Issuu

22nd April, 2018

Malicious No.105252

– AG denounces charges against Lawrence, Norton – calls for DPP review

Agriculture is in safe hands

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From 18 housewife to teacher PAGE

–– Bernice Lewis looks forward to retirement

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Pedal cyclist dies in Sophia accident 05

––Harmon tells Region Three agriculture expo

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Recruitment agency found jobs for 1000 last year 10 PAGE

These exhibitors proudly display their products at the opening of the Regional Agricultural and Commercial Exhibition (RACE) at the Leonora stadium on Saturday (Adrian Narine photo)

Gov’t to meet RUSAL, Oldendorff employees 04 on way forward PAGE

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 22, 2018

Malicious

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 22, 2018

– AG denounces charges against Lawrence, Norton

–– calls for DPP review ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, SC. has described the move on Thursday by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) Juan Edghill and Vickram Bharrat to file private criminal charges against Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence and Minister of Social Cohesion Dr. George Norton, for misconduct and abuse of public trust, as “malicious”. Williams told reporters Saturday that the move to file the charges by attorney Anil Nandlall, also represents an “aberration to the Rule of Law” and that it is an insult to good governance and an abuse of the process of the court,to allow such “unsubstantiated recourse to our justice system based solely on malice, whim and caprice”. The attorney general contended that there is no evidence of criminality on the part of the two ministers, which has been contended by the investigatory and prosecutorial agencies of the state. Notwithstanding those charges, Williams, SC made it clear that the duo would be vindicated. In response to a question posed by the Guyana Chronicle, he disclosed that his office has already approached Barbadian Queens Counsel, Ralph A. Thorne and Hal Gallop. “We had to have recourse to the two Barbadian Queens Counsel who I again have already spoken to in relation to my two ministers, because if you wish to mess around my ministers, you’d have to have the best representation; trusted representation,” asserted Williams. Reading from a prepared statement, the attorney general who has just returned from an overseas conference in the US, said “to countenance partisan, political, private criminal charges coming out of Freedom House is a recipe for returning Guyana to the status of a failed narco-state as it was under Presidents Jagdeo and Ramotar.” He noted that establishment of the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) by the constitution empowers the holder of the office with total power over all prosecutions, whether initiated or undertaken by her or some other authority. “If charges are initiated by others, the DPP can discontinue them if she so desires, or take them over and continue them,” Williams said, while explaining that the DPP has the “powers of quality control” over all prosecutions here. He said the DPP, Shalimar Ali-Hack, also has a proactive duty to patrol the corridors of justice to ensure her domain is not polluted by “jaundiced interlopers”. NO COMPARISON He stressed that there is no comparison between the

cases where the DPP charged former Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and former head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Winston Brassington for misconduct of public office, contrary to the common law and the private charges laid by Edghill and Bharrat. One week prior, the charges against Dr Singh and Brassington, who both reside abroad, were filed by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). According to the first charge, Dr Singh and Brassington in December 2009 “acted recklessly” when they sold to National Hardware Guyana Limited, lands amounting to 103.88 acres, property of the state for the sum of $598, 659, 398 (vat exclusive) without first having procured a valuation of the said property from a competent valuation officer. The second charge alleged that the duo in December, 2008 “without due diligence” sold to Scady Business Corporation, land located at Liliendaal, ECD, amounting to 4,700 acres, also the property of the state for the sum of $150,000,000 knowing that the said property was valued at $340,000,000 by Rodrigues Architects Associate. The final charge alleges that they in May, 2011 “acted recklessly” when they sold to Multi-cinemas Guyana Inc. 10, 002 acres of land located at Turkeyen, ECD, property of the state for the sum of $185, 037,000 without first having procured a valuation of the said property from a competent valuation officer. The DPP has since been asked by Nandlall to review the charges laid against his clients. On Saturday, Williams made it clear that it is expected that no less a treatment would be meted out, given the circumstances. “…the government would expect no lesser treatment for the charges she (DPP) did not institute, lest the floodgates open to create a festival of private criminal charges even against the leader of the opposition,” he stated. COMMITTED TO TRANSPARENCY On Friday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon maintained that his government is committed to transparency and ending corruption, noting that the charges brought against Dr Singh and Brassington were not politically motivated or directed by his administration. In an interview with the Public Information and Press Services Department of the Ministry of the Presidency, Harmon described the charges brought against Lawrence and Dr Norton as frivolous and a clear attempt to taint the reputation of members of the government. Like Williams, Harmon said the two ministers will be vindicated. “These talks of corruption are without any proof and the opposition is now seeking to grab at straws… The security agencies, the Police Force and so on have their work to do and when they find as they have been doing, evidence of corruption, evidence of malfeasance and they will take the

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, SC necessary steps,” Minister Harmon said. The Minister of State contended that the charges brought by the PPP MPs is a strategy aimed at tying the government ministers up in court so that government can be distracted from its development agenda. The minister said that the David Granger administration, since its assumption of office in 2015, has had the Herculean task of fixing the systematic corruption, which existed under the former administration. He noted that it is under this administration that significant steps were taken to improve accountability and transparency in the public sector and the world’s perception of Guyana. Meanwhile, while the charges against Dr Norton and Lawrence were not read in court, as the duo were not present, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan summoned both ministers, who are expected to appear in court on Tuesday. It is alleged that Lawrence while performing the duties of Minister of Public Health between January 16, February 16, 2017 “wilfully misconducted herself in a way which amounted to an abuse of public trust without reasonable excuse or justification, when she authorised or caused the unapproved single sourcing and purchase of drugs and medical supplies for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, in the city of Georgetown from ANSA McAL Trading Limited… for the excessive sum of $605,962,200”. The charge against Dr Norton however, alleges that while “performing the duties of Minister of Public Health of the Government of Guyana, June 1, 2016… wilfully misconducted himself in a way which amounted to an abuse of public trust without reasonable excuse or justification, when he authorised or caused the rental of the property known as and situated at 29 Sussex Street, Albouystown, in the city of Georgetown from Linden Holdings Incorporated… for the sum of $12,500,000 exclusive of VAT, per month, by way of a written Agreement of Tenancy at an excessive rate of rental”.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 22, 2018

Gov’t to meet RUSAL, Oldendorff employees –– to discuss way forward in wake of US sanctions

By Vanessa Braithwaite GOVERNMENT will be meeting with workers of both the Bauxite Company of Guyana (BCGI), a subsidiary of the Russian aluminium firm RUSAL, and German carrier, Oldendorff, in the new week to discuss the impact US sanctions will have on both companies’ operations here. Meetings are also slated to be held with representatives of the People’s United and General Workers Union (PUGWU) and Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU), bargaining agents for employees of Oldendorff and RUSAL, respectively. The announcement of the proposed meetings comes in the wake of concerns over the matter, raised by workers attached to the two companies. As things stand right now,

sources say, the situation can best be described as “fluid”, as the operations of both companies will continue as per normal until June 5, 2018. But in the event that the sanctions are not lifted or modified by said June 5, Oldendorff will be legally obliged to terminate its services. Ministers of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman and Simona Broomes, along with Members of Parliament Audwin Rutherford and Jermain Figueira, have already met with BCGI and Oldendorff officials to assess the impact the sanctions will have on RUSAL Guyana’s bauxite mining operations on the Upper Berbice River, and in the main, on the hundreds of workers in their employ. According to a statement issued by the Department of Public Information (DPI), word is that senior

officials in Europe are engaged in daily talks to mitigate whatever impacts there are or will be, and to ensure that information is communicated as soon as is available. CONTINUOUS ENGAGEMENT Both BCGI and Oldendorff have pledged to continue engaging their workers while respecting the labour laws of Guyana when handling their issues. They have also indicated their willingness to accept government’s support in whatever way possible. The ministers and MPs reportedly grilled the officials about their sharing of information with employees, and stressed the high value that government places on keeping the workers employed to avoid the social impact to the people of Region 10. Meanwhile, many of RUSAL’s workers are now looking at a glass half-empty following Oldendorff’s decision to cut ties with their employer, in compliance with US sanctions on Russian industrialist, Oleg Deripaska. On Friday, the Guyana Chronicle spoke with three RUSAL workers who have all expressed anger that their superiors continue to keep them in the dark about the

latest developments. And with the bauxite mines out of operation as a result of limited fuel since earlier in the week, they say, the situation seems even more grim and frightening. One worker speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Oldendorff’s decision will definitely stymie RUSAL’s operations and that while systems can be put in place for a substitute transhipment company, this will not be done overnight. “What will happen! The mother company done in limbo, and now Oldendorff pull out! I am very scared; the workers are scared about these latest developments,” the man said as he prepared for the night shift. Efforts to contact Rusal management to get their take on the matter continue to prove futile. WILL ‘FULLY COMPLY’ According to Reuters, Oldendorff, which has a large fleet of dry-bulk cargo ships, said in a statement that it will “fully comply with U.S. sanctions, and therefore will be winding up its business in Guyana in a timely manner,” but declined to provide any further details. While Oldendorff is an international company providing transhipment services in Ukraine, Ireland and the United States, its Guyana company, which is based in

Berbice, has in its employ approximately 200 workers. According to reports, the company did not engage PUGWU on the matter, and union representatives will be formally engaging the company concerning the fate of the workers. This totals approximately 700 workers both from RUSAL and Oldendorff whose jobs are on the line following these recent developments. RUSAL Kwakwani workers had told the Guyana Chronicle that fuel was expected there by Friday, but unto 17:00h, there was nothing. Meanwhile, every other operation at the company’s Aoriama location was going on as per normal. “It is not good coming to work and not knowing if tomorrow you are out of a job,” one worker said, adding: “I’m saying it is just respectful to meet with us and let us know what is going on; let us know what is your next move.”

