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No. 104600

SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2016

Price: $80

Double-Murder Drug-crazed man hacks wife, son to death (VAT Inclusive)

Dead: Vanessa Sukhram and her son Joel Ganesh

The shack which the alleged killer shared with his wife and son

‘I am not a PPP Improper disposal member but I 2 of foetus at 2 was born a PPP’ Diamond Hospital ‒ BK told Ramotar two P.

months before elections

- Health Ministry incensed

Burned and abandoned ‒ miner approaches Broomes for help

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 2, 2016

‘I am not a PPP member but ‒ BK told Ramotar two I was born a PPP’ months before elections BK International boss Brian Tiwari has distanced himself from the former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government, but the controversial businessman’s position was ripped to shreds when former President Donald Ramotar yesterday released a letter from Tiwari in which the businessman aggressively professed his loyalty to the PPP. Former President Ramotar did not respond to any of the damning allegations made by Tiwarie, but instead took a tactful approach by simply releasing Tiwari’s letter addressed to the Pres-

ident’s office while Ramotar held the seat. That letter, dated March 23, 2015, saw Tiwari expressing concern that Ramotar made allegations “publicly and privately” that he was “a supporter of Brigadier David Granger and his opposition alliance.” At the time of Tiwari’s letter, the coalition A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) was aggressively approaching what was to become its victory at the May 2015 polls with Granger, then Opposition Leader of the prorogued National Assembly, as its head.

“Mr President, nothing could be further from the truth,” Tiwari said in March 2015, “I have always been a long-standing supporter of the PPP from long before 1992 and its campaign in the interior locations particularly in Regions 1, 7, and 9.” Tiwari outlined the lengths his company had gone to aid the PPP in their campaigns and other events “without asking for a penny.” “We must be careful at this time, Mr President, that mischievous elements do not cause unnecessary divisions. As you have said yourself, this is an extremely important election where the PPP is seeking to restore its lost majority, no one should be allowed to distract us,” Tiwari assured then President Ramotar. In the final paragraph of his letter, the businessman re-affirmed his commitment

Brian Tiwarie

to the PPP and expressed best wishes to the party in its upcoming elections bid. “I will continue to serve in any way I can in the circumstances before us,” Tiwari wrote. That March 2015 letter was copied to former President Bharrat Jagdeo; then-Cabinet Secretary Rog-

er Luncheon; then Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and then Housing & Water Minister Irfaan Ali. Tiwari’s words of encouragement were not enough to prevent the ousting of the PPP from office just a few weeks after what could be called his letter of endorsement and commitment. The tug-o-war between Ramotar and Tiwarie started a few days ago when Ramotar alleged that some $800M in steel from the site of the Specialty Hospital was awarded to Tiwari’s contracting firm under questionable circumstances. Tiwari then came after the former President, accusing Ramotar of corruption, incompetence, and mismanagement of the US$18M specialty hospital project, which was to be built with support from the Government of India.

Ramotar’s letter adds a new dimension to the equation, especially since Tiwari said he had distanced himself from Ramotar’s party and government one year before the May 2015 elections. Following that election, Tiwari became an affiliate of the David Granger-led coalition government. Tiwari had offered services for the cleaning of the capital city free of cost to the public purse. However, it was revealed earlier this year that Tiwari was appointed as a Ministerial Advisor to State Minister Joseph Harmon effective January 2016. That appointment was hastily rescinded by President Granger while Tiwari was on a state-sponsored China trip with State Minister Harmon, who is also the Head of the Presidential Secretariat.

Improper disposal of foetus at Diamond Hospital ‒ Health Ministry incensed By Navendra Seoraj THE Diamond Hospital, East Bank Demerara, is being blamed for negligence in complying with the standard operating procedure of disposing bio-hazardous waste, following the discov-

ery of a stillborn baby in a trash bin. A release from the Ministry of Public Health on Friday indicated that “the improper disposal of a foetus at the hospital was due to negligence.” It was highlighted that

there is an established protocol for the disposal of bio-hazardous waste in the public hospital setting, and this was not adhered to by hospital personnel. And according to recent reports, the stillborn baby was discovered in the hospital’s compound wrapped in red plastic. Hospital sources told this publication that a stray dog had dragged it out of a garbage bin that was being used to dispose of hospital waste and refuse and carried the bag with the premature dead baby to an empty location. Subsequently, the animal began ripping through the bag until public-spirited citizens noticed what was happening and notified hospital staffers, who later scared the dog away. This situation was condemned by the ministry, which noted through its statement that the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has the proper means of disposing of bio-hazardous waste, so much so that other hospitals send their bio-hazardous waste to be disposed of there. However, it was highlighted in the statement that Continued on page 3 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 2, 2016

Double-Murder Drug-crazed man hacks wife, son to death By Rabindra Rooplall A MAN said to be drugcrazed went berserk early on Friday morning, killing his reputed wife and their two–year–old son, and severely injuring his mother at their Lot 57, Best Village, West Coast Demerara (WCD) home. The rampage continued after the man fled to Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, where he chopped a man about the body. Dead are 34-year-old Vanessa Sukhram-Persaud and her two-year-old son, Joel Ganesh. The suspected killer, Suresh Ganesh, 28, severed a hand of his 49-year-old mother, Jennifer Montassar, who was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital before being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she is in a critical condition. Ganesh, who is known as “Battery” and “Tarzan”, was shot twice as police pursued him. He has been arrested and is expected to face the court early next week. Ganesh worked as a fisherman and a part-time construction worker. Senior Superintendent

Stephen Mansell, Commander of the West Demerara Police Division, told the Guyana Chronicle that the police immediately responded and cordoned off the crime scene. Police then began the hunt for the perpetrator in the wee hours of the morning. According to Commander Mansell, the police caught up with the suspect in Samaroo Dam, where they were met with resistance, after the perpetrator had chopped another man about the body. The Commander described Ganesh as a “drug addict” who violently attacked the police. He said the ranks defended themselves by shooting the suspect in his foot and on the left hand. BLOOD SOAKED MATTRESS Sukhram-Persaud, a mother of two, was found on a blood-soaked mattress with her neck almost severed and with chops to her jaw, arms and fingers. Her son was found lying next to her with his intestines protruding. Ganesh’s brother disclosed that he had fled the scene and barely managed to escape the chopping. However, the suspect’s step-father, Ronald

Captured: Suresh Ganesh

Williams, disclosed that his wife (the killer’s mother) had taken some bread over to give Ganesh to eat while he (Williams) was making tea. He explained that while he was in the kitchen, he heard his wife screaming, and upon checking, he saw his step-son chopping her. This newspaper understands that the alleged killer told the police that his wife had been unfaithful, and he was “stressed out”, since he is unemployed and had difficulty finding a job. According to reports, Ganesh was arguing with his

The house where the gruesome murders took place

wife over food, claiming that he was hungry. His mother overheard the heated argument and decided to take a piece of bread over to the shack where Ganesh lived with his wife and son; the shack is located right behind his mother’s house. As she was so doing, the woman was greeted with several chops fired by her son, who was standing outside. She dropped the bread and

ran towards her home, but the young man chased her and continued his chopping spree. At 04:00hrs, the mother, step-father and brother then ventured outside to investigate what had occurred, but they were then greeted again by Ganesh, whom they thought had left the area. Ganesh then attacked his mother once again, while the step-father and brother sought refuge in nearby bushes.

After the gruesome act, Ganesh escaped to Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, where he breathlessly ran into a woman’s yard, telling her he was being chased. A neighbour of the woman came to her rescue after Ganesh ran into her home, chopping items in the process. He then chopped the neighbour before being taken into custody.

Shariff hands over to Moore PERMANENT Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP), Omar Shariff, on Friday visited his office to officially hand over to Deputy Permanent

Secretary in the Ministry of Communities, Abena Moore. Shariff was, from July 1, sent on annual leave by Minister of State Joseph Harmon

Improper disposal of foetus at... From page 2

the administration of the Diamond Diagnostic Centre had contacted the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, to confirm the standard operating procedure in such a circumstance. Following a discussion, the CMO and GPHC Chief Executive Officer Allan Johnson arranged to have the foetus properly disposed of at the GPHC.

The hospital’s administration was instructed to send the foetus for proper disposal at the GPHC, but there was lack of compliance. As such, the ministry has launched a probe into the matter to ascertain who was responsible for this gross act of negligence and will take the necessary action to ensure that an incident of this nature does not recur.

to facilitate investigations by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) over large amounts of money discovered in his personal bank accounts. Guyana Chronicle understands that this Permanent Secretary, who served under the APNU-AFC administration for just over one year and under the former People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) for several years, is unlikely to return to his post at the conclusion of the investigation. He was arrested, charged and placed on $200,000 station bail on Thursday afternoon. “This is [a] money-laundering and tax-evasion matter, since it’s large sums

‒ unlikely to return to office

Omar Shariff

of money that he has in his personal accounts,” Harmon said on Thursday, while making it clear that the investigations have nothing to do with Shariff’s role as Permanent Secretary at the MoTP. “These matters which came up are of a personal nature, and they have to do

with his own personal private arrangement, and have nothing to do with his actual office of Permanent Secretary,” Harmon said. Shariff, a former senior member of the opposition PPP/C, also served as a former head of that party’s youth arm, the Progressive Youth Organisation. Last year, questions surfaced about his involvement in fraudulent activities that would have allegedly seen him signing off money that was transferred from the then Office of the President to the other Government agencies, including the Ministry of Public Service. Former Minister of Public Service, Dr Service

Jennifer Westford, and her assistant, Margaret Cummings, are currently before the courts to answer questions of fraud. Dr Westford, who is a Parliamentarian, has been accused of transferring over $600 million in State funds to her personal account just before the May 11 General Elections. She will go on trial on July 6. The duo is facing 24 simple larceny charges that allege that between August 2011 and April 2015, while employed by the Government of Guyana, they stole over $600 million from the State. They have denied the allegations and are currently on $4.8 million bail each.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 2, 2016

Hostage crisis in Bangladeshi capital (BBC) - GUNMEN have stormed a popular cafe in the diplomatic area of the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, taking a number of hostages, officials say. Several foreigners are among those being held by eight or nine armed men in the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe in the city’s Gulshan district, they add. Two police officers have been killed in a gun battle, a spokesman said, and about 30 others injured. So-called Islamic State (IS) has said it carried out the attack. A statement on the group’s self-styled news agency Amaq said militants had attacked a restaurant “frequented by foreigners”. It said that more than 20 people “of different nationalities” had been killed but this has not been confirmed. Security forces say they are trying to negotiate the hostages’ release. Initial reports said that as many as 20 foreigners were among those taken captive.

diplomats and middle-class families. Media reports quoted witnesses as saying that “Allahu Akbar”, meaning “God is greatest”, was heard as the attack took place. An eyewitness said she heard a loud noise, followed by continuous gunfire. “The glass of my drawing room shattered,” Rashila Ra-

him said. “My auntie, her daughter and two friends went there for Iftar (breaking of the Ramadan fasting) and they have not come back. We cannot even check where they are.” Another local resident, Tarique Mir, said he could hear sporadic gunfire nearly three hours after the attack began.

“It is chaos out there. The streets are blocked. There are dozens of police commandos,” he said. BBC South Asia editor Jill McGivering says that although high-profile gun attacks are rare in Bangladesh, the latest incident follows a series of murders widely blamed on Islamist extremists.

