14th October, 2018
' No.105427
APNU, PPP cast wide net
– AFC, URP settle for contesting in some 03 municipalities at LGEs PAGE
These beautiful Miss India-Guyana contestants pose for Guyana Chronicle photographer Delano Williams, following a sari-draping exercise at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, New Haven, Bel Air, Georgetown on Saturday
President Granger meets protesting sugar workers at Rose Hall 20 PAGE
–– assures payment of remaining severance before year-end
Silence only empowers 11 Wanted man 04 –– speak out against molesters –– cannabis, motorcycles, TV set perpetrators of children, counsellors urge arrested seized in police operations PAGE
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GUYDA donates US$2,000 to Sophia Literacy Project
THE work of Communities Arise in the education of children in Sophia continues to be recognised by organisations and individuals who wish to contribute to the development of Guyana’s children. Last Monday, the United States-based Guyana United Youth Development Association (GUYDA) donated $US2, 000 the group in support of its work. The Guyana United Youth Development Association of New York Inc (GUYDA) is a 501 (c) (3) Not for Profit Organisation, whose mission is to support the academic, physical and social development of youths in Guyana. GUYDA has collaborated with Communities Arise over the years and is very supportive of its Literacy Project. During the school term, sessions providing a sound foundation in reading are conducted on Saturdays from 10:00hrs to 12 noon. Approximately 140 grades three to 11 students from Sophia
and other neighbouring communities are enrolled at the project’s three centres in Sophia, C Field and D Field. GUYDA’s Secretary, Beryl James said the organisation will continue to help in any way possible to ensure that the youths involved in the programme receive the necessary assistance. Speaking on behalf of Communities Arise, Glenyss James expressed her deep appreciation to GUYDA for their consistent and generous contributions to the project over the years. Communities Arise, a non-governmental organization, registered under the Friendly Societies Act Chapter 36:04 (No. 1116, 2008), is led by professionals who are passionate about helping vulnerable students to maximise their potential. It facilitates, as far as possible, the attainment of life skills, functional literacy and readiness for the National Grade Six, technical /vocational and CSEC examinations.
‘Politics is service’ –– AG says to the BV/Triumph APNU candidates THE Beterverwagting/Triumph Community on Friday evening announced the APNU candidates who are
contesting, for the very first time, in the Local Government Elections. The announcement was
made at a public meeting in the community, with the Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs,
Basil Williams in attendance. The AG expressed how admiring he was of the young selected bunch, but ensured he interjected words of guidance as they embark upon the road ahead. He explained to the group of young people that what they are going into is called Local Governance,
SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 14, 2018
GUYDA’S Secretary Beryl James (right) presenting the cheque to Communities Arise’s President Glenyss James you to learn how to govern at this level and then you move to the next level. You have to learn how to represent people and that is what this is all about, representation.” “Politics is service.” AG said. “Once you have the idea that you are coming into politics to look after yourself, this is the wrong venue for you. You should feel proud that they have identified you to help serve the problems of the community. So that is what you have to do, serve. And when you serve without expectation of personal benefits, you get your rewards because people will see your genuineness and your commitment.”
punish like before. Get up and reach out. You have a vibrant young core,” AG said emphatically. The head of the group, Jimmoul Baggot told this newspaper that they are confident about winning in their various constituencies, since they are all like one family and all they have is the best interest of their people at heart. He shared that he would have contested before as an independent candidate, and won and is therefore of the belief that with his vibrant team, he will most likely, have a repeat. “I won the LGE as an
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams speaking to the APNU candidates for BV/Triumph. (Delano Williams Photo) and they are required to make decisions for the community in which they live. “That never happened before APNU and Brigadier David Arthur Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana,” Williams said. He said, “This is a training ground for you if you are interested in going further. You can’t just come in on the scene and just end up in the National Assembly. He [President Granger] wants
He advised also that they ensure they have a full understanding of the system. “You’re operating on the new local government reform system. I believe we have to have some education done in these communities. I’m not sure that NDCs understand what they can do under this new system. We have to conduct sensitisation seminars… You could have a modernised community, you don’t have to wait and
independent candidate and now I am going with a very vibrant team so I am confident that we will get the support and votes from our people in the BV/Triumph area come November 12th. We have a team of young people ranging from ages 22 to mid-30s, all with vision, zeal, aspirations and dreams of transforming this village,” Baggot said. The other candidates are Dwayne Duncan, Roxroy Brown, Reva Mentor, Wendy Andrews, Ariel Fortune-Inniss, Nicola Williams and Rishanna Lambert. All of whom are committed to heeding the advice of the AG, and serving their people wholeheartedly.
SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 14, 2018
APNU, PPP cast wide net
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–– AFC, URP settle for contesting in some municipalities at LGEs
THE Alliance For Change (AFC) and the United Republican Party (URP) will not be contesting in all of the municipalities for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGEs), according to the approved Lists of Candidates published by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in keeping with the Local Authorities (Elections) Act.
tation component, while in other cases its candidates are contesting only in the FirstPast-The-Post component of the elections. Such is the case in the Profit- Rising Sun NDC, where only two of its candidates would be contesting in the First-Past-The-Post component. In total, the party, which will be running in the Local Government Elections for the
In Guyana, there are a total of 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) consisting of 10 municipalities and 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) across the 10 administrative regions. According to the published list, the AFC will not be contesting in Anna Regina and Rose Hall; the URP will not be contesting in Mabaruma, Mahdia, Lethem and Bartica. The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) will be contesting in all 10 municipalities. Those are Mabaruma, Anna Regina, Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Rose Hall, Corriverton, Bartica, Lethem, Linden and Mahdia. According to the lists published by GECOM, the AFC will be contesting in 34 NDCs; however, in some cases, the party would be contesting only in the Proportional Represen-
first time as an independent party, will be contesting in 42 LAAs, according to GECOM. This figure contradicts the one the AFC had given. Recently, AFC Campaign Director and Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and AFC executive member, Michael Leonard, told reporters that the alliance would be contesting in only 38 LAAs, though it had hoped for more. At the time, the party’s executive had declined to disclose the areas in which the alliance would no longer be running, but said it was due to a number of issues faced such as bullyism experienced by its candidates and nominators in some LAAs. The AFC has a total of 600 candidates contesting the elections. In the case of the APNU, it would be contesting in 66 NDCs, according to the lists published by GECOM. In total, the APNU will be con-
testing in 76 of the 80 LAAs in keeping with its initial intention; but APNU will not be contesting in the La Jalousie/ Nouvelle, Caledonia/Good Success, Kintyre/Borlam and Bloomfield/Whim NDCs. APNU is a coalition of five parties: the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), the Justice for All Party (JAP), the Guyana Action Party (GAP) and the National
Front Alliance (NFA). The PPP, the main opposition,is the only party that will be contesting all 80 LAAs in the mixed system of Proportional Representation and First-Past-The-Post. It boasts of having over 3000 candidates and over 20,000 backers. Notably, the PPP and the AFC are the only parties contesting the controversial Bloomfield/Whim NDC. Just days ago, Justice Navindra Singh adjourned hearing arguments in a Writ of Certiorari filed by Whim resident Safraz Beekham against GECOM. The legal action is intended to quash GECOM’s decision to refuse to withdraw, remove, or delete the applicant’s name and the names of 49 other electors appearing on a list of backers in support of the
Alliance For Change (AFC) constituency candidates. The case has been adjourned to October 19 and is set for the Demerara High Court. Meanwhile, the URP, which will also be running in LGEs for the very first time, will be contesting in 18 NDCs, and a total of 24 LAAs. APNU, AFC, PPP and URP are the political parties contesting the elections; however, there are a number of civil groups and individual candidates contesting the elections in various LAAs such as the Kwakwani United for Progress in the Upper Berbice River, Region 10. According to GECOM’s Chief Election Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, out of 596 constituencies countrywide, a total of 174 will be no-contest,
meaning that only one party had submitted its list there on Nomination Day. The number of electors intended for the 2018 elections based on GECOM’s official list of voters totals 573,923, while polling stations are likely to total 1,684. Local Government Elections will be held on November 12, 2018. It will be carried out by GECOM using a mixed system of Proportional Representation and First-Past-ThePost. The mixed electoral system allows for 50 per cent or half of the number of councillors of each Local Authority Area to be elected through the Proportional Representation component and the other 50 per cent through the First-Past-The-Post or constituency component.
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Wanted man arrested Police arrested Desmond Junior Lewis who was sentenced sometime ago in absentia to six years in prison on two counts of armed robbery committed in ‘A’ Division (Guyana Police Force photos)
SEVERAL persons, including a man who was sentenced in absentia for robbery under arms, were arrested following several cordon and search exercises conducted by the police in ‘A’ and ‘C’ Divisions early Saturday morning.
SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 14, 2018
–– cannabis, motorcycles, TV set seized in police operations
According to police, under operation “Restore Order”, the exercise was undertaken between 03:3008:30hrs in the East La Penitence Station District. The areas where the operation unfolded were Guyhoc Park and part of Sophia within ‘A’ Division and Beterverwagting and another section of Sophia on the East Coast of Demerara in ‘C’ Division. Police said during profiling, Desmond Junior Lewis, 36, of ‘D’ Field Sophia was found to have been sentenced in absentia for six years on two counts of armed robbery committed in ‘A’ Division. During the operation, in ‘A’ Division, three motorcycles, two with registration plates number CG 8319 and CJ 570, 10 laptops, 42cellular phones, a tablet, two play stations, a pioneer auto digital timer, an x box for Nintendo games, a quantity of computer and phone accessories and 72 grams of can-
nabis were found. Seven persons were detained, including of a female, for offences ranging from receiving stolen property to possession of narcotics. Over in ‘C’ Division , the ranks seized three motorcycles bearing registration plates CH 8675, CG 3395 and CH 8917, a car bumper, two car doors, a vacuum, a power washer , a
grass-cutting machine, three cellular phones and a television set. Police also seized a music set with three speakers and a quantity of smallsized ziplock bags. The ranks detained 31 persons for a series of offences ranging from robbery under arms, possession of stolen articles, trafficking and possession of narcotics and setting fire to a building.
One of the seized motorcycles
Sunday October 14, 2018 - 8:30 hrs to 10:00hrs
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 14, 2018
UK, US could boycott Saudi conference
Britain and the US are considering boycotting a major international conference in Saudi Arabia after the disappearance Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the BBC has learned. Mr Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi government, vanished on 2 October after visiting its consulate in Istanbul. The authorities in Istanbul believe he was murdered there by Saudi agents - claims Riyadh has dismissed as “lies”. Donald Trump has said
he would “punish” Saudi Arabia if it was responsible. A number of sponsors and media groups have decided to pull out of this month’s investment conference in Riyadh, dubbed Davos in the Desert, as a result of concerns over Mr Khashoggi’s fate. Diplomatic sources have now told the BBC’s James Landale both the US Treasury Secretary, Steve Mnuchin, and the UK’s International Trade Secretary, Liam Fox, might not attend the event, which is being
hosted by the kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman to promote his reform agenda. A spokesman for the UK’s international trade department said Dr Fox’s diary was not yet finalised for the week of the conference. A joint statement of condemnation is also being discussed by US and European diplomats if it is confirmed that Mr Khashoggi was killed by Saudi agents. However, Mr Khashoggi’s fiancée, Hatice Cengiz,
has said words alone will not be good enough if he has been murdered. “If we have already lost Jamal, then condemnation is not enough,” she wrote in a piece for the New York Times. “The people who took him from us, irrespective of their political positions, must be held accountable and punished to the full extent of the law.” She added that Saturday had been “Jamal’s birthday”. “When your loved one leaves this world, the other
world no longer seemed scary or far away. It is being left here all alone, without them, that is most painful.” President Donald Trump has said the US will inflict “severe punishment” on Saudi Arabia if the kingdom is found to be responsible for the death of Mr Khashoggi. He said he would be “very upset and angry if that were the case”, but ruled out halting big military contracts. “I think we’d be punishing ourselves if we did that,” he said. “If they don’t buy it
US pastor freed by Turkey meets Trump A US pastor has met President Donald Trump at the White House after more than two years’ detention in Turkey. Andrew Brunson appeared in the Oval Office with President Trump following a case that has strained relations between the two countries. Mr Brunson thanked the president and his administration for securing his release - and prayed for him. President Trump thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for helping with his release. He said the US had been working “long and hard” to secure Mr Brunson’s release, and told Mr Brunson he had “galvanised this country” with his strength and faith. Mr Brunson was arrested over alleged links to political groups, including the banned Gulenist movement, after a failed coup attempt in 2016. On Friday, a Turkish court sentenced Mr Brunson to three years in jail - but freed him because of the time he had already spent in detention.