A BETTER GRASP Meanwhile, Regional Vice-Chairman for Region 10, Elroy Adolph said that he attempted to meet with RUSAL officials to get a better understanding of the situation. According to a Reuters report, a number of RUSAL traders and customers have stopped buying its products, citing the sanction’s risk, and RUSAL apparent response was to dramatically scale

back its shipments for export. It’s owner, Oleg Deripaska was included on a U.S. sanctions blacklist this month, leading to anxiety among many of its customers, suppliers and creditors who fear that they, too, could be hit by sanctions through association with the company. The report also mentioned that RUSAL is encountering problems at the other end of its production cycle, too, with the sanctions taking a toll on the overseas operations that supply it with the raw materials it uses to produce metal. Rio Tinto, the Australian-British firm which supplies bauxite to some of RUSAL’s refineries and buys refined alumina, said it will declare a force majeure on some contracts, thereby showing the immediate impact the sanctions are having on RUSAL’s supply chain. Completing the triple whammy of problems besieging RUSAL, holders of the company’s debts are also growing restive. RUSAL’s dollar bonds slumped after the sanctions were imposed, and the company warned it could be in technical default because banks, trading platforms and clearing agents refuse to handle transactions linked to the issuer. Since then, the world’s two biggest container lines, Denmark’s Maersk and Switzerland’s MSC, have suspended trade with sanctions-hit Russian entities.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 22, 2018

Grazing cows at night nearly causes motorcyclist’s death

A 26-year-old tradesman had a narrow brush with death on the De Hoop, Mahaica Public Road, East Coast Demerara last Thursday. It happened when one of two cows, tied and left to graze at the roadside, suddenly ran into the path of the motorcycle he was riding and threw him prostrate on the ground. The accident occurred around 17:30 hrs as the young man was making his way home. But even though the accident did not turn out fatal, the motorcyclist sustained severe injuries and is currently warded at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Among injuries he suf-

fered are what appear to be a compound fracture to the right leg, a dislocated knee, along with swelling in the lower region of the right foot and ankle. His jaws are both swollen, which is consistent with fractures, while there is a cut on his mouth which had to be sutured. He is unable to bite or chew, and so has difficulty eating. His father is hopping mad over the suffering caused to his son by what he describes as the callousness and negligence of the cows’ owner. The irate man recalled that on the afternoon of the accident, the owners of the animals--a heifer and a bull-promised they were going to enter into a settlement.

32 fatal accidents since January SOME 32 persons have died in a total of 259 accidents since the start of this year, the Guyana Police Force has reported in a statement on Saturday. According to the statement, of the 32 killed, one included a child and 85 of the accidents occurred were deemed serious, an increase from the 72 recorded during the same period last year. Acting Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine and his top officers on Friday met with divisional traffic heads, other officers and inspectors to review the current traffic situation, particularly regarding road traffic fatalities and the contributing factors. Ramnarine and his team made it very clear that the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department must immediately enhance the education of road users and enforcement of the traffic laws. The Traffic personnel benefitted from an analysis of the traffic situation, particularly fatal accidents by the Police Policy Analyst, using the fatal accident statistics over a number of years. During this spatial and temporal analysis, the effective utilisation of human and other resources in pursuance of road safety was reviewed. Several other areas which needed immediate focus were deliberated, the statement said.

But after not seeing them, he made discreet enquiries, only to learn that the heifer had been sold the same night. Quite rightfully, the man is perturbed, since he claims that the police have not yet visited his son in hospital and taken any statement, but yet had disposed of the animal so that it cannot now be tendered in court as evidence. Meanwhile, the accident having taken place in Mahaica, the victim was first rushed to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, and hours later transferred to the GPHC. But shortly after being admitted to the institution, he was told that he would have to be transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital. But there is a snag, since,

given the injuries to the leg, he cannot travel in a hire car as he was advised to do. Now the family is appealing to the authorities to let good sense prevail and have him sent home by ambulance, since, according to his father, his son is in no condition to travel all that distance from Georgetown to New Amsterdam, neither has he been given any briefing on his son’s condition and what they need to do at home in relation to his injuries. The latest word on the matter is that the patient would be kept at the GPHC until such time as an ambulance comes from New Amsterdam to Georgetown to bring an emergency case to the GPHC.

Pedal cyclist dies in Sophia accident A 72-year-old security guard on a bicycle was killed while returning home Friday night after a taxi driver ran into him on Dennis Street, Sophia. Dead is Mohanram Kelawan of South Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara. Police said initial investigations have revealed that both the motorcar, HC 7724, and the pedal cyclist were proceeding west along Dennis Street and at some point, the deceased reportedly rode into the path of the motorcar, causing a collision. The cyclist was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The driver, a 52-yearold resident of Sophia, is

Dead: Mohanram Kelawan in custody assisting with investigations. According to Kelawan’s wife, Nandranie, the father of three had gone out to cut bamboo and drop it off at home when he was involved in the fatal accident.

Editorial

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 22, 2018

Tackling corruption THE State Assets Recovery Agency’s (SARA) announcement that it is preparing around 10 cases to be taken to the courts and that another 50 matters are being investigated must have been welcome news to citizens who have an interest in the maintenance of the rule of law. For the past three weeks, media reports have been flooded with comments from various quarters about the need for Guyana to stamp out corruption at all levels of society. This chorus has been led by the government with the Attorney General Mr Basil Williams playing a lead role in a series of anti-corruption workshops and consultations. He has also been speaking to the heads of agencies critical to Guyana’s anti-money laundering fight about their roles and responsibilities. At an anti-corruption march on Friday, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, stated that while this country has made tremendous strides in tackling the scourge, much more work needs to be done. Since every society is governed by laws, it means that among other supportive sign posts, the Rule of Law is paramount and automatic, as an accepted plank in the judicial decision-making process. Therefore, it is the legitimate expectation of society that all law-breakers, irrespective of status and class, will be answerable to its laws. But is this the understanding of sections of this society, especially those who are aware that they have committed serious acts of dishonesty that have placed them in direct collision with the law? Moreover, is this clearly known by their political backers from the political opposition who continue to deliberately mislead their constituents by claiming “witch-hunt’’? How can the latter be, when there are clear and unambiguous charges for them to answer in court? This is unashamedly an act of political dishonesty which contin-

ues in its desperate bid to legitimise corruption. It would seem that because of the longevity of this chronic social evil that has permeated every crevice of public service, that it has been accepted as a norm. The recent responses from the opposition once again bring this grave issue into focus. In fact, each time government makes an announcement about the advancement and preparation of the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) to pursue persons who have allegedly stolen state assets, the opposition shouts victimisation of those suspected because of members and association with its political party. SARA as a body enacted by legislation is not about politicisation as a reason for its raison d’etre, for investigating those suspected of financial crimes, because of their political affiliation. Its mandate in accordance with its prescribed lawful authority, gives it the right to prosecute anyone, irrespective of ethnicity, political loyalty/ affiliation, or social standing who unlawfully have taken state assets. Neither is the agency about taking away from a particular ethnic group what they have lawfully acquired, as one opposition party spokesperson claimed at a cultural function, some time ago. Theft, embezzlement and misappropriation of state assets take many forms. Some include denial of revenue to the state through non-payment or underpayment of taxes, white collar crimes and evading the regulatory and oversight functions of the state as prescribed by law. The idiom that there is no excuse for ignorance under the law — though not disputed—would be more meaningful should persons be aware what the laws require of them. Here there may be utility in establishing an information reservoir, easily accessible, and understood by the public. It may be useful to advance some form of public education that includes the delivery of literature, public service announcements and online access. Laws such as

the Integrity Act are vital to the process of holding public officials accountable. The principle of upholding ethical standards while in service to the people should not be trifled with. And here is where Guyanese look forward to the APNU+AFC government honouring its commitment to strengthen the Integrity Act and establish the Integrity Commission. Director of the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA), Professor Clive Thomas, has publicly made known this unit’s limitations of pursuing justice in the absence of enforcing laws. The many training courses designed to arm investigators of the various relevant arms tasked with these asset crimes investigations; the re-training of the nation’s judiciary for their role in the judicial process; the hiring of international state assets crimes experts to aid in the establishment of anti-corruption systems, as well as holding seminars that seek to inform public servants as to the evil that is corruption, and its threat to the state’s socio-economic well-being, testify to the vastness of an unprecedented avarice for state assets. No responsible government can afford to ignore such criminal pervasiveness that has inflicted so much damage. Thus, it is the right of any state to pursue and prosecute those who have transgressed its laws, irrespective of what their political party ties are; those who are found to be corrupt must never be rewarded by their ill- gotten gains on the backs of the hard-working, taxpaying Guyanese.

Rose Hall Town Council acted outside remit THE Local Government Commission (LGC) would like to place on record its actions with respect to the report in Stabroek News of Wednesday April 18th, 2018, addressing the Rose Hall Town Council’s moves to ‘hire’ a town clerk. The Rose Hall Town Council approached the LGC of Guyana seeking permission to hire a town clerk to fill the vacancy for this post within the council. The LGC, in keeping with section 19 of the Local Government Commission Act 2013 (delegation of powers),

agreed via letter to delegate to the council and all other local government organs, the authority of recruitment (advertising shortlisting and interviewing) for staff. However, the commission requires that all local government organs write informing the commission of such vacancies before engaging in the recruitment procedure (advertising, shortlisting and interviewing) and consequent recommendation for appointment by the LGC. The Rose Hall Council was also informed in this letter dated March 21st, 2018, that the local government

organs shall ensure that an officer of the LGC is present during the shortlisting and interviewing process. The officer would be an observer of the procedure and would not offer any advice or suggestion unless so directed by the LGC. We noted that the Rose Hall Town Council executed these delegated tasks and exceeded this clearly outlined mandate by purporting to hire a town clerk, clearly in contravention to the stated delegated functions. The commission wrote the council again on April 10th, 2018, instructing them

to rescind this action since the law clearly states in section 13 (2) of the Local Government Commission Act 2013 that: “The Commission SHALL deal with all matters relating to staffing of local government organs and in particular shall- (a) be responsible for employment, transfer, discipline and dismissal of staff”. It is therefore with serious concern that we observed that the council again disregarded these direct, lawful directives and proceeded to ‘engage’ someone to fill this vacancy. The LGC of Guyana is

committed to ensuring that the letter and spirit of the law as enshrined in the Local Government Commission Act is adhered to, in order to ensure good governance for all. This includes ensuring that all of the local government organs under its purview are held accountable to the statutes and regulations that fall within our mandate. In keeping with this determination, the Rose Hall Town Council has clearly acted outside of its remit, and has been instructed by letter from the commission to rescind

the hiring of any person so appointed to fill the vacant position of town clerk of that municipality, and this vacancy will only be filled upon the consideration and written approval of the commissioners of the Local Government Commission of Guyana as provided for by law. Yours sincerely, Regards, Nickalai Pryce Secretary Local Government Commission

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 22, 2018

Agriculture is in safe hands

–– Harmon tells Region Three agriculture expo

By Navendra Seoraj

MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon has called on farmers, producers and entrepreneurs of Region Three to graduate from being raw producers to engaging in value-added production. “We must look for the “Made in Guyana” brand and we must recognise that this is the brand of the future; the future of the Caribbean

ident David Granger, who insisted that it must be held in all regions because every region has peculiar features. The President believes that every region is unique with its own talent, natural resources and activities. According to Minister Harmon, the exhibition creates a conduit through which farmers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs become exposed to an environment that will boost production

