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GDF not adding troops to border

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…Gov’t says Venezuela flexing military ‘might’

Guyana Defence Force Chief-of-Staff Mark Phillips, along with Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman briefing the media on Guyana's response to Venezuela's aggression

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 24, 2015

Public Service CoI hearsâ€Ś

Payment system unjust in public sector By Tajeram Mohabir SENIOR Personnel Officer within the Department of Public Service Gail Williams said the re-introduction of performance appraisals will correct the existing unfair system when it comes to salaries for newly-hired experienced and qualified public servants. As it stands now, all employees who are hired, regardless of their experience and qualifications, begin at the lowest end of the sala-

ry scale on which they are placed. Williams made the suggestion on day two of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Public Service being held at the Department of the Public Service, 164 Waterloo Street, Georgetown. Speaking about the conditions in the public service, the senior personnel officer told the commission that practically all levels of staff are placed on contracts, and these include clerks and office assistants. She said all levels of contracts, positions

and salaries are evaluated by the Department of the Public Service, and pointed out that some contracts are peculiar to some State agencies. The Public Service Department is wide, spanning all the regions. Chairman of the CoI Professor Harold Lutchman enquired if there is a communication problem with the far-flung regions in Guyana, to which Williams answered in the negative. In cases where the reach of landline is limited, cell phones are utilised as well as

the use of the radio system, and the cooperation is good, she said. The Public Service Department, Williams said has a special relationship with the Public Service Commission in the sense that there are consultations regarding job descriptions, and other procedural matters. She told the commissioners that the level of public service could be improved through training, but more than that is, getting persons to implement the skills they have acquired. The purpose of the commission is to enquire into and make recommendations on the roles, functions, recruitment, training, remuneration, conditions of service and other matters pertaining to personnel employed in the Public Service; determine what measures should be taken to improve the efficiency of public servants in the discharge of their duties to the general public; and examine the methodology used in the classification and recruitment

Senior Personnel Officer Gail Williams testifying before the commission yesterday (Adrian Narine photo)

of public servants. The commission is also examining the principles on which salaries and wages of public servants should be based, especially the mechanism for determination of wages and salaries, the level

of consistency between the salaries and various levels of public servants, and the basis on which the levels of remuneration for the various levels of public servants is determined; and to review or examine the age of retirement of public servants and make recommendations in this regard. Aside from Professor Lutchman who chairs the commission, the body comprises Samuel Goolsarran and Sandra Jones who are commissioners, and Geeta Chandan-Edmond, who is Secretary to the Commission.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 24, 2015

GDF not adding troops to border

…Gov’t says Venezuela flexing military ‘might’

By Ariana Gordon AMID the tension sparked by Venezuela amassing troops with missiles and guns at its eastern border with Guyana, the David Granger administration continues to urge citizens to remain calm, insisting that there is no need for aggression on its part. However, while soldiers have been on high alert, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips said no additional troops have been rushed to the borders. “The Guyana Defence Force is ready to define aggression. We have troops deployed at various locations. The GDF continues to monitor the border with the current troops on the frontier,” Philips told a media conference at the Ministry of the Presidency yesterday. He said troops at Eteringbang, Kaikan and other observation posts along the Cuyuni River are continuing to monitor the activities by the Venezuelan armed forces on Guyana’s frontiers. The GDF Chief of Staff said the military was aware of the buildup of troops at the Guyana-Venezuela border prior to Tuesday’s announcement by President Granger. He said the buildup of the troops became “noticeable and unusual” over the weekend with over 200 troops deployed between San Martin – a small town on the border – and Ankoko Island. Phillips said of great concern is the “deployment of military boats with machine guns in the Cuyuni River.” He reiterated the

fact that the Cuyuni River is within Guyana’s borders and to deploy armed boats in the Cuyuni River “is an affront to our sovereignty.” “As you know, there were photographs of surface-to-air missiles that were seen within the Venezuelan border but contiguous to the Guyana-Venezuela border area, we were able to locate the missiles at a town called El Dorado about 57 KM inside of Venezuela,” Brigadier Phillips told reporters. He emphasised the G D F ’s r e a d i n e s s a n d stressed that it is continuing its monitoring with the aim of defining aggression. “Our deployment is geared to define aggression and acts of incursion on our border and we remain ready to deploy additional troops and equipment if need be to those locations,” the Chief of Staff assured. Military troops at Camp Stevenson and Camp Ayanganna and those at other coastal and inland training locations have been briefed and alerted about the situation as well, Phillips noted. “As mentioned earlier, our deployment is geared to define aggression and acts of incursion on our border and we remain ready to deploy additional troops and equipment if need be,” he said. While Guyana is in a state of readiness, Phillips said “we (Guyana) have a settled border with Venezuela and our duty is to define aggression along the settled border with Venezuela. CONCERN OVER THE CLOSENESS Meanwhile, Minister of

anything is about to happen. …all precaution is in place and everything is being done to monitor and define what is going on. But in no way is Guyana preparing to stage any act or precipitate any act of aggression,” Trotman stated.

State and Secretary to the Defence Board, Lt. Col. (ret’d) Joseph Harmon said Guyana is expected to communicate with Venezuela about the military operations near the Guyana border and government’s concern over the closeness, the military machinery and intensity of activities near to and in Guyana’s territory. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Organisation of American States (OAS), Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and the United Nations (UN) are also to be informed of the new developments. “It is our intention to explore these possibilities to the fullest so that our diplomatic initiative is really where the efforts will be,” he said. Asked why citizens were only notified on Tuesday of the “unusual” activities at the border, Brigadier Philips said, “We have been monitoring the borders every day...reports come in at the headquarters. What we saw a week ago were changes in the deployment on the border, but what occurred over the weekend, Saturday, Sunday Monday, were deemed unusual…” These strange

activities, Philips said, were reported to government immediately. SENSITISING OUR PEOPLE Harmon describing the move by Venezuela as “an act of aggression” said Guyana is preparing itself in the event of aggression but noted that it is government’s responsibility to adequately sensitise its people. “You don’t wait until something happens… it is our responsibility as a government to ensure that the nation is advised and informed of these matters.” He said too, “These are not the days when a government can decide it is keeping information from the citizenry... Our responsibility is to ensure the information is properly analysed and we provide guidance and careful instruction to the disciplined forces, and ensure our people are informed at every stage. This is the best form of defence. We believe Guyanese people are astute enough to understand the situation.” SHOW OF FORCES Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman who was also at the news conference

told reporters that in acts of conflict there are three stages: “The show of force, threat of force and the use of force.” At this stage, Trotman says Guyana is only seeing a show of force. “We are still in the process of display or the show of force… there has been no threat, or use of force…we will continue to be on alert,” he said after being questioned about Guyana’s deployment of additional troops to its borders. “At this stage it is still a show… militaries show force--- we are seeing a show of force, Venezuela is well aware that the world is watching. We don’t anticipate anything along the line of use of force,” said the Minister of Governance. He said too that there is no need for citizens to either panic or believe that Venezuela is about to invade Guyana. “There is no cause for people to think we’re about to be invaded or anything like that. There are obviously maneuvers but these have more of a political end than a military end…,” Trotman said. The actions of Venezuela, the minister said, are expected to make an impact on the world stage. “So Guyanese ought not to be alarmed that

GRANDSTANDING He said Guyana is “in the throat of some grandstanding” as Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro prepares to address the United Nations next week, but will not ignore it. “One only has to see what is happening on the other border with Colombia to know that it is Guyana’s turn to experience some of the same. But we shouldn’t panic or have a sense that we are faced with guns or missiles or anything of the sort.” On Tuesday, Venezuelan Minister of Defence Vladimir Padrino Lopez said military officers of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) held “operational exercises” in East Venezuela. He did not elaborate on the specific area in East Venezuela nor the number of soldiers and equipment involved in the operation. The Venezuelan Minister of Defence was quoted as saying “at this time we are conducting exercises to the east of the country, an operational deployment.” He urged Venezuelans to remain calm as the Venezuelan military prepares itself. A similar exercise is being conducted in the western side of Venezuela, Lopez stated.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday September 24, 2015

Egypt’s Sisi pardons 100 prisoners, including Jazeera journalists (Reuters) EGYPT’S President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pardoned 100 prisoners including three Al Jazeera television journalists, on Wednesday, a day before he plans to head to the annual United Nations summit of world leaders. The Al Jazeera journalists, Canadian Mohamed Fahmy, Egyptian Baher Mohamed and Australian Peter Greste, were sentenced to three years in prison in a retrial last month for operating without a press license and broadcasting material harmful to Egypt. Greste had already been deported in February. A spokesperson for the Canadian government said that Canada was pleased with the pardon and it would help arrange Fahmy’s departure from Egypt. “Our families have suffered so much since the beginning of this trial and we’re very happy that President Sisi took this action and released us,” Mohamed Fahmy said. “I will continue fighting for press freedom... I know there are other defendants who

bars in the first place,” Amnesty International said in a statement. “Those pardoned today include only a fraction of the hundreds of people across the country who have been arbitrarily arrested, and unlawfully detained,” Amnesty said. Egyptian security forces arrested dozens of activists last year for violating the 2013 protest ban.

Al Jazeera television journalists Mohamed Fahmy (L) and Baher Mohamed hug as they talk to the media outside Tora prison, in Cairo, Egypt, July 30, 2015. Reuters/Asmaa Waguih are still in prison related to this case,” Fahmy said. The pardons were reported by security sources and Egypt’s state news agency, which said they included prisoners who violated a 2013 law banning protests without a permit, as well as some who were sick. “This comes in the framework of President Ab-

del Fattah al-Sisi’s initiative to release a number of youth, which he launched ... in December,” it said, quoting presidential sources. Human rights groups have accused Egyptian authorities of widespread violations since the army toppled the country’s first democratically elected president, Islamist President Mohamed Mursi, after mass protests against his rule two years ago. “While these pardons come as a great relief, it is ludicrous that some of these people were even behind

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Also among the released were 16 women, including Yara Sallam, the news agency said. Sallam was arrested last year along with other activists accused of violating the protest law. “These pardons will be little more than an empty gesture if they are not followed up by further releases of those arbitrarily detained, respect for the right

to freedom of expression and assembly, and accountability for perpetrators of gross human rights violations,” Amnesty said. The pardons were announced on the same day that France said it had agreed to sell Egypt two French Mistral helicopter carriers, whose planned sale to Russia had been cancelled.

At White House, Pope focuses on environment, poverty and migrants (Reuters) POPE Francis on Wednesday urged the United States to help tackle climate change and touched on other divisive U.S. political issues such as immigration and economic inequality on his first visit to the world’s richest nation. In a speech on the White House South Lawn, the Argentine pontiff lauded President Barack Obama’s efforts to reduce air pollution, months after Francis made the environment one of his top issues by issuing a landmark encyclical letter to the church.

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“It seems clear to me also that climate change is a problem which can no longer be left to a future generation. When it comes to the care of our common home, we are living at a critical moment of history,” the pope said at a welcoming ceremony. In an era of renewed racial tensions in the country, the 78-year-old pope invoked America’s best known civil rights leader, the late Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. to make points about the environment and equality. Speaking later to American bishops, Francis acknowledged the sexual abuse scandal that has tainted the U.S. Church for years by saying these “crimes” should “never be repeated.” As Washington streets were closed and federal workers stayed home, about 15,000 people gathered in bright sunshine on the South Lawn. They heard the pope depart from his usual practice and give a speech in English. He again made a gesture of simplicity, pulling up in the small black Fiat car he used for his arrival in the

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U.S. capital on Tuesday. Francis is a frequent critic of the damage caused to the world’s poor and the environment by capitalism’s excesses. The pope also commented on immigration and religious freedom, issues that were on the U.S. political agenda in the run-up to the November 2016 presidential election. Obama, whose plans for a climate change bill were thwarted in Congress early in his presidency, said he shared the pope’s concerns about the environment. “Holy Father, you remind us that we have a sacred obligation to protect our planet – God’s magnificent gift to us. We support your call to all world leaders to support the communities most vulnerable to a changing climate and to come together to preserve our precious world for future generations,” Obama said. Francis and Obama held talks in the White House, where they also discussed refugees. Both men see eyeto-eye on climate change and defense of the poor but hold different views on abortion rights and gay marriage.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday September 24, 2015

Volkswagen ‘allowed torture’ under Brazil military rule

The torture is alleged to have been carried out at the Volkswagen plant in Sao Bernardo do Campo and tortured under Brazil’s military rule from 1964 to A GROUP of former Volk- maker. The former employees 1985. swagen employees in Brazil Twelve former workers has filed a civil lawsuit accuse the firm of allowing say they were arrested and against the German car- its workers to be detained

tortured at Volkswagen’s huge factory in Sao Bernardo do Campo. Volkswagen’s subsidiary in Brazil has said that it is investigating the allegations. “The company is contacting the parties involved to learn their versions about acts committed by former employees during the military dictatorship. Detailed investigations are being conducted,” VW said in a statement to the AFP news agency. Brazil’s national truth commission last year found that abuse was rife under military rule. More than 400 people were killed or disappeared between 1964 and 1985. Many others were arrested and tortured. Trade union and left-

wing activists were among those targeted and a number of companies have been accused of colluding with the repression. ‘TORTURE AT WORK’ In its final report, published in December 2014, the truth commission described the case of Volkswagen employee Lucio Bellentani. “I was at work when two people with machine guns came up to me,” the communist activist said. “They held my arms behind my back and immediately put me in handcuffs. As soon as we arrived in Volkswagen’s security centre, the torture began. I was beaten, punched and slapped.” According to lawyer

Rosa Cardoso, 12 employees at the Sao Bernardo do Campo site near Sao Paulo were tortured, while others were laid off and placed on blacklists. When the allegations were published in the truth commission’s report last year, Volkswagen said it was “pursuing any indication of possible involvement of the employees at Volkswagen do Brasil in human rights violations during the period of military dictatorship”. The firm, which is currently embroiled in a scandal after it was caught manipulating its diesel car emissions tests, has not yet responded to the news of the civil suit being filed.

