Issuu

€12M anti-crime programme for Caribbean Page 8

No. 105158

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2018

Price: $80 (VAT Inclusive)

Gov’t goes to House for $1.7B …to help pay sugar workers’ severance

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Dr Bulkan takes oath as Justice of Appeal

President David Granger is flanked by the four new Senior Counsel: Kalam Azad Juman Yassin; Josephine Whitehead; Andrew Mark Fitzgerald Pollard and Fitz Le Roy Peters (Adrian Narine photo)

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Manslaughter charge for city constable Page 11

‘This is the culture of a good society’ Petroleum …President declares as new Senior Counsel receive instruments of appointment summit launched Page 15

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7 nabbed in big Pomeroon fuel bust ■ Page 9

…Trotman underscores importance of time-honoured policies

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 18, 2018

Gov’t goes to House for $1.7B

…to help pay sugar workers’ severance GOVERNMENT is expected to table today in the National Assembly its first financial paper for the year seeking some $1.7B in supplementary funds to meet expenditure for the payment of severance to laid-off sugar workers. The administration had budgeted some $500M for this cause, but is now seeking the additional funds in light of President David Granger’s announcement that the workers will receive the first tranche of their severance pay at the end of this month, which will amount to some $2B. The financial paper will be tabled by Finance Minister Winston Jordan who is on record as saying that government will have to cut several budgetary programmes to facilitate payment of the severance packages. Jordan said the administration will ensure

that all workers get their severance, but noted that it is a case of where the government has to find resources to make the total payment of $5B. “It was a sudden and large amount and we had to find creative ways to do this… we will have to re-examine our 2018 budget which will very well result in cuts to programmes, so as to release money to pay the severances,” he said. This is why the severance is being paid in parts, he said. President Granger last week announced that the first part of the multi-billion dollar severance package will be paid by the end of this month and the second tranche in the second half of the year. The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has been organising marches in the sugar belt, demanding the full severance package

at once. But Agriculture Minister Noel Holder said he personally would have liked to have the workers paid their severance packages immediately after they were severed. In response to criticisms about the payment of the workers in two instalments, Holder said he believes the move by government is appreciated by those affected. “I think even the sugar workers will appreciate getting it in two instalments because of the amount of the money, rather than getting it upfront and perhaps spending it all and being in difficulties later on in the year.” The Agriculture Minister nevertheless remained resolute that finding $4.5B to pay severance “is a difficult thing to do”. Government said it has committed to making the industry efficient and competitive by

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder

consolidating cultivation in East Berbice at Albion, in West Berbice at Blairmont and West Demerara at Uitvlugt. The corporation will aim at producing 147,000 tonnes annually, preserving three enlarged estates and protecting the jobs of over 11,000 workers. Prime Minister Moses

Nagamootoo had told the Guyana Chronicle that there was absolutely no doubt in his mind that “our coalition government would ensure that sugar workers receive their severance payment.” He said GuySuCo has no money to meet its obligations and government came to its rescue once again. He said the overall cash payout is in excess of $4B, which would be paid out in two lump-sums starting this month-end. “It is estimated on average each redundant sugar worker would get as much as $1M, but the cash payout is part of a package, which would also see some workers having access to small loans for small businesses and down the road, retraining for skilled jobs; redeployment to associated jobs in drainage and irrigation, health and community service.” Mr Nagamootoo said it is his firm view that

apart from the humanitarian package, workers would be able to access plots of leased lands from which they could eke out profitable livelihoods for themselves and families through other crops and or aquaculture. “I am pleased with the dedicated effort of the Cabinet and President David Granger in particular for having extended engagements, even over the holidays with GuySuCo and the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) to work out a roadmap both in the interest of sugar workers and the reformed new sugar industry. I am pleased that some 11,000 sugar workers would be retained in the merged estates and that we did everything we could to cushion the impact of retrenchment on the estates that would either be privatised, divested or diversified,” Mr Nagamootoo said.

Mandarin-labelled Fernleaf ‘legit’ ACCC to be recommissioned …Food and Drug head assures consumers products safe for consumption By Ravin Singh MANDARIN-labelled Fernleaf milk powder which entered Guyana’s market recently has been approved for consumption by the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD). This is according to GA-FDD Managing-Director, Marlon Cole, who sought to assure consumers that nothing was wrong with the product and that it was not manufactured in China but in New Zealand. Cole explained that a shipment of Fernleaf milk powder destined for China ended up in the Caribbean, and that Nestlé and its local distributor, Massy Stores had written the Department seeking approval for the item to enter the country. “They requested approval early in January for the item to enter the market, and we sent them an approval letter authorising reconditioning (re-labelling) and release of the product, in keeping with the law. Nestlé subsequently

This photo by Telecia Dazzell shows that the Fernleaf tin was not re-labelled as is required by law

sent out a release informing the public that the 900G and 2500G Fernleaf Fortified Full Cream Milk Powder has been re-labelled. The company, which sells its product through Massy Stores Guyana, said that “consumers are advised that the products are authentic and safe for consumption.” Nestlé further added that the products have been re-labelled

to reflect accurate information regarding the Nutrition Information, Ingredient List, Allergen Statement, Storage Instructions, and Updated Product Description. On Tuesday morning, Telecia Dazzell posted a video and eight photos on Facebook showing a Mandarin-labelled tin of Fernleaf milk powder which was bought from a shop in Bourda Market. The video, which has been viewed over 149,000 times, shows that the tin was not re-labelled as was the case with Charles Flavius, who posted a re-labelled tin on Facebook the following day. However, the GA-FDD Managing-Director noted that if products are found to not have been re-labelled, as is required by law, then those products will be recalled. “If it is found that some were not reconditioned, then those items will be recalled by the department which will take further action. But all must be re-labelled in English,” he told the Guyana Chronicle.

‘right on time’ – Minister Hughes

– Project Monitoring Committee tours facility Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes, has announced that the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) is expected to be re-commissioned “right on time” with its scheduled 18-month rehabilitation schedule. The Minister made these comments last Friday during a visit to the facility by members of the Project Monitoring Committee for the rehabilitation of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC). Led by Minister Hughes, the visiting party also included representatives of the Foreign Affairs, Business and Public Infrastructure Ministries. The tour was conducted by the Engineering team from the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation that was contracted by the Government of China to execute the rehabilitation of the Conference Centre. General Manager

of ACCC, Ramdial Nancoomar, led the tour and he provided additional information on the new sections and services that have been added to the complex. These include a fully equipped Computer Room; new equipment for the Translation Service, as well as new Press and Translator booths in the main auditorium. The latter, also called “the Dome”, is being completely re-designed from floor to ceiling. It will now hold 372 new seats affixed to the floor, the foundation for which was raised by close to two feet. In fact, the flooring of the entire complex was similarly raised, and thousands of new granite tiles are being laid. Minister Hughes said that she is anxious to hand the building back to the Guyanese people this May. She described it as part of Guyana’s historically close bilateral relations with the Peo-

ple’s Republic of China which has spanned over 51 years and which the Government of Guyana would like to sustain. The Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) was closed on December 1, 2016, to facilitate major rehabilitation, and it is expected to be ready for use right on time with the planned 18-month schedule. The complex, which had been constructed between 2004 and 2006, was a gift to the people of Guyana from the people of China. The rehabilitation (projected for the end of the 10th year of use) had been written into the 2004 agreements between the two countries, and just like the construction, the rehabilitation project is being funded entirely by grant aid from the donor country. The Ministry of Public Telecommunications is expected to invite the local media to tour the facilities in February.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 18, 2018

Soldier charged for a series of robberies

CONTRARY to the mandate of protecting and serving citizens, a Guyana Defence Force Lance Corporal faced charges for armed robberies committed around

Georgetown with the use of a Honda CG motorcycle. Jamal Hazel, 21, of â€˜Aâ€™ Field Sophia, appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman charged with three counts of

armed robbery and two firearm-related charges. Particulars of the first charge allege that Hazel, while being in the company of others and armed with a gun, robbed Andrea Herdessy of a $210,000 cellphone along with $400,000 cash. It is further alleged that they robbed Herdessy of $4.6M cash, property of Corrida DeJesus. Herdessy had

just collected the $4.6M from a mining company in Alberttown in favour of DeJesus on the day in question. However, as the woman approached her Kitty home, she was ambushed by the accused at gunpoint and relieved of her handbag with the items mentioned . The accused escaped on a motorcycle. Meanwhile, Hazel was further charged with being in the company of another and armed with a gun while robbing Boodram Hemraj of a weeding machine valued $100,000 on January 10 at North Road. It is reported that Hemraj was in North Road weeding when armed gun men confronted him on a motor bike and relieved him of the weeding machine. Additionally, the solider was charged for being in possession of a .38 pistol along with nine matching rounds when he was not a licensed firearm holder, on January 13 at Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown. Police Prosecutor, Arwin Moore explained that on January 13, policemen acting on information received, went to a house at Middle Road, La Penitence and found the gun. Hazel, Moore noted, was not at the house but his aunt told ranks that the firearm belonged to her nephew. The lance corporal denied all of the charges while his attorney, George Thomas, told the court that his client was on duty at Camp Stephenson, Timehri, when most of the robberies were carried out. Prosecutor Moore ,while objection to bail, explained that prior to Hazel appearing before Magistrate Latchman, he was placed before the Providence Magistrate Court for similar charges. Magistrate Latchman remanded Hazel until January 30.

Thursday, January 18, 2018 05:00 hrs Friday, January 19, 2018 05:00 hrs Saturday, January 20, 2018 05:00 hrs Sunday, January 21, 2018 05:00 hrs

Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lance corporal, Jamal Hazel

DATE: Wednesday, January 17, 2018

9 12 13 20 22 23 1

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 18, 2018

Dr Bulkan takes oath as Justice of Appeal …aims at clearing up backlog of cases

HUMAN rights lawyer and former magistrate, Dr Christopher Arif Bulkan was on Wednesday sworn in as acting Justice of Appeal, before President David Granger at State House. Dr Bulkan has been appointed temporarily for a period of six months, effective January 17 and does not believe at this stage that there would be an extension to his time on the bench. He currently serves as a full time lecturer at the University of the West Indies (UWI). He is of the view that during his six-month stint he would be able to address the existing backlog of cases within the judiciary. He told reporters after receiving his instrument of office that “My addition will help them to clear up the backlog or go some way towards that”. Dr Bulkan has served within the local public service for some time, having worked at the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and serving as a magistrate, something he believes is integral to his appointment as acting Justice of Appeal. For his part, Dr Bulkan said in order to be successful there would have to be less adjournment of cases. He joins Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire; Justices: Rishi Persaud and Dawn

Gregory as the other appellate judges. Present at the ceremony were also Justices Prem Persaud and Lennox Perry and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams S.C. Meanwhile, President David Granger, in congratulating Dr Bulkan on his appointment as temporary Justice of Appeal, said Guyana is a law-based state and the enforcement of law-- the effi-

justice and that this access is fair and swift. A full complement of Judges, magistrates, and legal officers promotes judicial efficiency and public confidence in the rule of law,” said the head-of-state. He described Bulkan as an “eminent Guyanese” and made it clear that his appointment is in full conformity with the Constitution of Guyana. Citing Article 128 (1) the President said judges,

Newly appointed acting Justice of Appeal, Dr Arif Bulkan (second right) stands alongside President David Granger (centre), Justices Yonette Cummings- Edwards (second left) and Roxane George-Wiltshire, S.C. (right) and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams S.C. (Adrian Narine photos)

cient and timely dispensation of justice by local courts--are the fundamental bases of the legal system. “The efficient and independent judiciary ensures that citizens have access to

other than the Chancellor and the Chief Justice, shall be appointed by the President who shall act in accordance with the advice of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). The constitution, he said,

is very clear, and makes provision also for the protecting, preserving and the impartiality of the judiciary. Article 128 (2) (d) of the Constitution says that the President shall act in accordance with the advice of the JSC and appoint a person to act in the office of the Justice of Appeal or Puisne Judge, as the case may require. “This ceremony therefore is an affirmation of the Gov-

mony that while he could not point readily to any previous acting justices of appeal, the action was in keeping with the Constitution. “I am not sure, but our constitution is flexible; we have Puisne Judges sitting up in the court of appeal, and so I am not sure if we ever had in recent times an acting,” he said in response to questions posed by Guyana Chronicle. Last

