Guyana chronicle 01 07 18

SEE INSIDE

No. 105147

SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 2018

Price: $140

(VAT Inclusive)

Market-led agriculture – agri. minister the way to go urges farmers Page 3

Members of the National Steel Orchestra treat patrons to sweet pan music at a Steel Band Concert Saturday at the Kingston Seawall Band Stand, Georgetown. The concert hosted by the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Department of Culture also featured performances from the GBTI-Buxton Pride Orchestra and the Guyana Police Force Steel Band (Adrian Narine photo)

Crime decreased last year Page 18

Farming more vibrant than ever in Black Bush Polder Page 17

Miners killed by falling tree Page 12

Better animals mean better meat Page 15

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

GDP to be rebased this year

By Svetlana Marshall REBASING Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is among plans the Finance Ministry hopes to accomplish in 2018, Finance Minister Winston Jordan has said.

Rebasing would reduce the influence of the sugar industry on the growth of the country’s economy.

Currently, the country’s GDP is compiled relative to the base year 2006. The Guyana Bureau of Statistics (GBS) explains that a country compiles its GDP at current and constant prices by industry, mainly by the production method.

GDP by expenditure is compiled residually for the economy as a whole, and at current prices only.

In a recent interview, Minister Jordan said the sugar industry had been a “major downfall” for the country in 2017, negatively influencing the country’s economic growth. Last year, the country fell short in achieving its projected growth rate of 3.8 per cent.

Instead, it recorded a real growth rate of 2.9 per cent.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

The performance of the ailing sugar industry was in part responsible for the decline, but the Finance Ministry hopes to reduce its influence on the economy this year.

“Of course, the major downfall this year [2017] has been sugar, it will continue to be a downfall, but one thing that we are looking forward to next year is the rebasing of the GDP,” Minister Jordan explained.

“This rebasing will see the lowering of the influence of sugar in our growth rate,” he added, noting that with

sugar projected to do a mere 115,000 tonnes, its overall influence in the economy has dropped considerably.

He further explained that as a result of the GDP and the series that is in use, the sugar industry still has a major influence on the growth of the economy and “in a sense it drags down the growth.”

“Hopefully with the rebasing, we can see a truer picture of the performance of the economy,” Minister Jordan posited.

According to the Bureau

of Statistics, the rebasing and revising of the national accounts, which was conducted during 2007 to 2009, allowed not only the adoption of a more recent base year (previously 1988), but facilitated the use of more modern measurement techniques and a truer picture of economic structure.

It was further explained that in the rebased and revised series, the increasing contribution of services to the economy and the subsequent diminishing contribution of traditional industries are evident. Data is collected on the output of the real and services industries of the economy.

REASONABLE Nonetheless, when reflecting on 2017, the finance minister said Guyana’s economic performance was “reasonable” when compared to its immediate neighbours.

“Yes, we did fall short of the anticipated 3.8 per cent we had, but I think the important thing here is that the glass is half full and not half empty. We did record 2.9 per cent,” he posited.

This year, it is projected

that the economy will grow at 3.8 per cent.

“If everything goes well, we expect not only to achieve that growth, but possibly surpass it,” said an optimistic Jordan.

This year, improved performances are expected from the forestry and agriculture sectors with manganese coming on stream.

“If everything comes on stream we expect to be on target. I would love to see it hit the four per cent mark, but it all again depends on what happens to sugar,” Minister Jordan said.

Among the measures unveiled in the 2018 Budget is the restriction on importation of pine wood and pine wood products.

At the recent meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), an organ of CARICOM, Guyana’s request for a suspension to increase the Common External Tariff (CET) on pine wood and pine wood products from five per cent to 40 per cent, was approved. The new tariff took effect from January 1, 2018 and will expire on December 31, 2019.

Exemption of logs and rough-sawn lumber from VAT with effect from January 1 was approved in the 2018 Budget.

Minister Jordan said under the previous administration, the forestry sector was dominated by foreign companies on the basis that they had received “unlimited” concessions. In addition to offering these concessions, the finance minister said the previous administration “did nothing to support local forestry.”

As such, he said the measures included in the 2018 Budget seek to correct the wrongs committed to that sector.

It is believed that the measures will improve the cash flow of forest sector operators, including smaller producers, by at least $80 million. The forestry board also made note of the setting aside of $120 million to commence a national forest inventory. Also, $50M has been budgeted to allow government to partner with the private sector in a Public/Private Partnership, to establish a Dimension Stockyard.

Fly Jamaica promises normalcy by Wednesday – passengers fret over disruptions

By Ravin Singh PASSENGERS are complaining about the hiccups experienced on the Fly Jamaica Airline after many of them were forced to remain abroad indefinitely.

Several Guyanese are still in Jamaica and the U.S. awaiting word on when they would be able to return home, since their flights were cancelled.

Carl Bowen, Fly Jamaica’s Commercial Manager, explained that the cancellation was a result of weather-related issues in the U.S. and crew- related issues since the airline has been leasing aircraft since November 30.

According to Delicia Bailey, a Guyanese who is currently in Jamaica, she was supposed to return to Guyana on January 3, but has not been able to because her flight was cancelled.

Bailey said she was only informed of this after she arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA).

“disrespectful and ridiculous.”

Stranded in Jamaica too is Joel Simpson, Managing-Director of the Society

aircraft.

Dinool related that he had travelled from Pennsylvania to JFK, some 222 miles, only to be told that there was no flight.

“I was not even contacted by the airline to say

Weather and crew-related issues have also caused delays, as the airline has been leasing aircraft since November 30

Bailey said when she contacted the Fly Jamaica office on January 3, after her flight was cancelled, she was told by officials that they were awaiting word from the operations division.

The mother of one, whose toddler is with her, described the situation as

Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD).

Similarly, businessman Fawaz Dinool, who is in the U.S. was scheduled to return home on December 3, but was given a shock when he arrived at the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport and found no Fly Jamaica

the flight was cancelled or delayed or anything.

More than two days later I am still not sure what to do, because I don’t know which flight I am on, or when I would be able to return home,” he stated.

Dinool added that this has not only stymied his business operations, but

has cost him financially, since travelling to the airport and back incurred a cost of over US$200.

When one of his relatives made contact with the local office in Guyana, the representatives informed him that she does not know of the status of the flight and for when it was rescheduled, if it indeed was.

However, the airline’s commercial manager told the Guyana Chronicle that flights from the U.S. have been cancelled since Thursday – one day after Dinool was supposed to leave – due to a snow storm in New York.

Bowen shared too that he was contacted on Saturday by the Operations Director of Terminal One at the JFK and told that no flights should enter or leave the terminal because of the weather.

As a result of flights not being able to leave JFK, Bowen said the passengers in Jamaica have not been able to return to Guyana, since those flights

would have to stop in Jamaica for passengers there.

He said too that in addition to the weather, crew-related issues have also caused some delay, as the airline has been leasing aircraft since November 30.

“Flights will return to normal by Wednesday,” he assured passengers, adding that while these are issues which are unavoidable in the aviation industry, customers have a right to complain.

In the interim, Bowen said efforts are ongoing to have some passengers accommodated on other carriers, while some others were compensated.

“We have not neglected passengers or left them stranded. All of whom we had contact information for were contacted and those who needed compensation, once they communicated these to us, we examined them and have been providing as much assistance as we can,” he said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

Market-led agriculture the way to go – agri. minister urges during successful tour of Black Bush Polder

to band themselves together and collectively approach an air service provider, since it’s a very costly exercise.

By Rabindra Rooplall IT’S not just about having a green thumb anymore, but more about savvy and strategy, if you want to stay in this business called agriculture and turn a profit, says Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder.

“Oftentimes we have farmers complaining about not being able to sell their produce and suffering losses because of spoilage. Since taking office, I have been encouraging farmers to practise market-led agriculture; speak with us so we can advise you on what to plant, based on what markets are available,” Minister Holder said on Thursday.

“When you plant crops and there are no markets for them, they tend to spoil.

Even processing some of these crops may not help if there isn’t a market for them in the processed form. I will, however, talk to my officers at the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) on what markets are available, and how we can assist you with processing facilities for your surplus produce,” he told Berbice cash-crop farmer, Phillip Sanchu, who had some concerns about the effects of climate change on farmers’ productivity, and cited the need for an agro-processing facility in the Ancient County to help farmers there with spoilage.

The occasion was an outreach the minister spearheaded to the Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) village of Black Bush Polder, where he and his team

NDIA’s Fredrick Flatts Minister Holder (right) and other Ministry of Agriculture officials during a visit to the Nand Persaud Rice Mill in Region Six

met with scores of rice, cattle and cash-crop farmers to assess what’s happening with agriculture in the region, and talk about plans for further development.

During the meeting, some farmers called for more land to be made available for cultivation to meet the current demand for rice, while others spoke about a few issues they’re having with irrigation.

THIS AND THAT One such farmer was Lallbahadur Singh, who’s not just a member of the region’s Water Users Association, but also sits on the Neighbourhood Democratic Council and the Regional Democratic Council.

Said he: “I believe that the sluice is under-utilised, and that it can be more efficient and better serve Black

Bush.

“I am also suggesting that the Water Users’ ByLaws be updated to better sanction farmers who are not paying their rates.

“The Water Users Association should also be able to take persons to court when they have not paid for their services.”

Electing to respond to those concerns that Singh raised, Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, Fredrick Flatts, begged to differ on several counts.

“The sluice is working within the specified capacity to service the entire block,” he said, adding: “If you are having issues with water, I urge you to contact your Water Users Association so that they can make representation to have measures put in place

to better serve you. There are channels that you must go through if you are not satisfied with irrigation and drainage services. As it relates to taking persons to court, that is already being done; it was put into law, and the association has the right and the authority to take persons to court for unpaid service charges.”

That little matter apparently settled, farmers next turned their attention to aerial spraying, asking how they could access the service.

On this occasion, Minister Holder himself responded, saying that while he is all for technological advances, in his humble opinion, aerial spraying is not always the answer, as it can sometimes have a negative effect on some people.

“I am in full support of

the use of new technology in agriculture; aerial spraying can be helpful to many farmers,” Minister Holder said.

“However, when applying pesticides and other chemicals, aerial spraying tends to affect different categories of farmers in different ways.

“For instance, aerial spraying to apply fertilisers may benefit several categories of farmers, but when applying chemicals like pesticides, one has to take into consideration the effects it would have on cash crops under cultivation, and persons residing in the surrounding areas as aerial drift tends to occur.”

That said, he, however, encouraged those farmers interested in aerial spraying

DAIRY FARMING And while he had their full attention, Minister Holder brought up the subject of dairy farming, and plans the ministry has to resuscitate the industry.

As head of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Nigel Cumberbatch elected to speak on the subject, telling farmers that while livestock in Guyana is progressing nicely, there is yet more work to be done.

“We are self-sufficient in most of our livestock products, however, our milk import bill is well in excess of US$55M per year,” Cumberbatch said, adding: “It is our intention to establish a pasteurisation plant in the region, and we are going to be depending on you, the farmers, to have milk to supply it.”

At this point, Minister Holder called for the establishment and registering of a cattle association in Region Six. “It is important for the association to become a reality,” he said, “as countries like Suriname have expressed an interest in purchasing cattle from us.

“We want to ensure that any sales are done in an organised manner, so as to ensure efficiency and accountability.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

Trump calls tell-all book work of fiction DONALD Trump has rejected doubts over his mental health raised in a bombshell new book, which he describes as “fiction” and the author as a “fraud”.

His remarks followed an earlier rebuttal on Twitter, in which the president claimed he was “a very stable genius” who was “like, very smart”.

Michael Wolff’s new book suggests that even the president’s closest advisors question his fitness for office.

The row has overshadowed key talks on the Republican Party’s 2018 agenda.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with senior party members at Camp David on Saturday, the president disputed Mr Wolff’s account, claiming it was “a work of fiction”.

Addressing the questions about his mental capacity, he said: “I went to the best colleges. I had a situation where I was a very excellent student; came out and made billions and billions of dollars; became one of the top business people; went to television, and for 10 years was a tremendous

success, as you probably have heard.”

He disputed Mr Wolff’s claim of a three-hour on-therecord interview between the two. “It didn’t exist; it’s in his imagination,” Mr Trump said, while acknowledging that he had been interviewed by the author at some point.

The book, ‘Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House’, paints a picture of the president as impatient, unable to grasp policy, and prone to rambling and repeating himself.

The fallout from the book has loomed over the Camp David meeting, a gathering of key Republicans designed to thrash out legislative priorities for 2018.

Mr Trump gave a press conference at the presidential retreat, flanked by Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell; Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan; Vice-President, Mike Pence and other senior Republicans.

The president, who has previously derided Camp David and opted instead to stay at

his Florida club, Mar-a-Lago, told reporters that the retreat was “a very special place” with a “feeling you don’t have in many places”.

While short on detail, the president said the gathered Republicans had “a couple of incredible meetings”, and discussed “security, infrastructure, the military, all types of military situations”.

On North Korea, he said he hoped rare talks between North and South Korea will go “beyond the Olympics,” with the US joining the process at the “appropriate time.”

He said the country would fight the scourge of drug addiction, and praised the success of countries that have treated the problem “harshly”. “Those are the ones that have much less difficulty,” he said.

He has previously praised the leader of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte for his drug policy. Mr Duterte has encouraged the extra-judicial executions of drug offenders by police and vigilantes.

On immigration, he said he hoped to work with the Demo-

crats on a resolution to DACA, the so-called “Dreamers” programme for immigrants who came to the US as undocumented children, and reiterated that Mexico would in some way pay for his border wall.

‘Fire and Fury’ went on sale early on Friday, days ahead of its scheduled release, amid the president lawyers’ attempts to block its publication. It has become an instant bestseller.

The book describes a Trump team shocked by their own win on election night; White House staffers saying Mr Trump’s “mental powers were slipping”; and senior administration officials calling Mr Trump “an idiot”.

It has also sparked a public rift between Mr Trump and his former aide, Steve Bannon, who is quoted as accusing Mr Trump’s eldest son, Donald Jr, of “treasonous” behaviour in

meeting a group of Russians.

Mr Bannon and the author have both been the target of the president’s ire over the past few days. The former cried when he lost his job last year, Mr Trump said, adding that the latter has written a book “full of lies”.

On Friday, US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson told CNN that he had “no reason to question” Mr Trump’s mental fitness. (BBC)

Sunday January 6th, - 09:30 hrs Monday January 7th, - 10:30 hrs Tuesday January 8th, - 11:30 hrs

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

EU writes Barbados on inclusion in global tax haven BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Barbados government says it has received correspondence from the European Union outlining the reasons behind the decision to name the island among several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries labelled as tax havens.

International Business Minister Donville Inniss told the Barbados TODAY online publication that he had received correspondence from EU in response to a letter he sent last month.

