Guyana chronicle e paper 01 01 2018

Dear readers, the next edition of the Guyana Chronicle will be published Wednesday, January 3, 2018.

You can however follow us on the non-printing days on our website www.guyanachronicle.com and our facebook page for all the latest in news and current affairs.

The board, management and staff of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited take this opportunity to wish every Guyanese a prosperous 2018.

No. 105142

MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 2018

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

Better year for Guyana – says President Granger in New Year address

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GDF approves 594 promotions Page 9

SWAT boss under close arrest Page 3

Inmate tries to smuggle narcotics into prison

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Ushering in 2018 in style: scores gathered at Stabroek Square to witness the spectacular fireworks display on the stroke of midnight (Delano Williams photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 1, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 1, 2018

Better year for Guyana – in 2018, says President Granger in New Year address

THE United Nations (UN) is expected to uphold its commitment to bring a peaceful resolution to the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy, President David Granger said in his New Year address to the nation.

“We signified, in the year 2016, that the year 2017 would be spent in setting the settlement of the unlawful and unreasonable claims to our country’s territory on a definite course.

The United Nations Secretary-General, in 2018, is expected to discharge his commitment to setting that course in a manner consistent with justice and international law,” the President said.

He added: “We shall continue to defend every ‘blade of grass’ of our homeland. We shall never cede a centimetre of territory or compromise a tittle of sovereignty.”

In 2015, Guyana lobbied the then United Nations Secretary-General Ban Kimoon to take steps toward a resolution of the controversy, using an option from the menu in the 1966 Geneva Agreement.

According to Article IV of the 1966 Geneva Agreement, if the controversy

is not resolved following the selection of one of the means of peaceful settlement, “The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall choose another of the means stipulated in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations and so on until the controversy has been resolved, or until all the means of peaceful settlement there contemplated have been exhausted.”

In 2016, as a consequence of a stalemate on the matter, outgoing United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon agreed with his successor, António Guterres, to continue to use the Good Offices Process until the end of 2017 as a means of arriving at a settlement.

According to the mandate of the Personal Representative Dag Halvor Nylander, “If, by the end of 2017, the secretary-general concludes that no significant progress has been made toward arriving at a full agreement for the solution of the controversy, he will choose the International Court of Justice as the next means of settlement, unless the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela jointly request that he refrain from doing so.”

A BETTER LIFE FOR ALL The President also said Guyana is changing for the good.

“We are promoting the good life for all. We are reducing divisions and maximising cohesion. We are protecting our patrimony, pursuing economic prosperity, promoting respect for national institutions and providing better public services and improved human safety,” he assured.

He further recommitted his government to working with all sectors and strata of society to improve the country’s political culture and promote inclusiveness.

“We must repudiate vulgarity. We must rebuke those who abuse our public institutions and reject the poisonous politics of the past,” he urged.

He assured too that his government will continue to work to eradicate the inequalities and disabilities which foster destitution and discrimination.

“We are creating a more equal society – one with greater opportunities and a higher quality of life for all.”

The President also used the opportunity to once again extend open arms of

friendship to all political parties, social organisations and religious groups to work collaboratively for the good of the society.

GREATER SOCIAL PROTECTION “We shall continue to work to provide greater social protection for everyone, particularly our women, children, the elderly and persons in difficult circumstances.

We did increase the minimum wage for the lowest-paid state employees by nearly 50 per cent; we increased Old-Age Pensions by almost 50 per cent; we increased social assistance by 27 per cent, all in only 30 months. We will ensure that the disadvantaged are protected,” President Granger said.

In 2018, local government organs will continue to be empowered under this Administration, allowing for communities/villages across the country to be consistently improved.

“Local democracy will be renewed in local and municipal elections in 2018,” he reassured, while adding that “We declared three new ‘capital towns’ last year to expedite enterprise and economic development in

their respective regions by increasing investment and generating employment.”

He also said that the surge in agro-processing, artisanal manufacturing and cottage industries seen in the regional agricultural and commercial exhibitions is evidence of the green shoots of healthy grass-root economic growth.

The economies of hinterland, rural, riverine communities and villages, the President said, will continue to be strengthened through support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

“Young people, through the new Guyana Youth Corps, will be receiving training in skills to convert their ideas and energy into economic enterprises. We will work with workers in all industries – especially bauxite, sugar and timber – to seek access to alternative employment.

“We shall continue to work towards making the country safer for all by improving citizens’ security.

Security sector reform being undertaken with support from our international partners, aims at creating safer communities and protecting the people from transnational threats such as illegal narcotics-, firearms- and

President David Granger people-trafficking,” the President further assured.

He said his government is building a country in which everyone can be safe.

“We shall continue to improve the delivery of public services by ensuring that citizens have easier access to education, electricity, health, housing, information, recreation, sanitation, sports and pure water supply services,” he added.

“Life is getting better, year by year,” President Granger assured, while noting that “Guyanese have lots of reasons to feel good about their homeland in 2018!”

SWAT boss under close arrest COMMANDER of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit of the Guyana Police Force, Deputy Superintendent Motie Dookie, is under close arrest after allegedly escaping from police custody.

Dookie was reportedly busted with 30 cases of smuggled Johnnie Walker whiskey on Saturday night and was being detained at the Whim Police Station, when he allegedly escaped.

The man’s relatives are disputing that the senior officer escaped , noting that he was released from custody by ranks of the Whim Police Station and is assisting with the investigation, while the driver of the vehicle in which he was travelling remains in custody.

The police in a release stated that Dookie and the

driver were the only occupants of the minibus. According to initial reports, the senior officer indicated that there were 10 cases of whiskey in the minibus intended for usage at ‘a party.’

However, a search of the minibus revealed there were 30 cases. They were all seized. Dookie, who is based at Police Headquarters in the city, was not permitted by his commanding officer to leave Georgetown.

But in a WhatsApp message reportedly sent to his wife, Bhano Persaud, which was seen by the Guyana Chronicle, Dookie pleaded his innocence.

“I did not drive to avoid drinking and driving. I went up with public transportation and I learnt of my friend being in Berbice. I took a drop and was unaware of any

Deputy Superintendent Motie Dookie illegal item being in the bus,” Dookie reportedly wrote to his wife.

According to that message, the driver of the bus took full responsibility and has cleared the SWAT boss of any illegality.

In her husband’s defence,

Persaud, who is an employee of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), confirmed to the Guyana Chronicle that Dookie left home on Friday to attend a farewell in Berbice.

Persaud told this newspaper that it was she, who after speaking with the wife of the driver (name given), informed Dookie that their family friend was also in Berbice and he could solicit a drop back to Georgetown.

The driver’s wife also works at GRA. According to Persaud, after realising that her husband had not returned on Saturday night as discussed, she made contact with him and it was then he related to her what had happened. At the time, he was reportedly at the Whim Police Station.

Persaud alleged that

Dookie was released Saturday night while their family friend (the driver) was detained. She said it was only until Sunday morning when he returned to the station, that he was placed under close arrest.

“The driver, who manages a bar in Georgetown, took responsibility but Dookie said he waiting to assist with the investigation,” she posited.

But when asked for her GRA colleague’s number to confirm the story told, Persaud then told this newspaper that her friend had no idea that her husband was in Berbice, and it was only until she called to inform her that their husbands had been taken into custody, that she found out he was there.

Upset that the case is being publicised, Persaud had to this to say: “I just want to

ask the public when Dookie was present when Varswyck was killed no one mentioned him…When Royden was arrested... was he given credit?

