Chronicle 06 25 2016

9 sacked SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2016

No. 104593

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

…from Central Housing over homes project fraud 3 Gov't inks pact for 12 ICT project P.

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…hinterland, remote, poor communities to benefit from services

Brexit

UK aware of Guyana’s concerns 3 P.

Rampant illegalities 5

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‒ in Kuribrong Mining District; safety no joke, says Broomes

One of the many illegal mining operations located in the Kuribrong Mining District, Region 8 (Potaro-Siparuni)

‒ Greenidge sees no short-term impact

Bandits nabbed after robbing supermarket 2

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 25, 2016

NO PROTECTION …Gov’t will take action against corruption

By Ravin Singh PRESIDENT David Granger has said he has no interest in protecting persons who are accused of perpetrating corrupt acts. He, however, has remained non-committal as to when charges would be brought against anyone.

During this week’s broadcast of The Public Interest, aired on the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN) on Friday, the President was asked whether Government would be making

efforts to bring to justice those persons accused of corruption, and when this is likely to happen. The President responded, “…I can’t say when.”

Forensic audits were embarked upon by the coalition government upon its ascension to executive office last year, and some of those audits have revealed numerous irregularities in the operation of state institutions.

One such instance was the audit into the financial operations and functioning of the One Laptop Per Family President David Granger

(OLPF) project, which revealed that over 1900 laptops, totalling in excess of Gy$115 million, are currently unaccounted for, while defective laptops have taken the total losses to over Gy$300 million.

An audit into the operations of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) also revealed that contracts issued by the Authority were mismanaged, while over Gy$9 million were spent on fuel for vehicles that were “not working.”

Additionally, it was revealed in the audit that the completion cost of the controversial Hope Canal was Gy$700 million more than

what was announced by the then Government. And although these reports did not specifically identify anyone by name, they did indicate which departments were responsible for those irregularities.

As he stated in December, the President maintained, “This (the audits) is a work in progress”, and “it is not that easy to prosecute persons.”

He reasoned that corruption might not be the only reason for irregularities, and that there could be other contributory factors, such as neglect or ignorance.

“When you examine cases, you might discover it’s due to ignorance or neglect.

I’m not making an excuse for criminals, but we have to be very careful; not every time something goes wrong -- [such as if] a vehicle breaks down -- it’s because of a corrupt practice,” he said.

The President said Government is still at the stage of utilizing investigative agencies to examine the state of these institutions and to determine what had occurred.

Committing to no let-offs, President Granger assured that every person against whom evidence of corruption has been brought would be taken before the courts.

“Rest assured that persons against whom evidence has been accumulated, that there was corruption, we will go to the courts. We have no inter-

est in protecting people; we have no sacred cows. If persons have committed crimes, they will be taken before the courts and have the courts decide (their fate),” he said.

The President’s commitment came just hours before Opposition Leader and former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, accused him of failing to stamp out corruption, as was promised prior to the May 11, 2015 general elections.

Jagdeo, who has been accused of harbouring corruption during his tenure (19992006), said: “The President said he wants to stamp out corruption, and…this is a lofty goal.”

However, Jagdeo’s call on the President was not the lone call. In fact, earlier this week, political activist and executive

member of the Working Peoples’ Alliance (WPA), Dr David Hinds, cited the need for the Granger-led administration to take “drastic actions” against those responsible for corrupt practices, as was indicated in the audit reports.

And while the President has committed to doing same, he sought to remind all that Government still has a country to run, which makes it impossible for officials to stop what they are doing to find the corrupt people and take them to court.

“If we do this, we’ll be in court every day,” he said, adding that these persons will eventually be taken before the courts when Government is satisfied that it has accumulated enough evidence against them.

Bandits nabbed after robbing supermarket QUICK action by ranks of the police force and by public-spirited persons, led to the arrest of two bandits who robbed the GST supermarket, Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, yesterday.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, one of the staffers of the entity explained that around noon, four men entered the supermarket and requested credit; however, one of the men drew a gun and forced everyone to lie on the floor.

“My heart was in my hand when de man took out the gun… after he did that he ask for money and we cellphones,” exclaimed the

employee.

After carting off an unknown sum of cash and other valuables, the bandits made good their escape, but were followed by police and public-spirited citizens who were in the vicinity at the time of the robbery.

During the pursuit, the bandits reportedly exchanged gunshots with the police before they were cornered, leading to two of the bandits being caught.

However, the other two men made off with the cash, phone cards, cellular phones, jewellery and other items. The hunt continues for the remaining two culprits. [Navendra Seoraj]

Nine sacked

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 25, 2016

…from Central Housing over homes project fraud

By Ariana Gordon THE contracts for nine persons attached to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) have been terminated by the board of that entity following alleged theft and poor quality work being done on the Ministry of Housing’s 1000 Homes’ project.

Chairman of the Board of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Hamilton Green, in an interview with the Newsroom on Friday, said the nine persons -- including an auditor and a finance director -- were sent home because of the fraud.

“It is not a fraud per se,” said Green, who clarified

that the decision to terminate the contracts resulted from “inappropriate work and action by staff.”

“Staff that had also involved…contractors who did very poor quality work and delivered shoddy houses to people,” the Chairman stated in the interview with the media house.

He said the Board has requested to know the amount lost due to theft or conspiracy, but those figures are not yet available.

Notwithstanding the fact that the Board does not have specific amounts in hand, based on what has been observed, Green believes the amount is substantial. He said that those found culpable have sought to blame the loss of revenue on van-

dalism and external forces.

“I am not God, I can’t say whether that is true or not,” he said. He noted that the new Board, upon installation, had been charged to ensure that citizens who have spent money to secure turnkey homes through the Government were given quality houses.

“That didn’t happen, and the team managing the project seemed to care less about the standard and quality,” he added.

Green said the Board received several complaints and reports of windows disappearing, theft, materials disappearing (cement, zinc sheets), malfunctioning doors etc.

“It is a horror story,” he said, as he noted that

Chairman of the Board of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Hamilton Green

those sent home operated essentially on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) in the areas of Providence and Perseverance.

The Chairman noted that, during investigations, the Project Manager could

not state who was responsible for the project; and in the end, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Myrna Pitt accepted responsibility for the project.

Pitt has since resigned from CH&PA and has made it clear that her resignation was voluntary. Her resignation becomes effective on July 13.

The CH&PA Board made it no secret that it was not pleased with Pitt’s performance, and has raised concerns about the 1000 Homes Project, the Remigrant Scheme and the management of the House Lot Distribution programme.

He said it is evident that those who worked on the project were prepared to continue “this inappropriate

and unacceptable pattern of behaviour.”

“We found walls that were cracking, paint peeling, porous septic tanks, water in bathrooms that were going in the wrong direction, leaking roofs, doors that could not be functional, windows that were unsafe, sinks that could not be properly used in the kitchen,” he added.

The CH&PA, Green said, is in the process of hiring a “competent manager” for the project, and is also engaging the police to secure the properties, especially in the areas where many persons are not living.

He said that “ensuring security” means there would be less instances of theft and vandalism.

Brexit fallout

UK aware of Guyana’s concerns ‒ Greenidge sees no short-term impact

By Derwayne Wills

BY A small majority, the United Kingdom voted two days ago to exit the European Union (EU), reducing that political and economic bloc to 27 member states.

The campaign, which culminated in a referendum initiated by UK’s Prime Minister David Cameron, was long in the making. Cameron’s push for the campaign sought to dispel decades-old contentions of whether the UK would benefit more from cutting ties with the EU, which it entered in 1973.

Global leaders, political analysts and economists had all warned against the UK’s pullout from the EU, dubbed “Brexit”. At home, UK High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregory Quinn, said his country is aware of the concerns of Guyana, but assured that it is still too soon to assess the impact of the UK vote, especially since

UK High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregory Quinn

Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge

the negotiation process for ‘Brexit’ could last two years.

“In the short term, nothing changes. In the long run, we need to negotiate the exit process, and I can’t tell you what that might actually look like at the end,” Quinn said in an invited comment to this newspaper yesterday.

Quinn could not go beyond the statements made by his Prime Minister, following

the vote across the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, Presidents of the European Parliament, Council, and Commission -Messrs. Martin Schulz, Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Junker respectively -- met with Mark Rutte, holder of the EU Council presidency, in Brussels, Belgium yesterday to discuss the outcome of the UK referendum.

“We now expect the United Kingdom Government to give effect to this decision of the British people as soon as possible, however painful that process may be,” the EU’s statement read. It added: “Any delay would unnecessarily prolong uncertainty.”

Now that the UK referendum is over, ending years of debate that could be traced back to the UK’s Margaret Thatcher administration from 1979 to 1980, the country’s government must activate Article 50 of the EU Treaty, which spells out the procedure for countries quitting the 28-country political and economic bloc.

The United Kingdom is Guyana’s principal ally in the European Union, considering this country’s former colonial ties to the UK. And even in the height of ‘Brexit’ Guyana will, on Monday, sign with the EU an agreement which will see this country receiving Gy$2B in budget support.

Guyana’s Foreign Minister, Carl Greenidge, hosting

a press conference yesterday, told reporters that in the short-term he does not foresee any consequences which would affect trade between Guyana and the European Union. As one of the countries grouped in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) bloc, Guyana benefits from funding from the European Development Fund (EDF).

“Depending on how Britain exits, if they exit at all, it will decide the way forward with ACP and EU relationship,” Greenidge added.

The UK’s representative in Guyana said he has been in communication with Guyana’s foreign minister, and that he foresees himself speaking on the issue for the next coming weeks or months. However, he said there is little to say at this early time, since only a few hours have passed since the announcement of ‘Brexit’.

Immediately following the ‘Brexit’ announcement, Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron announced his resignation, after just win-

ning his second term in office. Cameron’s resignation takes effect from October, when a conference of his Conservative Party would decide who is that country’s next leader.

PM Cameron said he will guide his country through the process of severing ties with the EU, but would step aside to allow for younger leadership to steer the country into its next stage.

Meanwhile, the EU maintains that negotiations with the UK will include areas for continued collaboration. “As regards the United Kingdom, we hope to have it as a close partner of the European Union in the future. We expect the United Kingdom to formulate its proposals in this respect. Any agreement which will be concluded with the United Kingdom as a third country will have to reflect the interests of both sides and be balanced in terms of rights and obligations,” the EU statement read.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 25, 2016

EU prepares for ‘divorce’ from UK

[BBC] - EU leaders are to meet to discuss the UK’s “divorce” from the organisation after a historic referendum result. The UK voted by 52% to 48% to leave the EU. Prime Minister David Cameron has said he will step down by October.

The first meeting of EU leaders with no British representation will be held on Wednesday. The EU has urged the UK to start negotiations to leave quickly. European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker stressed the “Union of the remaining 27 members will continue”.

Global stock markets fell heavily on the news of the so-called “Brexit”. The value of the pound has also fallen dramatically. The UK must now invoke Article 50 of the EU Lisbon Treaty, which then allows for two years for withdrawal to be negotiated.

However, Mr Cameron

Jean-Claude Juncker and David Cameron are heading in different directions said he preferred to leave negotiations to his successor.

“Britons decided yesterday that they want to leave the European Union, so it doesn’t make any sense to wait until October to try to negotiate the terms of their

departure,” Mr Juncker said in an interview with Germany’s ARD television network.

“I would like to get started immediately.” Also on Friday, European Parliament President Martin Schulz said the EU “as a whole was taken

as a hostage” by infighting among Mr Cameron’s Conservative party.

Mr Tusk said the “socalled divorce process” would be discussed among all non-UK members on Wednesday, a day after Mr

Cameron holds talks with members. In all the years I’ve covered European politics, I’ve never seen this continent so Eurosceptic or the future of the European Union so uncertain.

The mood in Brussels is resentful and despondent, while governments across Europe are scared.

