Issuu

SATURDAY 30th JUNE, 2018

ALL ABOARD

No.105321

…CJIAC puts boarding bridge, corridor to the test

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Quit the negativity

A Caribbean Airlines flight readies for take-off as outgoing passengers at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on Friday began using for the first time the boarding corridor and bridge that were recently installed under the US$150M airport expansion project (CJIAC photo)

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… DDL's Komal Samaroo says Guyana’s future has never been better

DDL Executive Chairman Komal Samaroo

Boarding in comfort

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 30, 2018

…CJIAC puts boarding bridge, corridor on test

THE Cheddi Jagan International Airport on Friday began testing the newly installed boarding corridor and one of the boarding bridges at the expanded airport due to be recommissioned later this year. In a Facebook post, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson released photographs of passengers departing on a Caribbean Airlines flight from the airport. He said the bridge test was successfully executed by employees of CJIA’s Engineering and Technical De-

A passenger utilizing the escalator that has been installed at the CJIA

partment (ETD) who were able to put their skills to the test after undergoing training over the past two weeks by the project’s contractor China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). Back in January this year President David Granger said the US$150 million initiative could be a gateway to a modern Guyana. “This is the entry point for the modern state. It is very important to our development. Infrastructure would attract tourists and now that we are embarking on a new industry, people would want to come in their numbers and they should be coming to Guyana at a modern airport. In time to come, we should be able to put a time on visitors, meaning that no visitor should be able to spend more than 10 minutes in the airport. We need an efficient service so that as soon as someone lands, they can be on their way, of course after satisfying all security requirements. We need to plan for the future,” President Granger had said during a tour of the facility back in January. While the project was slated to be completed in December 2017, there were numerous challenges which affected this deadline. However, with the deadline now extended at no further cost to the government. Minister Patterson had said in January that the new arrivals terminal building, generator building, pipe installation, pump station and water tank, boarding corridor and passenger boarding bridges will be completed by the first quarter of the year. Works on the check-in and departure lounges and the first phase of the departure terminal, Screening and VIP areas and the south-west runway will be completed by the end of June. All other works will be completed by December 2018.

Outgoing passengers at the CJIA on Friday began using the boarding bridge and corridor The terminal building area will increase from 13,431 to 13,737 square metres; checking counters will be increased from 20 to 32, and the runway length increased from 10,066 metres to 10,090 metres. On completion, the US$150M expansion project is expected to yield two passenger boarding bridges for arrivals and departures, a 450-seating departure area, escalators and elevators in addition to its extended runway catering for larger categories of aircraft.

Police addressing crime ‘hotspots’ in the city – ‘A’ Division Commander

WITH regard to the 16 percent decrease in serious crimes in ‘A’ Division, Commander, Assistant Commissioner, Guyana Police Force Leslie James said it was a collective effort led mainly by intelligence gathering work from its dedicated ranks who often go beyond the call of duty. He stated that they have had maintained and increased patrols and continued their presence in all sub-divisions. The Commander added

that there are some areas in the city that have been deemed ‘hotspots’ and said that ranks in plain clothes police those areas. James told this newspaper that in these ‘hotspot’ areas, crimes are being committed consistently based on reports. He said that using intelligence gathering efforts, they hope to bring an end to these criminal activities. The commander pointed out that while they are utilising their resources and manpower to become

Commander ‘A’ Division Assistant Commissioner Leslie James more efficient in their response to crime, they have had just a few successes so far. POLICING The Commander said

that they have continued their community policing with the bicycle patrols of 30 ranks who are unarmed but do a lot of ‘behind the scenes’ work in many city wards. James stated that they also have team policing ongoing; an initiative of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to interface with communities and have interactions between citizens and police at grassroots levels where they can determine some of the burning issues affecting the ordinary citizens. The senior officer told the Guyana Chronicle that this social intervention initiative by GPF is to assist community and police relations and at the same time formulate strategies in crime prevention. James said, “Crime prevention aspects are paramount for us in this divi-

sion and we try to engage youths into sports activities by hosting football matches among other activities in which youths from our scouts groups and camps participate.” On Saturday (today) the youths of ‘A’ Division in collaboration with ranks will host their annual Youth Expo on Main Street, Georgetown in which the talents of the youths will be showcased to members of the public. IMPACT BASE James said that the Impact Base unit that is housed at Brickdam Police Station is very much alive and vibrant. The senior officer who is responsible for ‘A’ Division and its ranks related that the Impact Base is responsible for mobile, foot, bicycle and motorcycle

patrols which happen on a 24-hour basis. He pointed out too that the Impact Base supplements their efforts in the sub-division with crisscross types of patrols, that is, patrols going from east to west which is a strategy employed to minimise criminal activities. James said they are also working hand-in-hand with the community policing groups in both crime fighting and social initiatives. As for traffic patrols and campaigns, the Assistant Commissioner stated that they have a no-nonsense policy in relation to drunk driving and heavily tinted vehicles without permit. He said traffic enforcement is maintained daily and even at nights through their road block efforts which have yielded successes.

Quit the negativity

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 30, 2018

… DDL Komal Samaroo says Guyana’s future has never been better … warns against negative energy, urges private sector to be more creative

By Svetlana Marshall TOO much negative energy is saturating national discourse at a time when Guyana’s future has never been better, Executive Chairman of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Komal Samaroo said, as he called for sustainable expansion of the country’s export earnings. Samaroo, a distinguished Guyanese, made the remarks while delivering the keynote address during the launch of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI)’s Business Guyana Magazine at the Pegasus Hotel on Thursday. The magazine, themed ‘Guyana on the Rise,’ is an investors’ guide to doing business in Guyana. In addition to providing important facts on the country, the magazine provides a wealth of information on Guyana’s financial and commercial sectors, and investment opportunities here. As he addressed the top business executives, ministers of government and members of the diplomatic community, Samaroo said the theme for the magazine – Guyana on the Rise – is most fitting. With Guyana on the rise, the DDL executive chairman said the private and public sectors must now rise to the occasion, and its export market. According to the 2017 Annual Report of the Bank of Guyana, the country’s total export earnings in 2017 stood at US$1.435.9m (US$1.435B) with gold exports account-

standards at all times and this requires a high level of technical competence and discipline of the management of manufacturing companies,” he said. Citing DDL an example, Samaroo pointed out that in 2017, Demerara Rum was the first product registered under the Geographical Indications Act (2005) which became effective in 2008. DDL has also applied to the European Union for registration as well. It was noted that these developments provide opportunities for the creation, development and protection

“[The]construction sector has grown and the infrastructure throughout Guyana will have to be enhanced and in some cases transformed to be able to address the needs of the upcoming oil boom. All ports and wharves would have to be further developed and certified,” Indar said optimistically. Real estate in certain areas of the country is well positioned to experience price inflation, due to a likely increase in demand he further noted, while adding that greater emphasis will be placed on education and

GCCI President Deodat Indar and proprietor of the Pegasus, Robert Badal, unveiling the front cover of the Business Guyana Magazine. The photo is an artist’s impression of the Pegasus’ US$100M expansion project which includes luxurious apartments and office spaces. (Photos by Samuel Maughn) ing for US$817.5m or 57 per cent of the total export receipts. Rice was second at US$201m OR 14 per cent followed by bauxite with US$102m or 7 per cent. Sugar, which was US$78.4m in 2015, declined to US48.5m in 2017, while rum and other spirits, which was US$30.3m in 2015, increased to US$43.1 in 2017. INCREASE EXPORTS Noting that most of Guyana’s export earnings come from commod-

ities, the prices of which are fixed by international markets and influenced by demand and supply, Samaroo told those present that the situation will be no different in the upcoming oil and gas sector. “In my view, this is a very vulnerable position to be in, and the nation’s prosperity could swing like a pendulum, as we have seen in some countries in the Region that depend solely on commodities,” he opined, while underscoring the need for a national strategy to

GCCI President Deodat Indar addressing businessmen and women, government ministers and members of the diplomatic community during the launch on Thursday

avoid a commodity trap. But in order to expand the export markets, capitalising on both regional and international markets, Samaroo said those operating within the private sector must keep abreast with changing technologies and systems. “The international marketplace is very competitive, complex and constantly evolving, requiring [sic] depth knowledge and updated information if one is to be successful, particularly as you move higher up the value chain with branded products. Very often, we need to re-educate ourselves,” he explained. Compliance with international standards and best practices is also key, especially at the production level, he said, noting that they are critical prerequisites for manufacturers to get into the global supply chain of major companies. “Full traceability and documentation of adherence to international standards of safety, quality, environment, business ethics and social practices are areas on regular audits from suppliers. Our production systems must meet international

DDL Executive Chairman Komal Samaroo of brands that can target specific groups of computers. “The bold strategic decision by DDL to embark on a brand development strategy over 25 years ago as it started to transition from commodity oriented business to a brand focused company has proven to be quite a success. But the company continues to constantly review and re-validate its brand strategy in the light of ongoing changes in the marketplace,” Samaroo noted. In 2017, DDL recorded its best year ever when its pre-tax profit grew by 22 per cent over the previous year. Like Samaroo, GCCI President Deodat Indar is optimistic about the future of Guyana, more so in the business arena. Indar, with accompanying statistics, anticipated that several sectors will grow in the coming years as the country responds positively to the budding oil and gas sector.

training, and in the hospitality and tourism sector. Acknowledging that there are challenges to be addressed, Indar said both the government and private sector must work towards crafting strategies that would arrest decline and stagnation in some economic sectors “We at the GCCI strongly believe that the oil and gas sector needs to be developed in conjunction with other sectors of the economy, we need a diversified mix of economic sectors to withstand external shocks if world market prices fall to unsustainable levels for prolonged periods in the future,” he posited. The Business Guyana Magazine is the 9th edition of its kind. Minister of Finance Winston Jordan and Minister of Business and Tourism, Dominic Gaskin, were among the officials present.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, June 30, 2018

Oliver Hinckson laid to rest

The mortal remains of Oliver Hinckson being borne into the church by sons, grandsons and other relatives.

HUNDREDS of mourners, sympathisers and others, whose lives he would have touched turned out on Friday to join the bereaved relatives in saying farewell to Oliver Hinckson. The occasion was a spirited thanksgiving service in his memory at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Brickdam. Hinckson, who was dis-

missed from the Guyana Defence Force where he rose to the rank of lieutenant, died on June 20, 2018, after a prolonged illness. He was 74. Prior to the service, he was eulogised as an extremely intelligent and very versatile man. He was remembered as being a loyal and faithful individual who fulfilled every obligation he undertook, and who respected himself the

DATE: Wednesday, June 27, 2018

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Friends and relatives pay their last respects at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Friday (Photos by Adrian Narine)

way he respected others. His generosity, leadership qualities and passion for education were said to be attributes he possessed. Family members remembered him as a “doting father, uncle and brother, who made it his business to encourage, prod and inspire his family to excellence.” A staunch Roman Catholic, a young Hinckson served

as an altar boy at the Sacred Heart R.C. Church on Main Street. And it was while attending the Sacred Heart RC School that he excelled academically, winning for himself two scholarships which earned him a place at St. Stanislaus College, then the premier school for Catholic boys. On graduating from ‘Saints’, he opted to teach

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Service, his mortal remains were cremated at the Memorial Gardens Crematorium at Le Repentir Cemetery, and was witnessed by family members and close friends. Oliver Hinckson is survived by his siblings Earl, Gloria, Huburn, Constance, Rita and Gotta; and his children, Kim Hinckson Pembleton PhD; Command Sergeant Major (U.S. Army) Karen Hinckson, MPH; Kolleen Hinckson PhD; Alik Hinckson, MPA; Kacey Hinckson; Bruce Hinckson; Olivia Hinckson; Aliya Hinckson, MBA; and many grands and great-grands.

