Guyana chronicle e paper 01 16 2018

$25M signed contract to complete upgrade of Kitty Market Page 2

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2018

Price: $80

Better together No. 105156

(VAT Inclusive)

…APNU to contest LGE as united team …AFC says studying options Pages 3&9

‘This is the day I was waiting for’

…acid attack victim's sight restored Page 14

Flawed application Page 3

– CJ rules: Ram signing bonus case procedurally flawed

Order signed for release of $$$ for severance Page 2

Vendor was shot in the back - autopsy Ms Shondell Williamson

Guyana off EU blacklist – Greenidge ■ Page 9

Page 10

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Order signed for release of $$$ for severance pay – Min. Holder AGRICULTURE Minister, Noel Holder said last week he signed off an order of some $1.7B for the release of funds to pay the first tranche of severance pay to workers in the sugar industry who have been laid-off.

Holder made the announcement when he, along with top Alliance For Change executives, faced the media on Monday at the party’s Kitty headquarters.

President David Granger last week announced that the first part of the multi-billion dollar severance package will be paid by the end of this month and the second tranche in the second half of the year.

The Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU) has been organising marches in the sugar belt, demanding the full severance package at once. Holder said he personally would have liked to have the workers paid their severance packages immediately after they are severed. “I signed the order a few days ago, last week, for the $1.7B to be released immediately from the treasury to facilitate the first part of that payment and of course other payments later on,” he said while emphasising that government has other areas of the economy to address. “…So it is not a question of just taking funds and just budgeting – it is difficult and the government is doing

Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC) Raphael Trotman (second left) along with Agriculture Minister Noel Holder (right), General Secretary Marlon Williams (second right) and Public Telecommunications Minister, Catherine Hughes (left). (Adrian Narine photo)

its best.”

In response to criticisms about the payment of the workers in two installments, Holder said he believes the move by government is appreciated by those affected.

“I think even the sugar workers will appreciate getting it in two installments because of the amount of the moneyrather than getting it upfront and perhaps spending it all and being in difficulties later on in the year.”

Notwithstanding, the Agriculture Minister remained resolute that finding $4.5B to pay severance “is a difficult thing to do”. Government said it has committed to making the industry efficient and competitive by consolidating cultivation in East Berbice at Albion, in West Berbice at Blairmont and West Demerara at Uitvlugt.

The Corporation will aim at producing 147,000 tonnes annually, preserving three enlarged estates and protecting the jobs of over 11,000 workers.

Meanwhile, also addressing the issue, AFC Leader, Raphael Trotman who was also at the news conference, said the coalition government was well aware that the $500M budgeted sum was insufficient. “This matter has been engaging Cabinet’s attention for months. It is not that we were unaware severance had to be paid; we were quite aware. The $500M was indicative of that recognition and realization.

We knew that $500M would not be the full amount that was needed, but we sought to keep some money in reserve ---we needed to get a sense at the end of the year what

was necessary,” Trotman explained.

The President had said that government cannot sustain the sugar industry in its current state and has had to make difficult choices in order to ensure the industry’s viability. The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) has been in a state of crisis for over 25 years and successive governments have been forced over the years to bailout the sugar company. Government has poured G$48.02B in financial support to the industry since 2011 and G$32B over the past thirty months – at a rate of about one billion dollars a month.

Trotman reminded that his party, since the announcement of retrenchment of the workers, has made strong statements calling for

money to be set aside for the workers. He explained that late last year, it was realised that the administration would have to have a supplemental to be able to pay full severance to the workers. “So it is not that we were unaware or unmindful, it is what our balance sheet looks like at the end of the year…we have to build a whole new prison; we had to divert billions to readying both Lusignan and Camp Street…” the AFC leader said, pointing to a number of unforeseen circumstances that had to be catered for.

FINDING THE FUNDS Trotman said too that government sought to put money into the 2018 budget, knowing that it would have to find more. “It is not that we were not prepared to find

more or not prepared…we knew we had to pay severance; it is just where it was going to come from,” said the AFC leader who stressed that his party has made very strong recommendations to Cabinet on the way forward.

“We must find money to pay severance and that was high on the AFC’s agenda last year and we continue to push to ensure sugar workers are treated humanely, fairly and according to contract and collective bargaining agreement is in place.”

Notwithstanding, Trotman made it clear that GUYSUCO has been run down over the years and it is not under the APNU+AFC coalition government that its deterioration started. “It is that company that should have been paying the severance --- government now has to take very scarce resources and add to GUYSUCO’s coffers to take up a debt that is really GUYSUCO’s,” he said as he addressed critics who lay blame at the feet of the administration.

In addition to Trotman and Holder, General Secretary, Marlon Williams and Public Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes, attended the briefing. Hughes said government is grappling with the end result of bad management of a national asset.

$25M contract signed to complete upgrade of Kitty Market THE Ministry of Communities has signed a $25 million contract with BML Architects & Engineers Consultancy & Contracting Services, for phase 1 continuation of the rehabil-

itation of the Kitty Market.

The project is scheduled to commence on the 24th January, 2018 with the scope of works to include: completion of some 15 external stalls; completion of the

Ronald Bulkan, Minister of Communities along with Town Clerk, Royston King (extreme right), Contractor Baynard Lord (left) and two other officials from the Ministry (extreme left)

market clerk’s office and revenue collection section; rehabilitation of the sanitary block; and completion of 10 internal stalls.

The area’s residents and stallholders have been eagerly awaiting the completion of

the project since it started in 2016. Town Clerk Royston King noted that of the $200 million allocated by central government to the Georgetown City Council, $50 million has been allocated for the completion of the project.

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, stated that the project is scheduled to be completed in 3 months and will be managed by the Ministry with supervision by the City Council. This is the first intervention by

the Ministry in its bid to put a ‘functional’ status to the market.

Mr. King expressed sincere gratitude to the minister and by extension, central government, for the timely intervention.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 16, 2018

AFC mulls going alone at LGE …Trotman says party unfazed by talks of loss of support

By Ariana Gordon THE Alliance for Change (AFC)--the junior partner in the APNU-AFC coalition government--on Monday said it has not yet decided if it will contest this year’s Local Government Elections (LGE) alone or as part of the grouping and has dismissed comments that it has lost support since the May 2015 polls.

“Insofar as working with the APNU, we are a member of the coalition; the Cummingsburg Accord is an Accord that primarily dealt with General elections which took place in May of 2015,” said Party leader Raphael Trotman. Trotman told reporters at a media briefing on Monday that there are strong diverse opinions on the matter.

He explained that the Accord does not speak to LGE, only General Elections. “There is a strong body of opinion within the party that we should go it alone or there is another view that we should seek to enter into a new accord for Local Government, because the existing Accord was just for National and General elections 2015,” said the AFC leader. He explained that the party is currently assessing the views of its leaders, not only here but abroad, and

Leader of the AFC, Raphael Trotman

noted that after a meeting to be scheduled with the APNU and other stakeholders, “we’d get a sense and make that decision way before it (LGE) is announced.

This year marks three years after the signing of the Cummingsburg Accord between the APNU and the AFC to contest the May 2015 General and Regional Elections as a coalition. In May 2017, the AFC appointed a special Cummingsburg Accord Review Committee (CARC) which is tasked with studying the Accord and identifying areas which may require strengthening and updating along with discussion

and negotiation with coalition partner, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

The party has repeatedly said that the accord is a sunset agreement which requires early review with a view to the Local Government Elections of 2019 and General and Regional Elections in 2020.

Since then, the Party has called for there to be a review of the Accord which comes to an end next month. “That remains on our agenda; we have sought to canvas some other views. We have in fact identified a team that will represent us in upcoming talks…The accord has a lifespan of a minimum of three years and a maximum of five and was geared primarily towards National Elections and was very silent on LGE,” Trotman reminded reporters Monday.

President David Granger late last year in response to calls by the party to have an urgent review of the Accord, said the AFC is entitled to make that request.

“There is a requirement to review the accord after three years and that three years will expire at midnight on the 13th February, 2018. So it is quite within the right of the AFC to request the review; I don’t have a problem doing

that,” the President told Guyana Chronicle.

In anticipation of the review of the Accord, Trotman said his party is seeking to canvas more views from its members as well as non-members. “…We do have friends and critics on the outside whose views we wish to get,” he stated while noting that no date has yet been set for the meeting on the revision of the Accord.

Meanwhile, Trotman said the Accord has thus far worked well for the administration and his party, noting that it was the very Accord which allowed for the coalition’s ascension to government. In fact, the Accord was signed in February and elections were held in May. “…So we got to know the document and each other, in a sense after we entered into Government. There was not a one year before; so there are areas for improvement. But I would say that it has gotten us into government and (2) kept us in government and I’d like to therefore not look at the Accord for what it does not have but I’d like to look at it for what it has, both in terms of its content and what it has been able to deliver.”

LOSING SUPPORT The AFC leader said

Flawed application CHIEF JUSTICE, Roxanne George-Wiltshire on Monday ruled as flawed an application by head of the Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI), Troy Thomas for the High Court to order Minister of Finance Winston Jordan to immediately deposit the US$18 million signing bonus into the Consolidated Fund.

When the matter was called on Monday, Justice George-Wiltshire said the application was procedurally flawed and told Thomas’ lawyer, Christopher Ram, to withdraw it or she would strike it out. The state was represented by the Attorney General Chambers.

The application which was filed by Ram was seeking, among other things, an order from the court directing that Jordan account for the bonus in the amended estimates of revenues of the public sector for the years 2017 and 2018, the Stabroek News had

reported. He also argued, according to the newspaper, that failure to do so is a violation of the Constitution and the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA).

President David Granger had made it clear that his administration acted legitimately by accepting the US$18M signing bonus from U.S. oil giant, ExxonMobil, and placing same into an escrow account at the Bank of Guyana. He told reporters that the money was received to address national security matters. “I am the head of government, I am responsible, I am aware of it and it is a legitimate Government of Guyana exercise and I am aware that it is Bank of Guyana in Escrow; once it is an Escrow account, it means that it cannot be used for purposes for which it is not intended,” he said in response to questions on the issue.

The President maintained that there was nothing wrong or illegal done, stressing that

Attorney, Christopher Ram

“It is a legitimate Government of Guyana practice and the money has not been dishonestly acquired and has not been used for purposes for which it is not intended.” He explained that the money was received at a time he believes that was necessary, given “some national security implications.” “It is a legitimate exercise, it is to be used for certain matters which we perceive to be of national security interest and [at] that point in time it was the thing to do, so that we can have access in the event of a national security

the silence with respect to the LGE needs to be “given life” but said the Accord has worked well. “Overall, it has worked for us and we do see areas, if we are to continue working together, that would need to be strengthened.”

In response to critics’ views that the AFC seems to be losing its support base, Trotman said he is unfazed by such views. He explained that when the party was formed in 2005 by himself, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and the late Sheila Holder, there were many naysayers. “…every pundit at the time said we would achieve nothing. Ten years later we have achieved what no other political party in the history of the Anglophone Caribbean was able to do--to gain 5, 7 and eventually 12 seats. So we rely on history and not on critics,” Trotman noted.

He made it clear that the task is not easy but noted that his party is not at all complacent. “It is harder to stay where you are than to get there,” he stated while informing the media that his party will speak and listen to its supporters. “Coalition governments are never perfect…I believe when one looks at our performance… we have done well and have done better than we had been told we would do,” said the AFC leader who reminded that there are many months

ahead for LGE and then General Elections. “We are not saying that we are perfect… but we can say that with what we have been given and working with 12 seats in parliament, that we have done much. Of course, there is much room for improvement.”

BOGGED DOWN Notwithstanding, Trotman who holds responsibility for the natural resources sector said “I believe we have become bogged down with governmental matters and fighting to just get our agendas through budgets and may have lost touch a bit with common persons.”

He said the party is satisfied with its performance, but stressed that much work is to be done.

Members of the AFC hold the posts as Ministers of Agriculture, Public Infrastructure, Business, Public Telecommunications, and Indigenous People’s Affairs. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is also a member of the AFC. Trotman said his party’s focus for 2018 is two-fold. He pointed to the primary areas of focus as LGE and Constitutional reform and assured that his party remains a strong member of the coalition and will continue its efforts to support the work of the coalition government.

– CJ rules: Ram signing bonus case procedurally flawed

emergency,” he said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, had also told the National Assembly that it was a “very real risk” of the US$18M signing bonus being ventilated in the public to Venezuela’s advantage in the border controversy.

This is even as the country anxiously awaits the United Nations Secretary General’s commitment to refer the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

He said if the opposing party, in this case Venezuela, is made aware of subjects such as how much money is devoted to the process and the battery of lawyers recruited, that country can structure it’s strategy “to make life difficult” for Guyana. “It is a very real risk,” he told reporters, noting that “it does involve problems”.

Greenidge said the Government expected that the matter’s sensitivity would have been kept on the back

burner but according to him, the main “parameters” of Guyana’s case has been spelt out to the public. He said people are worried, adding that an Opposition Member of Parliament suggested to him Thursday that another US$2M is hidden somewhere, as he ex-

plained the laxity in which the matter is being treated.

