Chronicle 12 07 2015

No. 104394

MONDAY DECEMBER 7, 2015

Price: $80

Give national unity a chance’ Page

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… calls ring out for gov’t, opposition to sit down for talks

Police intensify training to arrest crime

Fernandes Bread Box ushers in the festive season with a “Christmas Carnival” in front of its Middle Street premises yesterday (Samuel Maughn photo)

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Ann’s Grove

- bent on taking flight Centre

Venezuela opposition senses victory

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 7, 2015

Specialty Hospital

Ramotar denies promising Fedders-Lloyd contract - says company rep turned up uninvited By Ravin Singh

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LLEGATIONS of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) promising Fedders-Lloyd the contract to design and build the Specialty Hospital after the project had folded temporarily were dismissed entirely by former President Donald Ramotar, who was fingered in the controversial deal. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday last, regional representative of Fedders-Lloyd Ajay Jha had revealed that the company, after losing the initial bid to Surendra Engineering Company Limited, was in constant contact with the PPP government after Surendra Engineering left late last year. In 2012, Surendra was awarded the multimillion-dollar contract by the then government to design and build the hospital at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown. However, the agreement between the two was prematurely terminated subsequent to discoveries of alleged failure to account for public funds and alleged engagement in fraud by the contracting company. With India providing a US$18 million line of credit to construct the facility, Surendra had drawn US$3,636,000 as a mobilisation advance. Additionally, the sum of $1.25 billion was also set aside for the hospital in the 2013 Budget, but was axed by the then opposition. Some $34.4 million was allocated to the hospital as part of a supplementary budget. But following the termination of the contract, the PPP was subsequently voted out of office and the project was stalled. With justification, the coalition government resuscitated

the initiative, and inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fedders-Lloyd, which is likely to see the contract being awarded to the company for the completion of the hospital. However, providing photographs of himself and Ramotar in India, in January of this year, Jha told this publication that the two had facilitated extensive discussions during this time on the future of the project. He said assurance was given by the then President that Fedders-Lloyd would be the company to continue the project after Surendra Engineering had packed up and left, due to the alleged irregularities and fraud. These claims by Jha surfaced at a time when the PPP has sought to criticise the government for Former President signing the MoU with FeddersDonald Ramotar Lloyd. However, Ramotar, in addressing Jha’s statements disclosed that there was indeed a meeting between the two during his visit to India earlier in the year. This trip, he said, was in response to an invitation extended by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a conference where he (Ramotar) was the chief guest. INFORMAL MEETING As it relates to the meeting, the former President explained that it had been a very informal one, which was motivated by courtesy on his behalf. He noted that Jha had been camping out in the lobby of the hotel he (Ramotar) was staying, awaiting the opportunity to meet him. The former President refuted claims that at this meeting promises were made by him to award the contract to Fedders-Lloyd. He said that he indicated to the company’s representative that there would be a re-tendering process, given the developments with the project at that time, and that Fedders-Lloyd, if they were still interested in the project, should bid when the time would have arisen. He maintained that no promise was made in this regard, since the law stipulates the procedures that have to be

followed. “I never went to India with the intention of meeting him or any Fedders-Lloyd representative,” Ramotar said. Jha also revealed that former Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall had met him on more than 10 occasions between December 2014 and April 2015, and Nandlall had verbally promised him that Fedders-Lloyd would be awarded the contract. To support his argument, he revealed that the former AG requested him to write to the government, indicating that the company was interested in picking up the remains of the project and completing it. He presented the written documents which were sent to the Office of the President, the Attorney General’s office, and the Ministries of Finance and Health. Jha, however, could not provide any document of response from any of these offices. UNINVITED VISITS And in his defence, Nandlall told the Guyana chronicle yesterday that while he did meet Jha at his chambers, it was done after several uninvited visits by him to the AG’s Chambers. But according to Nandlall, no promise was ever made to the company representative since he (Nandlall) was not in a position to award any contract to any company. On Saturday though, Jha had told this publication that the companies disqualified were the Vedhehi Group which submitted no form of documentation and Jaguar Overseas which submitted its documents electronically, via a CD. As such, the two remaining companies, Surendra Engineering Company Limited and Fedders-Lloyd were the only two legitimate bidders in the process, according to him. Further defending the company’s position, the representative committed to sourcing the document from India which highlights that a list of equipment proposed for the project was indeed submitted. When quizzed on why the PPP never initiated any moves to commence the awarding of the contract to his company, Jha explained that it was at the height of the May 11 General and Regional Elections and he was asked to wait until the elections were over. But Nandlall also refuted this, arguing that Surendra Engineering’s contract had been terminated even before general elections were announced. As such, if the then government had any intention of granting Fedders-Lloyd the contract, they had more than enough time to do so.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 7, 2015

‘Give national unity a chance’ … calls ring out for gov’t, opposition to sit down for talks

By Ariana Gordon SINCE Guyana gained Independence some 49 years ago, the promise of a unity government has always been on the cards, but up until now, it remains an elusive dream. With the ascension of the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition to office following the May 11 elections, President David Granger, in keeping with a promise of an inclusive government, announced that his administration is open to unity talks with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). But he is yet to receive any positive response. The government has entrusted Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, a former PPP Executive to lead the talks. Former President now Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo in a meeting with President Granger soon after he was elected has said that the Opposition will approach the talks at their own time, at their own pace. Unity talks and unity government are nothing new to Prime Minister Nagamootoo. He had worked with late President and founding member of the PPP Dr Cheddi Jagan in the 1970s on the issue of a national front government. The PPP under Dr Jagan had an interest in unity government and many believe that his vision and work for a united Guyana should not be squandered. The PPP’s silence on the government’s open invitation on unity talks has caused disquietude to some in the political circle. Among them is former Speaker of the National Assembly and PPP Executive Ralph Ramkarran. “An offer made by government to any rational group should be seriously considered,” he told the Guyana Chronicle, contending that the refusal of the PPP thus far to head into talks with the government is

turning out to be a missed opportunity to make good of a promise it had at one time advocated. ON THEIR AGENDA N a t i o n a l u n i t y, M r Ramkarran pointed out has been on the PPP agenda since 1955. In the 1970s, the PPP had proposed a national front government, but the proposal did not gain

Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran traction with the People’s National Congress (PNC) administration. But, he said the PPP had been consistent in seeking to engage and discuss with their political rivals the issue of national unity, and is now surprised that they have apparently “turned their backs” on the matter. This approach by the PPP, he said does not augur well for a united Guyana. H o w e v e r, w i t h t h e administration just over sixmonth old, Mr Ramkarran said they will have to be cautious, pointing out that the PPP’s refusal to engage on unity talks thus far should not at this time be dismissed as a missed opportunity. The offer is still on the table, and Mr Ramkarran is urging his former comrades to talk to the government on the important matter as it will show that the have Guyana’s future as a priority. I n S e p t e m b e r, P P P

General Secretary Clement Rohee said his party made no agreement with the APNU+AFC government to discuss national unity while noting that his party was not comfortable with the offer. “…The APNU+AFC must be aware that the PPP is in no way desperate to engage both the APNU and the AFC. This will be tantamount to a double kiss of death for the PPP;

coalitions that work for common goals and I believe someday this country will see and must see a government of national unity,” Nagamootoo had said in 2011. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashleigh Jackson, weighing in on the national unity talks, said all stakeholders must be involved in the process. “If the major political stakeholders decide on

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Former Foreign Minister Rashleigh Jackson

Trade unionist Lincoln Lewis

national unity, those who stay out should be judged as not serious about national unity,” Mr Jackson said, noting that that “if major stakeholders have doubts, they should set forth the necessary conditions for national unity”. He continued: “If you don’t talk, nothing will be achieved,” while emphasising the importance of compromise in going forward on the matter. For Mr Jackson, a grand conversation on how to achieve national unity is needed and it should involve all political parties, religious groups, and other stakeholders of society. “It is a question of will and attitude,” he said, stressing that all Guyanese have an investment in Guyana’s future and talks on national unity should be priority. Veteran trade unionist Lincoln Lewis agreed with him, but said it

13 of the Constitution does not make provision for a government of national unity. Article 13 states: “The principal objective of the political system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, and their organisations in the management and decision- making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their well-being.” The trade unionist believes that the laws have to be “deepened” to deal with the concept of national unity as the Constitution makes provision for the people to elect various tiers that speak to inclusionary democracy -- national, regional and local governments. “The national and regional are seen as political groupings which saw

a reality it cannot ignore,” Rohee said a PPP press briefing at Freedom House Robb Street. According to him, “cooperation within the parliamentary structure and arrangements cannot be avoided but engagement with the APNU+AFC outside of Parliament is clearly political and there is no guarantee that agreements reached will find their way in the appropriate body to make them legally binding.” Nagamootoo, a longstanding member of the PPP before he parted company with the party in 2011, said the leadership of the PPP has demonstrated pettiness, greed, corruption and arrogance that Dr Cheddi Jagan, party founder fought against. ALWAYS COMMITTED “I have always been committed to the formation in this country of broad

should be made clear what “national unity” means. Some believe it means sharing Cabinet responsibilities with the Opposition, some Mr Lewis said ought not to happen. NO CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION “The Constitution does not make provision for that,” he said, adding that Article

the divide of 32/33 seats representing the major political parties…. In seven regions, citizens decided that the PPP will manage the people; three regions were given to APNU+AFC,” he said. Mr Lewis also reminded that power sharing is not an issue for politicians but one for the citizenry to decide. “National unity must be clearly defined… apart from a clear definition, there needs to be laws put in place to strengthen what the Constitution says.” The 1980 Constitution of Guyana makes provision for a minority leader but the revised Constitution speaks to an Opposition Leader. “The spirit and content put the groups as adversaries rather than seeing the minority leader in government, the leader of the Opposition as part of the Executive,” the trade unionist pointed out. Political commentator and former Housing, Health and Education Minister under the PPP Government, Dr Henry Jeffrey also believes that the APNU+AFC government needs to be clear on what it means by “national unity”. “The government needs to make it clear what it has in mind....It might get the Guyanese people to put pressure on the PPP,” Dr Jeffrey told this publication. He said too that the term “national unity” is too elusive and suggested that government writes the PPP explaining what exactly it means and what it is looking for. “Write them, put something out in writing ... let them decline then,” he said, contending that it would be unfortunate if the rejected the talks. President David Granger at his swearing in ceremony in May extended a hand of national unity to the PPP while stating that the time has come for Guyana to move forward.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday December 7, 2015

DPI flags ‘mischievous’ Guyana Times article THE Office of the Prime Minister is refuting what it deems a mischievous report in yesterday’s edition of Guyana Times. The report claimed that Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo announced at his recent outreach to Anna Regina that he had held meetings with local banks regarding loans issued to rice farmers. The report said, “Nagamootoo noted that he already met with the various banks and negotiations have started for a compromise regarding the loans farmers owe.” When contacted for more details on these alleged meet-

Director of Public Information Imran Khan

ings, Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Imran Khan said no such meetings were held and pointed out that Guyana Times was continuing in its mission to engage in misinformation. “The Guyana Times has once again engaged in reporting fiction in a despicable attempt to cause strife among rice farmers,” Mr Khan said. “At no time did the Prime Minister or any other official during the outreach or at any other time in Essequibo or elsewhere announce that meetings with banks were held by government regarding loans issued to rice farmers,” he said.

“What the Prime Minister said was that he was hoping that the banks which had issued loans to rice farmers would take note of the challenges that the rice farmers were facing with regard to the price for paddy and be considerate in this regard,” Mr Khan explained. “The recording of the speech, numerous copies of which exist, will verify this,” the Press Secretary to the Prime Minister noted. He went on to explain further that Prime Minister Nagamootoo also announced that farmers who faced challenges paying their rental

fees to the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) should contact the commission’s regional office to discuss a payment plan. The Prime Minister, Khan said, made an appeal to Mr Doerga Persaud, the Chief Executive Officer and Commissioner of the GL&SC and Mr Persaud agreed that the plight of the Essequibo rice farmers would be addressed and had agreed that rice farmers who were unable to promptly pay their rental fees should commence discussions with the commission with a view to agreeing on a

payment plan. Mr Khan, who is also the Director of Public Information (DPI), said the coalition administration has noted Guyana Times’ growing reputation for misinformation, reporting falsities and outright lies and warned that the public should be hesitant in treating any report the newspaper publishes with even a modicum of credibility. He pointed to other articles published by that newspaper which were proven to be false, including the fake report of government’s plans to buy a large number of highend SUVs.

