Guyana chronicle e paper 01 30 2018

India offers to help reform sugar industry Page 3

No. 105170

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

Price: $80

Sugar payout begins (VAT Inclusive)

…hundreds uplift severance cheques at Enmore

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Phantom killings CoI to start Feb. 1 …first round of inquiry to deal with specific issues

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Man gets 80 years for killing wife Page 8

Non-traditional exports up ‘I don’t have to consult with PPP’ …Chand says GAWU’s members are from all the parties by 25 %

Retrenched sugar workers gather outside the Enmore Estate as they begin uplifting their severance pay cheques (Adrian Narine photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Phantom killings CoI to start Feb. 1 …first round of inquiry to deal with specific issues

By Svetlana Marshall

BY February 1, the first of a series of inquiries into the

extra-judicial killings that occurred during 2002-2009, will commence, according to Minister of State Joseph

Harmon.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Monday on the sideline of the swearing-in-ceremony of Land Surveyors, Minister Harmon confirmed that a Commission of Inquiry will be launched this week, focusing on a particular incident or period within the period of the crime wave. “We cannot of course do one inquiry to cover all of them at the same time, so we might very well be dealing with individual issues as we go along. So during the course of this week, [or] by the end of this week, we will launch an inquiry into one period of the killings and you can rest assured that by the 1st of February that work will commence on this inquiry,” Minister Harmon explained.

He emphasised that it is important that there be closure. Last week, President David Granger had 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.

Under the presidency of Bharrat Jagdeo (August 11, 1999 to December 3, 2011) 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.

Barrington Braithwaite, who had designed the Buxton Monument that carries the names of over 450 murdered Guyanese, had long championed the cause for justice to be served.

On Monday he told Guyana Chronicle that he is pleased that the Government will be addressing the crimes committed against humanity, positing that the period of investigation should be from 2000- 2009 and beyond.

“That was the period that criminalised this country,” Braithwaite stated while noting that for too long persons have been of the opinion that those who ought to be held accountable are walking free. “I am happy about it and so do the families of Ronald Waddell and Satyadeow Sawh,” Braithwaite said. Jagdeo, now Leader of the Opposition, said he welcomes the President’s announcement as he offers the full support of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

“If there is something we know specifically then yes, we would… for instance, during my tenure as president, a confession statement was shown to me by a police [officer] who had received it from the girlfriend of one of the criminals who went to Sat Sawh’s place,” said Jagdeo.

He said there were lots of reports from soldiers and the police that reached his office when he was president.

He believes that there were political hands behind some of the extra-judicial killings; so the CoI would shed light

on those issues. “We should have it by all means but again, there should be proper terms of reference and credible commissioners,” said Jagdeo.

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 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.

Police seize 19 parcels of compressed cannabis A SPEEDING motorcar which breached a police cordon in front of the Fort Wellington Police Station about 02:00hrs Monday morning, causing ranks to take evasive action to avoid being struck down, was subsequently pursued and found crashed into

a tree at No. 23 Village, West Coast Berbice.

Police said on approaching, two occupants were seen exiting the vehicle and entered another which sped at great speed further west.

While being pursued, the vehicle veered into a street at No. 27 Village, West

Coast Berbice and ended up in a nearby trench, where two males were seen exiting and escaped through the unlit street.

The driver, 23yrs, of Onderneeming, West Coast Berbice, who is employed with a water comTurn to page 3 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Sugar payout begins …hundreds uplift severance cheques at Enmore

Ex-East Demerara Sugar Estates employees patiently await to collect their severance pay, at Enmore on Monday.

(Photo by Adrian Narine)

Sugar workers on Monday began receiving their severance pay, with many already planning on investing it into small businesses, while others are still to decide.

The payout for workers attached to the East Demerara Sugar Estates took place at the Enmore Estate where the former sugar workers turned

out in their numbers to receive their severance.

They collected a number from the security at the gate of the estate and anxiously awaited their turn to receive their money. Most of the workers were visibly happy and satisfied with what they received; some were evening smiling and laughing, even after walking long distances

to get to the estate.

“It is good they paid us; I would have been happy for all the money, but I still welcome what I received,” said one of the ex-sugar workers.

He told this publication that he and his son already have plans to invest the money in a small business that they hope will become lucrative as time goes by.

Asked if he would return to the estate if it is privatised, the man said probably not, seeing that he is nearing the age of retirement, but he would advise the younger generation to make use of the opportunity if they get it.

Other ex-workers expressed similar sentiments, but still maintained that they should have received the full

payment, instead of 50 per cent.

Most of them said they will be investing the money they receive in order to maintain their families. Some, however, said they are ready to accept whatever alternative offer the government and the private sector have in the pipeline.

The National Assembly had approved the sum of $1.93B to offset the payment of severance for sugar workers made redundant by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

The government had made a commitment to pay a sum of $2.25B to the sugar workers before the end of this month, a figure that represents half of the $4.25B it plans paying them. The balance will be paid before the end of 2018.

In the case of the Skeldon Estate workers there will receive $609M, while those at Rose Hall will be paid $705M. The workers at East Demerara and Wales will be paid $815M and $150M,

respectively.

Flanked by executives of the sugar corporation, Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder had told the National Assembly that the sums to be paid this month will see a total of 4,763 sugar workers being paid off. The workers from the Skeldon Estate number 1,851; another 1,181 are from Rose Hall; 1,480 are from the East Demerara; and the remaining 251 are from the Wales Estate.

In the interest of the workers, Cabinet had put forward a proposal in which it made a commitment to pay full severance to those workers whose total severance stands at $500,000 or less.

Around 1,600 workers in this category will benefit.

Minister Holder said that the severance payments include overtime and other allowances owed to the workers. He also noted that the severance is being paid to workers on condition of length of service, adding, “All benefits will be paid on the due date.”

India offers to help reform sugar industry …Min Harmon says feedback so far has been positive GUYANA has received positive feedback from the Indian Government regarding reforming the sugar industry here and the issue will be further discussed during a visit to that country led by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge.

Vice-President Greenidge is leading a delegation which includes Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman to India for a meeting of the Guyana-India Joint Commission and for Inter-Ministerial Consultations scheduled for January 29 to February 3.

Speaking at 69th Republic Anniversary of India last Friday President David Granger said Guyana welcomes India’s offer to assist in reforming the sugar industry and to enhance trade, investment and collaboration in the fields of agriculture, education, mining and renewable energy, among others.

Indian’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Ventakachalam Mahalingam also said that aside from offering its help to the Government of Guyana on reforming the sugar industry, it has also supported

infrastructural, environmental, educational and cultural projects, with the aim of strengthening its ties with the Government. These areas, he said, are not only based solely on what the Indian Government decides but on the priorities defined by policy makers in Guyana.

Industry officials said that India today is a pacesetter in technology in the agriculture sector and in agro-industries and they could be helpful not only in agro-processing here but also in aquaculture in which workers affected by restructuring could find productive employment.

Meanwhile, Sunday Minister of State , Joseph Harmon told reporters at the conclusion of a forum in Alexander Village that the team’s agenda while in India will focus on reviewing several arrangements and agreements signed between Guyana and the Indian government , including those relative to the procurement of ferries, assistance to the energy sector, as well as the sugar industry. As regards the latter, Minister Harmon noted that Guyana has received a positive feedback from the

Indian Government regarding the sugar industry here.

He noted that the discussions during the trip by the Foreign Affairs Minister entailed the government’s plans for the divestment and restructuring of the sugar industry.

“These are discussions, we have gotten a positive feedback from the Indian Government”, he said, noting that anyone who provides such forms of assistance is welcomed by the government.

The Minister of State noted

that Guyana has always had excellent relations with the Government of India, adding that such forms of assistance, some of which have been in the forms of loans and grants, have been significant. “We continue to engage with the Indian Government,” he said noting that it is a relationship which both parties are building on. Earlier this month, Former President Donald Ramotar stated in another section of the media that the APNU+AFC administration has accepted

Police seize 19... pany was arrested whilst in the process of disposing of a bag which was found to contain nineteen parcels of compressed cannabis. Both vehicles and the illegal substance which weighed in excess of twenty pounds (9,165 grams) are lodged, as stringent efforts are currently being made to have the other suspects arrested and brought to justice.

From page 2

The compressed parcels of Cannabis found in the driver’s possession

loans from India that he initiated except those pertaining to the rehabilitation of the country’s sugar industry. = On Sunday, Minister Harmon refuted such claims.

He noted that he is unaware of any loans that the current government has defaulted on. He said that there is a loan relating to the specialty hospital project which the government has asked India to review; the latter has recommended the construction of three primary health care facilities. In a statement last week, the Ministry of For-

eign Affairs said the visit by the delegation to Indian will provide an opportunity for the two States to further enhance relations through an exchange of political dialogue, as well as for the fostering of economic and cultural cooperation. The Joint Commission facilitates talks between the two countries on all aspects of bilateral relations while the Inter-Ministerial Consultations allow for dialogue in areas of common interest at both the regional and global levels.

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Jagdeo can be hauled before the court --‘Rambo’ says, once it can be proven he exceeded his mandate as president

By Zena Henry THE jury is still out as to whether charges will be brought against Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo for using his office, while he was president, to allegedly violate citizens’ rights.

The matter at reference is the perception abroad that it was he who caused false charges to be brought against former officials of the New Building Society (NBS), among them the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Maurice Arjoon, and the reason that the agency has had to pay out millions of dollars in damages and unpaid benefits.

Arjoon recently won his case against the NBS for wrongful dismissal, and was awarded $59M, out of $79M, which sum was to have been immediately handed over by the financial institution.

The matter was raised with constitutional lawyer and former presidential advisor, Raymond Gaskin, and he is of the view that it may very well happen; that the former president could be charged, once there is evidence to prove that he did do the things he is being accused of doing.

Gaskin went on to explain that while the Constitution protects the head-of-state in the functions of his duties, Constitutional impunity does not protect him where he is found to have acted outside of his duties.

“The impunity clause does not protect the president if it is found that he engaged in illegal behaviour, or engaged in deliberate unlawful actions,” Gaskin said.

“Impunity speaks to the president being engaged in the lawful execution of his duties; something can happen; someone died or something like that,” he added.

But to back up a bit, Gaskin told the Guyana Chronicle that it all started when the last administration was looking for investors for the Berbice Bridge.

He was hired by the NBS, he said, to do a feasibility study on the project in terms of whether it would be a wise investment or not for the company to make.

Gaskin said that based on his research, he advised the NBS in his report to stay away from the bridge, since there were not enough investors supporting the project,

and the likelihood of them not being able to recover their money.

According to Arjoon, the former president had wanted NBS to invest more than $2B in the Berbice Bridge, but because as the then CEO, he refused to go with the programme, since he believed that the project was not financially feasible, he was being victimised.

Gaskin said that the vote to lend the Bridge the money was three to three, with Arjoon having the casting vote.

But after reading the report he had submitted, he said Arjoon voted against lending the money.

His doing so, Arjoon told the court, saw a campaign started against him and some NBS managers, whereby they were disgracefully dismissed, and accused and charged of trying to swindle the company of almost $70M. Gaskin is maintaining that if Arjoon’s claims could be proven, that is, that the former president used his office and ordered the dismissal and subsequent harassment of the NBS officials for not fulfilling his bid, then it would show that Jagdeo acted outside

of the “lawful execution of his duties”, and he could be charged.

