Guyana chronicle e paper04 03 2018

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No. 105203

SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018

Price: $140

Legal team identified (VAT Inclusive)

– as Guyana prepares for case against Venezuela at ICJ O3 PAGE

Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge (third left), Ground Structures Engineering Consultants Inc proprietor Charles Ceres (second right) and close family members look on as Ceres’s daughter Chidimma, cuts the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the company’s Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara office on Saturday. (Full story to appear in Monday’s edition) (Adrian Narine photo)

Petroleum agreement will grow Guyana’s economy through foreign investment

End of long walks

– Yurong Paru residents get treated water for first time

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Uitvlugt residents ‘Baccoo’ assaults 09 return home, police at Mabaruma school to reopen Monday 04 PAGE

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End of long walks 2

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 4, 2018

– Yurong Paru residents get treated water for first time GUYANA Water Incorporated (GWI) commissioned the Yurong Paru Water Supply System in South Pakaraimas in Region Nine last Thursday, bringing an end to the days of walking long distances by residents there just to access water.

In a press statement, GWI said residents have not only gained improved access to water which is now in close proximity to their homes, but 95 per cent of the community now has access to treated water for the first time in keeping with the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards.

The Yurong Paru Village has approximately 340 residents.

“This is a major accomplishment, given that 80 per cent of the residents had previously received water directly from an existing spring from which they were at risk of accessing contaminated water,” GWI said.

The project was a joint effort by the utility company, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) which provided a sum of US$19,000, the Region Nine Democratic Council and the Yurong Paru Village Council, with community members playing a major role in its timely completion.

The works entailed the procurement of materials, construction of a storage fa-

Residents of Yurong Paru and the GWI team. Behind them are three of the tanks containing the treated water

Chairperson of GWI’s Board of Directors, Patricia Chase-Green symbolically hands over a jerrycan to Yurong Paru Toshao, Rovain Francis

cility and a timber trestle, inter-connection to the existing water supply system, repairing of leaks, improvements to the water distribution system and the installation of a water treatment system, the state-run water company explained.

Addressing residents at the commissioning ceremony, GWI Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles stressed the importance of collaboration in order to bridge the gap which exists in access to potable water in communities.

“Our experience here in

Yurong Paru is in a way moving us forward as a best practice of bringing the agencies together, pooling our resources for the benefit of the people and this is what President Granger wants to see happen,” he stated.

The managing director pointed out that access to potable water is a universal human right, even as he highlighted the effects of the lack thereof on communities. He also noted that access to potable water improves relationships in communities and helps to further economic development therein.

He assured the residents of GWI’s commitment to the improvement of water systems in Region Nine as he disclosed that for 2018, Central Government and the utility company will be expending more than $150M to address the water needs of communities in that region.

Dr. Van-West Charles expressed gratitude to GWI’s staff for their commitment to ensuring the timely completion of Yurong Paru’s Water Supply System even as he assured that the company will continue to ensure that the community has access to treated water.

Several homes within the community do not have access to treated water due to their great distance and therefore, Jerrycans, which are used to filter the water, were handed over to the community for use in those homes.

Meanwhile, PAHO/WHO Guyana Consultant, Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Dr. Mariano Bonet stressed the importance of water to the health and well-being of individuals.

GREAT INITIATIVE Alluding to sustainable development goal number three which speaks to the health of the people and goal number six which speaks to water and sanitation, Dr. Bonet said what the world wants has materialised in Yurong Paru with the commissioning of the water supply system.

He noted the Government of Guyana has been working hard to ensure that hinterland communities are targeted and are a priority. This, he said, is important in order to realise sustainable development.

Dr. Boney spoke of the work that PAHO has been doing, along with the government, in various communities and assured that this will continue.

Chairman of the GWI Board of Directors, Patricia Chase-Green echoed similar sentiments with regard to the importance of water. She told the residents that they have now become the owners of the water supply system, which

This student of Yurong Paru primary school was elated to now have access to treated water

they should sustain and protect in order to ensure their health and well-being.

The residents expressed their gratitude to GWI and its partners for ensuring that they now have improved access to water which is also treated.

Toshao of Yurong Paru, Rovain Francis pointed out that the water system is now in proximity to the school and health post.

He spoke of the poor quality of water which the residents were accessing previously as he highlighted that the children, especially, are now benefitting from treated water.

The sustainability of the water system has also been ensured with the training of residents in the application of water treatment, maintenance and safe operation of the system.

Rural constable shot on Laing Avenue THE police are investigating the circumstances surrounding an incident at Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, in which a rural constable was shot in the lower back on Friday night.

The incident reportedly occurred around 23:30hrs and the constable attached to the Brickdam Police Station has since been admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

An investigation revealed that a resident of Laing Avenue had an unapproved entertainment activity in the community and a 22-year-old

painter of Independence Boulevard went with a ‘drinks cart’ to sell there, but was denied permission by a Joint Services lance corporal.

The corporal was reportedly providing security for the event.

The denial resulted in an argument between the painter and the lance corporal and the latter allegedly dealt the other a chop to his left arm with a cutlass.

On seeing what had happened, a group of irate persons charged the lance corporal and began to attack him.

The rural constable, who was nearby, stepped in, res-

cued the corporal and placed him in a motorcar. As he was about to drive off, he was shot in the back by someone in the group.

Both men were rushed to the GPHC. The rural constable underwent emergency surgery and is currently in a stable condition, while the other was treated and sent away. He was later taken into custody and is assisting with the investigation.

The painter who was also admitted to the GPHC was later discharged.

The Joint Services vehicle which was driven by the rural constable was left at the scene when he was taken to hospital, but it was later discovered in a trench on Laing Avenue when the police revisited the scene.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 4, 2018

Legal team identified – as Guyana prepares for case against Venezuela at ICJ

By Svetlana Marshall THE Government of Guyana has identified a legal firm to fight Guyana’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Venezuela, Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge has disclosed.

Since 1962, Venezuela has been contending that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which had given more than 90 per cent of an area to then British Guiana (now Guyana), is null and void, although it had initially accepted the award.

The final judgment handed down by the ICJ will bring an end to this long-standing territorial controversy and Guyana is well equipped to prove that the award remains valid.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle on the sideline of Ground Structures Engineering Consultants Inc. 25th Anniversary and office opening at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara on Saturday, Minister Greenidge, who is the acting prime minister, disclosed that the government has already identified a legal firm to accelerate the process.

However, he explained

that “the process of contracting the firm has not been completed” and as such, the name will not be released just yet.

Additionally, he said the legal team has been constantly meeting. “The legal team is meeting and the legal team will meet again in this coming week…the enhance team,” the foreign affairs minister told this newspaper.

The Guyana Government has disclosed that US$15M has been set aside for legal fees. In February, distinguished Guyanese diplomat, Sir Shridath Ramphal, who forms a main part of the legal team, had told journalists that the government was likely to reassemble a team that was used in the past.

“If you go to the court there must be some legal expense, but what is at stake for Guyana is everything, so legal expenses are minuscule to what is at stake and what I think we are likely to do is reassemble the team that was successful in [the] Suriname [matter] and this is not about discussing those details, but they will be released in due course,” he told reporters.

Foley Hoag was the law firm that successfully spearheaded the case for the Government of Guyana in the

made in arriving at a full agreement for settlement of the controversy at the level of the Good Offices process.

It was because no significant progress had been made at the level of the Good Offices process that the matter was referred to the ICJ for final settlement.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

maritime boundary dispute with Suriname.

On January 30, 2018, Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres, disclosed that Gutteres in fulfilling the responsibility bestowed upon him within the framework set by his predecessor Ban Ki-moon in December 2016, had chosen the ICJ as the means to be used for solution of the controversy.

Ban and Guterres, in keeping with the 1966 agreement, had agreed to refer the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy to the ICJ if significant progress was not

AT A LATER TIME Guyana is expected to make an application to the ICJ for the case to be initiated, but the date on which such action will be taken, will not be disclosed just yet, the foreign affairs minister said.

Upon learning of the decision of the UN Secretary-General, Venezuela objected, but in his online column ‘Conversation Tree,’ Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran earlier this year said Venezuela should be reminded of key elements of the 1966 Geneva Agreement.

He pointed out that by Article IV(1) of the 1966 Geneva Agreement, the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela committed to choosing one of the means of peaceful settlement provided for by article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations (UN), if the Mixed Commission did not arrive

at a full agreement for settlement of the controversy within four years.

Ramkarran emphasised that judicial settlement was one of those means under Article 33.

“But the part of the article providing for the parties to choose the means of settlement is qualified by Article V. It provides that they are to refer the decision of the means of settlement to an ‘appropriate international organ on which they both agree,’ but failing agreement ‘to the Secretary-General of the United Nations,’” he explained Ramkarran noted that after conclusion of the mandate of the Mixed Commission, the Governments of Guyana, Venezuela and the United Kingdom entered into an agreement known as the Port of Spain Protocol in June, 1970, which suspended the operation of Article IV of the Geneva Agreement for 12 years. “This meant effectively that the formal search under Article IV for a resolution of the controversy was suspended for the period. Guyana and Venezuela undertook to ‘explore all possibilities of better understanding between them,’” he explained.

The Protocol of Port of Spain came to an end in 1982 and was not renewed, he recalled.

It was then that the parties agreed to refer the matter to the UNSG, who selected the Good Officer process under Article 33 of the United Nations Charter.

“It eventually became clear to Guyana after 50 years of effort that the controversy could not be resolved by discussion and negotiation. A reference of the matter to the International Commission of Jurists, the World Court, appeared to be the only solution. Guyana prevailed upon the UN Secretary-General to do so, as Venezuela would never have agreed. The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki- Moon, agreed, but with a proviso that an enhanced Good Officer process should continue for another year and that he would only refer the matter if there was no significant progress.

The Good Officer Process did not produce significant progress and so the UN Secretary-General referred the matter to the ICJ or World Court,” the senior counsel explained.

Guyana reviewing Japan’s ‘Oil and Gas Master Plan’ THE Government of Guyana is reviewing an ‘Oil and Gas Master Plan’ for Guyana, which was developed and submitted by Mitsubishi Corporation and Chiyoda Corporation, in collaboration with the Government of Japan.

The plan has as key objectives the development of Guyana’s domestic oil industry, the creation of a balance in the domestic usage and exportation of products from indigenous oil and gas, the harmonisation of the industry in keeping with Guyana’s ‘green’ development agenda and the quantifying of the economic feasibility of the

plans.

The report was presented to President David Granger at a meeting at State House.

Present at the meeting were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, who is also performing the duties of prime minister and Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Raphael Trotman, along with the delegation from Japan, headed by Takeo Suzuki, acting Head of the Strategic Business Planning Section, Chiyoda Corporation.

Following that engagement, Minister Greenidge, in an invited comment, said that government will carefully review the proposal so that a

decision can be made on the way forward.

“This is the final report presented. They have had discussions with finance, public infrastructure and natural resources. It remains now for us to conclude our examination of that final report and then to respond to the Government of Japan. We will probably, within the next fortnight, respond to them saying that we have looked at the report and now that we are ready to go forward, we would like them to fund the preparation of detailed economic feasibility studies for each of the projects and then we will see what they come

up with,” he said.

The Government of Japan is funding the technical work, which also includes the creation of a roadmap towards balancing Guyana’s oil and gas future with its ‘green’ development agenda.

“At this point, we have been discussing what follows from the discovery of petroleum and Guyana’s offshore and in response to that, the Japanese have offered [to] work with us to plan the utilisation of our resource. The MITI, which is the International Department of Trade and Industry as well as the Central Government of Japan

have agreed to fund technical work by Mitsubishi, one of the world’s largest corporations together with Chiyoda, which works on projects of various technical types and what they have done is to look at what we have done by way of resource; look at the plan that ExxonMobil, CNOC

and Hess [Corporation] have for the petroleum and gas that has been discovered and to work out, given world prices, given that we also have renewable energy and so on, how best to move forward with the produce that will be landed in 2020,” Minister Greenidge said.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

Clean up mode 4

SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 4, 2018

–– Uitvlugt residents return home, school to re-open Monday

Sunday March 04th, - 05:00 Monday March 05th, - 05:00 Tuesday March 06th, - 05:00

AS the high tides subside near villages on the West Coast of Demerara, several persons who sought shelter as a result of flooding have returned home.

