Chronicle 04 17 2016

No coalition rift No. 104524

SATURDAY APRIL 17, 2016

Price: $140

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“It’s healthy debate” – Granger

Air Services unveils Jubilee helicopter ‒ Special Kaieteur, Georgetown tours on offer

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Centre

Camp Street jail under control P.3

‒ Director of Prisons

The Air Services Limited "Jubilee" helicopter is seen flying across the East Coast (Air Services Limited photo)

Vehicle crushes man’s skull, driver in custody P.18

Jagdeo raps gov’t on DDL tax settlement

...claims billions in revenue were lost P.15

No coalition rift 2

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

“It’s healthy debate” – Granger

By Fareeza Haniff DENYING suggestions that there is a rift in the coalition government, President David Granger has said what is being played out in the public domain is merely a “healthy debate.”

The AFC, second largest party in the six-party coalition that governs this country, said last Sunday it wants Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, stripped of some of his powers because of suggestions that he enjoys the status of a “super minister.”

The AFC arrived at its position after it was revealed that Minister Harmon had, without the knowledge of the President or the Prime Minister, appointed businessman Brian Tiwarie as his advisor on business. This

appointment was rescinded once the President learnt of it.

President Granger has also expressed surprise at the AFC’s suggestion that Minister Harmon’s workload should be lightened.

He said that when Cabinet responsibilities were discussed, no objection had been raised in regard to Minister Harmon’s workload.

During his weekly programme, The Public Interest, the President was asked about the perceived rift within the APNU+AFC, and he maintained that all six parties are as committed as ever to the success of the coalition.

“I don’t think what occurred is necessarily a sign of any form of antagonism.

I don’t think it’s harmful to the coalition; it’s a healthy

debate, so we will continue to have freedom of expression. I am leader of the People’s National Congress, and we have had discussions on a variety of issues,” the President noted.

He explained that previous encounters between the APNU and AFC have all been subsequently resolved. “…within a coalition… parties have their own interest, and they’ve brought those interests into the coalition. I am not afraid of debate or discussion; and from time to time, parties make releases to the media or to the public. As President, I can’t control those releases, and they are free to do so. But in the long term, at a strategic level, I am convinced that all six parties are committed to the coalition and they want to see the

President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo are seen engaged in light discussion in this Ministry of the Presidency file photo (December 30, 2015)

coalition have a successful tenure in office,” President Granger explained.

May 16, 2016 would mark one year since the APNU+AFC government took up office.

President Granger fronts APNU, which is made up of the PNC (the largest party in the coalition), the WPA and four other parties.

The AFC agreed to a coalition with APNU,

putting forward its Vice Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo, as the Prime Ministerial candidate for the May 16, 2015 elections, which ended the PPP’s 23year grip on power.

Hinterland airstrips to be upgraded ‒ As MoPI kicks off new development project

Residents and officials of Paramakatoi during the recent village consultation

GUYANA’S hinterland airstrips are slated for major upgrades as the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) begins the process of establishing a remote monitoring operation known as the Aero-

drome Management System (AMS).

This system, which will allow the monitoring of aerodromes across the country without physically being present at the airstrips, is expected to follow the min-

istry’s latest project, the Hinterland Aerodrome Development Policy.

The project entails four areas. These are the development of a policy to address hinterland aerodromes and airstrips; the development of

an administrative framework; maintenance; and the sustainability of the airstrips.

The project was recently embarked upon and will see MoPI officials visiting hinterland communities to not only physically assess the airstrips, but to also receive inputs from the residents on the best way forward.

Most recently, the team visited the villages of Kato and Paramakatoi in Region

#8 (Potaro-Siparuni). The airstrips in these communities are just two of more than a dozen that are slated for upgrade across the four hinterland regions of One, Seven, Eight, and Nine.

The six-member team comprised Saheed Sulaman, Director (ag) of Air Transport Management; Patrick Thompson, Chief Transport Planning Officer; Ryan Singh, Transport Planning Officer/Engineer; Jamall Blair, Transport Planning Technician; James Lindo, Surveyor; and Alain Sirius, Surveying Technician.

During their first stop in Kato, the team met with the Regional Executive Officer (REO), Rafael Downes; Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO), Gavin Gounga; and Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Member, Courtney Hardy. The deputy Toshao of Kato was also present. The team also spent time surveying and assessing the Kato airstrip.

During discussions, REO Downes highlighted a number of issues with the Kato airstrip, including the lack of lighting facilities, potholes,

poor maintenance, and the lack of fencing. He further suggested the introduction of a regulatory body to ultimately improve the service provided to the residents in far-flung communities, noting that there are sometimes cancellations with no warning. These cancellations, he said, greatly set back the community which heavily relies on planes arriving thrice a week.

“What we need here in Guyana is a regulatory body that would visit air services…if we are going to move forward so taxpayers can benefit, we have to have a regulatory body. This is especially important if we are to develop tourism in the hinterland,” Downes stressed.

He also called for greater communication between the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and those officials and residents in hinterland communities.

Similarly in Paramakatoi, residents and village council officials expressed concern at the safety of the airstrips.

They noted that while the Paramakatoi airstrip was one which served the largest village in sub-region #One, it did not have lights at night.

The residents emphasised that this shortcoming was both a threat and a deterrent to pilots. They added that it was particularly difficult in Turn to page 8 ►

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

Camp Street jail under control ‒ Director of Prisons

By Ariana Gordon SECURITY at the country’s main prison is under control, Carl Graham, Director of Prisons, said Saturday, dispelling rumours that the sick-out by prison wardens meant that the facility was under the control of prisoners.

Graham admitted that inmates were more agitated than usual, but he gave the assurance that they have not taken control.

“I have been here before 5 this morning; and contrary to the reports out there, the keys for the prison are with the prison officers,” Graham told the Guyana Chronicle.

“I was here and I checked for myself…all of the keys are in the possession of the prison authority,” he emphasised.

The Opposition People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), in a statement to the media, expressed much concern over what it described as “the dangerous state of affairs that has emerged” at the Georgetown Prison.

The party claimed that prisoners were “openly defying orders to bring about permanent peace and good order at the prison.” The PPP added that prisoners have been using mobile phones in the open while challenging those who have been placed to safeguard the facility.

The Director of Prisons (ag) made it clear that the “prison officers never surrendered the keys” to the prisoners. He told this newspaper

that there are “mischievous” persons who are trying to paint a chaotic picture of what is transpiring at the jail.

He admitted that when the 13 prison officers reported sick, it was a situation for concern, but measures were immediately put in place to deal with the absence of those persons.

Prison officers from the Timehri and Lusignan prisons were temporarily transferred to support those at the Camp Street penitentiary, and that, coupled with the support of the Joint Services, was

deemed sufficient by Graham.

“Everything is under control; there is no confusion “The prisoners came out and are now back in their cells; I supervised that process myself.

“I am here to observe and supervise that process myself…the unlock, feed-up and every procedure,” Graham declared.

Graham said that the prisoners have, been agitating about several issues.

“There are many issues that they have and they have been raising these issues.”

He told the Guyana Chronicle that Chancellor of

the Judiciary (Ag) Carl Singh and Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan visited the facility a few weeks ago and spoke with more than 250 inmates.

“They have a list of all prisoners who have court matters,” he added.

Graham noted that following that meeting, some inmates were contacted with respect to their cases.

“Some of them feel that they have been placed in prison wrongfully, and you can understand if they feel that way and have to be in an uncomfortable situation.

“It is a prison and men would not be expected to be as comfortable as they would

be at home.

“They are uneasy but not out of control,” Graham stated.

COUNSELLING Graham disclosed that the fiery riots of March 3, 2016 which resulted in the deaths of 17 prisoners were traumatic not only for prison officers, but also for the prisoners who witnessed the events unfold.

Asked whether counselling has started, the Director of Prisons said, “Yes, the prison officers and the prisoners have received counselling.” He noted too that because of the magnitude of what transpired on March 3,

Persons walk past a policeman on guard around the Camp Street jail on Saturday

those already receiving counselling may request additional counselling based on their individual needs.

“We recognise the effect this would have on all persons who were present on that day and we know it is difficult, so those who require additional counselling will be provided with it,” said Graham.

President David Granger late last week ordered that the outer cordons of the prison be extended to include D’urban, John and Bent Streets, which are currently blocked off to the public except for persons residing within those areas, as is done on Camp Street.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

Pope returns with 12 refugees after visit to Greek island [REUTERS] - POPE Francis took three families of Syrian refugees back to Rome on Saturday after visiting the frontline of Europe’s migrant crisis at a camp in Greece where migrants wept at his feet, kissed his hand and begged for help.

At a sprawling fenced complex on the Aegean island of Lesbos, adults and children broke down in tears before the head of the Roman Catholic Church, after their onward journey to Europe was cut short by an EU decision to block a migrant route used by a million people fleeing conflict since early 2015.

While borders have now largely been shut for migrants, Francis symbolically took a small group of refugees with him on his aircraft as he left the island after a

A group of Syrian refugees arrive to board a plane with Pope Francis at the airport of Mytilene, in the Greek island of Lesbos [REUTERS/Filippo Monteforte/ Pool] “I felt the spirit was migrant flow on March 20 five-hour visit.

“The Pope has desired to talking to us,” he said, add- and were staying at a differmake a gesture of welcome ing that “everything was done ent, open camp on the island.

The pope stressed that regarding refugees, accom- according to the rules”, with panying on his plane to Rome documents provided by Italy, taking them to Rome was a humanitarian, not a political, three families of refugees the Vatican and Greece.

Asked why they were all gesture. from Syria, 12 people in Sant’Egidio, a Christian all, including six children,” Muslim, he said there was a Vatican statement said, something wrong with the community which offers adding that they were all papers of a Christian family help for those in need and that had originally been on is headquartered in Rome, Muslims. will help the families to setThe pope told reporters the list.

The refugees had arrived tle and to find jobs but the on the plane back from Lesbos that it had been the idea on Lesbos before a deal be- costs will be covered by the of one of his aides and that he tween the EU and Turkey Vatican, Francis said. came into effect to halt the had immediately agreed.

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“YOU ARE NOT ALONE” Earlier Francis, leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, shook hands with hundreds of people as hundreds more were penned behind metal barriers at the Moria camp.

It holds a total of about 3,000 people.

“Freedom, freedom,” migrants chanted as he walked through the hillside facility in scorching sun. Some women ululated.

“I want to tell you, you are not alone,” he told them.

“As people of faith, we wish to join our voices to speak out on your behalf.

Do not lose hope!” he said, flanked by Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, and Greek Archbishop Ieronymos.

On at least three occasions, adults fell to the feet of the pontiff, weeping and begging for help. One woman wearing a crucifix broke through a police cordon and flung herself at Francis’s feet.

“No camp, no camp,” sobbed the woman, who ap-

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peared to be in her early thirties. “I want to go.”

In a tent where Francis met with migrants, a little girl with pigtails dressed in pink and white bowed at his feet.

As he helped her up, she cried uncontrollably. An adult man broke down. Migrants slipped pieces of paper into his hand as F Francis passed by, which he handed to an aide.

The pope later told reporters the experience was “to cry for”.

The pope has often defended refugees and urged Catholic parishes in Europe to host them. His first trip after becoming pontiff in 2013 was to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, which, like Lesbos, has received thousands of refugees.

Hundreds of people have died making the short but precarious crossing from Turkey to the Lesbos shores in inflatable dinghies in the past year, and the island is full of unmarked graves.

Francis and Orthodox leaders threw wreaths into the sea to commemorate those who have died.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

Brazil’s Rousseff scrambles for votes to avert impeachment

[REUTERS] - BRAZILIAN President Dilma Rousseff held last-minute negotiations with wavering lawmakers on Saturday in an effort to secure crucial support the day before an impeachment vote that could lead to her removal from office.

The political crisis has divided the country and turned into a bitter clash between the leftist leader and her centrist Vice President Michel Temer, who would take over if she is unseated.

Rousseff canceled an appearance at an anti-impeachment rally of union and leftwing social activists led by former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, her predecessor and founder of the ruling Workers’ Party.

Instead she met with lawmakers behind closed doors in a bid to obtain their vote or abstention on Sunday when the lower house of Congress votes on whether she should be impeached for breaking the country’s budget laws.

The talks indicated that Sunday’s ballot may be tighter than expected as Rousseff seeks to swing the estimated two dozen additional votes she needs to prevent a twothirds majority in favor of impeachment in the 513-seat lower chamber, which her opponents need to push ahead with this process.

A Temer aide said that Rousseff, with the help of Lula, who is still Brazil’s most influential politician despite a graft probe, had

managed to reverse a “handful” of votes but not alter the growing momentum for impeachment.

In a rowdy marathon session of speeches that went through the night, opposition congressmen shouted: “Out with the Workers’ Party!”

Rousseff’s supporters, meanwhile, called for the ouster of House Speaker Eduardo Cunha, her political archenemy who has sped up the impeachment process.

Rousseff is fighting to survive a political firestorm fueled by Brazil’s worst recession since the Great Depression of the 1930s and a spiraling corruption scandal centered on state oil company Petrobras (PETR4.SA) that has reached her inner circle.

The president’s opponents want her dismissed from office on charges that she manipulated budget accounts to boost public spending to boost her 2014 re-election.

They also blame her for running Latin America’s largest economy into the ground.

In a video and a newspaper column, Rousseff – Brazil’s first female president - strongly denied she had committed an impeachable crime and called the bid to oust her “the biggest legal and political fraud” in the country’s history.

“We are facing the threat of a coup d’état, a coup without guns that uses more destructive methods like fraud and lies to try to destroy a legitimately elected government,” she wrote in the Folha

Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff de S.Paulo newspaper’s Saturday edition.

Rousseff could become Brazil’s first president to be impeached since 1992 when Fernando Collor de Mello resigned just before imminent impeachment for corruption.

The current crisis is far deeper because he had few supporters while Rousseff has the backing of working class Brazilians who have seen their quality of live improve during 13 years of Workers’ Party rule.

“If she loses and Temer takes over we will take to the streets, and we have the strength to stay there as long as necessary,” said Marco Antonio Baratto, coordinator of the MST landless peasants movement, at a rally of several thousand Rousseff supporters camped out in the parking lot of Brasilia’s football stadium.

TEMER COULD BE

PRESIDENT BY MAY A tired-looking Lula, the labor leader who led Brazil as president from 2003 to 2010, addressed the rally briefly with a hoarse voice and said he had to rush back to the talks with lawmakers.

Lula’s bodyguards scuffled with impeachment supporters who tried to block his motorcade returning to his hotel.

