Guyana Chronicle Epaper 18 11 2017

Chronixx: ‘Here for the love, not for the likes!’

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House clears $8B No. 105100

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2017

Price: $80 (VAT Inclusive)

…for constitutional agencies

… PM raps opposition for dilatory tactics Link seen in ‘Sagga’ murder and recapture of ‘Smallie’

Courts lights up Main St

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Mattai’s promises ‘a whole new experience’ Page 16

--with opening of new food ‘mart’

Santa and Mrs Claus making their grand entrance into a packed-to-capacity Main Street on Friday evening as furniture giant, Courts Guyana Inc. hosted its 17th Annual Christmas Tree Light-up (Adrian Narine photo)

Speaker roasts PPP

…for ‘unworthy’ parliamentary conduct

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M&CC to pay November salaries with amnesty funds Page 12

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 18, 2017

Scores gather to see Santa come to town –– for annual Courts Main St lightup

Awaiting the lights and the arrival of Santa and Mrs Claus last evening on downtown Main Street

FOR one evening around this time for the last 17 or so years, children would fill a section of Main Street, just outside the big yellow-and-blue building, waiting for the trees above them to light up and for the man in the red suit to put in his appearance.

The occasion is the annual Courts Guyana Inc. grand Christmas Tree Light-Up to usher in the Yuletide Season.

This year, children and parents alike were treated to a festive show. And there was no mistaking their delight when local favourite, Charmaine Blackman took to the stage, all decked out as Mrs. Claus and sang the Christmas classics leaving no one silent.

But then it quickly became a Very Merry Guyanese Christmas when she decided to do her signature song, ‘Gi dem mo fi talk!’

As the evening progressed, the Prime Minister’s wife, Mrs Sita Nagamootoo delivered the feature address, stressing the importance of the Christmas season in acknowledging and celebrating all good things. She also reminded of the importance of remembering the less fortunate.

At intermission time, she led the countdown to the light up of the trees overhead.

And as the lights flickered on, illuminating the faces of the children, the show

continued as the Courts casting call winner, Esther Thomas put her spin on the holiday tunes while stand-up comedian Mark `Chiney Man’ Kazim kept the audience in stitches.

But it was Mark Batson and Calvin Burnette that had them going wild with their musical selections and antics. This was complemented by the usual energetic hiphop performances from the Euphoria Dance Crew and angelic voice of Saiku.

At the end of the night’s event, all heads turned towards Santa Claus and his friends atop his pseudo-sleigh.

With ‘Santa Claus is coming to town’ ringing through the night, all heads turned towards ole Saint Nick. In a usual fashion, Santa and his pals gyrated for the crowd.

This year, Disney Princess Pocahontas and the minions joined in the fun.

Courts Commercial Director, Joel Persico highlighted that for 24 years, Courts has been committed to serve the Guyanese people and this light up is just one of the ways it has strived to do so.

For this Christmas season also, Persico highlighted the Christmas Deal of the Season from Courts: Nothing Down till January 2018, where customers can shop and pay nothing until January 2018.

The Happy Feet dance troupe in action last evening at the Courts Annual Christmas ‘do’ on Main Street (Photos by Adrian Narine)

Speaker roasts PPP 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 18, 2017

… for ‘unworthy’ parliamentary conduct

… draws attention to poor grammar, spelling on placards

By Ariana Gordon SPEAKER of the National Assembly (NA) Dr Barton Scotland on Friday upbraided Members of Parliament (MPs) of the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) for disrupting the President during a placard-bearing protest in the House two weeks ago.

On that occasion, President David Granger addressed the House, but while addressing the assembly at the opening of the session

after recess, the President’s adress was overshadowed by the opposition MPs who decided that it was the opportune time to protest the President’s appointment of Justice (ret’d) James Patterson to the post of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

However, on Friday Dr Scotland said the opposition’s behaviour represented a new paradigm for conducting business in the House, while noting that parliamentarians are not prevented

from passionately expressing their views, noting that there are existing rules which protect all members rights to speak, to hear and be heard.

“It seems from recent events that the virtues we uphold in undertaking our business here are under attack,” said the Speaker of the House.

He noted too the use of placards during the President’s address and pointed to paper being raised with poor spelling and grammar.

Describing the situation as “unusual conduct,” the

speaker said the use of placards allowed the faces of the said parliamentarians to be visible.

Dr Scotland pointed out too that one placard spoke in support of democracy and free speech and “it seemed to the Speaker then and now, that such calls in the context in which they were made were supremely ironic.” The Speaker made it clear that the behaviour of the parliamentary opposition descended into a realm more suitable for a place other than the National Assembly, while noting that from all indications, the said parliamentarians were not embarrassed by their performance.

“Their performance, unworthy of this House, demonstrates how honourable members can keep See page 5

FLASHBACK: Opposition Members of Parliament in protest as President David Granger addressed the National Assembly two weeks ago (Delano Williams Photo)

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland (Adrian Narine Photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 18, 2017

House clears $8B for constitutional agencies … PM raps opposition for dilatory tactics

By Svetlana Marshall

OVER $8B was approved in the National Assembly for 16 constitutional bodies but not before a heated debate from both sides of the House at the level of the Committee of Supply, over the government’s decision to adjust some of the proposals put forward by agencies such as the Parliament Office and the Office of the Auditor General.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in a passionate presentation said the opposition PPP who had prorogued Parliament- describing the act as them cutting the throat and stabbing democracy in the back - should be ashamed to now come to the House and “pretend” as if they care.

Lack of proper procurement planning was among the reasons cited for the cuts.

Collectively, the constitutional bodies had requested a total of $10.293B but only $8.057B was approved, with Finance Minister, Winston

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo making a passionate presentation in the House Jordan explaining that the took into account the eco- for 2018, given our projecrecommended allocations nomic outlook for 2018 for tions for revenue, given our revenue, expenditure and projections for borrowing, growth in the economy. and given the sustainability The government, he said, for all those and the fact that also took into consideration in all the cases, not only for the challenges faced in im- constitutional agencies, but in plementing programmes and all cases there was an abject projects in 2017, and even failure to recognise these 2016. For the Parliament constraints and submit budOffice, the Finance Minis- gets in line with the budget ter’s proposal of $1.578B circular of July,” Minister was approved after a heated Jordan explained. debate over the decision to But Opposition Chief cut the $1.739B which was Whip, Gail Teixeira said originally requested by that while an explanation was constitutional agency. given, they do not know what In defence of his deci- the macro-economic outlook sion, Minister Jordan told for 2018 is and would not the Committee of Supply that be able to vote effectively Saturday November 18th, 04:30 - 14:30 hrs all of the budgetary agencies on the matter. “We must Sunday November 19th, - 05:30 hrs and ministries failed to take have a framework, a fiscal into account the challenges framework within which the Monday November 20th, - 05:00 hrs facing the country. “Given minister is deciding who gets our macro-economic outlook what, otherwise it becomes

capricious,” the Opposition Chief Whip told the Committee of Supply.

It was on that note that Teixeira recommended that in future, the presentation of the annual budget must precede the consideration of budgetary proposals, including those from the Constitutional bodies. The opposition parliamentarian argued too, that since the Finance Minister has opted not to disclose the projections for 2018, then consideration of the budget estimates for the constitutional agencies should be postponed until the annual budget is read on November 27. When her attempts to put a pause on the consideration failed, Teixeira then moved a motion for the sum requested by the Parliament Office be approved in full, but she fell short in securing the support of the majority at the level of the committee.

A similar argument erupted when the recommended budgetary allocation for the Office of the Auditor General was being considered.

That constitutional body had requested $844.4M but a reduced sum of $783.8 was put forward by the Finance Ministry. Holding fast to his position, the Finance Minister went one step further in justifying his ministry’s decision to reduce the budgetary requests made by 13 of the 16 constitutional agencies. Alluding to the circular which was issued to the various ministries, agencies and constitutional bodies, Minister Jordan said it spoke to the lack of proper procurement planning, especially with respect to the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) in almost all of the requesting entities. “The realities of 2017 and in many respects even 2016 suggested that the budgets were given to several agencies….would not have been able to utilise the budget because of a range of issues, problems to do with human resources in some of the agencies, problems to do with capacities within the private sector to execute, and problems to do with understanding of the procurement process,” Minister Jordan explained.

He was the first to admit that the inherited problems will take some time before the implementing agencies

reach the desired level, but emphasised that government is working with several of the agencies to “iron out some of the problems.” “So this particular budget we emphasised the need for agencies to show us their ability to spend sums of money that would have been allocated to them,” Minister Jordan said. Hinting at the 2018 Annual Budget, Minister Jordan said the Finance Ministry received a collective request of over $600B for 2018, when the 2017 Budget totalled $250B. According to him, the 2018 Budget will not be significantly higher than the 2017 budget.

So, you can see our difficulties in trying to look at a 600-plus billion-dollar request when resources are not even at $300B,” Minister Jordan pointed out.

ATTEMPT TO FRUSTRATE Weighing in on the issue, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in a very passionate presentation, told the Committee that there continue to be attempts by the opposition to frustrate the work of the National Assembly.

“Sir, earlier today we approved a resolution setting out the time frame within which each of the constitutional agencies will be considered. It was the Business Sub-Committee of the National Assembly that brought the resolution with the concurrence of both sides of this honourable House.

What we have here in all are five hours, but what we have here, if you permit me, Sir, is an attempt at procrastination to defeat the resolution of the National Assembly, which the Rules and the Standing Orders of the House do not entertain in terms of any dilatory motion or attempt at such motions. But we have seen motions from the floor as another mechanism, another ruse to frustrate the work of this National Assembly,” Nagamootoo said.