Constitutional lawyer, Teni Housty told the Guyana Chronicle that to bring charges against a president can hinge upon several factors, among them the ability to prove that the head-of-state would have intentionally used his office for means outside of his duties.

The lawyer referred to Articles 138 through 149 of the Constitution where citizens’ rights are declared.

He said that even if this were the case, the citizen would have to file a suit against the State. “Once the State or organ of the State violates those fundamental rights mentioned in the Constitution, the State or Attorney-General will answer.”

Court Marshals and members of the police force had cause to descend on NBS last week after the company had failed to pay Arjoon what was rewarded by the court.

This caused a standoff between the Bank and law enforcement, whereby bank managers and internal security personnel were arrested.

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Tuesday, January 30, 2018 - 4:00 & 14:30hrs Wednesday, January 31, 2018 - 5:00hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 30, 2018

Bulkan justifies writing M&CC on open spaces --in wake of Mayor’s claim of interference

By Telesha Ramnarine

COMMUNITIES Minister Ronald Bulkan had refused to see the owner of Mae’s Schools, Mayfield Rodrigues when she tried to engage him on the use of the Farnum Playground two years ago, and had instead referred her to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

Bulkan feels that this, in itself, proves that he has no intention of usurping the Council’s authority, as was stated by Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Green lately.

The mayor told reporters a few days ago that Minister Bulkan has “taken over from where the previous administration left off” in trying to interfere with the affairs of the City Council.

Her comments came shortly after the minister wrote to the City Council addressing concerns of public spaces that the municipality wants to use for other purposes, such as for housing development.

“Perhaps a little more surprising, if not disturbing, there is an accusation that I seem to be taking over where the old administration left off. I thought that one was rather unkind,” Bulkan told the Guyana Chronicle in an invited comment at his Kingston office on Monday.

“My intervention was not willy-nilly or kneejerk as the mayor suggested.

It was not capricious; not as a result of any ill will or malice,” the minister said.

He recalled that when the owner of Mae’s Schools visited his office and asked to see him, he chose not to see her because she wanted to discuss the use of the Farnum Playground.

“Instead, I communicated to her that I had no authority or responsibility to give her permission to use that playfield; that it was a matter for the Georgetown City Council,” Minister Bulkan said, adding: “I suggested to her that her engagement with the Council should begin at the level of the constituency councillor. At all times that was my position.

“Obviously, she was aware that in the previous dispensation, that is how things worked. You come to the minister, the minister gives you the permission, enters into an agreement, sends it down to the council and they rubber stamp it.

COSMETIC VALUE “They were treated as cosmetic value; This is why I was surprised. I don’t think evidence can be produced to substantiate the accusation that I am seeking to usurp the authority of Council. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

The minister said he first observed an article in the press about negotiations between the Council and local housing developer, Terrence Taljit, to transfer land at Bel Air Park for housing purposes.

He said that following this, he received an email from a Cabinet colleague alerting him to another disaster that was waiting to happen in connection with the leasing of the Farnum Playground to Mae’s.

Bulkan said he also received a letter from Attorney-at-law Devindra Kissoon with the arresting caption, “Illegal seizure of the Bel Air Park community ground.”

He said it was at this Turn to page 5

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Non-tradition exports increased by 25 % WITH government working assiduously to secure additional and larger markets for Guyana’s produce, the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) recorded a 25 percent increase in non-traditional exports for 2017, according to GMC’s General Manager, Mrs. Ida Sealey-Adams.

She said that the non-traditional exports, which totalled 12,684 tonnes, valued US$17 million. According to figures provided by GMC, 12,018 tonnes of both fresh and agro-processed agricultural commodities were

exported via sea shipment in 2017 as opposed to 2016 when 9,538 tonnes were recorded.

Additionally, 666 tonnes of commodities were exported via air shipment in 2017 as compared to 584 tonnes in 2016. The Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) has over the last year been actively developing new and improved initiatives geared at strengthening its capability to facilitate constant increases in export.

Recently, the Corporation through its packing facility, resuscitated the Ex-

port Association. According to the General Manager, “This is intended to build a closer network linking our farmers and exporter to markets, while at the same time, building security with buyers, allowing for more confidence in our produce,” she said.

In an invited comment, Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, said that while the non-traditional agricultural sector is yet to reach its full potential, efforts are apace to ensure that this becomes a reality. Already, investment at the governmental levels

are in place and has seen the incorporation of machinery and support services given to the GMC to ensure its mandate services are carried out.

“We are continuously looking to increase investments in inputs to improve the competitiveness of domestic production, increase farmers’ profits and make food more affordable for all classes of people.” Minister Holder said. GMC's Regional exports increased by 22 percent from 1,779 in 2016 to 2,179 tonnes in 2017 with countries like Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Suri-

Bulkan justifies writing M&CC... point that he asked to see the Town Clerk to alert him about the article, email and the lawyer’s letter, requesting his involvement in the matter.

Although he took no action, the minister said he was seeking to be informed by the Council and to see the written agreements between Taljit and Rodrigues and the Council, so that he could have been in a better position to make a response.

“The letter I wrote was to the mayor,” Minister Bulkan said, “but for the purpose of expediency, I spoke to the Town Clerk to enable me to respond and properly apprise the Cabinet.

PART OF MY DUTIES “My writing to the may-

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan showing the Guyana Chronicle a copy of the lawyer’s letter which required his intervention

or was in keeping with what is expected of me; it is part of my duties and responsibilities, and at no time have I sought to usurp the duties

of the Council. But I am required to provide guidance when the need arises; it would have been irresponsible of me not to address

name, St. Kitts and Antigua being the major regional export destinations.

In addition, extra regional exports to countries like the United States of America, Canada, France and the Dominican Republic also increased significantly with a total of 10,506 tonnes being recorded for 2017 when compared to 2016 figures which stood at 8,344 tonnes.

“In 2017, a total of 34 metric tonnes of bora were exported mainly to Canada. Boulanger exports increased 89 percent - from 18 to 34 tonnes. Pepper

exports have increased by 117 percent in 2017 when compared to 2016.

Plantain exports have increased by 133 percent when compared to that of 2016. Pumpkin exports in 2017 were 36 percent higher than the 342 metric tonnes that were exported in 2016.” Mrs. Sealey-Adams said. The GM also stated that 2017 was recorded as the highest year for pumpkin export over the past three years with 465 tonnes exported, mainly to Barbados and Antigua.

of their intended purpose.

He further informed the mayor: “It is expected that any undertaking by any Council must have the support of the relevant Constituency Councillor.

“In fact, before an undertaking is placed on the agenda of a meeting of the Council, the relevant Constituency Councillor must so agree. In the absence of such agreement, it is expected that for a matter to be considered and discussed

by Council no fewer than two-thirds of the number of

councillors should consent to having the matter placed on the agenda.

“I further apprise you that I am in favour of the exercise of a moratorium on the conversion or use of green spaces for any purpose apart from that for which such spaces are intended, and based on discussions at Cabinet, my colleagues share that view.

“I advise you of this fact for your consideration for implementation of such, within the municipality.”

From page 4

these matters.”

In his letter to ChaseGreen recently, Bulkan said the undertaking by the Council to convert “green spaces” in residential areas into housing or other commercial ventures does not find favour with Central Government.

He said that instead, it is the desire and expectation of the administration that local democratic organs undertake to maintain and improve such areas for the benefit of all residents and citizens within the confines

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 30, 2018

Towards telecoms liberalisation IN July 2016, a year and a half ago, Government passed the Telecommunication (Amendment) Bill to liberalise the Telecoms sector by ending the monopoly which GTT had enjoyed for over 25 years.

The Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes had always been sanguine as to the advantages of liberalising the sector and doing away with the monopoly.

In her own words: "For Guyanese this will not only mean an increase in the availability of internet access, but can also see them receiving cheaper options, better quality and advanced telecommunications services as more investors are attracted.”

The value of competitors could be gleaned from the time DIGICEL entered the market. DIGICEL is a cellphone company and on its entry into the Guyana market, the cellphone rates fell by half. GTT, driven by its desire for larger profits, was charging the Guyanese customer 50 percent more than they could have done and still make a handsome profit. Sustained competition requires constant improvement in price and quality by those companies which are already in the market. Sometimes however, when there are only one or two competitors, competition becomes less important and they quietly settle down with their respective

market shares. Thus, it is essential for new companies to enter the market and bring new benefits to the consumer.

Unfortunately, so far, the liberalisation has been delayed by the ironing out of GTT's taxes owed to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). GTT owes approximately US$44 million and they have been in discussion with GRA to try to settle this issue. The Minister of Public Communications has made it clear that they are in no way involved in the collection of taxes and cannot waive taxes to GTT. She has underlined that such matters are the province of GRA and the Ministry of Finance.

The GRA Commissioner has said that time was the essence of the negotiations with ATN/GTT and that he would be guided by strictly professional principles and would eschew any attempt to inject politics into the negotiations.

The Commissioner General stated his position: "Taxation is based on principles. Anytime we decide to make it political, we have a problem. It must be above board and everyone must be treated equally. If in the negotiations which are going on and of which I am a part, if it reaches a level where the incumbent is trying to make it political, I immediately recuse myself."

The Minister of Public Telecommunications has revealed that 20 companies, both local and overseas, have already expressed an interest in getting involved in the Telecoms industry, once liberalisation has been completed and the GTT monopoly has been disbanded. There has been no indication as to the companies contemplating entering the Guyana market, but a National Communications Agency has been established and will be able to have overall control and regulation of the Industry.

Delay in effecting liberalisation is in the interest of GTT, since it prolongs their monopoly benefits. More importantly, it allows GTT to consolidate their position so that they would be stronger than any of the new companies which may wish to enter the Industry. The authorities must therefore ensure that there is a level playing field for all companies and that no one has any unfair advantage. It is felt that if the bigger international companies were to enter the Guyana market, the benefits of liberalisation and competition would more quickly be enjoyed by the consumer.

Much of the criticisms of the oil agreement have been simplistic Dear Editor A PERSISTENT naiveté has pervaded much of the public comments on the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). While I give due regard to the genuine concerns driving the comments, they have created a misleading and incomplete understanding in the minds of many. One is left stranded by the over-simplicity of the reasoning, the use of political rhetoric over objective analysis, and the disregard for or absence of basic comparative information.

I do not intend to debate the Ram’s, the editors of SN and KN, and the other contributors who have expressed dissatisfaction with the PSA. Instead, to broaden the discussion and to lengthen the trains of thought, I list below several points

for consideration. (i) Oil exploration is a high risk venture. Companies can spend hundreds of millions of dollars and find nothing. The more unproven the area (such as the Guyana offshore basin), the greater the risk, and the greater requirement to incentivise risk-taking. For an exploration company, that money is an opportunity cost. It is money a company could have spent in other countries. For a company as big as ExxonMobil, such opportunities abound worldwide.

Are Exxon’s recent moves in Brazil, for instance, going to divert dollars from Guyana in the near future? One also wonders if the highly-tipped but eventually dry well at Skipjack had been ExxonMobil’s first play in the Stabroek Block

(instead of the lucrative Liza), if the company would have still been in Guyana today.

