Boys Top! No. 104604
WEDNESDAY JULY 6, 2016
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Mae’s, Dharmic Rama Krishna boys top NGSA
‘Picture Boy’ gets death sentence 2
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… for Victoria brothers’ murders
Guyanese make up 20% of Antigua 11 Page
… PM Browne hails contributions to economy
No bail for cop 12 on ammo charge Page
Anthony Ferreira of Mae's Under 12 gained 568 marks
Aryan Singh of the Dharmic Rama Krishna School scored 568 marks
Guyana to set up High Commission in TT 10 Page
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2016
‘Picture Boy’ gets death sentence …for killing Victoria brothers
By Shauna Jemmott ALMOST ten years and three trials into the 2006 murder of Victoria brothers Ray Walcott, called ‘Sugar’, and Carl Andrews, called ‘Alo’, a family is thankful for closure on the matter after Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry passed down two sentences of death to Cyon Collier, called ‘Picture Boy’, who yesterday was found guilty of both murders. Walcott and Andrews were gunned down by Collier at Victoria Four Corner, East Coast Demerara, on September 23, 2006. Walcott’s entire forehead was torn away, while Andrews was shot at least three times, and died as a result of perforation of the lungs caused by a single gunshot wound. Reports indicate that both siblings died as a result of multiple gunshot injuries. Collier was sentenced to death by Justice Sewnarine-Beharry, after a 12-member jury found him guilty of the murders of Walcott and Andrews. Reports are that Collier rode up on a motorcycle while a group of men were playing a friendly game of dominoes at Victoria Four Corner, East Coast Demerara, and after a brief interaction, gunned down the two brothers execution-style. After the jury announced that Collier had been found guilty on both counts of murder, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry, in passing down both death sentences, told the convicted
murderer that he was sentenced to death and would “be taken to a lawful place of execution and there be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May the Lord have mercy on your soul.” Earlier, after the verdict was read and Collier was asked if he had anything to say, he responded, “Maam, I don’t know how they arrived at that verdict. Since the jury has found me guilty of the charge, I stand here asking for the mercy of the court. I ask Your Honour to Sentenced to death: be very lenient with me. I also Cyon Collier, called wanna say sorry to the relatives “Picture Boy” of the deceased, and I beg their forgiveness.” As the court officers led Collier out of the courtroom, he remained calm but displayed a sad countenance. He showed his relatives the ‘thumbs-up’, and they, too, exited the courtroom quickly. Mother of the dead brothers, Jeune Andrews, stood in the courtroom and lifted both hands on high with her eyes closed as Collier left the court. This trial, which began on June 7, saw 10 witnesses being called by the prosecution, while the defence, represented by Attorney-at-Law Lindon Amsterdam, called five witnesses. Collier, who had fled the murder scene, was discovered asleep in an abandoned house at Lot 23 Bachelor’s Adventure, ECD at 05:00hrs by a party of police officers and soldiers 12 days after the fatal shooting. He had in his possession a number of guns and ammunition, including an AK-47 assault rifle. Collier faced trial twice before for the same murders, but the
other two trials ended in ‘hung’ juries before different judges. On Tuesday, the State closed its case after ten of its intended eleven witnesses had testified. Collier was called on to lead his defence, and gave an unsworn statement from the dock, wherein he chronicled his movements leading up to the shooting on September 23, 2006 and thereafter. He told the court that he was neither present at the scene of the shooting nor was he around that area, even though witnesses had placed him at the scene before and after the fatal shooting. Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle after the verdicts were delivered, father of the two deceased men, Godfrey Andrews, gave all credit to God for the way the case had ended. “Everything that takes place in this court is God work. He did it the right time and the right place. He knows all things. You could get away from man, but you cannot get away from God. This has been going on all the time. I’m happy to hear for what God has done, and I give Him all the praise, all the honour! All! I give Him my life.” Andrews said of the convict: “He been bribing, bribing, bribing; but then you know God say it’s the end and it got to be the end is today. I’m happy for the prosecutor that led the case. I’m happy for the judge, and also God will richly bless those twelve learned men who sitting there and give that decision, because it is the fact that he murdered these two guys; no doubt about it.” Mrs Jeune Andrews said, “With God all things are possible…I have faith in the God I serve. The pain is still there because I lost two sons and it’s a long time. I never fight anybody, (but) I just take it to the Lord in prayer… and I thank Him.” Two of the Andrews’ siblings also travelled into Guyana last night to be present at the end of the trial. The case was prosecuted by Attorneys Narissa Leander and Tuanna Hardy.
BOYS TOP!
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2016
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Mae’s, Dharmic Rama Krishna boys top NGSA By Ravin Singh ANTHONY Ferreira of Mae’s Under 12 School and Aryan Singh of Dharmic Rama Krishna School gained the top places at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), both having scored the highest marks of the 14,386 pupils who wrote the examinations. The duo each scored 568 marks -- 15 marks short of a perfect score -- to jointly share the top spot at this year’s NGSA. Third position was gained by Sarena Razak of Graham’s Hall Primary, who obtained 565 marks; while fourth position was gained by Chelsea Barnes of Success Elementary, who gained 563 marks. Securing fifth position was Arun Sooknarine of Dharmic Rama Krishna with 562 marks; and Helia Agrad of Success Elementary gained the sixth position with 561 marks. Seventh position was shared by five candidates, namely: Indie Rampersaud of Success Elementary, Justin Seecharan of Success Elementary, Jonathan Ganga of Leonora Primary, Divya Nandalall of Mae’s Under 12, and Lemuel Assing of New Guyana School. The top 10 candidates will each be awarded a place at Queen’s College; along with those who achieved 541 marks or above. Those who received between 531 and 540 will be awarded a place at the Bishops’ High School, while those scoring between 522 and 530 will earn a spot at St. Stanislaus College. Students who scored between 516 and 521 marks will be awarded places at St. Rose’s High School, and those who gained between 508 and 516 marks will be awarded places at St. Joseph High.
And while President’s College remains one of the ‘A’ schools in Region Four, only non-residential places will be awarded to candidates from Region Four who are living between Mahaica and Cummings Lodge and have attained a minimum score of 493 marks. However, residential places will be offered to candidates from regions One, Two, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine and Ten who have attained scores of 493 marks and above. It was revealed that a total of 225 candidates from schools in these regions are eligible for entry into the school. Tabulations for this year’s NGSA, which were written on the 27th and 28th of April, did not include the grades Two and Four assessment results of these students, as had obtained in previous years. Education Minister Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, who said at a press conference on Tuesday that his Ministry has commenced collaboration with the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) to improve the quality of all primary grade assessments, made this disclosure. He explained that the objective of this consultation is to ensure that all assessments conform to regional and international test development and administration standards and expectations, to facilitate consistent, reliable measurement and tracking of pupil performance. He noted that teachers, subject specialists and test development officers from Guyana developed all items for the 2016 NGSA, with the technical guidance of CXC. These, according to him, addressed key areas, such as item construction, weighting of items, sampling, and other psychometric elements. Areas tested for each subject were as follows: For Mathematics -- knowledge, algorithmic thinking and reasoning; for
Science -- knowledge, comprehension and application; for Social Studies --knowledge, conceptual understanding and use of knowledge; and for English Language -- reading, comprehension and vocabulary; structure and mechanics; content, focus, vocabulary, language and organisation. Regarding the overall subject performance, Minister Roopnaraine revealed that the performances in English Language and Social Studies has been consistent with what obtained in previous years. He noted, however, that the 2016 results regarding Mathematics and Science have fallen below those of previous years. Though statistics were not provided by the minister, he noted that the analysis is currently being conducted to ascertain the specific areas in which pupils experienced the greatest difficulty. “The Ministry of Education has made concerted efforts to include items that would stimulate critical and higher-level thinking. The analysis of the 2016 assessment results will have deep implications for the instructional approaches adopted by teachers going forward,” Dr. Roopnaraine said. He also noted that the practices of drilling and teaching to the test, which had been adopted over the years, will do little to benefit pupils in this new dispensation, and work will be continued throughout the system to ensure that teachers focus on fully teaching the appropriate concepts and raising pupils’ competence levels, rather than employing the antiquated traditional approaches. The 2016 NGSA results will be available online from 5 pm this evening. Parents and students are advised to log onto the Ministry of Education website: education.gov. gy. The candidate’s timetable will provide the necessary information to access these results.
Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and other officials of that ministry
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 6, 2016
Trump says Hillary Clinton emails ‘endangered US’ ––Obama endorses her nevertheless HILLARY Clinton’s use of private email while secretary of state put the “entire country in danger,” US Republican Donald Trump has said. The FBI’s decision not to recommend criminal charges against her is the greatest example yet that the system is rigged, he told a North Carolina rally. Democrat Mrs Clinton and Mr Trump are their party’s likely choices to do battle for the White House in November. They are expected to be made the official nominees later this month. FBI Director, James
Comey said Mrs Clinton had been careless in how
no case to bring criminal charges, because there was no evidence of intent. Speaking in Raleigh, Mr Trump disagreed, and said the system had been set up to protect the Clintons; that she’d put the “entire country in danger”, and had probably been hacked. “Her judgment is horrible,” he said, adding: “She will be such a lousy president, folks.” The New York businessman also said that Attorney-General Loretta Lynch had been bribed, getting a promise she would keep her job in return for allowing Mrs Clinton to escape prosecution.
she handled sensitive information, but there was
President Barack Obama hits the campaign trail in Charlotte, North Carolina with Hillary Clinton
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Other Republicans were also critical of the FBI decision. House Speaker Paul Ryan said it “defied explanation”. “Declining to prosecute Secretary Clinton for recklessly mishandling and transmitting national security information will set a terrible precedent,” he said. Hours later, she appeared on stage with President Barack Obama in Charlotte, North Carolina. Neither of them mentioned the case. Instead, Mr Obama offered her an enthusiastic endorsement at the rally, his first appearance with her during the campaign. Mr Obama said he be-
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lieved in Mrs Clinton, and there had never been any man or woman more qualified for the presidency. Mrs Clinton’s campaign spokesman backed the decision, but admitted it had been a “mistake” for her to use personal email. Her personal email server, which she used for both government and personal business, has haunted her campaign since the issue first emerged in March 2015. (BBC)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Visa-free travel among commitments for Chile, Guyana By Derwayne Wills PRESIDENT David Granger held talks yesterday with his Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet to discuss strengthening bilateral relations between the two South American countries. Guyana and Chile are preparing to finalise negotiations on visa-free travel from Georgetown to Santiago for “holders of ordinary passports.” As it relates to Guyana’s mineral extraction industries, President Bachelet said President Granger asked for more support in the areas of gold, diamonds, and bauxite extraction; and Chile has much to offer Guyana, since Chile has strong mechanisms to ensure that the extraction of natural resources is done in a sustainable manner and with full adherence to regulatory provisions. While the provision of financing to Guyana was not part of the agenda for the high-level meeting, the Chilean President has taken note of both the banking and financing concerns within the Caribbean. “We are asking
for information to see which we can support,” President Bachelet said. The possibility of visa-free travel between the two countries and support for candidacies for regional or international positions were among matters discussed between the two presidents. At the end of this year, the United Nations will short-list the body’s next Secretary-General. A December 2015 communique from the agency has called for a fair balance of male and female candidates to be endorsed by member states. The Chilean President was named among potential women candidates for the post, as were the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Christine Lagarde and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Asked what she thought about being considered for the post, President Bachelet responded: “Not at all! I am not a candidate; I’m President of the Republic of Chile until March 2018.” There were some contentions that Bachelet’s visit to the region for this year’s heads of government meeting had to do with her garnering
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet interacting Convention Centre support for a future bid for bases for continued engagethe UN top position, but ment. Bachelet laid those concerns President Granger has to rest by saying, “I’m here been invited to visit the Rebecause I believe that Chile public of Chile, but negotiahas an important priority tions in regard to the opporfor the Latin American and tune time for the visit are still Caribbean Region.” ongoing. She added that Latin This is not the Chilean America and the Caribbean President’s first visit to Guyhave similar challenges in ana; President Bachelet visitclimate change, poverty, and ed in 2007 under the Bharrat democracy, which serve as Jagdeo presidency. This trip
with Guyana’s press corps at the Arthur Chung will see Chile’s first female President opening an embassy in Georgetown. Capitalising on the current meeting of Caribbean leaders in Guyana, President Bachelet met yesterday with the Prime Ministers of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago -- Andrew Holness and Dr Keith Rowley respectively – with whom she plugged the need
for stronger bilateral relations with those countries.
