Guyana chronicle e paper 05 18 2018

FRIDAY 18th May, 2018

No.105278

8000 houses by 2021

…as CH&PA teams up with seven private developers 02 PAGE

‘He must face the consequences if found guilty’ 09 PAGE

…Min Patterson distances self from brother’s troubles

Fisherman killed during scuffle 08 PAGE

Former 05 Chronicle editor George Baird passes on PAGE

Defying the rains, Guyanese of all ages with disabilities were given the opportunity on Thursday to participate in a friendly competition at the National Park Tarmac. This is the third consecutive year the Day of Sports is being hosted by the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre. This year, PRRC collaborated with the Rehabilitation Department of the Palms Geriatric Home where amputees engaged in competition with persons who suffered a stroke. The day was filled with wheelchair races, shot put, assisted device races, lime and spoon races, cup stacking, dominoes, buns eating competitions and distribution of prizes. Donations for the event were made by Food for the Poor and Banks DIH. (photo courtesy of Leroy Lyttle)

Murder down by 26%

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

8000 houses by 2021 …as CH&PA teams up with seven private developers

By Telesha Ramnarine

M

ORE than 8000 houses are to be constructed by 2021 following a move by the government on Thursday to officially join forces with seven private housing developers.

The Government wants

to speed up the process of Guyanese owing their own homes, especially low-income earners, state employees and youth at a cost of between $4M and $10M. The areas being looked at are Great and Little Diamond, and Prospect, all areas on the East Bank of Demerara. The

authorities are also looking at some sections of Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

At a ceremony to inaugurate the public/private partnership at the Regency Suites Hotel on Hadfield Street, Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valerie Adams-Yearwood,

who has responsibility for the housing sector, referred to the new arrangement as an “ambitious” plan on the government’s behalf.

With the areas earmarked being former sug-

China Dillian and Reno Vess.

“In the words of our President, ‘We aim to provide accessible and affordable housing in sanitary and safe communities with the necessities for wholesome and dignified living for citizens in need.’ The public sector is building an alliance with

high demand for housing, it is Government’s intention to replicate this project in other regions of Guyana. “Once we realise this partnership is successful and we have the funding, we are definitely going to take it to the other regions,” she said.

Chief Executive Offi-

Seated at the head table, from left, are Chief Executive Officer of CHPA Lelon Saul, Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valerie Adams-Yearwood, and Project Director Omar Narine

arcane fields, the minister called attention to the fact that it would be very costly to develop the schemes from scratch. “We took our partners on site to see the quality of the soil. At this point in time, we do not have the financing to do all of the infrastructure plus build houses.”

Over 20 proposals from potential contractors were received, but only seven were shortlisted. These are Mootilal Ramhit and Sons Construction Company Limited; Namalco Construction Guyana Limited; FTM Investment Inc.; Eco Housing Inc.; Greenheart Tree Energy;

willing members of the private sector to advance the cause of providing affordable housing for the Guyanese people,” the minister said.

It is envisaged that the partnership will see an increase in the use of local materials which will lead to benefits to the local manufacturers of construction materials, thus opening the doors for increased supplies. A rise in demand for labour is then expected, thereby resulting in job creation.

According to Adams-Yearwood, while the initiative is being launched in Region Four due to the

cer of Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), Lelon Saul, offered that the introduction of this partnership is aimed at addressing shortfall on the supply side, more particularly for low to moderate income families.

“Housing continues to be a mirage to the larger portion of ordinary Guyanese despite several ongoing initiatives.

The current rate of delivery is woefully inadequate. There is an urgent need to address the issue of affordability and access to mortgage financing.

We recognise at the current rate of production, we will not be able to address the demand in a timely manner,” he pointed out.

The partnership arrangement is therefore expected to bring several benefits, he posited. “Globally, this (public/private partnership) has become the household name in development. It optimises use of public funds and boasts of quality, reduces the burden of public sec-

Turn to page 3 ►

Protect our children 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

… CPA director says child, women abuse at all-time high

By Rabindra Rooplall CHILD abuse and the assault of women in the home are at an all-time high and clear guidelines with partnerships are needed to ensure children and families

and quick responses.

“This activity here today is long overdue, but it is timely since child abuse and assault of women in the home are at an all-time high and we need round-table discussions by key stake-

as troubled children, broken families, juvenile delinquency, absentee or detached fathers, domestic violence and abuse, children in need of alternative care, child neglect and abuse, school dropouts and runaway chil-

will be held in the future.

He said law enforcement officers are at the forefront and would receive most of the complaints or allegations of child abuse or sexual offences committed.

“We have recognised

CPA Director Ann Greene

Commissioner of Police (ag) Paul Williams addressing station sergeants at the workshop (Samuel Maughn photo)

are protected.

This is according to Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA) Director, Ann Greene, in her remarks at a two-day sensitisation session Thursday with station sergeants of the Guyana Police Force and staff of the Social Protection Ministry.

The event is being held under the theme: “Working together for the Protection of Children and Families” at Parc Rayne, Houston, East Bank Demerara. Also in attendance was Commissioner of Police (ag) Paul Williams.

Greene explained that child abuse does not go away, but 90 per cent of child abuse is preventable and violence in the home calls for timely intervention

holders,” she said.

Adding that gaining an understanding of agencies roles and functions are necessary to achieve shared goals, Greene said it is expected that at the end of the workshop there will be clear guidelines and partnerships to ensure children and families are protected.

“Officers from the respective divisions along with child protection officers from the district will work together and come up with a strategy to deal with domestic violence and child abuse in their division as first responders,” Greene said.

The CPA director said providing social and human services is not a single agency’s task as problems such

8000 houses...

tor financing and promotes greater accountability and monitoring. Once the agreed conditions are met, over 8000 housing units will be delivered throughout the country in the short to medium term.

“We endeavor to put housing within the reach of the small man, the real man.

For him, housing will no longer be an elusive dream,” Saul expressed.

He noted how many in-

From page 2

dividuals who were allocated house lots are yet to commence building due to limited access to financing, slothful pace of infrastructural development and low confidence in building contractors.

“The public/private initiative will lower cost units which are durable, built to international standards and are constructed in record time,” he informed.

dren, among others, need to be urgently addressed.

In order to effectively meet the needs of clients, Greene said this will require a network of agencies and professionals for a positive outcome for children and families, noting that the CPA needs the GPF as its top partner, and the final authority on enforcement of children protection laws.

The director said when a successful collaboration bears fruit it raises the standard of care for users.

Commissioner of Police (ag) Paul Williams said now there is a closer working relationship with members of the police force and the staff of the Ministry of Social Protection as more workshops

that despite that is our role, there are challenges that we are faced with during the process of investigation and therefore it is important to have partnership,” the acting

top cop said. He said the partnership will also help in the pooling of resources and will bring about transparency in the way and manner investigations are done.

In advising the participating ranks, Williams said, “Ensure that your subordinates carry out the right functions, do what they ought to do, try as much as possible to minimise complaints of neglect, delays, non-response and delay in networking, continue to strengthen this relationship and bond and you will see the successes.”

The Commissioner of Police (ag) underscored that prevention is better than cure and the engagement and efforts should be recognised throughout the justice system. Adding that GPF recruits are being taught about the care and custody of prisoners and the handling of juveniles, Williams said it is mandated in the Police Force from the divisional level to implement youth groups, scouts and first offender approach in dealing with children.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

GPSU threatens to sue GGMC over union dues – says remains legitimate representative of workers

By Svetlana Marshall THE Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) within weeks will take legal actions against the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission

(GGMC) and its board for withholding workers’ dues for more than nine months on the basis that the act is in breach of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention.

GPSU’s announcement that it will take legal actions against the management and board of GGMC comes on the heels of a report in the local media that a counter union – the Guyana Civil Servants and General Workers Union – has been registered by one of its very members, Gregory Gaspar, to represent the interest of GGMC workers.

Gaspar, who heads the new union, has reportedly said that the GGMC’s management was instructed by workers not to pay over the dues to GPSU. A request has been made for the monies to be refunded to workers.

But on Thursday, GPSU First Vice President, Dawn Gardener and executive member, Mortimer Livan, told reporters that within two weeks legal actions will be taken against GGMC, its board and even the Natural Resources Ministry.

Speaking at GPSU’s head-office, Livan explained that there are rules-based procedures associated with membership of and resignation from trade unions. As of Thursday, the trade unionist said GPSU has not received any resignation letter from any of the workers it represents at GGMC. “Union dues are statutorily deducted from mem-

GPSU executive member, Mortimer Livan and First Vice President, Dawn Gardener, speaking to reporters at the union’s head office in the presence of other representatives (Adrian Narine photo)

bers’ salaries and handed by the agency concerned and afterwards handed over to the union,” Livan explained while noting that in the case of GGMC, dues have not been handed over in nine months.

“In fact, their dues were deducted from their salaries premised on the authorisation they submitted to the GPSU which instructed the management to make the deductions in keeping with the rules of the union and to pay over to the union such amounts.

These are the amounts that the GGMC are arbitrarily and unlawfully withholding,” Livan told reporters.

While the Guyana Civil Servants and General Workers Union may have a Certificate of Registration, Livan contended that it is not recognised by the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board.

“As far as we are aware, the Guyana Public Service

Union is the only recognised certified union with a certificate from the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board to represent the workers at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission,” the GPSU first vice president said as she weighed in on the issue.

Gardener said GPSU repeatedly wrote the GGMC, its board and even the Natural Resource Ministry on the issue, and to date has not received a single response. She said the union is now left to draw the conclusion that they are colluding with workers to breach the ILO Convention.

“The convention clearly states that management should not interfere in the internal affairs of the union, but here it is that they are doing it…. Here we are, these monies continue to be deducted from the workers’ salaries, and management is arbitrarily withholding the monies,” she said.

While the Guyana Civil Servants and General Workers Union is reported to have over 200 members with more persons expressing an interest in being members, Gardener emphasised that GPSU has not received a single resignation from any of the GGMC workers, and remains the legitimate union representing the workers there.

“We have never been challenged by no other union; so we continue to be the recognised union and we will represent all workers at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission,” she stated.

Livan stated that while there are instances when workers are dissatisfied with the representation given by a union, in the case of GPSU, the union has been persistent in its representation of the workers at GGMC.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

Former Chronicle editor George Baird passes on

By Shirley Thomas VETERAN journalist and retired editor of the Guyana Chronicle, George Baird died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Thursday morning, following triple post-surgery heart attacks in rapid succession. He was 76.

A father of six, Baird’s death sent shockwaves around the media fraternity.

It came just 18 months after that of his wife, Shanta Baird, who passed away on December 18, 2016, also of a heart attack. He is survived by daughter, Sefa Maxwell and her five siblings and other relatives.

Baird’s hospitalisation came in the aftermath of a motor vehicular accident in which he was involved some years ago. He has since suffered multiple seizures, leading up to his final period of hospitalisation.

Baird had enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the field of journalism, during which scores of media practitioners benefitted from his vast wealth of knowledge, experience and tutelage. He had a reputation for being a ‘stickler for discipline’, and one whom reporters could not easily get past.

A graduate of Queen’s

College, after graduating, Baird immediately entered the field of journalism, working first at the Guyana Graphic and later the Guyana Public Communication Agency (GPCA), before joining the staff of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) on October 1, 1971 as a senior reporter.

He was later recommended for specialised training and proceeded to the United Kingdom where he underwent a 10-week Senior Journalists Training Programme sponsored by the Thomson Foundation for the Commonwealth from March to May 1988. On successful completion of the programme, he was elevated to the position of managing editor at the GNNL. That was about the first of many such training programmes and scholarships granted him, since his outstanding work as a journalist soon caught the eyes of the then President Forbes Burnham, who thereafter took him on several overseas trips. He attended several conferences with President Burnham, said Mr. Oscar Clarke, who was at the time Minister of Home Affairs.

After rendering decades of yeoman service to the company, he retired honourably on April 1, 1992, and

The late George Baird

being an asset to the company was rehired on a contract basis. But years later, on account of ill health, having suffered seizures during his tenure, he opted to go into permanent retirement in 2014.

Oscar Clarke, with whom Baird had been friends for over 50 years, said it was with deep shock that he received the message. Clarke said he had visited him in hospital just the day before, and there was no indication that death was imminent.

Commenting on George Baird’s remarkable traits in his profession and his contribution towards mentoring and moulding young journalists, Clarke asserted: “Regardless of what people may say, what you can’t take away from him was his love

for journalism.”

Meanwhile, Guyana Chronicle’s Editor, Godfrey Wray, devastated on learning of the death, commented: “George Baird was the consummate journalist, a man who was not prepared to settle for second best or shortcuts. His Queen’s College background made him demand nothing but the very best. Even after he retired, he could be called upon to point out errors. He is among the dwindling band of good newspapermen.”

Retired News Editor, now proofreader at the Guyana Chronicle, Wendella Davidson, sharing her sentiments stated: “What I know is that journalists who have passed through Mr. Baird’s hands can see themselves as well-rounded journalists in terms of his attributes, as being a stickler for discipline and excellence, punctuality, office decorum, mode of dress … you name it. And you dared not spell a person’s name incorrectly, or he’d haul you over the coals.