Persons were intrigued by some of the processed items that were produced locally (Adrian Narine photo)

and even the world,” Harmon told the opening the region’s Regional Agricultural and Commercial Exhibition (RACE) at the Leonora stadium, West Coast Demerara, on Saturday. The exhibition, which was organised by the regional administration of Region Three and the Region Three Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was well received by hundreds of persons who were able to see what the region has to offer, especially in the area of agro-processing. “There was a rich display of items produced by farmers, agro processors and entrepreneurs of the region; and this demonstrates that agricultural development and the food security of the country are in safe hands,” he said, adding that RACE was initially established to show persons what the different regions have to offer. Harmon reminded the gathering that the exhibitions are the brainchild of Pres-

and productivity, stimulate innovation and value-added production and create employment. The participants are not the only ones who are exposed to new opportunities, since citizens would also be able to discover and buy locally made products. RACE, he said, also aids in expansion of the manufacturing sector and assists the government in its effort to reduce poverty, decrease the food import bill and build strong regional economies. “As such, we urge that RACE becomes a permanent fixture in the calendar of activities of each region,” posited Harmon. With agro-processing being the main focus of the exhibition, the minister pointed out that many farmers and entrepreneurs are moving away from the old practice of planning and selling to value-added production. Most of the exhibitors had processed herbs and vegetables on display; a sight

which Harmon said is in line with the government’s Agricultural Diversification Programme. “From next week, I will visit the establishments of these young manufacturers to see in what way the government can help them to grow and become major producers,” he said. The exhibitors and other farmers were encouraged to produce because there are wide diasporas, Caribbean

and international markets for products that are produced locally. But as they approach production of the items, Minister Harmon said it must be done within the context of the government’s Green State Development Strategy. Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin, who also addressed the gathering, stressed the importance of adopting the methods of the strategy.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon has a look at some of the value-added products made by this exhibitor (Adrian Narine photo)

He said it will provide a long-term direction for a sustainable path to national development. A number of exhibitors displayed sustainable initiatives that they intend

to improve as they grow. Most of them said the expo, which is the first of its kind in that region, was a good opportunity to learn new and better ways of doing business.

GUYANA ENJOYS GOOD HEALTH

THE 2017 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Guyana was released by John Sullivan, Acting Secretary of State of the US Government. It gives Guyana a clean bill of health. Essentially, since the 2015 ascension to office of the APNU+AFC coalition government, Guyana has pursued a determined path of respect for the inalienable rights of citizens as set out in both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. The US Report would match performance or practices in a specific country as against these declarations and principles of fundamental human rights. These form the standard against which countries are judged when their report cards are examined for violations. Very few countries ever live up fully to the expectations much less, the letter of those entrenched rights. TEN COMMANDMENTS It appears that Guyana has almost fully met all the benchmarks that would characterise her as a proper democracy. Here are some of the features that distinguished us from past authoritarian states, that the 2017 Report identified:* Guyana is a multi-party democracy; * Government was elected at free, fair and credible elections; * Plural media enjoy freedom of the press and right to free expression without restrictions; * Independence of an impartial judiciary is respected; * There is academic freedom; * Citizens enjoy right to privacy and non-interference with their correspondence, family and home; * Right to association, assembly and to protest is protected; * No suspect has been tortured, or made a political detainee; * No one has been the victim of extra-judicial killing; and * Fresh local government elections, not held since 1994, were realised under the coalition government. Those would form the Ten Commandments of Good Governance, and whilst there remains much room for improvement, it cannot be denied that Guyana has a stable democracy.

PRISON CONDITIONS The report drew attention to the on-going irritant of both the condition of inmates and the over-crowding of our prisons, which were inherited from the previous administration. The over-bloated Georgetown prisons, with over 3,000 inmates (some on remand for over seven years) caused the fires that completely gutted the facilities. The prison rebellion was put down with not a single prisoner being killed; and only two remain at large. To deal with prisoners on remand and the backlog of cas-

es, Vice-President Ramjattan, Attorney General Williams and I represented the Executive at talks with the judiciary and the magistracy. At that time, the security forces were still literally dousing the fire of prison unrest that quickly re-ignited at improvised, open-air, holding facilities. The state released almost $70 million for the establishment of night courts and the recruitment of temporary magistrates. Emergency plans were speedily executed to transfer prisoners to better secured locations, and bids were opened for the construction of high-security, new prison facilities outside of Georgetown. It could not be possible for all those details to be inserted into a Country Report, but it suffices to say that it was a fair and balanced account. It is good to know that Guyana is no longer reported as a country known for police torture of suspects, extra-judicial killings, summary executions and engagement by the state of high-profile criminals in the nation’s security. CORRUPT PRACTICES We have had more than our share of corrupt practices and involvement in criminal activities by members of the security forces, which had developed as a sub-culture of bribe-taking over many previous years. But the report noted that the new government has effectively implemented criminal laws against corrupt practices. Under successive post-Jagan governments, Guyana became notorious for pervasive corruption amongst public officials, some of whom are only now facing criminal prosecution. That curse of corruption would not disappear overnight, and the report noted that widespread public perception of corruption by officials remained. Since 2016, new agencies have been established and a menu of measures has been put into place, to address sleaze in public office. The fight against money-laundering and efforts to recover stolen state assets are in their early stages. The integrity legislation was reformed to strengthen the Code of Conduct for persons holding public office, and a new Integrity Commission was appointed

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 22, 2018

to replace the entity that did not function since 2009. HEALTH FRONT I wish to now turn to the medical front, to look at Health Expo 2018, which I launched a few days ago. Using my own “after-the-fact” experience of how to be and keep healthy, I appealed to citizens to join with government in promoting better living with good health. Good health has remained one of the goals of Guyana since independence, to provide countrywide, accessible, free, public health care and services. Though governments change, our public Health policy remains a fine legacy of commitment to this national goal, which was enshrined in Article 24 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, as follows:“Every citizen has the right to free medical attention and also to social care in case of old age and disability.” Our constitution also provides for the right of citizens to rest, recreation and leisure. In pursuit of that, our government has encouraged the unique creation of open spaces and the construction of parks and boardwalks for leisure. This is the framework within which our nation pursues its policy for good health and a better life for all citizens. The question has been though, to what extent could we afford to provide adequate facilities and services for our people, and to spread them throughout our vast country? Even the cynics would concede that Guyana has an impressive public health system, that has seen improvements incrementally over the years. We would quarrel over the adequacy of beds and the over-crowding of urgent care centres, but at the end of the day, no one is turned away. HUGE HEALTH BUDGETS These improvements are easily reflected in the huge national and regional budgetary allocations for the public health sector, as follows:In 2012 the state provided $12.8 Billion, which was increased to $28 Billion in 2016, shortly after the coalition took office. This year, (2018), the health vote jumped to $33.3 Billion or 12.5% of the entire national budget! The free, public health system is a great relief for working people for whom, for much too long, life has been painful and short. Life expectancy has now climbed from 39 years during the colonial period to 65, at which age senior citizens get a state pension. But demands and pressures on the public health system remain, as our society continues to be plagued by wanton road accidents, injuries from domestic violence, sickness from misuse of alcohol and drugs, and from chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart failure. I commend Health Ministers Volda Lawrence and Karen Cummings for their great leadership of this sector. I can testify that Minister Lawrence has put in place measures to curb the abuses, especially in procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, in this sector. SOLE-SOURCING Guyanese must never forget the tens of billions of dollars that were given to friends of the former regime in sole-sourcing of these essentials. The drugs lobby had effectively incubated their breed of political surrogates, who in turn would scream periodically about drugs shortages, to create a premature demand – a prescription that would be readily filled through sole-sourcing by the highly favoured cronies. No wonder that the opposition has taken the drugs lobby to a higher plane and is fighting back, with a vengeance. The aim is to embarrass certain officials for the loss of the dirty loot that has been extracted from the public health sector. That notwithstanding, Guyana on both the political and medical fronts, enjoys good health.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 22, 2018

Plunge into the jungle

EVERYTIME I see a television show set in a post-apocalyptic world or in the midst of a zombie apocalypse I always comically think to myself: “Don’t any of these characters know their history?” The first thing you need to do to restore order is get a few of your friends together and hand out some short stabbing swords and shields. In about 10 minutes you’ll have conquered everything within sight and restored order. Why? Because, as leaders as diverse as Caesar and Shaka Zulu have demonstrated, those are the most efficient weapons of the pre-industrial world. Simple to use. Simple to make. Simple to distribute. There’s a lot to be said for efficiency and as a result of their particular weapons, both Caesar and Shaka led highly successful campaigns. Historians may separate these men by 1000 factors, but the core of their approach is almost exactly the same. How can we best incorporate this emphasis on efficiency into our national development strategy? Is there perhaps a sector of our economy which is both highly productive and, strange enough, highly inefficient? Somehow, I can’t get it out of my mind that in

some parts of the interior it costs a $1000 for a beer. Everything is exceptionally expensive, because the high-earning gold miners are desperate for goods that are few and far between, because of the arduous journey through the jungle to supply the businesses near them. And so while the industry is productive, it also is highly inefficient at improving standards of living. All the value that is generated seems to be soaked up by the Amazon! Over the past few weeks, it has become clear that very significant sums are available if Guyana should choose to borrow from the Islamic Development Bank. Turning our gold industry from a mere employer to an engine of prosperity through strategic infrastructural investments is as good a policy as any. Not only does the economy need an economic boost, there is much to gain from a more efficient industry. Standards of living for gold workers are certainly far below what they might be, if access to the many local gold-mining areas was greatly improved. How often have we heard anecdotes of the rigours of hinterland travel? I hear too many times about difficult roads like “plungein,” where the passenger

next to the driver has to bail water out as the vehicle rolls on through muddy water. It is no wonder that a beer costs $1000 if it has to go through such torment to get to the cooler. Another way gold workers suffer is that an inability to visit one’s family and friends regularly due to such rigours, forces them to become seasonal workers. A friend of mine mentioned he could make a maximum of 500,000 a month in the interior, but also that he would only work there for six months at a time -- of course, that means he is only really working for an average of $250,000 a month before taxes. While certainly very good nonetheless, it’s a shame he couldn’t make $500,000 all year round. Of course, better access to the interior will probably mean more people flooding the mining industry, driving down wages. But if at the very least the beer is cheaper and miners can visit their friends and family with relative ease, they will certainly be far better off. Even further, however, instead of resources being wasted on an outrageous cost of living they can instead be turned to further developing business operations, or generating new businesses or industries altogether, boosting both job creation

and tax revenue. It is thus that infrastructural spending which specifically supports our gold industry will likely have a secondary effect on the economy, which can sharply increase growth. It would represent one of the best national investments in terms of likely returns. I would even hazard that gold miners would be willing to move their families inland, if travel to the coast were not so cumbersome that living in the interior to a certain extent cuts one off from the daily happenings in Guyanese society. This would further develop inland areas as communities begin to grow. Only a few hours drive to the coast on the weekends? That seems reasonable. I have long believed that focusing on oil revenue in a way misses the point about the moment Guyana is truly experiencing. What we have long decried is a lack of capital to make the best use of our considerable hinterland resources. Now that we have it, our task is simply to have the confidence to follow through on all that promise. While we certainly shouldn’t get carried away, we need to make use of oil resources as soon as possible. If we are strategic, focusing on efficiency much like the great societies of antiquity

we have nothing to fear. And perhaps that is what I most respect about Guyana’s gold

miners -- they are not afraid to plunge into the jungle in search of a better life.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 22, 2018