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Editor-In-Chief
Nigel Williams Editor
Godfrey Wray
Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com
Editorial
Regional Food Security WHEN food is available and people cannot have access to or purchase same, it contributes to hunger. Food was -- and continues to be -- used as a weapon, resulting in wars, famine, divisions in society, disintegration of values and groups, and other socio-economic and political ills. It is said that ‘he who feeds you controls you by determining your taste and influencing how you think.’ The early pioneers of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) understood this truism and sought to guard against it, given the implication of newly-independent societies trying to make their mark in a global economy, and the concern of subjecting the peoples to other forms of colonisation or dependency. It is to Guyana’s credit that the policy of promoting and substituting local products in preference to those that originated outside of CARICOM was embraced during the administration of Forbes Burnham, one of the Founding Fathers of CARICOM. This was a step in the direction of strengthening the nation’s independence and security, and empowering the people. This policy not only set in train employment and economic opportunities, but created potential for further technological advancement through research and development, niche markets for Caribbean foods in the global economy, and boosting the Gross Domestic Product, local and regional. The earlier sense of camaraderie in pushing among member-states the acquisition of goods and services from within the region was considered a necessity. For instance, Guyana took a deliberate decision to purchase soap from the Commonwealth of Dominica at a relatively higher price than what obtained in the European market. While on the surface this decision may elicit questions, it should not be overlooked that, in the first instance, the money Guyana used to purchase the product remained in the Region, consequently creating opportunities in the Commonwealth of Dominica for the maintenance and improvement of the company and its
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 6, 2016
AG calls out Kaieteur News on ‘malicious’ headline
Dear Editor, I WRITE in relation to an article published in the July 3, 2016 edition of the Kaieteur News under the headline ‘Government fails to collect $900M court judgement -– AG; SECL cannot be located’. I must inform you that the aforementioned headline is a malicious libel against the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs (AGMLA), Hon. Basil Williams, and the Government of Guyana (GoG). In the ordinary meaning of the words, the headline conveys that the current Government was responsible for contracting the Indian company Surendra Engineering Company Limited (SECL), and encouraged that
company to defraud the Guyanese people of Gy$900M by not making every effort to bring the company to account for its breaches of the Specialty Hospital contract. The headline further suggests that your publication finds no fault with the PPP/C government’s complicity in the Surendra debacle, and is content to make the APNU/AFC government and AGMLA scapegoats for the rapacious corruption practised by the last Government. The fact of the matter is that after we came into office, the filing, hearing and awarding of judgement against Surendra and the fleeing of the country by its officers were a done deal. Mr. Anil Nandlall did
nothing to enforce the judgement against Surendra in India, nor did I inherit any files in the AG Chambers showing that he did. An accurate account of the questions and answers at my press conference of Saturday, July 2, 2016 ought to have put you in better stead. I reject out of hand the headline of your article, and request that you either publish my letter, or a correction of the headline to read the “PPP/C government failed to collect…” Yours truly, BASIL WILLIAMS Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs
AMERICA: Destined to be great Dear Editor, AMERICA is not just a name or a geographical fact; it’s the energy, spirit, determination, freedoms and responsibilities; respect, acceptance, innovation, charisma -- all these and so much more of a land that inhibits limitless possibilities in almost every sphere of life. America, to me, represents that inner drive to inspire one’s self, which motivates and harnesses the power of people to do great things for great reasons. Whether it is practising one’s religion; coming up with cultural ideas; enjoying personal freedoms and the right to be heard; stamping out injustices against others, and not just paying lip service; respecting the rights and
freedoms of cross-cultural boundaries; leading the way in education, health, science, technology, modern architecture; preserving the past, governing the people, enforcing its laws in fairness, and being the watchdog of the world, the great United States of America would always continue to shine as that beacon of hope, the light at the end of the tunnel. Its dreams will always be in sync with the hard efforts put in by those who toil day after day in all its states. From the Empire State Building and Staten Island Ferry in NY to the Grand Canyon in the West; from the Statue of Liberty to the Washington Monument, America will ALWAYS be a nation that will succeed in all its endeavours, regardless of the naysayers and sourpusses
product, with consequent employment and economic opportunities for persons and other companies. Given that CARICOM and institutions of a similar nature are built on the desires and aspirations of the member-states and their peoples, it augurs well when decision-making does not lose sight of the collective. As, over the next few days, the leaders deliberate, it is expected that uppermost in the deliberations would be the ballooning and unsustainable Food Bill of the Region. It is hoped that, as a matter of necessity, a programme will be conceptualised and developed to drastically reduce this bill, which presently stands at over US$4.5B. Reducing this Bill can see the Region’s scarce foreign exchange being diverted to other crucial areas that beg for attention, like education and health services. A 2013 Food and Agriculture Organization Report warns that “A continuation of the current CARICOM food import bill trends can only lead to further nutritional and economic impoverishment for the people of the region for generations to come.” What is also disturbing is that some of the foods imported into the Region can be produced here. Moreover, some of these foods are processed or over processed, are low in nutritional value, and have health implications attached. Non-communicable diseases, which are on the rise in the Region, are manifested in obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure -- which are based on lifestyle choices, including consumption of foods that are high in saturated fats, sugars and sodium, which are prevalent in processed foods. Longevity is also threatened with a sustained pattern of poor
who bad talk it every day. I’m not American, but if America can, to such extent, excite someone outside its borders -- a Guyanese, like I’m sure it does many others of various nationalities -- then that country has been GREAT from the very start: when its founding fathers established its foundations of greatness and resilience. That’s why, no matter what, America will ALWAYS be the greatest nation on this earth. The state of its union will get stronger and stronger with every passing year. God bless the United States of America! And a happy 240th!! Regards, LEON SUSERAN
nutritional intake. The Region has all the natural resources it needs to produce its own foods and supply the global market with health foods -- which are the new crave, given their value to nutrition, health and longevity. This Region -- notably Guyana, Belize and Suriname -- has more than enough land mass, potential and possibilities to carve a niche in the organic foods’ market. In the increasing global demand for herbal food supplements and medicines, much of the products are grown, or can be grown, here. What is required are sustained efforts and support to see them enter the market. The responsibility to eliminate hunger; provide appropriate education and health services; construct roads, highways and bridges; create and maintain equity and equal opportunity, and ensure the enabling environment for employment and economic opportunities is that of the Government, not the private sector. Where the view was once held or encouraged that governments have relinquished their roles to the private sector via neo-liberal policies, such has been the major contributor to the global recession. Governments, more notably those in developed countries, have since moved to assume their rightful roles through laws, policies, programmes, checks and balances, and oversight institutions. Caricom governments have to prioritise addressing the Region’s Food Import Bill if the region is to develop and compete in the global marketplace, and if its people are to be assured of health and longevity.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 6, 2016
Comment on Against the Grain column Dear Editor, PERMIT me space to comment on your column “Against the Grain” of Wednesday 22 June. There is no big deal when it comes to dark- and fair-skinned people, but definitely we are referring to blacks as to Amerindians and East Indians. I do not write with fear but the facts; I want all those who know to gain by writing in “black and white”. When you put blacks and other fair-skinned people to cohabit, obviously you will get another race; and to put it bluntly, you will be destroying one race and creating another. President Barack Obama correctly stated that if a person has five percent black, that person automatically becomes black. It is like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. Let’s come to grips: one set of fair-skinned people are doing all the farming and businesses (90 percent); if they should become another race by cohabiting with another race, who will plant and do business as time goes on? Only certain people are into private enterprise, so they should not be destroyed gradually. Some people do not want to go to the lands and into business for some reason or the other. The article at reference appears on page eight of the Wednesday June 22 issue, and I quote: “How do we as a people challenge something which many do not believe exists; how do we tell the men and women that their preference for lighter skin people is a preference”. Doing so is putting your own darkskinned women to be bypassed for a lighter skin person. The dark skin woman would feel rejected and unwanted by her own dark-skinned people. The rationale is to stand by ourselves, continue to accept ourselves the way we are, and not feel ashamed of ourselves because we are dark-skinned. Another important fact concerns our family values, where dark-skinned women having a burden of two to five children to take care of and no support from their fathers (most). This leaves the children open to all kinds of behaviours, including crime. What our dark-skinned family has to do is not to bleach our skin to become fair and go for fair-skinned people; they cannot give you anything. You have to become family-oriented: husband, wife and children living in one house -- that is the beginning of economic prosperity, like our older folks who built their own houses, most of which are still standing, being now occupied by grands and great grands, most of them dark-skinned people. It is the case why most dark-skinned people are not getting up in life. This topic can be debated. “Destroying one race to create another” is not good for the world. Eventually, all fair-skinned people will become dark-skinned; and unless dark-skinned people have economic parity with fair-skinned people, we will continue to be jealous and envious of each other. Regards, NAME WITHHELD
City Mayor, Deputy clash over ‘haste’ in pushing Capital Planning Commission idea By Telesha Ramnarine GEORGETOWN Mayor Patricia Chase-Green and Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan have clashed over the establishment of a National Capital Planning Commission for urban development. During his visit to the City Council recently, President David Granger had proposed that the Council look to establish the National Capital Planning Commission, which would see a structured approach being utilized for the development of Georgetown. The Mayor yesterday called an extraordinary statutory meeting to discuss the issue with councillors, but the Deputy Mayor questioned the haste with which the Mayor was pursuing this matter, as opposed to how other “burning” issues are dealt with. “Every time I have called a meeting to deal with matters of this Council, there is some negativity coming from some corners, with objections on how we should move forward,” the Mayor responded. Chase-Green made it clear that she has the authority to call such an emergency meeting, having been in the City Council since 1994 and knowing of all the issues there. The Mayor asked that each councillor voice their opinion on what it would take to move the Commission forward, but the Deputy Mayor said he has chosen to reserve his comments until he has had enough time to think about it. Numerous other councillors requested more time to think about the request and to do research on the matter. HASTE “I’m wondering why this urgency. Since April 1 of our election, my observation has been (that) we have done everything else than sit down, as a new Council, and formulate our own ideas in moving forward. “When we came into the
Council, we had the parking meter issue handed to us from a previous council. We’ve had the movement of the vendors handed to use by a group of individuals; this council was never consulted on it. Here, again, we are jumping on another issue that has occupied the front burner of the Council. I have no trouble looking at it; but it is the haste at which we are looking at it,” Duncan said. He noted that no special meeting was called to discuss other burning issues. “Here, again, we are chewing off another huge issue; again, that will impede on a lot of Council work.” Chase-Green argued, though, that the Council has limited time at its disposal. “Three years may look like a lot of time, but it’s not; so we have to move this process forward. We have a lot of issues to deal with.” Town Clerk Royston King also noted that time is of the essence. “We’re moving at snail’s pace,” he said in response to Duncan’s comments that the Council is rushing to establish the Commission. King urged that the Terms of Reference (TORs) should first be determined by the Council, as those would provide answers to a number of issues raised by councillors. “We might want to include the University of Guyana, Ministry of Health, Central Housing and Planning Authority, the Guyana Water Inc., the Guyana Fire Service, Ministry of Communities, Ministry of Infrastructure. All these must be part of the Commission; but whether we will have a one-man Commission and these persons are used as resource personnel, or whether we will have them be part of the actual commission is what this council must determine,” King offered. King also noted that the Council would have to determine how much the Commission would be paid. “This Council will have to pay for the Commission. The Commission, though independent in its work, will be subordinate to
this Council. The Commission will have no power of its own, but will have the power that is given to it by this Council,” the Town Clerk explained. OTHER REPORTS Meanwhile, several councillors asked that the administration provide them with copies of the Burrowes Report and Professor Aktar Khan’s Report, which contain essential information that may help to formulate the policies for the Commission. In fact, Councillor Lionel Hanoman Jaikaran made a formal request for the reports, which he said would make the work of councillors easier. He commented that the one week period which the Mayor has given to councillors for submission of their ideas to the Town Clerk is not enough. Jaikaran requested at least two weeks to consider the reports, but the Mayor said the reports are not needed for the formulation of the policies for the Commission. Councillor Phillip Smith similarly spoke about the benefits of accessing the other reports done. He noted that he would be better informed if he had them. He noted that if he had insight into what was already studied, he would be in a much better position to make his proposals. Councillor Bishram Kuppen agreed that councillors need time to review those reports, and he urged that they be made available to the councillors. “It’s about time that this City (be able to) consider this project. The bottom line is: ‘where is this money going to come from?’ But I’m sure we can work that out,” he commented. At the end of the discussion, it was understood that councillors have one week to make their ideas about the Commission known to the Town Clerk; after which the Town Clerk has two weeks to formulate a draft proposal, circulate it to councillors, and then place it on the agenda for discussion at the following statutory meeting.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Those presidential pardons
By Akola Thompson
SINCE President David Granger’s announcement that he would be giving out yearly pardons to non-violent offenders, the public has remained largely divisive on the issue. Many are of the opinion that the pardons will help reduce the population at the long overcrowded Camp Street Prison, and provide an opportunity for youths, mothers and fathers to learn from their mistakes and make a good contribution to society. Then there are some who believe that those who have already been imprisoned would have no problem returning to a life of crime when they get out jail. Both of these positions have strong arguments on their side. However, while President Granger’s reasons for pardoning non-violent prisoners can be understood, and even to a certain degree commended, the secrecy regarding the pardoned prisoners has, up to now, rightly caused considerable contention among a considerable size of the electorate. While Article 188(1) of the Constitution provides the president with freedom to issue presidential pardons to prisoners,
Bids open for maternity waiting area at Suddie THE National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Georgetown opened several bids on Tuesday for the construction of a Maternity waiting Area at the Suddie Public Hospital, Region No. 2 and Rehabilitation of Linden Foundation Secondary School in Region No. 10. The names of the companies and their respective bids are shown in the table below
this right does not extend to the lack of transparency in who is being pardoned, and for what crime they were imprisoned, as those pardoned are not necessarily being pardoned for their innocence, but rather merely because of the goodwill of the President. The secrecy regarding those pardoned must be corrected. One of the reasons given for the non-divulgence of the names was that it could possibly hinder the reintegration process of those persons back into society after a while of imprisonment. The President, in responding to mounting criticisms, reiterated that as long as his actions remain legal, he would continue to pardon prisoners, and the electorate should not fear. One hopes that the reform programmes set in place for those trying to reintegrate into society are substantial and have a high success rate, given the known trend of petty criminals -- who often graduate into serious crimes, particularly after being housed for several months and years with hardened criminals. Following the news, in late May of this year, that one of the youths -- Kevin Bates -- who was issued a presidential pardon but was again rearrested, and that he has a criminal record dating back to 2014, it appeared as if the Government
would finally make the long-awaited move to publicly disclose the names of those pardoned. Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, stated that the release of the teenager Kevin Bates was a grave mistake, and that he is now inclined to release the names of the pardoned prisoners, once there is request. “It is an obligation in the name of transparency that the Minister (should) release all the names of those who are on parole and pardoned,” he said. However, despite repeated calls made by the People’s Progressive Party Civic and the public to have the names of persons and specifics of their crimes released to them, the Government has, from all indications, not so done. It begs the question as to whether Government’s pronouncements must be taken with the proverbial ‘grain of salt,’ particularly in sensitive matters such as the prison pardons. While the President can continue pardoning prisoners throughout the rest of his term, if the practice of refusal to divulge the names of those pardoned is continued, it will send the wrong signal to the electorate on the matter of transparency and accountability.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2016
US$300,000 Japanese grant for disaster risk project THE impact of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in Guyana was further highlighted with the official launching of a special project in the agriculture sector in Guyana, titled “Building Resilience and Sustainable Livelihood: Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management/Disaster Risk Reduction (DRM/DRR)”. The US$300,000 project which is funded by the Japanese Government under supervision of the United Nations Development Project (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was officially launched on Monday in the UNDP Conference Room. Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder in delivering the feature address, underscored the importance of implementing enhanced disaster risk management mechanisms to offset the impact climate change has on agriculture production in Guyana. This, he noted, has caused increased focus on the need for enhanced agriculture disaster and risk management systems to be implemented. Building on the past achievements, projects such as these are necessary, according to the Agriculture Minister, as agriculture risk reduction and disaster management revolve around adaptation and mitigation initiatives to prevent and manage floods and droughts. GOOD ECONOMIC SENSE "With the kind of economic losses and developmental setbacks that Guyana has experienced because of El Nino or drought-like periods and La Nina-related floods, particularly since 2000, it makes good economic sense to invest in prevention and mitigation of disasters," the Minister said. While the issue of disaster risk reduction is not entirely new to the agriculture sector, and the Ministry of Agriculture specifically, the development of the disaster risk management plan for the agriculture sector in 2013, represented the first attempt at a holistic framework for mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in the agricultural sub-sectors. Minister Holder echoed the call for the critical masses to be fully equipped with knowledge and skills to direct the much needed transformation, for the needed change to occur. "We therefore thank the Government of Japan, UNDP, FAO and
Japanese Ambassador Mitsuhiko Okada delivering remarks at the event other partners for supporting us in this project, which is in line with the guiding principles of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the global call for Governance within Disaster Risk Reduction," he said. Japanese Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Mitsuhiko Okada spoke of the importance that disaster risk management plays and pledged the continued support of the people and government of Japan to Guyana. In February of this year, the Japanese Government approved the US$300,000 to support disaster risk management in Guyana, which according to the Ambassador will significantly aid in strengthening the system. DISASTER, FOOD INSECURITY Meanwhile, FAO's Deputy Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean, Dr. Lystra Fletcher-Paul pointed to some of the
UN Resident Coordinator Khadija Musa impacts that natural disasters pose in the Caribbean annually. In 1998, as a result of drought, 35 percent of Guyana's rice fields were left uncultivated due to insufficient water. "There is a direct link between disaster and food insecurity...they interrupt market access, trade and food supply, reduce income and employment, deplete saving and erode livelihood," she said. In 2013, the FAO worked with the Ministry of Agriculture to develop a disaster risk management plan for the agriculture sector. This project was important for reducing the effects of climate change and was also emphasized by UN Resident Coordinator and Finance Secretary, Ministry of Finance, respectively, Ms, Khadija Musa and Dr. Hector Butts. The Japanese funded project remains a timely initiative in assisting the agriculture sector in Guyana to respond more effectively to the impacts of climate change and to further increase the country's resilience to offset the effects of climate change.
