Guyana Chronicle E-paper 12-06-2018

THURSDAY 6th DECEMBER, 2018

No.105480

GRDB inks US$5.2M rice contract with Panama

Costly waste SEE STORY ON PAGE 03

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‌$US$608M lost on ill-advised PPP projects

‌as Min. Patterson defends use of feasibility studies

Special water rates for metered pensioners PAGE

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Wales workers to get severance

by Friday

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Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson gestures during his budget debate presentation in the National Assembly Wednesday afternoon (Adrian Narine photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday December 6, 2018

Henry lays out path to ‘education revolution’ …says more schools, curriculum reform coming

Minister of Education Dr. Nicolette Henry

Priya Manickchand

By Vanessa Braithwaite MINISTER of Education Dr Nicolette Henry on Wednesday said the coalition government has started an education revolution

here, outlining a range of programmes in place to fix a sector she said “was in a mess for 23 years.”

Speaking after PPP frontbencher Priya Manickchand, Dr Henry in her budget debate contribution told the House that the sector, which will receive a budgetary allocation of $52B for 2019, has seen nothing but progress from the nursery stage to the

university.

This she said, is evident in the statistical update of the United Nation’s Human Development Index (HDI), which reports a value of 0.674%, which represents a performance increase of 21.5%. “Guyana would have therefore recorded progress in each of the health and TURN TO PAGE

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Costly waste

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday December 6, 2018

…$US$608M lost on ill-advised PPP projects …as Min. Patterson defends use of feasibility studies

By Lisa Hamilton THE Opposition party was on Wednesday called out for its failure to conduct feasibility studies on several large projects, leading to their eventual demise and wastage of some US$608M. This was brought to the spotlight by Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson who was, at the time, responding to accusations of “wastage” in Budget 2019 on feasibility studies.

The claims were made

by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP) Juan Edghill during his debate presentation in the National Assembly. Providing figures from a speech he prepared, Edghill came against the $100M earmarked for a feasibility study to be conducted on the new Demerara River Crossing, aimed at improving the flow of vehicular traffic.

Since the $300.7 B budget was presented on November 26 by Finance Minister Winston Jordan, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and other opposition members had also referred to the budget as one filled with feasibil-

ity studies of projects which will not come to fruition.

Responding to the charges, Patterson branded them as “erroneous and misguided” and presented, instead, a list of projects which failed under the former administration due to lack of practical planning.

“The Honourable Member Irfaan Ali made merry about the amount of studies that this government is undertaking prior to construction and we are guilty of doing a lot of studies, but let me enlighten this house, and I want the honourable members Edghill and Irfaan Ali to keep count with me, of projects executed by the PPP/C with no feasibility studies,” Patterson began.“Skeldon Factory: US$200M; Cheddi Jagan International Airport renovations: $138M, no feasibility study; the specialty hospital, no feasibility study, that’s $125M; the fiber optic cable, no feasibility study, absolutely none. The East Coast bypass that we’re now doing…no feasibility study, none. The Berbice Bridge, none! No feasibility study and that is $50M.” He concluded the list by

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson contends that there was no evaluation report conducted on the Amaila project

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP) Juan Edghill (Adrian Narine photos)

adding the US$45M Amaila Falls’ loan for which he said no feasibility study was conducted, bringing the total amount wasted over the years in failed projects to US$608M. The minister also criticised the former administration for its failure to conduct evaluation reports [on] the Amaila project “[These finances went] down the drain because they didn’t want to take the time to study it,” he chastised.

Some of the government’s projects for which feasibility studies will commence in 2019 include the

proposed upgrade of the Lethem Aerodrome to a regional airport; the upgrading of the Parika Stelling to a modern marine transport hub; the Linden to Mabura road and bridge across the Kurupukari River; the East Bank/East Coast Road linkage project and the modernisation of Port Georgetown.

In his address to the House, Edghill also criticised the Public Infrastructure Ministry, saying it is undeserving of increased expenditure and ?progressing “slow” regarding developments. “This is an underperformed ministry, that’s the

Henry lays out path to ... education indicators and this covers the period 19992017 and yet we heard how we have retrogressed.”

She said that there is no amount of propaganda from the PPP that can swallow the stories of progress her ministry has made since the coalition government took office in 2015. She said a plethora of programmes were rolled out in less than four years which she credited for the significant progress in the education sector. These include the 5Bs and the school-feeding programmes which contributed to reported increases in school attendance and decreases in school dropouts and truancy.

Also noticeable she said, is the increase in performance in not only the NGSA but CSEC. “In 2014…23% of students were passing English….in three short years, we have seen incremental improvement and this year we were able to record 60% pass rate in English.” “Our cur-

rent data indicate that 90% of our children now master reading and math skills, compared to 37% in 2016. This is a story that speaks for itself.” Dr Henry said performance can also be credited to extensive reform in the school’s curriculum, which has been completed after extensive consultation.

Henry also spoke about the recent launch of the mobile counselling service and reintegrating teenage mothers into the school system. She said after a hiatus of more than a decade, in 2018, the teacher’s upgrading programme was re-introduced in Region Eight; and the introduction of technical and vocational programmes were done at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), as well as special education needs programme, were piloted in Regions Two, Four and 10.

23 YEARS OF MESS With regard to the University of Guyana, Dr Henry

said progress was seen in the construction of new offices and a new math and science building at Turkeyen. Multiple agreements were also signed to further strengthen international relationships. These achievements, she said, were made despite the current administration “taking over 23 years of mess.”

However, Manickchand said that the ministry is manned by petty leadership and all that has occurred over the past three years is regression. Citing that she is very proud of the PPP’s stewardship, Manickchand cited reports to show that in the ministry under her stewardship there were serious gaps in nursery education delivery amongst other things, but that a hands-on and collaborative approach was taken to tackle these gaps and these approaches reaped positive results. She does not believe that the same is being done today. While hailing the $52 B allocation to the sector, Manickchand said the main

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beneficiaries will not be the pupils and students, since most of the money is going towards operational costs amongst other things. She said that the ministry sent back $2B from the 2018 budget, which sum could have been used to pay an increase to protesting teachers, purchase text books for children or fund the $10, 000 cash grants made available under the PPP only once, mere months before the 2015 elections. The cash grant was an elections token, which Dr Henry described as a gimmick that was not sustainable.

Dr Henry however rebutted Manickchand’s claims, stating it is under her watch that the long-standing issue of “debunching” arrears for teachers was resolved, even as she described the cash grant as a mere election gimmick that was not sustainable. “In my sector alone, we have spent an inordinate amount of time cleaning up the mess we have inherited

point I’m making. So, how could you ramp up expenditure and capital works in infrastructure when you’re not moving?” he questioned.

Addressing the question of time, Patterson begged to differ as he called out the opposition party on the Sheriff Street/Mandela Avenue road project currently being undertaken by the government which, he reminded, the PPP signed in 2010 but commenced years later in 2017. “Seven years! Including having to turn back because of flaws under your government,” Patterson said.

GROWING DEMAND Regarding the increase of the Ministry’s budget to $35.32B, which represents 11.5 per cent of the national budget, Patterson explained in his speech why it is important for greater focus to be placed on the sector.

“There is an essential and growing demand for infrastructure to address critical issues such as climate change; organisation; trade competitiveness and the fufrom the last 23 years…we took over an education sector that was in a crisis.”

MUCH IN STORE FOR 2019 With the $52 B, Dr Henry revealed that there is much in store for the education sector in Guyana. For the first time, she said there will be the implementation of robotics, coding and animation in primary schools across Guyana. This will be implemented simultaneously with smart classrooms, IT hubs and IT labs, since technology-enabled learning is paramount in this technological era. Twenty-eight primary schools in Regions One, Four, Six and 10 will benefit from additional computer resources. New programmes will be offered such as an Associate Degree in Petroleum Engineering, Community Development and Food Sciences at the University of Guyana.

Henry said that the education revolution was started by the coalition government and will be continued in 2019 with

ture social upliftment of our society. To satisfy these demands effectively and to deliver lasting economic and social development comparable to the emerging economies of Asia , Latin America and the Middle East, our government will continue to provide the policies and financial resources to build a modern, efficient and robust public infrastructure,” he said.

He later added: “The $35.32B allocated of our 2019 estimates [which] support infrastructure for integration, will result in improved movement of people and goods, both nationally and internationally; enhanced reliance in the coastal and riverine communities and improved efficiency in services delivered to the citizens of Guyana. Thus, we will continue to build on the foundation laid since our ascension to office in May 2015.” the construction of schools, curriculum reform, psychological and other support services, teachers’ preparation and support, school feeding programmes, technical and vocational programmes among others. Henry said that these would have only been possible through her one-seat majority government, which the opposition speaks so lowly about. Concerning that one seat, she said, “If you want to know the importance of a year, ask the student who failed an exam. If you want to know the importance of a month, ask the mother who gave premature birth. If you want to know the importance of a minute, ask the person who just missed their flight. If you want to know the importance of a millisecond, ask the Olympics sprinter who won the silver medal. If you want to know the importance of a seat, ask the PPP.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 6, 2018

Master of bygone civility, Bush is hailed at funeral as U.S. ‘soldier-statesman’ WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former President George H.W. Bush was hailed at his state funeral on Wednesday as a warrior-statesman of uncommon personal kindness who went from being a hero of American conflicts to representing a bygone era of civility in politics.

Amid an unusual bipartisan spirit at the service at the Washington National Cathedral, both Republican and Democratic politicians honored a president who called for a “kinder, gentler” nation.

Bush, the 41st U.S. president, died last week in Texas aged 94. He occupied the White House from 1989 to 1993, navigating the collapse of the Soviet Union and expelling former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s forces from oil-rich Kuwait.

“George H.W. Bush was America’s last great soldier-statesman,” Jon Meacham, a presidential biographer, said in a eulogy. “He stood in the breach in the Cold War against totalitarianism. He stood in the breach in Washington against unthinking partisanship,” he said.

At a ceremony full of pomp but also peppered with laughter, the capital’s current political feuds were briefly set aside in honor of the late president, a naval aviator who survived being shot down by Japanese forces over the Pacific Ocean in World War Two, and a former head of the CIA during the Cold War. A patrician figure, Bush was voted out of office in part for failing to connect with ordinary Americans during an economic recession. But he has been remembered as representing an earlier era of civility in American politics, that image burnished in recent years by the divisiveness and anger in the

The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush arrives carried by a military honor guard during a State Funeral at the National Cathedral, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. Andrew Harnik/Pool via REUTERS

Thursday, December 6, 2018

04:00 hrs - 14:30 hrs

United States that accompanied the rise of President Donald Trump.

Former President George W. Bush said his father “valued character over pedigree, and he was no cynic. He’d look for the good in each person, and he usually found it.” “The best father a son or daughter could ever have,” the former president said in his eulogy, his voice cracking with emotion as he spoke near his father’s flagdraped coffin.

TEARS AND MEMORIES

Taking his seat at the cathedral, Trump shook hands with his predecessor, former President Barack Obama, who he has often sharply criticized. Democratic former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Trump’s 2016 election opponent, and her husband former President Bill Clinton shared the front pew with Trump, Obama, and their spouses. Trump, like Bush a Republican, infuriated the late president by attacking his sons, George W. Bush and Jeb Bush, a rival in the 2016 Republican primary campaign.

Trump sat mostly motionless next to first lady Melania Trump throughout much of the service.

He had tweeted earlier that he was “Looking forward to being with the Bush family. This is not a funeral, this is a day of celebration for a great man who has led a long and distinguished life. He will be missed!”

Bush did not endorse Trump in the 2016 presidential election. He did not publicly say who he voted for but a source told CNN at the time that he had voted for Hillary Clinton. Bush, who was ailing in recent years, did send Trump a

letter in January 2017 saying he would not be able to attend his inauguration because of health concerns, but wishing him the best. All surviving former U.S. presidents were at the cathedral. During one of the eulogies, Bill Clinton wiped away tears and former first lady Michelle Obama leaned over to pat him on the arm.

‘RESOLUTE AND BRAVE’

Canadian former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney lauded Bush’s role in handling the end of the Cold War and helping the delicate reunification of Germany. Bush put together a U.S.-led international coalition that ousted invading Iraqi forces from Kuwait in 1991 and was president when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. “When George Bush was president of the United States of America, every single head of government in the world knew that they were dealing with a gentleman, a genuine leader, one who was distinguished, resolute and brave,” he said.

The guest list included Britain’s Prince Charles and leaders from Germany, Jordan, Australia and Poland, along with a host of former world leaders, such as former British Prime Minister John Major, who was in office during Bush’s term. Trump closed the federal government on Wednesday to mark a day of mourning for Bush,

and several U.S. financial exchanges were closed.

During his presidency, Bush was dogged by domestic problems, including a sluggish economy, and he faced criticism for not doing enough to stem the tens of thousands of deaths from the AIDS virus ravaging America. When he ran for re-election in 1992, he was pilloried by Democrats and many Republicans for violating a famous 1988 campaign promise: “Read my lips, no new taxes.” His opponent Bill Clinton coasted to victory.