Additional espionage charges against him were also dropped by the court. Mr Trump called the release a “tremendous step” towards a “great relationship” with Turkey. He insisted there had been no deal made with Turkey, but said the US would reconsider its “very tough” sanctions on the country. Mr Trump said the US felt “very differently about Turkey” in light of the pastor’s release. When asked by a reporter if the release had any relation to the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in a Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the president said the timing was “strict coincidence”. The pastor kneeled down to pray for Mr Trump in the Oval Office, asking that the president be made “a great blessing to this country”. He then told reporters that he and his wife now wished to spend time with their children. In a statement earlier, Mr Brunson said his whole family “thanks the president, the administration and Congress for their unwavering
sanctions on Turkey’s justice and interior ministers over his continued detention. Mr Brunson and US officials insisted he was innocent of all charges. (BBC News)
Mr Trump said Andrew Brunson (L) had “galvanised this country”
support”. After his release on Friday he flew from Izmir in western Turkey to a US base in Germany, and then on to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Mr Brunson lived in Turkey with his wife and three children for more than 20 years, most of it working for the small Izmir Resurrection Church, which had a congregation of about two
dozen people. He was arrested in October 2016. The authorities accused him of having links with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Gulenist movement, which Turkey blames for the 2016 failed coup. In July 2018 he was released from prison for health reasons and moved to house arrest until his trial. A few weeks later, the US imposed
from us, they’re going to buy it from Russia or... China.” Turkey’s foreign minister, Mevut Cavusoglu, said Saudi Arabia was not yet co-operating with the investigation - despite a statement from Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz saying they wanted to uncover “the whole truth”. Mr Cavusoglu has urged the kingdom to allow Turkish officials to enter the consulate. (BBC News)
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 14, 2018
Addressing mental health ON October 10 last, World Mental Health Day was commemorated worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO)'s definition of mental health is: "A state of wel-being in which the individual realises his or her abilities can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her community." Approximately one in every four persons have suffered, or is suffering, mental disorders. Mental disorders include mild or major depression, bipolar disorder, panic, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder. Among the most serious mental disorders is schizophrenia, with which most Guyanese have been acquainted; from the mid-19th century, when the Mental Hospital in Berbice was established, schizophrenia patients were treated or kept there. Today, De-
mentia and its most ubiquitous form Alzheimer's Disease, has become even more widespread and feared. The focus and theme of this year's Mental Health Day is "Young people and mental health in a changing world," but it does not preclude continuous attention to mental health problems of all members of society. In Guyana, one of the main foci on youth was done by the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Guyana, which held a "mental health fair," where the Minister of Public Health and other speakers such as Dr Krow of PAHO made their contributions.The minister pointed out that less than 10% of mental health sufferers are being treated and of these, four out of 10 have contemplated or attempted suicide.She expressed her concern over adolescent pregnancy and suicide and promised that teachers would be trained in recognising,
identifying and dealing with students with mental health problems. The Ministry of Public Health's awareness and concern with the problems of mental health among the youth is very commendable. There is however another area of young people's lives which generates stress, tension and depression which cries out to be addressed. The entire system of examinations to which children and young persons are subjected needs to be reviewed and reformed. Such would include the examinations to stream children into the secondary schools and the Caribbean Council's examinations. This system engenders the private lessons syndrome, which is placing terrible stress on young children. It also leads to children being made to do 20 or more subjects at the CXC examinations.This not only places great mental burdens on children, but also makes many of
There are some moonlighting teachers
Dear Editor,
WHILE I empathise with those who belong to the oldest and noblest of professions, it is with mixed feelings, however, that I welcome the impending agreement that will allow for a payout/increased salaries for teachers. As in any profession, however, there are members who are truly deserving and those who, to be honest, are not deserving at all. Sir, as in any profession, there are those who are time-wasters. Excepting student-teachers who leave sometimes early to attend classes, there are those who are known as 'clock watchers' who waste no time in sneaking out the classroom just after the post-lunch session is over. Time, they argue, is of essence and they are not prepared to stay in after 14:30hrs, etc., etc., for they are not being paid overtime. The fallout with the teachers'
union and any government will always be because of a few of its recalcitrant members. They sometimes give a bad image of what the teaching profession is all about. One person reminded us all of the multi-faceted roles of a teacher: nurse, parent, counsellor, psychologist, pastor, and the list can go on. But, generally speaking, is this true today? I wonder. Gone are the days when teachers will give you that assurance in school, especially in the 'prep' classes, that they are there for you. Gone are the days when teachers will take time out to visit homes in an effort to build bonds of friendship within the community. Having a cookout, an after- school event, perhaps once a year? You cannot tell the positives that may result from these kinds of activities in order to help nurture the child. Yes,gone are the days when teachers would take time out to send "thank you" notes, etc. at appropriate times. Today, it seems
as if some schools and the home are estranged partners; no longer coalescent, no longer partners in the 'struggle' for a better community. Human nature says we would become good stewards only when we obtain better salaries. We must get first! That's in the natural. However, the Good Book says "it is in giving (first) that we receive." Congratulations, albeit belatedly, to all teachers on World Teachers Day! Hats off to all of you hardworking teachers who continue to work tirelessly, overtime, in school and out of school, to mould the minds of our children. Remember, what our children will be tomorrow would be an extension of what the school is like today. Yours truly, Rev'd Joseph Atkinson.
their compeers feel inadequate. In reforming the system, all stakeholders have to be involved- the Ministry of Education, the parents, the teachers and even the children. In any consideration of Mental Health, Dementia in all its forms, and in particular its Alzheimer Disease form, has to be given special notice. Alzheimer is growing worldwide and in Guyana, its increase has been widespread among all groups, irrespective of ethnicity, class or economic position. It is a disease where the sufferer progressively loses his/her memory, mind and personality. His/her family could do nothing to help the sufferer and have much difficulty in taking care of the patient; With a close relative who suffers from Alzheimer's Disease, families live in great tension and pain. Formal medicine, so far, has not produced any effective treatment of
the disease, though there are many theories as to its cause and many suggested treatments. On the other hand, Alternative Medicine, using techniques and treatments used in the ancient world, in particular Ayurvedic medicine, have been coming up with answers which have been successful in individual cases. One of the most widespread Alternative Medicine treatments is the use of one teaspoon of turmeric powder, either sprinkled on food or taken as a drink and one tablespoon of coconut oil every day. Formal medicine is now seriously exploring this treatment and is beginning to adopt it. World Mental Health Day 2018 has had a positive effect on having governments and other stakeholders focus on improving the mental health of society.
Removal of another brick in the construct of money laundering Dear Editor, THE interception, arraignment and trial, and subsequent conviction of Guyanese pilot Khamraj Lall, for charges of cocaine trafficking and money laundering, apart from shedding further light on the criminal dynamics of local money laundering, facilitates a further window view of the operations of the local criminal state under the PPP/C administration. Lall was undoubtedly caught with his pants down; perhaps least when he expected such a flagging of his jet from authorities in Puerto Rico. It blew the entire bottom out of his assumed mental safety of his aircraft, from possible discovery. But he was mistaken; for he above most persons who are involved in such a
risky trade, ought to know that every type of vessel, both air and sea, more so planes, are major targets for customs’ inspection. This has not been without good cause. The scorecard of such conveyors, on which both illegal substances and dirty money have been found, tells its own story. So what lessons are there for Guyana? In actuality, Lall’s conviction again reminds Guyanese of the vastness and pervasiveness of dirty money and the players who are often involved. It also nails the deceptive lie of the PPP/C in its attempt some time ago to downplay the cancer that is money laundering to its supporters; especially that it is a figment of the imagination of the current coalition government. But it is not. In fact, it is a monster of humongous proportions.
One only has to refer to the $14B found in several accounts belonging to a former permanent secretary, who had transitioned from the PPP/C administration, but who has since been arraigned before the court. Heaven knows how many more undiscovered cases of such a nature there are. However, there is no doubt that the fall of Khamraj Lall is the removal of another brick in the huge construct of the egregious and dark wall that is money laundering in Guyana. This translates into another severe dent, and further dismantling, of the criminal state. Regards, Earl Hamilton
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 14, 2018
A vote for the PPP is a vote for underdevelopment Dear Editor FINALLY, the philosophy which informed (and still do) the People’s Progressive Party’s wayward actions in relation to local government when in office has been revealed by one of its now frequent spokesmen in his letter titled, “Opposition leader and PPP are the blockade to a dictatorship government” [KN, October 8, 2018]. Editor, Mr. Hussain, started his misleading conjecture by asking what difference has local government made after three (3) years since this administration returned power to the people as legally prescribed. He then went on to answer his own question by positing “I am absolutely sure that nothing much has changed in your communities or lives.” Well, well! Mr. Hussain’s question reveals the PPP’s policy in relation to local democracy, i.e., they have no interest in people’s empowerment. Further, his response is a shocking admission that his party has taken the electoral support gained at the 2016 LGEs and has done abso-
lutely nothing with it. This is bearing in mind that the PPP won 75 per cent of the neighbourhood democratic councils (NDCs) (46 of 62 councils) and was therefore empowered to use their majority to improve the conditions of communities and ultimately the lives of their constituents. After LGE 2016, the PPP repeatedly boasted of “slaughtering” the APNU+AFC at the polls. This logically begs the question, why should the electorate waste their vote again on the PPP candidates come November 12? Editor, this administration is unwavering in its commitment to reinstating and to the institutionalisation of meaningful local democracy. Since our accession to office, much has been done to restore functionality to the system. There has been a total shift in the trajectory of local governance, aided by a policy redirection. This redirection marks a distinct break from the culture of control and domination of Local Democratic Organs (LDOs) as was practised by the PPP, to the strategic embrace of decentralisation and collaboration, in accordance with existing constitutional pre-
scriptions. With amendments to the legislative framework mainly Act No. 15 of 2013, Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Act and Act No.5 of 2015 Local Government (Amendment) Act, local organs are now empowered to function with greater autonomy to make decisions in the interest of their constituents. Apart from facilitating renewal of the democratic credentials of councils, after a hiatus of over two (2) decades, work has advanced in equipping LDOs to promote good governance, accountability and transparency. This has been achieved through a coordinated programme of institutional strengthening and capacity-building to ensure that local organs deliver effective, efficient and sustainable public services. Much of course remains to be done to revive this ‘patient’ which has been exhumed by this administration. Many training sessions and workshops have been held, aimed at building the capacities of both the elected and administrative arms of councils to not only manage, but to also develop their
areas. The most recent being the National Conference of Local Democratic Organs (NCLDOs) convened by President Granger, following which Cabinet endorsed a recommendation by the delegates of the eighty-0ne (81) councils for an upgrade in the salaries and the payment of stipends to local officials. Mr. Hussain in his usual tirade of untruths, stated that “since 2016 the coalition government refused to increase and delayed subventions to assist LAAs…” To the contrary, subventions to local organs have increased since 2015; from $12 to $15 million each for municipalities (with the exception of New Amsterdam and Linden which received $16 million and Georgetown $24 million), while subventions to the NDCs increased from $3 to $4 million. Additionally, all subventions are processed, using the formula prescribed in the Fiscal Transfer Act 2013 in a timely manner. Editor, while central government remains committed to supporting LDOs, it is a constitutional prescription that these organs be economically viable and have
Interfering with the will of the people Dear Editor I MAKE reference to your page three story, captioned “Mischief afoot” of October 06, 2018, which reports the statements by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson. First of all, I must commend the chairman, who has disproven all those who had asked very disparaging questions about his age, and concomitant mental and physical capacities to discharge his constitutional duties. After almost a year at the helm of the nation’s elections administrative office, he has disproven all of his critics,
both political opposition and otherwise, all wrong. Not only did he, without any fanfare, quietly settle down to his duties; but has also been able to chart the road map for November 12 Local Government Elections (LGEs). Reading his statements about the ‘Mischief afoot”, it is clear that here is a Guyanese, patriotic in every sense, who intends to uphold the sacred responsibilities of his office, ensuring that LGEs are held. He must be commended for his forthrightness in letting the nation be aware of the forces that are bent on halting the democratic will of the people, by imputing allegations of race that are spurious, as they are untrue.
