Guyana chronicle e paper 01 27 2018

CoI into phantom killings coming -Harmon says citizens need closure Page 9

No. 105167

SATURDAY,JANUARY 27, 2018

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

‘We’re doing the right things’ …PM assures Berbice sugar workers

Sugar workers from the East Demerara and Berbice estates listen attentively as ministers of government lay out the administration’s plans for the industry (Photos by Delano Williams and DPI)

YOUR SEVERANCE IS SURE See stories on pages 2,3&8

…ministers tell Enmore workers

…Ramjattan says GuySuCo is a drag on economy

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday January 27, 2018

‘Your severance is sure’ …ministers tell Enmore workers

…Ramjattan says GuySuCo is a drag on economy

The ministerial team at the head table addressing current and retrenched sugar workers at Enmore Estate, East Coast Demerara. (Delano Williams Photo)

By Rabindra Rooplall A TEAM of government ministers on Friday reassured sugar workers at the East Demerara estate that their severance package is sure and that the administration will do everything in its power to help them overcome the setbacks of their retrenchment and find new opportunities. Since 2015, the government subsidies to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) were estimated to be $32B and continued bailing out of the state-owned company would create a drag on all sectors and destroy Guyana’s economy. This is according to Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan during his remarks to the scores of workers who showed up at the East Demerara Estate at Enmore, East Coast Demerara. Ramjattan led a ministerial delegation to the community which included Minister of Public Telecommunication Cathy Hughes, Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix;

Junior Minister of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes and Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin. Outside of the estate compound, PPP protesters marched for a few minutes before quickly dispersing. Thousands of sugar workers will benefit from a $2B payout as 50 per cent of their severance package will be paid out from Monday, while another 1600 will receive their full severance as government moves to right-size GuySuCo with the closure of Enmore, Wales, Rose Hall and Skeldon estates. The Guyana Sugar Corporation intends to continue operations at Uitvlugt, Albion and Blairmont. An estimated 4, 000 workers were made redundant by GuySuCo on December 29, 2017. The National Assembly on January 19, 2018, approved $1.9 billion to pay the first tranche of severance. Ramjattan in his address said hard decisions had to be made and government wants the impact to be minimal

on sugar workers. Based on sugar substitutes and consumption patterns, Ramjattan said sugar use has drastically declined globally and Guyana should have taken note of the consequence even when the European Union’s subsidy and preferential treatment for sugar ended in 2003. “Since that time Guyana was being forewarned that the industry must become efficient; the EU from 2006 or thereabout to 2015 gave EU$70M to the Government of Guyana to restructure this industry -- it went to balance of payments to Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar,” Ramjattan told the workers. He said if GuySuCo had commenced its restructuring since then and met certain benchmarks, they would have gotten another EU$24M, but that was not the case. Ramjattan noted that when the APNU+AFC government took office in 2015, billions of dollars had to be found to save sugar workers because GuySuCo could not even find weekly wages for workers. Reflecting that Guyana had about 22 sugar estates over the decades which now has boiled down to three, Ramjattan said workers must now be retrained in other skills in order to remain viable. He said when the estates in Trinidad closed down it took the government two years to pay all the severance, “and they had all the oil money, and we have not yet started benefitting from that, since GuySuCo’s bailout is placing a strain on all other sectors.” Adding that the political opposition is spewing only hate and polarisation in the society, Ramjattan said this shows a selfish cause and not a nationalistic approach to developing Guyanese and the country in which they live. “We don’t want to cause a strain that will burst Guyana’s economy, it is important that

we understand that, instead of facing a burst where all 17,000 workers will have to go home, we are right-sizing and in the process saving 9000 jobs,” Ramjattan said. He noted it is difficult to pay a 100 per cent severance because the treasury cannot handle such a bailout, since over 3,000 cheques have already been written out and logged. Meanwhile, Minister Hughes in her remarks said

plained that there are new, profitable markets in plantain, coconuts, flowers and all other agriculture that is in demand and as such workers can even lease GuySuCo’s lands and commence a new agriculture venture. Broomes for her part told the gathering that she understands the plight and frustration faced by the sugar workers since in 2015 when she visited the Enmore Estate, there were innumerable complaints. “Men came to me in tears from the boiler section, they said the heat was so much and I have to go with a stick to fix it for it to work, and I asked what are you working in this department

tion cannot be sustained, Felix said GuySuCo had to be consolidated to create an efficient industry to preserve some of the jobs instead of severing all jobs. “All of us have families in the sugar industry and it is painful to see a family without employment,” he said. Shawn Persaud of the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited ( NICIL), told sugar workers that based on a White Paper, recommendations that were presented to Cabinet, it was suggested that Enmore and Rose Hall should be closed, while Skeldon Estates should be divested and Wales Estate was to be diversified.

A section of the gathering at the meeting at Enmore Estate

Guyana will always have some elements of the sugar industry, but the country has to move with the times to improve the profitability and efficiency of the cane industry. “We will always need sugar for our local consumption, we will always need sugar for the rum industry, everybody knows DDL makes the best rum in the world…we got to have sugar to get molasses, we are not going to throw that away, we also have to get sugar for our current markets,” Minister Hughes said. Noting that focusing on the future is an important aspect of development, Minister Hughes said many good things are happening, but community leaders are not informing people of all those things that are happening. “Sometimes there are some people screaming and shouting and you don’t get to hear the good things that are happening. I am urging you to take the time to read what is in the newspapers, to inform yourself on your phone or while speaking with your family,” she said, while noting that on Monday all those with $500,000 and less in severance will be paid. NEW MARKETS Minister Hughes ex-

with, he said that clothes that he wears. This was the first time that I was told of human beings going before fire without wearing the proper safety clothes and gear,” Minister Broomes said. NO BEGGAR She explained that upon visiting the backlands the bridges were in a state of disrepair, while noting that most of the labour-related accidents that happen in Guyana occurred in the sugar industry. Minister Broomes related to the gathering that no sugar worker will become a beggar under the APNU+AFC government. She called on sugar workers not to be victims and pawns of the political opposition, since the facts, statistics and reality of the sugar industry were known but were never addressed under the previous administration. Minister Felix said when APNU+AFC entered office it was known that the sugar industry had problems, but the reality was worse and immediately government had to find $18B in less than six months to plug a failing industry. “What we have found is that the cost of sugar on the world market is less than our cost of production,” Felix said. Noting that such a situa-

Adding that UK auditing and financial services company, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), was selected to conduct a valuation of assets of GuySuCo, Persaud said this was done to ensure transparency while advertising for the sale of the Enmore, Rose Hall, Skeldon and Wales Estates. He said over 70 interested parties that include local and international firms have expressed interest. However, Persaud noted that SPU has taken over responsibility for the Enmore Estate and some workers would be retained based on the interest by an unnamed private investor. “This is not going to happen overnight. We are trying and pushing for us to keep the estates as a going concern,” he said. Persaud added that authorities could not wait two years for the estates to be sold because there would be no cane and the factories would have to be dismantled. The SPU official assured that no cane lands would be sold, but would be leased by buyers of the sugar estates. It was noted that even privately owned Demerara Distillers Limited wants to invest in Enmore Estate for the production of molasses for its rum facility.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday January 27, 2018

‘We’re doing the right things’

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…PM, ministers assure Berbice sugar workers

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo addressing sugar workers on Friday

By Nafeeza Yahya DEFYING critics and a small band of picketers, a high-level delegation led by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo swung into the sugar belt in Berbice on Friday, assuring residents that their severance package is secured and that the government is solidly in support of them during this phase of the restructuring of the industry. Nagamootoo was backed up by Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder and Junior Minister of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma. The team, especially the Prime Minister, was met with thunderous applause as they announced the commencement of full severance payment to the over 1600 redundant sugar workers from Enmore, Skeldon and Rose Hall Estates and 50 percent to around 3000 more. It is expected that all workers whose severance is $500,000 and lower will receive full payment, while those above will receive 50 percent on Tuesday and the remainder in the second half of the year. The team spoke at two meetings in Skeldon and Rose Hall, delivering the same message to at times a cheerful crowd of sugar workers who braved the sweltering heat. The team’s first stop was at Skeldon, where arrangements had to be changed midstream to accommodate the large number of workers. The meeting started inside the hall at the estate, but many hundreds of workers turned up causing a shift to the outdoor. DUCK NEVER QUACKED Outside the estate- a small

group of around 20 protesters organised by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Members of Parliament, Adrian Anamayah and Harry Gill tried to break up the meeting while Nagamootoo was speaking but were challenged as the PM pilloried the opposition

up to handle the restructuring of the industry is currently engaged with 80 plus investors to find jobs for them. “Give us some time, we are doing the right things we are making the right decisions, we have done the correct thing, so keep faith, we want you to have confi-

A section of the sugar workers of the Rose Hall Estate listen attentively as Government officials speak about future plans for the industry

more important on the agenda of the government than the fate of sugar workers and of the sugar industry. We are not shutting down the sugar industry, GuySuCo will remain in sugar, it will concentrate on the estates that are productive,” the PM told the gathering at

is not being closed, but rather it is being consolidated. This, he noted, was due to negligence of the previous administration. “No government wants to sever employees, but sometimes it’s the only answer especially given the financial and technical realities which confronted

A section of the gathering at the meeting at the Skeldon Community Centre Ground

for its mismanagement of the industry. “Over $260 billion was used up by GuySuCo from 1996 to 2016…what the PPP Government has done with the money. Where has the money gone?… Jagdeo said without Skeldon sugar is dead, he spent $50 billion alone on the dead duck that never quacked and sugar is still dying,” Nagamootoo told the gathering at Skeldon. He continued that the monies spent robbed teachers, pensioners and civil servants of increases and benefits, all because of bad management of the industry that was politically controlled. The Prime Minster appealed to the sugar workers in East Berbice, Corentyne, to keep their hopes alive since the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) set

dence in the Government that we will not abandon you, we will not cut you loose and we will work on all fronts to bring about some benefits so you can start meaningful activities in your life and for your family,” Nagamootoo, son of the Corentyne soil said. SUGAR WILL REMAIN While noting that it’s a very difficult task for him to ask of the workers, the Prime Minister continued that the Government is in solidarity with them and has their best interests at heart. “It is the vision of the government to have the workers integrally involved in the operations of the industry. Since we came into power nothing has been

the Skeldon Estate. “We want a model where sugar workers must be given land to be able to participate in the growing of the sugar and selling it to the estate. We want a model where sugar workers will be able to have at least one acre of land if you want to plant alternative crops, or if you want to get into cash crops or into aquaculture or attract investors for agro-processing…in Wales for example 30 percent and more of the cane for the factory is supplied by the sugar workers who plant the cane in their own plots of land and they supply the estate,” he continued. CONSOLIDATION Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder in his remarks reiterated that the sugar industry

the industry; the government was forced to make this urgent decision on the way forward for sugar. The government inherited a sugar industry in deep crisis and an economy which did not have the reserves to carry the industry any longer, without causing serious pain to the rest of the country and economy.” Holder said apart from paying the severance from Tuesday, $100 million will be set aside as revolving micro-loans which is accessible through the Small Business Bureau of the Ministry of Business and he urged the sugar workers to use the opportunity to pursue agricultural options. Junior Finance Minister, Jaipaul Sharma who gave a summary of the

report into the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into sugar, lambasted the opposition for blaming the government, which he stated, gave in excess of $36.5 billion dollars in their 32 months in office as compared to $21.2 billion by previous administration in the last decade to bail out the sugar industry. He highlighted the numerous shortcomings of the administration that led to the downfall of the industry, and highlighted the government’s commitment to continue to finance programmes for the benefit of the industry. The team met with workers attached to Skeldon and Rose Hall Estates at the Skeldon Community Centre Ground and The Rose Hall Community Centre Ground respectively, and were met with warmth and understanding,despite a small group of opposition protesters. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle after the meeting, the workers expressed satisfaction that the government was able to deliver as promised despite being told otherwise by the opposition. “We glad the Prime Minster come himself and tell we the truth and we look forward to we money next week, because the PPP only telling lies and lies but how the government won’t pay or help sugar workers but now we know and understand better, “said Keron Bruce, while adding that the meeting should have happened before to prevent all the misconceptions being peddled by the opposition.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 27, 2018