Greenidge said Guyana is in the process of trying to attract businesses to these shores, but he decried the manner in which companies such as the multi-national entities are being treated by sections of the media.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 16, 2018

Gov’t yet to decide on recent gas find --discovery raises hope of free electricity, cooking gas

By Ariana Gordon MINISTER of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman on Monday disclosed that chances are that Guyana can benefit from free cooking gas and electricity.

His disclosure comes in the wake of the discovery of some 60 million cubic feet per day worth of gas offshore, which amount, though significant, is not enough for commercial purposes.

He explained that though Guyana has not yet decided what to do with the quantity of gas that has been found, Guyanese stand to benefit in some way or the other.

Speaking at his party’s first press conference for the year, the Alliance for Change (AFC) leader told reporters that while he is no expert on the subject, Guyana did not find gas in quantities that can be exported.

He said what was found was petroleum, or what is called liquid oil.

“It is such good, crude,

sweet oil that it doesn’t take much refining,” he said, adding: “But there is something in the industry called associated gas, so you find some gas, but the main find is liquid petroleum.”

But the big question, he said, is what will the government do with the gas, and cited examples of Trinidad and Tobago and Qatar among other countries that have massive gas fields.

He said there is a difference between associated and non-associated gas, and Guyana was only fortunate thus far to have a little gas coming with its large quantities of oil.

“The gas is not enough to export and earn from, so we do two things: Reinject it so you can get the pressure up, or flare the gas.”

He said that while Exxon Mobil has offered to do the latter, Guyana has no interest in that option, given its “green” agenda.

Another point to ponder is that the gas discovered is just about 50 to 60M cubic feet per

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman

day, but in order to get into the gas business, a country would have to have trillions of cubic feet per day, as is the case with Trinidad.

“The offer is that they can bring it onshore; you can use it for energy generation, and you can use it for cooking gas.

Every household can get,” the

AFC leader said. He said that had it been associated gas, and a large quantity at that, then it would have been a different story.

YET TO DECIDE Guyana at this stage has to decide on the way forward as it relates to how the gas will

be used.

Trotman disclosed that late last year, he met with BOSAI Mineral group about the establishment for a smelter for bauxite here. That company has indicated that the amount of gas discovered is too small for a smelter, and would need about half-a-billion cubic feet per day to have such in place.

“We are thinking; we have not made a decision, because the amount is not large,” Trotman reiterated, while noting that the government can have the gas brought onshore, as was suggested by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, to be used for electricity until there is a transition to hydro-power.

Currently, the Guyana Power and Light Incorporation (GPL) is operating at 160 megawatts, while the gas discovered is expected to boost power generation to about 200 megawatts.

As Minister Trotman observed, “200 megawatts would take care of all our power needs until we get to hydro.” Noting that Guyana would not have to pay for the gas to be transported onshore, he said: “We are just going to have to pay for the pipelines.”

The AFC leader chided so-called experts who he said have “run abroad, read up a few things and they gone wild” noting that Guyana since its

discovery of oil has received several requests from countries far and wide.

“Venezuela says it is their oil; Trinidad is asking us to enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with them, requests are coming from Azerbaijan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Brazil to assist…how it is we are the only ones here are not excited and everywhere else there is tremendous excitement about this petroleum find and its prospects.”

Meanwhile, when asked about the possibilities of the oil company syphoning off the discovered resources given that by virtue of the Petroleum Agreement, the Minister must give ExxonMobil seven days’ notice before visiting its operation, Trotman said there is 24hour presence on board every vessel offshore.

“This is a natural concern, there is a 24 hour presence on board every vessel by Guyana Geology and Mines (GGMC) officers and the intention is that by production we will have both Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Petroleum engineers on board.

“We have anticipated that Guyana is not unique, and there are methods of having real-time assessment of production, calibrating production ---so you’d know how much is produced and shipped off,” he explained.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 16, 2018

Soca Monarch is back

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…15 to vie for $3.2M AFTER a two-year hiatus, Trinidad and Tobago’s conglomerate ANSA McAl and the Government of Guyana will for the first time collaborate in a $12.5M venture to host the 2018 Carib Soca Monarch Competition.

The competition will now come under the control of the Central Mashramani Committee, with the company as the event’s main sponsor, which they will promote under their Carib brand.

At a media conference on Monday hosted by the Ministry of Social Cohesion, it was revealed that out of the 18 individuals who entered, there are currently 15 selected semi-finalists, comprising 11 newcomers and three overseas-based participants who are either Guyanese-born or whose parents are of Guyanese heritage.

Present at the news briefing were Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth, and Sport, George Norton; Mashramani Coordinator, Andrew Tyndall; Director of Culture, Tamika Boatswain; Permanent Secretary at the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, Melissa Tucker; Brands Coordinator at ANSA McAL, Nigel Worrel and Brand Manager for Carib Brand, Sean Abel.

For many years, the Soca Monarch Competition has been a major part of Guyana’s Mashramani celebrations and is an opportunity for the showcasing of local talent, says Minister Norton.

“Music is the bloodline of the Mashramani festival; as such the Ministry is pleased to be reintroducing the Soca Monarch Competition to its schedule of activities. “We believe that the competition also provides an opportunity for our artistes to showcase their talent and contribute to the development of our creative industries,” Norton told the media.

The winner of the 2018 Carib Soca Monarch Competition will walk away with a whopping $1.5M in prize money; second place, $750,000; third place, $500, 000 and fourth place, $250,000.

Along with all winners receiving trophies, there will also be a Best New Comer prize of $100, 000

and the government is currently working on including a People’s Choice Award which will also see the winner taking away $100,000 in cash prize. At the briefing, Minister Norton appealed to Disc Jockeys (DJs) to play more of the the soca monarch competitors’ music on the radio in order to expose the public to the finalists and what they bring to the competition.

“I want to encourage our deejays and radio personalities to play our soca music and promote our artistes, as we all contribute to ensuring that Mashramani is a resounding success,” Norton encouraged.

The competition itself will take on two stages: the semi-finals which will be hosted at the Linden-Georgetown Municipal Bus Park on the 10th, February, and the finals which will be held at Durban Park on the 17th, February. Both of the shows will begin at 20:00hrs, but persons will receive free admissions to the semi-finals while at the finals, attending guests would be expected to pay a small fee.

The semi-finalists vying for this year’s win are: * Alisha “Sasha Melody” Hamid - Love Off Meh * Brandon Harding Alive * Colwin “Lil Colwin” Blair - Leave Me Alone * Colwyn “Soca Cwyn” Abrams - Soca Rage * Delon “Soca Del” Azore - Take A Bounce * Diana Chapman - Get Ready * Jonathan “Lil Red” King - Water, Paint & Powder * Keron “Norek Mas” Sam - Power Soca * Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts - We Run Things * Quacy “Avalanche” Coates - Life * Roger “Young Bill Rogers” Hinds - De Money Power Dance * Roshauna Fraser -

Stakeholders of the 2018 Carib Soca Monarch competition take a photo with 10 of this year’s competitors.

(From bottom left): Brand Manager for Carib Brand, Sean Abel; Director of Culture, Tamika Boatswain; Minister George Norton; Mashramani Coordinator, Andrew Tyndall; Permanent Secretary at the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, Melissa Tucker and Brands Coordinator at ANSA McAL, Nigel Worrel

Show Me * Samantha Grant - Ah Playing Mas * Shellon “Fluffy” Gally - Bam Bam * Stanton “Cardiac” Lewis - Welcome Guyana In previous years, some of the winners of the compe-

tition have been: Jumo Primo in 2015 and Kwesi ‘Ace’ Edmondson in 2014.

Norton also gave an update on the Children’s Mash Competition, saying that his ministry will be doing its best to work in the interest of the children by avoiding previous mistakes. “We will

look back to see where we can enjoy some improvement and make every effort to make certain that we don’t go making the mistakes that we made before,” Norton stated, adding: “Always taking into consideration the fact that they’re kids and while we want them to participate,

we want them to enjoy their participation.”

Mashramani Coordinator, Andrew Tyndall, says the Junior Soca and Calypso competitions are set for February 3rd and persons can expect more information on the competition appearing in the media.

Digicel ‘Mash Fit Camp’ sees overwhelming response THOUGH not a part of ‘Mash’ this year, cellular service provider, Digicel on Monday launched their ‘Mash Fitness Camp’ at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground.

Vidya Sanichara, the company’s Public Relations Officer stated that the event has been one of the most anticipated on their calendar since its existence, and despite not participating in the ‘Mash’ activities this year, hosting the

fitness exercise was something they had to do.

Sanichara explained that they had catered for 300 participants, but they were overwhelmed with the response on the first day.

The scores of fitness-crazy enthusiasts who are all looking to ‘get in shape’ for the February 23 Republic Day celebrations will be taken through the daily paces by local Soca star, ‘Vanilla’, who also happens to Part of the scores of people who turned up for the first day of the Digicel ‘Mash Fit’ camp (Adrian Narine photo) be a fitness instructor.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 16, 2018

‘Tackling squatting’ Squatting in post-Independence Guyana has become a troublesome social and legal problem.

IN colonial Guyana, squatting never had its present dimensions and there was not much squatting on Government or private lands. The squatting of large numbers of people in an area creating a community of squatters first came about in the 1960's when there were Cold War-inspired racial disturbances. Racial groups moved almost in entirety from one village to another occupied by their respective racial group. The people who moved settled in any unoccupied land they could find, which was mostly the undrained, bushy land on the periphery of the villages.

When the country returned to normalcy, the various squatting communities remained where they were and never returned to their original villages. With the creation and existence of these squatting communities, consciousness of the illegality of squatting became blurred.

Accordingly, people began to squat wherever they saw a desirable area of land, For example, Sheriff Street, now Mandela Avenue, was built with wide road reserves to cater for the widening of the road which was to lead to the airport. Hundreds of squatters, however, began to invade the reserves, stake out house lots and began building fairly substantial structures.

Even in formal housing developments there has been squatting and last year, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) had a great deal of trouble in clearing squatters off land in Sophia where they were impeding infrastructural developments such as drainage, electricity and water installations. There was even some violence.

And the same pattern has been occurring at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport where squatters have to be cleared away for Guyana to have a safe and world class International Airport. Squatters who squat on large pieces of private land often do so as an economic venture.

They go in families, with each member staking out a parcel of land and then indulge in "selling" land. Others hold on to it hoping to acquire title by prescription. Squatting is a social and legal problem which has to be eradicated if Guyana is to become an ordered and developed society.

Indeed, with a country with so much land available and Government offering the grant of liberal leases, no one has any justification to squat. It is sometimes said in sociological studies, when comparing city slums and city squatting, that squatting is preferable. Such studies deal with comparatively small numbers of squatters. The Guyana situation is quite different.

Squatting could be eliminated or greatly diminished if certain steps are taken. The first is educational. At both the primary and secondary levels, children should be taught the undesirability and illegality of squatting and the liberal availability of State lands. Squatters who occupy Government lands are often "regularised" by giving them title. In any kind of "regularisation" by governmental authorities, only renewable leases should be granted. This would make squatting less attractive.

If action has to be taken to clear an area of squatters, it should be done quickly and thoroughly. Very often, action is energetically undertaken against squatting but this soon tapers away into inaction with activity beginning again

after a lengthy period. In such cases, squatters should be moved to other areas where they may be offered long leases. Many such squatters would prefer to return to their former habitations.

One of the most effective actions in any anti-squatting drive is to amend the Prescriptive Title Laws.

In recent years, the State protected itself by making it impossible for any squatter to secure prescriptive title to any State-owned land. Unfortunately, the State omitted to take the opportunity of extending protection to private lands. If one squats on private lands for 12 years and over, one could begin legal proceedings to acquire title to that land. This 12-year rule was adopted from English legislation when Justice Sir Joseph Luckhoo was the Chief Justice, replacing the 33-year rule. This 12-year rule is relevant to urbanised societies like Britain but may be quite inappropriate to Guyana.

It is inappropriate to Guyana for two reasons: The first is that Guyana is not an urban society. And the second is, that Guyana suffers from a very high rate of emigration. When people emigrate, they leave their property in the care of friends or relatives, who for one reason or another, are unable to take care of the property and squatters invade it. Our high emigration rate necessitates a longer prescriptive period and the State may well return to the 33-year rule for private lands.

The return of the 33-year rule would help to strengthen social equilibrium.

GGDMA stands by Hilbert Shields

Dear Editor

THE GGDMA wishes to address the issue of its executive member, Mr. Hilbert Shields being wickedly and scurrilously attacked, via the media, by a few with a hidden agenda.

It is the miners who have nominated its executive member [Mr. Hilbert Shields] of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association [GGDMA] to serve on the GGMC Board in 2017. Mr. Shields serves on the GGMC Board, representing the interest of thousands of miners by fighting the many trials and tribulations that affect miners.

One such constant nightmare is the amount of time miners have to wait to get ordinary business done at the GGMC; most of the

time they are being pushed around by the staff.

Recently Mr. Shields has been spearheading a search, on behalf of the GGMC Board, to situate a modern computerised system to be the foundation on which GGMC can build, in a timely manner, a transparent Mineral Rights Cadastre System. Such a system will track all mineral land applications in the GGMC from start to finish. The mineral rights registry will be open and publicly available in near real time to be viewed by anyone. The system will be robust, with built-in data integrity safeguards and at its heart will be accountability and transparency and ultimately public access to data via an internet portal. With a system like this,

there will be less dependency on the human factor and should allow the GGMC systems to work free of interferences.

