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No. 104635

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016

Price: $80

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An employee of GAICO Construction and contracting Services demonstrates the use of equipment on board the company’s supply /spill response vessel on Friday afternoon. President David Granger (centre) engages the company’s principal, Komal Singh, as Private Sector Commission (PSC) chairman Eddie Boyer (left) and Minister of Public Health , Dr George Norton, look on [Adrian Narine photo]

Oil spill readiness GAICO unveils oil spill response vessel

BY Alva Solomon LOCAL firm GAICO Construction and Contracting Services, celebrating on Friday its 25th year in business, has capitalised on an opportunity to provide support services relevant to Guyana’s emerging oil and gas sector by unveiling its oil spill response services, a venture which is said to be the first of its kind to be piloted here by a local firm. The company plans to invest in the creation of a “soil remediation facility,” a project which pivots around the treatment of contaminated fuel retrieved from oil spills. Speaking at the commissioning of the service, Presi-

dent David Granger commended GAICO for its “forward thinking” initiative, and expressed his conviction that the country must prepare itself for similar emergent economic sectors. He told the gathering, which included several ministers of government, environmentalists and oil and gas managers, that the company has cast its sights on Guyana’s emerging petroleum sector and has positioned itself to benefit from that sector’s local content. The President said Guyana must prepare itself for new and emerging sectors, and foresight and entrepreneurship would allow businesses to benefit from local content. He said Government is confident that the production

of petroleum would create new opportunities, although economic challenges would not come to an end. He said the country cannot afford to fold its arms and simply wait for the anticipated oil bonanza. “We must continue to build a balanced and diversified Guyana,” he said. President Granger said the authorities will continue to pursue green growth notwithstanding the emerging petroleum sector. “Our green agenda will open notable avenues for entrepreneurship,” he said. He listed enterprises, construction and environmental services, solid waste management and protected areas’ systems as being Turn to page 3 ►

Teen found dead with bullet wound to abdomen Non Pareil family beaten, robbed 2 P.

Lift the suspension AG floats theory of …Scrap metal dealers P.8 picket Min Gaskin’s office

PPP killing Rodney

‒ Teixeira calls it ‘absolutely bizarre’

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 6, 2016

House clears motion to examine findings of Rodney CoI report By Ravin Singh “TODAY our nation is more divided than it was in the 1980s,” Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira said as her motion on the death of Dr Walter Rodney failed to gain the support of the government in the National Assembly early Friday morning. After six hours of rigorous debate and robust arguments, it was the eastern side of the House that emerged with the upper hand, eventually amending the Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) motion and passing it in the House just before dawn. Sponsored by Teixeira, the motion sought to have the National Assembly adopt the report and its findings, and have the government commit to taking measures to implement its recommendations in an attempt to preserve and strengthen the democratic architecture of the state. At the end of the de-

bate however, government amended the motion which now calls for an examination of the findings of the report to ascertain which are acceptable and implementable. The word “adopts” was also replaced with “acknowledges” and this reversed the call for the National Assembly to adopt the findings of the report. The findings of the report though, had been a contentious issue, as many on the government’s side believe that no definitive pronouncement could be made on who had killed Dr Rodney, despite the report stating that the State had a part to play in his death. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo passionately spoke about the former WPA leader, with whom he shared experiences. The PM believes that while the scholar’s death was unfortunate, solid enough evidence has not been produced to convince him that former President Forbes Burnham

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo addresses the National Assembly

or the PNC had killed Dr Rodney. “I don’t have the answer whether Forbes Burnham or the PNC (People’s National Congress) or rogue elements in the army or the police force or imperialists or the House of Israel, that rogue elements, that this man Gregory Smith was an agent of any if these persons or entities; I cannot, because I don’t have the evidence,” he told the House. Agreeing with the PM was Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, who contended that the report falls short of minimum standards and expectations of the general public. Refusing to accept the findings on the basis of it being “hear say,” Trotman said that, “What is before us is a re-

port and reports of this kind are subject to review. Reviews of CoI are permissible, they’re not immutable. They can be dissected. It is not the final decision on an issue.” But PPP parliamentarian, Clement Rohee, held strong views against government’s refusal to accept the findings of the report. In fact, Rohee went on to describe the debate of this motion as “another assassination of Rodney.” “What we witnessed tonight is an assassination of the truth. The truth about the circumstances surrounding Dr Rodney’s death has been murdered. The findings are obviously damaging to the current administration. By logical extension they have to reject it. That is the only

logical conclusion one can draw,” Rohee said. Fellow PPP Member of Parliament (MP) Anil Nandlall also stood in defence of the motion, arguing that today, in Rodney’s own home – Guyana - where he fought for national unity and against oppression of the working people, his legacy is being denigrated. He said that if the coalition government believed that enough persons had not been interviewed by the commission, as was advanced by Minister of State Joseph Harmon, then President David Granger should not have ended it prematurely and should have allowed those persons to be interviewed. WELL PLANNED PLOY Meanwhile, Harmon ex-

pressed his view that the CoI was a “well-planned ploy by the PPP” in the run-up to the 2015 General and Regional Elections. Harmon said that it was an attempt by the then PPP government to “deceive the citizenry,” but that it backfired as they were ousted from executive office. Teixeira in her final speech though, refuted these claims – a view which was also expressed by Minister Trotman. The Opposition Chief Whip reasoned that it could not have been used to gain political mileage as was suggested by government MPs, since news of a 2015 elections came subsequent to the establishment of the CoI. The commission was set up on February 8, 2014. However, the no-confidence motion by the then combined opposition which triggered the 2015 elections was not presented in the House until the end of 2014. She also echoed sentiments similar to Rohee’s that, “There appears to be no desire to know the truth. We in this house are repeating the assassination of Dr Rodney.” The motion was subsequently amended by a majority vote in the House and approved as amended.

Non Pareil family beaten, robbed A FAMILY of five -- including three overseas-based Guyanese -- was relieved of a substantial amount of cash and jewellery when a group of armed bandits attacked them at their home on Thursday night. The incident occurred shortly after 18:00hrs at Non Pareil Public Road, East Coast Demerara, when businessman Heeralall Hardowar and his son, who is visiting from the United States of America (USA) with his wife and child, returned home from their place of business in the Stabroek Market, Georgetown. Hardowar, who sells plastic bags for a living, had parked the minibus in the

heavily grilled yard when he was held up by three gunmen and taken into the house. The man’s son was in the kitchen when the bandits entered. This newspaper understands that the businessman’s wife was beaten in the head and slapped while his son, grandson and daughter-in-law were ordered to lie face down on the floor. They took Hardowar to the upper flat of the house after demanding money and other valuables. A bag containing the day’s sales was handed over, but the bandits wanted more and beat the businessman in his head and face with their handguns. Once in the upper flat of the two-storey house,

the gunmen broke into the man’s locked wardrobe and took all his jewellery. Not satisfied, the men demanded more money and an additional $500,000 in cash was handed over, after which the group left in a waiting vehicle. The family was also relieved of their passports and other important documents. It was reported that the Hardowars were traced from the city, but residents had observed the car in the vicinity of the house before the armed robbery. Even though the police conducted several raids along the East Coast Demerara corridor, no one was arrested.

Oil spill readiness GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 6, 2016

From page 1

among areas which would be pursued. The President said Guyana’s entrepreneurship culture has blossomed, but it is not yet blooming fully. “It needs to be encouraged to accentuate balanced development all over our ten regions,” he said. He informed that entrepreneurship rests on several pillars, including information, infrastructure, communication, innovation and investment, all of which are pivotal to development. In this regard, he said, while those pillars are being planted and fostered, Government has embarked on the establishment of additional towns across the country, as they are important to the respective areas within which they are located. GAICO principal Komal Singh told those gathered that the company commenced operating in May 1991 in Region Three, where it was a sole trader until 2005, when its status was upgraded to that of a limited liability company. GAICO has, since 2005, worked diligently to upgrade to its current large human and capital capacity, and is ready to take up the opportunities the petroleum sector presents. He noted that the company invested in its marine fleet in the petroleum sector after noticing a vacuum. Singh said GAICO has observed and carried out research on oil spills which occurred in other parts of the world, and the entity believes it is ready to up its mandate to another level. He explained a scenario of an oil spill within local waters and the effects it can leave on the waterways. “GAICO decided here at this junction that while oil and gas (production) are down the line, we still have a lot of opportunities locally to put systems in place to mitigate some of those disasters that can happen”, he disclosed, noting that the

President David Granger engages GAICO’s Komal Singh on board the company’s supply boat /spill response vessel, Ms Maleka

firm would need the help of the regulatory agency to put systems in place to avoid such outcomes. 24 HOURS TO RESPOND Meanwhile, in relation to the equipment on the ground, Singh said the entity invested in a supply boat which can take fuel or cargo to various vessels. It can double as a platform in the event of an oil spill, and in one month’s time, all other essential equipment will be installed on the vessel. “Should there be a spill, we would be able to respond within 24 hours,” he said. He added that storage tanks are also in the company’s operations, and oil can be skimmed and stored by the company in the event of a spill. GAICO is in the process of documenting its preparedness for the establishment of an oil spill facility called a “Soil Remediation Facility”. Singh said the company is ready to work with any entity presently involved in the sector. Professor Suresh Narine, who is affiliated with GAICO, noted that last

year’s oil discovery by Exxon Mobil has changed the trajectory of the oiland-gas history of Guyana. He said the discovery takes a parallel place next to

Guyana’s attainment of independence from the British in 1966. Professor Narine said he does not believe the enormity of the discovery

has filtered down in the minds of many. He reminded those seated that oil and gas should not suggest the other fertile sectors of the economy should be aban-

The Company’s supply boat /spill response vessel, Ms Maleka

doned. He said President Granger’s piloting of a green economy is impressive, and he noted the importance of the other sectors of the country’s economy. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Private Sector commission (PSC), Eddie Boyer, said the PSC’s support for renewable energy and a green economy is well documented. He said that GAICO’s investment signals the start of a new era in the extractive industries, one that is new to Guyana. Boyer said it is refreshing to see companies such as GAIOCO “going full steam ahead”, and he called for other companies to follow suit, noting the new opportunities which are available in the field. Boyer said that the PSC would be forming an oil-and-gas grouping within its energy subsector. The body will address matters relating to growth and development in the oil and gas sector.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 6, 2016

U.S Presidential elections

Major shift in the Trump-Clinton race at hand HILLARY Clinton has a large and perhaps growing lead in the nation and in many of the predominantly white battleground states where Donald Trump was thought to have his best shot, according to a wave of new surveys released in the last two days. Three national surveys — from Fox, NBC/WSJ and Marist/McClatchy — showed Mrs. Clinton ahead by big margins: 10, 9 and 15 percentage points. It’s the worst polling stretch for a presidential candidate at this stage since John McCain in mid-October of 2008. It’s a little hard to make sense of it all, in part because the timing is a little unusual. This ought to be the heart of Mrs. Clinton’s post-convention bounce, when polling analysts generally preach caution. On the other hand, Mr. Trump had a tough week of his own making — drawing condemnation from Republican leaders and

even causing a few high-profile defections from donors and the conservative media. The prudent approach is to wait, and see whether Mrs. Clinton’s lead endures for another week or two — after convention bounces usually fade. In the interim, we can cautiously say that there is more reason than usual to think that Mrs. Clinton’s newfound lead represents a meaningful shift in the race, one that would make a comeback for Mr. Trump seem daunting if it holds. In general, it’s not worth overthinking post-convention bounces. They don’t necessarily even reflect real shifts in voter attitudes, just changes in how likely people are to respond to surveys. But strong conventions can speed up unification of divided parties and usher in a real shift. Part of the reason Mrs. Clinton’s bounce seems more likely to last is that it seems to be coming from greater

party unity: growing support from Bernie Sanders’s backers. The Marist poll showed Mrs. Clinton with the support of 90 percent of his voters, while a CNN poll gave her 91 percent. These numbers had usually

Republican Nominee, Donald Trump been in the 60s or 70s. Mrs. Clinton’s support appears to be underpinned by her improving image among Democratic-leaning voters, according to Gallup data. She could still lose some of those voters to third-party candidates, but Mr. Trump faces similar risks.

These gains have allowed Mrs. Clinton to move up to around 47 or 48 percent of the vote in recent polls. This is not an especially impressive tally, but for that same reason it seems reasonable to expect she could keep it: She’s not winning the support of a huge number of voters whom you would expect to abandon her. At the same time, the unusually large number of voters considering a third-party candidate make Mrs. Clinton’s tallies seem likelier to be enough to win. The polling numbers for Gary Johnson or Jill Stein will probably decline — especially once likely-voter screens are added. Mrs. Clinton’s tally would probably improve in the process; some of those voters would drift to her, and her voters would become a larger share of likely voters. Mr. Trump, on the other hand, faces the opposite issue. His support has plummeted: In fact, he didn’t even breach 40 percent in any of the national surveys that were released on Wednesday or Thursday. His huge edge among white working-class voters has all but vanished, at least

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temporarily. In the last four national surveys, he has held just 51.5 percent of white voters without a college degree — worse than the 57 percent he held in June and July polls conducted ahead of the Dem-

Democratic Nominee, Hillary Clinton ocratic convention, and even worse than the 55 percent of the vote held by Mitt Romney in pre-election polls in 2012. The effect has been obvious in many states with large numbers of white voters without a degree, like New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. A MassINC/WBUR poll showed Mrs. Clinton up by 15 points in New Hampshire — the third-whitest state in the country. She led by 11 points among likely voters in a Franklin and Marshall poll in Pennsylvania. She has not secured these white working-class voters for herself. She’s averaging 34 percent of white voters without a degree over the last four surveys — less than the 37 percent that Mr. Obama held in 2012. Or put differently: Mr. Trump, even at his nadir, appears to be winning white working-class voters by about the same margin as Mr. Romney did in pre-election polls. Realistically, Mr. Trump will

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win many of these voters back under more favorable circumstances. But that doesn’t mean that his decline is a nonissue. There hasn’t been a presidential candidate with so many poll numbers in the 30s at this stage of the race in a long time. And while it may just be a coincidence, his numbers have gotten worse with every survey this week — even as the convention fades farther in the rearview mirror. It at least raises the possibility that he is being damaged as much by himself as the Democratic convention. The concern for Mr. Trump isn’t that he can’t recover to 42 or 43 percent of the vote. It’s that the same stories making fairly reliable supporters reconsider their allegiances, at least momentarily, are solidifying Mrs. Clinton’s hold on the 47 or 48 percent or so who currently support her in the polls. Perhaps even worse, he could be hardening the resistance of the remaining undecided voters who don’t have a favorable impression of either candidate but who do not believe that he is qualified to be president or that he has the temperament to do the job. Altogether, he appears to be in danger of becoming unacceptable to a clear majority of voters. Indeed, just 39 percent of voters said he was “acceptable” in the Marist poll. No, this is not a normal result of a convention bounce. Polls conducted a few weeks after the conventions have proved to be generally accurate. They’re not perfect, but no modern presidential candidate who has trailed a few weeks after the conventions has gone on to win the popular vote. Mr. Trump is in serious danger of needing to be the first candidate to pull it off — with more baggage weighing him down, for good measure. (New York Times)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 6, 2016

Jamaica not considering aerial spraying for Zika

THE health ministry of Jamaica says it is not considering going the route of aerial spraying in its fight against the Zika virus (ZIKA). In light of the heightened Zika scare,

Florida began the aerial spraying of insecticides yesterday in an attempt to kill mosquitoes in and around sections of Miami. The first known cases of local trans-

mission of the mosquito-borne virus in the United States were recorded in Miami. Speaking with The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre, Acting Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health, Dr

Winston De La Haye said the country has tried aerial spraying before. However, he says the practice was discontinued because other insects were being impacted. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Red Stripe brewery investing €16m to double capacity MANAGING Director of Red Stripe Jamaica, Ricardo Nuncio, says by year end the Jamaican brewery would have doubled production capacity, dedicating more to exports. Nuncio says a new line costing €16 million will have a capacity of about half-million hectolitres, which is close to five million cases. This will boost total capacity to 10 million cases, he said, allowing the company to boost exports. The investment translates to more than $2 billion in local currency. Red Stripe Jamaica was acquired by Heineken last year. “With that new capacity, the intention is for the export market mainly so that we will keep our current line completely focused on the

domestic market. We expect a big uplift in our volumes in exports and so we feel that we will be using about 50 per cent capacity; but that should be ramped up going forward, say the next three years,” Nuncio said. The move to restart production for exports follows a reversal of a 2012 decision by then owners Diageo to outsource production of beer to be sold in foreign markets to Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The franchise operation was aimed at servicing the US market. In the wake of that decision, a class action lawsuit on behalf of US consumers alleged that phrases like ‘Jamaican Style’ and ‘Taste of Jamaica’, which appeared on the bottles,

Red Stripe have consistently downplayed its effect on the decision to repatriate the volumes produced in the US.