Raqqa air strikes ‘kill 32 IS militants’ Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter says his brain cancer is gone

AIR strikes on the Syrian city of Raqqa have killed at least 32 Islamic State (IS) militants and wounded 40 more, an activist group says. The strikes on Sunday were believed to have been carried out by the US-led coalition, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. However, other activists suggested Russian jets had bombed the city and that civilians had been killed. Raqqa is IS’s de facto Syrian headquarters. Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the UK-based observatory

which has a network of informants on the ground, said about 15 air strikes had hit IS bases in the north, east and south-east of the city. He said the casualty figures had come from just one hospital and the final death toll could be higher. Other activist groups Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and the Sham News Network - also reported the air strikes but suggested Russian planes had been in action and that civilians had died. The US-led coalition has been targeting IS in Syria since September 2014. The UK joined the coa-

lition bombing IS in Syria earlier this month following a vote in parliament. It was already targeting the group in Iraq. France has also stepped up its attacks in Syria since deadly attacks in Paris in November claimed by the group. On Friday, German lawmakers backed plans to back military action against the group in Syria. Russia is also carrying out air strikes in Syria, although critics say it is mainly targeting rebel groups opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. (BBC News)

HIS grandson Jason Carter told AP news agency that his grandfather said doctors “couldn’t find any cancer in his most recent scan’’. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) newspaper said the 91-year-old also said he was free of cancer during a Sunday school class in Plains, Georgia. Mr Carter, who was President from 1977 to 1981 and won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, revealed his illness in August. Doctors have been treating four small melanoma lesions on his brain. Last month, Mr Carter said he was responding well to treatment and there were no signs of further cancer growth. Jill Stuckey, a member of the congregation at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper that Mr Carter had been teaching the class of about 350 people when he made the announcement. “He said he got a scan this week and the cancer was gone,” she said. “The church, everybody here, just erupted in applause.” US broadcaster NBC quoted Mr Carter as saying: “Went for an MRI this past week and they (doctors) didn’t find any Jimmy Carter revealed his cancer at all in the brain.” illness in August Mr Carter revealed in August that cancer initially found in his liver had spread to four spots on his brain. The lesion on his liver was removed on August 12. After leaving the White House, Mr Carter founded the Carter Centre, which focuses on human-rights efforts and political mediation. He has remained active with the centre ever since. Mr Carter - a Georgia Democrat - won the Nobel Peace prize for his commitment to finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts and his work with human rights and democracy initiatives. (BBC News)

French fighter jets are among coalition planes targeting IS in Syria

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday December 7, 2015

Alexander accuses Benn and company of ‘hypocrisy’

COMMISSIONER representing the coalition government on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Vincent Alexander has flayed his colleagues from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) for statements on the commission he deems to be hypocritical. The commissioners representing the PPP have failed in an attempt to block GECOM’s move to strike out an elections petition the party has filed The PPP has accused GECOM of refusing to submit itself to public scrutiny by way of the court. PPP member Mr Ganga Persaud had filed a petition to declare that the May 11 elections were not free and fair and severely flawed. He also asked the court to order a recount of the ballots cast at the elections. GECOM Chief Executive Officer Keith Lowenfield in an affidavit had said that the statements in Persaud’s petition were inadequate to establish a case. In a new twist, Mr Alexander via his letter labelled recent comments by Robeson Benn, Bibi Shadick and Sase Gunraj, the commissioners representing the PPP as “concocted, conflictual and hypocritical.” The commissioners claim that the move by GECOM Chairman Dr Steve

means of responding that the justice system avails to him. It is even more glaring that two practising lawyers would propose such a non-law approach to legal matters,” the GECOM commissioner added. The issues now surfacing, he said, were never of concern to GECOM when “the beneficiaries of GECOM’s response were those who are now the petitioner.” Commissioner Vincent Alexander Surujbally to cast a vote against the motion filed just after the PPP lost the May 11 National and Regional Elections, goes in consort with efforts that showcase those elections as lacking credibility. At a party press conf e r e n c e o n S a t u r d a y, Commissioner Benn said the move by the GECOM Chairman to vote against the petition suggests that the Elections Commission has something to hide and is fearful of public scrutiny by way of a court process and therefore is not in a position to deliver free, fair and transparent elections to the people of Guyana. “Further, the studied refusal by GECOM to provide any report on the conduct and results of the May 2015 elections is of great concern and undermines the commission’s ability to

Commissioner Robeson Benn make recommendations and changes which will positively impact on the conduct of future elections,” Mr Benn told reporters on Saturday. But Mr Alexander in his Letter to the Editor said GECOM’s records will prove that “it has no history of requiring the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) to seek guidance on the construct of any case, once the initial go ahead had been given to respond to any motion brought against it.” He explained that once retained, GECOM relied on counsel to determine its response based on the “material facts availed to Counsel”. The case, Mr Alexander noted, was built purely on those facts related to legal provisions and arguments. “It can be no less than conspiratorial for commissioners to want to play the role of counsel and more than that deny the CEO the

CONFLICT OF INTEREST What he finds to be a conflict of interest is the fact that two of the commissioners “who are seeking to determine GECOM’s course of action are members of the list which is bringing the petition.” One of the Commissioners Mr Alexander said is an originator of the petition but withdrew after he became a commissioner. “There is a clear conflict of interest. How can one be party and have an interest in the petition and want at the same time to determine the response? This would be the perpetration of crass conflict and a conspiracy to disable the respondent,” the commissioner noted. A sorer point for Mr Alexander, however, was the fact that in 2006, GECOM’s then Chief Elections Officer Gocool Boodoo had admitted to the Alliance For Change (AFC) that a seat in Linden was wrongly allocated to the

Gov’t hoping Berbice Bridge lowers tolls this week By Ariana Gordon GOVERNMENT remains optimistic that the Berbice Bridge tolls would be lowered this week, even as the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure are to yet to ink an agreement. Subject minister David Patterson told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that while the agreement has not yet been signed, he is hopeful this will be done in the new week, thereby allowing for the lowering of the bridge tolls. “[It] has not been signed, BBCI have submitted their comments and version back to us over the weekend,” said Patterson. The minister said the comments and version of the agreement submitted by

the BBCI are currently being reviewed by his ministry. Asked if the agreement is likely to be signed before the end of this week, Patterson replied, “I would hope so.” TOLL REDUCTIONS A draft contract sent in November to BBCI outlined the conditions upon which the tolls would be lowered and spoke to the Bridge Company receiving a $40 million government subvention. Government’s aim is to reduce the amount of money spent by passengers who use the bridge. Currently, the toll for passenger cars and buses stand at $2,200. The reduction would see those vehicles paying $1,900, a 13.6 per cent decline. Tolls for the other vehicles are to be reduced by 10 per cent. In July, Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman

announced that the Berbice Bridge toll would be reduced, noting that the APNU+AFC coalition government made a promise to the people of Berbice while on the campaign trail to ease the financial burden on those who traverse the bridge. Additionally, government had committed to offsetting the reduction the Bridge Company would incur as a result of the lowering of the tolls. Government did acknowledge through Trotman that the BBCI is a private company, but legislation exists that gives it (government) some freedom where fares are concerned. He argued that while the Bridge Company has every right to recover finances made on its investment, a “responsible government” has a right to represent the people.

The reduction should have been implemented from September 1, according to Finance Minister Winston Jordan when he presented the 2015 financial statements. “With effect from September 1, 2015, the toll for passenger cars and buses will be reduced from $2,200 to $1,900, a 13.6 per cent decline. At the same time, the toll for all other types of vehicles will be reduced by 10 per cent,” he had said. Unfortunately, due to a deadlock in negotiations by both parties, the reduction in tolls did not materialise. Government then looked to December 1 for the reduction. As government awaits the BBCI’s final agreement on the matter, river taxis that were implemented to transport persons from Rosignol to New Amsterdam will continue to operate.

PPP and he committed to the wrong being corrected. Mr Boodhoo, notwithstanding what he said to the AFC, announced to the nation the incorrect result knowingly and subsequently advised the AFC that their only recourse was the court. “This wrongdoing was further perpetuated when GECOM, through its counsel, used technical grounds, founded on the manner in which the matter was filed, to have the case quashed. Now arrive Benn, Shadick and Gunraj to accuse GECOM of the immorality of not exposing itself to the scrutiny of the court in a circumstance where GECOM has not employed deception as was the case in 2006,” said Mr Alexander who has served as commissioner since 2007. He added: “Surujbally was untouchable in 2006 when he allowed the counsel and the law their course even in the face of deception. Now that he once again agrees to allow counsel and the law their course, he is declared an enemy of the State, transparency and democracy although there has been no admission of wrongdoing by GECOM.” GRANDSTANDING Mr Alexander believes that at the end of the PPP’s commissioners grandstanding it is for the justice system to provide the “avenues for motions, responses and determinations” as is mandated by the Constitution. “Concoction, conflict and hypocrisy cannot be condoned in the search for justice and the building of democracy,” said Mr Alexander, who is the longest-serving

commissioner on GECOM. The three Commissioners representing the PPP on GECOM have also raised publicly their party’s discomfort and lack of confidence in GECOM when it comes to the level of preparedness of the Commission for the hosting of Local Government Elections in March 2016, and the need for more public education on local government elections to be done. “On the question of the preparedness, I will not comment. I will lend my effort to GECOM being prepared and allow history to determine the correctness of the Benn, Shadick and Gunraj contention,” Mr Alexander said in his letter. On the question of education on the local government system, however, he agreed stating that “there is need for much more public education,” a view he held for several years when the PPP government overruled the Local Government Task Force’s unanimous decision to commence public education with assistance from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Over the years, Mr Alexander said he saw two issues he described as “negative phenomena” raising their “ugly heads” on occasions at GECOM -- the removal of commissioners or attempts to remove commissioners with no explanation to the electorate whose votes the commission is ultimately intended to guarantee and protect; and political grandstanding by some commissioners.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams

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

Editorial

Government and its critics

NO Anglophone Caribbean government in recent decades has come under as much scrutiny during its first months in office as our current APNU+AFC Coalition Government. It is customary for new governments to be allowed the proverbial honeymoon period with the understanding that that time represents a transition from the old to the new. However, this government has not had that luxury. It has been in office for a mere seven months, but if one were to judge from the criticisms of the opposition PPP and the commentaries in the media, it seems more like three years. The big consequence is that the government has not had the space needed to settle into its own mode of operation. It has had to simultaneously try to put its own stamp on the governmental process and defending itself against an avalanche of criticisms, including some glaringly unjustified ones. The PPP, still smarting from the shock of losing power, has been the most uncooperative and uncomplimentary opposition. It has gone as far as rejecting national unity talks. Instead, it pontificates on every issue in a manner that suggests its objective is criticism simply for the sake of doing so. What is even more nauseating is that it barefacedly seeks to hold this new government responsible for all its failings when it occupied the seat of power mere months ago. The daily rantings by its top leaders replete with threats against and slander of the government cut a sorry picture. There is not even a hint of patriotism or goodwill; it’s as if the government is an invading force. Some may argue that the PPP is merely doing what a serious opposition is supposed to do. While there is some merit to that argument, in the final analysis the opposition is part of the government. In that regard, it does have a responsibility to ensure that its oversight of the government is constructive and not destructive. Clearly the PPP is mindful of its own questionable stewardship of the country for over two decades. So criticism of the government is less about oversight and more about creating a distraction and in the process putting the government on the defensive. Mr. Jagdeo has made clear that the PPP is solely concerned with regaining power at the next election. The government has in the last seven months had to also face criticism from some of its own independent-minded supporters. This is new territory; the general rule has been that government supporters do not openly criticise the government. It must be somewhat frustrating for a government that is trying to find its feet. Although fraternal critique is qualitatively different from malicious criticism, often the effect is the same. Much of the fraternal criticism is aimed at holding the government to an ethos of accountability and democracy and questioning the pace of reform. So far the government has responded well to its critics. It has pushed back against the PPP’s demonization with success. Crucially, it has not sought to silence the PPP. This is evident by the very fact that the PPP’s viewpoints are given full coverage in the state-owned media—a drastic departure from the PPP’s attitude when it held the seat of power. In the end a government is judged not only by the success of its policies but equally by how it deals with dissent.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday December 7, 2015

GWI must prevail Dear Editor, I READ with dismay the conversation between Clement Rohee and the Guyana Water Inc Chief Executive Officer, in one of your most recent editions, where it is alleged that the latter is not qualified to handle the problem of water lost via water leaks and theft of water. The premise that Clement Rohee used to evaluate the CEO’s capability to manage the water utility in my mind is a clear indication of his limited knowledge about what it takes to efficiently manage a water utility. It is not the CEO’s responsibility to manage water leaks and theft of water. It is his job to eliminate these issues. On the other hand, if these undesirables exist and I know they do, then Rohee should give the new CEO reasonable

time to rid the organisation of these two monsters that were groomed by the previous administration. I am aware that the problems at GWI are complex and compounded. However, at this time I just want to share my thoughts on water leaks and water theft. If we are losing water because of leaks and theft, then we have enough information to do something about it. Similarly if we are losing water to unknown sources, technologies and methodologies are available to assist us in arriving at a definitive position. Therefore the unanswered questions are; are we aware that water is being stolen, but we are unable to do anything about it? are we aware that leaks exist in the supply system, but we are unable to do anything about it and are we aware that we are losing water, but are handicapped

by the fact that the source is unknown? If the answer to question (1) is positive, then the problem is a moral one. Similarly, if the answer to question (2) is positive, then it’s a problem of competence. A positive response to question (3) is a reflection of inadequate human resource development. These are the problems that the CEO must exert energies in order to enhance the overall efficiency of the utility. The GWI must prevail, but radical changes must take place. These include but are not limited to the following; initiating legal action against persons found stealing water from the GWI system or tampering with same. It is therefore imperative that every employee become aware of the related Act. Revision of the GWI Act is more than necessary. Award pipe laying and

service connection installation contracts only to capable persons/organisations; intensify monitoring of pressure testing of new installations. Contractor education is therefore necessary and random rotation of Clerk of Works; ensure that pipes and fittings conform to technical specifications and standard practices relating to prolonged storage before use; implementation of a meter testing programme to determine accuracy and setting measurable performance targets for engineers which must include non-revenue water not exceeding 7-10 percent. GWI must prevail. Negative comments will not help. Regards, HECTOR LAMBERT Former GWI Divisional Manager