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literature and mathematics at Carmel R.C. and later became a chemist at the bauxite company in Linden, where he first developed the idea for his award-winning book, ‘The Enemy Within.’ He was in his early 30s when he won the prestigious Casa de las Américas Prize for Literature from a field of 760 from 23 countries, and secured a BSc in International Relations and a Master’s in Global Studies. Unfortunately, his bid in his latter years for his PhD was curtailed on account of his failing health. After the Thanksgiving

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, June 30, 2018

Major fraud uncovered at public trustee’s office THE Ministry of Legal Affairs last week called in the police and handed over a staff member of the Office of the Public Trustee, after she was found to have engaged in a fraudulent transaction that could cause the state to be sued for millions of dollars. The head of the trustee’s office told the Guyana Chronicle that the matter had to do with the member of staff colluding with the applicant for a letter of administration to defraud a sibling by deliberately omitting that sibling’s name from the document. She said that when the court became aware of what the applicant had done or was trying to do, which was sometime during this year, it immediately ordered that the letter of administration be revoked. But in spite of knowing of the revocation, the staff al-

legedly continued to engage the applicant in his attempt to effect a name change so as to counter the order. It is also alleged that in the process of effecting the name change, the errant public trustee staff member did not see it fit to inform her former supervisor, who is now a sitting judge, nor the current one about the applicant’s unusual request. It was only after the trustee’s office received the written ruling on the matter that they became aware that something was amiss. What was also apparent, based on the dates on the ruling and other dates to which references were made, was that the errant public trustee staff was still in contact with the applicant who was attempting to have the letter of administration issued to him, and what’s more, he was still visiting the trustee’s office although the court had made

its ruling. The head of the trustee’s office told this publication that

Miner remanded for raping camp cook under duress PRINCIPAL Magistrate Judy Latchman on Friday remanded a 49-year-old miner to prison for allegedly raping a 40-year-old woman. The charge against Cedrick Anderson, of Berbice, alleges that on June 25, 2018 at Mazaruni River, he sexually penetrated a 40-year-old woman without her consent. He was not required to plead to the charge and was remanded to prison until July 3. According to reports, the woman, who works as a cook at the same mining camp as the accused, was raped by Anderson who pounced upon her with a cutlass.

Cedrick Anderson

when the matter was reviewed, questions were raised as to why the man was still visiting the

trustee’s office after the court had ruled against his being granted the letter of administration he sought. Not only that, but questions were also raised as to whether the public trustee official was in essence assisting the man to sell the property he so desperately coveted, as she continued filing documents in his name only, with no mention of the sister’s. When questioned about her involvement in what was clearly a forgery, she reportedly told the head of the trustee’s office that she saw nothing wrong with doing as bidden, even though there was evidence of ‘White-out’ being used in places on some of the papers which were being processed. Contacted for a comment, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams told the Guyana Chronicle that while he is very disappointed at

the news of the alleged fraud, he was pleased that the head of the unit was able to ferret out the culprit and bring the matter to the attention of her superiors. He said the ministry has zero tolerance for such malpractices, moreso since it is the lead agency in the country that has been tasked with executing the anti-corruption policy on behalf of the government. He used the occasion to remind employees of state agencies and ministries not to steal or in any way misappropriate state assets. The minister reminded that his office and even, he, himself has been visiting the various regions where they have workshops and where persons are reminded that they should safeguard the resources and assets of the state and the integrity of the offices for which they work.

Man jailed for assaulting sister A MASON was on Friday sentenced to three months imprisonment for unlawfully assaulting his sister. The court heard that on April 10, 2018 in Georgetown, Daniel Boutrin unlawfully assaulted his sister, Jeverie Boutrin causing her actual bodily harm. The 20 year old man who resides at Hatfield Street pleaded guilty to the charge that was read out to him before the court. According to the facts given to the court by Prosecutor

Sanj Singh , on the day in question the virtual complainant was preparing her child for school when the defendant and a cousin, Quincy went to visit her at her home. The cousin told the virtual complainant that the defendant and his grandmother had a conflict because he was demanding money from her. The woman reportedly told the defendant that he needs to stop and find a job in order to take care of his child and the child’s mother. As a result the defendant became annoyed and he pulled out a scissors and

stabbed his sister in the left side of her arm. The woman told the court that it was not the first time her brother assaulted her as it had happened on many occasions. She told the court that she was fearful for her life and wished that her brother be placed on restraining order. Daniel was sentenced to three months imprisonment by Magistrate Leron Daly who advised the virtual complainant that she should get a restraining order before his sentence is up.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, June 30, 2018

A victory for Justice IT is a common observation in modern international politics, where leaders of states in some regions are known to seek third terms, and even extensions beyond, although their country’s respective constitutions have been specific about such stipulations that serve to restrict such executive time in office. It is a given that such demands are extra-constitutional in nature, designed to shunt aside the rule of law, while having the effect of reducing adherence to its sanctified tenets. Such are also assaults on the summit of democratic norms and on the sacred wishes of the people since constitutions, the supreme law of every land, are compiled and concluded via inputs that reflect the wishes of the people. From a study of such leaders, such illegal raids on the constitution are car-

ried out by personalities whose tenure have mostly been dubious, controversial, and far from what can be described as desirable, patriotic, and nationalistic, as actions and policies for the benefit of their respective nations. These are leaders for whom the glitter, pomp and ceremony of office and the power inherent in such, matter for their personal aggrandisement, rather than what they could do for the betterment of their people. In other words, it is about self, and power, and its illegal grab. The reaction to such leaders and their bid for perpetuation of office, hence power, will not detain us; except to say, that most would have met with very fierce resistance that caused social unrest, wherever they are. Guyana has again demonstrated its maturity as a growing democracy

as it has had to confront a similar pitch, for continuation of political power by a former president. There was never any doubt as to the unconstitutionality of such a bid, despite given the local courts’ approval; and which subsequent appeal by the government to the Caribbean Court of Justice(CCJ), the nation’s final judicial process for determination of matters, ruled against such a bid for perpetuation of power. It is a case, and subsequent decision that will continue to be the focus of national discussion for a while, apart from being an eye-opener as to the kinds of leaders who will seek to challenge democratic norms for ends that can do their particular country and people no material good. It was quite clear why such a challenge to the amendment to Article 90

had been made, and who had been its author, supported by those of both a legal advisory category, coupled with party supporters. As a collective, they aided and abetted a leader who had been wholly driven by personal ambition, whose prior rule had benefited them and a close circle. It was an experience of governance underpinned by race that had become the PPP/C’s masthead in their political-socio-economic policies in Guyana, a country of six races. It is therefore incumbent on every political party, its utmost responsibility in ensuring that it keeps in check, any past leader, whose personal ambitions and lust for power has done his country no further good, given his past personal record of stewardship. But, again, that depends on that party’s socio-political outlook, as it pertains to the dynamics of

governance, especially in a multi-racial country such as ours, and what it represents. Undoubtedly, that the party supported such a challenge to the amendment to the constitution, on the question of a third term for the nation’s heads/state/government, knowing that it was illegal is because it supports a platform of racism, and racial supremacy. That it was prepared to go against its own unanimous support for such an amendment enacted in 2001 which is specific in its intent and spirit, on two terms only, speaks of the gross disrespect for the legality of such an amendment, and the nation’s constitution, in the process. In fact, it was an amendment that came about after widespread consultation with the Guyanese people. Thus, it was not foisted upon the nation in a dictatorial manner, by any

single political party. It was done unanimously, with the blessings and support of the people. In this light, Richardson’s appeal, and by extension, the PPP/C’s can be seen as disregarding the wishes of the people. The ruling of the CCJ must be seen as a victory for justice, and what is right for our country. It has defeated selfish ambition, and further anti-national intent. And as a reminder, all political parties must be committed to a multi-cultural state to be governed in a just manner, in which all will feel comfortable, be equal in participation of the national resources, and be part of the process of governance. The coalition government, the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change(APNU+AFC) has already set the example of this process of governance.

City Hall didn’t GuySuCo must accede to get the memo workers’ justifiable requests Dear Editor,

LAST Monday, Guyana observed a National Day of Mourning for the fishermen that were killed by pirates seven weeks ago in Suriname waters. According to a proclamation by President David Granger, signed by Minister of State Joseph Harmon, the day would have served as a solemn memorial to the victims. As I drove around our capital on that day, quite appropriately I saw all state entities and most private sector entities were flying their flags at half-staff. I felt so patriotic and proud to show respect to those fishermen who died in an effort to put food on our tables Then I passed the Stabroek Market Square and observed the flag there flying lustily at full staff. I had to ask myself the question, will the City Council ever get it right? Could it be that the ‘Big Enchiladas’ at City Hall believe that they are above the laws, protocols and established etiquette of our country? Or is it simply that they are just unsophisticated, unworldly and unsuitable for positions of leadership? Best regards Roseanne Rodgers

Dear Editor THE GAWU was disappointed to see the comments of GuySuCo’s Corporate Communications Manager, Ms Audreyanna Thomas, in the June 28, 2018 Stabroek News relative to a picketing exercise by workers and pensioners of Uitvlugt Estate on June 27, 2018. Ms Thomas is reported to have said that “…they are of the opinion that GAWU is using the situation to encourage workers to protest.” It seems to us

that the GuySuCo spokeswoman is living in a disjointed reality and we cannot help to wonder whether she rationally considers her statement. Doesn’t she find it strange that workers would stand in the pouring rain, in order to let their strong views be aired? The fact that workers are willing to protest in spite of the adverse weather conditions should send a clear and unambiguous message to the corporation. The news article goes on to say that Ms Thomas said our union should encourage workers to get

bank accounts. Apart from the corporation never formally engaging us on its new policy, the statement, serves dismayingly to demonstrate, once more, the company’s clear, inconsiderate view of its employees’ realities and plight. Rather than adopt a contemporary approach of discussion and dialogue, the corporation, like it has in recent times, literally, is commanding the workers to go in the direction it seeks. We urge the GuySuCo, as we have before, to listen sincerely to the workers’ concerns.