When my husband was away for weeks and months up Linden and Berbice… leaving his wife and three kids… was he given so much attention? Did anyone see to write a story… that’s how sick Guyana is!”

She added this must be payback for the more than 20 years of service he dedicated to the Guyana Police Force and the people of Guyana.

Two months ago, the current SWAT unit commander took over responsibility for that unit after his predecessor was transferred after a quantity of cocaine went missing from the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 1, 2018

Let us continue to GNNL honours stand tall in 2018 outstanding employees --Prime Minister Nagamootoo

MY DEAR Guyanese brothers and sisters, as we enter the New Year, I extend to all of you best wishes with hope for brighter times ahead.

New Year finds us bonding together; celebrating in traditional Guyanese fashion. Today, we embrace the Guyanese way with plenty love and nuff affection. Today our Guyanese heart is pure and generous. We seek out old friends, and reach out to families.

It is also traditional to

look back at what we have achieved; and to make res-

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

olutions to do better in the New Year.

The resolutions we make at the personal and family levels are no different from what we wish for our country. As a nation, we are all resolved to remain loyal to Guyana and to be united as Guyanese.

We are all committed to the goals of a prosperous country.

Last year was a testing time for all Guyanese.

You stood strong and tall.

You defended Guyana’s

Monday, January 1, 2017 Tuesday, January 2, 2017 Wednesday, January 3, 2017

DATE: Saturday, December 30, 2017

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sovereignty. You sung loud and clear: “Not a blade of grass!” Together, we also scaled major hurdles and overcame many challenges.

Above all, Guyana has been spared the plight of dire poverty, destitution and want, which has become the unfortunate lot of some of our neighbours. We became a reservoir of hope for our Caribbean brothers and sisters, when they were struck by disasters. Guyana remains a safe haven for peoples across the region who come here to shop and trade and to shelter in time of need, under the Guyana umbrella of hospitality and friendship.

The New Year dawns with bright hope for Guyana, with fresh prospects that we could do better!

The New Year must see us celebrating our rich diversity, our common culture, and our Guyaneseness.

Together, we are safe and secure. Together, we can watch the back of each other.

Whether you are on the coast or in the hinterland, in our riverain or savannah areas, I extend sincere greetings to you for 2018.

We a r e e n c o u r a g e d by your faith, your trust and support; and we are strengthened by your resolve to walk this journey together, to the happy life!

Happy New Year!

14:30 hrs 05:00 hrs 05:00 hrs

THE Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) recently honoured several outstanding employees at its annual end-ofyear social. A number of employees received

awards of appreciation and other special awards. Awards were also given to reporters who scored at the PAHO/WHO Media Awards for Excellence in Health Journalism.

04:30 hrs

Saturday, December 30, 2017

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In photo, worker-of-the-year, Kinsell Gibbons, receives his prize from Director, Sherod Duncan.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 1, 2018

Association of Young Africans hosts developmental workshop THE African Cultural and Development Association’s (ACDA) Youth Arm, the Association of Young Africans (AYA) hosted a three-day workshop for youth from various communities for their Triple A (Archaeology, Architecture and Anthropology) Community Development Programme.

AYA was established in 1994 to cater specifically to youth concerns and development, catering to the needs of children from the early age of two to young professionals up to 35 years old.

In a statement, the youth arm explained that the Triple A project seeks to encourage Guyanese youths to be more involved in and benefit from projects being undertaken in their communities.

It was also designed to help youths understand the complexity of cultures, practices and beliefs in villages across the country.

“The skills training aspect of this project intends to develop the abilities of local community members to be involved in and benefit from projects happening in their community. This will add to Guyana’s action plan directly relating to the mandate by the UN for the International Decade of People of African Descent,” AYA said in a statement.

In the area of tourism development, it was noted that the group seeks to preserve important heritage sites and increase national and international awareness to add value to and highlight the chronological importance and economic potential of historically African villages.

The project will also allow for educational field trips which will seek to increase national awareness of the historical value and roles of the importance of traditional African villages and other Heritage sites.

“This will be done by taking school children along the established historical heritage route. They will be able to observe and gain an appreciation of the remaining or existing architecture of the villages,” the organisation explained.

The AYA workshop held recently taught the youths about the Village Movement and fields of anthropology, namely, biological, social/ cultural, linguistic and archaeology.

The workshop was facilitated by Shabakie Fernandes, a member of AYA; Barrington Braithwaite, a member of ACDA; Deon Forbs, a Buxtonian and History teacher for many years; Trevon Baird, an anthropologist; and Mureen Grahame, Junior Bailey and

Miracle Grahame.

“On this workshop the youth visited the Museum of African Heritage, The National Museum, The Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology and a tour of historical sites on the East Coast. Ms. June Ali of Plaisance gave the youth a tour and talk on the Plaisance Emancipation Monument which has the names of the 65 families who bought the village and is located in the compound of Zoar Congregational Church.

“In Buxton, they visited the monument that honours and has the names of the 400 plus young men who were killed execution-style during the extra-judicial killings of the Phantom Squad rampage in Guyana,” the organisation noted.

In Beterverwagting, the group visited the Emancipation Monument which is a memorial for 62 freed slaves who bought the village circa 1840 for $22,000.

In Victoria, they visited the Wilberforce Congregational Church 1845, the Cultural Centre Victoria compound which houses two monuments and the Emancipation hut which was constructed in 1840, and from which slaves were paid. The project is ongoing and has a documentary currently being made.

The participants engaging Trevon Baird in a fruitful discussion

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 1, 2018

This must be the year of the turn AS we welcome the New Year, it is in order to allow ourselves the freedom to imagine what is in store for Guyana these next twelve months. If last year is anything to go by, then we can be assured that it would be another testing year for our country. We are a nation in transition from an underdeveloped economy to one that could finally turn the corner towards some form of systemic relief from the pangs of that condition. How we navigate that transition, would determine how we fare in the long run. This coming year, therefore, could well turn out to be a pivotal one—Guyana’s year of the turn.

We have had the benefit of much advice from many quarters about the inherent challenges of a new petroleum-driven

economy. Clearly, there is much to learn, especially about our own the inevitable pitfalls. But, in the end we must chart our own destiny and in the process, make our own mistakes.

Our biggest challenge is our own internal so cio-political fragmenta tion. Somehow, 2018 must be the year of the turn away from the destruc tive politics of “us versus them.” Maybe, because we have said it so many times, it has become a cliché, without much seriousness therein. But, for the sake of our future, we must continue to believe that we are better than we have demonstrated thus far.

This must also be the year when we strengthen the social fabric which has taken a serious beating in the recent past. Our youth are sliding into a dangerous zone at a very

fast and furious pace. This, we cannot ignore, even as our national attention is focused on larger polit ical matters. Our young people must be rescued from the grasp of despair and alienation. This year must witness something big and all-encompass ing that shines more light on a different future that is grounded in a reality that our young people can identify with. This must be the year of the turn for our young people.

This past year we saw modest improvements in our education process as far as examination results are concerned. But as we face the coming period in our decolonization, we must return to the brilliant and uplifting education condition which was once the envy of even our then colonizers. Let this year be the year of the turn in

our journey back to the mountain top of education.

There can me no sustained economic development outside of that rebirth in our education system and process.

Let this year of the turn away from bigotry—racial and social-class bigotry.