He said the Standing Orders, first of all, Standing Order 76, says that if you were to move an amendment when a matter is before the Committee of Supply, (and we are in the See page 5

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 18, 2017

House clears $8B ...

From page 4

Committee of Supply), it needs a notice to be given of the motion of amendment.

“We have heard from the honourable Opposition on that side --the noisy opposition that is boisterous and destabilising that they can move the motion to put the submission by the constitutional agency to a vote. What is the practice here, Sir? And, if you allow me, I want to say that it was this side of the House, the APNU/AFC coalition government that moved these agencies from

Statutory Agencies to Constitutional Agencies against the opposition of that side of the House -- persistent opposition. Why? Because we wanted to honour the provision of the constitution, Article 222 of the constitution, that is an overarching protection for Constitutional Agencies and to protect their independence.”

The prime minister said when they (opposition) were in the government, “these honourable members refused to guarantee the independence

of this National Assembly.

They refused to guarantee the independence of the judiciary, they refused to guarantee the independence of the Elections Commission, so that they can manipulate them, using finance as a weapon of control and manipulation. And I must speak the truth to these honourable members; because they are speaking with forked tongues here today in this honourable House, when they come here to defend the constitutional agencies.”

“What a day of shame!!

Speaker roasts ...

From page 3

disrespecting the House,” stated the Speaker, who reminded that the rules broken during the 71st Sitting of the NA are the same which protect the rights of all members including those who were part of the “exceptional parliamentary misconduct.”

Dr Scotland maintained that there was nothing which “warranted the inexcusable and irredeemable performance of the honourable members.”

He said too that the relevant Standing Orders require silence when another member is speaking.

Placards he told the House could only be utilised in the House through the permission of the Speaker, who can set the terms and conditions deemed appropriate. “At that sitting, the Speaker was neither requested nor did he grant permission for placards or pamphlets whether with poor spelling or otherwise to be brought into this House,” said

Dr Scotland, while noting that the opposition MPs were inviting the intervention of the Speaker to acquire for themselves a new opportunity, but the “speaker remained oblivious” to their invitation.

He noted that if the intention was to prevent the delivery of the President’s message to the National Assembly, then the purpose for which the 71st sitting of the NA was called was fulfilled, as the Hansard provides the fullness of the text. “The presence of HE the President in the NA is an occasion… which Guyanese who are members of the NA should gather to demonstrate respect to the state of Guyana and the personification of the state through the presence of the President,” the Speaker stated.

He noted that such a time is one for demonstration of all that is good and wholesome within the House, “attentiveness and fine manners.” The Speaker reckoned that the pro-

ceedings of the 71st Sitting of the NA were viewed in other jurisdictions.

“The fact is that while some honourable members while taking the benefit which flows from the House appear to want to hold themselves free to disregard the very rules of the very House from which they hold benefit…yet, the very rules in [sic] which they disregard are the very rules under whose protection they came to sit and speak in the NA,” said Dr Scotland, who said same should be a source of deep contemplation and introspection concerning their future conduct.

He said those members who showed unacceptable parliamentary conduct in the display projected to such farflung places as our broadcast was seen. “The display shown by some honourable members was most intemperate and misguided… Let it be recorded

That those people who stabbed the constitutional agencies in the back and cut the throats of the constitutional agencies can set themselves up here today as defenders of these agencies.

Sir, I speak passionately on this issue, Your Honour, because I am seeing the various attempts by members of this House to frustrate the consideration of these estimates.

The Constitution Sir, the law - the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act and its Amendment- provides for the Minister of Finance to issue a Budget Circular. Within the Budget Circular, under Section 7 of the Act, it says that the minister shall give the guidance as to the state of finances that this house strongly deprecates the conduct shown by some honourable members…I have in the past reminded members that they are called upon by their conduct to show veneration to this house. I repeat that call.”

Additionally, Dr Scotland noted that differences of views and opinions may always be prosecuted in the House, but should be done with decorum and respect. He stressed that such forms of behaviour should not be visited in the NA. Notwithstanding the public outcry of the opposition’s behaviour during the President’s address some two weeks ago, Jagdeo, who led the placard protests in the House, sought to justify his party’s behaviour.

The PPP has refused to listen to the President’s address in the NA since the coalition government took office and according to the opposition leader, his party has “walked out in the past and not listened to the President, when there were other breaches of the constitution.”

for their considerations of what have to be taken by agencies in submitting their proposals.”

Nagamootoo said it cannot be an open-ended proposal, it cannot be fiscal irresponsibility in making these proposals, it must be within the framework of national affordability and that was what was guiding the other side when they were over here. “(But they prorogued the National Assembly to destroy parliamentary democracy). That was what they were talking about, that we could not afford and the nation’s workers had to be contending with five percent wage increases and no more in one year. So, I say this today that this Parliament, this National Assembly, should move on with the recommendations made by the Minister of Finance and that the question be put because you cannot interrogate the constitutional agencies. They are a lumpsum presented here. And so today, I want this dilatory tactics to be put to an end, because it

violates the Standing Orders of this House.”

Notwithstanding the opposition tactics, when it came down to the decision, the budgetary estimates as recommended by the Finance Ministry were approved. The Office of the Ombudsman in 2018 will receive $57.8M, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) $86M, the Judicial Service Commission $10.02M, the Indigenous People’s Commission $25.6M, Human Rights Commission $31.1M, the Rights of the Child Commission $42.6M, Women and Gender Equality Commission $43.1M, the Public Service Appellate Tribunal $51.8M, the Supreme Court $1.874B,The Director of Public Prosecutions $174.2M, Public Procurement Commission $177.6M, Public and Police Service Commission $95.1M, Teaching Service Commission $125.1M, and the Guyana Elections Commission $2.9B.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE, November Saturday 18, 2017

The Guyana/Brazil road project IN 2013, the Government of Guyana was the recipient of funding from the Inter-American Development Bank to engage in studies for the construction of a road to facilitate the movement of goods from northern Brazil to Port Georgetown. This study has been completed and its final results were handed over to the government.

In delivering the government’s remarks at a ceremony held to hand over the report, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson said among other things, that: “Guyana can increase the competitiveness of its exports, and lower maritime costs. Guyana can also benefit from stimulating activity along the road leading to regional economic benefits in terms of employment and GDP. When we also take into account the need for tolling, this may also take another dimension of economic returns for Guyana.”

In the 1970s when the project for building such a road was conceptualised, the objective of the Forbes Burnham administration was to link the communities in Region Seven, Eight, Nine and 10, with easy access to Georgetown, for the growth and development of Guyana and Guyanese.

Such linkages had as its primary aim to open markets, primary and secondary, for local produce. For example, this road is supposed to facilitate food grown in the hinterland moving to the coastland; improving and optimising the logging industry in Regions Seven, Eight, Nine and 10; miners and traders travelling not

only in comfort, but in shorter time to and from various locations.

It was felt too that with the road infrastructure, wastage would have been minimised, since it would have been easier for producers and sellers to move their products and produce to and from the marketplace.

Notwithstanding the justification now being used to build this road, now dubbed the Georgetown/Brazil road, Guyana cannot lose sight of maximising opportunities for its indigenous development. Direct efforts to ensure sustainable economic development for Guyanese must not be lost sight of, though it is recognized that primacy is being given to facilitating Brazil having access to the Atlantic port in the shorter time. In addition to Guyana, Guyanese must also be major beneficiaries.

Prioritisation of things that matter to Guyana and Guyanese is important to nation-building and forging the sense of nationhood from which nationalism springs. Guyana cannot afford to pay the price where our interests are put on the backburner, our culture faces erosion, our resources exploited not for our benefit, citizens’ rights transgressed, and more so keeping persons trapped in perpetual poverty.

It is to the nation and its people’s advantage should its government place emphasis on linking the hinterland communities with the capital as a matter of policy and priority.

The benefits to be derived from such focus not only stand

to increase production and productivity within and around communities, but also population movement and development with the increasing movement of skills and talents from around Guyana, and easier movement of goods and improvement in services both ways. The hinterland communities have a high level of poverty. Building infrastructures to benefit these communities will create employment and economic opportunities, direct and indirect. Regions Seven, Eight, Nine and 10 can also play a more assertive role in Guyana improving and competing in products such as cashew nuts, palm oil, guava cheese and fruit juices, which are in demand in the marketplace, local and international.

The objective of any developmental project reaps greater dividends when it starts with Guyanese as the focus. When the indigenous objectives are being met, the benefits derived by country and partners are assured.

Georgetown municipality cannot deliver unless measures are put in place to broaden its revenue base Dear Editor, I NOTED with interest a letter published in the media written by Dr. Leslie Ramsammy. In the letter he assailed the mayor, town clerk, etc. of Georgetown.

It is not for me to comment on the first part of his letter, but leave that to the officials now in place to deal with it.

My concern is either the myopia or a deliberate attempt to deceive the public on the events that led to the IMC (Interim Management Committee) headed by Dr. James Rose.

In his anxiety to peddle characteristic propaganda, he quite improperly invested Dr. Rose with the title of mayor.

Dr. Rose was named Chairman of the Interim Management Committee that managed Georgetown from 1992 up to the time of the Local Government Elections in 1994.

The facts briefly are as follows: a) After the PPP won the elections in 1992, it is clear Freedom House could not tolerate governance of the City being in the hands of a PNC Council. The newly elected Government set out to suffocate and frustrate the Council headed by a decent man, Mayor Compton Young.