Sources: Parliament View extension in limbo By Alva Solomon PARLIAMENT-view vendors are likely to face expulsion from the old Royal Castle site on Hadfield Street as the owner of the property is expected to fence and carry out works at the end of the three-month City Hall agreement, which ends in August, sources say. However, this is contrary to the optimistic views expressed by Town Clerk, Royston King who informed the Mayor and City Council during last Monday’s statutory meeting that the vendors’ stay at the property may be extended. “We are likely to get an additional three months from the owner of the plot of land south of parliament building", King told the council last Monday. This newspaper understands that the property, which is owned by businessman Paul Daby, will be fenced and the owner is likely to go ahead with infrastructural works at the site when the three-month agreement ends in August. Mandela Avenue businessman, Hareshnarine Sugrim is
handling matters relative to the property on behalf of Daby. At last Monday’s meeting, King asked that the council formulate an alternative location after the three months because the administration of the municipality “won’t be looking at this.” "If council does not come up with a policy, the admin will not formulate any,” King said. NO VENDING POLICY He deemed the situation as being of a serious nature, compounded by the absence of a vending policy. The Markets Committee took note at the meeting and promised to have an alternative in place before the end of the three-month deadline. However, the issue of an alternative venue for the vendors remains unfulfilled. The vendors, who were displaced from the area outside the Stabroek Market at the beginning of May, were
relocated to the site opposite the Linden Bus Park as the Georgetown Municipality forges ahead with plans to restore and preserve the splendor of the iconic Stabroek Market Square. Approximately 150 displaced vendors were relocated to the site early in May, under the temporary arrangement made with the owner of the property. The venue was resurfaced and provision of washrooms and waste compactors, installation of lights and the provision of security were among the added initiatives undertaken. The council also procured 150 tents to house the vendors. An estimated 300 vendors operated various services, including bread stands, mobile phone card stands and dry goods and perishables, and were affected by the relocation, which they had initially agreed to during a meeting with City Hall officials late in April. In addition, several minibus parks, including Routes 41, 45, 46 and 48, were shifted from the Stabroek area.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Guyana considers establishing High Commission in T&T
GUYANA has signaled its intention to establish a High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago, President David Granger confirmed yesterday. He told the press corps yesterday that his government is currently in talks with their counterpart in the twin-island republic. “It is likely that a high commissioner will be based in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said. While the official instrument has been sent to the Trinidad and Tobago government, its Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, during his inaugural address at the opening of the 37th meeting of CARICOM leaders in Guyana last evening said his Cabinet has approved the exchange of High Commissioners between his country and Barbados. And while Dr Rowley went on to hint that another CARICOM country could be seeing a similar development in the near future, he did not indicate which. Asked about the likelihood of Guyana’s application being the next to be approved by the Trinidad and Tobago
government, Mr Granger said that question would be best answered by that country’s Prime Minister. ONLY A CONSULATE
Guyana currently has a consulate in the twin-island republic. That consul, which is located in St Clare, is manned by Consul-General, Ernie Ross. As consul-general of Guyana to Trinidad and Tobago, Ross’s position is unpaid. At present, Trinidad and Tobago has no representative in Guyana. The agreement of Trinidad and Tobago’s cabinet for Guyana to establish a High Commission in that country would also see the twin-island republic establishing one here. Ross is no stranger to controversy. In early 2015, Ross was fingered in a witness tampering allegation, which saw the twin island republic’s former Prime Minister, Kamla Persad Bissessar firing her National Security Minister, Gary Griffith. The allegations against
Ross came just a few months before both Guyana’s People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and Trinidad and Tobago’s United National Congress (UNC) lost their countries’ respective elections. MIRED IN CONTROVERSY Ross, a former campaign manager for Trinidad and Tobago’s UNC, which was headed by Persad Bissessar, although mired in controversy had received full endorsement by Guyana’s foreign ministry under the former PPP/C administration. The PPP/C lost its election bid in May 2015 against the David Granger-led coalition, A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC). In Trinidad and Tobago, on the other hand, the UNC was ousted in September 2015 by Dr Keith Rowley’s of the People’s National Movement (PNM). Although most of Guyana’s Foreign representatives were recalled by the new ad-
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley greets First Lady Sandra Granger. Second right is President David Granger ministration, as per diplomatic protocol, Ross continues to have the confidence of this new administration. Foreign Minister, Carl Greenidge was questioned yesterday about the coalition government’s continued support of Ross, but he refused
to comment, as he hurried off to an afternoon caucus of regional leaders at the Arthur Chung Convention Center, Liliendaal. The Guyana Chronicle reached out to their source at the foreign ministry some time ago to determine the
status of Guyana opening diplomatic channels with Trinidad and Tobago. The source said there is yet to be an official response to the invitation by the Trinbagonian authorities, but that the process could take some time.
Minister Lawrence ...
No ‘double-dipping’ - Pensioners must be living in Guyana
THE Ministry of Social Protection will be putting measures in place to ensure that Guyanese who live in other countries do not access a Guyana pension. This information was related to the Government Information Agency (GINA) in a recent interview with Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence. Minister Lawrence described it as ‘double dipping’ when persons not living in Guyana, access pension from both the Guyanese government and the country in which they live. “We will be putting an end to persons who are ‘double dipping’…we have persons who believe that it is their right to live in a foreign country and collect their pensions here…we are saying no, it is not going to happen,” Minister Lawrence said. She added that last year, this issue was brought to the attention of the staff of
the ministry who were advised that they will be held responsible and surcharged where books are issued, with them knowing the persons do not live in Guyana. Persons desirous of accessing old age pension will have to be living in Guyana for a minimum of two years. “In the hinterland regions we know there are persons with more than one identification card who draw (collect) pension under one name in one region, then travel to the next and draw under the other name,” Minister Lawrence explained. Minister Lawrence explained that the issue of double dipping is not limited to accessing pension, but also public assistance for school aged children. She explained that some students are beneficiaries of public assistance in Guyana, but they also benefit from similar assistance in neighbouring Brazil. “To address this, guardians will have to
submit an attendance report for the child so that they can continue accessing such assistance,” Minister Lawrence explained. Additionally, the Ministry will be digitalising the pension system to make it more efficient in identifying redundancies in the system. The digitised database will also indicate to the ministry persons who are authorising others to collect their pensions, which is an indication that they are not in Guyana. The digitalising of the pension database will also see greater accountability within the pension system, and probation officers will have more time to do additional field work and conduct visitations. The Social Protection Ministry has engaged the Ministry of Public Telecommunications to ensure that the two agencies can collectively run a pilot of this electronic project. (GINA)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Guyanese make up 20% of Antigua … PM Browne hails contributions to economy
By Svetlana Marshall Antigua and Barbuda has gone well beyond its treaty commitments to allow for the free movement of skilled nationals, and Guyanese are reaping significant benefits, that country’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne said on Tuesday. Minutes after exiting CARICOM’s first Business Plenary at the Guyana Pegasus Hotel, Prime Minister Browne told local journalists that Antigua and Barbuda is among Member States leading the way in the promotion of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). “We have gone beyond our treaty commitments to allow for the free movement of skilled nationals,” he said while adding that the Antigua and Barbuda has even opened up its economic and social space to unskilled nationals to work and live. “So we have gone way beyond the call of duty to facilitate the movement of the Caribbean people,” Prime Minister Browne emphasised. But Antigua and Barbuda’s involvement in CSME is not just limited to the free movement of labour – the country as part of its trade arrangements has been importing a number of products from CARICOM countries. “So our commitment to CARICOM integration I believe is extremely strong and can be seen in very tangible ways.” His comments come exactly one year after, Antigua and Barbuda was granted an extension to its five-year exemption from the free movement agreement for domestic workers established under the Caribbean Single Market
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne speaking with local journalists at the Guyana Pegasus Hotel on Tuesday and Economy (CSME). CARICOM Heads of Government had granted the country a three year extension as against the five year extension requested. The CSME forms a major part of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. At the time, the Antiguan Prime minister had argued that the need for exemption was more pressing than when it was first granted more than five years ago. Nevertheless, in turning his attention to the contributions made by Guyanese to his homeland, Prime Minister Browne said Guyanese continue to play a critical role in the development of
Antigua and Barbuda’s economy. “Guyanese living in Antigua and Barbuda have been making significant contributions towards the advancement of our country, and many of them, they bring skills to our country, some bring capital, and generally speaking they have been law abiding citizens,” he reported. According to the Prime Minister, Guyanese make up 15 to 20 per cent of the country’s population of 90,000 people. “So with that level of Guyanese residency and citizenship, clearly they are a well-integrated part of the country’s population. They continue to make their contributions in various sectors of the economy and we are very appreciative of the level of cooperation and their contributions,” he added. He said while many are pessimistic about the future of CARICOM, Antigua and Barbuda will continue to be optimistic. “We have always been at the fore front of the integration movement, you will recall that back in 1966, when CARIFTA was formed it was Guyana, Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda that started it…So we will continue to play our role, we will continue to be a part of the decision making process, to influence growth and development of the Caribbean Regional Integration. Prime Minister Browne is here in Guyana along with other Heads of Government and Regional Leaders participating in the 37th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
CARICOM’s sluggish systems delaying CSME - Barbados PM
By Derwayne Wills THE Prime Minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart has blamed the failure of CARICOM’s mechanisms, the socalled “organs,” for the delay in developing the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). At the opening of their annual summit here in Georgetown, some Prime Ministers pointed to the pessimism with which the region’s people view the 15-nation bloc. At Tuesday’s plenary meeting, Barbados presented a report from CARICOM’s Commission on the Economy, chaired by Barbadian Senator, Darcy Boyce on the state of the CSME. When questioned on the issue, President David Granger directed all questions to the Chairman of the Commission. The report on the status of the CSME was supposed to be submitted to the Council for Finance and Planning (COFAP), but according to the Barbadian Prime Minister, that report was instead presented to the Heads of Government due to the failure of COFAP to have regular meetings. Stuart went on to note that in similar fashion, CARICOM’s legal affairs committee does not have regular meetings. “That is the committee of Attorneys General that is supposed to analyse and to advise on the instruments that we draft for final signature by Heads of Government so that there could be onward movement with the decisions that we take.” Barbados’s government has made a passionate plea for regional leaders to recommit to the full functioning of the 15-member trading bloc established in 1973. “We spoke very strongly on these issues…and I think that we were very clearly understood.” He said his country’s position was “respectfully received and endorsed” as he expressed optimism that these shortcomings will be addressed soon. Guyana is slated to host an inter-sessional meeting on the CSME in February 2017. Stuart anticipates that this meeting will see his government pushing for a redress of the blockages
affecting the CSME. “I accept that there is some lethargy in the system,” said Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne who was approached for comment by this newspaper. “But it does not mean that CARICOM is not working for the CARICOM people.” Browne, a former CARICOM chairman, said the region’s people continue to benefit from CARICOM. He did also
acknowledge that there areas for improvement, especially as it relates to meetings of the bodies, which help to drive CARICOM’s agenda. “We have to accept that there are weaknesses, but it is up to us as leaders to continue to recommit to ensuring that CARICOM, as an economy and even a social construct, continues to work in the best interest of Caribbean people,” Browne said.
“Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister, Gaston Browne in an interview with the press corps”
“Barbados Prime Minister, Freundel Stuart flocked by the regional press corps”
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Berbice businessman helps make Blairmont Post Office pensioner-friendly THE Blairmont Post Office now has a shed and seating accommodation for pensioners, thanks to Berbice businessman, Nowrang Persaud. The facilities were officially handed over yesterday, and among those present at the simple presentation ceremony were: Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) Postmistress General, Karen Brown; GPOC Area Manager, Balkarran Kissoon; and People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament, Harry Gill. Persaud said he was moved to do what he did, as he couldn’t bear to see senior citizens standing around, come rain or sun month after month, to collect their old age pension and NIS benefits. He said that at one occasion a pensioner even fainted, having been standing in the line for hours on end in the broiling sun. The businessman stated that he hopes that his donation may act as a catalyst for similar community enhancement projects throughout Guyana.
THE new-look Blairmont Post Office, replete with shed and seating for the elderly
Timehri mechanic murder PI commences THE Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder of Puranand Andrew Baljit, who was stabbed to death in his Timehri, East Bank Demerara home last month, commenced with the testi-
mony of Baljit’s father on Tuesday. Rayon Jones of Fourth Avenue, Bartica is on trial for murdering the young mechanic during the course of a burglary on June 9, at
Madewini, East Bank Demerara. The PI is being conducted before City Magistrate Leron Daily, while the matter is being prosecuted by Inspector Kevin London.
The matter was adjourned until July 28, after the prosecutor requested a date for statements to be filed, since Jones’ attorney, Latchmie Rahmant, requested that the inquiry be done by paper committal in order to save the court’s time. During his teenage years, Jones was arrested several times and appeared at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on break and enter and burglary charges. Jones was arrested on June 11 at the Georgetown seawall by police after being lured there by his reputed wife. Baljit, 23, called ‘Andrew’, was found with several stab wounds about his body, mainly to the chest and shoulder. Following Jones’ arrest, he allegedly admitted to investigators that he had entered Baljit’s bedroom earlier that night and had secreted himself until the
DEAD: Puranand Andrew Baljit victim was asleep. He said that Baljit woke up suddenly and they had a fierce scuffle. Baljit’s father had told investigators that he heard screams emerging from his son’s room that evening. He revealed that he immediately rushed to the boy’s bedroom door but it was locked.
Murder accused, Rayon Jones He then decided to climb through his son’s bedroom window and discovered the young man lying in a pool of blood. He said his son was then taken by his stepmother to the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
No bail for cop on ‘ammo’ charge A POLICE Constable was on Tuesday remanded to prison by City Magistrate, Leron Daily after being accused of having a quantity of odd rounds of ammunition in his cupboard. It is alleged that Jermaine Camel of 232 South Sophia, East Coast Demerara on June 24, at Eve Leary had the following ammunition in his possession: 23 x 9mm, 7 x .62, 7 .72 along with 3 x .78, while he was not the holder of a firearm licence. Constable Camel denied the charge, while his lawyer Mr. Mark Conway pointed out that during the alleged ‘barrack room inspection’ his client was sent downstairs while the room was being searched. The lawyer stressed that several other officers had occupied the room so it is a case of multiple occupancy. According to the prosecution facts, which was read by Corporal Bharat Mangru, during an inspection of the barrack room the defendant’s cupboard was searched and the ammunition was discovered. Magistrate Daily refused the policeman bail and remanded him to prison until July 20.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2016
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PSC presses new envoys to help deepen trade in Brazil, Brussels THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) has called on the newly-appointed ambassadors to Brazil and Brussels to help deepen trade relations between Guyanese businesses and those states. Executives of the PSC met with (designate) George Talbot, Ambassador to the Federative Republic of Brazil, and (designate) David Hales, Ambassador to Brussels, Belgium last Friday, to outline how they could use their appointments to advocate the enhancement of Guyana’s trade, specifically with Brazil, and the use of Ambassador Hales’s experience in Brussels. A statement from the PSC said it was discussed that while political diplomacy is important,ambassadorships can also be used to forward economic causes. “We are cognizant of the fact that Guyana is becoming economically diversified, evolving beyond the traditional natural resources,” the PSC said. “As we explore new horizons, the marketing of Guyana through our embassies and commercial attaches becomes advantageous. They would be able to ensure that all trade agreements are properly analysed and enforced to ensure more opportunities for the private sector.” Regarding Brazil, the PSC said it would like to see the realisation of the Road Traffic Agreement with Brazil and the passing of the additional items in the Partial Scope Agreement, which has been pending at the federal level for a very long time. “There is some amount of unfriendliness at the port of entry at Lethem for goods entering Brazil. It is hoped that the private sector can continue its engagements with SEBRAE, the Chambers of Commerce of Boa Vista and other agencies in Brazil with the installation of Ambassador Talbot.” Moreover, the PSC said it is difficult to predict the impact on Guyana’s trade with Britain, which was created by BREXIT. “We have to wait and see what gives. We hope to preserve both our political and economic ties with the EU through the appointment of Ambassador Hales, who had previous experience working with the EEC in Brussels, we have a unique opportunity to further promote our economic cause.” The PSC said it is confident that both ambassadors Talbot and Hales would make every effort to promote the cause of the Guyana Government, and by extension the Private Sector, on matters of political diplomacy and economic development. Only recently, President David Granger met with Ambassador Talbot, who replaces Ambassador Merlin Udho. He is scheduled to arrive in Brazil on July 31. Ambassador Talbot, in a brief comment, has said that Guyana shares excellent diplomatic relations with Brazil. He noted that while the two countries share an extensive border, their ties remain friendly and peaceful. “We have very good cooperation at multiple levels…We have a good basis on which to build. There are important expectations for the future of our relations, in terms of where Guyana sits vis-a-vis Brazil, and the country’s own possibilities for trade, investment and expansion for its own economic space,” Ambassador Talbot said. Guyana established diplomatic relations with the Federative Republic of Brazil 48 years ago, in 1968.
Ambassadors George Talbot and David Hales (second and third from left respectively) pose with executive members of the Private Sector Commission
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2016
GuySuCo: Developing pathways towards a resilient business By Audreyanna Thomas IT IS important to note that being a single-crop and production business entity places the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) in an extremely vulnerable position, since it is subject to the full impact of variations on the sugar market. Hence, in the medium and long terms, the corporation has to make smart business decisions. While GuySuCo has a relatively high asset-base, this must be viewed in the context of its sizable debt. Therefore, one aspect of its business strategy is diversification and another component focuses on converting some of its assets into cash. As the corporation develops and articulates its business strategy, it is equally important that the mechanisms to implement the strategy be conceived and designed with equal precision and relevance. Thus pathways towards becoming a resilient business are being developed, to layout the process for achieving the stated goals and objectives. The pathways towards becoming a resilient business include developing the right strategies, making the right choices, and taking the right actions to grow GuySuCo up and out. Growing the Corporation up, which simply means increasing the production of its current core business – sugar -- and growing it out refer to engaging in activities which were not pursued before. MOBILISATION One of the pathways is a structured and comprehen-
sive mobilisation component in respect of both financial and non-financial resources. It is clear that the diversification programme will require significant financial investment, and a process is already in place to mobilize such resources. Social mobilization is another key component; as such, partnership building has been identified as one of the corporate approaches to be utilized for implementing programmes. This involves engaging more strategically, or building more structured partnerships with international, regional and local organisations at the public, private and civil society levels. Public/private partnerships will be fostered where there are commonalities between the private sector goals and GuySuCo business strategy. With 17,000 employees, it has been recognized that team building is critical to moving employees from a mere group scenario to establishing self-confident teams. This will allow for roles and responsibilities to be clearly understood. Consequently, team-building training sessions will be conducted throughout the corporation during the months of July and August. The aim of this programme is to develop a strategic approach for building teams within the workforce, in order to ensure a smooth transition process and implementation of the business strategy. In addition to facilitating the operation of a business, the corporation also contributes significantly to community and national development; hence advocacy is an approach that will be
utilized in an effort to find greater synergies between its business, communities and other stakeholders. DEVELOPING APPROPRIATE SKILLS AND EXPERTISE A pathway is being designed to give the direction to the transition process and diversification programme. An evaluation is currently being done to determine the skills and expertise which will be required for carrying out the ventures under the diversification programme. An initial assessment has indicated that while new skills will be needed in some areas, the corporation will have to expand the capacity of its current workforce. Retooling is therefore a critical part of the transition. Much focus will be on strengthening the middle management level, since it consists of a critical set of skills, knowledge and abilities to determine the resilience of the corporation. ENCOURAGING FLEXIBILITY AND ADAPTABILITY Further, another pathway is flexibility and adaptability. On the road towards becoming a resilient business, the transition process and the diversification programmme will place a demand on both management and employees to be flexible and adaptable. This will necessitate giving more and receiving less at times, as well as a passionate and highly motivated workforce. It would also include fostering and rewarding cre-
Please see page 15
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2016
GuySuCo: Developing pathways ... From page 14
ativity and innovation, as well as some degree of rewiring of the sugar industry. IMPROVING THE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS CLIMATE The history of the industrial relations climate in GuySuCo has always been adversarial and combative. However, as the corporation transitions and progresses towards becoming a sustainable business, it is imperative that the relationship with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial
and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) and, to a lesser extent, the Guyana Labour Union (GLU) be improved to one that is seen more in the context of added value. This approach will enable the engagement between the Unions and GuySuCo to be more pro-active, and allow for the parties to make more meaningful contributions to the growth and development of the Corporation. Additionally, the right environment is important for growth. It is also critical for the business to withstand the pressures of these difficult times and enable the entity to rebound and create value in both the very short term and the long term. The industrial relations environment has
continuously been a challenge to the sugar industry, and needs to be transformed. DISCIPLINE
Discipline is a prerequisite for any business, whether it is experiencing highs and lows. It is an attitude that is required for successfully achieving business objectives and, more importantly, for surviving challenging times. The next stage of GuySuCo would demand a high level of both self and corporate discipline, hence this is another pathway that is integral to the mechanisms being developed to make GuySuCo a thriving business again. Finally, in order for the corporation to successfully
navigate these pathways and accomplish its mission, the management must be impassioned by a strong sense of leadership; a culture of purpose has to be built; empowerment, trust and accountability must
be the constant; employees have to be highly motivated; systems to connect and inform throughout the corporation must be exploited; assets will have to be diffused and dispersed and new ventures created.