Too often we have allowed ourselves to slip into that zone of otherization. Racism is the biggest scourge in our midst—it breeds other scourges. It sullies our politics and renders us helpless in the face of sinister threats to our oneness and jointness. Racism is man-made, and it can be unmade by human beings.

Let this year be the year when we, citizens of this piece of earth, stand up to the bigots among us, even if they are our leaders. We may be different in terms of cultural origins, but we are not historical enemies.

Let this year point us in a different direction—away from the belly of the beast of racism.

And to those who because of social wealth enjoy special privileges and have come to think that that is the natural order, we urge a turn in the direction of enlightened humanism.

Wealth and privilege are transitory, but humanity is sacrosanct. Let this be the year when Guyana fights back against the dehumanization of the poor at the expense of the rich.

And let this year also be the year of the turn for the safety of our young women in the face of male-driven violence. We have spilled the blood of too many young women, simply because they are women. But they are our mothers and sisters and daughters—they are human too. The nation must

in this new year erect barricades against anti-women violence—we have no other choice.

So, let this year be the year when violence against children flee our collective consciousness. When a society devours its children in the way we have done this past year, there must be a special hole in hell for us. Let this be the year when we turn our energies towards loving and protecting our children.

Let 2018 be Guyana’s year of the turn to the better instincts within us.

We are the descendants of the oppressed, not the oppressors. We are the children the downtrodden, not the downpressors. We are the survivors of slavery, not the enslavers. Let this be our year of the turn towards our rightful roots. Happy New Year Guyana.

Businesswoman Photographer robbed trailed from bank, robbed A 53-year-old businesswoman of New Hope, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was robbed of her valuables on Saturday in Cummings Street, Georgetown, by armed CG bandits.

Reports indicate that

after visiting a bank on the East Bank Demerara where she withdrew a large sum of cash, the businesswoman drove to a salon on Cummings Street, Georgetown.

Upon arrival there, the robbers stopped be-

hind her car and one of the suspects dismounted the motorcycle with a gun and approached her.

He pointed the gun at her and demanded that she hand over her brown shoulder bag that contained cash, valuables

and ID and Bank cards.

Fearful for her life, the woman surrendered her bag to the robber, who then returned to the motorcycle and escaped.

Police are investigating the robbery.

We l l - k n o w n p h o t o g r a p h e r, P a u l Kandasammy, was on Friday relieved of $163,000 and a gold chain valued $600,000 by two robbers on a motorcycle on Friday.

The robbery occurred while the 37-year-old was walking alone along Mandela Avenue in the vicinity of the National Cultural Centre.

Reports indicate

that one of the bandits dismounted the motorcycle and pointed a gun at Kandasammy who did not hesitate to hand over his valuables.

The photographer reportedly threw the cash on the ground and the gunmen picked it up. Not satisfied, the gunman ripped off his (Kandasammy) gold chain and calmly escaped on the motorcycle.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 1, 2018

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OP-ED

2017 was so EXTRA!

By Sherod Duncan

THE year 2017 for Guyana was unprecedented in almost every way. From the macro change in the Sugar Industry, the posturing of the Private Sector, the collision course averted with our Teachers Union, the road to the appointment of our GECOM Chairman, the COIs, and the alleged plot against the life of the President.

Then there were the Cabinet adjustments in ministerial appointments, senior appointments in the judiciary, the President’s first presser after a lengthy interlude, the declared non-corporation of the Opposition, the sheer drama of the parliamentary debates of Budgets Estimates 2018, just to name a few, issues came at the speed of light.

In the remaining hours of 2017 came also the APNU+AFC Coalition Government’s release of the Exxon Mobil Contract and the promise of the release of other contracts, which if anything tells us that as the curtains come down on 2017, it’s not over until it is over.

Regarding the Exx-

on Contract, if that single action was the only event of 2017 the year would still be on

and fiercest detractors; viewed as a step in the right direction toward a more responsible and

Sherod Duncan

the trajectory of being historic in a country emerging from a period in its history characterised by shady deals, opaque governance, and corrupt practices.

It is a course to which a nation with the winds in its sails, buoyed by already flowing oil revenue in the Signing Bonus, must never return.

If the public sentiments through the letter columns and Social Media are any sounding board then the Government’s decision has received huge praise; even by some of its harshest critics

transparent Government.

On the eve of 2015’s historic National and Regional Elections which brought our

Government to power, at the final rally at the Square of the Revolution amidst a sea of green and yellow, songbird Lisa Punch belted out her cover of Sam Cooke’s soaring ballad, ‘A Change is Gonna Come’ foreshadowing the people’s verdict and vote.

When we went to the polls and ushered in a new dispensation and leaders of our choosing to translate our manifesto in policies for The Good Life which matched our vision of the future, we were choosing CHANGE over the status quo, ideas over ideological and sometimes moral bankruptcy; hope over fear. We NEED change.

With all that has transpired in 2017, by comparison 2018

could be a boring year.

Yet in the drudge, and toil, ebb and flow, lull, love and labour that is the administration of the ship of State, the Government has a responsibility to all of its citizens to produce the change that we expect at all levels of Guyanese society.

Faltered we have, stumbled we did. He who is without sin let him cast the first stone.

Reposed in this government, still, at home and abroad is tremendous goodwill. If we could have surmounted the challenges of this past year, then surely we can rise to the occasion of 2018 and continue to deliver

change in Education, in Health, in Public Infrastructure, in Public Security, in Business; and in every other sector, Public and Private.

And each citizen has a duty not only to demand a fulfillment of the promise of change, but in the words of India’s famous son, Mahatma Gandhi, ‘Become the change you want to see in the world’.

2017, Boomout! Guyana, all the best for the New Year.

(Sherod Avery Duncan is a Legal and Communications Professional; former Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Georgetown).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 1, 2018

Scenes from Old Year’s Night

Photos by: Adrian Narine

& Kennyann Bacchus

Prime Minister Moses Nagamooto and Mrs Sita Nagamootoo at the Old Year’s Night Party at Camp Ayanganna. They were received by Colonel Hussain of the Guyana Defence Force and were joined by Commissioner of Police (ag) David Ramnarine.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and wife Mrs Sita Nagamooto at the Guyana Defence Force’s Old Year’s Night Ball

The Great Diamond Church of God ushered in the new year with a holy gospel

A family at the Guyana Defence Force’s Old Year’s Night Ball

As expected, the congregation of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was large as persons sought the blessings of the Almighty on the eve of the new year

Residents of Roxanne Burnham Gardens turned out in their numbers to worship at the Alpha Apostolic Tabernacle

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 1, 2018

11,794 gallons of illegal diesel, gasoline seized –– five convicted for fuel smuggling in 2017

SOME 11,794 gallons of illegal diesel and gasoline were seized in 36 joint operations, while five persons were convicted for fuel smuggling in 2017, the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) said.

of inspectors across the different regions in Guyana to take and test samples of fuel to determine whether it has been legitimately imported into the country.

GEA Legal Officer Thandiewe Benn said the

Fuel found abandoned in the Protected Area of the National Park earlier this year According to the energy agency in a release, the Fuel Marking Division (FMD) continues to work ardently in the fight against fuel smuggling.

As part of its mandate, the GEA dispatches teams

five convictions recorded in 2017 bring the total number of convictions, since the implementation of the Fuel Marking Programme in 2004, to 49.

The work of the GEA in the interdiction of offenders

is supported by the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Guyana Defence Force’s Coast Guard.

In July, 2017, the GEA and GRA also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in an effort to continue cooperation and collaboration in the conduct and monitoring of petroleum operations.