Body in trunk, man chopped to death

THREE more murders have been recorded overnight around the country, including one in Tobago One murder was in Caroni, one in South Trinidad, and the body of one woman was found on the beach in Point Fortin. However, it is yet to be classified as a homicide. Police from the Central Division are investigating the murder of a man who was found stuffed inside the trunk of a car in Caroni. The body of Quacy Young, 23, of Robert Street, Woodbrook, was found in the trunk of a silver Axio Corolla around10:20 pm last night. Cpl Manbode and PC Dharoo were doing a routine patrol in the Caroni police district. When they were in the vicinity of the La Paille Gardens, they saw a car parked just off the west-

...Tobago teenager shot dead bound lane of the Southern Main Road in Caroni. The officers saw a man standing at the back of the car making strange movements with his right leg. They found Richard White, of East Dry River with his hands bound behind his back with a tie strap. He had gunshot wounds to his neck and face. Police found Young’s body in the trunk. He was shot several times. White was taken to the Eric Williams Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, where he underwent emergency surgery and was listed as being in stable condition. Four spent shells were recovered at the scene and the car was taken to the Chaguanas Police station.

A post mortem is carded to take place today at the Forensic Science Centre, St James. In a separate incident, Police in Tobago, were called in to investigate the shooting death of a teenager last night at Mt St George. The victim was identified as 17-year-old Shanice Roberts, a former student of Pentecostal Light and Life High School. Police in the Southern Division are investigating a murder in La Romaine. Last night at about 11 pm, officers responded to an altercation that occurred on the Southern Main Road in front of the Top Games Members Club where a man chopped another man to death. The body of Simon Dun-

tin, 51, of Peter’s Road, La Romaine was found at the scene. The chopping took place in the presence of a number of witnesses. From the description of the assailant, the police believe the killer may be the same man who chopped to death an unidentified man who was stealing avocados on September 11, in La Romaine. In a separate incident in Point Fortin, the unidentified body of a woman of African descent washed up on a beach at the end of Chin Kit Street. The woman was clad in blue underwear, and was in an advanced state of decomposition. Police officers believe that she may have been in the water for approximately three days.

Thursday September 24, 2015 - 14:00 hrs Friday September 25, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Saturday September 26, 2015 - 14:30 hrs

Guyana

What role will Parliament play in unity government? Dear Editor

EDITORIAL

Crime factors

THE discussion about crime and criminal activity has been taken into the usual shallows of political blame games. Truth be told, all we have are meaningless words and empty ideas. It has always been so, and so it remains for now. In Guyana, the cost of living has far outstripped salaries. People are so underpaid that we have a large category of citizens who are the working poor. Our well-meaning leaders, past and current, know only in abstract ways about the great hardship that comes with the struggle to put bread on the tables of families. This grind goes for our teachers, nurses and doctors in the public system, harvesters, and our law-enforcement professionals. It goes for this writer too and there is nothing abstract about no roof and no food. We must find a way that allows salaries to keep pace with the cost of living, plus some more for savings. The question that we are faced with is how shall we pay for this? The equally vital question is what happens if we do not bring salaries up to realistic standards? Some of the answers reside in implementable policies, especially those involving innovative energy, job - creation, and industrial enterprises. We know that there is a serious increase in criminal activity. We also know that our policemen and women are the subject of much negative criticism from all quarters. Some of this negativity is justified, but it is too often based on gossip and innuendo and political motivation. Good law-enforcement officers become painted nastily with the same worn brush, but beyond sensational headlines, we have not designed ways to assess silent crimes: rape inside forced marriages; the buying and selling of women under the guise of this or that religion; the disease of secrecy surrounding licensed rape, and so on. Our conviction must be that law enforcement is meant to serve and protect the citizens of this nation from foreign and domestic enemies and that no one is above the law. Therefore, for a start we recommend an immediate scientific review of salaries and benefits to all law-enforcement personnel; design and implement contemporary but locally applicable Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to assess enforcement personnel; all enforcement and protection agencies must be free of political interference and create a more scientific, psychological aptitude test for new recruits. At this point, we have the CXC requirements, and we depend on the intuition of training officers who interview potential recruits. Senior police trainers and a clinical

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday September 24, 2015

THE constitution, laws, international conventions and charters are sacred instruments that must be respected in spirit and intent. Every government and elected officials are expected to lead by example in upholding these instruments. The current back and forth that national unity can only be achieved with the opposition being in the cabinet, which is referred to as executive power sharing, is either an attempt not to respect universal principles and instruments that are expected to guide the day-today business of this nation, or demeaning our intelligence as a people. The issue of freedom of association that brings with it the right to elect or appoint person(s) of choice to represent your interests is a universal fundamental right enshrined in Article 147 in the Guyana Constitution. The protection from discrimination for exercising such association or being so identified in a particular group, which is another universal fundamental right, is also protected in Article 149 of the Constitution. The citizens on 11th May 2015 have expressed their confidence in who they will want to administer their affairs at various levels in the nation’s management. As such they have chosen APNU+AFC to manage the Executive; and the APNU+AFC and PPP/C to deliberate and

make decisions in Parliament which is the nation’s highest decision-making forum. At the Regional Democratic Councils the citizens have decided that the PPP/C and APNU+AFC will be given the authority to lead and manage the affairs of various regions, while respecting the right to dissent and other fundamental rights and freedoms of every individual. Article 13, which speaks to “inclusionary democracy” as the nation’s “principal political objective” has been enshrined in the Constitution since 2001. The current opposition, which was in the government when the amendment was made did nothing to make real the spirit and intent of the article. Today Hydar Ally of the PPP, a man who defended the intransigence of the previous government, is calling for a ‘government of national unity’ as the way forward. This brings into question whether some politicians have any regard for the people and the laws safeguarding their well-being or their statements are merely in furtherance of riding on the backs of citizens. It seems as though these politicians are of the view that whether they win or lose elections the privileges must be the same; whether political parties/government perform or not theirs is the right to retain access to the taxpayers’ money and have unfettered access to abuse the nation’s resources. President Granger is on

psychologist will interview, choose, and train. The training needs to be much more than skill at arms, drills, vehicular training, etc. We do have the “classroom aspect” and much of this is done well. But we must expand our training, without taking away from the normal training and without adding time to the training regimen. We can have intense sessions on things such as oral communication and mannerly conduct; written communication; fundamentals of law; first responder training; conflict resolution and domestic violence; information technology; dealing with survivors of suicide; managing at-risk youth; ethics and ethical conduct, and so on. Similar but upgraded training sessions must be sponsored for active ranks. These could be coordinated with divisional and sub-divisional commanders in a rotational manner in order that there is minimal job-disruption. The same kind of training sessions can be conducted

record as saying that his administration is open to having the opposition on State boards and agencies. This is a step in the right direction since it is consistent with Article 13 and respect for the input of those who voted for the opposition to represent their interests. This being said, the president should start by re-appointing the boards to uphold the tenet of inclusionary democracy. It is further recommended examination for how this can best be done could be had from acceptable international conventions and recommendations. There are laws and committees in this society that are fashioned off of international conventions of inclusivity, such as the ILO Decent Work Programme, which has a model ensconced that can serve as guide in the reconstitution of the boards. Clement Rohee is the General Secretary of the PPP and his statement that the party is not interested in the ‘unity talks’ is an exercise of the party’s right, consistent with Article 147 of the Constitution, and it must be respected by everyone. In addition to respecting this, the nation also has to examine our parliament that is built on the principle of bi-partisanship (opposition and government sides), the political parties working together and checking and balancing each other. The parliamentary sectoral committees are also built on this principle. As we speak about national unity and executive

power sharing (which presently happen with more than one party in the current administration), what is not being addressed are fundamental issues such as what will become of the role of our parliament and the people’s interests when together the politicians will decide this is what will be given to the people, in a society where elected officials in recent years have deviated significantly from upholding the rule of law and respecting citizens’ rights, and have little or no regard in accepting that they are representatives of the people. Clearly, the proponents of national unity through executive power sharing have not thought through their position, neither have they placed before the nation a cogent argument how accountability to the people will be ensured, what will become of the foundation of the government structures, the built in checks and balances, and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms. The issue about governance is not how one feels about something. It is about structures built on national and internationally acceptable principles, constitution and laws. These are the instruments the United Nations, European Union, World Bank and other international institutions use as tools in determining development in countries. LINCOLN LEWIS

simultaneously for the Guyana Defence Force, Community Policing Groups and the Neighbourhood Police. Additionally, the administration should begin a thorough and objective review of the Judicial System to make it more responsive, responsible, and efficient. Initiate a thorough review of the Prison System and Fire Service to make them responsive through modern techniques. Special attention must also be given to the training of law-enforcement officers for Marine Policing and Immigration and Customs and the creation of a special victims unit dedicated to crimes of a sexual nature, including child abuse and molestation, rape, domestic violence and rape, human-trafficking, and suicide/self-harmers. If only we can implement some of these recommendations there is no doubt that we would be well on our way to arresting the crime problem here, while bringing much needed assurance and security to a wary citizenry.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday September 24, 2015

Maduro City Hall must be audited wants one-on-one talks with Granger

RECENTLY, I have noticed increasing calls for a comprehensive audit to be undertaken at the Georgetown City Council, calls I believe every taxpayer and indeed every citizen should join if they want to see their city properly managed. Let me first debunk this claim by Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma who asserted that because the City Council is a part of the local government system, therefore it is, beyond the control of central government. That is bunkum. The government had over the years pumped hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars into the city Council in addition to its yearly subvention and therefore has a right and obligation to see if this money was properly spent.

Additionally, the Auditor General of Guyana has a responsibility to audit the accounts of all public agencies, including ministries and other government bodies including local government to ensure that all monies are spent responsibly and for the purposes intended. The Audit Office can conduct financial audits of all publicly funded entities, including donor-funded entities, local government agencies and trade unions in Guyana, if they believe all is not well within that agency as we all know is the case at City Hall for years now, without being invited to do so by the particular agency, in this case the Mayor and City Council. Secondly, there is a most absurd letter in the press that has been authored by the Georgetown City Council’s Pub-

lic Relations personnel in which she has clearly overstepped her mandate as she seeks to represent her bosses at City Hall. In this letter she is calling for an audit to be done on the spending of the (500,000,000) five hundred million dollars that was handed over to the Ministry of Local Government under the watch of then Minister Mr. Norman Whittaker, for cleaning of Georgetown under the clean up my country project and for which she says there is not much credible evidence of works done in the City, yet I see this very administration using numerous skip bins that were made available through this ‘Clean up my Country Initiative’, some of which they have painted over with the new ‘Green

City’ slogan, deliberately; of course, trying to mislead citizens into believing that these are new resources. She then goes on to list what she considers to be indiscretions committed by the former Town Clerk, all the more reason why there should be a forensic audit conducted at City Hall for then and now. The role of the City’s PRO should be to promote the image and identity of our capital rather than to get involved in politics and to seek to denigrate the previous administrators. Just stop playing the blame game and get on with your work, providing the tax payers with a proper service to which they are entitled. Sincerely, DEBRA GIBSON

Stray animals disturbing the peace at Parfaite Harmonie Dear Editor,

AS a resident of Schoonard, Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara for the last 31 months, I have enjoyed the tranquility and cleanliness of this new housing scheme. However, our community has been plagued with a few small but rather irritating problems, namely, the perpetual presence of approximately 50 cows that roam the village, making life extremely uncomfortable for residents. These cows have destroyed vehicles, fences, houses, parapets, and created a rather filthy environment, especially in the mornings. Owners enter the community almost daily to catch cows, apparently to sell. This practice often causes confusion, with these “cowboys” chasing these animals around the village, lasso and all. We have raised these issues with the owners, who show scant regard for our requests to

have their animals removed. Some have even threatened violence. I have been trying to plant some lawn grass to enhance my parapet but this has failed over the last two years because of the destructive nature of these cows and horses. An estimated 30% of house lots in the area have not been occupied, leading to extremely thick and tall brush thriving in the area, often reducing 12 ft., two way roads, to single lane thoroughfares. Home owners and those currently constructing their dwellings continue to encumber the roadways with the wanton dumping of loads of sand onto the road, often leaving them there for months. This practice must be curbed. Lawlessness cannot continue unchecked. Since moving into Schoonard, residents have experienced, at least twice per month, severe and prolonged bouts of “low voltage”. As recently as Sunday 20th September, 2015, we had to endure this type of

power failure from 5:30 am to approximately 11:30 pm. Though many telephoned reports were made to GPL throughout the day, the problem took almost 18 hours to be fixed, since the emergency crew communicated to us that they only received our report at 5pm the said day. This type of incompetence cannot continue. The Parfaite Harmonie housing development has been in existence for more than ten years, however, not a single resident has received a landline telephone service from GT&T. This is unacceptable and must be speedily corrected by GT&T. Residents have grown tired of the excuses by this utility company- We have been subject to some extremely poor and unreliable internet service from GT&T resellers. Some of us who can afford to, are paying $7,500 for 500 kbps (receiving 200 during the greater part of the day, and approximately 700 kbps from 11pm to around 5am), while GTT has upgraded to

a lowest speed of 1.5 Mbps at a cost of $4,999, $2,500 less than what residents p ay f o r ap pr o x imately 1Mbps less of speed. This I find extremely unconscionable, unfair and unethical. There must be some sort of agreement between these resellers and GTT, one of which must be fairness to the end-user, who is the customer. I therefore plead with the Management of GTT to kindly ensure that resellers deliver value for money to customers, especially in areas such as Parfaite Harmonie. We are aware that other issues related to the perpetual upkeep of parapets, drainage systems, etc. will be improved once the necessary local government organs are reconstituted and made effective with the advent of local government elections, the community still expects that certain basic services will be provided to residents. JEUMAYNE DUMMETT

