Issuu

Elderly woman dies after set alight by son Page 10

Full disclosure No. 105139

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

…US$7B for Guyana in first phase of Exxon’s operations

... Stabroek reserves now at 3.2B barrels

Page 3&8

Contract binds Exxon to give preference to Guyanese Page 9

US$300,000 P age annually for 10 environmental, social projects Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman and ExxonMobil Country Manager Rod Henson locked in discussion during the stakeholders’ forum at the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday to release the contract between the company and the Guyana Government (DPI photo)

PPP a no-show at high-level briefing Page 13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

Full disclosure 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

… gov’t releases full contract with Exxon … seeks stable relations with company

GOVERNMENT on Thursday released the full petroleum agreement with ExxonMobil at a high-level forum held at the Ministry of the Presidency and Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman said this country is seeking a long-term relationship with U.S. oil giant and has been advised not to court other companies to work the Stabroek Block. “We have received much advice from many sources, some of which we have dispersed and dispensed with but some of it has been wholesome and one such bit of advice that was given is that “owing to our relative small size as a nation with less than a million people, our relative underdevelopment and our relative inexperience we should try to stabilise our relationships rather than go out and court 15 and 20 companies to come into our waters and develop the resource, we should try to manage what we had discovered, build better relations with the company that had made the discovery and make that a long-term objective,” Trotman told the forum held at the Ministry of the Presidency. Attended by President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament, the forum sought to allay the fears of some who had questioned the motive of government’s delayed release of the contract signed since 1999 between ExxonMobil and the People’s Progressive Party, but slightly adjusted on the APNU+AFC government taking office. During presentation on the contract it was disclosed that Guyana stands to gain some US$7Billion over a twenty-year period from

the LIZA Phase One well only. (See other story on page3) Hosted by Minister of State Joseph Harmon the presentations were made by Trotman and Exxon Country Manager Rod Henson. Minister Trotman gave a background and overview of the contract while Henson made a detailed presentation on the terms of the contract, focusing on those aspects which were renegotiated. Speaking at the forum, Trotman said the release of the document “is indeed quite an outstanding day in the annals of Guyana that in the history of our country it will be written about for years to come.” Giving a background to the new contract signed in 2016, Trotman noted that when the APNU+AFC coalition entered office in May 2015, days after there was a significant find as described at the time by ExxonMobil. He said later in that year the company went on to give definition to that find as it was described and concluded that the Liza field by itself contained a minimum of 800M barrels of recoverable oil to a possible 1.4B barrels of oil. Thereafter, the minister said Exxon drilled a well known as Skipjack, which turned up dry. He noted that anyone involved in mining would know that if skipjack had been drilled and explored first it very well could have changed the dynamics, because Exxon may have concluded that the Stabroek Block was not a fruitful basin to explore. “Drilling a well is expensive business and can run to several hundred million dollars per well.” Thereafter, Trotman said other wells were drilled and yielded successive discov-

Prime Minister Nagamotoo greets Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman in the presence of Minister of State Joseph Harmon eries and on each occasion “I recall receiving the news feeling a sense of heaviness and I would pass the news onto His Excellency that “Sir there’s been another discovery” and I would hear his voice drop as well, because it was another layer of responsibilities that fell

on our shoulders. So we have made discoveries, GoG and Exxon at the Payara well, at the Snoek well and recently known as turbot. 3.2B BARRELS “Together, I can announce I believe that it’s our right to let the people of Guyana know…together the reserves that are known in those wells to date approximate to about 3.2B barrels of oil. That is more than many many many countries in the world have and it is significant that we know that figure; we can multiply that figure by US$50 which is considered the base price per barrel of crude oil today, Guyana is entitled to 50percent of that together with a 2percent royalty,” Trotman stated. CONTRACT As it relates to the contract, Trotman said when his government took office on the 26th of May when President David Granger was inaugurated, the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela issued decree #1787, which redrew the maritime borders or purported to withdraw the maritime borders of Venezuela, taking in with that redrawing or purported redrawing the Liza field and most of the maritime zone previously known to be Guyana’s. “So that is how this government started its work and it is in that context that many decisions were made against that backdrop.” Trotman said as a result, government took a decision not to have an

President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and other ministers of government at the forum

See page 8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

China 'Caught red handed’ --allowing oil into North Korea

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he was “very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea”, and that such moves would prevent “a friendly solution” to the crisis over Pyongyang’s nuclear programme. “Caught RED HANDED - very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea. There will never be a friendly solution to the North Korea problem if this continues to happen!” Trump wrote in a post on Twitter. China earlier on Thursday said there had been no U.N. sanction-breaking oil sales by Chinese ships to North Korea after a South Korean newspaper said Chinese and North Korean vessels had been illicitly linking up at sea to get oil to North Korea. The Trump adminis-

Friday, December 29, 2017 Saturday, December 30, 2017 Sunday, December 31, 2017

tration has led a drive to step up global sanctions on North Korea in response to Pyongyang’s efforts to develop nuclear-tipped missiles capable of hitting the United States. Washington says the full cooperation of China, North Korea’s neighbour and main trading partner, is vital to the success of this effort, while warning that all options are on the table, including military ones, in dealing with North Korea. The U.N. Security Council last week unanimously imposed new sanctions on North Korea for a recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test, seeking to further limit its access to refined petroleum products and crude oil. The U.N. resolution seeks to ban nearly 90 per cent of refined petroleum exports to North Korea by capping them at 500,000 barrels a year.

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ing on. “Ship-to-ship transfers remain a concern as part of North Korea’s sanctions evasions activities,” the official said, while declining to provide details. A State Department spokesman, Michael Cavey, reiterated on Wednesday that the United States had called on all countries to cut economic ties with North Korea. “We urge China to end all economic ties with the DPRK, including tourism, and the provision of any oil or petroleum products, and expel all DPRK workers,” he said, using the acronym for North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Harry Kazianis, director of defense studies at the conservative Center for the National Interest, said China would “never, ever, enforce the sanctions to the satisfaction of President Trump,” in

Thursday, December 28, 2017

spite of the effort the U.S. president had invested in developing a personal relationship with China’s Xi Jinping. “With President Trump’s latest Tweet, it seems the ‘Bromance’ between him and President Xi is finally over,” he said. “This was always bound to happen. China is actually more afraid of North Korea than America,” Kazianis said, citing Chinese concerns about instability or collapse in North Korea if sanctions were fully applied. U.S. Democratic Senator Ed Markey, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on Twitter the North Korean threat had only increased since Trump took office, and he had to find a way to get China to cut off crude oil supplies. “The solution is a coherent strategy, not bluster,” he said.

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DATE: Saturday, December 23, 2017

Korea, despite suspicion in Washington, Seoul and Tokyo that loopholes still exist. Asked at a regular briefing whether Chinese ships were illegally providing oil to North Korean ships, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang reiterated that China, including the military, strictly enforced U.N. resolutions. “The situation you have mentioned absolutely does not exist,” he said. South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo newspaper this week quoted South Korean government sources as saying that U.S. spy satellites had detected Chinese ships transferring oil to North Korean vessels around 30 times since October. U.S. officials have not confirmed details of the report, but a U.S. State Department official suggested on Wednesday that such transfers could still be go-

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The U.S.-drafted resolution also caps crude oil supplies to North Korea at 4 million barrels a year, and commits the Council to further reductions if North Korea were to conduct another nuclear test or launch another ICBM. Documents seen by Reuters this month showed Washington called on the Security Council to blacklist 10 ships for circumventing sanctions by conducting ship-to-ship transfers of refined petroleum products to North Korean vessels or transporting North Korean coal. China and Russia subsequently asked for more time to consider the proposal. In September, the Security Council put a cap of 2 million barrels a year on refined petroleum products exports to North Korea. China has repeatedly said it is fully enforcing all resolutions against North

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

Venezuelans protest pork shortage for Christmas

Protesters on the streets in parts of Caracas late Wednesday night

PRESIDENT Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela has accused Portugal of sabotaging pork deliveries in time for Christmas. Mr Maduro said his government had paid for the contracts, but that Portugal failed to deliver. Lisbon has dismissed the claim, saying the government has no power to sabotage deliveries. Hundreds of people took to the streets in poor parts of Caracas on Wednesday night to protest the shortage. President Maduro’s government had promised to provide the subsidised pork, a traditional dish during the Christmas festivities, but many people did not receive it, and took to the streets in protest.

Mr Maduro went on television to blame Portugal for failing to deliver pork imports in time for Christmas. “What happened to the pork? They sabotaged us. I can name a country: Portugal,” said Mr Maduro. Portugal’s foreign minister, Augusto Santos Silva said his government would check with Lisbon’s embassy in Caracas, but added that private companies were in charge of exports in a market economy. Mr Maduro often blames the opposition or foreign powers, especially the United States, for the country’s economic and social crisis. But critics say mishandling of the economy and rampant corruption are the culprits. (BBC)

Hurricanes Irma, Maria named ‘Persons of the Year’ --by Caribbean-American magazine

NEW YORK, CMC – A p ro m i n e n t C a r i b b e a n American publication here has named Hurricanes Irma and Maria, described as “the two mega, Category 5 hurricanes of 2017”, as its “Person of the Year.” The Brooklyn-based EVERYBODY’S Magazine, owned and published by Grenadian Herman Hall, said it is the first time the 40-year old publication “selected a phenomenon as its Person of the Year.” “It can be said that the numerous and ferocious hur-

ricanes of 2017, Usain Bolt failing to win his final trackand-field races, and Trinidad and Tobago knocking out the US from entering FIFA World Cup in 2018 were the major 2017 headlines in the Caribbean and within Caribbean communities overseas,” Hall said. “Maria and Irma may well have affirmed Atilla the Hun’s classic calypso recorded in New York City in 1935, ‘Woman Is Not The Weaker Sex’ and Denise Plummer’s 1988 calypso. ‘Woman is Boss’,” he added. “Hurricane

Maria and Hurricane Irma showed their male counterparts, Hurricanes Harvey, Lee, Jose and Bret, who is really the boss and the stronger sex. “The handwriting is on the wall, in that Caribbean governments can no longer expect the US to eagerly and generously help them in time of natural disasters,” Hall continued. In September, Hurricanes Irma and Maria ripped through the northern Caribbean, leaving a trail of destruction and ravaging 12

of 32 countries, according to reports. Among the islands most affected were Barbuda, Dominica, Puerto Rico, St Kitts and Nevis, the Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and Cuba. Hall said previous EV-

ERYBODY’S Magazine’s “Person of the Year” included St. Lucian Nobel Laureate, Sir Arthur Lewis; the late Caribbean-American Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, of Barbadian and Guyanese parentage; and former Prime Ministers Patrick Manning of Trinidad and Tobago; Dame Eugenia Charles of Dominica; Tom

Adams of Barbados; and Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda. Others were: The M i g h t y S p a r ro w ; J a maican-born Olympian and WNBA player Tina Charles; Grenadian Olympian Kirani James; and former West Indies cricket captain, Guyanese Clive Lloyd.

Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

A dignified Guyana for 2018 AS we come to the end of the year, it is customary to look back at the events of the past year and begin to plan for the new year. This past year has been yet another eventful one for our country in all areas of national life -- from politics to economics to our seemingly endangered social fabric. But as we have done in the past, we have survived these inevitable challenges. Inevitable, because none can doubt that our unique history has saddled us in these Caribbean spaces with the persistent challenge of overcoming and surviving the harsh realities of a world in which we are not the major mov-

ers and shakers. The year 2017, unfortunately, witnessed a further deterioration in the relationship between the government and the opposition. To those who express surprise at this development, we wish to remind the nation that this is one area of national life that has not been our most sterling. The responsibility, of course, must rest with our politicians on both sides of the aisle. Have they tried hard enough to improve this very delicate area of our existence? The answer has to be a resounding no. The year ended with the bizarre scenes in the National Assembly where elected members traded

decorum and decency for partisan political spectacle—a development that would forever tarnish the image of our nation. While the chief violators came from one political party, it is the nation that bleeds. These members come from our society; they are socialised here in Guyana. The nation must therefore ponder the deep nature of its political soul as we move into another year of seeming uncertainty. We take this position of collective responsibility not to excuse the ills of the perpetrators or to sully the image of the other side, but to draw attention to a gathering storm that cannot be good for our

country. And that storm is not the product of just our politicians; our citizens are equally culpable. By our silence or cheerleading we contribute to the decay which in the end bury all of us in shame. We live in an age of instant technology that bares every piece of dirty linen far and wide. Our children and our detractors see this tragedy and may well come to believe it is the national norm. In such circumstances, condemning the errant MPs is not enough. The situation warrants a serious look at the soul of the nation. When one couples those scenes in parliament with the recklessness on our roadways and

the wanton killings, it is difficult not to conclude that we are in the presence of something bigger than a minor storm. And the nation must not settle for anything less than a collective commitment to beat this national dysfunction. Leadership is much more than playing to narrow partisan sentiments—it must include example that can pass the test of what it means to be upstanding in the face of God and man. Our political parties-all of them—must learn from the stiff rebuke of the rest of us that there is much more to life than the fortunes of the party. We, citizens, must stop cuddling leaders and parties

who by their distasteful actions compromise the dignity of all of us. We must develop the broad, popular praxis of holding our leaders to the very highest standards regardless of how we vote. In other words, we must stop enabling bad governance and leadership in the name of political loyalty. Our hope for the new year is that citizens show more political backbone and stand up for a dignified Guyana over undignified leaders and political parties. Parties and leaders come and go, but the nation must survive. We have come too far, have endured too much to surrender to the worst in and of us.