It is very instructive to note one of the chairman’s observations, when he alluded to the fact that “Guyana’s pending oil wealth from its developing petroleum sector has given way to greed and greed to bad judgement….” Any Guyanese, who has been closely following the deviousness of the political opposition and their cliques, will comprehend the meaning of this statement. Of course, there are some people in this country who are salivating at the prospects of what will be the rich financial bonanza from oil; and are having sleepless nights as they realise that they are not going to be holding the reins
of government when that auspicious moment in the country’s economic development history arrives. For these dangerous opportunists, whose pillaging of the national economy are well documented, any means of resort to achieving their return to power, for further feasting and self-enrichment at the expense of national development and the poor,will be used. For these elements, it is power at all costs, even if it means interfering with such a critical constitutional body that is tasked with ensuring the will of the people. Regards, Dillon Goring
an adequate resource base for the management and development of their area as per Article 72. The continued reliance of local organs on central government for funding is both undesirable and unsustainable. Editor, the efforts of the ministry to update the property valuation system, the capacities of which were intentionally degraded for the past three (3) decades by Mr. Hussain’s party in an effort to solidify its control over LDOs, has now been packaged by the same party as a measure in taxation and is being used to fuel their local government campaign. The ministry on numerous occasions has debunked this erroneous claims of writers such as Hussain that central government will be setting the rates and imposing ‘additional burdens.’ It is the council democratically elected by the people that will determine whether to revise or keep the current rates. Editor, the PPP by its ac-
tions continue to demonstrate clearly that it is not interested in community development and peoples’ empowerment, which is what primarily underpins local government. Local democracy to PPP is about the numbers, “we got more.” Any councillor, regardless of political affiliation, who is sincerely interested in improving the lives of their constituents, has an ally in this government. On the basis of Mr. Hussain’s pronouncement, I say unapologetically to eligible voters: A VOTE FOR THE PPP IS A VOTE FOR UNDERDEVELOPMENT -- THEY WILL CONTINUE TO USE IT TO PREVENT THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR COMMUNITY.” Yours sincerely, Ronald Bulkan Minister of Communities
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 14, 2018
TRUST AND THE TANGLED TIMES THE Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has placed Guyana at the top of its index for 2018 on countries with the most honest politicians in the Western Hemisphere. In fact, Guyana tied with Canada, at 16 points, for the first place. Haiti received the lowest ranking at 54 points. But the self-professed demon of truth, Times, got into a hell of a tangle when it chose to peep at the table on trust through the rear end. It was all glee and excitement as it turned the table upside down and reported this lop-sided conclusion: “The IDB ran a survey about ‘trust’ folks in the hemisphere have in their politicians. And guess what? Guyana came in dead last!! That is, out of the 29 or so countries polled, we trust our politicians the least!” Actually, the Kaieteur News, first ran the fake story on October 3 under what it later admitted as “a sensational but incorrect headline”, but retracted it. The following day it reported that “Guyana, joined by Canada, rated as the country with the most trusted politicians.” FAKE STORY Times obviously stole the fake story hook,line and sinker. I can see the good-natured Glenn Lall, publisher of the “Waterfalls” newspaper, writing eventually in Dem Boys Seh: “Thief from thief mek God laugh.” The opposition-aligned broadsheet would be the last to report anything that could place Guyana under the coalition government in a good light. But, unless
the study intended otherwise, the IDB pronouncement refers to all Guyanese politicians, including Times’ closest friends who governed the country at a time when Guyana had become notorious for “pervasive corruption”. It appears that Times may have plenty reasons of its own for believing and peddling that citizens have no trust in their politicians. They know intimately those who had doled out multi-billion, single-sourced, questionable contracts. Those deals formed the tip of the corruption pile. We would probably never know whether there are politicians out there who had benefited from disproportionate wealth, now that information is seeping out that some of them in high places did not make statutory declarations of their incomes and assets to the Integrity Commission! $20B EARNINGS I would never forget the day when a young man, who was in the leadership of the PPP and had held a senior public service post, walked into my office to tell me that he was being investigated by the police in relation to monies he had “earned”. “How much money are they looking at?” I asked him. Calmly, he answered: “$24 billion.” That story didn’t make waves, not for long. Like the Pradoville scandal, where key PPP government officials disgracefully and dishonestly helped themselves to posh residential state lands for personal use and real estate speculation, the opposition claimed “discrimination” and “witch-hunting”. But we saw the prolonged fuss over
the “signature bonus” that the government received to prosecute the defence of our territorial integrity. We also saw the zeal with which the opposition deployed its mobile protest brigade to demand payment of the balance on severance package to redundant sugar workers. And on its heel, we saw the stoking of industrial smoke over the just demands of the nation’s teachers. Well, the Minister of Finance has spoken definitively to the issue of severance. The workers could expect to get the balance by mid-November. As for teachers, the government and union have clinched a three-year agreement that has put to rest the major issues that were on the negotiation table. CONTENTIOUS ISSUES The coalition government has been removing, one by one, the contentious issues on the plate of the opposition that were exploited momentarily to produce a bad press. Now, running out of steam over real issues, they have resorted to shadow boxing with imaginary problems, such as a single elector claiming that he was fooled into supporting an AFC constituency candidate in a Corentyne local government area. The PPP chose to declare total war against this movement that seeks to dislodge it from inert leadership at the village level. But this vicious poison campaign that the local government elections would be rigged will also pass; the people will easily see the PPP’s obsession as eye-pass, solely to besmirch the good name and character of this tiny but fighting party, and an idealistic,
honest corps of young leaders. When I first joined the Alliance For Change in 2011, it made the difference in the Parliament, where we held not only the balance of power, but ousted minority rule by moving a historic no-confidence motion against the PPP regime. Then we decided, for the 2015 elections, that we were forming a coalition with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). We won those elections, and we entered the government. We have since made a difference to governance. VEXATIOUS LITIGATION As I noted at the party’s candidates’ conference: “We have been the young party, the young movement, a young revolutionary movement. Even though it has some old warriors in its ranks, we have shown that we could bring about a change in the way things have been done in Guyana, and that we could influence a new generation to be interested in politics. “This is because, for too long, people have seen politics as being synonymous with poli-tricks. For too long, many people have seen politics as being synonymous with corruption…” I believe that our local communities will be the deciding factor in the justness of the people’s cause for change, and for effective leadership. It will be the court of public opinion that would matter, not vexatious litigation, to which the PPP has resorted to discredit a political opponent. This phase of muck-raking, also, will pass.
Self-employment possibilities unlimited –– President Granger
PRESIDENT David Granger said while government recognises it is impossible for everyone to have a job in the public service, his administration has developed policies geared at helping out-of-school youths to become entrepreneurs. The President expressed these remarks while responding to
questions from a resident during a community meeting at Rose Hall Town on Friday. “The possibilities of employment in the government are always going to be there, but the possibilities of self-employment are unlimited. By this I mean the government has established several programmes; one
is called Sustained Livelihood Entrepreneurial Development programme (SLED) in which young people are given financial assistance to start up a business. There is also the Hinterland Enterprises for Youths (HEYS) which is mainly in the hinterland. So, there are about half a dozen schemes which help young people who are interested in starting up a business, but they must be serious and the government will help you if you have a serious plan,”
he said. He continued that while not everyone can become an entrepreneur, they should not only seek government jobs but aim for higher positions and try to stay out of drugs, since this has serious repercussions. “I am not saying that is suitable for everybody, but young people don’t have to look forward to becoming clerks in the public service.... At the same time going into drugs is full of pitfalls
because soon or later you are going to be a victim of a drug lord.” On the topic of youth opportunities, another question was raised about steelpans for the town’s youths and also recreational facilities. In response, the President, while agreeing that every village should have a community ground, noted it is important for villages to take responsibility for the maintenance of the grounds.
President David Granger
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 14, 2018
Understanding Energy ...
Examining the role of the Centre for Local Business Development THE scope and importance of the global oil industry can have a massive impact on regions in which it operates. This is especially true when local businesses join in the virtuous cycle of capacity-building that leads to globally recognised expertise and technical capabilities. This cycle has created important industries, largely from scratch in places like northern Scotland, which had virtually no oil-and-gas service industry before the first major commercial drilling in the North Sea during the 1970s. Within a few decades, Scottish cities like Aberdeen were transformed from traditional fishing towns into international centres for the energy industry. Since 1970, the industry has contributed more than £330B in production taxes to the United Kingdom. Aberdeen now hosts more than 900 companies in the oil-and-gas industry, including many of the most important global services firms, which specialise in everything from helicopter transport to deep-sea infrastructure. Meanwhile, the technical knowledge that was developed to meet the needs of the oil industry has made it into a thriving centre
of offshore wind technology, geophysical research, and advanced engineering. The city’s universities now host globally recognised oil-and-gas programmes that have educated oil-and-gas experts across the world, including the Guyana Department of Energy’s Oil and Gas Adviser, Matthew Wilks. How is this relevant for Guyana? Last week, Guyson’s Oil and Gas and Guyson’s Engineering became one of the first Guyanese companies to attain the prestigious ISO 9001:2015 certification, an internationally recognised certificate of quality in the oil-and-gas service industry. The certificate or compliance is often required for suppliers to conduct industry business. This landmark achievement by a local company is a hopeful sign that Guyana is on the early part of the same path Scotland embarked on years ago. It also has many in Guyana taking a second look at the organisation that helped facilitate Guyson’s certification-- The Center for Local Business Development (CLBD). The CLBD is an ExxonMobil-funded effort to help local firms learn about opportunities in the oil-and-gas sector, increase their competitiveness through
training and capacity-building, and eventually join the oil production supply chain. CLBD offers classes for local business owners on topics like offshore oil and gas, and how to navigate the procurement process with international oil-and-gas firms as well as more specialised classes on health, safety, and environmental issues relevant to oil-and-gas service companies. It also offers a supplier registration portal for companies that want to be ExxonMobil’s or their prime contractor’s suppliers. Those registered in the portal are alerted by email and text to general information, and requests for expressions of interest for upcoming openings. The CLBD also offers training sessions on how to manage human resources, supply chains, and finances. Over a thousand local companies have already registered with the CLBD, and many are taking full advantage of what the center has to offer. Since no Guyanese company has significant experience in providing services to offshore oil development, CLBD can be a valuable resource for Guyanese companies looking to get a foothold in a massive but highly technical new industry.
Hopefully, Guysons is just the first of several Guyanese companies in the oil-and-gas industry that will receive the ISO 9001:2015 certification, as four more companies are currently working with the CLBD to undergo the rigorous quality checks necessary to get certification from the International Organisation for Standardisation, and prepare for third-party auditing of ISO 9000 by an independent certification body. The CLBD also facilitates meetings between international companies and Guyanese businesses, a critical function, since so many of the opportunities in oil-and-gas are in subcontracting rather than working directly for the oil producer. The type of local technical capacity that the CLBD helps develop is important for the long-term; both for the Guyanese economy and for the oil industry itself. Scotland was fortunate to begin oil extraction with the advantages of an advanced industrial base and a highly-educated workforce. Organisations like CLBD can provide valuable resources to help Guyanese companies and individuals transform and grow with the new energy sector in Guyana.
Medical outreach and career fair for Westminster THE Throne Room Full Gospel Church in collaboration with the Ministry of Health will be hosting a Medical Outreach and Career Fair on October 26 to 27, 2018, in the Westminster community. This was disclosed by Throne Room Full Gospel’s Pastor, Sarah Lambert who noted that the extravaganza will be held under the theme, “Empowering and equipping youths for success.” Lambert noted that the
aim of the fair is to make the youths aware of the opportunities that exist in their society. “The aim is for the people in the community. For us, we don’t think that they are aware of opportunities out there so we are hoping that by doing this they are able to see that although you might not have gotten CXC … there are institutions that will still employ you and take you on board,” she said. On October 26, 2018, the
focus will be placed on children of the primary and secondary schools on the West Bank of Demerara, who will be educated on reproductive health, how to prepare curriculum vitae and applications, amongst other things. “We want the children to have the right information at hand so they will be able to make informed decisions. So we will be telling them about reproductive health and common entrance coming up. We want to teach them how
to do a CV, how to do an application. It’s all about career development. So when they are going out there, they will know how to prepare one,” Lambert noted. Refreshments will also be provided for the attending students. On October 27, 2018 from 10:00am to 4:00pm, a team of 25 doctors will be offering free services such as dental care, blood pressure testing, blood grouping testing, HIV testing, blood
sugar testing and VIA testing. There will also be health talks and referrals. Lambert added that the Guyana Defence Force and Qualfon will be present at the event and on spot recruitment will be done. Lambert noted that there will also be Bar-B-Que and refreshments on sale. She is also inviting presons to attend the event since they are catering for the young and the old. The two events are also
Throne Room Full Gospel’s Pastor, Sarah Lambert sponsored by The Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association and The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 14, 2018
Guyanese cops prestigious IDPAD award By Gabriella Chapman
SHE’S long been associated with things afro-centric, and for the past 10 or so years has been franchise director of the Miss Emancipation Pageant, held every August as part of the annual celebrations to mark the abolition of slavery. She’s Dr Melissa Varswyk, an alum of St Joseph High, and the latest in her exhaustive list of international achievements is being the recipient of a prestigious award for her dedication and sterling contribution to the International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD), which she picked up last week in New York. The award was conferred on her by the organisation, Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) in association with the United Nations (UN), which, as its name implies, identifies high achievers of African descent and under 40 the world over, who have been making positive contributions in ther respective areas of expertise to the promotion and recognition of people of African descent. A medical doctor by profession and the only Guyanese honoree, Dr Varswyk has had the distinction of being tasked with chairing, earlier in the year, the first-ever summit of the UN-led International Decade of People of African Descent, held here over four days in March at the Marriott Hotel. She’s also currently working with the Costa Rican government on implementing their Plan of Action for the Decade,
The certificate of recognition that was given Dr. Varswyk
Dr. Melissa Varswyk in New York before receiving her award which plan it is hoped can be adopted by other nations. Another baby of hers is working on
bridging the communication gap between Africa and the diaspora by making Guyana the in-transit hub of the continent. Dr. Varswyk explained that since the historic declaration, back in December 2013, of the Decade, which runs from 2015 to 2024, she has formed a Summit Committee, which meets, plans and executes projects that aid in the development of African lives, and promote and fulfil the objectives of the Decade. The purpose of IDPAD, Dr. Varswyk said, is to strengthen national, regional and international cooperation in relation to the full enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights by people of African descent, and their full and equal participation in all aspects of society. The theme for the International Decade, therefore, is: “People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice and De-
velopment.” And the main objectives are to promote respect, protection and fulfilment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by people of African descent, as recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; promote a greater knowledge of, and respect for, the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of societies; and to adopt and strengthen national, regional and international legal frameworks. Dr Varswyk said there is a lot more that is needed to be done in Guyana to fulfil these objectives; and there is a lot that has to be addressed to enable development. Upon receiving this award, she commits to continue making positive strides for the development of Afro-Guyanese.
