Guyana chronicle e paper 11 27 2017 by Guyana Chronicle

Linden Town Week 2018 launched Page 3

Drug vessel seized No. 105109

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017

Price: $140

(VAT Inclusive)

... Venezuelan, Guyanese arrested for submersible vessel in North West

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GTT ready for Mash 2018! Budget

today

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Man opens fire on sleeping family

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Labourer killed in West Berbice accident Page 9

The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) will be teaming up with Pulse Entertainment for Mash 2018. At an event held at the Giftland Mall on Saturday, the company unveiled their costumes, designed by Olympia Small-Soonaram which will be worn by revellers on February 23, 2018 during Guyanaâ€™s Republic Day celebrations (Adrian Narine photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

Big expectations of Budget 2018 By Svetlana Marshall

BUDGET 2018 will be presented in the National Assembly today by Finance Minister Winston Jordan with high expectations from the Opposition, trade unions, private sector and most importantly, the man in the street. Ahead of the presentation, the Opposition – People’s Progressive Party (PPP) said it should be a people-centred budget, focused on the sustainability and creation of jobs. Speaking at a recent forum organised by the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) to discuss

Budget 2018, PPP Member of Parliament, Bishop Juan Edghill said though the Opposition did not engage in budget consultation with the Finance Ministry, it did submit to the National Assembly its proposals. Edghill, speaking to a roomful of politicians, trade unionists, and regular citizens at the Regency Suites, said Budget 2018 should include measures that would allow for the sustainability of jobs. “We must have a budget that guarantees the retaining of jobs…. We want a budget that ensures that the sectors that exist and the jobs created in those sectors are retained and that they are preserved,”

the PPP MP said. The PPP is holding strong to its position that money must be pumped into the sugar industry that would safeguard the jobs of sugar workers. The Guyana Sugar Corporation has said that for the next two years it would require financial support to stay afloat, but by 2020 the corporation is expected to be ‘cash positive’ with no need for Government’s intervention. In 2015, GuySuCo received a $12B subvention. That year, the corporation had raked in $19.6B in revenues, but its labour cost stood at $21.4B. In 2016, the corporation received a reduced subvention of $11B, and though its labour cost that year – $18.3B – did not surpass the revenues garnered – $20.9B – the corporation still had to clear expenses relating to fuel, transportation and fertiliser, among other things. This year, GuySuCo was given a $9B subvention. The corporation is forecast to have garnered $17.4B in revenue, while labour is expected to cost the corporation $18.5B. While Government has taken steps to scale down the operations of

PPP Member of Parliament, Bishop Juan Edghill, speaking during the FITUG-organised budget consultation forum at Regency Suites

Finance Minister Winston Jordan the sugar industry, an ‘Alternative Livelihoods Programme’ has been initiated to cushion the impact. OTHER SECTORS Aside from the sugar industry, Edghill said measures should be included in the 2018 Budget to bring relief to persons operating in the forestry, mining and wider agriculture sectors, positing that high taxation is a deterring factor. In addition to retaining of jobs, the PPP MP said too that new jobs should be created not only in the oil and gas industry, but in the tourism industry and other key sectors and industries. Accountant Nigel Hinds, who also featured at the FITUG-organised budget forum, expressed the hope that Budget 2018 addressed the needs and concerns of the poor, underprivileged, working class and the jobless. Stating that the “National Budget is an extension and expression of the constitution in action and really has no place for bigotry and prejudice,” Hinds Turn to page 8 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

Prime minister talks up ‘grassroots’ budget

FINANCE Minister Winston Jordan will today present his fourth consecutive national budget and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo expects it to take policy-makers back to the grassroots. Writing in his ‘My Turn’ column carried by Guyana Chronicle on Sunday, the prime minister said Guyanese could expect a budget with social content that would address the more pressing needs in their communities. He said 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 them on the eve of elections. Many of these projects, he said were hurriedly executed 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 building,” he said.

This occasion, the prime minister said, Guyanese people -- ordinary, every-day folks -- want a budget for 2018 that contains many little things that could help change the condition of their communities and improve the quality of their lives. The coalition had promised a new beginning to address the major problems it had inherited, and according to the prime minister, in almost all communities there is 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,” he said. These, he said, was done 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 prime minister noted. The election of Councils at the village and municipal levels, including in three new towns, he said, has re-invigorated the base of society. And on that score, he contended that 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.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Linden Town Week 2018 launched By Naomi Marshall THE highly-anticipated Linden Town Week 2018 was officially launched on Saturday at the Linden/Georgetown Bus Park in the mining town under the

Linden Town Week merchandise being showcased

theme “Celebrating our culture, talents, and creativity in a clean, green 2018.” Linden Town Week (LTW) 2018 is slated for April 22 to May 1, 2018 and will be hosted by the Linden Mayor and Town Council. According to Keeran Williams, chairman of the Social Development Committee, “It’s a fusion of culture, fete expo”. Next year, Linden will be celebrating 48 years as a town and 22 years since the founding of Linden Town Week. Coordinator of Linden Town Week 2018, Devin Sears, said the Council is working to make the event a grand affair. “We have many undiscovered treasures and Linden Town Week 2018, we hope to exploit or showcase some of those hidden treasures,” he said. At LTW 2018, the concept of Bed and Breakfast, whereby residents of Linden will make their houses available for visitors, will be reintroduced. The Environmental and Health Committee will also be working with food businesses in the town to ensure they comply with acceptable hygiene standards. In addition, the Guyana Tourism Authority will be providing guidance training throughout the period leading up to LTW 2018. In terms of marketing, the Linden Town Council is looking to have magazines done which will be available on airplanes operat-

Members of the Linden Mayor and Town Council unveiling the theme of Linden Town Week 2018 ing nationally and in the Caribbean. The annual celebration will also be promoted via Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp. Acting Linden Mayor, Waneka Arrindell said it is the “sincere objective of the Council to revamp and elevate our town that was once known as the bread basket of Guyana”. She added: “We intend to reinvent and reintroduce this occasion for what it is worthwhile; we’ll provide exciting

activities to engage every person, be it our locals or visitors.” Linden Town Week 2018 will showcase the history as well as tourism and entrepreneurial opportunities in the mining town. The week will see the return of the Miss Linden Pageant after a threeyear absence. It will also feature sports, essay writing and spelling bee competitions, a youth village, tours to Rockstone and Coomacka, among others.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

Speaker’s arrest puts Indonesia Searchers for Argentine submarine parliament in graft spotlight, again defy gale force winds on 11th day JAKARTA (Reuters) - Implicated in five corruption scandals since the 1990s but never convicted, the speaker of Indonesia’s parliament Setya Novanto is a political survivor. Last week Novanto was detained by anti-corruption investigators over the biggest graft scandal to hit Indonesia’s legislature. The 62-year-old political powerbroker was defiant, denying any wrongdoing and urging parliament and the political party he leads not to unseat him. His lawyer, Fredrich Yunadi, expressed confidence that Novanto would be cleared. “In every court we always win,” Yunadi told Reuters. But the latest allegations against Novanto have reinforced the perception among Indonesians that their parliament, long re-

garded as riddled with entrenched corruption, is a failing institution. Politicians and analysts say that is unlikely to change, whatever the outcome of the case.

the ruling coalition alongside Novanto’s Golkar. A Corruption Eradication Commission, known by its Indonesian initials KPK, was established in 2002 after the demise of

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Searchers for an Argentine submarine missing since Nov. 15 battled gale-force South Atlantic winds on Sunday while a navy spokesman held out hope that the 44 crew members may still be alive in an “extreme survival situation.” The ARA San Juan had only a seven-day supply of air when it reported its last position, according to officials. Relatives of crew members focused on the possibility that the submarine may have been able to rise high enough in the ocean to refill its

oxygen tanks at some point after its disappearance. Argentina’s official weather service ordered an alert for “intense winds of between 50 and 90 kilometres per hour (31 and 56 mph), with gusts,” in Chubut province, the location from which search vessels were sailing. “The bad weather conditions really are adverse,” navy spokesman Enrique Balbi told a news conference. Asked by a reporter about the chances that the crew may still be alive, Balbi left that as a possibility.

“We’ve been searching for 11 days but that does not remove the chance that they could still be in an extreme survival situation,” Balbi said. The U.S. Navy’s Undersea Rescue Command sent a ship from Chubut’s port Comodoro Rivadavia on Sunday, outfitted with a remotely operated mini-sub to be used as a rescue vehicle if the San Juan is found. The ship was expected to reach the search zone some 430 kilometres (267 miles) off Argentina’s southern coast by Monday (this) afternoon.

‘Ashamed’ Franken says he won’t quit Senate over groping accusations The speaker of Indonesia’s parliament Setya Novanto Reuters photo )

“Before Setya Novanto, there were many, many MPs who were put in jail and it didn’t have an effect,” said Eva Sundari, a member of parliament from the PDI-P party, which sits in

DATE: Saturday, November 25, 2017

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authoritarian president Suharto. Fiercely independent and able to wiretap suspects without a warrant, it has been a thorn in the side of the country’s establishment.

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Saturday, November 25, 2017

(Reuters) - U.S. Senator Al Franken, trying to salvage his political career, said on Sunday he does not plan to resign but called himself “embarrassed and ashamed” by his behaviour toward women who have accused him of groping or inappropriately touching them. Franken, a Democrat and former comedian who has

Saturday, November 25, 2017

represented Minnesota in the Senate since 2009, said in a round of media interviews -his first since the allegations surfaced on Nov. 16 -- that he looked forward to returning to his job today. “I‘m embarrassed and ashamed. I’ve let a lot of people down and I‘m hoping I can make it up to them and gradually regain their trust,” Franken told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Franken resisted comparisons between his behaviour and that of Roy Moore, the Republican nominee for a U.S. Senate seat from Alabama who has been accused of improper conduct involving teenage girls decades ago. “I‘m going to take responsibility. I‘m going to be held accountable through the ethics committee,” said Franken, whose behaviour is being investigated by the Senate ethics panel. “And I‘m going to hopefully be a voice in this that is helpful. ... Again, I respect women. What kills me about this is it

Saturday, November 25 2017

gives people a reason to believe I don’t respect women.” In a separate interview with Minnesota Public Radio, Franken, one of the leading liberal voices in the Senate, said has no plans to quit. When asked if he had considered resigning, Franken said: “No, no. The ethics committee is looking into this and I will cooperate fully with it.” Pressed about stepping aside and allowing a woman to take his seat, Franken told Minnesota Public Radio, “I‘m committed to working as hard as I can here in the Senate for the people of Minnesota.” Franken’s office had previously issued statements in which he either apologised or said he could not remember behaving in the manner the women have described. He has not denied any of the allegations. Reporting by Bernie Woodall in Detroit; Editing by Frank McGurty and Will Dunham.

Saturday, November 25, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

Cuba holds municipal elections on road to Castro era’s end HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba took another step on Sunday toward the end of the Castro era, with millions of residents placing paper ballots in cardboard boxes for ward delegates to municipal assemblies. The vote comes the day after the first anniversary of revolutionary leader Fidel Castro’s death and precedes another election early next year for provincial and national assembly deputies. The new national assembly, where 50 percent of the deputies must be ward delegates elected on Sunday, is expected on Feb. 24 to select a new president to replace Raul Castro, Fidel’s 86-yearold younger brother, who has said he will step down after serving two five-year terms. The Castro brothers have headed the government since the 1959 revolution.