Recruitment agency found jobs for 1000 last year

THE Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency has found jobs for 1000 job seekers of the some 2000 it registered last year. The majority of the persons seeking jobs are between ages 15 to 35, Chief Recruitment and Manpower Officer, Valarie Moore told the Department of Public Information (DPI). She said for 2018 (January to March), some 700 persons registered for jobs, about 200 of which were placed jobs. Moore explained that for January alone, the agency saw a total of 95 persons, while in February some 169 persons registered. These numbers, she said, does not include those who are already in the system awaiting job placements. “We have a term we call submission, which means sending someone to take part in interviews and so sometime that number will be more than the registration that we have, but we normally look at those persons in the system already,” Moore added. For those persons with two and three subjects at Caribbean Secondary Examination Council (CSEC) and little or no skills, Moore said that the call centres usually take off those persons. Moore noted that they advise persons on where they can go to improve their qualifications and get assistance. They also share with the job–seekers what are some of the benefits of obtaining a skill and/ or academic qualifications. The agency also collaborates with the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) which provides training for unqualified individuals through the Government Technical Institute (GTI) and the Guyana School of Agriculture. However, she said that sometimes some of the youths do not need jobs, but need advice, or in some cases public assistance. Those persons are referred to the Woman of Worth (WOW), and the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) under the Ministry of Social Protection. The Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency is a division of the Social Protection Ministry that registers applicants for employment, taking specific note of their occupational qualifications, experiences, and desires. Its objective is to place individuals seeking jobs in suitable employment while providing career guidance and counselling. The agency was established by the Government of Guyana in October 1944.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 22, 2018

Step up war against corruption – crime chief

By Ariana Gordon PARTICIPANTS of a two-week anti-corruption training course facilitated by the British Government in collaboration with the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) were on Friday urged not to sit idly by and allow their colleagues and seniors to stagnate progress in solving crimes of corruption. Crime Chief Paul Williams, acknowledging that corruption has evolved rapidly over the years, noted that there is a great need for investigators and law-enforcement operators to be “contemporary”. As such, training in an-

apace. Bring it to the attention of those who you think need to [know], and let us ensure that whatever is being taught is put into practice,” implored the crime chief. Williams also called on the investigators to be proactive and expand their knowledge in their respective fields. “With the platform you are given, you can go now and explore, read, get yourself au fait, check to see what are best practices in other places… build your own personal capacity,” he encouraged, while noting that strengthened partnerships are critical to success. Similarly, Dr Sam Sittlington, Irish financial

Crime Chief, Paul Williams He disclosed that during the first week the participants were taught about fraud investigations, the body language of suspects; how to identify

Participants gathered outside of the Police Officers’ training complex, Camp Street, Friday, at the conclusion of the two-week anti-corruption training programme. Also in photo are British experts, Tony Crompton and Mark Dilliway; Crime Chief Paul Williams; SOCU’s adviser, Dr Sam Sittlington; and Russell Combe, presidential advisor on the security sector reform programme (Delano Williams photo) ti-corruption techniques must be focused on addressing gaps and issues, while taking into consideration the culture of the jurisdiction in which the said programmes are implemented, the crime chief said. He reminded the 30 participants from SOCU, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Agency (CANU), the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA), the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), that they must maximise every opportunity presented to them in the area of bettering their anti-corruption skills. Williams at the closing ceremony for the training programme noted that many of the participants’ superiors may not understand the “new way of doing things”, but warned the investigators against allowing their supervisors to prevent them from executing their tasks. “… I don’t think you should sit idly by and allow those things to happen. We understand yes, you are showing respect for your superiors; you want to show that you are really and truly performing within the limitation of ethics. “Ethics doesn’t require you to sit there idly and then don’t see things happen or move

investigations adviser to SOCU, applauded the participants who outlined the many challenges facing them in executing their functions. IMPRESSED “I am so impressed about how you felt about your supervisor, colleagues and how there is a zero- tolerance attitude in your minds in dealing with these types of offences. It is a very brave decision, in an environment where you are sometimes not getting the support of your peers and to take a stand… and to say the things you have said,” Dr Sittlington stated, while noting that much more training is needed. Corruption, the SOCU adviser said is not a new phenomenon, but has become embedded in the lives of many globally. As such, he said the course is a necessity for investigators and law-enforcement officers tasked with investigating fraud, bribery and corruption. “Two weeks ago when this course opened, I saw investigators coming into unknown territory and during the past two weeks, I saw participants who were hungry for knowledge, who asked questions, interacted with each other and the trainers,” Dr Sittlington stated.

a believable liar or unbelievably lying as well as the fraud model; how to conduct investigations using integrity, how to gather evidence, reporting, technical support and how to deal with the seizure of computers, among other areas. During the second week, the participants were involved in bribery investigations, case studies and risk assessments. The programme was deemed practical and intense and necessary for the local investigators, as oftentimes they are bogged down with looking at PowerPoint presentations or other documents. THINK CREATIVELY The participants were called upon to think outside of the box and look at ways in which they can solve fraud, bribery and corruption cases, while ensuring that those found guilty are placed before the courts. The two-week programme was run by British experts, Tony Crompton and Mark Dilliway, who both have over 30 years experience in serious and organised crime, as well as in fraud with the City of London Police. Some 14 SOCU members, nine CID fraud members, two

CANU, one FIU and four representatives from SARA participated in the training programme funded by the British Government; they all received certificates of completion. Meanwhile, Presidential Adviser on the Security Sector Reform Programme, Russell Combe, told reporters at the conclusion of the two-week training programme that the said programme falls within the Security Sector Reform Programme. “Today’s event marked the end of two weeks training in a

specialist area that is important to improving the Guyana Police Force’s ability to fighting, detecting and achieving success in enforcement. It is part of what I would consider to be part of security sector reform and is one of the activities that are ongoing,” he said. Combe in January submitted a report on the country’s security sector after spending one year here. The report is currently being considered by President David Granger. Combe will serve as the President’s adviser for another year.

Irish Financial Investigations Adviser to SOCU, Dr Sam Sittlington

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 22, 2018

Unite against corruption …UK urges stronger partnerships in fighting graft

By Ariana Gordon WHILE Guyana has been improving in the international perception corruption indices over the past three years, progress remains slow in this regard, British High Commissioner to Guyana Greg Quinn said Friday. Quinn was at the time addressing participants at the State Assets Recovery Agency’s (SARA) Anti-corruption walk. The British envoy applauded Guyana for its efforts, but made it clear that much more work needs to be done. A country free of corruption, Quinn said, cannot be achieved in isolation as he stressed the need for strengthened partnerships among all stakeholders. “Corruption matters because it corrodes the fabric of society. It undermines people’s trust in the systems of society and institutions of society; it is an obstacle to democracy and to the rule of law, it depletes national wealth and degrades the physical environment.” He reminded those present that while Guyana’s

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn

David Robinson, Anti-Corruption adviser UNODC

progress on the corruption perception indices reveals progress, it is not enough. In 2017, Guyana scored 38, making it the 91st out of the 180 countries, In 2016, the country scored 108 out of 176 and in 2015 it was 119 out of 167 with a score of 29. “…so things are getting better but slowly. It is important to note that a score below 50 indicates problems with corruption, so let’s not think this is still not an issue.” Quinn stressed that there can be no escape or impunity for those who are corrupt.

“Regardless of where you are or who you are everyone must act within and be subject to the laws of the land. At the same time people, must also be free to highlight corruption and to see those who practise it be brought to boot.” He noted too that in order for corruption to be highlighted, it is critical that people feel that they would be taken seriously and that action would be taken. As such, the British High Commissioner made it clear that proper reporting systems need to be put in place as well

Director of SARA, Professor Clive Thomas as systems to protect those who report wrongdoing. “No one except those who practise it believes corruption is a good thing or is acceptable,” Quinn stated, while adding that by pointing out corruption, impunity for those involved would not exist. Themed, “Corruption is everybody’s business,” the anti-corruption walk which is part of a campaign saw

oration. Noting that SARA is only one year old, Professor Thomas said much has been achieved. “The institution is rooted in the fight against corruption and the recovery of stolen assets and we are driven by this, because we feel that poverty and the deprivation that existed in this country are absolutely intolerable given our national wealth,” he stated. SARA he said is not prepared to have those who have privileges of any sort, political, economic, and social to monopolise. “The best way we can distinguish ourselves and show we are serious about the fight against corruption is by self-help,” stressing that Guyana has established an over-dependence on the international community. “What I find solace in, is the fight against corruption is an international fight. We can’t recover state property without fighting in the courts outside of Guyana. The fight is not a national fight, it is

ticipants that corruption has unfortunately become part of life, while noting that a country can have the best bribery and anti-corruption legislation in the world, but it would be ineffective “because they don’t take ownership of the problem”. The Irish expert noted that law enforcement officers are being equipped with the requisite tools to fight corruption here. On Friday some 30 investigators completed a twoweek bribery and anti-corruption training programme facilitated by the British government. “We need to plug the gaps in the legislation and make everyone accountable and let these officers do their jobs, because that’s what they want to do and that’s what they are being trained to do,” Dr Sittlington stated. Similarly, David Robinson, Anti-Corruption adviser, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said it is important that all stakeholders work together

Participants gather before the anti-corruption walk Friday. Seated in the front row from right to left are: Deputy Director SARA, ret’d Major Aubrey Heath-Retemyer; Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes; British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn; David Robinson, Anti-Corruption advisor UNODC; Dr Sam Sittlington, Irish financial investigations adviser to SOCU, and Director of SARA, Professor Clive Thomas. (Delano Williams photo) several stakeholders participating in a walk which took place along Camp Street, Georgetown. Similarly, Director of SARA, Professor Clive Thomas said, “You cannot sit back and expect me and SARA to be able to fight all the battles for you. You have to put a helping hand. The public has to be involved and institutions have to be involved.” Professor Thomas noted that a synergetic approach is needed to tackle corruption here. The sum of the whole is greater than its parts, he stated, while Guyana stands to benefit more through collab-

a global fight,” Professor Thomas stressed Friday before participants embarked on the anti-corruption walk. “Assets have left Guyana and have been deposited in accounts outside of Guyana and we have to find the means and support we need to get – to place the charges against the persons who hold Guyanese assets through unlawful conduct and try to recover it for Guyana. We can only do it with international help,” he continued. Meanwhile, Dr Sam Sittlington, Irish financial investigations adviser to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), reminded par-

to fight corruption. He reminded that corruption is stealing from the poor and that it undermines growth and prosperity. “It is also important to recognise it has no name. It doesn’t belong to one person, people or political party. It is the responsibility of everyone to fix – we all have a part to play no matter how small that part may seem,” he stated. Robinson noted that Guyana became a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Corruption (UNCAC) in 2008 and while he said See page 12

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 22, 2018

Unite against ... From page 11

progress in implementing the Convention has been “a little slow,” the passage of the SARA legislation in 2017 represented “a major step in the right direction”. “While there is significant work yet to be done… it is important that first steps are taken,” he said, noting that SARA has been the subject of grave misunderstanding and misrepresentations.