But while Innis did not disclose the contents of the letter he acknowledged he would be sending another

letter to the EU “to respond to them regarding the question that Barbados be removed from whatever list they have”.

Inniss said he hoped the matter would be settled soon, even while admitting that similar challenges would pop up from time to time.

“In the international business we will continue to have challenges with our partners in other jurisdictions, and the European Union matter remains there. I hope that will be settled early in the New Year,” Inniss said.

In December last year, EU finance ministers meeting in Brussels named St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada,

and Trinidad and Tobago among a list of 17 countries considered to be global tax havens. They said the new list had been drawn up after 10 months of investigations

by EU officials.

The ministers said the countries on the blacklist were not doing enough to crack down on offshore avoidance schemes. Potential sanctions that could be enforced on members of the list are expected to be agreed in the coming weeks.

The EU said that as a first step, a letter will be sent to all jurisdictions on the new list, explaining the decision and what they can do to be de-listed.

But the CARICOM countries have objected to being included in the list and CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque said that regional countries had been blacklisted even though they have not been so labelled by the relevant regulatory authorities such as the Financial Action Task Force and the OECD Global Forum.

“This decision by the EU has been based on new and unilaterally-determined criteria, that go beyond the generally accepted international tax transparency and accountability standards which our countries have been diligently meeting over the past several years,” he

said.

“CARICOM strongly objects to this listing of our member states and calls on the EU to remove our member states from this pernicious list,” he said, noting that the 15-member grouping stood ready to discuss the matter with the European Council.

More than two weeks after the list was published, Inniss told the Barbados TODAY publication that he did not know “what the problem is”, and in the absence of clarification from the EU, it was difficult to determine what steps Barbados needed to take in order to be removed from the list.

“First of all, you have to know what the problem is that the European Union has.

So until that is made clear to us I don’t think I can make a public announcement as to what needs to be done,” he said then.

Inniss, who had previously described the blacklisting “unfortunate and unfair”, had also suggested that Barbados was a fully cooperative jurisdiction when it came to taxation matters, and that it had made the required commitments to either amend or eradicate its regimes that were not in line with EU specifications by the December 5, 2017 deadline.

Planes collide at Toronto’s Pearson Airport –– but passengers are safe

(REUTERS) - DOZENS of passengers were evacuated from an aircraft at Toronto’s Pearson Airport late on Friday after a plane under tow struck an arriving jet that was waiting to park, sparking a small fire, the airport authority said.

Fire and emergency services responded to the collision between the two planes from Sunwing Airlines and Westjet Airlines (WJA.TO), which happened at 18:19hrs (2319 GMT), the Greater Toronto Airport Authority said in a statement.

Calgary-based Westjet said it had un-

confirmed reports of “minor injuries” in the incident, but that all 168 passengers and six crew members on board its plane were safe and accounted for.

The jet, a Boeing 737-800, had just arrived in Toronto from the resort of Cancun, Mexico, and was waiting to proceed to the gate at the time of the collision, Westjet said.

Sunwing, part of the privately held Sunwing Travel Group, said there were no passengers or crew onboard its plane at the time of the collision, and that the aircraft was being towed by ground handler, Swissport

International Ltd. A spokesman for the Transportation Safety Board, Canada’s transportation regulator, said a team was headed to the airport to investigate.

Swissport, a provider of ground and cargo handling services for the aviation industry, confirmed late on Friday that one of its employees was involved in the collision, and said it would cooperate in the investigation.

“The incident occurred when our employee was pushing back the plane from the gate,” Pierre Payette, Swissport Canada Handling Inc vice-president of operations for Toronto, said in a statement emailed to Reuters.

“The impact caused a small fire in the empty aircraft’s exterior generator, which was quickly extinguished by the Fire Department.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

President and Leader Of the Opposition meeting PRESIDENT David Granger and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo met on Wednesday, at the invitation of the former, to reportedly discuss the appointments of Chancellor and Chief Justice of the Judicature.

Going by the picture released by the Ministry of the Presidency showing the two greeting each other, the phrase ‘a picture tells a thousand words” could hold true. Looking at that photograph of a smiling president greeting an equally smiling leader of the opposition, such level of cordiality --occasional in our political culture -- is most welcoming.

Where the nation’s politics remains splintered, ruckuses in the National Assembly cutting deep, political finger-pointing the norm, cross-accusations and threats of non-cooperation, the pictorial disposition of the nation’s two leading politicians may be just what the doctor would order for this society.

The truth is we all have similar needs, desires and aspirations, and where attention could be paid to that which we have in common as against what divides us,

the motto of “One People, One Nation One Destiny” is attainable.

Without exception, Guyanese face the same market forces/pricing. Whereas some may be fortunate not to pay taxes on incomes and some commodities and services and others not, thereby able to stretch their earnings further, it does not exempt any from reliance on these.

All need food, clothing, shelter, water, electricity, access to quality health and education, and the benefit of traversing proper roads.

Without exception, we need the protection and service of our men and women in uniform and the comfort of knowing our borders are secure from foreign interference, be they illegal activities or territorial threats. None can honestly deny that should they feel aggrieved and wants justice, he or she expects the constitution and laws of Guyana to protect him or her. Equally, it goes for wanting the satisfaction of knowing that living in Guyana is not equated to a nightmare, but that of opportunities to pursue dreams and unleash potentials.

We all want government to work for us. Truthfully, while partisanship may inform support or condemnation for the party/group in power, everyone wants to know whether or not they voted for the party/group in office that they are treated fairly. The resources of this country -- capital, natural and physical -- belong to all the citizens. It is not unreasonable therefore to expect of the people to want their resources to be properly managed and fairly distributed.

All of the above are human aspirations and expectations. Ideally, while it should matter not from whence we came, where we reside, our connections, political affiliations or absence thereof, ours is not an ideal society. It is a society still scarred by centuries of cultivated mistrust for the other, which very often raises its ugly head in the form of political expediency. Recognition of the adverse does not negate the desire for the ideal and working to make it possible. However, should there be focus as to how this can be possible as against how roadblocks could be put in place to hinder, it could bode well for developing

a positive political culture. This could see, though not limited to, building on the warm greetings of the President and Leader of Opposition.

Society still looks forward to a politics where all are included. Early effort by the APNU+AFC government to cultivate constructive dialogue with the PPP/C opposition remains a worthy aspiration and pursuit. The government’s team is headed by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and though the opposition expressed disinclination to participate once he heads the team, society hopes there would be a rethink.

Critical to developing the new desired political culture and proceeding with deeper political engagement is acceptance that each side has the right to determine who they want to represent the team. As fittingly as the PPP/C would expect the APNU+AFC to respect the members of their team, it is not unfair to ask of the opposition to respect the government’s team.

We have to start somewhere.

Wednesday’s meeting showcased the possibility.

Who tickled Rawle Welch causing him to whine?

Dear Editor, I HASTEN to respond to a letter, briefly,

by Rawle Welch (KN 03.02.18) “Sealey struggling to convert thinking.”

In a subsequent missive, I’ll deal with the individual’s over-indulgence in polemics, which is definitely not suited for public discourse, but rather, the Haags Bosch landfill site.

I’m amused that this individual, who in the past as a sports journalist with the Kaieteur News, had often resorted to the column space for utilisation to promote two consecutive presidential nominees of the Guyana Football Federation.

In the same breath, denouncing both of the challengers. K. Juman Yassin, S.C, President, Guyana Olympic Association

also was not spared ahead of the GOA’s AGM, in seeking re-election. Why? Two challengers had their respective resumes enhanced.

Meanwhile, since Welch has incriminated me by name as “blind loyalty to his employers and he is afraid to point to for fear of payback,” Welch has descended into the “gutter of his once vibrant mode as a sports writer.”

It’s rather unfortunate that constructive criticism can’t be accepted with the deserved smile and striving towards rectifying the situation. Why hadn’t the individual kept a meaningful exchange, with intellectual content rather than mudslinging, name-calling, distortions, half-truths, libel, lies and slander?

Editor, it’s for this simple reason I’ll

have no other option than to pursue legal proceedings against Welch, who will have his day in the court of law; towards justifying my employers, place of employ, circumstantial, photographic and supportive evidence of weekly/fortnightly/monthlywages/salary. Indeed, the world has moved on, but cricket the gentleman’s game; the game of glorious uncertainty; has borrowed/ copied a thing or two from FIFA, and the NBA towards enhancing its marketability and administrative acumen.

As a consequence, the last time I had a brief exchange with Welch was during the last quarter of 2017, outside of DEMICO. The individual was in the company of a former national footballer, coach and an executive coordinator of competitions and tournaments. Welch my friend and definite-

ly not brethren had expressed his dismay of “My penmanship towards privately run five-a-side competitions/tournaments”, citing “I’ve lost all respect for you and in due course will respond.”

It’s a pity it took him a little over three months, a poor reflection of an esteemed, once acclaimed Sports Journalist Of The Year. If Welch can disclose publicly, who tickled him, causing him to whine, he can rest assured I’ll drop the “lawsuit”! While also assuring him that Juman Yassin, SC, isn’t my defence lawyer or I’ll have no other option than to seek legal recourse, since the GRA would also be filing a claim for unpaid taxes.

Respectfully yours, LESTER SEALEY

7

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

OP-ED

It is time to govern

UNCERTAINTY had gripped the city. Tension, like death, hung on everything, even the thin afternoon air. Everywhere was on lock-down. Election fervour.

The GECOM building was a fortress; some of us had gathered on its periphery in a standoff with security forces. There was a palpable fear among us that ballot boxes would be tampered with and the triumph we yearned for out of the General Elections, votes for which were being counted, would elude our grasp.

Shots rang out punctuating our chants and in the afternoon skies our eyes followed the trajectory of the smoke and canisters. We could hear the commands to disperse. Defiant, a few of

us held our noses and either kicked or threw the missiles in the other direction as they landed. But the burning of the gas would become too unbearable and we retreated along Main Street.

It was the day of Poet Martin Carter’s funeral. Life imitating art; we became the ‘faces strained and anxious’; ‘a city of clerks became a city of men.’ Our choir gathered at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, where the poet prepared for his final walk. We had learnt that Opposition Leader Desmond Hoyte was in attendance and demanded an audience without delay. So rash we were.

The quintessential statesman emerged from the parish to pacify us, walking in our raucous to Quamina Street where a vehicle took him

– what are you for?

from us shortly.

Those were the days when everything came to a standstill as we exercised our franchise and awaited for our will to be determined. In that milieu we had met a politician and presidential hopeful on the city streets, from one of the smaller parties; some of us looked up to men like him. He shook our hands, and assured us that they were ‘not going to let them steal this election’. Days later, he was a minister. Those were different times. The age of ‘hooligans’ and ‘thugs’, an epoch birthing my political education and activism.

Little by little, step by

step, together suffering colossal losses, surviving pyrrhic victories, we have matured as a body politic.

Even when entire elections where vitiated there was a bourgeoning civility, we accepted the transfer of power from term to term and in 2015 from one government to the other. This is why in our history of recent vintage the actions of a few possess the potential to set us back 20 years and squander all of our gains.

The persistent, needless attacks on our government on all fronts, and more particularly on our President must be rejected by all Guyanese.

Our young country deserves a chance to continue to blossom and bloom. ‘Madness’, they say, ‘is doing the same things over and over but expecting a different result.

We can no longer be content to fight the battles of others, started before many of us were born. Another approach is needed. Another world is necessary, if we are to build a different country for a different age.

In modern political philosophy is the notion you ‘campaign in poetry but you govern in prose.’ A former President, hot on the trail some years ago, bellowed, “You do not run a country by

Sherod Duncan being against things. What are you for?” The rhetoric was directed at the then opposition. All of us must contemplate such a statement, and ask the question.

It is time to govern.

What are you for?

Drastic changes needed at City Hall Dear Editor, Notwithstanding the value and advantages all over the world of local democracy which is the self-government of cities, towns, villages and districts by democratic means, typically, but not exclusively, through elected mayors, councils and other local officials, when one looks at the ailing Georgetown Municipality, one cannot help but wonder whether it would not make more sense for Central Government to just dissolve the Council and take over fully the functions that statutorily belong to the

municipality, under a Government department and just get rid of the incompetent, corrupt and parasitic municipal officers that are draining the city’s resources.

The Central Government has had to take over the massive debt owed to the garbage contractors last year and continue paying them until the end of 2017 to avoid a major embarrassment and health risk during the holidays.

Since the Government has stopped paying them at the beginning of this year, enormous garbage piles have reappeared almost instantly. Such a shame!

Despite the Council receiving market rents and property rates, all of the rat infested, crime prone and leaking municipal markets continue to deteriorate into some of the most unhealthy and unsightly shopping centres in the world.

Again Central Government has had to intervene, this time bailing the Council out with more than twenty five million dollars to complete the rehabilitation of the Kitty Market. Just preposterous!

If the Central Government does not build, maintain and rehabilitate the roads within the capital, including those under the

direct control and curtilage of the Mayor and City Council, then no one would be able to drive any longer, as they all would become impassable. Why is this so when a portion of your property rates is supposed to go towards road building and maintenance? And to add insult to injury, they tried to foist a parking meter albatross around the necks of vehicle owners as yet another punitive municipal tax.

Street lighting, another fundamental responsibility of the Council, is completely ignored by them and left for the Central Government to look after. They also re-

fuse to settle its account of more than one billion dollars that it owes to the GPL. Is the Council not ashamed of itself?

The municipal abattoir must be one of the most archaic and insalubrious meat processing centres in this hemisphere, and the City Police Training Centre is in a ruinous state. All compliments of the Georgetown City Council.

Just walk around Georgetown and witness

the vagrants and junkies that sleep and live on the pavements, harassing passers-by each day, encounter the mosquitoes at night, and the flooding that occurs after half an hour of rain.

Should this depraved, useless and corrupt Council not be replaced by some entity that could deliver the goods to the citizens of Georgetown?

Best regards, SAMBU JACOBUS

8

Buried beneath headlines

THERE were many positive stories in recent times that have been buried beneath banner headlines in sections of the Guyana media.

Those headlines in media that would describe themselves as “free” or “independent”, have been invariably reserved for and stamped on reports of gruesome crimes, assorted scandals and titbits that were deemed “sexy” and “sensational.”

This caricature may aptly describe the nature of the media in the democratic world and, in spite of how disappointed ruling politicians may feel it is always, in my opinion, better to have a probing or even negative media, than a sterile, uncritical or sycophantic “fourth estate.” But I have always hoped that they could be fair and objective.

GUYANA’S PRIDE In this regard, Guyana can pride itself with having open and plural media houses and sites that are free from state

censorship, political interference or economic restraints.

Guyana may even be unique in the Commonwealth for having a media landscape that not only includes official propaganda publications by political parties, but thinly disguised “opposition” newspapers, television and radio stations that hide behind the dubious corporate veil.