Raul Castro will remain head of the Party until 2021, the only legal party in Cuba. Nearly 27,000 candidates are running for 12,515 ward positions in Sunday’s election, the only part of the electoral process that is contested publicly and with direct participation by ordinary Cubans. The results will be announced today. The candidates for the provincial and national assemblies are nominated by commissions composed of representatives of Party-controlled organisations, such as the trade union federation, then presented as a slate for a public vote. Those slates have had the same number of names as seats in previous elections. Fifty percent of those names must be ward delegates.

A Cuban casts his vote at a polling station in Havana Vieja neighbourhood in Havana, on Sunday during municipal elections.

President favoured as Hondurans vote, but critics fear power grab TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Honduras’ U.S.-friendly leader looked poised to win a second term as voters cast their ballots in the Central American country on Sunday, eight years after he supported a coup to remove a previous president who flirted with re-election. President Juan Orlando Hernandez, 49, of the centre-right National Party, has lowered a sky-high murder rate, accelerated economic growth and cut the deficit since he took office in 2014, and appears set to benefit from a 2015 Supreme Court decision that overturned a constitutional ban on re-election. Critics warn that Hernandez, a staunch U.S. ally on fighting drug gangs and migration, is tightening his grip on power, using a pliant Supreme Court and electoral tribunal to clear a path for his re-election bid in one of the Americas’ poorest, most violent countries. “I want to say to all Hondurans that we are building democracy,” Hernandez said

on Sunday at a news conference in a National Party operations base in Tegucigalpa. He urged his supporters, bedecked in blue and shouting: “Long Live Juan Orlando,” to back his candidacy and secure a majority in the 128-seat Congress.

Honduras President and National Party candidate Juan Orlando Hernandez

Opposition members say the second-term campaign is illegal and that they will not accept results from an election tribunal they accuse of being co-opted by Hernandez until they conduct their own vote count. Opinion polls suggest Hernandez, born into a rural family of 17 siblings, will

benefit from a splintered opposition and savvy political moves to clinch a historic second term and strengthen his militarised assault on gangs. Voters will also pick lawmakers. Hernandez had a 15-point lead in a September poll, the last allowed under election rules. In second place was sports and talent TV show host Salvador Nasralla, who leads a broad left-right coalition called the Opposition Alliance Against the Dictatorship. It includes the Liberty and Refoundation Party, or LIBRE, which is controlled by former President Manuel Zelaya, whom many see as a force behind the bloc. Hernandez says he will

build roads and bridges with public and private

money to lure foreign investment, create 600,000

jobs and help lift economic growth to above six percent.

Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

Local authorities THE Local Democratic Organs (LDOs) when they were established in 1980 were meant to decentralise government and bring it closer to the people in the respective areas, in order that they can elect their leaders and determine their unique dreams, aspirations and programmes. Thirty-seven years after, while it is reasonable to expect this form of government would have progressed further not only in appreciating its importance in democracy but also exploiting the resources of each area for the development of the people within, it is never too late to get one’s act together. If Guyanese can only recognise and appreciate how the desire to self-determine, be respected, and treated as equals is not unique to any group but a desire of all, it may help the process building a democratic society. This desire also does not ignore the

importance of institutional support from national government be it in training, education, laws and other resources to make it possible. Looking at the demarcation of the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and the Town Councils, they incorporate demographics from across the diverse spectrum with common goals even as some level of independence is enshrined. This should advise us of the importance in our intertwined relations, respecting each other and building a society where comity prevails. Local Government elections having come after a decade and a half, and where in the past Central and Regional Governments may have determined the management of this tier of government, even imposing Interim Management Committees, it requires focused effort in helping the local authorities to carry out their

mandate as per national laws and respective bylaws. In recent weeks, outside of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council having to deal with its challenges of governing, Region Nine Vice-Chairman resigning, and Region Five RDC and its Regional Executive Officer (REO) holding different views as to governing the region, there was the REO of Region Two clashing with the Regional Chairman and the Anna Regina Town Council as to who is in charge or has the authority to do what. Reportedly the clash has to do with the filling of a drain in front of the Department of Education, at Cotton Field on order of the REO and without consultation with and approval from the Town Council. There are expected to be clear demarcations as to roles and responsibilities of persons, areas and services provided by tiers of government (national, regional and local) to make them

effective, though the RDC is somewhat murky. The role of the REO, who is also the Clerk of the RDC and its administrative head given the absence of regional government laws is yet to be well-defined. Whereas the Municipality Act, Chapter 28:01 gives authority to the towns as to what they can and cannot do, in regional government where laws still await as to how they should function and what authority they have, directives are likely to come from Central Government. The Region Two situation brings to the fore the importance of putting legislation in place to avoid clashes between the towns and RDCs. Without it being considered as belabouring the point, the Ministry of Communities is once again being nudged to appreciate the premium for laws to effect management of the regions and leadership/ management training and education for its leadership to strengthen this tier

and minimise un-necessary conflicts. In this era of the nation’s political evolution, the LDPs see leadership from the governing APNU+AFC and the Opposition PPP/C which would likely breed conflicts, often unnecessary and debilitating to the people’s welfare. In our politics where ill-advisedly even after elections are over, some are disinclined to respect the will of the people or work with others in the interest of all the people, it poses difficulty in getting things done. Having said that, the REOs particularly those working in the regions won by the PPP/C will likely

clash with the RDCs, given that this officer may see his/ her role as answerable to Central Government or the Council and is unlikely to cooperate with him or her. But this approach should not find acceptance as part of normal governance and all efforts must be made to foster and maintain respectful relations. The issue of who is in charge is guided by the law and while the REO is the Region’s Chief Executive Officer, however well-meaning his or her intent be, the Municipality Act vests authority in the councillors and clerk of the town for activities that fall within the township.

Gildarie gave liberty to his imagination Dear Editor, Please refer to article captioned the Story with the Story- “A cesspool of corruption at City Hall” penned by Leonard Gildarie and published on November 19, 2017. We are befuddled by the unusually strange contents of the article. We are aware that individuals who write opinion pieces, such as this one under discussion, are not held to strict journalistic standards but this is no reason why those, who engage in this form of writing should not pay attention to facts and the truth. Mr. Gildarie seems to have discarded both of those values- facts and truth- in this article. In this regard, we feel obliged to point out a few of the many inaccuracies in this piece. First, Mr. Gildarie unsuccessfully attempted to find linkages between recent developments in Zimbabwe and the Mayor and City Council. There are times when writers can find connections between

similar or even different cases or events between nations and cities to underscore their arguments for change in particular circumstances. However, this attempt could not achieve that because it did not take into account the differences in contexts of Zimbabwe and the Georgetown City Council; one is historical and political, in process and substance, the other is about resources and the need for more investment in the economy of the nation’s capital. Therefore, this article failed to address the real issues affecting the service delivery capacity of the Council. Second, Mr. Gildarie’s comments about Zimbabwe’s former President Mr. Robert Mugabe and his family, “… flaunting their ill- gotten wealth…” paragraph 2, seems to suggest that the writer has evidence of corruption by former President Mugabe’s family residing in Zimbabwe. However, he did not go to the trouble to cite any particular court ruling that supports his claim. Mr. Gildarie ought to know that he could not just

write a story particularly if it likely to impugn the character of an individual or individuals, without the supporting evidence. Otherwise, it could be deemed irresponsible writing that has no utility to the good development of society. Further, he should know that stories reported in the media are not always predicated upon empirical evidence, truth or the real realities in communities; news stories are process products. The writer goes on to commit a similar transgression against the City Council at paragraph 11 of his article when he said that, “… because of corruption, don’t care attitude and simple inefficiency have all contributed to a downward spiral.” Let us take a closer look at this statement: Inefficiency is not unique to the City Council; it exists in almost every organisation in one form or another. This is not to say that we should not seek to improve our standards and general performance. In fact, we have had several training programmes and workshops to help en-

hance the competencies of our workers. Also, we have reorganised different departments and sections to make our general and specific operations more efficient and effective. The dynamics of the new city environment continue to influence our constant reviewing of municipal systems to provide services to local communities. Also, the Council continues to build on a culture of care and responsibility. This is amply demonstrated by our collective effort to restore and sustainably develop Georgetown even in the face of very serious shortages of financial and other resources. Over the last two years, the Council has done substantial restorative works to many of its buildings, bridges and allied facilities. It has removed garbage and rubbish that accumulated in every area of the city for more than twenty- three years. It has cleared canals and waterways, alleyways and repaired culverts and related drainage infrastructure. Generally, under this current leadership,

the Mayor and City Council has changed the image of the nation’s capital. Our mission is to make Georgetown the cleanest city in the Caribbean. We have shown all Guyana what is possible. We need the resources to continue along this path to fulfill our mission. Therefore, it is not “don’t care attitude” as Mr. Gildarie supposed but the lack of resources that is preventing us from going forward. Again, his statement about corruption at City Hall is very worrying. We have had several audits and none has pointed to corruption. Audits at the Council revealed the need to improve and strengthen our financial systems. In fact, we would be the first to admit, and we have admitted, that we need to enhance our reporting responsibilities in this area of our work. I have asked the Auditor General to come in and work with us to improve our systems; he has been very helpful. In addition we have strengthened our internal audit section, developed a new software programme that will

allow for greater transparency and accountability with general rates and other revenues. In addition, we have applied for support from the European Union for training and education in good corporate governance. There has been modest progress with this project but more needs to be done by related agencies to begin the first phase of this project next year. Notwithstanding, the City Council has been carrying out its responsibilities in the face of many challenges. One such challenge is that, there has been no valuation of properties for more than two decades. Corporations and property- owners continue to enjoy the benefits of municipal services such as streetlights, roads, drainage, bridges, garbage collection and disposal, and other environmental and public health services without paying the real costs for them. Worse is the fact that some property- owners have not paid their rates for more than 10 Turn to page 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

Two villages, two presidents, two judges and the quest to legitimise injustice Dear Editor, The Villages of Plan. Ayr No. 40 and Seafield, No 42 on the West Coast of Berbice, have been embroiled in physical and legal conflicts with fellow villagers since November, 2014 when then President Donald Ramotar, through his agent the MMA/ADA, seized lands belonging to and occupied by our respective registered Co-op Societies and give to other villagers in the form of 50-year leases, without any reference to the management committee of these Co-op Societies. In addition, the laws of Guyana Chapter 88;01 of our constitution that deals with Co-op Societies have been completely ignored and our constitutional rights have been violated. We have never been given a hearing as regards our lands , no notice was given to us , neither were we compensated for the lands seized from us; given that we have been in continuous occupation of these lands occupying in excess of 30. We were deceived into believing that payment of our outstanding debts as advertised in the newspapers (SN, March 5, 2014) would have prevented any repossession of our lands, but the then chairman of MMA Mr. Gajraj communicated to us later, in no uncertain terms, that whether we paid or not the lands would be repossessed; that he is not dealing with Coops but with state lands; and that what he is doing, no court in Guyana can change it. At the time of the seizing of our lands, members of the

No. 40 Co-op Society had one combine harvester and five tractors and were more than capable of effectively cultivating our lands. Further, we had paid up approximately eighty per cent (80%) of our debts unto September17, 2014. The casualties in this horrible unjust act include a mother of six children, with five at school, between nursery and secondary and one just starting teachers training college. She had an allotment of 24 acres of lands in the Co-op, the MMA took away twelve12 of her allotment. She pleaded with the general manager of MMA, the chairman of MMA and even with President Ramotar himself, not to take away any of her land because that was all she was depending on, since her husband was working in the interior and was not doing well, but her pleas fell on deaf ears! This mother still has five children at school. Some in the Co-op had all their possessions taken away, while others had their holdings drastically reduced. On the other hand, a family that already had over 100 acres of state lands was given a further 15 acres from a Coop member who had 25 acres or 60 percent of that member’s holding. It now appears that political forces are at work and strenuous efforts are being made to legitimise this monumental injustice. Background (condensed): With regards to the No 40 Farmers Co-op Society Ltd, we were given a lease No. A10199 for25 in January 17, 1972 under the hand of then President

Arthur Chung. The lease at the time comprise 304.43 acres of land. However on account of drainage and irrigation works by the MMA/ADA which came into existence in 1977, the rice cultivatable land was reduced to 247acres. The Co-op worked for several years under the management of one William Hamilton and the guidance of then Regional Co-op Development Officer, Ms Burke. Many Villagers gained employment from the Co-op. However, the Co-op went through many challenges over the years, including perennial flooding. At one time the Regional Democratic Council( RDC) took control of the Coop lands for a number of years, and when things did not work out well for them they abandoned the lands for a few years. During 1987, Mr Ryan Hamilton ,myself and others started making efforts to resuscitate the Co-op Society. We were guided by then Regional Co-op Development Officer, Mr Reid. After negotiations with the Regional Democratic Council, especially Mr Alfred and officials of MMA, especially Mr Shabir Ally, the lands were given back to the Co-op Society and we started receiving billing with effect from January 1, 1988. It should be mentioned that when we took possession of the lands, the entire land mass was covered with thick vegetation including what we call `beezee’. From January, 1988 to around March 2014, a period of 26 years, the MMA billed us or otherwise demanded drainage and irrigation charges from us.