Passers-by helped to carry the injured away from the Holey Artisan Bakery Seven Italian nationals are believed to be in the cafe, the Italian ambassador in Dhaka, Mario Palma, was later quoted as saying by Italian media. “We want to resolve this peacefully. We are trying to talk to the attackers,” said Benazir Ahmed, chief of the Rapid Action Battalion, Ban-

gladesh’s elite police force. “Our first priority is to save the lives of the people trapped inside.” Police said the gunmen burst into the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe at about 21:20 (13:20 GMT) and opened fire. The cafe is described as being popular with expatriates,

A Dhaka hospital said about 30 police officers had been injured

Tensions emerge over UK-EU trade negotiations

(BBC) - UK and EU politicians have given very different accounts of how the UK’s Brexit negotiations should proceed. The EU’s Trade Commissioner, Cecilia Malmstrom, says the UK cannot begin negotiating trade terms with the bloc until after it has left. “First you exit then you negotiate,” she told BBC Newsnight. But the BBC understands other EU Commission officials privately believe it is “inconceivable” that trade talks would not start before the UK’s exit. One of the candidates to be next UK Prime Minister, Liam Fox, called Ms Malmstrom’s stance “bizarre and stupid”, saying the Brexit talks would include trade. But the BBC’s Chris Morris in Brussels says Ms

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01/07/2016

Malmstrom’s view of two consecutive sets of negotiations appears technically correct. At the EU summit this week the 27 government leaders - without the UK - agreed Brexit “divorce” talks should begin and end before any talks on a new settlement for the UK, Chris Morris says. Brussels sources told our correspondent there was a real determination among the leaders not to mix the two. The statement from the 27 said they wanted the UK to be “a close partner of the EU”. But they also spoke of an agreement to be “concluded with the UK as a third country”. The phrase “third country” means the UK post-Brexit. Outside the EU, the UK would trade with

01/07/2016

the bloc under World Trade Organization rules, pending a possible new deal on free trade. WTO conditions would m e a n t r a d e t a r i ff s a n d non-tariff barriers, as the UK would no longer be in the EU single market. When do Brexit talks start? Not until a new Conservative leader is elected, who will replace David Cameron as prime minister by October. Then it will be up to the new leader to decide when to trigger the EU’s Article 50, the procedure for withdrawing from the EU. Article 50 sets a twoyear deadline for withdrawal from the EU. But the detailed negotiations on the UK’s future relations with the EU could last years longer.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 2, 2016

BHP fights Brazil claim Former T&T PM diagnosed with cancer over iron mine collapse

(PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad Caribbean360) - Former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning is to undergo treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. His wife, Hazel Manning, disclosed his diagnosis in a post on social media in the early hours of yesterday morning. “After conducting the appropriate tests, Mr. Manning was diagnosed last evening as having Acute Myeloid Leukemia and is being prepared to undergo treatment,” she wrote on her husband’s Facebook page and Twitter account. “We thank everyone for their support and prayers and ask that you continue to pray for him as he undergoes treatment.” The 69-year-old Manning had been admitted to hospital on Monday evening for “investigation concerning an aberration in his blood-count”. Earlier in the

Former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning day yesterday, his wife had indicated that his condition was stable and he was “reasonably comfortable, chatty and jocular”, as he awaited test results. Among those who have visited the former Trinidad and Tobago leader was St. Vincent and the Grendines’ Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. Manning had a tumour removed from his left kidney in Cuba in December

2008, while he was prime minister. Four years later, he suffered a stroke and was hospitalized in the twin-island republic before being taken to the United States for treatment. AML, with which he has now been diagnosed, usually gets worse quickly if it is not treated, according to the National Cancer Institute. It is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults.

Court blocks plan for fingerprinting at Barbados’ ports of entry (BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Caribbean360) – A plan to fingerprint air and sea passengers entering Barbados, including citizens, has been ruled unconstitutional, stopping the government from going through with the controversial move. High Court judge Justice Pamela Beckles delivered that ruling yesterday in a challenge brought by social activist and attorney-at-law David Comissiong. Under the Immigration (Biometric) Regulations, 2015, all arriving

air and sea passengers were to be required to be fingerprinted from April 1, in order to enter the country. However, following public concern and threats of legal action over the decision, implementation was deferred. In a case that was heard in chambers after government failed to file a defence within the required 28 days, Justice Beckles ruled the Immigration (Biometric) Regulations null and void and unconstitutional. “Just as we anticipated,

this matter was not contested. It really couldn’t have been contested because the facts were so clear. So Justice Pamela Beckles has granted the order and that order basically says that the Immigration (Biometrics) Regulations, 2015 are null and void and are unconstitutional and an order of certiorari has been granted to quash it. So, as of now those regulations no longer exist,” Comissiong said after the ruling.

(BBC) - MINING giant BHP Billiton says it will fight the suspension by the Brazilian Supreme Court of a settlement for damages caused by a dam burst at an iron ore mine. The flood down the Rio Doce in November sent a wave of waste water into the river valley and flattened two towns. BHP and the Brazilian company Vale which owns the mine agreed to pay around $2bn. Prosecutors said the settlement favoured the mining companies. The Supreme Court ruling questioned the “absence of adequate debate” about the settlement and said that local municipalities affected by the disaster had not been included. Members of the the government of the Minas Gerais state, where the dam burst occurred, had also not been involved, said the ruling. T h e a g r e e m e n t h ad been signed by President Dilma Rousseff in May, before she was suspended from office. The consortium (Samarco) had agreed to settle the claim with staggered payments over a 15-year period with the total amount decided by the cost of the clean-up and repairs. Public prosecutors have

Very little was left of the village of Bento Rodrigues, where more than 150 houses were destroyed by the mud. insisted that the settlement The suspension of the was inadequate and that it settlement reinstates the favoured the mining com- Brazilian government’s panies and did little to com- original civil claim for pensate local communities. $6.23bn in compensation. The consortium has argued The government has the settlement was the best called the accident the way to rectify damage after country’s worst ever enthe disaster. vironmental disaster. The BHP Billiton Brasil mine has remained closed said it had already be- with environmental aug u n r e b u i l d i n g o n e o f thorities saying they will the towns destroyed and only allow it to open once would continue to support it can prove mud is no recovery of local commu- longer leaking into the nities in the long term. surrounding area.

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

Is London Bridge falling down?

THE title of this editorial is a sobriquet of the Mighty Sparrow’s “London Bridge is Falling Down” calypso. The calypso is about the British Empire, its wealth, its conquering and governance of the world, the might and wisdom of its kings and leaders, which are juxtaposed with another reality: of changing times that have whittled away at its legendary majesty. There were those who had thought that, with the United Kingdom (UK) referendum on 23rd June on whether to remain or exit the European Union (EU), at the tally of that vote, things would have proceeded smoothly one way or the other. It should now be obvious that the saga is far from over. With voting showing a divided UK -- Britain and Wales voted to exit and Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to remain -- the political machinations are playing out in a manner that is somewhat reminiscent of a tumbling deck of cards. Britain’s Prime Minister, David Cameron, who supported the “remain” campaign -- which contradicts with the will of the people -- has resigned from office with effect from October, and has made known that activation of the protocol to exit the EU will be done by his successor. Aside from the exit vote bringing an end to Cameron’s prime ministership, he is not the only leader going out or wanted out in the resulting melee. Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said it is “highly likely” that the Scots would want a referendum to secede from the UK, given that they voted to remain in the EU. The Leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party, Alan Johnson, who also voted to exit, has lost a no-confidence motion brought by the party leadership. He is expected to be challenged for the top spot, though at the time of writing this editorial, he vowed to remain, citing that the vote to remove him was not of the people’s will, but of a few in the leadership rank. Former Mayor of London, Conservative Boris Johnson, who was a major player in the Brexit (British exit) campaign and was angling to take over the prime ministership from Cameron, was outwitted by fellow colleague Michael Gove, and has withdrawn his bid to lead Britain. As an aside, it should be said that this entire referendum was sparked by differing views within the Conservative Party on the role of EU to Britain. Gove, whom Johnson fondly refers to as Gover, publicly said Johnson does not have the “team captaincy” he thinks is needed to lead the U.K, and pronounced that he would be running for the office. This announcement is reportedly seen as a surprise to the society, who did not know that Gove had harboured such ambition and betrayal to Johnson, who was counting on his friendship and support in his quest for the office. In the society, among those who voted to exit, there

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 2, 2016

We have competent legal minds in Guyana Dear Editor, THE Sunday papers (June 26, 2016) carried a notice, issued by the Registrar of the Supreme Court, requesting that all Attorneys-at-Law attend an orientation session, at the Georgetown Club, on the new High Court Rules. The notice states that the session will be conducted by one Mr. Anthony Ross QC, and Ms. Katrina Marciniak, both of the Canadian Bar, and consultants to the Supreme Court of Guyana on the High Court Rules’ revision. We certainly have, right here in Guyana, many brilliant legal minds capable of carrying out such a revision; so why bring in foreign legal consultants? My guess is that the funding for this review of our High Court Rules came from a foreign government or funding agency, such as the World Bank; and here lies the root of the problem: This type of funding comes with conditions, one condition is that we use foreign consul-

tants appointed by the funding agency. The same thing is going to happen when the World Bank funds a review of our education curriculum. This is all designed to keep us in check -– to make sure we toe the line; it is how neo-colonialism works. It is no wonder that, recently, a youngster told me all about Christopher Columbus and “what a patient man he was,” but this youngster had never heard of the outstanding Guyanese scholar Ivan Van Sertima, who wrote the seminal work “They Came Before Columbus: the African Presence in Ancient America”; or George G. M. James, who wrote the groundbreaking book “Stolen Legacy”, now considered to be a classic. This state of affairs will persist as long as successive governments continue to pursue the neo-liberal capitalist agenda. This economic model prevents the State from intervening meaningfully in the economy in order to generate the wealth necessary to fund the kind of reconstruction and nation-building Guyana so

desperately needs. Instead, Government is reduced to raising revenue from taxes, parking meter schemes, and relying on the private sector as the so-called engine of growth. After decades of neo-liberal ideology, it should be clear to everyone that the private sector is not in the business of nation-building, and we cannot, from taxation alone, raise sufficient revenue to carry out the kind of radical transformation required by our society, including the eradication of poverty. There are, worldwide, numerous examples which show that despite stringent measures put in place to force the wealthy (the 1%) to pay their taxes, they inevitably find loopholes, leaving the tax burden to be carried predominantly by the middle and working classes, who are already struggling to make ends meet. Under these circumstances, the Government remains short of revenue, and, in order to fund social programmes, is forced to seek grants with conditions designed to keep us

right where we are -- in a state of dependency. That is why the late President Forbes Burnham had said that if such conditions are tied to the funding Guyana is offered, the foreign donors should keep their money. Many moons ago, he quite rightly knew that the only way for Guyana to emerge from the dependency syndrome and what respected Caribbean economist George Beckford referred to as our “persistent poverty” was to pursue a path of economic independence and self-reliance. Who controls the purse strings controls everything. Arch-Imperialist Benjamin Disraeli knew what he was saying when he stated: “Colonies do not cease to be colonies because they’re independent.” Sincerely, GERALD A. PERREIRA Chairperson, Organisation for the Victory of the People (OVP)

Angry and frustrated by current contract situation Dear Editor PLEASE permit me space in your newspaper to vent my anger and frustration with the current situation in Guyana as it relates to the awarding of contracts. The company that I work for and am also a co-owner had, over the past few months, been under tremendous strain because of the way these matters have been handled by the Tender Board and the various ministries of

Government. My company has won a few contracts in the national competitive bidding process, but those were not awarded us. We primarily do work mostly in the electrical department, but work is being handed down to a prominent electrical company, even though that company has not tendered the lowest evaluated bid. We have written to the Government on this issue, and were told it was

seems to be buyer’s remorse. Several UK media outlets have reported persons saying they were not fully aware of what they were voting for, and in instances where some voted to exit, they didn’t expect the result to be in their favour. Presently, there is a petition circulating asking for a referendum on the referendum of 23rd June. At the time of writing, it has already garnered four million signatures. In the EU, the top leaders, right out the gate, called on Cameron to activate Article 50 of the EU Treaty to ensure exit soonest, though Cameron has opted to pass this responsibility on to his successor. In trading relations, though a vote for EU exit also means exit for preferential treatment, and where Britain is the EU’s largest trading partner, the nation still wants to continue to enjoy the benefits such association would guarantee. Since the result of 23rd June, the British Pound has depreciated by over 30 percent, bringing it to its lowest value since 1985, and taking with it decline in stocks and other trading portfolios. Yet, notwithstanding internal turmoil in the UK, the nation has allies who have committed to stand with it and continue

a Tender Board matter. NPTAB, although having received written communication from us, never sent us a reply. Mr Editor, this situation is becoming more frustrating. We have a work force of 32 employees, and were recently forced to lay off 5. This other company enjoys the good grace of this current administration and all the various ministries, electrical works are being done by this company

without tender. I know this Government means well in its pursuit of a fair and transparent economy, but how can we encourage foreign investors when gross irregularities such as contract awards like this happen every day? This only affects the nation as a whole, since only a select few are favoured by the administration. Regards, MICHAEL PERSAUD

trading. The first among those was the United States (US); though President Barack Obama said on Thursday that if in fact Brexit happens it could affect global growth, on announcement of the 23rd June result, he made known the UK and USA relationship is “enduring” and trade between the two nations will not be hindered. In the case of Guyana, a former colony of UK, Vice President and Minister of Foreign, Affairs Carl Greenidge, has assured the UK will continue to do business with us. The EU has an Economic Partnership Agreement with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which also allows Guyana, as a member state, to benefit from preferential treatment outlined in the agreement. It is fair to say that between now and the time it takes to formally exit the EU -- reportedly at least two years -- there are likely to be more sequels. Both within and without of the UK, there will be governments, interest groups and individuals who will continue to weigh in and offer commentaries. Among their major reasons for doing so is because the UK is seen and valued as an important friend and ally in human development and global affairs.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 2, 2016