Political grandstanding Dear Editor, I AM now the longest serving commissioner on GECOM, 2007 to 2015. For those eight years I have seen two significant negative phenomena that have raised their ugly heads from time to time at GECOM: the removal of commissioners or attempts to remove commissioners with no explanation to the electorate whose votes the Commission is ultimately intended to guarantee and protect; and political grandstanding by some Commissioners. The most recent grandstanding is the ludicrous contentions of Robeson Benn, Bibi Shadick and Sase Gunraj. They have gone public on three issues: 1 The preparedness of GECOM for the local government elections; 2, the need for more public education on local government and 3 the need for the CEO of GECOM to withdraw his motion challenging the validity of the Petition and submit the Commission to the scrutiny of the Court by allowing the Court to hear the substantive Petition. On the question of the preparedness, I will not comment. I will lend my effort to GECOM being prepared and allow history to determine the correctness of the Benn, Shadick and Gunraj’s con-

tention. On the question of education on the local government system, I agree unreservedly that there is need for much more public education, suffice to say that this has been my view for umpteen years even when in 2008/9 the then Government overruled the Local Government Task Force’s unanimous decision to commence public education with assistance from CIDA. What are of equal concern are the statements in relation to the Petition. I find Commissioners Benn, Shadick and Gunraj call concocted conflictual, and hypocritical. CONCOCTION GECOM’s records will reveal that it has no history of requiring the CEO to seek guidance on the construct of any case, once the initial go ahead had been given to response to any motion brought against it. Once Counsel was retained the CEO/ GECOM relied on Counsel to determine its response based on the material facts availed to Counsel and the case that could be built on those facts and the related legal provisions and arguments. It can be no less than conspiratorial for Commissioners to want to play the role of Counsel and more than that deny the CEO the means of respond-

ing that the Justice System avails to him. It is even more glaring that two practicing lawyers would propose such a non-law approach to legal matters. The issue of fee is but a red herring. This has never, never being the concern of GECOM when the beneficiaries of GECOM’s response were those who are now the Petitioner. CONFLICT Two of the Commissioners who are seeking to determine GECOM’s course of action are members of the list which is bringing the Petition. One is even an originator of the Petition, who withdrew on becoming a Commissioner. There is a clear conflict of interest. How can one be party and have an interest in the Petition and want at the same time to determine the response? This would be the perpetration of crass conflict and a conspiracy to disable the respondent. HYPOCRISY In 2006 GECOM, in the person of the then CEO, Gocool Boodoo, admitted, to the AFC, that a seat in Linden had been wrongly allocated to the PPP/C and that the wrong would have been corrected. He however proceed to announce the known incorrect result and subsequently advised the AFC that

their only recourse was to the Court. This wrong doing was further perpetuated when GECOM, through its Counsel, used technical grounds, founded on the manner in which the matter was filed, to have the case quashed. Now arrive, Benn, Shadick and Gunraj to accuse GECOM of the immorality of not exposing itself to the scrutiny of the Court in a circumstance where GECOM has not employed deception as was the case in 2006. Surujbally was untouchable in 2006 when he allowed the Counsel and the law their course even in the face of deception. Now that he once again agrees to allow Counsel and the law their course he is declared an enemy of the State, Transparency and Democracy although there has been no admission of wrong doing by GECOM. At the end of all of the grandstanding and charade it is the Justice System that must provide the avenues for Motions, Responses and Determinations as is constitutionally mandated. Concoction, Conflict and Hypocrisy cannot be condoned in the search for Justice and the Building of Democracy. Yours sincerely VINCENT ALEXANDER GECOM Commissioner

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday December 7, 2015

Police intensify training to arrest crime By Leroy Smith

MINISTER of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan says the Guyana Police Force is moving to accelerate training of recruits through a more compact academy programme but without diminishing its quality. The force loses some 300 ranks a year as they secure visas or acquire jobs with more lucrative salaries. The attrition rate, he noted, is almost half of the total number trained annually. “We are going to fasttrack certain courses at the police academy -- instead of six months training do them in four months so that we can produce more policemen and women trained at the academy as part of the strategy; so if at every batch we produce 300. Instead of 300 every six months, we will have 300 every four months,” the Minister of Public Security explained. He said that the plans are all there and it is now a matter of ensuring that they

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan are executed. He said further that government will support any initiative of the Guyana Police Force and other agencies under the purview of the Ministry of Public Security to have on-the-job training, both locally and overseas. CCTV CAMERAS Meanwhile, one of the approaches to the problem of a manpower shortage is

fast-tracking the installation of CCTV cameras around the country in an effective manner, especially in the city, which would be properly monitored 24/7. “In the meantime we are going to fast-track certain initiatives in the new year and I hope that we can start rolling out and fast-tracking the CCTV cameras for Georgetown, because if you do have those cameras on all the streets of Georgetown, it’s like having 2000 permanent policemen and women watching over the entire city and that would be great and it will have a deterrent effect on crime,” the Public Security Minister explained. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT The recently launched ‘Operation Dragnet’ is not just the responsibility of the members of the armed forces, Mr Ramjattan noted, pointing out that persons need to understand that they too have a role in ensuring their

personal security and that of their families and communities. “We are urging people, members of the community, our citizens to also be on alert to be ready to notice the suspicious characters around, to notice who are going to do their mischief, who are going to organise violent crimes and to inform the police and other law- enforcement agencies,” the Public Security Minister stressed during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle. However, he acknowledged the challenge of dealing with the barrier between some residents and the police, but law enforcement personnel have been working to ‘mend fences’ and have been netting successes in this regard. Mr Ramjattan asserted that it is for this reason that the government is looking to cleanse the force of rogue elements who make the process harder for law- abiding citizens to get along with the genuine police ranks and

senior officers.

PUBLIC CONFIDENCE He reminded too that during an operation like ‘Operation Dragnet’ the confidence of the public in the Police Force must be at an all-time high and so there will be no compromise with those who seek to hurt that relationship by way of negative behaviours. “Yes, some police are still bullying at times but we are trying our best to solve that so that the people out there can be confident that they can talk to the police and tell them a number of things, such as who have the unlicensed guns, who are planning some mischief tonight, where, and things like that,” Mr Ramjattan told the Chronicle. Mr Ramjattan said that there is no doubt that there is need for Community Policing Groups to be involved in supporting the work of the Police and all other agencies taking part in ‘Operation Dragnet’. The minister also noted

the obligation of citizens to support ‘Operation Dragnet’ and to ensure that they look out for their communities and play a role in supporting the reduction of crime. He made reference to the incident in Mahaicony last month, when the residents and the Community Policing Group collaborated in nabbing a gang of robbers who had terrorised the owner and staff of a supermarket. In that instance, the residents and the CPG members forced the suspects into a bushy area as they waited for backup by the police, who eventually came and were able to make arrests. Mr Ramjattan said that once all measures are rolled out properly for both ‘Operation Dragnet’ and in the long-term, that will contribute to bringing Guyana back on track in all spheres and when it comes to the bigger problem of crime and security, everything will fall into place eventually and become manageable.

Police Mounted Branch reintroduced Ranks of the Mounted Branch at Lethem, Region 9 (Photo by Police Public Relations Office)

A SECTION of the Mounted Branch has been re-introduced by the Guyana Police Force in Lethem, Region 9, a statement by the Force said on Sunday. The re-introduction of the Mounted Branch at that location saw ranks commencing their duties on Sunday. According to the statement, the re-introduction is aimed at enhancing the operational capability and capacity building of the Guyana Police Force.

Venezuela opposition senses victory Venezuelan opposition leaders said their coalition won control of the legislature from the ruling Socialists for the first time in 16 years on Sunday, giving them a long-sought platform to challenge President Nicolas Maduro. By late evening, however, there was no confirmation from the national electoral board or the government. Several jubilant leaders of the Democratic Unity opposition coalition told reporters they had gained a majority in the 167-member National Assembly in an election marked by anger

over the OPEC nation’s severe economic crisis.

President Nicolas Maduro “The results are as we hoped. Venezuela has won.

It’s irreversible,” tweeted Henrique Capriles, a former presidential candidate and one of the leading figures in the coalition. Opposition sources told Reuters they believed the coalition had won around 100 seats in the legislature. If that result is confirmed, it would not give the opposition power to overhaul the dysfunctional state-led economy but it would shatter the aura of invincibility around the “Chavista” movement named after popular former president Hugo Chavez. It might also embolden foes to seek a recall election

against Maduro in 2016. It would also be a further blow to Latin America’s left following last month’s swing to the centre-right in Argentina’s presidential election. The Democratic Unity coalition has capitalised on discontent among Venezuela’s 29 million people with spiraling inflation and product shortage that many blame on Maduro. “I used to be a proud Chavista,” said Rodrigo Duran, a 28-year-old security guard who switched allegiance in his vote on Sunday. “But how can I carry on when my salary doesn’t allow me to feed my children?

They deceived us.” If its victory is confirmed, Venezuela’s opposition will have the chance to break the ruling party’s control over the budget and seek amnesty for dozens of jailed activists including hardline leader Leopoldo Lopez, the husband of Tintori. But without a two-thirds majority - or 112 seats - they would be unable to shake up other institutions such as the courts and electoral council, widely viewed as pro-government. Maduro’s term is due to end in 2019, but Sunday’s election could build momen-

tum within the opposition to push for a recall referendum next year if it garners the nearly four million signatures needed for that. “We know we’ve won, we don’t know what the government is going to do,” Lilian Tintori, wife of imprisoned opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez said in a video. “More than 100 legislators, I’m so happy.” Opposition supporters congregated at a campaign headquarters in a hotel of affluent east Caracas hugged and high-fived, though many cautioned they were still awaiting official confirmation. (Reuters)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 7, 2015

President makes appeal for national cohesion … as GIT opens new school, secretariat

PRESIDENT David Granger told a gathering at the launch of the new Guyana Islamic Trust (GIT) Secretariat and the ISA Elementary School building on East Street, Sunday morning, that “We (Guyanese) are holding ourselves back because of that failure to come

together to achieve that goal of national cohesion.” The Head of State, noting that while Guyana has a strong history of religious tolerance, the country has taken a long time to begin healing from the divisions of the past. Referencing the difficult period in Guyana’s history, during the 1960s,

the President noted that when the country gained its Independence in 1966, it was a broken State. A major political party had boycotted Constitutional talks, Independence celebrations and the sitting of the National Assembly and Guyana was in a state of emergency. It is for this reason, the

President said, Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary observances must be a time when the country celebrates a second Independence, one that marks the healing of the nation. The President said that the Ministry of Social Cohesion and his administration will continue to promote national unity

President David Granger handing over a donation to President of the Guyana Islamic Trust, Shaykh Abdul Aleem Rahim

The gathering at the launch of the new Guyana Islamic Trust (GIT) Secretariat and the ISA Elementary School building. In the front row at the right of President David Granger is Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally. (From left in the front row) Nazar Mohamed of Mohamed’s Enterprise, Former President of the GIT, Imam Mohamed Haseeb Yusuf, Head of the Political Division, Ministry of the Presidency, Frederick Mc Wilfred and President of the Guyana Islamic Trust, Shaykh Abdul Aleem Rahim so that Guyana can focus on national development. “Next year, on May 26, I want us to celebrate that new Independence, that second Independence; the healing of the Guyanese nation when we could pay attention to eradicating poverty, to eradicating illiteracy and inequality, which is what the GIT is doing today. These are the enemies of the Guyanese people, not one another. Poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, stupidity, these are the enemies of nationhood”, he said. However, the President said, Guyana can be proud of its solid foundation of religious tolerance. He said, “Guyana is richer for its religious diversity. We are richer because in inculcating those religious values, we do not at the same time preach extremism and intolerance. We preach understanding. So

Guyanese from all walks of life, from all religious groups, could enjoy the benefits of diversity.” Referencing terrorist acts in Nigeria, Kenya, Paris and most recently, in San Bernardino, California, President Granger congratulated the GIT for its public stance on extremism. "There is no place for extremism in Islam and there is no place for extremism in Guyana… I am proud of the Guyana Islamic Trust, which more than two years ago came out against what was [being done] by those extremists. I would like to personally congratulate the GIT for taking a stand; a moral stand, a religious stand, a stand that is based on the perception of humanity.” Noting that there is nothing in the three main religions observed in Guyana; Islam, Hinduism and Christianity that justifies terrorism, the President called on all Guyanese to continue the tradition of religious tolerance in Guyana. President Granger also used the opportunity to congratulate the GIT for what he called an investment in education and an investment in the nation. He added that the organisation is one that approaches its projects with only success in mind and as a result they are reaping the benefits of that investment. President Granger added that the government will continue

to support the formation of religious schools. He noted that this is a right that is protected by Article 145 of the Constitution of Guyana. Adding that the Constitution also protects the right of citizens not to be compelled to participate in any religious practice that contradicts their own religious beliefs, the President said however, that there is value in linking academic and religious teachings. “All three of the major religions have been able to embark on educational enterprises and initiatives, which show the value of associating academic education with moral values. The value of religious schools has been proven and there will be nothing done on the part of this government or this President to prevent these schools from continuing their successful programme of education”, he said. President Granger made a small donation to the school and added that he will provide further support where possible. The land on which the new school and GIT secretariat building was constructed was donated by Nazar Mohamed of Mohamed's Enterprise and the completion of the project was facilitated through a loan from the Islamic Development Bank. (Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 7, 2015

