Guyana chronicle e paper 21 10 2016

SEE INSIDE

No. 104711

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

Guyana tells Islamic bloc ... of Venezuela’s ‘expansionist’ ambitions

Page

3

Gov’t employee rescued from submerged car Page

3

The driver of this car was rescued by public-spirited citizens after the car had toppled into a trench in front the C.V. Nunes Primary school in Anna Regina

Man shot dead 2 during fight with bandits Page

Cuban specialists 8 to help operationalise disability centre Page

Dead: Abdool Ameer Subrati

Barama exit

Decision on future of concession 15 soon Page

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 21, 2016

Man shot dead during fight with bandits

By Rabindra Rooplall

A FAMILY “lime” at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara,(EBD) turned deadly when five armed bandits invaded the Lot 320, Third Street property and shot 43-year-old Abdool Ameer Subrati in the neck, after he tried to fight with the gunmen on Thursday morning.

Subrati, of Peter’s Hall, EBD was rushed to the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital and was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Hospital, where he died hours after undergoing surgery to remove the bullet.

This newspaper understands that the bullet ricocheted to his spine and punctured his lung in the process.

According to reports, three overseas-based Guyanese returned to Guyana Tuesday last and met with other relatives Wednesday night at the Herstelling house to plan a

family reunion The planning went into the wee hours of Thursday morning and when most of the relatives had left, the

Dead: Abdool Ameer Subrati armed men emerged from a bathroom in the yard and pounced on Amika Appiah, who is visiting from the United States.

The men then rushed into the house, grabbed a bag

containing three passports, green cards, cash, jewellery and cellphones. During the ordeal, a scuffle ensued between the bandits and Subrati, who was then shot in the neck. The gunmen fled the scene on foot.

In an interview with this publication, Appiah recalled what happened.

“We were going to call it a night at 1:45AM and some people started going home.

We were then planning to go in Diamond Housing Scheme and Ameer who was shot was supposed to drive us there,” she said.

The traumatised woman said, “When I came downstairs one of the bandits came out of the toilet, then I screamed and the other four came out of the bathroom that is in the yard. They were all dressed in black and had white gloves, they had topes on their heads and kerchiefs across their faces, my husband was upstairs at the time getting ready to come down,” she explained.

The house where the incident occurred.

Noting that her husband then rushed downstairs after hearing her scream, the distraught woman said two of the bandits who had handguns were told by the others to shoot her husband.

“He then ran back upstairs, his cousins and his brother who were outside then run into the yard after noticing what was going on, then they had a fight and one of them shoot Ameer. Two shots were fired. They then stick the others up and told them put the

bottles they had in their hands down,” she said.

Appiah further said that the bandits then fled on foot and her brother-in-law was taken to the hospital.

“I never came to Guyana and was robbed before, now this happens.”

The police have since detained a 21-year-old man who is a tenant in the lower flat of the house. This newspaper was reliably informed that the same man is facing the court on a robbery

charge.

One relative said that before the robbery occurred, the tenant and his wife who lived in the lower flat packed their belongings and moved out.

“After the robbery they came back to check and see what happened, when we come back from the hospital we see them here, this man does have all sort of thieves and drug smokers coming to him,” the relative said.

Banks DIH delivery truck robbed - employees ‘knocked out’, tied up

THE police are investigating an armed robbery committed on the driver of a delivery truck, which occurred about 19:00hrs on Wednesday at Beterverwagting Public Road, East Coast Demerara.

A police report noted that driver/salesman Trevor Thom was robbed of a sum of mon-

ey by three males, one armed with a handgun. According to the police, Thom of West Ruimveldt, and two porters, all employees of Banks DIH Limited, were in the company’s vehicle proceeding west, when they were allegedly intercepted by a dark-coloured motor car, which suddenly stopped in front of their ve-

hicle, causing theirs to do likewise.

In the process, the men exited the motor car, approached their vehicle and relieved them of the cash which was in the vehicle, after which the men placed a piece of cloth over their faces, causing them to lose consciousness.

About 20:30hrs they found themselves in the back of the truck, bound with duct tape and were subsequently freed by a passer-by who heard them banging the walls of the truck. Their location then was the Enmore Railway Embankment,East Coast Demerara.

Guyana tells Islamic bloc

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 21, 2016

... of Venezuela’s expansionist ambitions

By Ravin Singh

AS Guyana continues to face threats to its territorial integrity by Venezuela, the English-speaking country is continuing in its efforts to inform the international community of the dangers of such a move by the once oil-rich country.

The latest body to be informed of Venezuela’s aggression is the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) during its Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting which commenced on Tuesday in Uzbekistan.

Presenting Guyana’s case before the 57-member Islamic bloc was Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, who asserted that Guyana strongly rejects all aggressive and illegal action which affects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of

states.

Underscoring the need for dialogue and negotiations to alleviate unresolved problems, the Foreign Minister pointed out that Guyana has always supported this approach, within the context of the preservation of sovereignty and its inextricable link with sustainable development.

“Guyana strongly rejects all aggressive and illegal actions which affect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and more so those measures that involve the threat or use of force.”

Over the last year, the neighbouring Spanish-speaking country has renewed claims to almost two-thirds of Guyana’s territory despite an 1899 Tribunal which granted the territory in favour of then British Guiana.

But in 1966, on the eve

of Guyana’s independence from Britain, Venezuela claimed the 1899 arbitral award was null and void.

That triggered the Geneva Agreement, which mandated the United Nations Secretary-General to dictate a mechanism to settle the controversy as provided for in Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations.

The then UN Secretary-General selected the Good Officers Process as one of the specific means available under the Charter. However, President David Granger contended last year that after 25 years, the Good Officers process has been exhausted.

Guyana has since signalled its intention to pursue a juridical settlement,for which the country is awaiting an announcement. President Granger has said that he remains

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge hopeful that outgoing Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon will choose a course of action before he demits office later this year.

In the meantime though, Guyana has been able to solicit the support of several regional and international bodies despite some of those countries having ties with Venezuela. And while Venezuela has been known to have

Gov’t employee rescued from submerged car THE heroic action of public-spirited citizens saved the life of Abu Khan, an employee of the Lands and Survey Commission in Essequibo, whose car toppled and ended up in a trench at Anna Regina yesterday.

The accident occurred around 14:00hrs in front the C.V. Nunes Primary school

in Anna Regina. According to vendors in the area, they noticed the car moving at a slow rate close to the revetment next to the entrance of the school, when it suddenly flipped into the trench.

‘Brother Dutt’, who is an employee of El Dorado Trading, a GPL truck driver known as Joe and others

rushed to Khan’s assistance since the car was totally submerged.

They managed to turn the car on its side, shattered the driver’s side window with a hammer and cut the seat belt in order to free the man. He was brought to the surface and CPR was performed on him by the GPL truck driver.

Khan was subsequently rushed to the Suddie Hospital, where he is nursing injuries. The public-spirited citizens were praised for rescuing Khan.

strong ties with some of the states in the OIC, such as Iran and Syria, Guyana has been able to successfully present its case.

The Islamic bloc was made aware by Guyana’s Foreign Minister of the dangers of Venezuela’s aggression, even at a time when that country is experiencing economic turmoil.

“The danger Venezuela poses to the peace and security of our region arises, not only from its internal instability, but also from its external assault on Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Minister Greenidge said.

He went on to inform the august body that in keeping with the 1966 Geneva Agreement, Geneva stands ready to have the International Court of Justice determine the matter with finality.

However, despite Venezuela agreeing in 1966

that the United Nations’ Secretary-General shall determine the means of settlement of this matter, including determination by judicial settlement, that country continues to defy the Secretary- General’s every effort to fulfil that commitment.

B u t o n G u y a n a ’s part, the Foreign Minister noted that “as a peace-loving and democratic state,” this country will continue to “unequivocally oppose acts of discrimination in all its forms,” including those of xenophobia and Islamophobia, which can only result in disunity among the OIC brotherhood.

“From Guyana’s perspective, terrorism constitutes that threat to peace and security both nationally and internationally and serves to undermine sustainable development,” he said.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 21, 2016

Jagdeo says crime situation

worse than his time

FORMER President, now Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo believes that government is not doing enough to combat crime here and even charging that the security problem “has never been this bad…”

Jagdeo presided over one of the worst periods of crime in this country during which there were three massacres: Lusignan, where 11 people were killed- Bartica, where another 12 were killed and Lindo Creek where seven miners were slaughtered.

There were also countless extra-judicial killings, with some activists estimating that around 400 Afro-Guyanese males were gunned down.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday held

at the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) headquarters on Robb Street, Jagdeo said, “It has never been this bad…people are robbing hospitals, they went into two hotels, when you start going into hotels, then that sends a strong signal to tourism (tourists). If criminals can go to a hotel and rob it; soon they may go to funeral parlours, who knows.”

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo The former President is of the opinion that crime is “growing rapidly because of the disintegration of morale in the police force.” “It is happening already and they are not sure about what the

DATE: 19/10/2016 D

12 13 16 18 26 28 10

President wants. Nobody is sure about what the President wants,” he stated. According to Jagdeo, the President stating that Guyana was a narco-state has far-reaching implications for the economy and financial sector.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) earlier this month disclosed that there has been a 21 per cent reduction in serious crimes at the end of September. According to the statistics released, there was a 9 per cent reduction in reports of murders, 5 per cent decrease in gun-related robberies, 17 per cent decrease in armed robberies with the use of other weapons, 15 decrease per cent in robberies where no weapons were used, 25 per cent decrease in robberies with violence, 4 per cent decrease in robberies with aggravation, a 33 per cent decrease in larceny from the person, a 19 per cent decrease in rape, a 13 per cent decrease in burglary and a 21 per cent decrease in break and enter and larceny, respectively.

That aside, Jagdeo who served as president of Guyana from 1999 to 2011, presided over a country that was plagued with criminal activities; the period in which he

20/10/2016

13

15

16

20

23

served as President has been described as the country’s worst criminal history.

Meanwhile, last week at the resumption of the Na-

President David Granger

tional Assembly, during his address to Parliament, President David Granger who took office in May 2015, reminded parliamentarians of the country’s troubling period during Jagdeo’s tenure as President.

“Dreams of a ‘good life’ turned into a horrible nightmare at the dawn of the new millennium. The most unforgettable experiences and most frightening evidence of our descent into chaos were the bloody, drug-driven, decade-long ‘Troubles’,” he said.

In his address, the Pres-

20/10/2016

3

3

6

ident said ‘the troubles’ will be remembered as the darkest hour in the country’s history, noting that it was “a time of the un-investigated assassination of a minister; of the investigation into the alleged implication of another minister in the direction of a ‘death squad’; of the alleged implication of yet another minister in the acquisition of a computer to track the telephone communication and location of adversaries targeted for assassination.

“It was a time of arbitrary arrests; of disappearances and of torture of young men; of the surge in armed robberies, narco-trafficking and gun-running. During that first, deadly decade, there were 1,317 murders and 7, 865 armed robberies,” said President Granger.

The President referenced that era as a “time of deception,” noting that the former PPP/C administration’s rejection of £4.9 million UK Security Sector Reform Action Plan, the rejection of recommendations of numerous security reform reports and total disregard for the implementation of the National Drug Strategy Master Plan speak volumes.

20/10/2016

4

2

1

“The evidence of the impact of the man-made criminal crisis is still visible. The damage is most manifest in the demoralisation of the public and security services, the erosion of public trust and the lowering of the ‘quality of life’,” the head of state added.

He assured citizens that his government is in the process of making Guyana safe again, while stressing that the country will not be made safe again by combating crime and criminals, but in uprooting the causes of crime and its links with transnational crime.

In June, the President had dismissed the perception that there is a high crime rate here and said “There are some spectacular crimes, like the grenade being thrown [at Kaieteur News], but serious crimes are actually being reduced and several measures have been taken by the administration over the last 12 months to bring crime down, including Operation Dragnet.”

The President, during one of his weekly television programmes, ‘The Public Interest’ had said while more can be done to make Guyanese feel more secure, Guyanese are much safer.

2

3

8

20/10/2016 14 15

16

21

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 21, 2016

House arrest for

Venezuela politician [BBC] - Key Venezuelan opposition figure and former presidential candi-

his father.

In a brief statement, the Supreme Court said: “This

Mr Rosales fled to Peru in 2009 amid corruption allegations related to his term

Mexico judge rejects

El Chapo appeal

[BBC] - A Mexican judge has rejected an appeal by drugs lord Joaquin “El

Mexico has said it expects to extradite Guzman to the US by February. He faces

“We are not defeated,” he told AFP news agency.