President Nicolas Maduro AHEAD of addressing world leaders at the 70th United Nations General Assembly Meeting in New York on Tuesday, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has extended an invitation to Guyana’s President David Granger to talk. Maduro, through his weekly television broadcast “Contact with Maduro” has called on the Guyanese leader to have a one-on-one meeting. “He extended a call to the President Granger, to facilitate a meeting in which they can find a positive way to clear obstacles in relations between the two governments,” a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela stated. The statement dated September 22, was issued on the same day that the Government of Guyana announced what it described as “unusual” activities at the Guyana-Venezuela border and on the Cuyuni River. Approximately 200 military troops have been participating in what the Venezuelan Minister of Defence called “operational exercises”. Maduro hopes that with a meeting of the two leaders, “steps to regularise relations between the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela” can materialise. The Venezuelan President said he is prepared to undertake all diplomatic actions with the aim of resolving the border controversy but maintained that Venezuela has a legitimate claim of Guyana’s Essequibo Region. “We, via the Geneva Agreement and international law, maintain our historic claim to Guyana Essequibo we left (Simon) Bolivar,” he was quot-

President David Granger ed as saying. Maduro said his country has always respected and supported Guyana. “We love and respect the people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana... Venezuela has been the country that has most helped Guyana in its history, since it was the site of British Guiana,” he said. But the leader of the Spanish country doubted whether the President and people of Guyana were equally affectionate towards the people of Venezuela. The Venezuelan leader believes that “imperial centres are reviving international threats to spark a conflict with Guyana through the ‘Operation Pincer’ against the Bolivarian Revolution.” “But against this new attack by international law, I aspire, hope and fight for Venezuela to recover its Guyana Essequibo, in peace,” he added. The Venezuelan president denounced attempts to revive conflict between Venezuela and Guyana noting that “Venezuela has the legal and historical reason to make the claim for Guyana Essequibo, and that only through international law and the Geneva Accord can it finally resolve this situation,” the statement said. In July, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge said Guyana is not open to having a one-on-one meeting with Maduro. Greenidge said, “We are not meeting one-on-one, there is no proposal to meet one-on-one… what would we meet one on one for?” The Foreign Affairs Minister did however state that there is adequate room at the level of the United Nations for discussions to be conducted.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday September 24, 2015

Is Venezuela the big bad wolf? By Hubert Williams AT every stage of its spurious claim to nearly twothirds of Guyana's territory - i.e. all land west of the Essequibo River - the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has flexed its muscles and sought to intimidate the government and people of what it considers a weak, defenceless and irritating little neighbour. Venezuela scored a bullseye in London in February 1966 when the British Guiana representatives, concerned that nothing should block the country's path to independence, allowed themselves to be beguiled by the British in the resurrection (to the delight of the Venezuelans) of a boundary dispute that in 1899 had been determined by an international tribunal to have been fully, perfectly and finally settled. All parties represented at the tribunal - including the government of the United States of America-had accepted the decision, and new borders were demarcated accordingly, yielding to Venezuela some territory which it had claimed the European colonial power had virtually stolen from it. Out of the February 1966 tripartite conference, the Geneva Agreement emerged, specifying that a Mixed Commission of Guyanese and Venezuelan representatives would be established to seek "satisfactory solutions for the practical settlement of the controversy between Venezuela and

the United Kingdom which has arisen as the result of the Venezuelan contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899 about the frontier between British Guiana and Venezuela is null and void". The Agreement also provided that "no new claim or enlargement of an existing claim to territorial sovereignty in these territories (of Venezuela and British Guiana) shall be asserted while this Agreement is in force, nor shall any claim whatsoever be asserted otherwise than in the Mixed Commission while that Commission is in being.â€? The British Government, as stipulated in the Agreement, would remain as a party to it even after Guyana achieved independence. Google records the following: "In the days after the conference concluded, there were intense discussions in the media in Venezuela, the United Kingdom and Guyana on the significance of the Geneva Agreement. Venezuela, for its part, saw the Geneva Agreement as the "reopening" of the border dispute, and Foreign Minister Iribarren Borges said that the agreement actually meant that the 1899 decision would be reconsidered. This position was rebutted by both the British and Guyana Governments who insisted that the controversy was really over the Venezuelan contention that the 1899 Award was null and void, and the Agreement was not aimed at cancelling the Award or revising the boundary. "In

Guyana, the PPP was critical of the agreement, claiming that it provided Venezuela with a legal base to continue to press its claim to Guyana's territory. It stated that the Guyana Government yielded ground at the conference on vital issues with the result that Guyana was committed to joint action with Venezuela in seeking a solution to a dispute which had no legal basis but which was now given international status. In addition to this, the Party claimed that Venezuela appeared to have been given special consideration with regard to the exploitation of the natural resources of what that country calls Guyana Essequibo. "The PNC-UF coalition Government, on the other hand, welcomed the Agreement, and on the 5th March 1966, Prime Minister Burnham insisted that there was no question of the Geneva Agreement being regarded by his Government as a compromise on Guyana's territorial integrity. Interestingly, in a separate comment, Attorney General Shridath Ramphal admitted that the Agreement became a pre-requisite for Guyana achieving its independence." The process under the Agreement failed, as have subsequent efforts so far under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary General. At no stage have the Venezuelans pursued this matter in good faith and their actions have always been in breach of all the rules and conventions, the

intent being to intimidate the Guyanese into surrendering their territory. Following establishment of the Geneva Mixed Commission, the Guyana Government announced its three commissioners as legal luminaries Sir Donald Jackson, Mr. Mohammed Shahabuddeen, and Ms. Shirley Field-Ridley, disclosing also that Venezuela had named its three and agreed that the first meeting of the Commission would be held in Guyana. It was totally a demonstration of sheer muscle that the Government of Venezuela sent a large gunboat - the "Almirante Brion" into the Port of Georgetown to transport its three commissioners... and it remained there throughout the meeting. For the second meeting, in Caracas, the Government of Guyana applied to the Government of Venezuela for entry visas for each of its three commissioners to enter that country. The Government of Venezuela granted visas for Sir Donald and Ms. Field-Ridley, but not for Mr. Shahabuddeen. It explained that as Mr. Shahabuddeen had been born in Essequibo, he was in fact Venezuelan and would not require an entry visa. Very cleverly done, I thought at the time, but still an act of aggression... and the Guyana Government did not have the gumption to challenge it. Further, in 1969 the Venezuelan Government fomented revolution among Rupununi ranchers in the far south, arm-

ing ranchers, including some members of the Hart and Melville families and it was only a delayed but aggressive response by the Guyana military that brought an end to the rebellion. To many, it would have been thought an internal revolt by distant, dissatisfied and isolated ranchers against a faraway administration; but Venezuelan aggression was heavily a part of it. When afterwards I flew to the Rupununi savannahs to observe conditions there (the geographic and administrative isolation, the ethnic stratification), it was clear how easily secession could have been achieved. Venezuela again demonstrated its superior strength when it seized Guyana's half of the Ankoko border island about which its much smaller and very weak neighbour could do nothing other than verbally protest. I flew to Eteringbang, which is separated from Ankoko Island by a narrow channel, with Colonel Ronald Pope (the Briton who first headed the Guyana Defence Force) and a small party, and, impotent to act, there was nothing that could be done but look at the heavily armed Venezuelan soldiers patrolling what used to be our territory. In just about every aspect of this dispute so far Venezuela seems to have had all the advantage; with today's Chronicle headline merely suggesting that Caracas is "oiling" its armaments and ramping things up more

than just a little bit. Guyana on the other hand may be moving towards preliminary discussions, if such have not already been initiated, with influential friends in specific capitals who have more than just guns and rockets. The authorities in Caracas should know that men from the military are trained not to panic; and thus a panic reaction is unlikely from the newly- elected President in Georgetown. David Granger is a 3-in-1 dynamo: scholar, soldier, statesman/politician who so very long ago, as a late-teen university student, undertook expansive research into the Guyana-Venezuela boundary controversy and for a little while worked with me. In those times because I maintained close relationships with two of the Guyanese commissioners and wrote detailed reports for Reuters International News Service, I was considered well informed and a principal source of factual information about all aspects of the boundary dispute. I thought of myself as such too (comprehensively informed), that is until I read young Granger's expansive and scholarly paper. Thus, within his Cabinet, when substantive discussions turn on the Guyana-Venezuela problem, its history and its probable resolution, this President is least likely to be just a listener. Venezuela... there's a man of intellect, but also of muscle, at the helm.

Bandits blitz Budget Supermarket By Leroy Smith ARMED bandits last evening robbed the Budget Supermarket just before 20.00hrs leaving the staff and several customers traumatised. This is not the first time the business place has been robbed and management is now under pressure to put adequate security arrangements in place to ensure the safety of the staff and customers. According to information received by this publication, two men walked into the supermarket with pistols and robbed the cashier of the nightâ€™s earning and also robbed a plainclothes police rank of his gold chain in the process. According to a security guard at the establishment, he saw a customer and her

A basket on the floor of the supermarket which was left by a traumatised worker son running into the store and several other persons. He said that at first he thought it to be a fight between persons but then soon realised that it was bandits who were invading the premises. The man stated that one of the men wore a mask

over his face and the other wore a bandanna. As the men entered the store the staff and those shopping at the time lay on the ground in panic mode as the men emptied the cash register. When the men finished

their deed they left the building and jumped on a motorcycle and fled the area in the direction of Stone Avenue. Meanwhile, as the police arrived at the location the proprietor of the store locked himself and the staff inside and was reportedly having a meeting. Police ranks who first responded to the information about the robbery did not receive the cooperation of the businessman. One police rank asked the man for them to be allowed to review CCTV footage of the premises so that they will would be able to know if the description of the men who robbed the premises but this request was denied as the storeowner informed the rank that his remote control for the cameras to the building was not working. The rank immediately

The owner of the supermarket negotiating with police ranks the police informed him that offered to have the technician they needed to be questioned in relation to what they might from the Guyana Police Force have seen, especially the cato come to the scene and assist the process but again the shier who was robbed during man again refused to agree. the ordeal. After much reluctance the When the man was finished his meeting with his staff, man finally agreed and the he ordered the doors to the police were allowed entry to the store and they questioned supermarket be opened and the staff members who were was attempting to send the staff home. This is even as on duty at the time.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 24, 2015

Harmon: Berbice ‘river-taxis’ here to stay By Rabindra Rooplall GOVERNMENT plans to continue the Berbice River taxi service indefinitely, after discovering that 16 trips are made daily, earning the praise of students and the elderly who expressed relief and gratitude. Minister of State Joseph Harmon made this disclosure yesterday at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing. The government decided to implement the river taxis as a direct response to the

refusal of the Berbice Bridge Company to reduce the tolls to cross the bridge. “We have been advised that persons on the East and West Bank of Berbice are very happy about the service, and there are at least 16 trips per day these boats are making. They commence work at 6AM and stop at 6PM...,” Minister Harmon said. “This was going to be a one-month exercise in the first instance, but I believe that, based on this kind of response we are getting, this

might go beyond that,” he added. Meanwhile, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson noted that 382 persons used the river taxis on Monday, plying the New Amsterdam/Rosginol stelling route. A one-way trip from New Amsterdam to Rosignol takes about 10 to 12 minutes, and costs $120. That same trip over the bridge takes at least eight minutes, and costs $300. Students using the Berbice River taxis

FREE OF COST However, the river taxi service is available free of cost to toddlers, school-aged children up to the secondary

level, and pensioners. Two taxis, which accommodate 33 passengers each, will be operating the route on a one-month trial basis.