Ricardo Nuncio, managing director of Red Stripe Jamaica were misleading labelling by Diageo. The case was eventually thrown out of court and sources close to

GREATER EFFICIENCY Nuncio said the number four bottling line at Red Stripe’s Kingston plant has been lying idle as a result of the export franchise arrangement. He cited the need for greater efficiency and technological upgrades as reasons for its replacement during a tour of the plant on Wednesday by Government officials, Finance Minister Audley Shaw and Industry Minister Karl Samuda. “We’ll be replacing this with a more efficient line that will have greater capacity,

Burnt bodies found in van in T&T DETERMINED not to let 14 years of marriage go down the drain, Ardia Yearwood-Marchan and Peter Marchan were trying to make life work. But those efforts ended when the Fyzabad couple’s burnt bodies were found inside their Isuzu D-Max pickup at Petrotrin Forest Reserve on Wednesday night. Marchan-Yearwood, 38, was a dance teacher at the La Romain High School while Marchan was a civilian mechanic at the Southern Division Fire Headquarters, Mon Repos, San Fernando. Police said an anonymous caller reported a fire off Sudamah Trace, Fyzabad, and when officers responded they found the burning pickup along the No 42 Road and contacted the Siparia Fire Station. When the blaze was extinguished, firefighters found the remains seated in the pickup burnt beyond recognition. Although investigators linked the bodies to the couple, DNA analysis and comparison of dental records will have to be used to confirm their identities. Investigators, spearheaded by Snr Supt Nazrool Hosein, are yet to determine whether the deaths were

Peter Marchan and his wife Ardia Yearwood-Marchan, whose burnt bodies were found at Forest Reserve, Fyzabad, on Wednesday a double murder or murder/suicide. However, they learned the couple had at argument at Marchan-Yearwood’s home along the

Guapo Main Road, Fyzabad, hours before their bodies were found. They are working with the theory that she could have been killed

and placed in the pickup before being taken to Forest Reserve. Speaking at Marchan’s Robert Hill home yesterday, a relative said the couple separated last November and Yearwood-Marchan had moved back to her mother’s home. However, he said they were trying to rekindle their marriage and they would both spend time at each other’s home. He said up to when he saw Marchan on Sunday and spoke to him on Tuesday, everything appeared to be going well. Relatives said they spent Wednesday together and when they left that afternoon, they sped off in the vehicle and it appeared that they had an argument but no one knew what it was about. The next time they heard of the couple was when police reported that their pickup was found burnt with two charred remains inside. At Yearwood-Marchan’s home, relatives said they were not ready to comment on her death. However, students, past and present, described her as a loving teacher. Former student, Shyienn Millette, 19, said Yearwood was a mother figure to those she interacted with at the school. “Miss Yearwood was an outgoing and a very

and it will be totally dedicated to exports,” Nuncio told the Financial Gleaner, explaining that the plan is to gradually ramp up production as the company grows exports. “It won’t be used 100 per cent for the first two to three years, but we have a projection that will allow us to have capacity for the next seven years or so,” he said. Meanwhile, the import-substitution driven Project Grow is said to be ahead of targets. Nuncio told the Financial Gleaner that cassava was already supplying 10 per cent of the raw material content for making beers, ales and stouts. It’s twice the five per cent level that Red Stripe initially predicted it would have reached at this stage of the project. Red Stripe was aiming initially for 20 per

cent substitution overall under Project Grow, but on Wednesday Nuncio was already talking of a more aggressive 40 per cent target by 2017. The company presently has 500 acres under cultivation - 200 at Bernard Lodge and another 300 at Cheesefield, both in the parish of St Catherine. Nuncio says the plan is to double the acreage to 1,000 and pump more money into processing the cassava. “We are investing US$1.9 million for a cassava-processing plant that will allow us to process up to 100 tonnes. In addition, we plan to invest an additional US$3 million for the cassava malted syrup plant,” Nuncio told the Financial Gleaner. (Jamaica Gleaner)

straightforward person. If she didn’t like what y o u w e re d o i n g , s h e would come and talk to you about it. “She was a respectable person and students never really gave her trouble because they were comfortable with her. She was a mother

figure and a friend to us so to hear that she died is really heartbreaking,” Millette said. Several people also posted condolences and tributes to Yearwood-Marchan on her Facebook page after news of her death spread. (Trinidad Guardian)

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com

That Shariff has been sent on leave to facilitate the investigation is a positive sign. But even as he has been so sent, some who have abused public office for personal gain are still continuing to hold office, which constitutes an insult to the people. Two cases before the court that readily come to mind are those of present Member of Parliament and former Minister of Public Service, Dr. Jennifer Westford; and Carvil Duncan, who holds constitutional offices on the Public Service Commission. In a regular society, or, rather, in a society wherein officials see public service as being in service to the people and not as opportunity for self-aggrandisement, out of respect for the people, officials would do the decent thing and remove themselves from office, at least until the issues are resolved. But this doesn’t happen in Guyana, where persons seemingly dare the society to have them removed. Also, it is not surprising to see such persons actually engaged in audacious efforts to exculpate themselves from being held to account, hiding behind constitutional and other legal technicalities. This society must develop high intolerance for unethical behaviour from public officials, elected or appointed, irrespective of association. Illicit behaviours rob a society of its integrity and create unpleasant situations wherein citizens, more particularly when they travel abroad, are exposed to all sorts of negative stereotypes. Corruption is a human rights’ violation of Government, given that the State’s resources are being wasted, siphoned off when they could have been directed to providing or improving services for the people. And this is a primary reason why this publication has editorialised often on the need to establish the Public Procurement Commission, which should be able to significantly minimise, if not altogether eradicate, this scourge.

On the matter of integrity, it is encouraging to hear Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, as First Vice President, address this matter. He has said that Government’s Code of Conduct would be incorporated into the Integrity Act, and a draft is before the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel. This is welcome news; and it is hoped that this law would not only be iron-clad, but strident enough -- including in its provision of severe penalties -– to cause public officials, elected and appointed, to think more than twice before engaging in conduct that brings disrepute to the office they hold, and insult the people who have reposed confidence in them. Things must change in this society in regard to the welfare and well-being of the people, and change must be for the better. The case of Shariff is one of many, and it is hoped that the authorities would not rest or relent until every last one who has betrayed the public’s trust is held to account. Guyanese must feel free to move about without having to hear how corrupt the society is, and having to prove they are not of the group who, for their own aggrandisement, doesn’t care how besmirched the country’s character is, or how much degradation the average citizen endures. While, like any other, this country has experienced economic downturns and, in some instances, shortages of items, the scale of corruption and protection of the corrupt that this country has experienced within recent times is unprecedented, and is a crying shame. Every Guyanese must work to rid the society of corruption, and those without integrity from public office.

wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Editorial

The Omar Shariff Story OMAR Shariff, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Presidency, has been sent on leave to facilitate an investigation into his alleged extraordinary accumulation of wealth, which includes several properties and billions of dollars in the banks. The story of Shariff is among the too many this society has heard of, or know about, happening with public officials entrusted with the people’s confidence to serve them and manage their affairs and it is not harsh to say that Guyana has sunk into the cesspool of corruption. With the Transparency International Perception Index ranking this country the most corrupt in the English-speaking Caribbean, much work has to be done to remove this tainted image. In the process of cleaning the Augean stables, none -- once suspected -- should be above being investigated; and to wherever or whomever the trail leads, the investigation must follow, and those culpable should be held to account. Absolutely no public official, elected and appointed -- those who served and those who are serving -- should escape the arms of the law if found culpable. It is disgusting that public office has become the platform to enrich oneself at the expense of the people; or, as some would say, a ‘gravy train.’ That Shariff has been sent on leave to facilitate the investigation is a positive sign but even as he has been so sent, some who have abused public office for personal gain are still continuing to hold office, which constitutes an insult to the people. Two cases before the court that readily come to mind are those of present Member of Parliament and former Minister of Public Service, Dr. Jennifer Westford; and Carvil Duncan, who holds constitutional offices on the Public Service Commission. In a regular society, or, rather, in a society wherein officials see public service as being in service to the people and not as opportunity for self-aggrandisement, out of respect for the people, officials would do the decent thing and remove themselves from office, at least until the issues are resolved. But this doesn’t happen in Guyana, where persons seemingly dare the society to have them removed. Also, it is not surprising to see such persons actually engaged in audacious efforts to exculpate themselves from being held to account, hiding behind constitutional and other legal technicalities. This society must develop high intolerance for unethical behaviour from public officials, elected or appointed, irrespective of association. Illicit behaviours rob a society

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 6, 2016

Accountability Watch by Anand Goolsarran

Dear Editor THE ‘watching’ of accountability by Mr. Anand Goolsarran is testimony to the dangers of having persons who are employed by the Government, or have a private practice, being granted access to the national newspapers and being allowed to publish columns on a weekly or regular basis for a fee or otherwise. The particular column that reaffirmed my negative opinion on this practice is pitifully displayed on page 21 of the Stabroek News dated Monday, July 25, 2016 and captioned “Three welcome developments, the appointment of the Tax Chief….” Conflict of Interest is the catch phrase in Guyana today; though, like the term “terrorist” used in the United States, it escapes a universal definition. When one examines Anand’s comments on the appointment of the Commissioner-General, it is blatantly obvious that the focus of the watch was not so much on the individual appointed, but on “a Canada-based Guyanese chartered accountant of good repute, according to Anand (this does suggest that the Commissioner-General appointed does not meet the Accountability Watcher’s standard of good repute). Whether the good repute applicant was flown in at the expense of the tax payer or came using his/her own funds, it points to some intimacy between the Accountability Watcher and the applicant. It was noted by Anand that the unsuccessful applicant was qualified as a Fellow Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

(FCCA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), MBA and a Certified General Accountant (CGA). Anand further revealed that the applicant owns an accounting and tax practice in Canada, worked with several international firms… and is also a Certified Fraud Examiner who is pursuing a law degree from the University of London -- not a law degree from one of our non-global Caribbean universities. Readers, please note that the article by Mr. Goolsarran is supposed to be about the appointment of the now Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority in the person of Mr. Godfrey Statia; not of an unnamed applicant known to Mr. Goolsarran, who was not appointed to the position and whose non-appointment seems to displease Anand. It is interesting to note that the person who was appointed as CG of GRA, unbeknownst to some readers of Accountability Watch, is qualified as a CPA, MBA, Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA); Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE); Personal Financial Specialist (PFS); has a law degree from the Hugh Wooding Law School, University of the West Indies; and also has an accounting and tax practice in the United States. Mr. Statia was also, for several years, a Deputy Commissioner at the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) in the 1980s, when the IRD was headed by Mr. Edgar Heyligar; as was Mr. Khurshid Sattaur, the former head of GRA (The GRA resulted from the merger of two departments: the Inland Revenue Department and Customs and Excise Department).

of its integrity and create unpleasant situations wherein citizens, more particularly when they travel abroad, are exposed to all sorts of negative stereotypes. Corruption is a human rights’ violation of Government, given that the State’s resources are being wasted, siphoned off when they could have been directed to providing or improving services for the people. And this is a primary reason why this publication has editorialised often on the need to establish the Public Procurement Commission, which should be able to significantly minimise, if not altogether eradicate, this scourge. On the matter of integrity, it is encouraging to hear Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, as First Vice President, address this matter. He has said that Government’s Code of Conduct would be incorporated into the Integrity Act, and a draft is before the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel. This is welcome news; and it is hoped that this law would not only be iron-clad, but strident enough -including in its provision of severe penalties -– to cause public officials, elected and appointed, to think more than

Based on Mr. Goolsarran’s close examination of the original vacancy notice, he concluded that external candidates were placed at a disadvantage by the requirement of “15 years’ experience in customs administration, eight of which must be at an executive level”, as there was no provision for equivalent external experience. It seems to me that the author/s of the vacancy notice saw no need to state the obvious. More alarming is Anand’s implicit view that non-external candidates were not placed at a disadvantage. In addition to highlighting the good repute of the unsuccessful applicant, Monsieur Goolsarran, in his article, described the Commissioner-General’s selection process as “in some ways this could be considered as bid rigging”. What a giant leap by our Accountability Watcher; perception and reality are both ignored in a most tainted and vicious manner by our “watcher”. Our national newspapers should be very careful in appointing columnists and commenters who are employed by the Government or carry on private practice that includes Government and corporate sector clientele. Goolsarran, Ram and Lucas come to mind. Let these denizens of Guyana limit their opinions to “Letters to the Editor”. To paraphrase Mr. Goolsarran, using the last sentence of his article: “failure to relinquish his positions is posing a serious conflict of interest”. Yours faithfully, NIGEL HINDS

twice before engaging in conduct that brings disrepute to the office they hold, and insult the people who have reposed confidence in them. Things must change in this society in regard to the welfare and well-being of the people, and change must be for the better. The case of Shariff is one of many, and it is hoped that the authorities would not rest or relent until every last one who has betrayed the public’s trust is held to account. Guyanese must feel free to move about without having to hear how corrupt the society is, and having to prove they are not of the group who, for their own aggrandisement, doesn’t care how besmirched the country’s character is, or how much degradation the average citizen endures. While, like any other, this country has experienced economic downturns and, in some instances, shortages of items, the scale of corruption and protection of the corrupt that this country has experienced within recent times is unprecedented, and is a crying shame. Every Guyanese must work to rid the society of corruption, and those without integrity from public office.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 6, 2016