While he was stringent with his editing, at the end of the day, you can say that you have emerged the better, since there are certain principles and values he would have instilled in you, you will be the better for it.”

Paints to be added to of products protected under CARICOM treaty the list –revised GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states, Guyana and Suriname have agreed to join the region’s Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in agreeing to add paints to the list of products benefiting from Article 164 protection.

This was disclosed Thursday during a news conference at the end of a meeting of the Council of Trade and Economic Development (COTED) conference, attended by regional trade and economic affairs ministers .

Paint is one of three items, the others being flour and certain cereals and animal feeds, beer and brewery products, that have been so far agreed to pending further consultations by the More Developed Countries (MDCs), Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados and Guyana, which have been given extra time before June 13 to complete their consultations on a raft of measures being requested for the support.

Article 164 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas is designed to promote the development of industries in the LDCs of CARICOM, including Belize and Haiti. These countries are allowed to deny certain products originating in CARICOM and extraregional countries from preferen-

tial entry into their markets.

According to Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to CARICOM, Dr. Clarence Henry, the outcome of the COTED meeting “is a signal of maturity and recognition of the critical importance of this provision of the Treaty which focussed attention of the sensitive industries within the LDCs under Chapter 7 of the Revised Treaty.”

He went on to say, “Certainly, the decision today (Thursday) offers new hope for the spirit and application of the provisions of the Revised Caricom Treaty.

“This COTED can be described as successful, (but) there is still work to be done.”

During the news conference, the Council also lamented the apparent influx of extraregional import of flour from Turkey, as well as the repackaging of goods from extraregional sources that seems to be in violation or breach of the Treaty.

The COTED agreed to a recommendation for a stakeholder consultation on June 8 – 9 on the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) in Guyana, with the aim of addressing insufficient information on the regional project, and to give ordinary citizens an opportunity to pose questions or concerns.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

Confronting corruption LEADER of the Opposition (LOO) Bharrat Jagdeo, at his press conference on Wednesday, reportedly harshly criticised the current administration on allegations of corrupt practices.

Understandably, there are several contending views to what Jagdeo said, more particularly from the standpoint of the record of his administration. It is public knowledge that under his leadership, Guyana was ranked the most corrupt in the English-speaking Caribbean--Professor Clive Thomas wrote extensively on the criminalised state--and the narco-economy sprang to the level of paralleling and offering rivalry to the formal economy.

None among the informed or those with eyes to see can deny Jagdeo’s ostentatious post-presidential lifestyle; his conspicuous accumulation of wealth on a fixed public income as president; the public outrage, and his being ostracised by associates of his party--the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). Left unbridled, corruption is like a cancer that eats away at the body of a nation, destroying its people and resources. It even threatens a nation’s sovereignty -- as in the case of narco-trafficking, money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Given that corruption robs a nation of much-needed, scarce and limited resources--human, capital and natural—that are necessary in order to engage in developmental projects that would aid in improving the quality of life of all, all should be concerned.

Where corrupt officials of state and government, elected

and appointed, think it is acceptable to abuse the privilege entrusted to them by the people and engage in acts inimical to the people, when the society fails to hold them to account, its hurts development. When the court system is not being given the opportunity to execute its responsibility in adjudicating on matters perceived to be in violation of the law, it undermines the legitimacy and role of the court system in society.

When the Executive/Government ignores or takes a laissez-faire approach -- perceived or real -- to ruthlessly confronting corruption, holding the corrupt accountable and putting systems in place to combat corruption, its credibility comes into question, and it risks losing its legitimacy from the standpoint that the people lose confidence in government.

Ironically, however, Mr Jadgeo who has now become an anti-corruption campaigner, is up in arms against the government for the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) laying charges against one of his ministers and a top official who served in his administration for alleged corrupt practices.

Notwithstanding his reference to what he perceives to be happening under the present administration, and where corruption exists, it ought to be reviewed and stamped out. In the face of mounting evidence of the existence of corruption under the Jagdeo and Ramotar administrations following the forensic audits, the law-abiding and those who desire good governance seek tough action, not only from the incumbent

government, but also from its predecessor, including the Jagdeo regime. The mindset of the people towards corruption is that of zero-tolerance, regardless of who has committed it or when it was committed. The people do not want a society in which politicians can run for, and secure, office based on who is less corrupt; they want a society in which corruption is not tolerated, period; and they want a party or group that is elected based on its record of being squeaky clean.

In this information age, wherein people are determined to take responsibility for the course of their political well-being, all governments--past and present--would be held to account. This has been the message sent out for a while, and it is hoped the politicians are listening.

It may help in this regard for the LOO to join with the government in helping to stamp out corruption, for after all it is everyone’s business.

Holistic approach required to deal with mentally ill persons

Dear Editor,

MENTALLY ill persons are still roaming the streets freely and disrupting life in Guyana, in spite of repeated announcements of plans to solve this problem.

No matter who is the President of the country, no matter which political party is in power, this problem just goes on and on and seems to be growing, year-in year-out.

Mentally ill people, some barely clothed, wander our streets on busy business days, interfering with or scaring persons conducting business in Georgetown and other parts of Guyana. In some cases, they attack persons or are themselves attacked, abused, and sometimes even killed.

Our police are not trained or equipped to handle mentally ill people. They do not have suitable detention facilities for them, nor do they have the legal authority to

remove them from the streets willy-nilly. In this scenario, it is unfair to expect our police officers to deal effectively with the mentally ill.

Many of the mentally ill resort to shelters for food and rest, but most of these shelters were not specifically established to accommodate and care for the mentally ill, so they are also not equipped to deal with them. For instance, take the Hugo Chavez Centre that recently had to deal with allegations involving mentally challenged inmates. In this case, I will not rush to judge the administrators because I have been somewhat involved in several shelters for homeless people, drug-addicts and mentally ill cases and I know what the administrators have to go through. It is no piece of cake.

Persons who have not visited these centres and observed their daily oper-

ations have no idea what the administrators, support staff and counselors have to go through when dealing with mentally challenged and damaged people. Furthermore, in these institutions, strict rules and regulations are necessary because there must be order and discipline for inmates to get beds and three meals a day, plus access to medical facilities, therapists and so forth.

But many mentally challenged inmates reject the rules and fight the staff because they want to continue doing what they want, when they want, as if they are still on the street. Many refuse to bathe and create a horrific odour in the institutions.

When the Hugo Chavez Centre was constructed, it was not for mentally ill people, drug addicts or street people, but for those with skills who needed a ‘lend-ahand’ support system. The

centre was set up to be a supportive institution for persons with marketable skills like tailors, agriculturalists, seamstresses, teachers and cooks.

Mentally ill people should really be in the Berbice Rehabilitation Centre.

Most Guyanese are quite humane, kind, caring and helpful people. When we come across mentally ill and homeless persons, most of us instinctively try to help them, usually by giving them food, clothes and sometimes small donations of cash. But there is a vicious breed of people among us who like to take full advantage of any challenged and vulnerable person.

This breed does not have basic human kindness; they will trick or bully the mentally ill or homeless, take away their pittances and abuse them verbally, physically or even sexually.

There have been horrible cases of street dwellers and mentally challenged people being murdered in Guyana.

There have also been many cases in which the deaths of

such persons were suspected to be due to some kind of abuse, but this could not be proved due to lack of evidence. When the current government was in opposition, they pledged to end the problem of pavement dwellers when they got into power. When I saw those pronouncements, I immediately suspected it was just campaign talk. It seems that I was right.

The fact is, for some undisclosed reason, the current administration did not keep its promise. They have not yet erected even one shelter for street-dwellers and mentally ill persons. The existing shelters being managed by the current government were erected by previous governments.

I and my family, like so many other Guyanese, frequently visit various shelters and homes for the old, disabled and other challenged persons, to give them gifts of food and basic personal items. I often talk with street– people, particularly those

by Guyana Stores, Bourda Market and St Rose’s High School.

As a humanitarian, I listen to their tales and I know the causes of their misfortunes. Some tell me why they turned to drugs; some describe how they were abandoned because they got old and sick and could not contribute anymore; others were rejected for being bad husbands or fathers.

Their list of woes is quite lengthy. One of the most prevalent and bitter complaints is that many destitute persons’ National Insurance Scheme contributions were stolen by their employers.

It is my personal perception that no government has the capacity to end homelessness in Guyana or any part of the world. Many of these people choose to be on the streets because they do not like to be housed in any shelter with rules and order. This is why it is a sad sight for Guyana to see drug addicts and other homeless persons loitering Turn to page 9 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, May 18, 2018

Guyana Prize for Literature needs revamping Dear Editor, THE Guyana Prize for Literature is the most prestigious literary award in the English-speaking Caribbean that was inaugurated in 1987 by the late President Desmond Hoyte. The objective of the Guyana Prize is to “recognise and reward outstanding work in literature by Guyanese authors at home and abroad.”

As a concerned author, poet and literary critic, I observed some flaws in the Guyana Prize Management Committee, since I was an entrant in the Guyana Prize for Literature from 19962006.The Guyana Prize for Literature asked for entries last year (2017) in the following categories: The Guyana Prize is awarded to writers of Guyanese nationality in several different categories: Best First Book of Poetry, Best First Book of Fiction, Best Book of Poetry, Best Book of Fiction and Best Book of Drama. The Prize also awards Books of Poetry, Fiction and Drama in separate categories for Caribbean writers (of which Guyanese writers are also included).

The deadline for submission to the Guyana Prize was March 31st, 2017, with the Awards Ceremony slated to be held in July, 2017.We are now into May 2018, about ten months past the awards ceremony due date and writers are still waiting to be informed by Mr. Al Creighton, Secretary and Administrator of the Prize shortlist and Awards Ceremony date in blind hopes. Now the prize is extended to Caribbean writers, but how can we compare this prize to the Bocas Prize in Literature, The Booker Prize in Literature and International Literary awards of outstanding merit? Here we have a big problem where the secretary of the prize has failed again, who happens to be the judge, jury and executioner of the prize and who is not even a Guyanese.

This award is open for entries every two years but very soon the entries for last year will catch up with new entries next year and the Guyanese literati remains silent about the great incompetence of this award that’s also administrated by the University of Guyana.

My thesis is that the Guyana Prize judges are becoming entrants, and entrants are

becoming judges. In 1987, the very first year in which the Guyana Prize was established, Dr. Ian McDonald, distinguished literary critic and author, was the Chairman of the panel of judges and a member of the management committee. In 1992, Dr. McDonald became an entrant for the prize and emerged a winner in the poetry category with his collection of poems--Essequibo.

He subsequently entered again for the prize in 2004 and won the award for the second time with his poetry collection--Between Silence and Silence. He has won the prize four times as a former judge and Chairman of the management and he can win again.

In the case of the Booker Prize, the Cohen Prize, the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, etc, his entry would have been disqualified, since he is a former judge for the award, but the Guyana Prize has no such rule. In 1994, Prof. Mark McWatt won the Guyana Prize in the poetry category with his collection of poems --The Language of El Dorado. Then in 1992, he was the chairman of the judges for the Guyana Prize just two years before he entered for the prize in 1994. In 2006, Prof. McWatt won the Best Book of Fiction for his novel--Suspended Sentences.

In 1992, Dr. David Dabydeen won the Guyana Prize in the fiction category with his novel--The Intended, and in 1996, he entered again for the award and was shortlisted with his novel--The Counting House. In 1998, Dr Dabydeen became a judge in the Guyana Prize. In 2000, he entered for the prize again and won with Harlot’s Progress and in 2004, he entered for the prize and won in the Best Book of Fiction category with his novel--Our Lady of Demerara.

Professor Dennis Craig was the Vice-Chancellor at UG when the Guyana Prize was in progress, and he became an entrant in 1998 and won in the Best First Book of Poetry category for his collection--Near the Seashore--during that period, and worked with the Guyana Prize Committee. It is my opinion, like any other literary awards in the world, all these former judges who became entrants for the Guyana Prize should have been disqualified. Mr Al Creighton supposed to disqualify

their entries but they are his close associates, so this prize remains a compromise award in Guyana. I hope our current Chancellor and Vice Chancellor at the University of Guyana will rewrite the Guyana Prize for Literature Brochure and bar former judges and committee members to enter.

The Guyana Prize for Literature has now become a society of friends, or an incestuous elite group, winning the prize all the time. I have read the brochure for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and its rules state: “A book shall not be eligible for entry for the Award if the author or translator thereof is any of the following: (1) A member of the Board of Management; (2) A member of the staff of Dublin City Council; (3) An officer or employee of IMPAC Ltd; (4) A member of the judging panel; (5) A parent, spouse or child of any of the foregoing.”

(The rules and regulations should be integrated into The Guyana Prize for Literature Brochure.)

In my opinion, a judge for a literary award is a scholar and distinguished writer in the field of literature and should not compete with lesser writers than himself in a contest. It’s not surprising that all these overseas-based Guyanese writers who were judges and entrants for the Guyana Prize are winning the prize all the time. It’s because they are professors and well recognised authors entering the contest with published books that already won several literary awards abroad. So how can Guyanese-based writers with an ordinary CXC level education compete with these experts with their unpublished manuscripts?