All of these actions would together present the corporation with a good chance of being competitive, and enable it to reduce risk. (Audreyanna Thomas is a Senior Communications Officer at GuySuCo)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2016
‘Not to this PPP’ - Rohee clears air about financial contributions from Brian Tiwari
“NOT to this PPP! Not that I know of!” was the response of General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee, regarding financial contributions made to the party at last year’s general elections by businessman Brian Tiwarie. Tiwarie and former President Donald Ramotar have been in several tit-for-tat exchanges via letters to the editor in the local media over the past several days. Speaking at a press conference at Freedom House yesterday, Rohee said that he was not aware of the exchanges made between the former president and the businessman, except that the press is having a field day as the exchanges take place. “The press is being given a lot of juicy tidbits,” Rohee observed. Noting that it is unfortunate that the situation arose in which “the name of the former president is being bandied around,” Rohee said: “Maybe there are more letters to come.” He said that since he became General Secretary of the party, he has not been informed of any financial contributions made to the PPP by Tiwarie. Rohee said that he knows
PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee
BK International Managing Director Brian Tiwari
of “some people” who contributed to the Opposition party since he became its general secretary. Regarding an excerpt from Tiwarie’s missive to the former president prior to last May’s elections, Rohee said,
“Many people are born Catholics, but they don’t go to church.” On the issue of campaign financing, he said that the issue was active some time ago under the PPP administration, when an inter-parliamentary committee met at the then Office of the President. He said it was one of the issues discussed at the time. He noted, however, that political parties tend to be “shy and bashful” regarding their financial support mechanisms. He said attempts were made to move the issue but according to him, the political parties paid no interest in the matter. In the latest exchange between Ramotar and Tiwarie, the former head-of-state informed that he is not his brother’s keeper. Tiwarie, the Managing Director of BK International, accused the former president of corrupt practices in which Ramotar’s brother benefited. Last week, Tiwarie called on Ramotar to explain why the PPP, while in government, sold to his (Ramotar’s) brother three barges and one tug for a price below $20M. The former president said that the businessman made allegations against his brother in ‘Mafiosi style’.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2016
NO TWO-BIT PARTY - Rohee says no audit report can destroy PPP
By Alva Solomon CLEMENT Rohee, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, has opined that Government is unsure what to do with the completed audit reports of various public sector agencies, and he is of the view that those reports “cannot” destroy the People’s Progressive Party. “I don’t think this new Government, irrespective of all the audits, can destroy the party; the PPP is not a ‘two-b-three’ party,” Rohee said. SPECULATION AND CONTRADICTION Speaking to the media conference at the party’s headquarters at Freedom House on Robb Street yesterday, Rohee said investigations into embattled Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency, Omar Shariff, appears to be a matter of “speculation and contradiction” being played out in the media. He said he has not seen any disclosure of irregularities regarding Shariff, as he reiterated his stance on the matter. Rohee said he was informed that several audit reports have been sent to the Guyana Police Force, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, and the Ministry of the Presidency. “They don’t seem to know what to do with these audits,” he said. He said he believes the audits should have included the views of the previous board members of the state agencies
which were subjected to the audits. “We have not heard anything on those matters,” he said. Rohee said Government has indicated that it needs additional time before acting on the audit reports, but he thinks the Government may be “dragging on this thing to the next election.” Shariff recently visited his office to officially hand over duties to Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communities, Abena Moore. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, has sent Shariff on annual leave from July 1, in order to facilitate the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) investigating large amounts of money reportedly discovered in his personal bank accounts. The Guyana Chronicle was told that Shariff, who served under the APNU+AFC Administration for just over one year and under the former People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) for several years, is unlikely to return to his post at the conclusion of the investigation. He was, last Thursday afternoon, arrested and placed on $200,000 station bail in relation to investigations over money laundering and tax evasion. Meanwhile, recent reports in another section of the media have indicated that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, has indicated that civil, rather than crimi-
nal, proceedings should be pursued regarding the Pradoville 2 housing scheme issue. Questioned on the matter on Tuesday, Rohee said it should be allowed to play out. “Wherever the chips fall, let them go,” he said. He said that if SARU has a case, the matter will have to be directed to the DPP, who will offer advice. “To me, it’s like a toothless poodle,” he said of SARU, noting that only the Police Force can arrest anyone based on advice from the DPP. Last October, SARU, headed by Dr Clive Thomas, indicated in a report that, in 2010, the Administration of former President Bharrat Jagdeo authorised the public holding company National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) to privatize state lands. The ‘Pradoville Two’ community, which lies in front of Sparendaam on the East Coast of Demerara, was subsequently developed unknown to the relevant authorities. SARU pronounced that the lands were “grossly undervalued” and sold below market value to former ministers and known associates of the former PPP government. Among those who benefited from the arrangement are Jagdeo, Dr Jennifer Westford, Priya Manickchand, Clement Rohee and Robert Persaud, all members of the PPP/C. Former GDF Chief of Staff Gary Best and DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack are also on the list of beneficiaries.
Queenstown two-vehicle collision leaves one seriously injured A TUESDAY afternoon accident at the corner of Lance Gibbs and New Garden Streets resulted in one person being seriously injured. Reports are that the driver of Route 40 minibus, registered as BTT9953, breached the stop sign at the corner and collided with motorcar, PRR 7495. The driver of the minibus, who was said to be speeding, was heading north along New Garden Street while the driver of the car was travelling west along Lance Gibbs Street when the two vehicles collided. The bus was off its designated route at the time.
Operators of minibus BTT9953 attempted to remove the vehicle’s number plate when they were stopped by traffic ranks at the scene
The minibus and car which were involved in the accident
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Private schools dominate NGSA ANTHONY Ferreira of Mae’s Under 12 and Aryan Singh of Dharmic Rama Krishna School both scored 568 out of a possible highest score of 583 marks, making them the joint top students of
ANTHONY FERREIRA
SARENA RAZAK
ARUN SOOKNARINE
INDIE RAMPERSAUD
this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations. However, students of private schools outperformed their public school counterparts to claim spots in the top 10 performers
ANTHONY FERREIRA AN overjoyed Anthony Ferreira, 11, said he was expecting good results, but not that good as to make him the Top Student. “I am beyond happy right now, because I was expecting good grades, but not as well as this. It was a challenge giving up most of my recreational activities and focusing more on my studies, but in the end it was worth it, since I topped the country. “During my school life, I always did good and tried my best in everything I did. So I would like to thank my parents and teachers for bringing me this far, and hope for the same as I strive to become a technological engineer,” he said. SARENA RAZAK ELEVEN-year-old Sarena Razak of Graham’s Hall Primary, who attained the third spot, expressed much elation and happiness as she shared her journey with the Guyana Chronicle. “My methods of studying were simple and not too hard. It was thanks to the support of God, my parents and teachers that I got what I got, and I am proud of myself. I always achieved high grades throughout my school life, and I hope to continue this as I move forward. “As of now, I am still unsure what I want to become, but as time goes by, I’m sure I’ll decide,” she said. ARUN SOOKNARINE THIS young prospective engineer was a student of the Dharmic Rama Krishna Primary School when he wrote the NGSA exams. He placed fifth among the top 10 performers, having undergone a rigorous programme in preparation for the exams, including Saturday lessons; and was understandably excited when the results were announced. The results were beyond his expectations, he said, as “the exams were hard”. The class teacher of both Arun and Aryan, Ms. Padmini Jewan, said she had full confidence in both boys, as they were “good thinkers.” She noted that they had both showed high levels of dedication. INDIE RAMPERSAUD INDIE Rampersaud of the Success Elementary School was elated by her achievement, having placed seventh. She attended classes from 6:30 am to 4:30 pm. These rigid class hours, coupled with her studying in the nights, prepared her for these examinations. “It was hard in the beginning to the end,” she said, and at one point she felt like giving up, because the pressure to do well was frustrating. But she is happy that she persevered. She is an aspiring lawyer, and is definitely looking forward to attending Queen’s College. She is very appreciative of her parents’ support and that of her class teacher, Ms. Africo Selman, who noted the intense preparations made by the students.
at the NGSA exams. Sarena Razak of Graham’s Hall Primary and Jonathan Ganga of Leonora Primary were the other students from the public school system who claimed spots among
ARYAN SINGH
CHELSEA BARNES
the top 10 performers at this year’s NGSA. Of the 14,386 candidates who sat the NGSA exams, most were from learning institutions within the boundaries of Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica). ARYAN SINGH TWELVE-year-old Aryan Singh of the Dharmic Rama Krishna School said: “The studies were neither hard not easy. I stuck to the basics and did the homework and other regular day-to-day stuff. I would like to thank God, my parents and teachers for what I have achieved. And moving forward, I want to be the CEO of the World Bank.” His mother, single-parent Prithi Singh, was overjoyed at the news, and described her son as a well-rounded child who excels both in academics and sports. CHELSEA BARNES CHELSEA Barnes, a student of the Success Elementary School, did not expect to be among the top performers at the NGSA exams because she thought the exams were difficult. This aspiring general surgeon noted that she expected to gain a position at The Bishops’ High or St. Stanislaus College. Cutting back on leisure, such as playing with her dolls and watching lots of television, has paid off after all, she surmised. Chelsea’s father, Oliver Barnes, noted that he expected good results from Chelsea, but not this good! He noted that his daughter had been distraught after the Mathematics examinations, but he had encouraged her to have faith and continue striving for the best. Chelsea has extended gratitude to her family members and teachers.
HELIA AGARD
HELIA AGARD SUCCESS Elementary student Helia Agard, 11, was amazed by her performance, and expressed much joy as she spoke with this publication. “In preparing for exams, I found it challenging since I loved to play around and have fun. So I had to give up most of (my) recreational stuff, but, nevertheless, I would love to thank my parents, teachers, grandparents, and most of all God, for making me get what I got. “And even though I was expecting to do well, I was not expecting to get sixth, but I am really happy I got it. I would like to be a lawyer and parliamentarian, so I look forward to doing the work and enjoying the secondary school life. After Queen’s College, I would like to attend the Bishop’s High School Sixth Form and then move on to Harvard University.”
DIVYA NANDALALL
DIVYA NANDALALL THIS Mae’s Under 12 School student placed seventh and was surprised by her performance. She said her success came through a lot of hard work, as she studied diligently and attended lessons for composition writing and the sciences. She is grateful to the Lord and her family, especially her mother and her teachers, who had a great deal of confidence in her and were very supportive along the way. She said she is happy and overjoyed at this success. Her mother, Natasha Nandalall, said she was very excited and proud of her daughter. “Divya gave up everything besides studying,” the mother stated. Divya is definitely looking forward to attending Queen’s College.
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LEMUEL ASSING
LEMUEL ASSING THIS 11-year-old New Guyana School student placed seventh also. He said: “I feel very great, and I would like to thank the Lord that I am Number 7 in the country. “Everyone expected me to do great in the school, given that the preparation for the exam was filled with hard work. I had to put down everything and focus on academics. In school, we used study guides to push in the extra work every day as the exam neared. “Currently, I am unsure what I want to become in the future, but eventually I will decide.”
SAALIH RAHIM
SAALIH RAHIM SAALIH Rahim, who placed 12th and wishes to be an Islamic Scholar, said he had to “put off the play” and “keep revising and working past papers.” Rahim said he will most likely continue studying at the ISA Islamic School, instead of going to Queen’s College, as he wishes to excel in the areas of Islamic studies and the academic subjects. He gave thanks to Allah and his parents, especially his mother, who helped him with his studies; and he gave thanks to his teachers. His mother, Taaherah Ally, noted that she is proud of her son, but she was not surprised at his performance because she knows how smart he is. “Any success of any child would depend a lot on the home support,” she noted. She said she always encouraged him to be diligent, not to procrastinate, and she rewarded him by allowing him to play his beloved cricket.
MUHAMED HASAN
MUHAMED HASAN MUHAMED Hasan, an Al Ghazali Islamic student who placed in the 12th position, noted that he migrated to Guyana recently and found it difficult to transition. However, through the support of Allah, to whom he prayed every night, his parents and his teacher Mr. Jhonny Mangal, he was able to achieve success. Hasan said he wishes to be a medical doctor, as he is a profound lover of the sciences; and he is looking forward to his years at Queen’s College. His teacher, Mr. Mangal, is ccredited with producing a successful batch of students this year from the school, as three of the 20 students were able to attain Queen’s College. The teacher said that while Hasan did not have a sound “foundation”, as he only became integrated into the school at the beginning of Grade 5, he had showed a great deal of potential and was very dedicated. Mr. Mangal also said he was able to obtain a specimen paper similar to one that was given to the students this year at the NGSA, and as such, he was able to tailor mock exams in a similar manner, which allowed the students to be prepared.
ALETHA JOSEPH
ALETHA JOSEPH ALETHA Joseph of Montrose Primary School placed 15th. She noted that she was well groomed to be a top student, as her teachers gave her the “extra push”, and everyone around her was very supportive. She said she studied hard and attended extra lessons at her class teacher’s home. Her teachers said that Joseph is shy by nature, but is a very hard worker and a student who perseveres. Teacher Zoe Luke said she expected nothing less from her student.
JUSTIN SEECHARAN
JONATHAN GANGA
JORDON NELSON
LUKE MANGAL
JUSTIN SEECHARAN THIS 11-year-old Success Elementary School student tried to hide his elation when the Guyana Chronicle spoke with him. He was among those who placed seventh. “I have to thank Jesus Christ for helping me through the exams, for pulling me through all the subjects, and helping me with what I achieved. Also, I would like to thank Ms Africo Selman and my parents for encouraging me and giving me the will to go on. “I studied hard with a time period of three hours a night every night in the leadup to the exams. Moving forward, I would love to become a physicist in my later days, given that I love science.” JONATHAN GANGA FROM Leonora Primary, this 11-yearold was thrilled that he had won a place at Queen’s College. This was his dream, and placing 7th in the country with 560 marks did the trick. In preparing for the exams, he gave TV watching and playing videos games a break, even if it was just about a week or so before the exams, he laughed. His father helped him with preparing for Mathematics and English, while his mother helped him with Social Studies. Science is his favourite subject, so he didn’t need help with that! Apart from his parents and grandparents, he credits his teachers, especially teacher Narpatty, for his good results. He says they were always patient in helping him to understand subject areas he found difficult. Jonathan enjoys drawing and painting, mostly of the natural world; he hasn’t found a liking to painting humans just yet. Jonathan hasn’t yet decided on a career path. JORDON NELSON 12-year-old Jordon Nelson of the New Guyana School expressed happiness at achieving a place at the premier secondary school in the country. Stating, “I am very happy for achieving this position, and I would like to thank my parents and God for guiding me to where I am today”, she disclosed that moving on to Queen’s College will be great, and “I look forward to making much use of the opportunities that come my way.” LUKE MANGAL HE placed 23 with 555 marks, but he is actually from Leonora Primary School, and not the Academy of Excellence, as was announced by the Ministry of Education. Luke Mangal said he prayed and fasted during the period he used for studying before the exams. His favourite subject is Mathematics, but he found some of the exam questions “tricky.” Mangal is not a TV person; he prefers to read of play a good game of cricket. His favourite books are the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by fiction writer Rick Riordan.
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Govt hails Muslims on devotion, sacrifice during month of Ramadan The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana has congratulated all Muslims on their sacrifice, fortitude, resilience, devotion and spiritual renewal during the month of Ramadan. The Government wishes Eid Mubarak to all Muslims as “we join in celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the completion of the holy month of Ramadan.” In a message the administration said: ”after
a month of spiritual growth through unwavering dedication and sacrifice, our Muslim brothers and sisters not only celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr but also engage in selfless acts of charity and in lending a helping hand in lifting the condition of our less fortunate brothers and sisters. It is the fundamental message of equality and brotherhood which is espoused by Islam.” According to government Eid-ul-Fitr is in es-
Wednesday July 6th, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Thursday July 7th, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Friday July 8th, 2016 - 05:00 hrs
sence and practice a day of celebration, reflection, graduation and spiritual elevation. “After an entire month of abstinence and sacrifice Muslims rejoice in the month past, engendering the deepening of brotherhood among all mankind and in the elevation of the spirit and soul and the strengthening of faith. May the day be filled with warm and enjoyable celebrations and festivities and may the lessons of Ramadan be practiced and embraced all year as we rally together and strive as a nation to elevate the condition of all Guyanese.”