Gildarie gave liberty ... years. The cumbersomeness of the judicial process makes it difficult to recover outstanding rates from defaulters. This works as an incentive to those who are refusing and neglecting to pay their rates and honour their obligations to the city. Perhaps, in light of the aforementioned information, the writer may wish to redirect his comments about corruption. For this reason, the Council has been exploring new revenue sources and ways to mobilize much needed resources to sustain even basic services to the city. These include: parking meters, container fees, cold storage and improved relations with cities at the international level. We have already said much on the parking meter project and the charge of a container fee. On the visit to Fuzhou it is important for us to mention two important facts: (a) the visit was announced at full statutory meetings (it is in the minutes of the Council)

and (b) it presented a narrow window of opportunity to the council to reactive sister city relations between Georgetown and Fuzhou, and to become an active member of a special 21st Century Maritime Cooperation Committee that would set up the effective dialogue and linkage mechanism, and to serve as a platform to share ideas and practices on maritime cooperation for cities and local governments in AsiaPacific and the world at large. The visit to Fuzhou is part of a wider plan to help mobilise resources for the municipality in the areas of training in technical skills, environment and sanitation, markets and infrastructure. It is necessary to make these points because the reality is that currently, 35% of rate payers have not been honouring their accounts at the Council. This has resulted in budgetary shortfalls affecting the systems of council to deliver services to its citizens. Yet, individuals are making

Continued from page 6 statements that do not represent the issues. The problem is the council does not have the resources to do all the things citizens expect. In conclusion, it is very clear to us that this article has fallen far short of even the basic journalistic standards. Its author has made statements on issues both at the international and local levels he could not prove. Quite frankly, we are very disappointed in this kind of writing for the public sphere. We have said in previous communications that we welcome criticisms because we use them to improve our performance. However, those, who write in our dailies owe it to their readers to, at the very least, present the facts, and to be fair, balance and objective in their writings. Yours faithfully ROYSTON KING Town Clerk Mayor and City Council

We paid land rent unto April 22,1994 (Receipt No. 69384) and drainage and irrigation charges unto September17, 2014 (Receipt No. 13993). During these years we suffered tremendously from persistent flooding. This flooding was due in large measure to the fact that lands south of the main irrigation canal and where the Co-op lands are located, drain to the Abary River. Whenever there is heavy rainfall the river is flooded and pushes the water back onto the lands. In view of this, and after many years the MMA dug a canal parallel to the river in order to relief the flooding. And even this did not help very much because it was never completed. Only 10 per cent of the 247 acres of land was planted for the autumn crop 2017 due to flooding. In all our loses we were never compensated by the MMA. Instead we were given waver of D&I charges. At other times we would receive flood relief in the form of seed paddy or fertilisers. Since much of the time we were losing crops and had difficulty in paying our D&I charges, we resorted to taking out contracts with MMA to clean D&I canals in order to upkeep our lands. We often maintained the D&I and access dams within our boundary at our own cost when MMA failed to do so. In the meantime those of

my fellow villagers who are now claiming to be rice farmers, were stuck in their professions and other forms of occupations for which I applaud them. They are receiving their well deserved pensions. We the Co-op members were upkeeping those lands all these years. Can’t we too receive what rightly belongs to us? They met clean and well cultivated lands, while we met heavy vegetation when we took over. In 26 years we would have paid (directly or indirectly) in excess of 16 million dollars in land rent and D&I charges at the average rate of $2,500 per acre, per year. Cost for developmental works we would have done over these years is not included here. Moreover, with the enormous hunger for lands in the MMA area, there would have been no lands to give to any villager had we the Co-op people not been there occupying and maintaining those lands. New Administration: With the advent of the new administration in May of 2015, and with the full knowledge of this monstrous injustice and clear unconstitutional imposition on our small community; plus the unambiguous contradiction of treating with similar situations in different communities ( re: Cotton Tree Village, Rampur and Shieldstown Villages; Guyana Chronicle November4,

2014; Land titling: correcting historical problems Ralph Ramkarran); current President Mr David Granger through his agency, the MMA and the Attorney General chambers embarked on correcting this travesty by revoking those leases issued in 2014. A plethora of legal challenges and counter challenges ensued, inclusive of injunctions and counter injunctions; claims of contempt and counter claims; police interventions based on claims of threats and counter claims, in addition to actual physical encounters amongst villagers. Ultimately, a constitutional motion was brought by a few villagers against the MMA and Attorney General on April 26, 2017 before the Hon. Chief Justice Madam Roxanne George and a decision was handed down on 8th August, 2017, a period of 93 days. Since then, strident calls have been made for the Hon. Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards to hand down her ruling on a similar constitutional motion with regards lands at Seafield, with a strong feeling that a similar ruling would be given by this judge. Regards Members of the No. 26 and 40 Co-op Society

Address troubles at Zeeburg Secondary Dear Editor, I write supporting the writer of a letter titled “Disgraceful leadership at Zeeburg Secondary School”, dated 18th October, 2017 which highlights serious management deficiencies at Zeeburg Secondary School. The administrative staff at the school seem to have diplomatic immunity, and can do as they please. Creating great division amongst the staff and working against our government policy of a cohesive Guyana, they seem bent on doing as they please and destroying the fragile morale of the work force and at the environment at Zeeburg Secondary School. Mr. Editor, a senior member of staff was caught removing government property from the school premises with his car and there was no investigation, no police was called into this matter, it was all brushed under the carpet by the head teacher. In the past a number of computers went missing with no signs of break and enter, and staff members are being victimised for bringing this wrong doing to light. The question one would ask is

why? Another staff from the Mathematics department verbally abuses student and this unprofessional conduct has a negative impact on holistic development of the students. Parents who request transcripts for various reasons are given the royal run around. One parent was verbally assaulted by the head teacher when she complained of the treatment received by the said teacher. Mr. Editor, cases are built against students of this school for being out of uniform such as ribbon colour, bags, shoes, socks and they are removed from the classroom and their names entered in a book and suspended from school. The evidence gathered will later be used to deny them recommendations, and the opportunity to go on work study and other school events. These acts Mr. Editor goes against the rights of a child where every child has the right to an education and the opportunities within the education circles, regardless of his shoe colour or her ribbon. These students are preparing for CSEC 2018 and are being prevented from receiving adequate guidance from their teachers to com-

plete SBAs and the Curriculum. Mr. Editor, about six months ago it was highlighted on social media that students of the said school were removed from classrooms and forced into manual labour, mixing cement with no foot wear in their uniform and this was covered up by the admin. with help from the Department of Education. The head teacher of the Zeeburg Secondary School is being guided by known opposition elements who are bent on victimising any member of staff whose opinion may be different from hers, and is the architect of professional cover up which seems to be the order of the day. Mr. Editor, these vindictive and discriminatory acts have resulted in a number of teachers either being or requesting transfer to different schools and in other cases tendring their resignation. The Government should work assiduously to remedy this situation which is becoming an embarrassment to teachers everywhere. Concerned Parent

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

Cuban revolutionary leader remembered

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Friday evening joined officials of the Cuban Embassy in Guyana and others, to pay tribute to the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro, on the eve of his first death anniversary. The event was held at the Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown. The Cuban and Venezuelan Ambassadors to Guyana, Julio Cesar Gonzalez Marchante and Reina Diaz, symbolically laid a wreath beneath a portrait of Fidel Castro and a minute of silence was also observed. One of the main features was a documentary produced by the late Cuban leader’s personal cameraman. In his remarks, Ambassador

Marchante spoke of Castro’s many contributions. “The revolution that Fidel led brought education, health, sports, culture and other fundamental rights of human beings to an entire people, besides creating deep patriotic feeling in the construction of a socialist society,” he said He noted too, that during the Cuban leader’s 1973 trip to Guyana, it was in an address at the Umana Yana, that Castro commended the courage of Guyana, Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad in defying the pressures then, to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1972. Fidel Castro established the first communist state in the Western

Hemisphere after leading an overthrow of the military dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista in 1959. He governed Cuba for nearly five decades, before relinquishing responsibility to his younger brother, Raúl, in 2008. During that time, Castro’s administration was successful in reducing illiteracy, stamping out racism and improving public health care. Castro’s Cuba also had a highly antagonistic relationship with the United States – most notably resulting in the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The two nations officially normalised relations in July 2015, ending a trade embargo that had been in place since 1960.

A section of the gathering that paid tribute to late Cuban President Fidel Castro at the Umana Yana, last Friday

Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Julio Cesar Gonzalez Marchante greets Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

A documentary that was shown on the life of the late Cuban President Fidel Castro

Big expectations ... From page 2 said that it should have an objective and unbiased approach. He was keen on noting that voting patterns in the 10 administrative regions should not influence the way the budget is allocated, emphasising that Government should use the country’s scarce resources in a balanced manner by investing more in people. Meanwhile, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has implored the Government to remove the Value Added Tax (VAT) from finished products in the logging industry and from the inputs for rice operations, in addition to the reinstatement of the 10 per cent Tributors Tax against the 20 per cent imposed this year.