At the same time, there are 41 persons who are still temporarily housed in a shelter which has been shifted from the Uitvlugt Secondary School to the community centre.

The Uitvlugt Secondary School will be fumigated today and classes will re-commence as per normal on Monday.

Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Director General (ag), Major Kester Craig told Guyana Chronicle on Saturday evening that the Ministry of Public Health has been contacted to fumigate the school.

He said there was no overtopping of the sea defence on Saturday and the CDC has been distributing supplies to persons who have returned home at Uitvlugt.

Major Craig also noted that an assessment is still being done at the village of Stewartville to determine when residents there can return to their homes.

On Saturday , Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder with NDIA officials on the section of the seawall where overtopping occurred on Friday Greenidge, who is performing the duties of prime minister, visited the area and interacted with residents.

Persons reported that the flooding has affected them severely as many lost household items and goods.

Government as well as Regional Democratic Council (RDC) officials have been on the ground since Friday to assess the damage and to bring relief to affected residents.

Also on the ground were Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder and National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Frederick Flatts.

They, along with engi-

neers visited several villages affected by the overtopping of the seawall due to unprecedented spring tide levels on Friday.

Severe overtopping of the seawall due to the unprecedented spring tide levels on Friday left areas between Den Amstel and De Willem flooded.

Several portions of the upper part of the Uitvlugt seawall’s concrete crest broke under the pressure of the above normal tides on Friday, resulting in flooding which spread to nearby communities.

The Ministry of Agriculture will be collaborating with the Public Infrastructure Ministry to provide assistance to residents.

Major Craig expressed gratitude to individuals and organisations that have thus far contributed to the response efforts for the residents of Leonora, Stewartville and Uitvlugt who have been affected by the overtopping of the sea defences.

He expressed appreciation to the Region Three administration, the Guyana Fire Service, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Uitvlugt Estate, the Ministry of Education, the staff and volunteers of the CDC and Cabinet Ministers who assisted in bringing relief to the residents.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 4, 2018

AG declares open one-day study tour of PNCR Patriots

ATTORNEY General and Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform, Basil Williams SC on Saturday told a group of party members that the Parliament represented accountability and transparency and urged them to learn more of the working of this body.

Williams was at the time delivering the feature address at the opening of a one-day study tour by the Patriots--a PNCR group comprised

mainly of professionals at Guyana’s Parliament.

The tour was facilitated by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs and included presentations from other key staff of the Parliament. Williams congratulated the Patriots and its Education Coordinator, Dr Taishan Shanks for the innovative exercise.

“This what you have organised here today is very innovative and I must applaud you because it is in

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams SC delivering remarks at the event

this hallowed chambers that decisions which affect the lives of all of us are made and I am pleased you are attempting today to understand the process…” Williams remarked. He told the group that Parliament represented accountability and transparency and explained the difference between the Parliament and the National Assembly and also spoke about the place of Parliament in the doctrine of separations of powers.

Under Article 51 of the Constitution of Guyana, the Parliament of Guyana consists of the President and the National Assembly.

The National Assembly has 65 members elected using the system of proportional representation.

Twenty-five are elected from the ten geographical constituencies and forty are awarded at the national level on the basis of block votes secured.

Williams emphasised the distinction between the British Parliament and that of Guyana. He made special note that in Britain the Parliament is supreme, but in

A section of the members of the Patriots at Parliament Guyana the Constitution is.

“But where the Parliament passes laws in conformity with the prescription in the constitution, it was supreme because the courts could not intervene in the substance of the legislation…”

Williams also pointed out to the Patriots the seating arrangements in Parliament, with the government and opposition facing each other. He said this physical adversarial outlook notwithstanding, should not deter Members of Parliament to act in the interest of the people of Guyana.

During the study tour, the group heard presentations on the history of parliament; definition of parliament and the composition of the National Assembly; roles of MPs; parliament procedures; bill, interpretation of Parliamentary terms among other topics.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 4, 2018

Responding to restructuring of the sugar industry GUYANA as a nation and all that it represents has been severely tested by the crisis in the sugar industry.

It was the first time that an industrial occurrence of such magnitude, because it involves the livelihoods of so many thousands of sugar workers and their families, had ever occurred in Guyana.

Undoubtedly, it tested the resolve of the nation, for the intellectual contents of what it had to offer not merely as views, but tangible solutions as to the way forward.

What had been very interesting, are the opinions/views/statements from the various interested parties, inclusive of the political opposition, its allied sugar union, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) and the media.

It was a delicate situation, and still is, deserving of much national concern because of the socio-economic impact on the livelihoods of the sugar workers involved, and what such uncharted waters meant for their families, communities, and the numerous sectors that stand to be affected from the fallout of redundancy.

It was in this milieu that the dangerous

characteristic of dishonesty became a hallmark of the debate on the way forward for the industry. It was to become the political brand of critics of the government, beginning with the political opposition; it was astonishing to say the least, that the coalition government was blamed for the industry’s crisis, which had its genesis during the long night of the PPP/C’s governance.

How this could have been possible, when the former administration squandered the opportunities to take care of the well-being of thousands of sugar workers after the European Union (EU) announced the removal of preferential prices for our sugar since 2006? It is still to be understood, given the fact that the government at that time had been well aware of the continuous slide of the industry into the bog of being unproductive. Politics, as some would say, but surely of a dishonest and dangerous type.

Further, it has not added to any viable solution of any kind.

What the nation witnessed, beginning from the coalition government’s first work-

ing day of its ascension to office, when GuySuCo declared that it was “broke’’, were sustained attacks from the political opposition, that were riddled with halftruths, misinformation and obfuscations of all genres, designed to mislead, as well as exonerate themselves from the blame that all honest-minded Guyanese should know, lies squarely on its shoulders.

It was astonishing for what was being offered as debate for a solution to crisis that involved the livelihoods of so many; but which clearly had the unmistakable ring tones of self-serving the well-known political end of keeping an industry alive for purely political purposes.

The media also played no small role in the debate. In fact, it should play the role of honest broker, given its pivotal position as zealous guardian of the public’s trust and the fourth estate. Further, because of its powerful position as being able to influence national debate, and public agendas, it ought to beware of partisanship, especially of the type that does not add to the solution for whatever challenge. Regardless of its political leanings,

the media’s masthead must always be objectivity, while concomitantly raising the intellectual bar of debate. It left much to be desired as to the content in some sections of the media, both print and electronic, through opinion pieces especially, regarding government’s decisions on the industry. Again, the mantra was that all of the estates should continue as they are. In this mix, there was not even an attempt to discuss the former PPP/C government’s role in bringing the industry to its knees.

It was as if GuySuCo as an entity only commenced as from May, 2015.

Government has gone to tremendous lengths to ensure that it balanced the restructuring process with detailed concern for the livelihoods of workers. In such bread-and-butter matters, it is often difficult to convince workers that management has their best interest at heart.

In this case, that task becomes harder, given the political and ethnic sensitivities involved, but the administration must continue the engagement, for there is no substitute for direct democracy in small societies such as Guyana.

Time to discuss transforming the country, improving the lives of the people Dear Editor, I WELCOME the forward-looking attitude in Barry Braithwaite’s letter in SN, 3rd March: “We will be liberated economically by our oil resources.”

A 50:50 split in revenues from our oil bonanza and the ongoing rapid pace towards production can only mean economic liberation for our country. But this transformation will call for vision and passion among both our citizenry and the top local and national decision-makers. We should already be planning not only for servicing and overseeing the oil sector, but also for the wider economy and society.

This is not the time for the small-mindedness of Peeping Tom and his KN editors

in their clamouring that our future revenues are enough only to buy each of us a loaf of bread. At least, we know for sure we can’t put the money into their hands.

This is a time for big goals. This is a time for developing growth industries in areas such as agribusiness; a time for making Guyana a cheaper place for living and doing business (small and big) by reducing the cost of energy and transportation; a time to open up the hinterland and to link up the country through Guyana-21 type road networks; a time to create a truly opportunity society for all; a time to leave no Guyanese behind.

I therefore noted with encouragement the comments of Minister Joe Harmon a

few days ago on some development ideas the government has in mind. Unsurprisingly, none of the major newspapers picked up his statement. Criticising the oil contract, not discussing development plans, seems to be catchier.

That said, the government needs to step up its game on this front. It must not remain timid in articulating its grand plans, its vision. People only want to be reassured that the oil revenues will make a felt difference to their lives--and make that difference soon. That message and energy are not coming out from the coalition.

I, for one, have suggested that the government need not wait for 2020, but should start planning and financing de-

velopment projects now based on pre-production, resource-based borrowing to be repaid by future oil proceeds. If there exist, as the Minister of Finance keeps reminding us, bottlenecks in expending budgeted funds even now, it is a problem we cannot keep living with. We have to fix it. Otherwise, these bottlenecks will keep us on square one forever, even with billions of dollars pouring in from oil revenues.

Enough from the so-called “oil experts”. Time to discuss and act on transforming the country and improving the lives of the people.

Yours faithfully, SHERWOOD LOWE

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 4, 2018

Let’s read between the lines Lincoln Lewis and say what cannot be said Dear Editor, LINCOLN Lewis’s letter on Sunday 25 February, in the Stabroek News lamented the governments silence and stance on the matter of the EXXON contract and the public demand, including me.

I stepped back and as always rely on explanations from history, while taking a deeper look at all that is going on. I too am self- employed, and bread and butter gets in the way of applying those hours of going over the evidence to

evolve with what seems irrational from very rational people, in this case, the APNU+AFC administration, as you indicated that; “Government may very well have justifiable reasons [...]” you do understand that there are no freebees in real life, in the world we live in over the past 100 years to put a bracket, things don’t happen from altruism.

So let’s read between the lines Lincoln and say what the government can’t say. Two things are going on here, a border dispute and Exxon. It is

not by magic that so far a repeat of what happened with the first appearance of EXXON has not so far occurred, that Venezuela by force has not removed Exxon as they did before.

I’ve been going over oil and conflict from the time Hitler invaded Russia to Iraq, oil is not a commodity powerful nations play with. If the not-so-favourable contract enables us to be free of the dooku that Venezuela has placed on our backs, and has used time and time again to intimidate and to economically suffocate us is

lifted, then so be it with me. We will benefit, and you know as well as I do that we have other important resources that can be tapped into, once the money is available. If my research is accurate and I am certain it is, the evidence is glaring before us, should we step back and pay attention. We lost our manufacturing industry because of that border dispute and the oil crisis of the 70s coupled with our choice in the cold war politics. In the 80s I took rice and sugar to trade with Venezuelan

‘Exxon & Guyana’ critics must look a little further

MOST of the criticisms against the EXXON contract are based on understandable logic, but we must look a little further.

I criticised the oil contract on the basis of its benefits to our welfare, but now the critics have plunged themselves into an area that I can best use the metaphor of gender to clearly illustrate. The critics have descended to a female ‘slap can yard’ yard buse out that is driven by not all the truth considered, emotional gossip-driven surge, [remember reader that I am using a gender metaphor] the male yard critic applies the following ‘Yuh do po’ stupidness, if I was you I woulda do this or that, tell me why yuh do it suh?” The current critics lack the suggestions for a way forward, nor have they provided any indication on how it can be adjusted from their rational perspective within the confines of that Industry, we cannot pres-

ent an exclusive lobby of criticisms founded exclusively in the ‘Republic of Georgetown.’ Expanding the landscape require a short historical memory of our post-independence history. The prospects of oil is not new to Guyana, but it was deferred by a hazy claim by Venezuela that cannot even be used rationally on a board game. Yet it was enforced to keep any investment from happening, because they could physically do it, their nationhood is over a 100 years ahead of us, a population of some twenty-three million; by the terms of the CARICOM group a robust military, air force, and navy, they have the manpower and the wealth, we had the curse of the inherited ‘Six Sisters’ that we never had the resources to expand its by-products, when the not publicly discussed oil crisis of the 70s demolished especially Third World, non-oil producing

countries like Guyana.