Guzman is being held in a

Guzman was recaptured in January after six months on the run following a jail escape Manuel Rosales fled to Peru in 2009 was arrested when he returned last year date Manuel Rosales has been released from jail and placed under house arrest. Mr Rosales was arrested on charges of corruption on his return to the country a year ago after six years of self-imposed exile in Peru.

The Supreme Court announced the decision late on Wednesday. Mr Rosales’s wife called for his unconditional release and his son posted a photo of

less onerous measure will permit the continuation of the legal process through which his possible responsibility for the acts alleged will be verified.” A number of other opposition leaders, including Leopoldo Lopez, Antonio Ledezma and Daniel Ceballos, are in jail on charges of inciting anti-government violence.

Mr Rosales ran against the late President Hugo Chavez in 2006 but lost.

as governor of Zulia state between 2000 and 2008.

He says the allegations are politically motivated.

The US government and the United Nations have called for the release of the opposition politicians. Venezuela is facing a serious economic crisis, which the opposition blames on failed socialist policies of Mr Chavez and his successor, Nicolas Maduro.

Chapo” Guzman against his extradition to the US. The foreign ministry approved the extradition in May but Guzman’s lawyers have been fighting the decision in a district court.

They say they will now take the case to a higher court. The head of the Sinaloa Drug Cartel was recaptured in January after escaping for a second time from a maximum security prison.

multiple charges in the US, including drug trafficking and murder. In a statement, the Mexican attorney general’s office said the federal judge had “decided to reject the protection” sought by Guzman.

Andres Granados, one of Guzman’s lawyers, said he would seek a Supreme Court hearing and might take the case to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

maximum security prison in Ciudad Juarez, near the US border. He was arrested in January after six months on the run following his escape through a tunnel in his jail cell.

He had already escaped a maximum security facility once before, spending 13 years at large. Mexico agreed to transfer Guzman in May after the US guaranteed he would not face the death penalty.

6

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial WEDNESDAY night’s debate between presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump was the last in this year’s election.

A debate that was touted to be the most contentious was watched all over the world with an admixture of expectation and trepidation. This is the first of the three presidential debates in which moderator Chris Wallace of the conservative media outlet Fox News, won the accolades of fellow journalists across the ideological and political divides for asking both candidates tough questions, being able to control the debate and the audience in attendance. One of the things that stood out in this campaign is how personal it has become. Where it is customary to see the candidates greeting each other and shaking hands, before and after debates, this debate saw none of this.

To Trump’s credit, earlier he demonstrated some degree of restraint, presented the impression of preparedness and being into the event, though there may be different interpretations to him sipping water several times. There is no denying Clinton is a very skilled and consummate debater, which the polls confirmed for all three debates. Clinton has mastered the art of getting under Trump’s skin and having him acting out of character or some will say consistent with his character. An incident that will reverberate negatively is him calling Clinton “a nasty woman” in response to her baiting him by saying he may try to get out from paying social security.

That having been said, there are interest groups who felt the candidates failed to address important issues such as climate change. Both to varying degrees have represented their policy positions and though the debate was somewhat contentious, thankfully it was not a repeat of the previous.

The election is not only unique, given who are on the tickets; the first woman of a major party and a billionaire businessman turned politician- but the unfavourable perception of both candidates by the electorate.

Though it can be argued that the media have played a role in shaping negative perceptions of Clinton, it cannot be ignored that to some extent she feeds the perception given the manner in which she deals with some issues such as the email scandal. This notwithstanding, Clinton is very knowledgeable and has a distinguished public service career spanning more than three decades. According to President Barack Obama, “I can say with confidence there has never been a man or a woman—not me, not Bill [Clinton], nobody—more qualified than Hillary Clinton to serve as president of the United States of America.” While some may see this as Obama moving to protect his legacy and there is no quarrel with that, others, including political rivals and newspapers that have historically endorsed republican candidates, having moved to support her have made similar remarks.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 21, 2016

Caricom should pursue de-risking issue at WTO Dear Editor: A STRONG case has been made for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states to collectively pursue at the World Trade Organization (WTO) the issue of the de-risking of their indigenous banks.

The case was made by St. Lucian Dr. Jan Yves Remy, an international trade lawyer and former legal officer at the WTO during a panel discussion on correspondent banking held yesterday at the Florida Conference on Current Caribbean Issues: The Diaspora Discussion which formed part of the Florida International Trade Conference and Expo (FITCE).

Dr. Remy put on offer a new perspective on the issue of de-risking: “One that considers the impact of the phenomenon from the vantage point of its effect on the competitiveness of the region’s financial services product, as well as sectors that rely on those services. The complexity of the trade impact of de-risking on Caribbean economies is yet to be comprehensively studied and articulated.

“The World Trade Organization administers the rules upon which trade in services, including financial services, are conducted. It provides a forum

both for discussions about the impact of governments’ regulatory policies on WTO members, as well as for the settlement of disputes where countries can bring their grievances against government measures that impact their trade relations. Of course, de-risking results from the actions of private sector actors – correspondent banks – responding to government regulatory incentives, but the trade impact is still real,” she said.

But another panelist, Wayne Shah, speaking on behalf of the Florida International Bankers Association (FIBA) challenged whether the WTO would be a useful forum and instead advanced as a solution, the merger of several small indigenous banks in the Caribbean into a single, or a few larger financial institutions with the capacity to make more efficient allocation of resources and to reduce the cost of compliance mechanisms.

He did not endorse as one of the possible solutions to the de-risking problem, the setting up of a Caribbean-owned bank in the United States which was advanced by Mr. Jerry B u t l e r , t h e c u r r e n t e xecutive director for the Caribbean at the Washington, DC-headquartered Inter-American Develop-

ment Bank (IDB).

Shah told delegates, made up primarily of business owners and executives, government officials and representatives of chambers of commerce, that fora such as trade and investment conferences would be a waste of time, “if businesses are not able to trade in money, pay their bills and utilize instruments such as letters of credit. De-risking also has serious impact on remittances which are key to Caribbean people and the economies of the countries in the region.”

According to Dr. Remy, “used to maximum effect, the WTO can serve as yet another forum that Caribbean governments should utilize to vent and air grievances about the unfair application of regulatory policies that disproportionately affect financial service providers from the Caribbean. WTO rules inter alia, require that regulations be applied by domestic regulators in a non-discriminatory manner, are not overly burdensome as they seek to pursue legitimate outcomes in the least trade- restrictive way; and are not arbitrary, in the sense that they are applied in an even-handed manner. Given that all Caribbean governments, with the exception of The Bahamas, are all WTO

members, they should use this forum as yet another arrow in the quiver of diplomatic and advocacy options for finding lasting and meaningful solutions to the de-risking prob lem,” Dr. Remy advised.

While accepting the recommendation advanced by Dr. Remy, Jerry Butler pointed out that a solution to the problem of de-risking required a heightened engagement on the part of CARICOM with the United States which should include the Caribbean Diaspora, upon whom several elected officials depend for votes.

He also pointed out that the Caribbean region itself has “a responsibility to ensure that we have in place all that is necessary to avoid any dirty business being conducted through our indigenous banks.”

During the discussion session of the conference, several other options were raised by participants, including one that CARICOM peg its currencies to the Euro rather than the U.S. dollar. There was also consensus that the single most restrictive barrier to trade and investment in the Caribbean is the de-risking of indigenous Caribbean banks.

On Trump’s part his conduct, including negative allegations surrounding his business dealings, non-payment of federal taxes, refusal to release his income tax returns as customary with candidates, treatment of workers, women and other minorities, xenophobia, ignorance of governance and world affairs have led to a view in the U.S. and farther afield that as president, he would be dangerous

for America and the world.

Yet in spite of the vast differences between the candidates, they share similarities with the high unfavourable ratings and tendency to be economical with the truth, as revealed by fact checkers, though correctly at times one can be more so than the other. And this may help to explain why Trump a non-politician was posing

a threat to Clinton, who is seen as an establishment politician. It wasn’t until the scandal broke about his treatment and view of women that Clinton started significantly pulling ahead in the polls. There are three weeks remaining until elections. Though the polls presently are showing Clinton the clear front runner, the winner is not known until the electorate

college votes tally at least the required 270 needed to declare the winner of the presidency. And Trump’s response at the debate that he will keep the society in “suspense” whether he will accept the 8th November results has created another maelstrom about disrespect for America’s democracy and misplaced allegations its elections have ever been rigged.

Regards, Wesley Kirton

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 21, 2016

Guyana launches UNDP Caribbean Human Development Report A SUSTAINABLE economic base is needed for the development of Guyana and the wider Caribbean, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan has said.

The minister was giving the feature address yesterday at the launch of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Caribbean Human Development Report (CHDR) at the University of Guyana’s Education Lecture Theatre, Turkeyen. The first of its kind, the Caribbean Human Development Report (CHDR), titled ‘Multidimensional progress: human resilience beyond income,’ sought to address the vulnerabilities and key strengths of Caribbean countries.

The CHDR found, among

other things, that there was sluggish economic growth across the Caribbean. Also, there is increasing human vulnerability in the Caribbean, particularly among women, youth and the elderly.

“There is need for comprehensive policies which must be developed and institutionalised to protect populations suffering from discrimination and historical exclusions. In the final analysis, a sustainable economic base is what is needed if development is to take place,” Minister Jordan said.

He added that Caribbean states must be decisive in its actions to address the challenges that hinder development in the region.

“This current report is the

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan receives the CHD Report from UN Resident Coordinator Mikiko Tanaka, while UNDP Regional Advisor Kenroy and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the UG, Dr Barbara Reynolds, look on

first of its kind with a regional perspective, where governments in the Caribbean are being summoned to work together to arrive at a workable timetable of activities for achieving the

GuySuCo’s management team before and after May 2015 Dear Editor I READ with much amusement the comments of Mr. Abel Seetaram in his letter published in SN edition of 14th October, 2016 and a response by GuySuCo in the SN edition of 16th October, 2016. From both exchanges, either Mr. Seetaram or Ms. Thomas is in a comatose state or there is a deliberate effort to twist facts.

Editor, both authors attempt to convince readers that GuySuCo’s management team before May 11th 2015 was incompetent and this “new group” are the best minds recruited by this Government. The fact is, all, and I repeat all of the persons in the present executive management structure (except the HR Director) were part and parcel of executive management before May, 2015 or recent periods before. It is this very group that made management decisions before May, 2015.

If Mr. Seetaram & Ms. Thomas were living in Guy-

ana, they would know that Mr. Errol Hanoman and Mr. Paul Bhim served as CEO for the period 2008-2013(in succession) and Mr. Hanoman was Regional Booker Tate Director with responsibility for GuySuCo in the period 2002-2008. Also, Mr. Bhim was the Finance Director for many years before 2010 when he was appointed CEO. Both persons are now members of GuySuCo’s IMC. As for Estate Managers, it is no different. They have all been in their current jobs since 2011 at least and have served in other capacities below Estate Manager level for longer periods. The point here is that, persons in the present executive operational management structure have not changed much since May, 2015 and while it is true that Hanoman and Bhim were not in the company for about 1 ½ years leading up May 2015, but they were fully involved in the company for many, many years before. This is an undisputable fact. If this “new group”

comprise the best minds, it is logical to conclude that they were also the best minds before May, 2015. Isn’t this correct Ms. Thomas? If not, Mr. Hanoman and Mr. Bhim and Estate Managers formed an incompetent bunch when they served before prior to May, 2015.

Mr. Seetaram and Ms. Thomas deliberately failed to inform the Guyanese public that GuySuCo recently hired at least five consultants or employees with ministerial-type salaries despite the company’s financial state.

Are these the best minds?

Since the most competent team was formed after May, 2015, I ask Ms. Thomas to show us GuySuCo’s performance for each crop after that magical date. I recall the CEO and Chairman boasted about performance because of good management in the second half 2015.

Show us the 2016 numbers!

Regards Frederick Yuvraj

2030 Agenda,” Minister Jordan pointed out.

At its core, the UNDPs 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development seeks to eliminate poverty in all its forms across the world and take a multidimensional approach to

development.

“Achieving sustainable development will require significant investment from international private actors…. which nonetheless will depend on the availability of public funds to match those invest-

ments through the provision of guarantees and or regulations to assure future revenue streams,” Minister Jordan said.