Obviously, one significant upside is the weeding out of lots of corrupt practices at the GGMC. This initiative must have surely upset quite a number of officers of the commission. Thus, the smear campaign based on leaked inaccurate information on Mr. Hilbert Shields, which the Kaieteur News seems to have unwittingly used as a vehicle for disinformation, in its publications of Wednesday’s January 3, 2018 Kaieteur News. While Mr. Shields is on the Boards of the GGDMA and GGMC, he is still a miner like everyone else; he has had rights to these lands via a Prospecting License that he has had since

2015; his application to convert to mining permits, some of which pre-date his call to the Board of the GGMC, is no different in size and process to any other miner.

However, the information published in the press is grossly inaccurate and twisted to suit a hidden agenda. The GGDMA therefore, will not sit idly by and have these cowards attack a leader in the mining community who has been an advocate for good and fair business practices, and an advocate against corruption.

Regards Avalon Jagnandan Administrative Manager Guyana Gold & Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 16, 2018

7

What is Manickchand up to?

Dear Editor,

I HAVE read, with ominous foreboding, a legio-historical piece by Priya Manickchand captioned “How it came to be required that there must be agreement between a president and opposition leader before chancellor, chief justice can be appointed”, “Agreement versus meaningful consultation” (SN and KN, Sunday January 7, 2018).

I confidently assume that this Priya Manickchand is the attorney-at-law and former Minister of Education in the Donald Ramotar government. And I take note that it was this Priya Manickchand (and surprisingly not Anil Nandlall) who was the lawyer who accompanied Bharrat Jagdeo (Leader of the Opposition) to the “consultation” meeting with President David Granger (accompanied by the Attorney General and the Minister of State) on the appointment of a chancellor and chief Justice (GC, January 4, 2018 headlined “No decision on top judicial posts”). What does this letter portend; what is its true, (veiled) purpose?

Is it purely intellectually informative in its purport–an optimistic thing . Is it the precursor to some impending “feral blast” (a term of commendation infamously coined by Dr. Luncheon) on February 7th – a pessimistic perspective of mine, you might think. I am not persuaded it is the former.

And I do not share the optimism of the GC’s editorial of Sunday January 7, 2018 (“President and Leader of the Opposition meeting”).

CONSULTATION PROCESS As I remind myself of the Orwellian disposition of these PPP/C officials, I wonder whether its purpose is to publicly lay the foundation for a very contentious consultation process–contending that post nomination consultation (as distinct from proposals as a form of invitation to treat/discuss) is constitutionally flawed; that

the Opposition Leader cannot acquiesce in such flaw by agreeing to the appointment of those two nominees of the President – i.e. Kenneth Benjamin for the office of Chancellor; Yonette Cummings – Edwards for the office of Chief Justice. And on that hypothesis, public relations (PR) becomes crucial, for if the consultation(s) becomes contentious, and ends without agreement, such is bound to generate considerable public angst, disgust and outrage given the impeccable and unmatched credentials of the nominee for the office of chancellor; on the circumstantial evidence of his competitive selection/recommendation by the President’s 3 – jurist panel (Singh/Patterson/Lutchman). So, it’s not irrelevant to remind readers that (Guyana) scholars are few (a very different credential from the general public service ministry scholarship awardees); scholars who chose to pursue a career in the discipline of law are rare. President Granger’s nominee for chancellor is one such scholar. Kenneth Benjamin, a Guyanese, wants to serve Guyana in the judiciary. A boost of scholarship there can only be all beneficial. As a grateful nation and people we should be thankful. To withhold agreement for his appointment (all other things being equal) must attract constitutional opprobrium. It would be an unreasonable withholding; it would be sheer irrationality, as I will show.

Ominously, Priya Manickchand chooses this consultation point in time (in a rare and unaccustomed exhibition of letter writing) to bring into sharp focus, and remind us of article 127(1), (by quoting it at the very beginning of her letter and also at the end) that it “mandates” Bharrat Jagdeo’s agreement before President Granger can substantively appoint Kenneth Benjamin or Cummings-Edwards to hold the office of Chancellor, Chief Justice respectively. In strict

constitutional law, she is, undoubtedly, right. But is such trite legalism her main point of focus and intent?

Who needs to be reminded of that requirement of Jagdeo’s agreement? Not the President’s legal advisor(s)!

There is no dispute; there is no difficulty, or vexed question of interpretation; there is no unknown mystery about it! So, I probe beneath the surface of her letter; I lift the historical veil. What do I find lurking beneath that historical façade? With my inquisitive, inquiring legal mind, I pay particular attention to her words which carry in their phraseology a perceptible nuanced threat or admonishment. She writes “the consultation with the PEOPLE OF GUYANA resulted in article 127(1) of the constitution which states UNAMBIGUOUSLY” [article 127 (1) is again quoted and upon invoking the ghost of Haslyn Parris about “people entertain expectation… consensual mechanism… people’s aspirations” – he, ironically and paradoxically was a PNC/R GECOM commissioner, minister in the Forbes Burnham Government and I believe once PNC Executive member, so read between the lines; her position – she would pontificate - is not just some biased PPP position it resonates with PNC personality].

CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE She continues “….

Which MANDATES that before a chancellor and chief justice can be appointed the President must first have the agreement of the Leader of the Opposition” (emphasis mine). I hold no brief for President Granger, but I am not aware of any circumstances which might suggest that President Granger is in any doubt at all about the requirement of Jagdeo’s “agreement” for a substantive appointment.

Indeed, the circumstantial evidence says there is not one jot of doubt. So, what is Manickchand’s fixation, anxiety and unease, apprehension all about? I remind myself that lawyers

strive on contentions. But surely, it could not be that she has been induced by anything the President has done, to believe that there is a real danger of Article 127(1) being ignored or bypassed by the President.

There is now, “consultations” (with equal bargaining power as between the President, and Jagdeo) with a view to obtaining Jagdeo’s “agreement” to those nominations. So, is Manickchand insinuating, and unwittingly fore-warning, that their position is, and would be at the follow-up consultation meeting on February 7, that Article 127(1) requires that the President should have first consulted with Jagdeo about his (i.e.

President’s) proposals (as distinct from nominees) and obtain his agreement for the appointment of Kenneth Benjamin; and Cummings-Edwards; instead of, as has happened, firstly nominating, and then holding consultation; reducing (so the argument goes). Jagdeo’s rule to rubber-stamping.

Whatever the (de)merits of that view, I would urge on Counsel that the 3-jurist panel selection of Kenneth Benjamin; and the President’s consequent nomination of him is a fait accompli (i.e. an accomplished fact). And so, if his acceptance (by Jagdeo) becomes rubber-stamping, such surely attracts no constitutional (and I would posit neither political) opprobrium. We are not in the field of private law of contract. These appointments are not for Jagdeo’s private benefit or commercial/financial interests, or political advantage/convenience. All that matters is that these appointments be intended to, and be seen as manifestly likely to serve the public/ “people’s” interest in the fostering of an independent judiciary with leadership of exemplar, intellect and integrity.

“Agreement” in this constitutional context and subject matter does not necessarily have to involve (even as a matter of “mean-

ingful consultation negotiation/bargaining (as invariably happens in the private law context) between the President and Jagdeo. Here, it is all about the nature of the subject matter of the “agreement” to be obtained.

And, here, what the President has offered the Opposition Leader for obtaining his agreement is a scholar/ tried and proven Justice for Chancellor; a tried and proven Justice for Chief Justice. I would suggest, and further urge on Counsel, that she could more usefully expend her effort, by advising her leader that under Article 127(1) there is an IMPLICATION that he would not unreasonably or irrationally withhold his agreement; that he is not permitted to agree, or not agree in accordance with his own deliberate judgment or state of mind; and that this limitation on his power of agreement is so because he is a creature of the Constitution and by the Constitution itself, it is ONLY the PRESIDENT who can in the exercise of his constitutional power act in “accordance with his own deliberate judgment” as prescribed by Article 111; and that all other constitutional creatures not mentioned in Article 111 are required by the public law of the constitution, to act reasonably and not irrationally given all the surrounding circumstances.

WITHHOLDING OF AGREEMENT (expressio unius est exclusio alterius). The point being urged here is that any withholding of agreement without providing to the President rational reason/s, is susceptible to judicial review (unlike the President’s Article 111 acts “in accordance with his own deliberate judgment”); such withholding being likely to be quashed; and declared unconstitutional. And, of course, there is the option (albeit undesirable) of the President proceeding, in the event of failure to obtain Jagdeo’s agreement, to make acting appointments under article 127(2).

Jagdeo is reminded of his (acting) appointment of then Chief Justice Carl Singh as acting Chancellor in 2005 (acting until February 2017). And, surely, Counsel recalls the constitutional case of Committee for the Defence of the Constitution Inc. V. the Attorney General of Guyana (2006). And the (unreported) ruling of Justice Ramlall in that case in which the matter of (acting) appointments to the offices of Chancellor and Chief Justice were extensively considered in what, respectfully, I consider a generally commendable, instructive decision, in which that judge made a clarion call for agreement to be reached on these appointments; and deprecated the seeming contentment and satisfaction of our politicians, with prolonged acting appointments.

I end with this: the issue of the appointments of Kenneth Benjamin and Yonette Cummings-Edwards is not a matter of politics; it is of law. With the precedent set by his appointment of Carl Singh as Acting Chancellor, the Opposition Leader cannot claim some high moral ground in the event of his failure to agree. Carl Singh was no Guyana scholar. Besides, rational grounds for Robert Corbin (then Opposition Leader) withholding agreement for his substantive appointment as Chancellor most probably existed. So, Manickchand’s letter, both anticipates, and peremptorily strives to mitigate,

by PR in the press, the outrage that any failure by the Opposition Leader to agree; and their wouldbe staunch criticism of any consequential resort

by President Granger to Article 127(2) (which potentially is not free from difficulty of interpretation) would engender.

Be prepared. Yet, I hope the events of February 7, prove me wrong.

Regards Maxwell E. Edwards

8

Police comb Pomeroon for farmers’ killers POLICE investigators on Monday revisited the crime scene at Grant Stelling Hope, Pomeroon River where two young men were executed on Sunday afternoon.

Earlier on Monday , investigators reportedly hauled in a farmer for questioning in relation to the gruesome murders of Ambrose “Jadge” Baharally, 28, a farmer of Grant Stelling Hope, Lower Pomeroon River and his best friend , Martin Godette, 23, a farmer of Friendship Canal, also on the Lower Pomeroon River.

Relatives of Godette, speaking with the Guyana Chronicle from Charity, said that the police questioned a man who may have witnessed what transpired at the scene of the shooting at Grant Stelling Hope. The man is said to have given a detailed statement to the police.

Reports are that investigators journeyed to the scene on Monday afternoon, look-

Martin Godette

ing for clues as they continue to investigate the deaths of the two men. An aunt of Godette told this publication that the death of the young man, who is the only son of his parents, has left the community in a state of shock.

Godette is the son of a popular headteacher at Friendship, Lower Pomeroon. ”We don’t want any problems, we just want to

have him rest in peace,” the woman said between sobs.

Recounting the events of Sunday afternoon, she said, Godette’s mother received a call at around 16:20 hrs, about an hour after the shooting and was told that her son was critically injured. The woman said relatives subsequently travelled to Charity late Sunday afternoon and were informed of the demise of the men. The bodies were brought to the area around 20:00hrs, she noted.

Police said the two men sustained gunshot wounds to their heads after which the suspects fled the scene by boat.

Godette’s relatives said that they are unaware of any issues or problems the young man may have had with anyone. ”He is always indoors, he don’t go nowhere, he ain’t got no children and he always caring for his mother,” the young man’s aunt noted.

Investigators are currently searching the area for the two suspects.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 16, 2018

PricewaterhouseCoopers begins valuation of GuySuCo assets THE Special Purpose Unit (SPU) under the National Industrial & Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), has announced that PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) commenced the process of the valuation of GuySuCo assets on Monday.

PwC was selected from a field of the top four international financial services providers. PwC was ranked as the most prestigious accounting firm in the world for the last seven consecutive years, SPU said in a release.

According to the release, NICIL and PwC signed the agreement on Friday last and work commenced on Monday with meetings with the SPU team at their LBI Offices.

Today the PwC will hold their first meeting with the CEO of GuySuCo. The PwC team will be carrying out the valuation of all assets under the control of GuySuCo, and develop and investment prospectus as part of the consultancy. In addition to the valuation, PwC is expected to provide other advisory and

financial services. Head of SPU, Colvin Heath-London, speaking after the meeting with the PwC team said, “We are encouraged that we were able to get the PwC team in so quickly. With the current developments in the sugarcane sector we are working to bring stability to the industry and affected communities as quickly as possible.”

Heath-London added that, “the work of PwC, given their vast experience in this type of process, will help all decision makers to arrive at the best decisions for the assets of GuySuCo, for other business that are in the GuySuCo supply chain, and most importantly for the workers who are uncertain about their future.”