Guyana needs an investment regime that can compete to attract exploration of not only highly profitable fields but also small, geologically-difficult, or marginal fields (not all discoveries inevitably lead to production, as some may think). We must also incentivise continuous production in the face of price dips and rising extraction costs as fields deplete. The context then is “How can Guyana improve its attractiveness to investors, first, to come and, second, to stay until the wells run dry?” (ii) Then we come to the need for Guyana to establish dominion over its maritime territory. Both the PPP/C (for the 1999 PSA) and the coalition government (for the 2016

PSA) must take credit if the strategy behind giving the world’s largest and most powerful oil company a massive concession smack against our western maritime border, was aimed at establishing uncontested control and sovereignty through occupation.

Exxon’s current arena of activity within the Stabroek Block is focused in the safer eastern portion.

After all, in 2013, the research vessel of Anadarko, a US oil company, was seized by the Venezuelan navy in our western waters. Wouldn’t it be clever then on Guyana’s part to tweak its PSA to encourage companies to take on the risk of exploring and producing in the claimed territory? (iii) We must not overlook that the PSA awards a 50 percent share of production to the country as a baseline. Right now, with cost

recovery pegged at 75 percent of production, Guyana’s take of production in the first phase is projected to be 12.5 percent from the 25 percent profit oil (disregarding here the 2 percent royalty). As Exxon recoups its past and new expenditures, a time will be reached where the 75 percent cost oil will be more than adequate to cover costs and will therefore lead to “excess” profit oil. Guyana’s take will shift from 12.5 percent towards 50 percent of production.

What is the problem with a deal that guarantees you an increasing share of profits?

We need a more grounded and balanced analysis of the 2016 PSA. Regards Sherwood Lowe

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 30, 2018

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PPP/C has erroneously convinced itself that it will win the 2020 elections Dear Editor, PERMIT my belated response to Mr. Ralph Ramkarran’s column, “Sustaining and advancing democracy for the New Year”, published in Stabroek News on Sunday November 31, 2017, which has been delayed because of circumstances beyond my control.

In his column, Mr. Ramkarran made some observations that are consistent with progressive national aspirations. However, his silence on key issues is counterproductive, and deceptive. It is not asking too much from this prominent political personality and former member of the PPP’s leadership, to be more balanced when addressing critical and sensitive areas of Guyana’s political experiences, particularly since he cannot claim to be an innocent bystander.

Ramkarran wrote in his column, “In the critical years of the 1970s and 1980s, three major issues engaged the atten-

tion of my political colleagues – restore democracy, advance social progress and avoid civil strife.”

As preoccupied as they were with the above concerns, the PPP leadership and Dr. Jagan, squandered the opportunity offered to that party in the late 80s and early 90s, with the formation of the PCD and the end of the cold war, to demonstrate their commitment to those ideals. Contemporary politics would show that unlike the PPP and Dr. Jagan, the APNU and Mr. Granger took advantage of a possible alliance with the AFC to strike an electoral coalition in the interest of the country – the rest is history.

Instead, the PPP quickly resorted to the historic logic that guided its approach to the nation’s problems after the split in the national movement, which was one of ethnic economic and political domination. It is in this context that while Ramkarran is vocal on the need for constitutional reform to address ethnic political

domination, which I support, his pronounced silence on the need to reform the ethnic dominated economy that exists in Guyana becomes problematic and raises questions of his sincerity.

His failure to give recognition to the intrinsic link between economics and political domination, which he is well aware of, makes his position suspect and unhelpful. The issue of ethnic economic domination and its negative effects has been in Guyana’s political life since colonial days to the present – the proverbial “elephant” in the room. If Ramkarran’s approach is a true reflection of where progressive minds in the Indian community are in relation to the nation’s challenges, then Guyana will continue to be in deep trouble.

African political consciousness at present is influenced in part by the following: 1) the alleged criminalisation of the state under the PPP and its racial overtones 2) the domination of the economy by Indians and non-Africans 3) the

alleged massive theft of state resources and the transfer by the government of huge wealth from the state to one ethnic group, at a level unprecedented in the modern history of the country (4) the alleged PPP/C state sponsored extra–judicial killings of hundreds of young African men in the so-called “war on crime” (5) the alleged criminal alliance between the PPP/C, Jadgeo and Roger Khan and company.

My point is, in the same way rigged elections under the PNCR, feeds/shapes Indian community political consciousness, each of the above does the same to the African community’s political consciousness and, when taken together, they demonstrate the depth of the crisis facing African politics in the years ahead.

After 23 years of the PPP/C rule in Guyana, Africans are faced with being

excluded from almost every aspect of economic life in the country. While the African community’s political position has improved with the defeat of the PPPC, it is yet to be translated into significant economic gains for Africans.

This situation will not change dramatically until the coalition recognises the importance of meaningfully empowering that community, by providing it with the skills and resources to move it forward.

While I remain committed to the struggle for constitutional reform, I am mindful that at present the PPP/C has no interest in this matter, since it has erroneously convinced itself that it will win the 2020 general and regional elections. Another factor that influences my present attitude on this matter is that the present regime is not a one-party government. In my view it will start in earnest

after the 2020 elections. It would be a political miracle if any serious movement on this issue occurs before.

The resolution of the race/political contractions in the country requires the Indian community to develop an appreciation of the destruction to the African and Amerindian communities during the 23 years of PPP/C rule. As a nation in our divided state, we will continue to be easy pickings for external exploiters and, will as a result, see our natural resources being plundered by and for the enrichment of others, while we helplessly look on. This, I believe, is the real challenge facing us if we are to sustain and advance democracy, not only in the New Year but beyond.

Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Private sector in move to employ sugar workers …requests list of skills available

President of the GCCI addressing ex-sugar workers at Enmore on Monday (Photos by Adrian Narine)

IN an effort to absorb some of the sugar workers who were laid-off by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar has asked the corporation for a list of the various skillset of those workers in order to ensure that they are properly placed in the private sector.

Early this year, cashstrapped GuySuCo had to

lay off some 4000 workers in order to keep the sugar industry viable but, the Government had forged ahead with training for those former employees, with support from the Small Business Bureau and other stakeholders.

Indar said the GCCI is also ready to do their part by ensuring that workers are not unemployed for a long time.

“We want to match their skill to the kind of workers that employers in the private sector need, but we need

a list from GuySuCo of all the skillset,” said Indar during his presentation to the ex-sugar workers of the Enmore Estate at a job fair on Monday.

He told the former sugar workers that GCCI alone has 200 companies which are members of the chamber.

Indar believes that those companies can take on the laid-off sugar workers but they need to know what the workers are capable of doing.

A number of laid-off sugar workers turned up at Enmore to be part of the job fair

Most of the men who were present at the fair had worked in the sugar industry for almost all their working lives so Indar told them that some employers might want to exploit them by paying low wages/salaries because they believe that they (the workers) are not educated and do not have any kind of skill.

“It is a hard time but do not believe you are alone, some men are facing the same struggle but in a dif-

ferent way… we are not going to allow you to be beaten down,” said the GCCI President, adding that the former workers must stand strong for their families. He encouraged them to take a low-paying job, if necessary, until they get a job that is fitting to them as opposed to not having any source of income.

The laid-off workers were also advised to spend their severance carefully and in a way to sustain their

family. “Do not rush into something and spend the little money you are going to receive…know what business you are going into because a lot of us go into business and cannot recover,” said Indar, adding that they have to be certain that they will get a return on their investment before investing.

For those who choose to save their severance and get a job, he advised them to be productive and give it their best.

Man gets 80 years for killing wife MEGUEL Barker who was on trial for the 2015 murder of his wife at Bagotville, was on Monday afternoon sentenced to 80 years’ imprisonment after a 12-member jury found him guilty.

The verdict was unanimous and was returned after a few hours of deliberations in the Georgetown High Court before Justice Navindra Singh.

Justice Singh in handing down his sentence told the accused: “You went there, you got caught, you went back and attacked her and you are asking this court for mercy”.

The judge, in imposing sentence, started at a base of 60 years. He then added 10 years for premeditated murder and 10 years for domestic violence, bringing the total to 80 years in jail.

At first when the judge asked the accused what he had to say, he proclaimed his innocence then later told the court that “he was sorry for whatever happened”.

In his plea of mitigation, defence attorney, Maxwell McKay said that the accused

Meguel Barker at the High Court on Monday

was 29 years old and was religious and while in jail, he sought to reform himself.

He asked for leniency in sentencing.

In response, state prosecutor Tiffini Lyken said that a four-year-old child was left without a mother and was still grieving over her loss, since the child is unable to get over the incident.

She further told the court that the instrument used should be considered, since the accused inflicted six stab wounds on the deceased; even though she put up a fight he continued to stab her.

Lyken added that the accused did not show any

remorse.

After the sentence was handed down, the accused who showed no expression was escorted to jail where he will have 80 years to think about what he did.

The accused Meguel Barker called “Allan” or “Miguel Anthony” was on trial for the murder of his wife, Donessa Barker.

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 knifed her and escaped via an open 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 killed.

Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh testified on Monday, stating that he performed the port-mortem on the body of the deceased and he gave the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage due to stab wounds to the chest.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Coconuts, peppers, eddoes, limes among top exports for 2017 THE Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) recently released the list of the top exported commodities for 2017, and commodities in high demand from Guyana were: coconuts, wiri wiri pepper, pumpkins, eddoes, watermelons, mangoes, pineapples, limes and ginger.

“GMC plays a major role in facilitating the exports of these commodities. We are heavily involved in bridging the gap as it relates to linking farmers to markets. We ensure our suppliers know the needs of the market and the standards and quality that these markets require,” General Manager of the GMC, Mrs. Ida Sealey-Adams has said.

According to her, in 2017, the corporation recorded a 25 percent increase in non-traditional agricultural exports when compared to the previous year, valued at GY$3.6 billion or US$17 million. Coconut and coconut-based products have contributed significantly to Guyana’s overall exports.

Coconut exports for 2017 have proven to be 29 percent higher than the 6,987 metric tonnes that were exported

General Manager of GMC, Mrs. Ida Sealey-Adams

in 2016.

Additionally, in 2017, coconut water exports increased significantly, by 28 percent, as compared to 2016.

For the first time in the last three years under review, coconut water was exported in its shell to St. Kitts. A total of 56 tonnes were processed at the Central Packaging Facility during the fourth quarter of 2017.

With the increased production of coconuts in 2017, exports of coconut products such as coconut water, coconut ‘choka’ and coconut

crude oil have all evidently increased when compared to the previous year.

Lime, mango, pineapple and watermelon were among the major exported commodities over the past three years. These four fruits collectively accounted for approximately six percent of the total commodities exported for 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Lime exports recorded a 39 percent increase in 2017 when compared to 2016.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, there was an increase in the quantity of mangoes exported from Guyana. 2017 saw Guyana’s mango exports totalling 244 metric tonnes, which represents a 19 percent increase over the 2016 export figures.

Other commodities like pineapples and watermelons also saw increased exports for 2017. Pineapples increased by 54 percent while watermelons totalled 237 tonnes as compared to 232 tonnes that were exported in 2016.

