Guyana chronicle e paper 02 25 2017

Hindus observe Shivraatri Page 16

Success for Sophia

No. 104835 SATURDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2017

Page 3

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

– community gets roads, water, light ... Pres Granger says gov’t correcting years of injustice

President David Granger and his wife Mrs Sandra Granger greet residents of Sophia, while Attorney General, Basil Williams; Minister within the ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes; GWI, Managing Director, Richard Van-West Charles and other officials look on (Adrian Narine photo)

Cop killed in accident

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Hospital couple held for drug fraud Page 17

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 25, 2017

Cop dies after crashing police vehicle

By Rabindra Rooplall

THE Guyana Police Force is in a state of mourning following the horrific death of a Lance Corporal who died on Friday, hours after crashing a police minibus opposite the Vigilance, East Coast Demerara police station.

Dead is 25-year-old Police Special Lance Corporal, 14790 Ashwell Jackman of ‘B’ Field Sophia, East Coast Demerara. He was attached to the Mess Hall of the police force.

The accident occurred at approximately 3:00hrs Friday during the heavy rainfall, when Jackman lost control of the police minibus - PTT 8504 – and crashed into the garage of a business place opposite the Vigilance Police Station. He was the only occupant of the vehicle at the time.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the GPF, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, said that Jackman was proceeding west along the northern side of Vigilance public

Dead: Ashwell Jackman road, when he lost control and collided with a lamp pole and a fence on the southern side of the road.

He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital in an unconscious state and died while receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit. This newspaper understands that Lance Corporal Jackman joined the Force in

2014 and at the time of the death, he was stationed at Brickdam Police Station.

Raymond Ragbar, the businessman who suffered a damage garage and fence as a result of the accident, told this newspaper that he was jolted out of his sleep by the impact.

Upon checking outside, Ragbar said he saw the accident and observed the lone police rank inside the vehicle in an unconscious state. According to the businessman, moments after, ranks from the Vigilance police station arrived at the scene and took their colleague to the hospital.

Later that morning, Ragbar said a Police Inspector visited the scene and promised to have a contractor fix the damaged concrete fence, wooden garage door and a canter truck, which was parked at the spot during the accident. The canter only suffered minor damages. The damaged police minibus was taken to police headquarters.

The damaged fence, garage and canter truck following the accident

MACORP Branch Manager arrested with illegal gun

POLICE in Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD) on Thursday evening arrested a MACORP Branch Manager with an unlicensed 9MM pistol along with twelve live matching rounds.

Police said about 19:30hrs, ranks while on foot patrol at a playground in the community, observed the suspect tucking an object in his waist. A search was conducted and the firearm and ammunition were found.

The 25-year-old suspect of the same community is expected to appear in court on Monday.

The pistol and matching rounds which were found

Miner accused of beating sister, grandfather

A MINER accused of beating his grandfather with a piece of wood and assaulting his sister, was released on bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Friday.

Delroy Williams, 21, pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on February 23, 2017 at Co-op Village, Mahdia, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Clifton Williams, his grandfather.

He also denied that on the said day, he unlawfully assaulted his sister, Louisiano Williams, so as to cause her actual bodily harm.

According to reports, on the day in question there was a misunderstanding between Williams and his grandfather.

Williams became annoyed,

allegedly armed himself with a piece of wood and dealt his grandfather lashes about the body.

Williams’ sister however rushed to her grandfather’s aid but was also allegedly beaten by her brother. The two were rushed to the hospital, where they were treated and subsequently released.

The grandfather suffered from lacerations to the head and a fractured bone.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones did not object to bail; the accused did not have legal representation.

The Chief Magistrate released the miner on $75,000 bail and transferred the matter to the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court for April 18, 2017.

Mason charged with nightclub murder SHAWN Harris was remanded to prison on Friday

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for the fatal stabbing of a man in the vicinity of the Blue Martini nightclub in Kitty.

The 29-year-old mason of Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on February 5, 2017 at Owen Street, Kitty he murdered Sunil Singh called ‘Grey’.

The unrepresented man was remanded to prison until March 20, 2017 as the police file is incomplete. According Shawn Harris to reports, patrol ranks went to the Blue Martini Nightclub and closed the club about 2:45hrs on February 5 after which they left.

However, shortly after, it is alleged by Charles Valenzuela, an employee of the nightspot, that three men arrived and wanted to enter the club.

At that point in time, the young man informed them that the club was closed and this resulted in an argument, during which one of the men stabbed Valenzuela to his left arm.

Singh, who was present at the time, intervened and was trying to make peace when the suspect, dealt Singh a lash to his head.

Singh then reportedly ran north into Railway Street, Kitty, and was pursued by his attacker, who caught up with him and stabbed him several times.

Both Singh and Valenzuela were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where Singh was pronounced dead on arrival and Valenzuela was treated and sent away.

Harris was released from prison in 2016 after serving a sentence time on a drug charge; he was also charged in connection with the Bank of Baroda robbery committed at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara on January 22, 2016.

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Success for Sophia GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 25, 2017

– community gets roads, water, light

... Pres Granger says gov’t correcting years of injustice

By Svetlana Marshall SAYING it was correcting years of injustices to the people of Sophia, Greater Georgetown, government on Friday commissioned several roads, a water production system, street lights and distributed bicycles to school children of the community.

President David Granger commissioned the infrastructural works which include the construction of asphaltic roads along with the installation of hundreds

Granger pointed out, but said residents must not believe that it is a slum, a shantytown or a squatting settlement, for it is more than that.

He said Sophia for a long time was a “No-Ville.”

“Sophia had no water, people had to get black tanks, had to collect rain water, had to buy water, had to get water from the trenches. Sophia had no good roads…

Sophia had no sewerage, had to depend on latrines.

Sophia had no electricity, everything was no,” he said.

munity, he urged the residents to invest in their children’s education, setting a foundation that would enable them to acquire meaningful employment.

The President delivered the address to a cheering crowd with the support of his wife, the First Lady Sandra Granger, the Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Dr. Richard VanWest Charles; and key Cabinet Members, including the Attorney General and

President David Granger and the First Lady, Sandra Granger walking on the newly paved road in the vicinity of ‘D’ Field Sophia in the presence of other Ministers and local leaders of street lights in Sophia, totaling $825M. Additionally, the President commissioned the Sophia Water Production and Distribution System, which was built at a cost of $44M and is expected to benefit some 15,000 residents. But the Government did not stop there; it used the opportunity to hand over 40 bicycles to school children in the area, under President Granger’s Five B’s Initiative.

In his address to scores of residents, who turned out to be a part of the historic event, President Granger said Sophia is an urban legend which has endured struggling times. “It is a saga of sacrifice, it is a saga of struggle, and it is a saga of survival; and today is a celebration of the success that comes after sacrifice, struggle and the battle for survival,” he noted.

Despite being the largest ward in Georgetown with over 25,000 residents, it is the poorest, President

Additionally, there were no schools, health centres, and play grounds or other essential services and facilities, and while some progress has been made, the community has a far way to go, the President said. As part of the national capital of the country, President Granger said, Sophia must reclaim its dignity and rebuild the spirit of community.

“This community cannot be transformed by Government alone, we need the support of all of the residents, all of the citizens, we need the support of civil society, we need the support of the municipality. So all four of us working together, citizens, civil society, municipality and central government we can transform Sophia,” President Granger emphasised.

INVEST IN EDUCATION Additionally, as a com-

Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams; Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally; Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes and Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma.

City Mayor, Patrica Chase Green and Sophia City Councillor, Andrea Marks were also present.

Minister Patterson, in his address, said the infrastructural works done in the community of Sophia are in keeping with the Government’s commitment to providing the good life to all Guyanese. Based on the ministry’s assessments of roads in the city, Sophia had the worst roads, Patterson said. According to him upon recognising this fact, the most affected areas were identified for upgrades, and as such between 2015 and 2016, a total of

$825M was pumped into the upgrading of roads, including a ring road and installation of much needed street lights.

“So where ever we constructed or upgraded a road, we installed street lights,” the Public Infrastructure Minister noted. This year, an additionally $60M will be spent on infrastructural works, he disclosed. However, Minister Patterson said while the Government is playing its part, residents must demonstrate care and consideration.

He said, the ministry has already received reports of speeding, and drivers must desist from such acts which can lead to damage to property and loss of life and limb.

WATER IS LIFE Meanwhile, Dr. VanWest Charles, in his address, said change has come to the people of Sophia, and GWI, under this stewardship is ready to deliver in keeping with its mission “to deliver safe, adequate and affordable water” to the citizenry, in addition to the provision of safe sewerage systems.

“Residents of Sophia, the disrespect meted out to you by having you dig 3

Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, addressing the large gathering to 4 feet below the ground surface to access water for your daily activities is now a thing of the past,” he said.

With a new water production and distribution system in place, the CEO said that the water quality will be monitored on a daily basis, and the results will be shared with residents. “We are aware that you have been receiving bills despite the fact that the company was aware of the trials you have been faced with in accessing water. For these unwarranted actions, I apologise to you the residents of Sophia,” Dr. Van-West Charles added, while announcing that the Commercial Director, Marlon

Daniels will soon meet with residents to effect the necessary corrections.

“Effective from March, there will be a new billing process to reflect your new access,” he added. He also used the opportunity to encourage those residents who have not yet registered with GWI, to register, noting that the requirements are simple: Identification Card or Passport and a TIN Certificate.

As part of the commissioning ceremony, the First Lady with assistance from the Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally handed over 40 bicycles to children in the area, many of whom are in Grade Six.

First Lady, Sandra Granger, hands over one of the 40 bicycles to an overly happy school girl

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 25, 2017

Trump promises border wall ‘soon, way ahead of schedule’

[BBC] - US President Donald Trump has vowed to start building a wall on the Mexican border “soon, way ahead of schedule”, in a speech at a conservative event.

Addressing the Conservative Political Action Congress (CPAC), he vowed to always put American citizens first and build a “great, great border wall”.

He also promised to focus on “getting bad people out of this country”.

Mr Trump was greeted by chants of “USA, USA, USA!” as he addressed the annual forum in Maryland.

“We’re building the wall,” he said. “In fact it’s going to start very soon.

Way ahead of schedule. It’s way, way, way ahead of schedule.” His comments come a day after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly met their Mexican counterparts in Mexico City. Neither made any mention of the wall in Thursday’s news conference after their closed-door meetings.

The wall could cost up to $21.5bn (£17.2bn), according to Reuters, citing a Department of Homeland Security internal report - much higher than Mr Trump’s estimated price tag of $12bn (£9.6bn). On Thursday senior White House strategist Steve

Donald Trump

Bannon told the crowd at CPAC that Donald Trump wasn’t moderating his views or backing down from his controversial campaign promises. On Friday the president took the stage and proved his top adviser right.

In a wide-ranging speech to a crowd of rightwing activists and students, Mr Trump continued his efforts to reshape the Republican Party in his own image. He condemned trade deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Nafta, which previously had widespread conser-

vative support, to cheers.

He promised once again to build the Mexican border wall - ahead of schedule, no less - and crack down on illegal immigration, just a few years after many in his party supported comprehensive immigration reform.

In a conference hall that contained more than a few career political operatives and professional Washington lobbyists, he condemned a “broken” political system full of “blood-sucking consultants” who peddle government influence. Two years

ago Mr Trump’s presence at CPAC was treated as an afterthought and a reality television joke. A year ago he decided to skip the event entirely. On Friday morning he arrived in a presidential motorcade.

It’s a brave new world for conservatives and their movement. Mr Trump, who has insisted Mexico would later pay for the wall, needs Congressional approval for funding before moving forward with construction.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has said he would not finance Mr Trump’s wall. On Friday, President Trump also said he was working on a plan to “totally obliterate” the so-called Islamic State.

“Foreign terrorists will not be able to strike America if they can’t get in to America,” he said.

Mr Trump continued that he “took a lot of heat on Sweden”, referring to his erroneous claim that an attack had recently happened there.

He told the crowd: “I love Sweden... but the people over there understand

I’m right.”

The president then referred to terrorist attacks in France before telling an anecdote about a friend who used to love travelling to Paris every year, but has stopped because “Paris is no longer Paris”.

One of the loudest rounds of applause came when he emphasised his ‘America First’ outlook.

“Global co-operation, dealing with other countries, getting along with other countries is good,” he said.

“It’s very important.

“But there’s no such thing as a global anthem, a global currency or a global flag.

“This is the United States of America that I’m representing. I’m not representing the globe; I’m representing your country.”

Mr Trump is the first president to address the group during his first year in office since Ronald Reagan in 1981, according to American Conservative Union chairman Matt Schlapp.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 25, 2017

Carnival kicks off in Brazil despite recession, security woes

[Reuters] - Carnival festivities kick off in Brazil on Friday, with officials in Rio de Janeiro, site of the country’s best-known revelry, preparing to hand the key of the city over to “King Momo,” a figurehead who traditionally presides over the partying.

Despite an ongoing recession and police strikes that raised security concerns in recent weeks, thousands of locals and tourists swarmed across Rio for the start of the five-day festival, which the city expects will draw more than 1 million visitors and generate about $1 billion for the local economy.

The celebration, known for block parties and the big-budget spectacle of parades at Rio’s official Carnival venue, this year

Revellers take part in the annual block party Cordao de Boitata during pre-carnival festivities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. [REUTERS/Pilar Olivares]

plays out as Brazil seeks to emerge from a two-year recession, its worst on record, and political volatility that last year led to a presidential impeachment.

A limited police strike in Rio, and a far bigger

stoppage by police in the neighboring state of Espirito Santo, earlier this month prompted fears of a crime surge during Carnival. The strike in Espirito Santo, which lasted a week, led to a spike in murders, thefts and

assaults. But policing in Rio by this week had returned to normal and pre-Carnival street parties have been celebrated without major disruptions. With beer and cocktails flowing freely, officials have deployed outdoor urinals across the city and some offices and stores, wary of vandals, have boarded up windows and doors.

The festival, whose roots lie in a tradition of carnal indulgence before the austere Catholic season of Lent, officially ends next Wednesday. Major carnival parades and other festivities will also take place in other cities, including São Paulo, Brazil’s biggest metropolis, and Salvador, a city in the northeast where processions of giant floats serve as stages for pop stars and other performers.

