Guyana Chronicle_Epaper_04_15_2019

MONDAY 15th April, 2019

No self-interest

No.105608

–– Trotman says AFC always advocated for Diaspora representation

–– believes dual citizenship can address Guyana’s brain-drain problem 03 PAGE

Six arrested in Berbice ‘ganja’ bust 03 PAGE

Dr O’Toole makes 11 painful recovery PAGE

Three held for East Canje robbery 16 PAGE

Oh my!

This vehicle ended up in a ditch after colliding with a GTT signboard after the driver reportedly lost control when the right front tyre blew out while heading east along Aubrey Barker Road, Georgetown on Saturday (Carl Croker photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday April 15, 2019

Wheelchair-assisted Isurdeen walks again UTTAMKUMAR Isurdeen, 34, a father of one, has been living with a disability after he was involved in a vehicular accident in 2010. He suffered tremendous damage to his spinal cord, and has been using a wheelchair ever since to assist with mobility. But of late, things have been changing for the better for him. On Friday, Isurdeen confidently testified that he

took his first step in nine years. This was after an intervention was made, through the collaboration of the Ministry of Public Health with the PAHO/WHO and ProsthetiKa, an international agency on a mission to restore mobility to persons without it. Collaborators started work at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre to pro-

vide orthotics by utilising multi-disciplinary measures to address spinal injuries and abnormalities. A prosthetic brace was made to support Isurdeen’s hips, knees, ankles and feet to assist with relative movement. He remarked that the intervention has changed his life, “and it is only the beginning”. Isurdeen recalled the accident when he was in the front Uttamkumar Isurdeen

passenger seat of a minibus, which was being driven at a reckless rate, causing the vehicle to flip several times, seriously injuring the passengers onboard. “Since then, up until now, I thought it was a huge setback. However, I didn’t think about giving up, despite there was no advanced technology which would help me to walk again. But, today is the day, after nine years, I took my first set of steps. It was a breakthrough for me to get a brace, to stand up,” he said. Jon Batzdorff, President of ProsthetiKa, said, “We made this HKAFO (hip, knee, ankle and foot orthosis), and it was a big job; everybody worked on this job. So he put it on and was ready to try it; to stand up independently. He stood and waved; that was another victory.” According to Batzdorff, the project changes people’s lives, and ProsthetiKa is happy to have given Isurdeen the opportunity to be mobile again. This service offered by ProsthetiKa is provided free of charge to beneficiaries, as these braces could amount to hundreds of thousands of Guyana dollars. Batzdorff said he never expected Isurdeen to be walking on the very first day after trying the brace, and that minor adjustments will have to be made to allow him to

walk more ably with support from the orthosis. Isurdeen said he is soon to begin a new job in an admin-

istrative capacity, and is quite excited to be working again, since the orthosis will play a major role in his new job. He shared that while using the wheelchair to get around, he kept himself active by being heavily involved in sports, particularly in 5k and 10k races that are hosted around the country, along with other athletic activities. Isurdeen said his wife and his nine-year-old son remain his source of support and motivation. “I want others who might have been injured to be able to join this programme and be more improved than I am,” Isurdeen said. (DPI)

Isurdeen walking with orthosis support which has restored his mobility (DPI photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday April 15, 2019

No self-interest

–Trotman says AFC always advocated for Diaspora representation

--that dual citizenship can address Guyana’s brain-drain problem

ALLIANCE For Change (AFC) Leader Raphael Trotman has said that the party’s position on the need for Diaspora representation in the National Assembly is not based on “self-interest” but has been advocated for by the party for years. In a media release on Sunday, Trotman cleared up misrepresentations in some sections of the public domain, noting that he is thankful that there is an ongoing discussion on the matter which will shape future decisions. The topical matter arose following the March 22, 2019 ruling of the Court of Appeal regarding the validity of the no-confidence motion passed on December 21, 2018. The ruling highlighted that, according to the Constitution, Members of Parliament (MPs) with dual citizenship are not allowed to serve in the House. Since then, the AFC has indicated that it intends to make representation, in the near future, in the National Assembly for the constitutional provision which bars the participation of dual citizens in the House to be amended. Speaking on the matter

form of a contribution to decision-making. “It is somewhat disingenuous to recognise and seek out the Diaspora’s skills, receive the bounty of their resources through remittances and barrels, and then slam the door shut on the aspect of decision-making at the level of the National Assembly, because they have taken a second nationality. I posit that most Guyanese who left didn’t do so because they were unpatriotic, but rather felt compelled to, for eco-

whereby they lobbied for it as a necessity for the country’s development. The release corroborated: “In 2006, we boldly stated that we would ‘implement a Diaspora policy that encourages investment, harness their talents and expertise and makes remigration easy and move towards diaspora representation in the National Assembly.’ Likewise, in 2011, we went further, and included in our ‘Action Plan’ (Manifesto), the following as one of our primary

AFC Leader, Raphael Trotman

in the release, Trotman contended that the AFC’s views on Diaspora representation did not arise following the no-confidence motion, but came about because of challenges witnessed regarding Guyana’s brain-drain. At a previous press conference, he had pointed out that a report from the World Bank some 15 years ago stated that of all the countries in the world, Guyana was the most affected by brain-drain. “Approximately 86 per cent of our skilled citizens living and working outside of Guyana cannot achieve sustained growth until, and unless, we meaningfully har-

ness the potential of the Diaspora in every respect,” the release said. “Guyana’s future development cannot be hinged on the 14 per cent of those of us remaining. Even with our best efforts to train and equip our youth, the numbers will still be insufficient to take hold of the wave of opportunity that is bearing down on us,” Trotman said. CANNOT BE SELFISH He said that just as the country reaches out to the Diaspora for financial support in various regards, it should similarly reach out for human resources in the

‘I posit that most Guyanese who left didn’t do so because they were unpatriotic, but rather, felt compelled to, for economic or security reasons mostly, and shouldn’t be victimised for this’ – AFC Leader, Raphael Trotman nomic or security reasons mostly, and shouldn’t be victimised for this,” Trotman said. The Guyana Chronicle previously reported that the AFC’s call for Diaspora involvement in Parliament dates back to as far as its 2006 and 2011 manifestos,

objectives: ‘Pursue Diaspora representation in the National Assembly, and explore the reintroduction of Diasporal voting at General Elections.’” Trotman said the AFC, since its formation, has deliberately, in the furtherance, of its position, placed members of the Diaspora on its lists of

Candidates for General and Regional elections. In further justifying that the party’s position is not grounded in “self-interest”, Trotman reminded that the lone AFC executive affected by the dual citizen matter, Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, was born out of Guyana. He stated that Gaskin has not sworn allegiance to any foreign state or power “in the strict sense”. “Nevertheless, out of a respect for the Constitution, the member has chosen to resign from the National Assembly and the party has accepted his resignation. That notwithstanding, we will continue to push for the full inclusion of members of the Diaspora in all areas of our national development,” Trotman said. He also pointed out that Guyanese nationals serve in the parliaments of other countries as dual citizens which, he noted, is “recognition, perhaps, of the fact that the world has changed, and that a person’s citizenship or nationality should be no indicator of their competence, patriotism and their possible involvement in politics.”

Six arrested in Berbice ‘ganja’ bust SIX males are in police custody after 16 kilograms of compressed cannabis were found in two separate hire cars in Berbice. According to police, on Sunday at approximately 16:00 hrs, two well-coordinated operations netted the illicit drug. Reports indicate during the police operation at the eastern end of the Berbice River Bridge, a hire car was intercepted and the driver and three passengers were thoroughly searched. During the search of the car, police found 10 parcels of cannabis with an approximate weight of 4,593 grammes. Meanwhile, about an hour and a half after the first operation, another hire car was intercepted at New Amsterdam where police discovered two parcels of cannabis concealed in the trunk of the car. The occupants were taken into police custody as investigation continues.

The ganja seized in separate raids on Sunday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday April 15, 2019

Seychelles president makes underwater speech calling for protection for oceans (BBC) The Seychelles president has gone below the surface of the Indian Ocean to call for better protection for the world’s seas. Danny Faure said that a healthy ocean was “crucial for the survival of humanity” in a broadcast made 124m (406ft) below sea level. He had joined a British-led expedition exploring the ocean’s depths. Last year, the Seychelles

created protected areas of the ocean that were “the size of Great Britain”. During the live broadcast Mr Faure could be seen in the submersible wearing a Seychelles T-shirt. He told viewers that the ocean was “the beating blue heart of our planet” and said that it was “under threat like never before.” “We have managed to seriously impact this environment through climate

change. I can see the incredible wildlife that needs protection. Over the years we have created these problems, we must solve them and we must solve them together.” The broadcast was part of an expedition by Nekton Mission. The mission will explore deep sections of the waters surrounding the Seychelles. The goal is to gain public support for the country to protect 30% of its national

waters by 2020. It will then explore other areas of the Indian Ocean ahead of a summit in Oxford in 2022. In February 2018 the Seychelles protected 210,000 sq km (81,000 sq miles) of ocean in exchange for getting some of its national debt paid off. The reserves limit tourism and fishing activities in the country to halt further damage to aquatic life. It

was the first debt swap designed to protect ocean areas in the world. According to the UN, only 16% of marine waters under national jurisdiction are covered by protected areas.The Seychelles aims to protect 30% of its ocean space by next year. Oceans are one of the seven main themes of this year’s UN climate summit in Chile in December. Small island nations

The President of Seychelles joined an expedition exploring the Indian Ocean

like the Seychelles are among the most vulnerable to the rise in sea levels caused by climate change.

Ilhan Omar: The 9/11 row embroiling the US congresswoman (BBC) A Democratic congresswoman says she will not be silenced after facing a barrage of criticism over comments she made about the 9/11 attacks - including from Donald Trump. The US president tweeted “WE WILL NEVER FORGET” alongside a video showing footage of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks spliced with a speech by Representative Ilhan Omar. “Some people did something,” she is seen saying, in between footage of planes hitting the Twin Towers and people fleeing the buildings. Republicans have accused her of downplaying the attacks, but Democrats have largely rallied to her defence, saying she had been quoted out of context and some accusing Mr Trump of inciting violence against her and Muslims. Here is how the row developed. Who is Congresswoman Omar? Ms Omar won a Minnesota seat in the House of

Representatives last November, becoming one of the first two Muslim women ever elected to the US Congress. Her family originally came to the US as refugees from Somalia and she is the first congresswoman to wear the hijab. Despite being a newcomer to Washington, this is not the first time Ms Omar has made headlines. She has been accused of anti-Semitism over comments she made about Israel and pro-Israel lobbyists. After being rebuked last month, including by Democrats, she apologised and said she was “listening and learning”. The congresswoman has also raised the alarm about anti-Muslim rhetoric surrounding her, in response to a Republican poster that showed her alongside the Twin Towers. Just last week, police arrested a 55-year-old man in New York state for allegedly calling her office with a graphic death threat in which he reportedly labelled her a