Constituency Number Two talks up achievements Dear Editor,

KINDLY permit us, the Councillors of Constituency Two, Kitty North and Subryanville to highlight some of our major achievements for the year 2017. To begin with, we have completed the cleaning, clearing and rehabilitation of Farnum’s Play Field in Subryanville to the tune of $ 2.5 million. This project was done under the councillors’ initiative of “doing positive things on the field and abstaining from negative things

on the streets.” Major financial support in this regard came from businessman Mr. Sudama Ramlingum of New Trend Auto and Transmission, as well as from Ms. Stacey French of Mae’s School who contributed $100,000. The members of the Northern Rangers Football Club benefitted from this project tremendously, in that they were able to reach the semi-finals of the Corona Beer invitational football tournament because of the upgrade of this training facility among other support

through this initiative. Letters were written and petitions were submitted to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and other organisations seeking assistance for the following projects; • The rehabilitation of Queen Street • Pere Street between Clive Lloyd Drive and the Public Road • Owen Street • Goring’s Avenue • Construction of the bridge in the vicinity of the AFC headquarters that link Kitty and Campbellville

• The cleaning, clearing and desilting of Dowding, Sandy Babb and Shell Road alleyways among other projects. • The cleaning, clearing of Gordon, Pike and Thomas streets burial grounds and have drains dug in them to prevent the current waterlogging and breeding of mosquitoes that are plaguing our residents. • Assistance for completion of the construction of the Kitty Market. • Resuscitation of the Kitty Welfare and Burial So-

ciety. We are pleased to inform the public that as a constituency we received much-needed support from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. The aforementioned bridge is presently under construction, major drainage works and clearing of alleyways, canals are currently being undertaken in Kitty North and Subryanville by small contractors and residents of Kitty. However, while we express sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Public In-

frastructure and by extension the Government of Guyana for the support in 2017, we shall be grateful if the outstanding projects abovementioned can be undertaken in 2018, in collaboration with the Georgetown municipality, because the harsh reality is, the City Council cannot afford to undertake all these projects due to financial constraints. Yours faithfully, CARLYLE GORING Councillor Constituency Number Two

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

A visitor’s reflections on Guyana (Part 3) Dear Editors, IT is a tradition for me to submit my reflections on Guyana at the end of each of my frequent visits to this fascinating country. Those readers who may have noticed my previous contributions may recall that I am a History professor in the Faculty of Education, York University, in Toronto. My wife is of Guyanese descent, and we are currently engaged in major renovations of our house in Georgetown with the goal of making it a winter retirement home to escape the cold Canadian winters. I will be returning to a particularly nasty one shortly after New Year’s after having spent a month here, which has been more than sufficient time for me to gather my thoughts about the current state of this country, as Cromwell might say, “warts and all.” My wife is a highly educated woman who openly admits to one “guilty pleasure” -- that is, soap operas. “The Young and the Restless” is her favourite and she finds that every time she returns to Canada after an extended stay in Guyana it is quite easy for her to pick up the plot, no matter how much time has elapsed since her last viewing. I find

myself in much the same situation whenever I turn to one of the three daily papers, all of which I subscribe to during my sojourns here. Their front pages inevitably depict in lurid details the latest round of car crashes (usually fatal), robberies, stabbings, choppings, and other assorted forms of murder and mayhem, etc. and that’s just a foretaste to what lies in store for me once I arrive at the more “serious” news, letters to the editor, regular opinion pieces, etc. Although the specifics may differ depending on the time of my visit, the general themes are unsurprisingly and depressingly similar. Politically motivated allegations of corruption and malfeasance, skepticism over the possibility of any improvement in the country’s economy (e.g. -the much anticipated “oil boom”), and the ongoing partisan rehashing of the political history of the country from the time of independence to the present day are all staple subjects, with predictable spins and slants, depending on the allegiance of the commentator. And unfortunately, even before I actually read a particular letter or article, I can usually anticipate the viewpoint expressed merely by noting the surname of the

contributor. As a professor of history, this last topic is of particular interest to me, since I have always believed, and have often told my students, that if you don’t know where you come from, you can have no idea of where you are now, still less, where you may be headed in the future. The issue of contested historical memory is a very controversial one at the moment, and not only in Guyana, where it seems to me to be a national pastime. Just one example will suffice from the United States, where there has been heated debate and even violence arising from the removal of statues and monuments honouring Confederate generals and politicians in southern cities. My personal opinion is that while these statues should be removed from places of honour, they should not just be destroyed. Instead, they should be relocated in museums or other public places where accurate information about them can be offered, thus placing them in their correct historical context. Thus, history is not “erased” or “revised,” but instead “revisited” in a way that can lead to deeper understanding and appreciation of the wounds of the past, and just possibly

more empathy regarding the suffering they have caused, in the future. From my perspective as a relatively well-informed outsider, Guyana seems to be a particularly difficult case in this regard, since the memories and the wounds of the past are still fresh, and many of those who were involved in the tumultuous and tragic transition from colonial rule to nationhood are still with us today. This was especially evident to me during my last visit, in the run-up to the Independence Jubilee celebrations in May, 2016. What should have been a great opportunity for national unity and renewal was to my recollection spoiled by yet another round of partisan spats and slights, with both government and opposition leaders accusing each other of “playing politics” with the independence anniversary observances. Thus, what could have been a real chance to turn a page on the past and look instead to a more positive future was squandered, with predictable and ongoing results that linger on over a year after the glow of the Jubilee has faded. It is not my intention to offer my own historical perspective on this contentious issue, still less present a judg-

ment favouring one side or the other. I have no idea when or even if the ghosts of history will ever be laid to rest in Guyana, and how this highly desirable outcome could ever be made a reality. It would be a “consummation devoutly to be wished,” to quote Shakespeare, that the spirits of Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Linden Forbes Burnham might be finally allowed to rest in peace, secure in the knowledge that the country they both loved and in their own ways gave so much to build, might find itself on the path to development, progress, and most of all, national reconciliation. But one can live in hope, I suppose. Unlike most of my Guyanese friends and family members who form part of the national diaspora and have no desire ever to return here, I actually look forward to my visits, despite the frustrations and annoyances I sometimes encounter, including power blackouts, suicidal motorists, and occasionally indifferent service in stores, restaurants, etc. And as far as the much-vaunted “crime wave” is concerned, up to now I have never experienced a single threat to life, limb, or wallet, despite the sometimes hysterical warn-

ings and concerns about my personal safety expressed by expatriate Guyanese back home before I depart. Maybe I’ve just been lucky so far, but my motto has always been “when in Rome” and as much as possible, given my skin colour, I try to blend in with my surroundings, not be too conspicuous, walk without valuables or excessive amounts of cash, and most importantly, treat others with the respect and consideration I would expect to receive myself. Up to now, this has proved to be a winning formula for me here, one that I sincerely hope will prevail, especially since I plan to spend longer periods of time here during the winter months. In closing, I would like to wish all the citizens of what may soon become my part-time “adopted country” a very happy holiday and all the best for 2018. It is my hope that someday Guyana may actually live up to and realise the words of its inspiring national motto, “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.” Regards DR. PETER FLAHERTY Faculty of Education York University

‘Unruly Boss’ chooses jail over fine --for taking boss’s vehicle on joy-ride

A 24-YEAR-OLD man appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Thursday, charged for stealing his employer’s vehicle and taking it on a joyride. Mark Anthony, called “Unruly Boss”, confessed that on December 26 at La Penitence, Georgetown, he stole motor van GSS 9170 valued $3.5M, property of Rajesh Singh.

According to reports, on the day in question, Singh left the van parked in front of his Fourth Street, La Penitence home and went away with his family in another vehicle. However, on his way back home, he passed the van in the other lane of the road. When the two vehicles met at the stop light, Singh got out of his

car and approached the other vehicle to confront the accused. “I going to pick up one of my boys,” Anthony reportedly told Singh before speeding away. Singh reported the matter to the police, and the next day, Anthony was arrested and the van retrieved on the Agricola Public Road, East Bank Demerara with the left

side damaged. The unrepresented man told the court that he has no remorse about stealing his boss’s vehicle, since the man owes him $50,000. He also said he took the van to use out all of the gas. The Magistrate fined Anthony $30,000 or two months imprisonment; he opted to serve his time in jail.

Mark Anthony, called “Unruly Boss”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

Guyana to get US$7B … in first phase of Exxon’s operations

FOLLOWING the release of the lucrative production sharing agreement on Thursday, ExxonMobil Country Director, Rod Henson says Guyana can profit from as much as US$7B over the first phase of its Liza project. This figure translates to $1.45 trillion Guyana dollars over the course of the 20-year-long, Phase One of the company’s Liza Project offshore Guyana. The projected sums are based on price projects Exxon noted. Following the release of the agreement on Thursday, Exxon provided details of the company’s interest in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana. Exxon projected that over a five-year period, the country stands to benefit from US$1.5B from the

Exxon Mobil’s Country Director, Rod Henson addresses questions posed by the media at the Marriott Hotel on Thursday. (Adrian Narine photo)

Full dis... From page 3

expansive review and renegotiation to the contract with Exxon, recognisng that the company had made the discovery, it is considered one of the top two oil developing and petroleum-producing companies in the world and it was the only company that was brave enough to venture into our waters and explore for oil, when many others either felt afraid to do so and many others, in fact one company in particular, was run out of our waters and its ship arrested and escorted elsewhere by a corvette. “So we recognised that we have with us a company that had 1) made a discovery; had a binding contract with the government and people of Guyana which had been signed in 1999; was brave and committed to developing the resource; had the capacities -- financial and technical capacities to do so and government believed that it should enter into a long-term stable relationship with this company.” NO FLIRTING “We have received much advice from many sources, some of which we have dispersed and dispensed with but some of it has been wholesome and one such bit of advice that was given is that “owing to our relative [sic] small size as a nation with less than a million people, our relative underdevelopment and our relative inexperience, we should try to stabilise our relationships rather than go out and court 15 and 20 companies to come into our waters and develop the resource, we should try to manage what we had discovered, build better relations with the company that had made the discovery

and make that a long-term objective.” He said it was the decision of the government to continue the agreement which had been entered into by the previous administration “and that we would make minor modifications rather than enter into protracted long-term negotiations with the company. To that extent, we were able to raise some of the fees…we were able to introduce a 2percent royalties where previously there was 0 royalty. Some people have said that the royalty should have been 10%, some say 20%. Trotman however explained that there are different types of contracts. There is the production share or the profit-sharing contract which is what the government inherited in 1999 and there is also the royalty-based contract, he noted. He said that under the profit-sharing contract, Guyana will receive 50 percent of the profits as an equal partner, even though it has not sunk a single cent into the development of the block. “We however decided that we would come up with a hybrid of that production-share agreement and put a feature of a royalty on top of that. Many countries have either the production share or the royalty-based, we decided that we’d try to enjoy the best of both worlds and were successful in convincing Exxon, even though there was no legal basis on which a renegotiation could pursue because there was no frustration of contract, there was no breach of contract, the only things that changed were a discovery and a change of government; but it was a binding, lawful contract which Exxon was entitled to enforce should we decide not to accept it,” Trotman explained. Making reference to Venezuela, Trotman

Liza project. Citing the petroleum agreement’s competitive nature as being similar to those the company signed with other countries, Henson told the media during a briefing at the Marriott Hotel on Thursday afternoon that the potential which the country stands to benefit from can “substantially increase the standard of living in Guyana “. As he compared the 2016 agreement with the initial agreement the company signed in 1999, Henson said that Exxon agreed to a number of higher and new payments, including the US$18M bonus which government placed in a designated account in the Bank of Guyana this year. He said that a new commitment was the increase in rental fees from