We eventually became a market economy under Hoyte, but the cost of oil had already demolished our manufacturing sector, our business sector largely comprises services, and wealthy vendors with real estate. We became a HIPC [Highly Indebted Poor Country] under the PPP. When EXXON came onboard initially in the Jagdeo years, Venezuela intercepted that development with destroyers, as did Suriname with CGX, in what I considered a sinister collaboration to keep Guyanese impoverished.

Oil contracts are not easily prudent as the history demonstrates, nor is EXXON child’s play.

But at the recent conclusion of the massive Oil Conference, I saw Chris Ram on TV with a relaxed and optimistic expression concluded that “We will all benefit”. The ultimate benefit to me is a conclusion of the Venezuelan

border dispute, that has become entrenched political mythology in that country, enough that though both Chavez and Maduro described it as a colonial anomaly, neither had the courage to kill the myth, and myths are hard to kill when legally politicised. I know that this government will continue to engage EXXON. The evidence that oil is a turbulent modern economic phenomenon rests in the fact that it was only in May 2015 that African countries held a policy dialogue meeting at the UN Conference Centre in Addis Ababa on the challenges faced with petroleum and mining contract negotiations, our situation is unique, but we are not alone, regardless, we will be liberated economically by our oil resources.

Regards, BARRY BRAITHWAITE

traders, one told me in a shop at Morowhanna, the stop before Kumaka, that the border dispute was the government’s, and that they say “that Venezuela is beautiful without the Venezuelans”-- this was before Chavez, they are still fighting ethnic colonisation, but this claim to our Essequibo though ridiculously porous is intoxicating political my-

thology in that country.

Our responsibility may be to explain to our countrymen, that we have the best that our country has to offer in leadership and some hard choices stand before them and us, it’s not as simple as it seems.

Regards, BARRY BRAITHWAITE

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National Mining Syndicate elects first female president – Cheryl Williams promises to raise funds to assist miners, address deplorable roads

From left to right: Newly elected President of the National Mining Syndicate, Cheryl Williams; Vice-president Troy Duncan, Secretary Carol Nurse, Assistant Secretary Dana Jones, Treasurer Michael Bacchus and Assistant Treasurer Carol Fredericks

By Svetlana Marshall NEWLY elected President of the National Mining Syndicate, (NMS) Cheryl Williams, said the absence of roads necessary to access mining blocks in the mining districts is among issues the national body will be pushing government to address.

Williams, a miner for 28 years, was elected president of the National Mining Syndicate last Thursday when the national body held its second election at the Girl Guides Pavilion located on Brickdam, Georgetown.

Williams, who hails from the mining town of Bartica, replaces former NMS president Renwick Solomon, who served in that capacity for one year.

Her team comprises Troy Duncan as vice-president, Secretary Carol Nurse, As-

sistant Secretary Dana Jones, Treasurer Michael Bacchus and Assistant Treasurer Carol Fredericks.

Additionally, seven persons were elected to serve on the new executive committee.

President Renwick Solomon congratulated Williams and committed to supporting her as the new executive leads the mining syndicate, which was established last year.

Elated to become the first female president of the National Mining Syndicate, Williams said she understands that her role is not to be taken lightly, acknowledging that much work has to be done to address the issues facing members.

The National Mining Syndicate comprises 16 smaller syndicates from different parts of the country.

“Much has to be done

and I am up for the challenge,” said Williams, who thanked the past president and the committee members for their work in 2017.

“This new executive promise to continue working towards the ‘good life’,” she said, shortly after being elected president.

On Saturday, she told the Guyana Chronicle that her vision is for all mining syndicates to fulfil their full potential.

“My vision is to have the national syndicate function in its full capacity, and for the member syndicates to develop to their fullest,” she said.

However, Williams said for syndicates to achieve their goals, several critical issues ought to be addressed.

She explained that while some syndicates can access their mining blocks as approved by the Guyana Geol-

ogy and Mines Commission (GGMC), others are being faced with roads that are impassable and as such, access to their mining blocks have become difficult. According to her, in other cases there are no roads.

Added to that, the NMS president said while some syndicates such as Mineral Blast, have completed their prospecting and will soon commence mining for gold in their initial two blocks, others are experiencing difficulties because of the lack of finance and equipment.

Each syndicate is mandated to pay two per cent of their earnings to the National Syndicate, which in turn is used for the benefit of all, but with many of them still at the prospecting stage, Williams said fund-raising activities will he held to provide the necessary relief.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 4, 2018

Gov’t will decide when oil production commences WHILE there continues to be a barrage of criticism directed towards Government over the 2016 Petroleum Agreement with ExxonMobil and its joint venture partners, HESS and CNOOC Nexen, some of the writings are misguided and ill-informed at best, and misleading and mischievous at worst.

Some of the constant letters, columns and comments are clearly designed to paint the agreement in a negative light, notwithstanding the particular set of circumstances in which Guyana found itself at the time of the signing of the agreement and which remains extant.

Recent articles in the media have suggested that ExxonMobil and its joint venture partners, HESS and CNOOC Nexen will begin production at their own “whims” and that the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana has no say in the matter.

ExxonMobil and its joint venture partners have stated that they will commence production in March 2020.

However, a source close to the Ministry of Natural Resources pointed out that Form B, which is the application form for the grant of a Petroleum Licence, makes clear that it is the Government of Guyana that determines when production is approved to take place.

Form B can be found in the schedule of the Regulations made under the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act. Criterion 10 (e) of Form B states that the Application shall be accompanied by a fee of US$5,500 and the following documents (e) proposed programme of production and processing operations which shall include the date by which the applicant intends to commence production.

Some persons writing in the media have misguidedly stated that the negotiators of the ExxonMobil Petroleum

Agreement neglected to include a production timeline in the agreement and that the production date seems to be solely at Exxon’s discretion.

However, the production timeline is not at the discretion of ExxonMobil, but would have been included in FORM B of the Production Licence Application that the Contractor submitted for Government’s approval after a review and approval of the Development Plan for that area.

The Ministry source said that there seems to be a misguided belief that a Petroleum Agreement must have all of the conditions and timelines for all aspects of the petroleum production written into it for it to be considered perfect.

This is not so, according to the source, who said that while the Petroleum Agreement is for an entire block, the Production Licence will be for the individual fields or wells and each will be governed by a disparate set of criteria for which a different work programme must be submitted.

“The production date is not solely at ExxonMobil’s discretion, but is approved by the [Government] once the Production Licence application is accepted and approved. With each discovery ExxonMobil makes offshore Guyana, they are obligated by contract to submit a Field Development Plan for approval according to Article 8 of the agreement and according to section of the Act before a production licence will be issued in accordance with the laws of Guyana,” said the source.

The Ministry source concluded by saying that while some jurisdictions do include production timelines in the Petroleum Agreements, it is also best industry practice for this timeline to be included in other binding documents, such as the Production Licence, and the Field Development Plan that gives effect to the Petroleum Agreement.

Miner in danger of losing eye after assault DOCTORS at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation are battling to save the sight of a 30-yearold gold miner who was wounded in the left eye, apparently during a robbery attempt at a gold mining camp at Ekereku, Region Nine, around 03:00 hours on Friday.

The victim, Philbert

Clements of Waramadong, was employed as an equipment operator, working at the gold mines at Ekereku where the incident happened.

Clements recalled that on Thursday night some of the men in the mining camp were imbibing alcohol and went to bed after midnight.

He said that around 3:00

hours on Friday morning, he awoke and observed that a fellow miner was prowling in the camp and was about to run through his bag. He said after the man realized that he was awake, the man dealt him a severe blow to the face with a piece of wood.

As a result, Clements suffered injury to his left

eye, left jaw and forehead.

Meanwhile, it was only when he attempted to eat lunch on Saturday that he realized and tearfully indicated that he could not chew.

Clements, the fourth of seven siblings, went to school in Waramadong but never managed to get a job before. He said he had long looked forward to gaining

employment so as to be able to earn a steady income and help his parents and younger siblings.

Three months ago he left to work as an equipment operator with the mining camp. But nothing could have prepared him for the encounter he had three days ago.

Weeping, the young

man said he felt betrayed.

He never expected that from the miner who wounded him, since according to him (Clements) “He was an Amerindian like me and I thought he would look out for me.

Now I could lose my sight.

I never expected it; I never expected it.” The suspect has since gone into hiding.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 4, 2018

Petroleum agreement progressive

– Exxon says will allow Guyana to grow economy through foreign investment EXXON Mobil’s chief spokesperson Kimberly Brasington says that petroleum- sharing contracts as against royalties and taxes agreements are very common in “frontier markets” seeking to grow their economies through foreign investments.

The company’s senior director for public and government affairs articulated that in countries where oiland-gas exploration and development are new, “Petroleum Sharing Agreements are oftentimes more attractive.”

She said it encourages investment in “frontier countries” such as Guyana, where the industry is new and requires large investment.

There are different types of oil-and-gas contracts, Brasington highlighted.

“There are those where countries make their reve-

nues from taxes and royalties only, and those that earn their money from petroleum sharing.”

Guyana, she pointed out, has a petroleum-sharing agreement – also known as a PSA. This means the government on behalf of Guyana receives revenue mainly from the sale of the oil, and not taxes or royalties.

Brasington described Guyana as being unique, since this particular PSA includes not only the sharing of petroleum, but the payment of withholding tax on services and products, employees, and other local taxes and a two per cent royalty.

Contrary to what is being highlighted publicly, the spokeswoman said that ExxonMobil does face tax obligations while operating here. She noted, however, that Guyana’s returns from the company’s operation, is

ExxonMobil’s chief spokesperson Kimberly Brasington

not derived from taxes and royalties specifically.

As it relates to the petroleum agreement, Brasington said the oil contract explains the tax arrangements and exceptions in Articles 15 and 21.

Article 15 of the oil contract which speaks to Taxation and Royalty indicates

that apart from certain taxes that the company is subjected to pay, others such as value-added tax, excise, duty tax among others cannot be charged.

Article 21 speaks to import duties in which duty and other taxes were waived to allow the importation of work equipment and easy movement of materials in the execution of the company’s duties.

Brasington reminded that Guyana will receive 50 per cent of the profit oil, and the two per cent royalty which she said was an additional amount agreed upon in negotiation with ExxonMobil by the government.

She also reminded that the tax exemptions Guyana is affording the company are very common in frontier countries such as Guyan, where petroleum-sharing agreements versus Tax/ royalty contracts are signed.

ExxonMobil said that production-sharing contracts, such as the one Guyana has signed to, allow the parties signed to the PSC to own their share of the oil.

PSCs divide gross production into what is referred to as cost oil and profit oil.

By the time production commences, the company said it would have spent an estimated US$4.4billion on its Liza Phase 1 alone.

Development and operating costs are recoverable, the company said. Exxon’s recovery is limited to 75 percent of the monthly oil production and this, they said, ensures that Guyana receives its share of the profit oil from day one. The company will thus recover its cost of exploration and development without profit.

Exxon said that “PSCs may have no royalty obligations, as the country’s primary compensation from

the resource is profit oil.”

They said that the initial bonus payments to a country is based upon their “risk profile” and “existing proven resource.”

Given Venezuela’s constant threats to Guyana’s territorial integrity and its past moves to prevent Guyana’s development of its oil industry, it had been said publicly that it would take a large international company with strong ties to develop the country’s oil resource.

ExxonMobil noted however, that it already had a signed contract with the government of Guyana and it felt it could have continued. They said because of that it was not seen as pertinent in the negotiations to offer Guyana a larger bonus.

ExxonMobil’s initial contract with Guyana was signed under the then People’s Progressive Party administration.