As the demand increases, additional taxis will be introduced. Meanwhile, Cabinet has Turn to page 12 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 24, 2015

Cabinet uncovers ‘wilful underbidding’ scam – will counter with new guidelines By Rabindra Rooplall GOVERNMENT has discovered that under the previous administration, many companies cheated their way through the tender process by underbidding their competition in order to secure contracts. This was conveyed by Minister of State Joseph Harmon at a press conference yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Harmon explained that some bidders would underbid projects in order to get the work, and then try to make up the difference through change order and extra work claims. This would result in more capable companies being side-lined, frustrating the entire process. This occurred predominantly in the public works sector, where government agencies are often required by law to select the lowest

qualified bidder. “Cabinet had some very firm words to say in the manner in which contracts were executed under the previous administration and the fact that contracts sums were being extended beyond the sum that was actually catered for in the award of the contract. But it would appear to cabinet that some of these contracts that were coming before it had been deliberately under-bidded (undervalued)

knowing fully well that they will come later on for variations,” the Minister of State emphasised. CHEATING He noted this caused capable bidders to lose the tender because it was wilfully undervalued. “They were actually cheated out of the contract because some persons deliberately bidded low and the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder knowing fully that they will come back for variations which took the contract sum beyond the en-

gineers’ estimate.” In giving an example, Harmon said this was noted in the award of an extension for a consultancy service for the Kato Primary School. “This is a primary school that started at $500M and is reaching almost $1B now and it’s still not finished.” The company that is supervising the work of that contract, he said, has actually returned to Cabinet to ask for an extension. The Education Minister will be calling in these contractors to inform them that the government will not tolerate any further extensions. Underscoring the path government plans to take, Harmon said the Finance Ministry has been tasked with preparing new guidelines for contractors of what is required of them during their service. “This would basically brief contractors of what is required of them for the award of a government contract and

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

the penalties which they can anticipate for breaches of the awards of those contracts,” Harmon explained. “All existing contracts will be scrutinised for areas of default, areas of shoddy work and matters of that nature, [and] an inspectorate division will also be created to inspect government contracts.”

Cabinet OKs contracts for nursery level books CABINET gave its 'no oblegation' to the award of contracts for the printing of nursery level books for the Ministry of Education. This was stated by Minister of State Joseph Harmon at a press conference yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency. Bidders Amount One Print Shop $4.4M Office Authority $31.4M Eniath’s Printing Company $26M F&H Printers Amount not given Books are distributed to individual schools in Georgetown while Education Departments in all administrative regions are required to uplift their supply of books from the Distribution Unit and distribute to schools in their respective regions.

Harmon: Berbice river... From page 10

mandated Minister of Finance Winston Jordan to continue discussions with officials of the Berbice Bridge Company to ensure the reduction of the toll. The current stalemate was sparked after government announced in its national budget early August that it had approved a $300 drop in tolls for cars crossing the facility - this was from $2,200. For all other categories of vehicles, the reduction was 10 percent. However, the Board of Directors of the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) refused to implement the reduction, claiming that it has to take the matter first to its shareholders. Government then announced that it was intro-

ducing passenger speedboats to help lessen the burden of high tolls on the travelling public from Berbice. TAILORED FOR A FEW The Berbice River Bridge Act, assented to by then president Bharrat Jagdeo in January 2006, appeared to have been tailored specifically to ensure that profits were realised for a few investors. It allowed all income earned by the concessionaire to be exempted from Corporation Tax, Income Tax and Withholding Tax for 21 years. The Act also allowed for all dividends payable to shareholders to be exempted from Corporation Tax, Income Tax and Withholding Tax.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 24, 2015

Commissioners of Rodney CoI to discuss findings next week COMMISSIONERS of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) are expected to arrive in Guyana early next week to discuss the final report of the commission. That report is scheduled to be completed by the end of November. Administrator for the commission, Hugh Denbow told this publication on Tuesday that the commissioners are working towards the completion of the report before the end of November. “The commissioners are coming at the beginning of the next week…they will be

working on the final report,” Denbow said. The final sitting of the commission took place in July but the move by government to abruptly halt the CoI was decried by members of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) the party of which Rodney was a founding member, and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). The Rodney Commission commenced hearings in 2013 under then President Ramotar. Both the WPA and the People’s National Congress (PNC) were represented through the commission’s

60+ days of hearing. Since the change of government after the May 11 General and Regional Elections, the APNU+AFC coalition government discovered what it deemed to be “excessive spending” and said the commission’s work must be discontinued on this basis. Former President Donald Ramotar protested the decision of the David Granger led administration to end the inquiry into the death of Rodney, a renowned Guyanese historian. Ramotar said the Rodney Commission was set up following a meeting with

the members of the Rodney family. Like Ramotar, the commissioners, lawyers for the WPA and members of the Rodney family were displeased. Ramotar did agree that the CoI was an “expensive undertaking” but noted that it was “a justifiable one”. “I have no doubt that the commissioners needed just a few weeks more to complete their tasks in a professional way,” Mr. Ramotar said. The logic behind saving “a few dollars when hundreds of millions have been spent already” was not evident to the former

president. The abrupt closure he said will preclude commissioners receiving evidence from “important witnesses” who were yet to testify. More than $400M was spent on the CoI. Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Basil Williams said government simply could not afford to spend that amount of money. “We’re gonna wind it down,” we can’t afford it,” the minister said in June. Hundreds of millions was also spent on payment for three commissioners, two attorneys, and a designated

Dr Walter Rodney

journalist from the Guyana Chronicle.

Eid-ul-Adha Greeting Govt hails Muslim GAWU’s Eid-ul-Adha community’s acts of charity Message 2015 ON the occasion of Eidul-Adha, we are reminded of the value of sacrifice and obedience to God. The Government of the Cooperative of Republic Guyana recognises the importance of this sacrifice which symbolises selflessness and faith and wishes our Muslim brothers and sisters Eid Mubarak. Eid-ul-Adha is a time when Muslims reflect on the values of self-denial by making a sacrifice in honour of God almighty. Prophet Abraham’s great act of submission is thus regarded as an example of genuine surrender to the will of God. In

today’s society brotherhood of humanity can advance further if there is a greater appreciation of the need to incorporate the lessons of this great sacrifice into our daily lives. The Government would like to thank the Muslim community for all their contributions and charitable work towards the betterment of Guyana and looks forward for their continued leadership in this regard. This is also an appropriate occasion for us to reaffirm the call for national unity among our people. We are a people of diverse origins but a

common destiny and it is imperative that we cooperate for the purposes of national advancement. We face challenges of living in a globalised world and unjust threats to our national sovereignty and we need each other to overcome these challenges. The onus is on us as a nation to work hand in hand with people who have faith in the essential goodness of humankind. The message of Eid-ul-Adha is an example of the discipline and commitment needed, if we are to build Guyana into a nation which affords a good life for all Guyanese.

Sacrifice and service Islam’s selflessness THE Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) salutes Guyana’s Islamic community on the occasion of one of their more inspiration festivals of their faith. Eid-ul-Adha stands out for a variety of reasons. The lessons of sacrifice and service emanating from Ibrahim’s obedience to God’s command to sacrifice his son are as powerful today as they were unprecedented in Mecca thousands of years ago. The Eid-ul-Adha story is also strikingly similar to the

Christian version in the Holy Bible. The message of obedience to the divine wall and the need for sacrifices before achievement is, therefore, still universal. FITUG urges Muslims and all Guyana to explore briefly the powerful origins of Eid-ul-Adha. It will be discovered that the Supreme Creator finds ways to test the sincerity of faith of so-called believers. And it will be realised that selflessness can eventually bear fruit even for an obedient adherent to righteous beliefs and guidance.

Sacrifice for progress is needed in the Guyana of today. FITUG sees the need for give-and-take and compromise in national life and undertaken even if one party feels that it will “lose” something somehow. Sacrifice is often a forerunner and ingredient for success – at both personal and community/national levels. May this Eid-ul-Adha festival 2015 inspire Muslims to influence all Guyanese to higher causes of service and obedience in the national interest.

EVEN as mankind is caught up in continuous life-long efforts to achieve personal and international peace; to acquire material and economic well-being based on education, good health and security, the peoples of the world realised that spiritual understanding and the solace it brings, can contribute to the bedrock for all peace and progress – mankind’s very survival. World religions provide guidance through their prophets and holy literature. Islam is unquestionably now a worldwide faith guiding the destiny of millions. Against those reflections, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is again pleased to share in the Eid-ul-Adha joy of our Islamic Community as it observes the feast and festival of the sacrifice. The willingness of Ibrahim to obey God’s (Allah’s) command to sacrifice his dearest “possession” – his only son–must be a spiritual inspiration to all Muslims in terms of both obedience to their God and submission to a highest form of sacrifice–a pillar of

the Islamic Faith. GAWU enjoins Guyana’s Muslims to be beacons of sacrifice and services in all areas of national life. Festivals such

as this particular Eid can inspire all of us to higher selfless service. A happy Eid-ul-Adha to the Muslim community from GAWU.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 24, 2015

‘Patience!’ urges official

– as scores throng ‘Housing’, looking for land By Shirley Thomas TEMPERS flared yesterday as dozens of persons with housing concerns queued up since dawn outside the Ministry of Communities on Brickdam, only to be told just before 10:00 hrs they could not see the minister. The minister at reference is Minister within the Ministry of Communities Keith Scott, who has portfolio responsibility for housing matters. But the good news, however, is that although the steady swell of prospective homeowners was fast developing into an irate mob, more than 65 persons were allowed into the building before the gate was closed shut. Those left outside were advised that they would have to return at a later date to see the minister, since the day’s quota had already been met. In light of what transpired yesterday, Remington Nelson Personal Assistant to Minister Scott, is calling on members of the public to exercise patience when seeking audience with the minister. The Guyana Chronicle, around 10:00 hrs yesterday, responded to a call about a ‘ruckus’ outside the Ministry of Communities, as the former Ministry of Husing and Water is now called. On arrival there, several persons were seen queueing up outside the ministry’s gate waiting to gain entry to the

compound, while a guard was trying as tactfully as she could to control the situation. ‘MINISTER’S PUBLIC DAY’ Seeking to set the record straight, Nelson explained that Wednesday is a day set aside for Minister Scott to see members of the public to address land-related matters. On this day, referred to as ‘Minister’s Public Day’, the minister is available to the public from 08:00 hrs to 14:00 hrs, during which time he would see an average of 65 persons. The situation was no different yesterday. On arrival, persons are issued with numbers which determine the sequence in which they enter and occupy seats in the waiting area. Nelson recalled that at the last ‘open day’, some 58 persons were able to see the minister, and that this week that number had been generously increased to about 65, with a possibility of rounding off at 73. He reasoned that the minute people hear that the minister is having an ‘open day’, they turn up, fully expecting to see him. So when they hear about a shut-off point, that puts a damper on their spirits. But the reality is that, given that the minister will only work a specified number of hours in one day, he cannot meet with all the people who turn up that day.

Remington Nelson speaking with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday

Hence, only those who were booked were allowed entry yesterday, which is what caused the problem. But, Nelson said, the situation was quickly addressed and staff were made to take the names of those persons denied entry and record them for priority consideration next Wednesday, or whenever they can be accommodated on the minister’s list. CLEARING BACKLOG He also explained that due to circumstances beyond his control, the minister was not available to meet with the public over the last few weeks, hence the office is now trying to clear that backlog. He noted that there is a system in place for handling the ‘Minister’s Public Day’ initiative, and a committee Turn to page 16 ►

Minister Keith Scott addressing land concerns with members of the public yesterday at his Brickdam office

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 24, 2015

Deputy Mayor to Judiciary...

‘Get real serious with litterbugs’ By Rabindra Rooplall

CHALLENGED by an almost out-of-control garbage problem in the nation’s capital and several other parts

of the country, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) says it will be calling on the judiciary to address cases of littering on a more serious level.

City Hall wants penalties to be applied to business people guilty of littering and community service should be mandatory so guilty persons would face what many

cleaners go through to keep the city rubbish-free. In enhancing this call, Deputy Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green said the council has purchased an excavator to aid in the cleaning of the drainage within the city and the main canals. She said that the machine was bought from Guytrac with a 2013 subvention with additional funds which totalled $28M. TAKE WARNING “It is most unfortunate that while we are having works done, people continue to litter the alleyways that were just cleaned; storeowners continue to sweep stuff into the drain. I am going to place constables on the streets to walk, just to make sure that anyone found guilty of littering will be locked up,” the deputy mayor stressed. “I hope the judicial system is on board with us, and they just don’t reprimand and discharge those guilty

The $28M excavator purchased to aid in the city clean-up campaign

of littering. I am hoping that guilty persons are given the maximum fine, and referred to City Hall to do community work, so they can experience what cleaners face.” Chase-Green said further that anyone found paying social rejects to dump garbage into the alleyways will also be dealt with condignly, and she is hoping that everyone joins in for a cleaner and much healthier Guyana, since all will benefit. “I am happy we purchased our own excavator

and there is no need to rent one,” she emphasised. The Georgetown City Council and other councils across the country have been pressing the administration for more funding to assist with the development of their communities. The Council is imploring persons not to use the alleyways to dispose of either solid or liquid waste, warning that it will take serious action against those who deposit waste in the alleyways.

‘Patience!’ urges...