The situation worsened as the PPP’s leadership began to describe the Councillors as rascals, being stupid and generally describing the Council in uncomplimentary terms Then Leader of the PNC, Desmond Hoyte, was so disgusted that he persuaded the Mayor

and Councillors to resign en block. They all did with the exception of Harold( “Lightweight”) Kissoon.

The PPP then installed a Committee headed by Dr. James Rose as Chairman to manage the affairs of the City. Once the IMC (PPP appointees) was in place, the government facilitated this IMC with money, machinery and management.

The idea of course was for the IMC to look good and therefore enhance the fortunes of the PPP in the upcoming Georgetown Municipal Elections. This ruse had limited affect,for at those elections, the GGG (Good and Green Georgetown), led by myself gained 12 of the 30seats, the PNC secured 10 seats and the PPP eight seats It is instructive to note that Dr. James Rose and the IMC, in spite of the massive help and outpourings of goodwill by the PPP Government, stated that taxes and rates and other revenues available to the Georgetown M&CC were insufficient to provide citizens a satisfactory service.

When I became Mayor in 1994, I took into account the wisdom of the IMC’s position that additional resources were necessary to manage the City. I therefore proposed among other measures a Lottery for the City or State to garner the additional funds necessary. The Late Haslyn Parris assisted in identifying and negotiating a group that was prepared to run the Lottery with a portion of the profit for the benefit of the City and citizens.

A delegation including Philomena Sahoye-Shury and Robert Williams, met with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds who was then performing the duties of President.

Mr. Hinds told my delegation that the PPP Government could not support the venture because they feared opposition from religious and other bodies opposed to every form of gambling.

On this I make no further comments that subsequent events prove the hypocrisy and trickery of that statement by the Honourable, and I repeat, Honourable Samuel Archibald Hinds.

According to the constitution, the mayoral term should last 3 years and each year it is the Councillors who would elect the mayor.

At the first session, the GGG majority prevailed and I became mayor. After that, Dr. Jagan engaged me in conversations about the mayoralty and proposed that we give the second term to the PNC and that the third term to elect a PPP person as mayor. Dr. Jagan told me that such a proposal would sit well with the principles of socialist democracy.

I told Dr. Jagan that I was attracted to the idea, but why not extend this principle to sharing some ministerial portfolios with the PNC. That brought an end to our conservation.

I cannot say if Mr. Hoyte or persons in the PNC bought the idea, but at the 1995-96 election for mayor, the PNC (10) and the PPP (8) combined their votes and that is how Ranwell Jordan was elected mayor.

It is clear that during his tenure at Office, Mayor Jordan did not get the support expected from the Government. From the outset, I saw Dr. Jagan’s proposal to have a PPP Mayor in place for the third and final term as an attempt to win the support of Georgetown.

The PPP Government would have given the PPP Mayor their full backing and support so that mayor would look good and bolster the fortunes of the PPP in Georgetown for elections expected to be held in 1997-98. As the boy said as an old political (war-horse) I quickly saw this Trojan horse trick of the PPP. The rest is history.

The PNC soon discovered that the PPP could not be trusted and so at the next bout the GGG majority again prevailed and I became mayor once more.

The lack of support and deliberate sabotage by the PPP government is no secret.

It was a real horror story, the worst being during the infamous regime of Town Clerk, Carol Sooba.

In all of this political struggle the victims were the citizens who then deserved a better service. I thought I should set the record straight, since Dr. Leslie Ramsammy in his letter sought to ignore the above facts. The truth is the Georgetown municipality cannot deliver unless measures are put in place to broaden its revenue base – the term used by the IMC. Regards Hamilton Green

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, November Saturday 18, 2017

Caribbean private sector must seek better relations with U.S. Dear Editor THERE have been strong calls for the private sector in the Caribbean to become more actively engaged in lobbying and other efforts to enhance the region’s relations with the United States, notwithstanding President Donald Trump’s announced “America first” policy.

The calls came during a session Friday morning at the 41st annual Conference on the Caribbean and Latin America, which focused on the Outlook and Opportunities for U.S./Regional Cooperation.

The calls came from both government and private sector officials who shared the view that the U.S. remains the major trading partner with the Caribbean Region and enjoys a significant trade surplus, which in the case of one CARICOM member state, Barbados, stood at half a billion U.S. dollars in 2015. Participants in the discussion agreed that

there should be more regional private sector engagements in the efforts to take advantage of the provisions of the new U.S. Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act, which was signed into law last December by then President Barack Obama. The Act mandates the United States State Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to consult with stakeholders in the Region and the diaspora with a view to identifying priorities and programmes in several areas including sustainable development, trade, investment, security, health and education, among others.

Barbados Ambassador to the United States Selwin Hart, one of the lead speakers at the session debunked suggestions that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was to blame for the lack of action within the Region which would inspire the private sector to be more engaged and proactive in lobbying for better relations,

including trade arrangements with other countries and regions of the world.

“I would not blame CARICOM as a Region.

We have and continue to make meaningful progress in several areas. I have seen a report which points to some 450 changes which have been made to laws and regulations in various countries within CARICOM to facilitate the free movement of capital and people, so as to make us more internationally competitive,” Ambassador Hart said, adding that the Caribbean private sector and the wider society need to remain optimistic about the Caribbean “where particularly our young people have been competing and winning in areas such as the creative industries and entertainment among other initiatives.”

Hart did agree that at times, and on some issues, individual Caribbean governments lack the political will to act and "I would say here is where in some cases

politicians need to get out of the way.” But on the issue of enhancing US/Caribbean relations, Hart said that there is need for an institutional arrangement involving both the U.S. and Caribbean governments and private sector leaders which would provide for at least annual consultations, such as the Caribbean has with other countries and regions of the world.

Jennifer Nugent-Hill, Director, Government and Community Affairs at West Palm Beach headquartered Tropical Shipping accused the private sector in the Caribbean of becoming “selfish and self-centred,” noting that since the passage of the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) many years ago, the Region’s private sector had become complacent, although there “are several

new issues which impact them and on which they should become engaged.”

Nugent-Hill, who is also a director of the Washington DC-based Caribbean Central American Action (CCAA) which put on the conference which ends today, identified resilience-planning for natural disasters and de-risking as issues “which impact the people of the Region and “the private sector needs to join with governments and organisations such as CCAA which are mounting strenuous efforts to address these issues.”

“The Caribbean private sector must become fully engaged. Without a strong private sector there will be no governments,” Nugent-Hill stressed, while pointing out that companies such as Tropical Shipping

which serve the Caribbean has been consistently engaged over the years in promoting the cause of the Caribbean Region.

There have been strong calls for the private sector in the Caribbean to become more actively engaged in lobbying and other efforts to enhance the Region’s relations with the United States, notwithstanding President Donald Trump’s announced “America first” policy.

The calls came during a session Friday morning at the 41st annual Conference on the Caribbean and Latin America, which focused on the Outlook and Opportunities for US/Regional Cooperation.

Regards Brian Kirton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 18, 2017

NPTAB cleared of any role in $650M drug purchase

By Svetlana Marshall

THE National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) was again cleared of any involvement in the purchase of the more than $630M in “emergency pharmaceutical supplies” for the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) when the matter came up in the National Assembly for further scrutiny.

Of the lot, Ansa McAL was expected to receive

$605.9M for the supply of the emergency pharmaceutical supplies. Four months after the matter was ventilated in the House, Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira on Friday questioned Finance Minister Winston Jordan on how GPHC, acting in violation of the Procurement Act, was allowed to issue payments to McAl, approximately to the tune of $100M. In asking the question on behalf of her colleague Bishop Juan Edghill, Teixeira pointed out that the

House in July, 2017 by way of a written response from the Finance Minister, was informed that GPHC’s request for a waiver of the Procurement Act (S 28C) to purchase the $605.9M in emergency supplies from Ansa McAL was not approved. It was on this basis, she questioned how GPHC was able to proceed to award the tender to Ansa McAL and to proceed to make payments in violation of the Procurement Act and financial rules.

In response, Minister Jordan stated that: ‘There was no involvement of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) up to the time when GPHC engaged Ansa McAl to supply drugs and medical supplies.’

He said NPTAB only received a request for single sourcing on March 1, 2017 by which time Ansa McAl was already engaged. ‘NPTAB never give subsequent approval for this engagement, so I cannot say on

what authority GPHC was able to make payments,’ Minister Jordan told the House.

The Opposition Chief Whip had also sought to determine whether any action was taken by the Finance Minister or NPTAB with respect to the multi-million dollar drug purchase which was in clear violation of the laws and was told none at the moment.

However, the Finance Minister noted that the matter has already engaged the attention of the Auditor General and the Public Procurement Commission (PPC). He said actions by the relevant ministers of government would be based on the findings and recommendations of these two bodies. PPC, in its report, has cleared the Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, and NPTAB of being integrally involved in the purchase. The blame was laid at the feet of GPHC. But from all indications, the Opposition Chief Whip was not satisfied with the responses given, and further questioned why GPHC was allowed to issue payments although it had violated the Procurement Act. “We are aware that out of the $605M that was awarded over $100M was already paid to the company (Ansa McAL), how could the ministry release funds of that quantum without the Ministry of Finance budget office, and others who monitor expenditure, unaware of such an expenditure?’

Teixeira questioned.

Minister Jordan, in response, noted that GPHC is a corporation that receives an annual subvention from the Government of Guyana via the Consolidated Fund. He said the funds are expected to be utilised in accordance with the existing financial laws. “The question was asked but I cannot say how they spent the $100M without actually getting the approval,” Minister Jordan said but committed to having further clarity on the situation.