PWC will be tasked with ensuring a level playing field for all interested parties and stakeholders as the process goes forward. Speaking today after meeting the SPU PwC Caribbean Partner, Wilfred B Baghaloo, said “We look forward to this opportunity of working with Government and the people

of Guyana to a find a practical economic solution to the privatisation of the three sugar estates on a timely basis.

This is indeed a challenging task but we believe that we are equipped with the necessary experience and skills set to ensure a successful project.”

Baghaloo was asked about an article that appeared today in the Guyana Times about a PwC incident in India, he replied that, “In respect of the India matter, i cannot comment too much on this as the matter is subject to an Appeal. In summary, the matter relates to a 2009 event relating to a specific company and a specific stock exchange. We continue to service our numerous clients in India and we continue to enjoy their support and confidence. As is it relates to the task at hand in Guyana, our long history of strong commitment to excellence, integrity, innovation and quality will continue.” PwC work on the GuySuCo project is expected to last eight months.

Child molester gets 45 years – to reflect on error of his ways OMADAT Persaud, called “Roshi”, was on Monday sentenced to 45 years imprisonment by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall after a 12-member jury found him guilty of the first count of sexual activity with a child family member.

The matter was tried in the Sexual Offences Court in the Georgetown High Court, where it was heard that between July 1 and 31, 2015, the accused engaged in sexual activity on two occasions with a family member who was five years old at the time.

The accused began crying as he was being led away to jail.

Justice Morris-Ramlall told the court that in reaching

her decision, she took into account the nature of the offence and the circumstance under which it was committed. The accused breached his position of trust to protect the child who was a family member.

The judge said what the accused did, in essence, was to take away the innocence of that child, and to compound matters, he showed no remorse. But taking into account as well that he was ill-advised by his attorney, she refrained from imposing the maximum sentence, which is life imprisonment.

In handing down the sentence, the judge told the court that the accused will be eligible for parole after serving 35

Jailed: Omadat Persaud

years in jail.

When asked if he had anything to say to the court, the accused said, “I am innocent; I didn’t do this.”

GuySuCo, Business Ministry to implement ‘Resilience’ plan THE Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc.(GuySuCo) and the Ministry of Business have established a partnership to implement the ‘Economic Resilience’ component of its ‘Sustainable Communities Programme’ for the sugar–dependent

communities in the vicinity of Skeldon, Rose Hall, Enmore and Wales Estates.

GuySuCo and the Small Business Bureau of the Ministry of Business are jointly pursuing an Economic Resilience Programme of which the Alternative Live-

lihoods Initiative is a part.

The aim of the economic resilience component of the Sustainable Communities Programme (SCP) is to implement shock-counteraction and shock-absorption measures to support ex-employTurn to page 9 ►

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Guyana off EU blacklist – Greenidge

By Svetlana Marshall

AFTER months of lobbying on the international stage, Guyana has been removed from the European Union (EU) Money-Laundering Blacklist, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge has disclosed.

In May, 2017, the European Commission had proposed that Guyana be removed from the Money-Laundering Blacklist and Ethiopia be added, but for a second time that year, the European Parliament rejected the list – a move which received stern objection from this side of the world. Guyana was grouped with countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Uganda and Iran among others.

Guyana, however, has since been removed from the list. In a recent interview with Guyana Chronicle, the Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that the European Parliament late last year adopted a new list from the commission that excludes Guyana. “In November, we had received from the Ambassador in Brussels some information that the European Union has been able in relation to these lists to remove

Guyana, and that is something we are very pleased about,” Minister Greenidge told this newspaper.

Under the EU’s Anti-Money Laundering Directive, the Commission is responsible for producing an inventory of countries thought to be at risk of money laundering, tax evasion and terrorism financing. People and legal entities from blacklisted countries face tougher than usual checks when doing business in the EU. In compiling these lists, the Commission depends heavily on the international body, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

In putting the issue into prospective, the Foreign Affairs Minister explained that the European Commission had recommended that Guyana be removed from the Money Laundering Blacklist because it had made significant progress in addressing the deficiencies within its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime.

He said though, the commission had made the recommendation to have Guyana effectively removed from the

Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge (Samuel Maughn Photo)

list, the European Parliament objected, not to Guyana’s removal but to the entire list.

Guyana, he said, approached the European Commission on the matter, and was informed that the problem did not arise at their level but at that of the Parliament.

The matter was being treated as an internal problem between the Commission and the European Parliament.

The country’s leaders then met with a prominent EU Parliamentarian in Brussels, Belgium and subsequently dispatched a letter on the matter. “In our discussions with them, I think it fair to say

Better Together

...APNU to contest LGE as united team A PARTNERSHIP for National Unity (APNU) on Monday reiterated that the five parties making up the Partnership are “better together” than apart and have committed to competing in the upcoming local government elections (LGE) as a “united team.”

The Partnership said too that it is committed to cooperating for the common good.

In a statement to the media, APNU said by way of its Executive Council meetings dated September 2017 and January 2018, the five parties, the Guyana Action Party (GAP); the Justice for All Party (JFAP); the National Front Alliance (NFA); the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR); and the Working People's Alliance (WPA) have “reaffirmed their commitment to competing in the forthcoming local government elections as a united team”.

The Partnership’s state-

ment comes at a time when its coalition partner in government, the Alliance for Change (AFC), has said there has been no determination as to whether the party will contest this year’s LGE alone or with the APNU. The AFC’s leader, Raphael Trotman told reporters on Monday at a media briefing, that there are strong opinions on the matter while adding that the three-year-old Cummingsburg Accord does not speak to LGE only General Elections.

“There is a strong body of opinion within the party that we should go it alone and there is another view that we should seek to enter into a new accord for Local Government because the existing Accord was just for the National and General Elections 2015,” said the AFC leader.

He explained that the party is currently assessing the views of its leaders, not only here but abroad, and noted that after a meeting

to be scheduled with the APNU and other stakeholders, “we’d get a sense and make that decision way before it (LGE)is announced.

The APNU was established six and a half years ago, “not as a temporary electoral expedient, but on the basis of an enduring political principle,” the statement said. The group of political parties reminded that it had protested, and struggled for the return of the LGE to enable people in their communities to democratically elect their representatives. “APNU believes that Local Government Elections are an important platform and a Constitutional right. APNU believes that its partners are ‘better together’ than apart and is committed to cooperating for the common good,” while adding that the partnership has started to plan collectively for its local government elections campaign.

that they admitted that this was not meant to be an attack on Guyana, they recognized that it would have damaging effects in terms of how countries regarded us as a risk and banks in particular,” Minister Greenidge said.

Shortly after the European Parliament’s non-support of Guyana’s removal from the Money-Laundering Blacklist, President Granger had called for a speedy resolution of the issue, stating that the country had done everything to comply with international best practices relating to open, transparent and responsible government.

Though the President the European Legislator for the explanation offered, (the

same told by the Foreign Affairs Minister) he noted that while the EU is blinking, Guyana is bleeding.

For the Foreign Affairs Minister, Guyana should not have been on the list “in the first place.”

“We are saying to the European Union as a whole this is nonsense,” Minister Greenidge argued noting that the European Union – a member of FATF – is one of the most important influences in the world. “We have met the requirements of FATF, we have met the requirements of CFATF, and yet you now apply additional rules. So you are party to the big rules and when people have met those rules and obligations, you sit down in your space and put in place additional obligations, this is not transparent, it is not fair and therefore we urged you to address that,” the Foreign Affairs Minister said.

When CFATF XLVI Plenary and Working Group Meetings were held here last November, Guyana was praised for the progress made in addressing the loopholes in its AML/CFT regime. “The important starting point is the fact that Guyana in a very short space of time passed a suite of legislation which resulted in them being taken off the FATF list and also being reviewed by the CFATF,

and that was a commendable achievement for the Government and people of Guyana, led by your Attorney General, who is the Deputy Chair of the CFATF–the honourable Basil Williams,” CFATF Executive Director, Calvin Wilson had told this newspaper.

In May 2014, CFATF had handed over Guyana to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) due to the country’s failure at the time to meet the agreed timelines in its Action Plan.

However, starting from 2015, the country was able to make significant progress, resulting in it being removed from FATF’s watch list in October 2016.

Currently, Guyana has an Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/ CFT) Act in place, along with other related legislation governing supervisory bodies, financial institutions, law enforcement, and foreign affairs. In 2022, the country will undergo CFATF’s 4TH Round of Mutual Evaluation to determine its effectiveness in addressing the deficiencies.

The 3RD Round of Mutual Evaluation had focused on the legal and regulatory framework of the country with respect to its AML/ CFT regime.

GuySuCo, Business... ees of GuySuCo, as well as their families and residents in these communities.

One of the activities under the Economic Resilience Programme includes two ‘Business, Financial and Investment Forums’ and four ‘Coaching Clinics’ for ex-employees of GuySuCo. The Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. and the Ministry of Business, Small Business Bureau value the severance as capital, which could be used to foster economic growth for the ex-employees. Hence, the aim of the forums and clinics is to provide those ex-employees with business, financial and investment advice on available opportunities within these areas.

The specific objectives of the forums and coaching clinics are to: Provide appropriate business, financial and investment advice to ex-employees who will be receiving

severance payment; establish a system for providing coaching in business, financial and investment for these ex-employees; create opportunities for them to access advice on insurance, medical and pension packages; establish a system for formalising banking arrangements for those who are currently outside of the system and who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs; and establish a process for assisting interested parties to fulfill banking requirements, such as referees and recommendations.

The target groups for the fora and coaching clinics will be from Skeldon, Rose Hall, East Demerara and Wales Estates, as well as their family members.

The fora will be held in the last week of January, 2018. One will be held at the Enmore Community Centre for persons from East De-

From page 8

merara and Wales Estates, and another will be at the Skeldon Community Centre for those from the Rose Hall and Skeldon Estates. The fora and clinics will focus on opportunities in investment, to purchase bonds and shares and banking services such as Fixed Deposits, business ventures, insurance, medical and pension packages, among others.

The activities will be coordinated by the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. and the Ministry of Business, Small Business Bureau, while the banking institutions, insurance companies, the Private Sector Commission and the Georgetown and Berbice Chambers of Commerce and Industry have been invited to facilitate sessions on business, financial and investment opportunities.

10

Burnt North West child makes remarkable recovery

– after successful treatment overseas TWENTY-MONTH-OLD Ranveer Oselmo of Aruka River, North West District, who was severely burnt in November, has returned to Guyana after being successfully treated in the US. The child’s treatment was fully sponsored by the Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA) Foundation.

“We are happy to share that Ranveer is safely back in Guyana, where he had his first check-up at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) with Dr. Shilindra R. Rajkumar, Dr. Donette Cappell, and the Burns Care Unit which played a vital role in saving his life,” SHEA reported on its Facebook page recently.

The Foundation congratulated the doctors who did their best to ensure that the child was given a chance to live a full life, especially since 35 per cent of his body was burnt.

According to the toddler’s mother, Chevon Oselmo, Ranveer was burnt when he got too close to a lit kerosene stove.

As she explained, the shirt he was wearing at the

Baby Ranveer and his mother after his treatment was completed (SHEA photo)

time had traces of kerosene oil on it, and acted as a catalyst.

By the time his guardians noticed he was on fire, there was very little they could do but try to extinguish it.

According to SHEA, the extent of Ranveer’s injuries

was so life-threatening that he needed to go overseas to get the kind of treatment he needed to save his life.

That’s when local doctors reached out to the Foundation to ask their help with medevacing him to the closest facility where he could be

properly treated.

When the Guyana Chronicle arrived at the hospital to speak with the toddler’s family back in November,an evacuation team from Texas was conducting an evaluation of the child to see how soon he could be shifted.

It was later confirmed that he had been safely flown out of the country on an Air One Ambulance to Texas, where he was said to be receiving further medical attention.

The Foundation reported that US$48,000 was spent on the evacuation exercise alone, and a lot more was spent to get him treated.

“We would like to thank those who donated to the cause, and persons who continue to support us,” the organisation says.

SHEA is based and registered in the U.S., but has done extensive work in Guyana. Last year, they assisted three persons in getting treatment for burns.

Persons who are interested in donating to the work of the Foundation are asked to visit its website at Sheacharity.org, or find them on Facebook at sheacharity.gy.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Vendor was shot in the back-autopsy A POST-MORTEM examination performed on the body of Marlon Fredericks who was shot dead on Sunday by a City Constable, revealed that the cause of death was as a result of complication to his lower back due to gunshot wound.

The autopsy was performed by Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh on Monday and the body was handed over to relatives for burial. Fredericks who was mentally ill was arrested on Saturday by a city constable and was fatally shot the next day (Sunday), during an alleged escape bid in front of the City Constabulary’s Regent Street, Bourda office.

Fredericks, 34, a resident of Tiger Bay, Georgetown, was according to reports shot and killed in the presence of his mother who had gone to the outpost to visit him.

Police said Fredericks who was in custody for assaulting a peace officer and simple larceny, allegedly forced his way out of the lockup when it was opened to let out another prisoner to use the toilet.