Guatemala army blocks Dutch boat offering abortions [BBC] - The Guatemalan army says it will block the activities of a non-profit “abortion boat” docked on its shores. The Dutch non-profit group, Women on Waves, offers free abortion services to women in countries where the procedure is banned.

It takes women in the early stages of pregnancy out to international waters, where the abortion is performed.

Abortion is banned in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation, except to save the mother’s life.

The Army said it had been instructed by President

Jimmy Morales to act, and would defend “human life and the laws of our country” by preventing the group from carrying out abortions.

Officials are preventing activists from disembarking from the ship, and women will not be allowed to board the boat, reports say. The Women on Waves’ boat docked on the Pacific Ocean port of Quetzal, in the city of San Jose, on Wednesday.

The group says it has a legal permit to sail in Guatemalan waters and the boat is being illegally “detained” by the authorities. It had planned to stay in the country for five

days. The group says more than 60,000 illegal abortions are performed in Guatemala every year, and most of the women who put their lives at risk at the hands of untrained professionals are poor.

“We respect religious beliefs but this [abortion] is a fundamental right in a democracy,” spokeswoman Leticia Zevich told La Hora Newspaper. However, Guatemala’s Catholic Church, other religious leaders and politicians protested against the presence of the boat.

“The boat of death has arrived in Guatemala,” said lawmaker Raul Rome-

ro during a Congress session earlier on Wednesday.

In most Latin American countries, abortion is either illegal or only allowed to save the life of the woman.

Barbados Central Bank Governor fired BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, Dr DeLisle Worrell, has been fired less than 24 hours after the Appeal Court lifted an injunction against his removal from office.

His attorney Gregory Nicholls confirmed that his client had received correspondence on Friday terminating his services. Worrell was appointed for a second five-year term in October 2014 after he was initially appointed on November 1, 2009.

However, Nicholls has warned that the matter is far from over since Worrell intends to challenge the minister’s right to dismiss him at the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) the island’s highest court. The 72-year-old Worrell is expected to issue a statement later on Friday. On Thursday, the acting Chief Justice Sandra Mason, who

Dr DeLisle Worrell

along with Justices Andrew Burgess and Kaye Greenidge presided over the four-hour long hearing, dismissed a case in which he challenged the right of Finance Minister Chris Sinckler to force him out of office.

The Court of Appeal lifted a six-day injunction that was preventing the Minister of Finance from removing Worrell from his post as one of the leading decision-makers on economic policies in the country.

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Editorial

The new housing drive The APNU+AFC administration has committed to bringing a new approach to tackling housing development. It has proposed to build communities, as against issuing house lots where persons are expected to construct their individual homes. Another aspect of issuing house lots is that there was a haphazard approach to infrastructural development. In many instances houses were built in areas without roads, including sidewalks, proper drainage, sewerage, and absent electricity and telephone services.

In this physical environment though every home owner should feel the sense of satisfaction and pride in being able to own a piece of real estate, and by extension a piece of Guyana, it compromises the aesthetics and property value.

Building communities not only addresses the infrastructural deficiencies as obtained in the present house lot allocation but it brings a sense of orderliness, improve aesthetic and property value. The psychological comfort is also boosted in community environment, where one will enter a turn-key house, absent the frustration of having no utilities and proper infrastructural connectivity to gain ingress and egress to one’s home.

The present proposed community approach to housing development, should it be modelled based on past experiences, has characteristics such as community playground, business centers, health clinic, schools and proper infrastructures and basic services. Some communities across the country are Tucber and Town Council schemes in Berbice, Henrietta and Suddie Housing schemes in Essequibo, and Tucville and South Ruimveldt in Georgetown, to name a few. Where Guyana is pursuing a Green Economy there may be other characteristics.

In 2016 the Central Housing and Planning Authority has

said it will expend $50B to revamp the Housing Programme.

Recently Minister Valarie Patterson, who is the minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for housing, announced that 60 duplexes apartment will be built in Linden. The new home owners are expected to be primarily state employees, young professionals, and middle income earners. This pilot project creates opportunities to construct communities satisfying the requirement of a green economy.

One of the deficiencies that has to be admitted within recent times in the construction of houses is that Guyanese are building these with little or no attention paid to our low-lying coastal plain which is below sea level and the tropical environment. It has become a feature to see houses built for style and not convenience. In this regard it is not unusual to see houses here more appropriate for temperate environment, like North America and Europe. Such construction places financial burden on the home owner to properly ventilate, necessitating the purchase of fans or air-condition units, which increase electricity consumption and cost.

Government may find it useful to look at constructing houses appropriate to the tropical environment and with a green economy focus factor on ventilation and energy saving.

Alternative energy supply can examine solar energy, where panels are installed on the roof, giving persons the option to go fully solar or create hybrid energy (fossil and solar). Or it may be worthwhile to explore the possibility of establishing a solar grid specifically for some communities. Linden is well placed to experiment with alternative energy given its energy bill. The employment of skills to build these houses allows the government to begin the streamlining of and bringing this category of labour into the formal economy and consistent

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 25, 2017

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Editorial

with Employment Laws. Such compliance will see obligations being honoured to National Insurance Scheme, the Guyana Revenue Authority, Occupational Safety and Health Act, and so forth.

Waste management can entail testing the viability of moving away from septic tanks to that of building sewage plants. Doing this will bring Guyana into honouring its obligation under the Cartagena Convention in liquid sewage management. The placement of new communities is likely to see some displacement of the natural landscape.

When this is being done it would help to ensure efforts are undertaken to comply with sustainable management of the foliage and fauna, and even waterways where they exist.

Guyana is moving into new territory, though it is returning to the value of building communities. Where the green economy is being pursued as the developmental thrust, the possibilities are endless. The new terrain should be tackled, head on, with gusto, not only for the challenges that it will present, but the new frontiers and opportunities for growth and development.

PSC antics over SARA bill a precipitous bluff Dear Editor,

THE Private Sector Commission’s (PSC’s) ongoing antics over the State Asset Bill are becoming more and more absurd, and resemble a precipitous bluff.

The PSC is supposed to be a holistic representative body of businesses in Guyana. Most, if not all, of those businesses have international partnerships. Those partners are subject to laws, regulations and protocols governing their respective jurisdictions. Every time the State Asset Bill or SARU is mentioned, certain members of the PSC seem to have involuntary uncontrollable intestinal turbulence that triggers looseness of the bowels. Such is reflective in that body’s utterances.

People invariably become nervous, evasive or defensive about things for which they have direct or indirect guilt. Those behavioral tendencies are often

implicit indicators that they have something to protect or hide. The PSC should seek to disassociate itself from such tendencies if its membership is above board.

Guyanese never heard a single squeak from the PSC regarding the rapacious misuse, embezzlement and rampage of State Assets over the past 20 years, prior to 2015.

It is irresponsible for the PSC to seek to instill fear among the masses when that body is well aware that the majority of Guyanese played no part in the annual siphoning of over $300 Billion dollars in State Assets of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. The average citizen’s focus is on bread and butter issues, not laundering money or massive capital flight.

The responsible management of state assets and initiatives against corruption are international imperatives that are gaining massive momentum and integral components for incumbent

government’s policy.

The World Bank Group and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have formed a partnership under the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative, which works collaboratively with developing countries, such as GUYANA, to prevent the laundering of the proceeds of corruption and facilitate the timely recovery of stolen assets.

President of the World Bank Group, Mr. Jim Yong Kim, cited that “Corruption steals from the poor. It steals the promise of a brighter future.” The State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) was set up by the Coalition Government to address State Asset abuses and concerns in Guyana. Its functionality is to initially ensure that stolen or misappropriated state assets are traced and recovered.

Assets of the state fundamentally include Tax-payers funded tangibles, Land and Finance. Every elected Gov-

ernment in the world has a fiduciary duty to prudently manage, preserve and protect its state’s assets. Guyana is no exception, as the majority of citizens expect the government to ensure that there is accountability, fairness and equitable distribution of the nation’s resources.

In November 2009 at the Global Forum IV in Doha, Qatar, Eric Holder, former Attorney General of the United States, stated “[W]e must work together to ensure that corrupt officials do not retain the illicit proceeds of their corruption.

There is no gentleway to say it: When kleptocrats loot their nations’ treasuries, steal natural resources, and embezzle development aid, they condemn their nations’ children to starvation and disease. In the face of this manifest injustice, asset recovery is a global imperative.” (end of quote).

The PSC expressed its highest appreciation for the

prior administration, an administration under which the state’s assets were being wasted, pilfered, destroyed, stolen or otherwise indiscriminately distributed.

The PSC is an informed party of prior consultations on the establishment of SARA by SARU, and given ample time to make meaningful contributions towards the Bill brought before parliament.

For the PSC to now take a petulant position against SARA, given past impropriety against the state for which they remained unreservedly silent, signals their complicity toward the pilfering of state assets. That position is indicative of outright resistance towards the incumbent for seeking to reverse a national disaster and bring this nation into compliance with internationally acceptable systems of appropriate State Asset management.

The PSC’s nostalgia,

compounded by their attitude of resentment and hostility towards SARA, creates the impression that they may have been seriously compromised. A responsible PSC would have cooperated with government’s efforts to investigate capital flight and prevent money and bond laundering involving private companies. Unless members of the PSC fear exposure of some sort, it is difficult to comprehend their uncooperative stance towards the SARA Bill, which seeks to empower the government to fulfill its fiduciary obligations, constitutional mandate and international expectations.

The Government, not the PSC, will be ultimately held accountable if the prior to May 2015 hemorrhage of State Assets is left unattended.

Regards Orette Cutting

No role in ‘no objections’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 25, 2017

PPC says ‘no objections’ to contract remains with Cabinet

… urges revision to some aspects of Procurement Act THE recently established Public Procurement Commission (PPC) on Friday has made recommendations for the revision of some aspects of the Public Procurement Act given the conflicting nature of some provisions within the legislation.

In a statement to the media on Friday, the Constitutional body said, “the PPC has spent considerable time reviewing the existing legislation and has already identified the need for revision and / or amendments to the Procurement Act and the Regulations made thereunder to ensure clarity of the provisions, removal of conflicting sections and to ensure compliance with the Constitution.”

Two areas have been identified for immediate attention; the role of Cabinet in reviewing all procurements which exceed G$15 million, as provided for in Section 54 (1) to (5) of the Act and constantly referred to as the “No Objection Role of Cabinet”; and the role and functions of the Bid Protest Committee.

As required by the Constitution of Guyana, the Commission has also received and reviewed complaints from contractors, but that process has been constrained by several issues. The PPC noted however that Section 17 (2) of the Procurement Act enables the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to carry out certain functions until the PPC is established. Among those functions is the making of regulations governing procurement to

carry out the Provisions of the Act as is listed in Section (2) (a) to (f) of the said legislation.

But Section 17 (3) clearly identifies that the said functions shall be the responsibility of the PPC, once established.

“The PPC has already held discussions with the Minister of Finance, as well as, officials within the Ministry of Finance and the National Procurement and Tender Administration with respect to the transition of these functions to the PPC,” the statement added.

Section 17 (1) of the Procurement Act outlines the functions of NPTAB and states that the Board shall be responsible for exercising jurisdiction over tenders, the value of which exceeds such an amount prescribed by regulations, appointing a pool of evaluators for such period as it may determine, and maintaining efficient record keeping and quality assurances system.

Subsection (2) says that pending the establishment of the PPC, NPTAB shall be responsible for making regulations governing procurement to carry out the provisions of the Act, determine the forms of documents for procurement, including, but not limited to standard bidding documents, prequalification documents, contracts and evaluation forms and organising of seminars.

Additionally, the Board is required to report annually to the Minister on the effectiveness of the procurement processes and recommend amendments, as well as adjudicate on debarments.

Subsection (3) notes that when the PPC is established, the responsibility of the NPTAB shall be limited to those provided in Subsection 1 and all other responsibilities listed shall become the responsibility of the PPC. “In this regard the PPC has spent considerable time reviewing the existing legislation and has already identified the need for revision and / or amendments to the Procurement Act and the Regulations made thereunder to ensure clarity of the provisions, removal of conflicting sections and to ensure compliance with the Constitution.”

In the case of Cabinet and it’s No Objection to contract awards, the PPC said it has fully deliberated on the continuing ‘no objection role’ of Cabinet. The body noted that the suggestion that Cabinet’s continued no objection to contracts is linked to the PPC being operational and functional is inaccurate and misleading as neither the Constitution nor the Procurement Act provides for the PPC to take over that function from Cabinet.

“The Constitution empowers the PPC to carry out oversight of the procurement system in Guyana and its functions are clearly outlined as set out above. None of those functions provides for a “No Objection to Contracts” role for the PPC. Indeed, it is the view of the Commission that such a role would entrench the PPC as an integral part of the procurement process, which it is intended to monitor and

regulate,” the statement said.

However, the PPC believes that “a conflict arises” between the provisions of Section 54 (1) and 54 (6) of the Procurement Act. Section 54 (1) states that Cabinet has the right to review all procurements the value of which exceeds $15M and shall conduct its review on the basis of a streamlined tender evaluation report to be adopted

by NPTAB as mentioned in section 17 (2). “…upon its establishment, the Public Procurement Commission shall review annually the Cabinet’s threshold for review of procurements, with the objective of increasing that threshold over time so as to promote the goal of progressively phasing out Cabinet’s involvement and decentralising the procurement process.”

The Commission believes that a literal interpretation of the aforementioned section shows clearly that the review role of Cabinet should continue even after the establishment of the PPC with that body reviewing annually the threshold so that over time, by the raising of the threshold, the role of Cabinet would be eliminated.

Contrastingly however, Section 54 (6) states that Cabinet’s involvement under the section shall cease upon the constitution of the PPC, except in relation to those matters referred to it under subsection (1) which are pending. “A literal interpretation of this section directs the immediate cessation of Cabinet’s role once the PPC is constituted. Neither section, however, provides for the PPC

to take over that function from Cabinet. The role of the PPC is limited to approving the format of the streamlined report to be sent to Cabinet and if all of section 54 (1) is to prevail, reviewing the threshold of the value of contracts to be reviewed by the Cabinet,” the statement added.