If the Guyana Prize for Literature is ever to progress in Guyana, then the entire committee will have to be changed completely.

The Ministry of Education as well as the Ministry of Culture will have to administer the prize and not UG, because the prize has been compromised by literary hypocrites. The prize must be in different categories and age groups. The works of writers living abroad should be judged separately from manuscripts. Many great writers here are cheated by their entries; many told me they never even receive a letter of acknowl-

edgement for their entries.

If this prize [is to] survive, it will need a new management committee and Al Creighton will need to be

replaced as the secretary and administrator because the integrity of the judging procedure of the prize has been compromised

Regards Rev. Gideon Cecil (Author, Poet & Literary Critic)

8

Massive city clean-up for Independence THE Mayor and City Council has announced a massive pre-Independence cleanup exercise for Georgetown on Sunday.

In a release City Hall said the purpose of this exercise is to remove rubbish, garbage and other objectionable things that are cluttering city streets, parapets and avenues and presenting an ugly picture of the capital. “At the moment, Water Street, Robb Street, Regent Street, Croal Street, Charlotte Street and Avenue of the Republic look extremely untidy and present a bad reflection of who we are as Guyanese,” the council said.

According to City Hall, the clean-up exercise, there-

fore, is to correct that situation to restore the aesthetics and beauty of the city and to allow vendors, store owners, individuals and all stakeholders to work together in a united front to clean up Georgetown.

Businesses, which are willing to make donations of tools, water and other things must feel free to call the office of the Town Clerk on telephone number (592)226-7717 and make their contribution towards this collective effort to promote the health and the wellbeing of the city of Georgetown and its populace.

The Council said it has already informed vendors that there will be no selling

on that day as they are expected to participate in this exercise.

“Notices have been issued to those concerned and we anticipate full cooperation from our friends in the business sector, vendors and all those who are concerned about keeping the city clean and lifting Georgetown to a place of glory and excellence.

The Council is encouraging residents of local communities within the city to use this opportunity to clean their immediate and general environment and to make this year’s independence one where we could be very proud of our neighbourhoods and the city as a whole.”

Fisherman killed for smoking on boat POLICE in ‘B’ Division have arrested the prime suspect who was identified as Reggie Ramsammy called “Boy” of Whim Village, Corentyne, Berbice for the murder of a fisherman at the #65 Village fishing dock Thursday morning.

The 49-year-old suspect was arrested around 18:30hrs on Thursday evening. The dead fisherman has been identified as 38-eight-yearold Devanand Jailall called “Shetty” of Lot 578 Block 8 Agriculture Road, East Coast Demerara. According to information, both the suspect and Jailall were working on the fishing boat “Master Roberto” when an argument ensued over the smoking of drugs in the boat. An eyewitness, who is also a crew member, allegedly stated that Jailall was smoking a banned substance and cooking when the suspect asked him to remove from the boat and urged him not to smoke on the vessel which was moored at the Number 65 Fishing Dock. After the man refused to leave the boat, an argument ensued which led to an altercation and the suspect allegedly fatally stabbing Jailall ten times about

The boat “Master Roberto”, on which the fisherman body was found

his body. The suspect then dropped the murder weapon and fled the area.

Meanwhile, a niece of the dead man, Yashmanie Rampersaud, said her uncle had come to their Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice home in search of his sister and his 14-year-old son. “Mommy wasn’t home and he stay a little, saying he really wanted to see his son, but the boy don’t live with us anymore.

So uncle left, saying he coming back tomorrow,” the niece related.

His sister, Dhanmattie Rampersaud, was in tears when she arrived at the

Fishing boats anchored at the Number 65 Fishing Dock

scene. She told reporters she was hoping to see her brother but will never be able to see him alive again and will never know what he wanted to say to her.

“Little after one [o’clock] I get a call from my niece saying something happen, so I come up here to find out. This is shocking to us,” the woman said tearfully.

When this newspaper arrived at the scene, investigators had just wrapped up their initial investigation at the scene and left the area. Blood was still visible on the boat and inside the cabin. Fishermen converged later, discussing the incident coming just weeks after several of their colleagues were murdered at sea in Suriname.

“So much thing ah happen these couple days, meh nah left meh family and go sea,” one fisherman remarked.

The body was taken to the Skeldon Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

Alexander St horse cart operators given notice to remove THE Mayor and Councillors of the city of Georgetown has given notice of removal to operators of horse-drawn carts based around the Nurses Association building on Alexander Street, Bourda.

In a release, City Hall said those carts are presenting an ugly picture of the city and compromising the public health in that neighbourhood.

“The dung and urine from the horses, which is not cleaned

up by those who drive them, create a stench and a suitable breathing place for flies and other disease-carrying pests,” M&CC said.

According to the M&CC some time ago, the Council had suggested that those owners of horsedrawn carts should get their animals pantalones and have a simple system in place to catch the urine.

However, this was not complied with by owners of

horses. As a result, the Council will prevent all such horse-drawn carts from operating, particularly in the central business district in the city of Georgetown. Those who congregate around the Nurses Association building will be the first to be removed, as early as next week. The Mayor and City Council is taking this action to secure the integrity of the nation’s capital.

Consultations begin on Child Labour Policy GOVERNMENT through the Ministry of Social Protection, Department of Labour, has begun national consultations with stakeholders, to inform its direction on the National Child Labour Policy.

Members of the public sector, private sector, religious groups and other organisations met at the ministry’s Water and Cornhill Streets annex to discuss and give recommendations on various areas the policy should cover.

The consultations included representatives from the Ministry’s Child Care and Protection Agency, Trafficking in Persons Department, Gender Affairs Bureau and Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit.

The Department of Labour, over the coming weeks, will be meeting with stakeholders across the country to discuss their opinions and concerns about what should be included in the policy.

When the policy is com-

Stakeholders participate during the Consultation on Child Labour Policy

pleted, a national action plan will be put in place.

According to the United States Department of Labour “In 2016, Guyana made a moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labour, the Government reformed the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Combating Trafficking in Persons, began developing a National Action Plan and Policy on Child Labour, and finalised the 2017–2018 National Action Plan on Combating Trafficking in Persons.”

The government has also established institutional mechanisms for the enforcement of laws and regulations against child labour and has ratified all key international

conventions concerning the issue.

Assistant Chief Labour Officer, Karen Vansluytman-Corbin, explained that in keeping with ILO’s conventions 138 and 182 which deals with minimum age and addresses the worst forms of child labour respectively, the government has several key forms of legislation in place to combat child labour such as the “employment of young child and young person’s act and the occupational safety and health act. The Ministry of Social Protection, Department of Labour, is mandated to monitor, inspect for, investigate and prosecute instances of child labour.

Murder down by 26% THE Guyana Police Force have recorded an overall seven per cent decrease in serious crimes and murder has been reduced by 26 per cent at the end of April.

However, according to the police, there was a 26 per cent increase in robberies where no instrument was used; a 13 per cent increase in robbery under arms where firearms were used; a 32 per cent decrease in robbery under arms where instruments other than firearms were used; a nine per cent decrease in robbery with violence; a 39 per cent decrease in robbery with aggravation; a 32 per cent decrease in larceny

from the person; a 14 per cent in rape; a 17 per cent increase in burglary and a seven per cent decrease in break and enter and larceny.

Meanwhile, some 34 persons have been killed as a result of speeding as of April, representing an 11 per cent decrease in fatal accidents compared to the same period last year.

During the aforementioned period, some 6,039 drivers were charged for speeding and serious crimes decreased by seven per cent compared to the corresponding period last year.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, May 18, 2018

‘He must face the consequences if found guilty’ …Min Patterson distances self from brother’s troubles MINISTER of Public Infrastructure David Patterson has distanced himself and the coalition government from the cocaine-smuggling charge his brother is caught up in, asserting that his sibling is a mature individual and must face the consequences of his actions.

Patterson’s brother, Derrick Patterson, was recently charged in Grenada for cocaine trafficking. He has been remanded to prison in that country.

In a statement issued on his Facebook page, Minister Patterson said members of his family were shocked to learn of his brother’s arrest.

“My mother, my sisters and I are deeply distressed and concerned and are anxious to learn the full details of this unpleasant development.”

According to Patterson, “Our position is that Derrick is a matured adult of 47 years and he must bear full responsibility for the consequences of his actions. Neither I, nor any other member of my family can take responsibility for his own, deliberate actions.”

Derrick Patterson

Minister Patterson said that while the family holds out hope that there may have been a mistake, “he must face the consequences if he is found guilty in a court of law. We have no reason to believe that he will not be treated fairly by the Grenadian legal system. As a family, we will give him all support we legally can, but we will not condone any proven illegal conduct. I believe that

every reasonable member of the public would understand our position.”

“As a Minister of Government, I would like to assure the Guyanese public that I have not, and will not attempt to influence the outcome of these serious allegations made against my brother in any way whatsoever. This is the principled position which I firmly embrace and ought to be a lesson to many under a previous dispensation who, it is widely known, regularly interfered with the course of justice in matters involving their family members, friends and even acquaintances. To those who have already sought to exploit this matter to score political points, I wish to advise that I will play no part in contributing to that effort.

Their attempts are nothing more than an attempt to detract attention from the work this government has been doing to develop a prosperous Guyana.”

Minister Patterson said thathaving provided these assurances, “I do not intend to

provide a running commentary on every development that follows in this matter, or to respond to every attack from political detractors. The infrastructural challenges facing this country that this coalition government inherited are real, and I intend to continue to focus my energies and attention on the job I have been doing for the past three years on behalf of the people of Guyana - planning and building for the bright future awaiting them.

“Finally I wish to thank the many members of the public across Guyana, the diaspora and the political divide who have reached out to me, to personally offer me their support and solidarity at this sensitive time for my family and I” The 47-year-old Derrick Patterson was remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison at Richmond Hill, Grenada, when he appeared in court on Monday on a charge of possession of cocaine. Patterson was nabbed by the Drug Squad in the area of Springs. He was charged with Trafficking of a Controlled Drug after a total of 2.325 kg of cocaine with a

Case against GRDB duo adjourned – sent ‘to seek further advice’ A WEEK’S adjournment was granted by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman to Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) prosecutors to seek advice on the 17 charges against two Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) employees.

Former General Manager, Jagnarine Singh and his deputy, Madanlall Ramraj, are jointly charged with 17 counts of omitting to enter true entries of over $4.2 M into the company’s ledger, knowing that it was contrary to standard operation procedures between 2011 and 2012, at the company’s Lot 16-17 Cowan Street,

Kingston head office.

On Thursday when the matter was recalled for report, Magistrate Latchman pointed out several issues in the charges to SOCU prosecutors, Hewley Griffith and Lawrence Harris.

She noted that of the 17 charges, four are duplicates of each other, with the same dates and monies involved.

The magistrate advised that the prosecutor seek further advise and report back to court on May 23.

Singh and Ramraj are also currently before Magistrate Fabayo Azore on 17 other charges of fraudulently taking

$5.1M or using it for their own use and benefit or any use and purpose other than that of the GRDB. Also before Magistrate Leron Daly for the same matter are General Secretary of the Rice Producers Association (RPA), Dharamkumar Seeraj; former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Nigel Dharamlall; former General Manager of the Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL), Badrie Persaud; and Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Prema Roopnarine.

They are charged with failing to make a proper entry into the register of a company, with the intent to defraud $362M

Holistic approach required... on the busy carriageway near Bourda Cemetery. It sends a disturbing message about our country and will obviously not inspire investors and tourists, even though homelessness exists in every part of the world.

I know that the Guyana Islamic Forum for education, peace and religious solidarity, with our partner-the Masjid Al Muna Waar (Mosque of Enlightenment) at 50 Louisa Row--has been

providing meals at least three times weekly in the form of a delicious and nutritious lunch.

The committee for this is headed by our General Secretary and Imam, Mohammed Rasheed. This has been ongoing since 1992 when Dr. Jagan took power as president and had called on organizations to provide meals for those poor people and street dwellers.

To date, we have never

from the entity’s Republic Bank account.

In May, 2017, the six officials made their first appearance in court and were indictably charged. They were released on $500,000 bail each, with reporting conditions.

The six denied that in 2011, they omitted to enter some $52M in the GRDB ledger; they also denied that they omitted to enter a sum of $77.3M into the said ledger. Other charges read that between the years 2014 and 2015, the sums of $130M, $9.7M and $145M were respectively omitted from the GRDB register.

The accused all pleaded not guilty to this charge as well.

From page 6

approached the Government for any financial support and we have never asked anyone for any assistance. All this is being done by the grace of God, the members of the organisation, the Guyana Islamic Forum and some volunteers have been providing some resources. There are a few other institutions involved in similar activities.

I believe dealing with this is too humongous a task for government alone. The gov-

ernment needs to launch a multi-dimensional approach involving various sectors of business, government, Non-Governmental Organisations etc. to address this matter. This issue must be addressed in a holistic manner that does not make it appear that there is some political aim to be achieved other than service to our people.