Mabaruma police assaulted by ‘Baccoo’ … supernatural force scares health officials AS night falls over Mabaruma in recent weeks, persons are cautious about walking at late hours as many believe that a supernatural force is roaming a section of the town.

Two weeks ago, reports are that a senior police officer and some ranks attached to the police station at Mabaruma were given a rude awakening following an encounter with what many persons in the community believe is a “baccoo”.

In Guyanese parlance, the force is referred to as “spirit of small stature” that pelts stones at houses and moves objects within a house or enclosed structure.

The creature is said to survive on banana and milk and while stories are aplenty on the spirit’s existence, many do not believe in its existence, except police ranks and a doctor at Mabaruma.

The lawmen were at the time investigating an incident involving a young lady who, according to a neighbour, was behaving “strangely” since late last year. The neighbour reported that the girl, who lives at the Mabaruma Settlement with another neighbour, was making allegations that someone was assaulting her in her

sleep and that when relatives checked on her, she seemed disillusioned.

Reports are that neighbours visited the home and began questioning the child who recounted that her grandmother visited Suriname some time ago and brought “a liquid” for her to rub on her body while taking a bath and to also consume some of it. While questioning the child early last month, the neighbour recounted that a hail of bricks would suddenly rain on the home, leaving residents traumatized.

Following an outcry mid –February by residents, welfare officers were asked to visit the home of the family to check on the child. It was then that chatter grew about the existence of the “baccoo”.

The neighbour said the child recounted that her grandmother stored several bottles on a shelf of a door of the family’s home and the child reportedly found the bottle.

BROKEN BOTTLE She said the child recounted that as she attempted to open the bottle, it fell and broke and its contents, which included the liquid,

fell on the floor beneath.

This occurred late in 2017, after the child’s grandmother returned to Suriname a few months before. Since then the child seemed possessed and ill.

Reports from Mabaruma state that two weeks ago, after the welfare officials were unsuccessful in taking the child to the hospital, the police were called in to investigate the child’s behaviour.

The ranks managed to take the child, in the company of her guardians, to the police station and it was while a statement was being written by one of the ranks, that their spiritual beliefs were awakened. A doctor was also caught off-guard and almost sought medical attention.

A police rank recounted to residents that on the day of the incident, the doctor who is stationed at the Mabaruma hospital, was in the company of a Regional Health Officer (RHO), a detective and other officers at the police station where the girl’s relatives were providing a statement.

“The thing start pelt up the station and every man jack run for cover,” a health worker at Mabaruma told the Guyana Chronicle. “Even

An aerial view of the Mabaruma Settlement where the child lived with her grandmother

the doctor had a glass and it pelt a brick and knock it out he hand,” the health official said.

The incident left many persons afraid and the police ranks, who earlier did not believe the relatives of the child, were left thinking aloud as the bricks rained on the station.

At the same time, stories are rife in the town as many associate recent personal encounters to the existence of the “baccoo”.

A taxi driver told the

Guyana Chronicle that on the night of Mashramani celebrations last Friday, he received a call from a customer for a pick-up at the Mabaruma settlement. He said while climbing a hill, the back door of his car opened suddenly and closed after a few seconds.”Like if somebody come in, and I put on the lights in the car and drive through wid fright,” he said.

Another resident, who lives close to the Mabaruma Settlement ground, report-

edly lost several hundred chickens last weekend. The resident operates a poultry farm there and was startled that even though the pens are fenced and the area has electricity, no one saw what transpired. “All they found was feathers,” a resident noted.

Persons in Mabaruma noted that the child’s grandparent is being pressured by neighbours to return from Suriname to undertake a spiritual revival.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 4, 2018

Sophia Juvenile Centre gets 30 mattresses

ENHANCING Potential to Inspire Change (EPIC) Guyana has donated some 30 mattresses to the Sophia Juvenile Detention Centre, as it seeks to bring comfort to the lives of detained children.

EPIC Guyana received a monetary award from ‘One

Hundred People Who Care’ and completed the initiative with assistance from ‘Value4u’, distributor of various brands.

EPIC Guyana is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) primarily working to help children who have had negative law-en-

forcement contact and are currently detained.

Executive Director of EPIC Guyana, Brian Backer, told the Chronicle that the outreach was part of the organisation’s continuous effort to bring comfort into the lives of confined children.

“At present, there are 26

The gift items were handed over to social worker Naqeeba Zafarali by Programme Coordinator of EPIC Guyana Surujdai Mukhram and a representative of Value4u Inc Prudence Julien

children housed at the facility, ranging from 10 years to 16 years. We at EPIC strive towards empowering these children through the introduction of fundamental workshops on anger management, conflict resolution, anti-bullying, anti-suicide etc, as well as the provision of footwear, clothing, recreational gear, educational materials, haircuts and other necessities to meet their essential needs,” Backer explained.

He thanked John Fernandes Limited for the work the company does in the background and for always ‘answering the call’ to be of assistance by providing summer jobs and food hampers, among others.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer Philip Fernandes, said the founder (John Fernandes Snr) had always been a man who loved to give back.

It is now a “company culture” to give back and support organisations like EPIC which are doing a good job, he said.

Administrator of the Juvenile Holding Centre Yvette Sancho and Executive Director of EPIC Guyana, Brian Backer

Raghubir elected vice-president of regional press body –– Chabrol to serve as floor member

By Ravin Singh in Jamaica PRESIDENT of the Guyana Press Association (GPA) Nazima Raghubir has been elected first vice-president of the Association of Caribbean Media workers (ACM), the regional press body.

At the elections which were held on Saturday in Barbados, Raghubir replaced fellow Guyanese Denis Chabrol, who will also serve on the new executive as a floor member.

The new executive will have at its helm, Antigua and Barbuda’s Anika Kentish for the 20182020 term.

Other persons who were elected include: Second vice-president,Kern Mason (Grenada); General-Secretary, Jewel Forde (Barbados); Assistant General- Secretary , JeanPhares Jerome (Haiti); and floor member,Wes-

GPA executive member Denis Chabrol ley Gibbings (Trinidad & Tobago), who is the immediate past president.

With training of local journalists being at the forefront of her agenda for the GPA, Raghubir said her new position with the ACM will allow the local press body to benefit from expert and specialised training.

“Being elected to serve [ACM] once again gives me and the GPA a chance

to coordinate with our regional and international counterparts. GPA for instance has an intense training schedule planned for this year and being part of [the] ACM ensures that we continue to benefit from expert and specialised training,” she shared.

Raghubir, who previously served as a floor member, said she wants to work along with her colleagues to maintain the ACM’s status quo as a “strong, vibrant, and independent” association that not only represents media workers across the Region, but also advocates for their rights and well-being.

The ACM is a contributor to many press freedom indexes and assists international watchdog agencies in analysing the media landscape and culture in the Region.

She added that currently, media and media associations around the

GPA President Nazima Raghubir

world remain vulnerable for many reasons, and the diversity in the new executive provides an opportunity for the regional media fraternity to remain resilient.

She referenced the fact that just recently, the newly appointed President, Anika Kentish of Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana’s Denis Chabrol, Barbados’s Julian Rogers and Wesley Gibbings of

Trinidad and Tobago, coordinated hurricane relief for media workers in the Region.

“So this is just one of the many ways, as a media association, we have been able to work,” she said.

Raghubir, whose media career started in 2002 shortly after she left high school, is the first female president of the GPA. She was elected in early January.

Robber of policeman caught in front ‘big clock’ POLICE apprehended an unemployed resident of Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, who robbed an off-duty police constable on Phagwah Day. Police Press Officer, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan said the suspect is being processed for court on a charge of robbery.

He said investigations revealed that the 23-year-old peace officer was walking along Hinck Street, Georgetown, about 09:15hrs on Friday when the suspect, armed with a pair of shears, pounced on him.

The cop was relieved of a cellphone

and G$240.

Ramlakhan said the quick-thinking policeman did not try to engage the robber but instead, made a thorough observation of him and promptly informed his supervisors.

A short while later, a team including a cadet officer, went to the Stabroek Market area and arrested the suspect under the big ‘Clock’.

He was found in possession of the policeman’s property as well as the instrument used in the commission of the crime.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 4, 2018

Joy, laughter and togetherness –– as Berbicians celebrate Phagwah

THE parking lot of Classic International Hotel, Number 79 Village, Corriverton, Berbice, on Friday was transformed into a kaleidoscope of colours, joy, laughter and togetherness when the fourth annual Phagwah Mela was held.

The action commenced at 14:00 hrs as persons graced the occasion adorned in their white garment but left a little after 21:00 hrs transformed in a canvas of hues and unrecognisable faces.

As the afternoon wind down, the parking lot overflowed with revellers. They were thoroughly entertained by local chutney stars, Terry

Gajraj, the Hitman, Sally Sagram, Nishard B, Bunty Singh, the Shelita Dance Troupe and tassa drummers, among others.

The event was organised

by Danesh Roopnarine and Family of the Price is Right Supermarket as a means of giving back to their customers and the community.

Shivanie Roopnarine of Price is Right Supermarket said the concert was also geared at promoting and keeping the Indian tradition alive.

“It’s a way of keeping the culture alive. These days we notice many of the youths are straying from the tradi-

These children enjoying the Phagwah celebration on Friday

Businessman, client robbed at Garden of Eden

A BUSINESSMAN and his client were robbed in front of his machine shop at Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Saturday, after bandits trailed the 44-year-old client who earlier withdrew cash from an ATM on the East Bank of Demerara.

Reports indicate that after the woman of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway made the withdrawal, she drove her car to the Garden of Eden workshop and minutes after she was confronted by two armed bandits who arrived in a silver- grey Fielder wagon, # HC 8265.

The two suspects exited the car, held the victims at gunpoint and robbed them of their respective property.

The bandits then returned to the car and escaped.

The businessman and woman were robbed of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and valuables.

Police visited the scene and statements were taken as an investigation has been launched.

tion. As Hindus, we want to preserve our culture and I think once the younger generation see we are trying, they will want to emulate,” she said.

A variety of Indian dishes such as seven curry, sweet rice, desserts and an abundance of abeer and powder were given to patrons free of charge.

Neurosurgeon, Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi who also played a critical role in making the event a success, said he is happy that Holi can bring society together and strengthen the secular fabric of the country as persons of all religions would come out to celebrate the Festival of Spring.

A proud resident of Skeldon, he said he was happy to see unity among every section of society.

Mayor of Corriverton, Hemchand Jaichan praised the organisers for the in-

Chutney star Terry Gajraj surrounded by excited children who joined him on stage on Friday vestment in the event, noting that it is one he always look forward to.

Speaking with Guyana Chronicle, an overseas based Guyanese who came for the Festival of Colours, said

he made the effort to come and celebrate Phagwah in Guyana and especially in Berbice.

“This is the best place to be, there is unity here and so much fun,” he said.

Earlier in the day, throughout East Berbice communities, families lined the streets as they throw fistful of powder and drenched each other with water.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 4, 2018

Standing firm against aggression, protecting our frontline THE Government of Guyana is mandated by Article 197 (A) (1) of the constitution to “defend national independence, preserve the country’s sovereignty and integrity and guarantee the normal functioning of institutions and the security of citizens against any armed aggression.” At no time, in the history of independent Guyana, is the execution of that mandate more important than it is today.

You see, today it’s a question of sovereignty and territorial integrity; it’s about guarding against external forces from hijacking the birthright of every single Guyanese.

PROTECTING OUR FRONTLINE It is for this reason that there must be a stronger sense of national consciousness among citizens; biases -- political and otherwise -- must be tossed aside, and a formidable united front must be established in the interest of the country.

President David Granger told residents of Baramita, in Barima-Waini (Region One), “I would like you to treasure your citizenship. You must be proud of being Guyanese, proud of your flag, proud of your national pledge, proud of your national anthem, proud of your citizenship.”

