Guyana chronicle e paper 02 28 2018

Carjacking ringleader charged 19 PAGE

No. 105199

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018

Price: $80 (VAT Inclusive)

Top Cop Shocker … Seelall Persaud applies, approves own gun dealership, firearm licences applications

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President for India summit 09 PAGE

Major fallout 02 at Bar Council PAGE

… several executives resign, refuse to challenge GECOM chair appointment

Exxon strikes more oil

Trotman to hand over oil 11 and gas PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Major fallout at Bar Council

… several executives resign, refuse to challenge GECOM chair appointment AROUND five members of the Guyana Bar Association have resigned or ceased attending meetings after disagreeing with other members of the body to file a court challenge against President David Granger’s appointment of Justice James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission.

The association is headed by the son of former PPP executive, Ralph Ramkarran.

Sources also said that the association has now morphed into a quasi-political grouping, with some members more focused on challenging the government rather than addressing the numerous critical issues affecting the legal fraternity. Among the executive members who have left the body are Rajendra

Poonai, Brendan Glasford, Faye Barker and Mark Waldron. They have all resigned, while Rexford Jackson has since indicated to sources he is no longer affiliated with the council and has stopped attending meetings.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that Poonai cited health reasons for his resignation and Glasford has taken up a new appointment and as such no longer wishes to be a member of the council. However, the two members Barker and Waldron’s resignations came after an incident in which there was a division as to the filing of a challenge to the President’s appointment of Justice Patterson to the post of GECOM chair.

It is alleged that there was a demand that they sign the

Notice of Appointment for the matter, after they openly indicated that they did not wish their names to be associated with the matter. Besides, another executive member, Teni Housty, also did not wish his name on the Notice of Appointment, since he was on one of the lists sent by the opposition leader to the President and as such, did not wish to appear openly in the litigation.

According to sources, it was at that point that the other members were asked to sign same. Waldron, Barker and Jackson indicated that they did not agree with the application and as such refused to sign the proceedings and did not wish their names to appear as attorneys-at-law in the matter. The secretary it is alleged then indicated that it was a council decision

to file the application and as such, they must attach all names and if they did not wish to, they should resign.

The members Waldron and Barker shortly after resigned and Jackson has not attended any other council meeting since. Sources say the main complaint from the members who resigned is that there are other issues affecting the Bar, including but not limited to matters adversely affecting attorneys’ practice in the family and judicial registries, which both had new rules implemented recently.

Another key issue of contention is the demand by the Mayor and City Council for documents and fees for the issuance of certificates of compliance, not permitted by statute. “Therefore, the focus of the Bar Council on these

political matters only, is of grave concern to the members of the wider Bar, since those persons have varying political views,” one senior executive member told the Guyana Chronicle. The senior member of the Bar expressed that it is for this reason that the Bar Association should stay away from political issues and focus on legal matters affecting their membership.

The senior attorney said another example of the Council’s posture is their recent statement condemning what they ‘anticipate’ would be the President’s actions in the Appointment of the Chancellor and Chief Justice, with no indication from the President that he intends to act outside of the provisions of the constitution.

“These actions have

President of the GBA, Kamal Ramkarran many in the legal fraternity questioning the agenda and motive of the current Bar Council,” the source added.

Doctor’s son charged with murder of patient THE son of a medical doctor was on Tuesday charged with the murder of Hazrat Shaffie, his father’s patient,.The incident reportedly took place on Sunday at the doctor’s Temple Street, Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD) residence.

Neilson Sinclair, 29, of Temple Street, appeared before Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plead to the charge, which alleged that on the day in question he murdered Shaffie.

He was remanded to prison until March 23, 2018.

An autopsy found that the businessman died from hemorrhage and shock due to multiple injuries.

Dead: Hazrat Shaffie

Reports indicate that Shaffie left his home to visit the alleged assailant’s father for medication for pains about his body, when he was attacked without warning upon exiting his vehicle.

It is alleged that Sinclair, a known drug addict was reportedly seen kicking the businessman about his body for a period of more than 20 minutes. The businessman was found moaning and groaning and was placed in a taxi by a resident in the area.

He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Monday.

Shaffie leaves to mourn his wife and four children.

Exxon strikes more oil

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

GOVERNMENT on Tuesday announced that United States (US) oil giant ExxonMobil has found more oil offshore Guyana.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, in a video statement published by the Department of Public Information (DPI) said the latest discovery was made in the Pacora-1 well offshore Guyana. The Pacors-1 well is located about four miles from the Payara-1 well in the Stabroek Block.

Trotman assured that more details on the latest discovery which occurred within the last 48 hours will be made available soon. “To date we have overseen the drilling of seven wells by Exxon.

Six of which have borne

fruit, one has not. So far we have an excellent record,” said the Minister of Natural Resources who congratulated the crew on the Stena Carron drillship. He said the Stena Carron has done about 90 per cent of the discoveries without a day lost or any injuries or man hours lost.

“That is commendable,” the Minister stated.

Exxon’s Public Relations Director, Kimberly Brassington in a brief comment said: “I can say that ExxonMobil Guyana confirms an oil discovery offshore Guyana at the Pacora-1 well.” She said more information will be released in a press release which the company will issue today.

Early January, the US oil company announced its sixth oil discovery

offshore Guyana, adding to its previous discoveries since 2015. The company said its Ranger-1 well encountered approximately 230 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing reservoir, located some 60 miles northwest of its Liza phase one project within the Stabroek Block. That discovery, Exxon had said provides a new play concept for the 6.6 million acre Stabroek Block. The Ranger-1 well discovery adds to previous worldclass discoveries at Liza, Payara, Snoek, Liza Deep and Turbot, which are estimated to total more than 3.2 billion recoverable oil-equivalent barrels.

Exxon and its affiliate Esso began drilling the Ranger-1 well on November 5, 2017 and encountered approxi-

Oil Rig Stena Carron is conducting operations mately 230 feet (70 metres) of high-quality, oil-bearing carbonate reservoir. That well was safely drilled to

21,161 feet (6,450 metres) depth in 8,973 feet (2,735 metres) of water.

Additional exploration drilling is planned on

the Stabroek Block this year, the company stated. Exxon is scheduled to begin oil production in 2020.

Top Cop shocker … Seelall Persaud applies, approves own gun dealership, firearm licences applications

IN a shocking revelation, outgoing Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud late January applied to himself and granted approval for his business, Professional Outdoor Supplies, to be granted permission as a registered firearms dealer as well as being licensed to carry various calibre of weapons.

His decision has raised eyebrows within the administration, with persons deeming it unprofessional and unethical. In a letter dated January 29, 2018 and seen by this newspaper, Persaud responding to an application by himself wrote “Dear Sir, I refer to your application in relation to the above subject and wish to inform you that approval is granted for your business Professional Outdoors Supplies to become a registered Firearms Dealer.”

Persaud further wrote “Please make contact with

the Assistant Commissioner Law Enforcement at the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters, in connection with the issuing of the licence.”

In another letter dated January 26, 2018 and captioned “Application for firearm licences Mr Seelall Persaud (DSM), Persaud wrote to himself “Dear Mr Persaud, I refer to your application, in relation to the above subject and wish to inform you that approval is granted for you to be issued with firearm licences to use (1) 9MM Pistol, (1) 12, 16 or 20-Gauge Pump Action Shotgun.”

Persaud further wrote to himself saying, “Please make contact with the Divisional Commander ‘A’ Division at the divisional headquarters, Brickdam, in connection with: the issuing of the licences and the conditions under which the

licences are granted.”

The police chief’s letter to himself added: “You are advised to ensure that there is adequate means of security for the firearms when they are in use.” He further advised himself that “If you neglect to proceed expeditiously to obtain the necessary licences within one year, then you may be denied same if the conditions under which you were granted this approval have changed.”

Persaud will sign out from the Force today at a ceremony billed for the Police Sports Club ground. It is expected to be punctuated with lots of pomp and pageantry. He leaves office months after a commission of inquiry had recommended that he be fired or asked to resign over his alleged role in the police bungling of the investigation into the alleged plot to assassinate President

David Granger.

A senior government official commenting on the gun licences approval, criticised the move by Persaud calling it unprofessional and unethical. “How can you as a sitting commissioner apply to yourself and grant approval to yourself licences to operate a firearm dealership and upgrade your weapons…” “He should have waited until he retires, this is downright unethical…” the senior official commented.

The Paul Slowe Commission of Inquiry report had stated that Persaud had improperly inserted himself into the investigation into the alleged plot against the President, although he was on leave. At the time, Assistant Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine was acting in the capacity of police commissioner. He is the second most senior rank in the Force. The commis-

sion had submitted that the commissioner’s insertion of himself into the matter “adversely influenced the conduct of the investigations. It noted too that the commissioner had acted improperly when he contacted Imran Khan, who was arrested at CID headquarters for disorderly behaviour on his mobile phone and engaged him in a fairly lengthy conversation. “This no doubt had a demoralising effect on the ranks on duty at CID Headquarters at that time.

This is evidence because up to the time of the CoI, Khan had not been charged for the offence of disorderly behaviour,” the report stated. Additionally, the report speaks to clear “conflict of interest” and noted that the top cop should have recused himself from the matter. The commission also found that Persaud’s decision to bypass the chain

Outgoing Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud of command and instruct that Nizam Khan be sent on bail is unacceptable.

Persaud on March 10, 2015, took the oath of office confirming him as the country’s 31st commissioner of police. He succeeded Leroy Brumell. Born on the Essequibo Coast, Persaud spent most of his years in the Police Force at the Criminal Investigation Department.

He headed the Police Anti-Narcotics Unit (Drug Squad) for 10 years and served as the country’s crime chief for another seven years.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Syria war: Shelling and strikes despite Eastern Ghouta ‘pause’ Fighting continued in the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta area of Syria during the first daily five-hour “pause” ordered by the government’s ally Russia.

Activists said there were government air and artillery strikes, while Russia said rebels had shelled a “humanitarian corridor” meant to let civilians leave.

As a result, there were no UN aid deliveries or medical evacuations. Some 393,000 people are trapped in the enclave near Damascus, which has been besieged by the government since 2013. Medics say more than 500 people have been killed since the government intensified its bombardment nine days ago in an attempt to retake the enclave.

Meanwhile, France has urged Russia to use its influence over Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to secure a 30-day truce cov-

ering the whole country.

The UN Security Council unanimously passed a resolution demanding a nationwide cessation of hostilities on Saturday, but it did not specify a start date. “Russia is one of the only actors that can get the regime to implement the resolution,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow.

The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it had received reports that fighting had continued after the Russian-ordered pause began at 09:00 (07:00 GMT) on Tuesday. “Clearly, the situation on the ground is not such that convoys can go in or medical evacuations can go out,” spokesman Jens Laerke told reporters in Geneva.

The World Health Organization said it had a list

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of more than 1,000 critically sick and wounded people who urgently needed to be evacuated. The situation in the Eastern Ghouta was comparatively calm early on Tuesday. However,

five hours that followed, including air strikes by government planes and helicopters, and artillery shelling in the town of Jisrin that killed a child and injured seven people.

Russian media said not a single civilian left the besieged Eastern Ghouta on Tuesday

one civilian was killed by shellfire in the rebel-held town of Douma before the pause started, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The UK-based monitoring group also reported a number of violations in the

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The Syrian state news agency, Sana, reported that “terrorists” had shelled the route of the humanitarian corridor leading to the government-controlled al-Wafideen checkpoint, which is north-east of Douma, and were using “human

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shields”. Russian media said not a single civilian had left the besieged area as a result.

The accusations of firing mortars was denied by the two Islamist rebel groups that dominate the Eastern Ghouta, Jaysh al-Islam and Faylaq al-Rahman, while the Syrian military said it had not carried out air strikes.

Rebel factions also reiterated that jihadists from the al-Qaeda-linked alliance Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), who have a small presence in the Eastern Ghouta, had to be evacuated in exchange for a truce. The government and Russia say their bombing campaign is targeting HTS members in the enclave.

The Russian defence ministry announced that government forces would “cease strikes on terrorists” from 09:00 until 14:00 local time (07:00-12:00 GMT) daily from Tuesday “with the aim of immediately saving the peaceful population”.

One “humanitarian corridor” to al-Wafideen had been prepared, with help from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, to allow civilians to leave and the sick and wounded to be evacuated, it said. Residents would be informed via leaflets, text messages and videos, it added. France’s foreign minister said it was vital that humanitarian aid was delivered. A tightening of the government’s siege since November has led to the exhaustion of food supplies and extremely inflated prices inside the Eastern Ghouta. Almost 12% of children under five years old are acutely malnourished - a level the UN says is unprecedented in Syria.

There are also severe shortages of medical supplies, with doctors forced to treat severely injured patients without general

anaesthetic drugs, intravenous antibiotics, blood bags and clean bandages.

Humanitarian organisations say they need to be sure any truces are taking effect on the ground before sending in aid workers and vehicles. Dr Mohamad Katoub, a Turkey-based doctor with the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), which supports hospitals in the Eastern Ghouta and other rebel-held areas, told the BBC: “We don’t believe that this truce will bring any benefits for the civilians inside Eastern Ghouta. Five hours is not enough to do anything.”

Firas Abdullah, a journalist for the pro-opposition Ghouta Media Center who lives in Douma, told the BBC on Tuesday that it was far too dangerous to venture outside, let alone try to reach the al-Wafideen checkpoint.

“I went outside but only for a while,” Firas Abdullah said. “After half a minute of this ceasefire, shells were dropped. Even if anyone tries to leave, he will be shot by the snipers of the regime checkpoint.”

Al-Wafideen has long been the formal point for people to enter and exit Eastern Ghouta. However, only a small proportion of the population - public sector employees and males over 40 - were permitted to leave before the government siege was tightened, according to Reach Initiative, which is monitoring the humanitarian situation there. Women and children were reportedly forbidden by rebel groups from leaving for security reasons. Reach said risks included sniper fire, landmines, shelling, verbal and physical harassment, detention and, in the case of women, sexual harassment, humiliating inspections and beatings. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Farmer found hanging with hands tied A 25-YEAR-OLD farm worker and cash crop farmer of Lovely Lass Village, West Coast Berbice, was found hanging by his neck with his hands tied behind his back at his home around 13:00 hrs on Tuesday.

The dead man has been identified as Rohit Devnarine, and he reportedly lived alone at his home in an isolated area at the southern edge of the village. A reliable source said that given the circumstances of the man’s hands tied behind his back the police are treating the matter as homicide.

Neighbours said that around noon yesterday they saw the door to the man’s house slightly ajar but he was not seen moving around as usual. After some time had elapsed they decided to make a check on him and made the tragic discovery.