Elusive pork-knocker charged with murder --of teenage reputed wife

A 49-year-old pork-knocker was on Friday charged for

the murder in the North West District,about a week ago, of

his 19-year-old reputed wife. The teenager reportedly died from a thrashing he gave her while she was on her way home after visiting with rel-

atives. Dhanraj Theopolis, called ‘Abdool’, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Friday for the capital offence of murder, after being on the run from the police for

Dhanraj Theopolis, called ‘Abdool’

almost a week. Theopolis was not required

to plead to the indictable offence, which alleged that on January 18, 2018, at Baramita, in the North West District, he murdered Lorinda Thomas. The unrepresented man was remanded to prison until February 6, when the matter will be recalled at the Matthews Ridge Magistrate’s Court. According to reports, Thomas, a housewife and mother of one, died on January 18, after being beaten by her reputed husband the night before. Reports are that the woman left her home on Wednesday, January 17 to visit with relatives and to take a few drinks. She was reportedly on her way home four hours later, when she was accosted by

the accused while walking in Barama Line, and an argument ensued. It is alleged that in the heat of the moment, the man pushed Thomas to the ground and began kicking and stomping her in the abdomen, causing her to lose consciousness. He then left her lying there and went about his business. When she regained consciousness, she got to her feet and made her way home, in spite of feeling a severe pain in the region of her abdomen. By the following day, the pain had reportedly gotten so bad that the woman could barely stand. She decided to go to the health centre where she was admitted for observation, but died while receiving treatment.

Campbellville couple remanded to prison --on firearm, drug trafficking charges

A CRAIG Street, Campbellville couple was on Friday remanded to prison on a series of firearm and drug trafficking charges, following a police raid at their home where the illegal items were found stashed in the ceiling. David Daygoo, 39, and his reputed wife, Nicola Lambert, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann Mc-

Lennan on four firearm-related charges and one count having to do with drug trafficking. Particulars of the charges alleged that on January 24 at Craig Street, Campbellville, the couple had in their possession eight 12-gauge cartridges;35 x 7.62mm rounds of ammunition; and a 9mm Glock pistol, along with 13 rounds of matching ammu-

nition. It is also alleged that the couple had in their possession 304 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. The couple denied the charges, and their attorney, Patrice Henry made an application for reasonable bail. The magistrate paid no heed and remanded the couple until February 14.

Teen schoolboy charged with attempted murder A TEEN student of the Mercy Wing Vacation and Day Care School, located in South Sophia, was on Friday charged with the attempted murder of his schoolmate. Joel Moore, 17, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was not required to plead to the indictable offence which alleged that on January 22 at South Sophia, Georgetown, he wounded the 15-year-old with intent to commit murder. Moore was remanded to prison until February 2. According to a report, on the day in question at around 12:30h, the two boys got into a fight after Moore accused the 15-year-old of stealing his phone. Moore reportedly became so incensed that he pulled out a knife and stabbed the other lad in the abdomen. The youngster was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital by his

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 27, 2018

Security forces to beef up surveillance at borders THE Government through the security forces will be increasing surveillance on its borders, Minister of State Joseph Harmon reassured on Friday. He also admonished citizens to use the established immigration points at the country’s borders it shares with Venezuela, Suriname, and Brazil. Responding to a question posed by the media on the illegal construction of roads leading to Venezuela, Minister Harmon admitted that due to the vastness of the hinterland, roads leading to Venezuela and Brazil are

easily and quickly constructed, oftentimes unnoticed. He said there is a lot of traffic particularly between Guyana

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

and Venezuela and Brazil, but assured that these issues are currently engaging the attention of the National Security Committee and government will soon move ahead with its plans to increase surveillance around its borders. “We are going to increase the capabilities of our security forces to do active surveillance of our borders and to be able to determine activities which take place there in a faster time,” he told reporters during a post-Cabinet media briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency. These increased surveil-

lance activities will complement the security arrangement the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force currently have in place at the country’s borders. According to Minister Harmon, the GDF has a heavy presence at strategic locations on the borders Guyana shares with Venezuela, Suriname, and Brazil. “I want to give the nation the assurance that at the level of the government, at the level of the security forces we have taken some very decisive steps,” Minister Harmon emphasised.

Pointing to the recently held presidential media brunch, the Minister of State recalled calls by the Vice-President of the Guyana Press Association (GPA) Zoisa Fraser for the government through the GDF to facilitate trips for journalists to the country’s borders to allow for a greater understanding. “It is one which at the level of the government, at the level of the National Security Committee and at the level of the GDF we are willing to embrace. Of course, safety and security are concerns which we must

pay attention to when we are going to extend these facilities. “But clearly, it is in the national interest to have reporters going out there and let Guyanese people see through their lens or through their pens what it is that is happening on our borders,” Minister Harmon said. Nonetheless, Minister Harmon is pleading with citizens and visitors to utilise the established immigration points.

Eight Brazilians before the courts --on charges ranging from armed robbery to gun, ‘ganja’ possession

FOLLOWING a police investigation into an armed robbery at a store in Lethem, eight Brazilians were on Friday arrested and placed before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a number of different charges. Gabriel Fanun Da Pinha, 31; Elton Diego Doarete, 30; and Luenderson Mangabeira, 25, were jointly charged with armed robbery allegedly committed on January 23 at Barrack Street, Lethem. The charge reads that the trio, while being armed with guns, robbed Maxine Buckley of a quantity of watches, cellphones and jewellery, along with cash totalling $3.8M, the prop-

Ana Pereira and Bruna Herculana, two of the eight Brazilians who appeared before the courts

erty of one Dwayne Grant. The trio pleaded not guilty to the charge, hence

their attorney, Jerome Khan, during application for bail, told the court that prior to the robbery, the three men had indeed been in the store, but they’d been shopping, and had already left the premises when the robbery is alleged to have occurred. Meanwhile,four other Brazilians, namely Jardiel DaSilva, Elinaldo DaSilva, Ana Pereira and Bruna Herculana, were all jointly charged for allegedly having in their possession a .38 revolver, a 9mm magazine, and 42 live rounds of ammunition on January 23, at Tabatinga, Lethem. Of course, they all denied the charge. Also placed before the courts was 46-year-old Al-

bertino Filho for possession of 106 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. He, too, denied the charge. Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail being granted to either of the eight Brazilians on the grounds that they all pose a flight risk, since they have no ties to Guyana. As such, the chief magistrate remanded them all to prison until February 6 when the matter will be recalled at the Lethem Mag-

istrates Court. According to a police report, on January 23, three Brazilians were arrested following a robbery at Michael’s Jewellery and Cell Phone Shop in Lethem. The robbers allegedly stormed the store, which belongs to Bon Fim businessman Dwayne Grant, held his wife, who was alone, at gunpoint, and stole a quantity of watches along with cash and other items before making good their escape in Grant’s car.

The trio were, however, caught when the car crashed in front of the store. After their arrest, the police went to a house in Tabatinga, Lethem, where the robbers reportedly lived, and were forced to take cover as several rounds were fired at them from inside the building. When the dust had settled, five more Brazilians were arrested, after a revolver along with ammunition and drugs were found in the house.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 27, 2018

Building communities through local government COMMUNITY is the product of citizens who reside within. What shapes and identifies a community is recognition and appreciation of its unique collective culture, which includes the way the residents do things, the demographics, established structures and infrastructures, socio-economic status and/preference, value systems, and interaction within the fold. Basically, a community is a cohesive unit in which its members are welded together by common strands and respect for each other, inclusive of diversity. While there may exist commonalities in communities across the country, there will always be something unique in each village or district. This can be seen from our historical development, wherein citizens, for instance on the Essequibo Coast, tend to gravitate towards agricultural economic pursuits; Georgetown citizens tend to gravitate towards commerce and service; and Linden citizens tend to gravitate towards technical vocations and a mining orientation. The growth and development of a community is dependent on the vision, passion, and involvement of its citizens, which will inform conceptualisation

and development of programmes and activities for the benefit of that community’s citizens. The success of any task is dependent on its ownership by the people, inclusive of the leadership they identity to realise it. In any community, the greater the involvement of the citizenry in birthing their ideas for their development, the easier these are assimilated, worked upon, and have interest vested in their success, maintenance, and future development. T h e Vi l l a g e M o v e ment was birthed out of the post-emancipation period, wherein a people, to ensure their existence, human dignity and equality, pursued what has arguably remained a potent model for community development in post-slavery societies. The strength of the village movement is still alive. It is the undercurrent/base of an economic model in our tri-sectoral economy (the cooperative movement), and informs the local government structure. It has touched every sector of development in this society, and has influenced the naming of our country as the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. The cooperative spirit identifies a common trend of working together, inclu-

sive of acknowledging and supporting diverse pursuits for personal and national growth and development. It underpins our motto of One People, One Nation, One Destiny, and is the value upon which independent Guyana is built. Consequently, it becomes important -- as conversations are being held about communities -- to revisit what happened during the post-slavery period. Such revisiting should also have the input of renowned historians such as Dr. Melissa Ifill, whose examination of history is done through living lens, drawing on comparisons and the relevance/ irrelevance of application to today’s reality. Personnel in similar areas of competency should also be factored in to benefit the building of communities. The experiences of the immediate post-emancipation era and that of local government boundary demarcation not only stand out for the villages that were bought and desired to forge cohesive relations, but notably the spirit, vision, drive and strategy that imbued the people with determination to succeed. And while these experiences happened long ago, what ought not to be lost sight of is the innate

desire to enjoy the right to self-determination, which is timeless, and is the essence of human development. Among man’s basic desires is one of having a say in determining what happens in his/her life, primarily in the home and immediate surroundings. Imposition by the colonial masters of district commissioners and community development officers, with blueprints of what they considered to be development for communities, violated this. The negative net result was such imposition subdued, and in some cases destroyed, the collective spirit and determination in villages and communities. Within recent times, there have been similar experiences, as seen with the disrespect for the will of the people and their right to self-determination, through the imposition of Interim Management Committees, and political assaults on councils not won by the then government. Instead of development, there have been protracted back-andforth, finger-pointing, refusal by the state to pay rates and taxes for government properties, garbage buildup, infrastructural deterioration, emotional trauma, and loss of the sense of community.