They feel the heat from angry electorates who share many of the criticisms of the EU highlighted during the UK referendum campaign.

That’s why you’ve been hearing the words “EU” and “reform” of late from the nervous mouths of some you’d least expect, such as Germany’s Angela Merkel, and Donald Tusk.

Because they’re so worried, the EU is preparing to get tough with Britain over the terms and timing of a new trade relationship.

This is not about pun-

ishment - well, not much.

It’s more a desire for the process to be painful to p u t o t h e r s o ff e x i t i n g , while Europe’s leadership tries to re-group and, perhaps, reform. Other leaders, including Polish President Andrzej Duda, said it was crucial that work be done to prevent other countries leaving the EU. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said it was inevitable more countries would leave the EU soon if it did not change its path. Leaders of Eurosceptic parties in France, the Netherlands and Italy quickly demanded referendums in their own countries.

Reacting to the vote, UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage said “the EU is dying”. But Mr Tusk said this was “not a moment for hysterical reactions”.

David Cameron to quit after UK votes to leave EU (BBC) - Prime Minister David Cameron is to step down by October after the UK voted to leave the European Union.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, he said “fresh leadership” was needed.

The PM had urged the country to vote Remain but was defeated by 52% to 48% despite London, Scotland and Northern Ireland backing staying in. UKIP leader Nigel Farage hailed it as the UK’s “independence day”, while Boris Johnson said the result would not mean “pulling up the drawbridge”.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was “absolutely determined” to keep Scotland in the EU

so a second Scottish independence referendum was now “highly likely”. German chancellor Angela Merkel expressed “great regret” at the outcome, and EU chiefs said they expected the UK to begin negotiations to leave “as soon as possible, however painful that process may be”.

But Boris Johnson, the ex-London mayor and public face of Vote Leave who is now a front-runner to be next prime minister, said there was “no need for haste” about severing the UK’s ties.

He said voters had “searched in their hearts” and the UK now had a “glorious opportunity” to pass its own laws,

Prime Minister David Cameron set its own taxes and control dollar since 1985 as the marits own borders. kets reacted to the results.

Another leading Leave The slide halted when campaigner, Labour’s Gisela the Bank of England said it Stuart, said the UK would be stood ready with £250bn of a “good neighbour” when it extra funding to ensure marleft the EU. The pound fell ket stability. But the pound to its lowest level against the remains 8% down against

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the dollar, and 6% lower against the euro.

Flanked by his wife Samantha, Mr Cameron announced shortly after 08:15 BST that he had informed the Queen of his decision to remain in place for the short term and to then hand over to a new prime minister by the time of the Conservative conference in October.

He would attempt to “steady the ship” over the coming weeks and months, but that it would be for the new prime minister to carry out negotiations with the EU and invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which would give the UK two years to negotiate its withdrawal, he said.

“The British people have voted to leave the European Union and their will must be respected,” said Mr Cameron.

“The will of the British people is an instruction that must

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be delivered.” Bank of England governor Mark Carney said UK banks’ “substantial capital and huge liquidity” allowed them to continue to lend to businesses and households.

Chancellor George Osborne said he had briefed G7 finance ministers about the consequences of the vote. On Twitter, he said it had been a “hard-fought campaign” and while it was not the outcome he wanted, “I will do all I can to make it work”.

The referendum turnout was 71.8% - with more than 30 million people voting - the highest turnout at a UK-wide vote since 1992. Mr Farage - who has campaigned for the past 20 years for Britain to leave the EU - told cheering supporters: “This will be a victory for ordinary people, for decent people.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 25, 2016

Rampant illegalities -- in Kuribrong Mining District; safety no joke, says Broomes

By Ariana Gordon

A PLETHORA of mining illegalities were discovered by mines officers of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) on Monday during a visit to the Kuribrong Mining District, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

A team of officials including Minister within the Ministry of Environment Simona Broomes, journeyed from Bartica, Region Seven to the Mining District where it was observed that there were several illegal mining camps set up.

Minister Broomes, along with the team of mines officers and law-enforcement officers inspected the camps where it was found that the miners were non-compliant with the rules and regulations governing the industry.

It was discovered that many of the dredges were unregistered, workers had no privileges, there were no production books containing records pertaining to gold obtained and sold, and mining pits were not properly dug, which poses great harm to those working therein.

Based on the observation, the miners were summoned to a meeting with Minister Broomes and the mines officers. She outlined the many breaches observed in the backdam and urged miners to comply with the rules and regulations.

“Everybody here is here illegally. We didn’t give permissions to work,” she said, noting that it was an unfortunate thing that all the miners in the area to which the inspection was done were illegal.

“There is no landing here for shops, supplying miners with fuel, food, medicine and so on. Instead, we see “Kaimoos” and beer bottles and women and men drunk having a great time,” said Minister Broomes.

She also told the miners that there is no excuse for them not complying with the guidelines provided by the GGMC through its mines officers.

“I manage by facts and this has nothing to do with circumstances… you are here illegally… you have to do the right thing,” she said passionately.

NO JOKE Broomes, who was a miner all her life before stepping into the political arena, said “Safety is no joke… we should not at this stage have to have a conversation about safety. Safety is priority,” she reiterated.

She called on the miners in the Kuribrong District to act in their best interest, noting that loss of life is not going to be tolerated in the industry. She noted that the mining pits that have been dug by the miners may seem ok for mining and

Mines officers Kerwin Josiah and Sealy prepare cease-work orders at a shop located in Kuribrong, Region Eight things are very cheap,” said the dredge operations, but “they are a big safety hazard.”

The minister reminded of the death of fellow miners in Mahdia earlier this year and noted that life is important, and all action necessary must be taken to preserve same.

She stressed that while mining for gold and diamonds in the country’s interior is a means of maintaining families, the preservation of life is more important.

“Tell your general manager you can’t work there… it is unsafe… do not work in unsafe conditions,” she charged the miners.

She said too that miners are hardworking and good people but need “to demonstrate discipline.”

“You have to be responsible… be responsible for your lives and your colleagues,” the minister urged.

That aside, Broomes called on the miners to declare all gold production to the Guyana Gold Board, while noting that “there is no excuse for not selling gold to the Gold Board.”

Some miners indicated that they do not sell their gold to the Gold Board, but would sell it to authorised buyers. This too, the

minister said is cause for concern as some buyers purchase gold from the miners, but declare the gold as if it is theirs.

Broomes said maintaining good records of the precious mineral is important.

BE CAREFUL “Be careful with buyers -- you have to sell gold to the Gold Board… have your records -- even if you’re selling gold to a legitimate buyer… you have to set your house straight,” she stated.

She reminded miners of the fact that it is the APNU+AFC administration that has been addressing their concerns.

“The mere fact that you can see a minister of the Government in a camp sends a strong message -- it says the commitment from Government is here.”

Meanwhile, Senior Mines Officer Kerwin Josiah urged miners to comply with the law, while noting that mines officers are administers of the law.

“We are here to work with you all… if you have a dredge, register your dredge… if you got couple men in your camp ensure they have privilege… have a production book. These

mines officer.

He noted that the onus is not on the dredge-owner to get miners their privilege, but the dredge owner can sign the privilege.

During inspection of some of the production books, many of which were outdated, Josiah charged miners to ensure that receipts are written for the gold sold to legitimate buyers.

“You could write a receipt…weigh your gold and ask the buyer to check and then give him a receipt. Most of the men who give you receipts don’t place dredge numbers on them…traders are smart…they take the gold and sell it as if it comes from their dredge and get all the benefits.”

SIMPLE COMPLIANCE The senior mines officer said operating in the mining industry rests solely on compliance. He said if miners fail to comply with the rules and regulations set by law, GGMC

would be forced to close the operations.

“It is simple compliance… you going to pay over $1M to set up your operation… registering the operation won’t cost more than $15,000… especially with a six- inch dredge. Think about it… a multimillion-dollar operation and a mines officer stops it because you forget to spend an extra $10,000 or $15,000.”

Josiah said while all is not perfect in the industry, miners need to speak with mines officers.

“Talk to the mines officers… it is not a row… tell him what’s going on. It is a conversation… we are not coming to beat anybody.”

He explained that the law allows for miners’ gravel once exposed to be washed and not be left exposed.

While inspecting the mines, owners of several illegal shops were given orders to remove their shops to the landing.

“You are ordered to cease all illegal trading activities and to remove the structure that is used for business no later than the 20th June, 2016,” the order read.

Those owning the shops were also found guilty of the illegal trading of gold and other precious minerals which were confiscated by the mines officers.

Similar inspections are expected to continue across the mining districts, Josiah noted.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

Jadgeo’s point on corruption OPPOSITION Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, in his press conference of Thursday, 23rd June, called on the David Granger/Moses Nagamootoo government to get tough on corruption.

Understandably, there are several contending views to Jagdeo’s statement, more particularly from the standpoint of the record of his administration. It is public knowledge that under his leadership Guyana was ranked the most corrupt in the English-speaking Caribbean, Professor Clive Thomas wrote extensively on the criminalised state, and the narco-economy sprang to the level of paralleling and offering rivalry to the formal economy.

None among the informed or those with eyes to see can deny Jagdeo’s ostentatious post-presidential lifestyle; his conspicuous accumulation of wealth on a fixed public income as president; the public outrage, and his being ostracised by associates of his party, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

And while, at the surface level, it may be tempting to see the call by the Leader of the Opposition to the APNU+AFC administration to get tough on corruption being a taunt to ‘bring it on,’ given his earlier statements denying corruption under the PPP/C, he has a point.

Left unbridled, corruption is like a cancer that eats away at the body of a nation, destroying its people and resources. It even threatens a nation’s sovereignty -- as in the case of narco-trafficking, money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Given that corruption robs a nation of much needed, scarce and limited resources -- human, capital and natural -- to engage in developmental projects that would aid in improving the quality of life of all, all should be concerned.

Where corrupt officials of state and government, elected and appointed, think it is acceptable to abuse the privilege entrusted to them by the people and engage in acts inimical to the people, when the society fails to hold them to account, its hurts development.

When the court system is not being given the opportunity to execute its responsibility in adjudicating on matters perceived to be in violation of the law, it undermines the legitimacy and role of the court system in society.

When the Executive/Government ignores or takes a laissez-faire approach -- perceived or real -- to ruthlessly confronting corruption, holding the corrupt accountable and putting systems in place to combat corruption, its credibility comes into question, and it risks losing its legitimacy from the standpoint that the people lose

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 25, 2016

M&CC is not a law unto itself Dear Editor,

CLEARLY, the ‘Old Timers’ at City Hall do not understand what the real beef is by the new Councillors and the citizens of Georgetown regarding implementation of the proposed parking meters in our capital.

It is not about whether the Council has the legal authority, or whether it should be implementing a parking meter system, but rather it is all about the clandestine, crooked and unacceptable manner in which the Council is attempting to go about implementing it.

First of all, the Georgetown Municipality is not a law unto itself, but rather is subject to the fiscal laws of Guyana; and therefore it was, and is, mandatory that

the tender procedures be followed -- which requires ads to be put out locally and internationally for bids to be submitted and considered in a transparent way for the installation of a parking meter system.

It is unacceptable -whether done during the life of the last Council or the present Council -- that Mr. Cush could walk in with a proposal costing tens of millions of US dollars and tie the hands of the City Council for the next fifty years.

Second, all councillors in a municipality are equal, and therefore it is objectionable and intolerable that only a few councillors are allowed to have possession of the contract document whilst the others are allowed only to have a peek at it in the

office. This document should not only be made completely available to all councillors and officers of the Council, but to Cabinet, members of Parliament, and the citizens of Georgetown.

What is so classified about a parking meter contract? The councillors should not even entertain a discussion on the subject until they are in possession of the document and are able to peruse it thoroughly.