As such, the Commission says it is not empowered by the Constitution or the Act to grant no objection or to award contracts. “The awarding of contracts is the responsibility of the Procuring Entities and the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). These agencies are responsible for the public advertisements of contracts, evaluation of bids and ultimate approval and award of contracts,” the PPC stated.

Meanwhile, in the case of the role of the Bid Protest Committee, a bidder whose tender or proposal has been rejected and is aggrieved may submit a written protest to the procuring entity in the manner and time-frame specified in section 52 of the Act. That bidder may later make the protest to the PPC under section 53 of the Act. “Section 53, however, needs clarification and possible amendment, as its provisions, unless revised, appears to run directly in conflict with the provisions of Articles 212AA. (1) (h) and (i) of the Constitution, which place the authority to investigate complaints from suppliers, contractors and public entities, as well as investigate cases of irregularity and mismanagement, with the PPC,” the

statement said.

Accordingly, the provisions for the appointment and functioning of a Bid Protest Committee may have been appropriate prior to the establishment of the PPC but now that the Commission is established, the PPC believes there is need for revision of both the provisions of the Act and the Regulations that deal directly with the appointment and functioning of the Bid Protest Committee.

Section 53 (6) of the Act states that the decision of the Bid Protest Committee shall be final and immediately binding upon the procuring entity and clause 13 (9) of the Regulations states that the award of the Bid Protest Committee shall not be open to administrative review.

“Until these apparent conflicts are resolved the Commission will be constrained from effectively carrying out its constitutional mandate, the statement noted.

The body sought to correct media reports, which suggested that it was not functional and as a result cabinet’s ‘No Objection’ to the award of contracts continues.

“It should be noted that the PPC became functional immediately after the appointment of the Commissioners by His Excellency, President David Granger on the 28th October 2016, as required

by Article 212X. (2) of the Constitution.”

In defence of Minister Broomes

Dear Editor

WE would like to respond to an article in the Kaieteur News recently, which sought to attack Minister Simona Broomes for highlighting some processes at the GGMC. We know that the minister, through her over 20 years’ experience is well aware of the many processes of GGMC. She was only highlighting one issue out of the many complaints she has received from small miners about the functioning of GGMC, especially relating to Land Management

issues, however the minister is well able to represent herself.

The above is only one example of the many injustices small miners suffer, emanating from the current processes at the GGMC. The broader point we want to make is that the current processes at GGMC does not work for the small miners and should be changed.

Allow me space for a few more examples of the process not working for us small miners: 1. What process prevents a single mother, Ms. Matilda Leonce, who has been

paying for three claims since 2001, which she located several times, from receiving her mining license from GGMC despite several verifications?

2. What process allows a small mining group from Albouystown to apply for two blocks since 2014 and not receive it despite over 10 documented visits to GGMC, while a large miner recently applied for the same blocks and received them?

3. What process allows a small miner to apply and receive legal position to work on an executive member of the

GGDMA’s land, then to have the GGDMA member evict the small miner immediately after he ‘bores’ gold?

4. What process allows a miner with many properties, who abuse workers, threaten, intimidate and fire shots at small miners, resulting in an ongoing police investigation, to receive several blocks in the same area which small miners applied for but were denied?

5. What process allows the president of the GGDMA to receive 15 Blocks in Karrau for small miners in his name, while sitting on the board at

GGMC, which signs off on the issuance of mining blocks?

6. What process results in a PPMS Holder, who applies for a ML conversion to have to wait a year, while another miner with an ‘alternative letter’ receives a PPMS and then has it converted into an ML I in three months?

The list has no end.

We small miners want to clearly state that the current process at GGMC is not working for small miners and should be changed. It is for this reason why the mining syndicates of Guyana,

comprising of hundreds of small miners, recently submitted a petition to the President of Guyana, the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, asking for the changing of the Land Management Manager at GGMC and an enquiry into the operations of the GGMC, starting with the Land Management Department, in addition to five other requests.

Regards Arthur Adams Syndicate-in-One

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 25, 2017

Bulkan warns Reg 9 GGMC shuts down Councils against three illegal mines disrespecting citizens … following complaints of river pollution by Reg 9 residents

MINISTER of Communities, Ronald Bulkan on Wednesday said that the Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo region has the potential to develop into a pioneer of commercial dominance with a robust, resilient economy.

Minister Bulkan, who was on a two-day visit, was at the time addressing officials and employees of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in the Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo region (Region Nine).

While there, Minister Bulkan held a series of engagements with residents, regional officials and municipal representatives, a release from the minister’s office said.

Underscoring the significance of the over 57,000 square kilometers, the Minister reminded the administration of its crucial responsibility to carefully manage the affairs of the region for the overall benefit of the people.

“Our formula is not to control the regions. There was a time when critical decisions relating to the management of regions were relegated to the coastland.

But this administration has a different attitude and is pur-

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan suing a policy in accordance with the provisions contained in the constitution,” Minister Bulkan remarked.

In relation to the role of the regions, the Communities Minister noted that it was never intended to be administrative but one more aligned with management and development. Minister Bulkan said that to refer to a region as administrative gives the impressions that the RDC is an appendage of central government, which is not the case.

He pointed the councillors to Chapter Seven of the Constitution (Article 71) (B)

which speaks specifically to local democracy and Article 12, which states that, “Local Government; by freely elected representatives of the people is an integral part in the democratic organization of the State.”

There is no ambiguity,” he said adding that, “the council is an independent organ created by the constitution with a specific role and function. It is not window dressing. I assure you that central government has no desire to control or suffocate you but is committed to help bring about development, improved standards of living and the quality of life of all people,” Minister Bulkan said.

He reminded the council of their obligations as servants of the taxpayers and urged them to conduct themselves with the highest moral regard to principles of fairness and impartiality.

The council was also reminded to treat the public with courtesy and respect, noting that each engagement with residents must be respectful and above board.

The Minister lamented the fact that many officials in high office would abuse their authority warning against any motivation that is driven by self-interest and a desire for financial gain. “Whether it is education, healthcare or infrastructure, development will not happen in a vacuum. It requires us to work and work smartly in order to bring about that development.”

MINES officers during this week issued cease work orders to three mining operations in Region Nine, following complaints by residents about river pollution.

The Ministry of Natural Resources said in a release that a visit to the Region Nine communities of Karasabai and Yurong Paru, and Monkey Mountain in Region Eight from Monday February 20 to Wednesday 22, 2017, by a team comprising Ministry of Natural Resources, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency, resulted in the shutting down of three illegal mining operations.

The visit resulted from a directive issued by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, following a letter written to him by Mr. Bryan Allicock, Regional Chairman of Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) in early February, which raised the issue of alleged illegal mining activities that were alleged to be the cause of water pollution.

According to the release, the team, which was led by

the Compliance Division of the Ministry of Natural Resources and included environmental officers from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and

illegal mining operations.

It was found that those operations were ongoing without the requisite permission from the GGMC and it was determined too

One of the illegal mining operations along the left bank of the Echilibar River and farther inland the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), found that the turbidity levels in the Echilibar River exceeded 30 ntu (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit), the recommended limit in the mining regulations. It was also determined by the officers on the ground that the turbidity levels were as a result of

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission ordered this mining operation in Region Nine to cease work following complaints by residents

that the persons working the operations were doing so after receiving verbal permission from a ranger employed by the claimholder–a violation of the GGMC’s regulations.

As a result, the GGMC issued Cease Work Orders to two operations in one location on the left bank of the Echilibar River and to one other operation farther inland. The mining activities were all taking place in the drainage basin of the Echilibar River, which discharges into the Ireng River that borders Brazil.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and the GGMC said they are in receipt of information which suggests that many claim-holders are granting small miners verbal permission to work their claims without seeking the prior approval of the GGMC. The Ministry and the GGMC will be taking strong action against such persons – many of whom are prominent miners.

Rain taking toll on first crop-GuySuCo THE Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) said its first crop is being severely affected by the inclement weather.

The First Crop 2017 commenced during the week ending February 18, 2017, at Uitvlugt and Blairmont Estates.

These estates are currently in their second week of the crop and have recorded a total of 74 mm and 78.8 mm of rainfall to date respectively, GuySuCo said in a statement.

According to the corporation the Albion Estate on the other hand, which is currently in its first week of the crop, is facing a similar challenge.

This estate has recorded 55.8 mm of rainfall for the week as at February 24, 2017.

Further, with 42.6 mm of rainfall recorded at Rose Hall Estate, the field and factory operations have since been delayed. The estate was scheduled to commence cane harvesting on Wednesday

February 22, 2017, and factory operation on Saturday February 25, 2017.

GuySuCo has two crop seasons, the First Crop is usually from Mid-February to May and the Second Crop should be August to Mid-December annually, however, over the past decade the pattern of rainfall has been erratic and has disrupted production at critical periods – at the beginning and various other points during both crop periods.

The Corporation’s sugar production target for the First Crop 2017 is 74,172 tonnes, however, with Skeldon Estate not having a First Crop due to the co-generation plant being unsafe to operate as was advised by Skeldon Energy Inc. (SEI), the Corporation will not be benefitting from the budgeted 8,871 tonnes that the estate was expected to contribute to the overall production target.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 25, 2017

Broadcasters owe GNBA millions … new board to go after money

… aggressively fast track regulations for sector THE new board of directors of the reconstituted Guyana National Broadcasting Authority will be moving swiftly to complete the formulation of regulations to guide the sector as well as aggressively pursuing those who have large sums of outstanding fees

so that all broadcasters will have to comply with defined standards,” the PM had told this newspaper back in September last year. He said then, once the regulations were in place it would allow for the review of licences granted by the Bharrat Jagdeo Administration which

anese people deserve better…the spectrum belongs to the people of Guyana, it is a national resource; it is not something that belongs to any private person, and one cannot simply arrogate to one’s self the right to broadcast in a select area. I would like to see television

been delinquent in paying their fees, Sobers said: “We have a limited resourcespectrum…only a certain number…it’s a reusable resource which makes its renewable…so if operators don’t honour their obligation then we have options…”

In 2013, the then PPP

From L-r- GNBA’s CEO Dr Prudence Lewis-Bhola, Joel Edmond, Aretha Nicola Campbell, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Chairman of GNBA Lt. Col Leslie Anthony Sobers, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Jocelyn Josiah, Dr Rovin Deodat and Scheherazade Ishoof - Khan for the body.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle Chairman of GNBA, Attorney-at-law Leslie Sobers, said that the directors met and are in agreement on what should be their priorities. He said immediately they will be looking to complete the formulation of regulationssomething which Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, had complained about. Sobers said once the regulations which would be guided by the Broadcasting Act, are in place they will be able to move forward to other areas of interest. Stressing that the regulations will have the full force of law, Sobers warned that those who violate them would face the consequences.

Nagamootoo had slammed the previous board headed by Leonard Craig for what he described as dragging out the refining of regulations that would guide licensing of radio and television operators. “The regulation should be tabled in Parliament and passed,

appeared to be irregular.

The PM had told the Guyana Chronicle then that draft regulations were sent to him

by Chairman of the GNBA, and those regulations were reviewed and dispatched to the Attorney General’s Office for further examination.

He explained that, through the Chief Parliamentary Counsel, the AG’s Chambers would have sent the draft regulations back to the GNBA, but no further action was taken by the then board.

“I am surprised that it has been there languishing in the bosom of the board, or at a sub-committee of the board, and has not been forwarded to me again, so I can pass it through cabinet and then table those regulations in Parliament,” the PM told the Guyana Chronicle.

He noted that it is important that the process of reviewing, revoking, and issuing of licences begins; noting that the APNU-AFC Coalition Government has made several promises to the people and it intends to fulfil those promises. “Guy-

and radio cover in all parts of Guyana. Every citizen of this country has a right to know what is taking place in this country,” the Prime Minister had told the Guyana Chronicle.

Meanwhile, asked about the issuance of new licenses, Sobers said his board will not hasten do this in an environment that is chaotic.

“The first thing that we are concentrating on is putting in place the regulatory framework for broadcasters then we will turn our attention to revenue collection and other matters.”

OUTSTANDING FEES Touching on the issue of outstanding fees, Sobers said that although he has not seen the entire financial report, the board was informed that many operators have not been honouring their commitment.

He said this state of affairs will be addressed in the coming months. Asked what message he would send to broadcasters who have

government had set the annual licence fee for all broadcasters, radio, TV and Cable at 3.5 % of their gross income or $2.5M yearly. However, when the government changed the Leonard Craigled board had proposed that broadcasting agencies operating in the primary zone, which includes the Mahaica/ Mahaicony district, parts of the Essequibo Island and parts of the Linden Highway, pay an annual fee of $1.2M. In the Secondary Zone, which takes in New Amsterdam, Corriverton, parts of the Essequibo Coast, Charity and the Pomeroon, it is proposed that broadcasting agencies pay an annual fee of $0.6M and in the tertiary zone, which includes Parika, Linden and Lethem, the sum of $0.3M. The proposal was never implemented.

Additionally, Sobers said the board will also in the coming months look into applications for extension of signals among other things.

“What we will be doing in particular is we will be moving ahead. A number of

things are to be addressed, technology is growing rapidly and broadcasting has evolved far beyond what it used to be so we have to do other things…” he said.

On Tuesday this week Sobers and the five board members were sworn in by the Prime Minister Nagamootoo at his Official Residence on Main Street.

The Board members are Dr Rovin Deodat, Scheherazade Ishoof -Khan, Jocelyn Josiah, Aretha Nichola Campbell and Joel Edmond.

One other member is to be named by the Opposition Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) and will be sworn in

at a later date. During brief remarks, Nagamootoo congratulated and thanked the members for accepting to serve on such an important state board.

He explained that the previous board developed some difficulties along the way and as such this matter was discussed extensively at Cabinet. Prime Minister Nagamootoo charged the members of the board to ensure all standards are met and not to only issue licenses but also to review both future and current license holders to ensure they are compliant with all regulations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 25, 2017

Guyana Goldfields boasts solid returns … revenues pegged at $US194.2M

THE Guyana Goldfields said in its inaugural year of production, the Aurora Gold Mine performed solidly delivering 151,600 ounces of gold production, in line with the company’s upwardly revised guidance of 140,000 to 160,000 ounces.