IOM reaches out to Venezuelan migrants …. UN body assessing/monitoring displaced migrants here
THE International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has reached over 793 Venezuelan migrants, particularly members of the indigenous Warrau tribe arriving in Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). The IOM, the United Nations agency for migration, stated on Friday that through its Regional Action Plan (RAP), the agency is providing essential non-food items (NFI) such as personal hygiene products (insect repellent, soap, toothpaste), cleaning products (buckets, detergents, chlorine), along with mosquito nets, hammocks, and blankets to “highly vulnerable” Venezuelan migrants in Guyana. “Many Venezuelans are using boats to cross into Guyana, where they are arriving without food, shelter and other necessities. Since most of them are only fluent in the Warrau dialect, communication has proved
difficult,” the IOM said. The agency said it has distributed life-saving information, including guides on how to access documentation and the regularisation process in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Region Two. Through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the Venezuelan Support Group (VSG) and the help of the Civil Defence Commission, the agency has been able to distribute information in borderline areas that are difficult to access. It was noted too that through its Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), the international agency has been working to understand the needs and identify vulnerabilities in the migrant population, particularly in those with a higher risk of becoming victims of human trafficking, smuggling, and irregular migrants. “In a first phase, DTM was implemented in Regions One and Four, as well
as in Georgetown. This initial stage of the study concluded on September 5 and will be made available later during the year,” the IOM said. At the same time, IOM Guyana has organised workshops to train first-line response officers from the Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana Defence Force, Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guyana Police Force, Ministry of Communities, Department of Migration, and the Ministry of Public Health on issues such as human trafficking, smuggling and other vulnerabilities; direct assistance and referral systems. Other UN and regional agencies participated in training sessions, including the Pan American Health Organisation, the United Nations Children´s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). “These humanitarian aid efforts to
assist Venezuelan migrants and strengthen government capacity in Guyana have been made possible thanks to funding from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF),” the IOM noted. The government, through the CDC, has been responding to the needs of the vulnerable groups of Venezuelan migrants as the economic crisis in the Bolivarian Republic continues to impact its citizens; many of whom had fled across the borders of neighbouring countries. This publication has reported on the difficulties faced by the migrants who have settled in the North West District. Some reported that they were shot at by law enforcement authorities in the nearby country while fleeing to Guyana. Others, including returning Guyanese, have taken up odd jobs at various communities in the Mabaruma sub-region.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 14, 2018
Silence only empowers the perpetrators –– speak out against molesters of children, counsellors urge
By Lisa Hamilton In the last few days, over 100 stories of sexual abuse and rape have surfaced on Facebook on the profile of social media personality, Melissa ‘Melly Mel’ Atwell, after a simple question she posed on October 3, 2018. “Have you ever been sexually molested or raped? If yes, why didn't you report it or tell anyone? Who's willing to talk?” This was the question which got the ball rolling and soon scores began telling their stories. Many of the responders, now adults, are females and were molested as children but missed out on the opportunity to tell their stories. These narratives, made public, have caught the attention of ChildLink, a non-government child protection organisation and the Georgetown-based Child Advocacy Centre (CAC). These organisations work along with the Ministry of Health, the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) and civic society to provide services to children. They want these victims to know that there are avenues available to help them heal and the general public to spare no effort in addressing the frightening sexual abuse statistics that remain, from as early as possible. The most recently completed study, ‘Cries in the Dark’, examined 338 known cases (from 2014 to 2018) of child sexual abuse received by the Child Advocacy Centres (CACs) operated by ChildLinK in Guyana. Some 61 per cent of the 338 cases were 14 years and above but the centre works with children from as young as three years old and up to age 18. Through the research, 82 per cent of the children interviewed stated that the sexual perpetrators were either a family member or someone known to the family. HELP AVAILABLE Situations like these make it even more difficult for some children to seek or access help, but detailing its procedure, the bodies made known the recuperation mea-
sures available. In cases where the individual that the child is supposed to confide in is the one committing the act, ChildLinK’s Forensic Interviewer/
sexual abuse, let alone abuse on a whole. People need to get it out… that is why the Child Advocacy Centre is so important and that is why we try to provide an environment
old Leonard Archibald from East Bank Berbice by a known sexual abuser who would have successfully targeted some five others in the same community.
who you’re allowing to have access to your children.” PREVENTION ALWAYS BETTER To have a greater im-
Standing from left are: Programme Coordinator Kaiesha Perry; Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Hasani Tinnie and ChildLinK’s Forensic Interviewer/Counsellor Rolanda Campbell (Adrian Narine photo)
Counsellor, Rolanda Campbell stated that this is where her job comes into play. She explained that when an allegation of child sexual abuse is reported to the police station or the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), it is then referred to the CAC which then takes a statement from the child. This is conducted in the most child-friendly manner and within a child-friendly forensic interview room, where only the child and the interviewer interact. Directly after this process, the child moves on to receiving free psychosocial support through which they are counselled on the traumatic event which lasts for no less than three months. Programme Coordinator, Kaiesha Perry said that children who are not given the opportunity to receive therapy for such experiences are often, later in life, impacted significantly with inability to function well in relationships and parenting and are influenced by drug use, depression and more. “I think as a society more and more we’ve taken for granted the impact of child
where these children have the support and a child-friendly environment to speak about what they experienced,” she said. ADULTS, SPEAK OUT Their research also showed that many of the 338 children, on average, would have experienced sexual abuse from five different known individuals and multiple times. ChildLink’s research found that while in other cases, children can be coerced; many of these cases were violent or forcible rapes, meaning that the children were not pressured into the acts. Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Hasani Tinnie, on the topic, made known his grievance for community members who choose to be tight-lipped even when well aware of child sexual abuse prevalence in their communities. “In some communities, there’s a culture where they promote secrecy. A lot is going on but nobody wants to report it,” he said. A case in point, he said, is the rape-murder of 13-year-
Tinnie said: “There are communities where that is the culture, they [parents] don’t want to get counselling [for their children] and they don’t want to report so we have to address the stigma that is attached to counselling and we have to address the culture of secrecy that is pervasive in many communities across Guyana because at the end of the day, it is the children who are left to suffer in silence.” Another negative culture, Perry wants extinct, is the one whereby parents chose to discredit their children’s reports of sexual abuse or chose to ignore it in turn for financial support from a sexually abusive breadwinner. The three specialists agree that silence is what continues to empower perpetrators. Perry reminded: “The same way perpetrators are scouting out our children, they’re scouting out us as adults… simple things as gifts, simple things as providing something for the family, that’s one of the things we need to be conscious of as a society... be careful of who you’re taking things from and
pact, ChildLink has increased its social media presence and sensitisation in schools, workplaces and clinics. Recently, the organisation has also been targeting school levels as low as nursery, having realised that preventative measures are better than solutions. Activities to promote this awareness include the ‘Be Safe’ activity and the ‘Tell Scheme’ which encourage children to disclose to trustworthy adults, the existence of any form of child abuse. Tinnie revealed that between 2016 to early 2018, over 6,000 children have been sensitised about child abuse through the Child Rights Alliance. “What we found is that when children are aware they are more likely to come forward and to say ‘something happened to me’ and it shows the level of under reporting that is going on… a lot of children are not aware about what constitutes abuse,” he said. He added that this is coupled with the fact that many abusers try to normalise their acts manipulatively. Providing a ratio, Tinnie
said one in every 18 children sensitised came forward to report some form of abuse whether sexual or not. Meanwhile, parenting skills and education sessions are also conducted which sees some parents reporting on cases directly affecting them or someone they know. “I think we need to do more awareness. I think when persons become equipped with the knowledge where they know not only what is wrong in terms of sexual abuse, but that there’s help or there are agencies that they can go to get help [situations will improve],” Tinnie said. Presenting their ideas on how more support can come from government and other agencies to address the issues, the three listed increased finances for greater preventative methods provision; increased and extensive awareness campaigns in the hinterland and greater media coverage. The specialists also called for greater family support; more parents and teachers’ involvement; increased collaboration among non-governmental organisations and government to non-government agencies. As the anonymous stories are circulated, ChildLink and the CAC want the victims to take away from this article an important message. “I would say to them, get the counselling support that they need and don’t underestimate the trauma of what sexual abuse can do an individual,” Campbell advised. While it is difficult and painful to admit to whatever may have happened, Tinnie encouraged victims of child abuse, now young adults or older, to follow through with the therapy process. Meanwhile, Perry adds: “I would like to say to our adults out there, sexual abuse is just something you’ve gone through and you’ve come thus far and if you feel your healing will require you speaking to professionals about what has happened to you, you need to pick up yourself and get the support you need.”
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 14, 2018
Prime Minister Nagamootoo ‘talks up’ Guyana at Tamil conference PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo continues his visit to Pondicherry, India and on Friday he was hosted by Governor of Pondicherry, Kiran Bedi and received by Indian Junior Finance Minister, Pon Radhakrishnan and a large delegation from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He also toured the AllState Exhibition of Indian Crafts and Food. Nagamootoo departed Guyana for Pondicherry in South India earlier last Wednesday to inaugurate the World Tamil Economic Conference. He is accompanied by
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo addressing the opening of the conference during which he called for investments and technology transfer to Guyana from key Tamil industrial magnates from all continents
Mr. and Mrs. Nagamootoo with the main artistes after the Kathakali drama of good triumphing over evil
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo with Chief Minister of Pondicherry, V. Narayansamy
his wife, Sita Nagamootoo. Nagamootoo, himself of Tamil ancestry, joined other world business leaders at the October 12-15 conference and made a pitch for invest-
ments in Guyana. Meanwhile, later this month, a team of investors from the Gem Granite Group of Companies in Chennai is expected in
Guyana. Gem’s Chief Executive Officer, Veeramani visited Guyana last year and showed interest in investing in granite and forestry products.
GPOC awards good performances at NGSA, CSEC IN observance of World Post Day 2018, on Tuesday the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) awarded children of staffers who performed well at National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination as well as, students of their adopted school St. Roses High and the winners of the Universal Postal Union Letter Writing Competition. The ceremony took place at Post Office Training School, Carmichael Street, Georgetown, where members of the Board of Directors, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, Deborah McNickle and others were present. A total of seven students were awarded on Tuesday and were recipients of varying prizes of gadgets, gift vouchers among other things. In delivering remarks, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, Deborah McNickle told the awardees to aim high for continued success and to become well-rounded individuals be it at housework, academic and sports. She said that Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes is always pushing for our youths to embrace ICT for local devel-
opment and advancement of careers, a simple advice that should be heeded. Also speaking at the event was Deputy Postmaster General, Anastasia Jessemy-Lynch. She said in celebration of World Post Day 2018, a series of activities have been planned but Tuesday was dedicated towards awarding top performers of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and CSEC among others. Jessemy-Lynch urged the awardees to build their capacity to bring about excellence not only academically but also in their personal lives to develop good character and be disciplined to apply themselves in whatever they seek to embark on. She added that the GPOC has been around for 150 years and will continue to provide jobs and enhance communities locally by supporting youths and education. Director of the Board, Nicola Trotman, in her encouragement to the recipients, urged them to challenge themselves in their future endeavours to be successful.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 14, 2018
Scores march against crime, traffic lawlessness Story and photo by Rabindra Rooplall
THE way the police treat individuals and communities with which they interact on a daily basis can make a difference in the reduction of crime and by treating people equally, making decisions fairly, explaining those decisions, and being respectful,the police can encourage people to cooperate with them and not break the law. This is according to recently installed Police ‘D’ Division (West Bank Demerara- East Bank Essequibo) Commander, Edmond Cooper, who organised a march against “Crime and Traffic Lawlessness” from the Den Amstel Police Station to Leonora Police Station on Saturday morning. Joining the march also was Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Maxine Graham and other senior police officers; President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce, Halim Khan and other officials. Scores of persons marched to steel pan music of the police force band as they paced their way down the roadway. Onlookers commended the move, noting that actions speak louder than words and greater police presence is needed in all neighbourhoods and communities. “The primary deterrent to potential criminals is not the law, or that the police alone will take action against the criminal; but that the community, collectively, will disapprove to such an extent that the victim, or other witnesses, will take action by bringing in the police and if need be, assist with the investigation by telling the police what they know,” Commander Cooper told the Guyana Chronicle in an exclusive interview. He explained that crime cannot be prevented by the police if the community does not have confidence in the police to do so, or if for some other reasons crime is not reported. Research, the senior superintendent said, has suggested that a great deal of crime is not in fact reported to the police; this is obviously also dependent on the quality of the relationship between the police and the community. Further, he underscored that the process of investigating crimes does not, contrary to the mythology
surrounding detective work, generally succeed through the brilliance of detectives; but is to a large extent dependent on the willingness of the public to assist with information and to act as witnesses when the case goes to court. “The favour and approval of the public must be sought at all times; not by pandering to public opinion, but by enforcing the laws with constant and absolute impartiality, giving prompt, individual and friendly service to all members of society, regardless of status, social position or national affiliation; being courteous and friendly at all times and being ready to make personal sacrifices in order to save lives,” Commander Cooper said. Meanwhile, Minister of State Joseph Harmon described the march as important, noting that it expresses the concerns of communities about crime and traffic lawlessness. “Crime is affecting all of us and the fact that the police are not everywhere, the citizens have to be the eyes and ears of the police; and they serve as a link between the community and the police, so this is important to bridge that gap,” Harmon said. He noted that communities need to assist the police with the provision of information to assist with crime reduction. Further, the minister of state noted, that highways on the West Coast of Demerara and East Bank Essequibo have taken many lives, even that of a former commissioner of police, and many other senior police officers and citizens. Adding that on a daily basis the police deal with many traffic infractions, injuries and fatal accidents, he said drivers, riders and pedestrians must understand that the careful use of the road is paramount and those who park or place vehicles on the roadways must realise that such actions create traffic hazards and deaths. “Speeding, drinking and driving are a serious cause of traffic accidents; and these are things we have to work actively against, since using the roadways in a responsible manner … is of outmost importance,” the minister of state noted. He continued: “My presence is to promote the active cooperation between citizens and the police; and I hope that the police understands that citizens are part
Commander Edmond Cooper (extreme left in front with cap), Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Maxine Graham and other senior police officers; President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce, Halim Khan can be seen leading the march. of community policing; persons don’t necessarily need to be a part of a community policing group to help the police in identifying possible areas of crime and lawlessness.” Minister Harmon further urged citizens to support the police in the work they do and assist with helping to reduce crimes. Meanwhile, President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce, Halim Khan, said it is important for law enforcement to partner with the business community and citizenry in curbing traffic lawlessness and crime. “We welcome the commander’s approach to law enforcement and partnership in getting things done; this is even more important as the Christmas season approaches and there is need to double the manpower at the Vreed-en-Hoop and Parika Stellings,” Khan said. He explained that the most fundamental criterion in carrying out effective crime- prevention work is to ensure that it is knowledge-based to the greatest possible extent. The chamber president added that early initiatives to counteract youth criminality are worthwhile in many ways. “If children and young people who infringe social norms and rules receive support as early as possible, there is less of a risk of serious problems or a criminal career later in life. Parenting support and preventive work in maternity and child health care, pre-school and schools mean that risk factors can be discovered at an early stage. Measures that seek to identify risks of or the existence, for example, of violence or addiction,
are also important aspects of crime-prevention work,” Khan noted. Meanwhile, Khan not-
ed that rice combines and tractors used to plough farmlands should not use the roadways if they are
not cleaned of debris and mud, since this causes serious accidents and damage to the roadways.
