Guyana chronicle e paper 01 10 2018

UG, UWI in move to revitalise Lokono language Page 17

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2018

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5000 jobs saved at GuySuCo No. 105150

(VAT Inclusive)

…Min Holder says Pa3ge several sugar workers absorbed into public sector

…govt’s action prevented 9000 from being laid-off Bishop charged with rape Page 20

Free pap smear Page 4

–– as Cancer Institute encourages early testing to arrest cervical cancer

British High Commissioner to Guyana Gregg Quinn (left) and Irish financial investigation expert and adviser to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Sam Sittlington

Fly Jamaica back in operation … SOCU adviser bemoans sloth in money-laundering prosecutions Thursday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

… SOCU adviser bemoans sloth in money-laundering prosecutions

… says some $300B in financial crimes being probed

By Ariana Gordon THE sloth in the investigations into financial and other organised crimes that have taken place here is of much concern to Irish financial investigation expert and adviser to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Sam Sittlington.

Sittlington has been hired by the British Government to serve as a Financial Investigations Mentor or adviser to SOCU. This is his third stint in that capacity. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday in the presence of British High Commissioner to Guyana Gregg Quinn, Sittlington

disclosed that there are over $300B in financial crimes being investigated currently.

“They have a lot of cases… over 300 cases now. Unfortunately for SOCU, they have been inundated with a number of forensic audits. To date, they have 26 forensic audits, four of those forensic audits have gone to charges, people being charged,” he said.

The financial investigation expert said those four cases represent in excess of $116B, while the other 22 audits stand somewhere in the region of $170B. Added to that, he disclosed that SOCU has had 39 referrals from the

Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), but only two of those cases have gone to the courts.

“That doesn’t mean to say when they get a referral from the FIU that there is an immediate investigation.

But they have to carry out some form of investigation to establish there is a case and then take advice on charges as the case may be.”

SOCU he said has done lots of work over the past year, but many of the cases on which the unit has worked are sitting either with the Police Legal Advisor (PLA), Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh or Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali- Hack. Sittlington, who returned to Guyana on Tuesday to resume his post as adviser, said, “I am trying to get the handle on why cases I was looking at last year at this time are still sitting either in the PLA’s office or the DPP’s office.”

Currently, the PLA is on leave, but when she resumes duty, Sittlington intends to meet with her. He will also be meeting with the DPP. Before he departed, his recommendation for the hiring of special prosecutors was implemented. Six special prosecutors, Michael Somersall, Hewely Griffith, Lawrence Harris, Patrice Henry, Compton Richardson, and Trenton Lake were hired by the administration.

But that too seems a bit

problematic. Sittlington said, “Now, when you have special prosecutors who have a view on a case which is different from the DPP’s view, which is also different from the PLA’s view, then you have to look and find out what is going on here. Three legal minds with different views on a money-laundering type case.” “So, I need to get to the bottom of that and try to establish why they have these different views and what sort of evidence structures they are looking for to take a case to court.”

The Irish expert made it clear that such delays are in his view unfair to the subjects of the investigations and to the police conducting the investigations, because they are unaware of where they are going wrong. “So we need feedback from all three departments (to know how far to go with the evidence trail in the future.).”

He noted that a nu mber of the files that were with the PLA last year are still there.

He acknowledged however, that some files have been sent back to SOCU for procedural evidence, but were returned to the PLA. “Some of the cases have gone further from the PLA to the DPP, so there is progression there. Some cases from the PLA last year have had charges, some of them have been heard and some cases were dismissed and are being

Irish Financial Investigation expert Sam Sittlington (Delano Williams photo) appealed by the DPP.” advice and guidance given, Sittlington explained that so well over 300 cases and while there are 26 audits it that’s only the forensic audoes not mean only 26 cases. dits,” he disclosed. SOCU He said one audit can contain has a staff complement of 17. several cases, because in Included in those cases is the each audit there are tentacles Pradoville 2 case. He denied which speak to malfeasance, that there is hesitancy by the false accounting, or tax eva- PLA to move forward with sion to name a few. “Each the cases before her. of those tentacles now be“I don’t think that’s the comes one file… so out of case. I met with the PLA the 26 audits we have 300 many times when I was here investigations. That does not the last time. She is a retired include the FIU referrals, See page 3

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Gov’t saved 5000 jobs at GuySuCo

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

… Min Holder says several sugar workers absorbed into public sector

… govt’s action prevented 9000 from being laid-off GOVERNMENT has been able to save thousands of jobs in the sugar industry through a process of assimilation into the public sector, Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder has said.

He said some 9000 workers could have been laid off, but government through several interventions was able to reduce that figure to around 4000. Minister Holder made the comments recently when he engaged members of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) during a meeting held in Mibicuri, Region Six. Minister Holder pointed out that the decision to restructure the sugar corporation was discussed in Parliament and with GuySuCo’s management and workers prior to the issuing of redundancy letters. In addition, he said steps were taken to minimise the number of workers to be made redundant. “It is

not suddenly getting up one morning and sending 4000 employees home. That didn’t happen, that’s a misrepresentation of the facts. As a matter of fact, if you look at what happened at the beginning of the year, that figure could have been closer to 9000,” Minister Holder said.

He further explained that the number of employees laid off was further reduced through a process of assimilation into the public sector.

“The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has taken on a responsibility for all the drainage GuySuCo is handling and the staff that goes along with that.

The (GuySuCo) community centres were handed over to the Ministry of Communities and they absorbed the staff involved in that, the health centres were taken over by the Ministry of Public Health and the staff involved in that.

These are things that were

done,” the minister underscored.

He noted that the number of redundant workers was also restricted with amalgamation and transfers among the sugar estates. “Half of Rose Hall has gone to Albion, a good part of Wales has gone to Uitvlugt and employees have been transferred or absorbed into the bigger cultivations. So, a good part of Rose Hall people are now working at Albion and Blairmont…so the government has acted responsibly,” Holder explained.

In addition, the Agriculture Minister observed that on assumption of office in May 2015, the government was unaware of the extent of the debt facing the sugar entity. A Commission of Inquiry found all of the corporation’s earnings were being spent on wages and salaries, a situation which could not be sustained by government

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judge; she is well versed in legislation, procedural law. I think she is inundated with all of the police cases, the SOCU cases and the more help she can get I think would be useful for those cases to be expedited.” As such, the Irish expert is of the opinion that the PLA needs assistance.

In fact, he recommended that she should have the special prosecutors assist her with the cases.

Meanwhile, Sittlington reminded that money laun-

dering is subsequent to a previous criminal act such as corruption, tax evasion, fraud, or drug trafficking, and SOCU’s role is to investigate the money laundering aspect of those cases.

However, due to the lack of experience in some of the other criminal areas, the unit is saddled with “doing everything and that puts more pressure on them and makes these types of cases more challenging.”

Criminals he said, are tactful and are using the in-

ternet, foreign jurisdictions, offshore companies, and trusts, as different avenues to try and launder money from criminal activities. In the case of the special prosecutors, the expert noted that they are also practising law privately which means they are “conflicted between two different areas”, he reiterated the need for a “good lawyer” at SOCU who can work with cases from the cradle to the crib. “They can try to quicken that actual process of getting a case to court,”

bailouts. “When the government came to power in May 2015, it didn’t realise the extent to which GuySuCo was in trouble. GuySuCo was being bailed out by the previous administration for years. We had to find, in the first six months, $16B just to keep GuySuCo going, paying wages and salaries.”

The minister said the findings from the inquiry also revealed that GuySuCo employees were among the highest paid in the country with their wages averaging about $200,000 per month.

“But all the money that GuySuCo is earning, about $90B U.S. per year, was not sufficient to pay the wages and salaries, they were short by over $1B Guyana to meet that requirement.”

Further, he said the decision to restructure GuySuCo stems from several factors, including the financial challenges presented by high pro-

duction costs and low world market prices following the removal of preferential sugar prices to African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries by the European Union (EU).

“We found that Skeldon was producing at U.S. 60 cents per pound and selling at U.S. 15 cents; Albion producing at U.S. 20 to 25 cents and selling at U.S. 15 cents; Rose Hall producing at U.S. 45 cents a pound, selling at U.S. 15 cents; Blairmont producing around U.S. 22 cents, selling at U.S. 15 cents; Wales producing around U.S. 55 cents, selling at U.S. 15 cents; Uitvlugt producing around U.S. 30 cents, selling at U.S. 15 cents. So, the government immediately saw it had to rationalise,” Minister Holder outlined. Meanwhile, the government has given assurances that the hundreds of workers made redundant at the end of December, 2017, will receive their severance

pay by the end of January 2018; also, they will benefit from an alternative livelihoods programme being facilitated by the corporation.

Forging ahead with training for employees who have been made redundant at its estates, with support from the Small Business Bureau, the sugar corporation has since trained some 47 workers from Enmore Estate in Catering and Sewing.(DPI)

he stated, while noting that there are a number of issues outside of the control of SOCU. He cited the court process which was described as “abominably slow.”

“One of the reasons for that is, when a magistrate is taking evidence on the case, she has to write her own notes …so they can only sustain that for short periods. So therefore, a case that was running last year is still running this year.”

The financial investigation expert told reporters that one matter that was in the courts since last year was brought up again before a magistrate who is still taking notes. “It is a cumbersome process and unfair to the subject of the

case and the police who are trying to give evidence from memory of things that they did during the course of that investigation.”

Sittlington said in the United Kingdom, a stenographer takes notes, which allows the magistrate the freedom to take reminder notes which quickens the process. Moreover, he said while an accused has the right to as many lawyers as they want to be in a court room, it can be something that delays the process. “…Trying to give evidence in these types of cases, where several lawyers are asking questions about the same thing …it just becomes a very tedious, long

process.”

The financial investigations mentor or advisor is tasked with working with the Director of SOCU, Sydney James and will be responsible for reviewing all current investigations carried out by SOCU, provide advice and guidance on each case, as well as in relation to liaising with other agencies, external and internal in order to progress SOCU investigations, provide practical advice and guidance to the DPP and AG’s lawyers on proceeds of crime matters, conduct meetings, workshops, research and training and submit reports on his work and findings.

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

-- as Cancer Institute encourages early testing to arrest cervical cancer

By Svetlana Marshall

THE Cancer Institute of Guyana is offering free pap smear to women of reproductive age for the entire month of January as it observes Cervical Awareness Month with the aim of saving lives through early detection.

Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control.

The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women of reproductive age group.

It is estimated that 36,000 women die every year in the Americas due to cervical cancer. However, once detected early, the disease can be successfully treated.

On Tuesday, the Cancer Institute Director of Outreach, Dr. Syed Ghazi and oncologist and medical director, Dr. Sayan Chakraborthy announced that women across Guyana will be allowed to have their pap smears done free of cost.

for examination under a microscope.

With funding from Australia and local and international organisations, the

Cancer Institute Director of Outreach, Dr. Syed Ghazi explaining the importance of having early screening in the presence of Oncologist and Medical Director, Dr. Sayan Chakraborthy (Samuel Maughn photo)

Cancer Institute is hoping to screen 1000 women free of cost for cervical cancer, as was done for the past three years. While women of reproductive age can walk into the institute and make appointments to have their pap smears done, the Cancer Institute, a non-gov-

Dr. Sayan Chakraborthy standing between the external beam radiation therapy machine (the larger equipment) and internal beam radiation therapy machine (smaller equipment) as Dr. Ghazi looks on (Samuel Maughn photo)

Pap smear is a very effective way of determining whether a woman has cancerous cells in the cervix or precancerous conditions of the cervix which can develop into cancer. A pap smear is a procedure in which cells are scraped from the cervix

cycle (period). Women are urged not to insert tampon or their fingers into their vaginas before the screening is done. Additionally, they

ernment organisation, will be conducting outreaches with focus on Regions Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

It was explained that pap smears are usually done seven days after the menstrual

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go if they are having problems,” the medical director explained.

While underscoring the importance of doing screening even in the absence of symptoms, he said sexually active women must be knowledgeable of the symptoms associated with cervical cancer.

“One discharge, long time discharge, foul smelling discharge, bloody discharge, discharge mixed with blood, having pain or bleeding after sexual intercourse. These are some symptoms which should ring alarms easily,” Dr. Chakraborthy said.

These symptoms, however, usually develop during the latter stages of the disease, and as such, early screening is critical.

found patients as early as 17 years of age and as late as 78 years of age of having cancerous cells,” he noted.

He reiterated that early detection can result in patients being cured. Once cured, persons are allowed to live normal lives. In 2017, Dr. Chakraborthy saw between 75-80 patients with cervical cancer. Just last week, he saw five patients all of whom were diagnosed with having cancerous cells in cervix.

“Not long ago, just last week, my clinic saw five patients in a span of five days who came here for screening. They did not have any symptoms, they just came here for screening and on doing those screenings we found that five patients

year acquired a world class Brachytherapy Machine to better facilitate internal beam radiation therapy.

The Brachytherapy Machine can be used to treat other cancers but currently the focus is on cervical cancer given the magnitude of the issue.

“It is a fully computerised treatment planning system in which the source of radiation is given directly into the tumor, so that we only eradiate and kill the tumor cells without harming the surrounding organs,” Dr. Chakraborthy explained.

Between 2013 and 2015, Dr. Chakraborthy conducted research on the treatment regimen offered to patients and it was found that of every 100 patients, 35 to 40 of them had developed cancer even after being treated.

However, with the acquisition of this machine, the doctors at the Cancer Institute are hoping to eliminate the cancer at the first round of treatments. Today, 20 patients have undergone treatment using the Brachytherapy Machine and according to the medical director, the results are promising.

The cost to undergo this treatment regimen is approximately $300, 000 and while it may be difficult for some patients to acquire the required funds, Dr. Ghazi said with support from corporate community, more lives can be saved.