Revenues totalled US$194.2 million, earnings from mine operations came in at US$71.1 million and cash flow from operations totalled US$76.5 million or US$0.47 per diluted share, the Cana-

dian firm said in a release.

According to the company, cost of sales (including royalty and depreciation) for the year averaged US$789 per ounce of gold sold, while cash costs (before royalty)¹ trended down through 2016 and averaged US$496 per ounce of gold sold for the year. All-in sustaining costs (“AISC”)¹ for the year were US$738 per ounce of gold sold, slightly below the company’s revised guidance range of US$740 to US$760 per ounce.

The company said too that it completed an equity financing and debt restructuring during the year resulting in a much strengthened balance sheet with US$73.2 million of cash and a debt balance of US$78.4 million as at year end. The Company reported an unrealised gain of US$20.7 million for the year on its 7.2% interest in SolGold Plc (“SolGold”), which owns an 85% interest in the Cascabel Copper Gold Porphyry project located in Ecuador. The

unrealised gain as of February 22, 2017, was approximately US$48.5 million.

Noting that the Aurora Gold Mine had a particularly strong fourth quarter, the company said the mine produced 43,800 ounces of gold, an increase of 27% from 34,400 ounces in the prior quarter driven by higher grades and mill throughput.

Cost of sales (including royalty and depreciation) improved for the fourth quarter to US$750 per ounce of gold sold (compared to US$811 per ounce in the prior quarter). Cash costs (before roy-

alty)¹ of US$446 per ounce and AISC¹ of US$678 per ounce in the fourth quarter were both new records for the company.

Additionally, the company said it generated $23.5 million of operating cash flow during the fourth quarter, an increase of 33% from the previous quarter and also the strongest quarter for cash flow generation to date.

Scott Caldwell, President & CEO stated, “2016 was a transformational year for Guyana Goldfields with the Company successfully transitioning to the gold producer

ranks.

We achieved our upwardly revised guidance and ended the year with our best quarter across all key operating and cost metrics. Importantly, the solid results were achieved without one lost time injury.

Looking ahead to 2017, and with the backing of a strong balance sheet, we will be focused on driving further cost efficiencies, executing on Phase 1 of our mill expansion to take our annual production above 200,000 ounces in 2018 and ramping up our exploration efforts after a lengthy hiatus.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 25, 2017

NAACIE mourns passing of Joseph

THE National Association of Agricultural, Industrial and Commercial Employees (NAACIE) said it is deeply saddened at the passing of its leader and stalwart Brother, Kenneth Oscar Joseph -AA. Joseph died on Thursday at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), after suffering a stroke attack. Joseph was born on June 25, 1951, at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, to Una

and Cyril Joseph. He was married to Mrs. Waveney Joseph and was the father of six children and seventeen grandchildren.

Bro. Joseph worked at Linden Bauxite Industry, when that Industry was closed he was employed by the Guyana Sugar Corporation at the Albion Estate in the Field Workshop and became a member of NAACIE. With the urge to represent workers and his leadership qualities, he became a Representa-

tive of NAACIE and was elected General President of the Union.

On July 1st, 2002, Bro. Joseph was seconded to the Union’s Head Office as the General President.

He served in this position until he was appointed as General Secretary on June 1, 2006. Bro. Joseph dedicated most of his life fighting for workers’ rights, strength and unity.

He represented that not only in Guyana but in other Countries namely;

Kenneth Joseph

Antigua, Barbados, England, Geneva, Brazil, Trinidad, Venezuela and Jamaica, just to mention a few. He was also the General Secretary of the Federation of Independent Trade Union of Guyana (FITUG). He was recognised and awarded the Arrow of Achievement medal by the Government of Guyana.

Bro. Joseph served the Union, its members and workers with distinction locally and over-

seas at Seminars and Conferences at the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL), IUF, UNI. He was well respected and love by all. The Executives, Members of (Guysuco, Guyana Power & Light, BOSAI, NFMU and CCI) and Staff of NAACIE extend their heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Joseph, the children, and other family, friends and colleagues. Bro. Joseph will be dearly missed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 25, 2017

World’s future food security ‘in jeopardy’ … due to multiple challenges, report warns

MANKIND’S future ability to feed itself is in jeopardy due to intensifying pressures on natural resources, mounting inequality, and the fallout from a changing climate, warns a new FAO report out today.

Though very real and significant progress in reducing global hunger has been achieved over the past

30 years, “expanding food production and economic growth have often come at a heavy cost to the natural environment,” says The Future of Food and Agriculture: Trends and Challenges.

“Almost one half of the forests that once covered the Earth are now gone. Groundwater sources are being depleted rapidly. Biodiversity

has been deeply eroded,” it notes.

As a result, “planetary boundaries may well be surpassed, if current trends continue,” cautions FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva in his introduction to the report. By 2050 humanity’s ranks will likely have grown to nearly 10 billion people. In a scenario with

moderate economic growth, this population increase will push up global demand for agricultural products by 50 percent over present levels projects The Future of Food and Agriculture, intensifying pressures on already-strained natural resources.

At the same time, greater numbers of people will be eating fewer cereals and

larger amounts of meat, fruits, vegetables and processed food — a result of an ongoing global dietary transition that will further add to those pressures, driving more deforestation, land degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Alongside these trends, the planet’s changing climate will throw up additional hurdles. “Climate change will affect every aspect of food production,” the report says. These include greater variability of precipitation and increases in the frequency of droughts and floods.

TO REACH ZERO HUNGER, WE NEED TO STEP UP OUR EFFORTS The core question raised by today’s FAO publication is whether, looking ahead, the world’s agriculture and food systems are capable of sustainably meeting the needs of a burgeoning global population.

The short answer? Yes, the planet’s food systems are capable of producing enough food to do so, and in a sustainable way, but unlocking that potential — and ensuring that all of humanity benefits — will require “major transformations.” Without a push to invest in and retool food systems, far too many people will still be hungry in 2030 — the year by which the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda has targeted the eradication of chronic food insecurity and malnutrition, the report warns.

“Without additional efforts to promote propoor development, reduce inequalities and protect vulnerable people, more than 600 million people would still be undernourished in 2030,” it says. In fact, the current rate of progress would not even be enough to eradicate hunger by 2050.

WHERE WILL OUR FOOD COME FROM? Given the limited scope for expanding agriculture’s use of more land and water resources, the production increases needed to meet rising food demand will have to come mainly from improvements in productivity and resource-use efficiency. However there are worrying signs that yield growth is levelling off for major crops. Since the 1990s, average increases in the yields of maize, rice, and wheat at the global

level generally run just over 1 percent per annum, the report notes. To tackle these and the other challenges outlined in the report, “business-as-usual” is not an option, The Future of Food and Agriculture argues.

“Major transformations in agricultural systems, rural economies and natural resource management will be needed if we are to meet the multiple challenges before us and realize the full potential of food and agriculture to ensure a secure and healthy future for all people and the entire planet,” it says.

“High-input, resource-intensive farming systems, which have caused massive deforestation, water scarcities, soil depletion and high levels of greenhouse gas emissions, cannot deliver sustainable food and agricultural production,” adds the report.

More with less The core challenge is to produce more with less, while preserving and enhancing the livelihoods of smallscale and family farmers, and ensuring access to food by the most vulnerable. For this, a twin-track approach is needed which combines investment in social protection, to immediately tackle undernourishment, and propoor investments in productive activities — especially agriculture and in rural economies — to sustainably increase income-earning opportunities of the poor.

The world will need to shift to more sustainable food systems which make more efficient use of land, water and other inputs and sharply reduce their use of fossil fuels, leading to a drastic cut of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, greater conservation of biodiversity, and a reduction of waste.

This will necessitate more investment in agriculture and agrifood systems, as well as greater spending on research and development, the report says, to promote innovation, support sustainable production increases, and find better ways to cope with issues like water scarcity and climate change.

Along with boosting production and resilience, equally critical will be creating food supply chains that better connect farmers in low- and middle-income countries to urban markets — along with measures which ensure access for consumers to nutritious and safe food at affordable prices, such as such as pricing policies and social protection programs, it says.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 25, 2017

Caribbean labour ministers meeting in Jamaica … ILO pushes ‘Decent Work agenda’ THE Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Guy Ryder, opened in Jamaica a meeting with Labour Ministers and government representatives of 17 countries of the Caribbean stressing the need to face the challenges of the world of work and lead the efforts to strengthen social dialogue.

“We know there are challenges, we need to address them,” said Mr Ryder at the 10th ILO Meeting of Caribbean Ministers of Labour held in Kingston, 23-24 February 2017. Mr Ryder outlined how this meeting will allow Ministers and participants to address social dialogue and partnership to put decent work at the heart of national and regional policy; look at the status of non-standard form of employment; examine options for labour legislation harmonization; share experiences on protecting the most vulnerable through the Regional Initiative on Child Labour; use skills formation for productivity improvements; and advance formalization of the economy; all very important for the region.

He also reminded the Ministers’ meeting that one defining challenge in the region relates to youth unemployment with one out of four young women and men not finding a job opportunity. “The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, with decent work at the heart of it, provides the vehicle to tackle our challenges,” said the ILO Director General.

Shahine Robinson, MP. Minister of Labour and Social Security of Jamaica, delivered welcome and opening remarks at the meeting. She called for a more inclusive sustainable growth process with more and better jobs.

Truly sustainable strategies for Small Island Development States remained to be found. She recognised that Goal 8 of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable, economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all, was “extraordinarily relevant for the region.”

Being inspired by the Future of Work discussion held in Kingston yesterday, it was now the task of this meeting to identify the practical strategies to realize decent work for all by 2030.

Greetings were delivered by Ms Myrna Bernard, Director, Human Development Directorate of Human and social Development, CARICOM. She stated that the region had made many advances, however it had experienced sluggish growth as changed market conditions had resulted in increased competition and found the region unprepared. “The region has also seen an upsurge in negative social outcomes and in particular, high rates of youth unemployment, with females being at a greater disadvantage, and also increasing youth crime and violence.”

In response she said, CARICOM had adopted its first Strategic Plan 2015 – 2019 aiming to reposition the Community. “This plan is premised on a Resilience Model for socio-economic progress, focusing in the main, on the development of social, economic, environmental and technological resilience.”

The 10th Meeting of Caribbean Ministers of Labour, organized by the ILO in collaboration with the government of Jamaica ends on Friday 24th February. Mr Ryder called on participants to be disciplined in working together, not only to adopt conclusions, but more so to stand by them for implementation.

The Director-General also attended on Wednesday, the Caribbean Future of Work Forum in Kingston, and he had a meeting with The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, MP, Prime Minister of Jamaica. Mr Ryder was accompanied by Mr Jose Manuel Salazar, ILO Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Ms Claudia Coenjaerts, Director for the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean, and Mr Christian Ramos; ILO Senior Advisor to the DG. The ILO delegation further met with representatives of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions. It is the first time an ILO Director–General officially visits the Republic of Jamaica.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 25, 2017

Benefits of linking Lethem, Tabatinga now being realised

Students from Tabatinga traversing the Tabatinga Bridge, Lethem, Region Nine RESIDENTS of the newly established Tabatinga housing scheme and Lethem Town have begun utilising a bridge over the Tabatinga Creek in Region Nine.

The bridge, which started construction in 2016, was built to connect Lethem and Tabatinga, and ease traffic congestion. The bridge’s construction, which will cost

is there, the traffic, the school children everybody using that bridge, so the demand is there.”

Mayor Beckles explained that while the project is not fully completed, it is usable. The contractual scope of the bridge has been completed; however the second phase, which includes the rehabilitation of two approach roads, is yet to be

The Tabatinga Bridge, Lethem, Region Nine approximately $18M, was subjected to many criticisms, and according to Mayor of Lethem Town, Carlton Beckles, the residents are now seeing the benefits of having the structure linking the two communities.

Mayor Beckles told the Government Information Agency (GINA), that “I am very much heartened by how much negative can turn into positive because the response to the uses of that bridge is so much that the (village) council had to erect a barrier, in terms of restriction. We would have since removed the barrier, and advised persons to use the bridge with caution. The demand

completed. He added that the Lethem Town Council is also looking to have a sidewalk erected on the bridge for pedestrians.

Solar powered lights will also be installed.

Tabatinga is a developing Amerindian community that is home to over 1,000 people. Through Government’s support, Tabatinga has benefitted from major infrastructural development. Recently, the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) expanded its services with the refurbishing of elevated storage tanks within the community.

A nursery school and teachers’ quarter are also being constructed in the community. (GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 25, 2017

SOCU opens probes into OLPF, GPHC

MINISTER within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma has handed over the final reports of the forensic audits of the One Laptop per Family, E-Government Project, National Frequency Management Unit, Guyana Gold Board and Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Sharma on Wednesday met with Acting Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine at his Office at Eve Leary to hand over the reports. The Finance Ministry said in a statement that the decision to have the documents handed over to the Police Commissioner for investigation was made

by Cabinet. Present at the handing over were: David Ramnarine - Acting Commissioner of Police and Mr. Sydney James - Assistant Commissioner of Police and Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) as well as UK Advisor to SOCU, Dr. Sam Sittlington.

The audit report had revealed that over 3,000 damaged laptops were donated

to the Donald Ramotar Administration for the OLPF Project. In May 2012, the National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CNMIXC) in collaboration with the Government of China donated 28,145 Great Wall Laptops to the Government of Guyana. The total was estimated around $1,633,671,488.

However, more than 3,000 of the laptops had technical problems ranging from battery and keyboard failures, damaged LCD displays and malfunctioning of the motherboard. According to the Forensic Audit Report compiled by Ram and McRae Chartered Accountants, CNMIXC provided a number of spare parts to the OLPF free of cost and even brought in two technicians from China to assist in rectifying the problems. However, due to the quantities of laptops damaged, the level of technical support was totally inadequate.