Having had these negative experiences, it augurs well when such is used in determining how the future should be addressed. The announcement that local government elections will be held in 2018 is a welcome move to reignite the spirit of community by allowing opportunity for the residents to elect their leaders. This is a right they had been denied since 1997. Having come out of negative experiences, it is reasonable to expect that local government elections in 2018 should see the return of, and meaningful action towards putting power into the hands of the people. Putting power back into the hands of the people would allow each and every group to have the opportunity to commence their programme of rebuilding, based on indigenous resources, needs and visions. This focus also will be consistent with the spirit and intent of local government, as enshrined in Article 71

(1) of the Guyana Constitution, which made pellucid that, “Local government is a vital aspect of democracy, and shall be organised so as to involve as many people as possible in the task of managing and developing the communities in which they live.” Citizens are urged to recognise the importance of local government to their well-being by getting involved and electing leaders who can best work with them in the development of their communities. Ultimately, community development is the responsibility of the people within the community. In that local government is a vehicle that can be used for the attainment of the community’s goals, maximum use ought to be made of it. Its net positive result for Guyana can realise a greater sense of nationhood through the building of communities based on each community’s unique dreams and aspirations.

Lewis explains why he issued statement on behalf of GTUC Dear Editor,

REFERENCE is made to a letter, “GTUC never had any discussion on closure of sugar estates” written by Eon Andrews, Vice-President, GTUC (SN, January, 20, 2018). The structure of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and the roles of its principal officers are clearly defined in its constitution. This constitution vests the authority in the general-secretary for the day-to-day administration and activities of the organisation. The office-holder is so empowered to publicly speak to issues that impact the welfare and interest of

workers/citizens, be they in the workforce or out, unionised or non-unionised. Speaking is done via various means such as press statements/releases, letters, interviews and appearing on programmes. Issues affecting our constituency run the gamut from governance to the minutest of rights and violations by employer, government, institutions and individuals. The Central Executive Council of the GTUC has responsibility to ensure that all activities of the organisation are executed within the purview of the policies which are informed by the international trade union principles and guided by the Constitution of Guyana,

laws and the Collective Labour Agreement. Prioritising of the activities of the organisation is the responsibility of the general-secretary. However, should there exist a difference of opinion such as the execution of such, the Central Executive Council allows for ventilation and guidance, after following a process of deliberation, debates and determination. On the matter of the state of the sugar industry and particularly the treatment of the trade union and sugar workers, the GTUC’s public positions on the issues are not inconsistent with the trade union’s principles and the organisation’s policy. At the day-to-day

operational level, these tenets are the responsibility of the general-secretary to publicly articulate, defend and advance. It also includes speaking out against day-to-day violations and transgressions. Silence is not an option that the officeholder can exercise. To the reference made that the Postal and Telecommunication Workers Union (PTWU) is fighting for its survival and the said passion directed to sugar should be directed to this union, there is no discriminatory treatment on the two issues. While sugar attracts more public attention and corresponding articulation by the GTUC, the PTWU continues to benefit from

the advice of the GTUC secretariat. Should this matter become publicly volatile and rancid as sugar, GTUC with the same passion being given to sugar shall make its position public. It is not lost on me the concerns raised by Bro. Andrews with regard to the discriminatory treatments meted out to the GTUC, its arms and affiliated unions by the former PPP/C Government. Neither too are the instances of silence to such abuses by unions in FITUG, or the preferential treatment given to them by the former PPP/C Government. At the same time, where the trade union sees the creating of a just society

built on equality and dignity in the treatment of all, it would be an abrogation of my duties as a trade unionist and guardian of the GTUC, to stay silent when violations and transgressions occur under any government. My day-to-day activities as a trade unionist and general-secretary are guided by the GTUC’s constitution, universally acceptable principles, international conventions and charters, universal declarations and the rule of law, not how I feel or vote. Regards LINCOLN LEWIS General Secretary GTUC

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 27, 2018

The travails at City Hall Dear Editor,

GEORGETOWN, our capital city, was once famously known as the ‘Garden City,’ because of its sparkling ponds and canals, tree-lined avenues and roadways, flowering plants, hedges, lawns, public gardens and cleanliness. Today I think it would be more appropriate for its signature name to be ‘The City of Big Unrealistic Ideas and Plans that never materialise’, thanks to the dreamers who manage City Hall. Whenever they mess up at

the Council or something goes wrong in a major way, you always hear them come out and say they have a plan to fix it, which of course never happens. But the question is, why did they not implement these ‘smart’ ideas before to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place, rather than running around outing fires after the calamity occurs? Animals were bludgeoned to death for years and only after the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals raised an alarm we heard of a plan by the town clerk to import

At City Hall the policy is do as I say and not as I do Dear Editor,

THE laws governing the Georgetown municipality seem to have more elasticity than a rubber band. Throughout the Public Service, officials from the top to the bottom are mandated to take their vacation leave in a timely and structured manner. They are not allowed to carry forward their leave nor be paid in lieu of leave. At City Hall, the town clerk and several of his contemporaries have not taken leave in years and are either stacking it up or are being paid for it. In other municipalities around the country, elections for mayors, deputy mayors, chairmen and deputy chairmen are done at the end of each calendar year. At the Georgetown municipality, the election for these posts seems to be left up to the whims and fancies of the administrators. At the City Council, they practise a do as I say and not as I do policy, whereby they condemn persons’ buildings that are in a state of disrepair, whilst they sit in the derelict City Hall building pontificating without even trying to fix it.. They close eating houses, butcheries etc for insanitary conditions, whilst all of the municipal markets are rat-infested, are dirty and with leaking roofs, they demand that property owners pay up their rates on

time and punish those who are delinquent whilst they owe billions of dollars to the Guyana Revenue Authority, the National Insurance Scheme, the Guyana Power and Light, the Guyana Water Inc. etc for years now and are not paying up one red cent. They make their workers wait well beyond the prescribed time to be paid, cause them to occupy neglected decrepit offices whilst they attempt to construct luxury homes for themselves in upscale neighbourhoods. They fail to provide basic police training for their constables whilst instead taking off to distant luxury resorts for special retreats. It definitely seems to be ‘different strokes for different folks ‘at City Hall. How else could one explain that whilst several low-ranking persons received penalties for their dereliction in relation to the juvenile sex scandal case that rocked the city, that nothing was done to reprove a senior member of the Engineer’s Department and an officer from the Human Resource Department when they were found showing considerable sexual dexterity below a boardroom table in a conference room? Regards Sean Levius

one stun gun at a time rather than two as is required. Why did it have to take a decade to happen? And why don’t they purchase enough ammunition? Why can’t they fix the hydraulic pumps, so that the abattoir could be washed properly on a daily basis? Only after a citizen is slayed by an uncontrolled, irresponsible and untrained city constable, that we hear of magnificent plans to have the national police train these ruthless city constables. All the years that vendors and citizens have complained about

the maladroitness of the city constables, nothing is done. Indeed, they are always praised as being the oldest security force and their wide-ranging police powers are touted. Even when they sexually assault minors, it takes months and much external pressure for it to be addressed. One of the latest most ridiculous grand schemes we have learnt coming out of City Hall recently, is a plan to convert public recreational space located in the upscale Bel Air Park area to accommodate grand luxury real estate for

City Hall’s ‘Big Shots’. How preposterous. This is the same City Council that does not have money to complete renovations to the Kitty Market, that allowed the wharf area aback of Stabroek Market area to collapse, that glibly operates in the ruinous City Hall building and claim not to have money to fix it, that owes the NIS, GRA and GPL suddenly has found the financial resources to build luxury homes for their seniors. Then there is the scintillating idea of metered parking in the city which is raising its ugly head again. What

will it take for these very sapient municipal administrators to understand that citizens are not necessarily objecting to paid parking, but are protesting the way it was done. There was no consultation about the idea in the first place, there was no tender or bidding procedure undertaken; but worst of all, this Council was duped into believing that the previous Council had approved the contract.

The Movement Against Parking Meters and other concerned groups seem to be missing the real reason that the Council (the group of four) is so desperate that they will stop at nothing to get the project going. The government stopped the project initially, then we

had the Malcolm Ferreira-led negotiating team, now it’s the Akeem Peter-led re-negotiation team. A youngster whose exuberance at just being its chairman reminds one of the cat that swallowed the canary. The truth is that the (fantastic 4) has to deliver.

They went to Mexico and signed a pact with the devil, the devil kept his part of the bargain, it is now their time to deliver. The devil is a brutal paymaster, failure is not an option.

Regards MARK ROOPAN

Parking meter rearing its head again Dear Editor,

THE Mayor and City Council parking meter fiasco is rearing its ugly head again, ready to suck the blood of the citizens of Georgetown and others outside of its environs, who will be visiting the city.

Regards JOEL ALEXANDER

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 27, 2018

Severance payout starts Monday

– Minister Gaskin

- blames bad investments, management, leadership for current state

By Rabindra Rooplall CHEERS rang out at the GuySuCo Enmore Estate staff compound when Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin declared that the downfall of the sugar industry had nothing to do with the current government, but that the closure of the estates was a result of bad investments, bad management and bad leadership. Gaskin also announced Friday morning that retrenched sugar workers will begin to receive their severance pay from Monday, January 29, 2018. The Minister of Business was amongst five Cabinet ministers who visited the East Demerara Estate at Enmore, East Coast Demerara. The ministerial delegation included Minister of Public Telecommunication Cathy Hughes; Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix; Junior Minister of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes; Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin and Minister

of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan. Government ministers who spoke indicated that government was financing a number of initiatives to help sugar workers find alternative self-employment opportunities. An estimated 4,

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin

000 workers were made redundant by GuySuCo on December 29, 2017. The National Assembly on January 19, 2018, approved $1.9 billion to pay the first tranche of severance. Gaskin said although government’s plan was criticised by

the political opposition, it was proposed that the PPP submit a better plan for which they requested certain information. Underscoring how hypocritical the opposition was in playing games with the livelihoods of sugar workers, Gaskin said all documents requested were provided and further meetings had produced no plans on behalf of the PPP. However, the Business Minister said that NAACIE and GAWU put forward a plan, “and there was no plan from the political opposition and I think it is important that you know this, in the years 2011 to 2014 the then administration would have transferred $16B to GuySuCo without a plan.” Gaskin said that internationally, sugar had failed and government was putting systems in place to ensure that there were opportunities for sugar workers to be re-employed or trained in marketable skillsets. Under his ministry, Gaskin said the Small Business

Bureau (SBB) has been targeting sugar workers with workshops that can teach former GuySuCo employees basic aspects of running a business, business plans, financing and how to access bank loans. “The small business bureau has also been granted $100M to establish a revolving loan fund and that fund will be used to target the most vulnerable, including those that just lost their jobs,” Minister Gaskin said. He noted that government has implemented and continues to implement systems to ensure that persons who lost their jobs are afforded the opportunity to earn an income. “In a growing economy there will definitely be jobs available, sectors such as construction, transportation, food industry amongst others will all grow and require a large workforce, so do not despair and listen to the prophets of doom and gloom,” Gaskin advised hundreds of current and former sugar workers.

