Guyana Chronicle Epaper 01 08 2017

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UHURU!

No. 104991

TUESDAY AUGUST 1, 2017

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Assassination plot

Top Cop defends release …says proper probe of suspects was conducted Page 3

A staff member of Courts Guyana Limited displaying her African wear during a Pre-Emancipation show at the store’s head office, Main Street, Georgetown on Monday (Adrian Narine photo)

Canje Creek logger dies in freak accident Page 4

Page 10

Security beefed up around prisons

…Ramjattan praises citizens for support

Escapee nabbed in Mocha house

Page 10

Victoria man shot dead in NY Page 4

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

MOPH can now keep better tabs on stock – with aid of new logistics manual THE Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has received a Logistics Management Information System (LMIS) Manual which the authorities say will help broaden the layman’s understanding of the sector and encourage more consistent scientific forecasting by professionals.

According to a press statement from the Ministry, the manual was developed and produced through support from the Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) and funding from the United States Agency

for International Development (USAID) under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

USAID Country Director, Ms. Caroline Healey, explained during the handing-over ceremony held at the MOPH Brickdam office, that insight from the document will put an end to stock outs and the expiration of medicines, and help guarantee that drugs, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies reach the beneficiaries at the right time, at the right place, at the right quality, and

at the right price.

Healey said her agency was enthusiastic to embrace the strengthening of the health-supply chain from the MOPH to the 10 administrative regions.

Describing the manual as the “tool kit” for health sector employees, Healey predicted that following its guidelines will help eliminate the systemic difficulties which affect the local public health system.

MOPH Director of Regional Health Services (RHS), Dr. Kay Shako said the ‘tool kit’ will assist healthcare providers and ordinary citizens to get an insight into the workings of the public health system so they can better appreciate the challenges endemic to the system.

“It will help underscore the reasons for shortages; not just perception but reality. It is enriched with information sufficient to coerce us to unlearn previous misconceptions about the supply chain management system, and adopt a new ap-

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, receives a copy of the manual from USAID’s Country Director, Ms. Caroline Healey, in the presence of other officials of the Ministry and USAID

proach through an educated and informed position,” Dr. Shako said.

Healthcare providers within the primary care system play a pivotal role in how medicines and medical supplies should be managed, from the time of arrival to the health facilities, to the time they are dispensed to patients, Dr. Shako explained in the Foreword of the First Edition of the LMIS Manual.

She said the system is designed to ensure usage is monitored, and to help inform decisions “when (and how much) drugs and medical supplies should be ordered”.

This helps healthcare pro-

viders to know precisely how to comply with LMIS to ensure “an adequate, efficient and effective supply of medicines and medical supplies at all health care facilities,” Dr. Shako wrote in the Foreword.

She said the manual outlines the procedures all health care providers must follow when reordering, receiving, storing, distributing or dispensing pharmaceuticals and health products within the public health supply chain.

“Further, every citizen in Guyana after reading this manual will understand the drivers of medicine and medical supplies shortages. Health

care providers who ‘work the system’ must understand how critical it is to maintain the basic structure at every health facility in Guyana,” Dr. Shako said, adding: “I personally take pride in seeing all health facilities be supplied with an adequate amount of medicines so that every Guyanese citizen can have the appropriate care that is intended. I am concerned when citizens are being told they cannot be treated at a particular health facility because there are no medicines,” Dr. Shako said.

The manuals will be distributed to all public health facilities nationwide.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Assassination plot

Top Cop defends release …says proper probe of suspects was conducted

By Ariana Gordon

POLICE Commissioner Seelall Persaud on Monday said there was sufficient reason for the granting of bail to key players in the alleged plot to kill the President and that he had not explicitly given any instruction for the men to be released on bail but rather made a suggestion.

The police chief made the comments while giving his testimony at the Commission of Inquiry (CoI). Bail was granted to the alleged plotter, Nizam Khan, his brother Imran Khan, and accuser, Andre Gillard.

Speaking before the Commission in a packed room, Persaud who is currently on annual leave said he simply provided an opinion to a junior rank of the force based on information presented to him. He said he learnt of the assassination plot when his friend Imran Khan called him after 16:00h and informed him that the police was at his brother’s home without a search warrant and requested to search his property. “I called Blanhum who is the head of CID and he indicated to me the report of the allegation. I immediately called Imran Khan and told him what the allegation was and advised him to tell his brother to cooperate.”

The Police Commissioner told the Commission that he received another call from

Khan later the afternoon but he missed the call. “I returned the call and was told he was arrested for disorderly behaviour. He said he went to make a complaint that Gillard threatened him and the police refused to take the report because the rank said they did not hear the threat.”

Persaud said he immediately contacted Head of the Major Crimes Unit, Assistant Superintendent Mitchell Caesar and cautioned him about the likelihood of distraction. Later that night, the Police Commissioner who was confirmed in the post in 2015, said at about 21:00h he received another call from Imran Khan indicating that he was placed on $20,000 bail but he had no money on his person to pay the bail.

“I called Blanhum but did not get through, called Caesar, did not get through.

I called Inspector Narine to whom I got through.

I undertake to him to have Imran report at the station whenever they want him, if they can send him on his own recognisance and he agreed,” Persaud told the Commission, while noting that Inspector Narine told him that he formed the opinion that Gillard was lying.

“I asked why he thinks so, and he outlined the time the incident occurred and when it was reported…and there being no justifiable reason for it not being reported before,” he said, noting

that credibility was a major factor.

“I then told him, it is wrong for us to put someone in custody who hasn’t committed a breach of the law and I would have put him on bail. At that time I was on annual vacation leave,” he stated, noting that he became involved in the matter on April 3, when he resumed duty.

He said upon his resumption, he continued to monitor the case, brief Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and the National Security Committee on developments on the matter until he proceeded on leave on July 22. Attorney for the Commission James Bond asked, “Is it your evidence, categorically, that you did not give the instruction for Nizam Khan to be placed on bail?

“Specifically no, I did not follow up to find out whether that was done or not.

However, when the Commissioner of Police or a senior rank makes a suggestion to a junior rank, it is the culture of the junior rank that they carry it out,” said the Police Commissioner. He said too that he did not instruct officers to place Imran Khan on bail. “No, when I learnt of Imran Khan’s bail, he was already placed on bail. It is just because he didn’t have the money to pay the bail at the time.”

The Police Chief said he

Attorney Selwyn Pieters passes a document to Police Commissioner, Seelall Persaud, on Monday during his testimony at the CoI

was made aware after the fact that Imran Khan’s firearm was taken away from him but noted that it is a policy of the force to remove from persons arrested their firearms. “I know him a long time and I know he carries his firearm around with him,” added Persaud. “Categorically, did you give permission for the firearm of Imran Khan to be returned to him?” questioned Bond. “No. I had no discussion with anyone about the firearm belonging to Imran Khan. The Police Commissioner told the Commission that he did not discuss the alleged plot to assassinate the President and that investigation with any other senior officer of the GPF. “Did you at any time from March 29- April 3 have any discussions with the

Acting Police Commissioner with respect to this matter?” asked Bond. Persaud responded in the negative while stating, “I didn’t see the need to…usually when he has a difficulty with any issue he would call for advice and he did not call.”

While admitting to being friends with Imran Khan he said Nizam Khan was not his friend and noted that he has no business relationship with Imran Khan. “I don’t have a business solely or jointly,” Persaud noted. He noted too, that while on leave he would often time entertain complaints from members of the public and pass them on to respective officers. “Even while on leave I play a part…

I cannot turn my back.”

Asked whether he agrees his involvement in the matter

rendered some assistance to Khan, Persaud said yes. “In terms of going off on bail and his own recognisance, yes, but the force has a policy that as a general rule, no one should be placed in custody for minor offences. They should be processed and released, whether on cash or their own recognisance.”

“Is that policy extended to matters such as treason and murder which are non-bailable? asked Bond to which the Police Commissioner who was enlisted in the Force since 1984 said, “Treason and murder are not minor offences, so no.” “Would you then therefore conclude that the matter of granting bail to Nizam Khan especially went against the grain of that policy?” the attorney Turn to page 5 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Victoria man shot dead in NY

Police in New York shot and killed an emotionally disturbed man holding a large carving knife in East Flatbush on Monday afternoon after striking him twice with a Taser, the NYPD said.

An officer shot the 32-yearold man, identified by family members as Dwayne Jeune, at about 12:20 p.m. inside his

fifth-floor apartment on New York Avenue between Foster and Newkirk avenues after the man’s mother called 911 for him, according to the NYPD. The reason for the call is not immediately clear, though the mother told the operator that her son was not violent, police said.

After officers were let into the apartment, Jeune allegedly

charged at them, holding the knife, said Chief of Patrol Terence Monahan. One of the officers then fired two shots from a Taser, striking Jeune in the arm and chest, but he was able to fight through it and keep moving forward, according to police. “When the Taser proved ineffective, a second officer fired at the man, hitting him in the chest,” Mona-

called to Jeune’s home before when he threatened a family member with a hammer in 2006 and broke two televisions, a police source said. Jeune also had five prior arrests, including one in 2008 for resisting arrest, the source said.

But Shawn Lee, who lives one floor above the man’s apartment, said he knew Jeune to be harmless. “He was always listening to music and singing along,” Lee said. “I would never expect him to do anything like this.” Regina

Dwayne Jeune

A police officer fatally shoot an emotionally disturbed man on New York Avenue, between Foster and Newkirk avenues, on Monday, July 31, 2017, the NYPD said. (Credit: Alex Bazeley)

han said.

Several officers were taken to an area hospital for ringing in the ears. Jeune’s cousin, Devon Luke, 35, said the pair grew up together and Jeune liked playing soccer.

“He never hurt anybody,” Luke said. “He was always listening to music and minding his own business. A very humble kid.”

Jeune was originally from Guyana, and came to the U.S. in the early 2000s. “I never knew him to act out or anything like this,” Luke said. “He was always laughing and smiling, having a good time.” Police had been

Tuesday, August 1st, 2017 - 14:30 hrs Wednesay, August 2nd, 2017 -14:30hrs Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 - 4:30hrs

Blain, 22, grew up in the housing complex nearby and said she was surprised to hear what happened. “He’s never been a problem, and I knew him to be a really nice man,” she said.

“The only thing that he would do is stomp his feet while he was walking.” Her younger brother, 19-year-old Drew Blain, said he wasn’t surprised by the shooting. “They’re the ones who are supposed to serve and protect,” he said about police. “And then stuff like this happens? It’s messed up.

Canje Creek logger dies in freak accident THE lifeless body of Clement Shultz was found submerged in water, a fallen tree lying across his body at Stephenburg, Canje River.

The discovery was made by his wife, Ann Johnson, who had mobilised a search party after her spouse did not return home for lunch last Thursday.

The 45-year-old logger and cash-crop farmer had left his home in his wooden boat to cut two lumber posts from a nearby forest.

However, all evidence indicate that after he had sourced the posts, he was in the process of clearing the forested area, so as to allow his boat to have better access of the waterway as he paddled along.

His son, Winston Johnson told the Guyana Chronicle that after his father had cut one of the trees, he was subsequently hit by a ‘dead’ tree.

Relatives are saying that if someone had been with the deceased at the time of the accident, he

may have lived as help would have arrived sooner.

As things stand, it was not until Friday that the body was located by relatives, and again, it wasn’t until several hours later that the police and his nephew, Deburn Gallay, were able to access the area where the accident occurred.

The body was later transported from Stephenburg in the Canje Creek area to New Amsterdam, a distance of about 100 miles, where an investigation was launched.

After conducting an autopsy at the New Amsterdam Hospital mortuary on Monday, Government Pathologist Dr. Vivikanand Brijmohan reported that the cause of death was “unascertainable”, due to the level of decomposition.

The deceased leaves to mourn his wife, four children, his sister Janet Gallay and other relatives. He is scheduled to be buried on Thursday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Top Cop defends release... questioned. “No, not at all. I gave my opinion to Inspector Narine, I think my judgment was sound and I think it is still sound,” the Top Cop said noting that the allegation can amount to treason.

“Yes, my understanding of the law is that inciting murder that involves a Head of State can have wider implications which can include treason.” Persaud said he is not surprised that Inspector Narine would testify that he instructed him to release the men on bail, but maintained that “I did not give him an instruction but advice. He said he did not know the Inspector would have acted on his advice. He only tried contacting the Crime Chief and Head of the Major Crimes Unit once by mobile device.

GRANTING OF BAIL He said the gravity of the offence is a major consideration in the granting of bail but it is not the only consideration. “As a matter of fact, the principle enshrined in our standing orders that deal with bail states, that no one should be in custody a

moment longer than is absolutely necessary.” Persaud added that he was fully aware that the investigations were incomplete when bail was granted to Khan.

He referenced Standing Order 64 which he said deals with the investigation of crime and noted that while it does not speak specifically to treason, it outlines the procedure which indicates that there should be team work between the crime chief and divisional commander, certain key officers of the force must be informed and a general practice has been that the police work closely with legal advice.

He stressed that sufficient investigation had been done for consideration to be given to the granting of bail.

“I think they had sufficient information…the information contained in those two statements were sufficient for bail to be granted,” said Persaud who served as Crime Chief from 2007 up to 2014.

He does not believe that he was undermining the investigation.

Names of prisoners injured on Saturday released Names of shot inmates released Two days after several prisoners were shot during a riot at Lusignan, the Department of Public Information on Monday released the names of those injured.

FRIENDSHIP Meanwhile, the Police Commissioner said his relationship with Imran Khan was not unlike any other friendships he shared. He told the Commission that he met Khan in 2004 while working and they became friends.

He disclosed that he did not approve Khan’s application for a pistol but approved an application for an upgrade from a 9mm to a .45 firearm.

He could not recall when the approval was granted but noted that it was during his tenure as Commissioner.

Persaud disclosed too that Khan has a rifle which he provided approval for as well. He explained that his friend is a business man who runs a spare parts store, does real estate and operates a mining concession. He explained that Khan’s weapon was upgraded for use when transporting large quantities of gold from his mines.

Attorney representing Imran Khan questioned whether the police commissioner was aware of any illegalities conducted by Khan over the period to which they became friends. “No, none that I am aware of,” said Persaud who made it clear that when he met Khan, he was already licenced to carry a firearm.

PROPER INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED Attorney representing television journalist Travis Chase asked Persaud to outline his experience and qualifications. The Top Cop told the Commission that he attended Harvard University where he studied national and international security. He was also trained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Academy in Virgina, U.S.A, as well as by the Scottish Police. He participated in several drug investigation courses globally.

Chase had testified that he believed the Police did not investigate the allegation of the assassination plot properly. Assistant Police Commissioner (ACP), David Ramnarine, who is currently acting Police Commissioner had also testified that the investigation was poor. But Persaud disagreed noting that it is unfortunate that Ramnarine chose to relate such at the COI and not during the course of the investigation or to his superiors and the National Security Committee (NSC).