“We have the staff, we have the equipment and we have the resources. Sometimes it really pains if we can’t help someone. So we want you (corporate community) to join hands with us and fight this war,” Dr. Ghazi said.

On a regular basis, the institute collaborates with the Public Health Ministry, the Georgetown Public Hospital and other organisations and institutions to conduct outreaches and treat patients.

are required to abstain from sexual intercourse for a period of three days before the appointment.

In encouraging women to capitalise on the opportunity, Dr. Ghazi told reporters that the Cancer Institute is a partner in the Healthy Caribbean Coalition which has set a mandate to eliminate Cervical Cancer from Caribbean and Latin America by 2025.

MUCH TO BE DONE He said in 2017, the local institute was among the top three performers in achieving this target but said much more needs to be done.

Dr. Chakraborthy said that while the number of cases seen by the institute with respect to women with Stage Three and Stage Four Cervical Cancer has reduced when compared to previous years, late detection continues to be a major problem.

“The problem with the cervical cancer lies with the misinformation or the ignorance regarding the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Most of the people will come in advanced stages because either they didn’t have the information that it can be taken out early, or they don’t know where to

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Oncologist and Medical Director, Dr. Sayan Chakraborthy explaining how the Brachytherapy Machine works in the presence of Dr. Ghazi. It facilitates internal beam radiation therapy (Samuel Maughn photo)

Women experiencing these symptoms are being urged to visit the Cancer Institute or hospital. However, it was noted that some women are diagnosed with cancer during the latter stages of the diseases due to misdiagnosis on the part of some general physicians – an issue both doctors agreed ought to be addressed.

Pap smear, which is highly recommended for screening for cervical cancer, takes less than five minutes, the medical director noted, while reinforcing the need for women to get themselves checked. “I have

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had pre-cancerous lesions which have every potential to grow into cancer,” he told reporters.

At the Cancer Institute of Guyana, the treatment regimen for women with cervical cancer includes chemotherapy, external beam radiation therapy and internal beam radiation therapy.

ACQUISITION OF MACHINE In addition to announcing that pap smears are being conducted at no charge for this month, the medical director disclosed that the Cancer Institute late last

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

T&T’s fourth US Havana embassy: New inquiry into Cuba staff sickness president dies Former president George Maxwell Richards died last night around 7.43 at the WestShore Medical Private Hospital from a heart attack.

tears. “She can’t catch her self,” the source said.

Richards was an avid mas player who loved Carnival with a passion. Several times Richards’ family had to de-

Former T&T President, George Maxwell Richards

A source close to the family said that Richards, who served as the country’s fourth president from 2003 to 2013, was not feeling well around noon following which his wife Jean and daughter Maxine took him to the hospital in Cocorite for medical attention.

There, doctors discovered that Richards, 86, had an unusual heartbeat. Doctors advised that he installed a pacemaker to regulate his heart beat. Before his passing, Richards was very responsive and in high spirits, the source said. On Maxine Richards’ Facebook page last night, she posted a picture of herself and her father stating: “Rest in peace daddy, I can’t believe you are gone.”

Scores of people took to social media last night to express shock on his sudden passing and to extend condolences to bereaved family.

The T&T Guardian was told that Maxine was overcome with grief and in constant

bunk reports on social media that Richards had passed away in 2016. His’ death came hours after the Opposition threw their support behind the PNM’s presidential nominee Paula- Mae Weekes as the country’s sixth and first female President.

ABOUT GEORGE MAXWELL RICHARDS Professor George Maxwell Richards served as the fourth President of Trinidad and Tobago between 2003 and 2013. Richards was a Professor Emeritus in Chemical Engineering at the Department of Engineering at the University of the West Indies and was the first President of the Republic who was not an attorney. He was born in San Fernando in 1931 and received his primary education there before winning a Government Exhibition to Queen’s Royal College in Port of Spain. From May 1950 to September 1951 he was a staff trainee (explora-

tion, production and refining) at United British Oilfields of Trinidad Ltd. From 1957 to 1965, Richards held a number of managerial posts at Shell Trinidad Ltd, and then joined the University of the West Indies as a senior lecturer in chemical engineering.

In October 1970, he was appointed Professor of chemical engineering. He also held the post of Deputy Principal and Pro-Vice Chancellor from August 1980 to May 1985. Richards became acting principal in October 1984 and held this post until May 1985, when he was appointed Principal and Pro Vice Chancellor. He held this position until November 1996. He served on the board of a number of local companies, including the Trinidad Publishing Company, TRINTOC, and the National Gas Company, and has also served on the boards of several service organizations, including the National Training Board (Chairman), the National Advisory Council and the Institute of Marine Affairs (Chairman).

He was also a member of several professional societies, including the Association of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago, the Institute of Chemical Engineers (London), the Institute of Petroleum (London); the Royal Society of Chemistry (London). He received the Chaconia Medal of the Order of the Trinity - Class1 (Gold) for Public Service.

Professor Richards was married to Jean Ramjohn and is survived by his two children, Mark and Maxine. (Trinidad Guardian)

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has ordered a new inquiry into health problems suffered by diplomats serving at the US embassy in the Cuban capital Havana.

President Donald Trump has previously blamed the Cuban government for the mystery illnesses. Reports suggest sonic attacks were to blame but nothing has been proven. Cuba says there have been no sonic attacks against US embassy staff in Havana.

It describes the allegations as a “political manipulation” aimed at damaging bilateral relations.

Over a period of 18 months, 24 Americans including diplomats and family members suffered a range of symptoms including hearing loss, dizziness, fatigue, cognitive issues and sleep loss. The problems were so prevalent the US decided to

pull out most of its staff in the autumn, leaving just a skeleton operation. America expelled 15 Cuban diplomats, saying that Havana had failed to protect its employees, but Cuba said the move was “unjustified”.

The US government also suspended visa processing in Cuba indefinitely. So far, investigators have been unable to pinpoint the cause of the illnesses. BBC Washington correspondent Gary O’Donoghue says this fresh inquiry - on top of investigations being conducted by agencies such as the FBI - is likely to strain relations even more following President Trump’s decision to back away from the policy of rapprochement begun by his predecessor.

Last year, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez dismissed allegations of any kind of attack on US embassy staff as “totally false”.

At least one Canadian has experienced similar symptoms.

Mystery in Havana Late 2016: US embassy staff and at least one Canadian begin to notice symptoms May 2017: US expels two Cuban diplomats for Cuba failing to protect its diplomats August: US says 16 employees have been treated but attacks seem to have stopped. A Canadian diplomat in Havana is treated for hearing loss Early September: US says attacks are continuing and 19 staff members have now been hurt 29 September: Washington pulls out diplomatic staff, warns US citizens not to visit and says 21 embassy employees now injured 3 October: US expels Cuban diplomats from Washington (BBC)

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Media for a better Guyana THE media shape our world—but so do women, as powerful agents of change in all areas of society and it is time for media to reflect this reality. The Guyana Press Association(GPA) is the oldest representative organisation of media workers in Guyana and the Caribbean. The GPA which was founded in 1945 saw the historic election on Sunday of the first woman, Nazima Raghubir, elected as President of the GPA. A free press is indispensable for the growth, development and good of democracy; for, it is the bulwark against tyranny, and political corruption. It is about allowing for proper, reasoned, and open debates on issues that should be relevant to the extant political-social-economic conditions of the particular society, drawing on historical experiences, both local and abroad. These debates

must be objective, and carried out in a manner that encompasses views/opinions of all strata, irrespective of class/social standing, given in a panoramic view and not in a blinkered, self-serving manner, or designed to create mischief that will undermine the public peace.

They must elucidate scholarship for enlightenment and guidance.

There can be no denying that the media in this, the historical era of the first national coalition government, the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change(APNU+AFC), is functioning in a truly democratic environment. And here are some signposts: Friends of the coalition, particularly, have been critical of the government. Even the political opposition party; has had its pieces and points of view published in the State media. Memory will remind us that this, a right, had been deliberately denied

the then opposition parties by the former PPP/C administration, prior to May, 2015.

What is very commendable is that despite these criticisms, even in the Stateowned print–no one is being cussed down, vilified, or targeted personally. Also, no one is padded on to state payroll to be phantom writers, to attack anyone with whom the government disagrees. At least, not in the state media.

Functioning in our unique Guyanese society has its characteristically well-known dangers, and pitfalls for any press, because of the ethnic lens through which every aspect of our political-social-economic challenges are seen, understood, and discussed.

No press, operating in a society divided by race, can claim to be the public’s watch dog, if it is partisan, or held hostage by any political–cultural group that espouses ethnicity and dom-

inance of that society.

Despite the fact of its origination out of such a milieu, and given its very vantage position of being able to influence public opinion it becomes even more crucial that such a press comprehends its role as being facilitator of assisting the process of finding counters to the threats that the poison of racism poses.

In this regard, it must avail its pages to frank and enlightened discussions on the way forward, rather than those bent on perpetuating an ideology that can only lead to greater fissures in our society.

Functioning in an enabling environment affords the media both private and state-owned to lead creatively, public discussions on the seminal issues of the day, rather than operate from an agenda that panders to race and other unreasonable positions. In fact, it is sacrilegious for any

responsible media house to participate in, much less to give credence to obfuscations, lies, and half-truths.

These do not bring any moral and spiritual value to a nation’s understanding of itself, and how to confront its challenges. Only further distortions can accrue from such a dishonest platform.

It does the country no ounce of good, while building an unfair burden for future generations.

The importance of the media, the fourth estate

cannot be overemphasised since democracy requires informed citizens. No governing body can be expected to operate well without knowledge of the issues on which it is to rule, and rule by the people entails that the people should be informed. The local media must understand that its task, among others, is to aid in the healing of the still festering, dangerous, sore of racism, and not lend to its continued fomentation.

The dead, sugar, PPP and GAWU gains Dear Editor, WE should all know by now that the PPP will do anything and everything to get back into power. We all know that GAWU will do all that it can towards ensuring that sugar workers remain as the major supporter of the PPP. So, when false promises are being pelted out to the public especially the sugar workers at this time, I am not and we should not be surprised.

In December 2017 as stated in the news almost 4000 sugar workers were given termination letters in Berbice. What I know for a fact is that those letters were not given to them without notice it was in the news for a long time that they will receive termination letters due to the fact that a few estates will be closed. We all know that sugar is not making a profit, so something has to be done in ensuring that GuySuCo does not go into further debts. If the company is to go into further debts then sometime soon it means that they will not have monies (is not like they have now) to pay workers and then the

same would have to happen in terms of termination. But it seems like the PPP and GAWU do not know this.

We need to understand that even a private business person will do the same if he\she is not making a profit.

They will close the business down and send home their workers, all because they do not want to run at a loss and incur more debts. Let me give my sympathy to the families, relatives and friends of the two sugar workers who committed suicide in December 2017.

I know that sudden death can have an impact on the families and I asked that you all stand strong especially for the children that have a future ahead.

But, I was surprised when the PPP supporters and some of its executives link the suicides to sugar.

This PPP and GAWU will do anything especially using the dead for political power.

I am not surprised at all because Dr. Jagan’s name is what keeps the PPP alive, during their campaigns they used that name more times than it is written in the history books of Guyana. They also used his pictures in try-

ing to invoke the dead. How would anyone say that the termination letter is the cause that those two gentlemen committed suicide? I don’t believe that the investigation into what caused the death of the two men, is completed as yet.

The workers knew months now that they will be terminated, PPP and GAWU said it almost every hour of the day in public, be it newspapers, social media, television, bottom house meetings, etc. So it’s no surprise letter. I do believe that the PPP and GAWU are the ones that should be blamed for those workers’ death. The reason for those two suicides could very well be because PPP and GAWU are going to workers and spreading lies about what’s happening in the industry. They are the ones that are putting it over to the workers as if they will have no future and cannot live when their services are terminated.

The PPP and GAWU are the ones that are taking the suicidal thoughts to workers and their families. They are the ones that are causing the workers and their families to think as if they have no

future. It’s a shame that PPP is once again using the dead for their political gains. PPP need to stop using the grieving families as their tools for political power. It’s shameful to see the length the PPP will go to regain power.

At a recent funeral house, the PPP members were waving their party flag and singing the party song over a dead body. It’s a shame that they are campaigning on the dead. The leader of the party, Bharrat Jagdeo, was there and he also took part.

GAWU also seems to be one of the driving force into taking the negative messages to the workers and their families. GAWU’s fight is not for the workers but for the union dues, that’s what they are fighting for and to ensure that workers keep supporting the PPP. For 23 long years, the PPP was in power and they could not find any solution to sustain the sugar industry and the workers. Now they are saying they have solutions, maybe their solutions are to fool the workers and spread false messages so that they can have the worker’s votes come 2020. After that, the solution will dissolve and

they will forget the workers the same way they did since 1992. So workers need to be aware of the false fight from the PPP. Now with the oil monies, the PPP will promise gold and diamond to the people of Guyana esp. sugar workers, but we all need to think.

Think of the neglect for the past 23 years that you the workers had to face from the PPP and think if they go there again the pressure will be worse than that 23 years that they had. GAWU and the PPP need to stop spreading fear into the lives of the sugar workers and their families. GAWU especially must start telling workers and their families not to listen to the PPP because they are inciting fears into their lives. But we all know GAWU would never do that because if they do, their president who is a PPP-sitting MP will be recalled from his post in the National Assembly.