US$240,000 annually to US$1M which is payable to the country. In addition, Exxon has committed to paying an annual training fee of US$300,000, a figure which improved from the US$45,000 of the 1999 agreement. Henson noted that the country will receive revenue from “day one” of production in the year 2020. He said that Exxon projects that first oil will be retrieved around March of 2020. Thereafter, it will pump oil at a rate of 100 to 120,000 barrels daily. The Liza -1 discovery in May 2015 was Exxon’s first here; it has since made several other discoveries in the Stabroek block, including Liza Deep, Payara , Snoek and recently , Turbot. The Stabroek Block,

mentioned that countries near and far have tampered and interfered, “in fact, one country had an arbitration award against it nearby to the west of us where it sought to acquire the assets the very assets of the very company, ExxonMobil. So for strategic and other reasons I’m saying, we chose not to enter into a full renegotiation of this contract. And so based on our efforts and by our calculations, we can now receive on a daily basis when production commences in 2020, close to US$1M per day. So at the end of the day, Guyana will earn about US$300M annually, which is as a result of what some may determine to be a modest royalty rate, but it is significant because this is money that does not come from a grant or a loan…this is money that will come to us on a daily basis,” the Natural Resources Minister said. NO FLARING OF GAS Additionally, Trotman said government also determined that under no circumstances there will be flaring of the gas. He said it is common industry practice that there is flaring “and we determined that given the green approach and the commitments made by His Excellency that Exxon would not flare the natural gas which accompanied the find.” Billions of cubic metres of natural gas is flared annually at oil production sites around the globe, the World Bank has said. Flaring gas wastes a valuable energy resource that could be used to support economic growth and progress. It also contributes to climate change by releasing millions of tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. During oil production, the associated natural gas is flared when barriers to the development of gas markets and gas infrastructure prevent it from being used. The World Bank Group has a leadership role in gas-flaring reduction through the Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership (GGFR),

where the Liza project is located, lays 100 miles offshore Guyana. Exxon’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) holds a 45% interest in the Stabroek Block while Hess Guyana Exploration Limited (30%) and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited (25%) hold the remaining interest in the block. Exxon received its licence from the former PPP government in 1999 to explore the Stabroek Block, and in 2008 the company initiated oil and gas exploration activities there. Exxon said that gross recoverable resources from the Stabroek Block are estimated at 2.25 to 2.75 billion oil-equivalent barrels . The figure covers all its wells in the Stabroek Block.

a public-private initiative comprising international and national oil companies, national and regional governments, and international institutions. GGFR works to increase use of natural gas associated with oil production by helping remove technical and regulatory barriers to flaring-reduction, conducting research, disseminating best practices, and developing country-specific, gas-flaring reduction programmes. NO GIVEAWAY Meanwhile, responding to speculation and accusations that he and the government had given away the Stabroek Block, Trotman said: “For the reasons which I’ve stated earlier and the strategic importance of having this company develop the resource on your behalf, we sought to maintain the exact proportions of the grants it had been given by the PPP/Civic administration in 1999. We did not take a single millimeter, neither did we add a single millimetre to what had already been given to Exxon. So the claim about us giving away the resources and losing for it, I’m amazed given the fact as I said that we will earn the value of the resources already about US$160B with Guyana being entitled to half of that.” Trotman said he is sometimes bemused as to why there are persons clamouring for more money, “when in fact we should be more concerned about how are we going to manage this resource being less than a million, how are we going to protect this resource because there’s going to be others who any want to come and share it with us…sometimes not by choice, but by force. So those are some of the primary concerns of the government…how do we protect what we have, rather than going out…“we’re entitled to US$80B we want now US$90B,” he commented.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

Contract binds Exxon to give preference to Guyanese

GUYANESE are expected to benefit from “preferential treatment” in the provision of goods, materials and sub-contractual arrangements with ExxonMobil’s petroleum operations here. This information is contained in the contract which the American oil giant signed with the Government of Guyana for its petroleum operations. According to the contract which was released on Thursday morning, Article 18 of the agreement notes that the operator of the contract, Exxon’s subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Lim-

ited (EEPGL) shall give preference to the purchase of Guyanese goods and materials. This is providing that such goods and materials are available in a timely manner and of the quality and quantity required by the company and at a competitive price. In addition, preference shall be given to the employment of Guyanese sub-contractors “insofar they are commercially competitive and satisfy the Operator’s financial and technical requirements “and meet conditions of time, quality, quantity and competitive pricing. According to a section

of the agreement, within a sixty-day period prior to the commencement of a calendar year, Esso and its partners CNOOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana and Hess Exploration Guyana Limited which hold interests in the Stabroek Block , and the subject minister shall provide a yearly plan for the ultilisation of qualified Guyanese personnel for the upcoming year. Both parties shall then meet to discuss the plan’s effectiveness. In addition, the oil company is required under the agreement to provide the subject minister, within a month after the end of each half-year, reports outlining

Trafficker gets three years

–– to kick ‘weed-drinking’ habit A 26-YEAR-OLD man was on Thursday sentenced to three years jail and fined $135,000 by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for trafficking over three ounces of cannabis. Harvey Moonsammy admitted that on December 23, at Parika, East Bank Essequibo he had 90grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. According to reports, on the day in question, police

on mobile patrol in the Parika area saw the defendant with a haversack acting in a suspicious matter. The ranks intercepted him, and during a search on his person and the haversack, a parcel containing cannabis was found in the latter. The unrepresented man told the court that he usually boils the cannabis to make tea and would drink a cup daily to cure his asthma.

Harvey Moonsammy

the company’s achievements in utilizing the services of qualified Guyanese personnel. Appropriate adjustments are also required to be made to better accomplish the goal of increasing the number of qualified Guyanese available for use by the oil firm in its petroleum operations and entities performing petroleum operations in Guyana.

Exxon’s Country Director, Rod Henson told the media on Thursday afternoon that the company’s centre for Local Business Development on South Road in Georgetown has been built with “100% Guyanese content.” He said the Centre has conducted multiple lasses on the industry as well as on the procurement process. Henson added that there are local companies

which have qualified to bid for contracts with Exxon. He told the media that some companies will work with Exxon directly as sub-contractors. Henson noted too that there are Guyanese who have been employed in senior positions with Exxon’s partners here, noting that locals make up over 70% of the workforce at one of the entities

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

Exxon to plug US$300,000 annually for environmental, social projects

THE Government of Guyana and ExxonMobil are to establish a programme for financial support for environmental and social projects to be funded by the U.S. oil company and its partners (contractor), Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited and Hess Guyana Exploration Limited. According to the 2016 revised Petroleum Agreement between the parties, the contractor shall “directly fund the amount of US$300,000

per calendar year with any funded but unspent portion of this amount to be carried over into the ensuing calendar years of the agreement.” By virtue of this agreement, the subject minister and the contractor shall meet annually to agree on the projects that are to be funded in the given year, provided that adjustments in regard to amount and projects to be funded may be agreed during any particular year in question. Additionally, the contract notes that the contractor is not obligated to fund any

project which may in its opinion subject its members to liabilities in their respective affiliate countries of operation. Meanwhile, on the environmental front, the contractor is obligated in accordance with the 1996 Environmental Protection Act, to obtain an environment authorisation as mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The contractor is thereby prevented from initiating any exploration or development activity on areas that are outside of the contract area which

the EPA may determine to be sensitive or protected. Additionally, the contractor is required to take necessary and adequate precautions in accordance with good international petroleum industry practice to guard against pollution and to protect the environment and the living resources of the rivers and sea. If the contractor fails to comply with the stipulated regulations, thereby resulting in pollution or damage to the environment, riverain or marine life or otherwise, “the contractor shall take all reasonable measures in

accordance with good international petroleum industry practice to remedy the failure and the effects thereof and shall where pollution occurs treat or disperse it in an environmentally acceptable manner.” It should be noted however, that the contractor would not be deemed liable to remedy pollution or environmental damage that existed prior to the start of its petroleum operation. In the event of an emergency or accident arising from petroleum operations, the contractor is required to notify the minister

immediately. “If the contractor does not act promptly pursuant to Article 28.4, so as to control or clean up any pollution within a reasonable period specified by the minister, the minister may, after giving the contractor reasonable notice in the circumstance, take actions which are necessary in accordance with good international petroleum industry practice and the reasonable costs and expenses of such actions shall be borne by the contractor,” the contract stated.

CJIA expansion to be completed by December 2018 –– most aspects to be finished by mid-2018

DESPITE several setbacks, management of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has announced that the airport expansion project will be completed by December 2018. The expansion was initially scheduled to be done by December 2017, but due to a number of factors, they couldn’t make the deadline, said Chief Executive Officer of CJIA, Ramesh Geer during his presentation at the year-end press conference of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure at the Transport Sports Club on Thursday. One of the major setbacks to which he referred was a slippage on the south-west-

ern side of the expanded sand-filled area. According to Geer, the slippage occurred early this year, and they have already started the process of rectifying it in order to get the expansion back on track. He, however, hastened to explain, “This does not affect the aggregate work, since it will still continue, because the sand-filled area is outside of the paved area, and is intended to provide an extension for planes that overshoot the runway.” Geer said that apart from the unforeseen and rainfall, there were no other constraints that would prevent them from getting the work

done. He explained that at the current rate of work, they will be able to complete 75 per cent of the expansion by mid-2018. Some aspects of the expansion that will be completed within that timeframe include the extension of the north-east runway, 500 metres of the south-east runway, the taxiways and the new arrival terminals. He said the rest of the project, which includes mostly rehabilitation and renovation, will be completed by December 2018. When asked about cost early in the year, Minister of Public Infrastructure David

CJIA’s Mr Ramesh Geer responding to questions from the media on Thursday Patterson told the Guyana Chronicle: “In Guyana dollars, the total project costs $30.9B. Expenditure as at December

31, 2017 will be $24.1B. “We are projected to spend $5B on expenditure in 2018; this will give a total of $29.1B, which leaves $1.8B for retention in 2019. “The defect liability is one year, and we put the completion date for everything at December 2018. There are no cost implications for the delay of the project.” In July of this year, an additional $300M was pumped into the project, on top of the $9B allocated to it in the 2017 Budget. Minister Patterson had outlined that the terminal building area will be increase from 13,431 to 13,737 square metres; checking counters will be increased from 20 to 32; and the runway length

increased from 10,066 metres to 10,090 metres. The project was scheduled to be completed within 32 months of its commencement in 2013; however, the deadline was extended to December 1, 2017, after several delays were encountered. The project was also put on hold following discussions between the minister and the contracting company, China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC). When completed, the US$150M expansion project is expected to yield two passenger boarding bridges for arrival and departure; a 450-seat departure area, escalators and elevators, in addition to its extended runway catering for larger categories of aircraft.

Elderly woman dies Sophia residents give bandit a sound thrashing after set alight by son –– before handing him over to the police

TWENTY-three-year-old Ronaldo Parris is currently in police custody after being beaten by residents in the ‘C’ Field, Sophia, Georgetown, area for allegedly breaking into the home of a 53-year-old woman and assaulting her. According to the police, Ms Hyacinth La Cruz was awakened in the wee hours of the morning on Thursday by strange noises coming from the direction of her dining room area at her lot 467 ‘C’ Field, Sophia home. Upon checking to see what all the commotion was about, she was confronted by two strange men armed

with knives, who physically attacked her and demanded cash and jewellery. Her first instinct was to resist, which she did, and managed in the process to raise an alarm, which alerted her neighbours that something was amiss. Sure enough, they did come to her rescue and managed to capture Parris, who lives in the same village, ‘red-handed’ in the house and gave him a sound thrashing before handing him over to the police. The victim, on the other hand, had to seek medical attention for the laceration to her right hand and abrasions

about her body she sustained while fighting the bandits off. The men reportedly gained entry into La Cruz’s home by breaking the door down. However, his accomplice, who the police has so far identified as ‘Daniels’, is currently being sought as the investigation continues. According to the police, Parris currently has several break-and-enter matters before the court, and just Wednesday, a burglary charge against him was dismissed for want of prosecution after the victim refused to offer evidence. The magistrate in that

matter, the police said, had particularly warned Parris before dismissing him to be of his best behavior, since he was not yet out of the woods. Obviously, the magistrate’s warning fell on deaf ears as, mere hours later, the felon was caught in La Cruz’s home, wearing the same clothing he wore earlier in the day when he went to court. The Guyana Police Force has since taken the opportunity to applaud the residents of ‘C’ Field Sophia for their bravery in confronting and apprehending one of the suspects and for supporting law enforcement.

A 73-YEAR-OLD pensioner who was set alight by her alcoholic son on Christmas Day at their home succumbed to severe burns about her body at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) early Thursday morning. Police blotter said the woman has been identified as Mengree Dahri called “Gladys” of Lot 143 Gale Street, Annandale, East Coast Demerara. The pensioner had been hospitalised since Christmas morning with severe burns about her body after her son allegedly set fire to the mattress on which she was resting. She succumbed to her injuries about 06:30hrs. An investigation revealed that the victim and her 43 year-old-son (suspect) resided at the same dwelling house and on Christmas Day at about 10:00hrs a resident observed smoke emanating from the bottom flat of the two-storey house and on checking discovered the elderly woman on a bed which was engulfed in flames; with the assistance of public spirited persons she was evacuated and the fire extinguished. The suspect who is in custody and is said to be an alcoholic has admitted to setting the fire. A post-mortem is expected to be done today.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

Vehicular traffic at DHB declines By Svetlana Marshall

VEHICULAR traffic at the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) this year dropped by 2.06 per cent, a decline for the first time in nine years, General Manager, Rawlston Adams said. Delivering a detailed report on the operations of the Demerara Harbour Bridge during the public Infrastructure Ministry’s end-of-year press conference on Thursday, Adams said both vehicular and marine traffic declined in 2017. In 2017, 3,525,657 vehicles traversed the bridge when compared to 3,599,969 in 2016 – a reduction of 74,312 or 2.06 per cent. On a daily average 9,659 vehicles utilise the aged structure – 177 less than 2016. According to Adams, prior to 2017, the average increase of vehicular traffic was five per cent. As such, he said in 2018, the administration will return to the figures to determine the reason or reasons for the decline in vehicular traffic, but he said, the daily congestion, particularly during peak periods, may be a contributing factor. Adams refrained from drawing a correlation between the decline in vehicular traffic and the increase in tolls that took effect this

DHB General Manager, Rawlston Adams year. “We had a toll increase but I don’t think that is the case,” he posited. Marine traffic also contracted by 9.57 per cent, Adams told reporters while pointing out that in 2017, 1,124 vessels crossed over compared to 1,243 in 2016. According to Adams, a slowdown in economic activities may have been a contributing factor for the decline in the movement of vessels. But while vehicular and marine traffic have declined, the DHB Corporation raked in $803.9M in revenue in 2017 – a 51.5 per cent increase when compared to 2016. Last year, the corporation had garnered some $530.5M in revenue.