Third, how could the Finance Chairman say he is getting like Mr. Harmon, and that he has no apologies for disregarding Tender Board procedures, for sneaking away stealthily on this infamous trip to Mexico and Panama, and for concealing information from his colleagues? In a decent

and democratic society, he would have been removed forthwith from chairing such a committee. But, then again, his arrogance is well known, if we can recall the debacle with his altercation with former Parliamentarian Vanessa Kissoon and the haughty and callous approach he took when dealing with striking workers after he had just been sworn is as Finance Chairman and Councillor.

I hope the AFC is taking note of how the Deputy Mayor is being treated by some APNU bullies, and I hope the Government would pull these errant Councillors and the Mayor in line.

Regards, SEAN MONIZ

Lies and deception by Region 5 Chairman Dear Editor,

PLEASE allow me to again voice my concerns as to the way the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is doing things in Region 5, especially the Regional Chairman, who is now becoming very disrespectful to the Clerk and Councillors of the RDC every day that he sits as the political head of the region.

As I was watching and listening to an LRTVS newscast recently, it shocked me to see the Regional Chairman and his PPP councillors in a meeting at the RDC Boardroom. As I further listened, I heard the chairman saying he was glad the meeting was the first successful one for the RDC, and he was sur-

prised that the APNU+AFC councillors were not present.

He went on to say that he invited the councillors and the clerk to the meeting the said morning.

I don’t know who is coaching this ‘youth man’, because the statutory meeting of the council is set for every third Thursday of the month, starting at 10am, and not the fourth Thursday of the month. He needs to read his first minutes when he took that oath to be truthful and serve the people as chairman.

He seems to be in Wonderland, and he keeps lying to his PPP supporters for some form of gain.

After immediate consultations with the APNU+AFC Councillors in the region, I

confidence in government.

Jadgeo is not singular in his call for tough action on corruption, notwithstanding his reference to what he perceives to be happening under the present administration; and where corruption exists, it ought to be reviewed and stamped out. In the face of mounting evidence of the existence of corruption, the law-abiding and those who desire good governance seek tough action, not only from the incumbent government, but also from its predecessor, including the Jagdeo regime.

The mindset of the people towards corruption is that of zero-tolerance, regardless of who has committed it or when it was committed. The people do not want a society in which politicians can run for, and secure, office based on who is less corrupt; they want a society in which corruption is not tolerated, period; and they want a party or group that is elected based on its record of being squeaky clean.

In this information age, wherein people are determined to take responsibility for the course of their political wellbeing, all governments, past and present, would be held to

will like to clearly state, on behalf of the councillors, that we were never invited to any meeting that was held on Thursday 23, June 2016, and we condemn this act of hijacking the meeting and telling lies by the chairman.

We would also like to state that that statutory meeting was a PPP meeting; therefore, the council will not allow this to further happen.

We are also calling on the reginal chairman to further apologise to the council for his gross lies and deception of the public in saying that this meeting was called by the council. We, as councillors of Region Five and part of the government of that region, will not sit back and allow the chairman to further

disrespect the council, especially lying on councillors and the Clerk, who is the REO. What I observed during the newscast is that there was no clerk present at the meeting. The only person present was a police officer attached to the Fort Wellington Police Station. I want to assure the people of Region Five that we in the APNU+AFC will continue to represent them, no matter what lies and deception are coming from the regional chairman.

Regards, ABEL SEETARAM APNU+AFC Regional Councillor Region 5

account. This has been the message sent out for a while, and it is hoped the politicians are listening.

It may help in this regard to examine the utility in the appointment of special prosecutor(s) to act on judicial recommendations in the forensic audits, and to administratively put systems in place, which the people should be apprised of, to avoid recurrence of abuse.

In another week, the month of June would be over, and it is expected that PPP/C Member of Parliament Irfaan Ali, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, would honour his commitment to society by making known the names of those nominated to be on the Public Procurement Commission.

Indeed, not only does the APNU+AFC government have to get tough on corruption, but all Guyanese must get tough on corruption coming from governmental and non-governmental sources. This can happen only when the people stay engaged and ensure that those in positions of influence act appropriately.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 25, 2016

Vending at ‘Parliament View’ likely to be extended --vendors lament congestion, poor business

By Telesha Ramnarine and Clestine Juan

CITY Hall intends to extend by another three months the stay of vendors at ‘Parliament View Market’, located at Lombard and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, south of Public Buildings, despite numerous complaints from vendors who were relocated there from Stabroek Market Square.

The vendors were initially told their relocation to this ‘market’ would last for three months, after which they would know where their permanent vending base would be. The vendors were moved over to ‘Parliament View’ early in May, and, so far, have had no suggestion offered by officials regarding their relocation.

A source at City Hall has said the vendors would have

to remain at this location for another three months.

“The City Engineer has said he has to discuss the matter with Town Clerk Royston King, but no options were discussed in a concrete way. We can’t just have three months here, three months there; some amount of normalcy and permanency has to be created,” the source offered.

The vendors at this temporary market site have no clue what the future holds for their businesses, but have been complaining that the new spot is bad for commerce. They are complaining about reduced sales due to bad relocation, and are calling for Government to intervene in this matter.

The Guyana Chronicle visited the vendors on Thursday, to find the vending site partly flooded, since it had

A vendor has abandoned his tent due to the lack of sales at the market rained earlier. Some vendors were seen sweeping out water from flooded parts of the market, while others were unable to vend because the tents were damaged by heavy wind.

The clustered market layout

Pools of water at the entrance to the market

REALLY HARD Loraine Spencer, who has been a vendor for 25 years, said she is frustrated by the “poor relocation” imposed on vendors by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

“It hard, it really hard…I deh out here whole day and I only mek $20,” the distraught Spencer said, while pointing to her stand.

She said the tent provided by the M&CC has many holes because of its long exposure to the elements.

“I ain’t able no more. I begged fuh this lil umbrella so I can ketch my lil hand,” the woman said, as she stated that vending was the only way she earned a livelihood.

Fruit vendor Verna Granville, 63, told this publication that the layout of the market is poor, since “buyers aren’t getting to see the fruits because of the congested area”.

“We guh dead hay, cause we just deh punishing,” the woman lamented.

She also lamented the cramped space in the market.

According to her, the area is hot during the day, and this causes most of her fruits to shrivel.

As it is, no specific details have been offered to the sellers, and so many of them

Vendor Loraine Spencer

are simply guessing their way through; or, as one woman told this newspaper, “We just have to follow the multitude.”

Vending for now 16 years outside the Stabroek Market, one vendor said that if the City Council had wanted to move vendors, proper arrangements could have been made to have vendors relocated and provided with specific details on how long they were going to be temporarily removed.

“They just gave us a couple days’ notice to move. You are leaving us out of business. It shows me that this was not properly planned, because if you wanted us to move, you would have prepared the place so we could have had a smooth transition,” the woman complained.

On a recent walk-about, Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan received numerous complaints from the vendors. He mentioned to this newspaper that the move

by City Hall to re-organise the Stabroek Market Bazaar is perhaps the single largest undertaking in that vicinity since the market was constructed in 1881.

City Hall has said it is not seeking to put stakeholders out of business, but rather to ensure that vending is done in an atmosphere that is conducive, legitimate, and of mutual benefit to stakeholders and Council.

According to the Georgetown municipality, if the City is to attain top international status, change is imperative.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 25, 2016

Jagdeo criticizes Trotman’s Envy Me Hair Boutique opens first branch in Guyana management of the environment - manager eyes expanding globally

OPPOSITION Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has described Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Raphael Trotman as “inept”, during a press conference held at Freedom House on Thursday.

He said Trotman has failed to outline clearly what the Government’s plan is for the “green economy”; and while there has been much talk about the “green economy” and Guyana has signed on to the Paris Agreement, Government has not mentioned how a green economy would, through various initiatives and policies, create growth in Guyana, income for people, GDP, and how it would create jobs.

The Opposition Leader described the current situation as a “major dilemma”, noting that the APNU+AFC Government had taken an anti-national and anti-patriotic approach to the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), and is now struggling to develop its “green economy” initiative.

“We have about 16 LCDS projects we [the People’s Progressive Party administration] started funding; transformative projects that would create wealth. Ask them how transparent they have been in outlining the implementation of projects. In fact, they took down the website; it carried

Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Raphael Trotman every comment, critical and positive,” he said.

Jagdeo alleges that Government is using the money from the LCDS projects, but has not been transparent in the process. He said the situation is “now 10 times worse”, as the current administration cannot openly embrace the LCDS projects because of how it had previously criticized those projects.

He said the steering committee on matters of the environment, chaired by President David Granger, has not met in almost a year.

“It is not an environmental strategy; it is a growth strategy that uses a trajectory that is non-polluting. There is need for a growth strategy for a country like Guyana, not a conservation strategy. After

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

criticizing the LCDS, they can’t now publicly embrace it, but they are using the money we raised from it,” Jagdeo said.

The Opposition Leader said President Granger’s recent visit to the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development will not provide a growth strategy.

“There is a whole deal of confusion, because we have the President making these statements and (we have) an inept minister who I think now has farmed out the intellectual work to foreigners. So now our whole approach to the environment is driven by people with special interests, and groups from abroad,” Jagdeo said.

On his visit to Iwokrama, President Granger reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to

sustaining Iwokrama and ensuring that it becomes a workable model for development and environmental protection.

“We cannot develop this country unless we learn the lesson of Iwokrama -- the lesson of biodiversity, sustainable development, renewable energy, climate change; and living together, not in conflict, but in concert with nature… Unless we solve these problems, Guyana will continue to be poor,” President Granger has said.

The Opposition Leader believes that in signing on to the commitments in the Paris Agreement, Guyana would have made some grave mistakes which “will come back to haunt us.” According to Jagdeo, who has the title “Champion of the Earth”, Guyana has committed to using 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025.

“So, in nine years’ time, we are supposed to use 100 per cent renewable energy. It is impossible,” he said, noting that developing countries are not proposing such a difficult task. “…there is not a single initiative that we know of to meet one per cent of the target, much less 100 per cent,” Jagdeo stated.

Attempts to reach Minister Raphael Troman for a response proved futile.

Envy Me Hair Boutique yesterday opened Guyana’s newest hair boutique at 121 Camp Street, between North Road and Robb Street.

The boutique, under the motto “We Hair your Ego!” is offering the highest quality of virgin, human and synthetic hair, wigs and braids. It is also offering a wide selection of hair extensions, makeup supplies and skin care products.

Speaking with this newspaper was manager of Envy Me Hair Boutique, Sabrina Walcott. She said that the boutique will also feature a salon where customers can purchase hair accessories and have someone skillfully fix it onto them. The manager also noted that the salon is hoping to expand both in Guyana and globally once the business becomes lucrative.

For the salon’s grand opening, they offered discounts storewide, up to 15%.

Manager of Envy Me Boutique Sabrina Walcott (right) stands in front of the boutique’s front desk with worker Latoya Smithet.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 25, 2016

Full disclosure needed on parking meters

THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) have spoken out against the controversial parking meters contract by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

The PSC in a statement yesterday noted that Mayor Patricia Chase-Green and the “select few she has chosen to surround her” have only themselves to blame for the controversy which has arisen on the matter of installing parking meters in the city of Georgetown.

According to the PSC, “the Mayor, in the first place, has isolated her deputy and other City Councillors from participating in the process of arriving at this decision.

This is unacceptable and unwarranted.”

The PSC believes that an initiative of this magnitude, affecting as it does, the entire citizenry of the city and beyond, demands public consultation, transparency and open debate.

“The British High Com-

…PSC, WPA want transparency

missioner has made this very point and we endorse his position. The PSC also notes and supports the fact that H.E President David Granger has quite properly questioned the rates to be charged and has expressed the view that these rates may be a serious burden beyond the reach of the average person.”