“terrorist”. What did she say? The “some people did something” quote was from a speech Ms Omar gave to a civil rights group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair), on 23 March. In the 20-minute speech she discussed issues affecting the community like Islamophobia and the recent mosque attack in New Zealand. The comments in Mr Trump’s video were taken from a point she made about the treatment of US Muslims in the aftermath of the 11 September attacks: “Here’s the truth. For far too long we have lived with the discomfort of being a second-class citizen and, frankly, I’m tired of it, and every single Muslim in this country should be tired of it. Cair was founded after 9/11 because they recognized that some people did something and that all of us were starting to lose access to our civil liberties.” After the Washington Post fact-checked the state-

ment to clarify Cair was actually founded in 1994, a spokesman for Ms Omar told the paper that she misspoke and meant to say the organisation’s size had doubled after the attacks. How did the row develop? Her speech began getting attention on 9 April, when a clip was shared by Texas Republican Representative Dan Crenshaw, who described her phrasing as “unbelievable”. Conservative media outlets, including Fox News, then started discussing it in-depth. Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee, described the congresswoman as “anti-American”. Ms Omar responded by calling some of the comments as “dangerous incitement, given the death threats I face” and comparing her remarks to ones made by former President George Bush. On Thursday, the New York Post published a frontpage spread of an image of

the attack with the headline: “Here’s your something” The cover proved divisive. Some on social media praised it, but others heavily criticised the use of 9/11 images. Then, on Friday, President Trump posted the video of Ms Omar. It is currently pinned to the top of his account and has been shared tens of thousands of times. What was the response? Many social media users responded by using #IStandWithIlhan - which trended worldwide on Twitter on Friday. CNN showed the clip in discussions, but then presenter Chris Cuomo apologised for airing it. MSNBC host Joy Reid also refused to show it. A number of high-ranking Democrats, including many in the running for the 2020 presidential nomination, have come out to criticise Mr Trump and defend Ms Omar. Elizabeth Warren accused the president of “inciting violence against a sitting

congresswoman”. Bernie Sanders referred to “disgusting and dangerous attacks” against Ms Omar. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Kamala Harris both accused the president of spreading hate. Kirsten Gillibrand did not defend Ms Omar’s comments but she also called Mr Trump’s rhetoric “disgusting”. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, said Mr Trump was wrong to use the images but also suggested Ms Omar had been dismissive of the attacks. One reply to Ms Pelosi, by film director and frequent Trump critic Ava DuVernay, which said Ms Pelosi’s comment was “not enough”, has been liked thousands of times. Rashida Tlaib, the other Muslim serving in Congress, and another Democratic Congresswoman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have both called on senior Democrats to do more to support Ms Omar.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday April 15, 2019

Venezuela crisis: Maduro calls for million more militia members (BBC) Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has said he wants a million more people to join his civilian militia by the end of the year. The call to expand the militia - which answers directly to Mr Maduro - comes as opposition leader Juan Guaidó seeks to persuade the Venezuelan military to abandon the president. So far the military has stayed loyal. US-backed Mr Guaidó declared himself acting president on 23 January, saying Mr Maduro’s 2018 election was flawed. According to the BBC’s Americas regional editor Candace Piette, Mr Maduro’s call to increase the militia numbers will be seen as

an attempt to shield himself further both politically and physically. The president praised the civilian militia for its readiness to “defend, with arms in hand, (the) peace, sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence and the life of our homeland”, during a rally in the capital, Caracas. But he also called on the existing two million members to get involved in agriculture, as Venezuela continues to struggle with a spiralling economic crisis which has left people struggling to afford food. “With your rifles on your shoulders, be ready to defend the fatherland and dig the furrow to plant the seeds to produce food

for the community, for the people,” Mr Maduro told the crowd of militia members. Mr Guaidó, meanwhile, called on people to take to the streets to “start the final phase of the end of the usurpation”. He told an anti-government rally in the capital they needed to redouble efforts to oust Mr Maduro from office. Mr Guaidó blames Mr Maduro for the skyrocketing hyperinflation, power cuts and shortages of food and medicine which have crippled the country in recent years. Mr Maduro blames the US. Why are Maduro and Guaidó in conflict? They each claim to be

President Nicolás Maduro addressed a rally in Caracas

the constitutional president of Venezuela. Shortly after Mr Guaidó declared himself interim leader, his assets were frozen and the Supreme Court, dominated by government

loyalists, placed a travel ban on him. But the 35-year-old opposition leader defied that ban last month when he toured Latin American countries to garner support.

Mr Guaidó has continued to call for President Maduro to step aside and has urged the security forces, which have mainly been loyal to the government, to switch sides.

Assange used Ecuador’s embassy for ‘spying’, says president JULIAN Assange used the Ecuadorian embassy in London as a “centre for spying”, the country’s leader has said. Lenin Moreno also said no other nation had influenced the decision to revoke the WikiLeaks founder’s asylum, which he said followed violations by Assange. Speaking to the Guardian, President Moreno claimed

Ecuador’s old government provided facilities within the embassy “to interfere” with other states. Assange’s lawyer had earlier accused Ecuador of “outrageous allegations”. President Moreno - who came to power in 2017 - said of the decision to end Assange’s seven-year stay in the embassy: “Any attempt to destabilise is a reprehensible act for Ecuador, because we

are a sovereign nation and respectful of the politics of each country.” He added: “We cannot allow our house, the house that opened its doors, to become a centre for spying.” The president also made references to Assange’s apparently poor hygiene following allegations made by Ecuador’s interior minister, Maria Paula Romo. Assange’s lawyer, Jen-

nifer Robinson, disputed the claims when she appeared on Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday. “I think the first thing to say is Ecuador has been making some pretty outrageous allegations over the past few days to justify what was an unlawful and extraordinary act in allowing British police to come inside an embassy,” she said.

She added that Assange’s fears of a US extradition threat were proved correct this week after allegations were made that he conspired to hack into a classified Pentagon computer. Assange, 47, faces up to 12 months in prison after being found guilty of breaching his bail conditions when he entered the Ecuadorian embassy in 2012.

He made the move after losing his battle against extradition to Sweden where he faced allegations including rape. Assange is now expected to fight extradition to the US over an allegation that he conspired with former army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to break into a classified government computer.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday April 15, 2019

Police addressing bribery THE Guyana Police Force has been the focus of our opinion page on a number of occasions. And this is not because it is being made the subject of unfounded and malicious criticisms, or simply the target of media bashing. More importantly, as had been highlighted in the past, and again now, is because it has to be reminded that its remit is about the most important function of any state institution – the maintenance of law and order. At the same time, it has to ensure the safety of every citizen, which means public safety and its well-being. It is a critical responsibility, which daily execution of its standard operating procedures must be carried out by a collective of ranks, both seniors and juniors, whose understanding of such a task must be left in no doubt as to what is required. In so doing, administration in the form of leadership is an absolute, since it is a hierarchical organisation which is predicated on clear lines of command, necessitating leading by ex-

ample, at each step. This is about discipline, coupled with the highest ideals of personal integrity and professionalism that must begin from the command structure, and which example must be accepted, followed, and practised by junior officers and the ranks that follow. In clear, simple terms and unambiguous language, this is about upholding the law which each entrant has sworn to do, ensuring that there is no compromise in the manner of the execution of this foremost duty. It explains why President David Granger had insisted on an “unbribable” police commissioner while he had been awaiting the recommendations of the Police Service Commission for the key position in the GPF. It was one of the most seminal issues in his coalition government’s efforts at a complete overhaul of the national police agency, spearheaded by the Security Sector Reform Programme (SSRP), rejected by the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) admin-

istration. As a nation, it is public knowledge as to the issue of corruption with one of its major centre pieces, bribery. The latter is among the myriad venalities and what it has done to Guyana, particularly in severely damaging the image of the GPF, and destroying citizens’ trust in the force’s professionalism. It is no secret of the numerous police ranks whose services have been terminated, after departmental enquiries found them culpable for bribery. But, the fact that Police Commissioner Leslie James has recently had to expound on its hydra-headed existence within the force, and its intention to root out this scourge, underlines that it is still a challenge, although its incidence has been reduced, due to the removal of several corrupt policemen/women. It is both instructive and significant that he has spoken about the other guilty party – the public; those who offer bribes, emphasising that for there to be an acceptance, “there has to be an “offer,’’

referring to those members of the public that Commissioner James said would attract the attention of his investigators. And we totally agree with this observation and intended action against this equally guilty party; for they are just as significant a part of perpetrating this criminal offence, as the police rank that accepts. So often, there are accusations from the public of bribery being committed by some police officers during the execution of their daily duties. Though these charges have been true, it mostly gives the impression that it is the ranks who requested or demanded the bribe. But often, it is the other way around, if one is to understand clearly what the commissioner explained. Therefore, not only has there been hypocrisy on the part of many of those who go public with their accusations/ allegations against the police; but that they are guilty, and that the time has come for condign action to be taken against them, as would be against errant police officers.

A police force in which bribery is a culture among police officers of any rank, is one that loses its effectiveness in carrying out the law against those who transgressed. Further, it allows for the continued perpetuation of law- breaking with impunity by the guilty party, because of a belief by the perpetrators of being above its maxim. These are coupled with the distorted view that the law can be bought for a price. The fact is, that bribes of any kind, whether solicited by a rank or as an inducement from a member of the public, to be undertaken by especially a member of any law-enforcement agency is a most serious offence, since it is contrived to defeat the course of justice, often resulting in injustice done to another citizen. Such an illegal act strikes against the very mission of that institution – maintenance of law and order. It lowers respect for the particular agency and diminishes esteem for the corps of officers, irrespective of seniority. And this includes those who are

the guilty parties. Notwithstanding the fact that there has always been the perennial complaint of low emoluments being paid police agents as being the cause of the incidence of bribery, one must be reminded of Commissioner James’s observation that persons entering the GPF were/are fully aware as to that aspect of their conditions of service, and should therefore leave if dissatisfied. It is a position which we support, since any citizen who becomes a policeman/woman for the purpose of making bribery a daily part of their functions, cannot be serious about their roles in combatting crime. At best, their illegality adds to its daily occurrence, for the guilty goes free. Therefore, both parties are guilty and must be punished accordingly; and Commissioner James must be commended for deciding to take a stand not only against his policemen/ women, but also against those citizens who attempt to subvert his agents.

Radiotherapy not radiology Dear Editor, PLEASE permit me to respond to a headline I saw across all the media outlets which, and I will paraphrase, that H.E President Granger is responding well to radiology. I do not expect non-medical persons to recognise the error in medical semantics, so I do wish to humbly make the correction and hopefully educate our already well informed public. Radiology is an investigative field of medicine which involves taking images eg X-rays and CT scans, etc. It takes a multi-disciplinary team approach where the radiographer who is a technician takes the images and a radiologist

who is a specialist doctor reads the images. Radiology as a field has advanced over the centuries. Presently in the field of radiology, there are radiologists known as interventional radiologists who can do invasive biopsy test under CT guidance. Interventional radiologists can also use imaging and other sophisticated medical equipment to find bleeding areas within the body and hence stop the bleeding. Same can be done for blood clots. Also, as a sub-specialty of radiology, there can be for example, neuroradiologists, who just interpret images of the brain and spine. My point is that radiology as a specialty is advancing. So while radiology is diagnostic, in very specialist centres it can be therapeutic.

On the other hand, radiotherapy is a complementary field of oncology which is only therapeutic. It involves very powerful cell-killing directed ionic radiations, directed at cancer cells, hence “frying them” to death. It is what oncologists describe as adjuvant therapy. Adjuvant therapy simply means add on therapy or therapy which works along with another treatment modality to improve outcome. In this case, the other treatment modality is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy will kill most of the cancer cells, but in combination with focused radiotherapy can kill any lingering cancer cells. Radiotherapy can also be used in emergencies of spinal cord compression due to cancer. Clearly, this is not

the case with our President, but I just thought I should provide further information for the reading public. My point is that the President would have had radiology tests done to diagnose his cancer, but radiotherapy to treat it. They are not the same. I wish that the President will continue his excellent recovery. Regards, Dr. Mark Devonish MBBS MSc MRCP (UK) FRCP (Edin) Consultant Acute Medicine Nottingham University Hospital UK