If her impeachment is approved by the lower house, the Senate must then vote on whether to go ahead with putting Rousseff on trial for disobeying budget laws. If she loses that vote, which would likely take place on May 10 or 11, Rousseff would automatically be suspended and replaced by Temer.

Temer, who would serve out Rousseff’s term until 2018 if she is found guilty by

the Senate, has little popular support. He would face a daunting task restoring confidence in a country where dozens of political leaders, including his close associates, are under investigation for corruption.

Even if Rousseff wins Sunday’s vote, her coalition has been left in tatters by the acrimonious impeachment process and analysts say her pledges to form a national unity government are unlikely to bear fruit in a bitterly divided country.

A case before the Supreme Electoral Court concerning charges of illegal funding of her 2014 campaign could eventually lead to both Rousseff and Temer being dismissed from office and new elections called.

In the video posted on social media on Friday, Rousseff warned that if she is

toppled by the impeachment process, a Temer government would force Brazilians to make sacrifices as well as roll back social advances that have reduced poverty during 13 years of Workers’ Party rule.

The vice president, who has been preparing to form a new government aimed at restoring confidence and economic growth, replied on Twitter that the accusation that he will cut social programs for the poor was an “abject lie.”

Temer is considering the chairman of Goldman Sachs in Brazil, Paulo Leme, and the founder of asset manager Mauá Capital, Luiz Fernando Figueiredo, as candidates to join his economic team should he take over the presidency, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Sunday Editor

Neil Marks

Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Editorial Creation of new towns: the Lethem case THE establishment of new towns has given citizens in their respective communities an opportunity to activate municipal laws. Unlike towns that have foundational laws, the regional democratic councils, though constitutionally established, do not have the requisite autonomy to make decisions, inclusive of the establishment of indigenous government structures and the raising of revenues.

Lethem is one of the newly established towns, and is located in Region 9, the largest region in terms of geographic space; besides, it borders Brazil. Given that it is still in its embryonic stage, its success will be reliant on development of infrastructure and institutions that would allow residents to realise their potential and that of the environs. Such requires going above and beyond the constitutional and legal documents that established the boundaries and demarcated the town.

The Local Government Elections saw the instalment of new councillors. This new cadre of leaders, political and administrative, will need to be equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills, which include the making of by-laws, raising and managing revenue, and crafting an indigenous vision that would redound to the people’s benefit.

Lethem’s population is diverse. The demographic includes Guyanese across the ethnic spectrum, with a visible presence of Brazilians and Chinese. This reality can be both challenging and rewarding, in the sense of being able to effectively ward off cultural imperialism and ensuring dominance of the Guyanese identity.

While Guyana has no border issue with Brazil, the fact that there are border issues with Suriname and Venezuela necessitates the crafting of a policy that would reinforce and solidify sovereignty and identity.

Another factor that requires examination is ensuring the residents stay connected with the coastland, where the centre of government and more than 90 percent of the population reside. This brings to the fore the importance of the information communications infrastructures which are not only important for connectivity but also

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

Kilcoy/Chesney Housing Scheme without electricity Dear Editor, I WRITE to inform readers about the current difficulties being experienced by residents of the Kilcoy/ Chesney Housing Scheme, located in Corentyne, Region 6, about ½ a mile from the Albion Estate.

I have visited many housing schemes in Guyana, including those at Mocha and Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara, and my favourite is the one I live in -- Kilcoy/ Chesney. It is imaginatively laid out with organic bends and cul-de-sacs, and the roads are wide and comfortable for two-lane vehicular traffic.

Living here, however, is a challenge for residents, because we are without electricity. At the moment I am in possession of a petition for electrification from 50 individuals residing here. That number represents 50 families, many with school-going children and students at UG. In the entire scheme, there are only two houses (out of an approximate 100) that are electrified, fortunate in that they lie on the edges of the scheme in proximity to power lines, and that they can afford to pay GPL the costs for the connecting posts and lines.

In the span of close to two years, we, the residents, have queried, probed and pleaded with various officials for electrification, but to no avail, we are presented with excuses and challenges to be “pioneers”. I daresay the age of pioneers has long gone, we live in the age of the 9-to-

5, and electricity is required to press the uniforms, get the homework done, preserve the market produce, charge the cell phones, and a myriad of other basic needs.

We need electricity for security purposes and to survive in our daily lives. I have spoken to GPL officials, and their response is that the scheme is not “handed over”. I have no idea what that means, but housing officials claim the opposite, and say that GPL is unwilling because the required occupancy level has not been reached.

I can show at least two other housing schemes in the area that have a much lesser occupancy level but are fully electrified. I will cite an example that indicates it is more a lack of will than a lack of financial incentive for us not being electrified. There is an NGO funded by the Government of Japan located in the middle of the housing scheme, which was willing to stand the cost of planting ten or however many posts were required to get electricity to the NGO’s site. In spite of this opportunity of being able to profit from the investment of the Japanese people, GPL completely ignored the NGO. From that infrastructure, at least 20 residents in the path of the power lines would have been able to latch on and receive power.

There are many houses built and left because of the lack of electricity.

Whether GPL electrifies the Kilcoy/ Chesney Housing Scheme now or 10

for other factors, such as access to educational sources/ materials and trade.

For instance, the Internet service provided to the community comes through a Brazilian provider. The landline service provided by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) needs urgent attention to bring it on par with that provided on the coastland.

Another characteristic of a town is its ability to provide basic social services, such as healthcare. Given the lessthan-desired quality of service in that community, and the distance and cost to get to the coastland to access same, persons find it faster and more economical to access such service in Brazil. A consequence of this sees residents who are contributors to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) unable to make a claim for refund of medical expenses.

This has implications for workers’ socio-economic wellbeing.

In the area of commerce, there is a cross-section of businesses and free movement of Guyanese and Brazilians across the border. Brazilians find employment in Lethem

years down the road, it’s the same money that will have to be spent to provide the necessary infrastructure; and 10 years down the road, they will have missed all the income they could have made during that time.

I have spoken to Prime Minister Nagamotoo during one of his visits to Corentyne, and he referred me to his assistant for the Corentyne area, Hemraj Something-or-other.

Conversations with Hemraj by me and other residents of the scheme go on the lines of a pro-government tangent, campaigning for an already won election and not at all being receptive to the needs of the people.

These people are paid by tax payers’ dollars, and I believe they should have as the number one item on their agenda the interests of the people, not party activism.

I don’t know exactly with whom the responsibility of discharging this matter lies, but I have spoken to Region 6 RDC Chairman Mr Armogan; the senior housing official of the area, Ms. Harripersaud; and parliamentarian Charrandass Persaud, with no results. Not a single government or GPL official has visited the area and addressed our concerns.

Perhaps we continue to be ignored because we are the ordinary peasants, and do not cast a large enough shadow.

Your sincerely, YOGISTRA ANDERSON

as undocumented workers, and a similar situation exists with Guyanese in Brazil. This highlights an immigration issue, and a porous border.

Though the relationship with Guyanese and their foreign counterparts is one of camaraderie/civility, there exists the need for a regulated environment which should not be designed to exclude foreign nationals, but to protect nationhood. Given the distance from the coastland, Lethem residents have, over the years, forged familial bonds with Brazilians, who are more accessible than the majority of their Guyanese counterparts.

A symbiotic relationship has been forged between the Brazilians and Guyanese, and this, at a foreign policy level, augurs well for diplomacy and bilateral trade. Such cooperation and accommodation have to be guided and executed with an eye on ensuring sovereignty of the nation and the development of the people and their environs. Being honest about these realities and treating with then will make Lethem worthy of emulation.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

Nawbatt: I had a yearly contract as ambassador Dear Editor, I REFER to the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dated 13 April, 2016, in connection with my claim against the Government for damages for breach of contract. I am reluctant to engage the Government in the public domain with regard to my case, but blatant misrepresentations need to be corrected.

I am of the firm opinion that the issuing of the statement is due to the realization by the Government of Guyana that it has no defence, and has resorted to the media and the consistent pro-Government bloggers in the hope of garnering the support of the public, despite its unlawful conduct towards me.

I was appointed Ambassador to Brazil in November 2008 on a one-year contract. My contract was renewed ANNUALLY in November. I was appointed High Commissioner to Canada in February 2011, again on an ANNUAL basis, and which contract was renewed ANNUALLY in February of 2012, 2013, 2014 and in February 2015, the last such renewal being three months before the May 2015 elections, not a few weeks as alleged by the Ministry, except if the Ministry regards 13.57 weeks or 26% of the year as “a mere few weeks”.

The course of action advised by the Ministry that my contract should have been for a short period, having regard to elections, was not followed by a previous PNC Government in 1992, when it signed a contract shortly before the 1992 elections with Ambassador Cedric Grant for three years. His contract was terminated.

He sued and won.

I wrote Minister Greenidge on 1st June, requesting “to be guided as to the preferred course of action to be utilized with respect to my employment with the Government of Guyana.” I received no reply to this, nor to the numerous reminders to the Minister and Director General and others in the hierarchy of the Government.

I met the Minister on 9th September at Parliament Building, and he assured me that I would be receiving a response. None came. I therefore had no alternative but to seek legal redress for the violation of my contract by the Government.

Regrettably, I was unaware that when the APNU/ AFC campaigned on the platform of change, it meant that it would change the State’s policy of honouring its contracts with its employees to one of unilaterally and unlawfully terminating those contracts without regard to their terms.

I am aware that the usual suspects who “know it all” would jump at this, my response, to earn some more media “coverage”.

I would await my day in court.

Sincerely, HARRY NARINE NAWBATT

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Limited exhibition space available for GUYEXPO THE GUYEXPO 2016 Planning Committee is assuring visitors and participants that this year’s event will supersede any other year in magnitude, quality and most importantly, impact.

According to Public Relations Manager Lloyd David, exhibitor participation at this year’s GUYEXPO is expected to surpass that of previous years and, with just a few weeks left before the opening, exhibition spaces are running out.

He explained that with just under a month remaining, all indications suggest that this year the participation of exhibitors will surpass that of previous years.

While urging all interested participants to register as soon as possible, David is also encouraging all reg-

istered exhibitors to settle payments; this has become necessary because of the level of interest generated and participants will be chosen on a “first come, first served” basis.

Already, he said registration for some categories of exhibitors is closed. This will allow the organisers enough time to adequately address the accommodation, security, training and logistical needs of those exhibitors who are already onboard.

Additionally, early payment of the registration fee will allow for the timely processing of passes, badges and the finalising of other arrangements necessary for the successful hosting of this enormous event.

GUYEXPO 2016, which is slated for May 12- 15 under the theme “50 years:

Guyana means business – Promoting Enterprise, Driving Productivity” will jump start the series of highly anticipated events as Guyana

GUYEXPO 2016 Public Relations Manager Lloyd David celebrates its 50th Independence anniversary.

This unique business event caters for all catego-

ries of businesses and will provide a platform for both local and foreign businesses including importers, exporters, retailers and wholesalers to interact and display the wide variety of products and services they have to offer.

A wide cross-section of producers of handicraft, furniture, garments, jewellery, horticulture, pharmaceuticals, tourism, designs, food and beverages, information technology, cultural and entertainment businesses will participate in GUYEXPO 2016.

This ideal setting will surely provide all exhibitors and participating businesses with a spotlight opportunity which will enhance their customer base and increase their growth and competitiveness.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

It is bigger than Joe Harmon:

The APNU+AFC Government in Historical Perspective

THE last few weeks have been quite hectic in Guyana. There have been a lot of revelations and discussions. The government has been tested—challenges emerged both from within and from the outside. Most of the focus has been on Minister Joe Harmon.

Ironically, the opposition PPP has been missing in action. Instead, it is the media which have been asking questions and in the process putting the government under pressure to respond. It has been politics in motion. So be it.

It’s almost a year since the government has been in office. It came into office thanks to a slim electoral majority. Yet its attainment of the reins of government represented something larger than the margin of victory—yes it was a victory. It was a process that began in 2011 with the formation of the APNU and the subsequent parliamentary alliance with the AFC. These developments were in response to the rapid decline of our political culture and a further deepening of authoritarianism under a government that came to power as a result of the demise of another authoritarian government.

All of our Independence experience has been a struggle against the deformities of unchecked political power. The PNC government of 1964-92 sought to transition the country away from colonialism through social reform couched in revolutionary terms. But they attempted those reforms within the context of the authoritarian colonial legacy. In effect, colonial authoritarianism was replaced by post-colonial authoritarianism.

I understand how difficult it is for Burnhamites to reconcile the positive aspects of Burnhamist social reformist policies especially in education, housing and some sections of the economy with the naked repression that obtained.

The tendency is to talk about the reforms and either silence or deny the repression—a futile undertaking at best. That is why the issue of Walter Rodney animates such crazy responses in some quarters; Rodney symbolises both the resistance to and the extremities of the repression of that time. Guyana and PNC traditionalists have to do what all societies have to do at some point in their history—come to grips with unfortunate periods in their history.

Rather than holler at one another, we are challenged to study and reflect on that period which is replicated in all post-plantation societies. The burning question is

this: what is it about the plantation experience that persists even in the proposed alternative to it? For young people who care about those matters, Professor Clive Thomas’s 1984 “The Rise of the Authoritarian State in the Periphery” comes closest to a lucid explanation.

The PNC’s period in office is critical to an understanding of our Independence—it arose from a particular historical condition. The rise of the brand of PNC rule arose from a combination of colonial legacy and the ethnic dynamics that developed after the splits of the Independence movement in 1955 and 1956. But the PNC’s embrace of authoritarianism gave rise to two phenomena in Guyanese politics—one which contributed to its eventual fall from power and the other which turned out to be more pernicious than itself.

First, out of the repression of that period came an inevitable resistance impulse; repression by its very definition breeds resistance. The PNC’s reformist and authoritarian form of governance contrasted with the Independence promise of fundamental departure from coloniality—Freedom. The masses by their day-to-day experiences were expanding the limits of Independence and in the process coming into conflict with their own government. We constantly saw this in Linden from the RILA strikes in the early 1970s to the 1976 strikes to the 1983 strikes to the 1989 strikes. It is this resistance face of Guyana that gave rise to the WPA. The PNC-WPA confrontation has to be seen in this larger struggle for the soul and the direction of our Independence. So in a sense the very choices made by the PNC created its nemesis--the WPA. It is that strand of our politics that opened up the possibilities and nurtured the environment for the PNC’s exit from power in 1992.