Dr Arif Bulkan takes the oath of Office before President David Granger Wednesday (Adrian Narine)

ernment’s commitment to ensuring that the judicial systems remain independent,” President Granger stated. Williams S.C. told reporters after the swearing-in cere-

September, Dr. Bulkan was nominated by Cabinet for candidature to represent Guyana on the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC). He also

co-founded the Faculty of Law-UWI Rights Advocacy Project (U-RAP) at the Cave Hill campus, which is a group of law professors who engage in both litigation and advocacy aimed at promoting human rights. Dr Bulkan has been involved in human rights advocacy for many years and has worked to establish and defend the rights of vulnerable and marginalised communities, including indigenous peoples, LGBT persons and persons living with HIV/AIDS. He has also been involved in public advocacy against the death penalty, both regionally and at events sponsored by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 18, 2018

Promoting small businesses ONE of the consequences of the Free Market System is the extent to which small firms and businesses are squeezed out of the system through unfair competition with larger entities. Evidence abounds that the larger entities are able to muster the resources needed to bid for large Government contracts -- something smaller contractors are unable to do. In Guyana, this practice is most widespread in the construction sector and in some areas such as the provision of drugs to Government. The outcome is, of course, growth of monopolies, whereby a handful of contractors get access to most of the contracts and smaller contractors are marginalized or forced to leave the arena out of frustration.

In the final analysis, this contributes heavily to the ever widening social and economic gap in the country. While this complaint has been around for a long time, it escalated over the last two decades when political cronyism in the tendering process exacerbated the already uneven tendering process. Attempts by the then Opposition parties to reform and democratize the procurement process were frustrated because the then Government did not agree with the reform proposals. It is therefore not surprising that the current Government has been under pressure to hastily do something to correct that situation. After all, we do live in a country where it is generally accepted that one of the

major functions of Government is to protect the weak against the strong. Many were encouraged when Finance Minister Winston Jordan, in his budget presentation in 2015 announced that Government intended to invoke a little-known provision in the Small Business Act, enacted in 2004, which mandates that 20 percent of all Government contracts should be awarded to small and medium size businesses. In the excitement generated by the immediate post-election environment, many of the stakeholders did not latch on to the Minister’s announcement. Some may have missed it entirely, while others may have thought that it was mere rhetoric. After all, this provision was there in the law for eleven years.

Since then Minister of State, Joseph Harmon has made a similar commitment and was quite emphatic: “If the country gives out $10 billion in contracts per year, 20 percent of that should go to small contractors.” It is even more encouraging that the Small Business Bureau announced last week that small businesses will get first preference for Government procurement once they have registered with the bureau. “Soon we will issue an advertisement that will include a link that says ‘click here’ on it… when you do it you will follow the guidelines and get registered… for example information related to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) will

be required…when done, once they meet the criteria they will get an ID,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SBB, Dr. Lowell Porter told a recent press briefing. Porter pointed out that for too long, micro and small businesses have been sidelined because of their larger competitors. “Sometimes you have businesses in Berbice where there is a Government project and a business with the same expertise gets the contract…we are trying to change this,” he

said. Moreover, he said, that bidding could be opened for just businesses in the area for the project. Activating this “affirmative action” is necessary and long overdue. We are all too aware of what this means for economic democracy in Guyana. Not only would small contractors get much-needed work, but also that more poor men and women in our diverse communities. It now behoves the smaller contractors and businesses to get their houses in order.

The President, children PM security detail is determined benefitting, PPP protesting by Head of Presidential Guard Dear Editor, PLEASE allow me to express on behalf of the children, parents, teachers and members of the APNU+AFC side of the RDC, heartfelt thanks to HE President David Granger and Hon. Amna Ally MP, Minister of Social Protection, for once again visiting Region Five. Moreover, thanks for yet another gift from the President’s 5Bs Initiative! On Friday 12th January, 2018, the President commissioned another David G school bus to transport schoolchildren within Sub-region One in Region Five. This brings the number of David G school buses to three within the region. Also, in the past, the region benefitted tremendously from this programme in the form of bicycles, boat, bags, etc. During the speech of the Hon. Amna Ally, she clearly

stated that this government is for all of Guyana and wants betterment, no matter people’s religion, sex, status, political affiliation, etc. She stressed that for Guyana to move forward positively, we all need to cooperate and be united in taking Guyana forward. The Hon Amna Ally talked about the school feeding programme that is taking place within the regions and most importantly, mentioned that the President’s vision is to see every child have equal access to education. During HE President Granger’s speech, he clearly put that investment made since May 2015 has seen drastic improvements in children’s education. He talked about the improved school attendance because of the 5Bs programme and encouraged residents to take up the mantle in sustaining the agricultural activities within the region. The President called on parents to ensure

that children take education seriously (and) attend classes more often. I was elated to hear that the President assure sugar workers of my region that the Blairmont Sugar Estate will not be closed. This sent a joyous and electric feeling into me, knowing that all which is being said by the naysayers on TV and (in) bottom houses in Region Five concerning the closing of the Blairmont estate is untrue. This brings me to the PPP’s protest wherever the President and prime minister go. Let it be known that when the PPP protest in Region Five, they do not have more than 20 persons at any given time since the APNU+AFC took office. It’s not the first time the PPP has been protesting when the residents of Region Five benefit, but it amazes me to see the chairman and his few protesters against the

President giving children an opportunity to go to school freely. They don’t care, all they want is power. The chairman and the PPP must take note that all were happy on that day, be it the teachers, the head teachers, the students, parents and residents of Sub-region one, in Region Five. They all sing praises for the President’s 5Bs programme and they thank the President and the GoG for showing care and love for the children. I call on the regional chairman to stop being against regional development and start putting a plan together. Work with us in the RDC and those in the regional administration, as this government continues to work tirelessly in “Creating A Better Life For All”. Regards ABEL SEETARAM Regional Councillor Region Five

Dear Editor,

THE Guyana Police Force is responding to a letter in the Stabroek News, under the caption “The PM has forgotten his former principles of frugality, -- lean and clean government, “by Rohit Persaud. The force’s administration categorically wishes to apprise Mr. Persaud that the details as to advance party, siren and the number of security personnel are always determined by the Head of the Presidential Guard and not the prime minister’s assessment. It is the same security protocol that is extended to His Excellency’s security arrangements. The Head of the Presidential Guard is responsible for all the Heads of State and prime ministers’ safety and their family members. These are the security measures appendaged to the Head of State and the Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana when they are attending public or private functions and at their residences. Regards PAUL WILLIAMS Assistant Commissioner (Law Enforcement)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 18, 2018

Unacceptable for a foreign diplomat to launch such an attack on a Guyanese citizen Dear Editor, Director of Public Information, Mr. Imran Khan, last week used his personal Facebook page to question why the government of Indian invited 20 opposition PPP Indo-Guyanese Members of Parliament (MPs) and only 3 ruling coalition Indo-Guyanese MPs, to an all Indian parliamentarians’ conference in New Delhi, India. Mr. Khan called on Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, His Excellency, V. Mahalingam, to explain the disparities. I participated in that Facebook discussion in which Mr. Khan expressly said they were his personal views. His question was vital. His position as a government official does not preclude his legitimate right as a citizen to freedom of expression, which I affirm. High Commissioner Mahalingam responded with a vicious, political attack on Mr. Khan’s character; charging that he was reckless, misleading, irresponsible, unprofessional and mischievous. I am ap-

palled at His Excellency’s effrontery and detestable attack. It is unacceptable for a foreign diplomat to launch such a crass, political attack on a Guyanese citizen. The High Commissioner also claimed that Ministers were not invited because the conference was for ordinary MPs without ministerial portfolios. When Mr. Khan refuted this claim by pointing out the attendance of the Attorney General of Jamaica, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, QC, a government minister, the High Commissioner retorted that she was Attorney General, but not a Minister – a blatant falsehood. The Stabroek News Editor then jumped on the High Commissioner’s bandwagon; asserting that Mr. Khan was wrong. I am putting it to both the High Commissioner and Stabroek News, that Mr. Khan was right. I specifically conferred with “a most senior” member of the Jamaican government, who confirmed that the Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte is in fact a cabinet Minister of the Jamaican government. This unequivocal

fact is stated on the Jamaican government’s cabinet website: http://jis.gov.jm/government/ ministers/ Ministers - Jamaica Information Service. The Honourable Lester Michael Henry, CD, MP. The Honourable Derrick Smith, CD, MP. The Honourable Dr. Horace Chang, MP. The Honourable Daryl Vaz, MP. The Honourable...jis.gov.jm Considering His Excellency V. Mahalingam’s penchant for public pronouncements, I urge him to reconcile his misleading claim with the aforementioned fact. The Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in accordance with diplomatic norms, could have deescalated and resolved this matter in an engagement with the High Commissioner to convey the government’s official position and a subsequent statement. Furthermore, His Excellency, V. Mahalingam claimed the rationale for not inviting ministers, as well as for the political disparity was provided to the “upper echelons” of the Guyana government and Guyana’s High Commission in Indian. Suffice to say that neither the “upper echelons” of

Apartment buildings must have fire sprinklers Dear Editor, WE see a next apartment engulfed by fire. There will be more fires because of the development of commercial buildings and apartments that are more than three storeys. Apartment buildings must have fire sprinklers. How and why would the fire department issue a fire permit to an apartment building that is three storeys high and maybe more, with 12 apartments in the building ? Building owners don’t consider the safety of the occupants; owners care only about the rent, this is the reason why the fire

department should make fire sprinklers mandatory in apartment buildings and commercial buildings three storeys high and more. The insurance companies and banks do not implement fire-safety measures to make sure that buildings are completely safe, they depend on the fire department’s laws and regulations. Fire sprinklers are more effective than fire extinguishers and can be fitted to the water supply of the building and don’t need someone to activate or control it. Fire sprinklers work automatically. Such a simple implementation will

save lives, save the building and the investment. The fire department can mandate commercial buildings and apartments to install fire sprinklers. This would be a great asset towards the protection and the safety of our citizens and will help the fire department in containing and extinguishing fires. So why doesn’t the fire department issue and enforce the installation of fire sprinklers in commercial and apartment buildings three storeys and more? Regards VISHUL ISHWARIDIN

Shooting of unarmed vendor was reckless Dear Editor,

FOR the citizens of our capital city it is always ‘another day another drama’ at the City Hall in Georgetown. More recently, it has been the slaying of a prisoner at the Bourda Outpost of the Georgetown City Constabulary by a City Constable, that brings to the fore once again the extraordinary level of poor leadership of the Council at the highest levels. The city constable open-

ing fire at a fleeing unarmed man who was not facing him, not attacking him, nor posing any danger to him or his colleagues at the station ,was just simply reckless and uncalled for. Why couldn’t the constable shoot the prisoner in a non-fatal area? Could he not have fired a warning shot? Could he not have used a baton instead of a gun? At the end of this year we need to elect a mayor, a city council, appoint a new town clerk and senior administrators that will

force all city constables to be retrained to abide by different rules of engagement. I think the time has come for the national police to take over this errant police department. But more importantly, I think it is time for Georgetown to get a new mayor and a new town clerk who can properly lead our capital in this modern enlightened period. Regards AMBER VALENTINE

the government nor the Head of Guyana’s High Commission in India, constitute “the Guyanese people” – who have a right to know; especially in an environment where the very PPP MPs who went to India have been demanding transparency in government. Guyana, at this juncture, is struggling to heal decades of racial tensions, and forge reconciliation and national cohesion. I am an advocate for this

new social construct. In spite of this, the Opposition Leader and other PPP MPs have for political expediency been engendering racial insecurities. In light of this precarious national circumstance, it is unfortunate that our MPs would participate in a conference that promotes race rather than racial and political tolerance. This is a new era of open societies. People are cognizant that their gov-

ernment belongs to them and demand accountability and transparency. Therefore, the government or High Commissioner must tell the Guyanese public why Guyana’s participation in this conference, how it benefited our nation and the reason for the political disparity with respect to the invitations. Regards RICKFORD BURKE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 18, 2018