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CDB launches historic bond offering in the Swiss market THE Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has launched its inaugural bond offering in the Swiss Franc (CHF) market. The 12-year CHF145M bond offering carries the lowest coupon rate, 0.297%, achieved by an international public sector issuer for this tenor in the CHF market. Launched on Wednesday, June 15, 2016, the Bank said the bond offering was facilitated by the global private bank and wealth manager Credit Suisse, which acted as sole book-runner on the transaction. The offering also marks the first time that a borrower from the Caribbean region has accessed the CHF market successfully. "The decision to enter into the Swiss market allows CDB the opportunity to diversify its investor base away from traditional sources. The bond offering was oversubscribed in a very short period of time, demonstrating that there is strong investor confidence in CDB, even in light of the less-than-optimal market conditions, including volatility due to Brexit concerns,� said CDB President Dr. Warren Smith. The bond offering followed meetings in Geneva and Zurich between investors and a delegation of senior CDB officials. Investor feedback was positive, allowing for the execution of the transaction immediately
afterwards. Due to the strong interest shown, the order book was three times oversubscribed in 15 minutes. The final coupon rate of 0.297% was the lowest ever in CHF by an international public sector issuer (i.e. sovereign, supranational or agency) in a maturity longer than 10 years. With over 60 accounts participating, the investor base was dominated by asset managers and banks,
with the rest of the trade going to pension funds and insurance companies. The successful issue in the Swiss CHF market was attributable to the inherent strength of the Bank, which is reflected in its strong public rating. CDB’s most recent bond issue prior to this one was in 2012, when the bank raised US$300 million through the placement of a 15-year bond in the U.S. capital markets.
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Fifteen for Fifteens!
GRFU seeks $15M for RAN final against Mexico By Stephan Sookram
THE Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) must now stump up $15M to send the Green Machine to Mexico later this month for the Finals of the Rugby America North (RAN) 15s Finals. Guyana will face Mexico after that side’s 34-24 triumph over the Cayman Islands recently. According to RAN rules, the team with the higher seeding during the last edition of the tournament – Mexico placed second - get to play hosts for the final. However, that, according to the Guyana Rugby Football Union president Peter Green means that they must now stump up a budget of $15M for the jour-
SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Scottsville 08:15 hrs The Morrigan 08:50 hrs Nina Katrina 09:25 hrs Go Direct 10:00 hrs Pearl Emblem 10:35 hrs Fellow Traveller LINGFIELD 09:00 hrs Cappananty 09:30 hrs Sea Fox 10:00 hrs Late Starter 10:30 hrs Taurian 11:00 hrs Hier Encore 11:30 hrs Jamhoori 12:00 hrs Palisade YARMOUTH 09:10 hrs Happy Queen 09:40 hrs Princess Roania 10:10 hrs Coarse Cut 10:40 hrs Yorkindred Spirit 11:10 hrs Heatstroke 11:40 hrs Crystallographer 12:10 hrs Mukaabra KEMPTON 12:45 hrs Capolavoro 13:15 hrs Dheyaa 13:45 hrs Rock Steady 14:15 hrs Blue Suede 14:45 hrs Hurricane Volta 15:15 hrsw Carry Me Home 15:45 hrs Lightning Charlie AMERICAN RACING TIPS Delware Park Race 1 Addy’s Eyes Race 2 Talented Tyler Race 3 Fantasize Race 4 Takemetoneworleans Race 5 Driving Me Crazy Race 6 Orleans Avenue Race 7 Kalabaka Race 8 My Impression Race 9 Packer Jack
ney. During a press conference on Monday, Green said, “Mexico is a high altitude country. We need to go at least 10 days in advance to acclimatise. That costs money.” “The Green Machine have been doing well but it’s been difficult to get people to translate that into the performance of a National Rugby team that have been leading from the front over the national teams of this country. That has to change,” the outspoken head said. The team is ranked
46th in the world and 8th in the Americas while Mexico is now 11th after the win and Green believes that “Mexico have nothing to lose and everything to gain with victory over us because they are the underdogs.” He continued, “We have everything to lose because if we lose this game, we lose the qualifiers for the World Cup 2019; we also lose the option of hosting games at home as the number one-ranked country.” The GRFU will have
to bring in all the ‘big guns’ according to Green, with the likes of Kevin McKenzie, Vallon Adams from the USA and a few others expected to make the line-up. Also present during this morning’s meeting was assistant coach Kenneth Grant. He contended that the unit has been in training ahead of the fixture, looking at the minor mistakes that were made during the earlier games in the series. G u y a n a ’s m a t c h against the Mexicans is set for July 27.
No excuses for Knight Riders - Bravo
TRINBAGO Knight Riders captain Dwayne Bravo insisted there were no excuses for the team following a disappointing loss to Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at Queen’s Park Oval on Monday night. Fuelled by powerful knocks of 74 of 52 balls from Hashim Amla and 55 of 39 from Colin Munro the home team seemed to have set a defendable total with 191 runs on the board. A patient 108 from Tallawahs captain Chris Gayle, however, would soon undermine their efforts as the Jamaica-based team reached the target with 10 balls remaining. Gayle was fortunate to benefit from
a missed stumping off the bowling of Sunil Narine and two dropped catches. On one other occasion, when a catch was taken, with Gayle on 94 off the bowling of Ronsford Beaton it was discovered the bowler had overstepped the crease. “At the halfway stage 190 is very good total for T20 cricket,” Bravo said following the encounter. “No excuses we were given a lot of chances we did not make use of our chances. Chris got like three or four chances, with a player of his class the best player in the world, when you get those chances and don’t take them you should end up on the losing end.” (Sportsmax.com)
Sacked FIFA general secretary’s ban cut to 10 years FIFA’S former secretary general Jerome Valcke has had his ban from all football-related activities cut from 12 to 10 years on appeal. Valcke, 55, was fired in January over allegations of misconduct over World Cup tickets sales and TV deals. Other acts of potential misconduct arose during the inquiry concerning travel expenses and regulations. FIFA’s appeals committee ruled its own ethics judges were too severe with
F o r m e r F I FA s e c r e tary-general Jerome Valcke
Valcke over the World Cup TV rights. The appeals panel ruled that “mitigating factors had not been fully assessed” by the original hearing in regard to the sale of Caribbean TV rights to FIFA events. Valcke, who is the subject of a separate criminal investigation by Swiss prosecutors over alleged “various acts of criminal mismanagement”, can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. (BBC Sport)
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Venus Williams is in her first grand slam semi since 2010
Venus wants Serena blasts past Pavlyuchenkova Hollywood to join Venus in semis ending after reaching last four
By Pravin Char LONDON, England (Reuters) - Venus Williams said winning Wimbledon would be like a Hollywood movie for her after she rolled back the years to vanquish Yaroslava Shvedova yesterday and reach her first grand slam semi-final since 2010. The five-time champion, the oldest woman in the draw at 36, drew on her experience during the quarter-final to see off the Kazakh player 7-6(5), 6-2 in a brutal baseline shootout. Williams, the 8th seed, is in her first grand slam semi since the U.S. Open six years ago and will face Germany’s fourth-seeded Angelique Kerber. The American, who last won Wimbledon in 2008 and has since suffered health and injury problems, said lifting the trophy again would be like that movie ‘Wimbledon’. “Real life is what Hollywood is based off of - so, hey, let’s do it,” she told reporters. “It’s been a journey, but it’s made me
stronger. The good part is I always felt like I had the game. I’ve been blessed to have an opportunity to be here.” Williams said she and her sister Serena - the world number one, who also won her last-eight match - were not looking ahead to a possible meeting in the final. “We are focused on the next match. We actually have to get out there and play well to win,” she said. “So the talk about what could happen is not as important as what’s happening in that round.” There was little to choose between Williams and Shvedova as they slugged it out in the first set, with neither finding much rhythm. But the Kazakh player’s challenge crumbled after she narrowly lost a tiebreak she had led 5-2. The 28-year-old, ranked 96 and in her first Wimbledon quarter-final, made a string of errors in the second set while her seasoned American opponent - sensing her opportunity - found her range and produced a series of winners off both flanks.
Azhar happy with Pakistan progress after Somerset draw AFTER coming within two wickets of victory over Somerset, Azhar Ali was happy with Pakistan’s preparations ahead of England series. Ali is confident Pakistan are making good progress ahead of the first Test with England after their tour match with Somerset ended in a draw at Taunton. Azhar added 51 to his overnight score yesterday to reach 101 not out and was ably supported by Asad Shafiq (69 n.o.) as Pakistan declared on 236-4 in their second innings. That gave Pakistan a lead of 467, but Somerset rallied to take a draw out of the three-day game as they finished 258-8, former England opener Marcus Trescothick (106) striking a superb hundred from 111 balls. There were positives with the ball, though, as Yasir Shah (4-107) and Rahat Ali (2-30) provided good support to Mohammad Amir (1-42), something that Azhar feels leaves them well placed for Lord’s on July 14. “I think the bowlers supporting Amir are up for it and we have seen the other bowlers bowl well,” he told ESPNcricinfo. “Sohail (Khan) bowled well and Rahat Ali as well, and we have two guys on the bench. So it’s looking
pretty good as a bowling unit. “Everything has gone perfectly because the focus of the players, management and board really helped. “We are a much more improved side, but we have to put that performance on the pitch. The preparation
Azhar Ali tunes up with a century against Somerset at Taunton, yesterday. has been perfect now we have to put that on the field.” Pakistan face a second tour match against Sussex in Hove later this week, ahead of next week’s first Test in a four-match series. (Sportsmax.com)
(REUTERS) - Serena Williams battered Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 6-4 in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon yesterday, seizing on moments of weakness from the Russian to ram home her advantage. The defending champion, seeking an elusive 22nd grand slam to equal Steffi Graf’s open-era record, took the first set after finding a chink in her opponent’s serving armoury in the ninth game. Pavlyuchenkova, the 21st seed, went for her shots but never found a way to counter the Williams attack. Nerves told again in the same game of the second set, where a series of errors allowed the American to break and then serve for the match. The world No.1 wrapped up the tie on her second match point with a 123 mph ace for 11 in total. Williams joins her sister Venus in the semi-finals tomorrow where she will meet another Russian, Elena Vesnina. “We are playing doubles later so we are just so glad to both get through to the semi-finals,” Williams said.