A political group close to the Bush campaign was accused of racism after releasing an ad about African-American prisoner Willie Horton who raped a white woman after being released on furlough. The ad suggested that Bush’s Democratic presidential opponent Michael Dukakis had been weak on crime while governor of Massachusetts.

Bush is to be buried on Thursday at his Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas.

Before Wednesday’s service, his body lay in state since Monday evening in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. Thousands of people filed past to pay their respects, some getting a chance to see Sully, a service dog who was Bush’s friendly companion. Sully became an internet sensation after being photographed lying next to his late master’s coffin.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 6, 2018

CCJ hears record number of cases since establishment

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Dec 5, CMC – The Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Wednesday said it has this year, delivered the highest number of judgements in a calendar year since it began its operations in 2005.

The CCJ, which was established in 2001 to replace the London-based Privy Council as the regional final court, said that it had issued 34 judgments and reasons for decisions in 2018. “Throughout that period, the CCJ also heard 28 new matters in both its Original and its Appellate Jurisdictions,” the CCJ said, noting that this court term ends on Monday, December 17.

It said that its last hearing for the year was on Wednesday involving a case from Barbados, where

Renaldo Alleyne, who was convicted of manslaughter after six young women died when the Campus Trendz Mall was firebombed during a robbery in 2010, is appealing the six concurrent life sentences imposed by the court in Barbados.

The CCJ said that it is also preparing for the staging of its fifth Biennial Conference to be held in Jamaica from December 13, in partnership with the General Legal Council.

The conference is being presented with the support of the Judicial Reform and Institutional Strengthening (JURIST) Project, the Caribbean Development Bank, CaribExport and Scotiabank Jamaica and will feature over 50 international and local speakers.

CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders will deliver the keynote address

while recently appointed CCJ judge, Justice Denys Barrow will be presenting a paper on ‘Judicial Delay as Misbehaviour’.

“During the conference, the Jurist Project will be launching a Criminal Bench Book for Magistrates and Parish Court Judges. The Bench Book provides guidelines, based on best practices gleaned from courts and judicial officers throughout the region. The Bench Book will be an excellent resource document for judges and magistrates and will provide a template for judiciaries to adapt for their unique situations,” the CCJ noted. The CCJ said it is also preparing to launch its second Strategic Plan early next year and that the new plan will cover the period 2019-2023.

Yet another calypsonian dies in Trinidad PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Dec 5, CMC – The calypso fraternity was mourning the death of Fred Mitchell, the fourth calypsonian to have died within the past month.

issues.

President of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) Lutalo Masimba and TUCO welfare officer Carlton Kerr had called on Trinidad and

Fred Mitchell (Mighty Composer)

Mitchell, 83, better known as “Mighty Composer,” died at the Mount Hope Medical Complex Wednesday where he had been hospitalised for the past two weeks with a heart condition and other health

Tobago to “lift Composer up in prayer”. “We need to pray for him. We want him to recover quickly. I know a number of artistes have visited him,” Kerr said.

Composer was a popular singer in the 960s

and 70s with hits such as “Workers’ Lament”, “Supposing”, “True or Lie”, “Black Fallacy” and “Child Training”. He was also a master of ceremonies, comedian, impresario and tent manager.

He was also a foundation member of the first Calypsonians’ Association in Trinidad and Tobago and served on the executive for many years.

In July, the Emancipation Support Committee (ESC) dedicated a concert titled “Shikamoo – Ancestral Rhythm” to Composer for his contribution to the art form and ESC said that the Swahili word Shikamoo means “I respect you”. Over the past four weeks, Trinidad and Tobago cultural sector has lost pannist Ken “Professor Philmore, calypsonians Winston Bailey, the Mighty Shadow, Winston Scarborough De Original de Fosto and Andrew Marcano, Lord Superior.

A dog leash around her neck?

A video recording showing a man leading a bikini-clad woman by a leash fastened around her neck, is causing a firestorm of outrage on social media.

The video was secretly recorded and uploaded to social media on Tuesday.

It shows a man walking along a road with his companion at his side. He is holding the leash and she is obediently walking alongside. In the video, no one on the beach appears to be concerned by this.

The beach has been identified as Los Iros, on Trinidad’s south coast. Police say no laws were being broken and they would not be able to intervene.

(Trinidad Express)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 6, 2018

The importance of Indigenous languages

T

HE United Nations (UN) has designated 2019 as The Year of Indigenous Languages. The UN has explained that having recognised their vulnerability, the UN has proclaimed 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages, “to draw attention to the critical loss of indigenous languages and the urgent need to preserve, revitalize, and promote indigenous languages.” The fact that the UN has decided to dedicate a year to indigenous languages is evidence of the international community’s view that the subject is one of global importance.

An indigenous language is one that is native to a region and used exclusively by indigenous people. The language forms a linguistically distinct community that has been settled in an area for many generations.

That languages are disappearing is an undisputed fact.

According to experts, there are presently 6,809 “living” languages worldwide – although there may be a few unrecorded languages spoken only in inaccessible areas. Of those “living” languages, 90 per cent have fewer than 100,000 speakers. This means that about 6,100 languages are facing extinction. 46 languages are known to have only 1 native speaker, while 357 languages have fewer than 50 speakers.

Languages disappear because many young people choose not to learn their native language, or they are forced by society to neglect their language. At the same time, older natives who speak their language are dying out. Eventually, the language is lost.

The death of a language has consequences. When a language dies, so do the songs, stories, and insights of an entire culture. However, keeping an indigenous language alive allows communities to preserve knowledge acquired over

the years, and fosters pride of ownership and connection with the native land. Such values are priceless.

Guyana is a country with a rich history which connects our past experiences and knowledge to our present beautifully diverse tapestry. It is therefore in our national interest to preserve our cultural heritage.

Scientists have found that our diverse indigenous population goes back to about 12,000 years. Experts agree too that originally, indigenous peoples such as the Maiongkongs, Maopityans, Drios, Tarumas, Amaripas, and Pianoghottos lived here, but disappeared after colonisation. Presently, nine indigenous peoples live in Guyana: Akawaio, Arekuna, Arawak, Macushi, Wapishanas, Patamona, Waiwai, Warrau, and Carib. Those peoples belong to three broad linguistic groups: the Arawakan, the Cariban, and the Warrauan. Those broad groups are each subdivided into numerous distinct dialects which are spoken in various communities and capture their unique cultures. As a country which values our diversity, we cannot afford to lose any of those cultures.

On September 1, 2015 – the beginning of that year’s Indigenous Heritage Month – President David Granger delivered his address at the Sophia Exhibition Complex. His Excellency declared, “The rich and diverse culture of our indigenous peoples need to be safeguarded….Today, I wish to particularly express my hopes for indigenous languages in this republic.”

He announced his government’s plans for the revitalisation of indigenous languages. Those plans include completion of the dictionaries of the Carib and Patamona languages, as only seven indigenous languages had dictionaries.

He said too, “It is time for ignorance to end. It is time

for Guyanese people to embrace indigenous languages.

Your government favours cultural retention and cultural continuity. We respect your identity and heritage, and we want to see those languages preserved and propagated.”

Thus the Indigenous Language Revival Project was born.

The project, now being administered by the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, and spearheaded by Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe, has widened its reach and deepened its scope. The project now includes numerous indigenous languages and dialects. Languages are being taught in schools, vocabularies are being documented, and indigenous communities are being encouraged and empowered to preserve their linguistic cultures.

The government has announced that $36 million has been allocated to cater for events to be held in celebration of International Year of Indigenous Languages. Minister Garrido-Lowe has said that a detailed plan of action will soon be announced. The minister revealed that to that end, discussions are underway with representatives of the Guyana Language Unit (GLU), Department of Language and Cultural Studies – Faculty of Education and Humanities, and the Amerindian Research Unit, University of Guyana.

Professors of linguistics at the University of the West Indies are also involved.

Guyana’s government, headed by President Granger, has repeatedly emphasised the need for the preservation of our cultural diversity, including our languages.

Evidently, the international community shares that view. Guyanese, therefore, may be reassured that the administration will do everything necessary to safeguard our cultural heritage.

Police Standing Operational Procedures must not be inconsistent with the law Dear Editor,

F

OR diverse reasons I took a break from writing about matters relating to law enforcement. However, numerous persons have bombarded me to continue writing.

A recent letter to the editor in the print media written

by Sherwood Lowe under the caption, “ What are the rules for police ‘ stop and search’ in Guyana, “ has titillated me to pick up my pen again.

I hope that my views will clear up some grey areas and/or encourage more enlightened confabulation on the issue. In his missive, the writer asked some pertinent questions : is reasonable suspicion required? If so, how do the ranks operationalise it on the ground and what is the scope of search of persons, their belongings and their vehicles? He questioned stop-and-frisk activity.

He attempted to equate the American justice system with that of Guyana, particularly on the issue of reasonable suspicion. We are patterned after the British, not the American way of dispensing justice. Several years ago I attended the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in the United States of America.

Among the many courses I successfully completed was one titled, ‘Legal Issues For Commanders.’ We discussed numerous legal issues but reasonable suspicion never emerged; probable cause was the dominant issue. I graduated from the academy with the feeling that in America reasonable cause went through the window a long time ago, if it were in fact in the building. The law-enforcement officers generally deal with probable cause and not reasonable suspicion as the writer was positing. I am no legal expert, but it is my layman’s understanding that reasonable suspicion is vastly different from probable cause. They are far apart as Imbotero on the northern tip of Guyana is from Wai Wai

village, Gunns Strip in the Deep South, Rupununi or Orealla on the east is from Kaikan on the west of Guyana.

Here is the law as it relates to the police powers to stop, search and detain as set out in Section 18 of the Police Act Chapter 16:01, “ Any member of the force may stop, search and detain any aircraft, vessel or vehicle in upon which there shall be reason to suspect that anything stolen or unlawfully obtained, or that any person suspected of having committed any indictable offence, may be found; and he may also stop, search and detain any person who may be reasonably suspected of having or conveying in any manner anything stolen or unlawfully obtained.” There are several operative words in this section of the law; reasonable suspicion; any member of the force; anything stolen or unlawfully obtained; indictable offence; conveying in any manner anything stolen or unlawfully obtained. The vexed question that the policeman would have to answer is : prior to the stop- and-search, what triggered his reasonable suspicion? To hazard a guess, the most common answers one will receive are: the policeman was acting on information received; the rank was acting on intelligence received; it was an intelligence-led operation. Those are common buzzwords.

In addition, there is the power to establish Road Barriers. Section 26 (1) of the Police Act Chapter 16:01 states.” Notwithstanding, any other Act, any officer, inspector or subordinate officer may, if he considers it necessary so to do for the maintenance and preservation of law and order, or for the prevention and detection of crime, erect or place or caused to be erected or placed, barriers in or across any road or street or in any public place within Guyana in such manner as he may think fit. “ Under Section 26 (2) of the said Act, there is a penalty for any driver of any vehicle who fails to comply with any reason-

able signal of a member of the force in uniform, requiring such person to stop such vehicle before reaching any such barrier. He/ she is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $48,750.00 and to imprisonment for 12 months.

What about the reasons for frisk and other searches? I can vividly recall when I was a police trainee over four decades ago, my instructor posited several reasons for searching, including: possibility of the prisoner injuring the searcher; possibility of self- injury; finding evidence relative to the charge; finding evidence of some additional charge; ensuring safe custody of the prisoner’s property; to prevent escape; to prevent the prisoner damaging property--public or private; preventing further offences; gravity of the offence; and weight of evidence. Those reasons were apposite then. They are even more relevant today; they are indelible in my mind.

In order for the police to enforce the law, the commissioner of police is required to make Standing Orders or what is popularly known as Standard Operational Procedures to give guidelines to his ranks for their efficient and effective performance, in order to deliver the highest quality of service to the citizens they swore to serve and protect. These Standing Operational Procedures and Standing Orders must not be inconsistent with the law. They must fit nicely within the ambit of the law. However, it is not unusual that on occasions ranks will breach those SOPs and SOs. Wow! Did I hear somebody say that the law is an ass, or some persons who interpret it, or others who enforce it, or all of the above?

Regards Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (ret’d)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 6, 2018

No new ideas from opposition …Min Ferguson slams PPP for “same old rhetoric”

MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson said that the 2019 budget is tailored to ensure that the ordinary man benefits in numerous ways.

Minister Ferguson made the remarks during her contributions to budget debates on Wednesday in the National Assembly.

She noted that the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, thought it best not to introduce any new taxes, which means that in excess of $30B will now remain in the hands of the ordinary man. “Over the last 48 hours, as I listened to the arguments posited by my colleagues across the aisle, I recognise that the similar attitude and rhetoric which manifested itself in [the] 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 budgets are being repeated for Budget 2019.

There are no new ideas from the opposition to advance the cause of the Guyanese people, except for those suggestions shared by members, Ms. Yvonne Pearson and Dr. Frank Anthony,” Minister Ferguson said.

She said rather than understanding the times and working with this government to deliver a better, stronger, transformed Guyana to the people, the opposition is churning up false information and stirring up dissension.

“But I say to the opposite side today, Guyana shall rise, our country will be transformed, we shall not be moved…we

shall not be moved and we will overcome all your divisive acts, baseless criticisms and false accusation with the evidence of our hard work.

