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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 14, 2017
City Hall gets $7M to help pay staff Page 2
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2017
Price: $80 (VAT Inclusive)
Judiciary must do more No. 105096
--Top Cop says, to arrest rate of serious crimes Page 8
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Syndicates call for removal of GGMC head Police roll out Christmas security plan Page 2
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Woodlands duo Rajiv Gandhi University opens campus c h a r g e d f o r $1.4M heist
Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry and Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings, inspect some of the equipment in the laboratory of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Science and Technology, which opened its doors at Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown on Monday. Also in photo are: Vice Chancellor of the university, Dr Sherlock Peter Rawana and Associate Registrar, Anelia Veeren (Delano Williams photo)
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War on sexual violence ‌Guyana launches new model guidelines for sexual offence cases
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Canadians see Guyana as budding ‘foodie’ destination --while on ‘fam’ tour here
By Lisa Hamilton A GROUP of Canadian media persons and travel agents has spent the last three days here on a familiarisation tour in a bid to attract more Canadians to come and experience Guyana’s famous hospitality among other things for which it is noted. The team, which began its tour on Saturday, consisted of owner and CEO of Roraima Travel, Mr Syed Rayman; Publisher of the Caribbean Graphic Newspaper, Mr Tony McWatt; Travel Agent Ms. Shararazad Hack-Gill; and one of Canada’s top food stylist, Mr. Nathan Fong. In an effort to apprise the local public of their experiences thus far, the group sat in on a press briefing on Monday at the Ministry of Business and spoke of their excitement at seeing the world–renowned and majestic Kaieteur Falls up close and personal; the rustic beauty of Fort Island, Saxacalli and the Aruwai Resort among some of the various tourist dives to which they were taken. The initiative goes hand in hand with this year’s theme for Tourism Month, ‘Tourism: A tool for Development’, and is considered timely, seeing that Destination Guyana has not been doing as well as the authorities would have liked on the Canadian tourism market. And one of the reasons being touted is that while
Guyana remains relatively safe, the high crime level is a big issue. For Syed Rayman, who is also Chair of the Guyana-Canadian Tourism Council, the organisation behind the team’s coming here, he is hoping that something can be done as early as possible to allay those fears, as the crime situation here is a ma-
the opportunity, on behalf of the team, to thank those who would have made their visit possible, noting what a privilege it is for them to have come here, and promised to return in the near future, bearing good news. Mr. Fong, on the other hand, who is also one of Canada’s culinary ambassadors, believes that Guyana has a
on the international market is the launching of the official Discover Guyana website, and a monthly newsletter to encourage persons to come by the droves next May for Independence Day celebrations. For occasions such as these, where the country would experience an influx of visitors, it was advised
Members of the ‘fam tour’ team at the press briefing yesterday. Seated left is Mr. Nathan Fong, and second right Mr Syed Rayman (Photo by Samuel Maughn)
jor deterrent to the Guyanese Diaspora in Canada from coming here to holiday. He is hoping that the government can bring the situation under control, and as quickly as possible, so as to counter the negative perception out there these days about Guyana, particularly among Guyanese living abroad. Those concerns notwithstanding, Mr Rayman seized
bright future in food tourism. “I think Guyana’s tourism has great potential; their culture and culinary background varies,” he said, adding: “Seeing the vast richness of their cultural background; the Chinese, East Indians, African, it’s a melting pot of cuisines.” Among future strategic plans the government has for improving the industry as well as Guyana’s presence
that Guyana develop more all-inclusive packages so that visitors would be motivated to visit the country’s many sites and historic landmarks. The tour was made possible with the support of Fly Jamaica, the Marriott International, the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel and concludes today, November 14th.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 14, 2017
City Hall gets $7M to help pay staff By Telesha Ramnarine WITH salaries outstanding again to workers of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikarran has persuaded a delinquent tax payer to come forward and settle his accounts to the tune of more than $7M. Jaikarran, at Monday’s statutory meeting, said he was able to solicit the money through his office and ‘good name.’ While refusing to name the tax payer, Jaikarran said the individual was owing for years, had been out of the country, and made the payment through his lawyer. “They made restitution so they’re now square with the city council. We can now pay our workers,” he said. While handing over the cheque to Deputy Town Clerk, Sharon Harry, Jaikarran said his heart went out to the workers who were not paid in a timely manner for September, and now for October. He said he empathised with them because he knew how difficult it could be for those who have to live from pay cheque to pay cheque. It is not clear if the money garnered will be adequate to pay all of the council’s workers. Early in October, more than 50 workers turned up in City Hall’s compound to protest the non-payment of their September salaries, along with a retroactive payment that was also due to be paid in September. The workers were backed by General-Secretary of the Guyana Labour Union (GLU), Carvil Duncan. Town Clerk, Royston King offered that the City Council was anticipating revenue from various new projects that have either been stopped or suspended, and that will help the M&CC to meet its obligations. The controversial parking meter project was one project that the government deemed necessary for suspension. Furthermore, King said that the M&CC has been writing to the Ministry of Finance for a new valuation of properties to be done in the city, so that the City Council can benefit from increased rates and taxes. The gigantic Teleperformance building, for instance, is paying the M&CC a mere 16,000 in taxes each year, King pointed out. There has been no valuation of properties for more than 20 years. “There is [sic] a number of other agencies that must work with us. Again, Giftland Mall – we’re not receiving any money from them,” King noted. Following the meeting, Duncan told reporters he could not understand why the M&CC has been hiring more workers when it cannot afford to pay those it has. He claimed that there are more staff in the office than those who are actually out in the field working.
Syndicates call for removal of GGMC head MINERS who are part of the National Mining Syndicate believe Newell Dennison, Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), should be removed from his post. The national syndicate which represents almost 1000 small miners from 12 subsidiaries, called on the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman and Junior Minister, Simona Broomes to step in and remove Dennison. Although the Ministry has been finding new ways to resolve the issues that affect the miners, Chairman of the National Mining Syndicate, Renwick Solomon said the leadership of GGMC has been less than straightforward. Last Friday at a stakeholders meeting at the Marriot Hotel, Minister Trotman approved 10 blocks in Parish Peak, Upper Berbice for miners who had applied for those spots earlier this year, but were told the land has been reserved for conservation. At the meeting, Trotman
said a letter was dispatched to the GGMC dated October 12 and addressed to Dennison, directing him to keep additional lands in reserve, pending a final decision. Applications for lands should be limited to 10 blocks, the minister said. “We are happy that process has been done but the management of GGMC deliberately misled the Minister as it relates to Parish Peak…Dennison had said there are not active blocks and prospective licence (PL), but we checked and three licences were issued earlier this year,” said Solomon during a press briefing at the Girl’s Guide on Monday. The Syndicate accused Dennison of trying to influence members of the syndicates to think that Minister Trotman does not know what he is saying. The chairman said they have “no confidence” in Dennison because he was disrespectful to the minister. Other members of the syndicate who were at the press conference started chanting, “Dennison must go!” This is
not the first time the National Syndicate has called for his removal. Earlier this year, they had filed a petition to Minister Trotman for the removal of the GGMC Commissioner.
Solomon again blamed Dennison for that issue, reiterating that the GGMC Commissioner cannot be trusted. “We need someone there with integrity…we are on the step-
intend to start working on the new blocks during the course of this week. Minister Trotman reportedly advised the miners to proceed with their work. “If there is a hold-up, it
Enraged members of the National Mining Syndicate call for the removal of GGMC’s Commissioner, Newell Dennison.
Aside from the blocks at Parish Peak, President of the Berbice Mining Syndicate, Kester Wade had applied, on behalf of his members, for blocks in the Puruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) district and although it was approved by Minister Trotman, GGMC’s Land Management section was not aware of the approval.
ping stone to the good life and we do not want no backstabbers,” said Cheryl Williams, a member of the national syndicate. The members of the syndicate said they will continue to press for the removal of Dennison because they believe the industry can be greater without him. They said they will not be stalled any longer so they
is not at the government’s end – you all are free; start mobilising and I know you will do well. This initiative will transform mining, it will transform Guyana and even when oil comes we are always going to be a mining people,” Trotman declared at the meeting on Friday, but cautioned the miners to follow the rules and regulations established
by the mining authority. “We have no desire to frustrate any syndicate. Some of us went over the Parish Peak area recently and saw nothing happening there and in fact, Mr Wade has written me and I sent some documents on it to him,” said Minister Trotman, who disclosed that he has since asked Dennison to respond to that which he (Trotman) had discovered. “While I am telling you all one thing, I am seeing another. So if it happened through my office I have to acknowledge it and apologise for it, but it didn’t come from my directive. It was certainly embarrassing for me to see,” he declared, noting that he will share Dennison’s explanation with the syndicates. Trotman had said the glitch has to be found and corrected because he has been telling miners one thing and something contrary has been occurring. “It makes me look like a hypocrite and that I am discriminating against you,” he stated.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 14, 2017
War on sexual violence …Guyana launches new model guidelines for sexual offence cases
By Svetlana Marshall Guyana’s Criminal Justice System is better equipped to adjudicate sexual offence cases now that the country has adopted the Model Guidelines for Sexual Offence Cases in the Caribbean Region – an initiative being rolled out under the Canadian funded Judicial Reform and Institutional Strengthening (JURIST) Project. The model guidelines, launched at the Pegasus Hotel in the presence of distinguished members of the judiciary--local and international, ministers of government and officials from the security sector, are intended to ensure that re-victimisation of survivors is minimised. Social Protection Minister, Amna Ally; Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence; Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Yonette Cummings-Edwards; High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee; High Court Judge, Justice Navindra Singh; Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice and Chair of the Sexual Offences Advisory Committee, Maureen Rajnauth-Lee; JURIST Proj-
ect Director, Dr. Penny Reedie; and Director of Red Thread, Karen De Souza were among the officials present to witness the ground-breaking event. Stating that Guyana fully embraces the model guidelines, Justice Cummings-Edwards explained that the are intended to provide internationally accepted best practices for the management of sexual offence cases. “We know that sexual violence in the Caribbean is a big problem. We know too that there is under-reporting of many cases involving sexual assaults and for those few cases that have been reported, the complaint is, and justifiably so, that they have not been handled very well at times, be it at the investigative stage, (or) the trial stage,” Justice Cummings-Edwards noted. She also took note of the fact that some persons are afraid to report cases of sexual assault and even to testify in court, and for those who are brave enough to testify, they are sometimes re-victimised and traumatised. The chancellor said while there have been improvements in the Justice System response, more needs to be done,
and the guidelines would aid in filling the gaps. “I think more can be done, and these guidelines would provide guidance to us within the Justice Sector, all stakeholders involved in the reporting, in the investigation, prosecution, and the adjudication of sexual offences,” the Chancellor told the audience. The launch of the Model Guidelines for Sexual Offence Cases on Monday coincided with the opening of Guyana’s first Sexual Offences Court, and according to Justice Cummings-Edwards, the guidelines will provide the necessary requirements needed for the management of the court. “We are confident that the prosecution and adjudication of these sexual offence cases will take on a new level…These cases will see our witnesses/victims being able to give their evidence in court and seeing them having the support prior to and after giving their evidence and it will see an adjudication of cases at a different level,” the Chancellor assured. Safeguarding rights Social Protection Minister, Amna Ally, in making her contribution, said the guidelines will complement
L-R: JURIST Project Director, Dr. Penny Reedie; Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice and Chair of the Sexual Offences Advisory Committee, Maureen Rajnauth-Lee; Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards; Social Protection Minister, Amna Ally; and Director of Red Thread, Karen De Souza seated at the head table during the launching of the model guidelines.