Adams told reporters that the increase is no surprise, explaining that it is strongly linked to the increase in tolls that took effect earlier in the year. Marine Toll went up by $776,113 in 2017 with the corporation raking in some $21.775M. Similarly, vehicular toll went up by $277.4M with the corporation raking in some $777.162M. However, other revenues contracted by 49.3 per cent. In 2016, under the category “Other Revenue”, the corporation had garnered $9.8M, but the figure dropped this year to $4.9M. The DHB Corporation expenditure totalled $707.684M in 2017 when compared to $512.663M. Adams noted that the increase in expenditure this year was as a result of major capital works done, such as the removal of the power pack and the installation of new pontoons, in addition to the alignment of the panels. In 2018, Adams said the corporation will put forward a $267M proposal for capital projects which include the rehabilitation of four large pontoons and 15 regular pontoons; fabrication of 40 buoys, supply of 30,000 feet of wire ropes, and rehabilitation of the traffic office.

Site for gas pipeline being explored By Svetlana Marshall THE site for the landing of a pipeline onshore to pipe in gas from the oil reservoirs would likely be selected in January, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson said on Thursday, while explaining that several sites in Regions Three, Four and Six are under consideration. The public infrastructure minister, who was at the time addressing reporters during his ministry’s end-ofyear press conference, said a multi-disciplinary team, comprising representatives from the Ministries of Business, Finance and Public Infrastructure, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Go-Invest and the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), have been meeting with their colleagues from ExxonMobil to review the identified sites. “One of the primary purposes would be conversion of the natural gas to electricity to augment our grids, and you know we have had some challenges in the electricity sectors. The selection should be made in the month of January,” Minister Patterson told reporters. Land availability, and

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson the impact of the natural gas project on residents and the environment would influence the final site selection for construction of the pipeline to transfer the natural gas from offshore resources, he explained. “Right now I think we are between Regions Three and Region Four. At the moment, Region Six has still not been eliminated,” he posited, while reassuring that the selection will be made soon. Once the site is selected, the government will facilitate a number “in-depth technical studies.” The Natural Gas Project is expected to aid in the diversification of the country’s energy sector and simultaneously strengthen the

power-generation sector. In addition to the landing of a pipeline onshore to pipe in gas, the proposal includes the construction of a new power-generating facility, and the design and mapping of an industrial park in proximity to the facility. Minister Patterson said currently the government is in discussion with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank on studies for accessing the use of this form of energy here. Already, the Government of Japan is on board, conducting studies here on the transfer and use of the natural gas here. The quantity of natural gas available is between 300 to 500 cubic feet per day, which is more than enough to power a 200-megawatt generator as well as a LPG (Liquefied petroleum gas) plant, which can provide more than four times the country’s annual requirement. During his budget presentation, Minister Patterson noted that the cost of implementing such a project, is “far less in total” than that of the Amaila Falls project, and will deliver power to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and at lower cost.

East Bank-East Coast road link

US$1.3M feasibility study contract awarded By Svetlana Marshall RITES Limited, a company out of India, has been awarded the contract for a detailed project report on the East Bank-East Coast Road Linkage Project (Diamond to Ogle) at the cost of US$1.3M. Coordinator of the Public Infrastructure Ministry’s Works Services Group Geoffrey Vaughn made the disclosure on Thursday during the ministry’s endof-year press conference at the Transport Sports Club, Thomas Lands, Georgetown. The designs and detailed project report on the Diamond to Ogle Road Project is expected to be completed before the end of July 2018, Vaughn told reporters, while noting that “competitive bidding and the selection of a supervisory consultant [are] expected to be com-

–– other mega road projects to be rolled out in 2018 pleted before the end of June 2018”. Additionally, competitive bidding and the selection of a civil works contractor are expected to be completed before the end of November 2018. The awarding of the contract for the feasibility study to be conducted comes months after Finance Minister Winston Jordan inked a loan of US$50 million with the Export-Import Bank of India for the construction of the 20km bypass road from Ogle, on the East Coast of Demerara to Great Diamond, on the East Bank of Demerara. The bypass is expected to reduce congestion along both corridors and improve travel times on roadways. It will also provide a direct

link between communities on the East Bank and the East Coast of Demerara, and improve connectivity to Eugene F Correia International Airport (Ogle Airport). Currently, there is only one major road that connects the East Bank of Demerara to Georgetown and, the reality of that is massive traffic congestion during peak hours, much to the frustration of commuters. As such, the new roadway will serve as a corridor for communities on the East Bank of Demerara, including Perseverance, Mocha, Providence, Eccles, Peter’s Hall and Aubrey Barker Road, and provide a bypass around the city which commuters can use to navigate the outer limits of the city, reduce travel time and avoid

the traffic jams. According to the Finance Ministry, the new road link will also result in approximately 1,010 acres of unutilised lands becoming available to create a modern housing scheme, which can support some 2,200 households. Consequently, more lands will be made available to meet the increased demands for residential house lots in Region Four. “Additionally, about 120 industrial and commercial plots will be available for economic ventures that can facilitate value-added manufacturing activities and create employment opportunities in the new and existing communities within the region,” the Finance Ministry said. Meanwhile, Vaughn said

the East Coast Demerara Road Widening and Improvement Project (Better Hope to Belfield), which commenced last August, is progressing and is expected to continue in 2018. “The contractor is expected to complete 1.3KM of the roadway up to base level before the end of the month,” he posited, while noting that the relocation of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) utilities is 30 per cent completed, while the sub-contractor for the structure is conducting trials for materials to be used on the project. “It is projected that this project will be 75 per cent completed before the end of 2018,” he said, while detailing that the “scope of works that will be done in 2018

will involve the construction of drains, bridges, extension of culverts, widening and upgrade of the existing road, construction of medians, sidewalks, and the installation of traffic lights and street lights.” Additionally, the construction of the first phase of the Linden-Lethem road is expected to be rolled out in 2018 with funding from the United Kingdom Government through its UK Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF) Programme. The first phase of the project covers approximately 122.5km of road from Linden to Mabura Hill and the construction of a bridge across the Essequibo River at the Kurupukari River. The Parika to Goshen and the Sheriff-Mandela road projects are also expected to be rolled out in 2018.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

Technical, capacity issues a bugbear –– but Public Infrastructure Ministry still records successful year

By Svetlana Marshall

THE public infrastructure ministry by December 31st is anticipated to have expended some 88 per cent of the $35.030B allocated for capital projects in 2017, as it records another year of success, but one not without its challenges. According to public infrastructure minister, David Patterson, shortage of technical personnel and lack of capacity of contractors were among the challenges. Minister Patterson, with support from public infrastructure ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Kenneth Jordan, and heads of key agencies in the areas of infrastructure, aviation, maritime and energy, detailed the successes and challenges faced by the sectors that fall under the mandate of the ministry at an end of year press conference at the Transport Sports Club, Thomas Lands, Georgetown. It was during that press conference on Thursday that the permanent secretary disclosed that the public infrastructure ministry received a total of $42.326B for 2017, of which $7.296B was allocated for current expenditure, and $35.030B for capital expenditure having received three supplementary provisions. Of the sum allocated for the current work programme, $6.997B or 96 per cent was

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson

Public infrastructure Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Kenneth Jordan

Works Services Group coordinator, Geoffrey Vaughn

expended and 68 per cent or $23.734B of the allocations for the capital work programme. However, Jordan assured the press that by Sunday, December 31, 2017, 88 per cent of the provisions made for capital projects would be expended, explaining that the Ministry is currently processing a total of $5.5B. Minister Patterson said the success of the public infrastructure ministry was purely a team effort, as he saluted his staff at every level. But while the ministry stands ready to redouble its efforts in 2018, he said the shortfall in technical staff at the ministry and the lack of capacity on the part of contractors cannot go unnoticed. Alluding to the shortage

of technical personnel, Minister Patterson said the situation is further compounded by competition from the private sector. “We are competing with a very active and resurgent private sector. To that end, this year, even though we were able to recruit engineers for all of the 10 regions, we unfortunately loss some staff to the private sector,” the public infrastructure minister told reporters. Admitting that such situations place additional “pressure” on the remaining staff, Minister Patterson assured that his ministry is actively addressing these issues in conjunction with the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Public Service. “It is not only a question of remuneration, but

also the question of benefits, because we are competing with an active private sector,” he posited. CAPACITY Another major challenge faced by the public infrastructure ministry is that of capacity or the lack thereof, Minister Patterson noted. “We are still faced with the fact that we have too few capable contractors in the system, and we urgently need to increase that capacity,” he explained. Due to the lack of capacity on the part of many contractors, the large and medium-scale and even small-scale projects are often awarded to the larger companies. “The large contractors,

which number 20-25 large and medium-scale contractors, continue to receive the majority of the large, the medium-size and even the smaller contracts, purely because of the lack of capacity and this is something that we have to address,” Minister Patterson further explained. Coordinator of the Works Services Group, Geoffrey Vaughn, echoed similar sentiments. Vaughn said while all of the 247 projects were contracted out for 2017, the shortage of experienced contractors remained a key problem. “We have a lot of shortage of experienced contractors. The pool was large, yes, we do agree we had a large pool this year, because the pool was made up of over 500 plus contractors who were prequalified for works within the ministry. However, with that pool, what we have been seeing is that lots of the contractors who have been tendering, there is still a shortage with respect to experienced personnel, engineers,” Vaughn explained. POOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT It was further explained that contractors would identify an engineer on the tender document but after the contract is awarded, the named engineer is hard to be found. Poor project management is another

issue of concern, he added. “These projects are not managed effectively and efficiently by contractors. They are taking more than they can actually bite, so you find that they are ending up with quite a number of projects which we may not know of because other agencies may have already awarded contracts to them… so the capacity is not there,” Vaughn explained. For this reason, the Works Services Group coordinator said a number of contracts had to be terminated due to issues such as limited capacity. The public infrastructure ministry has assured that in 2018, the procurement system will be strengthened to ensure contractors are capable of effectively executing all projects awarded to them. Additionally, they will be judged on previous projects, not just their technical capacity or price. Additionally, the Government is moving ahead with plans to ensure that small and upcoming contractors are able to access at least 20 per cent of public contracts. The policy papers for the procurement system and the 20 per cent for the smaller contractors are being crafted and are expected to be placed before Cabinet within the next two weeks for initial discussions.

New rice variety next year –– 54 mills licensed in 2017

THE Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has announced that there will be a new rice variety on the market before the 2018 second crop. The GRDB’s Deputy General Manager Allison Peters said scientists at the Rice Research Station at Burma have been working tirelessly to develop this new variety. Once released, it will see farmers benefiting from

better yields, among other improved characteristics. “Our scientists at Burma have been working on this new variety for some time. We want to ensure that when it is released, it is of the quality and standard required by farmers to increase their production, among other things. This strand is expected to be more resistant to pests and diseases, while offering higher yields, better

grain durability and higher market demand. We have undergone several levels of testing to ensure that we bring something tremendous to the market,” Peters said. Earlier in the year, there were minor issues with poor germination. However, the issues were quickly handled with a complete revamp in management tactics, which saw the station producing over

GRDB Deputy General Manager Allison Peters 24,000 bags of seed paddy. “The revamped tactics

implemented at the research station has allowed the station to produce over 24,000 bags of quality seed paddy. Given the quality and high demand for seed paddy, at one point we were not able to supply all the farmers’ needs,” Peters added. Additionally, it was revealed that 54 mills were registered during the year. As such, rice farmers are encouraged to take their paddy to registered mills to benefit from standardised grading. Often,

farmers have expressed disgust at the grading scheme used by some millers, hence, the move by the rice board to have the system revamped. The research station is also looking to enhance its value-added inputs with the expansion of its rice flour mixtures in 2018. Thus far, the mixture comprises 80 per cent wheat flour and 20 per cent rice flour, which has been successfully incorporated at major food outlets and bakeries.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

PPP a no-show at high-level oil contract briefing

OPPOSITION Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo and his party’s Members of Parliament failed to show up at a high-level briefing on the ExxonMobil contract with the Government of Guyana on Thursday, despite having joined the fierce lobby over the past months for the agreement to be made public. The contract, which was entered into by the PPP Gov-

ernment back in 1999, was never released to the public by that administration. However, sticking to an earlier commitment, the slightly modified contract which was renegotiated by the APNU+AFC Government, was released to a broadbased group of stakeholders, including senior members of the media, at the Ministry of the Presidency and later placed on the internet.

Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, during a brief presentation at the event, observed that invitations were sent out to the Opposition Leader and his MPs. Trotman said it was unfortunate that they did not attend. “I just wish to say that it is unfortunate that the opposition is not here; we did invite them in Parliament. I did say that an invitation will be extend-

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

‘Sky Cow’ charged for Christmas Eve ‘causing death’ TWENTY-year-old Damion Walcott, called “Sky Cow,” on Thursday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, charged for causing the death of a 38-year-old pedestrian on the Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara Public Road on Christmas Eve. Walcott, of Tuschen New Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, was charged with driving minibus BLL 3240 on December 24 at Bagotstown in a dangerous manner, which resulted in the death of Shahab Scipio. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was re-

Damion Walcott, called ‘Sky Cow’ leased on $500,000 bail. The matter has been adjourned until January 15. Walcott also appeared

before City Magistrate Dylon Bess, charged for driving without a licence; failing to report the accident; failing to render assistance to Scipio; and driving an uninsured motor vehicle. He pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, and was released on total bail of $80,000. The matters were adjourned until January 11. According to reports, on the day in question at around 00:10hrs, the minibus which was being driven by Walcott was proceeding south along the western side of the eastern carriageway, reportedly at

Attorney claims client –– gets him bail for not at fault Mandela Avenue fatality A 35-YEAR-OLD Cummingburg, Georgetown mechanic was on Thursday charged for causing the death of a teenager while crossing the Mandela Avenue, Georgetown Public Road, in October. Lennox DeNobrega appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, and denied that on October 14 at Mandela Avenue, he drove motorcar PRR 7624 in a dangerous manner which resulted in the death of Jhamallie Niles. DeNobrega’s attorney, Charles Ramson Jr. explained during an application for bail that Niles, 17, ran into the oncoming traffic into his

client’s lane which resulted in the accident. Police Prosecutor Inspector Arwin Moore made no objection to bail. The magistrate released DeNobrega on $500,000 bail, and adjourned the matter until January 15. According to reports, the teen was struck down by an oncoming motorcar while attempting to cross Mandela Avenue. It is alleged that at the time, the car was in the process of overtaking another vehicle when it collided with Niles who was crossing the road. The victim was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pro-

Lennox DeNobrega nounced dead on arrival. The teen reportedly suffered a fractured skull, broken hands and feet and a broken neck.

a fast rate of speed when the pedestrian allegedly crossed the road from west to east and collided with the vehicle. Scipio, after the impact, fell onto the roadway and was reportedly dragged some distance by the vehicle before it came to a halt. The victim was taken in an unconscious state to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

ed and we would expect that they would be present. They’ve chosen not to be here…but they know in the opposition and others know that the reason why the 1999 was not revealed. “ Trotman said the APNU+AFC government is being beaten up for “why aren’t you revealing” but in 1999…they took a decision not to reveal contracts. “It was in this very building

(Ministry of the Presidency) when the then opposition sought to get more details of the Amaila Falls Project that they were invited into this Building…into a closed room to see just some pages of it, not the entire document…that was never made public. So this is a signal day in the history of the country, “ the natural resources minister said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

Good Samaritan helps fix Bel Air Park streets

A RESIDENT of Sophia, Alan Ali, has taken the mandate to fix the deplorable streets in BelAir Park, since they have been inconveniencing motorists and pedestrians alike. When the Guyana Chronicle spoke with Ali on Wednesday, he was in the process of filling the potholed streets with builder’s waste. According to him, the

streets have been in a deplorable state for some time and as a motorist, it has been a nuisance to him. He further explained that the potholes could damage the shocks and other parts of vehicles. When the streets become inundated (as it is right now), these potholes become a hazard to drivers. “So I just decide to come and volunteer to do

Two Christmas Day babies for Bartica MIDWIVES at the Bartica Hospital in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) delivered two healthy babies on Christmas Day and another on Boxing Day. According to Ward Sister, Cecilia Austin, Elizabeth Haynes, 20, gave birth to a bouncing baby boy at around 05:10hrs on Christmas Day (December 25). That baby, who weighed 4kg 100grams or a little over nine pounds, was delivered by midwife Angela Vanlange. Sixteen-year-old Tattiana Thomas’s baby boy was born almost an hour later, at 16:05hrs, and weighed 2kg 300grams, which is a little over five pounds. He was delivered by midwife Abigail Hope. Meanwhile, on Boxing Day, Cynthia Cornelius, 25, gave birth to a baby girl at 09:39hrs. She weighed 3kg 600grams (approximately eight pounds), and was delivered by Midwife Veronica Lewis. All three mothers and their babies are doing well, hospital sources said yesterday.

this,” Ali said, and added: “The [potholes] big in Bel Air Park and I does drive here a lot.” He was on site working around 15:00 hrs with the aid of a young relative. Ali related that he brought the materials from Sophia where he lives, on his horse-drawn cart, to the area.

Alan Ali watches as his young relative deposits some of the builder’s waste into the pothole along Rupununi Street, Bel-Air Park

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

GWI boss checks up on Sparendaam

Mayor Green assures resident Ester Simon that her water supply will be reconnected

GUYANA Water Incorporated (GWI) Managing-Director Dr. Richard Van-West Charles and Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen on Christmas Eve visited Sparendaam to enquire about the water quality and supply of a new well drilled there. Residents welcomed the well, noting that before the water quality was poor since sediments and iron could be found inside. “We getting water now, we ain’t punishing now since they start looking after the well,” a resident, Shanetta David said, responding to a query from Dr. Van-West Charles about the water quality she is currently receiving. “So far were getting nice water that you can

Dr. Van-West Charles and Mayor Chase-Green checking the water pressure

Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Managing-Director, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles and Mayor Patricia Chase-Green during their walkabout in Sparendaam drink, everyone in the village should be happy for a long while that water was coming,” said Moses (only name given), another villager. Dr. Van-West Charles noted that by mid-January, the water will be treated and also the overhead water tanks will be fully activated. He explained that because there had been no water in the lines for a long time, all the rust needed to be flushed out, resulting in residents receiving a little rusty water. Water supply to one resident Ester Simon, who is unemployed, was disconnected because she could not afford it, but Dr. VanWest Charles and Mayor Chase-Green came up with a payment plan for the woman. Simon, who suffers from a visual ailment, had owed the GWI over S120, 000, but will now pay $1,500 a month with her water immediately reconnected for the holidays. Come early January, the $40M well in Sparendaam is expected to be fully functional. The well is one of three being executed for the water company by the Dutch firm De Ruiter Grondwatertechniek. The first was at Diamond. Sophia is next in line to benefit from quality water service.

The overhead tank in Plaisance

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

Orlando Alexander takes coveted $2M grand prize –– in Shell Christmas ‘promo’

ORLANDO Alexander has very good reason to be wearing a $2M smile this holiday season, having won the coveted grand prize in the latest Sol Guyana Inc. promotion. The atmosphere at the recently-refurbished Shell Ogle Service Station was charged with excitement as the winner was announced, to applauses from service station management and staff, and representatives of Sol Guyana Inc., the licensed operator of Shell Service Stations. Shell Sales Executive, Renee Armstrong-Joseph said it had been a mutually exciting and rewarding promotion for Sol Guyana and customers of Shell Fuels, including V-Power, Shell FuelSave and Shell Diesel. “Sol Guyana believes in giving back to the loyal customers, and particularly at Christmas when we know that customers really appreciate valuable cash prizes,” Armstrong-Joseph said, adding: “That’s why we know that the Grand Prize

of G$2M will ensure that this very deserving customer enjoys a very Merry Christmas.” Several other winners who won weekly cash prizes totalling $150,000 will also be smiling their way through the festive season, in addition to those customers presented with prizes of free Shell FuelSave and LPG. The just reopened Shell Ogle Service Station was especially welcoming with an upgraded and redesigned RVI (Retail Visual Identity), rebranded as RVI Evolution. Armstrong-Joseph said the refreshed and modernised RVI-accentuated Shell Ogle has a more welcoming and friendly environs, facilitating improved forecourt communication and more effective delivery or marketing or informational messages to customers. At the grand-prize drawing, Alexander’s name was pulled from among the other thousands of entries by a ‘Shell Model’. Alexander purchased his fuel at Low’s Service Station on Vlissingen Road.

THE $2M PULL! Orlando Alexander’s name was drawn from the thousands of entries (Photo by Delano Williams)

Residents to be charged for household waste – early into the new year, M&CC says

WITHIN the first quarter of 2018, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) will be moving to charge residents a fee for the collection and disposal of their household waste. “We are now moving to ask residents in local communities to help us, as we subsidise the collection of waste by paying a small fee. I understand that they are looking at perhaps $200 a barrel,” Town Clerk Royston King told the Guyana Chronicle. Speaking on the sidelines of the Council’s fortnightly statutory meeting, King said the cost per barrel is still within the realm of discussion within the Council’s Finance Committee. While the modalities are still being worked out, King said residents will be required to visit the Treasury’s Department and pay the fee at the same time as they would pay their rates and taxes. King said that the M&CC will give appropriate notification, and will also have consultations. Meanwhile, he said the municipality is particularly grateful to the government for the bailout that it was recently granted. In addition to paying the outstanding amounts to the

garbage contractors, the government had worked out a special arrangement for garbage collection and disposal until December 31. Asked how the Council will manage from January, when it will be responsible

for providing the service, King said: “I would say citizens have absolutely nothing to worry about in terms of collection and disposal of their garbage as of January.” He said discussions are currently ongoing with the

Finance Committee, so that a meeting can be scheduled with the M&CC’s two main garbage contractors before the end of the year. “We are aware that we have an obligation towards the city to ensure there’s an effective and efficient collection and disposal of the city’s wastes,” King said. “The committee is

considering inviting other small contractors to be part of the whole arrangement to provide solid waste management infrastructure and also to help with the collection and disposal of wastes,” he added. While grateful for the help the government has provided, King said the City Council is an autono-

mous body, and must generate its own revenue. “The Council must wean itself off of government’s support and generate its own revenue,” he said, “because, once the Council continues to accept government’s support, the Council will then dilute its authority and its autonomy.”

Guyanese authenticity must shine! ‘Gaddie G’ promotes Guyanese culture wherever he goes

KNOWN mostly to those who are familiar with his music as ‘Gaddie G’, US-based Guyanese musician Gaddiel Henry has said that no matter where he goes, he ensures that he infuses elements of Guyanese culture in all of his music. Now, as he enters into the new year, he plans on carrying on this practice with an aim to make Guyanese music recognised on a larger scale. Perhaps you don’t know his face, but if you listen to the radio, you are bound to have heard his well-known single ‘Guyana Badman Place’. The song, which was released in 2016 has since racked up more than 24,000 views on Youtube and features scenes from his native country. “All my songs have a Guyanese flavour,” Gaddiel told the Buzz in an interview. “I do dancehall, which is Jamaican, but I am Guyanese so I don’t want to sell out my people and my culture so I keep putting Guyana in my music so people won’t get confused and think its Jamaican…I keep it Guyanese even with my accent so people can know where I am representing from. I want to show there is talent in Guyana.” Gaddiel recently released “Ghetto Pickney”, another song which talks about Guyanese life- but focuses on the struggle and lifestyles of persons living in depressed areas, or, ‘the Ghetto’. The song also has an unofficial music video which borrows from an existing production called “Tin City Voices”. Gaddiel stated that his music also aims to show the perspectives that persons often times take for granted. The 32-year-old singer said that he enjoys singing about his country and it is this passion that has led to his music being enjoyed by large numbers of persons living abroad. “Over the years my fan base has been building and right now I think it is safe to say I am a household name in the dancehall community in New York,” he said. The artist stated, however, that though he knows his music is played in Guyana, he has not gotten a chance to make strong enough links to do proper promotion of this music here; something he plans on changing in the new year. “I don’t have links to [local] DJs so I can spread my music around but I use social media, so my Guyanese people hear and know about me…” Gaddiel’s first and only performance was in 2016 for Guyana’s 50th Jubilee Celebrations, but he stated that he does return home to visit friends and family frequently. “I am looking to make connections in Guyana, next year is Guyana Carnival and I am looking to see what other networking opportunities I can get so I can try to spread my wings,” he said. Gaddiel will also launch his first album next year ‘Gaddie G, For the Ladies’ and its content is exactly as it suggests. He has also partnered with local songstress Ernesta Nelson for the project and hopes to organise some collaborations with other local artists as well. ‘Gaddie G’ said that singing is a passion which was birthed in him since he was a student at Charlestown Secondary, where he would perform at school concerts. In 2004, he migrated to the United States where he first started recording and promoting his music. “I started going to open mic competitions, and I got recognised from doing those shows. I was then invited to open a show for Serani and Ding Dong in 2006 in the US,” he said. He later started releasing his own songs which led to even more recognition. The Guyanese artist has since opened shows for the likes of Natural Black, Capleton and other major dancehall/reggae artists and as, 2018 opens, he expressed that he has no intention of stopping.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

Newcomer Kady Kish brings youth and vigour to the stage By Michel Outridge

first graced the stage about one and a half years ago, first at the Stag Stage THIS upcoming singer is fresh on in February this year. the local entertainment scene and Kish is managed by Darrell Pugis aiming to make a name here in sley and has since launched several Guyana before she hits the interna- songs and is a member of the Sane tional stage. Band which has several gigs including Meet Kady Kish, 18, who is pas- playing at the Marriott every weekend. sionate about singing dancehall, soca Kish told The Buzz that singing and reggae songs and is a self-starter locally pays because she is part of a who is simply motivated by the fact band which is always booked for some she can do it. event and for that she is pleased. This vivacious young lady hails She has performed on stage in from Grove, East Bank Demerara and many locations across the country including Xenon Night Club at Charity, Essequibo Coast, Mainstay Resort, Gravity and other clubs. Kish said, “I will always be a singer because this is what I want to do and it has become a part of me. For me, I get the natural high on stage even with a tough crowd but it is the adrenaline rush that keeps me going.” For now, as a Kady Kish and her manager, Darrell Pugsley young singer, Kish

The sensational Kady Kish

related that she has much to grasp in the music industry and she is taking it in stages and hopes she can fully establish herself to become a household name. The pretty chick was featured on the NCN Guyana Morning Show and has released several songs including “Be Wise and Rise”, “Pressure Wine” and “How I do it”. Kish said that being on stage is not easy for a young singer like her since she is nervous a lot but with time she will overcome that feeling and will continue to become a better singer. “On stage is simply come alive, I do not know where I get the added energy but I do my best and with performing one can only get better, that is what I am reaching for.”