Sacred Heart rises from the ashes

THE rebuilt Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church on Main Street hosted its first Mass yesterday. The building was filled to capacity when the service began at 8.00 am sharp. The event was presided over by Monsignor Terrence Montrose. In an interview with this publication after the Mass, Monsignor Montrose said it was a very beautiful Mass and the turnout was beyond his expectations. “We are hoping when the Bishop is ready he will come and bless the place and the whole community gets going again,” Mr Montrose said. He observed that there are some finishing touches to be done while the church proceeds with its various services. Reflecting on the fire which consumed the previous building in 2004, Amanda Cummings said her mom who is an avid follower of the church worked along with the organisation when she lost tremendous documents in the fire. Amanda Cummings “Our entire family came, we sat at Mass and it was very emotional, it was a packed house, people were standing all at the back. Every Sunday now there will be service at 8:00 am; worshippers should come out, although the church isn’t finished we intend to host tea parties and other events to complete the other works that are to be done,” she explained. Another attendee, JB Douglas, said the occasion is a bittersweet event since the memories associated with the Sacred Heart Church tumbles in his mind. “I attended the school, baptised, confirmed and when the school burnt it was a shake-up for most of us. Some close friends and classmates, Bobby and Billy Fernandez we had some plans of when it was opening what we would have contributed. But Bobby and Billy are both ill and are unable to attend that’s where the bitter comes in,” he noted. “But the joy is to be a part of the service, this is not the

official service, that is yet to come. It was a group of 12 of us who attended the school and everything went haywire since we’re all not here today.” The old church, one of Guyana’s most beautiful wooden heritage buildings, was completely destroyed by fire on Christmas morning in 2004. The inferno also consumed the Sacred Heart School, then one of Guyana’s leading primary schools, which was located within the compound of the Church. The old Sacred Heart Church was declared open in 1861. It stood for 143 years before its untimely destruction by fire. The destruction of the magnificent edifice forced the parishioners of Sacred Heart to celebrate mass and services at the Ursuline Convent on Camp Street. The small chapel has for the past 12 years been the new home of the parishioners, whose Monsignor leaders were determined that Terrence Montrose the Sacred Heart Church was of such historical, religious and social significance that it had to be rebuilt. The parishioners faced stern challenges in their quest to have the Church rebuilt. A committee which was led by Mr Manfred De Santos and including Mrs. Debbie De Santos, Mr. Ramsey Ally; Mrs Dawn Lopes and Mr. Martin Bollers among others, was established and spearheaded an unremitting campaign to rebuild the church. Their efforts have now borne fruit with the first mass to be celebrated in Main Street after a 12-year interregnum

A hive of activity among worshippers after the first Mass at the newly-rebuilt Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church on Main Street yesterday

A

s I l o o k a ro u n d , t h e b u z z o f changing times is rife and it feels spectacular. From countless “before and after” comparisons, to blatant improvements in key areas of governancecitizens (well, except a few bitter “losers”) are rejoicing at Guyana’s return to glory. #timechange and #changeisgood continue to ring around local cyberspace. First there’s Operation Dragnet which recently caught two of its own–a policeman who was part of a carjacking ring and on Saturday a GDF Lance Corporal- among others with illegal guns in their possession. This was a ripe discussion, as people nitpicked about which party really corrupted the joint services, to where exactly the corruption really stemmed from. While some have been quoted as calling it “operation embarrassment for the joint forces”, quite frankly I’ve never seen the citizens give this body so much praise, so are we to assume something is being done right? On that note, Past Prez Donald Ramotar shared a post from The Piper- whoever that is in which he was credited for rightfully suggesting joint patrol- a suggestion for which he received spanks on his knuckles for from President Granger. The Piper noted that, only weeks later however, Operation Dragnet was born. The Past Prez did nothing more but left the post right there as though silently gloating over the pat on the back he received. While some may call it clutching at straws, I say every credit counts – especially when in the past four years of leadership, credit was something he probably forgot the meaning of. Rejoicing in minor triumphs seems to be the tune of the opposition, lately. Anil is proudly claiming victory after Stabroek News reported that despite the Finance Ministry’s claims of otherwise, Fedders Lloyd was actually disqualified from the bidding process for the Specialty Hospital. I can’t dare repeat the language being shared in responses to his post from outraged onlookers, but Anil proudly claims that he’s “vindicated”. But are you Anil? Are you really? Meanwhile, the “New Era for the Guyana Chronicle” is seemingly catching on. Following the paper ’s highly warranted apology to Ramkarran for past instances of libelous reports made under previous leadership, popular social media vocalists have come forward with clear ovation. Fireball Ruel Johnson called it the end of the era where the state media is used as a medium of attack. Bravo Chronicle! Here’s to taking the wool off your eyes. Something tells me, there may be many more of these to come, considering what Chronicle was. But it wasn’t all pats on the back for the publication; Moseley had a mouthful to say about the facelift, basically calling the entire thing anticlimactic in comparison to what he expected. Among his criticisms however, he offered what may be seen as sage advice. Okay Moseley, you made your point and I agree with the masses, your criticisms were fair but they’re a bit premature. Give them a chance. Sit back, relax and look on- as we know you most certainly will- then pounce- as we know you most certainly will- if indeed it turns out to be smoke and mirrors. Stay tuned.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 7, 2015

NIS clinging to hope

WHATEVER went wrong with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) defies decisive diagnosis. So healing is elusive. But here are some symptoms officials can point to: almost half of all local employers do not pay employees NIS which they deduct from workers’ salaries as the law demands. The deep-seated disorder is known to be contagious in the public sector too, since many of the biggest defaulting employers work for the government: the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Ministry of Education (MoE), the Ministry of Public Health (MPH), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). The ailment batters some NIS employees resolve as many contributors also know, from personal experience, the hardships they face from them when trying to get their legal benefits. The ingrained disorder is not confined to the coastal areas as Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence found out on a recent twoday visit to Lethem, Region 9, (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo). Affected employees and retirees transformed the upper flat of the Arapaima Primary School into a medical doctor’s clinic with complaints of viruses contracted from dealing with the NIS. Emmanuel Ribeiro, who retired as a Ministry of Education employee since 2008, has never received his benefits. His contributions have vanished he was told. Another former employee of the now Ministry of Public Infrastructure (then Ministry of Public Works) who worked there from 1964 – 1985 said that to date he too “never received” any his NIS retirement entitlements. Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson, who heard his complaint first-hand, and saw his weakened condition promised a thorough investigation. Retiree Dereck Williams had his life upturned when told that his life certificate which he surrendered at the Region 9 office to forward to the NIS headquarters in Georgetown, disappeared, according to claims by ( U p p e r Ta k u t u / U p p e r Essequibo) NIS officials. “There are many (more) like us,” Williams said. The problems besetting the NIS “are an issue we have inherited (and) it goes wide and deep,” Minister Lawrence said.

The bewilderment about their NIS deductions is not confined to past and present contributors. So too are NIS executives. “We are (still) trying to find out what went wrong,” especially between 1989 and 1998 said William Orin Boston, NIS Assistant General Manager (Operations). As it turns out, since his appointment two years ago, Boston has been administering all forms of medication without apparent success. The ongoing physical examination of the NIS is throwing up evidence suggesting that many things “went wrong” beginning many years ago among many institutions, including many government ministries as indicated earlier. NOR REMITTING DEDUCTIONS

Boston is finding out that lots of state bodies and private sector agencies, without fail, have been deducting NIS payments from employees but have been consistently neglecting t o re m i t t h e s u m s a s required by law. The NIS official is also learning that scribes in various institutions routinely make elementary errors such as providing incorrect NIS numbers; spelling employees names wrong and providing employees’ names without their NIS numbers. Their mistakes are costly –both financially and in lost time – to contributors who have to endure unacceptably long delays, ever-changing explanations and worst, deferred expectations. Doreen Nelson, NIS General Manager, although pained by the perennial irritations suffered by its clients, remains upbeat that there is a silver lining behind the darkened cloud. “Never lose hope” Nelson urges her 118,548 contributors. But the NIS Board of Directors might be standing in the way of Nelson’s optimistic message. The Board has been blocking retooling of the NIS. It has been obdurate in resisting calls to boost NIS staff to man the 215,000 square mile Republic. Despite shifts in economic activity away from agriculture into the extractive industry, the NIS Board is stymieing efforts to acquire the first boat to service the country’s sprawling interior communities. In addition, with the swell in the ranks of self-employed

persons and bloating figures of tax evaders, the NIS Board has rebuffed calls to add more staff to complement the inadequate 43 inspectors expected to overlook all of Guyana. Then, the critical Compliance Department has just three vehicles: a 22-year old car assigned to Berbice which is expected to serve from Orealla to Mahaicony; those working the vast area spanning Melanie (ECD) to Lethem also have a solitary vehicle; and the Georgetown to Yarrowkabra stretch also has one vehicle that is 17-years old. “These are my dilemmas,” said Boston. But his quandary deepens. UNDERSTAFFED The 43 over-worked and heavily-criticised NIS inspectors routinely also have to double as

NIS contributions. “This is worrisome but it hinges on the resource element,” Boston said. He said NIS could have been better positioned if the institution was linked with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) when it was improved and the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) system when it was introduced. “This is the external help that NIS needed,” Boston explained. GOING AFTER DEFAULTERS Despite internal institutional weaknesses and external challenges, the NIS has been waging a vigorous campaign against defiant defaulters which also include some 6,507 employers and the 9, 017 self-employed. At the end of September

defaulters stretching as far back as 1989. Boston disclosed that while some persons are in hiding, others are dead and some defaulting businesses no longer exist. He said it could no longer be “business as usual,” between the NIS and employers. For the institution to survive and contributors’ future remain secure, “there must be compliancy for the viability”. Minister Lawrence chastised several employers for jeopardising contributors’ welfare by their continuous failures. To add to their lapses, institutions such as S&S Enterprise and RK Security Services, among many others also breach other regulations, according to residents’ complaints and Lawrence’s revelations. S&S Enterprise denies workers lunch breaks; R.K Security Services withholds

The problems besetting NIS is an issue the government has inherited and it goes wide and deep, Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence says compliance officials and triple-up as NIS prosecutors in court. To exacerbate the issue, the Board of Directors has decided not to hire new workers for 2016 although some departments are glaringly understaffed. Boston has a message for NIS Directors: “give me what I need”. This includes additional inspectors, a Queries Unit, a Debt-Management Unit and a Legal Department. The lack of recoupment of NIS payments cannot continue. “We have not been capturing more than 60 per cent of the active employers’ population,” Boston complained. This means that some 40 per cent of employers are do not pay worker

the NIS had some 130 outstanding criminal and civil court cases as part of a wider initiative to recover some $130 million owed by defaulters. NIS recently won a court case against the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and City Hall has paid the first tranche of the $70-odd million it owes the institution. Unlike the M&CC, several recalcitrant employers have been defying judgment against by the court and the NIS is taking further steps to recover outstanding sums by levying on their fixed and moveable assets. But the lack of storage facilities is making that difficult, Boston said. Currently, there are more than 800 cases of identified

a month’s salary for workers and under-pay those who are on leave, a fact Mr Terrence Boston, who defended the latter firm at the public forum, was forced to admit. “Employers can’t do what they want… we recently had cause to sanction Mr Roshan Khan (of RK Security Services) for breaching the labour laws,” Lawrence told the audience. She reminded them that employers are not allowed to implement only those labour regulations that favour them. This was also Nelson’s surgically precise message to frustrated NIS contributors. She reminded that there are ‘over-the-counter ’ activities for NIS ‘patients’ such as demanding that employers “prove that the

moneys were remitted to the government. Ask for a schedule that proves I have paid my NIS contributions”. WRITE THE GENERAL MANAGER She is encouraging residents in outlying areas who feel frustrated by their local offices to “write the General Manager”. She is promising to provide medication swiftly to remedy their complaints. Additionally, aggrieved contributors “can come at any time and ask for a schedule” of their deductions, Nelson assured. She was appeasing scores of upset NIS clients whose deductions are apparently lost. “Missing contributions do not mean non-payment,” she said. Nevertheless, the responsibility rests heavily with employers and their clerks to be “more thorough and accurate with the information they send to the NIS offices to prevent the agitation, uncertainty and anger frequently experienced by contributors,” Nelson said. A dossier on the ailment a ff l i c t i n g t h e N I S w a s prepared but the diagnosis could not be made public following the decision of the then embattled-President Mr Donald Ramotar to prorogue the 10th Parliament. Sometimes amputation and not medication saves the lives of terminally-ill patients. In the case of what is happening in Region 9, Lawrence is leaning heavily towards the surgical procedure. “We will be back… in full force” in Region 9, Minister Lawrence assured anxious workers and retirees. She vowed that following investigations “if all the officers have to be removed then so be it,” Lawrence vowed. Dereck Williams echoed the sentiments of almost all the residents at the public meeting at Lethem when he said, “something is wrong with the NIS officials up here… the reception we get from the NIS employees isn’t nice”. According to Boston, Lethem is an “evolving office” which will be upgraded with more equipment and infrastructure. “The scheme has lots of potential but we have to get these things right,” said Boston. “It is a privilege to work with the NIS. It is a unique organisation. It is the only one of its kind in Guyana,” Boston said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 7, 2015

Consolidated, analysed information garnered - as phase 1 of cultural policy consultation ends

By Rabindra Rooplall PART one of the national consultation on a cultural policy ended Saturday following fruitful discussions that produced “consolidated, analysed information,” which will be added to the second aspect of the consultation that is to be held in April 2016. Among the issues raised were lack of funding, lack of public space for rehearsal and training and the “disrespectful” way in which many view the arts. “The intention is to have all this consolidated, analysed information put into a policy framework and push it to the National Assembly. We are looking at both legislative and nonlegislative policy measures, because we don’t want this to be a handed-down government programme,” Ruel Johnson, Adviser on Cultural Policy within the Ministry of Education (MoE) said, when the government through the ministry hosted a three-day event at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Liliendaal. Underscoring that within the policy document there may be recommendations for a National Heritage Commission and a National

Creative Industries Development Commission, Johnson said there is also need for a working group of experts who can help government in developing strategies to ensure that culture is integrated into all plans. “Very often when you

Cultural Policy Adviser Ruel Johnson check certain programmes the degree to which it succeeds or fails is defined by incorporating culture into the overall planning,” he said. PUBLIC INPUTS The next session of the event is to have public inputs to refine the policy, Johnson said, and over the next few months he will be extracting the findings

A section of the stakeholders in discussion on the national consultation on cultural policy of the consultation, while meeting with experts and stakeholders in the sector to provide grounding for a comprehensive policy pertaining to culture and development. These areas, he said, includes culture in education, culture in development and culture and citizenship. CULTURAL HERITAGE Meanwhile, the second component will be cultural heritage which deals with enhancing systems for the preservation and sustenance of cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible. The third component, he said, will be the creative industry economy. Noting that the event was not as widely attended as anticipated, the Adviser on Cultural Policy said the participation of stakeholders within the sector was very deep and fruitful. “They recognise that culture is a critical component to development and the UN has recognised it along with various bodies… But Guyana can provide leadership because of our diversity, since cultural innovation and developmental innovation work best when there is diversity; we have one of the most diverse populations on

earth, we have to learn how to channel that diversity to maintain social cohesion,” Johnson explained. While the Ministry of Education will have overall coordination for the process, he said the complexity of the processes necessary for both policy formulation and implementation dictates an inter-ministry effort.