Accountant Nigel Hinds The GCCI is also calling on Government to reduce the Corporate Income Tax by 10 per cent from its current high of 35 per cent through a process of gradualism. On November 17, the National Assembly, ahead of

the Budget 2018 presentation, approved over $8B for 16 constitutional bodies. The finance minister, in defending cuts to the proposed sums by the constitutional agencies, said that lack of proper procurement planning was among the reasons cited for the cuts. Collectively, the constitutional bodies had requested a total of $10.293B but only $8.057B was approved. Minister Jordan had explained that the recommended allocations took into account the economic outlook for 2018 for revenue, expenditure and growth in the economy. The Government, he said, also took into consideration the challenges faced in implementing programmes and projects in 2017, and even 2016.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

Man opens fire on sleeping family

A five-year-old girl and her grandmother, 52, are nursing gunshot wounds after a man opened fire on them while they were sleeping early Sunday morning. According to Savitri Hassan, who

Savitri Hassan

received injuries to her lower abdomen, her husband and their five-year-old granddaughter were asleep on a mattress on the ground in their three-bedroom, one-flat Lot 122 Section B, Number 72 Village home, when they were awakened by a loud explosion. On opening her eyes, she noticed someone standing by the doorway. “My husband jump up and see he run out while my granddaughter was crying and screaming. I thought she was scared, but it was until we put on the light then we noticed she was bleeding from her foot; then we know she got shot.” The family called upon their neighbours who rushed the injured to the Skeldon Hospital where they were treated and sent away. Fifteen pellets were removed from the Number 72 Village Nursery School pupil, while five were removed from Savitri. The injured is expected to return to the hospital today to have x-rays and other follow up tests. The Hassans’ home is under re-construction after it was destroyed by fire in 2014. A section of the ceiling is still opened and there the suspect reportedly gained entry, after mounting a ladder on the roof

Labourer killed in West Berbice accident A 37-year-old West Berbice man died on the spot after the driver of the vehicle in which he was travelling, lost control and uprooted a lantern post on Plantation, West Coast Berbice Public Road on Sunday. The accident occurred around 13: 45 hrs and the deceased has been identified as Deolall Outar, popularly known as “Ryan” of Lot 227 Britannia Village, West Coast Berbice. He was one of two occupants of the silver grey Toyota Tacoma. The driver of the vehicle, Sanjay Ramlochan, also 37, known as “Buff” of Number 30 Village, West Coast Berbice, suffered several injuries and was rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital. He was subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital and up to press time, his condition was listed as critical.

Dead: Deolall Outar According to reports, the vehicle was heading east along the northern side of the public road at a very fast rate when the driver lost control. Eyewitnesses said the vehicle toppled several times, covering a distance of over a hundred yards, smashing fences and uprooting a lamp post before coming to a halt in front of a grocery shop in the village.

The police believe that the driver had overtaken another vehicle and lost control of his vehicle in the process, while other sources say that the accident could have been caused by a tyre-blowout. Eyewitnesses however concurred that the Toyota Tacoma was being driven at a very fast rate and that speed was a contributing factor. The mother of the dead man, Pamela Jameer, said her son worked as a farm/ hand labourer and knows the driver of the vehicle in which he met his death. “Ryan lived with me. I last saw him alive yesterday morning before the Ramlochan boy came and picked him up.” Jameer was in church celebrating Harvest when she got the terrible news. Outar leaves to mourn his reputed wife, Kameel and two children, Akeela, nine and Randy, eight.

The child injured in the shooting of the house. The shooter has been identified as “Acko” and “Rasta”. Savitri explained that the target was her husband, Rajkumar Hassan, whom the suspect had threatened on numerous occasions to “end him and his family” after they reported him to the police on two other occasions for abusive behaviour. According to Rajkumar, the suspect lives behind his house and has livestock that would enter his yard. On one occasion while he was mending a hole in the fence to prevent them from escaping, the suspect accused him of interfering with his wife and verbally abused him, making threats to his life and that of his family. The matter was reported to the Sprin-

glands Police Station and when the neighbourhood police showed up to apprehend the suspect, he refused to comply and they left after he became abusive. Another report was made on October 23, when the suspect jumped into the Hassans’ yard and set their clothes on fire. According to the Hassans, the police came again to arrest the suspect but he was nowhere to be found. The police asked that they be notified whenever he shows up. This, the family said, was done and a senior rank at the station promised to send a patrol to get the abuser arrested, but no one ever came. Police are looking for the suspect who has since gone into hiding.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

Foster carers A YOUNG father had made the best provision possible for his three children. Using a hammer and nails he had fixed up his shack with several recycled pieces of wood. The roof of his abode consisted of a large sheet of plastic which was kept in place with parcel tape and adhesive. It should be no surprise therefore to learn that his three children slept on a double mattress on the concrete floor of his shack and cooking, washing and toilet facilities were all outside somewhere round about the shack but within the same area. Their mother had long gone and left them and he was ‘everything’ to his children. He loved them sincerely and was a dedicated father who would have done anything to protect them and keep them with him. This is just one story that tore at the heartstrings of a Foster Care Officer, she explained. “I had to excuse myself for a minute and go outside to shed a tear and then take a deep breath before returning to my desk to speak to the father. I had to mentally draw a

line between my own emotions and the job at hand. He pleaded with me not to take his children into care, but our Director, here at the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), had already made the decision: although he was willing, he was unable to adequately provide for his family. So,though harsh, I had to carry out my duty on behalf of the children’s safety and well-being”. Eventually the children were placed with a foster family while their father was given the assistance and help necessary to fix up his home and find meaningful employment. The Foster Care Officer concluded, “This was one of my more successful cases because it wasn’t long before the father was able to improve his living arrangement and income to a standard where he could be reunited with his children and I was able to close their case”. While foster parents are well aware that their role is only a temporary one in a child’s life, it does not prevent them from becoming attached to the children in their care: it is

natural for children to bond with their carers’ and vice versa. One foster father explained, ‘When I first became a foster parent me and my wife had two children staying with us and the house was full of noise, laughter and fun. After a while I left and went to Suriname and when I returned the house was empty: During the time I was away the children had been reunited with their biological parents. Since then, whenever we have foster children, I always leave a space in my mind to remind me that these children will be leaving us some day and that our job is only for a time. Of course I still enjoy playing with them, making their tea and taking them to church but there is always that space in my mind’. Foster parents receive training: part of that training teaches them about the importance of foster children linking with their biological parents. It is the mandate of the CPA to work on behalf of children to reunite them with their biological families, when and where ever possible. Foster parents and biological parents

never meet, however there are many stories where children are reunited with their parents but (through agreement between both parties) still correspond with their foster parents. There is even one story where the biological mother and foster parent became good friends and the foster mother would babysit the child, while his mother was at work. Some biological parents, however, do not want the foster parent involved in the child’s life after reunification. These are some of the reasons why ‘Foster Caring’ is so special and why people who step forward to be foster parents must be versatile and understanding, open and willing to learn exactly what Foster Care entails. If you would like further detail about Foster Care call the Foster Care Unit on 231 8423. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 on write to childcaregy@gmail.com A message from the Childcare and Protection Agency Ministry of Social Protection

Concept of social cohesion embedded in Commandments –– President tells Moravian Church service

PRESIDENT David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger on Sunday joined with the congregation at

the Queenstown Moravian Church for a special worship service to open the Second Biennial Provincial

Synod of the Moravian Church in Guyana. The event which runs from November 26th -29th

President David Granger , is being held under the theme, “Fulfilling the Mission, Advancing the Kingdom in the 21st Century”. President Granger in his remarks, spoke of God’s Commandment to ‘love thy

neighbour as thyself’ and said that it stands at the core of the concept of social cohesion. “I do believe that the message of social cohesion in which Guyanese, in this multicultural society, can learn to love one another despite the differences in complexion. We are all God’s children and we must learn to love one another and this church and every other church and the Government and civil society and the Hindus and the Muslims, must all work towards loving one another,” he said. He noted too, that this second biennial synod can serve to reinforce the importance of unity and cooperation; adding that the event is timely and its theme is apt and is in keeping with the church’s founding principles. Chairman of the church, Noel Adonis, explained that the synod is a very significant component of the governance structure of the Moravian Churches. “It provides an opportunity for congregations through-

out the ministry to be able to present reports on their activities for the last two years…. It helps us in establishing projections and the way forward,” he said. The Moravian Church emerged out of the Bohemian Reformation, also known as the Czech or Hussite Reformation. It was inspired by John Hus, a theologian, who was accused of being a heretic and was burnt at the stake in July 1415. Hus’ followers established the Moravian Church in 1457. The Moravians first came to Guyana in 1738 when two missionaries of the Unity of Brethren journeyed to the Dutch-owned colony of Berbice in 1738. However, they were prevented from evangelising the enslaved Africans, and as such, they concentrated their efforts at ministering to the Amerindian peoples. After the 1763 Berbice Slave Revolt, the mission was abandoned until they returned to British Guiana over 100 years later in 1878.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

Harmon interacts with Barticians

MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon, accompanied by Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, on Saturday conducted a walkabout in the streets of Bartica and the Bartica Municipal Market. The aim of the exercise was to hear from residents and listen to their concerns and suggestions for the better-

ment of the community and Guyana as a whole. Minister Harmon walked the First Avenue of Bartica and through the market, individually greeting individually every vendor and resident he saw. Many of them were surprised but pleased to see Minister Harmon in the town, as he turned up unannounced.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon interacts with a vendor at the Bartica Municipal Market (Ministry of the Presidency photos)

Minister of State Joseph Harmon examines a beverage at the Bartica Municipal Market as junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes and others look on

Christmas Festival billed for West Berbice PREPARATIONS are well underway for the first ever Christmas Festival, Street Fair and Big Sale at Rosignol Village, West Bank Berbice, billed for December 1 and 2. The Rosignol Christmas Village and Main Road Business Fair is being organised by the promotional group, Innovation 360, in collaboration with the Region Five Chamber of Industry and Commerce (R5CIC). R5 CIC President Imran Saccoor said the two-day event is intended to usher in the festivity of the season and give the Rosignol /D’Edward community a jump-start in commercial activities while at the same time providing an opportunity for consumers to enjoy bargain prices and discounts over the celebratory period. He said over 20 businesses have already subscribed to this festival, including retail stores, supermarkets, entertainment centres, telephone outlets, restaurants, gas stations, bars and clubs and they have all agreed to lower their prices, ranging from 20 per cent to 60 per cent off selected items.

“This innovative effort of mobilising and celebrating the Rosignol Christmas Village and Main Road Business Fair is intended to create much excitement and bargains for consumers; draw local tourism to the community; revitalise the energy and commerce within the community; and encourage and invite shoppers / local tourist in and out of Region Five,” Saccoor said. The two-day event is slated to open with a ceremony on December 1 at 17.30 hrs at the Rosignol Mall Square. There will be a Christmas parade moving through the community on the same day. The Christmas Village will feature food courts, play zones, musical zones and live shows on both nights and will conclude with a concert and Christmas tree light up. Business owners from outside the area who wish to take up vending spots at the Street Fair are required to make contact with the chamber on telephone numbers 328-7977 or 611-005 or email us at wbcic2015@ gmail.com.

During his interactions with the residents, Minister Harmon said the Government is serious about making Bartica the first ‘green’ town in the country and the Caribbean region. He noted that already, changes are being seen and felt in the town and there is more to come. The minister of state further noted, that the Government remains commit-

ted to providing a ‘good’ life for all Guyanese and will continue to work to ensure that economic, social, security and other issues are addressed to make this vision a reality. Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall and Deputy Mayor, Kamal Persaud also accompanied the ministers on the walkabout. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Contraband thrown into NA Prison compound

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

Drug vessel seized ... Venezuelan, Guyanese arrested for submersible vessel in North West

The seized submersible vessel found in Port Kaituma

The drug and contraband seized by police A BAG containing 930 grams of cannabis, 52 packs of cigarettes and other prohibited items was early Sunday morning thrown into the New Amsterdam Prison Compound, but was retrieved by prison warders and handed over to police. Later that morning on the West Coast of Berbice (WCB), police ranks conducted a routine stop and search operation and arrested two males and a female in a motorcar on the Weldaad Public Road after a search on them revealed 11 taped parcels of cannabis. The parcels were hidden in various sections of the car. Reports indicate that while six law enforcement officers were on the Weldaad Public Road, West Coast Berbice (WCB), they observed motorcar PMM 8939 heading towards Georgetown, but the driver observed the road block and suddenly turned north onto a dam at Plantation

Hope, WCB. Three police ranks gave chase and managed to intercept the car and its three occupants. They were escorted to the station where a search was carried out and four transparent parcels with suspected cannabis were found under the bonnet, three similar parcels were found in the trunk around the spare wheel, along with a white plastic bag containing four similar parcels with suspected cannabis. The driver was identified as a 42-year-old construction worker of New Amsterdam. The other two occupants were a 24-year-old sales representative of Church’s Chicken and of New Amsterdam and a 26-year-old mechanic, also of New Amsterdam. The suspected narcotic weighed 11 pounds. The persons in the vehicle were taken into police custody as investigations continue.