How Ninjaman conviction could shatter Vybz Kartel appeal The dancehall legend was convicted of murder on November 20, 2017, and was sentenced to life in prison for the crime. In the middle of Ninjaman’s trial, Vybz Kartel’s upcoming appeal was pushed back from February to July of next year and now we are learning the reasons behind the delay is because of Ninjaman’s trial. But just how much could a trial involving another dancehall deejay affect Kartel’s appeal? Dancehallhiphop.com reported last month that Kartel’s attorneys requested more time to prepare for the case and it was granted. Sources close to the incarcerated deejay told us that his attorneys became worried that Ninjaman’s highly publicised trial could have some impact on the outcome of his appeal case. “Maybe they thought that Ninjaman’s conviction could sway the judges in some way shape or form so it was a smart move to have the trial push back further down the road,” sources said. “You just never know what could happen with these delicate cases and the fact that this may be his last chance at freedom, they want to get it right so I think they made the right decision to push back the case.” Ninjaman, real name Desmond Ballentine, has indicated that he is considering appealing his conviction, but our legal sources told us that his case was a slam dunk for the prosecution which makes it much harder for him to even get a green light from the appeal court. “Unlike Kartel’s case which had a lot of things wrong with it, Ninja’s case was a slam dunk for the prosecutor who had solid witnesses in that case. That makes it much more difficult for the appeal court judges to approve an appeal.” Both Vybz Kartel and Ninjaman are currently serving life in prison for murder, but the Gazanation deejay and his attorneys have one more shot to secure his freedom. The Don Gorgon will have to serve 25 years before being eligible for parole while the Worl’Boss will have to serve 35 years.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

GET OUR POPULATION READING IN 2018

Books are a Key to Enlightenment A SENIOR politician in the current opposition on a television programme with the very vocal and, at times, strange Christopher Ram on Channel 28 (when Tony Vieira owned that station before 1992) once gleefully boasted that 85 percent of his constituency is illiterate. I could not fathom why that was said with an almost reassuring and confident poise. Time and previous experience resonated why to that politician it was indeed an asset to his politics though, it was a tremendous limitation to his constituency. Because, if a constituency relies on its political and religious leaders alone for guidance then for a contrived cause based on part fact, but two thirds fiction. They can end up as Hitler’s’ Waffen SS with the most casualties of any military group of the German forces in WW2 and eventually with a Fuhrer decree to fight to the last man, beyond the last bullet, save that back then, their ideological but educated leaders, in the end, disobeyed their drug addict Fuhrer, saving fanatically driven lives. Many years ago, Senior Journalist, Claudette Earle gave me a UNESCO Information Sources magazine No. 14, April 1990 with an Editorial by the writer Jorge Semprun Maura, Spanish Minister of Culture. I can’t present the entire editorial but I can quote morsels of it: “Books are the best form of sustenance that I have found on this journey through life, and as such they have nurtured, constrained, accompanied, irritated, educated, amused, and

deluded me in whatever I have seen or done. I therefore find it difficult to consider them separately from the events of a lifetime, or to be objective about their role in anyone else’s life, let alone my own, because they are part

conducted in the Parliament of Guyana recently, alone, implies the urgency to return literature to primary school to defy such mature backwardness. I was invited by an organisation I am with to give a lecture on

and parcel of it, like my own skin.” We witness politicians in parliament who cannot spell, replace basic principles with brute logic, political women who displayed deceitful hysteria and postulated unjust victimisation. This far-reaching comic tragedy

social features I have written about. In trying to get the children to respond, I invited a few to come forward to test their social awareness. In the discourse, I enquired of one 13 year old what type of books she read. She honestly replied that she doesn’t read, because reading makes her want to sleep. My thoughts raced to a modern prophecy that alerted me some two decades ago. It was an interview of the finance guru Schwab when he referred to the future as one where “the defining line shall not be between the haves and have not, but between those who know and those who don’t know”. Information on practical life skill systems in our knowledge-driven world will determine a wider more independent aptitude for decision making toward personal and collective survival. Problems that will affect us are no longer related only to our leaders and administrators, though they bear guilt. But further, the fact highlighted by Oscar Arias, former President of Costa Rica and 1987 Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1987 has not changed, when he said “There are 400 multimillionaires with more wealth than half the world’s population. It’s an invitation to conflict.” That conflict will in many cases be waged against copy cat politicians of the ‘Third World’ as we have witnessed in Guyana who were willing to betray the interests of the nation to create

their own club of local multimillionaires and creeping sycophants, owning wealth impossible to be generated from within the economic capacity of the humanity within the borders of Guyana, while showing no external income generation history. But the prostrate invitation to investors to do as they wish once the bed and room are paid for. This has included politicians as well as Trade Union heads. The only equalising skill to halt the inspired domino crab barrel effect, evident, is that of the knowledge base, to engage the onion skin layers and shades of understanding required to comprehend the consequences of the undercurrents that lie beneath the apparent smooth waters of deceptions that we consider our normalcy, and which the unknowing population is manipulated at times against their own awakening. The other relevant quote from the UNESCO Sources publication has a definite relationship to the callous nature of local politics, you be the Judge: "On the contrary, only through books can the material needs of humans be met, because with the help of books they will reason lucidly and make clear-sighted choices. Furthermore, and here I quote Mallarme, a poet not given to triteness: everything in the world exists to be turned, ultimately, into a book. The experience of books is what books have harvested from experience: the voice of everyone, speaking to all of us.” President Granger has defined the tragedy of a partly educated nation, so did Minister Rupert Roopnaraine before he became ill. How has this happened to one of the most literate of Caribbean Nations? The answer exists partly in the politics of the past 20 years which space constraints prohibit, a narrative off. What is evident is that no local Government as was done with the last Government should have implemented a system that passes children from class to class regardless of examination results, removing the consequence of failure, where a 13 year old must endeavour to liberate him/her self from remaining in a class of 11 year olds, inspiring the transfer to Industrial and Home economic arts or by efforts to pass as was the norm of my school life, where such fears made children pay attention and visit the teacher during recreation for much-needed subject clarifications. The fact is not negotiable if you can’t read and understand books, and not Google extracts alone, then you will not have the armour to endure the challenges that careers present in our knowledge-based 21st Century world.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017 (Single), $40,000 (Couples) (Prices shown exclude VAT and Service Charge) Get the three best choices to ring in the New Year at Pegasus Hotel! Take to the poolside for “Under the Stars at Midnight”. Performing live will be the Caribbean Hot Shot band. Premium bar available. Free party novelties to ring in the New Year! Ticket: $12,000 per person (Includes buffet dinner)!

For those who prefer a more formal event, don’t worry Pegasus still has you covered with its “Red Carpet to 2018” party in the Savannah Suite. Expect a popular deejay to be on site and plenty of party novelties! Tickets: $25,000 per person (Inclusive of dinner and drinks)! CHRISTMAS is all over so inevitably the focus is now on those Old Year’s Night/New Year’s Eve parties on Sunday night. Some of you may have already picked your outfits, and bought your tickets, while others may still be mulling it over. For those of you still thinking about it, there’s quite a host to choose from and we’ve listed some of the best you could probably hit up if you’re in the Georgetown area. From booming out with Aidonia at 704 or Beenie Man at Palm Court to keeping it elegant and classy and white at Marriott Hotel! And if you’re wondering about your pocket, the prices go from as low as $5,000 to as high as $40,000 in some parts. Since most of the focus is on Sunday night, there isn’t really that much to do prior, but that’s not to say there’s nothing at all to do. This is Guyana, there’s always a party somewhere. On Saturday Pulse brings a little summer flavour to Christmas with the return of their Christmas J’ouvert party at Palm Court. The funniest production of December in Guyana, Uncensored returns for a two-night showdown on Friday and Saturday at the National Cultural Centre. TODAY It’s back, and this time it’s indoors! ‘Uncensored 9: the Hype is Real” returns to the National Cultural Centre for two days of nonstop laughter. Today and tomorrow beginning from 20:00hrs daily! See all your regular big name jokesters and have a ball! TOMORROW You just can’t miss out on the fete of the season! Pulse Entertainment presents, Merry J’ouvert at Palm Court! We’re tired of dressing up this season, so dress down in your damaged jeans and flip flops cause we’re playing ‘Merry J’ouvert. Get FREE powder and other J’ouvert goodies on entry. Let’s end the year with colourful smiles at the fete of the season. Tickets: $2,000 (More at the door) Mix Master Tony presents his birthnight party called “Back To The Future” at El club Latino! Music by Dj Vybz Kid, Gaza Prince, Dj Zimma, Deejay KEV, and the birthday boy himself Mix Master Tony! Tickets: $1,000 (single), $1,500 (Couples), $4,000 (Groups of five) Boss Lady Entertainment presents its annual Post Christmas Party & Dance! During the day enjoy lots of giveaways for the children including toys, food, drinks, and ice cream! Other attractions include face painting, trampoline and more. Five Aside Street-ball competition: winner takes all- $100,000, trophy and medals. $20,000 & medal for the MVP, entry only $5,000. Game time 11:00hrs. During the night is the party called ‘Resolution’ where over US$200 will be up for grabs in a dance competition! SUNDAY Palm Court does it BIG again. Usher in the New Year with dancehall sensation Beenie Man at “NYE Memories”! Tickets: $8,000 (Includes breakfast), VIP $20,000 (includes premium drinks, finger foods, and breakfast) It’s going to be a “Black and White Affair” at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel New Year’s Eve party and you are encouraged to just get dressed, show up and leave the rest up to them! Join the party in the Roraima Ballroom beginning from 20:00hrs! Tickets: $20,000 per couple (Includes dinner, midnight toasting), $40,000 per couple (Includes dinner, midnight toasting, room accommodation and complimentary breakfast). Get ready for the event that gives you the royal treatment. Tower Suites poolside “All that Glitters”. Performing Live for the first time in Guyana renowned violinist Mapi (Paris) alongside Krystal Khayne (Trinidad). Music by international DJs Jerry West and PSTAR Perry alongside Guyana’s Dj Energy and Selector Charlie! Dress code: Royal Swag! Ignite your Old Year’s Night with Aidonia Live in Club704! Also featuring Remar. Music by DJ Gully Ras alongside Selector Diamond and DJ Tallest. Enter before 00:30hrs and get a chance to win $100,000. Doors open at 21:00hrs! The best moments of the New Year start at midnight. It’s ‘Midnight at Marriott: A Marriott All White New Year’s Gala”! Enjoy a night filled with excitement and mystery. Celebrate the start of a great year with a delicious holiday buffet, live entertainment, complimentary bubbly, and fireworks at midnight. Entertainment by Fame the Band! Ticket cost includes dinner, welcome drink, bubbly, party favours and selfie stations! Tickets: $25,000

Up on the roof at Aura Bar and Lounge there will be “On Top of the World”, a night you don’t want to miss! Full bar available. Tickets: $5,000 This Old Years Night (New Year’s Eve) Misha’s Restaurant & Bar has the biggest event of the year featuring Daks New Generation Band, Shelly G, Chiney Man comedy, Black Stone Sound System and lots more! Open Premium Bar 19:00hrs - 01:00hrs buffet style dinner 19:00hrs to 10:00hrs. Come out and have a grand celebration. Tickets: $15,000 “All Inclusive”