Just remember there is a time and season for everything and your time has expired,” Minister Ferguson said. The minister said government’s performance over the last three years is exceptional and exemplary, which can test the time of scrutiny.

the aviation sector for the year 2018, Minister Ferguson said 10 acres was acquired for a new permanent Guyana Civil Aviation Authority headquarters at Providence, East Bank Demerara, for its operations at a cost of G$25M. Additionally, she said aeronautical surveillance service continued with the establishment of the infrastructure for four ADS-B/VHF stations at Port Kaituma, Kamarang,

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson

Meanwhile, underscoring the developments in the aftermath of Guyana hosting its first International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air Transport Meeting where in excess of 40 countries visited Guyana from different parts of the world, Minister Ferguson said Guyana’s image on the regional and international planes were significantly catapulted from one as beggars on golden stools to emerging leader. Noting some of the key accomplishments within

Kaieteur and Annai during 2018 at a cost of G$380M. Once fully operational, she said the stations will significantly improve the management of the lower airspace within those regions as well as improve the safe operations of aircraft flying to those areas.

Further, she said Air Navigation Personnel (ANS) trained twenty-one recruits as Aeronautical Information Management Officers (AIMOs) whilst four were trained

as Procedural Area Controllers, and six as Procedural Aerodrome Controllers and Fight Information Service Officers, using the newly installed simulator.

“This will improve the human resource capacity to manage the provision of air traffic services units at the two international airports and the Area Control Centre….

Further, a significant amount of work has been done to achieve safety compliance with ICAO’s safety standards.

A target of 85 per cent level of compliance is the objective set to be achieved in 2019,” she said.

“While the opposite side with every word spoken may try to discredit this APNU-AFC government, let it be known that Budget 2019, crafted under the theme “Transforming the Economy, Empowering People, Building Sustainable Communities for the Good Life” is a people’s budget and caters for all Guyanese,” she said. She continued: “While many States in the world and right here in the Caribbean region are trying to grapple with the uncertainty of their future, our path in Guyana remains on an increasing growth trajectory and this budget, like all others presented by our government, is preparing Guyana for the endless opportunities and possibilities that will come with the expansion in the oil and gas sector.”

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25 permits issued for O&G maritime activities AS part of monitoring operations in Guyana’s waterways, the Maritime Department has issued a total of 25 permits for various categories of companies operating in the oil and gas sector here, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson said when she addressed the National Assembly on Wednesday.

She said a total of four permits were issued for four drill ships, 19 for support or supply vessels and two for seismic vessels. Minister Ferguson said that the Maritime Department also conducted hydrographic surveys and support was received from the Government of United Kingdom in capacity-building.

She explained that there was also the formation of a National Hydrographic Coordinating Committee. “This is necessary since the main role of this committee is to discuss and ensure the implementation of planned policies, which will gear towards Guyana’s development.”

Further, the minister said dredging is another function of the Maritime Department and the MD (Motor Dredge) Steve N successfully removed approximately 254,100 cubic metres of spoils and dredged for 652 hours 55 minutes within the Demerara Main Ships Channel in the vicinity of various wharf facilities.

For Tides and Current Measurement, Minister Ferguson said that the department procured a new “Current Meter”, which aided the department to gather data from locations along the Demerara River. “We were advised that this exercise has not been done in four decades. An Automatic Tide Gauge was installed at the Leguan Ferry Stelling. This will record continuous Tidal Data,” Minister Ferguson told the National Assembly.

Another function of the department she said, is to ensure safety on the waterways and in this regard a number of continuous assessments and awareness campaigns were conducted with boat operators. Continuous training of staff was done during the reporting period.

In an effort to ensure full compliance as per IMO and ISO Standards, Minister Ferguson said the sum of $135M has been allocated for Navigational Aids, which includes Acquisition of Spares ($20M, Rehabilitation of Buoys and Beaches ($30M), Acquisition of Met Ocean Buoys ($35M), Acquisition of RTK GPS System ($15M) and the construction of concrete beacons at Waini Point ($35M). Additionally, she said that the sum of $285M has been allocated to ensure that the following vessels used for dredging will be rehabilitated; ML Allan Young ($40M), MT Setter - $30M and Pilot Launch (David P) - $15M. Also $200M will be utilised in 2019 for the procurement of spare for vessels.

UG unions requesting intervention of Department of Labour Dear Editor,

T

HE University of Guyana unions have been forced to call for the intervention of the Department of Labour, as the administration has embarked on a series of delaying tactics seemingly designed to force the staff into acceptance of the imposed 3% and 4% salary increase for 2018.

The university’s staff on Tuesday 4th December rejected the attempt of the university’s administration to delay meeting with the unions until Tuesday, 18th December. The offer to the unions to meet to discuss 2018 negotiations was made on Friday, 30th November. In response to a request for clarification, the Vice-Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith made it clear that the administration would have no time to

meet with the unions before that date.

The administration has already indicated via a memo to staff that they intend to pay the unilaterally imposed increase before the university closes. The university closes on Friday, 21st December, 2018 for the Christmas break.

On Tuesday, the university’s Registrar Dr Nigel Gravesande, who serves as secretary to the university’s council, finally circulated a proposed date of Thursday, 20th December for the council meeting to address the issue. The matter had been referred to him by the university’s Pro-Chancellor, Major General (ret’d) Joseph Singh since 19th November.

This means that council will not have an opportunity to deliberate on the matter until the day before the university closes. The discussion would also take place at a point where most likely the increase would already have been paid out

to staff. It is also noteworthy that the time proposed for the council’s meeting is 09:30 hrs. It has proven difficult for many council members in the past few months to attend morning meetings in view of their work commitments. The unions have serious doubts about whether the administration is actually attempting to secure the full participation of all council members.

The university’s administration has made it clear through its actions that it is attempting to force staff into accepting the imposed increases. The university’s staff reject this attempt and call on the Department of Labour to intervene before the situation deteriorates further.

Regards UGWU and UGSSA

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 6, 2018

MAHAICA-BERBICE (Region Five) Regional Member of Parliament Jennifer Wade has labelled the 2019 national budget a “blessed budget”, and during her budget presentation on Wednesday, noted several ‘blessings’ that the budget has bestowed on the Mahaica-Berbice region.

Making her contribution during the budget debate on Wednesday, Wade opened by commending the funds invested in all 10 of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) across her region, much of which went to the rehabilitation and maintenance of drains and

declared.

Several of the infrastructural developments scheduled for the area covers the agricultural sector, which will see a new state-of-the art abattoir being built in 2019 at Onverwagt on the West Coast of Berbice.

“This initiative is very timely and important and is wholeheartedly welcomed,” Wade expressed.

Aside from the abattoir, $96 million is set aside for the upgrading of 14 access roads between farms and markets, with another $93 million in the budget for drainage and irrigation works.

Several street lights were also installed in

A ‘blessed budget’ for Region 5 channels, as well as rehabilitation of structures and sluices and construction of roads and bridges.

Mahaica-Berbice was allotted some $3.2 billion in the 2018 budget, and is set to receive another $3.7 billion in 2019; and according to Wade, no hurdle will stand in the way of this development.

“Every street and every village benefited from the 2018 budgetary allocation.

The non-support of the opposition in the region will not hinder the progress in the Mahaica-Berbice region. Instead, we are fully prepared to execute all works of the 2019 budget the same way we did in the previous years,” Wade

Regional MP Jennifer Wade (Adrian Narine photo)

2018.

“Areas such as Ithaca, Perth and Golden Fleece can safely say they are out of the dark hole,” Wade noted.

Wade also pointed out that much emphasis was put on the development of women and families.

“With the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development Programme (SLED) remitted by Ministry of Social Protection, employment was created for women in several communities in Region Five. With the sum allocated [in 2019], women will most definitely continue to benefit,” Wade said.

$1 billion for youth development in budget 2019 THE establishment of Regional Youth Councils across the count r y, a l o n g w i t h t h e formulation of a National Youth Coun seling Programme, a Youth Entrepreneurial Framework, and Youth Apprenticeship Programme, are just a few of the ways in which the government has catered for the development of young people in the 2019 budget.

The 2019 budget youth programmes are looking to continue the success of the youth programmes implemented through the 2018 budget.

This year saw a lot of movement in the youth arena, with the continuation of the Youth Innovation Project, and the inaugural hosting of the Guyana Youth Business Summit and National Youth Conference.

For 2019, the Dep a r t m e n t o f Yo u t h will receive a total of $809,192,000 for its current budget and a total of $ $236,997,000 for capital. As with 2018, much of that money will be going towards several programmes aimed at

putting priority on youth development.

This was all happily relayed by Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. George Norton, when he made his presentation during the budget debate before the National Assembly on Wednesday.

“The Department’s primary focus for 2019 will be on the implementation of comprehensive, strategic and sustained plans, programs and interventions that will enable youth across Guyana to access and compete fully in the job markets and establish their own business if they so desire,” Norton told the House.

In terms of new programmes for 2019, aside from those already mentioned, $15,000,000 has been set aside for the hosting of an inaugural Youth Festival, $12,000,000 will go towards hosting of a Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Conference, and another $7,000,000 is set aside for the establishment of a Green Ambassadors’ Programme

through collaboration with key agencies such as UNESCO. Some $4,000,000 has been budgeted for the creation of the Regional Youth Councils, which are expected to facilitate meaningful and constructive dialogue on youth issues. Though most of the programmes will cover the entire country, special consideration nonetheless was given for the hinterland communities.

The 2019 budget sets aside $6,000,000 for the expanding volunteer hubs to the hinterland regions with a view of fostering a spirit of volunteerism among youth.

The Youth Innovation Project, which offers grants to entrepreneurial youths aware of issues, challenges or difficulties in their community and wish to propose a solution, will be increased to $70,000,000 in 2019.

The programme, which first began in 2017, issued $40,000,000 in grants to 20 youngsters at its start up, and increased to dispensing $45,000,000 in grants to 30 youths this year.

Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. George Norton (Adrian Narine photo)

The Guyana Youth Business Summit was a new component arising out of the Youth Innovation Project, and saw some 130 youths participating, eleven of which were selected to receive grant funding for innovative business start-ups totaling $$9,305,860.

Ten young persons were granted scholarships to Global Technology Institute, while three young persons were awarded scholarships to the Cacique Accounting College, and a further

two young people were awarded tablets to be utilized for their educational pursuits, as part of the first ever National Youth Conference.

For 2018, with an allocation of some $784, 248,000, approximately 25,000 youths were reached through various training and sensitization programmes, and to date 90-95 per cent of the total of 120 planned activities have been completed.

Of that money, some $191,677,000 was

plugged into the Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training Programme, in which 528 young people under the age of 25 years from all across the country participated, and the investment has already yielded success.

Already 60 per cent of the individuals have taken up employment with private companies and other entities, while another 20 per cent went on to higher education and 10 per cent became self-employed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 6, 2018

UN commends CARICOM’s electoral processes as genuine United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator (Guyana), Ms Mikiko Tanaka has commended the CARICOM Region for making “important progress” in the conduct of periodic and genuine elections.

She expressed those sentiments while also lauding the important role the CARICOM Secretariat has played in consolidating democratic processes through the conduct of election observation missions.

The UN representative said “for sure” there are many lessons the Region can share with the rest of the world. She was at the time speaking at the commencement of the second Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections (BRIDGE) Workshop on Electoral Observation and Round Table Discussion on Gender and Elections which began on Monday 3 December at the Ramada Princess Hotel.

Participants of the fourday meeting include senior electoral officials and experts from CARICOM, as well as regional organisations including the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the African Union (AU) and the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC). It is being facilitated through the collaborative ef-

forts of the CARICOM Secretariat, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN Electoral Assistance Division (UNEAD).

Ms Tanaka said CARICOM Election Observation Missions have assisted Member States not only in promoting transparency and increasing public confidence in electoral processes, but also in mediation and good offices support to contentious electoral issues when necessary. It was critical to take all necessary steps to maintain and strengthen confidence in international electoral support and election observation, she added, noting that impartiality, professionalism and integrity were key guiding principles in building that confidence.

The increasing role of civil society and domestic observers in safeguarding genuine elections and in enhancing the credibility of electoral processes were also important she said. She also emphasized the need for supporting women’s political participation, which she said “is of key importance in ensuring peaceful and inclusive electoral processes, and more stable and democratic societies.”

Adviser within the Directorate of Foreign and Community Relations, Ms Valerie Alleyne Odle, in her remarks on behalf of the Ambassador

Colin Granderson, Assistant Secretary-General of the Directorate, noted that the Secretariat acknowledges the important role of women in all aspects of the election process, including their participation in observation.

This has been demonstrated by the 116 women out of 315 officials who have been a part of the 47 CARICOM Election Observation Missions undertaken to date.

13 of them held the positions of chief and deputy chief of mission, she informed. She said election observation was viewed as an essential element of CARICOM’s effort to promote and maintain its democratic and good governance values. The Missions’ recommendations when implemented were useful in building the capacity of electoral offices, she added.

CARICOM Electoral Observation Missions began in 2000 to Suriname and Haiti.