Such an engagement we genuinely believe will be useful. Experience has thought us that the bullin-a-china-shop approach does not breed success. We urge also, once more, the GuySuCo to accede to the workers’ justifiable requests rather than continue to take a high-handed approach to the issue, which can only worsen a bad situation that workers face today. Regards Seepaul Narine General-Secretary GAWU

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, June 30, 2018

That National Dialogue on Domestic Violence Dear Editor,

THE Caribbean Voice (TCV) fervently hopes that First Lady Sandra Granger’s upcoming national dialogue on domestic violence will consider proposals made by a number of commentators, analysts and letter- writers: a coordinated community response via a task-force; review of the domestic violence laws and a concerted effort to implement and enforce them; police training on the provisions of the domestic violence law, emphatic communication and an overall, more effective approach to domestic violence; timely and greater responses to complaints and requests for protection orders supported by stringent enforcement; domestic violence courts; social workers and/or counsellors at all police stations, a batterer’s intervention programme; an education campaign that focuses on modelling and highlighting healthy relationships and on tackling the victim-blaming and shaming mentality that currently exists; provision of more safe houses; more probation and welfare officers to service the courts; greater inter-agency and stakeholders’ collaboration; videoing by the public of inappropriate police be-

haviour/responses to complaints and submission to their superiors. Meanwhile, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan was recently quoted in the media as saying that domestic violence is “a very difficult thing to prevent when someone (is) feeling angry for whatever reason…I don’t know what we can do, or how we can legislate against that…What we have to do is…ensure better education; but, there again, the officer (Orwain Sandy) that did what he did was an educated fella.” Actually, anger is not a root cause for domestic violence. The same person whose anger leads him/her to violence in a relationship, would generally not be violent at the workplace, in a government office, or with a leader or opinion-shaper, no matter how angry. Domestic violence occurs because the abuser needs to be in control and/or dominate the other partner, and/or the abuser is socialised into thinking intimate partner violence is an acceptable way to solve conflicts. Anger, drugs, alcohol catalyze the abuse. What, in effect is needed is the implementation of the requisite programmes, policies and strategies, some of which have been mentioned above and some of which may need legislation. Others would

include programmes – anger management, anti-alcohol and anti-drugs - to address the related mental health issues. Additionally, measures are needed to shape the socialisation process so that children, especially boys, are imbued with the right mentality from young, so that parents can apply appropriate parenting skills, so dysfunctional relationships can be re-engineered to evolve without violence and so that schools can provide discipline without violence. As tennis champ, Serena Williams stated in a June 21st article in the UK’s Daily Mail newspaper, It’s important to get the message out there -- to our young men, to our boys, to our daughters.” Also, it must be noted that academic education does not necessarily prepare someone to not descend into abuse. In fact, abuse cuts across all strata and segments of society and all walks of life. With respect to multi-stakeholders’ collaboration, a good starting point could be this national dialogue. When The Caribbean Voice held our National Stakeholders’ Conference in August 2015 over 75 stakeholders’ were present from across Guyana. Logistically and resources wise, the First Lady is in a position to do far better and so we hope that her national dialogue will see representation

by all stakeholders involved at any level in addressing domestic violence -- persons who already have displayed passion and commitment to addressing domestic violence, persons who are already on the ground giving of their time, efforts and resources and thus, having a grasp of the realities around domestic violence would be there for the long run, 24/7 and not only 8 to 5 until the money runs out. Meanwhile, The Caribbean Voice is inviting the First Lady to become lead partner in the Lay Counsellor Training Programme to be launched next year. With the First Lady in charge, this programme can truly be national in scope and result in gatekeepers in all communities, individuals who can proactively tackle all forms of abuse and suicide. Also, The Caribbean Voice is considering a national campaign to address domestic/ intimate partner violence and femicide. Elements of this campaign are expected to include flyering (200,000 flyers) and postering (10,000), as well as focus groups across Guyana, supported by the lay counsellor programme, our ongoing workshops, information dissemination and advocacy. Again, with the First Lady as lead partner in this effort tremendous success can be achieved.

Mercury pollution in Bartica Dear Editor,

As well, we urge the First Lady to include a module on mental health in all training programmes planned by her office. This would be more cost-effective than separate mental health training. Besides, given that upwards of 200,000 Guyanese suffer from one or more mental health issues, that both suicide and all forms of abuse have mental health components, and that hundreds of thousands of other Guyanese have to deal with loved ones who suffer from mental health issues, mental health training becomes a critical necessity. The bottom line is that much of what we have had so far is rhetoric, pageantry, photo ops, and similar arid activities that waste scarce resources without impacting the issue in any fundamental manner. So please Madam First Lady, please do use this national dialogue opportunity to start a process of concrete change. As a woman, wife and mother you can far better empathise with the plight of our womenfolk and as the First Lady, you have the capacity and scope to transform talk into action, not piecemeal, selectively and ad hoc, but concertedly, nationally and continually.

I NOTE with considerable interest that a PAHO team is in Guyana to address the mercury clean-up at the GGMC complex. Could Minister Raphael Trotman be persuaded to have them address the mercury content in the Cuyuni and Mazaruni Rivers at the point at which these rivers flow into the Essequibo River at Bartica? Not much point in the President’s determination to “Green” Bartica if the rivers surrounding the town are mercury-polluted from gold-mining operations up river from the town. The colour change of the rivers from the turbidity from mining is very very visible. I have complained to the EPA about this on numerous occasions and, indeed, the minister, but it simply gets worse. Four of Guyana’s top tourism destinations surrounding Bartica, including the beaches surrounding Bartica, are threatened by this rising pollution. We have worked very hard over the last decade and more to establish Bartica and its surrounding resorts as a yachting destination and with some success. This too is now threatened.

Regards The Caribbean Voice

Regards Kit Nascimento

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 30, 2018

New nursery school commissioned at EastVille

THE $20.9M EastVille Nursery School, East Coast Demerara, was officially commissioned on Friday by Minister of Education Nicolette Henry and other senior regional officials of Region Four. The impressive ceremony was attended by Regional Chairman Ms Genevieve Allen, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ms Pauline Lucas, Regional Education Officer (ag), Ms Tiffany Favourite-Harvey, Chief Education Officer Nursery (ag), Ms Samantha Williams and

the widow and a daughter of the late Clyde Roopchand, among others. According to a Ministry of Education release, the construction of the school began in March 2016 and was completed in August 2017 and was funded by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC Region Four) through the Government of Guyana. Constructed by SIMCON, the school has a capacity to accommodate some 120 students. Chief Education Officer Nursery (Ag), Ms Samantha

Regional Chairman Ms Genevieve Allen making her presentation

Two men charged for raping male friend AFTER deliberating for just over an hour, a 12-member jury unanimously returned a guilty verdict convicting Mahesh Lackhan called Govindra and Parshram Guman known as Naresh for sexually violating their 23-year-old friend, on January 29, 2015. Presiding Judge, Brassington Reynolds postponed sentencing to two weeks until a probation report on the background of the accused men are presented by officers from the Probation and Social Welfare department at the Berbice Assizes. The facts revealed that the victim was consuming alcoholic beverages, with the accused duo, when he became dizzy, and it was during that period that Guman and Lackhan took turns in sexually assaulting him. It was revealed that during the act, Guman, told the complainant that he was taking revenge for a previous incident involving another relative. The victim then lost consciousness as the accused men took turns violating him. Thereafter, he did not know how he got home. But, the following day, his employer telephoned asking whether he was fit enough to work, and on checking himself, observed blood stains on his anus. Subsequently, a report was made at a nearby police station and charges were laid. State Prosecutrix Ms. Tuanna Hardy led the evidence of eight witnesses. Defence Counsel was Rodwell Jugmohan.

Williams, while giving an historical background to the establishment of the community and school, noted that the community is a young one. She noted that because of the heavy overcrowding of several of the neighbourhood nurseries, it was decided that a new nursery school should be built in an attempt to significantly ease the overcrowding at several other schools. She noted that the late Mr. Clyde Roopchand, former chief planning officer of the Ministry of Finance was very instrumental in the establishment of the school. This, she said, played a pivotal role as it was a combination of his vision and that of other stakeholders that helped to give birth to East Ville Nursery School in 2016. “It is this spirit of cooperation and collaboration that the Ministry of Education chose to recognise today and is seen reflected across all communities,” Williams told the audience, which also included a number of teachers and students. She added, “The establishment of this school demonstrated the community and the region’s commitment in making education easily accessible to nursery aged children.” Williams commended the village Co-op society for what she said was their insightful donation of the land to the school. She went on to disclose that a monument in recognition of Mr. Roopchand’s do contribution have been set up in an effort to forever remember his meaningful and sterling contributions. In stressing the urgency and critical importance of education, the CEO for Nursery reiterated the importance of various stakeholders getting

Minister of Education Nicolette Henry, assisted by Mr. Roopchand’s widow cuts the ribbon along with a student of the school to the Eastville Nursery School, while in the background is Nursery Education Officer, Smemlyn Batson-Andrews and REO Lucas involved. She told all in reality in 2017. “In 2014 while nities and this small commuattendance that each person putting forward plans for the nity of Eastville, which is has a responsibility in further development of our region, this termed as South Annandale, enhancing and providing for community was among those would have made the request the continued growth and identified,” she said. She said and it was realised. This development of education, that there was a request for nursery school along with but this must be done collec- an education facility, which the Diamond Nursery School tively. “We have to recognise they noted would better serve would have brought the total that education is everybody’s the community. The regional of 58 nursery schools withbusiness and the onuses is chairman said that it was in in our region.” Regional on each of us to play our 2015 that a feasibility study Chairman Allen thanked respective roles,” the CEO was done and in the priority list the management committee (actg) for Nursery said. She of projects under the education of Eastville, the late Clyde assured the audience that programme for the region, the Roopchand, the Ministry of her ministry will continue to Eastville Nursery school was Education and all those who ensure that students across put forward. “Today I am happy played a role in ensuring that Guyana within the nursery that after that period of time the students of Eastville can sector continue to be afford- that we are commissioning this have a school of their own. ed quality early childhood building that was put forward Meanwhile, in delivering education, adding that this is over a number of years,” she her remarks, Minister Henry a pivotal requirement. declared. spoke about the value and Regional Chairman Ms. In expressing her firm be- importance of such a school Genevieve Allen in giving brief lief about the importance of in the community of Eastville. remarks, pointed out that the education, the former teacher She noted that her government school was long in planning. now regional chairman said, remains committed and dedShe disclosed that it was in “Education remains import- icated with what she dubbed 2014 that the idea of construct- ant for the development of as ‘unprecedented support ing a nursery school at Eastville any nation, for the develop- and assistance’ to the educawas birthed and she is very ment of our region, for the tion sector. She expressed elated to see that it became a development of our commu- thanks and gratitude to various stakeholders for playing a pivotal role in the successful execution of the project. “As you progress you will reap the benefits of quality education and an educational system that will make you the best that you can be, not only for yourself, but also for your family and community as a whole,” she said. Minister Henry expressed happiness that the children are exposed to various learning experiences which she said cares for their holistic education development. The Eastville Nursery School

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 30, 2018

Assuria helps GTU award outstanding teachers, students

INSURANCE company, Assuria, has donated 60 trophies to the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) to be awarded to those teachers and students countrywide who would have performed exemplarily either at work or examinations. Since Assuria signed up with the GTU to offer their services to its members, the insurance company has injected a total premium paid of over $23M and over $18M in total claims paid. Assuria said that at the moment, there are 800 teachers signed on to the foregoing benefits in the almost four years the two organisations have been in partnership. On Friday, a small handing over ceremony was hosted at the company’s main office on Church Street here in the city. In accepting the donation, GTU President, Mark Lyte said that the Union’s relationship over the years with Assuria has resulted in several benefits for hardworking

GTU President Mark Lyte (third left) accepts the donated trophies from Assuria’s Eulalie Wilson (Photo by Adrian Narine) teachers. “Our teachers who would have signed up with the insurance company would have been benefiting significantly from medical care, eye care, dental and other benefits like maternity, comprehensive coverages and they can pay instalments, fire insurance,” Lyte said, adding: “The benefits have been prompt. When teachers make a claim at Assuria, they are promptly paid; claims are

looked at immediately, and the service is second to none. And we would like to say that the Union is extremely pleased.” When it comes to the donated trophies, Lyte said that they will be awarded to outstanding students completing examinations such as National Grade Six Assessment (NSGA); Caribbean Secondary Examination Council (CSEC); and the Caribbean Advanced Profi-

ciency Examination (CAPE), as well as university students and dedicated teachers. “We have, every year, schools having performed at the various national exams, and we are often asked for trophies for graduation. And so, the Union is pleased this morning that Assuria has agreed to put forward 60 trophies, which will be distributed to schools across Guyana,” he said. Lyte was keen to note

that, with the help of the Regional Vice-Presidents, there is a plan in place to distribute the trophies equitably among the three counties of Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice. Meanwhile, the individual being hailed as responsible for bringing the Union and the insurance company together is Assuria’s sales representative, Eulalie Wilson. Addressing the gathering, Assuria Head of Life Department and Agency Manager,

Erwin Daniels thanked the GTU for helping the company to fulfil some of its corporate responsibilities of giving back to the community. “Assuria wants to play its role in the development of Guyana,” Daniels said. “We understand that education is very, very important, and rewarding students for their hard work and dedication towards their exams is one of the ways that we can promote the concept of good learning, good study habits, and good attitude towards education.” Daniels then took the opportunity to roll out the company’s multi-discount card for teachers, which will see them receiving five to 10 per cent discounts on purchases at some 50 participating stores. Assuria’s Multi-Protection Discount Plan and more is available to all GTU members, and has recently been extended to one identified spouse of the client and children below the age of 18.

