is corruption, and that he has been perceived by generations of QC students as a beacon of dedication to the public good, I can’t hide that I am bitterly disappointed. I won the Ashni Singh Award all those years ago, and now I don’t even know what it means.

Let us be fair to Singh, and assume for now that he was not involved in any illicit dealings. But what is still just so worrying is that now the public has reason to look closely at the many deals he must have been involved in throughout his time as Finance Minister.

Now we must reasonably ask ourselves whether, instead of this acclaimed “bright boy”

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 13, 2018

turning his many talents to serving his country, he was putting those talents toward stealing from his fellow Guyanese. His actions have totally undermined public trust in our most senior, most qualified public officials.

Couldn’t he have at least advocated the type of transparency that would ensure all Guyanese understood why he sold government lands at heavily undervalued prices? If he was going to sell our property at a $200M discount (as in one of the charges), there needed to be a clear, public justification.

I can’t really think what

that justification would be, but maybe there are reasons to discount land by what amounts to almost 60 per cent of the valuation.

Did the land develop a sinkhole? Was there a toxic chemical spill there? We owe the former minister the chance to clarify what happened.

But this all reminds me somehow of Elton Wray, who was shot and killed during the attempted robbery of Republic Bank, and who had received a government scholarship to study in China.

It’s like we invested so much time, capital and hope in these sons of our soil, and instead of putting that to good use, they have turned to the lowest forms of profiteering.

Perhaps this isn’t the case with Singh, but if it turns out that it is, Guyanese must surely ask whether the reason Guyana failed to pass an anti-money laundering bill and ended up internationally blacklisted was because such a bill was inconvenient for his purposes.

It, even further, raises the question as to whether these types of selfish actions are the real reason Guyana has never reached its potential.

Must we now doubt that many of the “bright boys”

and “bright girls” we so uplift have been the true cause of our country’s stagnation?

Must we now doubt that some of the pillars of dedication to the public service have instead been nothing but cracks, into which have fallen our nation’s many resources?

Look back at the many failed projects the Guyanese government has attempted over the years, and ask yourself whether high-level corruption may be the real reason for their frustrating and devastating falls.

I have singled Singh out because, as a former Head Prefect myself, I recognise that an outsize burden of responsibility falls at his feet, and that it is this alleged dereliction of duty that most frustrates the Queen’s College family. The students of our great school look up to their prefects, and especially their Head Prefects, as examples. I think back now on the impressionable first formers, who most need role models, and part of me desperately hopes Singh will be acquitted of all charges.

Unlike Elton Wray, who has passed on, Singh, fortunately, has a good opportunity to explain himself. And so, now we wait.

Sunday May 13th, - 03:00 - 14:30hrs Monday May 14th, - 03:30 - 14:30hrs Tuesday May 15th, - 04:30 - 14:30hrs

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 13, 2018

Understanding Energy

In 2015, ExxonMobil discovered massive oil reserves off the coast of Guyana, altering the course of our nation in a matter of weeks, if not days.

Predictably, the media has pounced on the developments here. International coverage has consisted of a flood of information – economic projections, production forecasts, corporate buzzwords, financial market lingo. But the truth is, most of us still don’t know much about the global energy industry and its various components.

And when you read something like “ExxonMobil is planning on developing Liza Phase One development using a 120,000 boepd FPSO built by SBM”…well that doesn’t mean much to most of us, does it?

That’s where this column would like to

help. There’s enough coverage out there, in Guyana and internationally, to keep you reading for days. Here, you’ll hopefully find the one aspect that is missing: context.

In that respect, an overall view of where Guyana fits within the global energy industry is as good a place to start as any. As of 2017 Guyana’s proven oil reserves were 2.5 billion barrels (oil is most commonly measured in barrels, or bbl).

More recently ExxonMobil has announced that the amount of total recoverable reserves offshore is estimated to be 3.2 billion barrels. In either case, if those predictions prove accurate, Guyana’s reserves would rank around 35th in the world. For context:

Sure, 35th in the world sounds like a modest position. And as the chart above makes clear, the top 10 nations are far ahead of Guyana when it comes to proven

reserves.

But now look at the same list of countries with data on how many barrels each produces daily:

Every other country on this list is already producing oil, with varying levels of efficiency, and enjoying the benefits that come with that production. Guyana is still in the early stages of development and production. One of the things that make Guyana truly unique is our potential.

The production targets set by ExxonMobil, operator of the Stabroek block, are extremely ambitious in both speed and size. Projections are that by 2020, Liza Phase 1 development will produce around 120,000 barrels per day. Liza Phase 2, with potential start up in 2022, could raise that

figure as high as 340,000 per day. That level of ramp-up is almost unprecedented in the oil industry. Matt Blomerth of Wood Mackenzie’s Latin American Upstream Research arm said “It’s not often that a country goes from 0 to 60 so fast like this.”

It’s clear that ExxonMobil and producers across the globe see the discoveries here in Guyana as significant. But it’s important to keep in mind that there are literally hundreds of billions of barrels of untapped, proven oil reserves in the world.

While it’s been the topic of much debate in recent months, our government does deserve credit for attracting international business to Guyana and enabling the industry to move forward at such a rapid pace.

Oil revenues will be extremely important to our country and people in the near future, and here again we can look to examples across the globe for inspiration and guidance on how to best use and manage these revenues.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 13, 2018

Haimaruni HEYS participants determined to make a difference

EXCITEMENT among twenty talented youth in Haimaruni in the Moruca sub-district, Barima-Waini, Region One, is brewing as the Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS) programme is changing the trajectory of their lives.

The youth there only a month ago completed the first six months of the one year programme and already thriving businesses are noticeably evident. During a recent visit

to the village, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, visited three of the business establishments and was very pleased with the efforts made by the youth there.

A couple opened an eatery in the area where the village has already started developing a tourism project located in close proximity to the Haimara Creek, a branch of the Waini River. Cleveland David and his partner

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe engaging youth of Haimaruni said since their business opened its doors the community has been very supportive and they will continue to work towards its expansion as they eagerly await the completion of the villages’ tourism initiative which will further boost their business venture.

Among other business initiatives undertaken are subsistence and poultry farming, fishing and a bakery. Agriculture ventures there, however, are on the increase as the youth are working individually and as groups to plant acres of farmland with cash-crops and several permanent crops. The secondary school, the schools feeding programmes, the village and neighbouring villages will be among the groups and institutions supporting these ventures, according to the REDO, Mr. Nigel Richards, who accompanied the minister and her team to Haimaruni.

Parental involvement and support were also evident as parents continue to be active participants in ensuring their children’s business ventures are successful. One such example is a bakery established by two siblings, Shefiline and Shereen Smith. The father of the Smith sisters sought the expertise of a villager who built a six-foot wooden oven lined with aluminum sheets which they utilize to bake delicious pastries, bread, red cake (salara), butter-flap and more. The elderly Smith who wears many hats is a seasoned baker and three times weekly he would bake a variety of foods and the daughters, who have already garnered a long list of supporters, would venture into the village to sell their edibles.

Minister within the Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, and team recently visited the village and what is noteworthy is the fact that this is the first time in the history of the village that a sitting Minister of the Government has visited. The Ministerial team was also ready to financially support a number of the businesses established, including the Smith’s bakery, since the visit coincided with one of the scheduled baking days. Members of the team were able to purchase snacks, drinks (sweet fly), red cakes and butter-flaps which

were hot out of the oven. The Minister said she feels proud that the youth have grasped the opportunity provided them and are now venturing into small businesses which represents an important economic advancement which will ultimately change their lives.

“We have invested a lot of money in our youth to build capacity so that they can establish their own businesses and it’s really good to know that it’s working. I just ate a delicious tasting salara (red cake) for one hundred dollars, how fantastic,” the Minister said.

The minister in highlighting other business ventures said, “there is a shop by the creek and a large farm and they have started planting calalloo and all those things… so I can see these youth of Haimaruni, most of whom are school dropouts, now have hope, they are going ahead and have a chance to live a good life. They are grabbing the opportunity and I am very proud of them.” Basil Cornelius, senior council of Haimaruni, satellite to the main village, Karaburi, acknowledged that parental support is a decisive factor in the success of the business ventures undertaken.

“They have started good initiatives that can work in the community and with continuous support coming from their parents, their business can be successful. A year from now, I see them having very successful businesses”, the senior councillor explained.

Haimaruni, which has a population of approximately one hundred and fifty will for the first time (2018) benefit from a presidential grant which will take the form of a tourism project. Over the years, grants were used to fund projects in the mother village of Karaburi. The HEYS Programme which is the ministry’s flagship youth programme, is aimed at giving indigenous/hinterland youth a second chance at life, and following its implementation in 2015, close to four thousand youth from all ten administrative regions have benefited.