I am also calling on all the NGO’s that are preaching suicide prevention, to condemn the PPP and GAWU’s behaviour towards spreading of the wrong messages to the

workers and their families that are creating suicidal thoughts within their minds. To all the workers and their families be strong. Don’t allow anyone to use your grief or death for their political gains. Stop them from driving fear into your lives because they are living happily and fearless. All is not lost, there is a bright future ahead of us no matter what. Don’t try to tell yourself that it’s the end of things or life, NO. Continue to shoulder each other at this time when some come to you as sheep in wolf clothing, because they have created what is happening within the industry today. I call once again on the PPP and GAWU to stop this type of political campaigning because thousands of peoples’ lives are involved when you go out there and spread lies, and try to send fear into the minds of the people that can motivate them towards taking their lives.

Regards ABEL SEETARAM Regional Councilor RDC Region 5

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Dookie appears to have survived in the face of serious infractions Dear Editor,

Reference is made to article in Stabroek News, of January 06, 2018, and captioned “Former SWAT commander transferred to police planning unit”.

First of all, I must commend acting Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine for forthright views on those who called on him to “... give the man a break...’’ This is in reference to Deputy Superintendent of Police, Motie Dookoo, now under investigation.

Mr. Ramnarine, has proven that he is a no-nonsense leader, who is prepared to uphold the principles of policing, and its attendant code of discipline that governs the

conduct of all ranks, from the senior to the junior levels. Under his leadership, ranks are being read the riot act, for conduct unbecoming, as they should. Of course, such a revelation does speak of the ethnic reality of this country, where it seems that a certain section of this society is prepared to represent its ethnic base, even in the face of serious wrong doings, and who believes that such persons are either exempted or should not face the law.

In saying this, I am not being racist; for there was not a similar response, anywhere from the public, when the previous SWAT unit commander had been relieved of his command.

If there were, my position would have been the same,

as in this instance, period!

What kind of society will ours become, if punishment or not, for wrong doers has to be determined by one’s ethnicity?

It is the well-known brand of this category of constituents’ political party base, the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), that has been criticising the State authorities whenever its high-profile members are being investigated, charged, and brought before the court for criminal theft of state assets, etcetera. It is a very bad example that is being replicated among sections of its constituents. This cannot be good for respect of the law, and order and discipline in our society.

It would seem to be at

odds with the declaration

by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo that persons who steal from the State should face the law.

But, such is playing politics, and is not genuine since his utterances and protests each time an Indo-Guyanese party supporter is brought before the court, clearly contradicts his pretense.

Given, what is now know about officer Dookie, it would appear that he had survived in the face of serious infractions, through political assistance during the former political administration.

How else could he still be a member of the Guyana Police Force?

This is a tragedy for a country such as Guyana, since it definitely

Guyanese youths must rise up Dear Editor, GUYANA now has to leap forward to modern development and transition from a primitive politics to political maturity. We must espouse a new mindset and dispensation. We must formulate and adopt a 20-year master-plan for transformation to a developed nation status. Most importantly, the nation’s leadership must be passed to the new generation.

The transformation we seek cannot be realised with our current politics that have been commandeered by dinosaurs. The old guard in both major political parties demonstrates tendencies of ownership of the government.

They perpetuate themselves in office by frustrating rather than nurturing young leaders. They seem oblivious that the government belongs to the people, who elect them to be trustees, but that their trusteeship is transitory because the mantle belongs to the next generation.

Over 50 per cent of the electorate is under age 50.

Yet representation of this demographic across the nation’s decision making apparatus has been chronically de minimis.

The two major political parties embarked on a treacherous course in 2008. They amended the Guyana constitution to enable their party leaders to arbitrarily remove elected young leaders from parliament because of their independent, progressive thinking. The essence of that law was that am-

bitious young politicians who challenge the old guard will be cut down. The legislation was destructive to the nation’s leadership succession and dangerous to our democracy.

Guyana faces a perilous reality by design. It lacks visionary leaders with a big dream for long-term development and the fortitude to enact that vision into law to insulate it from partisan politics. Leaders also lack the willingness to mold a new generation of leaders to inherit the government and carry out the development strategy. We have a culture of only planning for the term of a government and political leader. There is hardly demonstrable interest in leadership succession.

Political leadership, constitutional offices and senior government policy positions are dominated by individuals from the bygone era. They have no young understudies. Moreover, young people in leadership positions are often undermined.

This is true in both the political parties, national and local government and most recently in the judiciary.

Generally, our youth feel starved of leadership positions through which they can acquire requisite skills and experience that prepare them to assume political and governmental leadership roles. This dangerous reality permeates the Caribbean region. It is a paralysis that deprives our nation of contributions from our brightest and best minds. It has also held back transformation

to a new political culture and governance philosophy. It has stymied political evolution.

Guyana will not advance with the status quo. Hence we must take bold steps to eliminate this paralysis.

First, we must effectively end single party dominance by forcing issues-based political alliances to energise the population and secure electoral victories. Second, we must rootout ethnic voting and ethnic dominance of political parties by teaching the populace the benefits of voting on issues, rather than party or ethnic affiliation. Third, we must forge a new political culture and dispensation to strengthen our democracy and cultivate good and accountable governance.

Young people will become the vehicle for this change if they in mass get involved in politics and civil society and demonstrate ownership of their government and society. In the United States, an organisation called “Organisation for America” was formed to mobilise the grassroots to do just this. The result is history – they elected the first Black President, Barack Obama, twice, and achieved healthcare reform. Guyana needs its own version of “Organisation for America;” not as a confrontational force but to partner with the leadership of the government to help unite the people to advance one agenda for development.

I therefore call on the intelligentsia, youth population and business class take on the

indispensable obligation to form a new political movement and enlist new generations of Guyanese, with political dynamism, mobilise the nation to support an agenda for development. The movement must be inclusive and diverse in all respects to defeat one party rule and ethnic dominance. It must help write a new charter to elevate our policy and transform our political culture. It must espouse constitutional reform to fortify our democracy and build a more just and equitable society. It must teach the people to be stakeholders of the nation’s destiny by becoming active participants of our democracy so that together we can build a more cohesive, ideal society for posterity. Equally important, the movement must promote policies to spur economic expansion and wealth generation to lift Guyanese from poverty to prosperity.

This political resonance will propel our nation forward to a developed nation status in this generation. If we chart this course together, the movement will inspire a vision that transcends governments and political parties.

Guyana is ripe for such a new political movement. I call on our young leaders to emerge and take up this challenge.

Regards RICKFORD BURKE President, Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID)

illustrates that sanctions for misconduct of senior and middle ranking public servants should be determined by their ethnic background. This is outrageous, as well as, it is criminal and ought to be condemned by all right-thinking Guyanese.

Commissioner Ramnarine is in order, when he said, “On the one hand: they want to see a professional police force; they want a police force that delivers a higher or a better quality of service.

But, at the same time they are indifference to gross wrongdoings...” Such sentiments could not have been better expressed. It is well known, that those are the very persons who are quick to file complaints against law enforcement

ranks. Of course, it is their citizen’s right to do so.

However, how can they, presumably be dissatisfied, while on the other hand, they are actively seeking to shield errant policemen on the basis of ethnicity. What kind of madness is this? And what signals are such citizens sending to the general public, particularly our young people?

And to think that some years ago, public oversight of the Guyana Police Force was being mulled! With such persons being part of such an important body, we would have had a manual for how to further degrade a police Force!

Regards EARL HAMILTON

Alcohol is a bigger public health issue than tobacco Dear Editor I am happy to read of comments by leading consumer advocate Mr. Pat Dial in regards to the promulgation of the recently enacted legislation to curb tobacco consumption in Guyana. He is right on the money and I hope the public education process will intensify

by Government and other relevant agencies to bring the desired effect.

However, in my view and I am sure there are many others with my perspective, who believe that alcohol consumption is a much bigger public health issue than tobacco resulting in murders, suicides, accidents, etc. which are generally not associated with tobacco consumption.

I therefore call on Mr. Dial and the Consumers Association (hopefully it is not a one-man show) and other concerned bodies and persons to bring pressure to bear on the government and indeed all parliamentarians, to bring urgent legislation in this year, to have draconian laws enacted with a view to curbing the consumption of alcohol which has reached worse than epidemic proportions.

These measures should include but not be limited

to maintaining early closure of night clubs and places that sell alcohol; enforcing laws as it relates to who can buy alcohol; increasing taxes on alcohol to make it more costly and prohibitive for persons to buy; enforcing rigidly drink and drive laws; giving incentives to companies manufacturing alcoholic beverages to go into alternative endeavours; carrying out massive public education programme on dangers of excessive alcohol consumption and including this in a meaningful way for all schools; placing warning labels on all containers/vessels that alcohol is sold in, similar to warnings on cigarette packs; restricting of advertisements that can be placed at school events etc. and even on public television, unless the health warning is aired prominently either at the beginning or the end of advertisement.

What do you say Mr. Dial?

I look forward to your response in early course and comments by the public and relevant State authorities who I hope will all treat this matter with the urgency it deserves.

Regards ASHOK RAMNAUTH

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

SOCU adviser pours cold water on PPP criticisms

By Ariana Gordon

BRITISH High Commissioner to Guyana Gregg Quinn and Irish Financial Investigations Expert to the Special organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Sam Sittlington are unfazed by statements from the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) which suggest that Sittlington’s role is politically staged.

Speaking at a press briefing Tuesday at the residence of the British High Commissioner, Sittlington said criticisms made by the opposition about his role at SOCU is tantamount to throwing water on duck’s back. He made it clear that he is only here to assist SOCU and advise the entity. “I have a track record, it speaks for itself,” he said emphatically. Similarly, the British High Commissioner

said it is up to politicians to criticise Sittlington’s roles, but noted that the adviser’s Terms of Reference (TORs) are very clear.

“There is nothing there that will justify claims of his interference or directions… ultimately will not be taken by him, but by the rule of law, by the process of law here.” “The people would have to decide for themselves…what they think Sam is doing and why. All we can say he [Sittlington] is here to provide advice, guidance and mentoring to a fundamental part of Guyana’s ability to meet anti-money laundering and the countering of financing of terrorism activity and everything he is doing is based on addressing that concern,” said the UK Envoy.

The British High Commissioner said too that all of Guyana should be inter-

ested in Sittlington’s work and the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism, “Because If Guyana is not seen to be addressing AML/CFT that has potential, significant broader impact to Guyana’s standing globally not just in the financial market, but how other countries around the world see Guyana.”

Meanwhile, Sittlington, who noted his 30 years of experience in the field, said he has no decision-making powers and the decision to prosecute lies in the hands of the Police Legal Adviser (PLA) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

He made it clear that his role is advisory. “I do that from an appropriate distance,” said the expert, who noted that he has to monitor the work of SOCU agents to ensure they are functioning as they

should.

“I do have to go with them and sometimes I may have to observe them on the ground when they are involved in searches and interviews to see how they are asking questions, dealing with the public and that their search procedures are proper, that they are collecting evidence properly and that there is continuity of the evidence being seized from the property, to when it goes to court.”

He said should those areas continue to be lacking cases can fall through. “I do not make decisions on behalf of SOCU that is purely their remit. I advise based on my knowledge and experience, I have been doing this a long time -- involved in money-laundering investigations, fraud investigations and I have been doing it at a lot of different countries

from [the] Far East, to the U.S., to Eastern Europe as well.”

Sittlington maintained that he is qualified to do his job and will do so despite the naysayers. “I am here to advise based on experience.

I only advise or give guidance on what I would do if I was in the UK,” he assured.

The financial investigation expert made it clear that he has to have a close working relationship with the people at SOCU. He noted too that the law must be followed in all instances and that is what determines who is in breach and should be taken before the courts. “…that is beyond me, I am in a very low position here,” he stated while noting that he relies on the confidence of the public “to see through any undermining of me.”

The opposition People’s

Progressive Party (PPP) had said repeatedly that SOCU is being used by the administration to witchhunt, a statement that has been vehemently denied by the coalition government.

In fact, the opposition’s statements followed the arrest of several senior officials of the former administration by SOCU for questioning in the Pradoville 2 scam. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo; former Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon; Robert Persaud and Lisaveta Ramotar, daughter of the former President Donald Ramotar, were among those arrested. The decision to arrest the PPP officials stemmed from them refusing to attend interviews at the SOCU, Camp Street headquarters.

Refunds for Dynamic passengers closer

Wednesday, January 10, 2018 Thursday, January 11, 2018 Friday, January 12, 2018

14:00 hrs

12:30 hrs 13:30 hrs -

04:30 hrs

THREE months after Dynamic International Airways ended its service between Guyana and New York, passengers who had booked with the carrier prior to its closure can see themselves being refunded in the not so distant future.

In a statement, Permanent Secretary of the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Kenneth Jordan disclosed that a meeting is scheduled for today Wednesday to address mechanism for the reimbursement of passengers.

Jordan explained that Dynamic Airways, as required, had lodged a bond with the Government of Guyana to the tune of US$200,000 – an equivalent of G$40,000,000.

Captain Gerry Gouveia of Roraima Airways, who was formerly the handling agent for the North Carolina –based air carrier, following its closure handed over the passengers’ information to the Government with the intention that the bond be used to refund the affected.

“Mr. Gouveia sent us a

list containing 604 names of individuals who purchased tickets and are to be refunded.

The refund of 604 passengers will amount to just over US$189,000.00,” the Public Infrastructure Permanent Secretary explained.

Jordan noted that immediately after the meeting, notices will be placed in the media to inform the affected passengers when, where, and how the refunds will be made.

Dynamic Airways discontinued its operation here on October 3, 2017.

In July, 2017 the carrier had announced that it had filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition with the United States Bankruptcy Court. It was the carrier’s intention to continue its operations here but its principals restructured plans did not work out as planned. The airline noted that its decision to file for bankruptcy protection followed upon litigation matters, resulting from Hajj flights the airline operated in 2014 for Air India.