Difficult task

Dear Editor

IT seems difficult, if not impossible, for some of the imperceptive and deceitful leaders at City Hall to practise the virtue of honesty, even if for just one day. The most recent example of their dishonesty is the declaration that President Granger’s recent visit to City Hall is the first by a Guyanese Head of State in more than twenty years. They know that they are lying, but I guess they are hoping that people’s memories are short or convenient, like theirs. I would like to state, at the outset, that I do not wish to detract from or devalue

the importance of President Granger’s visit. It was a most commendable and exemplary gesture on his part, particularly at this time when the Council is in the midst of several scandals and is mired in controversy. He has shown considerable leadership, gallantry, and good sense, as the Council seems very insular and directionless, and is in need of the guidance which he is providing. But the facts are the facts. First, on March 19th 2009, President Bharrat Jagdeo, in the company of Minister of Local Government, Kellawan Lall; Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; and Minister of

Public Works, Robeson Benn, graced City Hall with his presence, where he announced that the Government would be providing the Council with 120 million dollars in assistance, five computers for its Information Communication Technology strategy, and two vehicles to aid the work of the Constabulary Department. On August 10, 2011, President Bharrat Jagdeo again visited City Hall and offered to the Georgetown City Council a financial bailout of 215 million dollars to relieve the Council of its unending fiscal crisis. President Jagdeo again did not go alone, but was accompanied by Finance Minister

Dr. Ashni Singh; Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, and Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker, where the Councillors and staff of the municipality were allowed to interact with the Government team and express their ideas, problems and recommendations. Why then would the Council pretend as though this never happened? Barefaced dishonesty will get neither the old-timers (Councillors) nor the capital city anywhere. How can we trust them to lead the capital city when we can’t even trust them to just speak the truth? And of course Royston King would never stand to correct them! What an insolent group. Regards, AMBER VALENTINE

New trade agreements with region --following Brexit, Ambassador Quinn assures By Ravin Singh HIGH on the agenda of the United Kingdom (UK) are negotiations of new trade agreements with countries, including Guyana, to preserve relations following the UK’s unexpected exit from the European Union (EU). This was confirmed by the UK’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregory Quinn, on Thursday during a press conference held at his Bel Air residence. Prior to Britain’s entry into the EU, trade between the former and the Anglophone Caribbean was conducted under a Commonwealth preferences scheme. However, the scheme was subsequently eroded after Britain entered the regional bloc. Having subsumed its authority for trade, all trade agreements with the EU, Britain was left with no direct formal trade agreement with any of the 12 Caribbean countries. And the existing trade agreement between the Caribbean and the UK, via the EU, is one of over 50 trade agreements currently existing between the EU and other countries around the world. However, the UK’s move to leave the regional bloc following a referendum last week has put the superpower nation in a position with no trade agreement with the Caribbean region, which includes Guyana. In light of this, the High Commissioner gave the assurance that the UK will have to negotiate new trade agreements to preserve its relationship with countries around the world, including Guyana.

UK High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregory Quinn “We’re going to have to, as part of the leaving process, negotiate new trade agreements, because obviously we want to continue to trade with all of these countries around the world, including the Caribbean and Guyana,” Quinn said. Uncertain of whether the trade agreements will be made between individual countries in the Caribbean or through the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Quinn said that he was confident that negotiations will be forthcoming. PRIORITY And although he could not say when specifically, given that “Brexit” was only recently

confirmed, the High Commissioner noted that negotiations for trade agreements remain high on the UK’s agenda. “Negotiation of trade agreements is certainly something which is high on Government’s agenda for the coming period,” he said. Guyana and Europe have a long-standing trade relationship. EU relations and cooperation with Guyana are carried out both on bilateral and regional bases, the latter within the framework of the on-going EU-CELAC and EU-CARIFORUM dialogues. Guyana is party to the “Cotonou Agreement”, the Partnership Agreement

between the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States and the European Union. The EU-Guyana cooperation strategy for the period 2008-2013, focuses mainly on macro-economic support, support to the sugar industry and coastal management. At the regional level, the Caribbean was pioneer in signing, in October 2008, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM countries) and the EU, a framework to help make trade, investment and development assistance easier for all parties, in particular promoting regional integration. Guyana is a signatory of the EPA and ratified the agreement on May 19, 2012. Meanwhile, the EU is CARIFORUM’s second largest trading partner, after the US. In 2011, trade between the two regions topped €8 billion. In 2013, CARIFORUM ran a trade deficit with the EU of some €0.8 billion. In other words, CARIFORUM countries exported €0.8 billion less in goods and services to the EU than they imported from the EU. The main exports from the Caribbean to the EU are fuel and mining products, notably petroleum gas and oils; bananas, sugar and rum; minerals, notably gold, corundum, aluminium oxide and hydroxide and iron ore products and fertilisers. The main imports into the Caribbean from the EU are boats and ships, cars, construction vehicles and engine parts; phone equipment; milk and cream; and spirit drinks.

Denis Jaikaran is worthy to be praised Dear Editor,

I CONSIDER it my duty, as a resident of Region Three and a citizen of Guyana, to publicly send appreciative remarks to the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Three, Mr. Denis Jaikaran, and by extension the Government of Guyana, for the many improvements Region Three has seen over the past year. Mr. Jaikaran, upon assumption of office, immediately brought relief to the many commuters who traverse the Parika area just in front of the stelling. One would recall the large, muddy potholes that were present just in front of that stelling; they were not only a disgusting sight for years, but a complete hindrance to people who use the Essequibo River. Today that said area is no longer in mud or potholes. In fact, it is now paved with bitumen. This was a respectable and well appreciated job done by the REO. Secondly, a number of rice farmers have expressed their gratitude to the REO for his timely intervention in assisting them by providing fresh water to their crops during that long dry season we all have recently overcome. Mr. Jaikaran, who himself comes from a rice-farming background, understands what it is to be a rice farmer, and will always do his utmost to assist rice farmers within his region. Thirdly, all schools within Region Three can now confidently boast of having some form of infrastructural improvement. The most recent infrastructural work is currently ongoing at the Essequibo Islands Secondary on the island of Wakenaam. Fourthly, the health sector has also seen massive improvement. The Leonora Cottage Hospital was recently given a facelift, and the Parika Health Centre is now state-of-the-art. Within a matter of months, the Leguan Cottage Hospital will get an X-Ray department, and more improvements are on the way for the West Demerara Regional Hospital. Editor, I can fill the letters’ column space with all the works this remarkable gentleman has completed and those that are in progress, but that would be selfish of me; for many other persons would like to express their views on matters of public interest. In conclusion, I wish to say confidently that Region Three is indeed blessed to have Denis Jaikaran as the Regional Executive Officer and the APNU+AFC as our government. There are few who are disputing the existence of this development, but it is tangible and even the jaundiced of eyes can see it. Yours faithfully, GANESH MAHIPAUL

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 2, 2016

BK slams Ramotar’s ‘incompetence’ in Specialty Hospital project IN an explosive letter to the Editor, controversial contractor Brian Tiwarie has taken former President Donald Ramotar to task on allegations that his firm, BK International, was “awarded” some $800 million in steel from the proposed US$18 million Specialty Hospital, now in limbo at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown. Ramotar was quoted in the Stabroek News’ June 30 edition as saying, “We took possession of eight containers of steel that Surendra, at the time we took them to court, had on the wharf; and that was worth nearly double the $400M they owed us.” Surendra Engineering was first awarded the contract for the now halted specialty hospital project after the company was endorsed by the Government of India. The then Donald Ramotar Administration, just before the May 2015 elections which saw Ramotar’s People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government booted

from power, had challenged the India-based Surendra Engineering on allegations of fraud and financial irregularities. The matter ended up in court, where the Guyana Government, in January of last year, was awarded some $800M in damages. Now that the David Granger administration has assumed the reins of power from its predecessor, it is up to this administration to collect on Surendra’s outstanding court-ordered damages. But now former President Ramotar is calling on the David Granger Administration to say why the containers of steel rods were “turned over” to BK. Ramotar’s words incurred the wrath of the businessman, who was awarded a number of contracts under the Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar administrations, during the PPP’s 23 years in office. “Former President Ramotar in claiming that eight containers valued $800M, demonstrates clearly his

BK boss, Brian Tiwarie

gross incompetence in dealing with this issue while he was President,” said Tiwarie, as he called for a “performance audit into the Donald Ramotar presidency.” Tiwarie said the steel rods in the containers did not amount to $800M as Ramotar alleged, but instead some $32M (US$153,000). “All (that were contained in) the containers were mere steel rods; and it was clear that, contrary to what was told to the Government, none

Former President Donald Ramotar

of the expensive steel frames was in the container,” said Tiwari. The BK owner went on to defend his company’s right to the containers in question, saying his company took Surendra to court, where a judgment of $400 million was awarded in his favour. He said Surendra conceded to owing that money to BK as a result of work which Tiwarie’s company was sub-contracted to do at

the Specialty Hospital site. But the former Donald Ramotar administration then took possession of the containers, causing Tiwarie to hold his hand. “Instead… the containers [by court order] were taken to an auction and were bought by an individual, not BK,” Tiwarie said. Tiwarie criticised the Ramotar Administration for allowing Surendra’s Managing Director to leave the jurisdiction against a Court Order which barred the official from leaving. The BK boss is now calling for a “thorough investigation to be done into the issues relating to the award, periodic execution, failure and subsequent events following the suspension of Surendra Engineering from the Specialty Hospital Contract.” Meanwhile, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, told reporters on Friday that the matter relating to the alleged “award” of the $800M will be investigated, since the former President has raised

issues which he regards as security matters. Harmon said all reports point to the direction of the Health Ministry’s former Permanent Secretary, Leslie Cadogan, who was fired last September for gross negligence and misconduct in office. The contract for the specialty hospital will now be re-tendered after Fedders Lloyd, which replaced Surendra Engineering, was blocked by the World Bank on allegations of fraud. Fedders Lloyd, another India-based firm, cannot pursue World Bank-financed contracts until 2020. Minister Harmon said the contract for the Specialty Hospital is now being reviewed by Guyana’s Foreign and Health ministers with the hope of approaching the Government of India to get some of the money allocated for the hospital to be used for developing three primary healthcare facilities in Guyana.

No permission granted to Teenager remanded repair city health centre on marijuana charge ‒ Town Clerk TOWN Clerk Royston King has made it clear that City Hall has not granted any permission to the Ministry of Education to do extensive rehabilitation work on the Dorothy Bailey Health Centre. King told City Councillors earlier this week that he had observed in the press that the ministry advertised to commence such work about three weeks ago. He said no permission was granted because of the centre’s strong historical significance and it being a part of the National Trust reservoir. King also pointed out that the ministry has sent a letter to Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan seeking permission for the said work. Mayor Patricia Chase-Green expressed her dismay that the ministry sought to go through Duncan instead of her or the Town Clerk. “I am surprised they took this channel. I received

a call from the ministry and I told them to check with the Town Clerk’s office. They never called back. They bypassed the Town Clerk and ignored me completely. Those protocols we cannot accept.” The Mayor noted that any letter of application should go to the Town Clerk. “How on earth a ministry can go ahead without written consent?” she asked and urged King to call an urgent meeting to bring closure to this matter. Meanwhile, the Deputy Mayor, in an invited comment, told this publication that the team met with him when the Mayor was on her trip to Mexico and Panama, and that he did not grant any approval. “They said to me that the previous Mayor had given them a tacit agreement that they could have gone to do their expansion and renovation work there. They were under the impression that he would have done the necessary work

Town Clerk Royston King

in-house to ensure that goes through, but that wasn’t done. So they went ahead to publish their rehabilitation work and so forth. So that is where the confusion came about that when they came here there was no record of us ever making those overtures to them,” Duncan said. During the statutory meeting, Duncan had told King that he did not grant any approval, because he was aware of what his role is at the City Council.