€12M anti-crime programme for Caribbean THE multi-million dollar Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) Crime and Security Programme was launched in Barbados on Wednesday, amidst concerns that Caribbean countries with relatively small populations are facing security challenges and the need for the region to adopt a multi-disciplined, multi-national approach to crime and security. Head of the European Union Delegation to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, Daniela Tramacere, said as a result, regional integration and collective security mechanism have really become imperatives. “Given the scarcity of resources required to address such a multiplicity of security issues, we the European Union, we share this philosophy…in favour of regionalisationess, we see actually regionalism as a stepping stone to a more effective way to global multilateralism. “We believe in the value of contributing our best resources and capabilities to alliances and partnerships and to enable others with fewer resources to assume responsi-

Daniela Tramacere

bilities in their own region,”: she said, noting both regions share a commitment to global peace, progress, prosperity as well as to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. “The impact of crime on citizen security is of great concern to us as well and it is undermining substantially the sustainable development of the region,” Tramacere said, as she gave a rationale behind the EURO 12 million (One Euro =US$1.29) initiative being funded under the European Development Fund (EDF). She said the collateral damage of the drug trade is “huge and obviously takes an important toll on society, fuels corruption, undermines

the rule of law and leads to more organised crime. “It is a truism that crime has a negative impact on legitimate business and investment and this is unfortunately all too true in the Caribbean where estimates suggest that reducing the homicide rate by one third only from its current level could more than double the region’s rate of per capita income and economic growth.” But she warned against ‘quick fixes” in dealing with the crime and security situation and urged the development of strong professional institutions that approach security challenges from an objective space, multidimensional and multi-stakeholder perspective. “This is why we prefer alternatives to traditional incarceration for non-violent drug offenders and put emphasis on a common sense approach to protecting public safety. So our strategy against drugs will only bear fruit unless it follows a balanced approach in which drug demand and supply are enforcing each other and we believe programmes like, for example, the drug treatment courts, should be a significant part of a security

strategy that promotes better outcomes…. “The use of alternative sentencing …can help to address the issues of prison overcrowding as well as reduce the economic and social costs associated with incarceration. Most importantly, they can unite families, help communities feel safer and more secure and make lives whole again. “We must break the vicious circle of arrest, trials and release (and) when people get out of prison, only to land back in court for repeated offences. We know that this path is not easy, it requires hard work,” she said. In his address to the launch, CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque said the initiative is an “important and timely programme” and was yet another manifestation of the relationship between Europe and the Caribbean to attain sustainable development. He described the crime situation as an issue that requires all member states to be involved in a regional programme and strategy to deal with and made reference to the efforts by CARICOM leaders to put in place various strategies so as to curb crim-

Parking Meter project presses on

inal activities in the region. LaRocque made reference to initiatives such as the CARICOM Arrest Warrant Treaty and plans for a counter-terrorism strategy, as he noted that regional countries were being “ravaged by this scourge” of crime, including drug trafficking. “This has led to a steady increase in the availability of illegal firearms. The reality is that neither the most trafficked illicit drug, cocaine, nor the firearms, is produced in our countries. Our region is a transit-point for both. However, significant amounts of both remain on our shores, fuelling extreme violence, institutionalized criminal behaviour and increased gang violence. “This threatens the security of citizens and visitors and has an impact on the safety of community life, as gun and gang violence become rife and create dysfunction in families through drug addiction and alcoholism. The greatest impact is on our human resources which we need to continue to build resilient, strong societies.” LaRocque said the programme being launched Wednesday focuses on reduc-

– Councillors vote to adopt recommendations of re-negotiating committee

By Telesha Ramnarine “YOU can put on lipstick on a pig but at the end of the day, it’s still a pig,” Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikarran remarked on Wednesday afternoon about the controversial parking meter project that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) wants to move ahead with, even in view of a High Court ruling that essentially rendered the by-laws illegal. At a special meeting called to discuss the recommendations coming out of the recently concluded negotiations between Smart City Solutions (SCS) and the Council’s re-negotiating committee, 15 councillors voted to adopt them; four voted against, and two were in abstention. This means that the adopted recommendations will now form part of the contract between SCS and the M&CC and that the Communities Minister will have to sign off on a new set of by-laws. Town Clerk Royston King told the Guyana Chronicle after the meeting that although he cannot say for sure just when paid parking will resume in the city, the

Mayor Patricia Chase-Green and Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikarran

City Council is definitely moving ahead with its work and does not see the recent court ruling as putting a damper on the project. “I am not aware that the matter has been put on pause by the courts. There is a difference between the by-laws and the contract,” King said. He agreed that the bylaws are what give enforceability to the contract, but maintained that the two are not the same. “The court pronounced on the perceived procedural error with respect to the processing of the bylaws, but the decision of the court has nothing to do with the metered parking contract. “In my own view, all the court perceived was that there was a procedural error.

And a procedural error can be corrected. The content of the by-laws was not in question. What was in question was the processing of the content of the by-laws; so it’s not the substance of the by-laws that was in question, but it was the process. So what we need to do is correct the process. Nothing was said about the substance,” King said. An appeal to the ruling was filed last Tuesday, King disclosed. TOOK ADVANTAGE In his remarks, the Deputy Mayor maintained that at no time was the parking meter contract voted on at a statutory meeting and that the project was shrouded in secrecy from the very

beginning. He also referred to the “outrageously” unfair split in profits where it is proposed that SCS will be getting 80 percent and the City Council, 20. Jaikarran also argued that since the matter is before the court, he personally feels that the City Council should not go ahead with any negotiation. “Smart City is not the solution. You can put on lipstick on a pig but at the end of the day, it’s still a pig.” People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Councillor Bishram Kuppen feels that the SCS team capitalised on the “inexperience” of the City Council’s team and got the Chairman of the negotiating committee to agree to a num-

ing the demand for and dependence on illicit drugs on the one hand, and on crime prevention on the other. The project presents a diverse mix of interventions to buttress the challenges we are facing,” he said, noting, however, that whatever projects and programmes are put forward, the core of this battle must be fought in the home. “Families have a vital role to play in turning the tide of this struggle. The tried and tested values of love, hard work, honesty, character building, belief in self and self-respect are key weapons. The first intervention must be in the home.” “Our Region cannot afford complacency in the face of ever evolving threats to our safety and security. Beyond the toll taken on people and society, crime and violence have become very costly to the Region’s economy, and have an adverse impact on foreign investment and tourism. “More than ever, we need to remain united in our efforts to fight crime in all its dimensions. The onus is on us to provide a secure Community for all our people,” LaRocque added. (CMC)

ber of questionable terms. Kuppen referred to the fact that it was central government which caused the suspension of the by-laws and not the City Council itself. He said a good conscience will not permit him to support the contract. Alliance for Change (AFC) Councillor Sherod Duncan similarly pointed out that it was the government which stepped in to halt the project because it saw the flaws in the by-laws, which the city council failed to do anything about. Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen indirectly referred to Duncan as disrespectful when he said he would describe the project using the same word that US President Donald Trump used

recently to describe Haiti, El Salvador, and some African nations. Duncan claimed that SCS has not put down a single parking meter anywhere in the world and has proven its inexperience by placing them in front of schools and hospitals. “SCS is a bogus, sham of a company,” he said. Chairman of the City’s Finance Committee, Councillor Oscar Clarke, offered that the contract with SCS is a binding one with the city, “...whether we like it or not.” Councillor Alfred Mentore said he was not afforded enough time to peruse the committee’s report and gain feedback from his constituency because it was only provided to councillors on Tuesday afternoon. He said he ought to be “thorough and shrewd” in what he does because he is representing all those in his constituency and that they should have been afforded an opportunity to make their input. In supporting the project, Councillor Monica Thomas said there are some people who simply want to see the City Council fail.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 18, 2018

$148M contract cleared for major D&I project at Ithaca H. NAUTH and Sons General Engineering Contractors has won the $148M contract for constructing drains, canals, access dams and hydraulic structures for the Rural Agricultural Infrastructural Development project (RAID) aback Ithaca, West Bank Berbice. This was disclosed by the Ministry of the Presidency recently. Residents of the community will benefit from new drainage and irrigation infrastructure, plus land-preparation equipment and technical advice which will help to boost agricultural production on 900 acres of hitherto unproductive land and improve livelihoods in the village. The opening up of unused fertile lands aback Ithaca is being made possible under a loan granted to the Government of Guyana by

the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF). Buxton, Triumph and Mocha villages are the three small-scale farming communities in Region Four which will benefit from similar D&I systems and agricultural support under the scheme. A reliable source at the Ministry of Agriculture has disclosed that work on the infrastructure for 900 acres of farmlands is expected to begin by month-end and the project should be completed in eight months. The works to be done include: land-clearing; construction of secondary drainage and irrigation systems; rehabilitation of access dams and the establishment of pasture lands and farm plots. The beneficiaries at Ithaca are residents organised under the umbrella of the co-operative movement.

Residents will utilise the drainage and irrigation systems and access dams for large-scale commercial agricultural development, which will enhance the economic empowerment of the village and its environs. The CDF was established under Article 158 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas “for the purpose of providing financial or technical assistance to disadvantaged countries, regions and sectors.” It is the centrepiece of the regime to address the disparities among the member states of CARICOM which may result from the implementation of the Caribbean Single Market Economy (CSME). The agreement pertaining to the operation of the fund was signed in July 2008 and the CDF began operating on August 24, 2009.

Min Hughes representing President at Caribbean Telecommunications symposium MINISTER of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes, is representing President David Granger at a special Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) symposium currently in session in Antigua and Barbuda. According to host of the event, Prime Minister Gaston Browne, it is part of an all-encompassing programme to accelerate the Caribbean’s progression to 21st Century level Government, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications said in a release. The main long term objective is to transform public services in countries across the region, to enable them to be delivered from modern ICT platforms. “A 21st Century Government is one that makes effective use of ICT to deliver services to its citizens, and its internal and external clients,” including investors and the private sector, said the CTU. This thrust will fulfill CARICOM’s vision for a Single ICT Space, for common frameworks and platforms to be used across the region to improve the

quality of services offered to our citizens. The overall objective envisions citizen-centric governments that are open, interactive, efficient and transparent, while it strengthens economic competitiveness and promotes green development. Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr. Keith Mitchell delivered the feature address yesterday Tuesday January 16 at the St. James’ Club, Mamora Bay, Antigua venue. The participants, including Heads of State, public administrators and IT practitioners, heard presentations on Estonia’s journey from poverty to wealth through ICT applications; the Potential Impact of 21st Century Government on the Business Environment delivered by a Massy Group representative; and the Transformation of the Government of Georgia (fmr. USSR). A government official from South Korea also spoke about Demonstrating Political Will. The term ‘CARICOM Single ICT Space’ was first mooted by CAR-

Minister of Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes

ICOM in 2011 as a recommendation in the draft ‘Regional Digital Development Strategy’ document. Its main focus is on improving ICT in the region, on building a sustainable knowledge society in the shortest possible time, and it would function as a component of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). This symposium was organized by the CTU in association with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, and the Caribbean Centre for Development Administration (CARICAD).