Missions are usually fielded at the request of Member States and Associate Members, however, in April 2017, the Community fielded an observation mission to Curacao, a candidate for Associate Membership. Ms Odle said, though small in terms of size, CARICOM Observer Missions have comprised “extremely qualified and experienced” members drawn from the cadre of Chief Election Officers or Election Commissions within Member States.

More significantly, she added, members of the team are familiar with the political environment of the Caribbean, its traditions, culture and characteristics.

That immersion has placed them in an advantageous position to monitor and evaluate electoral processes to ensure conformity with both domestic and international standards, the Director said.

But in spite of those attributions, she said CARICOM is committed to enhancing the capacity of specialists in the field, hence the convening of the workshop which is being facilitated by the international Co-coordinator of the BRIDGE Project, Mr Ross Attrill; and Mrs Aleida Ferreyra, Electoral Policy Specialist of BRIDGE/UNDP. The first workshop was held in Georgetown in March 2016 for officials who served as chiefs and deputy chiefs in CARICOM Election Observations Missions. It was highly commended by the participants, and they requested similar training for other election officials.

The Coordinator for Strategic Partnership, UNEAD Mr Mansour Sadeghi who moved the vote of thanks at the opening ceremony described the CARICOM-UN electoral observation partnership as one of the most efficient in the field. (Caricom Secretariat)

AG given time to respond to BBCI court action A WEEK ago the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) served notices on the Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and Attorney General (AG),Basil Williams, that they have filed legal proceedings over the government’s move to supervise operations of the bridge after the company had threatened to hike tolls by 300 per cent.

The matter was called in the Chambers of Justice Gino Persaud on Wednesday afternoon however for a status hearing. There the AG explained that both he and Minister Patterson have been preoccupied with the ongoing budget debate in Parliament. The AG said that the notice of application was served on November 28, and the national budget was passed on November 26.

From that date thereafter, the respondents have been engaging in budgetary debates at the sitting of Parliament.

To properly address these issues in their entirety, he said that they requested from the court an extension of 10 days, within which to serve and file an affidavit in answer.

Justice Persaud granted the extension of time and both parties are to return on December 17th for the commencement of the substantive matter.

Minister Patterson has said that the supervision of the bridge is temporary and that the government will be continuing its dialogue with the BBCI in expectation of an amicable resolution, because a 365% increase is exorbitant. “The truth is, too many of our citizens are dependent on the continuous operations and use of the Berbice Bridge and we should not allow anyone to unreasonably and capriciously endanger their livelihoods and public order in one of our vital regions,” Patterson said.

However, following their decision, BBCI took it to the court and is petitioning for several orders including an order of certiorari quashing paragraph 2 of the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order 2018 dated the 11 November, 2018, No. 42 of 2018, made by the first named defendant under the Berbice River Bridge Act Cap 51:06, ordering that the functions of the concessionaire, namely the claimant, to maintain and operate the Bridge shall be exercised by the government.

Electricity theft highest among businesses

By Lisa Hamilton MINISTER of Public Infrastructure David Patterson says that commercial residents are largely responsible for the annual loss in revenue to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) due to the prevalence of electricity theft.

Furthermore, challenged by opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Juan Edghill during Wednesday’s budget debate to publish the areas where electricity theft is rampant, Patterson warned that these may very well be close allies of the former administration.

Electricity theft has for some time been widespread and a major headache for the power company, with the Public Utilities Com-

mission’s annual 2017 report showing losses increasing by approximately 0.3 per cent from 2016.

The report also showed that while GPL’s system losses were projected at 27.6 per cent for 2017, technical losses were estimated at 12.9 per cent and non-technical losses at 14.7 per cent; at the end of 2017, the total combined losses were 29.5; 14.5 15.0 per cent respectively.

Addressing the National Assembly, Edghill criticised GPL as “one of the most mismanaged sectors” with electricity rationing in some communities even with billions being spent by the government to address these.

Edghill stated: “One of the recommendations that was made years ago is to publish by geographical lo-

cation who thieving the current. Where the line losses occur and I remember there was one such publication and it revealed a lot. It was quite telling. I dare the Minister of Public Infrastructure, follow the recommendation and start publishing for the nation to see where the electricity theft is taking place.”

However, in a well-composed warning Minister Patterson, while not refusing, urged the MP to consider the possible backlash of his request on his own party.

“Be careful what you ask for,” Patterson cautioned.

“Electricity theft – sir let me enlighten the Honourable Member – residential which is the people you’re implying are thieving, the residential theft is only about 10 or 12 per cent of GPL.

The rest [comes from] commercial theft, the big users!

And you know who the big users were empowered by?

Be careful when you ask me to go and publish the names [that] you know who you’re going after. Be careful what you ask for.”

Continuing on the topic of electricity, Patterson said that ?$3.6B has been earmarked for GPL while, by the end of 2018, upgrades will be completed to the generating facilities in Cane Field, Anna Regina and Bartica.

He said that Budget 2019 allows, too, for the flagship project of 1.184 megawatts Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems in 80 public buildings across the country costing $375M. In addition, $100M will go towards the

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson (Adrian Narine photo)

supply of 400 stand-alone solar lights in all 10 admin regions; electric vehicles; a series of series for solar farms to come between 2019 and 2020.

In concluding, Patterson remarked: “When the coalition took office, in the

relatively short time much has been achieved; but there is still much more to be done. With the impending oil and gas first-oil in 2020, we will continue to work assiduously together to ensure the quality of life of all Guyanese.”

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Would-be carjacker shot, arrested by police

A 24-year-old man Cuit Sinery, a labourer of 98 ‘D’ Field Sophia was shot early on Wednesday morning following a failed attempt by him and others to steal a motorcar of an East Coast Demerara resident which was parked along the railway embankment.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the young man along with three oth-

ers attempted to steal the vehicle when they were interrupted by a man who observed their suspicious actions and raised an alarm.

The men then fled the scene but some moments later, encountered the very man who had thwarted their criminal act and they attempted to advance to him. The man however managed to evade the four and made his way to the Sparendaam Police

Station where the matter was reported.

Police there immediately responded and based on the description given by the public-spirited citizen and the direction in which he told ranks the men went, an operation was launched. During a search of the area by the police along the Ogle Airstrip Road, they came under fire and returned fire

striking the 24-year-old in the process. His three accomplices managed to escape and the police, in a search for them, came up empty-handed. The police also carried out a detailed search of the area to locate the weapon which the force claimed was used to fire on the ranks. The police are continuing their investigations into this development.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 6, 2018

The shot alleged bandit Cuit Sinery

Wales workers to get severance Friday Region Four honours top students Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder has announced that, hopefully, by the end of this week, the over 300 former workers of the Wales Sugar Estate may be paid their severance.

Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder

“I am ?pleased to report that our caring government, having invested $1B per month for the survival of the sugar industry since 2015,

over $37B, has paid severance to all employees who were severed at the end of 2017. It was done on November the 30th.”

“The Wales Estate workers have not been paid and hopefully they might be paid by the end of this week,” Holder said in the National Assembly on Wednesday.

More than 3,000 redundant Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) workers received the remainder of their severance payment on Friday, November 30th. Earlier in November, the sum of almost $2.5B was unanimously approved in the National Assembly to cater for the remaining severance to a total of 4,723 sugar workers.

They had previously paid sugar workers whose severance packages were $500,000 or less in full through a supplementary budgetary provision of $1.931Billion. The move comes as the Government had promised that before the year end, all sugar workers would be paid their

monies owed.

However, Holder was keen to explain the reason for the delay for some ex-Wales Estate workers. In 2016, an agreement was made to commence payment of the severance packages by May that year to workers who opted not to work at the Uitvlugt Estate, following the closure of Wales several months earlier. However, just before the scheduled date for payment of the severance packages, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) sought and received an order of the court which stopped GuySuCo from making the payments.

Presenting further explanation, Holder said: “The Wales Estate is a different kettle of fish. They were severed at the end of 2016 and some of them were offered employment. Those who were not needed were severed and received their severance. Those who were offered employment at Uitvlugt, approximately half of those accepted and were taken from Wales to Uitvlugt every day. The others did not accept the offer.

“This went to court and the court was to decide having offered a person employment whether he can still opt for severance. Circumstances overtook that situation at the end of 2017 when the Wales Estate along with Rose Hall, Enmore and Skeldon were divested. GuySuCo no longer owned Wales and could no longer raise the issues that they are offering people employment and they continued working at Wales so we decided to settle.”

Meanwhile, an order from the court has stated that the government must pay interest on the amount due to ex-workers and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has committed that the government will respect the ruling of the court.

IN an atmosphere of celebration, the Region Four Department of Education hosted its Annual Regional Award Ceremony for all the outstanding students for the year 2018.

The event was held under the theme, “Recognising and Celebrating Our Achievements” at the National Cultural Centre. Delivering opening remarks was the Regional Education Officer, Ms. Tiffany Harvey, who commended the staff of her department for making the activity a success. “We can do so little but together we can do so much, and team work can make the dream work’’ Harvey said.

She added that she has seen a lot of improvement over the year with the examination results in various schools, especially in English and mathematics , Harvey said “don’t matter how slow we go as long as we don’t stop” Regional Chairman Ms. Genevieve Allen said ‘’We must continue to recognise the accomplishments of our children, pupils and students, in order to ensure the encouragement of our people, but most of all we must all be grateful for the teachers who put in the effort, spent most of their time working with these children to achieve their goals.’’

She further stated that for the year 2019, there will be a lot to celebrate, noting that they will commence the construction of the new Soes-

dyke Secondary School. Also, there will be extension at the Diamond-Grove School and at the Ann’s Grove Secondary School. “The Government values education in the regions and throughout the country” said Ms. Allen.

Special guest speaker, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, in his feature address delivered strong words of encouragement to the young awardees in attendance. “Sometimes we need to place more value on what we have to embrace, celebrate and motivate with the others who don’t have”.

For the pupils and students, trophies and plaques were given to the top performers for the National Grade Two Assessment, National Grade Four Assessment, National Grade

Six Assessment (Top 10 in the Region), National Grade Nine Assessment, and Secondary Competency, and also for the most improved school for National Grade four and Grade two Assessment , Top five performers at the Caribbean Secondary Education(CSEC) Certificate , top five performers at the Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examination (CAPE) , and the National Athletics Championships 2018.

Retired head teachers and teachers were also recognised for their service, sterling contributions and dedication to the profession.

Special awards were also given to outstanding private schools, special education needs, nursery field officers, education stalwarts and JOF Haynes Debating Competition regional winners.

Regional Chairman of Region Four, Ms. Genevieve Allen

Some of the awardees

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday December 6, 2018

$17M to brighten hinterland airstrips –– Min Ferguson IN creating better access to hinterland areas in 2019, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, said a budgetary allocation of $2Billion will cater for the maintenance and rehabilitation of airstrips in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine and another $17M to install LED lights to facilitate night flights.

Minister Ferguson, in her budget debate presentation on Wednesday in the National Assembly, said the sum also caters for upgrades of airstrips; these include $50M for Port Kaituma and another $50M for Phillipai.

Also, $184M has been provided in budget 2019 for the rehabilitation of the Lethem aerodrome. Ferguson indicated that maintenance and rehabilitation of hinterland airstrips remain a high priority on the government’s agenda.

“Our government understands the importance of having access and ensuring the provision of goods and services to the hinterland communities and the fact that

our Indigenous brothers and sisters along with members of the business community depend on air travel into various communities,” she said.

Additionally, in order to allow night flights to and from the hinterland, $17M has been set aside for the procurement of LED lights and charging ports for airstrips in the communities of Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, Bimechi and Mahdia.

In 2018, the government provided the total sum of $250M to conduct upgrades at the Bemichi airstrip in Region One and Kamarang in Region Seven.

Meanwhile, Minister Ferguson said the Canawaima Ferry Service continues to operate on its generated revenue as it continues to provide the much-desired travel needs for Guyanese and Surinamese, with a preference for using the ferry service. Minister Ferguson also said that $159M in the 2019 budget will go towards the continuation of the hinterland electrification projects.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson

She said the funding for 2019 will cover network expansion to residents within commercial zones in Lethem and the expansion of sub-station in Lethem to accommodate an additional one-megawatt solar farm and hydropower supplies from Moco Moco and Kumu in the near future.

A sum of $5M will be expended towards the procurement of tools for the transmission and distribution department. An allocation of $89M will see the undertaking of several projects,

including the procurement of underground cable for the Mabaruma distribution network, the extension of electricity supply in Oronoque, Port Kaituma, and upgrade distribution network at Kwakwani.

For the extension of the network distribution in the Orealla and Siparuta area, $15M has been budgeted.

In addition, $6M has been provided for the procurement of oily water separators for utility companies in hinterland regions.

Bancroft talks up development in Region 8 …says township status to Mahdia very timely MEMBER of Parliament for Region Eight Rajcoomarie Bancroft on Wednesday hailed the progress made by the town under the administration and she said the recent conferral of township status on Mahdia is a timely move which will help push development in the Potaro -Siparuni region.

“Mahdia is a moving and a revolutionised township,” Bancroft, who is representing the APNU+AFC government in the National Assembly, declared during her contribution to the budget debate on Wednesday. “This fast trajectory of development is fittingly demonstrated in the town’s monument,” Member of Parliament for Region Eight Bancroft said. The opposition has made fun of the monument, ascribing sexual attributes to it, but Bancroft said, “That tells you Mahdia is solid as a rock and it is there to stay; Mahdia will never be removed.”