The PSC also pointed out that the contracting company and the contract details are shrouded in secrecy and appear to be questionable.

“These must be fully disclosed for public scrutiny.

The PSC, therefore, cannot and will not support this attempt to impose parking meters on the population until there has been full public debate and support for the matter.”

Meanwhile, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) is of the view that the M&CC acted in haste and should therefore rethink the controversial

parking meter contract.

A release from the political party noted that “The entire issue reflects negatively on the newly elected City Council which had promised a clean break with the old ways of operation.”

The WPA is of the view that there seems to have been very little, if any, meaningful consultation, which leads to a lack of transparency.

“We are alarmed that a project of such magnitude was not first discussed with the citizens of the city who would, in the long run, be affected by its implementation,” the WPA said.

Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan continues to maintain the view that the parking meter deal is a shady one based on his personal research and those of councillors. He noted that insufficient facts are lacking that make supporting the parking meters deal difficult.

Mayor Patricia Chase-Green inspecting a parking meter in Mexico recently.

Three years jail, $2.7M fine …for man found with marijuana

TWENTY – seven – year-old Andel Solomon was yesterday sentenced to three years imprisonment and fined $2.7M after he was found guilty by city Magistrate Ann McLennan for the possession of cannabis.

Solomon of Yarrowkabra, Kuru Kuru, Soesdyke-Linden Highway was charged on April 14 after

Andel Solomon

he was found with 1000 grams of marijuana at Kuru Kuru, Soesdyke.

In her submission, the magistrate stated that the prosecution in its presentation to the court, made out a case against the defendant, whereby they proved that he had full control and possession of the drug when he was intercepted by the police.

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Revisit airport development programme

By Shauna Jemmott

AVIATION specialist and former Deputy Director of Civil Aviation Aubrey Alexander is calling on Government to revisit the hinterland airport development programme.

Alexander also wants the regulations of aviation managers to be adopted in order for the sector to reach the standards and recommended practices in keeping with the annexes in the Chicago Convention.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, he said a Domestic Air Transport Study (DATS) and the Hinterland Airport Development Programme should be re-visited in terms of building hinterland aerodromes.

The aviation specialist is also recommending an extension of the Mabaruma Airstrip and development of those at Ebini, Apoteri, Karanambo, Lethem, Kato and Imbaimadai.

While constructing new airstrips were being done in areas that have become popular for gold and diamond mining, cattle movement and human population increase, Alexander said Government must now consider overall development in such constructions.

“Now, it’s more than that.

What we’re looking at is the overall development of the country,” he said.

While maintenance of hin-

--retired specialist urges Gov’t

Aubrey Alexander terland aerodromes should involve regular educational development, reservation of lands and expansions, the expert said Government should develop, monitor and operate aerodromes and have periodical inspections done.

He also said aviation staff must be trained to interpret, analyse and implement the standards and recommended practices which are contained in the annexes in the Chicago Convention.

“Medical personnel and coming pilots and air-patient personnel for grant of licences should be subjected to aviation medical courses every three to four years,” he said, with the cost borne by Government.

He has also recommended the Cranfield UK Aircraft

Revised Accident Prevention course for aviation workers.

Alexander has also recommended that Government consider the development potential through oil exploration in expanding the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Timehri, making provisions for major cargo-handling facilities.

He said the Government should consider that Guyana has great potential for a sudden boom in the oil industry and make the necessary preparations early.

“I do not know if enough provisions are being made for cargo-handling facilities. A lot of airlines count on cargo to supplement revenue base,” Alexander stressed.

Meanwhile, he said local students with interest in aviation should be taken on tours at the French airspace facility, to sensitise them about what lies beyond the stratosphere, and Guyana should also seek to build an observatory.

In addition, he said medical personnel who are examining pilots, aviation officers or client personnel for the granting and renewal of licences should be subjected to aviation medical courses every three or four years.

While “training is of utmost necessity,” such should be established to look at all facets relating to the aviation sector, he said.

Further, he said, the administration should implement more convenient travelling facilities throughout the country, adopting a “Freedom to move” policy which ensures crosstown movement of individuals from north to south, and not only east to west.

This policy should “galvanise all regions to have various modes of transportation”, he said, adding that the efficient public service transportation in Georgetown must include travel from Kitty to South Georgetown.

“You have to have proper people-movers for people of my age,” the senior citizen said.

He also said that walkways at airports should be complemented by golf carts to transport the aged to the steps of the aircraft.

Alexander is the only person who has served in every position within the Civil Aviation Department.

With his first job being Assistant Air Traffic Officer (ATO) to the Director, he moved to become Air Traffic Control Officer II (ATCO), Senior Air Traffic Control Officer (SATCO), Controller of Aerodrome Operations (CAO), Airport Manager (AM & SATCO) Aviation Inspector Aerodrome and Licensing, Deputy Director Civil Aviation (DDCA) and Director Civil Aviation (DCA), until his resignation some years ago.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 25, 2016

GPL warns electricity thieves

By Michel Outridge THE Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL), saying it has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to electricity theft, has made it clear that culprits caught would be handed over to law enforcement officials.

GPL Loss Reduction Division Director Parsram Persaud told the Guyana Chronicle that, at the end of 2015, electricity theft accounted for approximately 14 per cent of the total energy generated by the company.

Electricity theft is done mainly by two groups: persons who are not customers of GPL even though they are users of electricity (unmetered and illegal), and those who are stealing electricity by tampering with, or by-passing, their meters. Some culprits, mainly in unregularised areas, hook up to GPL’s network directly.

Persaud noted that GPL does raids every month, but the recent rainy season has caused the company to do only four raids in different areas during this month.

Persaud said that, in many cases, GPL personnel find there is no GPL network in some areas (unregularised), but persons have electricity in their homes. Those persons access electricity by connecting illegal wires, even across trenches, to nearby areas with GPL networks.

He said that thus far for this year, 41 persons have been arrested for electricity theft.

During the period 2007/2016, some 3,621 persons were arrested for electricity theft, most of whose matters are before the courts.

Some 630 persons have thus far been convicted, but there were only two convictions last year.

According to Persaud, stealing of electricity happens indiscriminately. He pointed out that both the ordinary man and wealthy people managing high-end businesses have been caught in the act of stealing electricity. Some metered GPL customers have become very creative, and are finding ways to tamper with their meters.

GPL has intensified its Loss Reduction Programme, and according to Persaud, it is just a matter of time before those persons are caught and handed over to the police.

An unsavoury record

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 25, 2016

‒ West Dem has highest percentage of prisoners who cannot afford bail

By Shauna Jemmott CHAIRMAN and Commissioners of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Georgetown Prison riot are disturbed that the West Demerara Magisterial District alone accounts for almost 50 per cent of prisoners who cannot afford bail and 1/3 were refused bail as of February this year.

Because of this situation, the inquiry report noted that “there are more remand prisoners from West Coast Demerara than from Georgetown.”

It said the facts illustrate that,that practice is influenced to an inordinate degree by views and inclinations of individual magistrates.

While figures released by the (Guyana Prison Service) to the Commission indicate that 258 prisoners were remanded by magistrates at the end of February 2016, it shows that of those, 148 were refused bail while 110 could

not afford bail.

“That close to 50 per cent of the persons bailed cannot afford the sum set is unacceptable. Bail is a constitutional right except in cases where the likelihood of the accused not appearing for the trial has been demonstrated (Compton English v The Attorney General of Guyana, No.1304 of 1994).”

The report suggested that since there is no known evidence highlighting that any accused person placed on bail by the High Court has absconded, “the presumption of bail being granted must be the rule rather than the exception”.

“In practice, however, magistrates, in particular, are extending the discretionary powers they enjoy in indictable matters to routinely denying bail in summary offences,” the report said, and added that murder and treason are the only charges for which bail is expressly denied.

It said remand figures

suggest that magistrates substitute a presumption of guilt for a presumption of innocence, rather than considering evidence that a person will not show up for trial, according to suggestions when looking at the remand figures.

As a result, 604 out of 1014 prisoners, a fractional reflection of 2/3 of the Camp Street prison population, are on remand. Of the 604 prisoners on remand, 193 (32 per cent) are facing murder charges, while the other 68 per cent or over-two thirds, are eligible for bail.

“When the ratio of remand to convicted prisoners was only 30/70 in 2004, the Criminal Justice Review Committee (CJRC) recommended that the disparity, inequity and inconsistency of magistrates’ discretion could only be addressed by a Bail Act in order to achieve some degree of uniformity in the grant of bail. In addition to legislation, a further recommendation from the

same report called for specific guidelines to be crafted for the guidance of magistrates and judges.”

The CoI report stated that the failure of this and a plethora of similar recommendations from all quarters to penetrate magisterial practice has inspired the Commission of Inquiry to call for more effective enforcement of such recommendations.

MOST EVIDENT The immediate cause of the abuse of bail procedures is most evident at the magisterial level, with the major obstacle being “a judicial culture in which bail is viewed as a judicial gift.”

“As with sentencing, the very notion of a bail “policy” or “guidelines” is considered by the more conservative as an offensive “executive” intrusion into judicial autonomy. Such attitudes are consistent with bygone ages, in which notions such as democracy, human dignity and

constitutional rights were foreign to the judicial culture,” the CoI report stated.

The report said while it has been clear to magistrates and defence lawyers that the back-log of cases in the Guyana courts is such that the constitutional rights of the accused to a trial within a reasonable time is routinely violated, in addition to this violation of constitutional rights, “refusal of bail violates all the rights associated with committal to over-crowded prisons.”

The refusal of bail to defendants on narcotics-related charges contributes greatly to overcrowding in the prison, and the report said avoiding “unconstitutionality” as a “special reason” for granting of bail has not been advanced in such cases. Section 73 of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Susbtances (Control) (Amendment) Act 1999, prevents granting bail in all cases unless “special reasons” can be advanced.

“Special reasons,” the CoI highlighted, has been “reduced in practice by both the Bar and Bench to issues related to the substance,” including quantity and circumstances, without reference to the person of the accused.

“Illustration of the lack of professional energy and standards in the administration of justice in both the Bar and Bench in Guyana is well illustrated by reference to bail in narcotics cases. Refusal of bail in narcotics cases has become virtually axiomatic in Guyana, despite the obvious injustice involved and its significant contribution to over-crowding of prisons,” the CoI report said.

The Prison Riots CoI was headed by Chairman Justice James Patterson(retd). The commissioners were Human Rights Activist Merle Mendonca and former Director of Prisons Dale Erskine. They submitted their report to President David Granger on June 1.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 25, 2016

Gov’t inks pact for ICT project …hinterland, remote, poor communities to benefit from services

By Ravin Singh HINTERLAND, remote and poor communities are poised to benefit significantly from Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development with the signing of a contract on Friday for a needs assessment project which will commence im-

mediately.

Valued at Gy$104M, the contract was signed between the Government of Guyana, represented by Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes; the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), represented by Country Representative Khadija Musa; and Germa-

ny-based company Detecon Consultancy, represented by Stephan Dieter.

Titled “ICT Access and e-Services for Hinterland, Poor and Remote Communities”, the project is a starting-point ICT study to find out, among other things, what infrastructure, technical capacity and legal framework are already

there in poor, remote and unserved areas in Guyana.

Deputy Head of the E-Government Agency at the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, Francis Simmons, said the first objective of the project is to conduct a baseline and feasibility study, to inform development of the full project document. He explained that, under this objective, the necessary baseline data and information will be compiled, and indicators will be established against which the project and its impacts will be measured.

Subsequently, a needs assessment and feasibility study will be done on infrastructure, content and energy sustainability of the project.

Simmons explained that these activities are geared towards providing the best solutions in providing ICT access and services for the hinterland, poor and remote communities, as well as assessing the overall viability of the project.