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday April 15, 2019

GPA guilty of giving Jagdeo a free ride Dear Editor

THE accounts in the following two paragraphs have been my first understanding of former President and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo’s now well-known ill temper, surly persona, intolerance for dissenting views, and probing questions from the media. His subsequent “carrion crow” and “vulture” description of the media at a public meeting in October 2011 are conclusive confirmation of the conduct of an executive, who had been patently dictatorial, disrespectful, and disregarding of Guyana. These are accounts of a leader who has always shown full disdain for the role of the media during his stewardship of this nation. On the weekend before the August 2006 national elections, then president Bharrat Jagdeo at a press briefing held at Freedom House, in answer to a question about Raphael Trotman,

now Minister of National Resources, leaving the People’s National Congress/ Reform (PNC/R) to be part of the then newly formed Alliance For Change (AFC), responded that Trotman just cannot walk away from his party without giving an account for the “things” that his party had done. The same journalist then enquired of Jagdeo whether he should not be asked about the numerous incidents of cane-burning which the PPP/C had orchestrated when the PNC had been in government. To this, Jagdeo responded in very angry tones that the reporter had been “playing politics”, and that he had no time for such. One would recall his nasty and repugnant put-down of a then anti-government, and anti- corruption advocate, but now opportunistic pro-opposition supporter, who dared question him at a public forum on the collapsed CLICO, branding the commentator and others as “sour old men.” He also

publicly threatened Komal Chand to de-recognise his union, GAWU, because of its growing concerns about the emerging problems in the sugar industry. It is because of these and other incidents that have confirmed a cantankerous leader, that Jagdeo has since earned the brand of being an architect of ‘‘cuss down” politics. Not the kind of label that should be attached to a former Head/State/Government, except that it is fair to say that he seems to have done everything possible to be become known for such gutter conduct. Therefore, his most recent encounter with senior journalist and President of the Guyana Press Association (GPA), Nazima Raghubir, should not be a surprise to the Guyanese people, much less to warrant a protest because of his insult to its head, because in the past four years only last month did the GPA see it fit to make a statement. In fact, this is a situation which the

media umbrella body would have courted as a result of its shameless strategy of remaining quiet in the face of the many private media houses aiding and abetting Jagdeo in his dishonest peddling of fake news and revisionist history without challenge. Daily, this association allowed its membership to pander to the sickening, disgusting, and misleading information, inclusive of stark-naked lies, and other dark deceptions aimed at destabilising the APNU+AFC coalition government, which, especially flowed from Jagdeo and other PPP/C politicians. Therefore, without fear of contradiction, the GPA has been guilty of giving Jagdeo a free pass to the most dangerous kind of incitement and misinformation ever witnessed in this country’s political history. Under its stewardship, sections of the media have since the inception of the coalition government, been a component of the racist,

Good relations needed at Region Two RDC Dear Editor, THE Kaieteur News of Wednesday, 13th March, 2019, on its front page printed in large block letters and photograph of the interior of the region’s board room, stating that the statutory meeting of the Region Two Regional Democratic Council (RDC) was not held because there was not a quorum, (a third of the councillors) and on the said page there was a comment attributed to the Regional Executive Officer Mr. Denis Jaikaran. I was very much concerned, because the RDC meetings must be seen as the highest decision-making forum or body in the region and as a former councillor, I cannot recall that during my seven consecutive years 2006 – 2013, until I resigned, that there were no quorums and even before and after my ten-

ure, I was reliably informed that a quorum was always met, thereby a meeting can be convened. On Tuesday, 9th April, 2019, I attended the monthly statutory meeting of the RDC. There were seven councillors, the meeting was called to order, silent prayers were done and the National Pledge was recited. The meeting was chaired by Miss Juliet Coonjah, a long-serving councillor and deputy regional chairman, and as items on the agenda were started, the REO, who is also the Clerk of the RDC, rose and announced that the meeting was not properly convened, because he was not properly informed about the absence of the Regional Chairman, Mr. Devanand Ramdatt. I immediately vacated my seat and left the board room. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw the REO and some employees of the regional ad-

ministration close behind me. I was somewhat confused with what I had heard and observed, but on recollection, I should not have been because it is by now public knowledge that the former REO Mr. Rupert Hopkinson and the council, not the chairman per se, did not have a good working relationship. It is very important to say that I have known Mr. Ramdatt for the better part of two decades and I was fortunate to be at a lot of high-profile meetings that he chaired and made presentations and took questions; I was always impressed by the ability he possessed, therefore I was the least surprised when he was elected to the chair of the Region Two RDC and after he had taken the oath, I was among the first to congratulate him. As for Mr. Rupert Hopkinson, I know this gentleman well, long before he

was appointed REO of this region; and there should be no doubt in one’s mind that he is qualified and experienced to function in that capacity. But for some strange reason, they have never had a harmonious relationship; they could not have simply agreed to disagree. Mr. Hopkinson is no longer part of the regional administration; his replacement Mr. Denis Jaikaran, who has a wealth of knowledge in management, having been the principal of several technical institutes across the country and other institutions of learning and previously the REO of Region Three, and as an Essequibian knows the arithmetic of the region well. The question is, why in the interest of the residents of this region that working relationship that is so vital, is lacking? It has to be understood that develop-

right wing destabilisation plot against the government. Not once, has there been a caution from the GPA media association, cautioning the reckless and yellow crappy quality of journalism that has been the daily reading fare of the national readership. So many times, most of its members at Jagdeo’s press conferences would attend such engagements as dumb and wandering, without challenging the opposition leader on the many dubious statements he would make. Their appearances at these media gatherings, often gave the impression of a toothless collective, which has allowed Jagdeo’s reputation for being ill-tempered and insulting, to cow them into passivity; or that they are not au fait with pertinent issues of the day, or both. If the GPA believed that by being sycophantic, prostrate, and selective in their challenge to Jagdeo at his media briefs; as well as being deliberate in its policy of not demanding a better quality of

journalistic practice from all those charged with the tenets of the Fourth Estate, that it is a price to pay for boarding his conspiratorial bandwagon, then his latest abrasive is a reminder to them that such considerations are least. Simply put, Jagdeo has been playing the private media for all its worth because of the glaring double standards of its component parts, and his perception of them playing to his gallery for opportunistic reasons. He expects that he will continue to have a free ride, unabated, without being challenged on any aspect/ issue. His latest abuse is a reminder that despite such nauseating flattery and kowtowing, he is not prepared to entertain probing by the media. The GPA has been selective, prostrate and sycophantic to Jagdeo; it has courted his latest abuse and disrespect and has only itself to blame.

ment in all areas of this region and its people, hinges on the decisions made by the REO and the regional chairman as head of the

RDC individually, but most times, collectively.

Regards Aditya Panday

Regards Archie W. Cordis

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday April 15, 2019

AFC position on dual citizenship not grounded in self-interest Dear Editor, THE Alliance For Change has taken note of the many comments and positions expressed and taken since, in answer to a question posed, I ventured the Party’s position on dual citizens being exempted from the National Assembly as a “disservice to Guyana”. At the outset, we can say that we are very grateful for all the views expressed and for the fact that there is an ongoing discussion, which will shape future decisions. As the discussion progresses, I wish to clarify a few matters for the record. Firstly, the AFC’s views on Diaspora representation did not arise suddenly following the events of December 2018, but

rather, were born out of a belief that our Guyana, the country most affected by the “brain drain” with approximately 86% of our skilled citizens living and working outside of Guyana, cannot achieve sustained growth until, and unless, we meaningfully harness the potential of the Diaspora in every respect. Guyana’s future development cannot be hinged on the 14% of those of us remaining. Even with our best effort to train and equip our youth, the numbers will still be insufficient to take hold of the wave of opportunity that is bearing down on us. Nonetheless, there is merit in the argument that more needs to be done in terms of youth empowerment. Further, it is somewhat disingenuous to recognise

and seek out the Diaspora’s skills, receive the bounty of their resources through remittances and barrels, and then slam the door shut on the aspect of decision-making at the level of the National Assembly because they have taken a second nationality. I posit that most Guyanese who left didn’t do so because they were unpatriotic, but rather, felt compelled to, for economic or security reasons mostly, and shouldn’t be victimised for this. Indeed, every one of us has a close relative living abroad, and would hardly consider him or her unpatriotic or incapable to serve Guyana faithfully if called upon. In consideration of this belief, when the AFC conducted its listening tour just prior to its 2005

launch, it determined that it would incorporate its position on Diaspora involvement in its 2006 Manifesto and this position was strengthened in 2011. In 2006, we boldly stated that we would “implement a Diaspora policy that encourages investment, harness their talents and expertise and makes re-migration easy and move towards Diaspora representation in the National Assembly”. Likewise, in 2011, we went further, and included in our ‘Action Plan’ (Manifesto) the following as one of our primary objectives: “Pursue Diaspora representation in the National Assembly and explore the reintroduction of Diasporal voting at General Elections”.

Further, the AFC has, since its formation, and quite deliberately in furtherance of our position, placed members of the Diaspora on its lists of candidates for General and Regional elections. The second matter to clarify is that the Party’s position should be clear to one and all that our position is not grounded in self-interest. The one member of the AFC’s executive, who is marginally affected by the ruling of the High Court, was born out of Guyana and has not sworn allegiance to any foreign state or power in the strict sense. Nevertheless, out of respect for the Constitution, the member has chosen to resign from the National Assembly and the Party has accepted his resignation. That not-

withstanding, we will continue to push for the full inclusion of members of the Diaspora in all areas of our national development. Lastly, a cursory glance at the composition of many of the Parliaments of other countries where Guyanese reside in abundance are comprised of dual citizens; some with even West Indian and Guyanese origins -- a recognition perhaps of the fact that the world has changed and that a person’s citizenship or nationality should be no indicator of their competence, patriotism and their possible involvement in politics. Sincerely, Raphael Trotman Leader, Alliance For Change

Businessman slams into Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge

THE Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge has sustained significant damage after a speeding car crashed into its rails and almost ended up in the Demerara River. Motor car PWW 70, driven by a popular Linden businessman, was proceeding north to Mackenzie at a fast pace when it collided with the left side of the bridge, but fortunately, did not go overboard. Public-spirited persons came to the driver’s aid. He was not seriously injured. Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Emit Alves, of the Linmine Secretariat, the entity that manages the Mackenzie -Wismar Bridge, said in incidents such as this, the repairs are funded by the driver, who in this instnce, would have already committed to doing so. It is hoped this will be done expeditiously, since the current damaged state can be deemed a safety hazard to motorists as well as pedestrians. Alves is encouraging

The car that was being driven by a popular Linden businessman when it crashed into the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge

motorists to always observe the speed limit when using this particular bridge, which is 15 km per hour. Only last year August, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) expended millions of dollars to conduct major rehabilitation works on the bridge, following residents’

concerns that it may is sinking. The rehabilitation included cleaning, sandblasting and tightening of nuts and bolts. In 2013, a Linden businessman, 35-year-old Collis Mentis called “Thom”, was reportedly speeding, when he met his demise while driving over the bridge.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday April 15, 2019

Offer scholarships to staffers – administrator of Ptolemy Reid Centre urges gov’t

Three consultants from the ProsthetiKa, Dr. Jon Batzdorff (left), Amy Souster, (right) and Eddy Fuentes (Carl Croker photo) By Elvin Carl Croker ADMINISTRATOR and Rehabilitation Officer of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre (PRRC), Cynthia Massay, has called on government to consider granting staffers of the centre scholarships to pursue studies in orthotics and prosthetics at the undergraduate and master’s level. She was at the time addressing the closing exercise of a two-week capacity- building programme for orthotic and prosthetic technicians at the PRRC on Friday. Massy explained that as the sole provider of orthotics and prosthetics in Guyana, the need for continuous training and upgrading of staff and facilities are paramount. “Effective appliances, coupled with the multi-disciplinary approach through the training of therapists within the disability and rehabilitation services of the Ministry of Public Health, help clients achieve the best possible outcomes in the use of their appliances,” she said. Massay said the training re-

ceived will make a very great difference to the quality and type of product the centre is producing and in a timelier fashion, so that persons would not have to wait the length of time they had to do in the past. Acting chairperson of the PRRC, John Browman, said the challenges in fulfilling the needs of persons with disabilities in Guyana demands professional training, both locally and abroad. To this end, he suggested that the Ministries of Public Health and the Public Service upgrade and regularise the appointments of long-serving technical staff of the PRRC, as well as the recently trained rehabilitation assistants who have been on staff for some time, but are yet to be appointed. He told the gathering that the objective of the training programme would not have been achieved were it not for their interest and willing contributions. In congratulating the staff, the chairman said the management committee, among others, looks forward to their future contribution as management seeks to have them

The persons who benefitted from the capacity-building training display their certificates in the presence of the training consultants and staffers of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre (Carl Croker photo) promoted and/or appointed. The PRRC staffers were issued certificates of participation at the two-week capacity-building training programme. Three consultants of ProsthetiKa, a non-profit organisation conducted the training with support from the PRRC and the Public Health Ministry. The trio, Amy Souster, a specialist physiotherapist from Exeter, England; Eddy Fuentes, a prosthetist/orthotist from Guatemala City and Dr. Jon Batzdorff (team leader), who has been a certified prosthetist and orthotist for 40 years. Dr. Batzdorff is employed as a prosthetist in Santa Rosa, California and this is his third visit to Guyana. He has conducted training programmes in Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Lithuania, Cuba, Bolivia, Mexico, Haiti and Ukraine. Dr Batzdorff commended PAHO/WHO Country Director, Dr.