AN 18-year-old Sophia teen was on Friday charged with trafficking cannabis and appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Emaka Foster, a block-maker of Lot 697 ‘C’ Field Sophia, was unrepresented and pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on Wednesday, June 29 at Norton Street, Lodge,Georgetown, he had 33 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. Prosecutor Corporal Deniro Jones informed the court that ranks attached to the Brickdam Police Station acted on information that narcotics were being sold at the Norton Street residence. The teen along with another person were observed working at the house; they were searched when one of the ranks pulled out a

black plastic bag from Foster’s right side pants pocket. The bag contained several small plastic ziplock bags with suspected cannabis inside. F o s t e r strongly denied the allegations, noting that he was wrongfully charged. “Me and my friend was making block when the “weed-man” was standing next to me, but when the police came the man drop the bag next to me and run,” the young man told the court. The magistrate after hearing both sides, remanded the teen until July 13 for a report on the matter, since the ana-

Emaka Foster

lyst’s report on the cannabis is still outstanding. The teen was disappointed in the magistrate’s decision and told her before leaving the court in shackles, “Ya boy was working mommy, I wasn’t doing nothing illegal… I was working.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 2, 2016

Civil society desk for CARICOM ‒ to promote inclusionary governance, social cohesion among region’s citizens By Navendra Seoraj THE Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC) is on the move to establish a civil society desk at the level of CARICOM geared towards promoting inclusionary governance and social cohesion among citizens of the region. The CPDC at a recent two-day meeting at the Ramada Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara, discussed with stakeholders from across the region the importance of civil society in achieving this aim. CPDC Director Shantal Munro-Knight told the Guyana Chronicle that her team is enthusiastic in their pursuit to get CARICOM heads of state to establish the office. “We are tired of ad-hoc engagements and Governments calling when they feel like to meet with persons from civil society… there is no systematic process where civil society can channel their information through,” Munro-Knight said. As such, a civil desk will foster direct engagement and provide an opportunity to develop better instituionalised mechanisms through the various CARICOM bodies. And aside from this, it will open up an avenue for members of civil society to

CPDC Director Shantal Munro-Knight speaking to media operatives on Friday

have frequent dialogues with ministers of Government. Members of society, she added, must be taken as equal partners when it comes to decision-making, especially when it has a heavy impact on the nation. President David Granger earlier this year shared similar views, stating, “A social contract could be the means of combining the talents of a wider constituency and of creating the conditions for social cooperation. The purpose of such a contract would be to reach a broad

consensus on the goals of national development, to establish a sustainable institutional architecture and to create effective policy instruments for the achievement of our national objectives. “A covenant will allow Government and the civil society to combine their resources, become more focused and exert a greater impact on society. Civil society has the experience, expertise and social capital to address most social problems. It will facilitate the pooling of resources to better address the root causes of social problems rather than merely dealing with the symptoms,” President Granger had said. Such a desk, Munro-Knight said, will also aid in a balanced transformation of regional economies. “There can be growth of an economy but not good human development happening… hence, there should be a growth model that brings people together, especially the poor and marginalised,” she iterated. Though civil society members contribute a lot towards social development, they gain little recognition. The CPDC Director contends that the more persons are edified about their roles in society, the more recognition civil society would gain for their contributions.

Guyana to participate in oil, gas mentorship programme By Navendra Seoraj IN preparation for the development of the country’s oil and gas sector, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan and Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman will be heading off to an oil and gas mentorship programme in Uganda, East Africa. According to a release, the ministers will be part of a four-person delegation, which includes officers from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, participating in the programme being held in Kampala, Uganda from July 4–8, 2016. The programme is designed to formulate the prospective steps for Guyana as it prepares for oil production. This mentorship exchange programme is being facilitated by Chatham House, the New Petroleum Producers Discussion Group, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Natural Resources Governance Institute. Chatham House extended the invitation to Guyana in March 2016 following the New Petroleum Producers Discussion Group National Seminar in Kenya. Uganda was identified and approved as a suitable mentor, having recently completed its preparation for oil production which is set to begin in 2017. Since Guyana is on a similar path, it will gain valuable insights from the recent experiences of Uganda, which has established needed frameworks and institutions and has been diligent in its

Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Raphael Trotman

approach to developing its oil and gas sector, the statement said. On Thursday, oil giant ExxonMobil announced that a “world-class discovery” of between equivalent of 800 million and 1.4 billion barrels of oil following the drilling of the Liza-2 well in the Stabroek Bloc offshore Guyana. The discovery is the company’s second exploration offshore Guyana; the first was made in May, 2015. As such, with this in mind, the Guyana/Uganda mentorship exchange will include discussions with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development; the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; visits to oil fields; waste management and specialised facilities and engagements with international oil companies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to exchange knowledge and ideas. Chatham House is an

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan

independent policy institute that engages Governments, the private sector, civil society and its members in open debate and confidential discussion on the most significant developments in international affairs and carries out independent and rigorous analyses of critical global, regional and country-specific challenges and opportunities. It also works with key partners, namely, the New Petroleum Producers Group which provides a setting for open conversation on the oil and gas industry in the context of new and emerging states, the Commonwealth Secretariat, which through designated team members, has been assisting Guyana to develop its National Upstream Oil and Gas Policy and petroleum sector legislation, and the Natural Resources Governance Institute (NRGI) which focuses on the measurement and assessment of natural resource governance.

National Assembly passes Insurance Bill …paves way for consumer protection, improved regulations By Alva Solomon THE insurance industry in Guyana is set to undergo improved regulatory changes, including the promotion of competition; and consumers can enjoy protection in insurance matters with the passage of insurance legislation in the National Assembly. The Insurance Bill 2016, which has been in the making for several years, was passed in National Assembly on Thursday evening. The bill was brought to the House by Finance Minister Winston

Jordan, and saw calls by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) for the bill to be relegated to a special select committee for further consideration, but those calls were defeated by the governing majority. The legislation has its genesis in the 2009 CLICO financial debacle which led to dozens of customers here being left in the dark regarding their financial contributions to that company, which was a subsidiary of the Trinidad-based CL Financial Group. The bill provides a con-

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

solidated legal framework for the prudential supervision of insurance, which Jordon

noted is pertinent at this time. He said the bill gives effect to important government

policy objectives, and enhances the regulatory framework while establishing prudential standards for wide supervision of the sector, licensing, governance and financial soundness of insurance and protection of policy holders. “The Insurance Bill covers international best practices for insurance regulation, including a risk-based approach to supervision under which insurers with higher risks receive higher scrutiny and intervention. It will raise professional standards in the industry”, he said. Jordon said the legislation was crafted under the previ-

ous government “and they had taken it to an advanced stage; and when we came to power, we took up the mantle.” He said that assessments of the insurance sector by international regulatory bodies were undertaken as recent as in May. Prior to this, the last assessment was undertaken in 2005/2006. Reports from that assessment highlighted several gaps in our insurance regulatory regime. It noted that the sector in Guyana is underdeveloped, relative to its potential and compared to its neighbouring countries. He said that an industry diagnostics conducted by the Turn to page 14 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY JULY 2, 2016

SATURDAY JULY 2, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 2, 2016

Burned and abandoned ‒ miner approaches Broomes for help By Shauna Jemmott THE Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has launched an investigation into reports of an incident which has left Theodore Dick, a miner and young father, with severe burns. Accompanied by his sister Andrea Dick, mother-inlaw Saya Johnson and his child, the injured man visited Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, on Friday. After seeing the burns and hearing his story, Minister Broomes said an investigation will be launched into his complaints. She also informed Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Sydney Allicock, of the incident. Dick received severe burns in an accident on a mining work ground, and was placed by his employer in a boat sailing along the Cuyuni River, Essequibo, to be transported to a place called ‘Devil Hole’, located about halfway along the journey to Bartica. No money was given to him. With burns being evident on his face, right arm and leg, the young man recounted that he had received the injuries during an accident, which occurred on Sunday while he and co-workers were preparing the dredge to work another pit after washdown. It happened in Kurushi Backdam in the Cuyuni Mining district near the border with Venezuela. Dick told the Guyana Chronicle that he and another worker were standing on the sluice box, using fire to join the ends of the pipe, when the other man poured a mixture of gasoline and diesel on the fire. There was an explosion and he was pitched off the box and landed some distance away, receiving severe burns about his body. The General Manager (GM) of the operations,

The injured Theodore Dick

whom he knows only as “Shatta”, “took me out of the backdam on a bike and put me on a boat,” the young man said. NO MONEY He said the boat took him some miles away to ‘Devil Hole’ where guest house workers refused to allow him to stay until he produced money. He said while Shatta did not give him any money or gold, he had on his person two pennyweight which he secured as ‘blai’ (gold shaken out from the pipe after washdown which is parted between the workers, apart from their earned payment), and sold the gold to pay for a room for the night and to travel to Georgetown. The man’s mother-in-law said her son-in-law telephoned her and told her what happened, and he was taken to the Georgetown Hospital, where his burns were treated. She said her family is disappointed in the way he was treated by his employer, and visited the minister’s office to seek justice. The woman pointed out that Dick was not accompa-

nied by anyone, but was just put in a boat; and he was given no money or gold even though his employer owes him for work done over two months. She said the family was

informed by someone in the mining area that the dredge is owned by Najab Mohammed, a Robb Street, Georgetown businessman. When they visited Mohammed earlier this week, he said he no longer owns the dredge, but had given it to a man who was identified as “Bailer”. Mohammed said Bailer is in another mining location and communicates with him every three months. “I really need (for) something to be done. This actually throws things back for his family; he can’t work,” Saya told the Guyana Chronicle outside the Minister’s office. Minister Broomes also advised the family to report the matter to the Ministry of Labour. “Nobody could just bail out of a responsibility and say is not me dredge… We could know that from records here,” Minister Broomes said. She assured the family that the GGMC will have records of who is the owner of the operation. “I’m going to promise you that whoever owns the dredge -- be it Bailer, be it Najab or who -- they will not only pay you your salary… nobody will

Theodore Dick displays his injuries

take people in the interior, be it you’re African, you’re Amerindian or whoever you be…you’re not an Amerindian boy, you’re Guya-

nese, gone out there to work for your money… and so it’s not something that one would take for granted,” the minister said.

Minibus conductor charged with robbery CITY Magistrate Annette Singh on Friday placed a minibus conductor on $10,000 bail for the offence of robbery. Eighteen-year-old Delon Henry of 34 Agricola Public Road, East Bank Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that on June 27 at Agricola, he robbed Trichel August of a $20,000 BLU cellular phone. The police prosecutor made no objections to bail and Henry will make his second court appearance on July 18.

Delon Henry

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 2, 2016

Saturday July 02, 2016

Aries Keeping your focus can be rather tricky today as you jump from one project to the next. You might believe you're in complete control of every detail and look forward to surprising everyone with your amazing multitasking skills. However, everything you try to do is complicated if you can't find your groove. Instead of negatively judging yourself for your inconsistencies now, just vow to do your best each moment without concentrating on your shortcomings. Positive thinking leads to positive outcomes. Taurus You might wish you could spend the entire day puttering around the house without being distracted by anyone else. Unfortunately, you can't easily escape from the well-meaning interruptions by people who want to include you in their fun. Thankfully, you don't need to make an all-or-nothing decision about your current plans. It might seem awkward at first, but you can participate in social activities and still leave enough time to pursue your personal interests. Gemini You are exhibiting your infamous split personality today as forks in the road appear and you want to take both options. Your indecision is obvious now that the Moon is back in your changeable sign. However, people may be harsh critics if you continue to flip-flop when explaining your intentions. Nevertheless, keeping your options alive as long as possible is a useful strategy for you Gemini Twins who like to live in duality. Worry less about what others think of you than about making the most of every single choice. Cancer Your feelings are flying through your mind at the speed of light today, making it nearly impossible to grab on to any one of them. Verbal communication is unsatisfying because your words cannot capture the subtleties of your emotions. Nevertheless, you must overcome a defeatist attitude and do your best to convey your thoughts to your audience now. Maintaining healthy relationships starts with recognising the importance of clear communication. Leo Although you may need to deal with complicated logistics today, you're itching to relax in the company of your friends. The loquacious Gemini Moon is visiting your 11th House of Social Networking now, yet you're having trouble shaking your conflicting wish for peace and quiet. Unfortunately, you'll be bored before you know it if you stay home alone. It seems as if you can't win until you realise that the only real difference between a good and bad day is your attitude. Virgo You would like to be seen as a compassionate leader, at home or in your community. However, your thoughts are jumping from one innovative idea to another today, inspiring you to talk quickly before you forget what you were going to say. Unfortunately, your need to verbalise everything now makes it difficult for others to connect with your softer side. Thankfully, you can take control of the situation by choosing to share less and care more. In the long run, nothing will be lost if love leads the way.