Regards Roshan Khan Snr.

street value of $232,500 was found in his possession, last week.

The accused, who is an Evaluation Supervisor by profession, appeared before Chief Magistrate Tamara Gill at the St. George’s No.1 Magistrate’s Court and was represented by Guyanese attorney-at-law, Darshan Ramdhanny.

Patterson who was visiting the island at the time of his arrest was residing at

Captain Harris Apartments in Grand Anse, St. George.

Reports are that officers attached to the Drug Squad of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) intercepted a vehicle travelling in the vicinity of Springs on May 2, in which Patterson was the driver. The vehicle was searched and the drugs were found inside of a plastic bag. Patterson was due to reappear in court on May 15.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

No midnight flag-raising this year … Packed cultural afternoon programme for Independence eve THERE will be no midnight flag-raising this year; instead a government-sponsored fireworks display will be conducted at the Stabroek Square.

But during the early afternoon of May 25 there will be a packed cultural programme involving schoolchildren before the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead at D’Urban Park.

This year’s 52nd Independence Anniversary will be celebrated with a host of exciting activities beginning May 19 and leading up to the grand fireworks-moment when the clock strikes midnight.

First on the calendar is an exhibition of the 25 years of the National Gallery of Art which will be opened for viewing from the May 19 to June 16 at Castellani House on Vlissengen Road.

This will be followed by a 5k and 10k Independent track meet May 19-20 at the Leonora Track and Field

Children performing at last year’s Independence ceremony

Stadium which is being organised by the Guyana Overseas-based Sports Association Inc. In addition to this, on May 20, a Steel Band Jamboree, put on by the Na-

tional School of Music, will take place at the Seawall Bandstand at 17:00hrs The National Archives of Guyana will present an Independence Exhibition on May 21 at their headquarters while

on May 22 a National Song and Poetry Competition will be hosted by the Department of Culture at Umana Yana.

Then on May 23 and 24 the Department will invite

citizens to visit Main Street in Georgetown for the setup of a Visual Art and Craft Market.

On Independence Eve, May 25, the Department will host a cultural programme, parade and flag-raising ceremony beginning at 14:00hrs at the D’Urban Park. Speaking with Minister of Social Cohesion with Responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr George Norton, he said that this programme is primarily for schoolchildren.

Apart from those who will attend from Georgetown, schools have been invited from Regions as far as Three, Five and Nine.

Travel arrangements and meals will be taken care of.

“It starts at 14:00hrs because it involves schoolchildren. We can get them off the road and back home, as we’re providing transportation and food for them. We want them off the streets

within the normal time,” the minister explained.

Later in the day at 22:00hrs, a Flag-raising Concert will be hosted by private entities, separate from the Government, with a number of local artistes performing live.

At midnight, citizens can expect a grand fireworks display, funded by the Government in the place of a Flag-raising ceremony.

Minister Norton explained the reason for this format stating: “There’s a policy of the Government to celebrate every five years in a big way as compared to the in-between which would be low-key.

So this year it is going to be primarily for schoolchildren because we don’t have the kind of financing to have every year as big as we would want to make it.”

He added that the country’s 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee celebration is an example of the most recent grand celebration on the fiveyear mark.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, May 18, 2018

Greater scrutiny for regional accounts – Minister Bulkan THE financial management of each region must be able to withstand public scrutiny, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan said, as he endorsed a possible move by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to effect greater scrutiny of regional accounts.

Minister Bulkan was among key speakers who addressed regional officials at the Tower Suites during the opening of an Action Roundtable for Regional Financial Management and Accountability held under the theme: “Improving Regional Financial Management for Sustainable Development of Strong Regions”.

The Communities Minister said it is Government’s intention to have a system of greater accountability and transparency at the level of the regions. Greater accountability would lead to better standards of living and equal access of public services.

The 10 Regional Democratic Councils in the country, currently receive and administer 13.7 per cent of the total national budgetary allocation.

“With the vision for the regional sector acquiring and expending a greater proportion of the national budgetary allocation for the development of the areas under their purview, prudent financial stewardship assumes a greater importance and is critical in building a convincing case for the realisation of this vision,” Minister Bulkan noted.

He emphasised that prudent financial management is a precondition for the effective channelling of resources, and is necessary for enhancing the delivery of programmes in the areas of health, education, infrastructure, administration and in some regions agriculture.

“As the trajectory of local government continues to change, it is envisaged that at some point regional governments will exercise its fiscal autonomy of generating its own revenue through the structured sharing of royalties from its natural resources, taxes etc. as contemplated by the progressive crafters of this governance framework and as expressly prescribed by Article 76 of the Constitution,” the Communities Minister said.

In its quest to offer additional assistance to the regions, the Minister Bulkan said his ministry will continue to work with its partners at the Finance Ministry, the Audit Office and the Public Procurement Commission to strengthen the regional financial management system.

“We want to see a sys-

Some of the participants at the Ministry of Communities’ Action Roundtable

tem that ensures the proper usage and accountability for every dollar of public money expended - a system that will hold those culpable of wrongdoing accountable.

There must be value for public money expended in all of the regions.

“We want to see value for money in the hinterland regions. It is not just the implementation of programmes but fundamental is the manner in which it is done. Expenditure must be guided by ethics,” he told the regional officials.

Minister Bulkan said he is cognizant of the challenges faced within the regions as he alluded to the shortage of staff within the accounting departments who are necessary to ensure check and balances.

“We are aware that 100 out of the 250 required staffing for the accounting departments, in particular, remain vacant – an undesirable state of affair.”

Recommendations to remedy the situation, Minister Bulkan announced, were endorsed by the National Regional Development Consultative Committee (NRDCC) and a resolution was forwarded for Cabinet’s attention.

The Action Roundtable is the continuation of a discourse aimed at improving and tightening the system of regional financial management. It forms part of the Ministry of Communities’ new role in providing encouragement and guidance to regional officials that would allow for them to effectively manage and develop their respective regions.

The roundtable discussion continues today and will result in the standardisation of best practices in financial procedures and practices, the strengthening of functional relationships within and between local organs and the reinforcement of the importance of each component of the financial cycle from the issuance of the budget circular to the publication of the Treasury memorandum.

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

charged Region 2 touts ‘Tri-lake Villager – as part of ‘black-water with murder of experience’ tourism’ package Mahaica vendor

By Indrawattie Natram PERSONS in Guyana and around the world may soon be able to purchase “Trilake experience” packages, which would provide them with an insight into what Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) has to offer by way of “Black-water tourism”.

This is according to Director-General of the Department of Tourism, Mr Donald Sinclair, who made the announcement during a regional tourism workshop on Thursday at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) boardroom at Anna Regina.

The workshop was attended by regional officials and representatives of the Anna Regina Town Council, the owners or managers of key tourism establishments in the region, and tour operators and representatives from the banking and security sectors.

Mr Sinclair told the participants that the workshop was a follow-up to a previous exercise in 2017, the main purpose of which is to identify “a flagship tourism hot-spot.”

At the moment, key stakeholders have identified the “tri-lake” tourism experience as the flagship project at reference, as it will provide

The Dejonge beach at the Capoey Lake (Photo by June Deyounge)

three different opportunities for visitors to explore, namely The Tapakuma, Mainstay and Capoey Lakes.

The package will include an Indigenous lifestyle element, with canoeing, wild life, agro-tourism, recreation, bird-watching and the tasting of sumptuous indigenous delicacies on offer.

The Region Two Tourism Association, as well as leading stakeholders, are now tasked with the responsibility of preparing a business concept plan, which will state what necessary infrastructure will be needed for such a development

initiative.

The cost of the project as well as the different phases will be included in the 2019 National Budget, and once passed it is expected to be rolled out in 2019.

Region Two Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt said that the project is a positive way of marketing the region’s tourism potential, and that the proposed Supenaam Waterfront Project will serve as a welcoming mat of sorts for such an initiative.

Ramdatt said that Region Two has a lot to offer, especially by way of the “black water” tourism, and that it

would please him immensely if the “tri-lake” project were to materialise.

Toshao of Capoey, Melrose Henry, said that the village has a lot to offer to the world with assets, such as its pristine rainforest and a clean lake. She said that with the community developing rapidly, she would like to invite persons to come and experience what the Capoey Lake has to offer, and with the implementation of the “tri-lake” project many businesses as well as communities are expected to earn extra revenue.

OAS to sponsor Latin American Prize for Investigative Journalism THE Organisation of American States (OAS) will sponsor the prestigious Latin American Journalism Research Award, organised by the Press and Society Institute (IPYS) and Transparency International (TI) since 2002.

This is according to an agreement between the General Secretariat of the hemispheric institution and these two civil society organisations, OAS said in a release.

“It is a decision that demonstrates the commitment of the OAS to journalism that investigates corruption and human rights violations, sometimes under dictatorships and attacks by organised crime,” said OAS

Secretary General Luis Almagro, after a recent meeting with Ricardo Uceda, Executive Director of IPYS. Almagro said the initiative is in line with the work of the Rapporteurship for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH) and the resolutions of the VIII Summit of the Americas held in Lima last month.

Soon an agreement will be signed to institutionalise the participation of the OAS. Uceda said the awards, with prizes of $10,000 to the winner, $5,000 to the second and third places, and diplomas for ten finalists will continue to be decided by an independent jury.

Uceda added that, in support for journalists covering organised crime, since 2018 the Latin American Prize for Investigative Journalism will be named Javier Valdez in homage to this exemplary journalist killed by drug traffickers in Mexico -- where more than one hundred reporters have died since 2000.

The Secretary-General of the OAS will present the Prize in November in Bogotá, during the Latin American Conference of Investigative Journalism (COLPIN 2018) and next year in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico, where COLPIN 2019 will be held.

In this city Javier Valdez ran the weekly Riodoce, when he was killed on May

15, 2017. In addition, the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Edison Lanza, announced an agreement with IPYS to reward the best articles making use of requests for access to public information, with distinctions that will be delivered annually in the COLPIN. “Investigative journalism plays a critical role in revealing facts of corruption, and in that context, the access to public information is an important useful tool for investigating irregularities,” Lanza said.

With this new initiative, the OAS demonstrates its commitment to press freedom and the defence of independent journalism.

AN unemployed man was on Thursday remanded to prison for the murder of 34-year-old Fareez Yassem of Belmonte, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Monday.

Malcolm Brown, 30, of Belmonte, Mahaica was not required to plead to the charge, and was remanded until June 8, 2018 after appearing at the Mahaica Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Wanda Fortune.

Yassem, a father of three and a vendor of fruits and vegetables, was stabbed to death in his yard during a suspected robbery, two days before his birthday.

He reportedly received more than a dozen wounds about the body and was found lying in a drain by his wife and neighbours as he cried out for help.

It is alleged that Brown left behind his bicycle and slippers at the scene of the crime.

Reports state that the vendor was stabbed five times in the back with a sharp object, four times in the neck, twice in the jaw, and thrice in his left arm. He also sustained other lacerations about the body.

When he was discovered, he was wearing a pair of short grey pants, three gold rings, a gold band and gold chain, and one stud gold earring.

T h e G u y a n a C h r o nicle was told that around 02:00hrs on Monday, Yas-

Dead: Mahaicony vendor, Fareez Yassem

sem, who plies his trade on the Mahaicony Public Road, was awakened by a strange noise coming from a bond in the lower flat of his two-storey wooden house.

He decided to investigate and was confronted in the yard by the perpetrator, who attacked him with a sharp instrument.

His wife, who was awakened by the commotion, recalled hearing her husband repeatedly cry out, “Ow bhai, ow!” at which point she realised he was not in bed.

Rushing out of the house, she started to shout for him but got no answer. She then called out to her neighbour, and together they went in search of him. When they found him, Yassem was motionless in a drain in the yard.

She had told neighbours that it was unusual for her husband to venture outside during the wee hours of the morning.

Two weeks community service – for stealing car battery A FORTY-THREE-YEAROLD man appeared on Thursday before a city magistrate on a simple larceny charge.

It was alleged that on May 7, 2018 at Georgetown, Jermaine Josiah stole a car battery worth $22,000, property of Trevon Samuels.

The labourer pleaded guilty to the charge but told the court that he saw the battery on the road by a bus park, and sold it for $500.

According to facts presented in court by the prosecutor, the virtual complaint

and the defendant are known to each other, and on May 7, 2018 around 10:30hrs, the VC went to his stall and observed that the battery he uses to light the stall was missing.

On checking around, he got wind as to who the culprit was, and made a report at the station. When the defendant was arrested, he reportedly admitted committing the offence.

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan placed the defendant on two weeks community service.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, May 18, 2018

‘Childcare’ opens advocacy centre at Bartica

Officials of the Ministry of Social Protection, UNICEF, Blossom Inc. and other stakeholders at the recent launching of the CAC at Bartica

THE Ministry of Social Protection, Childcare and Protection Agency, and UNICEF, in collaboration with local NGO Blossom Inc., formally opened a new Children’s Advocacy Centre (CAC) in Bartica.

The opening of a centre in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) brings to six the number of such facilities launched to date across Guyana. The decision to open a centre in Bartica was based on the high incidence of child sexual abuse cases in the region.