United Minibus Union rejects town clerk’s rationale for bus park changes MEMBERS of the United Minibus Union (UMU) are challenging recent remarks and actions by the town clerk, stating that the right procedure was not followed in the exclusive marking of the University of Guyana (UG)-Industry bus park. Meeting with the newspaper, UMU President Eon Andrews and UMU Branch Chairman of UG Transport Service Mark De Lima, said that the matter could have been dealt with in a much more civil manner. These comments are in reference to the Mayor and City Council’s move to give Industry bus operators exclusive parking on the UG-Industry park after they had complained about being “pushed out of business” by UG-Industry minibus

operators. Andrews said that it is “very strange” that the City Council, which refuses to meet with the union, would take the word of a group of minibus operators as “gospel” without engaging other parties to verify the claims. He said, too, that the town clerk had failed to take the standard operational procedure of apprising the Engineering Department, presenting the matter to the City Works and Public Health Committee meeting agenda and, finally, securing approval before moving forward. “There is no guarantee that the council’s statutory [meeting] would have approved his unilateral action. He is the Clerk of the Council which is an administrative function. The town clerk is not vested with ex-

ecutive authority,” he said. Added to this, Andrews said that causing further confusion, nothing was discussed with the Guyana Police Force ‘A’ Division which only became aware of the changes through the media. The UMU believes that it is being subjected to the effects of a personal grudge of the town clerk and De Lima put forward what he believes is the proof to support this. He said that when the City Council came into power they began charging minibus drivers “$200 per day for supposedly parking” and while the money may also be attributed as the cost for the upkeep of the park, this has never been done. De Lima presented an approximate figure of the total monies collected from

minibus operators by City Hall, which he said has not been used to improve the location which is prone to flooding. “If you calculate the amount of money that is gained from the UG Park, $200 a head x 46 buses is $9,200 a day. Then $9,200 a day x 30 days average equals to $276,000 they’re receiving per month from the UG park and nothing has been done, period,” he said. He then said that the average nine Industry buses on the park paying $3,500 each to the City Council per month equals to $31,500 per month, which does not add up to much, compared to the aforementioned $276,000, and proves that there is ill-motive involved. “You mean to tell me the Mayor and City Coun-

cil would throw away that amount of money for nine buses? Does that make any sense to anyone? All this shows that these people have personal agendas where the UG bus service and minibus union is concerned,” he said. Added to this, Andrews said that at any given point, the UG-Industry park can only hold an average of 12 buses and when the nine from Industry utilise the awarded exclusive spot, this leaves only three for the remaining 46 UG-Industry buses. He then reminded that the reason the Industry bus operators are in the present situation is a result of their ill-behaviour. “The nine bus operators that are claiming that they were being pushed out of business obviously presented a very pitiful exaggera-

tion with the desired effect of evoking sympathy from the mayor. “However, I would like to reiterate that the nine operators were bona fide members of the United Minibus Union UG branch; and some were even senior branch executives who were found guilty of gross indiscipline that constituted a breach of the UG Branch Code of Conduct that caused them to be suspended and they lost the right to operate on the campus of the University of Guyana,” he said. The men said, too, that it is still possible for the delinquent operators to rejoin the union, but they must first make a complete change in behaviour as opposed to seeking “twist and turn law and order for pity.”

Man accused of promising to free murder suspect for $5M A MINER yesterday appeared before a city magistrate charged for obtaining money by false pretense. The charge alleged that between September 20,

2016 and January 20, 2017 in Georgetown, with intent to defraud, Richard Aulder obtained $5 million from Nicola Duggan by falsely pretending he was able to get the

case dismissed against Robert Benn who was charged with the murder of Collin Perrier. Benn is the reputed husband of Duggan The 46 year old man who

resides at 159 Enterprise East Coast Demerara denied the charge that was read out to him in court. His attorney Kevon Best told the court that the police have no evidence

against his client and he applied for a reasonable bail to be granted to his client since it is his first time being charged. Prosecutor Sanj Singh had no objection to bail but

said that conditions should be applied. However bail was granted in the sum of $200,000 by Magistrate Leron Daly and the matter was adjourned to July 20, 2018.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, June 30, 2018

Oldendorff pledges to honour all commitments to employees

Oldendorff Carriers Guyana Inc workers paying rapt attention to Senior Labour Officer Dexter Semple

OLDENDORFF Carriers (Guyana) Inc on Thursday handed over details to the Department of Labour of all workers currently in its employ at its Berbice River operations as the two sides work to resolve outstanding issues. The presentation was made to the Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle, at the Department of Labour by Ulf Henriksson, General Manager of OCGI. RUSAL, the parent company of Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) has been sanctioned by the U.S. Government. BCGI’s operations are in Region 10. OLDENDORFF is contracted by BCGI to transport bauxite from the mining areas near Aroima to load on ships at the mouth of the Berbice River. The U.S. Government’s sanctions require that all companies doing business with those that have been sanctioned wind down operations by October 23, or they themselves will be sanctioned. While there are internation-

al negotiations taking place in an attempt to get the U.S. Government to withdraw the current sanctions, OLDENDORFF is compelled to make preparations for winding down should such efforts fail. As a result, the company has begun to sensitise workers to the possibility that it will not be able to continue operations in Guyana. The employment information was requested by the Department of Labour in order to determine the benefits accrued to the employees should the company be forced to wind down operations in Guyana. The information is also expected to support the work of a cabinet-appointed task force, set up to address the future of workers at RUSAL and related companies in light of USA-imposed sanctions. BCGI is OLDENDORFF’s only client in Guyana. The current situation stems from sanctions imposed on April 6, by the U.S. Government on Russia, by adding seven Russian oligarchs and 12

companies they own or control, among others, to what is called the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (“SDN”). Such sanctions apply to entities that are directly or indirectly owned 50 percent or more by these or other SDNs.

OLDENDORFF has been operating successfully in Guyana for 12 years and had every intention of continuing operations until being forced to face closure of the operations here because of the U.S. Government’s sanctions.

Oldendorff Carriers Guyana Inc GM Ulf Henriksson handing over employment information to Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle

During the 12 years, the company has employed and trained more than 250 persons from the Berbice area, most of whom still work for the company today. These employees have performed at the highest industry standards and contributed significantly to the performance efficiencies of the OLDENDORFF operations here. Speaking yesterday when handing over the documents to the chief labour officer, Ulf Henriksson, General Manager of OCGI, said that “OLDENDORFF’s management in Guyana and their parent company in Germany are promising to ensure that, should the company have to exit Guyana, the workers would be given proper notice. Our employees can rest assured that we will adhere to the laws of Guyana and they will receive what they are entitled to.” Today, on the heels of yesterday’s handing over of the employee information, a team from the Department of

Labour Occupational Safety and Health visited OLDENDORFF’s headquarters in New Amsterdam, Berbice. The team, led by Senior Labour Officer Dexter Semple, conducted an inspection of the company’s records and working conditions. Semple also took the opportunity to speak directly with workers who assembled at the New Amsterdam stelling. Workers had a free exchange with the labour officer and registered concerns for follow-up. OLDENDORFF suspended operations for two hours to allow the workers to attend the meeting. At the end of the meeting, OLDENDORFF’s managers presented each of the 115 employees gathered at the stelling with letters that provided information on the company’s response to the sanctions and the efforts that are being taken in the workers’ interest. Company executives promised to provide further updates as more information becomes available.

Appellate Court to hear appeal against CJ ruling on GECOM Chairman …PPP to approach the CCJ if Court of Appeal ruling does not go their way

THE Court of Appeal on July 25, 2018 will hear the appeal against the ruling of Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George-Wiltshire which upholds the appointment of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson. The case was filed by former Attorney General Anil Nandlall on behalf of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha. In a post on his Facebook page, Nandlall on Friday said, “I have received a notice from the Court of Appeal informing me that the application which I filed for an early hearing of the appeal against the decision of Chief Justice Roxane George in relation to the unilateral appointment of James Patterson as the Chairman of GECOM, will be heard on the 25th day of July 2018 at 9am at the Court of Appeal.” Earlier this month, Justice

George-Wiltshire ruled that President David Granger acted constitutionally when he appointed Justice Patterson as GECOM Chair. “I hold that there is nothing before this court to permit a finding that the President acted unlawfully or irrationally in resorting to the proviso to article 161 (2) [of the Constitution] or to rebut the presumption that Justice Patterson is qualified to be appointed to the post of Chairman of GECOM,” she said. Mustapha in October, 2017 moved to the High Court to declare that the appointment of Justice Patterson as Chairman of GECOM is unconstitutional, null and void and of no legal effect. He had asked the Court to grant an order “rescinding, revoking, cancelling and setting aside the appointment” of Patterson and further asking the High Court to choose a person from the 18 nominees submitted to the President by

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo. Jagdeo submitted three lists, each of which comprised six names, all of whom were rejected by President Granger who deemed the nominees unfit for the post. The PPP through its Executive Secretary also contended that Justice Patterson does not have the required qualifications or integrity to be GECOM Chair. The applicant argued that the retired judge cannot be or appear to be politically impartial and independent in the discharge of the functions of his office on the grounds that he is a member of the Prerogative of Mercy Advisory Committee appointed by the President, an advisor to the Minister of Legal Affairs appointed by the President, Attorney-General or someone in the President’s Government. He was appointed by the President to head a Commission of Inquiry into a prison break at Georgetown,

Guyana, during the month of July, 2017 and was appointed by the President to be part of a panel to reviewing applications for the positions of Chief Justice and Chancellor of the Judiciary as well as served as a pall bearer at the funeral for former President Hugh Desmond Hoyte. Additionally, he contends that President Granger violated the Constitution by “unilaterally” appointing Patterson and not a nominee from the lists provided by Jagdeo. However, Justice George-Wiltshire dismissed all of the aforementioned claims describing them as “wholly misconceived” and awarded costs to the respondent in the sum of $250,000. The judge said while consensus is desired, the Constitution does permit a unilateral decision to appoint a Chairman of GECOM on the rejection of the list submitted by the Leader of the Opposition. As such, the request for a declaration

that the appointment of Justice Patterson is null, void and of no effect was refused. Similarly, as it relates to the qualifications of Justice Patterson to be Chairman of GECOM, the Chief Justice said, “this declaration is refused as the evidence produced does not permit such a finding.” The Chief Justice also rejected the Applicant’s request for an order directing the President to choose a person from the 18 names submitted to him by the Leader of the Opposition. “Such refusal is a consequence of my decisions above and because of my decision that the only list relevant to this application is the third list. In any event as stated, even if I had found in favour of the applicant, it would not have been permissible for this Court to usurp the function of the President by directing him to choose a nominee from the third or any list,” she declared. Finally, the request for an

order to rescind, revoke, cancel and set aside the appointment of Justice Patterson on October 19, 2017 as Chairman of GECOM was also dismissed. In giving her ruling, Justice George-Wiltshire said the preliminary issue which arises is which list or lists should be examined. Article 161 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana says “there shall be an Elections Commission for Guyana consisting of a Chairman, who shall be a full-time Chairman and shall not engage in any other form of employment, and such other members as appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Article.” Meanwhile, Nandlall said he will “tenaciously pursue this with all my energies until Constitutional Justice is delivered!” The PPP has indicated that it will approach the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on the matter if they do not obtain results favourable to them at the level of the Court of Appeal.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 30, 2018