The second phenomenon created by the PNC’s rule was the rise of an even more rampant PPP. The PNC’s authoritarianism allowed space for the PPP to disguise itself as the polar-opposite. The PPP of 1957-64 had showed its authoritarian face, but the developments of the next three decades served to dull the collective memory. The alienation created under PNC rule helped to create the PPP as a credible alternative. The WPA led the anti-PNC struggle, but the ethno-political dynamics meant that the PPP inherited the government in 1992.

The PPP then used the notion of the “end of authoritarianism”

to construct the most diabolical regime in our post-colonial history.

In effect,the PNC’s authoritarianism was replaced by PPP’s dictatorship. What is significant here is that the PPP had the luxury of constructing a dictatorship under the guise of democracy. The WPA after 1992 gradually declined as a militant force, thanks to the decline of militant resistance and the return of ethnic defensiveness as the dominant impulse in the society at large.

Given its own actions while in government and its hope of returning to power, the PNC’s resistance was always tentative. This meant that the PPP got a relatively free ride.

But by 2011, the PNC had given up the fallacy of returning to power on its own and a small but significant section of the Indian-Guyanese population rebelled against the PPP’s hyper-dictatorship. Like its predecessor, the PPP had dug its own grave. The end came in 2011 and the final rites were performed in 2015. Guyana was rescued from the very edge. Given what we now know of what was happening with resources of the country, that rescue happened just in time.

We now come to the APNU+AFC government. For me, the events of the past few weeks are not about Joe Harmon. There is a tendency in our political culture to find an individual to blame, whether it be Burnham or Jagan or Jagdeo or Janet. Individuals matter, but what they represent matters more. The suggestion that Joe Harmon is probably corrupt is wrongheaded. The suggestion that he wields too much power is an inadequate diagnosis.

Joe Harmon is not the problem.

The problem is that we are in a transformative moment that clashes with a government and state structure and a political leadership that is anything but transformative. I do not believe the leaderships of the APNU and the AFC understand the enormity of their mandate in terms of correcting the errors of the past. The APNU’s dilemma is that it includes elements of a new PNC which is a mix of progressive praxis and elements of the old PNC which are still disposed to domination and hegemony. The WPA, to which I belong, is immobilised by fear—it silences its voice out of fear of being the spoiler and being accused of lacking electoral clout. The AFC has unfortunately evolved into a party bereft of political conviction and instead behaves opportunistically.

It is that mix that has produced the dual competing poles of power

in the executive, the absence of a policy and political councils to inform government, the growing hostility to criticisms, the tight control of the state media, the temptation to court discredited elements of the past regime, the confusing relationship to rogue capital, the hesitancy about what to do about past corruption and the overall lack of a vision of where it wants to take the country.

The government has to come to grips with its historical importance; that it is not meant to be just another

government. It has to realise that it was brought into power to break the cycle of authoritarianism—not to reinforce it. In the meantime, if we continue to make Harmon the story, we miss the essence of what is before us.

More of Dr. Hinds’s writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com

Hinterland airstrips... situations of emergencies, such as transporting a sick patient out of the community.

“These pilots are taking a risk to save someone’s life; the least we can do is let them see where they are going,” a resident stressed.

Residents also raised concerns about the maintenance of the airstrip as well as its length.

According to the deputy toshao of Paramakatoi, an extension of the runway was long overdue. He added that while the village was willing to work along with persons from Georgetown, the village council would prefer more control over the airstrip’s management.

“Georgetown should not be dictating to us who must do this or who must do that,” he emphasised.

Instead, he said, the protocols and policies of the airstrip should be shared with the village council to allow for some level of autonomy and improved management.

Meanwhile, the residents admitted that they have been lax in some areas of the management of the airstrip, especially with regard to the presence of people and animals. While the airstrip had initially been completely fenced off, residents have, over the years, cut these fences and placed gates instead to create access to either side of the airstrip. Animals have also been able to enter the airstrip through these openings.

The residents explained that while they understood the prohibition of animals and people on the airstrip, the recent drought has made it difficult to access water on one side of Paramakatoi.

Therefore, they said, they cross the airstrip each day to receive water

From page 2

from the other side.

The village council indicated its intention to address this issue. Sulaman in turn urged the residents to adhere to regulations as much as possible and warned them that the presence of obstacles on the airstrip could prove to be a deterrent to pilots landing in Paramakatoi.

“An airstrip is an asset to a community; it serves as the economic livelihood of that community so, if air operators decide that they’re not coming here, you will ultimately suffer,” he emphasised.

Furthermore, Sulaman stressed that as part of the new pilot project, the ministry will be focusing primarily on the maintenance and sustainability of the aerodromes.

In the coming weeks, the team will be visiting other hinterland airstrips for fact- finding missions which will ultimately lead to the establishment of the AMS. According to Thompson, who has more than a decade of experience with the ministry, the current system is complicated, with the use of traditional methods slowing down work.

“We want to collect data of the aerodromes we’re visiting and make a note of their deficiencies so, going forward, when we talk about upgrading the aerodromes, we’ll know exactly what needs to be done,” Thompson said.

Besides Kato and Paramakatoi, the other airstrips that will be assessed are: Baramita, Port Kaituma, Kamarang, Kaikan, Ekereku Bottom, Eterinbang, Bartica, Fairview, Surama, Karanambo, Annai, Lethem, Aishalton and Mahdia. (Ministry of Public Infrastructure)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

Gov’t pledges support to community development councils

By Ravin Singh GROUPS looking to improve their villages either by fixing poor infrastructure or solving social ills, or by development projects, will be supported by Government, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, has said.

“Your Government will therefore ensure that community development councils are adequately supported to ensure their success, while encouraging their close collaboration and cooperation with neighbourhood democratic councils to foster true and real development of our communities,” the minister declared.

Speaking at a national community development forum held at the St Stanislaus College in Georgetown on Saturday, Minister Harmon, crafting his speech to focus primarily on community development, explained that at the community level there is need for competing and complementary interests to be served through programmes and activities.

And one of the most important linkages in this regard

is the social unit known as the family, which, according to him, is the basic building block of a healthy community.

“It is a social unit that facilitates social intercourse and establishes and strengthens social relations,” he explained.

Minister Harmon explained that strengthening the family unit is a fundamental objective of community development, and this cannot be overemphasized, since problems such as school drop-outs, single parents, and teenage pregnancies are all attributed to weak or dysfunctional families.

Given this situation, he noted, the enhancement of family values is therefore critical in promoting strong communities, which result in the construction of a strong nation.

He then examined wealth creation, contending that the experience and acumen of the business community must

“

THE Legal Affairs Committee of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is working on crafting a code of ethics, according to Public Relations Officer (ag) Debra Lewis.

The members of the Legal Affairs Committee are Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan, and Councillors Bishram Kuppen, Andrea Marks, Selima Bacchus- Hinds, Welton Clarke, Carlyle Goring and Yvonne Ferguson.

Lewis said the proposed

energy to community development.

“This can be developed between communities with similar natural resources or similar product output, and can be in areas such as product quality or production targets,” he said.

Minister Harmon also addressed the issue of information and communications technology. He explained that community groups can access information on virtually any

Your Government will therefore ensure that community development councils are adequately supported to ensure their success, while encouraging their close collaboration and co-operation with neighbourhood democratic councils to foster true and real development of our communities,” Minister Harmon

City Hall drafting code of ethics

Royston King

be employed to contribute to wealth creation in the community.

He also explained that corporate social responsibility must be encouraged to create linkages between business persons within the communities and the community development councils. This, according to the minister, is aimed at transferring business knowledge and experience which will contribute to the growth and creation of wealth

meaningful community development can take place only in an enabling environment. The minister expressed the view that community development councils must therefore seek to create such an environment, and be in the forefront in the fight against poverty, social deprivation, crime, school drop-outs, drug culture, and other social ills.

“The councils must also seek to create this enabling environment by building social resilience and social capital, while promoting a culture of ‘giving back to the community’,” he added.

And while on the road to development, the scourge of social ills results in the need for a mechanism to be in place to allow community groups to have their concerns and issues addressed.

Minister Harmon is contending that these groups should be given opportunity to register those concerns in an atmosphere of respect and confidentiality, and have them addressed by properly trained professionals.

He reasoned that community groups can report via telephone, email, social media, news media, or directly via an established community development website. To complement this, he noted, a database of these issues should be established, with a schedule of actions to be taken and a monitoring mechanism for reporting progress and follow up.

Subsequently, the results

document, which could guide professional behaviour at City Hall, will be presented to full Council for perusal and debate.

Town Clerk Royston King said that this is the first time in the history of the municipality that such a document would be crafted by councillors. The crafting of a code of ethics is in keeping with internationally accepted standards.

It is the norm for professional bodies to set guidelines that would help them strive for excellence. Town Clerk King noted that the purpose of the code is to provide guidance and set common ethical standards to be adhered to on a consistent basis.

It is anticipated that the Code of Ethics would govern the actions, working relationships and set a standard of excellence for councillors.

The officer corps of the council will craft a similar document for senior officers.

in those communities.

In turn, jobs would be created and developmental opportunities would be available for all, especially the youth, he said.

And while Guyana is known for its robust agricultural sector, the minister suggested that communities vested with natural agricultural and other resources must be encouraged to seek investments, both locally and internationally, to promote their local economy.

In economics, increased production of one good by two or more suppliers translates to increased competition. As such, the minister noted, competition should be encouraged between communities to give impetus and

subject matter.

Social media, he said, promotes exchanges on experiences and shares lessons learnt on projects, while giving online advice in an instantaneous interaction with groups involved in similar projects.

“Community ICT affords the sharing of knowledge to bring resolution to many problems within communities, as well as to (resolving) common problems in different regions. The community development council becomes the means through which these virtual interactions take place,” Minister Harmon said.

He also spoke briefly on confronting challenges in the community, noting that

of all interventions should then be tabulated, and kept in the records for further reference, if necessary.

Finally, the minister drew a nexus between community development councils (CDC) and neighbourhood democratic councils (NDC), positing that this is a strong link which needs to be created.

He explained that the local government system as is presently structured comprises, for the most part, neighbourhood democratic councils that form the first direct link with central government to deliver on specific government programmes.

However, he noted that community development councils, with their more direct connection to the people, have the advantage of better understanding the people’s issues, and are better placed to be responsive to their needs.

The Minister of State was keen to note that his proposals were by no means a comprehensive analysis, nor did they provide a panacea for the ills that exist in our communities. He contended that the proposals were intended to provoke thought, invite analysis and encourage debate on the issues raised.

“I must point out, however, that our Government’s approach to community development represents a different philosophical approach -- a change in orientation and organisation. This emphasises a change from imposing Government to building communities, and includes an inclusionary and participatory process of extensive and exhaustive consultation,” he explained.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

AN INDICTMENT ON THE GOVERNMENT ‒ Min. Scott’s handling of engagement with BCGI management ARTICLE 147 of the Guyana Constitution expressly states, “… no person shall be hindered…to form or belong to…trade unions …for the protection of his or her interests.”

Last week, when Minister Keith Scott engaged the management of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI), presumably to address the more-than-sixyear-old impasse with the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU), it was reasonably expected that this Article would have guided discussions.

BCGI is owned by RUSAL and the Government of Guyana, and what was very troubling in watching the engagement between the minister and the foreign management was that the minister did not seem to understand his role. In June 2012, the High Court issued a decision which stated that the letters for compulsory arbitration that were signed by the then Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, in March 2012, must be reissued after a correction to the name of the

company. The failure to date by the Government of Guyana to reissue the letters means that the Government is in contempt of the court.

This nation is reminded that the APNU and AFC, when in opposition, had consistently called on the PPP government to honour the court’s decision. It is instructive that Minister Scott is adding to the lawlessness of BCGI management in his advice to them to think about the matter of the treatment of workers and in three months’ time come back to him. Had the minister sought to acquaint himself with Labour relations, he would have known that fundamental rights and freedoms operate in the here and now, and that he has no authority under any law to defer them.

Any respect for the Laws of Guyana would guide conduct consistent with Article 147 of the Constitution. Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act expressly states that once a trade union exists, the employer has a duty to treat with it, and the ruling

of the court in 2012.

Having taken the Oath of Office to uphold the rule of law, it was incumbent upon the minister to: (1) Let BCGI management know the APNU+AFC government respects the court’s ruling, and present the letters to commence arbitration (2) Ensure rights and freedoms are upheld in the here and now, which would have avoided embarrassment to this nation and open speculation that while he may have taken the Oath of Office, he may have also taken something else And (3) Use the opportunity to educate BCGI management of Section 23 (1) and the Government’s position to uphold it in response to the management saying they don’t want a union, when a legal Certificate of Recognition exists.

Given Scott’s performance, workers in this country will encounter serious problems with industrial relations. The Government’s claim of pursuing a Green Economy is also in for trouble, given that the Core Labour Standards

which are a pillar of this economy are being placed under supervisory responsibility of someone who knows not, and seems delighted in such position.

It should be said that since operations commenced at Aroaima during the Desmond Hoyte administration, workers are housed in accommodation that makes no provision for them to prepare their meals for themselves. The company provides this service. When the management spoke to this issue, it was not one of benevolence or testimony of kindness, but a responsibility of theirs.

This nation would remember BCGI workers speaking out against the faeces of rats and the presence of roaches in the food supplies, and insanitary condition of the kitchen where their meals were prepared.

Those who spoke out against this health hazard were dismissed.

Another area of concern is the minister’s apparent lack of understanding of the difference between termination and dismissal. For him to make the case that the workers

who were not paid while they were dismissed for cause speak to a clear misunderstanding. Once dismissed for cause, the employee can challenge the decision, and is entitled to representation by the union.

On termination, this treatment is guided by the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act. The reason why Minister Nanda Gopaul ordered compulsory arbitration into the BCGI matter has been the result of (1) the company being in breach of Section 23(1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act in its refusal to treat with the recognised union; (2) several outstanding issues to be addressed from May 2009 to 2012, when arbitration was ordered.

Minister Scott is called on to go back to the drawing broad, or acknowledge that such matters are not within his competencies, and recuse himself. The matter of Industrial relations is not about gut-feeling and flippancy; it is guided by a body of rules, laws, conventions and time-honoured principles.

Pedestrians, motorcyclists, pedal cyclists are main road fatalities ‒ 17% increase in accidents recorded OVER the past 10 years, pedestrians, motorcyclists and pedal cyclists accounted for most of the country’s road deaths, Boodnarine Persaud, Traffic Chief (ag) has said.

Accidents have claimed the lives of 451 pedestrians, 217 motorcyclists and 191 pedal cyclists over the past 10 years, Persaud told the Guyana Chronicle Thursday in an interview.

