Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 03 03 2017

High Court to proceed with parking meter case Page 5

No. 104841 FRIDAY MARCH 3, 2017

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

Gov’t to ramp up infrastructural spending Page 8

… to spur economic growth … takes aim at cutting waste at State agencies

Combine resources to combat economic problems –– Granger on official visit to The Bahamas urges region

Page 4

President David Granger is greeted by Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Perry Christie, on his arrival at the Lynden Pindling International Airport, The Bahamas, on Thursday (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

Tax delinquent ‘We have cracked Wells for Sophia, Diamond and schools on the ceiling’ Sparendaam GRA radar Page 13

Page 3

… PM, women lawyers hail appointment of women to head judiciary

Page 14

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 3, 2017

TT, Suriname offer refinery facilities two countries, but which expired in 2015.

By Alva Solomon WHILE Guyana ponders the establishment of an oil refinery here, its neighbours Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago (TT) have signalled their intention of making available their facilities to undertake the process.

At the same time, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has noted that there is no formal agreement in place for the refining of oil from the Stabroek Block with either Trinidad or Suriname.

Speaking at a forum at the Herdmanston Lodge on Thursday morning, Trotman told members of the media that no decision has been made by the Government about setting-up of a refinery.

“As you would know Cabinet approved the consultancy for us to be guided on the question,” he said.

According to him, a figure beyond G$2B would be the cost for the establishment of such a facility.

He added that recently, there were “overtures” made by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago that that

HIGH-LEVEL MEETING He said that a high-level meeting will be convened later this month in the Twin-Island Republic, and according to him, emerging from that meeting will be collaborative moves on various sectors, including education, agriculture, the petroleum sector and business.

“The MoU is at a stage of close to signing, we have settled the draft, the substantial draft,” he said, noting that the document has to be approved by the Cabinet and later, finalised and signed in Georgetown.

Trotman also disclosed that Suriname has indicated its willingness to assist Guyana, since that country’s refinery is also operating below par.

He said ExxonMobil may wish to do some of its own

noted that the grade of oil refined in the Twin Island Republic is of a lower grade than that which was discovered offshore Guyana.

Simmons said that he is uncertain what will be required as regards refining oil in either of the two countries, noting that there is no agreement in place.

Meanwhile, Trotman noted at the forum on Thursday morning that the Government is working along with Exxon to determine the volume of

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman addressing the breakfast briefing on Thursday country’s refining capacity is 175, 000 barrels per day and that the capacity was below optimum standards there.

In addition, he said that Trinidad has been importing oil from Nigeria and elsewhere, and the imported quantities are mixed, refined, blended and exported.

“That offer I believe will be formally made to Guyana,” Trotman disclosed.

During the recent Inter-sessional meeting of Car-

icom leaders here last month, Trotman said Trinidad’s Prime Minister Keith Rowley met with President David Granger and other ministers of Government, and according to him, Rowley “made a strong case for Trinidad.”

He explained that the proposal between the two countries would be made at a “state to state level”, as he referenced a memorandum of understanding which was established between the

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, second left, along with staff of the Ministry and media representatives at the forum on Thursday morning refining. “The Government of Guyana under the terms of agreement can also determine whether it wishes to receive its portion in oil and therefore may wish to use the available facilities nearby, either Suriname or Trinidad or build one here,” he said.

As regards the verification of the volumes of oil found, Trotman said it is more of an auditing function which will be shared between the Ministries of Natural Resources and Finance.

He added that the framework is already in place and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the regulatory Petroleum Commission, which is coming on stream in a few months, will share the responsibilities of that process.

LOWER GRADE Exxon Mobil Country Manager Jeff Simmons who was present at the forum

liquefied gas which has been discovered in the Stabroek Block.

He said the plan is for the reinjection of the gas into the source in order to maintain a high pressure until the time is ripe for retrieval.

Speaking on the contract which was signed between the Government of Guyana and Exxon, he said that only “salient” pieces of information such as the 50/50 production sharing figure can be disclosed.

He said the Government cannot disclose fully the contract at this point since such a move would not be in the best interest of the country, as he made reference to the strength of the military here.

“We are already wealthy, we are going to be wealthy, we have no reason to expose all of our business to the world,” Trotman said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 3, 2017

Tax delinquent schools on GRA radar –– all outstanding monies will be retrieved, says Commissioner-General

By Ariana Gordon GOVERNMENT’S decision to implement a 14 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on tuition charged by private institutions has now resulted in the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) committing to ramping up its efforts to retrieve outstanding taxes from non-compliant private institutions across the country.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, GRA Commissioner-General Godfey Statia told reporters that efforts are ongoing to retrieve all outstanding monies from tax delinquent private schools.

A 14 per cent VAT has been imposed on private tuition as of February 1, 2017.

He said the revenue entity will be sending out notices to the defaulters with the hope that those persons make payments for the past seven years and the current year.

The GRA boss said some schools have not been compliant since 2012,while others have simply not registered with their entities.

Additionally, Statia noted that those schools that have been registered as non-profit entities are mistakenly under the impression that they need not file returns for the entity.

If the schools registered as non-profit entities fail to submit their returns to the GRA, then under law they can lose that status. “… they can be withdrawn if no filings are done,” said Statia, who noted too that there are also a high-level of non-compliance in the areas of deductions and payment of Pay as You Earn (PAYE) from their employees, as well as their submissions of their employer’s returns.

UNDER-DECLARATION There are also instances where there is the under-declaration of income and inflated expenditure, and in

Education. Guyana Chronicle reported in its March 2 edition that of the 33 private schools in Georgetown, only 12 are registered with the

Finance Minister,Winston Jordan some instances payments are made to individuals other than the institutions to facilitate the under-declaration.

Additionally, the GRA said there is a high-level of noncompliance in the timely submission of Income, Property and Corporation returns and the payment of taxes of these institutions. Moreover, it was discovered that many teachers are being treated as contract employees and employers are not deducting PAYE and NIS from their salaries.

It was disclosed at the press conference held in the Ministry of Finance’s boardroom that of the total number of private schools operating in Guyana, 57 per cent are currently registered with the GRA. A DOZEN REGISTERED Of that amount, 20 per cent of those schools are recognised by the Ministry of

Ministry of Education.

Statistics revealed by the GRA on Thursday show that 10 per cent of the very institutions are registered as non-profit organisations, while another 14 per cent are registered as profit making organisations.

Some 26 per cent of the institutions have been registered for and are already applying the VAT for some of their services and the sale of zero-rated items.

“Both categories of registrants provide educational services at competitive rates, and the tuition fees range between $144,000 and $300,000 depending on the grade level of the student,” the GRA stated, and according to Finance Minister Winston Jordan, the fees charged by the schools exceed those charged by the University of Guyana (UG) in most cases.

As a result of the foregoing, it is the view of both the Government and the revenue authority that private educa-

tional institutions can absorb the VAT imposed on private tuition without passing it on to students.

Before the passage of the 2017 budget, educational services enjoyed a zero-rated status which allowed the registered institutions to receive VAT refunds to the tune of $150M. Those taxes which were refunded were already charged to the users of the services and this allowed the schools to benefit,as the refunds were not passed on to the students in reduced fees.

Having being exempted now, it means that the private institutions can purchase the very educational items at a reduced cost, a benefit which the finance minister hopes would be passed on to students.

‘AGONISING ISSUE’ Meanwhile, the finance minister said that the imple-

GRA CommissionerGeneral Godfrey Statia mentation of VAT on tuition of private institutions is part of his administration’s initiatives to broaden the revenue base, a move he described as

Transgender woman barred from entering court … as assault case dismissed

CITY Magistrate Dylon Bess, on Thursday dismissed a physical assault matter in which transgender woman, Petranella Trotman, known as Petronella, was the victim.

Although the transgender woman was present for the court hearing, she along with several of her friends were barred from entering the courtroom as the verdict was being handed down by the Magistrate. The Magistrate cleared his courtroom from the public and made his decision in the absence of the victim who was standing outside the door. The charge was dismissed against Jamal Johnson.

Petronella was allegedly

physically assaulted by Johnson last year. The matter was reported at the Brickdam Police Station and the perpetrator was charged with assault.

The case was heard before Bess on January 31, 2017, but according to Petronella, she was admonished for attending court dressed in female attire, consistent with her gender identity. The transgender woman was continuously barred from entering the courtroom by the Magistrate due to being dressed in female clothing.

She expressed her disappointment in the Magistrate’s decision to dismiss the matter without hearing her side of the story. The victim explained

Petronella stands at the door of Magistrate Bess’ court before the door was closed (DemeraraWaves Photo) that she has no intentions of appealing the matter.

Last week, the Court of Appeal upheld a 2013 rul-

ing by Former Chief Justice, Ian Chang, which stated that cross dressing is not a crime, once not done for improper purposes. In 2010, a group of Transgender men had asked that the Supreme Court strike down laws that left them open to arrest following a police crackdown the previous year on male cross dressers.

However, while Chang’s ruling allowed men to dress in women’s clothing, it did not state what constituted improper use, which led to concerns about interpretation.

Last week, Justice Carl Singh reasoned that improper use would entail a man dressing as a woman, and using this female image to solicit service from a taxi driver, after which he robs the driver.

an “agonising issue”.

“I do not want a link seen between the imposition of the 14 per cent on private tuition and the recalcitrance of schools, as it relates to paying or filing the Income Tax. I said the context, within which the 14 per cent was added to private tuition, should be recognised and is the broadening of the tax base, reduction of taxes.”

He explained that approximately eight of the private schools registered with GRA have an income of in excess of $2B annually and sought to dispel suggestions that public schools are bad while private schools are good.

He made it clear that the public school system is not where it ought to be,but noted in the same vain that every attempt is being made to improve the public education system while referencing Government’s budget of $42.1B for that sector.

The finance minister has long made it clear that parents send their students to private institutions because they have a choice, and noted that “you can’t say Government is circumscribing your choice to put VAT on tuition”.

As such, he suggested that the private institutions can

isolate those children who are considered to be “poor” and absorb the VAT charge in full or in part.

The finance minister suggested that in absorbing, the private schools can show it is a tax deductible. “… it is a win-win for everybody… I really do think that one solution is to go the route of GTT and CJIA, isolate those who can’t afford it and call a meeting (with parents and school) and discuss what percentage the school can bear and what parents can bear.”

The minister said the implementation of the tax was “carefully thought out” and its removal would prove catastrophic and would mean that Government would have to “upturn our economic programme”.

He said too that removing the 14 per cent VAT on tuition would mean that Government would lose some $350M this year given that the 2017 budget has not been fully financed.

As it is, Guyana will be borrowing $38B to finance the budget.

“This Government has said that our mission is to reduce taxes; we have started this year and will keep all the taxes under review. Give this and the other taxes a chance to crystalise,” Jordan urged.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 3, 2017

Combine resources to combat economic problems –– Granger on official visit to The Bahamas urges region

PRESIDENT David Granger, who arrived in The Bahamas on an official visit yesterday afternoon, said that much of the economic and unemployment problems facing the region can be solved if Caribbean States work to combine their resources, talents and expertise.

The head of state made these remarks, during an interview with ZNS News of the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas, following a meeting with the Governor General of that country, Dame Marguerite Pindling.

Describing the visit as an economic mission, the President, who is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Carl Greenidge, Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder and Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, said that Guyana has the resources, while The Bahamas has the capital and successful tourism and financial sectors that lessons can be learnt from.

He believes that combining these factors can mean economic benefit for both countries and that similar economic relations among other Caribbean States can bear similar fruit.

“We are talking about a world class community and we need to continue to work in the Caribbean Community to make better use of these resources… Much of what you need here in The Bahamas, I

am sure can be produced in the mainland states [Guyana, Belize and Suriname],” he said.

The Guyanese head of state also spoke of the importance of improving education and the creation of the conditions that encourage entrepreneurial growth to create employment and eliminate poverty.

He said that a high standard of education coupled with the availability of entrepreneurial opportunities will offer young people in the Caribbean hope for the future. This, he said, is an objective that is shared by the Governments of Guyana, The Bahamas and the rest of region.

Speaking of the strides that the Bahamas has made over the years, President Granger lauded Prime Minister Perry Christie and his Government and said that the island is a good example to the rest of the Caribbean.