Overpasses not to be used until declared open – Min. Ferguson ON a daily basis, hundreds of pedestrians use the overpass at the Demerara Habour Bridge, some even directed to do so by traffic ranks, but the Public Infrastructure Ministry is advising pedestrians to desist from doing so until the overpasses on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) are formally commissioned.

In her first interview for 2018, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, said that the pedestrian overpasses on the East Bank of Demerara are in the final stage of completion and citizens are instructed to stay clear of the facilities.

“The works are still in progress, so for one to be using the overpasses with-

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson

out the ministry declaring its completion or its commission for it be used is no,” Minister Ferguson said on Tuesday.

Her instruction not to utilise the overpasses comes days after a Grove, East

Bank Demerara (EBD) man, Navin Surujpaul, took his own life by jumping off the pedestrian overpass at Diamond on December 30.

Minister Ferguson called the incident unfortunate.

“Guyanese always love to test things, so you know with what happened there is unfortunate that the gentleman would have used that facility to take his own life…when that facility is not intended for that. It is intended to get pedestrians from the western end to the eastern end and vise-versa,” the junior Public Infrastructure Minister said.

Minister Ferguson is appealing to the public that when the three overpasses are commissioned, to use the facilities with care, caution and consideration. The

Houston, Providence and Diamond overpasses are likely to be completed by February, 2018.

Earlier last year, Minister of State Joseph Harmon had announced that a US$364,000 contract was awarded for the pedestrian overpass at Diamond and a US$1M contract for those at Houston, Peter’s Hall and at Eccles.

Contracts for the construction of overpasses at Houston, Eccles and Peter’s Hall were awarded to B&J Civil Works, whilst those at Providence and Diamond were awarded to S Jagmohan Hardware.

Between 2018 and 2020, overpasses will also be built on the East Coast and West Bank of Demerara.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

‘Nandlall ran this place like a cook shop’ –Attorney General

ATTORNEY General Basil Williams has defended his stewardship of the Legal Affairs Ministry saying that most of the cases he has been accused of losing were actually lost before he took them over and that his achievements at the chambers have been unprecedented.

There have been concerns that the AG Chambers has lost a number of cases, but Williams, a Senior Counsel, said the reverse is true as his outfit has won more cases than it has lost. He then criticised former AG and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall for suggesting that he and his officers lack the competence required to represent the state adequately.

He accepted however, that several cases have been lost during his tenure but said those cases were inher-

ited. Additionally, he said he anticipates that many of his pending cases will be won.

Nandlall over the past few months has been relentless in arguing that the AG has been unsuccessful over the past two years but on Monday during a press conference, the AG boasted that he has achieved way more than Nandlall has during his tenure. “There is nothing to show what Nandlall accomplished. What did he accomplish? Nothing!” declared Williams.

“Successes? If he is talking about cases, that is one narrow aspect…I haven’t done any case as Minister which Mr Nandlall won and in fact all the cases that I am likely to win haven’t come up, “ the AG asserted. Williams explained that the AG Chambers has a number of

lawyers who represent the state and government offices and departments but noted that when he assumed office, the entity was in disarray.

“When I entered into the office, it was dysfunctional. There was a division… you didn’t know where files were. He [Nandlall] ran this place like a cook shop,” Williams declared, while pointing out that he has been able to achieve much since taking office. He pointed to the hosting of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s 46th Plenary and Working Group Meeting and the Hague Convention Conference of 2016.

Last month the President said while the state has lost many cases, there is a reasonable expectation as an attorney, to lose cases.

He described Williams as a “hard working” and “very

experienced lawyer.” “No one wants to lose cases and as far as I can see he is a very experienced lawyer and once you go to the court, you have to expect that the outcomes may not necessarily be in your favour…you can’t win everything,” he said noting that the Attorney General has worked hard since taking up the post in May 2015. President Granger also does not believe the Attorney General should be blamed for the failure of the government to consistently win major cases in the court but attention should be paid to the type of representation made in the past. “He has had like some other ministers, has had to make internal changes in his ministry in order to get the best quality representation. I do not feel that in the past we had the best representation and some of the cases which

we inherited were lost before we started because the representation was inadequate,” the President stated.

He posited that had there been better representation, then government “would not have lost so much money because of certain claims made against the government”.

“So I won’t blame the Minister of Legal Affairs I think that within that ministry there were some persons who were not doing their best for the government of Guyana.”

Meanwhile, Williams described his achievements as “unprecedented” and noted the adoption of the Apostille and other Conventions, efforts to reduce the prison population; the U.S. funded Legal Aid project, as well as the passage of legislation in the National Assembly which speak specifically to the financing of terrorism,

9

Attorney General, Basil Williams money laundering, and state asset recovery.

“What I have achieved is unprecedented. No other AG has accomplished these things. What we see is here is embracing vagabonds and criticising the upright.”

When questioned about government’s alleged settling of cases for kickbacks and favours, Williams called on the opposition and other critics to “bring the evidence”.

He rejected outright the accusation and said, “Nandlall lacks authority to pronounce on such matters… I won’t dignify that with an answer.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Colour-Blindness & Racism Without Racists: A Privileged Ideology

By Akola Thompson

I AM a privileged person.

My entire life, I have been provided with economic, educational, familial and other forms of social security. Even if I did not want them, they were available should I change my mind.

I was not always aware of the ways in which I was privileged and at a certain point, I would have argued that I was not. You

see, when you’re a lightskinned, educated person belonging to a certain race or class, doors will inevitably open for you. Due to the ease with which I could have moved through certain spaces, I assumed the same opportunities afforded me were the same ones afforded everyone else.

Plagued with a violent history of the commoditization of black bodies and the wilful separation and breeding of mistrust

between the races by colonisers, the Guyanese experience and its politics have always been firmly rooted in race and oppression. We have sought many ways in which to address our problems with race. The one thing on which we have not put enough emphasis is the discussion of race itself and how social systems are designed to upkeep racial divisions.

Instead, we have sought to popularise the concept

of “Colour-Blindness,” which posits that everyone should be treated equally, regardless of their race. It asks you to promote the individual, rather than a social group.

At face value, the ideology of colorblindness seems to be worth its salt even in its idealism. Upon closer inspection however, the arguments for it quickly fall apart. How do we even begin to achieve a “post-racial” society without first dismantling the systems of oppression to which racial minorities are still subjected?

Colour-blindness is a frequently touted half-measure that is largely insufficient to heal racial wounds.

It is akin to throwing a wet blanket over racism and pretending that it does not exist. This perspective usually comes from those who lack awareness of their own racial and economic privilege. These are the ones who are usually out of touch with the everyday man. It is an ideology grounded in ignorance.

The truth is, racism has taught us to attribute certain social values to persons based on their physical characteristics.

This ideology is one that effectively helps to reinforce the existing systems of inequality, while appearing as if they are dismantling them. Things such as institutional racism and discrimination are disregarded as concepts and replaced by statements of equal opportunity. Effectively, the privileged

touting arguments for colour-blindness continue benefiting from systems of oppression that validate them, yet tout themselves as progressive. We must reject this. We must reject those who tout it -- particularly if they refuse to see the limits of their viewpoints.

When marginalised stories are suppressed, it is not the discriminated against who benefit, but rather, those who are already profiting from a system built on the back of racial and ethnic oppression. What this ideology does is allow the privileged to comfortably tell themselves that their successful socio-economic status in relation to minorities is through their individual work, savings and educational attainment. This removes any suggestion of racial supremacy, while simultaneously legitimising the structures that privilege them. Being blind to dominant social realities is not the same as being fair.

Let us take a look at the example of “Lady Justice,” who is often symbolised as being blindfolded. The blindfold is used to symbolise the long-aimed-for impartiality of the justice system that pursues justice regardless of one’s racial, social, and economic and class status. Yet, there are a disproportionate number of poor black people languishing in the prison system while their rich, racially acceptable counterparts are allowed avenues to avoid justice.

The privileged have the benefit of promotion of the individual, because they live in a society that validates them. Racism is a powerful system based upon economic interests, so of course it is easy for the rich to tell you that economic factors and skin colour are not factors in your systematically hindered progression. It is easy for us to quote statistics on the racial economic disparities in education, economics, health and the prison system, but no one ever really wants to talk about the racial experiences that contribute to the statistics.

Racial inequality is upheld in basically every social strata and sphere.

From segregation to biased hiring and loan-approval practices, discrimination persists. Colour-blindness does nothing but protect people from ‘having to have difficult conversations about race. If our goal is a future in which the long-strived-for equality is seen, our solutions should not seek to erase powerful social realities that affect our everyday lives. If you cannot see the privilege intrinsic in colour-blind approaches, it might be time to evaluate the ways in which you are stymying the conversations on race. Let us strive to see the beauty in colour.

Let us strive to address the inequalities amongst the coloured.

Pretending that it does not exist is not an option -- unless of course you are actually colour-blind.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

I RECALL with some sense of nostalgia the days we sat in Politics 110 classes at the University of Guyana as political science students. The George Walcott Lecture Theatre (GWLT) never ceased to be packed with inestimable numbers of idealistic students dreaming of taking the information being received from lecturers on political theory and applying it to our everyday existence.

Lecturers recommended books to aid in knowledge and discussion; we found ourselves dabbling in knowledge on interesting historical subjects and characters such as the French Revolution, Voltaire, Plato, Aristotle, Shun Tzu and many other political activists who did something to change the world. It was extremely admirable how these men and women were driven by ideals which propelled them to transform the societies in which they lived.

Many of us were im-

bued with thoughts of change and a progressive society due to new-found substance on things political. When we departed the GWLT after every class and returned to the reality of Guyana’s political situation in those days, we immediately came to the sad conclusion that politics in those days was hard and uninspiring.

Our main reference point was the custodians of the state. They practised the politics of destroying enemies, stifling dissent, intransigence, never giving in to any proposal that would benefit the country if the proposal or idea did not come from their party and many other political stratagems that would make any reasonable mind conclude that politics is distasteful.

This became the pessimistic conclusion of most of us during those days and we decided that we must try our best to escape politics and just go about our daily lives focusing on social issues.

Little did we know that such an escape in a small

Why we should not seek to escape politics society such as Guyana was improbable, nay, much to our detriment.

The recognition that you should not seek to escape politics came to us like a gushing wind filled with debris on a quiet Saturday morning under the serene sun of a bright and beautiful Georgetown. It was the Cricket World Cup 2003 and the coveted match of them all was on every television screen, Match 36, India V Pakistan. A sensational innings by Saeed Anwar, 101 from 126 balls was not complete when loud bursts of gunshots permeated the residential air of Section ‘K’ Campbellville. Residents concluded that it might be another violent display by the Death Squad or Phantom Squad which was the order of the day during that period. A cursory glance outside proved that this was not the case.

This was the defining moment for me and numerous students of the University of Guyana who, hitherto, believed that you can casually ig-

nore politics. Saturday, March 1st 2003 represents the melancholy day when second-year student of the University of Guyana, Yohance Douglas, was executed by rogue members of the Guyana Police Force. As a senior member of the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS), I received my unceremonious thrust into the leadership for a national struggle for justice. The belief that you can escape politics soon became a fleeting illusion.

The decision on whether we should march as a student body and fight for justice became political. Some argued that this was not our role and we should allow other civil society groups to fight this good fight.

Having decided that we would lead this struggle, the call for students to join this struggle became highly political. Even though this was an innocent student with an unblemished record just going to pick his sister up from lessons on a sunny Saturday, students who

were fearful of retribution from a vindictive government of the day, some were reluctant to even be seen as marching for justice in a society gripped by fear. Lecturers did not agree to suspend classes to facilitate students that desired to be part of this call for justice -- this too was political.

Youth leaders of the U G S S r eceiv ed calls from all political parties and leaders to merge this struggle with their various political agendas. The media skewed the story in the interest of their political dockets, the state newspapers (under the PPP) was disgraceful in this regard. Within days, a struggle to seek justice for an innocent exemplary student was engulfed in the cauldron of a highly polarised and politicised society. It dawned upon us that it is foolish to seek to escape politics in this small society.

Having acknowledged that you cannot escape politics, we were simultaneously counselled by life that you also ignore

politics at your own peril.

The reckless bullets that proceeded from that gun that executed an innocent citizen were political.

Once members of the security forces believe that they can act and receive protection from the state apparatus, such sordid developments become ubiquitous. This makes it incumbent for citizens to be watchful of who controls the machinery of the state, it is literally a lifeand-death decision. Those who provide tutelage over the state apparatus can determine the quality of life. Simple things such as respectfully dissenting with government on social media without fear of victimization, or whether the police can execute citizens with non-liability are all determined by the politics of the day.

The aforementioned is my personal experience which certainly demonstrates why we should not seek to escape politics. (Ronald Austin Jr. is a historian, education advocate and political commentator.)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Jury empanelled for Agricola murder trial A 12-MEMBER jury was empanelled on Tuesday for the 2014 murder trial of 55-year-old Donna Taylor whose body was found aback her Agricola home with her throat slit and her hands tied behind her back in a home invasion during which a female guest had to jump through a window to escape.

On trial for the alleged murder is 27-year-old former Guyana Defence Force Private, Abiola Jacobs called “Abby”.

At the start of the trial

On trial: Abiola Jacobs

the son of the deceased and ex-boyfriend of the accused, Bertram Taylor Jr. testified before Justice James Bovell-Drakes in the Georgetown High Court.

The state is being represented by Mandel Moore in association with Lisa Cave, while the defence attorney is Adrian Thompson. Fourteen witnesses are expected to take the stand.

Police reported that Taylor’s body was found aback her Agricola home on Friday, January 31,

2014 with her throat slit, and her hands bound behind her. The cause of her death was given as shock and haemorrhage due to incised wound to the neck compounded by blunt trauma to the head.