the work being done to safeguard the rights of survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Minister Ally pointed out that the country is in the process of conducting a comprehensive review of its National Plan of Action for the implementation of the Sexual Offences Act and Domestic Violence Act. It has also reinitiated the resuscitation of the Task Force for the Prevention of Sexual Violence. “This inter agency task force will have specific responsibilities for
A member of Merundoi calling on members of society to speak out against sexual assault and sexual violence during a dramatic play which was skillfully executed during the launch of the model guidelines. (Photos by Samuel Maughn)
the development and implementation of a national plan of action for the prevention of sexual violence,” she explained. Significant emphasis, she added, is being placed on improving the quality of care and services being provided to victims and survivors of sexual violence. As such, protocols for medical practitioners, prosecutors and police officers have been developed and endorsed by the respective ministerial heads. Implementation of these ministerial protocols aims to strengthen the country’s national commitment towards the process of strategic and purposeful alliances that would result in the reduction and ultimately the elimination of sexual violence. Guyana, Minister Ally said, is pleased to adopt the model guidelines. “We will work to bring all perpetrators to justice; we will ensure that institutions are held accountable and effective support systems are in place for victims. The Government is fully committed to the implementation of these guidelines so that we can ensure increase public confidence in the justice system as it relates to the handling of sexual assault cases,” the Social Protection Minister assured. Ground-breaking document CCJ Judge and Chair of
the Sexual Offences Advisory Committee, Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee said she was pleased to be a part of a process that led to the development of the ground-breaking document. It was noted that the model guidelines were developed after a series of consultations with Justice Sector Stakeholders in several CARICOM countries. Discussions were also held with survivors, persons with disabilities and persons of indigenous populations. The JURIST Project is a five-year regional Caribbean judicial reform initiative funded under an arrangement with the Government of Canada. The project is being implemented on behalf of Global Affairs Canada and the Conference of Heads of Judiciary of CARICOM by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). In May, 2015 the project established an advisory committee consisting of representatives from the CCJ, judiciaries of Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados, UN Women, UNICEF, CARICOM Secretariat and UWI (Jamaica) to monitor the implementation of the initiative. A baseline study was commissioned through UN Women on the legislation, protocols and court systems for sexual offence cases conducted in five CARICOM Countries.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 14, 2017
World sees first CO2 rise in four years --puts pressure on Paris targets GLOBAL emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) in 2017 are projected to rise for the first time in four years, dashing hopes that a peak might soon be reached. The main cause of the expected growth has been greater use of coal in China as its economy expanded. Researchers are uncertain if the rise in emissions is a one-off or the start of a
new period of CO2 build-up. Scientists say that a global peak in CO2 before 2020 is needed to limit dangerous global warming this century. The Global Carbon Project has been analysing and reporting on the scale of emissions of CO2 since 2006. Carbon output has grown by about 3% per year in that period, but growth essentially declined or remained flat between 2014 and 2016. Concern at first CO2 rise in four years The latest figures indicate that in 2017, emissions of CO2 from all human activities grew by about 2% globally. There is some uncertainty about the data but the researchers involved have
concluded that emissions are on the rise again. “Global CO2 emissions appear to be going up strongly once again after a threeyear stable period. This is very disappointing,” said the lead author of the study, Prof Corinne Le Quéré from the University of East Anglia. “With global CO2 emissions from human activities estimated at 41 billion tonnes for 2017, time is running out on our ability to keep warming well below 2 degrees C, let alone 1.5C.” The most important element in causing this rise has been China, which is responsible for around 28% of the global total. Emissions there went up 3.5% in 2017, mainly because of increased coal use, driven in the main
by a growing economy. Another important factor in China has been lower water levels in rivers which have seen a drop in the amount of electricity made from hydro-power, with utilities turning to coal and gas to make up the shortfall. US emissions have continued to decline but the fall has been less than expected. Higher prices saw a drop in the use of natural gas for electricity - with renewables and hydro-power picking up the slack. Coal use has also grown slightly in the US this year, with consumption up about a half of one percent. India’s emissions are projected to grow by about 2%, which is a considerable decrease from around 6% per year over the last decade. However, experts believe that this may be a tem-
porary drop-off caused by a number of factors that have hampered the consumption of oil and cement. ACTION REQUIRED Europe also saw a smaller decline than expected, falling by 0.2% compared with 2.2% over the last 10 years. One common theme around the world is continued use of gas and oil, says Prof Le Quéré. “There have been lots of ups and downs in the use of coal but in the background there has been no weakening in the use of oil and gas. And that is quite worrisome.” The report has been launched in Bonn where UN negotiators are trying to move forward with the rules for the Paris climate agreement. Researchers involved with the study say they are not moving fast enough. “Lots of diplomats are working out the rules but that is all a little bit meaningless unless they go back home to their countries and ratchet
up climate action and that is where the gap is,” said Dr Glen Peters, from the Centre for International Climate Research in Norway. “These countries have to be pushing on with the policies, but everything keeps getting pushed back.” The report is sure to increase tensions in Bonn between developed and developing nations. There is increasing resentment about the fact that all the focus is on future commitments made under the Paris climate agreement but very little on the years before it becomes active. Poorer countries want the richer ones to increase their carbon-cutting actions over the next three years. “The climate will not let us wait until 2020 when the Paris agreement comes into force,” said Nicaragua’s chief negotiator, Paul Oquist. “Climate change is happening now and it’s vital that immediate actions to cut emissions become a feature of this summit.” (BBC)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Langevine now chair of CFATF FIU group AS Day One of the 46th Plenary and Working Group Meetings of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) came to a close, Guyana’s Head of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Matthew Langevine was appointed Head of the CFATF Forum for Heads of the FIUs. Langevine, in his remarks, said he looks forward to working with all the FIUs, and is reasonably assured of the support mechanisms in place. These mechanisms, he noted, will help in the global and regional fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. The Guyanese FIU Head assured the meeting that he will serve in this new capacity with diligence and a high level of commitment. Langevine was appointed Head of the FIU in Guyana in September 2016. The Immediate Past Chair of the august body is Head of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Mr Dwayne Baker, who is also the Outgoing Cochair of the CFATF Working Group on Risks Trends and Methods (CRTMG), which will now be chaired by Guyana’s Senior Compliance Officer of the FIU, Ms Alicia Williams. Earlier in the day, several key issues were addressed during the meetings of the Working Groups, including the work of the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for the Caribbean (ARIN-CARIB). Head of the Financial In-
Guyana’s Mr Matthew Langevine (right) who is the new CFATF Chairman
telligence Unit (FIU), Jamaica, Mr Grenville Harris in his presentation during the 27th Forum of the Heads of the FIU, stressed the importance of coordination and cooperation among member countries of the CFATF in strengthening mechanisms in recovering state assets. ARIN-CARIB was established in June 2017 in response to a recommendation of the Group of Experts for the Control of Money Laundering of the Organisation of American
States (GELAVEX/OAS). The Regional Security System (RSS) was identified as the agency with the erquisite expertise to take the initiative forward, drawing on the RSS Asset Recovery Unit’s (ARU) innovative approach to tackling serious organised crime in the Caribbean common-law jurisdictions, through partnerships and the robust application of proceeds of crime and money laundering legislation. St. Vincent and the Grenadines will assume the Pres-
idency of ARIN-CARIB for 2018 for a period of one year, followed by Jamaica. Williams assured countries that assumption of the Presidency will not result in any additional financial burdens. Guyana’s State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA) is headed by Professor Clive Thomas. Head of the FIU, Turks and Caicos Islands, Mr Dwayne Baker said that Guyana has adopted a “determined posture” in strengthening its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of
Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime. His comment followed a presentation by Guyana’s FIU Head, where he outlined several steps taken by Guyana to ensure full compliance with international standards, following a national risk assessment. Law Enforcement Advisor of the CFATF, Pedro Harry provided an overview of Immediate Outcome Six (IO 6), which forms part of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Methodology for Assessing Compliance with the FATF Recommendations and the Effectiveness of AML/CFT
Systems. The FATF Fourth Round of Assessment involves two inter-related components for technical compliance and effectiveness. The Technical compliance component will assess whether the necessary laws, regulations or other required measures are in force and effect and whether the supporting AML/ CFT institutional framework is in place. According to the Advisor, effectiveness looks at whether the AML/CFT system in a particular country is working and how well it is achieving the objectives which it sets out to do. Effectiveness, he noted, focuses on outcomes, not output. Representatives for Guyana, Jamaica, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago and others were afforded the opportunity to highlight measures being taken by their Governments, through their FIUs and other supporting agencies to strengthen their AML/CFT legislation. The day came to an end with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago to establish procedures which will allow the Heads of the FIU in the two countries to share relevant information in a timely and effective manner. The MOU was signed by Head of the FIU- Trinidad and Tobago, Susan Francois and her Venezuelan counterpart, Antonio Jose Morales Rodriguez. (DPI)
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Editorial
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Sex scandals in the work environment
HUMAN nature is the same irrespective of where people reside. Everyone wants to be treated with respect and dignity, including those who violate others. News of sexual violence began attracting global attention, given who are allegedly involved, the prominence of their profiles, and reverence/admiration of the people. A few years ago when it was made public, television’s most beloved dad, Bill Cosby, ‘Dr. Huxtable’ of “The Cosby Show” was allegedly involved in luring and inebriating women, many of whom allegedly when on work assignment, then engaging in sexual conduct without their consent. Instinctively, persons came to his defense. As the scandal unfolded and more women kept coming forward, telling their stories, some of whom are internationally admired, it became harder to defend what society started seeing as indefensible. Some of these allegations are now under legal review, but in the meantime it cannot be ignored, even as the matters are to be settled, how this once well-admired man is not so seen today. Next of prominence was the Fox network, whose influence spans traditional media, the film-making industry, operating from several continents and having penetrating global influence. Bill O’Reilly, host of Cable television’s once top-rated show ‘The O’Reilly Factor” aired on the Fox network, lost his show and job early this year following allegations of sexual impropriety with female work colleagues. It also became public that the company had previously paid out millions to silence others who made similar allegations.
Public pressure, including withdrawal of advertisements, forced Fox to cut ties with him. Similar allegations were made against Roger Ailes, Chief Executive Officer of the network, who was forced to resign. Probably when the world thought these stories represented isolated incidents, revelations of similar misconduct in the media/entertainment industry continue. Recently, Harvey Weinstein, movie mogul of Hollywood, has been facing similar allegations by females whose talents feed the industry. Public pressure too has caused him to lose his job. Like a koker whose doors came crashing apart, given the deluge of water, persons--female and male-- have been coming forward making similar allegations about others. Notably is the famed Kevin Spacey, leading actor of the top rated Netflix show “House of cards.” Evidently, allegations of sexual misconduct are more than likely not over. As society continues to shun alleged violators demanding accountability, other alleged victims will come forward. At the same time society should not accept that such misconduct is unique to the media sector. It is pervasive in other industries, sectors and wherever human interaction takes place. Presently, attention is being paid to Roy Moore, Alabama candidate for United States (U.S) Senate, for alleged improper conduct with a 14-year old girl when he was 32 years old. This problem is not only a human rights violation, but also occupational hazard and a public health issue. A person’s body is their private space and what is done
with it must be with their consent. Where this is not respected, it represents a human rights violation. Very often those who take advantage of others are equally uncaring of the risk they pose to the victims’ health, including sexually transmitted diseases and other bodily harm. Where this misconduct surrounds the work environment, be it the same physical space or having to do with the skills/talents shared or want to sell, it becomes an occupational hazard. What is being brought to the fore, while some may argue that in some instances these incidents happened in the distant pass and/or in a culture where such behaviour was ‘permissible’ or seen as the ‘ticket’ for advancement, in the case of the alleged victims it should never have happened, irrespective of. Closer home there exist rumours of some placed in position of power, influence or authority, as often happen in the cases of sexual misconduct. Persons should not be made to feel that such attention is acceptable or necessary for ascendency, to secure a job, be respected as a person or otherwise. It is despicable conduct which does not deserve condoning or having it inflicted. Predators, irrespective of who they are or the positions held, should be exposed and made to face the full brunt of the law.