“On the contrary, I think a proper investigation was done in the matter,” said the Police Commissioner who noted that he is unaware of a cover up by the police in the matter. He noted too that there was no evidence to suggest that the release of the

From page 3

accused and accuser affected the investigation. According to Persaud, Acting Police Commissioner Ramnarine was never a member of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID),. He said he read about 60 pages of statements made in the matter.

FAILURE TO TAKE NOTES Pieters sought to chide Persaud for failing to take notes provided to him on the matter. Persaud said he did not have a pocket book while adding that he only records information in his diary if he deems it necessary. As such, he told the Commission he did not see it as necessary to take notes on the assassination plot. Pieters suggested that his failure to take notes on the matter amounted to a neglect of duty, a statement Persaud did not agree with.

He disclosed, while being questioned, that he did not review a report prepared by the Crime Chief that was sent to the National Security Committee.

Ramnarine had testified that upon resumption of duty, Persaud asked him to hand over the report to him

and he would compile same and submit to the National Security Committee (NSC) and the President. “If he said that it is not true. I asked Blanhum to prepare the report…We have very competent officers investigating…my job is not to investigate…I monitor, give advice…” said Persaud, who repeatedly smiled as Pieters asked the questions.

“There is nothing to smile about in the witness box,” said the attorney to whom the Police Chief replied, “I am sorry for upsetting you…I am just being me.” Additionally, Persaud noted that upon hearing of the allegation he did not contact then Head of the Presidential Guard, Brian Joseph, as he was confident it was done by his subordinates.

NO TIME TO WASTE Questioned about the suitability of Ramnarine to act as Police Commissioner, Persaud said it is the next most senior officer to act in the capacity and given that Ramnarine is the next most senior officer it is most fitting that he acts as Commissioner.

“Did you have any reason to doubt Mr Ramnarine’s professional judgment and as a result discredit his assessment of the investi-

gation as he testified to in public?” asked Pieters.

“I read in the press that he said persons for lesser offences are placed in custody for 72 hours. That is a huge lack of conceptual skills.

The issue of bail is not premised only on the gravity of the offence…so his concept on the issue of bail is heavily flawed.”

Persaud told the Commission that he has not expressed his opinion on Ramnarine’s ability to act in his position. “But I have made known to the Minister, matters that I have sent for investigation regarding, or what I thought was unprofessional behaviour of Mr Ramnarine and I also copied some of those letters to the Police Service Commission (PSC),” said Persaud, who made it clear that he never addressed who should run the Force as it is not his decision to make.

Asked why he did not contact Ramnarine while on leave, he said, “…there was no need to contact him…putting effort into something that is no need, is a waste of time.” Persaud was also cross-examined by his Attorney Glen Hanoman, Attorney Christopher Ram and Commissioner, retired Assistant Commissioner, Paul Slowe.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Thinking about Emancipation THE Guyana Chronicle joins with the African Guyanese community to celebrate another Emancipation anniversary. Emancipation is, of course, one of the most important events on our national calendar. As a country, we can trace our national roots to the moment and process of emancipation.

When the enslaved finally overthrew the slave system in 1838, they not only guaranteed their own freedom from bondage, but they ushered in a new society free from the inhumanity of slavery. Although other groups came to Guyana as indentured labourers and that system maintained some of the social relations of slavery, the fact that slavery was formally abolished was a significant factor in how the society functioned.

The immediate post-emancipation era witnessed the evolution of the Village Movement, which sowed the seeds of the modern Guyanese political economy. Just out of centuries of forced bondage, African Guyanese bought lands and set up villages.

This was a courageous and heroic act, for they did so against the wishes of the plantocracy, which wanted to continue the exploitation of their labour. The villages reflected both a symbolic and substantive break with slavery and the slave plantation. This was the essence of Emancipation—the act of self-activity and self-determination.

The villages represented the affirmation of African Guyanese humanity and identity and served as the early building block for Guyanese humanity and

nationalism. The erection of churches and schools and the birth of the village economy along with the village councils reflected a sophisticated vison of the present and the future. The villages were an investment in the future of Guyana.

What was beautiful about that vision is that it was entirely native—drawing on the collective imagination and the sense of cooperativism. They bought the lands, not with loans from banks, but with the “cash money” they saved from meagre earnings during the period of Apprenticeship.

So, as we observe Emancipation 2017, there is much to celebrate and to be proud of. The challenges since 1838 have been many and most persistent, but in the end the Emancipation spirit of overcoming has prevailed. We often, amid

gloom, forget our accomplishments--often against the odds. That we can, in our various communities, take to the open space and beat our drums and dance to ancient and contemporary rhythms without chains around our feet speaks volumes of the distance we have traveled away from the plantation.

But even as we celebrate, we must also reflect on where we are. The African Guyanese community, in particular, must take a hard and sobering look at itself and ponder its state.

Times have changed since 1838, but some of the challenges of that time have persisted to this day. Many African Guyanese activists have complained of the group’s marginalization by successive political administrations. Others have pointed to structural prob-

lems in the community while some have called on African Guyanese to take responsibility for the perceived and real decline in the community. In the final analysis, the challenges of any of our cultural communities have consequences for the country as a whole.

So, if the Emancipation spirit must mean anything substantive, it must move all of us regardless of ethnic origins to confront our setbacks and shortcomings.

But for now, let our

African Guyanese brothers and sisters revel in their glorious past and contemplate how to ensure that that journey continues into the future.

In the spirt of self-activity, which was at the centre of the Emancipation creed, they are best placed to show the way to a future in which their group maintains its dignified place as an integral part of our multi-cultural and multi-ethnic Guyana.

Happy Emancipation

OP-ED

Emancipation and the African Guyanese condition

By Dr. David Hinds ALMOST 18 decades after emancipation, the general condition of African Guyanese is not as encouraging as one would want it to be. Over the decades there have been significant decline in the general standard of living in the community which has in turn led to a sense of alienation and frustration.

A lot of the problems in the African-Guyanese communities have to do with the challenges that the African-Guyanese economy has had to face historically.

In other words, the problems are structural.

First, we have to locate the challenges within the context of the colonial economy, which saw the African Village economy as a direct affront to the interests of colonialism and at every twist and turn tried to undermine and marginalise efforts of self-activity and self-reliance. Second, we must look at it within the context of the ethnic competition—from decolonisation to the present– whereby the ethnic demarcation of the Guyanese economy, itself a

legacy of colonialism, has made economic progress in the separate ethnic communities a victim of the larger ethnic politics.

worse.

African Guyanese are not well represented in the business sector. Most African Guyanese are employed

David Hinds

Although the decline in African-Guyanese communities is not just economic, I think their economic condition has a lot to do with it.

The last set of reliable data from about two decades ago showed 43% of African Guyanese living below the poverty line. African Guyanese unemployment (13.6%) was above the national rate (11.7%). There is every reason to believe that those numbers have not changed—in fact things are more likely to have become

within the public sector, which has seen the highest reduction of jobs over the last two decades and which because of structural adjustment pays less than other sectors, both public and private. More than any other group, African Guyanese work for others. The African Guyanese community has one of the highest rates of functional illiteracy and homelessness. They own less transported land than other races and live in the most run-down houses in both the

urban and rural areas.

African-Guyanese have traditionally been located in the Bauxite Industry, the Public Service, pork-knocking and the Village Economy, where farming, small business and vending predominate. Later, they dominated “Trading”—bringing food and clothing for sale from other Caribbean countries. In addition to the above, education was an area of relief from poverty and social mobility. But over the last two decades bauxite has declined, and the Public Service stalled, thanks mainly to the IMF conditionalities and the ethnic interests of the PPP government. Wages have not kept up with the cost of living. Education and Agriculture in the villages have declined.

I think the combination of the above is at the heart of the “crisis” in the African-Guyanese community.

In addition, the evolution of a culture of accommodation with” political bribery “has led to a weakening of group solidarity, pride and dignity.

Finally, the heavy migration has had a negative effect on the community. One of the devastating consequences

has been the loss of role models who live day to day in the communities. Finally, one cannot discount the impact of some negative group habits, but these should be seen within the larger dynamics of post-plantation evolution among the formerly enslaved.

It is clear to me then that the emancipation of African-Guyanese has become a very urgent necessity for that group and for Guyana at large. There is definitely need for some form of Affirmative Action to correct the structural changes facing African-Guyanese, particularly in the business sector.

Unless African-Guyanese can compete again in the business sector, that community would remain dependent and empowerment would be an elusive dream.

The government must muster the courage to implement policies and create institutions that cater to this particular problem. I appreciate that in our fragile ethnic environment, such a course of action is fraught with political risks. No doubt, the political opposition and the ethnic commentators would lay charges of favouritism.

But I don’t see any other way out.

If African-Guyanese are to return to agriculture, then the infrastructure in the villages must be repaired or where they do not exist, they should be put in place.

Another area in which investment should be made is the creation or improvement of small businesses.

There is urgent need for a banking institution that provides low-interest loans.

The situation with the vendors should be solved, so that their location offers them commercial benefits.

They must be able to sell in areas where buyers traverse; confining them to spaces far away from the path of buyers is counter-productive.

Having said that, African Guyanese must understand that governments are important, the larger institutions of society are important, but it is only through their collective effort they can draw attention to their situation and thereby can begin to do something to repair it.

Once you begin to do something to repair it, then you begin to put pressure on those who are in authority.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1 2017

Emancipation Day messages

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Emancipation is about building WPA urges focused attention on better lives-Pres Granger African Guyanese situation

PRESIDENT David Granger said that Emancipation Day - on 1st August 1838 marked the end of over 200 years of enslavement in the colonies of Demerara-Essequibo and Berbice and also the start of Guyanese nationhood.

In a message to mark the occasion, the Guyanese leader said Emancipation enabled Africans who had been enslaved on the plantations to gain their freedom. “It triggered, also, the immigration of Portuguese, Indian and Chinese indentured labour-

ers. The descendants of these peoples, together with the indigenous Amerindians, make up the population of the free nation of Guyana today.”

According to him Emancipation was the opportunity for people from four continents to build better lives for themselves and generations to come. They embarked on a series of movements to transform the colonial landscape and the peoples’ livelihoods.

“The great ‘Village Movement’ started in 1839. This led, eventually, to the ‘political movement’ for civil rights and

constitutional change and to the ‘labour movement’ for the improvement of conditions of work in urban and rural areas.

Emancipation Day, therefore, is a most auspicious event of Guyana’s history which should be observed by all. It was, indeed, the start of the process by which the plantations became the foundation of one nation and through which the various peoples began to live and work together in pursuit of a common destiny.

Happy Emancipation Day to all Guyanese!

The struggle for equality, justice must continue- RK’s Security Services

CHIEF Executive Officer of RK Security Service, Roshan Khan has said that the history of a nation is, essentially, the story of its people, “History” connotes past. And the past of a people – their arrivals, encounters, set-backs, challenges and achievements – must be recorded, remembered and studied in depth and objectively simply because people make nations.

In a message to mark Emancipation Day Khan said Guyana is not one of the homogenous societies of this world. It is comprised of its indigenous people and descendants coming from Europe, Africa and Asia.

These groups have had their varied and rich stories inter-woven into one tapestry titled “Guyana”.

“Today, our Chairman/ Founder, Mr. Roshan Khan, management and staff of

RK’s Guyana Security Services yet again join in the national celebration marking the one hundred and seventy-ninth (179th) anniversary of the emancipation of the forefathers of our African Guyanese citizenry. This has become a joyful tradition and one which holds great significance for us. Freedom from physical bondage which brought on unspeakable brutality and exploitation spawned by colonialism/ capitalism was undoubtedly a step along the way to our independence, the breaking of the colonial relationships and the forging of a Guyanese nation.”

He said 179 years ago the cry of freedom reverberated throughout the British Commonwealth.

It was the cry of Africans, enslaved for hundreds of years in chattel slavery, now free. “The achievement

of emancipation, which was not without struggles, was among the first major accomplishment in a people’s march for self-determination. It is a march that has been paved with setbacks, challenges and achievements. Most importantly, this experience ought to serve as a reminder that freedom was/is never free.

Freedom requires eternal vigilance and sacrifices to preserve and defend gains, even as achievements are marked along the way, and work is intensified to strengthen, deepen and advance the cause.” Khan said his company recognises the major contribution of the descendants of those freed African slaves in the continuous development of Guyana and in all areas of our country’s life – sport, culture, politics, security, foreign -service.

FITUG The spirit of man is resilient and given to liberty

THE Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) joins with all Guyanese in the observance and, indeed, celebration of Emancipation 2017.

“We are well aware of our colonial history which this occasion reminds us of. We recall that the British colonial plantocracy did everything in its guile and power to keep African slaves in plantation bondage even after the British Parliament passed the Emancipation Act in August of 1833. The enslaved had to wait until August, 1834 – one full year later – to enjoy liberty. But with stiff condi-

tions. They had to register as “apprentices” to work for limited payment on the same pre-1834 plantations. This apprenticeship was intended to last for four (4) to six (6) years,” FITUG said in a message.

FITUG said freedom was not easily granted, noting that hundreds of slaves had died in the 1823 East Coast Uprising – just eleven years before 1834. Slaves on the Essequibo Coast saw their leader, Damon, executed for thinking that complete emancipation had been granted. To add salt to the wounds of the forced population, the planters were

awarded thousands of pounds as “compensation” for the loss of their African labour. The slaves received nothing for their years of slave service.

“But the Spirit of Man – however severely tested – is resilient and given to liberty.

The African forefathers utilised savings from the apprenticeship service to buy lands and began anew their lives under the new conditions. Since then their descendants have made admirable strides in the various fields of human endeavour. They have become an important part of Guyana’s demography.

THE Working People’s Alliance (WPA) in a message to observe Emancipation Day said the occasion should be a reminder to all Guyanese of both the horrors of the system of slavery and the long struggle to overthrow it.

“The memory of slavery should serve to recommit us to a country and a world free of all forms of bondage.

Slavery was a political and economic system which had far-reaching consequences for the very notion of who were classified as human beings. Africans were classified as chattel, not fit to be humans. So, Emancipation was the culmination of the struggle to restore the humanity of the enslaved,” the WPA said.

According to that party, Emancipation also meant the desire for freedom on the part of the formerly enslaved—to be free to live as equal citizens, to have the right to education, to practice their culture in its deepest sense, to build and nurture their

communities and above all to enjoy the fruits of their labour. “Since Emancipation in 1838, there has been a constant struggle to attain that freedom. The challenges to the freedom of African Guyanese and other powerless groups in our society have multiplied, causing many African Guyanese to question whether the Emancipation promise has been realised.”

“WPA, therefore, urges that our country revisits, as a matter of urgency, that promise of freedom. When one looks at the socio-economic condition of African Guyanese, we cannot, as a country, be proud of our track-record since 1838. The decline of the villages and the village economy have had dire consequences for villagers and African Guyanese in general.

The high rate of unemployment particularly among our youth population, the decline in the standard of education and the high rate of migration out of the communities are all consequences of that larger decline of the village

economy.”