“He was fully dressed in his street clothes, a white shirt and jeans, and was hanging by his neck and his hands were firmly tied behind his back with a yellow cord to one side as if he was trying to free himself,” one of the neighbours who made the discovery said.

Devnarine’s mother, Mrs Shamoon Jameer, who resides some distance away at # 22 Village, WCB, said that she last saw her son late Monday evening when he visited her and they chatted

Rohit Devnarine

and he ate some food. He did not seem in any way depressed and he left for home shortly after finishing his meal.

She said that she was at work yesterday when she received a telephone call telling her of the discovery of her son hanging from the roof of his home. She said that Rohit was one of eight children and that he was a quiet and cheerful person who was always beneficially occupied, either

doing his cash crop farming or working in the rice fields.

The bereaved mother said she was certain that a person or persons had murdered her son though as far as she knew he had no known enemies.

Devnarine leaves to mourn his son, Nemar Devnarine. His remains are at the mortuary at Fort Wellington and the Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

CARICOM needs very concessional financing for climate resilience - Secretary-General LaRocque says

The Caribbean Community’s goal of creating a climate resilient region requires significant grant funding and very concessional financing, CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said Monday.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 29th Inter-sessional Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government at the Marriot Port-au-Prince Hotel in Haiti, he said “without access to such financing, already high debt levels across the Region would be exacerbated.”

He explained that most CARICOM countries are categorized as middle or high-income and are largely ineligible for concessional development financing and Official Development Assistance (ODA), due to the use of GDP per capita as the principal criterion. Using The Bahamas to

illustrate this point, he said it is an upper middle-income country that has sustained cumulative damage and loss totalling US $678 million by hurricanes that hit between 2015 and 2017, which necessitated access to non-concessional financing.

In the case of CARICOM’s Associate Members, he said that their sources of finance were limited as they do not have access to international financial institutions. The British Virgin Islands, he noted, sustained damaged in excess of US one billion dollars from Hurricane Irma. “Our Region finds itself in extraordinary circumstances which therefore require extraordinary solutions,” Ambassador LaRocque stated, adding that there is need for new thinking, leading to changes in the criteria for determining access to concessionary financing by small, vulnerable, middle

income countries.

“We began the task of attracting resources with the CARICOM-UN High-Level Pledging Conference, held in New York last November.

Some of the pledges have been honoured and we continue to collaborate with our partners to realise the other commitments,” he said. Secretary-General LaRocque said CARICOM is unable to generate, on its own, the cost of rebuilding which has been assessed at more than $5 billion (US). He noted that even as recovery and reconstruction are ongoing, the Region is also preparing for the next hurricane season which is five months away. “The reality is that the intensity and frequency of severe climatic events, whether it be hurricanes, droughts or unseasonal heavy rainfall are our new normal. We all must be prepared,” he said.

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BV man nabbed with ganja in milk tin A 40-year-old miner of Sideline Dam, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara was Tuesday afternoon arrested at the Itaballi Police Checkpoint after being found in possession of 1,308 grammes of compressed cannabis.

The illicit drug was found concealed inside of a milk tin with a false bottom, police said in a release. The suspect who has a pending drug trafficking charge at the Bartica Magistrate‘s Court is being processed for court.

Editorial

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Addressing inequality A RECENT BBC article about inequality in the United States and internationally posed an interesting question. How much economic inequality do we want in our society?

Some would say the obvious answer is none, but there are also common arguments for some degree of inequality as it is said to promote private enterprise, especially earlier on in a nation’s development.

The article goes on to focus not just on income, but accumulated wealth as a fuller measure of inequality. It mentions that the top 0.01% of the population holds 22% of wealth in the United States, which is shocking to be sure. With a number that small though, we can probably guess who those people actually are. It

would be fair to surmise that Jeff Bezos (Amazon founder and CEO), Bill Gates (Microsoft founder) and Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook CEO and co-founder) were in that group as their companies have continued to grow incredibly quickly.

Late last year Bezos became the richest man in the world, as an example.

These are not men who merely inherited their riches or became CEOs of already thriving businesses.

They built their companies from scratch, adding billions of dollars of value to their economy in the process. Given that those companies are now some of the most profitable worldwide, it should be no surprise that they have such sizeable amounts of accumulated wealth.

With the coming oil

economy and the expected increased capacities to grow local businesses, Guyanese must increasingly ask if we want to promote the growth of captains of industry or restrict it. Promoting such entrepreneurs should certainly help solve our unemployment problems -- especially youth unemployment -- if we develop a technology industry, but not all Guyanese have the training to find work in this way.

The last thing we would want in Guyana is to ignore the question of inequality and end up growing the gap between those with different levels of schooling and training. Again, arguments that are common in these debates are that inequality leads to crime or even protests and instability. This makes sense, as those un-

able to get jobs due to not having had enough quality schooling may grow frustrated and instead turn to taking resources from their better-off peers.

Last, remember that the question of inequality must pay respect to history. Societies that are almost perfectly equal -- as some might argue communist countries are -- often suffer from other ills far greater in consequences than inequality.

Maintaining high levels of equality requires a very high degree of control over the population, which can lead to rights abuses. Someone once put it to me that very few Americans ever fled to communist countries, because they couldn’t stand all the inequality in the U.S. And indeed, the Berlin wall has been said to have

The spirit of Mash resonated in Essequibo Dear Editor, ESSEQUIBIANS celebrated Mashramani in grand style as the revellers captivated the imagination of everyone who witnessed quite a memorable and colourful display. In fact, there was a massive turn out of on-lookers who crowded the roadside from Three-Friends to the Anna Regina Car Park, which was the official route for the parade. I was indeed amazed by the excitement, camaraderie, charm and confidence which were exuded from every reveller as they gyrated to the rhythmic and pulsating beat of the diverse genre of the captivating sounds emanating from the music boxes.

Fittingly, there was perfect weather for the momentous occasion which set the

tone for Essequibians to celebrate their 48th Republic Anniversary as a united community, despite its diversity.

Every race was present as was depicted by the winning costume in the large category, ‘A&C Boutique and Beauty Parlour’ from the village of Henrietta. The band had in excess of 80 revellers depicting the colours of the national flag along with their costumes, which represented the vast natural resources of our country. They were also seemingly natural and even professional dancers in their midst as they stirringly performed to every lyric, whether it was chutney, soca or dance hall genres.

While their band stood out, there were other interesting costumes as well, including the Dynamic Revellers from the Department of Education which came in second,

as well as the Essequibo Technical Institute, which also had a lively and vibrant movement made up of primarily students attending the institution. Interestingly, the Guyana Police Force Youth Group, along with the Very Important Social Group of Queenstown, was participating for the first time and they made quite a favourable impression with unique displays and the exuberance of youthfulness.

Nothing could have been more pleasing than to witness a united front as every man, woman and child stood, danced, cheered and shared the moment in nostalgia. I estimated that there were in excess of 3,000 Essequibians who stood proudly in pronouncing and celebrating this national event in a manner that speaks volume of our nationalism, patriotism and

enhancing our embodiment of uniting as a people in the quest for common solidarity in every sphere of livelihood.

The regional administration through the Mash Committee worked tirelessly in promoting such ideals and indeed it was greatly manifested. I was certainly moved by the riveting dynamism that was on display, even as I ponder the revelation that our space is being challenged

by Venezuela as being their territory. Witnessing mash in Essequibo however has strengthened my resolve and so are all Essequibians who have shown that there is strength in being united, as they so admirably did together.

Regards Elroy Stephney

acted primarily as a way to stop massive migration out of relatively equal East Germany, and into unequal West Germany. Further, one might argue North Korea is more equal than South, yet I would hardly imagine the North receives many applications for citizenship.

Thus, this is not to say inequality should not be a burning issue as Guyana’s economy grows, but rather that we should acknowledge historical context.

Perhaps what Guyana should aspire to is to be

somewhat like Norway, which the KNOEMA atlas relates has a much lower level of inequality than most states, and which also possesses large oil reserves.

Learning from them is something to which we should certainly be open, even though we must of course recognise that there are many fundamental differences between the two countries. Norwegian economic model or not, inequality will be an increasingly important topic for our country.

Where is the Lindo Creek witness police supposedly has in protective custody?

Dear Editor,

I WAS perplexed when I first heard of the apparent difficulties being faced by the CoI into the Lindo Creek massacre. I kept thinking of the mysterious witness that the police supposedly had in protective custody. At least that is what a traumatised populace was told.

My question is, “where is that witness? Editor, as a matter of fact, the answers to several questions can go a long way in clearing up this gruesome incident.

Apart from the present whereabouts of that witness, the Guyanese people would like to know the location of the original file the investigators had prepared. We would like to know the contents of notes of any meeting between government officials and members of the police force on that incident.

Those are just two of many questions swirling around. Editor, I am all for granting immunity to any person who might have played an inadvertent role in that affair, and is willing to come forward with reliable and incontrovertible testimony about the events surrounding that tragedy. I respect the intent of the government to bring closure to the surviving

relatives, whose lives have been irreversibly altered.

On another note, I crave your indulgence. I understand that a farewell parade is being held in honour of the outgoing commissioner of police. My thinking is that we should take customary practice so far and no further. Adam Harris understated it when he said that this commissioner is departing under a cloud. This commissioner was cited for, what in other jurisdictions would have been grounds for his voluntary resignation or immediate termination, but the man is given a hero’s send-off. How much more ridicule are we prepared to accept? Editor, trust me this commissioner will be riding off with a heavily tinted Stateowned SUV. There is no law which grants any former commissioner of police the right to drive off into the sunset with a State-owned vehicle plus driver. Former Commissioner Felix was not a beneficiary of that “customary practice.”

As a matter of fact, the rate at which police vehicles seem to be crashing these days is a very good reason to retain all available serviceable vehicles.

Stop the pussyfooting!

Regards Gervy Grandison

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

David Commissiong displays gross, unfathomable ignorance of current affairs and geopolitics Dear Editor,

ON February 16, 2018, a commentary by Vincentian political activist David Commissiong titled ‘Shame on the three blind mice of CARICOM’ appeared on the St Lucia News Online website. It was reproduced in the Jamaica Observer newspaper the following day and other online portals at various times since.

Regrettably, Mr Commissiong displays a gross and unfathomable ignorance of current affairs and geopolitics in this ‘commentary’.

He gleefully leaps from conclusion to conclusion, barely if ever pausing to consider, particularly in the case of Guyana the issue relating to the border controversy which would have certainly informed Guyana’s position. At no point during his epistle did Mr Commissiong even bother to acknowledge that this issue even exists. Surely it could not be that Mr Commissiong, as a political activist, is unaware of this major regional political issue which has engaged the United Nations and has been recently referred to the International Court of Justice. If it is that he is unaware, then that speaks to how flawed his tirade against the heads of state is.

For Mr Commissiong’s benefit, following is a brief synopsis of the pertinent issues relating to the Guyana/Venezuela border issue, about which he may wish to

inform himself , with a view to producing more credible commentaries in the future.

In 1840, The British began taking steps to define the borders of its newly acquired territory. For this exercise, the services of the noted explorer and naturalist Robert Schomburgk was employed, thus facilitating the first diplomatic contact between the British and Venezuelans on this matter.

In 1850, there was a declaration of non-intention of occupation made by both parties. Due to internal problems within Venezuela, there were no further steps taken by either party on this matter, until the 1870s when Venezuela appealed to the United States for its assistance towards the settlement of the dispute.

This resonated with America’s sensibilities towards the threats of European colonising activities towards the New World – the Americas With strong support from the United States, who threatened war with Britain, Venezuela demanded arbitration. After much negotiation, Venezuela and Great Britain agreed to a tribunal adjudication of the matter that was to be heard by five judges. This decision was formalised by the Treaty of Washington in 1897, between the contending parties, before which they agreed to place the contending claims to territories by both sides.

The tribunal began its hearing from June to Sep-

tember of 1899. During that period, it held 55 sessions, in addition to listening to marathon presentations by legal minds from both contending parties. Finally, on October 4, this adjudicating body ruled in Britain’s favour, upholding its claims to lands west of the Essequibo River. But its claims to the Upper Cuyuni basin and an area of land on the eastern bank near the mouth of the Orinoco were denied. Further, there was agreement to a mixed boundary that was tasked with carrying out a survey and demarcation, between 1901 and 1904, of the boundary, as stipulated by the Award.

Venezuela, in 1965, reopened its claim to an already settled border, alleging that the award was null and void.

It must be emphasised that the Geneva Agreement is not a document that hinted that there was still a dispute between the parties, or had been intended to reopen a full and final settlement, or the final determination of British Guiana’s boundary with Venezuela. Neither was it a repudiation of the settlement, or where Britain and Venezuela had agreed that the border should be revised.

Venezuela has continuously spread the lie that the Award has been null and void. This in itself is a contradiction of the terms of the agreement.

February 17, 2018, marked the 52nd Anniversary of the Geneva Agreement,

The agony and grief of sugar workers could have been prevented Dear Editor, IN the wake of the reopening of the sugar estates, there is an opportunity for Guysuco and NICIL to renegotiate the wages of sugar workers and remove the need for union fees, given the potential length of the labour contracts.

This will quickly reposition the cost structure of the estates, adding both increased profitability and increased flexibility. With such indirect restructuring and its potential benefits, the government will now have increased leverage to renegotiate existing labour contracts with the union for the estates that are currently still in operation.

Thus, the cost structure of the industry may be revamped to allow for increased sustainability. In addition, local customers that are dependent on the industry for key supplies such as molasses and key services such as drainage, will be more accommodating of price increases, thus adding increased margins to Guysuco’s products and services and resulting in an improvement in overall profitability of the industry.

The agony and grief that the sugar workers have gone through in recent months could have been prevented if the union and the management of Guysuco were able to work closely together on a long-

term, cost- improvement plan. Also, better negotiating, customer relationship-building and a good long- term pricing strategy that incorporated value pricing would have allowed for improved pricing strength for Guysuco’s products and services. It is unfortunate that a holistic long-term view to running the Industry was not clearly undertaken by its management team. If it was, a lot of the current turmoil in the industry could have been prevented, while achieving improvement in profitability targets.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

1966 – the date of the last failed attempt from Caracas to prevent Guyana’s Independence. The agreement was a Treaty between Venezuela and Britain and was registered at the UN on May 05, 1966. Guyana became a party on attaining Independence on 26 May, 1966. In it, Venezuela settled for resolution of their yearning for two-thirds of the new State by the processes prescribed in the agreement – the first being a Mixed Commission for four years, the last being a decision by the UN Secretary-General of a definitive means chosen from article 33 of the UN Charter.