‘Here every creed and race finds an equal place’ Dear Editor,

I WOULD like to compliment the Guyana Chronicle for its editorial January 22, 2018, “Renaissance of the Guyanese musical tradition.” Just last Sunday, I had written a piece, “PNC Nation”, in which I elaborated on the cultural policies of the first PNC government, and illustrated my argument that the cultural expressions of Indian-Guyanese (and other “hybrids”) had scant, and at best token, representation in the national symbols of our country. I expressed my fear that the present government, dominated by the same party, might recapitulate that historical practice. In our culturally plural society, unless every group can see themselves reflected in the cultural perspectives, practices and products that serve

to define our nation, there is always the danger of the excluded group(s) becoming alienated and feeling “marginalised”. This is not conducive to a more harmonious society. The editorial’s explicit call for Indian musical expressions to be included on the curricula of our schools is therefore very welcome but, should be broadened to also include the musical forms of our Amerindian Indigenous peoples to join the Western and African canons, - and Steel Pan, which is assumed to cover our “West Indian heritage.” As the line from the original anthem of the shortlived West Indian Federation says, (and later adopted by Trinidad and Tobago) – “Here every creed and race find an equal place.” Regards RAVI DEV

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday January 27, 2018

CoI into phantom killings coming -Harmon says citizens need closure

MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon on Friday said there is a possibility that President David Granger will soon launch a Commission of Inquiry into the extra-judicial killings that occurred during the ‘Troubles’ 2002-2009. He made the statement one day after President Granger reassured the nation that full investigations will be done into the deaths of the hundreds of Guyanese, including the former Minister of Agriculture, Satyadeow Sawh. President Granger late in 2016 had told the National Assembly of what he called the descent of this country during the Bharrat Jagdeo administration, describing it as the “darkest hour” that was characterised by drug-driven chaos and bloodshed. Jagdeo was President of Guyana from August 11, 1999 to December 3, 2011, during which there were three massacres: Lusignan where 11 people were killed, Bartica where another 12 were killed and Lindo Creek, where seven miners were slaughtered. Besides, there were countless extra-judicial killings, with some activists estimating that around 400 Afro-Guyanese males were gunned down. Back in 2003-2006, convicted drug-trafficker Shaheed Roger Khan had set up a criminal network here, including active policemen and a number of former ranks, ostensibly to go after criminals, but at the same time protecting his narco-trafficking interests. He was nabbed in neighbouring Suriname in 2006 while fleeing local police, and was later handed over to U.S. authorities. Although the PPP government had sought to distance itself from Khan, the drug-trafficker had stated publicly in an advertisement in local newspapers that he was fighting crime on behalf of the Jagdeo-led government. Khan had also implicated former Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy in his escapades, and documents bearing the then minister’s signature authorising the purchase of a sophisticated wire-tapping device were produced in U.S. courts during Khan’s trial. CLOSURE While addressing reporters at the Ministry of the Presidency during a post-Cabinet media briefing on Friday, the State Minis-

ter recalled that in the 10th Parliament, the President, who was then leader of the opposition, had filed a motion to investigate, among others, the killing of Minister Sawh and the massacres at Lusignan, Bartica and Lindo Creek. “In that motion, he was asking the National Assembly to call on the government to establish an inquiry into these killings,” Minister Harmon recalled. He noted that up until now there is no closure for many of the cases. “At some point in time you have to bring closure and indeed this is what the President is saying, that we have to bring closure,” he emphasized, adding that under the Coroner’s Act there is provision for an inquest to be held into any unnatural death. “Now he is President and he is in a position to do something about it; and I want to assure you that he will do something about it, that is what he said,” Minister Harmon said. According to him, it is important to bring closure to the wounds that have been opened. While delivering the feature address at the Annual Officers’ Conference at Base Camp Ayanganna on Thursday, President Granger said his administration will ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. “Society has been scarred by violence, which left a lingering legacy of distrust with the potential of fresh disorder. Monuments at Bartica, Buxton and Eve Leary have been erected to the victims of violence during the ‘Troubles’ between 2002 and 2009. We still have an obligation to investigate those troubles and ensure that the culprits are brought to justice,” he said. During most of the decade referred to by the Head of State, Guyana witnessed its most intense, sustained wave of criminal violence since independence. According to the President, there were 1,431 murders during that decade. In 2016, he had said that the previous administration never bothered to account to the nation for the hundreds of lives lost through criminal violence. “It refused even to conduct inquests into the assassination of its own Minister of Agriculture at La Bonne Intention; of the Head

of the Police Force’s Target Special Squad on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway; of the Deputy Head of the Customs [Anti]-Narcotics Unit in Buxton and of the attempted assassination of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Kitty. It refused to conduct inquiries into the massacres in Agricola, Bagotstown-Eccles, Bartica, Bourda, Campbellville, Kitty, Lamaha Gardens, Lindo Creek, Lusignan and elsewhere. A generation of Guyanese – which was an unwilling witness to criminal violence – has now grown up. The agony, anger and alienation caused by violence against citizens, especially the innocent and the young, still simmer. The crimes have not been explained.

The memories have not been erased,” the President had noted. On January 18, 2018, at the handing-over ceremony of the Report of the Security Sector Reform Project (SSRP), he said that the ‘Troubles,’ no doubt, was the consequence of a high-level condonation of or complicity with, the rise of drug cartels and the importation of illegal narcotics and weapons. These crimes, the President said, brought an unprecedented wave of criminal violence into the country during the first decade of the century with the consequence being a bloody battle to extend drug empires and to eliminate anyone who resisted them.

Convicted drug lord Shaheed Roger Khan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday January 27, 2018

GTA gets new director

U.S.-based Brian Mullis is the new Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), State Minister Joseph Harmon disclosed on Friday. Minister Harmon told reporters that Mullis, who lives in California, was selected from a list of seven applicants who had responded to local

and international advertisements of the vacancy for the position. Mullis replaces Indranauth Haralsingh, who had been at the helm of the Authority for a number of years. “The appointment of a new Director of Tourism is part of the re-structuring of the Guyana Tourism Author-

ity, which began in early 2017 and is expected to boost the development of sustainable tourist destinations, especially in the hinterland, and to promote strategic marketing of ‘Destination Guyana’,” Minister Harmon said. He assured the media that the process of hiring Mullis was a transparent one.

The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA)

Initially, the government had hoped that a new director would have been in place since November 1, 2017, but Minister of Business and Tourism Dominic Gaskin had said it was important for due process to take its course. The general criteria for the position states: “The successful candidate must be a person who has the regional and international connections needed to accelerate national tourism development. Prior work experience in the admin-

istration, promotion, sales and marketing of tourism destinations will be a strong asset.” Haralsingh had applied for the position, but from all indications, he did not “fit the bill.” GTA is a statutory body with principal responsibility for the development of tourism in Guyana. It was created by an Act of Parliament on June 11, 2002. Its mission is, “To promote the sustainable development of tourism in Guy-

ana that produces maximum economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits, while minimising negative impacts as part of an integrated national development strategy through the optimal use of human resources and the provision of a product of the highest quality.” It is headed by a director and governed by a Board of Directors, operating out of the National Exhibition Centre at Sophia, Georgetown.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday January 27, 2018

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CARICOM, UNEP discuss closer cooperation

Head of the UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, Leo Heileman, meets with CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque

THE United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has expressed strong interest in strengthening its collaboration with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to improve environmental sustainability in the Region, according to a statement issued Friday by the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat. Head of the UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, Leo Heileman, met with CAR-

ICOM Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque earlier this week and updated him on the work of the Jamaica-based UN Environment Caribbean Office, which is providing technical support to countries of the Region in strengthening their environmental capacity. Heileman also met with a team from the Secretariat led by Dr Douglas Slater, Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development (HSD) and officials

of the Government of Guyana. A UN Environment Coordination Desk is being established in Georgetown to provide technical support during the elaboration and development of a Green State Development Strategy (GSDS). The CARICOM Secretariat is also involved in the consultative process of the GSDS. “The discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in the areas of environmental sustainability, oceans governance, climate change, Guyana’s GSDS and regional developments in advancing green economies and trade,” the statement noted. It said Heileman highlighted several aspects of UNEP’s regional and bilateral partnerships, including its work to advance Haiti’s green development via initiatives in agriculture, mangrove protection, renewable energy, and natural-resource efficiency. The secretariat underscored the importance

of technical support for Small Island and low-lying coastal Developing States (SIDS) to access funds for climate change and environmental sustainability, available under the Global Environment Facility

(GEF), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and other funds. “The meeting recommended that the CARICOM-UNEP cooperation be formalised in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Both parties agreed

that the formal mechanism for cooperation established between the CARICOM Secretariat and the UN System in July 2017, will be the frame of reference for the proposed MoU,” the statement added. (CMC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday January 27, 2018

Suriname Airways 737-800 aircraft to remain in service until Easter SURINAME Airways, which put into service last

December a 737-800 aircraft to service its Guy-

ana route from Miami to accommodate the holiday

demand, is keeping that aircraft on the route until the

end of the Easter holidays. Suriname Airways General Manager, North America, Henk Fitz-Jim announced Thursday that the airline will maintain the 737-800 aircraft on the Guyana service so as to accommodate the demand for travel for a number of events and activities scheduled for the first quarter of 2018, the airline said in a release. The 737-800 aircraft provides for 60 additional seats per flight, compared to the 737-300. He identified an international oil and gas conference, the country’s Mashramani celebrations and the Easter holidays among the events for which there is an upsurge in the demand for travel to Guyana. “We have seen an increase in the demand for travel to Guyana during this period and will keep the 736-800 in operation so as to efficiently accommodate this demand. “We are also aware that with Carnival being held in Trinidad and Tobago in February, the availability of seats on other air carriers that serve Guyana via Trinidad becomes somewhat of a challenge. So with 60 additional seats three times per week, Suriname Airways is well positioned to ensure the Guyana market is adequately served at this important period for the country,” Fitz-Jim said.