Heartened by move to create strategic plan

Dear Editor, THE move by the Ministry of Business and Tourism to create a strategic plan is quite heartening, and is an initiative that should be applauded and copied by other sectors/ministries of government. I am an expat who holds the homeland close to heart; and thank goodness for social media and the New Media age, friends and past colleagues

help to make staying informed easy. I became aware of this strategic plan from a friend’s Facebook post of a GINA’s article on the minister’s consultation forum on August 3. Having read the article, I expected at least to find a link to the document. Well, I was not so lucky; but, fortunate enough, the article did culminate by informing that the document can be found

on the ministry’s website. So, sure enough, I waded through, and then came my real disappointment. The document was in ISSUU reader. ISSUU reader is an excellent platform that provides exceptional digital reading experience. So why am I being so petty? Leading up to, and transitioning into government, this new regime purported a number of themes that resonated well -- themes such as consulta-

tive management, transparency, fairness, and the list goes on. I would like to dwell on consultation. The Guyanese public, in residence and abroad, can make valued contributions in setting the direction on important aspects of the economy, such as trade and doing business; but they must be given the opportunity to do so in a manner that is simple, straightforward, accessible, and allows for input

with ease. ISSUU reader will not allow to download, print and have paper in hand; not all of us are keen on being glued to our digital devices all the time. To my bigger point, I am peeved that there is still not a central registry where all government policies, changes in laws and regulations, strategic and development strategies are posted digitally, thus al-

lowing the public to peruse and respond. The ability to have a say in national policies and contribute in setting the direction of any aspect or factor that will influence nation building is not a privilege; it is a right. It does not take much to get this done properly, why the lagging? Regards, ANDRE DUKHIA

The rich legacy of LFS Burnham lives on Dear Editor, TODAY marks the death anniversary of Mr. Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, and the time is taken for a reflection on his life. The Burnham government had developed a national policy which envisaged Guyanese controlling the commanding heights of our economy by harnessing local resources for our benefit. It was this vision, bolstered by a dream, that led to the establishment of institutions like the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST), which operates out of the University of Guyana (UG).

In 2012, I had the pleasure of meeting Professor Suresh Narine, who explained just how important IAST is to the development and advancement of our people. Guyanese are encouraged and delighted about the abilities of our fellow citizens and the potential of our natural resources. To see these being taken advantage of and put to productive and developmental use must make us all proud. This, because over the past few decades, due to several factors, large transnational corporations now control most inputs and outputs of our economy.

Using indigenous materials, the institution is working to address the major factors limiting the development of paved roads in Guyana due to the exorbitant cost of stone aggregate and binding materials (such as bitumen). Working to improve the process of “firing of coastal clays” for the production of aggregate materials, and for combination with lime, fired rice husk and other binder materials, this is expected to produce wear-resistant concrete-like binders. From improving road-building techniques to the discovery of the anti-

Artificial ripening of fruits, vegetables Dear Editor, SOME of our farmers and vendors have joined the world of artificial ripening of fruits and vegetables with the use of chemical agents. At least one such agent, Ethephon, is on sale at the Country Agri Centre in Vreed-en-Hoop, but anecdotal evidence suggests that the practice is not widely known among consumers. Listening to the responses of Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud and two other officials to questions from persons who called in to a recently televised programme, one did not get the impression that there is awareness among the authorities of this relatively new practice. The practice of artificial ripening is carried out in many countries, using different protocols that often involve the use of selected agents and selected types of fruits. For instance, in the United States, the National Organic Standard Board (NOSB) recommends the use of ethylene for post-harvest ripening of tropical fruits and de-greening of citruses. The United Kingdom’s Soil Association permits the use of ethylene to ripen bananas and kiwi (Soil Association Organic Standards, rev 16.4, June 2011). But it should be noted that, in Bangladesh, the

Pure Food Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2005 prohibits the use of calcium carbide, formalin, and pesticides such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which were found to be associated with artificial fruit ripening and its negative health consequences. A lot of information is available on the Internet to anyone who might be interested in the subject. A search of the website of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations did not reveal any specific regulations to manage the practice of artificial fruit ripening using chemical agents. Rather, the organization appears to rely on its general standards for food safety and safe farming practices. However, the information available from other sources gives an indication of the position of the FAO in relation to the subject being discussed. One example is the FAO’s support for Global Organic Market Access (GOMA) in the development of Asia Regional Organic Standard (AROS). It is difficult to know what drives the practice in Guyana, but what is known is that the fruits and vegetables’ business is one that requires very carefully management to avoid losses from spoilage due to the maturation of crops at the

same time, as well as transportation and distribution issues. Added to these is the problem of praedial larceny, which forces farmers to harvest their crops before full maturity, and hence having to induce ripening. Also, one needs to consider the ability of our farmers to meet the demand for seasonal fruits and vegetables during out-of-season periods. Finally, there may very well be other socio-economic factors that drive the practice; but in the absence of any official information, this remains an area subject to speculation. Meanwhile, due to potential health hazards, the Guyanese public needs to be assured that the necessary legal and regulatory framework exist to ensure controlled use of Ethephon, as well as others that might be in use. Monitoring measures similar to what obtains in respect to the use of pesticides during cultivation of crops would be a good start, complimented by mass awareness raised among farmers, sellers and consumers regarding the practice and its possible health hazards. Media, lawmakers, researchers, and technology experts can play a vital role in this respect. Regards, DERICK LOWE

bacterial effects of passion fruit by Professor Raymond Jagessar, which is indeed good news for the healthcare industry, it reminds us once again of Mr. Burnham’s belief that “Yes we can” is made reality. It was this belief in our ability and desire to prove ourselves that put Guyana on the road of converting our rice into flour; our processed carambola (five-finger) entering the European market; the mass production of plantain chips, earlier condemned

but are today in our supermarkets, though imported from Central America. In the metropolitan countries, the demonised rice flour is sold as health food. Gerber and Kellogg, major food brands, have converted rice into cereal for adults and baby foods. Mr. Burnham’s advocacy for the use of our local herbs as staple tea was not met with much enthusiasm. Today these ‘bush teas’ are sold in supermarkets, most, if not all, with imported labels. Jamaica sells us Cerassie tea, which we call

corolla; Britain and USA sell us lemongrass tea, all of which are growing in our backyards. The potential for local job opportunity has not escaped me. 31 years after his departure, Mr. Burnham’s dream lives on. As Guyanese, we continue, through the IAST, to do research and development to harness our nation’s resources for the benefit of all. Regards, K. SHARMA SOLOMON

Lift the suspension 8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 6, 2016

…Scrap metal dealers picket Ministry of Business By Ariana Gordon MEMBERS of the Guyana Scrap Metal Recyclers’ Association have picketed the Ministry of Business and have appealed to President Granger to intervene in lifting a suspension on their trade, which has been in place for now just over year. They contend that the suspension is causing them grave hardships. Last Friday, the scrap metal dealers, no more than thirty in number, staged a picketing exercise outside of the Ministry of Business. Sean Pickering, a resident of Brickery, East Bank Demerara (EBD), detailing to Guyana Chronicle his plight, said he was protesting because he has twelve children to maintain but no money to do so. “I want see if this trade could open back…if I could get some work to look after my family properly,” Pickering said. He disclosed that he has been out of work for approximately one year, six months. “The little work you’re doing outside, you’re being underpaid and you ain’t getting the kind of money to assist the children to go to school. Nuff day meh children can’t go to school, and it is very bad,” he lamented, with despair written all over his face. He said life has been very difficult for him, but he has faith in President Granger, whom he described as “a fair and good man”. Pickering said he is optimistic that the scrap metal trade would resume in no time. “School opening just now and I have to get money to send my children to school…I ain’t want them home, and they don’t want to be home…so I am hoping

Secretary of the Guyana Scrap Metal Recyclers’ Association, Michael Benjamin

that this situation ends,” he disclosed. Earlier this week, subject Minister Dominic Gaskin wrote the Scrap Metal Recyclers’ Association informing dealers that the new proposal to govern the trade would be taken before Cabinet within the next two weeks. The minister, in his missive, said the Ministry is working towards November as the target date for completion of comprehensive reforms and resumption of the scrap metal trade. Minister Gaskin said the audit report into the trade, which was completed in December, advised that reforms be introduced into the system. Those reforms include legislative amendments, new regulations, and smarter monitoring of the trade. “I do understand the hardships that metal dealers are facing, and my earlier commitment to resolve the matter still stands. However, we cannot resume under the same terms and conditions which previously prevailed and expect to achieve a different result,” Gaskin stated in the letter.

But even as the minister has committed to ensuring that all reforms are speedily done, Secretary of the Guyana Scrap Metal Recyclers’ Association, Michael Benjamin, believes that there is a lack of respect for the trade and its dealers. He told Guyana Chronicle during the picketing exercise that he is disappointed with the way the process is being handled, and at this stage it is only President Granger who can intervene to assist scrap metal dealers. “Reforms can be done… they can be done simultaneously… Reopen the trade and look at the reforms at the same time. There has always been a system in place…the problem has always been the enforcement of the law. Laws and rules are there, but the lack of enforcement is the problem,” Benjamin declared.

Benjamin said that while in December there was a waiver to have some metal exported, it is not enough. He argued that many in the scrap metal trade are unskilled persons who depend heavily on the trade to take care of their families. “There are now broken families… these men can’t take care of their families, their children…it is hard. The exporters cannot get the shipments out…it is billions of dollars going down,” he added. He said the storage cost is significantly high, and scrap metal dealers have entered into an arrangement with John Fernandes Limited to waive the storage fee until the re-opening of the trade. He said that when containers were packed in June 2015, it was US$280 per ton, as compared to US$80 per ton when released in

December. “We have found ourselves indebted more to the buyers…we have not received any money.” Benjamin believes that much more consideration should be given to the situation facing scrap metal dealers. He said the fraternity is plagued with lack of respect and is dissatisfied with the treatment meted out to it. “We want it to be on the front burner, so people can understand what we are facing…it erodes our confidence. We are deemed unreliable by overseas suppliers… and we were the best in the Caribbean, and most of the suppliers look to us to do business with.” With billions lost due to the suspension of the trade, Benjamin said, it would be difficult for dealers to obtain money from local banks to continue their trade. The Ministry of Business developed a proposal which was taken to Cabinet

for approval on April 5 this year. That proposal was deferred to facilitate wider consultations. But given the announcement by Minister Gaskin that the second proposal will go before Cabinet in two weeks, it is unclear when the resumption of the trade will take place. In December 2015, some six months after the trade was suspended, Cabinet had approved exportation of all containers of scrap metal, packed and stored at city wharves prior to the suspension of the trade. The trade was closed to facilitate a forensic audit, which concluded in December. The GMRA says more than 1500 persons are jobless as a result of the suspension of the trade. Since the suspension, the Association believes, lawlessness has become the order of the day. He alleges that the trade in non-ferrous scrap metal has continued 100 per cent.

Members of the Guyana Scrap Metal Recyclers’ Association protesting outside the office of Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin

Armed bandits rob Palmyra, Berbice family FIVE armed bandits early Friday morning robbed a Palmyra Village, East Canje resident of cash, gold jewellery and a portable DVD player after smashing a glass door and gaining entry into their two-storey home.

Deoram Woarti, 47, a labourer of the Guyana Sugar Corporation, supplements his income by manning a grocery shop on the lower flat of his home. At about 03hrs on Friday, the masked men jumped on a shed just above the lower flat of the

building, and gained entry to the verandah by shattering the glass door. Two children who were asleep were awakened by broadsides from one of the intruders, who was armed with a cutlass. Two other burglars were armed with long guns, while another

had a piece of wood, the family related. During the assault, the men demanded valuables, but the frightened boys said they did not have any possessions, and directed the thieves to where their father was located in the lower flat.

After descending via an inner stairway, the bandits made demands on Woarti, who removed the valuables from his wardrobe and handed them over. The men then fired a shot which penetrated the ceiling before leaving the home. They fired

other shots in the air as they left. Two spent shells and a pair of gloves were recovered a short distance from the scene of the crime. Three men have since been taken into custody and are assisting with investigations.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 6, 2016

AG floats theory of PPP killing Rodney ‒ Teixeira calls it ‘absolutely bizarre’ By Ravin Singh THE existing political atmosphere during the time of Dr Walter Rodney’s death lends support to the possibility of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) killing the renowned scholar, as the party appeared to have been losing political support to him at the time. This was the argument advanced by the Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams during his presentation on the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report in the National Assembly on Friday morning. According to Williams, there were several theories about the death of the prominent leader which were proposed by the Chairman of the Commission, Queen’s Counsel Sir Richard Cheltenham. These included; Rodney’s colleagues killing him, death by negligence, or that the Forbes Burnham-led administration killed him. However, the AG said he then asked Cheltenham about a fourth theory which was greeted with a startling expression by the counsel. This theory, Williams said, “was [that] the PPP killed Rodney.” He attempted to support this contention by reasoning that the party, which was in opposition at that time, “was

paranoid about losing support throughout the country.” Williams referenced a verbatim report of the August 7, 2014 sitting of the commission, which was within the context of the PPP and Rodney’s party – the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) – agreeing that they would collaborate to remove the then Peoples’ National Congress (PNC) from executive office. Then Crime Chief Leslie James was being questioned in the verbatim report, and he [James] said that, “The WPA and PPP joined talks. The WPA said it was holding talks with the PPP towards the formation of a united front to get rid of the PNC government.” James went on to state that, “The WPA said that there were some minor differences between the WPA and the PPP, but both Dr. [Cheddi] Jagan (of the PPP) and top members of the WPA vowed to iron out their differences and form their united front as the main priority in the struggle.” The AG said that the attempt by the two parties to oust the PNC government at that time was “no problem,” but that the real problem developed when the PPP discovered that the WPA was “poaching their members.” “This was a problem that they [PPP] had throughout

the country” Williams said, as he went on to point out several instances when this occurred. Referencing the verbatim report once more, he said that James was quoted as saying, “The PPP has recently warned its activists on the East Bank of Demerara to be very careful in their dealings with activists of the WPA. “They [PPP activists] were told that the WPA was encroaching on the membership of the PPP and that if they were allowed to continue, then the PPP would be without any members which could become very embarrassing to the party.” According to the report, James was also on record as saying that, “[The]PNC [was] losing support.” He observed that the WPA had gained lots of support among PNC members and were even trying to encroach on PPP members. But he said that though PPP members might give them financial support, these PPP members would not support them in any elections. It made reference to one Perry Al, who said that John Milton, a former PPP activist, was using his influence among PPP supporters to win support for the WPA.” This second set of PPP members, who the WPA was reportedly beginning to encroach on, were said to have

Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira

been from Reliance, East Canje, Berbice. As such, the AG, who was laughing lightly at this point in time, told the House that, “the East Bank of Demerara was bawling [and] Canje was bawling.” Further supporting his belief was another verbatim report of February 16, 2015 in which the current PPP General-Secretary, Clement Rohee, was quoted as telling the commission that “Discussions were centred on the secretary’s report and emphasis was placed on a directive, pursued by the party [PPP]. They stated that no member of the party [PPP] must assist the WPA with the field work unless otherwise directed by the PPP executive.” The directive stated that failure to comply with this instruction would result in

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams

disciplinary action. Given these circumstances in the lead-up to Dr. Rodney’s death, Williams posited that it cannot be said, based on the balance of probability, that it is improbable that the PPP might have had a motive to get rid of Dr Rodney. “So Mr Speaker, you could see that throughout the country, the PPP was troubled; they were paranoid about losing support to the WPA. So when you look at the tenure of the whole inquiry, they are saying it must be the PNC because Rodney was attracting large crowds in the PNC’s stronghold. If they’re saying it was the [then] Government because the [then] Government was losing support to the WPA, how is it different from the PPP?” he questioned.