The WPA said it wishes to use this Emancipation anniversary to raise anew the urgency of the restoration of the right to work and to earn a living wage as fundamental human rights.

“We cannot celebrate Emancipation while ignoring the fact that a large chunk of African Guyanese and the wider population cannot find work and many of those who are fortunate to do so cannot live on the wages they earn. While, we recognize that government has to juggle scarce national resources, we urge that the next budget shout treat with the matter of improved public service wages as a matter of high priority. More efficient government services cannot be realized outside of a living wage for government workers. The right of labour to be rewarded as much as capital was one of the pillars of the Emancipation promise and should be a guiding principle today.”

GAWU salutes memory of those who laid down their lives “THE final “full freedom” of Emancipation was won after decades of death, suffering, slavery and exploitation from 1763 through 1823 to 1834 and finally 1838.

The spirit of yearning for freedom – that liberty of mind, body and soul from ownership by others never deserted the African slaves and the indentured contracted workers who followed them after full Emancipation in 1838. Numerous were the uprisings, rebellions, protests, riots and strikes. Emancipation never came willingly or cheaply from the colonialists.”

Against those sentiments, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ (GAWU) salutes the memory of those was struggled and sacrificed for freedom and the descendants of our African

forefathers who today have hopefully inherited their spirit of justice and true freedom from those who dared to stand up against the brutal, enslaving colonial system. It is now popular to repeat that “had there been no Emancipation there would have been no Arrival”. But it is still a valid observation of our shared history. Both slaves “apprentices” and indentured labourers were children of the plantation – however illegitimate they were made to be. Sugar is the historical reason for today’s diverse demography we know as Guyanese society.

“It is perhaps a curious but understandable fact of Guyana’s socio-economic history that sugar brought us together, often forged bonds of collective struggle against the plantocracy and for independence. GAWU feels that this Emancipation 2017

period should re-inforce in us all the lessons of the post-1838 history. In unity, strength is most sustained. Today, sugar workers are at a low ebb facing the disaster of unemployment as government flounders to fashion a valid structured lasting plan to rescue an historic industry. Closure threatens thousands – both sugar workers and other members of the working-class.

As with the forced apprentices in 1838 today’s sugar workers face a bleak, hopeless future unless, economic sense prevails and the workers’ representatives are listened to with serious intent.”

GAWU said the descendants of Emancipation must all share in equal opportunity as our natural and human resources become available to development for all.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Emancipation Day messages

Gov’t commits to building strong Guyana GOVERNMENT has recommitted to building a strong Guyana in a message to mark the observance of Emancipation Day. EVERY August 1st since 1838, successive generations have reflected on the struggles of the original freedom fighters – Cuffy, Quamina and Damon, and those with whom they organised and mobilised to effect redress to the darkest and most heinous act in human history – the enslavement of Africans in the

Caribbean and the Americas.

Following centuries of despicable and inhumane enslavement, these indomitable African warriors demanded and fought for an end to hundreds of years of abhorrence. Freedom was restored and this represents the original independence in our nation’s history. As was noted on the previous observance of this occasion, the emancipation of African slaves predated the abolition of indentureship, the struggle

for universal adult suffrage and labour rights, independence from colonial rule and the attainment of Republican status.

Now, in a democratic nation where freedoms have been restored and are zealously guarded, we thrive and look toward the future with great hope and expectation. Long may this continue as we build Guyana towards a glorious future of the good life in a green economy.

AFC: Never forget the sacrifices of our foreparents August 1 in Guyana, marks a day of celebration of the attainment of freedom and the end of slavery. It is also imperative that we spend time reflecting on the life of tribulation and servitude that our foreparents were forced to endure for centuries under brutish colonial rule.

Even as we engage in the festivities of Emancipation Day 2017, the Alliance For Change (AFC) urges the nation to reflect on the oppression and brutality of slavery and bondage, in all its forms, including its modern incarnations, and renew our national commitment never to return to the dark days of oppression, servi-

tude and submission when basic individual freedoms were deprived and a ‘massa’ mentality pervaded.

As we engage in prayer, culinary delicacies, socialising and fraternising we must never forget the sacrifices of our forefathers who suffered and paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we now enjoy. As the heirs of emancipation fought for by Cuffy, Accra, Damon and other heroes, we have a sacred duty to ensure that their struggles and sacrifices are never forgotten or eroded. It is our duty to celebrate their lives and sacrifices and recognise their contribution to the human and social upliftment of our beloved nation.

The beat of the drums

in celebration should forever remind us that we are called upon to ensure the protection of those rights and freedoms which were fought for and won at emancipation time. Order and individual freedoms have been restored in Guyana as have been the rights of freedom of speech, expression and association and the access to information which continues to expand each day. Guyanese must guard against the forces who wish to return our nation to a state in which Guyanese are treated as the property for political, economic and other purposes.

This is the solemn duty of every citizen.

With determination anything is possible – GTUC PPP says contributions of On this day 179 years ago, the valiant struggle by Africans for human dignity and respect was advanced a step further with the Emancipation Proclamation which ended the most brutish system of man’s injustice towards another.

Freedom from chattel slavery not only set in train a series of events proving to the world the indomitable spirit of the newly freed, and the capacity of human fellowship across racial diversity, but that of self-determination in charting a course for further upliftment and development.

The nation will recall the

dogged pursuit for economic freedom, via the Village Movement, that saw the purchasing of plantations to establish communities, local government, build stability, familial and otherwise, and advance development.

This sense of thrift not only proved beyond a shadow of doubt a people’s capability, who though for hundreds of years toiled and lived under inhumane conditions, whips reigning down on their backs, families torn asunder, treated as property not human beings, in the four-year of Amelioration (1834-1834) were able to achieve what others thought impossible.

The achievements must not only be testimony of the ability to self-determine but also determination not to be enslaved or constrained by past unpleasantries. Heirs and beneficiaries of these struggles, sacrifices and gains must engage in the redoubling of efforts, vigilance and insistency to be allowed to continue the forebears’ work. Zealously defending, protecting, strengthening and deepening what was bequeathed and leaving a firmer foundation for future generations must become the mantra and solemn pledge.

Afro-Guyanese immeasurable THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has extended warmest Emancipation greetings to every Guyanese, especially Afro-Guyanese brothers and sisters, saying that the contribution of slaves and their descendants to every facet of life here is immeasurable.

In a message to mark Emancipation Day, the PPP said slavery remains the most cruel and inhumane system of subjugation and discrimination known to human history. The celebration of its abolition is the right and duty of every single human being.

“Under the most intolerable and horrendous conditions,

the slaves were able to mobilise and struggle relentlessly for their freedom. When freedom finally came, the freed slaves and their descendants, though uneducated, demonstrated an exceptional degree of industry, thrift and financial acumen and hence, were able to acquire large portions of land, which today remains the foundation of our village movement and subsistence cash crop industry.“ According to the PPP, indeed the contributions of slaves and their descendants to every facet of life in this nation is simply immeasurable, and it would be impossible to accurately

capture in a mere statement of this nature. “As we celebrate this important historic and national occasion, we urge every Guyanese not only to reflect upon the herculean sacrifices of the slaves and their descendants, their incomparable struggles and their remarkable achievements, but also to use them as a source of inspiration and guide as we continue to work together to build a united and democratic nation, free from poverty and discrimination and one in which every Guyanese believes that he/ she can achieve his/her true potential.”

Happy Emancipation Day Time to remember the sacrifice of – from GNNL staff

Staff of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) Accounts, Mar-

keting and Advertising Departments, join in wishing all Guyana a Happy Emancipation Day 2017,and thanking you for your patronage throughout the year.

GNNL staff in full Emancipation mode. Standing from left are: Kim Halley, Rakel Joseph, Sarah Boyce, Regina Paul, Yogeeta Sooklall, Shivanie Sukhna, and Malika Persaud. Seated at centre is Marketing Co-ordinator, Akash Persaud (Photo by Adrian Narine)

forebearers – Min. Norton MINISTER of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton says Emancipation Day is one of the most significant days in Guyana’s history, particularly for Guyanese of African descent as it marks the end of 200 years of one of the most dehumanising crimes against humanity in the history of the world.

In a message on the occasion, Dr. Norton said the abolition signalled the end of a monstrous system of plantation slavery started by the Dutch in the mid-1600s, which saw captive Africans and their offspring relegated to nothing more than property to be sold, traded, given or inherited and exploited.

“Enslaved Africans living under Dutch Colonial rule immediately resisted against the poor working conditions

and the brutal treatment meted out to them. Large slave rebellions broke out; the most famous of which were the Berbice Slave Revolt of 1763, led by Kofi (Cuffy) and the Demerara Rebellion of 1823. Under British rule these persistent struggles against bondage in Guyana and other territories, along with other factors, eventually led the British Parliament to abolish slavery in 1834,” Norton said.

He said emancipation was not immediate, as it was preceded by a period of Apprenticeship from 1834.

Africans, believing that their freedom was being withheld, continued to resist and were finally granted full freedom in 1838. “Emancipation Day, therefore, is also a time for reflection and the celebration of the spirit of perseverance.

The end of plantation slavery led to the broadening of Guyana’s ethnic diversity as, soon after, indentured immigrants were brought here.”

According to Norton, for African Guyanese, in particular, it is a time to remember the sacrifices of their fore bearers, who fought for an end to the horrors of enslavement and reclaimed their dignity to become an integral part of nation building.

“The abolition of slavery precipitated the start of the Village Movement, which saw freed slaves pooling their resources to buy plantations such as; Victoria, Buxton, Plaisance and Bagotville. They created villages; built schools, churches and farms and participated in other forms of economic activity,” the minister said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Herstelling fatal accident Take your roles seriously – Minister urges new batch of HEYS facilitators victim identified A 64-year-old woman was identified as the victim of a fatal car crash that occurred Saturday night at Herstelling, on the East Bank Demerara (EBD) carriageway.

She was identified as Ingrid Mayfield James, of 1294 Section “C” Block “Y” Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Police Press Officer, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, said the pensioner was identified by her daughter, Ernecia Nicholson, at 13:00hrs Monday.

Police said the woman was struck down by an alleged speeding motorist,

who is in custody assisting with the investigation. Police investigations disclosed that motorcar PKK 3251, driven by a 45-year-old resident of Burnham Boulevard, Mocha, EBD, was proceeding south along the eastern carriageway of Herstelling at a fast rate.

The pedestrian allegedly crossed the road from west to east into the path of the vehicle. As a result, the left leg of the pedestrian was severed and she also sustained injuries to the head and body.

She was taken to the East Bank Demerara Public Hospital in an un-

Dead: Ingrid Mayfield James

conscious state and pronounced dead on arrival.

A breathalyser test was administered to the driver and no alcohol was detected in his system. Investigations are in progress.

84 graduate from Pan Minors workshop EIGHT-FOUR young Guyanese graduated from the Republic Bank Start Pan Minors Music Literacy Programme recently.

On Friday, they were all presented with certificates to mark their completion of the programme, which was jointly executed by the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, and Republic Bank Guyana from July 11-27.

The closing ceremony was attended by Education Minister, Nicolette Henry and Senior Officials from Republic Bank, including Jannis London, Denise Hobbs and Yugisther Mohabir.

The Education Minister, while delivering the feature address, said the National School of Music’s partnership with Republic Bank has borne fruit.

“Many school aged children, particularly at the secondary level have benefitted….and are actively involved in steel pan concerts and competitions, such as the annual Republic Bank PanO-Rama,” she pointed out.

She said the contribution being made by Republic Bank Guyana has not gone unnoticed. “Republic Bank has invested millions of dollars over the years to

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, with responsibility for youth development, Ms. Valerie Garrido-Lowe, reaching out to one of the facilitators

Some of the participants displaying their skills during the graduation ceremony

help spread steel pan music throughout the country, and I trust, will continue to do so as there is no better investment than investing in our young people!”

While expressing the hope that the partnership will continue, Minister Henry pointed to government’s strategic development plan to establish 15 new school bands by 2020. “Steel pan music in Guyana has a rich and interesting history and legacy, and we want to continue this legacy by having as many schools as possible equipped with steel pans,” Minister Henry posited.

Andrew Tyndall, Administrator of The National School of Music, and organiser of the programme in his missive, declared the camp a success. He further urged the children to apply the same level of dedication and commitment they showed over

the three weeks of the camp as they continue to play and also apply the same to their lives, including their school work.

He also thanked the parents for allowing their children to attend the programme every day.

In a separate interview, Tyndall revealed that this year’s programme was special. For the first time the programme reached out to the Child Care Protection Agency to include children from the Drop-In Centre in Georgetown and Mahaica.

He said that as a result, all of the children completed the programme with diligence and enthusiasm.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Education, through The National School of Music, will be holding a permanent steel-pan programme for the children from the DropIn Centre.

The participants of the 2017 Republic Bank Start Pan Minors Music Literacy Programme

SEVENTY-four facilitators on Saturday completed training under the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs flagship youth initiative, the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) Programme.

According to a release from the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, the one-week training programme saw facilitators being drawn from 39 villages in the Mabaruma Sub-district of Region One (Barima-Waini).

Delivering the charge to the facilitators on Saturday at the Mabaruma Secondary School, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, with responsibility for youth development, Ms. Valerie Garrido-Lowe, emphasised that facilitators must ensure the knowledge shared with indigenous youths is heard.

“Youth, as you know, their attention span is not so long so you as facilitators must have the patience, and come up with ways to hold their attention, how to make them understand and learn what you are imparting,” Minister Garrido-Lowe said, adding: “This is why this training is so important; you are being trained to deliver the HEYS programme in a youth-friendly way.”

She urged that they not

view their job as facilitators as simply a source of income.

“No! I would like you to put more! Put your heart into it; put your soul into it!” she said. “Remember, you are molding somebody there, and you must be able to see a step forward and upward in the youth.”

Minister Garrido-Lowe also underscored the importance of having youths exposed to additional training.

And, in re-committing the Regional Democratic Council’s support to the HEYS programme, Regional Chairman, Mr. Brentnol Ashley in his address said, “The RDC remains committed in supporting any activity that will help foster development; bring the level of education to where it needs to be, and to give opportunities to our young people to become the kind of Guyanese brothers and sisters they ought to be”.

Facilitators were also challenged to break down the barriers by making them instead into bridges, so that the intended deliverables can be realised.

“Young people are our future, and we have to create that kind of atmosphere and build the type of foundation that will assist them when they transit into leadership capacities,” the Regional Chair said, adding: “In taking on leadership responsibili-

ties, they will be able to do so in an efficient and effective manner.”

Each village will have 20 youths participating in the programme, with 645 of them from 39 villages in Region One alone, actively engaged in Phase Two, which is scheduled to begin at the conclusion of the facilitators training course.

According to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, the 2017-2018 cohort will see 2000 youths from all 10 administrative regions actively involved in capacity building, concentrated language experience, entrepreneurship, agriculture, small engine repairs, eco-tourism, catering, garment construction, carpentry/joinery, craft and information technology among other areas of focus.