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Guyanese jailed in UK for raping elderly woman A MEMBER of staff has been jailed for 16 years for raping an elderly resident with dementia at a Plym-
outh care home. Guyanese Laundryman Himwanth Ramkishun, aged 54, took advantage of the
helpless 76-year-old grandmother in her bed, a jury decided. But he left behind a con-
dom containing his DNA at the Freshfields nursing home in St Budeaux, the Plymouth Crown Court
Himwanth Ramkishun raped a dementia sufferer (Courtesy Plymouth Live) heard. Ramkishun tried to cover up the act by planting other condoms around the home and involved his innocent wife – a duty manager there. The victim has since passed away. Recorder Donald Tait told the sobbing defendant: “For the families of elderly relatives who can no longer be looked after in their own homes, this represents their worst nightmare. “They place the day-today care of their loved ones in places such as Freshfields. “I turn to the defendant, for your own sexual gratification, you took advantage of an extremely vulnerable lady. You then tried to cover your tracks and potentially incriminate other members of staff. “You are an evil individual. This is one of the worst offences of its type.” Ramkishun, a grandfather, broke down into sobs as he was taken away to start his sentence. She broke down in tears in the corridor, supported by other members of the staff. Mrs Ramkishun, who gave evidence on her husband’s behalf, remains working at the home. The jury took less than an hour to unanimously find Ramkishun guilty of rape after a four-day trial. Ramkishun, a former sugar plantation foreman in his native Guyana in the West Indies, had denied raping the 76-year-old between June 8 and June 11. Care-givers found a condom containing his DNA on her body, the court heard. Ramkishun, of Victoria Road in St Budeaux, claimed he had accidentally picked up the condom after it had been recovered and then shook it – in a desperate bid to explain away the DNA.
He also planted two condoms in pockets of other members of staff and pulled out another from the clean laundry in an attempt to confuse any investigation. David Sapieca, the prosecuting barrister, said the woman’s widower was “extremely distressed” by the offences six months before she died. He added they had children in their 30s. He added: “She was helpless. She was unable to neither resist, report nor accuse”. Recorder Tait said: “I have heard from a number of members of staff at the care home. They are extremely caring and passionate about the job they do. Some have been doing it for many years and I have no doubt that what happened to (woman’s name) has hit them very hard. “Perhaps worst of all for them, the perpetrator of this dreadful crime, this defendant, was there in their very midst as a trusted colleague. “Perhaps worst of all you involved your wife of 32 years in an attempt to support your elaborate defence.” The judge said that Ramkishun had access to all the rooms as part of his job delivering clean laundry. He added that the defendant also knew the routine so he could choose the moment for his offence. Recorder Tait said that he believed that Ramkishun must have been disturbed by someone, so that he left behind the condom. Ramkishun was suspended from the care home after his DNA was recovered. Detective Inspector Stephanie Blundell from the Public Protection Unit in Plymouth said after the case: “Today we have welcomed the sentence of Himwanth Ramkishun for the rape of 76-year-old woman who suffered from dementia. “This has been a lengthy and protracted investigation, made more challenging by the denial of the suspect throughout. “Sadly the victim passed away prior to the case being brought before the court but it was nonetheless important to seek justice on her behalf. “I would like to thank victim’s family, who have worked closely with police throughout the investigation and have conducted themselves with great dignity.” (Plymouth Live)
SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 14, 2018
UG zeroes in on breast cancer
THE University of Guyana (UG) through its Students Society hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness health fair on Friday with the aim of raising awareness about the health issue while standing in solidarity with those persons who have been diagnosed with the cancer. The health fair, named ‘Pink Campus’ featured the Cancer Institute of Guyana, the Guyana Cancer Foundation, the Food and Drug Analyst Department and Oncology Department of the Ministry of the Public Health. According to Vice-President of the UGSS, Malcolm Wills, “The purpose of this event is really because we realise that breast cancer is a serious issue in Guyana and it is a serious issue that affects our young women, even right here on campus.” He attested that right on UG’s Turkeyen
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Campus where the fair was held, some of his own colleagues have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Wills said: “We empathise with those students and we’re doing this to raise awareness to let other students know that other early prevention really is cure-not only with breast cancer.” Last year, the UGSS conceptualised the Pink Campus event and this year they decided to host it again, as the month-long observances for Breast Cancer Awareness Month continue. “We’re basically having education and sensitisation sessions with students and staff on campus while also offering coupons for health tests,” Wills said. He also disclosed that the intention was to reach 1,000 students on campus, past the 300 mark met last year.
Supporters of the UGSS Pink Campus health fair
Some participants and organisers of the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS)’s ‘Pink Campus’ event held to raise awareness on breast cancer
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Town clerk bodyguard given gun despite no licence to carry – CoI hears DESPITE not being a member of the armed services and not being equipped with a firearm licence, John Walters, bodyguard of Town Clerk Royston King, was regularly issued with a gun from the City Constabulary. This was revealed yesterday when Walters appeared before the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into City Hall, being presided over by Justice (ret’d) Cecil Kennard. After retiring from the City Constabulary as an inspector in 2014, Walters said in 2015 he responded to an advertisement for a security supervisor at the Council, and was successful in his application; however, after working in the position for just one day, he was approached by King and asked to work as his body guard. “When I applied back to be a supervisor it went to the personnel office and I get a letter saying they would employ me back as the supervisor. Afterwards, the town clerk meet me in the compound and ask me to be his bodyguard,” Walters explained. He accepted the offer. When questioned as to if he was issued with a firearm, Walters responded in the affirmative; but when pressed on whether he had a firearm licence, he responded that he did not. Walters explained that he had undergone training, which he said qualified him to carry a firearm. “You see what happened I was sent back to the national police to do firearm training. And then the report went back to the chief constable to say I qualify to fetch firearm, that’s how I start to get issue with a firearm,” he said. “What happened is that once you working bodyguard, you automatically would use a firearm,” Walters said. However Kennard and Legal Officer Sherwin Benjamin stressed to Walters that being qualified to carry does not amount to authorisation to carry. “Were you sworn? Were you fingerprinted? Were you given a document indicating that you can hold a firearm? That is what we’re asking. You could do all the training in the world, you could pass that, but if you don’t have the certification you cannot hold it [a gun],” highlighted Benjamin. Kennard warned Walters that he could be charged and advised him to surrender the weapon. “No licence? You better surrender that thing or else they going to charge you,” Kennard asserted. To this, Walters responded that he was no longer in possession of the weapon since King proceeded on administrative leave to facilitate the CoI. Walters was also questioned about an approximately $30,000 salary increase that he received during his employment. At first, Walters denied knowledge of the salary increase, but regained his memory when Benjamin presented the figures to him. Walters said he was given an increase with all of the of the other City Constabulary staff at the time. Walters was also questioned about his involvement in an altercation between a popular Regent Street businessman and a vendor, Carol Stephens. Stephens, who had previously appeared before the CoI, claimed that Walters had used his influence as the town clerk’s bodyguard to have the City Constabulary destroy her stall. Walters denied that he had any hand in the matter. He said the extent of his involvement was that he informed the City Constabulary that the businessman had permission to carry out a barbeque in front of his premises. Stephens’ stall was just outside of the businessman’s premises.
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GPHC holds free eye screening for World Sight Day Head of the GPHC Ophthalmology Centre, Dr. Shailendra Sugrim with patients while they had their eyes screened for diseases.
Dr. Shailendra Sugrim
IN observance of World Sight Day on October 11, which is celebrated worldwide annually to promote eye health education, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) held free eye screening, among other activities.
GPHC Eye Clinic and other locations. He related that at GPHC they have specialised clinics for diabetic eye screening that is, diabetic retinopathy or what is referred to as bleeding in the eye. Dr. Sugrim said on
Eye screening at the GPHC for World Sight Day
Ophthalmologist told this newspaper that so far, they have seen mostly cataract patients. He disclosed that while cataract is unpreventable, it can be cured with a simple 15-minute procedure. Dr. Sugrim added that many people suffer from cataract but do not have any symptoms and that is why regular eye screening is necessary for detection of any eye diseases. He told the Guyana Chronicle that on a daily basis they see about 200-300 patients and for new patients it totals about 25. Dr. Sugrim said the clinic at GPHC is for referrals because it is specialised. They also have a Vision Centre for screening and patients have access to treatment, since they have a 24-hour service with high-end equipment. The head of the Ophthalmology Clinic at the GPHC noted that there is also a
Patients at the GPHC waiting for their eyes to be screened.
Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, Dr. Shailendra Sugrim said the event is primarily about public health education on eye diseases and how to prevent blindness. He reported that they target eye diseases that can be cured such as cataract and diabetic retinopathy (diabetic eye disease). Dr. Sugrim added that they also do screening for glaucoma which is curable if detected early and, in Guyana annually, they conduct free eye screening at the
Thursday afternoon there will be a lecture for health care professionals at Herdmanston Lodge from 17:00hrs to 18:00hrs and on Sunday there will be a workshop on ‘diabetes and the eyes’ for doctors and nurses in Berbice. He explained that on Thursday, general screening was done then the relevant referrals were issued for specialised treatment at the Diabetic Eye Centre which was established in 2016. The GPHC Consultant
paediatric eye clinic for children who also benefit from specialised treatments and surgeries. At GPHC on Thursday, it was observed that quite a large crowd showed up at the Eye Clinic for varying treatment, some standing in long lines while others were seated and were waiting their turn to see the doctors. It was noted that most of the patients were elderly and suffer from diabetic retinopathy.