“It is important to acknowledge that many jurisdictions have recognised or are now recognising the importance of seizing unlawfully obtained assets. Guyana is not alone here in the Caribbean in creating a body such as SARA”, he said, pointing to Jamaica. Canada, USA, and Kenya have also been used as examples in this regard.

A young woman signs an anti-corruption banner on Friday (Delano Williams)

“SARA’s activity represents a further step along the road, the road towards a brighter future. Corruption and its highly damaging effects can be relegated to a footnote in Guyanese history – and Guyana’s incredibly rich natural resources can benefit everyone,” Robinson concluded. Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, said her government is making good on its campaign promise to stamp out corruption. She said, “we have kept our works…we have a zero tolerance to corruption”. “None of us can say corruption is not deeply embedded in our country and our people,” she said, noting that efforts at eradicating the scourge rest not only with government, but with each individual. “I want to urge all Guyanese that corruption is something we should speak out against. We should all fight to have a country free of corruption,” Broomes stated, while noting that stamping

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn (left), Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes and David Robinson, Anti-Corruption adviser UNODC (right) lead the walk against corruption Friday along the Camp Street avenue, Georgetown (Delano Williams photo) out corruption will ensure Guyana obtains the respect it deserves. Deputy Director SARA, ret’d Major Aubrey Heath-Retemyer, outlined the difference between SARA, and SOCU. He made it clear that SARA is concerned mainly with civil recovery. “We are not concerned with

the length of sentence someone gets for his activity or her activity. We are simply concerned with the retrieval of state patrimony,” HeathRetemyer stated. SOCU on the other hand he said, is responsible for ensuring that the criminal aspect of the matter is dealt with in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, three students from the Skeldon Line Path Secondary School, in Berbice and the Abram Zuil Secondary on the Essequibo Coast received prizes for placing first, second and third respectively in SARA’s anti-corruption essay competition earlier this year.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 22, 2018

Locals reportedly working with ‘El Sindicatos’ gang

SOME gold miners operating along Guyana’s western border who have been affected by Venezuela’s ‘El Sindicatos’ gang are suspicious that locals might be providing the criminal group with vital information on local targets. This has been the assertion as assailants continue to pounce on mining operations along Guyana’s border with Venezuela. “I feel somebody guiding these men as to where to go and who to hit,” a George-

town resident who recently returned from the Cuyuni/Mazaruni region told Guyana Chronicle. The man, who is a technician, said he was in Region Seven’s Ekereku Backdam conducting work on behalf of his company when he came across some miners who had emerged from “Ekereku bottom” to call their families in the city to inform them that they had been robbed by the ‘El Sindicatos’.

The technician said the robbery had occurred three weeks ago; one week before Dominican Republic national Pedro Pablo Rosario was shot dead during a robbery by armed bandits at Black Water Backdam, Cuyuni River. The man said since the incident, the miners have reported the matter to the police but was reportedly told that the incident occurred on an international border. The technician said he too related the matter to a relative--a senior member of the army who promised to look into the incident. “These people like they does come over and camp and then go back, at least that is what the men said,” the technician reported. He told this newspaper that the miners are convinced that Guyanese are involved with the criminal group and are helping them to carry out the robberies or providing them with information on where and who to attack. The man said one miner told him that his camp was not easily accessible and

anyone going to the camp must know its location to get in and out. The technician said that even though the bandits were speaking Spanish, the miners remain firm that there is some Guyanese involvement. They do not believe that the Venezuelans know Guyana’s backdam that well to easily locate mining camps. “These men are not behaving nice,” the technician said, adding that “They are not coming one and two, is a lot of them and they are heavily armed.” Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan only weeks ago visited some border communities and promised to dispatch more police ranks to the area to stave off the ‘El Sindicatos’. Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley had said the reports involving the criminal gang were coming from areas deep within the mining area, closer to the border. Sporadic attacks have been taking place in which persons were hurt or even killed, the chairman said.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 22, 2018

Gaskin emphasises partnership approach to development –– at opening of second Essequibo Agriculture Trade Fair GROWING the economy is not exclusively the work of government, but requires the integral effort of the private sector, Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin said as he opened the second Essequibo Agriculture Trade Fair on Friday. Addressing hundreds at the Anna Regina Centre Ground, Region Two at the fair organised by the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce, the business minister underscored the importance of a partnership approach to development. “So both the government and the private sector have a role to play in developing this country and tonight we can see how this works and how together we can develop this country and make it a place where generations of Guyanese will want to stay and to work and to live good lives” Minister Gaskin said. The Essequibo Agriculture and Trade Expo, he noted, provides a powerful platform for the region to showcase its potential and value to the rest of Guyana. “This region grows food

and that food can be processed and packaged right here in this region and sold locally and internationally,” Minister Gaskin said. Pointing to the region’s thriving coconut industry, the minister urged entrepreneurs to make full use of it and look at venturing into the bottling of the coconut water. The minister also praised the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce for hosting the expo, contending that more are needed in the country to help businesses prepare for the growing demand in the near future. “I am particularly happy to be here to see the agriculture and agro-processing that are taking place; it tells me that Region Two is preparing for a bright future ahead,” Gaskin said. Essequibo Chamber of Commerce President, Deleep Singh, told the gathering that “Essequibo means business”, noting that since the resuscitation of the chamber two years ago, it has made significant contribution to the region’s economy. The two-day fair provides

Stephane standing next to her agro-processing products which include honey, casreep, crabwood oil, and virgin coconut oil

Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin addressing the opening of the Essequibo Agro Trade Fair 2018 Friday evening an opportunity for entrepre- The latter, she said, will reneurs to meet, network and quire all roads leading to the share information about the lakes and resorts to be built. products and services they One of the exhibitors, provide. Stephanie (only name given) In the past few years, said she was happy for the Singh said a number of busi- opportunity to showcase her nesses have been established richly-made casreep, honthroughout the region, point- ey, crabwood oil and virgin ing out that this is a positive coconut oil, a business she indication of potential in ev- has been doing for the past ery sector of the region. five years. The chamber, he said, Another exhibitor, Anita will continue to work with Sankar, who operates a handthe Ministry of Business and icraft business, said since the other stakeholders to support first expo, her business has businesses in the region as received positive feedbacks. well as to look at ways to Some of the exhibitors create employment and bring included Big Birds and businesses updated with tech- Son, Samaroo’s Investnologies. ment, Aunty Otia Catering, Regional Executive Of- Kosmic Vibes, the Minficer Rupert Hopkinson said istry of Business, Massy the expo is a timely eco- Industry, Morning Glory nomic boost as it will aid in Cereal and the University jump-starting the region’s of Guyana. economy. Regional Vice Chairperson, Nandranie Coojah, who represented Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, said the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two congratulated the Essequibo Chamber for hosting the expo. She called for better infrastructure for farmers and said more attention should be placed on the tourism sector.

Minister Gaskin and team examine one of the booths at the expo

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 22, 2018

From housewife to teacher –– Bernice Lewis looks forward to retirement

By Ariana Gordon At 52 years old, Bernice Lewis, a mother of nine who hails from the Indigenous village of Phillipai, located along the Mazaruni River, is looking forward to retiring in three years and spending quality time with her children. Lewis, who now resides at Mora Camp, Region Seven, in a recent interview with Guyana Chronicle, detailed how she moved from her desire to being a housewife to that of a teacher. Currently, she teaches at the Itabali Primary School and is serving as the acting head teacher. Her substantive post at the school is senior mistress. But while her designation may be intriguing for some, Lewis noted that it was her intention to have a simple family life where she would take care of her household and not have to worry about work. She was quick to point out that her decision to enter the teaching profession had nothing to do with trials or hardships she was facing at the time. In fact, it was the persistence of a few who recognised her talents that resulted in her becoming a teacher. “I am not born to be a teacher… I wanted to be at home relaxing and looking after my child or children. But life took me in a different direction. I had three children that time. I never completed my primary education but I don’t know how come they had chosen me. When the first teacher came and ask for me I would go and teach… every day I have to write notes and I said I am different; I don’t want to do it,” Lewis recounted as she stirred a pot of Cassareep which she was preparing to be sold later that week.

Bernice Lewis stirs a pot of casreep (Delano Williams photo) WANTED TO QUIT “I struggled, I wrote the teacher’s exam and I passed. I went to CPCE and I had a mind to quit and I said if I failed the first course I would quit,” the mother of nine continued even as her husband, a former headmaster, looked at her loving eyes as he swung from a hammock. Lewis attended the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) from 1995 to 1997 where she graduated. When she joined the institution located at Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara, she was forced to leave behind her three month-old baby. That decision, Lewis told Guyana Chronicle, was a difficult one. “When I passed the first year, I said well, I have to struggle to pass the second year… but at the same time my thinking was to quit the

Dried cassava bread awaiting packaging (Delano Williams photo)

was transferred from time to time. “He was transferred and I had to transfer behind him. He moved to Issano, and then we came here and I had my children,” she explained as she placed cassava bread, a main staple for indigenous communities, out to dry. While living at Mora Camp, Lewis said she made an application to the Regional Education Office in Region Seven, seeking a transfer to a school in the mining town of Bartica so that she can be closer to her children. Her request was not granted. “Itabali was the vacant school,” she said, noting that to get from where she lives to Itabali, she would take a 35-minute boat ride up the Mazaruni River. “It is not difficult you know… it really isn’t, but I would have preferred to be teaching in Bartica… it is closer to home,” Lewis told Guyana Chronicle. HAPPY She takes pride, however, in the fact that she will retire in three years.

