Guyana Chronicle E-paper 05-20-2019

MONDAY 20th May, 2019

Criminals shot dead

No.105643

Dead: Kelvin Shivgobin called ‘Kelly’

– Guns, ‘ammo’, phones, cash, marijuana PAGES recovered as police intensify fight against crime 03&11 Dead: Ramnarine Jagmohan

Residents take to the Johanna Black Bush Polder Bridge to get a better view of the police transporting the dead bandits from the muddy backdam of Johanna South, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Region Six (Nafeeza Yahya photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 20, 2019

262 visually-impaired blessed with sight again

THE US military through the New Horizon Mission has completed 262 eye surgeries following the screening of some 313 patients at the National Ophthalmology Hospital (NOH), Port Mourant, East Berbice, Corentyne. The announcement was made last Thursday by head of the New Horizon Mission, Major Dr. Andrew Lewis at a ceremony to conclude a twoweek stay at the NOH. The US team of 21, including 13 surgeons and eight support staff from various locations in the US, worked in collaboration with the staffers of the NOH. They performed around 40 surgeries per day. This remarkable feat Major Lewis credits to the hard work of his team as well as the hard working team at the NOH. He also praised the quality of aftercare provided by staffers of the NOH and the Port Mourant Hospital. Chief of Security Corporation Office, US Embassy, (Guyana), Lieutenant Commander Dan Stoica who spoke on behalf of US Ambassador Sarah Lynch, also lauded the work of the NOH staffers. “In less than two weeks, the team with the support

A staff of the NOH receives a certificate of appreciation from a member the New Horizon team

staff, what was accomplished in two weeks… 262, we tend to think about it in terms of number but let’s look at it in terms of lives changed – the gift of sight. Think about the children of these patients and the teachers who may return to class to continue teaching,” he said. While humbled by the accomplishment, Commander Stoica also reminded of

the importance of bilateral relations between the US and Guyana. Joyce Marks, 72, of Fyrish Village, one of the beneficiaries of the surgery, was moved to tears as she expressed gratitude to the US medical team. “You have done an excellent job for us Guyanese who were looking for a service that was badly needed. I

want to thank you on behalf of all Guyanese you have attended to, we are very grateful. I ask that God will continue to bless you with the gift and knowledge that he has imparted on you all, not only for the benefit for yourself but for the benefit for all mankind that comes in contact with you. Without these two little things called eyes, we are in a world of total and complete darkness,” Marks said. Focal Point Coordinator Alex Foster in brief remarks praised the work of the Public Health Ministry in facilitating the environment for the surgeries. “All the necessary factors needed to be put in place because you cannot operate on people’s eyes in a facility that is not up to standard because after the operation there will have to be care provided and in the midst of it we had a new director who came with a sense of energy, vision and commitment,” Foster said. He added: “Today is a day of rejoicing, today is a day we look at what we can do, what is possible. I believe in the resuscitation of the NOH, to represent it, reproduce, to research, to

Joyce Marks

release the energy of both the Cuban brigade and our local staff to resist the negativity that came our way to ensure we could have gotten results and in the process we could recognise the strength and ability in each one of us as we are proud to announce the results from the collaboration with the US and the Ministry of Public Health.” Member of Parliament John Adams assured those gathered that the surgeries will continue as the ministry is committed to providing

quality healthcare. “We grateful for your presence in Guyana and for a job well done. We trust that the collaborative efforts that you have started will continue and that we will see this and other teams coming back to Guyana to help as we are here to provide the best quality of healthcare to the people. I want to assure that what you have started at Port Mourant will not stop but the MOPH will continue,” Adams said.

Min. Patterson delivers on promise to Bagotsville residents MINISTER David Patterson has lived up to a promise he made to assist the residents of Inner Bagotsville Dam, on the West Bank Demerara, with

some 10,000 paving blocks to construct two walkways in the community. According to a release from the Ministry Of Public Infrastructure (MOPI),

Minister Patterson made the promise directly to one Nigel Garraway, a candidate in last year’s Local Government Elections. And now that the minister has delivered on that promise and the blocks have been handed over to the community, they will be used to construct two separate walkways. During a simple handing over ceremony over the weekend, Minister Patterson reportedly called on the residents of Bagotsville to be proactive in the execution of their projects, by enlisting the help of all the able-bodied young men in A portion of the blocks that were given to the community the community to get them

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson (right) with Bagotsville’s Nigel Garraway (left), and GAICO Construction’s Komal Singh

done. According to Minister Patterson, once all hands are on deck, the two walkways should be completed in no time; within a matter of two weeks. Works were expected to commence this past weekend, with the aid of GAICO

Construction and General Services Inc’s Komal Singh. According to Singh, “Revetment work will be done on the shoulders of the drains with clay to aid in a neat finish of the walkway, while the wooden bridges at the entrances of the dam will be replaced with concrete

bridges for ease of access to and from residents’ respective homes.” Residents within the area were extremely happy and grateful for Minister Patterson’s intervention, as using the dam can be particularly tricky during the rainy season.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 20, 2019

Criminals shot dead – as police intensify fight against crime

By Nafeeza Yahya THREE bandits believed to be linked to the recent spate of armed robberies in the East Berbice-Corentyne area were shot dead by ranks of the Special Weapons and Tactics unit (SWAT) on Sunday. The trio were killed in a cross-fire with the SWAT team, which was accompanied by ranks of ‘B’ Division. The cops descended on the bandits in the muddy backlands of Johanna South, Black Bush Polder. Their bodies were transported out by boat into waiting police vehicles and then taken to the Port Mourant Hospital, where they were officially pronounced dead. The men had no clue the law-enforcement officers were on their trail; they were caught off guard while resting. They were bare feet and managed only to return fire. By then, the police had the upper hand, having assumed tactical positions and returned fire. Two of the bandits were clad in black, while the other had on a camouflage vest. The dead have been identified as Sewchand Sewlall, called “One Eye Papi”; Kelvin Shivgobin called “Kelly” and Ramnarine Jagmohan, both of Belvedere Village. Shivgobin was wanted for the double murder of the

Samaroo brothers which occurred at Bush Lot Village, East Berbice-Corentyne last Old Year’s Night. He was also named in the murder of a Corentyne businessman. Jagmohan was freed on March 14 this year for the murder of the Corentyne businessman in 2013. Ranks have recovered from the men four high-powered weapons, including an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, which matched the description of the one used in the robbery of a Chinese supermarket at Albion. During that robbery, the men opened fire on the police, sending them scampering for cover. Subsequent to that incident there were two other robberies under arms in Black Bush Polder, believed to have been carried out by the trio. The police were closely following leads on the suspects and waited for the right moment to pounce on them, according to ‘B’ Division Commander Paul Langevine. CAN SLEEP COMFORTABLY “We have been working behind the scenes gathering intelligence and tracking them all the time, waiting for the right moment to strike. Now the residents of Berbice can sleep comfortably, knowing these men are

A team of officers making their way out of the muddy backlands of Johanna South, Black Bush Polder, as residents look on

not out there,” Langevine said. The divisional top cop also reiterated that many times citizens are of the view that the police are not working, but due to the sensitive nature of some investigations, they cannot divulge information to the public. This would compromise their investigations, he said. “The police are always working behind the scenes; if residents are not safe and cannot sleep, we the police do not sleep as well,” the ‘B’ Division commander said. Commander Langevine and the Officer-in-Charge (ag) of No. 2 Sub-Division

were at the scene and came in for high praise from residents, who blocked the vehicle transporting the dead men as they tried to get a glimpse of them. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle at the scene, Herman Roopnarine, a recent robbery victim, said he was very happy the men were killed. “Me glad them kill them because me family still scared and them gals [daughters] nah really sleep since them shoot up by me; but now that them dead me sure everybody in Black Bush guh sleep sound tonight, at least me family

fuh sure happy,” he said. Many others expressed similar sentiments and called for similar treatment of other bandits “So how them this dead you guh see everything quite down now. Them gotta make more example like this, kill them out man, them ain’t get sympathy fo nobody, suh you treat them the same. Me glad the minister send SWAT up here to deal with them,” another resident said. As the ranks came out, many rushed to greet and shake their hands in appreciation of their heroic actions to rid the community of three men who terrorised

them. Some even followed the police vehicles to the police station. Mohamed Raffik, President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce was also high in praise for the ranks of ‘B’ Division. “We sincerely commend the efforts of the police in getting a well-known bandit and his cohorts and hope it will bring relief to a community seemingly under siege for the past month,” he said. He noted that the police should now try to unravel the support network of the men, as they work to free the region of criminal elements.

Guyana celebrates World Family Doctor Day DOCTORS who recently graduated in family medicine on Sunday hosted a mini -exposition at the Giftland Mall, Turkeyen, to sensitise the public about family medicine as Guyana joined the world to celebrate World Family Doctor Day. Dr Christel Fraser-Barclay said the sensitisation exercise was being conducted by students of the post-graduate Family Medicine Programme. “We are here to sensitise the public on family medicine in Guyana and the role of family doctors, so that persons will feel comfortable and feel free to go to their local health centres [and] take advantage of the services the centres have to offer.” The University of Guy-

A member of the public getting his pressure tested

ana (UG) and Georgetown Public Hospital Institute of Health Science Education partnered with the University of Ottawa Depart-

ment of Family Medicine to establish a sustainable, community-focused, Guyanese-specific post-graduate family medicine training

programme, that will train physicians in the art and science of primary health care. TURN TO PAGE 12

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 20, 2019

Egypt explosion: Tourists on bus Austin Eubanks: Columbine school injured near Giza pyramids (BBC) An explosion targeting a tourist bus has injured at least 16 people near the Grand Egyptian Museum, next to the pyramids in Giza. South African tourists are among the injured. Most of those hurt suffered minor injuries, while three were treated in hospital, officials say.A device went off close to the museum fence as the bus was passing. It is not yet known who was behind the bombing but Islamist militants have attacked tourists in Egypt in the past. In December, three Viet-

shooting survivor found dead

namese tourists and a local tour guide were killed after a roadside bomb hit their bus. WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE BLAST? A witness, Mohamed el-Mandouh, told Reuters news agency he had heard a “very loud explosion” while sitting in traffic near the site of the blast, which is close to the capital Cairo. The blast hit the bus which was carrying 28 passengers, Egyptian Tourism Minister Rania A Al Mashat said. Images taken after police cordoned the bus show a

Broken glass lay on the floor of the bus after the blast

vehicle with windows blown out or shattered, and glass littering the aisle inside. A private car was also damaged behind the bus. According to state-run broadcaster Nile News TV, the bus was carrying 25 South African tourists and a security source confirmed

for Reuters that South Africans had been aboard. Seven South African tourists and 10 Egyptian civilians were injured, Nile News TV says. The tourism minister said all of the people affected by the blast were being “fully supported in their onward travels”.