This would have seen Government budget almost two billion dollars in the nation’s indigenous youth.

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Another Berbice businessman arrested ... in connection with piracy attack

POLICE in ‘B’ Division have detained a 37-yearold boat owner of Number 43 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, as they continue their probe into the April 27 piracy attack.

The man was detained Friday afternoon.

According to his wife, he was working on his boat when Police arrived and arrested him.

On Saturday, armed ranks were noticed at the Number 43 dock, followed by ranks from the CID De-

partment who were seen aboard the ‘Christina-1’, the boat owned by the businessman.

The businessman’s wife related that the ranks were making arrangements to have the boat removed from the dock and taken to New Amsterdam despite protests from her and other fishermen at the wharf.

She said the ranks are contending that the boat was suspected to be used in the piracy attack, a claim she has vehement-

ly denied, since the boat returned two days prior to the Nickerie, Suriname incident.

Thus far, four persons have been arrested/detained by local authorities in connection with the pirate attack that has left 15 fishermen dead.

Two have been released on bail while another businessman from Number 43 Village, Nakool Manohar called “Fiyah” was charged for crimes he committed in 2015 and 2016 out at sea.

Investigators aboard the ‘Cristina -1’ on Saturday Over in neighbouring Suriname, 13 persons remain in custody out of 30 arrested, including “Crackhead” who has since allegedly confessed to killing five of the fishermen in the April 27 attack.

Gov’t reaffirms support for Guyana Independence Carnival MINISTER of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon on Friday reaffirmed Government’s support for the Guyana Independence Carnival to get underway this month, and noted that the administration is willing to support any private initiative aimed at stimulating economic activity, once it does not interfere with public safety and order.

“This matter was dealt with at Cabinet on Tuesday, and Cabinet gave its approval for the elements of the State to provide necessary support to the organisers of this event… The police are to work with the organisers to ensure that the event is safe, that citizens who are not a part of the event are not unnecessarily disrupted, and that there is a clear understanding that the environment is important; that the cleanliness and orderliness

must be maintained,” he told reporters at his weekly Post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency.

The Minister also gave his blessings for the safe and successful execution of the event. “I believe that the Government has communicated with the organisation itself, and asked that they pay specific attention to these matters.

So, I wish the organisers of this event all the best, and we trust that we’ll have a safe, and very healthy Carnival,” he said.

The State Minister made the foregoing remarks in response to questions regarding the privately organised series of events, which are set to coincide with the 52nd Anniversary of the country’s Independence.

With regard to the administration’s willingness to support any

private initiative aimed at stimulating economic activity, Minister Harmon said: “It’s an important time in the history of this country, and we want to say, as a Government, that we will support the private initiatives of citizens, once they do not affect the security and orderliness.

We believe that the development of this country is two-fold: It has to do with private businesses as well as the government; we have to work together to ensure that the country is developed; developed in an orderly way.”

Minister Harmon noted that the government is concerned mainly with ensuring that investors and promoters operate within the regulations that are designed to preserve the physical environment, minimise disruptions, and ensure safety. (MoTP)

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Lindo Creek revisited: A r

Story and Photos by Svetlana Marshall

AS the tears trickled down her cheeks, Onica Butts just sat there silently in the grass, a stone’s throw from where the bodies of her reputed husband and seven other miners were haphazardly placed on top of each other and set afire after being shot and killed by armed gunmen at a camp in Lindo Creek in the Upper Berbice River in Region 10.

Remnants of a blue tarpaulin and an enamel cup that had seen better days were visible in the sand where it is said that the charred remains of the miners were found on Saturday June 21, 2008 by owner of the mining camp, Mr Leonard Arokium. A rusted ‘lavadora’, the machine used by the miners to wash the gravel to get to the diamonds, an engine and several dented and corroded drums, along with a black rubber tube could be seen at different

foot on the scene of the gruesome crime. Mr Torres is the father of 17-year-old Nigel Torres, one of the eight Lindo Creek victims.

As Butts sat quietly contemplating perhaps what life would have been like had the father of her two children, Dax Arokium, been alive, Justice Trotman upon arrival at the campsite, gathered the members of his team and observed a moment of silence.

Among those in his entourage were the Commission’s Legal Counsel Patrice Henry, and its Public Relations Officer, Melanie Morris; Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Officer, Sherlock Rigby; four ranks of the Guyana Police Force, namely Corporals Gasper and Bruce, and Constables Akeem Bacchus and Shain Kippins; and two tour guides, Carl Jacobs and Kevin Campbell.

In his quest to find the truth about what transpired the day the eight miners were murdered, Justice

Justice Donald Trotman being assisted across one of the five creeks enroute to Lindo Creek

Onica Butts and the Torres sisters laying flowers at the site in remembrance of their loved ones

ppoints of the camp now partially covered with vegetation.

Butts was among the first to arrive on Friday at the scene of the June 2008 massacre, ahead of a 23-member team led by Chairman of the Lindo Creek Commission of Inquiry (COI), Justice (Retired) Donald Trotman.

In fact, Butts and Mr Edmond Torres and his three children (Talia, Tanasha and Xaviar, ages 14, 17 and 18) created history by becoming the first family to ever set

Trotman proved naysayers wrong when he and his team travelled the more than 119 miles from Kwakwani, through the treacherous UNAMCO Trail for a period of two-and-a-half hours, using 4x4 vehicles before it was time to come off the road.

At that point, the team then trekked through the forest, covering rough terrain in the process. The fallen trees, the steep and slippery hills, and the five creeks proved to be the most difficult to manoeuver during the more

than two-hour-long journey to the scene of the massacre.

Public Health Ministry’s Medex Lolitta Rebeiro and Justice Trotman’s Security Carl McLeod were also part of the team, along with five media operatives.

TOUGH GOING Though describing the journey to Lindo Creek as “rough, hazardous and strenuous”, Justice Trotman was determined to reach the camp, and he did with the

assistance of Officer Rigby, the police and the tour guides.

After observing the minute of silence, Justice Trotman told those gathered that the journey was critical to the inquiry, while declaring that history was being created by the team.

“We cannot dwell upon the atrocities and the sorrows,” he began. “We have to dwell on the hopes and the future, so that our being here today could very well mean that no similar atrocities in the future will be committed by anyone else in our nation.

“And we hope also that our presence here will encourage the appropriate authorities of our State and Government to afford and accord the responsibilities which they have to protect their citizens in times of peace and in time of peril.

So as we leave here today, history will remember that we met here in a spirit of inquiry; in a spirit of wanting to find the truth of what happened so that something similar will never happen again in our country among our people.”

Standing at a vantage point on the campsite, Mr Torres stood by himself observing the area while his three children combed it. “I feel very sad,” he told the Guyana Chronicle as the

tears welled in his eyes. His son had gone to Lindo Creek in search of work when he met his demise.

According to Mr Torres, he almost broke down in tears at sight of Butts crying silently in the grass, but

though it took some doing, decided to hold it in.

“But I glad to see where my son died and burn,” he said, adding that he’d heard of the area where the tragedy occurred, but it was the first time in 10 years that he was

Justice Trotman and team trekking through the forest

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 13, 2018

return to the crime scene Onica Butts cuts a lonely figure at the site where her reputed husband was murdered

given the opportunity to visit the scene.

For him and his three remaining children, it was important to be there. His wife, Yonette, could not bear stand in the area where her son was shot, killed and burnt, so she remained at home at the Kwakwani Waterfront.

CONFLICTING THEORIES Based on the journey he’d undertaken that day, Mr Torres concluded that it was impossible for the Rondell ‘Fine-Man’ Rawlins’ gang to commit the gruesome crime while on the run from the Joint Services.

“Never! Never! It is not the “Fine-Man Gang”! Not them!” he told this newspaper.

The theory is that after the gang came under police fire at Christmas Falls, further up the Berbice River, on June 6, 2008, they crossed the river and, coming upon the miners at Lindo Creek, they executed them.

However, based on the geographical location, persons familiar with the terrain are maintaining that it was impossible for the gang to reach Lindo Creek from Christmas Falls while being on the run from the Joint Services.

Kevin Campbell, an ex-policeman-turned miner who is familiar with area in the Upper Berbice River, expressed similar views while speaking to the Guyana Chronicle and Newsroom.

“It is highly impossible!” he said. “They can’t meet

here! Let me tell you from my heart, is not they do it!

I ain’t buying that! And no li’l child wouldn’t buy that either; is not they do it!”

Campbell maintained.