The CHDR builds on the 2016 Regional Human Development Report for Latin America and the Caribbean.

As the Region recovers from a low growth spurt as a result of the global economic crisis, it is important to ensure that the benefits of that growth are distributed to all members within a country’s society, Kenroy Roach, Regional Advisor of the UNDP RBLAC pointed out.

Roach presented the key findings of the report along with recommendations for the findings. “We have created a number of tools that will help policy- makers land these recommendations,” Roach said. (GINA)

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 21, 2016

Cuban specialists to help operationalise disability centre

By Alva Solomon

SEVERAL technical officials from Cuba are expected to arrive in Guyana in the weeks ahead as a facility designed to assist disabled persons is nearing fruition.

The project , which is funded by the government of Guyana and which will benefit other CARICOM countries is expected to commence with 8 to 10 technical officials from Cuba venturing to these shores to operationalise the project over the course of a two-year period.

The facility is expected to be housed near the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) at Turkeyen and will among other things, provide diagnoses for children with disabilities. Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Julio César González Marchante , told members of the media on Thursday at the Cuban embassy on High Street in Kingston that the

details surrounding the setting up of the project are being finalised.

“We hope that at the end of the year we will start it”, he said, noting that the technical officials, including medical professionals, will arrive here before the end of this year. He said the initial two years will be utilised as a period of evaluation for future assistance from Cuba on the project.

Ambassador Marchante said that the facility, which was conceptualised some five years ago during a regional meeting of CARICOM leaders, was initially intended for children with educational needs associated with disability. However, the target group may be widened.” It will expand it a little, we will decide how prepare it “, he added.

An agreement on the project is expected to be inked between the Cubans and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, while the

Ministries of Education and Health will be working along with the project.

President David Granger and Ambassador Marchante met in April this year and the project was discussed at the forum. According to a release from the Ministry of the Presidency, the ambassador explained that through the regional project, Cuba will provide technical assistance, Guyana will be the host country/home of the centre and CARICOM will be the link, through which other regional jurisdictions will benefit.

According to the release, Ambassador Marchante said oftentimes children with special medical and educational needs are hastily bracketed as disabled without any proper diagnosis. He explained at the time that there are instances where a child whose hearing is impaired could lead a normal life

Cuban Ambassador to Guyana , Julio César González Marchante , addresses the media on Thursday. with just the help of a simple hearing device, rather than having that child placed under the ‘special needs’ category.

This, he said, is the reason why effective diagnosis is important and it is one of the areas in which the centre will specialise, the release further noted.

Ambassador Marchante said on Thursday that the project is a signal of good relations between Cuba and Guyana, as he referred to President Granger’s address to the United Nations General

Assembly last month, when he called for the lifting of the embargo imposed on the Fidel Castro administration.

Ambassador Marchante pointed to the areas of cooperation between Guyana and the Spanish-speaking island nation on Thursday. He said that over the past 14 years, some 200 Cubans have been working here, and reciprocally some 758 doctors graduated through the scholarship programme between the two countries while per-

sons have also benefited academically in other areas of training.

According to Ambassador Marchante , Cuba has noted the tourism potential of Guyana and is willing to establish areas of cooperation in that regard, as he listed several regional airlines which operate flights connected to these shores.

“We know of Guya n a ’s a b i l i t y t o d o things, they need to continue developing that “, he said of the tourism sector here.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 21, 2016

GPL promises power outages will not run into holiday season THE Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Corporation said it is assessing data to determine what went wrong with its Demerara system even as it assures that power outages will not run in to the holiday season.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of GPL, Renford Homer, told the Govern-

ment Information Agency (GINA), that this is the first disruption in the Kingston to Sophia transmission line since it was commissioned in 2014.

Homer says maintenance will take a while but would be completed in time for the high demand of the holiday season.

“We have completed the

inspection. We have not yet done the maintenance because it means taking the line fully out of operation and it will affect consumers in a significant way and we’re trying to balance that discomfort. We have to have it completed before we head into the Christmas season,” Homer said.

The acting CEO pointed

Bagotville fatal accident …

Boatbuilder died of multiple injuries – autopsy SIXTY-year-old Clement Skeete, who was struck down on the Bagotville, West Bank Demerara public road, died from multiple injuries, an autopsy has found.

At the time of the incident on October 14, Skeete, known as ‘Rastaman’ or ‘Trooper’ of Lot 111 Bagotville, was pedalling his bicycle to cross the road west to east and ended up into the path of motor car, PGG 1235, which was proceeding south along the eastern driveway. Skeete, a boatbuilder, was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed while receiv-

ing treatment.

The driver of the car was identified as a fireman, who has since been placed on station bail

Dead: Clement Skeete pending conclusion of the investigation.

Police said the driver was given a breathalyzer test but no trace of blood

alcohol was recorded.

Reports reveal that the man was working the vehicle as a taxi and he had dropped off a passenger before the accident occurred.

According to an eyewitness, he was at his stall selling when Mr. Skeete was returning from the shop across the road while riding his bicycle.

“I see him coming across the road then suddenly I hear a car speeding coming and I saying to myself, this driver will knock this man down at that speed – and he did crash into the man.”

The eyewitness said the impact caused Mr Skeete to be flung several feet away from his residence.

High-level team rushes to Kamarang to probe diarrhoea outbreak MINISTER within the Ministry of Communities, Dawn Hastings, will head a team into Kamarang to investigate reports of a diarrhoea outbreak in the community, the Guyana Water Inc has said.

Responding to an article on the inewsguyana.com website, which suggests that GWI is responsible for an outbreak of diarrhoea in the Amerindian community of Kamarang in Region Seven, the water company said the well is a project being undertaken by the Basic Needs Trust Fund and not the state-owned entity.

In a statement GWI said the Inews article points to a well being drilled by GWI. It also mentions Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton as saying, “It (the well) only reached to 50 feet and it was halted. I am concerned about that and I want GWI to explain the situation”.

“GWI therefore wishes to categorically state that the well in question was and is not

a project being undertaken by GWI. In fact, it is a project being carried out by the Basic Needs Trust Fund. Nonetheless, GWI is treating this report with utmost importance and will be sending a team to assess the situation and provide technical solutions for the community.”

The team will be headed by Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for water, Dawn Hastings.

The minister will be accompanied by GWI’s Managing Director Dr. Richard Van-WestCharles and Executive Director of Project Implementation & Partnership Building, Ramchand Jailal among other experts.

The team of GWI officials will be taking a number of Lifesaver filters to distribute to the community of Kamarang on Friday, October 21, 2016.

The filters will allow for the access of potable water for consumption by villagers.

Acting Chief Executive Officer, GPL, Renford Homer out that the power company would be looking at newer controls and technologies that could further assist in identifying the issues. In the interim, the company is assessing data to better understand what went wrong.

“We are looking at the data coming out from our

Kingston facility and data captured through our Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system known as SCAD and we are looking at a number of perimeters,” he said.

Meanwhile, at Bartica, the three aged generators experienced mechanical problems.

Homer said, “One engine we have a radiator issue, on the second engine we have an issue with pistons and on the third engine we have suspected cylinder issue.”

According to Homer, works have already started on the radiator, while corrective works on the cylinder will be undertaken soon to bring the generator back into operation.”

Homer said that the recent lengthy power outages in the area are frustrating and unfortunate. He said that extensive maintenance works are required to get the

15 year old Caterpillar set up and running until Bartica can switch to green energy.

“There are plans for Bartica and this is ahead of the plans for green energy and what we expect to do for Bartica. We will have a brand new 1.7 megawatts set installed.

We are currently in that procurement process. What that would do is bring some level of generation stability to Bartica,” Homer explained.

In the interim the power company is utilizing all its resources to maintain the generators to supply adequate supply to meet the demand.

In Anna Regina, the mechanics are working on the generator sets to bring relief. Homer said the power company will ensure that all Guyanese benefit from proper distribution during the Christmas holidays.

(GINA)

10

One step closer

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 21, 2016

–CARICOM readies locals for ‘free movement’ under CSME

LOCAL stakeholders were on Wednesday sensitised on the importance of an effective labour market information system to the free movement of skills among Caribbean member states.

The exercise, in the form of a two-day workshop, was hosted by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) at, and in conjunction with, the Ministry of Social Protection on Water and Cornhill Streets.

Outlining the objective of the programme at hand, Assistant Chief Labour Occupational Health and Safety Officer, Ms Lydia Greene said: “Our world resolves [sic] around statistics, and specifically in the context of the free movement of people, a labour market information system is critical, as it aids informed decision-making, critical to solving many problems we face.”

She told participants that it is with the foregoing in mind that they were being trained to operate a system

that will provide policy makers with the requisite statistics to enhance the mobility of skills in a common space.

but also help map trends and guide progress.

This, Greene said, is also a part of a move afoot to

said, “but to the functionality of Guyana as a CARICOM partner that embraces the free movement of skills, and

from the Departments of Statistics, Finance, Planning, Health, Education and Social Security, as well as trade

At the opening of the workshop on Wednesday (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Social Protection) They were also encouraged not to lose sight of the fact that statisticians and technical personnel cannot only offer essential insight into determining which data and conclusions are reliable,

bring Guyana one step closer to ensuring that it achieves the critical aspiration of the free movement of skills within the region.

“It is not just critical to the needs of Guyana,” she

to enhance our relations with sister countries that have signed onto this important treaty to promote free movement.”

Participants in the twoday exercise were drawn

unions and employer organisations among other public and private sector entities.

Earlier this year, Minister of Social Protection, Ms Volda Lawrence called on CARICOM member states

to ensure that there are no discriminatory acts meted to persons seeking to take advantage of the privileges within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

She’d also urged that each member state commits to and ensures that workers are respected. “There must be fair treatment of workers, without regard to nationality, socio-background or race,” she said, adding: “These principles are crucial to any effort at enhancing the competitiveness and productivity of our regional workforce.”

According to Ms Greene, “Creating an effective labour market information system would provide critical data to measure the progress the Ministry is making with regard to implementing the CSME; identify their strengths and weaknesses; aid job seekers and employers; and facilitate information sharing to concerned parties.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 21, 2016

No formal resignation from GNBA chair–PM

By Ariana Gordon

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has noted that he is not in receipt of a formal resignation from Chairman of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) , Leonard Craig.

“My Office, the Office of the Prime Minister has received no correspondence from Mr Craig on his tenure on the GNBA,” the Prime Minister told the Guyana Chronicle during an interview on Wednesday.

It has been rumoured that Craig has travelled to China on a scholarship to pursue his doctorate.

Attempts to contact Craig

Chairman of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority, Leonard Craig on his mobile number were unsuccessful as calls were forwarded to his voicemail.

Over the past few months, there has been internal bickering among Craig and some directors of the Authority. In particular, Craig had been finding it increasingly difficult to get along with Directors Vic Insanally and Anthony Vieira.

I n S e p t e m b e r, t h e two directors demanded an apology along with compensation from Craig for statements they deemed to be defamatory.

Through their attorneys at the Satram and Satram law firm, the two directors said Craig’s failure to comply with their demands will result in legal proceedings being instituted against him.

Craig in a statement to the media had identified both board members and said allegations of cor-

ruption levelled against them will be fully investigated. Kaieteur News had reported that Kenwin Charles, a broadcaster in Essequibo, had said that two GNBA board members tried to force him to sell his operations to a prominent businessman.

Craig noted that if the allegations can be substantiated, it will constitute a major blow to the integrity of the members concerned.

“I will carry out a complete investigation of the facts relating to matters raised by Mr Charles, I will review the reports of the meetings, elicit a response from the members concerned and will release an official statement in the coming days,” he said.

However, Vieira and Insanally through their attorneys said Charles is an unlicensed operator and a board committee had decided to meet with such operators and seek to regularise their operations.

The two directors say that the allegation raised by Charles was not brought to their attention at the last board meeting for a response and Craig’s repetition of the allegations was malicious and calculated to bring them into public hatred, contempt and ridicule.

“There is no truth in the published allegations made by Mr Charles, who is operating illegally and is in no position to sell his operation. You are directly responsible for the circulation of these false allegations which will be deemed to have originated from you,” the directors stated through their attorneys.

The law firm said their clients are entitled to damages for defamation and reputational injury caused as a direct result of Craig’s conduct.

CRAIG IS INCOMPETENT Meanwhile, on Thursday, in a Letter to the Editor published in the Stabroek News, Vieira said “Craig did not comprehend his position (as chairman) and I refused to tolerate it.”