From page 15

Persons denied entry to see the minister yesterday after the quota ‘shut off’ point (Photos by Delano Williams)

that was specially set up will be revisiting the situation with a view to clearing that backlog. In that light, those who were there before would be given priority the next time around. CONCERNS Some of the concerns have to do with application for land - some new, some long overdue; persons seeking updates on the progress of their applications; and persons having other problems with land allocated to them. And commenting on what

would prevent a recurrence of this kind, Nelson categorically said “Patience!” He called for patience from members of the public, adding: “I can tell you, the minister is very concerned about meeting the housing needs of the entire population, moreso those who are in immediate need, so the public would have to have patience,” he reiterated. “It wouldn’t be fair to bring people who are now coming, and place them ahead of those who were there before. So he’s work-

ing to clear that backlog,” Nelson said. He threw out a call to members of the public, as he appealed to let good sense prevail and understand that sometimes many of the concerns they raise with him can be dealt with by other officials within the ministry.” He said a lot of the time, people will call the minister’s secretariat and the issues they want to discuss, more often than not, can be dealt with by the land administration officials, for example.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 24, 2015

PYARG joins police social crime prevention band

Commander Hicken shares the head table with the representatives of the PYARG to his immediate right and left and those from The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award; Edwin K. Kimani is at extreme left and David Clarke is at extreme right

By Leroy Smith THE Guyana Police Force Social Crime Prevention initiative continues to make friends along the way, while engaging the young people of Guyana in soft policing and developmental programmes. The latest friend and partner to join the initiative is the President Youth Award Programme of Guyana (PYARG). On Saturday last representatives of the programme along with Commander of ‘A’ Division Clifton Hicken and members of the division’s management team interacted with the Guyana Chronicle and shared their plans. Speaking during the event at the Diamond Secondary School, East Bank Demerara, was Allister Collins, President of the PYARG who pointed out that the body has recognised the work of the police, especially Commander Hicken’s role in the areas of youth development through the partnership approach and social crime prevention programmes. According to Collins, he plans to give his full support to the programmes of the police as they relate to the involvement of young people. Meanwhile, there will also be training for the young people as part of the partnership with the PYARG. He told the Guyana Chronicle that he will focus on training the young people as it was found that they are inadequately trained and equipped to deal with current struggles and situations. He said further that the PYARG feels strongly that

giving the young people support for their education and skills training will complement the work that the police are already doing. According to him, the work that is ongoing in the police ‘A’ Division is quite encouraging and so the PYARG is looking to see where this needs to be strengthened to keep the children gainfully occupied. DUKE’S PROGRAMME Meanwhile, Edwin K. Kimani, Regional Director of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, who is now in Guyana, commended the Guyana Police Force for its initiative. He reminded that policing should not only be restricted to fighting crime by confronting armed criminals but other methods ought to be adopted to ensure effectiveness. Kimani explained that community relations is indeed very important in crime fighting as he cited a similar approach in Kenya where he is from. He explained that the police in that part of Africa have been engaging the community on a social crime prevention front and it is proving to be very effective. David Clerk, also of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation and who serves as the Regional Director of the Americas, noted that the Duke’s programme is being executed in 144 countries across the world and once the necessary arrangements are put in place, then Guyana can be added to that list. He endorsed the community aspect of policing which is not only to offer protection

on the streets, but also to understand the social problems which are affecting the citizens and leading them to a life of crime. According to Clarke, there needs to be also an evidence-based approach to solving those issues and problems even as he, like his colleagues, commended the police for the work they have been doing with the young people as part of the Guyana Police Force Social Crime Prevention Programmes. Also speaking was Divisional Commander Hicken who is also seen as the lead person with respect to the Guyana Police Force Social Crime Prevention Approach, apart from Commissioner of

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 24, 2015

PYARG joins police social...

From page 17

The police management teams and the representatives of the PYARG and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award pose for a partnership photograph

Police Seelall Persaud. He reminded that the objective of the SCP programme of the GPF was first to develop the young people and provide them with proper role models but that focus has since been broadened where police in ‘A’ Division have been able to produce ten youth groups stretching from Conversation Street to Dora. Hicken said that the partnership with the PYARG could be expanded rapidly

but there needs to be a determination on both sides with respect to what roles each will play and talks in that regard have already commenced. He also called for sustenance of these partnerships and maintenance of the programmes which have the potential to change the perception of young people, especially those residing in the so-called depressed communities.

Gov’t freezes export of locust logs GOVERNMENT has placed a restriction on the export of locust logs, after investigations into the sector revealed there is an insufficient amount locally. That’s according to Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman, who has responsibility for the Natural Resources sector. “There were many trees cut and lined up for export, and the local market was not benefiting,” he said. “So I placed a freeze on that and we are working with Bai Shan Lin in particular to address the situation because while some must be exported, a quantity must remain for local furniture manufacturers.” He was however at pains to explain that government is not against foreign investment but there is need for such companies to abide by the laws of Guyana, most notably the labour laws, taxes and contractual agreements. FALSE NAMES Crabwood (Carapa guianensis) and locust (Hymenaea courbaril) are used in the local furniture industry. However, sources from within the forestry sector disclosed that companies are exporting these logs under false names, an offence under the Customs laws. Timbers which are protected against felling, because they are ecologically

Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman

important “keystone” species, such as bulletwood (Manilkara bidentata), are covered by Article 17 (1) in the Forest Regulations, but this protection can be removed by a GFC officer, and there is evidence that this high-quality timber is also exported under false names. A recent International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) report shows that many tropical countries are making considerable progress in developing their value-adding timber sectors, often based mainly on plantation resources, while another study provides insight into the manufacture of furniture from tropical timbers.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 24, 2015

Public service technicians ‘hack and steal’ software

– because previous govt refused to buy them

By Tajeram Mohabir

THE commissioners of the Public Service Inquiry yesterday heard that the public service is littered with old computers and technicians are forced to “hack” and ‘steal’ software on the Internet to keep the systems going. Assistant Development Coordinator Ryan Cumberbatch who has responsibility

for Information Technology told the commission that the purchase of software is not included in the Public Service Department budget, and is something that needs to be corrected. This, he said will help the ancient handicap systems to operate with greater efficiency while preventing technicians from resorting to an illegality that smacks of copyrights infringement. The commission was told

that the systems to which Cumberbatch referred are Dell computers, most of which were acquired in 2006. According to Cumberbatch, overtime, key parts of these systems wore out, and they had to be sourced overseas since parts of other system do not work on Dell. He lamented that monies are not released for the purchase of computers and the Information Technology

Kemo Benjamin testifying before the commission yesterday (Adrian Narine photo)

team utilise their skills to the maximum in putting parts and the hacked software to-

gether to get the old system going and to revive discarded ones. Some of Comberbatch’s concerns might be soon addressed as Advisor on E-Government Floyd Levi recently met with regional representatives of Microsoft and CISCO Corporations to discuss support for government’s planned ICT initiatives. These projects are geared towards centralising key services and licensing for government ministries and agencies. Meanwhile, junior Human Resource Management Consultant Kemo Benjamin, a University of Guyana law graduate told the commissioners that he believes some persons who attain retirement age should be retained. He said many are still fit and mentally agile at their work and can contribute to the continued professionalisation of the public service and the development of Guyana. A nervous Benjamin said his legal training was handy when it comes to the analytical aspects of his job, but pointed out that his work is limited to the Personnel Section of the Public Service Department. Benjamin joined the Public Service about two years ago through the public service Management Modernisation Programme and when the programme ended, he was absorbed into the public service proper. NEVER FORCED According to the young consultant, he was never forced by his superiors to do things he was not supposed to do, and on most occasions, he keeps to himself. Chair of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Professor Harold Lutchman enquired of Benjamin if he was uncomfortable divulging information to the commission and would prefer the hearing to be done in-camera. But Benjamin declined, saying he is comfortable speaking on facts rather than hearsay. He nevertheless pointed out that the public service rules are too rigid, and are rigidly enforced. The consultant suggested that attention be shifted from a rules-based to a policy-based approach

Ryan Cumberbatch taking the oath to speak the truth (Adrian Narine photo)

so as to maintain firmness and some flexibility in the approach to work. Benjamin also called for more emphasis to be placed on training in the public service, pointing out that while training programmes exist at the management level, persons have to be selected to attend them. The commission also heard that there is no proper orientation for new employees. In the past, Commissioner Samuel Goolsarran related that all new employees were given an orientation, were trained for the job they will assume, and were given a general breakdown on how the different public service agencies are related. Benjamin also told the commission that a lot of persons in the Public Service who are university trained do not get an opportunity to put their talent to work, a situation he described as unfair. If this situation is corrected, he said it will go a far way in boosting the morale of the many professional public servants. Aside from Professor Lutchman who chairs the commission, the body comprises Samuel Goolsarran and Sandra Jones who are commissioners, and Geeta Chandan-Edmond, who is Secretary to the Commission. The purpose of the commission is to enquire into and make recommendations on the roles, functions, recruitment, training, remuneration, conditions of service and other matters pertaining to personnel employed into public service.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 24, 2015

Roopnaraine urges move on reforming copyrights laws – says failure is to institutionalise intellectual piracy policy and legislative measures,” he said. The minister stated that there has been no evidence offered to support the claim that intellectual property legislation would be harmful to the ‘small man’, adding an economy that places value on piracy, at the expense of creative people, is one that needed urgent reform. “Failure to

(From L-R) Attorney-General, Basil Williams; Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine; Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo; Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

MINISTER of Education, Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine says it was time that this country takes serious steps to reform its intellectual property rights laws, noting that failure to do so was virtually institutionalising intellectual piracy. Roopnaraine made the comments during his feature address at the 2nd Convocation of the Institute of Creative Arts (ICA) Tuesday evening at the National Cultural Centre, the Ministry of Education said in a report. While

addressing the matter of Intellectual Property Policy Reform, Minister Roopnaraine stated “it remains absurd therefore if our legislation and general policy framework on intellectual property remains both out of date and completely ineffective.” “Just as we are required to and are in the process of creating petroleum management policy and legislation in expectation of the exploitation of our petroleum deposits, we have to prepare for the development and exploitation of our creative industries by putting in place basic

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (right) presents the ICA Lifetime Achievement Award to drum master, Mr. Mangal Raghunandan

move forward on IP reform is a de facto institutionalisation of intellectual piracy and any developing country that institutionalises intellectual piracy is ill prepared for advancement in the information age where a premium is placed on ideas… I have committed in Parliament, to initiate concrete measures towards IP legislation within the

upcoming year,” Minister Roopnaraine pinpointed. He added that efforts towards this end could not be done under the sole responsibility of the ministry but would also benefit from external expert advice, adequate research, technical assistance from international partners, and the committed involvement of Turn to page 22 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 24, 2015

Roopnaraine urges move on... stakeholders. “Only, when our creative people can be assured of living in a society in which adequate protection is placed on their invaluable work can the establishment of an Institute of Creative Arts truly make sense,” the minister cited. CREATIVE PEOPLE Meanwhile, Dr Roopnaraine said “If we are indeed training creative people for functional lives as creative people, then we need to urgently pursue the creation of accredited programmes being run under the aegis of the Institute of Creative

Arts” He added that before the end of this year there will be a caucus of Guyana’s best and brightest minds in artistic training, curriculum development and accreditation coming together to ensure that, as soon as possible, students who pass through ICA programmes are provided with useful skills as well as the certification to prove it. Minister Roopnaraine indicated that at present, “the ICA’s institutional label is more aspirational than actual, and there remain gaps between the rhetoric

of its establishment and the reality…while some of the goals set for it have been achieved, others have not.” He expressed the hope that the absence of creative writing at the Institute was one anomaly that would be soon corrected. Another area of concern brought up by the minister was the physical establishment of the Institute of Creative Arts. He noted that as resourceful as it might appear to have the functions of the Institute spread among four different locations; it is counterproductive to have this situation exist in

perpetuity. “Within the next two years, as part of an overall focus on the enhancement of cultural and creative industry infrastructure, I commit towards the establishment of a central location for the ICA, a campus if the resources allow for it,” Minister Roopnaraine announced. This was welcomed by loud applause from the audience which consisted of students, their families and friends and managers of the ICA. Meanwhile, in his report, the Principal of the Institute of Creative Arts (ICA), Dr. James Rose explained that this is not the first institute of creative arts. In the 1970s an Institute of Creative Arts (ICA) was established as the teaching arm of the National History and Arts Council. This original institute was armed with five departments, namely Art,

From page 21

Dance, Drama, Music and Creative Writing. That initiative however soon folded until the present incarnation was established in 2013. Dr. Rose announced that at the end of the 201415 academic year the ICA boasted a combined full time & part time enrollment of 591 – the combined graduating class of 2015 numbered 75. He explained that since the first convocation last year, graduates have gone on to provide service in the secondary school system, excelled in fine art and drama, and have launched a professional theatre company. The ICA which includes the National School of Drama and Theatre Arts, National School of Dance, the E.R. Burrowes School of Art and the National School of Music presented certificates to the 2015 graduating class and special awards were

presented to the most outstanding students in each class. The awardees included the Valedictorian Subraj Singh (NSTAD), Quacy Welcome (Dance), Mark Junor (Dance), Laro n G u l l i v e r, M a r g a r e t Cornette and Nigel Butler f r o m t h e E . R . B u r r o wes School of Art, Jomar Knights from the National School of Music and LeTisha Chere DaSilva (NSTAD). Aside from the students, four awardees were presented with Lifetime Achievement Awards by Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo: Francis Quamina Farrier (Drama), Linda Griffith (Dance), Bernadette P e r s a u d ( Vi s u a l A r t s ) and Mangal Raghunandan (Drumming). Also present at the ceremony was Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Basil Williams.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 24, 2015