‘Use it or lose it’

Min. Bulkan urges regional administrations on capital expenditure

Officials and regional representatives at the Action Roundtable for Regional Development 2018

MINISTER of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, on Wednesday called on those at the helm of regional administrations to use or face the likelihood of losing their budgetary allocations in the light of government’s plan to make programme cuts to facilitate severance payments to sugar workers. He was at the time addressing an Action Roundtable for Regional Development 2018 programme held at the National Racquet Centre. The minister said an additional $2B, which was not catered for in the 2018 National Budget, will have to be acquired before the end of January this year. This is to ensure that sugar workers are paid; therefore budgetary cuts to programmes of the respective ministries and agencies are impending. “If you don’t use it, there is a great likelihood you could lose it, so in addition to all the other factors …the allocations that have been made to the respective regions need to be implemented… this is one additional factor,” the minister told the regional heads and representatives. The importance of effective and efficient implementation and execution of their respective work programmes was emphasised by the Communities Minister. It was reminded that the regions have benefited this year from

an additional $2.1B, which is an approximate 5.6 percent increase from 2017 for capital programmes. This, Minister Bulkan pointed out, is despite the fiscal constraints imposed by the traditional sectors of the economy. “This is part of our government’s efforts to ensure that the decentralised organs deliver services to our people as part of the strategic agenda to inspire confidence in the system and to ensure people’s participation in the Local Government Elections,” he noted. A stricter approach is being taken by the administration to also ensure the timely and effective execution of the capital programmes regionally. In this vein, Minister Bulkan disclosed that there will be monthly plenaries of the Cabinet where each ministry will have to present progress reports on the rate of implementation of their capital programmes. This is in an effort to strengthen regional procurement systems. Those gathered at the Action Roundtable were reminded that the timely execution of their work programmes will be to the benefit of the regions peoples. The minister iterated that regional administrators should revisit their approach to planning and implementation, urging that every effort be made to ensure the proper functioning of respective

procurement and planning departments. Administrators and representatives were then urged to strictly adhere to their submitted procurement plans. Equally, the Communities Minister stressed the need for there to be value for money. He noted that “Our spending of public money ought to be guided by the principles of accountability, transparency, and ethics in order to ensure we get value for money.” The Regional Executive Officers (REOs) were also reminded that they are the ones who have the responsibility of guiding the spending of funds in the public purse; therefore, the minister said the onus is on them to ensure that there is “no semblance of impropriety” or corrupt practices perpetrated by anyone in their administrations. Section 11 (4) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, he posited, defines proper use as the efficient, effective, and ethical action in the expenditure of public money. Government, Minister Bulkan said, does not wish to babysit the administrative heads, but expects that each region will leverage its resources to its own benefit. He reiterated his ministry’s commitment to providing the necessary support to regional administrations. (DPI)

7 nabbed in big Pomeroon fuel bust Five Venezuelans and two Guyanese were on Wednesday arrested in a major fuel smuggling bust at the mouth of the Pomeroon River. In a statement police said a joint operation by ranks of the Guyana Energy Agency and the Guyana Police Force shortly after lunch at the mouth of the Pomeroon River resulted in the arrest of five Venezuelans and two Guyanese in a vessel with a quantity of unmarked fuel. Investigations are in progress.

Pathologist takes the stand – as trial into 2013 ‘Agricola murder’ continues

GOVERNMENT Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh on Wednesday testified in the Georgetown High Court before Justice James Bovell-Drakes and a 12-member jury that he conducted the post-mortem on the body of Donna Taylor on February 3, 2014 at the GPHC mortuary. He gave as the cause of death shock and haemorrhage, due to an incised wound to the neck, compounded by blunt force trauma to the head. On trial is 27-year-old former soldier, Abiola Jacobs, called “Abby”, for the murder of her ex-boyfriend’s mother, Donna Taylor. Police reported that Taylor’s body was found aback her Agricola home on Friday, January 31, 2014 with her throat slit, her hands bound behind her, and a cloth wrapped around her

Abiola Jacobs

neck. Taylor was reportedly asleep when she was dragged from her bed and taken into her backyard and killed. According to the police, Samantha Sabatt, who was a house-guest of Taylor’s at the time of the murder, had to jump through an upper floor bedroom window, injuring herself in the process,

when the killers came looking for her. Sabatt, who lives in the United Kingdom, was home to attend her father’s funeral. Jacobs, of Lot 55 Evan Phillips Park, Agricola, East Bank Demerara, was the girlfriend of the dead woman’s son, Bertram Taylor, Jr. but the young man had reportedly broken off the relationship with her because of her aggressive attitude. It was reported that the young man had shared a very close relationship with his mother, and because of that relationship, the accused was of the view that the woman had influenced her son’s decision to sever the relationship. The state is being led by Mandel Moore in association with Lisa Cave, while the defence attorney is Adrian Thompson. The trial is continuing.

Small businesses registered with SBB to get first preference at gov’t procurement THE Small Business Bureau (SBB) has announced that small businesses will get first preference for Government procurement once they have registered with the bureau. According to the law, small businesses are entitled to 20 per cent of Government procurement so in an attempt to properly enforce the law, the bureau has created a registration and identification process for small businesses, said Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SBB, Dr. Lowell Porter during a recent press briefing. “Soon we will issue an advertisement that will include a link that says ‘click here’ on it…when you do it you will follow the guidelines and get registered…

for example information related to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) will be required… when done, once they meet the criteria they will get an ID,” he said. Porter pointed out that for too long, micro and small businesses have been sidelined because of their larger competitors. “Sometimes you have businesses in Berbice where there is a Government project and a business with the same expertise gets the contract… we are trying to change this,” he said, adding that bidding could be opened for just businesses in the area for the project. Once the businesses get their identification card

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 18, 2018

137 Guyanese deported from U.S. in 2017 ONE-hundred-and-thirty-seven Guyanese were deported from the United States in 2017, according to the 2017 Enforcement and Removal Operation (ERO) Report by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The report states that ERO identifies, arrests, and removes aliens who present a danger to national security or a threat to public safety, or who otherwise undermine border control and the integrity of the U.S. immigration system. The report, which was released on ICE’s website earlier this week, highlights that this figure of 137 for 2017 represents an increase from 2016 when only 93 Guyanese were deported. The report did not provide an analysis of each country. In 2016 more than 72, 000 non-Immigrant and 7,000 Immigrant visas were issued to Guyanese by the U.S. Embassy here. The figures for 2017 has not been revealed. U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway, had said that the increase in visas being issued locally was a result of improved economic conditions in the country. Luckily, only a very small percentage of Guyanese abuse their visas by staying illegally,” the

U.S. Ambassador had said at the U.S.’s 241st Independence Day celebration in Georgetown last year. Meanwhile, Haiti topped the list of the highest number of deportations for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals with 5,578 Haitians being deported in 2017. This is compared to the 310 that was deported in 2016. Jamaica was second for the Caribbean with 782 being deported in 2017, compared to 787 in 2016, while Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) had the same amount deported for the two years – 128. In an interview with News Source, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown, Amanda Cauldwell, shared that the U.S. Embassy informs the Government of Guyana in advance of all deportations. She noted too that variations in the number of deportees over the years are not unusual. Further, the public affairs officer said that: “I can’t comment on specific cases, but noting that all deportees’ cases were handled appropriately under U.S. law, and all individuals were afforded due process under our judicial system. This includes things like the right to be represented by an

attorney, the right to contest charges of deportation, and many other procedural protections.” Reintegration of deportees into the country has been one of the issues associated with deportation. There is a mechanism which seeks to facilitate reintegration into the country, lead by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Guyana became a member state of the IOM in 2011, after having observer status for several years. Since then,the IOM has implemented several projects in various fields, such as: promotion of the involvement of the diaspora in Guyana´s development; strengthening of security mechanisms for the enhancement of migration management in Guyana; migration and health promotion; Assisted Voluntary Return; and Reintegration (AVRR) programmes, which coordinate returns and reintegration from Canada, the United Kingdom, Belgium and the Netherlands. The IOM Mission in Guyana also serves as a Regional Coordination Office for the Caribbean, providing logistical and coordination support to country missions.

Joint services conduct massive search on Mazaruni Prison

CEO of SBB, Dr. Lowell Porter

(ID) the possibility of getting the contract will increase because the bureau will be able to identify them as small businesses, said the CEO of SBB. He made it clear that with the ID, those businesses will get preferential treatment.

Some of the prohibited items found at the Mazaruni Prison

THE Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Prison Service conducted a massive search at the Mazaruni Prison on Tuesday where a number of prohibited items were found and confiscated. The operation which lasted about six hours and commenced at 06:00hrs saw over 400 inmates being searched. Some of the items found include dozens of razor blades, scissors, cell phones, metal spoons and forks, playing cards and other contraband.

Teen charged for sexual activity with child A 16-year-old male was on Wednesday remanded to prison for engaging in sexual activity with his seven-year-old

cousin. The teen appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and the matter was heard behind

closed doors. The indictable offence alleged that during the month of January 2017 at Charlotte Street, George-

town, the teen engaged in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16. The teen was remanded to prison until January

25.

According to reports, the teen and his cousin lived in the same home where it is alleged

that he had sexual intercourse with the boy. The mother of the child later found out and reported it to the police.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 18, 2018

Woman shot during Leopold St gunplay A 55-year-old resident of Breda and Leopold Streets, Werk-en-Rust, identified as Jacqueline Lagnah was shot twice in the lower back when two men opened fire indiscriminately on Wednesday morning in the area. The incident occurred around 11:20hrs and Lagnah, a shop owner was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she is presently in a critical condition. Two persons are in police custody and a car lodged following the shooting incident which reportedly stemmed from an argument between a group of men in the area. Police reported that about 20:00hrs on January 16, 2018, there was a brawl among Alkelvin Anthony called “Reddis Pratt”, 40, of Lot 377 East Ruimveldt, another man called “Barney” and some other men after “Barney” allegedly robbed one of Anthony’s friends at the said Leopold and Breda Streets area. However, at about 11:20hrs on Wednesday, Anthony and Atwell

A relative of the injured Jacqueline Lagnah as he vented his concerns on Wednesday, following the incident.

Martin called “John Kerby”, 47, of Lot 709 Penny Lane Street, South Ruimveldt went to Leopold and Breda Streets, Werk-en-Rust, in motorcar PTT 9251--a Toyota Premio--and they allegedly discharged gunshots indiscriminately when Lagnah was shot twice to the lower back. Police stated that based on information received “Barney” was stabbed to his face; his whereabouts are unknown at this time. After the shooting, Anthony and Martin escaped in the said

car. However, they were pursued by a police patrol and the car was intercepted at Penny Lane Street, South Ruimveldt, after which the two men were arrested and the said car seized. The crime scene was processed by ranks of the Crime Scene Unit and the investigations are active. When the Guyana Chronicle arrived at the scene on Wednesday morning, residents were out in their numbers. They were all tight-lipped about the incident. A man, said to be a

Police at the home of the injured woman, Jacqueline Lagnah, following the shooting incident.

relative of the injured Lagnah, was heard venting his concerns as police cordoned off the scene.

‘JOHN KERBY’ Back in November 2016, an ex-policeman had pumped three bullets into Martin during an altercation outside the ‘Wings and Things’ Bar, Mandela Avenue Georgetown. Martin at the time was shot to the chest and abdomen during an argument with the ex-cop, who is a licensed firearm

holder. It was reported that Martin was standing outside the hangout spot when an argument ensued between him and the excop, after Martin placed some beer bottles on the man’s car and refused to remove them. It is alleged that after the argument, the ex-cop went into the bar but Martin followed and shot at the former cop, but missed. The man immediately drew his licensed handgun and discharged three rounds at Martin, hitting him in the chest and abdomen.

Illegal substance lands man in trouble A 17-year-old Linden resident was on Wednesday remanded to prison by Magistrate Fabayo Azore for the possession of amphetamine on January 16 at South Ruimveldt. Shaquan Alleyne is charged for being in possession of 16 grams of amphetamine, which is an illegal substance used to ‘get high.’ Alleyne denied the charge while his attorney, Leslie Benjamin, made an application for reasonable bail. The Magistrate remanded Alleyne until February 7.