Gov’t makes ‘half-a-mil’ in pay-outs –– to families of five slain fishermen –– others to ‘draw down’ as soon as kinship is established

By Rabindra Rooplall THE next of kin of five of the 20-odd fishermen who either perished or survived a piracy attack earlier this year were each given a oneoff payment of $100,000 on Friday. The payout, which was in keeping with a promise made by the government, was made to those families who could have established kinship, while the authorities seek to verify the claims of family members of the other victims to ensure that the right persons are in receipt of payment. Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, who it was that made the pay-out, said during the handing-over ceremony that other interventions are to be undertaken. “I have spoken to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Protection for some counselling services, and depending on other circumstances, we may be able to assist where necessary,”

Minister Ramjattan said. Those receiving cheques for the pay-out on Friday were the relatives of Glenroy Jones, Sunil Ramotar, Sherwin Lovell, Vickery Persaud and Deonarine Goberdan. Said Minister Ramjattan after the formalities were over, “We are all saddened at the deaths that occurred, and the traumatic effects it had on many relatives. “And indeed, a number of relatives did contact the ministry and also the commissioner of police consequent to the two attacks in Surinamese waters, and they indicated that they would need some financial help in doing certain things like travelling to Suriname and whatever else is needed to be done during their mourning.” President David Granger had declared Monday last a National Day of Mourning, and flags were flown at half-staff at several public buildings in memory of those fishermen who were killed or

Minister Khemraj Ramjattan with the next of kin of five victims on Friday (Delano Williams photo) maimed during the late April ordeal, or have since been presumed dead. During Monday’s sitting of the National Assembly, a moment of silence was observed by both sides of the House in a show of solidarity for the victims of the carnage at sea off Suriname’s waters. On Monday, Minister Ramjattan said the Day of Mourning for the slain fishermen coincides with the United Nations Day of Seafarers, and that President David Granger’s proclamation was a fitting tribute in memory of their passing. The names of those who died, and the 16 or so still

Rum producers meet to address labelling, standards

Officials who attended the meeting SENIOR technical staff of the Region’s rum producers and members of the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers’ Association (WIRSPA), met in Jamaica earlier this month for a one-day technical meeting, to address a range of issues which impact the Region’s largest and premier agrobased export product. In a release, WIRSPA said producers from Antigua, Barbados, The Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and St. Lucia came together to discuss matters relating to rum origin and trade rules, to examine the latest developments in global labelling and plans for upgrading regional labelling for rum. Attendees exchanged views on the CARICOM rum standard, which governs how rum can be made and quality ensured.

The meeting also examined new technological solutions in the industry and exchanged views on the state of molasses supply in the Region. Also on the agenda was the development of an online training programme for the Region’s producers, which is at the preliminary phase of discussion with the UWI. As part of ongoing WIRSPA actions to promote quality products and international best practice, senior technical staff from member companies across the Caribbean Region meet bi-annually to examine technological and regulatory developments affecting the sector, and to learn from their counterparts to ensure that the Region’s rum industry continues to produce the highest level of quality.

missing and feared dead were stated for the record. During late April and early May this year, two separate attacks were launched on five Suriname-registered fishing vessels, carrying an average of some 25 crew members in toto, most of whom were Guyanese. Nine of the men would survive the grisly attack, while at least 12 have been confirmed as missing and presumed dead.

The alleged mastermind, 43-year-old Primnauth Persaud, called “Sinbad” of Cromarty Village, and his co-accused Nakool Manohar, popularly known as “Fyah” of Number 43 Village, were later charged with two counts of murder for allegedly killing Mahesh Sarjoo and Tillacknauth Mohabir, both fishermen, during a piracy attack in Suriname. That matter is still being

investigated, and the local police have formally requested to be allowed to interrogate the suspects arrested in Suriname. Those confirmed as missing are: Ramesh Sanchar, 50; Glenroy Jones, 20; Tilaknauth Mohabir, 50; Ralph Anthony Couchman,19; Rajkumar Bissessar; Ganesh Beharry; Bobby Ibrahim; Sunil, also known as “Podock”; Ramnarine Singh; Bharat Heralall; Randy Burnette; and Olenski Maxwell.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, June 30, 2018

Fisherman charged, Local charged for remanded until July 3 killing Venezuelan --for attempted murder of ‘child-mother’

A 28-year-old fisherman, who allegedly stabbed his ex-wife after she refused to let him kiss their threeyear-old son was on Friday charged with attempted murder. Ramsawan Singh, of Sea View Street, Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Judy

Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was remanded to prison until July 3. Singh was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleged that on June 28 at Cornelia Ida, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded 27-year-old Geeta “Pinky” Deochand with intent to commit murder.

over woman

Police Prosecutor Vivian Adolph strongly opposed the man being granted bail, because of the seriousness and prevalence of the charge. Adolph disclosed to the court that the woman has a restraining order against Singh, and he is prohibited from contacting the victim. According to reports, Deo-

Francisco Demattos

Ramsawan Singh

chand, who lives at Cornelia Ida, and the 27-year-old suspect, who is the father of her child, have been separated for a while. However, on Thursday morning, whilst the victim and her son were standing on the Cornelia Ida Public Road, the suspect approached them and asked to kiss the child, but was refused permission to do so. It was at this point that he became enraged and stabbed her several times with a knife and ran away. He was later apprehended.

A GOLD miner of Monkey Mountain was on Friday charged for the murder of a Venezuelan man at a bar at Black Water Landing in the Cuyuni River. Francisco Demattos, 27, appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman, was not required to plead to the charge and was remanded to prison until July 3. The charge against Demattos is that on June 23, he murdered Rafael Angel Gonsale Prieto. According to reports, Prieto was stabbed to death by a gold miner on the day in question around 01:50hhs after he (Prieto) allegedly assaulted his girlfriend at Black Water Backdam, Cuyuni. The report further stated that Prieto’s girlfriend was dancing with another man in a bar, when Prieto attacked her and threw her to the ground. Prieto reportedly whipped out a knife, sat on the woman’s chest and was about to cut off her hair, when Demattos rushed to her aid and dealt her assailant several stabs, one of which reportedly caused his intestines to protrude.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 30, 2018

ILO calls for urgent action to prevent looming global care crisis

SWEEPING changes in policies should address the rising need for care and tackle the huge disparity between women’s and men’s care responsibilities, the International Labour Organisation has said. In a report the organisation said the figures show that women are performing more than three-quarters of the time spent in unpaid care work. Around 269 million new jobs could be created if investment in education, health and social work were doubled by 2030, the report says. According to Care work and care jobs for the future of decent work, 2.1 billion people were in need of care in 2015, including 1.9 billion children under 15 and 200 million older persons. By 2030, this number is expected to reach 2.3 billion, driven by an additional 200 million older persons and children. “The global prominence of nuclear families and single-headed households, and the growth of women’s employment in certain countries increase the demand for care workers. If not addressed properly, current deficits in care work and its quality will create a severe and unsustainable global care crisis and further increase gender inequalities in the world of work,” said Laura Addati, lead author of the report. Data from 64 countries representing two thirds of the world’s working age population show that 16.4 billion hours per day are spent in unpaid care work – the equivalent to 2 billion people working eight hours per day with no remuneration. Were such services to be valued on the basis of an hourly minimum wage, they would amount to 9 per cent of global GDP or US$11 trillion (purchasing power parity in 2011). WOMEN BEAR THE BRUNT OF UNPAID CARE WORK According to the report, women perform 76.2 per cent of total hours of unpaid care work, more than three times as much as men. In some countries, men’s contribution to unpaid care work has increased over the past 20 years. However, in the 23 countries providing such data, the gender gap in the time devoted to unpaid care responsibilities declined by just 7 minutes per day over the last two decades. “At this pace, it will take 210 years to close the gender gap in unpaid care work in these countries. The glacial rate of these changes calls into question the effectiveness of past and current policies in addressing the extent and division of unpaid care work over the past two decades,” said Shauna Olney, Chief of the Gender, Equality and Diversity and ILOAIDS Branch of the ILO. The report says that unpaid care work is the main barrier preventing women from getting into, remaining and progressing in the labour force. In 2018, 606 million working age women said that they were not able to do so because of unpaid care work. Only 41 million men said they were not in the labour force for the same reason. A 2017 ILO-Gallup report found that, globally, a majority of women would prefer to work at paid jobs, including those who are not in the workforce, and that men agree. It also found that the biggest challenges identified, by both women and men, for women who work at paid jobs was work-family balance and lack of affordable care. “This implies that a large number of women could be brought into paid employment through universal access to care policies, services and infrastructure,” stressed Olney. NEED FOR INCREASED SPENDING ON CARE The report advocates a ‘high road’ to care work, which would result in a total of 475 million jobs by 2030, namely 269 million additional jobs compared with the number of jobs in 2015. This implies total public and private expenditure on care services of US$18.4 trillion or 18.3 per cent of total projected GDP. Such an investment would allow countries to reach several targets of four United Nations’ Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs) by 2030: SDG 3 (health care for all), SDG 4 (education for all), SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth). “A high road to care work means recognizing, reducing and redistributing unpaid care work and achieving decent work for care workers, including domestic and migrant workers.” The report also showed that most care workers are women, frequently migrants and working in the informal economy under poor conditions and for low pay. “A high road to care work means recognizing, reducing and redistributing unpaid

care work and achieving decent work for care workers, including domestic and migrant workers. Poor job quality for care workers leads to poor quality care work. Our report calls for sweeping changes in care, macroeconomic, social protection, labour and migration policies,” Addati concluded. OTHER KEY FINDINGS: •Mothers of children aged under 6 years suffer the highest “employment penalty” with only 47.6 per cent of them in employment; •unpaid carers also face a “job quality penalty”: Living with a child under 6 implies a loss of close to one hour of paid work per week for women and an increase in paid working time of 18 minutes per week for men; •women with care responsibilities are more likely to be self-employed, to work in the informal economy and less

likely to contribute to social security; •attitudes towards the gender division of paid and unpaid care work are changing but the ‘male breadwinner’ family model remains very much engrained within societies, along with women’s caring role in the family continuing to be central; •in 2016, only 42 per cent of countries out of 184 with available data met the minimum standards set out in the ILO Maternity Protection Convention No. 183; •in the same year, 39 per cent of countries out of 184 with available data did not have any statutory leave provision for fathers (neither paid nor unpaid); •globally, gross enrolment rates in early childhood services for children under 3 was only 18.3 per cent in 2015 and barely reached 57 per cent for children aged 3 to 6; •long-term care services are close to non-existent in most African, Latin American and Asian countries.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 30, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, June 30, 2018

Future biologist is leader of the pack --as six Region Six top achievers prepare to storm QC

By Nafeeza Yahya RANJIV Babulall of Port Mourant Primary emerged the top performer for Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). The confident lad, who aspires to become a Biologist, gained a total of 520 marks and secured a spot at prestigious Queen’s College. The young man and his teachers were unaware he was the top student in the region, so when the news broke, he was visibly speechless but managed to compose himself. His classmates, however, broke into thunderous applause and surrounded him, offering their congratulations and lots of hugs. When he was able to regain his composure and break free of the mob that surrounded him, he ran to his teacher, Ms Zeena Mangru and gave her an emotional hug. Ranjiv, whose family is originally from Essequibo but now lives in Adventure Village on the Corentyne Coast, started school at Port Mourant Primary in Grade Two. He said the transition was emotional, and that he actually cried a few times initially, but was eventually able to settle in and make new friends. Those new friends, he said, were very supportive, even to this day, and he wouldn’t trade them for the world. His sister, an ‘A-lister’ herself, had topped the said school back in 2015, so he’d vowed ever since to equal or better that feat. He credits his success to the Almighty for giving him strength and guidance, and his parents and teacher, who were instrumental in motivating and encouraging him to be the best he could ever be. Recalling the journey to

success, young Ranjiv said his passion for reading was very helpful, and he managed to strike a balance between his love for cricket, video games and his studies.