Eddo exports for the year under review were 277 tonnes while in 2016 a total of 313 tonnes of the commodity were exported.

Although there was a decline in exports of this crop, a small quantity of sweet potatoes and yams was also exported in 2017.

Sealey-Adams said, "The GMC will continue to facilitate the process while working to secure more and larger markets for Guyana’s non-traditional commodities.”

GMC’s mandate stipulates that the corporation coordinates and facilitates the development and marketing of quality agricultural produce and product. The corporation also provides exporters of non-traditional agricultural products with marketing advice, assistance for sourcing supplies, harvesting, cleaning, packaging and facilitating logistical arrangements for exports.

‘Otesha’ detained over death of Cummings Lodge youth POPULAR member of the LGBT community, Otis also known as “Otesha” and another person have been arrested for questioning in relation to the death of Hemchand Dalchand, also known as “Rakesh” Police sources told this newspaper that “Otesha” was arrested in Georgetown and was transported to the police ‘C’ Division headquarters at Cove and John. According to what detectives were told, the now dead man was reportedly seen arguing with Otis and another person hours before he was found dead on the roadway.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed that the police are also looking for two other persons. When the Guyana Chronicle contacted Otis on Monday, he confirmed that he was in police custody and that he was informed by ranks that he is wanted in connection

Hemchand Dalchand

with a murder investigation in ‘C’ Division. Dalchand’s body was found in a pool of blood on the East Coast carriageway in the vicinity of Oleander Gardens, just after midnight on Saturday. He was reportedly last seen at a BBQ at the Ogle Community Centre Ground where he and other friends had gone earlier on Saturday night.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Councillors dissatisfied Whisky smuggling case still under review with bicycle squad’s – Chief Constable begs performance to differ AT least three city councillors have expressed their dissatisfaction with the bicycle patrol unit of the Constabulary Department of the Mayor and City Council.

At the Council’s most recent statutory meeting at City Hall, Councillor Ron Persaud requested a report on the operations of the ‘bicycle squad’.

Councillor Heston Bostwick said the officers are often found slacking on the job.

“I’m sure we can find them in the Promenade Gardens at this hour,” he said.

He then suggested that the officers be assigned to the various constituencies, and that if they are not enough

in number, they should be rotated.

Councillor Alfred Mentore said the officers are always seen in a group, and that he doesn’t believe that the City Council is getting maximum usage of the squad.

But Chief Constable Andrew Foo told the Guyana Chronicle in an invited comment on Monday, that the squad is very limited in number. “We are unable to achieve all that we would like to because we are confined to the commercial areas and the markets; we are unable to reach Greater Georgetown,” he said.

At the moment, the patrol unit consists of just 11 members, although the Constabu-

lary was given 30 bicycles by the United States Embassy, and had eight of its own, Foo noted.

He said applications were received, but had to be put on hold because of the City Council’s cash-strapped state.

Foo said the Promenade Gardens, which was referred to by the councillor, is an area that the unit covers because people are robbed there. Further, there have been reports of schoolchildren going there to engage in questionable conduct, Foo said.

As for the grouping up of officers, he said some areas require a collective approach.

MPI returns refurbished excavator to Region One THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) on Monday returned a refurbished mini-excavator to the administration of Region One (Barima/Waini).

According to a release from the MPI, after years of being out of order, the mini excavator was returned to Region One following rehabilitative works. Last year, the region had requested the Ministry’s assistance in rehabilitating the equipment after it stopped working just after a month of use. The excavator had been a gift to the region from the former administration.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, said that the refurbished excavator signalled the Ministry’s intention to keep delivering on its promises.

Minister Ferguson noted the importance of delivering the good life to the citizens of Guyana as she committed to having the MPI closely with the Regional Administration to ensure the improvement of infrastructure within the region. She further noted works to be executed within the region by MPI, including the rehabilitation of the Moruca Bridge and continuance of road works in Port Kaituma and the Matthews Ridge area.

“This is about us working together towards the development of this beautiful country.

In 2018, we look forward to partnering with you in Region One to ensure that we bring the good life for all Guyana,” Minister Ferguson empha-

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson (second left) officially hands over the mini excavator to Region One Chairman, Brentnol Ashley as Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe (right) and Chairperson of the Matthews Ridge/Arakaka and Port Kaituma NDC, Margaret Lambert (left) look on

sised.

Minister Ferguson urged the regional administration to conduct regular maintenance on the machinery to maximise on its usefulness.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, who was present at the simple event, expressed appreciation to the MPI for stepping up to the plate to aid the region.

“We have to realise that this is not politics; as leaders of the country, we have to work together to ensure that people benefit in all forms so that this good life would be an opportunity for all,” Minister Garrido-Lowe said, noting that, “everyone deserves a good life and as elected leaders, it is our duty to ensure they enjoy it.”

Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley, expressed similar sentiments and emphasised his administration’s commitment to collaborating with both ministries in the interest of the people and

development. “I think this is a very good sign of cooperation and partnership between Central Government and the Regional Democratic Council of the Barima-Waini Region,” he said, adding his gratitude for MPI’s intervention.

The works to ensure the excavator’s serviceability were done to the tune of $5.2M and included the repair of the track chain; replacement of the hydraulic rams, cab glass, and track pads; servicing of the entire hydraulic system; re-fabrication of the battery compartment; and general servicing. While the excavator is expected to service the entire region, it will be primarily based in Port Kaituma.

According to Margaret Lambert, Chairperson of the Matthews Ridge/Arakaka and Port Kaituma NDC, the excavator will play a significant role in realising the NDC’s smaller infrastructural projects, particularly its drainage projects.

THE Guyana Revenue Authority’s legal department is continuing its investigation into the case against the former head of the Special Weapons and Tactical (SWAT) Unit, Deputy Superintendent Motie Dookie, over allegations of alcohol smuggling.

Upon completion, the case should be sent over to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution for advice.

Effective January 11, 2018, Dookie who was posted (temporarily) to the Strategic Planning Unit has proceeded on his annual vacation leave.

On December 31, 2017, Dookie was taken into po-

lice custody at the Whim Police Station and placed under close arrest after 30 cases of illegal whisky were discovered in a minibus in which he was travelling.

The discovery was made when officers stopped the minibus on the Whim Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice, to conduct a routine search.

At the time of the incident, Dookie had just three months earlier been appointed to the post, following the removal of his predecessor, Lonsdale Withrite.

Withrite was relieved of his duties on October 4, 2017, two days after allegedly being robbed of his service weapon, 16 live

Motie Dookie

rounds of ammunition and his motorcar, while in the company of a female friend on the Kitty Seawall.

Assistant Superintendent, Amit Dass has since been placed at the helm of the SWAT Unit.

Three arrested in the Rupununi – with illegal arms, ammunition ROUTINE patrols by ranks of the Joint Services in Central Rupununi commanded by an army Lieutenant have resulted in the recent arrest of three males, two of whom are Brazilians.

The men were arrested for unlawful possession of arms and ammunition. The

43-year-old Guyanese, of South Rupununi, was found in possession of eight ammunition components, while the Brazilians, aged 43 and 48, were found with a 28-gauge single-barrel Borta shotgun and five live cartridges.

Police said the men are all being processed for court in the coming days.

The illegal items found on the men

Murder at minibus park: 2 committed CITY Magistrate Judy Latchman on Monday committed two men to stand trial in the High Court for the murder of 34-year-old Rawle Rodriguez, who was killed during a robbery at the Route 40 minibus park last year.

After the conclusion of the Preliminary Inquiry, the magistrate ruled that a prima facie case was established against the two accused and

committed the duo for the capital offence.

Afabia Yankana and Akeem Hayman were jointly charged for the murder of Rodriguez during the course of a robbery on January 20, 2017 at Croal Street, Stabroek.

According to reports, on the said date, Rodriguez was stabbed to his chest during a robbery at the Route 40 minibus park along Croal Street, Stabroek by three

men. The men had allegedly trailed Rodriguez from the Demico Roof Garden where he was earlier seen consuming alcohol.

Last December, 25-year-old Wayne Gilbert of West La Penitence was also charged and remanded for the murder of Rodriguez. He is currently awaiting a date for the commencement of a Preliminary Inquiry into the matter.

Pensioner robbed by motorcycle bandit A 65-YEAR-OLD security guard was robbed of his valuables by an armed motorcycle bandit on Church Street, Georgetown.

Reports indicate that after 06:00hrs Monday morning on Church Street, between Peter Rose and New Garden

Street, the guard who was riding his bicycle was robbed of his Samsung Galaxy cellular phone and cash from his pocket.

Enquiries disclosed that the guard was riding his bicycle when the bandit rode past him and stopped in his path.

The gunman then pointed the weapon at the pensioner, dismounted his motorcycle and ran his hands through the guard’s pocket seizing his valuables.

The bandit then made his escape. No shots were fired.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 30, 2018

President joins Belladrum resident in birthday celebration PRESIDENT David Granger on Saturday journeyed to Belladrum, West Coast Berbice to join the relatives and friends of Mr. Sydney Grenville who celebrated his 90th birth anniversary.

Grenville, a well-known resident of the village, marked this significant birth anniversary last Wednesday, January 24, 2018.

President Granger, in his remarks, said that he is pleased that he could make the trip. He noted that he has known Mr. Grenville for most of his life and is thankful for the contributions he has made and service to the country during his years.

“Despite this event being sandwiched between two important events I had scheduled, I simply had to come to wish Sydney Happy birthday. I thank God for him and that he can live to see 90,” the Head of State said.

In brief remarks, Mr. Grenville said that he is grateful that the President was able to make the trip and noted that he is proud of the leader he has become. President Granger handed over a hamper, while Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Mr. Keith Scott, handed over a

President David Granger and Mr. Grenville sharing a light moment at the 90th birthday celebration

fruit basket on behalf of Minister of Social Cohesion, Ms. Amna Ally.

Red carpet arrival! A very dapper Mr. Sydney Grenville arrives in style at the venue for his birthday celebration

‘I don’t have to consult with PPP’

Teen said he was …Chand says GAWU’s members are from all the parties ‘high’ on stolen liquor

By Zena Henry PRESIDENT of the Guyana Agricultural and General workers Union (GAWU), Komal Chand says he does not have to consult with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on matters concerning retrenched sugar workers. He insisted that the union is independent and represents workers who are supporters of all of the political parties in the country.

General Secretary of the PPP, Bharrat Jagdeo at a news conference on Saturday said he was upset with Chand for the position he took at a meeting with the government two Fridays ago. Jagdeo also hinted at the removal of Chand as President of GAWU saying that the union had young bright minds who can lead it. Sources in the PPP had told the Guyana Chronicle that the attack on Chand has widened the inner-party divisions. Chand is seen as one of the few Jaganites remaining in the PPP. The source said these divisions were caused

by Jagdeo, who unilaterally dumped the long-standing policies of both the party and the union against privatisation of the sugar industry. “Jagdeo discarded a policy held sacred since Dr. Jagan was at the helm. He did so without the consent of the Central Committee or party congress,” one stalwart said, asking not to be identified by name.