SERENA WILLIAMS
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 6, 2016
RAPHAEL RESPONDS TO DRUBAHADUR ... MAINTAINS SPORTS AWARDS GIFTED TO GCB AND ANAND SANASIE BE RECALLED I WISH to refer to Drubahadur’s letter recently published in the national newspapers and captioned ‘Mr Claude Raphael needs to stop peddling false information’. Drubahadur has not addressed the damning issues as they relate to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) but instead sought to invoke character assassination and libellous personal attacks against me with a plethora of misrepresentations to divert attention from the real issues including the lack of accountability, transparency and democracy by the clique that has illegally taken possession of the GCB. It is passing strange that Drubahadur could write so much on Claude Raphael and Guyana cricket when he, a virtual unknown, held no position on any Association or County Board prior to being illegally catapulted into the position of President of the GCB in 2013. The following are the facts: As there has been no legally-constituted Demerara Cricket Board since 2009 and the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) did not attend any elections of the GCB from 2009, Drubahadur must tell the nation when, where and by what methodology did he become President and Sanasie CEO of the GCB. Drubahadur asserts that “Sanasie is the CEO of the GCB”. I checked the law and there is no CEO position in the GCB constitution. With regard to the Guyana Cricket Administration Act (GCAA), Drubahadur stated: “Despite its numerous flaws the GCB adheres to the GCAA as the law of the land”. He also stated: “Our Audited financial statements have been submitted to the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, the Director of Sport, the Deeds Registry and the Minister of Sport (MoS)”. A careful check, as at 30th June, 2016 at the Deeds Registry, has confirmed that no financial statements were submitted in the name of the GCB and none was ever submitted by the illegally-formed company “Cricket Guyana Inc.”. Since the law has no such provision, the establishment of this private company (CGI) is illegal and a violation of the very law to which Drubahadur claims he adheres. Drubahadur’s GCB continues to ostracise the Upper Demerara Cricket Association (including Linden) although it is a legal entity; this is a clear violation of the laws of Guyana. His clique campaigned relentlessly against the inclusion of Upper Demerara into the structure of Guyana cricket and this is the main ground used in their challenge to the GCAA. It was Anand Sanasie, Drubahadur et al who filed the injunction (2014-HC-DEMCIV-CM-106) to stop all elections under the very law so that the Drubahudar coterie could remain in power indefinitely. It must be made known that the elections of the GCB under the GCAA were due since January 2015. Since Drubahadur contends that the GCB is successful and my group is merely a handful of disgruntled persons, why is he so afraid to face the electorate in free and fair elections? Drubahadur’s feeble attempt to justify the National Sports Award to Sanasie is a clear admission that he (Drubahadur) is not in charge of the GCB and appears to be clueless regarding the operations of a properly structured organisation. While I have no problem generally with the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) system used for the conferring of awards, I believe the basic principle of legitimacy must first be satisfied before any other criterion is applied. In this regard both the GCB and Sanasie, for reasons already detailed, should have been excluded from consideration. The
NSC appears to have been misled in the nomination process by Drubahadur and the illegal GCB executives. Drubahadur claims that the GCAA is flawed to the extent the he wants it scrapped thereby insinuating that those persons who drafted the Act at the Parliamentary Special Select Committee are ineffectual apprentices. Is he saying that Mr Basil Williams, Dr Rupert Roopnariane, Mr Joseph Harmon, Mr Christopher Jones, Mr Khemraj Ramjattan, Dr Frank Anthony, Mr Anil Nandlall, Mr Odinga Lumumba and Mr Neil Kumar, after sitting at twenty-two (22) meetings, produced a flawed Bill which was passed into law unopposed in the National Assembly? These gentlemen whom Drubahadur seeks to disparage are all currently and directly responsible for carrying our dear country forward. So Drubahadur’s silly and ridiculous contention that I was the architect of the Act is insulting to the intelligence of these noble gentlemen and by extension a profound disrespect and disregard for the National Assembly. As in all other Acts there are provisions in this one for amendments. Therefore the self-serving challenge to the GCAA is patently frivolous and deliberately designed to keep the illegal GCB executives in office forever. On the issue of Executive lawlessness, the Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI) is portrayed by Drubahadur as the commercial arm of the GCB. I would like him to explain to the nation the following: a). Who authorised the registration of this privately-owned company (number 6850)? b). Who authorised the illegal transfer of all the assets of the GCB including the bank accounts to the CGI? c). Why is the CGI not answerable to the membership of the GCB especially when it has sole control of a foreign exchange account which apparently had been approved through intended misrepresentation to the authorities? Why is it that, although a foreign account has been established, it is alleged that cricketers and officials are being paid in local currency at a reduced rate?. d). Why have the audited financial statements not been circulated to the membership of the GCB? e). Who are the shareholders of the CGI? f). How much dividend was received by the owners of this private company? g). How much money has this company collected from the WICB and how was it spent? 8. As there are only three (3) areas (the Berbice Cricket Board, the East Coast Cricket Board and the Georgetown Cricket Association) that solely contribute to cricket development and the production of cricketers to the national teams, Drubahadur must explain why those very areas have not received any financial or other assistance from the GCB over the past seven (7) years when that Board receives US$640,000 annually from the WICB. Drubahadur should inform the public how in fact that money is spent, especially as the GCB has no cricket development programmes or academies anywhere in Guyana. 9. Drubahadur stated that I attended a meeting with the WICB as a member of the PPP Government delegation. This is intentionally misleading. If he had checked with his ally Sanasie who attended that meeting he would have known that I was there as a representative of one of the cricket factions. Also it was the WICB who overnight reneged on the agreed terms of the MOA and not the Government as asserted by Drubahadur. In associating the name of Claude Raphael with the PPP, it is evident that Drubahadur
is attempting to mislead the nation, a ploy orchestrated to buy support from the current Administration. 10. With regard to my tenure on the WICB, I refer Drubahadur to the attached letter signed by Immediate Past President of the WICB, Dr Julian Hunte. 11. On his questioning of my cricketing and administrative acumen, I hereby briefly outline my experience to Drubahadur: Ministry of Works and Hydraulics 19681974, Part-time lecturer, Government Technical Institute (GTI) 1969-1979, Mortgage Finance Bank (Deputy General Manager/ Corporate Secretary/Chief Valuation Officer) 1974-1998, Proprietor of Raphael’s Real Estate 1998 to date. President of Malteenoes Sports Club 1983-2002. Introduced Youth cricket into the club structure and initiated the first cricket academy in this part of the world in 1993. First President of the Georgetown Cricket Association, President of the Demerara Cricket Board, Vice-President of the GCB and Chairman of the Cricket Development Committee of the GCB, Chairman of the Senior. Selection Committee of the GCB, Chairman of the GCB’s Security Committee, Women’s Cricket Committee, Reports Committee and Awards Committee. Played cricket at Primary and Secondary School levels and captained the
GTI Wight Cup team 1966-1968. Played 1st Division cricket for Malteenoes Sports Club and Guyana Sports Club 1968-1974. Director of the WICB 2007-2009. 12. Drubahadur spuriously claims that I am involved in at least four court matters filed against the GCB and/or its officers. This is scandalous and I challenge him to identify those matters. With regard to the above I maintain that the GCB executives are an illegal body and on this basis the awards granted to the GCB and Anand Sanasie must be revoked forthwith. Also, the Attorney General and the Minister of Sport, who are the defendants in the injunction brought by Anand Sanasie, Drubahadur et al stopping all elections, must urgently move towards having that injunction set aside. This will remove any ‘roadblocks’ t h e re b y p a v i n g t h e w a y f o r t h e long-overdue free and fair elections of the GCB which in turn will bring final resolution to the protracted cricket crisis. To continue with this administrative masquerade will only prolong the chaos and the grave injustice foisted on our beloved cricket. IT IS TIME! Claude Raphael
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 6, 2016
Olympic Day Badminton tourney winners receive prizes WINNERS of the recently concluded Guyana Olympics Association (GOA) Open Doubles Badminton Tournament, and participants of the GOA Olympic Day Run/Walk/Jog activity, were last Saturday presented with their respective awards at a simple presentation ceremony at the Olympic House. The ladies doubles winners were Priyanna Ramdhani and Ambika Ramraj, while runners-up were team Ayanna Watson and Emelia Ramdhani, third place was shared by teams Kara Abrams/Wonita Yang and Gabriella Pertab/ Priyanka Shivnauth. Championing the men’s doubles for the winning medals were the Sunburst Narayan Ramdhani and Jonathan Mangra team. Second place went to Gokarn Ramdhani and Nicholas Ali, third place tie to Ronald Chang Yuen/Avinash
Winners of the GOA Open Badminton doubles tournament display their prizes while flanked by GOA president K. A. Juman-Yassin (second from left), and Director of Sport Christopher Jones (second from right). Odit and Darrell Carpenay/ Marlon Chung. Narayan and Priyana went on to team up and win the mixed doubles, where Jonathan Mangra and Ambi-
ka Ramraj took second place while Cecil Abrams his partner Kara Abrams, and Darrell Carpenay and his partner Ayanna Watson, shared third place.
A number of special prizes were also doled out with William Holder receiving a prize for Past National Champion, and Gabriella Pertab taking home the
Mourinho targets glory at Man. United unveiling (REUTERS) - New Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho announced his return to English football yesterday by reminding the world that he is a proven winner who will tell his players to forget the past three years of under-achievement and instead target success. In a news conference at Old Trafford before 25 camera crews from around the world, Mourinho covered a wide range of issues from transfer targets to the need for Wayne Rooney to continue playing as a striker and the departure of Ryan Giggs. He seemed determined to deflect attention away from himself to “the biggest club in the world”. The 53-year-old, who described himself as ‘The Special One’ and then ‘The Happy One’ during similar media conferences to announce his arrivals at Chelsea in 2004 and 2013, adopted a more serious and less showy approach yesterday. “I want everything. I want to win matches, I want to play well. I want to score goals, I don’t want to concede goals. I want everything,” he said. Improving on last year’s fifth place would not be sufficient, he said, indicating that he intended to return United, who won the last of their 20 league titles in 2013, to their former position of
dominance. “There are some managers who won the title 10 years ago, some have not won a title ever. The last
New Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho poses ahead of the press conference. (Reuters/Andrew Yates) time I won the title was one year ago. So if I have something to prove, imagine the others. “For Manchester United fans so many years success was just routine but the last three years I want to forget. I will never be able to work without success. I feel a bit frustrated that I am not playing Champions League. I
do not hide I chase Sir Alex (Ferguson’s) records in the Champions League.’’ Turning to Rooney, Mourinho suggested the 30-year-old’s future lay up front and not in midfield where England manager Roy Hodgson employed him in a failed experiment at the European Championship in France. “In football there are many jobs but the most difficult to find is the guy who puts the ball in the back of the net. (Rooney) will never play 50 metres away from the goal. He will be a nine, 10, 9.5, not a six or an eight. You can tell me his pass is amazing but my pass is amazing too without pressure.” Mourinho, who was out of work for five months after being sacked by Chelsea, said former United manager Ferguson had offered him two pieces of advice on joining the club: to bring an umbrella to cope with the notorious Manchester weather and a bottle of wine for them to share. The Portuguese also addressed the sudden departure of Giggs from the club after 29 years, denying that the decision had been down to him. “It’s not my responsibility that Ryan is not in the club. The job Ryan wanted was the manager’s job and the club decided that was the job for me.
“Ryan wants to be a manager and made a decision, which was brave and honest. I would never stop him coming back, I would always say yes.” Mourinho bridled at suggestions he did not promote young players, saying he had promoted 49 players from academies, but admitted he intended to sign another big-name player to bring to four the number of close-season signings at United. “We decided four targets. From these targets, we have three. Until we don’t have the fourth, we are still working hard. Myself and the structure. When we have the fourth, I will breathe.” United have already signed Villarreal defender Eric Bailly and PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic while Dortmund midfielder Henrikh Mkhityaran is on his way to the club. They have also been heavily linked with a 100-million-pound ($131.37-million) move for Juventus’ Paul Pogba, their former player, but Mourinho did not say if the Frenchman was a target. United’s first game under Mourinho will be against Borussia Dortmund in the International Champions Cup in Shanghai on July 22. Their Premier League season begins with a trip to Bournemouth on August 13.
prize for Most Improved Player. Fardeen Alli won a special .Upcoming Player’ prize. Receiving certificates for the Guyana Olympisc
Association (GOA) Olympic Day Run were: Gokarn Ramdhani, Emelia Ramdhani, Narayan Ramdhani, Priyanna Ramdhani, Fardeen Alli, Jonnedd Taylor, Ariel Haynes, Gail Haynes, Medharishi Ramdhani, Susan Ramdhani, Ayanna Watson, Kara Abrams and Cecil Abrams. GOA president, K. A. Juman-Yassin, and Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) president Gokarn Ramdhani were present at the ceremony and made encouraging remarks, while closing comments were made by Director of Sport Christopher Jones. On behalf of the GBA, Gokarn expressed gratitude to GOA, NSC, SUNBURST, BANKS DIH, as well as to the parents and players for making the event a success. The ceremony also included a musical presentation by Ronald Chang Yuen.
Kittel back in the limelight with Tour win … Peter Sagan retains yellow By Julien Pretot LIMOGES, France (Reuters) - Marcel Kittel burst back into the limelight when the German snatched his ninth Tour de France stage win yesterday, prevailing in a tough bunch sprint. The Etixx-Quick Step rider, who had a disappointing start to the Tour and missed last year’s race following a virus, held off the late charge of Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie), beating the Frenchman by less than a tyre’s length. Slovak Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) was third and retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey at the end of the fourth stage, at 237.5km the longest in this year’s race. Frenchman Julian Alaphillipe (Etixx-Quick Step) is in second place, 12 seconds off the pace, with a decent chance of claiming yellow in tomorrow’s fifth stage, a 216-km trek in the Massif Central mountains. “There is a lot of emotion. I had to fight to come back, I had a tough start to the season but the goal has always been the Tour de France,” said Kittel. “The plan was to take the yellow jersey after the first stage but that did not go as expected.” Kittel suffered a virus that plagued his 2015 sea-
son and his Giant-Alpecin team omitted him from the Tour roster, prompting the 28-year-old to sign for EtixxQuick Step who were looking for a replacement for the
Quickstep rider Marcel Kittel of Germany reacts on podium after winning the stage. (Reuters/Juan Medina) departing Mark Cavendish. Kittel failed to take part in the massive sprint in the opening stage last Saturday, and came home a mediocre seventh on Monday, which suggested he was struggling with his form. Yesterday, the German was perfectly led out by his team and, although the final straight was slightly uphill, he never looked back, raising his arms to celebrate a few minutes after crossing the line as he and Coquard waited for the photo finish.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 6, 2016
GKF/GOA hosts successful Championships THE Guyana Karate College, in collaboration with the Guyana Olympics Association (GOA) successfully held its 2016 Olympic Karate Championships at the YMCA Thomas Lands on Sunday. Several of Guyana’s up and coming junior athletes recorded creditable results in the various categories. In the Male 6-8 years Kata, Pratush Deokinandan beat Deigo Denobrega and Alex Benjamin respectively while Benjamin took the Kumite class ahead of Mario Hodge and Deokinandan.
On the distaff end for Kata, Chelsea Benjamin defeated Rayniah Bridgewater and Danielle Persaud respectively while Pooja Lam, outdid both Bridgewater and Benjamin in that order on the Kumite end. In the male 9-11 years Kata, William Grant, Matthew Gurahoo and Aaron Persaud finished in that order while Kumite saw Nathon Archer beat Mark Singh and Grant respectively. On the distaff side, Hannah Farinah overcame Tessa DeNobre-
ga and Riana Narine in Kata while Narine, Farinah and Jasmin Hodge finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively for the Kumite. Ridwan Juman, Sean Wesley and Abdoul Diallo took top honours in the Male 12-14 Kata while Orlando Giddings, Shaquon Norville and Mark Crawford were the respective podium finishers for the Kumite. Aliya Wong beat Jessica Callender and Javena Doodnauth in the female Kata division. There was no Kumite.
The winners of the 2016 edition of the GKC/GOA Olympic Karate Championships held at the YMCA, Thomas Lands on Sunday.
Buttler, Morgan lead England to crushing T20 win (REUTERS) - A fluent unbroken third-wicket partnership of 114 between Jos Buttler and Eoin Morgan carried England to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in a one-off Twenty20 international yesterday. Buttler made an unbeaten 73 and captain Morgan hit 47 not out as the hosts eased to their target of 141 with more than two overs to spare.
England, who won the Test series between the teams 2-0 and took a rain-disrupted one-day international contest 3-0, continued their complete dominance of the Sri Lankans with a ruthless performance. Sri Lanka never looked like posting an imposing total after winning the toss, opener Dhanushka Gunathilaka top-scoring with 26 as En-
gland took wickets at regular intervals. Left-arm spinner Liam Dawson completed excel-
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday July 06, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz:
(1) August 07, 2016 (2) Barbados Tridents & Guyana Amazon Warriors
Today’s Quiz:
(1) Who struck the first century of Hero CPL 2016? (2) How many ‘home games’ Trinbago Knight Riders have won in Hero CPL 2016?