Ranjiv Babulall

to give up television, games and other leisure activities to focus on his studies. But, he said he has no regrets, since the reward is well worth it. Like his classmate, Ranjiv,

Allan Bangari

Meanwhile, Headmistress June Fraser said a lot of credit has to be given to the teachers who went beyond the call of duty by coming in on weekends, even on Sundays, to

Hall Primary copped the Number Three spot with 515 marks, a position she shares with Quacy Issacs of All Saints Primary. Hafiz said when she was called into the office, she im-

Susanna Khemraj

Arnold Doman

Explaining why he’s chosen to become a Biologist, Ranjiv said he simply loves nature, and would take time out to study animals and plants in their surroundings while trying his hands at “Do-it-yourself (DIY)” experiments to better understand how things work. His advice to other students is, “Do your best; encourage yourself and have confidence.” SECOND-PLACE The celebrations at Port Mourant Primary again erupted as Michael Moorsalin, Ranjiv’s classmate, was announced as the region’s second top achiever with 518 marks and a place at Queen’s College as well. There were ‘high-fives’ all around as children from other classes joined in the celebrations. Moorsalin, who is from Brighton Village, has his sights set on becoming a neurologist and is beyond excited, as his dream since nursery level of attending Queens College has come true. He said the road to success was a tough one, as he had had

Anisa Hafiz

Michael Moorsalin

Aaron Subnauth

Michael, too, credits God, his parents and teacher for his success. Class teacher, Zeena Mangru of Rose Hall Town, was all smiles and tears of joy for her students who secured the two top spots in the region. She said when she took over the class in Grade Three, she immediately knew the students had great potential, and worked with them to help them realise that potential, and is happy that they were able to come out on top.

ensure that all the children were properly prepared for the examinations. She also congratulated the parents and guardians for assisting in the preparations, and said the school is very proud of all its students, not only the ones who made it to the top, and remains committed to delivering the best level of education for all.

mediately thought she was in some sort of trouble, but was soon relieved when she was told she was awarded a place at Queen’s College, and was the third top student for the region. Upon hearing this, Anisa said she shreiked with joy, and said a quick prayer, thanking God for helping her to be successful. But unlike most top students who aspire for high-paying jobs, Anisa wants to become a teacher, as she believes

IT’S A TIE! Over in nearby Rose Hall Town, Anisa Hafiz of Rose

that by so doing, she will be able to help a lot more people to achieve their goals in life. And, being the grandaughter of the community’s Imam, she has already begun assisting the younger kids with religious classes, and has come to realise that teaching is something she truly enjoys. HOUSE DOCTOR M e a n w h i l e , S u z a n n a Khemraj of Cropper Primary and of Courtland Village is tied with Frank Waddel of All Saints Primary in New Amsterdam for the Number Five position, earning themselves a spot at Queen’s College. The aspiring doctor credits her parents, God and her teachers coupled with long hours of studying for her success. Her classmate, Arnold Anthony Doman of Albion, with 511 marks is tied for the Number Eight spot with Allan Bangari of Port Mourant Primary. Doman wants to become a mechanical engineer, while Bangari, of Haswell, Port Mourant wants to become a mathematician. Both lads said long hours of studying and extra course work were key to their success. Both were awarded a spot at Bishops High. Aaron Subnauth, of Number 57 Village and New Market Primary is tied with Divya Singh of Tain Primary and Erza Minty of Sheet Anchor Primary to round off the Top Ten achievers for the Region. Subnauth, who wants to become an Attorney to help ensure those without adequate finacial resources are given a fair trial, said daily revisions were the key to his success. He noted that he did not have to burn the proverbial midnight oil too much, as he put in a lot of work after school with the daily lessons.

Linden seniors benefit from food-based dietary workshop

A section of the seniors who participated in the workshop

FIFTY senior citizens in Linden on Friday, were beneficiaries of a food-based dietary workshop, hosted by the Food Policy Division, Ministry of Public Health, which aims at promoting healthy lifestyles among seniors. The seniors, most of whom are above 60, are members of various clinics and senior citizen clubs in Linden. Welcoming them at the simple opening ceremony, was Public Health Nutritionist Gillian Trim, who said that the workshop was held after the division gained cognizance of a rise in the incidence

Some samples of the food that seniors should consume that were used in the practical sessions

of non- communicable diseases in Linden: hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancers. That is because of the lack of proper diet and exercise amongst the elderly. The objective of the workshop was to promote healthy choices with respect to variety, quality and quantity of food; to prevent overweight and obesity; prevent the development of nutritional deficiencies, as well as to promote increased levels of age-appropriate physical activity. The guidelines were developed in 2002 and revised in 2017. “The objective of this workshop is that you

can make healthier lifestyle choices, we brought you here so that you can make others change,” Trim told the participants. In addition, the guidelines were crafted to be used as a part of the country’s strategy to improve food security, food safety, nutrition and health. Seniors were deemed an important group in society, who are sometimes easily overlooked in the promotion of new ideas and concepts. Throughout the one-day workshop, practical sessions were also done with the seniors.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 30, 2018

Turkeyen Library gifted with $2.4 million in books, equipment

THE University of Guyana Library recently received a donation of books, equipment and supplies from Mr. Siefy Shahabuddeen, son of the former Attorney General and International Court of Justice (ICJ) Judge, Dr. Mohamed Shahabuddeen. Valued at approximately G$2.4 million, the donation comprised 1151 printed publications, five printers, two book trolleys, along with a substantial amount of stationery and supplies. The books cover the areas of law, history, politics, literature, religion, spirituality to the paranormal and ufology. The items were handed over to Professor Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, C.C.H., Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University, at a simple ceremony held on the Turkeyen Campus on June 21, 2018. Speak-

ing at the occasion, Mr. Shahabuddeen pointed out that the donation was dedicated in memory of his parents, Judge Mohamed Shahabuddeen and Mrs. Sairah Shahabuddeen, who were both givers. The Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude to Mr. Siefy Shahabuddeen for the significant donation and disclosed that a section of the library will officially be dedicated in honour of Dr. Mohamed Shahabuddeenâ€™s extraordinary contribution to scholarship in the areas of law, politics and economics. Mr. Shahabuddeen had previously made a donation of 430 books, worth in excess of G$2M, to the University of Guyana, on behalf of his father, former Attorney General and Vice-President of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Shahabuddeen, in April 2014.

Mr. Siefy Shahabuddeen retired Attorney-at-Law makes a presentation to Professor Ivelaw Griffith, in the presence of Ms Gwyneth George, University Librarian, and Dr Nigel Gravesande, Registrar, Mr Hector Edwards, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 30, 2018

Region Nine communities receive $20M in presidential grants

SOME 16 communities within Region Nine on Thursday received $20M worth in presidential grants for various projects. The cheques were handed over to Toshaos and village leaders just after the opening ceremony of the second annual Regional Toshaos Conference themed, “Good Governance- A brighter future for Guyana’s first peoples.” The village of Kumu received $800,000 for the construction of a village benab, Nappi received $1M for the upgrading of the Farm to Market Road, Kaicumbay received $800,000 for the construction of a village pavilion, while Churikadnau received the same amount for the construction of a storage bond. Other villages which benefitted from this year’s presidential grant include Crash Water, $1M for the upgrading of 3 kilometer road; Annai, $1M for the community’s sewing project; Aranaputa, $1M for the construction of a village ranch; Karandarnau, $1, 499, 980 for the construction of a pavilion; Katoka, $1M for the construction of a well and trestle; Meriwaa, $800,000 for the construction of a village office; Aishalton, $1, 500,000 for the fencing of a farming area and repairs to a bridge; Sawariwau received $1,200,000 for the furnishing of village office and repairs to the community’s minibus; Awarewaunau

village received the same amount for the expansion of the village; Karasabai received $1,500,000 for the furnishing of the community’s village office; Parishara received $800,000 for the construction of a hot meal kitchen while Rupertee received $500,000 for capital works. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who was the feature speaker at the opening of the two-day conference told Toshaos that despite naysayers, the presidential grants for 2018 represented his government’s commitment to the continued development of Indigenous peoples. Nagamootoo disclosed that in presidential grants alone, some $243.6M has been budgeted. He said too that 57 villages are benefitting from $57.8M. “There has been no progressive level of neglect…it is not true,” the Prime Minister said in response to former Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, who was accompanied by Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira and Member of Parliament, Allister Charlie. “There is always support for villages but Toshaos must come up with plans for projects in their villages,” he stated while adding that going forward, Indigenous leaders must modernise their approach to leadership.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (right) presents a cheque to a female village leader on Thursday during the opening of the Regional Toshaos’ Conference. (Delano Williams photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, June 30, 2018

ACDA launches 2018 Emancipation Calendar of Events THE African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) ahead of August 1st has launched its Emancipation Day programme which boasts a list of exciting activities aimed at celebrating African culture and history. The launching occurred on Thursday at the ACDA Akwaaba Centre under the theme, ‘25 Years of Activism, Community Service and Servant Leadership’. During the event, there was a flag-raising ceremony, performances of the traditional fire dance, a libation ceremony and the cutting of the 25 year cake in celebration of the body’s years of service in the country. As a part of its pre-Emancipation Day events, from June to September, ACDA will host its Emancipation Spelling Bee Competition which will be held on July 14 and 16; August 1 and September 22. Meanwhile, from July 24-31 there will be an Africa Street Theatre event on Main Street Avenue from 10am to 5pm daily. Then on July 28, there will be an Emancipation Afrobeat party at the 704 lounge, followed by an Emancipation Spiritual Tribute in collaboration with the House of Santeria at the Square of the Revolution from July 29-31. However, on August 1st, Emancipation Day, thousands will take to the National Park

ACDA’s executive member, Eric Phillips, speaks on the work of the organization. (Adrian Narine photo)

from 10am for a string of events beginning with a Sunrise Service at 5:30am. Events to follow include dance, drumming, dress, shanto singing, rap, poetry and reggae competitions, ACDA educational booth displays, creative float costumes, races and other sports and games, acrobatic performances, skits and eating competitions. Meanwhile, several international and regional artistes will perform such as Richie Spice, and the Trinidadian Drumming Group, along with presentations from the Surinamese culture. In brief remarks, ACDA’s executive member Eric Phillips gave an outline of the organisaton’s work over the last 25 years which he said makes it proud to continue promoting greater learning

and knowledge of the African culture. “Twenty five years might sound long but it’s short; it’s the beginning and we’re glad that you’re here today to celebrate with us…we look forward to seeing you on Emancipation Day at the National Park and I hope that you will continue to be yourself, to be African and to be God’s first people,” he said. The admission for children under 12 to the National Park on August 1st is free while adults will pay $500 before 5pm and $1000 after. ACDA was formed in Guyana in 1992 with the belief that Africans should pursue their own economic self-determination and should embody economic development through cultural strength.