Shaquan Alleyne

Manslaughter charge for city constable POLICE will likely be charging the city constable who shot and killed 34-yearold Marlon Fredericks on Sunday with manslaughter. Legal advice was received on Wednesday and the constable is expected to face court today. A post-mortem revealed that the cause of death was as a result of complication to his lower back due to gunshot wound. Fredericks, of Tiger Bay, Georgetown, was wanted by the City Constabulary for a number of simple larceny transgressions, and was apprehended at Robb and King Streets, Georgetown on Saturday. However, during his apprehension he was kicked several times and assaulted. Following the beating Federicks received, he had to be treated and detained at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for

observation, but was later released into the custody of the City Constabulary. While at that entity’s Bourda Outpost on Sunday, he attempted to

flee custody and was shot as a result. His mother Claudette Fredericks had gone to visit him when she witnessed the shooting.

dette Fredericks said her son was a drug addict who had relapsed twice following stints at a rehabilitation facility. She said that seeing her son being brutally beaten while surrendering to the Police has been one of

the most traumatising moments of her life. She said that because of the beating, her son had not eaten since he was taken into custody, and family members felt his death could have been avoided.

Imported bulls to aid local cattle industry

Dead: Marlon Fredericks Dead: Marlon Fredericks

Port-knocker gets three years for 29 grams of ganja DERICK Carmichael, a port-knocker of Rosignol Village, West Bank Berbice, was on Wednesday sentenced to three years imprisonment after pleading guilty to possession of 29 grams of cannabis at an Itaballi Police checkpoint on Monday. The sentence was handed down when he appeared before Bartica Magistrate Christel Lambert. Meanwhile, Henry Conway, 55, of 162 Amelia’s

Eyewitnesses said his death could have been avoided, since he was in a weakened state and could not have run away; hence apprehending him should have been an easy task for the Lance Corporal. Clau-

The cannabis found on Henry Conway

Ward, Linden who was Tuesday evening arrested by ranks of a police patrol at Two Miles, Mabura, with 547 grams of cannabis, made his appearance before Her Worship Christel Lambert at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court, charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. The defendant pleaded not guilty and was remanded to prison until February 13, 2018, when his trial will commence.

THE local cattle industry is being boosted with the importation of animal stock to improve the genetics of locally available beef and dairy cattle. In an exclusive interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Chief Executive Officer of the GLDA, Nigel Cumberbatch said, “We were also able, in 2017, to import seven breeding bulls. Four beef bulls and three dairy bulls for our large ruminant genetic improvement programme.” Additionally, Cumberbatch said while the agency will not stop the importation of semen altogether, the imported bulls will reduce the GLDA’s dependence on imported semen for its artificial insemination programme to assist farmers. “The demand for semen cannot be met by the bulls that we have at the present time, but certainly, they will assist in reducing the amount of semen that we at the present time are importing.” According to the CEO of the country’s leading livestock

agency, farmers will soon benefit from extracted semen from the bulls. “In 2018, we will be extracting semen from the bulls that we have imported. The bulls have been trained and we are taking them through the training process of semen extraction and by mid-2018, they will be fully involved in the extraction of semen.”

with the cows. We do this because it enables the animals to calve during the dry period of the year--September, October, November--and it gives the calves a better beginning so that they don’t calve during the rainy period and slow their growth,” Cumberbatch said. GLDA is the agency which has responsibility for the monitor-

One of the bulls imported by the GLDA for their genetic improvement programme

The agency is continuing work to ensure better performance of calves produced at its Ebini outstation. “Our breeding season begins from the 15th December to 15th March. That is the time we will put in our breeding bulls

ing of developments in the country’s livestock sector. It provides technical support and advisory services to all ten administrative regions of the country through a network of trained extension officers. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 18, 2018

LGBT community to get free legal service VULNERABLE persons within the LGBT community will now formally benefit from paralegal services offered by local human rights organisation, Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD). The programme, known as the Community Paralegal Services Initiatives, was launched on Wednesday at SASOD’s

Duncan Street office. According to the organisation’s managingdirector and stand-in Human Rights Coordinator, Joel Simpson, “The intention of this initiative is to provide and address unmet needs of vulnerable groups and to strengthen the capacity of vulnerable populations to understand and act on their rights.” He voiced that the

Managing-Director of SASOD, Joel Simpson at the launch of the Community Paralegal Services Initiative

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community is often subjected to discrimination and violence. Consequently, the body has sought to support all persons by providing substantive “pro bono” (or free) legal redress. The director related that the organisation has been providing these paralegal services, albeit less structured and more informal, for a number of years. But through funding received, SASOD has been positioned to combine the resources acquired over the years and provide these services in a structured way. Furthermore, Simpson explained that the paralegal initiative seeks to address “complex rights abuses” such as inter-partner violence, societal discrimination, domestic abuse, child sexual abuse and family violence. The programme also

aims to work alongside other non-governmental organisations to develop a network that refers cases to provide pro-bono assistance by way of rights’ awareness and legal redress to the vulnerable groups. There is also scope for individual police stations to receive sensitisation through the organisation’s homophobia education programme, since there have been alleged “issues” in LGBT persons reporting abuses to police officers. Despite its merits, the programme is however challenged by the number of lawyers providing the redress. As noted by SASOD Board Secretary and Attorney-at-Law, Mishka Puran only five Guyanese lawyers are currently providing free legal services. As such, Puran highlighted SASOD’s call for more lawyers to join the network.

Guyanese miner killed in Venezuela A 22-year-old North West District miner was brutally murdered in Venezuela on Monday. Reports are that Otneil James, of Bumbury Hill, Mabaruma Sub-Region, was cornered by gunmen called “Sindicatos”, and beheaded by his captors over mining funds the men demanded. The incident occurred at an area known as “Terrol Landing” in Venezuela,

close to the border with Guyana. A video of the gruesome incident has surfaced and residents of Region One communities have renewed calls for persons to return to these shores in wake of the brutality meted out to Guyanese miners. The incident is one of several which have resulted in the deaths of local miners on Venezuela lands in recent months.

Remanded on cycle theft charge A 45-year-old man accused of stealing a bicycle was on Wednesday remanded to prison by City Magistrate Fabayo Azore. Mark Mangal is accused of stealing a bicycle valued $13,000 from Oslyn Watson, on January 12 at Barr Street, Kitty. The unrepresented man pleaded not guilty to the charge. The victim’s wife who was in court explained to the magistrate that Mangal threatened to harm her family since she was the one who saw him removing the bicycle from their Barr Street home.

Magistrate Azore remanded Mangal until January 22 when the matter will be recalled before Magistrate Annett Singh.

Mark Mangal

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 18, 2018

RUBIS opens tenth gas station By Shirley Thomas RUBIS Guyana Inc. yesterday officially declared open its 10th location at Lot 1, Ruimveldt, Greater Georgetown. Boasting a spanking new state-of-the-art facility, the new gas station is a partnership between RUBIS and Ross’ Service Station, which previously served as a dealer for ‘Shell’ and later ‘Guyoil’ at that location. The elegant service station is conveniently located and geared to deliver a service that is ‘second to none.’

has transformed the landscape in a positive way and further enhances other RUBIS brands. Johnson sees the immediate benefits of opening the service station as an opportunity to serve a number of customers who traffic this area; providing employment opportunities for young people and ultimately giving the brand additional prominence. Johnson added that RUBIS is grateful to be associated with the owners of this facility and optimistic about expanding. She stated that they are

Lucky customer Nigel Harry gets his tank filled for free.

By no means a stranger to the petrol filling station business, Ross has been operating at that venue for 56 years – initially in the petrol business and interspersed with a restaurant and bar operations. The doors of the service station business were thrown open to the public on November 16, 1959, and ceased operations in 2015. In her opening remarks, Retail Accounts Executive of RUBIS, Rhonda Johnson, declared that it was a special day for Ross’ Service Station and the office as they continue the tradition of operating a fuel outpost. “This piece of real estate has housed a service station for over four decades,” she said.

also grateful to make a difference in the lives of Guyanese, optimistic about expanding a detailed network and proud to provide quality products and excited to be a part of the Guyanese family. And in keeping with its core values, it provides quality customer service, she assured. And business partner, Mrs. Caretta Ross-Hopkinson, daughter of founder/ proprietor, Mr. Coglan Ross and wife Mrs. Alice Ross, gave a brief background to the project. Caretta is also the wife of business partner, Sean Hopkinson. Ross’ Service Station was initially a Shell Service Station and later became the

community for receiving them back with wide open arms. She added that the family now looks forward to a better service, assuring that, “This legacy will continue.” Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Rubis International Guyana Inc. Mr. Mauricio Nicholls said that RUBIS is very committed to the partnership with Ross, noting that it is an excellent example of the partnership they (RUBIS) believe in. “We will have to pay attention to every small detail of the operation, as we promote our brand and ensure that Guyanese consumers have a preference for our brand,” he said. Mr. Nicholls saw as key to the success of the venture, an innovative project with handsome investment in technology and a new partnership with the station. He assured that RUBIS is very committed to Guyana and pledges to continue the relationship with this country. Meanwhile, adding that RUBIS is optimistic about Guyana’s future in oil in the next few years, he said that RUBIS is ready to do its part to develop its business and grow in this beautiful country. Meanwhile, Chief Executive officer of the Guyana Energy Agency, Dr. Mahender Sharma, on behalf of the Agency, congratulated the management and staff of the Ross/ RUBIS Service Station and RUBIS for the investments and modernisation efforts toward improving the services of their branded Petrol. Dr. Sharma said that the investment and official commissioning of the service station with its modern outlook is indeed a demonstration of the company’s commitment and confidence in Guyana’s private

The new service station.

Johnson said that what was being witnessed was a symbiotic relationship between RUBIS and Ross’ Service Station that was incubated in early 2017, and has burgeoned into a wonderful business arrangement. She referred to the relationship as humble, respectful, guarding the parties’ individual interests, while at the same time recognising the benefits from citizens. Among the firm values shared by both parties, she said, was their penchant for ‘quality’. She contended that the presence of the facility

first dealer-owned GUYOIL Service Station. It first threw open its doors as a gas station on November 16, 1959, and remained in operation for full 56 years, before shutting up shop in August 2015. In the 70s and 80s, it housed what had come to be known as the very popular Village Gate Restaurant and Bar, well known for its tasty fried chicken. Mrs. Ross-Hopkinson, on behalf of the family, expressed gratitude the family members and other partners for their contributions to making this dream a reality and to the

sector and the country as a whole. He said that branding and modernisation are useful tools in promoting a business since a company’s image will have a lasting impact on the attitude of both customers and employees. The programme was richly spiced with renditions of two inspirational songs by pupils of Green Acres Primary School and a surprise feature of the free filling of the first customer’s vehicle. The lucky person was Mr. Nigel Harry of Damon Avenue, Linden.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 18, 2018