Under the MoU, both parties continue to share information, conduct joint investigations and surveillance and use their resources to guard against fuel- smuggling activities.

The FMD inspectorate arm continues to conduct surveillance activities on suspects in the fuel-smuggling network with support from the aforementioned agencies.

To date, several persons and their suspected areas of operations have been under surveillance at various times and at least 37 operations have been conducted during the nights,targeting suspected smuggling operations.

The joint operations, as well as surveillance operations, have contributed significantly to the unearthing of illegal fuel in 2017.

Inmate tries to smuggle narcotics into prison A PRISONER was on Saturday apprehended as he attempted to smuggle narcotics into the Timehri Prison.

Superintendent Ma-

The illegal narcotics the prisoner was trying to smuggle into the compound

hendra Singh and ranks of the Timehri Police Station made the bust on the prisoner, identified as 36-yearold Ramanand Latchman.

According to reports, the inmate, who was working in the prison garden, was seen behaving in a suspicious manner and a check on him found he was in possession of narcotics.

Also on Saturday, a team of policemen from the Timehri Police Station, acting on intelligence, arrested two 16 -year-old boys and a 21-year-old man of Hyde Park, Timehri, with 1500 grammes of cannabis stuffed in a haversack.

The men were busted at Cemetery Road, Hyde Park, Timehri. They are expected to be changed soon.

The cannabis that was seized from the three suspects at Cemetery Road, Hyde Park, Timehri

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GDF approves 594 promotions COMMANDER-in-CHIEF, President David Granger has approved the promotions of 35 officers and 559 other ranks with effect from January, with two ranks being promoted with effect from January 1, 2017.

Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Patrick West, who made the announcement, said the promotions were made in accordance with Part III Section 16 of the Defence Act 15:01 of 1977.

Heading the list of promotion of officers is substantive Major Michael Shahoud, who was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, along with three other majors.

Five captains were promoted to the rank of major while two acting and 19 Second Lieutenants were promoted to substantive Lieutenants.

Acting Lieutenant (Coast Guard) Travis Mor-

Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Patrick West gan was promoted to substantive Lieutenant (Coast Guard) and headed the Coast Guard promotion list, while substantive Captain, Althea Stuart, who was promoted to the rank of major, was the only officer promoted from the Guyana People’s Militia.

Acting Warrant Officer Class 2, Eteki Stuart, head-

ed the list of Other Ranks promotion, while substantive Petty Officer, Everette Tudor, of the Coast Guard was promoted to Senior Petty Officer, while acting Staff Sergeant, Mark Bovell of the Guyana People’s Militia was confirmed in his rank.

At the Coast Guard, 62 ratings were promoted to new ranks while 41 were confirmed in their present ranks; totalling 103.

The Guyana People’s Militia Promoted 58 soldiers to new ranks while confirming 12 in their present ranks. The other 386 represented 229 newly-promoted and 157 confirmed in their present ranks in the regular Force.

The Chief-of-Staff, officers and ranks of the Guyana Defence Force extend congratulations to all of the newly-promoted officers and ranks.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 1, 2018

Passport, Immigration Office for Linden by June 2018

RESIDENTS of Linden and surrounding communities in Region 10 will soon benefit from a $30M Passport and Immigration Office.

Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix; Regional, Chairman of Region 10, Renis Morian and Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Presidency, Abena Moore, on Saturday turned the sod to

mark the start of construction of the new office.

The office will be located at Lot 43 Mackenzie, Linden on the right side of the Demerara River.

During brief remarks, Minister Felix noted that the 2,000 square foot building, when completed, will be the fulfillment of a promise made by the Coalition Government to decentralise

immigration services.

“This Government is delivering to its people, not just on promises but on making their lives better by bringing services out of Georgetown to where they are. To remove the need to be lining up and delays,” Minister Felix said.

Minister Felix highlighted that the office will begin to process other services such as birth and death reg-

Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix; Regional, Chairman of Region 10, Renis Morian; and Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of the Presidency, Abena Moore officially break the ground to mark the start of construction for the new Passport and Immigration Office

istry, among others.

He noted the improvements made within the immigration sector over the past two years and added that the Government is in the process of digitising all of its services, including the immigration department.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian said the construction of the office is a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to bring infrastructural development to the regions of Guyana.

“It will remove a lot of

stress and hassle from residents, especially those coming from Kwakwani and soon we might have a sub-office in the Upper Demerara/ Upper-Berbice area.”

According to Morian, 15 years ago, residents made the call for such an investment into the region and “today it has been answered.”

Outgoing Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland who expressed satisfaction, noted that “This was something that I was pushing for and as I am leaving I am happy to

see it taking place upon my leaving.”

June 2018 is the date set for completion of the new passport and immigration office. The current office is being housed in the Linden, NIS building.

Recently, there was another sod-turning exercise in Fort Ordnance, Canjie Berbice for the construction of a passport office at that location. Additionally, offices will be constructed in Regions Two, Seven and Eight. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 1, 2018

When you know better, you do better

THE beginning of the year is always a good time to start as you mean to go on.

Some people make a New Year’s resolution to change something or to try something they have never done before.

Our willingness to do better for the coming year can mean that we are aware that there are areas in our lives that need improving. So let’s take a look at some areas where children tend to get a ‘raw deal’ from adults, maybe if you identify with one of them, you can make a New Year’s resolution to do better for your child or children in 2018.

Access: This is a message to all parents who are not allowing their child (or children) to see their estranged mother or father.

Please think about the psychological affect this is having on your child (or children).

You may not witness the damage you are causing at this stage of your development but there is a real possibility that this childhood trauma will affect your child when he/she is an adult. As a parent you may need to make sacrifices for your children and regardless

of what ‘you’ may think of your ex, (or the pain you may have suffered) your child is biologically linked to that person for life and therefore has the right to have a relationship with him/her. Unless the estranged parent is a child molester or an abuser, or does not want anything to do with their child, why not try to come to an amicable arrangement for the sake of your child’s development and well-being.

Quality time: This is a message to parents whose busy lifestyles often means that they seldom spend quality time with their children: This problem affects many parents in today’s society. If you can consciously set aside some quality time for interacting with your child without interruption or distraction (e.g. mobile phones and/or television should be switched off) it would certainly help with your child’s confidence and development.

During ‘quality time’ children should be encouraged to speak about (their day at school and) things that they may have experienced.

And parents need to listen and pay genuine

attention: exchanging information, asking questions and giving advice to their children where necessary. The next best thing to ‘quality time’ is ‘any’ time possible: For instance, you can share some meaningful conversations with your child while you’re cooking in the kitchen or when you pick him/her up from school. Parents need to ‘visit’ and ‘spend’ more time in their child’s world. This will help them to enhance their child’s development with nurturing, guidance and love.

Patience and self-control: This message is for the many frustrated parents who take out ‘their’ stress on their children by way of verbal abuse and/or beating. Every day you degrade your children in different ways and your children silently suffer as a result. Verbal abuse, which is, name calling, criticising, talking down to and belittling a child, can cause psychological damage to your child for life. Parents, you need to show respect to your child by exercising a little patience and self-control. When grown-

ups make mistakes, they get away with it but when children make mistakes they get beat and some parents beat their children mercilessly. These are usually parents who were badly beaten as children themselves.