According to the police report, Sabatt, Taylor’s friend, who had been a guest at her home at the time of the incident, was injured when she jumped from the window of the Lot 16/17 two-storey house in Agricola after persons had invaded the property.

Jacobs, of Lot 55 Evan Phillips Park, Agricola, East Bank Demerara, was the girlfriend of the dead woman’s son, but the young man had recently broken off the relationship with her because of her aggressive attitude towards him.

It was reported that the young man had shared a very close relationship with his mother, and because of that relationship, the suspect was of the view that the woman had influenced her son’s decision to sever the rela-

tionship.

Sabatt had travelled to Guyana from the United Kingdom to attend the funeral of her father and was staying at Taylor’s residence. She decided to jump through the window after the persons who came into the house were attempting to break down the door to the bedroom in which she had secured herself.

However, when the woman jumped through the window, she got injured and was hospitalised.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Small Business Bureau trained 110 retrenched sugar workers

THE Small Business Bureau (SBB) has partnered with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to offer business development support to retrenched sugar workers.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SBB, Dr. Lowell Porter, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the bureau recently completed training of 110 retrenched workers and their family members from the Wales and East Demerara Estates.

Training was provided in skill sets such as sewing, cookery, leather craft and fabric design. Dr. Porter disclosed that GuySuCo will hire some of the recent trainees to work in the remaining factories and estates. The SBB’s partnership with GuySuCo is intended to

achieve the economic resilience component of the corporation’s alternative livelihoods programme that was developed for the retrenched workers.

The SBB is committed to ensuring that workers and families that benefit from training are properly established, Dr. Porter noted. “We will, through GuySuCo or with GuySuCo, go back into the community to find out what they are doing and exactly what they are doing and what needs they have.”

The SBB has also offered to provide training in areas such as business startup, record-keeping and other technical skills, such as assisting with access to financing. Dr. Porter notes that this offer also extends to the families of retrenched workers. “We understand that maybe not

those people that are being retrenched might be the ones coming to the training or interested, or maybe even capable of even doing it, but we’ve extended that to the families because we believe that it’s the families, it’s the communities, the households that need help.”

Meanwhile, the Small Business Bureau will fund another round of training

for the retrenched workers later this month. “Through Critchlow Labour College, GITC, where they are going to be trained in carpentry and masonry,” Dr. Porter explained.

The alternative livelihoods programme is aimed at securing the employment of workers as estates are being amalgamated and closed. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Fly Jamaica back in operation Thursday -sets up 24-hr call centre to deal with complaints

FLY Jamaica Airways is expected to resume operations on Thursday when it receives its Boeing 767 aircraft which went down for unscheduled mainte-

nance recently.

This commitment was made by the company to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), after the latter summoned the airline

Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field and his team along with officials of Fly Jamaica to a meeting to discuss its consistent cancellation of flights entering and leaving Guyana over the last few months. Several hundred passengers have since been left stranded in the four destinations from which Fly Jamaica operates – Georgetown, Kingston, New York and Toronto.

The meeting which was held on Tuesday was chaired by Director General of the authority, Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field. Representing Fly Jamaica was Carl Bowen, Commercial Operations Manager and Patricia Reece, Director, Wings Aviation.

Present at the meeting too, were: Saheed Sulaman, Director, Air Transport Management; Abraham Dorris, Manager, Aviation Security; Captain Christopher Kirkcaldy, Director (ag), Aviation Safety Regulations; Dinello Mahabir, Air Transport Officer; and Rashan Reid, Public Communications Officer of the GCAA. The airline’s representatives informed GCAA that its fleet of aircraft had to undergo unscheduled and mandatory scheduled maintenance checks, which was one of the reasons for the delays and cancellations.

GCCA said it was informed that the airline utilised four charter services which was intermittently disrupted by crew shortages in those companies. Additionally, a snow storm in New York had affected the airline’s flight schedule.

Based on the outcome of the meeting, GCCA said that Fly Jamaica has committed to immediately operationalise a 24-hour call centre for passengers in Guyana to get updates and other information regard-

ing their bookings. The airline officials have also committed to contact passengers and provide them with updates of their flight bookings.

In relation to the resumption of flights, officials said that the airline is expected to have its own Boeing 767 aircraft in operation as early as Thursday to relieve the backlog of passengers stranded in Guyana and other destinations.

Additionally, Fly Jamaica has arranged to lease a B757 aircraft from National Airlines to operate between Kingston, Jamaica and JFK in New York.

On Monday, Bowen told the Guyana Chronicle that the airline was expecting to receive its aircraft

by Wednesday and that the flight schedule would return to normal by weekend.

“Operations will definitely begin by Wednesday, but we won’t be back to our regular schedule until three to four days after… So that will take us into the weekend,” he said.

Bowen also said that he has been in direct contact with many of the passengers, who, despite their eagerness to return home, have been understanding.

“The passengers I have spoken to have been understanding; they are travel-savvy so they understand that these are issues which are not new to the aviation industry,” he said. “Most of them are eager to return home and to their jobs, but they have been understanding.”

Passengers are asked to call the airline on telephone numbers 222-0227 or 222-5556 to speak with a Customer Service Representative of Fly Jamaica.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Guyana no dumping ground for substandard goods

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– GNBS executive director GUYANA must not be seen as a dumping ground for substandard products, says Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) Executive Director, Candelle Walcott-Bostwick, as the bureau forges ahead with its work for 2018.

Walcott-Bostwick, who was at the time speaking at a press conference on Tuesday at the GNBS office at the Sophia Exhibition Complex, said projections for 2018 include increase scope of calibration services in the area of torque, micropipette calibrations for medical laboratories, testing services to include PVC pipes, concrete blocks, verify speed guns, breathalysers and tint meters.

The bureau will also review existing building codes, coordinate efforts to establish a National Building Authority, develop a National Petroleum Code for Guyana, a National Quality Policy and implement the Green State Development Strategy in the two thematic areas: energy transition towards renewable energy and international cooperation, trade and investment, among others.

Walcott-Bostwick is encouraging all importers and manufacturers to conform to national standards to protect the health and safety of consumers and to reduce the importation of substandard products.

Adding that the bureau has seen a reduction in the number of registration of importers for 2017 when compared to 2016, the executive director said, “We are encouraging our importers and local manufacturers to purchase cop-

ies of the standards for the products imported or manufactured to ensure compliance.”

She implored importers and manufacturers to adopt the culture of selling products which are approved for use in the country of origin or manufacture.

“We will require all importers to obtain a certificate of conformity from the country where the products are acquired. Many consumers have suffered from the poor and substandard quality of products being imported,” Walcott-Bostwick explained.

She added: “Due diligence should be adopted by our importers to ensure that investments are made in quality products for us Guyanese. Do not wait until standards are enforced to say that the regulations are killing your businesses, inculcate good business practices with the interest of our consumers.”

The executive director said the GNBS has achieved some 95 per cent of its operational objectives set for 2017.

There was an increase in the requests for business support services during 2017, which Walcott-Bostwick said is a positive reflection that more local businesses are voluntarily recognising the impact of implementing standards in their operations.

She said recognition should be given to companies, laboratories, government departments and other interested parties which have utilised the services of the GNBS and place confidence in services provided.

“This is a clear indicator that our businesses have recognised the value of implementing stan-

dards and collaborating with the national standards body,” the GNBS head said.

From left: GNBS Public Relations Officer Lloyd David and Executive Director Candelle Walcott- Bostwick at the press briefing

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Officer warned about defaming mayor, town clerk

By Telesha Ramnarine A LETTER of caution has been dispatched to Constabulary Officer Quacy Baveghems who is said to be bringing disrepute to Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen and Town Clerk, Royston King.

Baveghems allegedly witnessed sexual misconduct against a 15-year-old

boy in the constabulary lockups by Lance Corporal Clifton Pellew.

The two officers were fired by King, but subsequently reinstated and made to proceed on administrative leave.

At Monday’s statutory meeting at City Hall, King reported that the human resources officer was asked to issue a letter to Bav-

eghems because of certain “calculated” remarks he made to the press following the incident.

King said the officer cannot afford to continue down this path as he is still a member of the Constabulary.

Now that the matter has been referred to the Local Government Commission (LGC) and the criminal as-

pect of it is with the police, King said the Council now has nothing more to do with this matter.

King told reporters a few days ago that the Council adopted a report on the matter from the Legal Affairs Committee, and forwarded it to the LGC, based on legal advice received.

King said he forwarded the matter on December 5

to the LGC Chairman, Mr. Mortimer Mingo, who has since responded that the Commission will “address this matter soonest”.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the juvenile was approached by the officer in the wee hours of the morning and made to engage in the act. The incident reportedly occurred between August 22 and 23

last.

Chief Constable Andrew Foo had told this newspaper that although he was aware that the lance corporal at reference had faced a similar charge in 2016, he believes everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

Pellew’s 2016 matter was reportedly dropped, because the victim did not pursue it.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

UG, UWI in move to revitalise Lokono language

THE University of Guyana in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (UWI) will from Thursday commence a language revitalisation project in the Arawak community of Wakapoa.

In a release, UG said for some time now observers both inside and outside of the community have noted

that the only people who can and do speak Lokono, the traditional language of the community, are the elderly. The Toshao and Council of Wakapoa, in order to reverse this situation, approached the Guyana Languages Unit, an informal working group at The University of Guyana (UG), for help. The Work-

ing Group in turn made contact with the International Centre for Caribbean Language Research (ICCLR), at The University of the West Indies. And the ICCLR agreed to fund a 10-day visit to Wakapoa by Lokono language scholar, Daidrah Smith.

According to UG, Ms Smith is scheduled to car-

ry out activities, with full support from UG’s Learning Resource Centre, that include documenting the language in everyday use through demonstrations of traditional skills, arts and crafts narrated and explained using Lokono. In addition, she will be working with the community to decide on the final details

of an orthography (writing system) they find most acceptable for the language, and will finalise plans to spread the use of Lokono in everyday speech amongst the young people and children of the community.

She is also expected to participate in a major community activity on Monday, January 15, to complete a

programme of activities to revitalise and revive the use of the Lokono language in Arawak communities such as Wakapoa.

Students and lecturers from The University of Guyana and The University of the West Indies will be on hand to witness and participate in the January 15 exercise.

Guyana mourns passing of former T&T president THE Ministry of the Presidency, through the Department of Public Information (DPI) has conveyed on behalf of the President, Government

and people of Guyana, its deepest condolences to the President, Government and people of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, on the passing of

Professor George Maxwell Richards, former President.

In a statement the DPI said Guyana, along with the people of Trinidad,

and CARICOM, mourns the loss of a distinguished son, who during his two terms of President, helped to advance the cause of the integration movement.

A chemical engineer and distinguished Professor Emeritus, Professor Richards will be remembered for, among other things, his renowned con-

tributions that lifted the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of the West Indies (UWI), to international standards.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

GTT-Pulse launches ‘Mash’ fitness camp

GTT-Pulse on Monday launched their Mashramani fitness camp at the Everest Cricket Club Ground, Eve Leary in keeping with their objective to have persons get fit, toned and ready to take the road by storm on Mash Day. The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) became the corporate forerunner of Mash 2018 with the November 2017 launch of its costume band under the theme, Amazon Gems.

The band is part of the company’s contribution to the cultural celebration of the nation’s 48th Republic Anniversary celebration.

The GTT-Pulse band has, to date, been the only concrete indication of participation from Corporate Guyana in the National Costume and Float Parade to be held on February 23.

Purchase of any of the costumes entitles the buyer to a package of nine events, namely: ** FREE Fitness Camp-Press Conference: From January 8 to February 21, 2018 ** PULSE COOLER FETE: January 27, 2018 ** MASH FAMILY FUN DAY: January 28, 2018 ** MASH FITNESS RUN: February 16, 2018 ** J’OUVERT: February 17, 2018 ** FITNESS CAMP FINALE: February 21, 2018 ** THURS ON THE ROCKS - Day Fete: February 22, 2018 ** ‘MASH’ ROAD MARCH: February 23, 2018 ** ‘MASH’ AFTER-PARTY: February 24, 2018 The Fitness Camp will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from January 8 to February 21, from 16:30hrs to 18:30hrs.

Persons will have the option of being trained in

A fitness instructor taking some participants through warm-up drills on Day One of the GTT-Pulse Fitness Camp (Photo by Adrian Narine) Zumba, high-intensity, cardio aerobics and isometrics.

At the launching of the ‘Mash’ Fitness Camp, Dr George Norton, Minister of Social Cohesion, who also holds the responsibility for Culture, Youth

and Sport, lauded GTT for taking such an initiative, saying that as an advocate for healthy living, he hoped that the camp could kick-start a ‘get fit’ campaign.

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Check those scales!

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

–– you just might not be getting value for money, GNBS warns

VENDORS have seemingly found a way to beat the system, as according the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), as many have not been playing by the rules of late.

“We have recorded a decrease in the number of devices submitted for verification during 2017 when compared to 2016,” says GNBS Executive Director, Ms Candelle Walcott-Bostwick.

“We believe that our vendors in particular should convert to the use of the authorised devices, since education on the use of the authorised devices has been conducted over the years at shops, retail outlets and market places,” she told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday at the GNBS office at the Exhibition Complex in Sophia.

Noting that it is illegal to use either the domestic or the imperial scale for commercial purposes, Walcott-Bostwick said that in the case of the former, they are just not durable enough for that, and prone to inaccuracy.

The problem with the imperial scales, on the other hand, is that seeing that they are not verified by the GNBS, it’s hard to determine accuracy.

Said she: “To our consumers, I plead with you not to purchase from vendors using unauthorised devices, as we have been encouraging them to transition to devices using SI units where accuracy can be guaranteed.”