She praised the government for commissioning Mah-

Member of Parliament Rajcoomarie Bancroft

dia as a town, thus giving its residents the opportunity to vote at the recently concluded Local Government Elections.

“In my last year’s budget speech, Mahdia being a town was only a concept; but on October 25th 2018, it became a reality…and so the good life continues for all.”

In commending the 2019 budget in which Region Eight saw a budgetary allocation of $2.1 B, she told the House that the region will be spending it wisely and with

the people in mind, as was done in 2018. During 2018, a number of edifices in Mahdia were rehabilitated and public infrastructures were constructed such as bridges and the first-ever asphalted road. The road linking Mahdia to Garraway’s Stream and the Denham Suspension Bridge has commenced and will be completed soon. The Mahdia Hospital has been extended and a new nurses’ hostel has been constructed, thus improving the delivery

of primary healthcare, the MP told the House. She said too that the sod was turned to construct the new courthouse just three days ago.

She said too that the Kato Secondary School building is now up and running and has a student population of over 300. The Paramakatoi Secondary School is also up and running and a new primary school has been constructed in Itabac. Student dorms were also constructed to facilitate students residing in far-flung areas. There have also been noticeable achievements in the agricultural sector, with several programmes being rolled out to assist farmers.

The Cassandra Crossing bridge which will be completed in 2019, will link Regions Seven and Eight.

‘When that is completed, Regions Seven and Eight will once again have a direct link, as such, we will be able to cut out tedious hours of travel and this budget will see it through to 2019.”

Guyana’s Food and Drug Dept attends ‘fake drug’ forum THE Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) recently took part in the 7th Meeting of Member State Mechanism on Substandard and Falsified [SF] medical products, which was hosted at the headquarters of the World Health Organization [WHO] in Geneva, Switzerland.

The forum, which spanned the period November 27 to 30, 2018, was attended

by Director of the GA-FDD, Mr. Marlan Cole. Cole’s participation was made possible through key and critical support from the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).

Discussion at this meeting targeted problems associated with Substandard and Falsified [SF] medical products or fake drugs entering the Global Supply Chain, particularly in middle and low-income countries.

This problem was highlighted in the study of the Public Health and Socio-economic Impact of SF “fake” medical products published by WHO in 2017 and reports received by the WHO’s Global Surveillance Monitoring System (GSMS) for fake medical products which was launched in 2017.

According to the study, one in 10 or 10.5 per cent of medical products sampled was fake, and when the estimated market value of US$300 billion in middle and low-income countries is factored against the 10.5 per cent, it equates to over US$30 billion in cost to these countries.

In addition, the University of Edinburgh developed an Impact Model for WHO, which was used to estimate the impact of SF antibiotic for the treatment of childhood pneumonia in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The model revealed that as many as 72,430 excess deaths can be attributed to SF antibiotic with reduced antibiotic activity and 169,271 of excess deaths to fake antibiotics with no antibiotic activity.

With regard to the WHO – Global Surveillance Monitoring System, it provides National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) with a portal to report SF medical products, and after four years, over 2000 SF medical products reports were received from 111 countries.

Reports were in all therapeutic categories, ranging from cancer medicines to contraceptives and from antibiotics to vaccines. Reports were also evenly split between generic and innovator products with anti-malarial and antibiotics being the most frequently reported.

The meeting also focused on significant works by the Member State Mechanism

to fight SF medical products in the following areas: distribution or the supply of SF or “ fake” medical products via the internet and medical products in-transit; strengthening of regulatory systems to prevent, detect and respond to SF medical products in health systems; guidance for manufacturers, importers, and distributors’ registration; the authorization of medical products by member states; and the advancement of a global communication campaign framework to combat the threats of SF medical products using [IDEAS] – insight, data, engagement, action and solution.

Guyana’s first line of defence against SF “fake” medical products is enshrined in the Food and Drug Act Chapter 34:04 and its accompanying regulations, particularly Regulation 78. This, therefore, means that registration and authorization of drugs are required, based on the reliance [full assessment] for efficacy, quality, and safety by one or more of the following countries: the US, the UK, Canada and Australia.

In the recent past—2017-an additional pathway for registration was created when the Public Health Ministry and the GA-FDD signed a Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] with the Caribbean Regulatory System [CRS] for assistance with medical products registration. This was in an effort to ensure fake medical products do not enter the health care system and that of the region.

The GA-FDD has been faced with, and has also simultaneously advanced litigations regarding the sale, release, registration, and distribution of medical products that are not registered or wish to be registered or wished to be registered.

“In our effort to protect the Guyanese consumers from SF medical products, the department has received key and critical support from the Ministry of Public Health and the Attorney General Chambers with matters before the courts,” Cole said.

Cole expressed appreciation for astute leadership from the MoPH in their effort to combat the SF ‘fake’ medical products with public health and economic implications.

“The magnitude of this problem in Guyana is currently unknown, however, this exposure and alliance will allow us to double our efforts to prevent, detect and respond to SF “fake” medical products in court health care delivery system, by scaling up wharf and facility inspections, medical products examination and sampling” Cole explained.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday December 6, 2018

Gov’t to implement Drug Treatment Courts ...drug-related offences second leading cause for incarceration

INCARCERATION, which is a punitive response for non-violent drug offenders, should be reduced and replaced with treatment and rehabilitation instead and this should be supervised by Drug Treatment Courts, according to Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan.

Ramjattan was at the time giving remarks at a high-level meeting on exploring alternatives to incarceration, including Drug Treatment Courts in Guyana. The event was held on Wednesday at the Marriott Hotel.

In attendance were members of the judiciary, prisons, CANU and public prosecutors. The initiative is a commitment made by the Executive Secretariat of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (ES/ CICAD) and Secretariat for Multi-dimensional Security of the Organisation of American States (OAS).

The minister said the establishment of a drug treatment court was identified as an alternative programme and an international team of experts will share their expertise and experience in setting up a successful court in Guyana. He said drug offenders are clogging up the streets, courts and prisons and “we want to shut that revolving door, which brings these drug offenders back to court again and again and

Director of the National Anti-Narcotics Agency (NANA) Major General (Ret’d) Michael Atherly

our existing regime sees them not having an alternative to prosecution, leading to over 50 per cent back to jail.”

Minister Ramjattan said that there is a need to channel non-violent offenders into a court- operated rehabilitation programme in order for them to accept and complete treatment which results in their case being dismissed. “If they refuse to undertake the treatment, well then they will be prosecuted; this is a very attractive approach and I am certain it will be supported by the community, the State, the offender and the court system,” he said.

He said drug users will be coming out of the habit and will pass through detoxification and stabilisation of treatments, which will later reduce recidivism rates.

“Drug user support their bad habits by stealing, com-

mitting robberies, shoplifting, assaulting innocent persons in the streets for the want of money to buy more drugs. So, indeed the court will have a positive effect and there will be less public expenditures to feed, house and care for an inmates in prison which cost $500,000 annually,” the Public Security Minister said.

Meanwhile, Director of the National Anti-Narcotics Agency (NANA), Major General (Ret’d) Michael Atherly, said the hemispheric drug strategy and plan of action approved by the Organisation of American States (OAS) general assembly in June 2010 acknowledges that drug addiction is a chronic relapsing disease that must be dealt with as an essential element of the public health policy.

The strategy, he said, calls for member states to

GRDB inks US$5.2M rice contract with Panama GUYANA has secured its market for rice shipments to the lucrative Panamanian market with the inking of another supply contract for the period December 2018 through 2019.

The value of this latest contract is US$5.2M and will see the supply of 200,000 quintals equivalent to 9075 tonnes of white rice over the next few months. Shipment for the first set of white rice under this new agreement will start later this month.

This development comes in the wake of Guyana successfully meeting its quotas in a timely and consistent manner.

Statistics released by the GRDB indicate that over the last three years, Guyana

shipped a total of 183,683 mt of rice. The dollar value of these shipments to Panama over the period stands at US$77,147,322M. General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Mr. Nizam Hassan, has expressed his satisfaction at the performance of the industry and the confidence the Panamanian government continues to show in Guyana’s rice industry.

“We are doing exceptionally well at the moment despite the recent issue which occurred. Nonetheless, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has secured and signed another contract and shipment will commence shortly,” he said.

Exports for January to November 2018, as compared to 2017, shows a value of US$25, 856,293 when compared to US$19, 257,176 for 2017 for rice.

Hassan added that opportunities appear to loom large for Guyana’s rice industry as enhanced efforts are being made to ensure not only the security of existing markets but that additional markets are secured.

The Panamanian market has impacted the price farmers receive per bag of paddy. It has also increased farmers confidence in the industry, which has manifested itself into increased acreages under cultivation.

Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan

explore the means of offering treatment, rehabilitation and recovery support services to drug-dependent offenders as an alternative to criminal prosecution and imprisonment. The NANA Director said that international organisation encouraged several countries to make substantial advances in substance abuse treatment efforts. “Our existing domestic drug situation, including that of the prison systems, should make Guyana a most willing partner with this kind of open minded technical cooperation on alternatives to prison incarceration that is being offered,” he said.

Adding that there was a recent study of the prison inmates in Guyana, conducted by the Center of Latin American Countries of the IDB in collaboration with the Government of Guyana,

Atherly said it underscored the role that drugs played in the execution of crimes leading to imprisonment.

In presenting data from 900 inmates who answered over 250 questions, he said the findings revealed that drug-related offences were the second leading cause for incarceration. He said 21.3 per cent of inmates overall were in prison for drug possession. The findings noted that the mechanism of incarceration for dealing with youths, the poor and underprivileged drug-hooked offenders was providing little or no opportunity for breaking the revolving cycle of drugs, crime and incarceration.

He said the recent high incidents of disorder and jailbreaks in the prison system are crystal clear indicators that “we must act now”.

Atherly explained that implementation to alternatives to incarceration as outlined in the National Drug Strategy Master Plan offers the public security, public health and social protection ministries as well as the judiciary a positive way to collectively address the strong connections between drug use, crime and imprisonment.

Further, he said the high financial and other costs of the prison system make it vital that there is a serious need to undertake alternatives to incarceration as a less costly and more effective system.

“This should be a priority as a means to effectively treat offenders with drug abuse problems, but also to promote public safety, reduce crime and violence, and finally to promote the overall wellbeing of our citizens and communities,” he said.

He said that the National Drug Policy Master plan 2016-2020 has a long way to go in finding and implementing additional solutions for the problems of drug addictions.

The NANA head said that the programme and follow up activities will produce only a small number of solutions to the complex problems of drug use and trafficking, but it also certainly represents an important step forward in the implementation of the programme of the National Drug Policy Master plan.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday December 6, 2018

Sugar workers protest for wage increases, severance payments SCORES of sugar workers protested for wage increases and severance payments outside the Parliament Building on Wednesday, as the 2019 National Budget debate was in progress.

vlugt estates and the defunct Wales estate.

According to Chand, the workers gathered to highlight that they have not received increases since 2014 and that some workers are yet

Opposition Member of Parliament Pauline Sukhai spoke to some of the protesters on Wednesday

Lining the street with placards illustrating their sentiments and voicing their concerns, the workers called for the government to positively address their issues.

President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) Komal Chand told the Guyana Chronicle that the workers protesting were from the Albion, Blairmont and Uit-

to receive their severance payments.

“The fact that the workers from Blairmont stayed away from work today demonstrates how much importance they put to the message that they want to send to the government, to GuySuCo and to the people of Guyana,” Chand explained.

The Blairmont workers specifically bemoaned the

Scores of workers protesting outside the Parliament Building on Wednesday as the 2019 Budget debate continued

lack of an increase, Chand related.

And though the cost of

utilities and amenities in Guyana has increased from 2014 to now, the purchasing

power of the workers has remained the same, Chand contended.

As such, he said, “They are very passionate about having an increase.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 6, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 6, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 6, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday December 6, 2018

MARAD officers excel at Caribbean Shipping programme TWO officers from the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) successfully completed the Caribbean Ship Inspector Training (CASIT) programme during the period October 29 - November 16, 2018, in Trinidad and Tobago.

The two officers who attended were Sherry-Ann Wilson and Trey Simon,

who served in the capacities as Port State Control Officer/ Marine Pilot Trainee, and Marine Officer, respectively, at the Ports and Harbours division.

In a release, MARAD said among the forty persons from thirteen Caribbean member states, and four territories which participated in the programme, Guyana emerged at the top in its

performance and evaluation sessions which will prepare participants for the Diploma course that is offered online.

Sherry-Ann Wilson gained 100 per cent while Trey Simon achieved 93 per cent in their respective evaluations.

The CASIT programme is designed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to train Flag and Port

Guyanese participants at the training programme

State Inspectors. This training helps to ensure that ship standards are maintained and that there is compliance with international codes and regulations; also, with the aim of reducing accidents and

Participants during a field visit while on the course

Plaisance woman charged for killing reputed husband TWENTY-FIVE-YEAROLD Melissa Playter was on Wednesday charged for killing her reputed husband on Sunday.