For the New Year why not consider different ways to reprimand your child? There are several alternatives to verbally abusing and/ or beating them. Many children are raised without getting beat. In order to provide the best childhood possible and to enable a child to develop holistically: you must analyse your actions towards your child and make the relevant changes to ‘your’ reactions and behaviour. Call the Childcare and Protection Agency and speak to a social worker for advice and information.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION If you are concerned about the welfare of a child you can ring the CPA hotline 227 0979 or email childcaregy@gmail.co

New Year’s message

Remain focused on nation-building, Harmon urges FELLOW Guyanese, I am happy to bring warmest felicitations and greetings of love, peace, joy and best wishes for the New Year.

The Guyanese Christmas and year-end celebrations are like no other anywhere in the world with our deep traditions, religious practices, spirit of camaraderie, and good neighbourliness and I know that wherever you live, you are enacting our unique way of celebrating these events amongst yourselves and with your families, neighbours and friends.

At this time of goodwill we must reflect and give due recognition to our citizens for their efforts and contributions to national development and the great-

er good and welfare of the wider society.

In this regard, I wish to thank all of you who have in some way contributed to the development of our country and the fostering of our nationhood.

I know that many of you are willing and ready to do more for our country and I wish to assure you that our Government will continue to provide ways and means to enable you to do so in the New Year.

As for your Government, we have in just over one month, passed the midterm of our Administration and we have spent the first half correcting the political fissures, social anomalies and economic imbalances in our society and to re-po-

sition our nation on a legitimate, balanced, viable and sustainable development trajectory on the basis of transparency and international best practices.

Our task has not been easy but with your assistance we have made significant progress.

The second half of our first term in office will see an intensification of our efforts to move this process along on the basis of social cohesion within our national green development strategy, even as we continue to nurture and promote a spirit of nationhood.

As we enter into a new year, it is customary for us to do some measure of stock taking.

As we so do, while

things have not always been perfect, I am happy to report that our Government has worked assiduously to improve the lot of all of our people, especially our workers and senior citizens with such measures as increasing the minimum wage of public servants by over 50 per cent, or from $39,540 to $60,000, while Old Age Pensions and Public Assistance increased from $17,000 to $19,500 and $6,500 to $8,000 per month, respectively, from 2015 to 2018.

We have provided G$31B in financial support to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) in order to prevent the total collapse of the sugar industry and to protect the livelihood of our

sugar workers.

The sugar industry is not being closed but consolidated and all avenues will be explored to ensure its return to financial viability.

We are also working assiduously to improve our ability to engage you, our citizens in the diaspora; to enable you to: re-settle if you wish to; to make available your skills resources and talents; or just to visit and have fun.

To our citizens in the diaspora, as we reflect on the past year, we look with great hope and expectation in the New Year.

As you would have heard in the recent presentation of the 2018 Budget, there will be increases in Government spending

Minister of State Joseph Harmon in the areas of education, public infrastructure, public health, agriculture and public security.

There is also great expectation with regard to the emerging oil and gas sector which promises brighter prospects for our development. Therefore, we should not be distracted but remain focused on the task of nation-building, each of us committed to the task of achieving the good life.

A blessed and prosperous New Year to you all!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 1, 2018

GPSU wants better relations with Gov’t

HAPPY New Year! May the Year 2018 bring all of Guyana the very best in every meaningful way. May our country climb to greater heights and may our people continue to prosper.

I extend these sentiments on my own behalf and on behalf of the Executive Council of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU). Most deservingly, may our members enjoy an uplifting New Year.

We in the GPSU have every reason to look forward to the New Year. The year that is now behind us was eventful in more ways than one and suffice to say, that we look forward to 2018 being a better year for our members.

Betterment, of course, has to be derived, in the first in-

stance, from our relationship with our members’ employer, the Government of Guyana. We have done our own painstaking evaluation of that relationship and the conclusion that we reached is that much is left to be desired.

In various ways and on various occasions since the accession of the APNU-AFC administration to office, the GPSU had alluded to its desire for a qualitative change in its relationship with Government. I say, unhesitatingly that our wish still remains to be fulfilled. We had hoped, perhaps above all else, that the winds of change would bring with them a relationship grounded in principle, in trust and in an enhanced official recognition of the critical importance of our members, the nation’s public servants.

Our biggest, better-sweet disappointment has to do with what we believe to be the volte-face executed by the APNU-AFC administration with regard to its undertaking whilst in Opposition, to focus frontally on a number of burning issues impacting both on the livelihoods and conducive work environment to augment the performance of public servants.

Here, it is apposite to recall some of those issues including: 1. The reinstatement of the agency fees agreement 2. The issuing of outstanding certifications of recognition 3. The finalisation of the Recognition Agreement to represent employees of the Guyana Revenue Authority 4. The restoration of Collective Bargaining 5. Remuneration of fair and realistic allowances 6. Debunching and payment in scale increments 7. The full and meaningful implementation of the Cabinet decision for sweeper/cleaners and 8. The return of GPSU real estate seized by the PPP/C Administration and the administration‘s tangible and meaningful support for the full and effective operation of the GPSU Sports Complex which exists for the recreation of its members and adjourning communities.

The neglect of these issues, to this very date, we say unapologetically, is reflective of an unacceptable absence of appreciation for the sacrifice and the attendant suffering which public servants continue to endure in the hope of ‘a better day.’

The GPSU had hoped, as well, that the APNU-AFC administration would set its face against the unwanted intervention by the ‘dead hand’ of political intervention in the workings of the Public Service of our country. That, decidedly, has not been the case. Recently, elements of the incumbent administration deemed it appropriate to ‘engineer’ the return to the Public Service of a functionary who, not a hundred years ago, was removed from the employ of the Government for valid disciplinary reasons.

Additionally, there have been several acts in conflict with the legitimate decisions of constitutional bodies. We condemn these acts of political interference and the institutions responsible for their administration.

No one can justifiably deny the protracted struggles of our members against the backdrop of numerous challenges. At this time we reflect on those commitments offered by the present political administration during its tenure See page 13

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 1, 2018

2018 peaceful and progressive GPSU wants better ... Make –– Indian Action Committee From page 12

in opposition, to place the welfare and well-being of Public Servants much higher on Government’s agenda. We say, regrettably, but without fear of contradiction, that there exists no persuasive evidence that it has kept its word. Politicians on all sides of the political divide continue to evince what, in our view, is an absence of sufficient regard for the value of the Public Servant. Here, it is not only a question of their labour being decidedly undervalued but also the value of their capabilities being cast aside.

It remains the position of the GPSU that the quality of its relationship with Government can be measured only in terms of the extent to which the administration holding office demonstrates a strong and transparent mindfulness for the interests of our members. In this regard the GPSU wishes to restate its continued willingness to work with the incumbent administration towards that end, though we wish to make clear our determination to remain unrelenting and uncompromising in our quest to compel the Government to honor its promises and its obligations.

As we look towards this New Year let us not forget, brothers and sisters, but remember that there is strength in numbers, as we work together for the betterment of all.

In closing, I would like to emphasise my sincere wishes for betterment, good health, safety and prosperity, to you, my fellow workers and your families for 2018.

Long live the Cooperative Republic of Guyana!

Long live the Guyana Public Service Union!

THE Indian Action Committee (IAC) wishes all Guyanese a happy and prosperous New Year.