The first phase of the programme saw more than 1800 youths successfully completing it and venturing into establishing successful business enterprises of their own. Some, however, entered the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the health sector as health workers, among other areas.

The government has invested more than $900M in the first phase of the programme, and according to Minister Garrido-Lowe, the investment was well worth the while.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Security beefed up around prisons …Ramjattan praises citizens for support

By Rabindra Rooplall PUBLIC Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, said that security across all prisons in Guyana has been beefed up as the authorities are not taking anything for granted in light of the recent unrest at the

recaptured.

Ramjattan was at the time speaking at a news conference held at his office Monday afternoon. “I wish to thank the members of the public who have been providing useful information, which has led to the recapture of several of the fugitives who

been treated with the strictest of confidence and with four remaining fugitives on the run I plead with the members of the public to continue their vigilance and to report all information to the police,” the security minister said. He also pleaded with the family members, relatives, friends

ly thank the Joint Services for their tireless work and relentless efforts in recapturing these fugitives, and for doing so without the loss of life of any civilian. The Guyana Prison Service, with support from the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force have also been vigilant in maintaining order at all our prisons and ensuring that any attempt at

Acting Police Commissioner, David Ramnarine, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan and Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, during the media briefing

country’s penitentiaries. He also thanked members of the public for cooperating with the law enforcement authorities in providing tip off on the whereabouts of the escapees resulting in most of them already being

escaped from the Georgetown and Lusignan Prisons.

The members of the public have demonstrated bravery and a duty to the society to rid it of these persons who are to be in the custody of the state. The information has

and associates of those on the run, to turn them in, “if you are in contact with them or know of their whereabouts.

If you are caught harbouring them, you will be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law. I wish to especial-

Another prison escapee caught – Couple also arrested for ‘aiding and abetting’ IN less than 24 hours, another prison escapee was captured. Police have identified him as Shawn Harris, who had exited the swampy area of the Lusignan Prison where the wall was located next to a makeshift latrine.

Police Press Officer, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, said the escapee was caught at 07:20hrs Monday morning. He was recaptured in the bottom flat of a two-story house, at Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD) without any incident. A husband and wife, who occu-

pied the upper flat and were present, have been arrested.

The other escapees caught within the last 24 hours are, Kerry Cromwell who surrendered to police in the company of his mother and Clive Forde aka El Sinkie who was shot dead during a confrontation at East La Penitence squatting area, Georgetown on Sunday. A handgun was recovered near his body.

Prisoners still on the run include Uree Varswyck also known as Malcolm Gordon; Mark Royden Durant also known as Roy-

Captured: Shawn Harris

den Williams and Smallie; Cobena “OJ” Stephens; and Paul Goriah. They are all charged with murder.

Gunman arrested for alleged robbery attempt SWIFT response by the police resulted in the apprehension of a male suspect who was on Sunday night relieved of a shotgun, during his alleged attempts to rob a resident of Coomacka Mines, Demerara River, who was at the time locking his gate.

Police said about 21:00hrs, the victim 67-years-old Stanley Coach-

man had just closed his shop and ventured out into the yard to close the front gate when he was pounced upon by the suspect who was armed with a shotgun.

The suspect immediately struck the victim on his head with the gun and demanded cash. An alarm was made by the victim and his son-in-law responded. They subdued the suspect and took possession

of his firearm and four live cartridges but he managed to escape into the dark.

The firearm and cartridges were immediately handed over to the Police at the Mackenzie Police station and a report lodged.

Based on the description, the ranks proceeded to the suspect’s home in the said community and arrested him. A small quantity of cannabis was found in his possession. An investigation is in progress.

plotting to escape is thwarted as you would have seen over the weekend at both Lusignan and New Amsterdam.”

Noting that security has been beefed up, Ramjattan said: “nothing is being taken for granted and security has been further beefed up to ensure that the integrity of the prisons is high and that

safety and good order prevail in the society, and citizens can feel a heightened state of security.”

INFRASTRUCTURE Meanwhile, Ramjattan said the Public Infrastructure Ministry will be assisting with the delivery of prefabricated materials to ensure that there is an administrative building and an infirmary at the Camp Street Prison.

Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels added that the kitchen area and a medical centre will also be constructed.

“Part of what we are also catering for is a security block to accommodate some of the high profile prisoners,” Samuels said. Ramjattan further said there will be an upgrade of surveillance cameras and other security systems at the prison which will enhance all aspects of security.

HIRING OF WARDERS Samuels for his part told the media that there are a number of persons being interviewed by a recruitment board to supplement the Guyana Prison Service staff.

However, he said the training school is being used to house prisoners at the Lusignan Prison. “It would be unfair for us to bring raw civilians off the road and

place them in the prison, taking into consideration what is happening now,” Samuels said “Many persons were already contacted and they are on standby to go into training as soon as the situation is at a better stage where we can utilise the training school for such purposes.”

Samuels reflected on July, 9, fire that was set at the Camp Street prison and noted that there were 43 staff on duty. There were 19-23 male officers of various ranks on duty and “it being a Sunday, I can say that amount of staff on duty is a good or even better than any day of the week.”

Samuels commended the Guyana Fire Service for their tremendous support, along with private companies who have been of great assistance to the Guyana Prison Service.

Also at the press briefing was Acting Police Commissioner, David Ramnarine, who said that operational commanders have been collaborating and cooperating and until all the escapees are caught the joint service will not rest. He said that members of the public, military and paramilitary have been of tremendous assistance in the recapture of the prisoners.

Man seeks assistance in finding stolen car POLICE are investigating the theft of a Toyota Premio PPP 628 from its owner Saturday night, while it was parked in front of his Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara residence.

The owner, Tagepaul Fredrick, 27, said he parked his vehicle at home around midnight before heading to bed.

“I came home at 12 Saturday night and went to bed at 12:30. Normally the car is parked on the parapet in front the house.

When I peeped outside, the vehicle was there.I got up at 8:00hrs Sunday [and] I discovered the car missing at 11:00hrs when I was heading out to church with the family,” he explained.

Adding that his brother-in-law, who lives at the same property returned home at 03:00hrs Sunday,

Tagepaul Fredrick with his car

Fredrick said he was told that the car was not there at that time but his brother-in-law did not find it strange, since the previous day he slept at his mother’s place in Diamond, EBD. He said a report was made at the Diamond Police Station and based on investigations, his car was last seen on Sheriff Street Monday morning.

“My car is a white 2007 Premio with the front

bumper painted in black, I also have on black 14 inch steel rims with the logo rise and star. The front windscreen below have a crack that can't be missed, the two left side front doors have a dent and the right side tail light is not the original and has a dull colour,” he explained.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of the car can contact Fredrick on 6025408 or the nearest Police Station.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Assassination plot

Motion to remove Chang as police attorney fails

By Ariana Gordon CHAIRMAN of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger, Paul Slowe on Monday denied a Notice of Motion filed on behalf of journalist, Travis Chase, to have retired Justice Ian Chang, the attorney representing the Guyana Police Force (GPF), removed as counsel.

Chase’s attorney, Selwyn Pieters, called for the Commission to “order that Chief Justice (ret’d) Mr. Ian Neville Chang Sc. be removed as Counsel for the Guyana Police Force (GPF) due to conflicts of interest, including being a possible witness in these proceedings.”

The motion was heard in camera at approximately 13:00hrs before Commissioner Slowe and the Commission’s attorney, James Bond.

Reporters were asked to remove from the Commission’s

room for about 20 minutes to facilitate the in camera hearing. Chase, through his attorney, argued that the Legal Practitioners Act Cap. 4:01 of the Laws of Guyana provides that an attorney shall not devise or represent more than one interest in a matter nor shall he act or continue to act in a matter when there is or is likely to be a conflicting interest; which includes, but is not limited to the financial interest of the attorney or his associate, and his duties and the loyalties of the attorney to any other client or prospective client, including the obligation to communicate information.

The Legislation states further that an attorney shall make adequate disclosure to the client so that he may make an informed decision as to whether he wishes the attorney to act for him despite the presence or possibility of conflicting interest. Pieters elaborated on the content of the legislation and noted

Attorney representing the interest of the Guyana Police Force, Ian Chang

that accuser Andriff Gillard who told the Commission that he was offered $7M to assassinate President Granger in 2015 in his evidence dated July 21, 2017 said during cross-examination by Chang that “I have a witness here I would like to put on Mr Chang.”

Slowe in response said, “You would like to call Mr Chang. No problem, there is absolutely no problem whoever you calling with whoever you feel they showing respect to this allegation.” It was at that point that Gillard said, “The character of these people, so the public should know that any, everybody Mr. Imran Khan, Mr Nizam Khan is connected to the mining pit tragedy.”

The accuser said, “These two guys [Imran and Nizam Khan] just wicked because they know they have the law behind them, so they can do anybody anything they feel like. I think these two men in this country are the reason for corruption, because they have the three most reliable, strong backing, the Chief Justice could stop any court matter, the DPP that can cancel any station file or file that went to the court and the Commissioner of Police, the assistant, this gentleman here Mr Ian Chang. These

are powerful men, they are friends of course, but they not know the evil demon that they are creating, and people in our community and our Guyanese are suffering.”

As a result of Gillard’s testimony, Pieters argued that Chang could bring the administration of Justice into disrepute. He argued that Chang “has acted a reference for one of the Khan brother’s in a gun licence application.”

He said too that Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, has “a relationship with Imran Khan” and had also called Imran Khan brother of the accused on his cellular phone whilst at CID headquarters and spoke to him in presence of officers. Khan was reportedly behaving in a disorderly manner at the police station.

Moreover, Persaud reportedly called Inspector Prim Narine on a land line phone at CID headquarters and ordered the release of Imran Khan on his own re-

cognizance. The Police Commissioner told the Commission that he did not order his friend’s release but simply gave his subordinate his opinion on the matter. Additionally, Pieters relied on Chang’s decision not to cross-examine Assistant Police Commissioner, David Ramnarine, on July 28. Chang told the Commission that “he was in an embarrassing position “and passed on the opportunity to ask questions. He noted that he is representing the Force as an organisation.

On Monday, Chang declined to ask the Police Commissioner questions during cross-examination.

Persaud was represented

by Attorney Glenn Hanoman. Pieters argued that “the interest of Khan brothers, the Commissioner of Police and the Guyana Police Force are not common interest” and pleaded with the Commission to have Chang recuse himself.

City Hall halts works on Regent St building CITY HALL officials on Monday halted works on a building at the corner of Regent and Wellington streets in the city, citing discrepancies in the boundary on which the structure is being built.

Marlon Harris, Supervisor/Building Inspector at the Georgetown Mayor and City Council led a team of officials to the site where works were being undertaken. A steel structure is erected on the site which once housed several stores within a complex. The complex was gutted by an early morning fire back in April 2012.

Harris told reporters shortly after meeting the owner’s representative, that the issue highlighted to the contractor centers on a discrepancy with the western boundary of the lot. He said

and Monty’s, were all in the same structure located opposite the GUYOIL Gas

Marlon Harris, Supervisor/ Building Inspector at the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, looks on as a representative of the owner of the property sign a log entry relative to the ceasing of works at the site

that approval was granted for the building to be constructed, however the problem is one that is relevant to the boundary of the lot.

Harris said two weeks ago, City Hall indicated to the contractor verbally, about the problem, noting that the

The structure being erected at the corner of Regent and Wellington Streets

owners of the property were told to visit City Hall to address and sort out the issue.

On Monday, the owners were asked to address the problem with the city within a 72-hour period, and until such time, no further works were allowed. A log entry was signed to this affect by a representative of the owner.

Back in April 2012, an early morning fire gutted the stores which once stood at the site, resulting in millions of dollars of losses to the owners.

Jaigobin Rajkumar operated the complex where several Indian nationals, who had most of the stores within the complex counted their losses in the millions of dollars.

The affected, Dilip’s Akashe, Prakash Discount, Manu’s

Station.

In the aftermath of the fire, several holders were

permitted to operate by the owners of the property at the site.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

“I never give life, I can’t take life” … businessman denies plotting to kill President

By Ariana Gordon NIZAM Khan, the man accused of plotting with his former friend, Andriff Gillard, to assassinate President David Granger, on Monday denied the allegation when he took the stand Monday afternoon to cap a dramatic day at the Paul Slowe-led Commission of Inquiry (CoI).

Gillard has alleged that Khan, a Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) businessman had offered him $7M to assassinate President Granger in 2015. The accuser alleged that he had approached Khan to borrow $6M and it was then that Khan offered him

$7M to assassinate the president with a long black gun.

The man said Khan told him he would not have to repay the money.

He told the Commission when he appeared earlier that he refused to carry out the act and ever since his refusal, Khan has been tormenting him. During his testimony, Khan told the Commission that he would have lent Gillard money in the past which he (Gillard) is yet to repay.

He said he has known Gillard for about 20 years but they were no longer friends as Gillard has failed to return some $1.3M to him.

Khan explained that he lent Gillard $1M initially of

which only $500, 000 was returned to him. He said he subsequently loaned him another $800,000 to open his taxi service. The amount was to be repaid in weekly instalments.

“He would normally borrow money from me sir… he robbed me of $1.3M,” Khan declared. He said his friendship with Gillard ended towards the end of 2014 because Gillard refused to return the money owed. Khan told the Commission he owns a spare parts shop and a Halall Snackette, on the EBD. Since ending their friendship, the businessman said his only contact with Gillard who happens to be his immedi-

ate neighbour, was when he called him to ask for his money. He said they never met face to face.

The 38 year-old man said, “Gillard never come to me to borrow no six million dollar,” even as he denied owning a long black gun. According to the businessman, he owns one firearm- a .32 Taurus pistol but could not state how many and the type of firearms his brother is licenced to carry. Asked whether his brother is licensed to carry three firearms by Counsel for the Commission, James Bond, who made his maiden appearance on Monday, Khan responded, “No sir.”

He said he only knew his

Nizam Khan testifies at the COI into the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger on Monday

brother owns a .45 pistol through media reports.

It was disclosed at the

Commission that his brotherImran Khan, in addition to the .45 pistol owns a shotgun and a rifle. Bond asked him to define his relationship with his brother given that he was unaware of the type of firearms his brother is in possession of. “He don’t tell me…” said Khan who said his brother would visit him from time to time but he seldom visits his brother. “We are brothers but we don’t deh together …we does talk on the phone regular.”

What you mean by regular? Weekly.

“You visit him?” asked Bond, to which Khan replied, “Once and far.”

“Is your brother rich,” Bond continued. “No,” the businessman replied, noting Turn to page 14 ►

Escapee slapped with 5 armed Youth accused of stealing cellphone robbery charges MARLON Jeffery, the prisoner who escaped from the Georgetown Public Hospital while under police guard, was on Monday charged with five counts of robbery under-arms and two counts of discharging a loaded firearm.

Jeffery called “Melvor Jeffery” and “Buck” of Lot 120 Agricola, Greater Georgetown,

appeared before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, where he faced his first two robbery charges. The unrepresented 18-year-old pleaded not guilty to the first charge which alleged that on January 3, 2017 at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, while in the company of others and armed with guns, he robbed Latchmini Kumar

of an Acer laptop, four BLU cell phones, $340,000 cash and a gold ring, all valuing $521, 000.