The Mixed Commission ended in 1970. For 47 years after, Venezuela harassed Guyana’s development, filibustered on settlement and steadily stepped up its militarism – territorially and at sea.

Venezuelan atrocities over the years have included, but are not limited to, the unjustified killing of a Guyanese citizen by Venezuelan armed forces in 2006; the apprehension of a vessel conducting seismic studies in Guyana’s

Exclusive Economic Zone by the Venezuelan navy; protests to and threats against companies involved in economic partnership with the Government of Guyana; and the mobilisation of military troops along the border with Guyana.

Despite the treaty obligations, juridical delimitation, acceptance of the Award, the fact that Venezuela acted in accordance with it for nearly 63 years and the existence of the Good Offices Process, Venezuela has consistently embarked on a pattern of subversion, threats and intimidation in order to fulfil her territorial ambitions and/ or force concessions from Guyana.

In 2015, Guyana called on the secretary-general to take further and final steps under the Geneva Agreement, and he did, after requiring first one then a second year of ‘good offices’ and ‘mediation’, in which Venezuela engaged. When they produced no progress towards a settlement, the UN SecretaryGeneral, on 30 January 2018 – acting under the powers

Venezuela and Guyana had given him under the Geneva Agreement – chose the International Court of Justice as the “means that is now to be used for the solution of the controversy’.

Finally, Guyana has never been part of any American – backed conspiracy against its Western neighbour, as falsely claimed by Mr Commissiong. Guyana’s sole disagreement with the Bolivarian Venezuelan Republic has been over the latter’s false claim to its territory, which had been determined finally by way of the 1899 Arbitral Award. I am sure that Mr Commissiong is aware that due to a request

by Guyana, that the controversy has been referred to the International Court of Justice by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, for juridical determination. So his unwarranted attack on the heads of state is entirely illogical, improper, and misplaced.

Regards Earl Hamilton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Ram’s ‘non-taxable higher profit’ claim unfounded –– Exxon Director Kimberly Brasington

EXXONMOBIL’S Senior Public Relations Director Kimberly Brasington has dispelled claims that Guyana stands to collect no additional fee for its oil should the price of the product increase on the world market.

Brasington told the Guyana Chronicle Tuesday that Guyana will receive its fair share of profits based on the agreement, which allows the country to gain 50 per cent of the proceeds of oil sales.

“So for example, today it [oil] is selling at $72 or somewhere around that, the profit will be split 50/50.

Or let’s say, the price may fall to $30 a barrel… like it did about a year or two ago, then we can only split $30,”

Brasington explained.

She said the profit to Guyana from Exxon’s sale of the oil is “completely contingent on price”.

Brasington was at the time responding to an article in one of the local dailies that alleged under the Exxon agreement, Guyana is unable to tax “higher than expected profits” should oil prices increase.

The publication declared that Guyana would receive “not a cent” more given a ‘stabilisation clause’ in the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) the government signed with the U.S.-based oil company.

Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram noted that while the nation is prevent-

ed from fully benefitting from higher than expected revenues, ExxonMobil gets to profit from favourable changing conditions in the oil market.

The Chartered Accountant and anti-corruption advocate contended that the issuance of a windfall or normal profit tax revolves around the fiscal regime of the country and the level of the government’s take, but to tax higher oil prices is prevented by the stabilisation clause.

Brasington told the Guyana Chronicle that with regard to taxes on the increased price of the commodity, Guyana does not have that type of agreement with Exxon.

Exxon Director Kimberly Brasington She explained that there are basically two types of agreements, a profit-shar-

ing agreement and one that speaks to royalties and taxes.

In countries where revenues related to royalties and taxes, the agreement would stipulate what those taxes and royalties are.

She said all monies being paid to that country will come in the form of taxes and royalties. However, in Guyana where there is the profit-sharing agreement, the country receives it’s 50 per cent cut of the profit based on what price the commodity is being sold on the international market.

Brasington further explained that while it has occurred in other countries, it is not typical for royalties to be paid out when a profit sharing agreement exists.

Technically, she stated, what is received in Guyana’s case is more than a 50 per

cent share in profit since the country also enjoys an additional two per cent royalty.

This, in effect, tilts in favour of the government, the Exxon representative opined. It was reiterated that Guyana’s profit-sharing agreement with Exxon, “is designed to provide the vast majority of value to Guyana through the government’s 50 per cent share of the profit oil”.

“Profit oil is based on the price of oil the day it is sold.

If the price of oil increases, the revenue increases. If the price of oil decreases, the revenue decreases,” Brassington said.

ExxonMobil is adamant that if oil prices rise, Guyana’s revenue will increase through the share of profit from sales of oil and royalty.

Farewell parade for Seelall Persaud … Ramnarine to resume acting until President appoints new head

ASSISTANT Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine will return from vacation leave on March

1 and will be taking the helm of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on March 5, 2018 when outgoing Com-

missioner of Police Seelall Persaud officially demits office.

The GPF will today

Outgoing Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud (February 28) host a Farewell Parade in honour of the 11th Commissioner of Police at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary.

The Top Cop will be going on pre-retirement leave from today but will retire on March 5, 2018.

A substantive Commissioner of Police will be appointed following discussions between the President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo..

Persaud faced turbulent times at the head of the Force including a public rift with Ramnarine. The rift had reached the level of

Cabinet and was pointed out in the CoI Report, headed by retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe.

The Commission found that the ‘hostile’ relationship that existed between Persaud and Ramnarine led to divisions among the officer corps of the GPF. Late last year, Ramnarine was appointed to act as police commissioner for a 100-day period while Persaud was on annual leave.

Ramnarine, with advice and the support of the Force’s top management, promoted several ranks.

Upon Persaud’s return, he instructed that all of the promotions approved by Ramnarine be rescinded.

Persaud was first enlisted in the Guyana Police Force on October 15, 1984 and was given regulation number 12904.

As a constable, he achieved his first promotion to Cadet in 1990 in the Standard Officers’ Course.

He was later promoted to Assistant Superintendent in 1992, Deputy Superintendent 1996, Superintendent in 1999, Senior Superintendent in 2003, Assistant Commissioner in 2007 and Crime Chief 2012.

In 2014, he was appointed acting Commissioner of Police and was confirmed

Assistant Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine in that position in March 2015, becoming the 11th Commissioner of Police to serve Guyana since Independence.

Other Commissioners of Police who served Guyana since 1966 are: Felix Austin (1967-01-01), Carl Austin (1968-01-01), Henry Fraser (1973-1022), Lloyd Barker (197708-02), Balram Raghubir (1985-01-09), Laurie Lewis (1990-08-01), Floyd McDonald (2001-09-05), Winston Felix (2004-02-16), Henry Greene (2006-1101) and Leroy Brummell (2012-06-01).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

President for Int’l Solar Alliance Summit in India PRESIDENT David Granger on Tuesday accepted an official invitation to the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Founding Conference and Solar Summit from Indian High Commissioner, Mr. Venkatachalam Mahalingam and Ambassador of the French Republic to Guyana, Mr. Antoine Joly, at the Ministry of the Presidency.

The event, which will be held on March 11 in New Delhi, India, is being co-hosted by the Governments of India and France. President Granger lauded this initiative

by France and India, noting that this alliance is a good step in the right direction to transform rural societies. “As you know, we have declared Guyana a ‘Green State’ and we feel that this is a step in the right direction both from France and India because energy is very important,” he said.

Two new charges for same carjacking offence TWO charges of tampering with vehicles’ chassis numbers have been withdrawn against Nigel and Ricky Chung, a father and son duo. However, the men along with former policeman Jason Harry were yesterday slapped with two new charges for the same offence.

Harry along with Nigel Chung, 43, and his son, Ricky Chung, 23, of Coverden, East Bank Demerara, were charged with two counts of fraudulent imitation of an identification mark of a registered motor vehicle.

Particulars of the first charge alleged that the men

between August 17, 2017 and February 13, 2018, fraudulently used chassis plate number 121315388 on a registered Toyota Spacio motor vehicle knowing same to be false.

It is further alleged that the men between December 9, 2017 and February 10, 2018 used chassis plate number NZ2 2400013009 on a Toyota Allion motor vehicle.

The men pleaded not guilty to the charges and were placed on $200,000 bail for each charge by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman. They are to return to court on April 12.

President David Granger receiving the official invitation from Indian High Commissioner, Mr. Venkatachalam Mahalingam and Ambassador of the French Republic to Guyana, Mr. Antoine Joly

Guyana ratified the ISA Framework Agreement and is a founding member of the ISA, which was launched on November 30, 2015. It

is an action-oriented international and inter-governmental organisation that aims to maximise the harnessing of solar-energy

potential, modernise energy systems, universalise access to energy, accelerate economic development and alleviate poverty.

Days of ‘wild wild west’ gone -- Broomes says code of practice in mining sector must be enforced

By Ariana Gordon IT is not business as usual in the mining sector as the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) are working with stakeholders to ensure that the code of practice for mining is enforced.

Speaking at an engagement with key stakeholders on the publication of the Code of Practice under the Environmental Regulation for Mining held at the Marriott Hotel on Tuesday, Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes stressed the need for miners to be au fait with the mining regulations and comply with them.

She noted that the code of practice for mining is unknown to miners across the board. Broomes explained that once published, miners would be called to several training programmes, through which they would be educated about the dos and don’ts of the sector.

“A lot of the small miners don’t even know of the 2005 amendment to the legislation.

Miners were never educated or trained --- they just came with all the regulations and nobody knows and it is just there in a book,” the minister stated.

Moreover, the minister assured that before the law is enforced, miners must be properly informed of the code of practice. However, after the informative sessions, any breach of the mining regulations will not be tolerated.

“The miners of themselves have called for some level of training,” Broomes stated, while adding that government has committed to ensuring persons are trained in

proper mining practices through the new syndicate initiative.

“Once that training is done and you are caught, then ignorance of the law is no excuse. We believe that our people should be educated -- we understand what we inherited, so we can’t just come now to say all is bright and beautiful and tomorrow we charge you and send you before the court; that is not the approach,” the Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources assured.

Broomes stressed that it is the responsibility of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to work with miners to ensure they fully understand the code of practice. The draft codes of practice booklet have made the regulations simpler, so that miners are better able to appreciate the provisions of the Mining (Amendment) Regulations 2005. Regulation 248 establishes the need for guidance on how to protect the environment and the wise use of resources to persons involved in the mining sector.

ONGOING TRAINING “To ensure we get compliance, ongoing training will take place.

This is to ensure miners understand and adapt,” said the minister, who believes that the syndicate initiative will allow for a smoother process of implementation of the code of practice.

The syndicate initiative will help for a smoother process of implementation for the code of practice. That aside, the minister called on miners to take seriously Guyana’s position on the green economy and green mining.

She said it is important that Guyanese, particularly miners,

understand the importance of the concept and noted that citizens must hold themselves accountable for their actions.

The code of practice for mining was part of an extensive discourse among stakeholders within the sector on Tuesday and according to the minister, the provisions therein must be agreed by all stakeholders.

“This should not be another document that will sit somewhere in the library of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission… it must become enforceable,” she stated, while noting that the days of the “wild, wild west” are gone.

The code of practice was first drafted in the 1990s, but were never finalised and enforced.

Broomes stressed that had the regulations been properly enforced since the legislation took effect, the mining sector would have been in a different place.

“The codes must become something that all operators will use to guide responsible mining practices. The importance cannot be understated,” Broomes added.

The mission of the GGMC is to promote sound mercury management practices within the small and medium-scale gold-mining sector, so as to reduce the impacts the chemical has on workers, communities and the environment.

The code of practice for mining speaks specifically to the use of mercury, tailings management, contingency and emergency response plans, mine effluents, mine reclamation and closure plans, environmental effects checking programme, quarrying, sand and loam mining and the use of small dams for the control of water or tailings.

Commissioner (ag) Newell Dennison and his deputy Dianne McDonald, along with Carlos Todd, Manager, Environmental Division and GGMC’s Legal Adviser Kara Duff Yehudah, made brief presentations before participants, comprising small and medium-scale miners, representatives of the syndicates and GGMC officials.

Nigel Chung and his son, Ricky Chung

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Nothing but hot air

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

–– King refuses to take no-confidence motion seriously

By Ariana Gordon UNFAZED by the no-confidence motion submitted by Alliance for Change (AFC) Councillor and former Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan against him, Town Clerk Royston King on Tuesday said the motion will not succeed as it represents a personal attack on him.

Speaking with reporters at City Hall one day after the motion was filed, King said, “I am unbothered, because if you look at the contents of the motion, you will see that all the things Duncan has filed against me are the things that actually improved the city.”

Duncan’s motion, which was seconded by Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikarran, cites a number of shortcomings on the part of King and will be tabled at the next statutory meeting on March 12.

However, King believes that he has the support of the majority of the city councillors. “I enjoy the confidence of the majority of Councillors, and I also enjoy the confidence of the citizens of Georgetown,” he said. “And I am very positive about that.”

The Town Clerk made it clear that the motion cannot advance beyond where it is,

Town Clerk Royston King as he has been fulfilling his mandate as Town Clerk.

“My own view is that motion will go no place, because all I am doing is getting my job done. Citizens are paying me to do my job, and I am getting it done,” said King, who has been the subject of much controversy over the past few months.

He told reporters that the content of Duncan’s motion is “nothing new”, and noted that Duncan has been attacking him and City Mayor Patricia Chase-Green for some time.

“Councillor Duncan has no need to move at this very

personal level, where he is attacking not only my office but my persona,” the Town Clerk said.

“I am not to be blamed if he is not entitled to benefits he believes he is entitled to, or if the Council has shown no confidence in him to the point where they refuse to re-elect him as Deputy Mayor. That is not my fault,” he declared.

He called on Duncan to show what he has done for his constituency since becoming a councillor two years ago. “Let him show you! Tell you of the policies he brought to the Council! There is none!” King said, adding: “I am not to be blamed if Duncan is not Mayor, or was not re-elected as Deputy Mayor of the City of Georgetown.”

UNETHICAL He has also accused Duncan of being unethical because of his release of the motion submitted against him to the media. King said he was not given a chance to examine or study the motion before it was made public.

“His unethical behaviour has triggered an obligation on my part to make a full public statement on the content of his motion within another few

Councillor and former Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan days,” said King, who noted that Duncan has always accused him of being a failure.

“This has always been his mantra: That the town clerk must go; that the mayor is not performing. Duncan must show the public what he has done in his community; he must tell the public what he has done to improve the quality of life in his constituency.

He must tell the public what policies he has articulated in this council since he has been here for almost two years.”

In his own defence, King said his work speaks for itself.