The IAC, in its vision for a happy and prosperous 2018 wishes to have a safer and secure society; to observe improved relations between the Government and the Opposition; that all matters pertaining to the development of the petroleum industry in Guyana be made transparent and full accountability ensured; that a special public programme be established for the benefit of the thousands of dislocated sugar workers who are currently facing severe economic hardship and

a bleak future; to see the retraining of and issuing of the former sugar lands to retrenched sugar workers; to witness the allocation of commercial space for small vendors; to see the urgent repair of the crumbling Linden Soesdyke Highway; to have more overseas markets for Guyana’s rice; to view drastic reductions in incidents of spousal abuse, substance abuse, and suicide; to observe increased gold production to offset decline in gold prices in 2018; to notice improved educational standards to counter declining results, especially in Mathematics and English; to have increased youth employment both

on the coast and the hinterland; and to see improved living conditions for the less fortunate elderly citizens.

The IAC wishes to inform all Guyanese, especially those of Indo-Guyanese origin that the organisation will continue to pursue vigorously its three foci: cultural, educational and social work.

A high point will be the observance of the 180th year since the first batch of Indian indentured immigrants was brought to these shores.

The IAC encourages all citizens and leaders to make 2018 a peaceful and progressive year, in which the economy experiences growth and development which is necessary for social cohesion and national unity.

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Let’s work together to transform Guyana –– People’s National Congress Reform

HAPPY New Year! May prosperity come to every home, family and community across the far-flung regions of our country.

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) extends greetings for a Happy New Year to all Guyanese at home and in the diaspora.

The PNCR and its coalition partners in Government, last year, faced many challenges. Thankfully, we are better together than asunder.

As the New Year dawns, the PNCR

calls on all Guyanese, regardless of race, ethnicity, political affiliation or religion, to participate in bringing about the transformation of our country so that Guyana’s vast resources may, at last, be made to serve the imperative for development and social advancement of all the people of Guyana.

On this, the first day of the New Year, it is our hope that all of us will realise a measure of prosperity in our personal lives and that each of us, wherever we may be, will endeavour to make

some contribution, however small, to the development of our country.

The PNCR, therefore, looks forward to participating, as it has successfully done in the past, in the continuing drive for the peaceful development of this dear land of ours. The party wishes all Guyanese a very Happy New Year and looks forward to 2018 with optimism and hope.

May God bless our nation as we strive to provide a good life for all Guyanese!

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 1, 2018

City Hall promises better service

TODAY marks the beginning of a New Year. Many citizens would have made their New Year’s resolutions which encompassed growth, change and development in different aspects of their lives and that of their families.

It is always good that as we celebrate the end of another year, to reflect on our accomplishments and challenges, this can help us to charter a new course.

However, in order for our resolutions to become a reality there must be commitment to plan, stated goals, objectives, coupled with the virtues of sacrifice, determination, hard work and a will to actualised change.

Otherwise, all our resolutions would only be wishful thinking.

At the Council we have resolved to improve service delivery capacity in all areas. This means that we must employ new work strategies, mechanisms and procedures to sustainably provide vital services at a higher level, to all local communities in the New Year.

The Council’s focus is to build stronger relationships with local neighbourhoods and other critical stakeholders; through community projects that would cater to the diversities of social, economic, cultural and environmental needs of those areas.

This can only be achieved if we foster a deeper culture of co-operative governance. Hence, it is imperative that there be effective communication, meaningful dialogue and consistent interactions at every level.

We are aware that the success of our plans and projects depends on the active participation of all citizens. The Council cannot build communities in isolation of its citizens.

The Year 2017, was a difficult one for the Council but it is important that we collectively confront the challenges that are ahead with cooperation, collective wisdom and strength.

We must move away from the notion which enunciates, that “it is not my business let the Council fix it”. It is important that we understand that citizens are the real custodians of the City and the City managers are stewards entrusted with special responsibilities.

It is our hope that in 2018, all local communities would work with the Council to advance the interest of the City. Therefore, when you make your resolutions include the advancement of the City and its environs.

May the peace of God keep us all in 2018; we wish you all happy and healthy 2018.

God bless you all.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 1, 2018

Seize opportunity out of a crisis –– Incoming CARICOM chair, Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse

THE New Year dawns for the Caribbean Community, with the prospect of seizing an opportunity out of a crisis. As we begin the rebuilding process after the devastating hurricanes of last September, as well Hurricane Matthew, which pounded the region on October 3-4, 2016, we do so with the aim of creating the first climate resilient region in the world.

The absolute necessity to create a climate smart region is clear given the effects of climate change which have brought us droughts, mega hurricanes, heavy floods and unusual weather patterns, all of which adversely affect our development.

The social and economic gains that we have made individually and collectively must be protected against the onslaught of nature.

The CARICOM member states’, as well as the region’s non-member states’ production of greenhouse gases, is practically nil, even though they bear a disproportionate share of the consequences.

The goodwill and pledges which have been forthcoming from the international community at two major global conferences in New York and Paris, give us hope that the necessary support to achieve our objective will be forthcoming.

Our efforts are against the backdrop of the Caribbean Community Strategic Plan for the period 2015-19, which is our guide towards the economic, social, environmental and technological resilience that is needed to produce sustained growth and development for our community.

This year, we will increase our efforts to make the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) more effective at providing the basis for our economic growth.

Many of the major legislative and administrative measures for the operations of the Single Market are in effect. Therefore it is now up to all of the stakeholders in the public and private sectors to ensure we derive the maximum benefit from its provisions.

This would enable us to increase our intra-regional trade, share our best human resources, and encourage our entrepreneurs to expand their interests and provide us with a platform to move from market access to market presence in those countries with which we have trade agreements.

The CSME undoubtedly remains our best vehicle for creating the economic resilience we need.

The reform process underway in our community will allow us to conduct our affairs more efficiently and

effectively, and will also benefit the operations of the CSME. Our member states, regional institutions and the secretariat have been streamlining their interactions to produce the best possible results from the decisions taken by the Heads of Government and the Ministerial Councils.

We are entering the final two years of the strategic plan and the results of the three partners’ efforts at implementing it are beginning to bear fruit.

The solidity and efficiency of that partnership will be tested, as never before given the magnitude of the rebuilding task ahead of us. We have to rebuild with resilience now to forestall damage in the future, in other words, to build back better. I am confident that the creativity and determination of our people will allow us to achieve that goal.

As I assume the chairmanship of the Conference of Heads of Government, I must thank my predecessor, the

Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr. the Rt. Honourable Keith Mitchell, for his outstanding performance in leading the Community during one of the most difficult periods in our history. I look forward to building on his achievements.

With assistance from all, we shall maintain our Community on a path to sustainable development and a safe, secure, viable and prosperous society. Among issues I intend to advance during my tenure will be those related to natural disasters and climate change

Haiti looks forward to welcoming the Community to its shores in February, as we gather for the 29th Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government. The warmth and hospitality of the Haitian people await you.

May I take this opportunity to wish all our CARICOM citizens a very Happy and productive New Year, as we work together to continue building a resilient Community that advances the interests of all its citizens.

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‘Somebody dropped the ball’ - Sir Viv on Beaton suspect action

CMC – LEGENDARY former captain, Sir Vivian Richards, believes someone in the current West Indies setup should have picked up on fast bowler Ronsford Beaton’s suspect action before he reached international level.

Beaton was reported to the International Cricket Council for a suspect bowling action, following the second One-Day International against New Zealand in Christchurch last week.

The 25-year-old Guyanese had made his debut in the first ODI in Whangarei just days prior.

Beaton previously represented West Indies Under-19s, West Indies A and was also called up for the Afghanistan Twenty20s earlier this year, though he failed to get a game.

Sir Viv said with the player having gone through so many of the different stages of West Indies cricket, the onus was on coaches to identify these types of flaws.