Whatever their political, vested or editorial agendas, it would be difficult for some of these entities to justifiably or righteously claim that they are not committed to the truth, or to objective reporting of the facts in every situation. What they seem to do, however, is to allow facts to slip through the cracks in preference for negatives stories, or those that are given certain twists and slants that would obfuscate the truth.

SUCCESSFUL SECURITY OPERATIONS Last year, the biggest

news reports that have been buried under the headlines were the successful rate of security operations with interception of major criminal activities and initiation therefor of prosecution.

Notwithstanding redeployment of key personnel at the leadership or, perhaps because of such proper and better placement, the combined security forces did a commendable job in their valiant battle against illicit drugs, piracy, high-profile violent crimes and trafficking in persons. They did those, and much more, in a year that

saw the destruction of the central prison, the displacement and relocation of over 1,200 prisoners and the biggest ever manhunt for escaped criminals.

Since the APNU+AFC coalition government took office just over 30 months ago, it must be evident that a halt has been put to execution-style or extra-judicial killings, the wanton operations of the dreaded death or phantom squads and torture of suspects in police custody.

Last year, piracy was reduced to an occasional occurrence and overall, serious crimes have been reduced by over 10%. Yet, selective headlines screamed “Crimes spiral out of control.”

LOWER INCIDENCE OF CRIME It must be evident that Guyana has a lower incidence of crime than several Caribbean states, yet the mainstream media have chosen to bury this achievement beneath their headlines, even in the face of uninformed advisories to international travellers to stay away from our country. As for social media, sites that are politically infected with the opposition hate-speech virus found it sickeningly “sexy” to manufacture and regurgitate fake stories.

On the anti-narcotics front, figures show that enforcement agencies seized some 65,000 kilos of cannabis worth over $11 billion and some 383 kilos of cocaine, worth over $285 million. Charges were made out against 390 persons.

In spite of several isolated episodes of misconduct, overall, the security forces have conducted improved intelligence-driven operations that resulted in detection of illegal airstrips and interception of unauthorised, narco-related flights and shipments. Though mocked by an unimaginative opposition as a “dogs and ponies” show, the use of police equestrian and canine resources, though limited, could not be ignored.

What is evident is the determined effort, of our government to retrieve Guyana from

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

the shadows of a criminalised state and to restore legitimacy to commercial and civil life.

A huge chunk of business remains underground, and for dirty money would indulge in contraband trade, smuggling, trafficking, money laundering, etc.

The state’s effort has been supplemented by strengthening of the institutional framework to allow greater safeguards and stronger enforcement of our laws and to protect the integrity of our financial system, such as :● Establishment of Public Procurement Commission, Local Government Commission, and a Family Court; ● Granting of full financial autonomy to the Judiciary, the Legislature, Office of the Auditor General, Elections Commission and other constitutional agencies; ● Reconstitution of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal and the Judicial Service Commission. ● Appointment of a Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission and the Ombudsman; ● Appointment of Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice, along with a new complement of Justices of Appeal, puisne judges and magistrates; SECURITY ARCHITECTURE In addition, there have been consistent and determined efforts to strengthen the security architecture of our society. It could not go unnoticed that closed-circuit cameras have been installed in what was the first phase of a Smart City Solution to detect traffic violations and intercept criminal activities.

Towards this end, the 911 Emergency system has been introduced, at long last; and a new fleet of vehicles has been deployed on the coast and in the interior to help make Guyana safer.

As part of the on-going effort to beef up security of the identity of our citizens, a process of digitising all records of birth and death has commenced. Since last year, Birth/Marriage/Death

certificates with new security features have been issued.

It is a relief to no longer see the routine headlines of long and snaking lines outside the Central Passport Office as the processing time has been reduced. Soon, the service will be decentralised with offices located in Linden, New Amsterdam and other capital towns.

Guyana has emerged from the pale of black listing for non-compliance with anti-money laundering requirements. Since last year, Guyana was given leadership of the CFATF for the next term. And, as a show of commitment to open governance with respect for accountability, Guyana became a candidate member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), and hopes for full membership.

POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS These are positive developments for Guyana, which our media could showcase, but it seems that a strong, subterranean media culture is drifting in an opposite direction. Just yesterday (Saturday, January 6), in the face of statistical evidence, a Peeping Tom wrote in Kaieteur News that “Guyana is not safe”. The Peeper buried the truth under the headline, “Crime is out of control”, the only plausible reason for so doing is to spite the nation, douse the “carnival season” (Mashramani celebrations) with poisonous pessimism to discourage visitors who would come to Guyana for the event, and to damage business.

The perennial pessimists and political narcissists continue to beat up on Guyana, placing good news not only under the headlines, but beyond reach.

But like every discovery of oil, the good news will inevitably float to surface, with an irrepressible message, that a handful in the media cannot sink the truth or bury the hopes of the Guyanese nation.

9

Safe and

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

Secured

By Lenno Craig

What is your emergency ?

By Lenno Craig A WELL-FUNCTIONING Emergency Call Response System (ECRS) is an indispensable arm of law enforcement and public security.

As a condition of service, Telcos operating in Guyana are obligated to route emergency calls from customers free of cost. Since the privatisation of telecommunications, Guyana has struggled to maintain functional systems. Certain sections of society were of the view that GTT was responsible for the entire architecture including hardware infrastructure, command centre operations, call termination and dispatching. GTT remained adamant that it is responsible only for the public leg of pointto-point call routing and termination to one or more locations identified by the government, all other infrastructural responsibilities rest with the government.

Though concerns about its dysfunctional condition remained a seething angst over the years, it was not until the tenure of Mr. Clement Rohee as the Minister of Home Affairs, who came under constant elbowing from the Private Sector Commission (PSC) headed at the time

by Capt. Gerry Gouveia, that the government sought to take any action to operationalise the system, albeit after

several rounds of lacklustre efforts. It is apparent that Mr. Rohee saw the ECRS as a good but unnecessary auxiliary of mere decorative value to the public security apparatus. In an effort to shirk his responsibility he constantly sought to misdirect the PSC, mislead the nation and cast blame on GTT for its dysfunctional state.

The PSC, struck either by its own gullibility or genuinely hoodwinked, publicly chastised GTT for its perceived incompetence and dereliction of duty.

GTT asserted that it has over the years provided all facilities in keeping with its mandate and has gone beyond its legal obligation by offering equipment and handsets which were either misused, neglected or destroyed due to maladministration. In fact, Capt. Gouveia was quoted in the press as saying, “People are dying, people are being hurt… The 911 system, in my view, is a national emergency and everybody from the President right down should not go to bed at night if this 911 system is not working and I am appalled that they do.”

During his tenure, Rohee issued a US$20,000 consultancy contract for review of the ECRS, but the nation was not informed who the contractor was or what procurement system was used. In fact, to this day, there is no

trace of the consultancy report, probably part of Rohee’s infamous middle-finger ribaldry. Ironically, on the same day he gave the nation his middle finger, the nation gave him the boot.

When Mr. Ramjattan assumed responsibility for the security sector, he referred to the failure of the ECRS as a “major embarrassment” and made it a priority.

In contrast to Rohee’s phantom consultancy, existing expertise from the Ministry of Public Security, Police Force, GTT and Digicel conducted joint evaluation at no cost to taxpayers.

The recommendations were taken on board and Digicel was contracted to design and implement the system, which now functions to international

standards.

A key feature of the design is that the three emergency numbers were merged (911 Police, 912 Fire and 913 Ambulance).

Regardless of the nature of the emergency, citizens are required to dial 911 only. One development that may have gone unnoticed is that the Fire Service now operates a fully trained and staffed Ambulance Brigade or Emergency Medical Service (EMS) with an initial complement of five ambulances and more will be added over time. According to public utterances

by Minister Ramjattan, he is not quite done yet, the modular systems will be integrated into one large framework called the Smart City System equipped with a modern command centre to view

CCTV cameras mounted throughout the city to strengthen and interconnect the whole public security apparatus.

Social media is replete with unsolicited comments about positive contacts with the 911 system during emergencies, in one instance a young man reported placing a 911 call from an accident scene and given both anxiety control and first aid instructions by the dispatcher, while it took less than 10 minutes for the police, fire and EMS to arrive on the scene. I hope Gerry will at least allow “from the President right down” to at least take their nightly nap. Despite this laudable advancement there is one noticeable defect which the government should seek to rectify urgently,

lack of public education as is evident by the inordinately large number of prank calls made to the system.

The current 911 system meets international standards and is able to collect, collate and store a large amount of data. In this regard, I would like to use this space to make a direct appeal to “the President right down” to Minister Ramjattan that this data (and data from across the entire public security sector) be made publicly available to be utilised by researchers.

Social science students and teachers from the University of Guyana and further afield can generate quite a lot of academic analysis from this data beyond the mundane.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

Drastic action needed now to save – Guyana Government must act West Indies cricket to end local impasse THE West Indies have just completed yet another disappointing overseas tour—this time the team failed to win a single game across the three formats they played in New Zealand. This must surely go down as one of the most depressing campaigns by a West Indies team, even in an era of sub-standard performances. Many would indeed argue that the recent display in New Zealand was a case of “more of the same.” It is difficult to refute that assessment, given the fact that the team has repeatedly let the Region down since 1995.

The rapid fall of the team’s fortunes from a position of dominance to one of permanent mediocrity is almost beyond comprehension. And because cricket is the one area in which our Caribbean has been able to compete globally, the

blow to the Region’s pride is incalculable. This point is central to any analysis of our cricket-- then and now.

We have had the recent embarrassment of being unable to field our best team largely because most of our better players prefer to ply their trade in the various T20 tournaments around the world, rather than play for the West Indies. We are the only cricketing nation where our players have not been able to balance commitment to representing the nation and taking advantage of the lucrative deals available in the T20 leagues. This is an indictment of both the players and the administrators.

But, even when the star players are available, the losing streak has continued.

Cricket is a team sport that thrives on team effort rather than isolated individual accomplishments. One cannot help but notice the lack of team chemistry and coordi-

nation when the so-called stars play for the West Indies. Sadly, our cricket has been reduced to individualism. Now, we have players pulling out of the team on the eve of a series for “personal reasons.” How low have we sunk?

When this is coupled with the fact that younger players do not benefit from playing with and against the more experienced players, the disastrous outcomes are inevitable. Our young talent is thrown into the fray of international cricket without much guidance and they often do not possess the temperament and technical skills needed to succeed at that level. They play firstclass cricket on sub-standard pitches and in empty grounds.

Then there is the very serious problem of foreign coaches. This development represents an affront to West Indian identity and

dignity. With all due respect to these coaches, there is no way a Stuart Law can coach a Shimron Hetmeyer or Shai Hope to be a Gary Sobers, Rohan Kanhai or Viv Richards. We have equally qualified West Indian coaches who played the game at the highest level—why are they being bypassed? We have sunk to a new level of madness—a crisis of the imagination and a lack of understanding of what cricket means for our people. We must call a spade a spade.

It is little wonder that our selection policy lacks direction—I often wonder whether the selectors have a clue about what they are doing. Carlos Brathwaite becomes captain after hitting four sixes. We are now sliding down the ranks of the T20 format which we dominated not so long ago. Jason Holder, a decent cricketer but a woeful captain, is burdened with the captaincy of the other two formats. We continue to lose badly, but he appears to be guaranteed permanent leadership of the team.

When there is a Barbadian chairman of the selectors and more than half the teams are Barbadians, then one must ask the inevitable question—is this a case of undisguised insularity?

Some of those players merit their places in the team, but

some do not—plain and simple. Why, for example have two wicket-keepers in the test team? What does Dowrich do behind or in front of the stumps that Hope cannot do? If Hope is in the team, then let him keep wicket and free up that other spot to a bowler or batsman. Why pick Bishoo and not play him while you select less penetrative bowlers? Why is Beaton playing for the West Indies and not Guyana? And why is he good enough for the shorter versions and not the longer one? Why are some players given extended runs, despite repeated failures and others are not afforded similar treatment?

We have the folly of a T20 league that is dominated by foreign players. How on earth can we have a Guyana team with only three or four Guyanese and where the captain is a foreign player?

Aren’t West Indian tournaments meant to be nurseries for West Indian talent? West Indian cricket stakeholders have lost it.

There is clearly a systemic problem with West Indies cricket—from management to coaching to the attitudes of the players. Further, as we have argued before, the state of our cricket reflects the state of the society itself. After all, the administrators and players are recruited from our communities. The problem is both particular to cricket and grounded in larger social dynamics. As such, it must be tackled both within and beyond the boundary.

Any attempts to turn the situation around must take those factors into consideration. But we are afraid, that insofar as there have been serious attempts in this direction, they have been more geared at minor reforms rather than radical transformation. There have been quite a few recommendations from reputable individuals and groups, all of which have been ignored by the authorities. In this

regard, the Patterson Report and the more recent Barriteau Report come to mind.

It is time for something drastic—very drastic. First, the cricket administrators from Cricket West Indies to the local boards should be forced to relinquish their positions. The corporate mentality which is dominant in our politics has also taken hold of our cricket administration. From all indications, these administrators are more concerned with the prestige and privilege which come with the positions at the expense of the well-being of the game. This has now become a cancer that must be stopped. The governments of the Region must act to save the game for the Region. This is no longer a private matter—the very Caribbean soul is at stake.

Here in Guyana, we have a situation where one faction has literally hijacked the management of the game for almost a decade. There have not been any proper elections during this period.

Some clubs and players are sidelined because they are deemed to be dissidents.

They have used the courts and their connections to stay in power. All this with the collusion of the West Indies Board and the inaction of the government. Both the PPP and the present government have allowed this travesty to continue. They appointed an ambassador, but never allowed him to do his work.

We have a new Sports Minister; I hope he appreciates the urgency of this situation and acts. It is the duty of the government to protect our cricket asset from predatory behaviour. The ball is in your court, Dr. Norton.

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

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

You can’t treat citizens/workers bad and expect positive results AT the dawn of this new year, there was a letter in the press by Patrick Yarde, President of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), addressing issues that are of serious concern to public servants and their union. These include the bad faith government continues to demonstrate in respecting the constitutional rights of workers to Collective Bargaining and the continuation of imposed wages and salaries. This disregard for Collective Bargaining by the PPP/C government was repeatedly condemned by the groups that form the APNU+AFC government, when they were in the opposition.

Citizens/workers were made to feel such condemnation was demonstrating respect for the constitution and labour laws of Guyana, ILO Conventions Nos. 87 and 98, and the importance of government setting the tone for how citizens/ workers must be treated. In fact, the APNU+AFC when campaigning to get into the seat of government, none other than its presidential and prime ministerial candidates loudly proclaimed that under an APNU+AFC government, collective bargaining shall be restored.