He pointed to “a big change in aesthetic value of the city” since taking office, and noted that he has evidence to support his contention that he is fulfilling his role as Town Clerk.

“We need to lift the city

to a plateau of excellence and glory, and this is what we are doing. We have a mandate; and that mandate is to make Georgetown the cleanest and greenest city in the Caribbean.

And regardless of the degree of difficulties, that will be achieved,” King said, adding: “So long as I am Town Clerk, I will not superintend over a dirty, filthy disorganised city.

This city will rise to the level of modernity, and we will be able to compare it with all the great cities of the world.”

But, say what King will, Duncan is holding fast to his position, and has even chided King for suggesting that he has launched a personal attack on him. The former Deputy Mayor told the Guyana Chronicle that he does not know King personally, and has no reason to attack his persona.

In fact, Duncan made it clear that he is fulfilling his mandate as a City Councillor.

NOT SURPRISING “I’m not surprised that the person whom the motion is against - the Town Clerk - would make such a statement, that I’m attacking him personally. I’m going to stay focussed,” he told Guyana Chronicle.

“I wish to remain focussed on the issues I’ve articulated in the motion, which I submitted in the stipulated manner, and not be distracted by extraneous matters,” Duncan said. “The

grave infractions I’ve highlighted in the motion are no personal attacks on the Town Clerk.”

Duncan said he has catalogued the actions of the Town Clerk, and registered his dissatisfaction with his actions and continued tenure.

“When the Town Clerk decides to move vendors, and the President calls it ‘reckless’, I don’t think it is a personal attack’ it’s a professional appraisal.

“When a contract negotiated and signed by the Town Clerk is called ‘onerous’ and ‘burdensome’ by our government, it’s not a personal attack, but the response of a caring government in the national interest,” said Duncan in response to King’s accusations.

The Councillor als o pointed to government’s steps to stop the “coveting of ‘green’ spaces for private homes” for the Town Clerk and others; and the Auditor General’s intent to conduct a forensic audit of City Hall because of continued reluctance to reconcile finances as evidence of the Town Clerk’s failure to carry out his duties efficiently.

“I am just stating the facts, as there are events that have occurred and which brought us to this place where we say, enough. We have no confidence in Town Clerk Royston King,” Duncan concluded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Trotman to hand over oil and gas … as gov’t moves to set up new department of energy

MINISTER of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, will soon hand over the oiland-gas sector as Cabinet has approved the establishment of a new department of energy within the Ministry of the Presidency.

Well-placed sources told the Guyana Chronicle that the President is intent on ensuring that the sector is managed by persons with the requisite technical expertise as the country moves into critical phases of oil development.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that responsibility for the petroleum sector will likely be transferred to an expert within the energy department.

Meanwhile, in making the announcement, Trotman told the Department of Public Information that he had proposed to His Excellency the President David Granger, “that we begin considering the establishment of a Department of Energy, which department will be the one that is focused only on the development of the petroleum sector and today [Tuesday], we had a very lively discussion on the proposal which I presented and it has been determined and decided that we will have the department of energy established; and this will be coming within the next few months,” Trotman related.

He said the department will be housed at the Ministry

of the Presidency (MotP) and that President Granger and cabinet have mandated that he would head the task force which will comprise the quintet of ministers that would be Ministers of Finance, State, Public Infrastructure, Business and Natural Resources.

“We will include the other ministers of Public Security, Public Communication, Education and Social Protection.”

According to Trotman, this task force will be meeting and will make a proposal of how the new Department of Energy will be constituted, staffed and what its mandate will be. “Eventually, the expectation is that the Ministry of Natural Resources will hand over the responsibility of the function of petroleum to this department and, we will see a more direct and focused mandate from this Department of Energy, that we will of course as a cabinet be supporting the department.

So this is good news, the discovery and the decision by cabinet to have a Department of Energy that only focuses on the development of our petroleum resources.”

At a news conference late January, Trotman was asked whether he feels he has too much on his plate and whether he can give his party the kind of leadership it deserves.

He responded in the negative, saying that the President had appointed a quintet as he calls

it – five ministers who are now overseeing all matters relating to the oil-and-gas sector. “I have the title of Natural Resources Minister. Minister of Finance deals with all fiscal and financial matters relating to the development of the oil sector; Minister of Public Infrastructure – infrastructural works, but not only to prepare for oil, but how the money is being spent, Minister of Business, issues of local content and interaction with the Private Sector Commission and others and Minister of State Environmental and other issues.

“The President in his wisdom has seen it fit to ensure there is a quintet to oversee this sector and it does not in any way take away from my abilities to serve as minister or as leader of the AFC,” Trotman said.

NOT FIRST TIME It is not the first time the President is making adjustments to his Cabinet. Early last year, President Granger had reshuffled his Cabinet, removing Dr George Norton from the critical Public Health Ministry and replacing him with Volda Lawrence, while Amna Ally took over at the Ministry of Social Protection and Norton was sent to the Ministry of Social Cohesion.

Then later in the year,

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman Dawn Hastings-Williams was moved from Minister within the Ministry of Communities and shifted to Minister of Public Affairs within the Ministry of the Presidency.

Then in late 2016, Simona Broomes was removed as Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection and shifted to the Ministry of Natural Resources, while Minister Keith Scott who was moved from the

Ministry of Communities, Department of Housing, to serve as Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection.

Valerie Sharpe-Patterson was appointed Minister within the Ministry of Communities.

Late December, government released the full petroleum agreement with ExxonMobil at a high-level forum held at the Ministry of the Presidency, during which Trotman said this country is seeking a long-term relationship with U.S. oil giant and has been advised not to court other companies to work the Stabroek Block. “We have received much advice from many sources, some of which we have dispersed and dispensed with, but some of it has been wholesome and one such bit of advice that was given is that “owing to our relative small size as a nation with less than a million people, our relative underdevelopment and our relative inexperience, we should try to stabilise our relationships rather than go out and court 15 and 20 com-

panies to come into our waters and develop the resource, we should try to manage what we had discovered, build better relations with the company that had made the discovery and make that a long-term objective,” Trotman told the forum held at the Ministry of the Presidency.

The forum had sought to allay the fears of some who had questioned the motive of government’s delayed release of the contract signed since 1999 between ExxonMobil and the People’s Progressive Party administration, but slightly adjusted on the APNU+AFC government taking office. During presentations on the contract it was disclosed that Guyana stands to gain some US$7Billion over a 20-year period from the LIZA Phase One well only.

Speaking at the forum, Trotman said the release of the document “is indeed quite an outstanding day in the annals of Guyana, that in the history of our country it will be written about for years to come.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

GDF to brief parliamentary committee on border security ––President pleased with non-partisan approach

PRESIDENT David Granger, ahead of his visit to Baramita, Barima-Waini (Region One), today announced that he has instructed the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to brief the parliamentary committee on security on the steps that are being taken to secure communities located along the 800-kilometre border with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, as a result of the unstable situation in that country, as well as the ongoing border controversy.

The Head of State also indicated that he expects that even as government continues to work at the central and regional levels to ensure security in the border regions, that civil society will continue to be fully briefed.

Speaking during a brief interview on Tuesday, the Guyanese leader assured that government is concerned

about security and is deeply involved in ensuring their safety. He said, “At the Defence Board meeting that was held last Thursday, I instructed that the Guyana Defence Force should brief the Parliamentary Committee on security to let them know what preparations are taking place; and I expect that there will be full participation both by members of the government side and the opposition side.

If necessary, we will take this to civil society and I have already briefed the Chief-ofStaff of the Guyana Defence Force, that civil society must be aware of what is taking place. So, we are operating at different levels; we are operating at a local level in the villages, in the frontline villages themselves.”

President Granger referenced the Frontline Village Policy that was announced during his visit to Whitewater, also in Region One,

earlier this month, which includes the setting up of military patrol bases and heightened 24-hour security by the GDF and the Guyana Police Force. The Commander-in-Chief, who chairs the Defence Board, has taken the lead in conducting outreaches to the frontline communities, to interact with residents and assure them of the government’s commitment to their safety. It is because of this priority situation that he chose to remain in Guyana and let Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Carl Greenidge attend the 29th Inter-sessional meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Port-auPrince, Haiti, in his stead.

The President explained that the unstable situation in Venezuela has resulted in a surge in illegal migration, which in itself, has the potential to open avenues

GDF Chief-of-staff, Brigadier Patrick West for illegal activities such as gun-running and narco-trafficking. “It has alerted us to the need to make sure that our border locations, these frontline villages, are not isolated and we have to do much more in years to come in developing communication and in developing infrastructure.

[We have to] make sure that our children go to school…

We must erase the difference between coastland and hinterland,” he said.

Reassuring that government is fully engaged in ensuring that security and all other public services are adequately provided to residents living in border communities, the Head of State noted that government is taking a total approach to protecting the country. “Guyana is made up of 214,000 square kilometres and we are concerned about every single Guyanese citizen and we want to make sure that the citizens are registered, we want to make sure that the citizens are safe, we want to make sure that they get the services of health and education to which they are entitled. So, it is a question of national integration that every Guyanese citizen should feel a part of this republic,” he said.

Expressing satisfaction with the role the Regional Chairman of Region One, Mr. Brentnol Ashley, has been playing and the participation of the Regional Chairman of Cuyuni-Mazaruni

(Region Seven), Mr. Gordon Bradford through the regional security mechanisms, the Head of State described the work in the regions as non-partisan. Noting his visits to Whitewater and Kaikan, he said, “I am very glad that in both cases we saw the presence of the regional chairman. In Region One, the Barima-Waini region, he actually came out with me to Whitewater. In Region Seven the chairman actually came out with me. Sometimes they have been complaints about the attitude of regional chairmen, but I was very heartened that this is not seen as a partisan matter; that it is seen as something that affects the whole country.”

Last Thursday, at his post-Cabinet press briefing, Minister of State Mr Joseph Harmon informed media operatives that Cabinet has adopted a concept note on a Frontline Village Policy, which is aimed at greater inclusion of all communities on our national borders in the body politic. (Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Bankers’ association Wanted Baramita resident concerned about criminal shot after attacking police attacks on customers THE Guyana Association of Bankers (GAB) said it is deeply concerned about the escalating incidence of persons being targeted after conducting financial transactions at commercial banks.

“We strongly condemn these incidents and wish to assure our customers and the public at large that as an industry we are working with the relevant authorities and internally with all member banks with a view to arresting this trend,” the association said in a statement.

According to the association, the safety of their customers and staff re-

main paramount “among our priorities, and we continue to co-operate with law enforcement in addressing any factors that compromise this position.” It said that in the interest of safety, “we take this opportunity to encourage customers and members of the public to as far as possible refrain from conducting large cash transactions, and instead utilise other secure methods of payment such as Manager’s Cheque or direct payments.

At this time, local security escort services should also be considered for persons operating businesses which may require transportation of significant sums,” the associated added.

A BARAMITA, North West District (NWD) resident who was wanted for several offences committed on residents of the same community recently, is currently hospitalised in a stable condition after being shot twice on his right foot by a policeman who was armed with a service weapon.

The incident took place about 17:00hrs on Monday at Williams Area, Baramita, when two police ranks were in the process of arresting him.

An investigation has revealed that the suspect on being approached by the two armed police constables, allegedly assaulted and then attempted

to chop one of the ranks. He was then shot on the right foot by the other constable.

It is further alleged that after the suspect was shot, he armed himself with a cutlass and charged menacingly at the policeman who had shot him.

The rank discharged another round which again struck the suspect on his right foot.

The suspect was subsequently disarmed and rushed to the Baramita Health Centre where he was treated and referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he is now a patient..

Investigations into the incident are in progress.

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‘Black Panther’ is much more than cinematic storytelling: Wakanda is not a new concept

I AM struck by the reception that the ‘Black Panther’, a Marvel Comics release, has received.

If I were the CEO of a movie-production company and someone had walked through my door to request this undertaking, I would have certainly scoffed at the idea. My logic would have been that this name is associated with the most radical section of American politics: this is the name of the party of Huey P Newton, who founded the Black Panther Party (BBP) or Black Panther Party for Self-Defense in 1966 -- a movement demonised in the American mainstream media as a violent terrorist organisation. This, for me, would have been a marketing gamble in a nation of 300 million people, with only 12% being African-Americans and just a small handful of that group being in support of the ideological underpinnings of this movement.

On January 29, 2018, ‘Black Panther’ was officially released and the rest -- 700 million USD in record sales – is now history. What a poor decision-making CEO I would have been.

The main plot of this motion picture involves Prince T’Challa played by Chadwick

Boseman, who returns home to an imaginary African country, Wakanda, to take his rightful place as King. He is crowned King after surviving one ritual battle and gains control of Wakanda, which possesses Vibranium, a powerful fictional natural resource that makes Wakanda unparalleled technologically and militarily.

His leadership is challenged by the movie’s antagonist and he is forced to release the super-hero powers of the Black Panther to save his nation. Viewers, in their eagerness, would just see the technological and cinematic razzle and dazzle, but this movie teems with political and historical significance that ought to excite any observer of politics and history. I witnessed shades of the Nubian civilisation, the glory of the Asante Empire and the exploits of Shaka Zulu. This movie was echoing calls for Black Nationalism that have been made for decades by the likes of Huey P Newton, Malcolm X and Louis Farrakhan. I fear that pop culture might make the mistake of thinking that aspects of the storytelling in the Black Panther are completely fictional, but that is hardly the case. Wakanda is indeed a fictional country, but the ideas that under-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

gird the concept of Wakanda are very real.

The glory and the majesty of African empire, pomp, statesmanship and authority displayed in the ‘Black Panther’ by the lead actor, Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) as the leader of Wakanda, can be likened to a plethora of African tribes. I will speak of the powerful African kingdom of Kush which, for me, is knowingly or unknowingly portrayed in this movie. The kingdom of Kush was the most powerful part of the Nubia Empire which existed in 2500 BC. We cannot fathom the mind of Ryan Googler who directed this movie or preview the thoughts of the producers, Kevin Fiege and David J Grant, but it is reasonable to conclude that they were possibly thinking of the Kush Empire.

The council of elders advising the king, the channelling of the spirit of the ancestors and the sheer illustriousness of the African outfits certainly confirm my submission: this movie is more than just facetious storytelling. The sheer stateliness of outfits worn

by T’Challa’s mother, ‘Romonda’ played

by Angela Bassett and the presence of a female warrior force, the Dola Milaje led by the fierce, fearless, hairless and indomitable ‘Okoye’, portrayed by Danai Gurira, are real and existed in a different historical time.