“I am happy to see what Prime Minister Christie has been able to achieve… We have to learn from each other.

We have to stick together,” he said.

He explained that the mechanism of the Caribbean Community was designed to ensure that member States share ideas and learn from each other.

“Guyana, Belize and Suriname have articulated the need to broaden the tourist

product… We are a blessed region. We are not some sort of monochromatic image to the rest of the world. I am convinced that if we can combine our talents and resources, we can offer a world class product. Bahamas is already a world-class tourist destination and we would like to learn how you have been able to do that,” the President said.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Minister Greenidge, who said that there is much scope for cooperation among States in terms of technical assistance, exchange of experiences and capacity building, whereby institutions can absorb students from both sides.

Today, President Granger

and his delegation will be having a full engagement with Prime Minister, Perry Christie, and his Cabinet to discuss some of these matters.

Earlier in the afternoon, the Guyanese delegation was greeted at the Lynden Pindling International Airport by the Prime Minister.

President David Granger received the 21 Gun Salute from The Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Guard of Honour, followed by a Junkanoo salute. Last evening the Guyanese Head of State also attended an event hosted by the Honourary Consul to Guyana, Jairam Mangra.

President David Granger applauds a cultural presentation on his arrival at the Lynden Pindling International Airport, The Bahamas, on Thursday. At left of the President is Prime Minister of The Bahamas Perry Christie (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 3, 2017

High Court to proceed with parking meter case

THE High Court will continue to hear a case against the implementation of the parking meter, Justice Brassington Reynolds ruled on Thursday.

Town Clerk, Royston King, through his attorney Roger Yearwood, on February 27. 2017), had filed a jurisdiction application ques-

tioning whether the case filed

by Attorney Kamal Ramkarran of Cameron and Shepherd law firm on behalf of Mohendra Arjune for the project to be quashed, could be heard in the High Court under the new Civil Procedures rules.

Justice Reynolds after hearing submissions from both sides ruled that the High

Court continues to have jurisdiction to hear the case of the parking meter project and the operations of M&CC to impose penalties and fees on people, who wish to park their vehicles in the city. An application was also made on Thursday by Ramkarran for a stay for the M&CC and Smart City Solutions (SCS) to

Kwame McCoy found guilty of assaulting Benschop FORMER People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Information Liaison Officer, Kwame McCoy, was fined $20,000 on Thursday after he was found guilty of the 2011 assault case against political activist, Mark Benschop.

The verdict was handed down by Magistrate Annette Singh in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court. The incident occurred on May 5, 2011, at Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara, while Benschop was attempting to take photographs of McCoy’s residence.

In relation to the same incident, McCoy was also charged with damage to property and simple larceny. It was alleged that McCoy damaged a F150 motor pickup vehicle belonging to Benschop valued $1.5M and stole a $120,000 laptop. However, these charges were dismissed by Magistrate Singh due to the lack of evidence.

It was reported that at the time of the attack, Benschop was in charge of an online radio and website and was investigating reports that McCoy was

… other charges dismissed

building a house worth $100M. Benschop had said that while he was taking the photographs, McCoy and two other individuals assaulted him.

He had alleged that McCoy was one of the individuals who smashed his vehicle window and made off with his computer and other valuables from the vehicle. Meanwhile, following the Magistrate’s decision on Thursday, McCoy, told the court that Benschop’s accusations are a “very dramatic fiction story.”

“Mark Benschop and others had fabricated the story on the day in question….in the first place I was not even there!” the PPP/C activist told reporters outside the court.

McCoy believes that the charges against him were politically motivated.

“The whole idea is to go after Kwame politically…it is convenient for the APNU+AFC government to come after me in any means or fashion it could.

Former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Information Liaison officer, Kwame McCoy They have not penetrated me enough for me to complain,” McCoy said.

Meanwhile, during the trial, Benschop testified via SKYPE from the United States, where he noted that he is fearful for his life.

stop with the operations of the parking meters as the court case proceeds. Justice Reynolds will make his ruling on the question of interim relief application filed by Ramkarran on Monday at 14:30hrs in Court 7 of the High Court.

Earlier this month, Chief Justice (Ag), Yonette Cummings-Edwards granted an

‘Order Nisi,’ to quash the decision of M&CC and Town Clerk to enter into a contract with Smart City Solutions (SCS) Incorporated, unless the council can give just cause why it should be so. The M&CC signed the contract with Smart City Solutions (SCS) on May 13, 2016. The contract gave the company

exclusive rights to conduct paid public parking within Georgetown and includes the installation of parking meters.

But, the project has attracted a lot of controversy and public debate with members of civil society calling for the terms and conditions of the venture to be rescinded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 3, 2017

Editorial

Appointing a GECOM Chairman

A

TTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams SC, issued the Government’s interpretation of Article 161 (2) which has to do with the eligibility for consideration to be on the list of nominees to be appointed Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

According to the AG, the “list of candidates must include the persons required by the Constitution in the priority category, supported by the proviso.” Article 161 (2) states, “the Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge, or any other fit and proper person, to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons, not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after meaningful consultation with the non-governmental political parties represented in the National Assembly.”

The article highlights three such persons-- 1) a person who holds or who has held office as a judge; 2) or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge; 3) or any other fit and proper person. Submitting a list is not new. It was done before by Leader of the Opposition Cheddi Jagan to

City Constabulary needs a reformation Dear Editor COME May 4th of this year, vendors, businesspersons and indeed citizens at large of our capital city will be relieved of a parasitic, menacing and avaricious senior member of the City Constabulary who shall be hanging up his uniform that he uses as a symbol of oppression, his boots that he use to kick down vending stands and trample on the produce and goods of poor entrepreneurs, and turn in the department’s pistol that he uses to terrorise persons including naïve young women, as he proceeds into retirement.

Of course he shall be riding off into the sunset of his existence with his saddlebags filled with the loot that he accumulated with his decades of shaking down hundreds of hapless victims in and around the markets, on the pavements

and city reserves, residents guilty of minor infractions of the city’s by laws, and motorists caught in the recent scandalous parking meter fiasco.

The irony of all of this though, is that in clear resistance to the policy established by central government to retire ageing members of society, members of the ‘Fantastic Four’ have been lobbying strenuously for this gentleman return to the job, post-retirement, to continue to do their bidding. Astounding!

It can only be hoped that when the City Constabulary sees the back of this bogeyman, that they undertake a radical transformation into a helpful, professional and effective police department and leave behind their current image which has been likened to the notorious Tonton Macoute of the past.

Regards RILEY MATTHEWS

President Desmond Hoyte, and Leader of the Opposition Desmond Hoyte to Presidents Cheddi Jagan, Janet Jagan and Bharrat Jagdeo. Should the past be used as a guide, it would be acknowledged in this area it has served the country well and the nominees presented were not considered controversial by the society.

Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, since the AG’s submission, has said he will submit another list. With Guyanese being fatigued that a matter this simple has dragged on this long, it is reasonable to expect the new list will spare the society another drawn out process where citizens are subjected to another bout of political brinkmanship. Former GECOM Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally, has not only resigned since last November, but as of February 28, has vacated the office.

This is an office that would be best served if it is not left vacant for too long. The role of GECOM is critical to safeguarding and improving our electoral system and in fledgling democracies, vigilance is necessary at every stage.

As the Chairman of GECOM, with fifteen years’ service, Surujbally’s was the longest under the Carter formula. It was a service with notable improvements and setbacks. One of the improvements is the continuous registration process which in itself could be built on with a view of expediting the issuance of national identification cards. Hopefully the new chairman and the commissioners will find such worthy for examination and implementation.

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

This period also marked the angst of citizens on both sides of the political divide. In 2006 a section of the society was upset with GECOM for the allocating of a seat won in Region 10 by the Alliance for Change (AFC) to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). Then in the 2011, were it not for the vigilance of Commissioner Vincent Alexander, a declaration would have been made giving a seat to the PPP/C which it did not deserve, based on the valid ballots cast.

When in 2015 the PPP/C lost the government, it held several protests and called for Surujbally’s resignation, accusing him of compromising the electoral process that led to its defeat. Yet it was under Dr Surujbally’s leadership the long denied and awaited Local Government Elections were held. The conduct of this election was free of allegations of fraud. The incoming chairman will be coming to the office, viewed by society, with some degree of scepticism. He/she will be required, from get go, to create the climate free of partisan political accusation and set about improving the system the predecessors bequeathed.

Experience will show the hounding of Surujbally by the PPP/C, including the allegations made against him by the party that this job not only requires the proverbial thick skin but the ability to keep focused, with the intention of delivering future elections that are not only free and fair, but also free from fear.

City Hall slams Jagdeo Dear Editor THE Mayor and Councillors have noticed with much trepidation, utterances about the Parking Meter project, in certain sections of the media, attributed to the leader of the People’s Progressive Party, which seek to suggest that the Parking Meter project is a People’s National Congress Reform Project. This is an absurdity and an attempt to add a negative political dimension to what is clearly a city revenue earning and regulatory initiative.

It is public knowledge that this particular project was initiated by the Mayor

and Councillors of the city of Georgetown since 1995, and that whatever may have been the missteps in its implementation, in substance, it is one, which is necessary and vital not only to the development but also the transformation of the city.

Being responsible for securing funding and financing its own projects, activities and interests for the good governance of the city, the council has been able to attract this investment to the tune of US$10M. It is the largest investment facilitated and managed by the Council for over fifty (50) years.

Also, this project is part of a wider plan to reorganise,

reorder and reshape the nation’s capital and to lift it to a plateau of excellence to compare with the great cities of the world.

However, it is the considered view of the Mayor and City Council that the utterances about this initiative being a political one is really a ruse by that political party to create space for political activism and to redirect public focus and thinking from the benefits and advantages of the project to the city to the sort of “small minded” politics that kept the city in the doldrums of environmental and economic degradation for more than two decades.

However, the Mayor and City Council wishes to assure all stakeholders and its citizens that it is unswervingly committed to delivering a green, clean, healthy, safe and prosperous city for all Guyanese.

The Council is pleased that at this particular point in the history of Guyana and the city it is poised to make a substantive contribution to the growth of local neighbourhoods and the sustainable development of the capital city of Guyana.

ROYSTON KING Town Clerk City of Georgetown, Guyana

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 3, 2017

Clarifications on dates for Holi

Dear Editor,

I REFER to the Kaiteur News article, dated March 2, “Dharmic Sabha’s Grand Phagwah Mela and Bazaar set for March 4,” where it was erroneously stated that “Holika Dahan or the Burning of Holika will be observed by mandirs countrywide on Sunday March 12th on Purnima or full moon night and Phagwah or Holi will be celebrated on Monday 13th.”

This is, first of all, very misleading. Mandirs countrywide will not be celebrating on the above- mentioned dates; only those affiliated to Dharmic Sabha might be doing so, and not all of them. Editor, I crave your indulgence to briefly explain the rules and methods in arriving at the correct dates.

Holi or Phagwah celebrated on the first day of the month of Chaitra. It is usually the day after Holika Dahan (Burning of Holika). Establish the date for Holika Dahan and we have determined the date for Holi or Phagwah.

All Texts declare that Holika Dahan is performed on the night of the Full Moon. The duration of the Full Moon in Guyana is from 10:53 AM on Saturday March 11 to 10:53 AM on Sunday March 12. This can be verified from all Panchangas (Astrological Charts), as well as NASA. The Full Moon is therefore, present only at the evening of Saturday 11st March.

It is not present at the evening of March 12. Holika Dahan, (Burning of Holika) will therefore, be on the night of Saturday, March 11. The night of Sunday March 12 is not Full Moon.

HOLI The first day of Chaitra will commence at 10:53 AM on Sunday March 12 and will end at 11:21 AM on Monday March 13. HOLI or Phagwah in Guyana will therefore, be on Sunday March 12. The second lunar day of Chaitra begins at 11:21 AM on Monday March 13. Monday 13 cannot be Holi.

Regards PT. R. BALBADAR President. Sanatan Vaidic Dharma Pandits’ Sabha, Region 3.