Giving a synopsis of the agency’s performance for the past year, Candelle Walcott-Bostwick told reporters that a total of 29, 390 devices were verified for 2017 and 8,395 surveillance inspections done in all ten of the country’s administrative regions.

Other devices to have been verified within the same period were 1,551 masses, 1968 electricity meters, 551 scales, 1779 petrol meters, 84 tanker wagon compartments,

GNBS Executive Director, Ms Candelle Walcott-Bostwick 246 bulk meters, 106 storage tanks, and 131 weighbridges.

In addition, 5,265 compliance inspections were conducted for the 15 categories of products monitored by the GNBS. Walcott-Bostwick said that the GNBS conducts the verification of measuring devices used in trade twice annually to ensure that consumers get value for money.

She said the reason the Bureau verifies devices used in the petroleum sector is so as to ensure that the measuring devices being used, especially the petrol meters, tanker wagons, storage tanks and bulk meters, are in compliance.

It is for pretty much the same reason, she said, that the weighbridge scales at rice mills are verified.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Accused killer of school teacher further remanded

A 47-YEAR-OLD taxi driver, Matthew Munroe, who is charged for the murder of schoolteacher Kescia Branche was on Tuesday further remanded to prison after the police file was said to be incomplete.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers when the matter was recalled before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for report explained that the police was still awaiting DNA results from the matter.

Matthew Munroe However, Munroe’s attorney Nigel Hughes made

an application to the court for the copy of the records of the calls placed by his clients and Branche, video footage of the time when his client crossed the Demerara Harbor Bridge and video footage of the interview between his client and the police to be given to him.

Prosecutor Jeffers requested sometime for the file to be completed and as such the matter was adjourned until February 1.

In December 2016, Mun-

roe was charged for killing Branche on November 7, 2017 at Georgetown.

The taxi driver of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara was not required to plea to the indictable charge.

Branche, a mother of one, who resided in Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown, was last seen on November 4, when she left for a night out with her friends.

However, her unconscious body was found in the

DEAD: Kescia Branche vicinity of Princes Street and Louisa Row the following day. Her left leg was broken and there was evidence that she’d sustained multiple head injuries.

The Richard Ishmael Secondary School teacher died at the Georgetown Public Hospital two days after being found battered in the city. A post-mortem indicated that she died as a result of brain haemorrhage.

During police investigations, three suspects who were being questioned regarding the death of Branche, were released. The father of Branche’s three-year-old son was released on November

14 and placed on station bail, along with two police constables. The two officers were later charged departmentally for neglect of duty, consuming intoxicating liquor while on duty, improperly entering licensed premises and acting in a manner likely to bring discredit on the reputation of the force.

At the time of the trio’s release, police were seeking to contact a taxi driver whose cell phone number appeared repeatedly on Branche’s mobile device.

The taxi driver’s car was impounded at the Brickdam Police Stationa after he had reportedly left the country after Branche was found with a broken leg and in an unconscious state on November 5.

Investigators are of the opinion that the driver may have been the last person to see the teacher alive.

When arrested, the taxi driver claimed that his car was involved in an accident after he drove into a pothole, but according to a police report, the damage to the car is consistent with the injuries Branche received.

Bishop charged with rape

BISHOP Joseph Persaud was on Tuesday charged and released on $350,000 bail for allegedly raping one of his female church members at his Diamond, East Bank Demerara, home.

Persaud, 32 appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and the matter was held in camera after which it was adjourned until January 18.

Bishop Joseph According to reports, Persaud the 22-year-old victim had once shared a relationship with Persaud but ended it after his wife found out. It is alleged that even after the relationship was halted, Persaud who is the bishop of a church in Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, kept calling the woman’s phone and stalked her.

It is further reported that Persaud during the month of October 2017, invited the woman to his home for ‘counselling’ where he allegedly raped her.

Reports are too, that while Persaud was arrested and placed in custody at the Diamond Police Station he called the victim’s phone to persuade her to drop the charge.

The telephone recording was released by HGPTV Nightly News and the Bishop could be heard telling the victim “Would you come to the station and drop this matter? I let go of you… There is no more me and you anymore.” “You can go your way for free. I’ll make a paper with the JP today; I will no longer call you or look in your direction…not a text or a message to you.”

He pleaded with the victim to drop the charge since it was damaging his reputation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Woman gets 12 years for killing push-cart vendor VANESSA Baird, a mother of one, was on Tuesday sentenced to 12-and-a-half years for the fatal stabbing of push-cart operator Percival Williams in 2013 over $1,000. She appeared in the Georgetown High Court before Justice Navindra Singh after pleading guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Time served will be deducted from the sentence which was handed down by Justice Singh after considering her early plea and other mitigating submissions made by defence attorney Mark Conway.

The judge told Baird to utilise her time in jail and to participate in anger-management classes in an effort to achieve better self-control. In his plea of mitigation, Conway told the court that at the time of the incident Baird had a threeyear-old son and being a single parent she had some financial difficulties providing for her child.

He related that even though the money was insignificant, it was supposed to finance her son’s meals and during her time in prison she had time to regain her self-control and analyse her mental state.

Conway added that she had no trouble with the law before the incident and she was part of the drama and sewing classes in jail and also attended church services.

The defence attorney told

there was an exchange of words.

The accused then held the deceased by his jersey and

Sentenced: Vanessa Baird at the Georgetown High Court on Tuesday the court that Baird would like to return home to take care of her son and she has since expressed remorse and asked for forgiveness.

In response, State prosecutor Abigail Gibbs said that she understands the difficulties experienced by the accused, but asked the court to consider the mourning of the family of the deceased whose loved one was killed for $1,000.

Gibbs told the court that it was alleged that on December 21, 2013 at the Parika Stelling, the accused murdered Percival Williams over $1,000.

She stated that on the day in question the accused met the deceased, 43, of Hague, West Coast Demerara, whom she gave $1,000 to buy a Chinese food for her.

Later that day she held onto him and demanded that he hand over the money to her. After he failed to do so

Two remanded for Brazilian gold miner’s murder TWO men were on Tuesday remanded to prison for the murder of Brazilian gold miner Nandinho De Costa Souza, who was found with his throat slit in his Fish Creek, Cuyuni River camp on February 9, 2016.

Phillip Williams, 25, of Goshen, Essequibo River, and Fidel Williams, 22, of Rock View, Essequibo River, were charged with murder when they appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Bartica Magistrate's Court.

They were both remanded until January 10, 2018 (today) and the case will now be called before District Magistrate Crystal Lambert. The men were not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Nandinho De Costa Souza, called “Vandam” of Boa Vista, Brazil, was found with his throat slit in his mining camp.

The corpse was found next to a sluice box, and a quantity of gold was missing. The victim, who reportedly owned two land dredges, was reportedly last seen washing down the sluice box with one of the men suspected of killing him.

Police had previously issued a wanted bulletin for 22-year-old Fidel Williams of Rock View, Essequibo River, in relation to De Costa Sousa’s murder.

there was a scuffle, during which she dealt him a stab to the lower chest with a knife.

He fell to the ground

and was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he succumbed to the injury.

The cause of death was given as perforation of the lung and heart due to a stab wound.

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Gunmen open fire on Diamond House

GUNMEN opened fire on a section ‘A’ Block X Diamond, East Bank Demerara house on Monday terrorising its occupants at minutes to midnight.

Reports indicate that the two-storeyed concrete building with persons living upstairs and the lower flat being used as a bond, was shot at leaving several holes on the eastern window.

The house was occupied by a 57-yearold woman and two of her six sons at the time of the shooting. Enquiries revealed

that the family heard a loud explosion minutes to midnight and upon looking outside they saw several holes on the window.

The police were called in and spent shells from a handgun were found inside the house. Eyewitnesses in the area said the motorcar which drove slowly through the street at the time of the shooting was seen coming from the northern side of the road.

The registration and model were not detected.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

ARIES You’re not sure which way to turn because there are too many variables in the equation.

Perhaps you thought that everything would fall into place, but instead, those things that were already handled yesterday may need additional attention today. The good news is that you have greater freedom of movement now, which is something you like. Nevertheless, if your behaviour is too drastic your friends may abandon the ship before you actually need their help. Wield your power lightly for the best results.

TAURUS You may be caught up in a net of fantastic illusions today, but they are so convincing that you can’t discern your dreams from reality. Just as you start to make progress and think you have a handle on your world, something might go awry. But it’s hard to tell whether your concern is justified now. Many people would take this uncertainty in stride, but you are not happy when your senses are unreliable. Instead of working yourself into a state of anxiety, rest assured you’ll be back in the real world tomorrow.

GEMINI You are not ready to set aside unrealised personal goals in order to concentrate on growing responsibilities. But you’re getting tired of fighting against the inevitable, especially if others are expecting you to show up and do your fair share of the work. Fortunately, you can turn this into a win-win situation once you realize that you don’t have to shut down your fantasy world to be a success in the real world. Meeting your obligations gives you a foundation from which to grow into the person of your dreams.

CANCER You could be fighting an uphill battle today as you try to keep your attention on the present moment. But each time you settle into a relaxing state of mind, you drift off into the future where your dreams have already come true. Ironically, you have more potential than ever to achieve the success you imagine, but it requires you to put in a one-hundred-and-ten percent effort on whatever you’re doing now. You must decide if you will be satisfied living in your fantasies or if you want to manifest them in your real life. Anything is possible once you realise that the choice is yours.

LEO You might feel stuck in a routine that is limiting your true expression of happiness. Although there may be many reasons to keep you in your present situation, you’re not as trapped as you think. You have a choice to make today that will influence your future. You can resign yourself to your fate, suppress your frustration, grit your teeth and get back to work. Or, you can joyfully fulfill your commitments while imagining your perfect life and all the steps required to make it happen. You’re not restrained by your circumstances, only by your thoughts.

VIRGO You are torn between being the practical person others think you are or shocking your friends with your wildest dreams. You long to live a life where you can show up as you are, rather than as you’re supposed to be. Nevertheless, there is a vast gulf between your inner and outer worlds now. Fortunately, your adaptable nature allows you to keep one foot in each of them. Don’t worry about bridging the gap yet; your chance to do that will come. It may take a while to see progress, but your future self will thank you for feeding your dreams with the attention they deserve.

LIBRA You may appear to be supportive as ever to those around you. You can put on a happy face and move through your day without stirring any suspicion that something is awry. Meanwhile, you are fed up with others who aren’t as nice to you as you are to them. Instead of amplifying your unexpressed annoyance or anger, honour your inner voice. Explore your desires for a more balanced life and paint mental pictures of what that might look like.

Harbouring your fantasies is not an escape. Instead, you are setting the stage for the next act in your play.

SCORPIO You could be so attuned to your emotions today that they flow into your environment without having to say a word. Those close to you will probably know what you are feeling, but just in case they are in denial, you tell them in no uncertain terms. You’re not one to sugarcoat your message; for you, it’s either all or nothing. Nevertheless, speaking your piece while being kind doesn’t cost anything extra, plus it improves your chances of resolving an existing problem and getting what you want. Linda Poindexter wrote, “Never mince words, for everyone deserves the whole truth.”

SAGITTARIUS Your creativity might not be obvious to anyone else today, but that’s fine with you. You’re not seeking attention now because you have important goals to focus on. Your innovative approach to tasks as mundane as finances will probably meet resistance and you don’t want to waste time defending your strategy. Your unorthodox ideas confuse others and their advice won’t be constructive. Plus, it’s better to show your work once it’s further along.

J.R.R. Tolkien wrote, “Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes.”

CAPRICORN The weight of the recent cosmic shift may finally be dawning on you. Your drive to make an impact on your world is not just a fleeting thought. Your desire to re-examine your goals, establish priorities and achieve success is part of the new you. But today might bring you a very short holiday that encourages you to temporarily set aside your real-world ambitions.

Cut the ties to rational thought. Do something just for the fun of it. Ultimately, a brief escape now is not wasted energy. Jaime Lyn Beatty wrote, “Jobs fill your pocket, adventures fill your soul.”

AQUARIUS You are not one to be trifled with at work today. In fact, if someone gets on your case now, they might wish they never disturbed the hornets’ nest. Unfortunately, you may not possess as much self-control as you wish, especially if a sensitive button is pushed. It doesn’t matter if the offender is a friend or your boss; your emotional rant will send them packing.

Thankfully, there is a comfortable halfway point if you are cognizant of your feelings. Your response doesn’t need to be an all-or-nothing one. Gandhi said, “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”

PISCES You are at home in the cosmos today while the planets draw your attention to your all-too-familiar dream world. Fortunately, you have little problem loosening your ties to logic as you drift through the distant reaches of inner-galactic space. Your imagination is the source of your creative power, and this is a chance to recharge your batteries. Don’t stop to explain your process to others now unless you can do it in a few words. The less distracted you are from your visit to the magical realms, the more inspired you will be upon your return.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

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AAG kicks off calendar this weekend

World Cup 2018

… Improved focus on seniors for 2018

By Tamica Garnett THE Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) will kick off its track and field activities this Sunday, January 14, with a developmental meet at the National Track and Field Centre (NTAFC), Leonora, one of three such meets to be held this month, as things get underway in what is looking to be a very packed year for the association.

With several senior events including the introduction of five Senior Grand Prix events, this year’s calendar presents a more balanced list than that of last year, where the association received much backlash over neglect of the senior athletes, after a year of much junior progress.

AAG president Aubrey Hutson, noted that the reproach did not fall on deaf ears, and the Grand Prix are the Association’s deliberate effort to address the issue.

“It is primarily done to give senior athletes competition. This is one of our first

tests in having a solid programme for senior track and field athletes,” he said.