A struggle reportedly ensued between the victim and a lance corporal who tried to restrain him, and in the process the prisoner (victim) ran out the outpost and was

Dead: Marlon Fredericks

fatally shot once in the lower back by the lance corporal.

The service revolver used in the shooting, along with eight live rounds and a spent shell have been handed over to the police. The constabulary officer involved in the shooting is also in police custody assisting with the investigations.

Relatives said Fredericks attended St. Joseph’s High School and President’s College. He had successfully completed eight CXC subjects but had been suffering from a mental condition for quite some time. He was said to be a drug addict who used to buy and sell small items from Chinese shops.

Illegal Venezuelans wanted Agricola man gets 15 years to help families back home – for role he played in 2008 armed robbery, murder

Vanessa Martinez, Martha Lisba, Zuleiby Grando, Morlenis Moreno and Rosiris Navas

NINE Venezuelans were on Monday fined and ordered to be deported to their homeland by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after being charged with entering Guyana illegally.

Martha Lisba, Rosiris Navas, Creyz Martinez, Tovar Francis, Marlenez Sanchez, Scarley Lamus, Zuleiby Grando, Morlenis Moreno and Vanessa Martinez were

all charged with entering Guyana illegally, between September, 2017 and January 2018, at Eteringbang, Cuyuni River.

The unrepresented women with the aid of an interpreter, pleaded guilty to the separates charges and were each fined $30,000 or in default will serve four weeks of imprisonment.

The women stressed that

they came to Guyana for betterment because of the crisis in Venezuela, and that they wanted to work and send back money for their starving families back home.

Nevertheless the Magistrate ordered that the women, after paying their fines or serving the alternate four weeks in prison, be taken to the nearest port of exit and deported.

JERMAINE Savory, 30, was on Monday sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for the 2008 murder of Melissa Payne at Agricola.

A 12-member jury in December 2017 found him guilty of the offence before Justice James Bovell-Drakes in the Georgetown High Court.

Justice Bovell-Drakes told the court that he took into account the felony/murder and the seriousness and prevalence of the offence, owing to the features of the commission of the crime in which a life was lost.

The judge started his sentence at a base of 60 years, and deducted 27 years, which was the age of the deceased when she was killed.

He also deducted 10 years for time the accused would have spent in jail, and a further eight years for good conduct while in prison, even though he never showed any remorse.

Melissa Payne

Jermaine Savory

In his plea of mitigation, defence attorney Maxwell McKay tried to prevail upon the court that the accused has a 12-year-old daughter he hasn’t seen in the last 10 years; that he’s a family man, and is generally a good person who has never been involved in anything negative.

Probation and Social Services Officer, Pamela Atwell, also put in a good word, saying, among other things, that the accused has had the benefit of a sound secondary education, is literate, and a skilled mason.

She also said that he’s always denied involvement in the matter, and told her time and again that the ones who committed the act are all dead.

According to the State, Savory, on November 5, 2008 at Agricola, East Bank Demerara, murdered Melissa Payne of Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara on the Agricola Public Road.

Reports are that the incident occurred around 08:30 hrs, and that Payne was killed when she attempted to put up a fight with gunmen who atTurn to page 14 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Rice millers to adapt new grading methods – to meet int'l trade requirements A NEW grading system is being introduced by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), in conformity with Guyana's international obligations with regards to trade in rice.

The new grading standard is “Gys 211; 2014”, and according to the GRDB’s Deputy General Manager, Ms. Allison Peters, once implemented, the new sys-

tem will benefit millers and farmers significantly, as it will better position them to tap into international markets.

She said that the GRDB has begun training its quality control staff on the new system, and will also be targetting millers and farmers to have the system fully implemented by the first crop of 2019.

The development of this new internationally-accepted grading system, follows a review done in 2014 and ever since, particularly over the past year, the GRDB has been training its extension officers, millers, farmers and other stakeholders how to use it.

“Under the new grading system,” Peters said, “all broken rice will be taken out

Teen phone thief remanded CITY Magistrate Judy Latchman on Monday remanded a 17-year-old East Ruimveldt resident to prison for the offence of robbery under arms.

It is alleged that the youth, on January12 at Stabroek Market, Georgetown, while being in the company of others and armed with a knife, robbed Ajay Kumar of a phone valued $150,000.

The unrepresented teen denied the charge.

Police Prosecutor, Delon Sullivan objected to the teen being granted bail on the grounds of the serious nature of the offence.

According to the facts presented in court by Sullivan, on the day in question the victim and a friend were at the Stabroek Market when the defendant along

with another person, went up to Kumar and placed a knife at his neck and took away his phone.

The defendant made his escape but was caught by a police mobile patrol in the area and the phone was found in his possession.

The Magistrate ruled in favour of the prosecution and remanded the accused until January 29.

and then all the grading factors such as chalky, broken, etc. will only be applied to whole grains.”

Farmers, on the other hand, will have a wider band of grades for their paddy, which means that whereas before grains with a 3.5 per cent damage were classified as “substandard”, the rating will now go to those with a 4.5 per cent damage, which were before referred to as “sample grade”.

The new grading process will also allow for a higher percentage of red grains, which will now redound to the benefit of the farmer at the mills.

“You see, better grades ultimately mean better prices going to our farmers, which is an added plus, and something we at the GRDB have been working on over the years to see materialise,” Peters said.

“In 2018, much has been earmarked to be completed in conjunction with our farmers and millers,” she added.

She also disclosed that significant progress has been made towards the release of a new high-yielding variety of rice this year.

She said that field trials are currently underway, with several farmers across the country having been provided with seed paddy for this new variety.

This will mean that an evaluation of field conditions can be done at the end of this first crop, after which a determination will be made as to an official release of the new variety of the second crop. This will bring to 15 the total number of new varieties released by the GRDB's Research Station at Burma.

In-house trials of this

GRDB Deputy General Manager, Ms. Allison Peters

new variety have been yielding very exciting results, according to Ms. Peters, who added that this could be another winner for the local rice industry.

The new varieties have pushed Guyana's average yields from 20 bags per acre to 38 bags per acre for the last crop, with some farmers reporting yields of up to 60 bags per acre.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 16, 2018

GDF, Woodlands laboratories certified – GNSB

THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has certified two additional laboratories under its Laboratory Certification Programme after they had successfully demonstrated conformance to the requirements of the Guyana Standard – General requirements for the operation of a laboratory.

Recently, both the Woodlands Hospital Pathology Laboratory and the Guyana Defence Force Medical Laboratory received their certificates, which are valid for two years.

At the presentation ceremonies, Ms. Candelle Walcott-Bostwick, Executive Director of the GNBS presented the certificates to Lieutenant Colonel, Godfrey Bess, Quarter Master General of the GDF and to Ms. Maricea Comacho-Chandrabose, Laboratory Manager, respectively.

In addressing those gathered to witness the presentation of the certificates, Walcott Bostwick expressed satisfaction that additional Laboratories were getting onboard the Laboratory Certification Programme by con-

Ms. Bonita Richards, Laboratory Manager (holding certificate) flanked by other GDF laboratory staff members

forming to the requirements of the National Standard.

The Executive Director encouraged the management of both laboratories to go more towards the accreditation of their respective laboratories in the future.

Certification of these laboratories will add value to the delivery of quality health care services in Guyana. The Laboratory Manager, Ms. Bonita Richards expressed delight at the new achievement of the GDF and thanked the GNBS

and the laboratory staff for their support in making it possible. Meanwhile, Dr. Gobin, Managing Director of the Woodlands Hospital commended the GNBS for its efficiency in the delivery of its services and expressed gratitude to the Pathologist, the Laboratory Manager and the rest of the team for a job well done.

Through its National Laboratory Certification Programme, the GNBS monitors the operation of laboratories

involved in testing, measurement and/or calibration activities to ensure that they are satisfying the criteria for certification and the requirements as outlined in the National Standard.

Laboratories, which conform to the requirements of this standard, are provided with formal recognition to attest that they have implemented a laboratory management system, thus providing quality and reliable results to customers who identify

Come work with us

--SBB urges local banks, in bid to do more for their clients THE Small Business Bureau (SBB) has issued a call to local commercial banks to work with them in order to improve the accessibility to finance for potential and existing entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs complain that one of their major challenges is access to finance, so the SBB has been trying to make the process easier, said Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Lovell Porter at a recent press conference.

He said that only Republic Bank and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry GBTI) partnered with them last year, while the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) had assisted with two micro-financing projects.

According to statistics presented by Porter, the SBB facilitated 50 approved loans valued at $270 million in 2017.

Although the amount of loans decreased from the number in 2016, Dr. Porter said the value was larger than

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SBB, Dr. Lovell Porter

they expected.

“We only met 51 per cent of our target last year for loans facilitated, but it does not depend solely on us because the banks have their criteria,” Dr Porter said, adding that they could have met their 100 per cent mark if more banks were on board.

He believes that if more banks come on board, more persons will be able to benefit because in addition to facilitating loans, the Bureau uses

its interest subsidy to pay the interest on loans for the clients who meet a certain criteria.

Despite the many setbacks, Dr Porter said the Bureau intends to maintain its screening process to ensure that those persons who acquire loans are the persons who really need it.

REVOLVING FUND In order to compensate for the lack of banking and lending partners, the government had

approved $100M for a Business Revolving Fund which will be directed by the SBB. Dr. Porter explained that it will make access to finance easy for persons who meet the requisite criteria.

“I hope everybody sees it as a help and be willing to repay the loan, because it is a small sum,” he said.

In addition to that, he pointed out that a Green Business Development Fund will be implemented to fund persons who have a business idea that is in line with the Green State Development Strategy.

Through the “green fund” persons, who are clients of the SBB, will receive $1M to fund the research and development aspect of their business plan.

Asked how many of their clients have gone on to become successful businessmen or women, Dr Porter said an impact intervention study last year revealed that 60 per cent of the businesses were still viable.

and select reliable testing or calibration services to meet their needs.

GNBS also carries out surveillance visits during the period of certification to ensure that laboratories are maintaining the laboratory management system.

These newly certified laboratories add to the list of ten (10) certified laboratories in Guyana. The other certified laboratories are Quest Medical Centre Laboratory, Eureka Medical Laboratories

Inc., St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Laboratory, GPHC Medical Laboratory, Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital Laboratory, Medical Arts Centre Laboratory, Georgetown Medical Centre Laboratory, Woodlands Hospital Laboratory, Guyana Rice Development Board Central Laboratory and Kaizen Laboratory.

Uncertified laboratories that are interested in becoming certified are urged to make that first step of approaching the GNBS.

Guyana to host CITUR conference in March GUYANA is preparing to host the 24th Congress of Ministers and high officials of tourism in March. Ministers from 34 countries that are part of the Organisation of American States (OAS) will meet for the Inter-American Committee on Tourism (CITUR).

This year’s congress is being held under the theme “Connecting the Americas Through Sustainable Tourism,” and the focus will be on how to “connect our countries a little better through a common approach to sustainable tourism,” Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin has said.

During a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Minister Gaskin, who has responsibility for tourism, said this is the first-ever OAS ministerial conference

to be held in Guyana. “It’s very significant to host these international events. It raises the profile of our country and, we of course, have to ensure it comes off successfully so there is a lot of work to be done.”

Minister Gaskin noted “It puts us on the map.

I think it is something we can be proud of.” He added that over the last two years, there has been increased interest in Guyana as a destination for the hosting of conferences.

“People want to be in Guyana, they sense that there are exciting things happening in Guyana and so Guyana has now become an interesting place, and that puts us in the running for hosting various conferences and events,” the Minister pointed out.

(DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 16, 2018

CARICOM’s unity drives it to surmount challenges

-LaRocque THE unified strength of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has enabled it to surmount challenges posed over 44 years of regional integration, CARICOM Secretary-General said Monday, urging the Community Council of Ministers to use those weapons to forge ahead.

CARICOM’s second highest organ held its 41st meeting at the Georgetown, Guyana Headquarters on Monday 15 January to discuss the provisional list of items for the agenda of the 29th Inter-sessional Meeting of Heads of Government in Haiti, February 26-27.

The Meeting was chaired

by His, Excellency Antonio Rodrigue, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Religious Affairs of Haiti.

“Let us, once again, engage those weapons as we strive to ensure that in our 45th year, integration continues to be the vehicle to provide sustained development and a secure, prosperous and viable Caribbean Community for all our

DOMESTIC Airways Inc on Monday received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), clearing it to enter into the local commercial airline business.

The credential was handed over by Director General of the GCAA, Egbert Field, to Director of Domestic Airways, Orlando Charles, in the presence of his wife, Komaldevi Charles and key personnel of the airline.

The airline, being transformed from private to public operations, was granted this shift under the Civil Aviation Act (No. 10 of 2000).

According to the Act “An aircraft registered in Guyana shall not fly on any flight for the purpose of a public air transport service (or aerial work) otherwise than under and in accordance with the terms of an air operator's certificate granted to the operator of the aircraft pursuant…”

In receiving the certificate, Charles thanked his team from Domestic Airways Inc. and the GCAA for their unwavering commitment, noting that there were many times they worked overtime to ensure that the process was done meticulously. “We are more confident and competent at this time to start off in our operations in a very firm

and strategic way; the foundation for this operation has been very strong,” Charles assured, adding: “The process was not an easy one for sure, it was lots of back and front clarification and confrontation because it’s an air operator licence and it has strict criteria.”

