Guyana chronicle e paper 11 26 2017

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See inside: Aiesha Scotland shines! ► Page V

Protecting your children XXVIII on the roadways ► Page

A scene from Clinton Duncan’s ‘Spit’

National Drama Guyanese theatreFestival at its best2017 A scene from ‘Woman-in-law’ Written

by Ken Danns (Godfrey Phil Photos)

No. 105108

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2017

Price: $140

Smuggling hurting soft drink sales (VAT Inclusive)

… GMSA calls on Gov’t to intervene ahead of Budget 2018

Page 14

‘Rough waters’ for murder accsused cops Page 5

Two more ‘David G’buses commissioned Page 9

Scores turned out at the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) “World AIDS Day” walk on Saturday morning. World AIDS Day will be observed on December 1, under the theme “My Health, My Right” (DPI photo)

Berbice businessman critical after attempted execution

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Trust still a big issue Page 8

–– when dealing with domestic violence

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 26, 2017

Benevolent home appeals for support

THE Dharm Shala, Home of Benevolence for All Races, is appealing for financial assistance to continue its humanitarian service to Guyana.

People from all walks

of life, irrespective of race or religion, continue to seek daily help at this institution in Georgetown and Fort Canje, Berbice, which has been in existence for some 97 years.

The doors of the Dharam Shala are open to the destitute, sick, unloved, lonely and others who would be given something to eat, a warm bed to lie on, clean clothes and most of the

The Dharm Shala building in Georgetown

A scene from the last Christmas party at the Dharm Shala Compound, Fort Canje, Berbice amenities of civilised living.

This institution depends entirely on donations from the public, individuals and firms for its existence, which not only involve dayto-day living, but maintenance of its nine Dharm buildings, provision of electricity and water.

Those last two services have bitten off a great portion of the Dharm Shala’s reserve funds, painstakingly accumulated over the years.

At this time of the year also, there will be the traditional Christmas Luncheon for the poor on Christmas Day and the children’s party during December.

“We are kindly asking that you to continue to support this charity, whose all nine buildings are all solely devoted to humanitarian

charity, free of any charge to all its beneficiaries,” the charitable organisation said.

Donations can be sent to the treasurer, secretary, assistant secretary, president or vice president of the Dharm Shala, located at 140 King Edward Street, Albouystown; or to Edward Boyer, National Hardware (Guyana) Limited, Water Street, Georgetown; or managing director, Kella Ramsaroop (226-1817).

The children’s Christmas party is scheduled for December 9th at 14:00 hrs at the Dharm Shala compound, Fort Canje, Berbice, while the traditional Christmas Luncheon will be held at the Dharm Shala in Georgetown on December 25th at 11:00 hrs.

Unity lacking 3

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 26, 2017

––for women to move forward as entrepreneurs

WOMEN are becoming leaders in every aspect of society, compared to decades ago, but it is paramount that they help each other grow, especially as entrepreneurs and business leaders.

This is the view of businesswoman Valrie Grant, who said there are very few women who have climbed the ladder of success as businesswomen and not enough is being done to promote women.

Grant who is the chief executive officer of GeoTech Vision, a local company that sells a wide variety of electronic equipment, was recently Guyana’s ambassador on Women’s Entrepreneurship Day. Speaking against the backdrop of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, a day set aside to celebrate women who have made successful strides in the field of business, Grant said women are behind as entrepreneurs.

She noted that there is no secret that most women who are entrepreneurs are usually found in the craft, cosmetics or food industries, which indicate their spectrum is parochial despite advancements in tech, agriculture and other sectors.

Women need to change their mindset, she said, contending that this is necessary for them to elevate and help others progress as entrepreneurs.

“We need to change our attitudes to serve us better,” said Grant, who added that two of the major barriers to growth of women entrepreneurs are lack of ambition and their inability to support each other enough.

“As far as human nature goes, once you succeed, you often forget where you came from,” Grant said, pointing out that this is common with many established entrepreneurs.

“Women have a problem whereby when they reach to a certain level, they do not look behind them and help another woman to get to that level,” she lamented,

in subsistence economic activities such as farming, fishing and making of craft to sustain themselves and support their families.

During the business “start-up” training exercises, women were schooled to support each other, especially when it comes to improving the commodities that the other produces.

“We need more role models; more persons going out there and more of them playing it forward,” Grant told Guyana Chronicle, pointing out that it only takes one person to make a difference and start a trend.

Once persons get involved and start assisting each other, she believes that no one would

Businesswoman Valrie Grant stressing that women need to give back so that everyone can be successful.

Over the years, the Small Business Bureau (SBB) and even First Lady Sandra Granger have made attempts to get more women into business.

There have been many training seminars and projects geared towards providing “start-ups” for women, especially those in the rural areas who need alternative sources of livelihoods to make a living and survive.

Women in rural areas engage mainly

be left behind. The businesswoman was of the view that once there is unity, women will be able to make a bigger contribution to the economic development of Guyana and the Caribbean as a whole.

Women who have already started to work together were sensitised on the impact of their work at a recent luncheon hosted by GeoTech Vision and the Women Entrepreneurship Network for the Caribbean.

The luncheon, however, had a more significant purpose, since the proceeds from it went towards assisting women in the Caribbean islands who were affected by natural disasters.

Scotiabank, Republic Bank, Social Rank Media and the SBB also contributed to the cause.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 26, 2017

E-agriculture: The new buzzword –– as Guyana takes farming to a whole new level

By Vishani Ragobeer

LOCAL farmers are set to benefit from the Ministry of Public Telecommunications (MoPT)’s e-agriculture project, which seeks to integrate technology with traditional farming.

Subject Minister, Ms Kathy Hughes, with the aid of ‘tech’ wizzes from Team Innosys sought to introduce this new field at the Demerara-Mahaica Regional,

Agricultural and Commercial Exhibition (RACE) on Saturday.

According to Minister Hughes, the aim behind fostering the development of e-agriculture is firstly to show farmers that there are different, innovative and even more efficient ways of engaging in agriculture when you can integrate new technology.

But instead of just implementing new programmes

Sunday November 26th, - 10:00 hrs Monday November 27th, - 11:30 hrs Tuesday November 28th, - 12:30 hrs

and introducing new technology, she explained, “The first thing really is being able to reach out to farmers, and that’s why we’re here today; to be able to speak to a farmer one-on-one, and show him a different way of doing it.”

She said that in other countries, technology has been playing a vital role in agriculture, with the use of drones and robots in the farmsteads and information and communication technology (ICT) platforms to connect farmers and consumers.

Here in Guyana, however, incremental changes are being advanced.

Team Innosys had won t h e m i n i s t r y ’ s C O D ESPRINT competition, where they were tasked with developing an application that can connect farmers not only to each other, but with consumers as well. This application will soon be introduced to local farmers as the first major activity for e-agriculture.

Team member, Julius Simon related to the Guyana Chronicle that in creating the ‘app’, the team sought to make its features as user-friendly as possible, since they were aware that farmers are not tech-savvy.

The minister echoed similar sentiments, in that she highlighted that all of the ministry’s efforts will be conceptualised with this in mind.

She also said that while young people may not be interested in traditional meth-

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes interacting on Saturday with an exhibitor at the RACE exhibition ods of farming, technology again provides scope for new and innovative ways of producing.

Noting that integrating new technology into traditional methods of agriculture, while seeking to encourage young people to get involved in this field is the “thrust” that drives e-agriculture, Minister Hughes said: “We may be moving

out of sugar, but we want to show farmers that there are other areas that you can get into and raise your production levels.”

However, this e-agriculture sector will be set in motion next year as the telecommunications ministry engages in a series of training and sensitization sessions for local farmers.

Minister Hughes noted that

while farmers from Region Four will benefit first, the aim is to utilize the ICT hubs that are being created across Guyana to connect with farmers in various communities and regions.

According to her, “The Internet is such a vast learning place that farmers can easily jump on and gather so much information.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 26, 2017

‘Rough waters’ for murder accsused cops ––inmates allegedly issued threats

LESS than 24 hours after two cops were remanded to the Lusignan Prison for the murder of Godfrey Scipio, 64, called “Sagga”, a popular D’Urban Street, Georgetown businessman, their lives are already at stake.

Last Thursday, former ‘Best Cop’, Detective Corporal Derwin Eastman and Constable Jameson Williams, both attached to the Brickdam Police Station, appeared before City Magistrate, Judy Latchman, for the capital offence.

The indictment alleged that the duo on October 12, at Sandy Place, Kitty, Geogetown, murdered Scipio during the course of a robbery.

The duo have been remanded until December 5.

The torment and abuse against the two cops, particularly Eastman, started while at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts lockup.

The prisoners shouted at Eastman, “Wait till we go back so [Lusignan Prison], we guh deal with you.” Police officers attached to the court quickly placed the two cops in another confinement before taking them to the Lusignan Prison.

A police source has confirmed that upon Eastman’s arrival at the Lusignan Prison on Thursday afternoon, inmates created an uproar.

According to the source, there seems to be “bad blood” between Eastman and some of the inmates, who he may have arrested or investigated.

On Friday morning, Eastman was allegedly assaulted by some inmates who held a

Dead: Godfrey Scipio called “Sagga” mini-riot against him. The police and prison officers had to intervene to move Eastman to safety.

When Guyana Chronicle contacted Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, he dismissed the allegations as “false”.

During Eastman’s arraignment in court on Thursday, his attorney Nigel Hughes addressed the court about his concerns for the safety of his client.

Hughes had explained that even when his client was being escorted into court, someone had shouted to Eastman: “Your days are number and persons are awaiting your arrival in prison. Remember you try to shoot me.”

The allegation levelled against the cops stems from Aubrey Bobb, who is also charged and on remand for

Ex-convict, Aubrey Bobb Scipio’s murder.

Ranks from the police Major Crimes Unit were able to arrest the two cops, days after the alleged trigger man, Bobb, was placed on remand.

Bobb is reported to have claimed that Eastman is the mastermind behind the businessman’s murder and that he (Eastman) went as far as to providing him (Bobb) with the gun to do the hit.

Eastman reportedly met with the hitman at William and Queen Streets, Kitty. Constable Williams was driving Eastman’s car at the time of the shooting.

According to information received, police managed to arrest Bobb a day after the shooting, after reviewing CCTV footage from the Kitty hotel in front of which Scipio was shot and robbed. The gold jewellery that was reportedly stolen from Scipio during the

robbery has not been recovered.

Scipio was shot once, just after being attacked and robbed, allegedly by Bobb outside of the hotel. He was reportedly leaving the hotel in the company of a female friend and was about to enter his car which was parked in front of the building, when he was accosted by Bobb.

According to police, investigations revealed that the suspect “discharged a round hitting Scipio in the abdomen, relieved him of his jewellery and escaped on foot in a northern direction”.

Scipio was rushed to a private city hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Reports indicate that the killing of the popular businessman appears to be an execution instead of a robbery, since investigators discovered it may be linked to the recapture of notorious prison escapee,

Mark Royden Durant, also known as Royden Williams and “Smallie”.

Scipio was a popular vendor at the Berbice Bus Park and the prison escapee was caught in a minibus at Weldaad, West Coast Berbice on October 9 after joining a minibus at the Berbice Bus

Park.

Eastman, who submitted himself to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, posted on his Facebook page, “Good Day all, God is in charge, all will be well, I am innocent of the allegation.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 26, 2017

GECOM, consultation and experience DESPITE all the controversy surrounding the selection of the GECOM chair, Justice James Patterson has assumed the chairmanship of one of our most important constitutional body. Indeed, it is GECOM that is responsible for managing our elections which are at the centre of our democratic architecture.

Given the plural nature of our society and the linkage of elections and governance to that plurality, GECOM assumes an even greater responsibility. It is therefore important that we have a working commission that enjoys the confidence of all stakeholders, especially our political parties.

In this regard, we hope the PPP would soon abandon its non-cooperation stance and give the body its blessings. While the matter is before the courts, the country’s business must continue.

Justice Patterson has taken his seat and the work of the commission has begun.

The PPP-appointed commissioners are on the job—thankfully they are not part of the boycott and hopefully their participation does not become part of the PPP spectacle we have witnessed in the National Assembly.

The death of former commissioner

Sandra Jones created a vacancy on the government side which was swiftly filled by the President after due consultation with all his coalition partners. It is no secret that some members of the coalition have expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of consultation within the grouping. So, the President must be commended for the manner in which he handled this issue.

Leading a coalition of parties could be a very delicate undertaking.

There can be no complaint this time around about consultation, as he not only consulted the AFC and the PNC, the two most senior partners, but critically he consulted with the partners within the APNU, including the WPA whose nominee was eventually selected. We stress this fact because the WPA has in the past complained about insufficient consultation.

The President’s wide consultation has met the approval of his partners and that cannot be overstated. The WPA was moved to publicly expressed its approval.

According to one of its leaders, “The WPA is heartened that the President has consulted widely on this matter. This is part of what we have been struggling for.” When asked by the media, why he did not consult only

with the AFC, the president responded in this way, “Every party in the coalition is represented in the National Assembly and that is how I do my business. I consult with everyone.”

The President’s choice of the WPA’s nominee, Desmond Trotman, over other nominees, including one from his own party, the PNC, must also be noted. In a coalition in which the PNC is the senior party and is often charged with dominating its councils, the President’s overruling his party’s nominee is symbolic and augurs well for intra-coalition harmony.

The AFC had expressed disappointment that its nominee was not chosen, but it had to quarrel with the consultative process.

In the end the President chose Mr. Trotman because of the vast experience he brings to the job. As the President said, “In this particular instance, it is up to my judgment and I consulted widely among my coalition partners and Mr. Trotman was not the only nominee but in my mind, he was the fit and proper person. He brings tremendous experience to the Commission and I am confident that the people of Guyana will be satisfied with the appointment.”