During the 19th century, in the Kingdom of Dahomey, King Houegbadja created a vicious female army for his protection; it also fair to deduce that the creators were inspired by this

historical fact. I also suspect that the creators of this movie were also thinking of Queen Mother Yaa Asantewaa, Nanny of Nanny town, Queen Nzinga Mabande or Priestess Muhumusa. The idea of strong female warriors protecting the people or a nation is not new. Ritual fighting to cement or protect your position as a ruler over your empire as seen in this movie, appeared quite Zulu-esque and it is more than reasonable to surmise that parts of the Black Panther were influenced by Zulu tribal practices.

The subtle and overt calls to Afro-centric political action that have been made for decades are embedded in the concept of Wakanda. The story of Wakanda is certainly Garvey-esque. Malcolm X advocated for a Wakanda, which is a metaphor for organisation of the black community with a strong sense of self-defence at its core.

The antagonist in this movie, Michael B Jordan (Erik Killmonger), clearly mimics Huey P Newton, albeit in a negative way for marketing purposes, I suspect. I also observed that the creators shunned the classic fist pump associated with the Black Panther party and replaced it with a more peaceful symbol of greeting, fists to chest and not air.

Through it all, a brilliant film with much historical and political significance, it is more than simplistic cinematic storytelling.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Delinquent broadcasters given until March to comply

GUYANA National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) Chairman Leslie Sobers said action will be taken against broadcasters who have not honoured their obligations to the authority by March month-end.

The chairman noted that the Broadcast (Amendment) Act of 2017 prescribes a series of penalties for non-compliance and legal action will be taken against those operating illegally.

Speaking with Guyana

Chronicle, Sobers said the delinquent broadcasters are in two categories: those who were never licensed and those who are licensed but are in arrears.

The unlicensed broadcasters have been using the airwaves and earning an income even as the GNBA tries to regularise the broadcasting industry.

“Several came in and were regularised and there were others who did not do so. We then called them in and worked out an arrangement based on their

‘Gum’ gets four years for wounding nephew FIFTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD Bheem Evans, called ‘Gum’, who was initially indicted for attempted murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser count of felonious wounding, was handed a four-year sentence by Justice Sandil Kissoon.

State Prosecutrix Tuanna Hardy revealed that on December 27, 2016 at Blackwall Street, Number 11 Village, West Coast Berbice, the victim, Prince Ramoo also called `Damien’, and Evans’s son, Sean Paul, had an argument and a ‘scramble’ but afterwards had agreed that they did not want any problems.

However, shortly afterwards Evans rushed to Ramoo and stabbed him in his neck, right side chest, behind his ears, and on his left thumb.

Evans was subdued by the younger man, who was assisted by another to take away the weapon.

Jeune- Bheem Evans After Evans was released he left but returned with a cutlass. Upon seeing this, Ramoo rushed to a nearby neighbour where he hid until his uncle left the area.

Ramoo was taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital and later the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was admitted as a patient.

During October last year, Evans faced a similar charge for wounding Anil Kalamadeen from which the current indictment arose. On that occasion, following the closure of the prosecution’s case, he ‘threw in the towel’ and pleaded guilty to the second count of wounding with intent before Justice Jo Ann Barlow.

He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for that offence.

financial position and we had a very clear understanding, that they will try to clear the backlog and then we will regularise them by issuing them licences,” he said.

He said the deal entailed that the broadcasters would pay 50 per cent of their arrears by February 25, 2018 and the balance would be dealt with over a six-to-nine-month period.

The GNBA chair added that the same arrangement was given to those broadcasters who were previ-

ously licensed and are now in arrears.

“We will now give those broadcasters up to the end of March 2018 to pay their 50 per cent and enter into a contractual relation with GNBA for the payment of the backlog …. I am not going to mention these broadcasters as yet, since we plan to strike them off the register of broadcasters. Whether they were previous broadcasters or not, if they don’t honour their obligations, they will not be issued

with licences for 2018,” Sobers said.

He said the first quarter of 2018 will not pass without the regularisation of the broadcast industry while noting that illegal operators will be identified.

According to the Broadcast (Amendment) Act of 2017, defaulters could be fined $2M and be imprisoned for one year. It also provides for the seizure of equipment relative to the television and radio broadcasters.

GNBA Chairman Leslie Sobers

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Farmers anticipate prompt payment –– as rice harvesting commences in Region Two

IN Essequibo rice harvesting is in full swing in communities such as Aberdeen, Queenstown and Colombia, and farmers are anticipating that millers would make prompt payments.

Scores of rice farmers were seen flocking the prominent mills on the Essequibo Coast and from all indications, this crop was a bumper harvest with minimum challenges compared to previous crops.

Millers this time around publicised the prices they are offering on billboards close to their mills.

A board placed in front of the Imam Bacchus and Sons rice mill indicates that the company is paying farmers $2 800 for Extra `A’ Grade and $2700 for grades AB&C rice this crop.

Other prominent mills like Golden Fleece Rice Investment owned by Nazemul Hakh, and those operated by Ramesh Ramlakhan, Roopan Ramotar and Wazeer Hussain, are also accepting farmers’ harvest. Some millers are still deciding on prices due to their available markets.

Many of the farmers who cultivated seed paddy have already harvested and

are currently drying the seed paddy in an effort to lessen the moisture content before selling to end users or merchandisers for them to re-plant their fields.

Farmers are anticipating that this crop will bear favourable prices by millers and the grading would be better as opposed to the last crop.

Meanwhile, the Region Two Administration, Drainage and Irrigation Department is ensuring that roads and dams leading to cultivated areas are in good condition.

According to Regional Executive Officer (REO) Rupert Hopkinson, materials for the construction of several roads have already been procured.

Hopkinson said those materials will be put into use to ensure that the farmers have proper farm to market access roads during the harvesting period.

The region under its capital projects will be spending millions of dollars to repair drainage structures at Cozier, Anna Regina, Westbury, Unu, Charity, Riverstown, Perservance, Lima, Dredge Creek, Darthmouth and Cotton Field.

A combine in a field at Aberdeen Village, Essequibo Coast

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Region 10 teachers complete management course

By Naomi Marshall

TEN teachers of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) recently graduated from the Education Management Certificate Course: Class of 2015-2016.

The 18-months programme for active teachers in the schools of Linden was sponsored by the Ministry of Education through the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD). The training targeted school managers and aspiring managers in the education sector.

“This training that you have received is not only to add to the number of certificates you have received.

This means that you are more equipped than before with the relevant knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to impart what you have learnt to progress,” Deputy Chief Education Officer Ingrid Trotman said.

She highlighted that children learn at different rates which is why teachers must make it their duties to ensure that no child is left behind.

“It is no secret that some students learn at a faster rate than others and therefore some may require individual attention. We must therefore continue to develop and implement strategies to treat with all persons and not allow any of them to fall between the cracks,” she said.

Trotman added that French psychologist Jean Piaget, supported the fact that “learning can be most effective when students are allowed to manipulate concrete materials what we may call teaching aids”.

She added: “We must emphasise this in our teaching. I sometimes look at

teachers who are in training at the University of Guyana or at the Cyril Potter College of Education and I admire the way that they are eager to make wonderful pieces of teaching materials to complement their teaching lessons, but what happens after graduation? I wonder where did

they can apply all that they have been taught.

We look at things like sustainability, how it will continue and not just doing something and leaving it, and they were divided into groups according to schools to do it.”

The teachers were tasked with preparing a

Valedictorian Yolanda Sinclair receives the Best Project award all the enthusiasm go. Let us not join that band of individuals. Let us continue to provide and to make and to be creative in our class rooms. Let us stick to our task of molding our nation’s children and be accountable for every child.”

According to Ava Chapman, Master Trainer for Region 10, the course consisted of nine modules and covered areas such as financial management, classroom supervision and time management, among others.

He said learning was not all theoretical.

“The graduates were tasked with projects and practical whereby it’s a matter of staff development to see how well

pig pen for rearing, for the purpose of CXC and also for students to be able to get practical experiences.

Chapman highlighted that the teachers are now able to be involved with things such as staff development, and staff interaction.

They should also be able to implement the knowledge they would have received during the training course.

Yolanda Sinclair was named Valedictorian for the Education Management Certificate Course: Class of 2015-2016.

Despite the struggles of having to take care of her four children, coping with the death of her father and dealing with a host of assignments while being

The Education Management Certificate Course graduating class of 2015-2016

an active teacher in school, Sinclair prevailed.

“The beauty of all of this is that I could not have done it without God’s help and an earthly angel such as Programme Leader, Ms. Alva Chapman, family members

and other colleagues,” Sinclair said.

Never give up in life, she said.

“God has never promised a smooth journey but a safe landing. The knowledge, skills and experience

gained can only be used to make us better professionals as we press forward to make this education system a better one,” Sinclair noted.

Sinclair also received the ‘Best Project’ award.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

$20M for ‘City Week’ sparks debate

COUNCILLOR Carolyn Caesar on Monday told the statutory meeting of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) that she does not agree that $20M should be set aside for the hosting of ‘City Week’.

This amount, she said, is too much and can instead be used for payments to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) which have been outstanding for quite some time.

“We must recognise the day that the City was born.

Whatever it is, something has to be done,” responded Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, who referred to the fact that other towns in the country, hosts similar celebrations.

The country’s capital cannot go without doing something, she stressed, but

if the amount is too much, then it can be reduced.

Councillor Monica Thomas noted that the $20M figure is only at discussion stage and that ‘City Week’ should be treated as a fund-raising event, as this is one means that the municipality garners revenue.

The mayor agreed that the event also benefits the municipality, and called for the setting up of a committee to further look into the matter.

While struggling to pay workers’ salaries in a timely fashion, the City Council has not managed to honour its obligations to Pay As You Earn (PAYE), the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Guyana Local Government Officers Union (GL-

Alleged mastermind behind carjacking ring charged THE alleged mastermind behind the carjacking ring in Kuru-Kuru, East Bank Demerara, was on Tuesday charged for receiving several stolen cars and removing their chassis numbers.

Former policeman Jason Harry, 26, appeared before Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman and pleaded not guilty to five counts of receiving stolen property.

He was released on $200,000 bail on each charge.

Particulars of the first two charges alleged that Harry between August 17, 2017 and February 9, 2018 in Georgetown, received a Toyota Spacio PNN 1811 valued $1.7M, property of Shivrajie Narine and a Toyota Allion PMM 7517, valued $2.9M property of Samuel Munroe, knowing same to be stolen.

It is also alleged that between December 8, 2017 and February 10, 2018, at Georgetown, he received a Jason Harry stolen Toyota Fielder HC 6999 valued $2M, property of Elizabeth Martin.

Additionally, it is also alleged that Harry between December 12, 2017 and February 10, 2018, received a stolen Toyota Allion PVV 6691 valued $2.3M, property of Tricel Powers.

Lastly, Harry was charged for receiving a stolen Toyota Spacio PVV 9742 valued $2.5M, property of Dellon Skedel between December 15, 2017 and February 10, 2018, at Georgetown.

Police Prosecutor Arwin Moore strongly opposed Harry being granted bail on the grounds that more charges were expected to be laid against the defendant.

However, the magistrate overruled the prosecutor’s objections and granted Harry $200,000 bail on each charge. The matter has been adjourned until April 12, 2018.

Harry was also jointly charged with changing chassis numbers on the vehicles.

GOU), and the NIS. For a number of months, the municipality has been deducting sums of money from workers on a monthly basis for each entity, but it has not been remitting the monies to the relevant agencies.

Earlier this year, scores

of City Hall workers protested on a number of occasions for salaries owed to them, including the non-remittance of the deducted amounts.

Union President Wendy De Cunha, had told the Guyana Chronicle that the non-remittance of the various sums has been going on for some months now, resulting in the workers being unable to receive any benefits and obtain loans from the union. “That is unlawful,” she said.

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Councillor Carolyn Caesar at Monday’s statutory meeting

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Dave Martins takes fans down memory lane –– with riveting seawall bandstand performance

SCORES of Guyanese were left wanting for more on Sunday evening after singer and songwriter, Dave Martins and his band performed at the Seawall Bandstand as part of the University of Guyana (UG)’s Artist-in-Residence (AIR) programme.

The iconic composer and comedian caused many who

tins played some of his most noteworthy compositions such as ‘Boyhood Days’ and ‘Is We Own’.

Persons could be seen in reflection as he stopped ever so of often to insert a bit of comedy into his act, or to tell of the story behind a particular line in one of his songs.

When Martins finally decided to sing ‘Not A Blade Of

in mind.

According to Deputy Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE),Dr. Paloma Mohamed-Martin, the origin of the AIR programme dates all the way back to the 1970s when it first began with Guyanese poet and political activist, Martin Carter.

The audience was entertained at the concert (Photos by Samuel Maughn) initially came out for an afternoon stroll, to abandon their previous plans and gather around the pavilion to listen to many of his nostalgic songs.

With guitar in hand, Mar-

Grass’, perhaps what should be termed as the crowd’s favourite, the majority of Guyanese present could be heard singing along to the piece the songwriter said was written with the threat of Venezuela

The re-establishment of the initiative is as a result of UG’s Principal, Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith’s renaissance movement venture of giving much- needed attention to the arts though edu-performance

sessions.

“We’re looking for a wide range of people who can impart not only performance skills of any type, but visual artists, writers and so on, who can also work with our students and other people to impart to them what it is they know, how they do what they do, and to help them, also with their craft,” Dr. Mohamed said.

The previous Artist-in-Residence was music icon, Keith Waithe, and Martins is the third of 10 other concerts which are to take place in areas such as Berbice, Linden, Lethem and Essequibo.

Fitzgerald Yaw, who was at the concert, said: “I think it’s a great way to spend Sunday evening. It’s very enjoyable, it brings back some memories and it’s a nice way to relax.

“This is a fitting postMash cool-down on the seawall; getting some cool breeze and listening to Guyanese music.”

Commenting on the ambience and the way the concert was received, Dr. Mohamed said: “The seawall is such a wonderful, beautiful, treasure for Guyana. I certainly am happy to see this many people come out despite the weather, and despite the fact that we had no budget for advertising.”

Dave Martins in full flow Meanwhile, Aidan and Bonita Smith, who sat on the grass keenly listening and laughing as Martins spoke, described themselves as “very big” Dave Martins fans as a result of growing up on his music and listening to all of his songs.

“This is amazing! When we heard about it, we were like, ‘Yes! We definitely will have to be here!’ We cleared all of our plans to be here,” they both said.

“It’s a nice concept: Dave Martins at the Bandstand,”

Bonita said, as the two agreed that they would definitely re-visit if the concert were to be held again.

The performances are all free to the public, as according to Dr. Mohamed, the concerts have been re-established to encourage Guyanese to further appreciate the arts.