As this recall is being made, I’m well aware that there are some who will seek to downplay the transgressing of the fundamental rights and freedoms of public service workers by arguing that under this administration the percentage of minimum wage increases has been significant. This is beside the point. You cannot deprive or find acceptance in depriving persons what are inalienably theirs on the pretext of monetary or material so-called reward.

As descendants of forebears who were enslaved and

indentured, to accept such a notion is tantamount to accepting the dehumanising conditions under which our ancestors laboured and lived.

By the same extension, arguments by the enslavers and indenturers that our ancestors were paid or had a roof over their heads in exchange for their labour becomes acceptable. You cannot condemn the oppressors and fail to condemn similar disrespect in the period of self-government, for they both have one thing in common, i.e. the disrespect for fundamental rights, freedom and human dignity. Anywhere such exists the presence of oppression exists.

Talks about creating a professional public service shall never materialise when government holds to the view that there is human decency and acceptance in treating workers badly. The Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service impressed in its recommendations the importance of adhering to Collective Bargaining. And this is not only because it is written, but the spirit and intent that has informed its presence are grounded in recognising where workers feel their labour is valued and respected, they are more inclined to improve production and productivity.

People are not beasts of burden where you can whip them into subjection or direction, they will engage in acts of resistance which is a natural course of human behaviour when oppressed, marginalised or exploited.

No government, organisation, unit or country can succeed where its inhabitants or participants feel devalued or disrespected. You have to treat people with respect as the principal incentive for good performance.

And this brings me back to the arbitrary withdrawal

of year-end bonuses to the military and traditional public service. Though wages and salaries are relatively low compared to the cost of living, these workers could have planned around and added something more to their lives with that bonus.

This incentive which was instituted under the PPP/C government is laudable and should have been retained.

Any idea to alter or remove same should have had the involvement and consent of the stakeholders affected.

We talk about crimes and get upset with the Police Force when such spiral, and not without merit. 2017 was one of the most, if not the most trying year for the police since self-government.

There were two major riots and several breakouts at the prisons, and some of the most dangerous inmates escaped.

Going by the 2002 Camp Street Prison break and the deadly mayhem that ensued, this society was fearful of the possibility of a repeat.

Yet 2017 recorded one of the finest moments for our men and women in uniform.

Citizens felt assured in the midst of chaos and uncertainty that they were on top of the crises. Statistical reports also showed a decline in serious crimes. If there was ever a time these cadre of workers deserved any bonus and incentive for their performance, given what they were able to achieve with very limited resources, 2017 was that year.

Government is still to appoint constitutional bodies.

The importance of these can never be overstated, since they form the bedrock in the established system of governance in treating with the people and their welfare.

Government, by its treatment of state workers, sets the tone for basic conditions of employment in the country. The private sector uses this as a

gauge in determining conditions of employment for their workers. When government sets a positive tone, it creates a level playing field, competitive working environment, incentives to perform and sell one’s skills and talents in the workforce, aiding the process of development.

We have the issue of the productive sector, i.e. sugar and bauxite, where workers are being treated with contempt. On the matter of addressing the future of GuySuCo, the approach by the corporation and government gives the impression that there exists no empathy in the pursuit of what they determine, excluding the inputs of other stakeholders, is right for the company. A case in point is that of making a number of jobs redundant and sending workers home without any indication as to when they will receive their terminal (i.e. termination) benefits. Whosoever is advising GuySuCo and the government is departing from what is considered good

practice in industrial practices and creating further bad blood. These workers should have received their benefits not later than the pay date that followed the company’s action.

The PPP/C is no better, having placed the industry on the chopping block years ago due to mismanagement, that included scrapping the Diversification Programme.

Where the future looks bleak for sugar workers, the party’s leadership is seeking to project the image of the knight in shining armour, being comfortable condemning what the government and GuySuCo are doing, offering no alternative or producing a plan, only the promise of better days should they win in 2020 as the workers are presently catching hell, which makes 2020 donkey years away and a promise to a fool.

With the matter of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) Guyanese labour continues to witness a government that not only has part ownership

of the company, but is the custodian of the nation’s laws and protector of its sovereignty, showing no strength in reining in a foreign tyrant. Seven years have passed since the BCGI foreign management refuses to respect the constitutional right of bauxite workers and the country’s labour laws. In opposition, this government condemned BCGI management and the PPP/C government for these violations and transgression.

The PNCR, under Robert Corbin’s leadership, brought a motion to the National Assembly condemning the PPP/C government’s handling of the matter. I sat in the public gallery during the debate and was impressed with the articulation of Raphael Trotman (AFC), Basil Williams and Robert Corbin (PNCR). It is opportune to call on Corbin to remind Williams, as PNCR Chairman, Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General to advise the leadership of the PNCR Turn to page 14 ►

12

Services improve at CPCE SERVICES at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) have improved over the past few months with the implementation of several recommendations.

The college now has a

fumes cupboard and an increased supply of water to the dormitories. It also provides meals for non-resident students and has implemented the Pastoral Care Initiative.

The fumes cupboard was

acquired through funding that was given to the institution by President David Granger back in 2016.

This is the first time in the stint of the current principal of the CPCE that the institution was able to procure a fumes cupboard.

The purpose of the cupboard is to capture all the chemical fumes that are toxic within the science laboratories. This will ensure the

Services at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) have improved over the past few months with the implementation of several recommendations

safety of the students while they are using the laboratory facilities.

The CPCE has three laboratories and steps are being taken to acquire two more fumes cupboards to properly outfit the remaining laboratories.

In addition to this success story, the CPCE, having listened to the concerns of its students, has improved the volume of water that serves the dormitories.

The need for additional water to be supplied to the dormitories was raised at a fact-finding session held with President David Granger and education minister, Nicolette Henry.

Previously, only 2000 gallons of water was available to the dormitories which housed about 250 students.

However, the institution can now supply 8000 gallons of water to the dormitories.

During the fact-finding session, students also raised issues related to dormitory facilities.

The dormitories are being repainted and work is 80 per cent complete.

Work was also done inside of the dormitories in the form of servicing and replacing windows, so as to improve living conditions, among other necessary repairs.

Moreover, the CPCE’s Student Development Centre has implemented the Pastoral Care Initiative. This programme was introduced in December 2015.

Students are afforded a one-on-one interaction with lecturers and volunteers to discuss whatever issues each student may want to ventilate, whether it be academic or personal, so that they can receive help.

This initiative is being executed with the understanding that the institution, including administrative and academic staff, cannot appear nor operate in a mechanical manner by not acknowledging that hundreds of students may need additional support.

This is being promoted with an individualistic approach, since all students cannot be helped with a ‘one size fits all’ tactic.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

Miners killed by falling tree THE bodies of two miners were recovered in the Amatuk Backdam, Potaro River, Region Eight, on Friday after they were crushed by a falling tree, police have confirmed.

The incident reportedly occurred at around 15: 30 hrs. The men were only identified as Kadesh Ganesh, 40, and his co-worker, Sydney Hernandez, 25,

called ‘Dougla’.

Reports indicate that both men were in the process of washing down when a nearby tree fell and pinned both of them, killing them instantly.

Ganesh’s head was crushed and almost severed. The bodies of the men are at the Mahdia District Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

Missing teen returns home FOURTEEN-year-old Tanis Webster, who was reported missing since Wednesday, January 3, returned home on Friday night.

According to mother of the teen, Wandia Webster, her daughter returned home “safe and sound” on Friday night at around 19:00 hours.

While she has not questioned her daughter on what prompted her disappearance and where she was, the mother related to Guyana Chronicle that her daughter told her that she was staying in the South Ruimveldt area in a “flat house”.

Wandia, however, posited that her daughter “don’t know town” and might not have actually been in that area.

Found: Tanis Webster

The teen left her Paradise, East Coast Demerara residence at around 14:00 hours to attend lessons and was not heard from until Friday. Relatives made emotional pleas on television for her to return and had also made a missing person’s report at the police station.

Bandit attempted to rape businesswoman POLICE are looking for a suspect who attempted to rape a 60-year-old businesswoman of Rosignol Village, West Bank Berbice, after robbing her of cash and jewellery.

The robber fled the scene of the crime after the businesswoman’s daughter walked into the house and caught the perpetrator, who is known, trying to commit the act.

Reports indicate that the businesswoman was awaiting her daughter’s return from Georgetown when she was attacked in the lower-flat of her home.

The robber entered the woman’s house unknowing to her, crept up behind her, grabbed her neck and choked her.

“I get my eyes on you long now,” the robber reportedly told the businesswoman while choking her.

The bandit, whose face was slightly covered, then escorted the woman into her business flat and retrieved cash from her shop drawer.

He then took her upstairs where he took off his underwear and attempted to rape the businesswoman.

However, before the act was committed, the woman’s daughter entered the home and called out to the perpetrator whom she recognised.

Scared, he grabbed his pants and ran out the house; making good his escape.

The matter was reported to the police who have since launched an investigation.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

Higher volume of gas in Liza 1 THE Department of Public Information (DPI) said the disclosure of 30-50 million cubic feet of natural gas per day in the Liza 1 is not reflective of the total volume of associated natural gas that coexists with oil in that well.

The DPI in a statement made note of this fact following publication of an article in Kaieteur News on January 5, 2018 titled “Guyana has 30-50 million cubic feet of natural gas”.

The article utilised a quote

from a letter issued by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, on January 4, 2018.

The DPI said that while the article aptly reiterated the position of the Government of Guyana and offered clarifications in response to claims, the Government wishes to further provide clarity to this headline.

It noted that the discovery of commercial quantities of oil and natural gas in the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana in Liza 1, has cre-

ated the potential for an additional resource to support development in Guyana, including the diversification of the energy mix.

“Thus, while the quantity has been quoted as 30-50 million cubic feet of natural gas per day, it must be emphasised that this quantity is not reflective of the total volume of associated natural gas that coexists with oil in Liza 1.

“Rather, this specific volume (30-50 mmcfd) has been identified as the po-

Bandit robs mechanic, rapes wife AN armed bandit on Friday robbed a 25-year-old South Ruimveldt, Georgetown mechanic and forced his wife to perform oral sex on him while holding her at gunpoint.

Reports indicate that the couple resides in the lower flat of a two-storey wooden and concrete structure in a fenced yard.

The mechanic had returned home and called his wife to open the front door when he was confronted by

the armed robber who commanded him to lie face down on the ground.

The bandit, who was armed with a silver-coloured handgun, then dealt the mechanic several kicks and cuffs to the body as he closed the door.

He then escorted the wife of the mechanic to the bedroom where he ransacked the room, taking all the jewellery, cellphones and valuables.

The armed robber then

ordered the mechanic to enter the room and crawl under the bed while he took the man’s wife into the living room and commanded her to perform oral sex on him while threatening to shoot her husband.

Terrorised, the woman complied, and after the act, the bandit ordered her to unplug the television set which he collected and escaped through the door in an unknown direction.

The police are investigating the incident.

Armed bandits rob contractor TWO armed bandits on Saturday morning robbed a contractor and two of his employees of cash and other valuables amounting to over $400,000, after the trio left a commercial bank on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

According to reports, 43-year-old Ravindranauth Bhim and two of his employees left the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Diamond, EBD branch after changing a $300,000 cheque and were heading to Bel Air Village, Georgetown, to pay other employees.

The employees with him

at the time were Basil Puran of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and Mark Henson of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

At about 11:30hrs, Bhim stopped his car in front of a shop and it was there the two suspects made their attack.

Reports are that the two bandits rode up alongside the vehicle and one of them fired a shot at the driver’s window which was immediately shattered.

Bhim was reportedly pulled from the vehicle before being forced to lie on the ground where he was

searched. The $300,000 which had been on his person was taken by the suspect, whose accomplice forced the other two employees to exit the car.

The two employees were relieved of one haversack valued at $7000, an iPhone valued at $110,000, another phone valued at $5000 and $3,000 in cash.

Up to late last evening, Crime Chief, Assistant Commissioner Paul Williams was not available for a comment. However, police sources have confirmed that investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Soldier held in marijuana find A Guyana Defence Force (GDF) private is assisting police in Berbice with information following the discovery of 4lbs, 11 ozs of compressed marijuana in the trunk of a car, in the vicinity of the Berbice River Bridge on Friday night.

The soldier of Mocha Village, East Bank Demerara, was a passenger in the hire car travelling the Georgetown to New Amsterdam route when it was stopped at the Palmyra Village junction.

The driver, other occupants and car were searched and during the examination,

the suspected trafficker claimed ownership of the grey haversack in which two black plastic bags were seen with seeds, leaves and stems, suspected to be cannabis sativa.

The narcotic weighed 2137 grams.

While being questioned by police ranks, the 26-year-old claimed to have received the illegal plant from a former GDF rank and he was in the process of handing it over to a relative of the ex-soldier when he was arrested.

The soldier is in custody as police continue their investigation.

tential maximum excess associated gas which may be used for onshore commercial purposes (post-reinjection allocation volumes), and which extraction shall not affect long term oil production and field enhancement plans,” the DPI said.

It pointed out that the

volume quoted relates to Liza Phase 1 only and, therefore, there is the possibility of additional associated (or even non-associated) gas for further commercial use, as exploration continues in other blocks and fields.

“The Government of Guyana wishes to reiterate

that work remains ongoing regarding this particular area, such that there is a sound pathway to efficient development of this resource. In this regard, there will be further information available publicly in due course,” the release concluded.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

BDBA to host Bartica Easter Regatta

By Svetlana Marshall THE Bartica Development Business Association (BDBA) has won the franchise to host the much-anticipated 2018 Bartica Easter Regatta.

The Regional Administration of Region Seven reached an agreement with the business association recently after extensive deliberations. The BDBA, which comprises most of the major businessmen and women in Bartica, has been established to drive development in town. This year’s

of the business community of Bartica to discuss Regatta 2018. He said it is important that there be an economic spread and economic boom for the town.

During the meeting, the association will detail its plans for the much-talked about series of events and at the same time solicit their input. “We

Flashback: Jet-ski race in full swing

Bartica Easter Regatta will be its first major project, and it is the intention of the association to make “a big impression” while maintaining the event’s basic format.

The planning team is headed by Holbert Knights and includes businessmen such as George Jordan, Maurice Smartt, Dave Scott and Dave Younge (also Racers). Paul Burnett and Sonjie Marslowe are coordinating this year’s pageant. The Regatta is billed for March 17 to April 2, 2018.

Headlining the kaleidoscope of activities planned for this year, will be the usual Easter Saturday “Street Jam” followed by the “F1 Power Boat Racing” and the “Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant” on Sunday, and “Regatta Washdown”, featuring an international artiste, on Monday. The coordinators have indicated that the pageant will be made up of several components, including the Top Model Segment at Aruwai Resort; Sashing Ceremony and Carnival at the West Indian Park; Intelligence & Platform Presentation, to be aired live on local television; and the actual pageant night segment at the Bartica Community Centre Ground.