Jagdeo had declared: “Now that the termination has been done … we were opposed to it — closure of these estates but we will push…we hope that we can get decent

President of GAWU, Komal Chand

private investment into these estates. This is a position that we have changed, because we were saying ‘no closure,’ but now that there is closure, there is no job that we can… we can get decent investments into this,” Jagdeo was quoted as saying by Demerara Waves. He said the PPP would support any initiative with “decent investors” to get jobs for sugar workers, adequate land, more cash for small loans and immediate payment of accurately calculated severance.

NO NEED TO CONSULT Meanwhile, in an interview with Guyana Chronicle on Monday Chand declared that there was no need to consult with the opposition party, despite him being a senior member of that organisation and a Member of Parliament representing that body. After much resistance toward government’s plans to transform the financially strapped Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the conclusion of

a meeting between unions and the government two Friday’s ago saw GAWU and other unions commending the government for seeking to honour payments to retrenched sugar workers and claiming the positive exchanges that were had.

However, Chand himself posited that a “smear campaign” has been launched against him for what seems to be his support for government as they feverishly search for a sum of $4B to pay the retrenched workers. Chand explained that despite being a longstanding member of the PPP and a MP, GAWU is independent and separate from the party. “We are GAWU, we have our organisation.

There was no need to consult with them (opposition). We do not having to meet with the opposition about this issue or that issue. Our union has members who belong to the APNU and AFC, all the parties. So we have to be careful, we have mass members, we can’t represent the PPP, AFC or APNU positions.” The trade unionist continued that prior to meeting the government team two weeks ago, GAWU spoke with the representatives of the thousands of workers within GuySuCo and a collective stance was taken. “…you could not physically reach all the persons, but we consulted with the representing body, the executive committee. So we had a collective position…,” Chand stated.

However, the position to not report to his political party may have cost Chand some points, since a call for his removal as head of GAWU is coming from his

own colleagues at Freedom House, some observers say.

It is believed that Chand’s failure to discuss the union’s plans with his party may have upset the organisation’s primary leader(s) since again, observers believe, any sense of stability or partnership between government and the union would spell negatively toward the PPP/Opposition’s agenda.

Former long-serving PPP member and public commentator, Ralph Ramkarran weighing in on the issue in his Sunday Stabroek News column stated that, “Chand’s tenure as head of GAWU is within sight.” Ramkarran who had served the PPP for almost five decades, believes that the attack against Chand and calls for his resignation could be the work of the Opposition Leader who has so far positioned himself as head of the party, surpassing senior members such as Clement Rohee, and former President Donald Ramotar, among others. Ramkarran claimed that with Chand as head of GAWU, the union is not fully under the PPP control. He said, “By meeting with President Granger, perhaps without consultation with the PPP leadership and taking a position which may not have been cleared with the leadership beforehand and which runs counter to the campaign of the PPP against the closure of the estates, thereby demonstrating a modicum of independence, it has clearly attracted the ire of the PPP leadership.”

An 18-year-old porter was on Monday remanded to prison while he awaits a probation report, after he admitted to breaking into a shop and escaping from lawful custody.

Shawn Cornelius appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, charged for breaking into the shop of Latoya Tobin between January 21, 2018 and January 22, 2018 at Bus Park, Port Kaituma, and stealing one bottle of extra mature rum, two cases of Banks beer, and other items totaling $25,000.

He further admitted to escaping from the Port Kaituma police station on January 28.

The unrepresented teen told the court that he was “high” when he broke into the shop and stole the items.

“I took the case of beers and drink it all out by myself” the teen told the court.

He further admitted that he broke out from the lock-

Shawn Cornelius

ups, since the police did not allow his mother to bring food for him.

The Magistrate remanded the teen until February 4 for a probation report and sentencing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Region 5 plugs halfway house for abused children – among recommendations adopted in ROC 2018 programme THE Regional Democratic Council of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) has unanimously adopted the programme for its Rights of the Child Committee for 2018.

The report was submitted by Councillor Ambika Singh at the Council’s January Statutory meeting last week, where, in her presentation, she outlined a number of recommendations

for the improvement of services to the children of Region Five to ensure that their rights are protected.

Among those recommendations are that space be given to accommodate a halfway house in Region Five for children whose rights are threatened; the provision of meals for less fortunate children in all schools; frequent visits by the General Registrar’s

Office into the riverine communities throughout the region to conduct birth, death, and marriage registrations; and help from the police in converting the main streets leading to schools to accommodate one-way traffic.

Singh also outlined the intention of the Rights of the Child Committee to organise programmes in the various communities

to educate parents on the social issues and rights of the child; to organise frequent health outreaches to educate children on the dangers of early sexual activities; and to sensitise shop owners in the Region on the undesirability of selling alcohol and cigarettes to children.

Councillor Delon Crawford commended the Committee for prevailing and

getting the job done despite the many conflicts that had beset the RDC in 2017.

Councillor Dolston Hutson noted that the need for frequent visits to riverine areas by the General Registrar’s Office (GRO) was a valid one and that the Council had already taken action on this issue.

He disclosed that GRO officials have already paid a visit to the riverine community of Moraikobai, in the upper reaches of the

Mahaicony River, and that they plan paying similar visits to other riverine areas soon.

Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal noted that while the Committee may not have the capacity to handle all of the recommendations, the Council would commit itself to requesting assistance from all the relevant agencies which can assist in carrying out its mandate.

DPP awaiting return of file on cops accused of station rape

THE office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) is awaiting the return of the file on the two policemen accused of raping a Sophia woman at the Turkeyen Police Station on New Year’s Day. The men were transferred to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) where they remain under close arrest until legal advice is received.

The DPP’s office has confirmed that it had received the file, and having perused it, it was sent it back to the police for them to conduct further investigations.

A copy was also forwarded to the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) which is also conducting an investigation.

Commander of ‘C’ Division (East Coast Demerara), Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus, on Monday acknowledged that the file was returned to the police for additional information, and that upon completion it would be returned to the DPP. Detailing the circumstances leading up to the alleged rape, the woman

said that she was selling at Sophia, a few blocks from her home, when some persons who were playing with squibs tossed one in the direction of her business place and it exploded in her son’s face.

She said that she left her business and went to the station to make a report and after doing so she requested to use the washroom facilities.

According to her, a rank indicated that the washroom in the lower flat of the building was not working and so she was escorted to the upper flat by another policeman, who pointed her in the direction of the washroom area, where she was later raped.

The woman had told the Guyana Chronicle that it was the first time that she’d ever seen the two ranks who allegedly raped her. She said the policemen took turns and when they were done, they both ran out of the room.

The woman said that after sorting herself out, she ventured onto the lower flat of the building, went to the police corporal on duty and told him what had transpired.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Calls for Chand's removal misplaced – Rohee warns against upmanship CLEMENT Rohee, former General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party has said that the calls for the removal of Komal Chand as President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) are misplaced, declaring that the union is not a political party nor a branch of the PPP. He also said in a Facebook post that though the party and union are enjoined in the same fight, differences of a tactical and strategic nature can arise between those leading the struggle “but care must be taken to ensure that those differences do not result in upmanship of one over the other, since it will be taken advantage of by the enemy who in this case is the APNU+ AFC and who will waste no time in exploiting the seeming differences.”

Bharrat Jagdeo, the leader of the PPP on Saturday blasted Chand for hailing the meeting with government and the sugar union two Fridays ago as a success. “I have personal issues with these sorts of statements…if that is the case it means that all that has been done before didn’t make sense… how many times we have tried to engage this government and have been trying to ask for studies to be done,” he said. Although he was not pleased with what was said by the President of the union, the Opposition Leader said he does not have anything against an individual of the union.

“What I can say is, we support the union, but I will not defend individuals… the workers are the ones who pay the dues, so the workers determine their leadership… they are free to elect [a] leader, that is not the PPP’s business,” said Jagdeo.

Rohee, seen as an ally of Chand, in his Facebook post last week said that the hullabaloo over the GAWU’s meeting with government has to do with whether the meeting should have taken place at all, and a claim that the union accepted at the meeting the offer by government in respect to payment of gratuity to sugar workers which the union represents.

Rohee said on the first matter, the union in a statement issued said that after consultations with its leadership and members it was agreed that they should accept the invitation to meet that was extended by government.

In respect to the second

PPP, Member of Parliament, Clement Rohee

matter, Rohee said it is to be recalled that the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan in introducing the Bill calling for the supplementary provision, made it very clear to the House that neither GAWU nor NAACIE accepted the offer made by government at the meeting concerning payment of gratuities to sugar workers. “In other words, both unions at the meeting rejected government’s offer.”

SPURIOUS CLAIMS Rohee also alluded to a statement issued subsequently where GAWU made it clear that at the meeting the union did not accept the government’s offer. “Therefore to claim that GAWU ‘sold out the sugar workers’ by accepting government’s offer is not only spurious, it is without foundation and is essentially a fabrication.

Since the decision was a collective one made at the top level of the union and not solely by Komal Chand then, the call for his resignation is misplaced and misdirected,” Rohee wrote.

“GAWU is not a political party nor is it a branch of the PPP. It is a bona fide registered trade union with many years of experience under its belt. It has fought many battles winning most of them,” the former Home Affairs Minister said. According to Rohee, in the current battle to keep the estates open GAWU has fought tooth and nail and it is still fighting the good fight.

He said as is to be expected, the PPP, the union’s political ally, joined in the fight and has done considerably well. Rohee said trade unions are there to represent their members. “They are

well versed in industrial disputes and struggles for better wages and working conditions of its general membership. The political parties fight at the political level. There are times when the political and industrial struggles coincide. Under such conditions the coordination, collaboration and cooperation between the political parties and the trade union leaders is of utmost importance if the interests of the working class in par-

ticular, and the working people as a whole are to be protected and advanced.”

Rohee added that insofar as the closure of the sugar estates is concerned and the coincidence of the political and industrial merged, it became clear to the nation that the union and the party were enjoined in a common struggle. “The ruling elite were not comfortable with this solid unity of action and therefore began thrashing around to throw a span-

ner in the works. Was the invitation to the union for talks a means to do so? Did the union make a tactical mistake by accepting the invitation for talks with the government?’ Rohee questioned.

He said on many occasions the GAWU has been branded a political union and a branch of the PPP- something which he said the union can do pretty little about it being branded one way or

another “but at the same time, it has to be careful that its membership, which comprises members and supporters of different political parties, as well as different shades of ethnicity do not perceive their union leaders to be fighting a political rather than an industrial battle on their behalf.” He said herein lies the complexity of the struggle in times like these when the political and industrial converge.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 30, 2018

Alexander Village youth group working to enhance children’s abilities

THE children of Alexander Village and nearby areas have been benefitting from the services of a youth group which aims to foster the development of the area’s children and their capabilities in various disciplines.

This was brought to the fore on Sunday afternoon when several bridges were commissioned at the community. General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Coretta McDonald

General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers Union, Coretta McDonald, who lives in the area, chaired the event on Sunday

who chaired the simple ceremony and who resides in the area, noted that the group has been rewarding its members, including those whose score 70 percent or more each school term.

“We have been doing quite a lot of things here,” she said, as she encouraged other residents to participate in activities of the group such as “movie nights” which are held on weekends. She said the activity would assist the children in expanding their writing skills.