Workshops are provided, as well as one-on-one consultations with the artist for persons who make appointments and want to speak to the artist about his or her work and journey.

Aidan and Bonita Smith

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Portion of City Hall building fell off

GEORGETOWN Mayor Patricia Chase-Green on Monday stopped Town Clerk Royston King from inviting the city engineer

“Are we safe as it is?” asked Councillor Monica Thomas to give a brief of the current state of the City Hall building, saying she did not want to drive fear into city councillors.

King reported that based on information he received from City Engineer Colvern Venture, the building will soon be unable to be used for any purpose. Just last week, a portion of it on the northern side fell off.

“Are we safe as it is?

How sure are we that this part of the building (Council Chambers) will not collapse before the end of this afternoon?” asked Councillor Monica Thomas.

“It’s in a ruinous state and we need to urgently decide on the way forward,” King told the fortnightly statutory meeting.

Councillor Welton Clarke questioned just what happened to donated funds that were to be used for the repairs. “I can recall foreigners had injected money for repairs, but it seems that was gone with the waves at 6 pm,” he said.

The mayor agreed that the building is deteriorat-

Wanted Baramita resident shot after attacking police A BARAMITA, North West District (NWD) resident who was wanted for several offences committed on residents of the same community recently, is currently hospitalised in a stable condition after being shot twice on his right foot by a policeman who was armed with a service weapon.

The incident took place about 17:00hrs on Monday at Williams Area, Baramita, when two police ranks were in the process of arresting him.

An investigation has revealed that the suspect on being approached by the two armed police constables, allegedly assaulted and then attempted to chop one of the ranks. He was then shot on the right foot by the other constable.

It is further alleged that after the suspect was shot, he armed himself with a cutlass and charged menacingly at the policeman who had shot him. The rank discharged another round which again struck the suspect on his right foot.

The suspect was subsequently disarmed and rushed to the Baramita Health Centre where he was treated and referred to the George town Public Hospital where he is now a patient..

Investigations into the incident are in progress.

ing each day and suggested that City Hall launch a restoration fund while meeting with the public, private sector, the Guyana National Trust, and everyone involved, on the way forward regarding the repairs.

“It’s in an unsightly state, especially from north to south. I don’t want anything to happen to anyone while they are sitting here.

We need to at least make a start and do something; we can’t hand it over to another council like this,” Chase-Green said.

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Mayor Patricia Chase-Green at Monday’s statutory meeting S h e n o t e d t h at t h e would not like for someone various agencies and one Council is not in a pos- to come pay taxes and a recommendation was not session to rent any space, piece of metal or some- to allow heavy duty vehiwhich would cost nothing thing falls on them,” she cles to traverse Avenue of the Republic. “But less than $1M per month. said.

“The money to rent can She recalled that con- I’m not sure how we can be used to do the repairs. I sultations were done by address this.”

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OPR probes alleged cavity search of teen

THE Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has launched an investigation into the alleged stripping and cavity searching of a teen at the Eugene F Correia International Airport, Ogle, East Coast Demerara, by the Force’s Narcotics Branch last Sunday.

In responding to an article in Stabroek News under the caption ‘Family

seeking legal advice after cavity search of teen’, Press Officer Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan said a statement has been obtained from the female rank who denied conducting the cavity search on the teen, who was an outgoing passenger to Barbados.

“The Force wishes to acknowledge that the search of the 17-year-old at the

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Eugene F Correira International Airport last Sunday was conducted by a female rank of the Force’s Narcotics Branch and that an investigation has since been launched by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR),” he said.

According to a news report on Monday, the teen related that she was in-

formed by the officer that she had to do a strip search and was directed to a room.

In that room, the teen claimed that she was asked to strip naked and the officer even inserted her finger into the teen’s private parts.

The young woman said she is seeking a public apology from the agency.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Scotiabank presents bursaries to youth football players SCOTIABANK Guyana last Saturday, presented bursaries to 16 students from across Guyana who are part of the GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres (ATCs) and have excelled both academically and technically at their respective ATCs. The bursaries, valued at G$30 000, were presented at the Boardroom of the GFF Secretariat by Scotiabank’s Marketing Manager Jennifer Cipriani, visiting FIFA Regional Director Marlon Glean; GFF president Wayne Forde and GFF Technical Director, Ian Greenwood.

In comments during the brief ceremony, Cipriani, while encouraging the students to stay in school said the bursary is aimed at enabling the respective students to offset costs related to textbooks and other school supplies necessary for the furtherance of their academic pursuits.

“You can’t have sports alone without some amount of academic (input). Scotiabank’s commitment is to help persons become better-off, not only customers, but also members of the community.

“You will become customers of Scotiabank, hopefully, so we want to give you a good start. The award today is to help you with your school supplies; use it wisely, buy your text, buy whatever it is you need for your schooling and remember to stay in school and focus on your schoolwork even though you love football,” Cipriani said.

Glean, extended greetings on behalf the FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his regional office, and congratulated the students, Scotiabank and the GFF for the initiative.

The former Grenadian national footballer turned Attorney said football is a pathway to the attainment of life’s dreams, adding that “football gave me an opportunity to go to school.

“I was awarded a scholarship to play football in the United States. While there I still played for the Grenadian National Team but, in addition, I went on to become an Attorney. I always tell people that it was through football that I am where I am today.”

Meanwhile Greenwood, while congratulating the

awardees, encouraged them to be well-rounded citizens, highlighting that the GFF is “looking for not just good footballers but good people as well. That comes with doing your school work and what you do in and around the Academy … whenever you come into the national team, we are looking for good people at every aspect of your life. Obviously, the focus is on football, as we’d like to produce the best possible teams in the Caribbean.”

President Forde also offered his congratulations and said part of the Federation’s mandate is to develop well-rounded citizens.

According to Forde, “We know that everything we undertake as a Federation goes beyond developing a player (to only play football). The Football Federation is working very hard to develop well-rounded human beings. We want to put into the society wholesome human beings who would have learned and benefitted from many of the programmes that we are running at the Federation that go beyond the field of play.”

“In every national camp we host, we have stakeholders from the Social Cohesion Ministry and other ministries who can speak to issues that are confronting our boys, girls and parents every single day of their lives. We’re hoping that those small, simple interventions will help you in this long, and sometimes challenging, journey that you’re taking to get to adulthood,” the GFF president pointed out.

The bursary is an incentive and part of the GFF’s partnership with Scotiabank Guyana to provide a pathway for youth footballers into the national senior team.

The recipients of the bursaries are: Jamal Allicock, Raheem Augus (Upper Demerara), Xavi Atkinson, Tyrese Jones (East Bank), Jeremiah Peters, Kareem Caesar (Bartica), Ezekiel Scott, Eron Caesar (Essequibo), Shemar Kingston, Colin Henriques (East Coast), Jermaine Garrett, Shaquon Favorite (Georgetown), Sheldon Cupido, Matrim Martin (Rupununi), Lashawn LaRose and Delon Clark (West Demerara).

SA coach appointment an insult to Windies pace bowling legacy - Roberts WEST INDIES bowling great Andy Roberts has taken exception to the appointment of South African bowling coach Alfonso Thomas, branding the move as a show of ‘contempt’ towards former players.

Thomas was appointed to the post last week on the heels of the dismissal of former Barbadian bowling coach Roddy Estwick.

Estwick had previ-

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ously replaced another bowling legend Curtly Ambrose, but upon his dismissal Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Dave Cameron indicated that the new coach would be from abroad.

Roberts, who took 202 Test wickets for the West Indies, seems to be of the opinion that CWI had plenty of former regional players to choose from - the team once known for its fearsome

fast bowling.

“The hurtful part is that our nation dominated Test cricket for 15 consecutive years (1980 to 1995 when West Indies did not lose a single Test series) and this decision (of selecting a South African bowling coach with no Test experience) shows that there is some contempt towards West Indies players by the Board,” Garner told midday.com.

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“Nothing about West Indies’ cricket administration surprises me anymore - it’s only the players’ performance on the field.”

Another former fast bowler Joel Garner is a member of the board and several past players have previously served in varied capacities for several years. Roberts was a member of the selection panel in 2008. (Sportsmax)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Pacemen promise bruising South Africa-Australia Test series

Kagiso Rabada

By Mark Gleeson DURBAN, South Africa (Reuters) - The pace attacks of South Africa and Australia are preparing to slug it out for supremacy in what is likely to be a bruising four-Test series over the next five weeks.

The countries will pin their hopes of victory on their quicks with seamer-friendly wickets on order for the Tests in Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Johannesburg, and the contests set to be dominated by fiery exchanges of fast bowling.

The series between the world’s second and thirdranked teams starts tomorrow with the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban and both countries brimming with confidence after success in their last respective series.

South Africa’s bowlers struck fear into India in their opening two Tests in January before the tourists settled in and won a consolation game in the three-match series.

This was achieved without injury-plagued veteran Dale Steyn but Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada proved a potent trio, supplemented by the arrival on the Test scene of 21-year-old Lungi Ngidi.

He took nine wickets in the last two Tests against India at an average of 17.22 and reached speeds of 150 km/h.

Mitchell Starc

Australia produced record-breaking bowling performances as they thumped England 4-0 in the five-Test Ashes series from November to January. Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc took 20 or more wickets each, as did spinner Nathan Lyon.

“I think there’s always a couple of series a year the whole cricketing world turns to and it feels like this series is going to be one,” said Cummins after Australia won a three-day warm-up against South Africa-A at the weekend.

“I feel like we play a similar brand of cricket;, both try and be quite aggressive and brave and take the game on. Both teams have some fast bowlers that want to intimidate the batsmen.”

Batting reputations will be tested with Australia captain Steve Smith the primary target for the home bowlers and the hosts looking to exploit some indifferent form of late, displayed by talisman AB de Villiers for the South Africans.

An injury to his right index finger has kept de Villiers out for the last fortnight, along with captain Faf du Plessis who has a finger injury of his own to add to recent back ailments.

But both are in the South Africa squad for the first two Tests and will be the mainstay of the home batting lineup.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

World Cup experience was life-changing for Athanaze

ST JOHN’S, Antigua - Alick Athanaze seems to be in the right place at the right time.

He was a late replacement for the injured Delorn Johnson in the Windward Islands Volcanoes for the just concluded Super50.

He took the opportunity and made the best use of it.

Following the passage of Hurricane Maria in his home in Dominica, Alick said the “experience played a huge role in his motivation to perform well at the recently-concluded ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand.

Athanaze and his coach in Dominica, Sam Kirnon, have been working together for the last year and after the passage of the hurricane they found a way to work out to keep sharp, to prepare for the World Cup. He credits Kirnon for the work they put in.

Despite the team’s inability to get to the Championship round, Athanaze made 418 runs to emerge as the top run-scorer for the tournament. He describes the World Cup experience as “a life-changing one” which helped him to build his

confidence and understanding of the game; one which also “taught me how to deal with pressure and how to go about different scenarios at different stages of the game”.

He was a bright spark for the Windies as he was the only representative on the ICC-select squad. The 19-year-old says his best moment of the World Cup was his 110 not out against Sri Lanka; while his most disappointing was the loss and the manner in which his team lost to New Zealand.

SUPER50 CUP Athanaze, just last Saturday, played a steady and calm innings to help his team, the Windward Islands Volcanoes towards a three-wicket win over defending champions Barbados Pride in the Super50 Cup Final.

With 28 runs still required from 33 deliveries, the 19-year-old Athanaze put on a mature performance to play a major role in a 31-run eighth-wicket stand with captain Shane Shillingford, to steer the Volcanoes towards the Super50 Cup title and take

Everest Masters overpower Bacchus XI at Affiance ground

EVEREST Masters were invited by Bacchus XI of Essequibo but proved too strong for their hosts in the 25-overs encounter last Saturday at the Imam Bacchus Sports Club ground in Affiance.

Upon winning the toss, Everest Masters invited the opposition after a late start reduced the match to 25 overs.

The large ground and penetrative bowling, especially from the spinners, proved decisive in limiting the hosts.

They eventually reached 124-7 with Fazeer Khan top-scoring with 33 including 3x4 while Roy Gonsalves supported with 23 (2x6, 1x4 ) and Latchmikhant Narine with 20 (3x4). Off-spinner Rakesh Gangaram had figures of 3-33 from 5 overs while there was one wicket each for Saheed Mohamed and Ronald Singh. In reply, Everest Masters mastered the chase and reached their target ending on 126-3 in 20 overs to easily win by seven wickets.

Leading the run chase was former National Youth batsman Hemraj Garbarran with 46 laced with five fours while former National T20 all-rounder Ramesh Narine and Saheed Mohamed supported with unbeaten knocks of 25 and 22 respectively.

The match was organised and sponsored by Imam Bacchus Group of Companies and a reciprocal visit is planned for the Easter weekend when Everest Masters will entertain their guests from the county of Essequibo.

Alick Athanaze poses with the Clive Lloyd trophy during the Super50 Cup final between Barbados Pride and Windward Islands Volcanoes on Saturday at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.(CWI Media)

home the Clive Lloyd trophy.

Athanaze has a little ritual before he goes out to bat; “I put on all my left gear first and on approaching the rope, I say a little prayer.”

In another three to five

years, Athanaze thinks he will be an established franchise team player heading to the senior Windies team.

His favourite food/meal is chicken burger with fries and he enjoys dancehall music in his spare time.

Brooks hits 63 but Windies-A collapse on day one NORTH SOUND, Antigua (CMC) - Shamarh Brooks struck a half-century but West Indies-A’s batting collapsed on the opening day of the day/night third four-day ‘Test’ against England Lions here, Monday.

Opting for first knock, the hosts reached a comfortable position of 150 for three at one stage before losing their last seven wickets for 86 runs, to be dismissed for 236 in their first innings at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.

The right-handed Brooks, without a score of note in three previous innings in the series, top-scored with 63 while John Campbell and Rahkeem Cornwall both chipped in with 33.

Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood scored 28 and

all-rounder Raymon Reifer, 27, but Lions struck critical blows in the latter half of the innings to restrict the Caribbean side.

Twenty-one-year-old fast bowler Saqib Mahmood (350) and left-arm spinner Jack Leach (3-58) finished with three wickets apiece while seamer Richard Gleason weighed in with two for 43.

At the close, Lions were 20 without loss, requiring a further 216 runs for first-innings lead.

Aiming for a clean sweep after comfortably winning the first two ‘Tests’ in Jamaica, Windies-A lost the early wicket of captain Kieran Powell for 11 with the score on 29, when he was caught at the wicket off Gleeson in the afternoon’s

Right-hander Shamarh Brooks … top-scored with 63.

sixth over.