It was during a similar function in 2013 that the Domestic Airways Director was awarded his Private Pilot Licence (PPL) in Trinidad at the Briko Flight Academy.

Subsequently, after several years of service with Air Services Limited, he was able to purchase a small plane of his own which enabled him to start his own private operations; naming the airline Domestic Airways Inc. At the function, Field pointed out that it was the first AOC certificate being awarded by the authority over the last few years. Having gone through the correct process, he also said that the company will now be able to operate their aircraft though chartered flights for the benefit of the country.

“Domestic Airways went through the process of an Air Operator’s Certificate… [the airline] is now at liberty to offer [its] services to charter and to conduct scheduled or unscheduled operations for hire,” Field explained.

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and Maria. Unified strength, he said, was evident in the relief effort galvanised by the Governments and People of the Region in response to those disasters.

“Our Member States rallied around the stricken countries and rendered yeoman service in the aftermath of the disasters. Our Institutions, well led by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), in close collaboration with the Secretariat, also delivered in support of the recovery efforts. The international community also made a sterling contribution.”

“As Prime Minister Minnis of The Bahamas said: ‘Sadly, the economic, environmental, social and psychological damage will remain for quite some time.’

The reality is that these storms will be more frequent

and intense as extreme climatic events become the new normal for us as we are living with climate change,” Secretary-General LaRocque said. The Community’s main focuses therefore, he added, are rebuilding and critically, “on preparing for the others that are sure to come.”

As a matter of urgency and as advocated in the Community Strategic Plan, efforts must be engineered, Ambassador LaRocque said, to “build a resilient Community in all facets, economically, socially, environmentally and technologically,” As the Community forges ahead with reconstruction, he urged that regional and national programmes be implemented to transform it into the world’s first climate-resilient Region.

(Caricom Secretariat)

Director General of Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Egbert Field (first left), hands over the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to Director of Domestic Airways, Orlando Charles (first right) in the presence of Charles’ wife, Komaldevi Charles (center)

He later added that it was his desire to see the airline conduct its business in a safe manner, as it seeks to adhere and upkeep the various aviation regulations.

Prior to being certified as an Air Operator, the airline conducted business privately in various areas of the hinterland, using its planes to supply resources to shops and other businesses.

To date, Domestic Airways has two Britten Norman Islander airplanes in service and is expected to have an additional two within the next month.

At the same time, the airline has plans to apply for more airplanes to meet the growing demands of its customers.

(l-r) CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque; Haiti’s Foreign Minister and Chairman of the Council of Ministers, HE Antonio Rodrigue; CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General, Ambassador Manorma Soeknandan

people,” Secretary-General LaRocque stated.

He said the pressing issue of crime and violence, given the gravity of the situation faced by many Member States, as well as disaster management and preparedness, are among

the items proposed for the Heads Meeting agenda. He reminded The Council that their discussions were being undertaken against the background of recovery efforts within the countries that suffered the terrible devastation of hurricanes Irma

Local airline enters domestic commercial service

Director of Domestic Airways, Orlando Charles and his wife, Komaldevi Charles (center) stand at the certification presentation ceremony along with key post holders for the company. From the left they are: Security Superintendent, Ivelaw McNaughten; Administrative Manager, Kerran Jugmohan; Chief Pilot, Randy Liverpool; Flight Operation Superintendent, Vickie Williams and Maintenance Coordinator, Mavendra Chand

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 16, 2018

'This is the day I was waiting for' …acid attack victim’s sight restored THE dream of a mother to see her sons has finally been realised almost one year after she was doused with a corrosive substance allegedly by their father.

Twenty-seven-year-old Shondell Williamson can finally see with her right eye, after undergoing multiple surgeries and treatment in the United States, which was

facilitated by the non-profit organization, Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA).

Shondell became emotional as she recalled how it felt to finally lay eyes on

her children. “ I video call my sons, my big one was like mommy you could see me and I say yes, the first thing that came out of his mouth was mommy what colour I got on, it was really nice that I could see my son face, I could see the laugh on their faces, my mother and sisters’ face.”

It was January 19, 2017, in New Amsterdam that Shondell’s jealous ex-lover disguised as a female and doused her with the substance that disfigured her entire face, nose, eye, and upper body. Restoration in her one eye means the world to Shondell, even though she still has a long road ahead.

“It’s really exciting because for so long, this is the day I was waiting for and I know more is ahead of me.”

On December 15, 2017, she underwent a gruelling eight hours surgery. It was a difficult one that almost never happened. “It was very difficult, but thank you all for your prayers, God does answer prayers because despite the surgeon

was thinking about giving up, there was something behind him that was pushing him.” SHEA founder, Lori Narine further explained the challenges doctors encountered while attempting to save Shondell’s sight.

“During the surgery doctors several times just wanted to stop and close up her eyes because they faced so many difficulties, they couldn’t find the centre of her eyes they couldn’t find anything really in her eyes the acid had burnt most of her eyes out...the doctor who is leading her medical team was so moved by her story and courage, and there was this force behind him that kept pushing him to continue.”

“First, I could only figure out a shadow if somebody passes by and the light I could have noticed it on and off...I could actually notice if someone is standing in front of me, it’s hard for me to figure out colour right now though and small letters, but I have my tablet I will go on it, I can figure out the TV.”

For the first time, she can see the extent of her injuries but still, this woman who is a source of inspiration refuses to allow it to dampen her spirits. “Being like this is not an easy task for me but I always keep a smile on my face, I don’t let my trouble get me down, I think about what blessing I am going to be to others...I could actually see my hand...the bruises the scars on my skin.”

The man responsible for her condition, Alfred De-Jonge, had journeyed from Linden to Berbice after Shondell had finally summoned the courage to end their 10-year abusive relationship and doused her while screaming, “if I can’t have you, no one will.” He then escaped in a waiting car. He is now facing an attempted murder charge and remains behind bars, awaiting trial.

Before leaving for the U.S. Shondell had called on him to accept responsibility for submitting their children to this level of suffering.

Agricola man gets...

tacked her and a male friend, one David Fraser.

The gunmen reportedly escaped with some $110,000 in cash that was in the woman’s bag along with her jewellery.

At the time of the robbery, Payne and Fraser were head-

ing to Georgetown to conduct business.

The pair was travelling in a Canter truck, which began to encounter mechanical problems as they approached Agricola.

The bandits reportedly struck while Fraser was trying

From page 10

to fix the vehicle, as Payne stood by and watched him.

When Savory was charged in November 2008 with Payne’s murder, he reportedly confessed to the police that he did have a hand in the robbery, but was not the trigger man.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 16, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 16, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 16, 2018

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Bangladesh trounce Zimbabwe in tri-nations opener TAMIM Iqbal hit an unbeaten 84 as Bangladesh eased to a comfortable eight-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the opening match of the tri-nation series in Dhaka.

The opener wasted no time in going after the Zimbabwe bowling attack to get Bangladesh to their 171-run target in the 29th over of yesterday’s oneday international clash.

Tamim hit eight fours and one six off 93 balls to guide the hosts to victory, Shakib Al Hasan providing support with 37 coming in at number three.

A single off Graeme Cremer for Mushfiqur Rahim (14 not out) secured the comprehensive triumph at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, with Bangladesh’s simple run chase coming after Zimbabwe had failed to impress with the bat.

The tourists were 2-2 after three balls as Shakib removed Solomon Mire and Craig Ervine, and wickets continued to tumble at an alarming rate.

Only Sikandar Raza (52), Brendon Taylor (24) and Peter Moor (33) showed any resilience as Bangladesh’s bowlers enjoyed themselves.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 16, 2018

AB de Villiers leads Proteas’ recovery following imperious Kohli century AB de Villiers crafted an unbeaten half-century to put South Africa in a promising position on the third day of the second Test which was cut short by bad light after India captain Virat Kohli lit up Centurion with a sublime hundred.

A magnificent 21st Test century from Kohli (153) got the tourists up to 307 all out yesterday, Morne Morkel taking 4-60 as the Proteas earned a first-innings advantage of 28.

An intriguing contest appeared to be swinging in India’s favour when Jasprit Bumrah reduced South Africa to 3-2, but de Villiers (50 not out) and Dean Elgar (36 n.o.) came to the rescue with an unbroken third-wicket stand of 87 on a deteriorating pitch.

South Africa were 90-2 when the players were taken off 10 overs into the final session under dark skies, leading by 118 as they strive to wrap up the series with one match to play.

Kohli carried on where he left off on day two after India resumed on 183-5, the skipper adding the 15 runs he needed to raise his

indifferent bounce making life difficult for the batsmen. de Villiers found the ropes six times and reached his 50 before play ended prematurely due to the failing light, a rain delay having also brought the players off after tea.

SCOREBOARD

Virat Kohli celebrated his 21st Test century with a fist-pump. (BCCI)

bat yet again, reaching three figures by working debutant Lungi Ngidi into the leg side for two.

Hardik Pandya had shown restraint, but gifted South Africa his wicket when he ambled through for a single but was run-out

by Vernon Philander, the all-rounder failing to ground his bat or a foot despite being beyond the crease.

Kohli found another able partner in Ravichandran Ashwin (38), who dispatched Kagiso Rabada for three consecutive boundaries as Kohli continued to look untroubled.

Ashwin struck seven boundaries and put on a

much-needed 71 with Kohli for the seventh wicket before edging Philander, steaming in with the new ball, to Faf du Plessis at second slip.

Morkel removed Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma cheaply, but Kohli was able to bring up 150 by pulling the paceman to the midwicket boundary before the innings was ended when he holed out to the same bowler.

Bumrah (2-30) set the alarm bells ringing for South Africa when he trapped Aiden Markram and Hashim Amla leg-before, but de Villiers showed positive intent and Elgar grafted for his runs on a tricky surface,

SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings 335 INDIA 1st innings (183 for 5) Murali Vijay c Quinton de Kock b Keshav Maharaj 46 Lokesh Rahul c & b Morne Morkel 10 Cheteshwar Pujara run-out Lungi Ngidi 0 Virat Kohli c AB de Villiers b Morne Morkel 153 Rohit Sharma lbw Kagiso Rabada 10 Parthiv Patel c Quinton de Kock b Lungi Ngidi 19 Hardik Pandya run-out Vernon Philander 15 Ravichandran Ashwin c Faf du Plessis b Vernon Philander 38 Mohammed Shami c Hashim Amla b Morne Morkel 1 Ishant Sharma c Aiden Markram b Morne Morkel 3 Jasprit Bumrah not out 0 Extras: (b-8, lb-1, nb-1, w-2) 12 Total: (all out, 92.1 overs) 307 Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-28, 3-107, 4-132, 5-164, 6-209, 7-280, 8-281, 9-306.

Bowling: Maharaj 20-1-67-1, Morkel 22.1-5-60-4, (nb-1) Philander 16-3-46-1, Rabada 20-1-74-1, Ngidi 14-2-51-1, (w-1).

SOUTH AFRICA 2nd innings Aiden Markram lbw Jasprit Bumrah 1 Dean Elgar not out 36 Hashim Amla lbw Jasprit Bumrah 1 AB de Villiers not out 50 Extras: (lb-1, w-1) 2 Total: (2 wkts, 29.0 overs) 90 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-3.

Bowling: Ashwin 12-0-33-0, Bumrah 8-2-30-2 (w-1), Sharma 4-0-14-0, Shami 5-1-12-0.

ICC Under-19 World Cup

Impressive Afif and Tahwid take Bangladesh towards qualification MIDDLE-ORDER batsman Tawhid Hridoy hit a superb century and Afif Hossain produced a fine all-round performance as Bangladesh defeated Canada by 66 runs to notch up their second victory in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2018 and strengthened their chances of progressing to the Super League stage from Group C. Tawhid scored 122 and Afif backed up his half-century with figures of five for 43 as Bangladesh successfully defended 264 for eight by dismissing Canada for 198 with three balls to spare.

Bangladesh, who had finished third in the home event in 2016, had earlier beaten Namibia by 87 runs on the opening day of the tournament on Saturday.

Afif Hossain hit 50 and took five for 43.

In the other Group C match of the day, England launched their campaign with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Namibia after Will Jacks (73 not out) and Harry Brook (59 not out) added 130 runs for the unbroken third wicket in just under 15 overs as the 1998 champions achieved the 197-run target with more than half the quota

of overs remaining.

Scores in brief:

Group C England beat Namibia by eight wickets, John Davies Oval, Queenstown.

Namibia 196-9, 50 overs (Shaun Fouche 44, Nicol Loftie-Eaton 36; Luke Hollman 3-41, Tom Sciver 2-30, Harry Brook 2-32) England 198-2, 24.1

overs (Will Jacks 73 not out, Harry Brook 59 not out; Gerhard Lottering 2-33) Bangladesh beat Canada by 66 runs, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Christchurch.

Bangladesh 264-8, 50 overs (Tawhid Hridoy 122, Afif Hossain 50, Mohammad Naim Sheikh 47; Faisal Jamkhandi 5-48) Canada 198 all out, 49.3 overs (Arslan Khan 63, Pranav Sharma 34 Asif Hossain 5-43.