The AG went on to state that all he was doing was attempting to show that there were other theories about how Dr Rodney met his death because no one, other than his (Rodney’s) brother was there with him, so there was no way of saying definitively who killed Rodney. But this was outright rejected by PPP Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, who said that it is “absolutely bizarre” to say such a thing. She went on to describe Williams’s notion as a “mad man’s theory.” “The theory is absolutely bizarre and it is the psychology of a mad man. It cannot have credence in this House,” she said. The Chief Whip stood in defence of her party, reasoning that the mechanisms which were put in place to aid the alleged killer Gregory Smith in securing a French passport after which he freely left the country, was impossible for the PPP or WPA to do during that time. She also denounced claims that the CoI was a “political ploy” to gain political mileage in the 2015 elections, since news of the 2015 elections came subsequent to the establishment of the CoI. The commission was set up on Feb 8, 2014. However, the no-confidence motion by the then combined opposition which triggered the 2015 elections was not presented and passed in the House until the end of 2014.

Wales workers petition GAWU to drop court order …say action holding up severance packages MORE than 100 workers of the Wales Sugar Estate have signed a petition calling on the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) to withdraw a court order that has effectively blocked them from receiving their severance packages from the Guyana Sugar Corporation. On Thursday, two of the workers approached GAWU’s attorney Anil Nandlall and presented the petition. They also met with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on the sidelines of Parliament to discuss their plight. Nagamootoo had earlier met with a delegation of Wales Estate sugar workers to listen to their concerns regarding the payment of their severance packages. Eleven sugar workers: Dy-

anand Sham, Wilbert Daymon, Azeez Khan, Safraz Alli, Sherla Leitch, Lloyd Benjamin, Cyril Joseph, Shafeek Khan, Prem Kumar Lakhan, Mohammed Haniff and Bridgnanan, who represented 99 workers, had sought a meeting with the Prime Minister to explain their plight. The workers had told the Prime Minister that GuySuCo officials met with them and explained the plan to merge the Wales and Uitvlugt factory operations and promised they would be offered continued employment at the Uitvlugt estate. The workers said 99 workers opted not to take up this offer from GuySuCo and to accept severance packages instead. An agreement was made to commence payment of the severance packages in

May. However, according to the workers, just before the scheduled date for payment of the severance packages, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) sought and received an order of the court which stopped GuySuCo from making the payments. On Thursday, the workers reiterated their frustration because they have waited several months and GuySuCo is being prevented from paying them due to the court order. Notwithstanding the complaints made by the sugar workers, Prime Minister Nagamootoo said that based on advice received from GuySuCo, the sug-

Sugar workers of Wales engage GAWU’s attorney Anil Nandlall after delivering their petition to him

ar company is prepared to pay the severance. Money has been set aside for that purpose, but the company cannot violate the court’s order. Similarly, Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder confirmed that GuySuCo is prepared to effect the payment with immediate effect

should the court order be lifted. The workers thanked the Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture for this information and explained that they had been erroneously advised by union officials that GuySuCo was not prepared to make the

severance payments. They said that they were part of several meetings with union officials and asked them to withdraw the injunction to allow them to be paid but to no avail. Prime Minister Nagamootoo explained that GuySuCo’s hands are tied in the matter as the company must comply with the order of the court and that the workers must make further representation to GAWU and NAACIE for them to gain relief. The workers said they understand the need to merge the Wales and Uitvlugt factory operations and opted for the severance to get on with their lives, but were now made to face undue hardships given the amount of time that has passed after they had expected to be paid. (GINA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 6, 2016

State prosecutor assigned AG meets with reporting to Westford’s fraud case entities ahead of FATF/ICRG visit STATE PROSECUTOR Tashana Lake will now lead the prosecution’s case against former Public Service Minister Dr Jennifer Westford and her Personnel Manager Margaret Cummings for the alleged theft of over $600 million from the government’s coffers. This was disclosed on Friday by Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt, who revealed that he would be “washing his hands” on the matter but would still be assisting the newly assigned prosecutor during the trial. The defendants’ attorney made an application for the disclosure of statements, which will be released on August 11. Westford and Cummings face 24 charges alleging that they stole more than $639 million from the Government of Guyana.

Dr Jennifer Westford

Margaret Cummings

The charges state that between the period of October 19, 2011 and April 28, 2015, Westford and Cummings, while being employed with the former Public Service Ministry, stole $639,420,000 belonging to the Government of Guyana, which they received by virtue of employment. It is also alleged that

between 2011 and 2015, Westford signed 24 memorandums amounting to $639,420,000 and sent them to the permanent secretary at the Office of the President to be signed and approved. The money was said to have been requested for activities to be conducted in the 10 administrative regions.

ATTORNEY-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, met on Friday with insurance companies and brokers as part of ongoing sensitisation meetings in preparation for the Financial Action Task Force FATF/ICRG on-site visit. Minister Williams and a team from the Legal Affairs Ministry met with a number of supervisory and reporting entities in relation to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (amended) legislation. At the FATF Plenary and Working Group meeting

held in Korea from June 1824, 2016, the FATF/ICRG Report stated that Guyana has substantially completed its action at the technical level. In line with the procedures for removing jurisdictions from ICRG review, the entity recommended that an on-site visit should take place to the country prior to the October 2016 meetings. This is in order to verify that the implementation of its AML/CFT reforms have begun and are being sustained, and that there is political commitment to sustain implementation. The on-site visit will relate to the verification of

the implementation of seven reforms, therefore the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Special Organised Crime Unit, Bank of Guyana, Guyana Securities Council, the Department of Cooperatives and Friendly Societies, the Supervisor of Insurance, Money Transfer Agencies and the Commercial Banks will be visited. Once the FATF/ICRG Co-Chairs conclude that Guyana has satisfied its on-site verification, a motion will be moved in its October Plenary to remove Guyana from the FATF/ICRG’s review list. (GINA)

Shifting Hope Canal bridge a result of poor design …Holder says PPP ignored contractor’s warning THE problems associated with the shifting Hope Canal bridge located at Hope on the East Coast of Demerara are a result of poor design and not the failure of the contractor, Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder has said. The minister stated that records show that DIPCON Engineering Company, the contractor for the bridge, expressed reservations to the previous government with respect to the design of the structure, but the concerns were ignored by the previous Board of Directors. “The contractor apparently expressed hesitation in implementing the project. It is clear that the board disregarded these concerns and proceeded in their haste to have the project commissioned for political purposes. This is unacceptable,” the minister said. The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority’s (NDIA) Board of Directors, under the previous administration had requested the consultant, Caribbean Engineering and Management Consultants (CEMCO), to state the reasons for problems identified with the bridge approach. In their response, CEMCO stated that the contractor’s work complied with the design and specifications of the project. Given CEMCO’s declarations, it would have been virtually impossible for the NDIA board, under the previous administration, to withhold DIPCON’s retention in light of the consultant’s letter, as it was stated clearly

The Hope Canal bridge soon after it was built

that the contractor complied with the design and all specifications of the project. Honouring the contractor’s request for final payment by the current board of the NDIA was therefore in keeping with its contractual obligations. “To now blame the current board for bad decision-making is unethical and an attempt to score cheap political points,” the Minister of Agriculture said. DIPCON Engineering was recently accused in the print media of employing methods contrary to what was required under the contract and of not enforcing a “pre-loading” strategy in construction of the foundation for the approach road. Addressing this accusation, the minister said: “The consultant’s letter also answered the claim about the contractor not utilising the pre-loading methodology in the compaction of sand at the bridge approaches…so it is unclear how the media could have arrived at the conclusion that DIPCON was in breach of the original contract.” Further, Minister Holder said actions by the previous

NDIA Board of Directors remain detrimental to the country’s economy, as now the Ministry of Agriculture is forced to make additional financial inputs into the Hope Canal bridge to rectify substandard works which could have been catered for during the defects-liability period of the project. The canal was initiated in the aftermath of the 2005 great flood. The project encountered several setbacks and missed many deadlines, including the original 18-month period for construction after its commencement in February, 2011. The time frame for completion was further extended from June, 2013 to August, then to December, then to June 2014, then to September and again to December of 2014. The bridge is one of four components of the Hope Canal Project, the others being the Northern Relief Channel, 10.3kilometres in length from the sea defence embankment to the East Demerara Water Conservancy; a high level outfall sluice; and a conservancy head regulator. (GINA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 6, 2016

Georgetown resident Teen found dead on $1M bail for theft Tragedy up the Berbice River…

with bullet wound to abdomen By Jeune Bailey Van Keric

UNIMAGINABLE grief has overtaken a Berbice family for the second time in three years, after 19-year-old Andel Daniels, who left his High Dam, Angoy’s Avenue home to work on a farm at Catherineburg, Canje River, about 60 miles from New Amsterdam, was found dead with a bullet to his abdomen. Relatives received news of the teen’s death on Thursday evening. “After the phone call, we rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where we waited for the arrival of the body, which was naked. Andel’s mouth and eyes were wide open, and there was a gaping wound on his abdomen, just above his navel. There were also bruises on his left side,” a relative stated. The family’s pain is immense and intense, made more poignant because they are still coping with the disappearance of the teen’s then pregnant mother, Gould Marcell Amsterdam, who went missing in October, 2013. Speculation is rife about how her son, Daniels, who had left home in March to work with friends on a cultivation a short distance from the riverine community of Ikura, was shot.

This newspaper was told that after the teen was shot, he was taken by canoe to Ikura, after which a motorized boat took him to Baracara, where he was seen by the Medex before being transported by the Health Centre boat to New Amsterdam, where he was placed into a police vehicle and taken to the hospital. Medical personnel then certified his death. Andel Daniels leaves to mourn his younger siblings Akeesha Daniels and Javzel Lindo, and other relatives and friends.

Andel Daniels at age 11

Police ranks have since been dispatched to the riverine community to ascertain how the teen came to sustain a gunshot wound to his abdomen, just above his navel. Relatives, expressing disappointment at not being able to accompany ranks to the location, have reported that no weapon was found at the scene. “The police had requested that a relative accompany them in the boat; but when the relative got to the stelling, the boat was full. They should have allowed a relative, as requested,” one relative, who did not want her name published, stated.

Vagrant opts for jail sentence A FIFTY-YEAR-OLD vagrant was on Friday fined $50,000 by Magistrate Judy Latchman for breaking the windscreen of a minibus. Andrew Eastman admitted to unlawfully and maliciously damaging the windscreen valued $30,000, property of Terrence Reynolds on August 3 at Water Crescent Street, McKenzie, Linden. According to the prosecution, on the day in question Reynolds was driving his minibus on the way to Wismar when he saw the accused standing with a bag in his hands. Brown then threw the bag onto the window, shattering the glass. The magistrate fined

Andrew Eastman

Brown $50,000 with the alternative of two weeks imprisonment. Brown happily accepted imprisonment since he had no money to pay the fine.

A TWENTYEIGHT-YEAROLD Campbellville resident was on Friday released on $1M bail by city Magistrate Judy Latchman after being charged for stealing almost $10M in items from his employer. Romel Sahadeo, of Lot 10 Austin Street, Campbellville, was charged based on the allegation stating that between May 29 Romel Sahadeo and June 4, 2016 at Omai in the Esraw gold worth $5.7M and sequibo River, while being a 80 drums of diesel worth clerk or servant to Paul Dar- $4M, a total of $9,700,500. by, he stole 710 grammes of The former taxi driver

pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Latchman. Police prosecutor Kerry Bostwick did not object to bail, but requested that reporting conditions be attached if the accused was granted his pre-trial liberty. The accused was subsequently granted $1M bail. The magistrate also ordered him to report to the ‘F’ Division headquarters, Eve Leary, every week and to lodge his passport at the court. Sahadeo’s matter was later adjourned to September 6 for statements.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 6, 2016

Region 10 RDC slams Bosai’s dust collector system THE Regional Democratic Council of Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) has slammed the dust collector system installed at Bosai Minerals Incorporated, saying that the facility was inefficient in trapping dust, and residents continue to

suffer as a result. Through a motion moved by veteran bauxite employee Charles Sampson and seconded by Councillor Antonio Hackette, the RDC on Thursday called on all relevant entities, including the Ministries of Natural Resources

and Public Health, and the Environmental Protection Agency, to ensure that the environment in the bauxite mining communities is kept cleaner through regular inspection of the dust collecting system. In his contention that

Bosai’s dust collecting system is inefficient, Councillor Sampson said that representatives of the company were unable to give an answer on the efficiency of the dust collector when it was installed. Sampson added that the dust collector is only installed on kilns 13 and 14, and these kilns are not interlinked in the event of one breaking down. He said there is no dust collector on Kiln 10, which is the most important kiln and has the lowest stock. “The dust collectors are not interlinked…. One of the things people get fooled with Bosai, Bosai get dust collectors on the calciners, but what about the dryer…? The dryers throw the most dust in the atmosphere, and there is no dust collector there. They got some days they drying bauxite and you crossing the bridge, and by the time you get across the other side, your whole face white or brown,” Sampson said. The Councillor, who has more than 20 years’ experience working in Guymine’s laboratory, said Linden residents are being fooled with the perception that the atmosphere is dust-free, but the micronized dust -- which he described as “the worst one” -- is more visible in the

Charles Sampson

nights. “Dust is alive and real in this community, and Bosai gotta do much better. They have to put a dust collector on number 10 kiln, the dryer where they ship out bauxite with high moisture, and when the ships loading, they got to cover it,” he declared. If this is not done earliest, the concerned Councillor said, communities such as Silver Town, West Watooka, Canvas City and Retrieve would continue to be polluted by the dust, as Kiln 10 is very low. Before installation of the dust collectors, residents of these communities had for years bemoaned the environmental and health situation regarding the bauxite dust.