It is clear the President wants efficien-

cy and is aware that GECOM has pressing work ahead of it that would require someone with knowledge of the workings of the institution. When one takes into consideration that the chairman is new to the commission, appointing someone with lesser experience would not have been wise.

Now GECOM must get on with the job.

We have Local Government Elections that are due within the next year and General Elections soon after that. We wish Justice Patterson and Mr. Trotman well as they take up their new positions.

We hope their presence brigs a refreshing atmosphere to the body in this moment that is fraught with anxiety. It is time for Guyana first and party after.

Mr. Trotman has already echoed this sentiment. His comments are worth repeating: “I would hope that all of the other members of the Commission will assume that same posture. I believe the commissioners representing the Government’s side will understand the importance of adopting a position that advances the interest of the nation.

And I would hope that the commissioners on the other side would take the same position.”

Inconsistencies exist in tendering system for security services

Dear Editor,

UNDER the Laws of Guyana, Chapter 73:05 of the Constitution, abides the Procurement Act 2003 which outlines the regulation for the procurement of goods, services and the execution of works, to promote competition among suppliers and contractors and to promote fairness and transparency in the procurement process.

However, although this Act is the guide on the procurement process, many shady, questionable occurrences have continued to breathe which manifests corruption.

As we have been in operation for 38 years, we have engaged many Governments ministries, institutions, commissions and agencies where tendering for security services was required. With the genesis of the long awaited Public Procurement Commission (PPC), the undersigned like most suppliers and Guyanese in general, expected some positive changes in the procurement process.

Of recent, there are several inconsistencies, discrepancies and uncertainties that exist in

the tendering system for security services.

At face value, there is definitely confusion among the NPTAB, the Government procuring entities and other state agencies where documents must be sourced for the tenders.

One case is the tender for the Ministry of Business which would have been annulled for a second time. There seems to be a disconnection with regards to the understanding of the license to operate a private security firm, the police certificate and the police certified security plan. It took our company weeks, going on to months to properly understand what the police certificate was and a police certified security plan. To our surprise, the police had no knowledge of the security plan and the Ministry of Business was using the license as the police certificate. This would have been dandy but this misunderstanding would have cost our company this security contract.

During the meeting at the Ministry of Business, with reference to the non-responsiveness of bids from several private security companies, the first issue was the reason given by the Ministry for the annulment of

the tender process. The facial expressions and body language of all gathered instantly changed when the chair of the meeting outlined that the annulment of the tender was due to all bidders failing to provide a police certificate. All representatives of the security firms were taken back by this most unjustifiable reason provided for the annulment of the tender.

As mentioned before, our longstanding company has never heard of this certificate being issued from the police, and by all accounts, neither did Ms. Sharon Alexander (chair) nor Mr. Spencer. Strangely, they profusely argued that there were two or three companies that fulfilled this criterion although only one private security firm was absent. One can conclude that if all parties at a meeting express their bewilderment on a document, how then can two or three firms be compliant? Our company’s officers like other officers from various companies were livid and enraged since the tone and lack of justification was not adequate.

All present at this meeting contended that

there was never a police certificate issued to private security companies but instead, a receipt for fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) from the Office of the Commissioner of Police which could be presented in any tender document. Imagine, even the treasurer of the Guyana Association of Private Security Organisations (GAPSO), Mr. Clyde Layne was baffled since he stated that no member of GAPSO had that police certificate.

Important to note, this issue is not exclusive to the Ministry of Business. In many tender documents distributed by Government bodies, pages are frequently omitted presumably inadvertently; blank pages are inserted for no clear reason, duplication of rate sheets, incorrect dates and incorrect information. In the security tender for the Ministry of Education (the case currently with the PPC), there were seventeen (17) mistakes which needed to be verified, all of which could have disqualified our company from the tendering See page 7

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 26, 2017

PYO saddened at passing of Ali Baksh Dear Editor IT is with great sadness that the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) received the news of the passing of one of Guyana’s true patriot, Cde. Ally Baksh.

He was a mentor and exceptional example for young people in the party, demonstrated by his integral role in nurturing and developing the careers of many leaders. Cde. Ally’s loyalty, commitment and selflessness in the struggles against oppression, discrimination and dictatorship were most admirable. He was a wise counsel, patience and attentive qualities made him an exceptional leader.

Cde. Ally was a strong believer in young people and played particular emphasis on their involvement at all levels of leadership. To the end, he was a guiding force and inspirational motivator to the PYO. He spoke with passion about the youth arm as he himself played a crucial and fundamental role in its early days. The PYO recommits itself to the continuation of the struggle and service to the Guyanese people, especially the youth, in memory of our great mentor.

To the family, we express our sincere condolences on the lost of a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and true patriot of Guyana.

He was a blessing to the people of Guyana, especially in Region Two and we thank God for sharing him with us.

Regards, Progressive Youth Organisation

Inconsistencies exist ...

From page 6

process. When our company’s officers attended the meeting to discuss the tender, the matters were treated lightly when our company was facing disqualification if not answered. This issue surpasses errors in the tender document itself, and extends even to the due day when tenders are opened at the Ministry of Finance. All of which are confusing and questionable.

OPENING OF TENDERS It was observed that on several occasions, the representatives from the various governmental organisations are absent and stall the already timely, slothful process of opening tenders according to the prepared list. This in turn creates havoc on the other tenders scheduled to be opened and the back and forth is not only mentally draining but unfair to the other companies tendering.

COPY AND PASTING OF CRITERIA Our aim is not to embarrass any Minister or Ministry but to highlight the infractions, injustices and malpractices that are occurring in the procurement process. In our view, procurement officers at the various Government entities should take their time when preparing tender documents. The copying and pasting from other tender documents for cement, construction or catering services will not necessary fit into the tender document for security services. I advise for greater commitment and care when preparing these important tender documents. At many times, when our company attempts to contact the permanent secretary or the procurement officer from the Ministry tendering for security services, there is either no response or there is a lack of information presented, and the disinterest in providing assistance is quite obvious.

COST To the opinion of this writer, when retendering is done over and over, private security companies incur costs due many times to the negligence of the procuring entity. In addition to the cost factor to acquire the bid security which is an imperative component of the evaluation criteria (adding up to hundreds of thousands of dollars) and then preparation and printing (binding).

Additionally, there is the time factor as staffers work lengthy hours on its preparation to ensure all the criteria and requirements are fulfilled.

This writer believes that the permanent secretaries at the various Ministries should be briefed thoroughly before the tenders are advertised. Without doing this, the permanent secretary who is the chief accounting officer can be held accountable. Further, it also brings embarrassment to the NPTAB, the Ministry and the entire Government.

As guidance, being in the tendering system for many years, it would appear that since the new administration took power, the process has gotten worse.

Being a professional, I have no personal political axe to grind but simply, to highlight the occurrences in public procurement.

Regards, Roshan Khan Sr. CEO/Chairman/Founder RK’s Guyana Security Services

City Council short of money, manpower and machinery Dear Editor, OVER the last few weeks, a number of events have placed the Council in the spotlight in certain sections of the media.

As a result, many citizens have been asking questions about the specific and general operations of the Council and the state of affairs as it relates to finance and the provision of services. It is against this background that, we, at City Hall, seek to provide answers to our citizens. In this regard, we wish to confine our explanation to three areas: responsibilities, resources and restoration.

On the question of responsibilities, it is public knowledge that, the Georgetown municipality has the responsibility to provide municipal services to local communities within the City of Georgetown. These include roads, drainage, street lights, maintenance of cemeteries, maintenance of five municipal markets, maintenance of sluices, pumps and allied drainage equipment, maternal and child welfare services, day care centres, environmental and public health services, construction, repair and maintenance of bridges, footpaths and reserves, maintenance of green spaces and recreational grounds and facilities for children, youths and seniors, enforcement of compliance to city by-laws, maintenance of pavements, and the regulation of vehicular traffic on city roads.

These services are vital to the quality of life of citizens residing within the precincts of Georgetown and the transient population that visits the city for business and/or pleasure. Altogether about five hundred citizens use the facilities and services of the city on a daily basis. However, the efficient and effective provision and delivery of these services requires money, manpower and machinery. But it is no secret that, the Council is very short of all three- money, manpower and machinery.

In so far as resources are concerned, citizens will recall that in 1994, the then People Progressive Party/Civic government appointed an Interim Management Committee, under the chairmanship of Dr. James Rose. That committee argued that the revenue base of the Council was too small to provide the wide range of services and facilities it was called to provide to local communities and the city.

As a result, the IMC’s proposed new revenue sources to reposition Council financially and to allow it financial comfort to fulfill its responsibilities to citizens. Even though the Committee was supported by many friends of the Council, it still fell far short of the resources to keep the city clean and healthy.

Since that time and even before 1994- successive Councils have made strident efforts to better the financial situation of the Mayor and City Council; they were not very successful.

The negative financial situation of the Council is exacerbated by certain realities. These include: 1. Lack of valuation of properties: The fact that we have not had valuation of properties for over 20 years. This means that property owners are paying rates on the rental

value of their properties assessed 20 years ago; a most unfortunate situation.

A quick glance at our records at the City Treasurer’s Department show that some property-owners are paying less than $16 per day to the Council, in general rates. This is noteworthy because a substantial portion- 78 per cent of the Council’s revenue comes from general rates. The poverty of the city cannot be decoupled from the fact that about 35 per cent of property-owners, including big corporations and companies, even with amnesty, continue to deliberately neglect to pay their rates to the city. Others undervalue their properties- paying domestic rates instead of commercial rates. However, many property owners actually get away with this unethical corporate behaviour because of the cumbersomeness of the judicial process, for parate execution of properties.

Still, for over two decades, the Council has been providing vital municipal services to all communities. It is true that while there has not been valuation of properties, the Council has been doing all things practicable to sustain basic services to the city. Looking at it a different way, the Council has been subsidising businesses and property owners operating in the city because they are receiving services for which they are not paying the real costs. Again, while there has been no valuation of properties for two decades, the costs of commodities used by the municipality to provide services have, over that same period, increased several percent. These include fuel, electricity, cement, sand, stone, wood, steel, machinery, equipment, tools, training, technologies and labour.

2. Changing environment: The Council is now required to do more with less in a changing environment.

Global warming and climate change is affecting the way the Council organises its work, particularly, in the areas of solid waste management, and drainage and irrigation. More money has to be expended to keep our canals and outfall channels free and flowing. The Council has to increase the number of its cycle of cleaning these waterways in order to prevent overtopping during heavy rains. Changing weather patterns and deforestation affecting the Amazon have implications to the health of our natural environment and how we interact with it. This too is pushing the Council to plant more trees and greenery for their physical, psychological, and health benefits to citizens.

Also, changing demographics of the city requires more social services including, health, sports, and fitness promotions, educational, training and related facilities. There is greater need for housing and related infrastructure, more consumption of energy and more emphasis on planning and controlling spatial arrangements of the city.

It is clear that, the current revenue base of the Council facilitates an extremely worrying inability to deliver vital services. This is manifest in delays in payment of wages and salaries to workers, tardiness in honouring contractual obligations, on the part of the Council, shortages in materials, tools, equipment and machinery, erosion of

public confidence in the work of the Council and generally, a noticeable underperformance of the Council.

Actual figures at the Council reveal the following: in 2017, the Council budgeted to collect $1,745,000,000.

However, the actual collection as of October this year is $980,397,147- a variance of $764,602,853. Again, the average monthly income of the Council is $80M. But its monthly payroll, to its staff numbering about 800 plus over 250 pensioners is $112 million dollars per month. We have not mentioned figures for overhead costs and other expenses to provide services.

Undoubtedly, the Council needs to accelerate its plan to restore Georgetown to it pristine state. In 2016, the administration at City Hall started a massive restoration drive. This included, inter alia, restoration of the building that houses the City Engineer’s Department, the City Constabulary building, repairs to facilities at the Promenade Gardens, designing and calculation of estimates for the construction of an four- story building for the Council’s administration, significantly improving mobility and communication for the City Constabulary, improving community security, enhancing all local communities, sanitisation of the central business district of the city, dredging of our canals and other waterways, repairs to bridges, organising street vendors, construction of stalls, designing and opening of new green spaces and a host of other cleaning activities in different sections. Our mission is to make Georgetown the cleanest and greenest city in the Caribbean. But our efforts have been stymied by the acute lack of resources. We have demonstrated our good intention and what is easily possible in the nation’s capital but achieving these require money.

Therefore, it seems reasonable to conclude that unless there is a complete reform of the entire local tax regime the city would forever be trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty, faltering as it attempts to serve the city. This reform must include new and appropriate legislations that would make it less difficult for the Council to recover outstanding rates from defaulters, and perhaps, a differential rating system that would encourage those, who use more of the city’s resources to pay more to the Council. In this regard, we are gratefully aware that, the Honourable Minister of Communities, Mr. Ronald Bulkan has started a process to engage a company specialised in the field of tax reform to look at reassessing all properties in the city.

In most parts of the world cities are largely financed by rates and taxes from properties within their limits.

As a result those cities have the capacity to build and maintain roads and other infrastructure and to provide neighbourhoods characterised by public health and safety. Georgetown ought to be enjoying similar benefits.

Yours sincerely, ROYSTON KING Town Clerk City of Georgetown

Trust still a big issue

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 26, 2017

–– when dealing with domestic violence

By Ravindra Rooplall THE police can sometimes miss out on a whole lot of pertinent information when dealing with domestic violence, says public relations officer, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan.

And that is because women in abusive relationships have a hard time trusting the police; likewise, the police have a hard time earning that trust.

What may also be a turn-off, he said, is the brusque manner in which the police tend to treat a situation, as when they arrive on the scene, their first priority is making sure that everyone is safe.

Sometimes this means separating family members, and being abrupt and very matterof-fact when speaking.

But this is all part of their job, says Ramlakhan, and not an attempt in any way to be controlling. “They have to make sure they’re going to be safe, and that the victim is safe,” he told the Guyana Chronicle in an interview by telephone on Friday.