A physical count at August 5, 2015 observed by Ram & McRae revealed a

total of 3,158 damaged Great Wall laptops. On September 15, 2015, another agreement was signed, this time by the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government and Aerospace Science and Industry Shenzhen Company Limited (China). This new agreement has paved the way for the procurement of 9,609 laptops to be provided

by China at a total cost of $1,631,000,000. The unit cost per laptop, according to the contractual agreement, is $169,737.

Though these new laptops are of a high quality and possess higher specifications than the laptops acquired by the Ramotar Administration, Ram and McRae alluded to the fact that “similar quality and specifications are listed on the international markets for prices ranging from $86,310 to $108,974.”

Overall, the forensic audit has revealed that more than 1900 laptops, totaling in excess of $115M are currently unaccounted for, defective laptops have tak-

From left-right-UK Advisor to SOCU, Dr. Sam Sittlington, Minister Sharma, ASP, Sydney James and Commissioner of Police (ag), David Ramnarine en the total losses to over $300M. The project, which was the brainchild of former President Bharrat Jagdeo, had intended to equip 90,000 families with laptops but the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) fell short in achieving its objective.

Only 58,303 laptops were distributed.

The audit has also revealed that the total distribution cost amounted to $35,291,406 or three per cent of the total cost of the project. The average cost of distribution per laptop

was therefore calculated to be $706. On the other hand, total training cost amounted to $70,750,427 or six per cent of the total cost of the project. The average cost of training per laptop was therefore $1,415.

MPs for high-level training on competition law MEMBERS of Parliament will on Monday participate in a sensitisation workshop on Competition Law and Policy for Parliamentarians.

The Level 1 course commences at 10:00hrs in

the Parliament Chamber, Public Buildings, Brickdam, Stabroek, Georgetown. In a release the Parliament Office said the workshop is consistent with the functions of the CARICOM Competition

Commission under Article 173.2 (c) and (h) of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

Consequently, the consultants have selected a regional competition expert from the

CARICOM Competition Commission in the person of Dr Kusha Haraksingh to deliver half-day sensitisation workshops in the CARICOM Member States. During the half-day workshop, Dr

Kusha Harakhsingh, Chairman of the CARICOM Competition Commission, will make a presentation on: Introduction to Key Concepts and Ideas: Competition, Competition Law, Com-

petition Policy; Institutional Arrangements for Competition Law Enforcement in CARICOM; Competition and Trade Agreements and Competition Culture in CARICOM.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 25, 2017

Hindus observe Shivraatri

PRESIDENT David Granger has commended the Guyana Sevashram Sangha for its work in providing spiritual strength and educational enlightenment to Guyanese.

He was at the time speaking at the Cove and John Ashram where he joined with devotees and students of the Hindu College in their annual Maha Shivaraatri observance on Friday. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo were also present at the event.

provides formal education, as well as the church, which provides spiritual teachings, so as to mould and enlighten the young generation.

This year the Guyana Sevashram Sangha’s parent body, which is the Bharat Sevashram Sangha, is celebrating its centenary anniversary. President Granger said that this milestone is particularly significant since Guyana is also observing the 100th anniversary of the Abolition of Indian Indentured Immigration. He explained that the

means “the great night of Shiva”, is one of the most important Hindu festivals that is marked by fasting, penance, prayers and other rituals that last for a duration of 24-hours. This festival is one of the high-points of the Ashram’s religious calendar. The Sangha is a non-profit, philanthropic and charitable organization, with a firm belief in the service of humanity and is committed to improving the lives of the underprivileged.

It was constructed as a result of a policy by India’s first

President David Granger and Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and other officials at the Maha Sivraatri observances on Friday The Head of State said that the significance of this Maha Shivaraatri is found in the idea of overcoming the darkness of injustice and ignorance. “Although this is a solemn festival, it is associated with both moral and educational enlightenment, the two pillars on which this Ashram was founded. Hinduism holds steadfastly to the virtue of enlightenment. It promotes knowledge where there is ignorance, it promotes justice where there is injustice and it promotes equality where there is inequality,” President Granger said.

The President told the gathering that Guyana places education at the very top of the priority list, as education emphasises the importance of not just knowledge and skills, but moral values as well. He urged citizens to look to both the school, which

Guyana Sevashram Sangha, which was established by Ordinance in British Guiana in 1956, set up construction of the Ashram, as well as the school because both were consistent with the mission of banishing ignorance and providing a vehicle for the attainment of greater equality.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Prime Minister Nagamootoo, who also lauded the Ashram’s administrators for continuing the fine tradition of merging education with rituals, which inculcate discipline, loyalty, devotion, morality, integrity and honesty. He said that these virtues are greatly needed in today’s society as they would contribute to ensuring that the children of today become valuable and wholesome citizens of Guyana tomorrow.

Maha Shivaraatri, which

Prime Minister, the late Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru to provide for the needs of the Indian Diaspora in the West Indies.

Nagamootoo said, “It is an honour for me to be invited here today to participate in your Havan. Maha Shivaratri, as was explained before, is a significant and auspicious occasion. I am not an expert in matters of religion but I can say this that my wife Sita, described as my Dharampati, had invited me forty-six years ago to consecrate our marriage in a Hindu temple and to do a Shiva puja. “I recognise now that she must have had great faith in the story of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati that by doing that, her life would be one of mirth and happiness and she would enjoy a long marriage life with her husband of choice. So I say, as a tribute to the significance of

Maha Shivaratri that, if you have faith and devotion and if your prayers are sincere, you too should have long life and happiness. I should have come to this Ashram since 1964, when I was asked by the then Principal of my High School, the Rose Hall Comprehensive High School, Mr Rudra Nath, to volunteer and teach outside of the school.

Others were selected instead, and I remained as a teacher in Port Mourant.”

Nagamootoo told the gathering of horror stories about children from schools being involved in pornography, involved in criminality, involved in drugs and drug abuse and ultimately, also, giving their lives away wantonly, wastefully in suicide.

“We must lay as the foundation for our education that which would enrich us not only intellectually but would enrich our spirituality, so that we could overcome the weaknesses with which we are confronted on a daily basis,” he said.

He told the gather-

President David Granger receives a copy of a holy text from Swami Shivashankaranandaji our Motherland. “This Maha build our country, our nation Shivaratri celebration takes on a basis in which we can place 100 years after the be proud; which is, to have abolition of Indian Inden- healthy minds and healthy tureship. The descendants bodies. I am also proud that of Indian labourers on the this school continues to be sugar plantations have in fact inspired by values that have bequeathed their religion, been bequeathed through the

Students of the Hindu College during the Maha Shivaraatri ceremony ing that Indian ancestors used religion, Hinduism, as an important vehicle to make, not only themselves but their descendants and their offsprings spiritually strong, which enabled them to contribute to what has now become our country,

their culture (as you can see here the children playing musical instruments such as the harmonium and dolak, and reciting and chanting bhajans) as some of the attributes that they have left with us and among us and within us, that we should constantly have to rely upon as we

tenets of Hinduism.

I want to congratulate all devotees who have been observing the Fast in order to take part in Maha Shivaratri 2017. I want to also to wish you and your families abundant blessings, and that your sacrifice should not go in vain.”

Mark Prince called ‘Fine Man’

drew $455,000 from the GBTI Bank in Diamond, East Bank Demerara and subsequently stopped in Herstelling, EBD to make a $90,000 business payment.

The man then left and drove to his Blygezight home but was ambushed by the suspect and relieved of the $365,000 he had left over. Prince escaped in a waiting car.

Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru objected to the duo being released on bail, citing the nature and gravity of the charges. They men did not have legal representation and were remanded until March 10, 2017.

Two remanded for robbing businessmen … after allegedly tracing them from the bank

By Clestine Juan TWO Albouystown residents, who allegedly robbed a man after following him from the bank, were remanded to prison on Friday by Magistrate Leron Daly for the offence of robbery under arms.

Mark Prince called ‘Fine Man’ and Regan Singh called ‘Turtle’ were jointly charged with the offence, which alleged that on February 17,

2017, at Lamaha Street, Georgetown while in the company of others, robbed Herman Gurber Bello of a shoulder bag, two phones, two Venezuelan passports, along with $488,000 cash – totaling $728,000.

The duo pleaded not guilty to the charge.

According to reports Bello is employed at Versa Drilling Company and on the day in question, he visited Scotia Bank on Lamaha Street and

withdrew $488,000.

While walking to his car, Bello was allegedly approached by Prince, who was armed with a gun and demanded that he hand over his shoulder bag with the items and money inside. Prince reportedly escaped in a waiting car, which was allegedly driven by Singh.

Meanwhile, Prince was charged separately with another count of robbery under

arms, which took place on January 21, 2017 at Blygezight Garden, Georgetown.

It is alleged that while in the company of others and armed with a gun, he robbed Gobin Sooknanan of $365,000, after following him from the bank.

He also pleaded not guilty to this charge.

According to reports, on the day in question, at about 08:00hrs, Sooknanan with-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 25, 2017

Gov’t proposes to lease lands to Wales workers THE Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), has decided to make lands available to workers of the Wales Sugar Estate for them to become self-sufficient in farming practices.

This decision comes as government continues to explore feasible alternative ventures to ensure that the well-being of sugar workers of the estate is considered, even as the sugar industry transitions into a more diversified agriculture sub-sector.

Earlier in the month proposals were made by the government, through the Wales Estate’s Manager, Devendra Kumar to the workers. The lands offered to workers are intended to transform them from a state of depending on sugar to becoming self-sufficient. “The kind of projects that we have earmarked for that just to remind you, is in the area of rice cultivation, possibly aquaculture, the establishment of orchards and dairy farming. As far as that goes, where we are talking about dairy farming and orchards, we’re looking at the possibility of setting up juice processing facilities and pasteurisation facilities here at Wales Estate to process the juices, as well as the dairy products,” the estate manager explained.

Meanwhile, approval has

been given by the Board of Directors of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) for 14 workers from the Wales Estate to access lands by lease to cultivate sugar cane.

These workers will now be recognised as farmers supplying sugar cane to the Uitvlugt estate.

According to Errol Hanoman, Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo, a number of other workers had applied to be a part of this venture. GuySuCo has engaged the Wales workers on several occasions with regards to securing their future. The current proposal is aimed at creating wealth and providing jobs for residents and sugar workers in Region Three. “The size of our cultivation (land) is 3356.1 hectares or some 8000 acres.

Now that’s a lot of acreage to deal with, that we are talking about and developing something like that; our thinking is we would like our employees of GuySuCo, who have an interest in this particular kind of development, if it is that you would be interested in coming on board, if we were to, let’s say make available lands to you if you would come on board, not as individual farmers, but if you would like, form yourselves in co-op societies, how would that idea come across to you?” Kumar asked.

One cane harvester ex-

pressed his interest in the government’s proposal by doing cattle ranching but opted on going after the venture through a co-operative society. Workers said that other co-operative societies and unions have made them feel cheated and hereafter the only way forward with this proposal is to do so individually. Others would like to see systems in place to ensure that they have significant guarantees and access to markets, even after venturing into farming.

It was emphasised that the Wales sugar estate is transitioning into other forms of agriculture. The government has recognised that the sugar workers’ livelihood is dependent on the output of this particular estate.

The future of the estate’s cane harvesters was initially considered when the government offered alternative employment to the workers. According to a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), there is full and secure employment for cane harvesters at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate. The government does not intend to lose any remaining workers, but rather to have them maintained, sustained and/ or utilised. In 2016, workers that could not be retained at the estate received $80.1M in severance pay.

However, the retained sugar workers have been demanding severance pay since most of them have opted not to work at the Uitvlugt estate.

“This new and sudden demand for severance is most unreasonable and appears to be politically instigated. Extensive efforts were made to ensure continued employment of the Wales workers at Uitvlugt and this was successfully achieved,” the press release stated. Sugar workers complained of the distance they would have to travel to the alternate estate, mentioning that a full day’s work would not be possible. The press release by MoA pointed out that “transportation is being fully provided to Uitvlugt from the West Bank of Demerara and back. GuySuCo has stated that no worker is responsible for providing their own transportation.”

Additionally, reference was made to a similar re-assignment of Skeldon sugar workers to the Albion Estate (a greater distance of travel) where no complaints were made, instead the adjustments were accepted.

Since coming to office, the coalition government has undertaken to re-organise the GuySuCo with a view of making it profitable and less dependent on billion dollar subventions from the treasury. (GINA)

GAWU hails Joseph as a champion of workers

THE Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) said it is saddened to learn of the passing of a dear trade union colleague and long-standing friend, Kenneth Joseph.

The Arrowhead of Achievement awardee died on February 23, 2017. At the time of his death, he held the position of General Secretary of both the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG).

In a statement GAWU said this veteran trade unionist served with distinction and with great commitment to the workers whom he represented. At the same time, he was a significant figure in the Trade Union movement.

GAWU said its interaction with Joseph went back many years. Following stints in the Guyana Police Force and the Linden Mining Company (LINMINE), he became an employee of Albion Estate in the mechanical tillage section and soon after he was elected as a shop steward of GAWU, a position he was elected to year after year. “His proficiency in his job was recognised by the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) and he was promoted to the supervisory level, which ended his membership in GAWU. He then became an active member of NAACIE.” According to GAWU, through his association with NAACIE, he quickly rose through the ranks and served in the Union’s Executive Committee. In that sister Union he rose to the high post of General President. During his last stint in NAACIE as General Secretary, the long-standing bonds between GAWU and NAACIE became stronger. “Our Union

has shared many common platforms with him and, by extension, NAACIE as our Unions together sought to protect, defend and advance particularly the cause of the workers of the sugar industry and workers generally,” GAWU said.

GAWU recognises Joseph as a staunch trade unionist, who never failed to take account of the plight of the working-people of Guyana. “We recall his readiness whenever workers’ rights were disrespected and trampled upon, to be there in the midst of the struggles in their defence. His last appearance with GAWU was on December 31, 2016 when the Government advised of its consideration to close Enmore and Rose Hall Estates and to sell-out Skeldon Estate. He was very much disturbed and upset over the Government’s suggestions and pointed out that the workers needed to heighten their struggle to avert the Government’s disastrous intentions.”