Many residents were forced to migrate, after being diagnosed with respiratory diseases such as asthma. Technical Services Coordinator Wainwright Bethune, in an invited comment, said it would not be feasible to install a dust collector on dryer 10, as the minimum moisture retained during production is 5%. He explained that the drying process is producing almost the same results as the dust collectors, and is used for 20 minutes to half an hour the most. Bethune posited that the process is entirely different from when there was no dust collector, and he said it would take close to US$8M to install a dust collector on dryer 10. “Why are you going to install something that is not working regular? The dryer just works as required; it’s not like kiln 13 and 14, that works all the time,” he argued. The Technical Service Coordinator encourages the RDC Councillors to hold a consultation with Bosai, to understand the process and also to have engagements with the Environmental Protection Agency regarding the way forward.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 6, 2016

No job loss after LBI/Enmore merger

‒ GuySuCo says GAWU resisting change THE Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has accused the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) of resisting change, to the detriment of sugar workers who are members of the union. Responding to an article published on August 4 by this newspaper under the headline “LBI workers picket GuySuCo over transfer to Enmore”, a statement from GuySuCo noted that its challenge with the union is that, while the Corporation is changing due to involuntary and external circumstances, GAWU, as a key stakeholder, is reluctant to adapt to the change. GAWU has disagreed with GuySuCo’s decision to

transfer La Bonne Intention (LBI) workers to the Enmore Estate, contending that the decision is not in accordance with what GuySuCo communicated to GAWU and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) on April 12, 2016 about its intention to close several departments of the LBI Estate. In light of these developments, GAWU noted, both the workers and the union see the corporation’s newest position as a “betrayal”, and this can contribute to eroding trust between the parties. The Corporation has nevertheless indicated that its current financial circumstances have made it imperative to review and revise its

focus and mode of operation as it seeks to reduce inefficiency and improve productivity in order to survive the challenges and craft a better future. This revision process, GuySuCo contends, has therefore forced it to bring to completion areas such as the integration of the East Demerara Estate. “Since 2011, the factory at LBI was merged with the factory at the Enmore Estate, bringing an end to factory operations at LBI,” the GuySuCo release has stated. Hence all sections which supported the factory operations were expected to be merged eventually with Enmore. NO JOB LOSS At an April 12, 2016

meeting to discuss consolidation of the East Demerara Estate, GAWU, NAACIE and the workers’ representatives were informed that all of the LBI operations would be merged with those of the Enmore Estate, and LBI employees would be transferred to similar jobs at Enmore. It was noted that those LBI employees who could not be placed in similar jobs at Enmore would be offered alternative placement, and anyone who could not be placed would be made redundant. As such, the GuySuCo statement highlighted, the unions and workers’ representatives came to an agreement that the discussions on the merger and transfer would commence with employees from the Administrative department, Field Workshop, Field Laboratory, Mill Dock/Cane Transport.

The end result saw 40 persons being made redundant effective from 31 July, 2016. This was in adherence to the process stipulated within the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act (TESPA). The process culminated with the Crop Husbandry and Cane Harvesting employees, since these categories would be absorbed fully at Enmore, with none of those jobs being affected, the Corporation said. Subsequent to the inaugural meeting, GuySuCo engaged GAWU and NAACIE in a number of follow-up meetings during the months of May, June and July. Another meeting was held with GAWU and the cane harvesters on August 3, 2016, when it was agreed that the two harvesting gangs would be merged. GuySuCo further informed the employees that

they would be transferred to the Enmore Estate. Unfortunately, the union recanted on the agreement, stating that while it has no difficulty with the two gangs being merged, it did not want the employees to be transferred to the Enmore Estate. GuySuCo noted that it is not practical for the employees to remain at LBI, since the consolidation process would end all operations at LBI. The Corporation reiterated to GAWU and its delegation that the cane harvesters and crop husbandry workers would receive letters officially informing them of their transfer to the Enmore Estate. It was expected that this process would bring closure to the consolidation of the workforce at the East Demerara Estate.

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY AIGUST 6, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 6, 2016

Over 800 children in alternative care …study points to deficiencies at CPA WITH over 800 of the country’s children in institutional care,foster and residential, there is great need for some of the strategies employed to be revised. A recent study conducted by ChildLink Inc Guyana in collaboration with the European Union (EU) has revealed that there are 829 children in alternative care in Guyana at the end of April this year. Of that number, 179 of them are in foster care, while 650 are in residential-care facilities. According to the report, having 829 children in alternative care in a small country such as Guyana speaks to a crisis, as it relates to the safety and well-being of children. “Although having a place for children to be housed and taken care of is useful, institutional care is known to have its disadvantages for the growth and development of children,” the report stated. As such, it has been recommended that systems need to be improved for children entering residential care here. It was observed during the study that many children “run away” from the institutions in which they are placed because they are ill-prepared to be separated from their parents. This preparation, according to the report, should be done by their parents or the Child Protection Agency (CPA). “It was not uncommon for children, having made a report, for example of abuse to a teacher, to be taken from school to [the] CPA. At [the] CPA, the decision to place the child in a facility is made. “Invariably, the child was unprepared for that response, and many reacted with anger and resentment.” It was discovered that in many instances children who were removed from their homes due to reports of abuse blamed themselves for the removal and were resentful to authority. “Caregivers reported that children, whose parents/guardians told them beforehand that they are being placed in the facility temporarily, tended to adjust better to life in residential care.” The report recommends that each child must be informed of the importance of his or her safety, care and protection. “Some form of dialogue is necessary between the residential facility and CPA before a child’s admission, so that an informed response based on the particular needs of the child could be provided.” In this case, it was found that oftentimes those at the institutional facilities were not properly briefed, if at all, by the CPA on the reasons the child or children were being placed in the facility.

“That was found to have inherent challenges as, invariably, caregivers did not know what to expect and, therefore, were unprepared for the circumstances presented by each child…There is a grave need for sensitization of children in residential care as to their rights and responsibilities,” the report stated. There are a few adults who continue to live in the institutions as a result of disability along with other challenges. It is believed that these persons should be given specific attention for alternative care. Special-care facilities should be designated for them as the attention required for them to be fully developed cannot be addressed adequately by a residential facility that is not designed specifically for them. It was also discovered that children placed in institutional care are seldom involved in recreational activities. It is recommended that this changes so that children can bond with others from their respective communities to “create synergies in sport and games or any other activities.” [sic] It was recommended that the children in residential facilities be integrated into the mainstream of community activities. LACK OF VISITING COMMITTEE Meanwhile, the lack of a visiting committee to ensure compliance with the government’s minimum operating standards for residential institutions is cause for concern. It was noted that a visiting committee was established in 2012 and is responsible for visiting private as well as state-operated residential facilities and report to the CPA on the conditions observed and make recommendations for improvements. However, the committee has not functioned since the second quarter of 2015. According to the report, instructions were given to place the activities of the committee on hold until the end of the National and Regional Elections held last May. “At the time of this analysis, it had not yet received instructions to resume operations. However,the CPA stated that the committee will be resuscitated by the end of the second quarter of 2016.” It was recommended that the visiting committee be reinstituted immediately. Additionally, there is a need for the reduction of long-term institutionalization of children here. According to the report, there is urgent need for the formulation of policies and strategies that recognise and address the special need for protection of

children between the ages of 10-15, with particular emphasis on girls aged 13-15, because of the extent to which they are at risk for abuse. “The Family Court should be established with urgency. This can assist greatly in reducing the length of time many children spend in residential care, as the study found that many children remain in care for extended periods of time due to unresolved legal matters in the court. In these instances, the

perpetrator remains in the home where the child resided prior to placement in the care facility.” It is believed that the sensitization and empowerment of women, communities, and the Guyana Police Force is critical and should be addressed. Also, it was revealed that there is a need for the accurate and consistent documentation of cases of children in residential care as the need to assess the children, make a determination of the period of time they would remain in care, is essential, as there are too many children

being placed in care on an open-ended basis. It should be noted that much of the information requested from the CPA could not be provided to ChildLink and that which was provided had gaps and inconsistencies. “Only one residential facility was willing to provide information on the reasons for placement for each child in their care without inhibitions. There are no established criteria used by [the] CPA to determine in which facility a particular child is placed. [The]CPA reported that based on an informal

determination of the facilities’ strengths as well as the care facilities’ preferences with regard to age, sex, etc., a child is placed.” Meanwhile, it was recommended that there be a component to residential care which speaks to a more enabling environment for the re-integration of children. According to the report, the focus should be on self-improvement/livelihood enhancement. Additionally, parents who have not called or visited children can be traced Turn to page 19 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 6, 2016

Improved ICT sector holds key to G

Chief Executive Officer of the E-Government Agency, Mr Floyd Levi, said that the agency’s main task is to ensure that the ICT needs of Guyanese can be met

ADVANCED Information and Communication Technology (ICT) possesses the power to transform all aspects of a country’s development. In this regard, the Government of Guyana has made several moves toward improving the ICT accessibility of the country. President David Granger’s vision is for a nation which allows all Guyanese to have access to information and has been one of the key priorities of his administration’s push for the good life for all Guyanese. On the July 28 edition of The Public Interest, the President spoke about the expansion of basic services to outlying regions in the country, including ICT services. Noting that it is critical, the President said there are still many areas where communication is not possible. The President stated, however, that his administration intends to change

that. “That is why the Department of Public Information (DPI) has opened up radio stations and we will continue to extend it until every part of Guyana can be accessed not only in terms of televisions and telephones, but other forms of communication. That is one of the reasons why I set up the ministry of Public Telecommunications,” the President said. In this regard, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications has a packed agenda. Established at the beginning of the year, the mandate of the ministry is to enhance the ICT services of the country, while focusing on all aspects of the digital economy, including public telecommunications and information technology. As such, moves such as the recent passage of the Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill 2016, prove to be significant advancements toward bringing Guyana up to par with the rest of the world in the

area of information technology. On the eve of the passage of the Telecommunications Bill in the National Assembly last month, Minister of Public Telecommunications, Mrs Catherine Hughes, said that the Bill serves as a breakthrough for the telecommunications sector in Guyana. The minister added that the government recognises the impact that the telecommunications sector has on the advancement of economies and societies around the world. Giving a brief summary of the scope of the Bill, the minister stated that it establishes a modern regime, which takes into account international best practices. She added that the Bill also draws particularly from the laws and experiences of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states. The Telecommunications Bill will not only help to bring to fruition President David Granger’s

vision of a new regime for a liberalised and competitive telecommunications sector, but will also bridge the communication gap currently experienced by those living in far outlying areas, such as the hinterland regions. In June, this year, the government signed an ICT Needs Assessment project to be conducted in hinterland communities and other rural areas. The project aimed to assess what infrastructure, technical capacity, and legal framework have been already established or would be required in those areas. During brief remarks at the ceremony of the signing of the contract, Minister Hughes said that Guyana is indeed behind with regard to ICT, which results in the inability to meet the demands of various sectors. “Guyana needs to become more familiar and to use technology as part of everyday life and without improved broadband access, the stats show that countries will not develop to the extent we want them to develop,” Minister Hughes said. The minister noted that the needs-assessment project, which is funded by the Guyana Redd+ Investment Fund, will also help to bridge that gap by evaluating the country’s ICT needs, noting that the advancement of the country’s technological capacity was one of the first promises President Granger made, upon assuming office. Another implementing agency, which focuses on the advancement of ICT, is the E-Government Agency which focuses on providing support to ministries and government agencies so as to enable them to provide government services to citizens on an inter-connected database. Chief Executive Officer

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 6, 2016

Guyana’s development of the Agency, Mr Floyd Levi, explained that the unit’s first task was to operationalise an e-government network, which spans Charity in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region (Region Two) to Skeldon in the East Berbice-Corentyne Region (Region Six). He said that plans to extend this network to communities in the hinterland have begun, and will be executed in 2017. This network, which will allow sensitive information to be shared among government agencies, therefore requires utmost security measures so as to prevent loss or intrusion. As such, Mr Levi stated that cyber security becomes an extremely important aspect of the agency’s operations. “We have established a Cyber Security Department and have taken necessary steps to ensure that we have put all security measures in place; devices, policies, routine inspections and so on, to prevent and detect if there is ever an intrusion,” he said. Cyber Security Manager within the Policy and Training Department of the Agency, Ms Muriana McPherson, stated that it is necessary to ensure that there are effective Cyber Security policies in place and that staff within the government agencies are made aware of Cyber Security measures so as to be able to know what they need to do to keep the government data secure and do not face any ill consequences of using the internet. “We want to ensure that as we connect the different agencies, that the data remains confidential and is not modified in any authorised fashion and that whatever connectivity is required is always available when needed. So we want to make sure that we put whatever mechanisms in place to protect government information and its

ICT assets,” she said. So far, the key ministries with which the E-Government Agency is involved are the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Health. The agency is currently working on providing a framework for these ministries to become interconnected so as to deliver services across the country more efficiently. Such projects include: the expansion of the Closed Circuit Television Camera services with the Ministry of Public Security and working with the Ministry of Public Health to provide an interconnected database for major hospitals around the country. Within the Ministry of Education, the agency has also started a project that aims to connect the secondary schools on one database as well. The Ministry of Education has lots of materials to be disseminated to the schools, so this is now being done digitally across the e-government network. All the books and training materials have been prepared in a digital format that will allow students and teachers to access information electronically,” Mr Levi said. Senior ICT Engineer, Mr Ish Singh, who is working on this project, said that it entails connecting 124 secondary schools. This connection will allow children to access resources electronically and will also look at electronic testing at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), as well as on-line submission and marking of School Based Assessments (SBAs) so as to ensure the efficiency and digital literacy of engineers who would be involved in the roll-out process of expanding ICT services. The agency is also looking towards the

establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT), which will be based at the University of Guyana. Mrs Kim Lawrence Craig, Coordinator for the CEIT said that the unit will offer specialised training services to ICT officers. She stated that the main objective is to improve the skills of ICT personnel working with government agencies, who will be responsible for helping to make government services more ICT-friendly. Mr Levi said that the sole aim of the agency is to make Guyana into a digital society where the needs of Guyanese can be met and can take services and connect far outlying areas. “So the vision is for us to have an equitable distribution of ICTs, so we can all enjoy the benefits of digital citizenship in Guyana. That means that whatever our vocation is, whether it is in education, farming, industry, mining or whatever, that we can use ICT to do it much better than we are doing right now,” he said. The agency is also involved with several other ICT-related projects, among which also includes an on-line reporting network through which citizens can air their concerns to various government ministries as well as an on-line visa issuance programme with the Ministry of Citizenship. Guyana ranks as number 114 among 167 countries listed in the 2015 United Nations ICT Development Index. The Index measures the infrastructural access, capability and ICT performance of various countries. This is the lowest rank in the Region in comparison to countries such as Barbados, which is ranked at number 29 and Trinidad and Tobago which rank at

number 70. For Guyanese, improved ICT services will mean greater efficiency in the delivery of services and it will remove geographical limitations. It will provide better education, more employment opportunities, easier access to information, new communication methods and facilitate the development of new industries among other benefits. Guyana can look forward to a future where these strides being made toward developing the ICT sector in the country will result in unlimited access to information, like the rest of the developed world.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Mrs Catherine Hughes, said that Guyana must begin to incorporate the use of technology into everyday life

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 6, 2016

Injured St Lucian scout recovering MEMBERS of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Friday morning accompanied by the Assistant District Scout Commissioner Theon Hope, visited the injured scout who remains hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) following an accident on July 25, 2016 at Woolford Avenue. Heading the team of ranks was Traffic Chief Dion Moore, who told the Guyana Chronicle that they just wanted to visit the injured St. Lucian scout member, Nick Omari Joseph, who is in the paediatric ward of the institution. He stated that although the driver was convicted it does not mean that the case is closed, as such, they wanted to see how the child

was responding to treatment. Moore added that the lad was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and was later transferred to the children’s ward since he is doing better. At the GPHC on Friday, the eight-year-old was attached to many medical paraphernalia and was crying out in pain as injections were being administered by nurses. This newspaper understands that he is responding, but mostly to his mother, Delia Finistere, who is still in Guyana and his condition is being monitored by a team of doctors. On July 26, 2016, two visiting cub scouts from St. Lucia, who were in Guyana for the 14th Caribbean Scout Cuboree, were struck

R-L: Police PRO Jairam Ramlakhan, Traffic Chief Dion Moore, O/C Traffic ‘A’ Division Ramesh Ashram and Assistant District Scout Commissioner Theon Hope at the bedside of Omari Joseph

down and injured outside the Scouts Association of Guyana (SAG) headquarters on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown. According to reports, a woman drove up the oneway in car PSS 1236 shortly after an altercation with a guard at the nearby North Georgetown Primary School about her mode of dress on arrival to register a student. She reportedly accelerated at an uncontrollable rate and struck down the children. The other injured lad was identified as nine-year-old Darnell Ajani Matthews, who has since been treated and sent away. Joseph was pinned under the vehicle for some time before he was rescued, causing him to receive serious injuries.