CACs operate using a Multi-Disciplinary Team approach in which professionals from several disciplines, including law enforcement, child protective services, prosecution, mental health, medical and victim support advocates,

work in partnership to make decisions about the investigation, treatment, management and prosecution of child abuse cases.

CACs are also known as ‘One Stop Centres’ where children and their non-offending family members receive all the services and support that they require, all in one place.

Present at the Bartica opening were the township’s Mayor, Mr Gifford Marshall; UNICEF Deputy Representative to Guyana and Suriname, Mr Paolo Marchi; Deputy Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ms Tionna October; Managing Director of Blossom Inc., Mrs Ayo Dalgety-Dean; Officer-in-Charge of Region Seven, Mr Khemraj Shivbaran and other stakeholders

from the Ministry of Education Schools Welfare Department, Red Thread and the Gender Affairs Committee of Region Seven.

In his address, Mr Marshall said he was happy that systems were put in place to open such a centre in the town, and that he not only embraces the project but believes it is a step in the right direction.

Ms October said child protection is everyone’s business, as the State cannot address child protection issues on its own.

“It takes a collaborative effort to deliver caring and effective services,” she said, adding: “The one-stop centres are established for children who have been victims of child sexual abuse to provide much-needed support

Bartica Mayor, Mr Gifford Marshall (second left) cuts the ceremonial ribbon to officially declare the Centre open

for forensic interviews, aftercare services and to bring perpetrators to justice.”

UNICEF’s Mr Marchi recalled President Granger’s identifying Region Seven as leading the “green initiative” and humbly added to this sentiment by urging residents to be a “green state” free from all forms of violence against children.

He said that with the opening of the new centre, Bartica has moved one step forward in defending children’s rights and ensuring all are protected from violence, neglect and abuse.

On the issue of violence against children, Mr Marchi emphasised that apart from providing services, raising awareness and changing legislation, there needs to be a shift in mindset, which he believes is the next import-

ant step.

He stated that parents often think violence is a good way to raise their children, or an appropriate response to a child’s undesirable behavior. However, this is not the case; it is important to understand the reasons why such an approach is used, and work towards changing societal mindset in that regard.

Mrs Dalgety-Dean stressed the importance of the multi-disciplinary way of working to safeguard our children and emphasised the goal which is to coordinate a timely, comprehensive, and multi-disciplinary response to child sexual abuse and child abuse in general.

The CAC will provide our children with a safe, agency-neutral, child-focused setting where they

will only be required to relate their traumatic experience once. She went on to state that CAC is part of the system being implemented to combat child sexual abuse.

Other keynote speakers included Vice-Chairwoman, Olinda Griffith and Michelle Amsterdam, Programme Coordinator for Blossom Inc. Ms Griffith expressed her appreciation for the CAC in the Region while Ms Amsterdam thanked all stakeholders for their involvement and continued support in the project.

The Ministry of Social Protection, Childcare and Protection Agency continues to keep at its helm the protection of children from all forms of abuse and the eradication of this scourge from our Nation.

ICT vital for youth development – Minister Hughes PUBLIC Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes believes Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is vital to unlock the potential of young Guyanese and government must develop the country’s technology sector.

Hughes made these remarks in a message on the occasion of World Telecommunications and Information Society Day being observed today.

“Our young people are… showing great interest in animation and computer gaming. Our children are anxious to master information technologies and our job is to ensure that they get the tools they need to learn as fast as they can, and we are receiving invaluable assistance from local NGOs and

the private sector,” she said.

She noted that more recently her ministry turned its focus on primary schools and added that with some assistance from the private sector, primary schools will also be provided with Wi-fi connections and other Internet-ready learning tools.

“We are going to give our children every single tool they need to learn and excel at the four big sisters – science, technology, engineering and mathematics, better known as STEM -- the basis of the high tech world we live in, the world we work in, do business in, import products from, and teach our children to compete in. STEM is what drives technology, robots and artificial intelligence,” said Minister Hughes.

The minister acknowledged the “strong commit-

ment and selfless work being done” by members of the Managing Committees of all 117 Community ICT Hubs in Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo, on the Essequibo Islands of Leguan and Wakenaam, in the Deep South of the Rupununi and even in the Pakaraima Mountain valleys.

“These are people who voluntarily give their service to their communities, opening up their ICT hubs every day so students and citizens can access free Internet. These volunteers will soon have more work on their hands when we begin to upload several learning apps for students such as the Grade Six Assessment app produced

by STEM Guyana, and we will continue to be their support,” the minister said.

She noted that ICT is the development of intelligence,

both human and artificial.

“For us in Guyana, development is a green economy, a smart capital city and smart towns, inter-connected public services such as the hospitals, the fire, water and electricity services, e-Learning and the sharing of research and lectures in real-time,” the minister said.

She added: “We are teaching young girls to write computer programmes; we have taken computer literacy training to children in Vreeden-Hoop, East and West Ruimveldt, to Linden and along the East Coast of Demerara and Berbice.”

She stated also that Guyana has joined the Caribbean Telecommunication Union’s (CTU) initiative to promote inter-connected 21st Century Government across the Caribbean.

Public Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes

The minister said her ministry started out in 2016 with a promise to improve connectivity and bring the Internet to Guyanese regardless of where in Guyana they live and to provide more opportunities for online learning, especially for children, along

with providing more government services online, such as passports and business registrations.

“We have made tremendous progress in the two years our Public Telecommunications Ministry has been around and we are moving steadily towards honouring that commitment to every single citizen of Guyana,” the minister declared.

Hughes said her ministry is looking forward to the next 12 months when many other programmes and projects will get underway.

“We look forward to a better connected Guyana with a highly literate population. And most of all we look forward to your participation and commitment to mastering information technologies,” said Minister Hughes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

Caribbean Fisheries Ministers to hold 12th Meeting CARIBBEAN Fisheries ministers of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) are expected to consider management plans for two vital fisheries, a protocol on small-scale fisheries and a policy on gender equality

mainstreaming at their 12th meeting scheduled for today in Montserrat.

At the upcoming meeting, David Osborne, Minister of Agriculture, Trade, Lands, Housing and the Environment in Montserrat, will assume chairmanship

of the CRFM Ministerial Council from Noel Holder, Minister of Agriculture in Guyana.

According to a release from CRFM, high on the agenda are two fisheries management plans that the ministers will be asked to

approve: the Sub-Regional Fisheries Management Plan for Blackfin Tuna and the management plan for fisheries conducted using fish aggregating devices (FAD), which is a growing fishery in the region.

The ministers will also

David Osborne, Minister of Agriculture, Trade, Lands, Housing and the Environment for Montserrat

consider a protocol developed under the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy (CCCFP) to secure sustainable small-scale fisheries. The main objectives of the protocol are to enhance food security, improve the socio-economic situation of fish-workers, and achieve sustainable use of fishery resources, through the promotion of a human rights-based approach.

In addition, the ministers will discuss a regional policy aimed at mainstreaming gender equality in fisheries development, and management policies and programmes in CRFM Member States. Milton Haughton, the Executive Director of the CRFM, said, “The focus of this Ministerial Council meeting is on building resilience and equity in the region’s fisheries and aquaculture sector. The ministers will, therefore, discuss and decide on a number of policy instruments designed to strengthen management and conservation of key fisheries and their ecosystems, and enhance governance through equity and equality, inclusiveness, and participatory planning and decision-making processes.”

The Ministerial Council will also consider a proposal to collaborate with the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), to look at ways in which the region can access international support and funding to reduce ghost fishing in Caribbean waters. Ghost fishing becomes a concern when

gears continue to fish after getting lost during natural disasters such as hurricanes.

Also at today’s meeting, Holder will give a progress report with respect to Guyana’s successes over the past year. The Council will also review progress made in implementing its earlier decisions, as well as the overall status and trends in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Advancements in fisheries research and development, the sustainable use and management of fisheries resources, aquaculture development, climate change adaptation and disaster risk management in fisheries, as well as capacity-building and institutional strengthening will also be discussed.

The 12th Meeting of the CRFM Ministerial Council will serve to advance recommendations coming out of last month’s meeting of the Caribbean Fisheries Forum, the technical and advisory arm of the CRFM. The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) was officially inaugurated on March 27, 2003, in Belize City, Belize, where it is headquartered, following the signing of the “Agreement Establishing the CRFM” on February 4, 2002. It is an inter-governmental organization whose mission is “to promote and facilitate the responsible utilization of the region’s fisheries and other aquatic resources for the economic and social benefits of the current and future population of the region.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, May 18, 2018

Couple charged for ganja in PVC pipe A HUSBAND and wife have been charged and will appear at the Providence Magistrate’s Court today after police found a parcel containing 134 grammes of cannabis concealed inside of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe.

Police in a press statement stated, that acting on information received whilst on a mobile patrol in the Diamond, East Bank Demerara community on Wednesday night, ranks commanded by a Gazetted officer went to the home of Sherwin Alexander, 38, a grocer of 382 Golden Grove East Bank Demerara and conducted a search in the presence of his 44-year-old wife, Patricia Renee.

According to the police during the process they found a parcel containing the cannabis concealed inside a PVC pipe.

and was found to have contained a 9mm Taurus Pistol with four live matching

The 9mm pistol that was found in the taped parcel

Meanwhile, police ranks in ‘E’ Division were conducting a mobile patrol on an All-terrain Vehicle (ATV) along the Mabura trail about 14:15hrs on Thursday, when

a man who was approaching on a motorcycle from the opposite direction upon seeing them dropped a taped parcel, turned around and sped away.

The parcel was retrieved

rounds.

The suspect was pursued but managed to escape

the lawmen, however, the weapon was lodged as investigations continue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

Top official at Essequibo Institute arrested on sexual abuse allegations A TOP official at the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI), located at Anna Regina in Region Two, is currently in police custody assisting with investigations

into allegations that he sexually abused two female students.

The two students who stay in the dormitory have lodged complaints of alleged sexual

assault by the official while at the facility. The report was made to the police and he was subsequently arrested.

According to information, a file into his matter has been

prepared and has been sent to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecution for advice.

Guyana Chronicle understands that the matter had

been raised a few months back with senior officials at the Institute, but nothing was done. The girls were advised not to take it further since the institute’s image will be

tarnished.

However, the students went to the Anna Regina Police Station and made a report and detectives are currently investigating.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

Fashion is about ‘spicing’ it up -

GREG Terborg loves fashion! He believes that he was born with this gift because although he does not have any special training in the field, he’s become very good at it – so good,

GT Shop brings new style to Guyana that he is now in a position to advise his friends and the public on what to wear.

Greg’s ‘gift’ moved him to open up ‘GT Shop’ (which can refer to his initials or which can also read

‘Georgetown Shop’)- a men’s wear store located at Lot 71 Winter Place, Stabroek.

The store which was opened last Saturday,features authentic brands, with

absolutely no replicas available. With the slogan ‘Think Different’, Greg told The Buzz that GT Shop is one which reflects who you are as a person and one which helps you stand out.

“I feel that Guyana needed a new taste,” he said, as he recalled how everywhere he’d look, he’d

only see jeans and t-shirts.

“No one wants to spice things up. You’ll never see a linen shirt or suit pants with a t-shirt. People need to switch up their style some more.”

Because Greg is so much into fashion, he says it was very easy for him to make the shop into a reality.

Greg outside the store at Lot 71 Winter Place, Stabroek.

Greg helps out a customer who’s interested in all of his yellow jerseys.

Explaining what ‘fashion’ means in his books, he expressed: “Some people say they like fashion, but I don’t think they’re really into fashion. They think they know fashion; like someone would wear expensive clothing and think that is fashion. But you can wear decent (less expensive) clothing too and still look fly. Fashion is about mixing it up; putting everything together; all styles together and making it look good.”

And Greg’s friends believe in him. They’d just walk into the store and ask him to choose for them.

Then they will get emotional and begin to express how much they love their new clothes and style.

Greg says his prices are affordable and are not over the top. “I’m trying to bring America closer to Guyana with the trends, whereby if it’s wearing in America, GT Shop has it; you don’t have to send out or call and order. I feel like Guyana fashion is so behind; so my idea is to bring Guyana closer and up-to-date with American fashion.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

Let Love Win!

Mother and Daughter winners reflect on pageant

By Lisa Hamilton HUNDREDS of persons who turned out to the Mother and Daughter Pageant last Saturday evening were quite pleased with their new queens and princesses, even as many are calling it the stiffest competition hosted to date.

The pageant took place at the National Cultural Centre last Saturday and, while beginning with 42 contestants, the contestants were narrowed down to six by the end of the night of beauty and creativity branded with the theme, ‘Love’s Kaleidoscope’ Having never thought that

they would be a part of a pageant, let alone win the senior segment, Germaine Jacques and Kia had their first experience with no prior training and managed to steal the hearts of the crowd.

They flowed delicately across the stage in their glittering gold gowns designed by Quinton Pearson and demonstrated togetherness and gracefulness which managed to catch the judges’ attention.