For example, he said Culture in Development will see the need for collaboration among the Education Ministry and the ministries responsible for Social Cohesion, Citizenship, Communities, Indigenous Affairs and Governance (Natural Resources and the Environment). He said the framework

policy must be complemented by stakeholder participation, as cultural policy cannot be left to governments alone, but it has to be driven by the people themselves. The Action Plan will set out guidelines for the implementation of initiatives in three phases. The first is a broad 10- year plan for 2016-2025.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 7, 2015

Robbers severely beat Meten-Meer-Zorg man A THIRTY-YEAR-OLD Meten-MeerZorg man, badly beaten and robbed of $130,000 during an altercation on Friday night, is now a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), nursing head injuries and in danger of losing his left eye. Surendra Persaud, also called Robin or “Pan Oil,” of Ocean Garden West, Phase III, Meten-Meer-Zorg,West Coast Demerara, has, for the last two days, been bleeding continuously from his right eye and has sustained cuts and abrasions to his face. He is also bleeding from his mouth, which was bashed in by his assailants, whose names he gave as “Shiva” and “Robo” from the same village. The victim, who can hardly speak in his present state, recalls that on Friday night, sometime after 23:00 hrs, he was in the company of two friends – “Teethsman” and “Fat Boy.” He related that they were about to board a car to go home, when “Shiva” and “Robo” began taunting “Fat Man” and calling him names.

Persaud said that in an effort to save his friend the harassment, or any trouble at all, he put him into another car and sent him home. But as Persaud and “Teethsman” were

about boarding the first car, the two men began bullying them, telling them not to board the car. Persaud refused to pay them any heed and attempted to get on board. However, “Shiva,” whom he claimed ap-

The injured Surendra Persaud also known as “Robin”, beaten and robbed of $130,000 at Meten-Meer-Zorg on Friday night

peared bent on making trouble, lashed him on his head with a glass bottle, cuffed him in his face, then threw him on the ground and began stomping him mercilessly. The men also robbed Persaud, who works on a trawler, of $130,000. This ordeal, he said, continued for 15 minutes, despite Persaud’s pleadings. The wounded man recounted that when his friend “Teethsman” realised that he was in real danger, he dived to the ground and threw himself over him, to provide a shield. But by then, “Fat Boy” had alerted the police and directed them back to the scene. When the police arrived, Persaud was on the ground – battered, bruised and bleeding, but the men, on spotting the cops, bolted. Persaud was rescued and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital. He was given initial treatment then transferred to the GPHC. Shiva was arrested and charged. He is later to appear in the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrates Court.

Peacemaker viciously chopped By Shirley Thomas TWENTY-NINE-YEAROLD Dexter Beckles, an employee of the Mayor and City Council (MCC) was last Thursday viciously chopped for attempting to make peace between two men who had an argument. He is now warded at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) nursing chops to his right hand

and a bludgeoned head. Beckles recalled that he was part of a workforce desilting drains in the vicinity of Ashmin’s on High Street when, around 10:00 hrs an argument erupted between one of his MCC workmates and a man who apparently lives somewhere in the neighbourhood. He tried making peace between the two men, whereupon, the stranger walked away; entered

a nearby building and reemerged soon after. Beckles said he was walking towards a juice box when he heard his friend shout: “Look out!” At that instant he felt a blow to his head and realised that he was being ‘broadsided.’ Beckles said he tried blocking his head with his hand, but the man proceeded to viciously chop him on the hand as well. Bleeding, and in pain,

he collapsed and was taken to the GPHC by his workmates. The man ‘bolted, but was hotly pursued by some of the MCC workers who turned him over to the Brickdam Police. Beckles said the police advised that he should go to the station to identify him, so they could proceed to charge the man. However, Beckles was already admitted to hospital, rendering that impossible. A few hours later, he said, his mother and wife went to the Brickdam Police Station to make enquiries about progress being made into the matter. However, Beckles said, the police were reported to have told them that the man

Dexter Beckles,the City Council worker chopped after attempting to part a fight. had escaped their custody. To date he remains at large. Meanwhile, the victim remains hospitalised with 15 stitches to his right

hand with steel implanted and nerve injuries. Three of his fingers have since regained life, but two others are still without sensation.

Constable admitted to robbery/ carjacking A MALE Police Constable stationed at the Guyana Police Force Headquarters has been taken into custody, along with another man after they were arrested, identified and admitted to being involved in a recent robbery and carjacking. Police in a release said the two committed the act on a taxi driver from Cane Grove, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara. The police in their statement said the two, along with a woman, hired the man from the Mahaica Market on the day in question. They reportedly told the man that they wanted to be taken to Bachelor’s Adventure, but when they arrived at their location, they robbed the taxi driver at

gunpoint of his belongings and also took away his vehicle. A report was made at the Vigilance Police Station and since then the police have been investigating the incident. The three took away approximately $18,000 from the man, a cellphone and then drove off with his vehicle after forcing him out. Police have since recovered the man’s stolen vehicle. It was parked in the Stabroek Market area with its keys inside, but the stereo system of the vehicle was missing. The car is in police custody even as the police continue to hunt for the female who was also involved in the robbery.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 7, 2015

Majestic edifice for creative arts in pipeline By Rabindra Rooplall

GOVERNMENT has plans to construct an Institute of Creative Arts Building which will be branded “Arthur James Seymour Creative Arts Centre” in honour of A.J. Seymour, who was the pioneer of the arts policy development in Guyana and the Caribbean. This was disclosed during the final day of the national consultation on a cultural policy which was a three-day event hosted at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Liliendaal, Saturday last. At the event, Ruel Johnson, Adviser on Cultural Policy within the Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, said the design was inspired by Mount Roraima and a grant has been secured to construct the facility after stakeholder consultations. US$2M BILATERAL FUNDING On his visit to Mexico, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo secured commitment to the bilateral funding of an Institute of Creative ARTS (ICA)

building to the tune of US$2 million. Johnson explained that in 2012, the then Education Ministry established an initiative referred to as the Institute of Creative Arts. The original ICA was actually established in the mid-

existing Burrowes School of Art and the National School of Dance with the newlyrevived theatrical arts and music programmes under the National Drama School and National School of Music respectively.

Cultural Policy Adviser Ruel Johnson

CREATIVE WRITING Unlike the original ICA, Johnson noted that there remains an absence of creative writing programmes. At the 2015 convocation ceremony of the ICA, Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine committed to both expansion of the institute’s programme and movement towards certification as well as housing the programme in one central location.

1970s with programmes in dance, music, visual arts and creative writing and was originally housed in the building currently known as the Burrowes School of Art. The current incarnation of the ICA is still very much in its developmental stage, the Cultural Policy Adviser said, and the plan basically brought together the pre-

DESIGN CONCEPT In explaining the design concept of the creative arts building, he said the primary inspiration for the building’s design is the legendary tepuy mountain, Roraima, which forms the tripartite border for Guyana, Venezuela and Brazil. The symbolism is that “our heritage and identity can be both national and regional in nature and the

creative arts, while rooted in particular societies, can transcend national borders.” He said the architectural theme is a fusion of and homage to the mythical, the organic, the artistic and the abstract: Landscape, identity, legend and creative energy. The shape also represents a grand piano, he said, and this is a powerful symbol

of creative achievement across the world, while an arrowhead motif is central to Guyanese culture, since it represents a core tool of our indigenous peoples, both in terms of supporting sustenance as well as defence. Emphasising that the ground floor will be designed to resemble a

human heart, Johnson further noted that the clear symbolism is the link between creative hearts and the human capacity to feel and to love while being the most critical organ to sustain life. “The A J S e y m o u r C re a t i v e Arts Centre will therefore function as the critical organ in that regard.”

Ann’s Grove - ben

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By Shauna Jemmott “UNITED we stand, divided we fall!” Ann’s Grove has for long been a community drifting between standing and falling, maybe gone halfway down, but it’s bent on taking flight this time around with a highly productive citizenship and vibrant community developers ready to take control. Ann’s Grove is easy to find. It is the only community along the East Coast of Demerara with a distinct lime-green bus shed along the public road. The shed has for years been a home to a few, but in times past friends sat within for a good conversation while enjoying the sea breeze and the sounds of the waters whenever there was high tide. The road just opposite the shed leads to many villages – Bee Hive, Clonbrook, Ann’s Grove, Two Friends and Douch Four - Ann’s Grove being the most popular and in the center of them all. A malfunctioning Koker right outside the roadside canal stands before the outstanding village label erected along the public road, and as one drives along the road leading into the village, you will find on your right, a recently developed housing scheme that takes you halfway in. The homes of unique architecture display an interesting blend of warm colours. That area is Ann’s Grove Housing Scheme. Beyond the train-line boundary, on your right hand is the central part of Ann’s Grove. NEVER SLEEPS A bubbling community that never sleeps, every child is familiar with the other and catch up on a regular basis playing dog

and the bone, ‘Sal-out’ or street football, while pork-knockers wives meet to discuss husbands and “bush” business as market vendors bargain with

while religious women hold worship, praise and prayer meetings believing for righteousness even in the midst of a few fist fights, some gambling and occasional

Aunty Madeline poses with her grandchildren

Ms. Grace and her greens stand!

farmers for the best price per boat-full of mangoes or green plantains. Then you’ll find bakers defending the decreased size of a $500 cassava-bread package, revellers talk about the next party place and fashion for the night,

blood-fights. In the midst of it all, young men who cried joblessness are travelling up the Cuyuni to look for gold, yet a significant number gamble, argue and laugh under the scorned market structure

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 7, 2015

while a majority of young women who have gained CSEC subjects head to Qualfon for an interview. ‘GREEN SPACE’

a quarter of which is lost to owners and overtaken with weeds and tall bushes. The Village Office is located right after the bus

Christmas Preparation! Malika Williams gives her house a facelift, painting for the holidays

95-year-old Sydney Dundas strikes a pose in his home

POTENTIAL Ann’s Grove has quite a number of professionals and producers and has potential to become one of the green spaces which the government is pushing for, with fertile soil and a vast expanse of farmlands,

park, around the market square, the central part of the community, and with freshness in the political atmosphere, motivation has come and many are walking into the village office to locate their beds to up the community’s rank in farm-

ing, maybe to as high as that of its vendors owning blocks or stalls at Bourda and Stabroek Markets in Georgetown. When Guyana Chronicle visited Friday it was business as usual in Ann’s Grove. Around 08:30 hrs, children were in school and food shops open for business dotted the parapet over the old train line road and extending into the bus park, which has become a booming business area complemented by a basketball court. Though Ann’s Grove itself does not have a dedicated Health Centre, Post Office or Police Station, it is served by the Clonbrook Health Centre, Police Outpost and Post Office, located along the same road. The village has a government nursery, primary and secondary school and two private pre-schools to serve its children and four Christian churches – with the Ebenezer Congregational built by African slaves, being the oldest. Alexander Bradshaw, the craftsman and shoemaker known as ‘Alek’ is at his small blue shop around Market Square. Daily he opens for business, producing and selling leather craft footwear, bags, belts, fixing broken shoes, and fulfilling orders by overseas customers. Ann’s Grove Methodist church just opposite his shop advertised on a banner that it is celebrating 160 years this year under the theme, “Honouring my church according to God’s Word”. Mr. Osman Mason, a retired senior policeman, community and religious leader said though the village’s youths have great potential, they lack the enthusiasm to develop and use their talent wisely.

nt on taking flight

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 7, 2015

GOLDFIELD TREK “Ann’s Grove has potential for development, but there is some lack of enthusiasm by some of our youths to go after what they desire. Many of our youths, some even leave school to go into the interior hoping to find fortune. The goldfields are just for a time when things are not flourishing they come back home and there is nothing to do. If they could get themselves together, think progressively, we all can do something… our talent is what He (God) has blessed us with.” TWELVE KIDS AND MORE Aunty Madeline Billey who lives on Main Street is the mother of many. Her husband died in 1985 leaving her to the responsibility of being both mom and dad. She stripped brooms, cooked black pudding and souse, and did many jobs

is 95-years-old, and though he moves around using a wheelchair, he is considered a strong man. Socialising is something he still does but by wheeling himself to the porch to look out, and his home is frequented by quite a few persons daily while relatives also live with him. The surviving three of his five children are all U.S. citizens but he is cared for by “many of the women in the community” since a majority of them are his family. The senior villager was in his youth was a ‘porknocker’ travelling miles into the goldfields to extract the precious minerals – gold and diamond – proceeds from which he managed to build a decent and fairly comfortable life. Television and a stereo keep him upto-date with current affairs, and he told Sunday Chronicle that Ann’s Grove has a very good community. “They (citizens) unite properly.“If something goes

to make a living. Drifting closer to the backlands, we met Nemhle Jones a certified nurse who has given up her for family and business. She is the chief “broom” producer in the village, stripping at least 43 brooms from coconut branches weekly and marketing around the village, in ‘Big Market’ at Stabroek in Georgetown and as overseas customers place orders, she is ready at all times to deliver the compact pointer brooms at a reasonable price. One Doctor’s Office – Dr. Nichole Nedd-Jerrick - is located within Ann’s Grove, opening on Sundays, but the office of Dr. Saska Sertimer in neighbouring Two Friends Village opens nightly, along with two pharmacies, and a Dentist Joy … grocery stores are plenty and coconuts are mostly free from any good neighbour. Tony is the cassava