Dissolution of CH&PA board commendable Dear Editor, I WAS very impressed with the candor and perspicacity attributed to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, in which he was reported as saying that the Board of the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA) was dissolved because the ‘rancor’ between it and the agency staff, which had resulted in very little work being done, and in fact only 20 percent of its budgetary allocation last year being spent to carry out its obligations.

It is only with truthful assessments and swift affirmative action like this would the ship of state be kept from running aground, and in fact set sail into the sea of success. This is utterly commendable and should be roundly applauded by all.

Had the same progressive action been taken at City Hall in 1997, with the elected officials, whose mandate by the citizens had come to an end, and for which incidentally the leadership there then, and the leadership of the CH&PA’s last board were the same, Georgetown would have been a much better place to live, work and visit.

It would now be the responsibility of the new CEO and board to look to retrieving some of the experienced and knowledgeable resources that were chased out of the agency over the last year, acquiring fresh new talent and just as important cleaning the Augean stables of the thugs and lackeys that were inserted into the agency.

The opportunity should not be lost in recognizing the sterling contributions made by Mr. Bert Carter, a man of enormous character and wisdom who was on the last board and whose offerings and influences on the CH&PA were incomparable and invaluable.

It can only be hoped that his skill and intellect would still be available to the agency.

Regards SHANTA SINGH

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 3, 2017

Gov’t to ramp up infrastructural spending

By Fareeza Haniff

DETERMINED to jumpstart the economy, government is banking on its major investments in the housing sector and other areas to spur economic growth.

Speaking at his post cabinet news conference held at the Ministry of the Presidency, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, acknowledged that in 2016, there was not enough implementation of government’s public sector infrastructure programme, however this year it is expected to be different. “This year as you can see, the contracts have started to reel off. We are better organised now and therefore all of the contracts which have been

placed in this budget…we’re going to use that to ensure that the economy is basically better positioned,” Harmon told the media.

He said too that government will be encouraging private investments and re-committed to strengthening cooperation with the private sector. “We encourage private sector involvement in the economy. We are going to engage the private sector in a more meaningful and aggressive way so that this partnership between government and private sector can be used, that energy, that synergy which the two parties bring together, can be used to basically boost and move this country forward,” Minister Harmon said. In late 2016, Minister of Finance,

Winston Jordan, presented the country’s biggest budget of GYD$250 billion under the theme: “Building a diversified green economy: delivering the good life to all Guyanese.” A number of measures were announced to stimulate the country’s economy and to create job employment opportunities.

A report late last year by the European Commission for Latin American and the Caribbean (ECLAC), had said that after two consecutive years of economic contraction, Latin America and the Caribbean will experience a modest growth of 1.3% in 2017, with Guyana projected to grow by 3.8 %. Guyana’s growth rate for last year

… to spur economic growth

… takes aim at cutting waste at State agencies was pegged at 2.6 per cent.

CUTTING WASTE Meanwhile, Harmon announced that government has embarked on a number of measures aimed at cutting cost at several government ministries in an effort to revive the country’s economy. This was decided at the February 28 conference of ministers, hosted by President David Granger at State House.

Harmon told the media briefing that the government

PS Thomas fired … but will remain in public service

CAREER Public Servant Trevor Thomas, has been sacked as Permanent Secretary of the Public

Health Ministry, but will remain in the public service, State Minister, Joseph Harmon, announced

on Thursday.

Thomas a casualty of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into drug pro-

Career Public Servant Trevor Thomas curement at the Ministry of Public Health, had his services terminated on March 1, 2017. Mr. Harmon made the disclosure on Thursday during his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Thomas’ termination comes months after the COI headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (Ret’d), Winston Cosbert, recommended that he be fired due to “his inability to effectively carry out the mandate of the Ministry.”

The commission was launched into the unauthorised disclosure of information on the procurement of pharmaceuticals at the Public Health Ministry. It is alleged that Western Scientific Company Limited had conspired with staff of the Materials and Management Unit (MMU), to gain a competitive advantage over other suppliers.

The career public servant will be replaced by the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Collette Adams, who will act until a substantive appointment is made. However, although Thomas has been relieved of his duties,

is in a period of austerity and that relevant measures will be adopted within all ministries to reduce expenditure and to promote more efficient utilisation of government’s resources.

“It means that you have to be a little more careful in how you spend your money to make sure that it last.

It means that you have to reuse envelopes. We have several measures which we will circulate to government ministries on how they can cut back on expenses. When you leave a room, you don’t

leave an Air Conditioner running, you don’t leave lights running and all of these things so there are practical measures which will be used by the government to ensure the austerity that I’m talking about and that the monies which you have that it lasts you longer and that you don’t have to go back later down in the year for supplementary and all of that.

So it is really about being very sensible and using resources which you have to the best of your ability,” the Cabinet Secretary said.

he will remain in the Public Service, according to the Minister of State.

Thomas had been employed at the Ministry of Public Health between 2012 to August 2015 as the Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary but was on September 1, 2015, appointed as Permanent Secretary to the said ministry.

He served as PS at several other ministries as well as the Teaching Service Commission.

In its report dated December 12, 2016, the Commission stated that Thomas was “willingly evasive and deceptive” while being questioned by the Board of Inquiry, noting too that his statements during his testimony were inconsistent.

Prior to 2015, the Health Ministry procured pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and equipment for the regions without consultations.

In 2015, however, a new procedure was introduced allowing for the 10 Administrative regions to individually submit their lists based on their needs.

Those lists are submitted to the Ministry’s procurement department for procurement of the required items.

However, Thomas found difficulty with the system and told the Board of Inquiry that the regions were challenged to prepare their lists despite training which was facilitated by the Supply Chain Management Complex (SCMC). He even suggested that the Ministry of Public Health would return to the old procurement system as the current one was a failure in his eyes.

Thomas delivered his last speech as Permanent Secretary of the Public Health Ministry on Tuesday February 28, 2017, during a Regional Health Officers and Programme Heads Meeting at the Regency

Suites where he called for public health officials to be accountable.

In calling for fiscal prudence, Thomas alluded to the Global Fund/Ministry of Health debacle which resulted in the Government repaying Global Fund in excess of US$80, 000 because of poor record keeping and accountability.

This mistake must not be repeated, Thomas had urged.

In 2016, Global Fund disclosed that an investigation of its malaria grant to Guyana for a period of two and half years up to June 2015, had unveiled irregularities including falsification of data and fraudulent expenditures totaling some $11 million.

“The investigation found a series of irregularities relating to the inflation of programmatic data, the fabrication of underlying programmatic documentation, and anomalies in fuel consumption and ‘per diem’ claims. These irregularities affected expenditures totaling US$72,973 which the OIG considers to be non-compliant, and therefore potentially recoverable,” the report by the Global Fund’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) had stated.

It was noted that the irregularities were facilitated by the inadequate management of the Global Fund malaria programme by the Vector Control Services (VCS) of the Ministry of Health, as a result of poor record-keeping and a failure to respond to Global Fund Secretariat Management Actions.

Meanwhile, in the coming days, Minister of State said Guyanese can expect a sweep of changes with respect to Permanent Secretaries of the Government Ministries.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 3, 2017

Harmonise land laws … PM tells land management workshop

By Shauna Jemmott PRIME Minister,Moses Nagamootoo,has called for the harmonisation of several laws addressing lands to be incorporated into one comprehensive legal document for the effective and sustainable management and development of lands in Guyana.

The Prime Minister made the call during an address to the ‘Sensitization and Validation Workshop of Sustainable Land Management and Development Project Concept’,hosted by the Government of Guyana in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission,at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown, Thursday.

Mr Nagamootoo explained that he read through several national legal documents and realised that more than fifteen of the Acts addressed land management in Guyana. He believes a comprehensive version of these laws is necessary through a land management commission or committee,and has advised the gathering at the workshop that they consider his recommendations in making land laws more easily understandable.

“And so one of the functions I believe should be a challenge to those in this workshop and beyond;this workshop would be to harmonise our laws, bring them together. Make Guyana appear that we have one set of laws that address our national asset which is our land resource,” Nagamootoo said.

After going through a plethora of laws,he recognized the need for the establishment of a land management commission or com-

mittee not only to oversee the sustainable management and development of lands, but also to make related laws understandable.

“I am going through the Land Registry Act, the Mining Act deals with land;the

uals along the East Coast of Demerara had quickly and illegally taken possession of vacant lands for residential purposes.He also expressed disgust at the slothful and unfair land allocation processes under the previous

Prime Minister,Moses Nagamootoo,addressing the Sensitization and Validation Workshop of Sustainable Land Management and Development Project Concept, at The Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown,yesterday (Photo by Adrian Narine) Prescriptive Title Act Position of Land deals with land;the MMA Act deals with state lands,the State Lands Act, and I could go on and I have come through about fifteen or sixteen different acts, (including) the Amerindian Act, and all of these acts are addressing land that is available in Guyana,and that should be accessed by Guyanese and others who want to use and invest on the land. But there is no one text that you could go to that has a clear delineation of land and land use and management of land to make land sustainable.”

He recalled one of the first issues the APNU+AFC government was forced to address after assuming office was that of land allocation;after several individ-

administration.

Guyanese,in chanting the lyrics of the country’s national anthem ‘Dear land of Guyana’,revered in emotion, and with a deep love for country, sang of Guyana being green, great and dear, and of what the country means to them, yet many have little knowledge of the land they sing about. “… We also refer to our land as our mother, but do we know our mother? We sing to her and it would baffle us all that with the massive land space we have in Guyana,that we knew very little about the potential of our land.

This,Nagamootoo said,is because of lack of adequate national data and mapping, and has called for Guyana to adopt an

open data policy which highlights the availability of land and potential for development in order to make it investor-ready. The Prime Minister recalled when he visited Mexico in the company of Minister of Governance,Raphael Trotman,that there was detailed data and mapping readily available in that country’s statistical and data department.

He said Mexicans knew their country ‘like the palm of their hands’ and recorded data for almost every inch of Mexico. “They knew which land was good for agriculture, they knew which land was good for mining, which land was good for fisheries, they knew the potential of the land and because they knew the potential of the land,the land became investor-ready.”

During discussions after the Mexico visit,Minister Trotman suggested that a National Lands Commission (NLC) be established to address such concerns.

The commission will be established to highlight the potential of all lands, be it private, state owned or Amerindian settlements.

“Even when we have to map out the land, complete the surveys and do the allocation to settlements, we need to know what is the potential of the land our people will inherit, what is the potential of land that people would buy, would lease, so that we can be sure that in this mapping exercise,that we have the data that could assure us that we can take care of issues such as food security and sustainability of our scarce, limited but vast natural and national resources,” Nagamootoo told the workshop of land management and development professionals.

Ex-cop charged with murder of teen AN ex-cop appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, charged with the murder of Ryan ‘Harry’ Sergeant, who was shot outside the Rio Night Club in September, 2016.

Lloyd Roberts, 35, known as ‘Robbie’ of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that on September 26, 2016, he murdered 19-year-old Sergeant.

Roberts did not have legal representation and according

to Police Prosecutor, Deniro Jones, the police investigation and file have been completed and a total of 31 witnesses are slated to testify at the Preliminary Inquiry (PI). Roberts was remanded and is expected to re-appear in court on March 10, 2017.

Sergeant of Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was shot dead by a group of men while his friend Jeffrey Ferrel was injured. The shooting incident reportedly stemmed from an argument over money and “girls” at the popular nightclub about

02:30hrs on September 26, 2016, outside the Rio Night Club on Oronoque and Forshaw Streets, Queenstown.

After the shooting, Sergeant was picked up by his ‘gang members’ and dropped off at the Woodlands Hospital.

He was shot once to the jaw during the exchange of gunfire.

Former murder accused, Leon Duncan called ‘Whistle,’ was charged in February for discharging a loaded firearm at Jeffery Ferrell, with intent to murder him. He is currently on remand.

Lloyd Roberts, along with

two others are also on remand after being charged in January in connection with the discovery of guns and ammunition during a police raid at a John Street, Campbellville home.

The men were bused with an AK 47 rifle and 7 .68×39 rounds of ammunition in their possession on January 22, 2017. Roberts was freed in 2010 by a City Magistrate for the murders of Romeo De Agrella and son Clint De Agrella, who died in March, 2007, at Iron Punt, North West District, from multiple gunshot wounds.