After having ensured that everyone is safe, he said, only then can an officer settle down to the business of hearing the victim out, and seeing how best they can resolve the matter to the satisfaction of all parties involved.

As Ramlakhan was at pains to explain, domestic violence is not your everyday,

often will happen to the victim,” he said, meaning that abusive partners often inflict more abuse on a survivor as punishment for calling in the police.

And that is what he means when he says that police ranks must understand the complex nature of domestic violence, as it is seldom a one-time, cut-and-dried type of crime.

SENDING THAT MESSAGE But what is even more important, Ramlakhan said, is sending that all–im-

portant message to would-be abusers that that kind of behaviour is unacceptable. “To those who commit offences, that it is unacceptable,” he said. Equally important, he said, is for victims to understand that they are not at fault. “To the victims, you are not responsible.”

President of the Caribbean Voice, Annan Boodram has a slightly different take on the matter of domestic violence, in that he is of the opinion that the prevention and eradication of violent crime in Guyana is predicated on the establishment of functioning links between essential services and experts.

Referencing both local and international crime and violence statistics, Boodram said the big difference between the two scenariCaribbean Voice President, Annan os is that here in Guyana, violence is often Boodram perpetuated along cultural and generational lines, in that while it is known to be against run-of-the-mill crime; and ranks need to the law, it is accepted nonetheless. understand this.

Added to this is the fact that society “Ranks need to understand that while continues to under-report, accept or even bad things may happen to the offender encourage domestic violence, inappropriwhen the police intervene, worse things ate language, unwanted touching and even

overt sexual harassment.

He feels that what the authorities need to do is place more emphasis on conflict resolution and better communication skills; the crafting of policies and procedures that investigate and document occurrences of violence; the development of medical and psychological programmes that assist and support victims of violence; and the drafting of legislation that provides protection to victims of violence.

Turns out that what he is saying is in consonance with what Director of Social

Police PRO, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan

Services, Wentworth Tanner has been saying time and again, that protocols are necessary to ensure that the police take reports of sexual and domestic crimes seriously, and that proper investigations are conducted into those matters.

NEED FOR PROTOCOLS “Without these protocols,” Tanner says, “victims will continue to be apprehensive about reporting rape and domestic violence, resulting in perpetrators not being prosecuted, and increased incidences of sexual and domestic violence.”

According to UN Women (officially known as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women), when world leaders adopted the UN Sustainable Development Goals, it was out of a recognition that ending violence against women and girls was a prerequisite for the achievement of the development agenda.

A case in point is that Goal 5 on gender equality includes a specific target to end all forms of violence against women, including

trafficking, other forms of sexual violence, and harmful practices.

But in spite of all this, UN Women says, the resources dedicated to addressing the issue still do not match the scale of the challenge. It has also emphasised that allocating adequate resources to preventing and addressing violence against women is not only a legal obligation and a moral imperative, but a sound investment as well.

The statistics are telling! One in three women around the world experience some kind of violence in their lifetime, often at the hands of someone they know, love or trust. And of all the women who were victims of homicide globally, almost half were killed by intimate partners or family members.

Guyana on Friday joined the rest of the world in observance of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign to challenge violence against women and girls.

The campaign runs until December 10, recognised globally as Human Rights Day. The theme for this year is “Leave No One Behind: End Violence against Women and Girls”.

The term ‘violence against women’ means any act of gender-based violence that results, or is likely to result, in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.

9

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 26, 2017

Many little things

Tomorrow is Budget Day 2018.

This will be the fourth consecutive national budget within just over 900 days of the Coalition assuming office. In terms of quantity, this ”Jordan Budget” is expected to top the double-billion level that former Finance Minister Ashni Singh had set when he introduced what was then touted as “the biggest budget ever”.

What the Guyanese people would expect, however, is that the budget would have as well, quality; that big must be better. They expect a budget with social content that would address the more pressing needs in their communities.

BUDGET WISH-LIST As is customary, roving reporters were asking folks on the streets to reveal their budget wish-list. The random comments went like this: “I want my street fixed”; “I want my bridge fixed”; “I’d like street lights”.

Some highlighted crimes as a big problem in their communities and insisted: “gimme a police outpost; gimme more police patrols”. Others demanded reliable power supply, potable water, renovated or new markets, cleaner burial grounds and access-to-farm roads.

The responses from the odd persons who hail from interior locations were restricted to all-weather trails and roads, safer bridges, frequent river transport and renovated airstrips, with lower fares.

I am sure that persons from rural areas would have been pleased to include in their wish list facilities to provide passports, and to process birth/death certificates.

All of the above would require bigger votes for the 10 administrative regions whose governing councils would be expected to play a greater role in social development.

Even if more monies were allocated, as has been the pattern since the coalition took office, there is no guarantee that the wishes of the people would be satisfied in regions where the Opposition controls the Councils.

The Opposition could derail the regional and neighbourhood development budgets with its negative campaign of non-cooperation and civil disobedience.

LITTLE THINGS The street folks were not glued to the so-called big ticket projects such as hydro schemes, deep water ports and multiple-lane highways, the promise of which the

previous Government had dazzled our people on the eve of elections.

Many of those were hurriedly concocted as legacy or signature projects, but were clumsily and poorly implemented.

The task to re-design and complete those projects had fallen upon our coalition. Works on the East Bank Highway have been wrapped up, leaving installation of road markers to be done. To come on stream within months are upgrades of the East Coast and West Coast highways, and the Cheddi Jagan international airport runway and terminal buildings.

It was the Pharaoh who had wished, as he banished Moses: “The cities that you built shall bear my name…” His words; not mine.

On this occasion, the Guyanese people -- ordinary, every-day folks -- want a budget for 2018 that contains many little things -- many precious little things. These could help change the condition of their communities and improve the quality of their lives.

Having spent all my political life with the grassroots, I was conscious of the needs of our people, when I wrote in the 2015 Manifesto: “The APNU+AFC Coalition is not lured by the glitz and dazzle of new promises. Our coalition has put into place a real programme that would bring relief to towns and villages, the hinterland and indigenous communities, and to maximise the role of our women and youth in social development.”

NEW BEGINNING We promised a new beginning to address the major problems that we had inherited, and today we see in almost all of our communities evidence of incremental, modest change.

We have roads, bridges, and street lamps where before

there was none. We have regional out-reach radio stations for the first time that draw the coast and the interior closer.

We have new telecommunications links with many classrooms being hooked up to Internet. We have surveillance by air for pirates, and patrols in boats, on horseback and foot for narco-traffickers. And in an emergency, we can now dial 911.

We could look around and find cleaner surroundings, renovated schools, health facilities, new wells and housing projects. Over the months we witnessed frenetic efforts to maintain allocations for and to improve the delivery of the essential social services, though it would have been difficult to keep pace with growing expectations.

We have done so over these months without a boast or fanfare. We are the people’s players in the middle doing as best as we could. We let the audience in the Opposition jeer us, cheer us and make the noise.

Louder noise means that we are doing better since we embarked on building the edifice of a law governed, orderly state. We have checked Executive abuse and lawlessness, and endemic corruption. Our “big Ticket” achievements were in areas of governance, starting from the holding of Local Government Elections. These were denied for over 20 years but were held within months under our new Government.

The election of Councils at the village and municipal levels, including in three new towns, has re-invigorated the base of our society. The many little things that ought to be done, would be laid at the feet of the regional administrations and these Councils, given shifts in budgetary allocations for community projects.

I expect this 2018 Budget to chart a new focus that would take policy-makers back to base, to the grassroots, where ordinary folks hold us to our words that the good life is possible, for all.

Two new ‘David G’ buses commissioned PRESIDENT David Granger on Friday commissioned two new ‘David G’ school buses under the ‘Boats, Buses, Bicycles plus Books and Breakfast’ (Five Bs) Programme, which will serve Region Four as he continues to emphasise the importance of investing in education.

At the commissioning, the Guyanese leader also said that the agricultural sector will play a leading role in the transformation of the region and the country.

The President, who was at the time speaking at the opening of the three-day Regional Agricultural and Commercial Exhibition (RACE) at the Lusignan Community Centre ground, said that the buses will serve the school children of the East Coast and East Banks of Demerara.

It is part of the Government’s continuous effort to ensure that there is access to education for all the children of Guyana.

The RACE initiative is the brainchild of President Granger, who believes that Guyana can play an important role in food security, particularly in the Caribbean region.

The President said more innovative approaches, through education, must be taken to enhance and highlight Guyana’s agricultural

potential and this is where investment in education and technology transfer is important.

President Granger noted that Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), as Guyana’s strongest administrative region, is expected to play a pivotal role in driving the ‘green’ agenda.

“We must share and the more developed regions must assist the least developed regions. As you have heard before, Demerara Mahaica is the most developed, smallest in size but strongest economy and at the same time, much of the economic potential and infrastructure are all located in Region Four…Demerara-Mahaica is the bellwether – it knows the way, it shows the way, it goes the way. The region’s development, in this regard, must be aligned with Guyana green trajectory of development which has, as one of its central objectives, the reduction in economic disparities between the hinterland and the coastland,” he said.

He noted that the event is geared towards showcasing and promoting local businesses, particularly those which are involved in agro-processing.

It is also expected to connect producers and consumers while improving and expanding trade opportunities within the

region.

EMPOWERMENT President Granger said the initiative will also help to empower young and upcoming entrepreneurs, something his Government is passionate about.

It is his hope that RACE can help to highlight the people’s potential to produce and to expose their products for purchase at home and abroad and provide markets for farmers, traders and manufacturers.

“This is important because the exhibition is about people, not Government. When we speak about RACE, we speak about collaboration with the Central Government and the local authorities. We want to ensure that the farmers and fisherfolk and manufacturers can benefit from these exhibitions. We want to ensure that the traders can benefit. I have seen women, widows, housewives producing condiments, coming out to the villages to put their goods on display. I have seen micros and small enterprises coming to being because individuals see the potential not just to make profit but to contribute to the regional wealth and this has started to happen quietly in the region, and this is the realisation that we have

produced, especially in the wake of the Local Government Elections last year,” he said.

More importantly, however, the President said that exhibitions such as these also emphasise the importance of regional stakeholders, not only the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) and the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), but greater participation by the private sector.

To this end, the President proposed that the region develops a Regional Economic Action Plan (REAP) to ensure that its agricultural potential is transformed into reality.

“Let us show the world and the country that Demerara-Mahaica is united and willing to demonstrate the full extent of its economic potential. We cannot go through this five-year cycle and year to year without having a plan, so let us see a Regional Economic Action Plan, which caters for the overall development of all the municipalities and neighbourhoods in this region as well as augment production.

Demerara-Mahaica has a lot of experience in education, energy, economic services, enterprise development and environmental See page 13

10

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 26, 2017

AFC and the Cummingsburg Accord

–– what would a review, revision of this arrangement entail

WHEN persons, political parties or groups run for office, they do so on the basis of offering their ideas or vision as to the direction the organisation or country they seek to lead should go. When they are elected, these ideas or visions form a contract with the people/constituents.

On February 14, 2015, the Alliance for Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) entered into a coalition, based on an agreement known as the Cummingsburg Accord. The coalition campaigned on this Accord, and went to the electorate for approval on May 11, 2015 and March 18, 2016.

When the Accord was signed and made public, as a citizen and trade union leader I publicly expressed disagreement with the clause which says that the Prime Minister would chair the Cabinet. Article 106 (3) of the Guyana Constitution expressly states that such responsibility should reside in the President, and rightly so, given that the office holder is the supreme executive authority.

This means that he or she is head of the executive branch of government.

If the coalition came to the electorate on the promise that it would respect the Rule of Law, it cannot be cherry-picked but must be respected in its entirety. Any review and revision must see this clause excised, or acknowledgment be given to the extant article.

Power, authority and responsibility must be exercised, checked and constrained within the confines of the law.

The AFC wants this process to be concluded by February 14, 2018, before the Local Government Elections. This is not an unreasonable expectation, given that parties may want to contest the polls independently, which would be good, in the sense that such will also offer a gauge of their strengths, standing alone. This Accord not only caused some to see opportunity to defeat the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), but moreso to learn from our history and improve approaches to governance.

For too long many were shut out from, and marginalised in society, even though they are bonafide members, and their rights and freedoms constitutionally guaranteed and protected. Citizens were also tired of the political crassness, gross mismanagement of the economy, and the contempt with which leaders treated the masses.

The coalition represented hope, a new direction, opportunity to foster oneness and build on the talents of our diverse people in keeping with the motto, “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.

THREE YEARS ON Almost three years into office, to pretend there exists no concern, even from quarters that voted for and or wish the

coalition well would be to be in denial.

The trade union, as a national stakeholder, is cognisant of its constitutional role, as expressly outlined in Article 38, 147 and 149C, and that too of the government and its obligations in the management of the State, protection and advancement of the people’s wellbeing.

Revising and reviewing any agreement, especially one of this magnitude, requires honesty and deliberative approaches, factoring in what both sides brought to the table, based on the premises from which they signed. An important tool is diagnostic analysis, which must include the 2006, 2011, 2015 and 2016 elections results.

This means looking at each region and polling division, for elections are won by numbers and the ability to get voters to vest confidence and support in your leadership.

Examination must not be premised on whether the spoils are properly shared among coalition leadership; who deserves more offices than who; and particularly for the AFC, where its leadership has recently changed, what it means for who should hold the two vice-president positions as stipulated. Government is not a gravy train; nor must it serve to enrich any at the expense of time-honoured principles, laws and or the taxpayers. Where the slightest inkling is given that it’s more about titles than honouring the contract with the people (as enshrined in the Accord, Manifesto, campaign promises, and for the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) the communiqué) this would mark a regressive step.