Ann’s Grove Congregational Church to ensure her 12 biological kids and few adopted ones were fine, and with son Dwayne passing two years ago, two grand-daughters are now in her care while many others surround her daily. Aunty Madeline seldom has relaxation time, but with her children combining and constructing a bigger house she proudly tells a story reflecting her work has paid off. Most of her sons are pork-knockers while the eldest manages a medium-scale farming business with a close accomplice. Along Middle-Walk Dam, a smile lit the face of Mr. Sydney Dundas as the Sunday Chronicle crew entered his home. He is one of the community’s oldest citizens, and a man much loved by all there. Dundas

wrong with ‘A’, just like if something goes wrong with ‘B’,” he explained. Amid jungle-like backlands a few farmers endured challenges and have kept agriculture alive, while many of the younger men are going up the Potaro, Mazaruni, North West or Cuyuni, searching for fortune within the mineral rich sand and rocks in the hinterland. Just outside his house, Miss Grace runs a greens stand that has been booming for years. It is the most popular stop for vegetables and “everybody” shops there. Grace said she grew up in Bartica with a vending grandmother and while her siblings loved selling she hated the business. Now that they have grown, she has become the only one to adopt her grandma’s trade

bread and casareep man and a man known to all. He is always available for village support and is dedicated to the Congregational Church which is led by Reverend Noel Holder. With various development groups - sheltered collectively under the Ann’s Grove United Action Group, cooperative young leaders in the likes of the Waterman siblings, James Gulliver, Ossie ‘O’ Nedd, Elisa Hamilton and Candacie Holder just to name a few, and a gospel ministry moving to empower, the village is set to climb. Ann’s Grove was in 1817 a joint plantation with Two Friends which were both called Two Friends. In 1847, Two Friends became the property of John Croal, an Englishman who named

Ann’s Grove Secondary School girls are out! (Delano Williams Photos) the eastern portion of his estate, Ann’s Grove, after his sister Ann. The present Croal Street in Georgetown was named after the same Croal

who was proprietor of the villages. Croal then made over by transport the eastern portion of his estate to seventy-six freed slaves who bought

the section of that estate for $7,000, pooling their monies for the major purchase. It is a place where the cock crows at any time of day.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 7, 2015

GAWU addresses vexed issues of workers THE Guyana Agricultural a n d G e n e r a l Wo r k e r s Union (GAWU) yesterday addressed many vexed issues of workers at its regional conference, themed “Workers Unity and Solidarity Paramount Now!” The conference, attended by 160 delegates, was held in the union’s conference room, Kingston, Georgetown. According to a release, the General -Secretary of the union presented the General Council Report at the conference. He addressed the gathering for 1 hr, 40 minutes and spoke to 29 matters, including the vexed issues: award of a day’s pay for every 85,000 tonnes of sugar as Annual Production Incentive (API) to sugar workers and the corporation’s flouting of the unio n/corporation Recognition Agreement in not entering into collective bargaining with the union for the first time in 26 years. The conference also addressed the non-resolved issues affecting the union members in some non-sugar bargaining units. It also noted that the Sugar

Industry Labour Welfare Fund Committee (SILWFC) has failed to address the union’s demands for a salary rise and improvements in other conditions of work for its employees. The conference denounced as well the Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL) for its failure, so far, to meet with the union under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Protection with a view that its employees who are far away at Mabura Hill, some 160 miles away from Georgetown, could have their wages and salaries adjusted in light of the high cost of living there. “Conference also passed unanimously resolutions on education and training, on unity of the working class, on wage/ salary increases and API for 2015, on the National Insurance Scheme, and on the state of wage increases for workers at SILWFC and DTL. A resolution was also passed to pre-empt the closure of any estate and the sellout/privatisation of the sugar industry,” the release said. Following the meeting, it was expected that

Delegates at the GAWU Conference yesterday

delegates would return to their respective workplaces imbued with a reinvigorated spirit to continue to wield stronger unity and solidarity among themselves, to forge ahead with their struggles, for an urgent settlement of their API dispute and the opening of purposeful negotiations, though already late, on their 2015 wage/salary claims. Delegates also agreed that solidarity with the smaller bargaining units like those at SILWFC and DTL may need

the support of the union’s bigger and productive bargaining units. The conference was well attended and the attendees came from Enmore, LBI, Wales and Uitvlugt estates, Noble House Seafoods, Demerara Distillers

Limited,the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation, National Parks Commission, Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund Committee (SILWFC) and CARICOM Rice Mills Limited. A similar conference will be held in Berbice during

the first quarter of 2016 to pave the way for the union’s 21st Congress, scheduled to take place not later than the last quarter of 2016. The union’s Constitution requires the holding of two area conferences between congresses.

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Platini lawyers say document could help prove his innocence By Brian Homewood BERNE, (Reuters)-European soccer chief Michel Platini’s legal team believes a 23-page memo published by a French newspaper yesterday could help clear him of wrongdoing and allow him back into the FIFA presidential race. Platini, until recently seen as the man to lead soccer’s governing body FIFA out of its worst ever graft crisis, has been suspended for 90 days

Musselburgh 08:15 hrs Fagan 08:45 hrs Triple Eight 09:15 hrs Quito Du Tresor 09:45 hrs Maraweh 10:20 hrs The Gingili 10:50 hrs Benefit In Kind 11:20 hrs Mystique Lingfield 08:30 hrs Thief Of Hearts 09:00 hrs Temple Road 09:30 hrs Ennaadd 10:00 hrs Taysh 10:30 hrs Secret Hint 11:00 hrs Presumido 10:30 hrs Duke Of North Chelmsford City 10:10 hrs Alshaqee 10:40 hrs Secret Interlude 11:10 hrs Luis Vaz De Torres 11:40 hrs Volunteer Point 12:10 hrs Supersta 12:40 hrs Chefchaoqen 13:10 hrs Belrog South Africa Racing Tips Flamingo Park 08:20 hrs Quid Rides 08:50 hrs Lord Victorious 09:20 hrs Consort 09:50 hrs Heavenly Express 10:20 hrs Matadoras El Toros American Racing Tips Philadelphia Park Race 1 Harbor Kid Race 2 Rare Match Race 3 Man of Quality Race 4 Broad Lover Race 5 Kandy Andy Race 6 Miss Avalon Race 7 Trulamo Race 8 Raging Champion Race 9 Northern Call

by FIFA’s ethics committee while it investigates his conduct. The final verdict is expected by the end of the month and Platini’s lawyers have already said that ethics investigators had recommended a lifelong ban for the Frenchman. FIFA will hold an election to find a replacement for its president Sepp Blatter, also suspended, on Feb. 26, and Platini, who has registered as a candidate, cannot run while he is banned, although he might be allowed to take part if he is cleared. The investigation centres on a 2 million Swiss franc ($2 million) payment from FIFA to Platini, a former France team captain and coach who has been UEFA president since 2002, in 2011 for work he completed between 1998 and 2002.

European soccer chief Michel Platini Blatter has said there was a verbal agreement between the two while Platini says the payment was delayed only because of financial problems at FIFA. Yesterday, French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche published a 23-page memo which it said was presented to UEFA executive committee members in No-

vember 1998 and mentioned that Platini was being paid 1 million Swiss francs a year for work he was doing for FIFA. The newspaper said the memo was presented at a meeting in Stockholm, chaired by Lennart Johansson who was UEFA president at the time. “From the moment that we have proof of an agreement between FIFA and Mr Platini, and of knowledge of this agreement by officials of UEFA, then this (ethics committee) inquiry falls down,” Thomas Clay, one of Platini’s lawyers, told Reuters by telephone. “For us, it’s very important evidence that Mr Platini has always been telling the truth.” Clay said he had seen the document although he did not know how the newspaper had obtained it and why it had taken so long to appear.

The newspaper could not be immediately contacted for comment, while the ethics committee declined to comment. “It shows that the contract did not have any sort of secret character and that many people, including those in UEFA and FIFA, have known about it since 1998,” said Clay. The Swiss attorney general’s office has opened a criminal investigation against Blatter over the payment, which it describes as “disloyal”. Platini was described by attorney general Michael Lauber as being somewhere “between a witness and an accused person” in the case. FIFA has been buffeted by a wave of scandals and as the sport faces criminal investigations in Switzerland and the United States.

Liverpool beaten by lowly Newcastle By Steve Tongue LONDON, (Reuters)-Liverpool missed the chance to close in on the Premier League’s top four when they suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to lowly Newcastle United at St James’ Park yesterday. Dutchman Georginio Wijnaldum, signed from PSV Eindhoven in the close-season, forced Martin Skrtel into an own goal in the 69th minute and then added a second himself in added time. That gave Newcastle only a second home win of the season and took them above neighbours and relegation rivals Sunderland in the bottom three.

All that Liverpool could point to after a disappointing display was a wrongly-disallowed goal by full-back Alberto Moreno that would have brought them an equaliser 10 minutes from the end. Juergen Klopp’s side remain seventh, six points behind the Champions League places, after only their second defeat in the 12 games since the German took over from Brendan Rodgers in October. Newcastle manager Steve McClaren had wanted his team to “get back to the basics of work-rate and organisation” and they did so to good effect in matching Liverpool’s pressing game.

With the home side content to sit back and Liverpool unable to break them down, the game took a long while to warm up and threatened to become the first goalless draw between the sides for 41 years. The visitors made nothing of a crop of early corners and until Jordon Ibe swung one over in the 22nd minute there was not a sniff of a scoring chance. Centre-half Dejan Lovren headed it down invitingly but Christian Benteke lifted the bouncing ball over the bar from barely three metres out. Newcastle’s only threaten-

ing moment in the first halfhour predictably came in a swift counter when Papiss Cisse broke away and was briefly one-on-one with Martin Skrtel but delayed and allowed covering defenders to get back and dispossess him. McClaren’s team had a better moment just before the interval when Cisse flicked on a corner and Congolese defender Chancel Mbwemba headed over the bar. Newcastle took the lead after 69 minutes when Moussa Sissoko’s cross was slightly miscontrolled by Wijnaldum but he still managed to fire in a shot that Skrtel deflected in.

CARICOM and WICB agree to meet ... From Backpage

gion will not be able to duck away from that fundamental issue. That has to be the front burner issue for us”. Friday’s meeting was called by Mitchell following the release of the report by the Cricket Review Panel in October, which called for the immediate dissolution of WICB. The panel was appointed by CARICOM’s Cricket Governance Subcommittee earlier this year to assess the governance structure of West Indies cricket and to make recommendations for reform. “The board indicated

that it needed to also consult with its stakeholders and after this there will be other meetings to discuss how we go forward as far as the governance of West Indies cricket,” Mitchell explained. “So that’s the leadership clear position as far as the way forward is concern”. Meantime the WICB says it is expecting feedback from the territories on the way forward for the governance of West Indies cricket during Saturday’s board meeting. “Once it goes back to the territorial boards and we get that feedback. It will

be funneled through that channel. It is important that the stakeholders who are most important in this factor have an opportunity to decide on the future of West Indies cricket,” said Carole Beckford, WICB’s head of marketing. Beckford added: “So the board has to acknowledge that process and I think the sub-committee agrees. The final thing to is that we must agree on a consensus and the consensus will be based on some of the factors discussed. Governance and structure are issues that have

been put on the table and that has been acknowledged the process and how we deliver that will be the interesting and important way going forward”. Embattled WICB president Dave Cameron led the Board’s delegation but did not speak to the media. CARICOM’s delegation also included Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, Barbados sports minister Stephen Lashley, Antigua and Barbuda’s sports minister Paul Greene and the foreign minister of the Bahamas Fred Mitchell.

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Proteas stonewall at Kotla after Rahane second ton By Amlan Chakraborty

NEW DELHI, (Reu-

ters)-South Africa resorted to dogged stonewalling in their pursuit of an improbable 481-run victory target after Ajinkya Rahane stroked his second century of the match to tighten India’s grip on the fourth and final Test yesterday. The hosts declared their second innings on 2675 half an hour before the lunch break as soon as Rahane (100) became the fifth Indian to score centuries in each innings of a test match on the penultimate day at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium. Skipper Hashim Amla led South Africa’s extraordinarily dour reply, taking 46 balls to get off the mark as the visitors crawled to 72-2 at stumps after 72 overs of relentless blocking over two dot ball-littered sessions. Amla was unbeaten after making 23 painstaking runs from 207 balls while AB de

Ajinkya Rahane scored twin centuries to join an elite league of Indian batsmen. Villiers managed 11 off 91 with South Africa still 409 behind the victory target. The visitors lost Dean Elgar cheaply before Amla and Temba Bavuma (34) started blocking balls after balls in a desperate bid to take the match into the fifth and final day. Even after Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Bavuma, the score moved at a funereal pace as de Villiers too curbed

his natural aggression, needing 33 balls to get off the mark. Despite the presence of contemporary cricket’s most destructive batsman in de Villiers and one of the most fluent scorers in Amla, the first 10 overs of their partnership did not yield a single run and things did not improve later either. “We have managed to

hold them back and hopefully tomorrow, we can carry on with the same,” Bavuma told reporters, confident his team can bat out three sessions on Monday to eke out a draw. “It’s a tough ask to bat out the 90 overs. It will be day five, so you expect the wicket to deteriorate even more. But we have the experience, we have the skill and whatever happens, we will be going down fighting. “Definitely we will carry on the spirit tomorrow and try our best to salvagea draw out of this game.” RAHANE’S SECOND In a low-scoring series in which no other batsman from either side managed a single hundred, Rahane took 206 balls to bring up his second of the match and the sixth of his Test career with the help of eight boundaries and three sixes. After India resumed on 190-4, Rahane played a couple of uppish drives before bending his knees for an upper-cut, chipping

a Morne Morkel delivery over third man in an uncharacteristic show of aggression. At the other end, captain Virat Kohli (88) added five runs to his overnight score before a low Kyle Abbott delivery trapped him leg before to end the series-high 154run fifth wicket partnership. Rahane could not be denied his hundred, though. The 27-year-old slog-

swept Imran Tahir over midwicket for his second six of the innings and stepped out against Elgar for his third to storm into the 90s. Rahane then took a quick single off leg-spinner Tahir to join an elite league of Indians that also included Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar (thrice), Rahul Dravid (twice) and Kohli.