Workers’ welfare top priority … as gov’t moves towards diversification of sugar industry

By Fareeza Haniff THE coalition government is expected to present a White Paper in the National Assembly soon, as it relates to the future of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Cabinet Secretary, Joseph Harmon, has noted.

The issue was discussed extensively at the ministerial conference held on February 28, at State House, when Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, made his presentation. The conclusion of consultations between government, the unions and the opposition on GuySuCo’s future, along with the options advanced by the government and the proposal made by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) will form the basis of the White Paper.

When asked if any sugar estates will be closed down, Harmon said that proposals were made to that effect, along with diversification of several estates. He however emphasised that the welfare of the sugar workers and their families is the top priority of the APNU+AFC government.

“The welfare of the workers and their families is of primary concern. The other economic concerns and so on will of course be dealt with but the workers’ interest is at the forefront of whatever policy we’re going to embrace with respect to the sugar industry,” Harmon told reporters at a post cabinet media briefing on Thursday.

The White Paper will also deal with the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the sugar industry, the proposals

by GuySuCo, the consultations held with stakeholders and GAWU’s presentation, the decisions facing government relating to the recovery of drainage and irrigation charges of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, diversification of the Skeldon Factory and the leased lands.

In a report which was presented to the Parliamentary Economic Services Committee in January by GuySuCo’s Chairman, Clive Thomas and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Errol Hanoman, it stated that the outlook for Guyana’s sugar industry continues to look grim as the officials declared that funds injected into sugar industry at this time will be funds “wasted.”

The industry has received criticisms from all levels; with a debt of $77.3B and consecutive losses, officials are advising that the industry is one not worth investing in unless plans for the reorganisation, restructuring and diversification of the industry are present. Figures based on 2015 audited accounts show, GuySuCo recorded a profit once in the past six years, which was recorded in 2013 due to the tax adjustment.

Thus, “radical reorganisation, contraction of sugar and major diversification are urgently required for better predictability and planning,” stated the report. The Corporation’s performance deteriorated after having invested its own funds in the SSMP project (2005 onwards) which did not yield returns as expected, causing cash flow difficulties, coupled with declining sugar prices and increased costs, particularly employment costs, affecting capital and maintenance projects required to sustain and improve production levels.

The report stated that there needs to be validation of GuySuCo’s head office/ central services; with the proposed plan of retaining only three estates, Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt.

It was suggested that GuySuCo’s agriculture research centre be delinked and merged with the national research centre being developed with IDB funding. And, the corporation’s training centre be developed as an independent technical school. But, according to the report, in order to rationalise the sugar industry from seven estates, it requires specialist expertise because the sugar industry lacks skills and experience.

The report indicated that GuySuCo’s state of affairs must not remain the same because time is of the essence and decisions need to be made as $18B would be required in 2017 and a further $21B in 2018, to run GuySuCo.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 3, 2017

White paper on housing development for Parliament A ‘WHITE PAPER’ will be laid in the National Assembly detailing the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government’s Housing Project which will capitalise on local products, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, said on Thursday.

In his address to reporters at the Ministry of the Presidency, Minister Harmon said the ‘white paper’ will be tabled in the National Assembly by Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan.

“It will also deal with the method of construction, method of payments for units, mortgages for recipients and the criteria for allocation, and included also is this issue of aided self-help programme,” the Minister of State explained as he alluded to the document that will soon be laid before the House.

In February, the Government announced that 758 housing units in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and 10 will be constructed at a cost of $5B to provide low-income earners, young people and public-sector families with affordable housing.

Approximately 1500 applicants will be shortlisted for duplexes and town house units but in constructing these housing units, the Government will be seeking to capitalize on indigenous materials and local contractors.

“We import into this

country a lot of foreign species. We import pine and all these different types of woods. We have a wide variety of woods in Guyana and we want to encourage the use of the woods we have here in Guyana,” the Minister of State explained.

He said too that there have been some proposals for the production of clay bricks.

“Many of these things which really made us self-sufficient in some way we have to review these things because we can’t just continue buying these products from abroad when in fact we have the facilities right here,” Minister Harmon noted.

The Ministers of Government were brought up to date with the Housing Programme during the one day Ministerial Conference held at State House on Tuesday. During that conference, Minister Bulkan said that the Housing Programme inherited from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government was ineffective since it largely focused on the distribution of house lots.

The government of the day, however, is focused on building houses within communities with the involvement of the private sector.

Additionally, focus will be placed on regularizing squatting settlements in all regions of the country.

An investigation into the programme found that 66,000 service lots were developed in 380 areas in Guyana from

1995-2015, however to date approximately 28, 000 or 45 per cent of the lots are unoccupied.

During the period 2011 to 2015, approximately 20, 000 lots were developed in 13 areas for which approximately a little over 16, 000 (or 80 per cent), currently are unoccupied, Minister Bulkan had pointed out during a public forum based on the investigation conducted.

With only 20 per cent of the housing programme achieved over the past five years, and 25,000 active applications within the system, the Minister of Communities had said his Ministry has taken up the mantle to meet the demands of the growing population by providing housing solutions.

While the Ministry through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), under the watch of Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for Housing, Valerie Adams-Patterson, will be constructing 758 housing units within 12 months starting in April, its medium-term objective seeks to deliver approximately 10, 000 housing units in the next five years to eligible Guyanese.

The housing programme being pursued by this Administration comprises four components: squatter resettlement, urban regeneration, urban rehabilitation and the provision of housing needs in hinterland communities.

Two tickets to visit Chile

By Vishani Ragobeer THE Chilean Embassy in collaboration with Copa Airlines is offering Guyanese a chance to win two airline tickets to Chile as Chile and Guyana forge ahead with their bilateral relations.

While speaking to Guyana Chronicle, Consul of the Chilean Embassy in Georgetown Carolina Faune explained that in order to qualify for this promotion, Guyanese must first ‘like’ the embassy’s Facebook pageEmbajada De Chile en Guyana (or found under the tag: @EmbaChileGuyana).

Next, persons are required to comment under a recently uploaded video of Chile, why they would like to visit the country.

The consul highlighted that the 10 best comments

will be shortlisted and then a poll will be carried out right on the embassy’s page where persons will vote for the best comment.

The best comment will secure the two tickets and the winner will then be invited to the Marriott Hotel next Wednesday, March 8, for the presentation of the tickets.

“We want to be transparent,” Faune underscored.

This promotion, according to Faune, is an attempt by the embassy to bolster relations between Guyana and Chile.

“We want to engage and promote the strong relationship Guyana and Chile has been having,” the diplomat said, adding that “We want to open doors from Guyana so that tourists can travel between both countries.”

Faune mentioned that Guyanese are not familiar

with Chileans and Chile, and vice versa, and the promotion is a great opportunity to showcase Guyana as a tourism destination.

However, there are a few rules and disclaimers to this promotion.

It was highlighted that the tickets are non-transferable and must be used within one year from March 8, 2017. Travel is permitted on flights operated by Copa Airlines only; travel is permitted on code share flight and certain black out dates apply: June 30-August 31, November 15-December 31.

Also, the route of the ticket is: GEO-Panama-Chile / Chile- Panama-GEO. The prize only includes the two airline tickets and the winner, who must be residing in Guyana at the time of participation, must pay for the associated taxes.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 3, 2017

Yellow Fever vaccines to arrive next week –– Guyana’s stock is below critical level

MINISTER of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, has noted that while Guyana has to implement some tough temporary shortterm measures to tackle the outbreak of Yellow Fever in Brazil, the situation is expected to return to normalcy when the shipment of the vaccines arrives in the country sometime next week.

In a letter to the media, Minister Lawrence revealed that Guyana’s stock of the Yellow Fever vaccine is “below its critical level” and as a temporary measure, the Ministry of Citizenship in collaboration with Port Health were tasked to conduct surveillance activity on the borders with Brazil and Suriname. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was requested to alert the Guyana Consulate and the “relevant diplomatic agencies in neighbouring countries about those measures.”

She said that Guyana’s current challenge is to provide the critical vaccines for nationals travelling to neighbouring Suriname and that part of the solution can be a decision by the Surinamese administration to relax its demands that all Guyanese be immunised against Yellow Fever as one pre-condition for entry.

“I proffer this because I have been reliably informed that There has never been a yellow fever outbreak in Guyana although the mosquito which transmits YF is in Guyana and that we are yet to confirm that animals here are free from the disease,” Minister Lawrence said.

The Public Health Minister pointed out how global manufacturers behave when there is a Yellow Fever outbreak and since the shortage of the vaccines in Africa.

She noted that manufacturers of the critical Yellow Fever vaccine are few: out-

side of the United States which manufactured the vaccine for domestic use, there are only five other manufacturers.

These are Bio-Mabguinhos Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides in Moscow, Russia; Pasteur Institute of Dakar in Dakar, Senegal; Berna, in Berne, Switzerland (formerly produced at the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, Germany, and Sanofi Pasteur in Lyon, France.

She recalled that whenever there is a Yellow Fever outbreak in any part of the world, manufacturers historically divert their supplies, in an effort to prevent its spread to other parts of the globe.

According to Minister Lawrence, Guyana’s workers at the 103 immunisation sites nation-wide have always been doing their jobs to fight vaccine-preventable diseases.

During the last five years, some 98 per cent of Guyanese children under the age of 5 have been immunised against YF. In Lethem, Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), one of the vulnerable areas to the current outbreak in Brazil, the figure is the same for adults according to MOPH records.

Since June of 2016, the Ministry has dispensed some 20,000 doses of Yellow Fever vaccines to the adult population of the country. Currently, Guyana has Yellow Fever vaccines to immunise all children below the age of 5, for emergencies involving adults and for unimmunised government and other officials who must travel overseas.

She reminded Guyanese that the Yellow Fever vaccine is now valid for life as of 2016 and is no longer required to be taken every ten years.

Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence

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Farmer seeks help to recover stolen car

A RICE farmer of Number 11 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, is seeking help in locating his stolen car after it vanished on the Number 11 Village Public Road, a short distance away from

his home.

The car, a silver Toyota Primo bearing licence plate number PSS 5967 and the name “Kingsley”,was stolen on February 28 between 18:00-18:30 hrs.

According to Baldeo Sooknandan, his son parked the car to

drive home an unlit tractor and when they returned 15 minutes after, the car was nowhere to be seen.

“We just come out from the backdam like around 6:30 (PM) and me had the pick-up and me son had he car which did park

on the road.So the place got late and I tell him to leave the car and drive the tractor behind me,because it nah get light, so we drive go home and like 15 minutes after we come back and me nah see the car on the road.”

Sooknandan explained that

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 3, 2017 the car is usually left at the entrance of the dam that leads to the backdam in the event they have to run an errand.

He said he bought the car,which was fitted with high-powered stereo system,two years ago for $3.1M for his son.

Both his and his son’s drivers’ licence were in the vehicle, along with some other documents and a cheque for $1.5M.

As word spread of the car’s disappearance, he learnt from relatives that they recalled seeing a red car pulling up next to a car they were in, but they did not pay much attention to it at the time.

Sooknandan has made a report to the police and is calling on anyone with information on his car to contact the nearest police station.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 3, 2017

‘We have cracked the ceiling’ … PM, women lawyers hail appointment of women to head judiciary

By Shauna Jemmott

THE appointment of two women judges to the two highest positions in the judiciary–Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards as Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) and Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire as Chief Justice (ag) – has been hailed

by Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, and several women in the legal profession.

pointment of Madam Justice, Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Madam Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire, as Chancellor and Chief Justice acting of the Judiciary.”

An applause of appreciation confirmed that the audience too was pleased with the decision, even as the Prime Minister stated that he believes Guyana is among the first of countries in the world to have appointed at the same time women to both positions.

Government had on December 30, created history in appointing three women justices: including George-Wiltshire and Cummings-Edwards among nine new Senior Counsel. Women had never before been appointed to such positions and the appointments of Senior Counsel had not happened in 20 years.

The newly appointed Senior Counsels are: Neil Boston, Charles Fung-AFat, Justice Alison Roxane

ments are “well deserved,” with both women having always displayed a high degree of professional discipline upholding the ‘moral fabric’ of the legal profession.