It is further alleged that on November 9, 2016, while in the company of others and armed with a gun, he robbed Rafeek Ali of $40,000 cash property of Sam’s Service Station.

Marlon Jeffery called “Melvor Jeffery” and “Buck”

The Chief Magistrate remanded Jeffery until August 18, 2017 and transferred both matters to the Leonora Magistrate’s Court. Jeffery was later taken before Magistrate Sunil Scarce, where he pleaded not guilty to three counts of robbery under-arms and two counts of discharging a loaded firearm at two men with intent to maim, disable, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm to them.

Magistrate Scarce remanded Jeffery until August 13, 2017. On July 11, 2017, Jeffery was reportedly engaged in a shootout with police at Agricola, where he was shot and a shotgun along with eight cartridges were found.

In the process of the shootout, he received injuries and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted and placed under police guard. On July 19, 2017, he escaped from the hospital and by July 23, 2017, at around 05:30hrs, acting on information received, the police went to Lot 80, Brutus Street, Agricola, and carried out a search in the said home where Jeffery was found in a barrel covered with a bag filled with curtains.

A wash-bay attendant accused of stealing the cellphone of a minibus driver, appeared before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, on Monday, charged with simple larceny.

Arlington Harper, 22, of Garnett Street, Kitty denied the charge which alleged that on June 20, 2017 at Regent Street, Georgetown he stole a $180,000 Samsung Galaxy S5 cellphone from Clifton Wallace.

Police prosecutor Arvin Moore made no objection to the accused being released on bail. The court heard that the victim is a minibus driver and on the day in

question the defendant was in the front passenger seat of his vehicle. However, along Regent Street the vehicle encountered mechanical problems, causing Wallace to stop and tend to his bus.

When Wallace returned inside the bus, his phone which was left charging, was gone and the accused was missing. The victim reported the matter to the police station and Harper was arrested.

The Chief Magistrate released Harper on $15,000 bail and transferred the matter to City Magistrate, Annett Singh, for August 10, 2017.

Teen shot after leaving church in botched robbery A 16-YEAR-OLD girl of Recht door Zee, Canal #1, West Bank Demerara (WBD), is in a stable condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) after she was shot in the upper right shoulder by a man on Sunday night.

According to a police report, the shooting occurred at about 20:30hrs on the West Minister Access Road, WBD by an identifiable male, who was armed with a handgun.

An investigation revealed that the victim, her parents and a 17-year-old female friend were returning home after attending church when they

were confronted by the suspect, who allegedly placed the gun to the friend’s neck and commanded everyone not to move.

However, the victim stood in front of the friend and in the process, the suspect discharged a round which struck her in the upper right shoulder. The suspect immediately fled the scene in a motorcar, which was parked a short distance away.

The victim was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, treated and transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she is admitted a in a stable condition.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Gov’t, GMSA agree to find solutions to problems GOVERNMENT on Friday agreed to work closer with the Guyana Manufacturing Services Association (GMSA) to find solutions to any issues affecting the sector.

At a first Inter-Ministerial Round Table with the GMSA, the association highlighted a number of issues, among them being the impact of VAT on manufacturing inputs, equipment and products; the impact of imported substitutes and the need for supporting mechanisms; the UK Environment Agency Greenheart Restriction; and fiscal

supporting mechanisms.

The ministerial team comprising the Ministers of Finance, Natural Resources, Business and Public Infrastructure, supported by relevant senior technical officers, expanded the discussion to include marketing and quality assurance, integrated land use planning, training and capacity building, forest inventory, ecosystem services, certification and the utilisation of wood-waste as part of introducing renewable energy technologies.

According to a statement from the Finance Ministry

on Sunday it was agreed that immediate solutions would focus on measures to address the competitiveness of known and lesser known species, clarifications on investment agreements and greater information sharing, road maintenance in light of heavy dual usage of roads, a review of the applications for VAT, and the creation of a consolidated dimensions stockyard.

Additionally, the establishment of a revolving fund, which will allow stakeholders to modernise and retool their production processes and refurbish aging capital

Courts Guyana treats patrons – to mini pre-Emancipation Day show COURTS Guyana on Monday gave staff, patrons and friends an early start to this year’s Emancipation celebrations with a short cultural presentation at its Main Street outlet.

Emancipation Day is a day when Guyanese, particularly those of African descent, commemorate the ending of chattel slavery and the dawn of freedom from

servitude.

The audience was kept entertained by the Happy Feet Dance Studio and a poem from former Miss Guyana World, Nuriyyih Gerrard.

There was also a display of African couture by staff of the company’s various departments, among them Finance, Commercial and Human Resources.

Mr. Eric Phillips of the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA), in his presentation, congratulated the management and staff of Courts for taking the initiative to host the event as Guyana commemorates yet another anniversary since the Proclamation of Emancipation.

The cultural presentation concluded with winners exhibiting their attire for the audience.

Courts staff as they displayed their African attire for patrons on Monday (Adrian Narine photo)

“Chokadag” charged with fisherman’s murder A fisherman who allegedly stabbed his co-worker to death during a heated argument at the Meadow Bank Wharf, appeared before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, on Monday charged with murder.

Sharif Bacchus called “Chokadag” of Fifth Street, Albouystown, Georgetown was not required to plead

to the indictable charge, which alleged that on July 20, 2017 at Meadow Bank Wharf, he murdered Chan Wong called “Chiney Mon.” The unrepresented man was remanded to prison until August 14, 2017. According to reports, the two men knew each other, as they worked together as fishermen at the wharf.

However, on the day in question, an argument ensued between the men and Bacchus allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Wong.

Wong collapsed after being injured and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

stock was noted as part of the solution.

Moreover, government has committed to re-examining the impact of imported substitutes on the competitiveness and viability of the local market by relooking at existing tariffs and concessions.

A first follow-up meeting to the first Roundtable is scheduled to be held on August 7, to discuss the issues related to the impact of VAT on the sector’s competitiveness. The Inter-Ministerial round table forms part of Government’s coordinated

efforts to support the development of the manufacturing and services sectors by engaging the private sector.

It was born out of a proposal for its formation by the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan. The Finance Minister spoke of the round table during a recently held GMSA dinner. The proposal was accepted by the Association and then sent to Cabinet, where it was endorsed. Friday’s meeting was chaired by the Finance Minister and attended by a seven member team from the GMSA led by President Shyam Nokta.

Also present at the discussions held at the Ministry of Finance were Ministers of Natural Resources, Business, and Public Infrastructure Raphael Trotman, Dominic Gaskin and David Patterson respectively.

Director of Budget, Sonya Roopnauth, and Head of Projects, Tarachand Balgobin of the Ministry of Finance, as well as representatives of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) were also in attendance. The Inter-Ministerial Round Table will be held thrice annually.

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“I never give life... that he is unaware of his brother buying and selling gold. He accepted that his brother has a mining interest but could not state whether he transports gold.

“I don’t know if he transports gold sir,” said Khan.

WE’RE NOT FRIENDS Nizam Khan also denied knowing Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud and said too that he did not know he was friends with the Police Commissioner. Earlier Monday, Persaud confirmed his friendship with Imran Khan but noted that he was not friends with Nizam. Persaud also told the Commission that he had contacted Imran Khan while he (Khan) was at the police station. According to the Police Commissioner, he received a missed call from the man and was just returning a call. He said too, Imran Khan had contacted him to complain about the treatment being meted out to him.

“Do you know Seelall Persaud?” asked Bond. “No sir…I never met him,” said Khan.

“Were you at any time present when Imran Khan met with Seelall Persaud?”

Bond questioned. The busi-

From page 14

nessman replied in the negative. Khan said he was arrested by Police Sergeant, Komal Petamber on March 29 after a search was conducted on his person and home. He told the Commission that it was the police who drove him to CID headquarters in his own motorcar.

“Did you make a phone call to someone that day?”

Bond asked. “I made a phone call to my brother,” replied Khan, who noted that he told his brother of the allegation made by Gillard and the police requested to search his two-storey home.

“Did you tell your brother to call the commissioner?”

Bond asked to which Khan replied, “I can’t tell he duh… me ain’t know he and the Commissioner is friend.” He noted that the police searched both the upper and lower sections of his home and left his premises ransacked. He could not recall whether his yard was searched but noted that his yard was not dug by the law enforcement officers.

“Was your business searched?” Counsel for the Commission asked Khan. In response, the businessman said his business was closed at the time the search was

conducted at his home and noted that the police did not request to search his business. He told the Commission that the police arrived at around 16:30h on March 29 and the search lasted approximately three-quarters of an hour. It was after the search, that he was driven by a bearded policeman, believed to be Corporal Deonarine to CID. Khan identified a few of the officers present at CID upon his arrival. He said he was asked by the police whether he offered Gillard $7M to kill the president. “I told them he was lying on me…I hired no one to do no such thing.” The businessman initially told the CoI that he did not see any of his relatives at CID while he was being questioned by police.

“Was your brother at CID?” asked Bond to whom Khan responded, “Late off when I give my statement I see my brother coming inside CID and said he want to make a report. He was talking of want to make a report of threat.”

The man could not recall the time his brother arrived at the police station but noted that he won’t consider his behaviour to be disorderly. “No sir, he just open up he mouth and say he want to make a

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017 report and they didn’t want to take it.”

CONTACT WITH TOP COP The accused said he didn’t know if his brother made contact with the Police Commissioner but noted that he was frustrated by his arrest and questioning, while accepting that treason is a serious charge. He disclosed that he was released on $20,000 bail just before midnight on March 29 and was not surprised neither did he consider himself lucky. “They put both of us on $20,000 bail,” Khan recounted.

“Was anyone talking for you? any attorney?” Bond asked, as Khan said, “No sir”.

He noted that it was a female officer who released him on bail that night. He was unsure if an entry was made in a book at the station but noted that his items, including his firearm were returned to him.

He noted that he left his home with $50,000 and did not at any point have contact with his brother while at CID. “You never asked the police to speak with your brother?” Bond asked to which the businessman replied, “No sir”. He said too that his brother didn’t request to speak with him though he saw him at the police station.

He denied that his brother used indecent language at the police station. “No sir…he was high in his voice but not using F and S,” said Khan.

“So all them police man lying,” he was asked during cross-examination. “I don’t know sir,” he replied. “Were you confident everything would have been sorted, is that why you didn’t speak with him?” Bond questioned, to which Khan replied, “No sir”.

AN AFFAIR During cross-examination, Attorney Selwyn Pieters who is representing journalist Travis Chase who first reported on the matter, asked Khan if he was having an affair with Gillard’s wife.

“No sir,” the man responded while noting that there is just a fence separat-

ing his home from Gillard.

He told the Commission that Gillard, a barber, use to cut his hair but not his brother’s.

Pieters put it to Khan that he was trigger ready, a claim which the man denied. Khan said he was shot in his left hand during a robbery on June 6, 2015 and refuted allegations that he pulled a gun on Gillard and threatened to cripple him.

Pieters put it to Khan that he was connected to the Mowasi mining pit collapse in 2015 where his friend, Leyland Jones called ‘Foots’ of Grove, EBD lost his life.

Jones was among three other miners who lost their lives.

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) had said in its report that Imran Khan, the owner of the mining operation had been conducting unsafe mining practices since 2013.

“I am not connected to the mining pit,” said Khan who noted that his school friend whom he knew since he was 12 years old died in the incident.

Pieters then asked Khan whether he knew Trevor Abrams, the GGMC engineer who was murdered in February 2015. He said no. Gillard testified that the Khan brothers had a role to play in the death of Abrams. “When the election did happen, you did worry that Granger come in power and cut yuh runnings up?” questioned Pieters. “No sir…we don’t have no runnings to cut up,” declared Khan who noted “I never give life, I cannot take anybody life.” But Pieters quickly pointed out that Khan had shot and killed a man whom he accused of robbing him.

“Did you keep calling Gillard a stupid black man and telling he that he would have deh good if he had killed the President?” asked Pieters.

“No sir,” said Khan.

The businessman maintained his innocence noting that he never colluded with Gillard or anyone. Earlier in his testimony, he told the Commission that since he demanded his money from Gillard, Gillard reported him to the police for stealing radio

sets and threatening to kill him. “I never tek no radio sets sir…I never pick up radio set or pull no gun…” he stressed. The man told the Commission that there were witnesses to back his story and requested that they be called before the Commission.

“When I ask him about my money, he call me an anti-man and tell me I f**king he wife and he will keep lying on me and framing me,” Khan added. Pieters asked Khan whether he paid the police officers who arrested him $30,000 out of his $50,000 on the afternoon he was arrested.

“No sir, I never give anybody no money,” he replied. It was noted in another testimony that Imran Khan was released on his own recognisance because he did not have any money on him. His brother Nizam testified that he left home with $50,000 and paid for his own bail which stood at $20,000.

Khan told the Commission that senior police officers never visited his spare parts shop. It was then that Pieters drew it to his attention that Assistant Police Commissioner, Clifton Hickens, told the Commission that police vehicles would be taken to Khan’s Diamond premises for repairs. He said the police had a good relationship with Khan.

“If he (Hicken) said so, he lying?” “Police Hicken never come to me to fix no vehicle, if police vehicle come to me, is my brother bring it and tell me must fix it,” Khan said. “The police does come with the vehicle…constables use to bring it and me brother use to tell me do one, one fine things on the vehicles,” Khan continued. The man told the Commission he did not charge the police and “I don’t know if my brother charged them.”

“You fix the police vehicle and you ain’t charge them nothing for the work you do?” asked Pieters.

“No sir, I don’t charge, me brother does talk to them; I don’t know if he charge or what,” Khan stated.

Welder charged with attempted murder A 26-year-old welder from Hadfield Street, Lodge, was on Monday remanded to prison

by Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, on an attempted murder charge.

Osafo Swain, called ‘Saffo’, was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleged that on July 26, 2017 at Georgetown, he discharged a loaded firearm at Hubert Blair in an attempt to murder him.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Arvin Moore, objected to Swain being released on bail based on the seriousness and nature of the

charge. Moore further pointed out that the accused had known Blair for the past five years. Additionally, Blair is still hospitalised while the firearm is yet to be recovered by the police.

The Magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Swain until August 18, 2017. According to reports, on the day in question Blair was walking in Georgetown when the accused rode up on a motorcycle and discharged several rounds at him.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

PG. 23-26

Retiring after living a dream come true

– Guyana’s Nicolette Fernandes ends her pro career

By: Tamica Garnett After 15 years of touring the world and living out a childhood dream, 34-year-old Guyanese Nicolette Fernandes is calling it quits on her years as a professional squash player, though she’s by no means done with squash altogether - at least not just yet.

In an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport just

after claiming the National Women’s title at the Digicel Senior Squash Championships last weekend, Fernandes confirmed that she’s hanging up her racquet, metaphorically speaking, as it pertains to performing in the pro series.