When the coalition launched its 2015 General and Regional Elections (GRE) campaign, it chose Linden/Region 10 as the venue in which to do so. This community was already bursting with energy, coming out of the successful 2012 protest against the PPP/C government’s imposition of an electricity hike, and suffering decades of economic marginalisation. On that platform, the coalition leadership committed to honouring the August 21, 2012 Agreement signed with Central Government.

That Agreement included the establishment of an Economic Committee to look at developing an Indigenous Economic Plan, a Technical Committee to revisit the electricity situation and empower the community, the return of the community’s television disk and the issuance of a licence to broadcast, among other promises.

Based on the coalition’s commitment, Region 10 went to the polls, and today holds the distinction of being the only region where the PPP/C lost votes, and the coalition recorded a landslide victory.

In short, it was the best performing region for the coalition. The 2012 Agreement is not yet honoured, even as the govern-

ment continues to issue new broadcasting licenses.

FIRE AND HIRE On the eve of the GRE, the GTUC made its Labour Day platform available to the coalition, and we called on citizens and workers to fire the PPP/C, and hire the APNU+AFC. Our call was based on years of expressed disapproval with poor governance, wanton trampling of citizens and workers’ rights, and the communiqué which represents a contract with organised labour. This agreement includes respect for Labour’s constitutional role in the development of the economy, Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual, a Job Creation Plan, establishment of all constitutional commissions, universal restoration of Collective Bargaining, enforcement of Labour Laws and creation of a Social Compact, utilising the tripartite arrangement. This communiqué has not yet been honoured.

As citizens, we can debate whether applications of programmes are right or wrong, but we cannot lull ourselves into any comfort zone of accepting the violating of laws and agreements, and the transgressing of rights.

This is my beef with this administration, for the non-adherence to the Constitution, laws and agreements constitutes a violation of the contract with the people.

This business, too, where there exists confusion or disregard for the separation of power must form part of the ‘revise and review’.

It has reached the stage of national import the number of cases the Executive has lost in Court on basic interpretation and application of the Constitution, thereby lending credence to the perception that there exists a contempt for the Rule of Law and a misunderstanding of the role of this branch of governance.

Separation of power does not operate in isolation of the checks and balances on power. The branches -- Executive, Legislature and Judicature -- have their own sphere of responsibility where supremacy exists, but they are not independent of the other, in the sense that it can operate independent of the role and responsibility of the other.

Labour has a constituency -- unionised and non-unionised, past, present and potential workforce -- to report to. Where its leadership has asked them to support the coalition, based on the commitment given to the GTUC, such carries a moral responsibility to ensure delivery. History must not record that the trade union did not fight for implementation; neither must we find excuse for failing to pursue same. Labour must give of its best, fight its hardest, and advise its constituents accordingly, for the leadership, too, is bound

by social contract to deliver.

Of expectation, too, is that the coalition would have started engendering a culture of mutual respect within its ranks, and set a progressive tone for governance, national discourse and development. You cannot require of society what you are not prepared to live by within your own fold.

Also, inclusionary democracy, as outlined in Article 13, must realise laws such as Equal Opportunity, anti-discrimination, regional and local government’s independence as matters of priority, given its importance in deepening and strengthening racial harmony, the constitutional right to self-determination, freedom of association, and protection from discrimination.

A MUTUAL RESPECT Every party in the coalition has a responsibility to make the arrangement work, and realising this has to be grounded in mutual respect and the shouldering of one’s responsibility within the group.

I note with concern David Hinds’ position last week that “Burnhamist ideas are a thing of the past”. As a politician and WPA leader, he would recognise that such utterances are less than honest, and will foster a wedge in politics.

As the WPA ceaselessly promotes Walter Rodney and Rodneyism in seeking to have its influence on governance, its supporters and members must be equally respecting of Forbes Burnham and those who support his principles.

You cannot erase Burnham from society; nor his contributions. He was a major forerunner in Guyana and the Caribbean’s earlier struggles and achievements for self-determination, and, unlike Rodney, held constitutional offices. These struggles remain relevant, and continue today. Where Burnham, Rodney, Cheddi and Janet Jagan, Desmond Hoyte et al made mistakes, society must learn from and avoid these, equally as their strengths must be built on. But none of them must be written off as entirely no good or irrelevant.

Observing that Dr. Vincent Adams, a person I know well, is a member of the AFC team, the APNU is yet to name theirs. Expectation is held he would bring sobriety and progressive thinking to the process, as his international acumen and benefit of living and working in a First World society would hopefully aid reminders of what political parties are elected to do, the expectations of governing, and making known the hard truths.

Guyana is at the crossroads and the time is now to choose whether we swim together and collectively reap the nation’s bounties or disintegrate and sink like fools.

11

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 26, 2017

The AFC agony is the result of that party’s political blunders MANAGING coalitions is always a delicate undertaking.

The major partner invariably tries to manage the Government in its own image while the minor partner or partners try to prevent this from happening. If they succeed in doing so, the latter accumulate influence for themselves within the Government. If they fail, they either leave the coalition, as the UF did in the 1960s, or they stay and function as toothless poodles with little say in the overall direction of the Government. This, to my mind, is the big challenge for the two substantive junior partners in the present coalition government-- WPA and AFC. The PNC, the senior partner in the coalition, naturally would want to monopolise power within the Government. Its membership expects it to do so—understandably they are not swayed by the reality that their party is in power because it was part of something bigger than itself. All they know is that the PNC is the big party and it must act like the big party.

At the level of the APNU, the PNC has had to contend with the unpredictable presence of the WPA. I say unpredictable, because as a non-traditional party, the WPA, more than the other parties, allows more plurality of views and opinions to enter its deliberations at the highest level.

Hence, one never knows which tendency would come to the fore at any given time.

It is, therefore, very difficult to contain the WPA. At the level of the coalition, the PNC must be mindful of the reality of the Cummingsburg Accord which guarantees the AFC 40 per cent of the Cabinet and substantial parliamentary representation.

The AFC has a clear and present veto—it could bring down the Government anytime it chooses to.

The PNC has neutralised the potential WPA threat by sidelining the APNU, in which the WPA is the second largest partner. While the WPA has a big voice within the APNU, it has a very tiny voice within the Government. But the APNU has little to no say in the Government and despite the WPA’s belated pleadings, that arrangement is not likely to change much, if any at all. I am not optimistic that the PNC would cede much political space to the WPA and the WPA has not yet worked out the delicate balance of oversighting Government while being a very junior partner in the Government.

At the level of the Government, while the Cabinet is the theoretical centre of power, under our system the presidency is a separate and more powerful centre of power. And, of course the PNC controls

the presidency whose power flows directly from the Constitution. The AFC found out this brutal truth after the fact—while they negotiated a disproportionate chunk of Cabinet posts and parliamentary seats, these did not amount to substantive power.

The AFC’s only real power is the power to topple the Government while the PNC has a majority in the Cabinet and the National Assembly in addition to the all-powerful presidency.

This brings me to the recent happenings within the AFC. The inevitable contradictions within that party is now out in the open. The AFC was created with the support of external forces and influential internal forces as an alternative to the PPP and the PNC. They all soon learn that the PNC and PPP may be weakened, but they are going nowhere. The AFC then became the broker party, the minority party with enough votes and influence to become the rulers by default. That too never materialised. Then it became the party of non-cooperation, never joining with the two big parties. And that too was a pie in the sky.

Because the AFC leadership did not take time to study the history of Third Parties in Guyana and the Caribbean, it kept going over the same ground that others had already unsuccessfully trodden. Finally, with the PPP on the rampage and Ramjatan and Nagamootoo assuming the leadership of the AFC, a section of the Indian Guyanese elite and electorate embraced the party. The AFC was thus transformed into a junior Indian Guyanese party.

Those Indian Guyanese wanted the PPP out of power, but they did not empower the AFC to replace the PPP with the PNC. A win-win arrangement for that constituency would have been a PPP-AFC Government.

But the PPP’s arrogance pushed the AFC into an alliance with the APNU, of which the PNC was part. The AFC bit the bullet and formed the coalition. It congratulated itself for outmaneuvering the PNC-APNU via the Cummingsburg Accord and its Indian Guyanese elites bought the package.

They convinced a reduced number of Indian Guyanese voters—but enough-- that this was the way to go. The rest as the say is history.

Once in office, the AFC soon forgot about the political dynamics that brought them into Government. They never sought to balance the exercise of ministerial office with holding together the tenuous dynamics within the party. As, I said before, they became power-drunk. I was not surprised.

Here were great patriots who had put up their hands to be counted, but apart from Nagamootoo and to some extent Ramjat-

tan, they had no history of struggle and sacrifice—the came to politics from the top.

In the end they ignored their reason for being. They had no conversations with that fragile Indian constituency that brought them to office — the did not try to broaden it. They spent more time in Georgetown than in the Correntyne, West Berbice and Essequibo. Further, they, not the PNC, became the biggest proponents of Government orthodoxy—going after those of us who asked questions of the Government.

The party functioned through the ministries. The never sought to serve as a check on the PNC. Perhaps they couldn’t, since they had played all their cards in the negotiations of the Cummingsburg Accord. They surrendered to the PNC control of the Local Government Elections, because they couldn’t go to the Indian Guyanese constituency and ask for their votes. The AFC leadership from all indications decided that their only relevance lies in Government.

Nigel Hughes, the party’s link to African Guyanese, left. Raphael Trotman, who

had left or was shoved out when the Indian elites took ownership of the party, came back as leader but the party is still controlled by the Ramjattan-Nagamootoo faction. By the time it came time for the selection of the GECOM chair, they had nothing to bargain with.

The party has now called for the renegotiation of the Cummingsburg Accord.

But what is their bargaining chip? I have my views on that, but I will wait and see.

For me, the agony emanating from those emails are partly the result of the logic of coalition building, but mostly the result of the AFC’s own political blunders.

More of Dr. Hinds ‘writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com

12

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 26, 2017

Slavery in 2017

IT is 2017, and slavery still alive and well.

I know what we are taught as secondary school students in the English-speaking Caribbean. According to the National Archives of the United Kingdom, slavery was abolished on August 1, 1834, but only children under the age of six were freed immediately under the terms of the 1833 Emancipation Act. Slaves in the Bahamas and Antigua were also freed at this point. All other former slaves were bound, as apprentices, to their former masters… For this reason, 1838 is often considered to be the date that slavery was abolished in the Caribbean.

Like many others, I am sure, armed with this knowledge that this great scourge of humanity had been abolished, I grew up believing that slavery did not exist anywhere else in the world; that it was a thing of the past, and that it would never be allowed to happen to anyone else. It was important for me to believe this as a child of African descent, because, to this day, it is difficult for me the contemplate the Middle Passage; that once proud African men and women were made to stand on blocks and auctioned off like cattle, or worse, rendered almost inanimate by resigning to their fate to be treated as less than human.

Surely, nothing like this could ever happen again, right? It is impossible in this modern world for there to exist auctions for the precious commodity of human life, right? If you think that, then you are just as wrong as I was. Casually looking through Instagram stories, I came across the live video of what

looked like protest action teetering on the brink of violence in Paris. It was captioned in the bright cartoon-like font often used in Instagram stories, “Free the people”, “Why Black people protest in France” and “To read more #swipeup”.

So, swipe up I did. What I had stumbled upon, according to the NewZulu.com news site, was a clash of protesters with riot police on the Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris on November 18, 2017 during a march against “slavery in Libya”.

SLAVERY IN LIBYA? A march against slavery in Libya? I was flabbergasted, and immediately looked up the story. What I found was that CNN, in August 2017, received a video clip of what appeared to be a slave auction.

This video has been published, and can be found at https:// amp.cnn.com/cnn/2017/11/17/africa/libya-slave-auction-investigation/index.html.

In it, a man stands as members of an unseen audience bid on the right to own him. I am immediately sickened. I have spent my adult years avoiding movies about African slavery.

But this is no movie. This is real-life, modern-day slavery.

CNN reports that one of the unidentified men being sold in the grainy cell-phone video is Nigerian, and that they travelled to Libya to verify the video, and to go undercover in October.

That undercover report unearthed that there are at least one or two slave auctions every month. The victims are often refugees fleeing war-torn countries or economic hardships, and seem to have accepted the loss of their humanity as they have no home to return to, no food, and nowhere to go. According to CNN, a recent clampdown by the Libyan coastguard means fewer boats with refugees are making it out to sea, leaving the smugglers with a backlog of would-be passengers on their hands. So the smugglers become masters, and the migrants and refugees slaves.

It occurs to me that international policy has, for many years, been front-lining the issue of human trafficking. It is a more palatable term, but its consequences for those caught up in its net are no less horrific. To confront that fact means we must accept that human trafficking is modern-day slavery.

Just like what is going on in Libya might seem so far away that it has no meaning to us, so, too, can the term human trafficking seem for those who can’t imagine how anyone can be tricked into being sold into a life of servitude, semi-slavery or slavery.

Article 3, Paragraph (a) of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons defines Trafficking in Persons as “the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.”

UNIDENTIFIABLE VICTIMS That means that among us there can be unidentifiable victims.

That teenager originally from a rural community who does not go to school but works in your neighbour’s home;

that Spanish-speaking young woman that works at the clandestine strip club; that young man from the hinterland who now participates in commercial sex work; and that strong young man who works for little or no money to pay off a debt owed by his family can all possibly be victims of modern-day slavery.

According to the United States Department of State, as reported over the last five years, Guyana is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour. Women and children from Guyana, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Suriname, and Venezuela are subjected to sex trafficking in mining communities in the interior and urban areas. Guyanese nationals are subjected to sex and labour trafficking in Jamaica, Suriname, and other Caribbean countries. Some police officers are complicit in trafficking crimes, and corruption impedes anti-trafficking efforts.

According to the 2017 report by the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Guyana has made significant progress in fighting this scourge. The report states, “The Government of Guyana fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. The government made key achievements during the reporting period; therefore, Guyana was upgraded to Tier 1. The achievements included approving the 2017-2018 national action plan for combating trafficking in persons; increasing the number of investigations, prosecutions, and convictions; and identifying and assisting more victims for the second year in a row.”