GBTI to hand over financial information on Cricket World Cup to SOCU

CHIEF Justice, Roxanne George-Wiltshire has approved a production order

that will cause the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) to hand

over financial documents to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

The order which was granted on Tuesday involves documents regarding transactions made during the 2007 Cricket World Cup activities held here. Head of SOCU, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sydney James, confirmed to the Guyana Chronicle that the agency had received the go-ahead from the court and will be taking the necessary steps to move their investigations forward. James said that SOCU had applied to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to have the bank hand over the necessary documents relating to the investigation, but that request was met with a legal challenge. He noted however that the chief justice has now approved the application for the production order in favour of SOCU. “This will help our work regarding the Cricket World Cup activities,” James highlighted. In December, Chief Justice George-Wiltshire had temporarily stopped SOCU from requesting the documents from GBTI, a privately owned financial institution. Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan had granted the initial order to

have the bank release the information regarding the cricket activities. She granted SOCU permission to accept and inspect statements of accounts, withdrawals, deposit slips, loans and other relevant transactions at the bank. While GBTI should have handed over the documents to the agency in early December last, the bank argued that its lawyers had advised that the order by the chief magistrate was unlawful, void, of no legal effect and should therefore be quashed. The bank went on to say that the chief magistrate did not have the power to make the order and that SOCU had not properly filed its court case. SOCU had told the Guyana Chronicle that investigations are being conducted into the CWC matter since millions of dollars could not be accounted for. The bank documents regarding financial transactions would aid SOCU in tracking the money. Apart from the unaccounted sums, a contract regarding the purchase of high-end BMW motorcars is also involved, since those cars which were bought at the time for cricket officials

were reportedly placed in the hands of close associates of the former administration. Officials of the GBTI are currently before the court in a contempt case. On this occasion, the bank failed to comply with a court order that required it to submit financial information in another investigation. The bank was asked about the accounts of several former Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) members, which information they refused to give. The GRDB investigations involve some US$500m; sums reportedly paid between 2010 and 2015 from the Petro Caribe arrangement with Venezuela. People’s Progressive Party MPs Dharamkumar Seeraj and Nigel Dharamlall, GRDB former Deputy General Manager, Ricky Ramraj, former General Manager Jagnarine Singh and former GRDB board members Badrie Persaud and Prema Roopnarine appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer to the charges when the matter was first called last May.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 18, 2018

‘This is the culture of a good society’ …President declares as new Senior Counsel receive instruments of appointment By Ariana Gordon INSTRUMENTS of Commission appointing four legal minds to the elevated status of Senior Counsel were on Wednesday handed over to Kalam Azad Juman Yassin, Fitz Le Roy Peters, Andrew Mark Fitzgerald Pollard and Josephine Whitehead. President David Granger in issuing the instruments congratulated the attorneys whom he said have served Guyana well in the legal fraternity over the years. He described the title senior counsel as “a status of pride and prestige in our legal profession and in our tradition” and likened it to symbols of nationhood. He said such a prestigious status stands alongside Guyana’s system of national honour and pointed to the national anthem, coat of arms, flag and motto which all define our Guyanese identity. “The title is a professional symbol which distinguishes attorneys for their erudition, their experience, eminence and excellence. The title is a social symbol representing the values of duty and integrity and the standard of social responsibility and respect for the law,” said the head of state. This is the second year

President David Granger greets Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack on Wednesday just before he issued Instruments of Commission to four newly-appointed Senior Counsel (Adrian Narine photos)

Newly appointed Senior Counsel, Fitz Le Roy Peters receives his instrument of commission from President David Granger Wednesday

since taking office that President Granger has appointed senior counsel. Last year nine attorneys were elevated to senior counsel. Among them were Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams S.C., Justice Alison Roxane McLean George-Wiltshire, Rosalie Althea Robertson and Clifton Mortimer Llewelyn John. He told a gathering of senior legal professionals seated at the Baridi Benab, State House, that the service provided by those appointed senior counsel is worthy of

emulation and can serve as an encouragement for juniors in the profession to strive for the highest standards. “Guyanese have distinguished themselves in Anglophone jurisdictions around the world, in our sister states of the Caribbean and in the Caribbean Court of Justice,” the President said, while noting that the ceremony is an “important personal obligation”. “I am a trustee of tradition which sustains society and I feel duty-bound to recognise those who have served with distinction and I do so

now. It is my obligation, not an option; it is my duty to respect our national system of honours. Failure to confer these awards whether the result of caprice or malice would constitute a dereliction of duty and disdain for an honoured tradition,” the President added while committing to conferring such honours annually. “I shall therefore with regularity, respect, recognise and reward deserving attorneys and legal officers by conferring these honours every year. This is the customs of our people. This is the convention of good governance; this is the culture of a good society,” he told the gathering just before a luncheon held in honour of the newly appointed senior counsel. The new senior counsel

Petroleum summit launched AS Guyana prepares to host a major petroleum summit next month, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has emphasised the importance of policies preceding legislation in the sector. Trotman was speaking on Wednesday afternoon at the launch of the Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit (GIPEX 2018) which is slated to be held from February 7 -9 at the Georgetown Marriott Hotel. According to Trotman, Guyana will reach its intended goals as regards development of the petroleum sector with the relevant systems in place. To this end, he cited the importance of policies which he noted transition over time into legislation. The gathering on Wednesday included Minister of Business , Dominic Gaskin ; Head of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) , Owen Verwey ; Exxon Mobil’s Country Manager , Rod Henson and Managing-Director of Valient Business Media UK , Shariq Abdulhai . Trotman said that in record time the country has moved from discovery to production

all possess a wealth of experience in the legal field and have contributed to the field significantly over the years. Kalam Azad Juman Yassin was called to the English Bar in November 1970 and admitted to the bar in Guyana in January 1971. He was recognised for his service as a trial lawyer in both the civil and criminal courts, and as a magistrate and chief magistrate in Guyana. Attorney-at-law Fitz Leroy Peters was admitted to the bar in November 1981 and was recognised for his service as a state counsel, principal legal advisor, deputy solicitor general and as a legal practitioner for the past 19 years. Similarly, Andrew Mark Fitzgerald Pollard who was admitted to the bar in October 1987 was recognised for his

…Trotman underscores importance of time-honoured policies

Members of the head table at the launching of the summit. From left, Managing-Director, Shariq Abdulhai; ExxonMobil’s Country Manager, Rod Henson; Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman; Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin and Go-Invest head, Owen Verwey

as he noted the timeline from 2015 to 2020, when production is expected to commence. He said that GIPEX2018 provides an opportunity for businesses here in Guyana to meet top global business counterparts, noting that the Ministry of Natural Resources had sought the assistance of GO-Invest and the Ministry of Business to headline organising of the event on behalf of the government. Minister Gaskin noted that once the event next month is properly organised, it can prove beneficial to a number of stakeholders and Guyana in general. He cited the event as major, one

which can be used to promote Guyana as an emerging oil- andgas producer. He said it is also an opportunity for the business sector and the government to work together to showcase Guyana as a business destination, one where things are happening, where investors are welcome and where a bright future is in store. Gaskin said that there are a number interventions and measures which are being put in place to ensure that the citizenry are the main beneficiaries of “all that is taking place offshore.” He said that the oil discoveries augurs well for the future of the

country’s economy, as he cautioned that not everyone “sees this.” Gaskin said however that indeed there are pitfalls in the industry globally. ”I think we have learned a lot from the mistakes of others; we don’t intend to make those mistakes,” he said. Gaskin said he is always happy when international events take place here , noting that it increases visitor arrivals and bodes well for the tourism sector. Valient Media is an initiator of the summit and its ManagingDirector , Shariq Abdulhai noted that the key idea of GIPEX 2018 is to support the petroleum industry here by bringing a

service as a legal practitioner in the areas of civil litigation, administrative law and copy right and intellectual property law for the past 30 years. For her work with the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic and her distinguished service as an attorney-at-law, Josephine Whitehead was recognised. Whitehead was admitted to the bar in Guyana in 1979 and was called to the English Bar in 1983. She has served as an attorney and solicitor for the past 38 years. In January 2017, after a 20-year hiatus, President Granger elevated nine legal luminaries to the status of senior counsel and has since pledged to ensure that these honours are conferred annually. The new Senior Counsel have been appointed effective January 1, 2018. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Roxanne George-Wiltshire Acting Chief Justice, Ministers of Public Security, State, Legal Affairs and Natural Resources, Khemraj Ramjattan, Joseph Harmon, Basil Williams, S.C, and Raphael Trotman, as well as Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack were among those present at the simple but significant ceremony.

group of international participants who will have discussions with the local businesses here and for them to be able to explore opportunities for joint ventures. He said more than 50 international and local companies and that around 350-400 senior executives from companies are expected to participate in the event. “I think the importance of this summit lies in the fact that the Guyanese petroleum sector is on its way to becoming the mainstay of the national economy here in the coming years,” he noted. Meanwhile, Verwey noted

that as an organiser of the event, the aim of GO-Invest is to ensure the event brings benefits to Guyana and to ensure that businesses are involved. He said that there are many local partners which are involved in organisation of the event as he expressed appreciation to the Natural Resources Ministry for providing his entity with the lead role it is playing on behalf of the government, in organising the event. Henson noted that Exxon is proud to be a partner of the event, as he cited its role in the country’s evolving petroleum sector. The three-day summit will see presentations, seminars and interactive exhibitions focused on health, safety and the environment. There will also be presentations and panel discussions with participants from oil companies including ExxonMobil, CGX Total SA, as well as the regulatory body, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) among others. On the last day of the event the summit will be open to the public from 14:00hrs to 18:00hrs.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 18, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday January 18, 2018

Jaguars aim for strong ... coach/manager Rayon Griffith said during an exclusive interview yesterday. Griffith, a former national fast bowler added, “The key for us will be to remain disciplined. We need to stick to our plans, build pressure around them and we will definitely come out victorious. On the other hand, the

Red Force captain Denesh Ramdin is wary of the Jaguars’ threat. Ramdin, the former West Indies captain believes that while it will definitely be an uphill task for his side over the next four days, he anticipates a good game of cricket. “They (Guyana) have played some good cricket over the years and with their experience they went

From back page

out again this year and won the title. It’s difficult to catch them, obviously they have already gone with the title but we can take some pride by coming out and playing well over the next four days,” Ramdin pointed out during an interview on Tuesday. “It will be tough to beat them because throughout the season we have been

playing some poor cricket but after the last game we had a good talk with the guys, so hopefully we can make a change-around of the Super50 tournament because a little momentum will be good for us”. Meanwhile, the Jaguars have made two changes to their squad from the previous game against Barbados Pride. Recent West Indies recruit, opening batsman Shimron Hetmyer and left-arm spinner Anthony Adams replace Shivnarine Chanderpaul and fast bowler Romario Shepherd. According to Griffith, the former West Indies captain has opted out of the squad in order to allow a younger player an opportunity to further enhance his first-class career while Shepherd has picked up a slight hamstring injury. Play starts at 09:30hrs, and admission to the venue is free.

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Windies Under-19 captain regrets controversial appeal MOUNT MAUNGANUI, New Zealand (CMC) – West Indies Under-19 captain, Emmanuel Stewart, says he regrets the appeal which led to the controversial dismissal of South African opener Jiveshan Pillay, during yesterday’s ICC Youth World Cup fixture here. Following the contest at Bay Oval which Young Windies lost by 76 runs, Stewart said while his decision has been within the laws of cricket, it did not reflect the spirit of the game. “I asked the question and it was given out based on the laws and the rules of the game,” Stewart said. “But on reflection it wasn’t in the spirit of the game. I think moving forward I would have withdrawn the appeal and that’s how I see it.” The incident arose in the 17th over of the South Africa innings when the left-handed Pillay inside-edged a drive at fast bowler Jarion Hoyte and then watched cautiously as the ball rolled on the crease and came to a halt next to the stumps. As has become customary in international cricket, Pillay picked up the ball and tossed it to Stewart who then, to the surprise of many, appealed for obstructing the field. Following a consultation between the umpires, Pillay was then controversially given his marching orders. Under Law 37.4 regarding ‘returning the ball to a

fielder’, it states: “Either batsman is out obstructing the field if, at any time while the ball is in play and without the consent of a fielder, he uses his bat or any part of his person, including a hand not holding the bat, to return the ball to any fielder.” Stewart’s actions drew strong rebuke from current and former international players but South Africa’s head coach Lawrence Mahatlane refused to be drawn into the controversy. “Our take is very simple. We play to the laws of the game, and it’s part of the laws,” he said afterwards. “It’s happened, so hopefully we’ll learn for a long time from it.” Captain Raynard van Tonder, however, disagreed with Stewart’s actions. “It is the law of the game but I think there is something like the spirit of cricket. I think if I was in the same situation, I don’t think I would have gone about it the same way.” The incident rekindled memories of the Mankad controversy during the last Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh two years ago when West Indies again came under heavy criticism for their actions on the field. Then, bowler Keemo Paul ran out Richard Ngarava for backing up too far, to help the Caribbean side pull off a tense victory over Zimbabwe and reach the quarter-finals. West Indies went on to win the tournament.