A pot of casreep left to boil (Delano Williams photo) my cassava bread, cassareep, casiri and farm… we live mainly on local and organic food made from cassava, she said,” while pointing to a cassava farm located not far away from her home. Lewis sells her produce on a daily basis and the income earned from that is used to provide for her family. “I have been doing this a long time. This is my living, my way of life,” she said as she rushed over to her pot of cassareep to quickly stir the liquid. Asked whether she is faced with many challenges in her community, Lewis told Guyana Chronicle that access to potable water is a challenge. She recounted that just before the interview with this publication, she was walking towards a nearby creek to get water and a snake, which she described as being relatively large, coiled around her

feet. “For the first time in my life a snake coil up on my leg and I screamed and screamed. I kicked and it loose out. I had my little child with me,” she recounted while appearing uneasy. The 52-year-old woman is calling on the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) to examine the possibility of installing a well in the community. “A person came but he couldn’t install it ---he said the sand blocking the bottom and they couldn’t get it out.” But at the end of the day, life at Mora Camp for Bernice Lewis is beautiful and peaceful, and according to her, being able to make her products sell is where the heart is. Her cassava bread is being sold at $700 for a big one and $500 for a small one while a bottle of cassareep is being sold at $3000.

Bernice Lewis, her husband and two of her children (Delano Williams photo) job ---this clearly wasn’t God’s plan,” she related with a broad smile plastered on her face. The woman has been teaching at the Itabali Primary School for about six years and has been holding the portfolio of acting headteacher for two years. “I am from the Upper Mazaruni, a village called Phillipai… I was born and I grew there,” the teacher of approximately 26 years stated. Before then, she would move from community to community as her husband, a now retired headmaster,

“I am going to finish my service there … retire,” she stated as she explained that she often times join the boats which take students to school at Itabali. Asked why she is so eager to retire, Lewis said it will allow her to live her fantasy of being a housewife. Now that the majority of her children have relocated, she only lives with her husband and three youngest children. “I struggled to be a teacher… but when I come off I will continue to make

Bernice Lewis fetches two big pieces of cassava bread (Delano Williams photo)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 22, 2018

Police to seek legal advice – on alleged stand-off with bandits on G’town Seawall

WITH speculation still rife as to what really transpired at the Georgetown Seawall on March 15 that left three suspected bandits shot dead, the police on Friday confirmed that a report has been completed and submitted to the relevant authorites for legal advice. According to reports, on March 15, Dextroy Cordis, Kwame Assanah, and Errol Adams were shot dead during an exchange of gunfire with undercover cops who had tailed them to the seawall, where they were about to rob the customer of a city bank after trailing

him there. At the time, the undercover cops were reportedly monitoring several banks in the city as part of a sting operation aimed at arresting the increase in cases of persons being trailed and robbed after visiting commercial banks. The police claimed that they came under fire when they confronted the suspects and it was in self-defence that they returned fire, killing all three men. But an eyewitness who was reportedly working nearby is refuting the police’s version of what had transpired

and accused the lawmen of executing the trio. He has also retained prominent city lawyer Mr Nigel Hughes, who had accompanied him to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters to submit a statement to Crime Chief Paul Williams. He was asked to return to be interviewed by senior detectives, but never did, as according to his lawyer,he had needed another 24 hours to sort out some issues. While the men’s families have been calling for justice, saying that

they were murdered by the police, acting Top Cop David Ramnarine has since thrown his support behind his ranks, claiming that the killings were justified. Cordis and Adams were known to the police, but family members insist that Assanah was not a bandit. Law-enforcement officials described the shooting as resulting from increased surveillance in response to the recent spate of robberies committed on customers after they had conducted financial transactions at various commercial banks.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 22, 2018

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 22, 2018

South Africa Racing Tips

10:40 hrs Hijran

Scottsville

11:10 hrs Secret Investor

08:30 hrs Silvester The Cat

11:45 hrs The Last Bridge

09:05 hrs One Man Show 09:40 hrs Kahula 10:15 hrs Redeemer 10:50 hrs Purple And Gold

Wincanton 09:15 hrs Blu Cavalier 09:50 hrs Garo De Juilley 10:20 hrs The Last But One

English Racing Tips

10:50 hrs Volpone Jelois

Market Rasen

11:25 hrs Diamond Guy

09:25 hrs Thistimenextyear

11:55 hrs Guerrilla Tatics

10:00 hrs Sweet Holly

12:30 hrs Newtown Boy

10:30 hrs One Style

13:00 hrs Darlac

11:00 hrs Colonial Dreams 11:35 hrs Otter Moon 12:05 hrs Gonalston 12:40 hrs Vamanos

Irish Racing Tips Navan 09:10 hrs Yolo Again 09:40 hrs Sioux Nation 10:15 hrs Paint

Stratford 09:00 hrs Kayf Blanco 09:35 hrs Crafty Robber 10:10 hrs Minella Whisper

10:45 hrs Nigg Bay 11:15 hrs Bye Bye Baby 11:50 hrs Night Of Power 12:50 hrs Prospectus

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday April 22, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

63 (King’s XI Punjab vs CSK)

(2)

KKR (vs CSK, Chennai, April 10)

Today’s Quiz: (1) Which team was the losing finalist in the inaugural IPL? (2) Which team was the losing finalist in the last IPL? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 22, 2018

Unorthodox AB delivers in style

(ESPNCricinfo) - AB de Villiers had been threatening to fire. Yesterday, when he finally did, there was elation and relief in equal measure for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Their bowlers in particular have borne the brunt of some stunning assaults this season. Here, they watched one of their own give back, and in some style. Conventions and textbook cricket were thrown

out of the window. Out came the dash of the unorthodox to ensure the Chinnaswamy was one giant party that went home singing RCB hymns. de Villiers’ unbeaten 39ball 90, on a surface where there was grip and turn for the spinners, lifted Royal Challengers to their second win. For Delhi Daredevils, rooted to the bottom of the table with just one win in five games, there was some consolation.

Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer, two men they retained ahead of the auction, made destructive half-centuries to lift Daredevils from 58 for 2, the lowest 10-over score this season, to a competitive 174. Unfortunately, their bowlers delivered neatly-wrapped gifts to de Villiers and saw their defence turn cold 15 overs into the chase. de Villiers has been noticeably faster off the blocks this season, going at a first-

AB de Villiers lays into a drive. (BCCI photo)

ten-ball strike rate of nearly 170. Over the past three seasons that figure was 126.7. Surely he wouldn’t bat that way with the side needing a repair job? Wrong. Within three balls of his arrival in the fifth over, he changed the mood with two boundaries off Shahbaz Nadeem. In the left-arm spinner’s next over, de Villiers improvised to open up the leg side to play three brutal sweeps to truly rev up the chase. He hardly mistimed deliveries, found his spot at will and brought out an array of high-quality strokes that were difficult to match. Not even Kohli’s wicket for 30, to some Trent Boult brilliance through a perfectly-timed leap and a

one-handed snatch inches from the deep-square leg fence, helped, despite Royal Challengers needing 83 off 54 balls. The audacity in de Villiers’ strokes lay in how he casually swept medium-pacer Harshal Patel into the stands at deep-square leg. His South Africa team-mate Chris Morris wasn’t spared either. All this meant whatever happened at the other end, including missed run-outs and leg stumps being sent for a cartwheel, was just a sideshow. Gautam Gambhir, one of the better players against spin, didn’t give himself a chance on this track, and was out mistiming a pull to square leg. Daredevils played out 22 dot balls and limped to 28

for 2, the lowest Powerplay score this season. Chahal’s two tight overs that went for just 11 set Royal Challengers up nicely. That Daredevils overcame a slow first half to wallop 116 off the next 10 was down to Pant and Iyer’s 49-ball 75 stand. Pant started with a wallop through extra cover, while Iyer, who strikes at less than 100 for his first 10 deliveries, began with two sparkling strokes. Where Gambhir struggled for timing, these two were calculative initially, and began to open up slowly.

United dig deep to ...

From page 28►

the stadium. Eric Dier’s deflected shot hit the post on the stroke of half-time but Spurs had lost vital momentum and Herrera’s crisp low finish just after the hour set up an FA Cup final date for United with Chelsea or Southampton on May 19. It left Spurs suffering more FA Cup semi-final pain and with a losing sequence stretching back to their win in the last four against Arsenal here in 1991 - and Pochettino still without a trophy after four seasons at the club. Manchester United’s style has been criticised on

a number of levels this season - but the character and resilience in Jose Mourinho’s side is beyond question. In recent weeks alone, they have come from behind to beat Chelsea at Old Trafford then recovered from 2-0 deficits to win at Crystal Palace and, most notably, at Premier League champions Manchester City. And they needed to call on all those reserves in the face of an opening salvo from Spurs that was fierce in its intensity and pressing, as well as bringing that opening goal from Dele Alli. United held on, with moments of good fortune,

and grasped the lifeline that came with a cheap concession of possession from Spurs, a perfect cross from Paul Pogba and an athletic header from Sanchez to beat Michel Vorm in the 24th minute. Spurs were still left cursing their luck when Eric Dier’s shot deflected off Chris Smalling to hit the foot of the post - and when ruthlessness and a clinical edge was required it was United who provided it. It came courtesy of Ander Herrera’s low finish and gave United an advantage they never seriously looked like relinquishing.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 22, 2018