Negotiations to start soon on abolishing Colombia visa requirement DISCUSSIONS for the abolition of the visa required to travel to Colombia are expected to commence shortly as Cabinet has given approval to the Min-

istry of Foreign Affairs to move forward in this direction. The ending of this visa requirement will see citizens of Guyana and Co-

lombia who are holders of ordinary passports being allowed to travel to these respective countries without a visa at any given time. This development comes af-

ter South American nations have been pushing to have their citizens travel to countries within the continent without presenting visas at ports of entry. Minister of State Joseph Harmon at a post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday, stated that, “This is in keeping with the ongoing

discussion and arrangement within the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) with regard to the free movement of citizens within South America.” Minister Harmon added that the Government of Guyana expects this reciprocal visa arrangement to facilitate an easier means

of travel from Guyana to Colombia, promoting tourism, trade and investment between the two countries. UNASUR, during its last meeting concentrated on working on a common passport for its 12 member countries that would allow visa-free travel for citizens. (GINA)

Labourer charged with murder TWENTY-SIX-YEAROLD labourer Orell Cooke was on Friday remanded to prison by city Magistrate Judy Latchman for the murder of a man on Emancipation Day at Soesdyke. Cooke was not required to plead to the capital charge which alleged that he murdered John Knight on August 1 at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara. Cooke’s lawyer Mark Conway explained that the father of two resided at Lot

70 Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara and was being charged wrongfully by the police. Conway further pointed out that his client was arrested and charged for an offence that was not properly investigated by the police. Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunte explained that investigations were still ongoing into the matter and as such Magistrate Latchman adjourned the matter until August 13.

Orell Cooke

Lindener bailed on break and enter charge A THIRTY-YEAR-OLD Lindener was on Friday released on $60,000 bail by Magistrate Judy Latchman for allegedly attempting to break into a woman’s home. Samuel David Brown denied that he entered the dwelling house of Wanita McIntosh at Lot 1874 Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, during the night of June 22, 2016, with intent to steal.

The court heard that on the night in question, McIntosh secured her house and retired to bed. However, during the course of the night McIntosh’s son-inlaw, who lives with her, was awakened by a strange noise. The man then made checks in the home and found the accused in the kitchen. When confronted brown ran out of the house and made good his escape.

Three louvres from the kitchen window were missing and the back door was pried open. The matter was reported to the police and ranks later arrested the defendant. Police Prosecutor Corporal Kerry Bostwick made no objection to Brown being granted his pretrial liberty, but requested that reporting conditions be attached. Magistrate Latchman adjourned the matter until September 6.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 6, 2016

Region 10 Chairman defends slow spending of budget CHAIRMAN of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in Region 10, Renis Morian, on Thursday cleared the air as it relates to what has been described by residents as “slow spending” of the 2016 budgetary appropriation of $3B. Councillor Douglas Gittens in a request for an update on the spending, revealed that residents are concerned that the RDC has spent only $ 74,536,137 out of $3B after seven months. He said the residents are concerned that the monies will be returned to the treasury without being spent as has been the case in the past. The chairman explained that the $3B is not what was allotted to the RDC, but includes funding for every sector of the region. “The $3B that people saying is our money, is all the money that the Government would have spent in Region 10; the nurses’ salaries, the teachers’ salaries, the councillors’ salaries…… so monies coming from Education, Public Works, Health everything…this $3B is not $3B coming to the RDC, $3B represents current capital of that. They will have a figure now coming from the RDC which would be broken down,” Morian explained. He said that infrastructural development works are in progress, all contracts have been signed and all tenders are out and the focus is on the maintenance of buildings. Morian revealed to the

CHAIRMAN of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10, Renis Morian

councillors that the inclement weather has slowed up road repairs and construction and the building of drains and bridges, but this has been expedited with the shift in the weather pattern. Of the $3B, the budgetary allocation for public infrastructure totals $384, 459, 000. For educational development the budget has allocated $1, 804, 766, 000. Health has received an allocation of $$615, 117, 000, while agriculture received $$225, 556,000 Clerks of work needed Meanwhile, the councillors have expressed grave concern about the absence of clerks of work during this period when significant infrastructural development is being carried out. “Chairman, eyes on the ground would do a lot better with the work going on, it is significant work; gutter, roadside work and we need these things on the ground,”

Over 800 children...

From page 15

and invited for discussions or counselling. In such instances, the parents may not be aware of what “agony children experience and the extent to which they blame themselves for the parents’ or guardians missed opportunities to visit.” It has also been recommended that the “restriction policy of [the] CPA regarding visits of parents and guardians should be reviewed.” “While there is a high risk of perpetrators gaining access to the children while in care and [the] CPA needs to ensure that this does not happen, the policy of visits being conducted at [the] CPA is not necessarily working in the best interests of the child. The ambience at the CPA does not lend to the bonding and privacy required during visits. Parents, therefore, prefer to make other arrangements as opposed to visiting at the CPA,” the report added. Parents are allowed only a once-per-month Sunday visit, which requires a slip from the CPA to visit the

facility; this is deemed inefficient. ChildLink also believes that there are several areas for institutional strengthening of the Child Protection Agency and residential-care facilities for children here and as such,there have been calls for there to be a review of the national response to child care. There is also the need for strengthening of the CPA’s capacity to collect and manage data regarding children in residential facilities. “The matter of the need for more case workers cannot be over emphasised as the analysis found grave discrepancies between the number of children requiring psycho-social intervention and emotional support and the number of case workers. This is a matter for urgent attention, so that the gaps can be closed regarding case worker/client ratio. Currently, for children in alternative care, this ratio is 21:1.” There are 23 residential-care facilities for children in Guyana, all of which are located in Regions Three, Four and Six.

exclaimed Councillor Douglas Gittens. At the previous statutory meeting, the regional chairman posited that a solution to the problem is to hire a clerk of works and to secure his/her payment through budgetary funding. He revealed that the previous clerks of work, who was sent on administrative leave pending an investigation, was paid through savings which should not have been. “We want it in the budget and it wasn’t happening for the past 15 years, we’ve been trying to get budgetary money set aside for this and it never happened and we will have to up our game to make sure it happened,” Morian said. Councillor Gittens stressed that the clerk of works should be paid well so that they would not be tempted to be involved in skulduggery.

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY AIGUST 6, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY AUGUST 6, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY AIGUST 6, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY AUGUST 6, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY AIGUST 6, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY AUGUST 6, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 6, 2016

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Greyville 08:30 hrs Nicklaus 09:10 hrs Grey Light 09:45 hrs Argo’s Jet 10:20 hrs Pearl Emblem 10:55 hrs Roy’s Twilight FLAMINGO PARK 08:15 hrs Rocket Falls 08:50 hrs Commodore Al 09:25 hrs Toro Rosso 10:00 hrs Vincente 10:35 hrs Rozenna 11:05 hrs Teagan’s Boy ENGLISH RACING TIPS Ascot 08:15 hrs Union Rose 08:45 hrs Saigon City 09:20 hrs Ruwasi 09:55 hrs George Cinq 10:30 hrs White Shaheen 11:05 hrs Muhadathat NEWMARKET 09:05 hrs Wuheida 09:40 hrs Majoris 10:15 hrs Easy Victory 10:50 hrs Beaverbrook 11:25 hrs Scottish Glen 12:00 hrs Bahaarah 12:30 hrs St Michel HAYDOCK 09:00 hrs Pick Your Choice 09:35 hrs Tapis Libre 10:10 hrs Red Box 10:45 hrs Sxottish 11:15 hrs Gershwin 11:45 hrs Ustinov 12:15 hrs Flying Bear IRISH RACING TIPS Kilbeggan 12:25 hrs William Du Berlais 13:00 hrs Clarin Lad 13:30 hrs Airlie Beach 14:00 hrs Son Of My Heart 14:30 hrs Hard To Call 15:00 hrs Draycott Place 15:30 hrs Stolen Diamond AMERICAN RACING TIPS Gulfstream Park Race 1 Fan Base Race 2 Ballet Diva Race 3 Awesome Banner Race 4 Daring Kathy Race 5 Red Cotton Race 6 Enterprising Race 7 Israel’s Dream Race 8 No Hit No Run Race 9 Three Rules Race10 Sherpa SARATOGA Race 1 Brooklyn Bobby Race 2 Hieroglyphics Race 3 Euros to Dollars Race 4 Summer Revolution Race 5 Tricked Up Race 6 Fact Finding Race 7 Full Mast Race 8 Off the Tracks Race 9 Guapaza

Rio Olympics will promote ... From back page the Olympics. Bach said, “We are living in a world of crises, mistrust and uncertainty. Here is our Olympic answer: The 10,000 best athletes in the world, competing with each other, at the same time living peacefully together in one Olympic Village, sharing their meals and their emotions.” Bach added that in this Olympic world, “we are all equal” — words that were met with applause. He went on to ask the athletes to “respect yourself, respect each other, respect the Olympic Values which make the Olympic Games unique for you and for the entire world.” Bach concluded his remarks by presenting the Olympic Laurel to Kipchoge Keino, a two-time gold medalist from Kenya who went on to open an orphanage in his homeland. Bach’s speech was preceded by one from Rio Organising Committee President Carlos Nuzman, who said “a new world is born today.’ Brazil’s long, proud musical history was also on full display during the ceremony. The unofficial anthem of Rio de Janeiro was later featured prominently as the opening ceremony got underway. The song “Aquele Abraco” — which translates to “That Hug” — by Grammy winner Gilberto Gil played a role in both the closing ceremony of the London Games four years ago and in Brazil’s bid for these Rio Games. The first line of the song: “Rio de Janeiro is still beautiful.” Everything from funk to samba to hip-hop was featured during the opening before the parade of nations began. Among the featured artists: Ludmilla, Cristian Do Passinho, Lelezinha, Elza Soares, Marcelo D2 and Karol Conka Since the event wasn’t able to avoid the issues that are gripping Brazil — a president facing impeachment, a deep recession and environmental threats — organisers made sure that global warming and the environment, especially the country’s magnificent Amazon rainforest, were selected as important parts of the Olympic opening ceremony. “The world is very tense and so is Brazil. We are also willing to tell the world to stop attacking our home. The world is threatened because of global warming. We are calling for action,” said Fernando Meirelles, one of the directors of the show. The climax of the show, the lighting of the cauldron, depends on whether Brazil’s most famous athlete — soccer star Pele — appears. He said this week he was invited to take part, but business deals were stopping him from doing it. The cauldron was designed by American sculptor Anthony Howe, who told The Associated Press he was inspired by life in the tropics. There will be two cauldrons in Rio, one at the Maracana soccer stadium that is hosting the opening ceremony and another open to the public in downtown Rio. In all, 4,800 performers and volunteers were involved in the show, which is built on three basic pillars of life in Brazil. Those are sustainability, particularly re-forestation; finding joy in life and in being Brazilian; and the idea of “gambiarra,” the quirky Brazilian art of improvising repairs using whatever parts are available. “Smile is the approach the Brazilians have toward life,” said Marco Balich, the executive producer. “Brazil is not a grand nation. They’re saying in this ceremony, we are who we are, with a lot of social problems, a lot of crises in the political system, etc.” Space limitations in the Maracana also curbed the creative possibilities for the show. The stadium does not have typical Olympic dimensions — there is no track. The only Olympic events it is hosting are soccer matches. NBC broadcast the opening ceremony on a one-hour tape delay because it wanted the entertainment spectacle to be shown completely in U.S. prime time. Rio is one hour later than Eastern time. Unpopular interim Brazilian President Michel Temer attended the opening ceremony. He will be replacing his ally-turned-enemy, suspended President Dilma Rousseff. Fewer heads of state had been expected than usual last night because of Brazil’s current political crisis. Rousseff’s impeachment trial is expected to end after the Olympics ends on Aug. 21, which leaves the country with two presidents until then.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 6, 2016

Herath tears through Aussies with hat-trick … Tourists chase 413 after 21-wicket day (REUTERS) - Rangana Herath claimed his maiden Test hat-trick as 21 wickets tumbled on a frantic second

the second innings as well, as the tourists slumped to 25-3 at stumps. David Warner was batting

Mitchell Starc completed a match haul of 11 for 94. day with hosts Sri Lanka closing in on a series-clinching victory against Australia in the second Test in Galle yesterday. The dramatic day began with Australia resuming on 54-2 before being 106 all out to concede a 175-run first-innings lead. Three Sri Lankan batsmen were also dismissed in the 11-wicket morning session but the hosts recovered to post 237 all out, setting Australia a daunting 413-run victory target to stay alive in the threeTest series. A u s t r a l i a ’s s t r u g g l e against spin was obvious in

on 22 at the break, while skipper Steve Smith was on one after coming out to bat for the second time in the day with Australia staring at an embarrassing defeat inside three days. Herath had tormented Australia in the first Test at Pallekele, exposing their vulnerability against spin bowling and claiming nine wickets in Sri Lanka’s 106-run victory. The 38-year-old left-arm spinner haunted them again yesterday, castling Smith for five runs with the first delivery of his third over. He ripped the heart out of Australia’s batting in his seventh over, getting Adam Voges

caught at extra cover with his fourth delivery and trapping Peter Nevill plumb in front with an arm ball. He struck Mitchell Starc’s pad with his next delivery and home captain Angelo Mathews successfully reviewed the original not-out decision as Herath (4-35) became only the second Sri Lankan cricketer to get a Test hat-trick. Former paceman Nuwan Zoysa was the first Sri Lankan to achieve the feat, against Zimbabwe in a 1999 match in Harare. Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera polished off the tail to finish with 4-29 as Australia folded inside 34 overs. Sri Lanka got off to a shaky start and, for the second time in the match, Kusal

Rangana Herath picks up his first Test hat-trick. He also becomes the oldest bowler to do so at 38 years and 139 days.