In July, Minister Jordan had informed the National Assembly that NPTAB’s procedures are not waived, and were not waived when GPHC had approached it for single sourcing earlier in the year. “The Board would take into account the most appropriate method of procurement as prescribed under the Procurement Act 2003, applying/recommending, in the first instance Open Tendering which is mandatory. The other methods are used when the appropriate conditions apply,” he had explained.

Other procedures include Restricted Tendering, Request for Quotations,

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan and in the case of an emergency or in order to avoid catastrophic event – Single Sourcing. Notably, the minister in his response, named 14 instances when approvals were granted based on requests from GPHC. It noted too that four requests were denied by the NPTAB. Those requests had to do with the procurement of the more than $630M in emergency drugs and medical supplies.

Top sources at the Public Health Ministry had told the Guyana Chronicle that it was the hospital’s former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alan Johnson, and the Finance Director, Ronald Charles, who teamed up to sole source the drugs.

Johnson was fired in June, 2017 by the GPHC Board of Directors following “a series of lapses,” which included the embarrassment of the Corporation before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on May 29.

It is alleged that the Finance Director wrote the NPTAB Chairman requesting that an Emergency Supplies Bid Document be cancelled. In that letter, which was allegedly signed by the then CEO (Johnson), Charles sought to have the emergency drugs sole-sourced. Charles, the Guyana Chronicle was told, proceeded to compile a list of the critical drugs which was subsequently given to four suppliers: Ana McAl, New GPC, Health 2000 and Chirosyn Discoveries, for the submission of quotations based on the document.

Attempts, the source said, were made to have Minister Lawrence sign off on the documents but she had reportedly declined, noting that there was an established system to be followed.

According to the source, it was after the drugs were delivered at the end of February that a letter was sent to the NPTAB requesting that payments be made to the four suppliers.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 18, 2017

Witness Protection Bill read for first time

By Ariana Gordon

DETERMINED to stamp out corruption here, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams on Friday read for the first time in the National Assembly the Witness Protection Bill 2017.

Williams in introducing the Bill said it (the Bill) seeks to introduce the establishment of a programme for the protection of certain witnesses and other persons.

According to the explanatory memorandum, Part two of the Legislation provides for the establishment of the Witness Protection Programme and three agencies, an administrative centre, an investigative agency and a protective agency, to administer the programme.

The programme “lays out the functions of the three agencies and their interdependence on each other for the effective and proper administration of the programme.” It requires the disclosure of certain information to the administrative centre by the prospective participant, the prospective participant’s application to be in the prescribed form, that the participant understands the implications of being included in the programme and that he understands and

signs the Memorandum of Understanding.

“In relation to criminal matters, the director of public prosecutions, where satisfied that the circumstances so warrant, shall prepare and submit the application in the prescribed form,” the explanatory memorandum stated.

Additionally, Part Three identifies the agency that will prepare the Memorandum of Understanding, the persons who will be eligible to sign (the prospective participant or where the circumstances so require, the person referred to in clause 7 (c) (i) and (iii) and countersign (the person authorised by the President for the purpose), and how the Memorandum of Understanding may be varied.

Part Four provides for a register of participants which shall contain detailed information in respect of each participant. It makes mandatory that all ancillary documents (the original of each Memorandum of Understanding, new identities issued under the programme, the original of each approval granted by the centre, identify documents returned to the centre) and the register shall be kept by the centre.

“However, in the interest of the due administration of justice, the centre may allow another approved authori-

‘Freedom House 3’ hold one head –– plead innocent to showering Freddie Kissoon with faeces

THE infamous trio fingered in the May 24, 2010 throwing of faces on newspaper columnist, Freddie Kissoon, on Friday swore that they had nothing to do with the incident.

All three men chose to give an unsworn statement when called upon to lead their defence before Principal Magistrate,Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Kwame McCoy, the former presidential frontman under the PPP administration said in his defence:“I never participated at any time in the contemplation, support or execution of an assault on Freddie Kissoon. I’m innocent; this is a fabrication against me.”

Jason Abdulla, on the other hand, said he was beaten by the police into confessing to the crime, and given a statement to sign although he had no knowledge of its contents until he was brought before the court and charged.

As to Sean Hinds, the self-proclaimed death squad member, he, like his partners in crime, denied having anything to do with assaulting Kissoon.

With all three defendants refusing to call any witnesses, the matter was adjourned until December 1 for Police Prosecutor,Shawn Gonsalves and the attorneys to make their closing arguments.

McCoy is represented by Attorney-at-Law Latchmie Rahamat; Abdulla by Glen Hanoman; and Hinds

by George Thomas.

ty (defined in clause 2) to have access to the ancillary documents and the register.

Where the centre allows another approved authority access, the centre shall notify the approved authorities of such access,” the explanatory memorandum stated.

Meanwhile, Part 5 provides for protection of the participant and in instances where the participant has been provided with a new identity, he must obtain written approval from the Administrative Centre before he discloses his former identity.

Protection and assistance under the programme may be terminated by the participant or the centre considers it appropriate, it may restore the participant’s former identity.

“It also provides that the participant has 28 days after receiving notification from the centre, in regard to either the termination of protection or assistance or both, or where there is a decision to restore the participant’s former identity, to apply to the President for a review of the decision and the President shall allow him a reasonable opportunity to state his case.”

Back in 2016, consultations were held on the legislation and at that time, Attorney General Williams had said that the legislation encourages persons with incriminating information or evidence against persons who are in a position to intimidate them to be able to come forward and speak out without fear, particularly as the government seeks to continue its fight against corruption at all levels. “This legislation is for the ordinary [people] to be confident that they can help in the fight to protect state assets, become witnesses, and be kept safely.

The whole thing will help the fight against corruption in public office. We are putting in place, things to recover assets. In order to do that, we know we have to protect the people and encourage witnesses to come on board with us,” Williams had explained.

The consultations were done with the intent of giving ordinary persons the opportunity to make contributions to the legislation, so that same would be as comfortable as possible to those it will serve.

Sentenced to a year in the ‘slammer’ –– for ‘escape from lawful custody’

CITY Magistrate ,Leron Daly, on Friday sentenced 20-year-old Clifton Boyce to a year in jail for escaping from the lockups at the Ruimveldt Police Station, while in custody.

Boyce pleaded guilty to the charge which read that on November 15 at Meadow Bank, Georgetown he stole from Nafiza Patterson a cellphone valued $45,000 and $9,440 in cash.

He further admitted that on the following day, while in lawful custody on a summary charge at the Ruimveldt Police Station, he escaped from the police.

Police Prosecutor, Sanj Clifton Boyce Singh, told the court that on November 15 at Meadow Bank, Boyce snatched Patterson’s shopping bag with the items inside it and ran away.

The next day, he was picked up by the police and taken to the Ruimveldt Police Station, based upon a report that Patterson had made. Boyce who was reportedly handcuffed with another prisoner requested to use the washroom, but when a rank removed the handcuffs from his hands to facilitate his request, he (Boyce) bolted out of the station and onto the roadway where he entered a Route #42 minibus.

Ranks, however, managed to intercept the minibus at Lombard Street and rearrested Boyce.

Based upon Boyce’s early guilty plea, the magistrate was somewhat lenient with his sentencing, though he was also slapped with a $40,000 fine.His failure to pay the fine will earn him an additional six months imprisonment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 18, 2017

Harmon underscores important role of Public Service Appellate Tribunal MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon, has said that the dedication of the Guyana Public Service Appellate Tribunal is a historic event given the important role that the institution plays in the governance of the Public Service.

Speaking at the offi-

cial dedication ceremony, which was held on Friday at the tribunal’s Brickdam office, the minister said that it is viewed within the context of the importance that President David Granger and his administration places on the role of an efficient Public Service for the effective de-

livery of myriad services to the citizenry.

“This function of the Public Service can only be effectively realised on the basis of complete integrity and without fear, favour, partiality or prejudice and delivered by a cadre of public servants, who are guided by the principle of

Minister of State Joseph Harmon delivers his remarks as members of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal, (seated from left to right), Ms. Abiola Wong-Inniss, retired Justice Nandram Kissoon and Mr. Winston Browne pay keen attention. administrative neutrality; that is, with devotion for the success of every lawfully elected administration,” he said.

Further, he said, in order for the Public Service to deliver this mandate, “it has to be established firmly on the basis of merit, transparency and justice with the full assurance of protection against any form of victimisation or discrimination… The essential role of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal is to provide a mechanism for redress against any perceived wrongful action, to enable public servants to discharge their duties fearlessly, confident that they are protected against any form of victimisation or illegal sanction for doing so.”

Also delivering remarks at the ceremony, Permanent Secretary, De-

partment of the Public Service, Ministry of the Presidency, Mr. Reginald Brotherson commended the efforts being undertaken by the Registrar, Ms. Amoura Giddings and her personnel, but said that his major focus would be to ensure that the entire Public Service develops the capacity and leadership to deliver its services effectively.

“One of the things that we want to do in the Public Service is to restore the brilliance. Every public servant is entitled to redress. They have redress through the Public Service Appellate Tribunal following all the legal requirements coming from the Public Service Commission; they have redress to the office of the permanent secretary… and every permanent secretary is expected to deliver on what

is necessary in the Public Service,” he said.

After being out of operation for more than two decades, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, President Granger swore in the three-member Public Service Appellate Tribunal at a ceremony held at State House.