This is important progress, but there is still much more that needs to be done. Is this an issue that the average citizen cares about? Can the ordinary Guyanese recognise slavery, if it was staring them in the face? Often, many of the scenarios that I have described are so normalised that we will easily observe them and never bat an eyelid. Further, we must ask ourselves how do we improve the ability of potential victims and victims to recognise what is happening to them, though it doesn’t look like the video of the man on the block in Libya, is no different, in the sense that it denigrates their humanity, exploits them, and removes or limits their right to freedom.

How do we increase accessibility to help and protect and improve a victim’s willingness to seek that help? These are all expensive questions, with difficult and complex answers, but answer them we must.

Abolition will take a collective, comprehensive international approach that never takes for granted that there won’t always be people who will have the means, and ruthlessness needed to own another human being. The Government of Libya has launched a formal investigation into the slave auctions in the country following the CNN report highlighting the importance of investigative reporting, and the role of the media. They are an important stakeholder here in Guyana.

Action-inducing content can effect change, not only in the actions of public officials but in the conduct of average citizens, who themselves must be engaged at the preventative and reporting levels.

I stand in solidarity with those Africans who are today being held in captivity, but I cannot be moved by their plight and not be moved to action by those who might be at risk or at risk in my own country.

Let’s resolve to pursue abolition in every way that we can.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 26, 2017

‘We can’t do things and hope to get away’ –– Ramnarine tells ranks

By Navendra Seoraj ACTING Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine has sent ranks a cryptic warning to the effect that all it takes is one bad apple to unravel the enormous gains the Force would have made, particularly in recent years.

“We are toying and think we can get off... We all are involved, high and low; we will all be consumed, not only junior ranks... We cannot do things and think we can get away with it,” he said Tuesday.

The Top Cop, who was at the time addressing the 130 graduates of several police training courses, said he was not about to pull any punches, as it is important for newcomers to know about the downfalls of the Force so that they would not make the same mistakes their predecessors did.

Noting that it seems that every time the Force takes a step forward, they somehow make a corresponding move backwards, the commissioner said a case in point is the two members of the Force who were on Thursday jointly charged for the murder of popular D’Urban Street businessman, 64-year-old Godfrey Scipio, called ‘Sagga’.

Given this turn of events, he feels it’s time they go back to the drawing board to review their strategies and give new direction to their team.

“We need to be unrelenting in the pursuit of wrongdoing, so we will continue with our work,” the Commissioner said, adding: “But I urge you to look at these things and ensure you avoid them by employing a higher standard in what you do.”

He made the point that although the Force has employed new strategies to rebuild public trust, the revelation that as many as 31 officers have been charged for the year for various crimes, and that 623 complaints were lodged against members of the Force has tended to put

Police Commissioner (ag), David Ramnarine a damper on things.

Though evidently not proud of those figures, Commissioner Ramnarine believes the Force can turn things around and repair their image somewhat by continuing to improve on their service to the public, as they adapt to the ever

evolving nature of law enforcement.

Among some of the things they plan addressing in the year ahead, he said, is the growing culture to neglect one’s duty, which attracted the most complaints for the year at 321.

He feels that the solution to this particular problem is community-based policing, as it will not only help reduce the number of complaints in this regard, but also help the Force to rebuild public trust.

They have already started to address other areas where there are misdemeanors. For instance, Ramnarine said they have so far stripped the tint off of 75 vehicles owned by policemen, and off 42 vehicles belonging to the Force itself.

And while there are a lot more issues yet to be addressed, the Commissioner is certain that they can do it, especially with additional manpower.

He said that evidence that the Force is growing from strength to strength is the 29 officers who would have recently graduated from the Elementary Prosecutors’ Course; the 32 from the Continuous Professional Development Programme; another 27 from the Special Constabulary Initial Training; and the remaining 42 from the C.I.D Induction Course.

Some of those officers said they are ready to do what is necessary to ensure that they improve the standard of the GPF, especially now that they are better equipped to do so.

They’ve pledged, too, to work with the same degree of efficiency and effectiveness to arrest and prosecute criminals, whether it is a member of the public or fellow police officers.

Two new ‘David G’ buses...

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protection and you have a lot to teach this country. I wish this region can go to other regions and implant that expertise.

What is good for Region Four is good for Guyana, and what is good for Guyana is good for the Caribbean region,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, in his remarks said that agriculture is one of the pillars earmarked to forge the path for sustainable development for the Caribbean and Guyana. He noted that not only is it of fundamental significance to ensure food and nutrition security, but it also represents a viable pillar on which to promote economic development for the country and provide a means for citizens to generate wealth and ensure a sustainable developmental trajectory.

TIMELY The RACE initiative, therefore, remains important and timely and the significant contributions of agriculture as a major component of the country’s economy is likely to persist even though accelerated growth has been foreseen for the mining, oil and gas, services and manufacturing industries. The Ministry of Agriculture, recognising this, has been playing its part by providing the necessary resources and support to the relevant stakeholders, he said.

“Currently, there are projects to improve the livelihood of farmers in this very region such as the Rural Agricultural Instructor Development Project. The implementation of this US $12.5 million project, will pave the way for farmers to once again return to the land to improve management, infrastructure, agricultural technology, access to fed aid by small farmers, diversification, and rehabilitating and maintaining of drainage and irrigation systems and farm to market, to name a few. The Ministry of Agriculture stands ready to stimulate

economic activities in all regions,” he said.

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, said according to statistics provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, US$261 million is spent annually on food imports. Noting that that is a huge sum of money compared to the size of the country with vast land and water resources, Minister Gaskin said Guyanese must do better in supporting the agricultural sector.

“We have good, fresh wholesome food right here in Guyana. We need to find a way to produce more of the food that we eat, especially the processed food because a lot of the food we import are processed and that processing can be done right here in Guyana. So these expos allow smaller producers to get access to hundreds of consumers and to promote and sell their products. As a country we need to ensure our own food security, otherwise we could find ourselves with an even bigger food importation bill than the two hundred and something million. The food that is produced locally is also likely to be healthier than the imported food; we therefore can get additional benefits, both economic and health benefit by feeding ourselves,” he said.

Chairperson of the Region, Genevieve Allen, said the event will become an annual one for the region. She noted that Demerara-Mahaica must achieve its full agricultural potential and the regional administration will work to ensure that this is realised.

Meanwhile, one of the exhibitors, Clarence Hanes, in an invited comment, said that the exhibition presents a great opportunity for small-scale businesses to showcase their products and promote their business.

“I think this opportunity that the Government is giving us is very good exposure and we appreciate it. Many people just see the products and do not know where it comes from, and so this will give consumers the opportunity to hear from us and see what goes into the process,” he said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 26, 2017

Smuggling hurting soft drink sales

… GMSA calls on Gov’t to intervene ahead of Budget 2018

By Svetlana Marshal THE sale of locally manufactured soft drinks are on the decline, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) said, claiming that the imposition of an environmental levy of $10 per unit on non-returnable containers used to package alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage

has given rise to smuggling.

Earlier in January, the Customs (Amendment) Bill was passed in the National Assembly paving the way for the imposition of an environmental levy of $10 per unit on the importers and local manufacturers of products using non-returnable metal, plastic or glass container to package any alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage.

The amendment to the Customs Act was in response to a 2014 ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), which resulted in Guyana refunding Rudisa Beverages and Juices N.V a total of $1.2B for environmental taxes collected from that company.

Rudisa had contended, and the court ruled, that the tax violated the rules

GMSA Director Ramesh Dookhoo of trading in the regional trade and integration bloc, CARICOM, of which both Guyana and Suriname are members.

But close to a year after the Environmental Levy took effect, GMSA is contending that the introduction of the levy is having a negative effect on the sale of locally manufactured beverages, the majority of which are bottled in non-returnable containers.

“There has been a drop in consumption of (locally manufactured) soft drinks in plastic bottles, and soft drinks in plastic bottles is about 95 per cent of the carbonated beverage in the market,” GMSA Board Director, Ramesh Dookhoo told Guyana Chronicle in an exclusive interview.

“Based on the figures I have seen, it (sale) has gone down,” he added.

According to him, since the introduction of the environmental levy, there is now

an incentive to smuggle soft drinks into Guyana.

Just days ago, the Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) seized millions of dollars’ worth of smuggled beverages that were being brought into the country from Trinidad and Tobago.

“Small drinks are very easy to smuggle, you just go across to a neighbouring country, buy the soft drinks and ship a boat load down here, and you can sell it cheaper than the person who pays the envi-

GRA Deputy Commissioner Rohan Beekhoo ronmental tax,” the GMSA Board executive posited.

AGED OLD ISSUE In a separate interview, GRA Deputy Commissioner (Excise Stamp and Environmental Levy, Customs, Excise and Trade Operations), Rohan Beekhoo told Guyana Chronicle that smuggling of alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages is an aged old issue. He said GRA

is putting strategic systems in place to combat the trade of contraband such as the introduction of Excise Stamps for alcohol (excluding beer) and tobacco products being imported into the country.

Beekhoo, w hile ac knowledging that there has been a recent seizure of a large quantity of smuggled beverages, said smugglers are not only trying to evade the payment of the environmental levy, but also the Value Added Tax (VAT) and other duties. He could not draw a correlation between the introduction of the Environmental Levy and the “perceived” increase in smuggled beverages.

Aside from the issue of the illicit trade, local manufacturers are viewing the Environmental Levy as a financial burden.

Ahead of the presentation of Budget 2018, Dookhoo said the GMSA Board met with Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, to express their concern. It is the belief of GMSA that local manufacturers should not be compared with importers.

“We have told the minister that if you are a manufacturer of soft drinks in Guyana, you are obligated to pay for your environmental permit every year.

In order for you to get that permit you have to meet standards of emission, standards of not doing damage to the environment in that manufacturing process, a cost is attached to all of that, and that cost is not incurred by someone who is importing soft drinks,” Dookhoo said.

According to him, GMSA has asked the finance minister to seriously consider amending the environmental laws of the country to ensure that local manufacturers are treated fairly in their own jurisdiction.

“The cost of preserving the environment and maintaining the environmental licence is a humongous task,” he underscored.

Though such amendment would not entail a process, he believes that it should remain on the front burner when considering manners relating to the private sector.

“I think the minister needs a lot more technical data which he don’t have and we’re prepared to provide that to him,” Dookhoo said. He said the GMSA is pleased that the Finance Ministry has continuously engaged the GMSA on issues affecting its members.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 26, 2017

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Healthy response to diabetic clinic at Stabroek Market

THE ‘Big Blue Saturday’, a diabetes awareness and health clinic held at the Stabroek Market Square, attracted a massive community response, for which members of the public are continuing to sing their praises.

The event was hosted by the Lions of Bel-Air, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, the Guyana Diabetic Association, the Young Leaders in Diabetes, St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital, the Guyana Football Federation, Ansa Mc Al and the Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC).

Services brought to the public free of charge included testing of Body Mass Index (BMI), Random Blood Sugar (RBS) testing, blood pressure (hypertension) tests, dental health care, foot care, eye screenings, and disability and rehabilitation services – all conducted compliments of the Lions Club of Bel-Air. Education information leaflets about diabetes were also distributed, while the Guyana Football Federation had a fun time engaging in football

Members of the Lions of Bel-Air attending to persons during the outreach at Stabroek Market Square games.

The Lions Club of BelAir also participated in the Diabetes Awareness Walk, organised by the Ministry of Public Health earlier Saturday morning, culminating at the Square of the Revolution.

President of the BelAir Lions Club, Lion Tara Naraine and chairperson for the Project – (Lions Club of BelAir Diabetic and Health

Committee), Candace Ford have expressed gratitude to their partners for coming on board to make the project a success.

Special thanks to Banks DIH and Guyana Beverage Company for their contribution of beverages and to the members of the public who enthusiastically accessed the services made available at the forum.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 26, 2017

Berbice businessman critical after attempted execution POPULAR Rose Hall Town businessman, Rajindra Prasad called “Bobby” of Bobby’s Boutique, located obliquely opposite the Rose Hall Town Market was shot twice around 15:00 hrs on Saturday.

According to eyewitnesses, the business was about to reopen after closing for lunch when two persons, one dressed as a female and another wearing a full face helmet, both armed with handguns, stormed the entity, demanding that everyone lie on the floor.

The robbers then approached the businessman in the cashier’s booth and opened fire on him and fled

Bandits hijack taxi

THE car of a 46-year-old taxi driver was hijacked Saturday after two females lured him to a location in Mocha Road, D’Urban Back Lands, where he was pounced upon by a waiting gunman.

According to a police release, the victim was forced out of his car by the gunman who took possession of the vehicle. As the victim was in the process of fleeing, the male suspect discharged several rounds in his direction.

The taxi driver was struck once in the upper right thigh and was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he had to undergo surgery to remove the bullet.

His condition is said to be stable. Police have launched a search for the stolen vehicle and the robbery suspects.

The stolen vehicle is a silver grey Premio bearing registration number HC 6296.

the scene.

Eyewitnesses said they heard three gunshots. The businessman was shot twice and was rushed to the Anamayah Hospital before being transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where doctors are battling to save his life.

A vendor who operates a confectionery stall nearby recalled hearing the gunshots, but at first thought they were explosives.

“When I see people running, then I left my stand and run too,” the vendor said.

While details of the shooting are sketchy, Guyana Chronicle was informed that the businessman who operates the clothing and footwear store, was shot in the region of the abdomen and neck.

At the scene, residents and family members gathered while police were seen busy combing the Rose Hall backlands for the suspects who fled in that direction.

Police in March had arrested Cordell Fraser, 24, with a .38 revolver with four matching rounds and during interrogation he revealed that he was allegedly hired by a Jamaican to execute Prasad over unpaid debts.