Boxers pay ... Giftland Mall, East Coast Demerara. This will be followed by a press conference. The feature bout on the card will be a flyweight contest between Guyana’s Dexter `De Kid’ Marques and Venezuela’s Dionis Martinez Arias in a 10-round contest. The main supporting bout brings together Guyana’s Shawn Corbin and Trinidad and Tobago’s Sheldon Lawrence in a WBC FECABOX light heavyweight 12-round title fight. Guyana’s Dexter `Co-

From back page

bra’ Gonsalves will do battle with Venezuela’s Felipe Barcelo in a 10-round contest and Elton `The Bully’ Dharry will face off with Venezuela’s Jesus Garcia in an eight-round bantamweight contest. The night’s opener is a four-round contest between debutants James Moore (Guyana) and Anderson Emmanuel (Barbados) in a heavyweight contest. Guyana’s Anson Green will then meet Keithland King of Barbados in a four-round junior middleweight contest.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday January 18, 2018

Debutant Ngidi takes 6-39 as Proteas seal series win PRETORIA, South Africa (Reuters) - Debutant Lungi Ngidi took six wickets as South Africa defeated India by 135 runs to claim victory in the second Test in Pretoria yesterday and also win the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match contest. Seamer Ngidi, 21, recorded figures of 6-39, his best in first-class cricket, as South Africa bowled out India for 151 just before lunch. India are the top-ranked side in Test cricket according to the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings with South Africa second, though the Proteas will not be able to overhaul the sub-continent side even with a 3-0 series win. The third Test starts at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on January 24. “It took a lot of hard work and was one of the harder Test matches in terms of what you had to put in,” South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said at the post-match presentation. “Bowling was tough, batting was tough, but over the five days I thought we were on top most of the time.” India resumed the final day on 35 for three chasing a victory target of 287, having been dealt a huge blow the evening before when Ngidi bagged the wicket of captain Virat Kohli (5). Their slender hopes were dealt a further set-back when Cheteshwar Pujara (19) became the first Indian player ever to be run-out twice in

Lungi Ngidi finishes with an impressive six-for on debut to seal the series for South Africa. (AFP)

a Test. Ngidi had a hand in that too as he chased the ball down to the boundary and stopped a four, with his cutback to AB de Villiers allowing for a bullet throw to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock that saw Pujara short. Pujara had also been run-out first ball in the first innings and has now been involved in six of India’s last eight run-outs in Tests. It would start a procession of wickets as Parthiv Patel (19) picked out Morne Morkel on the fine leg boundary off Kagiso Rabada (347), with the big fast bowler pulling off a magnificent catch on the run. Hardik Pandya (6) was caught by de Kock off Ngidi, before the seamer also induced an edge from Rav-

ichandran Ashwin (3) to the wicketkeeper to leave India reeling at 87 for seven. Rohit Sharma (47) took the attack to the bowlers before he was magnificently caught at fine leg by de Villiers off Rabada attempting a hook. The innings wrapped up quickly after that, as Mohammed Shami (28) was caught by Morkel off Ngidi and Jasprit Bumrah spooned a catch to Vernon Philander at midoff to hand the youngster his sixth wicket and debut match figures of 7-90. “We thought the wicket was really flat to play on, it was quite surprising,” Kohli said. “We tried our best but South Africa were better than we in every department, especially fielding.”

SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings 335 INDIA 1st innings 307 SOUTH AFRICA 2nd innings 258 INDIA 2nd innings (overnight 35 for 3) Murali Vijay b Kagiso Rabada 9 Lokesh Rahulc Keshav Maharaj b Lungi Ngidi 4 Cheteshwar Pujara run-out AB de Villiers 19 Virat Kohli lbw Lungi Ngidi 5 Parthiv Patel c Morne Morkel b Kagiso Rabada 19 Rohit Sharma c AB de Villiers b Kagiso Rabada 47 Hardik Pandya c Quinton de Kock b Lungi Ngidi 6 Ravichandran Ashwin c Quinton de Kock b Lungi Ngidi 3 Mohammed Shami c Morne Morkel b Lungi Ngidi 28 Ishant Sharma not out 4 Jasprit Bumrah c Vernon Philander b Lungi Ngidi 2 Extras: (b-4, w-1) 5 Total: (all out, 50.2 overs) 151 Fall of wickets : 1-11, 2-16, 3-26, 4-49, 5-65, 6-83, 7-87, 8-141, 9-145. Bowling: Philander 10-3-25-0, Rabada 14-3-47-3, Ngidi 12.2-3-396, Morkel 8-3-10-0 (w-1), Maharaj 6-1-26-0.

inability of a star-studded batting line-up to deliver. “When we went in I told the guys it looks very different to what we saw before the toss. I felt we gained momentum from the way South Africa lost wickets in the first innings and we should have capitalised: we were in a position to get a lead if we could have had a good partnership,” said the skipper. “That is something we have let ourselves down with from the first game and also in the second. It is the batsmen that have let us down again.

“We tried our best, it was just not good enough and South Africa were better than we (were) in every department, especially fielding.” The prolific Kohli took no consolation from his magnificent 153, which left his side trailing by only 28 after the first innings. “The 150 means nothing, we’ve lost the game and the series,” he added. “If the 150 had won the game for my team that would have mattered, but having not won the game personal milestones do not matter to me at all.”

SCOREBOARD

Batsmen let India down against South Africa - Kohli

SKIPPER Virat Kohli insisted India’s batsmen must take the blame for a Test series loss to a South Africa side that he admitted were better in every department. Debutant Lungi Ngidi tore into the tourists on the final day of the second Test, the paceman taking 6-39 as the top-ranked side were bowled out for only 151 to suffer a 135-run defeat at Centurion. Victory for the Proteas gave them a 2-0 lead with only one match to play, leaving India still without a Test series success on South

Virat Kohli

African soil. It is the first time in three years that India have lost a series in the longest format and captain Kohli, a centurion in the first innings, was left to rue the

Bhula’s 180 leads Kiwis to massive 436 and a crushing victory NEW Zealand produced an immense batting performance against Kenya - their top three batsmen raining 14 sixes at Hagley Oval to rack up 436, the highest total of this Under-19 World Cup so far. The result was a formality after that, and with two wins in two games, the hosts have qualified for the quarter-finals. They will top Group A if they win their final match against South Africa. Kenya were made to rue their decision to bowl first, as Jakob Bhula and Rachin Ravindra added the highest-ever first-wicket partnership of 245 in 35.5 overs. Ravindra made 117 off 101 balls before he was stumped. There was no respite for Kenya, though, as No.3 Finn Allen cracked 90 off 40 balls, his six sixes giving him a strike rate of 225. The score was 401 in 47 overs when Bhula was eventually dismissed for 180, the highest score in all Under-19 World Cups, off 144 balls. Allen was dismissed off the next ball, the first of the 48th over, and Kaylum Boshier was run-out the delivery after that, meaning New Zea-

Jakob Bhula smashes 180 off 144 balls. (Getty Images)

land had suddenly lost three wickets in three balls. Dale Phillips gave the innings a powerful finish, though, with 26 off 12 balls. Kenya used eight bowlers and not one of them went for under 6.50 runs an over. Ravindra had a good outing with the ball too, dismissing Kenya opener Rene Were lbw in the sixth over, and then returning to trap the other one - Aman Gandhi for 63 in the 35th over. New Zealand were able to take only four wickets, though, as Kenya batted their 50 overs to score 193. Scores: New Zealand Under-19, 436 for 4 (Bhula 180, Ravindra 117, Allen 90 beat Kenya Under-19, 193 for 4 (Gandhi 63, Ravindra 2-33) by 243 runs.

Sri Lanka ODI woes drag on with Zimbabwe defeat

SRI Lanka’s miserable form in one-day internationals lurched to another trough as they lost their tri-series opener to Zimbabwe yesterday. Hamilton Masakadza’s top-order 73 paved the way for Zimbabwe in Mirpur, before Sikandar Raza’s superb all-round display secured victory, subjecting Sri Lanka to their 15th defeat in 16 ODIs. Raza top-scored with 81 and ended Kusal Perera’s impressive innings at 80, while bowling 10 overs for just 54 runs. Zimbabwe were hammered by eight wickets with 129 balls to spare by Bangladesh on Monday, but they were in inspired form here and were off to a solid start as Masakadza and Solomon Mire (34) put on 75 for the first wicket.

Former skipper Brendan Taylor added 38, but Raza’s knock of 81 from 67 deliveries was crucial in taking them to 290-6. Kusal and Angelo Mathews steadied the ship from 47-2 for Sri Lanka, but when the opener topedged Raza to short fine leg the wheels began to loosen. Another three wickets fell for 62 runs, piling pressure on all-rounder Thisara Perera to marshal the tail through a chase of almost 100 runs in 14 overs. Thisara went for broke, hammering three sixes as he made 64 from 36 balls, with wickets falling around him, before he holed out to leave tail-enders Dushmantha Chameera and Suranga Lakmal needing 15 runs from 20 balls - a task that was beyond them.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday January 18, 2018

Magnum Tonic supports LABA’s Smith bids for single season record as final `Reload Basketball Meets Fashion’ round bowls off today … Colts to face Royals in key clash By Joe Chapman THE Ansa McAl Trading’s Magnum Tonic Brand will this Saturday lend major support to the Linden Amateur Basketball Association‘s ‘Reload Basketball Meets Fashion’ affair starting 19:00hrs at the Mackenzie Sports Club. President of LABA Lawrence Simon said that the first edition was seriously hampered by the inclement weather forcing the Georgetown side Ravens not to appear in the main event of the night but all assurances are given that this time things should be different. The Linden versus Georgetown clash of the titans would be witnessed as well as a replay of the Under-20 East versus West encounter while fashion designers Ms Setra Oselmo and Crystal Lam will have their displays on show. The idea, Simon says, is

to include fashion as part of what should be an entertaining night and to attract not only basketball fans but also to present some of the best designers in the town. And as was seen three

Saturdays ago there will be the stars meeting on the court and among the attraction will be top field national athlete Chantoba Bright who was named Sportswoman for 2017 by the organisers.

Star athlete Chantoba Bright receives a plaque from LABA president Lawrence Simon.

She graced the court in a beautiful gown as part of the fashion displays. Bright did brighten up things on a bleak night and she, among others, will be showcasing clothing designed by two of Linden’s brightest designers. The Under-20 basketball clash would see the West, led by Yannick Tappin, try to turn things around and beat their East rivals. Several trophies and awards will be given out and lots of giveaways will be distributed on a night when several of Linden’s brightest sports prospects will be seen on the basketball court. A 3-on-3 basketball Girl’s match is also planned and as such the night promises much for basketball fans when Georgetown’s Bounty Colts, the national club champions, face their Linden counterparts Victory Valley Royals in what should be an exciting affair.