For 23 years Africans were marginalised
Dear Editor,
RASTAFARI community of all Guyana and their counterparts are moved to release this manuscript and response to a recent press release by ‘Sam Hinds, Roger Luncheon, Bishop Edghill, Gillian Burton and others of African descent, members of the PPP and PPPC’, that appeared in Kaieteur News (October 31, 2017) as ‘Fair-minded African Guyanese must speak out to avert this politically disruptive path’. All Rastafari we have spoken to state boldly to all Guyana that Rastafari are non-racial. There is East Indian Rastafari in Guyana and there are Rastafari of all races in every continent of the world. All are guided by the words and work of HIM Haile Selassie 1, King
of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Juda, Light of the world, Elect of God. Sam Hinds, Roger Luncheon and other Africans in the PPP and PPP/C have been silent for 23 years while the sacred air and consciousness of Guyanese of African descent were invaded and toxified by Cheddi Jagan, Janet Jagan, Sam Hinds, Bharrat Jagdeo, Donald Ramotar and PPP ministers of their governments. The music of India penetrated our consciousness from early morning at the exclusion of the music from Africa. Even the many musical forms of Caribbean music were permitted limited exposure as their governments worked relentlessly to divorce Guyana from African Caribbean. For 23 years pageants and sports in India penetrat-
ed our consciousness at the exclusion of the festivals and sports in Africa e.g. cricket in India connected the offspring of indentured Indians to their foreparents in India but football in Africa was not shown to Guyanese to connect the offspring of enslaved Africans to their foreparents who came from Africa. Even as East Indian ‘arrival’ symbols and festive days were celebrated by PPP/C governments, similar symbols and days for Africans were forgotten. After the 1992 elections when Cheddi Jagan secured the Presidency, he and Pandit Reepu Persaud at Agriculture Ministry set about to erase African culture and history. At the material culture, rice was expanded as cattle and pigs of the Burnham era were miniaturized. At the spiritual culture, the world class 1763
Monument (Cuffy) by Philip Moore of Jordanite spirituality was the destination of garbage and household rubbish. The USA-based Guyanese Kamau Cush returned home and daringly mobilised all Guyanese to landscape that environment and refurbish the monument. He is still paying the price for this daring act. After this act, the 1763 Monument became the preferred location for wedding photographs of all races and a site for romantic reflection by Guyanese and peoples of other origin. Cheddi and Janet Jagan passed the baton of power to Bharrat Jagdeo, Robert Persaud, Frank Anthony, Ashni Singh, Anil Nandlall, Priya Manickchand, Irfaan Ali and Donald Ramotar. Why did Sam Hinds, Roger Luncheon and the PPP and PPP/C Africans fold arms while these
arrogants did even greater damage to multiracial Guyana? Infrastructure was not even-raced –electric lights for the Indians and darkness for the Africans, paved roads for the Indian villages and dirt roads for the African villages. Roger Luncheon mouthed that no African had the intelligence to be a diplomat of Guyana. Robert Persaud at Agriculture and Mining did a number on African farmers and miners. Frank Anthony at Youth and Culture aimed to break African spirit even with refusal to have Philip Moore buried at the Seven Ponds where pilgrims will muse about this great Jordanite man-god. Ashni Singh at Finance manipulated many public accounts. Anil Nandlall at law was lawless. Priya Manickchand at Education encouraged abuse to
Guyanese and foreigners. Irfaan Ali at Housing sheltered mainly East Indians at five major housing estates across Guyana –they called it ‘social engineering’. Donald Ramotar at the Presidency listened to Jagdeo instead of using his God given talent to create wealth for all Guyanese brothers and sisters. Cheddi Jagan aimed to fashion Guyana into a state similar to Madagascar and Fiji by using Indian caste culture and then teenage marriage customs to outnumber all other races in Guyana to win elections. Again, Cheddi Jagan brought East Indian compradors to British Guiana to destroy British and Portuguese commission agents and African farm to market wealth. The latter was destruction of African sacred space--the African farmers markets. Can’t Sam Hinds, Turm to Page 7
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Fake healers, priests and pandits Dear Editor,
I HAVE witnessed an unprecedented ‘con game’ being played on our gullible citizens of this country, especially in Regions 3, 5 and 6. The Constitution gives us freedom of religion and this is a principle which supports the freedom of an individual or community to manifest religion or belief in teachings, practice, worship and observance. It also includes the freedom to change one’s religion. We are free to express our faith however we choose. But the same Constitution also serves to protect ‘public interest’; so can we allow these religious ‘religious priest’ to deceive us into not only believing that they have the ability to cure all ailments under the sun and protect us from all sorts of social ills and disasters, but can also bring prosperity into our lives? It started when ‘religious’ religious priest began coming from India many years ago. Dressed in saffron robes with ‘Tulsi malas’ on their necks and sporting long beards, they attracted a large gathering of the sick, the poor and the fortune seekers. The following is an excerpt from the Guyana Chronicle dated May 2010: “Within recent weeks, Indian nationals purporting to be pandits have been announcing their supposedly faith-healing, fortune-telling and other astrological services at various locations in Guyana and for which seekers reportedly had to pay large sums of money.
From all indications, these `pandits’ are nothing more than tricksters who found a willing and gullible clientele among Guyanese of all ethnicities and religions, including Islam and Christianity. The Guyana police are now looking for them as it is believed they committed crimes by working in Guyana without the relevant work permit and tax evasion. The fragmented Hindu leadership in Guyana has so far remained deafeningly silent on this issue. No warnings were issued to the public to beware of these fraudsters from India, although various public advertisements were repeated in several sections of the media and the entire country was aware of their presence.” After investigative work by the Kaieteur News, in the same year one of these fake astrologers was confronted after he and his group fleeced approximately 20 million dollars from people who desire ‘quick fixes’ to their problems. These astrologers have now moved into the rural areas, away from the City, after they were again raided this year. They fled leaving their suitcases behind. However, the competition is now getting intense as the ‘Prophets’ from certain Christian sects are now presenting an open challenge to the Indian astrologers. These ‘prophets’ are using TV advertisements to exhibit their ’healing’ powers which know no bound and they have testimonies from persons who have been ‘cured’ of cancer and AIDS.
For 23 years... Roger Luncheon, Bishop Edghill, and Gillian Burton recognize this? We are in a numbers contest. The Presidency is won by one vote. The PPP views democracy as a racial dictatorship contest and hence they are filled with thoughts and words of degradation– “rigged elections”. Below are five important points we need to focus indelibly on as we review the past. Spirituality is the key to prosperity. It opens doors that are closed and love enters unknowingly. This completes the common factor. 1. Philip Moore must enter Georgetown and be reburied at the Seven Ponds. There has been no greater artist that Guyana has produced. He is
a sacred soul without equal. 2. Philip Moore’s painting ‘Jumbie Wedding’ must be restored with urgency and placed at a place of prominence for all Guyanese to view with dignity and regularity. Moon-gazer will warn us on our wedding to ExxonMobil. Is it a jumbie wedding? 3. The 1823 Monument must be removed from its present location and placed at Independence Park to inspire the psyche of Guyanese of African Descent. 4. Forbes Burnham’s painting which was removed from the National Cultural Centre by Gail Teixeira must return there, since it is a historic plaque that represents
A person who was giving ‘testimony’ has since got married and reverted to Hinduism. She alleged that she was well paid to give that ’testimony’. What is also alarming is the fact that places of worship, especially churches and mandhirs, are vigorously trying to control the minds of their followers and even changing their political mindset. This is where the politicians capitalize on these people. Some Pandits are telling their followers which political party they should support, likewise some priests. Instead of bringing peace to the devotees’ minds, they are confusing them. No wonder the suicide rate in Regions 3, 5 and 6 is so high. These religious leaders are busy asking for donations so that they could live lavish life-styles while their followers are living in dire poverty, scraping every dollar to give to them in order to be cured and to become prosperous. They have become just like these fake astrologers. Furthermore, it is a shame now that almost every temple has become a ‘mini-parliament’ which dispenses hatred and strife. This is where the power struggle intensifies. I must congratulate the Muslims; they have retained their independence. The new confusion is the date for Diwali & Phagwah. No wonder more and more Hindus are flocking towards Christianity, since Hindus are now becoming unsure of when to celebrate their holidays. Therefore, how will these pandits teach
From Page 6 posterity. 5. The Jhandi flags of East Indian gods must be matched by Africa’s sacred colours of red, gold and green to inspire the prosperity of Africans who earn it. African liberty of spirit is the road to African prosperity. Regards Ras Leon Saul Roy James Elizabeth Nurse ‘Magic’ October Ras Bizzi Anis Miller Conrad Noel Ras Dalgettie I and others of the Rastafari community and their counterparts
their followers to gain salvation? Hinduism is eternally great but many pandits have become too materialistic and power crazy, finding less time to teach the virtues of Sanatan Dharma. It’s a pity that it is rare for a religious criminal to go to jail. While the average criminal and petty thieves will be incarcerated, a religious
leader or fake astrologer or fake ‘prophet’ will smile as they go to the bank and live an expensive lifestyle with no fear of retribution or imprisonment. On the other hand, their followers will defend these charlatans as though their salvation depends on it. It is time that our political leaders take a serious look at how the citizens of
this country are being swindled by these so-called religious people. I am a devout Hindu who wants to see my religion be treated with divine reverence by those who claim to uphold it. Yours sincerely, Gobin Harbhajan Regional Democratic Councillor (RDC)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Rajiv Gandhi University opens campus STUDENTS of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Science and Technology (RGUST) will now get the opportunity to learn in a modern environment with fully equipped classrooms following the opening of its new campus in Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown. The new building, inaugurated on Monday, November 13, is furnished with 10 new classrooms, three equipped laboratories, skilled labs, a doctor’s clinic, nurses station, conference room, reading room, computer room, cafeteria, as well as other administrative offices. Present at the inauguration ceremony was Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry; Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings; Vice Chancellor and Professor of
the university, Dr. Sherlock Rawana and other specially invited guests. Dr Rawana reminisced on the days when the University was first housed in a building on Sheriff Street, Georgetown, which proved to be too cramped to house all its students. Another building was then rented on Croal Street which also eventually suffered its own challenges and saw students rotating between the two facilities for classes. “It feels nice to know that now we don’t have to be nomads anymore. We don’t have to wander from one building to the next and our students have to find out where we’re going...we’re at one place and the students are very comfortable there.” Minister Henry, delivering the Chief Guest Remarks, made mention of Guyana’s
great need for reputable educational institutions to properly train its youth and therefore encouraged the uni-
versity in its higher academic pursuance. “I look forward to seeing your continued institutional academic progress as
you meet the required CARICOM standards to acquire your Caribbean Accreditation Council. Once acquired,
Students and guests at the commissioning of the Rajiv Gandhi University campus in Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown (Delano Williams)
you will be able to further serve the Guyanese youth who want to pursue science, technology and medicine as a career path.” Congratulations came from Minister Cummings who advised the institution to maintain strict quality control measures for their programmes, stating that, “It is only with rigorous standards that we can be assured that the students are of the highest quality.” This approach, she said, would ensure that the university becomes the “envy of other local institutions”. The Rajiv Gandhi University of Science and Technology is chartered by the Ministry of Education, through the National Accreditation Council (NAC) as an independent Institution of Post-Secondary and Tertiary Level.