The plan, according to Fraser, was to execute the businessman and make the hit appear to be a robbery.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 26, 2017

Smart cities a necessity in this age – says Jordanian expert

By Ravin Singh in Dubai A DUBAI-based smart city expert believes that in the 21st Century, smart cities will become a necessity even for third world developing states like Guyana.

Yousef Khalili is originally from Jordan but has been living and working in Dubai for the last 25 years where he contributed immensely to the realisation of a smart city in that part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

He was at the time speaking at a Youth Global Forum hosted by Youth Time International Movement in Dubai. The forum is being held under the theme “Ethical entrepreneurship in the time of a knowledge-based

economy.” His focus was on the role of entrepreneurs in the future of smart cities.

A city is described as a developed urban area that creates sustainable economic development and high quality of life by excelling key sectors of the society.

During his presentation, the expert outlined the characteristics of a smart city, and these include resiliency, safety, transparency, engaging, efficiency, livable, competitiveness, healthy, responsiveness, innovation and connectedness.

He said to unlock the true potential of a smart city, the infrastructure must be in place and data has to be of utmost priority.

“Data is the biggest problem and it can create the most opportunities,” he

added.

Guyana has begun to take steps towards transforming Georgetown into a smart city. Plans are afoot to install parking meters in the capital – one of the features of a smart city. Further, the government’s commitment to a ‘green agenda’ further advances the prospect for a smart city.

However, Khalili was keen to note that information and communication technology is at the heart of such a realisation.

He explained that “by providing a high quality ICT infrastructure and connectivity enables smaller businesses to compete and grow on equal footing with big rivals”.

He went on to state that connectivity means citizens

Dubai-based smart city expert, Yousef Khalili have access to information, knowledge to innovate, and to do business differently, and ultimately build a knowledge-based and socially connected community.

Over the last few years,

the Caribbean region has intensified its push for a knowledge-based economy to advance the current production and services-based economy.

Noting that social cohesion remains one of the challenges for third world developing states, the expert said that a smart city is a place with a high social inclusion of its inhabitants. He said this attracts a young and well-educated workforce and positively impacts both productivity and sustainability.

Khalili also underscored the role of the Government in the creation of smart cities, pointing out that policy is perhaps the single most important instrument in such a process.

Since smart cities are driven by the private sector, the theme of ethical considerations and preventing people from being treated as consumers as opposed to

citizens was also discussed.

Again, the expert pointed to policy and the importance of the role of Government in realising that the main focus should be to make citizens happier and more comfortable.

“Governments should not look to make more money from citizens, but to have a greater impact on their lives. But there is nothing wrong with making more money. Making more money means more money will be injected into the economy and that is increased spending and better services for people.

So it benefits them in the long run” he said.

Important too, is the need for local talent to be built, through education, to sustain these cities.

“If you don’t build talent locally, smart cities will not be sustainable.

So education becomes increasingly important,” Khalili said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 26, 2017

Disciplined Forces members match fitness skills

GUYANA Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Staff, Brigadier Patrick West congratulated all participating teams at the Final Force Quarterly Fitness (Run and Shoot) Competition of the year.

The two-day event conducted at Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri, successfully concluded Friday morning.

The 31 Special Forces

Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff, Brigadier Patrick West (centre) with the winners at the Final Force Quarterly Fitness (Run and Shoot) Competition Squadron (31SF Sqn) “A” Team won the competition among the male teams, while the Four Engineer Battalion finished in second place with the G2 Branch finishing in third.

Base Camp Stephenson females took top honours among the three participating female teams, with the Guyana People’s Militia (GPM) females finishing second.

Brigadier West expressed satisfaction at the enhanced and determined efforts of the teams which resulted in very keen competition of a high standard.

Teams from the Guy-

ana Police Force and the Guyana Prison Service also participated and provided good competition for their peers.

Teams competed in areas which include Swimming, Ravine (rope) Crossing, Map Reading and Navigation, Rappelling, the completion of a 5km Run, Kit Inspection, the completion of the Obstacle Course, and Falling Plate Shoot.

All events were completed within set times and teams either earn points or have points deducted as penalties along the way.

Man admits robbing Brazilian, taxi driver FOUR suspects are in police custody after a Brazilian woman and the driver of a car she hired were robbed on Friday at Oleander Gardens, Bel Air Park, Georgetown, as they were about to disembark the vehicle.

The suspects were all arrested in a house at Circle Front, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Police recovered most of the stolen items and one of the suspects has since admitted to committing the robbery.

Police said the victims positively identified the suspect, who later admitted guilt. The other three found in the house are being questioned.

Investigations are ongoing.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 26, 2017

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 26, 2017

Guyana’s men make successful start to Ran 7s title defence Women’s side suffer mixed results on opening day

GUYANA’s ‘Green Machine’, the defending Men’s Sevens Rugby Americas North (RAN) Champions, made a successful start to their championships title defence, winning both matches on Day One of the tournament, which is being held at the picturesque Campo Marte, a military and equestrian venue in the heart of Mexico City, Mexico, yesterday.

As six-time men’s champions, Guyana started as one of the favourites to claim the coveted title and a ticket to San Francisco for RWC Sevens 2018.

In their first game of the tour-

nament, the Dwayne Schroeder-led ‘Green Machine’ first disposed of the Cayman Islands 26 – 14, with Dominic Lespierre, Lancelot Adonis, Schroder, Claudius Butts and Rickford Cummings scoring in the game.

Guyana then defeated Barbados 28 – 21, thanks to Lespierre, Adonis, Butts, Cummings, Richard Staglon, Avery Corbin and Schroder.

Guyana will play Bermuda and Trinidad and Tobago today in their final pool game.

Meanwhile, for the women--the former RAN Caribbean Champions--after a 19 – 12 win against Ja-

maica, they fell 5 – 12 against Trinidad and Tobago. However, the Guyanese women ended day one with a 17 – 12 win against the Dominican Republic.

Today, the ‘GT’ women will face host Mexico, Bermuda and French Guiana.

One men’s and one women’s team will qualify for next year’s Rugby World Cup Sevens and the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series qualifier in Hong Kong, while places at the Commonwealth Games and Central American and Caribbean Sports Organisation (CACSO) Games are also on the line.

Road to Mecca officially launched 10-team tournament to bounce off December 1

NINE of the country’s top teams will have a chance to overthrow National Club Champions Colts, when the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) bounce off their annual ‘Road to Mecca’ tournament on December 1 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The finals will be played on December 24.

The tournament was officially launched yesterday at Palm Court where details were given, and according to GABF president Nigel Hinds, cash prizes will be a minimum of $1.2 Million, in addition to trophies and

giveaways.

Hinds stated that Banks DIH is the ‘Presenting Sponsor’ and has committed $1 Million in sponsorship under their Coca Cola and PowerAde brands.

Colts, who also holds the title of Georgetown’s best club, will battle the likes of Ravens, Amelia’s Ward Jets,

Half Mile Bulls, and Rose Hall Jammers in Group A of the ten-team tournament.

In Group B, Linden’s leading club, the Victory Valley Royals, will be joined by last year’s finalist Retrieve Raiders, along with Pacesetters, Plaisance Guardians and new comers, Kobras.

Spasojević tames Golden Jaguars Guyana go down 2 – 1 to Indonesia

Ilija Spasojević, the 30-year-old former Serbia and Montenegro National Youth player, was the hero on the day for his adopted country, netting both goals in Indonesia’s 2 – 1 win over Guyana yesterday at the Patriot Chandrabhaga Stadium, Bekasi, Indonesia.

It was the Golden Jaguars’ first time playing on the Asian Continent, and Head Coach Wayne Dover was cautiously optimistic of a positive outcome, but, Spasojević had other ideas.

Shaquille Agard’s right footed shot from more than 35 yards to the centre of the goal in the ninth minute, had placed Guyana in control of the historic encounter, but that lead didn’t last for long.

After Agard’s goal, Indonesia, backed by a very buoyant attack, led by Spasojević, would rebound in a way that was welcomed by their supporters.

Spasojević scored from the penalty mark, after Guyana’s captain Jake Newton picked up a yellow card from a dubious hand ball within the six yard 18-yards area.

Guyana’s Andrew Durant was short in picking the correct side for the penalty, but it was not enough to get the save for Guyana, as Spasojević and his teammates celebrated the goal.

The Highly questionable call resulted in a level scoreline heading into the second stanza of the game.

But, after the resumption of the game in the second half, it was all about Indonesia.

Spasojević would lead a scorching attack on Guyana’s seemingly hapless defence that would eventually crumble in the 75th minute when the former Montenegro International scored from point-blank range, after a defensive breakdown.

Despite several changes by Head Coach Wayne Dover, which saw veteran Anthony Abrams, Curtez Kellman, Kelsey Benjamin and Denzil Fordyce coming into the game, Guyana failed to even look threatening to the Indonesian side.

This was the last game for Guyana, who has played four international friendlies for 2017, and the Golden Jaguars failed to pick up a win.

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Sunday CHRONICLE, November 26, 2017

Smith hits unbeaten 141 to usher Aussies to safety BRISBANE (Reuters) - A captain’s century hewn from granite and two wickets in a fiery pace assault after tea saw Australia wrest the momentum away from England by the end of an enthralling day three of the series-opening Ashes Test in Brisbane on Saturday.

Josh Hazlewood snared two victims to leave England 33 for two at stumps and clinging to a seven-run lead after skipper Steve Smith inspired the hosts with a brilliant, unbeaten 141 in front of a grateful crowd of 33,474 at the Gabba.

Opener Mark Stoneman, on 19 not out, and Joe Root on five survived a furious pace examination in the final overs as the pitch grew appreciably quicker.

With Australia teetering at 76 for four on day two and their nearly 30-year unbeaten record at the Gabba seemingly in peril, Smith dragged his side back from the brink over eight-and-a-half hours of steely application.

By the time tail-ender Nathan Lyon edged to Alastair Cook in the slips, marking the end of Australia’s innings of 328, Smith strode off to a hero’s ovation, having pushed his side 26 runs in front of England’s first innings 302.

“It’ll be up there definitely, obviously with the team in a bit of trouble,” Smith told reporters when asked if was the most satisfying ton of his career.

“I had to bat some time and dig really deep ... I think it was my slowest hundred,

someone told me, had to work hard and be really disciplined and resilient.”

Smith’s team mates inspired and his pacemen hitting the deck hard, Cook was soon out cheaply for a second time in the test.

Caught behind for two off Mitchell Starc in the first innings, Cook was caught for seven by the paceman in the deep when he tried to hook a short ball from Josh Hazlewood away to safety.

Hazlewood then had an uneasy James Vince out for two with a rearing delivery that sent an edge to Smith in the slips.

Moments later, Starc struck Root in the helmet with a venomous delivery and took turns with Cummins to pepper Stoneman with short balls.

Root and Stoneman will face more of the same in the morning, but Stuart Broad felt England were in the best position they had been at a Gabba Test in over 30 years.

“Actually we’re in a lot of control of this game after three days,” he said. “It’s in our hands to bat big tomorrow.”

CUMMINS CAMEO Cummins earlier provided fine support to Smith with a knock of 42 in a 66-run partnership, surviving for all but 10 minutes of the middle session until he was finally caught at slip off all-rounder Chris Woakes.

Smith, who began the day on 64, moved slowly but purposefully towards

SCOREBOARD ENGLAND 1st innings 302 (J. Vince 83, D. Malan 56, M. Stoneman 53) Australia 1st innings (Overnight: 165-4) C. Bancroft c Bairstow b Broad 5 D. Warner c Malan b Ball 26 U. Khawaja lbw b Ali 11 S. Smith not out 141 P. Handscomb lbw b Anderson 14 S. Marsh c Anderson b Broad 51 T. Paine c Bairstow b Anderson 13 M. Starc c&b Broad 6 P. Cummins c Cook b Woakes 42 J. Hazlewood b Ali 6 N. Lyon c Cook b Root 9 Extras (lb-1 nb-1 w-2) 4 Total (all out, 130.3 overs) 328 Fall of wickets: 1-7 C. Bancroft,2-30 U. Khawaja,3-59 D. Warner,4-76 P. Handscomb,5-175 S. Marsh,6-202 T. Paine,7-209 M. Starc,8-275 P. Cummins,9-298 J. Hazlewood,10-328 N. Lyon Bowling: J. Anderson 29 - 10 - 50 – 2, S. Broad 25 - 10 - 49 – 3, M. Ali 30 - 8 - 74 – 2, C. Woakes 24 - 5 - 67 – 1,J. Ball 18 - 3 - 77 - 1(nb-1 w-2) J. Root 4.3 - 0 - 10 - 1 ENGLAND 2nd innings A. Cook c Starc b Hazlewood 7 M. Stoneman not out 19 J. Vince c Smith b Hazlewood 2 J. Root not out 5 Extras 0 Total (for 2 wickets, 16 overs) 33 Fall of wickets: 1-11 A. Cook,2-17 J. Vince To bat: D. Malan, M. Ali, J. Bairstow, C. Woakes, S. Broad, J. Ball, J. Anderson Bowling: M. Starc 5 - 1 - 14 – 0,J. Hazlewood 5 - 1 11 – 2, P. Cummins 3 - 2 - 1 – 0, N. Lyon 3 - 0 - 7 – 0.

Steve Smith produced a masterclass for his 21st Test ton, his slowest in terms of balls faced. ©Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images)

his century and soaked up eight successive dot balls when on 97 before Broad finally gave an opening.

The skipper pounced on a fuller, wide delivery, smashing a drive past mid-off for four, triggering a huge roar from the sell-out crowd.

Having completed his sixth Ashes ton, Smith tore off his helmet, raised his arms in triumph and beat his chest twice in a fired-up celebration, one of the most ardent of his 21 test hundreds.

It helped swing the match back into balance after England’s veteran pacemen had dominated the morning.