Joseph, GAWU said correctly and consistently recognised that the unity of the working-class was an essential requirement in order for workers to overcome some of the challenges they face in our day. “And, he had always sought to promote measures that would engender unity and collaboration within the Trade Union Movement. Cde Kenneth Joseph will surely be missed by GAWU and the Trade Union Movement as a whole.

His commitment to the workers was significant. At this time, the GAWU extends its sincerest condolences to Cde Joseph’s wife, children, relatives and friends.

GAWU extends also its deepest sympathies to NAACIE which has lost a fine leader, a stalwart and a true champion of the workers.”

West Dem Hospital couple held for drug fraud A PHARMACIST, Puran Bipath and his wife, both employees of the West Demerara Hospital, are in the custody of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), assisting with investigations into a suspected drug procurement and supply fraud after irregularities were discovered by a team from the office of the Minister of Public Health.

In a release the Ministry of Public Health said that the team, acting on Minister Volda Lawrence’s instruction, had been conducting a fact-finding mission, when they discovered the discrepancies this week.

Mr. John Adams, the Member of Parliament for the Region, in an invited comment said that the team visited the hospital on Wednesday and found that there were some inconsistencies in the record keeping for pharmaceuticals.

Following internal investigations, a report was made to the GPF and the Ministry of Public Health is cooperating with authorities.

Earlier this week Minister Lawrence has made it clear that there is no shortage of drugs for the nation’s hospitals.

The Minister was at the time responding to a number of queries from Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) residents about an apparent shortage of critical drugs to treat patients at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

According to a press release from the ministry, last Friday a pharmacist from the hospital visited the Materials Management Unit (MMU) to collect supplies to restock the Berbice facility. “The pharmacist chose what she thought was critical for the hospital,” a senior MMU official said Tuesday. The official said MMU employees worked very late to ensure the NA Hospital received the much-needed supply.

However, the vehicle the hospital sent “was too small” to handle the quantum of drugs, the release further noted. Consequently, “drugs are banked up” at the MMU awaiting transportation for the hospital, the official said.

The rest of the drugs to satisfy the needs of Region Six patients were uplifted from the MMU Wednesday, the Ministry of Public Health stated.

Man accused of attempted murder, robberies granted bail FORMER murder accused, Kevin France was granted $700,000 bail by City Magistrate Leron Daly on Friday, two days after he was remanded for the offence of attempted murder and two counts of robbery under-arms.

The 29-year-old taxi driver made his first court appearance on February 22, where he was remanded on the grounds that the investigation and police file is still incomplete.

However, his lawyer Patrice Henry, made a bail application today, noting that the police investigation is still incomplete and the file is still not in the possession of the police, therefore his client should be released. The lawyer said his client was kept in police custody since February 14, 2017, pending investigation. The prosecution, led by Kevin London, did not object to bail.

The Magistrate granted France $500,000 bail on the attempted murder charge and $200,000 for the robberies; he will re-appear in court on March 06, 2017. It is alleged that on October 28, 2016, at Water Street, Georgetown, France unlawfully and maliciously wounded Quacy Joseph, with intent to murder him.

Joseph, who is a security guard attached to the Electronics City branch on Water Street, was shot during a robbery which took place within the store located in the Fogarty’s building.

It is further alleged that France, on October 12, 2016, at Church Street, Georgetown, while in the company of others and armed with a gun, robbed Bibi Jahbar of $6,000 cash.

He is also accused of robbing Roopnarine Budhoo of $800, 000, while being armed with a gun and in the company of others.

In August 2015, France had a murder charge dismissed against him in the Magistrates’ Court, while his co-accused Randolph Marques was committed to stand trial at the High Court.

The men were jointly accused of killing 57-year-old Bharrat Ramcharran, a Patsan Trading Services salesman, who was gunned down during a robbery in front of his work place on the afternoon of April 24, 2014.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 25, 2017

Coconut vendor killed in hit and run accident … had swerved from hitting woman

By Rabindra Rooplall EARLIER in the night, Roopesh Ramotar swerved from hitting a woman in front of a popular rum shop on the La Grange Public Road, West Bank Demerara; however later Thursday night, Ramotar died in front the very shop, after he was

struck down by a speeding car.

At the time of the accident at approximately 22:40hrs, the 42-yearold man of Lot 12 Public Road, Houston, East Bank Demerara, had just exited his car – PMM 8153 - when he was struck down by PTT 755; the driver of this car sped away after the accident,

but was later apprehended after a public spirited citizen drove after him.

The alleged speeding driver has been identified as a 54-year-old man, who remains in police custody at the Wales Police Station. Police did a breathalyzer test and found the driver to be above the legal alcohol limit.

Dead: Roopesh Ramotar

Ramotar, a father of three, was a coconut vendor who operated in the vicinity of Main Street, Georgetown. Police, who were summoned to the scene, took the man’s body to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival and later transferred to the Ezekiel Funeral Parlor.

Reports indicate that Ramotar, who was having a few beers at the rum

this man pitching him several feet away into a nearby utility pole,” one eyewitness told the Guyana Chronicle.

According to the eyewitness, two drivers who saw what occurred, jumped into their vehicle and followed the alleged speeding driver to his home. The police were then called and the vehicle was seized and taken to the La Grange Police Station. The alleged speeding driver was later

The vehicle which crashed into Ramotar is in police custody at the La Grange Police Station shop, decided to drop home his friend on the West Bank Demerara, and while returning to the shop he swerved from a lady who had crossed the street recklessly.

“This man swerved from the lady and decided to park in front of the rum shop and he come out his car and put his head down into his arms bracing onto his car giving a sign of relief of not hitting her, when another speeding vehicle passed and crash into

arrested and police assisted with taking Ramotar’s body to the hospital.

“The driver of the red car who hit that man had to be drunk,” another eyewitness said.

Relatives at Ramotar’s home said they received the news of his death through a nurse attached to the West Demerara Regional Hospital. His youngest child is eight months old and the eldest 19-yearsold. He was described as a friendly and peaceful person.

Ramotar’s car which has a slight dent on the passenger’s side

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 25, 2017

Double wins for Regal All-Stars as Florida Cup Softball bowls off … Regal Masters, Floodlights and Floodlights Legends also victorious

By Rajiv Bisnauth, in Florida REGAL All-Stars booked their Florida Cup Softball tournament semi-final spot with two convincing wins yesterday when the 2017 edition of the tournament bowled off at the Brian Piccolo Park, Cooper City, Florida.

The City team first disposed of South Florida Softball Cricket League (SFSCL) by nine wickets before whipping the Hurricanes by six wickets.

During both games their bowlers produced excellent performances upfront before their batsmen did the final touches.

In game one, Roohit Dutchin figures of 4-3, kept the SFSCL scoring under control from the start. None of the hosts batsmen was allowed to dominate, and were eventually bowled out for 48 in 16 overs.

Martin Jaundoo, 10, managed double figures.

Seewchand Budhu (3-8), Ameer Nizamudin (2-7), and Richard Latif (1-17), were the other successful bowlers for Regal All-Stars.

In reply, the visitors lost Latif without scoring in the innings first over, but Navin Singh and Budhu took 14 balls to achieve the winning target.

Singh remained unbeaten on 26 off eight balls (2x4, 2x6), along with Budhu’s six-ball innings, inclusive of three fours and a six.

In game two, asked to bat first, Hurricanes total was built

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around Marvin Sukhnandan, who stroked a fighting 59, after they were restricted to 46-5 at one point of the innings.

Sukhnandan smashed seven fours and two sixes, and was the only batsman to put up some resistance against a well-balanced Regal All-Stars bowling unit.

Dutchin was again the chief wrecker, claiming 3-5. Nizamudin 2-32, Latif 2-26, and Budhu 1-23, were the other bowlers who made an impact with the ball.

In the run chase, Latif again failed to trouble the scorers, but Singh and Budhu then added 59 for the second-wicket before the latter was dismissed for 36.

Singh then added 28 for the third-wicket, with Patrick Rooplall, and in the process took the visitors within close reach of the winning target.

However, Regal All-Stars then lost Dutchin, but Singh stayed to the end in company of Safraz Esan, and took the visitors to 117-4 in 15.2 overs.

Singh remained unbeaten on 50, with six fours.

Meanwhile, in the Masters category defending champions Floodlights, Floodlights Legends and Regal Masters were all victorious.

The three-day tournament continues today, including the four semi-finals.

The finals for both categories will take place tomorrow at the Central Broward Regional Park and Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 25, 2017

O’Keefe’s bags 6-35 as Aussies skittle out India for 105

By Sudipto Ganguly |

PUNE, India (Reuters) Left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe picked up a career-best six for 35 to help Australia take command of the first Test against India after 15 wickets fell on a bowler-dominated second day of the contest yesterday.

Playing only his fifth Test and first in India, O’Keefe took all his wickets in the space of 24 deliveries, including three in an over, to trigger a spectacular collapse and help Australia bundle out India for 105 in their first innings.

Australia took a first-innings lead of 155, a significant

advantage on a spin-friendly track at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, which is making its debut as a Test centre.

The touring side, who have lost their last nine Tests in Asia and were considered underdogs before the start of the four-match series, reached 143 for four at stumps in their

second innings, an overall lead of 298 runs.

Captain Steve Smith was unbeaten after a chance-filled 59, during which he was dropped three times, with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh 21 not out.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin picked up three quick wickets to boost India’s hopes of restricting Australia to a low second-innings total but Smith and Matt Renshaw (31) then added 52 for the fourth to boost the touring side.

Replying to Australia’s 260, the world’s top-ranked side, unbeaten in their previous 19 Tests, lost their last seven wickets for 11 runs as O’Keefe ran through their batsmen to pick up his maiden five-wicket haul.

O’KEEFE HEROICS India’s meltdown started after lunch when opener Lokesh Rahul fell to O’Keefe’s bowling.

Rahul, who was the top scorer for his side with 64, collapsed immediately after playing the shot, clutching his left shoulder and looking as if he was in pain.

The dismissal ended a fourth-wicket stand of 50 between Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane and what followed was a procession of batsmen returning to the pavilion.

Two deliveries later, Rahane was out for 13 off O’Keefe, who also dismissed wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha in the same over.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon picked up Ashwin in the next over before O’Keefe wrapped things up with the dismissals of Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav and Umesh Yadav.

Australia paceman Mitchell Starc earlier ripped through India’s top order with two wickets in three balls.

Cheteshwar Pujara was dismissed for six, while India captain and batting mainstay Virat Kohli was dispatched for a two-ball duck on a wicket favouring both pace and spin.

Following Kohli’s lead, Australia skipper Steve Smith

Steve Smith salutes his second-innings fifty. (BCCI) The sparse crowd apused O’Keefe as early as the second over on the dry pitch. peared indifferent to Pujara’s O’Keefe was largely in- dismissal as they anticipated effective with the new ball, the arrival of the popular however, before right-arm Kohli, who recently became paceman Josh Hazlewood the first batsman to hit four came on to break India’s double-centuries in as many opening stand in his first over consecutive series.

Onlookers were stunned when he induced Murali Vijay into edging a catch behind into silence two balls later when the right-hander for 10.

Starc dismissed Pujara chased a full and wide dewith a rising delivery that livery from Starc to offer brushed the batsman’s glove up a routine slip catch for and sailed through to wicket- his fifth duck in 93 innings and first since August 2014. keeper Matthew Wade.

Australia’s Steve O’Keefe acknowledges the crowd as he walks off the ground. (REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui)

SCOREBOARD

AUSTRALIA 1st innings (o/n 256-9) M. Renshaw c Vijay b R. Ashwin 68 D. Warner b U. Yadav 38 S. Smith c Kohli b R. Ashwin 27 S. Marsh c Kohli b J. Yadav 16 P. Handscomb lbw b Jadeja 22 M. Marsh lbw b Jadeja 4 M. Wade lbw b U. Yadav 8 M. Starc c Jadeja b R. Ashwin 61 S. O’Keefe c Saha b U. Yadav 0 N. Lyon lbw b U. Yadav 0 J. Hazlewood not out 1 Extras: (lb-6, nb-9) 15 Total: (all out, 94.5 overs) 260 Fall of wickets: 1-82, 2-119, 3-149, 4-149, 5-166, 6-190, 7-196, 8-205, 9-205.

Bowling: I. Sharma 11-0-27-0 (nb-1), R. Ashwin 34.5-10-633 J. Yadav 13-1-58-1 (nb-1), R. Jadeja 24-4-74-2 (nb-2), U. Yadav 12-3-32-4 (nb-1).

INDIA 1st innings M. Vijay c Wade b Hazlewood 10 L. Rahul c Warner b O’Keefe 64 C. Pujara c Wade b Starc 6 V. Kohli c Handscomb b Starc 0 A. Rahane cHandscombbO’Keefe 13

R. Ashwin c Handscomb b Lyon 1 W. Saha c Smith b O’Keefe 0 R. Jadeja c Starc b O’Keefe 2 J. Yadav stp. Wade b O’Keefe 2 U. Yadav c Smith b O’Keefe 4 I. Sharma not out 2 Extras: (nb-1) 1 Total: (all out, 40.1 overs) 105 Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-44, 3-44, 4-94, 5-95, 6-95, 7-95, 8-98, 9-101.

Bowling: M. Starc 9-2-38-2 (nb1), S. O’Keefe 13.1-2-35-6, J. Hazlewood 7-3-11-1, N. Lyon 11-2-21-1.

AUSTRALIA 2nd innings D. Warner bw b R. Ashwin 10 S. Marsh lbw b R. Ashwin 0 S. Smith not out 59 P. Handscomb cVijay b R.Ashwin 19 M. Renshaw c I. Sharma b J. Yadav 31 M. Marsh not out 21 Extras: (lb-3) 3 Total: (for 4 wickets, 46 overs) 143 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-23, 3-61, 4-113.

Bowling: R. Ashwin 16-3-68-3, R. Jadeja 17-6 26-0, U. Yadav 5-0-13-0, J. Yadav 5-0-27-1, I. Sharma 3-0-6-0.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 25, 2017

Swimming is more than just a healthy choice for Philip DeNobrega

Philip DeNobrega

Swimmer Philip DeNobrega displays his prowess in the pool.