De-risking major concern for CFATF …negative effectives continue to be felt at all levels
By Svetlana Marshall EXECUTIVE Director of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), Calvin Wilson said the body will soon go on an international campaign to lobby for the removal of restrictions enforced by correspondent banks. Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle on the margins of CFATF XLVI Plenary and Working Group Meeting at the Guyana Marriott on Monday, Wilson said though the Caribbean countries have been making steady progress in addressing the deficiencies within their Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regimes, their economies continue to be threatened as correspondent
banks restrict or terminate their relationships with the local banks. “De-risking is looming large across the region,” Wilson told Guyana Chronicle. According to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), de-risking refers to situations where financial institutions terminate or restrict business relationships with categories of customers. The severing of correspondent banking relationships has impacted the performance of the four key macroeconomic sectors: real, fiscal, monetary and external. The CFATF Executive Director said some countries in the Region are currently at the end of the Third Round of Mutual Evaluation, and though their compliance level is not satisfactory when compared
with the international standards established by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), progress is being made. Haiti, St. Maarten, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are among countries at the Third Round of Mutual Evaluation but they are expected to exit after being reviewed by the CFATF International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG). It was noted that since their Mutual Evaluation Reports were adopted by CFATF and published on its website, those countries have been rectifying the deficiencies within their Mutual Evaluation Reports as part of a follow process. According to him, “the countries have come a long way in terms of compliance.” “However, what is not being translat-
ed globally and to regulators around the world is the facts of the level of compliance that we are at, at the moment, and we think that if that were to be taken into account then some of the decisions being made with regards to de-listing may not have been taken,” the CFATF Executive Director noted. Given the current situation, Wilson said CFATF will have to do more in terms of lobbying the international community to set the record straight. “So further work will be undertaken both by the membership and the secretariat in terms of engaging with all stakeholders—CARICOM Secretariat, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank and all our countries in the region, making outreach around
M&CC: Puran’s and Cevon’s to return for Christmas By Telesha Ramnarine
THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC)’s two main garbage contractors will soon resume their services to Georgetown, but not with the kind of “luxuries” that they previously enjoyed, Solid Waste Director, Walter Narine has said. On the sidelines of the statutory meeting at City Hall on Monday, Narine told the Guyana Chronicle that the M&CC anticipates paying the contractors, Puran Brothers Disposal Services and Cevons Waste Management, a $10M per month going forward, as opposed to the approximately $45M that the municipality had been paying monthly. He offered that the contractors, who are expected to come back on board before
Christmas, will no longer clear the markets. “Both of them are coming back but not with the same luxuries that they had before.” “We will take back the markets from them and we are going to do high-producing areas like commercial, Albouystown, Charlestown. These are the areas that produce the most garbage which results in great costs to the city, Narine explained. In the meantime, the municipality is finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with their collection schedule in certain areas, some of which have not been cleared for two weeks. City Councillors recently voted in favour of a motion moved by Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, to ask the Central Government for more than
$400M to bail the municipality out of its debt to the two contractors. Town Clerk Royston King subsequently wrote to Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan seeking exactly $475,635,245 that will be used to pay the outstanding balances which date back to 2015. The contractors suspended their services since last August because the City Council was not keeping its side of the bargain to pay current amounts. The companies had agreed to wait for what was owing to them for 2015 and 2016. The Council then hired three small-time contractors to work along with trucks belonging to the M&CC. Minister Bulkan told the Guyana Chronicle that
M&CC’s request would have been taken to Cabinet. Calls to him for an update on the matter went unanswered on Monday. The motion said the request was in keeping with the municipality’s efforts to honour its responsibility to local communities and to the city as a whole, to prevent the spread of diseases associated with poor municipal waste management and to secure the integrity of the environment and the public health of the city. Also, that in 2015, in anticipation of the nation’s Jubilee celebrations, the Council had embarked upon a massive clean-up campaign in all local communities and had exhausted all of its available funds in the massive cleanup campaign.
the world to ensure that what is happening in the region is told, the facts of the case in terms of compliance is told as well, and to dialogue and collaborate with organisations like the IMF who are witnessing the effects of de-risking not only in our regions but across the world,” the CFATF Executive Director said. During a meeting in Antigua and Barbuda in October, which was organised by the CARICOM Secretariat, the `Guidance’ issued by FATF in October 2016 was embraced by the region with the anticipation that it would pave way for in depth dialogue. “We in the region embraced that guidance document as the foundation for the dialogue that should take place between our respondent banks in the region and the correspondent banks who are now pulling out of the region,” he noted. Wilson emphasised that de-risking and its effects on the region’s economy remain high on the agenda for the CFATF. It was pointed out that the issue of de-risking came up for discussion during the 27th Forum for Heads of Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) AND the CFATF Working Group on Risks, Trends and Methods (CRTMG) Meeting on Sunday when the XLVI Plenary and Working Group Meetings started in Guyana on Sunday. According to the CFATF, de-risking affects services and products, financial institutions and other agencies. The most severe effect of de-risking in the Caribbean has been the termination of the correspondent banking relationships which includes check clearing and settlement, cash management services, international wire transfers, trade finance and
conducting foreign currency denominated capital or current account transactions. The financial institutions, agencies and other entities affected by de-risking include money transfer operators and other remittance companies, small and medium domestic banks, small and medium exporters, retail customers, international business companies, e-gaming/ gambling. The consequences, the CFATF Executive Director said, are truly being felt in the region. “In one case a small business man wanted to continue importing goods from abroad to supply his business, to keep his employees in employment, and because of de-risking in a particular jurisdiction, he was unable to send wire transfers to import goods. So what he did, he left his country with an amount of cash and went to another country to purchase the goods, he did not declare the cash he took with him at the borders when he left his country, nor did he do so when he arrived. He was stopped and the cash was confiscated and he was placed in prison, as a consequence of that his business failed,” Wilson said, as he cited an example. He said not only did the man’s business crumble but his employees were left jobless, and as such the effects were evident at the level of their families. “It’s a real issue for the region and it is something we intend to keep our eyes on squarely, and will be working with partners around the world to see if we can assist in bringing a resolution to this issue,” the CFATF Executive Director said.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Fraud case against Deeds Registrar continues today REGISTRAR of Deeds, Azeena Baksh, will today make another court appearance on a charge of obtaining money by false pretense. The keenly-watched case was first called in May this year, but it has been delayed due to the prosecution indicating that the file was not ready then to commence the trial. Baksh was released on $250,000 bail by Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan. Baksh, 33, of Eccles, East Bank Demerara had denied that while being employed by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) between May 1, 2014 and January 31, 2017 in Georgetown, she caused or procured valuable securities in the sum of $4.5M to be delivered to her Nova Scotia bank account for her own
Registrar of Deeds, Azeena Baksh
use, pretending she was a contracted employee at the Deeds Registry. Policeman, Arvin Moore, is prosecuting the case. The Attorney General’s Office had said that Baksh was appointed Acting Registrar
of Deeds from July 16, 2012 with a stipulated salary of $326,171 monthly and was entitled to duty, entertainment and house allowances, as well as subsistence allowance when working out-ofdistrict; duty-free concession every three years, leave passage allowance and 42 days annual vacation leave. Additionally, she was entitled to security at her residence, paid residential and mobile phone charges and monthly internet service charges. There was no mention by the JSC of a bi-annual gratuity as she was employed on the fixed establishment. In May 2014, the Deeds Registry was merged with the Commercial Registry pursuant to the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority Act No. 4/ 2013. BACK ON THE JOB Meanwhile, despite being instructed, Baksh has
been reporting for duties and ignoring a directive to proceed on leave. Baksh, who is the daughter of former junior Agriculture Minister, Ali Baksh, of Essequibo, has long been resisting being sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of the court case. At a management meeting hosted by the Attorney General earlier this year, Baksh was asked to proceed on administrative leave to facilitate an investigation into the matter. The AG also instructed that Zanna Frank, Deputy Registrar, perform the functions of Registrar of Deeds. However, in a missive dated April 13, 2017 and addressed to Williams, Baksh made it clear that she was employed by the JSC and as a result will not proceed on administrative leave. However, in response to a JSC’s letter dated April
26, 2017, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Delma Nedd, noted that the Deeds Registry functions under the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority Act No. 4 of 2013. Additionally, the permanent secretary reminded the JSC that it is the Minister of Legal Affairs who has oversight of the Authority and the Act empowers him to inter alia, appoint an assistant Deeds Registrar and other staff, appoint the Board of Authority and exercise general administrative powers and control over the Authority. “This means that the entire administrative measures on the Registrar of Deeds appointed by the JSC and other Registry staff appointed by the Attorney General vest squarely in the Attorney General,” she stated. Nedd said she was advised that the instruction
by the Attorney General for Baksh to proceed on administrative leave, is “quite valid and legal in the sense that the Attorney General, under the Act, needs to administratively enquire about this complaint before passing his recommendations to the JSC.” She continued: “I am advised that the Judicial Service Commission, once it has appointed a person as Registrar, cannot usurp the powers of the Attorney General under the Act to administratively investigate any allegations against the Registrar. The JSC shall only have to wait until the Attorney General conducts his administrative investigations and makes his recommendations to them. It is then that the JSC will invoke its power under Article 199 (1) of the Constitution.
Suspects in teacher’s murder to be charged soon CHARGES are to be laid shortly against the suspects involved in the murder of Kescia Branche, the Richard Ishmael Secondary School teacher who died days after being found battered in the City. Crime Chief (Ag), Assistant Commissioner Paul Williams said Monday that one of the three suspects is the deceased’s son’s father, while the others are policemen. “We are getting very
good information, and I am asking the relatives, friends and members of the public to just bear with us as the Police Force will definitely solve that crime,” the Crime Chief said. He said one of the reasons investigators are making such good progress is because of the wealth of support they are getting from the public. Kescia’s father, Mr Alfred Branche said his family
is quite satisfied with the pace of the investigations, and are confident that the police will do a thorough job, and that justice will eventually be served. The 22-year-old school teacher died last Tuesday at the Georgetown Public Hospital, days after she was picked up in an unconscious state on a city street. The young woman was severely beaten and dumped at the corner of Princes Street and Louisa Row in
southern Georgetown. Surveillance footage had led to the questioning of four police constables recently, but only two remain under close arrest. The ranks are attached to the Impact Base at the Brickdam Police Station. On November 5, the First Street, Cummings
Dead: Kescia Branche
Woodlands staff on ‘simple larceny’ charge
--after staging brazen $1.4M heist TWO former Woodlands Hospital employees who allegedly staged a $1.4M robbery from the medical institution were on Monday charged with committing the offence. Haniff Peters, a 32-year-old security guard of East LaPenitence, and Susan Daniels, a cashier of Canal #2 Polder, West Bank Demerara were before City Magistrate Judy Latchman, jointly charged with simple larceny. The pair denied that on August 31, at the Carmichael Street facility, they stole from it the sum of $1.4M.