Students who are members of the group are also involved in sports such as cycling, and McDonald noted that the athletes are usually coached to partake in the National Athletic Championships. She said last year the community group was able to host a children party and distribute gifts to the children in the area. Director of Sports, Christopher Jones who spoke the event at which Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and City Mayor, Patricia

Several children attended the event and this young lady, Simran Edmonds was happy to have her picture taken with Minister Harmon at the event

Several sports gear were handed over to the children of the community on Sunday

Chase-Green were present, told the gathering that the National Sports Commission (NSC) remains committed towards the development of the young people of the country and sports in general.

He commended Minister Harmon, whom he noted has been instrumental in

ensuring the nearby community centre ground in West Ruimveldt is being upgraded. Jones said the department will ensure the ground is completed and fitted with lights, to ensure that the youth in the area can utilise the space beyond sundown.

Expressions of joy as Ranger accused of murder accused freed having cocaine

Freed: Abiola Jacobs

A SMILING Abiola Jacobs walked out of the Georgetown High Court a free woman after a 12-member jury found her not guilty of the alleged January 31, 2014 murder of Donna Taylor.

The accused sprinted down the steps of the High

Court with her relatives in tow after the verdict was announced by Justice James Bovell-Drakes.

The group was hugging and jumping up as they walked off into the busy downtown streets and disappeared after the jury

returned a not guilty verdict after several hours of deliberations.

After the foreman announced the verdict, the judge told the accused that she was free to go, and she was led away into the corridors of the High Court smiling.

The state was represented

by Mandel Moore in association with Lisa Cave while the defence attorney was Adrian Thompson.

Police reported that Taylor’s body was found aback her Agricola home on Friday, January 31, 2014 with her throat slit, her hands bound behind her and a cloth wrapped around her neck.

According to the police report, Samantha Sabatt, who had been a guest at the deceased’s home at the time of the incident, and who was the state’s star witness, placed the accused at the scene on the night in question. She further

said she jumped from the window onto the veranda of the two-storey house in Agricola after she heard a man’s voice saying “open the door” and knew she was in danger.

Jacobs, of Lot 55 Evan Phillips Park, Agricola, East Bank Demerara, was the girlfriend of the dead woman’s son, Bertram Taylor, Jr. but the young man had reportedly broken off the relationship with her and was at the time seeing Sabatt who was a guest at their house.

Sabatt had travelled to Guyana from the United Kingdom to attend the funeral of her father and was staying at Taylor’s residence back then.

A post-mortem conducted by Dr. Nehaul Singh gave the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage due to an incised wound to the neck, compounded by blunt force trauma to the head.

Colin Thompson

A 50-year-old ranger was on Monday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for cocaine trafficking.

Colin Thompson, of Berbice, denied that on January 25 he had 18 grams of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The unrepresented man had his bail objected to by police prosecutor, David Mansfield, based on the seriousness of the charge.

The Chief Magistrate remanded Thompson until February 15th when the matter will be recalled at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 30, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 30, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 30, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 30, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 30, 2018

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HUTSON HOPES FOR...

to send our strongest possible team to the games.”

OVERSEAS ATHLETES Last year, Natricia Hooper, who attends Essex County College in the US, won gold in the Girls’ U-20 Triple Jump (13.08 metres) being the lone overseas-based athlete on the squad.

Avon Samuels, Claudrice McKoy and Onassha Rogers departed last year after competing at the South American U-20 Championships to attend Monroe College in the New York, and when asked about the possibility of having them included in

the team, Hutson said, “Well, remember it’s two athletes per event at the CARIFTA Games, but we will send out best athletes.”

“We’re still working out a formula which will be used, because if a local athlete gets the qualifying standard time at our trials, as against someone overseas, I will always be in favour of that local athlete, but at the same time, we have to monitor their (overseas athletes) performance and compare them,” Hutson categorically opined.

It should be noted the McKoy was third in the 1500 metres (4:50.88) at last

From back page

year’s CARIFTA Games, and, along with both Samuels and Rogers, has been one of the top performers at her collegiate level. The aforementioned athletes have all had several top-of-thepodium finishes this season for Monroe College and are still arguably the best Guyana has to offer in their respective track events.

Meanwhile, Hutson stated that finances will be one of their usual challenges and the only deterrent for his association being able to send a large contingent.

From back page

American Racing Tips Mahoning Valley Race 1 Chaotic Bull Race 2 Decadent Doc Race 3 Vivandiere Race 4 Tia Gego Race 5 Western Tryst Race 6 Pepe Race 7 Easy way Out Race 8 Father Dennis English Racing Tips Lingfield 09:00 hrs El Deguello 09:30 hrs Simonia 10:05 hrs Clayton 10:40 hrs Very Live 11:15 hrs Lostnfound 11:45 hrs Tara Bridge 12:15 hrs Richardofdoccombe Newcastle 09:20 hrs Bob Mahler 09:55 hrs Petticoat Tails 10:30 hrs Kimberlite Candy 11:05 hrs Tailor Tom 11:35 hrs Whitsundays 12:05 hrs Lord County Southwell 09:40 hrs Senatus 10:15 hrs Angel Palanas 10:50 hrs Love Rat 11:25 hrs Essential 11:55 hrs Pearl Nation 12:25 hrs Sooqaan Irish Racing Tips Punchestown 13:15 HRS Inch Rise 09:45 hrs Nicole’s Milan 10:20 hrs Cut The Mustard 10:55 hrs Wings Like Arion 11:30 hrs Eagle Lion 12:00 hrs Shar Whats Therush 12:30 hrs Poormans Hill South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:45 hrs Eleni 09:20 hrs Mardi Gras 09:55 hrs Moggie Brown 10:30 hrs Sail For Joy 11:05 hrs Shogun 11:40 hrs Pinfanta

Bowling coach Estwick ... who returned to international cricket last August following a 19-month break, picked up 25 wickets in seven Tests.

However, West Indies endured a wretched run in New Zealand last December, failing to win a single game as they suffered 3-0 whitewashes in the Test and one-day series, and a 2-0 defeat in the three-match Twenty20 series.

The Caribbean bowlers struggled, dismissing the Black Caps just once in the two Tests.

Estwick was a member of the Windies management group headed by Australian head coach Stuart Law, and which also included team op-

erations manager Joel Garner, batting coach Toby Radford, fielding coach Ryan Maron, physio, CJ Clark and strength and fitness coordinator Ronald Rogers.

West Indies will be the highest-ranked side in the March 4-25 qualifiers, as they chase one of the two remaining spots at the 2019 World Cup. The Caribbean side missed out on automatic qualification after they were ranked ninth in the ICC oneday rankings at the September 30, 2017 cutoff date.

Only hosts England, the remaining top-seven ranked sides earned direct qualification.

Ramchand Wreckers wreck competitors in GMR&SC Endurance

By Stephan Sookram WHEN the dust settled after two hours of gruelling racing, the Ramchand’s Wreckers emerged champions of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) Endurance meet on Sunday.

The first of three Endurance races in the 2018 Calendar for racing saw the East Coast-based team return to winning ways, to take first dibs on the lien trophy to be awarded at year-end.

At the end of the two-hour session, the Wreckers team, comprising Adrian Fernandes and Anand Ramchand, had completed 83 laps, five more than their competitors and second-placed Sean Bacchus.

Their Gillette-sponsored Levin; no stranger to the winners’ circle, was the first to cross the line demoting the team of Roshan Ali and Shahabudin Roshandin to third overall, after a seven-lap difference.

In the 0-1500cc class, Ali and Roshandin lifted the first-place trophy, just one lap more than the Nexus team of Haniff Mohamed and Raymond Seebarran who scored 76.

Third place went to the team of Clint and Shane Seebarran who completed 71 laps.

The 1501-1600cc was won by the Wreckers with Sean Bacchus and team finishing second and Motilall Deodass and Kamal Seebarran coming in third.

In the 1601-2000cc class, Rameez Mohamed was the only driver able to finish the race with 32 laps, also resetting the lap record with a 1:19.086.

The Unlimited class was won by Romeo Singh who completed 57 laps.

Racers will now shift gears for the King of the Strip Drag Race meet on February 14, followed by the Annual General Meeting and Election on the 16th.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 30, 2018

RHTY&SC pays courtesy visit on Ministers Harmon and Broomes MANAGEMENT of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS, recently paid courtesy calls on Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Junior Minister of Natural Resources Simona Broomes.

Club Vice-President Mark Papannah and Organising Secretary Ravindranauth Kissoonlall joined Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster as the trio discussed areas of cooperation among other issues.

A release from the club stated that the meetings with the two Government officials were very successful; hence the club is confident that 2018 would be the most

Club executives with Minister of State Joseph Harmon

successful one since its formation in 1990.

The club’s next major programme will be the 2018 Children Mash Parade and it is expected that Minister Broomes would be part of the action.

The Parade would feature students from ten schools based in Lower Corentyne and would be used to promote the Club’s highly successful ‘Say No/Say Yes’ Message.

Foster explained that

Club executives Ravindranauth Kissoonlall, Hilbert Foster and Mark Papannah with Minister Simona Broomes.

apart from its own internal development, the club would be placing special emphasis on the development of Rose Hall Town with the main objective of improving residents’ lives.

Among the main up-

Aussie U-19s romp into ICC U-19 World Cup final CHRISTCHURCH: Australia sauntered into the ICC Under-19 World Cup final by halting Afghanistan's dream run with a six-wicket victory, built around Jack Edward's half-century after a splendid bowling show yesterday.

Electing to bat, the strife-torn nation, put on board a modest 181, which was never going to be enough for the three-time champions.

It was wicketkeeper-batsman Ikram Ali Khil, who resisted the Australian attack with a brave 80 off 119 balls and helped his side put on board something to fight for.

Australia had no trouble in knocking off the required runs with opener Jack Edwards producing a solid 72-run knock at the top. They won with 75 balls to spare.

Off-spinner Mujeeb Zadran, picked up by IPL franchisee Kings XI Punjab for the next edition, had provided an early breakthrough by dismissing opener Max Bryant (4), but Australia had more than an able line-up to handle Afghanistan’s challenge.

Captain Jason Singha

coming activities of the club would be the publication of its 2018 Youth Review Magazine, the 28th Annual Awards Ceremony, Tribute to Heroes, Establishment of a movable Children Play Park, Tribute to

Law Enforcement Officers, ‘Say No to Crime’ Programme, Scotiabank Mash Parade, Scotiabank Tribute to Teachers, Monthly Television Programme for Youths and the completion of the Area ‘H’ Ground Restoration Project.

The club, along with its ten cricket teams and Over35 Group, is expected to assist a less fortunate student with a two-year scholarship to the University of Guyana as part of its massive ‘Say Yes to Education’ Campaign.

Plans are also on stream to assist several club cricketers with their own personal cricket gear under the ‘Dare to Dream’ Programme.

Reliance Masters emerge pools champions

Reliance Masters team pose with their prizes.

Sponsor Balram Ganpat is at right.

Pacer Jonathan Merlo took 4-24 from his 10 overs. (Getty Images)

(26) was caught and bowled by leg-spinner Qais Ahmed after a good start and Jonathan Merlo (17) also got out cheaply after getting his eye in but by that time they needed less than 60 runs.

Ahmad denied Edwards a century by cleaning him up and it was pair of Pawan Uppal (32) and Nathan McSweeney (22) that took the side to the finish line.