“This is a victory, not only for women lawyers, but for all women. And we should celebrate! I’m elated that women have ascended to the highest offices in the judiciary.

These appointments are well deserved. I am particularly honoured to be a member of

Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL), Sadie Amin

Attorney-at-law ,Thandi McAllister

Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards

Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire

Delivering the feature address at a workshop on Sustainable Land Management and Development Project Concept on Thursday, Prime Minister Nagamootoo, paused to acknowledge the historic move by Guyana’s President, David Granger, after consultations with Opposition Leader, Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, to appoint the two Judges to the lead positions in the judiciary.

Nagamootoo said when he saw the headline on the cover page of the Guyana Chronicle newspapers which read: ‘Women Power’ when he awoke Thursday morning, he immediately felt a rejoicing in his spirit.

Those who attended the workshop also applauded the extraordinary and timely appointments which come on the heels of the United Nations (UN) dedicated International Women’s Day 2017 which will be commemorated next Wednesday, March 8, under the theme, “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030.”

“This morning I woke up feeling like singing ‘O happy Day’… when I saw the headline in the Guyana Chronicle Newspaper. ‘Women Power’ was the headline and that was the way it greeted the ap-

“And I’m sure Guyana must be among the first countries in the world where you have a Chancellor and a Chief Justice who are both women.”

Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL) Sadie Amin told the Guyana Chronicle in an invited comment that the members of the GAWL are “elated” at the two appointments and are particularly proud that Justice George-Wiltshire, a past President of the organisation, has advanced to such height. She pointed out that this is the second such historic accomplishments for women in the legal profession with Justice Desiree Bernard being the only woman to have served in both the positions and the first (female) to be appointed Chancellor of the Judiciary in the Caribbean.

The appointments came also as Justice Bernard celebrated her 80th birthday Thursday, Amin highlighted.

“We are elated…this is the highest position in the judiciary and to know that two women are now appointed it shows that we have cracked the glass ceiling,” she pointed out.

She pointed out that with more women becoming interested in the legal profession it is indeed a moment of hope for all.

McLean George-Wiltshire, Clifton Mortimer Llewelyn John, Rafiq Turhan Khan, Vidyanand Persaud, Rosalie Althea Robertson, Justice Claudette Margot Cecile Singh; and Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, are the new batch of Senior Counsel.

The GAWL President said, “We haven’t had a senior counsel for any female in Guyana and now to know that two women (have been appointed to the highest positions in the judiciary). Justice George-Wiltshire has an excellent legal career, her father being former Chancellor.

We’re very happy that she is one of our members. She was (appointed) DPP then Judge.

We are very proud of her profession.”

The appointments have also give Guyana a ‘progressive’ status and confirms that the country is firm in upholding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “The perception is (that) men make better lawyers but its women who put their shoulders to the wheel,” Amin told the Guyana Chronicle.

A young attorney, Thandi McAllister, also hailed the appointments as “a victory” for all women even as the appoint-

this noble practice at a time when women, who have been exceptional practitioners and are possessed of sharp legal minds, have ascended in the judiciary,” McAllister told the Guyana Chronicle.

She said however that it would be speculative to suggest that the ascension of women to the highest judicial offices creates a professional balance. “I believe that women have been equally impacting; and sometimes even more than their male colleagues, in their contributions to both our National and Caribbean Jurisprudence. I think these appointments are an acknowledgement of that.”

The young lawyer also pointed out that to witness the successful climb of the women up the career ladder, along with the appointments of three women as Senior Counsels for the first time in Guyana’s history, are motivational factors for her and other young women in the legal profession. “All of these appointments will serve as strong motivating factors for women lawyers to take up the torch so elegantly set by their seniors; and to carry themselves with integrity in and out of the courtroom,” McAllister told this publication.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 3, 2017

US spearheads suicide workshop in Rose Hall

By Nafeeza Yahya

A FOUR-day National Suicide Prevention Conference geared at equipping participants with the requisite tools to roll back the number of suicide cases in Guyana opened on Tuesday at the St Francis Community Developers Headquarters, Rose Hall Town, East Berbice, Corentyne.

The conference facilitated by the US Embassy in Guyana, Florida National Guard and the St Francis community Developers, provided participants with insight into various suicide research and suicide prevention methodologies.

It saw participation from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Guyana Police Force, NGOs, and residents, among others.

US Embassy Deputy Chief of Missions, Terry Steers-Gonzalez, who declared the conference opened, said it was birthed out of a promise made by US Ambassador Perry Holloway during

a meeting with President David Granger to tackle suicide.

“Suicide and its effects on the broader society, families and communities is a tragedy for all of us but no one knows this better than the community of Guyana since it has the highest suicide rate in the world. It is because of that unfortunate distinction that Ambassador Holloway’s first meeting with President David Granger saw this as a topic of conversation and a commitment was made at that meeting and has been made over the last couple of years, to partner with Guyana in addressing this threat and this challenge.”

According to the Guyana National Health Sector plan, Guyanese are among the healthiest in the Caribbean and the Americas, and the diplomat pointed out that mental disorders are preventative and can be effectively tackled thought sound partnership.

“The partnership that we have forged and the partnership that will continue in the years

A section of the gathering at the workshop which began on Tuesday to come on this important issue ers and members, thinking past four years to suicide.

With supportive measures, all of you know and have been tracks and identifying poalluded to already; that partner- tential problems and notic- he said many of these suicides ship has a special role between ing depression,” the Deputy are preventable.

“Unfortunately, many our Florida National Guard and Chief of Missions said. children and young people the Guyana Defence Force. makes up a large percentage ANYONE CAN They were here previof overall number of suicide BE VICTIM ously where they focused on He said no section of worldwide, and in fact, Guyinteractive discussions on essential preventative suicide society is immune to suicide, ana’s schools, social care topics, building connection pointing out that the GDF and juvenile justice system, between community lead- has lost 17 soldiers in the as well as charities, which

highlight problems such as bullying, poor body image, lack of self-esteem, all have an important role to play or to contribute, to make the suicide rate go down, among these vulnerable population,” Steers-Gonzalez said.

Meanwhile, St Francis Community Developers President, Alex Foster, said often times the topic of suicide is not discussed in most households since many families are in denial and do not believe they can be affected by this social ill.

His organisation has decided to tackle suicide not as an independent matter but as an incorporated activity in daily delivery of services.

“This is because we realise when we integrate suicide activities into our everyday services we will eliminate the stigma and discrimination associated with persons trying to access our services,” Foster said.

The conference will conclude today and participants will be awarded certificates for their participation.

Wells for Sophia, Diamond and Sparendaam –– Dutch company signs $121M contract

By Clestine Juan GUYANA Water Incorporated (GWI) on Thursday signed a €55,286.00 (G$121M) contract with Dutch firm De Ruiter Grondwatertechniek for the drilling of three wells along the coastline.

The area designated for the drilling are Sophia, Diamond and Sparendaam which are currently fed water by a single well.

Speaking at the signing at GWI head office, Vlissengen Road, the company’s Chief Executive, Richard Van West Charles, said it is important for Guyana to keep abreast with new technology and new approaches when drilling for wells.

The CEO noted that he was introduced to the Dutch

firm following business visit to the Netherlands where he met a number of organisations specialising in drilling and rehabilitations of wells.

Van West Charles said the company offered a “new technology which is cost effective” while, noting that local contractors will also benefit from the project.

“We recognised there is a need for contractors in Guyana to be updated and one of the things that we will be doing along the way is to ensure that Guyanese contractors are expose to new drilling techniques,” he disclosed.

Additionally, while staff from GWI benefit from a special drilling workshop in Oklahoma, USA yearly, he urged local contractors to also get on board to increase the competences of the contracting class in Guyana.

“A win-win situation for the contractors,” Van West Charles stressed, pointing out that new techniques will allow for the wells to be drilled efficiently, in a timely manner and at a reduced cost.

De Ruiter Grondwatertechniek Managing Director, Frans Heinis, said his firm aims at introducing a new drilling technique in Guyana, one that was being used more than 50 years in the Netherlands and almost 10 years in Suriname.

“The soil condition in Guyana is the same in the Netherlands and Suriname which makes its suitable for the techniques used in drilling,” he said.

Drilling is scheduled to commence on June 1, 2017, and is estimated to be completed within a 12week span.

THE government has agreed to incorporate relevant information on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy into the public schools’ curriculum.

At a post-Cabinet press briefing on Thursday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, said the decision was made at the Ministerial Conference which was held on

February 28. “It was agreed that the information relevant to this issue will be disseminated so that the nation can be sensitised about the controversy, especially with regards to Guyana’s position,” Minister Harmon said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, and a team from his ministry had made a presentation on

the 50- year standing controversy at the ministerial conference. Last month, the United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, announced the appointment of a Norwegian diplomat as his Personal Representative in the Good Offices Process on the border controversy.

The UN has utilised the Good Officer Process since

De Ruiter Grondwatertechniek Managing Director, Frans Heinis, and GWI CEO Richard Van West Charles, holding the signed contract

Guyana-Venezuela controversy to be part of schools’ curriculum 1990 to resolve the matter.

The UN Secretary General has decided to give the process one more year with strengthened mediation. If the matter is not resolved by the end of the year, the UN Secretary General will choose the International Court of Justice as the next means of settlement. President David Granger has

welcomed the appointment and has pledged Guyana’s support to abide by the Process. The President added he will continue to advocate for a juridical settlement.

Guyana and Venezuela have referred to the UN to resolve the controversy through the signing of the Geneva Agreement of 17 February, 1966. This decision was

reached after Venezuela contended that the Arbitral Award of 1899, about the frontier between Venezuela and what is now Guyana, is null and void.

Venezuela’s claim to two-thirds of Guyana has escalated over the years, with various shows of aggression and harassment.

(GINA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 3, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 3, 2017

60 parking meter attendants sworn in

By Telesha Ramnarine

ABOUT two hours before the start of the fifth silent protest against the use of parking meters at City Hall, Town Clerk, Royston King, on Tuesday swore in approximately 60 parking meter attendants.

These individuals are staff of Smart City Solutions (SCS), the company that was granted the concession by City Hall to implement the new parking system.

The new officers, who were trained by SCS with help from the City Constabulary Department, have the

powers to arrest those who are non-compliant with the rules for using the meters.

The traffic wardens will be stationed at strategic points across the parking meter zone to render help to users of the meters. Their training continues to be in progress in terms of the use of weapons.

The Town Clerk challenged the new attendants to display a high-level of discipline and to deliver an “excellent” service to customers.

Chief Constable Andrew Foo, who was also present at the ceremony, encouraged the wardens to remain firm but friendly and courteous since

they are dealing with a new initiative; one that is not fully accepted by the public and that may attract hostility.

Meanwhile, despite enormous criticism from various stakeholders across the country, City Hall has gone ahead and resumed the operation of the meters with slight adjustments to the rates and implementation structure.

Currently, the cost to park for an hour is $200 plus VAT, but those who are parking for eight hours or more will be granted a 50 per cent reduction.

Any motorist paying for four hours of metered parking will automatically be credited with

–– as protest continues in front of City Hall

One of the parking meter attendants being sworn in in the presence of Town Clerk, Royston King, (centre), Chief Constable, Andrew Foo and Deputy Town Clerk, Sharon Harry-Munroe

The parking meter protest in full swing in front of City Hall on Thursday (Photo taken from Say no to Parking Meters in Guyana Facebook page)

eight hours of metered parking.

Furthermore, rather than paying for a space for an amount of time, motorists will instead be paying for parking time for their cars. This essentially means that motorists may purchase any amount of parking time and then move from any metered parking space to any other metered parking space anywhere in the city for time purchased on a single parking ticket until its expiry.

Among other changes are that an enforcement grace period of 15 minutes will be introduced, meaning that no

clamping will be conducted until at least 15 minutes after expiry of a parking ticket receipt.

There will be no immobilisation fee penalty for a onemonth adjustment period.

During this one-month period, vehicles that are immobilised for non-payment of metered parking fees, will be required to pay only the metered parking fee for the time that they were immobilised and nothing else.

For six months (after expiry of the one-month adjustment period), the immobilisation fee

will be reduced by 50 per cent or $4000 plus VAT. The fee will be restored to $8000 after the six months.