Haniff Peters
Susan Daniels
Daniels, 33, was also charged separately for giving false information to the police at the Brickdam
Police Station on September 1, that she alleged she was robbed which caused the police to conduct an inves-
tigation into the matter. She, however, denied that charge, too, when it was read to her. According to the facts at hand, on the day in question, Daniels was taking the day’s takings to her supervisor when she alleged that she was robbed by a lone masked man. The matter was reported to the police, and based upon their investigations, it was revealed that the woman and Peters staged the robbery. The Magistrate released Peters and Daniels on $100,000 and $200,000 bail respectively, and adjourned the matter to December 4.
Lodge resident was found on the roadway, unconscious. Her left leg was broken and there was every evidence that she’d sustained multiple head injuries. She was hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where she subsequently died.
RISE kicks off youth debate on constitutional reform YOUTHS have been drawn into the national conversation on constitutional reform with the start of a lively debate on the subject on Sunday. Hosted by the recently formed lobbyist group, Reform-Inspire-Sustain-Educate (RISE), the event saw the Guyana Red Cross Society (GRCS) headquarters on Barrack Street, Kingston come alive, with students from the Bishop’s High School, the School of the Nations, and Queen’s College debating the subject, ‘There should be an overseas- based representative in the National Assembly’. While in the first round of the competition, in which BHS opposed Nations, the first and second speakers of both sides aptly defended their positions, in the rebuttal round, the specialised rebutter from the opposition pontificated her team’s position and perhaps sealed the victory for BHS. In the end, Bishop’s finished with 109 out of a total
of 150 points, while Nations finished with 107. For the second round, QC was scheduled to face another team from Nations, but just a few minutes shy of its commencement, the latter withdrew from the competition, thereby automatically qualifying their opponent for the next round. Nevertheless, the opposition of this round was not given a total free pass, as the first and second speakers were still required to present their arguments against the moot, before the specialised rebutter could refute the counter-argument made by the pseudo-proposition. After being judged following the standard criteria, the team scored a total of 117 out of 150 points. The competition continues next Sunday at the same venue, with more teams weighing in on constitutional reform topics. Teams from Linden, Essequibo, Berbice and more teams from Georgetown are expected to participate in the debates.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Judiciary must do more ---Top Cop says, to arrest rate of serious crimes
By Rabindra Rooplall ACTING Commissioner of Police, Mr David Ramnarine is of the opinion that magistrates and judges can do far more than they are when dealing with serious crimes. He made it known he does not take kindly to people being allowed to go free after committing multiple serious offences during the unveiling of the Guyana Police Force’s plans for the Christmas season on Monday at the Police Officers’ Mess at Eve Leary.
“While we are doing well with our prosecution, in terms of arresting, investigating, charging and so on, but the deep concern is the conviction side of it is troubling,” he said. “And that will always be so; across the world it is so, moreso in a system where there are serious issues of how good the judicial system is in terms of being able to bring those numerous convictions to the satisfaction of all key stakeholders,” he added. Ramnarine had previously criticised the judicial
system for being insensitive where the granting of bail is concerned in serious-crime matters. He argued that bail should be seen as a deterrent. “The amount of bail granted in the court makes a mockery of how responsible people in authority should behave in these matters,” the Commissioner was quoted as saying last year in a statement issued by the then Government Information Agency (GINA). He is now advocating for aspects of crime prevention to be improved, so as to
make policing easier and less costly rather than having to detect and prosecute. He said that the Force has already started moving in that direction, as within the last two years it has significantly expanded on its prevention strategies. So as to give a clear picture of what obtains, Ramnarine said that in “A” Division alone, over 50 per cent of the reports they field on any given day has to do with serious crime. Conceding that there have been improvements in the gathering of intelligence
Nandlall law books court trial continues THE court trial against former Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall in relation to the alleged larceny of over $2 million worth of law books from the Ministry of Legal Affairs, will resume today in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Prosecutor for the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Patrice Henry, had called two witnesses to the stand to testify before City Magistrate, Fabayo Azore. Nandlall is represented by Attorneys-at-law, Neil Boston, S.C., Glen Hanoman and Devindra Kissoon.
The two witnesses who have testified are: Janise Joe, former Stores Clerk at the Ministry of Legal Affairs (1999-2014), and Daniel Persaud, an accounts clerk at the said ministry. On April 27, Nandlall was charged with `Larceny by Bailee’ in connection with a number of law books he took from the Ministry of Legal Affairs, which he said was given to him by former President, Donald Ramotar, during his tenure in office. The former AG is alleged to have fraudulently converted 14 Common-
eral and Minister of Legal Affairs. He was released on self-bail by Magistrate Azore. Over the last two years, Nandlall has repeatedly confirmed that while he was AG, the law books were purchased for him by the State, with approval by former president Ramotar. Nandlall had explained that the law books are in his possession and he has PPP/C, Member of Parlia- no intention of returning ment (MP), Anil Nandlall them to the State. He subsequently secured an wealth Law Reports valued order in the High Court at GY$2.3 million to his which bars the police own use, as Attorney Gen- from seizing the books.
PI into Nandy Park businessman’s murder continues Thursday
TWO remaining witnesses are set to testify on behalf of the State, in the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the murder of businessman, Abdul Farouk Ghanie, whose lifeless body was found lying in a pool of blood at the back of the yard at his Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home, in April 2015. Kemo Tyron Evans of
Water Street, Bagotstown, EBD, and Floyd Anthony Rammit of Kaneville, another EBD village, are currently on remand for the indictable offence. The PI which will continue on Thursday, is being heard before Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, with Attorney-at-law, Glen Hanoman representing the prosecution.
On Monday, Police Detective, Rodwell Sarabo was called by the prosecution to testify. According to the court facts, on April 15, 2015, the 56-year-old businessman also known as ‘Brother’, left his home and went to his place of business on Regent Street. Ghanie returned home around 18:00hrs on the said day. At about 20:00hrs, the two accused
and another man were allegedly seen at his home, and a while after an eyewitness saw them hurriedly leaving the man’s premises. The following day, neighbours found Ghanie’s body which bore wounds to his left side chest and cheek. The police, on being summoned, found that victim’s firearm, cell-phone and other items were missing.
Acting Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine
and the way crime is being dealt with, Ramnarine promised that under his watch, there will be zero tolerance for rogue cops. “A law enforcement official cannot be sitting on the fence,” he said. “You are either on the side of law and order, or you can go on the other side.
“But you cannot be sitting on the fence; I will not permit it! Nor will the senior administration of the Force accept and condone such! You cannot be borderline!” Underscoring how serious the Force has become with infringements, Ramnarine said there were 28 occurrences this year of junior ranks being involved in accidents that included fatal and serious damages. “I have taken that conscious decision to dismiss nine so far,” he said, adding: “You cannot be driving your private vehicle without fitness and insurance, or drunk driving and expect to remain a member of the Police Force. No! You have to go!”
Ex-cop on gun-related charges further remanded
--in spite of begging for bail EX-cop Kwasie Maloney who is on remand for three firearm-related charges and escaping from police custody, has had his bail application plea turned down by Principal Magistrate Judy latchman, on Monday. The former policeman is charged for having a 9mm pistol, 19 rounds of 59 X 28mm ammunition and a component of a spent shell, on October 12 at the Route 44 minibus park. He is also charged for escaping from the Brickdam Police Station on the said day, while he was in custody on account of the aforementioned charges. Maloney has been on remand for over a month and when he appeared before the magistrate on Monday, he pleaded with her to grant him his pre-trial liberty, on the grounds that his life is currently in jeopardy, since he is among persons on remand at Lusignan Prison whom he had arrested or caused
Kwasie Maloney
them to be jailed. However, this was met with many objections by Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield who cited the seriousness of the charges and Magistrate Latchman further remanded Maloney to prison, until November 27. According to facts of the case, on October 12 police officers conducted a search on the defendant while he was at the Route 44 minibus park and the gun was found in his waist.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Police roll out Christmas security plan
THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Monday launched its Christmas security plan for Georgetown promising more beat duty ranks and greater management of traffic to cater for the yearend festivities. The plan unveiled by ‘A’ Division Commande r, M a r l o n C h a p m a n , will cover Georgetown and the East Bank of Demerara. Although it was launched on Monday the plan will intensify from 15th November, 2017 for the Christmas Season until 15th January, 2018, in order to enable citizens to conduct their activities in a safe and secured environment. Chapman made this disclosure on Monday during the Guyana Police Force Christmas Policing
Commander Marlon Chapman at the podium addressing the gathering of senior officers and business persons at the Christmas Policing Presentation
Presentation at Police Officers’ Mess, Young Street, Eve Leary, in Georgetown. At the event were members of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Guyana Association of Private Security Organisations
Crime Chief urges caution while Christmas shopping --to make maximum use of ATMs, other monetary resources
ACTING Crime Chief Paul Williams is urging the business community to use manager’s cheques, and shoppers to use their ATM cards instead of walking around with large sums of money over the Christmas holidays.
Crime Chief (ag) Paul Williams
“For the public out there, try as much as possible to maximise the use of ATM cards, restrict the movement with large cash especially during the busy shopping season, the 911 is up and going and it should be maximized in cases of robbery,” he said. He made the call on Monday during the Guyana Police Force’s Christmas Policing Presentation at the Police Officers’ Mess at Eve Leary. He said that based on plans the Force has in place for the season, vehicles and personnel will be specifically deployed to deal with 911
calls. He also called on persons with CCTV cameras to assist the police, since every bit of information will help make our communities safer. On the issue of person’s inability to prove ownership of items when the police conduct raids, Mr Williams, who is also an Assistant Commissioner of Police, is asking the public to desist from buying on face value, and to make their purchases from reputable sources. “Sometimes we listen to persons plead and cry with their claims of ownership, and when we hand over the item, days after the real owner shows up with a receipt,” he explained. He further advised that when going to the bank, to vary travel times and routine, so as to avoid being predictable. And neither should persons make deposits at one particular time of day, he said, adding that one should ensure that the coast is clear when making night deposits. He made the point, too, that some suspicious activities are not always obvious, and that what is considered suspicious activity in one building may very well be commonplace in another. Keep in mind, he urged in closing, that behaviour or activity that is not normal, based on experience, could be an indication that a crime is about to happen.
(GAPSO), amongst others. Noting that there will be an increase in commercial activities in the city and its environs, Commander Chapman said beat police and patrols will be deployed to provide a safe and secure environment for citizens, visitors, businesses and commuters. He explained that Georgetown will be divided into six sectors in order to adequately police the city and its environs.