Suriname Airways currently flies from Miami to Guyana non-stop on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Flights currently leave Guyana at 11 a.m. and arrive Miami at 3.30 p.m. (Miami time) then depart Miami at 5.00 p.m. arriving in Guyana at 10.30 p.m. (Guyana time). Fitz-Jim disclosed that the airline, as part of its network planning for 2018, is looking into offering flights from New York to Guyana as well as adding an additional flight out of Miami to make a total of four non-stop flights weekly. Fitz-Jim pointed out that the airline’s convenient departure time from Miami allows passengers from other parts of the United States to connect with Suriname Airways without the need to overnight in Miami. “We have also kept our fares competitive and affordable, so that passengers that are connecting from other cities should not find the cost of travel a burden to their budgets,” he said. The airline also allows one free checked baggage as well as carry-on hand luggage. The general manager also pointed out that Suriname Airways enjoys a 95 per cent on-time departure rating “and our in-flight service is superb, offering a hot meal, an array of soft drinks, juices, coffee and tea and friendly and helpful flight attendants.”

Man who attacked police shot twice

A MAN was shot twice after injuring a police rank who was responding to a report that he was beating his 60-year -old mother at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara. Reports indicate that the 33- year-old unemployed man wounded the policeman about 02:30hrs Friday morning and was subsequently shot twice. Both are currently receiving medical attention. An investigation has so far revealed that a po-

lice patrol responded to a report of a son beating his 60-year-old mother. The son, when confronted, armed himself with a cutlass and menacingly attacked and dealt the rank two chops on his left hand and left knee. The injured constable drew his service revolver and discharged two rounds which struck his attacker in the right arm and right collarbone. Investigations are in progress.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday January 27, 2018

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GRA records 14% increase in revenue collection THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has recorded a 14 per cent increase in its revenue collection for 2017, representing an estimated $20B more than what it had collected at the end of 2016, Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia told a news conference on Thursday. Statia said the authority has been moving aggressively to collect taxes from defaulters and attributed this success to the collection of new taxes. The major revenue areas were collected from arrears which amounted to some $4B alone. “We are targeting persons who owe us and have not been paying, so arrears collection has increased. It is a sizeable amount. We also look at certain taxes that were not previously collected.” said Statia, who noted that approximately $4B has been collected through arrears. Additionally, Statia also spoke of withholding taxes for non-residents. “Persons

actually never used to be taking that out and that actually brought us another $3B.” However, while the authority has been successful in some respects last year, the commissioner-general said tax evasion continues to be a major challenge. He said, if the top 10,000 taxpayers pay their correct tax, that base would be widened to reduce taxes for the rest of the populace. Statia said too that 60 per cent of the revenues are based on just 300 taxpayers. Those include corporate tax and a few individual taxpayers. “And those that are individual taxpayers, are persons who just because of the rate differential have elected to remove themselves from the corporate person into an individual person,” he added while reminding that corporate taxation with commercial entities is 40 per cent and 45 per cent is for telephone companies, while manufacturing companies stand at 27.5 per cent. “As long as we get those

Armed bandits beat, rob pensioner --as grandchildren watch A 67-year-old woman and two of her grandchildren were attacked and robbed by two armed men late Wednesday as the family sat relaxing in the bottom flat of their Ankerville, Port Mourant home. The incident reportedly occurred at around 19:00hrs as the two masked men, one of whom had a gun while the other wielded a metal pipe, pounced on Ahilya Akunjerbeharri and her 12 and 22-year-old grandchildren. Also present was a two-year-old. The victim explained that as the men approached her, the one with the gun began gun-butting her in the head. “Dem put de gun to meh head in front those children and pull out meh earring, ring and chain. Then dem went inside and tumble up de place,” Ahilya said. The woman recalled seeing one of the intruders unscrew the electric bulb, while the other continued

to demand that she hand over whatever money and other valuables she had, and threatened that if their demands were not met they would hurt and abduct the pre-teen. Said Ahilya: “Meh beg dem nah car’way meh grandson. Meh tell dem abee nah get nutten; fuh guh in de house and see. Tek what yuh want in deh, but nah hurt meh grands.” They would eventually leave, taking with them the US$600 she had saving, G$4000 and a tablet. The woman said the incident has not only left her shaken and afraid, but has so traumatised her great-grand, he has not been himself ever since. According to the toddler’s mother, Vidya Kallooram, throughout the ordeal the child just kept crying, and continued doing so even after the men had left. The police have since been notified and launched an investigation.

persons doing what they are supposed to be doing, I am sure taxes will be

improved,” he stated. That aside, Statia assured that most of the authori-

ty’s plans for 2017 are progressing smoothly. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday January 27, 2018

‘Team Benschop’ feels betrayed --by team-mate’s vote in favour of controversial parking meter

TEAM Benschop Councillor Sunil Jameel Rasu, has been occupying the council seat “illegally” since November 2017 and without the support of the team. Team Leader Mark Benschop said so on a social media post recently, while responding to queries concerning the “questionable” voting by Rasul in support of the parking meter project, which Benschop said is corrupt and must go. “It was abundantly clear that his agenda was more about self-aggrandizement, and nothing to do with the people's interest, or with Team Benschop's vision for Georgetown,” Benschop said, adding: “That said, his vote to support the parking meter is obviously opportunistic and a betrayal to the group that allowed him the opportunity to serve. “Instead, he has teamed up with the corrupt City Hall gang to cause punishment upon residents.” As leader of the group, Benschop apologised to everyone who had given the team the opportunity to serve, as no one expected one of their own would have betrayed them. Benschop said the team is now in the process of

Sunil Jameel Rasul

having Rasul removed from the position, “as I, nor the group, have any confidence in him. He may soon have to find a lawyer. [But] he said he would go. So for now, we are watching.” When contacted by the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday, Rasul said he wished to refrain from commenting on the matter. Rasul, a businessman, replaced Councillor Selwyn Smartt, who had resigned to facilitate the rotating of the Council seat. He should have resigned last November, but keeps saying “soon” when asked by the team when he planned doing so.

Two arrested in Albouystown robbery, shooting TWO men were on Thursday afternoon arrested following an alleged robbery and shooting incident in Albouystown, Georgetown, which resulted in one man being injured. The injured male has been identified as Imole Fox, 44, a wildlife exporter of Regent and King Streets, Georgetown. Reports indicate that the incident occurred at around 13:30hrs at Victoria Street, Albouystown and the two men in custody were apprehended at Cooper Street, Albouystown. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the two suspects, in the company of another male, allegedly robbed Fox of

a haversack containing a bunch of keys, a cellular phone and some medications for animals. Fox reportedly fought back, which resulted in one of the suspects whipping out a handgun and discharging several rounds at the 44-year-old man. The victim reportedly managed to flee the scene, leaving a trail of blood behind. He received a gunshot wound to the lower right leg, while a bullet also grazed his head. The wildlife exporter was treated at a city hospital and subsequently discharged. Investigators have retrieved a live round as well as a spent shell from the scene.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday January 27, 2018

Legislation for Natural Resources Fund almost ready for Cabinet THE legislation pertaining to the establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), now termed the Natural Resources Fund (NRF) is almost ready for submission to Cabinet. This is according to Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman who told the media during a press briefing on Thursday that the bill is currently at the Ministry of Finance and according to him, he has shared his input. Guyana has been receiving economic advice from the Oceans and Natural Resources Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat on the drafting of laws and establishment of the institutions and fiscal rules for the SWF. This year too, against the backdrop of Guyana being accepted as a candidate of the globally accepted Extractive Industries Transparency initiative (EITI), the Ministry

of Natural Resources (MNR) plans to commence work on its 2017/18 work plan. Minister Trotman said on Thursday that the activities include review of the regulatory framework, stakeholder- engagement, and public debates and communication. He said the EITI secretariat will be fully operationalised in 2018 and the authorities will begin finalising the ToR (terms of reference) for hiring of the independent administration for compiling the first report of the body. Meanwhile, the MNR has received feedback on how to improve the draft local content policy framework. Minister Trotman said he has received from the experts, the latest draft of the document and according to him, it will be sent to various stakeholders, with the intent of being finalised within the first quarter of this year.

15 years for killing ‘drinking buddy’ FOLLOWING his guilty plea to the lesser count of manslaughter, Leron LaRose was given a 15-year sentence by Justice Sandil Kissoon for the senseless killing of his drinking partner Sean Ricardo Pestano, who died of a severed femoral artery. The sentence was imposed after the prisoner denied the capital charge of murder for which he was initially indicted, and confessed to the lesser offence at the Berbice Assizes. Narrating the facts, State Prosecutrix Ms Tuanna Hardy said that at the time of the killing, on March 22, 2015, Pestano, who had been recently released from the New Amsterdam Prison after serving a three-year sentence for drug trafficking, was drinking with LaRose at Third Street, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, when a heated argument ensued. The quarrel reportedly stemmed from a derogatory remark the deceased had made about LaRose’s mother. During the scuffle, Pestano somehow managed to put LaRose in a vice, so the latter, on seeing a pair of scissors at handreach, picked

Leron LaRose

it up and began sharpening it. Pestano took it away, and LaRose, seizing the opportunity, jumped the premises at the western fence and ran away. But about half an hour later, he reportedly returned armed with a cutlass, and proceeded to chop Pestano to the left leg. The injuries were said to be so severe that parts of his knee-cap were disjointed. The 50-year-old was subsequently picked up by bystanders and rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival. While incarcerated, Pestano was regarded as a model prisoner, and was even awarded a certificate of appreciation by the now defunct Berbice Regional Health Authority .

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday January 27, 2018

M&CC Councillor Junior Garrett dies suddenly THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is mourning the loss of People’s National Congress (PNC) Councillor Junior Garrett, who died suddenly on Friday. M&CC Public Relations Officer Ms. Debra Lewis told the Guyana Chronicle that news of his passing came as a real shock to them at the M&CC, as it was only that morning Garrett attended a meeting of the Finance Committee and did not exhibit any signs of illness. Garrett, 65, reportedly

Councillor Junior Garrett

said he had another appointment and left the meeting at around 11:30hrs, and that was the last his colleagues saw of him. He joined the City Council on March 5, 2002, served as Chairman of the Finance Committee in the previous council, and was a member of the Finance Committee at the time of his passing. An accountant by profession, Garrett also served on the Investment and Development Committee, International Relations Committee, and the Environment and

Sustainability Committee. Said Lewis: “The Council regrets his passing. He was very active, and was always ready to represent the rights of workers. We’ve lost one of our valued councillors who made meaningful contributions to the Council.” Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen said that words cannot express how she feels about the passing of her friend. “I knew him before he became a city councillor,” she said. “And as city councillors, we worked together

to make a difference in local communities. “As mayor, I benefitted from his knowledge, particularly in the area of financial management. We had numerous meetings where he shared openly with me about his vision for his community, and offered me invaluable support. “He demonstrated that you can lead in a way that is bold and determined, but also with a sense of compassion for others,” Mayor Green said in a statement.