Libra You might be living in the present moment, but your thoughts are carrying you off into the future. Fortunately, your fantasies are quite entertaining now and bring a smile to your face whether or not you share them with anyone else. There's no reason to waste energy trying to avoid current responsibilities, since you can fulfill them while still exploring your imagination. Dancing in two worlds enables you to cultivate your dreams no matter where you roam. Scorpio You long for that rare conversation with a special person that elevates your spirit while touching your soul. You're not interested in chatting about the news or the weather; you want to get directly to the core of the matter. You might feel as if time is running out and you're fearful of missing the opportunity to make a real connection. Your willingness to bring your heart into the equation can change the lives of those involved

Sagittarius Although you're certain about your destination today, everyone else seems to be buzzing around in circles without a purpose. However, you might be more easily pulled off course now that the interactive Gemini Moon is cavorting through your 7th House of Others. There is no need to push anyone away in order to eliminate the excess noise from your life now. Instead of wasting time getting rid of the distractions, focus more intently on your goal. When you concentrate on manifesting your dreams, everything else will fall into place. Capricorn Deeply ingrained moral issues can be irritating if they create inner conflict today. You're not as forthcoming with your feelings as it seems because you don't want others to get involved in your process of contemplation. You may project your more talkative side, but it's probably just a way to cover concerns you don't care to discuss. Your smartest strategy now is to just go about your day as normal until your mental unrest settles on its own. Be patient; the calm after the storm is on the way if you don't rock the boat in the meantime. Aquarius The fireworks in your brain are putting on quite a show with ingenious thoughts lighting your inner sky. However, your attempts to record the magic are futile and could even ruin the brilliant performance. Granted, sometimes it's tough to stay present when you fear the moment will quickly pass. Instead of trying to savour your current experience, immerse yourself in it. Every breath you take is a precious gift as long as you're willing to give it back without trying to possess it. Pisces People seem to show up at your door today simply to bring you good news or to demonstrate their appreciation for what you do. However, you can't capitalise on their support if other circumstances are blocking your progress. Don't allow frustration to hijack your positive mood, or you'll end up souring your entire day. You might not be able to directly alter your fate now, but changing your attitude changes everything.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 2, 2016

‘Get yourself licensed’ ‒ Holder urges fisherfolk By Nafeeza Yahya MINISTER of Agriculture, Noel Holder, is calling on all fishermen in Guyana to be licensed and to practise sustainable fishing. The minister was addressing a gathering of fisherfolk during celebrations at the Upper Corentyne Fishermen’s Coop Society on National Fisherfolk Day 2016, which was observed on Wednesday under the theme: ‘Combatting Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing: Preserving our Marine Resources’. Minister Holder, highlighting the importance of legal fishing, informed the audience that each year billions of dollars in revenue are lost through illegal fishing. “I urge you to play your part by getting yourself licensed, practise sustainable fishing activities, utilise gear that do not target juvenile fishes, pay attention to where you fish, and comply with whatever regulations that are applied by the Fisheries Department.” The Agriculture Minister noted that he is aware of the challenges and the dangers the fishing industry faces, but he gave the assurance that his ministry and government would do everything in its power to ensure sustainability of this important

industry. “We are aware of how dangerous and strenuous this profession can be…. However, life is not without challenges; and with the support of the Government, the fishing industry will persevere and sustain itself, so that you can earn your livelihood in a comfortable environment and preserve it for future generations.” PIRACY AND SMUGGLING He also addressed the issue of piracy and smuggling that has been plaguing fisherfolk for some time now, and assured them that his ministry is working with the Ministry of Public Security to ease the problems affecting them. “The Ministry of Agriculture has been working with the Fisheries Department and Ministry of Public Security to look at ways in which we can alleviate some of the constraints you are presently faced with, such as the high cost of inputs, the need for easy access to duty-free concessions offered, and the ever-present danger of piracy.” On the same note, the minister expressed his sympathy to the families and relatives of the men who were killed in the recent piracy attack.

Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder hands over a trophy to Ramnarine Ramdharry, the oldest active fisherman, on the occasion of World Fisherfolk Day 2016 on Wednesday

Minister Noel concluded by thanking the fisherfolk for their contributions, noting that the sector contributes 9.6% to the country’s GDP, collects $30.7B in revenue from fees, and rakes in $14B from exports. “I want to recognise your contribution to the development of Guyana, and for making available a cherished food commodity; and (I want to) thank you for continuing to make this a reality. On behalf of the Government, I salute you…. So, once again, I wish to congratulate you on a job well done in ensuring our food and nutrition secu-

rity, and to assure you of my government’s commitment in supporting this important industry.” Meanwhile, Regional Chairman David Armogan, who spoke about the need for diversification, called on the fisherfolk to increase fish production so that they can provide more employment and boost the economy of Region Six. AQUACULTURE Recognising the reduction in the sugar and rice industries over the years, the chairman spoke about the need for looking at the reali-

ty of aquaculture in Berbice. “It is very important[that] we produce more and more fish so people can consume more…. Sugar and rice, which are the two major pillars of the Berbice economy, have been falling over the years…so there is the need for diversification. The need should have been like yesterday, because diversification is one way in which we can boost the local economy… and one of the areas of diversification would naturally be the area of aquaculture; and more and more people have been looking at investment in aquaculture, so people can

have more development in aquaculture in our country, especially Berbice. The lands that would be displaced because of rice and sugar, maybe we can utilise those lands for aquaculture purposes; so it’s a very exciting time in the fishing industry and you have an important role (to play) in the national economy.” The Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors (GATOSP) representative, Ruben Charles, was also on hand to congratulate the fisher-folk for their contributions to the development of Guyana. Moreover, he implored them to be responsible in their actions and to practise sustainable fishing, to ensure that the industry survives. AWARDS As part of the celebration, several awards were also given out to fisherfolk for their contributions to the fishing industry. The awards handed out by Minister Holder included: Oldest Active Fisherman, Ramnarine Ramdharry; Largest Quantity of Fish caught in a single trip, Roy Penmootain's Boat; Longest-Serving boat captain, Parmeshwar Gainarine; as well as the Most Supportive fish vendor. There were also several species of fish on display, and various fish cuisines were served to those in attendance.

National Assembly... World Bank in 2012 echoed those sentiments. According to Jordan, key findings in the 2006 assessment indicated that while there was an institutional legal framework in place, it

did not satisfy international best practices, particularly in the areas of licensing, governance, and transparency and investments. “It was recommended that clear and prudent licensing

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criteria, including minimum capital levels, shareholder eligibility requirements, management skills and governance rules, should be issued in order to ensure entry of quality companies into the

market”, he said. Jordan said analysis of financial statements as part of ongoing supervision was described as primitive, owing to a lack of onsite inspection programme. The current Insurance Act is silent in this regard, he said. It was noted, too, that the Office of Commissioner of Insurance suffers from lack of information among regional supervisory bodies. In giving a background on the legislation, Jordan provided an analysis of the consultations done by the authorities with key players in the sector, including insurance companies and brokers. He said many objections were made and changes proposed, and consequent drafts were produced. He said that the bill was sent to his predecessor, former Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, in 2014 to take to Parliament, but prorogation of Parliament under the Donald Ramotar Administration led to the bill being stymied. He said that upon assuming office, the Government proceeded to have the bill passed in the National As-

sembly, following additional consultations and drafts being done to fine-tune the bill. He said a draft copy was sent to the sector and other stakeholders, including the Private Sector Commission and the Bar Association, among others. Opposition Member of Parliament Irfaan Ali noted that modernization of the financial architecture of the country has seen several changes, with various forms of legislation being passed by the National Assembly. He said that one of the issues the party had was the necessary regulations which were needed to support the bill; he said the PPP thought that those regulations required a comprehensive approach and the bill should benefit from a special select committee. He cited the magnitude of the bill and “issues “and “oversight” which he noted must be sorted out. He added that there were numeracy matters within the bill which needed clarification. “We have to have a lot of education on this bill, we have to have a testing period”, he said, and he noted that the industry stakeholders needed “some amount of time” to adjust to the changes the bill would effect. Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall also echoed similar sentiments for the bill to be sent to a select committee. He described the bill as a “foundation bill for an entire sector”, and said it involves a number of sectors, including Central Bank, insurance companies and policy holders, among others.

Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma, noting the collapse of CLICO, pointed to the lack of a regulatory authority and said the bill corrects that fault. He said the entire Caribbean benefited in knowledge of handling insurance matters from the collapse of CLICO. Minister Jordan noted that CLICO’s exposure to the financial crisis, the mismatch between its obligations and its financial assets were described as too late. He said those who await their money from CLICO and those who have suffered losses tell a story of the company as a failed one. In relation to calls for the bill to be taken to a select committee, Jordan said the bill has been in the making for some four years. “The new Government did not sit on its laurels”, he said as regards the further consultations it had experienced. He described the bill as one of the most consulted bills which have passed through the National Assembly. Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, noted that consumer protection, which is addressed by the bill, is a welcome improvement when compared to the former Act, in which such provisions did not exist. He said there are also in the bill numerous provisions which protect the consumers. The bill was then put to a vote, with the Government side using its majority for its passage through the National Assembly.

Saturday, July 02, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Sunday, July 03, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Monday, July 04, 2016 - 05:00 hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 2, 2016

Reg Two REO not fazed by no-confidence motion …accuses council of fraud

REGIONAL Executive Officer (REO) of Region Two, Rupert Hopkinson, is maintaining his innocence in the face of a no-confidence motion which the Opposition-controlled Regional Democratic Council (RDC) plans to move against him. The RDC has alleged that Hopkinson failed as the REO by not implementing several projects. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle recently, Hopkinson said he is not at all fazed by the actions of the Opposition side of the RDC, while noting that he has done nothing wrong. The REO said he has evidence to support his contention that there is fraud within the Council and those guilty of same must be made answerable. He said the claim of the slow implementation of projects in the region is not solely his responsibility, but that of the engineers as well. “The engineers have been doing their work. We have awarded more than 90 per cent of our capital projects,” he said, adding that the remainder is under evaluation by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) and as such, the region has no control over those projects. Hopkinson said too that the region has not only been able to implement capital projects, but also current projects, while noting that all approved projects have been awarded and are ready for execution. If there are doubts, the REO said queries can be made to the Ministry of Finance. “Something else that precipitated the no-confidence motion is my desire to minimise corruption. I have found corruption in the region that

no one was willing to speak about. I am being metaphorically criticised or crucified for it,” remarked Hopkinson. He explained that he has written the region’s engineer to advise on the amount of money spent to purchase lumber. “It was noted that for the year 2014, the region spent $20,088,297 to purchase lumber. For the year 2015, the region spent $10, 097, 620 on the purchase of lumber while $8,900,000 in CHECK Orders/ Vouchers are with the Regional Executive Officer to be signed for additional lumber,” a letter dated March 1, 2016 stated. “What was the money used for…it is suspicious! The man who supplies the lumber or material either supplies material or the material goes elsewhere… or it goes to the bond where it is stored and it secretly comes out or the supplier doesn’t supply everything. Many people are aware of what is happening and nobody talks,” Hopkinson told the Guyana Chronicle as he presented documents to support his position. He said the evidence which he has in his position has “vindicated the REO” and exposes the flaws that form the reason for “safeguarding, if not implementing projects.” Hopkinson noted that the money that would have been used for other motives will now be used to “make my region nice.” He intends to build a library, repair some of the health centres in the region and backfill some low-lying areas. “I have to do the job that I was asked to do… They can’t come to me and use their money to get me to do what they want,” said Hopkinson, who referenced a popular rice farmer who threatened him

Regional Executive Officer, Region Two, Rupert Hopkinson recently. He said serving as REO is a challenge as “things are intended to fuel the cause of the opposition.” The REO said he is hopeful that the criticisms will not overpower the work he has been charged to do.