Each sector will be commanded by an officer or an inspector. In addition to the heightened special operations by C.I.D and intelligence ranks around the Banks, the Assistant Commissioner of Police said there will be increased foot and vehicular patrols around the City, the Georgetown Prison, hotels, night spots, and places of business. “Foot patrols will be conducted between
07:00hrs to 13:00hrs and 12:00hrs to 19:00hrs daily. Between the 22nd & 24th, 29th to 31st December, 2017 the foot patrol timings will be adjusted to accommodate late shopping,” the commander noted. He added that motor cycles and vehicular patrols will be conducted on a 24-hour basis in 12-hour shifts. Further, he said that regular road blocks will be conducted at strategic areas.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 14, 2017
HPV campaign taken to hinterland AS part of the government’s Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) immunisation campaign, the Ministry of Public Health, Adolescent Health Coordinator, Dr. Oneka Scott, visited the Mahdia Secondary School in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) to speak with students on the issue. Students of Grades Nine, 10 and 11 from the Mahdia Secondary were on Friday informed about Sexually Transmitted Infections and Diseases (STI/ STD) and how they could protect themselves against these illnesses. HPV is presently the world’s most common STD, so much so that half of persons who become sexually active, will, by the age of 50, have some form of infection from HPV. There are over 100 types of HPV recorded with vaginal, anal, penile and cervical cancers being a few of the harsh
sentiments sometimes are not always the case, “...that our hinterland people don’t know anything... our children are pre-
to explain why the vaccine was only being administered to a specific portion of the population.
in Guyana, most of our teens are having sex at 10, 11 and,12 years, so they are already exposed to some sort of the HPV,
so we are targeting the girls that are younger because we hope that they’re not yet exposed sexually,” Scott made it clear. In addition to this, it is the costly nature of the vaccine which prohibits the Health Ministry from administering the injection to males and females, as is being done in countries in Europe and in the United States. At the session, students were asked to encourage adult females in their household to get a Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) or Pap smear which tests for cervical cancer cells. Scott advised that early treatment is best and would help in ensuring that women in Guyana no longer perish from cervical cancer. The Ministry of Public Health launched its campaign against HPV in October of this year and intends to target over 36,000 girls.
UN Climate change conference
the USD120M Climate Action Framework Loan II that was signed in May this year. The President will speak at a session titled, `Confronting the 1.5 Degree Challenge and Accelerating NDC Implementation in the Caribbean’, at which technical experts will present scientific evidence on the implications for the Region if global warming reaches or exceeds 1.5 degrees Celsius. In addition, Smith is scheduled to deliver remarks at the following high-level events: • `How SIDS are planning for and implementing mitigation actions to achieve NDC targets’, hosted by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Government of the Republic of Fiji; • `COP Presidency Event, Towards a Resilient Future:
Frontiers of Risk Sharing’, convened by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji and President-designate of COP23, Hon. Frank Bainimarama in cooperation with the Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany, Dr. Gerd Müller; and • ‘Champions for Climate Action: The NDC Partnership’, hosted by the Partnership and its co-chairs, the Governments of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Morocco. During his visit to Bonn, Smith is scheduled to hold meetings with officials from the Government of Germany to discuss Germany-CDB relations, as well as opportunities for increased collaboration and partnership. The Bank’s delegation at COP23 is being led by the president and includes Johanna
Brueggemann, Director for Germany to CDB; Dorla Humes, Advisor to the president; Cheryl Dixon, Coordinator, Environmental Sustainability Unit; and Valerie Isaac, Operations Officer (Environment). COP23 is being presided over by Frank Bainimarama, the Prime Minister of Fiji and the first small island developing state to hold this role. The conference takes place two years after the landmark adoption of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, and will further build momentum among cities, states, regions, territories, business and civil society in support of national climate action plans, the internationally agreed temperature goal and the wider objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
CDB to promote resilient recovery, climate action for the Caribbean. A DELEGATION from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has arrived at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP23) in Bonn, Germany. While at the event which runs until November 17, the Bank will join other regional stakeholders in reiterating the urgent need for climate action and resilient recovery in the
consequences of the infection. Dr. Scott disclosed that many persons in Guyana are not well-informed of STIs, and as such she was impressed when one of the notably attentive stu-
The opinion of Dr. Scott is that many Guyanese do not hold in high esteem the intelligence levels of persons living in the hinterland region. She debunked this notion, stating that those
Students listening attentively
dents correctly indicated Chlamydia and Trichomoniasis as being two of the most prevalent STIs in the world.
Caribbean, the CDB said in a release. Against the backdrop of this year’s devastating hurricane season, CDB will also underscore its commitment to mobilising highly concessionary resources for regional countries to tackle the impacts of climate change. “We are pleased to add our voice to the global conversation on climate action, given the vulnerability of the low-lying and coastal states in the Caribbean Region. At COP23, our priority
is to continue to draw attention to the very real challenges our small states are facing as a result of climate change; to strengthen partnerships to combat those challenges; and to further engage stakeholders as our Region seeks to ‘build back better’,” said Dr. Wm. Warren Smith, President of the CDB. While in Bonn, the Bank will sign a USD24 million agreement with the European Investment Bank for post-disaster reconstruction. It is an addition to
pared, they were diverse.” The children were surprised, however, to know that condom is not 100 percent effective against the HPV and other forms of STIs. Scott was then pressed
“The age group we are assuming are not yet sexually active is nine to 13. The vaccine works better if it’s given to individuals before they become exposed to the HPV virus...sadly
Ministry of Public Health, Adolescent Health Coordinator, Dr. Oneka Scott interacts with pupils
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Smith Memorial marks 174th anniversary THE Smith Memorial Congregational Church on Brickdam will celebrate its 174th Anniversary this month. The occasion will be marked by an anniversary service this Sunday at 09:00 hrs. The Church stands on the green lawns of the parish situated on the south-eastern shoulder of Brickdam, Georgetown. It was erected in memory of Reverend John Smith, a London Missionary Society Minister, who was sentenced to die by hanging for the role he allegedly played in the notorious East Coast Demerara Slave Rebellion of 1823. He died while a prisoner on death row on February 6, 1824, and subsequently came to be referred to as the ‘Demerara Martyr’. Smith arrived in Demerara in February 1817 to succeed the Reverend John Wray, a pioneer missionary of the London Missionary Society, at the Bethel Chapel at Le Ressouvenir on the lower East Coast.
The Smith Memorial Church on Brickdam
And, like Wray, he taught the slaves to read the Bible and Catechism, so much so that one of them, Quamina, was at one point made Senior Deacon of Bethel Chapel. His son, Jack Gladstone, and other slaves suffered death for the role they allegedly played during the 1823 uprising, which had as its goal the freedom of the slaves. On November 24, 1843, exactly 20 years after the date on which the Reverend John Smith was sentenced to death, Smith Memorial Church was opened as a tribute to the work and suffering the had to endure on behalf of his deacons, members and other followers.
Alleged arsonist in DaSilva Street fire further remanded
Kerwin Jarvis
A 45-year-old man who is charged for torching his reputed wife’s home in October, was on Monday further remanded to prison by Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Kerwin Jarvis made his second court appearance before Magistrate Latchman and was further remanded, after having his bail application refused again. Jarvis is charged for the torching of his reputed wife, June McAlmont’s home on October 17, 2017, at Lot 182 Da Silva Street, Georgetown. He has since denied the alle-
gation. The matter is adjourned until November 25, for a report. It is reported that on the day in question, McAlmont returned home from work and met her husband in the house. He locked himself in the bedroom and a few minutes later, he emerged with a quantity of clothing and set it on fire. Jarvis reportedly choked his wife and told her they will both die in the fire. The woman managed to escape by jumping through a window while the defendant broke the door and escaped.
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Starc says Hazlewood is a `genuis’ with line and length
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia’s Josh Hazlewood is a “genius” with line and length and will have no trouble being ready for next week’s Ashes opener against England despite having had only a single warmup match, fellow seamer Mitchell Starc has said. Hazlewood, Starc and Pat Cummins have been rested for the third round of the domestic Sheffield Shield to preserve them for the Nov. 23 test in Brisbane. In rampaging form, pace spearhead Starc and Cummins had two first class games for New South Wales, but their team mate Hazlewood just had the one, against Western Australia, after making a delayed comeback from a side strain. It was an impressive return for Hazlewood, who claimed six wickets and earned gushing praise from Australia captain Steve Smith. Starc, too, was among the admirers and is relishing the prospect of all three New South Wales bowlers steaming in at England’s batsmen at the Gabba. “(Hazlewood) was straight back into his test form after one over of Shield cricket,” Starc told local media on Monday. ”He’s a bloody genius with line and length, it allows Pat and I to be aggressive and that’s how I bowl. ”We can unleash from the other end, bowl as quick
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Josh Hazlewood
as we can and attack. ”(Hazlewood) takes his wickets with line and length and Pat and I come in and try and blast teams out, try and attack the stumps and really intimidate. “We complement each other really well.” Having poached 17 wickets from his two Shield matches, Starc’s form has raised home hopes he might prove to be England’s new left-arm nemesis, four years after Mitchell Johnson dominated in a 5-0 whitewash. “I think we have an attack that is gelling well,” Starc said. ”It doesn’t have to be one guy who stands up, if someone has a Mitchell Johnson-type series fantastic. ”But if we win the Ashes it doesn’t matter who gets all the wickets. “Hopefully we can stay together as a group and do something special over the next few years.”
09:50 hrs Arden Denis 10:20 hrs The Game Is A Foot 10:50 hrs Get Rhythm 11:20 hrs Gabrial The Great 11:50 hrs Tara Mac Worcester 09:00 hrs Optimus Prime 09:30 hrs Perfect Timing 10:00 hrs Onefortheroadtom 10:30 hrs Arthur’s Gift 11:00 hrs Blazon 11:30 hrs Green Or Black Huntingdon 09:10 hrs Cause Toujours 09:40 hrs Firmount Gent 10:10 hrs Call Me Lord 11:10 hrs Uncle Percy 11:40 hrs Mabela
Fernandes showers praises on male and female hockey teams PRESIDENT of Guyana Hockey Board (GHB), Philip Fernandes, showered Guyana’s male and female hockey with praises after they qualified for next year’s Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in in Barranquilla, Colombia. The Guyanese women defeated host Jamaica 1-0 to win the CAC Qualifier Tournament, while the men’s team fell to the Jamaicans when ‘bad light’ resulted in their final being prematurely ended, forcing the organisers to use the points standings of the round-robin which saw the Guyanese come up short and had to settle for silver. Fernandes, who also coached the women’s side, expressed his great satisfaction of the team’s performances, stating that they responded well to the changes implemented throughout the tournament and lifted their level of play when it counted most. According to Fernandes, several senior players were unavailable for the qualifier tournament due to work commitments or injury “but this afforded the opportunity for new young players to gain
valuable exposure”. The GHB was high in praise for the players and the astute tactical work by men’s coach Robert Fernandes. The GHB president lamented the misfortune of the men’s side stating that he was confident they could have pulled off the victory in the final. “When Robert and I discussed the men’s pool match against Jamaica, he indicated to me that he was not going to show all his cards as the Guyanese men were already through to the final,” said Fernandes, who added, “the Guyanese men lost the pool match but had more than doubled the scoring opportunities of the opposition and I have no doubt they would have been much better in the final.” Meanwhile, looking ahead to the CAC Games, Fernandes said, “There is not a moment to spare as time is short and the teams would need to perform even better to medal at an event of that level.” Puerto Rico secured the bronze in both competitions and will be the first ‘reserve’ country if any other is unable to participate.