4x4 suffers ‘tyre blowout’ on Aubrey Barker Road

A motor vehicle, PVV 2926, ended up in a ditch after colliding with a GTT signboard along the Aubrey Barker Road, in South Ruimveldt Saturday night. Reports are that around 21.00hrs, the lone occupant, a male driver, lost

control of the vehicle after experiencing a blowout of the right front wheel while heading east along Aubrey Barker Road. No one was injured; however, the signboard was shifted out of place and left leaning, while the car had to be towed away.

William Adu-Krow and all others for putting the programme together, and noted that his team is committed to doing multi-disciplinary work in Guyana. The team while here worked with adults affected by stroke, head and spinal cord injuries and children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Sixteen adults and children

received ankle foot orthosis free of cost and three persons received spinal braces. The beneficiaries have reported that their appliances have tremendously improved their functioning and independence. Dr. Paul Edwards, who represented Dr. Adu-Krow, said PAHO/ WHO is proud to be part of the ex-

perience and to be able to see how lives are being changed. He told the staff of the PRRC to cherish the opportunity they had to work with the consultants, since many times those opportunities are not available. “You are privileged to have worked with consultants of high quality,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday April 15, 2019

Doing more harm than good

THERE was a young girl aged about 11 or 12 years old, who used to be helping out occasionally at a grocery stall in the Bourda Market. And no, this is not an article about child labour; on the contrary, this opening paragraph is in relation to a mere observation of the child. One could not help but notice when being served by her, the manner in which she would conduct her transactions: her confidence and accuracy astounded many a customer and grown-ups knew, they could not ‘outsmart’ her: she was alert and trustworthy. It has been well over a decade since she was there and by now she would be an adult; since then, the regulations on child labour have become more stringent, so no doubt, if it were today, someone might have reported her parents to the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA). But this acknowledgment is due to the fact that her maturity

then, was as commendable, as her interaction with customers is unforgettable. Parents can do that for children, they can start building a child’s confidence from an early age by giving the child a certain amount of privilege over a period of time, to see how they would do. Privileges should be monitored and adjusted to suit. If a child proves to be responsible, then more privileges can be considered. As children get older, parents can give them a little independence too. Adults can show children that they trust them by allowing them to go out to appropriate places with the agreement that they will be home at a given time. Ask children questions about where they went and show an interest in what they learnt or encountered. Parents need to be flexible because as children grow, they change mentally, physically, psychologically, intellectually, and emotionally.

So parents must be prepared to adapt alongside their children in order to assist and nurture their development. All children need time and space to develop their ‘persona’ and to be themselves, without being stifled by parental expectations. This means time and space to think for themselves; to make decisions for themselves; and they also need to have some say in the planning of their lives. Parents should love and respect children for who they are: and not for what or whom, they want them to be. Parents can do more harm than good to their (pre-adolescent and teenage) children by keeping them subdued, supposedly for their own safety. Keeping children in doors and rooted to one location may give the parent peace of mind, but at the same time it limits the child’s experience and could affect his/her confidence when (s)he does go out and mixes among his/her peers. Although parents may not

set out to restrain any aspect of their child’s development, they fail to realise that by keeping their youngsters only where ‘they’ can see and hear them and by setting up restrictions as to what they can and cannot do, inhibits a child’s socio-emotional development. It can also build resentment in the child towards his/her parents as (s) he grows older. Boundaries and rules should incorporate the growing needs of children and together, between adult and child, agreements should be made about what activities will be attended and why they are beneficial. Children should not have to ‘hide’ and lie to their parents about where they have been or about what they ‘really’ want to do, for fear that their parent(s) will disapprove. Teenagers should be encouraged to participate in sports or to join a local club and be part of any recreational event they desire. But it should be within reason, age-ap-

propriate and definitely not lewd, crude or rude. The more varied the activities in which they participate, the better. Of course, parents should do their groundwork to ensure that their child is taking part in programmes and events that are properly organised and that are manned by responsible adults. If you do not allow your growing children a certain amount of (monitored) freedom, then there is a possibility that they will, one day, simply take it. Why? Because they need to exercise their minds while (having a say in, or) taking control over their own lives and their dreams for their future. Another reason young people tend to want to break free is because they have spent quite enough time being restrained. Parents might keep their children close to home because they are afraid of the dangers that are lurking in our society. Nevertheless, children become teenagers and

teenagers become adults, and at each stage they will require more freedom, mentally, physically and psychologically. The best a parent can do is teach children how to stay safe and how best to cope in trying situations. If you are the type of parent who thinks it is easier to restrain your child than to loosen the reins a little, because loosening the reins means the added responsibility of talking to and nurturing your child through adolescence, then we hope that you’ve learnt something from this article. A balanced and open relationship with your child will always help when decisions need to be made in your child’s best interest. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child you can ring the CPA hotline 227 0979 or email childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

Work on Nat’l Broadband Project steams ahead – data centre building to be completed in one month’s time

By Vishani Ragobeer WORK on the multimillion-dollar National Broadband Project is steaming ahead and according to Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes, the building housing the data centre should be completed in about one month’s time. This project, which has

received a US$37.6 million loan from the Chinese government, aims to develop the established E-government network by improving the delivery of services to citizens in the areas of health, education, security and business and government administration. “Imagine that if we are putting more and more emphasis on online services--

businesses [and] ministries using online services-- then we have to make sure that we store the data in a reliable format that nobody can hack in, and so we have a data centre that’s being built,” the minister told Guyana Chronicle in a recent interview. This data centre is currently being built behind the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) at Liliendaal,

and the minister highlighted that the building should be completed in a month’s time. But the project also requires the creation of a command centre, which will be the central unit of controlling e-Governance. “Once we complete [the] data centre, we will have to start building the command centre,” Hughes indicated while explaining that the government is currently seeking funding to build this centre. Some of the features the command centre will have include a video wall that will first monitor “hotspots” in the city, before extending this to other parts of the country; facilities for the police, hospitals and fire service to interface with citizens, particularly in emergency situations and the integration of the Ministry of Education’s “Smart” Classrooms, and the Ministry of Public Health’s telemedicine programmes. “To do all of this you have to put more fibre so that you can have that uninterrupted secure internet that’s going to be there,” she said, as she explained that the government has to work to ensure that the infrastructure for this centre is sturdy and secure. Though this command centre will be separate from

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes

the data centre, the two buildings will be in close proximity, according to the minister. But currently, as the government is still seeking funds, the minister explained that within this data centre there will be a space for the command centre. “If we have to start with a little smaller version we [will] start with that, and then when this building (command centre) is finished we go to the full scale,” she explained. “We’re excited because these are the kinds of things that we are doing that we

think can begin to transform Guyana,” she said. As part of this project also, personnel have to be trained to man the centre. And the minister highlighted that recently, the government approved the expenditure to send one person from 12 different ministries, including the Parliament, to China and Estonia for two weeks so they can see how it works and they can be trained and then return to Guyana to support the programme’s implementation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday April 15, 2019

Dr O’Toole makes painful recovery – wants those involved in shooting brought to justice By Lisa Hamilton PAINFULLY recovering from the January shooting which has left one of his arms paralysed, School of the Nations Principal, Dr. Brian O’Toole, is calling on local law enforcement to ensure those involved in the crime are brought swiftly to justice. It has been over two months since Dr O’Toole was shot at his Bel Air Promenade, Georgetown home following a terrorist threat to students of the school by an unknown person. Dr. O’Toole said the shooter stood only five feet away and he got a clear look at his face. This makes him certain that the teenager he locked eyes with is a different person from a student who was expelled for threatening to shoot-up ‘Nations’. Fast-forward to midApril, and the principal is concerned that investigations have significantly slowed down, but he, however, is constantly reminded of the shocking night through his painful recovery. “I had four operations. The hand is paralysed, just like a piece of wood,” Dr. O’Toole said, pointing to where the doctors cut his arm to replace bone with steel.

On part of his arm, he has feeling, “It hurts all day, all night,” Dr O’Toole said. He is thankful that his wife persuaded him about a year ago to take out “a very expensive insurance” which has covered the US$75,000 it has cost so far for his four operations. “I have to go back again in three weeks’ time. On a physical level, it’s been tough, but I could have easily been killed,” he said. The Guyana Police Force has launched an investigation into the shooting and threats, and has since questioned a narrowed number of current and former students of the private school. While the Guyana Chronicle was unable to reach the Crime Chief’s Department for an update, the last indication was that the investigation is still ongoing. BETTER COMMUNICATION However, Dr O’Toole, while realising the limitations when it comes to revealing investigation leads, would like to see better communication efforts coming from the local Force to update him on the situation at hand. “I [previously] sent a letter to the police commissioner. I said that I’m in the States for treatment. This is

my cell number; my Skype; and I will go to the American police station so you’ll know you’re talking to me, but not even the courtesy of a oneline response. Nothing. So I just sent them another letter to say I’m back,” Dr O’Toole said. The principal believes that very clear evidence has been given to show that the individual behind the events is someone in Florida who posted incriminating information on the Internet, which included blowing up the university. “The day after I was shot, that same person -- hundreds of people know who he is -- begged for protection; for immunity. He said, ‘If you protect me, I’ll give you the whole story.’ So we’re trying now with the American ambassador, to see [whether] the FBI followed up the guy in Florida. If they didn’t, how is that possible? [Because] if you make a statement like that when you’re about to board a plane you’ll never get on an airline again. And yet he posted he’s going to blow up [a school]; he has a picture of a gun and says I’m going to throw chemicals on students,” the Nations director said, suggesting that no results have come out yet. He stated further that he

was informed by cyber security officials that the suspect list was narrowed down to a few individuals that are deep into the video game, Fortnite, but this has since been dismissed. “They said that they know that these are the two people who are the administrators; they are the only ones who are able to post, but since then, the police have said ‘No; that’s not true.’” Dr. O’Toole said he has a vivid recollection of the shooting, which he is certain was not a robbery but “a targeted hit”. He believes the individual is a “coward” and he still has many unanswered questions about why someone would commit such an act and who would want to assist in it. DOMINO EFFECT Yet, one of the main reasons Dr O’Toole believes that the guilty individual (s) must be brought to justice is due to the domino effect which occurred at other schools in the capital as a result to the threat at ‘Nations’. Following the shooting and threats to ‘Nations’, bomb threats were made at Mae’s Schools, Bishops’ High, Queen’s College and the University of Guyana (UG). While these are the negatives of what occurred, Dr. O’Toole said that positives have come out of the situation. Since then, the school has spent some $US65, 000

‘Nations’ Principal, Dr. Brian O’Toole

on security in the last two months, while an after-school programme to steer youths away from such violent behaviours was launched. “I think it has galvanised ‘Nations’ to look at what are we going to do to save our youths,” Dr O’Toole said, adding: “Now we’re developing a programme for youths on Saturdays from 2:00pm to 4:00 pm, where we look at drugs, alcohol, the evils of the Internet, and it has galvanised the community to do something and not moan and groan and say what a mess Guyana is.” Asked whether he knows if he will ever regain feeling in his arm, Dr. O’Toole said: “I don’t know. I hope so. The

nerve is shattered, so they’re trying to see if nature will take its course. If not, they’d take some nerving from my foot.” In the meanwhile, he wants law officials to do their part by keeping him in the loop on the investigation into the shooting which has since cost him, his school and family great distress. “At least to tell us that we are investigating, [or] we’ve closed the case. Is it unreasonable to expect 12 weeks later just to have a one-line to say ‘We know you’re frustrated, but please be assured we’re investigating, and we can’t tell you everything we’re doing’? I don’t think so,” he said.