Player of the Match: Afif Hossain (Bangladesh) Today’s fixtures: India v Papua New Guinea, Bay Oval, Tauranga (Group B) Ireland v Pakistan, Cobham Oval, Whangarei (Group D)

Roberts hails his late uncle and English football legend Cyrille Regis LONDON, England (CMC) – Former Grenada international, Jason Roberts, has hailed his late uncle and English football legend Cyrille Regis as a pioneer who helped to battle a racist era in English football, and pave the way for other Black players in the game.

Regis, who was born in French Guiana, passed away late Sunday at age 59 from a suspected heart attack, media reports here said yesterday.

Roberts, the former Wigan Athletics and Blackburn Rovers star, said while he remembered Regis fondly as a great family man, he also had a massive impact on the development of the sport in Great Britain.

“I just remember being very proud; proud that it was my uncle out on the pitch scoring those wonderful goals, proud that he was taking on the racists, and then just having time for his nephew,” said Roberts who made 12 appearances for the Spice Boys.

“I also recall getting the sense that his impact was bigger than football. Every time I played football in the school playground, everyone wanted to be Cyrille Regis.

“At that difficult time, he showed there was a place for us in the game. He made us believe in ourselves, so how many others did he influence?

If uncle Cyrille could make it then why couldn’t we?”

Regis was one of the outstanding Black players of the English game. He was capped five times by England and was a legend in the league, making 241 appear-

ances for West Bromwich Albion and 238 for Coventry City between 1977 and 1991.

However, the forward was often subject to racist abuse during his career, especially during the 70s, but overcame it to establish himself as one of the greats.

Regis later managed West Brom following his retirement and also became a football agent, overseeing Roberts’ club record transfer to West Brom in 2000.

Roberts said Regis had been responsible for reviving his career especially after the blow of being released by Chelsea.

“It was never a player-agent relationship with me and him, it was just my uncle Cyrille advising me,” said Roberts.

“That went right back to the start when I was released

by Chelsea at the age of 16 and I fell out of love with football.

“Cyrille was the person that picked me up again and he got me a trial at Hayes FC by convincing the coach Alan Christopher to give me a go. He always encouraged me to play at any level because you never know what might happen. How sage that advice was.”

He added: “There’s no chance I would have had the belief in myself without Cyrille – from the inspiration of playing the game, to feeling there was a place for me in football, to having the belief that my ability could take me as far as I wanted to go.”

Regis is survived by wife Julia and children Robert and Michelle.

Thompson makes ... mates at the Great Dane Classic on Saturday. Jeremy was 5th in the 60m Invitational race with a time of 6.86. He also ran a preliminary time of 6.86.

Winston George: He only ran a relay with Central Park New Balance club team. He ran the 3rd leg, and his team finished 9th overall. No split was available at the time of this email’s composition.

Travis Collins: On January 11, Travis won the 60m dash in a time of 6.64 at the Wichita State Shocker. His time in the final was an improvement on his preliminary run of 7.72.

This is a personal best for the sophomore at Butler Commu-

From back page nity College.)

UPCOMING EVENTS: Along with the usual weekly competitions, the athletes will come together to run a 4x200m at the Armory at the Dr Sander Invitational on January 27. The race features an international field.

On the men’s side, Jeremy Bascom, Winston George and Ken Nelson have confirmed.

The decision is still to be made between two alternates. On the women’s side, Shenika King, Iana Amsterdam, Jenea McCammon and Natricia Hooper have committed to running, with two alternates available if needed.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 16, 2018

21

Scotiabank renews sponsorship of RHTYSC

SCOTIABANK has renewed its sponsorship of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC). Scotiabank and the RHTYSC established the highly successful relationship in 2009, and the sponsorship package for 2018 is worth $875 000.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, who received the sponsorship from Marketing Executive of the Bank, Jennifer Cipriani, disclosed that it covers sponsorships for the RHTYSC’s fourth Annual Children’s Mash Parade, Inter-School Essay Competition, Tribute to Teachers Programme, purchasing of cricket balls for cricket development programme and co-sponsorship of the Club’s Annual Youth Review Magazine and Annual Awards Ceremony.

Outstanding teachers drawn from ten schools in the Lower Corentyne area would be honoured under the Scotiabank’s ‘Tribute to Outstanding Teachers’

Programme, while the same schools would be involved in the Mash Parade scheduled for February 23.

The main objectives of the Parade are to promote the importance of Education, Culture, and Sport to promote social cohesion among residents. $100 000 worth of cricket balls would be purchased towards a planned comprehensive cricket development programme, while the practice equipment would be used on a weekly basis by the Club’s King Solomon Logistics Under-12 team, based at the Rose Hall Town Primary School.

Another $100 000 worth of trophies and medals will go towards the 28th Annual Awards Ceremony which would be held on the April 16.

A total of 40 RHTYSC members would receive $2.5M worth of trophies, medals and prizes, while assistance would be pro-

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster receives the sponsorship from Marketing Executive of the Bank, Jennifer Cipriani.

vided to over 20 NGOs, schools and sport clubs based in Berbice.

The long-serving Secre-

tary/CEO noted that the Scotiabank Mash Parade would be organised by the 10 cricket teams of the RHTYSC and

a total of 700 students are expected to participate.

Foster hailed the relationship between the Club and

Scotiabank as extra special and stated that the RHTYSC was considered the best in Guyana because of the support of institutions like Scotiabank.

He assured that all the programmes under the sponsorship would be properly organised and most importantly would achieve all of the objectives.

Cipriani, in brief response, stated that the sponsorship was indicative of the Bank’s confidence in the administration of the RHTYSC. She stated that the Bank was delighted to be on board for the last ten years and was very proud of the Club’s records of achievements and hard work.

All RHTYSC activities, she stated, were not only well organised but that the Bank was satisfied that its funds were well spent. She expressed confidence that the relationship would continue well into the future.

Four-time Olympic gold medallist Stokes keen to clear his name after affray charge Biles says doctor sexually abused her

By Frank Pingue (REUTERS) - Four-time Olympic gold medallist Simone Biles said yesterday she was sexually abused by former USA Gymnastics team physician Larry Nassar, the latest in a list of female athletes to accuse the doctor of misconduct.

The 20-year-old American, who was a key member of the U.S. team that won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, joins a number of top-level gymnasts who have accused Nassar of abuse, including Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney.

“I too am one of the many survivors that was sexually abused by Larry Nassar,” Biles, 20, wrote in a letter posted on her Twitter account.

“Please believe me when I say it was a lot harder to first speak those words out loud than it is now to put them on paper.

There are many reasons that I have been reluctant to share my story, but I know now it is not my fault.”

Nassar’s attorney, Matt Newburg, said he had no comment on the latest allegations.

Nassar was sentenced last month to 60 years in prison on federal child pornography charges and is set to be sentenced this week in Michigan after pleading guilty to additional counts of criminal sexual conduct related to allegations he assaulted girls under the guise of medical treatment.

“It is not normal to receive any type of treatment from a trusted team physician and refer to it horrifyingly as the ‘special’ treatment,” Biles wrote.

“This behaviour is completely unacceptable, disgusting, and abusive, especially coming from someone whom I was TOLD to

trust.”

Biles, who won a record three successive world all around titles before winning four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, said the alleged incidents left her broken and the more she tried to “shut off the voice in my head the louder it screams”.

She has been an elite gymnast since 2011 and after taking a break to enjoy life away from the gym, she is now training and planning to make her return at the U.S. Classic in late July with the goal of competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“It is impossibly difficult to relive these experiences and it breaks my heart even more to think that as I work toward my dream of competing in Tokyo 2020, I will have to continually return to the same training facility where I was abused,” wrote Biles.

ENGLAND cricketer Ben Stokes has been charged with affray after a fight outside a Bristol nightclub. The 26-year-old and two men from Bristol are due to appear before magistrates at a future date.

Police investigated the incident and sent their findings to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in November.

Stokes missed the Ashes series, with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) saying he would not be considered for England "until further notice".

After being charged, he said: "I am keen to have the opportunity to clear my name."

A statement from the CPS said it received further material in late December.

"Following a review of all the available evidence, the CPS has today authorised the police to charge three men with affray in connection with the incident," it said.

"Ben Stokes, 26, Ryan Ali, 28, and Ryan Hale, 26, are all due to appear before Bristol Magistrates' Court on a date to be fixed in relation to this charge."

Ben Stokes has not played for England since the incident.

The ECB says it will convene within 48 hours to decide on Stokes' availability to represent England.

Affray is a triable either-way charge, which means the case can ultimately be heard in either the magistrates' court or the crown court.

It carries a maximum penalty when tried summarily - in the magistrates' court - of a fine and/or up to six months in prison, and when tried on indictment - in the crown court - of up to three years in prison.

(BBC Sport)

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 16, 2018

Ireland grouped with West Indies for 2019 World Cup qualifier

… Hosts Zimbabwe to feature on the opening day March 4 in Bulawayo; Windies to start campaign in Harare on March 6

West Indies … will re-ignite their rivalry with Ireland in the World Cup Qualifiers.

TWO-TIME world champions Windies will be the star attraction when 10 sides converge on Zimbabwe next month for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018, to battle it out for the two remaining places in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

The announcement marks 500 days to the ICC’s pinnacle 50-over tournament, which will be staged in the United Kingdom from May 30 to July 15.

Queen’s Sports Club and Bulawayo Athletic Club in Bulawayo, Harare Sports Club and Old Hararians Sports Club in Harare and Kwekwe Sports Club, Kwekwe, will share 34 matches from March 4 to 25, with Harare Sports Club staging the final.

The Windies, along with Afghanistan, Ireland and

Zimbabwe, had missed out on automatic qualification for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 by finishing outside the top eight on the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings at the September 30, 2017 cutoff date.

These four sides have been joined by Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Scotland and Papua New Guinea, who finished in the top four of the ICC World Cricket League Championship.

The remaining two sides for the Zimbabwe tournament will be confirmed in Namibia February 8-15 when Canada, Kenya, Namibia, Nepal, Oman and the United Arab Emirates will fight it out in the ICC World Cricket League Division 2, with the finalists getting a step closer to cherishing their dreams of playing in the ICC Cricket World Cup.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday January 16, 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)

Brian Lara-10,348 runs

(2)

Chris Gayle-215 (vs ZIm, Canberra, 2015)

Today’s Quiz: (1) date?

Which WI has taken most ODI wickets to

(2) What are the best bowling figures by a WI in an ODI game to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Eighty-three teams had embarked on the road to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 way back in 2013 through the ICC World Cricket League, introduced to give the teams outside the top 12 meaningful competition as part of the World Cup qualification.

The 10 teams taking part in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 are split into two groups of five teams. The Windies, Ireland, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea and winners of the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 make up Group A, while Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong and runners-up of the ICC World Cricket League

Division 2 form Group B. Each side will play the other teams in their group once with the top three from the groups progressing to the Super Six stage. The teams each play three Super Six matches against the sides they did not meet in the group stage. All points won in the groups will be carried over to the Super Six stage apart from those gained against the bottom two from each group.

The finalists will both progress to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, whilst the Netherlands (ICC World Cricket League Championship winners) and the three highest finishing Associate Members will earn ODI status till 2022 upon the conclusion of the event.

As such, only matches between Afghanistan, Ireland, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, the Windies, Zimbabwe and potentially the United Arab Emirates (if they qualify) will have ODI status in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018.

Hosts Zimbabwe will feature on the opening day of the tournament on March 4 when they take on the runners-up from the Namibia tournament at the Queen’s Sports Club, Bulawayo, while the Windies will square-off against the winners of the Namibia tournament on March 6

at Old Hararians Cricket Club in Harare.