Guyana has a border with Venezuela that is over 800 kilometres long. This boundary was defined and settled in the 1899 Arbitral Award. However, from the time of our independence, generations of Guyanese have had to deal with a controversy over that border and even with the best efforts at diplomacy, including trade deals, which offered temporary respite, the issue continued to rear its head; hampering economic development.

Following the announcement of the United Nations referral of the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ)

President David Granger and Brazil’s Minister of Defence, Mr Raul Jungmann Pinto at State House in February

to bring this matter to a permanent conclusion, the government has recognised the importance of strengthening security mechanisms and ensuring the safety of all Guyanese, espe-

cially those in the regions that are home to what President David Granger has termed “frontline” communities.

As a result of the unstable situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, as well as the ongoing border controversy, Commander-in-Chief, President Granger, who chairs the Defence Board, has taken the lead in conducting outreaches to the frontline communities, to interact with residents and assure them of the government’s commitment to their safety. He also instructed the GDF to brief the Parliamentary Committee on security as well as civil society up to speed on the steps that are being taken to secure the country.

In Whitewater, Region One, a new patrol base has been set up by the GDF, after the Regional Intelligence Committee reported in a letter to the Head of State some security concerns. These reports Some of the equipment that China donated were acted upon swiftly by the to the Guyana Defence Force government and the base was

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 4, 2018

President David Granger during his recent visit to Kaikan village, a frontline community that is about a stone’s throw away from the border with Venezuela

set up in less than 72 hours.

Further, Cabinet has since adopted a concept note on a Frontline Village Policy, which is aimed at greater inclusion of all communities on the national borders. “Venezuela has been claiming more than half of our country; the Barima-Waini, the Cuyuni-Mazaruni and the Rupununi regions, but I want you to know that we are not surrendering one centimetre of our territory; not a blade of grass. We are here to work with your village, with your region, with your Toshao, with your residents, whether they are Caribs or Warraus or Arawaks or Arecunas, to make sure Guyana is safe. Just as we inherited Guyana from our foreparents, we want to pass it on to our children,” the Head of State told residents of Baramita, Region One. Speaking to the community of Kaikan, another frontline village in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region, the President said that frontier communities are guardians of Guyana’s territorial integrity and national security.

“We are not making war with anyone, but I want you to be prepared… My brothers and sisters, we have to protect ourselves… People bring illegal guns into the country and they commit crimes with those illegal guns, unregistered guns. These crimes make us feel very unsafe…We can’t only rely on the police; we have to look after our own families, our own communities,” the President said.

Currently, there is strong military presence in villages such as Kaikan and Whitewater, providing security to those and other surrounding villages on a 24-hour basis. This move has allowed Guyanese to rest easier, particularly those residents who have been terrorised by the notorious Venezuelan criminal gang called ‘Syndicatos’.

For all of these communities, the President has put forward a 10-point village improvement plan that aims at ensuring access to public services in the areas of citizenship, registration and immigration, education, human safety, information communication technology, national defence, public health, public infrastructure, social cohesion and social protection. In fact, the process has already started in Baramita, with the newly constructed building complex, which includes nursery and primary school buildings, teachers’ quarters, medical centre and nurses’ quarters. These facilities will now serve as a hub for residents to access basic social services, to which they are entitled.

The government recognises that the military’s role in protecting a stable environment can create stable and secure conditions in which economic growth can flourish. With the Frontline Village Policy, along with continued diplomacy and that imminent final ruling from the World Court, it is hoped that century-old impediment, will finally be a thing of the past.

In foreign policy, defence cooperation is defined as an ideal tool to advance the national foreign policy objectives by building bridges of friendship, preventing conflicts, building

The Children of Whitewater Village in the Barima-Waini region want you to know they are proud Guyanese

mutual trust and capacities on a global basis. The process signals the political commitment to develop cooperative relations and dispel mistrust and misperception on issues of common military interest. This definition is exemplified by the defence cooperation that is shared between Guyana and some of its bilateral partners such as China, the United States of America and Brazil. Brazil and Guyana share a 50-year-old relationship that is characterised by mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty and the strong military-to-military cooperation between the two countries is a demonstration of this.

In February, during the visit of Brazil’s Defence Minister, the two countries agreed to review a Joint Communiqué that was first introduced in September 2012. This is intended to deepen cooperation and will significantly add to an already impressive cooperation programme, which has seen hinterland residents benefitting from wells drilled by the Brazilian military and training and capacity building for GDF officers.

Importantly, Brazil has been and remains a strong ally and supporter of Guyana in the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela. Time and time again, Brazil has indicated that it has no interest in changing settled and established boundaries on the continent. Guyana continues to enjoy friendly relations with Brazil and in a tangible demonstration of this commitment, the two countries, in November last year, undertook a project to remark the borders they share.

This exercise solidified the friendship between the two countries and a demonstration of mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty.

In fact, Brazil’s diplomatic envoy to Guyana, Ambassador Lineu Pupo De Paula of Brazil, said, “I firmly believe that in the 21st century there is no place for old territorial disputes. Guyana has the right and I agree that the government has a duty to seek the development of the country. The

common goal should be the welfare of all peoples of the Region. South America is a place of peace and will continue to be, because Brazil will not accept any turmoil in its borders.”

Similar cooperation exists between Guyana and the People’s Republic of China. In fact, there is an existing cooperation agreement between the GDF and the Chinese military, the People’s Liberation Army.

In April last year, the GDF received from the PLA, a donation of 31 pieces of equipment, including patrol boats, bulldozers, one excavator, water tankers, fuel tankers, tipper trucks, off-road ambulances and several other vehicles. This donation will also ensure that the GDF’s mandate to support the infrastructural development of the country is boosted; enabling the Force, to not only contribute to national development, but also to execute its mandate of protecting the territory and preventing transnational crimes.

Through the United States Southern Command, SOUTHCOM, assigned officers function as military consultants to the Guyana Defence Force at the Chief-of-Staff and Force Staff levels. Last year, Guyana became the first Caribbean country to host the Caribbean Nations Security Conference, which is sponsored by SOUTHCOM and is aimed at examining threats to Caribbean stability and improving regional security cooperation.

Around the world, there are many independent countries, where people are not yet free to pursue their economic, social and cultural development. They are not free simply because their sovereignty is threatened and their patrimony is under siege, simply as a result of unjust claims to their territories. Thankfully, there is an end in sight to the border controversy with Venezuela and the conflict and Guyana’s right to develop its resources in an exclusive economic zone will be secured for generations to come for the good of all its citizens.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 4, 2018

SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 4, 2018

Massy sensitises management, directors about AML/CFT MASSY Guyana Limited has brought its directors and senior management up to speed about Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism through a training seminar held recently.

The training was held at a critical time, when the country is placing major emphasis on data collection ahead of the 4th Round of Mutual Evaluations in 2022.

In delivering the keynote address at the seminar, Dr Toussaint Boyce highlighted the challenges

levels.

He also provided much-needed insight into the domino effects of de-risking by large international banks and the concomitant realities faced by the financial sectors of the Caribbean.

Dr Boyce is a stellar Guyanese academic and heads the Office of Integrity, Compliance and Accountability (ICA) at the Caribbean Development Bank, in Barbados.

Chairman of the Guyana Group, Deo Persaud, in underscoring the need for good corporate gover-

From left: Director of FIU Matthew Langevine, Chairman of Massy Guyana Deo Persaud, Group Corporate Legal Adviser, Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary Yolander Persaud and Dr Toussaint Boyce

Massy Guyana Limited directors and senior management attending the AML/ CFT training seminar facing the Region as a result of the incidence of money laundering and the effects of the de-risking of correspondent banking relationships at the national, regional and international

nance, recommitted Massy Guyana Limited to being a good corporate entity.

Persaud, in his remarks, said Massy as a group is dedicated to complying with the provisions of the

AML/CFT Act of 2009, and as a result, has established a fully functional compliance department in keeping with the company’s statutory obligations.

Also addressing the participants was director

of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Matthew Langevine. He discussed the role of directors in AML governance, while stressing the importance of the appointment of qualified compliance officers, the creation and implementation of AML/CFT policies and procedures, the training of staff in compliance and the reporting of suspicious activity to the FIU. He commended Massy for facilitating the training and for its dedication to ensuring compliance with the AML/CFT legislation.

Langevine also lauded Massy for being the first company in Guyana to host an event of its kind.

Attorney-at-Law Yolander Persaud, who heads the Massy Guyana Compliance Department, in

brief remarks, highlighted the legal requirements and responsibilities of reporting entities, and paid particular attention to the penalties for failing to do so as laid out in the 2017 Amendment of the legislation. She also noted that companies which are deemed as reporting entities under the Anti-Money Laundering /Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT Act) have a statutory duty to facilitate such training for their directors and senior management team. Ms Persaud is also legal adviser and corporate secretary for the group. The event was attended by the directors and senior management employees of all of the Massy companies.

This training forms part of Massy’s activities to mark the Group’s 50th anniversary.

Knife-wielding bandit robs minibus driver A MINIBUS driver was robbed of his cash and gold jewellery on Phagwah Day when he stopped at a tyre shop on High Street, Georgetown, on Friday.

The robber, who was

armed with a knife, attacked the 59-year-old minibus driver of Providence, East Bank Demerara, after he stopped to fix one of his front wheels at the tyre shop.

After the driver parked the

minibus, the robber, who was crossing the road at the time, walked up to the driver’s side of the bus, pulled out the keys from the ignition and drew a knife from his waist and placed it to the driver’s neck.

The robber then demanded all the driver’s valuables and fearing for his life, the driver handed over all his cash and jewellery.

After receiving the items, the robber fled on

Taxi driver robbed A 45-year-old taxi driver, who was heading to purchase mining supplies for a businessman, was robbed of some

$400,000 on Hadfield Street, Georgetown, by an armed bandit on Saturday.

Reports indicate that

the taxi driver parked his vehicle in the vicinity of High Street, Georgetown, and exited his car when the robber, armed with

a handgun, walked up to him and placed the gun to his neck, demanding his valuables.

The bandit then pro-

foot.

The driver later visited the Brickdam Police Station where a statement was taken as an investigation into the incident continues. ceeded to search the taxi driver’s pockets where the cash was found. On taking the money, the robber jumped onto a black Honda XR motorcycle that was parked nearby and escaped.

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Motorcycle bandit strikes in Albouystown

A 39-year-old taxi driver attached to Green Ice Taxi Service was robbed by an armed motorcycle bandit of over $40,000 while driving through James Street Albouystown, Georgetown, on Phagwah Day. Reports indicate that the taxi driver stopped for a woman while driving through Albouystown and while on James Street, the armed bandit riding a black and red Honda XR motorcycle stopped in front the taxi, causing the driver to stop.

The robber then dismounted his motorcycle, pulled out a black handgun from his right side pants waist and pointed it to the taxi driver, demanding that he hand over his money.

The bandit then proceeded to push his hand into the gloves compartment of the taxi driver’s car, removing the aforementioned cash before hopping back onto his motorcycle, and escaping .

Teen shot during Phagwah celebrations

A 19-year-old was shot in the leg while playing Phagwah with his friends in Albouystown around 18:00hrs on Friday.

Reports indicate that the teen and his friends visited the Albouystown area to play Phagwah when someone in the crowd discharged a loaded firearm, hitting him in the left upper leg.

He was picked up by the police and escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted for surgery.

Medical personnel at the hospital said the bullet did not exit his body. Police are investigating the incident.

Body fished out of Kurupung Creek THE lifeless body of an unidentified young man of Amerindian descent was recently discovered in Kurupung Creek by a group of travellers.

The discovery was reported to the police at Kurupung who visited the scene and fished out the body.

Police said initial inspection revealed that the body was in the creek for about three to four days, based on the state of decomposition.

The police have launched an investigation into the discovery.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 4, 2018

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 4, 2018

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Jamaica top the...