The team, which is led by retired Justice Nandram Kissoon, includes Attorney-at-Law, Ms. Abiola Wong-Inniss and Mr. Winston Browne. Attorney-at-Law Ms. Amoura Giddings was sworn in as registrar of the tribunal on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. First Vice-President of the Guyana Public Service Union Ms. Dawn Gardner and Ombudsman of Guyana, retired Justice Winston Patterson also attended the ceremony. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Bandits rob Kuru Kururu variety store THREE men armed with shotguns on Thursday robbed a Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke- Linden Highway businesswoman and her husband in their variety store.

Reports indicate that the businesswoman resides in a two-storey wooden and concrete structure which also houses her business in the lower flat. At midday on Thursday, the bandits kicked in the southern entrance and rushed into

the business place. Upon seeing the armed men, the businesswoman fled through another door and rushed over to the neighbour’s yard, leaving her husband behind. The robbers then demanded cash and jewellery from the husband and started to beat him about the body before ransacking the businessplace.

After taking cash and valuables from the store, the men then fled in a silver-grey Toyota Premio.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 18, 2017

23 recommendations of Veterans CoI implemented –Chief-of-Staff

TWENTY-THREE out of the 79 recommendations of the recently concluded Veterans Commission of Inquiry (CoI) have been implemented, according to Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Patrick West.

Brigadier West was at

board,” the chief-of-staff said to rousing applause from veterans.

West thanked the veterans for answering the call of duty and the many sacrifices that were made in order to serve. He also called on the private sector to contribute

Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Patrick West as he laid a wreath at the Veterans’ Monument, during the Veterans’ Day ceremony. (Rabindra Rooplall Photo) the time addressing GDF officials and veterans at a Veterans’ Day wreath-laying ceremony, held on Friday at the Veterans’ Monument on the front lawns, Base Camp Ayanganna.

The CoI was commissioned by President David Granger with the aim of ensuring a comfortable and dignified retirement for serving ranks. “The others require some level of cooperation and intervention at the level of the Defence Board and I will say the matter is engaging the attention of the

to improving the lives of veterans wherever possible. “I have already communicated our intention to the President Colonel (Ret’d) George Gomes and he has acknowledged that he is willing to put together a party for us to work to ensure that this is realized; I have already spoken to a number of private sector persons on this matter,” he explained He pledged to acquire funding through the Defence Board to effect much-needed repairs to the Legions building located on Carifesta

Avenue. He said the estimated cost for repairs stands at $18M. “We also plan to erect a special memorial right here to honour the victims of the Camp Brooms tragedy, lest we forget,” he said.

Further, he challenged the veterans who have the ability to offer employment to consider improving the lives of former servicemen.

The chief-of-staff, reflecting on a meeting with veterans recently pertaining to employment, said the GDF has had a low attrition rate and employing former servicemen is not possible currently.

“But I can say to those persons under 50 years old and who have skills and live in the regions, you can register at the offices of the Guyana People’s Militia and have them record your skill level and availability that when necessary you can be embodied for service,” he advised.

Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Veterans’ Legion, Retired Colonel George Gomes in his remarks, said Veterans’ Day promotes a healthy interaction with veterans and soldiers to exchange experiences to develop the force.

He said that there are currently four World War 11 veterans active in the legion.

Gomes noted that with early retirement, ex-military personnel can start a second career and with discipline and leadership that is much needed in Guyana, these persons are assets to Guyana’s development.

He lashed out at persons critical of President David Granger’s choice to make use of the skills of former officers to execute the work of government. “This is working good for Guyana and we know with these former officers in positions, Guyana is in good hands,” he said.

He said every serving soldier will become a veteran one day and the Guyana Veterans Legion is not an elderly people’s organisation, but it is for all soldiers who left the GDF. “To the soldiers of today, we have valuable experiences and we have traditions which we can pass on to you. Chief-of-Staff, I

urge you to make use of us while you still have us, we are prepared to contribute towards the future development of the GDF and its soldiers,” Gomes said.

The Guyana Veterans Legion received another $1M donation for the celebration of Veterans’ Day, as Chiefof-Staff of the Guyana De-

fence Force (GDF) Brigadier Patrick West handed over a cheque for $1M to the association. President David Granger did not attend the annual event; Brigadier Patrick West received the salute, which was followed by the last post and then one minute of silence for Guyana’s fallen heroes. Wreaths were then

laid by Brigadier Patrick West and Lt. Colonel (Ret’d) George Gomes. In attendance were retried army officials, Joint Service representatives, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and military representatives from foreign missions in Guyana and special invitees.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, November Saturday 18, 2017

Link seen in ‘Sagga’ murder and recapture of ‘Smallie’ THE true motive for the killing of popular businessman, Godfrey “Sagga” Scipio, now appears to be execution instead of robbery as investigators discovered it may be linked to the recapture of notorious prison escapee, Royden Williams.

Scipio was a popular vendor at the Berbice bus

park and the prison escapee was caught in a minibus at Weldaad, West Coast Berbice, on October 9 after joining a minibus at the Berbice bus park.

Police Corporal Derwin Eastman, one of the policemen fingered in the murder, turned himself in at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary, on Thursday afternoon.

Reports indicate that Eastman is now the fourth police rank to be questioned for the killing. October last, Aubrey Bobb, 26, of Kitty, Georgetown, who had been released from prison this year after serving a sentence for robbery under arms, has been charged with the murder of the businessman. Scipio, 58, was shot dead on October 12,

Police Corporal Derwin Eastman

Godfrey ‘Sagga’ Scipio

2017, shortly after leaving a Kitty hotel. He was also robbed of a gold chain.

The alleged murderer is said to have claimed that the

police corporal who is an intelligence rank provided him with the firearm that was used to kill Scipio.

“Good Day all, God is

Royden Williams called “Smallie” when he was recaptured

in charge, all will be well, I am innocent of the allegation,” Eastman posted on his Facebook page on Thursday.

Bandits attack video game shop

TWO armed bandits on Thursday robbed a businessman of Hadfield Street, Lodge, Georgetown, who operates a video game shop.

Reports indicate that at 23:10hrs on Thursday night, the businessman was pack-

ing up his game shop for closure when the armed robbers wearing dark-coloured hoodies approached him with a gun demanding that he hand over his valuables.

One of the two men then proceeded to remove two flat-screen televisions,

two XBOX video games and one UPS backup, taking the items to a vehicle parked up the road. The robbers also emptied the man’s pockets of the day’s earnings. No shots were fired and the police are investigating.

M&CC to pay November salaries with amnesty funds - tax office to open on Saturdays

THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is not worried about the payment of November salaries to their workers as Public Relations Officer Debra Lewis reported yesterday that the amnesty has been seeing a steady flow of citizens turning up to pay their taxes.

Lewis told the Chronicle that all council workers were paid as of yesterday when funds were dispatched to the various banks. Some would have to wait three working days, while others may be granted immediate access to the funds.

A 100 percent amnesty on rates and taxes interest was announced as of last Wednesday and will last until December 15.

While City Hall has not seen a crowd, Lewis said there has been a

steady stream of persons showing up.

She informed this newspaper that M&CC has decided to open its tax office on Saturdays for the entire amnesty period from 9 am to noon.

“Currently, more than 50 per cent of ratepayers have not honoured their obligations to the Council. This has resulted in a shortfall in revenue collection. This shortfall has severely affected the Council’s ability to provide critical services in several areas, including the cleaning and desilting of drains and canals, repair of roads, provision of street lights and payment of monthly remuneration to its staff,” City Hall said in a statement.

“The Council is cognisant that many property owners are making strident efforts to put themselves

in order, but are experiencing financial difficulties. Hence, the Council is encouraging defaulting ratepayers to use this opportunity to update their accounts,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, workers have been protesting the non-payment of their salaries, along with their deducted amounts for the credit unions, National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) being unremitted to the different agencies.

Guyana Local Government Officers Union President Wendy De Cunha, told the Chronicle that the non-remittances of the various sums have been going on for some months now, resulting in the workers being unable to receive any benefits and obtain loans from the unions.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 18, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, November Saturday 18, 2017

Mattai’s promises ‘a whole new experience’

- with opening of new food ‘mart’

By Lisa Hamilton MATTAI’S, the one-stop food depot is promising Guyanese a whole new shopping experience with the formal opening on Friday of its new branch, just across the way from the old shop at the corner of Water and Hope Streets.

According to Managing Director, Mr. Harry Mattai, the new store, named Mattai’s: The Food Market, has been generating quite a buzz not just here alone but all the way in the Caribbean and further afield.

“Quite a few people flew in from the Caribbean when they heard about the store, its size, what we’re doing, the quality, where

we’re heading, where we’re taking the business to the next level and they’re very impressed,” an excited Mr. Mattai said yesterday.

The new facility is about 22,000 square feet in dimension, currently has around 40 employees, and boasts a training room, boardroom, and an Information Technology (IT) department.

Mattai said the facilities at reference will not only be used to build the capacity of his staff, but also be made available to train those of other local companies.

“Our mission is not only just hiring people,” he said.

“We believe in a lot of training; we plan to do a lot of nice things with the com-

`Mattai’s:The Food Market’ on Hope and Water Streets

pany to make our staff and our people better to serve.”

He said that while Mattai’s is very supportive of local products, they’re also big on standards.

“We’re looking at standards: We’re looking at certificates, we’re looking at dates, we’re looking at quality,” Mattai said, adding:“It’s not just any and all body can come and sell to us. No! You’ve gotta be prepared; you gotta be

The interior of the new food ‘mart’ (Photos by Adrian Narine)

labelled properly.”

He’d like to thank the Guyanese public for believing in Mattai’s over the years, even back when it was just a small family business run by his father in the Stabroek Market.

The Food Market, he said, is but just the beginning of the many “massive expansion plans” the company has in store for Guyana. But just what will be revealed in good time.