“These figures are horrifying, but it is true. Road safety is everybody’s business and we have to act now,” Superintendent Persaud declared.

He noted that speeding and use of alcohol continue to be the main causes of accidents. Other significant causes of road deaths include

Superintendent Boodnarine Persaud

inattentiveness by pedestrians and pedal cyclists and lack of care at intersections.

“Motorcyclists continue to use the road recklessly without thinking about their own safety or that of other

road users,” Persaud stated.

And in most of these accidents the riders and pillion riders are not fitted with safety helmets, he added.

As of last Tuesday, a total of 35 road fatalities from 35 accidents were recorded for the year, in comparison to 30 fatalities from 21 accidents for the same period last year, representing an increase of 17%. Three children have died as a result of traffic accidents so far this year, compared to nine for the same period last year.

The Traffic Chief advised motorcyclists to respect their lives and that of others.

“Do not speed and always wear a safety helmet.

“Do not tow more than one person and ensure that the

“

I have attended several funerals where victims of fatal accidents were buried or cremated and those were some of my worst experiences in my 25 years of service in the Traffic Department.”

- Superintendent Boodnarine Persaud, Traffic Chief (ag)

pillion rider is also wearing a safety helmet.

“You should be cognisant that there is not much protection for you, nor the pillion rider, should a collision occur,” Persaud stated.

He further advised pedal cyclists to ride on the left hand side of the road and ensure that their cycles have lights, reflectors, bells and brakes.

“Do not tow persons on the handle of the bicycle and always hold the steering han-

dle when riding on the roads.

Wear light-coloured clothing in the night.”

In addition, Persaud noted that pedestrians need to practise the kerb drill, even if they are not using a pedestrian crossing.

“Do not cross the road in the path of approaching vehicles. Walk on the right hand side of the road, and not more than two abreast. Use avenues and footpaths where provided. Wear light-coloured clothing during the hours of

darkness. Always hold the hands of young children in your company.”

Superintendent Persaud said the enforcement exercise against lawless drivers continues. To date, 7,375 drivers have been prosecuted for speeding, while 625 have been prosecuted for driving under the influence of alcohol.

“I have attended several funerals where victims of fatal accidents were buried or cremated and those were some of my worst experiences in my 25 years of service in the Traffic Department.

“I cannot explain the pain I saw in the eyes of those persons who have suffered the loss of their loved ones.” (Rabindra Rooplall)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

Towards a Good Life in a Green Economy Energy Efficiency – the snubbed pillar of our energy security

By Gavin Bovell FUNDAMENTAL to Guyana’s pursuant of a Green Economy, and by extension a “good life”, must be the effective and structural development of its clean energy sector to meet its increasing energy demand.

It is still customary for us to meet our energy needs by expanding generation supply with absolutely little or no regard for energy conservation and/or energy efficiency. Although these are both energy reduction techniques, it is necessary to make the distinction.

Energy conservation and energy efficiency both mean using less energy, but energy conservation refers particularly to the human behaviour that results in using less energy or no energy at all – involving activities such as turning off lights when leaving a room, and carpooling. On the other hand, energy efficiency speaks to the technological applications that support managing and restraining the growth in energy consumption.

According to the International Energy Agency, “Something is more energy efficient if it delivers more services for the same energy input, or the same services for less energy input”, such as efficient light bulbs, fuel efficient vehicles,

and even smart grids.

Generally, there are two distinct approaches used to meet the increasing demand for energy: either supply more energy, or improve energy end use and supply efficiencies. Although both are significantly important, it is the latter approach that deserves attention in Guyana, thereby prompting this commentary. It is certain that virtually all Guyana will benefit once all sectors exploit their opportunity to reduce the amount of energy they use. The benefits are immediate and can come in many tangible forms, such as reduced carbon emissions and economic cost, protection against rising energy costs, reduced investment size of new energy projects and deferred demand for construction of new energy projects.

Adopting a strategy and policy that emphasizes energy efficiency and conservation is the most economically and environmentally sensible dual purpose way of supporting Guyana’s Green Economy.

The International Energy Agency has assigned energy efficiency as the largest role in reducing carbon emissions to mitigate climate change in the long term.

Our energy policies ought to be dynamic and responsive to Guyana’s Green Economy agenda.

Policy instruments are effective and proven as energy saving tools.

For instance, in 2001, a drought in neighbouring Brazil created an energy crisis that severely threatened its hydro electricity supply and forced the Government to enforce drastic energy-saving policy measures. The actions achieved a reduction of energy consumption by a commendable 25% in just over two months, and it did so without causing blackouts. Policymakers were later astonished that after the energy saving program concluded, electricity consumption remained static.

Let us now conceptualize in Guyana a similar exercise whereby 25% energy-saving performance is achieved in the electricity sector.

This would translate to an average savings in electricity generated of 227.299 GWh and approximately US$49 million annually, at 2012 estimates.

The impact of these numbers must be understood and contemplated for what it’s worth in the pursuit of a “good life” in a green economy.

Transforming to an energy efficient society involves so many different factors. It means all stakeholders, including citizens and the Government, must take decisive and deliberate actions to

adopt an attitude consistent with energy conservation practices, while promoting and encouraging the use of energy-efficiency applications. It also means individuals are conscious about reducing their own carbon footprint through reduced energy consumption. These actions would not only protect the environment, but would also support green technology and growth.

According to Albert Einstein, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them”.

Making this transformation will result in new opportunities, increased efficiency, and financial savings; and an even more productive and healthier public to work and spend money in the resulting green sustainable economy. Energy efficiency in Guyana still faces many barriers, whether regulatory, legal, institutional or technical. Accepting this as fact, there ought to be the will and the want to not only reduce or remove these barriers altogether, but to do so in an expeditious manner.

While Guyana remains a country with great potential for energy savings, there must be an embrace of all the readily available institutional support for energy efficiency and conservation, both regionally and internationally.

The Caribbean Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CREEE), the United

Nation’s Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All), and the UN post2015 development agenda that is designed to double rates of energy efficiency by 2030 are all excellent initiatives available to support energy efficiency in Guyana.

Comments can be sent to: towardsagoodlife@gmail.com Gavin Bovell is a consultant who worked on several energy and environmental projects in Guyana, including waste to energy, analysing utility scale energy proposals, and contributed to writings for policy considerations. He graduated from the University of East London with a Master of Science degree in Energy and Environmental Studies, and has received formal training in Green Growth (Weitz Centre - Israel) and Urban Transport and Land Use Planning (World Bank Institute). Gavin interned at the Energy Department of the Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM) and worked as an Energy Consultant with the Inter-American Development Bank.

He has written several working papers on energy in Guyana, and continues to be a columnist on energy matters.

Gavin’s strengths can be identified in the areas of business management, business development, policy development, strategic planning, project management, and climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Trade and Investment…

28 American companies to visit Guyana Executives representing some 28 companies and three chambers of commerce from the United States of America are expected here next month to engage the local business community and relevant stakeholders.

According to a press release from the organisers, the upcoming trade and investment mission to Guyana is slated to run from May 10 to 14 – the same time when the country would be hosting its trade and investment fair, GuyExpo 2016.

The American team has said it is impressed with the programme of meetings and activities being arranged, and its members are excited about viewing the products

and services that would be on display at the Sophia Complex during GuyExpo.

According to the release, the 30-plus strong team of business representatives of US companies will participate in a series of briefings

by Government, the private sector and US Embassy officials; will undertake visits to the operations of local companies, and engage in one-on-one meetings with Government agencies and private companies.

The mission is being mounted by the Caricom Outreach Program of Outreach Aid to the Americas, Inc. (OAA) and the newly established Guyanese American Chamber of Commerce (GACC) Inc.

The entities that would be on the mission are involved in a range of sectors, and their interests in Guyana cover agriculture and agri-business, including shrimp farming; electronics assembly; telecommunications; light manufacturing; and infrastructure, including road and railway construction (BOOT model).

The visiting team members are also involved in tourism and real estate development, including housing development; transportation and logistics; the sourcing of Guyanese products for export, particularly seafood; and the supply of raw materials, equipment and other products to Guyana.

According to the release,

the mission plans to open its formal programme on Wednesday, May, 11th, with briefings by the United States Embassy to be followed by meetings with the Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, and a team from the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest).

The mission will visit Parika for lunch that day, to be hosted by the Chairman of Ming’s Products and Services, Stanley Ming, who will present his Guyana 2030 Plan.

The mission is also expected to visit the CARICOM Secretariat that day for a briefing on arrangements in place for intra-regional and international trade.

On Thursday, May, 12th,

the mission will receive an overview of the Guyana economy from Finance Minister Winston Jordan, and have engagement with Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin.

The mission is also expected to engage Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo that day.

The release details that visits are planned to a number of companies, including Global Seafood Distributors and the new Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC), which will host a lunch in honour of the mission.

Members of the mission will also attend the opening of GuyExpo 2016.

“I am really excited about this mission, and look for-

ward to learning more about the business opportunities that Guyana has to offer.

Even more exciting is that we get to view, at a single event, many of the companies operating in Guyana, and hopefully will be able to speak with those whose operations fit our interests,” said Gary Arkin, president of Premiere Stoneworks, LLC of Delray Beach, Florida.

Another member of the mission, Michael Devin Young, Executive Director of the Belize-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, said: “The programme is a very impressive one, and demonstrates that Guyana is serious about business. I also find it a very novel idea to Turn to page 13 ►

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CONSUMER

CONCERNS:

PAT DIAL

A FEW days ago, a travelling exhibition on child abuse was launched under the auspices of UNICEF, in collaboration with the Ministries of Social Protection and Public Security, the European Union, the Guyana Police Force, and several NGOs. The Exhibition consists

of art work done by sexually abused children, and would be taken to various police stations countrywide.

The paintings and drawings manifest the terrible sufferings sexually abused children have to bear, resulting in their having lifelong scars on their psyche.

Such abuse destroys personality, and continues to be destructive even as the child grows into adulthood.

Ms Marilyn Flatt, the UNICEF Representative, in her remarks at the launching of the Exhibition, described the hopeless, silent and severe suffering which envelops abused children: “Children often remain silent because they find it difficult to talk of their abuse, because they are afraid and are not sure where to turn.”

Much of the child abuse occurs within families. The

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND CONSTRUCTIVE PARENTING abuser is very often an older relative who had inveigled himself into the trust of the child, and uses the respect for age which the child has in carrying out his wicked designs.

Ms Flatt suggested in her remarks how such abuse could be dealt with: “Children need to know that they need to speak out and not to be afraid, and to speak out when they are being touched inappropriately.

“We can prevent and protect children from suffering abuse and violence, beginning in early childhood, through parenting education and changing attitudes and beliefs that encourage violence and discrimination at an early age.

“Educating families, caregivers and parents on their child’s early development increases the likelihood that they will use positive disciplining methods, and thus reduce the risk of

violence within the home.”

First Lady Sandra Granger, in her feature address at the launching, noted: “Increasingly, the Internet and mobile phones also put children at risk of social violence, as some adults look to the Internet to pursue sexual relationships with children.”

We would enjoin both adults and children to visit this exhibition, the first of its kind being mounted in Guyana.

The drawings and paintings bring home the horror of child sexual abuse, and one feels abhorrence for abuse. We think the Exhibition should also be mounted in the prisons.

The exhibition was meant to highlight one important aspect of child abuse, though the organizers of the exhibition are fully aware of the other aspects of child abuse.

Because of uninformed

parenting, most children, to a greater or lesser extent, suffer much mental and emotional distress.

Most adults tend to treat children as if they were little adults, and are not aware of the special needs of children at various ages as they grow into adulthood. For example, a child between 8 and 12 years old is changing from infancy to childhood, and a child between 14 and 18 years old is becoming an adolescent.

With the onset of adolescence, certain glands of the body which previously did not function now begin to function by producing new chemical substances, leading to emotional instability.

Certain physical changes begin to take place in the body, such as hair on the faces of boys; and the adolescent sometimes behaves like an adult and at other times like a child, causing puzzlement and irritation to parents and others with whom the adolescent comes into contact. The adolescent has no conscious control over such changes or behaviour.

Whipping of children in schools by certain teachers, and even by parents because they are slow or fail to comprehend what they are taught, will never help children, and may even damage children’s capabilities. The teacher or parent should realize that he or she has failed to find the way to communicate with the children.

Parents should also try to understand the effect of peer pressure on their children, and learn how to accommodate them. For frequent harsh speech, or embarrassment or violence to a child for some perceived offence or failing, could cause a child to quietly ignore parents, or even engage in open rebellion or delinquency.

Parents must understand that they have to learn parenting and be able to empathize with their children. It would be helpful if all parents were to be exposed to a few hours of Child Psychology. This could be done on the TV, or at parent-teachers’ meetings.

Sunday, April 17, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Monday, April 18, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Tuesday, April 19, 2016 - 14:30 hrs

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

DDL says encouraged by Granger’s commitment to rum sector

DEMERARA Distillers Limited (DDL) says it is encouraged by President David Granger’s commitment of supporting the local rum sector to ensure its survival and sustainability.

According to a press release from DDL , the President’s support comes at a time when it faces the major threat of competitiveness on account of trade-distorting measures taken by the U.S. federal government.

DDL said the Head-ofState made the commitment when he addressed company officials, industry leaders, sections of the business community and members of the diplomatic corps who had gathered for the launch of the El Dorado Grand Special Reserve 50th Anniversary Special Edition Rum at the El Dorado Rum Heritage Centre on the East Bank of Demerara, recently.

“Caribbean rum producers also face a major threat to their competitiveness owing to trade-distorting measures of the U.S. federal government. The U.S. federal government allows a tax rebate -- estimated to be valued at several million dollars per annum -- to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The rebate acts as a subsidy to rum producers in those two territories, affording an advantage over other Caribbean rums in the highly competitive U.S. market,” the release quoted the President as saying.

DDL noted the President’s call on CARICOM to sustain its protests at the U.S. Government’s actions. “The Caribbean Com-

Komal Samaroo, Chairman of DDL, and President David Granger pose for a photo besides casks of 50-year-old rum, which will be preserved and bottled in the next 25 years to celebrate Guyana’s 75th Independence Anniversary (Adrian Narine photo)

munty’s Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) has protested against these discriminatory measures. They are seen as being inimical to the sale of Caribbean rums in the U.S. market and threaten the “the long-term viability of the rum industry in the Caribbean,” the President noted.