The matter was heard at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Alisha George. Playter, mother of three was not required to plead to the capital offence; it is alleged that on Sunday December 2,2018 at Lot 41 Prince William Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, she murdered Victor Roberts, 38.

The woman broke down in tears during her arraignment and began crying even louder when she heard that the she was being remanded to prison until January 17, 2019. The Guyana Chronicle had reported earlier that the couple had been sharing a relationship for some time and they have one child.

Reports are that the couple frequently had fights. On the day in question, there was another round of argument and the woman picked

Dead: Victor Roberts

Melissa Playter

up a knife and stabbed the 38-year-old Roberts who ran out of the yard and collapsed on the roadway. An alarm was raised, the police were summoned and they took the man to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

During a visit to the crime scene, the police returned with the female suspect as she walked investigators through the paces of what actually took place that led to the stabbing incident. This is not the first time that the wom-

an inflicted a stab wound on the man, based on the information, this newspaper received. According to a relative who spoke with this newspaper some time ago, the woman and the man had an argument and she had stabbed him in the lower abdomen; this resulted in him being hospitalised for a prolonged period.

However, after he became well and was able to leave the hospital, he opted not to give any evidence against the woman and the matter was struck out.

marine pollution.

The programme was aimed at preparing participants to function in their respective administrations as Flag State and Port State Officers. Trainees will be

able to perform Flag State Inspections (FSI) on all ships under 24 meters in length and carry out annual and renewal surveys on vessels up to 500 Gross Tonnage (GT).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday December 6, 2018

British Guiana One-Cent Magenta on display in Washington THE British Guiana One-

stamp, is currently on loan

er, world-renowned shoe

Cent Magenta, the world’s

to the Smithsonian National

designer, Stuart Weitzman.

rarest and most expensive

Postal Museum by its own-

Recently, Ambassador of

the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to the United States, Riyad Insanally, visited the Museum in Washington, DC to view the stamp. He said he was “delighted to see a bit of Guyanese history” and looked forward to the day when the stamp could be displayed in Guyana. The One-Cent Magenta will be on display at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum indefinitely.

The One-Cent Magenta stamp

Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States Riyad Insanally and an official at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum

MARAD ramps up initiatives to reduce river accidents IN a media release, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) said it had embarked on several safety initiatives in 2018 to reduce accidents on the waterways of Guyana. Some of the initiatives taken were: training and certification exercises for passenger vessel operators in Regions One, Two, Seven, and Eight, and enforcement activities along the riverine areas of the country.

The enforcement activities were a collaborative effort between MARAD and the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard. Additionally, according to MARAD, op-

erators were also given an opportunity to visit its safety centres located in the areas of Bartica, Mabaruma, and Charity to commence the process of certification, so as to operate their vessels on the waterways.

The total number of boat operators who have received Harbour and River Competency Licences so far, stemming from training in the hinterland areas is 65. As a result of these initiatives, the department said it has seen a reduction in river accidents and deaths so far in 2018, when compared to 2017.

In 2018 there were four

deaths from January to October, whereas in 2017, nine deaths were recorded during the same period.

In the case of persons sustaining injuries as a result of river accidents during the period January to October 2018, only three were recorded, as compared to seven for 2017. There have been five river accidents recorded so far for this year, whereas in 2017, 18 were recorded. MARAD will be implementing new safety measures in the new year in an effort to minimise accidents occurring on the waterways of Guyana.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday December 6, 2018

Special GWI rates for metered pensioners over 65 THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has made provisions for metered pensioners over the age of 65 years old to pay special rates.

According to a notice from GWI in October, pensioners will not pay the fixed charge of $250, but those with meters would pay $74 per cubic meter for the first 10 cubic meters (2641.72 gallons) and $86 for each cubic meter used after, until September 30, 2019.

Pensioners who are not metered will pay a rate of $740 per month.

Registration for the special rates commenced on October 1, 2018.

In order to register, persons would have to visit their nearest GWI office and present their identification card or passport. The GWI account must be in the pensioner’s name in order for the reduced rate to be granted.

GWI had applied to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for an adjustment in fees

early this year and after granting the approval to increase the tariff, the PUC urged the company to implement a system which would allow pensioners to be added to its database.

The commission had determined that there would be an increase in rates for consumers who are currently paying $60.90 per cubic meter.

GWI had requested a two-tiered rate tariff for its metered pensioners and a flat rate for its non-metered pensioners.

The new charges for metered residential consumers will comprise a fixed monthly charge of $250 and a monthly consumption charge of $86 per cubic meter for consumers in the $60.90 per cubic meter category.

All customers will pay $112 per cubic meter, however, with the second increase; the monthly fixed charge will be $500 and the monthly consumption charge $112 per cubic meter.

Tyre shop man on gun-possession charge

Khayyam Ahmad

A FATHER of four was on Wednesday remanded to prison by Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore for possession of an illegal firearm.

It is alleged that Khayyam Ahmad, a mechanic of South Road, Bourda, Georgetown, on December 1, 2018 at South Road, had a .32 pistol in his possession without being a licensed firearm holder.

Ahmad’s attorney George Thomas made an application for bail on the grounds that the said firearm

was not found in his client’s possession, but at the back of the vulcanising shop where he works.

Police Prosecutor Warren Thornhill told the court that on the night in question, Police Constable Williams went to the vulcanising shop where Ahmad worked and the men got into a heated argument. Ahmad left and came back with the firearm at his waist and continued his argument with Williams until a customer told him, “Boy you ain’t know is a police yuh talking to.”

Thornhill explained that Ahmad after hearing that the man was a police officer ran to the back of the shop and disposed of the firearm; the police were summoned and the firearm was retrieved. The prosecutor opposed Ahmad being granted his pre-trial liberty, stating that the offence is a serious one.

Magistrate Azore remanded Ahmad to prison until December 19.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 6, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 6, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 6, 2018

Caribbean Boxing Championship commences tonight at CASH … Over 70 boxers from Guyana and the Caribbean vie for supremacy OVER 70 boxers from Guyana and the English-, Frenchand Dutch-speaking Islands of the region will punch off tonight when the Caribbean Boxing Championship gets underway at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

According to president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, up to yesterday 76 boxers from 12 countries/islands have been registered, including 31 from the host country, Guyana, making this year’s tournament the largest ever.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday at the Tower Suites, Director of Sport Christopher Jones informed media representatives present that the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Ministry of Social Cohesion and by extension, the government of Guyana will be sponsoring transportation for the various teams, the meals and support the accommodation costs for those teams who will be part of the championship that concludes on December 9 (Sunday).

Ninvalle said as of yesterday, boxers from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Suriname, Guadeloupe, Cayman Islands, French Guiana, US Virgin Islands Antigua, Grenada and Sintt Maarten have registered their boxers for the tournament which punches off at 18:00hrs tonight.

Spectators will have to pay $500 for stands and $1 000 for ringside.

Ninvalle said that to date, the National Sports Commission, Trustees Pawn Shop, Maggie’s and Demerara Distillers Limited are among the sponsors for the event.

Jones said that the Government of Guyana is proud of what Ninvalle, as head of the GBA, has been doing for the sport over the years and had no hesitation in supporting him and his association’s efforts to promote the sport at all levels.

Speaking on behalf of the Guadeloupe contingent, team manager Omar Grumbs said he and his charges are elated to be a part of the championship and he is confident that the French-speaking island will win a few medals.

Stewart O’Conner, manager/coach of the Cayman Islands’ lone boxer, a female, said he is also elated that the Cayman Islands have been invited to be a part of the championship, but like the US Virgin Islands, his hometown is now recovering from two tropical storms that wreaked havoc in the region recently.

According to Ninvalle, the total cost of hosting the championship is $8.5M.

Man City $5 million winners from FIFA World Cup hand-out

ZURICH, Switzerland (Reuters) - English champions Manchester City are the biggest beneficiaries from the

$209 million (£163.03 million) handed out by FIFA to clubs who released players for the 2018 World Cup, the global soccer body said yesterday.

City will receive $5.0 million, ahead of Real Madrid ($4.81 million), Tottenham Hotspur ($4.38 million), Barcelona ($4.14 million) and Paris St Germain ($3.89 million), FIFA said.

amount of $8 530 per day for every player released for the World Cup, although this has to be split with any club which the player has represented in the previous two years.

The system was introduced for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after European clubs complained they had to bear the conse-

June/July slot to November.

The amounts handed out reflect that most of the world’s top players are based with European clubs, although FIFA said other regions also benefitted. Overall, 416 clubs from 63 countries will receive payments.

“I’m very pleased to see that teams from so many different regions will benefit from

Manchester City Premier League title winners parade - Manchester, Britain - May 14, 2018. Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany lifts the Premier League trophy during the parade. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File photo)

They are followed by Chelsea, Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and AS Monaco.

In all, English clubs - including those from the lower tiers - will receive $37.41 million between them while Spanish clubs will receive $22.56 million, German clubs $18.92 million and Italian clubs $17.45 million.

FIFA pays clubs a basic

quences for players injured in national team matches.

Initially, $40 million was handed out for the 2010 World Cup, increased to $70 million for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

FIFA then agreed to treble this amount to the current $209 million in exchange for European clubs agreeing to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar being moved from the traditional

this programme, which will help to develop football even further around the globe,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

“It is FIFA’s responsibility to redistribute the revenues of this unique competition among the entire football community, and clubs, obviously, deserve to share in this success as they were key contributors.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 6, 2018

Azhar, Shafiq hit tons as Pakistan take control of decider

AzharAli completed his 15th Test ton soon after as Pakistan escaped the first session without losing a wicket.

(REUTERS) - Centuries by Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq helped Pakistan overhaul New Zealand’s total of 274 but a lower-order collapse saw their lead restricted to 74 on day three of the third and final Test in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

Sarfraz Ahmed’s side nevertheless regained control of the match by picking up two quick New Zealand wickets to leave them in trouble at 26-2 in 14 overs at close of play.

Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson, who scored a fighting 89 in the first innings, was batting on 14 with

nightwatchman William Somerville for company on one, with the visitors trailing by 48.

Pakistan, who resumed on their overnight score of 139-3, rode on Azhar’s 134 and Shafiq’s 104 to get into a commanding position in the series-decider at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

The pair’s 201-run partnership for the fourth wicket ended when Azhar became off-spinner Somerville’s first Test victim.

The 33-year-old batsman mistimed a sweep to offer Ajaz Patel a catch at short

Assaf Shafiq, too, completed his ton before falling to William Somerville for 104.

fine leg and leave Pakistan at 286-4.

Shafiq perished shortly afterwards after failing to read left-armer Patel’s arm ball and was adjudged leg-before with a review confirming the dismissal.

His wicket triggered a Pakistan collapse as they went from 304-5 to 348 all out with Somerville ripping up the tail after tea to finish with figures of 4-75.

New Zealand did not capitalise as opener Jeet Raval was dismissed for a duck by left-arm paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi before

leg-spinner Yasir Shah sent back Tom Latham for 10.

Shah, who has four wickets in the match, needs one more to replace Australian Clarrie Grimmett as the fastest man to claim 200 Test victims. Leg-spinner Grimmett reached the 200 mark in his 36th Test back in 1936. Shah is on 199 in just his 33rd Test match.

New Zealand won the opening Test in Abu Dhabi by four runs before Pakistan squared the three-match series with victory in the second Test in Dubai by an innings and 16 runs.

Transport thrash Third Class by 220 in 40-over cricket SOLID batting and allround bowling propelled Transport Sports Club (TSC) to a 220-run win over Third Class at the Everest ground on Sunday in the latest fixture of the New Building Society (NBS) 2nd Division 40-over cricket tournament.

Three batsmen scored half-centuries for the eventual winners, to push them to 343-6 in 40 overs, while four of their bowlers then captured two wickets each to restrict First Class to 123 in 32.4 overs.

Sunil Singh and Devaughn Nandan led the

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side to a blistering start after the loss of Adrian Hinds for 3. The pair carried the score from 18-1 to 191 before Singh lost his wicket to Kev-

Devaughn Nandan led Transport with 87 runs.

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in Pellew.

The batsman fired six fours and four sixes in a score of 82. Nandan continued to strike the ball and ended up hitting Pellew for a straight six over Carifesta Avenue to bring up the 200.

However, the opener suffered an injury and decided to retire on 87 (8x4, 3x6).

Devon Allen and J. Wilson took over the scoring.

Allen, who rotated the strike well, struck two sixes and a four in a score of 44, while Wilson hit five fours and four sixes in his 61.

Allen’s brother, Akeem Redman then fired in an

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unbeaten 21 before the overs expired.

In reply to the mammoth total, Y. Singh 20 (3x4) and P. Lenny (21) carried the score to 45-2 before the latter fell after hitting two fours and a six.

Over the next 16 overs Third Class lost seven wickets for 35 runs, before Ricardo Ghisiawan hit 35 (4x4) to push the side past the three-figure mark; but 123 was as far as they got as Mark Baptiste, Azeem Azeez, Rafael Singh and Shaun Massiah took two wickets each to lead Transport’s bowling attack.

Capital FC joins nine other clubs in UDFA/GT Beer championship TEN clubs have been invited to contest this year’s Upper Demerara Football Association’s annual GT Beer Christmas tournament which will be staged at the Mackenzie Sports Club.