By Tamica Garnett WHEN Chase Academy’s Philip DeNobrega started swimming he did so for health reasons, with not much thought or aspiration about getting involved in the sport competitively, but as he realised that he had a knack for it that began to change.

At 12 years old little DeNobrega was gaining weight faster than he cared, and felt maybe getting

involved in a sport might help and since his sister Steffi was already involved in swimming he thought he’d give it a shot.

“I was kind of overweight for my age and needed to be more physically active. I always admired my sister who was a swimmer of Guyana as well,” the 17-year-old recalled.

Anyone who knows the lean DeNobrega would agree that he achieved his weight-loss objective, but by the time

he was shedding the pounds swimming started becoming more than just a health choice for him.

“My performance at each meet has gotten better over the years since I started in 2012. That has led me to where I am now,” he shared.

DeNobrega has now gone from just wanting to be healthier to harbouring Olympic desires. And with the recent offer of a FINA

scholarship to train in the United States of America, he feels he’s on the right path to perhaps make that a reality.

“One of my aims would have been to achieve a scholarship, which I have recently obtained.

I have goals of using this opportunity to propel my career in swimming to a better level of performance and stage of racing. My ultimate goal is to represent and win for my country at the 2020 Olympics in

Tokyo,” DeNobrega disclosed.

The former Nations student also looks forward to the peace of mind that he gets.

After a long day of school, I look forward to going to the pool for training; it gives me a lot of tranquillity and I feel at one with the water,” He also looks forward to the opportunities to get to make his country proud when he performs at meets overseas.

He hasn’t yet represented

Guyana internationally. He has made the rounds at a number of regional competitions and represented himself well.

He is a multiple Goodwill Swim Meet silver and bronze medallist and has also represented Guyana at the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) and the ASATT Invitational in Trinidad, CARIFTA Swimming Championships, and the South American Championships in Paraguay.

Lights on again at Maracana stadium after dark days (REUTERS)-Power was restored to the Maracana stadium on Thursday almost a month after it was cut off because the stadium’s administrators had not paid the bill, the city’s electricity company Light said.

Power was restored after the stadium’s managers paid the 1.3 million reais

($424,670) owed for the months of November, December and January, the company added.

The stadium, which hosted the 2014 World Cup final and the closing ceremonies of last year’s Olympics and Paralympics, has fallen into a state of disrepair as authorities battled over who should run the

ground.

The pitch, now worn and rutted, will need to be re-laid and hundreds of seats that were ripped from the ground by vandals must be replaced.

Light says it is still due 1.8 million reais from the Rio2016 organising committee, who managed the stadium during the Games.

Light said it “continues to negotiate with the Rio 2016 committee for the payment of electricity bills during the period in which the stadium was used for the games”.

Rio2016 officials have said they will pay up.

The stadium is one of the most famous in the world, where all-time greats

such as Zico, Garrincha and Romario scored many of their greatest goals.

It hosted the final of the 2014 World Cup when Germany beat Argentina and was also host to the final match of the 1950 tournament when Uruguay beat Brazil 2-1 to lift the trophy.

It has not held a game

since Dec. 28 when Zico played his annual charity match there.

Police said parts of the ground were looted in January with thieves making off with televisions, copper wire and even a bust of Mario Filho, the Rio journalist after whom the stadium was named.

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 25, 2017

Lawyer says Pele’s son to serve drug-related prison sentence (REUTERS) - The son of soccer great Pele has pledged to turn himself over to police after a court ruled he must serve almost 13 years of a 33-year drug-trafficking sentence, his lawyer told Reuters yesterday.

“He is going to turn himself in as soon as the decision is in the system,” Eugenio Malavasi, lawyer for Edinho, said.

A former goalkeeper for Pele’s club Santos, Edinho was found guilty of drug-trafficking and money-laun-

dering in 2005 but has been fighting the charges ever since.

A judge heard his appeal against the original 33-year sentence on Thursday and reduced it to 12 years and 10 months.

His lawyer maintained

that Edinho, whose full name is Edson Cholbi do Nascimento, was innocent and would continue to fight the charges.

Pele, 76, is considered the greatest player of alltime and helped Brazil to win three World Cup titles.

Soccer great Pele with his son Edinho

Zimbabwe batter hapless Afghanistan to set up series-decider ZIMBABWE forced a series-decider after battering Afghanistan by seven wickets in a rain-affected oneday international in Harare yesterday.

The hosts lost the first two of the five-match series but edged home by three runs in a dramatic game three, before skittling out Afghanistan for just 111 in the latest contest.

Two rain delays in that

innings meant the match was shortened to 42 overs per side and Zimbabwe’s chase reduced to 105, a total they breezed to with over 118 balls remaining - opener Solomon Mire top-scoring with 46.

Asghar Stanikzai (19) was Aghanistan’s highest contributor in an abysmal innings, the captain managing to hit a six and two fours

before edging Chris Mpofu behind and drawing a fine catch from wicketkeeper Peter Moor.

Mpofu (3-25) was the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers and quickly combined with Moor again to snaffle Hashmatullah Shahidi (12), while Graeme Cremer (212) and Tendai Chatara (2-32) also made valuable contributions.

Morkel returns for South Africa first Test in NZ … Uncapped duo earn Test call-up (REUTERS) - South Africa have called on the uncapped pair of Heinrich Klaasen and Theunis de Bruyn for the three-match Test series in New Zealand next month, while there is also a return for fast bowl-

ivier, the leading wicket-taker in domestic cricket this season, made his debut in that game, posting match figures of 5-57, and has been retained.

There is also a recall for fit-again Chris Morris,

Morne Morkel

er Morne Morkel.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Klaasen will act as cover for Quinton de Kock, while de Bruyn is retained from the squad that beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 118 runs in their last Test in Johannesburg in January.

Right-hander Klaasen finished the domestic fourday competition with 635 runs at an average of 48.84, including a best of 195.

Fast bowler Duanne Ol-

whose last Test was against England in January 2016, while Morkel has also spent the last 13 months on the sidelines with back problems.

“Heinrich Klaasen was one of the top performers throughout the (domestic) season and he is rewarded for his form,” Cricket South Africa selection convener Linda Zondi said in a statement yesterday.

“Morne Morkel has

worked hard on his fitness over the past few months, and we believe he is now 100 percent fit and fully able to compete for his place in the team.”

The other seamers in the squad are Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell, with Keshav Maharaj the only recognised spinner.

The side will be captained by Faf du Plessis, with leading batsman AB de Villiers announcing earlier in the year that he would not be available for this tour.

The first Test starts in Dunedin on March 8. South Africa have won their last three Test series, away in Australia and home to New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), H a s h i m A m l a , Te m b a Bavuma, Stephen Cook, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Duanne Olivier, Wayne Parnell, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 25, 2017

IOC pledges changes to bid process after Budapest exit (REUTERS) - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) pledged yesterday to make changes to the bidding process following the withdrawal of Budapest from the race to host the 2024 Games, leaving just two candidates.

The Hungarian capital pulled the plug on its project following a collection of more than 200 000 signatures against the bid, with Paris and Los Angeles the only cities left in contention for the IOC vote in September.

“It is disappointing that this (Budapest) decision had to be taken – the candidature committee had presented an excellent project, which has built on the

reforms contained in Olympic Agenda 2020,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams said.

“It also demonstrated that smaller cities and smaller countries can stage the Olympic Games in a feasible and sustainable way.”

Agenda 2020 is a set of 40 reforms voted in back in 2014 to make the Games more appealing to potential host cities, reducing size and cost as well as its complexity.

Critics have said that Agenda 2020 had so far failed to deliver given that eight cities have pulled out of the 2022 and 2024 campaigns.

Rome, Hamburg, Boston

and Budapest have all withdrawn from bidding for the 2024 summer Games while Oslo, Stockholm, Krakow and Ukraine’s Lviv pulled out during the race for the 2022 winter Games two years ago.

The IOC said if it were not for the changes of Agenda 2020 no city would now be bidding for the Games.

“With regard to the candidature procedure as such, the political situation in our fragile world requires us to make adjustments in this respect as the current procedure produces too many losers,” Adams said.

Among the suggested changes are to confirm Paris and Los

My dream has died, says sacked Ranieri (REUTERS) - Claudio Ranieri said his “dream died” when he was sacked by Leicester City nine months after leading them to the Premier League title against all the odds.

The Italian was fired on Thursday with Leicester one place and one point above the relegation zone.

“Yesterday my dream died,” Ranieri said in a statement yesterday. “After the euphoria of last season and being crowned Premier League champions all I dreamt of was staying with Leicester; the club I love for always. Sadly this

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri

Antigua eliminated after third defeat SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (CMC) – Antigua and Barbuda were eliminated from contention in the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship on Thursday when they lost their third straight game to finish the preliminary round with little to show for their efforts.

Playing in Group A at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa against the also previously winless Canada, Antigua succumbed to goals from

England-based winger Kris Twardek and Shaan Hundal in either half, to wrap up their unflattering maiden outing in the competition.

They finished bottom of the group as Mexico topped the standings with nine points after completing a perfect preliminary round outing with a 1-0 win over Honduras in the feature game.

Honduras finished second with six points.

Following heavy defeats

Canadian Kris Twardek

to Mexico and Honduras, Antigua’s hopes of finishing with a consolation win were quickly dashed.

They fell behind in the 23rd minute when Twardek volleyed home a rebound from close range after Hundal’s initial header was denied by the woodwork.

Antigua trailed 1-0 at the break and almost conceded another in the 52nd but Liam Fraser’s shot was again thwarted by the woodwork, as Canada suffered more frustration.

They were forced to wait until the dying moments again to double their lead when Hundal latched onto a superb pass from Tristan Borges to beat custodian Christian Corbett from just inside the 18-yard box.

On Friday, St Kitts and Nevis go in search of their first win when they take on United States while French Caribbean side Haiti will face Panama, in a bid to clinch a qualifying berth.

Timea Szabo(C), co-chair of opposition party Parbeszed Magyarorszagert hands over documents with signatures supporting a referendum on Budapest’s 2024 Olympic bid to political movement Momentum at a stand in Budapest, Hungary, February 16, 2017.

Picture taken February 16. (REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh - RTSZ36T)

Angeles as the hosts of the next two Olympics, awarding two Games at the vote in September to give the IOC stability over a longer period of time.

Some IOC members have expressed their opposition to

such a move that carries increased financial and political risk given that the 2028 Games would be awarded 11 years in advance.

“These adjustments will be discussed with all the stake-

holders of the Olympic Movement. In the meantime, the candidature procedure for the Olympic Games 2024 will continue with the two excellent candidatures of Los Angeles and Paris,” Adams said.

was not to be.”

Ranieri’s dismissal has been met with widespread shock.

“The adventure was amazing and will live with me forever,” the 65-year-old manager said.

“My heartfelt thanks to everybody at the club, every-

body who was part of what we achieved, but mostly to the supporters. You took me into your hearts from day one and loved me. I love you too.”

Leicester started last season as 5000-1 outsiders to win the English top-flight title for the first time in their history.

“No-one can ever take

away what we achieved together and I hope you think about it and smile every day the way I always will,” Ranieri said.

“It was a time of wonderfulness and happiness that I will never forget. It’s been a pleasure and an honour to be a champion with all of you.”

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 25, 2017

England one-day tour of the Caribbean offers chance to build winning momentum for the summer ON the surface England’s One-day tour of the Caribbean might seem like a strange quirk of the Future Tours Programme, an insignificant three-match series against an under-strength West Indies that have little value other than offering the players easy opposition and some winter sun.

Yet with just eight matches between now and the start of the Champions Trophy in June, the next fortnight offers England a chance to get into the winning habit ahead of a tournament that in itself is seen as a dress rehearsal for the 2019 World Cup, which is also being played on home soil.

Despite the rapid transformation in England’s development in white-ball cricket since the last World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, these players are yet to find tangible reward in the form of silverware.

Last year’s World T20 in India should have been won.

Instead, four successive sixes from Carlos Brathwaite in the last over of the tournament bowled by Ben Stokes robbed England of the title.

Brathwaite is the only member of that victorious West Indies side in Kolkata who will face England in this upcoming series. A mixture of political wrangling

and odd selection means, among others, Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Sunil Narine, Darren Sammy and Sulieman Benn will all be missing.

However, England know regardless of the opposition – and West Indies’ fall from grace in 50-over cricket is underlined by their failure to even qualify for the Champions Trophy – they have a chance to build a winning momentum ahead of the summer.

Inconsistency is this

Alex Hales

team’s biggest enemy. Big scores have been their hallmark since the renaissance that started in the summer of 2015.

But despite hitting an ODI world-record 444 for three against Pakistan last August, the weakness in their bowling attack was exposed in India

Rawlins helps England to safety NAGPUR, India (CMC) – Bermudan Delray Rawlins helped lead England Under-19s to safety as the second and final Youth Test against India fizzled out into a draw at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium here yesterday.

Rawlins scored an attractive 49 to follow up his first-innings 140 before falling to fellow slow left-arm bowler Anukul Roy for the second time in the four-day match, as England were dismissed for 255 in their second innings before the captains accepted the draw.

The left-hander faced 85 balls and struck five fours and a six, further enhancing his reputation as a reliable top order batsman.

Slow left-arm bowler Harsh Tiaga took the

last month when, despite posting two 350-plus scores, they still lost the series 2-1.

The time for promise is over. Between now and the start of June results are all that matter – starting in the first ODI against West Indies in Antigua next Friday.

Jos Buttler, speaking ahead of the opening warmup match of this tour in St Kitts today, said: “Yes, it’s about results, we’re in the results business, we want to win games of cricket.

“We want to keep build-

bowling honours with four for 67 from 25 overs.

Resuming on 34 for two, England suffered an immediate setback when nightwatchman Daniel Houghton was forced to retire hurt on nought with no addition to the total.

But number four George Bartlett and lefthander Rawlins, in at number five, repelled the Indian attack, adding 121 for the third wicket. Bartlett’s 76 came from 135 balls and included six fours and three sixes.

India had declared their first innings on Thursday at 388 for nine in response to England’s first innings of 375 all out.

The series ended all square with last week’s first Test at the same venue also drawn.

ing the way we’re playing.

We’ve been together as a group for quite a while now and results are what we’re really after.