AWARDING OF CONTRACTS Hopkinson said in the past it was observed that one contractor had won 11 contracts, but since he took office he sought to ensure that contracts are awarded across the board. He said there must be the fair and equal awarding of contracts to contractors. “In awarding these contracts, you can’t give one man 11 contracts; now [the] highest number is four. Respect the decision of the tender board because it is fair…they will respect the office of the REO because he is fair.” With all the irregularities that he has observed within Region Two, Hopkinson said he will not take action, but will report instances of fraud and other irregular activities to the Permanent Secretary of

the Ministry of Communities. “There are lingering loyalties so…there are secret meetings with Opposition officials. Your work is made more difficult.” He said there are persons who work with him that are “deliberately not working as they should. We can’t have people sabotaging our work,” he said, while expressing the belief that “non-cooperation should be outlawed.” The clear differences Hopkinson said will “rip this nation apart,” while advising those who do not want to cooperate for a “better life” to “leave the job.” “The level of difficulty in Region Two is huge. The level of difficulty… the tide that I have got to swim against is powerful. It almost takes your job away,” explained the REO.

Asked what motivates him despite the challenges, Hopkinson said the fact that he was born and raised in Region Two gives him the added desire and motivation to build the region. “That is an opportunity I craved as a young man. That’s what keeps me going…their [the people’s] joys are my joys, their pains and sorrows are mine too.” Hopkinson believes that the Opposition members of the RDC are currently looking for loopholes so as to move the no-confidence motion at their next meeting on July 12. They were initially supposed to move the motion on June 14. The Region Two RDC has 17 councillors, of which 12 are from the PPP and five are from the APNU+AFC coalition. Two of those councillors are from the AFC.

Chief constable promises to tighten up slack officers By Telesha Ramnarine THE level of absenteeism in the City Constabulary has become alarming, with officers often taking advantage of the fact that not many persons are interested in joining the Constabulary. But Chief Constable Andrew Foo has said that vacancies are being advertised in the newspapers, and, so far, the Constabulary has been receiving responses. Once the vacancies are filled, those persons who are guilty of absenteeism would have to go. Councillor Bishram Kuppen recently raised the issue at the Council’s statutory meeting, revealing staggering figures of sick leave and absent days taken by constabulary officers during the period

March to May 2016. With regard to sick leave, Kuppen informed the meeting that for March, 31, officers reported sick for a total of 123 sick days; for April, 22 officers reported sick for a total of 80 days; and for May, 26 officers reported sick for a total of 103 days. For absent days, Kuppen said that for March, 64 officers were absent for a total of 148 days; for April, 64 officers were absent for a total of 153 days; and for May, 72 officers were absent for a total of 164 days. Kuppen asked to be provided with information on what is being done to address this situation. “This is worrying. How are they providing security when so many of them are

absent?” he asked. In an invited comment on Friday, the Chief Constable said that although the figures presented by Kuppen are high, these are not the highest levels to date. The action of the officers has to do with the harsh conditions that some officers have to endure, he offered. However, there are other officers who simply take advantage of the fact that the Constabulary is always in need of officers. According to Foo, procuring a minibus to transport officers, especially at night, when the absenteeism is greatest, is still being looked at, although it was budgeted for last year. Foo told the statutory meeting on Monday that the department has noticed that some officers have established

a pattern of absenteeism, especially when it comes to night duties. He remarked, also, that the usual procedure of dealing with this issue is that the officer would be written to, and following the third letter, a comprehensive report would be prepared as to why that person’s service should be terminated. Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan commented that the problem could very well be that the officers do not have a proper system of transportation, and may be exposed to the elements and so forth at night. F o o re s p o n d e d t h a t transportation is definitely a factor, and observed that the majority of officers are females and are working under atrocious conditions.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 2, 2016

Youth empowerment initiatives aim for brighter future for Guyana’s youth GEORGETOWN, Guyana – (July 1, 2016): THE single most important group of people in Guyana are the nation’s youths. They represent Guyana’s potential to march into the future, adequately tackle modern-day challenges, and harness the country’s resources to ensure the good life is a sustainable goal for all Guyanese. However, this group is also the most vulnerable group. In the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Guyana Youth Empowerment Inclusion and Reconciliation Project of 2012, it was recorded that youth make up more than 60 percent of the country’s population, and are perceived as being “marginalised, alienated, and increasingly at risk of unemployment/ underemployment, crime and violence, teen and unplanned pregnancy and other social and economic ills”. President David Granger, recognising these vulnerabilities, has begun to advance a broad-based approach to youth development, built on the foundation of a solid education. During his address at the opening of the 11th Parliament, in June last year, the President pledged that his government would introduce social policies that would harness and develop the creative energies of the people, which would provide a foundation for the holistic development of the country’s women and youth. “Your government is aware that too many very young and very old persons are still classified as extremely poor, with an expenditure level that is far below what is required to purchase a minimum daily low-cost diet. Poverty can be reduced, and perhaps eventually eradicated with good governance and the sensible public policies that we shall introduce…providing jobs for our people; particularly, our young people will be one of our priorities. “Today, in our country, there’s a crisis of youth unemployment. Many of our young people are leaving school and university but are unable to find jobs. Without jobs, they will never be able to escape

from the cycle of poverty,” the President said. However, any youth policy must have the input and buyin of the people whom it will affect most -- Guyana’s young people. The Government of Guyana, over the past year, embarked on national consultations which allowed young people all over Guyana to define their issues and propose solutions. A draft youth policy has now been completed.

THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY The National Youth Policy 2015 was, on June 30, laid in the National Assembly. The document outlines five key priorities: Youth Identity and Empowerment, Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship, Education and Market-Driven Skills Development, Youth Leadership, Participation and Representation and Youth Health Safety and Well-being. The policy will pave the way for the subsequent development and implementation of a National Youth Empowerment Action Plan (NYEAP). The consultations for the National Youth Policy began between 2013-2014, under the previous administration, and more than 3,000 youths were engaged through regional consultations. A National Youth Forum was held in 2014. On assumption to office, the APNU/AFC Coalition, as it had stated in its manifesto, recognised the need to expand and advance the process so that a youth policy that responds to the unique geographical, economic and social challenges young people face in Guyana can be crafted. In 2015, additional surveys and interviews were conducted from 52 youth organisations, to identify issues affecting youth, identify entry points for youth development, and elaborate on existing youth development opportunities. The data gathered was analysed and published in the Situational Analysis of Youth in Guyana 2015, and led to development of the draft policy, which was further shared and discussed with youth and other stakeholders at a two-day work-

Participants of the programme put on a cultural display at the first graduation ceremony ing session held between July 3rd and 4th, 2015. The feedback gathered from this session was added to the draft policy. Coming out of the information gathered, the policy listed that youth unemployment is “hovering around forty percent”, that youth entrepreneurship is in an embryonic state, and that the education system has remained stagnant. Among other findings is that Guyanese

youth are disproportionately affected by social problems, including suicide, mental health issues and teenage pregnancy. Most notably, it was mentioned that the greatest challenge to youth development is weak youth representation and participation in the decision-making process; and there is a lack of deliberate strategies, opportunities and quotas that can facilitate their

inclusion. YOUTH EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVES Elaborating on the components of the Policy, Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment, Mr. Aubrey Norton, said the elements aim to create entrepreneurs through methods of training and education. “The general position that is taken is that, for you to empower people, you need to

The students of the heavy-duty operator programme will be trained in operating various types of heavy-duty equipment, and will be aided by the Government in being licensed

either educate them for employment or educate them for business,” he said, adding that the draft Youth Policy takes these needs into consideration and identifies a number of strategic areas and priorities that would achieve these goals. Even as the draft youth policy is placed before the National Assembly and is made available for public consultation, efforts have been made to establish programmes that will engage youth in these key areas. Mr. Norton explained that, since taking up his current post, he and his team have conducted countrywide surveys, interacting with youth and strengthening youth organisations. Based on feedback, Mr. Norton said, many young Guyanese are interested in taking up positions of leadership but are not given the exposure or opportunity to do so. Coming out of this objective was the idea for a Leadership Training Programme, a week-long session that teaches young people practical leadership-related skills. The Programmes are hosted at the Madewini Training Centre on the Linden Highway. So far, three of eight planned sessions have been hosted, and have seen almost 200 youth from across

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The 25 young men who are currently training for the three-month heavy-duty operator programme at the Kuru Kuru Training College the country trained in areas of leadership, management, events planning, communications, effective public speaking, meeting and meeting procedures. By the end of the year, close to 500 young people would have been exposed to these programmes, which Mr. Norton said will have a long-term impact on their lives. He added that, as a spin-off to such programmes, other youth-targeted initiatives are in the making. At the graduation ceremony of the first programme, early this month, Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, who attended the event, informed the 57 participants that due to the challenges facing young people in Guyana, such programmes should start immediately, even while the National Youth Policy is still

being finalised. “We…came into office with a very clear understanding of the critical challenges and the crises our young people face as a result of the neglect of the previous government for over two decades. We also had a very clear vision and a plan of action for youth empowerment. One of the main components of that plan is the provision of education and training for all of our young people everywhere -- in all communities in every region; on the coastland and in the hinterland, because we believe that all Guyana is one Guyana,” he said. Minister Harmon encouraged the participants to be doers, not talkers, so that they can achieve practical, positive and tangible goals that would benefit the country. He added

that young people should become involved in the political, economic and social affairs of their communities, as precursors to their involvement in regional and national affairs. The second training session was held on June 17, 2016, where an additional 59 young aspiring leaders undertook the tasks laid out in the training session. At that graduation ceremony, it was Mr. Vincent Alexander, Technical Facilitator to the Minister of Education, who urged the group to be the type of leaders who work tirelessly for the good of their communities, even as they pursue their own career goals. He stated that, as leaders, they will be expected to give specific guidance with regard to ideas, vision, organising and mo-

bilising. He added that, in carrying out these roles, it should be in a manner that shows that they truly enjoy what they are doing, rather than just doing it for an ulterior motive. “I’m not saying (that) leaders shouldn’t be rewarded, but, as leaders, you should be inspired, not by the possible reward, but by the fact that you love what you are doing and you’d like to see the results of what you’re doing in the community in which you operate. If you give good leadership, you will make a difference to your club and community; and the difference which you will make will impact you, because you are part of it,” he said. He advised the participants to be aware that, as leaders, their behaviour will be scrutinized; but, he said, that could

work to their favour in ensuring that they do the right thing. ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT But Leadership training is only one part of the plans involved in the youth empowerment agenda. As part of developing enterprise, programmes in economic empowerment are also underway. One such initiative is the heavy-duty operator programme currently being conducted at the Kuru Kuru Training College. The three-month programme will train and assess 25 young men in the theory and practice of operating heavy-duty equipment. Following the completion of this programme, successful candidates will be certified and assisted by the Government to

become licensed, and they will be assisted with jobs. Like the Youth Leadership programme, the young men on the course hail from all the regions across the country, and several expressed that the opportunity was one that could not be passed up, due to the prospects of certification and possible employment that are in store. Mr. Norton explained that these are not the only programmes planned. Also on the agenda are counselling and guidance programmes, literary programmes, as well as food processing programmes. Mr. Norton said these initiatives will hopefully be launched later in the year, so as to keep the momentum that has been given to youth empowerment in Guyana.