At a meeting last Saturday at the Linden Enterprise Network Macaw Boardroom, the General Council of the UDFA decided against the inclusion of a Milerock representative team as they currently have been deemed a Guyana Elite Club and will be playing in the GFF’s Super 16 year-end tournament.

It was also decided because of logistical reasons and the problems encountered, inclusive of transportation costs, that Kwakwani will not be invited to contest this year.

Meanwhile, the General Council did approve of the newly-formed club Capital FC into the championship for the first time and will join the nine clubs which contested the recent UDFA GTT Senior League championship.

Thus the GT Beer championship this year will see the reigning champions Botofago, winners of the Senior League Christianburg Eagles United, runners-up Net Rockers, Amelia’s Ward Panthers, Winners Connection, Silver Shattas, Topp XX, Blueberry Hill and Hi Stars along with Capital FC The championship will be played in a two-group format with a round-robin format initially, before it goes into the knockout stages to determine the final formats then the semi-finals and the final on January 21, 2019.

Serena confirmed for Australian Open return MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - Serena Williams will resume her quest for a record-equalling 24th grand slam title at the Australian Open in January, after organisers yesterday confirmed her entry to the tournament she won for a seventh time on her last appearance in 2017.

The 37-year-old American achieved her victory over sister Venus in the final two years ago while eight weeks pregnant with her daughter Alexis Olympia, who was born the following September.

Williams reached the Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals after her return last year but lost both, leaving her one short of Australian Margaret Court’s tally of grand slam singles titles.

Her final match last season was the final at Flushing Meadow, where her loss to Naomi Osaka was overshadowed by her row with umpire Carlos Ramos.

Williams is scheduled to play an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi in the final week of the year before heading to Australia to warm-up for her assault on the Melbourne Park title at the Hopman Cup in Perth.

Also among the 102 women and 101 men to have confirmed they will compete in the first grand slam of 2019 is five-time runner-up Andy Murray, who missed three of the four majors last year because of a hip injury.

The 31-year-old Scot has entered the tournament with his protected ranking of number two after sliding down to 259th in the world in the wake of surgery on his injured joint.

Reigning champion Roger Federer will be gunning for a record seventh men’s singles crown from January 14-27, while Caroline Wozniacki will embark on her maiden grand slam title defence at Melbourne Park.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 6, 2018

Man United scramble 2-2 draw with Arsenal

Madray Memorial 100-ball tourney

Young Warriors amass highest total in opening round

THE YOUNG Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) amassed the highest total in the opening round of the BCB/Ivan Madray Memorial 100-Ball cricket tournament last Sunday in the Ancient County.

The historic knockout tournament, which involved nine first-division teams, is being held in memory of the late legend Ivan Madray - the third Berbician to play Test cricket after John Trim and Rohan Kanhai.

In the first round of play, YWCC, the Albion Community Centre (ACC), the Rose Hall Town (RHT) Gizmos & Gadgets and Tucber Park Cricket Club (TPCC) recorded victories to join RH Canje CC (who drew the bye) in the second round.

Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette scores their second goal REUTERS/Darren Staples

(REUTERS) - - Manchester United twice came from a goal behind to draw 2-2 with Arsenal on Wednesday and deny the visitors a first win in 12 Premier League games at Old Trafford.

The first clash between the old rivals since 1986 not featuring either Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger in the dugout was a pulsating contest which Unai Emery’s Arsenal will feel they should have won.

A dreadful mistake by United keeper David de Gea allowed Arsenal to draw first blood after 26 minutes as Shkodran Mustafi’s downward header bounced up and through the Spanish keeper’s hands — the ball just crossing the line despite the attempt of Ander Herrera to hack clear.

Anthony Martial levelled four minutes later, tapping home

after Marcos Rojo’s free kick was well-saved by keeper Bernd Leno but Herrera, who had looked offside, kept the ball alive and squared for the Frenchman.

Arsenal went back in front in the 68th minute, Alexandre Lacazette being credited with the goal after Rojo’s attempted tackle saw the ball ricochet past De Gea. This time the lead lasted a matter of seconds as United replied with Jesse Lingard sliding the ball under Leno after a lapse in concentration by Sead Kolasinac.

Arsenal came close to winning the game on several occasions but De Gea made up for his error with some fine saves.

The Gunners, who slipped to fifth place, are now unbeaten in their last 20 games in all competitions while United are in eight place, eight points off the top four.

Mae’s Girls cop NSC’s Christmas Windball competition MAE’S Girls’ team were crowned champions of the NSC/AL Sport & Tour Promotions 27th annual Christmas Term Secondary Schools Windball competition which ended recently at the National Gymnasium.

The final point standings were: Mae’s (MSS) 135, Carmel Secondary (CSS) 133, East Ruimveldt Secondary (ERSS) 91, Central High School (CHS) 54, Queenstown Secondary (QSS) 54 and Tucville Secondary (TSS) 25.

Player-of-the-tournament (bat & ball) was Afruica Gentle (Mae’s) while outstanding players were Shania Kingston (ERSS), Siana Abrams (CSS), Ashanti Browne (CHS), Charmaine Warwick (QSS), Kezian

London (TSS) and Chrystal Melville (MSS).

Final round results: East Ruimveldt 109-1 (Shekeica Williams 63) defeated Tucville 100-0 (K. London 32) while Queenstown 86-4

(C. Warwick 25, Aaliya Johnson 3-28) lost to Carmel 88-0 (S. Abrams 52, I Armendo 34).

East Ruimveldt 80-5 (A. Johnson 3-6) lost to Carmel 86-5 (A. Abrams 26).

Carmel 162-0 (Siana Abrams 90, Indera Armandeo 56) defeated Tucville 152–0 while Queenstown 76-2 (Kellisa Cozier 27) lost to East Ruimveldt 79-0 (S. Williams 48).

The winning Mae’s Secondary Girls’ team

National U-19 cricketer Junior Sinclair struck an elegant 66 to help the RHT Gizmos & Gadgets to a 27-run win over West Berbice.

At Port Mourant ground, YWCC recorded 152-5 with National U-19 opener Alex Algoo leading the way with 46, while Berbice U-19 player Trevlon Stanislaus added 26 and Suresh Dhanai an unbeaten 23.

Marvin Prashad (2-30) and Seon Glasgow (1-23) led Blairmont Community Centre’s bowling attack.

All-rounder Kevin Jawahir was the lone batsman to stand up against the YWCC’s bowling, but his 73 could push Blairmont to only 122-6 before their 100 overs ended.

Devendra Ramoutar (320) and Stanislaus (2-18) led the bowling attack for the winners.

Earlier at the same venue, TPCC bowled out Port Mourant Cricket Club (PMCC) for 63 from 13.5 overs then raced to the target with 10 overs to spare.

It was Joel Davis and National U-17 all-rounder Leon Swammy who led the winners’

bowling attack. Davis picked up 4-9, while Swammy took 2-18. Only Samuel Kistasammy (12) and Joshua Ramsammy (12) reached double figures for PMCC. In reply, TPCC raced to 64-2 in just six overs with Nial Smith (25) and Clifton Lindie (15) leading the charge.

At the Albion Community Centre ground, the home team defeated the Police Cricket Club by eight wickets. Police reached 91 before they were dismissed off 98 balls.

A few batsmen got starts, including Delbert Hicks (23), G. Barron (23) and Philbert Wilburg (21), but national spinner Gudakesh Motie with 3-12 and West Indies spinner Veerasammy Permaul 2-16 stemmed the flow of runs and picked up crucial wickets.

Albion, in reply, reached 96-2 with Adrian Sukhwa (33 not out) and Anthony Bramble (21 not out) leading the side to a comfortable win. Opener Kandasammy Surujnarine added 29.

In the second game at the Albion ground, the RHT Gizmos & Gadgets CC easily defeated West Berbice by 27 runs.

National Under-19 cricketer Junior Sinclair struck an elegant 66, while his elder brother Jason supported with an unbeaten 30, as RHT Gizmos & Gadgets reached 138 for six. Steffan Adams (2-12) and Sherwin McPherson (217) were the successful bowlers for West Berbice.

In reply, West Berbice could muster only 111 before they were bowled out in 15.4 overs. Kevin Sinclair (3-17) and skipper Shawn Pereira (3-26) led the strong bowling attack. R. Mitchell 34 and Keith Fraser 14 were the main contributors in a losing cause.

The tournament is being organised by the BCB with sponsorship provided by the Madray and Chintamani families.

The second round of the tournament will be played on Saturday at the Port Mourant ground with ACC clashing with YWCC at 10:30hrs while RHT Gizmos & Gadgets and Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club will play at 13:30hrs.

The winner of the Albion vs Young Warriors match will advance straight to the final, scheduled for December 16 at the Port Mourant ground.

Meanwhile, TPCC will play the winner of the RHT Gizmos & Gadgets vs RH Canje CC match in the lone semifinal on Wednesday, December 12 at the Port Mourant ground - the home ground of the late Ivan Madray.

The Ivan Madray Memorial 100 Balls event is the 26th cricket tournament to be organised by the BCB to date in 2018.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 6, 2018

Efforts underway for replacement of shattered fibreglass backboard at MSC Court THE Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) remains in desperation mode at this time as its planned season-ending tournaments at the Mackenzie Sports Club are in limbo because of the absence of a fibreglass basketball backboard at the town’s only basketball facility.

That situation remained in a state of abeyance up to yesterday awaiting the replacement as one of the two backboards at the lone basketball facility in Linden was shattered recently.

Secretary of LABA, Joseph Chapman, said that he and president of LABA, Lawrence Simon, were assisting the Mackenzie Sports Club to have a replacement backboard as early as possible.

Chapman said president of the Mackenzie Sports Club, Avery Trim, owners of the basketball facility where every Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Kwakwani) player who reached national levels, had performed, did write a letter which the association endorsed

and sent to the National Sports Commission’s Director of Sport Christopher Jones for attention.

LABA secretary said he did speak to Mr Jones who promised to render some

assistance and it is from that perspective that hopes are that by weekend a replacement fibreglass backboard would be made available for the planned season-ending tournaments.

However, nothing tangible was on offer up to yesterday but LABA is still optimistic that there will be movement on the issue at hand.

At the same time LABA president Lawrence Simon has

lamented the need for more basketball-playing facilities in the town which is second to Georgetown in terms of producing national players.

As a recently elected APNU Councillor to the Lin-

Photo of the shattered fibreglass backboard at MSC Hard Court

den municipality, it is expected that some movement would be made to better the playing facilities in the town.

The association intends to have the ‘Fat’ Wayne Andries Memorial Big Four - Victory Valley Royals, Half Mile Bulls, Amelia’s Ward Jets and Retrieve Raiders square off in a two-day tournament starting Saturday.

The Under-21 and its annual Malta Supreme Christmas tournaments are also on hold for the want of a replacement backboard, Chapman reported.

In light of this LABA has shifted its meeting from last night to tonight to report to its members on the situation and inform them as to when it expects to have the three planned tournaments staged, in what is a compressed state of days in this December month.

The ‘Fat’ Wayne Andries memorial championship was expected to bounce off on Saturday but this is dependent on the fibreglass backboard being sourced by tomorrow.

V&V Variety on board Hunte dominoes tournament Groups drawn for GFF/STAG Super-16 tournament AS the days draw closer to Sunday, sponsors are fast coming on board the David Hunte dominoes tournament which is set for Middle Street, Pouderoyen on the West Bank of Demerara.

The latest sponsor is the V&V Variety Store of Unity Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara. Proprietor of the business entity, Anand Bharat, on Monday presented a cheque to Senior Organising Secretary of the Georgetown Dominoes

Association, Mark Wiltshire at the store’s location.

Bharat, who plays cricket for popular softball team Speedboat, said he is pleased to be associated with the tournament and is looking forward to an exciting and successful one. He wished the teams well. Wiltshire thanked him for the support.

Entrance fee is $12 000 and the winning team will take home a trophy and $150 000, runners-up a trophy and

Mark Wiltshire receives the sponsorship cheque from V&V proprietor Anand Bharat.

$75 000 and third place $35 000. The MVP will be given $5 000.

Double-six time is 13:30hrs. Interested teams can contact Wiltshire on 665-5855 for registration.

Meanwhile, Mix Up were crowned champions of the Faye Joseph and Wiltshire four-game tournament which ended on Sunday night at her Gaulding Place, South Ruimveldt residence.

Mix Up, who drew the bye to the final, chalked up 44 games to beat Thunder with 40 and Phantom on 39 in the final.

Ewie Gordon and Wiltshire made 11 and 10 games respectively for the winners, while Sky Taylor and Faye Joseph scored 11 and nine in that order for the runners-up. Rawl Peters marked 11 and Rawle Cameron made nine for Phantom.

Phantom won the semi-final encounter against Thunder and All Season’s Racing Service. Phantom managed 43 games with Rawl Peters scoring 11 and Tyrone Ambrose nine. Thunder got 39; Ricardo Khan made 11 and Faye Joseph nine, while All Season’s Racing Service mustered 33. Dane Bynoe got 11 and Ronald Beharry 10.