They added 53 runs in their unbeaten fifth-wicket

partnership.

Earlier, Afghanistan struggled to create steady partnerships. Ali Khil held the one end tight with his fighting 80-run knock, which came off 119 balls and eight boundaries, but did not get support from the other end.

Seven Afghani batsmen could not manage a double-digit score as pacer Jonathan Merlo ran through the middle order.

After Khil, the biggest contribution came from opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, with 20 off 37 balls.

Merlo accounted for four batsmen and conceded just 24 runs in his 10-over quota while his pace colleague Zak Evans scalped two batsmen for 26 runs.

Australia will now take on winners of today’s semi-final between arch-rivals India and Pakistan.

(Times of India)

RELIANCE Sports Club Masters used their experience with telling effect to inflict a comprehensive victory against their junior counterparts in the Shashie’s Pharmacy-sponsored pools competition played recently at Buju’s pools shop in Reliance.

The tournament was organised by former Essequibo Pool champion, Dave Chaitram as part of the resuscitation of the Reliance Sports Club. The two-best-of-three format saw six players compete from both teams.

Immediately, the Masters were in the lead with two straight games from Ganesh Persaud. The trend continued with another two games from Murtie Ganpat while captain Dave Chaitram also scored two games.

At that stage it was an uphill battle for the juniors to stay in the race. They then fought back in the

fourth round with victory for Shane Wong who copped two games against Sunil Lall which proved to be the only blemish on the Masters’ scoresheet.

The Masters then rebounded by winning the two other rounds, courtesy of Ramsohoye and Dhaniram, as the Masters romped to a massive 10-2 triumph.

At the presentation, former Essequibo Under-19 inter-county cricketer, overseas-based Ravendra Madholall, presented the Winners ‘Trophy and $50 000 to the champion team in the presence of Managing Director of Shashie’s Pharmacy in Cotton Field, Balram Ganpat, whose company sponsored the competition.

It was also announced that the event will be an annual affair and other villages along the Essequibo Coast will be participating.

(Elroy Stephney)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 30, 2018

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Benjamin’s Fitness Gym facility provides an array of services By: Colin Bynoe IN an era where persons work out for many reasons: weight control, muscle-building, health, stress relief and plain old vanity, working out at home can be effective and may even save you money, but regularly attending your local fitness gym offers you numerous advantages over home workouts.

Seemingly, these are the thoughts of former National cycling champion Wilbert Benjamin who is the proud owner of Benjamin Fitness Gym located at Lot 220 Courtland Village Corentyne, Berbice.

The former national cyclist spoke to Chronicle Sport of his initiative to open a fitness gym. “The idea was around for a long time, and looking at the demographics there’s nothing like a fit-

ness facility in this area. We choose this so that the community could adopt a healthy lifestyle.”

Benjamin, a son of the soil, who found his passion for cycling at an early age, represented Guyana at the junior and senior levels, and later in his career he plied his trade in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) where he raced competitively.

He now resides in Canada where he still races at a competitive level. The now businessman prides himself and sees it fitting to give back to the community of his birth.

The fitness facility opened its doors to patrons on March 13, 2017. From its inception to this point in time persons have been utilising the facility to full effect.

To this extent, management decided to expand the gym. This expansion phase was recently completed.

Owner of Benjamin Fitness Gym Wilbert Benjamin speaks to a customer.

A section of the Benjamin Fitness Gym

When asked about the response he’s been receiving from the public Benjamin expressed, “The feedback is pretty good. So far we have over 400 members who rotatively.attend the gym It just keeps getting better.”

The Fitness facility provides an extensive assort-

ment of exercise equipment, which is worth millions of dollars From weights of variant pounds, a series of treadmills to resistance training machines, also cardio machines and core stability equipment and you can work out in lots of different ways because of

the many preferences available.

Membership fees for the Benjamin Fitness Gym are $300 daily, $1 200 weekly and $4 000 monthly. Firsttime members are offered a Benjamin Fitness Gym shirt and the fun does not end there. Athletes, who are gym members are entitled to a special membership discount.

The gym also boasts a part-time fitness trainer Candace Lynch (E-Networks Fitness Challenge female

champion 2016). Moreover, there is a wide mixture of attractive gym wear for both males and females to purchase such as sneakers, spandex tops and bottoms, gloves (wrist wraps).

“Every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier and to be the best version of youself. Benjamin Fitness Gym commemorates its first anniversary in March.

For this a grand cycle road race is being planned.

GFF/Pele Alumni Frank Watson U-15 League

Herstelling Raiders swamp Diamond United 13-1; Grove stay clear at the top DAMIEN Persaud rocked the nets on five occasions while Solomon Austin tucked in a helmet-trick and Shoran James a hattrick to lead Herstelling Raiders to a huge 13-1 drubbing of Diamond United when play in the East Bank Football Association leg of the GFF/Pele Alumni Frank Watson U-15 Intra Association League continued with day two action last Saturday at the Grove Playfield.

Also recording wins on the day were Grove Hi Tech who notched up their second of the league when they eased past Diamond Upsetters 2-0; Samatta Point/Kaneville FC defeated Friendship All Stars 3-1 while Agricola Red Triangle took full points from Mocha Champs who did not show up for their clash.

But it was Herstelling Raiders who stole the show on the day with a thumping display. Shoran James opened Herstelling’s account in the first minute of the 70-miunte match. His strike

Damien Persaud

Solomon Austin

Shoran James

signalled the attacking intentions of his team from the outset.

Solomon Austin, who ended the just concluded Ralph Green-sponsored Under-11 League with 8 goals in 7 matches, continues to display a flair for scoring by hitting four to help his team to a big win.

Austin doubled Herstelling’s lead with his first in the 2nd minute and put away two more in the 3rd and 26th minutes, taking them to

a comfortable 4-0 advantage.

The goal spree had just begun. Before the half-time whistle; Damien Persaud netted his first in the 28th minute while James achieved his second in the 29th minute, as Herstelling sat comfortably with 6-0. It was always going to be a tough ask for Diamond United to come back from this juncture.

In the second half there was no letting up from the Raiders as they raided their opponents’ final third with

even more success in the final half. Persaud started goal-scoring proceedings off with strikes of his own in the 40th, 41st, 49th and 50th minutes to complete his five for in the match.

James completed his three in the 53rd minute just after Malcolm Hendricks had scored in the 51st. It was Austin who completed the score-line at 13-0 with his fourth of the match in the 60th minute.

Grove Hi Tech notched

up their second win in as many matches when they beat Diamond Upsetters 2-0 - both goals coming off the boot of Yohance De Florimonte in the 27th and 42nd minutes of the match.

The win takes Grove to six points and the top spot on the points table. They had won the first match of the league against Kuru Kururu Warriors, 4-1 coming from a goal down.

Saturday’s final match saw Samatta Point/Kanville FC record a comfortable 3-1 win over Friendship All Stars which gifted the Samatta Point side their opening Latest Points Table Team Grove Kuru Kururu Agricola Mocha Herstelling Diamond United Diamond Upsetters Samatta Point/KV Friendship Swan FC Timehri Soesdyke

P 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0

W 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

L 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0

strike by way of an own goal in the 6th minute.

It was the only goal of what turned out to be a very competitive opening 35 minutes as both sides held their own, toughing it out. On the 51st minute however, Samatta Point were able to double the advantage when Denzil Garraway found the back of the net.

The lead was further increased when Jaden Forths converted in the 59th minute, taking the lead to 3-0.

Friendship were able to score a consolation goal in the 65th minute off the boot of Vishaul Lalchan.

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

GF GA 6 1 1 4 2 0 0 2 13 1 1 13 0 2 3 1 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0

GD Points +5 6 -3 0 +2 3 -2 0 +12 3 -12 0 -2 0 +2 3 -2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 30, 2018

Bravo wants`new blood’ to run Windies cricket

… Present crop incapable of doing so PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Outspoken all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has written off the present crop of Cricket West Indies leadership, and says there is desperate need for a new kind of thinking, in order to save the next generation of cricketers.

Speaking against the backdrop of the latest fracas between CWI and the players, the former one-day skipper said the board had a history of mistreatment of players and this could only change if there was a wholesale shakeup at the top level of the administration.

“I am just concerned about the next generation of cricketers. West Indies have a history of treating players (badly),” a passionate Bravo told I95FM Radio here.

“They treated players badly before my time, they

treated players badly during my time and … it’s just a history of treating players badly. And players always get the blame and when a player does not perform he gets dropped, and that’s it.

“Do you hear anybody getting sacked or resigning (from the board). The best coach (Phil Simmons) West Indies had in how many years, the only coach that players loved and were dying to play for, West Indies sacked him because he stood up for the players.”

Bravo, who is currently playing in the Australia Big Bash, said the future of West Indies cricket was bleak, and stressed that the Dave Cameron-led administration was incapable of turning around the situation.

The major problem, the 34-year-old argued, was the need for “new blood”, point-

ing out that the current leadership had already been in place for an extended period, and had little results to show.

“It’s just sad to see what West Indies cricket (has come to) and I’m sorry for the younger players who are coming through,” the Trinidadian continued.

“They’re not being paid well, one, and the system is terrible so the future of West Indies cricket is in a very bad state, and those who are in charge now, they cannot help. West Indies need a new blood of thinking, they need new people.

“Those board directors (have been) there for how many years, like 20-something years and 30-something years and nothing (has changed). Look at the structure of West Indies cricket, look at the facilities in the Caribbean.”

FLASHBACK: All-rounder Dwayne Bravo (left) chats with CWI president Dave Camero, during a players’ forum in Fort Lauderdale two years ago.

Controversy erupted last Thursday when chief selector Courtney Browne said the senior quartet of Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Darren Bravo and Andre Russell had declined selection for the upcoming ICC World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe.

In a statement, Browne said they had reached out to the players who had “indicated that they were unavailable to help us qualify as their priority was playing in the

Pakistan Super League.”

CWI president Cameron said the board was “very disappointed” by the players’ decision, adding, “we’ll probably not invite those players to be a part of Cricket West Indies going forward.”

Cameron’s comments drew a sharp rebuke from Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board president Azim Bassarath and Bravo, too, was also critical of the Jamaican administrator.

“The president of the West Indies is a bully. You challenge him, you stand up to him and he clicks his fingers to get rid of you. That’s it.”

Bravo reiterated his claim that West Indies selectors were only now interested in the senior players because of the team’s failure to earn automatic qualification for the 2019 World Cup, and the subsequent desperation to secure one of the remaining two berths at the qualifiers in March.

Previously, Bravo argued, senior players had been repeatedly overlooked.

“They need to stop throwing around these things and making people think that the players are not committed,” he contended.

“They are not committed to us, they’re never interested in us before they reach this situation they’re in now. It’s only now they’re reaching out to us because they’re in a crisis situation.”

Holder, four other players retained for all-formats in new CWI contracts ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Test and oneday captain Jason Holder was one of five players rewarded with new all-format contracts worth up to US$200 000, as Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced a new range of retainers contracts, aimed at encouraging players to commit to representing the regional side.

A release from CWI said retainer contracts would now be offered in three categories

– all-format contracts, redball contracts and white-ball contracts – in keeping with “different formats of the sport.”