A VENEZUELAN and a Guyanese, both 40, are in police custody following the discovery of a suspected submersible drug vessel Saturday in a creek at Annbisi River, Port Kaituma, North West District. Police said an intelligence-led operation resulted in the seizure of the vessel which is about 25 meters long, 2.7 meters in width and 2.8 meters in depth. The Guyanese, who is a welder, was completing repairs on the vessel on the bank of the creek where it had been placed. Police Press Officer, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan said the submersible vessel is currently under guard and a team of investigators from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters, with assistance from the Guyana Defense Force Coast Guards, will be deployed to the location early today to continue investigation.

The welder was operating on the deck plating of the submersible when he was found by the police

Canadian killed in Lethem crash

AN 87-year-old Canadian succumbed on Sunday morning after the motor pickup PKK6060 he was travelling in crashed into a creek in Lethem, while crossing a bridge there. Dead is Brandis Kennedy. The driver of the vehicle Anthony Pillew, 32, of Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara suffered injuries and has been admitted at the Lethem Regional Hospital. Investigation revealed that the vehicle was proceeding east along the trail and was crossing the Manari Bridge when the driver lost control and ended up about 30 feet below. Both men were removed from the vehicle by passersby and taken to the Lethem Hospital. Kennedy was pronounced dead on arrival and his body is at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

The vehicle that crashed into the creek while attempting to cross the Manari Bridge

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

Bartica pastor and friend ‘smile’ big

THE joint purchase of a GTT handset and a SIM has made two friends, Colin Troyer and Ashland Heywood, one million dollars richer from the Bartica leg of the GTT Million Dollar Smile promotion at the drawing last Friday. Troyer, a pastor and supervisor at the Guyana Power and Light company (GPL) Bartica, along with Ashland Heywood, explained that they pooled their money together to purchase a GTT handset on the day of the promotion and it was this purchase which afforded them the chance to enter and win. GTT Million Dollar Smile campaign has made it quite simple for customers to have a chance to win millions for the Christmas Holidays. Every customer who does an electronic top up of $1,000 or more in a single transaction, purchase a data plan for a $1,000 or more, pay any GTT bill in full and on time, sign up for or upgrade a Blaze plan, or purchase a GTT SIM, enters for a chance to win. Theirs’ was the second number called after the first went unanswered. Heywood pointed out that the call with the good news from GTT was ac-

tually the first call that the phone ever received since it was purchased on the same day of the Bartica promotion. The friends agreed that 50-year-old Troyer and father of two would be the one to publicly come forward to claim the million dollars. In the spirit of good partnership and friendship, Troyer and his 49-year-old sports organiser-friend Heywood said that they will divide the money equally. They both agreed that winning is always good, but winning a million dollars from GTT is extra special. “I have been faithful to GTT blue power and will continue to so do,” said Troyer. The duo plan to spend some of their winnings on the construction of Pastor Troyer’s church in the Bartica community. The promotion next heads to Charity, Essequibo, December 4; Berbice, December, 15; and will return to Georgetown for the grand draw on December 18, when four winners for a million dollars each will be selected. There were three previous winners from the Georgetown, Mon Repos and Linden communities.

Winner! Colin Troyer

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

Always remember to serve Guyana –– Brotherson urges 409 Gov’t scholarship awardees

PERMANENT Secretary of the Department of Public Service, Ministry of the Presidency, Reginald Brotherson has said that the Government is committed to transforming Guyana into an “education nation” and will continue to invest in education. He made the remarks at an orientation exercise for some 409 recipients of 2017/2018 University of Guyana (UG) and Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) scholarships from the Government on Saturday. Brotherson urged the gathering hosted in the Library of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), Turkeyen, to see the scholarship as a partnership with the Government, for which their reasonable returns would be to contribute to the prosperity of the nation. “The Government and people of Guyana; taxpayers, we have invested… a lot of monies and we look forward for the appropriate returns…. This investment is a partnership.… We want you all to understand the nature of that investment. We want you all to understand that the Department of the Public Service in the Ministry of the Presidency, is mandated by policy to ensure that we address the students’ needs, but in addressing the students’ needs there is a partnership. It is not we and them, but us,” he said. The permanent secretary noted that

scholarships incur a cost to the State but that the Government is committed to investing in education and training because it is convinced of the transformative power of education. Delivering his feature address, Educationist, Vincent Alexander said having been the recipient of several Government of Guyana scholarships, he is a testimony of what a scholarship can produce. He said the ceremony has made him nostalgic and brings to mind the purpose for which scholarships are granted, for personal development and for nation-building. Speaking on the topic “The Importance of Education” Alexander said “Education is not simply about being certified. Education is not simply about saying that you’re qualified. Education is not simply about getting a good job and a good salary. It’s far more than that…. When you get to post-secondary education and tertiary education, it is no longer merely remembering, it’s about being able to apply the information which you acquire, being able to do analysis, being able to do evaluation, being able to synthesise and so you are now in another phase of your own growth and development.” Meanwhile, scholarship awardee Meshach Atkinson, who will be pursuing a Diploma in Communication Studies at the University of Guyana said,” I think this is a great opportunity for me and I plan to make

A section of the recipients of the 2017/2018 University of Guyana and Guyana School of Agriculture scholarships from the Government, at the orientation exercise hosted in the library of the Cyril Potter College of Education the most of it”. Past recipients of the programme, Roshana White, who completed a Diploma in Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health at the GSA; Jenarine Hardat, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture Science; and Alphia Moore, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education, all expressed gratitude to the Ministry of the Presidency. “While my University of Guyana experiences [were] met with its fair share of challenges, the scholarship was able to relieve much of my financial burden as well as pro-

vide the continuation of employment in Early Childhood Development within the Public Sector. This was an excellent opportunity to pursue my passion and further build on my purpose, and add value to the school system at the La Grange Nursery School,” Moore said. Last year, the Ministry awarded 310 scholarships, although only a small per centage of those recipients pursued studies at the GSA. The Ministry also offers grants to students pursuing studies at the Carnegie School of Home Economics and The Burrowes School of Art, among other institutions.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

Beware of Africanised bees

A FEW dozen bees visiting your flower beds is very tropical and beneficial for your garden but hundreds of bees clustered together or seen entering and exiting a single hidden location, may be a sign that a colony has become established. The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has warned persons to be wary of those colonies, especially the Africanised bees. The Africanised bee, also known as the Africanised honey bee, and known colloquially as “killer bee”, is defined as a hybrid of the Western honey bee species (Apis mellifera), produced originally by cross-breeding of the African honey bee (A. m. scutellata), with various European honey bees such as the Italian bee A. m. ligustica and the Iberian bee A. m. iberiensis. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, those bees were first introduced to Brazil in the 1950s in an effort to increase honey production, but in 1957, 26 swarms accidentally escaped quarantine. Since then, the species has spread throughout South America. Although there is no local report on how many persons were affected by those bees, international reports revealed that Africanised bees are typically much more defensive than other species of bee, and react to disturbances faster than European honey bees. They can chase a person a quarter of a mile (400 m); they have killed some 1,000 humans, with victims receiving ten times more stings than from European honey bees. They have also killed horses and other animals. Over the years, Guyanese have also been the

victims of Africanised bees. Recently, a resident of East Coast Demerara (ECD), Ramnarine (only name given) was reportedly killed by a swarm of Africanised bees which attacked him while he was walking along the Mon Repos, ECD Road. A video that went viral on Facebook showed Ramnarine screaming in agony as the bees stung him. Onlookers and passersby appeared helpless as they watched the man meet his demise. The bees were reportedly disturbed by a roaming cow which walked into a clump of bushes at the side of the road. In 2016, Rawle Singh, 30, of 3725, Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, met a similar demise. He succumbed a week after being attacked by a swarm of African bees. Singh was reportedly making his way to a shop in his village, when the bees attacked him, forcing him to jump into a nearby trench in an effort to escape from the insects. He was stung multiple times. Many more cases have been reported but the GLDA is confident that they could reduce the incidence of such cases once they sensitise the public on ways to deal with or avoid Africanised bees. The GLDA in an advertisement in the Sunday publication of the Guyana Chronicle outlined ways in which persons can avoid being stung by those bees. Persons were urged to not swat at bees that fly around because it is most likely to provoke them and increase the chances of them stinging you. “Keep your distance. If you locate a nest on your property, note its location but don’t approach it. Bees are much more likely to react in defense of their hive…

call a professional. It is not recommended that you exterminate bees yourself,” the GLDA advised. There are ways to be one step ahead of the bees. One way in particular is to remove potential nesting sites so as to reduce the chances See page 17

A colony of Africanised bees.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

La Jalousie fire leaves five homeless

FIVE persons, including two children are now homeless after a fire, believed to be electrical in origin, gutted a two-flat concrete and wooden house at 31 Gap Road, La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara on Sunday morning. Residents said they had called the Guyana Power and

Light Company (GPL) on several occasions complaining about a faulty transformer stationed on a nearby utility pole, but no one from the company responded. They also complained about poor power supply and urged GPL officials to visit the community and inquire from residents about their

A GPL technician carrying out works on the utility pole with the faulty transformer (Samuel Maughn photos)

Beware of Africanised ... From page 15

of the bees forming a colony on or around your property. According to the GLDA, most Africanised bees do not live in boxes managed by bee-keepers but rather in structures or other man-made cavities.

Ramnarine (News Room photo) If by some chance you encounter a colony of bees, it is advised that you run for at least 100 yards (300ft). “In the event of an attack, cover your head and face as these bees tend to target these areas. Use a blanket, sheet or your shirt to cover your head and face. If you do not do have anything to cover your head and face with, use your hands to cover your face, making sure not to cover your eyes so that you can still see,” the GLDA recommended. For more information on how to deal with Africanised bees, persons were asked to contact the Bee Unit at the GLDA on 220-6557.

experiences. Ramnaresh Ramdhan told Guyana Chronicle that the house belonged to his mother and she, along with other relatives, lost all their belongings. “I live nearby and I hear my mother call out for me and hollering fire! Right away, I rush over and try to get the two children out and assist the others. By the time everyone come out the fire was out of control and the fire service tried to save whatever they could,” he said.