Fire puts Corentyne businessman out of commission

A CLIFTON Settlement, Corentyne businessman is now counting his losses in excess of $70M after a fire destroyed his entire store and living quarters. Krishna Persaud, 50, Proprietor of K. Persaud General Store and Auto Sales said he was not at home when the fire started. Reports are that the fire began around 01:00hrs on Friday and quickly spread to the entire building. The fire is suspected to have had its origin in a car explosion some 34 hours before. Reports are that on Wednesday at approximately 14:00hrs, mechanics were working on a Nissan Bluebird which was on a ramp

under the shop’s shed when it exploded. The explosion resulted in a section of the ceiling catching afire, but the Guyana Fire Service was called in and promptly put it out. Or so they thought, as persons suspect that the fire may have still been smouldering underneath and gradually spread and engulfed the two-storey concrete building. Persaud told the Guyana Chronicle that he received a call at around 01:30hrs saying that the place was on fire, but by the time he got there, firemen were already battling the blaze. However, neighbours were able to remove about five vehicles from the yard

Police Complaints Authority robbed

THREE offices in the building housing the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) located at 59 Brickdam, Stabroek, Georgetown, was on Friday raided, the police have confirmed. Reports indicate that laptops, cell phones and other electrical devices were stolen. Enquiries disclosed that the three-storey wooden and concrete building that houses the PCA also houses the Public Appellate Tribunal and the Office of the Ombudsman . The female security guard made the discovery and a report was made to the police. Police are reviewing CCTV footage as investigations continue.

and safely put away a few others. He said that luckily, he had removed a few items from the shop a few days ago to facilitate some ongoing work in the store, so they were saved. “Carpenters have been doing some work in the store, so we had to take them outside,” Persaud said, adding: “Other than those couple stuff, every other thing was destroyed; from top to bottom.” Asked what his plans were, Persaud stared pensively at the debris and said he and the family will stay for now at another house he has a short distance away until he figures out what to do next. An investigation has been launched.

What’s left of the building which housed the dwelling home of Persaud and his family and his business

Murder accused says cops conduct unprofessional THE accused Meguel Barker, called “Allan” or “Miguel Anthony” in leading his own defence opted to give an unsworn statement from the prisoner’s dock on Thursday after the state closed its case in the trial. Barker, who for about 15 minutes told the court that from the time he was arrested in Sophia he was assaulted by the police and he explained how they beat him to sign a statement. He added that the conduct of the police was unprofessional

and did not say much about the incident in which his wife, Donessa Barker, was knifed to death on April 30, 2015 at Lot 21 Inner Circle, Bagotville, West Bank Demerara. Barker related to the court that he was innocent and never did he hit his wife despite having some problems in their relationship. He said they had separated for some time and he could not locate her after she moved out of their Albouystown home, when she found out he was un-

faithful to her. Defence attorney Maxwell McKay called two witnesses to testify. The matter will continue in the Georgetown High Court before Justice Navindra Singh and a 12-member jury on Monday. It is alleged that at about 15:00hrs on April 30, 2015, the accused sneaked into the house in which the deceased Donessa Barker was staying and fatally stabbed her and escaped via an opened bedroom window. The couple who had been

married for about a year had constant domestic spats and the deceased had gone to stay at the home of a friend, Shaniza Clarke, at Lot 21 Inner Bagotville, West Bank Demerara, when she was reportedly killed. Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh testified, stating that he had performed the post-mortem on the body of the deceased and gave the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage due to a stab wound to the chest.

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IMF report quite beneficial …GRA wanted assessment to be critical

Commissioner-General, GRA, Godfrey Statia

THE recent tax administration diagnostic report conducted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was sanctioned by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), said Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia. Statia told reporters Thursday that the assessment was done by the IMF to assist Guyana in making pivotal changes in the way things are done at the authority. He explained that it is not the first time such an assessment was done, and noted that the report is quite beneficial to the entity. “We requested that the report be done and the reason for the request is to find out where we are and what the ills of the system are,” he stated. The commissioner-general said too that he wanted the IMF to be “critical” and not “gloss it over,” so that corrective measures can be put in place in this regard. “I told them I want them to be as critical as they should be; we don’t want them to gloss it over. We want the facts and they came and they did exactly that and that is the reason why I don’t have a problem with the report,” said Statia. In its May 2017 report, the IMF highlighted the revenue authority’s strengths and weaknesses. Among the strengths identified were the qualified staff, oversight mechanisms and easily accessible information for taxpayers. However, the IMF found that there were functional limitations of the entity’s IT system, limited electronic transactions, weak filing and payment compliance among others. The GRA head said the IMF informed the authority of the glitches, which were already known and made recommendations on what needed to be done to fix them. In the meantime, Statia said Pricewaterhouse-

Coopers (PWC) had done a diagnostic report in 2007 and that report had highlighted the same weaknesses in the system. Recommendations were also made then, but to no avail. “Those weaknesses were not fixed, so I asked PWC to do a follow-up report and fortunately, I had known one of the partners…it was upgraded and all [that had] to be done was to pay for the passages [airfares] for the persons. It was done free.” That entity did a follow-up visit and according to Statia, was amazed that 80 per cent implementation of the recommendations has occurred. “I am not adverse to the report, all I could say--- when you see the new report, you’ll see what we have started and are doing,” the commissioner-general stated, while noting that half of the issues emanated from the authority’s information technology (IT) systems which were unable to provide data. “We changed the structure of the revenue authority that we wanted to implement rather than implement the IT system then change the structure, so persons were waiting for reports that IT should have been giving them and they didn’t have it. That is one of the reasons for the breakdown in training and those things,” he told reporters. As a result, there were many hindrances, Statia said. Those included the inability to do risk assessments, post-clearance analysis and inventory evaluation to name a few. It is because of these deficiencies that the entity is moving from the Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (TRIPS) system to Automated Systems for Customs Data (ASYCUDA). “If you don’t have an IT system that is robust enough you will always have that problem,” Statia added, while

noting that “we have to fix the IT system.” The IMF had reported last year that Guyana uses TRIPS, a tax and customs application that does not seem to fit the purpose of integrated tax and customs operations. “What we have done, we have moved to ASYCUDA. When completed, we would have what is called a single-window system. The single-window system would allow you as the taxpayer to do business across the board with all the government departments when we are finished.” That system will cost GRA some US$2.8M. The authority had already spent over US$4M on the TRIPS system. “We stopped paying them in July 2016; TRIPS is now turning up slowly, so we are going to have some turn up of the TRIPS 2 system sometime in February or March. TRIPS 2 is just patch work…we need to get a robust IT system in place… so we will work along with TRIPS 2 until we get a robust one in place,” Statia said. Discussions have already begun with experts on the subject. In fact, the authority has already met with experts from New Zealand who have installed same in The Bahamas, Barbados and Papua New Guinea to name a few countries. “These are some of the things we are looking at, because IT systems come at a cost. It is a lot of things we have to do to decide what we are going to do. The TRIPS 2 will help us along; we are going to roll along slowly

until we get proper IT systems in place. I trust that we will get it in place before 2020.” With a proper database, the GRA head said the entity would be able to see everybody’s

information at the touch of a button. “We’d be able to do all of the risk analysis and be able to tell you who owns every single building and lot in Georgetown, because they have a common

taxpayer ID number. But without IT, we have to do it manually and that is what takes time.” He anticipates that the process will take approximately three more years to be completed.

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Gov’t to ‘invest heavily’ in transformational projects --as soon as House approves relevant policy document

A POLICY document spelling out the government’s plans for key sectors such as Energy, Agriculture, Education and Information and Communication Technology is to be laid in the National Assembly shortly. According to Minister of State Joseph Harmon, the document, officially referred to as a Public-Private Policy (PPP) document, was presented to Cabinet by Finance Minister Winston Jordan on Tuesday and approved to be sent to the National Assembly. “The document indicated that government will be investing heavily in catalytic physical infrastructure: renewable energy and the environment; agricultural diversification; agri-industrial development; education and training; and information technology,” Minister Harmon explained. He noted that the policy document is intended to create the appropriate policy and institutional and legal frameworks for encouraging the private sector to play a greater role in procuring and financing infrastructural projects through Public-Private Partnerships. Minister Jordan has also presented to Cabinet a copy of an external loan agreement between the Government of Guyana and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for US$63.5M for the financing of government’s adequate housing and urban accessibility programme. “The loan represents the re-assignment of the undisbursed balance of a previous one that was granted to finance the road network upgrade and expansion programme, but which was discontinued,” Minister Harmon explained. He said Cabinet has duly taken note of the agreement and directed that that, too, be laid in the National Assembly in accordance with Section 3(6) of the External Loan Act.

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IOC issues code of conduct for Russian Athletes

World Cup 2018

(REUTERS) - RUSSIAN athletes who compete as independents at next month’s Pyeongchang Winter Olympics cannot grab a Russian flag or stage alternate medal ceremonies as part of conduct guidelines issued on Friday. The International Olympic Committee, which in December banned Russia from the Feb. 9-25 Games in South Korea because of the country’s doping violations, has invited 169 carefully screened Russian athletes who will compete under the Olympic flag as Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR). Russia was banned over “systematic manipulation” of the anti-doping system at the 2014 Sochi Games. According to the IOC’s “Conduct Guidelines for Olympic Athlete from Russia”, athletes must wear only the authorised OAR uniforms and refrain from any public form of publicity associated with the Russian “flag, anthem, emblem and symbols”. They must also “not solicit or accept the national flag, anthem, emblem and symbols at any Olympic site,” the IOC said. Athletes and officials are also not allowed to stage or take part in ‘alternate’ victory ceremonies organised by the Russian Olympic Committee or a third party. The IOC said it would be monitoring the application of these guidelines through a taskforce, led by IOC deputy Director General Pere Miro and sports Director Kit McConnell. The suspended Russian Olympic Committee will also be responsible for their fans’ behaviour inside the venues and any display of national flags or emblems even at non-official venues must have IOC approval. The IOC has said if Russia respected the decisions it could potentially be admitted back under its own flag at the Games’ closing ceremony. CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday January 27, 2017)

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) Bashkar Yadram-6 wickets (2) Alick Athanaze-218 runs Today’s Quiz: (1) How many players did the WI used in their three group games in the ICC Youth World Cup? (2)

What was the WI margin of victory over Kenya? ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

GCB again ... Continued from page 32

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is just the beginning of a career where players can only develop. “I want to urge the play09:10 Thunder ers tohrsdoSummer your best, make 09:45 Peace sure hrs youPower gain And a selection on the 10:15 hrsGuyana Fitzwillyteam to go and play the Quality regional tour10:50 hrs Star nament so you can elevate 11:25 Billy’s Boots your hrs life,” he said. 11:55Speaking hrs SpringonWaterfall behalf of the Dave West Indian Imports was Amar Ramraj, Kempton hailed the partnership with 12:15 hrs Spare Parts the GCB. 12:45Thrs Shambles h e Holy com petition, which will run 13:15 hrs Briscolafrom February willDouble involve 13:45 hrs4-10, Deeley’s Berbice, Demerara, Es14:15 hrs Donjuan Triumsequibo and the Presiphant dent’s XI. Matches will be 14:45 hrs at Compton Prince played the Lusignan, GCC, and Tus15:15 hrsEverest Rainbow Rebel chen grounds.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 27, 2018

GCB again on the move, as Australia club Inter-County U-15 launched England in fourth ODI - Dave West Indian Imports onboard

By Rajiv Bisnauth THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), as part of their responsibility in ensuring that the best possible national team is selected to represent the nation at the under-15 level, has commenced the first step. To this end the board and Dave West Indian Imports has renewed their partnership for the Inter-County Under-15 competition, which is set to bowl off on February 4.