Among other “special considerations” are that businesses may apply for monthly parking permits which may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Businesses may apply for loading/offloading parking regulations, and official taxis and minibuses may purchase metered parking monthly passes for $12,000 per month, plus VAT. Residents may also apply for residential parking permits.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 3, 2017

No shortage of foreign currency –– BoG governor

By Ariana Gordon

GOVERNOR of the Bank of Guyana (BoG), Dr. Gobind Ganga,on Thursday reiterated that there is no shortage of foreign currency, in particular US dollars here.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Ministry of Finance, Main Street, Dr. Ganga noted that transactions have been on the increase from the start of 2017.

According to Dr. Ganga, in January, there have been purchases by bank cambios totaling US$82.7M and by February 18, purchases increased to US$158M. As it relates to sales by bank cambios, the BoG Governor said there has been an increase from US$95.1M in January to US$164.6M on February 18.

“You would have seen significant increase over the month of January with

respect of purchases of singles,” said Dr Ganga who noted that in the case of nonbank cambios, purchases totaling US$3.2M and sales totaling US$2.4M have been recorded for the month of January.

As of February 18, purchases stood at US$5.6M while sales were recorded at US$6.3M. “With respect to spread, I know the non-bank cambios have been complaining about the spread but I am not too sure if they are saying it is too high or too low. In 2016, non-bank spread was $1.64, we have almost doubled that in moving it to $3,” said the governor.

Last month, the BoG had informed bank and non-bank cambio dealers, as well as money transfer agencies of the need for them to fix the spread between buying and selling rates to be no more than $3.

That instruction from the bank had caused much concern among some who operate the aforementioned businesses.

Additionally, many customers at commercial banks have complained that there appears to be a shortage of foreign currency in particular US dollars as they have been forced to wait days before being able to exchange large sums of money.

In a recent article published by another section of the media, businessmen complained about the im-

posed spread, noting that they have seen a reduction in business as a result of the imposition.

However, the governor finds it difficult to appreciate the argument posited by the businessmen.

“I can’t see how the spread would have affected the level of sale,” said Dr Ganga and noted that as of this week, there have been numerous market requests.

He said on Monday commitments stood at US$11.6M while on Tuesday at US$8.6M. The commercial

banks have recorded as of Monday US$13.2M working balance while on Tuesday it stood at US$9.8M. “The market is able to accommodate itself,” said the BoG Governor who noted that those who are requesting large amounts of foreign exchange would not be able to access same on the same day and noted that banks are ensuring that there is legitimate demand and are fulfilling that demand by trying to protect the country’s foreign reserve for use here.

BoG Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga

Man gets 10 years for killing best friend MARCELLOS Verbeke, 25, was on Thursday sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by Justice Navindra Singh,after he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

However, Marcellos will only spend four years in jail,having spent six years on

remand awaiting trial. Before the verdict was handed down

by Justice Singh,he told Verbeke that he seems to be a very soft-spoken individual who acted on impulse when he was provoked and as such, he fatally knifed his best friend in 2011 during a row.

Justice Singh added that Verbeke also appears to be intelligent and considering these factors,he gave him 10 years imprisonment for his actions.

Verbeke had stabbed his best friend, Richard “Troy” Skeete,six times with a knife during a heated argument

over money. The incident occurred on June 9, 2011 at ‘C’ Field, Sophia. The matter was empanelled on Monday before Justice Singh.

The state was represented by Siand Dhurjon and Tuanna Hardy,while the defence counsel was Dexter Todd.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 3, 2017

Recycle Fair set for March 25

By Shirley Thomas

THE Rotaract Club of Georgetown, in collaboration with Food For the Poor and Iwokrama will carry out a massive domestic “Spring Cleaning” in preparation for their 2017 Recycle Fair on March 25, at Parade Grounds.

The Rotaract Club is inviting households and even storeowners to help the environment and those in need by waging this massive cleaning exercise and turning in the collection to the organising entities.

Items to be collected for the fair, Rotaract Director, Angenie Abel said, include gently used clothing and shoes, household goods (non-perishables), school supplies, books, toys, and utensils (pots, pans, etc).

The Rotaract Club of Georgetown on Tuesday held a media launch at which representatives from the three facilitating organisations outline how persons can help and the overall implications for the home, environment and ecosystem.

Noting that many persons have items in the home they are not using, Abel said, the Recycle Fair will serve as a hub for the collection and redistribution of excess household items.

Standing from left are: Jimeel Davis of Food For the Poor; Rotaractor Vidya Sukhu; Rotaract Director, Angenie Abel; Rotaract President, Noelle Plass; Iwokrama representative Vanessa Benn; and Rotaractor, Ronnel Mc Kenzie It is an initiative that encourages individuals and families to reduce their unwanted items and dispose of them through donating to other persons in need.

Through this means, donors

will be partnering to heighten awareness of the theme: “Reduce, Recycle and Re-use” unwanted items.

“It is our hope that, through these packages – irrespective of how small

they may be, persons will be encouraged to internalise this mantra. And so we are encouraging everybody to get under their beds, cupboards and wardrobes and let’s reduce and recycle,” Abel said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 3, 2017

AG appeals ruling in Dipcon case

By Ariana Gordon

ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams S.C., has filed a Notice of Appeal to the Court of Appeal requesting leave to appeal the decision of Justice Rishi Persaud at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in the case of Attorney General of Guyana and Dipcon Engineering.

Justice Persaud ruled that Dipcon recover from the Government of Guyana the sum of US$665,032.17 as monies due, to the engineering company for road building and construction works undertaken for and at the request of the Government, along with the sum of US$1,563,368.50 for increased costs incurred by Dipcon at the request of the Government in the course of undertaking the aforementioned work.

The engineering company also requested a six per cent per annum interest from February 10, 2009 to October 21, 2015 and thereafter at a rate of four per cent per annum until

fully paid.

It was also ordered that the Government pays Dipcon costs to the tune of $1,200,000 along with a stay of execution for six weeks from the date of the ruling.

Dipcon took the Government to court in 2009, while the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) was in Government. However, judgment was handed down in October 2015.

Meanwhile, according to the Notice of Appeal, the Attorney General is also seeking a stay of execution of the judgment of Justice Persaud pending the determination of the Appeal and any other order that the Court may deem necessary, including costs.

In his affidavit in support of the application for leave to appeal to the CCJ, Williams said that he was unaware that the previous Attorney General had laid over a court order for payment of $400M with the Minister of Finance in January 2016.

Williams said too that he was not furnished with

Friday, March 3, 2017- 08:30 hrs Saturday, March 4, 2017- 09:00 hrs Monday, March 5, 2017- 10:00 hrs

details regarding the judgment, the name of the Attorney-at-Law or the parties to the litigation that resulted in the Court Order.

Additionally, it was contended that it was during the February 2016 Budget debates that he Williams was informed by the Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo that there was a large judgment awarded against the State since the APNU+AFC coalition Government took office.

The Attorney General said that after receiving the information, he inquired within his Chambers and discovered that the matter was being handled by a private counsel, Roysdale Forde.

Forde was given the case by former Attorney General Anil Nandlall.

NO APPEAL FILED The affidavit stated that Forde provided Williams with a copy of the proceedings in March 2016 and it was then that it was discovered that no appeal had been filed on behalf of the Attorney

General.

“As a consequence, a motion with affidavit in support of motion was filed on behalf of the Hon. Attorney General dated 12th day of May, 2016, seeking an extension of time within which to file a Notice of Appeal out of time against the judgment of the Honourable Mister Rishi Persaud of the High Court of the Supreme Court made on the 21st Day of October, 2015 in Action No. 88-CD of 2009.”

Dipcon contended that by virtue of a written agreement dated March 5, 2003 and amended inter alia by Memorandum of Understanding dated March 5, 2003, and by an Addendum dated July 15, 2003, that Dipcon would execute specified road construction and infrastructural works for the Government in the Mahaica-Rosignol area and that the Government should pay to Dipcon a lump sum payment of US$20,258,644.22, a reasonable sum to be agreed between the parties to compensate for increases in costs of performing the said works resulting from

general inflation conditions during the course of work.

It was also agreed that the work would be rendered

by Dipcon over an extended period of time and that the lump sum would be made by monthly installments during the course of the work.

Based on the agreement, Dipcon carried out its functions and invoiced the Government US$20,258,664.22 for the works done.

On January 18, 2017, the full bench of the Court of Appeal ruled that the order sought in the motion was refused. As a result, the Attorney General contends that the application for leave to appeal to the CCJ against the decision is made pursuant to section 6 (a) and 7 (a) of the Caribbean Court of Justice Act, Act No.16 of 2004.

“I am also advised… that this application ought to be granted in light of the issues of grave public interest which are set out in the grounds of the proposed appeal… these issues include the economic effect of this judgment on

Attorney General, Basil Williams the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and more specifically in relation to the State’s abilities to engage international donor agencies.”

Williams submitted that there were several delays as a result of him not being the Attorney General at the time the matter was in court and the time taken to ascertain the facts of the matter. He said the delays were “unavoidable” in making the application for extension in time.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 3, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 3, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 3, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 3, 2017

ODI series bowls off today in Antigua … Windies hoping for bright start against fifth-ranked England

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – West Indies will attempt to turn the page on their recent ordinary form and make a bright start to their first series of the year, when they take on favourites England in the first One-Day International of a three-match tour here today.

The Caribbean side enter the contest at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium with a pretty dismal record in recent months, with just a single win in their last seven outings and four in 14 ODIs last year.

Not surprisingly, they lie ninth in the ICC one-day rankings, a factor that caused them to miss out for the first time on qualification for this year’s Champions Trophy.

In contrast, England are ranked fifth, and arrive in the Caribbean with just four defeats in their last 16 outings. They will also be seeking to reinforce their recent dominance over West Indies which has seen them win every bilateral series over the last 10 years.

West Indies captain Jason Holder told reporters here yesterday that while there was a gap between the two teams, his side would be focused on executing and making consistent steps forward, as they seek to rebuild.

“They are ranked higher than we. We’ve obviously got some way to go in terms of catching up and going up in the rankings,” Holder pointed out.

“We just want to tick off our process boxes in terms of what we set out to achieve as a group. Our main thing is to be a lot more consistent than we have been in the past and I think once we do that we could be moving in the right direction.”

He continued: “We’re taking it game by game. I think it is important we deal with England first (rather than think too far ahead).

It’s our first series of the year,

they are coming off a tough series in India as well, so they will be looking to improve their performances from their last series and likewise we will be looking to do the same.”

Holder said the series against England would mark a reset for West Indies, as the side attempted to put the recent disappointments behind them, especially in the wake of the Champions Trophy debacle.

And with the 2019 World Cup looming in the distance, the 25-year-old all-rounder said his unit were aware of the need to string together strong performances but stressed the process began with a productive outing against the English.

“We’re not in the Champions Trophy (but) it gives us more time to reflect, gives us more time to get things in order in moving forward and then we look obviously towards the World Cup,” he explained.

“We need to qualify for the World Cup and it’s our goal to qualify for the World Cup but we have to take it stage by stage and our first engagement is England.”

Still grappling with the abrupt firing of their coach Phil Simmons, West Indies were swept 3-0 by Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates last October.

They also struggled the following month during the Tri-Nations campaign in Zimbabwe which also involved Sri Lanka, winning their first game convincingly but then bizarrely managing a tie and two narrow defeats in their remaining games, to be eliminated.

Holder put the Tri-Nations struggles down to inexperience and said this could be only addressed by continuing to play together a unit.

“We had some new faces coming on to the end of last year in our series in Zimbabwe.

I thought we had a pretty decent series,” he noted.

“I think one of the major

factors which hurt us probably was the inexperience and it’s just a situation where the more cricket we play together, I think the better we become.”

For all of the Windies’ oneday woes, just under a year ago they were celebrating their second capture of the Twenty20 World Cup in India.

Ironically, it was England who suffered their wrath in the final and even though the achievement remained a poignant one, Holder said it was time to scale new heights especially in the other formats.

“It’s gone. We’ve obviously celebrated that. It was a wonderful achievement that happened a while back now so it’s important for us to move on, not dwell on it,” stressed Holder.