“I just want a little bit of a break from squash; I’ve been doing it for 15 years as my profession. I’m just taking a break from squash in general,” said Fernandes, who is currently ranked at No. 73 in the WSA June ranking.

“I felt like it was the right time. I was at peace with where I was with my life and all I had accomplished and it just felt like the right time.”

Nicolette’s scaling back on her squash was evident when she played in the national championships, where her high-end skills

saw her participating in both the women’s and men’s categories, not for the first time.

She was actually so good at it that in 2010 she became Guyana’s first female to win both the women’s and men’s titles. It was in 2010 that Fernandes was named Sportswoman of the Year in the National Sports Commission (NSC) award, based on her exploits in 2009.

Nicolette has been a well-known Guyanese personality throughout her years as a squash player and despite her retirement plans, it was affirmed that she will still be continuing as player, though dropping the bombshell that she will not be looking to represent Guyana at the Senior Caribbean Championships next month.

“Squash has been my

Nicolette Fernandes

Nicolette Fernandes in action

profession for the last 15 years, so if I continue to play squash now it’s for the sheer love of it, which I do have. I don’t think I will be representing Guyana at the Caribbean Seniors,” said the five-time Caribbean women’s champion.

Fernandes had a career-high World Ranking of 19 (in 2014), had a season high-ranking of No. 34 in February, and since ranking No. 88 in 2009, she has consistently ranked within the top 100 of the Women’s Squash Association (WSA) ranking for the last eight years.

It was in 2014 that she hit the peak of her career. It was in October of that year that Fernandes got a World No. 19 ranking; her personal best and a ranking she would maintain for the rest of the year.

For most of 2015 she continued in the low to mid 20s in the ranking.

As the years rolled on, she unfortunately couldn’t better that no.19 ranking, but not from lack of effort.

“The ultimate goal was always to be world number one and be a champion; I didn’t achieve those but man did I try. Nobody could fault my effort. Because of that

I have peace, because I put everything into it. Most of the time it was just me going around the world playing, there were a few of my countrymen going around [sometimes], but mostly it was just me,” Fernandes shared.

Notwithstanding the demands that the career entailed, for Fernandes it was and always will be a dream come true, living up to being everything she always though it would ever be.

“I did something that as a child I always wanted to do. Sometimes you just dream of something as a child and when it comes through you just try to take it all in, and for these 15 years that’s what I did, just try to take it all in and I loved everything about it. Everyday training, competing, and travelling; I loved everything about it.

I did miss my family, but that’s natural,” Fernandes said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Lost and found: Patrick Patterson’s story told Menacing paceman from West Indies’ golden era tracked down after a sixyear search by Indian journalist

Patrick Patterson

The troubled post-cricket life of Patrick Patterson has been revealed in an absorbing tale by an Indian journalist who spent six years tracking down the former West Indies paceman in his native Jamaica.

Almost 25 years after he played his final Test, Patterson was interviewed

by Bharat Sundaresan from The Indian Express, after the journalist originally set out to speak with the legendary quick during an Indian tour of the Caribbean in 2011.

Quick Single: Late col-

lapse hands England WWC title “For years now, I’ve only heard grave and dire speculations about Patterson’s present state – that he’s lost in the bush or is in an asylum; maybe even roaming the streets as a destitute,” Sundaresan wrote.

“Few believed that he was still in the country or that he was of a sane mind. It was like the West Indies had not just given up on, but forgotten, one of their superstars of yore. And, of course, there was no sign of him.”

Patterson made his Test debut in 1986, in the middle of a heady era of West Indian cricket, and was another to roll off a seemingly endless production line of tall, menacing and super-quick fast bowlers.

He played 28 Tests between then and 1992, taking 93 wickets at 30.90 and striking at 51.90.

His last Test appearance came at the Gabba, before he was dropped for disciplinary reasons.

The Jamaican disappeared from public life thereafter, his absence fuelling

numerous rumours about his mental health and general whereabouts.

Eventually he was located, and told his story – reluctantly at first, before warming to the task and seemingly taking some pleasure in revisiting his own history, even if the journey was chequered by many gaps in his memory.

Sundaresan discusses one particular Test match, at the MCG over Christmas in 1988, in which Patterson took nine wickets and, legend has it, told a bunch of Australian players who had sledged him in the field that he was going to kill them.

“He looks at you, nodding, like he’s hearing about his own feats for the first time,” he wrote. “’I’m just so far from all of that, (and have) nothing around me to remind me really of the whole journey.

It’s been like that for 20-odd years. I’ve just been at that address’, he says, almost apologetically. “’I can remember the atmosphere at that match you talk about. It was electrifying. Like a Test at-

mosphere. But that’s all I remember. I hope you understand’.”

But there are bright spots, too. He recalled India’s Kris Srikkanth and Australia’s David Boon as the two who “bothered me most as bats-

concern from Patterson that there are “external forces” out to get him – those same forces, he says, are behind rumours suggesting he has, as Sundaresan puts it, “lost his way”.

“One time I heard a fel-

“That day I just hit the pits. I couldn’t move when I heard it. I was scared that that’s where they wanted me to be. They said they couldn’t find me, but I was right here.

“But they kept speculating and tarnishing my

Patrick Patterson in full flight as umpire Harold ‘Dickie’ Bird looks on // Getty

men”.

The story undulates between vivid recall, hazy memories and a nagging

low convincing everyone that I was already in Bellevue (a mental asylum in Kingston),” the 55-year-old said.

image and I couldn’t do anything about it because I had more basic things to worry about, like food.”

‘Green Machine’ shifts focus to RAN 7s

Osie McKenzie, one of the top players for Guyana, about to score against the USA (Delano Williams photos)

By Rawle Toney Having fell 23 – 19 to the USA Panthers on Saturday in the Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s final, the ‘Green Machine’, Guyana’s National Rugby Team, will now shift their attention to

the Sevens championship which will be held in Mexico City, November 25 – 26.

Guyana is known for their dominance in the Sevens format, having won seven regional titles; the most by any Caribbean team under the RAN umbrella, and Gon-

Guyana’s Patrick King (right) makes a stop against the USA Panthers.

salves stated that while retaining their title is priority, qualifying for a number of other international tournaments is also key.

This year’s RAN Sevens Championship is a qualifier for the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Sports

Organization (CACSO) Games, 2018 Hong Kong Sevens, Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 and Commonwealth Games.

“We’re focusing next on the sevens in Mexico, we’re going to have our domestic season in a couple of days

and from then, we’re going to focus on retaining our Sevens title” said the team’s captain, Ryan Gonsalves, while speaking to Chronicle Sport over the weekend.

“No more 15s for the rest of the year, so our focus where that is concerned

is to try and build a better team for next year” Gonsalves stated, while reflecting on their 15’s finals against the USA, adding “this is our sixth final and only winning it once is really tough, so we have to focus on getting better.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Digicel schools football tournament here to stay “we will have to make some changes” - Regional CEO Gregory Dean

By Rawle Toney

Digicel’s Regional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gregory Dean dispelled all rumours and confirmed that the country’s most prestigious schools football tournament will continue.

On February 22, Digicel announced that it will reduce its global workforce by 25 per cent over the next 18 months, as part of its 2030 global transformation programme.

Digicel said it is designing and integrating its organisation to be fit for purpose for 2030 and beyond, stating the future organisational structure will comprise a small number of regional hubs (two for the Caribbean and Central America regions and two for the Pacific region), housing back office centralised functions and delivering shared services, allowing staff in Digicel’s 31 markets to focus on sales and enhanced service delivery - and ensur-

ecuting the tournament over the years, the staffs are the ones doing everything, going to all the regions; we just don’t have the resources in terms of staff to execute at that level.”

“There’s also a little conflict in terms of maintaining our business and also doing the tournament, so I think regardless of what it is, we want to keep

doing the tournament, but we have to change the way it’s being done” said Dean, who is responsible for the Guyana, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao markets.

One hundred and fifty schools, drawn from the ten administrative regions of Guyana, participated in this year’s championship, which Dean said should be bigger and better next year.

Part of the action between Annai Secondary and Chase Academy in the finals of this year’s Digicel Schools football finals at Leonora (Samuel Maughn photos)

ing that resources and investments are prioritised to drive competition and innovation.

However, in Guyana, persons were of the opinion that because of the forecasted changes, it could be an end to what is now seen as the ‘Holy Grail’ of schools football locally.

“There’s no issue with

us continuing the tournament” Dean told reporters after the completion of the seventh edition of the championship, which saw Chase Academy winning their second successive title with a 6 – 2 win over Annai Secondary on Sunday.

“I think we’ve been honest that we can’t continue the tournament the

way we’ve been doing it.

The staff doesn’t have the time to run the tournament the way it’s been running for the past seven years, but, I think we just need to change the way we’ve been doing it” Dean said.

Asked if special management committee will be put in place, Dean stated “If you look at the way we’ve been ex-

Digicel’s Regional CEO Gregory Dean (right) makes the presentation to Chase Academy Captain Jeremy Garrett.

Mohan disappointed at Guyana’s poor showing at Centrobasket U-17 Tournament

Guyana’s Centrobasket U-17 team

By Rawle Toney Poor, disappointing; the two words used by head coach, Lugard Mohan, to describe Guyana’s showing at this year’s FIBA Centrobasket U-17 Championship, which concluded on Sunday in The Dominican

Republic.

Guyana finished at the bottom of the eight-team tournament that saw the home team claiming the title with a dramatic 81 – 80 points win over Puerto Rico in the final. Panama defeated Mexico 85 – 80 for third place.

The Virgin Islands were fifth, Jamaica finished in sixth place, while the Bahamas was seventh and Guyana winless at eight.

“Saw some fight from the young fellas in the last game (and) that’s what we wanted to see from Jump Street” Mohan said, while speaking

exclusively with Chronicle Sport yesterday.

Guyana totaled 294 points (the fewest in the tournament) in their five games played, while the team allowed a staggering 475 points (the most in the tournament).

Guard Kevon Wiggins

was the star of the tournament, finishing with a tournament-leading 25.2 points per game average, while Akeem Crandon was the over-all top rebounder, averaging 11.2 rebounds per game.

“The experience was good for all the players.

They watched the last game

and saw what the level of play was and what they are expected to be at. The finals was definitely at NCAA level” Mohan said.

Guyana will now shift their attention to the Inter Guiana Games (IGG), slated for Suriname later this month.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Cricket Act being honoured in the breach by the GOG Dear Editor, I note with great interest the big media frenzy and hype that accompanied the release of the injunction that prevented elections of the Guyana Cricket Board in the past few years after the Cricket Administration Act was enacted in May 2014.

It should be noted that this Act was challenged by the Guyana Cricket Board,

since it was found to be deeply flawed and contradictory.

The GCB, in its submissions to the Court, had never requested that elections be stopped for any Board, but the Chief Justice made the interim decision to issue such an Order. I am penning this letter just to refresh the memory of everyone on the issues and facts surrounding this very

controversial Cricket Act. In the lead up to the passing of this Act, there was a special Select Committee of Parliament that met over 20 times with all the valid stakeholders in the administration of cricket, which included the GCB, the DCB and other cricket related individuals.

The GCB and the DCB made written and oral submissions to this Select Committee, but not

a single item of its submissions were taken on board by the Committee in the drafting of this Act, hence, its lopsidedness that was eventually enacted. In fact, several of the said Select Committee Members never even took the time to read the said Bill that was being debated and voted on.

It seems that voting was mainly on political grounds.

The Select Committee recommended to Parliament that the constitutions of the Guyana Cricket Board and the Demerara Cricket Board be rewritten without any contribution from the membership of these two Boards. This Act in itself is enough to render this Cricket Act unconstitutional.

In late June 2014, after a heavy outpouring of protests from the GCB and the West Indies Cricket Board about the content of this Act and the manner in which it was introduced, there was a special meeting arranged between the Government of Guyana, represented therein by Ministers Nandlall and Anthony, the WICB, the Guyana Cricket Board and some representatives of the disgruntled group now calling themselves ‘stakeholders’.

Attorneys for all parties were also present, with the GOG attorneys also seemingly representing the ‘stakeholders’.

It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED that the Cricket Act was indeed deeply flawed and needed amendments.

All of the amendments were discussed and agreed upon by everyone present at the forum. It was further agreed that since the Act was not yet assented

to, that the agreed amendments to the Act would have been tabled in Parliament in mid-July 2014.

A draft amendment to the Act was completed and circulated to all the parties. The team from the Cricket Boards and their attorneys met with the other parliamentary parties, APNU and AFC, and sought to obtain their agreement on the draft amendment to the Cricket Administration Act. The other parties agreed to the amendments that were proposed and were willing to append their signatures to the agreed-upon document. The GOG became very incensed with the intervention of the other Parliamentary parties and refused to sign off on the agreed-upon document with the other Parliamentary parties included therein. It was then agreed to exclude the other Parliamentary parties from the document.

The GOG NEVER signed that document and have allowed this confusion to continue unhindered.

The Honorable Ministers that attended this meeting never took any further step to have this lopsided Act corrected and it is incumbent on the present administration to investigate this matter and have it corrected or await the verdict of the Court in the legal challenge by the GCB. Actually, this was the second time that the previous administration walked away from a proposed settlement on this manufactured cricket crisis.

The other time was with Caricom’s intervention when Clive Lloyd was appointed as head of the IMC. Here again, an agree-

ment was hammered out, but the same 2 Honorable Ministers that represented the GOG walked away from that resolution.

How can anyone blame the GCB for this impasse? Investigative journalism needs to be exercised and blame placed where it is due?

The GCB has been made the unwitting scapegoat in this entire fiasco.

It is really hypocritical of these same persons that attended this forum in June 2014 and agreed with the blatant flaws of the Act, to be now publicly supporting this piece of legislation as the cure all for the purported ills of cricket administration in Guyana.

In another very blatant act of illegality since then, the Sports Minister of the previous administration proceeded to appoint an Ombudsman in clear violation of the very Act that he assisted to pilot through Parliament. How can our leaders act in such grave violation of the very laws that they enact?

The current Sports Minister may not be familiar with the history of this matter and it would be in her best interests to research and acquaint herself with this situation before she is deemed to be acting in contravention of the laws of Guyana by blindly following in the footsteps of her predecessor from the previous administration.

The first step in this process would be for her to obtain a copy of the said Act, if she has not already done so.

Yours faithfully, RAJ SINGH Marketing Manager GCB

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

West Indies face Essex in England tour opener today CHELMSFORD, England, (CMC) – West Indies open their tour of England today when they face Essex in the first of three three-day first class games, as they chase form and momentum ahead of a difficult threeTest series.

The Caribbean side arrived from the Caribbean on Saturday and following a training session at Lord’s on Sunday, travelled here to the East England town to begin final preparations for the encounter at Essex County Ground.

Batting coach Toby Radford said Monday the conditions at Essex provided the ideal platform for the Windies to launch their preparations. “[Preparations] have gone really well. We’ve had two good practice days – one at Lord’s at the Nursery Ground and today at Chelmsford in bright sunshine which was great for the guys,” the Englishman said.