Catholics celebrate Palm Sunday MEMBERS of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, on North Road, Bourda here in the city, on Sunday joined the Christian community the world over in celebrating Palm Sunday celebrations yesterday. The event saw young and old holding aloft and waving palm fronds fashioned into all styles and shapes, as the church held their morning mass and had the symbolic blessing of the palm. Palm Sunday ushers in the Holy Week celebrations which culminate on Easter Sunday. It is the first day of Holy Week, when Christians remember how Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. It is called Palm Sunday, because the people were so happy to see Jesus that they took branches from the Palm and Olive trees that lined the road and waved them in the air shouting, ‘Hosanna’ (which means ‘God Saves’ in Hebrew) and put some of them on the road to make it easier for the donkey to walk on the rocky road. Today, to remember that day, Christians all over the world go to special Palm Sunday Church Services. They often receive small crosses made from Palm leaves or other local woods. Palm Sunday is sometimes called Passion Sunday as Holy Week reminds us of Jesus’s passion or death.

Members of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church celebrating Palm Sunday yesterday (Photo by Carl Croker)

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Ituni loggers turn to value-added

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 15, 2019

By Vanessa Braithwaite

THE Ituni Small Loggers Association is gearing up to commence value-added production to make the livelihood of loggers more profitable as well as to create employment opportunities for youths in the community. The Association currently has 82 members, and according to Linden Duncan, its Secretary, currently, the situation with markets in the logging industry can best be described as “more than challenging,” ever since Bai Shan Lin pulled out of Guyana. The economy of the community was at the time blooming, but as of late, the situation is stagnated, he said. “Right now, things are very slow, but we are managing. It would be far better if we are linked to a better market,” Duncan reasoned. Rather than to continue supplying the same markets that demand raw timber, the loggers have decided that a viable solution to the matter would be to attract a different market that demands processed timber. The Association is currently in possession of a portable mill, and an edger donated by the Basic Needs

Secretary of the Ituni Small Loggers Association, Linden Duncan

Trust Fund (BNTF). A proposal is currently being done, which will be used to seek out a grant or a loan from small business lending institutions. “We want to start with some primary value-added to the logs, because we understand that we will get more money and better value from mill-cut timber, compared to what we are receiving right now from the raw timber,” Duncan said. The Association will be approaching several lending agencies, and is willing to work with whichever company decides to accept its proposal. Duncan said the executives are more excited about the spin-offs they can get from the value-added operations, as there are scores of youths residing in the community who are unemployed. For those with no experience in logging, there are training opportunities available through the Forestry Training Centre. “So, it’s not just about going into the forest and cutting wood, but about us developing and empowering ourselves in a rounded way further down the line,” he said, but the first hurdle is to get capital investment, and once that is secured, the Association is ready to take logging to a whole new level in Ituni.

Region 10 seeks advance payment for local suppliers By Vanessa Braithwaite

THE Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Region 10, will be writing the Finance Secretary, Ministry of Finance, seeking permission to grant local suppliers advance payments when contracted to supply items to the RDC. At last Thursday’s statutory meeting, Regional Chairman Renis Morian urged the Regional Tender Board to write the finance secretary, since it was brought to the council’s attention that local suppliers are often slothful in meeting the timelines for delivering items. The regional procurer was at the time relating to the council, purchasing of furniture for schools, but there was a hold-up because the supplier did not deliver. He related that it was now a requirement from the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) that such items be procured from local suppliers. In the past, he said, suppliers from Georgetown supplied their items in a timely manner. “They say they don’t have money,” he responded to councillors, when asked the reasons local suppliers gave for their slothfulness. While the government is pushing for 20 per cent local content for contracts, the councillors believe that the local contractors need to be empowered for this to become effective. “We have to start empowering our own people, people with skills, that is the only way they will develop,” Councillor Charles

Sampson said. Councillor Vladimir Glasgow opined that local contractors and suppliers must be empowered to put them in that position where they can deliver quality and quantity, in a timely manner. He said he is satisfied that the NPTAB has taken the step to empower local residents, but more must be put in place than to just state they must be given 20 per cent of the contracts. In this regard, Morian asserted, “Some of them won’t have that kind of financing, the same people we want to help, so I am saying tender board this is the recommendation, to advance people who make these purchases to empower them.” This is the normal procedure done with big contractors and therefore, those representing local content must not be treated anyway different. Only recently, Morian was encouraging youths in the region to register their small businesses, which is the first step in pre-qualification for small contracts up for tender. During his most recent visit to Linden, Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, while meeting with the Linden Chamber of Commerce, reiterated government’s policy of 20 per cent of its procurement going to small entrepreneurs. He also encouraged young people in Linden to get their small businesses registered and to forge ties with the Small Business Bureau (SBB), which facilitates such registration.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 15, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 15, 2019

Artist Sameer Khan on mission to make a difference By Rabindra Rooplall

IF you are a fan of the arts and support the endeavours that underpin it, then here is a tale to delight the heart. Contrary to perceptions that the arts may not be sweat-inducing, physical labour, grind, determination, persistence and self-belief are all part of it. Furthermore, what is seen, enjoyed and read, is merely the icing on the creative cake; the tip of the artistic iceberg and this is the path of artist and designer, Sameer Khan. In trying to satisfy his hunger in the creative world, Khan came from humble beginnings and was born and raised in the beautiful county of Essequibo. The 28-year-old is the youngest of three siblings. Growing up, he faced and overcame many challenges, as his father, an alcoholic, was a taxi driver and his mother, a seamstress and a housewife. “I always have a great desire and passion for the arts and craft and my mother was my biggest fan and supporter. I received my very first certificate award for drawing, in an Easter competition in 1998, at the tender age of seven. This boosted my vision to learn more in the arts and in my free time, I’ve always created craft pieces,” he said. Khan, who lost his father at age of 13, said at that age, he also received his second certificate award in 2005 for his participation in the “Celebration of 100 years of rice” art competition. “I’ve also received awards in competitions such as in 2005, I was awarded third place certificate/prize in the ‘Ethnic relations Commission’ poster competition; in 2006, the grand prize and national winner in the “Fern leaf draw for a prize” art competition; in 2007, G.A.M.L.A.T Spanish, art poster competition; in 2008, I awarded second place in G.R.D.B logo competition,” he reflected. Within the last decade, Khan has an accolade for every year, which started with his completion of high school in 2008, then joining the CARIFESTA 10 technical theatre training programme to train and assist many in the hinterland communities in career-building in the field of the arts. ALWAYS HELPFUL “I’m interested in helping young people and the lesser fortunate in enhancing or developing their dream career, and to continue volunteering to create a web or link of people who

Sameer Khan displays one of his many Halloween costume designs

Sameer Khan’s creative work on display in the Giftland Mall

Creative shoes and jewellery designs created by Sameer Khan can also give back. My struggles and hard work over the past years have paid off significantly, and now it is my time to give back,” he said. Some of the areas that he has mastered are drawing (portraits, mixed media), painting (portraits, mixed media), graphic design (logos, signs, banners, posters, cards, etc), textile design (applique, stenciling, tie dye, discharge, printing), makeup (theatre, Carnival, Halloween and all events), decorative craft (ornaments, jewelry etc), costume design (theatre, carnival, Halloween etc), model art (creating replicas etc), fashion design (new trends/stylist), cake decorating, floral decorating/ arrangements, interior/exterior design and decors (homes,

businesses, occasions) and poetry writing and illustrations. “I intend to take singing as my new added talent to the list as the year 2019 has begun. I believe that the arts generally has no stopping point or no ‘one’ way to follow. Sometimes we all need to search ourselves mentally, and explore our skills and abilities in every possible way,” he said Khan continued: “Don’t let situations keep you cornered or bottled up, but instead, acknowledge all obstacles and pressure, and let that be the energy and fuel to power us and keep us moving forward. It was the many hard struggles and situations that I had to face and live through and overcome to get to my success. But, more is never enough, and

I will strive to learn and do more in time ahead.” For a number of years, he worked with Theatre Guild and the National Cultural Centre. In 2010, he got the opportunity to work on the production of a US film, The Festival of Lights. SETBACKS Continuing on this rollercoaster ride, Sameer said his support system got a bit smaller with the unexpected loss of his mother and later his sister. He, however, noted that with the love of friends and other family members, his career has gone past his expectations. He said currently, he is seeking volunteers and companies to get on board in

Sameer Khan in one of his many creative designs supporting and sponsoring volunteer projects. For many creative individuals, art is only a hobby or something they do on the side, instead of an income-earning talent. But in 2019, Guyanese artists will see the introduction of a pilot project to fund the work of excited, driven individuals with project ideas. The Pilot National Creative Industries Development Fund will be managed by the Department of Culture. The project was added to the Budget 2019 roster and has been allocated $20M. A core objective of the fund is to

recognise and reward individuals and entities involved in the development of the creative industry in Guyana. The categories to which funding will be considered are Dance (company, individual), Music (group/ publisher, individual), Theatrical Performance (group, individual), Film & Animation (collaborative only), Visual Arts and Photography (collaboration, individual), Literary Arts (publisher, individual), Fashion (collaborative, individual), Creative Spaces and Creative Collaborations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday April 15, 2019

WDRH upping game for yeoman service

Health Administrator, West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) Ms Kathlene Armstrong

By Wendella Davidson THE West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) situated at Best Village, in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), is the premier institution that overlooks all of the health facilities across the region. The facility has had its fair share of criticism as it relates to its health care

superintendent, the matron who supervises the nurses throughout the region, the regional pharmacist, the regional health coordinator, who is the liaison between the region and central ministry in relation to health matters and the HA who has responsibility for the WDRH, Leonora, Leguan and Wakenaam hospitals. The administrative team not only visits the riverain communities, but also the health centres within the region, to ensure that drugs and the storage facilities at the respective locations are in order. They also check on the nurses and the Community Health Workers (CHWs). Ms Armstrong pointed out that at locations where no doctors and nurses are posted, for example at Aliki, a location on the Essequibo River some 15 miles above Parika, a CWH performs the duty of medex and nurse. Training for the CHWs who function at Saxakalli, at Karia Karia, Beribissiballi, Lanaballi, Morasi, Fort Island, Makouria, Hogg Island, Great Troolie and Little Troolie Island, is con-

The administrative building of the West Demerara Regional Hospital, at Best Village, WCD

Karia, Hogg Island, Great Troolie, South and Northern Hogg Island and Aliki. The health administrator said she basically has responsible for all infrastructural works: infrastructure, porter services, housekeeping, vehicles and drivers, stores, the dietary department, accounts, electricians, steam plants, the carpentry shops and the com-