Vieira denied being abusive towards Craig and other directors, but

noted that from time to time he would have raised his voice in frustration.

He also described Craig

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo as “incompetent” for the job as Chairman of the GNBA. “Did I think that the man was totally incompetent to be the chairman of a broadcast or any other authority? The answer is yes! Did I ever voice that opinion publicly?

The answer is yes! Did I at GNBA meetings use language which Directors Ameena Gafoor, Abiola Wong Innis, Jocelyne Josiah and acting CEO Mrs Boyal would find offensive? The answer is no. Did I raise my voice in frustration at times?

The answer is yes!”

Vieira, who has been in the broadcast business for a number of years, said he resigned twice as a director from the GNBA out of frustration which resulted from his interactions with Craig. The result of Vieira’s frustration with the GNBA chair was a no-confidence motion being moved against him (Craig).

In his missive, Vieira said the nitty-gritty of the situation at the GNBA will soon be revealed by Major-General Retired Joseph Singh, who has been tasked with conducting a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the affairs of the Authority.

He strongly believes that Craig’s “incompetence went far beyond his inexperience and total lack of knowledge of broadcasting.”

“Let the CoI do its

work; all will be disclosed, especially since he has now resorted to impugning the reputation of the PM and members of the GNBA,” the for-

mer owner of Channel 28 said, while noting that the ongoing bickering has caused “many of us much discomfort.”

Vieira cited section

11

10 of the Broadcast Act, number 17 of 2011 which speaks to confidentiality and noted that there were breaches of same.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 21, 2016

Cuba to continue fight against U.S. sanctions

REGARDLESS of the outcome of November’s presidential election, as long as

it remains in force, Cuba will maintain its demand for an end to the economic,

commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States government.

This is according to Cuba’s Ambassador to Guyana, Julio César González Marchante, who noted that the international community has supported Cuba in its effort to remove the blockade.

Cuba and the United States re-established diplomatic

a flagrant violation of international law, adding that it is contrary to the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter. He said that it constitutes a violation of the right to peace, development and security of a sovereign State.

sectors of the economy.

He explained that for business transactions, monies which are being earned by Cuba have to be transferred via a third party. As regards travel, he said that authorisation has been granted by the

Julio César González Marchante points to pictures of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro on Thursday at the Cuban Embassy on High Street. relations this year after 56 years and the move was made concrete when President Barack Obama visited Cuba in March. Commercial flights have also resumed; however, according to Ambassador Marchante , economic, commercial and financial sanctions against Cuba remain in force, as do the laws that support them, while the restrictions they generate continue to be applied.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Cuban embassy on High Street in Kingston on Thursday, which was designated Cuban Cultural Day, Ambassador Marchante said that the sanctions against Cuba remain in force, as do the laws that support them, while the restrictions they generate continue to be applied.

He termed the blockade

According to ambassador Marchante, the amendments made in 2015 and 2016 by the U.S. Treasury and Commerce Departments to some of the regulations of the blockade policy in order to modify their implementation are not assisting the process. ”While they constitute steps in the right direction, they are not enough”, he said.

He said that the U.S. continues to ban exports to Cuba of products and equipment that are important to key sectors of the economy, while the persistence of the blockade prevents Cuba from freely exporting products and services to the U.S. He noted too that Cuba cannot have direct banking relations with the U.S. or, except in the case of telecommunications, receive U.S. investment in other

U.S. authorities to its citizens to visit Cuba under a general licence in the 12 categories permitted by U.S. legislation, and scheduled flights between the two countries have been restored in that regard. However, he added that “U.S. citizens are still banned from vacationing freely as tourists in Cuba, under a law that can only be repealed by Congress.”These are among other issues which he said needed to be shelved.

“The blockade against Cuba must be removed unilaterally and unconditionally”, Ambassador Marchante said. On October 26th, Cuba is expected to present a Draft Resolution to the international community which will reflect the current status of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Greenidge slams malicious Facebook report CONTRARY to “misinformation” being peddled on social media, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, has made it clear that he was never arrested and charged for having drugs in his possession in the United States of America (USA) or anywhere else.

In a short statement issued last evening, Minister Greenidge said that reports were carried on popular social media site – Facebook – on Thursday, which suggested that he was arrested and charged for having drugs in his

possession.

However, the Foreign Affairs Minister dismissed the “Facebook story” and described it as being “malicious and apparently politically motivated.”

When the post appeared on Facebook, Minister Greenidge was on his way back from attending a meeting in Uzbekistan.

The minister is due to leave Georgetown on Sunday for an official visit to Chile as part of President Granger’s team.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 21, 2016

Jury empanelled for 2014 murder of Mabura businessman

A 12-MEMBER jury was empanelled Thursday before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow for the April 27, 2014 murder of Mabura businessman, Colin McLean, who was re-

portedly bludgeoned to death after a row with pork-knocker, Jahryl Reid.

The accused, Reid is being represented by Defence Counsel, Mandan

Kissoon, while the State is being led by Siand Dhurjon and Shawnette Austin.

It is alleged that Reid, a father of one of Tuschen Sideline, East Bank Essequibo murdered McLean,

Woman fined for threatening brother with cutlass MAGISTRATGE Brendon Glasford imposed a fine of $30,000 on a woman after she was found guilty of brandishing a cutlass at her brother.

Shavon Fanfair was convicted of the offence,the facts of which stated that on October 5, 2016, at Castello Housing Scheme, Georgetown,

she displayed threatening behaviour towards Nigel Ray. According to reports, Fanfair is a tenant at her brother’s premises at Castello Housing Scheme and on the day in question, the two had a misunderstanding. The court heard that Fanfair took a cutlass from her apartment and told her brother that she

“gonna chop him up.”

The complainant became fearful for his life and reported the matter to the police. Fanfair had pleaded not guilty and the magistrate commenced the trial immediately, since all the witnesses were present in court.

She was found guilty and fined $30,000.

Man charged for asking neighbour for sex A FIFTY-TWO-year-old East Ruimveldt resident on Wednesday appeared before Magistrate Brendon Glasford, charged with telling his neighbour to allow him to have sexual intercourse with her.

Lurie Torrington, a welder, denied the charge which stated that on October 16 at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown,

he told Veronica Fowler that he wanted to have sex, which was uttered with insult to cause insult to the woman.

According to police prosecutor Preston John, the two parties have been neighbours for the past 30 years, however, on the day in question at about 20:00hrs, Fowler was in her yard bathing when Torrington peeked over the

fence and told the woman he wanted to have sex with her.

Fowler, who was present in court, told the magistrate that the defendant would often interfere with her family and threaten them. Magistrate Glasford released Torrington on $5,000 bail and adjourned the matter until October 21 for trial.

Murdered: Colin McLean

52, on April 27, 2014 at Mabura, Upper Demerara River.

It was reported that on the day in question McLean and Reid had an exchange of words after which Reid dealt the businessman several lashes to the head with a piece of wood. McLean was rushed to the Mackenzie Hospital Complex, where he died. A

post-mortem examination revealed that McLean died as a result of blunt trauma to the head.

McLean, called ‘Archie,’ was found in a pool of blood at his place of business, a shop which is located close to the Mabura Police Outpost.

The case continues today when several witnesses are expected to testify.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 21, 2016

GPHC CEO sent on administrative leave – Sheik Amir appointed to act

CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Michael Khan has once again been sent on administrative leave.

This was confirmed yesterday by Chairman of GPHC, Dr. Max Hanoman, who indicated that Khan received instructions to proceed on leave Tuesday, from the Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton.

The hospital confirmed that Dr. Sheik Amir has been

Acting CEO of the GPHC, Sheik Amir appointed as the acting CEO. Dr. Amir has been operating in the position of Director of Medical Services for a number of years. That position, Dr Hanoman said, will now be filled by Dr. David Samaroo for the time being.

Meanwhile, Dr Hanoman indicated that the GPHC will be interviewing persons for the position of Deputy CEO soon. Efforts to contact the Minister for a comment on the issue proved futile.

Khan has been CEO of the GPHC for a number of years, before he was sent on administrative leave on September 9, 2015, to allow for investigations to be conducted into the operations of the institution.

Khan was reinstated in

August 2016 by the Chairman of GPHC, Max Hanoman, but was at that time told to remain off the job by the Minister of Public Health, so as to facilitate the review of the forensic audit.

However, the contentious issue saw the Hospital’s Chairman noting that “Khan was sent on leave to facilitate the forensic audit… When the findings were released

by Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma, nothing criminal or fraudulent was found against him.”

Michael Khan Therefore, Dr. Hanoman had added that no serious issues cited in the report debarred Khan from resuming duty as CEO of the GPHC “so it is “only right that he be allowed to return to work.”

Friday October 21th, 2016 - 09:30 hrs Saturday October 22th, 2016 - 10:30 hrs Sunday October 23th, 2016 - 12:00 hrs

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 21, 2016

DTL workers being forced off concession

By Svetlana Marshall

THE Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL) workers, who were wrongfully dismissed following a oneday picketing exercise, are now being forced off of the Mabura Hill, Region 10 concession even as the matter is engaging the attention of the Ministry of Social Protection, Department of Labour.

Eleven workers were fired on October 4, 2016 for picketing DTL Head Office in Kingston, Georgetown for an increase in their wages and salaries. They were calling on company to engage the union in good-faith negotiations.

Bilateral negotiations between the union and the company reached a stalemate on November 17, 2015 after the company failed to approve any increase in wages and salaries. However, DTL had offered a Christmas Bonus of $5,000 to each worker after informing them that its financial state prevented it from offering an increase.

Workers’ salaries were last increased in 2014.

But instead of acceding to the workers’ calls for an increase, the Management of DTL took a decision to dismiss them. Anita Croft, one of the 11 workers who were fired, said the Personnel Manager (ag) Ralph Trotman has instructed them to vacate the concession.

“He has been saying that we must come off the place now but many of us don’t have anywhere to go,” Croft told this newspaper on Thurs-

day.

“He is asking us to leave without giving us our benefits, when we would have laboured for this company.

There were times when we worked in the rain, worked from Sunday to Sunday, and this is the thanks we get.

It’s heart rendering,” Croft added. She had been in the employ of the company since 1985.

While some of the affected workers will be satisfied if they are paid their benefits in full for their years of service, others are calling to be reinstated.

“Some people have nowhere to go. We all have children going to school, and bills to pay,” Croft added.

Cecilene Thomas, who has served the company for 14 years, said she pleaded with Trotman for more time but was met with major objections.

According to her, Trotman reminded her that it has been three weeks since the batch of 11 was dismissed.

Thomas is of the opinion that the affected workers should not be forced to vacate the concession until a decision is made at the level of the Ministry.

“Although he is aware that the matter is before the Ministry, is still maintaining that we were dismissed,” Thomas said.

President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) Seepaul Narine told Guyana Chronicle that a meeting was planned by the Ministry of Social Protection, Depart-

Barama exit

Decision on future of concession soon GOVERNMENT on Thursday said that Barama’s decision to close its logging operations here presents an opportunity for stocktaking whereby it can objectively assess the value of the standing forest through its contribution to the ecosystem, while simultaneously examining the value of the past 25 years to the people of Guyana.

In a statement on Wednesday, the company announced that it will not be seeking to renew or extend its Forest Concession Agreement with the Government of Guyana. The company said its Concession Agreement expired on October 15 and since then government has been informed of that status. “The company will also not be seeking the renewal of extension of the Investment Agreement that mainly relates to the Forest Concession which expired on Saturday, 15th October, 2016.”

However, the company said it will be continuing all of its other projects here inclusive of veneering, plywood manufacturing and sawmilling. “Barama very much regrets having to make the decision to close our Forest Concession operations after having, over the past 25 years, invested approximately $45B in the development of Guyana’s forestry industry,” the statement added.

Representatives of the company had approached government for the first time on September 2, 2015, with a proposal for both the renewal of the Investment and Forest Concession Agreements. Since then, See page 16

ment of Labour this week to discuss the issues at hand but DTL was a no show.

The company subsequently indicated that it was not officially informed.

However, when Guyana Chronicle contacted the Department of Labour, the same day it contacted Narine, it was told that the matter had not yet engaged the attention of the Ministry.

In addition to the 11 workers, Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that 20 workers were issued with termination letters recently.

The sacked workers while they were picketing the DTL Head Office in Kingston earlier this month The termination will take effect on November 10 and 12.