Monday, May 20, 2019 05:00hrs. - 06:30hrs.

(BBC) A survivor of the Columbine High School shooting who later became a prominent advocate for fighting addiction has been found dead at his Colorado home. Austin Eubanks, 37, was shot in the hand and knee in the 1999 Columbine attack, in which 12 of his classmates and a teacher were killed. He became addicted to drugs after taking pain medication while recovering from his injuries. Officials say there were no signs of foul play in his death.Eubanks’s body was discovered on Saturday at his home in Steamboats Springs, Colorado, Routt County Coroner Robert Ryg said. A post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death was planned for Monday. His family said he had “lost the battle with the very disease he fought so hard to help others face”. “As you can imagine,

we are beyond shocked and saddened and request that our privacy is respected at this time,” they added in a statement reported by local TV station KMGH. Eubanks told the BBC in 2017 of how the attack, which killed his best friend, led him to addiction. “I was medicated on a variety of substances that were intended to sedate and to relieve pain,” he said. “I became addicted before I even knew what was happening.” Eubanks later worked at an addiction treatment centre and travelled the US telling his story and working to improve addiction recovery and prevention. The Columbine High School shooting took place on 20 April, 1999 when two students killed 12 fellow pupils and a teacher. They then killed themselves. It was, at the time, the deadliest school shooting in US history.

Saturday 18, May, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 20, 2019

Emerging Ganja Industry Driving Demand For Revival Of Local Aviation – Montague (JAMAICA GLEANER) Minister of Transport Robert Montague says opportunities in the emerging medical ganja industry in Jamaica have created an urgent need for a revival of local aviation on the island. “We now have hundreds of overseas applications applying for licences to grow cannabis. In this December 17, 2018 photo the CEO of Medical ganja trader Epican, Karibe Mckenzie, inspects a ganja plant, code named Girl Scout Cookie, at the company’s warehouse in Mavis Bank, St Andrew.

Tobago police destroy cured weed, seedlings

Police burn marijuana plants found in a forested area in Mt St George on Sunday.

(TRINIDAD NEWSDAY) Fifty kilogrammes of cured marijuana was seized and over two thousand marijuana seedlings destroyed this morning by officers of the Tobago Divisional Task Force. Snr Supt Jeffrey George told Newsday the officers went into a forested area in Mt St George, Tobago around 1 am, with the aim of arresting those responsi-

ble for planting marijuana. No one was present when the officers found the camp where the illegal operation was taking place. The cured marijuana was found hanging in an old shed while some were packed in garbage bags. A marijuana field was destroyed by police and the seedlings seized. Investigations are continuing.

BLP marks one year in office

(NATIONNEWS) Hundreds have packed the pews at the James Street Methodist Church to worship and celebrate with the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) which is celebrating its first year in office. During a short address, Prime Minister Mia Mot-

tley thanked God, her Cabinet ministers, their families and the people of Barbados. She said support was needed in the past year but reminded them all hands still needed to be on deck going forward. In May 2018, the BLP won all 30 seats in the General Election. (TG)

So we believe that has created a space for us to move into improving the existing airstrips, which this [Sangster International Airport] is one, and also to improve the others that serve locally,” Montague told local aviation stakeholders at a meeting in Montego Bay, St James on Friday. He said this is why the Government is moving ahead with urgency to re-establish general aviation in the country. The transport minister explained that there were over 52

local airstrips in Jamaica, but that number has now decreased to just eight in recent years. In the meantime, Montague disclosed that the government was in the final stages of negotiation with two companies, to facilitate the reintroduction of domestic flights within Jamaica. “At least one will start before Reggae Sumfest [2019] because we are trying to fit it within the product, so… we need to give our people options,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 20, 2019

There is much to celebrate, much to appreciate MAY 16, 2015, is historical in the annals of the nation’s modern political history. For it was the date on which Guyana’s first coalition government, the A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), ascended to office, bringing to an end a little more than two decades of disastrous governance that destroyed the socio-economic facets of national life. There was never a mistaken understanding, or an underestimation, or even a delusion on the part of the newly ascended government, of the magnitude of the task which awaited them; this is coupled with the fact of a political opposition from which an already signalled pattern of non-cooperation was to have been expected. The challenges were there, even before the historic change, such as a collapsed and debt-ridden sugar industry that threatened an almost industrial crisis; a society that had become the unmistakable example of a criminal state, from which all forms of corruption had succeeded in distorting the morals of a nation that had been on national life support; a natural diminution of the national institutions, because of what had been open political interference; a nation that reflected in an even more significant manner, the grave pains of ethnic division, deliberately perpetrated for the furtherance of racial domination. Most naturally, this gave rise to marginalisation, further reflected in the abject socio-economic state of certain communities that suffered from a scorched-earth state policy of no assistance from a former administration, to improve their environments and livelihoods. But there was a mandate to carry out, in the name of the people; and the latter expected the government that they had elected, to rise to the occasion. Therefore,

cometh the hour, cometh the government. Even the most virulent and grudging of the critics have to admit, although quietly, that Guyana has changed significantly in many aspects of its socio-economic life, and for the better. From an inherited industrial crisis that jeopardised the livelihoods of so many thousands of sugar workers, and which threatened the social peace because of political incitement, the sugar industry has been saved with a restructuring process underway; terminated workers, although paid severance, have been offered post- sugar options in the form of skills training. There is continuing industrial peace among the nation’s workers. This has to be quantified and understood against the significant wage increases from $39,570 paid in 2015, to the current $64,200. It is instructive that between 2015 to 2017, there had been a hike of 52 percent, moving wages from $39,570 to $60,000. This has been more than the measly five percent that used to be given to workers at Christmas. And this has been despite the many grave challenges which the government has faced since 2015. Experiencing a new dawn of day, and a completely new vision, has been the local government system, which since 2015, has heralded two constitutional exercises of elections. This has offered citizens the right of choice of their leaders, irrespective of political affiliation and ethnicity, and a greater say in the affairs of their communities. A natural extension of this new meaning of local democracy has been the decentralisation of public services, many of which are now accessible within the regions – for example, birth certificates, and passport services. But one must also visit some critical national institutions that in 2019,

are far more improved in their delivery of public service, and perception of function as seen by our citizens. Two will suffice as examples. The judiciary is now fully independent, and without political intrusion, that allows for proper and fair dispensation of justice in its deliberations. A significant change has been the ending of acting Judges. The latter judicial officers are now fully appointed, being able to function with their security of tenure assured. Our police force, for many years the hapless victim of political interference, that caused a gross diminution of standards with shocking, fallen professionalism, is now on the mend. No doubt, this gradual change is due to the current implementation of the Security Sector Reform Project (SSRP) that has resulted in improved professional performance, especially restoring relations with the citizenry; more professional training opportunities for all ranks; academic achievements by varied ranks, and an improved solving rate of serious crimes. It is a work in progress which is continuing. Of course, mention of the Rule of the Law, that key determinant of human rights and protection of citizens from excesses, must be done. No society can claim to be stable, unless this socio – legal requirement is upheld. To this end, Guyana no longer experiences extra-judicial killings, especially with citizens being shot down, although their arms were raised in surrender; security operations and arrests are now wholly intelligence-driven; and suspects’ rights are better observed and respected. There is a national renewal that is clearly visible to the eye wherever one travels: Our city streets are now better surfaces, with vehicular travel, less onerous, and with less damage; there is better and

brighter illumination in most of our city, and this extends into coastal communities. One can add Essequibo, where almost two weeks ago a multi-billion power plant was commissioned. Garbage piles are an ugly sight of the past, with waterways better maintained, by daily desilting and removal of vegetation. There are more schools, health centres, and community centres that serve the needs of citizens -- everywhere. To this renewal must be added the factor of Information Communication Technology (ICT) that is connecting citizens to vital public services; inter-connecting ministries for greater integration of services; greatly assisting schools and students to deliver a more modern and timely research approach to lesson- delivery and assignment-completion, while facilitating international connection. In fact, it can be said that both the mental and physical distances between the coastal areas of Guyana and the hinterland, are perhaps reduced because of this wonderful technology. Above all, hope has been restored, especially among our youth and women, by way of empowerment initiatives that are transforming their lives. An article of this length can never hope to illustrate the full scope and span of the numerous achievements of this current administration; for so much has been done in so short a time, despite the obstructive machinations of the political opposition, and those allied to its continuous strategy of non-cooperation. At the end of any government programme of renewal, it is the people and their lives that must be enhanced, which benefits must accrue to improved and better communities. There is much for the government to be proud of, and to celebrate, in only four years.