The new storage bond

service, but according to Health Administrator (HA) Ms. Kathlene Armstrong, the institution is assiduously upping its game to give the best service to residents of the region. And, recently assigned Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr Cerdel Mc Watt, who has responsibility for overseeing the health programme in the entire region, is of the view that Region Three has great capacity in terms of health-care delivery and in terms of Guyana’s 2020 vision. To this end, the RHO, whose appointment there began on February 1 last, has since established a regional administrative team consisting of the medical

ducted at the WDRH. “We visit and look at infrastructure, drugs, human resource, patient load and how they can be assisted. For instance, recently, information was received that the storage facility for the drugs at Aliki is not in perfect condition. So when the team visits that location, if there is a resident who can undertake the work, the contract would be given to that individual. And, in the case where no one is found the cupboards will then be built and transported there, “ Ms. Armstrong said. So far visits were made to Leguan, Wakenaam, Lanaballi, and Santa Aratak in the Upper Demerara River; and on April 1, the team was scheduled to visit Karia

munication rooms, across the region. The services available are Ear, Nose and Throat; Skin; Chronic disease, Maternity, Out Patients, Accident &Emergency (A&E) ; Physiotherapy; VCT; Theatrical Services; Mental Health; Tuberculosis (TB); Paediatrics; Ultrasound , Orthopaedics, X-ray and Laboratory. She noted that the challenges experienced in general are many, and have to do with attitudes of all stakeholders at the hospital, be it patients, doctors, nurses, relatives, or the hospital administrator. “We ought to be able to change our attitude sometimes, because at the end of the day it is all about patient

care,” she said, and reminded of the medical superintendent who has emphasised that it is all about a change of attitude that will make the institution a better one. The HA opined that the facility is doing reasonably well as a hospital, in spite of the negatives. On this note, she made reference to two recently published articles in another section of the media, but according to her, those criticisms can be defended. Touching on the delivery of drugs in the region in a timely manner, Armstrong explained that drugs are dispensed to the WDRH every three months , but pointed out, “ If the drugs have to be used to service people coming from Wakenaam and Leguan, for example on Sundays, when everyone is seeking medical attention from those areas, then it means that the drugs collected for the catchment area will never be enough.” She further explained that persons have grown accustomed to using Panadol as a pain reliever, but noted that it is not the only one, there are other substitutes. “All that is needed is to let the doctors know what drugs are in stock. Since the arrival of the RHO, he has instituted a stock reminder that indicates what drugs are in stock and what are out of stock, so that the doctors are aware of the situation. In the event a particular drug is exhausted before the three-month period, there is an emergency requisition to MMU (Materials Management Unit) that allows for the drug to be replenished. And, in the event the specific drug is out of stock at the MMU, then the region will utilise its budget allocation to purchase same,” she added.. As the facility seeks to

improve its health care service, Armstrong said the Outpatients Department has been redesigned and now refitted with four cubicles, each consisting of a bed to allow the respective doctors to conduct an examination, if needs be, and too allow for better doctor and patient privacy. And, recently, the administration purchased a new digital processor, thus eliminating use of the previous antique equipment and the mixture of solutions. With the new equipment, films are processed almost immediately. Armstrong was previously stationed at the Leonora Diagnostic Centre, but was transferred to the WDRH on March 7, 2018 from Leonora, shortly after that facility was inundated with water caused by a breach of the adjacent sea defence. She said not long after her arrival there, she was instrumental in motivating the technicians to continue working on the mortuary refrigerator that had been unserviceable for months. Eventually, after several failed attempts, they found the fault and the mortuary has been working However, the facility will soon benefit from an eight-compartment freezer, an upgrade from the open--type compartment currently in use. Mortuary services are free, Armstrong reminded, but it is for the storage of people who were brought to the facility for medical attention and are pronounced dead on arrival (DOA). The WHDH also offers ambulatory services, but that service caters only for the referral of patients from institution to institution, and not from home to institution, even though depending on

the circumstance, the rule can be relaxed. The health administrator said it is her desire to see the ambulatory services being extended to some senior citizens, who, according to her, are really in need of that that kind of service. Meanwhile, the regional health coordinator (RHC) of Region Three, who functions as the liaison between the health ministry in the region and the central ministry in city, is a young doctor who is fluent in Mandarin, the Chinese language. She has been on the job for the last six months. Dr Tnika Jones, 29, lived in China from age 12, having accompanied her mom, a foreign service employee who served as secretary to three of Guyana’s ambassadors to China. The Medical Superintendent is Dr Tracey Duncan, who was in June 2018 reassigned from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation , where she functioned as a medical practitioner. Her duties entail the dayto-day running of the premier hospital of the region, overseeing the doctors, the pharmaceutical services, x-ray unit and the laboratory and dealing with issues that arise in those departments and other administrative matters. With 29 years of experience working as a nurse and midwife and having delivered over 250 babies, acting Senior Departmental Sister and the matron’s assistant, Sis Muriel Moore, said she has no regrets joining the nursing profession. She had worked at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and also served at Suddie Hospital in Region Two( Pomeroon-Supenaam).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 15, 2019

Three held for East Canje robbery

COPS in B Division have arrested three persons and recovered a stolen car as they continue their investigation into a robbery that occurred at 1165 Galaxy Street, Cane Field, New Area, East Canje, Berbice on Saturday night. According to information reaching Guyana Chronicle, at around 22:00 hrs, three masked men, two of whom were armed with guns and the third a cutlass, stormed Indra’s Grocery and Beer Garden, belonging to the Seloochan family. During the 15-minute ordeal, the men relieved about 20 persons, who were on the street and in the shop at the time, of their cellphones, cash, jewellery and car keys at gunpoint after forcing them to lie on the ground. Neil Seloochan, a son, who tried to fight back using a bottle, was gun butted and surrendered after he realised the men were serious. He later had to receive medical attention for a cut to the head. One of the men, armed with a cutlass, then proceeded to enter the house through the kitchen area and came face-to-face with the owners, Premchand Seloochan, 62, and his wife Taramattie Seloochan, 53. Speaking with Guyana Chronicle, Taramattie said she was unaware of what was happening and saw the man walking into the kitchen. “When he walk in, I see he, so me call out to me husband and ask him how come he there and he allow this mad man to come

in the house. Same time he look up, the man grabble he hand and say is you me looking fah, where all the money deh.” She said as she got closer and tried to raise an alarm, the man with the cutlass dealt her a blow to the head, knocking her to the ground. Taramattie broke her spectacles in the process and, fearing for her life, she remained on the ground. Turning his attention back to Premchand, the bandit took a watch and ring he had in his possession as well as his cellphone. He was then taken into the shop where the bandits demanded phone cards, money and anything of value. After being satisfied that they had all the valuables from the shop, the men then proceeded upstairs and took away a chain from his daughter-in-law, who was unaware of what was happening. She was with her three-year-old son. The bandit forced the young woman to take them to the rooms of the house which they ransacked as they looked for more valuables. Before leaving, the men took away the CCTV footage and fled the scene in a car belonging to one of the customers. The family raised an alarm and the police arrived promptly, but the robbers were nowhere to be found. Based on a description provided by the family, the police arrested three persons and found the stolen Toyota Allion motor car abandoned at the back of a village in the vi-

The grocery shop and beer garden visited by robbers on Saturday cinity of New Amsterdam. The Seloochans say they have lost all the jewellery that they spent years acquiring, as well as an undisclosed amount of cash and other valuables.

Based on information provided, almost all the patrons were relieved of their cellphones and cash. Police are continuing their investigation into the robbery.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 15, 2019

Neglected children receiving help By Lisa Hamilton NEGLECTED children in Guyana, often the subject of abuse and exploitation, continue to be provided with a way out through the Sophia Care Centre, an institution under the Child Protection Agency (CPA). While collaborations between the institution and specialists have resulted in positive changes in the lives of youths, the Centre hopes that as Guyana develops rapidly in the coming years, greater emphasis is placed on increasing the number of caseworkers involved in the process. Two years ago, it was estimated that there were some 700 children at the country’s 23 care institutions, with about 165 in State care. While the majority of care institutions are privately-owned, those which come under the government include the Drop-in-Centre, the Mahaica Children’s Home, and the Sophia Care Centre. The latter, according to Social Service Assistant Margaret Elgin, houses over 80 individuals, with an almost equal ratio of boys to girls. She said many of them are former street children in their teenage years, and are brought in by the Child Protection Agency. “Once they are seen on the street wandering and not going to school and things like that, that’s how they are [eventually] brought in,” she said. Meanwhile, administrator of the Sophia Care Centre, Roxanne Blenman, added: “Street children are picked up by the juvenile police, and they come through the Child Protection Agency… We have children here for different situations [such as] neglect, sexual abuse and physical abuse.” The Drop-in Centre is the first stop of a child, after which the child can transition to the Care Centre and, if after reaching the age of 18, the individual is not able to be reintegrated, they are housed at the half-way house to receive continued assistance to help them emerge into the world of work. Presently, a new $220M centre is being constructed in Sophia, and will serve as separate housing for children, newly off the streets, providing them with the specific care and training needed. CHILDREN AND FAMILY CENTRE Director of Child Protection, Ann Greene told reporters last month that the centre will no longer be called a “drop-in centre” but will be a Children and Family Centre which will make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families.

In the meantime, children newly off the streets are being temporarily housed at the Sophia Care Centre. Questioned on some of the challenges faced by the institution, administrator explained that while challenges are expected in such situations, how or when the child re-integrates into society depends on a number of factors. “We will always have challenges because they are from different backgrounds; different environments,” Blenman said. “It doesn’t matter what you do you still encounter the same things because children come with their own issues and how they feel about themselves. So it doesn’t matter what challenge we’re faced with, eventually the psychologists; the counselors and the caseworkers try to work with them but it all depends on the child; how the child perceives; receives and how they execute what they would have been taught.” After being taught at the institution, Blenman said the youths are re-integrated with family members while some are placed in foster care as a temporary fix. “We have quite a few success stories. We have children, who are now adults and parents themselves, who were here and they are success stories. We have boys that have gone off to the army and police force; girls that have gone off to various places to work even at Emerge [BPO Services Inc.]. Even some that were reintegrated we find that their parents can say that they have seen changes in that child,” she said. She attributed the successes not only to the staff working at the institution but to directors; case workers and other senior members of the Child Protection Agency.MORE CARE WORKERS However, in the coming years Blenman wants to see additional attention being placed on sourcing additional care workers who can better help a child to open up and move past a difficult challenge faced. “We would like to see more of the case workers involved in the lives of the children,” Blenman began. “They are the ones that are trained and have their degrees and so on in that field and they know more about getting penetrating [information]. Some children are locked-in, they don’t always tell us what’s going on in their hearts but they [case workers] tend to penetrate that based on their skills and their knowledge. So, I would like to see social workers play a more integral part in the lives of the clients that we have here.”

Social Service Assistant, Margaret Elgin

Blenman has been working at the institution for some 11 years. She is positive that while the children who come under the care of the CPA are often challenged with the pending developments and the efforts of stakeholders in the field, the Care Centre can continue to provide a way out. “[Neglected children] have their own scars; their own pain that we can’t take away from them. But we have to try to help them to get over it and it’s not an easy task,” Blenman said. “To get a child, [per-

haps] a girl-child to get over the pain of something that someone close to her would have done, that’s where the challenges come but we still have to do it. [In the case of] mental health issues, some we don’t know of until we see the acting out of strange behaviours and then you know that they have mental health issues. So we have to work with them to bring them to a place where they can understand ‘you are cared for here’,” Sophia Care Centre administrator said.

Sophia Care Centre Administrator, Roxanne Blenman

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 15, 2019

GPHC ‘best medical institution in the country’ STAKEHOLDERS of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Sunday reflected on some of the institution’s transformational improvements over the years at an interfaith service celebrating its 20 years in the business. The event was hosted in the GPHC’s parking lot, and saw in attendance Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings; Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud;

and GPHC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Brigadier (rtd) George Lewis among other government officials. It marks the first of a series of activities expected within the next two weeks to celebrate the corporation’s milestone under the theme, ‘Striving for Excellence in Health Care Delivery’. Speaking at the event, Lewis pinpointed transformations the institution would have undergone over th years, such as the establishment

–CEO, at 20th anniversary interfaith service

Members of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Choir in action at the interfaith service on Sunday

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings

of the Ambulatory Care and Diagnostic Centre; the construction of a new in-patient facility in the Maternal Unit; and the establishment of the Institute of Health Science Education (IHSE) to provide specialised Post Graduate medical education. He also highlighted the expansion of primary healthcare facilities in Kitty, Campbellville, Industry and Enmore, and asserted that despite the increasing demand for facilities, the GPHC is still the best medical institution in the country. Minister Cummings, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI), applauded the staff’s dedication and hard work in their service to the nation throughout the years. “The road has indeed been a long and arduous one. As the main referral hospital, I am aware of its prodigious workload, having worked here myself as a medical doctor. However, through the long days, and sometimes even longer nights, it is important that we deliver the best quality healthcare that we possibly can to our [patients],” she said. Minister Cummings stated that within the public health sector, there is a great need for better client services in management at every level. She said: “The Ministry of Public Health, since 2015, has embarked on the national delivery of patient-centred healthcare to the people of

Guyana. The patient’s experience within the public healthcare system in Guyana must be predicated by positive, respectful, professional and courteous attitude from the commencement of the experience at the health care facility through all of its relevant departments to the end of the engagement.” The interfaith service saw prayers coming from Hindu, Muslim and Christian religious leaders, and singing from the GPHC’s first mixed choir consisting of twenty medical practitioners. The choir made riveting renditions of gospel music which infused spiritual reverence and dynamic energy to the audience. Meanwhile, Bishop Michael Emmanuel Pereira delivered a stirring sermon to motivate the staff in their continuous service at the hospital. The programme continued with high energy performances - from a dance and musical renditions performed by the talented nurses at the institution to a steelpan delivery by the Guyana Police Force Steel Band. The event concluded with a harmonious hymn singing and joining of hands by the staff and special attendees. Other events to mark the anniversary include the unveiling of the commemorative plaque; a health fair; a cultural evening; a Doctor’s Day; a Fun Day, and the anniversary cocktail reception.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 15, 2019