Germaine is a mother of four and works at the Eureka Medical Laboratory (EML) in Georgetown and is President of the Inner Wheel Club of Georgetown Central, while her daughter Kia is

Shonette Vyphuis and Saniyah (Photo by Delano Williams)

first-year biology student at the University of Guyana.

Speaking with Germaine she revealed that she was encouraged to be a part of the pageant by her boss, EML’s Chief Executive Officer, William Boyle.

Germaine recounted that although rehearsals were challenging due to her other responsibilities, the experience helped to forge a stronger bond between her and her daughter.

“It’s been a good experience bonding. I think every mother bonds with their child or children but, as they grow, people change.

When they’re little they spend a lot of time with their mothers but when they’re grown, it’s different because they have their friends, they have school so you don’t spend that much time together,” she said. “But with this pageant…it forced us to spend more time together because we had to go to rehearsals so it did [bring us closer together], it really did.”

Germaine says she is very proud of her daughter’s performance and proud of herself and now recommends that other mothers and daughters take advantage of the experience in the coming years.

Meanwhile, Middle Category winners Shonette Vyphuis and Saniyah, perhaps were the most creative with their transformative dresses which changed from one colour to the next by the end of their performance.

The colours of pink and purple are favourites of Saniyah and were used to create silk dresses, beautifully crafted by Francois Designs with roses demonstrating their gratitude and love for each other and nature.

Speaking with Shonette, she said that the pageant wasn’t her daughter’s first as she previously participated in the Kids Fest pageant. She added that Saniya was also very eager to enter this pageant since she was four years old.

She says that preparing for the pageant was her favourite part and the experience had a positive impact on all who took part.

“I would recommend it because if they’re having a bonding problem, I would have had firsthand experience with the mothers and daughters and you see that after the pageant they may not have been transformed completely but being able to spend some more time with their mothers and the daughters, that [problematic] part of it is eliminated,” Shonette said.

The winners of the Junior Category, Marcia Abrams and Nomarra ticked all the boxes of the judges’ grading criteria when they took to the stage in green and white outfits designed by Olympia Small.

The two aced their routines delivering cool dress surprises at the end which caused the crowd to break out in synchronised ‘awws’.

In an interview with The Buzz, Marcia said that while she has been a part of other pageants in the past, this is the first time she has shared this experience with her daughter.

“The experience was different…this is like a one in a million experience to actually be modelling with your daughter and showing the love and the bond on the stage,” she said.

Young Nomarra will celebrate her seventh birthday on Sunday and her mother revealed that it was the young girl’s idea for the two to enter the pageant since they share a very close relationship.

“We went to the pageant last year and then she was like, ‘Mommy I want to be a part of this’,” Marcia said, adding that Nomarra was very excited to be present at the rehearsals.

At the same function, special tributes were made to the late Reona Payne who was killed by her reputed husband and was a past contestant in the 2015 competition, which is hosted annually

by Supa Stylistics Promotions co-founders Ingrid Fung and Dr. Sulan Fung.

Dr. Fung revealed that when

news reached the team about Payne’s demise, they were very saddened to hear this about the woman they had grown to “share fond memories” with.

Dr. Fung expounded: “We found it very necessary as women producing a Mother and Daughter pageant that we should speak out against domestic violence…with our theme, we’re trying to say let love win no matter what you go through in life…let us not let the broken parts of us get the best of us,”

Germaine Jacques and Kia (Photo by Delano Williams)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

The Male Dilemma Raw

WE really need to stop and pay attention when raising children. First, we must understand that they will not be copies of ‘us’, their parents, whether good or bad. There are cases where bad parents will bring into this world children or a child that will walk away from the family culture of bad values while seemingly good parents will produce shocking opposites.

Either way, it isn’t love, or the absence of material abundance, that some misconstrue as love- alone that is responsible for what our children will become in the interim between young adult and maturity when the world intrudes and friends and other characters usurp parents.

But yes, there are things that we do, that contribute to setting the stage for permanent damage through a custom of practiced philosophy.

The world in 2018 has fallen on Guyana whether we are ready or not, so systems must evolve to enable change from the grassroots level to reach the nation’s next middle-class cadre. Because regardless of

those who have forgotten, about 100 years ago, there wasn’t too much of social class, it was social engineering that instituted the colonial dividing line. Eliminating pretentions through rational fact-finding is crucial today.

I do have an idea of the creed of family ethics derived from social and religious structure inherited and learned in the Guyana context among both the matriarchal and patriarchal humanity that comprise our nation and in both groups, the consequences of the delinquent mother or father does summon the custom of the surrogate adult-child.

The following falls upon the male and with so-called ‘can’t help situations’- if the eldest is female, she too is in-line. I have witnessed this in my family and with people I know. The eldest boy or boys are taken out of school to become contributors to the family income. He, like most children, is thrilled by the challenge of becoming a big boy, so he doesn’t view his obstructed education as a problem and he is assured by

and

ugly

his mom that ‘boys can always find something to do’. The job he ventures into is mainly labour intensive, at that time he’s about 14 to 15 years old, handling some of his earnings

his legal interception would have steered the young man to industrial training or to remain in school.

On the other side of the coin, the young woman would

males rest the added burden of his ancient responsibility as the warrior, hunter and natural member of the council of leadership. To him, tears are a weakness. He should

is good enough, until he finds a young woman about three years later, from a not much different background. She will most likely challenge mom’s authority on his income, by 24, his income is adequate and he is ready to try anything to feed his own three children.

Here, the reader can summarise his options in any direction, semi-literate and without a skill, but smart anyhow.

His guardian angel should have been the school inspector. They existed once, and

have been told that ‘Woman don’t fall’. I know a young lady who attended Saint John’s nursing facility in Eve Leary.

She was on her way to a career in nursing. A suitor came along, wooing her and had mom’s support as well. He bought a living room suite as a present for the home. The mother urged the young lady to the arms of this nice man with ‘cheese’; not too concerned with where the cheese (money) came from, who could look after her (or ‘we’ according to mom). She aborted her career dream, mothered a lively group of kids. Then she later separated from the ‘nice’ man, took a chance as a ‘Narco’ mule, ended up in a foreign prison and life goes on.

But society has lost a ‘mind’ that would have become an excellent nurse. With

not plead, beg or grovel and he must conquer. Rise above pain- both physical and emotional - and ‘be a man’ and defender of his female kin.

So he hides himself in alcohol, drugs and buries the fears of his limitations in the pursuit of counterproductive conquests like alternative relationships that add demands and take a physical toll on his body. He is now torn mentally and emotionally between commitments to those that were and still are and the new placebo of the ego. I have paid attention to death announcements of males in their early 50s. In many cases, they fathered nine and ten accounted offspring (real and alleged)- a tribe in our age that would take a blue collar worker three lifetimes to educate.

I had a ‘grow mate’ (child-

hood friend) who passed in 2016. He was taken out of school very early and placed in the strata of supported income for his younger brothers and sisters. He and I branched off as teenagers into the state organised Youth Development Corps and eventually, he diverted into the political stream as a security-man/ bodyguard. He told me that he had fathered 27 children, to which his connection actually existed with only about five.

But strange about his dilemma was the emphasis he placed on clothes and relationships with younger women. Does the privation of naturally evolving through the youthful experience damage men to the point that we try to recapture past worlds? It would seem so to me from practical observation.

That the male dilemma is real rests with the evidence that reaches no national debate. More males are sleeping on the streets; are homeless and unemployed; are in prison; are drug addicts; are security guards; are not in the public service; are not mentioned in the slogans about empowerment; are collective targets of pseudo interest groups. The male primordial culture lacks insufficient attention as it combats the customs of modern society and the opportunistic creeds that they are fitted into from juveniles.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

Drumfest 2018 postponed to July 15 -over $1.5 M to be won in prizes

DRUMMERS in Guyana are in for a pleasant surprise as Corwyn Williams

of CFW Family Entertainment Inc. stands ready to stage the first ever Drum

Festival in Guyana.

While the event was formerly set for the Nation-

al Park on June 03, 2018, Public Relations Representative, Alex Wayne yesterday announced that the date has now been changed

Drum Fest 2108 set to explode in Guyana

to July 15, 2018. The event has also been moved to the popular D’Urban Park location in Georgetown.

Drummers participating in a feisty and energetic ‘soon to come’ competition will win from over GYD$1.5M in cash, trophies and other prizes at the conclusion of the event.

The event which has attracted drummers of every genre across Guyana has attracted participants from the West Demerara District, Linden, Georgetown, Berbice, East Coast Demerara and from hinterland locations as well.

Presently, organisers are engaged in countrywide auditions to shortlist the large number of applicants to 60 finalists. To date, the event has attracted participants in the excess 168 entrants including a large number of African and Tassa Drummers from across the length and breadth of Guyana.

Come Sunday, May 20 at 15:00hrs, the audition for Georgetown Drummers will be staged at the Aracari Resort (160 Plantation Versailles, West Bank Demerara) Poolside Auditorium.

This event, according to Wayne, is set to discover and unleash the talent of drummers across Guyana, and to further promote, revitalise and resuscitate the traditional art of drumming in Guyana. Event promoter Corwyn Williams of CFW Entertainment noted that the art of drumming has faded considerably in Guyana, due to the lack of promotional sponsorship and support from relative bodies that can further enhance the drumming tradition locally.

He noted that this event is geared at bringing together drummers countrywide and will be also made an annual event which he expects will soon go international.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

Exxon, Petra join forces for U-14 football tournament

By Stephan Sookram

OIL giant ExxonMobil has joined forces with the Petra organisation for the hosting of its inaugural U-14 boys and girls tournament next month.

During the launch at Cara Lodge yesterday, the company signalled its entry into football by announcing the tournament, according to Senior Director, Public and Government Affairs Kimberly Brassington.

“We do look for opportunities where we can make a difference, and supporting the kids is one way we can do that, especially through sports. So we are really looking forward to the tournament,” she added.

Bryan Joseph, Technical Development Officer (TDO) at the Guyana Football Federation indicated that they are willing to provide support for the tournament in the form of coaches for the schools.

He added that the tournament falls in line with the federation and its parent body’s plans for the sport at the youth level, saying, “This particular tournament is going to serve as a really good platform for some bigger things that we have happening in the year.”

He continued, “That is the CFU U-14 Boys’ tournament scheduled for the end of July early August and the U-15 Girls are going to be involved in a CONCACAF tournament in Florida.”

The tournament, the TDO said, allows the Federation

to have a wider view of the eligible players before said tournament.

Ministry of Education’s Nicholas Fraser was also on hand during the launch, and spoke of the Petra organisation bridging a gap between the Pee Wee (U-11) and the Milo (U18) tournaments.

“Someone who would have participated in the Pee Wee U-11 Football tournaments would have to wait another seven to 8 years to make the team again so it’s good to have that intermediate tournament.”

Petra co-Director Troy

Mendonca says that the body sat down with Exxon.

“The contribution and support would now fill a void that we have been fighting to fill for the last three to four years between our U-11 and U-18 tournaments,” he said.

Mendonca added that they are in the process of getting the teams, considering that is a new tournament at a new age group for both males and females.

The round-robin knockout tournament will feature 24 male and 8 female teams when it gets going in early June.

Manohar elected unopposed ...

gural independent chairman.

Six months in, Manohar said he would step down for personal reasons, but was persuaded by several ICC board members to stay on in the job.

Manohar subsequently said he would leave by the end of the first year, halfway into his term. After the same group asked Manohar to reconsider his decision again, he opted to carry on till June this year.

During Manohar’s tenure, the ICC has taken significant strides in overhauling its structure and constitution by becoming a more democratic body.

Despite stiff resistance,

Manohar managed to persuade bigger boards like the BCCI to adopt the new ICC governance structure as well as a new finance distribution model, which would ensure revenue from commercial deals would be shared evenly by both major and minor members.

Manohar also pushed for reforms in the ICC’s constitution including having an independent woman director. Pepsico chairperson Indra Nooyi was appointed as the ICC’s first independent woman director earlier this year, and will assume the role formally when she attends the ICC annual conference in Dublin.

Exxon, Petra join ...

enough player pool to choose from it would be detrimental to development.”

The ATC is a nationwide programme and Greenwood explained that “we (GFF) have been extracting the

top players from each of the ATCs in the various regions, the main role (of the ATC) is to bring the top players into the national side.”

He further noted that the GFF now has “CONCACAF

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday May 18, 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) 13 players (2) Imam-ul-Haq & Fakeem Ashraf Today’s Quiz: (1) Who was voted Player of the Match in the recent PAK/IRE Test?

(2) Which team won the toss in the recent PAK/IRE Test?

Continued from back page

On being re-elected, Manohar said he was happy to continue having “fulfilled” the promise he had made when he took over the job two years ago, and was looking forward to the road ahead.

“Over the next two years, we can look forward to launching a global strategy for the sport in partnership with our members so we can grow the game and ensure more of the world can enjoy cricket,” Manohar said. “The sport is in good health but we are the guardians of the game and we must continue to work hard to maintain that.” (ESPN Cricinfo) Continued from back page

trainers, something we never had before, we have licensed coaches, in the school and youth systems.”