The second objective, he said, is to develop full ICT access and e-services for the Hinterland, Poor and Remote Communities’ project. He noted that, under this objective, the final project will be developed and finalized, based in great part on the information and conclusions of this baseline needs assessment and feasibility study.

The project will be implemented under the National Implementation Modality, and will be funded under the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIFF), once approved by the GRIFF+ Steering Committee.

It was further noted that the implementing entity of the project will be the E-government agency of the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, which will also be responsible for the actual execution of project activities within the project scope and constraints.

UNDP will be the partner entity to the project under the GRIFF+ framework, and will be responsible for quality assurance and for providing and incorporating social, judiciary and environmental safeguards and

best practices into the design and implementation of the project. The UNDP will also be responsible for the supervision of the project’s adherence to the criteria.

Engaging the media just prior to the official signing of the contract, UNDP Representative Khadija Musa stated that the project focuses on connecting the coastland with the hinterland through ITC, in order to expand economic development.

She revealed that UNDP conducted a competitive international bidding process, and received 14 expressions of interest from prospective bidders who participated in an online pre-bid conference, where they were allowed to ask questions regarding the project. Of the 14 bidders, four firms submitted proposals.

Minister Hughes pointed out that, for many years, Guyana has been lagging behind the rest of the world because of the lack of technological resources to meet the demands and standards in almost every field of endeavour, for every service and product.

She underscored the need for the assessment project, which she reasoned would allow Government to start an evaluation of the country’s ICT needs.

“Most of us know that, for many years, what happens on the coast and what happens in the hinterland regions vary vastly; and, in fact, when we look at sectors such as education (and) commerce development, our hinterland and remote communities have really not been able to stay on par,” Minister Hughes said.

She referred to a recent visit to Surama, where she had the opportunity to purchase “one of the most beautiful indigenous hammocks” made by a group of women there, and explained that the woman who crafted that hammock is dependent on the few people who travel to Surama to support her business.

However, she noted that with the introduction of access to technology, there is much more that can be done to support business-oriented

activities which will lift the standards of living for persons in those remote communities.

She suggested that the woman who made the hammock will be afforded the opportunity to create her own website; and with facilities such as international shipping services and persons being able to pay online, the world becomes her market.

Further, Minister Hughes explained that the programme will provide for the installation of ICT infrastructure and networks for Internet and telephony access for hinterland, poor, and remote communities.

Training will also be provided, not only for residents in those communities, but also for Government staff and entities such as the E-Government Unit.

“When this Government took over the reins of statehood last year, one of the first promises President (David) Granger made was to ensure that our technologies would be brought up to par with the rest of the world…to use a well-known cliché, bring Guyana into the 21st Century; and this project puts Guyana firmly on the road to achieving that objective,” the Public Telecommunications Minister said.

Implementation of the ICT ‘Access and e-Services for Hinterland, Poor and Remote Communities’ project will result in installation of ICT infrastructure and networks for Internet, and telephony access for hinterland, poor and remote communities; provision of secondary equipment to hinterland, poor and remote communities for deployment of e-Services, e-government services, and to access information and other benefits; training on the installation, use and maintenance of ICT infrastructure and networks to be utilized on the project; training of hinterland, poor and remote community members for increased ICT literacy; provision of e-Services, including emphasis on e-learning, a national ICT action plan, and institutional capacity development for the Government of Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 25, 2016

Go to all flood-affected areas – Jagdeo tells Gov’t OPPOSITION Leader Bharrat Jagdeo believes that much more could have been done to alleviate flooding in Region 5. He claims the “token” visit by Government officials to the region on Wednesday is not enough.

many appeals to central Government.

“He has contacted the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), central Government, the MMA…wrote several letters, most of (which) were not acknowledged,” Jagdeo said.

(thought) we were so special, like the President thinks, to believe that everybody has to go to (our) meeting.”

Jagdeo believes the limitations facing Region 5 are preventing it from carrying out its duties. He said, “…the region can’t carry out its programmes, its budget remains largely unspent; the money that is being

Water being drained by one of four mobile pumps at Trafalgar outfall in Region Five

Speaking on Thursday at a press conference at Freedom House, the former President said he has observed that some callous statements have been made by the Ministry of Agriculture, suggesting that alleviation of the flooding in Region 5 is the responsibility of the Mahaica/ Mahaicony/ Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ ADA) and not that of central Government.

“I hope the Government will try to understand what is happening: the hardships of people; they (should) be on the ground to render assistance to the people who are badly in need of assistance,” said Jagdeo, who served two terms as President.

The Opposition Leader also called on the administration to be balanced in its outreach to those affected, as Region 5 comprises supporters of all political parties.

“They should go to all the areas, to ensure the people receive support at this very difficult time,” he said. He noted that what he has observed in Region 5 does not augur well for its residents.

“It does not leave me, from what I have seen so far, in a hopeful mood,” Jagdeo said, as he noted that Government does not appear “serious about going ‘on the ground’.”

The Opposition Leader accused the Government of ignoring Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal and his

Notwithstanding the treatment he received, Jagdeo said, Ramphal has visited several affected communities to get an understanding of what is taking place. He believes the reason Ramphal is having a difficult time is because he did not attend an event at which President David Granger was present, some months ago in Region 5.

“When I was President,” Jagdeo said, “I visited many regions, and the Regional Chairs did not show up (at) some of the meetings. We were not so thin-skinned, or

spent is being spent by the Regional Executive Officer (REO) without the appropriate oversight. If the region was functioning, then we would have probably had a greater outreach.”

Asked what infrastructure was put in place while his party was in Government, the former president made reference to the Hope Canal, the construction of the Mahaica/Mahaicony road, and the installation of pumps.

“I am pleased with the efforts we made…but with all the efforts we made, we couldn’t stop flooding,” he

said.

A ministerial team comprising Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, Citizenship Minister Winston Felix, and Minister in the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, visited the flood-hit region on Wednesday to have a first-hand look

at the situation obtaining in the region.

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), in collaboration with the MMA/ADA, has deployed three mobile pumps, six tractor-operated pumps, and five excavators in the West Coast Berbice villag-

es of Golden Grove, Lovely Lass, Trafalgar, No. 29, Union and Lichfield.

Two mobile pumps have also been deployed at Trafalgar, while the third is located at Bush Lot village. The mobile pumps can drain 1200 gallons of water per second.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 25, 2016

Women should be jailed only in exceptional cases – Prison CoI report

THE Chairman and Commissioners of the Georgetown Prison Riot Commission of Inquiry (CoI) have

recommended that women should be sent to jail only in exceptional cases, and prompt and thorough in-

vestigation should be carried out in response to all complaints of sexual harassment made against any officer of any state agency.

Taking into consideration that prison is for those who pose a major threat

to society, and that a majority of women prisoners are themselves victims of exploitation and physical and/or sexual abuse, there needs to be a revolutionary turnaround in the attitude of sentencing women to imprisonment, the report into the CoI states.

A suggestion has been made to establish a “halfway house” for women in trouble. It should serve as a substitute for imprisonment, and should feature restoration programmes to empower women to turn a new page.

“A different system of very small, self-sufficient units, with active programmes of training (and) considerable involvement from outside agencies, is urgently needed…in which they can get their (lives) together, develop the self-confidence and the skills to care for themselves and their children, and eventually restart life” is what has been recommended.

Expressing concern at the high level of sexual abuse and exploitation to which women in detention

are vulnerable, commissioners said the “long-delayed trials, venal lawyers and poorly-trained magistrates prolong and aggravate a basically unsound method of dealing with women involved in crime, creating overcrowding.”

“Women are usually incarcerated because they are the victims of men either by being used as ‘drug mules’, or for stealing so as to feed children for whom child-fathers are not providing; or they are on murder charges for having turned violently on a brutal male partner.

Most of the women in prison have themselves been either physically and/or sexually abused since childhood, and (they are) in need of help, not punishment,” the report states.

The report identifies a woman’s role as a care-giver as a factor which should attract higher priority in determining whether at all to imprison a woman. It also said that “long- delayed trials, venal lawyers and poorly-trained magistrates prolong and aggravate a basically unsound method of dealing with women involved in crime, creating over-crowding” in jail.

“Prison is a much harsher experience for women than men. On the outside, women are usually the ones responsible for looking after the family and children. An extended stay in prison usually means women emerge to find their children dispersed, their partner no longer around, and their home

taken over by others.”

According to the report, jailing of a parent or guardian may result in considerable hardship on innocent children, with them being forced to relocate, change schools, and suffer hardship; and this impact on children should be taken into account in sentencing decisions in Guyana.

“The great majority of female offenders do not constitute a threat to society, the primary justification for incarceration. However, the way society deals with women is simply an extension of what is considered appropriate for men. When a policy turns out to be inappropriate for men, it is usually disastrous for women, which is clearly the case with the current penal policy”, the report states.

While women constitute four per cent of Guyana’s prison population, security arrangements at the Women’s Prison in New Amsterdam, Berbice are extensions for what is in place for the men’s section within the same compound, and the report’s authors call it “an unnecessarily depressing multiplicity of locks, bars, barbed wire and electronic devices in overcrowded spaces.”

“The concept of detention as a last resort as a principle of penal policy takes on central importance…in the sentencing of women who are mothers, especially if they are the sole providers of children,” the CoI report noted.

Saturday, June 25, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Sunday, June 26, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Monday, June 27, 2016 - 10:00 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 25, 2016

Fixed 20% income for City Hall ‒ Parking Meters Project expected to extend to Sheriff, Princes Streets

By Clestine Juan CITY Hall can expect a 20 per cent gross income generated from the placement of parking meters around town starting from September, said Director of National Parking Systems (NPS) Ifa Kamau Cush.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday, Cush explained that whether the parking meter project makes a profit or not, City Hall would still benefit from its fixed 20 per cent gross income.

According to the director, the project will create a new revenue stream for the city which currently receives $24M in subventions from the Government every year.

The project is expected to generate between $100M-200M in the first year of implementation.

It is contracted to run for the next 49 years, and already, the NPS has invested tens of millions of dollars in preparatory works.

“It’s time that we re-imagine the city as it once was and this parking meter project is the first step in transforming the city,” Cush said, pointing out that it will create over 100 new jobs.

He also disclosed that the company plans to set a standard of corporate responsibility in Guyana, while unionised workers will benefit from various job entitlements with their labour rights not being violated or exploited.

“This project will empower our citizens of Guyana to contribute to the public good, so that the city can earn money to clean drains, fix the roads and beautify Georgetown. We need to think outside of the box, take bold steps to move our city forward,” the director said as he stressed the benefits of the project.

The project will focus on the central business district in Georgetown, notably Regent, Robb, Carmichael, Middle and Water Streets.

According to Cush, the

itself to see whether there is anything in the contract that closely resembles the complaints by citizens.”

He said Government supports the efforts of the City Council to garner revenue, while reducing congestion on city streets, but

Director of National Parking Systems (NPS) Ifa Kamau Cush

aim is to expand to Sheriff and Princes Streets. The meters are expected to be solar-powered and have a variety of value-added features.

The parking meter project has come in for criticism for the cost of parking and for non-consultation with city residents and businesses.

Both the Government through the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Finance plan to review the contract for the project, which is being implemented by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) At a post-Cabinet press briefing Wednesday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon told reporters that Cabinet has decided to review the contract to ensure that there are no illegalities based on the complaints made.

The contract for implementation of the parking meters project was signed with National Parking Systems (NPS)/Smart City Solutions. But notwithstanding the ongoing row over the implementation of the parking meters, Minister Harmon gave the assurance that Government’s decision to review the contract is by no means an attempt to interfere in the affairs of the City Council.

“If they claim there is something wrong or there is something illegal, then Government has a responsibility to look at the contract

its intervention is necessary because Georgetown is the capital city.