Explaining the format, Hutson says that the Prix will all be held in the evening and will all run somewhere between 3 and 4 hours. Apart from giving the seniors more competition the event is also aimed at putting some cash in the pockets of the athletes.

Totalling five, so far, the Senior Grand Prix are scattered throughout the year, with the first two set for April 14 and 28, just a few weeks before the South American Games, which will run from May 17 to 20 in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

A third is scheduled for June 9, followed by the National Seniors Championships from June 23 to 24. Guyana’s premier senior event, the Aliann Pompey (AP) Invitational, will also be on June 30.

The final Grand Prix is scheduled for August 25, and all of them will be held at the NTAFC. “Five Senior Grand Prix may work but I think, ideally,

we should have six - four preliminary ones and two final ones. It should be two because we would do the different distances at different meets. For example, we would not do the 100m and 200m at the same meet,” Hutson reported.

“There is prize moneys that will be given from first to eighth place in every one of the preliminaries, and it (prize money) will be doubled in the finals. For me this is a step in the right direction in giving some kind of financial support to our senior athletes.”

Prior to the Grand Prix, however, the first test for the seniors this year will be the Commonwealth Games in Australia from April 4 to 15.

Another major senior event on the calendar is the quadrennial Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Colombia from July 27 to August 3.

For the younger athletes, their first major event of the year will be the CARIFTA Games set for the Bahamas from March 31 to April 2. In preparation for this the AAG will be having a CARIFTA/

Senior Camp from February 2 to 4. The CARIFTA trials will be held on February 11, 18 and 24-25.

Another CARIFTA Camp is set for March 10 and 11.

The National Youth and Junior Championships will be held May 12-13. This event will also serve as trials for the World Juniors and South American Youth (U-18) Championships The South American Youth (U-18) Athletics Championships is set for Colombia June 30-July 1, and the World Juniors (IAAF World U-20 Championships) is in Finland from July 10 to 15. Later in the year there is also the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina from October 6 to 18.

The AAG calendar will feature the addition of a number of other local meets, as well as the continuance of others such as the Boyce and Jefford Classic in August.

New meets include the Burgett Williams 5K/10K Road Races Relay Championships (May 27) and Main Street Mile on September 2.

Gymnasium upgrade likely for February completion … Jones pleased with construction RANDOLPH Taylor Construction Company and Simcon Engineering Company came in for high praises from Director of Sport Christopher Jones for their more than satisfactory work so far on the National Gymnasium, which is being transformed to the first multi-purpose sports facility in Georgetown.

Randolph Taylor Construction Company was contracted to construct the lawn tennis court at a cost of $12.9M, while Simcon Engineering Company con-

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structed the futsal, basketball, and volleyball courts at a cost of $11.6M. “What! I’m impressed man, those guys are really doing a good job,” said Jones while speaking to Chronicle Sport yesterday.

According to the Director of Sport, “I had given them a 3D animation of the place and what we want it to look like, and they are really bringing it to life.”

Jones said ideally, a three months’ time frame was given for completion, but “the weather played a part

in the setback, so, I think if all goes well, things should be completed by the end of February, where the entire facility will be ready for use and so on.”

The National Gymnasium will for the first time boast an outdoor ‘futsal’ court with bleachers and lights, and a lawn tennis court.

Jones pointed out that upon competition, he knows that the venue will be fully utilised and that he’s looking to have similar facilities across Guyana.

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32

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Dravid sees World Cup as ‘stepping stone’ to A-team for India U-19s INDIA Under-19 coach Rahul Dravid’s aim is to see a few of the World Cupbound players included in the A-team within the next six to eight months.

“The World Cup is an exciting challenge and provides

a good opportunity for all those guys. There is a process now in place in Indian cricket: U-19 cricket to first-class cricket and then to India A and then the India national team, when the opportunity arrives,” Dravid said before

the U-19 team left for New Zealand.

“I have been talking to these players about other formats as well. If they can make it to the India A-team in sixeight months, it will be great.

We see this (World Cup) as a

stepping stone.”

The current India U-19 captain, Prithvi Shaw, has already played for the India A-team during warm-up games against touring New Zealanders in October last year.

dia in future.”

On India’s chances in the upcoming global event in New Zealand, which starts on January 13, Dravid exuded confidence.

The key would be adjusting to the conditions quick-

Coach Rahul Dravid and Indian Under-19 captain Prithvi Shaw (PTI).

Dravid refused to predict who among the current batch has the potential to make it big at the senior level. “I have learnt a lot in these years as coach of the U-19 and A-teams. These boys are from a different generation and their thinking is different.

They have to adapt to all three formats. It’s a huge challenge.

The game has changed a lot.

“I can’t say who can go on and make it or who cannot.

All of them have the potential to play for their state and In-

ly, he said. “The conditions would provide a unique challenge in that no one in the team has played in New Zealand before.

“The key would be in adapting to the conditions well. We have tried to replicate the conditions in the Bangalore camp to the extent possible but it’s not possible to do it completely.”

The squad is set to leave for New Zealand tomorrow morning. Three-time previous champions India, who

finished runners-up in the previous edition, are in Group B alongside Australia, Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea.

The squad has a few players - captain Shaw of Mumbai, Shubman Gill of Punjab, Himanshu Rana of Haryana, Ishan Porel of Bengal - who have been playing first-class cricket, which the coach termed as a plus for the side.

“It’s always good to have players in the team with some first-class cricket experience.

This team too has a few. The team is similar to the one we had the last time, with only one major difference - that in the previous team there were people with more experience of having played the U-19 World Cup. “This team too has a good pace attack, good spin bowlers and a good batting unit like the last one.”

Shaw was happy to have practice games to help the team get into the groove.

“We are going to play a few practice games before the World Cup. That will help us.

Playing first-class cricket will be of help to me in the World Cup,” Shaw, who already has five first-class hundreds to his credit, said.

“It’s a great opportunity and as captain I want to take the whole team with me. Everyone in the team knows his role. I want to win the World Cup.” (ESPN Cricinfo)

Bayliss to step down as England coach in 2019 TREVOR Bayliss will step down as England coach when his contract expires at the end of the 2019 Ashes.

The 55-year-old, who was appointed in 2015, has just seen his side beaten 4-0 in Australia, but had told England director of cricket Andrew Strauss of his plans a year ago.

“I’m contracted to September 2019 and that will see me out,” the Australian told BBC Sport.

“I’ve always felt that it’s time for a change around that four-year mark.”

He added: “A new voice and a different approach reinvigorates things.”

Bayliss led England to a home Ashes triumph in his

first summer in charge and later presided over a Test series win in South Africa and a run to the final of the 2016 World Twenty20.

Trevor Bayliss contract expires at the end of the 2019 Ashes.

With the World Cup on home soil in 2019, England’s steady progress in the 50over game has been such that a semi-final defeat in the 2017 Champions Trophy was seen as a disappointment.

However, the team’s recent Test results have been mixed.

In 38 matches under Bayliss, they have lost 18 and won 15. The tour of Australia extended their winless run in away Tests to 11 matches.

England’s next assignment in Test cricket is two matches in New Zealand in March.

The squad for that trip will be announced today at 22:00 GMT - 24 hours later than planned as captain Joe Root recovers from the severe dehydration he suffered during the final Ashes Test.

Australia coach Darren Lehmann will also leave his post after the 2019 Ashes in the UK. (BBC Sport)

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Guptill powers Black Caps past Pakistan A SUPERB innings from Martin Guptill saw New Zealand past Pakistan in their second one-day international.

New Zealand took a 2-0 lead in their one-day international series against Pakistan after an eight-wicket win in a rain-affected clash in Nelson yesterday.

Martin Guptill (87 not out off 72 balls) and Ross Taylor (unbeaten 44) guided the Black Caps to their revised target of 151 at Saxton Oval, where rain had earlier stopped play for more than two hours.

The hosts resumed needing 87 off 11 overs and they made relatively quick work of the chase, reaching 151-2 with seven balls to spare.

New Zealand had been reduced to 64-2 chasing 247 when play was initially stopped and

the Duckworth-Lewis method needed.

Pakistan, beaten in the series-opener – which was also impacted by rain, had earlier elected to bat and reached 246-

9 thanks to some lower-order hitting.

Mohammad Hafeez (60) was the only top-order batsman to deliver, leaving the tourists needing runs from Shadab Khan

Martin Guptill

Forty-two Russians appeal against Olympic bans - CAS ZURICH, (Reuters) - Forty-two Russians have lodged appeals against bans issued by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following doping violations at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said yesterday.

The athletes were among 43 disqualified from events, banned from participating in future Olympics and in some cases stripped of their medals following the IOC’s investigation of widespread doping in Sochi, exposed by an independent report for the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Maxim Belugin, part of the two- and four-man bobsleigh teams which finished fourth at Sochi 2014, looks to be the only athlete not to have filed an appeal.

CAS said the cases will all be heard together in the week beginning January 22 and expects verdicts to be issued by January 31.

That is nine days before the start of this year’s Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea and three days after the IOC’s deadline for entries, other than those in exceptional circumstances.

The IOC last month banned Russia from the Pyeongchang Games as a result of its “unprecedented systematic manipulation” of the anti-doping system, though individual athletes will be able to compete effectively as neutrals if they can prove their anti-doping credentials.

BCCI gives Pathan backdated doping ban

NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - Indian batsman Yusuf Pathan has received a fivemonth ban due to a doping violation but will be free to play from Monday after it was backdated to August, the country’s cricket board (BCCI) has said.

The 35-year-old, who played the last of his 57 one-day internationals in 2012 but has been active in domestic cricket, “inadvertently ingested” a prohibited

substance to treat an upper respiratory tract infection, the BCCI said in a statement yesterday.

A urine sample collected last year tested positive for terbutaline, which features in the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances.

He was provisionally suspended in October and the board, convinced by the player’s explanation, backdated the start of his five-month suspension to mid-August.

“Having considered all of the evidence and taken expert external advice, the BCCI has accepted Mr Pathan’s explanation ... and on that basis has agreed that a period of ineligibility of five months should apply, together with the disqualification of certain results.”

Pathan, whose six-hitting ability and tidy off-spin bowling made him a limited-overs asset, is free to play from Monday.

FA to adopt Rooney Rule’ in appointing future England managers LONDON (Reuters) - The Football Association (FA) will adopt a version of the “Rooney Rule” when appointing future England managers by interviewing at least one applicant from a black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) background.

FA chief executive Martin Glenn said on Tuesday that a BAME candidate would be interviewed for all England coaching jobs in the future as part of plans aimed at improving inclusivity within English soccer’s governing body.

Glenn told the BBC that the decision sent out a message that the “FA is for all”.

“The Rooney rule is to make

sure that provided the candidate has the right level of technical qualifications... on the shortlist for the England manager’s job in the future there will be one candidate from a BAME background,” Glenn said.

“What it will say is the opportunity to have a career beyond playing is something that the FA is serious about promoting.”

The Rooney Rule, named after former NFL diversity committee chairman Dan Rooney, was introduced in the NFL in 2003 and obliged clubs to interview at least one minority candidate for every senior head coach role.

Glenn also said the FA

would make it easier for players and staff to air grievances and that he intended to oversee attempts to change the culture around the England women’s team following allegations of race discrimination by Eniola Aluko.

The FA issued a public apology in October to Aluko and her fellow England women’s international Drew Spence after comments deemed “discriminatory on grounds of race” were made to them by the team’s former coach Mark Sampson.

That incident led to a British government hearing in which Glenn and FA chairman Greg Clarke were questioned about the FA’s culture.

(52) and Hasan Ali (51).

But while they got Colin Munro (0) early and Shadab took a great catch to remove Kane Williamson (19), Pakistan had no answers after the break as Guptill quickly took the game – and potentially the five-match series – away from them.

Earlier, the tourists’ top-order collapsed for the second time in as many games.

Pakistan were 39-3 on a

good batting wicket as Imam-ulHaq (2), Azhar Ali (6) and Babar Azam (10) fell cheaply.

They had a decent chance of setting a good total with Hafeez at the crease as the right-hander led the Pakistan innings.

However, Hafeez picked out Guptill at extra cover off Mitchell Santner (1-34) to leave his team at 127-6.

The biggest partnership of Pakistan’s innings was for the

eighth wicket as Shadab and Hasan put on 70.

Hasan was aggressive from the outset, making 51 off 31 with four fours and as many sixes on his way to a first international half-century.

The duo’s hitting appeared to propel Pakistan to a defendable total, but the Black Caps made a decent enough start in response and had no issues after the rain delay. (Omnisport)

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Xavier cops Hustler Pool Trophy FROM National U-17 Cricketer to Pool tournament organiser Ricardo Devers took a giant leap to stage the Hustler eight-ball knock-out bestof-three Pool competition at the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMRSC) last Sunday.

The tournament climaxed in the early hours of Monday morning with Anthony Xavier producing a dominating display of Pool against Deenashwar Rampersaud in the final; winning two games to none, to take Championship honours in the wee hours of Monday morning.

Xavier captured the first prize of $100 000 from Nauth’s Motor Spares and the Trophy Stall Trophy in a tournament which attracted over 43 players.

Rampersaud, for his second-place effort received a five-stop trip on the Essequibo River inclusive of lunch and a trophy sponsored by Vnet Communications.

Earlier, Deenashwar Rampershad got a free draw into the final since there were three players left in the competition, leaving Xavier to battle Chrisnah Rambarran for a place in the final.

Xavier took the first game while Rambarran won the second before Xavier prevailed in the decider. Rambarran had to settle for the third-place prize

FOOTBALL is considered the most exciting sport in the world with viewership of football matches unmatchable. At venues where seating is in excess of 60 000 and more, most times all tickets are sold out. When there is the World Cup millions of people watch TV and the list goes on.