Gold smuggling task force to refine action plan AN inter-agency meeting was held yesterday as investigators intensify their probe into the organised billion-dollar gold-smuggling racket, said Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman, who has responsibility for the Natural Resources sector. Stakeholders at that meeting included representatives from the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Guyana Gold Board, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and members of the Asset Recovery Unit of the Ministry of the Presidency. “We have looked at the arms and tentacles of this problem, particularly the export end. We discussed collaboration with foreign countries and we have agreed to establish a task force to

bridge collaboration at all ends. We are meeting in two weeks to refine our action plan,” Trotman said. STOLEN IN CURAÇAO Noting that Guyana’s gold has gone as far as the Middle East, China and Europe, Trotman said government is also tracking the gold that was stolen in Curacao. “The President is signalling that we have a review of the tax laws and royalties paid. For example, one complaint has been that royalties paid in Suriname are lower and many may prefer to take the gold to Suriname where they get higher prices. But I know Suriname has made some adjustment recently, so it’s not as attractive as before,” the Governance Minister said. Guyana had asked Curacao for help in tracing

the origin of US$11.5 million worth of raw gold that was stolen by gunmen from a Guyanese fishing vessel on the Dutch Caribbean Island in 2012. According to reports, 470 pounds of raw gold divided into 70 bars were hauled off the MV Summer Bliss by six men. They were described as hooded, masked and wearing jackets with the English word “police” instead of the Papiamento language equivalent of “polis.” Trotman, however, noted that the new government is digging deep to uncover all aspects of the report on the gold smuggling that has been missing for the past two years. PLAYERS ON THE RADAR Several local and international players in the gold

industry are on the radar, as investigators intensify their probe into the organised billion dollar gold smuggling racket. Gold produced by miners here has to be sold to the Guyana Gold Board which then makes arrangements for its refining abroad. Any other type of sale is prohibited. However, there have been numerous reports of widespread smuggling of gold to other territories where tax rates are lower. This is particularly true of the former Dutch possession, Suriname. However, local sources questioned how 7,616 ounces of gold could be accumulated and spirited out of this country just like that. It was surmised that the gold could have come from multiple sources and destinations. (Rabindra Rooplall)

CARICOM Ministers discuss collective position on UN Climate Change Convention submissions CARICOM Ministers with responsibility for Environment and Climate Change, earlier this week, convened a high level meeting in St Lucia, where the Region’s position on climate change, which will be presented at the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference, was discussed. Guyana was represented by Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman and Andrew Bishop, Guyana’s Lead Negotiator for issues pertaining to the UNFCCC. A Ministry of the Presidency release stated that the team participated in discussions on climate change issues that are affecting the Region and presented Guyana’s position on the Region’s submission to the convention, which will be held in Paris, France, later this year. Minister Trotman said that global warming, higher sea levels and extreme weather patterns pose a serious threat to coastal low lying states, such as Guyana and the Caribbean Islands. For many of these States most of the population, infrastructure and food production activities are found on or close to

the coastlands. The ministerial engagement was described as successful, since it has managed to establish that at the Regional level, there is now strong resolve and consensus on emission reduction targets, support for adaptation, loss and damage and the need for special consideration for small islands and low lying areas such as Guyana. The success of the meeting is expected to enhance the consolidation of both national and regional positions in anticipation of reaching consensus in Paris, France. Despite its low emissions and limited resources, Guyana has completed its nationally determined contribution to the global effort, and expects to submit this to the UNFCCC by October 1, 2015. The UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP 21), scheduled for Paris in December, is expected to deliver a much needed global agreement, to limit Global warming, while providing the necessary resources to developing countries, which are often to support the management of the adverse effects of Climate Change.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 24, 2015

New Director General of GCAA by October-Min. Ferguson A NEW Director General for the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is to be named in October following the “reconfiguration and reintroduction” of the GCAA’s board, a press release from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure stated on Wednesday. In May, former Director General Zulficar Mohamed retired from the post after serving the Authority for more than 34-years. Acting in the post is Chaitrani Heeralall, the GCAA’s Air Navigation Services Director. Heeralall has been described as the most senior

person to hold the post of Director General. “The appointment of members to the agencies’ Boards, under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, should be publicised in early October. Nominees were already submitted by the respective agencies,” Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure said recently. She said, following the appointment of a new board, the identification of a Director General will be priority. “And one of the pressing issues to be addressed by the appoint-

Bar Association donates ‘rights of arrested person’ handouts to police

President of the Guyana Bar Association Christopher Ram hands over a copy of the “Rights of Arrested Persons” to Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud

PRESIDENT of the Guyana Bar Association, Christopher Ram, yesterday presented laminated copies of the “Rights of Arrested Persons” to the Guyana Police Force. The presentation was made to Commissioner of Police Mr. Seelall Persaud, in the presence of other senior officers of the Police Force, in the Commissioner’s Conference Room at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary. According to a police release, in handing over the documents, Ram stated that the GBA is committed to the improvement of general conditions in Guyana, including the ensuring that justice is better served. He said the Association

has recognised the tremendous work being done by the Guyana Police Force and that it stood available for any necessary assistance. In accepting the presentation, Commissioner Persaud noted that it resulted from an earlier positive engagement with the Bar Association and expressed gratitude for their delivering in a timely manner. The Commissioner indicated that the documents will be placed at conspicuous locations in the Enquiries Office at Police Stations for the information of the public, and a reminder to police ranks as well, which will assist in the quality of service delivered to the public.

ed Director General will be the appointment of Air Traffic Controllers, who made submissions about lack of appointments over the past eight years,” Ferguson said. Four internal applicants, the ministry said were interviewed for the post; however the appointment was stalled due to the dissolution of the Board.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 24, 2015

Berbicians rally against child sexual abuse SOCIAL Protection Minister, Volda Lawrence has made an impassioned call for an aggressive campaign to combat the scourge of child sexual abuse, currently testing the resolve of governments the world over. “We cannot allow our children to be continuously victimised by unscrupulous perpetrators; we have to mount an aggressive campaign to combat this trend and to destroy this monster,” she said.

“This monster is mauling and threatening to destroy the lives of many of our children,” she told a rally on the Corentyne in Berbice to mark Child Protection Week. To prove how serious the situation is here, Minister Lawrence said, “The ministry, moreso the Child Protection Agency, is bombarded by reports of sexual abuse acts perpetrated on children and young adults, leaving them so traumatised they’re finding it difficult to enjoy the life of

normalcy thereafter…” She said that it is with this thought aforemost that the rally was being held in Berbice so as to let folks out there know what is happening with our children; and to raise awareness among the children themselves so as they’d be better able to protect themselves should the occasion arise. That said, she used the opportunity to commend Director of the Child Protection Agency, Ann Greene and her A section of the school students at the rally in Berbice

staff, as well as the St Francis Community Developers’ Alex Foster and his team for organising the rally and initiating a plan of action for the community. Noting that the government is committed to protecting children, the human resources of the future, Minister Lawrence said rallies are integral to her ministry’s plan for reducing and eliminating the high incidence of sexually abusive acts against children, in the hope that the family, the community and agencies would be armed with the requisite skills to fight this scourge. The theme itself, “Breaking the silence on Child Sexual abuse”, she said, says it all, as it allows attendees to overcome their bashfulness, and raise their voices against those who are taking advantage of, and abusing our children. ALARMING STATISTICS According to CPA’s Ms Greene, 76.6 % of the reported child sexual abuse cases were from victims within the very Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne). “From January to June 2015,” she said, “there has been 334 sexual abuse cases, with 256 coming from this region… And this is the tip of the iceberg, as child abuse is a hidden crime.” As for the incidence of under-aged sexual activity resulting in pregnancy, Greene said not only is this becoming common, any hope for the perpetrators being brought to justice is few and far, as a number of cases fall down long before they reach the court, due to poor investigating techniques. Further, Ms Green noted the tendency of ‘setting free ’, the perpetrator after the 72 hours have expired and even as the cases are referred to the

Director of Public Prosecution for advice. This, she said, has resulted in many perpetrators absconding from the community, country and the courts. “This this has to stop. The perpetrators must be placed before the courts within the seventy two hours ‘, she emphasised passionately.” Green said children who are sexually abused are tormented” …they feel they are responsible for the abuse or somehow they made it happen, and we are living in a society where the sexual violators are receiving more support than the victims, as many of the violators are family members . And parents and guardians urge the child not to tell anyone, and they continue to exist as though the act never occurred.” The director informed the gathering that it was for this reason that children are taken from their homes and placed in alternative care , as it was very hard for a child to get over sexual abuse , even as family members and the community shun that victim. ‘’Today the messages must be strong that child abuse must not be tolerated in any form in our community. We must not stand idly and see child abuse destroy our children … No more can we stay silent. If you stay silent you are part of the problem, but if you speak out you are part of the solution. We must speak out and join with forces, to rid our society of this evil of child abuse.” Meanwhile, Deputy Regional Executive Officer Mr . Imran Ally, noted that as an evolving nation, the government, and all stakeholders need to unite so as to initiate a conversation in an attempt of breaking the silence of child sexual abuse. ‘In so doing families need to be strengthened, so children can be protected…”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday September 24, 2015

Cops pocket $6M, give cocaine bus free pass By Leroy Smith

POLICE have arrested three of their own for allegedly taking $6M in bribes to set free four men who were caught with large quantities of cocaine in a minibus in Berbice. Up to press time the three ranks from Berbice including an Assistant Superintendent were under close arrest at the Central Police Station, New Amsterdam. Contacted on the issue, Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum would only say that ranks from Georgetown have travelled to Berbice to investigate a very pressing matter, but he would neither confirm nor deny the report. However, usually reliable sources in the Guyana Police Force late last evening confirmed that on September 10, 2015, a vehicle with police ranks were performing patrol duties along the Corentyne corridor when they stopped and searched a minibus which was allegedly carrying large quantities of cocaine and cash. It is unclear whether the route 63 Moleson Creek to Georgetown mini-bus was heading up the Corentyne or

to Georgetown when it was intercepted. This newspaper was told that the police had received a tip-off that the minibus would usually be transporting drugs, guns and cash. They were also provided with the vehicle number and the travel schedule for the bus. The police ranks while in the vicinity of Springlands, East Corentyne, Berbice, observed the vehicle and decided to stop it to carry out a search of the vehicle and the occupants. It was during that search that the police discovered that the vehicle was indeed ferrying a very large quantity of cocaine and cash at the time. The ranks on the patrol with the most senior one at the time being a police corporal negotiated with the occupants of the vehicle and the occupants agreed to hand over $6M cash on the spot to the three police ranks who were on the patrol. The men then allowed the vehicle to continue its journey with the cocaine and remaining large amount of cash while they provided safe passage for the vehicle before returning to a Police Station along the Corentyne Coast. While there the ranks reportedly informed a very senior

Missing 14-year-old probeâ€Ś

Victim clams up on police, suspects released THE 14-year-old girl who went missing last Wednesday and was found in a minibus a few days later, has completely ceased cooperating with investigators looking into the circumstances of her disappearance. The Guyana Chronicle was yesterday informed that the child who continues to visit the police station in the company of her parents for counseling by faith-based leaders and questioning by investigators have since left them with many unanswered questions. On the first day of her interrogation, in the presence of her parents, the child told the police that she also saw two other girls at a house that she visited during the period she was away from her parents. At the house also was one of the men who the police had in custody but was since released as the 72-hour detention period elapsed. The girl, however, has refused to let the police know where she saw the two other girls. Meanwhile police sourc-

es in â€˜Aâ€™ Division, which is investigating the matter, have since confirmed that the three persons who were picked up -- the 18-yearold, a 37-year-old, and the labourer who was picked up on the same day with a police constable -- have all been released on $50,000 station bail each, and are required to continue visiting the police station on a weekly basis. The police constable, however, who is stationed at the Highway Patrol Base, and who was said to be in a compromising position with the girl, according to her, remains under close arrest, as the ranks continue to probe the incident. This publication was informed that the police are examining the possibility that the men involved in the disappearance of the child from her home might be key players in a Trafficking in Persons ring. Already the Ministry of Social Protection has been involved in the matter, following closely the developments with respect to the disclosures by the child.

officer of the illegal transaction that they were involved in, but instead of reprimanding his charges he allegedly took a part of the money. The police source who spoke with this publication indicated that the matter hit the light of day after one of the ranks on the patrol was not satisfied with the amount of money that he received as part of the bargain which had to be done in

order to facilitate the bribing of his senior officer. Another version was however that after word of the transaction began to float around the division a police rank who heard of it contacted a senior police rank who immediately launched an investigation and ordered that the named rank be placed under close arrest. The owner of the minibus and the conductor

who were working the minibus on the day in question are not in custody but are said to be cooperating fully with the police in this investigation. However the whereabouts of the cocaine and cash which the minibus was allowed to drive off with have not been located. The police up to late last evening have not been able to determine where the items

were delivered. From all indications according to police sources, the cash and cocaine might have come from neighbouring Suriname. The matter is engaging the attention of ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department in Georgetown who travelled to Berbice yesterday afternoon as well as ranks from the Police Office of Professional Responsibility.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 24, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday September 24, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday September 24, 2015

SCA playoffs set for this weekend Tainted trio will … HACC face stiff challenge in quest of sixth title tarnish new... By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada – The predominantly Guyanese Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) are aiming to win an unprecedented sixth consecutive Premiere League title when the playoffs in the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) get under way on Saturday. But unlike previous years when they were firm favourites, they face a stiff challenge to maintain their supremacy. Having not tasted defeat in 29 successive matches over a three-year span, HACC were jolted this season, suffering two losses, the first an embarrassing one to TP Tigers and also going down to Toronto Smashers in the preliminary rounds. Long-standing HACC president Narchand ‘Archie’ Mohan is understandably worried but nevertheless confident that his charges will rise to the occasion when the knockout stage kicks off on Saturday and that they will be celebrating a sixth title the following weekend. At last year ’s season-ending presentation ceremony, a jubilant Mohan was quite emphatic that the current accomplishments will be hard to equal much less emulate in years to come and according to him opponents are now looking at HACC with “bloodshot eyes”.