According to Harmon, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan has briefed Cabinet about the project, noting that whatever the outcome, it is the citizens

who will be affected.

Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan has publicly declared that the parking meter project is a shady one.

He said the mere fact that the city Mayor has refused to reveal the details of the contract to City Councillors

and make the contract public, suggest that something sinister is taking place.

“So much has been shady with regard to the contract and how it will be rolled out,” said Duncan, who insists that something is amiss with the project.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY June 25, 2016

Iwokrama, the future of Edu THE Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development (Iwokrama) sits at the very heart of Guyana and is a reserve flowing with rich potential and biodiversity. It is located in the Potaro-Siparuni and Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo regions and was established prior to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.

President David Granger has expressed that his vision for Iwokrama is that it evolves into a centre for educational tourism for local and international students. Conservation and protection of the country’s natural patrimony is a central element in the President’s green agenda and as such, Iwokrama will become a centre for primary and

secondary schools, as well as a University of Guyana and regional and international students for practical education in biodiversity, botany and zoology.

The preserve is home to some of the world’s largest and most endangered species referred to as the “Giants of El Dorado” and include the Harpy Eagle, the Jaguar, the Giant Anteater, the Giant River Otter, the Arapaima, the Anaconda, the Black Caiman, and the Giant River Turtle. As for flora, over 1,500 plants have already been identified, including Anatto, greenheart and crabwood and purpleheart trees. There are 500 species of birds including the Guianan cock-of-the-rock, the Harpy Eagle, Crestless curassow, Crimson fruitcrow and Graywinged trumpeter.

On the most recent edition of The Public Interest,

President Granger expanded on Iwokrama’s potential as a centre for education, referring to it as the greenheart of Guyana. “Iwokrama is the single most important environmental project. We cannot understate its importance to the economy and the education of young people, and I hope more young people will get the opportunity to go there and see what the real Guyana looks like apart from the coastland,” he said.

During a recent visit to Iwokrama, President Granger and First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger spent some time at the facility. The President stated that part of the purpose of that visit was not only to learn more about Iwokrama and to assert his government’s commitment, but to also ensure that it fits into the long term. “The country is aiming at sustainable energy and President David Granger is the first sitting President to cross the canopy walkway at Iwokrama protecting its biodiversity and ensuring that the economy thrives, and part of [the] purpose of Iwokrama is to teach the world…the continent, the country, the Caribbean how forests can be sustainably managed,” he said.

During his visit to the Canopy Walkway, the President expressed a deepened sense of national pride and his wish for more Guyanese children to get the chance to witness the splendour that the location has to offer. “At present, there is a focus on marketing and business and sustainable development… It is a huge area of 371 square

kilometres and there is room for a variety of activities and my emphasis will be on biodiversity, botany, zoology and focusing on protecting our flora and fauna and preserving our wildlife… We want to see this as part of the education system,” the President said.

Supporting this vision, Iwokrama’s Director of Resource Management and Training, Dr Raquel Thomas-Caesar, said that the centre has a large potential for this type of educational tourism.

“Training falls under what you may call educational tourism, because you have

students who come and have an opportunity to learn about Iwokrama, but other groups come in and do different types of research,” she said.

She said that several groups have already visited the centre as part of research programmes, and these include both local and international students. Chief among these is Operation Wallacea, where groups of academics from European and North American universities conduct biodiversity and conservation expeditions. University of Guyana and high school students already benefit from research expeditions as well,

A view of the Essequibo River on a rainy day from the Iwokrama Resource Centre

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 25, 2016

ucational Tourism in Guyana and despite the cost, there has been an increase in the visits of these local groups.

Dr Thomas referred to Iwokrama as having the potential to be an international centre of excellence for training; one which stands on par with other protected areas around the world, which can give researchers and tourists a unique experience.

First Lady Sandra Granger herself is sold on the President’s vision for Iwokrama and said that the location would be a good laboratory for testing the country’s transition to clean energy and biodiversity. She believes that the reserve can also play a major role for creating a new database of different species

being transformed with an extended runway and the construction of an aerodrome.

“The lack of infrastructure prevented us from tapping into its potential. Once the [Fairview] aerodrome is completed, visitors will be able to travel to Iwokrama in 45 minutes... part of the problem was [that it was] very expensive and difficult to get to Iwokrama [but once these issues are fixed] I expect there will be a boost in education, tourism and economic sustainability itself,” the President said.

Since its establishment, the Iwokrama Centre has depended heavily on donor funding. The President said, however, that Guyanese

years since its establishment, Iwokrama is still very much a relevant facility with regard to climate change, sustainable development and other eco-based areas, adding that Iwokrama’s potential and purpose align well with President Granger’s green agenda.

Mr. Gobin stated, however, that they are working to change the financial model of the entity as it cannot continue to rely solely on donors, due to the pressures of other global priorities such as terrorism, natural disasters and poverty.

One major aspect of the change in financial model, he said, is the diversification of revenue sources, and this includes a sustainable for-

Children of Surama, one of the communities near the Iwokrama Centre of flora and fauna. She noted, too, that once access to Iwokrama is made easier, it could serve as a worthwhile attraction, which would engender a sense of appreciation and love of country.

However, in order to make this vision a reality, the problem of access must be solved. With Iwokrama sitting in the heart of the hinterland, it is no secret that access by road is an unwelcome adventure in itself.

While Government explores opportunities to tackle the cost prohibitive problem of developing the road between Linden and Lethem, the byair option has been placed squarely on the front burner.

The Fairview airstrip, just minutes away from the Iwokrama River Lodge, is

should become more involved in protection of the nation’s patrimony, but that this effort would involve more than just Government participation. We expect the corporate community and civil society to understand the importance of Iwokrama to the green agenda and to the livelihood of Guyana as a whole. So it is not going to be a government project, but a national project.

It is going to be a national project and I expect that in the fullness of time, not only the Commonwealth would adopt it more fully, but the Caribbean Community will understand its importance to their future [as well],” the President said.

Chief Executive Officer of Iwokrama, Mr Dane Gobin, said that even after 20

Ladies first! First Lady Mrs Sandra Granger crosses the canopy walkway as President David Granger waits his turn in the background estry project, which will be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. This project is intended to demonstrate that a profit-making logging enterprise can be done without changing or damaging the characteristics of the forest.

He noted that Iwokrama will continue to market itself as a tourist destination and added that the Fairview aerodrome will allow easier access to the location. Iwokrama sees on average 1100-1300 tourists annually; a small number, but one which has grown in comparison to an average of 60 tourists annually up to 1999.

Expanding on the tourism

potential of Iwokrama, Director of Resource Management and Training, Dr Raquel Thomas-Caesar, explained that the location serves as part of the entire “Rupununi Package”, which in itself serves as a main attraction in Guyana’s Tourism product. She stated that tourism forms a major part of Iworkrama’s move towards a business development plan aimed at augmenting fund-raising ventures.

A multi-dimensional revenue stream is more than feasible, since Iwokrama itself offers diverse opportunities.

In addition, according to Dr Thomas- Caesar, the centre

continues to have a positive impact on members of the hinterland communities in its environs.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to explain Iwokrama, because it is so multifaceted.

It’s not just these businesses that we are doing, but the other benefits that we have seen over the past 15-20 years. Most of all our local capacity-building has shown immense success in terms of working with wildlife experts in the communities.

We are now seeing a lot of community members See page 18

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GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY June 25, 2016

Iwokrama, the future of Educational ...

From center page

who have passed through Iwokrama are now in leadership positions in their

communities,” she said.

The close working relationship to which she refers,

includes partnerships with 20 local communities in close proximity to the Iwokrama

Forest. These communities fall under the umbrella organisation, the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB). Despite the financial constraints being faced by the reserve, it remains a natural haven with great potential and a location that Guyanese can be proud of as an international centre, which can make immeasurable contributions to Guyana’s Green Economy.

With the global nature, adventure, culture

and eco-tourism market growing each year, Guyana and Iwokrama are well positioned to cash in. As a natural habitat of a large number of flora and fauna and Macushi communities in its environs, Iwokrama is one of the jewels in Guyana’s tourism product chest. A Macushi word, which means “Place of Refuge,” Iwokrama according to legend was named when, during tribal war-

fare, the Macushi people sought refuge from their enemies in the surrounding mountains. Today it is an escape for world-weary tourists searching for something different. The late President Desmond Hoyte dedicated Iwokrama to the Commonwealth in 1989 at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Malaysia. This gift to the world spans 371,000 hectares of intact rainforest.

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Bravo, bowlers carry Windies to tri-series final THE West Indies will meet Australia in the Caribbean tri-series final tomorrow after a comprehensive defeat of South Africa last night at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Chasing 286 in a virtual semi-final, the South Africans wilted and folded cheaply in the face of disciplined line and length bowling from the West Indies and the beguiling spin of Sunil Narine.

Shannon Gabriel was the destroyer for the Windies, removing Quinto de Kock, Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers in his first four overs to leave the Proteas 3-28 after eight overs. The vaunted batsmen scored a combined total of just 11.

Narine then removed Hashim Amla and the Proteas lost their way further when Jason Holder had JP Duminy caught out.

Earlier, the Windies had suffered a top-order batting collapse of their own, until a brilliant century from Darren Bravo helped them to recover and post 285.

With the winner of this virtual semi-final to meet Australia in the final, at the same venue, tomorrow, Proteas skipper AB de Villiers had talked up his team’s ability to handle pressure in the build-up to the match.

“We’ve played quite a few really close series in the past, like this one, where we’ve had a few must-win games,” de Villiers said in the lead-up to this clash with the Windies.

“We enjoy those kind of situations. We like to bring the fight when it matters most. It’s a great opportunity for us to prove that we are that kind of team under pressure.”

Kagiso Rabada picked up three quick wickets early as the Windies fell to 4-21 after five overs after Proteas captain AB de Villiers won the toss and elected to field.

Wayne Parnell made the opening breakthrough before Rabada removed Johnson Charles and Marlon Samuels in consecutive balls. In his next over, Rabada then bowled Denesh Ramdin.

But Bravo stood firm and blasted his way to his third one-day century. He hit 12 fours and four sixes in scoring 102 from 103 balls before he was caught by Faf fu Plessis off the bowling of Chris Morris.

Left-hander Bravo struck 12 fours and four sixes off 103 balls and shared a record fifth-wicket stand of 156 with Kieron Pollard. The big-hitting right-hander chimed in with 62 off 71 balls, including seven fours and two sixes.

Captain Jason Holder, with 40 off 46 balls, and fellow all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite, 33 not out, boosted the lower order.

Kagiso Rabada claimed three early scalps on his way to 3-31 while Chris Morris took 3-63.

After South Africa won the toss, left-arm seamer Wayne Parnell claimed the early scalp of Andre Fletcher who was caught behind.

But it was the 21-year-old Rabada who really silenced the home crowd within the first half hour as the hosts slipped to 4-21 after five overs.

Johnson Charles edged to second slip and Marlon Samuels, fresh off a century against Australia, was yorked for a first-ball duck.

Denesh Ramdin, the ball after being struck on his helmet, soon lost his middle stump and South Africa were in control.

But Bravo, who survived a difficult catch at fine leg

by Parnell off Morne Morkel when 11, rebuilt the innings with fellow Trinidadian Pollard.

The pair’s stand was the best in one-dayers for the West Indies for the fifth wicket.

Pollard’s solid half-century eventually ended when he holed out to long-on off Morkel.

Bravo was the victim of an excellent running catch from Faf du Plessis as he mis-hit Morris over the off side at 6-210.

Holder and Brathwaite ensured a decent finish for the hosts by adding 54 for the seventh wicket.

But the West Indies are not without injury concerns: Holder limped off Kensington Oval after bowling two overs in West Indies’ loss to Australia earlier this week.