Moroccan boxer held over alleged sex assault A Moroccan boxer has been arrested by Brazilian police over allegations of sexually assaulting two female cleaners in the Rio de Janeiro Olympic village. Hassan Saada, 22, was held on suspicion of committing the assaults on Wednesday, a police statement said. The boxer, who fights in the light-heavyweight category, was due to take part in his first bout today. A Brazilian judge has ordered he be detained for 15 days, pending an investigation, media reports said. His detention Brazilian media reports (in Portuguese) quoted police as saying the boxer had pushed one of the maids against a wall, pressing her with his thighs, and tried to kiss her. He is accused of squeezing the breast of the second maid and making obscene hand gestures to her.

There has been no immediate comment from Saada or Moroccan Olympic officials. The judge, Larissa Nunes Saly, said the boxer must remain in detention while the allegations were investigated because of the risks he could reoffend or try to flee the country. The 2016 Olympic Games officially start in Rio on Friday with the opening ceremony at the Maracana Stadium. Athletes from 206 nations and a refugee team are in Brazil to compete in 28 sports. They will be watched by a global audience of billions. The build-up has been dominated by a Russian doping scandal, the Zika virus and issues with the city’s security, infrastructure and venues. could mean Saada is unable to take part in the Games. (BBC Sport)

Mendis walked out to bat with his team reeling at nine for two. The architect of Sri Lanka’s Pallekele win and their top-scorer in the first innings, however, made only seven runs before Starc (6-50) sent him back.

The left-arm paceman claimed a match-haul of 11 wickets but a half-century from Dilruwan Perera (64) and handy knocks from Kusal Perera (35), Mathews (47) and Dhananjaya de Silva (34) extended Sri Lanka’s lead.

SCOREBOARD

SRI LANKA 1st innings 281 (K. Mendis 86, A. Mathews 54; M. Starc 5-44) AUSTRALIA 1st innings (overnight 54-2) J. Burns c D. Perera b V. Fernando 0 D. Warner c Mathews b D. Perera 42 U. Khawaja b D. Perera 11 S. Smith b Herath 5 A. Voges c Karunaratne b Herath 8 M. Marsh c Karunaratne b Sandakan 27 P. Nevill lbw b Herath 0 M. Starc lbw b Herath 0 N. Lyon c K. Mendis b D. Perera 4 J. Hazlewood c Mathews b D. Perera 0 J. Holland not out 3 Extras: (b-5, lb-1) 6 Total: (all out, 33.2 overs) 106 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-54, 3-59, 4-59, 5-80, 6-80l, 7-80, 8-85 N. Lyon, 9-89. Bowling: V. Fernando 2-0-16-1, R. Herath 11-2-35-4, D. Perera 15-429-4, A. Mathews 3-1-13-0, D. de Silva 2-1-7-0, L. Sandakan 0.2-0-0-1. SRI LANKA 2nd innings K. Silva c Smith b Hazlewood 2 D. Karunaratne c M. Marsh b Starc 7 K. Perera b Lyon 35 K. Mendis c Nevill b Starc 7 A. Mathews b Lyon 47 D. Chandimal c Nevill b Starc 13 D. de Silva c Nevill b Starc 34 D. Perera b Starc 64 R. Herath b Holland 26 L. Sandakan not out 0 V. Fernando c Voges b Starc 0 Extras: (lb-1, w-1) 2 Total: (all out, 59.3 overs) 237 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-9, 3-31, 4-79, 5-98, 6-121, 7-172, 8-233, 9-237. Bowling: M. Starc 12.3-1-50-6, J. Hazlewood 9-3-13-1 (w-1), N. Lyon 19-2-80-2, J. Holland 10-1-69-1, A. Voges 1-0-4-0, M. Marsh 4-1-7-0, S. Smith 4-0-13-0, AUSTRALIA 2nd innings (Target: 413 runs) D. Warner not out 22 J. Burns c D. de Silva b Herath 2 N. Lyon c K. Silva b D. Perera 0 U. Khawaja b D. Perera 0 S. Smith not out 1 Extras: 0 Total: (for 3 wickets, 6 overs) 25 Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-10, 3-10. Bowling: R. Herath 3-1-16-1, D. Perera 3-0-9-2.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 6, 2016

England fight back to leave third Test balanced (REUTERS) - England fought back strongly to leave the third Test against Pakistan hanging in the balance after an enthralling third day in Birmingham yesterday. The hosts bowled out Pakistan for 400 before Alastair Cook and Alex Hales took them to 120 for no wicket in their second innings at the close, 17 runs ahead with two days remaining at Edgbaston. “It was a really good day. We felt like we put the ball in the right areas and put them under pressure,” England all-rounder Chris Woakes told Sky Sports. “Yesterday was tough, but we felt like we deserved more than we got. Today we got a few more rewards.”

England’s Alex Hales and Alastair Cook at the end of play. (Action Images via Reuters/Paul) Pakistan moved on to 336 for five at lunch and looked set to establish a commanding first-innings lead but England picked up their last five wickets quickly to get a

Jamaican discus thrower Morgan loses appeal to compete in Rio REUTERS)-Jamaican discus thrower Jason Morgan has lost his appeal over being excluded from their Olympics team despite having reached the qualifying standard, the top sport court ruled yesterdayy. The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association said after last month’s national trials that Morgan did not warrant an automatic spot on the team as he came fourth in the competition. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) panel sided with the JAAA and concluded the application filed by Morgan was inadmissible. “I made it clear from the beginning I have no beef with my athletic association, I maintain that I met the necessaries of qualifying and competing at the trials to compete in Rio and be on Team Jamaica,” Morgan told Reuters by text message after losing the appeal. “I believe in the rule of law and l will respect the decision of CAS.” The Jamaican record holder added: “This episode has only made me stronger. I’m now determined more than ever to be in London next year for the world championships.”

foothold in the match. Cook and Hales batted positively, the former ending on 64 not out and Hales taking a single off the final ball of the day to reach his first

fifty of an intriguing series which is level at 1-1. After resuming on 257 for three, Pakistan lost the key wicket of Younus Khan in the morning session but captain Misbah-ul-Haq led from the front with a combative 56. Misbah was bowled by James Anderson before England’s leading strike bowler was ordered out of the attack for the rest of the innings after transgressing cricket’s follow-through laws for a third time. Anderson had apologised to the umpires on Thursday for his reaction to receiving his first two warnings for running on the pitch. Stuart Broad and Woakes claimed three wickets each to run through Pakistan’s lower order.

ENGLAND 1st innings 297 (G. Ballance 70, M. Ali 63; S. Khan 5-96) PAKISTAN 1st innings M. Hafeez c Ballance b Anderson 0 S. Aslam run-out 82 Az. Ali c Cook b Woakes 139 Y. Khan c Bairstow b Woakes 31 Misbah-ul-Haq b Anderson 56 A. Shafiq b Broad 0 S. Ahmed not out 46 Y. Shah run-out 7 M. Amir lbw b Woakes 1 So. Khan lbw b Broad 7 R. Ali c Root b Broad 4 Extras: (b-5, lb-21, nb-1) 27 Total: (all out, 136 overs) 400 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-181, 3-257, 4-274, 5-296, 6-358, 7-367, 8-368, 9-386. Bowling: J. Anderson 29.1-7-54-2, S. Broad 30-4-83-3 (nb-1), S. Finn 27.5-7-76-0, C. Woakes 30-7-79-3, M. Ali 17-2-79-0, J. Vince 1-0-2-0, J. Root 1-0-1-0 ENGLAND 2nd innings A. Cook not out 64 A. Hales not out 50 Extras: (lb-4, nb-2) 6 Total: (for no loss, 35 overs) 120 Fall of wickets: nil Bowling: M. Amir 11-2-28-0, So. Khan 8-0-40-0 (nb-2), R. Ali 5-0-20-0, Y. Shah 11-1-28-0.

FIFA president Infantino cleared of wrongdoing in ethics probe FIFA president Gianni Infantino, elected in February to lead the global soccer body into calmer waters after a series of corruption scandals, was himself cleared of possible ethics violations yesterday. FIFA’s independent ethics committee said it had concluded a formal investigation into Infantino’s conduct which focused on some of the flights he had taken during the opening months of his presidency and his failure to sign an employment contract. “It was found that no violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics (FCE) had been

committed by Mr Infantino,” the ethics committee said in a statement. It said investigations were carried out “diligently over several weeks” and included “a large number of interviews with witnesses and Mr Infantino himself.” Infantino, in a statement issued by FIFA, said he was “pleased” with the outcome. German media have been reporting for several weeks that Infantino, whose predecessor Sepp Blatter has been banned for six years for ethics violations, was under investigation over flights he had taken on

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday August 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) Dwayne Bravo-19 wickets (Knight Riders) (2) Dwayne Bravo-4/13 (Knight Riders vs Patriots)

Today’s Quiz:

Jamaica’s Jason Morgan competes during his men’s discus throw qualification during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium August 6, 2012. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach/Files

SCOREBOARD

(1) How many players scored centuries in the preliminary stage of Hero CPL 2016? (2) How many ducks Chris Gayle made in the first part of Hero CPL 2016?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

FIFA president Gianni Infantino private jets. FIFA has been in turmoil after a wave of indictments of football officials in the United States last year, including former members of its executive committee, on corruption-related charges. RELATED COVERAGE FIFA head Infantino pleased he was cleared of unethical conduct The football body has also been forced to investigate controversies surrounding the awarding of its showpiece, the World Cup finals, especially the decision to grant the 2018 tournament to Russia and the 2022 finals to Qatar. Blatter was banned by

FIFA’s own ethics committee along with former European soccer boss Michel Platini, who is serving a four-year suspension. The ethics committee said that preliminary investigations had focused on several flights taken by Infantino, the hiring process for positions in the president’s office and his refusal to sign the contract specifying his employment relationship with FIFA. Infantino’s conduct might have breached articles on code of conduct, loyalty, conflicts of interest and offering and accepting gifts, it said. However, after formal proceedings were opened, it was concluded that the flights “did not represent ethics violations” and that benefits enjoyed by Infantino were not “improper” in the light of applicable FIFA rules and regulations. It said the hiring process and Infantino’s employment contract were internal compliance issues rather than ethical matters. FIFA’s statement said Infantino and his administration would “continue to focus on developing football as well as their efforts to improve the organisation.” “This critical work will continue,” it said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 6, 2016

Coach Dwarika full of praise for T&T Under-15s TRINIDAD and Tobago’s Under-15 cricketers played unbeaten, winning all their matches outright to totally dominate the West Indies Cricket Board 50-Overs regional tournament which ended on Wednesday in Grenada. The TT lads swept their five matches and ended with 31.5 points, well ahead of second placed Barbados who were tied with Guyana on 20.8 points, in second spot. Fourth were the Windward Islands (13.5), followed by the Leewards in fifth with 9.9 points. Jamaica (0.3) occupied the cellar position and had the unenviable record of losing every match. The young Red Force cricketers also snatched the lion’s share of individual awards at stake with fast bowler Jayden Seales adjudged the “Player of the Series” after scoring 131 runs and taking nine wickets. Sameer Ali emerged the best bowler with a highest tournament aggregate of 11 wickets, including a match haul of five wickets for 17, recorded against Guyana at

The victorious TT Under-15 squad pose with their trophy. Tanteen. Ali, a right-arm wrist spinner and all-rounder Seales were later chosen on the West Indies Under- 16 squad for a tour of competitive England starting later this month. On their triumphant arrival back home early Thursdayy, coach of the team Glen Dwarika was full of praise

for his charges who he said were focussed and disclipined throughout the tournament. He singled out captain Leonardo Julien, who copped the “best wicket- keeper” honours for marshalling his troops in an exemplary manner, with astute field placing, rotation of his bowlers with great effect, and for batting

with maturity well beyond his tender age. Coach Dwarika said apart from the tournament awardees, left-arm orthodox bowler Nicholas Ali emerged as one of the stars also, bowling with admirable control and guile especially in pressure situations. “All in all, the entire team made Trinidad and Tobago

Crucial drop catches cost Guyana U-15 title - Moore Singh, Nedd and Torrington in W.I squad for England invitational tournament By Rajiv Bisnauth DESPITE finishing joint-second place with Barbados in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) 50-Overs regional tournament which ended on Wednesday in Grenada, coach of the national team, Julian Moore said his charges played good cricket until their final round game against Trinidad and Tobago. The Guyanese won three out of their four games played, and accumulated 20.8 points to tie with Barbados, but Moore said Guyana could have easily defended their title, if wasn’t for the crucial drop catches in the final round. “Despite not winning, and those crucial drop catches, I thought the youngsters played good cricket. Most of our goals were achieved,” Moore told Chronicle Sport yesterday. The 30-year-old added “The last round was not the best conditions for batting, there was a lot of moisture on the pitch, and we simply did not adjust to that, but having said that, our bowlers showed

QUMAR TORRINGTON

SACHIN SINGH

ASHMEAD NEDD

a lot of spirit, took six T&T wickets. But if we had latched on to those catches, the result could have been better.” Further, the former youth player pointed out that the experience and opportunity to play at that level will definitely boost the youngsters’ cricket. To this end, Moore pointed out that captain Sachin Singh, along with his last year’s teammates, Ashmead Nedd and Qumar Torrington were chosen on the West Indies youth squad for the England limited overs Youth

Invitational tournament from August 10 to 21. Meanwhile, during the tournament, T&T played unbeaten, and finished with 31.5 points. Windward Islands had 13.5 points, Leeward Islands and Jamaica finished with 9.9 points.. The Regional Under-15 tournament commenced in 1996 with then hosts T&T taking the inaugural title. The reigning champions hold the record for the most titles with eight, also winning the title in 2000, 2001,

2002, 2005, 2010 and 2013. The Guyanese captured the title last year on home soil by topping the points table. Guyana have claimed the top prize four times comprising back-to-back titles twice in 1998 and 1999, and again 2014 and last year. Jamaica have won the title on four occasions (2006, 2008, 2009, 2011) and Barbados have won three times (1997, 2004, 2012). Windwards emerged champions eight years ago, leaving Leewards yet to win the title.

proud, the batters did their job, the bowlers defended the scores very well, and the fielders were exceptional in taking the catches and minimising the runs scored by their opponents,” said a proud Dwarika. He said the Under-15s were also a credit to the investment made in them by the Trinidad and Tobago

Cricket Board, who made scarce resources available for their preparation. “Parents of the boys need also to share in the success for ensuring their attendance at coaching and training sessions, despite the long distances they had to travel. Some parents even made the trip to Grenada which also impacted positively on their performances,” said Dwarika. The experienced youth coach also said that the recently concluded first Blink b-Mobile Future Stars Programme with world batting record holder Brian Lara among the tutors can be credited with helping the youngsters immensely. “Lara, along (with) the batting and bowling coaches including Gus Logie, Kelvin Williams, Rajendra Dhanraj, Tony Gray, Surujdath Mahabir, Raphick Jumadeen, and David Williams played a great part in mentoring the boys, building their mental strength and giving them motivation,“ said Dwarika. (First Published In The Trinidad & Tobago Newsday.)