However, it was noted that these employees, unlike the 11, will receive their benefits.

Additionally, the company has terminated several contractors for some of their key contractors, with little or no explanations.

Guyana Chronicle has made several attempts to solicit a comment from the management of DTL but to no avail.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 21, 2016

Health Ministry zeroes in on HIV and the Law

THE Ministry of Public Health hosted a national dialogue on HIV and the Law, on October 13 -14 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal.

Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton, in his opening remarks stated that while “Guyana has achieved laudable milestones in response to the AIDS epidemic… notable challenges also remain: we have to address stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV or AIDS and against key populations; we need to provide wider access in the hinterland regions, and continue to scaleup access to treatment and retention of patients in care.”

Also speaking at the forum was United Nations Resident Coordinator Ms. Mikiko Tanaka, who emphasised that “In order to ensure that Guyana reaches its Fast Track Targets

to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, we will have to remain vigilant and address the challenges of stigma and discrimination and ensure that the all the citizens of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana have access to comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment programmes.”

This national dialogue, the third of its kind in the Caribbean, was supported by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The dialogue reviewed good practices, as well as weaknesses within the legal framework that hampers the comprehensive response to the AIDS epidemic. Cases related to the themes of violence against women/gender-based violence, children and adolescents in residential homes/orphanages, people with disabil-

ities, indigenous populations, sexual orientation and gender identity, sex work, prisons and detention centres and discrimination in social and health services were discussed.

Some 35 stakeholders, from government ministries to civil society organizations, were part of the conversation to aim at developing concrete and actionable recommendations for a more enabling legal environment to address the social, cultural and economic determinants of HIV. UNAIDS Country Director, Dr. Martin Odit noted that this forum is a demonstration of the government’s commitment to fast tracking the AIDS response so as to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of ending AIDS by 2030.

In this regard, Guyana has made significant advances in areas such as access to treatment; more than 4500

people are accessing ARV in 22 health centres within the country, and the reduction of mother-to-child-transmission

of HIV. Nonetheless populations at higher risk of HIV infection are still confronting

several obstacles that limit their ability to access comprehensive health and social services.

Decision on future ...

From page 15 the company has been continuing discussions with government on the agreements.

The company said too that earlier this year, by virtue of correspondence with government, it had advised that economic conditions influencing the company’s continued investment in the country’s forest industry were not encouraging. “Barama has, as a consequence, now regrettably concluded that it is no longer viable for the company to continue its forestry operations,” but looks forward to engaging government to explore the continuation of its other operations so as to sustain value-added and job-creation potential here, as well as to determine a new Investment Agreement. The company thanked its shareholders for the support given to it over the years.

In a statement of its own, the Ministry of Natural Resources said that the decision by the company presents an opportunity for the ministry to engage in a stocktaking exercise whereby the Government can objectively assess the value of the standing forest through its contribution to the ecosystem, while simultaneously examining the value of the past 25 years to the people of Guyana. “Such an exercise would be pivotal in decision-making as it relates to economic empowerment and development of sustainable livelihoods of

present and future generations. Following the review, the Guyana Forestry Commission will shortly be making a determination about the future allocation of the Barama concession,” the ministry stated.

Additionally, the Natural Resources Ministry has mandated the Guyana Forestry Commission to work with BCL to ensure a smooth closure of all concession-related activities within the stipulated period. Additionally, the parties will ensure that all labour and other related issues are fully addressed in keeping with applicable laws and regulations. “The Government thanks BCL for its involvement over the past 25 years, and will be engaging the company in further discussions on its stated interest in the continuation of the added-value activities.”

Only last week Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, told reporters at a press conference that Barama’s contract is up for renewal and noted that the two sides have been meeting over the past 10 months to craft a new contract. He said a draft has been shared with the company for its perusal, so that continued negotiations can continue and an agreement made by year-end.

In September, The Ministry of Natural Resources had refuted statements made by trade unionist Lincoln Lewis that Barama had laid off 70 workers as a result of the non-renewal of their contracts.

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 21, 2016

OPM corrects misleading Guyana Times article

THE Office of the Prime Minister has corrected what it says are several misleading statements in a Guyana Times article early this week.

The article was premised on the Auditor-General’s report.

Below is the full statement by the OPM: THE Office of the Prime Minister has taken note of an article on page 5 of the Tuesday October 18th, 2016 edition of the Guyana Times.

The article references the Auditor-General’s 2015 report and highlights matters as follows: 1.That the Office of the Prime Minister in December 2015, “Requested an advance of $11 million from the Contingencies Fund and stated the reason for the advance was for the Government Information Agency (GINA) to offset a part of its debt to the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL), publisher of the Guyana Chronicle newspaper.”

The Guyana Times stated further that a portion of that sum was used to pay non-tax bonuses to GINA employees.

OPM RESPONSE: The new government inherited a GINA debt to GNNL incurred by the previous PPP government of $74,091,147 which had

accumulated between June 2014 and May 2015.

The previous administration had embarked on a propaganda frenzy from January to May 2015 just prior to the National and Regional elections when $26,282,740 was spent on advertising in the Guyana Chronicle. GINA had no resources from its funds to meet that debt and the GNNL Board of Directors raised this matter with the Office of the Prime Minister.

FACTS: (i) The amount of $11,000,000 was received

by GINA and accounted for via receipts #1003 and #1004 issued to the Office of the Prime Minister on January 7, 2016. (ii) A total payment of $15,720,588 was made to GNNL on January 8, 2016 on invoices for the period July to August 2014. The full amount of $11,000,000 received by GINA from government was included in this payment and therefore fully used for the purposes intended. The additional $4,720,588 was paid from GINA’s budget. (iii) GNNL formally acknowledged receipt via receipt #229916.

The Guyana Times report therefore is not factual.

2. That “The AG Report stated that under the Office’s Capital Expenditure, a sum of

5 years jail for man, Canadian girlfriend –found guilty of trafficking marijuana HUBERT Nathaniel Bartholomew, 45, and his Canadian fiancée Rushelle Gittens, 27, were found guilty

by City Magistrate Ann McLennan of trafficking 1.550 kilograms marijuana on August 22, 2016 at Howes Street, Charlestown.

They were sentenced to five years imprisonment each and also fined $1.8M separately. Bartholomew and Gittens had both pleaded not guilty to the charge when they were arraigned in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court in 2015.

In her submission, the Magistrate stated that the prosecution provided sufHubert Nathaniel ficient evidence against the Bartholomew defendants, whereby they proved that they both had full control and possession of the drug when intercepted by the police.

The duo told the court that persons in plainclothes removed the door of the house where Gittens and Bartholomew reside. When the defendants began to protest, they were forced to leave the premises and sit in a minibus, while a search was conducted. During the course of the search, cellphones, cash and gold were allegedly removed from the property.

According to the police report, a search was conducted at the couple’s house, where they were found attempting to flush the drugs down the toilet. Police had claimed that the search was done in the presence of both Bartholomew and Gittens.

$19.405 million was used to purchase a $5.3 million Toyota Corolla car, a motorcycle at a cost of $203,000 and a Toyota Land Cruiser valued at $13.8million. Sharma said that while the Office would have received the car and motorcycle, the issue was with the Landcruiser. He explained in his report that the procurement of the new Toyota Landcruiser was awarded to the lone bidder and according to the quotation, 50 per cent of the cost must be paid on “Firm Order”, while the

remaining 50 per cent is to be paid on delivery. However, the full amount was paid to the supplier on 4 January 2016 via cheques numbered 05-612925 and 05-612926.

Notwithstanding this, the vehicle was delivered in September 2016.”

OPM RESPONSE: (i) OPM was advised by the supplier that there had been a fire at one of Toyota’s factories in Japan, thereby causing a significant delay in delivery of the vehicle.

During this period, the Prime

Minister continued to utilise, mainly for hinterland assignments, an old Landcruiser which was inherited from the former Prime Minister. (ii) OPM is pleased that the Guyana Times has finally admitted the fact that the cost of the vehicle is $13.8million and NOT $23million as it had falsely peddled before. (iii) OPM wishes to restate that under the previous administration the sum of $23,000,000 was budgeted and approved for the purchase of a new Toyota Land-

cruiser for former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds in the 2014 budget. That sum was misappropriated and spent on vehicles for another minister.

That amount was restored to OPM in the 2015 budget and has been used to buy three vehicles, not one.

OPM is proud of the efforts to help restore accountability and transparency in Guyana and to stop the unlawful use of taxpayers’ monies that had characterised the former regime.

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 21, 2016

Cane harvester charged with murder of wife

WINSTON Benjamin known as ‘Blood’ of Lot 40 Ulverston Village, Corentyne, Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Charlyn Artiga at the Whim Magistrate’s court, charged with the murder of his reputed wife.

The 40-year-old cane harvester was unrepresented and was not required to plead to the indictable charge. He was remanded until December 19, 2016.

The court heard that on October 17, Benjamin stabbed 38-year-old Yansen

Murder accused: Winston Benjamin

Brusch to death at a shop in Ulverston. He then fled the scene, but was later apprehended by the police in the Backdam of Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder, where he was hiding. After being caught, he was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital following reports that he had ingested a poisonous substance.

However, doctors did not find any poison in his system and gave him a clean bill of health. Meanwhile, as the charges were read in court, relatives of Brusch broke

down in tears and later told this publication that they are still in a state of shock and disbelief.

As Benjamin was whisked away by police officers, family members of Brusch shouted “Why Winston, Why? How can you face your children now? “

er of four about her body.

The 38-year-old victim, of Lot 20 Second Street, Ulverston, operated a canteen at the Alness Primary School and had been in a relationship with Benjamin for the past 18 years, during which she bore him four children.

Despite efforts by the

Dead: Yansen Brush

Family members of the victim broke down in tears at the Whim Magistrates’ Court On the day in question, at about 14:00hrs, Benjamin allegedly whipped out a knife at a grocery shop in his hometown of Ulverston and repeatedly stabbed the moth-

Shopkeeper Beverly Green to stop Benjamin from further hurting Brusch, he still managed to stab the woman several times about her body.

NTC Chairman urges Toshaos to put aside political differences THE Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Joel Fredericks, is urging all Toshaos to put political differences aside for the development of their communities.

Fredericks said one of the

Chairman of the National Toshaos Council, Joel Fredericks main factors hindering the development of many indigenous communities is their different political affiliation.

In an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), Fredericks said that in every community there are different levels of cohesion.

He noted that many people

are not open to the possibilities of working together.

“As a leader who is elected to serve your people, you must be open-minded to work with people, work with the government, work with different stakeholders for the development of your community,” Fredericks said.

Fredericks pointed out that the Toshaos need to recognize the importance of the three years they spend as a leader of their community.

“If you would only fight and find fault in the three years, at the end, you would not accomplish anything for your people, so I see partnership as important for the development of your community,” he said.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, since taking up office in May 2016, has also been urging Toshaos to work with residents and develop plans for the development of their communities.

Minister Allicock encouraged Toshaos to keep in contact with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affair which stands as the supportive body for development. (GINA)

19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 21, 2016

The Spotlight continues --Nuriyyih judges, LaRose returns, and Delisha Wright blows us away

By Tamica Garnett TEN-year-old Asiraf Mohammed and the singer, Lutchman Singh getting the boot; 94.1 BOOM FM’s Nurriyyih Gerrard as a surprise judge; and Delisha Wright blowing the audience away with a spine-tingling performance of Adele’s “One and Only” were just some of the things you missed out on if you did not catch last Wednesday’s episode of E-Networks/Red Entertainment’s talent show, “The Spotlight”.

And that wasn’t even the least of it! Also out of the competition is Ronald Chan Yen, who was the eliminated entry after he ended up on the chopping block for the second time in a row at the end of last Wednesday’s episode.

But enough about who isn’t in the competition anymore; let’s talk more about who is.

WHO’S IN Apart from Wright; Kimberly Samuels; Wayne Frank, aka ‘Errol T’; Trevaun Selman; the band, “Behold the Jury”; contortionist Robert Wall; and dance groups “Now U C Me” and “Euphoria are all through to the next round of the competition, and will be in next Wednesday’s episode.

But they won’t be alone.

We finally found out who that much-anticipated “wildcard” entry went to: None other than the singer, Jamal LaRose, who made his debut performance on the televised series doing a pretty good job of Ceelo Green’s catchy number, “Forget You”!

This rounds the competion out to the final ten acts in the show, and things are about to get even more intense.