CFU Rankings (According to CONCACAF Rankings at March 1, 2018) 1. Jamaica 2. Haiti 3. Trinidad & Tobago 4. Cuba 5. French Guiana 6. Guadeloupe 7. St Kitts & Nevis 8 Curacao 9. Suriname 10. Antigua & Barbuda 11. Dominican Republic 12. Bermuda 13. Guyana 14. Belize 15. Bonaire 16. Grenada 17. St. Vincent & the Grenadines 18. St. Lucia 19. Barbados 20. Puerto Rico 21. Bahamas 22. Dominica 23. Aruba 24. Cayman Islands 25. Turks & Caicos Islands 26. Montserrat 27. United States Virgin Islands 28. St Martin 29. St Maarten 30. Anguilla 31. British Virgin Islands

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 4, 2018

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First Test in Durban

Aussies shuffle into dominant position on day three DURBAN, South Africa (Reuters) - Australia were reduced to 213 for nine in their second innings after a fiery spell of fast bowling

by South Africa’s Morne Morkel but the tourists led by 402 runs after bad light ended play early on day three of the first Test yesterday.

Morkel (3-42), who has announced he will retire from all international cricket after the four-match series, produced some excellent deliveries on a slow wicket at Kingsmead as he took his tally of Test wickets to 297.

But Australia remain in control of the game with what could already be a match-winning lead and if they choose to resume batting on the fourth morning they will see bowlers Pat Cummins (17) and Josh Hazlewood (4) look to build a further advantage.

The highest previous successful fourth-innings chase in Tests in Durban was 340 for five by South Africa against Australia in 2002.

“It was a massive effort from the bowling unit to show the character we did

today,” Morkel told SuperSport. “It’s going to be tough (with the bat), but with the way we batted in the first innings ... there will be a lot of guys looking to stand up.

“It’s important that we show some fight for the rest of the series.”

The tourists began their second innings at the start of the third day as openers Cameron Bancroft (53) and David Warner (28) put on 56 for the first wicket before the latter miscued a pull off Kagiso Rabada (2-28) to substitute fielder Wiaan Mulder at mid-on.

Usman Khawaja (6) never looked settled and was caught by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock having gloved a ball from left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj (393), before innings top-scorer Bancroft fell five balls before lunch, walking past a delivery from Keshav Maharaj to be stumped.

The prized wicket of Australia captain Steve Smith (38) was claimed by the part-time left-arm spinner Dean Elgar, before Rabada had first-innings top-scorer Mitchell Marsh caught by Hashim Amla at first slip.

SCOREBOARD

Cameron Bancroft eases the pressure fot the Aussies with a sparkling half-century.

It was Amla’s 100th Test catch and he joins Jacques Kallis (200) and Graeme Smith (169) as only the third South African to reach that mark.

A fired-up Morkel then returned to the attack to remove Shaun Marsh (33), Mitchell Starc (7) and Na-

AUSTRALIA 1st innings, 351 SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings 162 AUSTRALIA 2nd innings C. Bancroft stp. Quinton de Kock b Keshav Maharaj 53 D.Warner c (sub) b Kagiso Rabada 28 U. Khawaja c Quinton de Kock b Keshav Maharaj 6 S. Smith lbw Dean Elgar 38 S. Marsh c AB de Villiers b Morne Morkel 33 M. Marsh c Hashim Amla b Kagiso Rabada 6 T.Paine c AB de Villiers b Keshav Maharaj 14 P. Cummins not out 17 M.l Starc c Dean Elgar b Morne Morkel 7 N. Lyon c Hashim Amla b Morne Morkel 2 J..Hazlewood not out 4 Extras: (lb-5) 5 Total: (71.4 overs) 213-9 Fall of wickets : 1-56, 2-71, 3-108, 4-146 , 5-156, 6-175, 7-185, 8-203, 9-209.

Bowling: M. Morkel 13.4-4-42-3, V. Philander 14-4-35-0, K. Maharaj 28-4-93-3, K. Rabada 13- 5-28-2, D. Elgar 3-1-10-1.

than Lyon (2).

“We saw today it is getting harder to bat. That new ball is deteriorating quicker and quicker,” Bancroft said. “If we can squeeze a few more out and if we are disciplined tomorrow, we can create chances (with the ball).”

Woakes holds his nerve to guide England to series lead over Kiwis … Kane Williamson hits unbeaten 112 WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Reuters) - Ben Stokes’ brilliant diving catch proved the catalyst for a spectacular middle-order collapse, while Chris Woakes bowled a superb final over as England beat New Zealand by four runs in their third one-day international yesterday.

The hosts had looked comfortably placed to chase down England’s 234 when Stokes turned the game as spinners Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid took five wickets for 23 runs between them in the space of 41 balls.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who scored his 11th one-day century, however, combined with Mitchell Santner to halt the slide and then gave the hosts hopes of achieving a remarkable win with a 96run partnership.

Santner was then unluckily run-out for 41 when Woakes got his hand to a straight drive from Williamson and deflected the ball

back onto the stumps, leaving the all-rounder stranded

England with a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

England players celebrate win against New Zealand in third ODI at Wellington. (The Indian Express)

and New Zealand 199 for seven with 4.4 overs remaining.

Tom Curran and Woakes then bowled brilliantly at the death, with the latter restricting Williamson from scoring the 15 runs needed to win in the last over.

Williamson, who needed a six off the final ball to win the game, or a four to secure a tie, failed to make contact and finished 112 not out with his side on 230-8 to leave

“Brilliant game of cricket,” England captain Eoin Morgan said. “Our spin twins did a fantastic job.

“The pressure shifted a little bit with the Williamson-Santner partnership and it was a tight game that could have gone either way.”

All of England’s batsmen had got starts but only Morgan looked comfortable on the drop-in pitch that appeared to be two-paced and providing

inconsistent bounce as he top-scored with 48 and shared a 71-run partnership with Stokes.

England’s lower order, however, accelerated with Jos Buttler smashing 29 from 23 balls before he became leg-spinner Ish Sodhi’s third wicket in the 43rd over and the bowlers then added another 50 runs in the final seven overs.

New Zealand had been comfortable at 80-1 in the 18th over with Colin Munro on 49 and Williamson on 28 before Stokes produced his catch at cover to dismiss the opener off Rashid.

Moeen, who took wickets on successive deliveries, and Rashid then took three wickets for one run between them to leave New Zealand floundering at 98-5.

“We were in a position of strength at one stage but lost a lot of wickets that hurt us and we had to take the game even deeper,” Williamson said.

“Our plans kept changing as we lost wickets.

“They deserved to win, just a shame we got so close.”

T&T to host CPL finals for the next 3 years THE Hero Caribbean Premier League finals will be hosted by Trinidad & Tobago for the next three years.

Hero CPL has signed a staging agreement with the government of Trinidad and Tobago that will see the final two matches of the tournament take place in the country between 2018 and 2020.

The semi-final and final represent the culmination of the Biggest Party in Sport and these games will make a massive impact on the Trinidad & Tobago economy.

Trinidad & Tobago will now host four consecutive finals after the hugely successful matches played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BCLA) which saw a sellout crowd for the last year’s final as home team, Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), emerged victorious.

Last year the Hero CPL generated revenue for Trinidad & Tobago of US$23M and Damien O’Donohoe, CEO of Hero CPL, said he is delighted to continue making an impact on the country’s economy.

“Hero CPL continues to grow year by year and we are delighted with the sup-

port that we have had from the government of Trinidad & Tobago.

It is clear that hosting Hero CPL games is a huge positive for the countries involved and this multi-year deal means we can plan our finals to be even bigger and better than before.

On behalf of Hero CPL I would like to express my thanks to Prime Minister Keith Rowley, Minister of Sport Darryl Smith and also Brian Lara for pulling this deal together.”

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs for Trinidad & Tobago, Hon. Darryl Smith stated: “The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is pleased to continue on our Sports Tourism drive with the hosting the CPL semi-final and final for the next 3 years at the brand new Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Last year was the best finals ever and to top it all off TKR Riders won at home at the BLCA. We hope that TKR can do it again in Trinidad and Tobago. We have built a great relationship with CPL and cricket fans across the world can expect a great product of high level excitement and entertainment as they did in 2017.”

Chase Academy, Bishops’ and Sir Leon Lessons register big wins in Milo football

By Stephan Sookram CHASE ACADEMY, Bishops’ High School and Sir Leon Lessons were big winners as the Milo/ Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) Schools’ Under-18 football tournament continued yesterday at the Ministry of Education (MoE) ground.

All the teams registered big wins with Bishops’ High enjoying the widest victory margin after handing School of the Nations a hefty 9-0 thrashing.

For Bishops’ High, Jeremiah Joseph led the charge with a hat-trick after netting in the 36th, 57th and 66th minutes and he was supported well by Lamar Williams who scored a brace.

Brandon Walters, Darren Chan, Owen Jones and Romeo Bradford all scored once in the fantastic win.

In the opening fixture,

Chase Academic Foundation ended the unbeaten streak of Annandale with a 4-0 drubbing.

Jeremy Garrett, Rashawn Rich, Randel Peters and Nicholas McArthur were the scorers for the three-time defending champions.

In the feature game Sir Leon Lessons flailed St Rose’s High 5-0. Five different players got on the scoresheet for the winners - Zian Grey (19th), Julian Bamfield (49th), Luckort Forde (45th), Teon Forde (59th) and Ryan Ramsey in the 59th minute.

Today, Uitvlugt Secondary will match skills with Cummings Lodge in the first game that kicks off at 12:00hrs, then Linden-based Christianburg/ Wismar Secondary will oppose Ann’s Grove Secondary with the feature match being contested between Morgan’s Learning Centre and Pure Masters Academy.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 4, 2018

It’s always a good feeling to be part of CPL, says Gajanand Singh

By Rajiv Bisnauth MIDDLE-ORDER batsman Gajanand Singh is relishing the prospect of being a part of the sixth edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and is excited about lining up with and against some of the biggest stars in world cricket.

Singh, the left-handed batsman, is one of eight Guyanese selected in the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad. He was bought for US$5 000 at the draft, which was held last Thursday in London.

It comes as no surprise that Singh was snapped up by the local franchise for a second time, since the former West Indies Under-19 player has performed quite reasonably during his first outing last season.

The 30-year-old spoke about his delight at partic-

ipating in the CPL “It’s always a good feeling knowing you are part of the biggest tournament in the Caribbean.

It always nice to play alongside some of the big names world T20 cricket,” Singh disclosed yesterday during an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport.

Singh, who was earmarked as one for the future, after playing at the ICC Under-19 Youth World Cup in 2006 and debuting at the first class level two years later, playing 10 First-Class and two List A games between 2008 and 2011.

He, however, faded from the scene until last year where he racked up 328 runs in five innings in the UWI/ UNICOM T20 tournament in Trinidad and Tobago, playing for Demerara Cricket Club (DCC).

That outing had put him back in the mix, and during

this year’s edition of the CPL, Singh plans to give a more productive effort.

“I’m looking forward to bettering my performances, and working with the wealth of experienced players who are a part of the Warriors line-up,” he said.

Commenting on the composition of the Warriors squad, Singh, who believes that this could be the Warriors’ year to progress, said once the players play to their full potential, the franchise can go the distance and claim a maiden CPL title.

“I think it’s a very balanced squad with lots of talent and match-winners, and there are also guys in there who ply their trade all around the world, so the experience is always there,” he concluded.

This 2018 tournament will run from August 8 to September 16.

Gajanand Singh had a reasonable outing during his first stint in CPL last year.

Amla, Kohli, Williamson and the quickest players to 5 000 ODI runs KANE Williamson’s century may not have been enough for New Zealand to beat England in Saturday’s ODI thriller, but the Black Caps captain was still able to celebrate a personal milestone.

The gifted batsman scored 112 not out in the hosts’ narrow four-run defeat in Wellington, and in the process surpassed a tally of 5 000 ODI runs.

In doing so, Williamson became the quickest New Zealander in history to achieve such a feat and

It took just 119 innings for New Zealand’s Kane Williamson to reach 5 000 ODI runs.

sits fifth on the all-time list of time taken to reach the total.

Williamson is in esteemed company, and we profile the top five play-

ers who needed the least amount of time to join the 5 000 club in 50-over cricket.