From Backpage

Flashback: HACC players pose with supporters following last season’s fifth consecutive Premiere League victory. Mohan had also declared then that he was extremely proud to be part of the HACC family and while “I have been proud to be raising the five fingers on my right hand, I am eagerly looking forward to start raising those on the left.” The club’s reign of successes in finals started in 2010 when they trounced Panoli Cricket Club and this was followed by victories over East West XI in 2011, Victoria Park in 2012, Bawa XI in 2013 and East West again in 2014 when the latter staged an unruly protest over an umpiring decision and the match was awarded to HACC.

Unlike previous years, HACC were beset by not having the core of their top players together and suffered as a result and had to be content with finishing second in Conference A of the league. It should however be noted that they easily defeated Highland Creek who emerged top and whom they are likely to face in the group’s final on Sunday for a place in next Saturday’s (October 3) overall final. Chief Executive Officer and Coordinator Eon Gunraj has given the assurance that HACC will be raring to go this weekend despite the absence of former West Indies

and current Guyana one-day player Royston Crandon and former West Indies B and Guyana opener Krishna Arjune who are expected to be engaged in the Toronto and District Elite semi-finals, representing Brampton Masters. Both Crandon and Arjune could still be available for the final, providing HACC enter winners’ row on Saturday and Sunday. Arjune has been in fine form recently, smashing his second century of this season, a blistering 132 versus Toronto Cricketers while Crandon has been consistent with both bat and ball.

England call up Patel ECCB/Elizabeth Styles for injured Ansari Cricket continues on Sunday

THE East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) otherwise known as the East Coast Demerara Cricket Association (ECDCA)/Elizabeth Styles competition continues on Sunday with several matches. Enterprise ‘Busta’ Sports Club (B) will host Golden Grove at Enterprise Community Centre while Enterprise ‘Busta’ Sports Club (A) will visit the Buxton ‘Carl Hooper’ Sports Club Lusignan Sports Club (A) will take on Mon Repos Sports Club (A) at Lusignan while the Better Hope sides (A & B) will play each other at home. The Club of the tournament will take away $350 000 while there will be prizes and trophies for the second-placed teams as well as the player-of-the-final. Meanwhile, a date for the East Coast Cricket Board Trophy 2nd Division final between Better Hope Sports Club (B) and Bravados Sports Club will be announced shortly. All matches will be played strictly in accordance with the rules and regulations of the ECCB (ECDCA) with regard to the preparation and availability of the hosts’ facilities.

LONDON, England (Reuters) - England have called up spin-bowling all-rounder Samit Patel in place of the injured Zafar Ansari for the Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said yesterday. The uncapped Ansari dislocated his thumb playing for Surrey in a County Championship match last week on the day he was named in the squad for the first time. Patel, 30, has played five Tests, the last one against India in 2012.

Samit Patel

return to competitive cricket from September 2 after serving bans for a fixing scandal in 2010. The trio have been put under strict monitoring by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and local media have ruled out an international return for any of them before February. The inaugural PSL, to be held in February in either United Arab Emirates or Doha, is likely to feature them but Raja feared it would be a setback for the image of the Twenty20 competition which will also feature players including Kevin Pietersen, Shakib Al Hasan and Dwayne Bravo. “I have solid views regarding this matter. The crime committed by them is unforgivable,” Ramiz, now a commentator, told Dawn News. “I personally would never want them to be a part of

the PSL as it is going to be extremely dangerous for the model of the event and image of Pakistan cricket.” He resented the trio being allowed to use Lahore’s National Cricket Academy (NCA) for their rehabilitation. “They get special treatment at the NCA. They are provided with young players to train with, they get their clothes washed and have food at the academy. This is not acceptable,” he said. Twenty20 leagues in India and Bangladesh have been hit by corruption scandals and Ramiz, who played 57 Tests between 19841997, said PSL organisers must be vigilant against the menace. “With involvement of money comes in the potential of corruption, but avoiding such circumstances totally depends on high quality management and organising skills.”

Next Generation boxing card ... From Backpage

Shopping Mall. Other fights on the night would have featured professional debutant Imran Khan versus David Thomas in a lightweight fight over four rounds The opening bout of the night would have featured debutant Terrence Adams against Keeve Allicock over four rounds in a featherweight contest while the main supporting bout had billed Anson Green and Quincy Gomes in a six-round junior welterweight contest. In the amateur section at the youth lightweight level Orin Bancroft of the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) was matched against Harpy Eagles’ Travis Hubbard while at the Elite flyweight division Tefon Green (GDF)

would have taken on Dexter Wray (Republican). Welterweight action would have pitted Glenroy Smith (Essequibo Boxing Gym against Republican’s Clifton Graham while Nankumar Singh (Republican) vs Kelon King (FYF) would have engaged in a lightweight contest. The event’s corporate sponsors are: Banks DIH Limited, COURTS Guyana Inc., Giftland OfficeMax, Ansa McAl, Guyana Oil Company, Handin-Hand, GTM, Digicel Guyana Inc., Guyana Beverages Inc., Guyana Tourism Authority, King’s Jewellery World, Massy Industries Guyana Limited, Queen’s Atlantic, Fly Jamaica and Top Brand Distributors. (Stephan Sookram)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday September 24, 2015

Bangladesh police ‘serious’ about Hossain hunt POLICE in Bangladesh have defended their efforts to find missing Test cricketer Shahadat Hossain. Hossain, 29, and his wife have been missing for more than two weeks after allegations they abused and tortured an 11-year-old housemaid, who was found on the street in Dhaka on September 6. Police have been criticised for failing to find the pair. Nazrul Islam, the investigation’s senior officer, told the BBC’s Bengali

Shahadat Hossein has played for Bangladesh since 2005.

Service they were “serious about it”. He added: “We have conducted raids in Shahadat’s father’s house, and his in-laws’ house. “It doesn’t matter if he’s a national cricketer or not - he’s an accused before the eyes of the law. We will track him down and put him before the court.” Authorities have come under scrutiny for their failure to find Hossain in the 17 days since he disappeared. Mozammel Haq - who found Hossain’s maid and is now the plaintiff in the case

Wood, Morgan acquire central contracts LONDON, England (Reuters) - England fast bowler Mark Wood has been awarded a central contract following his impressive performances against New Zealand and Australia this year. The 25-year-old took 19 wickets in six Test matches and bowled Australia’s Nathan Lyon at Trent Bridge to seal England’s Ashes victory. One-day and Twenty20 captain Eoin Morgan was also added to the nine players who were already on central contracts. “ We c o n g r a t u l a t e Mark Wood on winning a central contract for the first time,” England cricket director Andrew

England fast bowler Mark Wood Strauss said in an England have a role to play in all and Wales Cricket Board three formats of the internastatement yesterday. tional game over the next 12 “This award reflects his months. excellent performances for “Eoin Morgan’s award England this summer and reflects his status as capour expectation that he will tain of our limited-overs

teams and the wider importance we place on white-ball cricket as we prepare for a busy period of T20 and one-day International cricket over the next 12 months, including the World T20 tournament in India next year.” Centrally-contracted players: Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Steven Finn, Eoin Morgan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood A further eight players have been awarded incremental contracts: Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Chris Woakes, James Taylor.

WADA to stop drugs manufacture in China

THE World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has signed an agreement with China’s sports ministry in a bid to eliminate illegal manufacture and supply of performance-enhancing drugs in the country.

WADA has long maintained that China is the world’s top producer and exporter of PEDs, which are sold on websites and shipped around the world. “The partnership signifies a significant break-

through,” says WADA. “The information collected is of huge value to anti-doping authorities.” David Howman, WADA director-general, added: “There have been great strides made in recent years

by government agencies and law enforcement in shutting down large-scale doping rings. “This progress has helped prevent doping substances from reaching the hands of athletes.”(BBC Sport)

- is among those to have expressed their frustration. “I found the girl in a street near my house - she was severely injured,” Mr Haq told the BBC’s Bengali Service. “She alleged that she had been tortured by Shahadat Hossain. “I took her to the police station and filed a case. It is very frustrating that he has not been arrested.” Hossain has been suspended from all cricket by the Bangladesh Cricket Board while the allegations are investigated. Who is Shahadat Hos-

sain? Hossain is a medium-fast bowler who is arguably Bangladesh’s most famous player. He has played for the Tigers since 2005. He has taken 70 wickets in 36 Tests and 47 wickets in 51 one-day internationals, with best figures of 6-27. Domestically, he plays for Dhaka Division. Hossain last played for Bangladesh in a Test match against Pakistan in May, when he twisted his right knee and was ruled out action for six months. He was the first Bangladesh player to have his name added to the Lord’s honours board when he took 5-98 against England in May 2010. (BBC Sport)

RHTYSC unveils 45th Anniversary brochure and billboard

THE Management and members of the Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under-19 and the Intermediate cricket, and Bakewell Under-17 cricket teams last weekend unveiled a brochure and billboard to mark the township of Rose Hall’s 45th Anniversary and the Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC). The full-coloured brochure features a message from RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, profile of Rose Hall Village, history of Rose Hall Town as well as Mayors and Town Clerks of the town 1970-2015, It also features a profile of Vic Persaud - Director of Protocol, important telephone numbers in the township and outstanding residents of the township. A profile brochure also features photos of Test batsman Assad Fudadin, the Independence Arch, the township monument Demerara Bank and Republic Bank. Foster praised the Pepsi Under-19 and Bakewell Under-17 teams which include players like Brandon Prashad, Kevlon Anderson, Plaffina Millington, Junior Sinclair, Brandon Corlette, Denzil Sinclair, Jason Anderson and Azam Khan for their hard work off the cricket field and for completing dozens of projects to make a positive difference in the lives of their peers. National Under-15 players Kevlon Anderson stated that the cricket teams are extremely proud to be associated with the RHTYSC as they are not only taught how to play cricket but also to develop skills of management, public relations and the ability to make a positive difference in the lives of those who need assistance. The cricketers funded the cost of the brochure while Bakewell sponsored the anniversary billboard.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday September 24, 2015

Scots burst Japan bubble, Australia and France win By Justin Palmer LONDON, England (Reuters) - Scotland burst Japan’s bubble at the Rugby World Cup yesterday as Australia began their campaign with a hardfought win over Fiji while a workmanlike France made it two wins out of two by seeing off Romania. Japan had leapfrogged Scotland in the world rankings on the back of Saturday’s stunning slaying of twice-winners South Africa but, with just a four-day turnaround from their opening game, ran out of gas in Gloucester as the Scots won 45-10 in Pool B. Australia overcame Fiji 28-13 in Pool A but could not claim a fourth-try bonus point as England had done against the Pacific

Finn Russell celebrates with team mates after scoring the fifth try for Scotland. (Reuters Eddie KeoghLivepic) Islanders in the tournament opener. France saw off Romania 38-11 in Pool D at London’s Olympic stadium. A reminder that the dark arts are still practised on the

pitch came when Argentine lock Mariano Galarza was given a nine-week ban after being found guilty of eye gouging during his team’s defeat against New Zealand. Japan could not sustain their high-energy game

Swiss AG asks FIFA for access to Valcke emails By Mark Hosenball ZURICH, Switzerland (Reuters) - Switzerland’s Attorney General (AG) Michael Lauber has formally asked FIFA to give investigators access to the email accounts of the global football organisation’s suspended general secretary Jerome Valcke. “The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) has requested FIFA to get access to all email accounts of Jerome Valcke,” a spokesman for the office said in an email. “These email accounts are under seal by FIFA so far. The OAG has not received access to J. Valcke’s email accounts until today due to FIFA sealing them.” Va l c k e , t h e s e c ond-in-command to president Sepp Blatter at FIFA, was put on leave and “released from his duties” last Thursday after allegations he was involved in a plan to re-sell 2014 World Cup tickets at a big mark-up, pending an investigation by the FIFA ethics committee. A source close to FIFA said late yesterday in response to questions from Reuters that it was never the organisation’s intent to withhold Valcke’s emails from prosecutors and that it was

likely they will be handed over to the Attorney General’s office today. A FIFA spokesperson said: “We are committed to collaborating with the authorities and it is an ongoing process.” Access to emails could give Swiss investigators insight into potentially valuable information about Valcke’s work, and that of other officials, within the troubled body. Swiss investigators have been looking into FIFA corruption in a parallel probe to that being carried out by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). In May the DOJ indicted 14 football officials and sports marketing executives on a series of corruption-related charges, with seven arrested in Zurich just before a FIFA congress. Valcke, a 54-year-old Frenchman, has been in the job for the past eight years and is the highest profile figure in the corruption-plagued organisation to be targeted during the current series of scandals. Ticket dealer Benny Alon produced documents last week claiming there was a deal between his company JB Sports Marketing and Valcke. The former Israeli foot-

ball player said he agreed in 2013 to pay cash to Valcke to secure plum World Cup tickets in Brazil. He said the plan was to then sell the tickets to fans at a markup and split the proceeds with Valcke, though he added that the deal was never completed.” As for JB Sports Marketing, FIFA has delivered information to the OAG,” said the spokesman for the OAG. Valcke’s lawyer last week “unequivocally” denied the allegations, labelling them as “fabricated and outrageous”. The Valcke case was handed over on Thursday to the Investigatory Chamber of FIFA’s Ethics Committee and he could face a possible ban from future involvement in the game if he is found to have broken FIFA ethics rules. Lauber said last week that his investigation had so far gathered around 11 terabytes of electronic data and that 121 different bank accounts have been flagged for suspicious activity. The attorney general also said that his office had conducted house searches in western Switzerland and seized apartments in the Swiss mountains that may have been used to launder money.