Farmers treating fruits, vegetables with chemicals Dear Editor, OVER the years, repeatedly, I’ve penned my concerns regarding farmers lacing their produce, mainly fruits and vegetables, with chemicals and putting them on the

market without giving the produce the required time for the chemicals to work out. Under the previous administration and this present, I’ve complained and ironically those responsible failed to act or address this issue prop-

erly. Today you go to the market, make your purchase, store it either in or out of a fridge and chances are that most would be in such a condition, that you would end up discarding most because they have be-

come inedible. Our country is still in the stone age in terms of medical testing and I am quite certain that the drugs in the fruits/vegetables cause some sort of effect to us and is not being monitored properly. Government alone is not respon-

sible for this lapse, there are various agencies responsible for monitoring and carrying out random checks, but are failing. These people are getting paid to do a job and either they are not doing it or are taking bribes, whilst many are hoping for

a chance to get a job. Those found wanting should be dismissed and others given a chance. That’s the only way we will have an effective system. TURN TO PAGE 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 20, 2019

Bad-minded politics and political perversion Dear Editor, ZAMAL Hussein, that faithful student of the wellknown brand of PPP/C deception, effortless lies, misinformation, and laughable but dangerous propaganda, is again in the news. This time via a worthless scrap in KN: 15.5.19, “The coalition Gov’t. has delivered nothing tangible in four years.” Reading his latest missive which contents defy every logic of empirical evidence and truthful knowledge, supports the undeniable fact that Hussein has indeed been an attentive, and faithful student of the Bharrat Jagdeo school of filthy lies, coupled with the ability to unload them on, of course, their unquestioning constituents. But thanks to a traditionally largely, compliant constituency base that is fed daily on racism by the PPP/C – such disrespect continues. It underlines the tragedy of PPP/C real politics, and the nation’s larger dilemma in confronting the monstrosity of racism. Editor, it is only a citizen who is completely denuded of personal, national, and moral dignity; whose entire persona is sunk in the hopeless pit of anti-national politics and racism, and continuously drinking from its poisoned dregs for later disgorging on an already troubled society, and whose only daily endeavour is to be part of anti-national measures designed to disrupt the national repair process in train since May 2015, that is capable of such bad-minded

politics/mental perversion. *It is only the politically perverted of the mind that would accuse the current administration of not delivering, ‘’nothing tangible in four years.” The evidence is there throughout the coastland, in so many regions, within their communities, there are tangible examples of socio-economic projects such as improved sanitation; residents being able to access drinking water for the very first time; construction of proper roads; installation of electrification for the first time, such as at Highbury; new health centres and the installation of modern medical technology that makes for improved delivery of health services. The lists of positive impacts, as a result of government’s socio-economic programmes, are voluminous. * It is only the politically malevolent and the grudging who would accuse the coalition of failure to address “numerous scandals,’’ further stating that “this coalition government is considered to be the most corrupt in the history of Guyana”; and that the coalition reversed the directions of Guyana into a failed state.” What a great work of PPP/C imagination! Editor, this is the classic Jagdeo reverse psychology of attributing three of the wellknown venal hallmarks that represented the construction, existence and functioning of the criminal state under the tutelage of the PPP/C government. These three scandalous, but laughable claims were first made against the government almost two years

ago by Hussein’s party leader. Bharrat Jagdeo had been desperately hoping to make it into a national refrain, but he and his party members have been the only audience to a dead-on -arrival political music piece! Thus, it is not surprising that Jagdeo’s blind sycophant, Hussein, has repeated such a shameless canard. In fact, Hussein should be informed that a U.S. State Department report a few years ago had described Bharrat Jagdeo as President of a ‘Mafia state.” Hussein must know what the characteristics of such a description are; what it has done to Guyana’s moral fabric; and what it also did to the nation’s institutions by its uninhibited lecherous existence. He must be reminded that scandals in their entire rapacious mode, became a marked fact and example of his former party’s period of governance. Did he ever lift his voice against such national plunder? Absolutely not! And did he ever stop to think what such sums could have done for the advancement of his region? But did he ever care? Not at all! It is the gradual dismantling of this vast national, criminal syndicate and network of criminal pillagers by the incoming 2015 coalition government that began to restore confidence in the nation’s mainstream institutions of the state; a country which international image has been restored; a country which citizens are now respected whenever they arrive at other regional ports of entry; and a land where FROM PAGE 6

Farmers treating fruits,... Editor, at this present time, it’s the season for mangoes and without doubt, it’s the most widely selling fruit, green or ripe. There is a chemical popularly known as ripening/ripener, which is being used on vegetables and fruits to get them ripe before their period. When the mango is close to being ripe (most people say half ripe / full / turn) they would put the chemical on the fruits or vegetables. Now there are vendors going around purchasing mangoes (buying out the whole trees/all the

mangoes from the tree) and taking them home and soak them in the chemicals to get them ripe. Sometimes, or in most cases, these mangoes are extra green and they are being put in the chemicals to get ripe. Now you innocently make a purchase and if you don’t eat it them the same day, it would turn black or have abnormal black spots inside, making it inedible. This is a new development and many fruits, especially mangoes, banana, etc., are being forced to ripe before the given time.

As i said before, there are people getting paid to do their jobs and they are not performing. At any given day you could go to the Stabroek Market and you would see people buying and getting either underweight or expired items and the only time raids are conducted is when someone in higher authority say something. We are not moving/heading anywhere and it’s sad. Regards Sahadeo Bates

hope is being given to those who had been marginalised and made to feel mere spectators in their own country; and where young people of all ethnicities are now being given opportunities to prepare themselves for entrepreneurial endeavours, in the emerging oil-and-gas economy. This political Rip Van Winkle, with his dangerous slew of filthy lies should be totally ignored as he seeks, through misinformation, to re-write his party’s 23 years of abysmal governance. But his unsubstantiated claims must be routed, as liars must be defeated, and their lies, consigned to the deepest abyss of repudiation, where they properly should be: In March 2019, the CEO of Go- Invest reported a total of $89.4B in “total applications’’ for 2018. Of this, a total of $52.2B originated from 56 executed investments “across all platforms and sectors of the economy.’’ There will be expected job creations for 1644 Guyanese when these contracts become fully operational. This shows the confidence which businesspersons are displaying in Guyana. It is successes like these that continue to terrify the naysayers like Hussein, which debunks his,

“No new investment or job creation…’’ “Massive corruption in every section of government…unemployment of thousands”, one ought not to really dignify this attempted deceit from such a manifest liar, as Hussein has proven himself to be; except to state, that there must be very frightening disarray in his mind that the coalition, through its efforts to eradicate the national scourge of corruption, has been able to commence the excision of its rapacious hooks from the life of the state, while being vigilant against some of its practitioners who are still within the state system. So many have had their hopes for continuing self-enrichment brought to an end, while so many have been removed from their illegal milking pots and some others already charged, have been placed before the courts. The likes of Hussein need to be reminded that this era of governance is a far removal from the past, where freedoms such as the right to criticise and even make statements that may not coincide with government’s official position, can be made, and are made, without the critics being victimised/or suffering the well-known PPP/C

acts of spite and vindictive behaviour of being incarcerated, and sued/or threatened – trademarks of spite and retaliation from an authoritarian regime. This is a period which is characterised by respect for the Rule of Law, and due process; media freedoms are upheld, with none of its personnel/houses branded as “vultures” or “carrion crows” as in the Jagdeo era. Perhaps, Hussein is still in self-induced Rip Van Winkle mode, not to observe/realise a country that is continuously changing for the better, where human rights are respected, as declared by even members of the Diaspora. Much to the deep sadness of the Zamal Husseins, who refuse to accept that change under the governance of the APNU+AFC, has come, is being felt, is dynamic and has taken on a national momentum, that is irreversible. Guyanese are prepared to hold on to their new found freedoms and rights, and translate the hope which they have been given since May, 2015, into progress for themselves and a better, cohesive Guyana. Regards Earl Hamilton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 20, 2019

Essequibo youths encouraged to join police force

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan addressing the audience at State House, Region Two

PUBLIC Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, has called on parents in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region to encourage their children to join the Guyana Police Force. Minister Ramjattan was at the time conducting a mini-outreach with Minister of Business Haimraj Bernard Rajkumar in the agricultural region. Speaking to a gathering of farmers, businessmen and residents at State House on Saturday afternoon, Minister Ramjattan said he visited the region to inspect the conditions of the police stations and to listen to residents’

concerns During interaction with the businessmen, a plethora of issues were raised concerning security and policemen in the region. There were issues outside the remit of his ministry and he encouraged those residents to visit the Anna Regina Park on May 29, as government will be conducting a cabinet outreach. The outreach will seek to address problems affecting residents within the region. During his address to the gathering, Minister Ramjattan explained that there have been tremendous improvements in the Ministry of

Public Security and necessary programmes and law enforcement were put in place to deal with security issues. He said there has been significant strengthening of security to protect Guyana’s citizens. For the first time, he said Guyana has got a DEA unit, which is commendable. The minister also said that community leaders play a pivotal role in the nurturing of youths in the society and youths need to get involved in social activities, such as basketball, domino, and cricket and to stay away from illegal activities. He observed too that “rum-drinking” has resulted

The gathering at State House, Region Two, on Saturday

in too many domestic problems in Guyana and called for it to stop. Speaking on piracy, the minister said there have been fewer cases, since the new administration took office, thanks to heightened security by government. He also told residents to invest in their children’s education. “Guyana will soon be one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and as such, we must be prepared to deal with this, our youths must be educated,” Ramjat-

tan said. During the meeting, one resident Seecharran (only name given), suggested a mess hall be constructed for policemen at the various stations, where they could be offered free meals. Another resident also called on the minister to look into the process concerning the issuing of firearms. Businessman Nahib Sabar, who was robbed five times, said his life is at risk and he is yet to receive justice. The minister, after listening to Sabar’s plight, ordered

the commander of ‘G’ Division to provide a detailed report into the robberies the businessman suffered. Sabar was recently robbed of $7 million and a number of cellphones. Residents also called for unlicensed liquor shops to be raided as they evade taxes. As it relates to firearms, Minister Ramjattan said that there is a process. Minister Rajkumar also addressed several issues currently affecting the Region Two business community.