Vijay, Pujara hundreds put India in control

Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara continued to be a dangerous combine, raising their 10th century stand ©ICC

(REUTERS) - Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara both hit hundreds and combined in a stand of 209 to hand India a big first innings lead over Sri Lanka on the second day of the second Test

in Nagpur on Saturday.

The hosts reached the close of play on 312 for two with Pujara unbeaten on 121 after his 14th Test hundred and had captain Virat Kohli not out on 54 at the other end.

The world’s top-ranked test side were ahead by 107 in the first innings after Sri Lanka were bundled out for 205 on the opening day.

Vijay, who missed India’s three-Test series in Sri Lanka with injury and was left out of the drawn first match in Kolkata, celebrated his return to the side with 128 runs.

He top-edged a full toss from left-arm spinner Rangana Herath to be caught at short fine leg and was the lone success for the Sri Lankan attack after two sessions of fruitless toil.

Kohli followed up his unbeaten ton in the last test with his 15th fifty and further deflated the touring side’s morale with his attacking knock, hitting six boundaries, and an unbroken third-wicket partnership of 96 with Pujara.

Resuming the Indian innings on 11-1, both Vijay and Pujara were watchful during the first hour’s play and waited for the bad balls for scoring opportunities.

Playing at the same ground where he made his debut nine years back, the 33-year-old Vijay square-drove the first ball of the morning for a four.

He completed his 10th Test hundred with a single against off-spinner Dilruwan Perera, his innings studded with 11 fours and a six.

Sri Lanka had a chance to dismiss him for 19 when the short-leg fielder first floored a sharp chance off Herath and then failed to run out the opener who was well out of his crease. Perera also dropped Vijay on 61 at short mid-on off paceman Lahiru Gamage.

Pujara was typically

SCOREBOARD SRI LANKA 1st innings 205 (D. Chandimal 57, D. Karunaratne 51; R. Ashwin 4-67) India 1st innings (Overnight: 11-1) L. Rahul b Gamage 7 M. Vijay c D. Perera b Herath 128 C. Pujara not out 121 V. Kohli not out 54 Extras (b-1 lb-1) 2 Total (for 2 wickets, 98 overs) 312 Fall of wickets: 1-7 L. Rahul,2-216 M. Vijay To bat: A. Rahane, R. Sharma, W. Saha, R. Ashwin, R. Jadeja, U. Yadav, I. Sharma Bowling: Suranga Lakmal 18 - 2 - 58 – 0, Lahiru Gamage 22 - 7 - 47 – 1, Rangana Herath 24 - 8 - 45 – 1, Dasun Shanaka 13 - 3 - 43 – 0, Dilruwan Perera 21 - 0 - 117 – 0.

poised at the other end, mostly leaving the deliveries outside his off-stump and offering a dead bat in defence.

Perera got the right-hander to edge one on 25 but the ball fell well short of Angelo Mathews at slip. Pujara’s innings was otherwise spotless and he has hit 13 fours in his 284-ball knock so far.

Sri Lanka had managed to keep a lid on India’s scoring rate in the first hour of play but it was after the introduction of Perera that India got momentum with both the batsmen attacking the off-spinner who went for 117 runs in 21 overs.

28

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 26, 2017

Essequibo Cricket Board honours champion Franchise League team By - Elroy Stephney THE Essequibo Cricket Board in collaboration with the Region 2 Administration last Tuesday evening held a lavish and impressive awards ceremony to honour the Essequibo Senior cricket team in recognition of their outstanding display that resulted in them being crowned GCB Franchise League threeday champions--2017.

It was the first time in the history of Essequibo’s cricket that the senior team has won a national title.

The awards ceremony took place on the lawns of the Regional State House and was attended by the Regional Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt; Regional Executive Officer, Rupert Hopkinson; Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Roop Kumar Persaud; Assistant Regional Executive Officer, Yvette-Hastings-Tafares; Prime Minister’s Representative, Karran Chand; Acting President of the GCB and president of the ECB, Fizul Bacchus; former president of the ECB, Vibert Johnson; National Under-19 manager, Andy Ramnarine; and RDC Councillors, among other

distinguished guests.

The well coordinated ceremony began with the introduction of the players by ECB official, Nazeer Mohamed, who also chaired the evening’s proceedings. Winning captain Anthony Adams led the procession as each player was recognised and received loud rounds of applause as they orderly made their way on to the lawns of the decorated surroundings.

The large gathering of guests, well-wishers, friends and relatives of the players were then briefly addressed by the DREO, REO, Regional Chairman, acting president of the GCB, in that order.

During their presentation, both the REO and the Regional Chairman praised the mercurial and collective efforts of the players while underscoring the hard work and commitment that they had endured to achieve success.

They also said that the entire Essequibo region is proud of their achievement and has vowed the Administration’s continued support towards the Essequibo Cricket Board and other stakeholders in realising the

Players of the winning GCB three-day Franchise League,Essequibo, flanked by Regional Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt and ECB President, Fizul Bacchus

full potential of the Region’s cricketers.

The Regional Chairman also mentioned that the ECB must reach out to untapped talent in the Regions of 1, 3, 7 and 9, which are also considered as being under the jurisdiction of the ECB. He was also high in praise of the Captain Anthony Adams and made a public appeal for him to be given a house lot in recognition of his leader-

ship and success; a gesture that was also sanctioned by the REO. During his address, the GCB President expressed delight at the performance of the team despite the many challenges, including the lack of sponsorship in the Region.

He expressed his Board’s appreciation to the many supporters, including the Private Sector that played a pivotal role in ensuring that the team was given the nec-

essary resources throughout their sojourn in winning the title.

Special mention was also given to Samad Baksh of Imam Bacchus Group of Companies, whose facility including the impressive cricket ground which was made available to the ECB at no cost, and for the company’s continuing commitment towards cricket development in Essequibo. Following the speeches, presentation of

awards, including plaques, were given to each player with their names engraved.

Additionally, trophies were presented to the best batsman, Ricardo Adams,;Best Bowler and fielder Anthony Adams; and best wicket-keeper, Kemol Savory.

Meanwhile, the team also included the legendary and former West Indies Captain, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and West Indies Under- 19 vice -captain Keemo Paul; both of whom however were unavoidably absent.

A special token was also presented to the coach, Ryan Hercules. The ceremony concluded with the Vote of Thanks, done by the ECB Secretary, Auto Christiani, after which dinner was served.

There was much pomp and fanfare well into the evening as the players, fans and family members interacted and enjoyed quite a memorable and historic occasion as a fitting tribute to Essequibo cricket heroes.

Incidentally, it was also the birth night of former national Under- 19 and Canada Senior player, Dellon Heyliger, who was also present and shared the momentous occasion.

Ronaldo gives Real win over Malaga, Atletico hammer Levante

By Richard Martin

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo scored on the rebound after having a penalty saved to give Real Madrid a scarcely-deserved 3-2 win against Malaga on Saturday while Atletico Madrid recorded their biggest win of the season by thrashing Levante 5-0.

Real twice squandered the lead at home to Malaga due to individual errors but restored their advantage for a third time in the 76th minute as Ronaldo knocked in on the rebound when his spot-kick was turned away by visiting goalkeeper Roberto, ending a domestic goal drought that had spanned four games.

Atletico took advantage of some woeful defending from their hosts, whose defender Rober Pier scored an own goal in the fifth minute while Kevin Gameiro cashed in on a dreadful attempted clearance by Chema Rodriguez to tap in the second in

the 29th.

Gameiro struck again after the interval while Antoine Griezmann scored twice in the space of three minutes to complete the rout, netting for the first time in seven league games.

Atletico are third, tied with fourth-placed Real on 27 points after 13 games while Barcelona, on 34, visit second-placed Valencia on Sunday with the chance to move seven points clear at the top of the standings.

“This was a great performance from us, we began with an early goal and put them under a lot of pressure and created a lot of chances,” Gameiro told reporters.

“It’s great to score five goals but we have to keep working like this.”

Atletico also set a club record of 13 games unbeaten at the start of a season, bettering their previous tally of 12 from the 1995-96 campaign when they won a league and Cup

the 16th through Uruguayan Diego Rolan after an awful misplaced pass in the area by Real’s Toni Kroos.

It was Malaga’s first goal away from home in the league this season.

Germany midfielder Kroos made amends by whipping in a corner which Casemiro leaped to head Real back in front in the 21st minute, while Malaga were denied an equaliser on the stroke of halftime for a foul by defender Paul Baysse on Dani Carvajal as he headed home.

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Javier Barbancho

double.

Karim Benzema nudged in Real’s opening goal in the ninth minute after Ronaldo’s header came back off the bar but Malaga levelled in

“VERY DIFFICULT” Real were without captain Sergio Ramos, who broke his nose in last week’s goalless draw with Atletico Madrid.

Coach Zinedine Zidane also rested Luka Modric and benched usual number one goalkeeper Keylor Navas despite the Costa Rican returning from injury, instead keeping faith with Kiko Casilla.

Malaga pulled level again 12

minutes into the second half following two errors from Madrid. First Raphael Varane gave the ball away and then Casilla let Gonzalo Castro’s shot from distance slip through his hands.

Real took the lead for the third time when Luis Hernandez tripped Luka Modric in the area, allowing Ronaldo to convert at the second time of asking.

“We started well and scored early which is important but we started giving the ball away and everything changed,” Zidane told reporters.

“The second half was very difficult but we’re happy with the result and need to remember we won, even if things didn’t go exactly as we would have wanted.”

Elsewhere on Saturday Real Betis and Girona played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with three goals in a frantic finale while Eibar won a local derby at Alaves 2-1.

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Sunday CHRONICLE, November 26, 2017

OMSCC president describes 2017 as another fantastic season

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada President of the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Azeem Karamat Khan has described 2017 as another fantastic year for Masters cricket, pointing out that the players had brought the league to a well-organised body in Toronto. “Our league now has a prominent position on the international scene to a point where our foreign leagues are now looking to us to be more engaged in framing future tournaments.”

Khan made the disclosure at last Saturday night’s 17th annual presentation, dinner and dance held at the exotic Estate Banquet Hall, Scarborough here.

Khan informed that the Masters team had performed creditably in the seventh Guyana Softball Cup where teams from the host country and the USA had spoken highly of the OMSCC and also gave due appreciation and recognition to the 2017 Toronto Cup 2 tournament.

Pointing out that the continued success of the league

depends on sponsors, Khan reserved special commendations for those who have contributed over the years.

Kudos were also extended to Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) for a great tournament a few weeks back and for the hospitality extended by Rickey Deonarine and Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall.

Khan also felt that the level of cricket during the 2017 season had improved tremendously, alluding to the excitement generated in the semi-finals and finals. “For us, all 26 teams are winners as you are the ones that keep

the league going and helping it to earn the name as one of the best in Canada.

Appreciation plaques were presented to Guyana Chronicle’s Frederick Halley for “Promoting softball cricket to unprecedented heights in Ontario through ethical and unbiased reporting on social media and in the Guyana Chronicle”.

OMSCC treasurer Feizal Bacchus also received for his role in establishing the league’s new website as well as Naseer Baksh for being the vanguard behind the participation of Masters teams in tournaments in New York,

Caribbean Sensation players pose with supporters and their winnings.

(Pictures courtesy of Bobby Ramlagan)

Chronicle’s Frederick Halley is recognised for his contribution to softball by OMSCC president Azeem Khan.

Florida and Guyana. businessman Nirad Lall for his continued financial support; Deonauth ‘Banda’ Jirjodhan and Prakash ‘Pandit’ Singh for their roles in maintaining the playing fields and other ancillary assistance at St Bede’s ground.

Medallions were also

handed out to those who volunteered in the second edition of the Toronto Cup held during the Caribana weekend in August.

Ed Pestano of Skeldon and Raymond Seecharran (Seatown) were the recipients of the Norman Sue Spirit Award which is given an-

nually to worthy individuals who have played big roles both on and off the field.

The late businessman’s daughter Kim made the presentation. She advised that Pestano’s award was for this year while Seecharran’s was for 2016.

Manchester pair in the clear as main rivals all draw

By Steve Tongue LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United saw off a determined Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 on Saturday to reduce Manchester City’s lead at the top of the Premier League to five points, while the three teams below them all dropped points.

Liverpool and Chelsea drew 1-1 at Anfield while Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit stalled with a home draw against West Bromwich Albion.

Those results offered an opportunity to Arsenal and surprise packets Burnley, either of whom would move into fourth if they win Sunday’s meeting at Turf Moor.

With Manchester City on 34 points from 12 games, neighbours United took closer order on 29 points from 13 games, ahead of Pep Guardi-

ola’s leaders visiting Huddersfield Town on Sunday.

Chelsea have 26 points in third place but Tottenham stayed fourth on 24 while Liverpool are fifth on 23.

Arsenal and Burnley both have 22.

Manchester United’s unbeaten home record stretches back to when City beat them in September 2016, but it was not plain sailing against promoted Brighton, who proved spirited opposition in the first league meeting between the sides since 1983.

Ashley Young forced the goal in the 66th minute, his shot deflecting off defender Lewis Dunk to beat goalkeeper Matt Ryan.

“Brighton deserved more than they got,” United’s manager Jose Mourinho told Sky Sports. “They played really well and when they had the ball they were

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho reacts after the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

dangerous.”

Liverpool’s recent high-scoring run came to an end in the day’s late game when it looked as if Mohamed Salah’s 64th minute

goal against his old club would earn a crucial win.

Instead, substitute Willian’s mishit cross five minutes from time eluded goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to become only the second goal Juergen Klopp’s side have conceded at home in seven league games.

“Chelsea fought hard and deserved a point,” said Klopp, who was angry that the officials took so long to allow a substitution just before Antonio Conte’s side scored.

“We wanted to go to five at the back, to change the situation and it’s not too cool to have conceded,” he added.

Spurs dropped two points against managerless West Bromwich Albion at Wembley.