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President Granger meets protesting sugar workers at Rose Hall –– assures payment of remaining severance before year-end
PRESIDENT David Granger, this afternoon, reassured sugar workers that his Government will settle all outstanding severance payments after Parliament reconvenes, next Thursday. The Head of State was at the time addressing a few
disgruntled workers and residents who picketed the Rose Hall Primary School, this afternoon, just before he attended a community meeting there. While interacting with the few protestors, President Granger disclosed that his administration will soon
engage the Unions which represent the sugar workers, to devise a plan that caters to former sugar workers who have been unable to find employment. He assured the protestors that when Parliament reconvenes on Thursday, October 18, 2018, a sup-
plementary budget will be taken before it for approval. This supplementary budget, he said will cater to the payment of severance before year-end. “We are going to Parliament next week. At the beginning of the year, we said that severance would
be paid in two parts. One in the first half of the year and the second part in the second half of the year. You received your first part and you will get your second part in the second half of the year. Sugar workers are going to get their severance and I say so. We are not going to deny sugar workers one dollar of their severance pay. We are also going to work with the unions to make sure that the workers who cannot find employment on the estates are given a soft landing, that is, we will try to provide employment opportunities so that nobody has to suffer,” stated President David Granger. President Granger also put to rest accusations that the Government is closing down the sugar industry. He made it clear that his administration is seeking to consolidate the sector so as to ensure that it does not continue to haemorrhage the national coffers. “We decided to reorganise the sugar industry to make it more efficient. We did not kill the sugar industry. We saved the sugar industry, We are not killing and closing the sugar industry. We are reforming it,” the Head of State assured the protestors. The Head of State had announced that a State Lands Sales Commission will be established to ensure there is a rational and transparent disposal of lands, which will no longer fall under the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), taking into consideration, the dismissed sugar workers, Ministries and agencies. “Now, as far as the closures are concerned, once an estate has been closed, the lands will now be subject to the jurisdiction of, first of all, a State Land Sales Commission, of which the SPU, the Special Purpose Unit under NICIL, will have representation. The idea is that we won’t sell off the family jewels. We’ll make sure that the lands, which are being taken out of sugar, are placed to the benefit of the people of Guyana as a whole. Now, several anomalies and several contradictions may
emerge. For example, the Ministry of Agriculture may need some lands in order to settle sugar workers who are interested in settling. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure would need some lands in terms of its highways and bridges. The Ministry of Communities may need some lands in terms of housing and other Ministries may need lands and private citizens may need lands,” President Granger has said. Further on September 4, 2018 at the opening of a one-day Conference convened by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) at Grand Coast Inn, East Coast Demerara, Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon had said the issues of the Guyana Sugar Corporation and the sugar industry are not being taken lightly by the Government of Guyana. He said Government has a clear vision for the sugar industry. Minister Harmon, who was invited to speak on the Government’s position on the sugar industry, also said that all of Government’s efforts, since its assumption to office in 2015 have been focused on consolidating the sugar industry so that it can eventually become financially viable. The Minister of State reminded that when government assumed office GuySuCo had a debt of $82 billion; US$ 82 million of GuySuCo’s reserves invested in the Skeldon Sugar estate and US$112 million in loans committed to its extension and development. However, the Skeldon Project failed to achieve its most basic objectives, was operationally inefficient and in the process of its implementation, created a drag on the other sections of the sugar industry. This, coupled with high levels of inefficiency across the rest of the industry with huge declines in both cane yields and factory recovery, resulted in severe financial difficulties. In fact, the industry only survived because of the massive injections of subsidies – some $32 billion dollars of State resources from 2015 to date.
SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 14, 2018
ERC receives donation to improve public awareness drive
THE Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) received a donation of a new computer and printer for its public awareness drive from the RK’s Family Human Development Foundation. According to a press statement, Chairman of the newly-formed foundation and also a Commissioner of the ERC, Haji Roshan Khan, learnt of some of the technological constraints facing the Commission and came forward and made the donation. “We’ve just started and looking at opportunities where we can make contributions when we can as a family group to human development,” Khan remarked during the simple handing over ceremony. Reverend and ERC Chairman, Dr. John O. Smith, called the gesture a ‘‘very, very, kind one” and expressed gratitude to the foundation on behalf of the ERC and its commissioners. He recognised the im-
portance of the new equipment and emphasised that it will add to the capacity of the ERC to do its work, after years of inactivity. “We’ve had a seven year hiatus and now we are coming back with some more strength,” the ERC Chairman concluded. ERC Commissioner and Chairman of the ERC Media and Public Relations Sub-Committee, Neaz Subhan, explained that the new ERC took office after the 2018 budget was already passed and as such the commission is a bit constrained to procure technical resources at this time for its expanding staff complement. The newly-acquired equipment will be used by the Public Education and Awareness Unit of the ERC in its on-going awareness programme. Emphasis will be placed on education for the promotion of unity, harmony and good relations and to enlighten Guyanese about the role and functions of the ERC.
Bandits rob pump attendants, receptionist in separate incidents TWO armed bandits on Thursday robbed two pump attendants of their night’s sales at the Hope Service Station, East Bank Demerara and escaped in a silver coloured Toyota Allion with licence plate, PSS 400. Reports indicate that both men were on duty when the silver car drove up and the two robbers, firearms drawn, exited from the back seat. Holding the pump attendants at gunpoint, they ordered one to hand over the night’s takings and the other his cellular phone. They then returned to the car in which they arrived and were whisked away. Earlier that same day, a 51-year-old receptionist at Secret Villa Hotel, Land of Canaan Old Road, East Bank Demerara, was also robbed by two armed men, one carrying a gun and the other a knife. And while their mode of transportation was a silver Toyota Premio motorcar, they too travelled in the back seat of the car. But there the similarity ends as this pair pretended to be interested in booking a room, and as soon as the receptionist opened the gate, one of the men pulled out a handgun, pointed it in her direction while his accomplice relieved her of her valuables before making good their escape.
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ERC Chairman (centre left) and Roshan Khan (centre right) flanked by ERC staff and Commissioners
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FROM BACK PAGE
Pestano grabs hat-trick as Guyana Jaguars ... Guyana Jaguars amassed a challenging 291 for 8 from 50 overs, while Red Force were bowled out for 216 in 47.1 overs. Pestano created history and claimed a famous hattrick with the wickets of former West Indies ODI stars Lendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo in his fifth over and first of a new spell with Red Force 133 for the loss of two wickets after 27 overs. That seemed to be an impregnable position and there was a feeling that Red Force would cruise to a comfortable victory and allow the home team supporters to celebrate. But Pestano, who has impressed with his nagging accuracy and wonderful variations, responded brilliantly and put the skids on the Trinidad and Tobago outfit. The score was now 133 for five after 28 overs and Red Force batsmen
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seemed bewildered and never posed a challenge thereafter, instead folded meekly after skipper Leon Johnson shuffled his bowlers astutely. The right-arm Pestano removed the obdurate Lendl Simmons, caught by Leon Johnson, for 70 (3x6, 7x4, 73 balls) with the third ball of his fifth over. With his very next delivery, he sent shockwaves across the stadium by dismissing Pollard who was caught by wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble for a golden duck then to crown such an impressive display he repeated the feat and entered his name indelibly in the record books by claiming Dwayne Bravo also for a golden duck. Three international wickets in three deliveries is the dream of all bowlers and Pestano will forever remember this historic achievement. He finished with three wickets for 47 runs off nine overs. Red Force did not recover from those shocking moments and it allowed Jamaican-born franchise player Ramaal Lewis to capitalise as he also picked up three lower-order wickets for 33 runs off his allotted ten overs. Veersammy Pemaul took one for 33 from seven overs while Reifer (1-22 off 5 overs) and Romario Shepherd (5.1-0-30-1) were the other wicket-takers. Earlier, the Leon Johnson-led Guyana Jaguars batted first and amassed a challenging 291 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs. Opener Trevon Griffith with 70, Raymon Reifer 66, Christopher Barnwell 38 and Leon Johnson 35, were the main contributors to the Guyana Jaguars overall total of 291 for 8. Left-handed Griffith featured in three important partnerships before he became the second victim of Ravi Rampaul’s three-wicket haul. He and makeshift opener Sherfane Rutherford added 31 runs off 38 balls for the first wicket when Rampaul effected the breakthrough by having Rutherford caught by Nicholas Pooran for 15 that included two fours off 18 deliveries. Skipper Johnson partnered Griffith and they pushed the total to 120 with an 89-run second-wicket stand, but the captain departed from centre-stage with 35 when wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin accepted the catch off Jason Mohammed and the score now 159 for 3 in 29.1 overs. He struck one six and five
fours off 53 balls. Demerara Cricket Club’s all-rounder Christopher Barnwell joined his clubmate Griffith and they stitched together 39 runs for the third wicket when Griffith’s attractive innings ended on his personal score of 70 (1x6, 7x4s, 83 balls), caught by Dwayne Bravo off Rampaul’s bowling. Jaguars’ Barbadian-born franchise player Reifer rallied the lower order with a fine exhibition of purposeful hitting and sensible placements for quick runs. He blasted
four sixes and two fours in an entertaining innings that lasted 55 deliveries. The left-hander was associated in three partnerships that added a further 103 runs which carried the total to 289 when he exited in the final over, caught by Kharry Pierre off Dwayne Bravo as he attempted another big shot. Reifer and Barnwell 38 runs (2x6, 3x4s,37 balls) posted 23 runs off 5.4 overs for the fourth wicket and then added 37 with Anthony Bramble 21 runs (1x6, 1x4, 23 balls) for the fifth, and 57 with Ricardo Adams for the sixth wicket (276-6 in 48.2 overs).
Former West Indies pacer Ravi Rampaul was Red Force leading wicket-taker and finished with three for 56 runs in his 10 overs while there one wicket each for Dwayne Bravo (9-0-52-1), Rayad Emrit (9-0-51-1), Mohammed (2-0-18-1) and Pierre (10-0-66-1). Sunil Narine was wicketless but was the most economical with 10-0-39-0 in his overall analysis, especially in the final overs when the players had licence to blast at will.
FROM BACK PAGE
Welshman, Holder net hat-tricks ... This was the first away match for the Golden Jaguars as they seek to qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. French Guiana will host Guyana on November 20, while Guyana will play their final qualifier against Belize in March 2019 at Leonora.
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Ounce of gold up for grabs at today’s 7th Annual Kadir Mohamed Memorial race TODAY, Guyana’s creme de la creme of cyclists will be vying for top honours and a chance to snare an ounce of ‘raw gold’ when the seventh Annual Kadir Mohamed Memorial Road Race pedals off. Organised by the Flying Stars Cycle Club and sponsored by the Mohamed
family of Bartica, the event has at stake a total of $1M in prize money along with other incentives up for grabs and will wheel off at 07:00hrs from outside the National Sports Commission building on Homestretch Avenue.\ The cyclists will then journey to Dora on the Soesdyke/Linden High-
England see off Sri Lanka on DLS despite Malinga masterclass LASITH Malinga’s first five-wicket haul in more than four years proved in vain as England beat Sri Lanka by 31 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Method to move 1-0 up in their five-match one-day international series. Rain washed out Wednesday’s opening match in Dambulla and also shortened yesterday’s second contest - a heavy downpour forcing a halt with Sri Lanka 140-5 off 29 overs in reply to England’s 278-9. Captain Eoin Morgan and Test skipper Joe Root were the key contributors with the bat for the tourists, striking 92 and 71 respectively before Malinga took centrestage with a masterful display of death bowling. The veteran seamer, now 35, finished with 5-44, but England’s total still proved sufficient as Sri Lanka made a dismal start in reply, slumping to 31-4 at the hands of Chris Woakes and Olly Stone. Although the hosts rallied, thanks largely to an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 66 between Dhananjaya de Silva (36 not out) and Thisara Perera (44 not out), a thunderstorm prevented any grandstand finish and ensured England took victory. After losing the toss, Morgan overcame a shaky start to compile his highest score since May 2017, the left-hander hitting 11 fours and two sixes in his 91-ball innings. Root also impressed in a typically assured knock, but England lost their way in the closing overs as Malinga bamboozled the batsmen, using his trademark yorkers and slower balls to great effect. While Malinga is surely in the latter stages of his illustrious career, England seamer Stone who contributed to a valuable last-wicket stand of 24 with Adil Rashid - enjoyed his first taste of international bowling yesterday and looked at home from the outset. It was Woakes who claimed three of the four scalps to fall inside the first nine overs of Sri Lanka’s innings as the new-ball pairing excelled, but Stone was no less impressive. With rain in the air, England claimed a fifth wicket with only 74 runs on the board as Kusal Perera pulled Liam Dawson to midwicket. Thisara and Dhananjaya rallied strongly, the former striking two sixes in Rashid’s first over, but the heavens soon opened with Sri Lanka threatening a comeback victory. (Yahoo Sport)
way before returning to the place of origin for the finish. This route is set for seniors, juniors and veterans Under-45 years of age. The juveniles, veterans over 45 years of age, as well as the mountain-bikers will turn back at Yarrowkabra, also on the Soesdyke/Linden
Jamual John won last year’s edition but will not be defending his title. An ounce of gold is the victory spoils for this year’s winner.
Highway. While the overall winner will receive one ounce of raw gold, the second- to eightplace finishers will be rewarded with cash prizes, as will the top four finishers in the junior category, the top three in both the veterans under and over 45 years of age and the top three mountain-bikers. With last year’s winner, Jamual John away racing on the overseas circuits and unlikely to make a title defence, the race is wide open with the title up for grabs. Eyes will be on Geron Williams, the resurgent Michael Anthony, National road race champion Curtis Dey, Paul DeNobrega and Alonzo Ambrose who will all make for a thrilling encounter.