Reg. 10 children helped to ‘Catch Up’ on their reading STUDENTS residing in Linden, particularly on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, are benefiting from a children’s literacy orogramme themed, “Catch Up”, which is geared towards boosting their reading and writing skills. The initiative is the brainchild of municipal councillor Deron Adams, and is being facilitated by one Ms Shaliza Pile, a teacher. Pile reportedly told Adams, who also initiated the Information Communication Technology (ICT) workshops in Linden, that there were children in Grade Four who were lagging behind their peers, and that their parents could not afford to send them to private lessons. Adams said that on hearing this, he discussed the matter with First Lady Sandra Granger during the launch of the ICT workshop, and she immediately approved of the initiative. And thus was he encouraged to sponsor the programme to give deserving children a second chance at catching up on what they missed out on while they were in the formal classroom at school. “These children are lagging behind,” he said, adding:

“Some of them don’t even know to write their names, and so the programme will be ongoing. Because, until these children catch up, we can’t give up on them.” All of the materials are being provided by Adam’s company, ‘Corporate Supply’. He is currently seeking out other sponsors to assist with the progrmme, so that more children can benefit as well. “The vision is to have this established in all the constituencies, so that the children will not have to travel far,” he said. “At this time, we are encouraging teachers to get on board and let’s collaborate to target children living in their area,” he added. The next target area, he said, will most likely be the Wisroc/ Block 22 community. Noting that the thing that motivates the most is President Granger’s vision of having a well-educated nation, the Linden businessman said, “We are passionate about this in ensuring that as many children benefit. And later on, adults will be able to attend as well.” The children will receive weekly prizes so as to motivate them to do better.

Students at the launch of the ‘Catch Up’ initiative on Saturday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 20, 2019

25 Pomeroon women empowered to grow businesses SOME 25 women in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region have received training to grow their businesses through We Lead Caribbean on Saturday. The Leadership and Business conference which was hosted by Abbigale Lonke at the Anna Regina Town Council was held under the theme “PowHerful”. According to Lonke, the forum sought to reach out to women in the manufacturing industry and to offer them knowledge in the field of marketing, idea generation and commercialisation. She explained to the media that often times women have business ideas but do not know how to market/

Abbigale Lonke speaking to women in Anna Regina at the Leadership and Business conference

sell their products. It is, therefore, the intention of We Lead Caribbean to assist businesses in Region Two

to market the businesses as well as to apply for loans. “We would like to help businesses by giving them technical advice, mentoring and also assisting them to apply for grants but we can only do so if the standards are upgraded,” Lonke said. In an effort to de-centralise the services, We Lead Caribbean will be setting up an office at Reliance on the Essequibo Coast. The office will assist persons to register their business, help in drafting business plans and offer technical assistance and other marketing opportunities. Lonke also mentioned that We Lead Caribbean will be launching their Facebook page which will consist of a

A section of the participants at the conference

directory of all businesses in Guyana. The page will provide essential information’s on local products and the

Some of the local products displayed at the business forum

suppliers. “WE- Lead is not just for professional women, we exist for anyone with an interest in business, start-ups and providing women with a platform for growth,” Lonke added. During the conference, entrepreneurs expressed concerns over finances. Many of the businesswomen said they have ideas and products but expanding is challenging. They want the process of applying for a loan at the Small Business Bureau to become simpler. “I have the products… I do virgin coconut oil and organic honey marketing is a huge issue and also accessing loans and finances to expand my business,” Stephany, one of the participants said.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, President of the Essequibo of Chambers of Commerce, Suean Sewnaryan said it is important for women to be empowered and to be equipped with the necessary knowledge to be recognised in the business sector. She urged the conference participants to make the most of the opportunity and to use it as a form of networking. Other speakers at the conference included Marketing Specialist Jennifer Cipriani, Entrepreneur Debbi Houston and Investment Management Officer Mark Christopher Peters. The conference was the first hosted by “We Lead Caribbean” this year. The second conference is scheduled for Bartica next week.

Female taxi driver found murdered near ‘Parfaite Harmonie’ -car reportedly missing By Michel Outridge

A 47-year-old female taxi driver was found dead at Lust-en-Rust, near ‘Dairy’, not far from La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, early Sunday morning. The Toyota Axio motorcar with which she plied her trade and had purchased just six months ago was reportedly missing. The woman has been identified as Indira Bipat, called ‘Jenny’, of Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, also on the West Bank. According to Bipat’s son, Derrick Samaroo, his mother left home on Saturday afternoon around 17:00hrs saying she was going out for about an hour or so, but never returned. He told the Guyana

Chronicle that while he couldn’t say what may have led to her demise, he had the presence of mind to report her missing at the Vreed-enHoop and La Grange Police Stations on Sunday morning, after she didn’t return home after work on Saturday night. “All I know is dat meh old lady dead,” the 24-year-old said. He said that his sister, who is six years his junior, tried calling their mother on her cell-phone all Sunday night when she failed to return home but to no avail. Samaroo said that it was she who received the call saying that a woman’s body was found at ‘Diary’, and he who went to the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour, on Best Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, where he positively identified the ca-

daver as that of his mother in the presence of the police on Sunday. He said that the police did not tell him much, other than that they’d learnt that his mom was last seen on Sunday afternoon at the taxi base where she worked, and was heard saying that she was going on a ‘job’ and would be going home when she was done. This was after she’d received a call on her cell-phone, which is also missing, the youngster said. Bipat reportedly worked with ‘Goed Fortuin Cabs’, a West Bank taxi service for the past six months after she bought a silver-grey Toyota Axio motorcar, the licence plate of which is PXX 4114. Bipat, who lived with her mother and two children, was reportedly a security

guard for many years before trying her hand at taxi driving. Grieving relatives gathered at her home on Sunday told the Guyana Chronicle that they rather suspect that it was someone she knew who’d hired her, as she was not in the habit of picking up strangers. She did not work much at nights either, and whenever she did, it was only to transport persons she was familiar with. While Bipat’s body was reportedly found head down in a drain at Lust-en-Rust, it is not clear whether it bore any marks of violence. Son Derrick said that as a single-parent, his mother worked tirelessly to give he and his sister a better life than she’d had as a child, and that although she was a

Dead: Indira Bipat

housewife, she was comfortable working as a taxi driver. As for enemies, Derrick said that although she was what one would call ‘a straight-up person’, she did not have any as far as he knows. She was the family’s sole breadwinner for many

years, after her husband died when he and his sister were very little, he recalled. Up to press time, the police had not yet issued a statement about the murder, but according to relatives, no arrests had yet been made, and the missing car had not been found either.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 20, 2019

PARENTS AND PEERS

THE words ‘peer-pressure’ are bandied about in our society as if young people do not have minds of their own, or as if their peers have more influence over them than their parents/carers. In some cases it is true, peers do influence each other more than parents, but that’s because children have so much more in common with their peers than they do with their parents. Children already know what their parents think of them, but as they get older (10 -18 year old) they are more concerned about how their peers view them and how they fit in socially. When children are very young, maybe up to the age of 6-7, parents can more or less choose with whom they would like their children to be friends and even cajole their child into being friends with children whom they prefer. But as children grow

they pick their own friends; these friends are likely to be children with whom they share similar interests and experiences; children, however, have been known on occasions to gravitate towards certain peers because they have strengths or weaknesses dissimilar to their own. Although it is healthy and quite natural for children to identify with and compare themselves to their peers, parents are responsible for endowing a positive sense of ‘self’ and well-being in their children’s lives: so that they follow their own minds and stick to what they know to be right, especially when others might be doing wrong. A child can be influenced by a peer that he/she admires, or by a peer group into which he/she would like to fit. Fitting in, having friends and being a valued member of a group are important aspects of childhood

that children take very seriously. The way a child is perceived by school friends can either build confidence in a child or affect it in a negative way. Children need to bond with their peers and to be accepted by them; so much so that even the most obedient, level-headed child might be enticed by friends to behave, or do something quite out of character, just to remain in favour with that particular group. Some parents may be horrified to think that this happens among children and in peer groups, but despite how attentive a parent may be, he/she cannot control every aspect of their child’s development; and the child’s growth among peers, is one area where parents cannot intercede. The most a parent/carer can do is teach the correct morals, values and principles to their child: Remembering of course that the best way

to get any message across is through a two-way conversation. They can talk about building healthy relationships with friends and enjoying a good school and social life. It is a parent’s duty to explain how a child should conduct his/her self when they are among peers. The parent/child relationship may not outweigh the peer/ peer relationship, especially during adolescence, but the fact that parents have discussed this topic and shown an interest, will help. Therefore if an obedient child errs, or slips up once in a while (because no one is perfect), he or she cannot get led astray. Children make friends with those who are either the same age as them, or in the same age range. This bonding is natural and necessary for a child’s social and emotional development. When children play or interact with each other, there’s a lot

more going on in their minds than the average parent can imagine. To begin with their choices and behaviour is being influenced, so too is the way they dress, act and the attitude they portray. They really do not know any better and it is actually not a bad thing in some respects. It is human nature for children to listen to and learn from others in their age group; and if the information they are receiving is positive and sound, it could be beneficial to their progression. Without being a follower or a leader, a children can discern from his/her peers how they would like to be, or even how they shouldn’t be. They can learn about the consequences of following the crowd and the benefits of standing their ground. Peer groups can help young people discover what they are good at and help them form ideas about what they would like to achieve in the future.