Church’s Chicken signs on to GFF Elite League THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) yesterday received a sponsorship cheque from Camex Restaurants Inc. (CRI) through their Church’s Chicken brand as plans intensify for the third season of the Elite League. This was in the form of a monetary donation presented by CRI’s Director of Finance, Christine Bennett-Blair, at the Camp and Middle Street location to Dion Inniss, Executive Committee Member of the GFF. In receiving the cheque, Inniss expressed his gratitude for the sponsorship, who noted “Church’s Chicken has been a very reliable and dependable investor over the years and we are very pleased to have them on board again. The business community has spoken about an economic downturn yet Church’s saw it fit to invest with the GFF. We are very thankful and look forward to a long-lasting partnership.” Meanwhile, CRI Marketing Consultant, Deslyn Griffith said she was pleased
to support football and the investment opportunity is one for the development of youth and community. “Camex Restaurants Inc. under the umbrella of our premier brand, Church’s Chicken is pleased to be associated yet another year with the Elite League. We see both our franchise and the Elite League, under the leadership of the GFF, as being the leaders of our respective industries, hence our continued support,” Griffith said. Griffith further noted that the Elite League is a tool that the GFF uses to further youth and community development, and as such, her entity saw it as an opportunity to lend their support. Other persons present at the hand-over were GFF Marketing Director Dario McKlmon; CRI Director of Training & Brand Ambassador Dawn Braithwaite; CRI Director of Operations Dhara Cumberbatch and Church’s Chicken Crew Members Sarafina Semple-Grant and Trayann Atkinson.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, November Tuesday 14, 2017
Escarraga takes MACORP Trophy Jamaica Scorpions to continue splendid golf season avoid last day defeat MACORP executive Guillermo Escarraga led by example, and grabbed the top spot at the 11th Annual MACORP Golf Tournament, which concluded at the Lusignan Golf Club last Saturday. Coming off a great season, with the best net score at the preceding Guyana Open International Golf tournament, Escarraga had promised to bring his A-Game last weekend, and he did. Playing off a 27 handicap, Escarraga, carded a gross 90 for a net 63 beating out second place Troy Cadogan (25) 91 net 66, and Mohan Dinanauth (7) 73 net 66, who placed third. Dinanauth's 73 was good for the best gross while Escarraga was closest to the pin on the Number 4. The greens were running relatively fast and tricky pin positions made for some higher scores among the 40
… Jonathan Carter hits century for Barbados Pride
DESPITE significant interruption by rain, the Jamaica Scorpions still had to dig deep to avoid losing on the final day of their Windies Professional Cricket League 4Day game against the Barbados Pride at Sabina Park on Sunday.
MACORP executive Guillermo Escarraga (centre) poses with his prizes and some of the other top finishers
plus competitors. In thanking MACORP CEO Jorge Medina, LGC president Hilbert Shields noted the company’s long-standing and unconditional support for the club, especially
in his generous lending of equipment for crucial infrastructure projects which will result in more months of golf. All players received golf balls, gloves and tees as part of the sponsorship package.
Medina said for MACORP to sponsor golf was part of a philosophy that people needed healthy active lifestyles as part of a well-rounded life.
GT Beer/BFA/Candy Boss & Antics Promotions Inter-Club 8-a-side football tournament
Edinburgh Gunners blast Rosignol United 3-0; … Berbice Police share points with Arsenals FC EDINBURGH Gunners shot past Rosignol United while Berbice Police and Arsenals FC battled to a draw as the GT Beer/ BFA/Candy Boss & Antics Promotion’s inaugural invitational 8-a-side football tournament continued in Berbice over the weekend at All Saints Church ground in New Amsterdam. Edinburgh Gunners blasted Rosignol United 3-0 while Arsenals FC clung onto the youthful B” Division Police squad for a 2-all draw. The double-header matches, which were attended by a well-supported crowd, saw in the opening match between Arsenals FC and B’ Division Police team, Arsenals’ Derick Taylor opening the scoring in the 8th minute to take the lead after Lomar Reid failed to convert on the kick off with the long shot to goal for the lawmen. Reid, however, made
severe pressure. Carter, 103, was well supported by Shayne Moseley, 50, Shamarh Brooks, 48, and Nurse, 34, as the Pride racked up an imposing 128-run lead. That lead, on the final day, could have meant disaster for the Scorpions,
amends to level the score 1-1. The discipline of the lawmen was demonstrated as
see his team to a 2-1 lead at halftime. On resumption, Arse-
(Right) Joseph Giddings and Ronaldo August are the goalscorers for Gunners.
they took possession of the ball over the experienced Arsenals players and dominated the game. Substitute Vivian Bowling Jr gave Police the lead once again with his first possession of the match. Bowling evaded two defenders and hit home the ball past Arsensals goalkeeper to
nals took the game to the lawmen, who demonstrated their discipline and executed the game plan set out by the technical staff, headed by Deputy Commander Senior Superintendent Edmund Cooper and coach Mark Bradford. They held off their opponent from scoring. But it was the determi-
nation of Arsenals forward Derick Taylor who converted in a goal area scrimmage and equalised at the end of regulation time 2-2. The supporting game saw Edinburgh Gunners thrash Rosignol United 3-0. Gunners marksman Joseph Giddings scored in the first goal in the 22nd minute of the game and scored his second three minutes later to give his team a 2-0 lead at halftime. Gunners’ Ronaldo August was bang on target in the 41st minute to seal victory for his team. Over 30 teams are competing in the tournament sponsored by Banks DIH Limited under GT Beer brand and several other organisations including the National Sports Commission, Jumbo Jet, Guyana Police Force, Homeline, Impressive Signs and Fly Jamaica. The final is set for New Year’s Day at All Saints Church ground.
Jonathan Carter
Batting first, the Scorpions were skittled out amid a few rain interruptions for 176, before being plundered by the Pride, who scored 304-7 declared. Batting a second time, the Scorpions made it to 98-6 before play ended on Sunday, still 30 runs away from making their opponents bat again. The Scorpions were first undone by Kevin Stoute’s 4-58, and Ashley Nurse’s 3-52, before Jonathan Carter’s century put them under
who were pegged back by Jomel Warrican, 3-22. Nurse, 1-40, Justin Greaves, 1-15, and Stoute, 1-2, also posed problems for the Scorpions in their bid to hang on for a draw. Stand-in skipper, Paul Palmer Jr, was the man who provided the fight for the Scorpions, scoring a patient 32 from 115. He was supported by Derval Green, who scored 8 from 28 deliveries to ensure the Scorpions did not lose.
SCOREBOARD SCORPIONS 1st innings 176-8 decl. PRIDE 1st innings (overnight 112 for two) A. Alleyne b Green 3 S. Moseley lbw b Jacobs 50 S. Brooks c Green b Campbell 48 J. Carter c Campbell b Leveridge 103 K. Stoute c Bulli b Thomas 16 K. Williams b Bulli 1 J. Greaves c Taylor b Green 15 A. Nurse not out 34 M. Rampersaud not out 10 Extras: (lb-9, w-3, nb-12) 24 Total: (7 wkts decl., 93.4 overs) 304 Did not bat: S Clarke, J Warrican Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-94, 3-143, 4-179, 5-198, 6-251, 7-257. Bowling: Leveridge 12-2-51-1, Thomas 12-3-51-1, Green 15-359-2, Jacobs 32-5-51-1, Campbell 9.4-1-36-1, Bulli 13-3-47-1. JAMAICA 2nd innings J. Campbell c Greaves b Warrican 10 G. Garvey c wkp .Rampersaud b Greaves 15 A. Fudadin c & b Nurse 10 B. King c Carter b Warrican 10 P. Palmer Jr not out 32 S. Taylor c Alleyne b Warrican 12 D. Bulli lbw b Stoute 0 D. Green not out 8 Extras: (lb-1) 1 Total: (6 wkts, 48 overs) 98 Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-35, 3-37, 4-57, 5-88, 6-89. Bowling: Nurse 17-4-40-1, Greaves 3-1-15-1, Warrican 16-9-223, Williams 6-1-14-0, Stoute 5-3-2-1, Carter 1-0-4-0.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, November Tuesday 14, 2017
Shotokan Karate-Do Guyana National tournament a huge success … Special trophies awarded to Amin, Rodrigues, Black and Morgan
LAST Saturday, the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall experienced an explosion of energy with the Shotokan Karate-Do of Guyana (SHOKOGUY) 2017 National Karate Tournament, after being declared open by Chief Instructor, Sensei Christopher ChavesGodan. Chaves-Godan was introduced by secretary of the organisation, Marlon George, who acknowledged Sensei
Chaves’ past achievements both in competition and administration as well as in the development of the Japan Karate Association (JKA) and the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) in Guyana. In his opening remarks, Sensei Chaves shared the vision of the ISKF which is fully embraced by Shotokan Karate-Do of Guyana to provide the highest quality of Shotokan karate
instructions to all participants through the practice of Master Funakoshi’s teachings, philosophy, and principles. Sensei Chaves highlighted the need to have an organisation with the highest level of integrity, leadership, and technical competency. He also spoke of the need to guide students in the development of character. Participants were encouraged to compete to the best of
their ability with respect and dignity. Spectators had the opportunity to witness a well-executed demonstration of attack-defensive movements followed by breaking of boards. This was done by senior black belt students Alex Rodrigues and Shaqueel Amin. The Tournament proceeded smoothly, as over 55 karatekas from the Headquarter Dojo-National Park, George-
town International Academy Dojo and Craig Dojo, E.B.D competed for top honours in individual kata, kumite, and team kata events in various age and rank divisions. Competition was of a very high standard in both the Junior and Senior divisions. The tournament concluded with Sensei Chaves thanking parents, sponsors, supporters, judges, volunteers and competitors for making the tournament a huge suc-
cess. The medals were distributed by Referees- Sensei Neville Holder, Sensei Marvin Singh and Sensei Shermon Kyte. Special trophies were awarded to Akeem Morgan - Best Junior Male Competitor, Loren Black Best Junior Female, Nyota Rodrigues - Best Female Competitor and Shaqueel Amin - Best Male Competitor.
Participants of Shotokan Karate-Do of Guyana 2017 National Karate Tournament following its completion at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Golden Jaguars ready to roar against ‘Soca Warriors’ tonight in Couva TONIGHT, at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, Trinidad, Guyana’s Golden Jaguars, the country’s senior national football team, will do battle against the ‘Soca Warriors’ in an official FIFA International Friendly. On November 11, 2011 at the Guyana National Stadium, the ‘Golden Jaguars roared to a 2-1 win over the ‘Soca Warriors’ to end the Twin Island Republic’s 2014 World Cup hopes, and, at the time, created history by reaching, for the first time, the penultimate round of the CONCACAF leg of the qualifiers. Tonight’s match will be the 21st meeting between the two countries in the sport, with the first being in 1978. The ‘Soca Warriors’ have won 14 of those meetings, while four matches ended in a draw. Guyana’s last victory was on November 11, 2011 and their first was a 4-0 win in the Island’s capital. Interim head coach Wayne Dover’s 18-man squad includes three TT Pro League players - goalkeep-
ers Akil Clarke (North East Stars) and Andrew Durant (San Juan Jabloteh) and striker Sheldon Holder (Morvant Caledonia United). The Guyana team, who are ranked 165th in the world by FIFA, are led by versatile defender Sam Cox, a 27-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur Academy player who now plies his trade for Wealdstone FC in England’s National League South. Terence Vancooten, a 19-year-old defender, is also in the squad and he is a talent to watch, being the only member of the England-based contingent to feature in England’s Football League, where he plays for Stevenage FC in League 2. Guyana’s biggest threat, attacking midfielder Neil Danns, misses the game for unspecified reasons. That will be a massive blow for the team because the Bury FC player dominates the midfield when he plays and has proved to be a very dominant player on the CFU stage. However, Warren Creavalle, another powerful
midfielder who features in the MLS for Philadelphia Union, has been called up to the squad after missing Guyana’s last game versus Grenada through injury. His availability is a big boost to the team. The squad includes Kadell Daniel, a pacy winger, who is arguably Guyana’s trump card. Having recently found form for Dover Athletic in England’s National League, he is set to make his debut for the Senior Team after having played for the Under-23 Olympic squad in 2015. Trinidadian fans will know all about Gregory Richardson, the former Joe Public striker who famously scored a hat-trick against MLS side New England Revolution in 2008. Now 35 years old, Richardson is no longer the lethal marksman he once was but he does still have an air of unpredictability about him when he plays. Richardson will most likely feature from the bench, with former MLS striker Emery Welshman, a clever striker whose injury-plagued
career so far has yet to see him truly reach his potential, almost a certainty to start up front. Goalkeepers: Akil Clarke (North East Stars FC), Andrew Durant (San Juan Jabloteh FC); Defenders: Christopher Bourne (Islington Admiral United FC, England), Jake Newton (Walton & Hersham FC, England), Jelani Smith (Sigma FC, Canada), Samuel Cox (Wealdstone FC, England), Terence Vancooten (Stevenage FC, England). Midfielders: Brandon Beresford (Rochester Rhinos FC-USA), Warren Creavalle (Philadelphia Union USA), Dwain Jacobs (Police FC, Guyana), Anthony Benfield (Alpha United FC, Guyana), Kadell Daniel (Dover Athletic FC, England), Daniel Jodah (Sigma FC, Canada). Forwards: Shaquille Agard (Durham United FC, Canada), Emery Welshman (Puerto Rico Islanders, USA), Sheldon Holder (Caledonia), Gregory Richardson (Pele FC, Guyana), Devonte Small (Reynir FC, Iceland).