“Obviously not forget it but we need to move on and understand that we need to improve our positioning in the rankings, in ODI cricket first and obviously Test cricket.”

What West Indies lack in experience, they will make up for in talent, with the likes of Evin Lewis, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope, Rovman Powell, Jason Mohammed, Alzarri Joseph – all with less than 10 ODIs – included in the 13-man squad.

SQUADS: WEST INDIES – Jason Holder (captain), Devendra Bishoo, Carlos Brathwaite, Kraigg Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope (wkp.), Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Ashley Nurse, Kieran Powell, Rovman Powell.

ENGLAND – Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler (wkp.), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes.

FIFA struggling to regain fan confidence ...

Continued from back page Group, since Infantino took over. Russia’s Alfa Bank has agreed to be a regional sponsor.

“FIFA hasn’t been really rebuilt to the extent where sponsors are falling over their feet to be associated with the FIFA name,” said de Swardt. “I’ve had sponsors telling me that they would love to be associated with football but not with FIFA.” Only 34 percent of those interviewed thought FIFA was actively fighting corruption.

Sixty-six percent said that match-fixing was the type of corruption which most worried

them.

Meanwhile, 43 percent said they disapproved of next year’s flagship World Cup being staged in Russia.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, elected one year ago to replace the disgraced Sepp Blatter, said the body has taken steps to make officials more accountable. But de Swardt said the public did not see it that way.

“FIFA puts out 50-page brochures talking of reform, but to the average fan, when I talk to them about what has changed in FIFA, they shake their heads,” he said. “They

have no idea what has really changed.”

Shortly after Infantino took over, FIFA said it had revised its projected revenue for the 2015-2018 cycle upwards from $5 billion to $5.65 billion, with projected investments amounting to $5.55 billion.

However, de Swardt said this might have been perceived negatively.

“For the average fan, the problem is not that there is too little money in football, but there is too much, and fans see this in what they have to pay for tickets, merchandise, etc,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 3, 2017

Kumble urges India to move on from Pune debacle (REUTERS) - India coach Anil Kumble urged his team to move on from the debacle in the opening Test against Australia as the hosts seek a series-levelling victory in the second match starting tomorrow.

On a raging turner in Pune, Australia triumphed by 333 runs inside three days, snapping India’s 19-Test unbeaten run stretching back to their tour to Sri Lanka in 2015.

While Virat Kohli’s men won in Sri Lanka and West Indies, they also vanquished

South Africa, New Zealand, England and Bangladesh for six straight series victories.

“You can’t keep winning every game. It has to come to an end at some point of time,” Kumble, 46, told reporters yesterday.

“Twenty games in current scenario of Test cricket, it’s quite challenging for an international side to keep going out there and winning. That’s what this team has been able to do across conditions.

“We have adapted to various conditions and various

situations and that’s what we didn’t do in the last game.

That’s why the result didn’t go our way.”

The former spinner, also India’s highest wicket-taker in Tests, said Pune was just a blip in an otherwise bumper home season.

“I don’t want to look back.

We are here to look ahead. As a coach it’s more important for me to look ahead,” said Kumble, who took over the coaching reins last year.

“It was one of those games where things didn’t go our

Anil Kumble way and we just need to move on. Another three Test match-

es in the series and we are really looking forward to that.

“We have had a fantastic home season and it’s just one of those games where things didn’t go our way.”

Kumble said Australia were a quality opposition but India did not play to their potential.

Asked about the nature of pitch to be used for the second Test, the Bengaluru native said: “It’s generally been a good batting surface and I’m sure it’s going to be a result wicket.

“That’s exactly what we want in a Test match.”

Starc remains Australia's biggest weapon, says Marsh (REUTERS) - Fast bowler Mitchell Starc remains Australia's most potent weapon with the ball despite their spinners stealing the show in the series-opener against India, teammate Mitchell Marsh said yesterday.

On the turning track in Pune, left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe bagged 12 wickets

while slow-bowling partner Nathan Lyon took five as the touring side thumped India by 333 runs inside three days in the first match of the fourTest series.

Nature of the pitch meant left-armer Starc bowled only 11 overs in the first Test but his workload could increase significantly

at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium which hosts the second Test from tomorrow.

"He's one of the best bowlers in the world, if not the best bowler in the world," all-rounder Marsh told reporters yesterday. "He's certainly the best reverse-swing bowler in the world.

"In these conditions,

whilst all the talk has been about the spinners he's still our biggest weapon, I think.

"It's great if he's in the Indians' heads, hopefully he can take a few wickets for us."

The Bengaluru track is not expected to provide as much turn as Pune for the slow bowlers and the pacemen's ability to reverse-swing the old ball could prove crucial.

Marsh said Australia are well equipped in that department with Starc and Josh Hazlewood in their side.

"In Pune the wicket itself did a lot of work for us, it's not necessarily the square here," Marsh said.

"These balls scuff up well early on. Reverse swing will be huge for us.

"If we can get it going we've got two of the best reverse-swing bowlers in the world. They will still be huge weapons for us."

On the slow and dry tracks in Asia, where Aus-

Australia's Mitchell Starc celebrates the wicket of India captain Virat Kohli. (REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui) tralia had lost their last nine Tests before their Pune heroics, defence was a key aspect of batting, according to Marsh.

It's a big part of playing well over here, and it's something all our batsmen have worked on," the 25-year-old said. "Against a

turning ball if you can back your defence then attacking the ball that's there will be much better.

"In these conditions you've got to earn the right to attack and that's by having a solid defence.

That's what I've been working on."

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 3, 2017

Luis Enrique followed Guardiola’s achievements but never got the same credit

By Richard Martin

BARCELONA, Spain (Reuters) - Luis Enrique’s announcement that he will quit Barcelona at the end of the season was expected, but the timing - at the end of a news conference after his side thrashed Sporting Gijon 6-1 - came as a surprise.

In fact, he had first considered not renewing his contract beyond next summer during pre-season, he said, after a dramatic slide at the end of the second campaign.

Barca had exited the Champions League and could only claim a league title that had looked to be sewn up on the final day of the season.

That dip in form, which saw Barca lose three consecutive league games for the first time in 13 years, was the first sign that the wheels were starting to come off a spectacular machine that had rolled to the treble in his first season.

Concern grew when Barca slumped to a 2-1 defeat at home against newly promoted Alaves after the

coach made a string of changes. His much criticised squad rotation came back to haunt him in a 4-3 defeat at Celta Vigo.

Barca remained in the fight for the league title and on Wednesday overtook Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, but they have also failed to convince against the top sides. Their decline culminated in a 4-0 thrashing at Paris St Germain that left them on the brink of an early exit in the Champions League.

There was more than a hint of rumbling discontent in the dressing room. Heavyweights Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta publicly criticised the coach’s tactics in Paris, although the coach found an ally in Gerard Pique.

The coach also looked rattled after the game in a tense exchange with a Catalan television reporter, whom he harangued for not giving him credit for the team’s successes.

While Luis Enrique has long had a prickly relationship with the media, it was

becoming clearer that the stress of a role which had worn out predecessor Pep Guardiola was finally getting to him.

Barca failed to give a fitting response in their next game against struggling Leganes, rescuing a 2-1 win with a late penalty converted by Lionel Messi, which the Argentine chose not to celebrate.

Luis Enrique’s uneasy relationship with Messi nearly cost him his job in January 2015 after the Argentine reacted badly to being left out against Real Sociedad. In general, he appeared to have little personal connection with his squad.

These underlying tensions mean Luis Enrique will not be remembered with the same reverence as Guardiola, even though he has delivered a similar trophy haul as his old teammate, who was seen as the spiritual heir to Johan Cruyff, the godfather of the modern Barcelona.

President Josep Maria Bartomeu, however, lauded Luis Enrique: “We’ve had a

World Cup fans will need special identity cards for matches - FIFA (REUTERS) - Fans at next year’s World Cup and this year’s Confederations Cup in Russia will need special identity cards before they can watch matches, soccer’s governing body said yesterday.

Football hooliganism, which had appeared to be waning at major tournaments, has again become a serious concern after Euro 2016 in France, when Russians were in the thick of the action.

Russia were handed a suspended disqualification

by European soccer body UEFA and fined 150 000 euros ($157 605) after their fans were involved in violent clashes with England supporters before a group game in Marseille.

Colin Smith, director of competitions for global soccer body FIFA, said Russian authorities would be responsible for issuing the identity cards.

“Every fan will be re-

FIFA director of competitions Colin Smith quired to have a fan ID to enter the stadiums, both for the Confederations Cup and for FIFA World Cup, and so we have got trust in the authorities that everything will be done,” he told reporters during a tour of venues.

“What we can be sure of is that this will be a festival of football and there is no place in such festivals of football for those who are not here to support the sport or support the game.”

The cards will include the holder’s photograph and contact details and can be used instead of visas to enter the country.

The Confederations Cup will be staged in four of the 11 World Cup host cities - St Petersburg, Moscow, Kazan and Sochi.

“In general we are satisfied with the progress and the plans; there is clearly still a lot of work to be done in certain venues,” Smith said.

super coach in the last three years,” he declared. “No one can doubt he’s one of the best coaches Barcelona have had and who has fit with our ideas.”

Sevilla’s Jorge Sampaoli and Athletic Bilbao’s Ernesto Valverde are the two main candidates to succeed Luis Enrique, although the outgoing coach is believed to want his assistant Juan Carlos Unzue to take over.

Argentine Sampaoli has transformed Sevilla into one of the most exciting teams to watch in Europe with a dynamic, possession-based style of play reminiscent of the enthralling football Guardiola served up. He is seen as

Luis Enrique to quit Barcelona at the end of the season the fans’ choice, while former Barca player Valverde is reported to be favoured by the board.

Messi’s bond with compatriot Sampaoli could be a deciding factor, however.

Whoever Barca do appoint will have his work cut out in repeating Luis Enrique’s achievements, even though the coach never managed to satisfy everyone at the club.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 3, 2017

GKC to host two-hour telethon tonight on Maximum Sports Combat and Strength programme THE Guyana Katrate College (GKC) will tonight host a telethon on National Communications Network (NCN) from 21:05hrs to 23:00hrs with an aim of garnering much-needed funds to establish a fullfledged karate dojo for its members.

According to a release, Guyanese/Canadian resident 9th Dan Master Frank WoonA-Tai, founder and Chairman of the IKD (International Karate Diagaku) and the Guyana Karate College, is currently in Guyana to fulfil a goal of building a full-fledged Karate dojo, on a plot of land located in Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, which was donated by the Government of Guyana several years ago.

(In photo, from left) Chief Instructor of GKC Sensei Jeffrey Wong, Max Massiah, & Master Frank Woon-A-Tai)

Odit wins exciting three-setter against Rahaman AVINASH Odit, Nicholas Ali, and Jonathan Mangra all made it into the semi-final round of the men’s singles, while Caribbean champion Priyanna Ramdhani picked up two wins in the ladies’ singles when competition in the National Sports Commission Mashramani Badminton tournament commenced on Wednesday at the National Gymnasium.

In the men’s singles quarter-finals Odit triumphed over Javed Rahaman in a thrilling three-setter, the only three-set match of the day.

The three-setter was forced after Rahaman ruled the second set 21-16. This was pre-

ceded by the 26-24 first set that Odit claimed.

Odit secured the decisive third set 21-19.

In other quarter-final matches Mangra ousted Gokarn Ramdhani 21-11, 21-7; and Ali succeeded 21-14, 21-6 against Marlon Chung. The last of semi-final spot will be determined today after the contest between Ronald Chang Yuen and Darrel Carpenay.

Ramdhani defeated both Ayanna Watson and Emelia Ramdhani, in the ladies’ singles round-robin competition. Both times she secured straight-sets wins, beating Watson 21-9, 21-11, and then taking out Emelia 21-

12, 21-12.

Emelia took another hit when she played against Greer Jackson. Like Priyanna, Jackson also collected two wins. She claimed a 21-11, 21-10 victory against Emelia, and then went on to take down Priscilla Moore 21-10, 21-8.

Moore was able to bounce back with a 21-15, 21-10 win against Ayanna Watson.

The semifinals and finals of both the ladies’ and men’s singles are set to conclude today, paving the way for playoffs in the Under-11, U-13 and U-15 boys and girls singles to begin tomorrow.