All these are attributes that parents should teach, but unfortunately, many fail to do so. As children grow and become more independent, their friends play a greater role in their lives, sometimes more than their families. Children will disclose and trust their contemporaries with information they would never dream of sharing with their parents. While peergroup relationships can be binding and can last a lifetime, they could never take the place of, or compensate for, the value and sanctity of a good child/parent relationship. If you are concerned about a child you can ring the CPA hotline 227-0979 or email childcaregy@gmail. com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

Linden river-front project should be more than beautification - should also target aqua-tourism, says environmentalist

By Vanessa Braithwaite ENVIRONMENTALIST and promoter of the Linden River Front Festival, Samuel Wright, believes that the Linden River Front Development Project should be more than just about beautification, but should also provide an avenue for aqua-tourism. Wright, who is also a member of the Linden River Front Development Association, opined that the project, which will be done by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), must take a plethora of factors into consideration and if this is not done, environmental and economic consequences will follow. The long-term project must consider the establishment of commercial wharves, which will enable fishermen to ply their trade comfortably, he said. Currently, there are only industrial wharves available in Linden. Contractors must also remember Linden is a port, with bauxite being the main merchandise shipped out and more importantly, that the western side of the Demerara River, known as the Wismar Shore, is drained by creeks, which is then led into the Demerara River. “Linden is drained by creeks; on Wismar side alone, they have about 10 kokers, we have to take into consideration, drainage and flood control… so we have to take all those things

A section of the Upper Demerara River waterfront, lookiing west

into consideration for the development of the river front,” Wright said. Regional Executive Officer Orrin Gordon said that the River Front Development Project, which is estimated to cost $60M started as a maintenance project of which $10.5 M was initially allotted to it. This would have only funded the reinforcement of stones and piles already there; he then realised that it

would be more beneficial to undertake an overall capital developmental project, but this would be done in phases. This will include a more utilitarian concept of the river front development, which is a unique feature of Linden, as the only town with a river dividing it into two. Gordon said that all aspects of the development of the river front will be considered

when the resources are available to do so and the needed consultation will be done at that time. At March’s RDC statutory meeting, Gordon related to Councillors that the contract for the first phase of the project has already been put out for tender. This $10.5M project is expected to be completed in 2019. Gordon said that the project is an answer to a call made by President David Granger to see all towns develop their river front, as was done in Bartica. He said that this project will be highly beneficial to Linden and will promote its beauty. RDC Councillors were shown a blue print of what the river front would look like, upon completion of the project. Given the plethora of tourism-related and economic possibilities that can be explored from this project, President Granger had made a call to local officials, during a presentation at Victory Valley Linden, to have the river front developed, more so on the western shore. “I would like to see, all of these waterfronts develop, so that young people could go strolling at night safely, with solar lights, good food, music…..and I would like to see this western shore like a boulevarde…every town in Guyana must have a boulevarde, full of beautiful trees, so that young people can enjoy the environment,” President Granger said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 20, 2019

Protecting Guyana’s sovereignty my main responsibility – Foreign Secretary Greenidge THE responsibility of the newly appointed Foreign Secretary Carl Greenidge is primarily dedicated to protecting Guyana’s sovereignty full time. This was disclosed by the former Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge who was this week re-assigned by President David Granger. During an exclusive interview with the Department of Public Information, Foreign Secretary Greenidge described the responsibility as a prime and urgent concern since Guyana is still dealing with the Venezuela/ Guyana border controversy. The matter is presently at the International Court of Justice for a juridical settlement. “We have communication from the government of Venezuela pertaining to our maritime space and raising questions about activities within our maritime space,

even offshore of Demerara and Berbice. So, you do not really get a break to take a breather and settle down, we in the ministry have been working,” Greenidge stated. Additionally, he said that he is also in the process of renegotiating the Georgetown agreement. That is the agreement that brings 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) to collaborate with the European Union for development. “We are working on that and there is a meeting of the Trade Ministers in this coming week to be followed by the Council of Ministers. So, my hands are pretty full and the main concern is to make sure that we do not lose any momentum as we do some of the organizational juggling,” Greenidge underscored. On May 14, government announced that Greenidge was appointed Foreign Sec-

Foreign Secretary Carl Greenidge (File photo)

retary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and now has responsibility for the Department of Frontiers and Territorial Integrity and the Department of Trade and Economic Cooperation.

Guns, ‘ammo’, phones, cash, marijuana recovered from killed bandits

Dead: Kelvin Shivgobin called ‘Kelly’

THE police have recovered four weapons and a quantity of matching ammunition from a makeshift tree house/camp after they shot and killed three career criminals in the backlands of Johanna, South Black Bush Polder, on Sunday. According to sources close to the investigation, the police recovered one AR-15 assault rifle, one nine-millimetre handgun and two .38 revolvers. Ranks have also recovered over 300 rounds of ammunition for the weapons, in addition to a bulletproof vest,

Dead: Ramnarine Jagmohan

face masks, several cellular phones, cash, a quantity of jewellery, a solar charger and a small quantity of marijuana. They also found freshly cooked meals despite no evidence of fire nor cooking utensils, suggesting that the men had an outside support group. Those killed have been identified as Kelvin Shivgobin called “Kelly”, Ramnarine Jagmohan, both of Belvedere, East Berbice-Corentyne and Sewchand Sewdat called “One Eye Pappy.” Ramnarine and Shivgo-

bin have both been named in several high-profile robberies and murders in the past. The AR-15 rifle that was found is believed to be the one used in the robbery of D-Zone Chinese supermarket. During that robbery, the police came under fire from the bandits, causing them to seek cover. This enabled the robbers to make good their escape. Diligent work by the police led them to the backlands in Black Bush where they found and killed the bandits who opened fire on them.

The issue of MPs with dual citizenship status became a subject of discussion and legal action last December after Charrandass Persaud, a then Government MP, used his seat in

the National Assembly to vote in favour of the opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion, that was intended to topple the government. At the time, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, had declared the motion passed by a majority of 33. Subsequently, a farmer from New Amsterdam, Compton Reid, challenged the validity of the vote on the grounds that Persaud breached the Constitution when he sat in the house as a dual citizen. Reid, through his attorneys, Senior Counsel Rex McKay and Neil Boston, argued that Persaud was not eligible for membership of the National Assembly and ought not to have been in the House on the night of December 21, 2018. While the courts have upheld the vote cast by Persaud, who has since been recalled

from the National Assembly, they have indicated that it is unconstitutional to be a MP and hold dual citizenship at the same time. Greenidge was one of four members of the APNU+AFC Cabinet who resigned from their posts following last December’s motion. Dominic Gaskin, the former Minister of Business, Joseph Harmon, the former Minister of State and Dr Rupert Roopnaraine the former Minister of Public Service tendered their resignations to President David Granger as their dual citizenship status came to the fore following the rulings of the courts here. The motion, which the Guyana Court of Appeal overturned following a ruling by Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, is currently before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 20, 2019

Cops in handcuffs on various charges Seecharran Singh

Norris Harry

Kerry Bostwick

POLICE officers are mandated to protect and serve, placing persons who find themselves on the wrong side of the law before the courts. However, many of these officers are finding themselves in hot water, handcuffed and placed before the very courts for engaging in various criminal activities. The Guyana Chronicle has compiled a list of some matters engaging the attention of the courts and involving members of the Guyana Police Force. They have been charged with offences ranging from murder, rape, sexual assault, fraud, bribery, corruption and demanding money with menace, causing death by dangerous driving and others.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Seecharran Singh is currently on trial before a City Magistrate for allegedly engaging in sexual penetration with a 13-yearold girl between June 17, 2018, and June 18, 2018, at Plantation Providence, East Bank Demerara. He is currently out on $250,000 bail. Constable Corwyn Mingo is charged for raping a Venezuelan woman, a trafficking in person (TIP) victim during the month of May 2018 at Makari Top, Mazaruni River. He is currently out on $150,000 bail.

zuelan women by menace. The trio is currently out on $30,000 bail each.

MURDER Constable Robert Daniels is currently on trial at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for the murder of Brazilian miner Estevao Costa Marques, whom he allegedly shot and killed with his service weapon at Puruni, Region Seven, August 11, 2018. RAPE

SEXUAL ASSAULT Police Sergeant Norris Harry is currently charged for inappropriately touching the leg of a woman who went to the Alberttown Police Station to make a complaint. He was slapped with a sexual assault charge and is currently out $120,000 bail. DEMANDING MONEY WITH MENACE Police Constables Corwyn Mingo, Ceon Jones, and Tevin Estrado are jointly charged with demanding money from three Vene-

FRAUD Former Police Prosecutor, Corporal Kerry Bostwick is before the Georgetown Magistrates Court on three fraud-related charges after collecting money from the relatives of Tyrone Kennedy, promising to ‘duck’ his firearm possession case. Meanwhile, Police Corporal Ryan Gray is before the court with 20 counts of fraud in relation to the driver licensing scam. It is alleged that Gray, with intent to defraud the public, conspired with persons to commit a misdemeanor, to which he uttered 20 questionnaires, knowing them to be forged, in that they were not written up by 20 persons, in whose name they were. Police Sergeant Tamesh Dhanraj is currently before the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court with nine fraud-related charges after he allegedly swindled almost $500,000 from the Guyana Police Force, by pretending that he was entitled to travel al-

Ornesto Thomas

lowance. ROBBERY Constable Sherwayne Spiers and Daniel Kellman, both stationed at the Lethem Police Station, were charged for robbing Brazilian National, Ronaldo Ferreira of a BLU cellphone worth $38,000 and BRL$20 equivalent to GYD $1,200 while he was crossing the Takutu Bridge, Central Lethem, Region 9 on February 20, 2019. The duo is currently out on $100,000 bail. SIMPLE LARCENY Constable Ornesto Thomas is currently out on self-bail, after being arraigned in court for stealing another police officer’s phone during the month of March 2019, at the Police Sports Club Ground. BRIBERY Constable Denzil Williams and Constable Alex Heywood are charged jointly with corruptly obtaining $600,000 from a businessman as an inducement or reward for allowing him to export a number of birds through the Cheddi Jagan