Bolt determined to silence noisy opponents WORLD’S fastest man Usain Bolt has promised that cynical opponents will feel the full force of his wrath when the Rio Olympic sprint events get under way next week. Bolt will be looking to become the first man in history to win the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relays at three consecutive Olympic Games. The athlete’s preparations for the Olympics w e re h i t w i t h a setback last month after he suffered a hamstring strain at Jamaica’s national trials. Bolt, however, insists he has fully recovered and is USAIN BOLT now fit for his triple title defence. “I think they have not learned over the years that the more you talk, the more I will want to beat you,” Bolt said on Wednesday. “It’s one of those things, but I’m looking forward to it; should be exciting, and they will feel my full wrath as always,” he added. “I’m feeling much more confident now. I’m much more comfortable with where I’m at. “I never try to predict times, because you never know what will happen. But for me the shape I’m in, I’ll say I’m in much better shape, so I think 9.6 seconds definitely.” A few American sprinters, including Bolt’s main rival Justin Gatlin seemed to be critical of the sprinter after he received a medical exemption for the 200m at Jamaica’s national trials. (Sportsmax.com.)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 6, 2016

Twenty-eight swimmers for Goodwill Swim Meet this year

THE Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) has selected a final team of 28 swimmers and five officials to represent the country later this month at the regional Goodwill Swim Meet scheduled to be held at the Rodney Heights Aquatic Centre in St Lucia from August 19 to 25. The team, which consists of 12 boys and 16 girls, includes last year’s leading gold medallist, Aleka Persaud, as well as Goodwill multiple silver medallist Leon Seaton, and bronze medallists Phillip DeNobrega and Patrice Mahaica. The team also includes newcomer Nia Fraser from the USA, whose parents are Guyanese. The four officials are national coach Sean Baksh, team manager Mervin Munroe, GASA president Ivan Persaud, chaperones Shannie Rodrigues, and

Lorren Mahaica. Speaking with Guyana Chronicle, Baksh noted the Association’s disappointment

ALEKA PERSAUD with not being able to take the full team, due to financial constraints. The budget for the team was approximately US$800

per person. The Association was able to secure tax exemptions that placed the tickets at US$514 per person. However Baksh noted, this was still tough on a lot of parents. “We’re a little bit disappointed because we should be taking a full team of 40 (swimmers) but it is based on economics, the cost of the ticket right now, and at the moment sponsors are not really helping because of whatever is going on in the economy at the moment so we didn’t get much,” Baksh said. The Goodwill Swim Meet is an annual developmental age group event where swimmers from Guyana compete against swimmers from Trinidad, Barbados, Suriname, and StLucia. Additionally the host nation is allowed to extend an invitation to any other country to participate. Bahamas was once again extended the invitation, after

GASA denies claims of favouritisma in selection of Olympic coach

L-R: Coach Paul Mahaica with Jamila Sanmoogan and Hannibal Gaskin THE Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) has shot down rumours of favouritism surrounding its selection of Paul Mahaica for the role of coach for Guyana’s swim contingent at the Rio Olympics. In a comment to Chronicle Sport, GASA president Ivan Persaud stated “Paul Mahaica was chosen through a democratic process of voting.” “Many persons wanted Shyka Gonsalves to be the coach. However, she received less votes than Paul,” contin-

ued Persaud. Among the conflicts were statements regarding Paul, whom many viewed as inexperienced, compared with other suitable candidates. Persaud also addressed the statement, countering with the fact that Paul Mahaica is the National Swim Team coach. He also stated that Mahaica would be coaching the Guyana Goodwill Games Swim contingent scheduled to compete in St Lucia on August 19.

also participating last year. Each country is allowed to field a maximum 40 swimmers, a number

LEON SEATON that Guyana has continued to struggle with over the years, even when the meet is held on home turf. Last year Guyana finished fifth

overall with a final tally of 29 medals - 21 from individual events and 8 relay medals. The competition was won by Trinidad and Tobago. Aleka was Guyana’s most decorated swimmer with five gold medals and one silver. This year, despite prevailing circumstances, Baksh is hopeful that the team will not come back empty-handed notwithstanding in what position we finish. “It’s a fairly good team, we have some top guns in there. Aleka Persaud, Leon Seaton, Raekwon Noel, the girls Jayden and Danielle are really stepping up, so I think we will get some medals, but based on the size of the team, we can’t really make any inroads on the overall team position.” Baksh remarked. The team is expected to depart Guyana on August 18. The complete team is as

follows 8-and-Under: Boys: Jayden Daniel Girls: Ariel Rodrigues, Kayla Hardy, Kaylee Hardy 9–10 years old Boys: Raekwon Noel, Paul Mahaica, Lejaun Munroe Girls: Aleka Persaud, Patrice Mahaica, Antonia Dey, Nia Fraser 11-12 years old Boys: Leon Seaton, Sekhel TSedeq, Ejaz Mohammed Girls: Jayden George, Danielle George, Nekita Peters, Amber De Goeas 13–14 years old Boys: Nathon Hackett, Nikhil Ramnarine, George Telford Girls: Teshanna Hunter, Kenita Mahaica 15-17 years old Boys: Philip DeNobrega, Antonio Rodrigues Girls: Anna Isaacs, Kayth Goddette, Felisha Wiliams

Felix Memorial cycle road race set for tomorrow

THE third annual Grenville Felix Memorial 50-mile cycle road race will be staged tomorrow. The race is open to cyclists throughout the country and the riders are expected to pedal off from in front of the Felix’s residence at Canefield, East Canje, Berbice, proceed to Nand Persaud and Company Limited at No. 36 Corentyne before turning back to finish at its point of origin. Prizes will be awarded to the first six finishers while the first three juniors and first three females along with the first two Flying Ace Cycle Club riders will be rewarded. Eight sprint point prizes will be up for grabs. The females are expected to pedal from No.1 village on the Corentyne a distance of

10 miles. The event is organised by the Flying Ace Cycle Club and is being held in honour of the late engineer who passed away three years ago at the age of 96. Felix, who was one of Guyana’s first engineers, worked with Bookers and the Guyana Sugar Corporation in Guyana and in various parts of the world. According to the race coordinator, cycling coach Randolph Roberts, this year’s event is expected to be bigger. Andrew Hicks rode away with the first edition, with Neil Reece etching his name on the winners’ board on the second occasion. The defending champion is Mario King.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday July 29, 2016)

Coordinator and cycling coach Randolph Roberts collects the sponsorship cheque from the Felix family.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 6, 2016

Skipper Sammy axed from West Indies T20 side W E S T I n d i e s ’ Wo r l d Cup-winning captain Darren Sammy has been axed as skipper and dropped from the Twenty20 international team. Sammy took over as captain in 2010 and led the Windies to glory in the 2012 and 2016 editions of the ICC World Twenty20. Their victory in the final against England in April could now prove to be the 32-year-old’s final match for his country. The all-rounder retired

from Test cricket in 2014 and has not been selected for the one-day international team since March 2015. “I got a call yesterday from the chairman of selectors telling me that they reviewed the captaincy of T20 and I won’t be captain anymore of the T20 (team and) my performances have not merited selection in the squad,” he said in a video posted on Facebook yesterday. “That’s OK. Because

Sammy: West Indies cricket is not about Darren Sammy

I’ve always believed West Indies cricket is not about Darren Sammy. “I want to wish the new captain all the best. These memories I will cherish for a long time. This is not me retiring from one-day or T20. The captaincy journey has come to an end. I know I played with my heart and soul whenever I stepped out on the cricket field. “To all my players over the years who have been part of the team and played

under my captaincy, I want to thank you for all the support. “We’ve had our ups and downs but I have never given up hope. I’ve never stopped believing in myself and in the team. That is what I was about as captain. Trying to instil a positive, never-say-die attitude in my team. “The result - we’ve won two World Cups. I want to thank all of you for this period.” (Sportsmax.com)

Baseball Canada’s Women 21U Invitational …

Guyana go down 16-1 to Newfoundland THE Guyana Women 21U team yesterday played their first match in Baseball Canada’s Women 21U Invitational in Halifax Canada. The game against Newfoundland, one of Canada’s smaller provinces was the second of the competition. The Guyana Women, dubbed the Kanimas, got off to a slow start playing as the Home team for this game. Eight runs were allowed in the first innings and starting pitcher Sauda Smartt was moved to the outfield after being overcome with nerves as the first innings at bat saw the Kanimas hold their own, with a single from lead of batter Emily Ramsuchit Ramsuchit who then cleverly stole second, got to third on a passed ball and raced home on a double from Aletha Crandon to

score Guyana’s first International run in clever style. Unfortunately it was to be the only run scored as Marisa Jahoor was taken for four runs in the second. The coaches made the decision to make the change early to Shamira Ramsuchit who steadied the ship giving up only 2 runs before handing off to Ianna Graham who closed the last two innings with 4 strikeouts and one run conceded by an error at shortstop. Graham was awarded player-of-the-match for Guyana as the team went down 16-1. Team manager Robin Singh, after the game, preferred to look at the positives, saying, “We did have a deer in the headlights moment but the recovery was evident and we competed well in the closing innings of the match.”

The Guyana team before listening to a pre-match talk by one of the senior members

Guyana Under19s forced to follow-on against Trinidad & Tobago By Brij Parasnath DESPITE a defiant half-century by their national Under-17 captain Bhaskar Yadram, who is undefeated on 67 in their second innings, the Guyana national Under-19 team face the embarrassment of being beaten by their Trinidadian counterparts in their third round WICB 2-innings competition at the Sion Hill playing field in St Vincent & the Grenadines. Trinidad and Tobago spintwins Jonathan Bootan, with a career-best of 7 for 23 and Bryan Boodram (3 for 29), combined to demolish the defending champions for 85 (44.4 overs) in their first innings and placed their team in position to force an outright victory today. At the close of play on the second day yesterday, Guyana still needed another 102 runs to clear the 211-run deficit after they were forced to follow-on in their second

innings. They reached 102 for the loss of three wickets after 41.4 overs. Trinidad and Tobago’s first innings closed at 296 in 109.3 overs mainly through

BHASKAR YADRAM a brilliant innings from West Indies Youth player Kirstan Kallicharan who produced another inspirational knock that pushed Trinidad and Tobago

Under-19s to 289 for the loss of nine wickets in 107 overs on the first day (Thursday). Kallicharan played a captain’s knock and led by example as he batted resolutely and revived his team’s fortunes only to fall short of his second hundred of the three-match round-robin series. The 16-year-old righthander stroked ten fours off 226 balls before he was caught by Raymond Perez for 91 off the bowling of Malcolm Hubbard with the score at 170 for 5 after 76.3 overs. Kallicharan had joined Cephas Cooper after openers Keagan Simmons (1 off 3 balls) and Dejourn Charles (9 off 13 balls) were dismissed for 6 (1.2 overs) and 14 (4.3 overs). With Cooper, who made 17 (2x4 off 33 balls), Kallicharan posted 26 for the third wicket and then added a further 68 with vice-captain Saiba Batoosingh (16 off 86 balls) and 49 with Bryan Boodram 19 (1x4 off 82 balls) for the

fourth and fifth wickets respectively. Kallicharan’s QPCC clubmate Joshua DaSilva took charge of proceedings after the captain departed from centre-stage. He treated the Guyanese bowlers

with scant respect especially Sherfane Rutherford, whom he hammered for 18 runs in his return to bowl late in the afternoon. With two sixes and six fours, DaSilva raced to 60 before he was caught by Hubbard off the bowling of Sylus

Tyndall who had dismissed Cooper earlier in his first spell. Jonathan Bootan made 19 while Jabari Mills and Jarlanie Seales contributed 24 and 27 respectively after they forged a 49-run tenth wicket partnership. Looknauth Chinkoo bore the brunt of the Guyanese bowling and had figures of 37-17-65-2 while Tyndall (70-32-2) and Hubbard (14-326-2) were the other bowlers who accounted for two wickets each for Guyana. Travis Persaud (20-1-281), Rutherford (10-1-55-1), Ronaldo AliMohammed (5-224-1), Joel Sietaram (8-2-200), Bhaskar Yadram (5-1-24-0) and Raymond Perez (1-0-4-0) were the other bowlers who were pressed into service with the hope of restricting T&T to a much lower score in their first innings. For Guyana’s first innings, only Ronaldo Renee 20, Joshua Persaud 17 and Ronaldo AliMohammed 14 reached double figures while Bootan

(17.4-6-23-7) and Boodram (18-8-29-3) mystified them and shared all ten wickets. However, there is a glimmer of hope to salvage some pride as Yadram, promoted to the number three position; battled doggedly and remained unbeaten on 67 after they had lost two early wickets - Renee (8) and Joshua Persaud - both to medium pacer Negus Smith (6-0-18-20) who played in his first match of the series. Travis Persaud contributed 19 and featured in a fighting 77-run third-wicket stand with Yadram before he succumbed to the wiles of Bootan (6.41-11-1) who returned for his second spell. Today is the final day and while the Trinidadians will be pushing for outright victory, the rest of Guyanese batsmen must produce their best batting form for the series, if they are to salvage some lost pride and boost themselves for the 50-overs round-robin tournament which will follow this series.

Rio Olympics will promote peace –– IOC president tells opening ceremony

RIO DE JANEIRO — The president of the International Olympic Committee had a message of peace and inclusion last ngiht at the opening ceremonies for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. The festive and colourful ceremony capped off a relay that began with a ceremonial lighting in Ancient Olympia, Greece, in April and ended in Rio’s Flamingo district yesterday afternoon. The flame was set to be used to light the cauldron in the Maracana Stadium in laast night’s opening ceremony. The ceremony at the Maracana Stadium featured a colourful parade of nations which, as always, Greece led off. Two-time Olympic sailing medalist Sofia Bekatorou was the flagbearer. American Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, carried the flag for the U.S. team after 18 gold medals and 22 medals overall. Later when Brazil entered the opening ceremony for the Rio Games, its team was welcomed with long and loud cheers. The host nation always enters last, and the Brazilians were immediately preceded by another crowd favourite — the 10-person Refugee Team, which is competing under the Olympic flag. The President of the International Olympic Committee said afterward at the ceremony that the Rio Games will promote peace. Thomas Bach spoke not long after the parade of athletes into the stadium was completed last night. Bach says all Brazilians “can be very proud tonight,” then went on to talk about the importance of See page 26

Brazilian tennis player Gustavo Kuerten carries the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro last night. /AFP/Getty Images)

Dancers perform during the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympic Games last night at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Olympic Flag is carried into the Maracana Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, last night. Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

The Brazilian team led by flagbearer Yane Marques arrives during the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016