that they used to such great effect against South Africa as a vibrant second-half display from Scotland produced five tries, including two for centre Mark Bennett. “There was no lack of focus, we just didn’t execute well,” said Japan coach Eddie Jones. Refusing to acknowledge fatigue may have played a part against a fresh Scotland team, he added: “We are a fit team and I thought we did well and kept on running. We just weren’t good enough.” Australia have had to watch while their rivals for Pool A supremacy England and Wales flexed their muscles and the Wallabies were somewhat rusty after their long wait in Cardiff. Number eight David Pocock claimed two first-half tries from rolling mauls to lay the platform for the twice world champions, and a try by prop Sekope Kepu soon after the break set them

on course for a comfortable if not overly convincing win. “I know the boys have been waiting to play for a long time and the level of physicality and work was really positive for us,” coach Michael Cheika said. Winger Sofiane Guitoune scored two of muchchanged France’s five tries against Romania but it was more workmanlike than convincing from Philippe Saint-Andre’s men who were given a halftime rocket by the less-than-impressed coach. Pumas forward Galarza will miss the rest of the tournament after he was found guilty of making “contact with the eye or eye area” of All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick during their Pool C defeat at Wembley on Sunday. Galarza denied the act of foul play but his absence leaves the Pumas with only three recognised locks, one

of whom is injured, as they prepare to tackle Georgia tomorrow. South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer has come in for huge criticism since the Japan defeat but he came out fighting yesterday. “I’ve been knocked down a few times in my life but mostly come back, so I still believe we can do it,” Meyer told reporters after making eight changes for their second Pool B game against Samoa at Villa Park on Saturday. The casualties included veteran hooker Bismarck du Plessis, fullback Zane Kirchner, centre Jesse Kriel and the halfback pairing of Ruan Pienaar and Pat Lambie. H o l d e r s a n d t o u rnament favourites New Zealand will field a second-string side against Namibia, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, in the sole match today.

Trinis face Everest, Media Boys tackle Lalun in fundraiser EVEREST Cricket Club is continuing its developmental work at the historic venue and has planned a fun day to raise funds. To assist in the venture, the Camp Road club will be hosting the Trinidad and Tobago-based Central Renegades Sports and Cultural Club from today to September 28. Tomorrow there will be

two exciting cricket matches beginning at 09:30hrs. In the opening fixture, the red-hot Media XI will take on newly crowned Amerindian Heritage Sports cricket champs Laluni Sports Club then the Trinis will play Everest Masters in the feature match of the day from 13:00hrs. Added attraction includes music by a live band and par-

ty after from 17:00hrs. On the Saturday 26 from14:00hrs the T&T boys will come up against the Enterprise Busta Sports Club at Enterprise, East Coast Demerara. Everest will be using this event to raise funds for its continued works on Cricket development at the club with emphasis on two indoor batting strips.

Sangakkara hits another century

SRI Lanka batting star Kumar Sangakkara hit his fifth Championship century of the summer to keep Surrey on course for the Division Two title at The Oval. The left-hander made 101 against Northants as the match finally got under way after an opening day washout. Sangakkara hit a six and 13 fours and shared half-century stands with Steven Davies (21) and Jason Roy (32). He was eventually caught behind off Rob Keogh (2-115), but Sam Curran saw them to 378-8 at

Kumar Sangakkara stumps with an unbeaten 52. It was the 17-year-old’s maiden first-class half-cen-

tury and took 87 balls, with a six and eight fours, offering further evidence of his potential as a future all-rounder. Curran added 71 with Gary Wilson (49) and his first order of business on the third morning will be to help them eke out the remaining 22 runs required for a fifth batting bonus point. Surrey need a maximum of 17 points from the game to seal the title, depending on Lancashire’s result against Essex in a match which also lost the opening day to rain. (BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday September 24, 2015

Fruta Conquerors and Monedderlust in top-of-the-table clash tonight FRUTA Conquerors will host Monedderlust tonight at their Tucville home ground in a clash of two undefeated teams in the STAG Elite League. In the opening game of the double-header card from 18:00hrs, Buxton United and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will play in an effort to secure at least a point. Both the Buxtonians and the Army fell in their opening game to Fruta Conquerors and Monedderlust respectively, and with 13 more games to be played, they will be hoping to bounce back and produce a better performance. But while the opening game has a story of its own, the Tucville community will focus their interest on the

Conquerors/Monedderlust clash. Speaking to Chronicle Sport yesterday, the SM Jaleel-sponsored team’s head coach Calvin Allen pointed out that his players are optimistic of a positive result against the team from the Ancient County. Fruta Conquerors had to dig deep for their win against a stubborn Buxton United team, with Eon Alleyne scoring the winning goal in the closing seconds of the match at Number 5 Ground. Allen added that Fruta Conquerors “didn’t have the best opening game, I think we were a little rusty having not played as much as we would have wanted to before the game but we were able to pick up the important three points”.

Monedderlust, behind head coach Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Braithwaite, came from being down two goals in the first half against the GDF and ended the 90-minute contest with a 3-2 victory. “If I say how I intend to handle them (Monedderlust), I might be giving away our game plan,” explained Allen, who further pointed out, “I know they are very quick, they play with a lot of energy in the game, but we need to use our strengths. We know they are a determined bunch and my players are ready for what they bring.” T h e S TA G E l i t e League, featuring eight of Guyana’s top clubs, is the country’s premier football league with prize money totalling $15M.

IGG Games second leg cancelled ... Governments agree early start to 2016 planning By Stephan Sookram THE second leg of the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) 2015 has been cancelled according to the Director of Sport Christopher Jones. Jones, yesterday confirmed that the second leg, set for French Guiana had been cancelled on the same basis of the first, with the host country indicating that it was heading into election mode and would thus be unable to host. The Ministry of Education Department of Sport’s National Sport Commission (NSC) has also confirmed that the Guyanese contingent, prior to the announce-

Christopher Jones ment of the cancellation, stood ready to compete at the October event, if plans had progressed as proposed. Nonetheless, the governments of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana have committed to upkeeping the viability of the tri-nation

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday September 24, 2015) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz; Sir Frank Worrell (WI vs AUST, Brisbane, 1960-61) Clive Lloyd & Kim Hughes (WI vs AUST, Melbourne, 1984-85) Today’s Quiz: How many players have captained the WI in Tests to date? How many players have led the WI in ODIs to date? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

games, oftentimes seen as the stepping stone for many of Guyana’s athletes. In this regard, the NSC confirmed that once elections have been held in the French territory, talks will resume on the way forward for the 2016 edition. In brighter news for athletes, those discussions could commence as early as January of 2016, said the NSC. Also expected to be discussed at the 2016 meeting is the revision of some of the protocols of the mutli-discipline tournament. Jones, during a recent media conference, indicated that Guyana is more than happy to review the Protocol for the games, adding that under the current document, Guyana often drew the short straw. “There are certain aspects of the protocol that put Guyana at a disadvantage, for example, there’s an aspect that speaks to participants being school-aged children, being 19 and under, and as you would know, Guyana’s academic year ends at 17-18 years old. Suriname and French Guiana would be at an advantage because their athletes would be much older. That aspect of the protocol I would want to see changed to accommodate our athletes that are currently in school.”

Buxton United, GDF eyeing first point

Fruta Conquerors football team

GFF inviting persons to serve on executive committees of GFA and GBFA THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) General Congress, at its June 26 Extraordinary Congress held at the Marriott Hotel, voted to include two new members under its umbrella - the Guyana Beach Football Association (GBFA) and the Guyana Futsal Association (GFA). The mandates of the two associations are outlined in Article 2 of the Statutes of the respective organisations: to foster and promote the game of Futsal at all levels, providing

opportunities for recreation, representative matches and elite competitions, for players, coaches and other members of the sports community. Through the Normalisation Committee, the GFF is inviting interested individuals who are desirous of serving on the Executive Committee of these Associations. Those willing to serve must be 18 years or older with prior involvement in organised football and much come with no criminal background.

Submissions must be received on or before Thursday October 1, 2015. The elections of the Executive Committees will be conducted on October 23, 2015 in accordance with the Statues of the respective Associations. Copies of the Constitutions can be uplifted from the GFF General Secretariat at Lot 17 Dadanawa Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, Guyana or a request can be sent to email: gff@networksgy.com to receive a digital copy.

Winner of the Sydroy Nedd Memorial Football 7-a-side tourney to be decided this evening THE winning team of the Sydroy Nedd Memorial seven-a-side football tournament will be decided this evening at the Den Amstel Community Centre ground, West Coast Demerara. The tournament, which is being coordinated by former national coach and captain Lennox Arthur and sponsored by Nedd’s family members, is held in honour of Nedd’s 60th birth anniversary. In tonight’s first quarter-final, Grove will tackle Wales from 16:00hrs while Sara Lodge face Pouderoyen in the next fixture from 16:30hrs. Goed Fortuin will then meet Uitvlugt from 17:00hrs

and Stewartville take on home team Den Amstel from 17:30hrs in the last match of the quarter-finals. From 18:00hrs, the winner of the Wales versus Grove encounter will meet the winner of the Goed Fortuin versus Uitvlugt affair in the first semi-final, while the winner of the Sara Lodge versus Pouderoyen match will meet the winner of the Stewartville versus Den Amstel match in the second semi-final. The third-place play-off will be played before the final. Arthur, however, said prior to the final, there will be a game between West Demerara’s masters and their counter-

parts from Georgetown. Nedd was a former president of the West Demerara Football Association and the Uitvlugt FC and he died four years ago after a brief illness. He was also Office manager of the Guyana Football Federation and Assistant coordinator of the Mayor’s Cup Organising Committee. Over $200 000 in cash prizes as well as trophies will be up for grabs with the winning team receiving $100 000. The second-, third- and fourth-place teams will earn $50 000, $30 000 and $20 000 respectively. All four teams will also receive trophies.

Sport CHRONICLE

The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

IGG Games second leg cancelled See story on page 35

GFF Stag Elite League

GFC hold Slingerz to draw

… Tucville Playfield comes alive tonight

NOTHER draw for Slingerz FC, this time against the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), both of whom were awarded a point for the result last night at the GFC ground, in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Stag Elite League. The two sides battled to a stalemate in the curtain-raiser which had Alpha United going head-to-head with Pele in the feature. This stalemate is the ‘West Side’ team’s second following their opening match against Alpha United at the Le-

onora Sports Facility last Friday. They have accumulated two points while GFC claimed their first point after being defeated by Pele in the League’s opening match. In the GFC/Slingerz showdown, even though Slingerz were clearly the stronger, more skilled side, they could not find a way ahead against the opposition who defended for the majority of the match. Playing on home turf, GFC were not on the offensive end regularly, as Slingerz dominated possession winning the ball off goal kicks and set plays to command just about 65% of the ball.

Next Generation boxing card postponed ... Main contender Azore suffers ankle injury THE Guyana Boxing Board of Control’s (GBBC) `Next Generation Boxing-Giftland Showcase Pro Am card, has been postponed according to referee Eion Jardine who via telephone yesterday indicated that Iwan Azore had injured his ankle. Trinidad-based Azore was scheduled to fight Guyana’s Dexter Gonsalves for the national welterweight title over 12 rounds. However, injury has forced him out of contention for the card, initially set for this Saturday at the Giftland See page 32

GFC’s Cortez Kellman takes on Slingerz FC’s Solomon Austin in their Stag Elite League match last night at the Georgetown Football Club ground. (Samuel Maughn photo)

Iwan Azore

Late in the second half, GFC had a few opportunities to draw first blood but squandered most of their attempts near goal. Up to press time Alpha and Pele were in their warm-up phase before the match. The League continues tonight with another double-header at the Tucville Playfield. In the first mach Buxton United will meet Guyana Defence Force at 18:00hrs then Fruta Conquerors host Monedderlust in the feature at 20:00hrs.

Tainted trio will tarnish new Pakistan league’s image - Ramiz

LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) - Involving the tainted trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir will be “extremely dangerous” for the reputation of the inaugural Pakistan Super League (PSL), former captain Ramiz Raja has said. Former captain Butt and pacemen Asif and Amir were cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to See page 32

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Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015