Coric stuns Federer in Shanghai, faces Djokovic in today’s final
Borna Coric of Croatia celebrates winning against Roger Federer of Switzerland. (REUTERS/Aly Song)
(REUTERS) - Croatia’s Borna Coric produced a masterful display of power-hitting to stun holder Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4 in the Shanghai Masters yesterday and will face Novak Djokovic in the final. Coric was quick out of the blocks at the Qi Zhong Stadium as he broke in the
opening game against the top seed and only lost five points on serve to clinch the first set in 34 minutes. Federer, competing in his first ATP tournament since a shock last-16 exit at the U.S. Open, struggled for control against Coric’s bludgeoning returns as the 13th seeded Croat clinched another early break to reach his first ATP Masters final. The 21-year-old got his second straight win over Federer, having beaten the Swiss to lift the Halle title in June. Coric, world-ranked 19th, will face one of his toughest tests of the season, against Djokovic in today’s showpiece. Three-time Shanghai Open winner Djokovic stormed past German Alexander Zverev 6-2, 6-1 in yesterday’s earlier semi and claimed the world number two ranking from Federer. Djokovic did not face a break point en route to a 59-minute victory as he extended his winning streak to 17 ATP matches.
Second seed Djokovic, who has returned to his brutal best this season with Grand Slam wins at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, will surpass Federer as world number two when the next edition of the ATP rankings are released tomorrow. “I did everything I intended to do on my end,” the 31-year-old Serb, chasing his 32nd Masters title, said. “It’s all working and it’s been a couple of perfect matches. There are a lot of positives to take from my matches this week.” Djokovic, who beat South African Kevin Anderson 7-6, 6-3 to reach the last four, knows a fourth Shanghai title would help him trim Rafael Nadal’s lead at the top of the rankings. The Spaniard skipped the Asian swing to recover from a knee injury.
Springer’s all-around effort gives Pride first Super50 win BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Shamar Springer starred with both bat and ball to help Barbados Pride to their first victory of this year’s Regional Super50, as they overcame Cricket USA by three wickets in a tense finish at Kensington Oval on Friday night. Chasing 197 for victory after USA had made 196 for nine in their allotted 50 overs, Springer’s responsible, unbeaten knock of 29, guided the home side to 200 for seven with eight overs to spare. With Pride precariously perched at 157 for six, Springer and Dominic Drakes shared a seventh-wicket partnership of 31 to ease the nerves of the small number of spectators at the ground. Drakes was unlucky to have been given out caught behind off the bowling of Elmore Hutchinson for 15, after the ball appeared to have
brushed his thigh pad on the way through to the keeper, with nine more runs needed. Shamar Springer’s unbeaten knock of 29 guided Pride to safety over Cricket USA However, Springer smashed two boundaries to put the contest to bed and give Pride their first win after suffering two successive defeats. Earlier, none of Pride’s top order batsman was able to press on after getting starts. Justin Greaves (35), captain Shamarh Brooks (34) and Kevin Stoute (24) all got going before giving their wickets away. Steven Taylor and Usman Ashraf both picked up two wickets for the USA. Springer’s exploits with the ball had helped Pride limit USA to 196 after they seemed to be coasting at 98 for one at one stage. He was responsible for breaking up a 96-run part-
Shamar Springer’s unbeaten knock of 29 guided Pride to safety over Cricket USA.
nership for the second wicket between Taylor and Alex Amsterdam, just as they were looking to accelerate. Springer first trapped Amsterdam leg-before-wicket for 32, before claiming the important wicket of Taylor, who was caught by substitute fielder Keon Harding for 64. He faced 88 balls and seven boundaries and one six during
his innings. Springer then returned to dismiss the dangerous Elmore Hutchinson for 36, after he had threatened to wrest the initiative away from Pride. He finished with three for 22 from his ten overs, while Miguel Cummins took two wickets for 18 runs in seven stingy overs.
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GBA turns attention to National Open Samaroo hundred, spinners seal 74-run win for Bel Air RUBiS and Caribbean tournaments AFTER successfully staging the just concluded Lennox Blackmoore National Intermediate Championship, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has turned its attention to the Terrence Ali National Open and Caribbean championships scheduled for November and December respectively. The National Open Championship is scheduled for November 16-18 and will be held at the National Gymnasium, while the Caribbean Championship is fixed for December 6-9 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The National Open Championship is expected to involve boxers from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Police, Republican,
GBA president Steve Ninvalle
Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF), Harpy Eagles, Vergenoegen Boxing Gym, Rose Hall Jammers, Carryl Boxing Gym and Young Achievers, Savannah Boxing Gym, Hands in Gloves Gym of Mahdia all vying
for championship honours in their quest for selection to represent Guyana at the Caribbean championship in December. The GDF, the defending champion gym is expected to field a large contingent of experienced fighters who did both the Army and Guyana proud over the years, winning gold and silver medals locally and regionally. This year will see the inclusion of Quincy Boyce, Clifton Clarke, Royden Grant, Ashton Niles and Ronaldo Niles among others in the soldiers’ contingent. All the above-named boxers won their respective weight divisions at the just-concluded National Intermediate Champion-
ship and are now graduates for the National Open level. Boyce was adjudged Best Boxer at the National Intermediate tourney, having won all three of his fights during the championship via technical knockout (TKO). With this in mind, the other participating gyms will have their work cut out to overcome the soldiers’ onslaught. According to GBA president Steve Ninvalle exciting and entertaining boxing over the three nights is anticipated as well as the largest representation by gyms.
Depay shines as Netherlands thump Germany 3-0 to heap pressure on Loew AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (Reuters) - Memphis Depay scored one goal and put in an exhilarating allround display as the Netherlands outclassed Germany 3-0 in their UEFA Nations League clash at the Johan Cruyff Arena yesterday. Depay also struck the crossbar late on and Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum netted the other goals for a rampant Dutch side, as their resurgent home form continued with a sixth victory in their last seven in front of their own fans. The win was a first in 16 years for the Dutch over Germany, who have one point from their two League A, Group 1 matches and face a trip to pool leaders and world champions France on Tuesday. The 2014 world champions dominated possession but failed to convert their chances and the Netherlands hit them on the break to heap more pressure on Germany coach Joachim Loew, whose side have won only three of their 10 matches in 2018 and were knocked out of the World Cup at the group stage. “This gives us a lot of
confidence for the future, we can be really proud, there has been incredible fight and we have shown that we can play great football,” Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman told NOS. “I really see a great future for Dutch football. Everyone needed this, the players, the staff and the whole of the Netherlands.” Koeman handed debuts to PSV Eindhoven duo Denzel Dumfries and Steven Bergwijn while Germany gave a first cap to forward Mark Uth who plays for Schalke. Teenager Matthijs de Ligt was inches away from connecting with a Depay cross before the home side took the lead. Ryan Babel’s header from a corner crashed against
the crossbar and van Dijk converted the rebound. Substitute Leroy Sane, controversially left out of Germany’s World Cup squad and with much to prove in a national team jersey, was played into acres of space in the box but fired wide when he looked certain to score his first international goal. Koeman brought on another debutant in Nigerian-born Arnaut Groeneveld, ending the hopes of the African nation that he would turn out for them, as the home side looked to stem a growing German dominance in midfield. The Dutch had to soak up pressure and looked to hit the visitors on the break something they managed on
repeated occasions - but both Depay and Wijnaldum drew blanks, when the former’s effort was saved by Manuel Neuer before Wijnaldum shot wildly over the bar with just the keeper to beat. Depay was not to be denied his goal, though, and when he used his pace to outstrip the German defence again, this time he had the beating of Neuer. The resounding win was completed late on when the lively Depay’s dummy put Wijnaldum through on goal and the midfielder drilled the ball low into the net to record the Netherlands’ largest-ever victory over Germany. “We played okay until we conceded and then did not use our chances,” Loew said. “After conceding, you could see that recent results have led to a lack of confidence. Why are we not scoring? That’s difficult to answer, we have clear chances. “Had we lost 1-0, it would have been acceptable but breaking apart like this in the last 10 minutes is not good.”
Andrew Samaroo hit an unbeaten 104.
TOP-ORDER batsman Andrew Samaroo struck a 90-ball unbeaten century to set up an easy 74-run win for Bel Air RUBiS over Malteenoes Sports Club in the latest round of the GCA/Friends of Cricket Under-17(100 Overs) Cricket Competition yesterday at Ogle. The right-hander chalked up a stroke-filled 104 and batted for almost the entire innings to give the hosts a competitive total of 263-5 in 48 overs, a total they defended easily. The game was reduced to 48 overs in the first innings and 38 overs for the team batting a second time, after a few soft spots were evident for the late start. Asked to bat, openers Omari Lallbachan and Mark Sukhai laid the foundation with a solid opening stand of 86. The duo played with great comfort right from the start before Stephon Sankar trapped Sukhai lbw for 32. Samaroo then joined forces with Lallbachan, and the pair took the score to
146, a partnership which gathered steady momentum. Lallbachan reached his half-century during that period, but a lack of concentration saw his demise soon after. He was dismissed by Brandon Butcher for 51, an innings which included four fours and a six. At that point Samaroo had settled in, and took over the scoring. The hosts lost three quick wickets thereafter. Samaroo hit eleven fours and two sixes. Butcher was the most successful bowler with 2-37. In reply, the City side folded to spinners Shafeek Khan, Chanderpaul Ramraj and Mahendra Singh, as the trio combined to rattle MSC for 189 in 36.2 overs. Khan finished with figures of 4-27, Singh had 3-17 and Ramraj collected 2-34. Matthew Jupiter top-scored with a polished 74 with nine fours and three sixes. Satesh Shivratan and Deeraj Persaud scored 28 runs apiece while Wayne McPherson contributed 24 to the losing total.
GUYOIL TradeWind Tankers League continues today
LEAGUE football action continues with four more matches today in the GUYOIL Tradewind Tankers U-18 Tournament. In the first of the matches today at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue, Vergenoegen go toe-to-toe with Marian Academy from 11:30hrs. Linden’s Christianburg Wismar play in the second
game of the day against Dolphin from 13:15hrs, with Lodge Secondary and Uitvlugt meeting in game three from 15:00hrs. The final game of the day features Annandale and Friendship from 16:45hrs. Matches continue tomorrow with Queen’s College versus St Rose’s and Bishops’ against Queenstown Secondary.
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Noble House Seafoods 2nd division
Waldron, top order push GDF ahead of UG
AN eight-wicket haul from off-spinner Damian Waldron and solid batting from the top order carried the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ahead of the University of Guyana (UG) Trojans in their Noble House Seafoods second-division, cricket match yesterday at Camp Ayanganna ground. UG, who batted first, were restricted to 142 in 41.3 overs, while the home team had reached 200-9 when the umpires ended the final session yesterday afternoon.
The pitch, which kept low at times, was truly a spin bowlers’ wicket, given that off-spinner Dennis Heywood and leg-spinner Ershaad Ali also did significant damage with the ball to keep the university team in with a chance. Although the UG bowlers fought back towards the end, the day belonged to the 22-year-old Waldron. The former national U-19 cricketer cleaned up the last eight wickets of the UG innings to finish with figures of 8-25 from 13.3 overs.
Damian Waldron grabbed eight wickets for 25 runs for the Guyana Defence Force.
Mahendra Persaud showed some resistance for the university side, after scoring 49, but he too was a victim of the off-spinner. Persaud hit seven fours and a six, while number eight batsman Keirre Henry added 30 (1x4, 1x6). GDF were given a dream start with the in-form Leon Andrews and Kurt Lovell carrying the home team to 92 for the first wicket. Andrews, who scored 120 against Police Sports Club in the previous clash, led the attack with
54 (5x4, 3x6), while Lovell supported with 39 (6x4, 1x6). Despite the strong start by GDF, four wickets each from Ali and Heywood brought the university back into the game, but towards the end, two exciting knocks from the army’s number eight and nine batsmen, Trevis Gilbert 27* (3x4, 2x6) and Letroy Clarke 21 (1x4, 2x6) swung the pendulum back in GDF’s favour.
Malteenoes youth cricketer shines in England ONE of the Malteenoes Sports Club bright young prospects, Clarence Baird, returned home after an explosive summer of cricket in England. The 19-year-old tallied 979 runs for two clubs from May to September in weekend cricket matches. Upon the invitation of fellow Malteenoes cricketer Kellon Carmichael, who plays in the Sussex Premier Cricket League, Baird travelled to the UK to experience
the game he loves in a different atmosphere. The former Demerara U-15 and U-17 batsman told the Guyana Chronicle that the exposure really helped his overall development, especially by interacting with a cross-section of open-minded people. He played 16 matches for the Gore Court Cricket Club in the Kent Cricket League and eight games for the Taplow Cricket Club in the Buckinghamshire Cricket
League. The former Queen’s College student tallied 644 runs for Gore in the division-two league on Saturdays, which included a century (142) and five half-centuries (54, 61, 70, 82* and 93); whereas over eight Sundays, he scored 335 runs, inclusive of a century (120*) and two half-centuries (51 and 53) for Taplow. The teenager also picked up 14 wickets, bowling offspin for the clubs. He nabbed
10 wickets for Gore and four for Taplow, with best figures of 2-11 off two overs for the latter. Baird, who has already signed to return next season, said that he found batting in England easier because of the quality of the grounds. “They have better pitches and faster outfields - better overall training facilities.”
Clarence Baird scored over 950 runs for two English clubs.
Banks Beer/Enmore CCCC 100-ball tournament bowls off today
THE Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club’s (ECCCC) inaugural Banks
DIH Ltd 100-ball tournament is set to commence today.