Ex-cop cleared of Rio Nightclub murder FORMER policeman, Lloyd Roberts was on Friday exonerated of the murder of Ryan Sergeant, the 19-year-old who was shot dead outside the Rio Nightclub in Queenstown on September 26, 2016.

The preliminary inquiry (PI) into the matter came to a close before Magistrate Judy Latchman, who ruled that there was insufficient evidence to link Roberts, called ‘Robbie’, to the murder.

The magistrate, in her ruling for the discharge, further said that the video submitted in evidence to the court by police prose-

cutor Shawn Gonsalves did not link or show Roberts as being the shooter.

Roberts’ attorney, Ms Latchmie Rahamat during her submission to the court maintained that there was no evidence linking her client to the crime.

Sergeant, of Festival City, North Ruimveldt, was shot dead purportedly by a group of men, while his friend, Jeffrey Ferrel, was injured.

The shooting reportedly stemmed from an argument over money and girls at the popular nightclub, and came to a head

Ex-cop Lloyd Roberts

DEAD: Ryan Sergeant

at around 02:30hrs outside the hangout’s Oronoque and Forshaw Streets,

Queenstown premises.

After the shooting, Sergeant was reportedly picked

up by his ‘gang members’ and dropped off at the Woodlands Hospital. He was shot once to the jaw during the exchange of gunfire.

Former murder accused, Leon Duncan, called ‘Whistle’, was charged in February of this year for discharging a loaded firearm at Jeffery Ferrell with intent to murder him.

He was slated to testify in Ryan Sergeant’s murder trial as a witness for the prosecution but never showed up.

Lloyd Roberts, along with two others, are also on remand after being charged in January 2017

in connection with the discovery of guns and ammunition during a police raid at a John Street, Campbellville house.

The men were busted with an AK-47 rifle and seven rounds of ammunition on January 22, 2017. That matter is currently ongoing before City Magistrate Faith McGusty.

Roberts was freed back in 2010 by a city magistrate for the murders of Romeo D’Agrella and son Clint D’Agrella, who died in March 2007, at Iron Punt, North West District of multiple gunshot wounds.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, November Saturday 18, 2017

Chronixx: ‘Here for the love, not for the likes!’ found that people were becoming concerned with the outside opinions and people’s opinions are very important, but it’s not as important as it’s supposed to be on television or social media,” said Chronixx.

The reggae sensation continued “we have to learn to not be too concern with the

opinion of others. For me, I have managed to overcome the fear of having people’s approval and that was the first step towards me releasing the music that I truly love.”

“You have people who dress a certain way, because it is somebody’s opinion that they dress that way. And they take it as if it’s their own,

GTT’s Marketing and Communications Consultant, Samantha Gooden (left) and Chronixx during his Question and Answer session at the University of Guyana on Friday.

By Rawle Toney SOME call him the ‘Golden Boy’ of reggae, leading the new school of reggae revivers, while others refer to him as the ‘second coming’ of Bob Marley, but for Chronixx, simply sees himself as the one to spread love, peace and upliftment through music.

Born Jamar Rolando McNaughton Jr, the 25-year-old is in Guyana for tonight’s ‘Smile Guyana’ concert at the Guyana National Stadium, compliments of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT).

The George Walcott Lecture Theatre (GWLT) at the University of the Guyana was overflowing with students, all intrigued and overly ecstatic Chronixx participated in a Question and Answer session with students and GTT’s Marketing and Communications Consultant, Samantha Gooden.

Chronixx released his debut LP, Chronology, a

16-track collection bringing together songs from across his musical career, some dating back to 2011. The Album, which as of yesterday sits on the No. 8 spot on the iTunes reggae top 10, also held the No. 1 spot, receiving a 4.7 out of five ratings.

It was while Chronixx had just finished at the St Catherine High School in Spanish Town, Jamaica, that he released ‘Behind Curtains’, and now, six years later, the son of Dancehall legend ‘Chronicle’, dropped another chart-topping hit; ‘Likes’, which is one of the most popular songs on his Chronology Album.

Asked to explain the message behind the song, Chronixx, charismatically noted “It’s one of those songs that I wrote and produced myself, and it’s one of those songs where everything comes to you flowing. It’s very important to be in the meditation of love because it provides a platform for gifts.”

“Do it for the love, we don’t do it for the likes; I

University of Guyana student and artist, Michael Griffith, presents Chronixx with a portrait during his visit to the Turkeyen Campus on Friday. (Delano Williams photos)

but it’s not their own. It is somebody else’s opinion. We the youths of the Caribbean, the youths of Africa and the youths of the earth, the natural human beings, we have to find a way to rise above the opinion of other people, especially if these opinions are by-products of that core opinion,” Chronixx highlighted.

“Guyana is a very rich place, there’s gold, there’s diamond, but you’re not blessed with the full privilege of harnessing these things” Chronixx reasoned, as he also spoke about the Caribbean being left behind because political infighting and Governments not focused on building first-world infrastructures and an enabling institution for learning.

Chronixx said his inspiration and intriguing thoughts from the likes of Guyanese historian, political activist and scholar Walter Rodney and Jamaican Marcus Garvey. His

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thoughts on how black people are perceived is intellectually explained on his track ‘Black is Beautiful’.

“In 2011, when I finished High School, I was more than qualify to study at the University of the West Indies, but I chose to do music, to help others, because I was born in a musical family, and it was my calling,” said Chronixx, who also added “you students need to understand what is your role on earth, find it, and use it to the best of your ability.”

Chronixx did not speak about tonight’s performance at the Guyana National Stadium, but, it’s clear, based on the buzz around him being in Guyana and the craziness at the Turkeyen Campus yesterday, that patrons will certainly be in for a treat and probably one of the best shows to ever grace the shores of the `Land of Many Waters’.

A section of the crowd at the George Walcott Lecture Theatre (GWLT) during Chronixx’s visit on Friday.

Carvil Duncan matter put down for Dec 14 THE trial in the court matter against veteran trade unionist Carvil Duncan for the alleged theft of over $27M from the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) has been adjourned until December 14.

The matter was adjourned on Thursday for continuation

by Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the request of police prosecutor, Sergeant Kevon Bess.

Duncan, 73, of South Ruimveldt, is being represented by attorneys Glen Hanoman and Everton Singh-Lammy.

He and GPL’s former Deputy Chief Executive Of-

ficer (CEO), Aeshwar Deonarine, are accused of being part of the multimillion-dollar fraud, in that they are alleged to have illegally transferred almost $28M to their personal bank accounts.

The government had asked the police to investigate the two senior officials in July 2015.

It was reported that the men paid themselves without authorisation. In light of investigations, Deonarine was sent on administrative leave.

Discovery of the suspicious transfers was made by independent auditors who were probing the PetroCaribe Fund,

which holds the proceeds of oil shipments taken from neighbouring Venezuela.

It was while tracking payments to GPL that the auditors unearthed the strange transactions. Deonarine, who was responsible for administrative matters, had reportedly wanted to receive the same level of pay as the then Deputy CEO (Technical), Colin Welch, but his approaches to the Board of Directors were rebuffed.

He had reportedly offered to repay the money, but GPL was supposed to have waited until it was transferred from

his U.S. bank account.

In light of the revelations, joint charges were instituted against Duncan and Deonarine in January, 2016 for the theft of $984,900 and $27,757,500 respectively, from the power company.

However, Duncan was the only one present to answer to the charges, since Deonarine had fled the country, causing the chief magistrate to issue a warrant for his arrest.

A few months after, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) withdrew the charges against Deonarine and the prosecution made a request to the court to have

Deonarine’s name deleted from the joint charges to proceed with trial of Duncan.

This request was granted.

In light of the court proceedings, President David Granger ordered that Duncan be suspended from all constitutional bodies.

A President-appointed tribunal comprising Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire; Justice Winston Patterson; and Attorney-at-Law Robert Ramcharran was set up to determine whether the criminal charge Duncan was facing was enough to have him removed as Chairman of the Public Service Commission.

However, Duncan and his attorney Anil Nandlall moved to the High Court and had the tribunal halted by Justice Franklin Holder.

This prohibited the tribunal from investigating and pronouncing on whether Duncan should remain a member of the Public Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission and Police Service Commission.

Earlier this year, Duncan was freed by Magistrate Leron Daly of a charge which alleged that he stole $984,900 from the power company on March 31, 2015.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 17, 2017

Johnson pushes Cadogan, Islam among winners in Lucozade Handicap Squash second night Jaguars to big total

ABOSAIDE Cadogan and Daniel Islam were winners on Thursday evening as the Guyana Squash Association held the Ansa McAl Lucozade Handicap Squash Tournament.

The GSA’s third senior tournament for 2017 was played at the Georgetown Club Squash Courts and featured several of the top players on the second night.

In the Open category

Regan Pollard -12 could not overcome his handicap of 20 points in his match against Theron Mohabeer +8 and lost in straight games 15-1, 15-12.

Javid Rahaman -2 had to work hard to defeat Lloyd Fung-A-Fat +8, 6-15, 15-11, 15-12 while Taylor Fernandes 0 showed her experience with a come-from-behind victory over Adam Alves +5, 11-5, 15-12, 15-11.

Daniel Islam -5 proved to be too tough for Ryan Rahaman +7, winning 1510, 8-15, 15-12.

In category A defending champion Abosaide Cadogan 0 had a comfortable win against Zachary Persaud +7, 15-13, 15-9 while Gianni Carpenter -8 beat Jahcinta Adams +10, 15-10, 15-12.