In addition, Bartica Easter Regatta will host (for the first time) a Gymkhana, a presentation of the Guyana Police

One of the delegates who competed in the 2017 Miss Regatta Pageant

Force; also for the first time, “Regatta Talent Fest Competition”; and the much-anticipated “Gospel Concert”.

And to keep with tradition, competition in various sport disciplines, including the regatta river swim, street football, volleyball, basketball, dominoes, dirt bike racing and boxing.

Knights told Guyana Chronicle on Saturday that in the upcoming week, the association will invite members

want the business community to be involved every step of the way,” Knights told this newspaper.

The Bartica Easter Regatta is an annual sport and recreational event which takes place in the mining town located on the Essequibo River. While much of the plans and dates of activities are yet to be finalised, the main activities will take place during the Easter weekend, March 31 to April 2, 2018.

You can’t treat citizens... as to the rationale for the party’s then position and action.

The coalition had campaigned that should they be elected, resolving the BCGI grievances would be high on its agenda. With what is taking place, I’m inclined to believe that in the face of foreign bullyism, the recent cadre of leaders in the PPP/C and APNU+AFC don’t have within them the balls that would have been in the small finger of the enslaved and indentured who fought against dehumanisation, oppression and domination. Ever so often we hear about some new or bigger oil find by

ExxonMobil. The news is greeted with jubilation that the country is on the cusp of becoming well off and Guyanese stand to benefit from it.

Going by precedence on the handling of BCGI and the sweetheart agreement with Exxon, that includes indefinite tax holidays while citizens who paid their dues already are tasked with the responsibility to pay taxes from their miniscule earnings, we are in for some difficult times. It’s hard to be optimistic about the future if we don’t get up and speak out in the face of egregious acts and conduct. It must matter

From page 11

not who are affected by these or are inflicting them. We have a choice. Either we be prepared to band our belly for worse to come, or stand up and fight like real soldiers and our indomitable ancestors.

Finally, at leadership level -- political, trade union, etc-- you cannot want to treat people like lesser animals and expect of them higher thinking, such as their vote and putting their shoulders to the wheel to build the institution or country. There comes a time/point of nominal or no returns.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

Better animals mean better meat

– agriculture official says, as Guyana forges ahead with plan to revive livestock industry

By Rabindra Rooplall THERE is no turning back this year for the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), as it will be going full steam ahead with plans to boost livestock production, particularly where sheep are concerned.

And the way they plan going about it is by Artificial Insemination (AI). As GLDA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Nigel Cumberbatch explained, artificial insemination is nothing new, as it’s been tried here before, but not in sheep.

There were successful pilots in the past, he said, in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Nine ) Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

“We were able to close 2017 with many successes in our cattle, swine and goat AI programmes,” Cumberbatch said, adding: “This year is no exception, as we will be commenc-

ing our AI in [the] sheep programme. Last year we were able to acquire three Katahdin rams through funding from the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI)’s Agricultural Policy Programme (APP).”

The Katahdin is a breed of domestic sheep developed in Maine, in the north-eastern United States and named after Mount Katahdin, the highest peak in that state.

They’re a cross between the St Croix variety of sheep and various other breeds such as the Suffolk, and are highly favoured because of their resistance to parasites, a trait inherited from their Caribbean ancestry.

The three acquired

by GLDA cost a healthy US$9000, but the ultimate goal is to aid with the authority’s Genetic Improvement and Stock Breeding Programmes.

But to get back to the subject of artificial insemination, Cumberbatch said that for last year alone, the GLDA treated some 2186 animals, among them cattle, pigs and small ruminants in Regions Two to Six and

GLDA’s Mr Nigel Cumberbatch

Nine and 10. And the plan this year is to do even more, as many as 3718.

Agriculture Minister Mr Noel Holder has time and again spoken of the government’s commitment to resuscitating the livestock industry, to better position local farmers to not only be self-sufficient here at home, but to also compete on the regional and international markets.

Said he just recently, “GLDA continues to take the leading role in restoring Guyana’s cattle and livestock

industry.

“This move to commence artificial insemination in sheep will see farmers being able to grow their herds, while playing a significant role in developing the industry.

“The Ministry of Agriculture will continue to work with regional and international partners to acquire and introduce new species of animals through our genetic

improvement programme.”

Another plus in the Katahdin’s favour is that it has a relatively low mortality rate, is low-maintenance, and has the ability to produce superior lamb crops. They also possess lean but meaty carcasses, which will allow for higher market weight and, if managed carefully, require minimal parasitical treatment.

According to GLDA’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Dwight Waldron, the authority is moving to have farmers countrywide benefit from top-quality semen, and as early as possible.

Said he: “The bulls are now mature; we have carried out some amount of

extraction training, and we’ll soon commence extraction.

“Once this process is completed and the rainy season ends, we will start making the semen available to farmers across the country.”

Dr Waldron said that for Guyana to enhance its economy and ensure food security, then producing animals of a better size, and meat of a better quality remains vital.

Over the past years, there was an increase in the importation of animals for the purpose of creating better breeds.

Last year, the GLDA recorded 21 successful embryo transplants, and is working to surpass the 2018 target of 240.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

Edghill remains suspended – PPP says confused over miscalculation of days

THE opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on Saturday expressed confusion over the fact that its Member of Parliament (MP) Juan Edghill will not be able to attend Wednesday’s sitting of the National Assembly.

By way of a letter dated January 4, 2018 and addressed to Edghill by the Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs, the MP was informed that he is barred from the January 10 sitting of the House due to what has been described as a mistake in Parliament Office’s calculation of when his suspension started.

The former Minister within the Ministry of Finance under the PPP administration was suspended by Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland for four sittings, after disobeying the Speaker’s instruction to remove himself from the Parliament chamber.

The suspension followed a motion moved by Social Protection Minister and Government Chief Whip Amna Ally to have the House sanction him.

Edghill in December during consideration of the estimates for the Ministry of the Presidency had refused to sit when instructed by the Speaker to do so.

His refusal to follow the Speaker’s instruction during the Committee of Supply had dragged the House into its worst crisis with police ranks stationed at Parliament being summoned to the chamber.

In accordance with Standing order 47 (3), Minister Ally called for Edghill to be suspended from the service of the Assembly for the “next four sittings of this assembly which is December 15.”

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, told a news conference in December that it was the first time in the history of Parliament that a member has refused to withdraw from the chamber on the orders of the Speaker.

“The buck stops with the Speaker,” said Dr Scotland, noting that the procedures regarding time for consideration for each

Opposition MP Juan Edghill agency was discussed prior to the sitting, and it was agreed to during a meeting of the Committee of the Whole.

On the day in question, Dr Scotland indicated to Edghill that he would not allow further discussion beyond the time that was allotted, and the MP was ordered to take his seat, which he refused to do.

OUT OF ORDER Edghill was ruled “out of order”, and asked to leave. Upon

Edghill’s refusal, the Sergeant-at-arms was called upon to take steps, as required, to enforce the Speaker’s order.

However, with Edghill being disallowed from attending Wednesday’s sitting, a statement from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition on Saturday said, it was perplexed as the motion moved by Minister Ally had to have been approved by the Speaker before it was tabled.

The statement said too that the motion was adopted by the government as the first order of business of the adjourned 79th Sitting on December 12.

“The parliamentary opposition was shocked to learn by way of letter dated January 4th, 2018 that the Member Bishop Edghill cannot attend the sitting on January 10th, 2018 due to a mistake made by the Parliament Office in calculating when the suspension commenced,” the statement read.

“The Speaker appears to have assumed the responsibility, not provided

for, to interpret a member’s motion. Minister Ally’s motion included a date of when the suspension would come to an end, December 15, 2017.

Therefore, there is no doubt or ambiguity as to the commencement of the suspension at the sitting on December 12, 2017,” the statement continued.

The opposition said had the minister’s motion been dateless, then it would have been understandable for the Speaker to interpret when the suspension began and when it ended.

Further, the party has argued that on December 12, Edghill was prevented from entering Parliament Buildings; it was the same day that the MP was arrested for breaching the police barricades.

“Therefore, the suspension was in effect on Tuesday, December 12th,” the statement from

the Office of the Leader of the Opposition stated, while stressing that Parliament Office through the Clerk of the National Assembly had written Edghill on the said date indicating his suspension from the 79th sitting of the House.

“This arbitrary interference in the interpretation of a member’s, in this case a Minister’s, motion in keeping with Standing Order 47 (3) (a) is totally unacceptable and smells of crass vindictiveness,” the statement said, while noting that no other parliamentarian has ever received such treatment.

The statement asserted that the Standing Orders are being undermined and that the action of the Speaker amounts to “threats to parliamentary democracy in Guyana”.

The party has assured that it is not going to be daunted by the circumstance.

Three arrested in ganja bust

The compressed cannabis seized by police on Saturday THREE males have been arrested for possession of 42 kilograms of compressed cannabis during an intelligence-led operation conducted by ranks of the Guyana Police Force on the Essequibo Coast on Saturday.

Police in a release said the suspects–two Guyanese and a Venezuelan–are cooperating with investigators and are likely to be charged by Monday.

The arrests were made about 17:30hrs at Back Street, Golden Fleece.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

Farming more vibrant than ever in Black Bush Polder

By Navendra Seoraj

GOOD prices for rice and favourable weather conditions have encouraged persons to take up farming in Black Bush Polder, Region Six. The popular farming community might be reaching its limit in terms of farmlands, since farmers have even started to plant their crops on both sides of the road.

There was an abundance of greenery and vegetation on Thursday when the Guyana Chronicle visited the area.

sons plant cash crops, the main focus is on rice, which has been on the rise over the past year.

The farmers indicated that for the past year there have been favourable weather conditions and due to this, they were able to get the best out of their crop.

Some of them even want to expand their cultivation, but there is no vacant land to do so.

Ramgobin said persons had stopped planting rice for a while, but with new developments in the industry, they were encour-

aged to plant again and even more this time.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) had reported Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder as saying: “We are now on a pretty good path of development for rice, because we have secured new markets for rice and we need to get expansion in our rice cultivation area [to satisfy the demands of those markets].”

“Between the millers and the rice board and the government, we haven’t done badly at all because now we supply rice to 34

Two of the farmers who spoke to the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday

Lush, green rice crops in Black Bush Polder “Things been well in the area for a while man… we planting we stuff and so and good price for we rice encouraging we to plant,” a farmer Ramgobin (only name) told this publication.

He was in the company of fellow farmers who were pleased with the way things were going in the community.

The farmers said over the past two years, some 20 persons have become new farmers.

“We get good weather and so man, since the pump station open by the road head too we don’t really get flood and so, so people want do the work now,” said Ramgobin.

Although some per-

countries and indeed over the last two and a half years we have secured, I think, five new markets,” the minister said.

While recognising the need for the government’s investment in drainage and irrigation structures and equipment in rice-producing areas, Minister Holder pointed out the importance of cost recovery and encouraged farmers to expand their production to compensate for increased investments by government.

“With climate change, we have seen that our

drainage hours have been reduced. This means that we have had to increase our pumping capacity… right now we are bringing in 14 new pumps from India to augment the whole supply system. What this basically means is that increasing your drainage capacity is costing you more money, but not giving you more income so to pay for this,” he said.

Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) General Manager Nizam Hassan said rice and rice products exports out of

Farmers clearing their lands to start cultivation

Guyana are at an all-time high. Close to 540, 000 tonnes of rice was exported for 2017.

The previous all-time high, he said, was in 2015 when 535,000 plus tonnes was exported. Last year, because of El Nino, exports dipped to around 500, 000 tonnes. For 2017, exports were close to 540,000 tonnes, valued at US$201M. Despite the prices, famers from Black Bush Polder said millers have not been paying the full price, but things are expected to get better in the near future.

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Crime decreased last year

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

– acting police commissioner

ACTING Police Commissioner David Ramnarine has described the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) 2017 performance as satisfactory when compared to previous years, as the force recorded a significant decrease in crime.

Commissioner Ramnarine made this statement during the GPF’s endof-year press conference on Friday, at Eve Leary,

Georgetown.

“The Guyana Police has delivered, could we have done more? Certainly. As you would know, they were distractions, from within and from outside. Nevertheless, the force stood strong and tall and delivered a satisfactory performance as of the 31, December 2017 when compared with previous performances,” the acting commissioner said.

He noted that the force recorded an 11 per cent decrease in serious crimes in 2017 when compared to 2016. Ramnarine noted that prior to the last two weeks in 2017, this rate was at 10 per cent.

The acting commissioner explained that “… to achieve that additional one per cent decrease to make it 11 per cent on December 31, quite a lot of work had to be done. So,

Acting Police Commissioner, David Ramnarine

the citizens of this country should feel satisfied that while they were entitled to their entertainment, the ranks of the Guyana Police Force gave an extra effort to reduce crime further.”

Robbery under arms involving firearms saw a 13 per cent decrease with 665 reports in 2017, compared to 769 in 2016, a reduction of 104 reports, while robbery under arms involving other instruments saw 278 reports in 2017, as against 306 in 2016 -- a 10 per cent decrease. Break and enter

and larceny also saw a significant reduction from 1,275 in 2016 to 1,049 in 2017, an 18 per cent reduction.

However, robbery under arms (carjacking) spiked during the last quarter of 2017, with 47 cases reported, as against 35 cases in 2016 and 41 cases in 2015. Of the 47 cases, 16 were Toyota Premio motor cars and eight were Toyota Allion.

“We have not taken comfort in that fact there See page 19

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

Crime decreased last ...

From page 18 were just a few more reports in 2017.We deem it to be unacceptable...” the commissioner stressed.

According to Ramnarine, in December 2017 following good investigative work by the Police Force, “two persons were investigated, one with three counts involving robbery under arms,where

vehicles were stolen and we currently have a case between ‘C’ Division and ‘D’ Division with one person that is under investigation.”

The acting commissioner stressed that the GPF has observed that these carjackings appear to have some sort “criminal industrialised concept.”

There were 116 re-

ports of murder in 2017 as against 142 in 2016, a decrease of 18 per cent. What is significant, according to Ramnarine, is of the 116 cases of murder, 88 were solved (77 per cent).

“This percentage has been very high for the Guyana Police Force and for this country for quite a long while and we believe this ranks among the high-

est solve or clear-up rate anywhere in recent times.”

Over the past few years, the high increase in piracy has been very alarming.

Acting Commissioner Ramnarine reported that 2017 saw nine such reports, of which seven occurred between August and September. The other two cases were reported

following that period.

Ramnarine said the force believes that “with the interdiction of a gang of nine, including two foreigners in Region One, where two boats were seized, firearms and narcotics, would have put a dent in piracy. Also, the police floating base which is well equipped.” He also acknowledged the assis-

tance of the coast guard in that area.