Holder has been joined by fellow fast bowlers Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph, batsman Shai Hope and leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, on the new all-format contracts.

“The new retainer contracts aim to incentivise our players to play cricket for the Windies and be contracted to

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday January 30, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

Sri Lanka & Bangladesh

(2)

Keacy Carty-52* (WI)

Today’s Quiz: (1) Who scored most runs in the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2016?

(2)

Who took most wickets?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Shimron Hetmyer

CWI,” said CWI chief executive, Johnny Grave.

“All the new contracts offer increased remuneration to our Windies men’s team as well as enhanced medical and insurance policies.”

While CWI did not reveal the value of the new retainers, CMC Sports understands that all-format contracts will be worth as much as US$200 000 per year while red-ball contracts will be capped at around US$140 000.

Players on white-ball contracts will rake in as much as $120 000.

Grave said the retainers reflected the “significant progress” CWI had made in incentivising international players.

Contracts will run from October 17 last year un-

til September this year, but Grave said renewals would take place on July 1 to ensure all professional contracts had the same start date.

Player selection for retainers was completed in July last year, a month before domestic contracts were issued.

Leading opener Kraigg Brathwaite heads the list of players with red-ball contracts, with Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Jermaine Blackwood, Miguel Cummins, Jomel Warrican also signing on.

Left-arm spinner Warrican is an interesting choice, having played the last of his four Tests two years ago.

Shimron Hetmyer and Kieran Powell, both members of the Test squad, have been offered developmental

West Indies captain Jason Holder

Vishaul Singh

red-ball contracts along with West Indies A star Vishaul Singh, who played a couple of Tests against Pakistan last year.

West Indies Twenty20 captain Carlos Brathwaite tops the group of players on white-ball contracts and is joined by Ashley Nurse, Jason Mohammed, Evin Lewis and Rovman Powell, with seamer Kesrick Williams on a developmental contract.

“These new contracts will embrace additional terms and conditions which will set out the responsibilities of both player and CWI to each other, together with ensuring that the players are contractually bound to new and existing policies that aim to further increase standards,”

Grave noted.

Development contracts have been offered to those players yet to fully establish themselves in the starting XIs. List of retained players All-format contracts - Jason Holder, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Devendra Bishoo RED-BALL contracts Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Jermaine Blackwood, Miguel Cummins, Jomel Warrican (Development - Shimron Hetmyer, Kieran Powell, Vishaul Singh) WHITE-BALL contracts - Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Jason Mohammed, Evin Lewis, Rovman Powell (Development - Kesrick Williams).

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 30, 2018

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Great things expected from Guyana’s hockey teams - Dr Norton

By Stephan Sookram GREAT things are expected of Guyana’s hockey teams, according to Minister with responsibility for Sport Dr George Norton.

Dr Norton at the time was sharing his opinion following the inspection of several certificates presented to three players who were selected as part of an All Star team following the Pan American Indoor Cup held here last year.

The trio, Men’s stars Robert France and Medroy Scotland, along with Ladies’ player Marzana Fiedtkou, were on hand yesterday for a photo opportunity with GHB

executives at the Ministry’s Main Street office.

In an invited comment, the Minister said, “We can say that we are expecting if not a gold medal then at least a medal at the upcoming Central American and Caribbean (CAC) games ….”

GHB president Philip Fernandes said, “I think it’s really exciting for Guyana to have representation on a Pan American All Star Team. It is a very great achievement for us as a small hockey-playing nation to have not just one representative but to have three.”

He added, “In the past we have only had one and now to have three. This shows that

From L-R, GHB secretary Tricia Fiedtkou stands with Minister with responsibility for Sport Dr George Norton, Pan American Men’s All Star player Medroy Scotland, Women’s All Star Marzana Fiedtkou, Men’s All Star Robert France and president of the Guyana Hockey Board Philip Fernandes (Adrian Narine photo)

we are progressing and the quality of the sport is increas-

ing and we look forward to what it can produce for us in

the future.”

Guyana will attend the

CAC games in August in Colombia.

Beckham launches Miami Major League Soccer team

FORMER England captain David Beckham has launched his long-planned Major League Soccer team in Miami.

Beckham exercised an option in his contract with former side LA Galaxy to buy an expansion franchise in 2014.

The as-yet-unnamed team is set to play at a 25,000-seat stadium in the city’s Overtown neighbourhood.

“I’m excited to bring this great team to this great city - it has been a hell of a journey,” said former Manchester United midfielder Beckham, 42.

“I promise you the team we will bring into the league will be the best team.”

Miami was officially

David Beckham: When I was awarded the team there was only one city for me. (Photograph: Rhona Wise/AFP/Getty Images)

granted an expansion side

by MLS commissioner Don Garber at an announcement ceremony yesterday.

Beckham was congratulated in a video featuring his four children, wife and

former Spice Girl Victoria, 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams, eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and other

celebrities including Will Smith, Jay Z and Jennifer Lopez.

Beckham, who joined LA Galaxy from Real Madrid in 2007, becomes the first former MLS player to own a team in the league.

“I joined the Galaxy because I realised the long-term potential in this league,” he said.

“I moved from Real Madrid to a league that wasn’t fully established yet - that was a big move and one I knew was going to be a big challenge but an exciting challenge.

“Commissioner Garber came to me and sat down and explained the plan of this league and where he wanted to take it - I was in from day one.”

Los Angeles FC will join city-rivals Galaxy in 2018, bringing the total number of teams to 23, with the league planning to increase to 28. Nashville were awarded an expansion club in December.

Beckham, who won 115 England caps, retired from football in 2013 after a five-month spell with Paris St-Germain, choosing Miami as the location for his MLS team later that year. The city has not had a football team since Miami Fusion folded in 2001.

The launch follows four years of disputes over the site for a stadium in southern Florida, with residents having opposed multiple locations.

Beckham’s team of in-

vestors purchased the land to build a stadium in December 2015, following three failed attempts to buy a suitable site.

The Miami-Dade government was subsequently sued by wealthy businessman Bruce Matheson, who claimed it, had sold the site below fair value and without a competitive bid process.

The lawsuit was dismissed in October, although Matheson has said he will appeal.

The other partners involved in the team include former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller, Bolivian-American businessman Marcelo Claure, South Floridian businessmen Jorge and Jose Mas and Japanese entrepreneur Masayoshi Son. (BBC Sport).

Bolt continues Dortmund preparation with SA Premier League side

SPRINTING legend Usain Bolt has continued to approach his upcoming tryout with Borussia Dortmund with as much vigour as he did while dominating track and field over the course of 10 years.

After enlisting the help of former Reggae Boyzturned-coach, Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardner, Bolt has continued making sure he doesn’t go to Dortmund without any experience training at the top level.

In South Africa, Bolt trained with Mamelodi Sundown, an African ABSA

Premier League side, who share the same sponsor as the eight-time Olympic gold medallist in PUMA. Bolt has, for a long time, toyed with the idea of playing professional football but only recently, got an offer to train with Dortmund, after which the double world-record holder over 100 and 200 metres says he could try out with Manchester United.

The retired sprinter has, for even longer than his own ambitions of playing, been in love with Manchester City and his tryout with Dortmund is just to see if he might be

good enough for a shot at making it to the club he has loved since he was a boy.

“One of my biggest dreams is to sign for Manchester United. If Dortmund says I’m good enough, I’ll crack on and train hard,” said Bolt in an interview earlier this year.

“I’ve spoken to Alex Ferguson and I told him he needs to put in a good word. He told me if I get fit and ready he will see what he can do.”

Since those comments Bolt has leaned on Gardner, who trains Harbour View FC in Jamaica’s Red Stripe Pre-

mier League, but has pointed out that while this is a goal of his, his success or failure shouldn’t be seen as a big deal.

“I am always confident in everything. You have to go into everything confident. I know I will be a little bit nervous but it’s not a life-or-death situation. It is just something that I personally want to accomplish and I think I can do so. So I am going to go out there and do what I have to do,” the 100m and 200m world record-holder said. (Sportsmax.com)

Usain Bolt trained with South African team Mamelodi Sundown.

Beckham launches Miami Major League Soccer team

Page 23

AAG president Aubrey Hutson

By Rawle Toney LAST year, a 12-member team raked in Guyana’s largest medal tally (eight) at the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Games. Among the medals was Compton Caesar’s coveted gold in the Boys’ U-20 100 metres.

This time around, the president of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hutson hopes to send a 20-man squad to the event which will be held in The Bahamas, March 30-April 2.

Ever since Gladstone Hopkinson (1500m) won Guyana’s first-ever gold medal at the Games’ inaugural event in Barbados, 1972, athletes from the ‘Land of Many Waters’ have been a regular feature at the games which saw Usain Bolt set what still remains the World

Hutson hopes for 20-man CARIFTA Games team … AAG begins encampment this weekend; trials on February 11 and 18

Junior record in the 200m (19.93 secs) in 2004.

Speaking exclusively with Chronicle Sport yesterday, Hutson said following the youth and junior athletes’ steady improvement in track and field, especially over the last year, his association will be pushing to send 20, but no less than 10 participants to compete at the Thomas Robinson Stadium.

Hutson explained that from this weekend, using the National Schools Championships, as well as the three developmental meets held this year, some athletes will be heading into a camp. The CARIFTA Games trials are set for February 11 and 18 at the Leonora Track and Field Centre.

Hutson humorously stated, “Well, if these athletes keep performing the way they’ve been doing

FLASHBACK! Guyana’s historic CARIFTA Games team upon their return home

since the school championships and what we’ve seen over the last couple of

Bowling coach Estwick sacked for ICC World Cup qualifiers KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Well-regarded West Indies bowling coach Roddy Estwick has been sacked for the upcoming ICC World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe.

The 56-year-old, who joined the Caribbean side’s coaching staff 20 months ago, will be replaced by a coach from outside the region.

CWI president Dave Cameron confirmed the move but declined to name Estwick’s replacement citing “protocol”.

“We are bringing in a different bowling coach and we will also solidify the batting,” Cameron told TVJ Sports here, while hinting at other changes in the management setup.

“I’m not sure I’m at liberty to disclose the name of the coach … but he’s not from the region. Again, we want to bolster our bowling.

weeks, then the AAG might as well prepare to buy an aircraft to send this team,”

However, he was serious when he pointed out, “It will come down to the usual

thing, finances; but we’re looking Turn to page 19

Ramchand Wreckers wreck competitors in GMR&SC Endurance

Page 19

Adrian Fernandes, Anand Ramchand and their mechanic ‘Kesho’ following the first GMR&SC Endurance meet on Sunday. They won after completing 83 laps. (GTRidez photo)

Roddy Estwick (right) has been credited with much of the recent development of Shannon Gabriel.

I believe that if we have good bowlers, then whatever we get to make our batting will take care of that.”

Estwick joined the Windies management in May, 2016, replacing the legendary former Windies fast bowler, Sir Curtly Ambrose, ahead of the Tri-Nations Series in the Caribbean involving Australia and South Africa.

Throughout his tenure, the Barbadian has earned praise from players, with seamers like Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach crediting him with their recent development.

Gabriel snatched 44 wickets in Tests in a 15-month period ending last December while Roach, Turn to page 19

The various class winners of the first GMR&SC Endurance meet held on Sunday.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018