Technical Facilitator to the Minister of Education, Mr. Vincent Alexander; and Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment, Mr. Aubrey Norton, are seen with facilitators and participants at the graduation ceremony of the second of eight Youth Leadership Training programmes

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 2, 2016

‘National songs shape our national consciousness’– President Granger PRESIDENT David Granger has once again reiterated his call for national songs to be placed in schools and encouraged in the home and church, as he noted that such songs are symbols of nationhood and are critical to the enhancement of a country’s national consciousness and identity. The President made these remarks at the launch of the collection of National Songs of Guyana done by the Victoria Regia Quartet, formerly

the Circle of Love, on Thursday evening at the Pegasus Hotel. According to a release from the Ministry of the Presidency, the President said these national songs must be preserved if Guyana is to succeed in its efforts to build a cohesive society which stands ready to defend the national patrimony. “Rebellion and resistance were common historical experiences which are venerated in our national songs. They

remind us of the price that our foreparents paid for the right to be masters of (their) own destiny, and the price that our generation has to pay to protect our nation. Cleveland Hamilton’s Song of the Republic, arguably one of our most militant national songs, is a call to arms… The defence of our motherland is a sacred duty. The success of any defence depends, however, on national unity and social cohesion. A divided nation is a weak nation,” the President Granger surprised the audience with a performance with the Victoria Regia Quartet, formerly known as the Circle of Love Head of State said. The country’s National Anthem, the President said, should serve to remind all Guyanese that “we are a multicultural society in which people of different races co-exist. The diversity of our society must not, however, be viewed as a handicap. Guyana is enriched by its cultural diversity… Citizens suspend, if not forget, differences of culture and class during the recital of our national songs. Citizens come together, setting aside differences that have traditionally divided our people.” According to the release, President Granger added that with social cohesion comes a sense of nationalism, which is important to the development of the country as a whole. “National songs help to create that uniqueness by fostering a distinct national consciousness. National songs are an inalienable part of our patrimony: they shape our national consciousness, they define who we are, They remind us of our common experiences as a nation; reinforce our pride by depicting our country favourably; re-affirm our shared values and aspirations, and recommit us to the duty to defend our motherland,” the President said. These precious songs, he added, must not be allowed to become victims of neglect, and the teaching of the national songs in our schools and places of worship must be sustained. Speaking from a historical note, the President outlined that Guyana’s national songs have their origin in the Centenary celebration of unification in 1931. British Guiana was formed from the three Dutch colonies of Demerara, Essequibo and

Berbice, names that became the titles of the ‘counties’ before districts and regions were created. This Centenary, he said, was a major cultural festival. It witnessed, among other events, the first public singing of the Song of Guyana’s Children, composed by Rev. Hawley-Bryant, a minister of the Congregational Church. Meanwhile, Chairperson of the event, Ms. Cheryl Sampson, in giving a historical review of the group, highlighted that it was the President, while in Opposition, who had set the idea in motion for the compact disc when he had asked the group to perform national songs at an event, instead of traditional Guyanese folk songs. The members of the group, she said, grabbed the inspiration from the President and endeavoured to make this a reality. She noted that even since his assumption of office, the President has been trying, and is succeeding in his quest, to renew a sense of patriotism in Guyanese through the national symbols, including the national songs. “By the time Brigadier David Granger took the oath to office last year, national songs became music to the ears once again,” she said. Leader of the group, Mr. Fenton Park, said that after the suggestion had been made, two days later he received a copy of a book which contained all of the country’s national songs, courtesy of the then Opposition Leader. From thereon, he said, the quartet never looked back. The group intends to work with the Ministry of Education to put copies of the compact disc in the schools across the country.

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SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Greyville 08:25 hrs Maleficent 09:10 hrs Oomph 10:20 hrs Black Arthur 11:15 hrs Isca 11:55 hrs Caddy Master 12:35 hrs Inara 13:15 hrs Natal 13:55 hrs Baritone

ENGLISH RACING TIPS Sandown 08:25 hrs Monteverdi 09:00 hrs Spirit Quartz 09:35 hrs White Lake 10:10 hrs Raaqy 10:45 hrs Time Test 11:20 hrs Quest For More 11:55 hrs Gibbs Hall HAYDOCK 08:45 hrs Threat Assessed 09:15 hrs Fireglow 09:50 hrs Duretto 10:25 hrs Intense Style 11:00 hrs Glen Moss 11:35 hrs Foresight 12:10 hrs Rantan BEVERLEY 08:50 hrs Bridal March 09:25 hrs Liquid 10:00 hrs Kyllang Rock 10:35 hrs Pea Shooter 11:10 hrs Jintshi 11:45 hrs My Two Scoops 12:20 hrs Livella Fella 12:50 hrs Hyland Heather IRISH RACING TIPS Bellewstown 11:50 hrs Clarcam 12:25 hrs Tesseract 12:55 hrs Seeyouallincoppers 13:25 hrs Scenic Star 13:55 hrs Sam King 14:25 hrs Bel Sas 14:55 hrs Western Goose 15:25 hrs Bertie Bell AMERICAN RACING TIPS Belmont Race 1 Golden Mischief Race 2 Los Borrachos Race 3 Norm the Giant Race 4 Commend Race 5 River Dancer Race 6 Galileo’s Song Race 7 Hey Bro Race 8 Onus Race 9 Rachel’s Valentina

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 2, 2016

Wales storm into Euro semi-finals after thrilling comeback By Graham Ruthven (REUTERS) - WALES p ro d u c e d a s t u n n i n g upset to reach the Euro 2016 semi-finals after Hal Robson-Kanu’s superbly fashioned goal and Sam Vokes’s late header secured a 3-1 victory over fancied Belgium yesterday to set up a clash with Portugal. Robson-Kanu left three Belgium players for dead with a ‘Cruyff ’ turn and calmly stroked his finish into the net to put Wales ahead in the second half, while Vokes’s header ensured they reached their first-ever major tournament semi-final. It was a crushing blow for heavy favourites Belgium, who had taken the lead in the 13th minute when Radja Nainggolan rifled the ball into the top corner from distance only for Wales captain Ashley Williams to level with a header from a corner. There was a frenetic opening to a match that many had predicted would be a cagey encounter as Belgium took the early initiative and would have grabbed the lead after seven minutes but for some superb last-ditch Wales defending. Wa y n e H e n n e s s e y saved superbly from Yan-

Bishops’ High continue winning streak By Stephan Sookram

Gareth Bale leads the Welsh celebrations. (Reuters) nick Carrasco before efforts from Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard were blocked by lunging defenders as Wales, looking to talisman Gareth Bale for an outlet, sought to stem the early Belgian tide. The Welsh were undone, however, when Nainggolan took a touch, then unleashed a monstrously powerful shot from 25 metres that thundered past Hennessey’s outstretched fingers into the top corner to give Belgium the lead. Instead of fuelling a Belgian onslaught, however, the goal seemed to swing momentum back in Wales’s favour, with Chris Coleman’s side fluffing a great chance to level when Neil Taylor side footed at goalkeeper

Thibaut Courtois from six metres. The equaliser arrived five minutes later in the 55th, though, and was clearly crafted on the training ground. Having won a corner, Wales’ players lined up behind each other, before breaking from the pack as Aaron Ramsey whipped the ball in. Wales captain Williams, who had recovered from a shoulder injury to make the starting lineup, found himself unmarked to head down and past Courtois for the first goal the Belgium keeper had conceded since their opening defeat by Italy. While Belgium began the second half stronger, with Romelu Lukaku glancing a header wide and

Hazard flashing a shot just past the post, it was not long before Wales struck again with Robson-Kanu producing a sublime piece of individual skill. Ramsey’s cross found the striker in the area with his back to goal but he sold three Belgium players a dummy with a trademark ‘Cruyff’ turn and then side-footed the ball powerfully past the helpless Courtois in the 55th minute. Belgium pushed hard for an equaliser but Wales were resilient and then broke with four minutes remaining as Chris Gunter crossed for substitute Vokes to leap and angle his header across goal into the net, sparking wild Welsh celebrations.

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National U-17 in Berbice

Matches continue this weekend; Cougars, Paradise Invaders latest winners PLAY in the Berbice Football Association (BFA) leg of the GFF/NAMILCO Flour Power National Intra Association Under-15 league is set to continue this weekend with five matches. Last weekend, only two matches were possible, owing to heavy rainfall which affected all the participating associations, Bartica being the only other association where matches were played. At the Mahaicony ground tomorrow from 14:00hrs, Hopetown United Rangers will face off against Monedderlust and over at the Esplanade ground, New Amsterdam from 16:00hrs, New Amsterdam United will oppose Paradise Invaders. On Sunday, three matches will be played. At Rosignol ground from 14:00hrs, Rosignol United will play Lichfield Nuggets Youth and Sports while two matches will commence at 16:00hrs. The Scottsburg ground will host the Corriverton Links vs

Digicel National Schools Football Championships …

BISHOPS’ High School continued their winning streak in this year’s edition of the Digicel National Schools Football Championships when they whipped Tutorial High School 3-1 at the Guyana Defence Force ground, Camp Ayanganna. The Carmichael Street-based institution looked the better of the two sides from the outset with more skilful midfield plays and the utilisation of the wings. Goals came as early as the 18th minute when a fumble by the goalkeeper resulted in his spilling the ball which fell to the feet of Tyrese Souvenir who made no mistake in putting away the ball. The Bishops’ attack continued to hammer the Tutorial defence, making full use of the wingers when they needed to and were rewarded with a second goal, this time off the boot of Darin Chan, just four minutes later. The side continued to press the Tutorial defence until the end of the half. Tutorial were no slouches in attack but were unfortunate as their attackers were caught several times in the offside area. They were rewarded in the 34th when Kareem Duncan latched onto a loose ball in the area to convert. Several chances were shared on each side but no one was able to convert for the remainder of the half. Upon resumption, Bishops’, however, dominated the attacks and scored their third and final goal in the 74th minute when a Tutorial defender was bodied off the ball by Areeb Rodney who slotted past the keeper. It seemed destined to happen at one time or another as the Tutorial defence shied away from using power clearances. Matches continue today with the final of the Region 8 competition which will feature Paramakatoi and Mahdia at Mahdia.

Smith, Mohammed script dramatic Amazon ... From back page

Flashback! Paradise Invaders (red & white) controlling play in their match against Mahaicony Thunder Hawks on July 17. Canefield Diamond Strikers clash and over at Burnham Park, Cougars will oppose Mahaicony Thunder Hawks. In results from the two matches that were contested last Saturday, Shane Hamilton blasted five goals to lead Cougars to an exciting come-frombehind 6-4 win over Canefield Diamond Strikers who had taken the lead two minutes into

the match through an Alade Grant goal. Grant’s goal sent Cougars into overdrive with Hamilton firing in the equaliser in the 9th minute before blasting goals again in the 12th, 22nd, 60th and 80th minute. Wayne Joseph offered able support to Hamilton with a pair of goals in the 57th and 83rd minute. Canefield got their other goals

from Akeem Bovell (27th, 72nd) and Nkrumah Smith in the 76th minute. Over at the Mahaicony ground, Paradise Invaders clipped Mahaicony Thunder Hawks 4-0 on account of an own goal in the 4th minute; Nial Reynolds’ 12th and 47th minute strikes and Gladwin Humphrey’s 64thminute effort.

Anthony Bramble nicked behind. With Amazon Warriors still requiring 30 off the last three overs, Mohammed took charge. He did so with aplomb, finding timely boundaries as the Patriots pacers missed their lengths in the slog overs. With two needed off two, Mohammed mistimed a slog towards midwicket, but Faf du Plessis, sprinting in from the deep, could not hold on to the catch and the batsmen scampered through for two to seal victory with a ball to spare. Mohammed finished with an unbeaten 42 off 29 balls. Earlier, Sohail Tanvir was Amazon Warriors’ hero with the ball. The left-arm seamer began with a maiden, which included the wicket of Lendl Simmons for a five-ball duck. Tanvir was then re-introduced in the closing overs and conceded only 12 runs in his last two overs, while taking three wickets, including those of set batsmen Devon Thomas and Thisara Perera. Tanvir finished with figures of 4 for 20 while Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa took 3 for 34 on CPL debut. While middle-order cameos from Thomas, Perera and Brad Hodge helped Patriots to 164 for 9, that total proved to be not quite enough in the end. (ESPN Cricinfo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 2, 2016

Banks DIH supports CARICOM 10km BANKS DIH Limited is partnering with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in support of the 12th Annual CARICOM 10km athletic Road Race set for Sunday. The local beverage company made a donation of its branded Rainforest Water for the event which will attract a large field of athletes from Guyana and across the Caribbean region. The presentation was made during a simple ceremony at Thirst Park where Dr Douglas Slater, Assistant Secretary-General of Human and Social Development of CARICOM Secretariat received the donation from Rainforest Water Brand Manager Clive Pellew. Also present at the ceremony was Sherwin Toyne-Stephenson (Programme Manager, Crime and Security,

of the CARICOM Secretariat. The race will be run under the theme ‘Promoting Peaceful and Healthy Societies for the prosperity of our Region’ and will coincide with the Thirty-Seventh Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) which will be held in Georgetown, July 4-6. The race will be organised and implemented in collaboration with the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Education Department of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Athletics Association of Guyana. There is also a planned 5km event for locally based junior athletes and will also include a special category for athletes with disabilities.