SCOREBOARD INDIA 1st innings 334 (A. Rahane 127, R. Ashwin 56; K. Abbott 5-40, D. Piedt 4-117) South Africa 1st innings 121 (R. Jadeja 5-30) India 2nd innings (Overnight: 40-2) M. Vijayc Vilas b M. Morkel 3 S. Dhawan b M. Morkel 21 Ro. Sharmab M. Morkel 0 C. Pujarab Tahir 28 V. Kohli lbw b Abbott 88 A. Rahane not out 100 W. Saha not out 23 Extras(lb-2 nb-2) 4 Total(for 5 wickets declared, 100.1 overs) 267 Fall of wickets: 1-4 M. Vijay,2-8 Ro. Sharma,3-53 S. Dhawan,4-57 C. Pujara,5-211 V. Kohli Did not bat: R. Jadeja, R. Ashwin, U. Yadav, I. Sharma Bowling: M. Morkel 21 - 6 - 51 3(nb-1),

K. Abbott 22 - 9 - 47 – 1,D. Piedt 18 - 1 - 53 – 0, I. Tahir 26.1 - 4 - 74 - 1(nb-1), D. Elgar 13 - 1 - 40 - 0 SOUTH AFRICA 2nd innings D. Elgarc Rahane b Ashwin 4 T. Bavuma b Ashwin 34 H. Amlanot out 23 A. de Villiersnot out 11 Extras 0 Total (for 2 wickets, 72 overs) 72 Fall of wickets: 1-5 D. Elgar,2-49 T. Bavuma Did not bat: F. du Plessis, J. Duminy, D. Vilas, D. Piedt, K. Abbott, M. Morkel, I. Tahir Bowling: I. Sharma 12 - 7 - 16 – 0, R. Ashwin 23 - 13 - 29 – 2, R. Jadeja 23 - 16 - 10 – 0, U. Yadav 9 - 6 - 6 – 0, S. Dhawan 3 - 1 - 9 – 0, M. Vijay 2-0-2-0

Ranatunga to run for Curry scores 44 as Warriors beat Raptors 112-109 SLC vice-president ARJUNA Ranatunga, Sri Lanka’s World Cup-winning captain, will contest for a vice-president’s position in the upcoming Sri Lanka Cricket elections on January 3. He will stand as part of a faction led by his brother and former board secretary Nishantha Ranatunga, who is running for the position of president. Three-time SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala has entered his own faction in the election, and shapes as the Ranatungas’ major rival. Jayantha Dharmadasa - another former president - has overcome professional differences with Sumathipala to contest for one of the two vice-president’s positions as part of Sumathipala’s faction. The election will take place under the supervision of the country’s Ministry of Sport. Nominations were closed on Friday SLC has been in the care of an interim committee since April, when then-sports minister Navin Dissanayake elected the board. The appointment of a nine-man team under former Test opener Sidath Wettimuny was an

effort to clean up suspected wrongdoing at SLC. This election, however, appears set to return some of those ousted men into the administration. In addition to Nishantha and Dharmadasa, other candidates such as Hirantha Perera and Mohan de

Arjuna Ranatunga Silva have held SLC office in the past two years. Though the ICC has imposed significant sanctions on the interim committee this year for being appointed through government interference, fullblown politicians are now standing for election. Arjuna is the country’s Ports and Shipping minister and Sumathipala is the deputy speaker of Parlia-

ment. If Sumathipala is elected to the post of SLC president, he will also ostensibly serve as Sri Lanka’s director on the ICC board. In 2011, the ICC had given boards two years to be rid of political interference, in consonance with the Woolf Report’s recommendations, but has since said it would review that stance. Director General of Sports KDS Ruwanchandra, who accepted the nominations, said he had received 14 objections against contesting candidates. “I will scrutinise all the objections received and call the candidates against whom objections have been raised on December 10 and let them know the outcome,” he said. Both Nishantha and Sumathipala have chequered histories as SLC officials. A board headed by Sumathipala was forced to stand down in the wake of an investigation into financial irregularities in 2001. Nishantha also faced criticism in 2012 for awarding SLC’s local broadcast rights to CSN - a company he had close ties to at the time. (ESPN Cricinfo)

(The Sports Xchange) - Guard Stephen Curry scored 44 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Toronto Raptors 112-109 on Saturday for their 21st successive victory this season. Guard Kyle Lowry led the Raptors (12-9) with 41 points and seven assists. “It’s really been good -- 21 different challenges and we’ve been able to separate each individually and figure out different ways to win,” Curry said. “I think everybody’s staying in the moment. That’s the biggest thing for us, every night trying to lock in and focus and bring the effort. “We might not play our best game, but we find a way to win.” The Raptors, who trailed by as many as 13 points in the first quarter and by 10 points at halftime, took the lead at 8584 in the fourth quarter. Toronto led 98-95 when forward Luis Scola made two free throws with 4:13 to play in the fourth, but Curry tied it with a three-pointer. Curry’s three-pointer with 2:33 to play put the Warriors ahead 102-100. After the Raptors tied it, forward

Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles past Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) and Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31) in the second quarter at Air Canada Centre. Draymond Green made two free throws for a 104-102 Golden State lead with 1:25 to play. Guard DeMar DeRozan made one of two free throws to cut the lead to one then Curry made two foul shots before Lowry made a driving layup with 44.2 seconds left, but missed a free throw and the Warriors led by one. Curry made two free throws with 18.2 seconds left

for a 108-105 Warriors lead. Lowry cut the lead to one with a basket before guard Klay Thompson made two free throws with seven seconds to play. The lead was down to one when Scola made two free throws with 6.2 seconds left to finish with 10 points. Curry then made both his free throws and Toronto turned over the ball with 3.3 seconds to play.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 7, 2015

SCA 35 awards gala takes on added significance th

… Sixth consecutive title for HACC By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada - The 35th edition of the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) presentation, dinner and dance took on an added significance here last Saturday night at the Eastown Banquet Hall. For the first time in the history of the association, women and Under-13 cricketers were recipients of awards at the impressive ceremony where the attendance also exceeded expectations. The SCA had introduced the two categories at the commencement of the 2015 season and according to officials and well-wishers both were resounding successes. The night also belonged to Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC), whose unprecedented run in the Premiere League continued unabated with their sixth consecutive championship title, with a proud president Narchand “Archie”

be further rewarded when the club holds its presentation, dinner and awards ceremony on January 16 next. A b i g a i l R a j k u m a r,

Congratulations to all of you ladies, each of you are amazing and we won as a team” she declared to loud cheers. SCA president Deo Sa-

HACC skipper Hemnarine Chattergoon (left) receives the Frank Faubert Premiere League trophy from Shiv Persaud of Primerica in the presence of officials and players from the SCA and HACC.

HACC’s Azhad Amidon is rewarded for his century during the preliminary rounds, SCA’s Shiv Persaud doing the honours. Mohan assuring that his charges have no intention of giving up the reins for in a hurry. Speaking to Chronicle Sport shortly after accepting Frank Faubert Trophy, sponsored by Shiv Persaud of Primerica, Mohan sounded a warning to the other competing teams, pointing out that HACC intend to come even stronger in the new season. Mohan showered praises on his players for their commitment and discipline exhibited during the season and also reminded that they will

Superstars president and Women’s Cricket Development Advocate in Ontario, Canada, was loud in praise of the efforts of the SCA in the introduction of women’s cricket and on her team for emerging winners of the Caribbean Wave Restaurant trophy. Rajkumar reminded the appreciative audience that Superstars women’s team were the first team to consistently forge forward in developing seniors’ skills and to coaching new players. “My team rocks.

maroo, in brief remarks, said his executives were grateful for the outstanding support from members and their contribution “to a wildly successful 2015 season.” According to Samaroo, “it was a historical year for the SCA, with the addition of a Junior and Women’s division.” He congratulated all the recipients and looked forward to the continuous support, growth and success of the SCA in the coming years. The several sponsors also came in for commendations.

Ontario Cricket Association (OCA) Melvin John lauded the SCA on its initiatives and assured the players that they are now eligible to be called to trials by Canada Cricket, a first for cricketers attached to the SCA. John also took

HACC also had three players who received awards for outstanding performances. Former Guyana and West Indies B team player Krishna Arjune, who was unavoidably absent, took home prizes for slamming two centuries

Highest individual scorer and top batter Nicole Samuel collects one of her prizes from SCA president Deo Samaroo.

First Division champions, carting off the Richard Ramlall trophy, sponsored by Caribbean Wave with Narie Ramsaroop being the MVP. The Second Division crown, for the second consecutive year, went to the SCA Colts who won the Norman Sue Bakery trophy and Aamir Dorcat the MVP. Brian Hale’s Toronto Cricket Academy (TCA) were the Under-16 champs, claiming the Richard Ramlall sponsored trophy which saw Monil Patel taking the MVP award but they had to settle for the runners-up spot in the Under-13 division, the winners being Vish Jadunauth’s managed SCA. Outgoing SCA president Samaroo was the recipient of a plaque from his executives while he in turn handed over one to treasurer Jadunauth for his sterling work over the years. Special recognitions, in appreciation for their “continuous support and dedication

Superstars Soba Singh collects the Caribbean Wave sponsored trophy from owner Krishna Sarju in the presence of jubilant players and supporters. the opportunity to present cricket equipment to the women and junior cricketers, compliments of his firm Hillrich Sports. Former Guyana and Canadian national women’s player Ave Mogan, the first Canadian player to be inducted into the Canadian Cricketers Hall of Fame, gave a brief history of women’s cricket and congratulated both the SCA and players for their efforts during the season. Apart from copping the Premiere League title,

(132 and 103 not out) and for being the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the final, Reyaz Prahalad (154 not out) and Azhad Amidon (121). Superstars’ Nicole Samuel, also a former Canadian national women’s player, received prizes for scoring the most runs and for the highest individual score, while Rajkumar was second in batting and teammate and left-arm pacer Lorraine Kenton spearheading the bowling department. Islanders were crowned

to the SCA” were presented to Yunus Motara of SCA Colts, photographer Bobby Ramlagan, Kaisoca George Maharaj, who was instrumental in the introduction of the women’s league and Superstars scorer Alysha Sarkar. Trophy Stall (Guyana) was also among the many sponsors, with Roger Sunich, brother of proprietor Ramesh Sunich presenting the Second Division Season Points champion Bangla Warriors with the winning trophy and other incentives to their players.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday December 7, 2015

Brazilian players protest against corruption; Vasco go down SAO PAULO, (Reuters) - Vasco da Gama were relegated to Brazil’s second division for the second time in three years yesterday with the season’s final round marked by player protests against the men who run Brazilian football. Players across Brazil folded their arms and stood still for a short time at the start of Serie A games to demand the resignation of Marco Polo Del Nero, the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) who was indicted by

President of the Brazilian Football Confederation Marco Polo Del Noro

U.S. authorities on Thursday. Del Nero has taken leave of absence to fight the charges and maintains his innocence. He was the third CBF president to be indicted or arrested this year. “This was all pre-arranged,” Alex, a former Coritiba and Fenerbahce player, told Reuters. “This is in protest against the CBF and the fact that nothing is happening,” he added. The former Brazil midfielder is one of the leaders of Common Sense FC, a

pressure group comprising hundreds of Brazilian footballers who want better organisers and more professional management at their clubs. “Del Nero must go!” the group’s Twitter said. “We will not be silenced.” The protests were the latest in similar actions in which players passed the ball between them aimlessly, folded their arms and refused to move and sat down on the turf and refused to play. Even players with Vasco

Ministry of Public Security donates basketball system to Fort Wellington Secondary school UNDER the auspices of the Ministry of Public Security, the Co munity Policing Groups of West Berbice, B 1 division, Thursday last handed over a complete portable basketball system to students of the Fort Wellington Secondary School to enhance their sports curriculum. The hand over was done by Staffer of the Ministry and Liaison Officer for the CPGs in West Berbice Carl Sutton in the compound of the school at Fort Wellington West Coast Berbice.. Sutton said that as a resident he had had passed by the school on a number of occasions and had seen the basketball court but no poles or baskets and had as a result decided to get the equipment from the Ministry for the benefit of sports by the students. Those present at the hand-

In photo: Carl Sutton Liaison Officer for CPGs in West Berbice (left) looks on as a CPG member hands over a ball part of the equipment, to Headmistress Yonette Walters in the presence of Secondary Schools education officer Sadiek Ishmael students CPG members and other invited guest ing over included Interim Chairman of the B1 Division Milton Ragbeer, , Secondary Education Officer Sadiek Ish-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Monday December 07, 2015) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 232*-Andy Flower (ZIM vs IND, Nagpur, 2000) (2) 183*- Mahendra Singh Dhoni (IND vs SL, Jaipur, 2005) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which wicketkeeper has scored most Test centuries to date? (2) Which wicketkeeper has scored most ODI centuries to date?? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

mael on behalf of the Department of Education Region 5 (Mahaica.Berbice) , Headmistress of the School Ms Yonette

and students and teachers and members of the CPGs in the area. Sutton said that the involvement of the Ministry of Public Security and the CPGs was a new orientation for policing groups. “In addition to Policing, we have moved to welfare and youth development and sports and other aspects of community development, since these elements go hand in hand with safe and productive communities,” he said. Ms Walters thanked the CPG and the Ministry of Public Security for the equipment which she said will be properly taken care of and fully utilised. The B1 Division of the CPGs stretches from Ithaca on the West Bank Berbice to the right bank of the Abary river.

da Gama and Coritiba, who met in a tense and decisive match, united in protest. The play got going a minute or so after the referee’s whistle but neither side could muster a goal in rainy conditions and the game ended 0-0, sending Vasco to Serie B. The Rio club were relegated in 2013 but bounced back a year later only to suffer further ignominy yesterday. Avai will join them even though they got a 1-1 draw at champions Corinthians,

as will Goias, who lost 1-0 at home to Sao Paulo. Joinville finished bottom of the league and lost 2-0 at home to Gremio. Figueirense, who were in the bottom four at the start of the day, escaped the drop by beating Fluminense 1-0. Sao Paulo’s three points ensured them fourth place and a spot in next year’s Libertadores Cup competition alongside Corinthians, runners-up Atletico Mineiro and third-placed Gremio.