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
JOS BUTTLER lent figures of three for 27 on his debut and the hosts looked sharp in the field, good work by Jason Roy and James Vince leading to run-outs. England lost Roy in the first over and Vince fell for 16 but Buttler, promoted
to open the innings, struck four sixes and three fours to keep his team in control and Morgan clinched the win with a big six over mid-wicket off Ramith Rambukwella. “I’ll bat wherever the team wants me to bat. It’s something I really want to develop, the longer I can bat, the more runs I can get,” Buttler said. Morgan was delighted with his team’s performance in the field. “Tonight, our fielding peaked, we were hitting the stumps for fun. We’ve spoken about fielding, it’s the one thing in cricket you can control,” he said. “We have athletes in the field and we must use those as much as we can.” Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews reflected on a disappointing tour. “We showed fight in bits and pieces. We were not consistent enough,” he said. “That is something we need to work on. There are positives. Unfortunately we didn’t have the bowling to put pressure on.”
Williams wins Baker’s 60-mile cycle road race in Linden
THE 2016 Guyana Cycling Federation’s (GCF) road race champion Geron Williams on Sunday registered a comprehensive victory when the Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club (LBFCC) staged its 5th annual 60-mile cycle road race around the bauxite community as well as on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway. Williams returned a time of two hours 25 minutes .05 seconds in staving off a strong challenge from GCF’s 2015 road race champion Hamza Eastman who had to settle for second. The event which attracted Guyana’s top wheelsmen saw Paul DeNobrega, Shaquelle Agard, Orville Hinds and Jamal John occupy the third to sixth places which had as first prize $50 000. The other top finishers also received cash prizes and trophies. The junior category was won by Andrew Hicks of Berbice. He recorded two hours 30 minutes 37 seconds to finish ahead of 2016 junior road race champion Andrew GERON WILLIAMS Cornelius and Jernel Yearwood respectively. Ronaldo Narine was the lone juvenile cyclist to finish the race, while in the ladies’ category, Byonka Baker was first and Olesha placed second. Warren McKay won the veterans’ category in a time of 49 minutes .05 seconds. Second was Ian `Dumb Boy’ Jackson, while Jaikarran Sukhai placed third. The top three LBFCC cyclists to finish the event were also rewarded for their efforts and they are Agard, Yearwood and Silvio Inniss. From the start of the race in front of Baker’s residence, the top six finishers in the open category broke away from the other starters after completing over one lap of the 20mile circuit and were never challenged. After leaving the Baker’s residence, the cyclists rode around the mining town then exited onto the Linden Highway and journeyed to Bamia Hill on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway and turned back at Moblissa Hill. This went on three times before Williams,, Guyana’s only professional cyclist racing for Team Foundation in the United States, out-sprinted Eastman to the line to record his second victory within seven days. The Baker family has committed to sponsoring the event annually in memory of their father Joseph and mother Adelaide Baker.
Registration closes Friday for Workplace Tapeball competition EIGHT teams, including the West Side Cross Breed and the EPA, have so far registered to participate in this Sunday’s Workplace Tapeball competition, for which registration closes off midday this Friday, July 8. The competition, which is being hosted by Foreign Ministry Sports Promotions in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection, is set to be held at the tarmac of the National Cultural Centre, starting at 09:00hrs. Other teams so far confirmed to participate in the unity-centred event include: Supreme Court Marshals, Namilco, Princess Hotel, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Enmore, and Beterverwagting Office. The event is being held with the aim of fostering more cohesion in the workplace, and to have the workers involved in physical activities, so as to keep fit and healthy. Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally, is expected to deliver the feature address at the opening of the event. Coordinator for the event is James ‘Uprising’ Lewis. Interested entities can contact Lewis on 6281656, 672-6179.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 6, 2016
Bajans remain unbeaten in CBC Male U-16 championships … BVI lose to Antigua and Barbuda
THE Barbados squad looked like a well oiled machine on day 3 of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Male U-16 Championships. The team came up against a Dominica side that had already suffered a blowout loss
inica’s turnover woes began and Barbados had a chance to score quick points in transition. Through Chemar Steele, the offence ran and the Bajan poured it in with his jump-shooting. The quarter ended 40-21 in favour of Barbados.
Barbados with them tallying only 11 points. However, the game ended 78-45 with Barbados winning and remaining unbeaten in the tournament. Meanwhile, the British Virgin Islands suffered a tough loss
The Barbadian players paint a layup attempt. on Monday. The Barbados side started the game with a clear indication of what they had planned to do all tournament: slow the tempo of the game down and execute their plays. The first quarter brought with it Barbados executing from the half court set scoring 15 of their 21 points through set plays. Dominica scored their 10 points on second-chance opportunities after missed shots. The score read 21-10. In the second quarter Dom-
Going into the third quarter Barbados had a string of turnovers leading to a drop in their production in the quarter. However, through Steele and overall team play they stayed the course finishing the quarter up 67-32. The fourth quarter saw more scrappy play with more turnovers from both teams. With the many stoppages in play both teams struggled to find offence. Dominica had a few bright moments from Kiefer Francis who scored 4 threes in the quarter. This quarter was also the worst session for
at the hands of Antigua and Barbuda. With 6 seconds left in the game captain Elain O’Neal missed two shots that would have tied the game. In the first quarter, both teams traded buckets, with Antigua’s Anthony Greer and BVI’s Kiandre Clarke going at it. The quarter finished 1716 with Antigua up. The second quarter saw BVI come alive, Nixon Hamilton and O’Neal were instrumental in putting in 21 points for BVI while limiting the duo of Greer and Lincoln Weeks
from scoring. The quarter ended 37-29 with BVI in front. In the third quarter Antigua had a 19-point explosion that cut the lead to 6. Greer once again came alive hitting an array of shots, from floaters to midrange. Renrick Masaac kept BVI in the lead with his constant hounding of the offensive glass for second-chance points. The quarter ended 54-48 with BVI leading. In the fourth quarter, the game completely changed, Antigua seemed to be the team that really wanted it. The BVI team began turning over the ball. However, Jomoi Levons put his team on his back to keep them in the game with his defensive effort. All the drama played out within the last minute of the game - Eric Joseph hitting a clutch three for Antigua to give them a 5-point lead with 37.9 on the clock. Antigua had equalised then they took the lead earlier, courtesy of captain Greer. Levons once again had an answer, this time getting a steal and taking it up the court to draw the foul and score. Fouling him was Greer who had just committed his final foul to foul out the game. Levons hit the free throw and BVI were down two. He again came up with a big steal with 9 seconds to go and fired a pass down the court. O’Neal caught the pass and had two attempts at the ring but missed both. He collapsed in a heap as the buzzer sounded ending the game. BVI have now lost all their games, while Antigua have won 2 of 3.
Gayle ton powers Tallawahs to victory CHRIS Gayle struck his 18th T20 century, an unbeaten 54-ball 108 with six fours and 11 sixes, to help Jamaica Tallawahs hunt down their target of 192 against Trinbago Knight Riders in Port-ofSpain. The win propelled Tallawahs to the top of the table, while Knight Riders slumped to their third loss in four games. Tallawahs’ chase began slowly, with openers Gayle and Chadwick Walton adding 29 in 35 balls. At the end of the Powerplay, Gayle was on a run-a-ball 17. Kumar Sangakkara brought the required impetus with a brisk 20, but his dismissal left Tallawahs needing 121 off the last 10 overs. However, Gayle laid into the bowlers thereafter, as Tallawahs plundered 71 off the next three overs. A 30-run 13th over from Sulieman Benn, which included four sixes by GayChris Gayle’s destructive le, brought Tallacentury includes six fours wahs within 50 of and 11 sixes. the target with seven overs left. Gayle and Andre Russell shared a 107-run third-wicket stand. Russell contributed an 18-ball 24 before he holed out to long-off in the 17th over, but Tallawahs cruised to the target with 10 balls to spare. Sunil Narine was the pick of the bowlers, with figures of 1 for 9 from four overs. After being asked to bat, Knight Riders were given a brisk start by Brendon McCullum and Hashim Amla, who anchored the innings with a brisk 74. Their 49-run stand was broken by a slider from Imad Wasim that got past McCullum’s cut to clatter into the off stump. Colin Munro, who had made the CPL’s first ton by an overseas player in the previous game, continued his impressive form with a quick-fire 55. Knight Riders scored 53 off the last four overs to finish with 191 but came up short in the end.
Suriname overpower Guyana ... Turnovers cost locals By Daniel Haynes
RIDING high on confidence from their buzzer-beater win on Sunday, the Guyana Male U-16 Caribbean Basketball Confederation Championship team came up against a hungry Suriname team on Monday night. It was this same Suriname side that lost to Jamaica in overtime on Sunday and were under pressure to not drop a second game. However, it was the Guyana team that failed to capitalise on the lead they had for three quarters of the ball game, losing to the vistors 64-56.. With a fair-sized crowd behind them, Guyana jumped out to a quick start in the game scoring 8 con-
secutive points to start the quarter. Suriname, however, settled down and weathered the emotional storm to put up 8 points of their own. The locals then picked up on their defensive intensity, holding the visitors scoreless for 3 minutes. The quarter ended 16-12 in favour of Guyana. The second quarter saw Guyana go on an 8-4 run courtesy of the energy of Andrew Johnson, who came off the bench. Too many turnovers allowed Suriname back into the game and inconsistent scoring saw the quarter finish 29-26 with Guyana up by 3. At the half Guyana had 20 turnovers as well as 15 missed free throws. Guyana continued
evenly scoring and trading buckets with Suriname. It was quick jumpshots that saw the lead being held up until 5 minutes left in the quarter. The cause of the lead slipping was three straight turnovers, which led to Suriname transition buckets. Unable to keep the ball, the Guyana players became frustrated. This led to fouls being committed by Guyana which put the much better free-throw shooting Suriname team at the line. The quarter finished 45-40 with Suriname in the lead. In the fourth quarter Suriname came alive, playing a level of basketball that was vastly superior to Guyana’s. The physicality of the game picked up and both teams were in the foul penalty for most of the quarter. As the quarter waned, the defensive
Kevon Wiggins pushes the ball for Guyana. breakdowns that had Guyana down in the first game against Aruba, showed up again. Andrew Blijd was the point man for Suriname pouring in 8 of his 18 in this quarter. Due to the foul nature of the game, Guyana
were put at the line, and in the stretch of free throw shooting, went 3 for 12 at the line. It appeared as if only Nigel Bowen had been prepared to play for the local side with his 14-point effort. One Guyanese play-
er didn’t see any playing time and this was due to the fact that he hadn’t had as much practice with the team and didn’t know most players. After the loss coach Willon Cameron stated that the mental toughness of the team let them down in addition to the poor free-throw shooting and turnover ratio. According to coach Kenny Avent “Some of our players are learning on the job, this is their first major tournament and we have to remember that.” Kenny went on to say that it was going over game film and trying to get in more work before Guyana’s next game that would make the difference. With 19 of 46 free throw shootings for the game, 38 turnovers and 7 assists, much work is needed to go forward and compete at the powerhouse level of the competition. Guyana are now 1-1 in their two games.
Gayle ton powers Tallawahs to victory See story on page 35
US$22M for CPL 2016 ... Company still operating in the red By Stephan Sookram THIS year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will cost US$22M with the company still running in the red. According to the Chief Operations Officer (COO) of the Caribbean Premier League Pete Russel, this edition will see investors pumping a total over $4.5B Guyana dollars into the tournament which will run for six weeks. “It’s still slightly in the red; It’s a very expensive tournament to run,” the COO confirmed during a press briefing yesterday with members of the media. “If you look at our investment this year it’s going to be another US$22M that we pump into the tournament; that’s a huge amount of money and therefore yes, commercially we have to try to make that work,” the COO said. But, the general idea behind the tournament is to break even, the CPL COO said, adding that “there is a gap but it’s closing every year and our aim is to get it to break even certainly by next year and let’s see where it goes from there.” “What’s great (about the CPL) is the quality of cricket. This tournament is now being
known around the world so it makes the commercial deals that much easier, “When we can do deals like have Facebook come to us and say ‘we want to put your product on Facebook live to over 40 countries’ that’s exciting, and that tells you something about what people want to watch.” CPL WANTS TO GIVE BACK Nonetheless, the CPL still has a plan to invest in the region with Russel saying, “We want to be seen in the region, to be in each of the CPL countries 12 months of every year. We want to be a part of the solution for West Indies Cricket. “We feel we played our part for what happened in India and we want to continue to be there.” While he did say that he cannot control how the investment is utilised, he opined, “Even if it’s a small thing like adopting a cricket club, making it a CPL cricket club where we improve the facility, make it a centre of excellence for younger players, whatever the structure is, we want to be a part of it.” “One of the parts of the proposal we put to the government here was along those lines,” the COO said.
CPL Chief Operations Officer Pete Russel examines the pitch at national stadium in the presence of CPL International Director of Cricket Tom Moody, CPL and other CPL officials. Guyana will host four matches beginning tomorrow. (Samuel Maughn photo)
Fifteen for Fifteens!
GRFU seeks $15M for RAN final against Mexico See story on page 30
Flashback! The victorious Guyana team celebrate after ‘frying’ Barbados 48-17 at the National Park during the earlier stages of the Rugby America North (RAN) South Zone Finals. (Delano Williams photo) Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.
No excuses for Knight Riders - Bravo See story on page 30
Trinbago Knightriders captain Dwayne Bravo WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2016