EBFA/Ralph Green U-11 League
Grove through to semis; battle still on for final three slots GROVE Hi Tech survived a spirited attack from the Diamond Upsetters side to earn an equal share of the points in their final group match when the second annual Ralph Green-sponsored East Bank Football Association Under-11 league knockout tournament continued on Saturday last at the Grove Playfield. Contesting the feature match of the morning, the high-riding Grove team was kept on the back foot for most of the encounter and couldn’t even convert either of two penalties awarded to them towards the end of the 30-minute match. Diamond Upsetters, one of two new clubs in the competition, came close to
scoring on two occasions but were denied in a gem that they dominated; the match ended 0-0. Herstelling Raiders were needled by Friendship All Stars; the latter scoring in the penultimate minute of the match through Tyree Thuesdee’s goal. The other match of the day was another 0-0 stalemate between Samatta Point Kaneville and Mocha Champs. The battle for the final three spots in the final four will heat up over the next few Saturdays. Mocha Champs have completed their quota of seven (7) matches and have 9 points, the same as Herstelling Raiders and Diamond United who both have a game in hand.
Latest Points Table Team P Grove Hi Tech 7 4 Herstelling Raiders 6 Diamond United 6 Mocha Champs 7 Samatta Point/Kane. 6 Agricola 5 Diamond Upsetters 4 Friendship 5
W 1 3 3 2 2 2 1 1
L 2 3 3 2 2 3 1 3
D 19 0 0 3 2 0 2 1
GF 5 9 5 10 4 13 2 3
GA GD Points +14 14 14 -5 9 9 -4 9 10 0 9 8 -4 8 6 +7 6 3 -1 5 11 -8 4
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, November Tuesday 14, 2017
Kanhai stars as Jets fly past Ravens to retain Brusche’s Basketball Classic title
TOURNAMENT Most Valuable Player (MVP) Akeem ‘The Dream’ Kanhai was sensational at both ends of the court as he helped propel the Amelia’s Ward Jets to back-to-back Brusche’s Basketball Classic titles and made them $300 000 richer, following their 55-44 points win over Ravens last weekend at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court. Kanhai, regarded as one of Guyana’s top players, scored 17 points, grabbed 11 boards, while picking up three steals and three blockshots, in a well-rounded performance for the Jets. Jets guard Neil Simon
returned to competitive basketball with an inspiring 11 points while Adrian Webster also had a good game for 10 points 16 rebounds. For the Ravens who had to settle for the second-place prize of $200 000, Omar Walton played well for 10 points, Ryan Gullen had nine and Ryan Stephney was held to five points. In the third place playoff game, Shelroy Thomas poured in a game-high 33 points as the Colts defeated Victory Valley Royals 90-75. Harold Adams, who scored 111 points in the LABA league this year, netted 23 points for the Royals. After a slow start and a
4-4 stalemate within the first five minutes of the encounter, Ravens were ahead at the end of the first quarter 14-12 and by the end of the second
Akeem ‘The Dream’ Kanhai receives his MVP trophy from the organisers after helping the Jets defeat Ravens 55-44 at the MSC Hard Court.
Red Force nipping at the heels of leaders Guyana Jaguars BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago Red Force are
in Volcanoes second innings. With the success, Red
Shivnanrine Chanderpaul hit 109 for the Jaguars also in the third round.
now nipping at the heels of leaders Guyana Jaguars, after their big win in the third round of the Regional Four-Day Championship last weekend. Red Force trounced Windward Islands Volcanoes by 10 wickets inside three days at Queen’s Park Oval, after yet another strong batting display where they piled up 402 and then dismissed Volcanoes cheaply in both innings, to be left with a simple victory target of 24. Captain Denesh Ramdin and Jason Mohammed both got hundreds for Red Force – two of three in the game after Devon Smith also reached three figures
and earn a draw. Hurricanes, who started the round in second
Red Force captain Denesh Ramdin … scored a hundred in the third round.
Force moved into second place in the standings on 41.4 points, just five points behind three-time reigning champions Jaguars who escaped defeat on the final day of their contest against Leeward Islands Hurricanes. Jaguars, who has led from the start of the tournament last month, suffered a batting meltdown at Warner Park in St Kitts and were forced to follow on, after Hurricanes raised 412 for nine declared in their first innings. The visitors needed veteran left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul’s 77th first hundred – a stellar 109 – to thwart Hurricanes on the final day
quarter the City side still held a three-point advantage (28-25). The initial tussle in front of a good crowd saw both
spot, now lie third on 38.6 points, with the top three teams all unbeaten so far in the tournament. Barbados Pride, who drew with Jamaica Scorpions in the rain-hit day/night affair at Sabina Park, are fourth on 23.2 points while Scorpions are fifth on 18.2. Volcanoes, who have lost two of three so far, lie bottom on 15.6 points. In round four bowling off on Thursday, Red Force host Jaguars at the Brian Lara Stadium in a top-of-the-table day/night clash, Hurricanes welcome Scorpions to Warner Park while Pride travel to Arnos Vale Stadium to take on Volcanoes.
sides with problems executing from the perimeter as the defence collapsed on both ends of the floor. The shooting abilities of Orin Rose of the Jets and Ryan Gullen for Ravens were expected to be factors in this game but never actually materialised. It was left for Kanhai to orchestrate as his team’s offence as with four minutes, 30 seconds (4:30) left, he penetrated to hand his team the lead permanently 31-30. Kanhai took command at both ends of the floor and opened the game and scored seven of his 17 points within the pivotal third quarter as the Jets stepped up their
game to outscore the Ravens 20-6 and take control 45-34 when the penultimate quarter ended. Meanwhile, president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Nigel Hinds, secretary of the Linden Amateur basketball Association Joseph Chapman and Dennis Clarke all received plaques for their contributions to basketball over the years. Deshanna Skeete, Guyana’s South American Youth Games 400m winner and CARIFTA Games gold medallist Compton Caesar were also honoured by the Brusche’s Basketball Foundation.
Fruta conquer GDF to win GFF ‘Big Four’ tournament … Buxton needle Victoria Kings for third place FRUTA Conquerors toppled National Club Champions, Guyana Defence Force (GDF), 1-0 on Sunday at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, to win the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) ‘Big Four’ tournament, which featured the top four clubs from the STAG Elite League. Thanks to Eon Alleyne’s goal in the 13th minute, Fruta Conquerors walked away with $1.5M while the GDF, winners of the STAG Elite League, will head back to barracks with $700 000. Commenting on his team’s victory, Dellon Williams, captain of the Fruta Conquerors FC, dedicated the win to the hard-work-
ing members of the club, stating that preparations were hampered by the inclement weather, leaving a very soggy Tucville Community Ground, the club’s home ground. Nonetheless, Williams said the team showed great strength to battle a hardnosed GDF side, after facing them, following a 5-1 semi-final win over Victoria Kings at the same venue last Friday. “We executed our gameplan; that’s how we came out victorious. The finishing wasn’t the best but our team plan was to absorb the pressure because we know the Defence Force and how they play, especially in the first 20 minutes of the game,”
said Williams. Keevin Sullivan, GDF captain, said that while the club is obviously disappointed by not coming out victorious, they are, however, looking forward to the new season of the STAG Elite League, where they promise to exact revenge. Meanwhile, in the third place game, Keveron Durant scored in the 33rd minute to lift Buxton United over Victoria Kings 1-0 to win $500 000. The Victoria-based team received $300 000. GDF’s Enoch Carmichael was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and rode away with a new Honda XR150L motorcycle.
A GDF player (left) was left in ‘ruins’ by this Fruta Conquerors competitor during Sunday’s GFF ‘Big Four’ Final.
Red Force nipping at the heels of leaders Guyana Jaguars
Page 23
Prince, Persaud dominate local circuit … Vieira, Jeffrey crowned champion drivers
By Stephan Sookram IT was nothing short of an epic day at the South Dakota Racing Circuit when the final leg of the Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championships concluded on Sunday. The near 20 000 fans at the South Dakota facility were treated to a spectacular day of racing over the weekend, complete with SR3 Radical displays and drifting action. Meanwhile on track, it was all Mark Vieira in his RX8 who swept the all-wheel drive class of the Caribbean Motor Racing championship. Vieira with two wins and one second place finish beat out Mark Maloney of Barbados who only picked up one podium finish. In the four-wheel drive class, the man who dominated was Kristian Jeffrey and his Mitsubishi Evolution, after a racing incident put Barbados’ Roger Mayers and his Ford Focus out of contention early. Mayers and Jeffrey were battling for the lead in the first race when the Barbadian had his plans to sneak up on the inside thwarted by the Guyanese, resulting in his being forced into the sand and Jeffrey retiring a lap later. Rupie Shewjattan took race one with Jeffrey
returning for races two and three. In Group three, a smash-and-grab performance by Vishok Persaud ensured that his Lotus ran unbeaten throughout the day, with Stefan Jeffrey finishing second until he damaged his gear box before the final race. In Group two, there were wins for Chet Singh (Race 1), Shairaz Roshandin (Race 2) and Mark Thompson (Race 3). The Beharry Starlet cup saw two wins for Rameez Mohamed after he had lost the race the previous day to Anand Ramchand. The Sports Tuner class was picked up by Daniel Deokie who continued his dominance in the class by sweeping it with Anand Ramchand picking up second twice and Mohamed Ahmad second as well. The Street Tuner was dominated by Roshan Ali who picked up two firsts and one second-place finish while Narine Dasrat had the reverse. The ship carrying the Trinidadian cars arrived in Guyana on Sunday and were given priority unloading and transportation to the track with the help of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). A cocktail reception to announce the CMRC winners was held last night.
Mark Vieira in his RX8 that swept the all-wheel drive class of the Caribbean Motor Racing championship. He finished with two wins and one second place (Samuel Maughn photo)
Fernandes showers praises on Church’s Chicken signs male and female hockey teams on to GFF Elite League Page 20
Guyana’s hockey teams in Jamaica
Page 20
CRI’s Director of Finance, Christine Bennett-Blair, hands over sponsorship cheque to GFF’s Dion Inniss.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER, 14, 2017