He added that, “Caribbean countries stand to lose US$700M per annum and some 15,000 jobs are likely to be affected unless these tax rebates are withdrawn.

Litigation in the World Trade Organization (WTO)

is likely to be an extremely expensive and exhausting process. The Caribbean Community, therefore, must use its diplomatic strength to help resolve this problem which is affecting the health of our economies and the wealth of our countries.”

According to the release, the Guyanese leader noted that the country’s rum industry is precious and that it must be protected and preserved in the face of this peril. He said that workers’ jobs and the livelihoods of those who indirectly depend on the industry are

28 American... include a courtesy call on the Leader of the Opposition. In the Caribbean especially, it is good to know the thinking of the opposition on business issues.”

Peter Yu, president of US1America, Inc., a leading member of the Taiwan Business Association of Florida, says he and other members of the association are particularly interested in the advantages Guyana can offer in the area of electronic assembly and light manufacturing, not only for the local market, but for preferential access to international markets under special trade agreements.

“I am glad that there will be meetings with the necessary officials and with CARICOM, to learn more

about these agreements and what percentage of the value of products must be local in order to qualify,” he said.

Chairman of the board of directors of the GACC, Oscar Spencer, said the organization views the visit as the first step in a process that hopefully would lead to mutually beneficial business relationships. A retired senior official at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Spencer stressed that job creation is key to Guyana’s economic and social development, and “investment and trade are critical to the job creation process.”

“The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Business and GO-Invest, as well as the Honorary

From page 11

Consul in Florida, has been quite helpful, as have some companies, such as Surinam Airways and the Ramada Princess Hotel.

“A number of Government ministers and agencies, I am assured, will be available for one-on-one meetings with those businesses (that are) interested in the tourism, agri-business, public infrastructure, mining and other specific sectors,” Chairman of the mission, Wesley Kirton, noted.

Kirton noted the unique interest of medical marijuana by a local company, which, it was noted, can have legal implications but can also result in significant job creation and revenue earning for this country.

at stake, while the loss of foreign exchange and excise earnings by the rum industry can result in severe problems in our economy.

He said that Guyana’s rums are an important economic sub-sector and it is in the national interest to ensure the survival and sustainability of this industry. He said the Government of Guyana is committed to supporting the industry.

The release quoted DDL’s Chairman Komal Samaroo, “This is the strongest ever statement of support for the local rum industry from any Guyanaese leader, and the industry has good reason to be encouraged.”

Earlier, Samaroo outlined the challenges that DDL faced in pioneering the development of premium rum products for the North American and European markets. It said the commitment of the Government of Guyana is further vindication of these ongoing efforts.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

BK controversy…

President: No one should be able to buy political favour

By Fareeza Haniff PRESIDENT David Granger has asserted that persons should not be given Government appointments simply because they did a political favour or because they are friends with a Government official.

The President made his position known during his weekly programme, The Public Interest, when he

weighed in on the ongoing controversy regarding businessman Brian ‘BK’ Tiwarie being appointed a personal business adviser to Minister of State Joseph Harmon.

Harmon had justified Tiwarie’s appointment by noting that the Government was rewarding persons who had contributed to the APNU+AFC election campaign.

The minister admitted that the President did not know

he had appointed BK. The President rescinded Tiwari’s appointment when he got to know of it.

Questioned about the controversy, the President said, “I don’t think business persons or any person should be able to buy political favour or political patronage.

I would expect that, in the fullness of time, that would be diminished and decisions would be made purely on the President David Granger

Businessman Brian Tiwarie

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

basis of objective criteria.

People should be judged by their merit; I don’t think a person should be appointed because he is a friend of a politician or because he has done a political favour.”

He noted that he is fully satisfied with the performance of Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, and does not need Tiwarie’s services.

Granger, this is where the term “honorific” originated.

“There were people in the diaspora who supported the campaign, and at the end of the campaign there was a clamour for recognition of their contribution, and that was when the certificate was invented and maybe three dozen were given out; and that is why the term honorific was used, because it was simply a certificate honouring them for their contribution.

“I cannot say they constituted an advisory panel; it is ad hoc. These were people I met in Toronto, these were people I met in Queens, New York, and in Florida, and

they wanted to be recognized for their contribution.

“The demand came from members of both the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU),” President Granger clarified.

Asked whether this constituted corrupt practice, the President disagreed, and noted that those persons are not employees of the Government.

Tiwarie had contended that President Granger’s decision to hack his appointment as advisor on business to the Minister of State was rash.

“It may well be that, in quieter time, the President may have an opportunity to reflect upon the propriety of impulsive decision-making,” he posited.

According to Tiwarie, other ministers, including Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, have made several such appointments, and those did not receive “sustained campaign and public outcry.”

Tiwarie suggested that President Granger should revoke those appointments as well. “Maybe, in the interest of fairness, the President should revoke all of those (appointments) too, and for the very reason given when he acted impulsively in revoking the appointment at a time when Minister Harmon was out of the country”, Tiwari suggested, but President Granger has dismissed Tiwarie’s suggestion.

“I wouldn’t respond to Mr. Tiwarie,” he said. “Mr. Tiwarie doesn’t determine my policy, and I’ll just leave it at that, I wouldn’t respond to Mr. Tiwarie,” the President told reporters on Monday evening.

HONORIFIC APPOINTMENTS Tiwarie and 33 other persons were given certificates of appointment to various positions following the May 11, 2015 general elections, and according to President

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

Jagdeo raps gov’t on DDL tax settlement ‒ claims billions in revenue were lost OPPOSITION Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has described the tax settlement between Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) as scandalous, saying it could open the gate for other companies to seek tax refunds.

“The settlement sends the wrong message to the business community; that a company can unilaterally decide to stop paying taxes, while other companies comply with the law, take the matter to court and drag it out until a sympathetic government comes to power and settles its debts to the State,” Jagdeo said in a statement Saturday evening.

On Tuesday last, DDL announced that it had reached an amicable settlement to resolve a longstanding dispute over Consumption Tax that began in 2002. The company said the settlement follows an extended legal battle between DDL and the GRA, arising out of the Consumption Tax assessment levied against DDL by then Commissioner-General Kurshid Sattaur in January, 2009, in the sum of $5.3 billion.

He said that since the settlement was arrived at

only on March 9, 2016, it means DDL had use of the money for 15 years.

“If one were to calculate interest on this sum, at a rate of 10 per cent per annum, using only the past 10 years, the liability would amount to $10.6B. The GRA assessment of $5.392B was based on a formula handed down by the court, but yet DDL refused to pay,” Jagdeo stated.

According to Jagdeo, the settlement also writes off all possible liabilities in respect of Excise Tax up to March 9, 2016; “So if the same situation obtains with regard to the Excise tax, between 2006 and 2016, then the liabilities would run into tens of billions more.”

The Opposition Leader said the settlement has opened the door for other companies to seek refunds on taxes paid, claiming that there have already been reports in the private sector of other major companies consulting lawyers about this possibility.

“Management officials from a major local alcohol and beverage-producing company have made it clear, in the past when I was President, that the company would be seeking a refund

depending on the outcome of the DDL matter.

“If this company were to conservatively use DDL’s case to advance a call for a refund of taxes it paid, this could result in the treasury balance being further diminished. Extrapolating, the refund for one company on consumption tax alone could total some $7.6B up to 2006, inclusive of interest,” Jagdeo stated.

He said the total would represent over $16B in revenues lost, in the case of only two companies (adding the refund for one company [$7.6] and the liabilities for DDL [$10.6B] and subtracting the $1.5B that were paid

by DDL in the settlement).

Jagdeo claimed that during a meeting he had with President Granger, he had offered to have the current Attorney General briefed by his predecessor, Mr Anil Nandlall, about five major cases involving billions of dollars in taxes lawfully due to the State, including the DDL matter, but this offer was rejected.

“This offer was made because the (opposition) People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) believes we must safeguard the State’s revenue sources and this is

not a matter that ought to be contaminated by politics.

“After all, it is upon the treasury that we depend to fund all the social interventions that touch lives and affect the welfare of thousands of ordinary Guyanese people,” Jagdeo stated.

Jagdeo wants the government to say if an assessment of DDL’s liabilities in respect of Excise Tax for the period 2006 to 2016 was done and to say what was the sum of that liability.

Further, he said it also needs to be made clear who negotiated the settlement, whether it was legal and whether the settlement was approved by Cabinet or by the board of the GRA.

Jagdeo also wants to know on what principles the sum of $1.5B was arrived at and he also asked whether there were other similar deals.

He said that the DDL settlement lacks transparency and speaks of secrecy.

“This settlement, as well as the possibility of other companies seeking refunds, will cost the State billions in revenue dollars – billions that could have been used in areas that the APNU+AFC coalition told the nation they could not afford to fund,” Jagdeo declared.

He said it would have taken $1.7B to keep the Wales Sugar Estate functional, thereby safeguarding

2,000 jobs and the welfare of 28,000 residents on the West Bank of Demerara; it would have taken $1.6B to continue the “Because We Care” cash grant for 177,000 public schoolchildren across the country; it would have taken a further $500M in water and electricity subsidies that would have benefited upwards of 40,000 pensioners.

“These would have amounted to only $3.8B, but were callously not funded. While these social interventions would have cost only $3.8B, this single tax deal will cost the treasury upwards of $16B for the period 2001 to 2006,” Jagdeo stated.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

Air Services unveils Jubilee h

- Special Kaieteur, Georgetown tour

Minister of Public Telecommunications with responsibility for the tourism sector, Catherine Hughes (third left), and ASL’s Annette Arjoon-Martins (second left) enjoy a conversation in front of the rebranded helicopter as other ASL staffers look on

An aerial view of the Coastline outside Courida Park on the East Coast of Demerara, taken from Air Services Limited’s Bell Long Range helicopter

Minister Hughes cuts a cake with Tularam Ramsukh who celebrated his 50 birthday recently. His initials were utilized for creation of the registration for the helicopter

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helicopter

rs on offer

Story and Photos by Alva Solomon AS THE country’s 50th Independence Anniversary draws closer, local airline Air Services Limited (ASL) unveiled a rebranded helicopter which it will use for aerial tours of Georgetown and its environs.

Unveiling was done on Saturday, and the 8R-GTR helicopter features the Golden Arrowhead and Golden Jubilee Logo. The helicopter was repainted in the colours of the Golden Arrowhead and the 50th Anniversary Logo is also conspicuously labelled on the craft.

At a simple ceremony held at its hanger, ASL’s chief executive officer Annette Arjoon-Martins told the media that this year’s Independence celebrations, while national in observance, are also special to the airline.

She said it was 50 years ago that the airline’s founder, Yacoob ally, started ASL after earning his pilot’s licence, and he purchased a small aircraft. She said the airline has today grown to the extent where it employs 50 female staff members, five (5) of whom are managers.

Arjoon-Martins noted that the rebranded helicopter carries the registration 8R-GTR for a special reason: the last two letters of the registration represent the name of maintenance manager Tularam Ramsukh, who celebrated his 50th birthday recently.

“I would like to thank each and every one of the other 249 staff who make up the ASL team”, she said.

Arjoon-Martins noted that ASL is committed to the development of the tourism sector. She lauded the presence of Minister Cathy Hughes, who has responsibility for Public Telecommunications and Tourism.

The Minister commended ASL for the role the company has played in development of the aviation industry.

She said that, in May last year, she argued about the importance of the tourism industry to develop additional areas

ASL’s Jubilee Helicopter which can expand the nation’s economic base.

“One of the solid points that I used is the fact that we have a very vibrant local aviation industry,” the minister said. She noted that, without airlines, the sector’s development would not be possible. She said that Guyana has a unique advantage, with beauty and terrain, “but we have a disadvantage in that it is not easily accessible”. She said that having an aviation industry that would push the development of tourism and other economic areas, such as mining, “is extremely important”.

Hughes expressed happiness that the aviation industry has grown, and she lauded its dynamism. She said she is

excited about the rebranded rotorcraft.

“It gives you a view, an experience that is next to none,” she said of a helicopter ride experience, noting that tourists and locals can share the “fantastic experience” that the helicopter has to offer.

At the conclusion of the media briefing, Minister Hughes and members of the media were taken on an aerial tour over the capital city in the Bell Long Ranger chopper.

According to ASL, the helicopter is available for booked overhead tours around Georgetown, and to major resorts and landmarks such as Kaieteur Falls, with tours to the falls being US$130 per seat.

An aerial view of Kingston, Georgetown’s waterfront, taken from Air Services Limited’s (ASL) Bell Long Range helicopter. ASL is offering aerial tours as part of this year’s Golden Jubilee Independence celebrations, and will take visitors to landmarks across the city and elsewhere in the country

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

Security officers rewarded by Professional Guard Services

FORTY-FIVE ranks of the Professional Guard Services Inc. (PGS) were on Saturday rewarded for their outstanding performance in the fourth quarter of 2015.

The officers were honoured variously with sums of $5000, $10,000 and $20,000 at the Kirkpatrick’s Garden Room at Jamoon Drive, Meadow Brook Gardens in

Georgetown. Detective Devon Lowe, Corporal Linden Zamith and Constable Rayon Goddett of the Guyana Police Force also received special awards in the sum of $20,000.

Over the years, PGS has been consistently rewarding its employees for their service to the company. The

company offers full integrated inspection service, 24hour radio service, fully insured armed transfers and deposits, armed and radio-equipped security officers, fully armed response units, baton and radio-equipped security officers, and also conducts training classes for its personnel.

Vehicle crushes man skull, driver in custody FORTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD Patraj Basdeo, called Sukra, of Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara (WBD), was killed on

Friday night when a car driven by a drunk driver crushed his skull as he was reportedly lying on the corner on the public road at

Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara.

Basdeo’s sister, Amanda Johnson, said the accident took place a stone’s throw away from where he lived.

Another sister, who also lives nearby, claims to have seen what happened. She said it was a silver-grey Toyota Camry that hit her brother.

“The driver of the car drove away, and a younger brother had to chase the car down and call in the police,” she noted.

Johnson explained that the sound of the vehicle crushing her brother’s skull was heard in the neighbourhood. Relatives said Basdeo died on the spot, and the entire neighbourhood came out after the accident occurred.

She noted that he had once been involved in another vehicular accident, but it was not serious.

The police in a press release stated that at about 20:55h on Friday, Basdeo was allegedly lying on the

Dead: Patraj Basdeo

Sisters village public road when he was run over by a motor vehicle. He was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver of the motor vehicle was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He has been arrested and is assisting police in their investigations into the accident.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

Equality Forum raises human rights concerns with Greenidge AS Guyana continues to grapple with discrimination against minority groups, the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF) last week met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, and two Foreign Service Officers to raise concerns and remind him of Guyana’s international human rights obligations.