Neighbours and residents at the fire scene on Sunday

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

Bottas beats Hamilton in 57th edition of ‘Nationals’ dubbed historic Abu Dhabi season-closer

By Rawle Toney Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton applauds as Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas celebrates with the trophy after winning the race REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah

ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Valtteri Bottas won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday as Mercedes wrapped up another triumphant Formula One season with a one-two finish and four-times world champion Lewis Hamilton having to settle for second. The win was a career third for the Finn, who had started on pole position and stayed in front to deny Hamilton a 10th success of the 20-race campaign. “It’s a really important win for me after having a pretty difficult start to the second half of the year,” said Bottas, who joined Mercedes after 2016 champion Nico Rosberg retired abruptly a year ago. “This weekend, pole and win, I couldn’t be happier to end the season like this.” In a processional race, with plenty of glamour but little excitement under the Yas Marina floodlights, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel took third place to finish runner-up in a championship that Hamilton won in Mexico last month. The final points tally

was Hamilton 363, Vettel 317 and Bottas 305. Mercedes had already won the constructors’ world championship for the fourth year in a row and ended with 668 points to Ferrari’s 522. The one-two finish was their fourth of the season. PRETTY LONELY Bottas managed the pace throughout, ceding the lead to Hamilton only when he pitted first, with no major issues. He took the chequered flag 3.8 seconds clear of his team mate, who had been within a second at one point. Vettel was 19 seconds down the road. ”After three, four or five laps I couldn’t go any faster and from then it was pretty lonely,“ said Vettel, a threetimes winner in Abu Dhabi. ”In the second part of the race we had a stronger pace but not good enough. “Very much congratulations to Lewis on his season, he deserves to win the championship this year in the end. I hate to say it, but he was the better man. I‘m sure we will do our bit over the winter and hopefully

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (MONDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: (1) Christchurch, NZ, 1951/52 (2) WI won by 5 wickets TODAY’S QUIZ: (1) What is the highest team score by the WI in Tests against NZ to date? (2) What is the highest team score by NZ in Tests against the WI to date? ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

come back stronger.” Hamilton kept Bottas in his sights but was unable to do anything but follow. He said that was not because of any lack of intent. “Big congratulations to Valtteri, he did an amazing job today to hold me off. It was a great race, I gave it everything, every single lap. It is hard to overtake here,” said the Briton after his 25th successive race in the points. “It’s so hard to follow,” he said in the cool-down room before going on the podium. “I was, like, ‘Where are all the backmarkers?’. I think they need to change this track.” The pair performed celebratory tyre-burning spins after the finish, with retiring Brazilian Felipe Massa pulling his Williams alongside the Mercedes and joining in the hugs and handshakes. With the finishing order reflecting the starting positions, with the exception of Red Bull’s Australian Daniel Ricciardo who retired with an hydraulics issue, the main suspense was in midfield. Toro Rosso, Renault and Haas were separated by just six points before the start, with millions of dollars in prize money at stake and Renault taking the honours thanks to Nico Hulkenberg’s sixth place. TENSE EVENING It was still a tense evening for the French manufacturer team, however, after their Spanish driver Carlos Sainz was released from a pitstop with a loose wheel and retired after almost crashing in the exit tunnel.

“SPORTING events play a major role in bringing Guyanese from all walks of life together. It is a powerful medium for social and economic change,” said Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton, who declared the 57 th edition of the National Schools Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships officially open. For the first time, the Championships, more popularly known as ‘Nationals’, is being held at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, and as such, the event is being dubbed as historic, with record-breaking performances expected from some of the Caribbean’s top athletes.

Norton is of the view that the Championships is a gateway to athletes realising their dreams of becoming Olympians, and as such, Government is keen on their investment, providing substantial financ-

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton

es, as well as state-of-the-art facilities. Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, during her address, placed emphasis on the importance of Physical Education in the school’s curriculum, adding “If we are to produce mentally alert, energetic and healthy children, then they must be involved in sport and games.” Denis Jaikarran, Regional Executive Officer of Region #3, welcomed the athletes and officials to his region, and stated that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is happy to assist in making the event a success. Track and Field events will be held daily from 9:00am at the Leonora facility, starting today and goes until Friday 1st December, 2017.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

Kohli doubles up and Rohit hits ton as India dominate (REUTERS) - Virat Kohli coasted to his fifth double century as India’s frontline batsmen crushed Sri Lanka’s toothless attack to stay on course for an innings victory in the second test in Nagpur on Sunday. Kohli smashed 213 while Rohit Sharma celebrated his return to the side after more than a year with an unbeaten 102 before the hosts declared their second innings closed on 610 for six on the third day for a commanding lead of 405. Sri Lanka’s misery did not end there as they lost Sadeera Samarawickrama without scoring on the second ball from Ishant Sharma to reach 21-1 in their second innings at stumps, still needing 384 to make India bat again. Dimuth Karunaratne was unbeaten on 11 with Lahiru Thirimanne nine not out and the touring side will need a

Herculean effort from their batsmen to avoid an innings defeat after the first of the three-test series was drawn in Kolkata.

getting hundreds to put the bowlers to the sword. Kohli and Pujara extended Sri Lanka’s misery on the third morning with their

Nearly 15,000 fans brought the house down when Virat Kohli brought up his 19th Test century ©BCCI

The world’s top-ranked test side had not lost a wicket in the first two sessions on Saturday with Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara both

third-wicket stand of 183. Sri Lanka barely managed to trouble Kohli and Pujara as the duo picked up singles and twos at will,

mixing them with occasional boundaries after resuming the day on 312-2. India lost Pujara for 143 shortly before lunch when all-rounder Dasun Shanaka breached the right-hander’s defence to rattle the stumps. Sri Lanka would have hoped for a better second session after Perera dismissed Ajinkya Rahane for two shortly after lunch but Kohli and Rohit denied them with another partnership of 173. Kohli flicked Suranga Lakmal for a single to get back-to-back hundreds in the series after his unbeaten century in the second innings of the drawn first test in Kolkata. It was the 10th hundred in 2017 across formats for India’s batting mainstay who hit a six over the long-on fielder against off-spinner Dilruwan Perera to get past 150 and then got a single off

Record-breaking City march on, Everton’s woes continue By Tom Hayward LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester City restored an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 come-from-behind win at Huddersfield Town, while Everton’s season went from bad to worse following a toothless 4-1 defeat at Southampton on Sunday. Huddersfield appeared on course to earne an impressive point against City but Raheem Sterling bundled home a fortunate 84th-minute winner for the visitors after Sergio Aguero had earlier converted a penalty to cancel out Nicolas Otamendi’s own goal. With a 12th victory in 13 games, Pep Guardiola’s City have made the best ever start to a Premier League season and lead second-placed rivals Manchester United by eight points. Southampton’s Charlie Austin scored twice as they coasted to victory over managerless Everton, while Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez scored a 92nd-minute winner as they climbed into the top four with a 1-0 victory at stubborn Burnley. City did not sweep aside Huddersfield as many expected, but the manner of their post-match celebrations illustrated how important victory was on a winter’s evening in Yorkshire. They may have had many more eye-catching performances this season, but Sunday’s victory was typical of title-winning sides.

A rapidly-maturing Sterling, who has scored 12 times in 18 games this season in all competitions, won the penalty that led to Aguero’s equaliser and was in the right place at the right time late on to score after Gabriel Jesus was denied.

Manchester United in the close season, while the 28 they have conceded is the most of any side in the top flight this term. On the south coast, Dusan Tadic gave Southampton a deserved lead with a neat finish in the 18th minute before Everton

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Raheem Sterling celebrate after the match REUTERS/Phil Noble

“Today was a game that epitomised the Premier League - winter is here, it’s colder, it’s harder to move the ball, they defended well,” said City captain Vincent Kompany after his side reached 37 points from a possible 39. “I feel the team deserved the win, we kept at it, even being 1-0 down we believed.” United are second on 29 points after a 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday followed by Chelsea (26), who drew 1-1 at Liverpool (23), Arsenal (25) and Tottenham Hotspur (24). EVERTON WOES Everton have scored just 13 league goals since the departure of striker Romelu Lukaku to

equalised when Gylfi Sigurdsson’s long-range effort went in despite hitting the crossbar twice and the post once. Austin restored the home side’s lead with a close-range header in the 52nd minute before adding a near carbon-copy second to double the advantage six minutes later. Steven Davies added a fourth with a superb effort late on as Everton’s despondent players capitulated after the break. The Toffees, who sit two points above the relegation zone with 12 points, have now won only once under caretaker manager David Unsworth. ”I take responsibility, but we all have to as well,“ said

former Everton defender Unsworth. ”We’re in a tough place and things have to change quickly. ”Confidence is as low as it has ever been. The club has to decide (on a new manager) and the sooner that happens the better. The players need this resolving. “What I see is a happy squad but I’d rather have an unhappy squad that’s winning. I want what’s best for the club and I hope the players do too.” NERVELESS PENALTY After top-four contenders Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool failed to win on Saturday, Arsenal capitalised but were indebted to Sanchez’s nerveless late penalty against Burnley. Arsenal have now won t h re e s u c c e s s i v e g a m e s against the Lancashire club with goals on or after the 90th minute. ”In the first half we didn’t find our game, they stopped us from playing very well,“ said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. In the second half it was a question of the final ball and patience, not making a mistake at the back,” Asked about the late penalty decision, the Frenchman said: ”From outside it looked 100 percent (a penalty). And regarding the battle for Champions League qualifying places, he added: “It’s early, (the top four) changes from one week to another. We wanted to win away from home and we did it. Let’s focus on the next one.”

the same bowler to reach his double hundred. The 29-year-old hit 17 fours and two sixes in his knock before holing out in the deep while trying to attempt another six off Perera. Rohit, whose previous test was in October last year against New Zea-

land, used his opportunity well to compile his third test hundred and Kohli declared India’s innings closed immediately after the right-hander got past three figures. Perera took three wickets for the touring side but also conceded 202 runs.

SCOREBOARD

SRI LANKA 1st innings 205 (D. Chandimal 57, D. Karunaratne 51; R. Ashwin 4-67) India 1st innings (Overnight: 312-2) L. Rahul b Gamage 7 M. Vijay c D. Perera b Herath 128 C. Pujara b Shanaka 143 V. Kohli c Karunaratne b D. Perera 213 A. Rahane c Karunaratne b D. Perera 2 Ro. Sharma not out 102 R. Ashwin b D. Perera 5 W. Saha not out 1 Extras: (b-4 lb-4 w-1) 9 Total: (for 6 wickets declared, 176.1 overs) 610 Fall of wickets: 1-7 L. Rahul,2-216 M. Vijay,3-399 C. Pujara,4-410 A. Rahane,5-583 V. Kohli,6-597 R. Ashwin Did not bat: R. Jadeja, U. Yadav, I.

Sharma Bowling: Suranga Lakmal 29 - 2 111 – 0,Lahiru Gamage 35 - 8 - 97 – 1, Rangana Herath 39 - 11 - 81 – 1, Dasun Shanaka 26.1 - 4 - 103 - 1(w-1), Dilruwan Perera 45 - 2 - 202 – 3,Dimuth Karunaratne 2 - 0 - 8 – 0. SRI LANKA 2nd innings Sadeera Samarawickrama b I. Sharma 0 Dimuth Karunaratne not out 11 Lahiru Thirimanne not out 9 Extras: (lb-1) 1 Total: (for 1 wickets, 9 overs) 21 Fall of wickets: 1-0 S. Samarawickrama To bat: A. Mathews, D. Chandimal, N. Dickwella, D. Shanaka, D. Perera, R. Herath, S. Lakmal, L. Gamage Bowling: I. Sharma 4 - 1 - 15 – 1, R. Ashwin 4 - 3 - 5 – 0, R. Jadeja 1 - 1 - 0 – 0.

England wicketkeeper spoken to by ECB over Perth ‘incident’

THE England and Wales Cricket Board(ECB) says it has spoken to England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow after claims about an alleged incident involving Australia’s Cameron Bancroft. Reports in Australia suggested Bairstow headbutted batsman Bancroft on a night out in Perth four weeks ago.

a drink together. Their heads met. They carried on drinking together. “More ammo for accusations of a drink culture, but this will not help relations between the teams.” Bairstow, 28, and 25-year-old debutant Bancroft have both been involved in the opening Ashes Test in Brisbane, which Australia are set to win on Monday.