He managed the full 10 overs yesterday - bowling himself out in one spell - before leaving the field for more treatment.

He did later return to ease fears.

However, Gabriel also appeared to pick up an injury against the Proteas, bowling only five overs at the start of the match and spent considerable time off the ground during South Africa’s innings.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 25, 2016

GCB holds fruitful talks with RHTYSC OFFICIALS of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), comprising Secretary Anand Sanasie, Assistant Administrator Melinda Bishundyal-Chaitram and Territorial Development Officer Colin Stuart, recently met Secretary and CEO for Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club Hilbert Foster and some club officials.

The meeting stemmed from an invitational visit extended to the GCB by Foster.

The visit which envisaged high levels of expectations was synonymous with its prospects, as a number of mutually accepted views and positions were shared between the two entities.

The GCB found the meeting fruitful, in

that both parties were able to share concepts and ideas on the conduct of cricket development initiatives and programmes, and found the exercise to be mutually beneficial to both parties involved.

After the meeting, the GCB donated four additional Kiddy cricket kits to the club, to assist in the development and promotion of its cricket nursery.

Both Sanasie and Foster expressed a willingness to further cooperate and facilitate cricket development initiatives in the Berbice area.

The GCB recently donated brushcutters to all first division clubs in Berbice. Last year the GCB also donated practice nets and $100 000 to each first division club.

Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Anand Sanasie, hands over the Kiddy Cricket Kits to Secretary and CEO for Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Hilbert Foster in the presence of GCB Territorial Development Officer, Colin Stuart.

Sports Awards to Guyana Cricket Board and Sanasie highly questionable IT is my firm opinion that awards of any sort must be based on established criteria that involve legitimacy, performance and transparency.

Awardees must be selected on the basis of merit.

After reading the recent National Sports Council ‘Sports Awards’ and listening to Director of Sport Christopher Jones’ televised interview with Edwin Seeraj on the Sports Magazine Programme of Friday 10th June, 2016, I am of the view that the award process should be totally revamped.

With specific regard to the awarding of the GCB as the Sports Organisation of the Year and Anand Sanasie as the Sports Administrator-of-the-Year, I humbly suggest that these awards be recalled for the following reasons: 1. It is public knowledge that there have been no free and fair elections of the GCB for the past seven (7) years, a clear violation of the tenets of democracy. The last time the GCB had free and fair elections was in 2009.

2. The GCB has not laid over the audited financial statement and other documents to the National Assembly and to the very National Sports Council as stipulated in the The Cricket Administration Act 2014 (clause 14 (3) and clause 15). Other clauses of the Act are also continually being violated by the current GCB executives.

3. Some members of the GCB together with a few other individuals illegally formed a company and named it “The Guyana Cricket Inc.” All the assets of the GCB including the various bank accounts and properties were then transferred to this company and ipso facto all the assets of Guyana cricket now belong to only those individuals.

4. The GCB has not been making any attempt to have the ongoing divide within Guyana cricket resolved but rather are the proponents of the continuation of that divide with their frivolous challenge to the “Act” and engaging in a plethora of injunctions that prevent the democratic process of free and fair elections.

5. The GCB’s practice (in the absence of free and fair elections) of selecting officials often of one ethnic group and the discriminatory manner used when distributing gear and other resources are further examples of the prevailing lawlessness. The exclusion of the Berbice Cricket Board, the Georgetown Cricket Association and the East Coast Cricket Board from any deliberation or discussions or activity designed to unite the GCB appears to be deliberate. It is even more appalling to note that these areas which produce all the national cricketers at all levels from their own resources have not received a single cent from the GCB for the past seven (7) years. This is a clear case of administrative lawlessness which is undeserving of any award especially a national award.

6. As an experienced sports administrator I have never seen a sports association constitution, including the one enshrined in the Cricket Administration Act 2014, that identifies the Secretary as the head. Even within the many constitutions of the GCB, I am positive that the head is always the President and not the Secretary.

On the TV programme (as earlier mentioned) Director of Sport Christopher Jones, in attempting to justify the awards, stated that cricket has done well over the past two (2) years and Sanasie as head of the Board was therefore awarded.

I would like to challenge the NSC to produce the records that show Secretary Anand Sanasie as the head of the GCB. The structure of the GCB historically has the President as the head and the two (2) Vice-Presidents sharing the Cricket Development and the Cricket Administration portfolios. In the present chaotic administrative environment of the Board any consideration to reward the cricket should have been given to the cricketers, or the Technical Officials (Coaches, Selectors etc) for their excellent performance on the field despite the administrative woes.

Further, Director of Sport Christopher Jones contended that he had no

idea of who and which organisation had won awards prior to his appearance on the stage at the 2015 Awards Ceremony.

This is quite surprising as the awardees were informed accordingly, so why not the Director of Sport?

Indeed our cricketers have done us proud with their performances over the past two years and must be complimented for their accomplishments. However, a careful assessment should have been made by the NSC officials to ascertain who are the personalities responsible for these successes.

The officials should ascertain why there have not been any Female Domestic Tournament so as to offer opportunities for more ladies to be selected to the West Indies Team (the present two have been representing WI since 2007). Also, why have we not been having our players who are doing so well at the national level secure places on the WI teams?

To proceed with these particular awards would be to send the wrong message to organisations that they could be rewarded for illegality, discrimination, lack of free and fair elections, lack of accountability, violation of the laws and rules of society especially divisiveness which contradicts Government’s stated National Policy of unity and cohesiveness among our people.

This will undoubtedly create a serious precedent that this government cannot, ought not and must not embrace. The honourable and proper thing to do is to immediately recall the awards glibly handed out to the GCB and to Sanasie.

Claude Raphael Former Executive Member – GCB Former Director - WICB

TT to clash with Windwards in TTWCA Under-19 final

By BRIJ PARASNATH NEW champions will be crowned when Trinidad and Tobago clash with Windward Islands in the Trinidad and Tobago Women’s Cricket Association (TTWCA) Under-19 final at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva from 09:30hrs.

The third-place decider Barbados and Guyana will be staged at Gilbert Park, California at 09:30hrs.

Presentation ceremony will be held at the NCC from 13.00hrs.

T&T crushed dethroned champs Barbados by eight wickets to top the four-nation series in the final round-robin encounter which started at 09:30hrs at the NCC. And then they maintained their unbeaten record in the semi-finals when they overpowered Guyana by nine wickets at the NCC in the encounter that got underway at 14:30hrs.

In the semis against Guyana, spinners T&T’s Kamara Ragoobar (2 for 16), Reana Farrow (2 for 5), Leandra Ramdeen (1 for 8) and Kajol Daljir (1 for 8) were too good for Guyana as their innings closed at 56 for 8 in 20 overs. Sheneta Grimmond made 19 (three fours off 20 balls).

Skipper Reniece Boyce piloted her team to an easy win and remained undefeated on 27 that included four fours off 24 balls. Shania Abdool made 15 as T&T celebrated with 57 for 2 in 9.4 overs The biggest surprise of the day was the Windwards outfit who registered a 14-run win over Guyana in their final round-robin match at Gilbert Park, California, where they narrowly edged out Barbados by a solitary run in their important semi-final clash that was contested at the same venue.

In the final round-robin match between Barbados and Trinidad and & Tobago, the now dethroned champs put up a miserly display and were bundled out for a paltry 29 in 15.1 overs with Extras (nb-1, w-9) being the main contributor.

Skipper Hayley Matthews was brilliantly caught by Renelle Dookie at mid-wicket as she flicked medium pacer Mikaela Jodhan and departed for zero, with only five runs on the scoreboard. Two more wickets fell at the same total when Dookie scalped Kinady King (2) and Felicia Jarvis (0) with consecutive balls in her first over.

It was total meltdown by the Barbadians who just could not find an answer to the Trinidadian spinners who wreaked havoc.

Leandra Ramdeen was the chief destroyer with three wickets for eight runs from four overs while Dookie finished with two for seven from three.

In reply, T&T completed the formality of winning by eight wickets. Shania Abdool was the topscorer with an unbeaten 20.

In the semis, T&T restricted Guyana to 57 for 7 in 20 overs to seal their place in the final with a comprehensive nine-wicket win.

In the Barbados vs Windwards encounter, Extras was the chief contributor with 44 (b-1, lb-1, nb-3, w-39) as they were bowled out for 63 in 13.5 overs. R. Sanford, Qiana Joseph and A. Alfred claimed two wickets each for five, ten and 12 runs respectively.

Kimone Homer’s 21 helped Windwards to reach 64 for 5 in 20 overs.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY June 25, 2016

Hales and Roy power England to crushing win (REUTERS)-An England record opening partnership of 256 between Alex Hales and Jason Roy led their side to a crushing 10-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second one-day international in Birmingham yesterday.

Hales scored 133 not out and Roy an unbeaten 112 in England’s highest first-wicket partnership in one-day cricket and they overhauled Sri Lanka’s 254 for seven with more than 15 overs to spare.

England lead the five-match series 1-0 after the first match in Nottingham was tied.

Sri Lanka opted to bat after winning the toss but their total always looked inadequate on a good batting pitch at Edgbaston as England took wickets at regular intervals.

Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews shared a fourth-wicket stand of 82 to give their side a platform.

Mathews fell for 44, however, and Chandimal was run out for 52 by Roy who had earlier produced a

England’s Jason Roy (L) and Alex Hales celebrate at the end of the matchAction Images via Reuters / Matthew Childs.

GCF National Road Race championship

Top wheelsmen to battle for road race honours tomorrow ... Eastman is defending champion

THE cream of Guyana’s cyclists will take to the outer circuit of the National Park tomorrow to do battle for bragging rights when the Guyana Cycle Federation (GCF) stages its National Road Race championship, beginning at 11:00hrs.

Defending champion Hamza Eastman will have his legs and hands `full’ to make a successful defence of his title which he won last year in a time of three hours 40 minutes 37.67 seconds.

However, last year ’s championship was held along the East Coast of Demerara corridor and was wind-assisted, while tomorrow’s race will be partly wind-assisted.

It will definitely be more gruelling than last year’s and this will surely suit United

States-based Guyanese Scott Savory, who recently became the first Guyanese to win the

HAMZA EASTMAN Tour of Sommerville event in the United States.

Savory has so far won eight races for the 2016 sea-

son and will be seeking to win the GCF’s mega event tomorrow.

Savory apart, there are other Guyanese campaigning in the U.S. and are already back in Guyana, not only eager to be a part of tomorrow’s event, but also hungry to win the bragging rights to represent Guyana at Regional and International meets over the next year.

Among those cyclists that have returned for the event are; Stephano Husbands, Raynauth `Obeahman’ Jeffrey, Jamal John, Geron Williams and Christopher Holder.

Alanzo who is facing a ban after being confirmed by the World Anti-Doping Association for using banned substances before and during

the course of the Annual five-stage `Ride for Life’ race last year had placed second while Geron Williams finished third.

In 2014, Williams had won the 100-mile road race from Georgetown up the Linden Highway and back to Georgetown in a time of four hours 25 minutes .02 seconds.

Apart from the above-mentioned names, the likes of Team Evolution’s Orville Hinds, Marlon `Fishy’ Williams, Raul Leal and Akeem Wilkinson, as well as Team Alanis’ Paul DeNobrega add flavour to Sunday’s event.

Hinds has won seven roads races for the 2016 season and with his team firmly behind him will surely be one to watch come race day (Michael DaSilva)

WADA suspends accreditation of Rio laboratory THE World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has suspended the accreditation of the Brazilian Doping Control Laboratory in Rio de Janeiro just six weeks before the Olympic Games commence.

WADA yesterday revealed that the laboratory in the host city for the Games was suspended on Wednesday “due to a non-conformity with the International

Standard for Laboratories”.