Those who met with Minister Greenidge included: Sabine McIntosh, President of the Deaf Association of Guyana (DAG); Managing-Director, Joel Simpson, and Advocacy and Communications Officer, Schemel Patrick of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD); and Foreign Service Officers Jason Fields and Vonetta Victor.

McIntosh, who spoke about the right to language and education for deaf persons, highlighted Guyana’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Guyana became the 150th country to ratify in September 2014.

She highlighted that Article four of the Convention requires state parties to “ensure that reasonable accommodation is provided to persons with disabilities.”

Further, Article 24 states that “Persons with disabilities shall be entitled, on an equal basis with others, to recognition and support of their specific cultural and linguistic identity, including sign languages and deaf culture.”

The article also outlines the state’s obligation of “facilitating the learning of sign language and the promotion

of the linguistic identity of the deaf community.”

Given the ratification of this convention, McIntosh underscored Guyana’s duty to give deaf students the option of attending deaf-dedicated schools, where their language and culture are fostered and where they are adequately prepared for their lives as responsible and productive citizens.

Currently, Guyana is behind its regional counterparts including Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, where sign language is taught at the university level and where parents can send their deaf children to a public or private deaf-dedicated school.

As such, she requested of the minister to invite the World Federation of the Deaf to provide expert advice and best practices on how best to meet these obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as is outlined in Article 38 of the Convention.

SASOD’s Schemel Patrick, who presented on behalf of the Sisterhood of Support, Services and Sustainability Foundation (S4 Foundation), sought to urge the government to ratify or accede to the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

By ratifying these Optional Protocols, Patrick said, a state recognises the competence of the CEDAW and ICESCR Committees – the bodies that monitor state

parties’ compliance with the Conventions – to receive and consider complaints from individuals or groups within its jurisdiction.

Simpson presented three key recommendations from the Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP).

First was the call for the coalition government to take all necessary steps to support and preserve indigenous languages at risk of extinction and to enhance the integration of indigenous cultures into the education system. He also expressed grave concern with the issue of cross-border and intra-national sex trafficking in indigenous women and children.

Over the years, illicit trafficking networks have, with impunity, been smuggling mostly female citizens of Guyana across the porous borders, as well as citizens of other countries entering Guyana as part of this nefarious modern-day sex slavery.

Simpson also reminded Minister Greenidge of the Government’s obligations to ensuring that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Guyanese are offered legal protection from discrimination in the enjoyment of their socio-economic rights.

The minister was also urged to support an amendment of the Prevention of Discrimination Act 1997 to include sexual orientation, gender identity and health status as grounds for discrimination.

In responding to the delegation, the minister, who is also a vice-president, encouraged the GEF delegation

Dennis Street, Sophia reopened THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) announced on Saturday evening that Dennis Street in Sophia, between ‘A’ Field and the Eastern Highway, is now reopened to vehicular traffic, days ahead of its scheduled completion.

Construction began on April 4 and was slated to be completed by April 18. However, recognising that the closed area was an important one for residents and commuters in Sophia, General Contractor Colin Talbot and his team worked assiduously to ensure that the work was done before its deadline, the MPI stat-

ed.

These road works saw completion of approximately 300 metres of timber revetment being placed along Dennis Street, Sophia, which included the installation of steel tie-rods

and “dead man” structures.

Besides Sophia, the MPI will be undertaking other major infrastructural works in Pattensen and Turkeyen as part of its Urban Areas Development Plan for 2016.

to also engage the relevant ministries with responsibility for dealing with their specific sectoral issues.

He noted that the coalition government does not oppose proposals to advance human rights protection in principle, but lamented the resource constraints it faces to ef-

fectively address some issues. Minister Greenidge also underscored the importance of community engagement, innovation and education in alleviating social problems. He explained that there is a need to strengthen the government’s human and insti-

tutional capacity to ensure that government meets its international obligations. Further, he pointed out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not fashion policy, but articulates on behalf of various agencies in the international arena.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

Permits to mine on river banks rescinded

COMMISSIONER (ag) of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Newell Dennison, said on Saturday that mining of river banks (buffer zones) is against the law, and all permissions to do so previously granted have been rescinded.

The warning was issued in a notice published in the local newspapers.

According to Dennison, any such breach of river banks for access to claims or mining permits, or for prospecting mining and quarrying operations, requires specific permission from the GGMC. As such, he noted that there should be no mining or excavation of these river banks

without due consideration of, and specific permission from, the GGMC. = He further noted that, pursuant to policy directives by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, protocols in relation to application for consideration and grant of permission in accordance with the law for such privileges are being reviewed.

“Consequently, all ‘permissions’ previously granted to breach river banks for access to claims or mining permits, or for prospecting mining and quarrying operations, are rescinded with immediate effect”, the acting Commissioner said in the notice.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

Demerara Cricket Club in control ...

From back page

back-of-the-arm spinner Totaram Bishun (3-38), Paul Wintz (2-19) and off-spinner Squires (1-53).

The DCC new ball bowlers delivered some early punishing blows to leave the GDF struggling at 32-3.

Barnwell made the first breakthrough in the day’s second over when Quacey McPherson played across the line and was leg before wicket without scoring.

Wintz then produced a brilliant first spell of seam bowling. He first bowled Hakeem Hinds (1) and then had Leon Andrews (14) with a ball that moved away off the seam, finding the edge on the way to wicketkeeper Savory.

Kevin Ramdeen became the fourth casualty of the day, when he was taken by Barnwell at backward square off Bishun for 23, and within the first hour of play, GDF were precariously placed at 38-4.

However, Ishwar Singh and Randy Lindore steadied the innings somewhat with a fifth-wicket partnership of 49, but the DCC spinners took full advantage on a pitch that offered some turn and bounce,.

Lindore was removed by Bishun for 25, while Singh was dismissed by off-spinner Dennis for 24. GDF reached the interval at 100-6, with Dextor Solomon on four and Jerimiah Harris on seven.

After the interval, Solomon was run out after a mixup with Harris for seven. Harris, who was left unbeaten on 21, was joined by Romario Shephard and together provided a short period of resistance before Barnwell trapped the latter leg before wicket for 22. Barnwell then had Andre Oneil caught at the wicket for four.

Bishun wrapped up the innings mid way through the middle session with the wicket of Nial Smith for 12.

The DCC got off to the worst possible start and were reduced to 10-2,with Shephard removing Brian Sattuar (2) and Kevon Boodie without scoring.

Barnwell then made a resilient 70-ball 70, inclusive of 13 fours to provide the resistance after the two early dismissals.

He added 84 for the third wicket with Tevin Imlach before he departed to Lindore. Jamal Hinkson joined Imlach, but when the partnership began to blossom, the West Indies Under-19 wicket-keeper had to retire hurt on 45, sharing a 62-run partnership with Hinkson.

Hinkson went on to make 47 (5x4s, 1x6) before he became Shephard’s third victim. Jahron Byron (11) was the other batsman dismissed via the run out route. Play resumes today at 09:30 hrs.

ENGLISH RACING TIPS Wetherby 09:05 hrs Celtic Agent 09:35 hrs Trust Thomas 10:10 hrs Late Night Lily 10:45 hrs Oscar Oscar 11:20 hrs Flashjack 11:50 hrs Crown And Glory 12:20 hrs Kelka WINCANTON 08:55 hrs Antiphony 09:25 hrs Zubayr 09:55 hrs Dusky Lark 10:30 hrs Bishops Court 11:05 hrs Emerging Talent 11:40 hrs High Aspirations 12:10 hrs Movewiththetimes 12:40 hrs Capitaine

IRISH RACING TIPS Navan 09:00 hrs Charlies Missile 09:30 hrs Cuff 10:05 HRS Queen Blossom 10:40 hrs Ineffable 11:15 hrs Joailiere 11:45 hrs Crene De La 12:15 hrs Aasheq 12:45 hrs Prussian Eagle IRISH RACING TIPS Scottsville 08:40 hrs Leisure Trip 09:15 hrs Diamond Eagle 09:45 hrs Winter Auralius 10:20 hrs Hold The Line 10:55 hrs Tales Of Mambo

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

A DOUBLE DUCK THEN A DOUBLE TON

IN the long, rich history of Test cricket dating back to 1877, when Australia and England squared off at the Melbourne Cricket Club ground, there have been only two instances in which a player recorded a pair in one Test and then rebounded with a double-century in his very next.

The first to do so was the West Indian opener Clifford Archibald Roach, 63 years after the very first Test was contested and only two years after the regional team was granted Test status in 1928.

GEORGE HEADLEY The right-handed Roach was principally an accomplished opener who was the link between George Challenor and the legendary George Headley, as West Indian premier batsmen in the formative years of West Indies cricket.

He played in the inaugural series away to England in 1928 and although the visitors were hammered by an innings in each of the three Tests, he did crack two half-centuries -- an exact 50 in the second Test at Old Trafford, Manchester and 53 in the third and final encounter at the Kennington Oval in London.

Roach’s class and technique were never in question, but one of his shortcomings throughout his 16 Test and 98 first-class match career was his inconsistency. True to form, in addition to his two 50s in the series, he also recorded two ducks including being run out in his very first Test innings without scoring.

When England visited the Caribbean in 1930 for a four-Test duel, Roach was unsurprisingly included in the final 11 for the first Test in Barbados and opened the batting with the captain Teddy Hoad.

In the drawn engagement, the West Indies batted first and totalled 369 with Roach earning the distinction of registering the team’s first Test hundred -- a fashionable knock of 122 studded with 20 stylish fours. He was ably assisted by the Guyanese Frank DeCaires, who compiled

a regal 80 as England’s leg-spinner Greville Stevens returned figures of five for 105 off 27 overs.

In response, England tallied 467 on the heels of Andy Sandham’s 152 and when the Windies batted a second time, they got to 384 with George Headley announcing himself to the world with a debut ton-176-which stood as the highest score by a West Indian in his first Test until Lawrence Rowe’s magical moment 42 years later.

Roach, though upstaged by Headley, crafted an enterprising 77 to finish the Test on a high, even as England ended the game at 167 for three.

At the Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad -- the venue for the second game -- expectations were high for the regional team having earned a draw and respect in Barbados. Fans and Roach alike could not wait for the game to commence and witness the runs flow from his blade for after all, he was in great form and was playing in front of his home crowd.

But Trinidad proved to be a nightmare for both the West Indies and Roach. The West Indies went down by a massive 167 runs and Roach was dismissed for a duck in each innings, both times falling to the left-armer Bill Voce-bowled in the first innings opening the batting and caught in the second, batting at number four.

Disillusioned, he cabled the selectors and asked to be omitted from the team for the crucial third Test slated for Bourda, Guyana, two weeks later. The authorities persuaded him to cheer up and play and it turned out to be an extremely smart move.

Led by Guyana’s Marius Fernandes, the West Indies batted first and aggregated an impressive 471, led by Roach’s brilliant and epic 209 -- the first double hundred by a West Indian -- an innings containing 23 rollicking fours and three super sixes.

He added a 144-run opening stand with Errol Hunte and a further 192 for the second wicket with George Headley (114), to set the tone for the imposing total as England tried seven bowlers in a vain attempt to stem the tide.

England were then bundled out for a paltry 145 as they found the pace of Learie Constantine (4/35) and George Francis (4/40) too hot to handle.

Fernandes took a little flak for not enforcing the follow-on and the West Indies were bowled out for 290 going for quick runs.

In all of this, Headley further distinguished himself by easing to yet another hundred (112) to become the first West Indian player to hit twin tons in a Test-- a feat he would repeat at the famous Lord’s in 1939.

Set a nigh impossible 617 for victory, England were again undone by the speed of Constantine (5/87) and Francis (2/69) and edged to 327 to lose comprehensively by 289 runs and gave the West Indies their first Test match victory.

Inside

Edge

With Edwin Seeraj The series ended 1-1 after the fourth Test at Sabina Park, Jamaica, ended in stalemate.

The second and only occasion the “double duck then a double ton” scenario has occurred in Test cricket was some 80 years later when the prolific South African batsman Jacques Kallis suffered a similar fate at the hands of the Sri Lankans in 2011.

Kallis, a right-handed stroke-maker of the highest quality and a run-machine in all forms of the game, had already played 148 of his eventual 166 Test matches and had struck a whopping 40 centuries when he and South Africa arrived in Durban for the second Test, having contributed 31 to his team’s emphatic innings win in the first match at Centurion.

Batting first, Sri Lanka reached 338 with Thilan Samaraweera battling for 102 spread over 269 deliveries and spiced with 11 fours. The right-arm fast bowler Merchant DeLange exhibited good discipline and craftiness to claim a well-deserved seven for 81.

The home team were then routed for 168 as Asanga Welegedara left-arm medium-pacers helped him to figures of five for 52.

Kallis lasted just three deliveries, departing at 27 for three, caught at slip off Welegedara as the ball moved across him.

Kumar Sangakkara stepped to 108 in Sri Lanka’s 279 second-innings effort, setting South Africa 450 to win and take an unassailable 2-nil lead in the three-match series.

South Africa stuttered to 241 to lose by the huge margin of 208 runs as another left-armer-- the spinner Rangana Herath -- spun webs around the batsmen to claim five for 79.

Kallis suffered the indignity of falling for a seven-ball duck this time, but he was too great a player to fall into steep decline.

Playing his landmark 150th Test in Capetown, he was determined to produce something extra special…….and he did.

South Africa powered their way to a mammoth 580 for four declared (A B DeVilliers 160 not out; Alviro Petersen 109) both of them trumped by Kallis’s monumental 224 taking up 434 minutes, 325 balls and hitting the ropes 31 times and going over them once.

He relished the feeling for it was his

highest Test score and only his second double ton, having had to wait some 142 Tests and 37 centuries before he broke the barrier with an unbeaten 201 against India in Centurion in 2010.

The Sri Lankans made 239 and following on, 342 to set the South Africans a couple of runs for victory and take the series 2-1. They did so by 10 wickets.

Kallis closed his international career shortly afterwards with a stunning record of 13, 289 Test runs at an average of 55.37 with 45 hundreds and as a bonus registered 11,579 runs in 328 ODIs at an average of 44.36 with 17 centuries.

The minor glitch in Durban in 2011 just could not keep him down.