“He [Windies bowling

coach Roderick Estwick] is supposed to have the know-how and the technical knowledge as to how to get these guys and correct them and these guys [players] would have been through that particular department for quite some time to try and rectify all that,” Sir Viv told the Observer newspaper here.

“Here now he goes on tour and he is reported and especially around individuals who would have been given the responsibility to make sure that this guy; all is fine with him and that’s why he is on tour; so somebody dropped the ball somewhere guys.”

Beaton has impressed in the shorter formats of recent. In the last Regional Super50 earlier this

year, he claimed 14 wickets at 20 runs apiece and also picked up 11 wickets at an economy rate of 7.7 runs in the Caribbean Premier League this year.

He was selected for the ongoing T20 series against the Black Caps but was forced to return home after picking up a side strain.

Beaton is the second West Indies bowler in the last five months to be reported for a suspect action, with parttime off-spinner Kraigg Brathwaite suffering the same fate following the first Test against England last August.

Beaton is now required to undergo testing within 14 days but can continue bowling until results of these tests are known.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Sheldon Cottrell-5 wickets (2) Trent Boult-10 wickets Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the highest individual score made by

a WI in the recent ODI series against NZ? (2) What was the highest individual score by a NZ player?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

American Racing Tips Gulfstream Park Race 1 Beautiful Ally Race 2 Takeittotheedge Race 3 Brandy’s Girl Race 4 Titochip Race 5 Clemson And Watson Race 6 Shahroze Race 7 El Guerrero Azteca Race 8 Freudian Fall Race 9 Sandy’z Slew Irish Racing Tips Fairyhouse 08:20 hrs Dortmund Park 08:55 hrs Martello Park 09:30 hrs Oscars Den 10:05 hrs Patricks Park 10:40 hrs Sutton Place 11:15 hrs White Arm 11:45 hrs Fullasthesea South Africa Racing Tips Durbanville 08:27 hrs Essenceoflife 09:02 hrs Hooves Of Thunder 09:37 HRS Trip To Ibiza

10:12 hrs Meraki 10:47 hrs Zanadu 11:22 hrs Hemmingway 11:55 hrs Forehand English Racing Tips Cheltenham 08:15 hrs Springtown Lake 08:50 hrs Southfield Theatre 09:25 hrs Willoughby Court 10:00 hrs Top Gamble 10:35 hrs Red Rising 11:10 hrs Wholestone 11:45 hrs Volcano Musselburgh 08:30 hrs Je Suis Charlie 09:05 hrs Cresswell Legend 09:40 hrs Upsilon Bleu 10:15 hrs Sir Chauvelin 10:50 hrs Benny’s Secret 11:25 hrs Smiling Jessica Southwell 08:35 hrs Powerful Society 09:10 hrs Pearl Castle 09:45 hrs Memories Galore 10:20 hrs Custard The Dragon 10:55 hrs Mama Africa 11:30 hrs Mr Coco Bean

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 1, 2018

GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF)

Extra Time

PRESS RELEASE

GFF SUPER 16 YEAREND CLASSIC FINALS AND THIRD-PLACE PLAYOFF ON TODAY, 2018 – Teams Ready For The Big Showdown – Jamaican Artist ‘Beenie Man’ To Feature In Post-Match Entertainment

The curtains will come down on the GFF Super 16 Yearend Classic on January 1, 2018 with the Guyana Defence Force FC battling Grove Hi-Tech FC for the two million dollars first prize and Fruta Conquerors FC pursuing the one million dollars second prize against Milerock FC in the third-place playoff. The action will take place at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora beginning at 18:30hrs with the final match scheduled for 21:00hrs.

In an invited comment, Assistant Coach of the GDF FC, Seon Prince said his team is ready for the challenge: “We are well prepared. Our guys are pumped right now, waiting for the first and last whistle tomorrow. We are ready for any encounter, any battle, because

at the end of the day, we are the army and we always say we want to defend our border, defend our country so when we go out there tomorrow, it’s all about defending Guyana and the GDF FC. We are not taking any team lightly, we are not underestimating anyone but we’ll go out there to play the same kind of football that we are accustomed playing and played the other night. We are confident that we will be victorious.”

Grove Hi-Tech FC, who has emerged from their underdog position having defeated Western Tigers FC, Guyana Police Force FC and Fruta Conquerors FC respectively to cement their place in the final is also ready for a great match.

Head Coach Levi Braithwaite: “Since Friday last when we

played Fruta Conquerors FC in the semi-finals, we had a relaxing Saturday and did a recovery session today, relaxed our muscles, had a team talk and set out our team plan.

Tomorrow, we’ll be out and set in our game plan, stick to each other, defend and attack as a unit and we’ll work together.

We’ve been working hard throughout this tournament and it’s a well-deserved final for us, we’ll put our best foot forward and, as I usually say, may the best team win. Our team will be the best team tomorrow night and you can bet on that because we’ve been working really hard towards that goal.”

Meanwhile, as part of the grand finale, the GFF has prepared an exciting entertainment package for the fans

featuring Jamaican dancehall reggae artist, Beenie Man. The Grammy-award performer who is also a lover of football is looking forward to his performance and the fans in Guyana.

He is expected to give a good package including some of the popular hits from his many albums. The third-place prize of the GFF Super 16 Yearend Classic is five hundred thousand dollars and the fourthplaced team will take away two hundred and fifty thousand dollars together with football equipment including balls and cones.

For more information, please contact: DEBRA FRANCIS (MS.) Communications and Public Relations Officer

PRODUCED BY THE GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF) AND DESIGNED BY THE GUYANA CHRONICLE

For further Information or should you have questions/comments , please contact: General Secretary Guyana Football Federation (GFF) 17 Dadanawa Street, Section “K” Campbelville, Georgetown TEL: +1 592 227 8758 ext. 102 FAX: +1 592 225 2096

e-mail: gff@networksgy.com WEBSITE: www.gffonline.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/GuyanaFootballFederationInc INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/guyana_football_federation_inc/ SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/guyana-football-federation-inc LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/guyana-football-federation-inc TWITTER: @GFF_Inc_

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RHTY&SC Christmas Village and Charity Programme a massive success The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club’s drive to make a positive difference continues to bear fruit with the successful hosting of a massive and highly successful 3rd Annual Christmas Village and 27th Annual Christmas Charity Programme.

The Christmas Village was hosted in the compound of the Rose Hall Town Primary School from the 21st to 24th of December, 2017, and was visited by thousands of exciting children and their parents while the Charity Programme was hosted from the 1st to 23rd December, 2017.

The Christmas Village saw the compound of the historic school being transformed into a dreamland with thousands of fairy lights, a 20-foot Christmas Tree, a fancy children’s home, the Nativity scene with a specially-constructed manger, Christmas star, inflatable Christmas scene, Toy Shop, plyboard cut-outs of Christmas characters, Santa and his sleigh and Christmas Angels,

among others.

The Village also consisted

of two trampolines donated

by Namilco and the Power

Some of the children attending the Christmas Party posed with their goody-bags and toys.

Producers & Distributors Inc, bouncy castles and a children’s game section sponsored by V Net Communications of Georgetown.

The four-night event was a massive success with over seven thousand children visiting, despite the current rainy season.