Ricks and Sari cycling event set for January 27

ANOTHER season, another packed cycling programme to be unveiled

by national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed. The long-serving sport official

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday January 18, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

Chris Gayle-22 centuries

(2) Curtly Ambrose & Ravi Rampaul (10 fourwicket hauls each) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which wicketkeeper has taken most catches in ODI cricket to date? (2) Which wicketkeeper has effected most ‘stumpings’ in ODI cricket to date? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

is set to pedal off his programme of activities later this month. Mohamed informed News Room that January 27 has been identified as his season-opening race, with the inner circuit of the National Park as the venue. The event will take the form of an 11-race programme, which will commence at 09:00hrs. Opening the season would be Ricks and Sari Agro Industries, a company whose support for cycling cannot be doubted. This is the 25th year the company will be sponsoring this specific event, making it one of the longest active partnerships in local cycling. Mohamed said the support of Ricks and Sari Agro Industries has been phenomenal over the years and he is grateful for the strong alliance with the company. The feature race of

the day will be the 35-lap Schoolboys and Invitational, which is expected to attract the senior riders and those up-and-coming cyclists. Alanzo Greaves won last year’s race in one hour 18 minutes but he is currently serving a ban, which means a new champion would be crowned. In the Junior category Romello Crawford would look to defend his title while Warren McKay would want to maintain a hold of the Veterans Under-50 title. Jamal Heyliger won the 12-14 Boys and Girls race last year while Shane Bourne took top honours in the Mountain Bikes division. Officials of Ricks and Sari Agro Industries, including Marketing representative Sven D’Oliveira, will be on hand to witness the races and assist in the presentation of prizes.

Veteran left-hander Devon Smith enters today’s final round on 944 runs at an average of 78.66

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – With Guyana Jaguars having already wrapped up their fourth straight title, the spotlight will fall on veteran lefthander Devon Smith as he bids for the single-season record for the most runs, when the final round of the Regional Four-Day Champions bowls off today. The 36-year-old has been in red-hot form for Windward Islands Volcanoes this season and enters the final stanza of the competition with 944 runs at an average of 78.66. He requires another 56 runs to reach the 1 000-run mark, joining Narsingh Deonarine (1 068), the late Runako Morton (1 010) and veteran former West Indies and Barbados player Floyd Reifer (1 002) who have already accomplished the feat. More significantly, Grenadian Smith needs another 125 runs to break the all-time scoring record for the first class championship, and will surpass 13 000 first class runs if he gathers a further 31 runs in the game. Meanwhile, several other players will be eyeing personal landmarks as the season wraps up. The Jaguars batting trio of Anthony Bramble (571), Vishaul Singh (559) and

Chandrapaul Hemraj (551) are among those, with all looking to overhaul the 600-run mark. Former Test wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, who has had an excellent season for Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in scoring 702 runs, will be backing himself to reach 800 runs in what has been his first full first class season in a few years. In the bowling department, Jaguars left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and Red Force leg-spinner Imran Khan, are both on 46 wickets and will be tipped to reach the 50-wicket mark. The only intrigue in terms of results will be whether Jaguars finish the season unbeaten and if Barbados Pride can hold on to second spot in the standings. Jaguars have won six of their nine outings and host Red Force at the National Stadium while Pride host Jamaica Scorpions at Kensington Oval. Pride have 94.6 points with Scorpions snapping at their heels on 91. Leeward Islands Hurricanes, who take on Volcanoes at Warner Park in a day/night affair, are fourth on 85.2 points while Volcanoes lie fifth on 80.4, a fraction ahead of Red Force on 80 points.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday January 18, 2018

Minister Norton to Vickery: We would love to have you represent us WITH 22-year-old tennis star Sachia Vickery signalling her intentions to represent Guyana at the Olympic Games, Social Cohesion Minister Dr George Norton expressed this country’s delight at the news, stating emphatically, “We would love to have you representing us.” Vickery, born to Guyanese parents Rawle Vickery and Paula Liverpool who hail from Region 10, had long been telling the world about her affiliation to the ‘mighty Kaieteur’ and told Dr Norton and reporters at the Minister’s Main Street office, “I might not have been born in Guyana, but I tell people I’m Guyanese. All my family, my parents are from Guyana and people from here support me a lot whenever I play. They would

reach out to me personally, or to my mom, so it’s only right that I return.” The diminutive but powerful player’s last visit to Guyana was in December 2015. According to Vickery, at her meeting yesterday with the Minister who is also responsible for Sport, “My visit now is to meet with a few people, to let them know I’m a part of this country, for them to see me and so on.” Minister Norton pointed out that with Vickery showing willingness to represent Guyana, it could open the door for others who are similarly competing at the highest level within their respective disciplines to follow in her footsteps. Upon learning of the player’s link to Kwakwani

Sachia Vickery (third left), along with her mother Paula Liverpool (first left) and team with Minister Norton during their visit on yesterday. (Samuel Maughn photos)

through her mother, and Linden thanks to her father who

also represented Guyana (in football), Minister Norton

said, “You know, it’s no surprise, really. Linden brings

out the best and also Kwakwani has produced some really top athletes as well.” Meanwhile, Vickery is expected to meet with president of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Juman Yassin today at the Liliendaal headquarters, as well as Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA). Vickery is still relishing her well-deserved climb in the latest World Rankings and is on the verge of breaking into the WTA’s Top 100 for the first time after she had the best week of her career in Auckland, New Zealand. She not only reached the first WTA semi-final of her career, but also set a brand new career-high of No.106 in the world (according to the latest WTA Rankings).

Windies U-19 World Cup title defence ends with defeat to SA

… 2016 Champions bow out in controversy MOUNT MAUNGANUI, New Zealand (CMC) – West Indies Under-19s title defence ended in shambles with a heavy 76-run defeat to South Africa Under-19s, but controversy accompanied their disappointing exit from the ICC Youth World Cup here yesterday. Asked to chase 283 at Bay Oval, the young Caribbean side collapsed from 177 for four in the 39th over to 206 all out in the 46th, to crash to their second straight defeat following their loss to hosts New Zealand Under-19s in their opener last Saturday. Alick Athanaze topscored with 76 and Kirstan Kallicharan chipped in with 44 but fast bowler Hermann Rolfes rocked the Windies with four for 33 to put South Africa in command. The defeat left the reigning champions third in Group A without a point thus eliminating them from reaching the second round. To complicate matters, captain Emmanuel Stewart sparked a firestorm during the South Africa innings when he appealed for an obstructing-the-field dismissal and

had batsman Jiveshan Pillay controversially given out. The left-handed Pillay had effortlessly cruised to 47 off 51 deliveries when he inside-edged a drive at fast bowler Jarion Hoyte and then watched carefully as the ball rolled to a stop next to his stumps. However, he subsequently picked up the ball and tossed it to Stewart who then appealed and after umpires consulted, Pillay was given out for obstruction under Law 37.4. Stewart’s actions drew heavy criticism from past and current players, reminiscent of the Mankad incident during the last Under-19 World Cup when West Indies also found themselves at the centre of controversy. The contentious decision also soured the contest and detracted from South Africa’s innings, highlighted by a superb, run-a-ball unbeaten 99 from wicketkeeper Wandile Makwetu. Gerald Coetzee chipped in with 29 and Kenan Smith, 22, as the South Africans got up to a challenging 282 for eight off their 50 overs after they were sent in.

Pillay, who struck five fours and two sixes, put on 56 off 64 balls for the first wicket with Matthew Breetzke (18) before five wickets tumbled for 56 runs to leave the young Proteas tottering on 112 for five in the 27th over. The right-handed Makwetu, batting at number five, then stitched up the innings in a 58-run stamd for the sixth wicket with Smith before adding a further 31 for the seventh wicket with Jade de Klerk who made a cameo 21 from 16 balls. However, it was Makwetu’s 67-run, eighth-wicket stand with Coetzee which provided the late momentum as South Africa gathered a whopping 77 runs from the last five overs. Makwetu struck 12 fours and a six and combined with Coetzee to plunder 27 from the final over sent down by fast bowler Ronaldo Alimohamed. In reply, West Indies were given a sound start by openers Kimani Melius (24) and Keagan Simmons (20) who put on 38 off 42 deliveries for the first wicket. Once the left-handed

West Indies batsman Bhaskar Yadram falls to a catch at the wicket and Wandile Makwetu celebrates. (Photo courtesy ICC Media)

Simmons was given out caught behind down the legside off seamer Coetzee (221), however, the Windies lost four wickets for 49 runs to decline to 87 for four at the end of the 21st over. Stewart was bowled for two in the 12th over needlessly giving Rolfes the charge, Melius nicked a push at leftarm pacer Akhona Mnyaka and was caught behind while

Bhaskar Yadram (13) was also caught at the wicket by Makwetu, cutting at left-arm spinner de Klerk (2-40). With West Indies stuttering, the left-handed Athanaze combined with Kallicharan in a 90-run, fifth -icket stand which put the South Africans under pressure. Athanaze faced 100 balls and counted six fours and a six while Kallicharan stroked

five fours and a six in a handsome 50-ball knock. Rolfes proved the trump card in the end, returning to trap Kallicharan lbw in the 39th over, triggering a dramatic slide which saw the last six wickets perish for 29 runs. Athanaze was the ninth batsman out, in the 45th over after smashing a return catch to the enterprising Rolfes.

Minister Norton to Vickery: We would love to have you represent us Page 23

GBBC/NGGM `Bad Blood’ boxing card

Boxers pay courtesy call on Sport Minister Dr George Norton By Michael DaSilva

LOCAL boxers who will appear on Saturday night’s six-fight card, organised by the Guyana Boxing Board of Control in collaboration with the NexGen Global Marketing Inc., yesterday paid a courtesy call on Minister of Sport Dr George Norton at his Main and Quamina Street office. During the visit which was followed by a very brief press conference, Minister Norton said that at a reception, he and GBBC president Peter Abdool engaged in discussions as to how the government of Guyana can assist the boxing board to revive the professional sport which has seen local fighters reach the pinnacle in boxing. This, he said, resulted in his ministry’s support for Saturday night’s card and further cooperation in the sport. Minister Norton noted that there are persons from

Minister of Sport Dr George Norton (2nd right) engages Guyana’s WBC CABOFE and International Continental bantamweight champion Elton `The Bully’ Dharry in a sparring session prior to yesterday’s press conference at the Minister’s Main Street office in the presence of Dexter `Cobra’ Gonsalves (extreme left) and Shawn Corbin (extreme right).

the hinterlands of Guyana who can take a punch and defend themselves against some

of the best in the amateur arena and that is the reason his ministry has employed

Orlando Rogers as a coach of the sport in the hinterland. He went on to say that

PCL 4-Day Tournament

Jaguars aim for strong finish against Red Force … Hetmyer included for final match; Ramdin wary of Jaguars’ threat By Rajiv Bisnauth

Shimron Hetmyer

WITH the Guyana Jaguars having already won the Headley/Weekes trophy, symbol of West Indies first-class supremacy, for a fourth straight time, focus will now shift naturally to individual performances of the players, when the final round starts today. The Jaguars host bottom-place Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, in a clash where the title-holders are strongly favoured to win. Despite the points-difference between the two

teams, a ding-dong battle is expected over the next four days. The Jaguars are unbeaten this season, winning six games of their nine games so far, and fittingly, they will hope hometown advantage pays dividends. They are sitting pretty on 145.2 points. “We are playing at home, we are already the champions, and so there is a little bit of pressure, but we just need to put that behind us and play a good game of cricket,” assistant Turn to page 20

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there is a possibility that Guyana can benefit from hinterland boxers at the Olym-

pics. Abdool, in brief remarks, acknowledged the minister’s interest in both amateur and professional boxing. Dr Norton, an avid health and fitness individual, said he is looking forward to Saturday night’s card and he is glad to see that the boxing community, along with corporate Guyana, is committed to the sport. Minister Norton used the opportunity to solicit more support from the corporate community. Among the sponsors on board for Saturday’s card are main sponsors Banks DIH Limited and Fly Jamaica. Other sponsors include NexGen Global Marketing Inc., New Trend Auto, Hand-inHand, New India Assurance, Chetsons, Giftland and Apache Taxi Service. Meanwhile, the weighin of boxers on the card will take place at 15:00hrs tomorrow at the Turn to page 20

Windies Under-19 captain regrets controversial appeal Page 20

West Indies Under-19 captain Emmanuel Stewart THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2018