CLIFFORD ROACH

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

Premier League…

Villa relegated as Sunderland, Newcastle boost hopes

By Mike Collett

LONDON, (Reuters)-Former European champions Aston Villa had their fate confirmed and were relegated from the Premier League with a ninth straight defeat yesterday as north-east rivals Sunderland and Newcastle United both won to boost their battle against the drop.

Villa, who had not been relegated since the Premier League began in 1992, lost 1-0 at Manchester United where teenager Marcus Rashford scored the only goal in the first half.

Sunderland improved their chances of staying up by beating Norwich City 3-0 at Carrow Road while Newcastle fuelled their survival hopes with a 3-0 win over Swansea City at St James’ Park.

In the day’s late game, Sergio Aguero scored a hattrick and Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois was sent off for the second time this season as Manchester City thumped the outgoing champions 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Aguero, who missed a penalty when City beat Paris St Germain to reach the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday, completed his hat-trick from the spot in the 80th minute after Courtois was sent off for

bringing down Fernandinho.

The Belgium international keeper was also sent off in the opening league game of the season against Swansea

Hotspur (65) and Arsenal (59) -- not playing, all the attention was focussed on the bottom of the table where Norwich remain in 17th place on 31 points,

DOMINANT UNITED Villa had won only one of their last 40 league matches against United and there was never any indication they were going to improve on that woeful record.

United, who had Wayne Rooney back in their starting lineup for the first time since mid-February, were totally dominant.

Rooney, who has recov-

Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring the first goal for Manchester UnitedAction Images via Reuters / Jason CairnduffLivepic City.

The win meant City moved up from fourth to third on 60 points from 33 games while Chelsea stayed 10th.

With the top three at the start of the day -- Leicester City (72 points), Tottenham

nervously looking over their shoulders.

Sunderland’s victory moved them on to 30 points, one point behind Norwich with a game in hand, while Newcastle also closed the gap, moving on to 28 points.

Notable Dates WAYNE `Big Truck’ Braithwaite made the third defence of his World Boxing Council cruiserweight title on April 17, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The Guyanese southpaw faced Louis Azille of Dominica and retained the title through Unanimous Decision. Azille was down in round three following the completion of the contest Braithwaite complained that he had hurt his right hand early hence his inability to stop his opponent.

The victory earned Braithwaite his 21th victory in as many fights. It was the second meeting for the two cruiserweights.

They first met in November 2001in Las Vegas when Braithwaite turned on the pressure early and

They have also played a game fewer than Alex Neil’s side.

Villa, who have only won three of their 34 league matches, have 16 points and have long seemed condemned to finishing bottom and falling out of the top flight for the first time since 1988.

was rewarded with a third round Technical Knock Out (TKO). The win gave the Guyanese the right to fight Vincenzo Cantatore for the WBC title the following year.

Braithwaite was given the nickname `Big Truck’ by boxing promoter Odinga Lumumba in 1997. Even at that infantile stage of his career the Plaisance-born cruiserweight had shown that he possessed power to rival that of Guyana Power and Light.

In October 2002 he became the second Guyanese to win a world title following on the heels of Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis in February 2001. Braithwaite softened the Italian Cantatore in the early part of their WBC cruiserweight championship contest and applied

WAYNE BRAITHWAITE finishing touches in the 10 round to win by TKO. He had three successful defences before losing to Jean Marc Mormeck.

Braithwaite has won 24 of 30 fights. . He has been defeated six times in his last nine fights dating back to the April 2005 loss to Mormeck and will turn 41 in August.

ered from a knee problem, did not score as he often has against Villa in the past, but showed no signs of injury during his 67 minutes on the field.

The only goal came from Rashford, who took his tally to seven in his 12th United appearance with a well-taken shot after 32 minutes.

Sunderland kept up their fight to avoid the drop after a first-half penalty from Fabio Borini put them ahead at Norwich before Jermain Defoe and Duncan Watmore wrapped up the points with goals in the second half.

Jamaal Lascelles, Moussa Sissoko and Andros Townsend scored Newcastle’s goals against Swansea,

who are almost certainly safe on 40 points.

There was drama at The Hawthorns where Watford beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 after Saido Berahino missed two second-half penalties for the home side.

Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes guessed correctly both times, saving the first penalty in the 67th minute and the second in the 87th. He became the first keeper in Premier League history to save two penalties in a match twice, the first time for Tottenham against Sunderland in 2010.

Ben Watson scored the only goal, volleying home a near-post corner in the first half. Everton drew 1-1 with Southampton in the day’s other match.

Hobbling Finch wins Gujarat Lions a thriller IT took one week for IPL 2016 to finally deliver a blockbuster. Gujarat Lions controlled the game for the better part of 35 overs before slipping in the next four to bring the equation down to 11 off the final over.

Aaron Finch, who overcame bouts of cramps and possibly a twinge in his hamstring, was running on empty by then.

(Scores:Gujarat Lions 147 for 7 (Finch 67*, Raina 27, McClenaghan 4-21, Bumrah 2-32) beat Mumbai Indians 143 for 8 (Parthiv 34, Southee 25, Tambe 2-12, Kulkarni 2-19) by three wickets Fortunately for them, Dhawal Kulkarni, who returned to the venue he has grown up playing on, channelised his batting potential to smack Jasprit Bumrah over extra cover for four, before Finch biffed a boundary when they needed one off the final ball, and Lions sneaked home by three wickets to consolidate their position at the top of the standings.

Kulkarni and Pravin Tambe, who know what it took to bowl on the Wankhede track having played for Mumbai in domestic cricket, were central to Lions’ bowling plans.

They returned combined figures of 6-1-31-4 to rip the heart out of Mumbai Indians’ batting line-up. Finch then showed different shades of his batting in a composed unbeaten 67 to steer Lions through a chase of 144 and extend their winning streak to three matches.

What appeared to be a straightforward chase hit a roadblock as Lions slipped from 65 for 1 to 83 for 4. Suresh Raina’s dismissal to a Mitchell McClenaghan bouncer triggered the slide. Further life was injected into the contest when Dinesh Karthik’s sweep found a leaping Harbhajan Singh at deep backward square leg to give Krunal Pandya his first IPL wicket. Dwayne Bravo was then given out caught behind off Mitchell McClenaghan in controversial circumstances - replays suggested there was no deflection.

The asking rate, which had hovered around seven an over, now touched nine.

Lions needed 54 off the last six overs. Akshdeep Nath walked in for his first hit in the IPL as Mumbai smelled an opportunity to get in a couple of quiet overs. But Finch was unperturbed, bringing out the big hit - a slog over cow corner off Harbhajan - to bring the equation down to 35 off the last four overs.

After Nath fell to an ungainly heave, James Faulkner’s tactful strike rotation eased the pressure on Finch. But just when Lions were cruising home with 13 to get from the last 12 balls, McClenaghan produced another twist, sending down a dramatic 19th over that saw James Faulkner and Praveen Kumar fall to outstanding catches by Parthiv Patel behind the stumps. Mumbai sensed an opening, but Finch and Kulkarni kept their calm to see Lions through.

Two overs into the contest, it was evident that Raina had won a crucial toss.

This wasn’t a Wankhede deck where batsmen could kill the ball like they did at the World T20. Instead, there was swing, bounce and zip off the deck.

By resisting the temptation to pick Martin Guptill, Mumbai showed faith in the same batting group that had made light work of Kolkata Knight Riders. But this time they played too many shots and left Mumbai in a hole at 77 for 5. Parthiv’s 29-ball 34 at the top of the order and Ambati Rayudu’s 19-ball 20 at No. 6 were the only significant contributions in the top order.

Mumbai got to 143 thanks to a late assault from Tim Southee and Krunal Pandya, who made 25 and 20 not out respectively, that helped them blast 61 off the last five overs.

Mumbai’s momentum stretched into the early part of the Lions innings, when Bumrah saw off Brendon McCullum in the second over. Raina scrapped his way through a short-ball challenge to make 27 before falling to his bogey ball.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

Inniss pays familiarisation visit to EBFA GUYANA Football Federation (GFF) executive member with responsibility for the East Bank Football Association (EBFA), Dion Inniss, last Wednesday met with the association’s Executive and General Council at the Park View Hotel, Farm, East Bank Demerara.

Inniss, a former FIFA referee and goalkeeper informed the members that he was pleased to have been appointed to oversee the association which he noted has been very proactive especially in the area of youth development.

The Caribbean Airlines Marketing Executive informed the association that he was there to work along closely in advancing the further development of the association in a holistic manner. Work has already begun in this regard as a Referees Beginners Course has already been organised with about 10 persons from the EBFA set to participate.

Association president Franklin Wilson gave Inniss an overview of the association’s work programme indicating that the Ralph Green-sponsored Under-11 concluded re-

cently with Agricola Red Triangle emerging the winners over Craig Primary School in the final.

Wilson also disclosed that the STAG Senior League is ongoing while the association will kick off its Under-13 early May. Inniss commended the association for its continued efforts at the grassroots level noting that this focus will impact positively at the national level, ultimately. Discussions were also had in the areas of Coaches, Administrative and Female Development.

President of the Guyana Football Referees Council, Inniss, presented various sets of FIFA Grassroots tops that have been passed on to the affiliated clubs of the association as well as Craig Primary and Friendship.

Meanwhile, the Technical Adviser to the EBFA, Mr Winston Benons, will be running off a Goalkeepers session for Under-11 and U-13 players this Sunday at the Farm Community Centre ground from 10:00hrs.

All clubs are required to ensure their goalkeepers in the targeted age groups attend the session along with their coaches.

Albion upset Floodlights as Wolf’s Memorial Challenge Cup begins RESULTS for Wolf’s Memorial Softball Tournament played last Sunday.h. Albion Masters def: Floodlights by 6 runs. Albion 218-4-20 overs. V. Moonsammy 105 N.O, John Somar 66 & Ricky Deonarain 3-6. Floodlights 212-2-20 overs. Wayne Jones 46 N.O, Yunis Ysuf 41, Imtiaz Mohamed 34, Richard Persaud 20 N.O & V. Moonsammy 2-18.Untouchables def: Princess Hotel by 9 wkts.

Princess 115 All Out. Andy 26, Roshan Ali 3-18, Q. Yusuf 3-20, M. Alexander 2-20. Untouchables 116-1.

Raul Reid 80 N.O & M. Alexander 26.

Tropical Springs Def: Albion Masters by 14 runs.

Tropical Springs 143 All Out. Leon Sankar 32, Benedict Felix 29 N.O, Lalta Gainda 23, V. Da Silva 3-7, A. Khadero 2-13, S. Mohabir 2-22. Albion 129 All Out. R. Mangru 34, Lall Beharry 28, K. Ramnauth 4-11 & Rahaman khan 3-9.

Speed Boat def: Wolf Warriors by 58 runs. Speed Boat 215-9-20 Overs. Lennox Marks 77, G. Singh 34, R. Ramnauth 3-19, Azaz Azeez 3-13, V. Dhaniram 2-7. Wolf Warriors 158-11-16 overs. V. Dhaniram 41 & G. Singh 2-23.

Wellwoman def: Savage Masters by 5 wkts.

Savage Masters 130-11-19.1 overs. T. Ramsaywack 55, E. Lovell 4-20, G. De Franca 2-10. Wellwoman 134-6-15 overs. D. Vivekanand 37.

Trophy Stall Angels def: 4R Lioness by 8 wkts. 4R Lioness 92-11-12.2 overs. Gangadai Singh 32, Matana Cambridge 25, Alicia Allen 3-4, Amanda Roberts 2-5.

Trophy Stall 95-2, Rovanne De Monick 45 N.O, A. Roberts 17 N.O. Blue Divas def: Enterprise Divas by 7 wkts.

Enterprise Divas 144-8-15 overs. Ashley Mohan 48, V, Persaud 26. Blue Divas 146-3-12.3 overs. Aisga Campbridge 67, Sangeeta Sawh 37 and Beverly 4-27.

Fixtures for today at Carifesta Sports Complex: Pitch (1) 9:30am- Floodlights vs. Superior Woods.

12:30pm- Wellmen vs Wolf Warriors Masters.

Pitch (2) 10:30am-4R Lioness vs Enterprise Divas.12:30pm- Wellwoman vs Blue Divas. Pitch (3) 9:30am- Savage Masters vs HS Masters. 12:30pmTropical Springs vs Enterprise Legends.

At Cyril Potter College Ground: Pitch (1) 9:30amWolf Warriors vs Untouchables. 12:30pm- Speedboat vs Regal. Pitch (2) 9:30am- Princess Hotel vs LoL Woodworking. 12:30pm- Regal Masters vs Parika Defenders.

At Jailing Cricket Ground (Albion): 11:00amAlbion Masters vs Fisherman Masters.

GFF executive member Dion Inniss (left) hands over one of the tops to EBFA president Franklin Wilson in the presence of fellow Executive and General Council members.

Indiana Pacers upset Raptors in Game One

(The Sports Xchange) THE Toronto Raptors came out tight in the opening game of their firstround playoff series against the Indiana Pacers yesterday and it played right into the hands of Paul George.

The Pacers forward played footloose and fancy free in the second half, scoring 17 points in the third quarter and 10 more in the fourth, to lead his team to a 100-90 victory over the Raptors in Toronto.

George, who finished with 33 points, said he watched video at halftime and that helped him.

“I was trying to figure out a better approach and come into the second half with a better focus,” he said. “I knew I was going to be able to get some good looks and I just had to be smarter about how I took them.”

It worked.

“Awesome,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said.

“The biggest reason we won.

There’s a lot of reasons, a lot

Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) goes up to make a basket as Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) defends during the first half of game one of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. of guys made winning plays and impacted the game in a positive way.

“Paul’s shot-making at the end of the game was spectacular. It’s been a long road

for him in terms of actually getting back to the court but before his injury, we were in the conference finals.”

The second-seeded Raptors now have lost the open-

ing game at home in the playoffs in three straight years. They did not survive the first round of the playoffs in the previous two.

“As a team, as a whole, I thought we were tight,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. “I know our team today did not play to our identity, but I know we’ll come back Monday night and play to our identity.”

The Raptors shot 38 percent from the field and committed 20 turnovers leading to 25 points. The Pacers, who trailed by two points at the half, shot 43 percent from the field and made 13 turnovers leading to 14 points.

“The turnovers shot us in the foot,” Casey said. “Like the soft passes, not really setting solid screens.”

The Raptors led by as many as eight in the first half but took only a two-point lead into the intermission. With George leading the way, the Pacers led by three points going into the fourth quarter.

WADA will need two years to implement IOC proposal- Reedie

By Brian Oliver FORDE, Norway, (Reuters)-The governing bodies of sports who want the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to catch and punish cheats for them will have to wait for two years, WADA president Craig Reedie said on Friday.