However, Windies-A then benefitted from two partnerships in regaining control of the innings. Campbell, who struck four fours in a 57-ball knock, added 46 for the second wicket with Blackwood who also counted four fours in a 62-ball stay at the crease.

Both perished within two runs of each other to leave Windies-A on 77 for three but Brooks and Jahmar Hamilton

(20) posted 73 for the fourth to again steady the innings.

All told, Brooks faced 130 deliveries and notched nine fours and when Hamilton and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich (0) fell in quick succession, he paired with Reifer in a 33-run, sixth-wicket stand.

Once Brooks was lbw to Gleeson, however, Windies-A’s innings went into decline as they lost wickets rapidly.

Central Essequibo Cricket Committee to be resuscitated

SEVERAL clubs within the boundaries of Queenstown to Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast have indicated an interest in resuscitating the Central Essequibo Cricket Committee (CECC) which has not been functioning for the past decade.

SCOREBOARD WEST INDIES A 1st innings J. Campbell lbw b Mahmood 33 K. Powell c wkp. Davies b Gleeson 11 J. Blackwood c Gubbins b Leach 28 S. Brooks lbw b Gleeson 63 J. Hamilton lbw b Mahmood 20 S. Dowrich c wkp. Davies b Mahmood 0 R. Reifer c Leach b Jennings 27 R. Cornwall c Gubbins b Coughlin 33 K. Paul c Northeast b Leach 0 J. Warrican not out 2 K. Joseph lbw b Leach 0 Extras: (b-5, lb-2, w-8, nb-4) 19 Total: (all out, 76.2 overs) 236 Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-75, 3-77, 4-150, 5-154, 6-187, 7-228, 8-229, 9-235.

Bowling: Mahmood 17-6-50-3, Gleeson 18-5-43-2, Coughlin 14-3-54-1, Leach 21.2-5-58-3, Bess 5-1-24-0, Jennings 1-1-0-1.

LIONS 1st innings K. Jennings not out 9 H. Hameed not out 8 Extras: (b-1, nb-2) 3 Total: (without loss, 11 overs) 20 Bowling: Reifer 3-1-7-0, Paul 3-1-3-0, Joseph 2-0-3-0, Cornwall 2-1-4-0, Warrican 1-0-4-0.

Trevis Simon, Chairman of the Reliance Sports Ground Committee

The CECC is an affiliated member of the Essequibo Cricket Board. Following a recent interview with Chronicle Sport; Chairman of the Reliance Sports Club Ground Development Committee, Trevis Simon, who was a former vice-chairman of the Committee, disclosed that he has spoken with members of the various clubs which form part of the committee and who would have indicated an interest in commencing

expeditiously the process of reconstituting the committee.

He further indicated that the purpose is to have the clubs which have been starving for competitive cricket to be able to do so in an organised fashion and having more grounds available within the jurisdiction.

The committee has not held any competition for the past eight years while no elections have been held over the same period.

Recently the Reliance Sports Club ground was rehabilitated and already a competition was organised and completed. This, according to Simon, has renewed the interest in the village and will spread to other villages once the committee is functioning, he added.

Among those that are associated with the CECC are: Queenstown Sports Club, Imam Bacchus SC., Affiance No.1, Reliance SC, Reliance Hustlers, Bush Lot Trend Setters, Cotton Field SC and Young Achievers of Anna Regina.

Currently the Chairman of the Central Essequibo Cricket Committee is Autto Christiani who is also the Secretary of the Essequibo Cricket Board.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Zadran takes hat-trick as Afghanistan beat Windies in warm-up match

Fast bowler Dawlat Zadran finishes with outstanding figures of 7-1-26-4.

FAST bowler Dawlat Zadran took a hat-trick as Afghanistan came from behind to beat two-time former world champions Windies by 29 runs in an ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 warm-up match at the Harare Sports Club yesterday.

Zadran claimed the wickets of Shimron Hetmyer (caught at gully by Najibullah Zadran), Rovman Powell (caught at the wicket by Mohammad Shahzad) and Carlos Brathwaite (lbw) on

successive deliveries of his fifth over as the Windies, chasing a revised target of 140 in 35 overs by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Method, slipped from 99 for five in the 20th over to 99 for eight before being bowled out for 110 in 26.4 overs.

Zadran, who had earlier accounted for Shai Hope, finished with outstanding figures of 7-1-26-4. Left-arm spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf and wrist-spinner Rashid Khan picked up two wickets

apiece, while Mohammad Nabi and Shahpoor Zadran bagged a wicket each.

For the Windies, Evin Lewis was the top scorer with 36, while Marlon Samuels scored 34. Chris Gayle (9), Shai Hope (1), Jason Mohammed (0), Hetmyer (1) and Powell (9) all missed out on useful batting practice on a good surface.

Earlier, a rain-break helped Afghanistan to recover from a precarious 82 for eight in 25.4 overs to a competitive 163 for nine in 35 overs. When play resumed, Gulbadin Naib and Samiullah Shenwari came out all guns blazing and added 81 runs in the remaining 9.2 overs to give their bowlers something to bowl at.

Naib hit a 38-ball 48 with three fours and two sixes, while Samiullah Shenwari returned not out on 42 from 55 balls. For the Windies, fast bowlers Sheldon Cottrell, captain Jason Holder and Kesrick Williams bowled with a lot of aggression and fire to share seven wickets between them.

While Afghanistan and the Windies were able to hit the ground running, albeit in a reduced-overs game, Ireland and Zimbabwe were not that lucky when their match at the Queens Sports Club was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a wet outfield following morning rains.

Elsewhere, the Netherlands defeated Hong Kong

by eight wickets, defending champions Scotland overpowered Papua New Guinea (PNG) by seven wickets and Nepal surprised the United Arab Emirates by five wickets.

The Netherlands were in a hurry when they chased down a revised 153-run target in 46 overs (by the DLS Method) with eight wickets and 10.1 overs to spare.

Openers Wesley Barresi (47) and Max O’Dowd (45) added 84 runs for the first wicket and then Barresi and Ben Cooper (40 not out) added 57 runs for the second wicket.

For Hong Kong, Babar Hayat was the standout batsman when he scored 85 with 10 fours and two sixes, while the Netherlands fast bowler Paul van Meekeren was the most impressive bowler with figures of 9-4-17-4.

SCOTLAND OVERPOWERED PNG

BY SEVEN WICKETS Scotland opener Matthew Cross hit an unbeaten century as the defending champions overhauled PNG’s 196 in 46.2 overs with seven wickets and more than 13 overs to spare. Cross scored 101 not out from 124 balls with four fours and five sixes, and added 68 runs for the first wicket with Kyle Coetzer (46) and 94 for the unbroken fourth wicket with Craig Wallace (32 not out).

Earlier, PNG, who have

appeared in all the World Cup qualifiers since 1979, were bowled out for 196 in 46.2 overs with Sese Bau (53) and Assad Vala (39) as the main run-scorers. Wickets were evenly shared between Mark Watt (three for 22) and Tom Sole (three for 32).

NEPAL BEAT THE UAE

BY FIVE WICKETS Nepal were quick to make an impact when they defeated the UAE by five wickets. Chasing 172 in a reduced 29-over-a-side fixture, Nepal romped to victory with four balls to spare after even contributions from Dipendra Airee (41) and Sharad Vesawkar (41 not out), Paras Khadka (28) and Arif Sheikh (23 not out).

Earlier, Lalit Bhandari returned figures of four for 40 as the UAE scored 171 in 28.5 overs. Ashfaq Ahmed was the top scorer with 42, while Adnan Mufti contributed 37.

SCORES IN BRIEF: Afghanistan beat Windies by 29 runs, Harare Sports Club (target revised to 140 runs in 35 overs by the DLS method) Afghanistan 163-9, 35 overs (Gulbadin Nain 48, Samiullah Shenwari 42 not out; Sheldon Cottrell 3-43, Jason Holder 2-27, Kesrick Williams 2-34) Windies 110 all out, 26.4 overs (Evin Lewis 36, Marlon Samuels 34; Dawlat Zadran 4-26, Rashid Khan 2-7, Sharafuddin Ashraf 2-21)

Netherlands beat Hong Kong by eight wickets, Old Hararians, Harare (target revised to 153 runs in 46 overs by the DLS method) Hong Kong 157 all out, 41 overs (Babar Hayat 85, Shahid Wasif 24, Nizakat Khan 15, Tanwir Afzal 15; Paul van Meekeren 4-17, Pieter Seelaar 2-17) Netherlands 155-2, 35.5 overs (Wesley Barresi 47, Max O’Dowd 45, Ben Cooper 40 not out) Scotland beat PNG by seven wickets, Bulawayo Athletic Club, Bulawayo PNG 196 all out, 46.2 overs (Sese Bau 53, Assad Vala 39, Lega Siaka 29; Mark Watt 3-22, Tom Sole 3-32) Scotland 197-3, 36.4 overs (Matthew Cross 101 not out, Kyle Coetzer 46, Craig Wallace 32 not out; Assad Vala 2-12) Nepal beat UAE by five wickets, Kwekwe Sports Club, Kwekwe (match reduced to 29-over-a-side) UAE 171 all out, 28.5 overs (Ashfaq Ahmed 42, Adnan Mufti 37, Ghulam Shabbir 32, Mohammd Usman 26, Shaiman Anwar 16; Lalit Bhandari 4-40, Karan KC 3-38, Lalit Rajbanshi 2-30) Nepal 172-5, 28.2 overs (Dipendra Airee 41, Sharad Vesawkar 41 not out, Paras Khadka 28, Arif Sheikh 23 not out; Amir Hayat 2-15) Zimbabwe v Ireland, Queens Sports Club – match abandoned without a ball being bowled due to wet outfield. (ICC)

Vettel fastest as Hamilton leaves it to Bottas

By Alan Baldwin

BARCELONA, Spain (Reuters) - Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was fastest in Formula One’s pre-season testing at a chilly Circuit de Catalunya yesterday while Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton took one for the team and “sacrificed” his scheduled stint.

Vettel, like Hamilton a four-time champion, lapped with a best time of one minute 19.673 seconds on soft tyres and also completed the most laps (98) despite flurries of snow later in the day.

The German’s fastest time was quicker than that posted by any team at the first Barcelona test of 2017 but he said Ferrari were focussing on reliability more than performance at this stage.

“From an operational point of view, everything went smoothly and I’d say the car is working. But today’s conditions are not the

ones in which you’d normally run an F1 car,” said Vettel.

Hamilton had been supposed to test in the afternoon but Mercedes changed the schedule to keep Finnish team mate Valtteri Bottas in the car all day rather than wasting time with a handover.

The usual lunchtime break was cancelled.

“With the weather conditions being up and down, and the loss of track time we had yesterday, it made sense to keep Valtteri in the car this afternoon,” said the Briton in a team review of the day’s action.

“Having run in the morning, he was comfortable in the car already and we would have lost about an hour of running time with the driver switch,” added the champion.

“With no real understanding of whether good weather was coming or not, I took the decision to sacrifice that time

in order for the team to gain better understanding of the car by going through the run plan.”

HOT GASES Bottas was second overall, 0.303 slower than Vettel,

with his best time also set on softs.

“I don’t think I’ve ever driven in such cold conditions before in Formula One,” said the Finn. “The tyres are just not made for these conditions.”

McLaren had a better morning than on Monday, when Fernando Alonso’s car lost a wheel and crashed into the gravel, with Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne third fastest but with only 37 laps to his name.

The team said a broken

Sebastian Vettel beat Valtteri Bottas to the fastest time by 0.303s on the second day of testing. (Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

exhaust clip had led to hot gases being blown back onto a wiring loom which included the brake wire.

McLaren stripped the car down but the weather had deteriorated by the time it was ready again.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen also had technical problems, after Australian team mate Daniel Ricciardo had set the fastest time on Monday, with the car kept in the garage for most of the morning as mechanics worked on it.

The 20-year-old Dutch driver ended up fourth fastest.

The forecast for today is wet and teams have been considering adding an extra day to testing to compensate for the missed track time.

Williams have a private filming session scheduled for the circuit on Friday so any extra day would probably have to be added next week.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Brigadier West returns to GuyanaNRA helm … Colonel Enoch Gaskin elected vice-president BRIGADIER Patrick West has returned to the helm of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) following its Annual General meeting last week.

The only change to the committee is that of Colonel Enoch Gaskin as vice-president who replaces the Richard Fields who passed away last year.

With the approval at last year’s AGM for the executive term to be four years, the next elections is billed for 2020.

The AGM took the format of reports being presented to the membership along with two motions.

Reports were presented by the Honorary Secretary Ryan Sampson who enlightened members of the milestone

which the association achieved in 2017, having celebrated its 150th Anniversary.

This celebration, he said, coincided with the hosting of the West Indies Fullbore Championship with representative countries being England, Ireland, Canada, Falkland Islands, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda, and Bermuda.

Council’s main focus in 2017 was the hosting of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council Championship, which coincided with the association’s 150th Anniversary.

The Fullbore captain Mahendra Persaud who played a tremendous part with the organisation must be commended for the completion of all the key

projects on the fullbore and smallbore ranges at the Timehri Rifle Ranges The fullbore now has 24 targets instead of 14. The smallbore now has five bays

Brigadier Patrick West returns as GuyanaNRA president.

Berbice Cricket Board appoints commit ees and officials for 2018 RECENTLY-elected Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) president, Hilbert Foster, has charged committee heads to always put the development of the sport of cricket first, when the board appointed the committees and officials for 2018 last Wednesday.

The BCB executive appointed seven Executive Members and Members of the Discipline, Competitions, Public Relations, Finance, Cricket Development and Team Management Committees.

“Foster stated that their own objectives should be the development of the game, making sure that every player fulfils his/her potential and to lift the game to an all-time level. Under his leadership, no form of laziness, corruption or selfish behaviour would be tolerated and most importantly, the Executive Committee must lead by example,” a BCB press release reported.

President Foster would also like to urge all Berbicians to submit ideas, suggestions to him as the objective is to get everyone involved.

Each executive vice-president (VP) was given special duties, with Albert Smith in charge of Cricket Development. Smith, an experienced coach, was also appointed chairman of the selection committee which will cater to the selection of both junior and senior teams.

Other selectors on this committee are Shabeer Baksh, Junior Blair, Collis Butts, Orvin Mangru, Julian Moore and Balram Samaroo.

The Cricket Development Committee also consists of Julian Moore,

Winston Smith, Adrian Amsterdam, Andre Percival, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Tremayne Smartt, Anthony D’Andrade, Ameer Rahaman, Javed Saywack and Kwesi Maltay VP Jevaughn Stephen is heading Fundraising, Finance and Marketing. The Finance committee would also include treasurer Dr Cecil Beharry, Neil Rudder, Albert Budhoo, Ishwar Singh, Winston Roberts and Chatterpaul Lionel.