This phenomenal viewership comes with good marketing strategies, comprehensive advertisements, committed personnel and knowledgeable and competent strategists.

Mr President, this was lacking with your organisation’s feeble attempt to run off a year-end tournament.

The business of the GFF is to promote and organise football.

To do this, Sir, you must have a strong team of competent and efficient persons to conduct such activity. The many deficiencies that marred the tournament were an embarrassment to the present GFF. It was brought to my attention that the Competition Director thinks that he is God’s gift to football. He is arrogant, intrusive, self-opinionated and abrasive and not too peo-

Badminton looking forward to getting sport into schools GETTING the sport more integrated into the school system, through the distribution of kits to the 14 teachers who participated in the shuttle time programme last year, is high on the agenda of the Guyana Badminton Association as it enters its 2018 season.

however small, the sport saw improvements in almost every area.

“I think it was very, very successful. Our goal really was to attend the Caribbean Games and do well and we did. We came back with 8 medals. At the Caribbean Games for the last 7

Anthony Xavier (3rd from left) shows off his championship trophy in the company of other prize-winners and organiser Ricardo Devers (2nd from right).

of a trophy and a bottle of Absolut Vodka, sponsored by Nicky’s Natural Fruit Juices.

Solomon Jones won the raffle of a pool cue and case, sponsored by West Indies Sports Complex while Gbay Deals and Cell Point sponsored Advertising and Promotion.

Speaking at the presentation, Devers, a talented pool

ple-friendly. He listens to few and takes advice from little.

He is not good for future football development. Take note Mr President, this guy will cause you and your executive further and continued embarrassment. You just got to get amongst the Association’s executives, club officials, players and spectators and hear the negative comments that are meted out towards him and the GFF. Sir, can you imagine playing a game at the Buxton Community Centre ground at night when the few lights that were available were so dim that it made a mess of a tournament of this magnitude!

I was told that the place was so dark that even the players could not recognise their teammate whilst on the field if he was a distance away.

The crowd attendance was deplorable and atrocious and that comes with poor strategy and improper match up against teams. This was the worst attended year-end tournament since it commenced approximately more than two decades ago.

A previous administration

player himself, said that was the first time he had held such an event which he described as a success.

He said he wanted to have all of Guyana’s top players compete in one place since there is no Pool Association in Guyana to stage such tournaments.

Devers said unlike in the USA and Canada where Profes-

sional Pool is played and players can make a living from the sport, this is not the case here.

“I opened the competition to both males and females and while I know of females who are good pool players no female entered, so in my plans for future tournaments I hope to hold a female pool competition,” concluded Devers.

Bring back the Annual Kashif and Shanghai football tournament

of the GFF unilaterally killed the most anticipated period of the football calendar and since then the year-end football is like a whimper.

I can recall during the K&S football tournament the excitement, hype and enthusiasm that is associated when the tournament is scheduled.

The banners around the country, the TV, radio and newspaper ads, the radio and TV interviews, the newspapers articles, the many sponsors trying to get on board, players wanting to be a part of the tournament, overseas guests coming to Guyana for Xmas and the tournament, people using the opportunity to visit Guyana during the period just because they have an activity to keep them well occupied.

I can recall the MSC ground being filled to capacity and overflowing with a cage being built around the playing area to keep people off the pitch.

The hotels, boutiques, hairdressers, barbers, vendors, supermarkets, bars and every conceivable business relishing the K&S tournament because they made tons and tons of

dollars. Sadly, the finals outgrew the community and it was moved to the National Stadium.

That was such a feat, the Stadium sold out, the crowd was massive and the first time the stadium was filled to capacity and overflowing was that January 1 experience.

Mr President, I think that your executive should bite the bullet, mend the fences, forget politics and think football and its development and invite the Kashif & Shanghai Organisation back into the football arena.

They did a lot for football and contributed to the development of many players and helped put Guyana on the football map. We need such boost to ignite excitement back into local football.

The attendance at the last year-end tournament and Elite League is evident that something is lacking.

Remember football is a spectator sport and spectators only attend when they have something proper to attend.

SHEMROY ALEXANDER Football Enthusiast

Gokarn Ramdhani

Describing 2017 as a very successful year for badminton, president of the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA), said, “The shuttle time programme that we did with the 14 schools was a successful thing.. We had an international tutor come in and we introduced badminton at the simple level to PE teachers from 14 different schools.

“We did a two-week training programme, theory and practical and they all got certified along with four tutors,” “We will now donate the 14 kits to the teachers, and when we give them the equipment they can start it up in the schools, which we’ll now start from January.”

The shuttle time programme was just one of a list of things that Ramdhani said made 2017 a very prosperous year for the sport, noting that,

years we’ve been medalling so we try to keep that up,” Ramdhani noted.

“We were able to get into the Pan Am Hope Challenge for the seniors and juniors.

And we had a lot of successful local tournaments.

The biggest achievement of the year, however, was the development displayed by the players in their skills.

“Our players are improving faster in the training. We improved on the international level. The players improved. They medalled better, compared to 2016. They are paying more attention and coming to practice.

“Narayan played in the Vancouver tournament in 2016 he got bronze, in 2017 he played and got gold.

For Priyanna when she went to the South American Youth Games she beat players who had beaten her in 2016.”

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday January 10, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Carlos Braithwaite-2/38 (2) Tim Southee-3/21 Today’s Quiz: (1) How many dismissals NZ wicketkeeper Glen Phillips effected

in the recent T20 series against WI? (2) How many dismissals WI wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton effected?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 10, 2018

‘Lack of communication’ leaves Mathews returns as Bravo out of Regional Super50 Sri Lanka’s ODI captain OUT-of-favour Windies batsman Darren Bravo will not represent Trinidad and Tobago in the upcoming Regional Super50 tournament despite claims he made himself eligible for selection.

The 28-year-old has, however, put the situation down to a lack of understanding. The batsman, who was out of competitive cricket for an extended period, claims he had indicated his availability for the competition to coach Kelvin Williams in late December.

The information was, however, not passed on to the chairman of selectors and the player was as a result not considered.

“I had a conversation

with the head coach Mr Kelvin Williams and I outlined precisely my availability and that if I have to play in any of the remaining games it will be the last

one in Guyana. I also told him on January 7 that I am available for the first eight games of the Regional Super50.

He said the selectors

Darren Bravo

have selected a 22-man squad and he will have to let the chairman know and get back to me,” Bravo said via social media website Twitter.

The chairman of selectors Raphick Jumadeen insisted he was only aware of the player’s availability after the team was finalised and as such, no adjustments could be made.

“The 14-man team for the Regional Super50 was selected on Saturday and only Monday was I informed by the coach that Bravo was available. We are not going to open any discussion as far as changing that 14-man team now and Bravo will not be accommodated at this time,” Jumadeen said.

T&T earns US$23M in 2017 Hero CPL

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - All-rounder Angelo Mathews has been appointed Sri Lanka’s limited-overs skipper six months after relinquishing the captaincy across all three formats.

The 30-year-old stepped down as captain last year after Sri Lanka’s shock home defeat to Zimbabwe, which he described as “one of the lowest

World Cup in England and Wales, told reporters yesterday.

“I took a few a few days to think about it, and because of a few reasons I decided to accept it.”

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said Mathews was given the job “on a long-term basis” after he agreed to board president Thilanga Sumathipala’s

Angelo Mathews has been given the captaincy on a long-term basis.

points” of his career. Dinesh Chandimal was named the new Test captain, while Upul Tharanga was put in charge of the limited overs side.

Tharanga was then stripped of the captaincy after a string of defeats and replaced by Thisara Perera, who oversaw the team’s 2-1 loss in India last month, on a temporary basis.

“When I stepped down I never thought of taking over the captaincy again,” Mathews, who is expected to lead the side into the 2019

request to shoulder the responsibility.

“We need stability running into the World Cup,” said Mathews, who will begin the new phase of his captaincy in a tri-series in Bangladesh that also involves Zimbabwe later this month.

“We’ve had a few captains over the last few months because of injuries. The other captains did a good job, though we didn’t get the results. But going into the World Cup we need that stability.”

BCB U-15 players to be encamped shortly

Trinbago Knight Riders won the 2017 Hero Cpl final.

ON the heels of news that Guyana benefited to the tune of US$14M from the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the Hero CPL has announced that Trinidad and Tobago reaped even bigger financial benefits from the competition that ran from August 4 to September 9 last year.

According to the CPL, T&T earned US$23,625,618 over the one-month period of the Caribbean’s Premier T20

competition.

The Hero CPL spent US$ 4,493,849 in Trinidad & Tobago during the 2017 event, a 171 percent increase from what was spent by the tournament in 2014 and an increase of 71 percent from the figure that Hero CPL spent in the country in 2016.

This figure has been arrived at by using organiser spend, visitor spend and media value and was calculated for Hero CPL by world-renowned researchers, SMG

Insight.

“Trinidad & Tobago has always been a huge part of Hero CPL, and staging the final week in the country this year saw a massive increase in our spend compared to 2016,” said Pete Russell, Hero CPL’s Chief Operations Officer.

“We are very proud to be making such a positive impact on the Trinidad & Tobago economy and we are very grateful for the support we have got from the govern-

ment and local population.”

In addition to that economic impact figure, the Hero CPL directly involved 830 local personnel in Trinidad & Tobago, filled 9 323 hotel rooms during the 2017 event and showed matches staged in the country to a cumulative TV audience of 37.6 million.

The value of the picture postcard exposure and mentions of Trinidad & Tobago from this coverage totalled US$ 2,810,996.

THE selection panel of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has released the names of 27 players who will commence preparation for the Guyana Cricket Board inter-county Under-15 tournament.

Chairman of Selectors Leslie Solomon says that the squad will be encamped shortly. Solomon indicated that at the end of the encampment period, the best 14 players will be selected to represent the County.

The players will also benefit from classroom training during the encampment period. He added that the group of players comprises mainly of newcomers, and as such much work will have to be done to ensure they are brought up to the required level.

These players were recently engaged in the inter-zone competition, and many notable performances were recorded.

According to Solomon, cricket in Berbice will continue to flourish, despite the hiccups the board faces.

Those selected are: Vettorie Latchman, Dwayne Williams, Rampertab Ramnauth, Antoine Alexander, Darius Joseph, Saffie Shaffiek, Lakeram Sookram, Shreedat Roopnarine, Tomani Caesar, Zainul Ramsammy, Avishkar Persaud, Niquan Samuels, Isia Thorne, Hemchand Raghubir, Rudra Goberdhan, Pavanand Ganesh, Leon Cecil, Tameshwar Mahadeo, Hemendra Goodial, Jonathon Rampersaud, Jermey Sandia, Vikendra Singh, Mahindra Gopliall, A. Downer, Abdur Munroe, Matthew Pottaya and Latchman Dhanna All players are required to report to the Jai Hind Cricket Club ground, Albion, at 16:00hrs tomorrow for briefing and commencement of training.

‘Lack of communication’ leaves Bravo out of Regional Super50

See page 35

Kallicharan believes Windies U-19s can repeat 2016 success

FLASHBACK: The triumphant West Indies Under-19 squad led by Guyana’s Shimron Hetmyer won the ICC World Cup in Bangladesh in 2016.

LINCOLN, New Zealand (CMC) – Batting star Kirstan Kallicharan believes the Caribbean’s capture of three titles in 2016 was a huge filip for the region, and he is convinced the current West Indies Under-19s can repeat their success at the ICC Youth World Cup bowling off here next weekend.

Kallicharan was part of

the Young Windies squad, led by current Test batsman Shimron Hetmyer, who stunned pundits to capture the ICC title in Bangladesh two years ago.

West Indies men and women then swept the titles at the Twenty20 World Cup a few months later in India, to make the Caribbean the toast of the cricketing world.

“At that time it was very

AAG kicks off calendar this weekend … Improved focus on seniors for 2018

important for cricket in the West Indies, especially because in that time cricket in the West Indies was just going down,” Kallicharan said.

“Nobody wanted to support the West Indies, especially in the Caribbean itself.

From the senior men to the women in the T20 formats, to the Under-19s I think we brought a lot of joy to the

Caribbean people.

“I learned a lot on that tour, about how I wanted to be at my best, and wanting the West Indies to be like they were in the past.”

Kallicharan is part of a strong Young Windies squad who are expected to again challenge strongly in the January 13 to February 3 tournament.

The Windies will contest Group A alongside South Africa, Kenya and hosts New Zealand, and open the tournament with a clash against the Kiwis on Saturday.

The vice-captain of the 2016 squad and now one of the mainstays of the batting, Kallicharan said they were confident of a successful cam-

paign.

“Watching the videos from that World Cup, watching the guys go out there, I can say it was a very good experience,” Kallicharan noted.

“For the guys on this team, I think that inspires them to want to do well for themselves and the West Indies. Most important is to enjoy it, but I think we can bring back the title again.”

Kallicharan had limited playing time in the last Youth World Cup but now sees himself as a mentor to the inexperienced players in the current squad.

“I was the youngest one in that Under-19 squad, so chatting to the older guys I learned a lot,” he explained.

“I also learned a lot from meeting new people from around the world and seeing how they played, not only on TV but live and getting to talk to them and learn from them.

One main thing I learned was to stay humble.

“Now I try to share my experience. It helped me a lot then so I think I can help them a lot by talking to them, trying to bring them out of down days, trying to help them, uplift them spiritually and mentally can help them reach a long way.”

Gymnasium upgrade likely for February completion … Jones pleased with construction See Page 31

See Page 31

AAA president Aubrey Hutson

TAKING SHAPE! Chronicle Sport photographer Delano Williams visited the National Gymnasium yesterday and captured the ongoing work to transform the venue into multi-purpose facility.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2018