“We don’t want to hide behind ‘we’re trying to play a brand of cricket and results don’t matter’ because looking forward to the sum-

mer there’s the Champions Trophy that we really want to win. So results are key now but the results will come by staying true to the fashion we are trying to force ourselves to play.

“We’ve talked a lot about having a very talented group but everyone’s got a few games under his belt now and has been around international cricket for a while. We played well last summer at home and the summer before that, so we like playing at home and we’ll be confident and are looking forward to the Champions Trophy.

“The side’s really matured and it’s an exciting time.”

England confirmed on Thursday that Alex Hales is expected to join up with the squad in Antigua next week after recovering from the broken bone in his right hand which he sustained during the India series last month.

Whether Hales is fit enough to play in the first ODI against West Indies is a moot point. The man who scored an England-record 171 against Pakistan in that Trent Bridge run-fest last summer might not even get in the team if Sam Billings, the man expected to open in the two warm-up matches here, scores runs.

It’s a sign of England’s strength in depth and one that illustrates why Jonny Bairstow, another not guaranteed of his place in

starts this weekend with the warm-up games.

“You look at our scoring rates over the last 18 months - we’re number one in the

Jos Buttler

the 50-over side, believes this group of players can win not only the Champions Trophy but also the World Cup in two years’ time.

“This tour is an opportunity to carry on building to the Champions Trophy,” said Bairstow.

“We’ve played some very good one-day cricket over the last 18 months. Yes, the conditions will be different in England, but you can’t change a winning mindset and getting back onto that winning path

world.

“We know if we put the performances together like we’ve been doing 80-90 per cent of the time there’s no reason why we can’t go and win the Champions Trophy and a World Cup because the group of players we’ve got, I firmly believe, is special.”

How special this England one-day side can eventually be will become clearer in the coming weeks, months and years.

Morgan wants to lead England to 2019 World Cup

ONE-day captain Eoin Morgan says he has given up on playing Test cricket again but aims to lead England to the 2019 World Cup. The 30-year-old played the last of his 16 Tests in 2012, while he has appeared in 240 one-day and T20 internationals.

England face West Indies in three ODIs next month, with the first game taking place in Antigua on March 3.

“Test cricket has gone for me. I don’t think I’ll ever play it again,” said Morgan.

Joe Root, who plays in all three formats, was named as England Test captain earlier this month.

However, Morgan said he “absolutely” wants to retain the captaincy of England’s white-ball sides before the Champions Trophy this summer and World Cup in 2019, with both tournaments taking place in England and Wales.

“That’s where all the plans are going towards, what we’re working towards as a side so it will be great to be a part of it,” said Morgan.

The left-handed batsman also confirmed he will fly back from the Indian Premier League (IPL) to captain England in two ODIs against Ireland in May, after he was bought by Kings XI Punjab for £240 066 in last week’s IPL auction.

He will then return to India for a potential two final IPL fixtures prior to England’s Champions Trophy training camp starting in Spain on May 14.

Meanwhile, opener Alex Hales could feature against West Indies, having been left out of the initial squad after suffering a hand fracture against India in January.

The 28-year-old is due to have a scan on Monday and will potentially fly out to join the squad if given the all-clear.

England take on a West

Indies Cricket Board President’s XI in the first of two warm-up matches in

St Kitts today, with the second game on Monday.

(BBC Sport)

England one-day captain Eoin Morgan CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday February 25, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 4 centuries (2) Shai Hope-125 (Bar vs Lee) Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the highest team total made in CWI/Nagicor Super 50, 2017?

(2) What was the lowest team total?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 25, 2017

Brown describes underperforming Brathwaite as an ‘investment’

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Chairman of selectors Courtney Browne has described Twenty20 World Cup hero, Carlos Brathwaite, as an “investment” in West Indies cricket and argues his inclusion to face England in the three-match One-Day International series should not be viewed purely in terms of recent form.

The 28-year-old all-rounder’s selection has been questioned in some quarters especially in light of his recent failures but Browne said Brathwaite was still at a very early stage of his development and the selection panel was focused on getting the best out of him.

“He’s a young player who is a very exciting player on his day, who hasn’t played a lot of international cricket either. He’s an investment and we all know if we get him right what he can produce for us,” Browne said in a radio interview here.

“We would have seen him

in the T20 World Cup but one of the things is if you sit and hear, say a coach or captain, speak about Carlos Brathwaite it is a bit different.”

He continued: “The way how 50-overs cricket is played now, where there are power-plays and there are certain bowlers you go for in power-plays and certain bowlers you don’t. And Carlos’s strike rate would be more than the other bowlers because of the time of the games when he bowls.

“Not that I am saying that is in any way a reason not to perform but we have to take into consideration he’s still a young player at the international level.

There are so much things. We have a very young team and … the selection panel we sat and we talked about all players, and we all felt that Carlos Brathwaite was still someone that we can get a lot out of.”

Brathwaite shot to prominence last April when he smashed massive sixes off the first four balls of the last over to propel West Indies to a dra-

matic victory over England in the final of the Twenty20 World Cup. Since those heroics, his form in ODIs has been ordinary, with a meagre 157 runs coming

Browne contended Brathwaite should not be measured against his exploits at the T20 World Cup, especially since he was still relatively new to international cricket.

Twenty20 World Cup hero Carlos Brathwaite is described as an investment for the future.

from 12 appearances at a lowly average of 15.7, while taking 17 wickets with his medium pace.

Overall, Brathwaite averages just 13 with the bat from 20 ODIs and has taken 21 wickets at 40.

“What you must understand is this is still a young man. If (he sit) and we expect Carlos to repeat what he did in the World Cup every single time, we’re going to fool ourselves,” the former Test

wicketkeeper explained.

“Carlos needs to develop like any other cricketer. We’ve dug ourselves in a massive hole over the years, there’s no quick fix to our problem. It is about hard work. It’s about getting our players out there, developing our players.

“It’s not about ‘you’ve had five games, you have not performed’ so just throw (the player away). It’s about helping players to develop and realising their full potential.”

Brathwaite, who was elevated to the T20 captaincy last year, was a vital part of the Barbados Pride squad that won the Regional Super50 title last weekend in Antigua.

Batting down the order and mostly coming at the crunch, he managed 91 runs from eight outings and snared eight wickets.

Browne said it was important players like Brathwaite were given an extended run in order to prove themselves.

“When you look at our players, there are some who

have been given a little extension because you want them to develop,” he noted.

“We don’t want to have a case where you have a whole bunch of players – like what used to happen in the past – where we had so many players, all of them had games under their belts but none ever got a good extension or fair run to help them to develop.

We need to develop cricketers.

“We are number eight in the world because we put ourselves there by playing bad cricket over the years by making bad decisions. We have to develop a team, it is hard work but the one thing I must say about Carlos and a lot of the other players, we have players now who actually want to play, we have players who are committed, they are self-starters, they work hard.

“When you see players who are doing that, you know that you will be able to create that environment that is conducive to producing cricketers that can perform consistently.”

Samuels accuses WICB of playing ‘hardball’ on eligibility rule … calls for compromise with players

Early round action at the GFC ground

Rain postpones Limacol Semis to Sunday INCLEMENT weather conditions have caused the postponement of the semi-finals of the Petra-organised Limacol round-robin/knockout football competition, billed for last evening at the GFC ground.

According to a release from the organisers, the matches will now be played tomorrow with a date to be announced later for the finals.

In the first affair, an all-Georgetown battle, Western Tigers will have their hands full when they take on the unpredictable Santos FC. Following their run in this

year’s tournament, the Tigers have shown time and time again that they are not just talking the talk; they are walking the walk.

Conversely, there is the obvious underdog feeling that must be on Santos FC’s minds, but they have been steadily improving throughout.

The earlier game will feature Police against Linden’s Winners Connection (WC).

The leadership of Dwain Jacobs has proved sound so far for the boys in blue and while the unit may take a while to get into their groove, most teams would like to avoid

them, due to their ability to take their game to another level.

Persons cannot count out Quincy Holder as well, one of the better players in the team that have spurred game-changing results whenever the conditions are right.

WC, on the other hand, are a known physical team who will no doubt let Police know early that they are in for a tough 90 minutes and after Sunday night’s performance, Rene Gibbons has shown that all he needs is half a chance to make that difference.

Kick off time is 18:30hrs.

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Veteran right-hander Marlon Samuels has criticised the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) over their inflexibility regarding the controversial eligibility rule, and said it was time to compromise with players.

The 36-year-old was ruled out of selection for the three One-Day Internationals against England next month, after failing to meet the criteria for selection by playing in the entire Regional Super50 which wrapped up last weekend in Antigua.

Samuels, the squad’s most experienced ODI batsman, said it was confusing that the WICB had funded his recently bowling tests overseas so his action could be ratified by the International Cricket Council (ICC), only for selectors to then rule him out of selection.

“I didn’t pay for my bowling. ICC didn’t pay for my bowling. The West Indies Cricket Board paid for my bowling,” the Jamaican told regional sports network, SportsMax. “So they invested in my bowling for me to come back to bowl against England. Now I’m going to hear that I have to stay and play all the Super50 games … so I said no problem.”

He added: “At this stage I am not 20 and you are still continuing to tell me to miss out on everything, so why can’t you compromise? Why can’t I come and play some games in the PSL (Pakistan Super League) and come back and play against England.”

The right-handed Samuels

Marlon Samuels played two games for Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the Super50 before jetting off to the United Arab Emirates to take up his contract in the PSL. Pointing to England captain Eoin Morgan who played a few games in the PSL before heading to the Caribbean for the upcoming ODI series, Samuels said the WICB’s eligibility was senseless as other international players faced no such restrictions.

“It was not a sudden piece of information because they had told me that if I am not playing all the 50-over games, basically I wouldn’t be up for selection so I asked for my NOC and I’m here playing in the PSL,” Samuels said.

“What I am saying, first and foremost, is that the rule that they have, I don’t think it’s making any sense. You have to compromise.

“Eoin Morgan is playing in the PSL, he played a couple of games and he’s playing the three games for England so why can’t the West Indies Cricket Board compromise? Why play hardball in everything?”

Last November, Samuels pulled out of the West Indies squad for the Tri-Nations Series in Zimbabwe to fulfil a contract in the Bangladesh Premier League.

This came after he had rejected a central retainer contract because he was offered a downgraded contract, from Grade B to Grade C. He said he was told that once he accepted the new retainer, he would not be allowed to play in the BPL. However, with the T20 contract more lucrative than his downgraded contract, Samuels said he was left with no option but to turn down the retainer and play in the T20 tournament.

Samuels said he was disappointed by the board’s actions as he expected some level of loyalty after having shown long-term commitment to West Indies cricket.

“Loyalty in terms of I am the only one from (the year) 2000 still here sticking around playing for West Indies,” Samuels stressed.

“I have no problem doing that because I was playing Tests, T20 and ODI and (was) on a retainer so I have played all three (formats) … so I said ‘you know what, I’m going to have a long international career and continue to represent West Indies because this is where I started and West Indies made everybody else know me in the world’.”

Samuels has amassed 5 180 runs from 187 matches at an average of 34.

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 25, 2017

Brown describes underperforming Brathwaite as an ee ‘investment’ paSge 31

Double wins for Regal All-Stars as Florida Cup Softball bowls off … Regal Masters, Floodlights and Floodlights Legends also victorious See story on page 27

The Regal All-Stars book their Florida Cup Softball tournament semi-final spot, with two convincing wins yesterday.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Part of the action during last weekend (Stephan Sookram photo)

Milo Under-18 schools football action on today

Walton leads VC XI in game to honour Chanderpaul today BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) – Chadwick Walton will captain the UWI Vi c e C h a n c e l l o r ’s X I against touring England in a 50-overs match here today which will be used to honour veteran former West Indies left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul.

Jamaican Walton, who has already played all three formats for West Indies, leads a side which includes the likes of Youth World Cup stars Shimron Hetmy-

er and Keemo Paul, along with Chanderpaul’s son, Tagenarine Chanderpaul.

The game, which will be played at Warner Park, will see the senior Chanderpaul honoured with a special commemorative plaque for his outstanding contribution to West Indies cricket.

Chanderpaul finished second in the West Indies all-time career aggregates with 11 867 runs in 164 Tests, only behind the im-

perious Brian Lara.

His last Test was against England in Bridgetown two years ago.Tagenarine will receive the award on his father’s behalf.

SQUAD – Chadwick Walton (captain), Amir Jangoo, Anthony Alleyne, Cameron Pennyfeather, Cassius Burton, Jermaine Levy, Kharry Pierre, Keemo Paul, Keon Harding, Obed McCoy, Shimron Hetmyer, Tagenarine Chanderpaul.

MILO schools football action will resume today and tomorrow at the Ministry of Education ground in the Milo/Ministry of Public Health-sponsored U-18 football tournament.

In the first of the three games carded for today, St Rose’s High will take on St Winefride’s Sec-

ondary from 11:00hrs while the Bishops’ go toe-to-toe with Houston Secondary from 12:30hrs.

North Ruimveldt will oppose Freeburg in the final game of the afternoon from 14:00hrs.

On Sunday from 11:00hrs, the action will pit Kingston Secondary against St Mary’s while

Tucville Secondary will challenge Charlestown Secondary from 12:30hrs.

Lodge Secondary will meet East Ruimveldt Secondary in game three of the day from 14:00hrs while Morgan’s Learning Centre will clash with St John’s College.

STAG Elite League Leaders tourney rescheduled to March 5 THE Guyana Football Federation Inc. (GFF) wishes to inform the public that due to the inclement weather the League Leaders Tournament scheduled for Sunday, February 26, has been tentatively postponed to Sunday, March

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax: 2 2 7- 5208

5, 2017.

GFF regrets any inconvenience as a result of this postponement.

The League Leaders tournament will feature Victoria Kings FC vs Buxton United FC and GDF FC vs Fruta Conquerors FC (Playoff #1 and #2) in

the first double-header.

This will be followed

by Playoff #3 and the finals which will feature Winner of #1 Playoff vs Loser of #2 Playoff and Winner of #2 Playoff vs Winner of #3 Playoff respectively on dates to be announced

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017