The sanction could now see doping samples taken during the Rio Games flown for assessment overseas, with WADA warning that the ban will only be lifted once the Rio laboratory is “operating optimally”.

Incoming WADA director general Olivier Niggli said: “In the meantime, WADA will work closely with the Rio Laboratory to

resolve the identified issue, “The Agency will ensure that, for the time being, samples that would have been intended for the Laboratory, will be transported securely, promptly and with a demonstrable chain of custody to another WADA-accredited laboratory worldwide.

“This will ensure that there are no gaps in the anti-doping sample analysis procedures; and that, the

integrity of the samples is fully maintained, “Athletes can have confidence that the suspension will only be lifted by WADA when the Laboratory is operating optimally; and that, the best solution will be put in place to ensure that sample analysis for the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games is robust.” (Sportsmax. com)

brilliant piece of fielding to run out Kusal Perera.

Upul Tharanga struck an unbeaten 53 to give Sri Lanka hope but England’s bowlers maintained a tight grip throughout, leg-spinner Adil Rasheed the pick of the attack with figures of 2-34 from 10 overs.

Hales and man-of-the-match Roy were completely in command against a toothless Sri Lanka attack.

Hales smashed six sixes and 10 fours while Roy went to his second one-day international century with his fourth six before driving Seekkuge Prasanna to the cover boundary to seal victory.

“It was a lot of fun. We wanted to get off to a good start. The next thing you know, we’re across the line,” Roy told the BBC. “It’s a great buzz. There’s a lot of love in the dressingroom. I’m stoked for the win.”

The third match of the series is in Bristol tomorrow.

GOA Open Badminton tournament underway PLAY in the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Open Badminton tournament commenced on Wednesday last at the National Gymnasium in the Men, Ladies and Mixed Doubles events.

The results from day one are as follows: Men’s Doubles quarter-finals: Ronald Chang Yuen and Avinash Odit defeated William Holder and Haymant Ramdhani 21-16, 21-16.

Narayan Ramdhani and Jonathan Mangra trounced Pri-

Part of the action on day one yanna Ramdhani and Ambika Ramraj: 21-5, 21-10.

Darrell Carpenay and Marlon Chung beat Dr Harry Gorle and Nandha Kishore: 21-11, 21-8.

Gokarn Ramdhani and Nicholas Ali roughed up Cecil Abrams and Fardeen Alli: 21-9, 21-9.

Men’s Doubles round one: Dr Harry Gorle and Nandha Kishore overwhelmed P. Ramnarayan and Armand Ramdhani: 21-3, 21-15.

Priyanna Ramdhani and Ambika Ramraj thrashed Tyreese Richards and Jamaal Humphrey: 21-5, 21-9.

Ladies’ Doubles semi-finals: Priyanna Ramdhani and Ambika Ramraj whipped Kara Abrams and Wonita Yang: 21-7, 21-8.

Ayanna Watson and Emelia Ramdhani bettered Priyanka Shivnauth and Gabriella Pertab: 21-19, 19-21, 21-12.

Mixed Doubles quarter-finals: Jonathan Mangra and Ambika Ramraj prevailed against William Holder and Angelica Holder: 21-15, 17-21, 21-14 Darrell Carpenay and Ayana Watson thrashed Fardeen Alli and Priyanka Shivnauth: 21-8, 21-6.

The tournament continues today at the same venue from 17:00hrs.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 25, 2016

Team preparations going well for Junior Men’s 15s ruggers THE Junior Men’s 15s Rugby Americas North Championship was the main item on the Guyana Rugby Football Union’s (GRFU) agenda yesterday at a press conference held at Olympic House.

Present at the conference was GRFU Public Relations Officer Daniel Anderson, Senior coach Larry Adonis, Junior coach Troy Yhip and Senior vice-president Joshua Griffith.

Speaking on behalf of the GRFU was coach Troy Yhip who spoke about the team’s preparation for the Miami-based tournament.

“The team has been in preparation for the last ten weeks and currently is starting to gel properly and the players are now understanding their roles and positions.”

Yhip went on to say that the team was 75% fit and by the start of the tournament the finishing touches would be completed.

The Junior team will be a part of the sec-

ond tier group of teams in the competition due to the extended absence of the Guyana Juniors in previous competitions. “We are in the second tier and winning the second tier means we move to the first tier group and can compete to win it all.”

Also speaking at the press conference was the senior team’s coach Larry Adonis who touched on the injuries sustained by the Green Machine players in their Regional win over Trinidad & Tobago. According to Adonis, moving forward, giving the players rest and allowing them to heal from the bruises and muscle injuries sustained is what is best for them at the moment.

Closing off the briefing was GRFU Senior vice-president Joshua Griffith who spoke on corporate Guyana offering support for Rugby in addition to coming on board with the champion squad.

“Everyone loves a champion and our

L-R Larry Adonis, Joshua Griffith and Troy Yhip (Adrian Narine photo) men’s team have proven that they are champions.”

The Senior Men’s 15s team now await

Former national track star Waveney Benn eager to give back to the sport ... wishes to adopt athletes FORMER national middle-distance champion Waveney Benn is eager to give back to the sport by way of adopting local athletes and supplying them with much needed gear and equipment.

In an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport, Benn a former 800- and 1500-metre national champion migrated to the United Kingdom 25 years ago and has been returning to her homeland on a regular basis and each time she returns, she always brings gear and other personal items to distribute to the less fortunate athletes.

Benn reminisced on the days when she was in a similar position as some of the athletes find themselves in today. “I was in a similar position and would’ve benefited similarly thus my

desire to reciprocate the gesture,” Benn stated.

“I know what it is not to have because I faced that

situation myself, so I do not want any other athlete to go through that kind of hardship,” she stated.

Benn said she remembers very well the time she met then Minister of Sport, the

Former national middle-distance champion Waveney Benn (left) hands over some of the items to coach Leslie Black at her residence last Driday.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday June 25, 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) 33 ODIs (2) Sydney, 1992 (World Cup)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) What is the highest score made by an Australian player in an ODI against South Africa?

(2) How many overs were bowled in the first prelim inary game of the Tri-Nations series in Barbados?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

late Shirley Field-Ridley and the minister told her “right now you don’t have, but there will come a time when I know you will be in a position to give back to the less fortunate”. Benn said that is why she is doing what she is doing today. “The minister’s words really inspired me and so I just want to give back,” Benn added.

While she returned to the country of her birth this year to enjoy the festivities of Guyana’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, she also came with the intention of outlying her plans to establish an institution where she could give back to the sport that shaped her life.

To this end, Benn paid a courtesy call on the president of the Guyana Olympics Association (GOA) K. A Juman-Yassin and they discussed the modalities of the venture and according to her, the meeting with the GOA boss was very fruitful.

She will now examine the suggestions made by the GOA head.

Benn who represented Guyana at many Regional and International meets said apart from adopting a few athletes and providing them with gear, she may even contemplate their academic development in the near future.

Benn said while she is willing to concentrate on helping a couple of athletes pertaining to their development, these athletes must exhibit the dedication and commitment necessary to reach the highest level of the sport.

Last Friday, Benn made a presentation of clothing and other related materials to Rising Stars coach Leslie Black at her North Ruimveldt residence.

According to Benn, she has a lot of connections in the athletics fraternity back in London and she is willing to pull some strings to get things done should two promising athletes demonstrate the kind of discipline required to reach the top. ”Discipline and commitment are the two most important factors for me to adopt any athlete,” Benn stated.

She also promised to do everything possible to get top English athletes come to Guyana for short stints with local athletes.

the results of the match between Mexico and Cayman Islands for their next opponents.

This match will be played July 3.

National U-17 football trials this weekend ... Eight FAs to be represented UNDER-17 footballers from eight football associations of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) will this weekend converge on the GDF ground to vie for places on the National U-17 team to play in next month’s CFU Championship.

The two-day trials will commence this morning at 08:00hrs and conclude at 17:00hrs while tomorrow’s sessions will begin at the same time but will end at 13:00hrs. At the end of the trials 26 players will be selected for a ten-day encampment beginning July 2.

The GFF in a release also disclosed that Anthony Stephens has been appointed the head coach with Vurlon Mills as his assistant and Andrew Hazel (goalkeeper/ coach).

Together with the GFF Technical Development Officer, Lyndon France, they will form the selection committee of the squad. Carlos Bernard is the manager Head coach and Pablino Cupideo Anthony Stephens the physiotherapist.

The final 18 players will be announced during the encampment and the team will depart for the USVI on July 13. Guyana will begin their campaign in Group 4 against Jamaica on July 15, before engaging the home team two days later. The final group match will be versus Antigua and Barbuda on July 19.

Each member association, except the Bartica and Essequibo Coast/Pomeroon FAs, is expected to send eight players to the trials. The Rupununi FA will not be represented.

The Bartica FA is being asked to send 6 players while the Essequibo Coast/Pomeroon FA is allowed four players. A reliable source indicated that the Rupununi FA is expected to send 8 players to the encampment for possible selection.

Head coach Stephens is being given his first national duty after four consecutive wins with Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School in the annual KO schools football. (Ras Wadada)

TT to clash with Windwards in TTWCA Under-19 final

Bravo, bowlers carry Windies to tri-series final

See story on page 29

... to face Aussies tomorrow

Shannon Gabriel ripped through South Africa’s top order. (AFP photos)

See story on page 28

Darren Bravo celebrates his third ODI century. The left-hander struck 12 fours and four sixes during his 102 off 103 balls.

GFF ready for ‘Champion of Champions’

By Ras Wadada THE climax of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) STAG Elite Tournament to determine the National Club Champions is set for the Guyana Defence Force ground, Camp Ayanganna tomorrow.

The GFF held a Press briefing yesterday at the Federation’s Boardroom where it was stated that the one-off game will have no prize money. Speaking on behalf of the Federation, executive committee member Dion Inniss expressed heartfelt thanks to all the sponsors, teams, Competition’s Committee and the Media for being on board.

I n n i s s , h o w e v e r, shared the sentiments of Alpha United head coach who is calling for a review of the format of the League so as to realistically have a true League competition where there is no final to decide the Champion. The team with the most points, accumu-

… Alpha and Slingerz as well

Head table at GFF Press briefing yesterday (L-R) Wayne Dover (Alpha United coach), Dion Inniss (GFF executive committee member), Darshanie Yusuf (Ansa McAl), Kavin Pearce (Slingerz asst coach) and Tichard Joseph (captain of Slingerz. (Adrian Narine photo) lated from a similar number of games played by all teams should be crowned Champion.

Coach Wayne Dover told the media that if he was the coach of Slingerz or if Alpha had been in Slingerz position it would have been

“painful after dominating by playing unbeaten in the two-round League matches and not being crowned the Champions and then lose the finale”.

Coach Dover also expressed confidence in his side winning a 6th national

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

title, ”We will make this grand finale a remarkable final.

“For us, making it six in a row, in terms of National championships, is our aim and objective going into this game. We have taken the Elite step

by step. We have placed the emphasis on 3 games and now we have the last one, so we will diligently continue in our preparations to achieve our aims and objectives”.

Speaking on behalf of Slingerz, captain Tichard Jo-

seph said, ”After the defeat last Sunday, and it was a very tough loss to swallow; we have remained focused as we pick ourselves up again. We still have another chance to win the Championship. We will continue to work hard and come out on Sunday and hopefully come out on top”.

Also speaking to the Media was Darshanie Yussuf of Ansa McAl who said that as a sponsor this was not the first preference, to have a Champion of Champions final to win the league, but wished both teams well.

She also said that while the first half of the competition was fantastic there were blunders in the second half.

She, however, did not elaborate on the blunders but added that hopefully they would be corrected.

Tomorrow’s game is set for 21:00hrs and will be preceded by a game between Georgetown’s Western Tigers FC and Den Amstel FC from the West Demerara, starting at 18:30hrs.

SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2016