Campbell, during his annual leave while in the Force, had worked with the miners. He left the Force the same day he heard of the gruesome killing; and one after when he returned to the scene, he still found skeletal remains.

“It was sad to know they said that they picked up all the bones them, and when you come again, bones still remaining,” Campbell said. Upon finding the bones of the miners, Campbell said he put them in a black plastic bag and buried them in the sand a short distance away from where they were burnt.

CALL FOR JUSTICE Today, he, like the Torres family, is calling for justice to prevail. “I hope for my sister to get justice for her husband; I would glad for her to get justice, and I need justice for my friends them too,” Campbell said.

Though Butts was too distraught to speak on the scene, she subsequently opened up to this newspaper. “The journey that I took yesterday was challenging,” she said. “And from what they’re saying that it’s ‘Fine-Man’, it’s highly impossible for a man on the run to commit such a crime, knowing that people are after him.”

Kevin, the tour guide, who had worked with the miners before their demise, looking at what’s left of the engine that was used at the camp prior to the massacre

The ‘lavadora’ used by the miners to wash the diamonds

Four months pregnant with her second child at the time, Butts said she was in a state of shock and disbelief upon learning that her reputed husband had been murdered. Today, close to 10 years later, facing reality is still major struggle for her.

Before leaving the mining camp on Friday afternoon, Butts, along with the members of the Torres family, paid homage to their loved ones by laying flowers at the spot where their burnt remains were found.

Cecil Arokium, Horace Drakes, Bonny Harry, Lancelot Lee, Compton Speirs and Clifton Berry Wong were the other miners that were murdered.

All that remains at the spot where the bodies of the miners were burnt

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 13, 2018

Twinning of communities gaining currency

THE twinning of communities is expected to become a popular phenomenon in Guyana, and two communities have already taken advantage of this developmental approach to community spirit and bonding.

Chairperson of the Golden Grove/Lovely-Lass/Onverwagt Community Development Council (CDC), Phyllis Peters, explained that because many Guyanese are not aware of the existence of the community, she began emphasising the need for increased recognition.

“A lot of people refer to the community as Lovely Lass, but really it is Golden Grove and Lovely Lass is just the village nearby and so we have not been recognised as a community over the years,” the Chairperson said.

Peters, who also serves as councillor of the Union/Nargastigeit Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), noted that it was this need for recognition and the idea that communities can exchange best practices, customs and traditions that sparked the twinning initiative.

The idea for the twinning was birthed

by Justice Donald Trotman after a visit to Golden Grove, West Coast Berbice in early March. He too expressed surprise that there was another village with the same name as the one on the East Coast Demerara.

As an executive member of the Golden Grove/Nabaclis/Haslington Concerned Citizens Group, Trotman spoke with the council and plans began in earnest for a planned visit between the two sides.

“The idea of twinning communities is expected to draw communities closer, to improve friendship and relations between communities. There was plenty to eat and drink with generous servings of traditional cookup, cornkea, and mauby.

“So we had our get-to-know-you sessions.

We prepared for them; we cooked a pot of shine rice callaloo cook-up, we fried fish, we made cassava pone, and a bucket of sorrel,” Peters stated.

She explained that since her village has an

abundance of tamarind trees, the East Coast Demerara community expressed an interest in having those trees planted in their village.

“So we had a tree planting ceremony and we welcomed them with open arms,” she detailed.

According to Peters, the communities were once very depressed areas.

“Nothing was being done for us. It was like we were neglected and so people started to sell out their houses and other assets. It was a swampy area and we began to develop the community. We would catch fish and things began to happen.”

About the initiative, Trotman said history was created when the two communities forged a bond of friendship that could last for generations to come.

Residents of Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara journeyed to the West Coast Berbice community to join with the residents of that community to celebrate the historic occasion.

The West Berbice group was hosted at the famous Watergate location owned by Dennis Webster and his wife.

Trotman disclosed that most of the people of both communities are descendants of emancipated slaves who purchased sugar plantations from their former owners after slavery was abolished.

The East Coast Demerara community was established in 1848 and the West Coast Berbice Community was established in 1839.

According to historical records, it was bought for $1,716 and later surveyed in 1846.

Pastor Seonid Richmond, who is the CDC secretary and NDC vice chairman, blessed the inaugural bonding occasion with prayers.

Other representative members of the host community included Veronica Ince, Annie Archer, Marlon Peters, Roxanne Raghubeer, Odetta Gordon, Olive Williams, Edith Fraser and several youth groups.

The visiting team included Ingrid Holder, Beverly Grant-Stephens, Michelle Garnett,

Simone Anderson, Victor Perreira, Donald Trotman, Leslie Blair, Shondel Williams, Ernest Williams, Carl Mc Leod, Shanica Thomas, Joel Maison, and several children and youth. .

The highlight of the occasion was the ceremonial earthing of young fruit and flower plants in all three villages of the Berbice community.

“This symbolises the hope of growing friendship and bonding of the two communities in generations to come.

These plants were brought as gifts by the Demerara residents, and it is expected that similar symbolic gifts and ceremonial planting will be done when the Berbice residents come to Demerara in a return visit in July of this year,” Trotman mentioned.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 13, 2018

32 Boards of Guardians appointed to evaluate assistance eligibility

CABINET has approved 32 Boards of Guardians across the 10 administrative regions for a period of one

year, with effect from March 1, 2018 according to Minister of State Joseph Harmon.

Harmon who was speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency on Friday, said the Boards of Guardian are responsible for reviewing requests for public assistance that are guided by the Poor Release Act which considers the social and economic circumstances of individuals requesting assistance.

He said this will also provide safety net programmes for persons receiving public assistance.

The local Boards of Guardians are responsible for evaluating and determining the legitimacy of the Public Assistance applications from outside of Georgetown, to ensure that taxpayers’ dollars are justifiably spent.

Board members are appointed by the Minister of Social Protection in ac-

cordance with the Pension Ordinances, Chapters 36:02 and 36:03 respectively.

Members are selected from communities within the regions.

These Boards across the country will report to the Poor Law Commission, which also has responsibility for Public Assistance in Georgetown.

The Commission’s authority includes consideration, amendment, discontinuation and restoration of the relief granted by the local Boards of Guardians.

This is done based on reports presented by social services officers, who are required to investigate each claim in collaboration with relevant entities, such as the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) in cases of medical conditions and disability.

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ERC gets down to work THE Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) says that following the appointment of the newly-elected Commissioners, it has commenced work on delivering on its constitutional mandate.

The Commissioners, who were sworn in by President David Granger on February 22, 2018, met on April 24, 2018, at the Public Buildings at the invitation of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, for the purpose of electing a Chairperson and Deputy.

Following the process, General Bishop, Dr. John Oswald Smith, C.C.H, was declared duly elected as Chairman, and Major-General (Ret’d) Norman McLean, MSc, the Deputy Chairman. The Speaker took the opportunity to

… John Smith new Chairman congratulate and extend best wishes to the Commission in its endeavour to execute its important task as prescribed in the Constitution, a release from the ERC said.

The first official meeting of the Commission was held on April 26, 2018, during which time, updates were provided and statutory dates decided. The Commission is in the process of drafting its work programme for the rest of the year, and to fill critical vacancies on which the execution of its mandate depends.

According to the ERC, cognizant of the responsibility entrusted on it and the task ahead, it looks forward to meaningfully engaging all stakeholders in the near future in an effort to gauge

opinions which would be valuable in helping to chart a way forward. Members of the public who are desirous of engaging the Commission can make contact at its 66, Peter Rose and Anira Streets, Queenstown, Georgetown office and/or through telephone numbers 231-6281, 231-6265.

In addition to Smith and McLean, the other members of the ERC are: Sister Rajkumarie Singh, Roshan Khan, Norris Witter, Deodat Persaud, Ruth Howard, Barrington Braithwaite, Neaz Subhan and Ashton Simon.

The constitutional organ had become defunct in 2011. However, the National Assembly in January approved the names of the 10 persons to sit on the

President David Granger flanked by the newly-appointed members of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC)

ERC, after more than four years of consultations and reviews. In delivering brief remarks during the swearing in, President Granger said the Constitution provides for the establishment

of the ERC and is guarded against influence and interference by the Executive.

He stated that the work of the ERC is critical to ensuring ethnic harmony and social cohesion in Guyana. “The Ethnic Relations Commission is intended to support, inter alia, to promote good relations, harmony, peace, tolerance and understanding between our peoples,” he posited while adding that the Commission is also expected to

ensure that equal opportunities between persons of different ethnic groups are provided and ethnic discrimination is proscribed.

The ERC is constitutionally required to provide 24 functions.