Andre Percival

VP Qualis Winter will look at the Administration, and Public Relations, where he would be assisted by Neil Rudder and Orvin Lyte. Freelance reporter Colin Bynoe Jr would serve as the Berbice Cricket Board Public Relations Officer (PRO) and will have the added responsibility of setting up of a Facebook Page for the board.

Foster will be responsible for the Berbice Cricket Board’s television programmes and Cricket Review Magazine along with Bynoe.

Seven persons were also appointed to serve as executive members. They are Angela Haniff, Neil Rudder, Shabeer Baksh, Vemen Walter, Colin Bynoe, Desmond

Conway and Dennis De Andrade.

Secretary Rabindranauth Saywack heads the important Cricket Competitions Committee which would supervise the administration of the 15 cricket tournaments scheduled for the year.

Ameer Rahaman would serve as secretary while the remaining members are Winston Smith, Zaheer Moakan, Sydney Jackman, Kellon Henry, Patrick Lewis, N. Deonarine and Vemen Walter.

Saywack was also mandated to spearhead planning for the upcoming Berbice Cricket Board Award Ceremony and Cricket Academy, Attorney-at-Law Anrude Gossai heads the Discipline Committee and would be supported by Moses Jaipaul, Michael Newland, Jai Hardeo and Carl Ramsammy.

The BCB also established a panel of coaches and qualified persons who would be in charge of the different Berbice teams for 2018. The members are Tremayne Smartt, Julian Moore, Winston Smith, Delbert Hicks, Andre Percival, Adrian Amsterdam, Travis Hardcourt, Anthony D’Andrade, Michael Newland and Kwesi Maltay.

Meanwhile, the Berbice Cricket Board has also appointed Andre Percival and Delbert Hicks as manager and coach respectively of the Under-17 team.

D’Andrade and Amsterdam would serve in a similar capacity for the Under-19 team. Winston Smith would serve as coach of the female team while the name of the manager would be revealed shortly after she has been informed.

to stage multiple stages of IPSC shoots. Thanks to the Guyana Defence Force which provided an excavator to assist with the work.

The end product is a worldclass range for which the president received accolades from the international participants and the Secretary General of ICFRA, Mr Phil Harrison.

Acting Fullbore captain Dylan Fields reported that the fullbore shooters have once more made Guyana proud with their exceptional performance, retaining both team titles on home soil..

He reported that Mr Mahendra Persaud was second overall just two points behind the winner Mr Gary Alexander of Ireland.

Persaud, however, won

the top West Indian Trophy.

In the 150th Shoot won

by David Calvert, Mr Lennox Braithwaite was second and was the top West Indian in this shoot. Mr Roberto Tiwari was second in the ‘O’ Class category to seal the outstanding team performance.

Fullbore members Mahendra Persaud and Lennox Braithwaite also had great performances at the Commonwealth Shooting Federation in Australia last October, finishing eighth and sixth respectively.

In the smallbore shooting, vice-captain Gordon Richards reported that Mr Harold Hopkinson represented Guyana at overseas shoots in Suriname, Barbados, Aruba, USA and the World IPSC

Championship in France.

His self-sponsorship must be commended and he continues to equip himself with world class equipment to elevate his performance. He had mixed fortunes but it is encouraging for him to continue shooting in 2018.

Two motions were passed: the first was the ratification by the membership for the appointment of Col Enoch Gaskin as vice-president. The second motion was for the increase in application fees and annual subscription.

In closing, on behalf of the president Brigadier Patrick West, the membership was thanked by the Chair of the proceedings, Lt Col. (Ret’d) Terrence Stuart, for attending the AGM.

Thomas to help Windies bowlers bring a more strategic approach HARARE, Zimbabwe (CMC) – Newly-acquired West Indies bowling coach, Alfonso Thomas, says he is hoping to help the Caribbean side’s bowlers bring a more strategic approach to their execution on match day, starting with the ICC World Cup qualifiers which bowl off next weekend.

The 41-year-old South African, who replaces Barbadian Roddy Estwick, said central to his objective was ensuring every bowler had a clear plan and fully understood his role in the attack.

“There’s obviously a lot of talent and I’ve had conversations with a few of them and just identifying what every bowler’s role is going to be, and that is something we’re going to discuss …,” Thomas said.

“Once we establish that, it is to then map out clear game plans for each and every bowler.”

He continued: “I would like (to) facilitate guys and map out exactly what they are trying to achieve during a match and I think that will give us a measurable when we reflect on where we’re at as a bowling group.

“I more see myself as a facilitator and really getting guys to have clear game plans coming into each and every match.”

Thomas was one of several changes made to the West Indies management group, coming off a disastrous tour of New Zealand last December when the regional side failed to win a single Test, One-Day International or Twenty20.

He played a single T20 for South Africa 11 years

ago but forged an extensive first class career, mainly for English County Somerset, before concentrating on T20

he said. “(West Indies) is a team I was always fond of. I could remember when I was a little

New West Indies bowling coach Alfonso Thomas chats with fast-bowling all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite during a training session. (Photo, courtesy CWI Media)

cricket in the latter stages of his career.

Having already had a taste of the Windies camp in the build-up to the qualifiers, Thomas said he was relishing the challenge.

“I’ve come in not thinking too much about it or with any pre-conceived ideas. I purposely didn’t want to get any information on any players because I wanted to make that assumption for myself …,”

young kid sitting in South Africa … the international cricket we had was the guys coming over with the Rebel Tours..

“It was just the way they approached cricket was quite appealing to me as a kid and I’m really excited and obviously very honoured to be part of such a special team with such a fantastic history.”

West Indies open their qualifying campaign against UAE on March 6.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday February 28, 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) Dinesh Ramdin (T&T) & Andre Fletcher (Windwards)-14

dismissals each (2) Ibrahim Khaleel-5: 4 catches/1 stumping (USA vs Kent) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who are the CWI Regional Super50 2018 Champions?

(2) Which player was voted ‘Man of the Match’ in the final?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 28, 2018

COPA Airlines on board with GFC/Brazilians final on March 3

COPA Airlines and the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) have strengthened their collaboration, geared towards the development of football in Guyana.

This new partnership, which began in the latter part of 2016, seeks to facilitate talented Guyanese footballers in reaching their full potential by taking advantage of opportunities both at home and overseas.

On March 3 (Saturday), the final match between GFC and the Brazilians of Guyana will be played in Georgetown - the winner of which will receive the new COPA Cup Trophy - sponsored by the airline.

Back in December 2016, the first match was played in observance of the Chapecoense football squad disaster, which had occurred a month earlier. The Brazilian side won that match, but GFC soon prevailed in the rematch. The March 3 showdown therefore promises to be action-packed as both sides will be looking to clinch the series by emerging victorious.

Commenting on the symbol of the COPA Cup Trophy, Sales Manager in Guyana, Nadine Oudkerk, said, “This trophy is, particularly, for the series-decider and it is also a trophy that will go forward

Inspector Keith Beaton

From left: Faizal Khan, General Manager of GFC; footballers Ralph Parris and Alex Murray; GFC Team Coordinator Rehanna Douglas and COPA Sales Manager Nadine Oudkerk.

for a lot of the games between GFC and other clubs. The idea behind the trophy is to give each club some bragging rights by having a trophy displayed in their clubs and of course provide a very significant tangible show of their efforts.”

The COPA Sales Manager said GFC has been doing phenomenal work with young players and the airline will continue to support these initiatives.

General Manager of GFC,

Faizal Khan, said the partnership with COPA has been very meaningful, not only for GFC, but also towards the growth and development of young footballers in Guyana.

He added that over the past few years, the club has undertaken an initiative to help young talented footballers develop professionally through “disciplined, technical, tactical, social and psychological football training.”

“COPA has come on board in a big way to help us as a

football club that runs a number of different teams from senior right down to junior at our central Georgetown facility.

The support we have received so far from COPA has been tremendous,” Khan stated.

“COPA is happy to be embarking on this new partnership with GFC which is expected to have a significant positive impact on aspiring footballers in the country and the development of the sport as a whole,” the airline said in a release.

Seven-member table tennis team for CAC Qualifiers GUYANA’S national men’s and women’s table tennis teams departed yesterday for Cuba to seek qualification for the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games.

The event begins today and goes until March 4 with the Latin American Table Tennis Championship beginning immediately after The seven-member team includes national men’s table tennis champion Christopher Franklin, Nigel Bryan, Shemar Britton, Joel Alleyne and on the distaff side Natalie Cummings, Jody Ann Blake and Trenace Lowe who will join the team from the USA. In the qualification event, 13 teams on the men’s side and nine women’s teams from the CAC region will vie for qualification.

Guyana will be missing the services of national women’s champion Chelsea Edghill who is currently engaged in final-year studies.

The qualifiers will also serve as a key preparation and warm-up event, based on the fact that several of the selected players for the qualifiers are also in the Commonwealth Games squad.

Inspector Beaton excels at YMCA tournament

More strategically, the team is made up of a nucleus of players selected for the Commonwealth Games and will also be participating in the Latin American table tennis championships.

high-intensity schedule with plans also in the pipeline to have key players attend a high-yield training camp in Germany leading into the CAC Games.

“We feel this will truly provide a great opportunity to have our players actively involved in high-level competition and training which will provide continuity in our players’ competition and training regimen and which will significantly improve our medal prospects for the

CAC Games and the senior Caribbean championships,” a statement said.

The Central America and Caribbean Games will run from July19 to August 3 in Barranquilla, Colombia.

The GTTA would like to express appreciation and a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the Guyana Olympic Association and Connections Travel Service for assisting the association’s efforts in getting the team to Cuba.

KARATEKA and Inspector of Police attached to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), Keith Beaton, excelled at the recently concluded Karate Association of Guyana tournament.

At the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), Beaton competed in the Male Open Black Belt Kumite (fighting) and Male Open Kata and was placed second and third respectively earning silver and bronze medals.

The tournament is in preparation for the upcoming International Karate Daigaku World Cup in Bridgetown, Barbados from August 14 to 17, 2018.

On February 11, 2018, he was appointed the Second vice-president of the Guyana Karate Federation (GKF).

He has over 28 years’ experience in fighting karate; he is also a Sensei and holds a second-degree Black Belt for 7 years.

Swansea into FA Cup quarters for first time in 54 years (REUTERS) - Swansea City reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 54 years with a 2-0 win over second-tier Sheffield Wednesday yesterday as goals from Jordan Ayew and Nathan Dyer settled an attritional fifth round replay.

Swansea City’s Nathan Dyer celebrates after scoring the second goal against Sheffield Wednesday. (Reuters)

National men’s table tennis champion Christopher Franklin

The team has been hard in training for these games and our prospects for CAC qualification and medal chances are quite good.

According to the GTTA, the events (CAC Qualifiers and Latin American Championships) are part of their

Natalie Cummings

Swansea, who face a lasteight home tie against Tottenham Hotspur or Rochdale, who play their replay today, was lifeless in front of a sparse crowd at the Liberty Stadium until Ayew tapped home a rebound from close range in the 55th minute.

Dyer then settled the contest against his manager Carlos Carvalhal’s former club with 10 minutes remaining, slipping the ball through goalkeeper Cameron Dawson’s legs after being played in by Tammy Abraham.

Swansea last reached the

sixth round of the competition in 1964, when they were known as Swansea Town. That year, they went one stage further before losing to Preston North End in the semi-finals.

“1964 is a long time ago, I know because I was born in ‘65,” Swansea’s Portuguese manager Carvalhal told the BBC. “Swansea have now made the best path in the Cup since then so it’s a little part of history and we are happy about that. I’m very proud of my players.”

Carvalhal would have seen little to be proud of in the first half, however, as Swansea struggled to create chances against their Championship opponents.

Swansea, battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League, dominated the ball but would have fallen behind but for two smart saves in quick succession by Kristoffer Nordfeldt from Wednesday striker Jordan Rhodes.

Their breakthrough arrived when midfielder Tom Carroll let fly with an unstoppable drive that ricocheted off both posts before halftime substitute Ayew slotted in the rebound.

As Wednesday pushed forward, space opened up for Swansea and Dyer made the game safe. ”At the break we weren’t happy with the score,“ added Carvalhal. ”We needed more energy and intensity, so we brought on Martin Olsson and Jordan Ayew and they had a big impact.

“I think we deserved the win, but Sheffield Wednesday did well in the two games.”

COPA Airlines on board with GFC/Brazilians final on March 3

Lewis, Allicock for Mexico training camp

See page 39

… GBA provides insurance for boxers FRESH from his firstround dismantling of St Lucian Nathan Ferrari last Sunday, Guyana and Caribbean light welterweight champion Colin `Superman’ Lewis is scheduled to leave for Mexico this afternoon to commence a one-week training camp.

Lewis will be accompanied by Guyana and Caribbean bantamweight champion `Lightning’ Keevin Allicock. Coach Terrence `Cool’ Poole will arrive in Mexico a few days later. The one-week camp commences tomorrow in Mexico City and will be followed by participation in the Central American and Caribbean Qualifiers in Tijuana from March 10 to 18.

The team’s trip to Mex-

ico was made possible by the Guyana Olympic Association through its president K. Juman-Yassin. President of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle, disclosed that had it not been for Yassin’s intervention Guyana may not have been represented in Mexico.

“In my opinion Mr Yassin went beyond the call of duty to make sure that the training camp was up and running again after it had been initially cancelled.

The GOA also provided the tickets for all three members of the team,” Ninvalle said.

A number of Caribbean and Latin American countries will be attending the training camp.

Meanwhile, Ninvalle

announced that Lewis and Allicock were yesterday issued with insurance policies for their camp to Mexico. “I don’t think that it has ever happened in boxing in Guyana but this is something that we will continue to do. It’s important and only apposite that our athletes are covered especially while on overseas assignment,” the GBA boss said while adding that coach Poole would also be insured.

Ninvalle extended gratitude to president of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control, Peter Abdool, for assisting with the insurance policies, and to the National Sports Commission.

The team is expected back in Guyana on March 19.

Ready and Insured! President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle (centre) poses with Caribbean boxing champions Keevin Allicock (right) and Colin Lewis moments after the two pugilists were presented with their insurance policies.

SA coach appointment an insult Scotiabank presents bursaries to Windies pace bowling legacy to youth football players - Roberts See page 34

See page 34

West Indies bowling great Andy Roberts

Awardees are flanked by Scotiabank Marketing Manager Jennifer Cipriani, and FIFA, GFF officials.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018