Young men perform the traditional fire dance as a sneak peek of what is to come on Emancipation Day. (Adrian Narine photo)

Several supporters turned out to the launching of ACDA’s Emancipation events for 2018 (Adrian Narine photo)

The Joseph/Nagamootoo Charity donates school items to Arapaima Nursery

Mrs Nagamootoo gifts a student of the Arapaima Nursery School a book on Thursday. (Delano Williams photo)

MRS Sita Nagamootoo, wife of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his eldest daughter Angela Joseph, principal of the Joseph/Nagamootoo Foundation on Thursday distributed a number of school supplies to the Arapaima

These little students are eager to read what is written in their new books. (Delano Williams photo)

Nursery School, Region Nine. Mrs Nagamootoo, her daughter and two grandchildren, had travelled to Lethem with the prime minister who attended the second annual Regional Toshaos’ Conference held at the

Teachers from the Arapaima Nursery School received teaching aids from the Joseph/Nagamootoo Foundation on Thursday (Delano Williams photo)

Indigenous Peoples’ Conference Hall, Lethem, Region Nine. After distributing the items to the students, Mrs Nagamootoo and her family interacted with both students and teachers.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 30, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 30, 2018

SARA launches “Lash It Out” T20 game

By Rajiv Bisnauth

AIMED at creating awareness among young people in relation to its fight against corruption, the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA), has teamed up with several agencies for the staging of a T20 cricket game called “Lash It Out”. The one off game, which is billed for July 13 at the Demerara Cricket Club ground, was officially launched yesterday in the conference room of the State Assets Recovery Agency, 56 Main and New Market Streets, Georgetown. At the impressive launching ceremony, SARA legal advisor Ronald Bostwick said the game fits perfectly into SARA’s mission, which is to eliminate corruption. Media and Communications Officer Melissa Davy noted that the game is just one of the many activities the agency is using to build public awareness on corruption. Meanwhile, President of DCC Roger Harper, in his remarks pointed out that the club is pleased to be a part of the game, especially what it

signifies. Harper, a former West Indies off-spinner, also revealed that the Queenstown-based club will definitely lend its support, so that the message of fighting corruption will be widely published. He noted that the club, ‘Home of the Legends’, will continue to support initiatives, where cricket will be the ultimate winner. Further, both Gavin Nedd of the National Sport Commission and Warren Wintz of Bold! Luxurious! Beautiful! (BLB Clothing), expressed their pleasure to be associated with the T20 game. Information released yesterday, indicated that the two teams are: Furious Jaguars and Super Sixers. A number of local celebrities and members of the cricket fraternity such as British High Commissioner James Quinn; National Sports Director Christopher Jones; Attorney-at–law Charles Ramson Jr; Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson; fast bowler Paul Wintz; entertainers Kerwin Bollers and Rawle Ferguson; former Carib Soca Monarch Jumo

South Africa Racing Tips English Racing Tips Greyville Newmarket 08:15 hrs Al Ciberano 08:10 hrs Impulsion 08:50 hrs Mighty Valdie 08:45 hrs Sir Dancealot 09:25 hrs Africa Rising 09:55 hrs Second Step 10:30 hrs Queen Of Connaught 10:00 hrs Costa Da Sol 10:35 hrs Hyaku 11:05 hrs Zain City 11:40 hrs Cosmopolitan Newcastle Queen 08:30 hrs Financial Conduct 09:05 hrs Withhold 09:40 hrs Sugarloaf Mountain Canadian Racing Tips 10:15 hrs Suzi’s Connoisseur Woodbine 10:50 hrs Ventura Ocean Race 1 Heart Rush 11:25 hrs Light Of Joy Race 2 Soul Planet Race 3 Machtree York Race 4 Eradicator 08:35 hrs Dunkerron Race 5 Beth Aurora 09:10 hrs Starlight Romance Race 6 Tower Of Texas 09:45 hrs Voyager Blue Race 7 Sailing By 10:20 hrs Communique Race 8 Holy Helena 10:55 hrs Mojika Race 9 Imprimis 11:30 hrs Tylery Wonder Race10 Telekinesis 12:00 hrs Framley Garth

Primo; Caribbean Artist-ofthe-Year Saiku Andrews; and founder of Morgan’s Learning Centre, Orin Morgan, are those expected to be on show. Entrance fee is absolutely free, while Fly Jamaica is offering a ticket to one lucky fan to either the USA or Canada. Game time is 18:00hrs. The State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA), an autonomous agency, was created through the State Assets Recovery Act of 2017, and passed in Parliament on April 13, 2017. The Act mandated SARA to recover, through civil proceedings, State property unlawfully acquired by a public official or any other person. SARA has embarked on launching this campaign “Corruption is Everybody’s Business” in collaboration with various Government Agencies in the fight against corrupt practices within our Nation. The States Assets Recovery Bill is part of government’s efforts to fight corruption. It is also part of the President’s desire to have a professional and unbribable public service.

Irish Racing Tips Curragh 08:40 hrs All The King’s Men 09:15 hrs Duke Of Firenze 09:50 hrs Fleet Review 10:25 hrs St Patrick’s Day 11:00 hrs My Snowdrop 11:35 hrs Land Force 12:15 hrs Dee Ex Bee 12:55 hrs Neverushacon American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 The Postmaster Race 2 Dancing Breeze Race 3 Fleet Irish Race 4 La Sardane Race 5 Our Circle Of Love Race 6 Plans Ti Prosper Race 7 Shiraz Race 8 Midnight Bisou Race 9 Reflected Star

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 30, 2018

National Sports Policy to address welcome incentives for athletes By Michelangelo Jacobus

Daniel Williams

WITH the draft National Sports Policy currently in circulation and under revision, the government has catered for athletes who represent Guyana at regional and international events to be rewarded for excellent performances. In the long overdue draft policy, there is a section dedicated to incentives with a package outlined for individual athletes or teams

Guyana breaks 24-year Caribbean basketball Championship jinx! – Edge Barbados 76 – 71 to reach CBC finals LED by a game-high 25 points from Ray Victor, Guyana edged Barbados 76 – 71 to reach the finals of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championship for the first time in 24 years. Anthony Moe had 17, Stanton Rose chipped in with a solid 15-points performance, while Shaine Webster and Travis Burnett both scored eight points in the win for Guyana. In 1994, when the tournament was hosted at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Guyana fell to Barbados in what was, until last evening, their first and last trip to the finals of the regional basketball showpiece. Unlike the women who won the tournament in 1996 in Trinidad and Tobago, the men’s side, though being one of the most talented in the Caribbean, have struggled to reach the pinnacle of sport in the Caribbean. However, the team captained by Stanton Rose are undefeated in Suriname where this year’s championship is being held and are now gearing up to play the winner between the Suriname versus Antigua and Barbuda game which was played last evening. Guyana, initially, was schedule to play Antigua and Barbuda who had finished second on their group, but Haiti was disqualified for fielding several ineligible players, as per FIBA rules, and were disqualified. The result last night meant that Guyana will go on as one of the Caribbean’s two representative in the FIBA AmeriCup qualifier tournament which starts in September.

who bring home gold, silver or bronze at regional, subregional and international championships. The ‘package’ is inclusive of added acknowledgments in the form of promotional tours, formal receptions and media engagements. However, the financial aspect is proposed as a pre-determined amount of money compared to regional standards and a tangible reward in the form of a piece of land or a built house

through a state-supported scheme. The latter was recently done in the mining town of Linden, where leading young athletes Chantoba Bright and Daniel Williams were given a plot of land each, in recognition of their sterling achievements thus far, however this was not a government-led initiative. Following national and public consultation over the draft policy, the package can be amended and improved to

tailor the varying degrees of athletes’ success. While the draft National Sports Policy is under revision, the incentives for the athletes won’t be available until it is completed and passed in the National Assembly. The fact that there is even a draft National Sports Policy in circulation and under revision is ground breaking, as it could change the way sport is viewed and regarded in Guyana. Several

administrators in the past have come and gone with many a talk of changing the face of sport in Guyana. However, the current personnel at the helm of sport in Guyana, have been on the ball and while there are still shortcomings, it is a welcome improvement from the past, as we are reminded of this quote by famed Chinese Philosopher Lao Tzu; “the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”.

Social Work group organises successful cricket tournament – Port Mourant Secondary School emerge champions. By Colin Bynoe jr. YAMANIE Jaiprashad who is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Social Work spearheaded a well-thought-out activity for Secondary Schools in the Lower Corentyne area, yesterday. The activity was in the form of a three-team cricket tournament, which included Lower Corentyne Secondary School (LCSS), JC Chandisingh Secondary School (JCCSS) and Port Mourant Secondary (PMSC). The aim was getting school age youths in an involvement setting, where they can participate and release built up energy and any form of anger. Speaking to Chronicle Sports, Jaiprashad highlighted, “Because of the increase rate of suicide in the country, in particular Corentyne (Berbice), we from the Masters in Social Work group saw it fit to keep a cricket competition, because this is under the banner of building a healthy nation through sports”. She went on to say, “Through education and sports we could bring about a reduction to suicide”. Another student who spoke on a research carried out in Guyana, said the study

The Victorious Port Mourant Secondary School team with teachers and Coordinator Jamanie Jaiprashad, far right.

revealed that there have never been any major hiccups relating to sportsmen and women committing or attempting suicide. Mentions were made of subjects such as Physical Education and sport, as well as Allied Arts, to be integral areas in the school’s curriculum in that region. The initiative is a part of the Master’s Degree in Social work practicum project that was coordinated by Jaiprashad The games were played using windball in a 10 overs per innings format. Lower Corentyne drew the bye to the finals.

The first match started at 10 am and saw JC Chandisingh going up against Port Mourant Secondary. JC Chandising Secondary took first strike and looked eager to deliver a challenging total. However, as Matthew Pottaya was introduced into the bowling he had different ideas. Pottaya quickly spun his way to four wickets and changing the course of the game for his team in the process. JC ended on 48 for the loss of 9 wickets in their 10 over allotment. In reply Port Mourant Secondary knocked off the runs in the 9th over, 49 for the loss of 8 wickets. Meanwhile the finals saw

a similar score line when Port Mourant Secondary took on a relaxed Lower Corentyne Secondary. LCSC took first strike and could only muster a model 46 runs. Port Mourant Secondary in reply cleaned up the runs with five wickets to spare. The winning Port Mourant Secondary School’s team took home the bulk of the awards at the presentation. They received the champion trophy along with several individual prizes. The three schools were briefed on the issue of suicide, and the students encouraged to always have a positive outlook towards life.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 30, 2018

I’m here to Fung-A-Fat, Van Dyk star put on a show as night two concludes for the fans! 2018 Rainforest Water senior national Squash Championships…

400M Olympic and World Champion dares anyone to challenge him! disease (an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones), athletics fans turning up at the Leonora Track Field Centre today will be in for a treat from the ‘Jaguar’. James said meets like the Aliann Pompey Invitation are important for the development of track and field in Guyana, stating that “it’s important for athletes like myself, the ones who are well-known, to compete as much as possible in the Caribbean. Kirani James speaking to the media at the SleepIn It helps to grow the sport, International Hotel and Casino yesterday keep the interest on the KIRANI James, the Action in the National sport and give people 25-year-old 400 metres Track and Field Centre who don’t get to see you Olympic and World gets on the way at 15:00 compete live a chance to Champion, is known for hours. be inspired.” his sportsmanship and “I’m here to entertain The Grenadian, the humility both on and off and put on a show,” James first (and only) from his the track. However, the told reporters yesterday, country to win an Olympic Grenadian is also known while making it clear, “I’m Medal for his country, for being one of the also here to compete and posted 44.35 seconds in his fiercest competitors in the it’s important for me to run first race back on June 9. track and field business, a fast time; I’m here for His personal best is 43.74 and being in Guyana to business as well.” seconds. compete at the Aliann In the 400 metres, Guyana’s 2018 Pompey Invitational James happens to be one of Commonwealth Games today, his competition the most popular and feared triple jump gold medallist were warned to either athletes over the distance. Troy Doris will also be bring their ‘A Game’ or But having sat out over a competing in Guyana for simply stay home. year because of the Graves’ the first time.