Guyana celebrates... Dr Fraser-Barclay, during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), explained that Guyana embarked on this journey in 2015 and it is the determination of the health sector to be able, through this new programme, to improve the health and well-being of the people of Guyana by strengthening the primary health care-based system that ensures universal access to quality health services. She said, “Four graduates from that programme are family doctors in Guyana today, its new as a specialty in Guyana.” Dr Barclay explained further that the family doctors are not limited to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), but it is the health sector’s plan

to have family doctors at all health centres and hospitals countrywide. “We operate out of seven health centres presently and from Monday, (May 20), we are adopting another health centre, and every year we plan to adopt two new health centres.” Presently, the health centres are Grove, East La Penitence, Kitty, Campbellville, Industry, Sophia, and the Enmore Polyclinic. “We operate at a community level, so we hope that we can really prevent illness, promote health and we can really foster a healthier Guyana from that level,” Dr. Barclay stated. Meanwhile, Dr Sohodra Rambarose, also a graduate from the family medicine programme, is presently

attached to the Kitty Health Centre in Georgetown. She worked in the paediatrics sector for some time and, “usually sees children who are extremely sick.” This notion, she noted, drove her to undertake studies in family medicine. “So, by strengthening primary health care and investing in preventative health and preventative medicine, we can save people from having a bad outcome and overall, it lifts the health of the entire country.” Her hope is that along her journey in family medicine, she can positively impact the way persons view the health centres and family medicine. Dr Tariq Jagnarine, who will be graduating in November 2019, noted that

FROM PAGE 3

family medicine is a specialty that bridges the gap with families having continued and comprehensive care “from the cradle to the grave.” According to Dr Jagnarine, family medicine encompasses all ages, all genders, each organ system and every disease entity. It is based on knowledge of the patient in the context of the family and the community, emphasising disease prevention and health promotion. The World Organisation of Family Doctors first declared world Family Doctor Day on May 19, 2010 and it has become a day to highlight the role and contributions of family doctors in health care systems, locally and around the world. (DPI)

Sherwayne Spiers and Daniel Kellman

International Airport (CJIA) Timehri, without the authorization of the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission or other competent authority. The duo was also jointly charged in connecting to smuggling finches through CJIA between November 1, 2018, and December 8, 2018. Traffic Officers Chris Brown and Mark Collins are charged with corruptly obtaining from Iyana Huston the sum of $10,000 on December 7, 2017, at Ruimveldt Police Station, while being an agent of the State as an inducement or reward for foregoing to charge Dwayne Dover with a traffic offence. The police constables were caught during a sting operation after Huston recorded the serial numbers of the monetary notes and gave the information to a police sergeant ASSAULT Police Constable Eon Jacobs is currently before the City Court for assaulting his wife, and using obscene language towards her in public during an outing on ‘Mash Day’. It is alleged that Eon

Patrick Todd

pelted his wife with a piece of wood. He is currently out on self-bail. CAUSING DEATH BY DANGEROUS DRIVING Deputy Superintendent of Police Patrick Todd is currently on trial before the Leonora Magistrate’s Court for causing the death of a 64-year-old pedal cyclist Conrad Alleyne, who died during a fatal accident on the Boerasirie Bridge, West Coast Demerara (WCD) on September 12, 2018. Todd was also charged for driving under the influence of alcohol. He is currently out on $250,000 bail.

Woman beaten by bandits A MOTHER of one was beaten with a crowbar after three armed bandits invaded her home on Saturday evening. Indrawattie Dhanraj, 44, and her young son of Lot 157 Mibicuri, South Black Bush Polder, were attacked at approximately 23:30hrs when bandits smashed a window to gain entry into her two-storey wooden house. After begging the bandits not to hurt her son, the men put him to sit on a chair and proceeded to beat Dhanraj

with a crowbar as they demanded cash and jewellery. Dhanraj, fearing for her life, handed over $50,000 and some of the jewellery to the men. Despite getting the valuables, the trio continued to hit the single mother about her body and proceeded to ransack the house. They eventually left taking some food items, bed sheets, a hair dye, a cellphone as well as some food from her refrigerator. TURN TO PAGE 13

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 20, 2019

‘Latter Day Saints’ chip in –to help make life more bearable for Venezuelan migrants

Workers loading some of the foodstuff on to the truck

Elder William T. Bohne handing some food items to CDC’s Odetta Giddings. At left is his wife, Elder Sandra F. Bohne )Photos by Carl Croker)

CLOSE to $1M in food were handed over to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) last Monday at its Thomas Lands, Georgetown head office. The donations came from humanitarian and welfare missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Elders William T. Bohne and his wife, Sister Sandra F. Bohne to assist the Venezuelan migrants in Guyana. The items included things like rice, peanut butter, cooking oil, powdered milk, flour, corn meal, peas and beans, and pasta. CDC Administrative Manager (ag) Odetta Giddings, who received the items, said it was the third round of donations from the mission, which has been partnering with the CDC to provide food primarily for the migrnts. “We will be using the food to prepare hampers,” Giddings said, adding: “We usually cater for about five persons per family, and the distributions will be done in

Regions One and Seven.” But the one problem they have been having, however, is getting the food into some of the regions, which can be quite expensive, not to mention difficult, given the terrain and distance. As such, she said, hampers will be done in larger quantities and delivered every two months. Giddings said the CDC would be happy to receive even more donations of nonperishable foodstuff so as to help out the migrants. Over the last few months, Guyana has seen an increase in the number of Venezuelans crossing her borders to escape the political and socio-economic crisis in their country. The National Multi-Sectorial Coordinating Committee, through the CDC, has been providing relief to migrants in the border regions by ensuring that these migrants are documented and vaccinated upon entry, and housed in relief shelters.

FROM PAGE 12

Woman beaten...

The sill traumatised woman related that the money she had was her savings she earned as a sweeper-cleaner for the Water Users Association. She was bewildered why the bandits would want to rob her. “Me and my son ah live alone, we nah rich, we poor; why them want rob me, me nah know” the mother said. She related that as the men entered the house, she began screaming but the bandits told her to stay quiet, since she does not have a good relationship with her neighbours. The police arrived shortly after the robbery and have since launched an investigation into the incident.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 20, 2019

Schools, health facilities, - in Region 10 wharf upgraded hinterland communities By Vanessa Braithwaite

THE hinterland communities of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) that span the length and breadth of the three main rivers bordering

the region are benefitting from community development projects, to the tune of $50 million. These projects are part of the capital and recurring 2019 projects of which $900M has been allocated

from the $3.9B budget. Regional Executive Officer (REO) Orrin Gordon, said that in planning and executing, the riverain communities must not be left out and just as they benefitted in 2018, the

same has occurred for 2019. The communities empowered in this regard, include Kwakwani, Ituni, Rockstone, Greatfalls, Muritaro, Malali, Rivers View, Calcuni, DeVelt, Sand Hills

Region 10 REO Orrin Gordon

and Kimbia. Not only did the Regional Democratic Council (REO) earmark much- needed projects in these communities, but the contracts to execute same were given to the leaders and residents, to further empower them. “We have done a considerable amount of work, working with those communities to empower them economically and also capacity wise, while giving the projects to them through community participation,” Gordon said. For example, in Kwakwani, the contract to rehabilitate the fence of the Kwakwani Water Front Nursery School was awarded to a youth group in the community. “That was a beautiful project because they used young people, a youth group to do that, they did a wonderful job in the Water Front Nursery School,” Gordon further related. In Kwakwani, other projects that were completed thus far include rehabilitation of the Kwakwani Park Nursery school and a drainage and irrigation project, amongst others. At Sand Hills, the wharf which provides access to the community’s school was rehabilitated. Schools and health facilities at Muritaro, Malali, River’s View, Rockstone, Ituni, 58 and 47 miles were also renovated by residents.

‘We are continuing those communit- participation projects in all of our riverain communities and our toshaos in the villages have caught on, most of them….. so we have made some strides in this regard,” Gordon posited. Speaking about the development occurring in Ituni, Community Officer Keisha Griffith-McKane, said that long- awaited internal roads will be rehabilitated. The pavilion at the community playfield will also be refurbished, which in the past, proved to be a major constraint to sports development. The community will also be receiving an Information Communication Technology (ICT) hub, from the Ministry of Telecommunications. The RDC will be assisting the community with construction of the building, which will be outfitted by the ministry. She corroborated REO Gordon’s disclosure that residents are being awarded small contracts by the RDC. This is a means of empowerment, since these small contractors can now employ other residents; thus, monies will be circulating within their small community. “All in all, we are moving forward, we are not stagnant, we are grateful for the road and everything else,” Griffith said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 20, 2019

STARR to host business transformation seminar

AS the oil and gas transition matures in Guyana, it will be critical for Guyanese businesses to explore more efficient ways and means to improve their service quality to Guyanese and foreign end-users. With this mind, STARR Computer Inc will be providing a free seminar on Tuesday to small businesses. The seminar will be held at the company’s Brickdam, Geoegetown office. The featured speakers will be from the Elotouch and Informatik Solution Group. Starr Computer President, Mike Mohan, said contents to be covered will include solutions for medical, hospitality, merchandising, food courts,

Starr Computer President Mike Mohan and asset management. He said opportunities will also be extended to a limited amount of business representatives with serious interests to em-

brace transformation in their enterprise. Elotouch invented the touchscreen over 40 years ago and has not stopped since. Their product portfolio includes a broad selection of interactive touchscreen displays from 10-70 inches, all-in-one touchscreen computers, OEM touchscreens, touchscreen controllers and touchscreen monitors. Mohan explained that their product are used in gaming machines, interactive kiosks, hospitality systems, point-of-sale terminals, wayfinder displays, interactive retail displays and transportation applications, just to name a few. Informatik Solutions Group (ISG) is a strategic partner dedicated to the integration of Business Mo-

bility Solutions, under the cutting-edge technological innovations of world-renowned manufacturers such as Motorola, Zebra Technologies, Datalogic,

Star Micronics, Kyocera, HP and APC, among others. Mohan said that their mission is based on the implementation of Point

of Sale (POS) solutions, two-way radios solutions and WiFi networks, mobile computing solutions and advanced data capture solutions.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 20, 2019

Stronger investments needed to end hunger

ERADICATING hunger and malnutrition and achieving sustainable development requires strengthened global partnerships and sustainable investments to drive economic growth, FAO Deputy Director-General for Programmes, Daniel Gustafson, said.