Kirsten Gomes 0 had to hold her nerve to overcome Paige Fernandes +8, 15-13,

15-13 while Demetrius De Abreu -2 had no room for error but still managed to overpower Christiana Fernandes +13, 15-13, 15-14.

All matches are best-ofthree and action continues each evening at 18:00hrs at the Georgetown Club courts.

The finals of all the categories are set for Sunday November 19 starting at 11:00hrs.

Murray splits with Lendl

Vishal-Singh

By Stephan Sookram A CENTURY and a half by Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson sent a stern message to the Trinidad Red Force and the rest of the teams in this year’s Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-day competition.

Singh added a much-needed century from 211 balls accented with seven fours as the Jaguars piled on the pressure.

Anthony Bramble departed for a duck after facing two deliveries and skipper Johnson departed three runs later finally being caught by Jason Mohamed.

After him, Shivnarine

Johnson was in fine form as he slammed 163 in Guyana’s 484-8 declared total, leaving Trinidad the arduous task of chasing that down.

The Red Force will resume day three today at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on 51-0 from 19 overs with Kyle Hope (18) and Amir Jangoo (32) at the crease.

Yesterday, the Guyanese skipper was in no playful mood as he pulverised the Red Force bowling after milking 165 from 360 balls with 18 fours.

The first wicket to fall yesterday was that of Vishaul Singh at 390 in the 139th over.

Chanderpaul was the sixth wicket to fall at 402, for 2 runs, off 8 balls while Sherfane Rutherford went at 423, for 10.

Kemo Paul, who added a quick-fire 32 from 35 deliveries helped the scoreboard along nicely. He was the last wicket to fall as Veersammy Permaul and Gudakesh Motie were left not out on 31 (29) and 15 (18).

Bryan Charles ended with a five-wicket haul from his 43 overs after earlier being beaten badly by Johnson while there was one each for Daniel St Clair, Roshon Primus and Imran Khan.

Andy Murray (right) and Ivan Lendl had previously worked together between 2012 and 2014. (BBC photo)

(BBC) - British number one Andy Murray has split with coach Ivan Lendl for a second time by “mutual agreement”.

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The Scot won Wimbledon, the US Open and Olympic gold during two years with Lendl from 2012 to 2014.

Murray was then coached

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by Amelie Mauresmo before turning back to Lendl in 2016, winning his second Wimbledon title, a second Olympic gold and becoming world number one that year.

“I’m thankful to Ivan for his help and guidance over the years,” Murray said.

“We’ve had great success and learned a lot as a team. My focus now is on getting ready for Australia with the team I have in place and getting back to competing.”

Former world number one and eight-time Grand Slam winner Lendl, 57, added: “I wish Andy well. We had a great run and a lot of fun.”

Murray has been recovering from a hip injury, and his last competitive match was a Wimbledon quarter-final defeat by Sam Querrey in July.

He has since slipped to 16th in the world rankings, but earlier this month he played in a charity match against Roger Federer.

After losing 6-3, 3-6, 10-6 Murray said he “hoped” to return to competition at the Brisbane International in January.

The tournament is held two weeks before the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of 2018, which gets under way on January 15.

ANALYSIS BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller: Murray and Lendl have spent very little time in each other’s company this season as injury has forced the former world number one to spend so much time on the sidelines.

But Lendl’s return - to work alongside Jamie Delgado - at The Queen’s Club in June of last year was the spark for an extraordinary run of success.

Murray won eight tournaments between June and November, including Wimbledon and the Rio Olympics, and won the last five events he entered to pip Novak Djokovic to the year-end number one position.

The partnership fizzled out first time around, as Murray was returning from back surgery, and there is a clear parallel three-and-ahalf-years on.

Finding a figure of Lendl’s stature to supplement the valuable work of Delgado may not be of pressing concern to Murray right now.

First and foremost he craves fitness, and the chance to be able to compete for the sport’s major prizes once again.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday November 18, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Brian Lara-11,912 runs (2) Brian Lara-10,348 runs Today’s Quiz: (1) Who has taken most Test wickets for the WI to date?

(2) Who has taken most ODI wickets for the WI to date?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 17, 2017

Confident and anxious Archer prepares for Nationals

Joanna Archer

Seamers expose India’s weakness

(ESPNCricinfo) - Persistent rain dominated another day in Kolkata, allowing just 21 overs on the second morning.

In all, just 32.5 overs have been bowled over two days. Sri Lanka's seamers had earlier capitalised on a dry, bowling-friendly morning at Eden Gardens, as Dasun Shanaka picked up two wickets with his gentle medium pace under gloomy skies which offered sufficient lateral movement.

Cheteshwar Pujara displayed impeccable defensive technique again, picking only the errant deliveries to score during his unbeaten 47, carrying India to 74 for 5 before a drizzle that became gradually heavier at 11:00hrs forced an early lunch.

The rain had relented for a short period around noon, but returned heavier and forced the officials to call off the second day at 14:30hrs local time, more

than two hours before the scheduled close of play.

The little play on the second day wasn't short of action. Dinesh Chandimal, anticipating a long haul for his seamers, operated with a specialist fast bowler from one end and Shanaka from the other for the majority of the morning. Seam, like spin, is more effective at a quicker pace, disallowing batsmen time to be decisive with their feet and shot selection.

Therefore, India's batsmen would have preferred Shanaka to two specialist fast bowlers.

H o w e v e r, t h e s e a r e atypical conditions for a Test match in India. With so much rain over the last few days, it seemed like a pitch on which the grass grew itself under the covers.

That gave Shanaka, despite his 125 kmph range, a fair chance under overcast skies.

Pujara, attuned to such conditions through his re-

Smalta Girls U-11 tournament postponed UNDER-11 action in the Smalta Girls’ football tournament has been postponed until next week according to a release from the organisers yesterday.

The sixteen-team tournament which was expected to begin today had to be postponed on account of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) hosting of the FIFA Women’s Day

activities.

According to the release, the tournament will now take place on Saturday November 25 2017.

Launched earlier this week, the tournament is being held in partnership with the ministries of Education and Public Health. The theme of the event is: Educating young girls against the Human Papilloma Virus.

cent stint with Nottinghamshire, came forward to drive away from his body only when Shanaka erred too full, hitting him for four boundaries through mid-off.

However, Ajinkya Rahane, and then R Ashwin, misread Shanaka's perfect full deliveries for run-scoring opportunities, driving loosely with their hands too far away.

A scrambled-seam delivery, which neither swung nor seamed, found Rahane's outside edge, as he played for the inward angle. Ashwin had played 28 balls for four runs, his only scoring shot a sweetly-timed cover drive off a full toss from Shanaka, when he sliced a drive to backward point.

In-between, Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Gamage generated appreciable swing and bounce - arguably too much on this sur-

face - to beat the bat regularly. Ashwin was even rapped on the right hand by an in-ducking dart that kept climbing steeply to beat an awkward jab.

Pujara was rewarded for his diligence as Chandimal was forced to turn to Dimuth Karunaratne's even-gentler medium pace, hitting him for 12 runs off six wayward deliveries.

SCOREBOARD

INDIA 1st innings (o/n 17-3) L. Rahul c Dickwella b Lakmal 0 S. Dhawan b Lakmal 8 C. Pujara not out 47 V. Kohli lbw b Lakmal 0 A. Rahane c Dickwella b Shanaka 4 R. Ashwin c Karunaratne b Shanaka 4 W. Saha not out 6 Extras: (b-4, lb-1) 5 Total: (for 5 wickets, 32.5 overs) 74 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-13, 3-17, 4-30, 5-50.

Bowling: Suranga Lakmal 119-5-3, Lahiru Gamage 11.5-324-0, Dasun Shanaka 8-2-23-2, Dimuth Karunaratne 2-0-17-0

THIS week we look at another prospect set to compete at the upcoming National Schools Championships, with high expectations riding on her performance.

Seventeen-year-old Joanna Archer will be returning in the Girls’ Under-18 category, also again representing West Demerara (District 3).

She will once again be in the 800m and 1500m.

Additionally she will also be in the 400m, as well as the discus event, as she hopes to take the champion girl title of the age category.

And with last year’s Girls’ Under-18 middle-distance champion Claudrice McKoy, off in the US at college, this year will definitely be an opportunity for Archer to take the top spot. And while she’s hoping for the best, she keeps in mind that on the day of a race just about anything can happen.

“I’m very anxious and confident but I’m not underestimating anyone,” she said.

While Archer finished second place in the 1500m last year, behind McKoy, she has already shown a lot of growth since then, and has definitely proved she has what it takes to get the job done. And we might just see it done in record time.

Archer’s 1500m time of 5:04.5s in August, well surpassed the 5:06.8s current record that McKoy set last year. Archer’s personal best in the event is 4:57.23s, which she set back in July, at the National Seniors Championships.

Archer is also looking

forward to make amends in the Girls’ 800m, where last year she found herself disqualified, after finishing in second place in her heats. So far for the year, she has clocked a personal best of 2:14.55s in this event.

The 400m is more of a new one for Archer, and it will be here that she will face her stiffest competition of the Championships.

Many believe the race already belongs to North Georgetown (District 11) Kenisha Phillips.

There will also be South Georgetown’s (District 13) seasoned 400m athlete Tiffauna Garnett, as well as Linden’s Chantoba Bright and quarter-mile regular Tandika Haynes.

Nonetheless, Archer looks forward to her new challenge and is still holding out on medal hopes.

Though not exactly a pet event, Archer has found talent in the discus before ruling the event back in 2015, while in the Girls’ Under-16 category.