Trafficking in Persons (TIP) was also reduced by some 271 per cent. This was due to increased awareness and provision and access to much-needed training, and the robust implementation and execution of the TIP National Action plan. (DPI)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

Hurricane-hit Caribbean countries under fire – for reportedly selling citizenship at a discount

NEW YORK, CMC – Caribbean nations ravaged by recent hurricanes are selling citizenship at dramatically discounted prices in an effort to raise emergency funds, sparking concerns that the programmes may be vulnerable to abuse, according to reports here.

Past scandals involving

Iranian-born individuals buying St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship to evade sanctions and invest in the US highlight the potential vulnerabilities of citizenship-by-investment programmes, which have been branded “passports for sale,” reported NBC News on Saturday.

In some cases, those pre-

pared to pay US$100,000 or more for citizenship don’t even need to travel to the country before getting the documentation, the US television network said.

It said some experts worry the scramble to pay for hurricane-relief efforts could make authorities more inclined to approve would-be

citizens, and result in laxer vetting practices.

Five Caribbean nations currently offer citizenship in exchange for either a one-off contribution to the nation, or an investment in a designated sector, such as real estate, and many of those countries’ passports allow visa-free travel to the European Union.

“It’s fairly clear these programmes are being exploited by all sorts of people with something to hide, whether that be tax evaders, terror finance operatives, drug cartels or corrupt oligarchs, you name it,” said Emanuele Ottolenghi, a senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a right-leaning Washington D.C.-based think tank.

“You need cash in hand, and it’s a pretty straightforward process, which doesn’t take that long,” she added.

Hurricanes Irma and Maria tore through the Caribbean last fall, devastating dozens of islands, including several where citizenship-by-investment is an option.

In September, NBC News said, St. Kitts and Nevis set up a “hurricane relief fund” which allows foreigners to contribute US$150,000 in exchange for citizenship.

The programme, which is open until the end of March, is US$100,000 cheaper than the country’s previously lowest-priced citizenship-by-investment offer.

Antigua and Barbuda then followed suit, halving its programme’s basic contribution from US$200,000 to US$100,000, according to Sir Ronald Sanders, the country’s ambassador to the US. Grenada also lowered the price of one its routes to citizenship, according to Henley and Partners, a consultancy firm which specialises in citizenship and residency-by-investment.

However, St. Lucia and Dominica’s single-applicant investment costs both remained at US$100,000.

Peter Vincent, a former US Department of Homeland Security official, has warned that strong background checks carried out on behalf of the Caribbean countries were essential to prevent criminals from obfuscating their true identities and obtaining passports, according to the television network.

He said that could potentially allow them to use the travel documents to get to the United States.

Vincent, according to NBC, said that during his time working for the US Department of Justice in Colombia he knew that narco-traffickers and members of the FARC guerrilla group were “actively and aggressively” trying to obtain Caribbean passports to evade the law.

“The move to lower prices will undoubtedly decrease the amount of money available to conduct proper due

diligence,” Vincent said.

Ottolenghi agreed that the cheaper costs raised questions.

“There is a risk they will cut corners when there is less margin for revenue, potentially spending less on due diligence and investigating each case, making citizenship available to more people who shouldn’t have it,” he said.

“This race to the bottom is not good.”

But Caribbean islands and brokering firms dismissed concerns that the standard of background checks will slip as prices fall, pointing to the fact that there are separate due diligence fees on top of the base cost of citizenship, NBC News reported.

“There’s been a big shift recently on the amount of emphasis they [countries] put on due diligence,” said Paul Williams, chief executive officer of La Golden Visas, a citizenship-by-investment consultancy firm.

Williams said he thought vetting was tougher than ever before in the industry.

He also clarified that while applicants need to visit Antigua and Barbuda, the other four countries don’t require you to step foot on the island to obtain citizenship-by-investment, according to NBC. It said Sanders stated that Antigua and Barbuda “strictly adhered” to its vetting system, which consisted of four stages, though he cautioned that there was always a chance that someone of “doubtful character” could slip through.

He added that it wasn’t in any country’s interest to sell citizenship to undesirable applicants because it could jeopardize visa-free travel arrangements with other countries — a key selling point of the citizenship programme.

“If they were given to people of dubious quality or a criminal nature, then the entire program is brought into question,” Sanders told NBC. But in June, NBC said the Canadian government announced that after assessing the integrity of Antigua and Barbuda’s travel documents, it had decided that the country no longer meets its criteria for visa exemption.

It wasn’t the first time the integrity of Caribbean travel documents has come under fire, NBC said.

It said that, in 2014, “St. Kitts and Nevis was pressured to revoke thousands of passports after it was See page 21

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

21

Hurricane-hit Caribbean countries ...

From page 20

revealed that there was no mention of place of birth or whether the holder had changed their name on the documents — meaning applicants would have the chance to effectively create a new identity.”

In February of that year, the US Department of Treasury sanctioned three Iranian nationals for evading US sanctions. All three held St. Kitts and Nevis passports, according to Ottolenghi.

Three months later, the US — which offers its own residency by investment programme starting at US$500,000 — issued an official warning to financial institutions that foreign “illicit actors” had obtained St. Kitts and Nevis passports to evade American sanctions, NBC said.

The statement said it believed that several Iranian nationals had been issued a St. Kitts and Nevis passport, despite government assurances that all Iranian nationals were suspended from participating in the program.

By November, Canada had revoked St. Kitts and Nevis citizens’ right to visa-free travel to the country, NBC said, adding that, the following month, St Kitts and Nevis recalled all passports issued without the key information included.

While the government of St. Kitts and Nevis did not respond to request for comment, NBC said recent promotional material for its hurricane relief program said the nation “adhered to the strictest due diligence parameters, ensuring only applicants with the highest moral character need apply.”

NBC said Sanders was critical of St. Kitts and Nevis’ decision to cut the cost of citizenship, claiming his country had little choice but to follow suit.

“We’re depriving ourselves of revenue,” Sanders said, noting that citizenship-by-investment accounts for some 20 percent of Antigua and Barbuda’s gross domestic product (GDP).

“Dropping prices doesn’t necessarily mean you get more applicants, that’s the gamble that St. Kitts took,” he added. “This race to the bottom is not good. We don’t have the money to rebuild the place with the speed that the residents would like.”

Earlier this week, Citizenship Invest, a market leader specialized in the fastest citizenship programmes to legally obtain a second

passport, said that high net worth families and residents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) contributed to over 70 percent increase in demand for second European and Caribbean nationality in the fourth quarter of 2017.

The top three nationalities that contributed to this spike in demand are Yemenis with 31 percent, followed by Syrians by 15 percent, and Lebanese by 8 percent, according to Arab News, the Middle East’s leading English Language daily.

It said on Monday that the increase in demand is also attributed to the latest amendments in the citizenship legislation of countries like St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, and Antigua and Barbuda.

“The amendments decreased the application costs by 50 percent, which have made it a much more accessible process,” Arab News said. “Obtaining a European or a Caribbean passport has become a crucial requirement for high net worth individuals.

“These passports provide people in the region with a sense of comparatively more security for their families and businesses, as well as freedom of movement,” it added.

Veronica Cotdemiey, chief executive officer of Citizenship Invest, said: “We have been seeing a great increase in the number of families applying over single applicants.

“The main reason is that countries like St. Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda are accepting a family of four members for around SR500,000 (US$133,400) when only two months ago the same would have cost over SR1 million,” she added.

All the countries that have a fast-track citizenship by investment program offer a passport that allows a visa-free entry into 146 countries, Arab News said.

It said these countries include nations under the Schengen zone as well as the UK, China, Singapore and Russia.

“Caribbean countries also have strong ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which makes their passports very popular among Middle Eastern investors,” Arab News said.

Citizenship Invest claims that it is one of the “oldest most reputable companies within the Citizenship by Investment industry and holds the strongest credentials.”

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FA Cup THIRD ROUND..

Coventry pile misery on Stoke, Chelsea held by Norwich

By Martyn Herman LONDON (Reuters) Fourth-tier Coventry City piled on the misery for Stoke City manager Mark Hughes by pulling off the only genuine upset on a hectic day of FA Cup third-round action on Saturday.

Former Cup winners Coventry, now plying their trade in the bottom division of the Football League, revived memories of happier times as Jordan Willis and Jack Grimmer scored the goals in a 2-1 victory at the Ricoh Arena.

Elsewhere, the 25 ties offered only crumbs for the romantics seeking Cup magic although second tier Norwich City did hold champions Chelsea to a 0-0 draw.

Top-flight Bournemouth needed a late Steve Cook goal to draw 2-2 at home to League One leaders and 2013 Cup winners Wigan Athletic and Leicester City drew 0-0 at third-tier Fleetwood Town who struck the post in stoppage-time.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte made nine changes and his side struggled to make clear-cut chances in a dour game at Norwich who created the better opportunities.

Runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City maintained their pursuit of an unprecedented four trophies, Sergio Aguero scoring twice

as they came from a goal down to beat Burnley 4-1.

Goals by Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva killed off Burn-

while Brentford, also from the second tier, were humbled by fourth-tier Notts County with Jon Stead scoring the winner.

Manchester City players celebrate after Leroy Sane scored his side’s third goal during the English FA Cup

ley who had led at halftime thanks to an Ashley Barnes effort.

Several clubs in the thick of the Premier League relegation battle survived potential banana skins.

Alan Pardew enjoyed his first win as West Bromwich Albion manager as his team beat fourth-tier Exeter City 2-0, Southampton overcame Championship Fulham 1-0 and bottom club Swansea City held on for a worthy 0-0 draw at free-scoring Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Seven-times Cup winners Aston Villa, fifth in the Championship, lost 3-1 at home to third-tier Peterborough United

RELEGATION ZONE Stoke manager Hughes would have hoped for respite after his side’s tumble into the Premier League’s relegation zone, but there was none coming in the Midlands clash as they suffered a sixth defeat in the last eight matches.

“It’s clearly a difficult time for us. When we make mistakes, they’re getting penalised,” Hughes said.

“We’re all under pressure.

I can take the pressure and the focus. I‘m not naive and I realise people will talk about my position. But we’ve got good owners who will make the right decisions for the club.”

Coventry won the Cup in 1987 but have been on a downward spiral since they were relegated from the top flight in 2001 and are in England’s bottom tier for the first time since 1959.

But there are signs of a revival and the mood was, for a change, joyous on Saturday.

Willis headed Coventry in front and although Charlie Adam levelled for Stoke from the penalty spot Grimmer fired home Coventry’s winner in the 68th minute.

Manager Mark Robins said he would love to draw his old club Manchester United in round four.

“For us it’s brilliant, we’re in the fourth-round draw.

Hopefully, we’ll get a big club away from home - United away would be perfect,” he said.

Newcastle United scored three times in nine minutes - Ayoze Perez with two - to see off League Two leaders Luton Town while fellow topflight side Watford made light of a poor recent run to beat second-tier high-fliers Bristol City who are in League Cup semi-final action against Manchester City next week.

In a north-east derby, Middlesbrough deepened Sunderland’s gloom with a 2-0 victory at the Riverside Stadium.

FA Cup holders Arsenal face Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Williamson century guides Black Caps past Pakistan A century from Kane Williamson helped New Zealand to a 61-run win over Pakistan via the Duckworth-Lewis method in their rain-hit opening oneday international.

Captain Williamson (115) scored his 10th ODI century to get the Black Caps to 315-7 after they were put in to bat at Basin Reserve in Wellington on Saturday.

Colin Munro (58) and Henry Nicholls (50) scored half-centuries and Pakistan were never in the chase in the first of five ODIs. The tourists were reduced to 37-4 by Tim Southee (3-22) and Trent Boult (2-35) and got to 166-6 when the rain hit, ending the game in the 31st over with Fakhar Zaman unbeaten on 82.

On a hard pitch with a tinge of grass, Pakistan opted

to bowl and they were put under early pressure as Munro made a flying start, bring up his fifty off 33 balls.

Hasan Ali (3-61) had Munro caught behind to slow the Black Caps down before Williamson was dropped on 26, edging Faheem Ashraf (1-58) behind, but Sarfraz Ahmed was unable to hang onto the catch.

That would prove to be costly as Williamson and Martin Guptill (48) combined for a 73-run partnership.

Ross Taylor (12) was out cheaply at the hands of Hasan and Tom Latham (3) also went quickly.

Nicholls and Mohammad Amir (1-57) were involved in a nasty mid-pitch collision in the 44th over, but both were able to continue.

Williamson flashed Ali through point for four to bring

Kane Williamson took charge of the New Zealand’s innings, scoring 115 to propel them to 315 ©

up his century – the first in an ODI at the Basin Reserve in 43 years – as the Black Caps made 87 off the final 10 overs despite the captain and Nicholls’ departure.

Pakistan’s chances of a successful chase were ruined

early.

Southee had Azhar Ali (6) lbw and the Pakistan opener unsuccessfully reviewed, before Babar Azam (0) was trapped in front two deliveries later.

Mohammad Hafeez (1) hooked Boult to Southee on the boundary in the fourth over to leave Pakistan at 13-3.

Shoaib Malik (13) was the next to go, poking at a Southee ball to be caught behind, while Sarfraz (8) was trapped in front by Todd Astle (1-29).

Zaman (82 not out) and Shadab Khan (28) rallied for Pakistan with a 78-run partnership before that was broken by Boult.

Rain then ended Pakistan’s slim hopes of pulling off an unlikely victory, giving the Black Caps a 1-0 series lead ahead of game two on Tuesday. (Omnisport).

SCOREBOARD

SCORPIONS 1st Innings Jaguars 1st Innings Scorpions 2nd Innings (overnight 167 for five) J Campbell c Paul b Motie A Fudadin lbw b Reifer J Blackwood run out B King b Motie P Palmer run out F Allen b Permaul +A Thomas b Paul D Green c Johnson b Motie *N Miller not out D Jacobs c Persaud b Motie R Leveridge lbw b Paul Extras (b5, lb4, nb8) TOTAL (all out, 80.5 overs)

106 183

62 70 9 0 10 4 36 0 4 0 0 17 212

Fall of wickets: 1-112, 2-127, 3-133, 4-149, 5-153, 6-192, 7-193, 8-197, 9-212, 10-212.

Bowling: Paul 13.5-3-33-2, Joseph 3-0-27-0, Reifer 13-4-26-1, Johnson 2-0-16-0, Permaul 23-362-1, Motie 26-9-39-4.

JAGUARS 2nd Innings (target: 136 runs) C Hemraj c wkp Thomas b Green 40 V Singh lbw b Leveridge 3 *L Johnson c King b Campbell 16 A Persaud b Jacobs 7 S Chanderpaul c Allen b Miller 16 +A Bramble c wkp Thomas b Miller 3 R Reifer lbw b Miller 6 K Paul st Thomas b Miller 21 V Permaul not out 10 G Motie not out 6 Extras (b7, lb1) 8 TOTAL (8 wkts, 58.3 overs) 136 Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-48, 3-64, 4-72, 5-76, 6-84, 7-114, 8-123.