Last Wednesday was a

night on which a lot of the singers really stood out, and, pardon the pun, took the spotlight.

Apart from Wright and LaRose, Samuels and ‘Errol T’ did really well in their musical numbers, and ‘Behold the Jury’s’ rock band performance was well received.

Not that the night was just about the singers standing out, as Euphoria, in their usual style, continued to step up their game.

Given her preliminary performance at the auditions, anyone could tell that Delisha was a wonderful singer, but up until last Wednesday, it just kept feeling like she was holding back.

Well, she finally stopped holding back and unleashed her inner diva with a challenging Adele number.

OWNED THE NIGHT Trying to mimic Adele’s contralto vocals is no easy road, making the singer a hard one to cover for anyone. But Delisha totally owned last Wednesday night’s show, with her performance of “One and Only”.

And then there was Kimberly. Though you could hardly tell what she was singing in her high-pitched operatic performance, the unconventional Samuels still managed to amaze.

The sheer melody of her voice and perfect intonation worked to put together a performance that Judge Christian Sobers called “ground-breaking”. As for Judge Alana Seebarran, it was simply perfection.

“Perfection from the beginning to the very last beat,” she said.

“You’re growing so much, you are becoming this worldclass opera performance. It

Nuriyyih Gerrard

Asiraf Mohamed

Lutchman Singh

was just the entire package; it blew me away,” she added following Samuels’ piece.

Errol ‘T’ continued to show that he is serious competition in this show, despite being the more mature one of the lot.

Singing to the “Real Rock” rhythm, ‘Errol T’ put on a performance that saw Gerard calling him “a natural-born entertainer”.

However, Alana still wants to see more, and told ‘Errol T’ that he needs to take it “up a notch”.

Colleague judge, Russell Lancaster couldn’t agree more. “I want to see something fresh,” he said. “So I’m leaving

it up to you to amaze me next time around!”

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT Russell also advised on the need for improvement when he critiqued Selman’s performance.

Given how competitive the singers are becoming, he’s really going to need to step his game up; and do it soon, before he ends up on the chopping block.

Nurriyih thought he lacked a certain level of confidence in himself and his

See page 21

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 21, 2016

‘Feva’ video finally out

GUYANESE songstress, Tonieka Thompson last evening launched her long- awaited video for her hit song, ‘Feva’ at the Privilege nightclub.

The event was an intimate gathering of followers, friends and family, and was well received by all.

Tonieka has been heating up the airwaves in the past few months, and has been making a name for herself, gaining much traction on the Guyanese music scene.

But this 27-year-old songstress is nowhere near ready to slow the momentum which she has so successfully gained.

Wi t h h e r u p c o m i n g E P, ‘ F e v a ’ , a b o u t to be launched, featuring chart-topping singles like the title track, ‘Feva’, ‘Relationship’ and ‘50th Jubilee’, Tonieka is about to set ablaze the music scene while representing her birthplace, Guyana, to the fullest.

Tonieka was born on January 15, 1989 in Guyana, but her mother moved to Barbados with Tonieka and her siblings when Tonieka herself was still very young, making the beautiful island her family’s new

home.

ALWAYS IN MIND But Guyana has always been part of her heart, as it was the place she spent Christmas with her now late father, a memory that is embedded in her mind and which has helped to mold fond sentiments of her birthplace.

Tonieka’s love for music began at an early age, as she could be found belting out random tunes, and practising her writing skills as a little girl.

When she decided once and for all that singing was more than a hobby, but a passion, a young Tonieka decided that nothing would stop her from achieving her goal.

The earliest memories of her professional singing career saw her working with local producer, Ian Johnson in 2007, where she recorded her first two tracks, ‘Infatuation’ and ‘Can You Handle This’ as part of a local duo.

Tonieka then went on to work on other solo projects in Barbados shortly after, while performing at events in and out of the island.

From investing in studio sessions and writing songs every chance she got, this

determined artiste knew that though it wouldn’t be easy, the only way to achieve her dreams would be to push on through, even when the odds seemed against her.

She admits making a lot of sacrifices to get where she is today.

TAKE A TURN In fact, she it was due to her determination that her career took a turn for the better. On the cusp of Guyana’s 50th Independence, Tonieka wanted to pay homage to her country, but was told that it was too late to do so.

Ignoring naysayers, she teamed up with Ruff Cut Studios and recorded ‘50th Jubilee’; and it was this bold move that changed the course of things.

Tonieka’s song caught the attention of Karib Nation Inc. which was hosting the Caribbean American Heritage Month event in June 2016 in honour of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of both Barbados and Guyana.

With her dual heritage, Tonieka and her talent were seen as ideal for the job.

She was then invited to be part of the Jubilee Tour which allowed her to travel the US to showcase her

Tonieka Thompson talent.

While there, Tonieka took the chance to develop her talent and create connections, working with celebrity voice coach, Elaine Overholt, and hitting the studios to record an additional six tracks. It was there that the music video for ‘Feva’ was also shot.

MOST MEMORABLE Tonieka’s most memorable performances during the

‘Fire Fest’, dancehall-style --for Cliff Anderson’s October 29 COMING off of one of the biggest events in the dance arena on local shores, hall Empire Media Inc. is keen on building on the momentum of the resurgence of sound culture and the dancehall industry in Guyana.

The recent ‘Art of War’ DJ competition that was held in July was just a step in the direction that Empire Media Inc. intends to take the dancehall industry.

To this end, Empire Media Inc. will stage its third event, called “Fire Fest”,

which is billed for October 29, 2016 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

“Fire Fest” is a dancehall event which will provide revelers with a fiery concept by encouraging and promoting the use of lighters and fire sprays.

The event promises to create a unique picturesque setting throughout the night.

Both local and international DJs and sound systems combined will ignite and blaze a musical fire like nev-

er witnessed before on these shores.

Blazing the fire will be international DJs Nasheen Fire from Florida, and Fire Fox, featuring female DJ phenomenon, MC Lady Love from New Jersey. They will share the stage with Guyana’s finest in dancehall, among them ‘Art of War’ champions, Platinum and Skinny Hype, Selector Face and Seen Up, Killer Feelings and DJ Dellon & Selector Charlie. Early juggling will be provided by Determine

Sound.

Tickets for the event are $1000 and will be available at Nigel’s Supermarket Depot, White Castle Fish shop, Gumdac Music House, Corner Kick Restaurant and Bar, Hot and Spicy Creole Corner and Rubis Gas Station (Mandela Avenue).

For more information, you can like our Facebook page, ‘Empire Media Inc’; follow us on Instagram @ empiremediainc; or call Selector Face on 679-7130 or Eusi on 862-233-0494.

tour include CARIFESTA in Washingon D.C., and the Guyana Embassy’s 50th Jubilee Celebration (Tea, Champagne & Fashion).

She has also enjoyed performances at the Caribbean Style and Culture Fashion Showcase at the University of Maryland, Guyana Day in Washington, D.C. and the Jerk and Wine Festival in Bowie, MD. As she continues to reach for the sky, this Guy-

anese girl is determined to push her Guyanese heritage, as she believes that Guyana has much talent that needs to be showcased, and artistes who get a chance to represent their country should take the opportunity in an aim to draw attention to the gifts that Guyana has to offer.

Moreover, Tonieka’s drive also lies in honouring her father, who, to this day, she says, is her biggest fan.

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 21, 2016

Still going strong --Ever-popular ‘Yoruba Singers’ celebrates 45 years in the music business

By Tamica Garnett

GUYANA’S longest-serving band, the Yoruba Singers, will celebrate 45 years in the business this Sunday with a concert called ‘For the Love of a Common People 2: The Jubilee Edition’.

The event is expected to have a packed-out line-up including singers Sammy Baksh, Tennicia DeFreitas and Jovinski.

Set to take place on the lawns of Congress Place, Sophia from 18:00hrs, this year’s edition of the annual event will feature over 15 performers.

The roster also includes music industry veterans such as Charmaine Blackman, Bonny Alves, Keith Campbell, Sean Bhola, Johnny Braff, and gospel singer Melissa Vandeyar, while there will also be performances by Circle of Love, Michael Smith, Aubrey Roberts, and, of course, The Yoruba Singers themselves.

The Buzz caught up with long-time member and co-founder of the Yoruba Singers, Mr Eze Rockcliffe, who

shared how elated he is at seeing the band celebrating this important milestone.

SIGNIFICANT Though the singers try to celebrate their anniversary every year, turning 45 is indeed a significant achievement.

“I think the Yoruba Singers has made a statement, culturally. To be the most exposed international band ever in Guyana is very sweet,” he said.

“Every year we mark the Yoruba Singers’ birthday sometime in the year, but we don’t allow the year to finish without a celebrations. We need to ensure that culture is being maintained at the highest level, so that we can be proud of our nation and set an example for the young talented musicians and performers that are coming.”

Because of this, patrons can expect a show with a little something for everyone with a love for the Caribbean music culture. Eze said the concert was organised with its supporters in mind, and that its theme, ‘For the Love of a Common

People’ is all about the band showing it’s gratitude to the ‘common people’ who have supported them throughout the years.

“They can expect a great show, with original music and all genres of music: Soca, reggae, calypso, and a little bit of jazz also,” Eze said.

Well known across Guyana, being the country’s oldest, consistently performing music group is not the only achievement that the Yoruba Singers boast.

CULTURAL AMBASSADORS Aside from performing all across Guyana, the band has taken the culture of Guyanese music both regionally and internationally.

They have performed twice in events held at the Madison Square Garden in New York, and is still the only Guyanese band to have done that.

Eze and his band have also performed at four CARIFESTA events -- in Barbados, Jamaica, Cuba and Guyana.

More recently, they’ve per-

The Yoruba Singers performing at the ‘Night of the Legends’ concert here back in May

The Spotlight...

From page 20 music; so, too, did Christian, who noted that he carried himself as “one of those really gifted person who doesn’t even know how good you are.”

Speed painter, Winston Alexander, failed to impress, in much the same way he did in Episode 2, when he did a portrait of famed martial artist, the late Bruce Lee. This time around, Alexander took his inspiration from sports; football to be exact. He did a portrait of Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

The judges thought the execution of the piece was somewhat lacking. Christian commended the end-product, but noted that Alexander needs

to make his execution somewhat more entertaining, pointing to his last week’s performance, where he painted to the tune of “Kung Fu Fighting” while also doing a few martial arts moves.

THE ELIMINATIONS It was heartbreaking to watch young Asiraf go, but no one could argue he was having a hard time keeping up with the other acts.

If only the competition was one based on cuteness, he, perhaps, could’ve won; but unfortunately, it’s a talent competition, and while Asiraf is one talented kid, he still has some way to go in honing his skills.

Nonetheless, Nuriyyih was so bowled over by him that she was moved to come up on stage and hug the youngster.

Making it this far was quite

a feat for the Saraswat Primary School pupil; but in a few years, and with the right training, he’s going to be quite a force to reckon with.

Meanwhile, Bollywood singer, Lutchman Singh’s Wednesday’s performance of “Sunn Raha Hai” was definitely a downgrade from his Episode 2 performance, and ultimately resulted in its being the end of the road for him on The Spotlight.

Now down to the final 10, the show continues next Wednesday at the usual time, 20:00hrs, on E-Networks’ Channel E1, as well as the live stream on the “E-Networks: The Spotlight” Facebook page, where, if you like, you can also catch up on Episodes One and Two of the show.

formed at the “Night of the Legends” concert that was a part of Guyana’s 50th Anniversary Jubilee celebrations in May. Eze says the band’s music is a way of taking the Guyanese culture out to the world, culture being a significant part of who we are. It’s also about encouraging Guyanese to learn more about the music that the band has to offer.

“I think that culture is very important to a country, and that we ought not to only keep it to ourselves, but share it with our Caribbean neighbours,” Eze said, adding: “It is very important that the Guyanese people know of our works, and support our works, we have about four albums.”

Eze hopes to see sustainable programmes being put

in place to support and foster the continued development of culture here in Guyana.

“I hope that a programme will be put in place by the government to ensure that culture is being maintained at the highest level, so that we can be proud of our nation and set an example for the young talented musicians and performers that are coming,” he said.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 21, 2016

Kanye calls Jay Z out

KANYE West has some choice words for his longtime friend.