“There has been massive improvement in the quality of the players, at every youth level we’ve had representation at the international level. We’re happy with what is going on, we have to stress though that this is a long term plan and there cannot be changes overnight,” Greenwood said.

The development of a crop of players over the next decade is also one of the main objectives of the Wayne Forde administration with the GFF’s main focus on the youth systems.

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

American Racing Tips Belmont Park Race 1 Too Cool To Dance Race 2 Hangman Race 3 Seam Race 4 Lucky Ramsey Race 5 Takechargedelilah Race 6 Citizen Matzo Race 7 Thais Race 8 Daria’s Angel South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:30 hrs King Javeline 09:05 hrs Smokey Affair 09:40 hrs Seeking Wisdom 10:15 hrs Dragon Flame 10:50 hrs Shine Like A Star

English Racing Tips Newbury 08:30 hrs Pesto 09:00 hrs Fly The Nest 09:35 hrs Baron Bolt 10:05 hrs Rubensian 10:40 hrs Mystic Flight 11:15 hrs Cassini 111:45 hrs King’s Proctor 12:20 hrs Boycie Newmarket 08:40 hrs Globe Exel 09:10 hrs Warsaan 09:45 hrs Loujain 10:20 hrs Garrick 10:55 hrs Shabeeb 11:25 hrs Herculean 11;55 hrs Warsaw Road

12:30 hrs Tawaafoq York 09:20 hrs Nicki’s Angel 09:55 hrs Sheikha Reika 10:30 hrs Desert Skyline 11;05 hrs Banditry 11:35 hrs Crafty Madam 12:05 hrs Koditime 12:40 hrs Victory Chime Irish Racing Tips Cork 11:50 hrs Empire State 12:25 hrs Above Us Only Sky 13:00 hrs Brave Display 13:30 hrs Elegant Drama 14:05 hrs El Greco 14:35 hrs Roses Queen 15:10 hrs Stadius 15:40 hrs Written Word

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, May 5, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

Rockets soar as Houston level series with Warriors

James Harden goes up for a layup during the Rockets’ 127-105 win in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals Wednesday. (Getty Images)

THE Houston Rockets evened the Western Conference finals with a 127-105 game-two win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.

Houston outscored the

two-time defending NBA champions in every quarter and led by 14 points at halftime. The Warriors made a little run to begin the third quarter, but the Rockets stamped out the threat with a

big fourth quarter.

James Harden led the Rockets with 27 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.

The MVP finalist struggled from the field (nine of 24 shooting), but helped organise the offence as they levelled the series at 1-1.

P.J. Tucker added 22 points and seven rebounds for the Rockets, while Eric Gordon scored 27 points (six of nine from three-point range) off the bench. Tucker’s energy early in the game set the tone for Houston on both ends of the court.

The Rockets looked overmatched in game one, but their backcourt won the battle Wednesday. If Houston can continue to lock down Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, they could end Golden State’s reign in the West.

Warriors forward Kevin

Durant scored a game-high 38 points while draining 13 of 22 from the field in their game-two loss. Durant helped the Warriors make a quick rally to start the third quarter, but the rest of Golden State’s star-studded lineup failed to show up.

Thompson runs hot and cold as shots are sometimes hard to find when Stephen Curry and Durant both play.

But Thompson had his opportunities on Wednesday, but scored just eight points on three of 11 shooting.

The Rockets gave the Warriors a taste of their own medicine.

Atletico charged by UEFA over ‘racist behaviour’, fireworks (REUTERS) Europa League winners Atletico Madrid have been charged with “racist behaviour” by UEFA for a banner displayed by fans during their 3-0 win over Olympique de Marseille in the final on Wednesday.

European soccer’s governing body said in a statement yesterday that it had opened proceedings against the Spanish side under Article 14 of its disciplinary regulations.

Marseille and Atletico also face punishment for setting off fireworks during the match.

The French team’s famously passionate fans unleashed a whirlwind of flares and firecrackers moments before

kickoff and the game began under a thick cloud of smoke.

Atletico set off a small number of flares at their end after each of Antoine Griezmann’s two goals while the French supporters engulfed the air with another display of flares, some of which were thrown onto the pitch, near the end of the game.

Marseille fans also caused “acts of damage” at the Groupama Stadium, the home of rivals Olympique Lyonnais and the French club were charged by UEFA after their players returned late to start the second half.

UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body will deal with the case on May 31.

Youngsters were the best England had, says boss Southgate

By Simon Evans LONDON, Ebgland (Reuters) - England’s youthful World Cup squad is not the result of a policy to pick young players but simply a question of choosing the best talent in the best form, manager Gareth Southgate said yesterday.

Southgate, the former England Under-21 coach, was also quick to dismiss talk of Russia 2018 being used as a chance for his young squad to gain experience as he explained the thinking behind his decisions.

“We’re picking them not because they’re young, but because they are the best in their positions. We know they’re not the finished article. That’s where we are at the moment,” he told a news conference, acknowledging that the dominance of foreign players in the Premier League was another factor.

“As a country, we pick from 33 percent (of the Premier League’s players). It is quite a unique situation.

“OK, maybe it’s brave to take players without a number of caps, but we have to give these guys belief,” he said.

England’s inexperience is most apparent in the goalkeeper position where the three players chosen - Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland and Nick Pope, have just nine caps between them.

“They are the best three English goalkeepers we have in the league,” Southgate said.

“We are not picking young players because they are young and we are trying to buy

England manager Gareth Southgate ourselves time.

“We believe they are the best in their positions for the way we want to play. With the goalkeepers, they have been the best three,” he said.

Southgate took a similar approach when explaining his decision to pick uncapped Liverpool right back Trent Alexander-Arnold.

“Trent’s the next best English fullback in the league,” said Southgate, referring to his first choices Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker.

“His performances have been excellent. He’s shown, in games of real pressure the personality and the ability to cope with that,” he said.

Alexander-Arnold has impressed during Liverpool’s run to the Champions League final where they will face Real Madrid in Kiev on May 26.

“He’s had an extended run in a team where the expectation is high. He looks like he’ll be playing in a Champions League final and is a player I know.

“There are some other younger players that aren’t

quite ready to be with us, but he’s ticked all the criteria we feel we need,” he said.

Yet despite the focus on youth, Southgate said there is no question of England viewing the World Cup as simply a staging post.

“I don’t think when you are involved with England, you can ever write any game or tournament off — that wouldn’t be acceptable,” said the manager.

“We know teams that win tournaments tend to have a lot more caps than we and have experience of semi-finals and finals. That’s what Germany have done over a number of years, what Spain have done.

“This group, we know they lack big-match experience, but we think this is the best group available.

“They’re really exciting now and they can be really exciting in the future. We don’t want to limit what they can do.

They’re young, hungry, they want to have a go at things, and we’ve got to enjoy the ride.”

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

Royal Challengers stay alive as Sunrisers left in the shade KANE Williamson continued his fine form with 81 but Sunrisers Hyderabad came up short in a high-scoring thriller in Bangalore.

Royal Challengers Bangalore maintained their hopes of qualifying for the Indian Premier League play-offs with a 14-run triumph over Sunrisers Hyderabad.

AB de Villiers and Moeen Ali made 69 and 65 respectively as the Royal Challengers - needing to win their final two games to have a chance of finishing in the top four posted an impressive total of 218-6 after being put in to bat.

Still, the Sunrisers, who sit on top of the table and are already certain to progress, threatened to overhaul the home team's score at the M

Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Captain Kane Williamson hit 81 from just 42 deliveries to lead the charge, yet was crucially starved of the strike as the high-scoring encounter edged towards a thrilling climax.

Needing 20 runs off the last over, the New Zealand batsman was caught by compatriot Colin de Grandhomme on the fine leg boundary off the first delivery from Mohammed Siraj, ending Hyderabad's hopes.

Bangalore's hard-fought victory lifts them up to fifth place in the table, level with Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab on 12 points.

The Sunrisers had won the last four meetings between the franchises when de-

fending totals, but Williamson opted to field first at a ground where batting second is seen to be the favourable option.

The move initially paid off too, with openers Parthiv

Patel and Virat Kohli both departing during the powerplay overs, only for de Villiers to share in a 107-run partnership with Moeen, who registered his maiden IPL half-century.

the remainder of 2018 will be unveiled.

Attorney-at-Law Arud Gossai will deliver the feature address on the Topic: ‘The Importance of Discipline and Unity’.

Esuan Crandon

Among the cricketers expected to receive acco-

Moeen Ali brings up his maiden IPL fifty. (©BCCI)

lades are: Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Romario Shepherd, Karran Arjpaul, Marvin Prashad, Kevlon Anderson, Kevin Sinclair, Sabrina Munroe and Shabika Gajnabi.

Three coaches, Julian Moore, Esuan Crandon and Tremayne Smartt will be honoured for outstanding performances in 2017 while Imran Moakan and Moses Ramphal will be honoured as the best umpires. Lower Corentyne Secondary will receive the School-of-the-Year award.

The Berbice Cricket Board will also be launching five educational posters as part of its Cricket Development Programme.

Members of the Berbice Under-19 and the Berbice female teams will be recognised

Over 50 horses confirmed for Kennard Memorial race meet on Sunday … All systems in place

By Rajiv Bisnauth WITH over 50 entries confirmed for this Sunday’s Pre-Independence horse race meet, racing fans can definitely expect a competitive day of racing.

Set for the Kennard Memorial Turf Club, Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, chief organiser retired Justice Cecil Kennard highlighted crowd attraction T&T, winner in two starts previously in the H & Lower Class. Midnight Blue; Red Jet; Merry Ann, and Miss Olympic are among other top names to feature in seven

planned races.

With some $2M in cash prizes are up for grabs, the feature action on the card will be the H Class and Lower, which will carry the top purse of $240 000. The second-placed will receive $120 000, third $60 000 and fourth $30 000.

The other races include the L class Non-earners of $50 000 from January 2017.

That winner will cash in on $100 000, the K class and Lower will carry a $140 000 first place prize, the two-yearold trial $100 000, L class Non-winners $120 000, J 1

Not content with just making runs for his side, de Villiers also produced a stunning catch in an otherwise disappointing fielding display from the Royal Challengers.

Alex Hales (37) connect-

ed well enough with a slogsweep off England colleague Moeen to clear the rope, only for de Villiers to jump up and pluck the ball out of the air with his right hand before landing again inside the boundary.

Williamson and Manish Pandey - who made an unbeaten 62 - kept Hyderabad afloat with a third-wicket alliance worth 135, the former in the process passing 50 in this season's IPL for an impressive eighth time in 13 innings.

However, Tim Southee conceding just six runs from the 17th over turned out to be a telling moment for Bangalore, who next face a must-win showdown against fellow play-off hopefuls Rajasthan in Jaipur tomorrow.

(Omnisport)

a pool of coaches in Berbice, to prepare persons to sit the CWI Level I Coaching Programme and at the same

time ensure every first division team in Berbice has players capable of serving as coaches.

CATCHES WIN MATCHES

BCB Awards Ceremony billed for Sunday THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Awards Ceremony is scheduled for May 20, 2018, at Albion Community Centre from 13:00hrs after an absence of three years.

A release from the BCB indicated that 17 major awards are expected to highlight the ceremony.

Among the awards to be presented are Berbice Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 Players-of-the-Year, Most Improved Youth, Most Improved Senior, Berbice Under-19 Female Player, School-of-the-Year, Senior Coach-of-the-Year and Clubof-the-Year.

President of the BCB, Hilbert Foster, is expected to provide a comprehensive review of the BCB for the last three months while plans for

While the pair were dismissed in the same over from leg-spinner Rashid Khan (3-27), de Grandhomme smashed 40 in a hurry before Sarfaraz Khan contributed a crucial 22 not out from just eight deliveries at the death.

Basil Thampi claimed an unwanted record in the Bangalore innings, the seamer recording the most expensive spell in the competition's history as his four wicket-less overs went for 70 runs.

and Lower $160 000 and the L Class Open $130 000.

Prizes will be awarded from first to fourth in each category.

Meanwhile, Kennard further indicated that all systems are in place, adding that the track is in great condition, despite the current inclement weather.

The Rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) will be used to govern the action.

Next on the club’s agenda are meets on July 29, October 21 and the grand meet on Boxing Day.

for winning their respective Guyana Cricket Board’s tournaments.

Erva Giddings will be honoured as the female MVP while Kevlon Anderson would be the Under-19 MVP recipient.

Meanwhile, the BCB will host a Pre- Level 1 Coaching Seminar for 40 potential coaches at the Albion cricket ground tomorrow.

The two-day programme concludes on Saturday May 26. Level III cricket coach Winston Smith will conduct the clinic with assistance from Tremayne Smartt, Balram Samaroo and Andre Percival.

Foster stated that the main objectives are to have

$250 000 up for grabs at Sunday’s Team Alanis Road Race

IN excess of $250 000 will be up for grabs when cycling club, Team Alanis, stages its O.G. Shipping-sponsored road race on Sunday around the outer circuit of the National Park.

This follows the exciting finish of the UWS CC Independence Three-Stage road race around the same circuit last Sunday.

The country’s top cyclists will compete in a 20-lap race as the seniors vie for the lucrative cash prizes on offer for the top six finishers.