Rihanna cousin shot and killed over Christmas holiday Condolences are in order for Rihanna whose cousin was shot and killed over the Christmas holiday. The Bajan pop star confirmed the death of one of her close cousins on Instagram on Tuesday night. Sources say she spent Christmas with her now dead cousin and other family members before learning about the tragic news on Tuesday (Dec 26th). “RIP cousin… can’t believe it was just last night that I held you in my arms! Never thought that would be the last time I felt the warmth in your body!!! Love you always man! #endgunviolence,” she wrote on Instagram. Details surrounding his death are not

yet known, but judging from what Rihanna wrote and what folks close to her are saying, it seems he was shot and killed. Nevertheless, a death of someone close to her during the holiday time is a horrific tragedy for her and her family. Rihanna has had a massive year despite not releasing a new album this year. She still had singles that charted on Billboard and was named the top streaming female artist on Spotify for a third straight year. This year she also launched her Fenty Beauty cosmetic line which brought 40 different shades of makeup to revolutionize the market and it paid off big for her since her products have been selling off shelves as quickly as they can be restocked. Rihanna was looking to close out the year on a high note until this tragedy hit close to home. Last weekend, she performed “Loyalty” with Kendrick Lamar at the TDE’s 4th annual Toy Drive in Nickerson Gardens, California. The pop beauty gave a well-received performance which is the first live performance for her in a while. She also took some time out her busy schedule to attend JAY-Z’s “4:44” concert in California over the weekend.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

NSC, Social Cohesion Ministry hand over boxing equipment to GPS

The boxing equipment that were handed over to the Guyana Prison Services. FOLLOWING the demolition of their boxing gym, resulting from the devastating fire at the Camp Street prison, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) yesterday received a quantity of boxing gear from the Ministry of Social Cohesion’s Department of Sport and the National Sports Commission (NSC). At the Prison Service’s Sports Bar on Camp and Bent Streets, officials from the Prison Services joined Director of Sport Christopher Jones, as well as Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton, at the handing-over of the equipment. “It’s good that the government can take this approach to persons incarcerated in the prison system,” Dr Norton said, adding, “I say this because we have to

give the opportunity to those persons to adapt healthier lifestyles and to make better use of their lives. I congratulate the prison service for their recent graduation ceremony where several inmates were successful. The rehabilitation, the reorientation and the changes in values are important.” “We (Ministry of Social Cohesion) will not be left behind; we know there are many sportsmen out there who are inmates and we would be happy if we could help them to continue in their respective discipline. However there is something special about boxing. It is in

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boxing that Guyana landed the only Olympic medal, albeit bronze,” noted the minister who also holds the responsibility for sports. Gladwin Samuels, Director of Prisons, called the donation “timely” and reflected on the Republican Gym’s victory over the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) at the National championships. According to Samuels, “It would be a shame for the gym to just go down the drain,” as the Prison Director stated his dissatisfaction at seeing inmate Jason ‘AK 47’ Barker unable to defend his Caribbean title this year in St Lucia, after the gym was 08:20 hrs Timeous 08:55 hrs Sir Bernadini 09:30 hrs Pearl Glow 10:05 hrs Miss Carrera 10:40 hrs Onesie 11:15 hrs Crystal Ball English Racing Tips 08:10 hrs Oskemen 08:40 hrs Perfection 09:10 hrs Drumochter 09:45 hrs Our Man In Havana 10:20 hrs Napping 10:55 hrs Noble Behest 11:25 hrs Heron Ludlow

destroyed by fire. “I would like to thank Minister Norton and his team for items that have been donated today (Thursday). I also want to urge the public and private sectors to help us. We’ve seen change through boxing. Sometimes you have bad inmates, we put them in the ring and over time we see wholesale changes,” said Samuels.” Meanwhile, Jones told the gathering of prison officials and media that the NSC stands ready and willing to help the Guyana Prison Service in its efforts to rehabilitate the country’s incarcerated athletes. 08:20 hrs Honest Vic 08:50 hrs Burbank 09:20 hrs Nicolas Chauvin 09:55 hrs Tell It To Me 10:30 hrs It’s a Gimme 11:05 hrs Cloonacool 11:35 hrs Thibault Newbury 08:30 hrs Style De Garde 09:00 hrs Pacific De Baune 09:30 hrs Dadsintrouble 10:05 hrs Tacenda 10:40 hrs Born To Size 11:15 hrs Melrose Boy 11:45 hrs Empreinte Reconce

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

Cook’s double puts England in command (REUTERS) - ALASTAIR Cook struck a masterful, unbeaten double-century to drive England into a position of dominance on 491 for nine at the end of day three of the fourth Ashes Test yesterday. The former England captain strode off the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 244 not out, the highest ever score by a touring batsman at the venue, having pushed his side to a first-innings lead of 164 runs. Stuart Broad provided gallant support with a swashbuckling 56, sharing a 100run ninth-wicket partnership that crushed the spirits of a demoralised attack and trampled on Australia’s hopes of whitewashing the series. The urn may be gone with England an irretrievable 3-0 down in the five-match series, but Joe Root’s team will savour the finest day of the campaign and are wellplaced to grab a consolation win. Cook smashed a straight drive past bowler Jackson Bird for his 23rd four to raise his fifth double-century in 360 balls, triggering a standing ovation from the crowd of 61 839. It was not a chanceless

innings however, with Australia captain Steve Smith dropping him on 66 on Wednesday and again on 153. The pitch was a batsman’s paradise and the Australian attack shorn of injured spearhead Mitchell Starc, but England’s most prolific run-scorer may remember few more gratifying innings in his 151 Tests. “Probably one of the more emotional (ones) ... from where I’d been on this tour,” Cook, who was woefully out of form prior to Melbourne, told reporters of his 409-ball knock. “It meant a lot last night and then today I was quite proud that I managed to back it up after all the emotion came out yesterday. To get a real big one for the team was really important.” Cook, who resumed on 104 not out, capped a memorable day with a sumptuous cover drive for four off all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, lifting him past Brian Lara to sixth on the all-time Test runs list. Broad was brave in support, wearing a short-pitched battering before paying Australia’s pacemen back in a counter-attacking innings of

Alastair Cook’s 244 not out is his third-highest Test score.

eight fours and a six. He bookended his fifty with two fours off Pat Cummins before holing out with a miscued pull that was caught in the deep by a diving Usman Khawaja, with replays suggesting the fielder may have spilled the ball onto the turf as he rolled over. England resumed on 360-6 after tea, before Chris Woakes quickly fell for 26 after gloving a catch behind from a clumsy attempt at a pull shot and debutant Tom Curran added just four runs before edging Josh Hazlewood to wicketkeeper Tim Paine. Broad came to the wicket and was hit on the shoulder by a bouncer from paceman Hazlewood but the tail-ender weathered the barrage to slog England past 400. England’s batting had been brittle throughout the series, but for once the wickets fell slowly rather than in clumps. Cook and Root had built a 138-run partnership before the England captain fell for 61 in the morning, mistiming a pull shot straight to Nathan Lyon at deep square leg. Dawid Malan squandered his wicket for 14 when he failed to review an lbw deci-

sion despite edging the ball from Hazlewood. It was the second England wicket to fall lbw with a nick in the innings, with number three James Vince failing to review his dismissal on the second day. Off-spinner Lyon struck twice after lunch to reduce England to 307-6, with Jonny Bairstow (22) and Moeen Ali (20) both falling to poor shot selections. Having dismissed Moeen for the sixth time in the series, Lyon gave the all-rounder a generous verbal spray as he trudged off after driving in the air to Shaun Marsh at short cover. Cook and Woakes then steadied England with a vital 59-run partnership that pushed them past Australia’s first-innings 327 before Broad helped extend the lead out past three figures. Australia coach Darren Lehmann conceded the hosts’ whitewash bid was all but over. “We’ll have to get 450 in a day. How do you want us to do that? Slog?” he said. “From our point of view we’ll just be hopefully batting the day and reassessing what happens after tomorrow.”

Former African footballer to be new Liberian President IPL changes could leave (BBC) - Former Chelsea, Manchester City and AC Milan striker George Weah will be the next president of Liberia. Weah, 51, became the first non-European player to win the Ballon d’Or in 1995 – just one of many achievements over a prolific 18-year professional career that ended in 2003. He entered politics after his retirement and had been serving as a senator in Liberia’s parliament. His victory was announced by Liberia’s National Elections Commission yesterday - it said that with 98.1% of ballots counted, Weah had won 61.5% of the vote. He will succeed Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female president. She defeated Weah in elections in 2005, held shortly after the end of a brutal civil war. For a few years in the 1990s, Weah was among the best strikers in world football.

Capable of scoring all sorts of goals, his most famous moment came while playing for AC Milan in 1996 when he scored a

Paris St-Germain. There he won the league title in 1994 and was the top scorer in the Champions League a year later - finishing ahead of

Chelsea and Manchester City in the Premier League. But he scored just four goals in the English top

Weah’s most famous goal for AC Milan was a solo effort against Verona in 1996.

solo effort against Verona which started in his own penalty area and saw him dribble past almost an entire team. First brought to Europe by Arsene Wenger at Monaco in 1988, Weah scored 47 league goals for the club in four years before a move to

Jari Litmanen, Romario and Hristo Stoichkov - before moving to Milan in 1995. Playing alongside Roberto Baggio, Weah won Serie A in his first season with the club and won it again in 1999 but eventually fell out of favour and had short spells with both

flight though before returning to France - though he did add the FA Cup to his trophy collection with the Blues. At international level, Weah was unable to help Liberia reach a World Cup but he did play in two Cup of Nations, scoring against Mali in 2002.

Gayle’s future in limbo

(SPORTSMAX) - THE Indian Premier League (IPL) future of Windies star Chris Gayle remains a curiosity after new stipulations from the competition’s governing council confirmed that a team can retain up to a maximum of five players ahead of the new season. The 38-year-old seemed unlikely to be retained by the Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the new campaign following a disappointing last two seasons where he played 19 matches in total and only managed to score 447 runs. The 2016 season was particularly disappointing as Gayle played nine matches but only managed to score 196 runs with the highest score being 46. Gayle the all-time T20 runs-scorer was surprisingly omitted from this year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL), but rebounded with a strong performance in the Bangladesh Premier League) (BPL). Gayle force was in full effect in Dhaka during the 2017 final as Rangpur Riders beat Dhaka Dynamites to claim the title. Gayle scored 146 runs from just 69 balls. It was an innings glittered with 18 sixes, a world record for the number of sixes in a T20 match. Gayle also performed heroics in the eliminator match against Khulna Titans, where he amassed a 51-ball 126, including six fours and 14 sixes. Both Gayle’s centuries came after the IPL Governing Council (GC) confirmed the changes. Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers are expected to hold the team’s number one and two spots but, with such kind of innings coming from Gayle’s willow, RCB might be pondering on retaining the player if he was not previously in their plans as the third player for retention.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

GCA releases point Windies need to play like champions standings for (CMC) - CAPTAIN Carlos Brathwaite believes West Indies need to bring their ‘A’ game to the three-match Twenty20 series against New Zealand starting here today. The all-rounder reminded that the Caribbean side were World champions in the shortest format and therefore had a duty to themselves and their fans to play accordingly. “Any time you have the title of world champions you need to defend it, not only at the World Cup but in every series,” Brathwaite said, ahead of the opener at Saxton Oval which bowls off at 15:00hrs (22:00hrs Thursday Eastern Caribbean time).

“Regardless of whether we win or lose we need to play like world champions. People in the Caribbean look to the T20 format for the success and feel good and we need to do that. If there’s added pressure, then so be it. We have a legacy to carry on.” West Indies are winless on tour so far and the T20 series represents the ideal chance for the visitors to make their mark. Their record against the Black Caps, however, is a dodgy one, having drawn the last two-match series they played in the Caribbean and suffering a clean sweep in a similar two-match rubber the last time they were in New

Zealand three years ago. Since capturing the T20 World Cup in India last year April, the Windies have won seven of 14 matches – with three of those wins coming against minnows Afghanistan. Brathwaite will be featuring for the first time in the series and joins the side on the heels of solid performances in the Bangladesh Premier League where he topped the batting averages for Khulna Titans. The 29-year-old, the hero of the last T20 World Cup, said his focus was on making strong contributions to the unit. “I’m not the saviour,” he

stressed. “But for me I’m always my own harshest critic and for me it’s just about controlling what I can control and making sure I get through my four overs as economically as possible and grab a few wickets if I can.” He cotninued: “Batting-wise I’m having a decent year, averaging around 40 (48) with the bat so it’s about closing out the year well and going into 2018 with the next two games and hopefully starting next year as well as I can.” The last two T20s will be played at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on New Year’s Day and January 3.