“You can’t change the whole anti-doping system in a short period, and work is ongoing to find out what investment is needed,” Reedie told Reuters.

“There are a whole range of issues concerning technical arrangements and political arrangements. We are working though it, and if this is going to work the way the IOC have proposed, it will not be till 2018.”

In December, after a series of doping scandals in athletics and other sports, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reiterated its zero-tolerance policy to doping cheats and put forward a plan for change.

That involved the setting-up of

a new, independent testing and results agency under the leadership of WADA and recommended that sports should transfer their doping control operations to this new organisation.

International sports federations and governments, which are 50 percent partners of WADA, should fund the reform process, said the IOC, which also proposed that all sanctions be carried out not by the sports themselves, but by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

30

Two Barbadian FIBA referees to join local counterpart for National Club championship replay

By Joe Chapman AS THE rematch of the Road to Mecca National Club championship final between Georgetown’s Colts and Linden’s Retrieve Raiders draws near, the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has confirmed there will be two International Basketball Federation Association (FIBA)-certified referees calling the game.

Barbadian referees Rene Batson and Ms Jennifer Joseph-Hackett will join Guyana’s lone FIBA-qualified referee Sherwin Joseph on Saturday, April 23 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The two Bajan officials will arrive on the afternoon of the final and leave for home the next afternoon.

This move comes on the backdrop of the controversial refereeing which occurred in the first game.

The refereeing was the reason behind the dissolution of the first game. A few controversial calls by the game refs resulted in Raiders first leaving the playing area with the Colts following suit almost an hour after, bringing the game to an end.

Veteran retired United States-based referee Professor Jay Mandle visited Guyana and held discussions with the federation on what actually transpired and pointed out that officials failed to do their job in the first game resulting in its end.

At a meeting on April 2 the decision to replay the game was taken. The federation’s executive committee at a discussion with stakeholders agreed to have the game replayed.

Michael Singh, a vice-president of the federation and president of Colts said after the meeting “Based on the meeting with the GABF council members we deliberated in the interest of the games.”

He continued, “We are of the view the final should be replayed …steps are going to be put in place where we will have overseas-based referees so both of the teams will feel solid that they have strong officiating and it will be based on skill and tactics.”

GABF president Nigel Hinds who came under fire for his intervention in the first final game said “I am very happy we have decided to replay the final for the national club championship.” He also thanked Colts and their supporters for replaying the game and promoting basketball development in Guyana.

President of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association, Lawrence Simon, also praised the final decision to have the game replayed, saying that it was in the best interest of all parties involved.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday April 17, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Dinesh Karthick-18 (14 catches/4 stumpings) RCB (2) A B deVillers-133* (RCB)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who was declared ‘Player of the Match’ in the in augural game of this season’s IPL? (2) Which two new franchises are appearing in this season’s IPL?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

WIFBSC Short Range C/ships 2016 – Antigua Banks DIH maintains support for Caribbean’s top shots BEVERAGE giant Banks DIH Limited has maintained and increased its sponsorship for the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA), fullbore shooters ahead of their defence of the Short Range and Individual Titles at the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships set for Antigua and Barbuda, next month.

Public Relations Officer of Banks DIH, Troy Peters in presenting the cheque to GuyanaNRA secretary Ryan Sampson related that the company is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year and has remained steadfast in its support of one of the oldest sports associations in Guyana. The GuyanaNRA is set to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2017 with a gala championship which will see a number of the world’s powerhouses on the range competing.

“Banks DIH Limited has been a major sponsor of rifle shooting over the years and we are extremely happy to be supporting the local shooters in their quest to retain championship honours.

We know that the team will make Guyana proud in Antigua,” Peters stated.

Banks DIH Limited PRO Troy Peters (2nd right) presents the cheque to GuyanaNRA secretary Ryan Sampson. At right is association treasurer Terrence Stuart with Caribbean Individual Champion Lennox Braithwaite also sharing the moment.

Sampson in response ex- are eternally grateful to the ranges.” pressed thanks to Peters and Banks for their committed Lennox Braithwaite to Banks for their continued partnership with us for as is the reigning Individucommitment to the associ- long as I can remember. No al Champion for the past ation noting that their un- doubt you have continued three championships. The flinching support has allowed to add the necessary drive GuyanaNRA has a budGuyana to be the reigning for us to succeed and this get of $4.6 million for the Short and Long Range as year will be no different. As 10-member team to attend well as Individual champions champions we will endeavour this year’s championships of the Caribbean. to continue the tradition of set for Antigua and Barbu“We at the Guyana NRA being the Caribbean’s best on da, May 16-22

Slingerz, Fruta Conquerors register STAG Elite wins ––GFC to face Alpha, Monedderlust tackle Pele tonight

SLINGERZ Football Club continued their winning ways with a 2-1 win against the Guyana Defence Force, while Fruta Conquerors recorded a similar margin of victory against Buxton United when the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) STAG Elite League continued on Friday evening at the Buxton Recreational ground on Friday evening.

Yudan Mills netted a double for Slingerz in the 10th and 55th minutes, while Clifford Garraway responded for the Guyana Defence Force in the 16th minute.

The win for Slingerz takes them to 27 points in the points standing from nine games, having won all nine of their matches to date. They have so far scored 24 goals and conceded four for a goal difference of plus 24.

GDF on the other hand has 23 points from nine matches. They have so far won four of their matches while losing three and drawing two. They so

far have scored 14 goals and conceded a similar amount for a goal difference of zero and is currently on 14 points.

In the feature match on Friday evening, Hubert Pedro and Eon Alleyne netted for Fruta Conquerors in the 75th and 79th minutes respectively for the North Ruimveldt-based Fruta Conquerors, while Clive Andries opened the scoring for Buxton in the 43rd minute.

The victory for Fruta Conquerors takes them to 23 points from their nine matches. They have won seven of their nine matches, lost one and drawn one.

They have so far scored 22 goals and conceded 10 to have a goal difference of plus 10.

Buxton United on the other hand have five points from their nine matches. They won one, lost six and drew two and have so far scored six goals and conceded 14, for a goal difference of minus eight.

Going into tonight’s games, which will be played at the Georgetown Foot-

ball Club ground, Monedderlust will face Pele from 16:30hrs and homesters GFC will take on Alpha United from 21:00hrs.

Monerdderlust is currently on six points from eight matches. They have so far won a single game while losing four and drawing three. They have so far scored five goals and conceded 16 and has a goal difference of minus 11.

Pele on the other hand have seven points from two victories, five losses and one draw. Like Monedderlust, they have so far scored five goals but conceded 12, for a goal difference of minus 12.

Alpha United is currently on 14 points from four victories, two losses and two drawn games. They have 18 goals to their credit and have so far conceded eight for a goal difference of plus 10, while GFC is yet to win a game after losing seven and drawing just one. They have six goals to their name and conceded 22, for a goal difference of minus 22.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 17, 2016

Team Evolution dominates Universal Auto Sales feature 35-lap race

TEAM Evolution’s cyclists Michael Anthony, Raul Leal and Marlon ‘Fishy” Williams, dominated the podium positions of the 12th Annual Universal Auto Sales and Spares feature

35-lap cycle race which was held in the National Park yesterday.

Competing in not so healthy competition, which saw a mere 13 cyclists facing the starting line, Anthony in

Wismar Secondary takes MoE Jubilee Relay Festival THE National Track and Field Centre was alive with excitement on Friday as the Ministry of Education (MoE) hosted its inter-school Jubilee Relay Festival which saw the Christianburg/Wismar Secondary running away with a controversial win According to results, the Christianburg Wismar Secondary ended with 46 points, while West Demerara Secondary who finished second ended with 40 points.

However, this did not sit well with the West Dem team as the final tabulation excluded the results from several of the finals.

Uitvlugt Secondary took third place with 30 points, Bartica Secondary was fourth with 29 points, and Mahaicony Secondary rounded out the top five with 24.

Tutorial High School (20), Lodge Secondary School (18), St John’s College (18), Chase Academic Foundation (13) and Central High (13) were the next five to follow.

Also participating was North West Secondary (12), Golden Grove Secondary (10) and President’s College (1).

Meanwhile, in the tertiary category the University of Guyana walked away with straight wins in all of their events, namely the boys’ and girls’ 4x100 and medley relays.

Christianburg picked up the win in the boys’ open 4x100m and girls’ 800m medley, while taking second behind West Dem in the girls’ open 4x200m.

Tutorial High was first place in the boys’ under 13 4x100m and sprint medley, as well as the boys’ under 15 4x200m.

Off to a late start, the day’s event was plagued with glitches, not the least of which turned out to be record-keeping, which was handled by officials from the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG).

One glaring error even saw a team that qualified in the heats being left out of the finals, as chaos prevailed.

These glitches further saw the event’s scheduled 16:00hrs end stretching late into the evening, and teachers and parents alike complaining about the need to take the young athletes home.

The decision was therefore made that the finals of several of the events be cancelled and to judge the races based on finals by time, using timings ran in the heats of those races earlier in the day.

However, this did not sit well with many of the team managers from the different schools, particularly second-place finishers, West Demerara.

Chants of “injustice!” came from the West Demerara camp as Christianburg was announced the winners.

A disgruntled West Demerara teacher complained, “We qualified for all of those events. West Dem was leading all the time, so to say now that we have lost it is hard for us to accept that. Everything went smooth all day for West Dem. We were here from 8 o’clock to 9:10pm just to hear this? Run the other events and let us be satisfied if we lose, but don’t stop it now and say Linden win.”

There were also complaints of how highly disorganised the overall event was.

Prize winners of the various categories of yesterday’s Universal Auto Sales and Spares 11-race cycle programme strike a pose with Zayd Baksh (sixth left) son of programme sponsor Shameer Baksh (photo

by Ivan Bentham). company with Leal, Williams, Shaquil Agard , Christopher Griffith and Orville Hinds broke from the others after five laps of the 35-lap event and were never caught again.

Eventually, the six other starters were dropped as the race progressed leaving the top seven finishers to share the spoils.

With six laps remaining, Anthony jumped the pack and opened a sizeable lead, which extended for the next four laps, but with two laps left to complete the distance Leal and Williams closed in

on him, but were unable to join him or even overtake him.

Leal outsprinted Williams to place second, while Agard was third, Christopher Holder finished fourth and Orville Hinds sixth.

Anthony, who won four of the eight prime prizes that were up for grabs crossed the finish line in a time of one hour 18 minutes 29.67 seconds.

Second-place finisher Leal along with Warren McKay, Orville Hinds and Williams won one prime apiece.

In other results from the day’s proceedings, john Niles won the BMX boys’ 6-9 years old two-lap race ahead of Shey Sue Hang and Alexander Leung respectively, while Jeremiah Harrison was the winner of the BMX boys 9-12 years old three-lap race.

Second was Zab James and third was Sue Hang.

Adelaie Hodge won the BMX boys 12-14 years three-lap race ahead of Taran Garbarran and Harrison respectively, while Junior Niles won the five-lap race for veterans under 50

years of age. Second in this category was Ian “Dumb Boy” Jackson and finishing third was Jaikarran Sookhai.

The five-lap race for veterans over 50 years of age was won by Andrew Spencer,second was Kennard Lovell.

The presentation of prizes to the respective winners was done by son of Universal Auto sales and Spares Managing Director, Zayd Baksh.

The event was organised by national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed.

Under-23 tourney tips off at Burnham Court

THE Under-23 knockout tournament tipped off Friday afternoon at the Burnham Court.

The tournament is an opportunity for the younger players of basketball clubs to showcase their skills and talents.

The first game of the night saw Pacesetters demolish a young, inexperienced Pepsi Sonics team 73-43. Point Guard Jahleel Duke had a monster game with 27 points and Quincy Dos Santos chipped in 16 points for the boys in gold.

Lemuel Grant topscored with 16 for Sonics with Dale Fraser adding

Colts’ player scores. (Ivan Bentham Photo)

12 points. In the second game of the night, Dynas Ravens were awarded a walk- over as the UG Trojans team could not play due to exams.

In the final game of the night, Bounty Colts defeated Plaisance Guardians in what was a very physical game. Daniel Haynes topscored for the Colts side with 21 points, Johnathan Mangra and Jafar Gibbons both had 14 and 11 respectively.

The semi-finals continued last night with Colts taking on the Eagles team at 18.30hrs followed by Pacesetters vs Dynas Ravens at 20.00hrs.

Team Evolution see story dominates on page 31 Universal Auto Sales feature 35-lap race

Defending champions leading Guyana for CMRC opener

By Stephan Sookram DEFENDING Group four champion Kristian Jeffrey and the youngest Caribbean motorcycle champion Elliot Vieira will spearhead Team Guyana at the opening Round of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) next month.

The two-time, defending Group four champion Jeffrey will suit up to try for his third championship in as many years since debuting and will have the experience and guidance of his father Kevin alongside him.

Danny Persaud will also be on that team to Jamaica while Andrew King returns to the fold of the Caribbean Championship after missing out.

Group four will not be short of competition as newcomer Mohan Rangasammy

Mohan Rangasammy (left), Kristian Jeffrey (centre) and Andrew King (left) have all been named as part of Team Guyana for the opening round of the CMRC has confirmed that he will make the trip following an extraordinary showing at the first local race meet in March.

Both Rangasammy and Persaud will also represent

Guyana in Group three along with Rameez Mohammed and Nazim Gaffoor while the latter two will race in Group two as well.

On the super-stock end of

things, Elliot Vieira will lead the charge to Jamwest while his cousin Stephen will also be on that team.

The other two riders are Paul Yearwood and Leroy

Cort, according to the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC).

Meanwhile the race is on for those drivers and riders to get their machines in order as

loading date for the vehicles is on April 29.

The first leg of the CMRC will take place from May 20 to 22, at the Jamwest Raceway in Jamaica.

GCA first-division final

Demerara Cricket Club in control after day one

By Rajiv Bisnauth

DEMERARA Cricket Club (DCC) took firm control at the end of day one of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) first division two-day final against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) yesterday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground.

When bails were lifted, DCC had extended their first-innings lead to 21. Replying to GDF’s 163, DCC were 184-5.

Dennis Squires and Kemol Savory will return to the crease this morning.

After deciding to bowl first, DCC, backed by an all-round bowling effort and disciplined fielding reduced the GDF in 51.5 overs.

Medium-pacer Christopher Barnwell was the best bowler on show, with 3-36. He received support from Romario Shepard had Brian Sattaur caught behind for two

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See page 26

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2016