Bowing: Leveridge 8-3-7-1, Miller 19-7-64-4, Campbell 20.3-6-37-1, Green 4-2-6-1, Jacobs 7-114-1.

McDonald/GBA card for February 17

THE Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will kick off its 2018 activities with a card on February 17 at the National Gymnasium.

The 12-bout card will be of an international flavour and is being held in conjunction with former amateur boxer, Alford `Boxer’ McDonald.

Speaking with Chronicle Sport from the US Virgin Islands yesterday, McDonald said that so far Jamaica and St Lucia have signaled their intention of participating.

“It is my understanding that French Guiana and Grenada are also waiting on the sideline to confirm coming to Guyana. I had promised last year that this would be an annual event. We need more exposure and quality competition for our young boxers and this tournament will provide just that,” McDonald said.

McDonald disclosed that he is in close contact with GBA president, Steve Ninvalle, and the full composition of the card will be known within

two weeks.

“What has been revealed to me is that the St. Lucian light welterweight champion, Nathan Ferrari is eager for a rematch with Guyanese, Colin `Superman’ Lewis, while French Guiana wants to send someone to test the Caribbean bantamweight king `Lightning’ Keevin Allicock.

I estimate that we will have at least four international bouts,” the former boxer added.

Lewis stopped Ferrari in the second round last month at the Caribbean Championships. Opponents are also being sought for Joel Williamson; Caribbean middleweight champion `Dynamite’ Desmond Amsterdam, and national light heavyweight champion, Dennis `Menace’ Thomas.

The February 17 card follows on the heels of a collaborative effort between the GBA and Seon Bristol of Briso Promotions, held at the National Gymnasium last Boxing Day.

28

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

Marsh brothers put Aussies on top after Khawaja’s 171

By Nick Mulvenney SYDNEY (Reuters) - Usman Khawaja hit a mammoth 171 and Shaun Marsh was

approaching his sixth test century as Australia eased 133 runs ahead of England on 479 for four after the third day of the fifth Ashes

clash on Saturday.

Khawaja shared a stand of 188 with captain Steve Smith, who was dismissed just before lunch, and another of 101 with

Marsh, who just missed out on his second hundred of the series in the over before stumps.

Marsh will resume on 98 on day four with his brother Mitchell, who was 63 not out, as they look to bat the tourists out of the match and set up an opportunity for their bowlers to secure a win that would give Australia a 4-0 series triumph.

The Marsh brothers combined for 104 in the final session and punished England with a flurry of boundaries in the last hour as the bowlers tired after a long day’s slog in bright sunshine at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

It was Khawaja’s sure hand, though, that guided Australia past England’s tally of 346 after Mooen Ali (1125) had stunned a packed house by moving the apparently unmoveable when he dismissed Smith caught and bowled for 83. ”It’s awesome,“ Khawaja said of his innings. ”The SCG was where I grew up playing cricket for New South Wales and an Ashes century is something I have wanted for a long time and I haven’t been able to achieve, so it was very satisfying.

“You don’t get to celebrate test centuries too much unless you’re Steve Smith.

You’ve got to enjoy them when they come.”

Smith had already scored three centuries, two of them unbeaten and one a double, in the series and although denied a fourth, walked off his home ground having amassed 687 runs at an average of 137.4 over the five tests.

Khawaja had an lbw scare in the following over but was reprieved when TV pictures showed Mason Crane had bowled a no ball and he otherwise looked assured as he calmly totted up the runs in the face of some tight English bowling. fine stroke-player but considered suspect against spin bowling, Khawaja has had a stop-start career in the baggy green since making his debut at the SCG in the corresponding Ashes clash eight years ago.

OVATION He wasted no time in knocking off the nine runs he needed to secure his maiden hundred against England at the start of the day, cutting Moeen for two before soaking up the ovation from a crowd

Usman Khawaja resumed needing nine more runs for a first Ashes hundredand he duly got there, on what used to be his home ground ©Getty Images

largely clad in pink in support of Glenn McGrath’s cancer charity.

Spinner Moeen was again bowling when he reached the 150-run mark, two consecutive fours to get over the mark a rare flourish in a 381-ball innings that contained 18 of them along with a solitary six.

England captain Joe Root came closest to a breakthrough in the second session when Shaun Marsh, on 22, was given out caught behind only for the decision to be reversed when TV pictures showed a big gap between ball and bat.

It was debutant leg-spinner Crane who finally ended the 31-year-old’s time out in the middle to claim his first test victim, beating the bat to leave Khawaja stranded and Jonny Bairstow with a simple

stumping.

Crane, 20, attracted the ire of the crowd with his habit of pulling out of his run-up but kept his head up despite finishing with figures of 1-125.

It was a very good day on the decision review system for Australia with Mitchell Marsh also reversing a late lbw decision after the snicko revealed an inside edge.

“It was pretty tough,” said Bairstow. “We’re 150 overs into the innings so there’s going to be a few tired bodies but I thought the way the guys toiled out there and worked hard was really impressive.”

Australia won back the Ashes with victories in the first three matches in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth with the fourth test in Melbourne finishing in a draw last week.

SCOREBOARD ENGLAND 1st innings (346) Australia 1st innings (overnight) 193 for 2 C. Bancroft b Broad 0 D. Warner c Bairstow b Anderson 56 U. Khawaja st Bairstow b Crane 171 S. Smith c&b Ali (c) 83 S. Marsh not out 98 M. Marsh not out 63 Extras: (b-2,lb 3 1w, 2nb-) 8 Total: Four wickets (157.0 overs) 479 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-86 , 3-274, 4-375 Bowling: J. Anderson 30-11-52-1, S. Broad 23-2-70-1, M. Ali 37-9-125-1, T. Curran 20.-2-71-0, M. Crane 39-3135-1, J. Root 8-3-21-0.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

29

Proteas stretch lead despite Pandya’s all-round heroics ...Dale Steyn suffers another injury blow

By Nick Said CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa built a sizeable lead after reaching 65 for two against India at the close on day two of the first Test at Newlands on Saturday but must finish the match without pace bowler Dale Steyn who suffered another injury setback.

Hashim Amla (four not out) and nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada (two not out) will seek to extend the home side’s advantage of 142 runs with eight second-innings wickets remaining after they bowled India out for 209 on a lively wicket offering plenty of assistance for the bowlers.

Steyn, who only returned to the side for this match after 14 months out with a shoulder injury, left the field having bowled 17.3 overs and went for scans on an injured heal.

South African team manager Mohammed Moosajee confirmed Steyn’s worst fears as he now faces four-six weeks on the sidelines with tissue damage after landing

Hardik Pandya rode his luck, survived two reprieves to smash a half-century and eventually get dismissed on a fantastic 95-ball 93, that included 14 fours and a six.

awkwardly in his delivery stride.

“Understandably he is disappointed, but he will try his best to recover as quickly as possible. You could see how much he was enjoying himself out there,” Moosajee told reporters.

Being a bowler light will probably make South Africa rethink what is a good target to set India to win the game.

Aiden Markram (34) was the first wicket to fall having looked fluent until he top-edged a rising delivery from Hardik Pandya (2-17) to Bhuvneshwar Kumar at a deep point.

Dean Elgar (25) was scratchy throughout his stay at the crease and became Pandya’s second victim when he edged to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha.

Federer leads Switzerland to third Hopman Cup title (REUTERS) - Switzerland won their third Hopman Cup on Saturday as Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic beat Germany’s Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber 4-3(3) 4-2 in the deciding mixed doubles to secure a 2-1 victory in the final at the Perth Arena.

It was Federer’s second Hopman Cup triumph after victory in 2001 alongside then world number one Martina Hingis.

“She (Hingis) had a great career and to have that in a small country like Switzerland is very rare,” world number two Federer said after his country’s latest triumph.

“It made me also believe with hard work and dedication you get really far because I didn’t believe that much at that point when I was younger, I thought it was more all talent.”

Federer had earlier roared back from a set down

Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic of Switzerland pose with the Hopman Cup trophy. Photograph: Paul Kane/ Getty Images

to beat Zverev 6-7(4) 6-0 6-2 and give the Swiss a 1-0 lead.

Unbeaten in three singles matches in the tournament before the final as he prepares to defend his Australian Open title later this month, the 19-time grand slam champion failed to

wrap up the first set despite hitting 20 winners.

However, it was only a matter of time before the 36-year-old Federer found his groove as he raced to win the second set 6-0 before sealing victory in the decider with a drop shot.

Pandya earlier ensured India stayed in the contest with a brilliant 93 from 95 balls, including 14 fours and a six as he alone provided resistance to the venomous home attack.

LUCKY PANDYA The all-rounder had watched as his side slipped to 92 for seven but instead of playing for survival, Pandya took the attack to the South African seamers.

He had his fair share of luck, dropped at gully by Elgar off Steyn on 15 and offering a stumping chance to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock that was spurned.

Having been roughed up by a barrage of short-pitched bowling from the excellent Rabada (3-34), the latter finally ended Pandya’s stay as he induced an edge to De Kock.

“He is someone who is really promising, and is bowling and batting well, and that makes a difference to the team because when you have a good all-rounder it improves the balance,” India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara said.

“He kept us in the game

SCOREBOARD SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings (286) India 1st innings (overnight 28-3) M. Vijay c Elgar b Philander 1 S. Dhawan c & b Steyn 16 C. Pujara c du Plessis b Philander 26 V. Kohli (c) c de Kock b Morkel 5 R. Sharma lbw Rabada 11 R. Ashwin c de Kock b Philander 12 H. Pandya c de Kock b Rabada 93 W. Saha lbw Steyn 0 B. Kumar c de Kock b Morkel 25 M. Shami not out 4 J. Bumrah c Elgar b Rabada 2 Extras: (lb-,13lb) 14 Total: (all out 73.4 overs) 209 Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-18, 3-27, 4-57, 5-76, 6-81,7-92, 8-191, 9-199, 10-209.

Bowling: V. Philander 14.3-8-33-3, D. Steyn 17.3-6-51-2, M. Morkel 19-6-57-2, K. Rabada 16.4-4-34-3,.K. Maharaj 6-0-20-0.

SOUTH AFRICA 2nd innings Markram c Kumar b Pandya 34 D.Elgar c Saha b Pandya 25 K. Rabada not out 2 H. Amla not out 4 Extras 0 Total 2 wickets (20 overs) 65 Fall of wickets:, 1-52, 2-59.

Bowling B. Kumar 6-3-16-0, J. Bumrah 4-0-14-0,M .Shami 5-1-15-0, H. Pandya 4-0-17-2, Ashwin 1-0-3-0.

and got us two wickets at the end of the day as well.”

The rest of the batsmen found it difficult to score against the fast and accurate home bowling with Pujara’s

patient 26 from 91 balls the next highest score.

South Africa host India in three tests this month with the next two in Pretoria and Johannesburg.

Pietersen calls time on Big Bash career FORMER England batsman Kevin Pietersen says he will not be playing in next season’s Big Bash League as he moves closer to retirement.

The Twenty20 specialist, who has been playing with Melbourne Stars, will line up in this year’s Pakistan Super League and Cricket South Africa’s events.

But the 37-year-old has strongly suggested that he is unlikely to play beyond the end of the year.

“I’m done and dusted [with my] playing days,” he told Australian media.

“You come to the end of your time and you get to a time in your career where you just think, ‘Do I want this?’. I want this desperately at the moment, but I don’t think I’ll want it in 10 months’ time.”

Pietersen’s international

Kevin Pietersen’s contract with Melbourne Stars expires at the end of this season

spell ended when England sacked him in 2014. and his career in England finished with Surrey’s quarter-final defeat in last year’s T20 Blast.

He also said he wanted to stay involved with the Stars,

where he has played for four seasons.

“I love Melbourne. To have some sort of [Stars] involvement going forward would be immense value for me,” he said.

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

2017 described as ‘Year of Smashing Success’ – RHTY&SC WHEN the Executive Committee of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, met in early December 2016, it set itself a target of 500 programmes/activities for 2017.

Members agreed it was a very ambitious target that would require a lot of hard work and co-ordination.

However, on September 1st, 2017, that target was easily surpassed when the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and its ten cricket teams hosted an Evening of Music for residents of Guyana’s smallest township.

Secretary/CEO, Hilbert Foster has described 2017 as a year of unbelievable and smashing success and the most successful one in the club’s twenty-seven years history.

Huge success was achieved on and off the cricket field and Foster hailed the outstanding contribution of every executive member, Patron of the club, His Excellency President David Granger and all members of Guyana’s largest Sports Club. The year ended with the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club successfully completing a mammoth 712 programmes/activities.

A total of 22 club members represented Berbice, the Guyana Cricket Board President XI and Guyana at different levels while Erva Giddings and Shemaine Campbelle played for the West Indies. Mahendra Gopilall, Kevlon Anderson,

Keith Simpson, Junior Sinclair, Kevin Sinclair, Sylus Tyndall, Marian Samaroo, Plaffiana Millington, Shabeka Gajnabi, Dian Prahalad, B. Thomas, K. Munroe, Sheneeta Grimmond, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Sherica Campbelle, Aleema Arokium, Roshanna Lynch, Uma Matadin and Melanie Henry represented Berbice at the different levels.

At the Guyana Cricket Board Franchise League, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club was represented

by Royston Crandon, Clinton Pestano, Eon Hooper, Kevlon Anderson, Shawn Pereira, Kelvin Sinclair and Jason Sinclair.

At the National level, Junior Sinclair and Kevlon Anderson played for Guyana at the Under-17 level while Anderson, Kevin Sinclair and Sylus Tyndall played for the Under-19 male team.

Marian Samaroo, Sheneeta Grimmond, Uma Matadin, Plaffiana Millington, Melanie Henry, Shemaine Campbelle and Erva Giddings played for the National Female Senior Team while Clinton Pestano, Eon Hooper and Assad Fudadin played at the Senior Male level.

Fudadin also played for the Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League and is currently representing Jamaica.

Towards the end of 2017, the following members represented Upper Corentyne with great success at the Under-13 and Under-15 levels: Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahen-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

Hilbert Foister

dra Gopilall, Shivnarine Ramnarain, Christopher Deroop, Angelino Ramdihal, Reyad Rahaman, Matthew Pattaya, Jeremy Sandian, Shamar Scott and Jonathan De Veir”.

To conclude a highly successful cricket year, club members Shemaine Campbelle, Kevlon Anderson and Shabeka Gajnabi received awards from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).