Hashim Amla: South Africa star Amla is known for his measured batting, and he needed just 101 innings to reach the total. His 5 000th run was scored against West Indies in Durban in January 2015, six years and 313 days after his debut.

Viv Richards: A truly brilliant cricket player with a personality to match, Richards reached his landmark in 114 ODIs for West

Female softball cricket competition to herald International Women’s Day

By Elroy Stephney INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day will be commemorated on March 8, 2018 under the theme ‘Rural and Urban Activities, Transforming Women’s Lives’.

In recognition of the global observance, the Ministry of Social Cohesion through the Department of Youth and Sport in Region 2, will be hosting a female soft-ball cricket tournament for teams along the Essequibo Coast at the Imam Bacchus cricket ground on Saturday, March 10, commencing at 10:00hrs.

According to Coordinator and Region 2 Youth Officer, Herald Alves, the activity is to bring awareness of women’s invaluable contribution towards nation-building. He further stressed that the games will also foster interaction among females of all ages as well as sharing ideas that will seek to further promote social cohesion among groups, villages and societies as women continue

Indies with 11 years and 237 days between his debut and racking up the tally against England in January 1987.

Virat Kohli: It is absolutely no surprise to see India’s captain, fantastic Kohli, feature on the list.

A great in all formats of cricket, the talismanic skipper matched Richards in needing 114 innings for 5 000 ODI runs - doing so against West Indies in November 2013, a mere five years and 95 days after his international 50-over bow.

Brian Lara: One of cricket’s all-time greats and a prolific run-scorer,

to play an important role in every sphere of society.

Also playing a role in planning the event will be Sports Organisor Debra Daniels who has been instrumental in mobilising the female teams as well as promoting female cricket in South Essequibo. Meanwhile, Alves also indicated that Regional Vice Chairman Ms Nandranie Coonjah will be invited to make a presentation to the participants.

Teams from Good Hope, Adventure, Suddie, Affiance, Queenstown, Cotton Field, Anna Regina, Henrietta, Walton Hall and Charity are expected to participate in the 5 overs-a-side tournament.

At the completion, trophies donated by the Ministry will be presented to the winners and outstanding performers.

The public has also been invited to witness the games and interact with players and officials from the Region and the Ministry of Social Cohesion through the Department of Youth and Sport. Elroy Stephney.

West Indies legend Lara took a little more time than Richards and Kohli - chalking up 118 innings by the time he reached the total against South Africa in November 1997, six years and 359 days on from his debut.

Kane Williamson: A man who makes New Zealand tick, with a mind for the tactical side that makes him such a great captain. Williamson’s knock against England on Saturday meant he became the fifth quickest to 5 000 runs, needing 119 innings to do so, seven years and 205 days on from his first cap. (Yahoo Sport)

Roberts to lead Essequibo in Inter-county U-17 tournament

ESSEQUIBO will open their 2018 campaign against Demerara at the Lusignan Community Centre ground when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)-sponsored Under-17 Inter-county tournament starts on Wednesday..

The Essequibo Cricket

Board (ECB) selectors recently met to select the squad after the players were involved in a weeklong encampment as well as two trial matches including a match against the South Essequibo Under-17 team.

National Under-15 wicketkeeper/batsman, Lance Roberts, will be at the helm

with Sheldon Charles, another national Under-15 all-rounder as his deputy.

The full squad reads:Lance Roberts (captain), Sheldon Charles (vice-captain), Ameer Singh, Azim Mohamed, Wazim Mohamed, Lallchand Seeram, Manoj Dasrath, Romario Stephen,

Lance Roberts has been named captain of the Essequibo Under-17 team.

Saeed Hakh, Mahesh Ramnarine, Arvind Premaul, Badesh Parsotam, Silvan Williams and Jason Payne. The manager is Nazeer Mohamed while Nankishore Andrews will serve as coach.

The tournament will feature Essequibo, Demerara, Berbice and an Under-15

select team.

The players will seek to impress since the competition will be used to select the national team for the upcoming regional tournament. Matches will be played on March 7, 9 and 11 at various venues in Georgetown. (Elroy Stephney)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 4, 2018

21

Salah continues remarkable run as Liverpool go second … West Brom sinking fast

By Steve Tongue

LONDON, England (Reuters) - Liverpool moved into second place in the Premier League as Egyptian international Mohamed Salah continued his remarkable scoring run in a 2-0 victory at home to Newcastle United yesterday.

Salah scored for the seventh match running, taking his Liverpool total for the season to 32, when he put the home side ahead after 40 minutes.

Sadio Mane’s goal in the second half ensured there was no joy for Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez, whose Liverpool team won the Champions League in 2005.

Manchester United will start next Saturday’s game at home to the Merseysiders back in second place if they win at Crystal Palace tomorrow.

“I thought the boys did brilliantly,” said manager Juergen Klopp.

“Two wonderful goals and a few more possible. I’m happy.”

Tottenham Hotspur, apparently affected early in

the season by playing home games at Wembley, achieved a sixth straight win there by beating Huddersfield Town 2-0 with a double by Son Heung-min.

It was their 17th game unbeaten in all competitions and briefly moved them

there, are fourth, a point behind United and five ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea, who visit runaway leaders Manchester City today.

Defeat pushed Huddersfield right back into the relegation mix, only three points above the bottom three, after Liverpool’s Sadio Mane celebrates scoring their second goal. (Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine)

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah reacts.

(Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine)

ahead of Liverpool.

“We feel comfortable at Wembley, we enjoy playing here,” Son said after scoring four times this week at the national stadium where Tottenham are playing while they build a new home ground.

Spurs, who did not win in their first three league games

winning their two previous games.

Swansea City were the big winners at the bottom, moving above five teams to 13th, including West Ham United whom they beat 4-1.

Ki Sung-yeung scored the first after nine minutes and the unmarked Mike van der Hoorn added a second in

the 32nd.

Andy King’s goal and Jordan Ayew’s penalty ensured victory before a consolation by Michail Antonio.

West Ham manager David Moyes, whose team travelled seven hours by coach to reach Swansea from London on Friday after their flight was cancelled, was bitterly disappointed with the performance, one of their worst since he took over in November.

“I’m embarrassed,” he told reporters. “We played so bad. I couldn’t assess it, it was that poor. The fans travelled through the snow to get here and we let them down badly. That was the poorest performance since I came here.”

Victory continued Swansea’s improved form under Portuguese manager Carlos Carvalhal.

Since he joined the club at the end of December with Swansea bottom, they have won five league games and lost only two.

PARDEW DESPAIR In contrast, West Bromwich Albion’s change of manager in the same month has not paid off.

Alan Pardew’s job appears to be under greater threat than ever after a 1-0 defeat at Watford.

Albion have now won one of 15 league games since Pardew took over at the start of December and are seven points adrift at the bottom of

the table.

Watford captain Troy Deeney was sent clear by Will Hughes to score the only goal.

“The players gave me everything today and I cannot ask for more than that,” Pardew said.

“It is tough but it isn’t about me, it’s about West Brom and it is tough for the fans and the players.”

Stoke City stayed second-bottom but earned a valuable point in a 0-0 draw at Southampton.

Burnley supporters must have despaired when their team went a goal down at home to Everton. Sean Dyche’s team have never won a Premier League game after falling behind.

This time they did, however, celebrating Dyche’s 250th game as manager by winning 2-1 with goals from Ashley Barnes and substitute Chris Wood.

Everton captain Ashley Williams was sent off four minutes from the end for a wild swipe at Barnes.

In today’s other match, Arsene Wenger’s struggling sixth-placed Arsenal visit mid-table Brighton & Hove Albion.

Canadian Surplus, P&P Insurance on board with RHTYSC CANADIAN Surplus and P&P Insurance Brokers have thrown their support behind the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTYSC) annual awards ceremony.

The donations were confirmed last Tuesday where Canadian Surplus handed over a large amount of electrical equipment and educational materials, while the P&P Insurance Company donated six trophies.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster hailed the support of the two companies, adding that the sponsorship is a clear indication of corporate Guyana’s confidence in the work of the club.

Country Manager of Ca-

nadian Surplus Guyana, Ramsundar Bisnauth, stated that his company was pleased to be associated with the award ceremony, while the company’s CEO, Pramchand Punwasi, expressed his total confidence in Guyana’s number one youth and sports organisation.

The 28th annual award ceremony is billed for April 28 at the St Francis Training Centre. The award ceremony, the largest in Guyana would be honouring 40 club members, while the club would also be honouring Law Enforcement Officers, Retired Teachers, Outstanding Teachers and Top Students from several schools. A total of close to $2.5M worth of

Mr V. Panday of P&P Insurance Brokers donates trophies to CEO Hilbert Foster.

trophies, medals, gifts and special prizes would be distributed to all the awardees.

The Club Cricketer-ofthe-Year would take home over $350 000 worth of prizes while other awardees would include Most Promising Cricketer, Most Improved Player, Most Disciplined Player-of-the-Year, Under-15 Player-of-the-Year, Female Cricketer-of-the-Year and Under-19 Cricketer-of-the-Year.

Among the awardees would be players Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Shemaine Campbelle, Clinton Pestano, Jeremy Sandia, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Keith Simpson, Chanderpaul Govindan and Kevlin Sinclair.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 4, 2018

Trojan PSL’s cyclist Romello Crawford aiming to win big this year HAVING started 2018 in sensational form, 19-yearold Romello Crawford who rides for Trojan PSL, continued his dominant run just last weekend by winning his third straight race and extending his overall Guyana Cycling News Classification lead in the process.

This year Romello Crawford has proved to be the fastest cyclist in Guyana but his last victory in the Forbes Burnham Memorial ThreeStage road race saw him bridge a huge gap, then drop his rivals to win solo.

The soft-spoken Crawford lives at No 1 Road, Corentyne, Berbice and he revealed that “it’s a quiet agricultural village that’s located east of New Amsterdam.”

The speedy wheelsman’s main goal is “to win as many races as I can here in Guyana.

I am doing well right now; I am racing well and will try my best to continue being the number one rider locally. If there are any offers to travel overseas I plan to take any opportunity that comes along and get some results in overseas racing.”

When it comes to a preference of racing on the circuit or the roadways, Crawford is on the fence. He pointed out, “I am a competitor; currently I love both track and road equally. Though the training is a bit different, it doesn’t matter; once I get the track fitness I should be alright and be able to handle the intensity.”

Crawford’s coach is Desmond Roberts who is also the president of the PSL Cycling Club in Trinidad. He is a great coach and mentor.

He has won 4 races out of 9 starts thus far and he sig-

Romello Crawford has started off the 2018 cycling season in dominant fashion. (Cycling News photo)

nalled his intention of continuing this form; “I want to win as much as possible both locally and overseas. Well let’s see how things go.”

On the lighter side, Crawford is a music lover revealing, “I don’t have a favourite type of music, I love all types and would listen to various

kinds depending what situation and mood I am in.”

When it comes to eating, Crawford noted that “being a cyclist gives you the cause to eat because we burn lots of calories on a daily basis.

I eat all types of meats and vegetables. However, I avoid seafood.”

Flower disappointed with failure of Lions batsmen to adapt in ‘Test’ series ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – England Lions head coach Andy Flower bemoaned the inability of his side’s batsmen to adapt to conditions on their current tour of the Caribbean.

The Lions were swept 3-0 in their ‘Test’ series against West Indies-A, with their batsmen struggling against spin on turning pitches.

“You have to be able to learn about the opposition

and solve problems out in the middle in real time,” Flower told the Daily Telegraph newspaper in England.

“Unfortunately, our batsmen have not been able to do this.

“We made the same type of mistakes again and again which is the most disappointing aspect of the tour.”

He added: “The main purpose of this programme is to develop our players and give them these great experi-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday March 04, 2018)

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

Stefanie Taylor-4028 ODI runs

(2)

Stefanie Taylor-2474 T20 Int’l runs

Today’s Quiz: (1) Who has taken most wickets for WI women in ODIs to date?