“These functions entail a broad range of actions and interventions including education, investigation, monitoring, reviewing, recommending and research and study,” the President explained.

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GFF focused on stabilising and unifying the football family - Forde … Guyana Chronicle among awardees at GFF ceremony

THE Wayne Forde-led Executive Committee on Friday evening executed the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) first Football Awards since it was last held in March of 2017.

Players, sponsors, coaches, media and other football stakeholders gathered at a well-decorated banquet hall at the SleepIn Hotel and Casino on Church Street for what GFF president Forde said was to “recommission the timeless tradition of gratitude, which seems to have been forgotten for far too long. Tonight, we pause for a moment to simply say, thank you, we appreciate your service, we recognise your contributions and we value the sacrifices each of you is called to make

every day for football.”

Forde told the gathering during his feature address that his “administration’s priorities during the past two and a half years have been deliberately focused on stabilising the football fraternity, unifying the football family, rebuilding the image of the sport and, establishing a clear vision for the game.”

The Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL), producers of the Guyana Chronicle, was among the list of 16 entities recognised by the GFF for its corporate support to the game of football in Guyana in 2017.

Digicel, Ansa McAl, Banks DIH, the National Communications Network,

National Sports Commission (NSC), and the Guyana Beverage Inc. were also among recipients of awards.

In the awards given to the Media, the Guyana Chronicle’s Rawle Toney won the award for Print Journalist-of-the-Year, while Newsroom’s Avenash Ramzan won the online version of the award and Travis Seymour of NCN copped the award for TV journalist. Orlando Charles of Stabroek News was given the award for Photographer-of-the-Year.

Forde presented the ‘Presidential Merit’ Award to one of the game’s most gifted coaches and former national standout Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Brathwaite and the

Presidential Award for most successful National Team Coach to Jamaal Shabazz.

Both Shabazz and Brathwaite, during their short but entertaining speech upon accepting their awards, thanked the GFF for recognising their role in various aspects of the game.

Shabazz, whose record would make him the most successful coach of Guyana’s senior men’s national team, was his usual candid self when calling for an ‘all hands of deck’ approach from all stakeholders if football is to really develop in Guyana.

The Trinidadian also made mention of his assistant during his time at the helm of the national team in Guyana, Wayne ‘Wiggy’

Dover, and others who silently and unknowingly left their imprint on his time in Guyana.

GFF’s Association-of-the-Year 2017 award was given to the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) and president Franklin Wilson collected on their behalf.

The GFF’s Most Improved Association-of-the-Year 2017 award was won by the Rupununi Football Association.

The GFF Elite League champions, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), were named Team-of-the-Year, Fruta Conquerors was adjudged the Junior Clubof-the-Year while GDF’s Bilaal Nantambu and Sherwyn Caesar picked up the

McLeod wins in WL; Miller-Uibo, Gardiner break meet records SHANGHAI, China (CMC) – Reigning Olympic champion Omar McLeod barely held off Spain’s Orlando Ortega to win the men’s sprint hurdles on a raindrenched night at the Shanghai Diamond League here yesterday.

Running out of lane five, the Jamaican led from the start and cleared the final hurdle still in front, but was forced into a leaning finish, in order to prevent Ortega from

sprinting through in lane eight to take the win.

The result was a world-leading 13.16 seconds while Ortega was timed at 13.17 seconds, with Russian Sergey Shubenkov finishing third in 13.27.

“I was kind of overcome with emotions because I’ve been through a lot this season,” said McLeod, who missed last month’s Commonwealth Games in Australia through injury.

“I was hurt a month ago.

I still was feeling some slight pain, but I was like, ‘I’m here.’”

He added: “My leg is a little bit sore but my body is in shock because it’s just fatigue and I haven’t been able to do a 110 workout in like a month.

It’s just a lot of emotions.”

Commonwealth Games champion and fellow Jamaican, Ronald Levy, trailed in fourth in 13.33 while fellow countryman Hansle Parchment, who took silver in Gold

Reigning Olympic champion, Jamaican Omar McLeod

Coast, was fifth in 13.48.

Meanwhile, women’s Commonwealth Games 200m champion, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, continued her recent domination of the event when she clinched victory in meet record 22.06 seconds.

The Bahamian, in lane seven, dismissed a challenge from Dutchwoman Dafne Schippers at the top of the stretch before easily pulling away to take the line uncontested.

Schippers edged Jamaican Shericka Jackson for second

in 22.34 secs, while the Rio Olympics bronze medallist was third in 22.36.

Miller-Uibo won gold in the women’s 400 metres at the Rio Olympics.

Steven Gardiner gave the Bahamas even more reason for celebration when he stormed to his second straight Diamond League victory, following his success in the Doha season-opener just over a week ago.

The 22-year-old ran a brilliantly controlled race, dismissing a strong challenge

from Botswana’s Isaac Makwala about 70 metres from the finish, to cross the line in 43.99 and post a new meet record.

Makwala was second in 44.23 with Qatar’s Abdalleleh Haroun third in 44.51.

In the women’s 400 metres, Jamaican Janieve Russell was second in 53.78 behind winner Dalilah Muhammad of the United States (53.77), with fellow Jamaican Leah Nugent sixth in 56.54.

Meanwhile, the Jamaican pair of Shanieka Ricketts (14.55 metres) and Kimberly Williams (14.35) took the lesser podium positions in the women’s triple jump as Colombian Caterine Ibarguen claimed gold with a leap of 14.80.

Danniel Thomas-Dodd, also of Jamaica, grabbed silver in the women’s shot put with a throw of 18.70 metres, behind China’s Lijiao Gong who measured 19.99m.

Prescod beats world champion Gatlin for shock 100m win in Shanghai

BRITAIN’S Reece Prescod beat world champion Justin Gatlin to seal a shock 100m victory at the Shanghai Diamond League.

Prescod, 22, crossed the line in a season’s best time of 10.04 seconds, just 0.01 of a second shy of his personal best.

Fellow Briton CJ Ujah finished fourth behind the Chinese pair of Su Bingtian

and Xie Zhenye.

“It is definitely the happiest moment in my time on the Diamond League circuit,” Prescod said.

“When I saw the rain tonight I thought, ‘yes’ - I train in these conditions all the time in the East Midlands. It suits me.

“My expectations going in were I knew I had it in me as long as I executed my race.”

Gatlin - the 2004 Olympic champion - was seventh with Canada’s Andre de Grasse eighth.

Elsewhere, Britain’s Andrew Osagie set a new season’s best of one minute 46.36 seconds to finish seventh in the men’s 800m, with Kenya’s Commonwealth champion Wycliffe Kinyamal winning in a meeting record of 1:43.91.

There was also a meet-

ing record for the Bahamas’ Shaunae Miller-Uibo in the women’s 200m. The 400m specialist won in a time of 22.06 seconds, 0.28s ahead of Dutch world champion Dafne Schippers.

World and Olympic champion Omar McLeod of Jamaica won the men’s 110m hurdles in 13.16 seconds, the best time in the world this year. (BBC Sport)

Coach-of-the-Year and Senior Male Player awards respectively.

Female Coach-of-theYear went to Akilah Castello, Tiandi Smith was named the Senior Women’s Footballer for 2017, and 13-year-old prodigy from Kwakwani, Jalade Trim, was given the Junior Female Football Player award.

Marineika Welcome (Female Assistant Referee), Kevin Stephens (Male Assistant Referee), Maurees Skeete (Female Refereeof-the-Year) and Gladwyn Johnson (Male Referee-ofthe-Year) were the officials given awards for their outstanding work on the field last year.

English Racing Tips Ludlow 09:00 hrs Kings Inn 09:30 hrs Baden 10:05 hrs Royal Escape 10:35 hrs Marracudja 11:10 hrs Cockney Wren 11:40 hrs Colonial Dreams 12:10 hrs Alph Plumpton 09:10 hrs Crushed 09:45 hrs Sweet’N’Chic 10:15 hrs The Fresh Prince 10:50 hrs Brother Bennett 11:25 hrs Brave Eagle 11:55 hrs Hill Fort 12:25 hrs Represented Southwell 09:25 hrs State The Obvious 10:00 hrs Ulis De Vassy 10:30 hrs Timeforben 11:05 hrs Truckers Lodge 11:35 hrs Hatem 12:05 hrs Strawberry Spirit 12:35 hrs Bararocco Irish Racing Tips Killarney 08:20 hrs Dreamtide 08:50 hrs Edelpour 09:20 hrs Stormy Ireland 09:55 hrs Neverushacon 10:25 hrs Pravalaguna 11:00 hrs Up For Review 11:30 hrs Not For You 12:00 hrs Yukon Lil Leopardstown 09:05 hrs Razoul 09:35 hrs True Valour 10:10 hrs Magical 10:40 hrs Nelson 11:15 hrs Not A Bad Oul Day 11:45 hrs Clongowes 12:15 hrs Southern France South Africa Racing Tips Greyville 08:45 hrs Lily Theresa 09:20 hrs Roy’s Snowdrops 09:55 hrs Mumsy’s Jet 10:30 hrs Liverpool Lass

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 13, 2018

Narine stars as KKR clinch record-breaking win SUNIL Narine set Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on the way to their highest-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) score and victory over Kings XI Punjab in a run-feast yesterday.