Off the field, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club hosted a two-week cricket academy for over 80 young cricketers and hosted a total of 21 cricket tournaments, including the Patron’s Green Economy Cup, Busta Champion of Champions, Nasir memorial, GWI Under-19, Republic Bank Under-17, Say No/Say Yes 5/5 Cup, Hand-in-Hand Anniversary Cup, GBTI Inter Secondary Tournament and Smartt/King Memorial.

The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club cricketers were also involved in a six-month coaching pro-

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALLBourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 2259230) &

(1) Who took most wickets for the WI in the just-concluded T20 series against NZ? (2) Who took most wickets for NZ? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

gramme sponsored by the Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society. Major repairs were undertaken on the main pavilion which houses the cricket teams.

The club during the year introduced two new cricket teams “Rose Hall Town King Solomon Logistics Under-12 and Poonai Pharmacy Under-13.

Under its Sports Outreach Programme, the Club organised or sponsored a total of 37 tournaments, including football, chess, domino, table tennis, volleyball, basketball, body building, scrabble and cycling.

The club also distributed over $1.5M worth of school bags; $1M in exercise books; 25 bicycles to less fortunate students and close to $1M in school uniforms and footwear, while 39 schools received assistance to assist them to fulfill their mandates under the Patron’s Fund.

Assistance were also provided to three different classes at the Tain Campus of the University of Guyana,

ficers, tribute to heroes and Region Six Sports Award.

Seventeen Guyanese were also honoured with the club’s highest award “The Dolphin Award of Excellence”.

They include Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Director of Sports, Christopher Jones; Minister Amna Ally and Region Six Regional Chairman, David Armogan. Over 50 cricket clubs and 23 NGOs received millions of dollars worth of cricket gears, cricket balls and sport gears. They include Chesney, Toopoo, Mt. Sinai, Rose Hall Canje, Kildonan, Upper Corentyne, Tamarind Root, Mental Hospital, Police, Blairmont, Tain Block Four, Bush Lot and Tucber Park.

The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club under its Community Development Programme in 2017, also constructed a scoreboard, a 175th Rose Hall Monument to honour the fifty seven former slaves who purchased the Village in 1842 and secured funding to asphalt the compound of the Rose Hall Town Primary School at the cost of over $5M. The Area ‘H’ Ground is also currently undergoing major restoration work in another Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club-inspired project. Floodlights would also be installed around the Area ‘H’ Ground all weather Court to accommodate matches and practice sessions.

Mourinho is a ‘little man’, says Chelsea’s Conte

(Sunday January 07, 2018)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Andre Fletcher-73 runs (2) Colin Munro-223 runs Today’s Quiz:

Shemaine Campbelle

while 73 students received assistance to successfully complete their CSEC SBA. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club also assisted eight students, upon request, to pay their CSEC dues while a total of 16 senior citizens received funds for medical expenses.

The Club’s Social Programme was also expanded in 2017 and included General Feeding Programmes for less fortunate families, distribution of $3M worth of clothing, Mash Parade with over 700 students, Evening of Music, Mother of the Year Award Scheme, Father of the Year Award Scheme, donation of a combined 250 hampers to mothers and fathers, Dare to Dream Programme, Make a Wish Project, Role Model of the Year, Say No to Drugs Campaign, Say No to Alcohol Campaign, Say Yes to Life Programme and Say Yes to Religion Campaign.

The club also launched a massive programme to provide pensioners with refreshments every month as they wait to uplift their Old Age Pension.

The club also worked closely with the Guyana Police Force under its Say No to Crime Programme and made several donations to assist the fight against crime while numerous awards ceremonies were organised to honour outstanding Berbicians, including the Ansa Mc Al Award of Excellence, tribute to law enforcement of-

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho

LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea manager Antonio Conte continued his ongoing feud with Jose Mourinho on Saturday by calling the Manchester United manager “a little man”.

Mourinho made a pointed comment about match-fixing during the week, a reference to the four-month suspension Conte was handed in the 2012-

13 season for failing to report match-fixing at his previous club Siena. He was later cleared by an Italian court of any wrongdoing.

“I think when you try to hurt a person, especially if you know very well the truth of what happens, the court proved my innocence, when you do this it means you are a little man,” Conte said after Chelsea’s 0-0 FA Cup thirdround draw at Championship side Norwich City.

“But this is the not the first time. He does this in the past and he continues to do this in the present.”Mourinho and Conte have never been friends but their relationship deteriorated this week after Mourinho spoke about some managers behaving

“like a clown” on the touchline, which was taken as a reference to Conte and Liverpool’s Juergen Klopp.

In response on Friday, the Chelsea manager accused the Portuguese of “senile dementia”, which led to Mourinho saying he had not mentioned any names.

“This is his way, it is no surprise. We all know him,” Conte said. “Life will go on, I‘m not worried about him.”

Conte refused to criticise his players after making nine changes for the match against Norwich.

“It’s a bit frustrating. We knew the difficulty of the game.

When you play away in this competition it’s not easy,” he

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte

said. ”In the first half we had difficulty to attack but in the second half we created chances to score.

“Norwich deserve to have another game. For us it’s not simple to add another game in the schedule. These are the rules though.”

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 7, 2018

31

Pride, Red Force fireworks to set tone for Regional Super 50 ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – A clash between reigning champions Barbados Pride and perennial rivals Trinidad and Tobago Red Force will raise the curtain on this year’s Regional Super50 late this month.

The match, a day/nighter at Kensington Oval on January 30, will be the feature in a Group A doubleheader that will also see Windward Islands Volcanoes and Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners battle at 3W’s Oval in a 9 am encounter.

Ten teams have been divided into two groups for the January 30 to February 24 tournament, Group B of which will be contested in Antigua with the night games set for the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

Day matches, meanwhile, will be played at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in North Sound.

Pride and Red Force, along with Marooners, Volcanoes and English County Hampshire comprise Group A while last season’s losing finalists Jamaica Scorpions together with Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Guyana Jaguars, United States and Kent will do battle in Group B. Hampshire’s Director of Cricket, Giles White, said the tournament presented a chance for the club’s younger players to get valuable experience.

“We’re delighted to be involved in the upcoming Super50 competition – it’s a slightly different look to our pre-season but one that we are very happy with and

we’re looking forward to be heading back to Barbados once again,” White said.

We’re got a strong history with West Indies Cricket and Barbados itself and what excites me about this particular trip is, the experience our young players have gained at similar tournaments previously has allowed them to show what they’re able to do at that level, and I think they’ve got an awful lot out of it previously.”

He continued: “I’d see this as an opportunity for a lot of the younger players to put their hand up and say they’re ready to play.

“It’ll also be a great period of cricket in February where otherwise we’d be indoors in England so it’s a real positive and certainly a useful development tool

Umpire Cumberbatch – a man of `impeccable integrity’ PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Prominent jurist and former national cricketer, Prakash Moosai has described late former international umpire Clyde Cumberbatch as a man of “impeccable integrity.”

Speaking during a tribute at the funeral for Cumberbatch on Friday last, Moosai said the Trinidadian had always carried the highest values and these had always been evident during his umpiring career.

“The man was a man of impeccable integrity and he did what he thought was right and honest,” Justice Moosai told mourners gathered at All Saints Anglican Church.

“For that, Trinidad and Tobago and the West Indies region owe him a lot because they were able to get someone who was so independent, full of integrity and impartial.”

Moosai, who played 20 first class matches for Trinidad and Tobago during the 1980s, said though Cumberbatch took officiating very seriously, he was often lighthearted off the field.

“Clyde had this no nonsense demeanour on the field of play but when he was off, he would always share a drink with the players and have a chat,” he recalled.

Former umpire Vivian Johnson, secretary of the West Indies Umpires Association, also said

Former Test umpire Clyde Cumberbatch

Cumberbatch had been defined by his integrity.

“Clyde would always be remembered as a man of tremendous integrity,” the Jamaican said.

“I umpired with him and shared a close relationship with a man I saw as a mentor.”

Cumberbatch passed away a week ago after falling ill at home and failing to recover after being rushed to hospital.

The 81-year-old stood in 12 Tests during a 14-year career between 1981 and 1995, and also officiated in 26 One-Day Internationals...

He was eulogised by his son Robert at the service attended by prominent local administrators administrators Baldath Mahabir, Lalman Kowlessar and Deryck Murray.

Barbados Pride are the reigning Regional Sper 50 champions.

for some of our younger players.”

Each team will play each other twice in the respective

group, with the top two qualifying for the semi-finals, also to be staged under the lights at the CCG.

Two matches will be played every other day at match venues in the two host territories.

Hurricanes find rare win in close contest with Red Force THE Leeward Islands Hurricanes would have done a lot to boost their confidence after a rare victory over the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in the Regional fourday tournamnet at the Queen’s Park Oval on Saturday.

The Hurricanes got home by the skin of their teeth, claiming a one-wicket victory, probably the closest this season.

The game had been close throughout, with the Hurricanes restricting the Red Force to 222 in their first innings thanks to Sheno Berridge’s 4-72, and Jeremiah Louis’, 4-45.

Mervin Matthew chipped in with 1-26 and Jason Campbell ended the innings with 1-23.

The Hurricanes’ response was underwhelming, as skipper Kieran Powell, could only manage 15 at the top of the order, and Montcin Hodge, who has been in good form of late, only managed 11.

It was the lower-order who showed some fight, taking the total to 163, with Akeem Saunders’ 49,

the highlight.

The difference-maker in that Hurricanes first innings was the bowling of Imran Khan, whose 5-25 was devastating.

Khary Pierre chipped in with 2-26, while Tion Webster, 1-44, Daniel St Clair, 1-27, and Anderson Phillip, 1-38, also made inroads.

Though the Red Force now had a 59-run lead, they were by no means comfortable.

The situation got even tighter when Berridge, 4-40, led an attack that reduced the Red Force to just 162.

Berridge received great support from the bowling of Matthew, who ended with 2-27, Louis, 2-49, and newcomer, Chaim Holder, who bagged 2-19.

A lead of 221, took the game to where it had started, the Hurricanes staring at a small lead but unsure of what to do with it.

Coach Winston Benjamin had said the team was suffering from a crisis of confidence, and their approach to the small total suggests he was right.

SCOREBOARD RED FORCE 1st Innings 222 Hurricanes 1st Innings 163 Red Force 2nd Innings (overnight 143 for eight) A Jangoo c Matthew b Berridge 38 J Solozano lbw b Holder 10 Y Cariah c wkp Hamilton b Holder 7 E Nicholson c Saunders b Mathew 5 *D Ramdin c Mathew b Berridge 28 T Webster c wkp Hamilton b Louis 10 +S Katwaroo b Louis 14 Imran Khan lbw b Berridge 1 K Pierre lbw b Mathew 10 D St Clair not out 12 A Phillip lbw b Berridge 9 Extras (lb12, w1, nb4) 17 TOTAL (all out, 58.4 overs) 162 Fall of wickets: 1-52, 2-55, 3-66, 4-67, 5-86, 6-116, 7-119, 8-131, 9-147, 10-162.

Bowling: Mathew 14-4-27-2, Louis 16-4-49-2, Berridge 14.2-4-40-4, Holder 11-1-192, Campbell 3-0-15-0.

HURRICANES 2nd Innings (target: 222 runs) M Hodge c Webster b Phillip 5 *K Powell c Webster b Imran Khan

41

K Carty c Pierre b Phillip 2 D Thomas lbw b Pierre 65 A Saunders c St Clair b Imran Khan

38

+J Hamilton c wkp Katwaroo b Imran Khan

13

J Louis b Imran Khan

13

M Mathew b St Clair

3

C Holder lbw b Imran Khan 7 J Campbell not out

30

S Berridge not out

0

Extras (b3, lb4, nb2)

9

TOTAL (9 wkts, 70.3 overs) 226 Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-14, 3-107, 4-123, 5-150, 6-182, 7-187, 8-193, 9-205.

Bowling: Phillip 7-2-23-2, St Clair 12-2-29-1, Pierre 23-2-64-1, Webster 3-0-160, Imran Khan 25.3-4-87-5.

Pride, Red Force fireworks to set tone for Regional Super 50 Page 31

Jaguars stumble to two-wicket win over Scorpions …have one hand on title

Chandrapaul Hemraj led Jaguars run chase with a top score of 40.

Rain wipes out day three at Kensington Oval BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Persistent rain here forced the abandonment of day three of the eighth round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship between Barbados Pride and Windward Islands Volcanoes here Saturday.

A low level trough in the area dumped moderate to heavy rain across the country throughout the day, soaking the outfield at Kensington Oval and keeping players off the park.

Umpires finally called play off at 3 pm, just following the scheduled tea break.

Volcanoes will resume today’s final day on 241 for six in pursuit of the hosts’ first innings of 316.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Three-time reigning champions Guyana Jaguars beat Jamaica Scorpions in a nerve-jangling contest here Saturday, to increase their lead at the top of the standings and virtually assure themselves of a fourth straight title in the Regional Four-Day Championship.

Set 136 for victory at Sabina Park on the third day, Jaguars stumbled and stuttered their way to their target, before achieving victory 45 minutes before the scheduled close, when tail-ender Veerasammy Permaul (10 not out) turned off-spinner John Campbell into the onside for a single.

The run chase was carried by opener Chandrapaul Hemraj who top-scored with 40 while Keemo Paul got 21, but Jaguars collapsed from 64 for two to 84 for six as they lost four wickets for 22 runs in quick time.

Paul, who counter-attacked, lashing three sixes in an 11-ball cameo, put on a crucial 30 for the seventh wicket with Permaul to edge Jaguars closer to their target.

Drama ensued, however, when Paul was stumped off left-arm spinner and captain Nikita Miller. And with only nine runs added, veteran left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul was caught close in by Fabien Allen for 16 looking to work Miller away on the leg-side.

The double success for Miller left Jagurs tottering on 123 for eight, handing Scorpions a huge chance to snatch a late win.

But Brandon King dropped Gudakesh Motie (6 not out) at second slip in a critical miss for Scorpions and he remained with Permaul to see Jaguars to their sixth win of the season.

Miller was the best bowler with four for 64 to end with an eight-wicket match haul.

Earlier, Scorpions were dismissed for 212 in their second innings after resuming from their overnight 167 for five.

Opener Assad Fudadin added nine to his overnight 61 before falling lbw to left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer, after facing 192 balls all told and striking seven boundaries.

He extended his sixth wicket stand with wicketkeeper Aldaine Thomas to 39 before becoming the first casualty of the day.

Thomas lasted 118 deliveries and hit four fours before going bowled by Paul, as Scorpions lost their last four wickets for 19 runs.

Left-arm spinner Motie finished with four for 39 while Paul picked up two for 33.

See Scoreboard on page 27

McDonald/ GBA card for February 17

Page 27

-now an annual event

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Former amateur boxer, Alford `Boxer’ McDonald.

SUNDAY, JANUARY, 7, 2018