They were behind at halftime to an early goal by Salomon Rondon and needed an

equaliser from the ever-reliable Harry Kane 16 minutes from fulltime to salvage a draw.

Bottom club Crystal Palace earned only their second win of the season as a goal

by Mamadou Sakho in added time beat visiting Stoke City 2-1.

A brilliant individual effort by Xherdan Shaqiri eight minutes after halftime ensured they would not keep a first clean sheet, but within three minutes new England international Ruben Loftus-Cheek, on loan from Chelsea, scored the equaliser.

Sakho’s winner, jabbing in a rebound off the post, brought Palace within three points of 17th-placed West Brom.

“That goal is worth its weight in gold,” said manager Roy Hodgson.

His team made up two points on Swansea City, who could only draw 0-0 at home to Bournemouth.

The Welsh side were upset to have a goal disallowed just before the interval when Wilfried Bony, starting in place of Tammy Abraham, found the net.

The referee decided that team mate Jordan Ayew had fouled a defender.

Watford maintained their run of having scored at least twice in every away game with a comfortable 3-0 win at Newcastle to consolidate eighth place.

Will Hughes and Andre Gray scored either side of an own goal by American DeAndre Yedlin to secure a victory that further enhanced the credentials of manager Marco Silva, who has been coveted by Everton.

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 26, 2017

Lack of swimmers holding back Corentyne (District 6) at Nationals

By Tamica Garnett AFTER dropping to fifth last year, Corentyne (District 6) will be coming out gunning hard to place second at this year’s National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships (Nationals) which begins tomorrow in Georgetown.

After finishing third in 2015, the Berbice district was not able to maintain or improve their standing; their teachers’ team took quite a beating, and their swimming team could not even put together a single point. This was despite championing the cycling competition and finishing sixth in the athletics competition.

Head of the District, Paula Perreira believes the team has the ability to even rival

longtime leading Districts Upper Demerara/Kwakwani (District 10) and North Georgetown (District 11), but the lack of swimmers continue to hold them back.

“Swimming has always been our weakest area.

You find even though we have a few swimmers, our swimmers lack the basic techniques and even training. And we find that in the swimming, we might not even score a point,” She conveyed, citing what happened to the team at last year’s Nationals.

“Last year we didn’t score a single point even though we had a few swimmers, so even though we did well in the teachers competition, in cycling and the track and field, we could not win the championships because we could not score

Police, Camptown to clash in Turbo Final

Richie Richard of Camptown

POLICE Football Club will face Camptown FC in the final of the Turbo Knockout Football competition.

Following semi- final action last evening, both sides had vastly different paths to the final, with Camptown pipping Pouderoyen and Police railroading Grove.

It was Richie Richard who scored Campton’s lone goal in the semi-final just on the stroke of half time and try as they may, the West Bank side could not find the equaliser.

In the second game, it was a railroad by Police on

the Grove Hi-Tech team with a 3-1 margin.

Quincy Holder stepped up to the plate to score the lawmen’s first goal and returned to score the second four minutes into the first half of injury time.

However, immediately on the return, Mervin Squires started what looked to be a comeback for the Hi-Tech side.

That comeback however was quelled by Rawle Haynes in the 78th minute as Police went 2 goals up for the 3-1 score line.

The final will take place on December 3.

District 6 at 2016 Nationals

any points in the swimming.”

Perreira hopes to see measures taken to mitigate the situation but knows that it will be a collective effort that

will need a lot of continued support.

“What is needed is skilled persons to teach us the basic techniques and

more pools to be available to us. Because our athletes they can swim but they don’t know the techniques when it comes to the pools.

We did have GASA came up and they did a session with us about three years ago, but it’s something that needs to be done on a more regular basis,” she said.

With 8 swimmers on her team this year, Perreira still does not have much hope for Corentyne in the swimming, but notes that there has been an improvement in the teachers’ team, which is fueling her hopes of seeing improved standing at this year’s event.

“We do have a better team this year than we did last year, because last year we went with a short team teachers’ team, so this year we’re better. We are probably looking at finishing second; I won’t say first because our swimming being what it is, we can’t expect better than that.”

Sammy fireworks help Riders regain winning touch CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, (CMC) – Inspirational captain Darren Sammy narrowly missed out on one of the fastest-ever Twenty20 half-centuries as he helped Rajshahi Kings break a two-match losing skid with a convincing 30run victory over Comilla Victorians here Saturday.

Opting for first knock at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Kings piled up an impressive 185 for seven off their 20 overs, with Manof-the-Match Sammy smashing an unbeaten 47 from just 14 deliveries.

England’s Luke Wright got 42 while opener Mominul Haque chipped in with 23.

Sammy arrived at the crease at 125 for five in the 17th over and proceeded to belt a four and half-dozen sixes in a destructive innings, adding a astonishing 44 runs off 11 deliveries for the eighth wicket with Mohammad Sami (5 not out).

Significantly, the former West Indies captain also plundered 32 from the final over of the innings bowled by young left-arm seamer Mohammad Saifuddin – the most expensive over ever in the Bangladesh Premier League.

Starting the over on 17,

Sammy picked up a boundary to square leg off the first delivery before depositing the second ball over the ropes at long on.

He sprinted two to deep mid-wicket off the third and then carted sixes over longoff, cover and straight overhead – off the last three legitimate deliveries of the over.

Saifuddin, who had previously proven miserly in a three-over spell, ended with three for 50.

In reply, captain Tamim Iqbal stroked 63 off 45 balls at the top of the order while Shoaib Malik chipped in with 45 from 26, but Victorians were dismissed for 155 in the final over.

Fast bowler Mohammed Sami was brilliant with four for nine from four overs while former Barbados and West Indies all-rounder, Dwayne Smith, picked up two for 27 with his medium pace.

In the feature match of the doubleheader, West Indies superstar opener Chris Gayle struck 33 as Rangpur Riders’ revival continued with a three-wicket win over Chittagong Vikings in a dramatic finish.

Set a challenging 177, Riders reached their target off the final ball of the innings when Thisara Per-

Rajshahi Kings captain Darren Sammy … blasted 32 runs off the final over.

era clobbered fast bowler Taskin Ahmed for a six over mid-wicket, with three runs required.

Perera finished on 28 not out while Mohammed Mithum top-scored with 44 and captain Mashrafe Mortaza, 42.

Gayle faced 25 balls and counted a four and three six-

es, putting on a valuable 60 for the second wicket with Mashrafe after New Zealander Brendon McCullum perished cheaply for 15 in the sixth over.

Vikings had earlier tallied 176 for seven off their 20 overs with South African Stiaan van Zyl top-scoring with 68 off 40 deliveries.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday November 26, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 45 Tests (2) WI 13; NZ 13; 19 Draws Today’s Quiz: (1) When and where did the WI & NZ play their first Test against each other?

(2) What was the result?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

Sunday CHRONICLE, November 26, 2017

-Terrence Alli National Open Boxing Tournament

Police, GDF clash in the making

-Terrence Alli National Open THE Police Gym and the Guyana Defence Force Gym have unfinished business inside the ring and settlement may come at the Terrence Alli National Open boxing tournament which runs from Tuesday to Thursday at the National Gymnasium.

Up first on the flaminghot agenda is a possible clash between two of the best middleweights in the Caribbean. Police sergeant Dennis Thomas is seeking to reclaim his authority over the division which of late is being controlled by Desmond Amsterdam of the Guyana Defence Force.

Second in line is another possible match-up between Policeman Diwani Lampkin and GDF’s Colin `Superman’ Lewis who was recently rechristened `Terror Incognito’ by Guyana Boxing Association president Steve Ninvalle.

Thomas is arguably the most experienced AIBA

Open boxer (formerly amateur) in Guyana at the moment, having represented Guyana at the World Championships, Commonwealth Games, Pan American Qualifiers, South American Games and the Caribbean Development Tournament.

He reached the quarter finals of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland and was adjudged Best Boxer at the four-nation Goodwill Games held right here in Guyana.

At the first Caribbean Development Tournament held in Guyana in November 2015, the talented middleweight boxer was on the verge of winning a gold medal but received a dubious decision against a Jamaican in the final.

Amsterdam on the other hand has made hay while the sun shone. While Thomas absented himself from the sport for unknown reasons, the stocky Amsterdam travelled to Barbados to rep-

resent Guyana at the 2016 Caribbean Championships.

He remained undefeated in three fights and returned home with a well-earned gold medal, something that is missing from Thomas’ collection. While the Police Sergeant would have defeated the soldier at the last National Open, Amsterdam gained revenge less than three months later during a

as and after a no holds barred slugfest between the two warriors, was adjudged the winner of their bout.

Thomas had scored a

Desmond Amsterdam

Colin `Superman’ Lewis

Dennis Thomas

BrisMac Promotion card at the Gymnasium in February 2017.

Then Amsterdam turned back the challenge of Thom-

victory over Amsterdam in an earlier tournament and oozed confidence as he attempted to replicate the feat.

He was obviously surprised as the soldier attacked from the first bell, landing some telling blows while Thomas attempted to assert himself.

The two exchanged bombs mid-ring much to the enjoyment of a screaming, jubilant crowd. The two gladiators went after each

other in the third round and had the crowd on its feet and in the end, Amsterdam was adjudged the winner.

“If my opinion is solicited then I will have to say that these two boxers have produced the most epic battles locally. It would be an early Christmas gift if I should have the honour of seeing them have another go at it.”

Ninvalle said.

In order to better his chances of topping the soldier, Thomas has sought the services of coach Sebert Blake of the Forgotten Youth Foundation gym. Amsterdam has stayed with his trusted

and tested coach, Terrence Poole.

While Lampkin has been out of action for a year, Lewis, the nephew of Guyana’s first world champion Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis, has improved leaps and bounds during the same time period.

Last month he was part of a four-man team that travelled to Jamaica and left the home fans with their mouths ajar after a sublime performance.

Reports have stated that Lampkin is also being trained

by Sebert Blake and is eager to match gloves with the gangly and reigning national light welterweight champion.

“It is another scorcher in the making and these are just the middleweight and light welterweight divisions we are talking about. We still have the lightweight, light heavyweight and several others,” Ninvalle added.

The Terrence Alli National Open is the GBA’s last statutory competition for the year and is expected to see over 55 boxers participating. Fight time is 19.00hrs each night.

Ambris, Hope plunder New Zealand A with centuries LINCOLN, New Zealand, (CMC) – Sunil Ambris wasted little time in pressing his claim for a spot in the West Indies Test side with an exhilarating, better than run-a-ball hundred against New Zealand A here Saturday.

The right-hander smashed a stroke-filled 153 while Shai Hope gathered a composed 110 as the Caribbean side amassed 451 for nine on the opening day of the three-day tour match at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval.

Roston Chase chipped in with 49, wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich scored 35 while captain Jason Holder got 31, to ensure the tourists’ domination in excellent conditions.

West Indies had struggled early on, however, slumping to 45 for three in the

Shai Hope

morning session before the recovery came.

Impressive fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, who finished with five for 67, removed both openers Kraigg Brathwaite (17) and Kieran Powell (7), before seamer Logan van Beek (2-60) accounted for Shimron Hetmyer (12).

– caught at second slip by captain Tom Latham off Ferguson at 126 for four.

Jermaine Blackwood followed cheaply for four but Ambris arrived to plunder the hosts’ attack in an innings that required 145 balls, in just under 3-1/4 hours and included 24 fours and a six.

Right-hander Sunil Ambris … plundered the New Zealand A bowling.

Brathwaite fell half-hour into the session with the score on 28, nicking a defensive prod behind and the left-handed Hetmyer lasted nine balls before he was taken in the cordon by Todd Astle with 45 on the board.

Approaching the hour, Powell departed when he was lbw to Ferguson, leaving West Indies with a rebuilding job.

Hope, classy and composed, then inspired the Windies fightback, adding 81 for the fourth wicket with Chase and a further 155 for the sixth wicket with Ambris.

All told, the right-handed Hope faced 133 deliveries in 218 minutes and counted 20 fours and a six. Unbeaten on 20 at lunch with West Indies on 108 for three, he reached his half-century in the second session, to be 94 not out at tea.

He raised three figures soon afterwards off 122 deliveries.

Chase, meanwhile, unbeaten on 41 at lunch, perished in the sixth over afterwards

SCOREBOARD

WEST INDIES 1st innings K Brathwaite c wkp Blundell b Ferguson 17 K Powell lbw b Ferguson 7 S Hetmyer c Astle b van Beek 12 S Hope b Ferguson 110 R Chase c Latham b Ferguson 49 J Blackwood c Neesham b van Beek 4 S Ambris c wkp Blundell b Ferguson 153 +S Dowrich c Bennett b Worker 35 *J Holder c Worker b Bennett 31 R Reifer not out 1 A Joseph not out 12 Extras (b5, lb11, nb3, w1) 20 TOTAL (9 wkts, 90 overs) 451 To bat: D Bishoo, M Cummins, S Gabriel, K Roach.

Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-45, 3-45, 4-126, 5-135, 6-290, 7-379, 8-432, 9-438.

Bowling: Bennett 16-1-87-1, Ferguson 18-2-67-5, van Beek 17-5-60-2, Neesham 14-1-67-0, Astle 14-2-97-0, Bruce 6-0-280, Worker 5-0-29-1.

New Zealand A – *T Latham, J Raval, G Worker, N Broom, T Bruce, +T Blundell, J Neesham, T Astle, L Ferguson, L van Beek, H Bennett.

He was not out on 51 at tea and eventually brought up his landmark off a mere 85 balls with 18 fours and a six.

On 247 for five at the last interval, West Indies swiftly gathered 204 runs in the final session as Ambris went on a rampage against a tiring attack.

The 24-year-old, who struck two hundreds in the recent Windies A series against Sri Lanka A in the Caribbean, displayed his superiority as he put on a further 89 with Dowrich for the seventh wicket and 53 for the eighth with Holder.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER, 26, 2017