Sex: Male Name: Vikram Thani Age: 9 years Height: 137 cm Weight: 32.6 Kg Brief Bio: Vikram Thani has been involved in the specific martial arts form of Karate from the tender age of six. The student of Mae’s School advanced his way throughout the various Kyu’s commencing with white and now, three and a half years later, is the proud owner of a black belt. He was graded by Sensei Frank-Woon-A-Tai. Currently, the nine year old 5th grade student has been able to show many before him that with dedication and hard work, they could achieve what they want, in this case, a black belt In Karate. Training under the banner of the Guyana Karate College, Thani is one of many young students who are able to advance their training weekly in an attempt to become a master of his art form.

Notable Dates

SUPER featherweight Gairy `Superman’ St Clair had the first of three fights with Roberto Oyan on December 7, 2007. St Clair won the six-rounder by unanimous decision in New South Wales, Australia. Six years later, Oyan, who hails from the Philippines, matched gloves with the Guyanese for the second time. That fight was held in May 2013 in New South Wales and two judges had the orthodox St Clair winning by 59-54 while the other scored it 59-55. One month later the two were back in the ring. However this time the bout was over a distance of 10 rounds which the 38-year-old St Clair again won by Unanimous Decision. On July 29, 2006 St. Clair joined Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis, Wayne `Big Truck’ Braithwaite and `Vicious’ Vivian Harris as male Guyanese boxers to win world titles. He defeated South African Cassius Baloyi to capture both the IBF and International Boxing Organization super featherweight titles. St. Clair turned 40 in February and is still active in his adoptive country Australia.

Vikram Thani

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday December 7, 2015

Preparation talks begin for NSC Sports Awards 2016 By Stephan Sookram PREPARATIONS for the National Sport Commission’s Annual Awards Ceremony have begun, the first of the committee meetings concluding last Thursday evening. According to a source within the NSC, the meeting was fruitful with many positive ideas being brought up as it relates to how the body intends to host the ‘new look’ awards. During an earlier briefing, Director of Sport Christopher Jones had revealed that a ‘grammy’

Christopher Jones like ceremony would be the format of the NSC’s premier awards ceremony

LABA/Malta Christmas basketball

Bulls overcome Flames 64-54, Raiders maul Falcons 82-23RT

RETRIEVE Raiders powered their way past Bankers Trust Falcons 82-23, while Half Mile Bulls overcame Block 22 Flames 64-54 to secure opening wins last Saturdaynight when the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) organised Malta Supreme Open basketball championship preliminary round began at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court. Tonight the competition continues with the Raiders facing the Flames in the first game at19.00hrs while the second is between Victory Valley Royals and the Amelia’s Ward Jets at 21.00hrs. In the first game on Saturday night the Bulls were able to stave off the Flames with a ten point eventual win after leading through three quarters 16-13, 30-24 and 49-41, before easing to their winning score 64-54. Young promising former junior national guard Dennis Niles continued to show his worth with a game high 19 points as Jamal Bethune added 10 the Bulls win. Selwyn Henry was the top scorer for the Flames with 14 points and Aubrey Johnson got 13 in their losing cause.

Dennis Niles The Raiders, however, humbled the Falcons with a 82-23 hammering after taking the lead in the first quarter by ten points 18-8 and at half time comfortably coasting at 56-12. The Falcons mustered a mere four points, before easing the throttle as the third quarter finished with a 50 point cushion for the Raiders 68-18. They held the hapless Falcons only to just six points and winning eventually 82-23. Coel Winter was their top shoot with 13 points as five players got double figures in a total Raiders team effort. Former national forward Dwayne ‘Brown Sugar’ Roberts, Derron Montrose, veteran Abdulla Hamid and Alexander Rose each netted 12 points.(Joe Chapman)

for 2016 “On the day of the awards, that is essentially when the athletes will know whether or not he or she was successful; they would not get any prior information.” He noted too that the persons entrusted with selecting these awardees will not be influenced by his office adding, “In order for us to have a pool of people who will be fair and transparent, we will throw it out to the public. We are going to have public advertisements to identify those individuals who will essentially identify sports reps

and sports personalities.” Jones added that even though those selected persons will be in caucus, they will not know the recommendation choice of the other members or the voting choice of any other panellists, allowing for greater transparency. Guyana and West Indies spin bowler Veerasanmmy Permaul the reigning Sportsman of the Year, while track athlete Cassie George won the Sportswoman of the Year as well as the Junior Sportswoman of the Year awards. Motor racer Kristian Jeffrey received the run-

ner-up Sportsman of the Year award, while squash player Akeila Wiltshire received the runner-up Junior Sportswoman award. The runner-up Junior Sportsman award went t o S h e m ro n H e t m y re , while track athlete Jason Yaw collected the Junior Sportsman of the Year award. Multitalented athlete Alisha Fortune won the r u n n e r- u p S p o r t s w o m a n o f t h e Ye a r a w a r d . The Guyana Rugby Football Union also cashed in on the Most Improved Association

award, the Sports Association of the Year award and the Sports Team of the Year award. Stabroek News’ Orlando Charles and Emerson Campbell won the best photographer and print journalist awards respectively, while Guyana Television Channel 28’s Avenesh Ramzan won the Best Sports Journalist (non-print), GRFU’s President Peter Green won the Male Sports Personality award and National Rugby coach Theodore Henry won the Sports Coach award.

`Lone Soldier’ Williams adds his name to growing sports administrators GUYANA’S first professional cyclist Geron `The Lone Soldier’ Williams added his name to the growing list of qualified Sports Administrators last weekend after completing the syllabus of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)-sponsored Course under the aegis of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA). GOA presented certificates to 20 sports administrators who took part in the 17th Sports Administrators Course. The GOA received 29 applications but only 20 were able to complete the course. The results for those that completed the course were three A’s, six B’s, four C’s, four D’s and 3 F’s. In his remarks, President of the GOA K. Juman Yassin noted that

it is the hope of the association that the next course graduation will be held in their new building at Lilendaal in 2016.

Geron Williams He went on to state the importance of athletes and coaches to stay away from doping and called on the athletes to be aware of their diets and the substances

they can and cannot consume. Juman-Yassin recalled that at a recent Tour of Guyana cycle race a random drug test exercise was conducted and commended Dr. Karen Pilgrim and her team for staging that exercise. While touching on the scholarship programme, Yassin indicated the need for Guyanese athletes and coaches to be full-time so that we can achieve that illusive Olympic gold medal. In this regard, there is a need for the necessary resources to be made available for them. He also recognised the impact of the integration of sports and education. Yassin pointed out that the Wiltshire family children have been excelling

in both areas hence the integration of sports and education is welcomed. In her remarks, the Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry expressed the belief that the sports administrators training is of paramount importance to the acceleration of sports in Guyana. She urged the participants to stay in contact with each other so that they can make a difference in the sports – together. Wi t h re g a r d s t o t h e scholarship programme, Minister Henry stated that she is impressed and inspired by this step. She also highlighted the importance of working with partners to move sports development forward. As such the government is pleased to work with the GOA.

Taylor blasts Thunder to win over Sixers in Women’s Big Bash

WEST Indies women’s team captain Stafanie Taylor starred with the bat as Sydney Thunder coasted to a nine-wicket win over cross town rivals Sydney Sixers in the Women’s Big Bash League. Taylor, who signed for the franchise two weeks ago, cracked a brisk 59

Stafanie Taylor

off 38 balls chasing down the Sydney Sixers’ total of 101 with relative ease and getting home with 6.4 overs to spare. Ta y l o r f o u n d a b l e support from Australian captain Alex Blackwell (25 not out) and the Thunder owed much to a fine bowling display f r o m 1 7 - y e a r- o l d l e f t -

arm fast medium Lauren Cheatle, who earlier claimed 4-20. It wasn’t as enjoyable an afternoon for the Sixers’ Southern Stars such as Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Perry, with Perry taken for 13 from one over as Taylor hit full stride. The crowd was estimated by officials at about 1000.

Preparation talks begin for NSC Sports Awards 2016 See Story on Page 23

Guyana in control against Red Force after Fudadin century ..Chanderpaul, Barnwell and Reifer hit half-centuries By BRIJ PARASNATH in Trinidad & Tobago

E

NTERPRISING fifties by Shivnarine Chanderpaul (82), Christopher Barnwell (75) and Raymon Reifer (64) propelled the Guyana Jaguars to an invincible position and set the stage for the reigning champions to register an outright victory over the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in their WICB PCL Fourth round encounter at the Queen’s Park Oval, yesterday. The Jaguars amassed 475 in their first innings and secured a lead of 265 runs over the Red Force who now faces an uphill battle to avoid a crushing defeat on their home turf.. Having made 210 in their first innings, the Red Force were 51 for 2 after 19 overs in their second innings. Kyle Hope and Narsingh Deonarine are the not out batsmen on 22 and 10 respectively. The Red Force are still behind by 214 runs with eight wickets intact, having lost opener Jeremy Solozano LBW to Reifer for one (1 for 5) and Yannic Cariah caught by Hetmyer off the bowling of leftarm spinner Veerasammy Permaul

for 16 (2 for 32). The stage is set for an intriguing battle on the fourth and final day today but the advantage is still with the Guyana Jaguars whose bowlers must be fired up to attack as much as possible while the Red Force batsmen will be in defensive mood to avoid defeat. While former Test openers Leon Johnson (92) and Assad Fudadin (94 not out) dominated the second day’s play and helped the Jaguars to establish a slim first innings lead of 23 runs at the end of the second day’s play on Saturday, yesterday definitely belonged to Chanderpaul, Barnwell and Reifer. Fudadin got to the coveted triple-figure but added only eight runs to his overnight total when he became debutant fast bowler Uhtman Muhammad first First Class victim, caught behind by wicketkeeper Steven Katwaroo for 102 and the Jaguars total at 249 for 4 after 97.1 overs. Overall, he batted for 349 minutes and smashed two sixes and seven fours off 257 balls received. The gritty lefthander celebrated his career

Assad Fudadin raises his bat after reaching his century against Red Forc at the Queen’s Park Oval on day three. Shivnarine Chanderpaul smiles. (WICB photo-Ashley Allen)

fifth First Class century and third for Guyana. Veteran Chanderpaul appeared to be on a mission to put the Jaguars in an impregnable position and was in his element as he found the gaps at will during his entertaining knock. Playing in his 350th First Class match and 570th innings; Chanderpaul, however; was denied his 72nd FC hundred when he was adjudged LBW to leg spinner Imran Khan. He sparkled with an invaluable 82 (195m, 182 balls, 7x4s) and it was his 133rd FC fifty in his 570th First Class innings. Overall, Chanders shared two important partnerships as he registered his 27th half-century in Regional First Class cricket for Guyana in his 109th innings. He and Fudadin added 66 for the fourth wicket and then dominated the 74-run fifth wicket stand with Reifer as he increased his FC career aggregate to 25,399 runs. Inspired by Chanderpaul’s fluency and authoritative strokeplay, all-rounders Reifer and Christopher Barnwell punished the Red Force bowlers and posted 124 for the sixth wicket partnership before both were dismissed within the

space of four runs. Barnwell, who looked set for a big one; was first to depart from centre stage with a blistering 75 (124m, 98b, 11x4s) while Reifer made 64 (230m, 184b, 5x4s). The Jaguars lost three quick wickets with Barnwell dismissed by Yannick Ottley who also picked up Anthony Bramble at 447. Four runs later, off-spinner Narsingh Deonarine removed the dangerous Reifer for 64, smartly stumped by Katwaroo while Ottley snapped up his third wicket when he scalped Ronsford Beaton, caught by Uhtam Muhammad for two. Veerasammy Permaul 10 (29m, 19b, 1x4) and Gudakesh Motie 15 not out (10m, 9b, 3x4s) added a further 17 runs for the tenth wicket to give the Jaguars a challenging lead of 265. Ottley 3 for 17 (7 overs), Deonarine 2 for 80 (33 overs) and Imram Khan 2 or 114 (29.1 overs) were the successful bowlers for the Red Force team whose middle and lower batsmen will be under immense pressure from the Guyanese bowlers who are determined to increase their lead at the top of the WICB PCL standings.

CARICOM and WICB agree to meet again ...dissolution talks sidestepped

Chairman of CARICOM’s Cricket Governance Sub Committee Grenada’s Prime Minster Dr Keith Michell

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) – The controversial proposal to dissolve the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) was not discussed when Caricom leaders and the WICB top brass met in St George’s on Friday. However the CARICOM leaders and WICB ended the preliminary meeting with a decision to continue their dialogue after a WICB board meeting scheduled for next Saturday.

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

The three hour meeting at the Spice Island Beach Resort focused primarily on the issue of the governance of West Indies cricket. Officials from both parties told the media that the meeting provided “frank, open and healthy” dialogue. However, reports from inside the meeting say the board remained adamant while the CARICOM leaders continued to insist on

changes. “All of us are very clear, the issue of the governance and structure of West Indies cricket, this is the fundamental issue, “declared Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, the chair of CARICOM’s Cricket Governance Sub Committee after the meeting. “The leadership of the reSee Page 23

WICB president Dave Cameron. MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015