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday October 14, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) India won by an innings & 272 runs (2) Prithiv Shaw (IND) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many Indians have played as captain against the WI in Tests? (2) How many WI have played as captain against India in Tests? Answers in tomorrow’s issue
The tournament, which was launched earlier in the week, will see 20 teams on the East Coast of Demerara compete for cash prizes and trophies, with 100 balls per side instead of 20 overs. Round One fixtures are as follows: At Enterprise ground Enterprise ‘B’ vs Enmore CCCC ‘B’ at 09:30hrs and Enterprise ‘A’ vs Paradise SC at 13:30hrs At Strathavon ground - Strathavon SC vs Mahaica SC at 09:30hrs and Strathavon SC vs Beehive SC at 13:30hrs. At Lusignan ground Lusignan ‘B’ vs LBI CC at 09:30hrs and Lusignan ‘A’ vs Enterprise ‘B’ at 13:30hrs At Fairfield ground Fairfield SC vs Beehive SC at 09:30hrs and Fairfield SC vs Mahaica SC at 13:30hrs At Enmore Community Centre ground: Enmore CCCC ‘A’ vs Mahaica Cavaliers at 09:30hrs and Enmore CCCC ‘A’ vs Lusignan East
From left: Shameer Shahib, Bheemraj Ramkelawan and Tahal Ganesh at the official launching.
Strikers at 13:30hrs The remaining matches in Round One will be played on October 21. Meanwhile, at the launching ceremony earlier in the week, Banks DIH Ltd’s representative Shameer Shahib informed the representative from the various clubs that Banks DIH Ltd. is pleased to sponsor the tournament, since the club has a track record of delivering quality cricketing events. Secretary of the EC-
CCC, Bheemraj Ramkelawan, informed those present that with Banks DIH Ltd being a company of high standards, it is expected that teams participate in the tournament within the established rules and respect the rights of the sponsors. He also thanked Banks DIH Ltd for its timely sponsorship of this competition which will be played under the ‘BANKS BEER’ banner.
Big wins for Bermuda, Antigua and Curacao HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) – Bermuda, Antigua and Curacao all had goal-fests against their opponents when the CONCACAF Nations League continued on Friday night. Coincidentally, all of the six losing teams failed to get on the scoresheet, while conceding 30 goals overall. Bermuda were the biggest winners of the night, blanking a hapless Sint Maarten unit 12-0, thanks to Reggie Lambe and Zeiko Lewis with hat-tricks. It was the second successive hammering for Sint Maarten, which was trounced 13-0 by Haiti in their opening round fixture. Playing away from home, Antigua and Barbuda were ruthless in their 6-0 destruction of The Bahamas, with Myles Weston grabbing a hat-trick and Martin Calaum adding a brace. Curacao were also in a no-nonsense mood as they overcame the United States Virgin Islands 5-0, with five different scorers hitting the target. The Dominican Republic also came away victorious via a 3-0 win over the Cayman Islands, while Cuba disposed of Grenada 2-0. In the night’s closest match, a solitary strike from St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Azinho Solomon was enough to secure a 1-0 victory over French Guiana in a closely contested game.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 14, 2018
Pant, Rahane put India on top after Chase hundred
Roston Chase got to his fourth Test ton in the second over of the day to take Windies past 300.
HYDERABAD, India (CMC) – West Indies released the pressure in the final session as wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant and Ajinkya Rahane struck enterprising half-centuries to give India control of the second and final Test here yesterday. At the close of the second day at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, India were motoring along at 308 for four in their first innings, with Pant eyeing his second Test hundred on an unbeaten 85 and Rahane closing in on his tenth, on 75 not out. West Indies picked up three wickets in the second session to leave India on 162 for four, about 20 minutes before tea, but Pant and Rahane put on 146 in an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership, to keep the tourists wicket-less in the last session. Teenaged opener Prithvi Shaw
Umesh Yadav struck early to pick up a six-wicket haul and limit Windies to 311. (Cricbuzz photos)
once again whetted the appetite with a scintillating 70 off 53 balls while captain Virat Kohli got a start with 45, before becoming the second of captain Jason Holder’s two victims. Roston Chase had earlier completed his fourth Test hundred to finish on 106 as the Windies were dismissed for 311 inside half-hour of the start, with pacer Umesh Yadav taking all three wickets to post career-best figures of six for 88. Resuming on 98 with the Windies on 295 for seven, the right-handed Chase reached his landmark in the second over of the day with a single to mid-wicket off Kuldeep Yadav (2-85). He lost overnight partner Devendra Bishoo (2) to the last ball of the first over, dragging on to Umesh and spectacularly losing
his off-stump. Chase failed to build, however, and was one of two wickets to fall in successive deliveries in the seventh over of the morning to bring an end to the Windies innings, when he played around a fulllength delivery and was bowled. Chase faced 189 deliveries and struck eight fours and a six. Last man Shannon Gabriel nicked a drive at the very next delivery and was caught at the wicket. The 18-year-old Shaw then picked up from where he left off in the Rajkot Test, attacking from the outset to dominate a 61-run stand off 52 balls with the out-of-sorts Lokesh Rahul who made just four. Shaw played with typical aggression, striking 11 fours and a six in an entertaining knock which saw India to lunch on 80 for one. In contrast, Rahul’s struggles
continued and he was finally put out of his misery after facing 25 balls, playing on to Holder, about 35 minutes before the interval. West Indies enjoyed their best period after lunch, prising out three wickets for 64 runs, to haul themselves back into the contest. Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, playing his first Test in nearly three years, claimed Shaw to a catch at cover by Shimron Hetmyer in the third following the resumption, as the right-hander drove uppishly. Chesteshwar Pujara followed in the next over after adding just one to his nine at the break, pushing at one from Gabriel which held its line and nicked a catch to substitute wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton. The Windies then had their progress stalled, however, as Rahane and Kohli combined in a 60-run, stand for the fourth wicket. Rahane stroked six fours in a 174-ball innings while Kohli looked on course to follow up his hundred in the first Test with another, in a knock which consumed 78 balls and included five fours. With tea approaching, Holder gained an lbw verdict against Kohli as the right-hander played across, giving the Windies new energy at tea with the hosts on 173 for four. But that momentum disappeared after the interval, however, as Pant and Rahane asserted India’s authority with accomplished half-centuries. Pant took the attack to the Windies in an innings requiring 120 balls and comprising 10 fours and two sixes – successive blows off Warrican which sailed over the ropes at long on. He suffered a huge let-off on 24
SCOREBOARD WEST INDIES 1st innings (o/n 295 for seven) K. Brathwaite lbw b Kuldeep Yadav 14 K. Powell c Jadeja b Ashwin 22 S. Hope lbw b Umesh Yadav 36 S. Hetmyer lbw b Kuldeep Yadav 12 S. Ambris c Jadeja b Kuldeep Yadav 18 R. Chase b Umesh Yadav 106 S. Dowrich lbw b Umesh Yadav 30 J. Holder c wkp. Pant b Umesh Yadav 52 D. Bishoo b Umesh Yadav 2 Jomel Warrican not out 8 S. Gabriel c wkp. Pant b Umesh Yadav 0 Extras: (b-6, lb-5) 11 Total: (all out, 101.4 overs) 311 Fall of wickets: 1-32, 2-52, 3-86, 4-92, 5-113, 6-182, 7-286, 8-296, 9-311. Bowling: Umesh Yadav 26.4-3-88-6, Thakur 1.4-0-9-0, Ashwin 24.2-7-49-1, Kuldeep Yadav 29-2-85-3, Jadeja 20-2-69-0. INDIA 1st innings L. Rahul b Holder 4 P. Shaw c Hetmyer b Warrican 70 C. Pujara c (sub.) Hamilton b Gabriel 10 V. Kohli lbw b Jason Holder 45 A. Rahane not out 75 R. Pant not out 85 Extras: (b-12, lb-2, nb-5) 19 Total: (4 wkts, 81 overs) 308 Fall of wickets: 1-61, 2-98, 3-102, 4-162. Bowling: Gabriel 13-1-73-1, Holder 14-2-45-2, Warrican 24-4-76-1, Chase 9-1-22-0, Bishoo 19-4-72-0, Brathwaite 2-0-6-0. Position: India trail by three runs with six wickets remaining.
with India on 196 for four when he slashed at Gabriel and watched as Hamilton muffed the chance moving high to his left. Windies were left to rue Hamilton’s mistake, toiling without reward for the remainder of the session as both batsmen cruised effortlessly to their landmarks.
Canada pull off stunning upset of Volcanoes PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Left-arm pacer Romesh Don ripped through the heart of the Windward Islands Volcanoes’ batting lineup as Canada recorded a shocking 18-run victory in their Regional Super50 contest at the Queen’s Park Oval here yesterday. Don finished with the spectacular figures of six for 21 from ten breathtaking overs, as the Volcanoes were dismissed for 188 in 49.2 overs, well short of their target after Canada had made 206 for nine from their 50 overs. The 33-year-old made his presence felt from the very first over of the Volcanoes’ innings, dismissing both Devon Smith and Tyrone Theophile for ducks to leave them 2 for 1.
Kirk Edwards made 15 before he became Don’s third wicket, with Kavem Hodge’s run out pushing the Volcanoes further into trouble at 40 for four. However, an 86-run partnership between Roland Cato and Alick Athanaze turned the momentum in their favour as they progressed to 126 for four. But immediately after getting to his 50, Cato was needlessly run out and Athanaze followed two runs later to put Canada in firm control of the contest at 128 for six. Cato’s knock lasted 78 balls and he struck two boundaries and two sixes. Captain Shane Shillingford tried his best to stage a late recovery during his knock of 27, but the Volca-
Canada players celebrate.
noes ran out of both wickets and overs to give Canada their first win.
Don also claimed the wickets of Athanaze, Ryan John and Shillingford to wrap
up his spell. Canada owed their eventual total to an all-
around effort which saw several meaningful contributions from their batsmen. Both Navneet Dhaliwal and Srimantha Wijeyeratne scored 35, while David Jacobs (32) and Bhavindu Adhihetty who made 29 also played useful innings. Jacobs and Wijeyeratne combined for Canada’s biggest partnership, adding 49 for the sixth wicket to help lift their team from the precarious position of 137 for five in the 38th over. Despite going for over eight runs an over, Theophile was the Volcanoes’ best bowler finishing with figures of 3-33 from his four overs, with Kesrick Williams and Kavem Hodge each picking up two wickets.
Antigua & Barbuda retain World Council of Domino Federation Championship title
Barbados Male Pairs winners Charles Proverbs and Decourtney Estwick
ANTIGUA and Barbuda retained their World Council of Domino Federation Championship title, when the curtain came down on the 18th edition of the biennial tournament last evening at the Carifesta Sports
Complex. Barbados copped second place overall, while St Lucia were third. Antigua’s Joan Davis won the ‘Queen Domino’, while Joseph McCarthy of Anguilla won the male
equivalent. The Antiguans also won the Mixed Pairs (Jason kings and Elizabeth Mathews) and Barbados took home both the Male Pairs (Charles Proverbs and Decourtney Estwick) and Female
Pestano grabs hat-trick as Guyana Jaguars overpower Red Force by 75 runs By Brij Parasnath
Clinton Pestano claimed a hat-trick to finish with figures of three for 47
BERBICE pacer Clinton Pestano and off-spinner Ramaal Lewis emerged as the bowling heroes that allowed Guyana Jaguars to celebrate a convincing, heart-warming 75-run victory, when they overpowered the mighty Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, and broke their unbeaten streak in this year’s Cricket West Indies Super50
Barbados Female Pairs winners Winifred Harbin-Jones and Sharon Lynch. (Delano Willians photos)
Pairs (Winifred Harbin-Jones and Sharon Lynch), as well as the being named the four-hand champions. Antigua and Barbuda won the male three-hand and the USA won in the female category.
Guyana Oil Company, Demerara Distillers Ltd under their El Dorado brand and Ministry of Social Cohesion Department of Culture, Youth and Sport are the tournament sponsors.
Welshman, Holder net hat-tricks in Golden Jaguars 8-0 win over Turks and Caicos
Group A matches last night, at the iconic Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The second round win will be talked about as a significant upset over the much-touted star-studded Red Force that had won all four of their previous first-round matches comfortably. They also held the upper hand going into this match, after defeating the Jaguars convincingly in their first-round battle.
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Emery Welshman
Sheldon Holder
Trevon Griffth was Guyana Jaguars top-scorer with 70.
EMERY Welshman and Sheldon Holder both scored a hat-trick of goals in Guyana’s 8-0 victory over Turks and Caicos to record their first win in the CONCACAF Nations League. Playing at the Turks and Caicos National Academy, Holder, after scoring the game’s opening goal in the seventh minute, completed his hat-trick when he found the net in the 37th and 45th minutes. Welshman netted in the 20th, 69th minutes and an 82nd-minute penalty saw the US-
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based forward complete his first international hat-trick. Trayon Bobb (45th minute) and Kadell Daniels (75th minute) contributed the other two goals for coach Michael Johnson’s side in a complete dominating performance. While Guyana (182), played to a 2-2 come-from-behind draw against Barbados at home, Turks and Caicos (210) were hammered 11-0 by Cuba when they travelled to Havana for their first game in the CONCACAF tournament.
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2018