Pinch-hitter Narine bludgeoned four sixes and nine fours to make his biggest IPL score of 75 off only 36 balls and captain Dinesh Karthik struck 50 from just 23 in KKR’s mammoth total of 245-7 in Indore.

Andrew Tye took 4-41, but it was a gruelling day for the Kings XI bowlers, KKR posting the fourth-best score in IPL history.

KL Rahul hit a third consecutive half-century, but any

faint hopes of Kings XI pulling off an unlikely run chase were all but ended when he played on to a Narine delivery for 66 from only 29 balls after striking seven sixes.

Andre Russell took 3-41 as Kings XI finished up on 214-8 following a late Ravichandran Ashwin (45) cameo to go down by 31 runs, striking a blow to their play-off hopes and enhancing KKR’s chances of qualifying.

Narine has been hit-andmiss at the top of the order and was due a good knock after falling for single-digit scores in his last two matches.

The left-hander justified his opening berth, adding in-

sult to injury after Mujeeb Ur Rahman damaged his thumb trying to take a catch off his bowling when Narine drilled a half-volley back at him.

Ashwin bowled the remainder of the fourth over with Mujeeb off for treatment and the captain’s first two balls were smashed for six and four.

Narine cut loose after Chris Lynn (27) fell, racing to his half-century off only 26 deliveries, eventually falling when he was caught behind off Tye in the 12th over.

There was more suffering to come for the Kings XI bowlers following Narine’s departure, Karthik and Russell putting on 76 in just five

Sunil Narine brings up his fifty off 26 balls. (BCCI)

overs.

Russell put the expensive Axar Patel, whose four wicket-less overs went for 52, onto the roof in the 15th over that cost 19 runs and Karthik set about Mujeeb, who must have wished he had stayed off the field when he was taken for 21 in the 16th.

The clean-hitting duo both cleared the ropes three times and debutant Javon Searles hit his one and only ball for six over long on to

finish off a devastating KKR batting performance in style.

Rahul made 95 not out and an unbeaten 84 in his previous two matches and maintained his outstanding form to give Kings XI hope.

The India batsman struck Narine for back-to-back sixes in the first over and motored on after Russell struck twice in as many balls to remove Chris Gayle (21) and Mayank Agarwal.

Rahul slashed a short

ball from Russell for a maximum to reach his 50 from only 22 balls and hit Narine for another two sixes in an over, but the spinner had the last laugh when the opener made a mess of an attempted sweep.

Ashwin produced some fireworks with a brisk 22ball knock, but Kings XI were made to pay for a poor display in the field.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 13, 2018

32 Days to go …

FIFA Congress on 2026 World Cup, Club World Cup: what’s at stake?

IN just over a month, the FIFA Congress takes place in Moscow, and, among other things, they’ll be deciding whether to award the 2026 World Cup to Morocco or the United Bid, an entry shared by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

But that’s only the start. Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, is pushing hard for two other pet projects: a revamped Club World Cup and the Global Nations League, modelled on the UEFA version, which kicks off next month.

Q: First things first, where will 2026 World Cup take place? Surely in North America, right?

A: Many think that is Infantino’s preferred option, though obviously he has to be officially neutral. But it’s a lot closer than people think. And the fact that the voting procedure has changed makes it tougher to call. Previously, it was the 24 FIFA Executive Committee (since replaced by the FIFA Council) members who voted. Now it’s all 211 FIFA members. And it looks as if there won’t be a secret ballot.

Q: So, why did they change it?

A: Well, as you may have noticed, most of the folks who voted last time around, for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup, have been indicted or banned. The thinking is that it’s tougher to manipulate a vote when you have 211 voters as opposed to 24. And scrapping the secret ballot is supposed to make it harder to bribe voters. Of course, the flip side is that it also limits freedom to some degree: regional power brokers will know exactly who is following their instructions and who isn’t.

Q: But aren’t they supposed to simply vote their conscience based on the strength of each bid?

A: Yeah, and Elsa is still queen of Arendelle ... come on now. They’re not supposed to, but most FAs vote, based either on geopolitical considerations - because they get instructions from their government - or, if there is no political interference, on what’s best for them and their part of the world. It shouldn’t be that way, but it usually is, which, I guess, is better than folks voting based on who gives them the biggest envelope full of cash.

Q: Back to 2026. Why is it close? The last CONCACAF World Cup was in

1994; Africa just had one in 2010. Plus, the United Bid has better infrastructure and most of the grounds are already built.

A: Well, some think it’s going to be close because they expect virtually all of Africa to back the Moroccan bid. That would be 54 votes right there. They’ve also speculated that some nations who aren’t fond of the United States might also back it as well as, possibly, a gaggle of Arab nations in the Middle East, perhaps Russia and some former Soviet states, too. That might add up to 80 or so.

And then it comes down to those on the fence, and that’s when it’s OK to get a little cynical about how they will use their vote.

But you’re right: a United Bid World Cup would cost a lot less and would likely be far more lucrative. In fact, Carlos Cordeiro, one of the three co-chairs of the bid (and president of the USSF) estimates it will generate some $11 billion in profits for FIFA, making it far and away the most profitable World Cup ever. In fact, that’s why conventional wisdom has it that Infantino prefers the United Bid. Q: Ah yes, greedy FIFA. All about the dollar signs...

A: Yes and no. It’s not as if he owns FIFA and the money goes to him. But it’s true that FIFA right now are probably more driven by financial considerations.

Q: How come?

A: Well, FIFA lost nearly $700 million between 2015 and 2017, largely as a result of massive legal fees after the scandals and sponsors running away.

Infantino, who was elected in 2016, was supposed to turn that around. He had grown UEFA revenues significantly during his time as general secretary and promised to do the same at FIFA. Plus, he kinda had to: part of his election platform was based on quadrupling development money to each member federation, except it is proving to be rather tougher than expected.

Q: Why? A: For a start, he inherited Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. Neither is particularly appealing to sponsors, certainly not relative to, say, Brazil 2014 or what a United Bid in 2026 might be. The political situation in both countries - EU sanctions over the

invasion of Crimea and charges of Russian meddling in foreign elections for the former, the Saudi-led blockade for the latter - isn’t helping matters.

Compared to Brazil or even South Africa, those are tough sells. In fact, part of the reason he’s expanding the World Cup to 48 teams is to generate more revenue so he can hit his targets.

Q: Will it be enough?

A: Probably not. And that’s why the Global Nations League and revamped Club World Cup are on the agenda again.

Q: You mentioned the Global Nations League before. Let’s start with that one.

A: You can read about it here, though remember, that’s an early iteration. Who knows what it will look like in the end, but the basic idea is to replace friendlies with competitive international play between countries of similar standard on a regional basis, with the winners squaring off in some global tournament. If done right, they wouldn’t be adding any international dates to the calendar, which is important to clubs, of course. And they reckon that if FIFA run it themselves and sell the commercial and broadcast rights centrally, it will be quite lucrative; certainly, more so, than all these friendlies being sold piecemeal by each nation.

Q: Just how much money are we talking?

A: It will vary by region, but a European nation winning the GNL could earn up to $50 million for the initial stage - which is just six games - plus an additional $25M if they win it all.

If, say, England were to win it, that would represent a 15 percent increase in revenue ... and they’re one of the richest FAs. But that pales by comparison with the revamped Club World Cup proposal.

Q: Oh? Tell me more.

A: So instead of the Confederations Cup, you’d have a quadrennial competition for 24 clubs. Think Champions League meets World Cup, but held in June. Think Bayern, Real Madrid and Manchester United plus, obviously, teams from other confederations, all of them duking it out at the end of the European season. For the clubs, it could

mean as much as an additional $60M to $90M, plus a chance to expand their global footprint.

Here, it’s not just about the money, though. It’s also about the balance of power. Such a competition, you’d imagine, could challenge the Champions League.