The “Famous” rapper paused his Seattle, Washington, concert on Wednesday night to call

out Jay Z on a number of issues, from not visiting him in person after Kim Kardashian West’s Paris robbery incident, to the ongoing dispute between streaming services Ap-

ple and Tidal, which the 39-year-old rapper suggested caused his verse to be removed from Drake’s Views track, “Pop Style”.

Jay Z has yet to respond to West’s public comments,

but the two artists’ friendship has survived disputes before.

We s t ’s s o n g , “ B i g Brother”, off of his Graduation album is about making it through struggles with the artist whom he considers his mentor in the music industry.

Meanwhile, West resumed his tour earlier this month, and his wife was

only recently seen out in Los Angeles again after being robbed at gunpoint in Paris.

ET spoke to West’s friend, John Legend, over the weekend, who talked about the terrible situation.

“Chrissy has been in touch with them, and, you know, I felt really bad for what happened,” he said.

“It makes you think about

everything. You know... the world, I do not think is... you know, it is not full of danger at every turn, but there is enough out there that you need to be aware of it, and, you know, be as cautious as you can while still enjoying yourself, and not living in a box and kind of imprisoning yourself to the fear that something could happen.”

Buzzing this weekend

THE season of Halloween is upon us, and though it may be an American tradition, that doesn’t stop us Guyanese from enjoying and joining in the trick-ing and the treat-ing. That said, here’s what’s buzzing this weekend!

TODAY 704 is set to be transformed into a veritable Kingdom of Westeros for all the Game of Thrones Fans as it hosts its GoT Party, A Night in Westeros.

Choose your favourite GoT character and come prepared for a night of magic, in true Game of Thrones fashion.

Party starts at 20:00hrs.

TOMORROW Everyone knows that the most anticipated Halloween party in Guyana is hosted by none other than Pulse Entertainment, and the time has come.

Join Pulse at Palm Court for the sexiest Halloween Party: Saints and Sinners.

Party begins at 19:00hrs.

Choose which side you’ll be on, and come in your sexiest or scariest outfit.

Tickets cost $3,000; VIPs cost $8,000.

Hang tight to your halos or horns for the sinful mixes

by Trinidadian superstar, DJ Marcus Williams, also featuring DJ Anisah,Selector Carl and DJ Ryan.

704 brings you Drunken Masters, the ultimate drinking event.

Think you can hold your liquor? Then come and prove it. Lots of drinking games will be held, with tons of prizes to be won.

Event starts at 19:00hrs.

SUNDAY Palm Court celebrates October with its Octoberfest Pool Party.

Get your swimsuits ready, and come enjoy a fun-filled event with a wide variety of local and international beers.

Enjoy giveaways and other fun prizes at this happy event.

Event starts at 12:00pm.

Everyone is free!

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 21, 2016

23

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 21, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 21, 2016

25

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 21, 2016

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 21, 2016

English Racing Tips Newbury 08:20 hrs UAE King 08:50 hrs Firefright 09:25 hrs Sound Bar 10:00 hrs Entsar 10:35 hrs Cloudberry 11:10 hrs Posh Bounty 11:45 hrs Miss Tiger Lily 12:20 hrs Gaelic Silver Doncaster 08:30 hrs Zymyran 09:00 hrs Ouja 09:35 hrs Sersar 10:10 hrs Valcartier 10:45 hrs Red Pike 11:20 grs Ruscombe 11:55 hrs Speed Company 12:30 hrs Hardington Cheltenham 09:10 hrs El Bandit Race 2 Neverushacon 10:20 hrs Ballinure 10:55 hrs Tiger Roll 11:30 hrs Garo De Juilley 12:05 hrs Brownville 12:40 hrs Wishful Dreaming South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:45 hrs Scent 09:25 hrs Golden Crisp 10:00 hrs Quera 10:35 hrs Breathless Bertie 11:10 hrs Black Jade American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Crowd Funding Race 2 Chorus Line Race 3 Money Changer Race 4 Piazza Del Campo Race 5 Littlemissbusiness Race 6 Data Driver Race 7 Picco Uno Race 8 Performance Bonus Race 9 Heiko Irish Racing Tips Dundalk 13:05 hrs Mandarin Monarch 13:35 hrs Paddy The Celeb 14:05 hrs Sweet Fragrance 14:35 hrs Double Up 15:05 hrs Kitten Loves Roses 15:35 hrs Reddot 16:05 hrs Big Time

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 21, 2016

UEFA open to non-European Champions League final (BBC) - THE Champions League final could be played outside of Europe, says new president Aleksander Ceferin.

The Slovenian will revive an open bidding process to host the final and is open to it being staged in New York.

“It might be an idea but

we have to speak about it,” said Ceferin, who was named head of European football’s governing body last month.

The 61 finals have all

been held in Europe but Ceferin said travel to the U.S. would be “no problem” for fans.

He added: “To go from Portugal to Azerbaijan for example is almost the same or the same as if you go to

New York.

“It’s a European competition so let’s think about it.’’

A s i t s t a n d s , U E FA awards the finals without any tendering process, with stadium hosts decided in secret by

the leadership.

“The bidding process should be very clear because if you get the Champions League finals or Europa League finals as a political favour then it’s not OK,” Ceferin said.

Drake to resign (BBC) - British Cycling chief executive Ian Drake will step down in April, BBC Sport understands.

The organisation is already searching for a replacement for performance director Shane Sutton, who left amid allegations of sexism, which he denies.

Drake has worked at the governing body since 1995 and became CEO in 2009.

His exit comes as British Cycling is under scrutiny from UK Anti-Doping (Ukad), which is investigating allegations of wrongdoing in cycling surrounding the use of therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs), and the administering of medication to riders.

He has overseen a truly remarkable period for the sport in this country Ukad officials visited British Cycling headquarters earlier this month. The

Ian Drake has overseen a hugely successful period in British Cycling’s history, and a transformation of the sport’s popularity. organisation said the meeting was arranged with British Cycling’s “full cooperation”.

A day earlier, ex-Team Sky rider Jonathan Tiernan-Locke had told BBC Sport he was “freely offered” the controversial

Cornwall strikes back but hosts edge ahead SCOREBOARD SRI LANKA A 1st innings 318 WEST INDIES A 1st innings (o/n 183 for four) R. Chandrika c Silva b Madushanka 11 K. Powell b Asalanka 8 S. Hetmyer c Thirimanne b Sandakan 94 S. Brooks c Shanaka b Madushanka 54 V. Singh lbw Gamage 15 J. Hamilton c Shanaka b Gamage 14 R. Cornwall lbw Sandakan 25 K. Roach c wkp. Perera b Madushanka 4 D. Johnson lbw b Vandersay 1 D. Jacobs not out 2 K. Joseph c Thirimanne b Sandakan 2 Extras: (b-6, lb-4, w-1, nb-2) 13 Total: (all out, 61.4 overs) 243 Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-35, 3-139, 4-173, 5-199, 6-211, 7-226, 8-239, 9-241.

Bowling: Gamage 18-1-50-2,

Madushanka 15-4-45-3 (w-1), Asalanka 4-1-22-1, Shanaka 2-0-150, Vandersay 6-1-28-1, Sandakan 11.4-1-54-3 (nb-2), Gunarathne 5-0-19-0.

SRI LANKA A 2nd innings K. Perera c wkp. Hamilton b Cornwall 20 S. Weerakkody lbw b Cornwall 48 L. Thirimanne c Hetmyer b Corwall 27 A. Gunarathne c wkp Hamilton b Joseph 69 C. Asalanka c Johnson b Cornwall 4 R. Silva not out 29 D. Shanaka not out 7 Extras: (b-1, lb-2, w-3, nb-1) 7 Total: (5 wkts, 61 overs) 211 Fall of wickets: 1-67, 2-72, 3-135, 4-141, 5-192.

Bowling: Roach 10-0-43-0 ( w - 2 ) , J o h n s o n 11 - 1 - 4 7 - 0 , Cornwall 21-8-62-4 (nb-1), Jacobs 9-0-32-0, Joseph 10-324-1 (w-1).

painkiller Tramadol when competing at the Road World Championships four years ago.

British Cycling put the allegation to the medic in question, Doctor Richard Freeman, on the BBC’s behalf. He denied it.

Te a m S k y a re a l s o under investigation, and their former rider Sir Bradley Wiggins, a Tour de France winner, has been criticised over his use of TUEs. There is no suggestion British Cycling, Team Sky or Wiggins had broken any rules.

Wiggins took anti-inflammatory drug triamcinolone for allergies and respiratory problems shortly before the 2011 and 2012 Tours and the 2013 Giro d’Italia, his TUEs having been approved by the relevant authorities.

In an interview with BBC Sport published earlier yesterday, former head of British Cycling Peter Keen said he feared the controversy could cause “collateral damage” to Team GB. He said it would be an “absolute tragedy” if innocent riders were unfairly tainted, adding there were “lessons to be learned” for British Cycling and Team Sky.

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 21, 2016

We have shown that we can compete - Holder

(ESPNCricinfo) - FOLLOWING their gritty fight in the second innings in Dubai, Jason Holder, the West Indies captain, expressed confidence to deal with Pakistan and their key bowler, leg-spinner Yasir Shah, at their ‘fortress’ in Abu Dhabi. However, they would have to clean up their fielding and bowling going into this Test, he said, and readjust to playing in the daytime.

“We are obviously very confident as we played a very good Test match in Dubai and it was very competitive,” Holder said. “We had some great positives coming from that game, and for me, it is just to transfer it to this game. Abu Dhabi may be a fortress for Pakistan, but we have shown

that we can compete in this series.

“They have heavily depended on Yasir Shah and I think we coped with him very well. He was not that effective even on a day-five pitch.”

Pakistan have not lost in any of the eight Tests they have played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, winning four of them. For West Indies to challenge that record, as Holder said, they would have had to improve on their catching in the first match, where eventual triple-centurion Azhar Ali was dropped on 17 and again on 190. Noballs were also an issue, particularly for fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, who overstepped 11 times in the game. Fellow

pacer Miguel Cummins also bowled two no-balls, even getting a wicket off one - Babar Azam on four in the second innings; he eventually scored 21.

“We need to sharpen up on the mistakes we made in the field,” Holder said.

“And we should cut out those no-balls as they cost us. We need to improve on small areas in fielding and tighten up when we bowl, and stick to our plans for a lot longer.

“The wicket was very good, both sides struggled to get wickets with their seamers. Spinners dominated in the Test. In such a situation, you (as a seamer) have to be very patient and accurate.”

The main readjustment with regard to going from a day-night Test to

Nadal ends season to recover from left wrist injury (REUTERS) - Former world number one Rafael Nadal called time on his 2016 season yesterday saying he needed to fully recover from the left wrist injury he suffered midway through the year.

The Spanish 14-time grand slam champion said he would play no more tournaments and would instead begin “preparing intensively” for the 2017 season.

The 30-year-old lefthander was forced to pull out of this year’s French Open before his third round match, ending his pursuit of a record-extending 10th Roland Garros title, and also missed Wimbledon because of the injury.

He returned to win a gold medal in doubles with Marc Lopez at the Rio Olympics but his results since have been disappointing and he lost his opening match to Viktor Troicki at the Shanghai Masters this month.

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after his match against Viktor Troicki of Serbia. (REUTERS/Aly Song)

While the original wrist tendon has improved considerably a statement from Nadal’s management said he had suffered a “bone edema” due to an overload on a different area of the joint.

“It is no secret that I arrived to the Olympic Games short of preparation and not fully recovered, but the goal

was to compete and win a medal for Spain,” Nadal said.

“This forced recovery has caused me pain since then and now I am forced to stop and start preparing for the 2017 season.

“Now it is time to rest and start preparing intensively for the 2017 season.”

a day Test, Holder said, would relate to the players’ body clock and not the ball. “We are accustomed to the conditions.

However, our body needs to get accustomed to the clock, from bowling in the night and the afternoon start. Now, we have (to

play) the whole day and it is a small adjustment.

Playing red ball from pink will not need any major adjustment.”

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 21, 2016

Former administrator lashes out at GCF president

FORMER cyclist and cycling administrator Malcolm Sonaram has lashed out at the president of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF), Horrace Burrowes, who, in another section of the media, claimed that he has the interest of local cycling at heart.

Sonaram, on his facebook, responded to Burrowes who admitted that the GCF has been plagued with internal conflicts at the executive level, saying that those conflicts were responsible for the downward spiral of the sport.

Sonaram, in response, said while Burrowes’ admission is admirable, the current GCF president is not assuming responsibility, but merely distributing it.