Trophy Stall to sponsor FIDE Rapid chess tournament tomorrow THE Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) in collaboration with Trophy Stall will be hosting a one-day FIDE Rapid chess tournament tomorrow.

The tournament which will take place at the National Resource Centre on Woolford Avenue will consist of seven rounds.

Registration begins at noon with action expected an hour later.

A registration fee of $1 000 for seniors and $500 for juniors will be charged.

Persons who wish more information are asked to contact Irshad Mohamad on 664-1650 or Ronuel Greenidge on 657-7543.

GCF president Irshad Mohamed collects a trophy from a Trophy Stall representative.

The release stated that the karate Master’s vision of a training facility equipped with dormitory, seating accommodation to host tournaments, classrooms for teaching academics to its students and members, meditation rooms, and much more, all to the benefit of all Guyana.

The foundation and other works have already been laid, and the final stage of full completion is an aim the World renowned Karateka (Woon-A-Tai) is determined to fulfil by the end of the year.

“With the support of the general public and corporate Guyana, it is a vision that can and will be realised,” Woon-A-Tai is quot-

ed, according to the release.

Max Massiah, the host of the Maximum Sports show, himself a member of the Karate College and ‘Legends of Martial Arts’, 2-time Hallof-Famer, said he is donating the hour of his programme to Master Frank’s cause which will benefit not only martial artists and members of GKC and IKD, but all Guyanese.

The TV producer is well known for his passion in promoting and bringing awareness of Combat and Strength sport disciplines, and the programme has been acknowledged by Combat and Strength federations, associations, schools, and gyms, as the platform for bringing awareness of the accomplishments of athletes

and competitors both locally and internationally, with informative, inspiring, and entertaining content.

The one-hour ‘live’ Maximum Sports Combat and Strength programme is aired every Friday on NCN TV from 21:05hrs.

The sponsors who currently support the programme are: Fitness Express, Jermin’s Enterprise, Guyana Karate College, Space Gym, Rossignol Butchery, Fanta Seafoods, C.I.D.I, Giftland’s Sportsmaxx, Hand-in-Hand Insurance, Mike’s Pharmacy, Nexgen Global Marketing and Fly Jamaica Airlines.

The telethon runs from 21:05hrs to to 23:00hrs.

The two martial artists are pleading with Guyana to tune in and pledge support.

As the old Guyanese proverb says, - “one one dutty

Yorkshire president John Hampshire dies at the age of 76 YORKSHIRE president John Hampshire has died, aged 76, after a long illness. The former Yorkshire and England batsman and international umpire scored 21 979 runs for the Headingley club.

He was part of the White Rose side that won three successive County Championships between 1966 and 1968 and skippered the team in 1979 and 1980.

Hampshire also became the first England player to score a century on Test debut at Lord’s when he hit 107 against the West Indies in 1969.

Andrew Strauss and Matt Prior are the only other England batsmen to score Test debut hundreds at the home of cricket.

Hampshire later had a spell with Derbyshire before ending his playing career in 1984, and went on to stand in 21 Tests as an umpire between 1989 and 2002.

Chairman Steve Denison said: “John epitomised everything that’s good about Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

“Brave, talented and

John Hampshire took over as Yorkshire president in March 2016. with a heart of gold he captained Yorkshire, scored a century at Lord’s on his Test debut and became a highly-respected umpire after hanging up his playing whites.”

Former Yorkshire and England skipper Michael Vaughan described Hampshire’s death as a “sad, sad

day for Yorkshire cricket & world cricket”.

In a post on his Instagram page, he added: “John Hampshire gave me so much advice down at Abbeydale Park in Sheffield ... always with a nice dry sense of humour ... he will be dearly missed but never forgotten.” (BBC Sport)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday March 03, 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) 33 (2) 27 Today’s Quiz: (1) Where and when was the first ever ODI between the WI and

ENG played in the Caribbean?

(2) Who scored the first century in a WI/ENG ODI game?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 3, 2017

Automobile Power Products Sammy, Samuels confirm announces fan incentives for participation for Pakistan STAG Elite League lucky patrons Super League final AUTOMOBILE Power Products will give a JIALING 250cc motorcycle to a lucky patron of the second half of the STAG Elite League (Season 2) together with jerseys and hats for others.

This announcement was made by the company’s Marketing Manager, Romel Richmond, at a press presentation held yesterday at its headquarters.

“This powerhouse (motorcycle) was superbly built with inverted shocks which offer that support and proper stabilisation, and aluminum rims which make the bike altogether a quality product. Additionally, with its 250cc engine, that lucky winner will be sure to get to their destination on time.”

Richmond also stated that Automobile Power Products will cover the cost of registration, fitness, road licence, number plate, helmet and the first service of the motorcycle.

Two lucky fans will also win jerseys and hats at every game. “At every half-time interval, we’ll have a trivia

segment when we’ll be giving away caps and jerseys … we want you to feel appreciated for your support and we want to offer you something that you’ll use and find beneficial for your everyday usage.”

LAHORE, Pakistan (CMC) – Media reports here say West Indies players Darren Sammy and Marlon Samuels have confirmed their participation for the Pakistan Super League final, once their side Peshawar Zalmi qualifies for the championship game.

Sammy, who captains Zalmi, and Samuels who also represents the franchise, have reportedly told management of their availability, despite the exodus of foreign players due to security concerns surrounding the game set to be staged here Sunday.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Attend any game and keep your ticket stub RULES: 1. All contestants must be 18 years and older 2. Chosen participants must be present at the final match for the motorcycle draw 3. Member Associations, representatives of participating teams/clubs, employees and relatives of staff of both GFF and Automobile Power Products are not eligible to participate 4. Automobile Power Products and GFF reserve the right to publish the winners of all incentives The second half of the League will commence on March 19.

Barbados-born England all-rounder Chris Jordan, who represents Zalmi, is also reportedly not travelling to Lahore if his side qualifies for the final.

In a further blow to organisers, England-based broadcasters Sunset and Vine have opted not to cover the final.

This leaves Sammy, the two-time Twenty20 World Cup-winning captain and his West Indies teammate, Samuels, as possibly the only two foreign players who could appear in the final.

Organisers are determined to host the champion-

L-R: Dario McKlmon, Marketing Director, GFF; Ian Alves, Competitions Director, GFF; Romel Richmond, Marketing Manager, Automobile Power Products; and Debra Francis,Communications and Public Relations Officer, GFF.

Law keen on battle for World Cup spot ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – New West Indies head coach Stuart Law has underscored the value of the three-match one-day series against England starting here today, especially with the regional side already setting their sights on the 2019 World Cup. With only the top seven teams in ICC one-day rankings as of September 30 this year earning automatic qualification along with hosts England, West Indies – currently lying ninth – are in danger of missing out.

“The main aim is to qualify for the next World Cup so these one-day games are extremely important to us; so that’s our main focus really at this stage,” the Australian said ahead of the start of the series at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.

“I know we have Pakistan coming for T20s, Tests and one-dayers as well but the oneday series probably will take paramount importance.

“I’m not going to focus on becoming number one in the world at this stage. I’m focusing on building a culture, building a work ethic in the dressing room that will put the little bricks in place so they can be the best they can be.”

New West Indies head coach Stuart Law In their current position in the ODI rankings, West Indies would be forced to enter a 10team qualifying tournament set for next year March, in order to secure one of the two non-automatic spots at the World Cup. Already, the regional side have seen their lowly ranking cost them dearly, missing out on a spot at this year’s Champions Trophy in England, as only the top eight sides in the rankings qualified.

Law said having experienced that setback, it was

imperative the regional side poured all their energies into reaching the marquee ICC limited overs showpiece.

“There always is (disappointment over failing to qualify). It’s a great little tournament, the Champions Trophy – the mini World Cup – and to not be there probably isn’t where you want to be,” Law told reporters.

“You want to be in every one of those tournaments but it is what it is and we just have to make sure we have our heads screwed on for

the one-day tournaments we play on upcoming tours and if we can win those, we get through and qualify for the World Cup – that’s probably the bigger one to worry about.”

West Indies’ immediate challenge will be facing a confident England who are ranked fifth in the world and who have lost just three of their last 16 outings in ODIs. They boast a talented squad with the likes of captain Eoin Morgan, Joe Root and all-rounder Ben Stokes all expected to play key roles but Law said West Indies would be looking to capitalise on their chances in the series.

“They (England) are playing an exciting brand of cricket. They go out there, they are carefree which can be extremely great to watch but there are opportunities as well,” he pointed out.

“They do offer opportunities – the more aggressive you are, you can kind of not hit one clean enough and get caught. It’s going to be a great contest, that’s for sure.

“We understand that England are a team that’s way up there and we’re looking to build a solid unit to go forward as well, so we’re looking forward to a good contest.”

Peshawar Zalmi captain Darren Sammy Zalmi take on Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard’s Karachi Kings in today’s second qualifier, for the chance to face Quetta Gladiators the final set to be held in the violence-plagued Pakistani city.

Neither Gayle nor Pollard is expected to play if Kings advance, with Sri Lankan teammate Mahela Jayawardene also set to be unavailable.

Already the English trio of Kevin Pietersen, Luke Wright and Tymal Mills have pulled out of the Gladiators side citing safety concerns, along with South African Rilee Roussouw and New Zealander Nathan McCullum.

ship game in Lahore in a bid to have Pakistan returned to the international calendar following eight years of isolation.

However, a bomb explosion at a public rally two weeks ago further heightened tensions.

No major international side has toured Pakistan since 2009 when a terrorist attack against the Sri Lanka team bus resulted in the death of several members of the security forces and injury to several players.

Only recently, the West Indies Cricket Board turned down an invitation from the Pakistan Cricket Board, to play a Twenty20 series here later his month.

Automobile Power Products announces fan incentives for STAG Elite League ge 27 ee Pa S lucky patrons

ODI series bowls off today in Antigua

… Windies hoping for bright start against fifth-ranked England See storyon page 23

West Indies captain Jason Holder bowls at net practice.

England are ranked fifth in the ODI standings.

Being the best is never easy - Bolt FIFA struggling to regain fan confidence, Transparency says

By Brian Homewood |

World’s fastest man Usain Bolt WORLD’S fastest man Usain Bolt has reiterated the fact that hard work has been the most crucial ingredient in his complete domination of the sport of track and field, even as he prepares to hang up his spikes in a few months’ time.

The Jamaican’s dominance of the sprint events over the last few years has almost been unparalleled.

The sprinter has not only

managed eight Olympic and 11 World Championship gold medals, but also lost only a handful of races in nearly 10 years since his first major gold medal in Beijing.

At times the sprinter has made defeating his numerous rivals look easy, but he has always been just as quick to insist it’s never the case.

“People always say I made it look easy, but it’s not easy,” Bolt told CNN in

a recent interview.

“It looks easy because I put in so much work so when I get on the stage I execute very well. I tell people all the time that if I’m in good shape, then no one is going to beat me.”

Bolt is eager to take a break from that work and has vowed to call time on his career following this summer’s World Championships in London. (Sportsmax)

ZURICH, Switzerland (Reuters) - FIFA is still struggling to regain the trust of soccer fans, with more than half those interviewed saying they had no confidence in the sport’s governing body, according to a survey published yesterday.

Corruption watchdog Transparency International, which conducted the survey jointly with Swedish-based Forza Football, added that FIFA’s image may have been hurt by its attempts to increase revenue.

Fifty-three percent of 25 000 fans interviewed from 50 countries said they had no confidence in FIFA, which is trying to regain credibility after a corruption crisis in 2015 that saw dozens of officials indicted in the United States of America. Even so, that was an improvement over 69 percent last year, the survey said.

“For any organisation that

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FIFA president Gianni Infantion was elected one year ago to replace Sepp Blatter. relies so much on the fans -- without the fans football is dead, it’s commercially dead, its passion is dead -- that is a rather serious situation,” Transparency head Cobus de Swardt told Reuters.

“We don’t underestimate the toughness of the job, but in that sense so far the news has been only moderately

good.”

He added that FIFA’s struggle to attract new sponsors was another symptom of its troubles.

FIFA has signed only one top-tier partner, China’s Wanda Turn to Page 23

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017