“They’ve all had a good workout and are looking forward to the game tomorrow against a good side.

Essex are top of Division One in the County Championships so a good side and always a lovely wicket to play on [at] Chelmsford.

“It’s one of the better surfaces in County cricket so I am hoping the guys will make full use of quality practice.”

The Windies 15-man squad is a largely inexperienced one in English conditions, with just three members having played a Test here before.

And with nearly two weeks before the first Test at Edgbaston bowls off, Radford said the preparation period would be critical as players needed to acclimatise quickly to the new conditions.

“We had a good camp in Barbados … and now we’ve got three warm-up games before the first Test match,”

Lone Guyanese ... that our talent pool is limited in the Caribbean, so CWI has taken steps to give opportunities to our young players and encourage them to remain in the game,” Browne said.

“A trip like this is designed to get players ready for what is to come on the international pathway, as they make the steps up through the youth levels and onto the

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senior stage, so we are eagerly looking forward to seeing how much they have progressed.”

The Under-15s will play a 35-overs a-side match against Sunbury Academy at Sunbury Cricket Club on August 9 before taking on age group opponents in six 50-overs games from August 9-20.

Former Jamaica and West Indies batsman, Robert Samuels, will manage the side with

he pointed out.

“So I think it’s making full use of good quality opposition, good surfaces and batters getting time at the crease and bowlers working out what lengths they want to bowl on these English pitches.”

West Indies are widely expected to face a difficult time against the English who are ranked fourth in the ICC Test rankings, four places higher than their embattled rivals.

Further, the Windies have not won a series in England in nearly three decades but Radford said the young side were highly motivated and intent on springing a surprise.

“I think everyone wants to play in a series against England in England so all the players are really revved up for it and will want to make a name for themselves and obviously as a team will want to do well,” he noted.

“We’ve had some good Continued from back page former Windies seamer Corey Collymore and Rohan Nurse as coaches.

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series in recent times against Pakistan away [and] Pakistan at home so taking on England in

England is going to be a big tough task but I think people are going to stand up and we’re going to hope-

fully surprise one or two.”

The game bowls off at 11 am (6 am Eastern Caribbean time)

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Moeen hat-trick completes England crushing win … becomes the first England spinner in 79 years to achieve the feat

LONDON (Reuters) - Spinner Moeen Ali finished off South Africa with a hat-trick as England completed a crushing 239-run victory in the third Test at the Oval on Monday to move 2-1 ahead in the series.

Moeen became the first England spinner to achieve a hat-trick in 79 years by dismissing centurion Dean Elgar, Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel soon after lunch in a dramatic end to the match.

England had laboured to bowl out the South Africans in the morning as Elgar continued his gutsy knock, although Toby Roland-Jones continued his fine debut by dismissing Temba Bavuma and Vernon Philander with successive balls.

Moeen finally ended Elgar’s dogged resistance for a 228-ball 136 and the spinner snapped up Rabada with the last ball of his over, both batsmen caught at slip

Moeen Ali took the last three wickets to complete a memorable hat-trick as England won by 239 runs to cap off the 100th Oval Test.

by man-of-the-match Ben Stokes.

Moeen completed his hattrick with the first ball of his next over, although he had to wait for a review to confirm he had trapped Morkel lbw.

The dismissal sparked wild scenes as the Oval celebrated its first test hat-track in its 100th match - and the first by an English spinner since Tom Goddard in 1938.

“What a way to cele-

brate 100 tests,” said captain Joe Root. “The game was really won by the way we batted in the first innings.

The lads got stuck in and got a really good score on what proved to be a really

Dean Elgar eventually brought up a gritty century, South Africa’s first of the series.

challenging surface.”

The touring side, who began the day on 117-4, always knew history was against them, with a team starting the final day of a Test four wickets down having secured draws only three times.

For a while it looked like Elgar and Bavuma had not read the script, however, as they increased their fifth-wicket partnership to 108 before Roland-Jones sparked the first flurry of wickets.

The debutant seamer took his tally to eight in the match by snaring Bavuma (32) and Vernon Philander (0) lbw with full-length deliveries.

With blue skies and little cloud cover, batting conditions proved the easiest of the match and Elgar looked untroubled in reaching his eighth test century and second against England.

But the tourists suffered a further blow to the last ball before lunch when Moeen had Chris Morris caught in the slips by Stokes for 24.

Suitably refreshed, Moeen mopped up the tail. Bizarrely, he was the third bowler, after Stokes and Roland-Jones, to take two wickets with successive balls in the innings before eclipsing his team mates to claim his 18th wicket of the series.

The game proved just as one-sided as the previous two, with England winning at Lord’s by 211 runs before losing at Trent Bridge by 340 runs.

England will have the momentum going into the final Test which starts at Manchester on Friday as they eye their first home series win over South Africa since 1998.

SCOREBOARD

ENGLAND 1st innings 353 (B. Stokes 112, A. Cook 88) South Africa 1st innings 175 (T. Bavuma 52; T. Roland-Jones 5-57) England 2nd innings 313 for 8 decl (J. Bairstow 63, T. Westley 59, J. Root 50) South Africa 2nd innings (Overnight: 117-4; Target: 492 runs) H. Kuhn b Broad 11 D. Elgar c Stokes b Ali 136 H. Amla c Root b Roland-Jones 5 Q. de Kock b Stokes 5 F. du Plessis lbw b Stokes 0 T. Bavuma lbw b Roland-Jones 32 V. Philander lbw b Roland-Jones 0 C. Morris c Stokes b Ali 24

K. Maharaj not out 24 K. Rabada c Stokes b Ali 0 M. Morkel lbw b Ali 0 Extras: (b-4 lb-7 nb-4) 15 Total: (all out, 77.1 overs) 252 Fall of wickets: 1-21 H. Kuhn,247 H. Amla,3-52 Q. de Kock,4-52 F. du Plessis,5-160 T. Bavuma,6-160 V. Philander,7-205 C. Morris,8-252 D. Elgar,9-252 K. Rabada,10-252 M. Morkel To bat: Bowling: J. Anderson 13 - 3 - 26 – 0, S. Broad 16 - 4 - 47 – 1, T. Roland-Jones 18 - 4 - 72 – 3, B. Stokes 14 - 1 - 51 - 2(nb-4), M. Ali 16.1 - 5 - 45 – 4.

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Los Angeles chosen to host 2028 Summer Olympics LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Los Angeles was formally chosen on Monday to host the 2028 Summer Olympics in a deal that virtually assures that the 2024 Summer Games will be held in the rival candidate city of Paris, Olympic officials announced.

Both cities were competing for the 2024 Games after several other candidates withdrew from contention, and the stage was set for Paris to win its bid when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that Los Angeles had agreed to the later date of 2028.

“The IOC welcomes this decision of the Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Candidature Committee, and we are pleased to release the Host City contract 2028 in a transparent and timely manner,” said IOC President Thomas Bach in a statement.

The IOC said it would make contributions to the Los Angeles organizing committee worth $1.8 billion (1.36 billion pounds).

An official designation of Paris for the 2024 Games has yet to be announced. A representative for Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said definitive word was expected to come when the IOC meets in September in Lima, Peru, after several more steps in the procedure had been finalised.

Still, the IOC’s unprecedented move of awarding two Games at virtually the same time turned the spotlight on security challenges facing the French capital while giving Los Angeles ample time to upgrade its public transportation system.

The deal was first reported on Monday by the Los Angeles Times, which cited an unnamed source.

The co-chair for Paris’ Olympics bid, Tony Estanguet, said its organizing team had convinced the IOC “of the merits of awarding” the 2024 Games to Paris but stopped short of saying a final decision had been made.

In a statement welcom-

ing Los Angeles’ agreement on Monday to host the 2028 Olympics, the Paris 2024 committee called L.A.’s move “a key step in the process of awarding the Olympics.”

Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti attends the press conference after the voting during the International Olympic Committee (IOC) extraordinary session in Lausanne, Switzerland July 11, 2017.

‘WIN-WIN’ Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office said he and other backers of the city’s bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games would make an announcement to the news media

Regional blind and visually impaired cricket set for Guyana WITH the Regional Cricket Tournament for the Blind and Visually Impaired set for August 21-28, organisers of the tournament are calling on cooperate Guyana and the government for much needed support.

An estimated Gy$2.5 million dollars to off set the financing of the tournament is needed.

Over 42 of the Region’s best will be on show for top honours and spots on the West Indies Team for the limited overs World Cup in Dubai and Pakistan in January 2018.

The teams that will be vying for top honours in the week-long event includes

mittee in Los Angeles.

“It is a win-win for the two cities,” Canadian senior IOC member Dick Pound told Reuters by phone. “It’s good for the IOC because we’ve got two great cities

lined up for the next two big shows.”

The next Olympic Summer Games, in 2020, is already scheduled to be held in Tokyo.

Hidalgo said talks on the Paris 2024 bid would continue throughout August.

Using the #Paris2024 twitter handle in a series of Tweets, Hidalgo said: “Discussions will continue between our two cities and the IOC throughout August to reach a tripartite deal.”

Los Angeles previously hosted the Summer Games in 1932 and 1984.

Los Angeles, the United States’ second-largest city by population, had argued that it could host a low-cost Olympics given that it already has all the necessary infrastructure in place, while Paris would need to build several expensive new facilities.

But Paris was seen as the front-runner for the 2024 Games because it was passed over in a series of earlier Olympic bids and because

the French capital will have marked 100 years since the last time it hosted the Games.

Paris has a world-class public transportation system.

Los Angeles’ notorious traffic and the impact of President Donald Trump’s ban on travel to the United States from certain Muslim-majority nations had been seen as factors weighing against the latest bid by the U.S. West Coast city.

The group NOlympics Los Angeles, which has opposed L.A.’s bid to host the Games at any time out of concern it would displace low-income residents, said on Facebook that it was not too late to stop the 2028 bid.

“This ‘news’ has been an open secret for months, but it’s not a done deal. City Council still needs to vote to authorise the Mayor to sign the host city contract, so call your Council member now and tell them to vote HELL NO,” the organisation’s statement said.

Afghanistan closer to maiden Test, in talks with Zimbabwe for full series

Ganesh Singh

Guyana, Barbados and Jamaica. The event was scheduled for July but was postponed because of the inclement weather here in Guyana.

Financial assistance will be most welcomed due to the nature of the event, which is heavily dependent on contributions from out-

side the special community.

For more information in relation to the tournament, interested persons can contact Treasurer of the Guyana Council for the Blind, Theresa Pemberton, on 670-3535; or captain of the Guyana team, Ganesh Singh, on 652-8975.

Ronaldo protests innocence after court appearance

POZUELO DE ALARCON, Spain (Reuters) - Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo protested his innocence after testifying in court on Monday against charges of evading 14.7 million euros (13.17 million pounds) in taxes.

The 32-year-old Portuguese, who was in the Pozuelo de Alarcon court for about 90 minutes, declined to speak to reporters afterwards, but he released a statement through his agency Gestifute.

“The Spanish tax authorities know my income in detail, because we have given it to them.

I have never hidden anything in my declarations, nor have I had

at 5 p.m. PDT (0000 GMT).

But the decision was confirmed in nearly simultaneous statements issued hours earlier by the IOC in Zurich and the Los Angeles Olympic bid com-

the smallest intention of evading taxes,” Ronaldo said.

“I always make my declarations voluntarily, because I think we all have to declare

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo

and pay tax in accordance to our incomes. Those who know me know what I ask my advi-

sors: that they take their time on it and pay correctly, because I don’t want problems.”

Ronaldo explained that he did not create a special structure to manage his image rights after joining Real from Manchester United in 2010, saying he utilised the set-up which was deemed “legal and legitimate”

by English tax authorities.

Spanish courts have recently cracked down on tax evasion among leading footballers.

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi was handed a 21-month prison sentence this year on similar charges but under Spanish law was able to exchange the penalty for a fine.

Afghanistan celebrate qualifying for the ICC World Twenty20

AFGHANISTAN are closing in on playing their maiden Test, and are in talks with Zimbabwe for a full series later this year. The series is likely to be hosted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). Afghanistan were conferred Test status by the ICC in June earlier this year.

ESPNcricinfo understands the series is likely to comprise one Test, five ODIs and between two to three T20Is. With Afghanistan not in a position to host cricket at home, the ACB is look-

ing at hosting the series either in India or the UAE. It is understood that Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) sent an e-mail to the ACB last week giving an in-principle nod.

Both boards will take a final decision once ZC finalises the dates of the scheduled tri-series in Bangladesh, which, as per the ICC Future To u r s P r o g r a m m e (FTP), is to be played between January-February next year. Ideally, ZC wants to play Afghanistan in the UAE

and then travel to Bangladesh.

If the plans materialise, it will give Afghanistan a significant boost, after they have hopped into the top echelons of international cricket since gaining ODI status in 2009.

During this period, Afghanistan registered memorable results, including three consecutive limited-overs series victories against Zimbabwe before recently drawing the ODI series in West Indies in June.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Regional Under-15 cricket...

Hosts Barbados reamain unbeaten but T&T slump again BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Hosts Barbados remained unbeaten but reigning champions Trinidad and Tobago slumped to their second loss in three outings, in the third round of the Regional Under-15 Championship here Monday.

Playing at the Windward Cricket Club in the southern parish of St Phillip, Barbados trounced Jamaica by 89 runs behind a marvellous unbeaten hundred from the enterprising Jacob Bethell and a six-wicket haul from new-ball bowler Romario Brathwaite.

Leeward Islands followed in similar vein when they beat the Trinidadians by 15 runs at KMV Oval in the rural northern parish of St Andrew and Windward Islands were also in winner’s row when they got the better of Guyana by 14 runs in a contest at Weymouth A in

the capital.

H o w e v e r, i t w a s t h e left-handed Bethell who took centre stage when he punched the first hundred of the campaign.

He batted through the innings to end on exactly 100 not out as Barbados, opting for first knock, tallied 222 for eight off their 50 overs.

Bethell put on 113 for the first wicket with Giovante DePeiza who made 44 and a further 53 for the third wicket with Thierry Walcott who scored 25.

All told, Bethell faced 137 deliveries and struck seven fours.

Brandon English led Jamaica with three for 26 while Rajiv Redhi picked up two for 28.

Medium pacer Brathwaite then wrecked Jamaica’s innings with a spell of six for 20, sending

them tumbling for 133 all out off 39.5 overs.

The Jamaicans were tottering on 22 for three in the

Left-hander Jacob Bethell … struck an unbeaten century in Barbados’ victory.

sixth over and never recovered despite knocks of 27 from Shemar Phillips and 20 from Noris Tenn.

The best stand of the innings was 31 for the seventh wicket between Tenn and Red-

Guyana Female Under-19 departs for T&T today

THE Guyana Female Under-19 squad departs for Trinidad and Tobago today to take part in the Regional Invitational Under-19 tournament.

The tournament consists of four teams namely; Barbados, Guyana, Windward Islands and Trinidad and Tobago.