Monday 15, April, 2019 13:30hrs –– 15:00hrs

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Salah screamer sends Liverpool past Chelsea (REUTERS) - A SPECTACULAR strike from Mohamed Salah helped Liverpool maintain their two point lead over Manchester City in the Premier League title race with a crucial 2-0 win over Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday. City won 3-1 at Crystal Palace earlier on Sunday meaning Liverpool have 85 points with four games to go and City are on 83 with an additional match to play. But with Pep Guardiola’s side having to face Tottenham and Manchester United in the next 10 days and Liverpool having no more matches against top six teams, Juergen Klopp’s side have a glorious chance to end their club’s 29-year wait for a domestic league title. After a fascinatingly even first half, Liverpool turned on the style after the break with a 51st minute header from Sadio Mane and then a long-range screamer from Salah two minutes later blowing Chelsea away. “I’m so proud of the team, it was a fantastic performance,” said Klopp. “What a team, what a stadium, what an atmosphere. I’m so thankful I can be a part of this, it’s

Huddersfield Town, Newcastle United and Wolves remaining as hurdles, this was the biggest obstacle in Liverpool’s run in, cleared with some margin to spare. Hazard, playing in a central role, had been a constant threat in the opening half while Liverpool’s cutting edge was not quite there. Mane went close with a curling effort and a Firmino toe poke forced Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga into action. Chelsea had arguably had the better of the opening half but whatever Klopp said to his team at the break certainly had the desired effect. The breakthrough came when Salah weaved into the area, putting the Chelsea defence on the back foot and Henderson picked Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s out Mane at the back post with the Senegalese forward confidentsecond goal in front of the Kop in the 53rd minute ly heading home. (Photo by David Blunsden/Action Plus via Getty Images) If that goal brought a feelgreat. It’s just outstanding, very — closing down across the field ing of relief, it was pure joy overwhelming at times,” said the and yet still pushing forward in two minutes later when Salah search of a third to totally kill scored a sensational second — German. the Egyptian receiving the ball Although the brilliant Eden the game. on the right flank and cutting Hazard hit the post for the visinside before unleashing an unBIGGEST OBSTACLE itors, there was a real determiThat did not come but with stoppable drive from 25 metres nation about the way Liverpool approached the second half only lowly Cardiff City, relegated out into the far, top corner.

Woods wins first Major in 11 years (REUTERS) - TIGER Woods completed one of sport’s great all-time comebacks to end an 11-year major title drought at the Masters on Sunday by claiming a fifth Green Jacket.

in 2005. But after a beaming Woods slipped on his fifth Green Jacket, he will be aware that Sunday’s win has brought him tantalisingly close to another Nicklaus record - that of six

Tiger Woods of the United States celebrates after sinking his putt on the 18th green to win during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2019 in Augusta, Georgia.

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

A gritty two-under 70 clinched a one-shot victory over Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele and earned the 43-year-old a 15th major title that many thought would never come. Unsurprisingly, the triumph also renewed talks of Woods making a run at Jack Nicklaus’s record of 18 majors. Not since the 2008 U.S. Open had Woods hoisted a major trophy and the last of his four Augusta titles came

Augusta titles. The victory also marked the first time Woods had reached the winner’s circle at major without leading after 54 holes. Woods’s girlfriend Erica Herman, mother Kultida and two children Sam and Charlie watched while a massive gallery roared as he marched up to the 18th green to put the finishing touches on a milestone victory. When his final putt disap-

peared into the cup, Woods delivered one of his trademark fist pumps then raised both arms in the air screaming in absolute delight as the crowd chanted, “Tiger, Tiger, Tiger”. He then quickly spotted his family and raced over to hug his children before making his way to the scorers room while being congratulated by his fellow golfers who lined the way. “I was just trying to plod my way along the golf course all day,” said Woods. “When I tapped the putt in, I don’t know what I did but I know I screamed. “To have my kids there – it’s come full circle. My dad was here in 97 (when he won his first Masters) and now I’m the dad with two kids there.” Written off as too old and too beaten up from four back surgeries and multiple knee operations, Woods underwent a back fusion in 2017 and slowly returned to form. He ended last season by winning the Tour Championship and showed signs of a breakthrough at the majors by being a title contender at last year’s British Open, where he led in the final round, and PGA Championship, where he finished runner-up. All those moments built to Sunday, when Woods was once again his old familiar dominating self.

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Paul bowls Delhi to win over Hyderabad (CMC) - Keemo Paul produced a sensational spell of fast bowling to spur the Delhi Capitals to a spectacular 39-run victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Paul grabbed three wickets for 17 runs from his four overs to help trigger a dramatic collapse as Hyderabad were dismissed for 116 in pursuit of the Capitals’ total of 155 for seven from their 20 overs. Led by a half-century opening stand between David Warner and Jonny Bairstow, Hyderabad seemed to be cruising at 72 without loss inside of ten overs. But once Paul, who was voted Man-of-theMatch, accounted for Bairstow’s scalp, it all went downhill for Hyderabad. Keemo Paul (left) took three wickets to lead the Capitals to a shocking win He followed that up by dismissing captain Kane Williamson for three and then Ricky Bhui for seven, to leave the score 101 for three. From thereon, Kagiso

Rabada ran through the middle order claiming four scalps, including the prized wicket of Warner for the top score of 51, as Hyderabad lost their remaining seven wickets for just 15 runs. So embarrassing was Hyderabad’s batters that only Bhui made more than the five extras which were conceded by the Capitals. In another match, both Sunil Narine and Andre Russell failed with the bat as the Kolkata Knight Riders went down by five wickets to the Chennai Super Kings. Opening the batting, Narine made just two from seven balls, while Russell hit two boundaries in his knock of 10, as KKR could only muster 161 for eight in their 20 overs. Chennai then got up to 162 for five with two balls to spare, thanks hugely to an unbeaten 58 from Suresh Raina and 31 not out from Ravindra Jadeja. Narine did manage to claim two wickets for 19 runs from his four overs, while Russell’s solitary over went for 16 runs.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, April 15, 2019

Chennai lengthens lead atop IPL table (ESPNCRICINFO) CHENNAI Super Kings extended their winning streak to four matches and lengthened their lead at the top of the table in IPL 2019 with another clinical chase in a five-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders with two balls to spare. Knight Riders have now lost three straight matches after a hot start to the season. Suresh Raina made the most significant contribution, scoring the 36th half-century in his IPL career after wisely using a review to overturn an lbw decision against him when on the second ball of his innings. The reprieve was the turning point in the chase as Raina flicked his very next ball through midwicket for a boundary, then cruised to 50 off 36 balls before ending unbeaten on 58 off 42.

Suresh Raina goes airborne © BCCI

The match was still very much up for grabs with 24 needed off two overs, but Ravindra Jadeja hit three consecutive boundaries off death-bowling specialist Harry Gurney to drag the equation to 11 off 8. Jadeja and Raina cantered across the line in the following over. Knight Riders paid for a tame finish to their innings as Imran Tahir swung momentum towards the visitors in the field with a sensational four-for. Tahir was supported by a worldclass clinic in catching as Faf du Plessis, Shardul Thakur and substitute Dhruv Shorey converted three difficult chances coming off the boundary to claim the key scalps of Robin Uthappa, Chris Lynn and Andre Russell to ensure that the Knight Riders set a below par total.

Hamilton wins 1000th Grand Prix CMC – MERCEDES’ Lewis Hamilton leapt to the top of the championship table after capturing the Chinese Grand Prix in comprehensive style here yesterday. The five-time world champion overtook teammate Valtteri Bottas off the line on his way to his second consecutive win and 75th career victory. It was also Formula 1’s 1000th race. Bottas came in second while Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel took third after the team ordered teammate Charles Leclerc to let him by in the opening laps. Hamilton’s victory catapulted him to 68 points, six more than second-placed Bottas. While there was some controversy surrounding Ferrari’s decisions, Hamilton, whose grandfather hails from Grenada, had

no such worries. After taking the lead, Hamilton edged away from Bottas, building a five-second lead before his first pit stop on lap 22. Having struggled during Saturday’s practice run, Hamilton said he was especially pleased with the result. “It has not been the most straightforward of weekends but what a fantastic result for the team. We arrived here not knowing how we would measure against Ferrari – they were so quick in the last race. Valtteri has been quick all weekend and to have a one-two is really special on the 1,000th Grand Prix. The start was where I could make the difference and after that it is history,” he said. “It has been so close between us all and I really have no idea how the next race is going to turn out.”

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain celebrates after winning the Formula 1 Heineken Chinese Grand Prix 2019 at the Shanghai International Circuit on April 14, 2019 in Shanghai, China.

(Photo by Yin Liqin/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, April 15, 2019

Dilon Heyliger

Heyliger retains place in Canada senior men’s team

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Mark Montfort

… Montfort placed on reserve list

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada – Guyanese Dilon Heyliger has retained his place in the Canada senior men’s squad, set to vie for supremacy in the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League Division 2 tournament to be held in Namibia, April 20-27. Another Guyanese, Mark Montfort, who is currently with the Canadian squad in South Africa, has been named as one of two reserve players. Before journeying to South Africa, Canada played a series of practice matches in Sri Lanka leading up to the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 tournament. Canada will start their campaign against Hong Kong on the opening day. Other teams in contention are Namibia, Oman, New Guinea and USA. According to the world’s governing body, the tournament will have important ramifications for qualification for the ICC men’s Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2023. The top four teams will join Scotland, Nepal, and the United Arab Emirates in the ICC CWC League Two 2019-21, and play 36 One-Day Internationals each over a two-and-a-half year period in 21 tri-series. The top three in this table will qualify for the CWC Qualifier, from which the top two sides will qualify for the CWC 2023.

The ICC further pointed out that for the bottom two sides this won’t be the end of their CWC dream. They will enter the CWC Qualifier Challenge League A and B, from which the winner of each will progress to the CWC Qualifier play-off. The top two sides in the CWCQ playoff, which will also contain the bottom four sides from CWC League 2, will enter CWC Qualifier 2022. Both Heyliger, a former Guyana T20 player who also represented his homeland at both the Under-15 and U-19 levels, and Montfort turned out for Brampton Masters in last season’s Toronto District Cricket Association (TDCA) Super 9 tournament. The Canadians are being led by former South African player David Jacobs while the recently-appointed coach is Monty Desai. Squad: David Jacobs (captain), Bhavindu Adhihetty, Navneet Dhaliwal, Ruvindu Gunasekera, Srimantha Wijeyeratne, Nikhil Dutta, Dilon Heyliger, Cecil Pervez, Hiral Patel, Romesh Das, Saad Bin Zafar, Navneet Dhaliwal, Rodrigo Thomas and Ravindapal Singh . Head coach – Monty Desai, assistant coach/analyst – Daulat Khan, bowling coach - Henry Osinde, The reserves are Mark Montfort and Varun Sahdev.