Mix Up pocketed $45 000 while Thunder received $25 000 and Phantom $15 000.

By Rawle Toney

THE 16 participating teams for the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) STAG Beer-sponsored Year-End tournament were officially announced and placed in their respective groups yesterday, at a drawing held at the GFF headquarters in Georgetown.

With $4M in prize money up for grabs, compliments of Ansa McAl, the tournament will be contested by eight of the ten Elite League clubs (Fruta Conquerors, Milerock, GDF, Western Tigers, Victoria Kings, Buxton United, Ann’s Grove and Den Amstel FC), along with Rivers View, Eagles, Police FC, Buxton Stars,

Soesdyke Falcons, Santos, Buxton Stars, a combined Berbice team, as well as a combined team from the Essequibo/Pomeroon Association.

In Group A, Western Tigers, who finished fourth in the GFF Elite League, was placed alongside Police, Ann’s Grove United and Soesdyke Falcons.

Last year’s Elite League champions and this year’s runners-up, GDF, will face Bartica’s Rivers View, Buxton United FC and the combined team from the Essequibo/Pomeroon Association in Group B. Over in Group C, Den Amstel FC, who finished third in the Elite League, are set to collide with Victoria

Kings, Santos FC and Buxton Stars.

Meanwhile, Elite League Champions and tournament favourites Fruta Conquerors, are down to compete against Milerock, Eagles and the combined Berbice team.

While venues are still to be determined, the tournament will see matches played on December 14, 16, 21 and 23 with the group stage matches, while quarter-finals are set for December 25 and 26. Semi-finals are tabled for December 29 and the final on January 1, 2019.

The winners will pocket $1M, second place $1M, third place $500 000 and the fourth-place team will receive a trophy.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 6, 2018

GFF prepares for ExxonMobil/STAG International Futsal tournament with workshop AS the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) in conjunction with the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, prepares to host the country’s first International Futsal tournament, local futsal referees will, over the next five days, be engaged in a workshop, compliments of CONCACAF and FIFA. FIFA Instructor Shane Butler, opened the workshop yesterday, which will engage the 17 futsal officials from Linden, Berbice, West Demerara, Essequibo and Georgetown, and is aimed at ensuring that the participants are updated on the laws of the game and interpretation.

“The technique we’ll be using is explaining a clip as far as the severity of a foul, the levels and how they can decide between a careless foul, a simple foul or a reckless foul.

Also, we’re going to explain interpretations that are different from the outdoor game - signalling, mechanics - and field sessions, just to make the referees much better,” Butler explained.

GFF president Wayne Forde urged the participants to make the most of the opportunities being afforded them over the next five days.

“To keep apace of the demands of the fans and to ensure there’s consistency in the delivery of quality on the field of play, it’s necessary that we make the investment that we’re making here today in the capacity of our referees,” Forde said.

The workshop comes at a time when Futsal is one of the fastest growing forms of football in Guyana.

The programme will be held daily from 10:00hrs to

17:00hrs at the Resource Centre, with practical sessions from 15:00hrs to 16:30hrs on Friday and Saturday at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

The GFF has partnered with the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, ExxonMobil and Ansa McAl to launch an eightteam International Futsal tournament, which will be played from December 27 to 30.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Morvant Caledonia United will head the list of teams from overseas which also features ZV All-Stars from Suriname, and Brazilian side from the state of Sau Paulo.

While in Guyana, the teams will collide with a Guyana Select side, along with a team from Linden, East Bank Demerara and West Demerara football associations.

Futsal Referee Instructor Shane Butler during the opening of the five-day Futsal Workshop

Hope urges consistency from John leads the way in cycling batsmen ahead of ODI series for 2018 as GCN Awards beckons

DHAKA, Bangladesh (CMC) – Stroke-maker Shai Hope believes West Indies can turn the page on their nightmare Test series against Bangladesh with a good showing in the upcoming one-day series but says the Caribbean side will have to show more consistency.

would expect the ball will spin a bit more in Bangladesh. But we have to wait till the day to see what it (pitch) would be like to play.

“We can expect spin and it can be something different, so we have to cover all our bases and be ready for whatever they throw at us.”

Bangladesh used an all-

Batsman Shai Hope says Windies batsmen need consistency.

The Windies suffered a, embarrassing 2-0 whitewash in the Test series last weekend, with neither match going beyond three days.

They face Bangladesh in the opening ODI on Sunday here with Hope pointing out that the batsmen needed to take more responsibility, despite the spin-friendly nature of the pitches.

“Consistency is the key.

We need to put our hands up and put some big targets on the board, and make sure the bowlers have something to bowl at,” the right-hander said.

“The wickets may be a bit different here in Bangladesh, but same things apply.

We need to maximise the entire innings.”

He added: “As everyone

spin attack in the last Test which they won by an innings and 184 runs, with not a single seamer included.

In fact, for the first time, spinners took all the wickets to fall in the series as the first Test in Chittagong followed a similar pattern.

But with the likes of Mustafizur Rahman and captain Mashrafe Mortaza included in the ODI squad, Hope said he was aware the hosts possessed dangerous seamers as well.

“They also have some quality pacers who have been around for a long time.

We know what to expect from that part as well,” he pointed out.

Hope is one of the few surviving players from the Test series with several new

players having flown in for the shorter format.

Among them are veteran right-hander Marlon Samuels, big-hitting all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite and experienced left-hander Darren Bravo.

Hope said he liked the togetherness of the squad and urged his teammates to make the best use of the one-day practice match against the Bangladesh Cricket Board XI today.

“The team have been gelling quite well since we have also played a few games in India,” Hope explained.

“We have to make sure to get best possible preparation in the practice game tomorrow, leading up to the first ODI.” West Indies are coming off a 3-1 defeat to India in a five-match series last month and also lost 2-1 to Bangladesh in the Caribbean earlier this year.

In fact, the Windies have not won an ODI series since they beat Bangladesh in the Caribbean four years ago.

TEAM Coco’s wheelsman Jamual John is the leading cyclist in Guyana for the second year running, after chalking up nine victories so far despite being absent from Guyana’s circuit for the last quarter of the year.

As local cycling entity, Guyana Cycling News’ (GCN) annual awards ceremony beckons John is in pole position to cop the top cycling accolade for 2018.

Following his 10 victories last year, John was in top form in 2018 becoming the first cyclist to retain the Kadir Mohamed Memorial ‘ounce of gold’ race, just one highlight among his many conquests.

However, John is closely followed by Hamzah Eastman and Team Evolution’s Paul DeNobrega who are tied on seven wins. DeNobrega has had some impressive

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday December 6, 2018)

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ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: Bangladesh won by an innings & 184 runs Mehidy Hassan Miraz (BANG)

(1)

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TODAY’S QUIZ: Where and when the WI & Bangladesh contested an ODI for the first time?

Who were the captains involved?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

wins, most recently at the annual Digicel Cancer Awareness Cycling meet where he overcame a punctured back wheel to stage an incredible comeback victory.

in fifth with 100 points.

The Guyana Cycling News is headed by Balram Singh and Malcolm Sonaram. Their main aim is to promote cycling and cyclists

Jamual John is top of the GCN classification table for the second consecutive year.

Eastman also impressed but he too, like John, has been on the overseas circuits, hence he missed a few meets.

Two other cyclists who have been quietly consistent are Michael Anthony and Romello Crawford with four wins each.

On the updated GCN points table, John is leading with 226 points while DeNobrega is in second with 201, Curtis Dey third (178), Romello Crawford fourth (107) and Hamzah Eastman

in Guyana, to stage races and to publish placings, interviews, cycling content from all other Caribbean countries and North American associates.

The Annual Awards came about after GCN created a points system to award the cyclists for their efforts at the end of the year.

The GCN Awards Ceremony is set for Saturday (December 15) in the auditorium of St Stanislaus College from 19:00hrs.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 6, 2018

GFF still deliberating on possible outcome of sexual harassment allegations against referees

By Rawle Toney PRESIDENT of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde, said the Federation wants to ensure that all grounds are covered, before acting on the recommendations of the Board of Inquiry (BoI) into sexual harassment allegations against their Head Referee Stanley Lancaster and Referee Assessor Roy McArthur.

In March of this year, the GFF had set up a BoI, following allegations of sexual harassment by female referees and was conducted by a five-member panel, chaired by Dr Karen Pilgrim, vice-president of the Guyana Olympic Association.

Other members of the Board are Dr Melissa Ifill of the University of Guyana; Karen Joseph, Human Resources Consultant; Karen De Souza and Joy Nichola Marcus-Reid both of Red Thread.

The report was submitted

by Dr Pilgrim on November 19 following the completion of a thorough investigation.

According to the GFF, the Terms of Reference of the BOI included; to develop a policy against sexual harassment for referees in Guyana and to evolve a permanent mechanism for the prevention and redress of sexual harassment cases.

The GFF Executive Committee met on Saturday, December 1.

Forde said they “had a preliminary review of the report and there will be another layer of engagement with members of the BpI.” Forde, at the time, speaking with Chronicle Sport, highlighted that the GFF is cognizant of the fact, that “the final decision on this matter will have dramatic impact on the lives of many. In fact, it may already have on those who are victims of the situation that took place.”

“But we have to be very careful because ultimately, when we make the decision, we have to be able to deal with the consequences. So we have to ensure that we consult with the people that can guide the decision-making process.

“If we have questions, we

GFF president Wayne Forde

have to ensure we give the BoI an opportunity to answer those questions. It took some time, but anything that could change the lives of people needs to be handled with some level of care,” Forde stated.

Some questioned the composition of the BoI, since it featured women who either in their official or personal capacity have been publicly vocal on their position as it relates to abuse, rape or sexual harassment against women.

However, Forde, when asked about the duo being offered a fair review of their allegations against them, the GFF president pointed out, “I think you will always have an opinion on the composition of any board, but I think we have to trust the professionalism of people at times and we think that the individuals who conducted the BoI are professionals, “I think they were objective in their evaluation and in their taking of statements and testimony and we believe the report that they have submitted is a good, solid, balanced report.

“Of course it is our responsibility to ask questions on the

areas where we might need clarity because the final decision is with the Executive Committee.”

Meanwhile, there was no word on the case against Executive Committee Member Keith O’Jeer.

The GFF had announced that an independent investigator has conducted and completed a preliminary inquiry into the allegation of ‘inappropriate conduct’ by O’Jeer.

Forde had told one section of the media that the executive committee took a decision to suspend O’Jeer after receiving a report that he had behaved inappropriately.

The GFF president said, “O’Jeer’s behaviour was brought to the attention of the GFF, following which the Berbician was questioned about the matter by members of the executive and subsequently disciplined because of the nature of his interactions.

On O’Jeer’s matter, the GFF said, “A report was submitted to the GFF, which will be submitted to the Disciplinary Committee. The Disciplinary Committee will review and pronounce on the matter.”

Caribbean Boxing Championship commences tonight at CASH Page

22

GBA president Steve Ninvalle (fourth from right) and Director of Sport Christopher Jones (third from left) are flanked by fighters, coaches and managers for the participating teams of the Caribbean Boxing Championship.

The Championship opens tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. (Samuel Maughn photo)

… Over 70 boxers from Guyana and the Caribbean vie for supremacy

Jaguars seeking fifth consecutive victory GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – Defending Regional Four-Day Champions Guyana Jaguars will begin their campaign for a fifth consecutive title today, when they face Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Darren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia.

The Jaguars are riding high on a 10game unbeaten streak, having not lost a match since the final game of the 201617 season when they were beaten by the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in St Kitts.

They will be without Windies players Shimron Hetymer, Devendra Bishoo, Keemo Paul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Raymon Reifer and Sherfane Rutherford.

Ahead of the match captain Leon Johnson said the absence of the Windies players will give their replacements a chance to prove themselves.

“I can’t say how badly they would be missed but while we know they are obviously talented and would bring quality to the table, it gives an opportunity to the guys who have been selected, to play well and make it hard for the selectors when senior players become

available,” said Johnson, who led Guyana for the first time in 2013 against the Windwards when skipper Veerasammy Permaul was on West Indies duty.

“I am quietly confident going into this season as defending champions with a team which has dominated Regional four-day for the last four seasons but everybody starts at zero … all the teams are on zero … all batters and bowlers are on zero.

“Come Thursday, we can’t take it for granted that we could just turn up and win games. We have to go through a process and we have to be patient as we usually are, and play consistent cricket which has been our strength,” Johnson said.

Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI) was forced to call off the eight-team threeday franchise League and both of the Jaguars’ practice matches, due to rain and the unavailability of grounds.

“I think the two practice matches went well but I won’t say I was totally satisfied, since a couple of the batters selected did not get enough time in the middle because the matches were affected

by rain,” Johnson said.

Nevertheless, he is hoping to capitalise on his performance in the final practice session in which he scored a brilliant century, when he faces his opponents in St Lucia.

“It was nice to score a hundred and it’s good for my confidence going into the tournament,” said Johnson, who plays his 100th FirstClass match and 80th for Guyana in today’s match.

Johnson played the last of his nine Tests in 2016, and he has led his team in 42 games, winning 27 times and losing only five.

Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson

GFF still deliberating on possible outcome of sexual harassment allegations against referees ► Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018