Since her last year participation, Archer has done a lot to build on her experience and skills. She has won several titles locally, and has done well regionally, taking silver in the 800m at the South American Juniors Championships, and gold in the 800m and 1500m at the Inter-Guiana Games in October.

Additionally, to back her expectations, Archer has been hard at work training in preparations for the Championships, which is just one week away, running from November 27 to December 2.

Camptown, Pouderoyen qualify for Turbo semis CAMPTOWN FC and Pouderoyen FC are into the semi-final rounds of this year’s Turbo Knockout tournament following wins on Thursday evening at the Ministry of Education ground.

In the first game, it was a 1-1 scoreline which required penalties to determine Camptown FC the winner over Linden’s Silver Shattas.

Jurmain Samuels scored for the Linden side first and it was going well until Wayne Sharples equalised with five minutes to go.

Not even regulation time

could set the two apart and it came down to penalties, the Georgetown side winning 7-6.

In the second game, an extra-time goal from Neil Lynton ensured that Pouderoyen made it through to the next round.

With both halves ending scoreless, it was the fear too that this game would require penalties but Lynton ensured that did not happen.

The semi-finals will take place next Friday with game one pitting Camptown against Pouderoyen and Police and Grove Hi-Tech battling it out in the other encounter.

Part of the game between Camptown and Silver Shattas

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 17, 2017

Ramdhani completes young Magnum ‘Tek Charge’ Futsal talents camp in Suriname tournament to kick off December 1

GUYANA & Caribbean Ladies Badminton Champion Priyanna Ramdhani concluded the Pan American Badminton Federation Young Talents Camp 2017.

The camp was held November 9-15, in Paramaribo Suriname after which she participated in the Suriname Open International Championships at the Ismay Van Wilgen Sporthal.

The camp was conducted twice daily under the direction of the Pan Ameri-

can coach Mr Martijn van Dooremlen to improve the player’s technical & tactical approach.

Priyanna was selected by the Pan-Am Development Director due her consistent performances on the international circuit.

Priyanna then participated in the Suriname Open Seniors International Championships as part of the Young Talents Camp as all participants had to play in this tournament.

This was to ensure that

the players got world ranking points and to measure their training methods for future developments.

On Thursday 16th in the Ladies’ Singles Priyanna had to play the No.1 seeded player in the tournament, Fernanda Saponara Rivva of Peru. She lost 21-14, 21-8 in Round 2.

In the Ladies’ Doubles she teamed up with Chequeda De Boulet of Trinidad to defeat Faith Sariman & Chaista Somemodipoero of Suriname in Round 2: 21-11, 21-13 to

reach the Quarter-Finals.

In the Mixed doubles yesterday she teamed up with Danney Chen of Suriname and lost in an exciting three-setter to Jonathan Thorpe & Tamisha Williams of Barbados in Round 2: 23-21, 9-21, 12-21.

In the Ladies’ Doubles Quarter-Finals with Chequeda De Baulet of Trinidad they lost to Shemara Lindveld & Santusha Ramzan of Suriname: 2115, 21-11.

DDL Annual 60-mile road race on tomorrow

THIRTY-TWO teams will participate in the inaugural Magnum ‘Tek Charge and Win’ Futsal tournament, set for December 1 – 23, at the National Gymnasium.

The tournament, which, according to organisers, is aimed at developing the sport of futsal among grassroots communities as well as spreading Christmas cheer among fans, was officially launched yesterday.

According to, Edison Jefford, Magnum’s brand representative, the winning team will receive $500 000 + trophy, runners-up $200 000 + trophy, third-placers $100 000 + trophy and fourth-placets $50 000.

The Most Valuable Player will walk away with US$100, while every night fans will enjoy giveaways such as headphones, pop sockets, tee shirts, and speakers.

After the opening night, matches will continue on Sunday December 3, Tuesday December 5, Sunday December 10, Tuesday December 12, Thursday December 14, Tuesday December 19 and the grand final on Saturday December 23.

Jefford revealed that the

‘Tek Charge and Win’ tourney is going to be an annual fixture as Ansa McAl seeks to give back to the youths as much as possible.

Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, who was present at the launch of the tournament, thanked Ansa McAl and their brand Magnum for their corporate responsibility as he noted that ultimately it will be the athletes who will benefit. They will “grab every opportunity available” especially with the lucrative prizes available.

Jones further pointed out that the tournament extends more opportunities for the youths to “garner much needed funds,” thus the National Sports Commission “is proud to be associated with the tournament”.

Among the teams set to compete will be an outfit from the National Rugby team as well as an Ansa McAl unit, along with four of the best teams from Linden, two from West Demerara, four from East Coast Demerara with the usual suspects from Georgetown - futsal juggernauts Future Stars, Sparta Boss, Goal is Money among others.

Hamilton Green KO finalists to be decided in Linden

Cycling action returns this weekend with the Diamond Mineral Water Road Race (Guyana Cycling News photo)

GUYANA’S top cyclists will take to the East Coast Demerara carriageway tomorrow for the Annual Demerara Distillers Limited Annual 60-mile road race under its Diamond Mineral Water brand.

Organised by the cycle coach Hassan Mohamed, the event, which wheels off from outside the Ocean View International Hotel, on the East Coast at 07:30hrs, will proceed to Half Way Tree, Mahaica, before returning to finish at the place of origin.

The first six overall finishers will be rewarded for

their efforts, while the top three juniors, the first three juveniles, the first three veterans as well as the first three mountain bikers will also be rewarded.

There will be eight prime prizes up for grabs during the course of the event.

This year’s race will see a new champion being crowned as last year’s champion, Alonzo Greaves, is currently serving a twoyear ban imposed on him by the Caribbean Anti-Doping Association. This was after serving a one-year ban having been found guilty

of using enhancement-performing drug during the National Sports Commission’s five-stage road race in 2015.

While serving the ban, the CADA appealed the ruling and the World Anti-Doping Organisation subsequently gave Greaves a further two-year ban.

But prior to being given an additional two-year suspension, Greaves had returned to his saddle and won last year’s Diamond Mineral Water road race.

So, this year, there will definitely be a new cham-

pion and with most of the country’s top cyclists firing on all cylinders, it is difficult to pinpoint a winner.

Team Coco’s Jamal John is currently dominating things on the roads of Guyana as well as in the National Park, but his dominance will be tested tomorrow as there are other top performers that can and will give him a `run for his money’.

These cyclists include Geron Williams, Paul DeNobrega, Raul Leal, Christopher Griffith, Briton John, Orville Hinds and Andrew Hicks.

WITH four matches remaining for the conclusion of the Hamilton Green Knock-Out Cup football tournament, the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Linden, will come alive next Friday when the two semi-final matches will be played.

According to tournament coordinator Lennox Arthur, the two semi-final matches were scheduled to be played at the Victoria ground, East Coast Demerara.

However, a venue switch was made as two of the four teams involved in the semi-final round are from the mining town of Linden and another from the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway, which is very close to Linden.

In the opening fixture from 19:00hrs, Soesdyke Falcons will take on Up-

per Demerara’s Winners Connection and the feature match, which is scheduled for a 20:00hrs start, will see Police of Georgetown tackle Milerock of Upper Demerara.

The tournament which started some months ago saw the organiser and former national captain, Lennox Arthur switch venues and dates, as some of the teams that are part of the competition have engagements in other competitions, which take precedence over the Hamilton Green tournament.

The winning side of the final will receive $500 000 and the winners’ trophy, while the runners-up will earn $250 000. The thirdand fourth-place teams will collect $150 000 and $100 000 respectively for their efforts.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 17, 2017

Minister Norton encourages karatekas at grading ceremony

The graduating karatekas THE Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr George Norton, last Friday witnessed the grading of approximately 70 karatekas from varying dojos across the country at the Guyana Karate College’s (GKC) third and final 2017 grading exercise at its temporary Dojo located in Thomas

Lands.

The grading examinations included the other GKC Dojos counting in the Guyana Karate College Sophia Juvenile Holding Centre Dojo and the Guyana Karate College West Coast Demerara Dojo.

Heading the list of karatekas were: William Grant

(Jr), Ronaldo Junior Persaud, Jessica Callender and Mark Wong who moved from Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) to Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt).

Moving from a 1st kyu Brown Belt to a Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) were Nadia Ramlall, Jose Rodrigues, Javed Deen Nurhau-

sain, Gopal Rajin Persaud, Manoj Lachhman, Rajnie Brijmohan, Omadai Sukul, Nalini Rampersaud, Paula Louis-Grant, William Grant (Sr) Mekhi Ritchie, and Daniel Denny.

Delivering the feature address, the Minister encouraged the students to “follow their dreams” and to recog-

nise that “discipline leads to success”.

In a press release the GKC expressed how grateful they were for the Minister to attend the ceremony, noting that his presence was a testimony of the commitment of the Ministry and Government at large, to the development of sports in the country.

Reminding the graduates that the competition in the international arena gets tougher with each passing day, Minister Norton implored the students that for them to retain the top positions they achieved at previous international tournaments, they will have to work harder and faster.

Minister Norton S ee pag encourages e 31 karatekas at grading ceremony

Magnum ‘Tek Charge’ Futsal tournament to kick off December 1 See page 30

Magnum brand representative Edison Jefford (first from left), Director of Sport Christopher Jones and a Magnum model at the launch of the Magnum ‘Tek Charge and Win’ Futsal Tournament. (Delano Williams photo)

Cadogan, Islam among winners in Lucozade Handicap Squash second night

Johnson pushes Jaguars to big total

See page 28

Taylor Fernandes overcomes Adam Alves in night two action of the Lucozade Handicap Squash tournament.

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See Page 28

Captain Leon Johnson SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2017