Guyana will have its first round of matches on Wednesday.

They will first play hosts Trinidad and Tobago from 09:00hrs before taking on the Windward Islands from 14:30hrs.

The female Under-19

Tremayne Smartt will manage the Guyana squad

squad will play three rounds of matches with two matches

being played daily.

The team is scheduled to return on August 7.

Shabika Gajnabi will lead the squad. The coach is Tremayne Smartt and Manager Heema Singh.

The squad is as follows: Shabika Gajnabi – Captain, Sheneta Grimmond, Plaffiana Millington, Lafona Gilgeous, Omadevi Matadin, Marian Samaroo, Aleema Arokium, Russhanna Alika Lynch, Mandy Mangru, Yougeeta Balkishun, Abigale Scott, Casey Anna Charles, Bibi Tasleema Bacchus and Cherry-Ann Fraser.

Zorg Sports Club to host camp for male and female cricketers

A five-day cricket camp will commence under the auspices of the Zorg Sports Club from August 7th-11th at the Zorg cricket ground and will target Under- 15 males born in 2003 and after, along with females of all ages.

The camp will provide basic cricket skills in batting, bowling and fielding and will be conducted under the guidance of Essequibo Senior

Coach, Forbes Daniels and Region 2 Sports Organiser, Debra Daniels. Participants who are under aged are required to present a written permission from a parent as well as to provide a copy of their birth certificate.

Each day’s session will commence from 9:00hrs – 12pm. Meanwhile, according to Ms. Daniels, two matches will be played following the conclusion

hi who made 17.

T&T, meanwhile, failed to defend 169 and were soundly beaten to follow up their open-

of the camp as a measure to evaluate the skills that would have been imparted to the participants.

The first match will be held on the 12th with a 20/20 game while a 50 overs game will be played the following day among the males and females. For further information, contact can be made with Debra Daniels on telephone numbers 683-7807 or 655-5020.

ing round defeat to Jamaica.

Opting to bat first, they were limited to 168 for eight off their 50 overs with Darren Samlal top-scoring with 44 not out, Kyle Roopchand chipping in with 22 and

Tariq Mohammed getting 21.

T&T appeared in good shape at 95 for two and then 150 for five but lost wickets in clustered to deteriorate badly.

Mohammed and Sachin Emrit (12) put on 46 for the third wicket and when three wickets fell with the score on 95 in the space of 10 balls, Samlal and Chadeon Raymond (17) stitched up the innings in a 55-run, sixth wicket partnership.

In their turn at the crease, the Lewwards cruised to their target in the 43 rd over with Carlton Tuckett getting 40, T’Jhari Clarke, 27, and Anderson Amurdan, 25.

They lost Rasheed Henry cheaply for two in the third over with five runs on the board but Tuckett and Amurdan put the innings back on course with a 64run, second wicket partnership.

Tuckett, in particular, was aggressive, striking seven fours in his breezy 37-ball knock.

In the other game, Teddy Bishop hit 51 as the Windwards rallied to 162 all out in the final over, after choosing to bat first.

Medium pacer Sheldon Charles claimed for four 28 while left-arm spinner Hemraj Harrilall picked up two for 25.

In reply, Guyana were restricted to 148 off 48.3 overs as Udell Preville (3-23) and Ackeem Auguste (3-32) ran through the innings with three wickets apiece.

Marvan Prashad struck 40 and Charles, 39, in a 38-run stand that pushed Guyana up to 96 for three in the 33rd over but once the partnership was broken, the last seven wickets perished for 52 runs.

Five teams advance to second round of Hamilton Green K.O football MAHAICA, Ann’s Grove, Golden Grove and Plaisance advanced to the second round of the Hamilton Green Cup Knock-Out Football tournament after securing victories over their opponents when the tournament finally got underway over the past weekend at the Victoria ground, East Coast Demerara.

Mahaica defeated mahaicony 3-2, Ann’s Grove beat Pele 3-1, Golden Grove got past Golden Warriors in a penalty shoot-out, Plaisance beat Cougars, also in a penalty shoot-out and Buxton beat Pouderoyen in yet another penalty shoot-out.

The tournament which was scheduled to get underway last Friday at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Linden, was abandoned due to heavy overnight rainfall which left the playing field waterlogged.

However, on Saturday last, conditions were better on the East Coast and the tournament finally got underway with a triple-header. In the opening game, Plaisance of East Coast Demerara secured a penalty kick win over Ber-

bice’s Cougars after the two sides were locked 3-3 at the end of regulation and extra time.

In the second game, Golden Grove also secured a penalty shoot-out win against their East Coast counterparts, Golden Warriors, after they were tied at the end of regulation and extra time.

In the third match that evening, Buxton, after being held 1-1 at the end of regulation and extra time, secured a win over their West Demerara counterparts via a penalty shoot-out.

On Sunday, the action continued at the same venue with two matches and saw Mahaica edging Mahaicony 3-2 through goals off the boots of Eion Abel in the 11th minute, Ewart Abel in the 16th minute and Leroy Halley in the 21st minute.

Mahaica was originally down to play Grove Hi-Tech in the opening game on Sunday, but the latter team failed to show up.

In the second game on Sunday, Ann’s Grove beat Pele by a 3-1 margin.

Tyrell Cummings (9 th

min), Daniel Pellew (18 th min) and Delon Deon (20th min) were the goal scorers for Ann’s Grove while Jamal Cozier scored Pele’s lone goal in the 30th minute.

According to tournament coordinator, Lennox Arthur, the inclement weather and the unavailability of venues were the main reason the tournament had to be rescheduled continuously, but promises that the 16 teams contesting the tournament will provide fans and supporters with lots of exciting and entertaining football throughout the duration of the tournament which is scheduled to conclude on September 3 at the Leonora Sports Facility, West Coast Demerara.

The winning team will receive $500,000 and the Minister of Citizenship trophy, while the runner-up team will earn $250,000 and the Busta Beverages trophy.

The team placing third will receive $150,000 and the John Fernandes Limited trophy and the fourth place finisher will take home $100,000 and the Cummings Electrical trophy.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

GFSCA hunt elusive Toronto Cup …Deonarine confident of eclipsing hurdle

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada -- Having won all the international tournaments staged in Guyana, Florida and New York, the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) masters have been quietly establishing a dynasty of their own as far as softball cricket at the Over-45 age group is concerned.

However, their attempt to win the inaugural Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Toronto Cup, staged in September 2015, came up short after they were upstaged

by Toronto’s Our Own in a closely-fought encounter at the University of Toronto ground.

Since then the GFSCA masters have carted off the 2017 Florida Cup and recently, the New York Legends Cup, defeating their nemesis Guyana’s Regal Masters on both occasions.

The latter got the better of them in the 2016 Guyana Softball Cup and also in the Legends Cup. Fast forward and it’s unto Toronto Cup II, set for this

Caribana weekend and according to long-standing skipper, Rickey Deonarine, the GFSCA players are aiming to set the record straight by becoming the only team to have triumphed in Guyana, Florida, New York and Canada.

GFSCA’s chances have been further boosted with the non-participation of Our Own from this year’s tournament. Prior to the 2015 final, Deonarine was on record as saying he was undaunted by the presence of several former Guyana players in Our Own team, including Sunil Dhaniram, Shivnauth Seeram, Troy Gobin and Jaimini Singh. Added to that, the team was led by Mahendranauth “Bobby” Parasnauth, still fancied as one of the best softball players in and out of Canada.

An exuberant Deonarine is confident that despite the absence of some key players in Wayne Jones, Anil Beharry, Ramesh Narine and Gordial Mattai, they are capable of lifting the winners trophy come Sunday at the University of Toronto ground.

Guyana Select X1 win thriller in super-over THE Guyana Select X1 snatched a thrilling super over victory against the Guyana Amazon Warriors yesterday in the second warmup game at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, ahead of the Hero CPL, set to start this weekend.

After the scores were tied at 123 at the end of both innings, the Guyana Select X1 scored 15-1 from their over and then restricted the tourists to 10-1, to clinch victory.

Batting first the Guyana Amazon Warriors struggled against a disciplined bowling unit, and were eventually restricted to 123 -8, with Keemo Paul hitting a quickfire 36 at the back end of the innings. Pakistani middle-order batsman Babar Azam (29) and Assad Fudadin (20), were the two other meaningful contributors.

Romario Shepherd claimed (2-30), while there was a wick-

et apiece for Eon Hooper, Sherfane Rutherford and Anthony Adams.

In reply the Guyana Select X1 reached 123-8. Anthony Bramble made a fighting unbeaten 37 (2x4, 2x6). He received support from Rajendra Chandrika (23), Leon Johnson (19) and Tavin Imlach (17).

Fast bowler Mohammed Ali-Khan created the early trouble, claiming 4-23. Leftarm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (2-17) and Paul (1-8), were the other two successful bowlers.

The third and final game is set for today from 11:00hrs.

Guyana Select XI reads: Leon Johnson (c), Robin Bacchus, Rajendra Chandrika, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Tevin Imlach, Sherfane Rutherford, Anthony Bramble, Anthony Adams, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Paul Wintz and Eon Hooper.

Lands and Surveys wins Trophy Stall dominoes competition

THE Guyana Lands and Surveys team won the Trophy Stall knock-out Domino Competition after notching up 74 games, in which a total of nine teams took part.

Following in second place with 61 games was the GuyOil team, while the Ministry of Agriculture team placed third with 59 games.

The trophies for first, second and third placed teams along with medals were donated by the Trophy Stall. The teams were also presented with cash incentives by organizer, James “Uprising” Lewis at the end of the competition.

Acknowledging that a few fielding lapses also played a major role in their performance in 2015, Deonarine felt that GFSCA needed to score at least 150 to be in with a realistic chance of winning.

He also pointed to the fact that they failed to build on the rapid start given by opener, Uniss Ysuf, whose blistering 20 included three massive sixes.

Eventually, the GFSCA’s 128 proved inadequate as Our Own went on to win in 19.1 overs as the experience of Gobin (43 not out) and former Canadian World Cup player, Desmond Chumney (36) proved to be the major difference.

This time around, the GFSCA masters are coming off a resounding victory over Regal Masters at the Roy Wilkins Park, Queen’s New York where Ravi Lutchman blasted a match-winning undefeated 112 and received fine support from Yusuf (34) and Lloyd Ruplall (38) in

FLASHBACK: GFSCA skipper Rickey Deonarine collects the runner-up trophy for the Masters category at the inaugural tournament in September 2015. President Ramchand Ragbeer is at left.

their lopsided victory.

GFSCA reached a formidable 217 for four in their allotted 20 overs before restricting their opponents to 167 for seven off their 20. Jones, who is absent from the GFSCA Toronto Cup squad, claimed four for 32.

GFSCA, who are raring to go, will do battle with NYSCL Legends, NY Hustlers, Tri-State Muslims, Ontario Masters Leg-

ends (OMSCC/Host, League Team), Ontario Masters Softball International (OMSI – Ontario Masters Touring Team), Amazon Warriors (New Jersey) and Better Hope Legacy when the tournament bowls off on Friday.

The welcoming ceremony will be held at the Tropical Nights Restaurant and Lounge, Morningside Avenue, (at Sheppard), Scarborough, starting at 1830hrs on Thursday, setting the stage for

the commencement of the tournament the following morning.

Floodlights team reads: Rickey Deonarain (captain), Ramo Malone (vice-captain), Uniss Yusuf, Lloyd Ruplall, Ravi Lutchman, Jagdish Persaud, Tulshi Lutchman, Neraj Narad, Pooran Singh, Huks Lutchman, Ago Gopaul, Kenrick Persaud, Jailall Deodass, Pithamber Maharaj and Ramesh Sunich.

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 1, 2017

GFSCA hunt elusive Toronto Cup See Page 31

(By Stephan Sookram in Trinidad and Tobago; compliments of B.M. Soat and Mohamed’s Enterprise) BRYCE Prince survived an early scare and changing weather conditions to continue his Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) 2017 dominance with a clean sweep of round two Sunday.

Inclement weather delayed the start of the day and caused several races to be pushed back, but Prince was flawless in the execution of his duties and even fought off the challenges of the hosts’ Nicholas Gonzalves on several occasions to be crowned the overall bike champion at the end of the day.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport, Prince said, “All in all, we are happy for a good weekend; three wins are always a good thing and of course the points are important too.”

Prince, of team Mohameds Enterprise R6 wasted

no time in getting off the line first on all three occasions but had the challenge of battling changing weather conditions in race two.

Azad Hassan joined the local Group One where he picked up one first place.

In the Group Two division, an early incident between Trinidad’s Dr. Mark Williams and points leader, Luke Bhola, left the latter out of commission for the remainder of the day with a damaged rear suspension.

Nonetheless, Barbadian Mark Thompson picked up two victories and a Did Not Finish (DNF) for valuable championship points; but the overall driver accolade in the class was picked up

by Williams.

Guyanese Rameez Mohamed had another mixed weekend, having continuous mechanical problems where he finished 8th out of the 18 car grid, saying, “That is racing. We had some difficulties that we didn’t see and we tried to make use of what we had.”

Mohamed also entered Group Three where he picked up a fifth, fourth and a DNS (did not start), with Ronald Worthman and David Lyons each picking up one win.

The final Group Three race results are under investigation following the issuing of the wrong flag at the wrong time which caused two cars to return to the pit.

At the Group Four twowheel drive end of things, It was a usual day at the office for Barbadian Mark Maloney who racked up two wins, but suffered mechanical troubles in Race Three where he did not finish.

That allowed the host’s Franklyn Boodhram, who finished second on two occasions and first in Race Three to pick up the champion driver award.

In the 4wd Drive class, Andrew King picked up two second place finishes to the Host’s Christian Bourne.

The team began returning home yesterday.

West Indies face Essex in England tour opener today See page 27

Caribbean Motor Racing Championship 2017

Prince survives early scare to make clean sweep of round two

Bryce Prince displays the Guyana flag and the chequered flag yesterday at the Frankie Boodhram International Raceway.

(David Persad/ TriniTuner.com)

Lone Guyanese Sachin Singh to lead Windies U15 on England tour

Guyana opener Sachin Singh … set to lead the West Indies Under-15s.

Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel prepares to send down a delivery during training at Chelmsford here Monday. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC )– Guyanese Sachin Singh has been named to lead a 14-man West Indies Under-15 Invitational squad on a six-match limited overs tour of England starting next month.

The left-handed opener was among the leading scorers in last year’s Regional Under-15 Cham-

pionship, and joins the likes of Barbadian batsmen Seth Agard and Matthew Forde, along with Trinidadian off-spinner Tariq Mohammed and Jamaican leftarm spinner Rajiv Redhi, all of whom were top performers in the tournament.

Mohammed and Redhi are currently involved in the on-

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going 2017 edition of the Regional Under-15 in Barbados.

Cricket West Indies chief selector, Courtney Browne, said the tour was designed to prepare this age group for higher level international cricket.

“It has been widely recognised

Turn to page 27 TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017