53 Days to go … One of the Bundesliga’s greatest imports, Naldo, deserves Brazil World Cup call IT WAS an unstoppable thunderbolt. Naldo’s magnificent long-range free kick - powerful but swerving at the same time - gave Borussia Dortmund goal-

and Real Madrid superstar. Naldo turned out to be “the Ronaldo of the defenders,” even as far as goals are concerned. Naldo is at the very heart of everything Schalke have achieved this season, incred-

him a belated professional debut at the age of 21. The switch was a stroke of genius, because Naldo suddenly became more prolific from the back than he used to be up front. Scouts noticed his talents, and Werder Bremen’s sporting director Klaus Allofs began to watch him personally. Juventude were so reluctant to sell Naldo

keeper Roman Burki little chance last Sunday. The Brazilian defender made it 2-0 for Schalke in the Ruhr derby, ensuring the points and almost certainly a Champions League spot for next season. That was Naldo’s seventh goal of the season, as he equalled his personal record. Dortmund doesn’t like facing Naldo. He has scored six goals against them already in his career, including the dramatic injury-time equaliser in November when Schalke came back from 4-0 down at halftime to draw 4-4. He’s only the fourth Schalke player to score in both fixtures against their bitter rivals in the same season. Not a bad feat for a defender. Born as Ronaldo Aparecido Rodrigues, he chose to shorten his name to Naldo in order to avoid comparisons with the famous countryman. However, his ability to overcome knee injuries against all odds proved to be similar to that of the former Barcelona, Inter

ibly having played every single minute of the 30 Bundesliga matches at the age of 35. This could arguably be his best campaign yet, Brazil coach Tite had at one stage hinted that the veteran could go to the World Cup. “He is one of the players we have in mind,” Tite said, but decided not to call him up ahead of the friendly in Germany in March. Now, with Naldo scoring twice in a row and putting in outstanding performances at the back, Tite should think again of the man whose only international tournament was the 2007 Copa America. Naldo played only 16 minutes as Brazil won the tournament, just after making his debut in England’s first game at the new Wembley Stadium. Naldo’s last game for Brazil came before Thiago Silva’s first. The Paris Saint-Germain player is not mentioned by chance, because the pair are good friends, having played for the modest Juventude together in 2004. It was Juventude coach Ivo Wortmann who converted Naldo, formerly a striker, into a commanding centre-back, and gave

that they benched him upon hearing the news, but Allofs persisted and stayed another week. Eventually, he headed to northern Germany in the summer of 2005. Flourishing under the attacking approach of coach Thomas Schaaf at Bremen, Naldo became the most prolific defender in the Bundesliga, thanks to his free kick expertise and aerial prowess in the penalty area. Very tall and robust at 198 centimetres, he possesses surprisingly sound technical skills, and this combination made him unique. He once even scored a hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt. When Werder reached the UEFA Cup final in 2009, it was Naldo who netted their goal in the 2-1 extra-time defeat at the hands of Shakhtar Donetsk. His future looked bright those days, and Naldo dreamed of starring at the 2010 World Cup alongside his best pal. “To play for Brazil with Thiago Silva would be sensational,” he said. Fate had other ideas. Naldo suffered a mysterious knee injury and Bremen doctors failed to find a way to cure it, while initially reject-

ing the player’s wish to get treatment in his homeland. Only in January 2011 was Naldo successfully operated on in Brazil. A lot of time was wasted -- he missed the entire 201011 season and only came back after 16 months on the side-lines. He described the club’s behaviour as “wrong and disrespectful” and the relations were broken beyond repair. The player didn’t trust the management and the medical staff, while the club didn’t trust Naldo’s fitness, thinking that his career was about to be over. Thus it was only logical that the move to Wolfsburg, where Allofs had moved on to as the sporting director, happened in 2012. “We didn’t buy an unfit player, and we firmly believe that Naldo would be resilient in the coming years,” Allofs said. He was right. While Bremen nosedived, Naldo enjoyed a fantastic spell with the Wolves. He was instrumental when Wolfsburg finished as runners-up in the Bundesliga in 2015, and then played a crucial role in the run to the Champions League quarterfinals during the following season, scoring a brace against Manchester United and helping to knock the Red Devils out in the group stage. By the summer of 2016, however, Wolfsburg’s offer to extend his contract fell short of expectations, possibly considering that his career end was getting closer. “I didn’t feel that the club was fighting for me, but at Schalke it was different,” was how the Brazilian explained his decision to move to Gelsenkirchen. Once again, discarding Naldo proved to be a big mistake. Wolfsburg were never the same without him, but Schalke are rejuvenated, especially this season under the sensational coach Domenico Tedesco. “He is the best coach I have ever had,” Naldo says, and the mentor clearly trusts the veteran, making him an ever-present in the starting line-up. Few would have thought that could be possible back when Naldo’s career was in danger, but in January he broke Ze Roberto’s record

and became the Brazilian with the most appearances in the Bundesliga, with his tally currently standing at 347 games. He has scored 46 goals and doesn’t intend to stop, recently extending his contract until 2019. He is going to play in the Champions League for a third German club, and his status as one of the very best imports ever is assured. Can Naldo’s career be capped off by a place in Brazil’s squad for the World Cup finals? It’s up to Tite to decide now.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 22, 2018

Gayle, Rahul set stage for KXIP to top table (ESPNCricinfo) - IT is quite rare that T20 matches are decided in the Powerplay. Yesterday was one such day when Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) openers KL Rahul and Chris Gayle outmuscled Kolkata Knight Riders’ Chris Lynn and Robin Uthappa to put them on top of the points table after a rain-hit clash.

While KKR struck eight boundaries in their first six overs, Kings XI smashed 14 and were 73 without loss by the end of the Powerplay in a chase of 192. Rain then forced a delay of about 90 minutes, after which the target was revised to 125 off 13 overs. Rahul holed out for a barnstorming 60 off 27 balls, with his team

nine away from victory, but Gayle continued to do his thing and finished the chase with a straight six. Gayle stayed unbeaten on 62 off 38 balls - his third fifty-plus score in three games this season. Sunil Narine ran down the track against Mujeeb Zadran’s spin and holed out to deep midwicket in the second

over for one off four balls. It wasn’t a particularly bad thing for KKR, considering Narine had tried to hit every ball, but it just did not come off today. Mujeeb then ventured wide of the crease and bowled off-breaks as well as the googly to keep Lynn guessing. Uthappa, however, cleared the path for Lynn by

Chris Gayle and KL Rahul have a chat pitch side BCCI photo

dumping the Afghanistan mystery spinner out of the attack. He upset the lengths with three fours behind square, including a reverse sweep, in a 15-run over. Uthappa kept the scorecard ticking and moved to 24 off 16 balls; by then KKR were 50 for 1 in six overs. Lynn then got stuck into the left-arm pace of Barinder Sran and cracked three boundaries in four balls. The pick of the shots was a frontfoot pull - still head and a terrific bat-swing and all that jazz - into the stands beyond midwicket. Just like that things were dandy for Lynn. It was Ashwin himself who provided the breakthrough for Kings XI when he removed Uthappa for the fifth time in 10 IPL matches. The in-form Nitish Rana then fell for 3 in the next over after a mix-up with Lynn. After conceding 20 runs in his first two overs in the Powerplay, Mujeeb gave away only 12 in his next two overs. Ashwin also kept Lynn quiet, but his Tamil Nadu team-mate Dinesh Karthik was more fluent against him, whipping him for back-toback fours through midwicket in the 11th over.

Ankit Rajpoot’s hard lengths - neither drivable nor pullable - and Andrew Tye’s knuckle balls also contributed to KKR’s slowdown. But that score looked smaller when Rahul and Gayle raised their third successive fifty-plus opening stand. Before this match, Gayle had hit 50 runs off 30 balls from countryman Russell in the IPL. He stretched that tally to 71 off 37 balls, before Russell clutched his leg and hobbled off the field, five balls into his second over. Narine then bowled two cheap overs but the wrist-spinners - Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla leaked runs at the other end. Rain handed KKR a reprieve in the ninth over, but by then Kings XI were 96 for nought. The tempo did not change after the break. Kings XI now needed 29 off 28 balls, and Gayle bludgeoned a six first ball upon return to bring up a fifty off 28 balls. In the next over, Rahul brought up his fifty with a six, off 24 balls. He, ultimately, picked out deep midwicket, attempting another six, the only blip in an otherwise immaculate chase.

United dig deep to see off Spurs

United have now reached their 29th major domestic cup final - more than any other side in English football.

(BBC) - ANDER Herrera’s winner sent Manchester United into a record-equalling 20th FA Cup final and condemned Tottenham to their eighth successive defeat at this stage of the competition. Spurs started at a ferocious pace and fully deserved the early lead they took after only 11 minutes when Dele Alli slid home a finish from Christian Eriksen’s cross af-

ter Davinson Sanchez’s long pass opened up Manchester United’s defence. Jose Mourinho’s side survived the siege and levelled on 24 minutes, Wembley specialist Alexis Sanchez rising to direct an athletic header across Spurs keeper Michel Vorm from Paul Pogba’s perfect cross for his eighth goal in eight appearances at Turn to page 26 ►

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 22, 2018

Lights green for King of the Strip 2 drag race meet ALL roads lead to the South Dakota Circuit today when the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club hosts the King of the Strip 2 drag race from 09:00hrs. The meet will feature an attractive lineup of local drivers going toe-to-toe with competitors from Trinidad and Suriname and fans are in for a treat when the action gets going The mouthwatering prospect of seeing a rail car run at the South Dakota Circuit for the second time in recent history is also going to be a main attraction of the day.

That, coupled with the drag bikes that both Suriname and Trinidad have brought is sure to set up a spicy encounter that will leave fans wanting more. Early yesterday morning, the club was seen laying additional material to the track called track bite, which is intended to provide grip at the launch for those faster bikes. Made possible by Tropical Shipping, STAG Beer, JAPARTS, B.M. SOAT Auto Sales, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Trans Pacific Motor Sales and Spares, Prem’s

that in addition to the laying of the track bite, “The King of the Strip 2 will feature enhanced security and safe-

ty for both spectators and security.” Admission is $1 000 for adults and 500 for children.

Tweety Too, the Nissan Laurel of Jeremy Rooks is going to be a serious contender. (GTRidez photos)

Electrical, E-Netw orks DEL Ice Co and Crystal Ice House, the event is sure to be

a scorcher. The club through a statement yesterday confirmed

The Monster Energy drag bike of Shawn Briggs

East Bank GFF/Pele Alumni Frank Watson U-15 League

Timehri crowned champs, Shoran James ends with 19 goals two received trophies and a football each. Those players were: Shoran James (19) Herstelling Raiders; Ishmael Pulsarran (17) Timehri Panthers; Brian Lambert (14) Agricola

Red Triangle; Tyrone Burnette (8) Soesdyke Falcons; Kevin Scott (8) Kuru Kururu Warriors; Azeem Calistro (8) Swan FC; Kevin Daniels (7) Swan FC and Solomon Austin (7) Herstelling Raiders.

Timehri Panthers captain Prince Forde is all smiles as he receives uniforms from Pele Alumni Corp. Rep. David Gomes.