The ten cricket teams used the opportunity to promote their Say No/Say Yes message which advices youths to Say No to Drugs, Suicide, Alcohol, Crime and Yes to Education, Life, Religion and Sports. Among the major sponsors of the Christmas Village were Sueria Manufacturing, Namilco, Peter Lewis Construction, Nand Persaud Co. Ltd, Scotia Bank, KSM Investment, V Net Communications, The Nero’s family of the United States of America, Bakewell, Starr Computers, Errol Hendrax and friends of the United States of America, Guyana National Newspaper Limited and Farfan & Mendes Ltd.

UDFA GT Beer Final…

RHT congratulates Campbelle, $1.2M at stake as Botofago and Net Rockers lock horns Gajnabi and Anderson on copping GCB Awards THE patron, president and members of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, would like to congratulate our club members who received awards at the recent Guyana Cricket Board 2017 Awards Ceremony.

Shemaine Campbelle, Shabeka Gajnabi and Kevlon Anderson continued our rich tradition of receiving awards for outstanding performances while member Esuan Crandon has also made us proud with his coaching of the Guyana senior cricket team.

Campbelle for the sixth time copped the Guyana Female Cricketer of the Year Award while Gajnabi took home the Most Promising Female Cricketer Award.

The promising Anderson received two awards for his outstanding performance at the Under-17 level.

The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club is proud of each of the awardees and as an organisation, we salute them for being outstanding ambassadors and role models.

The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, would like to recommit itself to maintaining its reputation as one of Guyana’s leading cricket clubs and to continue investing heavily into the careers of our members on and off the cricket field.

We would in a fitting way honour Esuan Crandon during the Awards Ceremony for his brilliant performance as Guyana’s senior cricket coach.

Congrats are also extended to our honorary member, Bhaskar Yadram, on being named the National Junior Cricketer of the Year and his selection on the West Indies Under-19 team.

Esuan Crandon would receive the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, highest award, the Dolphin Award of Excellence for his outstanding performance as a cricketer, coach and role model.

NET Rockers and Botafago will clash this evening for the 2017/2018 Upper Demerara Football Association’s (UDFA)GT Beer title at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

This final will follow the third place playoff game

between beaten former champions, Silver Shattas and Eagles United from 19.00hrs.

The night cap final from 21.00hrs should be a tactical display of the exuberance of youth and skills, even if under testing conditions on a

very heavy outfield caused by recent rains.

Coach of Net Rockers, Eyon ‘Axeman’ Wills said the recent result when his side had brushed aside the reigning champions, Silver Shattas 4-1. He summed it up all by saying it was a

clear indication of the mood the team was in.

Botafago, led by Anthony ‘Toto’ Stephens, expressed some concerns over insufficient practice over the last two days due to the inclement weather pattern.

Canada Surplus (Guyana) supports RHTY&SC cricket teams PLANS by the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club to expand its cricket development programme in 2018, received a massive boost when Canada Surplus (Guyana) donated $100 000 and a large quantity of educational materials.

The donation which was organised by club member, Royston Crandon, was timely as they unveiled major plans to expand the Club’s programme as it strives to maintain its status as one of Guyana’s leading cricket clubs.

Club Secretary/CEO, Hilbert Foster, expressed gratitude to the company and its president, Pramchand Pitam Punwasi, for the contribution which would be used to purchase

cricket balls and coaching equipment for the cricket season.

Foster stated that the programme is scheduled to start in February 2018, due to massive restoration work being done on the Area ‘H’ Ground and the current rainy season.

Once the upgrade of the ground is completed, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club would start an all-year training programme consisting of an elite 50-member Junior squad.

Foster explained that the members of the elite squad are the future stars of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and include several national and Berbice players.

Among the players are Kelvin Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Keith Simpson, Chanderpaul Govindan, Tyrese Sealey, Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Vijay Gopilall, Lucas Arthur, Sylus Tyndall, Uma Matadin, Mariam Samaroo, Angelino Ramdihal, Christopher Deroop, Matthew Pattaya, Reyad Rahaman, Joshua Wilson, Matthew Prass, Tyrese Park, Vishal Naidu, Sanjay Singh and Jeremy Sandia.

The Programme will include three days compulsory cricket practice, daily physical fitness sessions, classroom lectures and a series of cricket matches against other cricket clubs drawn from across Guyana.

There will be a monthly junior cricketer incentive scheme to honour outstanding players. Personal cricket gears will be given to members as well as assistance for their attendance at school.

Educational matters on the history, rules, tradition and records of cricket, as well as plans for the construction of an indoor cricket practice facility will be forwarded.

The club’s developmental programme would be headed by Ravindranauth Kissoonlall, while he would be supported by Mark Papannah, Shawn Pereira, Keith Hicks, Sohan Harry, while the Club Secretary/ CEO would sit in at meetings as an advisor.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 1, 2018

GKC celebrates the holidays with Joshua House THE Guyana Karate College (GKC) spent a morning with the youths of the Joshua House Children Centre in Georgetown in keeping with their local tradition around the holidays.

Vice President and Senior Instructor of the GKC, Shihan Jeffrey Wong, said that while most will celebrate Christmas and ringing in the New Year with family, close friends and loved ones, they wanted the children of this orphanage to

feel loved and appreciated.

The GKC started the day off for the children with a breakfast, then treated them to a karate demonstration before interacting and taking photographs with them.

The karatekas of the Guyana Karate College who are always proud to support philanthropic causes, related how they found the experience with the children to be very fulfilling, particularly when

Grove, GDF collide in tonight’s GFF ‘Year-End Classic’ final - Fruta Conquers play Milerock FC in third place game

THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Grove Hi-Tech will battle in tonight’s Guyana Football Federation (GFF) ‘Super 16’ Year-End Classic Final at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, with $2M up for grabs for the winner. Kick-off time is 21:00 hours.

Fruta Conquerors, who were shockingly defeated by Grove Hi-Tech in the semi-finals, would face Linden’s Milerock FC in the third place playoff. The winner will pocket $500,000 and the team finishing fourth will have to settle for $250,000.

Meanwhile, the finals is expected to be a ‘humdinger’, given the fact that GDF--the GFF’s Elite League ‘champs’-will face their toughest opposition of the tournament in

Grove Hi-Tech, after having easily disposed of the rest of the competition.

Jeffrey Pereira, Sherwyn Caesar, Delroy Fraser and Delwin Fraser, along with Eusi Phillips, are the usual marksmen for the GDF, while Domini Garnett, Grove Hi-Tech’s captain, will depend on Curtez Kellman and Kelsey Benjamin.

A guarantee of $1M will go to either side, but that depends on what’s the result after the final whistle is blown, since the winner will collect double the amount.

The GFF is also promising an unforgettable after-game concert, featuring a surprise artiste, who is no stranger to the stages in Guyana and is one of the most popular figures in the Dancehall genre.

they got to see the smiling faces of these young residents and got to talk with them.

Peter Campayne who chairs the Guyana Karate College sub-committee which has responsibility for social development, indicated that they believe in providing a child with an education, which will serve them for the rest of their lives.

Additionally, the GKC plans to donate household items, food, toiletries, sheets and bath towels to the Joshua House Children Centre during 2018.

Shihan Jeffrey Wong talking to the children of Joshua House whilst having breakfast

GKC celebrates the holidays with Joshua House

GDF strike squad! (L-R) Jeffrey Pereira, Sherwyn Caesar, Delroy Fraser and Delwin Fraser.

See page 31

See story on page 31

Grove, GDF collide in tonight’s GFF ‘Year-End Classic’ final

- Fruta Conquers play Milerock FC in third place game

‘Somebody dropped the ball’ See page 28

- Sir Viv on Beaton suspect action

Ronsford Beaton 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

MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 2018