That’s important, too. Clubs, especially the super-clubs, are driving the commercial development of the game. Rather than sharing it with UEFA, FIFA would be getting a slice, as well. It would make it more appealing for the clubs, too, I’d imagine: not only do they get more money but they’d get more leverage, too. If push comes to shove, they could even pit FIFA and UEFA against each other.

Q: OK, so far you’ve told me how much cash he’s going to hand out. But how is he going to pay for it? I’m sure he’s very confident in his ability to sell sponsorships and broadcast rights, but surely that’s a massive gamble?

A: It would be a huge gamble, though he says there’s a group of investors willing to partner with FIFA and guarantee as much as $25 billion. We don’t know who is behind it - though they’ve already set up an office in London’s Mayfair - but they’d be happy with a 49 percent stake in a joint venture.

Q: That’s crazy money ... how is this going to end up? And is it good for the game?

A: I doubt the stakeholders will go for it without knowing who the investors are. But if they’re legit and the cash is there, well. money talks. And Infantino is in a hurry to turn things around. He needs to cement his position at FIFA and deliver on his election promises.

All told, if we don’t end up with more matches (which remains to be seen), if more money can be made by not playing meaningless international friendlies and preseason club tournaments (again, TBD) and if the money does find its way back into grassroots development as Infantino promises (here, it’s up to ensuring he sticks to his word on compliance, transparency and good governance), then maybe it’s not such a bad thing. But we’ll all want to keep a close eye on it.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 13, 2018

Ireland impress as play gets underway in inaugural Test IRELAND restricted Pakistan to 268-6, as they made an encouraging start to life in Test cricket at Malahide.

The sun shone after the day-one washout and Boyd Rankin took Ireland’s first Test wicket before Tim Murtagh struck to leave Pakistan 13-2.

The tourists recovered but Asad Shafiq (62) was one of four wickets to fall after lunch to leave Pakistan 159-6.

Shadab Khan (52) and Faheem Ashraf (61) put on an unbroken 109-run partnership before bad light ended play.

Pakistan, sent in to bat

by Ireland captain William Porterfield, lost two wickets in successive balls on a pitch offering some sideways movement.

Rankin, the 15th man ever, and the first since Kepler Wessels (Australia and South Africa) 25 years ago,

Pakistan batsman Shadab Khan hits a crisp shot on his way to an unbeaten 52 at the close.

Delight for Boyd Rankin after he takes the first wicket for Ireland in Test cricket.

to play Test cricket for two nations after making a lone appearance for England in 2014, saw an uncertain Azhar Ali (four) edge to Porterfield at second slip.

Barely had the crowd’s cheers subsided when Pakistan were 13-2 off the very next ball with Imam ul-Haq, who was injured in a collision in the game’s first ball, lbw for seven, to a Murtagh delivery that came back into him.

After a few near run-outs, Pakistan’s third-wicket duo settled in - Shafiq square-cut Kane for four, with lefthander Haris Sohail glancing Stuart Thompson for a legside boundary.

Pakistan, 67-2 at lunch, lost their third wicket soon afterwards when Haris (31)

was caught in the gully by Porterfield off Thompson.

Babar Azam (14), pushing hard at a Murtagh delivery that left him off the pitch, was well-held by Paul Stirling at second slip.

Shafiq went on to complete a 107-ball fifty when he pulled Rankin for a single.

But with the towering Rankin, bowling from around the wicket, a similar shot proved Shafiq’s undoing when he found Andrew Balbirnie at square leg.

And when Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed (20) was caught by Stirling in the slips off Thompson, the tourists were struggling at 159-6.

But Shadab and Faheem turned the tide in style with maiden Test fifties at the County Dublin venue.

Faheem, however, did have a break when, on 36, he edged Rankin only for a diving Niall O’Brien to miss the catch and give the obscured Gary Wilson at first slip no chance of taking the ball.

Duly reprieved, he went to fifty in just 52 balls, including seven fours, with Shadab following him to the landmark in 89 balls.

When Stirling came on, a well-set Faheem launched the part-time spinner over long-on for six.

Bad light saw the players leave the field late in the afternoon and after a thunderclap and a heavy downpour 20 minutes later, play was abandoned for the day. (BBC Sport)

SCOREBOARD PAKISTAN 1st innings A. Ali c Porterfield b Rankin 4 Imam ul-Haq lbw Murtagh 7 H. Sohail c Porterfield b Thompson 31 A. Shafiq c Balbirnie b Rankin 62 B. Azam c Stirling b Murtagh 14 S. Ahmed c Stirling b Thompson 20 Shadab Khan not out 52 Faheem Ashraf not out 61 Extras: (b-1, lb-10, nb-4, w-2) 17 Total: (76.0 overs) 268-6 Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-13, 3-71, 4-104, 5-153, 6-159.

Bowling: Tim Murtagh 17-4-332, Boyd Rankin 17-3-58-2 (nb-1), Tyrone Kane 18-2-84-0 (nb-1), Stuart Thompson 16-2-51-2 (w-1, nb-2), Kevin O’Brien 6-1-20-0 (w1), Paul Stirling 2-0-11-0.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 13, 2018

Legends Month: The best of Greg Chappell

By Andrew Ramsey

BY most yardsticks, Greg Chappell’s flawless Lord’s hundred in conditions that made batting even less appealing than Britain’s damp, chill summer of 1972 would have ensured his name was forever linked with the match that hosted it.

But the second Test of that landmark Ashes campaign is scarcely remembered for its orthodoxy.

Playing his first Test and accomplice to Western Australia teammate Dennis Lillee was right-arm outswing bowler Bob Massie, who stunned both camps over the first day and a half to pocket 8-84.

The best bowling figures for any Australian man in his maiden Test until he bettered them in England’s second innings, where he claimed 8-53.

But between those bouts of heroics came the innings that Chappell was to rate the pinnacle of an indisputably lofty career.

To contextualise just how tough run-scoring was during that dank Ashes campaign when ball routinely dominated bat, no England player labouring in familiar climes posted a three-figure

score across five matches that eventually yielded a 2-2 stalemate.

The only time in more than 140 years that they have failed to find a century-maker in Ashes series of five Tests or more.

When Australia began their reply to England’s 272 in the early afternoon of day two at Lord’s, the average score for a top six batter across the preceding five completed innings was 25 as Lillee, then England’s paceman-cum-poet John Snow, and then Massie proved untameable.

Certainly, Chappell was barely recognisable as the graceful, unhindered stylist he later came to portray as when he joined his older brother (and captain) Ian with Australia in early straits at 2-7.

The slimly built, textbook-drilled 23-year-old spent almost an hour becalmed on 14 as Ian played aggressor, and had been in occupation almost three hours before he finally found a boundary, by which time Ian had departed for 56, caught in the deep from a lofted hook shot, as was his want.

However, Chappell forged a stoic union with Ross Edwards – another

Greg Chappell rates his Lord’s century the best of his career. (Getty)

West Australian in his first Test - and slowly his fluency found expression.

Much of the six hours and 13 minutes through which he endured was spent in studied defence, to nullify those deliveries that wobbled in the air and nibbled off the surface for the entirety of the Test.

With his most reliable and authoritative scoring option coming when bowlers dropped marginally short, allowing Chappell to haughtily raise himself to his full 1.87

metres (six-foot two-inch in the currency of the day) and deftly find runs through clinical placement.

When he reached 100 – for the second time in Tests, and the first in England – moments shy of stumps on day two, he greeted the occasion with all the languid understatement that came to characterise his cricket.

A congratulatory pat on the rump from rival bowler Norman Gifford was followed by a desultory bat raise and a weary cap doff,

with the only hint of animation coming when he waved his Baggy Green in annoyance at a glory seeker who had run from the crowd on to the pitch.

He batted for a further 90 minutes the next morning, before a full house of more than 30 000 that ensured the ornate entry gates at Lord’s were locked long before the first ball was bowled that Saturday.

His dismissal, effected when he tried to force modest medium-pacer Basil d’Oliveira through the covers only to hack the ball back on to his stumps, brought that throng to their feet as men clad in gabardine raincoats set pipes and cigarettes in their mouths to afford Chappell a deserved sendoff.

On return to the visitors’ dressing room, Chappell slumped into a chair, mentally drained and physically spent from toil that ex-Test captain Richie Benaud rated for decades to come “one of the greatest innings I’ve ever seen”.

And one that Chappell would tell cricket.com.au was his proudest among the 24 hundreds he ultimately aggregated from 87 Test matches.

“I only made one mistake

and that was when I got out,” Chappell later recalled.

“To bat that long and not have made a mental mistake was the greatest achievement of my batting career, I was so tuned mentally, and I didn’t make any physical mistakes either.