Cameron Bancroft played in front of wicketkeeper Bairstow on Sunday as he made an unbeaten 51 to push Australia towards victory

The ECB said there was no report of any incident from the venue, security or police and no injury reported. It will “follow up” with players after the conclusion of the first Ashes Test. Cricket Australia told the BBC it was aware of the incident, adding that it was a matter for the ECB and not Australian cricket’s governing body. In a statement issued on Sunday, the ECB said: “Following an initial conversation with Jonny Bairstow tonight, we understand the context and will follow up with England players and management after the Brisbane Test.” The BBC’s cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew said: “I understand from the camp that Bairstow and Bancroft were having

The hosts need just 56 runs on the final day at the Gabba to go 1-0 up in the five-Test series. The reports follow the incident involving key England player Ben Stokes, who did not travel with the squad because he is awaiting the outcome of a police investigation into his involvement in a fight outside a Bristol nightclub on 25 September. Yorkshire’s Bairstow has played in 45 Test matches after making his debut in May 2012. He averages 39.77 with the bat and has taken 119 catches. He was one of three players who were fined by the ECB last month and accepted formal written warnings for “unprofessional conduct” - unrelated to the Stokes investigation. (BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

Australia cruise to 1-0 Ashes lead By Ian Ransom

BRISBANE (Reuters) Australia sealed a dominant 10-wicket victory before lunch on day five of the series-opening Ashes Test today, having chased 170 runs without loss in a blow to England’s pride. Steve Smith’s team will head to the second Test in Adelaide this week brimming with confidence after decisively breaking England’s resistance at the Gabba. Openers David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, having driven Australia to 114 at stumps on day four, needed only 56 runs to complete the win in the morning and rarely looked in danger. Vice-captain Warner finished unbeaten on 87, with Bancroft 82 not out after enjoying a maiden half-century in his Test debut. The debutant finished the match in style, bringing up the wins by smashing all-rounder Chris Woakes to the long-off fence twice, sparking a roar from the modest Monday crowd of 6,154. “It was good fun obvi-

ously, to share a good partnership was nice and to get the win in the end was good,” Bancroft said. Four years after thrashing Alastair Cook’s England by 386 runs at the Gabba on the way to a 5-0 whitewash in 2013/14, Australia extended

their unbeaten record at the venue against their old foes to 31 years. With Mike Gatting’s team the last English side to win at the Gabba in 1986, captain Joe Root had said his team were about due for a breakthrough.

Seamer Kemar Roach … turned in an impressive shift with the new ball.

Off-spinner Roston Chase (2-7) and left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer (2-27) both finished with two wickets apiece while the pace attack put in a solid shift, as New Zealand A were turned over for 237 in their first innings. Todd Astle, batting at number eight, stroked an aggressive top score of 68 while Tim Bruce gathered 46, Beil Broom, 27, and captain Tom Latham, 24. In their second turn at the crease, West Indies were 53 for two – an overall lead

fierce pace assault to be skittled for 195 in their second innings. Australia were left needing 170 runs for victory and Warner and Bancroft batted superbly after tea to drive the hosts to 114 without loss. The game had enthralled for three days. Australia’s fast bowlers struggled to capitalise on their edge in pace on a

surprisingly slow and tepid Gabba pitch, while England’s rookie batsmen showed impressive composure in their Ashes debuts. While opener Mark Stoneman, James Vince and Dawid Malan all scored half-centuries, none could go on to really make Australia pay or stand up under pressure in the second innings when it really counted.

SCOREBOARD

Winning feeling: The Australia team and staff celebrate their well-deserved Ashes victory over England at the Gabba.

Bowlers put West Indies in command against New Zealand A LINCOLN, New Zealand,(CMC) – West Indies were in an excellent position to push for a win on Monday’s final day after their bowlers earned them a healthy first innings lead on the second day of their three-day match against New Zealand A.

And at the end of day three, with the match still in the balance, paceman Stuart Broad said they were the best-positioned they had been in 30 years to win at the ground. four, however, as England lost 5-40 during a

of 267 runs – with opener Kraigg Brathwaite unbeaten on 33. Following the visitors’ declaration at their overnight 451 for nine, Test batsman Jeet Raval perished cheaply in the fourth over of the morning – edging seamer Kemar Roach to captain Jason Holder at third slip for one to leave the hosts on seven for one Captain Tom Latham also failed to secure time at the crease ahead of the opening Test, falling for 24 off 55 deliveries after pulling seamer Holder to Shimron Hetmyer at square leg. Veteran first class batsman Neil Broom chipped

in with 27 off 46 balls in a 34-run, fourth wicket stand with Bruce but was one of three quick wickets to fall for 25 runs as the hosts slipped to 114 for six. Astle and Bruce came to their side’s rescue, however, putting on 64 for the seventh wicket to prop up the innings. The right-handed Astle stroked 10 fours and a six in an 81-ball knock while Bruce faced 71 balls and counted seven fours. When Bruce fell to speedster Shannon Gabriel, Astle added a further 46 for the eighth wicket with Logan van Beek (21) before Chase wiped out the tail quickly.

SCOREBOARD

WEST INDIES 1st Innings 451-9 decl. New Zealand A 1st Innings J Raval c Holder b Roach 1 *T Latham c Hetmyer b Holder 24 G Worker c Roach b Cummins 8 N Broom b Reifer 27 T Bruce c Ambris b Gabriel 46 +T Blundell c Holder b Joseph 19 J Neesham lbw b Reifer 0 T Astle st Ambris b Chase 68 L van Beek b Bishoo 21 L Ferguson not out 4 H Bennett b Chase 0 Extras: (b1, lb3, nb14, w1) 19 TOTAL (all out, 61.4 overs) 237 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-37, 3-55, 4-89, 5-113, 6-114, 7-178, 8-224,, 9-237, 10-237.

Bowling: Gabriel 10-1-50-1, Roach 10-4-27-1, Cummins 103-33-1, Holder 5-3-4-1, Reifer 7-0-27-2, Joseph 7-2-38-1, Bishoo 10-1-47-1, Chase 2.4-0-7-2. WEST INDIES 2nd Innings K Brathwaite not out 33 K Powell b Ferguson 4 S Hetmyer b van Beek 10 R Chase not out 4 Extras: (w1, nb1) 2 TOTAL: (2 wkts, 18 overs) 53 Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-43. Bowling: Ferguson 4-0-7-1, Bennett 4-0-28-0, van Beek 5-0-11-1, Astle 5-0-7-0. Position: West Indies lead by 267 runs.

ENGLAND 1st innings 302 (J. Vince 83, D. Malan 56, M. Stoneman 53) Australia 1st innings 328 (S. Smith 141no, S. Marsh 51) England 2nd innings (Overnight: 33-2) A. Cook c Starc b Hazlewood 7 M. Stoneman c Smith b Lyon 27 J. Vince c Smith b Hazlewood 2 J. Root lbw b Hazlewood 51 D. Malan c Smith b Lyon 4 M. Ali st Paine b Lyon 40 J. Bairstow c Handscomb b Starc 42 C. Woakes c Smith b Starc 17 S. Broad c Paine b Starc 2 J. Ball c Handscomb b Cummins 1 J. Anderson not out 0 Extras: (nb-2) 2 Total: (all out, 71.4 overs) 195 Fall of wickets: 1-11 A. Cook,2-17 J. Vince,3-62 M. Stoneman,4-74 D. Malan,5-113 J. Root,6-155 M.

Ali,7-185 C. Woakes,8-194 J. Bairstow,9-195 S. Broad,10-195 J. Ball Bowling : M. Starc 16 - 1 - 51 3(nb-1), J. Hazlewood 16 - 3 - 46 – 3, P. Cummins 12.4 - 4 - 23 – 1, N. Lyon 24 - 4 - 67 - 3(nb-1), S. Smith 3 - 0 - 8 - 0 AUSTRALIA 2nd innings (Target: 170 runs) C. Bancroft not out 82 D. Warner not out 87 Extras: (lb-2 nb-1, w1) 4 Total: (for no loss, 50 overs) 173 Fall of wickets: To bat: S. Smith, U. Khawaja, P. Handscomb, S. Marsh, T. Paine, M. Starc, P. Cummins, N. Lyon, J. Hazlewood Bowling: J. Anderson 11- 2-27- 0 (nb-1), S. Broad 10-2-20–0, M. Ali 4-0-23–0, C. Woakes 11-1- 46–0, J. Ball 8-1-38–0, J. Root 6-1-17-0

IAAF continues its ban on Russian athletics By Gene Cherry

MONACO (Reuters) - Russia still has not met key requirements for the reinstatement of its athletics federation and an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) ban instituted in 2015 will remain in effect, the global governing body said on Sunday. The IAAF’s council unanimously approved the continuation of the suspension, following a recommendation by its Russia doping taskforce The decision comes despite denials by Russian political and sports leaders of doping problems in the country. No timetable was given for reinstatement. The decision means Russian athletes will not be allowed to compete under their country’s flag at March’s world indoor championships in Birmingham, England, unless the IAAF’s “roadmap” to reinstatement is met. Athletes whose drug-testing history has been reviewed, however, will be allowed to participate as neutral athletes as they did at August’s world championships in London. Russian leaders’ refusal to admit that a state-sponsored doping program existed has been a key sticking point in lifting the ban, which was instituted in November 2015 after

the McLaren report discovered widespread doping in Russia. Russia’s anti-doping agency must become a fully independent body that is compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code and an effective testing plan must be developed for the country to be reinstated,

tional Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board meets on Dec. 5-6 in Lausanne to determine whether Russian athletes can compete in February’s Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in South Korea. WADA earlier this month declared Russia’s anti-doping agency non-compliant with

Sebastian Coe (L), IAAF’s President and Rune Andersen, head of the IAAF taskforce on Russia, attend a press conference.

taskforce chairman Rune Andersen told a news conference. “The broader question is whether they will be able to operate in a system which we can trust,” Andersen said. “It is our responsibility to create that landscape where there is trust,” IAAF president Sebastian Coe said. The IAAF decision comes just days before the Interna-

the WADA Code but it will be the IOC that makes the final decision on the country’s participation. The IAAF also awarded its 2020 world indoor championships to Nanjing, China, and announced that Morocco had been removed from its anti-doping watch list. Belarus, Ethiopia, Kenya and Ukraine remain on the list.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

Ten Pow keeps Guyana on the podium at Double Trouble

Mikhail Persaud tries to get away from Rayden Persaud at this weekend’s Double Trouble Karting event at the Palisadoes Raceway in Jamaica.

(By Stephan Sookram in Jamaica complements of Fly Jamaica, Nexus Machining, GT Motorsports and Bell Communications)

Justin Ten Pow was a top performer for Guyana in the Mirco Max Rotax class.

JUSTIN Ten Pow kept the Guyana flag flying high this weekend at the Double Trouble Karting event at the Palisadoes Racetrack in Kingston, Jamaica Ten Pow, who competed in the Mirco Max Rotax event, picked up three third place finishes in the four races which took place Saturday. He, however, was disqualified after the third race of the day over a mechanical infringement, according to race officials.

In the end, it came down to a battle between Shane Chishlom and Zidan Madden, both of whom were ‘neck and neck’ for most of their encounters. Nonetheless, the bashful Guyanese was still in top spirts as he looks forward to the remaining races today, giving Chronicle Sport ‘thumbs up.’ In the Mini Rotax class, Jeremy Ten-Pow was plagued with mechanical troubles as he struggled throughout the day. Junior action saw Jamaica’s Senna Summerbell, who toured Guyana earlier this year, rule the roost with countryman and fellow tourist, Tommi Gore finishing second by two seconds.