Guyanese depart for U-19 World Cup Ashmead Nedd

Raymond Perez

various tournaments

THE Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) has released the point standings of its various competitions, since the inclement weather has put a hold on all outdoor activities. A release from Public Relations Officer Colin Alfred indicated as follows: G I S E , Tr o p h y Stall & Star Party twoday division one cricket competition: Zone A – Police Sports Club (57 points from two games), Everest Cricket Club (30 points from two games), and GCC (6 points from two games). The other two teams in that zone are DCC and Malteenoes, but they have not played a game to date. Zone B – UG (57 points from three g a m e s ) , Tr a n s p o r t Sports Club (43 points f ro m t h re e g a m e s ) , GYO (31 points from two games), GNIC (16 points from two games), and GDF (15 points from two games. Noble House Seafoods second division two-day competition: Zone A – Police (66

points from two three games), Sophia (44 points from three games), Ace Warriors and Malteenoes, both on 43 points from three games each), UG (19 points from two games, while GNIC and GDF with five points each after playing one game apiece. Z o n e B – E v e rest and DCC both on 92 points after four games each, Transport (72 points from four games), GYO (66 points from four games), Diplomats (28 points from three games), GCC (20 points from two games). New Building Society Second Division 40-Over cricket competition: Zone A – UG (80 points), Ace Warriors CC (35 points), Police (18 points), MYO (19 points), Transport (60 points), Everest (26 points), GDF (13 points) and Diplomats (10 points). Zone B - DCC (23 points), GCC (98 points), Third Class (26 points), Sophia (32 points), GYO (14 points), Malteenoes (19 points) and GNIC (3 points).

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & Ronaldo Alimohamed

THE five Guyanese youth players selected in the West Indies Under-19 World Cup squad departed on Wednesday for Barbados. The crew will join the rest of the Windies Under-19 players, as they journey to New Zealand 2018 ICC Youth 50over World Cup. Bhaskar Yadram, Raymond Perez, Ashmead Nedd, Ronaldo Alimohamed and Joshua

Bhaskar Yadram

Persaud are the Guyanese players selected for the tournament which will be played from January 13 to February 3. They were expected to leave Barbados last evening. West Indies, the defending champions, are installed in Group A alongside Kenya, South Africa and the hosts. Full squad: Emmanuel Stewart – captain (Windward Islands - Grenada), Kirstan

Kallicharan – vice-captain (Trinidad & Tobago), Ronaldo Alimohamed (Guyana), Alick Athanaze (Windward Islands - Dominica), Cephas Cooper (Trinidad & Tobago), Jarion Hoyte (Barbados), Kimani Melius (Windward Islands - St Lucia), Ashmead Nedd (Guyana), Kian Pemberton (Leeward Islands - St.Kitts & Nevis), Raymond Perez (Guyana), Joshua Persaud (Guy-

Joshua Persaud

ana), Jeavor Royal (Jamaica), Keagan Simmons (Trinidad & Tobago), Bhaskar Yadram (Guyana) and Nyeem Young (Barbados). M a n a g e m e n t Te a m : Graeme West (head coach), Dwain Gill (Team Operations manager), Corey Collymore (assistant coach), Khevyn Williams (physiotherapist), Zephyrinus Nicholas (Strength).

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to Saturday’s quiz: (1) 64 ODIs (2) WI 30; NZ 27 (7 NR) Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the result of the recent WI/NZ ODI series? (2) Who was named Man of the Series in the recent WI/NZ ODI engagement? ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

s, x-

GFF extends condolences on the passing of two stalwarts

Winston ‘George’ Humphrey (L) and Winston Callender

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) expressed condolences to the families of two persons on the passing of their loved ones who have made contributions to the football fraternity in various capacities. Winston Callender, former national player and vice-president of the GFF, and Winston ‘George’ Humphrey of Humphrey’s

Bakery and Farm Products Company Ltd, a contributor to national teams and GFF’s projects, have passed within the past days. In a letter to the family of Callender, GFF president Wayne Forde expressed gratitude for his service, stating: “We are very grateful for Mr Callender’s service to the game as a national player

and later in an administrative capacity up to 2008 as a vice-president on the GFF Executive. His place in the annals of local football is assured. We hope that this message may, in some small way, be a source of support and comfort to bereaved relatives and friends.” Meanwhile, Forde recognised Humphrey’s contribution to football. He

pointed out, “Mr Humphrey made an invaluable contribution to football by investing significantly in tournaments through Humphrey’s Bakery and Farm Products Company Ltd and provided support to many national teams. “We hope that in some way our words of comfort may bring a little bit of peace and solace in this time of sadness”.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

Storm Bird vs Red Jet - perfect rematch for Guyana Cup horserace meet COME New Year’s Eve, the feature event of the 2017 edition of the Guyana Cup horserace meet promises to be a thriller as it has attracted Guyana’s top 1800m animals. The two most fearsome are Storm Bird and Red Jet both of whom are in tremendous forms at the moment. Storm Bird has three consecutive victories to her name and will be seeking a fourth come December 31 at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast Berbice, but Red Jet who won the event last year, along with the Rising Sun and President’s Cup feature events, could repeat his form from last year. Apart from Storm Bird and Red Jet, the other animals entered for the Class D2 and Lower, which carries a first prize of $1M and a trophy are: Princess She’s Not, CP Got Even, Golden Blue Echo, Lady Budapest, Honey Flow, Score Even, Just Call Me Boss, Spit Fire, Jack in My Style, Release the Beast and Light Up Canada. The other events on the eight-race card include a 1400m race for horses classified E1 and Lower West Indies-bred non-earners for 2016 and E3 US and Canada-bred non-winners

for 2016 as well and carry a first prize of $600 000. There will also be a 1400m race for four-year-old West Indies-bred and animals classified `G3 and Lower’ with a winning purse worth $300 000. Horses classified `H and Lower’ will battle for a winning purse of $275,000 over a 1100M distance. Three-year-old West Indies-bred and I1 and Lower horses will cover 1400m for a $225 000 first prize. Three-year-old West Indies-bred maiden horses will cover a distance of 1100m for a first prize of $220 000. An event for three- and four-year-old Guyana-bred maiden horses over4 1100m carries a first prize of $200 000. J2 and K Class event has a first prize tagged at $175 000 and a trophy over a 1100m distance. Animals classified L and Lower will compete in a 1100m race which carries a first prize worth $130 000. The top jockey and runner-up as well as the top stable and trainer will all be presented with trophies and other incentives, compliments of Trophy Stall of Bourda Market. Race time is 12:30hrs.

Professional boxing returns to CASH on January 20 THE Guyanese trio of Dexter ‘The Kid’ Marques, Elton ‘Coolie Bully’ Dharry and Dexter ‘Cobra’ Gonsalves will form part of a Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) boxing card, scheduled for January 20 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Marques, the reign ing CABOFE and Guyana flyweight champion, will headline the card against a Venezuelan opponent. This fight is seen as a warm-up for his Commonwealth title shot against Jay Harris of Wales on March 31 at the Copperbox Arena. Marques is the mandatory challenger for Harris, who is the current Commonwealth flyweight title-holder. That fight is being promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions. “Since Dexter will be

From left: Dexter ‘The Kid’ Marques, Elton ‘Coolie Bully’ Dharry and Dexter ‘Cobra’ Gonsalves

the underdog in that match, we expect that his rigorous training will be put on display on January 20 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall as he prepares for the fight that could change his life,

and give Guyana its next world title,” the GBBC said in a statement. Marques currently has a record of 16-2-0, and is unbeaten in his last eight fights. His last defeat was

against Dharry in May 2011. D h a r r y, t h e W B C CABOFE and IBF Inter-Continental bantamweight champion, is also listed to appear on the card

and no doubt the fiery pugilist would want toi extend his unbeaten run, which is currently at 18 fights, his last defeat way back in 2009. With a record of 21-5-1, the reigning Guyana bantamweight champion, who is based in USA, will fight in Guyana for the first time since February 2016. Dharry and Gonsalves are set to fight opponents out of neighbouuring Venezuela. The names of those fighters will be made public shortly. Gonsalves will also use the upcoming fight as preparation for a clash against Bahamas lightweight champion Meacher Major, and once the result goes his way the Guyanese could be in with a shot at the Commonwealth title, the GBBC said. “The GBBC continues to support the amateur ranks and create a path for young

fighters as the card will also feature four fighters from the Venezuelan amateur team putting their pugilistic skills and patriotism on the line against top Guyanese amateur fighters,” the GBBC release stated. It added, “Fans are encouraged to come out in support of this inter-country rivalry which could test the limits of our local fighters as they go up against the very best that Venezuela has to offer. Tickets will be on sale at the Giftland Stores and Assuria General Insurance offices in Georgetown, Diamond, Berbice, Parika and Vreed-en-Hoop.” Further information on the card can be had from the GBBC on 2269236, 226-9245 or NexGen Global Marketing Services on 668-7419, 645-0944, 231-0861.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 29, 2017

GFFF/Corona Beer ‘Super 16’ semi-finals on tonight at Leonora THE Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Corona Beer ‘Super 16’ Knockout tournament has finally reached the semi-final stage, and tonight the ‘final four’ teams will attempt to book a place in Monday’s final on New Year’s Day. At the Leonora Track and Field Facility, Linden’s Milerock FC will come against Elite League champions, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) at 18:00hrs, while in-form Fruta Conquerors will collide with Grove Hi-Tech in the second match of the double-header. When play continued at the Leonora facility last Wednesday evening, Grove Hi-Tech marched to the

Grove Hi-Tech goalscorers Nicholai Matthews (left) and Domini Garnett

semi-finals with a comefrom-behind win over Police FC in extra time, 2-1, while Fruta Conquerors proved why they are one of the favourite clubs to win the inaugural tournament, with a 5-0 drubbing of Buxton United. Both teams, Police FC and Grove Hi-Tech ensured that they utilised wisely the GFF’s guest player ruling, and sought the services of some of the country’s top players, who are not a part of the Federation’s Elite League. Police FC, equipped with Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, made solid runs at goal, but it was Quinsi Holder, who provided the side’s lone goal in the 72nd minute.

However, two minutes in stoppage time (90+2), Grove Hi-Tech captain and leading scorer Domini Garnett, scored an equaliser, resulting in extra team play. It was not until the second extra time that Grove Hi-Tech were able to break the deadlock, thanks to Nicholai Matthews. Meanwhile, Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams and Eon Alleyne scored a double, while Jermaine Junor netted the other in Fruta Conquerors’ one-sided 5-0 win over a hapless Buxton United. The winning team will collect $2M, second-placers $1M while third- and fourth-placed teams are expected to pocket $500 000 and $250 000 respectively.

UDFA GT Beer semi-finals on tonight By Joe Chapman

BOTOFAGO eliminated Topp XX while Net Rockers prevailed against Blueberry Hill to reach the semi-finals of this year’s Upper Demerara GT Beer football year-end championship. The first semi-final will be between the reigning champions Silver Shattas and Botofago at 19.00hrs at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground tonight. Botofago will have in goal Ronaldo Hernandez while defensively they will look towards Kevin David and up front will be the inform Donovan Francis, Jamal Haynes and his brother Shane. The midfield will be controlled by Jashawn Moore. Shattas, on the other hand, are confident that they can reach the final with Kelon Major between the uprights and Romel Matthews on the back line. At midfield are Dexter Garraway, Orwin hope and the energetic Michael Wilson while up front are Robin Adams, Dameon Williams, Jamine Samuels all with goals so far and youth player Jehus Regis. The other semi-final at

21.00hiurs will feature the Net Rockers and Eagles United. The Rockers are building their hopes on winning as coach ‘Axeman’ Wills said, nobody is playing to lose. He admitted that in

Eagles United are seeking to upset the champions as they will have Tevin Crawford in goal, with Randy Small in defence while at midfield are Kwesi Quintin and Clive deNobrega while up front will

two players and unleashing the full force of his left foot. That score remained until halftime but changed seven minutes into the second half when Botofago made it 2-0.

Donovan Francis of Botofago

Net Rockers scorers from left: Orande Wills, Denzil Pryce and Clarence Huggins

their game against Blueberry Hill they relaxed somewhat after a tactical change defensively when they had four goals and seemingly coasting to a victory. However, he expects that no such lapses will be seen this time around

be the dangerous Kellon Primo. In the second set of quarterfinals, Botofago were off to a flying start in the 11th minute when Jamal Haynes received a cross from his brother Shane before dribbling past

Donovan Francis collected inside the 18-yard box after three of his players were unable to connect and he fired in for the second of the night. The third and final goal came in the 1st minute of added time (90+1) off the

boot of Shane Haynes who was able to finish a cross coming off the right side from Hussein Canterbury. The second game of the evening saw Blueberry Hill surprise Net Rockers with an early goal which came in the 5th minute off the boot of Roydon Arthur. However, Orande Wills levelled the score in the 11th minute after which a 36th minute Denzil Pryce goal put the game back in favour of the Rockers side

and completed his brace in the 44th to end the half 3-1. Pryce went on to score two more in the 80th and 87th minutes of the game while the other was netted by Clarence Huggins in the 78th Apart from Arthur’s goal, Blueberry Hill’s Kwesi Tafawa netted in the 77th minute and a brace from Troy Miller in the 85th and (90+3) carried the score line to 6-4 at the close.

GFFF/Corona Beer Spag1e 3 ‘Super 16’ semi-finals on tonight at Leonora

NSC, Social Cohesion Ministry hand over boxing equipment to GPS See pag e 26

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton, hands over the boxing equipment to Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels, while Director of Sport Christopher Jones (left) and Senior Superintendent Kevin Pilgrim look on. (Delano Williams photos)

Windies need to play like champions See page 27

Storm Bird vs Red Jet - perfect rematch for Guyana Cup horserace meet See story on page 30

West Indies T20 captain Carlos Brathwaite Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

Professional boxing returns to CASH on January 20 See page 30

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017