“My footwork was spot on; and it was probably the most enjoyable and satisfying innings I played as well – the challenge of making runs under those conditions.”

Just as clear are his recollections of being back at the crease on the fourth day after Massie had rolled England for 116, and with Keith Stackpole as they chased down the runs needed to secure Australia an eight-wicket win.

The nation’s first Test triumph on English soil at 12 attempts, and only the third time they had tasted success in Britain over the preceding 11 years.

A victory that marked a watershed for an Australia outfit that Chappell would lead for almost eight years, while the swing that had lifted Massie to fleeting fame deserted him less than a year later and he added just five Tests and 15 wickets to his legend before he retired in 1974, aged 26.

(Cricket.com.au)

Daredevils eliminated as Like the good old days, Woods RCB edge entertaining clash rediscovers that Tiger magic DELHI Daredevils cannot reach the Indian Premier League (IPL) play-offs after Royal Challengers Bangalore won a big-hitting clash by five wickets yesterday.

Batsmen on both sides thrived in this basement battle as the hosts looked on course for victory after a strong end to their innings in Delhi, with Abhishek Sharma posting an unbeaten 46 from 19 balls to set a target of 182.

But RCB also had fun finding the boundaries as Virat Kohli made 70 off 40 and AB de Villiers carried his side across the finish line with a knock of 72 not out that included six sixes.

RCB’s own hopes of reaching the post-season remain slim, but they at least have something to play for in the closing weeks of the tournament.

Delhi were hugely grateful to Rishabh Pant for his knock after a dismal start to their innings, losing two wickets in the first three overs.

Yuzvendra Chahal accounted for both as he picked off middle stump behind Prithvi Shaw (2) and bamboozled

RCB needed another AB de Villiers masterclass to cross the line and stay in contention for a playoff spot. (©BCCI)

Jason Roy (12) to leave the Daredevils reeling on 16-2.

Pant was in no mood to follow his team-mates, though, as a sublime nine boundaries including a pair of sixes in the eighth over - brought up 61 runs off 34 balls, before finally bowing out to de Villiers’ catch from a Moeen Ali delivery.

Pant’s efforts still should not have been enough for Delhi to post a commanding total, but RCB completely collapsed with four overs of the innings remaining.

The Daredevils’ tally swelled from 120-4 to 181-4 as they allowed Sharma to step into Pant’s shoes, notching 21 in a 22-run 17th over to set a far more difficult target for the visitors.

RCB captain Kohli was

shaking his head as he departed for the innings break and it was more of the same immediately after the restart, with Moeen (1) and Parthiv Patel (6) dismissed quickly.

But Kohli and de Villiers soon made a mockery of these early struggles and put on a marvellous stand of 118 for the next wicket, the visiting skipper hitting 10 boundaries.

It was Pant’s catch that finally removed Kohli, but de Villiers drove on. Trent Boult’s (2-40) bowling was initially economical, but Harshal Patel’s (1-51) was less so and an unlikely victory loomed large for RCB. And Boult could not deny de Villiers as he completed the chase with a six with an over remaining.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla (Reuters) - It was just like the halcyon days of a previous era as Tiger Woods carded his best ever score at TPC Sawgrass, a seven-under-par 65, in the third round of the Players Championship yesterday.

Woods, a 79-time winner on the PGA Tour, used his irons with precision and wielded a hot putter to record his lowest numerical score on the PGA Tour since 2015.

It was also his best score in relation to par since 2013, though he has played only sparingly in the ensuing five years while nursing a serious back injury.

After making the cut with nothing to spare on Friday, Woods teed off trailing halfway leader Webb Simpson by 14 strokes on another perfect morning.

“I finally got off to a good start,” said Woods, who sent waves of excitement through the gallery with six front-nine birdies.

He turned in 30 and added further birdies at the 11th and 12th holes, but he could

Tiger Woods

not pick up any more.

His 65 left Woods on an eight-under 208, unlikely to be near the lead by day’s end as scoring conditions remained ideal.

Still, it was a nice confidence-booster for Woods as he works his way back to tournament sharpness after last year’s successful spinal fusion.

“It was nice to see a few putts go in. I hit a lot of quality shots and 65 was probably as high as I could have shot today, which was kind of nice,” he said.

“To be eight-under there

through 12 - realistically, I probably could have got a couple more out of it and got to 10 (under) for the day.

“Today I felt more comfortable with my overall warm-up. I felt I had better control of hitting it rightto-left and left-to-right, and consequently today I was able to shape the golf ball both ways and started to control it a little bit better today.”

While Woods has shown signs of his old self in his seven-plus tournaments this year, he has struggled to string good rounds together.

The 42-year-old has displayed patience, outwardly at least, knowing that even a player of his calibre needs some time to get back to near his best after missing so much time through injury.

“It’s just a matter of playing and executing and putting the shots together,” he said.

“Eventually I was going to put all the pieces together and today for the most part I did that.”

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BFA Independence Cup Championship to kick off today THE Bartica Football Association (BFA), in partnership with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), will host an Independence Cup Championship from May 13 to 26 at the Bartica Secondary School ground.

The two-week tournament follows a meeting hosted by GFF president Wayne Forde on Saturday, May 5, in the community and will be coordinated by a fiveman team comprising Sherwin Da Silva, Elwes Jones, Curtis Joseph, Kenneth Edwards and Alden Marslowe.

The meeting also resulted in the establishment of a ‘Resuscitation Working Group’ consisting of nine persons.

In an invited comment, Marslowe said the tournament is geared to “accelerate the revival of the sport in Bartica and is also a prelude to the work of the new Executive Committee, since the tournament will conclude on the 26th when elections are scheduled and the new executive body will be elected to carry on the initiative.”

The championship will feature senior footballers from eight clubs – Beacons, Rising Stars, Mil Ballers, Lazio, Potaro Strikers, Riv-

GFF president Wayne Forde

er’s View, Wolves United and Byderabo Strikers – and will be played in two round-robin groups with two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals after the first round.

An opening ceremony is planned for today 13:30hrs, followed by the opening matches featuring Beacons FC vs Mil Ballers FC at 14:00hrs, and Rising Stars FC vs Lazio FC at 16:00hrs.

President Forde is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony and declare the tournament open.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday May 13, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

RCB (April 17)

(2)

Kings XI Punjab (April 19)

Today’s Quiz: (1)

Who struck most sixes in IPL 2017?

(2) What was the highest team score in IPL 2017?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 13, 2018

Uncapped quartet named in Sri Lanka squad for Windies tour COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (CMC) – Experienced opener Dimuth Karunaratne has been left out of a 17-man Sri Lanka touring party for the Caribbean after failing to recover from a finger injury.

The 30-year-old, who has scored 3 186 runs from 49 Tests, fractured a finger during a net session recently while preparing for a domestic tournament and will not feature in the three-Test series.

Selectors have meanwhile named four uncapped players with Kasun Rajitha, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando and Mahela Udawatte all included for the June 6-27 tour.

Despite having not played in the longer form, the four already possess international experience.

Rajitha is a seamer who has played three Twenty20 Internationals, leg-spinner Vandersay has turned out in 11 One-Day Internationals while 20-year-old fast bowler Fernando has a single ODI under his belt.

Sri Lanka opener Dimuth Karunaratne

Udawatte, meanwhile, has played nine ODIs and eight T20Is. Former captain Angelo Matthews and Suranga Lakmal have both been included but a final decision will be made on their match fitness before the squad leaves for the Caribbean.

The squad, led by Dinesh Chandimal, is currently

training in Pallekele.

Sri Lanka will open the tour with a three-day match starting June 30 at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium in Trinidad before facing West Indies in Tests at Queen’s Park Oval, Darren Sammy Cricket Ground and Kensington Oval.

SQUAD – Dinesh Chandimal (captain),

Mahela Udawatte, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lahiru Gamage, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando.

Cadogan, Harding steal show as Woodpecker Junior squash continues ACTION on Friday at the Georgetown Club on the fourth day of play for the Woodpecker Products Junior National Squash Championships did not disappoint.

The highlight of the night came from Abosaide Cadogan and Makeda Harding in a much-anticipated match which saw the two girls rumble from the first serve to the last. The first game saw Harding make her mark as she forged ahead after punishing rallies to take the lead 7-2.

Digging deep, Cadogan fought back to snap up four straight points to 6-7 eventually levelling 11-11 then 1212, before Cadogan squeezed the next 2 to win 14-12. The next game could have been anyone’s as they traded shot for shot, drop for drop, drive for drive.

The crowd was wowed as passion ran high on the court and both girls proved

formidable adversaries.

Cadogan outplayed Harding to take away the second game 11-8.