GROUPS: GROUP A: Windies (A1); Ireland (A2); Netherlands (A3); Papua New Guinea (A4); ICC World Cricket League Division 2 (WCL Div.2) winner (A5) GROUP B: Afghanistan (B1); Zimbabwe (B2); Scotland (B3); Hong Kong (B4); ICC World Cricket League Division 2 (WCL Div.2) runners-up (B5) Fixtures (warm-up matches): Tuesday, February 27 – Afghanistan v Windies, Harare Sports Club (HSC); Hong Kong v Netherlands, Old Hararians (OH); WCL Div..2 (winner) v WCL Div..2 (runners-up), Kwekwe (KK); Zimbabwe v Ireland, Queen’s Sports Club (QSC); Scotland v PNG, Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC) Thursday, March 1 – WCL Div..2 (winners) v Windies, Harare Sports Club (HSC); Afghanistan v Netherlands, Old Hararians (OH); Hong Kong v WCL Div..2 (runners-up), Kwekwe (KK); Scotland v Ireland, Queen’s Sports Club (QSC); Zimbabwe v PNG, Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC) TOURNAMENT PROPER (FIRST ROUND): Sunday, March 4 – PNG v WCL Div..2 winner, HSC; Ireland v Netherlands, OH; Zimbabwe v WCL Div..2 (runners-up), Queens Sports Club (QSC); Afghanistan v Scotland, BAC

Tuesday, March 6 – PNG v Ireland, HSC; Windies v WCL Div. 2 (winner), OH; Zimbabwe v Afghanistan, QSC; Scotland v Hong Kong, BAC Thursday, March 8 – Netherlands v WCL Div.2 (winner), HSC; Windies v PNG, OH; Scotland v WCL Div..2 (runners-up), QSC; Afghanistan v Hong Kong, BAC Saturday, March 10 – Windies v Ireland, HSC; PNG v Netherlands, OH; Zimbabwe v Hong Kong, QSC; Afghanistan v WCL Div. 2 (runners-up), BAC Monday, March 12 – Windies v Netherlands, HSC; Ireland v WCL Div. 2 (winners), OH; Hong Kong v WCL Div. 2 (runners-up), QSC; Zimbabwe v Scotland, BAC SUPER SIXES Thursday, March 15 – A1 v B1, HSC; A3 v B3, QSC; A5 v B4 (play-off), OH; A4 v B5 (play-off), KK Friday, March 16 – A2 v B2, HSC Saturday, March 17 – 9th/10th position play-off, OH; 7th/8th position playoff, KK Sunday, March 18 – A2 v B3, HSC Monday, March 19 – A1 v B2, HSC Tuesday, March 20 – A3 v B1, HSC Thursday, March 22 – A1 v B3, HSC; A3 v B2, OH Friday, March 23 – A2 v B1, HSC Sunday, March 25 – FINAL, HSC

Red Force slide to bottom of Regional 4-Day standings

…Scorpions eye second spot ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago Red Force have slumped to the bottom of the Regional Four-Day Championship standings, after suffering their third straight defeat on Sunday.

In the latest points standings, Red Force were languishing on 80 points, with just two wins in nine matches, in what has been another difficult season.

Their innings and 38-run defeat to Windward Islands Volcanoes at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada, was their fourth of the campaign and saw them slip from fourth after earning only 3.2 points from the encounter.

Red Force, who have failed to compete since the

emergence of the new Professional Cricket League four years ago, went down by 207 runs to Barbados Pride in the seventh round and lost by one wicket to Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the following round.

The Denesh Ramdin-led side have not won since they beat Hurricanes by an innings at Warner Park.

Ramdin has been the bright spark for the side this season, already with over 700 runs and three hundreds.

Jamaica Scorpions, meanwhile, have taken aim at second place in the already-decided championship, following their comprehensive 57run victory over Hurricanes in Kingston on Sunday.

They have 91 points and

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force skipper Denesh Ramdin

are only 3.6 points behind the second-placed Pride who drew with newly-minted champions Guyana Jaguars in their contest at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.

Scorpions and Pride will clash at the Oval in the last round of the competition starting Thursday, a fixture that will decide second place.

Hurricanes, who face Volcanoes in the final round,

lie fourth on 85.2 points while Volcanoes are fifth on 80.4 points.

Jaguars, still unbeaten this season, sit on top the standings on 145.2 points, having wrapped up their fourth straight title following their eighth round win over Scorpions in Kingston.

They take on Red Force in Georgetown in their final fixture.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 16, 2018

23

Good Hope FC, Henrietta United record wins

By Elroy Stephney THE Essequibo Coast and Pomeroon Football Association (ECPFA)sponsored senior league tournament resumed in Essequibo with a lone fixture at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground last Saturday.

Hosts Good Hope FC took the opportunity to inflict a 6-0 drubbing of Super XI FC in front of a large and vociferous crowd that included GFA Executive member Maxine Stewart.

The goal-scoring spree began with former national Under-16 player Dwayne Thomas netting in the 3rd minute with a neatly-timed long range shot that evaded

the keeper.

His teammate Rovin Latchman then accounted for the second goal in the 18th minute with another skilful display.

Goals continued as Delroy Horne found the back of the net in the 26th minute to register one of his two goals in the match.

Shawn Sealey then joined the list of goalscorers when he headed a corner accurately into the net to score in the 39th minute.

Dwayne Thomas was again among the scorers in the 41st minute to register his second goal with the score at halftime being 5-0.

During the second half, Super XI seemed better organised as they sought to

Double strikers: Good Hope FC Delroy Horne (left) and Dwayne Thomas

regain their confidence and control of ball possession.

They fought gallantly and had a few chances.

However, in the 64th

minute, it was Good Hope’s Delroy Horne who again found the net and sealed a massive victory 6-0 in favour of his team.

The officiating referee was Olwin Stewart.

The competition continued on Sunday at the same venue with Henrietta United FC gaining a 3-1 triumph against Charity Extreme FC in a thrilling encounter.

It was Charity Extreme FC who opened their account with the first strike when Hose Peters headed accurately into the net in the 30th minute as the game was played at a fast pace with good skills emanating from both teams.

Henrietta FC seemed stunned and retaliated through the boot of Sheldon Pitt who guided one past the keeper in the 35th minute to score one of

his two goals.

The game progressed nicely with both teams trading shots until in the 50th minute when Sheldon Pitt hammered in another goal as he proved to be unstoppable.

Henrietta United FC then controlled the game at their pace, securing another goal in the 72nd minute off the boot of Devon Romeo to claim a well deserved victory 3-1 in their favour.

The officiating referee was Colin Belfield.

Meanwhile the competition will resume next weekend with another round of matches at various venues across the Essequibo Coast including at Walton Hall, Mainstay and Charity grounds. (Elroy Stephney)

Linden’s CWSS Track Club seeking financial Williams, Skeete open support to attend Barbados Relay Fair athletics season on high note WORLD Youth silver medallist Daniel Williams, and South American Youth gold medallist Deshanna Skeete opened their season in fine form last Sunday at the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Development Meet at the National Track and Field Centre on the West Coast of Demerara.

Super Upcoming Runners’ Cassie Small, Kezra Murray (Police), and seniors Leslain Baird, Devaun Barrington and Winston Missigher, were also among the day’s leaders, at the age group meet, which marked the start of the AAG’s 2017 season.

Williams found little competition as he championed the Boys 17-19 300m, 150m and 80m sprints.

In the 300m he clocked 35.57s, quite a distance ahead of Hopetown Flames’ Lionel Marks, who trotted in for second with a time of 36.72s. Christianburg’s Jennis Benjamin managed to secure third with a time of 36.99s.

In the 150m, Williams had an impressive 15.35 seconds; Marks once again followed for another second-place finish, with a time of 15.73 secs.

In the 80m event Williams needed just 8.48 secs to make it to the finish line, while Benjamin was able to pick up a second place in 8.60 secs.

Skeete owned the Girls’ 14-16 300m in a blistering 41.87 secs, where Shantay George claimed second place in 42.62 secs and Keliza Smith was third with 42.86

secs.

Used to being at the top spot on the field in the jumps, Linden jumper Chantoba Bright found herself relegated on the track, when she was outclassed by Small in the Girls’ 17-19 300m. Small covered the distance in 41.71 secs, just pipping Bright, who ended he run in 41.79 secs Tonya Rawlins took third place in a time of 44.60s.

Barrington and Missigher ruled in the middle-distance races. Missigher had an entire minute to spare ahead of longtime rival Cleveland Thomas, winning the Boys’ 1200m in 3:13.94s.

Barrington took hold of the Boys’ open 600m, and clocked 1:23.00s for the win. Also taking wins in the 600m distance was Upper Demerara’s Daniel Melville and Maria Urquhart. Melville won the Boys’ 17-19 category in 1:24.69s, while Urquhart won the Girls’ in 1:41.75s.

Police’s Kezra Murray won the Girls’ 17-19 1000m, while Shaquka claimed first place in the Girls’ 14-16 1000m.

On the distaff side Kezia Moore was consistent in her events placing in the top three on each occasion. She was first across the finish line in the Girls’ 14-16 80m finishing with 10.30s while Annalisa Barclay came in second (10.53s) and Dominique Semple third (11.60s).

In the field events, national men’s javelin record-holder Leslain Baird opened his season with a 70.74m throw.

By Rawle Toney

MOSES Pantlitz, one of Linden’s (and Guyana’s) most dedicated track and field coaches, is seeking the assistance of corporate Guyana to help realise his Linden-based Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) Track Club’s dream of competing at this year’s Barbados Relay Fair, February 10.

Pantlitz is best known for his commitment to the sport and for being the coach of Cassie George, the ‘triple gold medallist’ at the CARIFTA Games, and Compton Caesar who won Guyana’s first CARIFTA gold in the 100m last year.

The well-known athletics coach, speaking to Chronicle Sport yesterday, highlighted that his hope is to have 14 athletes (eight females and six males) compete in the U-17 category and three officials.

“We’re at about 70% with funding on our airfare which I’m hoping to wrap-up by Wednesday (tomorrow), but we’re still waiting on parents to show up,” said the always optimistic Pantlitz who is asking for support to make the trip possible.

To the club’s end, a food fair as well as a take-away lunch is planned for this weekend. Pantlitz pointed out that his club will be making a return to the popular regional event for the first time since 2012.

“I’ve been taking teams to the Relay Fair since 2005 (St John’s College), but after 2012, when I had the likes of Onassha Rogers and Cassie George, who were just 12 and 11 years old respectively, we didn’t go to Barbados,” Pantlitz

15-year-old sensation Deshanna Skeete is among the athletes coach Moses Pantlitz will be taking to Barbados. (Samuel Maughn Photo)

noted.

South American Youth Games 400m gold medallist Deshanna Skeete, Shaka Tyrell and Murphy Nash are among some of the names Pantlitz will be hoping to take to the ‘Land of the Flying Fish’ next month, but the coach emphasised that funding is important.

“We have a few contribution forms where we are asking persons around Linden to support and some people outside of Linden as well.

We’re talking airfare mostly, accommodation and so on as well,” Pantlitz said.

It is Pantlitz’ hope to arrive

in Barbados three days before the event, (February 7) and return on February 12.

According to the athletics coach, the Barbados Relay Fair is a schools championship, and as such, it’s important to be able to measure your talent against some of the best from across the region and even teams from North America.

“We need to do much more relays and I think at these international meets we attend as a country, we put aside the relays.

We might not medal individually, but in the relays we could be a force, so I think we really need to put a lot of emphasis on relays.

I’ve seen the results at competing at this Relay Fair before, so it’s important for us to attend,” Pantlitz stated.

The athletics coach could be reached on 679-4536 for anyone desirous of contributing to their cause.

The Barbados Relay Fair is a highly competitive meet for all regional athletes strategically timed to serve as an instrumental competition in the peak preparation of athletes targeting their local inter-school championships, the CARIFTA Games, World Junior Games and beyond.

The event provides for all divisions from the primary school-age child competing in U-13, through secondary/high school categories – U-13 U-15, U-17, U-20 to tertiary institutions/clubs as well as the Masters.

Relay distances cater to the athletes of all distances. These include the distance medley, Swedish medley 4×200, 4×800 relays in addition to the popular 4x100m and showcase 4x400m.

Linden’s CWSS Track Club seeking financial support to attend Barbados Relay Fair

Page 23

Thompson makes season debut … Samuels, McKoy continue to shine

LAST weekend saw some stellar performances from the Guyanese athletes in the U.S., competing at various levels, including the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Listed below are the results and updates.

Natricia Hooper: She ran the 500m at the Great Dane Classic on Saturday. Her 1:16.45 was good enough for 5th place.

Onassha Rodgers: One of three Guyanese runners at Monroe College in New Rochelle (team-mates are Avon Samuels and Claudrice McKoy: She had a busy week competing at two meets back-to-back, to simulate championship-type competition atmosphere. On Friday, she finished 4th at the HBCU Challenge at the Armory in the 200m in a time of 25.66. The next day

(L-R) Brenessa Thompson, Claudrice McKoy and Natricia Hooper she ran 7.72 in the 60m. The college freshman continues to show talent and maturity.

Avon Samuels: Avon continues to impress coaches, handling the two days of competition in a professional

manner. On Friday at the HBCU she opened with a phenomenal 1:15.51 in the 500m - her first time running the event and coming away with a win. The next day she returned a 58.89 and 25.95

in the 400m (25th) and 200m (27th) respectively. Her times were good enough to qualify for the NJCAA nationals at the end of the indoor season.

Claudrice McKoy: She continues to impress from

her cross country season (she was the NJCAA MVP).

She won the mile at the HBCU Challenge in a time of 5:23.52. She ran the 100m at the Great Dane meet the following day and returned

an amazing 2:59.61 to finish 11th overall.

Brenessa Thompson: In her first meet of 2018, she posted 4th and 5th in the 60m (7.55) and 200m (24.11) respectively at the Ted Nelson Invitational in College Station, Texas on January 13. Her 60m time of 7.53 achieved on December 9 at the Reveille Invitational was slightly quicker.

Stephan James: On January 12, he false-started in 500m at the UAB Blazer Invitational in Birmingham, Alabama. He was disqualified for the race and later competed with three other teammates from Mississippi State University in the 4x400m relay. His team finished 3rd with a time of 3:13.11 Jeremy Bascom: He joined his team Turn to page 20

Four-time Olympic gold Roberts hails his late uncle and medallist Biles says doctor English football legend Cyrille Regis … Impact bigger than the game

Cyrille Regis made his England debut in 1982.

sexually abused her

Page 20

Page 21

Simone Biles won four gold medals at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2018