(2) Who has taken most T20 International wickets foe WI women to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

ences to learn the game better and develop their skill and technical game.

“The second part of it is about learning about our players to inform selection. In that regard, we know much more about our players.”

Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican was a thorn in the Lions’ side, taking 31 wickets in the series at 8.96 apiece, including four hauls of five wickets or more, and claimed all three Player-ofthe-Match awards on offer.

He was ably supported by burly off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall with 19 wickets at 18.42 each and they were admittedly too much for the England batsmen to handle.

Flower said the results on the trip made an upcoming review of the Lions in April even more critical to determine if it was achieving its objectives.

“It is right to examine whether the systems and people we have in place are right,” he said. “Its purpose is to bridge gap between county and international cricket.

“What we want to do is create tough young competitors, so when they get the chance to play for England, they are adding to the team’s strength. It is a very import-

ant role.”

Flower said one factor that the English authorities will have to examine carefully during the review is the impact of the lure of lucrative Twenty20 leagues around the World, as a few players opted to play in them rather than the Lions tours this winter to Australia and now the Caribbean.

“There is no doubt it is going to become more of an issue,” he said. “The increase in number of franchise T20 tournaments and the draw of being involved in those, and earning money outside county contracts, of course that is going to compete with our programme.

“We have been dealing with instances like that over the last couple of years. At the moment, Andrew Strauss (the England Director of Cricket) wants to make decisions on an individual basis which is a mature and fair way to go about it.

“But I can only see those issues increasing over the next couple of years.

Without a doubt, some players will be torn. There are more choices available these days and that is the reality of the world we live in now.”

DREAM BIKES “I have been riding my current bike for quite a number of years. It’s getting a bit old and I would love to have a new racing bike. I have three dream bikes; I really like the Specialised S-works tarmac 2018, the new Pinarello f-10 is also a beautiful bike.

I would be so happy if I raced with a new Scott 2018 (With Dura Ace Electronic Gears). Any of those bikes would go a long way in helping me reach my cycling goals.”

WORDS OF ADVICE Crawford’s advice to upcoming cyclists is to “be consistent, there is no secret to success you must be able to train hard and be dedicated to it. I gained success from listening to my coach and got better over time. There is a

life after cycling so you must not skip school.”

As always, the main obstacle faced by Guyanese cyclists is finance, speaking on this topic, Crawford maintained that bicycle racing is a very expensive.

“Living the cyclist’s life is costly; the travelling, the bike maintenance and the supplements cost a lot of money. I would love to do some advertising contracts with a few companies. I would also like to take this opportunity to ask for sponsorship or support in any form to help in my cycling career.”

The lithe but powerful sprinter is surely headed into a terrific 2018 season and it will be interesting for cycling fans and enthusiasts in the coming months to see just how well Crawford performs.

Jamaica top the CFU in new CONCACAF system MIAMI, Florida (CMC) – Regional powerhouse Jamaica were the highest rated Caribbean Football Union team when CONCACAF launched its new rankings system this past week.

The Jamaicans, finalists at the last CONCACAF Gold Cup, were rated at No.6 in the Confederation behind Mexico, United States, Costa Rica, Panama and Honduras.

“The new ranking tool will update with each match result and will play a key role in determining qualification for important regional and international championships going forward,” a note on the Confederation’s website stated.

“The ranking establishes a classification that orders CONCACAF’s national teams from one to 41. Additionally, the CONCACAF Ranking Index makes it possible to calculate the probabilities of different match results (a win, a draw or a loss) for all matches in the near future.”

The rankings are based on the results of all official and friendly matches played by national teams from each of the Confederation’s mem-

ber associations, taking into consideration historical data from 1990 to present day.

The rankings, however, sharply contrast with the World Rankings produced by the sport’s world governing body, FIFA, which places Jamaica at fourth in the Confederation in the last list published earlier this month with a World Ranking of 50th behind the Mexicans, Americans and Costa Ricans.

The CONCACAF Rankings also impact the order for CFU teams with Curacao holding a World Ranking of 83rd and St Kitts & Nevis rated 110th. They complete the CFU top-five based on the World Rankings behind Reggae Boyz, Soca Warriors and Haiti.

Rounding out the CFU top five in the first edition of the CONCACAF rankings behind Jamaica, however, are Haiti, T&T, Martinique and Cuba.

The new CONCACAF Rankings system will get its first test when the teams in the Confederation participate in the Nations League qualifying draw next Wednesday.

Continued on page 19 ►

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 4, 2018

23

Windies focussed on World Cup qualification, says Miller HARARE, Zimbabwe (CMC) – Nikita Miller said getting to the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England and Wales was the main objective of West Indies above anything else.

The left-arm spinner was speaking following his destructive spell against the United Arab Emirates that earned the Windies a 32-run victory on Thursday against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their final warmup match ahead of the start of the ICC World Cup qualifiers.

“The main goal is to get to the World Cup,” he said.

“We need to apply ourselves and get fully ready for that opening match (on Tuesday).

“We have some very experienced players who have played a lot of international cricket and have seen many situations in the game, so we will be ready for whatever is thrown at us.

“We will have to play to our strengths and draw on our experience. I made my debut 10 years ago and I have played a lot of cricket. I’m not thinking about myself, but I’m thinking about the team in every situation.”

Miller warmed up with a

Windies spinner Nikita Miller celebrates a wicket with skipper Jason Holder during a warm-up cricket match between the Windies and UAE, at Harare Sports Club last Thursday. (Windies Crickrt photo)

Den Amstel coach credits new players for present form

By Rawle Toney WHILE much of the hype in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League surrounds Fruta Conquerors and Western Tigers, quietly though, Den Amstel Football Club has been leaving their mark on the nation’s highest level of play.

After five games, the ‘West Side’ team sit in second place behind the GDF on the Elite League’s 10team table with 10 points, coming from three wins, a draw and one defeat.

In the latest rankings, champions GDF lead Den Amstel on superior goal-difference with the Army also having 10 points, but scored two fewer goals than coach O’Neil Heywood’s team and conceded the least goals in the league (two). In fact, GDF and Western Tigers are the only teams to taste defeat this season.

The Calvin Allen-coached Western Tigers also have 10 points (three wins and one draw) from their four games played, but are behind the GDF and Den Amstel on goal-difference.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport yesterday, Heywood credited their good showing to the team’s new crop of players acquired during the

Den Amstel coach O’Neil Heywood

GFF’s transfer window.

Heywood signed Delon Lanferman, defender Kester Jacobs, goalkeeper Jermaine Cumberbatch, along with Marvin Frank and Chris Macey.

The aforementioned players, Heywood said, made a solid impact on the team, adding “from the practice session, the time they came in, they brought the competitiveness, so I think the new players made the difference on this team and everyone seems to be working together.”

In their five outings, with the exception of their recent scoreless draw against Ann’s Grove United, Den Amstel have scored in every fixture. The club’s 12 goals is the most by any of the 10 teams.

According to Heywood, however, Lanferman is the team’s ‘hitman’, with the coach stating: “That’s the man we look to for goals since he came to the club. He scores, we win.

He doesn’t, we don’t win.

I think the guys feed off him as well, so he brings much to the team and I am happy to have him.”

Heywood branded Den Amstel with the ‘underdog’ status, telling Chronicle Sport, “We’re not on the radar for many people but we are doing our thing. So we are serious underdogs and I like that.”

The Den Amstel coach, asked about his biggest rivals this season, said, “Of course the GDF; they are the champions and the only team to beat us this season, then Fruta (Conquerors) and Western (Tigers), but we’ve

been playing good and the guys are getting better, but, like I said, I think we’re the underdogs.”

Den Amstel’s next encounter will be on Friday, March 9 when they travel to the Tucville Community Centre ground to face favourites Fruta Conquerors in the second game of the planned double-header.

On that evening, Western Tigers will face the whipping boys of this season’s Elite League, Cougars, in the first game from 18:30hrs.

The GFF Elite will continue today at the Buxton Community Centre ground from 14:00hrs, with New Amsterdam United taking on Victoria Kings and Linden’s Milerock facing the host side Buxton United.

Latest GFF Elite League points table

spell of 5-20 from his allotted 10 overs, as the UAE were dismissed for 83, after Windies were bowled out for 115 on a surface offering generous turn to the slow bowlers.

“It was a good day for me,” he said. “I got five wickets at a crucial stage in the match and did what was required by the team.

“That’s what it’s all about for me – doing what the team needs to win. I’m all about doing the job. It was very important for us to get some solid cricket under our belts as we prepare for the tournament.”

He added: “We didn’t do

so well in the first warm-up match against Afghanistan, which didn’t go according to plan, so we had to get things together.

“Even though we didn’t get enough runs, our bowling display was excellent and congrats must go to all the bowlers for putting in a very good performance, especially Kemar Roach in the early part of their innings. I think the bowling display was very good.”

Jason Holder’s side face the same opponents on Tuesday in the opening match of the competition at the Old Hararians.

All eyes on Vera’s Finally as Triple Crown gallops off today

By Rajiv Bisnauth THE much-anticipated first Triple Crown horse race meet, organised by Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee in association with Jumbo Jet Auto, commences today at the Rising Sun Turf Club.

Approximately 60 horses will compete in today’s first leg, and while turfies can expect an action-packed day, the day’s biggest event, the C-Class and Lower race, could be deemed somewhat disappointing in terms of the number of entries.

According to the Event Coordinator, Nasrudeen Mohamed, the feature race attracted four entries, with the likes of Vera’s Finally, Just Call Me Boss, Jack in my Style and Princess She is Not, set to compete against one another.

All eyes will be on Vera’s Finally, the Jumbo Jet horse racing stable thoroughbred, who was confirmed to be in great touch since being on the track locally.

While Vera’s Finally is definitely the race favourite, her three other competitors are also worthy of mention, so the prospect of a mouth-watering contest is definitely in the making.

Further, the other races have attracted the best race horses in the respective

categories.

The second leg of the Triple Crown horse race meet will he held on April 1 at the Port Mourant Turf Club, while the third and final leg will take place at Rising Sun Turf Club on April 29.

According to Mohamed, over $20M in cash prizes and trophies will be up for the taking over the three race meets.

Both days at the Rising Sun facility, there will be the following firstplace cash prizes in the respective classes: `C’ Class and Lower $1M; `F’ Class and Lower/E’ Class non-earners/last start $400 000; three-year-old Guyana-bred $350 000; `H1’ and Lower $300 000; `J/K’ and Lower $240,000; `K’ Class non-earner/last start $230 000; `L’ and Lower $200 000.

Note: Cash prizes will be awarded from first- to fifth-place.

For the Corentyne (Port Mourant) leg, the stakes will be higher and are as follows;: `C’ and Lower $1.2M; `F’ and Lower/`E’ Class non-earners/last start $500 000; Three-year-old Guyana bred $400 000; `H1’ and Lower $350 000; `J’/`K’ and Lower $240 000; `K’ Class non-earners/last start $200 000; and `L’ and Lower $150 000.

Windies focussed on World Cup qualification, says Miller 23 PAGE

GTMotorsport Grand Prix T

IGHT racing was the order of the night as GT Motorsport held its first Georgetown Grand Prix at the GMR&SC, Thomas Lands facility. .

Under clear skies, the event featured some of the best drivers locally as well as the Trinidad and Tobago duo of Kristian Boodoosingh and Zachery Boodhram. Details in tomorrow edition.

Nathan Rahaman leads Jeremy Ten Pow in the second Sunburst 60cc Kids Cup race. (Adrian Marine photo)

T&T to host CPL finals for the next 3 years PAGE

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FLASHBACK: Trinbago Knight Riders lifted their second Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title in three years, when they defeated St Kitts and Nevis Patriots by three wickets in the 2017 final at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.

Chase Academy, Bishops’ and Sir Leon Lessons register big wins in Milo football

PAGE

19

One of Chase Academy’s goals. (Adrian Narine photo)

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SUNDAY MARCH 4, 2018