Fraser-Pryce sets Skerritt determined to dispel ‘myth’ of senior 100m record in Grenada T20 stars not interested in Windies cricket CMC – SHELLY Ann Fraser-Pryce established a new 100 metres record on her way to victory at the Grenada Invitational here on Saturday.

seconds, the same time as Jamaica’s Gayon Evans who placed fourth. The most anticipated event of the night, the men’s 200 metres, did not live up

Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce set a new record in the 100 metres

Fraser-Pryce, the double Olympic 100m champion, clocked 11.20 seconds to comfortably finish ahead of compatriot Jonelle Smith who was timed at 11.35 and American Aaliyah Brown, who finished third in 10.46

to expectations with favourites Akeem Bloomfield and American Olympic champion Justin Gatlin both pulling up hurt. Despite their absences, Great Britain’s Miguel Francis won the race in a

world-leading time of 20.16. Canadian star Andre Degrasse was second in 20.20, with Kyle Greaux of Trinidad and Tobago third in 20.51. Jamaica’s Asafa Powell was noticeably absent from the men’s 100m A race, which was dominated by international athletes. Adam Gemili of Great Britain won gold in 10.10, while Canada’s Aaron Brown was second in 10.13 and Christopher Belcher of the USA third in 10.14. Nesta Carter was the highest finishing Jamaican, placing fifth in 10.26. His teammates Nigel Ellis (10.31) in sixth, Tyquendo Tracey in seventh with 10.32 and Julian Forte eighth in 10.35, rounded out the field. Jamaica’s 2014 Commonwealth Games 110m hurdles champion Andrew Riley won the opening event in a meet record of 13.49, ahead of Gregmar Swift of Barbados in 13.66. Jamaica’s World Under-20 silver medallist Orlando Bennett, formerly of Calabar High, was third in 13.96.

(SPORTSMAX) – NEWLY-appointed Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Ricky Skerritt has insisted that the newly-formed body is determined to dispel the ‘myth’ that several of the team’s senior players are no longer interested in representing the team.

heavy T20 league schedule has often clashed with the international game. For various reasons T20 stars like Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo, who retired from the sport last year, have not consistently represented the region. Since taking over the

Cricket West Indies boss Ricky Skerritt

In recent years several of the region’s most high-profile players have found themselves at odds with the regional program’s selectors as

office, however, Skerritt and his administration have dismissed the Courtney Browne-led selection panel and installed Robert

Haynes. The administration has since begun to reach out to the players, including Bravo. “There’s a myth that our elite players don’t want to play for the West Indies. Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve engaged several of them and prior to the election, I personally engaged several of them and the desire and hunger to play for their West Indian colours is as strong as ever,” Skerritt said. “What we have to do is to make sure we put systems in place that can respect the players and help the players to respect their responsibility when they are actually involved in West Indies cricket, and do it in a way that is clearly communicated and that there’s mutual respect and understanding,” he added. “I have no doubt that in the hearts and in the minds of all of these players, the performance of the West Indies team and being involved in a successful West Indies team setup is important to them.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, April 15, 2019

Kumar and Sanichara win E-Networks Edward ‘Screw’ Easter Badminton tournament Richmond

Linden U-18 Schools Semi’s on today By Joe Chapman

The semifinals of this year’s 11th Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Linden Secondary Schools Under 18 football championship is on today. Wisburg Secondary challenges the reigning champions, Christianburg-Wismar Secondary, in one game from 14.45hrs and the other at 16.00hrs brings together Linden Foundation Secondary and Linden Technical Institute at the Wisburg Secondary School ground. Playing at home, the Wisburg Secondary School nudged out Mackenzie High School 4-2 on penalties after the two teams were locked 0-0. Christiansburg-Wismar Secondary benefitted from a bye straight to the semifinals in the seven-team championship. The other semifinal is between the Linden Foundation Secondary, who won both their Group B matches against Wisburg and New Silvercity Secondary to advance, taking on the Linden Technical Institute who topped Group A which included Mackenzie High and Harmony Secondary. In preliminary results, Harmony Secondary and Linden Technical Institute played to a 0-0 draw; Linden Foundation Secondary defeated New Silvercity Secondary 1-0; Linden Foundation Secondary edged Wisburg Secondary 1-0; and Mackenzie High won 2-0 against Harmony Secondary; Linden Technical Institute scored a 1-0 victory against Mackenzie High and Wisburg Secondary were 2-0 winners against New Silvercity Secondary.

The respective winners from Friday’s competition.

CHRISTINA Kumar and Easa Sanichara were crowned winners in the E-Networks B-Division Easter Badminton Tournament, which was played on Friday at the National Gymnasium. In the female competition, Kumar got past Stephanie Sajar 2112, 21-7 in the quarterfinals, before defeating Emelia Ramdhani in the semi-finals. The battle against the mother of national champions, Priyanna and Narayan Ramdhani, was intense and it took Kumar three sets to advance. She battled back from a 19-21 loss to win 21-9 and 21-14. In the final, Kumar eased past Anna Perreira 21-8 and 21-2. The second place finisher had battled past Ayanna Watson 21-12,

Classic Ball Blasters win GVF Female Festival

The respective winners with GVF President Levi Nedd (left) after the presentation ceremony.

CLASSIC Ball Blasters won the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) Female Festival, which was played on Saturday at the National Gymnasium. In the final of the competition, the Ball Blasters defeated the Castrol Strikers 3-0 (25-15, 25-22 and 2513). Along with the two finalists, Port Mourant also competed.

President of the GVF, Levi Nedd, said that he was pleased with the organisation of the competition, which was not played for over four decades in Guyana. He said that he was impressed with the level of talent on display and the camaraderie by the players. Tiffany Whitton from the Classic Ball Blasters was adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and

Best Striker at the competition, while Castrol Strikers’ player Famke David won the Best Setter’s award. PM’s Phitame Simpson finished as the Best Blocker and Leanna Miller (CBB) as the Best Server. Meanwhile, Cassandra Ron received the Most Improved Player award. The competition received support from a number of former players.

19-21 and 21-15. Ramdhani and Perreira settled for joint third. In the Ladies Singles Consolation final, Kaylie Anthon got the better of Khaya Boswick 21-11, 21-17. In the men’s singles, Sanichara defeated Elion Beaton 21-4, 21-12 in the quarterfinals, before he got past Isaac Mallampati 21-14 and 21-12 in the final four and Hemraj Beharry 21-16 and 22-20 in the grand finale. Beharry had defeated Jamal Shamsudeen 21-11 and 21-16 in the semifinals. Meanwhile, in the men’s consolation final, Matthew Beharry got past Shimron Lewis 21-16, 21-17.

Zeeburg into final of Amreith Rai Memorial T20 tournament THE Zeeburg Bomb Squad are into the final of the Amreith Rai Memorial T20 Tournament after a 23-run win over Omesh XI in a semi-final clash on Sunday at the Meten-Meer-Zorg Sports Club ground. The Zeeburg Sports Club team won the toss yesterday and decided to bat on a flat track. Led by Ravindra Dookie, Richardo Poloram and Balbinder Shivpersaud, they were able to reach 167-7 from their allotted overs. Dookie was ultra-aggressive as he belted four sixes off 19 balls for a top score of 42, while Poloram scored 39 (4x4s, 2x6s) and Shivpersaud 37 (3x4s, 2x6s). Omesh Stephen Joseph (317) led the attack for the Parika-based Omesh XI, while Ganesh Narine supported with 2-34. I n r e p l y, M a d a n l a l l Doodnarine led for Omesh XI with 48, but his late attack was not enough as the team ended on 145-9 in 20 overs. Mark Gonzales supported with 21. Bowling for Zeeburg, Malcolm Hubbard snared 4-34, while Yutesh Dhanpaul supported with 2-30.

Zeeburg’s batting trio: Ravindra Dookie, Richardo Poloram and Balbinder Shivpersaud.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, April 15, 2019

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Linden Town Week School’s Basketball…

Linden Foundation wins close battle against Mackenzie High

Action between Linden Foundation Secondary and Mackenzie High School.

Christianburg Wismar Secondary’s Kobe Tappin driving to basket against New Silver city Secondary.

By Joe chapman LINDEN Foundation Secondary earned a thrilling 37-36 overtime win against Mackenzie High School when the Linden Town Week Secondary Schools basketball championship got underway That was game two of a double header which also featured Christianburg Wismar Secondary stopping New Silvercity Secondary 38-26 at the Mackenzie High School basketball court. In the opening game of the tournament ‘Multi’ began their quest for glory in their on a winning note behind a

top score of 17 points from guard Kobe Tappin. Support came from Odennie Reece with 11 and Daniel Hutson with six. Delroy Belle was outstanding for the New Silvercity Secondary side with 15 points as Omar Green chipped in with eight. In the other game the scores were tied at 30 apiece when regulation period ended but Linden Foundation led Emmanuel Larose who scored 23 points was able to overcome the challenge of Mackenzie High. Larose had Leon Thom supporting with 10 points. For the Mackenzie High Savoury Suaving played well

Bartica Regatta Motocross…

BLB racing team revving for this weekend’s showdown

THIS Saturday, the Annual Motocross event speeds off at the Mongrippa Hill ground in Bartica, as part of the town’s activities for the annual Regatta festivities.

And, like the consistency of the Bartica Regatta that has been the annual marquee event in the town for decades, defending 125cc champions, BLB racing team, aims not

only to defend their title but to be a force to reckon with for years to come. In a correspondence to the media, the Bartica-based racing team that consists of

Team BLB bikers: From left, Bobby Rasul, Stephen Vieira and Andrew Wong

Andrew Wong with his 2018 KTM 125cc dirt bike, Bobby Rasul ( 2019 YZ Yamaha 125cc) and Stephen Vieira (2016 YZ Yamaha 125cc), noted confidence of a repeat of their impressive showing last year. At the 2018 Bartica Regatta Motocross event, Rasul and Vieira were tied for the champion biker accolade in the 125cc event after both of them notched up one win, one second and one third place finish in their three races while Wong won the third race. News from Team BLB indicates that their machines are in prime working condition while reports from Bartica has revealed that the Mongrippa Hill ground has all systems in place for keen rivalry amongst bikers from Georgetown, Essequibo and Bartica.

for 10 points and Ming Wong also had a good performance chipping in with eight. Today, from 14:30, New Silver City will face Wisburg in a must-win situation if they are to have any chances of reaching the semifinals. In the second game of the double header, Linden Foundation Secondary will play against Linden Technical Institute with a win sealing the former’s place in the final four. The group play has Wisburg Secondary, New Silvercity Secondary and Christianburg Wismar Secondary in one group and the other comprises Mackenzie High, Linden Technical Institute and Linden Foundation Secondary.

Dindyal slams ton, but Guyana fall to Barbados in U15 clash

A century by West Indies U-16 batsman, Mavindra Dindyal, failed to help Guyana overcome a batting onslaught by defending champions Barbados in their second match of the Regional Under-15 Super50 Cup yesterday in Antigua. Barbados, who lost their opening game to Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday, batted their way to 332-7 after winning the toss at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Joshua Morris scored a 68-ball 72 (9x4s) batting at number three, while later in the innings, number six batsman, Kamario Grant, struck a 77-ball 89 (8x4s,1x6). Both batsmen lost their wickets to off-spinner Alvin Mohabir. The 13-year-old, who captained Demerara to the U-15 Inter-County title this year, finished with 3-52 from eight overs to lead Guyana’s attack, while pacer Isai Thorne grabbed 2-66 from 10 overs. Krsna Singh also bowled well. The spinner finished with 1-38 from 10 overs. In reply, Guyana lost

Saturday’s century-maker, Rampertab Ramnauth, for eight (via the run out route), while opening batsman Anthony Khan fell for 16 (44 balls) before Mohabir joined Dindyal and the pair added 111 runs for the third wicket. Mohabir, who looked for the singles, finished with 31 from 53 balls, while Dindyal fell just after for 126 from 120 balls. In total, the GCC cricketer struck 17 fours and a six. Although a few middle and lower order batsmen attempted to play their hands, good bowling and a climbing run rate undermined the batting and the overs eventually expired, leaving Guyana at 237-8. Jadon Campbell scored 12 (20 balls), skipper Zachary Jodah, nine (18 balls), Tameshwar Mahadeo, 10 (15 balls) and Ravishkar Sobhai, six (15 balls). Guyana, who defeated Jamaica on Saturday, will face the Windward Islands on Tuesday.

Linden’s Christianburg-Wismar secondary School (CWSS) won the 2019 Milo schools Football championships after beating Lodge Secondary 1-0 in the final last evening. Details in tomorrow’s edition.

...CWSS win 2019 milo schools football title

Paul bowls Delhi to win over Hyderabad Page

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Dindyal slams ton, but Guyana fall to Barbados 27 in U15 clash Page

Keemo Paul celebrates with Rishabh Pant © BCCI

Mavindra Dindyal struck 17 fours and a six in a top score of 126.

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MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2019