Sonaram said Burrowes in his response to the fact that 40 cyclists signed the petition seeking his removal from office assumed that the cyclists who signed the petition are all illiterate as he said “they do not know what they signed’.

Sonaram said this is “completely absurd. We do know to read and write unlike current members in the “executive”,

In picture are: GCF president Horace Burrowes (seated centre), treasurer Rosanna Sukhoo (seated left), secretary Maria Leung (seated right) and vice-president Jerome Allicock (standing left).

Sonaram replied.

The former cyclist said Burrowes’ statement about him being on a mission to enlighten and interrelate with other associations and federations on the GCF’s behalf is admirable, but called on Burrowes to provide some proof of this in the form of correspondence.

Sonaram alluded to the fact that in Burrowes’ absence, the Federation’s first vice-president Paul Cho-Wee-Nam, “although not the sharpest tool in the shed, has been doing a stand-up job in your absence,” Sonaram remarked.

The cycling enthusiast also took a swipe at the Federation’s elected secretary Maria Leung, who, according to the outspoken Sonaram “failed to fill the shoes of her appointment as secretary and was replaced by Gemma Williams who was not appointed by the “executive” body; she was appointed by you”.

Sonaram noted that Williams’ appointment has not been officially documented, but she (Williams) is helping out.

Sonaram blasted Burrowes for selecting himself and James Joseph, a former national champion and two-time Guyana Olympian to compete at the just concluded Pan American Elite Cycling Championships in Mexico.

“The selection of yourself and Mr Joseph to go to the recent Pan Am Games was done with the collaborative efforts of Gemma (Williams) and Paul (Cho-Wee-Nam) which emails and licences were prepared accordingly. This invitation was not known to the other clubs or was there any selection process initiated. You decided to represent on your own,” Sonaram posted.

Meanwhile, Burrowes, who is resident in the USA, is expected to arrive in Guyana in another few weeks and has promised to hold a meeting with his executive and clubs affiliated to the GCF. Apart from Burrowes, the local wheelsmen also want to see the backs of Leung, vice-president Jerome Allicock and treasurer Rosanna Sukhoo.

GCB NSSCL 2016

Richard Ishmael register second win … St Stanislaus, Friendship, and Hope Secondary win their opening encounters

A D AY a f t e r d e f e a t i n g Queen’s College by 7 runs Richard Ishmael Secondary registered their second consecutive victory when they defeated Kingston High by 51 runs, as the 2016 edition of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) National Secondary Schools Cricket League (NSSCL) continued yesterday.

At GCC, Richard Ishmael, batting first, were dismissed for 125 in 24.5 overs. Only Juspice Jones and Brandon Ramnarine offered any resistance with 18

and 17 respectively. Bowling for Kingston High, Meshack Soffleigh had 2-14 and Jonathan St Hill took 2-43.

Kingston High could make only 74 all out off 17.2 overs.

Bowling for Richard Ishmael, Juspice Jones returned impressive figures of 5-15.

At DCC, St Stanislaus batted first and amassed 185-9 in 25 overs with Joshua Bankay leading the way with 53. Shemar Bryan and Veraj Persaud contributed 23 and 20 respectively. Bowling for Brickdam

Secondary, Shane Sukhai took 2-10 and Darren Elias had 2-22.

Brickdam Secondary then limped to 89-8 in their 25 overs.

Daniel Persaud was the pick of the bowlers as he took 3-2 bowling for Saints.

Over at Everest, Friendship Secondary thumped Xenon Academy in their East Bank Demerara zone encounter. Friendship Secondary made 138-9 off 20 overs. Jamal Scott topscored with 38 while Orlando Ghisiawan scored 24. Bowling for Xenon Academy, Leonard

Thomas had 3-16 while Rasheed Evans took 2-32.

Ghisiawan returned with the ball to take 4-8 along with Scott who took 3-9 as they share seven wickets between them which helped to dismiss Xenon Academy for 57 in their reply.

Meanwhile at Enterprise, Hope Secondary defeated Grove Secondary by 103 runs in the first fixture of the East Coast Demerara zone after they racked up 173-6 in just 25 overs. Phillip Doodnat topscored with 52 not out. Trevor

Blair was the pick of the Grove Secondary bowlers with 3-26.

Grove Secondary faltered to 69 all out in 14.4 overs as Cordell Martin took 3-23 for Hope Secondary. Deosarran Narine, Gopaul Applesammy and Tyrese Layne snared two wickets apiece.

The match between St Stanislaus and Brickdam Secondary is currently under protest, as both teams had allegedly fielded ‘over-aged’ players. A student must be born on or after September 1, 2000 in order to be

eligible to represent his school in this year’s competition.

The NSSCL continues tomorrow with matches at DCC where Christ Church Secondary take on St Mary’s High, Queenstown Secondary play Mae’s at GCC, Charlestown Secondary do battle against Dolphin Secondary at GNIC ground, while at Everest, Houston High play Soesdyke Secondary. Hindu College face President’s College at Enterprise in an all-East Coast Demerara fixture.

Day/Night matches for Regional Four-Day HALF-A-DOZEN of the 30 matches in the upcoming West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League (PCL) Digicel SportsMax Regional 4-Day Tournament will be day/ night contests played with pink cricket balls, it was announced yesterday.

In keeping with the trend worldwide and to further pursue the experiment that it started six years ago, the WICB has scheduled the

matches throughout the coming season which begins on November 11.

“We welcome the return of day/night matches with the pink ball in the Digicel SportsMax R4-Day,” said WICB Manager, Cricket Operations, Roland Holder, as the regional governing body released fixtures for the first half of the season yesterday.

“Each team has two matches – one home, one away – as gradually interna-

tional boards begin to embrace this concept.

“The purpose of the re-introduction of day/night matches is two-fold. First, it allows our elite players to familiarise themselves with the pink ball, and secondly, it allows for greater spectator attendance, as patrons can have a relaxing evening watching their favourite team.”

Four of the day/night matches, which will begin at 15:00hrs daily, have

been scheduled before the Christmas/New Year’s holiday break in the tournament.

They include an opening round fixture between Trinidad & Tobago Red Force and Windward Islands Volcanoes at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.

Defending champions Guyana Jaguars will be part of the second day/night match, when they travel to St Lucia to face the Volcanoes at the Darren Sammy National

Cricket Ground in the third round from November 26 to 29.

The Jaguars return home to host long-standing rivals Barbados Pride in the following round from December 9 to 12 at the Guyana National Stadium in a day/night contest, another of which takes place between Leeward Islands Hurricanes and Jamaica Scorpions from December 15 to 18 at Warner Park in St Kitts during the fifth round.

The last two day/night matches are currently scheduled to be contested in the new year during the second half of the tournament in April.

Recently, West Indies completed their first ever day/night Test, when Pakistan bounced them by 56 runs in a tense finish in Dubai.

They are scheduled to play another day/night Test next year at Edgbaston on their tour of England.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 21, 2016

WI captain Taylor disappointed not winning ODI series

... England captain pleased with fight shown throughout

By Brij Parasnath

WEST Indies Women team lost the ODI series 2-3 when they conceded victory by five wickets to their English rivals on Wednesday at Sabina Park, Jamaica.

WI captain Stafanie Taylor chalked up her third fifty of the series but had to share the Most Valuable Playerof-the-Series award with England’s left-arm spinner Alexandra Hartley who finished with four wickets in the match and 13 wickets overall, a new bilateral series record for England.

Taylor lamented her team’s failure to win the ODI series against England and said: “It’s disappointing that we were not able to pull it off, but this is what happens when you don’t show up.”

The 25-year-old all-rounder revealed that they were optimistic before the game started but everything did not go as planned.

Wicketkeeper Merissa Aguilleira juggles the ball after Natalie Sciver missed a cut shot during the fifth One-day International between West Indies Women and England Women on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at Sabina Park. (Photo by WICB Media/Athelstan Bellamy) She stressed that: “We had West Indies were bundled overs, and 67 deliveries to backed ourselves to get a total out for 155 all out in 47.1 spare. closer to 200, but that did not overs while England romped Taylor is hopeful that happen, and it gave them a to an emphatic five-wicket her teammates will learn low total to chase.” win with 158 for 5 off 38.5 from the experience as they

plan for future series. She stated that: “Overall, I am proud of the effort of the girls in the series, and it is for us to learn from this experience going forward.”

However, England captain Heather Knight was full of praise for the manner her teammates responded to the challenges and their determination to beat the West Indies team.

She said: “I am really pleased with the fight shown by our players throughout the series.”

“It was tough series, but we always knew we had what it takes to come out on top. It was all about application, and in the final match, I thought we did that brilliantly.”

England coach Mark Robinson was also elated with his players’ performances and stressed that: “It’s absolutely outstanding. We’ve had it tough. It’s been ever so humid, red hot and the wickets have been massively challenging.”

She surpassed Rosalie

Birch’s 11 wickets against South Africa in 2004.

Robinson described Harley as a tough cookie while also saying, “We are a young team and we are learning as we go along. We feel we’re going in the right direction and we feel we have shown everybody what we’re made of.”

With the latest victory, England move ahead of West Indies to 23 points and are currently second to Australia who head the eight-team standings on 30 points.

West Indies dropped to third position on 22 points and must win two more matches to clinch one of the four automatic qualifying berths for next year’s ICC World Cup tournament which will be staged in England.

England need one more victory while Australia have already secured the first automatic qualifying spot through the ICC Championship series.

‘I want to sweep Suriname’ IGG male basketball captain

By Daniel Haynes

A

S the Inter-Guiana Games kick off today, Nathan Yannick Saul, captain of the Inter-Guiana Games male basketball side, is confident in his side’s ability to get off to a winning start.

Having already played in the games in 2013 and 2014, the 18-year-old shooting guard is looking to take that experience into this year’s fixtures. In a chat with the Guyana Chronicle, Saul opened up on his basketball experience to this point.

“I already got over the nervousness of playing (in IGG), right now it’s about getting back at Suriname for the loss we had in 2014,” Saul said. He added that the loss in 2014 was very

hurtful, since Guyana were leading with minutes to go, but managed to have the game slip through the cracks.

As one of the returning players on the side, Saul is easily one of the most experienced players. However, in addition to his experience, Saul is a prolific scorer and he is able to put up high numbers at any given time.

He touched on finding the balance between turning that scoring on and playing within the team system.

“On my school team I’ve had to be the primary scorer but since I’m playing now with one of the best guards in Stanton Rose, I’m able to play my position as shooting guard. “Also playing with one of the most athletic three guards in the

country in Travis Belgrave with Neil Wills at centre makes my job easier.”

He believes that this team is finally able to match Suriname with rebounding, having more players who can now jump and rebound.

“Half of our team are highflyers, and that was always our downfall against Suriname, but now we have the height, the jumping ability and the speed to match them. This year we’re ready for them and I want us to sweep them. No game they should win and that’s what we are going to go out and do.”

Today’s campaign to the sweep begins at 13:00hrs at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall as Guyana come up against Suriname in a bestof-three series.

Saul goes to the ring for the layup. Inset Nathan Saul

Ready for IGG!

Former England Women administrator beat WI Women by 5 lashes out at GCF wickets in 5th ODI president See story on page 30

Cornwall strikes back but hosts edge ahead See scorecard on page 28

(CMC) – OFF-SPINNER Rahkeem Cornwall made key strikes to limit Sri Lanka A after West Indies A’s batting collapsed, but the hosts held the edge heading into today’s final day of the third and final four-day ‘Test’ here.

Sri Lanka ended day three of the contest at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium yesterday on 211 for five in their second innings – already 286 runs ahead.

Asela Gunaratne top-scored with 69, Sandun Weerakkody struck 48 while Roshen Silva was unbeaten on 29 at the close.

Cornwall, the mainstay of the visitors’ attack during the series, claimed four for 62 to take his tally of wickets for the three-match series to 20.

Earlier, West Indies A surrendered their last six wickets for 60 runs to be dismissed for 243 in their first innings, and concede a lead of 75 runs.

The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) will be the primary venue for basketball in the 2016 edition of the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) 2016 this weekend (Stephan Sookram photo)

We have shown that we can compete - Holder See story on page 29

Rahkeem Cornwall

WI captain Taylor disappointed not winning ODI series See story on page 31

Jason Holder (R), ‘We need to sharpen up on the mistakes we made in the field. And we should cut out those no-balls as they cost us’. (AFP) Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

Drake to resign See story on page 28

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2016