Dr Douglas Slater, Assistant Secretary-General of Human and Social Development of CARICOM Secretariat, receives the donation from Rainforest Water Brand Manager Clive Pellew while Sherwin Toyne-Stephenson of the CARICOM Secretariat looks on.

UG beat Curacao Arjoon, Joseph in winners’ row in ODUCC Futsal Digicel Senior National Squash Championships 2016 …

Dwayne Gangoo and Kayron Moses

THE University of Guyana (UG) team opened their Organisation of the Universities of Central America and the Caribbean (ODUCC) account with a win yesterday. Playing in their first game against the hosts, the UG side hammered them 2-0 as first half substitute Kayron Moses’ first half strike was enough to give them the lead to the half. Returning for the second half, the UG side added another nail to the coffin when Dwayne Gangoo slotted in the second goal. The competition continues on Friday with UG coming up against Bonaire and Panama. The UG team will have to beat Panama to give themselves the opportunity of winning the competition.

THE Guyana Squash Association (GSA)-sponsored Digicel Senior National Squash Championships continued at the Georgetown Club Inc. courts in both the Men’s and Women’s Open draw along with matches in the Veterans’ categories. In the Men’s Open round of 16, No. 1 seed Alex Arjoon easily disposed of Rithew Saywack 11-5, 11-1, 11-4 while defending champion Nyron Joseph was a comfortable winner over Darren McDonald 11-4, 11-3, 11-1. Kristian Jeffrey made light work of Jonathan Antczak only

conceding one point, the scores being 11-0, 11-0, 11-1. Jason Ray Khalil outplayed Anthony Islam 11-4, 11-2, 1-/8. In the match of the evening former Caribbean junior champion Javed Alli had to call on all of his years of experience when he turned back the challenge of current national junior player Alec Melville in five tough games. Javed won the first two games 11-6, 11-4 but Alec won a close third game 11-9 and then breezed through the fourth without dropping a point, winning 11-0. At 10-all in the fifth it was anyone’s game, but

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday July 02, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Match 12 (Tridents vs Tallawahs 11-07-2016) (2) St. Kitts/Nevis

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who is the captain of the Guyana Amazon Warriors? (2) Which franchise Michael Hussey is associated with in Hero CPL 2016?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

ALEX ARJOON

NYRON JOSEPH Javed won the next two points to take the match 12-10. In the Women’s Open quarterfinals No.1 seed Ashley Khalil dominated Rebecca Low winning 11-3, 11-1, 11-0 while in the matchup of former Caribbean junior champions, Akeila Wiltshire defeated Victoria Arjoon 12-10, 11-7, 11-6. Taylor Fernandes beat Makeda Harding 11-8, 11-3, 11-2 while Larissa Wiltshire crushed Maya Collins 11-3, 11-2, 1-2. In the Men’s Veterans: Javed Alli outplayed David Fernandes 11-3, 11-4, 1-2, Medhi Ramdhani beat Douglas De Groot 9-11, 11-8, 119, 11-8 and Garfield Wiltshire upstaged Robin Low 12-10, 11-6, 11-4. Matches commence at 18:00hrs daily with the finals set for Sunday July 3 from 11:00hrs.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 2, 2016

Guyana Male U-16 team knock off Rose’s High By Daniel Haynes

THE Guyana Male U-16 recorded their first win on Thursday against St Rose’s High School at the newly renovated Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The game finished with a score-line of 56-49. The team recorded their first win as a unit. The win could not have come at a better time with the team looking to carry over much confidence into Sunday. The team recorded an earlier loss to Georgetown Technical Institute (GTI) on Tuesday by one point in overtime. Commenting on the team, coach Willon Cameron stated the “team was very resilient and had a lot of heart, doing whatever it takes to secure a victory”. Head coach Lugard Mohan mentioned the team’s earlier loss ahead of their Rose’s encounter. He felt that defensive errors as well

as lapses in communication were two of the contributory factors for the loss. “Offensively a lot of our players were trying to win the game on their own in one and one situations.” He added. He was of the opinion that this Junior team was the most talented team he had coached. “We had a film session earlier in the day and tonight we corrected our mistakes,” finished Lugard. U.S.-based coaching consultant Kenny Avent also had his say. “Lots of improvement, from tryouts to this point, not just skill level but intensity levels,” he continued, “they have come a long way in a short space of time.” Avent added Guyana was behind the curve when it came to comparisons drawn between U.S. players and local players. However, he stated the level of basketball was improving and exposure

was the reason. He concluded that the Guyana team will surprise many people. The team will face competitive action tomorrow with their first game against Aruba at 20:30hrs at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Admission is $1 000.

Junior team in action against Rose’s High

Petra/Ministry of Public Health Stop Gender-Based Violence Futsal

Twenty goals scored on Day 7 T W E N T Y g o a l s w e re scored on Day 7 of the Petra-organised Minis-

CEO Damien O’Donohoe says CPL Finals will be held in a ‘fitting arena’

CPL confirms Warner Park in St Kitts & Nevis as 2016 Finals venue THE Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) officials are delighted to announce that the staging of this year’s finals has been awarded to Warner Park in St Kitts & Nevis. All four games of the knock-out stage of the biggest party in sport will be played at Warner Park, starting on Wednesday, August 3, culminating in the 4th and final game on Sunday, August 7. There will be a reserve day on Monday, August 8. Information on ticket sales for the CPL finals will be announced in due course on www.cplt20.com. Commenting on the announcement, CPL CEO Damien O’Donohoe said: “After a lengthy process over the last number of months, we are delighted to announce that the finals will be held once more in St Kitts & Nevis. “Warner Park is an iconic and intimate venue and will be a fitting arena for the staging of the Playoffs and Final, in what is shaping up to be a hugely exciting tournament. Having hosted the 2014 finals, we know that there will be a strong response across St Kitts & Nevis, who

will no doubt welcome thousands of supporters from across the Caribbean and beyond during finals week. “On behalf of CPL I would like to thank the government of St Kitts & Nevis for their support, not least

CPL chief executive officer Damien O’Donohoe

Minister Richards and his cabinet colleagues who have each played a key role in agreeing to host this year’s finals.” The Honourable Shawn Richards, Deputy Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis,

and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture said: “On behalf of the St Kitts & Nevis government, I would like to express my delight that the finals of the biggest party in sport will be hosted here, in front of the most passionate fans in the Caribbean. “We are truly honoured by this award by CPL and we will endeavour to host the greatest finals to date. I know that we can count on the great support of the people of St Kitts & Nevis to turn up in huge numbers once more to see some of the greatest cricketing talent in the world. We look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors from near and far to savour the sights and rich heritage of our great nation.” This will be the second time that the finals have been awarded to the prestigious venue in St Kitts. Kieron Pollard’s Barbados Tridents, who clinched the title last time out in 2014 in Warner Park, will no doubt be hoping that the selection of this year’s finals venue is a favourable omen for what is set to be the most competitive CPL to date. The CPL T20 tournament involves six teams and is di-

vided into a group stage and a knockout stage. In the group stage, the teams each play 10 matches overall, four of which are at home, with each team also playing two neutral venue games in Central Broward Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida (from July 28-31).    In all, seven stadia will be used in this year’s CPL; Barbados (Kensington Oval), Fort Lauderdale (Central Broward Stadium, Lauderhill), Guyana (National Stadium, Providence), Jamaica (Sabina Park), St Kitts & Nevis (Warner Park), St Lucia (Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium) and Trinidad & Tobago (Queen’s Park Oval). The knockout stage will feature the following games involving the top four teams at the end of league play: Game 1: 1st v 2nd (winner advances to Final) Game 2: 3rd v 4th (Loser eliminated) Game 3: Loser Game 1 v Winner Game 2 (Loser eliminated) Game 4: Final All four play-off games will be played at Warner Park.

try of Public Health Stop Gender-Based Violence Futsal tournament which was played at the Cuffy Square. In Thursday’s matches, Broad Street beat off Channel-9-Warriors 3-1. Broad Street’s scorers were Jamal Cozier (21st and 22nd) and Jimmy Gravesande (25th) while the losers had Stephan

came from Andrew Murray Jr.(10th).. North Ruimveldt had Gerald Gittens on target in the 27th minute. Sparta Boss defeated Albouystown 4-2 in the final game of the evening. Devon Millington (3rd and 31st) and Gregory Richardson (2nd and 33rd) were in the money for the recently crowned Guinness Greatest

One of the 20 goals scored during night seven of the Petra/Ministry of Public Health Stop Gender-Based Violence Futsal tournament at Cuffy Square. (Delano Williams photo) McLean (18th) on target. In the second game, Tucville humbled Campbellville 6-2 with a hat-trick from Tefon Daly (12th, 14th and 25th), a brace from Dennis Edwards (4th and 13th) and a single strike from Rafael Edwards (28th) Campbellville had Marlon Nedd (2nd) and Ozeal Small (5th) on target. Globe Yard were also victorious on the night as they trumped North Ruimveldt 3-1 with Delon Lanferman (9th and 11th) leading the charge. Support

of the Streets Champions while Kemo Scott’s brace (22nd and 25th) put Albouystown on the scoresheets. Meanwhile, matches continue tonight with North East La Penitence and Holmes Street Tiger Bay from 20:00hrs, Kitty Weavers and Leopold Street from 20:45hrs, Queen Street Tiger Bay take on Alexander Village from 21:30hrs and Sophia oppose West Front Road at 22:15hrs. (Stephan Sookram)

Digicel National Schools Football Championships …

Bishops’ High continue winning streak

GCF’s national road race championship

A Bishops’ High School midfielder gets ready to send a through ball to his teammate during yesterday’s Digicel National Schools Football Championships at the Guyana Defence Force ground. Bishops’ High beat Tutorial High 3-1. (Adrian Narine photo)

See story on page 29

One of the Bishops’ three goals in their 3-1 win against Tutorial High during their match yesterday at the Guyana Defence Force ground. (Adrian Narine photo)

Smith, Mohammed script dramatic Amazon Warriors win JASON Mohammed steered Guyana Amazon Warriors to a thrilling four-wicket win over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Basseterre after Dwayne Smith laid the platform for the chase of 165 with a scorching 62 off 36. Smith’s pyrotechnics in the first 10 overs included three fours and five sixes, and helped the visitors race to 91 by the halfway stage of their innings. However, his dismissal off the first legitimate ball of the 11th over enabled Patriots to claw their way back with regular strikes. Chris Lynn was run-out two balls after Smith’s departure, while Chris Barnwell and See page 29

Jason Mohammad hits six fours during his unbeaten 42 off 29 balls.

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Fights for Bolt’s money! Sprinter claims charity caused big trouble

WORLD’S fastest man Usain Bolt has revealed that some of his charitable donations have on occasion led to fights back in his homeland of Jamaica. According to reports the athlete told the British tabloid The Sun that he was forced to put an end to annual endof-year donations of around US$30 000 to those in need, due to the trouble it caused, with the police often being called in to sort out the issues. “Around December each year I would allocate a certain amount of my own money, about US$30 000, and I’d use that to help people who I thought really needed it,” Bolt said. “In the end I had to stop because it caused trouble.” Bolt, who trains at the Racers Track Club base at

USAIN BOLT the University of the West Indies, claims the issue stemmed from those who did not receive aid clashing with those who had. “I train on a university campus and what happened was the students I’d helped would get into fights with

the people who hadn’t got anything,” Bolt said. “Word would spread and there was a lot of jealousy. “It became an issue and the police kept getting called out to sort out the fights, so in the end they asked me to stop doing it.” Bolt, who sprang from humble beginnings in the parish of Trelawny and now has a net worth of US$30M, claims being charitable has become increasingly difficult. “Every story you can think of, I’ve probably heard it already. “But one lady told me she’d had internal bleeding for years and wanted money for an operation. “I said, ‘Lady, if you’d been bleeding on the inside for years you’d be dead’.” (Sportsmax.com) SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2016