Jumbo Jet Triple Crown horse race meet called off WITH the current inclement weather affecting most outdoor activities, organisers from the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee have decided to cancel the Triple Crown horse race meet. The start of the Triple Crown series was postponed for the second time in early March. It was scheduled for the Rising Sun Turf Club but the organisers were forced to postpone the first leg due to persistent rainfall which left

the track in a soggy state and unfit for racing. The second leg of the Triple Crown horse race meet was expected on April 1 at the Port Mourant Turf Club, while the third and final leg was billed for the Rising Sun Turf Club on April 29. However, those races were also called off due to the prolonged inclement weather. Chronicle Sport was also informed yesterday that the organising committee is now focussing on the Guyana

Cup, which is billed for August 19. Fans can still look out for the drawing of the grand raffle which was to be done during the Triple Crown series. This will be drawn at the Guyana Cup. It was also noted that the cost of the raffle tickets has been reduced to $2,000 due to the inconvenience of the delays and postponements. A Nissan Tida car, a motorcycle and other attractive prizes are on offer.

MARY Fung-A-Fat and Jason Van Dyk were stars on the second night of the 2018 Rainforest Water senior national Squash Championships at the Georgetown Club Squash Court. Former National Champions Fung-A-Fat and Ashley Khalil, along with Taylor Fernandes, all had straight set wins. Mary dropped just four points in her play against Tian Edwards winning 11 - 1, 11 - 1, 11 – 2; while Khalil was just as impressive against junior player Kirsten Gomes with the scores being 11 - 1, 11 - 3, 11 - 1. Taylor had to work slightly harder before defeating junior player Madison Fernandes 11 - 7, 11 - 3, 11- 2. In the Veteran Over 35 category both Garfield Wiltshire and Brian Young had comfortable victories.

Play continued on from 17:30 with the finals Friday at 17:00 with matches set for Sunday commencing in the Veteran Over-35 at 11.00. All matches are category and the Men’s Plate, scheduled for the Georgetown followed by the last Women’s Club courts. Quarter-Final match between Full results as follows Sarah Lewis and Abosaide WOMEN’S OPEN Cadogan. Mary Fung-A-Fat Play in the Men’s Open defeated Tian Edwards 11 - 1, Quarter-Finals concluded 11 - 1, 11 - 2 the evening’s matches when Ashley Khalil beat defending champion Alex Kirsten Gomes 11 - 1, 11 - 3, Arjoon played Damian Da 11 - 1 Silva, alternatively, Jason Taylor Fernandes beat Ray-Khalil was pitted against Madison Fernandes 11 - 7, 11 top junior player Shomari - 3, 11 – 2 Wiltshire. MEN’S PLATE Two former national Adam Alves defeated champions, Nyron Joseph Lee Fung-A-Fat 11 - 2, 11 and Regan Pollard went head 5, 11 - 2 to head in the third matchup Jason Van Dyk beat and in the final match, former Regan Rodrigues 11 - 3, 11 national champion Richard - 1, 11 - 0 Chin played ex- national Men’s Veterans Over 35 player and current national Garfield Wiltshire beat men’s hockey coach, Robert Lloyd Fung-A-Fat 11 - 5, 11 Fernandes. - 3, 11 - 4 All semi-finals Brian Yong beat Tony will be played today Farnum 11 - 5, 11 - 3, 12 - 10

Global T20 Canada….

Toronto Nationals beat Vancouver Knights by six wickets

ANTON Devcich struck a destructive 92 not out to lead Toronto Nationals to an opening day victory over Vancouver Knights by sixwickets in the inaugural Global T20 Canada, at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club Ground. The two sides representing Canada’s most famous cities were led by former West Indies captains, Daren Sammy, and Chris Gayle, and it was Sammy who won the toss and elected to first field on the small venue and pitch, which neither side knew whether winning or losing toss had an added advantage. The first six over power play period saw a score of 53 for 2 with both Gayle (17) and Chadwick Walton (8) dismissed and gave Toronto an early hint that their decision was being vindicated. It almost got better in the eight over when Evin Lewis on 48 was dropped at longoff by Steve Smith off Kieron Pollard’s bowling. Lewis immediately started to make them pay, first by launching avalanches of sixes

as he dominated a 79 run fourth-wicket partnership with South African Rassie Van der Dussen (25). When joined by his West Indian team mate Andre Russell, it became a six hitting contest between the duo, as Vancouver Knights eased past 200 leaving the Toronto National bowlers helpless just hoping they would mistime one of their shots. Only Canadian spinner Nikhil Dutta held his own with impressive figures of 4-026-2 and Steve Smith singled him out for particular praise, comparing his bowling style to Sunil Narine in the post-match press conference. In the chase, it became clear the pitch was allowing batsmen to play their shots and the 200 score could be chased depending on potential good batting by Toronto Nationals. The nationals suffered a bad start, however when New Zealand’s Tim Southee, bowled Hong Kong’s Nizakat Khan in the first over with a beautifully pitched outswing delivery, that has dismissed many batsman worldwide with

in his illustrious career to date. At this point, the moment many were waiting for arrived as Smith walked to the middle. Charles (30) did his job of helping Toronto Nationals getting off to a flyer in power plays, before he was out caught at deep mid-wicket mistiming an attempted six, which allowed Smith to not have any immediate pressure to score fast from the get go. Afterwards, Smith took charge during a 91-run third wicket alliance with Devcich showing hints of the kind of form that aided Australia in their recent Ashes series win against England, before he was stumped by leg-spinner and countryman Fawad Ahmed. This partnership gave Toronto the perfect base to launch with big hitter, Pollard and Sammy to come. But despite Pollard being dismissed cheapy, it was Devcich who showed his muscle notably, hitting Russell for three sixes in the 19th over, before Sammy finished things off by hitting Canadian fast bowler Jeremy Gordon for a straight six.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 30, 2018

Hetmyer half century sends match to draw (CMC) SHIMRON Hetmyer hit a dashing century and captain Shamarh Brooks scored a half-century, as the match between a President’s XI and Bangladesh predictably ended in a draw at Coolidge Cricket Ground on Friday. After Bangladesh declared on their overnight score of 403 for eight, the President’s XI batted the entire final day, closing on 310 for eight. Their efforts were led by Hetmyer and Brooks, who came to the rescue after they had lost three early wickets to be precariously placed at 55 for 3, following the quick

dismissals of John Campbell and Shayne Moseley for ducks and Tagenarine Chanderpaul for 24. The duo came together and shared a third-wicket partnership of 130 to carry the score to relative safety and avert a middle-order batting collapse. By the time Brooks was dismissed, lbw to Shafiul Islam for 72, the score had reached 185. His over three-hour stay at the crease lasted 152 balls and contained 12 boundaries. Following Brooks’ dismissal, and the short stay of Jahmar Hamilton,

Hetmyer then joined forces with Vishaul Singh to feature in a 53-run stand. Hetmyer eventually lost his wicket, bowled by Abu Jayed Rahi for 123 to leave the President’s XI on 240 for six. He faced 138 balls and struck 19 boundaries and one six during his 163-minute knock. There was further lower order resistance from Singh (45) and Romario Shepherd, who made an unbeaten 26. Jayed Rahi was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers taking 2-39 and he was ably supported by Islam who claimed 2

Shimron Hetmyer top-scored for the President’s XI with 123

National Women’s Hockey team off to winning start against Trinidad

2017 Guyana Sportswoman of the Year, Marzana Fiedtkou sweeps a penalty corner.

THE Guyana National Women’s Hockey team enjoyed a successful opening day in their tri-nation hockey series at the Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex in Wildey, Barbados. The team arrived in Barbados on Wednesday evening, and faced the hosts, the very next morning for their first match on an artificial surface, since their Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games qualifier in Jamaica seven months ago. They subsequently drew that game 1-1. The Guyanese returned later to play the highly-ranked Trinidad and Tobago who rounded out the three nations participating in the warm-

up series for the CAC games to be held in the latter half of July. In that game, they secured a hard fought 1-0 victory. The match day started with heavy winds and rain but this did not affect the prompt first whistle to start the series. The game got off to a rocky beginning for the Guyanese ladies as they expectedly struggled to adjust to the unfamiliar artificial pitch. After a patch of scrappy defensive play, Guyana conceded a penalty corner to Barbados gifting them their first real scoring opportunity. The corner was well defended by Guyana who launched a swift counterattack and catching the

Bajan defenders in mid-pitch. Three Guyanese strikers bore down on the Bajan goalkeeper and finished off a few well-timed passes with striker Shebiki Baptiste walking the ball into the empty goal in the 13th minute of the game. Both teams enjoyed bouts of good ball possession for the remainder of the match, but Guyana held firm until the final two minutes of play when the Bajans capitalised on a lapse in the defensive structure by Guyana and Bajan striker Ayana Wilson tucked in a field goal past Alysa Xavier.The goal by Barbados was the final one of the match leaving the scores leveled at 1-1 at full time. The afternoon game against the twin island republic, Trinidad and Tobago, was intense from beginning to end with both teams running hard and trying to maintain possession of the ball. Once again luck struck for Guyana 13 minutes into the game for off the stick of midfield player and 2017 National Sportswoman of the Year, Marzana Fiedtkou, from a penalty corner. Guyana held firm for the rest of the match, despite feeling the tiredness of their travel the previous evening and the effort of the earlier match, with the final whistle seeing them secure a 1-0 victory. With yesterday being a rest day for all teams, Guyana will now face Trinidad today at 15:45hrs, followed by their final match against Barbados at 09:00hrs tomorrow.

ExxonMobil U-14 Schools’ Football competition resumes

Part of the final group stage action of the ExxonMobil U-14 Schools’ Football competition

FOOTBALL action resumes this weekend with play in the ExxonMobil U-14 Boys and Girls Schools’ Football competition at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. The tournament enters the round of 16 for the boys while the girls’ competition is in the round robin phase See complete fixtures attached Girls 10:30 - Tutorial v/s New Campbellville 10:30 - South Ruimveldt Secondary v/s Tucville 11:20 - East Ruimveldt v/s Charlestown Secondary 11:20 Vergenogen Secondary v/s Uitvlugt

Secondary Boys – Round of Sixteen 12:20 Marian Academy vs St George’s Secondary 12:20 Vergenogen Secondary vs East Ruimveldt 13:20 - Chase Academy vs Uitvlugt Secondary 13:20 - Carmel Secondary School vs Tucville 14:20 - North Ruimvedlt Multi vs Queenstown Secondary 14:20 - Anns Grove vs Buxton Youth Development 15:20 - South Ruimveldt Secondary vs St. Johns 15:20 - Dolphin Secondary vs Annandale Secondary

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Guyana breaks 24-year Caribbean basketball Championship jinx! Guyana edged Barbados 76 – 71 to reach the finals of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championship

SARA launches “Lash It Out” T20 game

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28 F I F A W O R L D C U P 2 0 1 8 Match Fixtures (From left) Gavin Nedd, Warren Wintz, Melissa Davy, Frankie Bob-Semple, Ronald Bostwick and Roger Harper shared the head table during yesterday launching ceremony. (Adrian Narine photo)

Round of 16: Match 50: France vs. Argentina

10 a.m. ET

Kazan

Round of 16: Match 49: Uruguay vs. Portugal

2 p.m. ET

Sochi

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SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2018