Harding could not hold on in the final game as Cadogan asserted her dominance and finished the match with a surprising 11-5 for a threelove win over the previous Under-17 champion.

In another anticipated match, Boys’ Under-13 Mohryan Baksh showed improved form to beat James Mekdeci in a 3-1 win.

The first Girls’ Under-19 match of the tournament saw Sarah Lewis rout Aliyah Persaud 3-love, and in the Boys’ Under-15 an in-form Gianni Carpenter worked out Samuel Ince-Carvalhal in what has become known as a battle of the lefties. Ince-Carvalhal managed to secure a 3-love win, but Carpenter played a solid game almost catching the third game which went down to 12-10.

Daniel Islam and Shomari Wiltshire made light work of their opponents. They will face each other in the final today which promises to be an exciting day for Guyana Squash.

Today will be a full day, as the players work towards securing their ranking in the Junior Nationals.

The full list of Friday’s results: Under-11 Boys Shiloh Asregado battered Breno DaSilva 11-1, 11-0, 11-1.

Joshua Verwey beat Grant Fernandes 13-11, 118, 11-5.

Under-13 Girls Beau Fernandes whipped Christiana Fernandes 11-6, 11-6, 11-2.

Under-13 Boys Demetrius DeAbreu crushed Lucas Persaud 11-2, 11-1, 11-1.

Mohryan Baksh beat James Mekdeci 11-5, 4-11, 11-6, 11-7.

Ethan Jonas defeated Nicholas Verwey 11-9, 115, 11-7.

Under-15 Girls Kirsten Gomes triumphed over Madison Fernandes 116, 11-6, 11-7 Abosaide Cadogan defeated Aliyah Persuad 11-8, 11-3 , 11-1.

Under-15 Boys Samuel Ince-Carvalhal beat Gianni Carpenter 11-8 , 11-4, 12-10 Demetrius DeAbreu beat Zachary Persuad 11-5, 11-9, 11-3.

Under-17 Girls Abosaide Cadogan beat Makeda Harding 14-12, 118, 11-5.

Under 17 Boys Shomari Wiltshire trounced Osmond Mack 11-3 , 11-1 , 11-1 Daniel Islam thrashed Lucas Persuad 11-0, 11-3, 11-2..

Under-19 Girls Sarah Lewis beat Aliyah Persuad 11-7, 11-8, 11-5

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 13, 2018

United We Stand CC Independence 3-Stage Cycling Road Race

John takes first stage, maintains overall lead

… Gopilall cops second stage

By Michelangelo Jacobus TEAM Coco’s cyclist Jamual John is the overall leader in the United We Stand Cycling Club’s Independence 3-Stage Road Race after the first two stages and over 107 miles of strenuous riding were completed yesterday in less than favourable weather conditions.

John along with Team Evolution’s Paul DeNobrega and Trojan PSL rider Curtis ‘Chappy’ Dey made their mark in the first stage finishing first, second and third in

that order after the 65-mile race from Ocean View Hotel on the East Coast of Demerara to Mahaicony and back.

John’s winning time in the first stage was two hours 31 minutes 22 seconds.

After outsprinting DeNobrega and Dey who were close on his wheels, John finished fifth in the second leg around the circuit of D’Urban Park.

However, the five-minute gap the trio had on the peloton, minus Christopher ‘Chicken Legs’ Griffith, was good enough to keep their lead intact despite the im-

Stage set for today’s GAPLF Intermediate/ Masters Championship

Athletes and GAPLF officials preparing the stage for the Intermediate/Masters Championship

THE stage is set and all logistics are in place for today’s Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation’s (GAPLF) Intermediate/ Masters Championship at the auditorium of the St Stanislaus College on Brickdam.

This year’s championships are anticipated to be full of fireworks as the country’s top strong men and women seek to strain and muscle their way to supremacy in the federation’s premier championships.

After the Novices Championships earlier this year, record-breakers such as Runita White, Lisa Oudit and others will be on show, this time with the Intermediates and Masters.

Some 33 athletes have been confirmed to compete across the various weight

categories and spectators will surely be in for a treat.

The 33 athletes are: Bjorn Williams, Blossom Babb, Carlos Petterson-Griffith, Christopher Sookdeo, Colin Chesney, Deonarine Dutt, Dwayne Welch, Ede Tyrell, Fawaz Rampertab, Franklyn Brisport-Luke, Grace Babb, Greg Stevens, Jackquelyn Toney, Junica Pluck, Keshawn Rahiman, Leroy Trotman, Martin Webster, Matthew Maycock, Nadina Taharally, Nairanjan Singh, Noel Cummings, Onika Beckles, Rajiv Indarjeet, Ramzan Mohamed, Runita White, Sherlock Rigby, Shivdatt Hansraj, Susan Rodrigues, Timothy Bagla, Timothy Romalho, Tineisha Toney, Vijai Rahim and Frank Tucker.

pressive second-leg display of 17-year-old Trojan PSL rider Ajay Gopilall.

The Berbician brought his talents to the city and obliterated the field by more than two minutes to win the 30-lap second stage in two hours 22 minutes 31 seconds.

Gopilall took control of the race at its halfway mark by switching to beast mode and never let up after youngster Andrew Hicks had led the race for almost 14 laps.

Dey outsprinted the remnants of the peloton with Alonzo Ambrose (third), DeNobrega (fourth) and John (fifth) close

Ajay Gopilall crosses the finish line in the second leg without a rival in sight. (Adrian Narine photo)

behind.

Gopilall sits in the first junior position but could not topple the trio. He, however, managed to shave off more than two minutes and earned the respect of the smattering of fans that lined Homestretch Avenue.

The United We Stand Cycle Club (UWSCC) organised fixture is wide open as the riders head into the finale today around the outer circuit of the National Park.

The promising youngster Gopilall, who moved overall from ninth to fourth, will look to move up in the standings in today’s final leg which rolls off at 09:30hrs.

GuyanaNRA fundraising raffle drawn … Holder of ticket #0013050 wins 125cc Jialing motorcycle

THE Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) fundraising raffle was drawn yesterday in the compound of Industrial Safety Supplies Inc., 226 Camp Street.

The holder of ticket #0013050 (E. Brazilio) won the first place prize of one Jialing 125cc motorcycle which has been sponsored by Jialing.

The second place prize of one 8HP outboard engine, sponsored by Crown Mining Supplies, was won by the holder of ticket #0006301.

Holder of ticket #0009178 won the third place prize of one 50” TV, compliments of Industrial Safety Supplies Inc., while the fourth place prize of one refrigerator, compliments of Queensway, was won by the holder of ticket #0005416.

The winners of the 10 consolations prizes sponsored

by Mr Andre De Abreu are: 1. One Fan ticket #0040501; 2. One Fan ticket #0040847; 3. One Non-Stick Cooker ticket #0007265; 4. One Coffee Maker ticket #0040805; 5. One Rice Cooker ticket #0035279; 6. One Rice

The GuyanaNRA fund raising raffle prizes on display yesterday.

Cooker ticket #0018799; 7.

One Six-Speed Mixer ticket #0039055; 8. Two-Burner Gas Cooker ticket #0016718; 9. Non-Stick Pot ticket #0013348; 10. Ten Piece Non-Stick Cookware Set ticket #0043688.

Winners of the above prizes can uplift them from Mr Hemant Narine at Industrial

Safety Supplies Inc., 226 Camp Street. They are also required to walk with a valid ID and have three months in which they can uplift their prizes.

The GuyanaNRA is extending gratitude to all the persons who had purchased tickets noting that the funds raised would assist in offsetting expenses for the Guyana

team which will be defending both their Long and Short Range at the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships set for Barbados from May 20.

Today the team would be engaged in their final team practice session before leaving for Barbados on Saturday.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 13, 2018

GFF focused on stabilising and unifying the football family - Forde … Guyana Chronicle among awardees at GFF ceremony PAGE

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Recipients and Executive Members of the GFF following the conclusion of the Federation’s Awards at the SleepIn Hotel and Casino on Friday evening. (Delano Williams photos)

United We Stand CC Independence 3-Stage Cycling Road Race

John takes first stage, maintains overall lead … Gopilall cops second stage PAGE

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13-year-old Jalade Time (right) receives her Female Junior Football player award from GFF president Wayne Forde

Guyana Chronicle’s Rawle Toney won the Print Journalist-of-the-Year award.

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

Close finish! Team Coco’s Jamual John does just enough to hold off Evolution’s Paul DeNobrega and Trojan PSL’s Curtis Dey in the first leg of the UWS CC Independence 3-Stage Cycling meet.

SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2018