Rayden Persaud was able to pick up one third after his countryman, Mikhail Persaud was demoted while Elan Rahaman finished off the podium. Mikhail struck bronze on the last race of the day as well, finishing behind Summerbell and Gore in that order. In the senior class, Matthew Phang did what he could to slice his way through the pack, taking the fight to most of the Jamaicans, but only managing fifth and sixth in one of the most competitive groups of the meet. Meanwhile, there was one third for Steven Nobrega, who opted to enter the SuperRotax Race.

Windies fast bowlers will have a critical role to play says Estwick LINCOLN, New Zealand, (CMC) – Assistant coach Roddy Estwick believes West Indies fast bowlers will have a critical role to play if the Caribbean side are to make an impact in the two-Test series against the Black Caps starting next month. Coming off the recent Zimbabwe tour where spinners were vital because of the slow, turning tracks, Estwick said the conditions in New Zealand provided the opportunity for the Windies attack to show their quality.

Shannon Gabriel

“Obviously the spinners played a bigger role in Zimbabwe because the pitches were low and slow and the ball spun quite a bit,” Estwick said following Sunday’s second day of the three-day tour match against New Zealand A. “Here in New Zealand the ball bounces a lot more and carries through a lot more to the

Barca draw at title rivals Valencia after goal-line controversy By Richard Martin VALENCIA (Reuters) - Barcelona’s Jordi Alba haunted his former club Valencia with a stunning late equaliser in a 1-1 draw on Sunday in a topof-the-table Liga clash that preserved the Catalan side’s four-point lead but was overshadowed by a ‘goal’ that was not given. Barca were denied the opener as Lionel Messi’s tame shot after half an hour was spilt by goalkeeper Neto and bounced over the line before the Brazilian dragged it back over but referee Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva allowed play to continue. The Argentine forward and his team mates remonstrated with the officials to no avail but still had a big say in the game, laying on a perfect pass for Alba’s 82nd minute leveller. Spain striker Rodrigo Moreno put Valencia ahead on the hour, sneaking ahead of Barca defender Thomas Vermaelen to score from close range before putting on an orange wig in tribute to the

club’s late president Jaume Orti who passed away on Friday. Barcelona lead the standings on 35 points, Valencia have 31 while Atletico Madrid are third on 27, level on points with fourth-placed champions Real Madrid.

Valencia assistant coach Ruben Urria added: ”We struggled at first because Barcelona are a great team and came here to win against the second best team in the league. “Everything changed in the second half and we were the

Barcelona’s Jordi Alba in action REUTERS/Heino Kalis

“It was a good game and it was defined by a controversial play but we know Valencia’s potential. We’re not satisfied with everything but we’ve managed to take something positive from the game,” Barca coach Ernesto Valverde said.

better team. These players are making history.” Before kick off, Valencia paid tribute to Orti, president during the club’s last two Liga title-winning seasons in 2002 and 2004, and an electric atmosphere gripped The Mestalla

TITLE TILT Marcelino’s revitalised Valencia side were searching for a ninth consecutive league win to cement their first title tilt in 14 seasons but Barca took command in the first half, puncturing the atmosphere with long periods of possession. Still, the leaders failed to create any clear chances until the game’s flashpoint when Messi celebrated his ‘goal’ only for Valencia to break straight down the other end and almost open the scoring when Simone Zaza flashed a shot just wide. La Liga is the only one of Europe’s top five leagues not to have goal-line technology, although it will implement the video assistant referee (VAR) system from the start of next season. “La Liga has the best players in the world. It’s the best league in the world and it deserves the best technology. The goal was over the line, but neither the referee nor the assistant saw it,” said Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets. Valencia grew in confidence

keeper, so you expect your fast bowlers to really do the bulk of the bowling. “It was a good that the fast bowlers got a run out [on Sunday]. You’re trying to cover all your bases depending on which pitch turns up in the first Test match.” Frontline pacers Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach and captain Jason Holder all turned in solid shifts while Miguel Cummins and the uncapped Raymon Reifer also impressed, as the hosts were dismissed for 231 in their first innings at the

after the break, pressing high up the pitch. Zaza shot wide again and Barca defender Nelson Semedo gifted the ball to Rodrigo, who failed to capitalise. The striker found the target soon after, poking home to complete a sweeping move between left back Jose Gaya and winger Goncalo Guedes, putting Valencia on course for a first home win over Barca in over a decade until Alba struck. Zaza could have struck a winning goal deep in added time but his shot bounced over the bar. Elsewhere, Sevilla battled back from two goals down to win 3-2 at Villarreal in the first game since the news that coach Eduardo Berizzo has prostate cancer. Fifth-placed Sevilla have 25 points and are now four ahead of Villarreal in sixth. Seventh-placed Real Sociedad drew 2-2 at home to second-bottom Las Palmas, while Athletic Bilbao were held by the same scoreline at fellow strugglers Deportivo La Coruna.

Bert Sutcliffe Oval. West Indies had declared at their overnight 451 for nine. Estwick said it was important for the pace attack to use the outing to familiarise themselves with conditions, ahead of the Test series. “They’re trying to get accustomed to the conditions, the different lines and different lengths you have to bowl,” he explained. “The pitches are completely different to what we encountered in Zimbabwe so all in all it was a very good day.” West Indies arrived here last week on a quest to win their first series on New Zealand soil in 22 years. They beat minnows Zimbabwe, 1-0, in a two-Test series in Bulawayo last month, to win their third Test in eight outings this year. Estwick said the Windies’ performances had been improving steadily, and this had been in part owed to the outstanding work from the seamers. “The fast bowlers have gone well for the last year. During that time you would realise we’ve won a Test match in every series so the fast bowlers have been doing a decent job,” he contended. “What we have to try and do now is look to do even better in this series, so the fast bowlers are going to be very, very important. The thing about it is to get some miles in their legs, make sure they’re up and ready to go at New Zealand from ball one.” The first Test gets underway at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on December 1.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 27, 2017

Rickie Williams hands District 11 the first win as ‘Nationals’ commences By Tamica Garnett

WITH his arms outstretched as he crossed the finishing line, and falling to his knees in celebration when it was all over, North Georgetown's Rickie Williams celebrated his win of the boys’ open 10km road race in dramatic style after recording the first victory at the 57th National Schools' Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships, which officially began yesterday at the National Track and Field Centre on the West Coast of Demerara. The race was a good opening morale boost for North Georgetown, which once again faces an uphill battle in trying to wrestle back the Championship title from long time arch rival, Upper Demerara/Kwakwani (District 10). The win was also a long-awaited redress for

Williams, who still feels that he was unfairly unseated in the same event last year when he represented District 1, and the

race was won by District 6’s Delroy Leitch. This year Williams came out gunning with a plan, and ensured he did everything in

his power to secure his win; and he did so with a massive lead ahead of the rest of the competition, clocking a time of 35 minutes and 32

District 9’s Margaret Augusto wins the girls’ 10km road race (Samuel Maughn photo)

seconds. “The race was good. I went out there with a plan and I’m glad I was able to stick to it. The plan was to run the first 7km not too hard, and then the last 3km hard,” Williams told reporters after the victory. His next event will be the 5000m on Friday and he’s very much excited to take another win when the time comes around. Second place for the 10km road race went to South Georgetown’s (District 13) Mathew McKenzie, who clocked 36 minutes and 20 seconds. Rupununi’s (District 9) Garvin Stephan took the final podium position with a time of 36 minutes and 49 seconds. The first female to enter the NTAFC in the 10km road race was District 9’s Margaret Augusto, who claimed her win with much support from the animated crowd

that came out to witness the opening of the Championships. Augusto’s time in the event was unavailable up to press time. The other results of the other female competitors were also unavailable. The 10km road race ran concurrently to the opening ceremony for the Championships, after which the heats of the 800m races were run off. However, aside from the two 10km, the day also saw the completion of four other finals. However, again no results were made available by the Guyana Teachers Union. The Championships continue tomorrow with swimming at the National Aquatic Centre, and cycling at the National Park. Both events begin at 9.00hrs. The track and field competition continues at the NTAFC from Tuesday and runs until Friday; starting at 10.00hrs daily.

‘Green Machine’ surrenders RAN 7s title to Jamaica -Guyana to play at Hong Kong 7s and CAC Games

Guyana’s Patrick king in action during the RAN 7s Championship in Mexico.

IT was their only defeat at the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens Championship in Mexico, and it came when more than losing their title was on the line. Guyana, six-time holders and defending champions, fell 24 – 28 to Jamaica last evening at the Campo Marte athletic grounds in Mexico City. Apart from relinquishing their title to the Jamaican rugby team which had 12 UK-born

Jamaica celebrates after winning the RAN 7s Championship and alsoqualifying for 2018 IRB World Cup

and based players, it will hurt the Guyanese more, knowing that they also missed an opportunity to play at the 2018 IRB Sevens World Cup. The Jamaicans will join host USA and Canada as RAN’s representatives at the July 20 – 22 event, which is dubbed the ‘Holy Grail’ for Sevens rugby. With the win, Jamaica will also pick up RAN’s final spot for the Commonwealth Games. Guyana

featured at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Guyana, however, by finishing second, will make another appearance at the Hong Kong Sevens (April 6 – 8) in Japan, as well as the Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) in Barranquilla, Colombia (July 29 – August 3). In 2010, the ‘Green Machine’ won Guyana’s lone gold medal at the CAC Games, when they defeated Jamaica 31 – 7 in the finals.

See Rickie Williams hands Page District 11 the first win 27 as ‘Nationals’ commences

57th edition of ‘Nationals’ dubbed historic - Dr Norton, Minister Henry calls for holistic, serious approach for sports in schools

See Page 23

Defending Champions Upper Demerara/Kwakwani (District 10) during the parade of athletes

‘Nationals’ U-16 200M and 400M record-holder and South American Youth Games gold medallist, Deshanna Skeete, lights the symbolic games torch. (Samuel Maughn photos)

District 11’s Rickie Williams celebrates his win in the boys’ 10km road race yesterday (Samuel Maughn photo)

National School Cycling C/ship wheels off today in National Park THE Guyana Teachers Union/Ministry of Education’s National School Cycling Championships will wheel off from 10:00hrs today around the inner circuit of the National Park with track races. According to coordinator of the event, Guyana Cycling Federation’s (GCF) Assistant Racing Secretary, Joseph Britton, several track events will be held today and an-

other day during the week of activities that will see school athletes vying for top honours in cycling, swimming and track and field. Today’s cycling championships will see some of Guyana’s top junior and juvenile cyclists battling against each other for supremacy. While there are 16 Districts in the school system, it is unlikely that all 16 will

Raphael Leung

be represented in the cycling aspect of the championships. It is however clear that District 11 (North Georgetown),District 10 (Upper Demerara /Kwakwani) and District 16 (Corentyne) will be fielding the largest teams that include Guyana’s best youth cyclists, something that they have been doing over the years. The top cyclists from these Districts are seasoned

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cyclists and are sure to dominate. Raphael Leung who hails from District 11, Curtis Dey of District Six and Christopher Griffith of District 10 are sure to share the spoils during the two days of track competition. The male and female road races are scheduled for Friday and will be staged in the West Demerara area. The males will battle for

40km while the females will contest a -25km race. Both male and female races are expected to wheel off from Vreed-en-Hoop and the males will proceed to Bushy park before turning back to finish outside the Leonora Synthetic Track facility, but this is to be confirmed sometime today after officials of the GTU and the GCF discuss the issue.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017