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires more resources than the ones that have been currently made available, but moving towards more sustainable food systems also provides enormous opportunities for profitable new investments, he

told participants gathered at the opening ceremony in Rome of EXCO2019, an international development cooperation fair. This year the event focuses on job creation and innovation for sustainable development. “Countries need to attract

additional public and private finance through sustainable investments to drive economic growth as a basis for poverty reduction,” Gustafson stressed. This is in line with the commitment made by the international community to SDG 17, which calls for strengthening global partnerships to support and achieve the ambitious targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, bringing together national governments, the international community, civil society and the private sector. “The overwhelming amount of investment in agriculture comes from farmers. Farmers and their decisions and ability to invest must be central to any strategy aimed at expanding investment in the sector,” Gustafson said. “There are more than 570 million farms in the world, of which more than 90 percent are run by an individual or a family and rely primarily on family labour. However, small-scale agriculture, especially in rain-fed areas, is a high-risk and low-return activity that does not easily attract private investment,” he added. Gustafson noted that in-

novation is needed throughout the food systems and, equally important, investment in innovation in the food system can pay off very well in job creation, when considering the complete value chain, from production to the final consumer. At the same time, he said, business opportunities in the implementation of the SDGs related to food, looking at the value chain, could be worth $ 2.3 trillion for the private sector by 2030. This is why FAO supports the creation of enabling environments to foster SDG-compliant investments through the CFS Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI), which provide guidance to ensure investment in agriculture and food systems benefits local food security and workers’ rights FAO, strongly committed to working in partnership with all actors, including the private sector. Over the last eight years, FAO has partnered with over 150 actors from the private sector, civil society, research and academic institutions and foundations, resulting in a sub-

stantial improvement of the work of the organisation in the field and confirming its technical expertise. Furthermore, FAO’s resource partners provide both financial support and information exchange in the framework of the newly revamped Office for SouthSouth and Triangular Cooperation. Given the pivotal role played by FAO in the fields of agricultural innovation, standards for food safety, sustainability and rural development, the Organisation has an active role in EXCO2019. Several high-level FAO experts are scheduled to participate at the event, which will touch upon climate change, biodiversity, sustainable water management, South-South and Triangular Cooperation, financing for sustainable development, innovative ideas in agribusiness, and preventing food losses and reducing food waste, among others. FAO is coordinating its participation in close collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 20, 2019

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday May 20, 2019)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL- Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD −83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: (1) Bangladesh (2) Ireland TODAY’S QUIZ: (1) Who scored most runs in the recent WI/IRE/BANG Tri-Nations ODI series? (2) Who struck the highest individual score?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Ramoo’s dominance leads ...

FROM PAGE 21

On Saturday (day two), Achievers led by Ramoo were able to bowl out their opponents twice. The off spinner picked up 11 wickets for 88 from 28 overs to lead the charge. On the first day, two Saturday ago, Achievers had posted 390, with Ramoo and Shamal Angel smacking centuries. For the third wicket,

the pair put together 243, which took the sail out of their opponents’ bowling. Ramoo struck nine fours and four sixes in his 105, while Angel laced the boundary 14 times while he lifted the ball over the ropes six times for a match high 137. The next best score was by opener Kevin Sinclair, who finished with 49.

Bowling for Number 5, Kenjie Sedock spun his way to 6-91 from 21 overs, while A. Bailey supported with 3-113 (21 overs). In their second day, on Saturday last, No.5 were bowled out for 99 with Ramoo picking up 5-52 from 13 overs, Sinclair finished with 3-23. Amernauth Seegobin led the attack for the home side with an unbeaten 35. With a lead of 291, Achievers forced the follow on. The home team batted better, but fell for 203. Ramoo finished with 6-36 from 15 overs, while Sinclair picked up 2-54 from 20 overs. R. Estraido led the home team with a solid 73 (11X4s and 2X6s).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 20, 2019

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Simmons to leave Afghanistan after World Cup CMC– THE decision by Phil Simmons to step down as head coach of Afghanistan after the ICC World Cup has opened up the possibility of a return to the West Indies team. Simmons recently announced that he would be leaving the post after achieving his goal of helping Afghanistan qualify for the tournament, which will be held in England and Wales from May 30 to July 14. His contract, although due to expire at the end of the World Cup, would most likely have been ex-

tended. “I have thought about it and I have actually given the ACB [Afghanistan Cricket Board] my notice that I will not be renewing my contract. I will move on to something different once my contract expires on July 15,” Simmons told ESPNcricinfo. “I signed up originally for 18 months and I think I have done a lot in this period. It is time for me to move on to something else now. To want to get to the World Cup – that was ACB’s goal at the time they appointed me. My goal is

always to leave things better than when I joined: the way we practise, the way we think about the game, the way we assess other teams. I’ve tried to help the players in all those areas.” Coincidentally, after also being in charge of the West Indies for 18 months, Simmons was controversially fired by the Dave Cameron-led West Indies Cricket Board back in 2016. However, while Simmons challenged the decision in court, one of the first orders of business for new Cricket West Indies

Hope looking forward to leading Windies WC charge Shai Hope scored the most runs in the recently concluded Tri-Nation Series

CMC – FRESH off his Man-of-the-Series performance in the just concluded Tri-Nations-Series, West Indies batsmen Shai Hope is looking forward to leading the West Indies’ charge in the upcoming ICC World Cup. Hope was the top batsman in the series which also included Ireland and eventual winners Bangladesh, scoring 470 runs in five innings at an average of 94, inclusive of two centuries. The 25-year-old Hope said it was always his childhood dream to play a World

Cup for the West Indies. However, he said he wasn’t content to just play and was looking to lead the regional squad to the title. “As long as I put on these clothes for the West Indies I’m going to put my heart out, just knowing that my childhood dreams can come through of representing the West Indies in the World Cup. “Obviously I’ll put my best foot forward and try to take us as deep as possible into the tournament and hopefully get over the line for the win,” Hope said. Hope described the Tri-Nations Series as good preparation for the World Cup.

He lauded the performances of fellow openers John Campbell and Sunil Ambris, who despite not being selected in the 15-man World Cup squad, produced good performances in the series. “I can’t fault either of them. We have a very good relationship both on and off the field and it’s nice to see that when Sunil came in after John that he grabbed the opportunity as well. “They both played superbly in the entire series and it’s nice that we got off to a good start in every game I would say…and when you get off to a good start in white ball cricket you put the team in a better position,” Hope said.

Ramoo’s dominance leads Achievers to huge win in West Berbice cricket THE Achievers Youth and Sports Club romped to an innings and 88-run victory against home team No. 5 Mondderlust due to an all-round effort from skipper Krishndat Ramoo when action continued in the West Berbice Cricket Association (WBCA) Anil Lalsa Construction Company Intermediate Two Day Cricket Competition. TURN TO PAGE 20

Krishndat Ramoo (left) and Shamal Angel scored centuries before Ramoo returned with the ball to take 11 wickets (5-52 and 6-36).

president Ricky Skerritt after being elected was to apologise to the former West Indies all-rounder and reach an amicable resolution.

It was agreed that the settlement figure would remain confidential. Skerritt then ended the contract of interim coach Richard Pybus and named

Floyd Reifer as head coach for the Windies’ tour to Ireland to take part in the recently concluded Tri-Nations Series as well as the World Cup.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 20, 2019

Eight qualify for quarter-finals of Corona Futsal EIGHT teams have qualified for the quarter-final stage of the Corona Futsal tournament after action on Saturday evening at the National Gymnasium. The eight teams are Back Circle, Bent Street, Sparta Boss, Future Stars, Tiger Bay, California Square North-East La Penitence and West Front Road. In the first of last Saturday’s games, California Square thrashed Beacon 7-0 with David George scoring in the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 18th minutes, while there were single strikes from Mishack Baritta (14th), Travis Hercules (17th) and Jamal

Adams (16th). In the second game, Mocha trampled Future Stars 9-2, thanks to Jamal Cozier (3rd, 5th, 8th & 13th) and William Europe (12th, 14th & 19th min). Keran Salomon (13th) Sgamar Fraser (3rd) were the other two scorers. Mocha had Amos Ramsay (7th) and Delroy Lowenfield th (6 ) on target. Tucville went down 1-5 to West Front Road after Carl Griffith’s 10th minute strike was overturned by Hubert Perdo’s (3rd and 9th) and Colin Nelson’s (7th & 20th) doubles. Randolph

Wagner also scored in the 20th minute. North-East played to a goalless draw against Tiger Bay, while Bent Street had to fight in their 3-2 win over Leopold Street. Leopold Street had a double from Okenny Fraser (19th & 20th), while Sheldon Holder’s brace in the 1st & 16th minutes along with Pernel Shultz 15th minute strike sent them through. Trayon Bobb’s 13th minute strike did not stand long for Back Circle, as Jermaine Junior’s 14th minute strike brought Sparta Boss to a 1-1 result. The quarter finals are set for May 27, 2019.