The tournament will be used as a yard stick to select the best possible players to represent Guyana. At the official media launch in the GCB boardroom on Regent Street, the board’s Marketing Manager Raj Singh acknowledged the continued support of Dave West Indian Imports for the third year in succession. “And this year they’ve increased the sponsorship. The owner of this sponsorship outfit- Dave West Indian

Imports - is an ardent cricket fan, supporter and very close confidant of several of the cricketers. And he’s a man who we can say, ‘puts his money where his mouth is’; he said he is going to support cricket and he’s been with the Guyana Cricket Board now for the third consecutive year supporting our youths and their development,” Singh said. Singh said that while the cricket is a game, it is now a passageway for a solid finan-

cial future. “Cricket is a very rewarding career. You can make it a profession now,” he said. He pointed this out to the players who are all under contract with the GCB and who are earning varying levels of remuneration every month. Meanwhile, acting president of the local governing body, Fizul Bacchus, pointed out that this level of the game Turn to page 31

Dangerous pitch halts India’s victory charge against South Africa

(REUTERS) - A DANGEROUS pitch brought play to a close 20 minutes early on the third day between South Africa and India with the home side chasing an unlikely target of 241 in the third and final test on Friday. The future of the match appeared to be uncertain when umpires Ian Gould and Aleem Dar ordered the players off the field after several batsmen suffered blows to their bodies because of an uneven bounce. However, officials announced that the test would resume as scheduled on day four following a meeting between the umpires, match commissioner Andy Pycroft and team representatives.

“Play on Friday was suspended shortly before the scheduled time because the on-field umpires wanted to consult the

match referee regarding the condition of the pitch,” the International Cricket Council said in a statement.

Rabada picked up three second-innings wickets to make it six for the match (ICC photo)

“The on-field umpires will continue to monitor the pitch, and consult the match referee should the pitch deteriorate further. The welfare of the players is paramount.” With balls lifting sharply off a good length all day, the umpires discussed player safety on at least four occasions before finally halting proceedings when South Africa opener Dean Elgar was struck on the helmet by a short ball from seamer Jasprit Bumrah. The home side was 17 for one at the close, with Elgar 11 not out and Hashim Amla at the other end on two, still needing 224 for victory in their second innings. India might feel aggrieved to have lost 20 minutes at the end of day after their own batsmen took body blows all through their second innings. The tourists had earlier showed admirable bravery in posting 247 in their second innings. Ajinkya Rahane (48), not picked for the first two tests of the series, played some sublime shots and said the game should continue. “Our approach is that we want to play and we want to win this test match,” Rahane told reporters. ”That ball (to Elgar) was back of length, a hard length. It kicked off with slightly more bounce than usual. South Africa coach Ottis Gibson says his team also wants to complete the test. “We are here to play cricket. We still want to play cricket,” Gibson said. “Throughout the whole game on both sides, you saw batsmen wearing a few. India didn’t complain and we didn’t either.” South Africa have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the threematch series, but are seeking a first ever clean-sweep over India.

(REUTERS) - AUSTRALIA romped to a three-wicket victory in the fourth oneday international at Adelaide Oval on Friday after threatening to dismiss England for the lowest score in the history of the format by reducing the tourists to eight for five inside seven overs. Chris Woakes scored 78 as England recovered to post a score of 196 in their 50 overs but opener Travis Head’s 96 helped Australia to 197-7 and a comfortable consolation win with 13 overs to spare. “Five for eight you take that any day of the week on any wicket,” said Australia captain Steve Smith. “Nice to get over the line in the end. Pretty ordinary batting display really apart from Heady who played well.” The tourists were full of confidence after winning the first three encounters to take an unassailable lead in the five-match series but it soon dissipated when they were put in to bat under overcast skies on the Australia Day holiday. Pat Cummins (4-24) and Josh Hazlewood (3-39) made light of the absence of their rested fellow paceman Mitchell Starc and ripped through the England top order. Jason Roy departed off the second ball with Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root and Jos Buttler swiftly following him to depart, all caught out for ducks.

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Alex Hales at least got three runs on the board before Cummins took out his off stump and Zimbabwe’s record low innings tally of 35 against Sri Lanka in 2004 looked under serious threat. Skipper Eoin Morgan and all-rounder Moeen Ali, who both scored 33, put on 53 to ease the tourists away from that ignominy and Woakes’s fine innings added a gloss of decency to the tally. Australia made a bit of a meal of the run chase and Smith continued his poor series with only four runs after he was well caught in the cordon by Root off Adil Rashid (3-49) Head, who was brought into the side in place of the injured Aaron Finch, looked destined for a second international century but fell four runs short of the milestone when he slapped the ball straight to Morgan at mid-on off Chris Wood. Tim Paine got Australia home with his unbeaten 25 not out but not until he had run out Man of the Match Cummins to leave the hosts seven wickets down and 11 runs short of their target. “Full credit to Australia; I thought they bowled well. Didn’t give us anything to hit; It was relentless. They deserved to win today,” said Morgan. The final match in the series takes place on Sunday, the first sporting event at a new 60,000-seater stadium in Perth. 11:15 hrs Legal Eagle 11:50 hrs Captain Splendid 12:20 hrs Milden Spell 12:50 hrs Power Grid English Racing Tips Lingfield 09:25 hrs Aquarium 10:00 hrs Contrast 10:35 hrs Agent Error 11:10 hrs Celestial Spheres 11:45 hrs Cosmic Glow 12:15 hrs Pride Of Angels Doncaster 08:55 hrs Amadeus Rox 09:30 hrs Sceau Royal 10:05 hrs Calett Mad 10:40 hrs Maria’s Benefit 11:15 hrs Thumb Stone Blues 11:50 hrs Bigmartre 12:20 hrs It’s O Kay Cheltenham 08:40 hrs Apple’s Shakira 09:15 hrs Sizing Tennessee 09:50 hrs Coo Star Sivola 10:25 hrs American 11:00 hrs Santini 11:35 hrs Finian’s Oscar 12:10 hrs Litterale

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 27, 2018

GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF)

Extra Time

GFF’s NATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE UPDATE On Friday, 19th January, 2018, the President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde along with Rawlston Adams, GFF’s Executive Committee Member and Ian Greenwood, GFF’s Technical Director updated the media on the progress of works for the construction of the GFF National Training Centre. Adams is also the Executive Committee Member with responsibility for the project. Present at the briefing was Brigadier (ret.) Bruce Lovell, First Vice President. The construction has been extended to April 2018 due to the inclement weather experienced over the past few months. However, work has progressed considerably to facilitate the completion of the artificial turf. To this effect, a revised workplan has been submitted by contractor.

Wayne Forde – President, Guyana Football Federation

“At the point where Greenfields hands over the turf to the Federation, we can commence using same immediately. What we’d like to do in the months following that is to make the venue functional to games – stands, ighting – lighting will be in accordance with the CONCACAF lighting system; we have selected Tier two, which will allow us to host high-level CONCACAF events. Tier One is the highest lighting system in the world. This Tier Two lighting system is a change in the original design. The primary focus of this facility is a training and development facility. We would like to use this facility to produce the highest caliber football has ever produced. So, a lot of the design that will go into the facility such as the dorm, the gym, a pool will reflect this. We’d want to construct a facility that carried itself. Therefore, we’ll also go green. We’ll use a lot of green energy technology so at the end of the day we’ll have a facility that doesn’t have the type of carrying burden…”

Revised Workplan For The Construction Of The GFF National Training Centre

WAYNE DOVER, INTERIM

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

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

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

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 27, 2018

New regulations ahead of this 25th annual Ricks and Sari cycling weekend’s Endurance race

billed for tomorrow

Endurance racing returns to the South Dakota Circuit this weekend (SeanCharles71/GTRidez Photo)

By Stephan Sookram A HOST of regulations have been put in place to ensure safety and fair competition ahead of this weekend’s opening of the Endurance Race of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sport Club. Following a competitors meeting on Thursday evening, it was decided that the club will ditch the manual ‘hand timing’ system and utilize the same transponder system that

circuit racing uses. Cyril Angoy has been appointed the Clerk of the Course for this event with cars being gridded based on how they signed up for the event. For this event, each team will comprise two members with drivers doing a maximum of one and a half hour and a minimum of half an hour. Competitors are also reminded that it is mandatory to wear protective clothing/

gear inclusive of fully covered footwear and jeans. Meanwhile the championship format has also been decided for the three Endurance events for the year. Points will be awarded to individual drivers and will range from first to tenth, with first place being awarded 25 points, second place 18, third place 15, fourth place 12; fifth place 10, sixth place gets eight, seventh gets six, eighth gets four, ninth gets two and

tenth gets one. The same will be applied for mechanics as the end of the 2018 year will feature a champion mechanic. A lien trophy will be awarded to the overall winners after their names are imprinted onto their trophies. The winners must defend their trophies at the subsequent rounds. Sunday’s event will begin at 13:00hrs and admission to the South Dakota Circuit is free.