TIMEHRI Panthers Football Club will hold elections today to install a new executive. Its football team were yesterday officially crowned as the inaugural champions of the East Bank Football Association leg of the GFF/Pele Alumni Frank Watson U-15 Intra Association League. In the final match of the league which kicked off on January 20, Mocha Champs handed the champs their first draw of the competition. Twelve teams participated. The most prolific scorer, Ishmael Pulsarran, who ended his campaign with 17 goals, two less than overall goalscorer Shoran James of Herstelling Raiders (19),

had given his team the lead in the 37th minute of a keen contest. But, Mocha Champs, who got into their stride in the latter stage of the league, kept taking the attack to the home team and were rewarded with the neutralising goal in the 54th minute compliments of a Shamel Alleyne strike. The exchanges continued at both ends until the final whistle sounded to end what has been described as a very successful league, which provided well over one hundred players the opportunity to showcase their skills and abilities over a three-month period. EBFA president Franklin Wilson at the presentation

ceremony which followed the match expressed gratitude to sponsor, Pele Alumni Corporation, for its continued investment in youth development through this league. Wilson also extended gratitude to the Guyana Football Federation, under whose auspices the Intra Association league is being administered. Local representative for the Alumni Corporation, David Gomes, in feature remarks extended congratulations to the champion team, runners-up Kuru Kururu Warriors and all the other teams for making the tournament a reality. Gomes, himself a former player, gave the players, parents and spectators a brief

overview of the Pele Alumni Corporation and the work they have been doing over the years to empower young people. “I would like to encourage you to keep aiming high, be disciplined and more importantly, ensure that you work assiduously towards obtaining a solid education. This would ensure that you take care of you in the coming years of your life.” Trophies, medals and one set of complete uniforms were presented to the top two teams by Gomes on behalf of the sponsor. Backpacks containing educational and personal supplies were also presented to the top eight goalscorers while the top

Top goalscorer Shoran James (19 goals) receives his trophy and ball from Pele Alumni Corp. Rep. David Gomes.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 22, 2018

Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Under-18 Football

Brewley ensures Christianburg/Wismar Secondary repeat as champions By Joe Chapman CHRISTIANBURG/Wismar Secondary (Multi), led by the lone strike off the boot of forward Omar Brewley, repeated as champions of the Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Memorial Linden Secondary Schools Under-18 football tournament. The side edged New Silvercity Secondary School (NSSS) 1-0 in the final which concluded Friday afternoon at the Wisburg Secondary School ground. Once again the Multi boys proved to be too much for NSSS, in this case another one-goal difference being the factor, as it had been back in 2014. The final was a repeat of last year’s where Multi prevailed 3-1 in the final, as

Multi’s Omar Brewley proved to be a thorn in New Silvercity’s side.

Brewley, who netted twice in that win, proved his mettle as a striker. Brewley was fed the ball from the left flank by Andre Mayers and Brewley showed poise, broke past his marker then with exquisite timing surprised the NSSS goalkeeper, beating him with a rasping drive from on top the 18-yard box in the 40th minute. NSSS maintained their resistance in this game and also

had some chances which were all stalled by the brilliance of Multi goalkeeper Decklan Lee. For his generally good showing of excellent reflexes he was later named Best Goalkeeper. The third-place playoff game ended with victory for the Mackenzie High School (MHS) over Wisburg Secondary by a 2-1 margin. However, individual scores were not available for that game. A member of the United States-based Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Memorial Foundation, Compton ‘Cha Cha’ London, was on hand to assist in the presentation of the prizes won after the final. While Brewley was named the Best forward and Mayers the Best Defensive Player, it would be New Silvercity’s leading scorer Emanuel Atkins who copped

The victorious Multi team celebrate.

the Most Goals prize having scored seven. His teammate Schemer

Ojai Whittington was handed the Best Midfield Player award and their coach

Dwalon Farrell, as in 2014 when they lost, was adjudged the Best Coach.

Colts, Royals collide in tonight’s National Club Championship semi-finals … Kobras, Ravens to do battle By Rawle Toney THE semi-finals of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation’s (GABF) National Club Championship is on tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, and the lineup has the potential to be one of the best showdowns in the tournament’s recent history, bringing together some of basketball’s bitter rivalries. In the opening game from 19:00hrs, Ravens, the oncefeared team in Guyana, will face Kobras, the ‘preverbial upstarts’ in a clash that is expected to be one that most basketball fans have been anticipating. The night’s second game will see a rematch of last year’s final, as defending champions Colts face off with Linden’s Victory Valley Royals. Last year, Colts repeated as champions with a thrilling 87-85 points win over the Royals which many regard as one of the most entertaining finals of the GABF’s showpiece. However, this time around,

Colts will be without the services of Dave Causeway, the sensational point guard, who, along with fellow guard Shelroy Thomas, had picked apart the Royals’ defence with precision.

well as Dominic Vincente’s sniper-like shooting to get them over the physical-playing Kobras. There are more questions than answers surrounding tonight’s two semi-finalists, but one thing is sure: fans can expect some pulsating action from jump-ball. The team crowned National champions this year will pocket $600 000, while second- and third-place will

dominant back-court, but, it’s not the same as last year. Colts will miss Causeway’s relentless approach on defence, especially coming up against an unselfish Royals team, led by two-way Harold

Kobras basketball Club

2017 finalists Victory Valley Royals

Causeway took his talents to Pacesetters, one of Colts’ rivals and as such, the ‘champs’, though yet to be really challenged this year, look ‘shaky’ in the back-court. Standout point guard Stanton Rose has been picking up where Causeway left off, continuing the trend of Colt’s

Adams, the ‘big man’ who can do it all. Adams, known for scoring 111 points in a game in Linden last year, is the backbone of the team but with players like Marlon Pollydore and Orlan Glasgow, the Royals could be very dangerous when firing on all cylinders.

It will be interesting to see how Shane Webster, last year’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) matches up with Adams and defends him on the perimeter. Meanwhile, the opening game should set the tone for an evening of enthralling basketball when Travis Burnett tries to lead the Kobras past Darcel Harris and the Ravens. Burnett, popularly known as ‘The Blur’ because of his quickness, has proved to be the leader on the recently-formed Kobras unit, but his rivalry with Ravens dates back to his days as a point guard for Pacesetters. The inclusion of former Ravens stand-out player Jer-

Ravens basketball club

maine Slater and the recent acquisition of former Pacesetters marksman Naylon Loncke as head coach make the Kobras versus Ravens clash an intriguing one. Ravens will look to their experienced backcourt duo in Harris and Ryan Stephney, as

go home with $400 000 and $200 000 respectively. Individual prizes totalling $200 000 will be shared among the MVP, the player scoring the most points and the player with the most rebounds.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 22, 2018

Jeffrey opens Radical season with podium finish … starts third in today’s race KRISTIAN Jeffrey opened his Radical SR3 season in Europe with a podium finish in race one of the first round at Donington Park. Jeffrey, through a post on his facebook wall, contended that the pace was good all weekend as he was within striking range of the top five drivers in free practice. After qualifying, he managed fifth on grid where be begun to fight for positions immediately. “We got up to 4th in lap 1, battling with the leaders

Kristian Jeffrey carried good place in free practice and fought hard after a spin.

and feeling comfortable. Conditions started to change and the rain came pouring down just before the halfway

Ganesh Parts Invitational golf tournament takes place today GANESH Parts and General Store will sponsor its inaugural golf tournament today at the Lusignan Golf Club. Ganesh Parts was one of the main sponsors of the Guyana Open 2017, contributing significantly to the success of that event. Sales Manager Suresh Rampersaud, expressed his delight at the contribution the company is making towards the improvement of golf in Guyana. Golf Club president Aleem Hussain has also reiterated the club’s gratitude for the ready response of sponsors like Ganesh Parts at that time, and now appreciates the continued goodwill being demonstrated by the company in sponsoring this event. Golfers will tee-off at 08:00hrs today. The tournament will be played in the medal play format, and prizes will be awarded for 1st to 3rd Best Net scores, the Best Gross score, and the Nearest to a specified pin. The public is invited to freely witness this tournament and to enjoy the ambience of the Lusignan Golf Course and Club where there is a wellstocked bar. The Ganesh Parts company is located at 36 Robb and King Streets, Lacytown, Georgetown and is a dealer of used and new auto parts in Guyana as well as the sole distributor of Bridgestone tyres in Guyana,

mark,” he said. “Pushing on the slicks with the damp conditions, I got away with a spin which

Kristian Jeffrey stands on the third step of the podium in the season-opening Radical series.

put me down to eight. However, we pushed hard all the way to the end, had a really good pit stop thanks to the

team which helped a lot.” “We were able to mount the wet tyres and recovered to p3,” the two-time Carib-

bean champion concluded. He starts third on the grid for the second race today at the same venue.

Guyana debuts at World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Sweden … Beaten 6-8 by Germany in opening game

GUYANA, through Rayad and Farzana Hussain, made its debut at the 2018 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Östersund, Sweden yesterday. In their Group E opening match, the Guyanese pair went down 6-8 to the Germans but will be looking to bounce back when they face Korea today. Of the 40 nations competing in Sweden, Guyana is the only country from the Caribbean being represented at the April 21-28 games, doing so just one year after the sport was rolled out locally, with a demonstration at the Giftland Mall. Curling is a team sport played by two teams of four players on a rectangular sheet of ice. Its nickname, “The Roaring Game”, originates from the rumbling sound the 44-pound (19.96kg) granite stones make when they travel across the ice. One of the world’s oldest team sports, curling originated in the 16th century in Scotland, where games were played during winter on frozen ponds and lochs. The earliest-known curling stones came from the Scottish regions of Stirling and Perth and date back from 1511. Mixed doubles is a dynamic form of curling, where it is all about stone positioning, and a lot of play to the four-foot circle and a lot about angles. It is a faster version of curling that only requires two players on each team. Mixed Doubles Curling made its debut on the Olympic Winter Programme at the games in Pyeongchang, South Korea earlier this year.

Guyana’s Rayad and Farzana Hussain carrying the ‘Golden Arrowhead’ at the opening of the 2018 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Östersund, Sweden, yesterday.

Mixed Doubles is played by two players; one male and one female on each team. Both teams play five stones each and start every end with one stone that has been pre-placed, so the maximum amount of points in each end is six. In most ends, the preplaced stones will be posi-

tioned so that the team with last-stone advantage (hammer) will start the end with one stone at the back of the four foot circle. The team without the last-stone advantage will start with a centre guard. Founded in 2016, the Guyana Curling Federation was established to not only

govern and promote the Winter Olympic Sport of Curling to Guyanese both within Guyana and abroad, but also to raise the profile of Winter Sport within the Caribbean region by working with other similar bodies and organisations. (Rawle Toney)

Lights green for King of the Strip 2 drag race meet Page 29

Rohan Deosaran’s rail car

Guyana debuts at World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Sweden … Beaten 6-8 by Germany in opening game

Colts, Royals collide in tonight’s National Club Championship semi-finals … Kobras, Ravens to do battle

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Rayad Hussain in action at the 2018 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Östersund, Sweden, yesterday. 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

Defending champions Colts SUNDAY APRIL 22, 2018