Wilthsire, Cadogan snag Woodpecker Juniors’ squash titles JUNIOR Sportsman of the year Shomari Wiltshire and Abosaide Cadogan took the male and female titles respectively of the Woodpecker Junior National Squash tournament. Both were also awarded Most Outstanding Players while Louis DaSilva took the special award of Most Improved Boy and Tiana Gomes Most Improved Girl. The thriller for the evening was the fight for the Boy’s under 15 title between Michael Alphonso and Nicholas Verwey. Both boys have had out-

standing matches throughout the tournament but it was Alphonso who slid into rhythm and showed early dominance. The long rallies were filled with a variety of shots; tight lengths, drops that kissed the wall literally centimetres above the tin, and low hard cross courts that skimmed past their opponent. Alphonso’s deception sent Verwey in the wrong direction and despite Verwey’s unbelievable retrieval skills; the extra energy spent cost him further in the game. Alphonso powered

through the first and second game with two 11/6 wins and finalised the match at 11/4. Spectators gave both boys their due with long applause and compliments.

♦ Winner- Shomari Wiltshire ♦ Second Place - Michael Alphnoso ♦ Third Place - Nicholas Verwey

FULL RESULT BELOW: ♦ Most Outstanding Boy - Shomari Wiltshire ♦ Most Outstanding Girl - Abosaide Cadogan ♦ Most Improved Boy Louis DaSilva ♦ Most Improved Girl Tianna Gomes

Boys Under 15 ♦ Winner - Michael Alphonso ♦ Second Place - Nicholas Verwey ♦ Third Place - Mohryan Baksh

Boys Under 19&17

Boys Under 13 ♦ Winner - Mohryan Baksh ♦ Second Place - Louis DaSilva

♦ Third Place - Shiloh Asregado Boys Under 11 ♦ Winner - Grant Fernandes ♦ Second Place - Brenno DaSilva Girls Under 19&17 ♦ Winner - Abosaide Cadogan ♦ Second Place - Kirsten Gomes ♦ Third Place - Teija Edwards Girls Under 15 ♦ Winner - Kirsten Gomes

♦ Second Place - Ashani Persaud ♦ Third Place - Beau Fernandes Girl Under 13 ♦ Winner - Beau Fernandes ♦ Second Place - Christiana Fernandes ♦ Third Place - Safirah Sumner Girls Under 11 ♦ Winner - Christiana Fernandes ♦ Second Place - Tiana Gomes ♦ Third Place - Shriyah Persaud

Demerara dethrone Berbice to take HiH 50 over title

Hosts Demerara snatched victory and in the process dethroned defending champions Berbice in the final of the Hand In Hand 2019 Under-19 Inter County 50 Overs Tournament wrapped up yesterday. Played at the GCC ground Bourda, Berbice opted to bat after they won the toss against Demerara but eventually lost by five wickets However, the Berbice batsmen failed to live up to expectations, as the Demerara produced exceptional bowling performances to fold Berbice at 115 all out in their allotted 50 overs. Opening batsmen, Kevlon Anderson topped scored with a watchful 33 runs off 65 balls, complemented by one 6 and one 4, and undefeated Seon Glasgow 21, inclusive of a boundary. Deonauth Persaud who caught in an attempt to hit a maximum, made 14 with one 4, before he was sent on his way by Qumar Torrington. The Demerara bowlers tormented the remaining Berbice batsmen, to induce a low and highly probable manageable victory target for Demerara. Daniel Mootoo limited Berbice in their pursuit of achieving a mammoth total, by grabbing 4 wickets for 32 runs with support from Ashmead Nedd and Joel Spooner who earlier picked

up 2 wickets each. Demerara in reply, batted confidently to gain victory by 6 wickets. Sachin Singh capped the top score for Demerara with a brilliant 48 off 43 balls, in which he hit four 6s and two 4s, but was eventually dismissed, caught by Gevon Schultz. Alphius Bookie added 30 off 48 balls as Nedd and Andrew Samaroo ended unbeaten with a closing partnership of 17 runs, which was enough to secure victory for Demerara, as they finished on

116 for 5 off 28 overs.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS WENT TO: ∆ Junior Sinclair – Most Valuable Player with 374 runs,11 wickets & 4 dismissals ∆ Junior Sinclair- Player with the most runs, standing at 374 ∆ Kelvin Umroa with 26 wickets ∆ Mavendra Dindyal with Most Dismissal , a total of 5 ∆ Daniel Mootoo – Man of the Match award.

Junior Sinclair (left) receiving MVP award from Howard Cox, Director of the fire department at Hand-in-Hand Insurance

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 20, 2019

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Bates, Cadogan take ‘Better-Ball’ golf tourney THE US Embassy’s Staff inaugural open nine-hole ‘Better-Ball’ golf tournament turned out to be a massive session with amazing success. Daniel Bates and Troy Cadogan emerged the winning combination, with an excellent net score (Net 24 / Joint Handicap 13). Second belonged to Videsh Persaud & Imtiaz Subhan (25/12), while third went to Ziev & Guillermo Escarraga (29/11) and fourth Joe Lamaina & Maxim Mangra (29/12). In the skills portion of the match, Patanjilee ‘Pur’ Persaud, with a 300-yard drive, crushed the competition that included regular champions Richard Haniff and Max Persaud, to walk away with the trophy for Longest Drive. The best shot for Nearest the Pin came down to a matter of inches between playing partners Aleem Hussain and Sean Bundles, with the latter taking the trophy home. Solomon Bannister of the U.S. Embassy, a new member of the

LGC, organised the event with club President Aleem Hussain and agreed that some of the proceeds would go to media practitioner Mia Ritchie, of NCN, whose home was recently destroyed by fire. Ritchie was on hand to receive the contribution from member Guillermo Escarraga, CEO of MACORP, and expressed her gratitude to all involved for reaching out to her in support. Escarraga noted that the social responsibility of the LGC is a task taken seriously and that the club would always seek to give back to those in need whenever possible. Bannister thanked his team from the U.S. Embassy for their great performance and camaraderie and promised them that the day’s events have clearly marked the LGC as a place for great social events of the Embassy staff. Editor’s note: The Better-Ball format is a variation in golf, whereby two persons play as a team. Each player is given an

From left: Ziev, Joe Lamaina, Guillermo Escarraga, Imtiaz Subhan, Videsh Persaud, Patanjilee Persaud, Maxim Mangra, Troy Cadogan, Daniel Bates. Sean Bundles, Aleem Hussain and Solomon Bannister.

GLTA ‘GBTI Open’ set for June 7

opportunity to play a ball at each legitimate time of play, and the ball which was played better is accepted as the ball of play, the worse played ball is ignored.

Mia Ritchie, of NCN, whose home was recently destroyed by fire, collects a donation from Guillermo Escarraga, CEO of MACORP

High Rollers thrash Amazings to clinch Linden’s Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’

High Rollers captain, Omar Brewley (centre), collects the championship trophy from Banks DIH representative Romaine Adonis in the presence of his team-mates, while Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste (left) and other officials look on.

GLTA’s Cristy Campbell collects the sponsorship cheque from a representative of GBTI.

THE Guyana Lawn Tennis Association’s (GLTA) premier tournament of 2019, ‘The GBTI Open’ is set for June 7-23. To that end, the GLTA received a sponsorship cheque from the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry for the 10th edition of the tournament. In a release to the media,

the GLTA noted that it is very appreciative of GBTI’s commitment as it contributes to the development of the sport in Guyana. Guyana’s top tennis players will be in action at the Bel-Air Park facility from June 7-23. The competition will see action in the following categories:

Ladies Open Singles, Men’s Open Singles, Junior Girls Open Singles, Junior Boys Open Singles, Novice Medley Singles Men’s over 35 Singles, Men’s over 45 Singles, Ladies Open Doubles, Men’s Open Doubles, Mixed Open Doubles, Men’s over 35 Doubles, Men’s over 35 Doubles, Novice Medley Doubles.

BEFORE a full house at the Mackenzie Market Tarmac, the High Rollers steamrolled their way to the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden Championship, by destroying the Amazings by a 6-1 margin. It was the largest margin of victory in a final in the history of the tournament. The contest was already done and dusted at halftime, with the ruthless High Rollers leading by four goals. Jonah Simon opened the gates with a sixth- minute strike; that was followed by a Jehu Regis’ effort two minutes later. Anfernee Barrow then extended his team’s advantage compliments of an 11th minute effort. The deal was

sealed when Antoine Gill found the back of the net in the 15th minute. Amazings, who were nothing remotely close to their name, finally got on the score sheet, as Kevin Dornick scored. The aforementioned was nothing more than a consolation, as Captain Omar Brewley netted a ‘Guinness Goal’ (GG) [a goal scored in the final three minutes of regulation and extra time counts as two] in the 39th minute to commence the championship celebrations. For their thrilling performance, the High Rollers walked away with $400,000 and the winner’s trophy. They also earned the right to represent the zone at the

National Championship. On the other hand, Amazings collected $150,000 and a trophy. Meanwhile, in the thirdplace play-off, Capital Storm dismissed Silver Bullets 4-1. Akeem Singh struck a brace in the fourth and 24th minutes, before completing the result with a (GG) in the 30th minute. For Silver Bullets, Jermaine Samuels netted in the first minute. Capital Storm pocketed $100,000, while Silver Bullets had to settle for $75,000. The event continues in the month of June with the Bartica Championship. The other major sponsor of the event is Colours Boutique.

Demerara dethroned Berbice to take the Hand in Hand 50 over title

Demerara dethrone Berbice to take HiH 50 over title Page

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Gomes, Indarjit score at GAPLF

Masters/Intermediate

Championships The athletes who walked away with the top honours in the Guyana Amateur Power Lifting Federation (GAPLF)’s Masters/Intermediate Championships, held on Sunday at the St. Stanislaus College. See full details in Tuesday’s edition

Eight

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qualify for

quarter-finals

of Corona Futsal

Part of the action in the Corona Futsal Tournament

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MONDAY, MAY 20, 2019