Seniors, Juniors and Masters 35-45 would be battling for 20 laps while Masters 45-50 as well as Upright and Mountain Bikers wlll compete for 6 laps.

The top three in the other categories will also win cash prizes. First-place finishers will also receive trophies, while 10 sprint prizes will be at stake in the 20-lap contest.

Action pedals off at 12:30hrs.

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

Ramzan, six for 36, ensures HACC start season on winning note

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada – The predominantly Guyanese side, Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) started the 2018 season in a blaze of glory with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Knightly Cricket Club when the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) Elite League

got underway last Saturday at the L’amareaux ground, Scarborough here.

The victory was engineered by a masterful spell of swing bowling by Abdul Ramzan who claimed an amazing six for 36 from his quota of 10 overs and former Guyana youth player Harrinarine Chattergoon who backed up with four for 34 in 9.2 overs,

as newly promoted Knightly were skittled for a paltry 86 in 22.2 overs in the 50-over affair.

HACC, who had to settle for the runner-up spot to eventual winners Highland Creek in last year’s final, reached the required target in 21.2 overs on a heavy outfield.

It should be noted that Chattergoon who was vacationing in Guyana arrived back

in Toronto a few hours before the game started and was “escorted” from the Pearson International airport to the venue.

Leading the way for HACC in the batting department was opener Reyaz Prahalad with an attacking 33 which included two sixes while Azhad Amidon was unbeaten on 28 when victory was achieved. Prahalad, one of HACC’s most consistent batsmen, missed the entire 2017 season due to injury.

While HACC were making light work of Knightly, defending champions Highland Creek suffered an early setback, going down to Scarborough Cricket Club (SCC) by five wickets at Ashtonbee Number One. Set a challenging 267 for victory, after Highland Creek were dismissed for 266 in 47.1 overs, SCC eased to 270 for five with former Canadian player Asif Mulla smashing a brilliant 119 while Aarif Talati and Samad Abdul supported with 62 and 39 respectively.

Talha Kirmani took two for 38.

Earlier, Highland Creek got consistent performances from Vishal Adlakha (58 with seven fours and two sixes), Farhan Khan (56 with nine fours) Ali Khan (34), Rayyankhan (33) and Kartik Desai (23). Mustak

HACC captain, former Guyana wicket-keeper Azib Alli Hanif (right), hands over the signed game ball to Abdul Ramzan for his six for 36.

Variava claimed three for 46 from 10 overs, Samad Abdul three for 80 and Basir Lokhat two for 58.

Also in winners’ row were Victoria Park Cricket Club who trounced Ambassadors by a whopping 213 at Ashtonbee Number Two ground.

Taking first strike, Victoria Park reached a formidable 394 all out in their allotted 50 overs with opener Krunal Patel leading the way with a swashbuckling 177 while Yug Rao and Arjoon Sood supported with 69 and 54 respectively. Ryan

Ramnarine was Ambassadors’ best bowler with four for 65 from eight overs.

Ambassadors were rolled over for 181 in 40.1 overs with Ryan Lall resisting with a fine 74. Vishnu Pothugunta bagged four for 14 from 6.1 overs and Meet Shah three for 19 from six.

The other two teams in the eight-team tournament - Superstars/Islanders and Armor - were not in action on the opening day. The Elite League continues this weekend.

Pep Guardiola extends Man City contract to 2021 PEP Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension at Manchester City, the Premier League champions have confirmed.

Guardiola is two years into the three-year deal he penned in the summer of 2016, but has now pledged his future to City until the summer of 2021.

The 47-year-old's new deal marks a coup for the Blues, who are keen to keep hold of their coach for as long as possible.

"I am so happy and excited. It’s a pleasure to be able to work here," Guardiola told City's official website.

"I enjoy working with our players every day and we will try to do our best together in the coming years.

As a manager, you have to feel good to be with the players – and I feel good.

"I will focus on the desire of my players to become a better team and every day that’s what I will try to do – to improve on the pitch and improve our players. We have a young squad with an average age of 23 and we want to keep taking steps forward and maintain the levels we’ve achieved this

season."

During his time at Barcelona, Guardiola only signed one-year extensions, and even said at one point that if he could sign six-month deals he would do so. At Bayern Munich he honoured his three-year contract before moving to the Premier League.

City have long wanted to tie Guardiola down to a longer deal and their resolve has only increased as the team's impressive season progressed.

The Catalan Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension after leading the Blues to a record-breaking Premier League title victory.

Initial talks had taken place not long into last season, but the decision was made to push back formal negotiations until the summer as it had quickly become obvious that all parties were keen to renew.

City had established a lead at the top of the Premier League table at that time and neither Guardiola nor the club wanted any distractions.

However, by early spring it became clear that City would win the title and Guardiola's agent, Josep Maria Orobitg, began ironing out the terms of an extension with the City hierarchy.

“This season has been another step of our strategic plan and the continuous effort to improve the football we play," said CEO Ferran Soriano.

"We are very pleased with the progress. There is more work to do and having Pep committed to Manchester City for the next three seasons gives us the stability to be able to continue our journey to beautiful football and success for the club.” (Yahoo Sport)

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 18, 2018

West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships

Coach Slowe says Guyana ready to defend titles HEAD COACH of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) Paul Slowe says he is confident that the team is well prepared, focused and ready to defend its Short-, Long Range and Individual titles at next week’s West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council (WIFBSC) Championships set for the Paragon Ranges in Barbados.

Set to depart Guyana on Saturday, 11 of the local-based members would be joined in Barbados by two USA-based shooters, John Fraser and Sigmund Douglas. Captain of the team, Dylan Fields, has taken over the reins since regular captain Mahendra Persaud is still overseas recuperating from illness.

Fields would have as his vice-captain, Dane Blair. The rest of the team reads: Caribbean Individual Champion Lennox Braithwaite, Ransford Goodluck, Leo Romalho, Ryan Sampson, Sherwin Felicien,

Peter Persaud, Terrance Stuart and Paul Slowe (head wind coach).

Commenting on how practice sessions went at the Timehri Rifle Ranges over the past weeks, Slowe stated that conditions were very difficult, “But it provided the type of challenge that the team needed.“ Leading Guyana’s charge will be the defending WIFBSC Individual Champion Lennox Braithwaite who was also the Caribbean’s leading marksman at the just concluded Commonwealth Games held in Australia.

Braithwaite’s shooting partner in Australia, Ransford Goodluck, had combined to ensure that Guyana finished as the top Caribbean side Down Under. They will once again be aiming with their teammates to ensure that the marksmen from the Land of Many Waters continue to conquer all and sundry in this part of the shooting world.

Slowe, who had accom-

panied the duo to Australia, believes that apart from Braithwaite, the likes of Goodluck, Fields and Romalho can all hold their own in the individuals and will combine to

deliver the goods for Guyana in the Team championships.

“I expect the team to do well as individuals and as a team. The younger shooters, Tiwarie and Felicien did well

during the practice. Peter Persaud had some issues with his rifle, which are now sorted out and Sampson seems to be coming into form. All in all, the morale of the team is high.”

Flashback! WIFBSC President Major (Ret.) John Nelson of Jamaica (left) hands over the WIFBSC flag to Barbados’ Richard Arthur in Guyana last October.

At the GuyanaNRA 150th Anniversary Shoot held here last October, which also doubled as the WIFBSC Championships, Team Guyana successfully defended both the Short and Long Range titles ending as the top Caribbean in the WIFBSC Short Range battle.

England and Ireland in that order had placed first and second as special guests of the GuyanaNRA for the championships. Canada (4th) also competed along with Trinidad and Tobago (5th), Barbados (6th) and Antigua & Barbuda (7th).

In the Milex/Crown Mining Long Range championship Guyana (36) won on Vs from the surprise package of the championship, Barbados (27) who also ended on 712 points as the home team.

T h i r d w e re I re l a n d (701/28), followed by England (668/25), Antigua & Barbuda (646/22), Canada (609/24) and Trinidad & Tobago (599/23).

Browne says preparation key GABF shortlists male and female squads for CBC Championship to Women’s T20 World Cup defence IN preparation for the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships, set for Suriname from June 15, 30, 2018; the Guyana Basketball Federation has shortlisted female and male players for participation in the flagship basketball event for the Caribbean Region.

On the female side, the Federation is focusing on the development of our young players, and to use their participation in the Basketball Championships as an opportunity for exposure to basketball competition at the highest level in the region.

The Women squad has one overseas-based player, Mariam McKenzie, and the following Guyana-based players: Kennesha Leacock, Tandika Bouyea, Annalisa Barclay, Jade Mohan, Saffiya Greene, Jenelle Belle, Lydya Roberts, Kelian Sauers, Roshelle Campbell, Makeida Rogers, Caron Bobb-Semple, Jahrier Young, Nia Wilson, Sonia Rodney, Ginelle Ifill, Cliffanna Hunter, Aypdele Roache, Jamacia Blair, Ashley Khan, Ruth Sanmogan, Demelza Nicholas, Kesann Charles, Shania Sears, Tamara Hunter and Annaliza Barker.

The Men Squad will feature a number of overseas-based players, led by Gordon James, Shawn James, Delroy James, Anthony Moe, Ray Victor, Kevin Mickle,

Kevon Wiggins, Richard Mohandatt, Nikon McGregor and Juon Nicholson. The Guyana-based basketball stars selected for trials are: Shaine Webster, Timothy Thompson, Shelroy Thomas, Stanton Rose, Harold Adams, Orlando Glasgow, Terron Welch, Chris Williams, Travis Burnett, Dominique Vincente, Nathan Saul, Dave Causeway, Travis Belgrave, Akeem Crandon, Nikkoloi Smith, Domair Gladstone and Curt English.

Other overseas-based players are under consideration.

Stanton Rose

Daily practice sessions for the Women squad commence on Sunday, May 20, 2018 from 19:00hrs and for the Men squad, daily training starts on Sunday, June 27, 2018 from 20:00hrs. All training sessions will be held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Departure date for the

women team is June 15, with game dates June 17-21, and return date June 22. For the Men, departure date is June 22, with game dates June 2430, and return date July 1.

The Guyanese Women are in Group B with Suriname, Barbados and Dominican Republic. Group A includes Bahamas, Cuba and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Guyanese Men are in Group A, with Suriname, Saint Lucia, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines while Group B comprises Barbados, Bermuda, Antigua & Barbuda, Haiti and Montserrat.

Guyana is investing heavily in the CBC Championship, with the expectation that Guyana Men Team will win the Male Championship for the first time; and the GABF is confident that we will succeed in this venture. Guyana Women won the Caribbean Basketball Championships in Trinidad in 1996.

The coaching and management panel for the women includes Lugard Mohan, Ann Gordon and Troy Greene while the coaching and management panel for the Men will comprise Willon Cameron, Junior Hercules, Kenny Avent and Jim Carr, assistant coach at University of Rhode Island.

Jonas Anastal is the physical conditioner and physiotherapist for both teams.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Chairman of West Indies selectors, Courtney Browne, believes the regional women’s side are good enough to defend their title and win the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup for a second time.

Browne made this assertion as the players continued their preparation camp here for the global event, to be played in the Caribbean from November 2 to 25.

in Antigua, Darren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia and the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.

Under the captaincy of the dynamic Stafanie Taylor, the Windies won the last T20 World Cup in India two years ago, to lift their first major international title.

The triumph came on the same day the men’s team, under Sammy, won the corresponding title.

“We have a great team here

Coach Roddy Estwick takes members of the Windies Women’s bowling attack through their paces in the nets.

(Photo courtesy CWI Media)

Several key players, including talismanic skipper Stafanie Taylor, ace spinner Anisa Mohammed, along with opener Hayley Matthews and wicketkeeper Merissa Aguilleira, will be together for six months in the build-up to the tournament.

The official tournament matches will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground

preparing and I know they will do very well,” Browne said.

“There’s a bit of time to go before the tournament, and it’s an ample, forward-thinking idea from Cricket West Indies to get them into camp and get the preparation right. We want to peak at the right time and that time will be in November.”

He continued: “On any

given day, any team can win.

We have to do the right things and prepare the team properly and thoroughly to ensure we get the right amount of work to improve our skill and our overall preparation.

“It is an important year for women’s cricket. We didn’t have a good year last year. We had a few good moments and a good series (at home against Sri Lanka).”

Browne said women’s cricket was on a rapid rise globally and this year’s world event should provide a true reflection of the quality of play.

He added that the upcoming Cricket West Indies T20 Blaze and Super50 tournaments in Jamaica in June would give the Windies selectors a further gauge of regional talent.

“This camp is critical. We want to start to look like the team that won last World T20,” Browne pointed out.

“We will be defending that title here in the Caribbean and our women will be quite familiar with the conditions. The things we all have to be mindful of is that women’s cricket across the world has really become consistent and we are seeing a much-improved brand of cricket, so we have to keep pace and remain among the top teams.

“The tournament in Jamaica is another key tournament.

We are looking to draw from the regional tournament. We expect all players to showcase their talent and put themselves in line for selection for the second portion of the camp and the world tournament.”

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THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2018