GUYANA’S racing cyclists will get on their saddles today as national coach Hassan Mohamed runs off the 25th annual Ricks and Sari Agro Industries 11-race cycle programme. It will take place around the inner circuit of the National Park beginning at 09:00hrs. The feature event is a 35-lap race for School Boys, Novices and Invitational riders and last year’s winner Alonzo Ambrose will be out to make a successful defence of the title. His time last year was a blistering one hour, 18 minutes but this time around, he must be wary of Jamal John who ended the 2017 cycling season as the top rider. Apart from John, Ambrose will have to look out for a number of riders who were very

competitive last year. The likes of Christopher Cornelius, Andrew Hicks, Romello Crawford, Orville Hinds and Raul Leal are no strangers to the fray and cannot be counted out. The juveniles will contest a 10-lap race with Crawford, looking to make a successful defence of the title. Warren McKay will also be looking to defend his veterans’ under 50 years five lap title; so too will be Jamal Heyliger who won the boys’ and girls’ 12-14 years old three-lap race last year and Shane Bourne who was the winner of the five-lap mountain bike race. Ricks and Sari representative Sven D’Oliver will be on hand to make the presentation of prizes to the respective winners.

Simmons puts Windies through to Plate final (CMC) - OPENER Keagan Simmons slammed a career-best hundred to help West Indies crush Canada Under-19s by 187 runs, and book their place in the Plate final of the ICC Youth World Cup on Friday. The left-handed opener brought alive the Bert Sutcliffe Oval with a sparkling 166 off 137 deliveries as the Caribbean side piled up 323 for eight off their 50 overs, after choosing to bat first. Alick Athanaze, another left-hander, smashed 87 while opener Bhaskar Yadram chipped in with 23. In reply, Canada folded for 136 in the 48th over without really threatening their target, despite an excellent 61 from Kavian Naress and 31 from Arslan Khan. Fast bowler Ronaldo Alimohamed (2-17), along with off-spinners Alick Athanaze (2-20) and Bhaskar Yadram (2-31), all finished with two wickets

each. West Indies, who failed in their bid to defend the title they won two years ago, will now have the chance at redemption when they face Sri Lanka in Sunday’s Plate final, also at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval. Simmons, who starred in the opener against New Zealand with an unbeaten 92, was once again at his best in a knock laced with 17 fours. While he lacked major support throughout the innings, he managed to add 42 with Yadram for the first wicket, 156 for the third wicket with Athanaze before putting on a further 52 for the fourth wicket with Kirstan Kallicharan (9). Yadram struck four boundaries in a 26ball knock before pulling off-spinner Rommel Shahzad to backward square to depart in the eighth over. Shazad struck again two overs later when he removed

Left-handed opener Keagan Simmons struck a career-best 166 against Canada (Photo courtesy ICC Media)

captain Emmanuel Stewart for six, the right-hander edging a cut at a wide ball to the wicketkeeper, to leave the Windies on 56 for two. However, Simmons and Athanaze then came together to dominate the Canada bowling, and put their side in total control of the contest. Simmons raised his half-century off 47 deliveries in the 20th over with a boundary off Seamer Akash Gill (4-54) before reaching three figures from 101 balls, when he swept left-arm spinner Aran Pathmanathan to the square boundary in the 39th over. Simmons then accelerated, requiring only 25 more deliveries to bring up his 150. Athanaze, meanwhile, faced 95 balls and counted five fours before falling lbw to leg-spinner Kavian Naress in the 38th over but his dismissal paved the way for Simmons to dominate a key fourth wicket partnership

with Kallicharan, which took the Windies past 250. When Kallicharan and Cephas Cooper (5) perished in the space of five deliveries, Simmons kept the innings going in a 35run, sixth-wicket stand off 23 balls with Brad Barnes (16) before holing out to deep cover point off Gill in the penultimate over. Faced with a daunting run chase, Canada was never in the hunt, especially after slumping to five runs for three wickets in the third over, with Alimohamed striking twice. Naress, who struck six fours and a six off 112 balls, stalled the Windies progress in a 48-run fourth wicket stand with opener Arslan Khan, who counted three fours and a six in a 50-ball knock. Once Arslan fell in the 17th over, caught at the wicket off fast bowler Kian Pemberton, the inning buckled with last six wickets tumbling for 61 runs.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 27, 2018

Commissioner of Police donates cricket gear to lone Police player in Guyana Jaguars squad COMMISSIONER of Police, Seelall Persaud, DSM on Friday donated cricket gear to Ricardo Adams who was shortlisted to represent the Guyana Jaguars franchise team at this year’s Cricket West Indies (CWI) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional 50/50 tournament which will commence on January 30 in Barbados. Commissioner Persaud, who handed over the items at his Eve Leary Office, congratulated Adams and charged him to go and give his best and make the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Guyana at large proud. Adams is well known in the cricket circle as he also represented the GPF on many occasions in the past. The twenty-three yearold who will join the likes of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permual, Shimron Hetymyer among others in the Guyana Jaguars squad thanked the Commissioner for his kind gesture and assured the Top Cop that he will go and give his utmost. Adams is a hard-hitting left-hand batsman and left-arm bowler from the Essequibo Island of Wakenaam, who made his debut

Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud (right) makes a presentation to Ricardo Adams. Also in photo is Assistant Commissioner of Police Nigel Hoppie.

for Guyana in 2009 Regional Under-15 tournament. In 2009 he led Essequibo to victory over Berbice in the first of two games in the GCB/ Castrol Under-15 inter-county tournament, which probably earned him the vice-captain role in the 2009 Guyana Under-15 team. In 2010 he represented Guyana in both the Regional Under-15 and Under-19 tournaments. Adams bowled well at the Under-15 level and batted with distinction at the Under-19 level. He scored his first regional half century (66 runs) in the 2010 Regional Under-19 Tournament, against Barbados in St Lucia. He scored his first regional century (102 runs) in 2012 Regional Under-19 2-innings Tournament, against Trinidad & Tobago, in Barbados. The presentation was made possible by Assistant Commissioner of Police Nigel Hoppie DSM, who is the chairman of the GPF Cricket Team, of which himself and Commissioner Seelall Persaud are considered ‘all-rounders’ and cricket enthusiasts and this kind gesture can make a positive impact on the player's cricketing career.

Annual ‘Speedy’ Memorial Golf Tournament billed for today THE Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) will stage its Annual Prabudial `Speedy’ Ramdial Medal Play golf tournament today at the Club’s facility, Lusignan Gold Club, East Coast Demerara from 12.30hrs. T h e Vi s h R a m d i a l sponsored tournament is expected to attract Guyana’s top golfers who will be vying for honours and according to president of the LGC, Aleem Hussain, a full field is expected to participate. According to Hussain, Vish Ramdial recently paid a visit to the club’s facility and was impressed with the works that have been carried out and has committed to establishing a women’s Social Club, a school and a University programme. This is the club’s second tournament for the 2018 season and this will be followed by many more, including the Guyana ‘Open’ in May, the Shivnarine Chanderpaul tournament and the Lusignan ‘Open’ in July.

GOA completes Coaching Theory Course of the Caribbean Coaches Certification Programme SIXTEEN persons were successful in completing the Coaching Theory Course of the Caribbean Coaches Certification Programme (CCCP) at the Bartica Learning Resource Centre on January 21 last. The Course was made possible through the collaborative effort between the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and the Department of Education of Region Seven and was conducted by Nicholas Fraser – territorial trainer of the CCCP in Guyana. The Course was held over two weekends beginning Friday December 8 to Sunday December 10, 2017 and concluded January 20-21. Dr. Karen Pilgrim, Vice-President of the GOA, was on hand on the last day to assist with the presentation to participants on Doping Control. The Coaching Theory Course forms part of the Caribbean Coaches Certification Programme (CCCP) of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC). Regional Certification will conclude with the evaluation of a practical ses-

sion in any sport discipline by successful participants of the coaching theory course. This is the second such course to be held in Guyana; the first being held in Georgetown in April 2017. Since coaching is an activity that requires competency and not merely an

understanding of content, participants of this course are required to demonstrate their ability to accomplish certain tasks that are critical to the job of coaching. Whether planning a safe and effective practice or special event, ensuring a safe playing environment or improving the

physical fitness of an athlete, the coach has responsibilities to carry out the duties of a coach competently. To this end, the coaching theory course is designed to improve the competencies of participants to respond to the demands of modern day coaching.

Participants must receive tuition, complete competency tasks in a Coaches Workbook and execute a practical session before they are registered with CANOC. The content of the coaching theory course is broken up into 10 modules delivered over approxi-

Some participants of the GOA’s Coaching Theory Course of the Caribbean Coaches Certification Programme in Region Seven

mately 20 hours. The modules are: Role of the Coach; the Coach as a Leader; Developing Sport Skills; Developing Fitness; Nutrition, Rest and Regeneration; Safety, Injury and Recovery Planning; Training Sessions and Programmes; Drugs in Sport; Sport for Persons with Disabilities; as well as Event Planning and Management. Each Module is linked to a corresponding set of tasks in the Coaches Workbook, which will be evaluated by the course conductor. In addition, during the ensuing three months the course instructor will evaluate a practical session executed by each certified participant before registering the newly accredited coaches with the regional body. The Regional Sports Coordinator attached to the Department of Education (Region Seven), Mark Ambrose, was crucial to the coordination of the Course in Bartica. He indicated that plans were in train to include these coaches in the development of sport in the Region.

Commissioner of Police donates cricket gear ...

See page 35

GT Motorsports rewards Champion drivers - Jeffrey, Persaud, Ten-Pow among top drivers for 2017

Various winners and honourees stand for a photo following the presentation ceremony at the GT Motorsports facility (Delano Williams Photo) GT motorsports last evening held their presentation ceremony for the top karting drivers of 2017 at their Thomaslands conference hall. Kristian Jeffrey was awarded champion driver in the Shifter Kart class with Mikhail Persaud taking the 125cc Junior class, Matthew Phang taking the 12cc Senior division and Jeremy Ten Pow taking the Sunburst 60cc class. In the Easy Cup Rookie, it was Raymond Baksh who reigned supreme while Easy Cup Light went to Raymond Seebarran and Easy Cup Heavy went to Shan Seejattan. Details in tomorrow’s edition.

Setup complete for Today’s Milo U18 Football

GCB again on the move, as Inter-County U-15 launched See Page 32

- Dave West Indian Imports onboard

Tents being laid ahead of today’s sixth annual Milo Schools Football Tournament ACTION in the sixth annual Milo U-18 Schools football tournament is set for today at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue. Late yesterday, the final touches were being put in place for today’s matches which will feature three

games from noon. In the first fixture, the Buxton Youth Developers will play Business School with the second game seeing St Roses High taking on Cummings Lodge Secondary; Game three pits defending champions Chase Academy

against Carmel Secondary School. The tournament also has on board the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and will be played under the theme, ‘There is no excuse for violence.’ Matches will continue tomorrow.

Representative of Dave West Indian Imports, Amar Ramraj handing over the sponsorship cheque to the treasure of the GCB, Anand Kalladeen. Also sharing the moment are Marketing Manager Raj Singh (third right), acting president of the local governing body, Fizul Bacchus (fourth right), Chairman of the GCB’s Competitions Committee Colin Europe (third right), along with some Under-15 cricketers

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2018